EDITORIAL Fifty years ago, we the people boarded a bus called democracy. We put away our old things, packed our new bags and set off towards our destination. We were not traversing unmapped terrain; our vision was clear, our passion had a colour - a tricolour. Our journey was not uneventful; there were some smooth roads, there were many rough ones. Our vision got clouded along the way; we seemed to have lost our sense of direction. Disha is our attempt to take that journey kickstarted by a free fifty years ago Disha explores the direction we chose to set out in, where we are today, and the turn this journey could take tomorrow. The articles look both backwards and forwards in time. 'Looking Glass' reflects where we are heading with the institutions of democracy such as law, the press, health and the economy today. 'Rear Window' takes a detour from the beaten track of history and gives those who may have been swallowed by its grand narrative a voice. "A sovereign socialist secular democratic republic" was our destination. Sometimes, it feels we have almost reached there, sometimes, it feels we are miles short of it. We may not have fulfilled the noble ideals enshrined in our Constitution. Yet, we chug on. Our belief that one day we shall reach our destination keeps us going. Along the way we discovered that our burning desire for freedom may have died down, our passion may have faded. But, it still remains. As a bumper sticker puts it : These colours don't run. - The Editors CONTENTS "Common Man, Raise Your Hand!" ...... 3 Age Cannot Stale Her (1933) ...... 5 Walking Home from Burma ...... 6 The Exodus (1947) ...... 7

A Bitter Pill to Swallow ...... 8 The Death of the Mahatma (1948) ...... 10 From Behind the Firing Line (1949) ...... U TI:te First Republic Day Parade Down Rajpath (1950) ...... 12 Stop Press ! ...... 13 May Day! May Day! The Birth of (1960) ...... 15 Liberating The Spirit of Goa (1961) ...... 16 Red Vox (1963) ...... 16 She works hard for the money ...... 17 Jai Prakash Narayan, Bihar and the Famine (1966-67) ...... 19 The First Drop of Saffron (1969) ...... 20 A Tryst with (1975) ...... 21 The Summer of '47 ...... 22 A Stricken City (1982) ...... 24 The Second Partition (1984) ...... 25 Walk On The Wild Side (1986) ...... ;...... 26 Women And Legal Reform: The Law on Trial ...... 27 Woman Woman Burning Bright (1987) ...... 29 MandaI Burning (1990) ...... 30 Scam Success (1992) ...... 30 Before Babri (1992) ...... 31 Tri-Cola ...... 32 "The Worst Riots In History" (1992-93) ...... 34 The Bombing of (1993) ...... 35

A Summit Of Their Own (1995) ...... ~...... 36 With No Reservations ... (1996) ...... 37 .. The Usual Bunch of Morons" (1997) ...... 38

2 d isha Looking Glass something to take from him." Predicts Rajawade, "I foresee for the Bhonsale expresses an optimistic Prakash supports this view, "If they common man, a system of opinion. "We have resisted the British promise, the state loses control over guardianship; those who are educated and the Mughals. The common man them, loses the power to impose can be his guardians." won't stay quiet forever. Some decisions. It's a deliberate policy to solution will arrive." But the "some But why is it easier for the elite keep them curbed." Rajawade solution" option of a proletariat class to think of creating an educated disagrees: "Because we are educated, empowered miraculously in some elite rather than an educated common we feel compassion for those who are distant future does not offer any way man? Damodar Yadav, a taxi driver, affected adversely. A rule by the out of the dilemma. In our has his answer pat. "Jiski lathi, uski elite, a responsible and intelligent elite questioning of the situation in which is the best way to rule this country." bhaes" (The person with the power the common man is spoken for by But aren't we already witnessing the has the voice). Has independence others, we find ourselves speaking on benefited only the elite? Have the rule of an elite class of a different his behalf. kind, the kind which is seduced by British left behind their legacy - an liberalisation and glossy media English speaking elite Raj - which Is the man in the blue shirt the presentations. Sighs Vidyadhar Date, has totally lost touch with the common man? Or is the woman in a Special Correspondent with The Times common man? Yadav understands the khadi kurta a more appropriate of India "Poverty is too boring. It is tyranny astutely, "Under the British it definition of "him". Perhaps, our just not on the agenda for the media." was racial tyranny. Now it is balconies don't give us a good view. economic tyranny - 'majboori ka Perhaps, the silent backs and unseen The common man is our creation, dabav. ,. Social and economic faces are no longer a satisfactory our need to safely compartmentalise democracy would not be difficult to answer. Perhaps, if we merged into those who are "anything but us." The extend to those like Yadav, if the the mass of multicoloured shirts and common man gives the elite class a men with the lathis are willing to try kurtas that flow towards Churchgate, purpose to exist, so that they can to allow democracy and power to we would understand. But do we safely and smugly say to themselves - trickle down. really want to? I:l "We are here to improve his lot." .,

Democracy is based upon the conviction that there are extraordinary possibilities ill ordinary people. - H. E. Fosdick.

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Age Cannot Stale Her (1933) - preeta dutta It was a cold winter morning, weaving khadi clothes for the entire while in hospital an English tea estafe February 1933. All the children were family. manager who was anti-Congress came trudging towards their respective to visit her. He had witnessed the "I was initially hesitant to wear schools. But, one group of young entire scene and was extremely the khadi lest some of my friends students had refused to go to school. moved. He said "Now I understand laugh at the coarse cloth. My mother They had organised a meeting outside Gandhiji's non violent movement. It IS replied, "If anyone laughs at you tell the Town Hall in Guwahati to protest difficult to kill someone who faces them that a mother's gift of cloth, against the death sentence of Bhagat death with a smile." even if it is coarse, should be Singh and to mourn the death of accepted as a blessing with a bowed To add to her problems Kanaklata . The police started to head," says Kanaklata. lost her parents in an accident and lathi-charge the gathering and the was orphaned at the age of 20. Her leader of the protest meeting, a . Later on Kanaklata joined an all fourteen year-old girl, was placed husband, also a freedom fighter, was women organisation called The Assam sentenced to life imprisonment at behind bars. Pradeshik Mahila Samiti. She was Alipore Jail, Calcutta, within two only eighteen years old when she The young girl, Kanaklata Das years of her marriage. She single­ waqted to participate in the Quit India was immediately expelled from school. handedly brought up her seven-month­ Movement and be a part of the "death Her mother was requested by the then old daughter. Chief Minister of Assam, Sir brigade." She worked from her wheelchair, Muhammad Sadulla, to write a letter Initially she was not allowed to spinning, weaving and collecting to the school principal saying, "In participate by the Party members as money in tin boxes for Congress future, I will see that my daughter she was a minor but at her insistence funds. She even started a hand written does not take part in such activities." and enthusiasm they gave in. magazine focussing on India's heritage Kanaklata's mother refused to submit Kanaklata was asked to lead the and culture. Today, Kanaklata is 74 such a letter and said," One can even procession at Guwahati and hoist the years old. Though she looks gain knowledge without going to national flag at the Town Hall. She physically frail and weak one can see school if there is an urge for still remembers the Congress Party the strength in her gentle face. She education. I do not want to teach her President Jyoti Prasad AgarwaJa was rewarded for her contribution to to develop a slavish mentality." saying that she looked like a fourteen the country and received a Padma year old girl and so the police would This was young Kanaklata's first Vibhushan in 1971. revolt against the British and probably not harm her. Unfortunately the her first victory. From this point, her British did open fire and Kanaklata As I get ready to leave her house education would be carried out at was severely wounded. She fell to the Kanaklata's 18-year-old grand daughter home. ground but still managed to hoist the walks in. She tells me "My flag and do her "duty". She was grandmother is an amazing woman. I Kanaklata believes that her mother rushed to hospital and given wish I could be even a little bit like played a major role in her life and immediate medical help. The doctors her. I am very proud to be her influenced her to a great extent. Her were able to save her life, but she grandchild." She has every reason to mother was a strong-willed and lost all sensation in her limbs and be. Q courageous lady who had always was paralysed from her hip dreamt of a free India. She started downwards. Kanaklata remembers that

The great hope of society IS individual character.

Channing.

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Walking Home from Burma

- louella rebello In 1942, the Japanese invaded men had to walk. Mrs. D'Souza was to be alive, to be untouched by Burma. The Indian families living one of the few women who walked. tragedy of loosing anyone close to her there had to come back. The men She says, the British had cut a path in that journey. It makes her think of walked and the women and children through the forest for the Indian all the times that God has been there came by boat. One lady recounts her families. The first lap of the journey for her. experience of the journey she made was by boat. However, there were no She remembers going down a from Burma as an eight year old. rations as everyone had left in a hUrry. Her entire family was given particularly steep path trying to help "Don't listen to rumours - here's one small boat as they sailed, they her little siblings. Her father was the news" said the radio on the 20th could see the bodies floating past.. ... unable to offer much assistance as he of December 1941 in Burma. The bodies of those who didn't make it. was suffering from shell-shock still. "I news was that "all was fine, the army don't know how we managed it" she was retreating to more strategic "We had to take water from the ~ says. There was a pregnant lady in locations." The rumour was that the same river and drink it" she shudders. the convoy as well. That journey for Japanese would attack on the 23rd of They survived for days on rice and her must have been extremely December.... they did. water'. Since travelling was impos~ible difficult, when the convoy reached at night the Sampans (Burmese boats) Calcutta. She went into labour, Mrs. Felicity D'Souza (name had to be hauled up a bank and the delivered her baby and died. change on request) was an eight-year­ journey would continue the next old girl then. Her father was a station morning. This continued for several On that journey she says, master in a smail town in Burma. days and then the agonising walk everyone helped each other, but there Anticipating trouble, he had packed began. were so many mishaps, many fell ill off his entire family to the border of and died. It took them about a month China. The next day, the station Mrs. D'souza belonged to a large to walk through the forests. "But I where he worked was bombed. "When family. They were ten children and ' as remember this distinctly : nobody dad heard the planes coming, he they walked through thick forests, wanted to give up" she says. Finally dived for cover and our four dogs progress was slow. "The rest of the they reached a railway station at flung themselves over him, and so he convoy would be ahead and they Dimapore where they had to take a was safe from the falling concrete. would light brushwood to show us the train to Calcutta. The train journey Our dogs died, but dad was saved." way and frighten off animals." The however, is a blur in her memory. Her father suffered from shell-shock British had arranged for provisions for for years after the bombing. He the convoys. To organise food for 23 It was in Calcutta that these managed to make it to the border convoys at such a short notice was a refugees were given a change of where he joined his family to make feat. The next convoy, the 24th, was clothes by the Red Cross. "I the journey to India .... a journey that bombed. remember a man came up to us and would test all their endurance ... gave us a tin of lard. It tasted bad, physical and mentaL... a journey that Although food was available, but we took it for the tin," she says. would change their lives forever. hygiene wasn't top priority. At one The journey changed her life forever. place, everyone went down to the It taught her to appreciate the simple And so the Great Burma Walk river to bathe, and almost all of them things in life and influenced her in a began. Thousands of Indians fled from got malaria. It was a time when way 'no one can understand.' She Rangoon leaving their property and people were dying like flies. Cholera feels blessed to be alive as she says their businesses, the very substance of and diarrhoea were the prime killers. "I don't want riches; I've got life." 0 their lives. The women and children Mrs. D'souza considers herself blessed were allowed to come by boat. The

Wars keep people busy. As a rule the spectators are the busiest of all. Some keep busy helping armies with their business of murder and massacre, loot and rapine. Others are left with blood trickling their way and no choice but to join the flow or mop it up. - Amitav Ghosh

