AUGUST 2013 ● ` 30 CHILD LABOUR FOR GO-AHEAD MEN IN INDIA: AND FAILINGFAILING LAWSLAWS

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE: WOMEN SOFT TARGET ALONG THE ANCIENT ROUTE: REDISCOVERING GLORIOUS PAST WIMBLEDON 2013: RISING NEW STARS FIDDLING WITH AFSPA: APPEASEMENT IN DISGUISE

INFANT MORTALITY: SHOCKING STATS

INTERNATIONAL 10 10 50 years of women in space 73th year of publication. Estd. 1940 as CARAVAN 78 Their patience and perseverance paid off AUGUST 2013 No. 370 90 Massacre-squads NATIONAL 104 US to arm India! 20 ECONOMY ● ENTERPRISE 8 Ganging up of netas against electoral reforms 68 Just a mouse-click away 20 Child labour today 94 Closure of bank branches 23 Controlling child labour 95 An Idea can change your life 36 Another look at domestic 96 Solar energy highways violence MIND OVER MATTER 42 Dowry? 110 52 Demise of day-old infants in 26 Aunt relief India appaling 56 A heart-warming end to a 54 Stop fiddling with AFSPA harrowing journey 106 Elder abuse, some harsh facts 110 Aparta LIVING FEATURES 46 16 Are you in the middle rung? 4 Editorial 86 Fun Thoughts! 18 Creativity and failed love 13 My Pet Peeve 98 Viable solution 32 Are you caught into 14 Automobiles to parliament hung “I will do it later” Trap? Round the Globe (Poem) 46 India’s maverick missile woman 17 Human Grace 100 Women All 58 Discovering the origin of 29 Child Is A Child the Way Aryan Culture Is A Child 107 Shackles of 62 Doing yeoman service 30 The World in Superstition 64 Boxers’ pride 108 Pictures 109 My Most 66 Sassy & Sissy 34 Way in, Way out Embarrassing 72 Elegy to TMS 70 Gadgets & Gizmos Moment 74 Out of sight, not of mind 84 New Arrivals 113 Letters CONTENTS 76 Shamshad Begum 88 Visiting Srivilliputhur forest For some unavoidable reasons 92 From the diary of a ‘gigolo’ Photo Competition has to be dropped in this issue. 93 Lovemaking while bathing It will be resumed from the next issue. 108 Older, wiser, but still a dream girl — Editor

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DISQUALIFYING CONVICTED LEGISLATORS The Supreme Court has sitting Members have criminal cases pending against done well to decide that MPs them. If the constitution of Parliament is such, the and MLAs would be immedi- Cabinet and the Government cannot escape from the cor- ately disqualified, if they are roding cancer of corruption. Of course, there are honest convicted in a criminal case by politicians, but they are few and far between. the trial court. The court struck Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolute- down Section 8 (4) of the ly, it is said. But it is lack of power, that has made the pre- Representation of the People sent Congress-led UPA Government the most corrupt one Act, 1951, which protects con- since the country became free, though it is headed by an victed MPs and MLAs from honest Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh. Earlier, corrup- disqualification, if they appeal before a higher court within tion was computed in lakhs of rupees; lately, in the cases three months, on the ground of pendency of appeal. that have come under scrutiny by a scrupulous CAG, the At the dawn of India’s Independence, it was the free- amounts involved are of thousands of crores to a lakh dom fighters, selfless leaders, who had sacrificed their crore. 2G, 3G, Coalgate, KG Basin are all massive corrup- everything for the struggle, came to power. Political cor- tions, beyond the imagination of the people. It is like ruption was unknown those days and a British-trained imagining the distance to the stars – in light years. Indian bureaucracy (ICS) maintained their tradition of A people’s effort was initiated to fight corruption, honesty and uprightness. headed by Gandhian Anna Hazare, by demanding The generation of freedom fighters died out and elec- appointment of Lokayuktas to check corruption in high tions saw money-power and muscle-power creeping into places. The massive agitation was about to succeed, the political arena. The ICS was displaced by the IAS, wherein politicians would have had to bow before peo- which slowly became the handmaiden of corrupt politi- ple’s power and promise legislation to appoint cians in power. Today, after 65 years of freedom, we have Lokayuktas. But delaying tactics by Members of a Lok Sabha, in which, according to APDR, an NGO, 162 Parliament in the process of passing the Bill.

PREVENTING RECURRENCE OF DELUGE The landslides, that built on the banks of the river, fell into the water, when the occurred in the mountains of soil on their base was eroded by the current. Those who Uttarakhand, are major calami- escaped death, were stranded, cut off from roads, to be res- ties that took away the lives of cued by the armed forces in helicopters and other means. thousands of people and Who is responsible for the massive human tragedy? wiped off several townships, One may blame the gods, who made their homes at such including the pilgrim centre of vulnerable heights in the Himalayas, where pilgrims are Kedarnath. Calamities take attracted in lakhs, seeking salvation. But then, it is the place due to nature’s fury, such authorities, who are duty-bound to facilitate the pilgrim- as earthquake, volcano, tsuna- age, that are directly responsible for the upkeep of roads, mi, storm and floods. Some could be forecast and the loss of safety of pilgrims and warning of calamitous weather lives could be prevented partially. The Uttarakhand calami- conditions and threats. It was a largely preventable ty was such one. tragedy, if timely actions were taken. All those, who ben- The catastrophic threat posed by the melting of efited from the pilgrim tourism to the Char Dham – the Himalayan glaciers, due to global warming, has been state tourism department, transporters, priests and building up for years. The melted ice formed lakes on the patrons of the temples – cared little for the safety of the base, dammed by rocks and sludge. When there was an people, who flocked to these holy places in lakhs. unprecedented cloudburst, the dams burst and water The deadly June deluge is not the end of the Himalayan flowed down steeply into the valleys, bringing down rocks tragic story. Scientists have located over 200 glacial lakes, and mud, burying entire villages and townships, wiping that could break their banks, when there is a monsoon out roads in which vehicles of pilgrims were lined up. But cloudburst and sweep down temple townships, roads and for the Kedarnath temple, built of massive rocks, the flood villages in the future. The government, both the Centre took away everything in its fury. Hotels and dwellings, and the state, should find a permanent solution.

4 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 EDITORIAL

ʻMODIʼFICATION If the Bharatiya Janata would do to the country what he did for Gujarat. Party (BJP) thought its vexed However, all of India is not Gujarat. Gujarat is a com- PM problem has been solved paratively prosperous state, in which people need not be by the upstaging of Gujarat subsidised for food, education and employment. The Chief Minister Narendra development of Gujarat mainly depends on further Modi on the national scene, it industrialisation and better mode of agriculture, thereby has actually created more bringing more prosperity to the people. problems than it solved. No However, most of the rest of India needs removal of doubt, Modi has emerged as a poverty. So the pattern of development needs to be differ- dynamic leader among the ent. Therefore, what Modi could do is to blame the urban, religious-minded, Hindu middle-class. He is Congress for all the ills, but cannot say what the BJP hailed as a saviour of India’ economy, culture and would do to cure them. The right to work, to food, to edu- progress. But a large section of the party’s elder leader- cation and such laws enacted by the Congress may be ship, the rural masses and secular-minded intellectuals defective, but what are the alternatives? are wary of Modi coming to the centre-stage, pushing Modi’s strategy, as the BJP’s 2014 election campaign back the party veterans rather roughly. manager and projected PM, seems to win the polls by Modi is a welcome change as an extrovert, who caters hook or by crook. He uses development, religion and for the corporate sector as well as the Hindutva forces. caste at the opportune time and appropriate places. His The Tatas and the RSS are equally comfortable with him. lieutenant, Amit Shah, a Hindutva exponent, was sent to In contrast to the silent, inarticulate Prime Minister UP. He went straight to Ayodhya to promise the building Manmohan Singh of the Congress, Gujarat Chief Minister of the Ram temple. He tries to appease Advani and the Modi is a vocal, eloquent and vituperative speaker, who elders by massaging their egos. He plays supplicant to the could sway the masses. The BJP leadership, that stands RSS, promising to turn India into a Hindu Rashtra. He for Modi, feels that, as the election campaign manager, he even promises Muslims with material benefits.

REWARD AND RETRIBUTION Kerala’s Chief Minister Police inquiries and sting operations by TV channels Oommen Chandy was con- led to the complicity of the CM’s office with the criminal ferred the prestigious United activities of the solar scamsters. Several of Chandy’s per- Nations Public Service Award sonal staff, including the director of public relations 2013 for his Mass Contact (DPR), were arrested. They had facilitated the solar gang Programme, in Bahrain, on 27 in their fraudulent activities, entertained Sarita Nair, her June. Kerala was adjudged for companions and actress Shalu Menon, to gain confidence this top honour among 50 states of the people, who were cheated. The very transparency in the Asia-Pacific region. Chief of the CM’s office, the webcast proceedings, through a Minister Chandy’s Mass permanently-installed CCTV camera and setting up of a Contact Programme saw him receiving 5.45 lakh petitions by 24x7 call center to address complaints, left enough evi- visiting 14 districts of Kerala and resolving 2.97 lakh on the dence of the part of the CM’s personnel staff in the con- spot. In some districts, the CM stood beyond 19 hours with- spiracy of those indulging in criminal activities. It was out a break, to redress grievances. revealed that the CM had no personal mobile phone and However, too much accessibility and transparency seem used the phones of his personnel staff for speaking to to be bad for a ruler. Along with genuine cases of griev- people. Later, these very personnel staff used to commu- ances, the corrupt and the scamsters, too, joined the queue nicate to different departments to get things done for the to see the CM. Such a set of persons, headed by one Sarita scamsters on his behalf. Nair, who ran a fake company that promised solar energy Meanwhile, a volatile and powerful political equipments and installation, cheated several people of Opposition has unleashed an agitation to paralyse the crores of rupees. Ultimately, the fraud was discovered and functioning of the Legislature. The ruling Congress coali- the woman and her associates in the shady deal were arrest- tion, that has only a wafer-thin majority, swayed when its ed, when the cheated people complained to the police. coalition partners started questioning the CM’s. ■

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 5

T HE LAW

Ganging up of netas against electoral reforms The crooks raise their heads against the Supreme Court. ■ by Brigadier Arun Bajpai

etas of all political parties, for- civil society of India and quietly and-half-old 1400 crore fodder scam getting their ideological dif- added a clause in this act which says case against Lalu Yadav and the half- ferences have already ganged that neta will continue to enjoy the a-decade-old disproportionate assets N up against the recent CIC powers and pelf and position he has case against SP supremo Mulayam order that all political parties attained if, within three months, he Singh Yadav and BSP supremo must disclose their accounts to the files an appeal in the higher court Mayawati are all cases in point. public when asked in RTI. The ruling against this decision. This is where In their directive, the SC has said Congress-led UPA government is the catch lies. All netas file their peti- that when an aam admi is arrested by ready with an ordinance against this tions in time but there after keep on the police he has to forego his funda- verdict. Now Mulayam Singh, the SP using their political clout so that mental right of liberty and expression supremo, has declared that he would these cases are not heard by the supe- during the time he is in jail. He can- rally political parties to amend the rior courts for decades in our archaic not even cast his vote during this Constitution itself to annul the recent judicial system. The almost a decade- period of incarceration. While in the Supreme Court verdicts that legisla- case of a neta he is allowed to fight an tures be disqualified automatically election and some even get elected on conviction with immediate effect while serving jail sentences. Needless and those in jail be barred from con- to say, this is discriminatory and testing elections. hence struck down by the court. Peoples Representative Act sec- These two verdicts of the SC have put tion 8(4) lays down that any neta who the cat among the pigeons. All netas is awarded a punishment on any are worried and upset. offence which exceeds jail term of India, claiming to be the largest two year and more stands disquali- democracy in the world is unique in fied. This is in line with similar pro- the sense that, unlike other democra- visions in other world democracies. cies, in India once a person becomes a Britain has this period of only one so-called neta, he gets away with any- year as against two in India. thing and everything within or out- However our enterprising politi- RJD supremo Lalu Yadav facing side law. The people who elect him cians hoodwinking the unsuspecting corruption charges. just remain onlookers of his shenani-

8 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 Many leaders of BSP and SP are booked in various criminal cases: Tension gripped their senior leaders. gans. We are more a mobocracy than state of UP things are so bad that the contained in them. a democracy. In democracy, the polit- nine ex-ministers of the previous BSP Mulayam Singh says that besides ical leader has to be worried about Government are in jail. The overall having a mandate to frame laws, the public opinion but not in India. figure for India is that 30 per cent of Parliament also has the power to The reason is our forefathers who MPs and 31 per cent of all state legis- quash Supreme Court judgments. He blindly followed the British latures are tainted. These criminals is very right but what he must also Westminster style of election process masquerading as people’s represen- ponder is that the SC has the power of first past the post, erred. This tatives strut around surrounded by to strike down any law made by process may be okay for a small coun- the police and commando protection Parliament which is unconstitutional. try like Britain but not for a popula- while in actual fact they should be In the current case the SC has struck tion-bursting country like India. Today behind bars guarded by the jailers. It down Article 8(4) of the people’s rep- in India a neta gets elected even is our democracy being taken to resentation Act because it is discrimi- though he may have secured just 10 bizarre level that these criminals are natory. Instead of trying to brow beat per cent votes of his constituency. In making the laws for us, the aam admi the SC, why do our netas not come other words, once elected he also law-abiding citizens of India. out with legislation where they ask becomes an elected representative of the SC to open fast-track courts to try those 90 per cent people of his con- The problem all cases related to newly elected rep- stituency who have not voted for resentatives in a fast mode within six him. So our neta is not bothered Indian politicians had more than months’ time? about a major portion of his con- two decades to curb these anomalies The rise of criminalisation in poli- stituency as long as his vote bank is and gain the people’s faith. However, tics is not because politicians have secure. With caste and religion play- these old-time politicians, who are become more crooked. It is because ing a major role in Indian politics, the still having a strangle in hold on the endless judicial delays have creat- neta remains assured of his support. Indian politics, not allowing the ed huge inducement for criminals to These two verdicts the Supreme youth to replace them, continue to enter politics and to succeed over Court along with the Allahabad High live in their political dream world law-abiding rivals. We cannot truly Court verdict of putting ban on caste- which has drastically changed in the reform politics until we get politi- based rallies of political parties and last two decades. Today with 85 crore cians on fast-track justice. The politi- the CIC ruling of bringing political of India’s population below 35 years cal parties will be assured that if they parties under the ambit of RTI, are all of age, India is the youngest country give a ticket to a criminal, once he aimed at curbing the criminalisation in the world. This Indian youth is gets elected he will come under the of politics in India, which has educated and is inquisitive. They are ambit of fast-track courts and all his acquired gigantic proportions in our also well informed thanks to Internet cases will be decided in six months democracy. Today, in the Indian and social networking sites. Recent coupled with these recent court ver- Parliament there are 162 MPs out of research has found that today more dicts, this will act as a dampener for 545 MPs who have serious cases of than 200 Indian parliamentary con- crooks joining politics for personal murder, rape, extortion and abduc- stituencies are being influenced by gains, and political parties giving tion registered against them. In the the social media sites and opinion them tickets. ■

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 9 C OSMONAUTICS

n 16 June 1963, Valentina Tereshkova, a Russian, became the first woman to O soar into space. Two years Years of women after Yuri Gagarin’s historic, first manned flight on 12 April 1961, Tereshkova blasted off in a Vostok-6 spaceship, becoming a national hero- ine at the age of 26. Till today, she remains the only woman ever to have made a solo space-flight. She blazed a trail for the many female space-fly- ers that would follow. In April 1962, Valentina, a factory- worker, who had performed 90 para- chute-jumps, was selected by the Russian authorities to be the first woman in space. She was sent for seven months of intensive training and not allowed to disclose her mis- sion even to her family members. They only learnt of her exploit and weighed down on her shoulders and unteered to make a one-way flight to success when the Russian govern- scratched her head. She also vomited Mars. ment announced it to the entire during the flight. Soviet cosmonaut Svetlana world. Afterwards, she married Savitskaya was the second woman in During her three-day mission, Cosmonaut Andrian Nikolayev. space. She flew aboard Soyuz, which Tereshkova circled Earth 48 times. Their daughter Elena is the only per- was launched on 19 August 1982. On Her flight experienced a number of son to have cosmonauts as both par- 17 July 1984, she became the first problems, which were made public ents. As of today, Valentina is in good woman to walk in space aboard the after the fall of the Soviet Union. Her health, and active as a proponent for Soyuz again. Her space-walk lasted spacesuit hurt her leg and her helmet space-exploration. She recently vol- for nearly four hours. She was also

10 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 flew as a mission specialist aboard the space shuttle Discovery mission in 1993. Helen Sharman was the first British astronaut in space, when she flew aboard the Russian space-craft Soyuz on 18 May 1991. Roberta Bondar was the first Canadian woman in space. She flew on the shuttle Discovery mission (22-30 January 1992). Chiaki Mukai was the first Japanese woman in space. She flew on shuttle Columbia mission (8-23 July 1994). They were followed by many more. Eileen Collins was the first woman pilot of a space shuttle. Kathryn Sullivan was first American female space-walker. She flew aboard Challenger, on 5 October 1984. In September 1996, Shannon Lucid returned after six months in space aboard the Mir Space Station, setting A look-back the female conquest a space-endurance record for women ■ by G. V. Joshi and the USA. of the cosmos. In May 1999, Susan Helms became the first woman crew mem- ber of the International Space Station (ISS). In July 1999, Eileen Collins became the first woman to fly as a Space Shuttle commander. In October 2001, Claudie Haigneré was the first European the first woman to go to space twice space-tour, for Sally Ride to become woman to visit the ISS. (in 1982 and 1984). the first American woman in space. In February 2003, Dr Kalpana In the early 1960s, space-explo- And, since then, 57 women have Chawla (an American citizen of ration became a substitute for war flown to orbit in space as NASA Indian origin) and Dr Laurel Clark between the USA and the then USSR. astronauts, and the number is going died in the space shuttle Columbia The Russians kept telling everyone up slowly but surely. disaster on 1 February 2003. that they were ahead of America and Sally was the first American kept doing amazing things, like woman in space and third in the History launching the Sputnik satellite in 1957. world. Sally flew on the space shuttle This was followed by Yuri Gagarin’s Challenger mission from 18 June to A group of women were selected epoch-making space-flight in 1961, 24 June 1983. and tested privately by Dr William and then by Tereshkova in 1963. Mae Jemison was the first African Randolph Lovelace, the physician, For a while, at least, it became a American (black) woman in space who originally helped to develop the game of one-upmanship, with the during shuttle Endeavor mission (12- tests for selecting male astronauts for Russians achieving an enviable string 20 September 1992). She was a mis- NASA’s Mercury Program, in the of firsts. One of these was, of course, sion specialist. early 1960s. Because, on an average, sending the first woman into space. Ellen Ochoa was the first Hispanic women are smaller and lighter than It took 20 years, after Tereshkova’s American woman in space. She also men are, scientists speculated that

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 11 they might make good occupants for The Indian connection from the University of Texas in cramped space-vehicles. Arlington, USA. In 1988, she The first of these selected person- The story of women in space can- obtained a Ph.D. in the same subject ally by Dr Lovelace, Geraldyn (Jerrie) not be complete without reading the from the University of Colorado at Cobb, was an accomplished pilot. exploits and achievements of Dr Boulder, USA. After Cobb, 12 other women were Kalpana Chawla, the only female Kalpana held a commercial-pilot selected. Indian astronaut till today and Sunita licence for single and multi-engine All the selected women were under Williams, whose father is an Indian airplanes, hydroplanes and gliders; 35 years of age and in good health. doctor settled in the USA. was a certified flight-instructor, who They all had a bachelor’s degree, held Kalpana Chawla was born on 1 rated aircraft and gilders; and an a commercial pilot licence and had July 1961, in Karnal, a small town amateur radio person, certified by over 2,000 hours of flying-time. The located in the state of Haryana. Her the US authorities. Owing to her mul- testing was extremely rigorous, since parents, Banarasi Lal Chawla and tiple degrees in aerospace, she got a no American had yet flown in space Sanjyothi, had two other daughters job in NASA as the vice-president of and data about Gagarin and Valentina and a son. Kalpana was the youngest the Overset Methods Inc., in 1993. was not available. in her family and, hence, she was the She was extensively involved in the In the end, 13 women passed the most-pampered, too. development of vertical/short take-off same physical examinations that the She studied in the Tagore Public aircrafts. However, it was not until NASA had stipulated for male astro- School and, later, enrolled in Punjab 1995 that she became a part of the naut selection. Even though the Engineering College, to complete her NASA Astronaut Corps. Three years women passed the tests with flying Aeronautical Engineering Degree in later, she was selected for her first mis- colours, they were never granted the 1982. In the same year, she moved to sion — i.e. to travel around Earth in a opportunity to fly in space. Until the the USA. In 1983, she married Jean- space shuttle. Kalpana Chawla created Astronaut Class of 1978 had passed, Pierre Harrison, her flying instructor history for being the first Indian NASA insisted that all astronauts and an aviation writer. woman to travel in a space shuttle. have military-jet test-pilot experi- In 1984, she completed her mas- In 2000, she was again assigned on ence, thereby eliminating all women ter’s degree in aerospace engineering her second flight mission, as a part of until that time. In the meantime, ISS and the space shuttle bus-service for ISS, were on the cards. The ISS and space shuttle had created the need for astronauts, who had skills other than jet flying. Thus, new types of astro- nauts were introduced: the mission specialists, who were researchers with advanced scientific or technical degrees. As a result, some time in early 1977, NASA issued an advertisement for space shuttle astronauts. At least 15 pilot candidates and 15 mission specialist candidates were to be selected for two years of intensive training and evaluation, starting from 1 July 1978. The qualifications for both were similar, except that mission specialists were not required to be qualified pilots. In 1978, six women completed the training and were accepted by NASA as astronauts. Sally Ride, the first American to soar into space, was one of them.

12 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 a space shuttle flight. During the course of this mission, there were MY PET PEEVE several mishaps and cracks were My pet peeve is against the visu- means. These IPL matches have detected in the shuttle engine, which al media especially the news chan- become a ground for making money. delayed the project until 2003. nels which have virtually gone The player’s are playing IPL matches On 1 February 2003, space shuttle bonkers and have, in their eagerness with a sole intention of making more Columbia collapsed over the Texas to capture eyeballs thrown all ethical and more money. So in my opinion region, when it re-entered Earth’s norms of journalism to the winds. the players who are involved in spot atmosphere. This unfortunate event The anchors who are in charge of fixing and betting should be banned ended the lives of seven crew mem- programming often are a law unto for lifetime. These player’s have bers, including Kalpana. themselves and their boorish behav- ruined the game of cricket. During her lifetime, Kalpana iour during debates leaves a bad These player’s should learn a les- Chawla was awarded with three taste in the mouth. Their hounding son from the cricketer’s of yester- awards – namely, the Congressional of participants on their shows year's. The cricket of yesteryear was Space Medal of Honor, NASA Space reveals their highhandedness and honest and trustworthy. So much Flight Medal and the NASA though some of them are paid back amount of money is being wasted in Distinguished Service Medal. in their own coin they are entirely these IPL matches. The game of crick- Sunita Williams was born on 19 shameless and unabashed and et is being given at most importance in September 1965, in Euclid, Ohio, USA, refused to be chastened. For the our country. The other games should to Indian-American neuro-anatomist more decent participants who are also be given importance in our coun- Dr Deepak Pandya and Ursuline keen to maintain their decorum of try. The IPL matches have ruined the Pandya. Sunita’s father came from national TV this grinding is some- game of cricket. The IPL matches Mehsana district in Gujarat, India. thing that hurts them very badly. should be banned and domestic crick- She graduated from Needham Only confirmed masochists can et should be given more importance. High School in Needham, participate in these so called national — P. Bisand Massachusetts, in 1983, and joined debates. The rude interruptions by the the American Air Force. She obtained anchors and their aggressive attitude Civic authorities like Panchayats, a Bachelor of Science degree in phys- hardly does any credit to the profes- Municipalities and corporations ical science from the United States sion or to the channels they represent. undertake black-topping of roads in Naval Academy in 1987, and a Furthermore there is a tendency on various villages, towns and cities. Master of Science degree in engineer- the part of visual media to rush to When the black-topping gets com- ing management from Florida. judgments in issues like rape, murder pleted, both sides of the roads In June 1998, she was selected by etc. where they often assume to the become somewhat lower with a con- NASA for the astronaut program. She roles of judge and jury and pronounce tinuous slopes with the black- has established many records and verdicts, something which they are topped roads getting elevated. This received many awards. She is still an not empowered to under the law. It is slope is likely to cause pedestrians active astronaut. time that these news channels are or two-wheeler riders to slip or skid In September 2007, Williams visited hauled up and are brought under the while passing through the end of the India and went round the country, see- purview of the Press Council of India black-topped portion. ing VIPS. She has expressed a desire to whose powers are presently confined Both sides of the roads have to be adopt a girl from Ahmedabad. Most only to the print media. filled with earth so that the sides of recently, Sunita commanded the ISS — C. V. Aravind the roads also reach the same level during Expedition 33 in 2012. as that of the black-topped portion. NASA has selected eight My pet peeve is against the IPL My peeve is against the lack of fore- Americans, a mix of scientists and players being involved in spot fixing sight of civic authorites with regard military pilots, to begin training for and betting. The IPL players are to the possible inconve- future space missions that may, one being offered a good amount of nience/accident which may be fall day, launch them all the way to Mars. money as their contract fees, besides senior citizens, sick people, children The new class includes four men and that the player’s are also indulged in and two-wheeler riders. four women. making more money through unfair — V. S. Sridharan At NASA and internationally, women continue to reach for the stars Send your entry written neatly on white paper to: ALIVE – both literally and figuratively. ■ Delhi Press, E-3, Jhandewala Estate, New Delhi-110 055. A prize of Rs 200 is given to V. S. Sridharan.

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 13 This is the first Elysee produced at the new plant of DPCA in China. Chinaʼs second biggest automaker, Dongfeng, has held talks about buying a stake in troubled French car firm PSA Peugeot Citroen.

President and MD of Ford India, Joginder Singh, poses Yamaha Motor president Hiroyuki Yanagi displays with newly launched Ford Ecosport in New Delhi. the new three-seater buggy “Viking”.

Members of the Nuon Solar Team pose with their new vehicle, the Nuna 7 in Netherlands.

14 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 The Fairlady Z Nismo (370Z Nismo) with a 3.7-litre powerful engine launched for sale in Japan.

Honda Motor employees introduce the companyʼs new MD & CEO Mercedes-Benz India Eberhard Kern poses hybrid sedan “Accord Plug-in Hybrid” in Tokyo. The plug-in with the newly launched E Class model of Mercedes-Benz hybrid model achieves over 70km per litre. in New Delhi.

Toyotaʼs Prius marked 3 million vehicles ready MD of Volvo Auto India, Tomas Ernberg, poses with a Volvo for worldwide sales. V40 ʻCross Countryʼ in Hyderabad.

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 15 C ENTRICITY

Are you in the middle rung? If so you might follow superiors but not expect lower people to follow you. ■ by Maneka Gandhi

y sister is a middle child and and progress, yet he can be unseated ranking Barbury macaques experi- she says, that part of her per- whenever the bosses want. He has to ence the most stress in their troop. sonality is shaped by this cir- toady to the people upstairs and rule The team spent 600 hours monitoring M cumstance. The eldest is the the people downstairs and yet his a group of varying ranks. They were boss. The youngest is the salary is as insecure as the people he monitored on how long they spent cutest baby of the family. But middle rules. He faces challenges both from eating or resting, and recording any children, especially if they are the above and below. No wonder, most threatening behaviour or chases and same sex as the eldest, often feel left of the heart problems occur in the positive group-behaviour, such as out and invisible, as if they are not middle ranks. grooming or close contact. This was unique at all and nothing belongs to Is this a unique human feature or combined with hormone readings them. Studies say that middle chil- does it exist in all animals? I am certain taken from their faeces. Macaques, dren are more flexible, better listen- all colony creatures, like ants, wasps like humans, release specific hor- ers and better talkers than and bees, would have differ- mones to cope with periods of high their siblings but are far ent management execu- stress, including hydrocortisone (cor- more prone to depres- tives, as well. Monkeys, tisol) from the adrenal gland, to sion. who live in troops and increase blood sugar and accelerate A manager in the certainly have all the the fight-or-flight response. middle rung of the features and proba- government or a bly as much intelli- Data collection privately-owned gence as humans, company would would also have Samples were collected through- probably be also management levels. out the day and analysed to take into stressed terribly. A recent study by account differences between morning He is not senior Liverpool’s Institute and afternoon samples. The study enough to be fol- of Integrative Biology, also took into consideration person- lowed implicitly. He on Barbury macaques, ality type, availability of social sup- has to maintain order showed that middle- port within the group, or previous experience. The findings showed that, when individuals faced antago- nistic behaviour, such as threats, chases and slaps, their levels of corti- sol were highest. Middle-ranking monkeys recorded the highest levels of cortisol almost all the time. In any group with a hierarchy, there are rules on who can have the best food and the best grooming partners. A middle monkey might want them but, if the high-ranking monkeys lar to how humans pet their want the same, then the middle dogs or cats, when they come ones have to give them up. This home from a long and stressful could be done passively – the day. lower rankers moving away Macaques scratch them- from the source of food – or selves more, if they are aggressively, with threats. stressed. So do people. (Watch And, similar to human out for an itchy boss before you beings, those in the middle confront him.) were more likely to be chal- A stressed-out macaque will lenged by those higher up, seek an individual within his while simultaneously batting network for companionship. away advances from lower- Female macaques, who tend to ranking individuals, that stay close to their relatives, will would not dare attack those at Even middle-ranking Barbury macaques go to their mothers to be experience more stress. the top of the hierarchy. The embraced. Those that are really team found that, unlike the small fry rankers in the military. annoyed at being where they are, will monkeys on the front-lines and, How are the monkeys, stuck in use threats, slapping the ground and unlike those that reign supreme and middle management, taking out their chasing opponents till they calm who distance themselves from any frustrations? A common stress-reliev- down. The report records “agonistic conflict, middle-managing monkeys er among macaques is taking care of behaviour, like threats, chases and are getting hit from both sides while infants. Both males and females slaps, submissive behaviour like dis- being tasked with keeping peace spend time and groom younger placing, screaming, grimacing and amongst everyone. members of the troop, whether their hind-quarter presentation.” own infant or someone else's. That Can you see the same happening The study helps them calm down. This is simi- in your office? ■ Other macaque observers say that middle monkeys have a really hard HUMAN GRACE time. “Middle-ranking individuals are under more stress because their The fruit vendor water up to the dental clinic. My son interactions are less predictable. was supporting me from the other They're not exactly sure how others It was raining heavily when the side. When I came out of the clinic, are going to respond to them and car driven by my son stopped about the fruit vendor was again there to how they should respond to others." 50 meters from dental clinic which I take me up to the car and helped me says National Geographic macaque was visiting for my tooth problem, along with my son, in entering the observer Agustin Fuentes. as no parking space was available car. I thanked him from my heart According to the 2012 annual near the clinic. We forgot to carry and he gave me a very affectionate Employee Outlook report by The umbrellas. touch by holding and patting my Chartered Institute of Personnel and We decided to get down despite arm which made me feel good. Development (CIPD), Europe's the heavy downpour. Seeing a 82- The fruit vendor was a poor largest professional institute for peo- year-old person with bent back and looking person with few fruits in a ple management, 49% of middle stick in hand for support, coming basket but had a big heart to extend managers said they are under exces- out of the car, a fruit vendor rushed his help to me. My experience is, sive pressure every day or once or to help me with the umbrella by people whom many underrate due twice a week – which was 12% more which he was protecting himself sit- to their poverty or lack of education, than the top or the bottom of the hier- ting on the footpath. He protected willingly offer help whereas so archies. The report revealed they me from the rain ignoring that he called affluent people avoid coming were generally less satisfied with was getting wet himself. He then to the rescue of needy person due to their work-life balance, more con- held my hand to give support and lack of sensitivity. cerned about job-security and most helped me in wading through the — Colonel C.B. Singh (Retired) likely to be looking for a new job. Send your entry written neatly on white paper to: ALIVE And this does not apply only to civil- Delhi Press, E-3, Jhandewala Estate, New Delhi-110 055. ians in a cubicle but also to middle- A prize of Rs 200 is given to all published items.

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 17 T URN AROUND Creativity & failed love Pretty volatile love. ■ by Dr Sumit S. Paul

oes creativity have anything to do with failure or rejection in love? There seems to be D some relationship. ‘Qalam mein jo baat hai aaj/ Qabl-e-hijra woh na thi’ (The power of the pen which I have today/Wasn’t there before separation), wrote famous Urdu poet Riaz Khairabadi. I could see the twilight of my made him a brooding cre- There’s no exaggeration, almost love). Sahir left Ludhiana ative genius. all poets in any language have been and came to Bombay. He Daniel Dafoe, who people whose love affairs either remained single till he shuf- wrote the immensely failed or were pretty volatile and fled off the mortal coil. readable Robinson Crusoe, was in love they became escapists in the end. That shocking sight of his beloved with an older woman who once Ghalib’s strings of failed love affairs making love to a handsome man slapped him to prove that she wasn’t immortalised him as a poet. Though stayed in his consciousness till he in love with a young ‘westrel’ like his affair with a ‘domni’ (grave-dig- died and he could never love any Dafoe. This slap-gate incident ger’s wife or daughter) is rather woman wholeheartedly. His supreme reminds me of yet another creatively apocryphal, his love affair with his ghazal, ‘Dekha hai zindagi ko kuchh itna accomplished man, who never tied cousin’s wife (actually his bhabhi or qareeb se/ Chehre tamaam lagne lage hain the knot and after getting slapped by sister-in-law), who was 14 years his ajeeb se’ (I’ve seen life from such close his lady-love in a party, hit the bottle senior, lent depth to his poetry. quarters that all faces have begun to and became a much greater actor. It was an unrequited love because look bizarre) is said to be based on I’m talking about Sanjeev Kumar. she wasn’t that interested in the this tragic episode in his life. He was in love with actress Nutan young(er) poet and she also request- A broken heart is a motivating fac- and it wasn’t one-sided. But woman’s ed him not to mention her name or tor in all disciplines of creativity. ‘Dil a ruthless creature. Just to prove her anything about her even obliquely in jab toot-ta hai toh shahkaar banta hai’ innocence in the whole matter, she his poetry. That’s the reason you can (When the heart is broken/ A master- slapped Sanjeev Kumar in the pres- hardly detect any vestige of that one- piece is woven). The great Ahmad ence of her husband Rajnish Bahl and sided love in Ghalib’s 235 ghazals. Faraz could say this because he too others at a party. Sanjeev Kumar could Sahir Ludhianavi was in ‘deep’ had a heartache, when his childhood never forget that humiliating slap and love with an unknown beloved walked out on it’s said that after the slap, his acting Hindu landlord’s daugh- him, never to return. The underwent a sea change and he ter in Ludhiana, Punjab. legendary sculptor Rodin, became a greater actor. One day he saw her in a famous for his The The great thespian Sir Lawrence compromising position Thinker, was rejected by Olivier, famous for Shakespearean with a guy who was in his drawing teacher’s roles on the stage and screen, was Sahir’s words, ‘Behtar tha daughter, who first gave rejected by his co-actress Lara woh mujhse har ek zaaviye se/ him the come-hither and Agnew. The entire history of creativi- Mujhe meri ulfat ki shaam when Rodin succumbed to ty is a saga of failed love. Creativity dikh gayee’ (He was far bet- her blandishments, she gets that oomph when it comes out of ter than I in every respect/ backtracked. This incident the womb of a failed lover. ■

18 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013

CONCERN Child Labour Today

Have we really changed? ■ by Chetna Sharma

hild is the father of man.” These famous lines by William Wordsworth symbol- C ise the role of children in building a healthy nation and society. For, their minds are very soft, receptive and plastic at this tender age. Childhood is the best time to develop spiritual, intellectual, and emotional support. However, this rule of nature has been crippled by the perilous child labour. Throughout the world, about 250 million children are forced to work for a living. Due to poverty, parents put their children to work, to supplement the family’s economic needs.

