Y Journalism?????

(NOTE: This blog posting is an attempt to answer the question about why I chose journalism as my career.)

Standing in the campus of Indian Institute of mass Communication or IIMC, I feel a sense of pride and honour. Just the acknowledgement that I am a student of one of the most prestigious mass communication institute in the country brings a smile on my face. I would not say that I always wanted to become a journalist. But yes I always wanted to become someone who had the power to bring about a change. And by change I do not mean overthrowing the government or changing entirely the working of the democratic setup. Change for me implies change in attitude, behaviour and efforts to solve the problems that we face everyday. Change for me is to Stop Complaining and Start Working. Change for me is to raise my voice against things which I feel are not good for the society.

But the big question was how to bring about this change. The answer, I figured, was to become a journalist. A journalist for me was someone who could motivate and inspire people through his stories. I myself was moved by various stories especially the ones which talked about degrading environment and reducing wildlife. Reading newspapers and watching news channels was not only informative but also fascinating. I was amazed by the fact that there was so much happening around me which I would never have known about had there been no news coverage. To me journalism appeared to be the only alternative available to do what I wanted to. It was then that I decided to become a journalist and joined IIMC to fulfill my dream.

Once in IIMC I knew my life was going to change. But honestly I didn’t expect any drastic change in the image I had of the media industry. However, as my days in IIMC progressed I could see the rosy picture; I had in mind of a journalist, breaking bit by bit. Journalism I realized is not only about reporting. It’s not as simple and sweet as it appears. Reporting an event or incident is just one small aspect. What goes behind making a two minute news story is a lot of hard work, thinking and creativity. Everything has to be just perfect then be it the opening shot the closing PTC or the choice of clothes.

Earlier I used to severely criticize a news item if I didn’t like it. But now I realize it’s very easy to criticize but very difficult to actually do a story. There is a particular way to cover a story and every reporter is expected to follow a certain method along with maintaining his own individual style. Media is indeed a platform to raise your voice and put across your opinion. But it takes a lot of experience and hard work to actually motivate people to do something.

You might want people to stop cruelty towards animals. But to put across that point only your thought and imagination is not enough. You should know how to grab your viewer’s attention and this can be done only when you know how to shoot properly, how to edit and most important; how to write the script so that the viewer is actually inspired by your story.

A journalist’s life is all about learning. Today, as I write about when and how I decided to become a journalist, is also a part of this learning experience. Although after coming to IIMC various myths I had about journalism have been broken, I still believe media has the power to change the world and good journalism is the key to it.

Journey so far........

How easy it is to lose hope.

Stress is too much for us to cope.

We have given away dreams we always dreamt.

Bound by rules we always wanted to bend.

……

The road ahead always looked so exciting.

For new challenges we were always thriving.

Ideas and creativity knew no boundaries.

Imagination flew high with a long list of queries.

The whole world was all ours to explore.

We had new paths to tread and options galore.

Nothing seemed impossible to achieve.

Everything was within our reach.

Our steps would not stop at the sight of hindrance.

We fought our way out to hop over the fence.

…….

Why have the steps stopped now?

Why is the imagination not flying high now?

Why are we afraid to take up challenges?

Why are we afraid to hop over the fences?

Why has the desire to do something great died down?

Why we no longer aim to be different from the crowd?

……

Life is too short to be disheartened.

Smile and start afresh with eyes focused on your goal till the very end.

Get up, Wake up and chase your dreams.

Do what you want to and forget about all the regimes.

There is only one life and this life is yours.

So never give up hope and keep opening new doors.

INDIA-PAKISTAN AND CRICKET!!!!!!

Pakistan- the utterance of this word brings about a flood of reactions. For some its a troubling neighbourhood. For others the hub of terrorism. And still few others feel its a democracy gone horribly wrong. Pakistan and India can never be talked about in isolation. The traditions, cultures, rituals and beliefs of people in the two nations are very similar. And one more thing that is common to both countries is cricket.