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The Exodus (1947) - tulika singh In the spring of 1946, 16-year-old Two Nation theory. "We did not "I was dead scared but relieved Sushila came to Lahore as a bride. believe in the concept of making two and grateful at the same time," She had assumed that Lahore would countries out of one, and till the last Sushila says with tears in her eyes. be her home, but little did she know day kept on saying She could not believe that they had that she was laying the foundation of that it would not happen, that he made it alive and unharmed to a life that was not to be. would not let it happen. Partition Amritsar. seemed unthinkable." It was in the spring of 1947 that Post-Partition, they started their the unrest started. Sushila's husband But people all around them were life afresh. Jagdish started teaching at Jagdish would come home with tales moving to East Punjab and other parts the Punjab University at Hoshiarpur. of fights between Hindu and Muslim of the country. Though Jagdish They had five children. Life fell into students at the college in which he refused to even think about going, a regular routine. Raising her children, taught. The trouble ultimately reached Sushila took all her jewellery and tied supporting Jagdish in his career, their own street. One day, as she was it in a "potli." She hung it near the attending social functions, she became putting clothes out to dry on the door in case they ever had to leave in busy enough not to ponder over the terrace, she saw a few Muslim boys a hurry so that at least she .could take horrors of 1947. belonging to her neighbourhood barge some valuables with her. It broke her Today, when she sits with her into her neighbour Gauri's house. heart to think that she might have to beloved grandchildren, memories They dragged the pregnant Gauri into leave her house, her utensils, the unlock themselves, and she recounts the courtyard and started taunted her lovely old furniture and everything stories of her adventures during for being a Hindu. They slit her else behind. abdomen open with their knives, took Partition. Yet, it wasn't just her belongings out the foetus and threw it against the she was thinking about when they She is able to remember it all wall. Then shouting "kafir murdabad" actually had to sneak out of their without searing pain today. She has they left. Sushila remembers the house to go to the railway station. made peace with all her nightmares as incident vividly. They were running for their lives and she has seen people destroy their lives From that day whenever her Sushila's "potti .. of valuables lay with the memory of their pain. Sushila husband left the house, she would forgotten till she was safely in India. is grateful to have survived and has climb up to the roof above the terrace no regrets about what could have The memory of the train journey and crouch in one comer. She kept been. to Amritsar is still fresh in her mind. chilli powder and stones next to her Sushila and Jagdish clung to each What saddens her though, is the for protection. "I died a thousand other in the overcrowded compartment fact that the Partition wasn't able to deaths everyday. I would beg my and prayed that the stories they had solve any problems or provide any husband to take me to my parents' answers. People went through so much home in Ludhiana." heard of trainfuls of people being stabbed or poisoned to death were not pain and suffering and loss and it all She and most of her friends were true. They thanked God they were seemed so futile. Sushila has seen fifty years of two countries hating caught up in confusion at the together. Many others in their each other, two religions trying to increasing acts of terror around them. compartment had lost their dear ones vanquish each other. Q And then came another strange story. in the sea of humanity that was One that Sushila and her crossing the newly chalked out contemporaries could not quite "border." comprehend, never mind believe: the

The tyranny of a multitude is a multiplied tyranny. - E. Burke.

7 disha Looking Glass A Bitter Pill to Swallow

- nandini ramnath and aesha ahsan Intent on winning the womb war, the government has wilfully ignored the reproductive rights of Indian women.

"If some excesses appear, don't the Women's Centre, Mumbai. She "persuaded" to opt for sterilisation in blame me. ... you must consider it contrasts the lack of treatment of . keeping with the targets set by the something like a war. There could be reproductive tract infections with the government. a certain amount of misfiring out of incentives offered to a woman for enthusiasm. Whether you like it or sterilisation. This "bacche bandh kame ka not, there will be a few dead people." operation" is targeted more towards In fact the so-called 'cafeteria women than men. Males who were Dr. D. N. Pai, Harvard- educated approach' the government is proud of, scared off by forcible male former director of family planning in offers little or no choice to the sterilisations during the Emergency Mumbai on his plans for compulsory period were almost never wooed back: sterilisation (New York Times, 1976), the onus fell on women who quoted in Reproductive Rights and traditionally have little or no control Wrongs by Betsy Hartmann. over their bodies, and who repose their faith in the government to In 1952 the Indian government address their health needs. embarked on something like a war. "The government wants to use The government has not managed methods where they do not have to to keep many of its pledges, one of interact with women so often," says which is to keep the growth rate of Chayanika Shah of the Forum for the population in control. Today, as Women's Health. In keeping with this India approaches the one billion mark indictment, the government plans to and threatens to take over China in at reintroduce Depo-provera, an least one respect, it seems that family injectable hormonal contraceptive, a planning has been a failure after all. single shot of which when The government's response to this administered every six months can has been to intensify its efforts, pump prevent pregnancy. Being an injection in more resources, personnel and Depo can be administered easily. Its funds - a great deal of which is woman. Among the various methods merits end here. Its side-effects external aid - into the programme. offered like the pill, Intra-uterine include menstrual disorders like In Mumbai alone, the Brihanmumbai Contraceptive Device or Copper-T, irregularity of menstrual cycles or Municipal Corporation recently operative procedures like abortions heavy or intermittent bleeding, skin concluded the India Population Project and sterilisation and now injectable disorders, tiredness, nausea, 5 with a little help from the World hormonal contraceptives like Depo­ depression, hair loss, loss of libido Bank. Given newspaper headlines like provera, Norplant and Net-en. The and delayed return to fertility. "Mumbai hurtles towards a population preferred ones are Copper-T and Yet, Depo was incorporated into disaster", it is likely that family steril isation. the programme in the 70's and planning efforts are likely to continue partially withdrawn only because of on a war footing, leaving quite a few And why wouldn't they be? vociferous protests by women's victims in their wake. Unlike the other methods including natural barrier methods, these methods groups. Today it silently hovers at the "The policies were not geared to are permanent and permit greater sidelines, waiting for official approval. women's health nor did they challenge control over fertility. As Dr. Patil, The 1.1. hospital in Mumbai the status of women nor did they medical officer, Family Planning at administers Depo. This in spite of a address themselves to the question of the Cama Albless Hospital puts it, statement by the spedal officer for sexuality ... Everything to do with "Sterilisation is the only permanent family planning BMC that they do not women's health was geared to family and guaranteed operation." Women use it. And certain health groups planning," says Ammu Abraham of with more than one child are would welcome its return. Says Dr.

8 disha Looking Glass

Patil of Cama hospital, "We would Apnalaya has succeeded where Apnalaya. Smaller, community-based definitely use Depo if it were to be others may have failed because its efforts which focus on female approved." priority is the overall health of a education and overall health have woman and the community rather than always stolen the march over top­ However some groups are not just controlling her fertility. Concepts down bureaucratic programmes. Then, completely convinced of its benefits. like maternal and child health, as Leena Joshi puts it, "family For Leena Joshi, director of Apnalaya, reproductive health, and family welfare planning is a by-product." a health group for women which have always been integral to its works in the Tardeo slums, the family approach; the government on the other "Family planning has to shift to planning programme is "one of side of the fence seems to have just talking of different ways in which coercion. It looks at a woman only woken up to this idea. "Old wine in women and men relate to one when she is going to be a mother." a new bottle," says Ms. Joshi another," says Chayanika Shah. A tall She points out that other health needs dismissively. order for a government bent on like treatment for Sexually Transmitted achieving targets and winning the Diseases and infertility are neglected Do we need a state-sponsored womb war. Cl in favour of population control family planning programme at all? measures. She feels, "The family "We do not need American money (0 planning programme does not need a tell us how many children we should separate budget; it should be included have," says Annabel Mehta of in the general health programme."

So live that yOU · can look any man III the eye and tell him to go hell. - H. L. Mencken.

9 d isha Rear Window The Death of the Mahatma (1948)

by vUaya s. george . 'The light is out and darkness how can he possibly die?" For was flashed all over the papers, pervades everywhere." The whole Newalkar, who had been to Gandhiji's Jagdish Chandra tried to get in touch country stilled to listen as news of meeting in Bombay and even received with the higher officials and warn Gandhiji's assassination was aired on personal letters from Gandhiji asking them that the first attempt on the radio by Prime Minister him to take up individual , Gandhiji's life was not going to be . This was no fonnal for a man who had been tortured for the last. He was not wrong. Seven condolence - it was not said simply months in the Thane prison and days later the assassins struck again. because it would be the expected suffered irreparable damage to his eye This time in the fonn of Nathuram thing to say in the event of a political and hand, for a man who strongly Godse. Jagdish Chandra believed that figure's death. He was not the kind of believed that India would soon be a the whole attempt could have been man the country could erase from its free nation, the death of the Mahatma averted if someone had listened to memory by saying, "Well, he is dead. came as a terrible blow. • him. Newalkar never understood why We can't do anything about it, let us Jagdish Chandra didn't seek his help. More so, because Newalkar get on with our lives." Gandhiji's death was a personal bereavement for thought he could have averted it. But that wasn't the issue anymore. Newalkar was well known in the The fact remained that Gandhiji had most Indians, not just for those who political circles, unlike his close had worked in close proximity with died that nothing could resurrect him. him but for several others, who felt friend, Jagdish Chandra Jain, a Years later it has become fashionable motivated by his words to join the professor at St. Xavier's College. for many to condemn Gandhiji for the freedom struggle. Jagdish Chandra used to frequent way he handled the freedom struggle. Newalkar's house. He was later called If anybody is capable of moving Many felt the way G. B. to be the main witness in the Gandhiji millions of Indians the way Gandhiji Newalkar, an 82-year-old freedom assassination case. did, if anyone can faithfully follow fighter, then a young man, did, when the principle of non-violence to the he heard of Gandhiji's death. "Bapu "A big thing is going to last, if any man can achieve freedom was like a father to me. I had never happen," Madhavral Pahwa a for us in such a manner, then let him cried the way I did when he died. pavement book seller whom Jagdish be the first to cast a stone at bought books from warned him. On Not even for my own father's death." Gandhiji. (J Several Indians may have asked the 22nd January, 1948 when the first same question that Newalkar asks attempt was made on Gandhiji's life even today, "A man like Gandhiji - arid Madhavlal Pahwa's photograph

For us patriotism lS the same as the love for humanity. * * * Civilisation is the encouragement of differences; civilisation thus becomes a synonym for democracy. Force, violence pressure or compulsion with a view to conformity is both un civilised and undemocratic. - M. K. Gandhi.

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From Behind the Firing Line (1949) - samira singh 8.00 a.m. November 15 1949. A Gandhiji, and on the other hand, felt by Nathuram Godse is a book that man was executed in Ambala Jail. great admiration for his total was prevented from being published The whole of India celebrated the fearlessness and his conviction." by a government ban. Gopal Godse, execution. Nathuram Godse was more . Nathuram Godse's brother, printed a The next day, Kamath wrote a than just a murderer - he had, by few private copies and circulated report for The Free Press Journal fi ring at Mahatma Gandhi, assassinated them. One of the recipients was which was translated into Marathi for a spirit of freedom and unity that held Kamath. the sister-publication, Navshakti. millions of Indians together. "I never met the man but my "Apparently, Godse read every Since then, Godse has been buried report of the trial may have shown paper to see what they said about in history, fossilised in condemnation how moved I was. Godse's will is him." All of them denounced him - no one knows very much about also really touching. Maybe Gopal while Kamath gave an objective him . Godse sent me the book because he report, noting the man's convictions. saw that I could see the other side "My editor came in waving a letter, One man troubled himself to see (their side) even if I was against it Godse's point of view even if he did which he called, "a certificate from completely." not wholly agree with it. M. V. Godse." "The letter said that mine Kamath, veteran journalist, has had a ~ 'was the best report of all.' What The book begins with a note from glimpse into the silent life behind the struck me," says Kamath, "was Godse. An excerpt is printed below - ossified mask. Godse's firm conviction, however misplaced it was." "I am prepared to concede that Kamath was one of the few Gandhiji did undergo sufferings for journalists present at Godse's trial in Godse declared, "I did not have the sake of the Nation. I shall bow in New . "There must have been anything against Gandhiji, but he respect to the service and to him. But about six to eight people covering stood for partition and I hated him even this servant of the country had Godse's trial at the Red Fort. There for it ... My confidence about the no right to vivisect the country by weren't too many papers in those moral side of my action has not been deceiving the people. days. I was sent to 'Delhi by The Free shaken even by the criticism levelled Press Journal to cover the Second against it on all sides". "I do not desire any mercy to be shown to me. I do not also wish that Asian Relations Conference when the In a democracy, journalism is trial began and I stayed on to cover anyone on my behalf should beg supposed to be objective and non­ it." mercy towards me. partisan. Kamath feels he respected "I remember Godse was standing that spirit by presenting the other "If devotion to one's own country with two policemen on either side side. amounts to a sin, I admit to have committed that sin. If it is while the Judge, sitting on the Godse died believing he had platform, read out his indictment. meritorious, I humbly claim the merit committed no sin. In his will he thereof. When he finally came to the last implored that his ashes be immersed sentence and said, " ... to be hanged in the river Indus only when "I have no doubt that honest until dead," for the assassination of Hindustan and Pakistan were one writers of history will weigh my act Gandhiji, Godse did not even bat an again. The last of his ashes are still and find the true value thereof some eyelid. He gave a small salute and in Pune. day in future." walked away." Years after the execution, Kamath - (Nathuram Godse) 0 "I was impressed by his stand. received a copy of Godse's account of hated him for his having killed his life. May it please your Honour

What IS truth on one side of the Pyrenees IS error on the other. - Pascal.

