Hunger Pangs

The drama of life, for a majority of population is all about quenching this demon, the inevitable hunger, ironically, even in this era of advanced technological developments. A grave as well as a predominant issue of concern which is to be addressed is “Food for all”. But who is to take care of this issue or who is to address? Who is to be made responsible? You or me or a third party or officials or the governments? We have innumerable schemes and projects sanctioned every year, some times renamed (old wine in new bottles) with the objective of appeasing hunger of millions. The driving force of life, governing all our activities such as earning money, is to appease this feeling. Life becomes dreaded and miserable than death itself.

The hunger demon keeps torturing hapless millions, some xy% of the population (statistics and estimations, let them find a place only in official records, maintained diligently for formalities and for launching yet another worthless scheme bereaving the public fund to further the interests of so-called ‘beneficiaries’). What is significant and thought-provoking is that even when our great nation is progressing with ‘so and so’ % growth rate in GDP and economy, a majority of population still doesn’t have means to satiate hunger. The privileged (minority) are engrossed in their own world of merriment or preoccupied with trivial issues, gossips, personal affairs/ exaggerated sensational news of celebrities, soap operas and reality shows either unaware or not really bothering to be aware of the saga of real life. This is no reality "show", but reality itself, for which unfortunately, the audience is sparse. India is shining or made shining by shutting eyes to such harsh realities of life, plaguing millions. There is no wide media coverage on this aspect, for it doesn’t interest the readers nor there is any sensationalism in the routine affair. Such dreaded stories remain in dark, in the backyard. We are not oblivious of this reality but purposely insulate our selves from the miseries of the empty stomachs and opportunistically forget/ be oblivious of such sufferings. But reality doesn’t vanish or cease to exist by closing the eyes. Let’s look around, watch/ pay attention to our premises, our own neighborhood, the people we know, the less privileged, for whom poverty and hunger are part and parcel of life.

Hunger, what is that? For those in ivory towers, for those who can afford all luxuries of life, who live an extravagant life of richness, a life of posh and pomp, for those who check diligently every now and then on their calorie intake/ find ways out to burn out the extra fat deposits on their obese frames for maintaining their glamour quotient., hunger and poverty belongs to some alien world. Pangs of hunger are best understood only by the hungry, people who struggle for a morsel of food! How many of us have remained hungry for even a day, since we cannot afford food or otherwise?. Hunger pangs are to be felt to understand why and what for people fill their stomach with water, mud and ash (as a recent report goes).We are fortunate. The food wasted everyday in urban households can otherwise feed million mouths.

Armchair philosophies will never suffice to solve/eradicate the deadly disease of poverty and hunger. Conferences, consortiums and meetings are held even at international levels but without a creative solution. “Education is the manifestation of perfection already in man”, goes the famous words of Swami Vivekananda. But ideologies, theories and philosophies are not for empty stomachs and the 'less perfect' lives. Education is for enlightenment, but education for the poor is a means to find food, at least for once a day. ‘Daily meal programme’ in schools have to an extent helped the children from poor families. But, what after such a glorious education? Child labour is one of the severe forms of human agony in the society. It exists with the informal approval of even the authorities who are responsible to curb the menace. Children are employed to do petty jobs or sometimes dangerous jobs as they need to be paid less for the same lump of work and can be exploited/ harassed without any complaints. The attitude of the privileged towards food in this context deserves mention. Narrating facts from real life is going to raise many eyebrows and fetch some amount of enemity. But to be frank, those students/ future diplomats/ HiFi educated class, and future scientists responsible for the food security of the nation, need to introspect when in hostels they shout for food from a particular state/ region or complain of the bad taste.

A meagre amount/ food given may be a silver lining for at least one in a million. Let good things begin with each one of us.

From ‘Jeero’ to ‘Seero’: Speaking English the Indian way

Wondered anyone, why you don’t have the privilege to read a word as it is written in English? Certain words have to be pronounced altogether in a different way, different from how these are spelt/ written.