Definition: Child labour refers to the employment of children in any work that deprives them of their child- hood and interferes with their ability to attend regular school, that is men- tally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful. This practice is considered exploitative by many. International legislations across the world prohibit child labour.

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 Historical development: Children sweeps. Child labour played an Macroeconomic causes encour- were employed to varying extents important role in the Industrial aged widespread child labour across through most of history. Before 1940, Revolution from its outset, often the world, over most of human histo- numerous children, aged five–14 brought about by economic hardship. ry. While poverty and unavailability years, worked in Europe, the United Charles Dickens, for example, of good schools explain the child States and various colonies of worked at the age of 12 in a blacking labour supply side, they suggest that European powers. These children factory and also wrote books like the growth of low-paying informal worked in agriculture, home-based Hard Times, primarily focusing on economy, rather than higher-paying assembly operations, factories, and child labour and the declining rate of formal economy, is amongst the caus- mining. Some worked night-shifts education. The children of the poor es of the demand side. lasting 12 hours. With the rise of were expected to help towards the household income, availability of family budget. Action against child labour in schools and passage of child labour Children also worked as errand India: India has had legislation laws, the incidence rates of child boys, sweepers, and shoe-blacks, or against child labour since 1986 which, labour fell. sold matches, flowers and other instead of preventing child labour, In developing countries, with cheap goods. allows work by children in non-haz- high poverty and poor schooling The International Labour ardous industry. Social activist opportunities, child labour is still Organisation suggests poverty is the Hemant Goswami had moved the prevalent. In 2010, sub-Saharan greatest single cause behind child courts against this particular provi- Africa had the highest incidence rates labour. For impoverished house- sion and for the failure of the govern- of child labour, with several African holds, income from a child’s work is ment to prevent violation of child nations witnessing over 50 per cent usually crucial for his or her own sur- rights and widespread child labour. of children aged five-14 working. vival or for that of the household. The order by the high court is con- Worldwide, agriculture is the Income from working children, even sidered a landmark in child right pro- largest employer of child labour. The if small, may be between 25 per cent tection in India, as the court declared majority of child labour is found in to 40 per cent of these household many existing provisions of the 1986 rural settings and the informal urban incomes. Scholars, such as Harsch on Indian Child Labour legislation as economy. Children are predominant- African child labour, and Edmonds illegal and against the Constitution of ly employed by their parents, rather and Pavcnik on global child labour, India. than factories. Poverty and lack of have reached the same conclusion. Can we eliminate child labour? schools are considered as the primary Lack of meaningful alternatives, Though it is a desirable goal, the fact causes of child labour. such as affordable schools and quali- remains that in the given socio-eco- The incidence of child labour in ty education, is another major factor nomic scenario prevalent in our the world decreased from 25 per cent driving children to harmful labour. country, it is virtually impossible to to 10 per cent between 1960 and 2003, Many communities, particularly do away with child labour. One can- according to the statistics provided rural areas, where between 60-70 per not dispute the fact that employers by the World Bank. cent of child labour is prevalent, do exploit children by paying them During the Industrial Revolution, not possess adequate school facilities. much less than what they would pay children as young as four were Even when schools are sometimes an adult and the future of the work- employed in production factories available, they are too far away, diffi- ing children is ruined as they will not with dangerous, and often fatal, cult to reach, unaffordable, or the be able to attend schools and get edu- working conditions. Based on this quality of education is so poor that cated for a better future. understanding of the use of children parents wonder if going to school is However, when one considers the as labourers, it is now considered by really worth it. economic compulsions of the fami- wealthy countries to be a human lies, which force the children to work, rights violation and is outlawed. When one considers the one will be compelled to admit that Some poorer countries, however, economic compulsions of the elimination of child labour will be a may allow or tolerate child labour. families, which force the children to distant dream as long as the socio- Child labour can also be defined as work, one will be compelled to admit economic status of these families is the full-time employment of children that elimination of child labour will not improved. who are under a minimum legal age. be a distant dream as long as Realising the harm caused by child The Victorian era became notori- the socio-economic status of these labour, the Indian government made ous for employing young children in families is not improved. laws to protect children from exploita- factories and mines and as chimney- tion at work and to improve their

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 21 ly damage various organs and the nervous system. Children are often required to do the same work as adults. In under- ground mining operations, for exam- ple, children work in ore-extraction, assist in drilling, push carts, clean galleries, and remove water from the mines. In river mines, they dig and dive for sediments. In mineral con- centration, they crush stones, haul minerals, pick gemstones, and wash gold. In the mines of industrial mate- rials, such as clay, coal, and sand, children – often young girls – carry huge loads on their heads and backs, sometimes in extreme heat. Around the mines and in the households, children prepare food A child at work. for the miners, haul water, and do working conditions. Besides, a com- unless the socio-economic status of other household work. Outside the prehensive law called Child Labour the poor families is improved, India home, they are frequently found (Prohibition and Regulation) Act 1986, is living with the evil of child labour. working in bars, restaurants, and was promulgated to prohibit employ- even prostitution. ment of children in certain hazardous Case study: The harsh reality of Many of the problems related to occupations and processes. child labour in mines and quarries: small-scale mining and child labour In 1987, the Indian government for- In mines, children descend to the are linked to the fact that mining activ- mulated the National Policy on Child bowels of the earth to crawl through ities often take place in the informal Labour to protect the interests of chil- narrow, cramped and poorly-lit, sector and in remote areas. Informal dren and focus on general develop- makeshift tunnels, where the air is mining refers to uncontrolled mining ment programmes for their benefit. As thick with dust. They constantly risk activities often undertaken by family a part of this policy, National Child fatal accidents due to falling rocks, members or close relatives, without Labour Projects have been set up in explosions, collapse of mine walls, any licence or formal permission. different parts of the country to reha- and the use of equipment designed Typical for small-scale mining and bilitate child labour. Under these pro- for adults. quarrying is that the whole family is jects, special schools are established to Interviews with 220 boys and girls involved in the working process. The provide non-formal education, voca- working in mines in Nepal showed working children’s contribution to tional training, supplementary nutri- that the frequency of injury there is their families, both in terms of work tion etc to children who are with- very high. Almost 60 per cent of these performed and of income generated, drawn from employment. child workers answered that they is often important. However, many Child labour is, no doubt, an evil have been hurt while at work. In gold children in mining and quarrying do that should be done away with at the mining, children are exposed to toxic not get any remuneration for their earliest. The prevalence of child mercury, which is used for separating work and, if they do, their wages are labour reflects very badly on society gold out of rock and can permanent- inferior to those of adults. that is not able to stop this evil. But, in a society where many households Children are often required to do the World Day Against Child Labour may have to suffer the pangs of same work as adults. In under- in 55 countries: The ‘World Day hunger if the children are withdrawn ground mining operations, Against Child Labour’ is marked in from work, beggars cannot be for example, children work in ore- every region of the world on 12 June choosers. These families have to send extraction, assist in drilling, push since 2002, with events in more than their children to work, even if the carts, clean galleries, and remove 55 countries. Many events focus on future of these innocents is ruined, as water from the mines. In river mines, raising awareness of the need to that is the only choice open for them they dig and dive for sediments. eliminate child labour in small-scale to survive in this world. Therefore, mines and quarries. ■

22 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 L AW BREAKERS

Controlling child labour Laws and plans are on the way. ■ by Amiya Kumar Kushwaha

he hands that were made for writing and drawing are being used in cleaning, scrubbing, T mining, stone quarrying. According to official statistics of the 2001 census, around 12.6 mil- lion children are engaged in haz- ardous occupations in India. Our country has the largest number of child labourers under the age of 14. Major child labour states Child Laws in India Unfortunately due to socio-eco- nomic conditions of the country, a ● The Child Labour (Prohibition fare, training, education and rehabil- large number of children have to and Regulation) Act, 1986: itation of neglected children. work for their living. UNICEF has Children below the age of 14 years ● The Hindu Minority and fixed 12 June as World Day Against are prohibited to work in 16 occupa- Guardianship Act, 1956: Child Labour (WDACL), for raising tions and 65 processes that are Amends and codifies certain parts of the voice against child labour. harmful to the children. the law relating to minority and As per census 2001, Uttar Pradesh ● The Factories Act, 1948: guardianship among Hindus (15.22%) recorded the highest share Prohibits the employment of children ● The Hindu Adoption and of child labour in the country, fol- below the age of 14 years. Maintenance Act, 1956: Deals lowed by Andhra Pradesh (10.76%), ● The Mines Act, 1952: Prohibits specifically with the legal process of Rajasthan (9.97%), Bihar (8.82%), the employment of children below adopting children by a Hindu adult. Madhya Pradesh (8.41%), and West 18 years of age in a mine. ● The Immoral Traffic Bengal (6.77%). ● The Juvenile Justice (Care and (Prevention) Act, 1956: To pre- Protection) of Children Act, vent trafficking of children. Policy to curb child labour in 2000: This law made it a crime, ● The Orphanages and Other Uttar Pradesh punishable with a prison term, for Charitable Homes (Supervision The state government, in coordi- anyone to procure or employ a child and Control) Act, 1960: nation with UNICEF and support in any hazardous employment. Supervision and control of orphan- from the IKEA Foundation, is run- ● The Right of Children to Free ages, homes for neglected women or ning outreach programmes for creat- and Compulsory Education children and other like institutions ing awareness on the protection of Act, 2009: It grants free and com- and for matters connected therewith. child rights and to inform people pulsory education to all children ● Probation of Offenders Act, about the harm of child employment. aged six to 14. This legislation also 1958: Power of court to release A children’s parliament for govern- mandates that 25 per cent of seats certain offenders after admonition. ment members in Uttar Pradesh has in every private school should be ● The Women’s and Children’s been conducted so that it can create allocated for children from disadvan- Institutions (Licensing) Act, better understanding of child protec- taged groups including differently 1956: Provides licensing of institu- tion issues in the state. The state gov- able children. tions for women and children and ernment aims to increase school ● The Child Marriage Restraint for matters incidental thereto. enrolment for disadvantaged chil- Act, 1929: Restrains the solemnisa- ● The Young Persons (Harmful dren. tion of child marriages Publications) Act, 1956: Prevents ● Children Act, 1960: Provides the dissemination of certain publica- Andhra Pradesh reduces child care, protection, maintenance, wel- tions harmful to young persons. labour The National Commission for the Andhra Pradesh government to Wages (MW) Act in other states. The Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) reduce child labour of the state and MW Act empowers authorities to has appreciated the steps taken by sought to execute the Minimum impose penalties up to 10 times the difference between the wage paid and the minimum wage, as compen- sation to the child. According to gov- ernment data a penalty of Rs. 5 crore was awarded to employers of 35,000 children from the state under the MW Act in the last 15 years. According to the 2001 census, Andhra Pradesh is the second largest employer of child labourers in the country with over 13.63 lakh employed children. The government has claimed that this figure has come down a great deal with interventions like implementation of the MW Act;

24 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 and that this will be reflected in the condition of children in the state. The yet-to-be released 2011 census. According to official statistics aim of the modification of the policy of the 2001 census, around is to create a secure, safe and reliable Bihar government initiatives 12.6 million children are engaged in environment for every child to grow, against child labour hazardous occupations in India. develop and survive with dignity To eradicate child labour in the Our country has the largest number and without any discrimination or state, the Bihar government in 2009 prejudice. Other objectives of the pol- of child labourers under the has initiated the ‘State Plan of Action icy are to ensure nutrition and food for Child Protection, Rescue and age of 14. security, provide quality education Rehabilitation’. The government has and adequate health care and to pro- assigned various responsibilities to ment is responsible for the health of tect children from exploitation. different wings including the labour children, the welfare department has department. The labour department been assigned with the responsibili- Laws for protecting child rights is carrying out a monitoring and ties for providing shelter and care for A number of laws have been exe- tracking system, conducting child labourers in need through their cuted for protecting the constitutional research, enforcing laws to protect own schemes. The plan also outlines rights of children. Ironically, figures child rights, restoration of children the roles of various other stakehold- of child labour signify that laws are labourers and various other pro- ers such as the Bihar Child Labour not enabling the tackling of child grammes. With an aim to improve Commission, UNICEF, NGOs and labour in the country. The child work- the financial conditions of the family trade unions. ers have become a burning issue for member of the child labourers, the India, where the Constitution has rural and urban development depart- Rajasthan updates National prohibited child labour below the age ment has been assigned for the job of Child Policy of 14 years in any area including fac- cards under NREGA, Swarnjayanti The National Child Policy, 1974, tories and mines under the Gram SwarozgarYojana and various was updated by Rajasthan Fundamental Rights and the others. Whereas the health depart- Government in 2008 to improve the Directive Principles of State Policy. ■ S HORT STORY Aunt Relief Falling into depravation — and resurrection. ■ by Raj Gopal Katju

y friend Vireshwar (Viru to friends) is a recluse. clubs and discos throughout the night. He lives on one end of Mira Road, away from “As you know, being afflicted with arthritis, I cannot the hustle and bustle of the metropolis. He is join this hilarity. Hence, I request you to rent a flat in M happy to just lie in bed and admire nature, from Juhu and enliven your night-life. I am instructing my morning to evening, or watch TV or listen to bank to finance your nocturnal activities. The sole music. And, yes, write poetry. The last named is condition for the above is that you describe in detail accomplished two-three times a month, for an hour or your nightly goings on in a weekly letter, sent to me two. His disjointed efforts — typical example given every Monday. Hope you will agree to this request from below – run as follows: your dear auntie. “With best wishes, Enjoy the present “Your loving aunt, The sun and the wind “Rameshwari” Cos may not return “This is wonderful, Viru,” I said. “What’s wrong? The past is dead and gone You’ve got a licence to enjoy the night-life of Mumbai. Buried in the sands of time So go for it. What’s the problem?” And who knows what the future “The problem is that I like my quiet, peaceful life on Has in store for us Mira Road. To join those night-revellers — nay So enjoy the present. hoodlums — goes against my nature. And, to top it all, I will have to reinforce my so-called bravado by weekly Such abstract lines once jelled with a publisher. Result letters! Can’t be done. What to write and how?” — it fetched him Rs 500. Since then, he compares himself “If that’s the problem, then refuse her.” to local icons Jaishankar Prasad and Nirala. In one of his “Don’t be a fool, Akshay. She will cut off my dreams, he even hobnobbed with Shelley and Byron. allowance.” A widowed aunt helps him survive — bequeathing “Then, write to her weekly.” him 10,000 rupees every month. He is happy with this “But what?” arrangement. We were both nonplussed, when Bahadur joined the One early morning, he arrived at my Juhu flat. fray. “Sir, why not get a professional to write for you?” Bahadur, – my man, who looks after me – brought me I jumped at this suggestion. “Bahadur, can you be the tidings. this professional?” “Sahib, Viru sahib is in the drawing-room and wishes “Yes, sir. No problem.” to see you.” “Then, that’s settled. Viru, Bahadur would be your “What for?” ghost-writer.” “I don’t know.” F Putting on my dressing-gown, I entered the room to rom then on, while Viru remained at Mira Road, confront a morose, mournful Viru, very “The problem is that letters, allegedly written by him, started unlike his cheery self. flying to his aunt, weekly. A sample: I like my quiet, peaceful “What’s the matter?” “Dear Chachiji, life on Mira Road. To join “It’s my aunt, Akshay. See what she “Thanks to your benevolence and those night-revellers — has written. I can’t cope with the pleasant foresight, since last 4 nights, I nay hoodlums — goes situation. Please help me get out of it.” have been hitting Hotel Sun N Sand and against my nature. And, Her letter went as follows: some other hotels on the beach, to top it all, I will have to “Dear Viru, regularly. I join in the swinging and reinforce my so-called “I have recently heard that people at [ [ dancing and rarely go to bed before 4 bravado by weekly letters! the metropolis enjoy life to the full – am. The Scotch served is superb, Canʼt be done. What to indulging in plenty of gaiety and meshing well with the chicken kebabs write and how?” pleasure — singing and dancing at night- and other delicious delicacies. And the

26 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 waitresses are cheeky and charming and ever smiling. It’s a pleasure to be served by them. “Many young film personalities hop in and out and renowned DJs enliven the proceedings, belting out hit tunes. 2 days back, we danced to the rock tunes of J.J.Valya and, later, Randhawa wove his magic. “Daler Mehdi is coming tomorrow evening, with his troupe, to entertain us. Planning to spend the whole night with him. All in all, it’s great fun, moving from a so-called village to the thriving city. This is all thanks to you. “With love and best wishes, “Viru” I was amazed. “Bahadur, did you actually visit Hotel Sun N Sand?” “Yes, sir. I was there till 2 am.” “Viru’s aunt must be delighted to go through your letters.” “I hope so, sir.” “Keep it up, Bahadur, keep it up. Here’s Rs 1,000 to keep you in shape. I am sure Viru must be taking care of your expenses.” “Yes, sir. No complaints there.” The above state of affairs continued for about a month. Then, a bombshell struck. One evening, I was preparing to go to my club, when Bahadur entered and announced, “Rameshwaridevi is here to meet you, sir.” “Rameshwaridevi? You mean the aunt? Why does she wants to meet me?” “I don’t know, sir. You please ask her.” A well-stacked, middle-aged lady was sitting on the drawing-room sofa, as if she owned it. “Well, madame,” I enquired, “who are you and how can I help you?” “Rameshwari Sahay,” she thundered. “I have come to meet my nephew, Vireshwar. You must be his friend Akshay, whom he refers to, occasionally, in his letters. By the way, where is he?” I called out, “Bahadur, any idea where Viru is?” “Yes, sir. He left for a party about a hour back.” “Okay. Should I get some tea or coffee for you, madame?” “Tea? No, don’t bother. Kindly ask Viru’s servant to prepare my room.” “What? You are not staying in any hotel?” “Hotel? Why should I stay in a hotel, when my nephew’s fiat is available? And yes, as Viru is out, you should also go home. I will rest till he returns.” I was stunned. I could not believe my ears. This woman was turning me out of my own home! I hurried into the kitchen, “Bahadur, did you hear the lady? What does she mean? It’s beyond me.” He clarified, “Sir, in our letters, I had given the address of this flat. Naturally, she thinks that the flat belongs to

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 27 “What? What did you say?’ “I was lamenting the destruction of my wardrobe.” “Good. You deserve it. You landed me in this mess. Auntie was planning on spending her last days in the village but those descriptions of Mumbai’s wild life changed all that. Kindly think of something to save me.” “Did you confide in Bahadur?” “Yes. He has no scheme to undo this catastrophe.” “Anyway, you can’t be worse then me. You are enjoying life in a good home, well served by Bahadur and your monthly income safe.” “Forget it,” he almost wept. “Auntie says that I do not need pocket money any more. She plans to live here permanently.” I yelped. “But, Viru, what about me? I can’t stay in Vireshwarji. Hence, she is asking you to leave.” this damned hotel forever! I am coming home soon.” “Oh, no. The old hag is turning me out of my own “Don’t dare come here. Auntie has taken a massive flat! Kindly ask Viru to come here fast.” dislike to an idler like you.” “Sir, I contacted him just now. He will be here in a couple of hours.” B asically, Mumbai is a large city but still, in the “Okay. I am going to check into some nearby hotel, to next four days, I bumped into Viru and his aunt twice in avoid any unpleasantness. Kindly bring my belongings night-clubs. Viru usually had a suicidal look, while the and tell Viru the whole story.” aunt was busy sipping Scotch or whatever concoction A she desired. few hours in the hotel made me utterly Her face, hands and feet were a delight to watch — homesick. Without Bahadur, I felt like an orphan. vigorously exhibiting her exhilaration in being in the Hunger and sleep deserted me. A walk on Juhu beach midst of action. She was whistling wickedly, throwing felt like I was treading in a graveyard. I returned in a lewd remarks and behaving as if she had reached downcast mood and was about to start counting sheep adolescence. The dancing-girls were overjoyed to find in bed, when the phone rang. It was Viru. one as young in spirits as them. Fortunately, they were I yelled, “Where are you?” too busy to notice me. “In hotel Meridian and am going mad.” However, the scenario was completely different the “But, why? Should be enjoying yourself.” third time I saw them. Auntie had a sickly look and, “That’s what you think! Auntie is on her fourth glass catching my eye, gave me a dirty look. I ducked from her of Scotch and clapping rhythmically to the rock-and-roll gaze and picked up my glass. The next second, a thump music. She is getting younger by the minute, while I am on my shoulder almost spilled the liquor on my suit. getting older. Thinking of jumping from this fourth floor. It was Viru. “Yaar, Akshay, you are my friend aren’t I told auntie that I have to meet a friend and came out to you?” phone you. Think of something to save me from this “Any doubt?” torture. I cannot last the whole night.” “Then, help me. Please, come on our table.” “What torture?” “But but.” “I was trying to nap behind a newspaper, when about “No buts. Something has happened to auntie since 10, bikini-clad dancers started going around me. Then yesterday. Hope she hasn’t breached our secret. Please one jumped on my lap! Auntie must have instigated her. come and see if you can unravel the mystery.” She started tweaking my cheek. I shrieked and she, with “Okay.” a wicked smile, caught my other cheek, thrusting her Viru introduced us and she acknowledged me with bosom into my face. distaste writ large on her face. Next, she commanded, “I wanted to slap her. But then, auntie howled like a “Come on, Viru, let’s go.” hyena and buffeted my back so violently that my heart “But, auntie...” almost leapt out. I am wearing your very tight orange “Didn’t you hear me? Let’s go home.” suit, hardly able to breathe. Had to slash it near the Viru turned to me, “Akshay, please, you also come waist, to save getting smothered. Still, that dame tore it along.” further, while playing antics on my lap.” I silently cursed him. The fool was playing with fire; I yelled, “Oh no!” he would repent his folly. But I could not refuse him.

28 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 Soon after we reached home, Viru “Not wrong, son. for the better.” pulled out a bottle of Black Dog Something has become Viru was trembling and supporting whiskey — as usual. Auntie’s reaction himself on a chair. He mumbled, “Yes, right. Now, my request is was instantaneous. “Viru, stop. Put the auntie, I could see that something was that you return to your bottle back.” wrong.” Viru’s eyes popped. “But, auntie, earlier home in the “Not wrong, son. Something has how will you sleep without your dose?” suburbs and lead your become right. Now, my request is that “No, son. I have realised the folly of virtuous life as before. you return to your earlier home in the my ways. I cannot see you embroiled in [Shun the sins of the city. [ suburbs and lead your virtuous life as this sordid, rotten world any more.” You will heed my request, before. Shun the sins of the city. You will Viru spilled the bottle and almost fell wonʼt you?” heed my request, won’t you?” on the floor himself. “Auntie, I don’t Viru whispered, “Auntie, you really understand.” want me to stop visiting the night-clubs?” “Viru, when I wrote that letter, I did not have the “Yes, son. You have understood me correctly.” good luck to hear Swami Gyananandji.” “Okay. I will do as you wish.” “Swami Gyananandji?” I interjected. “He is a very Next day, I was feeling ecstatic at my flat. Suddenly, articulate speaker on religious reforms.” an idea struck me and I called out, “Bahadur!” “Oh! So, you have also heard about him? He is a very “Yes, sir?” persuasive speaker and his mission is to save Mumbai “How did you get this bright idea of feeding from vices such as night-life in clubs, discos, drinking Rameshwariji with Swamiji’s religious discourse?” and dancing, leading to drugs, traficking in women, He smiled. “Sir, I had an aunt who was a victim of murder etc.” epilepsy. During attacks, she used to yell and abuse all “But... but auntie,” stammered Viru, “how and where and sundry. Once, we took her to a nearby temple and did you come across swamiji?” made her sit near the priest, who was chanting mantras. “This, too, is by god’s grace,” she answered, dabbing This had a calming effect on her. We continued the her eyes. “Yesterday, I asked Bahadur to take me to a practice and she responded well to this treatment. I club. The poor man is a bit dim-witted. In his confused surmised that Rameshwariji may respond similarly and state, he led me to a large stadium near Churchgate my diagnosis proved correct.” station. The stadium was jam-packed and, finding a seat “Well done, Bahadur. Do you eat a lot of fish?” for me, he searched for one himself. In the melee, we lost He smiled from ear to ear. ■ contact. Meanwhile, a very magnetic personality came on the stage and was introduced as Swami CHILD IS A CHILD IS A CHILD Gyananandji. “In his discourse, he described Mood of joy his friends standing in front of the the vices in the city and how to gate. A few seconds and then avoid them. He explained the The morning scene of Holi festival minutes passed but nobody turned greatness of god and how, we had already dawned, was around out from the house. should be able to avoid the sins and 7.30 am. The festive fervour and I was keenly observing him. The pitfalls of life. Instead of fighting frenzied atmosphere of colourful roads were still empty. No children our battles alone, we should ask for Holi was yet to begin. were in sight. As time passed, his blessings and benevolence, seeking I was inside my house. Just to face became dull. With drooped help in leading a simple and sinless take stock of the situation outside, I shoulders, he started returning to life, without being dragged into opened my front door slightly and his house, having no companion. nefarious activities. And then, he peeped. I saw Sonu, a six-year-old- But suddenly I noticed a spark pointed towards me and thundered, boy of my neighbourhood was all on his face. He coloured his entire ‘Save yourself’. set to play Holi as his two tiny face by his own hands and shouted “My whole life swam before me palms were smeared with deep with joy and ran to his house — on hearing this! His powerful gaze colours. I noticed him heading perhaps to show his parents that he showed me the wickedness of my towards another house having boys had played Holi to its full extent. ways. I felt very much ashamed and of his age. He shouted the names of — Sasaveta Kumar Jena resolved, there and then, to follow Send your entry written neatly on white paper to: ALIVE the path shown to me. You can see Delhi Press, E-3, Jhandewala Estate, New Delhi-110 055. for yourself, how I have changed A prize of Rs 200 is given to all published items.

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 29 THE IN PICTURES

Ice sports: The French adventurer Sebastien Roubinet during a training session riding a sailboat which glides on ice.

The football stars: Make-shift market: A train Brazilʼs forward passing through a food Neymar (C), Spainʼs market in Maeklong, midfielder Andres Bangkok. Several times a Iniesta (R) and Brazilʼs day, shopkeepers swiftly midfielder Paulinho pack up their food stalls pose with their Golden, and pull back their Silver and Bronze Ball canopies to let the trains trophies as Best pass. Players respectively, at the end of the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013, in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil won the title defeating Spain 3-0 in the final.

Rocking indeed: Robot rock band ʻZ-MACHINESʼ performs during its debut concert in Tokyo. The band consists guitar robot ʻMachʼ, drum robot ʻAshuraʼ and keyboard robot ʻCosmoʼ.

30 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 Tennis: Britainʼs Andy Murray holds the winnerʼs trophy after beating Serbiaʼs Novak Djokovic in the menʼs singles final the 2013 Wimbledon Championships in Wimbledon, southwest London.

Largest spider: A giant spider crab, called Alexander, explores its new home at the Sea Life aquarium in Scheveningen. It is more than 3.5 meters in size.

Reacting robot: Japanʼs Tokyo University robot creator Tomotaka Takahashi demonstrates in Tokyo a humanoid robot Kirobo which reacts to Takahashiʼs voice and speaks with Vietnamese art: Bamboo root-carved statues of happiness and gestures. longivity deities are carried on a vendorʼs motorbike in Hanoi.

Adventurous competition: US Garrett McNamara (L) and US Mark Healey (R) compete during a free session of Group brides: surf tow in Newly married the southern brides walk across Pacific ocean the Charles Bridge island of in Prague Czech Tahiti, French Republic. Polynesia.

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 31 I MPROVEMENT

o you have piles of work of Before, I could actually set my fin- tant to be convinced why we have great importance? Are you gers on the keyboard, I delayed writ- not taken up a task, which was on the committed to tasks with ing this article for 15 days. Every time top priority list. We must know the D tough deadlines? Do you fear I wanted to write, another task took reason – not for others, but for our that the task at hand may precedence. It kept happening for own understanding. This is very require longer than you thought? In nearly that much time. But, if you important because only this under- spite of all this, are you still not in a thought I just lazed around and did standing would advise us that we are mood to start it? Then, please leave nothing, you were wrong. I was actu- responsible towards our work, and everything aside for another 10 min- ally working to my full potential, there was a specific reason to delay. utes and be with me, because I have though on things that could wait. The reason could be any: It could also put aside a couple of important The trait of putting off important be to gain time to energise ourselves. tasks to pen this for you! things for a later date is definitely And, most importantly, you must You may ask, if I have changed procrastination, but the art of com- admit that your decision was my work-schedule, why should I pleting the many that appeared a lit- correct. persuade others to do the same? tle low on the listing, is what I call Do similar situations Well, you will soon realise the bene- “Creative Procrastination”. happen with you, too? Do fits of doing so. Having said that, it is very impor- you watch TV, go on

Don’t fret! Procrastination is a creative way to bring out the best in you. ■ by Bindu Saxena Are you caught into “I will do it later” trap? Facebook, dig out old photo-albums, made delay a way of their life. To or sit and play Internet games? Do This strategy is only for those break the shackles of such rusted you read old letters, suddenly pick up who are doers; who lead a respon- thinking, they would need a deep the phone and call a long-lost friend? sible, respected and effective life. hammering. For them, the ‘creative’ Pause and think awhile, why you This strategy helps us become strategy would actually be a good did all this, when there is a long list more productive, disciplined and excuse and aggravate their bad trait of jobs to be done. I will not call these more self-reliant. rather than have them taste its fruit- activities time-wasters or the ones ful essence. that define a lollygagger’s profile. I I knew I could wait, but I did not. This strategy is only for those who would rather be convinced that these Do you think I had a lot of uncom- are doers; who lead a responsible, earned you a refreshing break and mitted time? No, I did not. Rather, a respected and effective life. This strat- some space, and promised couple of tasks had a deadline that I egy helps us become more produc- delayed, and chose to do this tive, disciplined and more self-reliant. insignificant task. Those who researched in this field have found 15 key reasons, why peo- The strategy ple procrastinate. John Perry, a philosopher says, Now, give it a closer “We can accomplish a lot by putting thought,, without view- things off.” Let us see how: ing it as a serious prob- When a deadline looks like a lem. I simply invested Damocles’ sword hanging on our time in a particular job by head, we feel stressed. We see a task not doing another set of ahead but, for some reason, we do jobs. I was always mindful not do it. I have to say, this approach of what all needed to be provides us with a framework and done. This would definite- also minimises the stress level. It ly be viewed as a problem gives you control over your mind if it took the form of a chronic and lets you to start afresh, brimmed disease and made you lead a with energy. You feel less frazzled. maladaptive lifestyle. Between the period of hectic activ- However, the current strate- ity and quiet moments of reflection, gy will not work for chronic answers and solutions seem closer. procrastinators, since they have Creative juices begin to ooze and, a cool off-time to ‘come alive’. These acted as a means of preparedness to amicably handle more serious tasks that waited completion. This is why I say, “Procrastination is a creative way to bring out the best.” “Don’t ask yourself what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive,” says Howard Thurman. To cite a personal example: Just last month, I had no flagging structure to sharpen all the pencils in my house but I did – because the real driver in my system advised me so. I collected all the pencils from every nook and corner and started sharpening them! If you thought I was doing a meaning- less job, you were wrong. I required these 24 pencils for party-games we intended to host 3 weeks hence.