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The First Republic Day Parade Down Rajpath (1950) - preeta d utta It was six a.m. in the morning - "In a way, the entire atmosphere made everyone feel united." a typical cold and foggy January was like a mela, with a great deal of The parade itself was very morning in New Delhi. It would have festivity and camaraderie. The balloon different. There was no deployment of been just another ordinary winter's men, the chana walas and all the other the air force and the navy. Nor were day, but it was not.... It was the 26 hawkers were having a field day there any cultural tableaux or heavy of January, 1950, when India selling their goods." Through all the artillery. The entire parade was a celebrated her first Republic Day as a festivity and frolic there was an all­ much smaller affair with less fanfare sovereign democratic republic. . encompassing feeling of togetherness and probably carried on for an hour. and belonging. The Agarwal family had decided "The crowd would cheer and clap to leave their house as early as "There was a sudden rush when loudly for the army contingents as possible and go to Rajpath so that the President came in a horse-driven they marched by. The Delhi police they could occupy well located seats. carriage with all his guards following and the Gurkha regiments got the He remembers, ''There was a great behind. Dr. then took maximum applause." deal of excitement and enthusiasm in the salute, and not a sound was heard the air; every patriotic household was amongst the millions of people who 46 Republic day parades later, moving towards Rajpath that day. were there." For Mr. Agarwal the best Mr. Agarwal feels that the entire part of the entire parade was that political atmosphere is very different "At that time no tickets were "everything was so informal, there from what it was then. "One felt very issued and everyone was allowed in were no rehearsals before, the army free. Hours before the parade began patriotic and proud to be an Indian. parade was less refined; yet the When the parade ended, everybody people-old, young, wrapped up in feeling of patriotism could not have slowly walked towards their respective their woolens had come and occupied been greater." the seats." He recalls that the entire homes - a historic and memorable moment for each one. As they walked area was choked with people. The Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the then out, one of the tunes played by the population may have been less, but Prime Minister would walk around the the number of people who came to enclosures, mingling with the people, band kept ringing in their ears "Sare jahan se achha Hindustan see the parade was considerably larger talking with them. "I remember clearly hamara ..... (J than today. The entire area from when he came up and picked up our Rajpath all the way upto Connaught son Neeraj and started talking to him. Place was full of people." It was a small gesture, but one that

We, the people of India, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a sovereign socialist secular democratic republic and to secure to all its citizens: Justice: social, economic and political; Liberty: of thought, expression, belief, faith and worship; Equality: of status and opportunity; Fraternity: assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation; In our Constituent Assembly, this 26th day of November 1949, do hereby adopt, enact and give ourselves this Constituition. - The Preamble of The Constitution of India.

12 disha Looking Glass , Stop Press • - samira singh and auditi guha The press in India has played a crucial role in transiting India from an autocracy to a democracy. Today, the press seems to have assumed the role of the oppressor itself with exclusive control over information. A look at the role of the press during its transition during the last 50 years. Infonnation is power. Autocracy not think the press had a significant struggle had given birth to an concentrates power, hierarchy ensures role to play in the freedom struggle. emotionally charged press. The new exclusive rights to information, thus It was a mass movement which order required a more objective ensuring exclusive power. developed its own momentum. There stance. "The role of the press in any was such a huge surge of patriotism democracy is pretty well defined," A democracy guarantees its that I do not think the press could says Dharker. "It should infonn, participants equal rights which include really have helped to create it or help comment and analyse in an objective, the right to equality of opportunity. factual way preferably without This can obviously only exist if interpretation as that should be the information is decentralised. Purveyors reader's privilege". of news assume a vital role in keeping any democracy breathing. The Few papers play such a press therefore becomes critical in non-partisan role, however. ensuring decentralised power. In India, the press has never India has, in the last 50 years, functioned as an objective viewer. transited from being under the During the freedom struggle, it was autocratic British to building and either strongly pro-or anti-the British. maintaining a democracy. Colonised Today, it is either pro-or anti-those information has given way to that can meet its needs best. "At least liberalised information. The press has then they had a common ideal. Today played a crucial role during India's there are just fragmented personal transition into democracy. objectives that detennine the stance of a paper," says Dharker. Indigenous reportage began with India's struggle for freedom. The "Earlier, journalism meant press in India was inextricably linked conviction, today it is a career, a with her burning desire for freedom . It In any major way. It merely business with its own pulls and Both grew together, feeding each reflected it." pressures," says K. N. Prabhu while other in a symbiotic relationship. M. V. Kamath analyses the role of Kamath disagrees, "It is not fair the press today as being "money Says M.V. Kamath, ex-editor of to say that the press was not oriented, not principle oriented. Earlie~ Th e Free Press Journal. the important because if there were no there was a mission, a vision, now we nationalist manifesto of the time, 'The papers, the momentum would not have are all consumers. The ads in a paper press represented the nationalist been publicised. It was an action - are more importanJ than the news in viewpoint. We reported speeches of reaction phenomenon or better still, it." He asks further, "Can you imagine leaders like Gandhi, Nehru and Patel the chicken-and-egg question." that a newspaper today writes about in great detail. Everything we wrote what to eat in which restaurant? You aimed at building public opinion and At a time of divisive rule, the write about a dish that costs RsAOO/­ it reflected our desire for press played a unifying role. "Our when your average reader cannot independence." goal was independence. We were committed to it", says K. N. Prabhu, possibly afford it. It is absurd. There However, Anil Dharker, ex-editor veteran journalist. is absolutely no sense of direction or of Debonair, The Sunday Mid-Day purpose anymore." and The Independent, discounts the The goal was achieved in 1947 Gandhiji once said, "The true role of the press in mobilising or when India won her independence function of journalism is to educate fuelling the freedom struggle. "I do from colonisation. The national the public mind, not to stock it with

13 disha Looking Glass wanted and unwanted impressions." The press ceased to act in the public their own minds to root out traces of Today, as Prabhu Chawla (ex-editor of interest, it acted in the interest of a bias, ignorance and prejudice." The Indian Express) says, "Facts are class." the first casualty. When facts don't One common goal has given way N. Ram, editor of Frol/t Line, support their objective, journalists tend to fragmented goals as colonialism has to remould them." said (The Indian Express. 14/6/92), given way to democracy. Today the "The coverage of the agitation by a press seems to be moving back into One example of how the press good part of the influential media was colonialism. 50 years ago "swadeshi" stocked the public mind with definitely biased and did whip up was the spirit of nationalism. Today 'unwanted impressions' is its coverage mindless violence. Unfortunately, a liberalisation demands that India let in of the MandaI Commission Report number of editors jumped into the foreign media. While most journalists, which sought to reserve 27 per cent fray and spewed inflammatory reports. Dharker, Kamath and Prabhu of government jobs for the backward Such kind of campaign journalism included, see their eminent entry as classes. Prem Shankar Jha, former glorifying reactionary attitudes did non-threatening and feel the advisor to V. P. Singh, analysed the mislead the students." competition will be good for Indian role of the press in 1992 when he ~ newspapers, it is good to remember Dileep Padgaonkar, ex-editor of said, "The press highlighted certain that information is a resource and a The Times of India, said (The Indian parts of V. P. Singh's speeches, very valuable on at that. The pen is Express 2211 1192) "Reporters and edited some and quoted some out of mightier than the sword and by letting editors should be concerned but not context. The Times Of India, other go of the pen, are we, by committed because commitment spells Delhi papers and India Today had 'liberalising' information, letting in activism and you're bound to get a their front pages and cover full of our colonisers again? form of journalism which is close to pictures of Rajiv Goswami, the student who attempted suicide, the spirit of pamphleteering. While Information is, after all, power. (J it is best burning, without a thought to the dealing with sensitive issues, if reporters and editors first look into possible consequences of such an act.

It would be folly to argue that the people cannot make political mistakes. they can and do make grave mistakes. They know it, they pay the penalty; but compared with the mistakes which have been made by every kind of autocracy, they are unimportant. - Calvin Coolidge.

14 disha Rear Window

May Day! May Day! The Birth of Maharashtra (1960)

- dimple mahan Today's Hutatma Chowk, clearly. \05 people were killed after The rally at Hutatma Chowk had been yesterday's Red Square. Even though Morarji Desai, the then Chief Minister organised to support this demand. the embers of India's struggle for of the Bombay Presidency, gave Yeshwant Rao Chavan and Mrinal Independence had cooled down, there orders to open fire. It was a mini­ Gore were active participants in this was unrest and chaos in the lallianwala Baug massacre. He movement. Presidency of Bombay; as it was opposed the proposal put forth by the "Nothing however came out of known then. Samjukta Party's Maharashtra leaders. this rally; lives were lost and families Ego hassles I guess." Mr. M.V. Rajadhyaksha, retired displaced, and finally the Bombay Professor of English at Elphinstone After the State Reorganisation Act Presidency was divided and Bombay College, Mumbai, just 20 at that time, to divide the Indian provinces into made the capital of Maharashtra," In seethed and fumed yet chose to linguistic states was passed, lawaharlal Maharashtra, the bifurcation took remain a silent spectator to the Nehru, the then Prime Minister of place on May I, 1960; an event in events. "It was not that I was scared. India, insisted on the reorganisation of history which is comparably minor to I was working and studying at the Bombay Presidency. "I suppose it is that of India's independence, yet same time. I knew I would be possible that a man of such frighteningly similar to the pain and jeopardising my job and my family if competence could also make struggle that took place. Rajadhyaksha I joined the movement." mistakes. Bombay was bilingual with feels "Ironically, today, even after 30 Marathi and Gujrathi speaking people years of bifurcation we are not sure The events that finally led to the and it was difficult to identify the whether certain areas like Daug are bifurcation of Bombay into areas," says Rajadhyaksha. Added to theirs or ours. The bifurcation is an Maharashtra and Gujarat have long this was the demand put forth by the illusion. I still feel that Gujarat and been forgotten. Rajyadaksha however Samjukta Party leaders that Bombay Maharashtra are one and the same recalls the Hutatma Chowk massacre be made into an independent state. state." 0

0fKt1t PJjru/ Of/i/te<; jknt :

IS disha Rear Window Liberating The Spirit of Goa (1961)

