Friday, September 4, 2009

Semi urban reaction for a FGD on women reprodcutive health

To begin, actually I do not know from where to begin the story but I remember Sonia (my boss) saying Tapti whenever you visit a field you get to know 'the truth.'
Agarpara was an eye opener. Never thought things could be so bad. People don't use condoms - They know about it but they will not use.
When ladies entered the room for discussion, I was appalled by what they were wearing - gaudy saris with well pleated pallus, make - up etc. I was amazed. During the FGD, I realised, it is like a picnic or a high society get together for them.
Interesting, that if two or more women came for FGD, and they belong to the same family, they will not open their mouth. KEEP SHUT must be an instruction given before leaving home or they are scared, may be one among them will ditch.
They have to be pursued for everything. Talking, laughing, chatting, interacting but they were natural when they had to mock each other.
The most talkative dominated the discussion but it was the silent ones who said a lot. The not so talkative ones where most important because when they opened their mouth, it helped to end the FGDs on a good/ fruitful note.
Some were excited as they were getting the limelight others kept quiet because ???? strings attached. But the innocence in their eyes cannot be forgotten as some kind of socio- economic force asked them to join in this discussion.
Well this is not the official feedback but just wanted to pen down my thoughts and thought of sharing with all of you.
Indeed a rollercoaster ride.

Sunday, April 26, 2009

DLF IPL- Income Premier League

DLF IPL- Income Premier League
How many people are crazy about IPL? The answer is many. There are various reasons behind it. For the celebrities, it is money and publicity. People like Preity Zinta and Shilpa Shetty, whose last film, people need time to recollect and Shah Rukh Khan, whose old age is affecting his days of romance. But the show must go on, irrespective of fields or sets.
Cricketers are at an advantageous state too. Players like Ganguly, Tendulkar are earning in lakhs by not only playing matches but jab advertisements hai toh kya baat hai. Even if players are not part of the Indian team, they are part the IPL Twenty20.
Many people are calling the Indian Premier League to be an International Premier League because it has shifted to South Africa. What people are ignoring or avoiding the fact that we have 213 cricketers playing, out of which 36% of them are international players. The story does not end here as 8 international coaches are training 8 teams. They are playing more important roles than the Indians. We have 28 Australians – our arch rivals in international cricket, in 8 teams. Players like Shane Warne and McCullum are captains of the two most popular teams. This shows how Indian PL has become International PL, where international players play dominant roles. It has already started. Shilpa Shetty said that she will learn cricket from Shane Warne.
Our players, irrespective of any game, claim that they play for INDIA. So, do our actors and actresses. But what are they during General Elections? Are they voting or playing IPL?
IPL have many cheerleaders, on-screen and off-screen. Kolkatans are cheering for Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbaikars for Mumbai Indians etc. What do you think what is it leading to? There are few who are cheering for other regions.
So, one conclusion that can be drawn is that IPL is not completely about cricket but about earning/yearning loads of cash. This year will be remembered by many jobless people as a year of ‘recession’, but who will say so looking at the IPL, who has already claimed a profit of Rupees 200 crorers.

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Finally Pakistan said it.

It was a brave move by Pakistan to declare that Taliban was a treat to many nations. It was a threat not only for Pakistan, USA but India too. What exactly was Pakistan trying to say? Taliban, the army made in Afghanistan against Russia by Pakistan itself, has become a treat to it's own country. Was Pakistan trying to refuse its' involvement in making this force. Has it forgotten that the Taliban has more Pakistanis than Afghans. Even a kid in Afghanistan knows who are Talibans. Afghanistan, being a Muslim nation, was not as ruthless as it became when the Government was run by the Talibans. It had formed its own rules, issued Fathwa and behave like a colonialist.
As there are no threats from Russia, and the internal conditions of Pakistan are miserable and leave alone the state of Afghanistan, that the President blamed it's own made-up army, as 'murderous thugs.' Interesting, but what is Zardari's plan?
India, in the past, present and also in future will be threatened by these anti-social elements, so what is so new about it? Zardari's certificate. By doing all this, is it trying to create a sympathetic image for itself in the world. He shouldn't dare to do it for India. It cannot be denied that non governmental groups act as a huge threat for his government, but as a President, he can bring them under control as he is the most powerful man in Pakistan(and if he is not, then it's high time to become one). These sympathies will sustain for long if only he takes steps to curb the anti-socials. He doesn't have to host special conference for that.
Soon India and USA will become his friends. Though the latter has informally been.

Sunday, December 7, 2008

WAR WITH PAKISTAN???