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 33 without slackening, we successfully Day TASK (T1-T10) Progression / Creative Procrastination accomplish the tasks, which were a little low on our priority-list. But, if 1. I want to start T1 Instead started T5. /No mood for T1 you felt guilty about why you 2. Must start T1 T1-half way through /Dumped T1- lacked idea focused on trivial tasks first, think 3. T1 First draft ready Started T9/Dumped T9 /Started T8 again! I have found that: 4. T1 Final draft ready. Completed T8/ Finished T10 ● When we do what interests us, it 5. T1 Completed Finished T7/ Completed T9 generates better ideas. 6. Started T3 Picked T 6/working on T3 ● Choosing to do your choice task 7. Must start T2 Worked on and finished both T2/ and T3 actually pries you away from 8. Got to do T4 Deadline / Finished T4 monotony and takes you towards 9. Must finish T6 Finished T6 freshness. Rejoice on the 10th day! ● Wisely picking up tasks make for a happy choice. Boredom builds for completion. No matter how Notice, you took 5 days to com- stress. organised and disciplined you are, plete T1 but, during that time, you ● Switching simultaneously between procrastination does seep in. Hence, also finished 4 more jobs. You 2 less important tasks makes you there is a way to be productive while worked on T2, but you were done joyously alert. procrastinating. with both T3 and T2. You got hold of ● Focusing on the task, that you In the box below, T1 stands for the T4 and, since it was deadline, you fin- really wished to do, enhances pro- task highest on the list, T10, the last. ished the same day. This is creative ductivity; there are fewer errors Progression will show the stage of procrastination! and more desired results. working, and creative procrastina- Now, that you have learnt to use tion will tell us the tasks undertaken. procrastination creatively, try this Helpful Pointers: The following matrix will get you wonderful strategy to procrastinate ● Do not live with self-doubt. If you going and, soon, you will realise that things, which may be harmful for find lack of competence and cal- all jobs actually finished in time. So, your health. DELAY: Shopping for iber to deal with a project, put it while you delayed, you also took care cigarettes. POSTPONE: Buying off and pick up an easier one. This to complete in a given time-frame, liquor. DUMP: Bringing kilograms of will favour and enhance your self- irrespective of the order. butter. And SAY: “I’ll do it later.” ■ confidence. ● Tell yourself you did it to attain a balance in speed and efficiency. WAY IN, WAY OUT ● Never do anything which rips Habit of forgetting on my telling him that I have forgot- your creativity. ten few he used to say smiling, in a ● Know that it has boosted creativi- It was hardly six months after very polite way, “How come that you ty. It really worked to your advan- our marriage when my doctor hus- forgot the simple works told by me, tage. You have created a positive, band joined Osmania University, doesn’t matter do tomorrow”. productive mind. Hyderabad for his Post Graduation He never admonished me for my ● Have no doubts about yourself (M.S.). Before leaving the house in a slips but found out a way by decid- later. You needed some space hurry in the morning he used to tell ing to write down the list of works between you and your creation, so me three-four small works to do. on the first page of the notepad and you softly filled it with calm Most of them used to be minor tasks hang it at a prominent place for me to reflection while doing an unrelat- related to cleaning some item or see. The very first evening when he ed activity. It allowed your brain keeping in order his books or items asked me about the completion of to keep working. or passing some message to garden- the works, I suddenly realised that I er or servant to do something. In the have not done any of those and inno- Task vs Creative Delay evening on returning he used to ask cently told him, “Oh dear, I have for- me that all those works are complet- gotten to see the list”. He laughed There is nothing new in believing ed or not. But when the works were and I also joined him. that tasks most urgent and important more, I used to forget one or two and — Padmini Singh need be addressed first. But these are not the only tasks. There are ample Send your entry written neatly on white paper to: ALIVE Delhi Press, E-3, Jhandewala Estate, New Delhi-110 055. numbers that may not be important A prize of Rs 200 is given to all published items. or urgent, but certainly worthwhile

34 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013

I SSUE Another look at Domestic Violence Of muffled screams and broken/beaten dreams. ■ by Pallavi Malik

The pain you have caused me every day has destroyed every bit of me, destroyed my soul. I can’t eat or sleep or think or function. I am running away from everything.”

hese were the words from the suicide letter of the famous actress Jiah Khan, allegedly T addressed to Sanjay Pancholi that portrays another instance of inhumanity and abuse practised upon the women of our society. The media hype surrounding this actress reminds us of Zeenat Aman, who was a popular face in the Indian film industry — a woman whose presence has wooed the audience for ages. She was in an abusive relation- ship with actor Sanjay Khan, whose violence happened to be the reason behind Zeenat’s injured eye. Even after marriage, the abuse did not stop Common myths and as her husband Mazhar Khan also misconceived assumptions used to hit her. in relation to domestic A very recent incident was seen in violence Indore, where a highly educated ● Domestic violence is not a problem architect (Sanjay) publicly beat his in my community. wife black and blue. The lady is a ● Domestic violence only happens to professor in the IPS College in poor women and women of a cer- Indore. While she was being subject- tain religion. ed to such brutality by her husband, ● Some people deserve to be hit. the public stood there as silent ● Alcohol, drug abuse, stress, and men- observers with not even a single per- tal illness cause domestic violence. son stepping forward to help the ● Domestic violence is a personal prob- poor women. And when a few of lem between a husband and a wife. them did, the husband fled from the ● If it were that bad, she would just scene. leave. On being contacted later regard- ● Economic dependence of the wife is ing the same, the husband said that the major cause of domestic violence. he suspected his wife was having an

36 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 extra-marital affair and hence the Domestic violence on women ranging from physical physical violence. The lady remained torture to verbal abuse to sexual force: unavailable for any comments and Forms of Spousal Violence refused to speak on camera. Experienced by married women This is the scenario with so many thousands of women in India, who At least one of these acts 37 continue to be the victims of domes- Forced her to perform any sexual acts tic violence and avoid reporting or that she did not want to 5 fighting for their rights and prefer to Physically forced her to have sexual intercourse 10 with him even when she did not want to be silent. Domestic violence is wide- Threatened her or attacked her 1 spread across the world, in diverse with a knife, gun, or any other weapon cultures, and affects people of all eco- Tried to choke her or burn her on purpose 2 nomic statuses. About 70 per cent of Indian Kicked her, dragged her, or beat her up 12 Punched her with his fist or with women have been victims of physi- 11 cal, mental or sexual violence prac- something that could hurt her tised by their parents, brothers, in- Twisted her arm or pulled her hair 15 laws or husbands separately or Slapped her 34 simultaneously. And who else is to be blamed if not our male-dominated Pushed her, shook her, or threw something at her 14 patriarchal society? women to flower and flourish with Suppression of woman dignity and security is an impotent society. Culture of silence is deep-rooted Domestic violence needs to be among women. Women don’t report voiced without fear, and the voices or let out socially the bruises and need to be heard and acted upon. Till scars they have on their body, heart then we cannot claim ours to be a and mind, courtesy the man she is progressive and civilized society. married to or the man she loves or is From their very childhood, committed to. Reasons are multiple- females are being told to obey and Economic handicaps, social stigma or follow the male members of the fam- concerns, and psychological condi- ily and are prohibited from leaving tioning. Lesser being, dependent and even acceptance of it as ‘natural’ is Reasons why women do not the largely prevalent mind-set. report domestic violence Patriarchy raises its head each time a ● woman cries out for help against The fear of society blaming the women domestic violence and is hence for being the one to trigger the violent silenced. reactions in response to one or more their husbands’ houses, even if he Womb to Tomb – her life is dedi- blunders that she has committed. practises violence on her – the reason ● cated to the man. Her individuality The fear of her and her family’s rep- being that this would bring disrepute gets blurred and dismissed or she lets utation being spoiled in society. to their family. So the poor women ● it be. The mind-set and the support The fear of being subjected to further keep suffering and take the violence structures are largely missing. She is abuse or neglect by the police officials. of their husbands, for their smallest ● not sure or does not know or does not The financial dependency on the mistakes, as a part of apparently want to turn for help. husband or in-laws blissful matrimony. ● Education, awareness, concrete Fear of spoiling the children’s future. Domestic violence precisely refers ● support structures and security need Fear of being rejected by everyone to any act of physical, mental or sex- to be firmly established to change in society. ual violence inflicted upon anyone by ● this scenario where millions of Emotional attachment to the spouse the married or co-habiting partner. If ● women are battered, bruised and Unaware of the fact that domestic you take the broader version, then it abused relentlessly. violence is a crime and accepting it may refer to similar acts inflicted A society which does not allow its as a part of marriage upon an individual by any member

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 37 What ‘The Protection of nant sense of dignity are the primary Women from Domestic causes. Besides that, the bond of fam- ily is valued the most by any woman Violence Act, 2005’ says: in India. That is how they are Any act, omission or commission or groomed. In most cases, they choose conduct of the respondent shall consti- silence due to lack of proper support tute domestic violence in case it— from society. (a) harms or injures or endangers the There are several forms of domes- health, safety, life, limb or well being, tic violence: whether mental or physical, of the ● Physical aggression or assault aggrieved person or tends to do so which includes beating, kicking, and includes causing physical abuse, shoving, restraining, slapping, bit- sexual abuse, verbal and emotional ing, throwing objects on the vic- abuse and economic abuse; or tim or otherwise, battery etc. of the family that inhabits the same (b) harasses, harms, injures or endan- ● Threats of physical aggression or house. It is irrespective of the gender gers the aggrieved person with a assault. and age. But in India it is mainly the view to coerce her or any other per- ● Sexual abuse includes marital women who are subjected to this son related to her to meet any unlaw- rape, a form of domestic violence, inhuman torture. ful demand for any dowry or other which in India has not received the Historically, wife beating was property or valuable security; or attention it deserves and has been prevalent and acceptable in most cul- (c) has the effect of threatening the legally condoned or ignored by tures as a valid exercise of a hus- aggrieved person or any person law. It is important to note that band’s authority over his wife to dis- related to her by any conduct men- spousal rape is now repudiated by cipline her. In any abusive relation- tioned in clause (a) or clause (b); or international conventions and ship, violence is initiat- (d) otherwise injures or causes harm, increasingly criminalised in many ed/necessitated out of an inherent whether physical or mental, to the countries. Many European coun- need for power and control of one aggrieved person. tries made marital rape illegal partner over the other. The abuser before 1970, whereas several oth- uses various forms of abuse like unresolved childhood conflicts, per- ers made it illegal in the 1980s and physical, verbal, emotional, sexual or sonality disorders, genetic tenden- 1990s. In many parts of the world financial/economic abuse, in order to cies, jealousy and environmental and the laws against marital rape are establish and maintain control over socio-cultural influences, apart from very new and have come into the partner. others. Victims of this evil are con- being only in the 2000s. Despite This drive to dominate one’s part- stantly subjected to the Jekyll and this, marital/spousal rape remains ner can be attributed to one or a com- Hyde behaviour crippling the victim legal and widely tolerated and bination of several factors such as mentally and emotionally. accepted as a husband’s preroga- Low self-esteem or feelings of inade- Innumerable reasons exist for tive even by courts in India. quacy, the stress of poverty, hostility women refraining from reporting ● Emotional abuse can include and resentment toward women, these cases. Their patience and domi- humiliating the victim privately or publicly, controlling what the 5 ways of eradicating domestic violence: victim can and cannot do, with- holding information from the vic- 1. Liquor shops to be closed. 5. The people who look tim, deliberately doing something 2. Ban on portrayal of women as objects down upon women to make the victim feel dimin- and sex symbols in electronic media. should be socially ished or embarrassed, isolating 3. The feudal mentality to end, there boycotted and should the victim from friends and fami- should be equality between man and not be honoured on ly, implicitly blackmailing the vic- woman. Discrimination against any platform. The day tim by harming others when the daughters should end and they should we see these people victim expresses independence or be educated and made economically with disrespect, the injustice against happiness, or denying the victim independent so that they can live with women will end. Women such as access to money or other basic dignity and improve their self-esteem. mothers-in-law and sisters-in-law have resources and necessities. 4. Make the wife the holder of equal to play an active role. Degradation in any form can be rights in the property of the in-laws. — Usha Thakur, social activist considered psychological abuse.

38 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 A survey was conducted to determine the crime-rate against women in all the states of India and the following results were obtained:

Prevalence of violence and battery in Indian States Source: NFHS-3 65%

60%

55%

50%

45%

40% Injuries from husbandsʼ actions 35%

30% HNFS-3 Sexual Violence 25%

20% NFHS-3 15% Experienced any servere (D105E-G) 10% HNFS-3 5% Exprerienced any less servre violence 0% (D105A-D)

Goa Bihar Delhi Sikkim Orissa Kerala Tripura Assam Punjab Gujarat Mizoram Haryana Manipur Nagaland Karnataka Rajasthan Jharkhand Meghalaya Tamil Nadu Uttarakhand Chhattisgarh West Bengal Maharashtra Uttar Pradesh Andhra Pradesh Madhya Pradesh Jammu & Kashmir Himachal Pradesh Arunachal Pradesh

Victims of emotional abuse often support him/herself, thus forcing feel as if they do not own them- him/her to depend on the perpe- selves, and feel that their partner trator financially, which includes has total control over them in preventing the victim from obtain- every possible way. Women ing education, finding employ- undergoing emotional abuse often ment, maintaining or advancing suffer from depression, which their careers, and acquiring assets. puts them at increased risk of sui- Reasons why women are subject- cide, eating disorders and sub- ed to domestic violence are also stance abuse. dowry-related or because they don’t ● Controlling or dominating. bear male offspring etc. The follow- ● Intimidation. ing figure gives an overview of the ● Stalking. various causes of domestic violence. ● Passive/covert abuse like ignor- (See graph) ing or neglecting. ● Economic deprivation is a form of 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 abuse which occurs when one inti- Not cooking properly 11 (12.8%) mate partner has control over the other partner’s access to economic Not attending to household 6 (7%) resources. Economic abuse may Talking to neighbours 8 (9.3%) involve preventing a spouse from resource acquisition, limiting the Husband doesnʼt like her 4 (4.7%) amount of resources to be used by the victim, or by exploiting the Influence of Alcohol 35 (40.7%) economic resources of the victim. The motive behind preventing a Dowry related problem 10 (11.6%) spouse from acquiring resources is Not having a male child 5 (5.8%) to diminish the victim’s capacity to

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 39 Domestic Violence and society elty by husbands and relatives. The statistics show a considerable Domestic violence is let out socially the bruis- increase in the domestic violence a scourge that not only es and scars they have against women. violates the fundamen- on their bodies, hearts The general notion is that it is the tal and natural rights of and minds, courtesy the middle-class and the poor women a woman to live with men they are married to who are more prone to domestic vio- dignity, it also devas- or the men they love or lence due to the lower educational tates lives of countless are committed to. status of the families. But, in reality, ill-fated women all over Reasons are multiple — there have been ample cases reported the world. Causes of economic handicaps, by the elite and superstars that point such a decadent prac- social stigma or con- to the fact that even rich and educat- tice and behaviour cerns, and psychological ed people can practise such inhu- may vary in different conditioning. Lesser manity towards the women in their societies/communities. Community-spe- being, dependent and even acceptance lives. cific reasons, therefore, need to be iden- of it as ‘natural’ is the largely prevalent The above names and the phase tified and addressed accordingly. mind-set. Patriarchy raises its head each that they had to go through in their Such behaviour is not necessarily time a woman cries out for help against lives clearly point out where exactly prevalent among the tribal, rural, unedu- domestic violence and is hence silenced. the women of our modern India still cated or economically backward class- stand. On being asked about her es. Sporadically, it is not uncommon to Education, awareness, concrete sup- view on domestic violence, former find its occurrence among educated and port structures and security need to be actress Zeenat Aman said, “It’s not a well-to-do families too. firmly established to change this scenario woman’s fault that she lives in Prevention can be gradually where millions of women are battered, denial. Immediately after the inci- achieved through education, advocacy, bruised and abused relentlessly. dent, the guy is guilt-ridden and acts awareness raising, sensitisation and extra loving, which the girl falls for. such other measures. Regulatory mecha- A society which does not allow its Aren’t women supposed to be emo- nism and its effective implementation to women to flower and flourish with digni- tional fools? punish the guilty must co-exist to ensure ty and security is an impotent society. A woman must realise that there is success. no solution to domestic violence; – Jyoti Dutt Sharma, Domestic violence needs to be unless the perpetrator realises the Advocate Supreme Court of India. voiced without fear, and the voices trauma he causes to the one who need to be heard and acted upon. Till loves him and whom he loves. Culture of silence is deep-rooted then we cannot claim ours to be a pro- Everyone lives by their convictions among women. Women don’t report or gressive and civilised society. and reaps the fruit.” In order to create awareness Alarming statistics among society on the issue of domes- tic violence, several initiatives have According to the statistical data of been taken in the form of films, 2006, obtained from the NCRB drama, books etc. Some experiments records, a total of 63,128 cases of acts done with the issue of domestic vio- of cruelty on women by husbands lence are listed below. and relatives was reported, of which Like any other democratic coun- only 21.9 per cent of the alleged per- try, under the constitutional provi- petrators were convicted. Other data sions, the National Commission of as per NFHS-3 (2005-2006) say that Women (NCW) has been given the 37.2 per cent of married women faced responsibility of looking after the domestic violence all over India, of complaints relating to crimes against which, 30.4 per cent belonged to women and also taking the initiative urban areas and 40.2 per cent of sensitising among society inmates belonged to rural areas. regarding gender equality and In 2011, the census data showed women’s welfare. that 1,33,544 cases were reported The NCW was set up in January where women were subjected to cru- 1992 as a statutory body for the pur-

40 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 pose of women’s welfare, safeguard- give the victim all facilities under one Yukta ing their legal rights and looking roof itself, has decided to establish Mookhey, the for- after any legal issues or crimes all-in-one centres in civil hospitals in mer Miss India, against women. has recently been four districts of Punjab — Ludhiana, But there have been many in news for the Amritsar, Jalandhar, and Patiala. The instances that bring up the fact that it case of domestic ‘one-step centre’ will have four pro- has not been efficient in fulfilling its violence inflicted fessionals — viz. a doctor, a lawyer, a responsibilities. Be it the open nam- upon by her hus- police official and a counsellor (all ing of the victim of the 2012 band Prince Tuli. women) — to provide all the Guwahati molestation case (without The issue became required assistance to the victim and any counselling, counselling to the public when she her family members. If the victim is victim and blaming media and police finally lodged an referred to some other hospital, the for not following their duties) or Soni FIR against her same service will continue with her Sori’s case, the NCW has actually husband stating that she has been fre- wherever she goes. gone against the actual reason for quently subjected to brutal physical tor- In order to tackle the menace of which the body was set up in the first ture. The actress was medically exam- domestic violence the same will have place. ined after her complaint, the police said. to be relooked at and reworked from Earlier a number of non-cognizable several angles including legal Curbing violence offences were registered against Mr. reforms, providing safe shelters to Tuli at the police station after repeated victims, educating and sensitisation In a recent endearvour after complaints by Ms Mookhey. In case of of the younger generation right observing an increase in the number a non-cognizable offence, the police from school levels, prevention of of rapes in these districts, and realis- cannot register an FIR, investigate or abuse by providing effective helpline ing the hesitation from victims and arrest anyone without the permission support for the victims, physiological their families due to social pressures, or direction from the court. counselling for the abuser amongst the Punjab government in order to others. ■ C URSE

Commercial nature of marriage is virginity is the stand for the standing between two families. subsumed by rhetoric of “love, tradition “respectability” of the family. Do you A woman rover is not accepted by and marriage”. notice the hypocrisy here? How the society. But a promiscuous man is! A “Wife and Servant are the same, but grounds of judgment are made fluid woman who moves out of a virulent differ only in name” by patriarchy! marriage is not accepted. But a dis- -Lady Mary Chudleigh Why is dowry needed? Marriage loyal husband is nothing new! An as John Milton puts it is a conjugal unmarried mother is not accepted. ur society uses the bond, and no institution has an But a male is not questioned for wan- euphemism “well settled” for authority to force two people to stay dering around. A girl choosing an eli- marriage. Getting married together. It’s a neutral decision. But gible boy for herself is not accepted. O means you’re “well settled”. matters, like dowry and domestic The truth is the binding of marriage Mind it! No one cares if violence are also a part of marriage. works only for a woman; it does not you’re earning good or not, if you’re Is it a firm belief that women are to be bind a man. Women are nurtured to educated or not. But once you get subjugated? Why do the societal be subservient and powerless. The married it is the ultimate settlement norms give full autonomy to a male “manners” given to them, teach them and achievement of your life. only? to accept subjugation. Dowry! Well this is the “tradition” Dowry anyway is an adverse form Female sexuality or female virtues of which the burden is given to the of barter system. Good dowry is are valorised by such patriarchal girl’s family. It is not persistent in equivalent to a good husband and a terms as safety, honour, protection India only but also in the developed peaceful marriage. It is commodifica- etc. The debate is always about char- countries like England had this well tion of the wife. Besides dowry, it is acter of the woman in marriage. known “tradition”. In England the also about the virginity and chastity Woman is not allowed to bargain for trend was that only one girl out of two of a woman. In simple terms mar- independence. As Lawrence Stone was married as to save the dowry of riage is the purchasing of youth and writes, one of the first results of the another girl. The other girl was sent beauty. Claude Levi Strauss writes doctrine of holy matrimony is the off to a nunnery against her wishes. that marriage is all about political strengthening of the authority of the Margaret Cavendish quotes, sons alliances, where a woman does not husband over the wife and an bear the name of the family and have a say but what matters is the increased readiness of the latter to daughters are to be moved like furni- male bonding. A daughter is married succumb to the dictates of the former. ture. And not to forget that woman’s off on the grounds of mutual under- Parental or societal tyranny leads Dowry? You’re marrying the girl or the portion? ■ by Chetna Sharma to a suppression of feelings which Case studies drives the females to rebel against a and in-laws have been arrested for marriage. Cases like dowry affect the UP: Pregnant woman, infant burnt alleged dowry harassment. “Shilpa was mental status and psychology of a for dowry found lying unconscious outside Dwarka woman. Apart from physical vio- Sep 13, 2012 A pregnant woman Sector 12 Metro Station in the morning. lence, a marriage affected by dowry and her two-and-a-half year old son were She was spotted by Metro security per- serves the affectation of verbal and allegedly burnt alive on Wednesday by her husband after his dowry demand sonnel,” said a police officer. No sui- psychological violence. Our society was not met, police said. cide note was found. According to has double standards regarding sex- Maltidevi and her son were burnt Shilpa’s parents, she was depressed ual morality and freedom. The nur- alive on Wednesday morning by her due to dowry harassment by her in- turing our society provides makes husband Maniram and his family mem- laws, police said. women conscious about the power bers in Balpur village in Balrampur, they relations between the two sexes and said. Both died on the spot. Mumbai: father asked victim not to specially what role money plays in it. An FIR has been registered against leave in-laws’ house six persons, including Maniram. No Apr 19, 2012 Marriage-prostitution? arrest has been made in this connection. One phone call could have saved 29-year-old Madhu Yadav’s life. That Let us compare marriage to prosti- Mumbai: Woman commits suicide call was never made. On Monday tution. Logically, marriage has dowry May 23, 2013 night, the marketing professional with a demands, so does has prostitution. In 27-year-old woman allegedly hanged leading media house was murdered by both the institutions women are cate- herself while her husband watched with her in-laws. The incident is said to have gorised on their availability for sex. horror through a laptop webcam in taken place in the Osho Kabir Building Marriage ensures a “legal” and sanc- Mumbai. The woman was chatting with at Khanda Colony in New Panvel tified transfer of money but prostitu- her husband and had an argument after (West). All the accused have been tion is illegal. The grounds are flimsy, the parents of the man allegedly forced booked under sections 302 (murder), on which our society is apparently him to call off their wedding. 304-B (subjected to cruelty or harass- working. Marriage dowry “buys” The man, the police say, frantically ment by her husband or any relative of you a “commercially bargained called the woman’s family members but her husband for, or in connection with, respect”, and prostitution names the it was too late before anybody could any demand for dowry, such death), lady as “not respectable”. Whereas a reach the house. She was declared 498-A (husband or relative of husband prostitute’s role can be justified by dead on arrival at hospital. of a woman subjecting her to cruelty) giving her money, what about a mar- the police have lodged a dowry case. and 34 (acts done by several persons) ried woman? Anyway, the denigra- It seems the couple had secretly married of the Indian Penal Code. The medical tion of the female sex is prevalent in in court. But the man’s family reportedly report, found that cause of death was both cases. Authority over women’s demanded a dowry of Rs 20 lakh. compression to Madhu’s neck. body is bargained for through a Have we ever thought upon that by According to cops, Madhu and transaction. The gravity of the male offering dowry is objectification of your Sameep met each other on a matrimoni- profligacy is subsumed and freely own daughter? Is it morally correct? al website. On May 1, 2011 they tied allowed through commerce. (Or the knot at Lonavala. Sameep works as dependence for money in the case of Cases of dowry deaths an area sales manager with a multina- a wife.) Delhi: woman consumes poison out- tional bank at Bhandup. After two Let us compare out the “respect”. side a metro station months of the marriage, her in-laws Again, the grounds of respecting and Apr 29, 2013 started calling Madhu’s office every not respecting are flimsy. Respect a A 25-year-old woman committed sui- day, making inquiries about her work married woman and misbehave with cide by consuming poison outside a schedule and salary. They would also a harlot. Why? The whole concept of Metro station in the national capital, ask what time she came in and what maternity and respect gets police said on Sunday. Her husband time she left the office. debunked. The respect a married woman gets, she compromises at Cases of marital rape and sexual “I always tried to convince him home by getting beaten up for dowry. slavery that I was not interested in having Dowry is like putting woman’s sexu- This is the experience shared by a sex. But he would not be convinced ality on sale. Sadly, a big fat dowry 22-year-old married woman regarding and used to force me into having sex won’t help you out on your promis- the marital sexual violence she is grap- unmindful of my mood. What could cuous and violent husband! pling with living at Lalitpur, Nepal I do to resist him in such situation,

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 43 except give up and tolerate?”He gift demanded or given as a precon- thinks that it is the right of the hus- dition for a marriage. Gifts given band to demand sex at any time he without a precondition are not con- wishes from his wife after marriage sidered dowry, and are legal. Asking and he would not be convinced no or giving of dowry can be punished matter how much I tried to drive by an imprisonment of up to six home the point. He took me as his months, a fine of up to Rs. 15,000 or slave,” she said adding that her hus- the amount of dowry (whichever is band would not bother about her higher), or imprisonment up to five feelings, mood and sentiment.”Still I years. It replaced several pieces of cannot raise my voice. If I talk about anti-dowry legislation that had been this with somebody, it would be dis- enacted by various Indian states. graceful for me. If the society comes swelling of the private parts and to know about this, then I will be pain, burning sensation in the sex Global advocacy looked upon in bad light. So, because organs, excessive bleeding and have The fight to end dowry deaths in of only this, I am compelled to toler- problems even during pregnancy. India and other countries has not ate this injustice,” said this 22-year- The stereotypical view of mar- been confined to these nations’ bor- old woman. riage is that the progeny gives sancti- ders. Reports of these incidents have Another 21-year-old married ty to marriage. Woman is required to attracted a great deal of public inter- woman who hails from the Tarai (the produce an heir to the family. Here est and have sparked a global activist southern plains region of the coun- also the grounds are flimsy. They movement seeking to end the prac- try), is also the victim of the marital need an heir but do not accept an heir tice. Of this activist community, the sexual violence. It has been only one producer. United Nations (UN) has played a year since she got married. A woman’s grief is unaddressed pivotal role in ending not only dowry “I tolerated all this during the nor- by society. The problem is always deaths, but violence against women mal time; but he would demand sex trivialised by saying that all men do as a whole. even when I had my periods. With that. Why is it an established fact that Human Rights Watch also has crit- whom should I go and share these men are autonomous? The gravity of icised the Indian government for its things? Sometimes I even went to my the problem is undermined, generali- inability to make any progress parents’ house to avoid him, but for sation always obfuscated the prob- towards eliminating dowry deaths how long? You cannot stay at your lem. Though the problem is general, and its lackluster performance for parents’ house for long,” said this change can be brought by education. bringing its perpetrators to justice in woman from the Tarai. She said in Dowry is however ironical. 2011. In 2004, the Global Fund for the initial days after their marriage Society offers two choices either die a Women launched its “Now or her husband would not force her into maid or be a subservient wife. “A Never” funding project. This cam- having sex. But she found her hus- woman not being abandoned is lucky paign hopes to raise funds domesti- band’s behaviour was gradually and a woman being abandoned is no cally and consequently finance the changing. She said her husband used exception,” it’s said. efforts of feminist organizations to watch hardcore sex movies at across the globe — including Indian night and also made her watch, and The Dowry Prohibition Act women’s rights activists. As of 2007 tried the same methods on her as Introduced and taken up by the the Now or Never fund had raised shown in the porn movies.” then Indian law minister Ashoke and distributed about $7 million. According to the Centre for Kumar Sen, this Act prohibits the In India whatever is written for Research on Environment, Health request, payment or acceptance of a female sex is less. The historical devel- and Population Activities dowry, “as consideration for the mar- opment of suppressing the female sex (CREPHA), a study carried out riage”, where “dowry” is defined as a has made it more difficult for us to showed that 43 per cent are victims of open our minds. On the one hand, we marital sexual violence. Women suf- Act prohibits the request, worship goddesses and consider our fer from different physical and men- payment or acceptance of a dowry, country a mother. And on the other tal problems due to this kind of sexu- “as consideration for the marriage”, hand we see this polarised version of al violence against them. Most of the where “dowry” is defined as a gift society for women. Every family has women suffering from sexual vio- demanded or given as a precondi- one daughter but still the understand- lence suffer mentally, they suffer tion for a marriage. ing of this suffering is not there. It is from pain in the lower abdomen, truly the doom of humanity! ■

44 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013

A CHIEVER India’s Maverick Missile Woman The brains behind ballistic missiles and household chores. ■ by Tapapriya Lahiri

he equilibrium of duties per- extraordinary. The taxing work of on strategic nuclear ballistic missiles formed as a doting wife, caring handling ballistic missiles with a flair in the world. mother and the awe-inspiring is no comic story. Her acumen and The optimistic scientist firmly T work, which gave her recogni- dedication have fetched her innu- believes that hard work and dedica- tion as the ‘1st Missile Woman’ merable accolades in life, but the tion are the must-have skills for over- of India, is an inspiration for millions down-to-earth lady loves to be a coming gender-discrimination in the of women. The 1st Indian agniputri, kitchen queen too. world. This has helped her in accom- Tessy Thomas has set a very potent The 49-year-old — the 1st-ever plishing in the country’s highly image by functioning successfully on woman director of an Indian missile secretive missile development pro- strenuous schedules. The prominence project — has brought India at the gramme. It has nothing to do with of her defence research career has not level of the USA, Russia and China. being a man or a woman. curtailed her intensity of love and The rocket lady has been instrumen- Tessy joined the Defence Research affection for her family and children. tal in India producing its own long- and Development Organisation The balance-sheet of her life is an range inter-continental ballistic mis- (DRDO) in 1985. According to her, example to the ordinary women in siles (ICBMs). She is considered to be the anti-female bias will never India on how to make their lives one of the very few women working obstruct one’s way when a person

Some facts ● Tessy Thomas is the project director of the 3,500-km new-generation Agni-IV missile. ● She is the 1st woman to become the project director of an Agni system in 2008. ● According to Tessy, science knows no gender. ● The scientist has guided the team to produce the long-range inter-conti- nental ballistic missiles (ICBMs). ● She calls the project a ‘weapon of peace’.

46 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 delivers excellence. Ever since, the new technology for the MIRV sys- The beaming lady always feels DRDO has been her 2nd home and tem. Because Agni-V was done with overwhelmed when she is dubbed she has made an exceptional ascent a single re-entry vehicle, she is now to the position of Project Director as agniputri, the ʻrocket womanʼ or thinking of multiple RVs. This is (missions), Agni-V. According to ʻmissile womanʼ. Her role model, because Tessy considers missiles as Tessy, science knows no gender. she says, is A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, ‘weapons of peace’. It is about how Being passionate in mathematics the former President of India, and strong the country is and no one will and science right from her school she devotedly refers to him as dare to challenge it. days, Tessy dreamt of a career in rock- ʻKalam sirʼ. She strongly believes that these et-science research while admiring missiles are the country’s foremost the rocket launches from Thumba, on days have been a usual business for defence requirement. To bring the the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram. her for the past 5 to 6 years. Tessy’s bouquet of peace to the country, The missile scientist launched Agni-V life changed when she was chosen mass-destruction weapons are the — the most lethal weapon in India’s from the 10-member panel of appli- need of the hour! munitions store, in recent times. Its cants to the DRDO programme in At one time, she recalls, there breathtaking triumph has impelled 1985. Today, Tessy, who has guided were 2% to 3% of women in the sci- India to be in the elite group of 5 the team of the project, calls it a entific community at DRDO; now, countries, with the capacity to launch ‘weapon of peace’. there are 12% to 15%. In the last 2 a nuclear ballistic missile from a Tessy taught for a year, and then decades, a lot of difference has been range of over 5,000 km. joined the DRDO lab in 1998. From witnessed. the beginning, she was assigned to On the flip side, the rocket lady is Increasing strength the department of design and devel- also fond of television soaps, just like opment of the new-generation ballis- any other woman in India. Besides The beaming lady always feels tic missile, Agni. Tessy went on to keeping her eyes glued to the televi- overwhelmed when she is dubbed as take on the entire responsibility of sion, she finds Archie comics and agniputri, the ‘rocket woman’ or ‘mis- Agni-IV (which can go to a distance Enid Blyton books very refreshing. sile woman’. Her role model, she of 2,500 - 3,700 km), while she was in Amidst her sky-rocketing success, says, is A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the former charge of one part of the Agni-V she firmly believes that compromises President of India, and she devotedly (5,000 - 8,000 km range) project. and sacrifices are imperative ele- refers to him as ‘Kalam sir’. After Agni-V, she has set her eyes ments in a woman’s life, to make While Agni-IV and Agni-V pro- on multiple independent re-entry each and everyone happy in the sur- jects were her obsession, 16-hour vehicles (MIRVs). She is thinking of a roundings. ■

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 47 A DVENTURE Communion with nature through trekking

The joy of moving about out in the open air. ■ by D.B.N. Murthy

rekking means discovering mountainous regions, away from the nature’s wonders on foot, at madding crowd. Time stands still as one’s own pace. For such a dis- one watches tall, graceful waterfalls covery, no targets are set but adorn the mountains, descending are carried on with oodles of leisurely. Yet another waterfall is seen energy and enthusiasm. impatient for its tryst with the river We urbanites are denied one of the below as it hurtles down rocks, send- greatest wonders of life – gazing at ing a spray and creating rainbows. the sky during the night and discov- It is a joy to walk in thick, ever- ering a wonderful world above us – green forests, listening to the many millions of stars filling the sky. And sounds – from the cry of a lone bird during the day, it is a novelty to look to the buzz of an insect. It is as if you up and see the bluest of the blue are an intruder in the forest, meant skies, without the interference of for its denizens! haze or smoke or dust. Trekking in Nepal is always an Walking in the shadow of mighty, exciting and an unforgettable experi- silvery, snowy peaks is another ence, with a choice of treks from the unforgettable experience for easiest to the hardest. Around the those who venture out Annapurna circuit may not be as into the remote, popular as the pilgrim-trek to Muktinath or the inner sanctuary of Annapurna but it has its memorable moments, if the trekker has plans to Trekking can take one through cultivated fields and villages thereby making one familiar with countryside life.

trek to Tilicho Lake, nestling at the two days, crossing rivers and streams able at most of the villages en route to base of the Tilicho Peak. The haz- over swinging bridges or just logs Manang, a welcome development in ardous trek over the Thorang La, to and planks arranged over the rush- recent times, though the same cannot cross over to Muktinath, is consid- ing waters. It is a bit of a scary expe- be said about medical care, which ered a grade-1, tough trek. rience but a trekker gets used to it remains non-existent. On the other hand, those who are after crossing a few. Emergency medical aid is avail- satisfied with seeing the numerous able at a few places, where a heli- waterfalls and the snow-covered Conservation efforts copter can land, but at a prohibitive peaks at close range, with a sojourn in price and beyond the reach of most the Gurung and Tibetan-inhabited vil- At the town of Bhulbhule, trekkers. So, it is wise to carry essen- lages, a trek from Besisahar is ideal. trekkers buy the trekking permits. tial medicines and a first-aid kit. The small town of Besisahar, the start- Indians and other SAARC nationals Fighting to stay alive is a graphic ing-point for the trek into the Manang pay a mere 100 NC (NC= Nepalese account of how Kanak Mani Dixit, a region, can be reached by bus from the Rupees, current exchange-rate 100 Nepalese newsmagazine editor from town of Narayan Ghat, on the banks IR=160 NC) while foreign nationals Kathmandu, was rescued from the of the river Narayani, in Nepal. It is a pay 1,000 NC. jaws of certain death (See Reader’s four-hour drive from the Indian bor- A tough climb brings one to the Digest, October 2001). It is true-life der town of Sinauli, near Gorakhpur, village of Bahundanda, which has a adventure on the Manang trek. Uttar Pradesh. This road journey by radio-telephone, to contact other The King Mahendra Trust for itself is exciting and interesting. parts of Nepal and overseas. Nature Conservation (KMTNC) is a It is a low-level trek for the first Electricity and telephones are avail- non-profit, non-governmental organ-

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 49 Please give me some golis (medi- cine),” requests a policeman, posted in a remote check-post. “I am having cold and slight fever. My baby, too, is having cold and cough. Please give me some tablets,” urges a young mother with a three-month-old baby. A trekker has to be careful in giving any medicine, which may have some side-effect, but a digestive pill or an aspirin may do some good. Moreover, he should lend a helping hand in attending to cuts, burns and wounds with antiseptic ointment and bandage.