The word education is to be read as ‘ejucation’ and not ‘edewcation’. Mirage is not ‘mi-rage’ or ‘miraage’ but ‘mirash’. Rendezvous is ron-day–voo. The word Director is to be enunciated as Director or ‘Diarector’? The dictionaries do often guide us on how a word is to be pronounced. Certain letters are silent whereas certain letters need to be emphasized. If a letter is to be silent while pronouncing, why at all it is inserted in the particular word in the first place? Foreign origin of the words may be one of the reasons for the unimaginable way of pronunciation. The British should acknowledge us Indians for contributing nearly or more than 700 words to their vocabulary!!! The words such as jungle, bungalow, catamaran, curry, ghee etc of Indian origin, have found a place in the Oxford dictionary. The Indian authors who write in English have equally contributed to this enchanting language. Think there still will be more additions to the dictionary, given our obsession with English.

We are obliged to the British for this beautiful, enamoring, universal language. Though officially Hindi is our national language, a major chunk of urban India communicates and connects through English. Speaking English is considered to be a matter of pride. If you are educated, you should definitely know English, irrespective of your knowledge on the subject of study or irrespective of the fact that you have studied in a regional language. Infact, if you happen to be a student or even parent of a student studying in a private school, you will learn to respect English by always speaking English. If you dare to talk in your mother tongue, you will be fined or punished. Dressing up to the occasion in a gathering is not enough to command reverence and to be considered as polished/ refined. You should utter only English or wherever possible, even if others fail to make anything out of what you speak. Such is the “colonial” influence. Speaking English is a symbol of education, dignity, prestige and superiority.

India has 28 states and 7 union territories. But more than 1500 languages exist in India, with 22 languages being classified as “official” languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India. One need not speak the regional language to make out his/her place of origin. The extensions added to the “English” words in the local slang or speaking the local version of English, can effectively identify the region where the person belongs to. Non-functional syllables may be mutated in local languages to evolve into myriad words which symbolize the same thing, thus enriching the English vocabulary. The word zero can take any form from ‘jeero’ to ‘seero’ depending on the region/ locality. It can be i-ron rod or an I(r)on rod, the letter ‘r’ being silent in the latter but correct version. In the Eastern parts of India, ‘O’ and ‘B’ are more predominant in places of ‘A’ and ‘V,’ respectively, while pronouncing words containing the latter group of letters. However, in southern parts, ‘O’ is opportunistically forgotten and replaced with the first and foremost ‘A’. The letters ‘ed’ often added to signify the past tense of a word, is pronounced separately to sound something like ‘learn-edu’ or ‘learn-idd’. For many, ‘the’ is ‘Da’/ ‘Dha’, ‘against’ is ‘aginist’…..so and so. These are not exaggerations. There are numerous such examples of mispronunciations (?) sometimes drawing chuckles if one carefully listens. No wonder, some of our abroad-educated ministers always land in a soup/ controversy for exhibiting their english skills., we the colonial Indians failing to grasp the ulterior meaning of such comments/ slangs.

We are Indians and can never be expected to speak the British English and show our still-persistent servility. After all, it is 62 years of independence from the British!! So we have our own version of English. It may be hinglish, binglish, benglish, gunglish, punglish, tamlish, manglish, kanglish etc. But it is a fact that we fare off well when compared to people from other non-English speaking countries of Asia.

With all such confusions, does any one of us speak the language the way it is to be spoken? After all, a language is meant for communication. Why bother of the jargons when it can serve its purpose of conveying messages and as long as we can understand only our own version of English. So let’s leave the pronunciations to the literary circuits or language experts and enjoy speaking English, the Indian way….

We, The People....

WE, THE PEOPLE OF INDIA, having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a SOVEREIGN SECULAR DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC and to secure to all its citizens:
JUSTICE;
LIBERTY;
EQUALITY …….. and fraternity……….. and everything written and promised in/as per the constitution.

All these terms are but interpreted according to the whims and fancies of each and everybody concerned, be it an average citizen, a corporate billionaire, the working class or a professional, a student/ students group or politician or any political organization. We the people of (Global) India … enjoy freedom ‘unlimited’, freedom to do what ever we want ….… at any cost.

"Me” first and all else can follow later!!! Rules are made for others and only to be blindly as well as unquestionably abided in ‘other’ countries which strictly impose those for the common good. Ideals, morals and altruism are meant only for lip service. Discipline and order have paved way to utter chaos. Is democracy the culprit? How much of the individual interests can be restrained to sustain a social cause/ social justice? How much of individual responsibilities account for the collective social responsibility?