In India cricket is religion. If there is one thing which brings the one billion Indians together then it is Cricket. And the scene is same across the border. No matter how much tension brews up in the country, if the Pakistani cricket team is playing entire nation would pray for its victory. If the match is won people erupt into celebrations, dancing in the street with joy, lighting crackers they hug each other as if they were the one's playing. They give royal treatment to their cricketers and worship them like God after every victory.
But if the match is lost the entire scenario changes. Cricketers' houses are attacked, their effigies burnt and people protest against them on streets. Cricketers are treated as if they are the biggest criminals.
Doesn't all this sound a bit familiar! It does and the reason is that Indian fans also treat their cricketers in the same way. Tears trickle down whenever India loses match and crackers are burst after every win.

Cricket is such a big factor in both the nations that every slight move is closely followed. And where there is cricket there is bound to be controversy. India and Pakistan happen to be amidst controversy more often than not. All team selection meetings are intensively covered by the media. Coach and the management is also always under the public eye. Each and every move of all cricketers is religiously followed. No wonder in both nations Cricketers endorse maximum products.
Cricket acts as a great binding force in both nations. World cup T20 victory was a great factor in bringing people together amidst tension of suicide bombings and Taliban attack in Pakistan. People came out on streets to celebrate brushing aside all fears. A lost match also bring people together but in protest and anger.

When it comes to cricket as a sport there is hardly any difference in its following in India and Pakistan. Emotions, feelings and reactions are the same. Its only the the teams that change with changing borders.

Entrance Exam For Our Politicians.......???

Every year there is a hue and cry about nursery admissions in Delhi and NCR. Kids as young as two and three years old are introduced to the competitive world. They have to slug it out by reciting nursery rhymes or ABCD to secure a seat for themselves in the elite schools. Ofcourse there are various other criterion for admission but entrance test is also part of the process. How horrible it feels to utter the word "Entrance Test" for the kids! And these entrance exams or interviews become part of our lives as we grow old. From securing a seat in school , to getting admission in the prestigious college and then while applying for the job, at every stage we have to pass some exam or the other.

Many might argue that this process is important to choose the most deserving candidates for the post. Point accepted but with only one question, why is this process of screening and interviewing not implemented while choosing people for the most prestigious job, that of running the nation!

Why is there no criterion, except for age limit, for candidates to contest polls. Why anyone and everyone can just jump into the political scene. Why people with no elementary education, with past criminal records of henious crimes, people accused of creating communal tension and people who know nothing about the nation and its policies, are allowed to contest polls. What can justify the law as per which a person serving a jail term is allowed to contest polls!

While seeking admission to any educational institution or while joining any firm, we are required to fulfill certain eligibility conditions. Like having minimum pass percentage, no past criminal record, etc. Why such eligibility conditions can not be stated for contesting polls?

Shouldn't there be minimum educational qualification requirement, say atleast 12th pass, for every candidate. Shouldn't the candidates have no past criminal record and no pending court cases against them. And shouldn't the candidates be required to abstain from any activity which propagates hatred amongst different communities of the society.

Why the candidates, who aspire to run the nation or their particular constituency, are not exposed to rigrous process of entrance exams. An exam which would test their knowledge about the nation, its constitution, its demographies, its policies and its shortcomings. An exam which would test not only their aptitude but their attitude and just how would they contribute to the growth of the nation. An exam which would help to judge why a particular candidate is better than the rest and why should he be chosen over others to run the nation.

No doubt all this seems very cliched and difficult to achieve. But it is only difficult and not impossible. Small but significant steps in the beginning will eventually lead us to reach the long term target i.e. to have deserving and well qualified candidates to contest the polls.Our Election Commission can start by prohibiting anyone with past criminal records and pending court cases against them from contesting polls. This very step will tremendously reduce the number of candidates. And then the Commission can move ahead with implementation of other eligibility requirements like minimum educational qualification to contest polls.

India is the world's largest Democracy. But the current political scenario makes it more of a mockery than Democracy. Only if  the people who are allowed to contest polls  appropriately screened and filtered,  will the freedom to chose one's own leader be fruitful. Otherwise we will be ruled by a bunch of undeserving politician who fulfill their own self interest at the expense of general public. In my opinion all the campaigns which urge people to use their voting right and bring about a change, should also focus on the other side of the coin. Unless we have right candidates to choose from, who are we suppose to vote for? One vote can make the difference no doubt. But if all candidates are incompetent what difference would our vote make?

PECULIARITY OF EXAM TIMES!!!!!!!