Helping folks A responsible trekker, without appearing to be high and mighty, may interact with the simple villagers and enlighten them on matters of impor- tance, like the advantages of a small- Walking through hanging bridge provides yet another kind of adventure. family norm, sanitation, recycling and isation, under the patronage of King what the Nepalese want from fuel-saving. Highlighting the need for Birendra and Prince Gyanendra trekkers and visitors to their land- literacy and cautioning them about (deposed king of Nepal) as its chair- locked nation. Some persons, includ- the harmful effects of smoking and man. Annapurna Conservation Area ing foreigners, have gone further alcohol, may prove useful. Project (ACAP) is the first major pro- than adhering to the code and have Trekking is not only interesting and ject established in 1986. It is hearten- decided to settle in the remote vil- exciting but a way of learning at first- ing to note that it has spread its lages, to be part of the scene and help hand the lifestyle of the villagers en wings to cover more conservation the villagers by all possible means. route and to share their joys and sor- areas, including that of the Manang Such a fine example can be seen in rows. These simple folk cherish their and Lamjung Districts. the village of Bagarchap on the culture but are eager to know what is One of the major achievements of Manang trail, Here, on an elevated happening outside. Flaunting wealth the ACAP has been the fixing of platform, two trees have been plant- and showing off one’s sophisticated hotel/lodge and menu rates, with the ed. A stone plaque reads: “In memo- knowledge are not in the right spirit. cooperation of the village committees. ry of Nicholas Elleman, son-father- On the other hand, coming down to This is expected to reduce cut-throat friend, the Englishman, who died in the level of the village folks and trying competition. But trekkers have their Bagarchap, 10 November 1995.” to understand their life and culture, own favourite haunts, depending Lacking proper medical attention, while giving them friendly tips for upon the courtesy and service they get. some of the villagers expect the their benefit, are appreciated by the ACAP has done some work on trekkers to give them medical help. villagers who welcome visitors with introducing kerosene/LPG, to save “Sa’ab, I am having gastric trouble. open arms as honoured guests. firewood. Pollution-control and If the trekker has an open mind, improvement of bridges and trails are One of the major achievements of he, too, can learn something or the on the agenda, too, but much more the ACAP has been the fixing of other from the villagers, who believe needs to be done in these remote hotel/lodge and menu rates, with the in family togetherness and sharing of parts, where the influx of trekkers is cooperation of the village joys and sorrows. Some of them have increasing year after year. Footprints committees. This is expected to knowledge of alternative medicines, of visitors on the ecology is a cause of reduce cut-throat competition. But treatments and therapy. We could serious concern. The ACAP has some trekkers have their own favourite always learn a thing or two from commandments as part of “The haunts, depending upon the these folks, whose knowledge and Minimum Impact Code”. courtesy and service they get. expertise is handed down to them by ‘Come as a guest; go as a friend,’ is their elders. ■

50 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013

I NFANT MORTALITY

Demise of day-old infants in India is appaling

It’s three lakh a day. ■ by T. Rajagopalan

ndia is really incredible. The death 170 mothers confronts a risk to her babies across South Asia breathe of day-old infants amount to three life whereas in the neighbouring their last on their first day of arrival lakh. The country is at the crest of Nepal the figure is 190. In Andhra into this planet — almost one every I the pyramid of nations in this Pradesh, first-week infant deaths are minute. Chronic malnourishment mostly avoidable tragedy. Its a distressing 4750 a year, one-month culminating in mental or physical maternity mortality figures also bor- deaths are 3344 while the figures for impairment or ‘stunting’ is especially der on the abysmal. Surely this infants below one year is 3030 severe in the region. benumbing tragedy would be out- accounting for 24 per cent of aggre- Quoting Sample Registration pacing that which might have tran- gate deaths. Survey (SRS 2011) figures the report spired during the great Bengal The statistics gathered display says: Madhya Pradesh has the highest Famine of 1942. that most of the infants perish owing burden of early new-born deaths (0-7 With this, the country ranks as to sepsis, pneumonia, diarrhoea and days), followed by Uttar Pradesh, number one in terms of first-day birth measles. In the case of first week Odisha. Other states sailing in similar mortality; its share in worldwide babies, lack of proper immunisation boat are Rajasthan, Chattissgarh, Bihar, first-day deaths stands at 20 per cent. of the mother during pregnancy, her Jharkhand and Jammu-Kashmir. This numinous phenomenon surely woefully low birth weight and dis- Kerala has the distinction of lead- holds one’s breath, to say the least. mal lack of proper care after birth are ing in neo-natal care reducing its This detailed report titled State of the chief reasons for the heart-rend- mortality substantially while Tamil the World’s Mothers by the ing mortality. Nadu, Delhi and Maharashtra also International NGO “Save the The cited report Save the Children have improved appreciably. Children” says that one out of every also claims that an amazing 4,20,000 As one of the most populous

52 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 nations it is inevitable that India may Financial allocation by the state nutrition, water sanitation and continue to register a greater number government needs to be augmented hygiene which can prevent pneumo- of deaths even if it achieves consider- and should be done to target neona- nia and diarrhoea. It was reported on able decline in percentage mortality. tal cases. Simultaneously, effective 14 May 2013 that over 100,000 chil- Therefore, it must simultaneously but less-costly solutions like proper dren below the age of 11 months die take recourse to multiple strategies, care during pregnancy, appropriate of diarrhoea annually in India which and with increased urgency to attain doses or antibiotics for simple but is the second lead killer of young the goal of a large reduction in the deadly infections must be carried out children globally after pneumonia. number of newborn deaths. to control the death rate. Forty six per Rotavirus has been identified as the Phenomenal gain can be achieved by cent of mothers deliver at health cen- chief cause of diarrhoeal disease in preventing childhood weddings as tres with good facilities in sub- infants under 11 months. teenage pregnancy enormously con- Saharan Africa. tributes to first day deaths. Though India’s national average Cause of child mortality For the impoverished mothers liv- of 73 per cent is much higher than ing in villages wholly cut off from sub-Saharan Africa’s, it begs the It is also equally important to mainstream urban areas — another question why is neonatal mortality is forge interlinkages and package dif- at-risk category — undivided atten- still high in myriad states? The min- ferent interventions at different levels tion is the urgent desideratum. If istry of health and family welfare, like linking child survival to repro- impaired and poor health prior to and Government of India states that each ductive health, maternal health and during pregnancy is already a huge state will have to identify a specific family planning. risk factor, lack of proper medicare goal to meet the target. These could As per the national surveys ado- during delivery makes it pronounced. be: enhanced coverage of health and lescents (15-19 years) contribute This demonstrates the absolute about a sixth of total fertility in necessity to have an increased India. With the substantial percentage of institutional unmet need of contraceptions deliveries. — approximately a quarter of wedded adolescents and low Save the children condom use by them in gener- al, girls in this age are at high The Save the Children report risk of contracting sexually comes to the conclusion that transmitted diseases (STD), there is a strong need for HIV and also unwanted and medicare at the level of prima- unintended pregnancies. All ry health care. these have a telling impact on Dr. P. Ananya, state pro- the child mortality rate. gramme manager of Save the Inexpensive life-saving Children of A.P. says: “There is a treatments are yet to become strong need for the govern- accessible to an overwhelming ment to strengthen the public majority of children in the healthcare system, train the country and particularly those attendants and also ensure that in the poverty-stricken catego- health centres in the primary ry and all these challenges can units function in a proper man- be successfully addressed by ner. When this is achieved each state intervention. child birth will be safe. This In sum, universalisation of will also ensure that the child maternal health and child wel- can survive.” fare services which include Those unfortunate women bestowing sufficient care on who are either undernourished the newborn, skillful deliver- or underdeveloped compound ies, immunisation and man- the risks of poor pregnancies. agement of diarrhoea appear It’s therefore very essential that to be the only solutions if the women shouldn’t get married country is to achieve the goal at a very young age. of reducing child mortality. ■

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 53 P OINT OF VIEW

Stop fiddling with AFSPA Dilution of time-tested AFSPA should not even be considered as an option. ■ by Brigadier Arun Bajpai

ithout doubt, Justice Verma, vided by AFSPA. Also, there should On the other hand, in the devel- the ex-CJI of India, was one be no requirement for sanction of the oped democracies of world, like of the best legal brains trial of the accused by the Central Britain, France and America, their W available in the country. Government, as mandated by the top political leaders – including heirs The report, that he had sub- AFSPA. to the throne, in the case of Britain – mitted to the government, in the Needless to say, this recommenda- have been ex-soldiers. They had record time of 29 days, is outstand- tion presumes that the armed forces fought in various wars to protect the ing. It suggested measures to protect their rapists; that only the honour of their respective countries. strengthen the hands of law, so that civil police of India and the Indian the horrific incident like the Delhi judiciary can uphold the law and Building morality rape case of 16 December 2012 are impart true justice to the victims. prevented to the extent possible, This thought is totally flawed. The In the Armed Forces, right from However, his unilateral sugges- Indian police have been ranked as the first day of the start of the train- tion of diluting AFSPA, without even the second most-corrupt police ing of a soldier or an officer, impor- consulting the stake-holders and organisation in the world, as per tance of discipline and respect to studying the actual ground-situation, Transparency International, and our women is drilled into them. By amounts to taking a hasty decision. It courts have on record, till December nature, a soldier is religious because indicates a fixed mindset regarding 2012, one lakh rape cases pending – he knows that, at any time, he may the armed forces. This needs to be some for more than 10 years. come face to face with death. For a corrected. In India, this mindset is generated such disciplined soldier, an act like The Justice Verma Committee rec- due to lack of inside knowledge of the Delhi rape case is anathema. This ommended that, in the areas where the functioning of the Army. In India, does not mean that, in an organisa- the Army is operating under AFSPA, no politician, bureaucrat or any other tion of 11.3 lakh-strong, there are no if a complaint comes against any big-wig wants to be part of the Army black sheep. But then, they are very armed forces personnel, involving or send his child to the Army. It is too few and dealt with harshly. him with an offence against women, dangerous a job for their liking. So, No commanding officer worth his including rape, he should be tried in we keep on getting arm-chair pontif- salt would like to have a rapist under a civil court under ordinary criminal ications from the powers-that-be, his command. All cases, which are law and not by military court, as pro- lacking in-depth analysis. reported to the Army, are immediately

54 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 Army personnel – that of rape may not easily wash off, espe- too from well-to-do, cially in the Army surroundings and middle-class families the soldier may be scarred for life. of Assam. This is bound to demoralise the sol- Not knowing what diers and they will be reluctant to put to do, senior Army and their lives on the line in a thankless job police officers made like this. It must be remembered that, joint visits to the hous- for the local police and local adminis- es of the complainants. tration, what is happening in their It was here that these state concerns them because they have a stake in its well-being. But, for army- men belonging to all states of India, they are just doing their duty because they are ordered so. investigated by a court of inquiry. Even Clean image false accusations are investigated. Where the charge is found justified, the It is also worth mentioning here accused is tried by a court martial. that, unlike other armies of the world, A court martial, as a rule, always which had indulged in large-scale ends up with a severe punishment raping and looting in the country they because the aim is to set a precedence conquered, the Indian Army, which to deter others and, at the same time, has fought four major wars till date, is uphold discipline. Unlike civil courts, the only army in the world, which has which have a number of appeals in not been accused of any looting or appellate courts, a court martial has raping. It liberated Bangladesh and only one appeal in the Armed Forces ladies told them that they were ter- captured 97,000 Pakistani Army per- Tribunal. The entire process is swift rorised by ULFA to file these false sonnel as prisoners of war but, till and, within three to four months, the complaints. Now, this art has been date, nobody has blamed it of unman- accused is finally sentenced. perfected by the jehadis of Kashmir ly acts. Surely, this character of the The truth is that, the military and the insurgents of Manipur. So, if Indian Army cannot be ignored. accused themselves want to be tried this AFSPA gets diluted on the lines Finally, internal security and by civil courts because, apart from the suggested by the Verma Commission, maintenance of law-and-order is not case lingering for three to four years, we are straight walking into the the job of the army. The soldier is the civil lawyers also spin their stories insurgents’ trap. trained to fight an outside enemy and and the conviction rate in such cases is Another important aspect is the shoot to kill. It becomes very difficult just 25 to 30 per cent. The problem is human angle. It is okay that, after trial, for the armymen to face their own that, if such cases are tried by the civil the civil court may acquit the Army countrymen as enemies. This demor- courts from the word go, in insur- accused, who has been falsely charged alises them. gency-prone areas, where AFSPA is but a great damage has been done to There is something definitely effective, as recommended by the the accused and his family – including wrong in the Indian democracy, Verma Commission, will the Army his children, residing far away from where our politicians use the Army at fight the terrorists and insurgents or his place of duty. The very allegation the drop of a hat, for decades at a run around from court to court, fight- stretch, in internal security duties in ing the cases of its soldiers? It is also worth mentioning here the North-Eastern States and Kashmir. Besides, such a law gives a big that, unlike other armies of the The paramilitary forces, almost 10- handle to the local insurgents to keep world, which had indulged in large- lakh-strong, are meant for this job the Army preoccupied and demor- scale raping and looting in the only. They must now take on this alised by false cases. This actually country they conquered, the Indian responsibility. Once this happens and happened in I993, in Army operations Army, which has fought four major the Army is used sparingly, there will against the ULFA insurgents of wars till date, is the only army in the be no need to impose AFSPA or dilute Assam. Initially, at the start of the world, which has not been accused the AFSPA. In any case, dilution of the operation, there was a spate of rape of any looting or raping. time-tested AFSPA should not even be and molestation allegations against considered as an option. ■

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 55 M ISADVENTURE A heart-warming end to a harrowing journey Luggage erroneously removed from a train — retrieved. ■ by Shantha Nagarajan

t was one nightmarish journey that will haunt my carrying the baggage, and further compounding the memories forever... Even though two decades have chaos. elapsed since I emerged unscathed from the Amidst all this flurry of activity, I felt an urge to have I harrowing ordeal, every recollection and a look at the station. As all the windows of the AC coach reminiscence of the jinxed journey still sends a tremor were closed, I moved to the entrance, to see the outside. across my ageing spine. Right in front of me stood the railway book-stall and the Though I used to travel frequently on the Chennai- colourful magazines displayed there caught my Kolkata route, this particular journey I undertook, to attention. Since there was enough time, I decided to attend a family function at Kolkata, turned out to be an dash to the book-stall — an ill-fated move that proved unforgettable experience. It was no less action-packed quite costly... than the climax scene of a masala movie! A I was travelling by the Madras-Howrah Mail, to go to fter buying a few magazines, when I returned to Kolkata, to attend my sister’s son’s thread ceremony. the compartment, to my horror, I found all my baggage Unfortunately, a rumbustious crowd of artistes and missing. I frantically searched all over the compartment. technicians working for an under-production film In fact, the whole compartment seemed empty of boarded the AC 3-tier coach I was in. They were baggage and passengers. One passenger, an old lady, proceeding to Rajahmundry for shooting some scenes. who must have been watching the proceedings, In those days, but for the air-conditioned interior, an informed me that the porters carried away the suitcases AC coach was no different from the sleeper-class and bags in question. Since almost all the luggage in the coaches. But for a couple of passengers like me, the rest compartment belonged to the filmwallahs, the porters of the occupants of the coach were members of the had carried away my bags, too, mistaking them to be shooting party. All available space in the compartment part of the group’s luggage. had been filled with their suitcases, huge jars and The loss would not have mattered so much to me, if personal belongings of the unit members. There was the suitcases had contained only my belongings. But, hardly any space left for free movement. unfortunately, the missing suitcases contained bundles The train left Chennai at about 11 pm and, the next of special dhotis and clothes, which my sister had asked day, reached Rajahmundry station at about 9 am. There me to purchase at Chennai, as they were either not was total chaos inside the compartment — what with available or costlier in Kolkata. They were to be the members of the film unit jostling one another and distributed to the relatives and invitees during the creating a near stampede, while trying to alight from the thread ceremony, which was to take place in two days. train. Sensing a good opportunity for earning some How could I go there empty-handed, without the all quick bucks, a horde of porters rushed in, offering their important bundles of dhotis etc, causing inconvenience at services. They rushed in and out of the compartment, the 11th hour? Besides, the bundles cost quite a sum and I just could not reconcile myself to the idea of treating

56 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 the luggage as lost and continuing the Hurray! My tired spirit Kakinada programme. His manager was journey. buoyed up with joy and, all praise for his humane gesture and As I stood in the near-empty wished him success in his praiseworthy in one bounce, I reached compartment, numbed by the pressure mission. the van. Ooh! I could not of desperation and confusion, my moist My escort introduced me to another eyes caught sight of the familiar face of believe my eyes. officer. The two had a brief discussion a railway attendant standing outside. There, in the midst of a about the course of action to be He knew me, as I used to shuttle heap of bags and followed. Leaving me at the officer’s regularly between Chennai and Kolkata. [bundles, lay my two large [ residence, the two men left to meet the In the sea of strangers, he appeared as suitcases, a shoulder-bag film unit, which was in the midst of the the float that may carry me ashore. and a small bag! shooting at a popular hotel in the city. Propelled by a streak of hope, I The officer’s family was kind and sprang out and stammered out to him incoherent bits of hospitable but I was on pins and needless, counting each what had happened. His reassuring words calmed me a minute and hoping for a happy end to my agony. Around little. This attendant was an affable and kindly 3 pm, the officers came back, bringing happy tidings. gentleman. They had apprised the film unit of the disappearance of As the train started moving, he urged me to get into my luggage, due to the porters’ erroneous removal of it one of the compartments. I managed to thrust myself along with the other stuff. I was to go there at 4 pm for into a 1st-class compartment. Braving bemused looks, I identifying and retrieving my belongings. narrated my woe to the passengers, among whom was a A middle-aged gentleman, who seemed genuinely t 4 pm, escorted by the two officers, when I concerned about my plight. Unlike the other passengers, reached the hotel, shooting was going on in the hotel who stopped with lip sympathy, he was bracing himself premises. Soon, a member of the film unit asked me to to come to the rescue of the damsel in distress. come to the luggage-van to pick my luggage. He seemed to have thought of a plan of action. An Hurray! My tired spirit buoyed up with joy and, in officer of the Corporation Bank, he was going to one bounce, I reached the van. Ooh! I could not believe Kakinada on official duty. He was to get down at my eyes. There, in the midst of a heap of bags and Samalkote station, from where he was to proceed to bundles, lay my two large suitcases, a shoulder-bag and Kakinada. He decided to cancel his engagement at a small bag! Kakinada. Instead, he would take me back to Now that their mission was almost completed, the Rajahmundry, to help me trace the missing luggage. two men at once set about seeing to my safe passage In my desperation to get back the all-important home. We hurried to the railway station. Kolkata-bound suitcases, I was ready to grab any offer of help, without Coramandal Express was expected to arrive at the least hesitation. But it was only while travelling back Rajamundry station at 6 pm. The kindly railway to Rajahmundry, entrusting myself to the care and attendant, whose help I had sought earlier, had guidance of a total stranger in an unfamiliar city, I was thoughtfully left a note that I should be allotted a seat in seized with fear and doubts. A young woman in her the Coramandal Express. How kind of him to have early 30s, had I taken a foolhardy risk? I rued my failure spared a thought for me! to safeguard my possessions, that landed me in the The two gentlemen saw to it that I was comfortably mess. All the same, in my heart of hearts, there lurked seated and my luggage securely placed. They left only the conviction that my escort was a thorough gentleman after seeing me off. My heart was so full that I had no and a noble human being. words to express my thanks to the two chivalrous Around 10.30 am, we reached Rajahmundry. The first gentlemen. Never mind the agony and excruciating thing he did was to lodge a police complaint about the moments I had to go through throughout the lost-and- missing suitcases. He then proceeded, with me in tow, to found drama, the whole incident served to strengthen the branch office of Corporation Bank, where he worked, my belief that the world is not devoid of goodness and as he had to inform his boss of the cancellation of his humanitarianism. ■

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 57 A RCHAEOLOGY

Discovering the Origin of Aryan Culture Recent major archaeological findings reveal amazing facts about the world’s earliest civilisations and their links to the Indus Valley Civilisation. The similarity to various ancient religious customs mentioned in the Rig Veda confirm that the world’s earliest civilisations and religions had indeed been linked to India’s heritage and culture. ■ by Uday K. Chakraborty

e all know that the Indus bronze implements. It is believed that ‘Aryan’ connotes ‘civilised’. Valley Civilisation of the demise of the civilisation was due Interestingly, at the same time, sci- Harappa and Mahenjo- to climate-change, that resulted in ence has confirmed that all Indians – W Daro was the root of our shifting of the river, the source of Aryan and non-Aryan – came from a Aryan culture and religious water, from that area. common ancestry. It is found that they base. Though there are traces of Stone have the common strain of DNA called This civilisation of the Bronze Age Age civilisations in India, before the M52. Indeed, recent tests confirmed started around 3500 BC and its later advent of the Aryans from Indus val- that an entire village in the interiors of part is covered in the Rig Veda. The ley, in northern India, Aryan culture Tamil Nadu has shown the M52 strain, Mohenjo-Daro and Harappan civili- replaced the native culture; in the which is present in the Kashmiris and sation has shown us well-laid out south, Stone Age civilisation contin- Kinnauris with a completely different towns, burnt-clay utensils and ued to exist. In fact, in Sanskrit, complexions and features.

58 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 So, basically, the differences in their about horses and wheeled carts, features and culture are due to transfer but excavations did not find any in different time-frames. Slowly, traces of such things in Harappa African origin men changed to and Mohenjo-Daro. Then, the Rig Arabian strain (sharper features and Veda mentions som-ras, a slightly lighter complexions) due to migration intoxicating drink, which the gods and slow mutations to adopt and sur- and wise men used to consume. vive in different climatic zones. Similar But there is no tree in India or childhood, we regularly saw sacri- DNA studies also showed the slow Pakistan producing such a drink. ficing of goat during Durga and conversion, over the millennia, of the Where did the som-ras come from? Kali Puja, in Brahmin households Arab strain to the Caucasian strain. ● The Rig Veda mentions the impor- or in some Hindu temples. This However, a few vital questions tance of fire and water in Aryan practice is in vogue in some places about the Indus civilisation remained religion, Vedic culture and and cur- even now. We note that only unanswered until very recently. We rent Hindu religious practices. In Brahmin households had this cus- all know that the Indus civilisation is fact, havan with fire is the prime rit- tom and others had to get the goat the root of our religious practices and ual followed by the Arya Samaj sacrificed by a Brahmin only, a culture. But there were ambiguities even today. Water has an equally caste which claims Aryan ancestry. and lack of convincing proofs as to important religious significance in ● Some had also pointed out hints how and from where our ancient Hinduism as well as most other of Caucasian features in many so- Hindu (predominantly Aryan) reli- local religions. From where did called Aryan-influenced races gious practices and cultural founda- such religious culture originate? (Kashmiris, Kinnauris) and castes tions really originated. ● Then there is this ancient Hindu (Brahmins) in India. ● For example, the Rig Veda tells us culture of goat sacrifice. In our In search of such questions, histo-

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 59 rians, archaeologists and other researchers felt that there definite- ly was some missing link, somewhere. This was obvious from the fact that many key words flowed from Europe to India, with slight variations on the way – like ‘father’ in English became petar and pita or ‘mother’ journals, described a culture with the became mather or mata tongue-twisting name Bactria- in Sanskrit. Margiana Archaeological Complex. They also noticed Then the matter got further many names or obscured by the Afghan war, the dis- words which exist in integration of the Soviet republic and India, Arab and Caucasian republics able clues. For example, our religious war related problems in the Middle- have the same root. For example – narratives gave us the reference of East and Iran. But, then, some Jawahar(lal) (India’s first prime min- Gandhar, which obviously is today’s Russian researchers, particularly ister), Al Zawahiri (leader of the Al Kandahar in Afghanistan. So, deduc- archaeologist Dr Viktor Sarianidi, Queda) and Dzhokhar (pronounced tive logic points towards some of the worked on relentlessly amidst this Jawahar) Tsarnev (Boston Marathon missing links in Afghanistan. adversity, to discover that missing bomber) are basically the same name. Further research has shown that link. Today, international researchers Even the meaning of the word is the the yhom or som tree is indeed to be acknowledge that it is mainly due to same everywhere. But researchers found in Afghanistan. If you drink the three-decade-long, indefatigable were not able to find that missing from the same in moderation, it alerts excavations by Dr Sarianidi, that the link, which actually connected them, your senses but, in quantity, it is world has come close to identifying until very recently. quite dangerous to health. Indeed, that link which connects Indo- Some of us may have read the using literary freedom, Amish European cultural development in recent best-selling novel The Tripathi, in his novel, wrongly men- the Bronze Age. Immortals of Melhua by Amish tioned that Shiva became neel-kant This major finding also shattered Tripathi. In the early 1980s, (neel-kantho meaning ‘blue-throated’) the earlier existing view that the vast renowned historian Romila Thapar due to over-drinking of highly-con- steppe and desert areas of Eastern had written about the development centrated som-ras. Europe and Asia did not have any and propagation of the word melhua ancient history of civilised develop- through connected ancient civilisa- Complex issue ment. tions. Indeed, Thapar had shown that As discovered and explained by the word mechha was developed from All this made it quite plausible Dr Sarianidi, who explored the the word me-luh-ha. Sumerians of that some other civilisation on the Gonur-Tepe area in Turkmenistan, Mesopotemia used to call traders western or north-western side of Gonur-Tepe was the “capital or the from the Indus Valley as Me-luh-ha. Afghanistan had a direct link with imperial city of a complex Bronze While mlechha, in later days, used the Indus Valley civilisation and had Age state, one that stretched at least a to mean impure or unclean beings, its material, cultural and religious thousand square miles and encom- original meaning was different. exchanges with it. News of this lost passing hundreds of satellite settle- Historian I Mahadevan, using two civilisation began leaking out in the ments.” Harrappan plaques, had shown that 1970s, when archaeologists started Scientists and archaeologists now Harappan inhabitants refered to digging in the southern reaches of the call this 1,000 square-miles of scat- them as mil-ech meaning people who Soviet Union and in Afghanistan. tered settlements as the “world’s fifth were bright or fair. Their findings, which were published centre of ancient civilisation” with its However, there were some avail- only in obscure Russian-language refined society called the

60 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 fice, temples dedicated to fire and water, drinking of soma-haoma (a brew presumed to be made of opium, ephedra, and a local narcotic) have been deduced as practices fol- lowed by Zoroastrians. Religious practices indicated that it was the birthplace of the Zoroastrian religion, a “Turkmenistan’s Morghab monotheistic religion. River society”, formally called Indeed, the people in the “Bactria-Margiana Turkmenistan and other Archaeological Complex”. countries know the Although unknown to most words from Ruhnama, Western scholars until recently, “Two-and-a-half thou- this ancient civilisation dates back dead in elaborate graves filled with sand years ago, Zarathustra from more than 4,000 years — to the time fine jewellry, wheeled-carts, and sac- Margush appeared in the world. when the first great societies along rificed animals, including sheep. Reining his sorrel camel, he the Nile, Tigris-Euphrates, Indus, A fort had been built with thick exclaimed, ‘People, worship Fire, its and Yellow rivers were flourishing. walls and the enclosed area within sources will lead you along the right Indeed, this development was in the fort had single-storeyed houses, path, illuminate each nook in your league with the “cultural cradles of and also a palace, a temple, two souls’!” antiquity” of Egypt, Mesopotamia, observatories and cremation India, and China. grounds. Then, within a few cen- Overview The site is also close to the region- turies, they vanished, probably due al capital city Merv, which was on the to shifting of the river water source, a All these findings and subsequent Silk Route in subsequent times. similar predicament which Indus analyses conclusively brought Excavations have taken place for Valley civilisation also faced. researchers towards the fact that the more than 35 years and still continue The temple building has been world’s earliest recorded (and sur- at a slow pace due to lack of adequate found to be linked with the process of viving) religion is Zoroastrian. This funding. The main findings of the cooking a ritual drink of importance also points towards the fact that gen- excavations are that the site was an among ancient Zoroastrians, which is eration of Aryan religious customs, agricultural and herding community mentioned in the Avesta as haoma, as enumerated in the Rig Veda, had that grew grain, raised sheep, lived in and in the Indian Rig Veda as soma. most probably emanated from such towns like Gonur with carefully The excavation of the cemeteries an ancient religious culture. Through designed streets, drains, temples and revealed many objects, both local and the Aryans, this culture entered India homes. imported (from Indus Valley and via the Indus valley. This also high- To water their orchards and fields, Egypt). The practices of sheep sacri- lights how the so-called Indo- they dug lengthy canals to channelise European culture was linked via glacier-fed rivers that were impervi- A fort had been built with thick Gonur region of Turkmenistan, ous to drought. They also produced walls and the enclosed area within pointing towards a globally-linked ceramics in the many kilns that dot the fort had single-storeyed houses, society even in the Bronze Age. the landscape. They have used and also a palace, a temple, two With this new-found knowledge, ceramic vessels, horses and also observatories and cremation all Indians should feel proud of the grounds. Then, within a few cen- wheeled-carts. They traded with dis- fact that our culture and religious turies, they vanished, probably due tant cities for ivory, gold and silver, values, indeed, flow from the histori- to shifting of the river water source, creating what may have been the first cally most-ancient culture and a similar predicament which Indus commercial link between the East longest continuous tradition of the Valley civilisation also faced. and the West. They buried their royal civilised world. ■

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 61 I NTERVIEW Doing Yeoman Service His efforts are directed towards making the organisation self-reliant. ■ by Our Correspondent J.K.P. Singh, MD, BSTBPC

anaging Director of Bihar Corporation for less than two years. What are the delays that are State Text Book Publishing My main focus is on diversification of encountered and how are they Corporation (BSTBPC) Ltd its job profile. Now apart from text solved? M Jitendra Kishore Prasad books publishing, we provide our As such no delay occurs in print- Singh is popularly known services to other government depart- ing. We procure around 30000 metric among his friends and colleagues as ments also. It has helped us in mak- ton of paper from HPC. We make JKP. An Indian Railway Personnel ing the Corporation a profit-making sure that paper is delivered on time Services (IRPS) officer of 1989 batch, organisation. Quality of text books is and have made proper arrangements he joined BSTBPC as MD on deputa- paramount for us. We procure paper with the Railways also. We also keep tion hardly one-and-a-half years ago. from Hindustan Paper Corporation monitoring the workshops of our In the short period, working with (HPC). We have given them the BST- printers so that they could do our missionary zeal, he has transformed BPC logo and make sure that every work on priority basis. Our officers the Corporation into a profit-making sheet bears this logo. Then we get the regularly visit the workshops of these organisation. paper quality tested at the Central printers for this purpose. There is a Mr Singh hails from a rural back- Paper Research Institute, Saharanpur. provision to punish defaulters also. ground and has done his schooling Thus, only avon quality paper goes However, despite all efforts, some from a village Gangapur in into printing. delay cannot be ruled out but no Samastipur district. He has touched inordinate delay. great heights in academics. Before his How do you allot work to a print- selection in Civil Services, he has ing press and what is the criterion? Is the printing press operation even taught at Dayal Singh College We release open tender for allot- still dependent on labour a lot? of Delhi University. ment of printing works. Printers from Dependence on labour has come all over India are entitled to send down as printers have modernised Excerpts from an interview: their bids. And only those printers their facilities and many of them What are the activities of BST- who quote lowest price are allotted have installed state-of-art machiner- BPC? the printing work. The whole process ies from Japan and Germany. It helps The Corporation publishes text is run in transparent manner. Some us in getting high quality printing in books for schools under state govern- printers who are registered with us time. Besides, we have provided ment for classes from 1 to 8 on state can contact us directly and non-regis- them the exact dimensions of text education board pattern and for tered printers have to register them- books as well as GSM of papers to be classes from 9 to 12 on NCERT pat- selves with the Corporation. used in printing inside pages and tern. For primary and middle levels covers to maintain our standard these books are distributed free. Scale Dependence on labour has come quality in every text book. of book publishing can be judged down as printers have modernized Officers from the Corporation regu- from the fact that every year 20 rakes their facilities and many of larly visit the workshop of these print- of printing paper are consumed. them have installed state-of-art ers to ensure that they are complying machineries from Japan, Korea and well with our specifications. All these What reforms have you intro- Germany. We give such printers measures have resulted in improving duced since you took over? priority in allotting printing works. the quality of text books as well as the I have been associated with the financial health of the Corporation.