- aparna mathur

Commander Shankar (fictitious island and to capture Portuguese "This went on for about a week. name), a retired naval officer, lounges troops based on the island." Bombardment of the island at night in his easy chair sipping beer, as he and search parties in the morning. At A naughty gleam twinkles in his reminisces about the 1961 'naval last one Portuguese soldier was eye as he refills his beer mug and action in Goa.' "An Indian naval ship, caught. The others had, of course proceeds with the story. "During the INS KARWAR (fictitious name) was conveniently escaped." day, the ship would bombard the dispatched for action two days after island to enable the hidden troops to After a hearty laugh, Cdr. Shankar action on land had been completed." come out of the jungle and caves. At leans forward and almost whispers "In Taking another swig of beer, he night she would land the sailors on case you're wondering about the recalls "INS KARWAR was under the island to capture the Portuguese Portuguese soldier, well, he was refit at the naval dockyard in Bombay, sorry, Mumbai now, forgive troops, if they came out of their hide interrogated both on the ship and outs." me I'm an old timer" (He adds with ashore, but hardly any secrets were uncovered. an apologetic smile), "and therefore He rubs his hands together, laughs was not really ready for action. Her loudly and says, "Now comes the best "The ship returned to Bombay crew was raw, and had not seen any part. The Portuguese had hidden a lot after seven days with no Portuguese action. of country liquor on the island. In warships sunk or damaged in action, the morning, when a new search party "As the ship arrived at Marmagoa nor any troops captured. But with a would be landed on the island, they harbour, it ran aground. She therefore good stock of country liquor." would find our sailors merrily drunk had to be anchored off Anjadieu on the liquor they had found, but with This naval action has therefore island for minor refit. After necessary no Portuguese troops to al:l:ount for! has not found mention in any naval repairs she was to patrol off the dispatch! 0

Red Vox (1963)

- vUaya susan george

"It was a peaceful demonstration," months of hard work before the million signatures were collected," Sharada Sathe, active communist and demonstration. "r worked hard along declares Sathe proudly. "People feminist recalls. Perhaps that account~ _ with the others to urge people to became aware of their rights. This for the minimal coverage that the participate in the demonstration ... was their movement. The Communists issue got in the media. It's often said After class, I'd go campaigning, return were only the catalyst." that if you want something to be to college to play basketball, then go Dange began the first demand: splashed all over the papers, you campaigning again." "Down with the 75 Monopoly should break into violence. "But you The students were motivated Houses" decrying the private sector l:an't disl:ount the agitation of an largely by Comrade S A Dange, the conglomerates that had a strangle-hold entire peasant force in our country as founder of the Communist Party of on the country's economy. The people insignificant," she protests. India. "We went from house to house demanded "fair price shops" and the It was after the Indo-China war, campaigning, distributing pamphlets, abolition of the zamindari system and and India seemed to have regained conducting study l:ircles to brief other that gas oil and banking be some semblance of normalcy. But far students, collecting Re I from each nationalised. "It was a peaceful too much money had been poured sympathetic family to pay for train demonstration," she reiterates, "We into towards the war chest and prices tickets ... " are a Gandhian race. We wait shot through the roof. "We had to do In November 1963, the patiently, but meanwhile we protest. something," says Sathe, .her voice demonstration was held outside the non-violently. " filled with remembered urgency, "And Parliament in Delhi. "Several people "In those days, Communists were the Communists took the initiative." l:ame from different parts of the l:ampaigners, now they're leaders." she Sathe vividly recalls the six country to participate in it , and 10 concludes with a laugh. 0

16 disha Looking Glass

She works hard for the money...

- aditi jagannath and swaroopa iyengar The Indian woman is playing a new role today - that of the career woman. Her role may have changed, those of the supporting cast certainly haven't. The career woman still faces many problems today.

Lying in hospital Sheila started to for a career woman it is more than honoured roles 'as nurturant mothers". think a great deal about her family. just a matter of money, it is also the This thinly disguised male rhetoric She had been ignoring her daughter satisfaction she gets out of what she may have concealed the fear that the alld had not seen her husband in the does. economically independent woman past month. They are more important It has been 50 years since India would be the empowered woman. to me than any job or promotion. gained independence and it is as good Despite these restrictions and IVhen Ravi came to see her that a time as any to take a look at where hurdles, women have made some el'ellillg she told him of her decision working women are today. Women ~ headway. For every Kiran Bedi who to stop working - and watched his makes headlines for reforming Tihar face light up. "Welcome back. " he jail, there are countless khaki sari clad said. women who frisk passengers at Does this sound familiar ? airports and control the crowds at Magazines like Woman's Era - the Mahila Dharnas. For every Tarjani extract above has been taken from Vakil who makes important decisions one of their short stories - which every day as head of Exim Bank, claim to cater to women and deal there are thousands of women who with their problems ·'sensitively' are dipping their toes tentatively into publish innumerable stories along the male dominated waters of finance. these lines. The impression created by They are stepping out of their homes such stories is that a woman cannot and entering professions like the successfully juggle both her career defence forces which was unthought and home without 'dire' consequences. of even 25 years ago. Male dominated Both the children and the family are occupations like management and sacrificed in the process. The more journalism are being stormed by 'enlightened' media (for which read determined and ambitious women who upmarket) perpetuate another kind of function on an equal footing with myth - that a woman should be able their male counterparts. to successfully cope with both at the have always played an important role Says Vijaya Manerikar, Director same time. in the country's development. Before of lamnalal Bajaj Institute of Sheila, we are told, could afford independence, women were actively Management Studies, "We do not to quit her job. But there are involved in the freedom movement. have a special quota for women in thousands of women who need to After independence they were our college, neither do most 'other work, if for nothing else, to marginalised perhaps because management institutes in India. supplement their husband's incomes. patriarchy resented the equality which Students get in solely on the basis of They are working women as opposed they had achieved when they faced merit - but, yes, the number of to career women. The difference may British lathis with their husbands, sons women applying has risen in the past seem semantic but it is real. and fathers. few years. Then again, wanting and All working women are not career The husbands, sons and fathers getting in are two different things." women . The former is only interested seem to have demanded that their Society has slowly and unwillingly in augmenting her family's income women go back to playing the begun to accept the phenomenon of a while the latter is genuinely interested traditional roles of wives, sisters and working woman, it has to. Economics in her job and generally enjoys doing mothers. Women taking part in the rules, okay? it. She wants to make her way to the freedom movement were "doing it for Families with both partners top; she is a person who looks ahead. the country". Women claiming the working have become increasingly Both are interested in the paychecks right to work were seen as "being common. It is not unsusual to see they get at the end of the month but selfish", as "neglecting their time advertisements in matrimonial columns

17 disha Looking Glass

where men actually want to marry should hope to JOin the media ! Loose were routed to him. He couldn' t stand working women. Working women, morals are supposed to abound in this, he saw it as an anack on his mind you, not career women. advertising agencies, or so the head of position. He began to harass me, "My mother-in-law told me that the management facuIty in an institute insulting me in front of the dealers. my wife would be bringing home her maintains. Finally, I quit." dowry every month", says John Maria, "I am very apprehensive when my Lakhan's story is not new. Men free lance journalist "it seems that women students work as client do not find it easy to take orders society has managed to co-opt servicing executives in advertising from a woman. But there are other women's economic independence into agencies because of the loose morals strange details to her story. For the patriarchal system of thinking." people have there. You have to deal instance her job is a well kept secret The cost of living has gone up with so many clients there, you never among her family and community. considerably. It is now almost know what you may have to do." he "My parents feel that it would impair essential for women - especially those says, preferring anonymity. my chances of getting married," she coming from middle class families to It is interesting that he should confides. "So if you ring up and ask work in order to make ends meet. want to remain anonymous. Were he where I am, my mother is likely to "I do not have much of a choice, truly convinced about his stand, he say that I am out, not at work." After I have to work. I've been doing it would have no qualms about allowing marriage she will not work. Or if she ever since I got married which was us to use his name. However, he works it will be with the permission five years ago. I do not have any job wishes, no doubt, to be seen as of her husband. "Not very likely," she satisfaction. There is no creative input "progressive". And very few men are shrugs. "No woman in my community involved. I am hoping that my progressive. works. I don't think I'll be lucky husband gets a promotion so that I "I would never want my wife to enough to find the one liberated man can quit my job," says Rina Mittal work", says Chirag Shah, an as yet who will allow me to continue who works as an operator for a unmarried businessman. "As long as working." market research agency. she has me, why should she work ? And even where liberated men Part of the problem lies in how She can have an easy lifestyle, sit at "allow" their women to work, there is the money is spent. Although the home, watch television, eat well, have always the fear that the woman may be contributing equally to a good time." A pause and then the aforementioned management faculty the family income it is her husband's real reason "What will society say if I head voices, "If more and more needs which are placed first. As she allow her to work? They'll say that I women come out of their houses and continues to juggle both family and can't provide for her." work what will happen to the man? her job, priority is given to buying This is always a problem. Men They'll be unemployed." her husband a motorbike so that he find it difficult to :'allow" women to After 50 years it is difficult to can commute comfortably to work. A work and they find it equally difficult believe that anyone, let alone the head washing machine, which could ease to work with women. Working under of a reputed management institute her work load at home, comes a a woman ? That's agony for the hot where women are also educated distant second. blooded real male. should be able to express such On the surface, society seems to "My boss wanted me to take over regressi ve thoughts. accept the working woman. However, as branch manager in Mumbai," says Women may have come a \.ong underneath this acceptance, there are Rishika Lakhan, a senior sales way in the last 50 years but there are various conditions that are imposed on manager with Olympia Electricals miles to go before she sleeps the her. Firstly, she must not allow her Limited. "I decided against it because sleep of someone who competes on a work to take first priority. She must I felt that I was too inexperienced and level playing field, earns the same earn, because needs must be met, but needed more time to handle such a amount as her male colleagues, is she must see her job only as a means responsibility. So a man was brought treated with the same respect, and is to an end, not an end in itself. And in over my head. I didn't resent that provided with the infrastructure that finally she must join a respected as much as he did! All the dealers will allow her to develop her profession, such as teaching, even if it were used to speaking to me and potential. 0 pays less. But heaven forbid that she would ask him where I was if calls

A sufficient measure of civilisation lS the influence of good women. - Emerson.

18 disha Rear Window lai Prakash Narayan, Bihar and the Famine (1966-67)

- priyasri prasad

"As far as I can remember, the Kumar Suresh Singh, District together sacrificing his health in the famine of 1966-67 was the worst ever Commissioner of Palamu, who bargain. His wife, Prabhavati Devi. experienced by the people of Bihar," announced that the famine had hit would stand at the door with his says Mr. M.K. Sinha, a 77-year-old Palamu. The government, of course, medicines but lai Prakash would not gentleman who retired as the was furious with him for admitting have the time to take them from her. Inspector-General of the Indian Police. it," reminisces Mr. Sinha. He repeatedly declined several offers from to join politics He recalls how he got involved in Dressed impeccably in a dark and instead put all his energies into the relief work. "I had just retired blue suit and bright tie, Sinha social work." recounts his experiences of the relief from service when my son suggested work that followed the famine. that I join the Bihar Relief Committee Mr. Sinha recalls how people headed by the dynamic leader, lai were cheerful even in times of such "The monsoons had failed that Prakash Narayan. I joined the distress. "They had full faith in the year and famine hit the four districts committee in 1967. lai Prakash government machinery, and the of Bihar-Palamu, Bahua, Nawada, Narayan was the President while government on its part did all it could Gaya. About 30-35 lakh people were Ganga Charan Singh, the treasurer. to alleviate their suffering. affected," recollects Mr. Sinha. "The relief work made lai "This incident taught me a lot. I "It was basically a socio­ Prakash an international figure. saw people from all quarters coming economic crisis marked by drought, Foreign agencies especially German, in to help and it felt as if the world flood and widespread crop failure. donated crores of rupees. The Central were one big family," remark's Mr. Traditional irrigation systems had been and State governments also gave Sinha. "Even after the famine was neglected for a long time. Streams substantial monetary help," adds Mr. over the Bihar Relief Committee and lakes which were the main Sinha. "Free kitchens were set up at continued to function and I became, sources of water had fallen into Rajgiri, Gaya and Palamu to feed and still am, its President," says Mr. disuse. Political instability, the about four lakh people daily. I was 10 Sinha. changes in the ten ural system and charge of looking after the visitors consequent unsettled conditions in the from overseas," he adds. When asked about the situation rural areas all contributed to the now in Bihar, especially in Palamu, famine. Recollecting the contributions thirty years after the calamity took made by Mr. Narayan, Mr. Sinha place, Mr. Sinha shakes his head in "The prices of cereals rose, and says, "He was a committed man who despair. "There has been marginal even when food was available, few would walk miles looking after the improvement. The districts of Palamu had the money to buy it. bacoity at victims. He set up youth camps to and Gaya are still dependent on the grain stores and petty thefts increased. distribute food and clothes. monsoon for irrigation. No monsoon Though the signs of famine were Developmental work was also carried stiII means no crops, therefore the apparent by 1966, the Government out side by side. lai Prakash hired danger of yet another famine still refused to acknowledge that they had 100 surface percolation pumps and looms large over Bihar." 0 a problem on their hands until 1967, had water pumps installed in Palamu except one bold lAS officer, Dr. and Rajgiri. He worked for hours

The greatest human duty lS to feed the hungry. - Buddha.