Of late I have been busy thinking about the topics to write on. I keep wondering what next can I put up on my blog. And what bothers me is why am I becoming so obsessed with blogging!A little introspecting and I get my answer.....surprise.......surprise...... It's exam time for me. Now what have exams got to do with blogging, you would ask. Well as a matter of fact exams have got to do with everything but studies. Yupp that's absolutely true.......atleast for me!

I get the best of ideas during exams. Whenever I open my syllabus book and try to cram all about the Indian economy , its policies, its reforms and its growth so far, I don't realise when my mind wanders away. And all that goes on in my brain is what else I can do in my life apart from boring studies.

Its strange that throughout the year we waste our time lazying around, having fun with friends, bunking classes and a lot more. Only once or twice do we sit down and ponder over our lives. Only once in a while do we plan for our future and very rarely do we end up deciding upon something concrete. But everything changes during that one month of exams( You read it absolutely right.Final exams in DU often extend to over a month......its a sheer torture I tell you!)During this one month all we do is make plans for our future, set targets for ourselves and promise to fulfill all the expectations that our parents have from us. In short we do everything but one during exams and that is Studying. We spend our precious time thinking about all things missing in our lives and what all we could have done if only exams were not to be taken care of!

The most irritating and frustrating thing about exams, though is , all the events that we so truly want to enjoy and be part of happen during exams. Then be it IPL, cricket world cup, release of a much awaited movie, best friend's birthday, wedding of a relative, and the list goes on and on. We feel the whole world, actually not the world, but the education institutions conspire against us. What else can be the reason behind us being compelled to study when everyone else around us seems to be having the best times of their lives.We feel left out of all the excitement and fun all due to some silly exam. And to top it all we can neither stay away from these events completely nor can we enjoy them fully. So we end up sitting in front of T.V. watching match with textbooks in our hands. We know we are not doing justice to either studies or match but we can't help it. Exams force us to act like this.

But human mind is a great controller Before we lose track we are brought back to our senses. We suddenly realise that whatever be the case we still have to write the exam. And then another thought process begins. This time its about looking over our past deeds. If only we hadn't bunked classes, if only we had listened to the teacher instead of cricket commentary in class and if only we were a little regular in our studies, the exams would not have been so frightening.The sight  of unread pile of books would not send shivers down our spine. And we go on and on about what we could have done to pass the exams without nightmares.

It all happens during exam times. From planning our future to regretting the errors of our past mischieves we do everything except for one  and that is studying. 

Yes in all this serious thinking we somehow forget our studies!

But not everyone can do what we students can. Our teachers take one whole year to complete the syllabus. But we students do that in one day, actually one night before the exam. Its commendable how we cram everything in less than 24 hours and still manage passing grades.Books become so precious to us at this time that we don't want to part with them even while entering the examination hall........!!!!!

The way our mind functions and the way we organise ourselves during exams surprises us as well. Exam times are indeed peculiar.

IPL: ........... Premier League

IPL: Indian Premier League or International premier League?

Well first things first. I am a huge fan of M.S.Dhoni. So my bet is on Chennai Super Kings for sure!!!!!!!!!

Now coming to the point. Why do I call the IPL International league? Not because the centre of action happens to be South Africa this time And definitely not because so many international players are part of the tournament. They were there last year as well and as a matter of fact not more than four foreign players can be part of the playing eleven on any match day. So whats the reason for my dilemma!

There are eight teams in the league and when the format was introduced it gave a very rosy picture. Eight different teams representing eight different regions across the length and breadth of India . And eight players leading these teams which were to be a mix of domestic and national players of India and international players from different cricket playing nations. Now the Confusion really is all about the captains. Last year only one team had a foreigner as its captain. The spin wizard Shane Warne led the lesser known Rajasthan Royals to an impressive win last season. But numbers were still in favour of Indian captains. Seven teams had Indian skippers.But everything has changed this time round. The number game has become very balanced with four teams being led by Indian captains and four by foreigners. And why do I question this move? well it is not as much a matter of questioning as it is of surprise, shock and disappointment!

We will look at it one by one.

Deccan Chargers are being led by the wicket keeper batsman Adam Gilchrist. He is a genious no doubt and in fact the side is performing really well under him. The team is gelling well together and his constant chit chat from behind the stumps has motivated the team to do well. And his brutal assault right in the beggining of the innings sends the opposition in a frizzy. So, full support to Gilly for leading the team that is as the top of the points table right now. VVS Laxman should not feel left out as long as his team is winning and he is scoring the important runs needed.