Welcome a new day with cheers and hopes!!! Nay, a new dawn now is ushered in with anxieties and uncertainties. Surfing the daily newspaper is enough to bring in all those tensions and conflicts of the big bad world. Start your day with a cup of tea/ coffee/ milk, a complete food…... milk is a complete food and has xy% of protein, abc% of fat, vitamins, minerals, so and so…... “Milk is an emulsion of fat in water”. Sorry, that’s textbook information. Please set your facts right. Recheck the scientific facts. ‘It’s milk in water and not water in milk’!!! Well, what’s new in that? It is quite usual!!! Or else how can the milk vendor survive in times of spiraling prices? He has a huge family to support and expenses to meet. The problem is ultimately with the one who raises the question of why and how such things happen. And here in floods all advices. Please try to adjust, learn to live, be wise, be practical, do not expect too much, this is the way it has been, do not try to change the system and land yourselves in trouble …..Well, the ones who made such “wonderful” systems are forever anonymous and unknown.

“Always eat fresh fruits and vegetables for health”. All that glitters is not gold. Make sure to select ones that are little damaged by pests to avoid consuming hazardous pesticides in raw and in total. “Green” peas once soaked in water turns dull grey with the supernatant assuming bright green colour. This is not a ‘new chemical reaction', but a routine scorching example of the extent of adulteration in foods.

Economic theories also have to be revamped. “Demand for a commodity decreases with increase in price and supply increases with increase in price as well as demand”. How can that be? Supply has to be decreased/ restricted first for scarcity of commodities (hoarding) and for increasing the prices. Prices can only increase and not vice versa, irrespective of demand or supply. Anyone can choose to increase/ fix the price of locally available (unlabeled/ non-branded) commodities. Prices can be increased in small increments week by week so that at the end of the month you end up paying double the amount for the same commodity. It depends on the smartness of the customer/buyer to update him/herself of the prices prevailing in the market to avoid getting duped.

Natural resources are scarce as well as fast depleting and scarcity adds value to a product. So is the case with petrol and diesel. With all scientific and technological advancements there still is no feasible alternative to these and to solve the problem of fuel scarcity. It has become imperative to hike the fuel prices and no government can function effectively without fuel price hike. Meters of autorickshaws run faster than autos themselves, Rs. 4 or Rs. 5 has to be paid as ‘tip’ in addition to the meter charge, for every journey. If one is wise enough, it is to be practiced without objection to avoid verbal abuse and conflicts. The excuse is soaring fuel price and inflation. Such day-light robberies are very common.

Do you exercise regularly? If you do not find time due to a hectic schedule, make sure you travel in state- run buses. You may run for at least 100 metres as no buses do stop at the designated bus stops. May be our successful athletes had come up this way. Also beware, buses only slow down and don’t stop. You can learn all the balancing acts in a packed bus, moving through congested, potholed roads and turns in full speed. Passengers traveling hanging from the window is a common scene. Tiny kids are even experts in foot-board ride. Seen anyone getting into the bus with patience and in a queue? You can only squeeze your way in by pushing fellow passengers. A free training is obtained on boxing, wrestling and gymnastics by choosing a bus travel. Three in one!!!! It may take years to widen highways for easing traffic, but only to be dug out and damaged by public works authorities in a few days. Another long year has to pass before it assumes the previous form. Private vehicles can be parked on public road sides, again narrowing down them to a trickle.

Rules and regulations are flouted in case of VIPs and VVIPs. Security checks can be evaded at one’s own convenience as had happened recently in case of a millionaire private airline owner. What more? We do expect such privileges in other countries also, like the famous bollywood actor. Loopholes in our terror surveillance and lack of alertness have resulted in the country witnessing a spate of terror attacks with greater frequency. The common man’s life is a casualty. Who is bothered, when Z and Z+ category of security, convoy and body guards are provided for those in power, those who make policies for the public..... policies for the rest, to be followed by the rest…. All are equal. Some are more equal.

Freedom of expression (expression of opinion, anger, frustrations etc) and protest happens in a public space on public organizations and on public property. One needs to be loud enough to be heard and so are these ways to be heard causing nuisance to others. Hartals (most popular phenomenon or form of protest in a politically active state like Kerala) have assumed the role of an already banned “bandh”. For the success of hartals, atleast 10 vehicles as well as public buildings have to damaged and at least a few innocents have to be attacked and injured for daring to travel on a hartal day. Rights are prioritized than responsibilities.