19 disha · Rear Window

The First Drop of Saffron (1969)

- nandini ramnath "Why don' t you come for sports street of violence." Her primary devils- the men and the other day?" The newly married Ms.Flavia concern was to reach home- "I was violence." She finally managed to t1 ltalia (name changed on request) newly married; you never know what persuade one driver to at least drive n readily agreed to her cousin's request, he'll think." She ruefully adds" I'd her out of the area; as it turned out, and informed her husband that she bought a lot of tomatoes and my he dropped her right at her doorstep: would be back by 8 p.m. canteen chap had given me cheese, "He was a thorough gentleman, he but I 'had to throw everything away." asked no funny questions." He even As she was returning, to her refused any money from her. By now As she inched her way forward surprise, she got into an empty bus. it was about 3.a.m. "1 was damn happy, "she laughs, among all the burning and stone­ "because it was so ul)expected!" The throwing, ducking in and out of Mr. Italia was predictably bus had hardly left Byculla and buildings, an incident occurred which annoyed, and delivered homilies on reached Lalbaug when the first stone still burns in her mind's eye." An old the irresponsibility so typical of hit the bus. "1 was frightened," she Parsi couple had alighted from their women who go to meet their recalls. "The conductor told me to rip jeep, and had hardly walked into the sisterfolk. "They don't even bother to off the seat of the bus and put it building when the jeep was set on hear your side of the story," she against the window." It wasn't just fire." wryly remarks. "When he finally did sports day, It was the day a tiger cub, he felt sorry for what he had said." She constantly sought shelter in named the Shiv Sena, petted and the chawl-type houses which, she Ms. Italia was the only woman nurtured by bigger political parties gratefully recalls, was never refused to present at that time in Lalbaug like the Congress, let the whole of her. "People kept forcing me to eat." fighting her way through rioting by Mumbai hear its first roar. Ms. Italia, her mind on the clock and "a boisterous lot." As an individual, The bus was stopped by a group her husband, kept refusing. she's never felt unsafe in Mumbai. of rioters at Lalbaug, who "gave us a But her 8.p.m. to 3.a.m. rendezvous There was a row of parked taxis, chance to get off' and then calmly with the riots .has made her a tougher all of which refused to ply, much to proceeded to add the bus to a person. As she says, "It could not her frustration. "In such times, I growing line of burning metal. have been wQrse." 0 would not bother to know if they are Ms. Italia was now right on "the good or bad. There are two types of

The tyrant grinds down his slaves and they don't turn against him; they crush those beneath them. - Emily Bronte

20 d i sha Rear Window A Tryst with the Emergency (1975)

- aesha ahsan "The Emergency was an exciting Gene was called to the police put into prison for petty crimes were time. One day was normal and the station and after a couple of hours of beaten and tortured.· The crimes they next day everything had changed. I interrogation, she was arrested. Her committed were to keep their body was scared but gave no one's name 'c~ime' was that her house was being and soul together. These poor women away." used as a meeting place for anti­ were brutally punished, while the real Emergency purposes. criminals went scot-free," Gene says Gene Kargulkar recalls her tryst vehemently. with the Emergency. 1975 - 20 years Being jailed was quite an ago and her memory of it is fresh as experience. "The Saat Rasta lock-up Gene then asked for a transfer to ever. was much better than the other jails a Pune jail in order to be closer to in the city," says Gene. After the first her family. Here, she was permitted Gene graduated from Sophia week however, Gene was moved to more visits from her husband and college in 1955, and now lives with Nagpur jail. children, which was "a great relief." her husband in a cosy apartment at Mumbai Central. She runs a charitable "Nagpur jail was full of political The transfer proved beneficial in hospital which helps the poor prisoners. Most of them were from other ways too. Says Gene, "The jail communities in that area. the Rashtriya Swayam Sevak Sangh. in Pune was very different from the During those days every political one in Nagpur. The political prisoners Politically inclined towards the prisoner had a criminal prisoner of the Left parties did many great Left parties, Gene was actively assigned to her or him. These criminal things there. They set up a library for involved with them during the prisoners were made to cook and the prisoners. Educational movies Emergency. Her house was used for clean for the political prisoners. focusing on health, personal hygiene anti-Emergency meetings, where and family care were also shown. The debates and discussions were "The Rashtriya Swayam Sevak prisoners really cared about improving frequently held. Gene:s involvement Sangh women really exploited these the quality of their lives." with the Teacher's Union of Mumbai poor criminal prisoners. They used to and the Left Parties attracted police get the ingredients from outside and Gene recalls nostalgically, " I was attention. ''Times were such that no make the criminal prisoners make released after a three month jail term. one could be trusted." One of her laddoos for the Makar Sankranti It was an experience that made me friends who was arrested gave her festival. They forced them to wash grow ... I cherish it till today." 0 name away. their clothes ... it was terrible. Women

Authority IS never without hate. - Euripides.

21 d ish a Looking Glass

The Summer of '47

- louella rebello The summer of '47 was a summer that decided the destinies of millions of Indians. The horrors of the aftermath of Partition are so great that most survivors would rather . not talk about it. However, the price the common man paid is too great to be erased from memory.

"It is not what they built. like this, religion had become poison," between them is very wide. Islam it is what they knocked down he says. He considers himself lucky to contains many ideas and customs It is flat the streets that exist. have survived the Partition when opposed by Hindus and the reverse is it is the streets that no longer exist" thousands were being mindlessly also true, - James Fenton slaughtered. Seeing suffering and Is it also true that people who The Partition of 1947 involved have lived in harmony as neighbours dividing India with almost surgical for decades suddenly turn against each precision into two. Much blood other only because they share different flowed in the process.The levels of faiths? "Definitely not," says Ms. H. forced migration. persecution and Sinha, who came to India as a systematic butchery are still difficult six-year-old during the Partition. Her to accept. Hindus and Muslims family came to India carrying all they blamed each other. But, as Khushwant owned in just one suitcase. "We had Singh in The Train to Pakistan states, to leave in the middle of the night • 'Both sides killed. Both shot and with what we could grab within stabbed and speared and clubbed. minutes. Life was so uncertain." She Both tortured. Both raped." would rather not relive the horror of Mr. P. Choudhary sits in his the journey. "We only knew the day living room and shudders as he ahead," is all she has to say. recollects the horrors of his days as a She distinctly remembers her volunteer for the Red Cross during mother telling her about Hindu Partition. "The manholes used to be death at such close quarters has families giving shelter to Muslims In filled with dead bodies; dead women distinctly changed his attitude to life. their homes ... Muslims who had been and ' children were dumped into them "It is the situation which makes a their neighbours for as long as they in heaps." He feels that the exchange man ," could remember. People risked their of population was a colossal mistake. lives, giving shelter to others. There Religion can be used adroitly to Thousands fled in the relative safety have been instances where Hindus provide a nighly emotionalised and of the night, bidding goodbye forever have been escorted to the refugee sanctified rationalisation for actions to homes where their ancestors had camps by their Muslim friends. The that are selfishly motivated. As Nehru Ii ved for centuries. best and the worst that man can be stated, "Religion which was supposed made itself apparent during this time. People were being killed on the to encourage spirituality and brotherly basis of their religion. "After a while feeling becomes the fountainhead of As she looks back at the you get immune to seeing so many hatred, narrowness, meanness and the Partition, what she remembers most as dead," says Choudhary. He remembeI:s lowest materialism." Although over the a six-year-old then is that "before we seeing a man staggering into the centuries, Hinduism and Islam have left, the Hindus in the village had all refugee camp with his head bleeding borrowed rites, customs and doctrines gathered in one big house to protect profusely,only to die there. "At a time from each other, the difference themselves. They would blow conch 22 d ish a Looking Glass shells on the terrace from time to months of independence. Partition had horror. the anguish. the human time." A fact seldom given enough created at least ten million refugees courage in the face of all odds and emphasis is that the Muslims and the and possibly more. It was responsible the pain; the price we had to pay for Hindus in Southern India did not for the most extensive and miserable independence has all been forgotten . actively participate in such uprooting of human beings in modern "It is not your memories which happenings. history. haunt you... it is what you have When the documents creating As India reaches her 50th year of forgotten. what you must forget. Pakistan were signed. none of the independence. the millions who died What you must go on forgetting all parties responsible for Partition are mere statistics. and there are your life." foresaw the scale of human suffering thousands who are not even counted German Requiem they were to produce. Within six in these statistics. The fear. the - James Fenton a

23 dis h , Rear Window A Stricken City (1982)

varsha ' daiya "I used to work two shifts a Dhondkar. He still believes that what Jhaveri has a completely different day," says Dhondkar, a wisened old Datta Samant, the leader of the strike view of the strike. He remembers the I watchman of some 58 summers. They did, is right. "We followed him reports of violence that made them I si.t heavily on a face that have seen because we believed in him, because afraid to enter the company. Some tl many changes, from the boomtime in he had done so much for us. We got parts of the company were the mill district of Lalbaug when better terms of service, bonus, and functioning, and the workers tried to ~ workers swarmed to the factory gates other facilities because of him. We stop these workers from entering the when the whistle sounded ... to the believed that he had done the right mill. "I remember sleeping here," he doom time of today when no whistles thing but it was the wrong time, and gestures around his office, "I sound and no workers come to the you cannot get the right results at the remember how some workers would factory any more. "I never got tired," wrong time." come together in groups and try to he continues sadly, "Never felt the enter the mill. When they did enter He remembers the hunger, the strain. But during the strike, I found there was no way to get them to fear, the pain of unemployment that having no constructive work is work because a mill cannot be run by really tiring." vividly. He remembers the early a few hands, everyone has to do his optimism, the feeling of camaraderie ... or her bit to keep things running Dhondkar has fought two battles: and the slow dissolution of hope as smoothly." one with cancer of the kidney and the workers began to trickle away. other, the Bombay textile workers "The company was my anna­ "When people began to leave, strike of 1982. datta," says Dhondkar, "It was terrible began to go home, I knew somewhere to watch it collapse." The strike began in January 1982 in my heart that the strike had failed, and marked a watershed in the history that the workers had lost. Because as "It was terrible to watch it of the city. Urban historians have long as we were together, there was collapse," says Jhaveri, in an pointed to it as the moment at which some feeling that we were together inadvertent echo of one of his the slow deceleration of the city and that there was hope ... " workers. "It was terrible to watch began. Planners see it as the moment good machinery begin to rust, debts On the other side of the at which slums began to proliferate pile up, export orders stand cancelled. managerial line, is Jhaveri (name and the mill area began to decay. And The other dependent industries also changed by request) who has his share economists see it as the moment from began to be affected, the chemicals of memories. His was one of the first which Bombay changed from a and dyeing industry, the mathadi mills that was hit by the strike. "They productive economy to a speculative workers.. it was slow death and we wanted bonus and they struck work. economy. seemed to be presiding over it, like They needed support for the strike some gruesome undertakers." But behind the far-reaching and they approached Datta Samant for consequences there is Dhondkar and help. That was the mistake they made. What Jhaveri says also refers to others like him. "By the fifth month The strike spread to seven to eight what life is about. Co-operating, of the strike those who had land went companies and by 18 January, 1982, helping each other, keeping things back home. Only some of us who had the strike was complete." going, understanding each other.. . 0 nowhere to go stayed behind." says

The forces of a capitalist society, if left unchecked, tend to make the rich richer and poor poorer. - lawaharlal Nehru.