62 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 Have your efforts brought down conservation and protection, and slo- did my BA and MA in Political the shortage of text books in the gans against drinking, smoking and Science from Delhi University and state? tobacco chewing. got enrolled for M.Phill in JNU and Definitely. The Corporation annu- awarded UGC scholarship. I have ally publishes more than 10 crore of What are your plans for the taught as lecturer at Dayal Singh text books. From class 1 to 8 these Corporation in future? College also before getting selected in text books are distributed free. It is Presently we have started a mod- IRPS through Civil Services. these children in this group that need ernisation drive for the Corporation. Teaching is still my first love and the text books most. And this system Printing technology has undergone whenever I get time I enjoy teaching. has ensured availability of books for lot of innovation. Hence, our focus is every school-going child in the state. on this area so that we could become Will you like to share any inter- self-reliant in book publishing. esting experience? Do you have a say in deciding the Skilled personnel are also being For most of my career, I have been curriculum or selection of text in required. We are also focusing on cor- employed in the Railways. During all books? porate-social responsibility areas. these years, I had had postings at Corporation publishes books on Our main thrust in on human some very interior places. I still cher- all subjects. Curriculum for these resource development. Plans are also ish the natural beauty of these places books is decided by the experts of afoot to increase Corporation’s in my memory. I was posted at these subjects under the guidelines of strength in future. Hazipur when it was made the head Bihar State Council for Educational quarters of newly formed East Research & Training (SCERT) in the Please tell us something about Central Railway zone. Working along pattern of NCERT. However, to make your background. with the senior officers, I have seen better utilisation of vacant spaces in Well, I come from a small village the development of this zonal head text book pages, we are putting social Gangapur in Samastipur district. I quarter. It gives me a feeling of pro- messages, such as safety on roads did my matric from the village found satisfaction, as I have been and railway crossings, environment school. After doing +2 from Patna I instrumental in its development. ■ F ACE-TO-FACE

BOXERS’ PRIDE A game of blood and sweat deserves to be more popular. ■ by Anurag Darshan and Amit Meena

khil Kumar is a senior mentor guard is what makes you feel safe. I I fought hard and I won that bout. and role model to the current am a counter boxer and it suits me to In quarter finals, my tactics did crop of Indian boxers. He is play open-guard. not work against the Moldovian A known the world over for his boxer and unfortunately, I was not unique ‘open-guard’ style of Were you not afraid to go into the awarded the points I deserved but in boxing. Apart from boxing, Akhil is a Beijing Olympics with the open- the end sportsmanship lies in taking DSP in Haryana Police and also shook style of playing? a defeat graciously. a leg in Jhalak Dikhla Jaa season 4. Arjuna I had got a very tough draw in the Flaws are always found in the Award was conferred upon him in Bangkok Olympic qualifiers. Not points awarding system but I don’t 2005 for his achievements in the ring. many expected me to qualify but I think it only happens with India. It has In an exclusive interview with had faith in the hard work I had happened with other countries as well. Alive, Akhil talks about boxing, his done. I, with my close friend Jitender, life and dreams. Excerpts: spent a lot of time in watching my After the Beijing Olympics, you opponents’ videos and preparing for were awarded the post of DSP by the Tell us about that first medal the bouts. Playing open-guard, I won Haryana Government. Tell us about it. which inspired you to become a all the four bouts and defeated a Media generated a lot of support champion at boxing. summer Olympics champion boxer for us in India throughout our cam- My first fight was at school state (Worapoj Petchkoom) in my last paign in Beijing. Haryana level boxing, Haryana and I started bout. At the end of it I was given the Government. announced Rs 25 lakh off with a defeat. I did not even know ‘best boxer’ award. They say that a and a post of DSP for every quarter- all the rules back then but that loss winner should not change his win- finalist. Today we have 17 DSPs from made me determined to work harder ning style, so I did not change mine. the sports quota in Haryana. Our and win. So, to be honest, it was not a state government is doing much medal but a defeat which encouraged In Beijing, you defeated the then good in the field of sports. me to win. world number one to reach the quar- ter finals. Tell us about that bout. There have been a lot of changes in What inspired you to take up the The olympics and world champi- the rules. Do you think that the ‘open-guard’ style of boxing? onships are the kind of stages where no Indian boxers have been able to deal I used to watch the recordings of athlete can be called a favourite. Our with them properly? Mohammad Ali, Sugar Ray and Prince coach G. S. Sandhu was so tense before No. Almost none. The new rules Nazeem Ahmed. There is an attractive the fight, I told him not to worry and have changed the game a lot and our uniqueness in their game. I always that I was going to win. I was so confi- boxers are in an urgent need to be dreamed to be like them. I wanted the dent of the training I had done but it made completely aware of them. The world to see that even Indian boxers proved to be a tough fight. I was 4 head guard has been removed, which could have a unique persona and style points down in the second round but I I personally like for I never liked of playing. Open-guard is a very dif- did not lose hope. In the breaks playing with it. This would surely ferent style of boxing. I believe the between rounds I always think of god. lead to more injuries and cuts , so we

64 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 desperately need better medical facil- ities. To avoid injuries, the boxers have to play more with the ‘straight punch’ now. My wife has taught me a little of social networking, so I keep updating my junior boxers about these changes.

How much has the ban on IBF (Indian Boxing Federation) affected Indian boxing? IBF was banned because elections were not held as per the constitution of International Boxing Association. The sports ministry and Sports Mary Kom was the only boxer to healed. Today all our top athletes Authority of India (SAI) have done an win a medal in the London have to go abroad for appropriate amazing job by continuing the nation- Olympics. What do you think of her? treatment of their injuries. al camps and standing by Indian box- Even before the Olympics, I had The European countries have very ing in this moment of crisis. Though my medal hopes pinned on her. She good medical teams and these coun- IBA has allowed Indian boxers to take is a very determined and hard work- tries have given multiple Olympic part in international tournaments, the ing athlete. Being a mother of two winners, but in India, a coach has to sad and demoralising part for our and winning an Olympic medal is an be a nutritionist, a physical trainer boxers is that they cannot have the amazing feat. She has got the skills and a doctor as well. With a proper name ‘India’ and the Tricolour on and experience to put another good medical system, a boxer’s career can their back but wear the IBA logo. It’s showing in the next Olympics. extend up to 10-12 years, otherwise it like not knowing who my parents are. hardly lasts for two years. But at the end of the day they all know Even you are a married man with that we come from India. a daughter now. Can we hope for the What message would you like to same from you in the next Rio send out for all the young boxers in You were a part of the World Olympics? our country? Series Boxing. Tell us about your Currently I am getting very good All I would like to say is that they experiences there. support from both sides of my fami- should have the courage to fulfill I think WSB did not get the right ly. My wife is a boxing coach and my their dreams. In any sport, character support. A game where blood and father-in-law has also been a boxer. building is as important as body sweat flows, deserves to be made Also my coaches and my juniors, building. In the end, your good more popular. There is a serious mat- they all want to see me boxing again. deeds are all that you are remem- ter about managing a sport. I attend- I want to regain my old level of fit- bered for. Eat well, think good, work ed almost every meeting at WSB. ness, maintain my weight, stay away hard and have faith in yourself. Everyone was willing to help but from injuries and then only get into Apart from these, reading books is there are some bad elements that let the ring. All that is in our hands is to also very important. I have been us down. try, I am trying my best. reading a lot about Swami Vivekananda recently. He is my role Do you think professional boxing Where do you rate Indian boxing model now. Biographies, quotes, is going to brighten our chances at at the world level? even the short story books, can teach the Olympics? After the last two Olympics, our and inspire you. Definitely. We have to play just clout had grown internationally but three rounds at the Olympics, where- it is on a descent now. I am training in You are a national hero, a champi- as in professional boxing we have the a national camp at present and I on boxer and a DSP. Do you still 12 round system. So if a player has don’t see many boxers who have it in have any dreams unfulfilled? got enough stamina to last 12 rounds, them to last three rounds. I think one should keep dreaming as then three rounds would become We seriously lack a proper sports long as one lives. Dreams mean goals. much easier to play. It also gives you medical facility system. If it was not One should stay after one’s goal and the all-important experience of play- for the Mittal Champions’ Trust, my once reached, should cherish another ing at the world level. wrist injury would never have dream. Life means never sitting idle. ■

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 65 R ESEARCH

Jahangir would eat 10 pomegran- ates to enhance the glow of his Sassy & Sissy already rosy cheeks. When Abul Fazl mentioned this rather derogatory fact Is man more looks — in his Persian magnum opus, Aaine- Akbari, Jahangir was livid. ■ conscious than woman? by Sumit Paul Jahangir's father, the great Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar, would walk through the lanes of Meena Bazar as the only man to be there and take beauty massages from beautiful women. Abul Fazl, though almost a sycophant of Akbar, resent- ed this particular pastime of the great emperor and condemned this in his letters to Faizi, one of the nine gems in the court of Akbar. One can see and read the Persian letters at The India House, London. Even the stern here is a new as well as inter- beautified him the whole day! and austere-looking Aurangzeb esting finding every day. A few The eccentric Roman emperor devoted time to bettering his hum- months back, there was a novel Nero would drink the water of a par- drum looks. He had an eternally old- T discovery by a team of British ticular cascade in Anteem, said to ish face, according to Khafif Khan, researchers that men were have the properties to give a fresh the court historian of the Mughals. much more conscious than women glow to the face. Today's actors are in no way lag- about their looks. In fact, women However, it is recorded that even ging behind, on this count. Their being acutely appearance-conscious the epicurean Greeks and Roman endorsement of various beauty prod- is a myth! emperors were never as fussy and ucts for men is a sure enough proof of They cited examples from the fastidious about their looks as were men's predilection for self-appearance. archives of history to the modern era, the kings and emperors of the sub- Men also go for manicure and with a view to buttressing their point. continent. The Mughals were flag- pedicure and there are salons espe- It is a documented fact that, bearers in this sphere. cially meant for the enhancement of Alexander the Great, despite his cav- male beauty. alier life and about whom the British The Mughals The question arises: Does such an historian Dawson said, "Man forever over-refined and sissy man really on the horseback," was extremely Except for Humayun, who never look desirable? appearance-conscious. had time for luxuries as he was If we say that a woman gains If ever he managed to get time, he always on the run, and Aurangzeb's more by remaining a woman, then, is would undergo pedicure and, like saintly brother Dara Shikoh, who was the same not applicable to a man Cleopatra of Rome, would bathe in a too erudite to be affected by some- also? It is the rugged and handsome pool filled with the milk of she-don- thing as mundane as one's looks, all appearance of a man that makes a keys. She-donkey's milk is said to Mughal emperors were exceedingly woman go weak in her knees. have a skin-softening agent. Even conscious of their appearance. When Mumtaz Mahal first saw Toynbee wrote about Alexander's Babur was worried that the swel- Shahjahan, he was sniffing a rose in a obsession with looks in his seminal tering heat of the sub-continent was la-di-da manner. The very sight of a essay ‘The Greeks’. scorching and blackening his Central robust-looking man inhaling the Roman emperor Julius Caesar had a Asian fair complexion. It was Babur, aroma of a rose irritated her no end retinue of servants, who would apply who gave the word 'Hindu' to India and she sent a Persian couplet to different concoctions to his face as anti- as the meaning of 'Hindu' is ‘black’ in Shahjahan, which read, “Ina mardam ageing creams of that era. Brutus even Persian. Babur advised his male as shuasta shamsheer ne ast/Gul-o-ghuncha made fun of it! A day before Caesar's well as female friends not to get na shadibam dast-e-marda nast. (In the marriage to Brutus' mother (yes, he exposed to the wretched Indian sum- hands of a man, it is the sword that married, rather seduced, his friend's mer in his Tuzuk-e-Babri, originally looks beautiful, not a flower or a bud).” mother!) a bevy of beautiful women written in Turkish. Are the men listening? ■

66 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013

O NLINE SHOPPING

Just a mouse-click away Browse for hours, find gifts you never knew existed, shop generously and create your own virtual wish list. ■ by Pavithra Sagar

dmit it. You’re a closet online Keep shopping simple with these socially relevant and offer a tongue- shopaholic, aren’t you? There’s online stores that offer quirky and in-cheek commentary on Indian soci- no shame in it; so am I. Online whimsical alternatives: ety, pop culture and mannerisms. A retail in India has grown at an For instance, this T-shirt depicts the enormous rate, catering to an Romwe – A fabulous range of slavish adoration Indians have for ever-increasing diverse base of Internet affordable street fashion apparel, style cricket, elevating it from sport to a users. Middle-class home-makers, col- experiments such as these stained- religion, while this T-shirt is a must- lege students and working profession- glass printed skinny leggings and spe- have for anyone who’s a Rajnikanth als now shop with ease online for a cial statement pieces like this Bodycon fan. If you enjoy witty in-jokes on rel- wide range of lifestyle goods. dress of Klimt’s ‘The Kiss’. Romwe is evant socio-political topics, then I first discovered the many bene- not an Indian store; however, the site WYO is definitely for you. fits of online shopping when I was provides free shipping worldwide, too busy to get into real-world shops with no minimum purchase. Giveter – An online gift portal that in order to get my sister a birthday helps you choose the perfect gift from gift. When I turned to the web to buy Cupcakes and Closet – A popular more than 5000 hand-picked gift ideas her presents, I quickly discovered shopping option for effortlessly ele- based on the occasion, relationship, that, while traditional gift shops and gant and stylish clothing without an personality of recipient, mood or price. well-established brand stores are insane price tag. With outfits like this The site also allows you to log in with easy to come by, it was difficult to grey cotton dress with a lace back your Facebook account and then select find products with individualistic and this breezy chiffon dress, a recipient from your contact list. This appeal, which is disappointing to Cupcakes and Closet delivers on automatically determines the recipi- those with a creative consciousness. their promise to give their customers ent’s age, relationship and interests to Therefore, over the next couple of the opportunity to be closet perfect. find the best gift for them. weeks, I extensively searched and Giveter gives users a great variety found sites with products that offered Wear Your Opinion – A collection of products, including this portable a little humour or plain delight. of smart and funny T-shirts that are coffee maker, quirky cash toilet wipes,

68 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 and this saucy personalised Hot Hunk Their list of products includes this Heat Change mug, making it one of practical yet atypical Squid USB hub, the best shopping sites for whimsy. a USB mini-fridge, and LED ice cubes.

Quirko – An online lifestyle store Exciting Lives – Exciting Lives is that describes itself as “part quirky, one of my favourite webshops, sim- part useful and fully fun”, Quirko ply because they deliver on their has a wide range of the eclectic and intention to “appeal to one’s sensory unusual. On this site, you’ll be able to cravings rather than fulfillment of find a Coughing and Screaming ash- utilitarian needs” and because of a tray for smokers trying to quit, a unique ability to continually surprise Cotton Candy maker, and a colourful with their merchandise. soup mug amongst others. Quirko’s They have personalised products collection of crazy odds and ends will like this charming handprints keep- Pass Mobius pendant. tempt you to buy all their products sake (which gives parents the chance Exciting Lives also gives you the for yourself. to have the footprints or handprints opportunity to be different and gift of their babies permanently placed in an experience. You can choose from GoGifts – A collection of funny a memento)and eclectic merchandise giving a friend belly dancing ses- and unusual high-quality merchan- including this lucky elephant tea sions, or your girlfriend/boyfriend a dise at affordable prices. When you light holder, naughty furry hand- stress-relieving Shirodhara rejuvena- shop at GoGifts, you can be assured cuffs, and beautiful This Too Shall tion. There are offers for a skydive that you’re buying one-of-a-kind adventure, private hot air balloon items that you wouldn’t be able to Fun. Fashionable. Unconventional. ride and even a zero-gravity experi- find at your nearest mall. Each of these sites is one or more ence. You’ll be spoiled for choice. At GoGifts, you’ll be able to of these things and is sure to help Fun. Fashionable. Unconventional. choose from a creative product list, you meet all your quirky buying Each of these sites is one or more of including a landline toilet phone needs. Browse for hours, find gifts these things and is sure to help you (complete with a flush tank), a minia- you never knew existed, meet all your quirky buying needs. ture gramophone clock as well as a shop generously and create your Browse for hours, find gifts you massage cushion. own virtual wish list. Thereʼs some- never knew existed, shop generously thing for everyone in this list, and and create your own virtual wish list. HitPlay – If you’re looking for youʼre unlikely to find other stores There’s something for everyone in unconventional gadgets and technol- quite like these. this list, and you’re unlikely to find ogy, then HitPlay is the site for you. other stores quite like these. ■

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 69 Gadgets Gizmos Tracker Technologyʼs new product “TBPT (The &Best Pet Tracker)“ is displayed on a stuffed toy dog at the 2013 Computex in Taipei.

A picture showing the new Samsung Ativ Tab 3 during the world launch of new Samsung Galaxy and Ativ products at Earls Court, London.

A model poses with Martian Watchesʼ new “Voice Command Watch” which are compatible for when speaking with iPhone and Android mobiles.

A picture shows the new Samsung S4 Zoom phone, a new design featuring a phone and camera combination.

Leading Taiwanese computer vendor Acer Inc unveiled Iconia W3, that is said the industryʼs first 8.1-inch tablet that runs on Microsoftʼs Windows 8 software.

70 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 South Korean models show Galaxy S4 smartphones displaying wireless data speed via SK Telecom's new mobile network, LTE-Advanced, in Seoul. South Korea's SK Telecom announced on June 26 the launch of a new generation mobile network that offers speeds twice that of its existing long term evolution (LTE) network and 10 times that of 3G services.

Japanese engineer Shota Ishiwatari displays the humanoid robot "Rapiro" which works with a "Raspberry Pi" in Tokyo. The Rapiro, equipped with 12 actuators and LED eyes, can walk and moves its arms.

Indian Bollywood actress Yami Gautam poses displaying the newly launched Galaxy Tab 3 series at a function in New Delhi.

A model displays displays a solid fuel type cell "Mobile aqua" charging the battery of a smartphone at a press preview in Tokyo. The calcium hydride sheet can generat hydrogen with water while hydrogen can generate electric power with oxygen in the air.

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 71 T RIBUTE

ELEGY to TMS Singing voice of Tamil stars is no more. ■ by Jayanthi Venugopal

.M. Soundararajan, the The mercurial singer legendary playback sang for the two great Tamil singer of Tamil cinema actors, Sivaji Ganesan and T is no more. The nona- M.G. Ramachandran, who genarian expired on 25 dominated the scene around May this year, at his his time. The film Thooku Mandaveli residence in Thooki, a Sivaji Ganesan star- Chennai, after suffering from rer, took TMS to fame with a prolonged illness. all hit songs. TMS got the Affectionately called TMS break when Chidambaram by his fans and ardent Jayaraman, who used to sing admirers, the renowned for Sivaji, had some differ- singer had a humble begin- ences with the director. ning. He was born in the Though the actor was reluc- Sourashtra community in tant initially, he had made TMS with PMS. Madurai, in a prominent pro- TMS his permanent singer hitam family. He began training in lyrics. Out of frustration, once, he told after the success of the film. Carnatic music at the age of seven. this correspondent, “Tamil chet- TMS has sung for a spectrum of He was adept at creating the mood tupochhu.” (Tamil is dead). actors, ranging from Muthuraman, with which the song was perceived TMS called a spade a spade with- and S.S. Rajendran to Gemini by the film’s director and lyricist. out batting an eyelid. For instance, Ganesan, Jaishankar, Ravichandran, TMS’s rendition took the songs to a when he remarked, albeit with a tinge Rajanikant and Kamal Hasan; the list different level. He was an all-rounder of sarcasm, that a particular song, is quite long. As mentioned earlier, and excelled in all types of songs. Anne anne chippayanne... in the film TMS was an expert in bringing out Like the late Mohammed Rafi, the Kozhi Kuvudu, rendered by the famous the bhavam in a song and giving a mellifluous singer took everything in music composer Ilaya Raja, seemed to result that was even more than the his stride. be sung by some buffaloes. Enraged director’s expectation. Be it comedy, Though he hailed from Sourashtra, over his comment, Raja retaliated that pathos, love, angst, anger, pining, or no other singer could pronounce TMS’s songs lacked bhavam. Pat came philosophy, to name a few, the nava Tamil with such perfection. He was the rejoinder from his fans, which saw rasas came to him naturally. disgusted with the way some singers to it that the music director became The singer had the unique tech- used to pronounce words and, more aware of the plethora of TMS’s songs, nique of modulating his voice so, if the songs did not do justice to the focusing on bhavam. according to the actor, too. Music-

72 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 baney... in the film Uyarnda Manithan, expressed it. Legendary music direc- Many songs composed by the 125th film of Sivaji Ganesan. tor M.S. Viswanasthan said that Viswanathan were made Yaarey naambi naan poorenden... from many top stars allowed him to deliv- memorable by TMS. The singer another Sivaji film Yenga Oor Raja and er their dialogue in between the grew up listening to P.U. Devane ennai parungal... from a super- songs, as he could replicate their Chnnappa and Subbiah hit movie Gnana Oli, are rendered to voice and modulation. Bhagavatar, but was attracted match the roaring voice of Sivaji. more towards the voice of M.K. For MGR, too, TMS had sung Promoting youngsters Thyagaraja Bhagavatar, then memorable songs in Nadodi Mannan, super-star of Tamil films. Many Tirudathe, Enga Veetu Pillai, Oli Many songs composed by music-lovers are still confused Villaku, et al. Viswanathan were made memorable over the song Radhe onukku Noted Tamil singer L.R. Easwari by TMS. The singer grew up listening kobam agathadi... to differenti- recalls the ways the song Ninaithadai to P.U. Chnnappa and Subbiah ate between Bhagavatar and nadathiyee mudippavan naan naan... was Bhagavatar, but was attracted more TMS as the repeat version is recorded. With a full complement of towards the voice of M.K. Thyagaraja exactly like the original. orchestra, particularly the brass sec- Bhagavatar, then super-star of Tamil tion, which had great stalwarts, cho- films. Many music-lovers are still con- lovers can easily identify the hero for rus singers and the rhythm section, fused over the song Radhe onukku kobam whom TMS has sung the song, by lis- the recording-hall was packed. agathadi... to differentiate between tening to it. Improvisations ruled the roost with Bhagavatar and TMS as the repeat ver- The 75-year-old Muthuvelu, a vivid Easwari and TMS goading each other sion is exactly like the original. fan of TMS, who has been hearing to perform better. The song, according Scenes from Patinathar and Kallum TMS’s voice right from his childhood, to her, ruled the charts for several Kaniyagum, in which TMS played the says that the last charanam of Vadivelum weeks and, even today, when it is lead, are etched in the memory of the Mayilum Thunai... from Ambigapathi is played, people stop to listen to it. film-goers. a breathless rendition without any The same could be said of the duet The singer’s songs on Lord technological manipulation. Oru raja ranijydam... for Sivantha Muruga are still popular and by far Mann, the Tamil film shot in London, the best-ever devotionals that one can Legendary singer Paris, Rome and Zurich. This time, it think of. Film-lovers vividly remem- was with P. Susheela and the combi- ber his rendering of devotional and A.L. Raghavan, an actor and singer nation gave super hits in many films. other songs for the late producer- and a contemporary of TMS, says that Critics hailed TMS for his timing director A.P. Nagarajan’s movies, like the late singer was, perhaps, the only and presence of mind. They further Thiruvillayadal, Saraswathi Sabadam, one who had the potential to deliver a averred that, on screen, the lip-sync Kandan Karunnai, Tiruvarutchelvar dialogue while singing – and in a sin- by actors was often mistimed and and Tirumal Perumai. gle breath. An example is, Andhannal they even failed to capture the emo- Noted light-music singer, A.V. nyaabaham nenjilee vandadhey nan- tion of the lines the way TMS Ramanan, a witness to many record- ings, recalled the manner in which he used to appreciate the upcoming singers. For example, when Jesudas made his debut in Tamil with Deivam thantha veedu... in the film Aval Oru Thodarkadai, TMS was the first singer to appreciate him. TVS never believed in syco- phancy. When a scribe appreciated Sivaji and MGR for their stupendous performances, he reminded them that his voice had also contributed to their success. Many took his view as adamant but, in reality, like Mohammed Rafi, he opined, “If actors are masters of acting, singers Padmashri TM Soundararajan being felicitated at a state-level function. are masters of singing.” ■

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 73 C ONDITION Out of sight, not of mind

A short view of short-sightedness. ■ by S. Raghunath

ith the onset of old age, eye- harshly, “Which is the next letter you or, worse still, “4 eyes” and that hurts sight is sure to become see?” our gentle sensibilities. weak and blurred. I have “Pee,” I said, cockily. It was actu- Heaven knows that our otherwise W met my Waterloo in, of all ally an ‘M’. bright eyes have not become hazy places, an optometrician’s The optometrician sighed and from trying to read the fine print on consulting-room and I cannot bear to said succinctly, “Man, you’re myopic. racing forms or decipher the strange face a jeering world. Please call again tomorrow evening hieroglyphics on beer and whisky bot- The trouble started when I was and I’ll have your lenses ready.” tles. So what, if we pull our chairs a reading the morning newspaper, So, here I am, bespectacled, shuf- mere two feet from the TV set and holding it pressed against my bulbous fling and bumping uncertainly into the watch cabaret sequences and item nose rather like a trombone-player furniture and other impediments and dances in Chitrahar and peer and reading his music-sheet. The paper not quite knowing where I am going. squint at the screen with visible effort? was rudely snatched from me and I We short-sighted chaps belong to The long-sighted folks are a cocky was given stern marching-orders to an oppressed minority, with none to lot and only infrequently do they con- go and see a competent optician. champion our (hazy) cause. Even if descend to be seen in the company of I walked, rather shame-faced, into we wear the thinnest glasses, we are the poor, myopic blokes. They will the consulting-room. The optician heartlessly dubbed as “soda glasses” imperiously tap the bespectacled chap stood me up against the wall and, on the chest and declare imperiously, pointing an accusatory finger at a dis- We short-sighted chaps “I’ve got a perfect 20/20 vision!” for tant eye-chart, which seemed at least belong to an oppressed minority, all one knows 20/20 might have been a kilometre away, barked, “Which is with none to champion our (hazy) the aggregate marks he had obtained the big letter you see in the top line?” cause. Even if we wear the in lower kindergarten or it might be “Z,” I said, confidently. How was I thinnest glasses, we are his blood pressure – or, just a minute – to know that it was a ‘B’? heartlessly dubbed as “soda it might be his IQ. The optician placed his left hand glasses” or, worse still, “4 eyes”. This latter presumption is borne over my right eye and demanded out in full measure by a headline to a

74 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 boxed story in the morning newspaper. The story was appropriately titled, ‘Near-sighted are smarter’. That headline alone ought to hold off the 20/20 crowd. I am sure that no one in his right senses has called them smart. According to a Danish study, published in the British Medical Journal, short-sighted people are definitely more intelligent than people with 20/20 vision. And, on an average, myopics consistently score higher IQ points than people with normal vision. And that is music to the ears of we myopics. What it all boils down to is: While short-sighted people might need glasses, their lack of perfect vision is a definite sign of superior intelligence. We short-sighted people are further handicapped and hamstrung in that we cannot manfully grapple with the 20/20 gang, when they jeer and jibe at our soda glasses because they are no more than a dim, hazy blur.

The Danish have it So, thanks to the Danish study, the myopics now have a terrific argument point in their depleted armoury. If the nor- mal-vision chaps shoot their big mouths off and brag about their perfect 20/20 vision, the short-sighted compatriots can straightaway but them in their places by tapping their fore- heads to indicate that they are brimming with wizened grey cells. Never mind the steamed-horn-rimmed bi-focals. Danish doctors have reported that army recruits, who scored 120 and higher IQ points, were short-sighted and that 31.9% of them habitually wore glasses. They further surmised that short-sighted people, being cerebrally bright, tend to read more and that tires their eyes and fuels myopia. Of course, the 20/20 mob might sneer that myopics read more comic-strips, “Help-wanted” job ads and lot- tery results. Be that as it may, the Danes have conclusive- ly proved that the bespectacled are smart in the upper storey and that is defence against the 20/20 crowd. Hey, I cannot read what I have typed so far...! ■

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 75 T RIBUTE

Shamshad Begum Singer par excellence. ■ by A. C. Tuli hamshad Begum, who recent- radio. Somehow, one of her uncles tion. It was a Punjabi film entitled ly passed away at the ripe, old prevailed upon her father, Miyan Yamla Jatt (1940), produced by age of 94, was one of our earli- Hussain Baksh, and persuaded him Pancholi Arts Production, based in S est playback singers. When, in to give his daughter permission to Lahore. But it was only when she the 2009 list of the Padma sing on the radio. came to sing under Ghulam Haider Bhushan award-winners, film music So, when she was around 12, her for Pancholi’s first Hindi film buffs of the present generation found uncle took her to Xenophon Music Khazanchi (1941) that she became a playback singer Shamshad Begum’s Company in Lahore for audition with singing star, overnight. She sang a name, they were somewhat sur- their music composer, Ghulam number of songs for this film, but the prised. For them, Shamshad Begum Haider. There, Shamshad sang a ones that became very popular were was an almost unknown entity. gazal by Bahadur Shah Zafar. her solo, “Ek kali naazon ki pali…’’ and However, most of her ardent admir- Ghulam Haider was tremendously the chorus, “Sawan ke nazarre hain…’’ ers in the Indian sub-continent felt impressed with the young girl’s that, even if this recognition of her voice. Thus, she sang many songs in The begining talent had come to her a little too late the 1930s, under contract with that in her life, she deserved it richly. company and her popularity soared In 1943, when music director Born in Amritsar, in 1919, with every song that she recorded. Ghulam Haider shifted to Bombay, Shamshad Begum, right from her Then, in 1937, when she was around he brought Shamshad Begum along childhood days, had an innate talent 18 years old, she became a regular as part of his team, in order to launch for singing, which she wanted to dis- radio singer from the Lahore and her as a singer. Her first assignment play by becoming a radio singer. Her Peshawar radio stations. in Bombay was for the Mehboob conservative family, however, was Shamshad first sang for a film Khan film Taqdeer (1943), in which totally against her singing on the under Ghulam Haider’s music direc- Nargis made her debut as heroine.

76 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 Very soon, her melodious voice fasci- late ‘40s and early ‘50s, were the 1954 Guru Dutt - Shyama starrer nated other music directors of Khemchand Prakash, C. Ramchandra, Aar Paar, Nayyar made Shamshad Bollywood. Among them, Naushad Anil Biswas, S.D. Burman, Ghulam Begum sing some thrilling songs. made the most creative use of her Mohammad, Madan Mohan, Roshan, Among them the most popular was, voice for a number of films of the Hansraj Behl, and Bulo C. Rani. “Kabhi aar kabhi paar, laaga teer-e-nazar, 1940s and ‘50s. She sang two songs All the songs picturised on saiyan ghayal kiya re tu ne mora jigar.” under Naushad for the A.R.Kardar Vyjayanthimala in her debut Hindi The songs of everlasting populari- film Shahjehan (1946), and both of film Bahar (1951) were recorded in the ty, that Shamshad Begum rendered, them were hits. voice of Shamshad Begum by music under O.P.Nayyar’s baton for the In the 1948 film Mela, for which director S.D. Burman. Two songs of 1956 film CID, are, Leke pehla pehla Naushad composed the music, all this film are still fresh in the memory pyar, bhar ke aankhon mein khumaar...’’, songs picturised on Nargis were of cine-goers: “Saiyan dil mein aana re, “Bhooj mera kya naam re, nadi kinare recorded in the voice of Shamshad aake phir na jana re, chhum chhuma ghaam re, peeple jhoome more aangna Begum. The songs of Mela became chhum chhum...’’ and, “Duniya ka mazza thandi thandi chhaon re...’’ and the chartbusters of that year. The ones le lo duniya tumhari hai...’’ saucy, “Kahin pe nighahen kahin pe that are remembered even today are: nishaana...’’ “Mohan ki muraliya baaje, ho...” Versatile Begum In 1957, came Mother India, and it “Pardesi balam tum jaogey, kaho meri had some of the best-sung songs by kasam kab aaogey...” and the duet with At a time, when Western music Shamshad Begum, such as, “Holi aayee Mukesh “Mera dil todne wale mere dil had, perhaps, the least influence on re Kanhayi, rang barse, suna de zara ki dawa lena...’’ Hindi film music, C. Ramchandra bansuri...’’, “Peeke ghar aaj pyari dul- The late ‘40s and the ‘50s was the was the first composer who made haniya chali, royen mata pita jin ki duniya most prolific period of her life as a Shamshad Begum sing this comic chali...’’, “O gaadi wale gaadi dheere playback singer. She sang under song in the Western style, “Aana meri haank re, jiya uda jaye lade aankh re...” Naushad’s baton for films like Dard jaan meri jaan,Sunday ke Sunday...” in The last song that she sang, along (1947), Anokhi Ada (1948), Andaaz Shehnai (1947). It became a craze with with Lata Mangeshkar under (1949), Dulari (1949), Dillagi (1949), the cine-goers of those days. Naushad’s music direction, was the Babul (1950), Chandni Raat (1950), In the ‘50s the magic of Lata famous qawwali, “Teri mehfil mein Jadoo (1950), Deedar (1951), Udan Mangeshkar’s voice was so powerful kismet aazmakar hum bhi dekhenge...” of Khatola (1955), Mother India (1957) that most of the music directors pre- Mughal-e-Azam (1960). and Mughal-e-Azam (1960). ferred her voice for their songs to the By 1970, Shamshad Begum’s Her songs for Babul are remem- voices of other female singers. But, career as playback singer was almost bered even today. The ones that have even while facing stiff competition over. New singers had emerged on never lost their popularity are, from Lata, Shamshad Begum the film scene, and she was now not “Chhod babul ka ghar, mohe pee ke nagar remained in the field and was quite very keen to remain in the rat-race. aaj jana pada...” and the evergreen active as playback singer. Luckily, she So, she opted for self-imposed retire- duet that she sang with Talat had found a staunch patron in music ment from the film industry. Mahmood, “Milte hi aankhen dil hua director O.P. Nayyar, whom she had Shamshad Begum had married diwana kisi ka, afsana mera ban gaya known from her Lahore days. Ganpat Lal Batto, a lawyer, when she afsana kisi ka...” O.P Nayyar, who had vowed that was only 15 years old. It was a love In Deedar, all songs sung by he would rise to the top as music marriage and her parents were Shamshad Begum were filmed on the director without recording even a against it. She had a daughter from heroine, Nargis, while those sung by single song in the voice of Lata this marriage. Unfortunately, her Lata Mangeshkar were picturised on Mangeshkar, used Shamshad husband died in an accident in 1955 Nimmi, side-heroine of the film. The Begum’s voice for many songs that and, since then, she had been living two unforgettable songs of this film he composed for various films. For with her daughter Usha Ratra and are, “Chaman mein reh ke veerana, mera her son-in-law Yog Ratra, who was dil hota jata hai, khushi mein aaj kal kuch The song of everlasting formerly a Lt. Colonel in the army. gham bhi shaamil hota jata hai...’’ and popularity, that Shamshad Begum Such is the magic of her voice, that her duet with Lata, “Ho, bachpan ke rendered, under O.P.Nayyarʼs even the present generation loves jig- din bhula na dena...” baton for the 1956 film CID, is Leke ging and swaying to the rhythm and Apart from Naushad, other music pehla pehla pyar, bhar ke aankhon beat of her songs – of course, in their directors, under whom Shamshad mein khumaar… re-mixed form, as is the fashion Begum sang memorable songs, in the today. ■

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 77 S PORTS

Their patience & perseverance paid off Wimbledon – Murray – Bartoli new champions. ■ by K.V. Venugopal

ndy Murray made the British clutch and on the run than Djokovic, nament. Murray’s incredible display people proud, when he won the game's premier defender. The in the rallies caught Djokovic on the the coveted Wimbledon tro- Scotsman, with a rolling gait and a wrong foot in the last two sets. A phy by beating Novak deep competitive streak, put a con- In fact, it was all over, when he Djokovic, 6-4, 7.5, 6-4. Even vincing end to the long drought in was coasting home with three cham- the fanatic supporters of Murray singles for the British men at the tour- pionship points at 5-4. However, as would not have hoped for such a Murray explained later, it was not cake-walk victory – and that, too, in Murray, who was seeded No 2, that easy. The dogged fighter that he straight sets. The loser’s much- made history by proving better in is, the Croatian took the game to announced fund campaign pro- the clutch and on the run than deuce. The Scot regained his compo- gramme during the tournament did Djokovic, the game's premier sure in the fourth match, when not take place as the player from defender. The Scotsman, with a Djokovic’s tame, two-handed back- Croatia was confident of emerging rolling gait and a deep competitive hand return struck the tape. successful in the tournament. streak, put a convincing end to the After losing in last year’s Murray, who was seeded No 2, long drought in singles for the Wimbledon final to Roger Federer, made history by proving better in the British men at the tournament. Murray came back to win the Olympic

78 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 draw, in terms of his opponent’s rank- third player seeded outside the top ings, was a stroll. 10 to win Wimbledon in the open era. There was, however, not an iota of The French girl learned to play on doubt that he had to deal with great- a modest court, with a sometimes ness when he encountered Djokovic, leaky roof, in the small town of who had beaten him 11 times in 18 Retournac, France. Her father, a doc- matches and thrice in a row. “It must tor by profession, was her only coach. have meant a lot to everybody,” The champion often practised from 10 Djokovic said of Murray’s victory. pm until midnight so that her training Indeed, Wimbledon is the most would not interfere with her school. important tennis tournament in the Bartoli won the final in a rout. Her world and, for Murray and the semi-final against Kirsen Flipkens British crowd, it could not have been gave an indication that she was gear- a more perfect setting. The soft-spo- ing up for the final against the 23- ken Murray deserved to win. year-old girl, Sabine Lisicki. For the German girl, it was her first Grand Slam final, and both players were Roger Federer Single champ nervous at the start. gold medal at the All-England Club. In the women’s singles, it was a Bartoli double-faulted to give her He then won his first Grand Slam sin- dream-come-true for Marion Bartoli. opponent a break in the first game. gles title after four straight losses at the The 28-year-old player is the first Then, it was the German girl’s turn to US Open. The 27-year-old Scot was player, female or male, to win commit the mistake. She, too, double- more settled and confident when he Wimbledon playing two-handed on faulted on break-point with a terrible returned to Wimbledon this year. His both sides. The No 15 seed is the toss on her second serve, a problem

Novak Djokovic

Andy Murray Sabine Lisicki Marion Bartoli

tory in the French Open recently. The 31-year-old Serena became more open-minded with age. She has been on the best run of her career, compil- ing a 94-4 singles record. She has won 13 titles, including three Grand Slam titles (Wimbledon and the US Open last year and the French Open this year), her first Olympic gold medal in singles and her first three titles on clay since 2002.