Regional political parties in the name of ideology have in a self-styled manner made themselves responsible for preserving the so-called culture and morals in a society. May it be barring education in the national language or forcing education only in the regional language, imposing a dress-code on women etc…. Goons and hooligans of such parties play havoc by threatening and exploiting the public in the name of region, language, culture, caste, gender etc and leash in vandalism. Their priorities seem to be silly when there are other burning issues. Why there are no organizations which work to ensure the right to live, right to have basic amenities like clean air, drinking water, food, shelter, etc? Why men are excluded from moral values? Why not these organizations make sincere efforts to efface eve-teasing, alcoholism and smoking which are more prevalent among men? Puffing away at others face in public place seems not a matter of concern at all. Passive smoking is more injurious to health. No one can dare to stop anyone from smoking in public. There will be protests; demonstrations etc and such decisions to ban smoking in public will be declared undemocratic. Culture and morals are sacrificed in the era of technological advancements. Certain states run solely on the funds provided by liquor barons and so is their powerful clout that their activities are but promoted at the cost of social morals and health. The right to spit where ever as one pleases is a ‘birth right’. No questioning of that privilege. Think the great men who framed our constitution didn’t possess enough far-sight. Else the 'right to spit' would have been included as a fundamental right. The walls, stairs and corners of old public mansions are always stained with paan (An article in a magazine bearing the picture of an aircraft with paan stain as a design is still vivid in memory). More disgusting is the habit of dumping wastes and urinating in public space. Even main roads are not spared. Savagely or beast-like instincts?

Practising faith is purely the choice of an individual. But coercing others to practice the faith or exploiting in the name of religion is to be condemned. Devotion is no longer a peaceful and calm personal dialect, but has to be proclaimed aloud in high decibels using loud speakers, damaging the eardrum and hampering all normal activities. Again who is bothered?

Justice delayed is equivalent to justice denied. Injustice by the affluent prevails when justice is for sale. Better bear with injustice than knock the doors for justice and emaciate in the long chase of the mirage. At the end of the day, the culprits get away with minor punishments using their political and monetary smack, making a mockery of the whole system. Crores are spend on a terrorist/ gunman who in broad day light murdered innocent civilians. Is it to exhibit our rich tradition of tolerance and virtues before the world? This is only an example of how we are projecting ourselves as fools. Trial goes on till a criminal dies of old age. Criminals should be given their due within a time-frame and speedy justice has to be ensured rather than entertaining stupid dramas.

It's 62 years of Independence and we are happy celebrating the hard fought freedom as we wish, as we choose and as we please !!!!.

Indian Railways : On the Right Track?

The Union Minister for Railways, Ms. Mamta Banerjee, deserves applause for her strong convictions and to stand on her own terms surmounting the political pressures, to protect the interest of the common man. A hike in fuel price will lead to rise in prices of almost all commodities. Already an average Indian is finding it difficult to survive due to the inflation and price hike of essential commodities such as food. Bringing down the prices may be a Herculean task after allowing for a hike.

“Social viability should be the priority than commercial viability for measuring projects", as stated by the minister herself. But society is not restricted to only the minister’s state. Patronizing the interests of only the constituencies/states of the MPs/ministers forgetting the fact that they are Union Ministers has become a predominant phenomenon in Indian poltics. None to blame. MPs are answerable to the people who have elected them and so all the sops.

Certain matters require urgent attention if the minister is really concerned of the society and a common passenger.

1. Improve cleanliness of the coaches and ensure proper maintenance of coaches. (Rats, cockroaches, ticks and noxious insects are co-passengers in a second class compartment and wonderfully even in AC coaches).

2. Toilets in trains have to be cleaned before the start of every journey and twice a day (at least once a day) in case of long journey trains. The unbearable smell from the toilets due to lack of cleaning makes the journey suffocating especially for the passenger seated at either end of the coaches.

3. Use of technology to avoid the human waste in railway tracks can be given a thought.

4. One or more waste bins can be provided in all coaches irrespective of the class and these should be emptied at regular intervals at certain chosen stations to prevent spilling. Passengers have to be strictly advised and penalized if found to take rules for granted.

5. The rusted coaches have to be replaced by good ones. The iron protrusions of the windows, doors and jammed panes are life threatening.

6. Hygiene of food served from the pantry has to be ensured. In most trains, the food purchased from outside (sometimes stale depending on the fortune of the passenger) is served in the pantry at a higher rate as per the imagination of the person in the pantry.

7. There should be a public grievance system/ feedback system for every journey and a system to take appropriate action or address such grievances.