Next change was done with the Royal Challengers Bangalore owned by the Liquor baron Vijay Mallya. Kudos to this man for foraying into so many ventures and achieving success. But luck seems to be evading him in his latest venture. RCB didn't perform to well last year. This season too, after starting on a winning note, they have been on the losing side. But what really miffed me was the removal of Rahul Dravid "The Wall" from captaincy and giving the command to former English skipper Kevin Peiterson. (By the way he is the most expensive player this season alongwith Freddie Flintoff!) Dravid is one person who stays away from controversies and is mature enough not to give silly juicy soundbites to the media. All he does is to let his game do the talking. And this time too he has done just that. The way he raised his bat after reaching his First Fifty in this season expressed the unsaid emotions. And while Dravid is among the leading run scrorers so far, the much hyped Peiterson has nothing much to talk about. We will see what Mr Mallya has to say about this now!!!!!!!!

But the biggest most controversial and rather unfortunate change was with the Shah Rukh Khan owned Kolkata Knight Riders. First it was John Buchanan's multiple captaincy theory(thank God it was only a theory!!!) and then removal of Sourav ganguly from captaincy out of the blue. The reins were handed over to Brendum McCullum instead. I just can't come to terms with this decision. Honestly I feel there is something about an Austrailian coach and Sourav Ganguly. Earlier it was Greg Chappel and now Buchanan! And whats more surprising is the extent of King Khan's modesty.  I will disclose  a little secret here. I love King Khan and his movies Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Dil To Pagal Hai happen to be my favourite.He is an alumini of my college.....not that it matters.....well in fact it does when you are a Fan.......lolz!!! Coming back to his modesty now. As per him all cricket decisions are made by his teams cricket department and he has no say in it. Oh Really I ask. Is he not bothered about his team's performance? Will he not give his opinion if he feels that that would increase his team's winning chances? I can bet on the fact that had the  IPL been held in India this time, this change would never have been made. No way would the Kolkatans' have allowed a match of a team representing their region without Dada being the captain. They worship Dada and rightly so. And Ganguly is not the one to take the beating lying down. His performance so far, both by ball and bat and more so with his attitude shows who the real Dada is afteral!

And about Rajasthan Royals and Shane Warne. No Comments. I think the master of spin has been a great coach, a wonderful captain and has led the team extremely well so far.

So, there we have it. The DLF IPL season 2 being held in South Africa with supporters being confused about whom to support. There is no regional support to talk of. No Delhi crowd cheering for the Daredevils, No Kolkatans to  shout for Dada and No Punjab de puttar backing the Kings XI punjab! Few Indians have flown down to South Africa but that can not match the fervour and frenzy had the matches been held in India. And then there is absence of Indian captains leading four major teams. So lack of individual support too.

What do the cricket obsessed nation do now?......  Cheer for the Bangalore team playing in Cape Town with Kevin Peiterson as the captain! Now that's TRULY INTERNATIONAL......isn't it!

P.S.: My support still is with Chennai Super Kings.......no confusion about that. I love our Captain Cool and am sure Mahi and his team will be the best.

By the way the long blog goes on to show how much I am obsessed with cricket!

what else but the elections!!!!!!

The world's largest democracy is witnessing another general elections. The images and videos I see on T.V. makes me wonder are these the people who will be making decisions for us in the near future! Everybody from movie celebraties to the neighbourhood aunt are telling us how one vote can change the way our democracy works. But  can they help us to choose the right canditate?

Politicians are spilling dirt on each other just to gather votes. Accusations and false promises is all we get to hear from their mouths at present.And anybody who is somebody is trying to to gain their 15 minutes of fame by foraying into politics at this particular time. Then be it Munnabhai or former miss India or the local businessman. Its heartening to see that more and more people are taking the initiative to change the way the system works. Their belief that "Be the change to  bring about a change" is quiet encouraging. But the question is that after jumping into politics have they not forgotten their real cause? Have they too not started behaving like politicians whose way of working they so wanted to change? They too have entered the dirty War-of-Words and they too don't shy away from publicly using caste,religion and region as the basis to garner votes.These new entrants are however only a fraction of the canditates.