24 d isha Rear Window The Second Partition (1984)

seema dubey "On the thirty-first of October, riots were between Sikhs and that incident, 1 lost my friend 1984, rumours that Prime Minister Muslims. forever," says Chabbra. Indira Gandhi had been assassinated began to spread. Few believed it. "Those images are still in my An indefinite curfew was imposed. From that point of time till the next mind. The violence continued to To save their lives, Sikhs were forced day, arson and violence began in spread, and increased in intensity and to cut their hair and hide their Delhi." barbarity. The men were dragged out, religious trappings, which were on the beaten badly and burnt alive. Then walls and entrances of their homes, by Vikas Chabbra recalls, "Originally the houses and shops were putting bedcovers over them. we are from Sind. My father had systematically looted and set on fire," migrated from Lahore in 1947, and he describes it as though it is "I clearly remember how my then moved to Delhi in search of happening right in front of his eyes. younger sister used to fearfully ask better prospects. My father had always my mother, "Chaiji, kya hume blzi log told me about his harrowing There were five Sikh families, marne ayenge?" Nobody had experience of the Partition riots. But who lived in his colony, one of whom imagined that the riots would happen. at that time 1 could not empathise started celebrating the news of Ms. Says Chabbra, "The riots changed with him, because 1 could not imagine Gandhi's assassination. Then the mobs my whole perspective. Every thing is the scene." He had always wondered carne to his area at about 9.a.m. on normal now; the Sikhs have rebuilt the first of November and began what it must have felt like. However, their houses. But what about those he soon got a feel of things when the stoning his Sikh neighbour's house. who lost their near and dear ones? same scene was repeated in front of Despite his wife's plea for mercy, Till today 1 know nothing about my his eyes. The main difference between they killed him, burnt him to death, friend.Where is she living? What is 1947 and 1984 according to him, was and took his wife's gold ear-rings and she doing? It is the riots which made that the Partition riots were between bangles away. After a few days she me ask these questions ... " Cl shifted out with her daughter. "With Muslims and Hindus, and the 1984

History. books begin and end; but the events they describe do not. - Source Unknown.

25 d isha Rear Window Walk On The Wild Side (1986)

vibha thakkar 24 September 1986, Gibbeo "News of my nomination was a campaign at the ceremony held at the (Italy). The first day of a 77-km long pleasant surprise. It was an honour for end of the three-day pilgrimage and walk from Gibbeo to Assisi. Sudhakar me to be a part of the pilgrimage. I presided over by Prince Philip at the Solomon Raj was one of the pilgrims was involved with the Conservation St. Frances Basilica.The Interfaith representing India at the World Education Movement and was ceremony was the grand finale of the Wildlife Fund - Interfaith ceremony. therefore nominated. Twenty-seven event, where a liturgical service was 1986 was the 25th birth anniversary countries were participating in this held. About a thousand rakhis were of the WWF, which was initiated in event. A special status was accorded tied in the Indian tradition of raksha Switzerland in 1961. It was in 1986 to the developing countries." bandhan with a vow to protect Sister that the WWF changed its name from and Mother Nature." "Each pilgrim was given a tabard Worldwide Fund for Nature to World (sleeveless vest), with the Friendship, warmth, pride and Wildlife Fund. Assisi, the place of Conservation symbol of St. Frances o( fraternity were a few emotions Raj celebration, is the hometown of St. Assisi's Brother sun and Sister Moon experienced while attending this event. Frances, the patron saint of ecology. emblazoned on it. Each country had His fondest memory of the event is of "It was a celebration of various its own colourful banners and flags. the Indian flag being carried upside perspectives," Sudhakar Solomon The Indian banners were the colour of down when the Indian contingent led Raj says. . 'There was action at the. national tricolour - with the tiger the ceremonial walk! "For three whole various levels - deliberations and on green, the peacock on white and days the flag was carried upside down discussions between businessmen, the Bodh tree on saffron, symbolising and none of us twelve nominees Non-Governmental Organisations, our forest heritage. Our slogan was noticed it, not even the Secretary environmentalists, Interfaith dialogue 'India cares for her Wildlife.' " General of WWF India - Major where leaders of all religions shared General D'Souza - or even the two Raj continues, "Indian banners the perspectives of the Scriptures and Press Trust of India members!" 0 were chosen to lead over aU the activists and enthusiasts joining in on groups, in recognition of India's a pilgrimage walk from different parts contribution to the Conservation of Italy."

All things bright and beautiful, All creatures great and small, All things wise and wonderful The Lord God made them all. - Source Unknown

26 d isha Looking Glass

• Women And Legal Reform • The Law on Trial

- shefali srinivas and preeta dutta

Legal reforms do not necessarily change the status quo of women. All analysis of the contradictions in Indian law.

"We are female hUlIlall beillgs abuse, she finally registered a prostitution, and of prostitution as an poised 011 the edge of (/ lIew complaint with the police. However, institution. The institution is therefore millellnium. We are the majorit), of her husband was not convicted, as she sought to be controlled or suppressed ollr species. yet lI'e ha\'e dwelt ill the could not prove violence 'beyond a by either arresting and penal ising the shadoll's. We are the poor, the reasonable doubt' as is required by women who are prostituted or by illiterate, the illvisible alld we vow : criminal jurisprudence. rescuing them and 'rehabilitating them' 110 more. such that they become 'decent In October 1996, Ratna Devi was We are the womell who hUllger - members' of a civil society. In either blinded by her in-laws and husband for rice. home, freedom . .. case, it is the women who become objects of either punitive measures or In India, every twenty-six minutes reform, while the real violators - the one woman is molested, every brothel owners, the agents. pimps. fifty-four minutes one woman is raped clients and local officials are and every hundred and two minutes ultimately never held responsible. one woman succumbs to a dowry related death. Acts of violence have Law has played a prominent role increased in the past few years, in the most recent wave of the despite legislation designed to women' s movement. Major campaigns eliminate these practices. were launched to reframe rape and dowry laws in the late 70·s. In the According to Flavia Agnes of 80's the FASDST (Forum Against Sex Majlis, a legal help cell for women, Determination and Sex Pre-selection) "If oppression was be to tackled by initiated the movement against enacting laws, then the last decade amniocentesis, and women continue to (1980 to 1989) could be declared as a press for further amendments to sexual 'golden era for Indian women,' when assault and property laws in the 90·s. laws were given on a platter, and Yet, during this period, the women's .' every single issue concerning violence movement has increasingly questioned against women resulted in legislative because of her failure to obtain a the role of law in the struggle to reform ." Ironically. the enactments colour T.V. from her parent's house improve women's status. convey a positive picture of apart from her dowry. The case is In the early 19th century, achievement, but the statistics reveal a still pending. The Dowry Prohibition however, social reformers believed different story. Act of 1961 laid down a very narrow that law had a role to play in definition of dowry which excludes The rape cases registered in the bringing about a change in attitude presents in the form of cash. year 1989 numbered 108 - there was and customs that would be required to ornaments • . clothes and other articles only one conviction. 97 % of rape eliminate these social practices. The from its purview. cases are either cancelled or sent back · demand for legal rights was sparked as untraced by the police. In Mumbai IS-year-old Mangala was forced off by Raja Ram Mohan Roy. who alone. there were 143 reported cases into prostitution by her mother to fought for the abolition of Sati. of domestic violence under the Dowry settle her family debts. Like her. Behran Balasari and Ranade took up Prevention Act in 1990 as compared numerous rural women are lured into the issue of child marriage during the to 41 in 1986. the flesh trade of Mumbai through the latter half of the century. Theirs was 26-year-old Radha was subjected exploitation of their fragmented not an easy struggle, because to regular physical abuse by her religious beliefs and their poverty. campaigns to reform social practices husband, a well-to-do man. In May The government was forced to were repeatedly met with protests of 1996, after three years of constant distinguish between women in 'religion is in danger.'

27 d isha Looking Glass

The struggle for legal rights was Shukla, a feminist, says, "The mere advocates. Lack of awareness about continued during the independence passing of laws does not guarantee law is one of the major factors in the movement by women like Sarojini justice. These laws are formulated by gap between formal rights of women Naidu, Kamaladevi Chattopadhyay, men, and are based on customs and and their continued inequality. "We Sister Nivedita and Dr. . tradition. How then can laws alone need legal literacy programmes and The Women's Indian Association took bring about social change ?" forums to help women," says Sonal up the Age of Consent issue, and Shukla. Veena, a practicing advocate with sought legislative reforms in Inheritance and Marriage laws in the Majlis, holds the view that, "It is true In her struggle for legal rights, 20's. Sexual equality was accepted by that law is informed by and often the Indian woman has borne the brunt the in its serves to reinforce patriarchy, but we of oppression, as well as rejoiced in 1928 report. Over the years a number are constantly negotiating within the her legal victories. She has faced the of legal reforms have been initiated system to divert it in our favour." frustration of watching these victories turn into mere paper tigers. The by the women's movement. Mr. "We have to learn to move out of Batliboi, a criminal lawyer in the city, victories, however have given the the realm of viewing law as either women's movement optimism to says, "Women are enjoying better oppressive or liberatory. Instead it privileges these days and demanding continue the struggle. Women no should be part of a radical programme longer plead for the right to speak; legal rights towards property, to improve the status of women," says they are speaking... Cl employment, divorce and Sonal Shukla. maintenance. " This programme should involve But, these legal victories have not providing gender-sensitive programmes done much to better the status of for the police, magistrates and women over the last 50 years. Sonal

There is a point beyond which even justice becomes unjust. - Sophocles.

28 d isha Rear Window Woman Woman Burning Bright (1987) - uttara asthana Geeta Seshu, a young journalist, with the waiting parlour of an opera hung on the wall. According to a witnessed the rebuttal of a time-tested house. by-stander, Roop Kanwar had worn it adage, 'the lull before the storm.' just before her death. Seshu still The trio camped at Jaipur and This is because the temPest that recalls the one symbol of modernity reached Deorala by a jeep provided hurled womanhood back to a medieval that stuck out like a sore thumb in by the Sati Dharam Raksha Samiti, era left a deathly stillness and the room's medieval ambience - a but only after reassurances that they conspiracy of silence in Deorala. Forty television set. Seshu opines, "The did not belong to any women's years after Indian women burnt with a room reflected the myth that is in the groups. "The actual platform was passion for freedom, one woman was making - that Roop Kanwar was a made of brick with a saffron canopy consigned to the flames of oblivion. modern woman and also a covering it. In the centre was a form God-fearing devoted wife." Roop Kanwar was burnt as a sati with a red and gold chunri draped on the funeral pyre of her husband, over it, curiously resembling the Seshu and her colleagues met Maal Singh, on the fourth of figure of a woman." members of the Sati Dharam Raksha September 1987. Between the Samiti (later rechnstened the Dharam In each of their visits, she recalls twenty-fourth and the thirtieth of Raksha Samiti), the most prominent of six to seven Rajput youths sporting September, Geeta Seshu and two which was the State Janata Party rusty swords and acting as sentinels, colleagues representing the Women President, Kalyan Singh Kalvi. He . chanting slogans like Sati Mata Ki and Media Committee of the Mumbai said, "No one can interfere with these Jai, Sati Ke Pati Ki Jai, Ek, Do, Union of Journalists, went to the rites," but to appease the journalists Teen, Char, Roop Kanwar Ki towns of Sikar, Deorala, and the he added, "I am against sati as a Jayjaykar. In sharp contrast to the not-so-pink city of Jaipur on a practice ... but once it is done what is near deserted town of Deorala, the fact-finding mission. Seshu covered the point of harassing innocent was swarming with people. On this for The Indian Express. sthal people?" their third visit there they got stoned, Her memories of the sati sthal so they got back into the jeep Now, when all the accused, are crystal clear. "It was like any provided by the Raksha Committee. eighteen in all, have been acquitted, other Hindu pilgrimage centre. The Seshu not only feels "dismayed" but Seshu vividly remembers her visit path to the sthal was lined with equates it with "one step backward for to Roop Kanwar's in-laws' house in hawkers selling eatables, toys, tassels, a woman, a giant leap backward for Deorala. She was 'blessed', she incense sticks, coconuts, and crudely human kind." superimposed framed photos of Roop sarcastically remarks for peeping into Kanwar and Maal Singh on the Roop Kanwar's chamber. "The room Yet, unlike Roop Kanwar's ashes, funeral pyre." She equates' the was darkish and was adorned with this witness account has not been huge photos of various gods." A scenario she witnessed nine years ago consigned to dust. CJ gold-bordered red and green chunri

Delay of justice lS injustice. - W. S. Landor.