Today, if we go to a peace march, the people demand war with Pakistan. Civilians praising the army and blaming Pakistan for the terror attacks. have we ever though, if these army men come to power then what might happen to our DEMOCRACY? The terrorists had links in Pakistan, but, will war help to prevent these terrorist attacks in India?
Our National Security Guards and the army helped the hostages to evacuate from Taj, Oberoi, and Nariman House, and also killed nine terrorists. Police played an important role. They were active for sixty hours.
The terrorists took the sea route to enter Mumbai and what were the Coast Guards doing? They were not aware of the fact that a rubber boat was hijacked and all its Indian sailors were killed. They were in the Arabian Sea for more than twenty four hours and yet, the Coast Guards could not find them. After their successful landing, they stayed in Cuffe Parade, some say for five hours or five days. Yet, our police could not find them. On 26th November, 2008, Wednesday, the final attack took place in Mumbai. There were many killed in CST, Taj, Oberoi, Nariman House. Why? No security, no guns to defend the innocent people. There were internal fight among the officials about under whose jurisdiction which territory comes in. Time was spend in these trivial matters. Oh! I forgot to mention about the discussions our National Security Advisor, Mr. M.K. Narayanan had with the U.S.A officials. He worked so hard to convince leaders and common man to support the N Deal. These terrorist attacks could have been avoided, if instead of discussing the N Deal, he would have paid attention to the warnings given to him. Do we still want to see a military man leading our country?
Will war with Pakistan will solve the internal loopholes we have? All those who demand war with Pakistan, should be send to schools and attendance should be made compulsory in the History classes. World War I and World War II, and Kargil conflict should be taught extensively and make them understand the consequences. P.P.T or Movie Maker should be used to show the visuals, and get all these situations grilled into their heads. Have people forgotten about the losses, the death of innocent people, the amount of arms and ammunition used, children and its horrible after effects - just to remind people of the child who survived from the American- Taliban war, he was standing on one leg and a stick. forgotten?
Will the civilians go and fight against Pakistan? Some suggest that military training should be made compulsory like in Korea and Singapore. Is it to discipline the youth? The attack on the elite, have forced them to go insane. To conclude, middle class is more sensible than the rich and educated dodos.

Wednesday, December 3, 2008

I AM ALIVE.....

Is that the news? Yes, for me and for my well-wishers. Since Wednesday, I have attended many calls only to prove that I am ALIVE. For a change, I will thank my hostel rules and regulations that do not allow me to go out at night. I was safe because i was inside a four walled room. The difference between my room and the rooms of Taj and Oberoi was, I could freely live in the room. No direct death treats, and did not see or hear grenades that were exploded. I could watch television for long, eat fresh food and yes, attend phone calls. How was it to stay in these hotels? Where you through tantrums if, your mini bar is not filled in with delicious food. The hotel staff died while serving guests' needs.
What about the ATS chief, who had send the culprits of Malegaon blast to Jail. He died because he was not wearing his life jacket. There were many other officers and constables died in these three days. The news channels say, around 200 people are killed. We should not forget, there are no consensus amongst the channels about the actual number of deaths.
Today Moshe, has gone back to Jerusalem without his parents and grand parents. They are all dead. What will this kid do? He is two years old and he is an orphan. Will he even remember his parents' face by the time he has grown up. We look at our parents for our identity,our security, our needs, Moshe will look up to whom? To the word terrorist...he might. He does not even know what has happened to him. He only cannot see his parents. Now when he has gone to different country, it will be impossible for the kid to adjust there.
Whom should we blame for all this? The politicians, the coastal guards,or the terrorist?
Should only they to be blamed?
The politicians have come to power because of the voters. We have never complained against police misbehaviour, so, the only people left to be blamed are terrorists. Yes, they have to be blamed but, is that enough.
I will blame myself for it. I am twenty-three, yet, I do not vote. I don't have a voter's card. I would like to break rules, for example, carry liquids in the plane, if there is strict checking I will be impatient and criticise the people etc. I keep cribbing and find faults. Starting from not following the simple traffic rules we have in our country. The terrorist will find out ways to attack our nation, yet we will not take any measures to stop them from affecting us in such a large scale.
The army came and helped the civilians. Now many civilians want our leaders to step down and the army to take over. People have lost it. They do not learn lessons until it happens to them personally. Have we forgotten the Pakistan ex- President Pervez Musharraf or General Zia-ul-Haq. Please people should read about the military rule and then urge for it. People should especially look into the Rights of the people. Even after that people want a military rule, please leave India. One solution to solve these problems is to vote for the general elections of 2009. We might not get many good candidates, but who would like to work for the country should be brought to power. We should learn about our candidate's proposals and should also see whether he has made arrangements to solve the problems.
I will be getting my voter's card by February, 2009 and I will be waiting because I do not want to loose my close ones.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

An Unending Misery

Hi Everyone. Well this is my first experience (in real sense) with blogs.

The Singhur issue..........
In Kolkata, every household you visit, parents often say, 'My children are in Delhi.' or Mumbai, or, Bangalore or, Hyderabad. They are studying or working there and have no intentions to go back to Kolkata. (including me)
When I asked Abhisheikh about his plans to go back to Kolkata, he said, 'Are you mad? I have no scope there. What will I do by going back to Kolkata. I have better options here in Delhi.'
This is an usual scene of the upper class or upper middle class in Kolkata.
Somehow, I feel, to stop this brain drain from West Bengal, Buddhadeb Bhattacharya - the Cheif Minister, decided to launch the TATA project at Singhur. It would help large sections of the population. They will use the opportunity to have a better living conditions. Indeed, some benefited from it. Some sold their lands and with the money got their daughters married. Many who were in debt, could pay back.
The situation changed completely when, the two political parties got involved. Singhur became the battle ground for Communist Party of India (M), and Trinomool Congress. The workers of both the parties reach the place and instigated the villagers against the rival party. Can a villager, who can not feed his children, will have arms or have the strength to fight?
The Government surely did not want this blood shed. They wanted to do something for the Youth. But, the political battles changed everything. On one hand, the government wants to revive the sad situation of West Bengal, and, on the other, the rival parties do not want them to be successful as they might loose in the forthcoming elections. (They have only played the role of 'Opposition'. What has the Municipality, headed by the TMC leader, done to make Kolkata clean?)
In this cock fight, it is us, the people of West Bengal have suffered. In such conditions, every section of the society is affected. And this will have a horrible effect for a long time.

Wednesday, July 9, 2008

do you agree that it was in paskistan that the plot to attack the Indian Embassy had taken place?