The most ironical is the fact that a long list of canditates with past criminal records and many still facing charges are contesting polls. Its surprising to see that people with past records of murders, kidnapping and various other criminal activities, are so openly and shamelessly appealing to the masses to vote them to power.And their motto, Bring about a change! What change are they talking about........Legalising Crimes?

Another interesting or grim face, call whatever, of India's election is the alliances between different political parties.Its in fact hilarious how these alliances work. Two different parties would be at logger heads with each other prior to polls. They would leave no stone unturned to malign the rival party. But after polls, the closed door meetings result in these very parties forming an alliance against a third party. Indeed it must be quiet a daunting task to form these alliances.  Very often we see parties forming alliance with a party against a party with whom it was in alliance previously. Too much of an Alliance you see!!!!

Its funny how the system works and what is more striking is the fact that it has been so from the past six decades! No wonder then that i was more interested in The American Presidential election where change was not merely talked about.Change in fact did come with first black president taking control of the White House.No wonder I was more informed about the outcomes in different states of U.S. than I am about India. In India we are spoilt for choices. But the irony is that its not Gold or Iron we have to chose from. The choice is infact between Dust and Sand!

So go ahead and make your choices.........see even I have joined the league to promote Voting!!!!!!!!!

Misadventure of Adjustment and Headphones

Today I will tell you about a funny incident that happened with me. Any of you who have travelled by bus might know how sharing a seat meant for two with a third person is a common scenario in buses. Well one day on my way back from college I managed to get a window seat in bus (mind you it is indeed a blessing to get a window seat in bus!) and luckily a girl and not some rowdy guy sat next to me. I was contended and hoped a happy journey back home. But my happiness was short lived because just after 20 minutes we reached a stop from where large number of passengers boarded the not so packed bus(actually the number was large enough so as not to fit in the sitting capacity but yupp they could stand comfortably). And in this crowd of people were two aunties who became a matter of concern (no they were definitely not injured nor were they old!). 

They were a matter of concern because one of them asked us to adjust on a seat meant for two so as to accommodate her. We tried our best not to comply with what she said. But she was so persuassive that finally we did adjust. In the remaining journey  she didn’t even for a minute stop complaining about how uncomfortably she was sitting. Mind you she thought only she was uncomfortable and not us (the lesser mortals as per her). And much astonishing was the fact that although she kept on complaining but she would not get up and stand more comfortably instead! Well this was about how uncomfortable the journey became.

 Now about the other auntie. She of course like her friend(yes they were friends……more about it later though!) adjusted on the seat in front of mine and the occupants this time were a male and a female and still the auntie insisted on adjustment. It happened such that the two aunties were friends and amongst all the adjustment and cribbing they managed to carry on their gossip varying from how to make pickle ,to how to control their children, to how their neighbour’s  dressing sense was so out of fashion. And completely fed up and irritated of all this gossip I took recourse to the much coveted headphones (I am indeed very grateful to the person who invented cell phones with music player). 

I had also managed to start a conversation with my co passenger (the other lesser mortal who was also upset by the fact of losing out on a comfortable journey all because of the auntie we had to share our seat with). Therefore I was in a way multi tasking, listening to songs and chatting with her. Volume in my headset was pretty loud and so my pitch while replying to her rose a little sometimes and it so happened that she made a comment on the male who shared his seat in front of us and waited for my reply. I forgetful of the fact that headsets were in my ears and not hers replied a bit loudly. Well not a bit but loud enough so that the male about whom the comment was made could hear it. Not that I said something wrong. In fact I stated the obvious that if he had so much respect for the auntie he could well have got up and vacated the seat, why to make adjustment sitting in between two ladies on a seat meant for two. I understand that the auntie was very persuasive to get a seat but it would have been more dignified on his part to get up and vacate the seat instead, if he had to indeed bow to her demands.

 But my stating the obvious meant a bit of embarrassment for me and a lot for him. For me because he heard me and stared back at me in shock and disbelief. And for him, because the poor fellow could not even get up as that would mean accepting his fault and sitting their became even more uncomfortable for him as now he became conscious of what other people might think about his adjustment. But I was also in a way happy as through this incident I managed to state the obvious and hopefully next time the fellow would get up and with full dignity vacate his seat for the auntie.

 And as far as headphones are concerned I still plug them in my ears, pump up the volume to the maximum and make it a point NOT to open my mouth with the headsets plugged in my ears.