29 d isha Rear Window Mandai Burning (1990)

- gitanjali tandon Never had the nation witnessed Delhi University student, set himself were arrested too. Troops had to be such a passionate movement by the on fire. Soon, there was more news of called out in Ambala, Chandigarh and students. Over 70 suicides by the such cases of self-immolation and Delhi. The police even arrested some Y9uth all over the country, for one suicide from other parts of the of us who were marching peacefully. cause - to protest against the V. P. country. There were some helpful families who Singh government decision to reserve gave us food and water to beat the "We realised the threat to our 27% jobs in the government for the September heat and humidity. Even future. Our chances of employment backward classes. the rain didn't dampen our spirits as would be bleak if the criteria was we chanted slogans in chorus against Priyasri, an ex-student of Lady reservations instead of merit! In the Mandai Commission. Shri Ram College, New Delhi, recalls protest, we made a human chain near it as the most tur~ulent year of her Akashwani wearing black t-shirts and "There was a massive and student life. "We were furious and bands. Even the teachers and doctors widespread student protest all over the frightened by the impact of the backed us. On the other hand, the country, crossing all barriers of class Mandai Commission. Initially, we backward class students marched in and sex. Finally, our voice managed participated in peaceful rallies to favour of the reservations. to reach the government, the Prime protest, but the students' passions were "There were incidents of violence Minister had to give in, and consented set aflame when Rajiv Goswami, a at some places, and some students to talk to us." 0 Scam Success (1992)

- aarti aiyar "I sold my ACC shares when liquidity in the market. In the interim, the fifth, and so on, in the hope that they touched Rs. 9600/-. Everyone because the shares were bought at a all the banks would report bumper told me that I was making a big very high rate, many people made a profit. In the process of these mistake, because they expected them colossal sum of money." says Mrs. conversions, banks used the services to touch Rs. 18000. I didn't want to Doshi. According to her when there of the brokers, and the Stock Markets be greedy, so I cashed in on my luck is a boom, or one created by in turn boomed. The only fault of the before it ran out," says Mrs. Rajni M. speCUlation - in this instance by Stock Market was that it was at the Doshi who bought ten shares of ACC Mehta alone, people confidently buy most visible end of the whole cycle, at Rs. 1001- per share, early in 1988. shares that are not really worth the and has been victimised." she adds. She sold them during the peak period purchase price. "When the market of the artificial boom of the Stock crashed suddenly all these people lost Mrs. Doshi feels that in recent times, a "Casino scene" has emerged Market in 1992. money," she says. on the various stock exchanges. Rajni Doshi's is an example of "I was lucky to get out of it "I would caution every investor one of the Scam transactions. There when the going was good. When I got not to dream of fast money. Because are hundreds like this, according to the money, I went straight to Raj I won a lottery and travelled, 1 was stock broker Sailesh Patel. "This man Travels to buy my ticket," laughs happy, but I know people ' who were I know, invested Rs. 7000/- and Doshi who travelled all over Europe purchased shares. At the right time, for three weeks. Doshi credits Mehta counting on the boom to get their he sold them and bought a Maruti for being instrumental in making the daughters married, and have now lost everything," she says. She cautions 800 at the back of which he wrote : Stock Exchange Index cross the 4500 "GIFTED BY HARSHAD MEHTA". mark; while acknowledging that those who await the return of Harshad Mehta, to revive the abyssmal Rajni Doshi, a 60-year-old widow investors paid an unduly high price, for the banking system in the country. condition of the Stock Market. "In a had always longed to visit Europe, but way I feel that I went to Europe on could not, due to financial constraints. "Banks employed many methods somebody else's money, but that's life The 1992 Stock Market boom made it to inflate their profits. In the process, I guess, you win some, you lose possible. "Harshad Mehta kept one bank has used the funds of some," she concludes. 0 purchasing shares and designing another, the third bank the funds of

30 d isha Rear Window Before Babri (1992)

- priyanjali sarraf A precursor to the final act, the Bane attributed this to the in saffron clothes, waving banners, foundation of what was going to "aggressive stance taken by Mulayam and chanting mantras could be seen in happen on the sixth of December, Singh Yadav, then Chief Minister of large groups. It was a very hypnotic 1992 - the demolition of the Babri , of not allowing any atmosphere - it was very difficult to Masjid. This was the Ram shilanyas Puja to be performed at the site. His remain neutral. puja that was performed on the oft repeated words were "Parinda bhi thirtieth of November. pankh nahin marega." "However the police were everywhere using every rule in the Mohan Bane, presently a "The temperature added to the book - from lathi charge to the use photographer with the The Indian tension. It was very cold, around 6 to of tear-gas, to firing. They were even Express group, was freelancing at that 7 0c. A strong people's support could dumping people in the river. It was time and had been asked to cover that be felt. Most of the homes had like a stampede, and people were event by the paper. hidden supporters of the Vishwa scurrying in all directions. But the Hindu Parishad and the Rashtriya tempo never slackened or stopped." "There were three of us covering Swayamsevak Sangh." it together, two of my journalist Indicating his own wound which colleagues and I. We reached On the day of the event he says, he got while trying to save his Lucknow on the twenty-second of •• After spending the night at camera, he says, "My brother, also a October, the same day that Faridabad, four to five kms. away photographer with The Times of India L.K. Advani was arrested. A total from Ayodhya, we started for had his bag snatched. The police bandh had been declared. There was Ayodhya at six in the morning. We snatched it... their regular habit of no movement on the streets. Sporadic had to travel by foot. At every terrorising and beating up journalists. demonstrations took place all over the kilometre there was a check-post. All city. The atmosphere was very tense. you could see was khaki-clad "The tempo reached its peak We stayed in Lucknow for a couple policemen - no common man could around 12:30 p.m. with the arrival of of days and then went to Chitrakoot be spotted anywhere." Ashok Singhal, the VHP head. Seeing to cover the arrest of the Rajmata." him the public came out of every They returned to Lucknow on the On reaching Ayodhya, they nook and corner shouting slogans and twentieth-ninth of October, the day decided to approach the Babri Masjid singing bhajans. They got very Atal Behari Vajpayee was going to mosque from the other side of the aggressive and pushed the police court arrest. "It was like going back Sheryo river in the Gowda distict, a aside. Ten to fifteen of them climbed to the Emergency. The atmosphere stronghold of the Bhartiya Janta Party. on top of the mosque to plant flags. was tense, but there was an expectant By the time we left at around I p.m., "People by that time had slowly the puja had started." Cl . air all around - of finality, of an started trickling in. A tangible occurrence that would leave its mark excitement could be felt. People clad on the history of India."

I consider myself a Hindu, Christian, Moslem, Jew, Buddhist and Confucian. - Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.

31 dis h a Looking Glass

Tri-Cola

- moushumi bhuyan, sunita ram, nivedita ghosh

After 50 years of independence, India prepares to get recolonised all over again. Will the cola takeover the tri-colour?

"Riches more than mind can picture. withstand the pressure. through the workings of present wheat and barley. oats and hay international economic arrangements, On the other hand, to ensure cloves beans and mangle-wurzels wealth flows almost all the time from peaceful co-existence of countries, shall be yours upon that day." the poor 'developing countries' of the military occupations of another ANIMAL FARM, Third World like India, to the country are internationally condemned. - George Orwell industrialised countries. It flows from Colonialism in the traditional and It was for this mission that the primary producers to the political sense is now almost a thing millions of Indians had sacrificed their industrialised countries, from the of the past. However, powerful nations houses. families. and livelihood day ignorant to the knowledgeable. after day, year after year. After independence, this vision of a few, Foreign entrepreneurs originally who wanted to provide food. shelter came to India because her and education. and make distant the manufacturers had a big market in memories of famine ' and drought. Europe. The chief business of the began to take shape. India was British East India Company in its proclaimed a mixed economy with a early days was trade with Indian socialist bent. The first Five Year goods in Europe - a very profitable plan aimed at boosting the agrarian trade yielding enormous dividends. So economy. From the second plan, the efficient and highly organized were focus shifted to the industrial sector. Indian methods of production and such were the skills of Indian artisans It is ironic to note that a country, and craftsmen that they could compete the majority of whose population successfully, even with higher resides in rural areas. and where techniques of production which were agriculture provides livelihood to established in England. As it happened almost two-thirds of the population. foreign political domination came and has set out to industrialise itself. this let to a rapid destruction of the During the next three decades, a economy India had built up. The East gradual shift can be seen from still seek to spread their domination India Company represented both socialism to capitalism. The 1990's and control over other nations. They British political power and British saw the liberalization of the Indian still seek to ensure that their domestic vested interests and economic power. economy. and the advent of the interests are served, regardless of the The underlying guiding factor for the Transnational Corporations (TNC) and needs of weaker nations and people. British in conducting their business in Multinational Corporations (MNC) in India was the repatriation of profits to India. Mr. Shashi, Vice-President. The strategy has merely changed, their land. The concept remains the Finance, Housing Development this new strategy of 'covert action' is same. Only now, the number of Finance Corporation says, "The based on the use of economic players among whom the spoils are to coming of the MNCs or the strength. This in turn is based on be divided has increased. The technological domination combined white-collared executives has changed industrialised countries like the U.K., the face of the Indian economy. There with control of the international U.S.A .• Germany and France among information structure. is very fierce competition and a high others, are constantly attempting to degree of uncertainty. You could be a Many people believe that the restructure and refashion the rules of high flying executive today and a world's rich nations are helping the the international trading system, to nobody tomorrow." And this race world's poor ones to overcome their make the environment even more within the economy has assumed so poverty and underdevelopment through favorable to tht:ir interests and fast a pace that many indigenous aid, loans and technical assistance. concerns in keeping the Third World industries are bowing out, unable to What they do not realize is that countries poor.

32 d isha Looking Glass

Jimmy Gazdar, member of the that ensures transparencies in mergers grabbing and incompetent politicians." Federation of Indian Chamber of and acquisition deals. This kind of What is shocking is the overwhelming Commerce and Industry (FICI) and national control is desirable so that rise in population that has been Chairman of the Socio-economic· the people who are coming in are not further aggravated by these factors. It Foundation, says "This kind of at a disadvantage, and also those who is yet more frightening to know when parallel is simplistic and we are no already exist." Mr. Vasdar says that, "by the year longer subordinates. People are 2025 the Indian population will At the end of it all, it's just three comparing MNCs to British rule, and become the highest in the world. a P's that loom large in the mind - I don't think it is the correct view. staggering 1200 million, four times of politics, poverty and population that MNCs and 1NCs exist in European what it was in 1951 . This is nations and they have faced the hold the answers to India' s something which needs to be seriously development. The poverty elevation competition." dealt with. Because with the control programmes of the Five Year plans of population and deficit financing, In fact Mr. Kartik Kumar, have obviously not yielded the desired India can become the fifth largest Vice-President, Rediffusion DYER results. It has, in tum, heightened the industrialised country in the world." says, "MNCs recognise Indian disparity between the haves and the • expertise, intellectual ability and have nots. The booming industrial Caught in the whirlpool of entrepreneurial drive to face the sectors and the Foreign Direct reforms as we struggle to undo the competition posed." However, as Mr. Investments (FDIs) seem to be a big past, the rest of the world marches Gazdar says, "While the advent of the facade. The FDIs are being into the future. We carry on with MNCs cannot be avoided, there channelised into not so urgent areas, hope, working on these reforms ... should be certain protections for the thereby promoting consumerism. All existing Indian industries, because we these are clearly related to the lack of "Friend of the fatherless, foundation of happiness! are being compared to them at an a stable government at the Centre. infancy stage." At present, the mergers The worst form of government that a Lord of the swill bucket! Oh how my and acquisitions' market in the developing country can have is a soul is on fire when I gaze at thy country are booming, and transactions coalition government, especially when calm and commanding eye. are taking place in an unregulated every party joins the coalition to Like the sun in the sky." market. A probable solution to this, promote its own vested interests. As ANIMAL FARM according to Mr. Gazdar is, "a Kartik Kumar rightly says, "We are • George Orwell [J takeover code formulated by Securities being colonised by a bunch of money and Exchange Board of India (SEBI)

The path to civilisation is paved with tin cans. - Elbert Hubbard.