Other winners In the men’s doubles, the Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike, were Bryan brothers, Bob and Mike unmatchable. Maintaining their con- she encountered throughout the drained from a difficult draw, with 3- sistent victories for a long time, and match. It was just the start of an errat- set victories over Serena, Radwanska with the recent French Open title in ic performance by the German wiz- and the Aussie sensation Sam Stosur. their kitty, the duo in their final match ard, who had won the hearts of the Bartoli, who did not lose a set in the crowds after her stunning upset of tournament, is the first woman to win Bartoli, who did not lose a set the No 1 seed, Serena Williams, in the the title without facing a top-10 seed. in the tournament, is the first fourth round. Serena’s loss, too, was a big upset woman to win the title without Lisicki admitted that she was over- for the crowd, as the American facing a top-10 seed. whelmed by the occasion and woman was at her peak after her vic-

80 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 Mixed doubles Daniel Nestor and Kristina Miadenovic.

Dellacqua. Hsieh is the first Taiwanese player to win a Grand Slam major. The duo Rafael Nadal forged a partnership that bridges the divide between against the 12th-seeded the two sides, saying that pairing of Mrcelo Melo and sport can take the heat out Ivan Dodig, began with of the toughest situations. unworthy volleys and a 0-5 deficit. The brothers soon Indians out steadied themselves and ral- lied to win the champi- Their partnership, they onship, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 vic- say, is all about firm friend- tory in four-set thriller. ship, and they leave the The champions pro- political stuff to others. The duced their record 15th losers could not match the Grand Slam title together. wile and guile of Su-Wei By claiming their third and Peng Shuai and they Wimbledon title, the broth- were all at sea in the 2nd set. ers now hold all four Grand In the mixed doubles, Slam titles at the same time Daniel Nestor and Kristina – the first time any men’s Miadenovic beat top seeds doubles team has done that Bruno Soares and Lisa in the open era, which Raymond 5-7, 6-2, 8-6. began in 1968. Unfortunately, no Indian Su-Wei Hsieh of Taiwan player could rise to the and Peng Shuai of China occasion – in singles or in won the women’s doubles doubles – compared to yes- title with a 7-6, (7-1), 6-1 win teryear, when Ramanathan over the Australian duo of Krishnan, Vijay Amrithraj, Ashleigh Barty and Casey Serena Williams Ramesh Krishnan and

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 81 Things beyond expectation

The 127th edition of the event will knock out Federer. Interestingly enough, to reach the fourth round of a Grand be remembered for many things, not both Steve and Sergiy are unseeded Slam for the 1st time. 20-year-old Sloane least being the early departure of its 17- players. Stephens won her suspended match. 18- time-champion, Roger Federer. Similar It may be recalled that both Nadal year-old Madison Keys, another notewor- is the case with Rafa Nadal, a 12-time and Federer have thrilled people, albeit thy girl, nearly knocked off a top-10 Grand Slam winner, next only to differently. One is so elegant and fluid, seed, taking No 4 Agnieszka Federer’s and Petre Sampras’ 14 tri- that his best tennis looked effortless even Radwanska to 3 sets before running out umphs. while making the seemingly impossible of steam in a 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 loss. Nadal and Federer’s shocking exit possible. The other is all muscles and Great things were expected of in the first and second round of the tour- explosive; his display looks not like a gift, Tomic, when he reached the quarter- nament surprised the tennis-lovers. A but a product of an endless reservoir of final here, in 2011, as an 18-year-old question-mark is raised over the two self-confidence and will. qualifier. However, he had no answer great players' ability to perform next One’s delightful one-handed back- for his quick-footed rivals – except year, though both Federer and Nadal hand is matched by the other’s double- against Gasquet, when Tomic proved came back from worse situations earlier. fisted bullet. One was even reduced to his mettle. For example, who would have expected tears by the other – not once, but twice. Much was expected from Tsonga, Nadal to triumph in this year’s French The duo’s rollicking contests developed but the Frenchman disappointed with Open? And only a few people could an insatiable hunger in the fans for more. his inept display in the initial rounds. have thought of Federer winning the That they could cater to this set of audi- Del Petro played a marvelous game Wimbledon title last year. ence for the good part of a decade was when he took Djokovich to five sets in It was indeed a shocking defeat for in itself extremely impressive. the semi-finals. It was a so-near-and-yet- Nadal, when his knees collapsed after It was heartening to note that the so-far case for Del Petro and full marks losing to Steve Darcis of Belgium. youngsters did well in the coveted tourna- to him for matching the No.1 player in Likewise, it was least expected that ment. Britain has another player to be the baseline game, despite suffering Sergiy Stakhovsky from Ukraine would proud of: 17-year-old Laura Robson rallied from illness.

Leander Paes stole the show. If one authorities’ concerned. two players led to declining standard looks at the Grand Slam events, the India, in the last decade or so, had in doubles, too. standard of Indian tennis is going the satisfaction of winning the dou- from bad to worse. The abysmal per- bles event when Paes and Mahesh Indiaʼs past stars formance of our players in the Davis Bhupati were a force to reckon with. Cup matches cannot escape the A misunderstanding between the In the recent past, Leander protested against playing with Vishnu Vardan. When the All India Lawn Tennis Association (AILTA), led by Khanna, tried to solve the problem, Bhupati accused the associ- ation of meddling in their affair unnecessarily. Tennis-lovers in India, at the moment, can only indulge in nostal- gia about how Ramanathan Krishnan reached the semi-finals twice at Wimbledon in the 1960s and Vijay Amritraj in the quarter-finals in 1973, when he lost to the ultimate winner John Kodes in five sets. Much was expected from Somdev Dev Varman, but the young lad did not emerge with colour, after his triumph in the ATP Open at Chennai, a few years Su-Wei Hsieh of Taiwan and Peng Shuai of China. ago. ■

82 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 VV161/EFP N EW ARRIVALS

31 December 2078 ease control, death itself are issues between the 15th and 19th centuries. which are discussed in this book. Gujarat saw the earliest emergence of Author: Mohinder Pal Singh Keeping in mind the need for the cotton mill in 1861. A centuries- Publisher: Readworthy Publications, globalisation, the writer had imag- old commitment to wealth-creation is New Delhi ined a mini- world where everything the leitmotif of Gujarat, not the evolu- Pages: 136 was interlinked and shared tion of a caste-based, politicised soci- Price: Rs 99 including education. “31 ety like in Uttar Pradesh, or a state December 2078” presents a marked by anti-elite caste move- 31 December 2078 utopian view of a world which is ments like Tamil Nadu, or a state run is a fiction which is composed of a few countries, according to ideology like the erst- embedded with an which largely provide extreme while West Bengal. endeavour on futur- care at the cradle and before Individual capitalism, has always istic sight on the grave time to all their inhabitants. been a hallmark of Gujarat. That suc- wings of fantasy. It On occasions the flight of cessive Gujarat politicians have, for provides a fast and imagination is too fantastic for the decades, been giving industrialists a wonderful reading for the present readers which separate him ‘n’ appointments within 24 hours; that generation that is techno-savy. It is a Malhotra in two chambers. state governments have even invited big leap and diversion from his previ- The author presents a view point the corporate sector of Mumbai to ous writings of motivation and self- of where we are, and where we are take over sick textile-mills, is part of help category, a huge shift from con- likely to end up, including the path the same mentality, which relies on crete psychological into the realm of we take to get there. Different individual dynamism – not state con- imagination. The idea of developing a flavours of food for thought, as these trol — as the transformer of society. Jeevan Malhotra who migrates from viewpoints are all good debate Stories of Gujarati presence in India to USA in year 2023 and lives starters. Thus the book in all is a good Uganda and Kenya are legendary. there till 2078 is a unique plot weaved reading material for those who often However, the book focuses on the with social and scientific, empower- hurdle technical jargons and take to success that Gujaratis have achieved ing women and relationship issues in wingless flight of imagination. in the USA. The first wave of immi- the times to come. — Neelam Pannu gration to the USA happened in the Amidst these overwhelming 1950s. America welcomed them with issues is the moot question of old age Dhandha: How Gujaratis open arms. care for the ever increasing popula- Do Business The stories in the book demon- tion of old people. The author seems strate how good Gujaratis are at diver- to have found a new panacea and the Author: Shobha Bondre sifying. The story of Mohanbhai Patel protagonist Mr. Malhotra embraces it Translated By: Shalaka Walimbe is instructive. Already employed as an too willingly. Foreword By: Narendra Modi executive with the Tatas, he also ran a Looking at the troubles of an era, Publisher: Random Business factory that produced alu- one often wonders how would things Pages: 296 minium collapsible tubes, change with time. Will they become Price: Rs 199 which were earlier import- better, or will they become worse. ed from Germany. He Entangled in the notion of better or Dhandha, which means would work half-day with worse is an opinion, on what is better, business, is an oft-repeated the Tatas in south Mumbai and what is worse. Such an opinion term in India. However, the and, in the evening, run a can be personal, or be more widely word does not gain its full parallel operation in Malad, prevalent in a generation, or be valid meaning in any other com- a north Mumbai suburb. still across a wider spectrum of a peo- munity as it does in the Within a few years, he had ple. The book "31 December 2078" Gujarati community. It will be no exag- expanded into other metal- tackles several of the issues of this geration to say, that one might as well lurgical businesses and earned day, and provides possible ways in be travelling in Ahmedabad, Surat or enough to buy a big parcel of land fur- which these issues are addressed over Vadodara. Gujarati newspapers change ther north. time. Religious and political dogma, hands; Gujarati expressions fly around This book is an interesting read, as inter-generational relations, interna- and the talk is rife with “dhandho”. it is quite unique. It reads like an old tional relations, energy security, food Gujarat is one of the oldest busi- raconteur sharing anecdotes. You do security, population control, disease ness areas in the world, where a live- feel the lack of analysis, but the anec- control and as a consequence of dis- ly entrepreneurial culture developed dotes are quite interesting by them-

84 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 selves. It is also interesting to note future. But high-tech does not neces- had good fortune, he fathered one of that Narendra Modi, the rising star of sarily mean a more durable and free the world’s most popular novelists. Indian politics, has penned the fore- future. You might have a lot of auto- And so his story lives on. word. This only showcases the matic gadgets in your house, but you Despite Reiss’s extensive research, importance of the work that Shobha could still be living in a surveillance the count remains a somewhat Bondre has done in this book. state. The government might be con- remote figure, since his contempo- trolling every aspect of your life. It is raries usually described him in con- The New Digital Age: not necessary that a man who knows ventional superlatives. The chief Reshaping the Future of how to operate a high-tech gadget, source of information is a highly People, Nations and will be smarter and freer than some- romanticised memoir by his son, who Business one who is far from technology. was not yet four at the time of the The most important sections in the father’s death. However, he idealised Author: Eric Schmidt, Jared Cohen book deal with the future of war and him, in Reiss’s words, as “the purest, Published by: Hodder & Stoughton terrorism, and it is here that the noblest man who ever lived.” Pages: 336 authors sound most assured. Known for acts of reckless daring, Price: Rs 650 They predict the future of high- in and out of battle, Alex Dumas was tech terror with the aplomb of a every bit as gallant and extraordinary In this book, Eric CIA operative. as D’Artagnan and his comrades Schmidt, the execu- How you find the book will rolled into one. But it was his betray- tive chairman of essentially depend on what side al and imprisonment in a dungeon, Google, and Jared of the political fence you sit on. on the coast of Naples, when he was Cohen, director of The truth is that it is far too soon poisoned to the point of death by Google Ideas and a to predict how technology and faceless enemies, that inspired his foreign policy politics will turn out to be in the son’s most powerful story. wonk, who has advised future. The future has always Napoleon took Dumas on his disas- Hillary Clinton, deliver their vision been and always will be an unchar- trous Egyptian campaign as his caval- of the future. The account seems tered territory. ry commander, where the two gener- quite ambitious and even fascinating. als fell out and Dumas quit his com- For gadget geeks, the book is filled The Black Count mand. When he was shipwrecked off with tantalising examples of futuris- Italy, on the way home from Egypt, he tic goods and services: robotic Author: Tom Reiss was imprisoned by the Bourbon king, plumbers; automated haircuts; com- Publisher: Random House Ferdinand I of Naples and Sicily. puters that read body language; and Pages: 413 According to the author, it was a 3-D holographs of weddings project- Price: Rs 499 deliberate foot-dragging by a ed into the living-rooms of relatives, spiteful and jealous Napoleon, who could not attend. The characters in that delayed Alex Dumas’s The authors argue that, even Alexandre Dumas’s release. Ferdinand attempted to though the results might not be per- novels – The Count of poison Dumas with arsenic and, fect, society in future will be “more Monte Cristo and The by the time he was finally freed, egalitarian, more transparent and Three Musketeers – the Alex Dumas, who could more interesting than we can even have enthralled gen- reputedly lift his horse off the imagine.” erations of readers. ground, was a half-blind, half- Now, egalitarian might not sound Yet, few realise that deaf wreck. as a really nice future for those who these memorable characters were Barely five years after his return to believe in free enterprise, but the inspired by Dumas’ father, General France, Dumas died at the age of 43, book mainly seeks to appeal to the Alex Dumas, the son of a French of stomach cancer which, in all likeli- sensibilities of the modern liberal. If count and a black Haitian slave. For a hood, was an after-effect of his poi- there is a single belief that underpins time, Dumas’s father rivalled soning while he was imprisoned. the book, it is summed up in this sen- Napoleon himself; later, he lan- However, in that span of time, he had tence: “Generally speaking, connec- guished in an Italian dungeon. The met his devoted wife Marie-Louise tivity encourages and enables altruis- Black Count is Tom Reiss’s story of and managed to father a son, who tic behaviour.” Dumas’s famous father. would grow up to be the future nov- Most The authors go to great In fact, Napoleon did his utmost elist, Alexandre Dumas. lengths to paint a rosy high-tech to scupper his rival. But General Alex — Anoop Verma ■

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 85 J EST A MINUTE N FU THOUGHTS! ■ by Subroto Mukherjee Road jetways!! In the US, flying cars are expected to become a reali- ty in the next 10 years. So obviously we are far ahead of the US in this. The way our drivers race like rocket- powered maniacs, flying cars are already a reality here in Mumbai! Ha, no wonder the authorities are out to remove the 4,500-odd bars along the highways in our Maharashtra state. After all, once these speed demons are fueled by road-side liquor, they zoom on the highways like jets PC & hann about to take off the runway! Gossip used to be that whenever PC went to the US, she’d swing with Gerard Butler. Now we hear that she hangs out with John Hann. Mustbe nice to breakfast on ham and eggs out there. Or is it Hann and eggs?

Divorcing parents Will Smith’s son Jaden is only 15 years young and already he wants to ‘divorce’ his parents — be legally free from their control. I am sure Will quipped in response to this : “So this is the penalty for marriage and sex — a Dreaded minister smart-ass kid!” On his return from his recent visit to Beijing, foreign For the love of dead VIPs minister Salman Khurshid Now in New Delhi, a special crematorium is in the said he’d love to live in that works for our shamelessly vainglorious VIPs. I strongly pretty city. You know what I object. I say, don’t let’s forget that in a democracy all are suspect? This is what he created equal, treated equal — and cremated equal. deemed the best thing about Beijing — no Arvind Kejriwal or his AAP to hound him out President Tipsy there! Milos Zeman was caught on camera quite tipsy and unsteady on his feet. Nice. ‘Drinkos Milos’, the Czech President can’t czech his own liquor intake.

86 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 No Tyson toon Mike Tyson to play a cartoon detective in an animat- ed TV series. Hey, if I were a culprit, I’d certainly dread having Tyson (in cartoon form or not) come after me and chew out my ear as instant punishment!

Mars-Mumbai With space travel promising flights to Mars in the near future, as many as 78,000 people world-wide have already applied to leave Earth and live on Mars. As for me, every time my eyes fall on the massive, Mars-like craters (potholes) in our Mumbai roads, I feel I am already living on Mars! Money rustling music A survey reveals that girls are more likely to be attract- ed to musicians than to sportsmen. But I say, even if you don’t carry a guitar, even if you can’t carry a tune, don’t fret. So long as you carry a heavy wallet, the rustle of cash is bound to be music to a girl’s ears.

First in shoe polish Writer’s Building, the Bengal Government’s HQ in Kolkata, has become the first in India to install automatic shoeshine machines. Hey, incidentally, it so happens that the state’s chit fund scam has just blackened the ruling TMC’s face with bright shoe polish!

Jail plights Poor Sanju Baba! Dreaded going to prison because there would be no clean loos, fans, pil- Crooked cricket lows or mosquito repel- Spot-fixing in the IPL? So what’s new? By now lents. He should look on shouldn’t it be obvious to us that it’s no longer cricket the bright side. He might but crooked? have been sent to live in a place where the living conditions are far worse — like any slum in No more ʻbunga-bungaʼ Mumbai. In Italy, the moment Berlo heard that he was going to jail for tax fraud, he appealed to the judge for certain special privileges as a VIP. But the judge was as prompt in turning down Berlo’s request. No, absolutely not! No special privi- leges like bunga-bunga with underage girls in prison!

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 87 N ATIONAL PARKS

Visiting Srivilliputhur A sanctuary for the giant Forest grizzled squirrel. ■ by R. Krishnamurthy

ucked in the south, in soons. The annual rainfall ranges wheeler ahead of a bridge over a nul- Virdhunagar district, is the from 800 mm to 2,300 mm. lah. He pointed out the brisk move- temple town of Srivilliputhur. Though a visit to this sanctuary ment of the grizzled squirrel, high on T It is noted throughout India for was long-pending in my list of sanc- the branches of a mango tree, on the its hoary temple of Sri Andal tuaries and national parks, a trip to right side of the road. The thick and the sweetmeat, pal kova. Srivilliputhur fructified in the third canopy did not afford a good view The presence of a sanctuary for week of May 2013, thanks to the for shooting a picture but, suddenly, the giant, grizzled squirrel (Ratufa assistant conservator of forests it frisked to a nearby branch and macroura dandolena) in the encircling (wildlife warden), in-charge of the stayed for a while. I successfully hill-ranges (Western Ghats) dotting sanctuary, when I expressed a desire trapped it in my camera with catch Rajapalayam, Srivilliputhur, Watrap to visit the squirrel sanctuary. light on its eye-ball. and Softur, has not caught the atten- Unlike Mudumalai and Bandipur, tion of either the holiday-maker or a where visitors troop in round-the- Fleeting creature casual visitor. It is creditable that the year, we were the lone visitors here, Tamil Nadu Forest Department has that day. The ACF had deputed forest On zooming its image on the moni- formed a sanctuary in 1989 for this guard Murugan to take us first to tor, its dorsal surface turned out to be arboreal rodent exclusively, when Shanbaga tope. At 8-30 a.m., after a brown, unlike the ones we shot later. focus is on protecting the carnivores brief rest and refreshing ourselves in Perhaps, the grey portion might be on and large herbivores. the rest-house, we motored to the back or it might have been the off- The sanctuary sprawls over an Shanbaga tope, at a distance of about spring of cross-breeding with the area of 480 square kilometres, cover- 8 km west of Srivilliputhur. Indian giant squirrel. However, it is ing Rajapalyam, Srivilliputhur, The traverse was pleasant, punc- recorded that the giant squirrel is either Watrap and Softur. It is contiguous to tuated with bright sunshine, though brownish grey or grey throughout. Periyar Tiger Reserve on the south- on the previous day a light shower Before I could ready myself to fol- western side and Megamalai reserve had occurred. On either side of the low its trajectory, it vanished into the in the north-western direction; in its cut-road, that branches off from the close canopy. Then, we shot some pic- southern limit is the Sivagiri forest of Rajapalayam road, there were ver- tures of the nest built with twigs, and Thirunelvelley. It is located on the dant, coconut topes and mango headed to the foothills. The hill range eastern slopes of the Western Ghats, groves, interspersed with crop fields. was in ochre blue and the green scrub- with a number of peaks reaching up The road zigzaged for a distance jungle, interspersed with tamarind, to 1,800 metres above sea-level. As and we were nearing Shanbaga tope, thani (bahera) and mango trees, present- such, it is sustained by both the mon- when the guard stopped his two- ed a perfect picture-postcard scenario.

88 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 nest. Unlike the palm the Ayyanar temple and taking a few squirrels, found in house snaps of the bonnet monkey, we compounds, the grizzled retreated to the rest-house in squirrels do not screech. Srivilliputhur for lunch. Afterwards, we drove The Srivilliputhur forests are rich off to the Rajapalayam in flora and fauna. At higher eleva- range, to study and photo- tions, montaine forests and grass- graph the flagship of the lands occur. At middle elevations, Srivilliputhur sanctuary. wet, evergreen and moist deciduous At the forest check-post, forests are found and, at the foothills, the forest guard of the we find scrub-jungle. area was readily available, to take us to A visitor need not be content only Ayyanar Kovil. En-route, we tried to with sighting the grizzled squirrel. sight the precious squirrel in the sylvan Trekking on this hill, for a distance of surroundings of the forest rest houses, about 10 km, from Shanbaga tope, but in vain. brings forth both faunal and avi-fau- nal wealth. Right from leopard to Enjoying rains wild dogs and from elephants and gaur to spotted deer, sambar, lion- Since it started drizzling, we tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, sloth rushed to Ayyanar Kovil, close to the bear, and slender loris can be seen. hills. It was cloudy but the day was Even at the foothills, they are seen bright. At length, the guard pointed sometimes. to a squirrel, nibbling the tender Mudaliar Oothu on the hill, where leaves and briskly frisking the a rest-house has been built during branches in search of food. As my British days, is the best place for sight- grandson and I tried to wrest control ing the Nilgiris tahr. The Pilavakkal of the camera, the rodent shifted its and Kovilar dams near Watrap draw perch to the dense foliage of vagai visitors to sight wildlife. Among the Near the hill-range, a small tem- (Albizzia lebeck). Still, I avi-fauna, the great ple for goddess Pechiamman, is could bring out some Indian hornbill, red- located. From this point, a trek of 4 good frames of the faced malkoha, Nilgiris km along the foot of the hill leads on squirrel in splen- fly-catcher and to Kattu Alagarkoil, where also one dorous grey. Further Malayan night heron can sight the grizzled giant squirrel wait for my subject did are seen. The main on tamarind trees. Tamarindus indica not yield dividends raptors are the serpent is preferred by the squirrel, followed since it gamboled into eagle, hawk and black by vagai, usil, neer marudu (Terminalia the inner recesses of eagle. Nearly 18 arjuna), thani (Terminalia bellarica), the crown. species of snakes and neem and mango. After a peep into 10 species of amphib- The rodent breeds once in a year ians, besides lizards, and brings forth only one offspring. It Quick facts: have been reported. builds its nest on the forked branches, The tributaries of ● where the crowns of neighbouring Accommodation can be secured at river Vaipar and other rivulets, that trees meet. This enables them jump Rajapalayam and Srivilliputhur. drain into Gundar, originate in the ● from tree to tree whenever threatened Srivilliputhur lies at a distance of 75 hilly tracts of this sanctuary. The dis- by predators. One will not find more km from Madurai. Buses ply at fre- tribution of the grizzled squirrel is than two nests in its home range. quent intervals from Madurai to restricted to seven riparian, dry Its feeding session is quite inter- Rajapalayam via Srivilliputhur. deciduous forests, such as Shanbaga ● esting and marvellous, in that it com- Prior permission has to be secured tope, Kattu Alagarkoil, Mudangiar, mences at 6 a.m. and lasts up to 11.00 from the Wildlife Warden, Giant Ayyanar Kovil, Kovilar dam, Grizzled Sanctuary, 7&8 Valakulam a.m. In the evening, it engages itself Pilavakal dam and Thaniparai. Street, Srivilliputhur-626125 (Phone in roaming for one hour, from 3 p.m. A visit to this sanctuary was No. 04563-260565) to 4 p.m., and then goes back to its indeed exhilarating. ■

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 89 S OCIAL RESISTANCE

Massacre-squads Dealing with ruthless, bloodthirsty murder squads. ■ by K. P. Menon t is quite a well-known fact that came to India along with some Syrian Travancore and Cochin had nothing military strengths and actions are Christian bishops and others in the but hostility. In Travancore, it was the indispensable to the existence of fourth century. It was a tradition diwan Veluthampy and in Cochin the I any nation. Till about 200 or so among the Syrian Christians to send minister Paliyath Achan who kept the years ago, there used to be in the at least one person from every family English under check from their usual armies of all countries a separate to join the army. During times of war obsession with meddling in local wing specially entrusted with the task they would serve their kings and at affairs. For this, both of them let loose of mercilessly slaughtering people other times sail to islands in the east their massacre-squads at the scene. belonging to the enemies and who to fetch pepper and other merchan - No sooner than the news of the would similarly be prepared to fight dise which on their way they would massacre-squads coming reached unflinchingly till their last breath. barter to foreigners for luxury and them than the Syrian Christians of Even in the erstwhile small semi-luxury commodities. The cus- the area called Karappuram – which princely states of Travancore and tomary vocation of these people was extending from Shertala to Kochi – Cochin, they used to have suicide extraction of oil form copra and other fled from their dwellings, mostly squads of reckless fiendishness. oil seeds; from them the traders from huts and cottages. Most of them took When these warriors were sent out to the west used to purchase oil and sell refuge deep inside a number of any country, they would slay with it in distant places. forests near the coastline. Some ven- the sword whosoever opposed them tured into the sea also to find places on their way. So, fearing imminent The Syrian Christians of security in islands nearby. In the death, people would start running in houses of those who left the coast, disorderly haste for saving their dear Thanks to their healthy business only the womenfolk stayed on, lives. That there were in those days a dealings with different types of peo- dreading all the while that at any few women of such extraordinary ple, their services as soldiers were moment they would become slices of courage that they returned alive also sought after by the Portuguese, meat under the machetes of the killer wholly unharmed from the Dutch and English. As these hordes: they had no way except to onslaughts of the killers sends a thrill Christians looked to no permanent hide themselves inside chicken- through our veins. friendships, they happened to be coops, pig-sties and ash-dumps. Syrian Christians were once a treated with little favour by the local Meanwhile another incident powerful force in Kerala. A group of kings and their chieftans. occurred: The palace of the British them owes its origin to St Thomas, It was with the English that these Resident situated in the island of Apostle of Jesus Christ and to Syrian Christians associated them - Bolghatty was surrounded by mas- Thomas of Canan, a merchant who selves closely in the end. At this, sacre-squad; they wanted to kill Lord

90 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 Macaulay the then representative Macaulay and all the soldiers To those on their knees praying, (resident) of the British, crown one of Macaulay threw a question, “Is there in the British ship disembarked in the best of his kind ever. On learning anyone who is prepared to take this Cochin. The massacre-squad about the threat to his life, he crawled message to Paliyath Achan?” At first, through a secret tunnel and hid him- which was about to slaughter the there was only silence all round. But, self in an underground cellar. After Christian women rushed off to one person named Chacko stood up decapitating all those boatmen and Cochin as soon as they heard of and said, “I shall.” And then he was labourers inside and around the resi- Macaulay landing there. lowered from the ship and sent in a dent’s palace, the massacre squads small country-boat with the message returned to cochin. From there they out the killing the next day. to Cochin. Singly, Chacko paddled to walked southwards in search of the Another incident worth mention- the Cochin shore. Waving the mes- houses of Syrian Christians. ing that took place at that time was sage over his head and screaming, As soon as this news spread, the that resident Macaulay who had “Macaulay’s warning, Macaulay’s Syrian Christian women who were escaped from the Bolghatty palace in warning,” he dashed to Paliyath putting themselves out of sight of the disguise of a fisherman had man- Achan’s palace. There was no one to everyone started running en masse to aged to board an ocean-going ship obstruct him. When he reached the the north; they wanted to apprise the then lying at anchor in the harbour. palace the sentries there did not queen-mother of their plight and He remained in this ship as it moved allow him to proceed. He threw plead for protection. By the time they to the open sea, away from the har- Macaulay’s message into the palace. reached the outskirts of Pallurathy bour. As it moved further, Macaulay As soon as he had carried out his (two kilometres form saw a number of coun- promise, he dropped dead. Thoppinpady in try boats drifting in the Ernakulam), they saw a waters. He asked the British rescue huge massacre-squad captain of the ship to bearing down upon direct it towards the Before the break of dawn the next them most menacingly. country boats. It was day, the people in Macauylay’s ship What could the women when he neared them saw a vessel looming in the north. It do? They all knelt that he came to know was later found to be a British ship. down and howled (bet- that all of them actually There were 120 soldiers on it. ter to say ‘hollered’ in carried the Syrian Macaulay moved near that ship and the style of hunters urg- Christians who had spoke to its captain, “I am the British ing their dogs to chase fled from the Cochin- Resident here; follow me to the har- deers and foxes). “You Karappuram shores. bour.” Macaulay and all the soldiers Lord Macaulay can kill us, you can kill They were all lifted in the British ship disembarked in us. Here, we extend our necks and into the ship and saved form being Cochin. The massacre-squad which bend our heads!” they cried. marooned. was about to slaughter the Christian On seeing so many women They told Macauy that they had women rushed off to Cochin as soon together sitting before them deman - come to sea in the boats on hearing as they heard of Macaulay landing ding immediate death, the men in the that the massacre squads had come to there. In the fierce battle that ensued massacre-squad seemingly lost their their region and were very anxious almost three-fourths of the massacre- nerve, perhaps for the first time, and about what had happened to their squad perished. stood transfixed for some time stun- women. We are sure they would have The Syrian Christian ladies who ningly embarrassed. Then they sent a all been wiped out,” they wailed. were on their knees stood up, raised messenger to Paliyath Achan seeking Listening to them keenly, he said, “I their hands and started singing. to be told what they should do now. am totally helpless now, now not in The vestiges of old monstrosities When the messenger reached any way better than all of you. I sug- still exist; in some countries a little, in Paliyath Achan, there was an gest let us pray.” All of them knelt on many others it is rampantly. But the astrologer also there. On being asked the deck of the ship and started pray- difference from the old days and whether all the women mentioned by ing. Macaulay prepared a message to today is that the Human Rights the massacre squad might not be be sent to Paliyath Achan: “If you Watch conducts regular systematic killed forthwith, the astrologer opined behave cruelly towards the Christian investigations of human rights prac- that, as it was a Friday, slaughter was women, the backlash the Hindu tices of governments of all geopoliti- forbidden. Accordingly, Paliyath women have to face would be twice cal alignment and of all ethnic and Achan ordered his people to carry more brutal!” religious persuasions. ■