8. The availability of tickets for crowded trains/routes has to be ensured by allowing more trains in such routes. Innocent passengers are exploited and looted by the immoral TTEs/ railway employees. Corruption by the TTEs and other railway personnel should be strictly prevented by strict penalties to the guilty.

9. Proper monitoring system should be employed to avoid the unreserved passengers occupying the reserved seats and unauthorized sale of tickets to ‘influential’ passengers undermining the merit under the reservation system. Some ‘smart’ passengers take a general compartment ticket and enter even into the AC and enjoy the journey by bribing the TTEs when most others have to cancel their journey due to non availability of tickets/ seats.

10. The tatkal reservation scheme should be opened atleast 5 days prior to start of the journey instead of 2 days to facilitate for reservation for 'to and fro' journeys in case of emergencies. This can be implemented for long distance trains.

11. Senior citizens, disabled and sick persons should be provided with facilities for mobility/lift for moving from one platform to the other or for boarding the trains since climbing the stairs and walking through the crowded and lengthy platform will be difficult. Underground subways may be a viable alternative. Also provisions have to be made to reserve the lower berths to senior citizens (if any) in the compartment.

12. In case of long distance journeys, the safety of passengers has to be ensured by employing adequate and efficient police personnel. A facility for complaining about mis-behaviour of co-passengers (if any) has to be made available for ensuring safety of lone/lady passengers.

13. It would be extra sweet if a medical practitioner(s) and medical shop is provided within the train itself.

14. Smoking and drinking by the passengers and railway personnel/ pantrywalas should be strictly prevented.

All these rules/ ethics have to be enforced uniformly across the country. There are more serious problems in some parts of the country like burning the trains by hooligans to mark protests, mangling the railway tracks by bomb blasts, train accidents due to carelessness or climatic factors such as fog and flood, looting of passengers by antisocial elements, delay in journey by hours due to heavy rail traffic etc. The problems are numerous and practical solutions may require cooperation of other departments/ministries as well.

It is not easy and as simple as it looks for the largest public enterprise to make the train journey comfortable. At least the minister can address the basic necessities (comfort is a word of distant future). The public will be more than happy to give a few rupees as fare if the services are good. All is well when said but in practice…?.

Travelling in train should not be at the risk of one’s health and life. HAPPY JOURNEY INDIAN RAILWAYS!!!!!

Patriotism or Hooliganism?

People in politics are not going to win nor gain by the divisive politics and ‘state spirit’ jingoism. The policy of ‘Divide and Rule’ followed by the British is sadly taken up by our politicians. It reminds of the story of two goats which fought fiercely and the clever monkey who went away with the meal. India has more serious challenges and threats to tackle. Why not concentrate on these, than play petty politics on some insignificant divisive strategies?

What Mr. Bachchan has done (by turning down the award from Australia in the wake of a spate of attacks on Indians in that country) is laudable and reflects his concern and urge to identify with the problems of the fellow country men. Every one can have his/her own take in any issue without affecting the unity and integrity of the country. That’s the true spirit of Democracy !!

Revelling in regional/ cultural heritage is one thing and using the same to divide the nation, to denigrate/ drive away people from other parts of the country from Mumbai/ Maharashtra is another thing. Instead of debating on this issue, the government should be courageous to stop at any cost any filthy move to divide the nation on the basis of religion or region. Or else India will be shattered by the regional political parties into mere pieces of land without a soul. India is for all Indians (Indians in the true spirit)

The war of words between the SS chief, RG and SRK is but a futile exercise. Regarding SRK, he is not the film industry. Infact there are thousands of people/ petty workers toiling in the industry. By targeting or preventing the screening of the particular movie, SS is clearly exhibiting its hooliganism and is sure alienating itself from the masses/ working class (if it cares for them?). The bus diplomacy and the Kargil war that followed the infiltration of the terrorists from the ‘great neighbourhood’ is worth mentioning in this context. Diplomacy and gestures of friendship were never greeted in the same manner by the ‘great neighbourhood’ ('great neighbourhood' in SRK’s own words). Innocents have been killed by terrorists and in bloody wars. It is both ironical and hypocritical that our soldiers have sacrificed their precious lives for us to safely watch the cricket matches(played with the people from this ‘great neighbour’ country against whom they have fought). It's true all are not same and there is no point in reviving the wounds of the past and hostility.The good and the bad exist everywhere. Bollywood has a huge fan following in Pakistan. Cinema can transcend beyond boundaries and abridge the chasm and enemity. But caution has to be exercised in dealing with the 'great neighbour' and lessons have still to be learnt from the past incidents. Before making 'flaring up' remarks casually, it would be wise if one shows enough discretion. It's between states and not individuals. But individuals such as the celebrities owe as much responsibility while making comments.