Are We Insensitive or Are We Selfish?

How comfortable life is for people like us. We have a secure environment,access to good education,all comforts are within are reach,umpteen recreation activities to choose from and for all our problems we have caring parents to rely on. All our necessities are fulfilled at the drop of a hat. Our demands,sometimes not so reasonable,are more often than not taken care of. Food and shelter have never ever been a matter of concern for us,but what has been our concern is to be updated with latest gadgets,latest trends and to be one step ahead of our friends at any cost. And this cost is not often but always borne by our parents. And god forbid if our wishes are not fulfilled we are brave enough to curse our parents for being our parents. In a moment we forget about the pains and sufferings they have undergone to give us a comfortable life. We forget that what we are today is because of them. We forget that there are hundreds of children who will sacrifice everything to have parents like us for they never got an opportunity to enjoy their parents' love and affection.

We take for granted everything that we have got. We very conveniently ignore the fact that there are children struggling to find shelter and two square meals a day. When on the dining table we refuse to eat a particular vegetable, we don't recall the children on streets who sleep on empty stomach. When we demand for a new car we forget the fact that at red light there are children walking bare feet on hot road selling merchandise to earn a living. When we force our parents to buy us new trendy clothes , we fail to remember those who bear the chilling winter naked. When we curse the system of education ,we ignore the fact that if given an opportunity there are children who will put their heart and soul to benefit from this very system and secure their future. When we get a little sick, we have access to best of medication and our parents to take care but how many of us give a thought to those for whom every single breath is an effort. For us even a slight hurdle in our lives is unacceptable but do we know that there are people who are able to walk a step ahead only after crossing plenty of hurdles that too without any help from anyone. Even a slight deviation from our routine life shakes us but there are people for whom every day is a new challenge. When we get up in the morning we are assured of a good night's sleep that evening but there are people who at the crack of the dawn open their eyes hoping that they are not forced to shut them forever because of acute hunger and poverty.

Its not that we don't know or we haven't seen the other aspect of life and the people who lead such a life but its just the fact that we so religiously believe in the saying ,"Ignorance is Bliss" and that all we take into account is we ourself. We turn a blind eye to all the hardships faced by anyone and everyone except us. Its not that we dont feel sad by the misery around us but just the fact that when our own interests are not fulfilled nothing bothers us. The question of our being insensitive or selfish is never answered because we never get time off our own self interests!

Every Dog Needs a Home!

How often when you switch on the T.V.and see a cute Pug following a sweet girl everywhere saying the network follows you wherever you go,do you get the urge to welcome that beautiful dog into your home! How often when you watch shows on infotainment channels and in fact any show related to animals, do you wish to have a non-human yet more loving more caring and ofcourse more selfless than any human, as your friend! And how often do you search the net or scan the newspaper to find if any pup is on sale. Very often,isn't it?
Not an ordinary pup though but a pedigreed one. Its indeed nice to adopt these pups like the German shepherds, Labradors, pugs and the like. But in this quest why do we forget our indian dogs. Why our love is biased only towards the foreign breeds and why our we apprehensive of adopting Indian dogs. Do you know that Indian dogs being borne in India are best suited to climate here and have a far more better resistance to diseases. Do you know that if we spent even a meagre amount of what is spent on the vaccines of foreign breeds is spent on the initial vaccines of the Indian breed, they would serve us much longer and with much more enthusiasm and energy. And do you know that like its pedigreed friend Indian dogs too can be properly trained and groomed.
The belief that Indian dogs are meant for streets and do not need homes is a highly misconceived notion. Everyday many dogs lose their lives under the wheels of speeding vehicles. And much worse there are plenty of those who lose their limbs in such accidents and are left handicapped for the rest of their life.
But everything is not lost yet. There are still some rays of hope which will come to the fore if you and i together take a small step ahead and take initiative to adopt these street dogs. If every household in the country adopts even a single dog imagine the kind of good we would be doing to our four-legged friends! And these canines who are best suited for all weathers in India would surely pay tribute to our endeveour by showering their immense selfless love on us. And if you want to help these dogs but cannot welcome them into your home, then don't be disheartend. Because you too can do your share of good just by feeding the cute canines waging their tails right in front of your house!
So go ahead and help the stray dogs to lead a better life and I assure you the pleasure you will derive from this venture is immense and unparallel !