33 d isha Rear Window "The Worst Riots In History" (1992-93)

by payal kapadia

(This survivor does not wish to my aunt's house at Nepeansea Road .. I downstairs might fire at us. I watched be named for security reasons.) stuck it out stubbornly." the lights switched on. one by one. as the police invaded the flats, rounded "This is my house, and I can't be Mohammed's voice grows up the young men randomly. and kicked out like this," thought noticeably tense as he remembers the threw them in the lock-up for a Mohammed Khan (not his real name) night attacks. "The jeeps would return couple of days. I saw one of these as he watched most of his at night. Men brandishing chains and youngsters a few days later. He was neighbours pack up and leave the flaming torches would attack in pretty bad shape. Bombay Central locality where he buildings, forcing their way into the lived. "It almost seemed like a houses. Many of the occupants had "Finally the military moved in. crusade against us," remembers already vacated their homes, but those and snipers kept watch from the roofs Mohammed, a 27-year-old freelance that remained were beaten up badly. I of the buildings. A sense of security journalist. would sleep in the day and keep ~ settled in again. But it was difficult watch through the night. One can't and still is. to forget those nights "I read about the demolition of wake up and find one's house on fire. when our houses were plunged in the Babri Masjid in the newspapers. darkness. and we kept watch from our The Government said that it would "People seek out their own forms balcoriies. when we were totally not stand by such fanaticism. But of protection," says Mohammed home-bound and relief organisations ironically, it was left standing, wasn't bitterly. "My friend's father ran out distributed basic supplies, when the it 1" remarks Mohammed grimly. "At with an old sword, crying, 'Either daily newspapers didn't reach our first my area was fairly safe except they die or I die.' The attackers fled. doorsteps and we felt cut off from the for stray incidents of buses being My friend's cousin, a teenage boy, ran rest of the world. stoned. But a few days later, four or out to stop the fights, and returned five jeeps began to enter our locality with a bullet in his leg." "My family has been through riots . regularly." before," explains Mohammed, "but "During one such attack I picked these were the worst in history. "The jeeps filled with men would up the telephone and dialled the Waiting for the attack, night after burn anything in sight. We have a number of the Agripada Police night, knowing there are no cops to fruit market, which is a ten-minute Station, which is close to my house. help. and knowing that you'll use that walk from my house. All the Muslim It kept ringing. An hour or two later, kitchen knife if you have to. The riots stores were gutted. The provision the cops turned up. The attackers are over, but life doesn't seem the store, where we bought our supplies, escaped, but a bullet was fired from same anymore, and home doesn't feel was ransacked. When we heard that a one of the neighbouring Muslim like home. One doesn't want to stay Muslim doctor in our area had been buildings. The police raided the in a country where you are hounded stabbed, my mother and sister left for building. At that time everyone lived and attacked personally for your in darkness. because someone faith." (J

What difference does it make to the dead... whether the mad destruction is wrought under the name of totalitarianism or the holy name· of liberty or democracy? - M. K. Gandhi.

34 dis h a Rear Window The Bombing of Mumbai (1993) by bhavna thadani

"We heard the news around lunch hand- carts. "It was a terribly gory Priya was devastated, she thought time," says Priya Kapadia, former sight, I have never seen anything like all her colleagues were dead. She was employee of the Singapore Airlines that before. I started to panic even therefore amazed to find that every ticketing office in Mumbai. "I could more. I just needed to know that one of them had been spared, and hardly believe my ears when they said Amol was safe." Priya's relief, when that only two were injured. "It looked that there was a bomb blast at the she saw that Amol's building was a lot worse from the outside. The stock exchange building. My fiance intact, was overwhelming. "I found layers of false ceiling in the office Amol's office is right opposite the that Amol had left for home a little were a blessing as they did not do stock exchange. I wanted to leave to before the bomb blast. I cannot much damage.The after-effects of the look for him immediately, seeing my describe how I felt when I knew he blast were more dangerous because it state of panic a colleague decided to was unharmed." was hard to be sure of safety any accompany me." more." Priya and her colleagues returned It was the twelfth of March, to their office only to be confronted In hindsight, Priya feels that such 1993 ... the day Mumbai's fragile by an even more horrifying incidents are forgotten with time. "It peace was shattered after two months experience. The Singapore Airlines has not left much of an impact. If of communal riots.Two hundred and ticketing office situated in the Air your loved ones are safe,it is easy to five people died, and more than a India office building was also a site move on and forget.Unfortunately, that thousand people were injured in a for the blasts. "At the signal near the is how it works in Mumbai. One series of bomb blasts that ripped building, we watched in utter disbelief tends not to be shocked about through various parts of the city. as we saw the huge explosion. There anything for too long." I.J was glass flying everywhere, the noise On her way to Amol's office, was deafening. I wondered what was Priya was horrified to see the sight of happening to the city." strewn bodies, blood and upset

When moral courage feels that it is In the right, there is no personal daring of which it is incapable. - Leigh Hunt.

3S djsha Rear Window A Summit Of Their Own (1995)

by fouzia hamza

It was dismissed as 'a futile the roads, and found the number of competition within the organisation exercise.' The media mocked it as an working women very encouraging. I had not been discussed at all nor was . exclusive, elitist jamboree. For the was also impressed by the efficiency the setting up of watch-dog 30,000 women who attended the of Chinese organisation. The Chinese committees to see that decisions made Beijing Conference however, it government provided for at the conference were executed. established a feeling of solidarity. The accommodation, as well as a Women were still a long way from issues discussed ranged from contingent of nearly 10,000 students completely accepting globalisation. liberalisation, communalism violence to assist delegates." against women, rape as a weapon, Important issues like building up unpaid labour, sexual rights of Though the media bombarded the local economies were not tackled women, empowerment in the political Chinese government for its militaristic effectively, according to Datar. She sphere, health, education, economics behaviour, Datar found that it had also feels that women in the public and environment to agriculture as really not been regimental, considering .sector are being marginalised, and a well. that China had never really opened up global analysis of this phenomenon before. She feels "India could also had been left out at the conference. For Ms. Chhaya Datar, general have hosted the conference, though "Feminists today are confused; secretary of the Indian Association of maybe not of such magnitude." Women's Studies and head of the unit they did really look for alternative for Women's Studies at the Tata For Datar however, who began as options for women, but spoke more of Institute of Social Sciences feels that part of the Kapad Kamgar Sanghatana, contentment than going forward. the fourth World Women's Conference the outcome of the Beijing Conference Considering that the role of the held from the fourth to the fifteenth is rather questionable. Having done United Nations has been reduced of September at Beijing meant more extensive research on rural women, substantially, and the next conference than just a conference. Having and having worked with Adivasi' itself is doubtful. a start for women's participated in the conference made it women, she feels that though the rights would be to start the so much more meaningful for her. conference benefited each one at a reorganisation of the village economy. personal level, it had, in many ways, It is only with the stabilization of the Datar found that China was been left incomplete. She feels that rural economy that the role of women progressing rapidly on the economic issues relating to the effects of can be analyzed and improved at a front, in spite of their not being a globalisation like low-paid jobs, or global level." Cl democracy. "I noticed no beggars on

The people who exercised the power are not always the same people over whom it is exercised. - John Stuart Mill.

36 d isha Rear Window With No Reservations ... (1996)

by samira singh

"Merit should be the only test ... lt clearance and for basic amenities like Despite the positive feedback, Ms. would be a dangerous thing to insist water and electricity ever since she Shekhar may not contest the February on membership on the ground merely started living in the area, well over elections. The policy of ward rotation of sex. Women ... should disdain 30 years ago now. makes hers an open ward. "When the patronage. They should seek justice, party can put a male candidate, why never favours ... Colaba resident, V. Chawla says will they take me ?" she asks. "When there was a bus strike in 1956 "Seeing however that it has been Ms. Shekhar used to take the fisher "I believe in reservation. Men are the custom to decry women, the people and the slum dwellers to not bothered about women, this law contrary custom should be to prefer hospital in her car. Her commitment forces them to be concerned. All these women, merit being equal, to men to the people here cannot be doubted, years men have been sitting on all the even if the preference should result in she did not need politics to begin seats. It should change, even in men being entirely displaced by social work." Parliament. Women are doing a lot of women . .. work, they are sincere. If they are Ms. Shekhar did turn to politics capable of channelising this into - Mahatma Gandhi, Harijan. however, in 1971, when she joined politics it is unfair not to allow them. April 7, 1946 the Congress party. Today, she is And no one will allow them unless it Vice-President of the Mahila "In 1992, I did not have a is a law. Congress, Mumbai Wing. Despite her problem getting a party ticket - my active involvement in Colaba and in "Women can speak to women ward was reserved for women. Now, politics, Ms. Shekhar feels that the frankly. whatever the problem. elections begin on the 25th of only way she is where she is today, is Working in the Mahila Congress and February and I still don't know if I because of the Maharashtra Act the BMC has taught me that women can stand for elections. Now that my No.XIII (1990) which proposes that need to strengthen their voice and ward is an open one - who will give 30 per cent of the total number of their bond. Reservation at the me a ticket ? Why should anyone seats to be filled by direct elections corporation level is a good thing. it bother ?" are to be reserved for women. should be in Parliament also." Ms. Annie Shekhar, Municipal She fulfilled Gandhiji's criterion At a time when the Reservation Coporator of Ward No.1, Colaba, for of 'merit being equal' then, and she Bill is under hot debate in Parliament the past five years, had no problem does now too, five years later. Nikhil and outside. it is wise to consider Ms. winning the BMC (Bombay Municipal Gupta, Colaba resident, says, "This is Shekhar's case. She could have been Corporation) elections in 1992. such a posh locality but I got clear just another voice. just another An active social worker for the drinking water for the first time, in member of the 'weaker sex' if it were last 30 years, Ms. Shekhar had 1992. We have no complaints with not for reservation. Cl already created a niche in people's Ms. Shekhar, in fact all of us hearts. The residents of Colaba had residents have an attachment to her. been seeing her fight for garbage She has done a good job."

It is the mark of the cultured man that he is aware of the fact that equality is an ethical and not a biological principle. - Ashley Montagu.

37 d j sha EDITORS Nandini Ramnath Samira Singh EDITORIAL TEAM Aarti Aiyar Louella Rebello Payal Kapadia Pre eta Dutta Shefali Srinivas Tulika Singh VUaya Susan George PRODUCTION Nonnie Josephine Lapod Varsha Daiya Moushmi Bhuyan DESIGN Aparna Mathur GltanJali Tandon Seema Dubey Varsha Daiya ADVERTISING Fouzia Hamza Priyasri Prasad Sunitha Ram Vandana Bahl Vibha Thakkar

Our Thanks to the Social Communications Media Department. Sophia Polytechnic. Mumbai. Our warmest thanks to : Jerry Pinto P. M. Bhada Jenaz Printers Saleel Sheth

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