Cricket has lost its spirit as a sport/ game. In the era of blind and wretched commercialisation, cricketers have but demoted to 'bunch of puppets' in the hands of commercial barons. When there is money to make, everything else can take a back seat. It’s time to remember the lessons of the school days. Vande mataram!!!!

Doomed Education in 'Deemed' Universities

Providing education has become just a business/source of revenue in recent times. Education has relegated to a saleable commodity which increases one’s marketability and educational institutions (especially seats of higher learning) are mere business centres offering the "trendy" and "marketable" courses without the basic infrastructure and churning out 'commodities' called the ‘degree holders’. The way some institutions are operating and advertising reflects on the commercial motive behind establishing these enterprises. These institutions are selling hopes and dreams to the future generation.

No one is bothered of the credibility/authenticity of the institutions before joining for post graduation or PhD. Many of us go by the attractive labels or tags, as 'flies are to fire'. Its strange that lots of fake institutes have been getting the status of University and more ironically the status of ‘Deemed’ University. The Centre's decision to withdraw the deemed university status to 44 DUs seems to be a good move to cleanse up the rotten educational system. What ever be the aim behind the decision by the Centre, it's ultimately the students who have to pay the price for their decision to join these institutes for a secure future. Implementing such decisions one fine morning will be endangering the future of innocent students. It’s the authorities who had given the nod for establishing such institutes and granted "Deemed" or what ever status to some institutions. Why in the first place the authorities had made judgemental errors/ improper decisions having far-reaching implications in the society? Why there was no early scrutiny/ monitoring of these institutes? Realisation has dawned late.

In the name of education many business centres had mushroomed in many parts of the country producing some degree holders and mocking at those students who are admitted to good institutes after a tough competition and who pass out from such institutes of repute. Again how admission is obtained in such institutes is a different issue to be addressed. If you have money you can even buy a medical seat, you can enroll in a medical college and safely complete your studies and become a doctor. This applies to other professions as well. Once in the profession you can get back all the money you had spend for getting a degree. Or why bother? After all your marketability and status in society is improved with such a degree. This is the aim and attitude of many of the students and parents. The investment made by parents for the education of their children is huge. Sprouting of innumerable private tuition centres for even primary classes, mushrooming of entrance coaching centres charging huge fees (even for IAS there are rigorous coaching classes... ridiculous or even worst?), screening the students for admission in the nursery classes etc only reflect upon the demeaning commercialised education and the erosion of values in totality from the system. (The rut in the educational system is discussed else where in the blog, Ref: Ethics, Education and Religion). As a result, education has become inaccessible to a major chunk of the impoverished population who are economically weak and lack a political clout. Higher education is an affair meant only for the upper strata of the society. Anyone can start an educational institution in his/her own name, a short-cut and an easy way to fame, reputation or social recognition. The functional autonomy provided by the 'deemed' status enables them to work as they please. If it is not exaggeration, there are educational institutions established in the name of liquor barons and other such ‘noble’ people. And then we have all sorts of technologies and specialisations now a days. We have hair dressing technology, catering technology, cleaning technology, washing technology, cloth-cutting technology and what not. Hope no one starts an IIT to offer such 'professional' courses.....Specialisations/specialists who treat the disease and not the patient (failing to look at the whole) are so common now a days. We have engineering colleges at every nook and corner. Do we require these many engineers? Ultimately the scenario in the job sector becomes grim. Those with higher educational qualifications end up doing petty jobs, the years spend on education becoming a sheer waste.

When the government itself is encouraging privatisation in the name of quality, establishing self-financing colleges even in medical or engineering or other professions, and exercises absolutely ineffective monitoring of state-run educational institutions or is the least concerned to improve the working conditions of government institutions, why blame the private colleges/ institutions? The situation in some of the institutes (Government) of high repute is not different. A total revamp is needed in all aspects of higher education. Let this be the first step.