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 91 R ELATIONS From the diary of a ‘gigolo’ It is not all about sexual relationship that can be bought with money. ■ by Sumit Paul

he year was 2007 and the The drawing room was tastefully ing cigarettes by her sadist ‘hus- month was April. I was read- decorated. I asked her about her fam- band’. I genuinely felt sorry for her. ing a Persian newspaper in a ily and she told me that she was liv- Yet, being a man, I didn’t want her to T restaurant at Koregaon Park, ing with a North Indian builder, who hide her modesty behind a piece of Pune, which is, frequented by was very abusive. cloth! She kept talking and crying. Iranians. I was all alone. Suddenly, I I was scared but then she told me “Want to sleep?” she asked me. I said heard a voice, “May I sit?” I looked not to worry as he was in Bangalore. yes. She ushered me into a swanky up and saw an Iranian lady. “Sure”, I “That’s why I’ve called you,” she bedroom and said sorry for spoiling said. “You don’t exactly look like an said rather mischievously. Then she my evening. She went to her bed- Iranian but you read Persian,” she began to tell me where she came from room and slept. told me in her halting English. I and how she landed in India and fell In the morning, I saw her ready smiled and told her that I could in love with her builder partner. But with a complete veg breakfast. She speak and write the language better she was courteous enough to serve looked pretty relaxed and jovial. She than any Iranian settled in India. me a sumptuous dinner which com- asked me whether I could sleep well. She was visibly happy and began prised all meat preparations! I told her frankly that I kept thinking to converse in her rusty Persian. The When she realised that I was a the whole night why on Earth did she Iranian Shia settlers in India can pure vegetarian, she made some invite me to her place. She said that speak Persian but it has lost that typ- quick veg preparations and joined she wanted to unburden herself of ical Persian edge of Iran. Though her me. She also didn’t take any non-veg the pent-up angst and sorrows. Persian grated on my ears, inured to in deference to my preference for veg. Then she gave me an envelope. I hearing the finest Persian, I also start- She was crying and narrating her sob understood that it contained ‘filthy ed talking to her. story. I was wondering what to do. lucre’. I hesitated to accept but she She told me that she was 49 years While talking, she began to take her said it was a gift of affection from an old. “Would you please have dinner clothes off and started showing the older lady. She dropped me back at at my place?” I said, okay. She drove marks of beatings all over her body. my place and thanked me profusely. I me to her place which wasn’t less She even showed her private opened the envelope and found than a mansion at Koregaon Park. parts, which were singed with burn- 10,000 rupees in it. Now I felt sorry for the lonely lady and the entire caboodle of gigolo business began to unfold before me. It’s not always the body and sexual gratification that’s expected from a ‘paid lover’. Though I wasn’t a gigo- lo, she thought that she could take a young man to her place and unbosom herself to him. Society has a very wrong notion about women who seek the services of young men. I don’t deny the sexual aspect. It does hap- pen and it generally takes place. But a woman also needs someone who can hear and give his ‘precious’ time. F ANTASY

Almost 200 years back, gigolos used to be old women’s ‘dancing part- Lovemaking while bathing ners’. The very word ‘gigolo’ has a Dutch root. ‘Gig’ means ‘foot-tapping’ other Mughals a kind of love-potion in 18th century Dutch. In Salsa, a form ‘to explore the feminine self’. of dance, raped by the Indians, there’s In Europe, the US and also in still a step called ‘gig’....lo, lo’ (to con- India, there are different solutions note synchronisation of body parts). available that are meant for the froth- It assumed sexual connotations iness of water, especially tepid water, much later. Agreed, there were gigo- to make bathtub sex memorable and los (hired lovers) in ancient Rome, much more exciting. Man always Greece and the Arab peninsula but looks for newness — nay kinkiness they were just sex machines and — in sex. well-hung studs who were forlorn of any emotion. Neither did the women Greek thinking show their emotional side to such ‘slam-bam, thank you ma’am’ type There’s a 3000-year-old Greek faceless bed partners. belief that water is the best catalyst for physical proximity. Greek men Knowing woman and women always bathed together ike bathing together, love-mak- and it was ritualistic in ancient Woman is an emotional being. She ing in a bathtub has always Greece for a couple to take baths wants a man to hear her story. She appealed to the erotic fantasies together for four consecutive days needs a listener who can lend his or L of those who love to add spice after marriage. This could be called her ears. Since men are often more to the banality of their sexual the precursor to the modern ‘under- patient listeners and less bitchy than existence. There is nothing like mak- shower sex’ or ‘bathtub sex’. women, they’re preferred over ing love in a bathtub. Since it is much Water is believed to enhance sexu- women. I know many men who have more relaxing and safe than having a al desire. In Kalhan’s Rajatrangini, admitted that women took them quickie under the shower, a number Kashmiri kings loved to see their home but didn’t do anything, yet of couples prefer it. There’s no appre- women swim au naturel in the glassy they were handsomely paid. hension of slipping in the washroom waters of Kashmir’s celestial lakes on Because of the involvement of if couples make love in a tub. the nights of the full moon. They moolah, a woman’s non-physical ses- The original concept of the would also join the beautiful women sion with usually a young man Turkish Bath came from ‘lovemaking swimming in the buff. slumps into something shady. What a la Turkey in a hamaam’. Since It is interesting to learn that the the world sees is never the truth. hamaams were meant for many peo- Sanskrit word ‘jal-kreeda’ is actually a Seeing is not always believing. To ple bathing together, the Turkish elite synonymous for ‘love-making in the know a person or phenomenon, one’s and aristocrats made specific water’. Abron Muir’s book entire life is too brief. Not all gigolos hamaams (ghuslkhanas) for the pur- Mythological symbols and their interpre- are sex maniacs and not all women pose of love-making in the solitude. tations analyses Krishna’s predilec- who entertain gigolos are sex-starved. That 13th-century concept of ‘erot- tion for seeing gopis take baths in the That Iranian lady often called me ic bath’ percolated down to the plea- Kalindi (River Yamuna) in terms of afterwards and gave precious gifts sure-seeking lifestyle of the Mughals. man’s primordial fascination for but we never slept together. She left Shahjahan was very fond of a bathing beauties. India in December 2009 and sent me a Turkish-style erotic bath and wopuld Krishna would steal their clothes letter written in incorrect Persian that indulge in love-making with the and make the naked and drenched read: “Thanks for patiently listening choicest queens reciprocally soaping gopis beg him to return the clothes. to my wails and laments. No one ever and lathering each other. That wet sight of a naked woman is sat with me to hear my sorrows and Though soap, in the usual sense of man’s ‘earliest civilisational fantasy’, to sufferings. You were an exception.” the word, didn’t come into existence, quote Sigmund Freud, the high priest Despite not being a gigolo, her Shahjahan would use jasmine oil of sexual psychology. That is the rea- appreciation gladdened my soul and with wild honey for lathering his son, man still finds love-making in the I still remember her with respect and queens and concubines. This concoc- washroom so exciting and naughty. fondness. ■ tion is frothy. So it gave him and — Dr. Sumit S. Paul ■

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 93 F INANCE

ClosureClosure ofof bankbank branchesbranches

New banks or consolidation of banks: which way to go? ■ by Ramanand Sharma n the eve of his retirement, globalisation” and the mounting tion of the Banking Regulation Act Financial Service Secretary non-performing assets (NPA) have, and RBI norms. D.K. Mittal had hinted that over the years, been threatening the Till nationalisation, the bank O the loss-making branches of very foundations of the banking branches were mainly confined to public sector banks might be industry. The policy-makers, intellec- cities and towns. Following the poli- asked to shut down or relocated and tuals and economic writers had cy-shift – that, for every three village have scaled down staff strength, as warned about it long back and even branches, one branch was in the urban part of rationalisation process in the cautioned the industry. area – and also to fulfill the social banking industry. He even added In the late ‘60s, when Indira obligation to provide banking facility that, after all, branches were set up to Gandhi nationalised the banks in one to everyone, the branch network got earn profit and, if they were found to stroke, the word ‘profit’ was deleted expanded to every nook and corner of be making losses for more than 12 overnight from the banking industry. the country. There was little or no con- months, the cases should be certainly It became a most-hated word. The sideration of commercial viability. looked into. The banking industry purpose of banking was redrafted Even the absence of basic infra- was said to be working, right now, in and redefined to serve the poor and structure and minimum civic ameni- this regard. the downtrodden. The concept of ties did not stop the public sector It is a wake-up call to bankers. commercial banking gave way to banks from going across the country. But, for those who have been watch- social banking. Those who talked of And, today, the bank network has ing closely the developments in the profits in the bank were dubbed as over 95,000 branches in the country. banking industry since the days of reactionaries and enemies of the poor. The non-performing assets (NPA) nationalisation of banks in the 1970s Loans were demanded as a right of banks, which was Rs 68,597.09 crore and ‘80s, the financial secretary's in the banks and even disbursed as on 31-12-2010, reached Rs 1,53,000 statement has not come as a surprise. against ration-cards. Loan melas were crore on 31-12-2012. The banking The much-debated and appreciated arranged at huge rallies. Loans were industry and its activities are so com- “opening up of the economy and given in open grounds, in contraven- plicated that it cannot bring down the

94 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 B UILDING EMPIRE staff strength, as suggested by the ministry or on its own. And, in reality, there is a staff crunch in the banking An idea industry also. This is one area where banks find it very difficult to make any move as it is sure to invite the can change your life wrath of the powerful trade unions. There is no scope to bring down Believe it or not! ■ by I.M. Soni the cost of operations either, as emphasised in various banking and cartoon. Brooding yielded no result. industry platforms. Banks are incur- In sheer exasperation, he threw ring heavy revenue expenditure on together a cartoon of random sports hardware, software and telephone facts, which he captioned Chumps and bills to support its ambitious Core Champs. He was certain he would be Banking Solution. Moreover, banks fired. From this cartoon, entitled are adding more products to their Champs or Chumps, Ripley’s Believe It service outlets, almost every day. Or Not! empire was born. This was the turning-point of his The rationale yet-to-be-found professional life. One small insignificant idea and he was It appears that these hard realities, on his way to stupendous success! along with the ever-rising NPA fig- But there is a twist in the tale — he ures, might have prompted the had been drawing cartoons finance ministry to think about ratio- for years but it failed to nalisation of the branch network, to draw attention, much save the banking industry from ou have probably less praise. For nearly a going the Air-India way. It seems to laughed away this decade, his effort verged be the only – and best – way to save idea! How can one on the doom. In fact, he the banking industry, which is show- Y idea change one’s once observed that he ing signs of sinking. life? The fact is that worked and starved for 10 The closure of branches is not a it can — and history has years and then became big thing. But almost all loss-making recorded instances. If you famous in 10 minutes! branches are in rural and semi-urban doubt the veracity of the This is what happened. areas. Will it comply with the gov- statement, read on. He created a sensation, ernment’s agenda of rural uplift, He was the son of a carpen- when he said that farmer’s interests and the ambitious ter. The father predicted doom for Linderbergh was the 67th man to Financial Inclusion programme? him if he opted for a life of an artist. make a non-stop flight across the Ironically, in the Budget 2009-10, Instead, he wanted him to become a Atlantic Ocean! William Randolph there was a proposal to start new plumber or a brick-layer. Hearst saw that drawing and was banks (yet to be implemented; it is The young man stumped. He invited this still in the drawing-board stage but joined three newspapers, artist to draw a cartoon for expected to roll out in six months). one after another, and his newspapers on a daily And now, there is talk of closure of was shown the door by basis. This swept the artist branches and the finance minister's all of them. It is a different to the sky of recognition. ambitious consolidation of banks and matter that, eventually, he His drawing titled the exclusive Mahila Bank. What a made more money than Chumps and Champs was contradiction! the owners of those three changed to Believe it or not! Is there really a political will to newspapers did. The cartoonist is Robert close the branches? Or is it really a This good-for-nothing Ripley, who made mil- gimmick? The million-dollar ques- young man had never lions by making people gasp. tion is: Will any politician allow clo- learnt drawing and yet he plunged He showed Dale Carnegie a message sure of a bank branch in his area? into cartooning. One cold day in on a grain of rice, which had 715 Where is the banking industry in 1918, this obscure newspaper illus- words. Believe it or not — an idea can India heading? ■ trator sat brooding for an idea for a change your life. ■

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 95 A LTERNATIVES

Solar energy highways The day is not far when humans will be using the energy from the sun. ■ by U.Muralikrishna

s the world focuses on renew- mean that the panels could be placed spread out on land. “The price of land able energy, scientists are along/over our roadways, or the and its availability are constraints in looking more and more roads themselves can be made of the development of solar power, espe- A towards the sun. These days, solar panels. cially in India,” says Harinarayana, we can find solar panels (pho- Scientists at the Gujarat Energy director of GERMI. “Our proposal tovoltaic cells) just about every- Research and Management Institute overcomes this obstacle by using the where. They work by using semi- (GERMI) suggest that highways can space over the highways for placing conductors to absorb light and create be used to generate solar power, if a the photovoltaic panels. This space a flow of electrons, which can power roof of solar panels was laid over can contribute to energy-generation any number of electrical devices. them, across the length of the roads. without extra land costs.” The sun showers the earth with an The photovoltaic panels, that convert Each mile of solar roadways could energy equivalent of one KWw/ sunlight into electricity, are normally produce power to run as many as 500 square metre. A 12-ft by 12-ft panel is homes. Case studies were carried out, capable of producing 7.6 units of using computer simulation on two power each day. The total energy highways passing through Gujarat. demand of the world is 15,000 giga They estimate that a photovoltaic watts. The solar energy collected roof-cover over the four-lane, 205- from as little as 5,000 square miles is km-long, Ahmedabad-Rajkot high- sufficient to feed the entire world. way can generate 104 MW of power, Where is the place to put the solar while the 93-km-long Ahmedabad- cells? We have a network of roads all Vadodara national highway can gen- over the country. Put both together erate 61 MW of electricity. and you get a unique solution: solar The four-lane, 5,839-km-long panels on our highways. This could Golden Quadrilateral Highway, for

96 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 example, connecting Delhi, Mumbai, on them, they will collect solar power Harnessing alternative Chennai and Kolkata, can potentially that can supply power to our homes generate 4,418 MW of power while and businesses. energy the North-South-East-West corridor The solar highways consist of indi- highway of 7,300 km, connecting vidual panels with three layers – a top In 2008, the Oregon Department of Srinagar, Kanyakumari, Porbandar layer of high-strength, textured glass, Transportation installed a row of 594 and Silchar, has a 5,524 MW capacity that provides traction for vehicles; an solar panels at an interchange near of power-generation. array of solar cells beneath that for two interstate highways. The panels “The same concept can be extended gathering energy; and a base plate that are designed to supply 104 kilowatts for use on the 52,584-km-long national distributes the collected power. The of power necessary to run the high- and state highways in India with four panels contain LED lights, powered by way’s lights at night. lanes or more,” the scientists said. the sun, that can act as road and warn- A British firm developed a road ing signs, built into the road itself. stud that contains small solar panels and emits LED light to illuminate dark Solar highway benefits Having a source of electricity beneath the cars at all times would roadways. On the 120 UK roads The shade provided by the over- make it easy for electric vehicles to where the new studs have been head solar panels would result in stay charged at roadside stations, installed, night time accidents are improved vehicle-efficiency, better clearing the major hurdle that electric down by 70 per cent. mileage and longer tyre life, besides vehicles face – finding a place to A Dutch firm has developed a way reduction in road-maintenance costs. charge their batteries. to siphon solar heat from asphalt road “Another benefit of having a roof Caltech solar energy expert Nate surfaces and use it to de-ice roads and over the highways is rain-water har- Lewis suggests that, covering just 1.7 to help power nearby buildings. A lat- vesting at selected locations,” he said. per cent of the continental US land- ticework of pipes under the road sur- The solar highway concept can surface with photovoltaic solar col- face allows water to heat up during generate jobs for both skilled and lectors could produce enough power warm weather. The water is then unskilled people. to meet the USA’s total energy pumped deep underground where it Some are proposing that we build demand. The inter-state highway maintains its higher temperatures and the roads themselves out of solar system already covers about that can be retrieved months later to keep panels. Plans are afoot to create struc- much of the nation’s land surface. road surfaces ice-free during winter turally-engineered rows of solar pan- With improvements in the effi- months. Apartment buildings, industrial els that cars and trucks can actually ciency of solar collectors in recent parks and an air force base have ben- efited from the innovation. drive on. And, while we are driving years, scientists believe that the sys-

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 97 P OEM tem, if implemented from coast to coast in place of the tarmac on existing highways, could produce enough energy to meet the electricity needs of the entire world. Viable solution How feasible is this plan? For one, it would be quite costly. Each panel costs about $7,000 to build, and the to Parliament hung plan calls for billions of them to cover the roadways. Installation would take huge amounts of time and Realised MPs wise the vice o’ Parliaments hung, money, and so would training people to maintain them where each faction — Government ’n the Opposition, properly. It would take several years before the electric- Owes its power to parties minor, ity generated by the panels would recoup their own The grateful principals pamper ’em in return cost. For this reason, smaller-scale projects are the best with portfolios important, place to start. Also changing ’eir manifestoes post-elections, Then there is the question of durability. Our roads ’N facing ire of citizen, who had voted on manifesto original, take lots of punishment from trucks, and they could be ’N now don’t approve of manifests coalition, damaged in traffic accidents. Also, oil-spills could seep Yet the thankless parties in minorities, into the expensive, electronic circuitry, requiring them Focus consistently on ’eir ends narrow. to be replaced or repaired often. The cost of repairing So resolved the MPs wise, these solar panels is more expensive than it would be To adopt changes in system o’ election general for fixing ordinary, asphalt roads. And if we depend with independents, nay the parties political, on the solar cells for traffic signals and power for elec- would contest elections general, tric cars, what happens if the sunlight collectors where candidates would woo electorates, become damaged? On merits of ’eir own, Then, there is the big problem with cloudy days. ’N elect the returned MPs from amongst ’emselves, Current solar-power technology is very inefficient – The PM ’n the leader of Opposition, most solar panels only convert about 14 per cent of On voting the manifesto National, o’ candidate each, as a PM, available energy into electricity. This is why solar ener- with optees preferring to sit in Opposition worthy, gy is considered to be only one type of renewable ener- Form then a system vibrant, democratic, gy source rather than the sole source of power – where only two parties post-elections in Parliament, because it is difficult to rely on. Government ’n the Opposition, obviate the vice o’ Parliament hung. Clean energy at home — Sudha Agarwal Solar installations are expensive and knowing the Indians’ penchant for stealing public installations, rang- ing from street water-taps to transformers, the panels and other hardware are likely to end up in recycling shops. On the other hand, if solar photovoltaic systems are made locally and sold at an affordable cost, every per- manent household could be encouraged to cover their terrace/roof with solar panels to generate enough electricity to power the whole nation. Small drops make an ocean! Micro-solar programms could make each individual household a power-generator and reduce their power bills as well as generate massive amounts of clean energy that feed the grid. Any malfunction could be isolated to individual installations. It is economical to invest in individual, captive, solar systems for households. The responsibil- ity of the system’s maintenance falls on the household and not on the government. Despite these drawbacks, there is no doubt that solar panel highways are a unique and groundbreak- ing idea. It is time to get rid of our fossil-fuel addiction and run on a more eco-friendly power source. ■

98 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 Rules & Regulations

1. The competition is open to all photographers: amateurs and professionals. 2. Anybody can submit any number of photographs. They must be accompanied by the coupon given below. 3. Photographs should be in 12cm x 18cm (5” x 7”) size, in colour. 4. Every photograph must have the tag in Photo Competition front/back mentioning: (1) Name and era Spe address of the entrant, (2) Title, (3) m ak Location, (4) Camera used. am s C 5. In the case of single person photographs, all photographs must be accompanied

● ● by a certificate by the entrant that he has A

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s PP s photographed and in case any dispute ii dd arises, he will be responsible for any cc rr t tu oo damage/ loss caused to the publishers in rr W this matter. e d iis an 6. A certificate that the photograph is Thous entirely an original work and has not ● st ● nd been published or utilised in any manner 1 Prize • 1000 2 Prize • 600 anywhere else previously must ● rd accompany every entry. 3 Prize • 350 7. In case of prize-winning entries, complete copyright in terms and rules will rest with Plus Consolation Prizes of • 150 Each the publishers of Alive. 8. Proper sized, stamped and self-addressed envelope must accompany the entries for the return of unaccepted photographs; other-wise they will not be returned. 9. Alive magazine does not undertake any responsibility for any loss or damage to the photographs in transit or otherwise. 10. In case of any dispute, only Delhi Courts will have the jurisdiction in this matter. ✂ I am sending along with this coupon photograph (s) for ALIVE PHOTO COMPETITION. I agree to all the terms and conditions of the competition and certify that the photographs sent are my own personal work and have not been published or utilised in any manner anywhere else previously.

Name (IN BLOCK LETTERS)______Address______City______State______Pin code______Country______Email:______Mail to: PHOTO COMPETITION EDITOR, Alive Magazine, Delhi Press, Rani Jhansi Road, New Delhi 110055. www.caravanalive.com S OFT CORNER WOMEN All the way Argentinian- American actress Julie Gonzalo poses for the TV show Dallas at the 53rd Monte- Carlo Television Festival in Angelina Jolie, Monaco. special envoy, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, speaks before a United Nations Security Council meeting on Women and Peace and Security and Sexual Violence in Conflict at UN headquarters in New York. Actress/singer Jennifer Lopez is honoured with the 2500th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, California.

Franceʼs Marion Bartoli poses with the winnerʼs Venus Rosewater Dish after beating Germanyʼs Sabine Lisicki in womenʼs singles final of The Championships 2013 in Wimbledon, southwest London. Female visitors pose for photographers beside the swimming pool during the opening ceremony of the swimming facilities at the Oiso Long Beach in Oiso, some 80-kilometre southwest of Tokyo.

South Korean pop French star “Girlʼs designer Zahia Generation” member Dehar, the Seo-hyun attending former escort 2013 Kolon F/W girl, poses fashion show in during the Seoul. inauguration of her shop in Paris. TV star Farrah Abraham Kimberly Perry of The Band Perry arrives at the Sapphire performs during the 2013 CMA Music Pool & Day Club in Las Festival in Nashville, Tennessee. Vegas, Nevada.

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 101 Female shoppers in swimwear starts the “semi-naked party” at the Spanish clothing brand Desigual shop in Tokyo as part of “semi- naked party,” the first in Asia.

French reality TV star Nabilla Benattia presents a creation by Jean Paul Gaultier during the Haute Couture Fall-Winter collection show, in Paris.

British model Naomi Actress Meagan Good arrives Campbell presents creations at the 2013 BET Awards at the Nokia by Italian designer Donatella Theatre in Los Angeles. Versace in Paris.

102 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Shyla Smith (R) and Courtney Burdeshaw hold hands in the west chapel during their wedding ceremony at the Manhattan Marriage Bureau in New York City.

Captains of the national womens rugby teams pose with the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens trophy in front of the landmark St.Basilʼs cathedral at the Red Square in Moscow. A member of the “Avocadoo” club performs a pole dance on a street sign pole in Lodz, central Poland.

Competitors pose in swimsuits during the Miss World Next Top Model 2013, at the Casino Du Liban, north of the capital Beirut. D ISARMAMENT US to arm India! A tongue-in-cheek look at Indo-US negotiations. ■ by S. Raghunath

high-level delegation of the come to an ignominious nought. We have to be negative at this point in members of the powerful therefore ask the US to consider sell- time. Such a sale would not be in the United States Senate Armed ing India few squadrons of its M1A best US national security interests, A Services Committee was in Abrams battle tanks.” but my little grandson Joey makes New Delhi recently and dur- “Gentlemen, welcome to marvellously realistic toy tanks using ing a meeting with the Prime Washington. It’s our earnest commit- an ordinary wooden creel available Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, they ment to do everything possible to in any good tailor shop, a bit of deter- reportedly told him, “Just tell us strengthen India militarily as we gent soap and a rubber string and a what you want by way of arms and regard India as a force for stability matchstick to serve as a high-velocity, military supplies and we’ll see how and peace in the sub-continent, but 199 recoilless cannon. We shall be best we can help you.” I’m afraid that our response to your happy to consider selling a few of Taking the American law makers’ request for the Abrams tanks will these toy tanks to India.” literally at their word, a high-level team of senior defence ministry offi- cials has gone to Washington to meet the US Defence Secretary Charles (Chuck) Hegel. Let’s sit in on their discussions and see how they go. “Mr Secretary, we wish to get these talks rolling by briefing you about the Indian Army’s immediate needs. As you know, our efforts to develop an indigenous main battle tank have

104 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 “Thanks you, Mr Secretary. Your offer of Joey’s toy tanks should significantly enhance the Indian Army’s deep-strike armour power and its capabilities to fight a two front battles with China and Pakistan. “For the Indian Navy, we ask the US to favourably con- sider selling a few Spruance-class guided missile destroyers.”

Clarifications “Gentlemen, the US has an open-ended and long-term commitment to strengthen and modernise the Indian Navy which has a crucial role to play in securing sea lanes, mar- itime economic zones and security in the Indian Ocean region, but I regret that we’ll have to turn down your request for US guided missile destroyers. Such a sale would adverse- ly tilt the military balance of power against Pakistan which is a vital ally in the fight against global terrorism, but Joey, the tank expert, is equally adept at fashioning paper boats with which he conducts daring and brilliant naval exercises and manouevres in his bath tub. The US would be willing to con- sider, in principle, a few of these paper boats for India.” “Mr Secretary, your offer of paper boats should enhance the Indian Navy’s technological punch and ‘blue water’ capabilities by a factor of three. “Now for the Indian Air Force, we ask the US to con- sider selling a few squadrons of its high-end F-18 Super Hornet air superiority fighter-bombers.” “Gentlemen,we’ve great admiration for the Indian Air Force which we regard as a professional and modern fight- ing force, but I’m sorry, again. I’ve to say no to your request for the F-18 Super Hornets since such a sale would interface with the administration’s overseas military weapons export policy. But Washington area high school students, in their hobby class, make and fly realistic scale models of toy planes. We would be inclined to respond positively to India’s request for the sale of these toy planes and aeromodels.” “Mr Secretary, we warmly welcome your offer to equip the Indian Air Force with state-of-the-art,fly-by-wire toy planes and aeromodels. “The Indian delegation is happy that negotiations for massive arms purchases from the US have been favourably concluded.” ■

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 105 C ONCERN Elder Abuse Some Harsh Facts Succour for the oldies is becoming overdue. ■ by Jasvinder Sharma

ore than 20 per cent – in fact, 23 per cent – of the elderly, across India, said that they M experienced abuse in their own homes. This abuse included disrespect, neglect, verbal abuse, and beating/slapping. The findings were part of Help Age India’s report Elder Abuse in India 2013, released on the eve of ‘World Elder Abuse Awareness Day’. Nationally, daughters-in-law were the primary perpetrators of abuse (39%), followed by sons (38%). In tier-2 cities, a disturbing fact emerged 2025, it is projected to be more than towards the margins. They do not – that 17 per cent elderly faced abuse 20 per cent of the total population. want that society should just ignore at the hands of their daughters. The This large group of aged and non- them because their bodily prowess 2013 survey was conducted in 24 productive people is going to create has diminished. cities of 20 states, involving 6,548 complications for the whole world, if Among the old, the problems of respondents above 60 years of age. no proper planning is initiated now. women – single, divorced and wid- India has an estimated 10 crore senior Apart from food and shelter, the owed – are different from those of citizens and their number is expected old people need care and medicines. men. The problems of the disabled to increase to 31.5 crore by 2050. They also crave love, affection and and senile are of a special kind. Life-expectancy has increased and tender care. They would like to inter- Society does not even realise that a birth-rate has come down. A decade act, to be heard, to be visible, and serious human, social and economic back, nine per cent of the world’s would like a bit of space of their own problem is at hand, which needs population was in the age-group of and have a constructive and creative immediate, specialised attention. above-60 years, but now, it has shot role to play in society. In India, the problem is far more up to 16 per cent. And, by the year They do not want to be pushed complex. A large number of people live in rural areas. Migration from rural to urban areas is substantial, which creates problems for the aged at both ends. If children go to urban areas, leaving behind the aged in the rural areas, that creates one set of prob- lems. And, if the old are taken along, it creates another set of problems. The elderly form one of the most vulnerable groups in society. Police files report a skyrocketing crime-rate against them. Hardly any day goes by without a horror story in the media about the plight of elderly par- ents – abandoned or abused.

106 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 Police records reveal that the anx- iety is not unfounded. The number of Elder Abuser elderly seeking protection in Delhi Out-of-Home Relationship to Victim has jumped three times in the last Service Provider, three months. They fear goons, 0% builders and even their children. The In-Home Service Mumbai Police helpline for senior Provider, 3% folks gets over 80 calls a day – from Friend/neighbour, medical to travel information; from 6% simple advice to friendly chats — to ease loneliness. Other relative, 9% The elders report that their chil- dren have turned against them once Child, 47% Spouse, 19% the family property has been signed over. The family, where everyone works, turns cruel. They lock up Parent, 0% Alzheimer’s patients and leave for the day. Sometimes, neighbours call Grandchild, 9% Sibling, 6% in to report well-dressed, old people suddenly living in the neighbour- sons for this erratic behaviour. room in some old-age home; the not- hood park, after being tossed out of The oldies are fighting back, too. so-lucky are left to fend for them- their homes. To beat the insecurity of old age, they selves. Sometimes, if they can afford are moving into pay-and-stay homes, it, the old people themselves opt for Suffering continues that offer an honourable lifestyle. In the old-age home, after being fed up many states, like Kerala, Karnataka, with the perpetual neglect and insult The post-globalisation generation Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry, day- heaped upon them by their children. has not really experienced a great care centres for the elderly are turn- However, one thing is certain: deal of hardship. They shop in malls, ing out to be a great hit among the whether the children desert their old patronise private schools and hospi- working couples. A good number of parents or the parents themselves tals, relax in gyms and spas. They these residents have their kith and decide to live separately, away from want to be rich and they are willing kin living abroad. the company of their children and to work hard for it. Careers, especial- If the old people are fortunate grandchildren, it is the heart of the ly for women, are blooming. enough, their sons and daughters-in- old people that bleeds most. They feel As life becomes busier, there is less law might find for them a place or a the pangs of separation most. ■ time to look after their homes. Women working outside the family have fixed schedules of work and SHACKLES OF SUPERSTITION have other pressures. Children are loaded with their studies. It can be A commercial gimmick either of them dies if its partner dies. tougher for those, who are facing the I parted ways with my two girl- dual pressure of the ‘sandwich gener- Almost six months back, I got a friends the moment I brought home ation’ – raising young children and gift from a friend. It was a pair of the gift!! caring for the ageing parents. Mandarin ducks. It signifies harmo- Though it was just a coincidence Families in urban areas are becom- ny in love affairs and if one is facing as I don't believe in the fiddlesticks, ing nuclear and smaller. As a result, some problems in his/her marriage, called Feng Shui or Vastu Shastra, there are few people available in the the pair of Mandarin ducks drives my point is how can a pair of lovey- house, to provide care and comfort to away all problems enabling the per- dovey ducks bring about harmony the aged. Those available are torn by son to tie the knot soon. It's believed and feelings of love? It's obvious the stresses of urban living. in Chinese folklore that the ducks that this is a commercial gimmick. The authority, that the ageing exer- cannot live without each other and — Dr Sumit Paul cised on their children in the past, as a result of greater experience, has almost Send your entry written neatly on white paper to: ALIVE vanished. The aged are now told, “You Delhi Press, E-3, Jhandewala Estate, New Delhi-110 055. A prize of Rs 200 is given to all published items. don’t know.” And there are many rea-

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 107 R EEL ROMANCES

Older, wiser, but still a dream girl

Going by the convention is convenient. But the

real risk is in going Akshay Khanna and Dimple Kapadia in against it. ■ by A.C. Tuli Dil Chahta Hai.

o eyebrow is raised when a romancing a hero who was much, an actor, Ashok Kumar’s leading-lady 45-year-old man is cast as a much younger than her. In Khiladiyon in many films was Devika Rani, who romantic hero opposite a 22- Ka Khiladi, her sizzling bathing was some six years older than him. N year-old girl in a Hindi film. scenes with Akshay Kumar bordered Nutan, too, was cast in a romantic The belief, that the-beau-is- on the erotica. And Akshay Kumar is lead opposite Amitabh Bachchan in always-older-than-his-belle, enjoys 15 years younger than Rekha! Saudagar. She was about six years the sanctity of a tradition in our In Dil Chahta Hai (2002) the 1957- senior to Amitabh in age. country. But, in recent years, we have born Dimple Kapadia became the The joke about Dev Anand, that seen some films, and also some TV sweetheart of the 1975-born Akshay people never ceased to relish, was serials, in which the leading lady is Khanna. The conservatives among the that he enjoyed billing and cooing much older than her leading man. cine-goers could not quite digest this with heroines, who were almost his It is, however, a separate matter topsy-turvydom in the world of lovers. daughter’s age. And, at the fag-end that most actresses lie about their However, Sridevi, Rekha and of his career, he even romanced girls age! It is not unusual with them to Dimple Kapadia are not the only who could have been his grand- knock off three to four years from actresses to work with younger daughters! But Dev Anand, too, had their age, to be thought younger than heroes. Looking back, one finds that to work with heroines much older they actually are. the history of filmdom is replete with than him, when he began his acting Remember that inconsequential instances of leading ladies being career with Hum Ek Hain (1946). TV serial Malini Aiyer, in which an older than their leading men. In his second film, Aage Badho over-the-hill Sridevi was paired with Ashok Kumar, in spite of his mid- (1947), his heroine was singer-actress actor Mahesh Thakur? Mahesh dle-aged look even in his youth, was Khurshid. And Khurshid was around Thakur, who acted as Sridevi’s hus- the longest-lasting hero of Hindi films. 12 years older than Dev Anand. band in this serial, was much In his hey-day, he starred opposite Similarly, in Hum Bhi Insaan Hain younger than her. Similarly, Sridevi actresses who were a couple of decades (1948) and Stage (1950), Dev Anand’s was cast opposite Salman Khan in younger than him. For instance, in heroine was Ramola, who was also two deservedly forgettable films Lighthouse (1958) and Bandini (1962), older than him. titled Chandramukhi and Chand Ka his leading lady was Nutan. And Dilip Kumar was 44 and Saira Banu Tukra. Salman Khan is some half-a- Nutan was almost a quarter-century 22, when they tied the nuptial knot. dozen years younger than Sridevi. younger than him. But not many know They came together as lovers in It is Rekha, who takes the cake for that, in the initial years of his career as Bairaag, Gopi, and Sagina, but their

108 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 pairing in these films did not translate was his co-star in some films of the into box-office success. When Dilip early 1950s, and whom he married Kumar was a fresher in films, he was in 1955, was also older than him. made to work with heroines, who In recent years, we have seen were older than him. In Pratima (1945), older heroines appearing opposite his heroine was Swarnlata and in Ghar Ki Izzat (1947) it was Mumtaz Shanti.