My Journey Through the College Lanes

Three different individuals,one common destination.
First time they met was on the Hansraj campus.
Had different personalities, yet had something common.
For them,meeting each other was they best omen.
That day started the bond which was to last forever.
Studies were important but fun was ignored never.
Choices varied,tastes differed.
But idea of bunking the class was always favored.
Chocolates were always bought by the one who never ate them.
Coffee from nescafe was the one common thing amongst them.
Campus life was not much explored in first year.
Seedhe -sharif bacche they, so books were the only thing near.
Moving from completing notes to hanging out at LP.
Life changed pretty fast and the first movie wathched together was Heyy Babyy!!!!!!
Bunking classes became a norm and studies took a back seat in second year.
Not that they lost interest but pleas for a late entry, Micro sir would never hear.
An all new life was discovered.
Attendence was something less bothered.
Lunch would be opened in the very first class.
Right under the teacher's nose, between the three of them it would pass.
Each and every shop of KNags was visited.
McD, Nirulas and CP were also frequented.
Without realising,the term came to an end.
Exams were such a bouncer, they feared they had 2nd year classes to reattend.
Thankfully,Fortunately or Luckily, say whatever
They passed their exams and entered the final year.
Final year! yes, just one more year of togetherness.
They pledged to enjoy every moment to the fullest.
Everyone was single, so linking-up was the best time pass.
Each had a long list of qualities,their "someone special" must posses!
Someone got hitched and search is still on for some.
So they had more jokes to crack and lots more Fun!
They hated college in First year.
But things are different in the final year.
Their bond of friendship would not break after the college gets over.
Yet the thought of not being together made them shiver.
They all had different aspirations,different dreams,different destinations.
They have taken their respective paths and success awaits them on the horizon.
Well these three individuals are:
Anushree Gupta..........the all rounder
Shweta Dalal............the painter
Sumita Yadav........the writer
.....................................................................

"We wish each other the best in life. And may our friendship always thrive."

The Growing Disparities within our Society!

The comments of the Village elders and their attempt to save their accused sons in the recent Noida rape case and putting entire blame on the girl is a mere depiction of how women are still ill treated and not given due respect in many parts of the second largest growing economy of the world. On one hand the growth of our country has been so phenomenon that even foreigners are taking lessons from our achievements and progress.And on the other side this growth is so uneven that it creates two different segments of the society altogether and mind you this disparity that i am talking about is not in monetary terms but the one which questions the very definition of morality. There is a segment of society which is deeply attatched to the traditional value system and is finding it difficult to adjust to the changing customs and traditions. And side by side exists a segment which has moulded itself into these new so called western traditions.

No doubt the old values and tradition define the Indian culture but to seek shield under those very traditions to malign the image of girl or suppress women in general is not part of our culture.

Today women are walking shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts in every sphere of life then be it driving an autorichshaw or flying an aeroplane. And if men have the freedom to do whatever they want to, from how they dress to what profession they chose, then why should women be denied this right? And the segment of society with the new traditions have indeed accepted this fact and are helping women to climb up the ladder of self dependency.

But the segment with the old values and also narrow thought process fails to appreciate this fact.The male dominated society of this segment find it insulting if women try to do anything other then what they want them to do! For them women should stay behind closed doors and perform only household chores and should have no dreams and aspirations.

But is this what our tradition and values teach us?

Does the other segment which moves with the changing world have no values..so to say?

Should women actually stay behind closed doors if they want to protect themselves?

The answer to all the above question is a strict "NO".

Firstly, in our tradition and culture a daughter is given an equal respect as Goddess Laxmi. Nowhere do they preach to suppress or ill treat women. Secondly, the new segment of society does indeed follow the values and tradition but they do side by side adopt to changing surroundings ie the changing world. So if they work in multi national companies on one hand they also respect their elders and celebrate all customs and also festivals. And lastly , why should women stay indoors to protect themselves. Why in the first place should her freedom to walk freely, dress as per her choice and enjoy the benefits of education and to work to fulfill her dreams be curtailed.? Why does this need to protect even arise? Isn't it in our culture to provide a peaceful environment for existence! Don't our very own custom tell that eyeing other women is a sin! And isn't freedom the right for all!