Fortunes In a Far Away Land

Dreams and hopes unlimited !!!! Beckoning are the glories of life in far away lands, opportunities galore, to work/study in better conditions, with good facilities and exposure, to realize the dreams of a good career, recognition and financial reward. These may be the expectations and concepts of anyone choosing to work/ study abroad.

The greener pasture of the dreams is far from the reality as pictured by the flooding reports of robbery and attacks (especially from Australia) against the Indians. Numerous cases might not have drawn our attention as they go unreported. It is not clear at this stage whether its racism or some other issue which is behind these attacks. The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas was celebrated with much pomp. The week (Jan 7-9, 2010) of glitters and gala is over. The authorities did succeed in showing their concern to the NRIs/ PIOs abroad and in pleasing as well as wooing them by offering dual citizen ship.

Indian diaspora is one of the successful, influential and efficient professional/ work force. The intellectual and managerial capacities of the people from the “land of saints, snake charmers and bullock carts” are now recognized world wide. Thanks to the Indian diaspora who, through their outstanding and remarkable work have overcome the ignorance the west had of this nation and succeeded in leaving an indelible footprint in all the sectors in which they have chosen to work. Thanks to the highly motivated hardworking individuals abroad who keep their cultural and emotional contact with the country of origin. Indian diaspora is as diverse as the nation itself. Living abroad as such is easy for the people of India and they find it easy to fit into the different cultural and social background in alien lands. The boundaries of language, region and religion fade away. The question is to merge with a larger world, a world which is very different from that of our own. Skilled labour have migrated to the developing countries while less-skilled ones have opted for the Middle East countries. Nearly 30 million people live in the US alone!! The investment made by NRIs in India is as much as $50 billion as per the recent statistics. With all appreciation for the efforts and contributions of the Indians abroad for the development of the country, let the focus be shifted to some major issues which need to be addressed keeping politics at bay. The ground realities are neither as glittering as the celebrations nor are so heart-warming.

It needs immense hardwork to succeed in unfamilar terrain adjusting to the different time zones, food, cultural and social conditions. The laws of the land are entirely different. It takes time to familiarize, to accommodate and reorient one to such conditions. But why majority of Indians choose to go abroad and permanently settle over there? Is it in our genes? Education in esteemed Institutes of repute seems to be a mere gateway to life abroad. Population in the country is exploding at a disastrous pace and at this rate we are definitely going to surpass China. There are fewer opportunities in India for even the well-educated. With favoritisms and unbridled politics, only the rich, mighty and the powerful can live in India comfortably. The fantasies and fascinations about better conditions abroad makes one to take any risk to reach there. Leaving the country in search of greener pastures seems to be the only way out…. a golden ray of hope or a meek straw to hold on for a sinking life… A better life abroad is like chasing a mirage for these unfortunate!!!!

The financial crunch back home might have driven many to work in pitiable conditions especially in the Gulf countries. Property, land and other valuable possessions are sold in total, just to obtain a visa. But all the woven dreams are shattered by the harsh realities. Many are cheated by the unscrupulous agents; many chose to work/ in inhuman, appalling conditions risking their lives just to support their family back home. Many are stranded and trapped in these countries as their passport and visa are confiscated by the employers. Luring the foreigners with false promises of a decent job, employing them in petty jobs, illegal detention of the workers etc have become very common. Some surpass all these and make a life abroad, some just stay back never wanting to return to the more dreaded conditions back home, but some (majority) may yearn to return to their home land at any cost. There are many many real life stories (especially of the people from Kerala who chose to work in Gulf countries). The recent issue is that of Indian brides duped by NRIs. There may be still many issues which need considerable and serious attention by the authorities concerned (not written here due to inadequate exposure or lack of experience).

Offering dual citizen ship with an eye on the cash is just ridiculous and reflects the irresponsible attitude of the concerned. Votes for cash or cash for votes? How many of the affluent NRIs do want to return to their home land? Whether the people who leave their roots for ever for a better life, need to be given votes is a different issue altogether. Again it’s India, a democratic country where anything and everything (read as ‘bad’) is possible. So why not sell democracy itself in return for money? That was not new, but happening in our incredible India and will happen in future too. Only new areas for corruption need to be identified. Instead of only wooing the affluent NRIs, why not the concerned focus on the problems of millions of NRIs toiling and trapped in foreign lands on occasions such as Pravasi Bharatiya Divas!!

Let us come out of the fascinations and fantasies and face the realities as they are!!!!