K. Asifʼs film K. Asif’s unfinished film Love And God originally starred Guru Dutt and Ashok Kumar and Devika Rani in Achhoot Kanya. Nimmi, in the roles of Majnu and Leila. Age-wise, they were ideally matched. appeared opposite younger heroes in Guru Dutt was six years older than the past and they are doing so even Nimmi. But, when the film was still in now. But the general trend in the making, Guru Dutt committed sui- Bollywood has been that the hero is Amitabh and Nutan in Saudagar. cide, in 1964. It forced K Asif to shelve always much older than the heroine. the project for some time. younger heroes, but the age-difference Curiously, if a hero in his mid-40s Later, the project was revived and is minor so that it hardly ever excites can serenade a 20-something heroine, the film was re-shot with Sanjeev any derisive comment from even nit- why can it not be the other way Kumar as Guru Dutt’s replacement. pickers. For instance, Madhuri Dixit round? Well, a film like Dil Chahta Hai But K. Asif died in 1971, leaving the and Akshay Kumar were paired in two was a rare exception. Because its story- film incomplete. So, the jinxed Love films: Dil To Pagal Hai (1997) and Arzoo line was unusual, the Akshay Khanna- And God, in its incomplete form, (1999). Madhuri is older than Akshay. Dimple Kapadia pairing, in spite of an remained in the cans for years. It was Similarly, Kareena Kapoor was Imran 18-year age-gap between them, did released in its incomplete form by K. Khan’s lady-love in Ek Main Ek Tu not look incongruous. But filmmakers, Asif’s wife, in 1986, when its hero (2012). Kareena Kapoor is a few years as a rule, are guided by the age-old Sanjeev Kumar, too, had passed older than Imran Khan. convention that the heroine has to be away. Sanjeev Kumar, the Majnu of Thus, we find that older heroines younger than the hero. ■ this film, was about seven years younger than Nimmi, who played the role of Leila in it. MY MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT Sometimes, it so transpired that a young man aspiring to become a film Wrong train station. He told that the train has hero was cast opposite a heroine reached Jagadhari. I was shocked whose films he had enjoyed as a I remember when I had to attend and found that instead of boarding schoolboy. Shammi Kapoor was a great an emergency meeting at Delhi in in Kashi Vishwanath Express I had admirer of Suraiya in his school-days. December 1991 to be arranged by a boarded the Himgiri Express. As no So, it was a big surprise for him, when financial institution in which my TTE had checked the train, the mis- director D.D. Kashyap chose him as organisation was a party. I got my take could not be rectified. I jumped the leading man of his film Shama ticket for Kashi Vishwanath Express off the train as it was to move and Parwana (1954). The heroine Shammi reserved leaving Lucknow around came out of the station anyhow and Kapoor was asked to romance in this 8.45 pm. I reached a bit late and took a bus for Delhi. film was none other than singer-actress found that another train was on the Luckily, the meeting scheduled for Suraiya, his icon from the schooldays. scheduled platform. I entered the the morning session was postponed Of course, Suraiya was older than AC-II-tier compartment and occu- for the afternoon due to heavy cold. Shammi Kapoor. pied the birth No. 18 and slept. At The whole journey from Jagadhari In fact, in the initial years of his act- about 6 am I found the train stand- (Yamunanagar) to Delhi was full of ing career, Shammi Kapoor was paired ing at a station. I asked the lower tension and worry. with heroines mostly older than him. birth occupant about the name of — Om Prakash Srivastava In Hum Sab Chor Hain, his heroine was Send your entry written neatly on white paper to: ALIVE Nalini Jayant, who was some half-a- Delhi Press, E-3, Jhandewala Estate, New Delhi-110 055. dozen years older. Geeta Bali, who A prize of Rs 200 is given to all published items.

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 109 F ICTION Aparta

True love never fades in one’s memory. It leads to a tragic end and meets a silent death. ■ by I. D. Reubens

iyush Bhardawaj was in his mid-40s. He was the A strong wind blew and snow began to fall. A few official photographer for National Geographic people had gathered near the courtyard and they were magazine. Tall, well-built, with light-brown eyes. yelling and talking loudly. Piyush asked Kalu to find out P He lived in a small apartment in South Delhi. what the commotion was about. Piyush had a fascination for photography – After a few minutes, Kalu came back, looking very specially, ancient monuments and temples. He was also disturbed. There was fear in his eyes as he said, “Saheb, the winner of the national award for photography. they have tied a woman to a stake and are planning to It was before the Kargil war that he was assigned the stone her,” said Kalu. job of photographing the ancient temples in Champa, “But why?” asked Piyush. near Ladakh. He boarded a train from Delhi and reached Kalu replied, “She is a widow and was caught with Jammu early next day. From there, he hired a Jeep at the her boyfriend behind the temple.” station and proceeded to Champa near Ladakh – Piyush was curious. He wanted to watch this ancient somewhere in the Himalayan ranges. custom. So, he quickly wrapped a shawl around himself It was a lesser-known village, with beautiful, wooden and proceeded to the centre of the action. temples, depicting both Buddhist and Hindu traditions. T The carvings were wonderful and something Piyush had he weather had become worse and Piyush had never imagined. Centuries had passed and he saw the half a mind of returning, but something within him kept wooden structures braving the ravages of winter and him going. He made his way through the small crowd snow. The bronze idol of Buddha still shone beautifully. and saw a woman tied to a stake. She appeared to be in The village had a population of about 2,500. The her early 30s. Her head was shaved off and face temple was empty but for one person, sitting in deep blackened. She was desperately crying for forgiveness meditation, in a far-off corner. Piyush slowly went to but no one paid her any attention. him – but he continued to meditate, oblivious of his The headman finished consultation with a few elders surroundings. The strange thing about him were his of the village and then looked at the crowd. “She has to eyes. They were wide open but looked blank. be stoned to death,” he said loudly. “But, before anyone Piyush spent the entire afternoon photographing the begins, let us bring her paramour and ask him to throw various temples, idols and designs. His driver, Kalu, the first stone at her,” he added. carried his kit and a thermos filled with black tea. As The lady kept crying loudly in pain; it was a Piyush walked down the street, disgusting sight. Suddenly, there was nobody bothered about the stranger, a loud rumbling and a shower of A strong wind blew and except a few little children playing falling rocks. There was a landslide snow began to fall. near an open field. and it was becoming worse. People It was late in the evening and the A few people had gathered immediately fled for cover, running temperature must have been –4 to –5 near the courtyard and they helter-skelter, leaving the poor woman degrees. Piyush had completed his job were yelling and talking tied to the stake. and was preparing to leave in his Jeep. [ loudly. Piyush asked [ Kalu implored Piyush to get into Kalu took the Jeep to the village Kalu to find out what the the Jeep before the landslide hit the courtyard, looking for something to commotion was about. village and the roads got blocked. In a eat. moment of passion, Piyush ran to the

110 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 stake, untied the woman, picked her up and put her in the Jeep. “Come on, Kalu,” he said. “Move fast.” The Jeep took a turn and, in a few minutes, it was off down the winding pathways of the hill. They drove for the entire night. The next morning, they stopped by a riverside. Piyush asked the girl to step down and wash herself. He handed her a towel. The woman was still shivering in fear but promptly got down and ran towards the river. Kalu looked at his Saheb and said, “Sahebji, she won’t come back.” He then took out the thermos and offered tea and biscuits to Piyush, as they waited for her. After 30 minutes, she returned. Kalu’s jaw dropped in amazement and Piyush’s eyes popped out as they saw her face. She was fair and beautiful, with light-green eyes. What a photogenic face! How beautiful! thought Piyush. She came close and fell at his feet crying. Piyush was shocked. He took a step backward, asking her not to touch his feet. She stood there, partly afraid, partly shocked; a picture of beauty. Kalu offered her some tea and biscuits and then they left. Throughout the journey, Piyush kept wondering what he should do with her. He had no clear idea. Next day, they were in Delhi. He brought her to his apartment. Later, he approached an ashram for women but they refused to admit her in the hostel. They were afraid it might become a police case. Piyush took her back and put her in his guest-room. He went around and got a few clothes for her.

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 111 Within a few days, she was up and Utkarsh left the you be my wife?” But he did not. He working in the house. She would clean newspaper on the table and was afraid of losing her friendship. up everything and even cook food for went back to his room. “Aparta,” he said, “I am leaving for him. He rarely spoke to her. He found Aparta was still asleep. He Cuba next week and will be away for out that her name was Aparta. did not wake her up nor did a week. Is there anything I can get for Piyush’s neighbours were Anglo- he give her the news of you from there?” Indians. They hardly poked their Piyushʼs death. He did not “Just bring some good Brazilian noses into other people’s affairs. want her to go back to her coffee,” she said, both wished each Slowly, days passed into months. past any more. He hated other goodnight and she left. Piyush kept admiring her beauty on [ [ A week later, when Piyush Piyush and, in his heart of the quiet and then, one day, he hearts, was happy returned, he found Aparta’s room to decided to photograph her. The photo at his end. be locked. ‘Maybe, she has a night became a craze in his magazine and he shift,’ he thought. He left the bottle of was soon flooded with inquiries and coffee on the table near her door and letters of employment and contracts. went off to sleep. One day, Piyush invited a few friends for tea. They Next morning, he noticed that her room was still saw Aparta and were convinced that she could be the locked. He picked up the newspaper and came back to latest craze. They implored Piyush to let her become a his room. After preparing some coffee, he settled down model. Aparta herself was unwilling but, after some to read the newspaper. At the bottom of the page was a gentle coaxing, she agreed. prominent heading, “Famous model Aparta marries art She was first admitted in a school for learning director Utkarsh Jariwalla.” English and Hindi and then sent to another class for The newspaper slipped from his hand, the coffee acquainting herself in the ways of dressing, table- spilled on the floor and Piyush lay shocked and grief- manners and etiquette. This continued for nearly a year, stricken in the chair. while Piyush would be busy with his projects in and out The entire day he stayed at home and put out his of Delhi. telephone connection and switched off his mobile. That Time quickly elapsed and Aparta soon became a night, he could not sleep. He went to his cupboard, famous model. On many occasions, Piyush would ask swallowed a bottle of sleeping pills and went to bed. her to find a place of her own as his apartment was very A small. parta was away in Bengaluru, on her Aparta brushed aside such suggestions. “You are the honeymoon. Utkarsh was up early and moved to the world to me...You saved my life...You have made me lobby. He picked up The Times of India and sat down at what I am today. So, please, don’t ask me to leave,” she the coffee-table. On the third page was a small news- insisted. item, “Famous photographer Piyush Bhardawaj commits O suicide by an overdose of sleeping-pills.” ne winter evening, Piyush came back from a long Utkarsh left the newspaper on the table and went trip in Arunachal Pradesh. He received the news of the back to his room. Aparta was still asleep. He did not confirmation of his divorce and the custody of his wake her up nor did he give her the news of Piyush’s daughter being given to his wife. He tried to sleep that death. He did not want her to go back to her past any night but could not. By early morning, he was down more. He hated Piyush and, in his heart of hearts, was with high fever and could not even stand up. happy at his end. When Aparta learnt of his illness, she cancelled all Returning to Delhi, Aparta was back to her studio. her appointments and sat next to him for four days and Late that night, when she came home, she was furious at nights. She looked after him like a nurse till the fever Utkarsh. “Why did you not give me the news about came down and Piyush was well enough to move about Piyush?” she asked. and do his work. “What news?” he snapped back. “If he hadn’t That evening when Aparta came back she was happy committed suicide, he would have been caught by the to see him sitting and watching television. She came and police for kidnapping you and would be rotting in a sat down beside him and looked at him. “You look fine,” prison-cell by now.” she said. When the police took a final inspection of Piyush’s “Yes. Thank you for everything you did,” he said. apartment, they found nothing. On the writing-table was Aparta did not like it, “Why do you want to thank a small frame, with Aparta’s photo taken by the me? Did I not tell you, I owe my life to you?” riverside, near the Champa river. Beside the frame lay a Piyush almost uttered the words, “I love you. Will dried-up rose. ■

112 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 LETTERS

Demeaning to women Although several countries have thoughts of opportunistic elements. legalised prostitution there is hardly Let’s learn to adore and love female The article Legalise prostitution to any feedback on whether this has in body sincerely, religiously. tackle the menace of rape (June) touched any way prevented rapes and other — MPS Chadha a raw nerve for the simple reason forms of sexual assaults. In a country that prostitution though deemed the like India where female goddesses A battle indeed world’s oldest profession is hardly a are revered and the country is often dignified profession and is extremely referred to as Bharat Mata legalising This is what reference to the edito- demeaning to women who are prostitution would be a sacrilege as rial Parties preparing for polls (May). involved in the trade of selling their prostitution is nothing but a curse on Barring a few hitches which the party bodies to clients in return for money. women. might overcome it is becoming It has to be understood that the — CV Aravind increasingly certain that Narendra Modi will be projected as the PM can- D EBATE didate for the 2014 polls by the BJP

speaking, ‘pleasure-seekers’) would- II Legalise Prostitution n’t have required going there on the sly. At the same time, it would have Why ba n pornograph considerably curbed sex crimes. There is no clue as to why some y for rapes? overlooking the claims of the party Legalisation of prostitution will help armchair ‘thinkers’ on fashionable talk tures also pornographic? Don’t many to tackle the rub away the stigma attached to it. shows are hollering to ban all porn images at the temples of Khajuraho Prostitution acts as a ‘safety-valve’ sites, citing pornography to be the main depict zoophilia and bestiality? Aren’t in society. Right now, we are facing reason behind the ongoing sexual may- sodomy and oral sex (fellatio and cun- menace of unprecedented sexual anarchy in hem. Readers may be aware that in all nilingus) the main features in the sub-con- Amid much fussing and hair-pulling over rape Indian society, which may engulf us Scandinavian countries — viz, Sweden, tinental ‘erotic art’? Don’t you get to see The article: Legalise patriarch LK Advani. As far as the if prostitution is not legalised. And Denmark, Finland and Norway — the the depiction of ménage a’trois (three- increasing crimes, it seems we have forgotten the when marriage itself is a legalised main source of revenue is pornography. some or troilism), group sex, open ancient wisdom of own country which speaks in prostitution, why brothels are looked Denmark has only two official mediums debauchery and orgies in Indian minia- down upon? to earn: open sex shows and powdered tures as well as at the temples of favour of the paid sex. “The bricks of a brothel are made of milk. Halbeed in Karnataka? A temple at ■ morality and chastity, whereas the At the same time, it must be borne Junagadh in Saurashtra depicts homo- Prostitution To Tackle The Congress party is concerned the by Sumit Paul ow can rapes be thwarted? It walls of a house are often plastered on mind that the sex-related crimes are sexual, lesbian and masturbatory acts. seems the sex-starved males in tion wasn’t a condemnable issue”. The with the screams of violent rapes, com- almost negligible in these sex-free coun- Mind you, all these pornographic tries that openly encourage pornogra- Indian society are in no mood indologist A L Basham quoted Yet the ‘modern’ India considers mitted by the pathologically oversexed icons were displayed at our temples! husbands.” Germaine Greer couldn’t phy. Once, the author watched a live Art historian and a very good painter H to pay heed to any argument Chanakya, “Sharir brihante ati mardav ‘paid sex’ to be so disgusting and sex show in the Danish capital and counsel. Nirbhaya’s rape veeryam, ganika te prarishraman” demeaning. Isn’t it a far better and have been more scathingly articulate. the late Ganesh Payne, found every Copenhagen. In that show, a couple in the fag-end of the last year seems the male body is full to the brim(When with humane option than raping a help- image in rural Bengal as ‘explicitly Menace Of Rape (June) came reluctant prince Rahul Gandhi might indulged in all conceivable postures but to have emboldened and galvanised semen, it needs to be released and at less girl or woman? In Europe, rapes How legalised prostitution may pornographic’. Then why so much hue the audience didn’t go berserk. He was the rapists and now every day, you that time, a do occur but the frequency is not as help mitigate rapes and cry over pornography and its aboli- ganika (courtesan or a pros- surprised to see the level of maturity of get to hear the news of rapes from all titute) comes to the rescue).’ palpable as it is in India. The reason The Scandinavian countries — viz tion? As has been stated, sex is too Danish people. parts of the country. The only solu- The false Victorian and Islamic is the legalisation of prostitution. Finland — Sweden, Norway, Denmark much an issue of concealment in India. tion to tackling this menacing issue is You need maturity to appreciate porn. morality relegated the sub-continen- There, you can visit a ‘pleasure et al — have a government policy to Playboy, Penthouse, Hustler, My-My, to legalise prostitution and dust off Agreed, extreme perversions can and Human Digest tal ganikas (the word originated from woman’ (euphemism for a prostitute) educate people to have a healthy atti- and scores of other sex up too negatively with alto- be pitchforked into the fray as it should be avoided but a blanket ban on the age-old stigma attached to it. guni, means skillful) to mere prosti- without any apprehension of getting tude towards sex and even paid sex. magazines have been banned in India. pornography is a bad idea. The so-called Prostitution and priesthood are tutes (from prostration=lying down). caught. It is really an irony that the These are sexually the most liberated These same should be available to sex- custodians of morality are of the opinion the two oldest professions; prostitu- In all ancient civilisations — viz, red light areas in India are located countries with the least cases of rapes starved Indians and the ‘pervert’ fasci- that pornography is demeaning to tion being even older. Until the gov- Roman, Greek, Chinese, Babylonian, right in the heart of the cities with the and venereal diseases. Way back in nation for pornography will automatical- women — it is an exploitation of women. ernment legalises prostitution, society Indus valley, among others — the tacit consent of the most blind Indian 1974, The Readers Digest ly die down. Without getting to the roots carried an arti- Do these idiots understand what exploita- of people’s embedded sexual psyche, will continue to see rapes occurring at provision of prostitution helped con- police, yet those who go there are cle on the liberal attitude and its rela- gether pessimistic though, to would be calamitous to face the elec- tion is? Porn industry in the west is highly we are trying to stop things that are an alarming rate. Though every town trol sex crimes. The legendary British harassed by the cops and the poor tion to rapes and molestations. It was and city has an area earmarked for historian Sir Arnold Toynbee wrote found that when and where sex is con- organised. And the girls/women who actually harmless. women have to grease the palms of work in porn flicks aren’t prostitutes/call commercial sex workers, people are that Romans, Greeks and the Vedic these policemen. sidered to be a normal human activity, Pornography is a visual delight. Rare afraid to visit it lest they be caught girls or even escorts. is a man who has not seen a single Indians knew how to channelise their Long back in 1977, the inmates of occurrence of rapes drops to the least. They are models who have families pornographic scene in life. It is like and condemned forever. sexual needs and release them at reg- Sonagachhi and Ganga-Jamuna, the Even in countries like Holland and and many of them come from growing up without masturbating. The The useless Indian police fleece ular intervals. So they conceptualised (in) famous red light areas of Kolkata its famous red-light area in be digestible. What to talk of torate under PM, Dr Manmohan respectable families. Why go far, our root cause of sexual anarchy in India is the sex workers and harass poor cus- marriage and prostitution. and Nagpur respectively, raised their Amsterdam, rapes are few and far very own Sunny Leone belongs to a not pornography. It is the suppression of tomers who come there to release voices against the exploitation they between. At the same time, India, an nice Punjabi family. She came to act in pornographic needs and inclinations their sexual tensions. The problem in Prostitution and priesthood are the had to suffer at the hands of the ‘law- ostensibly moralist country, has of porn films on her own and was never that are ingrained in the human psyche, India is that prostitution has always two oldest professions; prostitution keepers’. They also requested the late witnessed rampant cases of tricked into this field. Sex is a basic precisely in the male psyche. been looked down upon as some- being even older. Until the govern- government to legalise their profes- rapes. Convoluted morality doesn’t thing extremely derogatory. ment legalises prostitution, society allow us to be as free and uninhibited human need and psychologists have The stigma bound up with pornogra- sion to lend at least a smidgen of found that visual gratification gives an solving the problem of rape, it Singh’s leadership what with the will continue to see rapes occurring phy, prostitution and even drinking The famous copywriter and adman respectability to it. But no one paid to visit brothels at the drop of a hat. at an alarming rate. Though every indescribable joy. needs to be removed. Give people time Inder Sinha once wrote in heed to their cries and entreaties. The social condemnation and boy- Times that “The ancient IndiaHindustan wit- town and city has an area ear- cotting preclude us from visiting This joy may snowball into something and space to grow up and get evolved. marked for commercial sex workers, Had it been legalised, they (the degenerative but in many cases, porno- Once they get evolved, all these things nessed fewer rapes because prostitu- women) wouldn’t have had to live an these so-called shady places. It is people are afraid to visit it. Freudian sex repression and unleash- graphic images provide psycho-sexual will cease to mean anything to them. An ignoble and wretched existence and succour. Indians blindly condemn today’s ing sex work on the concept of pros- oppressed and suppressed society 92 their customers (euphemistically pornographic images but what are may rather aggravate the situ- plethora of scams that have rocked titutional sex therapy, that actually always attributes the sins and crimes to Khajuraho and Konark’s ‘erotic’ sculp- reasons that are often vague and ALIVE ■ JUNE 2013 makes a sexually-repressed person tures? Aren’t those images and sculp- unfounded.

— Sumit Paul

ALIVE ■ JUNE 2013 ation keeping in view the the UPA boat in recent times. 93 social system we have. While Modi is a past master in the bedrock of the prostitution industry Increasing number of art of realpolitik, Rahul is still a little consists of women and girls (read reported rapes are not due to sex star- wet behind the ears, though he has minors) who are trafficked and vation of males but due to mental managed by and large to galvanise pushed into the trade. sickness of individuals. Till a few the youth of the country whom he has No woman would find any plea- decades ago, our society did have fixed as his main target. This, consid- sure in being treated as a piece of large numbers of ‘Bachelors by ering the fact that more than half of meat stripped not just of her clothes Choice’ “Brahmchari”, even these the voters are youth could stand the but every shred of dignity by lustful days we have some, who never party in good stead. As far as Modi is males who demand their pound of posed any threat to the society or the concerned he is still to shed the flesh and derive a morbid sense of women but were rather regional leader tag and though he has satisfaction in subjecting her to every adorable/respectable entities of the unleashed a publicity blitz to project form of abuse. society. himself as a national leader, it remains Any statistical survey of those With the freedom of thought and to be seen how much he will be able to involved in the flesh trade would changed lifestyles in the modern influence the non-Gujarati voter. reveal that there are very few prosti- competitive times, ‘Live-in-relation- Further the stigma of the riots has tutes who ply their trade with pride ship’ has already gained legal and stuck to him and his efforts to wrig- and that most of them are even societal recognition. What else we gle out the mess EDITORIAL robbed of their hard earned money want in the name of sexual free- PARTIES PREPARING FOR POLLS have yielded vir- After the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) walked out Despite the main Opposition BJP trying to project of the Congress-led UPA, the Narendra Modi as the nation’s saviour, many senior party Manmohan Singh Government leaders and NDA constituents are not enthusiastic to have by pimps and brothel owners. dom? Prostitution is a suicidal has become a minority set-up. him as the PM candidate. However, 2014 is not far away. tually no results. In a Lok Sabha of 541 members, So, political parties are hectically wooing the people. What it has fallen from the half-way they are doing is showing how bad the others are, and not mark of 271. The outside sup- their own merits. While paying lip-service to secularism porter, Mulayam Singh’s community, caste and regional sentiments are fully being become vociferous in its opposition.Samajwadi Another Party big supporter,(SP) has exploited. When promises of roti, kapda and makan have Prostitution as a form of release to arrangement for women, emerg- Mayawati’s BSP, too, goes on accusing the Government of failed and colour TV and laptops do not mitigate people’s The parties would using the CBI to arm-twist her party. The main Opposition, misery, parties have started projecting personalities like the BJP, and the supporting Opposition, all claim that the Modi, Rahul Gandhi, Mulayam, Mamata, and M.K.Stalin. minority Government is clinging to power by blackmailing Whether they will be able to present enough charisma, to parties, threatening to unleash the CBI on them. attract the voters within a short time, is to be seen. If those, who blame the Government, are so virtuous A welcome shift in the mode of electioneering is that the sex starved men is hardly healthy in ing not out of choice but an of and guiltless, why should they fear the CBI? Why do they main parties, especially their unofficially projected PM can- do well to look not approach the courts to clear themselves? And if all didates, have found new targets to woo. Narendra Modi, of these parties consider the present Government so bad, course, started the strategy quite early by endearing himself why do they not together bring a no-confidence motion in with big business and captains of industry, to bring devel- Parliament and pull it down for an early election? opment to his State. Recently, he made the youth, with their The fact is, that none of these parties are ready to face energy and activism, his other target. Rahul Gandhi had a scenario where diseases like AIDS compulsion. Legalising it may an election because of their bad internal dynamics. been concentrating on youth from the beginning, being the beyond these two chief of the Youth Congress. No doubt, political parties have found new ground for their electoral battle. ARMY CLINGS TO OUTMODED SYSTEM are rampant. A rapist’s perverted rob women of dignity. The Indian Army seems to leaders as both of be in a fighting mood – it is not burnt down and the outnumbered Officers fled for their itching to fight the enemy, but life. Even the Commanding Officer was injured in the to fight itself. Incidents of fights clash. The situation was brought under control only the breaking out between Jawans next day, when more troops were brought on the scene. and Officers are on the increase. Then, in August last, another clash had occurred mind which instigates him towards Inculcation of values and prac- Some 168 personnel of the between Officers and men of another field unit, where the them might find Ladakh-based artillery unit, situation was brought under control without causing that were involved in Officer- much violence. Such a fracas had also happened in a are facing court-martial and Jawanpunishment. clashes After in May an lastenquiry, year, Cavalry unit in Punjab in 2011. Suicide by frustrated per- that lasted a year, one-third of the Jawans of the Field sonnel and shooting of officers by angry and frustrated Regiment and four Officers, including the Commanding Jawans, are also reported periodically. raping hapless women and children tising behavioural reasonable- Officer and 17 Junior Commissioned Officers, involved in the The reason for the general loss of morale of the Army only limited accep- clash at a firing-range, are facing disciplinary action ranging is the failure of the force to change according to the times. from demotion, dismissal and rigorous imprisonment. The Officer cadets pass out from IMA, where they are The reason for the clash was the beating up of the unit taught that the honour, welfare and comfort of the men barber, who had entered an Officer’s tent and the under them comes before their own ease, comfort and Officer’s wife created a furore. It could have been a mis- safety. But, by and by, the priority is reversed during ser- largely using violence as a weapon ness holds the key. understanding but the Officers manhandled the Jawan vice and the Officers join the bureaucratic rat-race for pelf tance among the and the Jawans, who were at the firing-range, hearing and promotions. The constraints of working within the that their colleague was being beaten up, turned against outmoded framework are clearly visible now with the the Officers. Violence spread; the Officers’ mess was system straining at its seams. The sooner, changes in the organisation and functioning of the Army are brought about to suit the changed situation, the better. can hardly be turned normal by visit- Let dignity of life may not 4 masses. ALIVE ■ MAY 2013 ing a prostitute. be got eroded by pessimistic — C Aravind

ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013 113 Heads up high Bullying cricket board like a volcano. The once-pristine, of India gentleman’s game has become a The article: Dragon’s Growing bookies’ paradise. Hunger (June) has potential enough As the coffers of the Board for The only way to bring the BCCI to to shake our psychologies to rise Control of Cricket in India (BCCI) heel is for the major sponsors, like from cowardice like slumber and I started filling, the arrogance, conceit Sahara, to withdraw. All advertisers, wish as if at least the readers of this and its bullying tactics, too, went up. who pay astronomical sums for a few article develop courage enough to The ego of the body and its con- seconds slot, should also stop their rise against uncalled for foreign stituent members bloated like a ads. The cricket-loving public, too, threats, India will be able to retain its hyper-inflated balloon. should not patronise matches. dignity, meaningfully. It brooked no nonsense from any When the money lubricant ceases Perhaps centuries of foreign other Board. The ICC became a mere to flow, then the BCCI will realise aggressions, followed by British rule, spectator and a puppet in its hand, that it is the players and paying pub- left such a damaging impact on psy- bowing down to all their dictates. lic, that keep it in existence and not chologies of our people that they BCCI was the only one not to the other way round. seem having been accustomed to accept the Umpire Decision Review The entire body and structure of such threats and submitting obedi- System (UDRS). The Board keeps the BCCI should be dismantled and ently. Surprisingly, our younger part- harping that, since it is a private only past cricketers should get control. ner, Pak, is terrorising us. Even in body, no one else will have any All the rigmarole of constitution J&K under India, Pak is virtually dic- authority over it. Hence, it conve- and rules should no longer be used as tating the terms and we are obeying. niently refuses to come under the a loophole to evade consequences. Too much cowardice seems hav- Right to Information (RTI) Act. The Board’s President, who does not ing emerged in our behaviours that If it is a private body, how can it understand moral responsibility, the Kashmiri Pandits even nowadays treat the whole country as its should be summarily sacked. are migrating from J&K (own nation) domain? For international and test When countries can be taken over to neighbouring states like Punjab matches, the playing eleven is named by a coup, why not a crooked Board? and gaining reservations in govern- as Team India. The money-power Financial and legal aspects can be ment jobs, government flats etc. and clout makes other Boards sub- handled by professionals; the actual Ambassadors of peace may we be missive to its whims and fancies. game and connected matters will be world known but national prestige Some time back, there was a ques- in the hands of these cricketers. All and dignity cannot be compromised tion in Parliament regarding its activities will be done in a transparent and why should we tolerate enemies finances and a committee was formed manner, which will inspire confidence on our own land? to look into the matter. Nothing much in the players as well as the public. We need to uphold truthful firmness happened for obvious reasons. Since betting in horse-racing is and determination enough to stand The entire higher echelon of the legal, the same should be made against notorious elements and nations. Board is made up of members, who applicable to cricket as well. Perhaps, We need to develop courage from with- have nothing to do with the game. It this may help in avoiding scandals in our own without complaining to any is only due to their financial and and scams, like the present one. outside authority that our younger political clout, that they have man- — Shanmugam Mudaliar brother is beating us in our own home. aged to wangle into these positions. — M Chadha Actual cricketers, past and present, Alive welcomes readersʼ letters containing constructive criticism of D IPLOMACY have little or no say in any the stories, articles and features Dragon’s and New Delhi talk of peaceful solu- matter. published in each issue. Also, give tion to the present imbroglio, the ten- China built 1200 km Sinkiang-Tibet sion may escalate if PLA sticks to highway in 1956 which India did not Growing Hunger Pact where it is, and even if it backs away s know about till it was almost complete done on these we have no guarantee that it will not issues in October 1957. On 21 November 1962 During Chinese Premium Li Keqiang’s come again. In all probability, per- The present situation is very confusing, and can turn volatile when China declared a ceasefire, it had visit to India, agreements have been suggestions for new subjects and haps China does not like India to accomplished her strategic objectives. Sadly, the same situation signed on the following issues. if remained unresolved. ‘Panchsheel’ and ‘Hindi-Chini, Bhai-Bhai’ build infrastructure in the region. While China kept the territory Border Dispute: Hence, China seems to recreate a new There will be a around the highway in 1962, it left tus quo sta- did not stop China to go for an aggressive military expedition status quo. on the Line of Actual Control. desolate land for India, which now it Border monitoring system will be improved against India. has come to claim again. Remember to prevent any situation from arising as has features. The best letter will get a prize ■ by M Shamsur Rabb Khan Continuing status quo the letter that the Prime Minister J L happened recently in Ladakh. Nehru had written to Chou En-Lai in prevails in other sports bodies, Dam on River Brahmaputra: he recent standoff between In order to give legitimacy to the December, 1958. Every year from 1 June to 15 October India and China on Ladakh perception, and since the days of J L claim, both India and China have He voiced India’s concern at the China will provide India with informa- been engaged in institutionalising border has hogged the lime- Nehru and Chou En-Lai, the border has defeated us in how to fight a war Chinese map in which Aksai Chin tion about water level and water flow at of 200. Address your letters to: light for quite some time before their respective claims over Depsang • T disputes has been a perennial prob- in the cold regions, militarily in was shown in China, citing that there its hydrological stations. Bulge region by building infrastruc- it ended in both sides decided lem. At the height of more than usurping the vast swath of land. In was “no boundary dispute” between Economic Matter: to pull out. It all started on 15 April 17,000 feet, the unpopulated and des- response, India has, too, set military ture. Here, too, India is well behind. the two countries. In reply, Chou will form three task forcesBoth to look the intonations too, And that was the main rea- 2013 when People Liberation Army olate region of Ladakh has been up posts at DOB, Chumar and Fukche – India, in all these years, has not made reminded Nehru that no central ways to come out of trade imbalance. (PLA) intruded up to 19-km inside for grab by better-equipped PLA. face to face with those of China’s – in serious efforts to explore the region Chinese government had ever recog- Trade of meat and fish will be enhanced. Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the which might store uranium that And China surpasses India, as it order to show steely commitment not nised the McMahon Line, which he Pilgrimage to Mansarovar: Depsang Bulge region of Ladakh, to leave the area. While both Beijing China has somehow deciphered. called “a product of the British policy Every year from May to September pil- and set up tents. We have lesson from 1962 when of aggression.” grims will be allowed to visit Though things seem quite for a India lost the whole of Aksai Chin. While adamant at the question of Mansarovar Lake. China will provide son for India’s disqualification while the worry is not ended since Aksai Chin, Chou, like the present more facilities to the pilgrims and wire- China’s audacious presence, absolute less sets as well as SIM cards. denial of incursion and reluctance to Urban Development: leave Daulat Beg Oldi (DOB) after and China will share their experiencesBoth India in three rounds of flag meetings. The areas of sewage treatment and transport. statement of Foreign Ministry Mutual Relations: from the Olympics. spokesperson, Hua Chunying, who tries will identify various townsBoth theand coun- states has observed that border is not delin- to promote people to people contacts. eated and the issue has been left over Literature: Both the countries have from history, is disturbing. identified 50 books to be translated into As the days pass by and with Chinese and Indian languages. reports of Chinese helicopters cross- Security to Sea routes: The heady mixture of money ing LAC, New Delhi seems seething will not be curbed in South ChinaFerrying Sea. Delhi Press silently without an immediate policy Security will be provided to vessels response. The shifting attitude passing through this route. Work will be Chinese leadership makes the issue intensified to build multinational all the more complex. In November approach routes. 2006, China’s ambassador to India, and sex has turned the IPL E-3, Jhandewala Estate, Sun Yuxi, publicly told that “the Chinese leadership, proposed discus- whole of the state of Arunachal sions to resolve border issue, but Pradesh is Chinese territory. pointed out that both sides should On the question of 4,057 km long maintain the status quo. What Chou LAC, there is no definite demarca- meant by “status quo” was to mean New Delhi - 110 055. tion, which is agreed upon by both the present positions now, and Nehru tamasha into a gambling circus, India and China but with different read “status quo” to mean the posi- tion which had been “until now.” 8 After 1962 war, the status quo that Prize is awarded to: Chou talked about changed in favour of China. Will the present Chinese leadership abide by Chou’s concept as seen from the present match- of status quo? MPS Chadha. 9 fixing scandal, that has erupted

114 ALIVE ■ AUGUST 2013