One pill for thousand ills. How about being an Active Citizen :)

"Am sick and tired of this traffic." " Have you seen the roads today. They became pathetic after the rains." " Mrs.Das's 20 year old son broke his neck when his bike fell in to a deep crater on the road. He will be bedridden his entire life." "The lights in our road,have not been repaired from ages. I don't feel safe while walking at night." " Can't breathe or walk on road. That garbage dump at the corner of our street stinks."

Sounds heavily familiar? Infact we are all so fed up with these everyday problems, seemingly simple but ignored by the authorities? Why can't they? Aren't we paying taxes? uh! the corrupt politicians! So goes our daily dose of cribbing until you just get fed up and then do what? Give up !
That's the routine ending to our never ending daily rigmarole of cribbing. But what can I do. What will change if I alone go and complain? Why unnecessarily waste my time?

After going through many such inner question- answer sessions, I one day took the call to do something by myself. Some beginning. Some where. And I never regretted it. The journey of social activism. Being aware of the concerns of people around you, your environment and the steps you can take to bring in the change, albeit the push and the pull, the ups and the downs you come across, is quite rewarding to my inner self.

That am not being silent and am doing my bit to do some good for myself, my family and to the people around me. Now that I have taken the first step and a few more steps in to citizen activism, I started to wonder, why others aren't joining in? Its such a simple thing. Take out few minutes( err..can be few hours too) in a week, to make things better for yourself ( added benifit of doing good to others even if it were not intended).

The first surprise when I stepped in to this zone of citizen activism is the realization that I am not alone. Its not crowded but decently filled up. Its such a pleasure to see so many like minded people working for various causes close to their hearts. Any issue, I know these people are there to help me out in real time. I for you and you for me. We for all.

Sure, its not an easy path. But a challenging one. These are the people who faced flak at home for sacrificing their precious little free time for something(social service is the term that's used here sarcastically) and not giving time to family. I must say, over a period of time the family understands and supports, usually.

Citizen activism need not be going on to the streets and staging a hartal. It can be the simplest things like picking up the phone and making that call to the complaint cell of that particular Government department. One single person doing that might not really make any progress. But imagine, with so much population, even in a small locality, out of few thousands living there, if few tens or hundreds make that call for that same problem, why wouldn't that move the authorities? The same applies to even being an example on carrying your own cloth bag for shopping, every single time. About not mixing up waste at home. Or even the simple act of spreading awareness.

When you start questioning and then most importantly, acting on it, you set an example. To your family, to your children, to your neighbors and your colleagues. Your sphere of action grows. The probability of the intended results also becomes high over a period of time. True, the results are not instant. But every action gets added up. Leading to a better life for all(including your family).

It's never too late to take that call to act. Never too early. Age doesn't matter. All that matters is ACT. Just be ACTIVE. Make that one phone call. Drive a kilometer to that one local municipal office. Live a life of satisfaction. That you have done your bit. Give that confidence to those who have really taken it upon themselves, to change status quo, that they are not alone. That is all they want. Your active Support. Be an ACTIVE CITIZEN. One pill for thousand ills.

Child Sexual Abuse and the insensitive 'US'.

Another young child abused. Another day passed. Why have we become so insensitive? Is this all we can do? Sit and cry and curse our fate if this happens to our children? Waiting for disasters to happen?

Ok. We are meek and weak beings living in misery. But why does it not bother Government that innocent children’s lives are being crushed? Give some compensation and dust your hands off? Yeah. Its that simple. Not because kids are not voters but simply because we as parents don’t care.

We the educated, sensible and intelligent young generation of India earning in Lakhs everymonth don’t care what kind of people we choose, or choose not to choose to take care of our lives, our children’s lives. It’s not just enough if you care about what Mutual funds you have invested in for your child’s future. It’s not enough if you simply put him/her in a “Good School”. What kind of ingtellectual environment your child is growing is as important. Is she/he physically and emotionally safe? Are we bothered about that?

Have you learned about these key facts that Child Sexual abuse is most common and perpetrators are often family members? That the victim can be a boy or a girl? Have you kept those lines of communication between you and your child alive?

Today the meaning of investment in your child’s future has acquired a very narrow meaning. All that comes to mind is buildings and bank balances. What about intellectual investment? Are they safe there? Is it not our responsibility to build a safe world for them as well? Afterall they are not going to live alone in the world.

Am pained. Pained by the world we are leaving behind for those innocent lovely souls the responsibility of bringing whom, is solely on us. Can we not be more human? The race for materialistic pleasures has somewhere taken out a very important aspect of our species, being HUMAN.

Its been an year. Where have I reached?

 Yes! My fight for child safety from sexual abuse started last July when a child got raped in a reputed school. It was followed by many such incidents. Today I wonder where have I reached? What have I contributed? While looking for answers am deeply pained at the lack of any solid progress. It's been an ocean of learning experience. So much I got to know.. and so much to be done. Should I depair? Have I failed?

The answers are Yes and No.

Yes, because I failed to ignite the minds of parents to take initiative on the issue, because I failed to make the Government move and bring a child Safety Policy in place. Should I be worried that admitting failure will affect my electoral success? Have I really failed?

No, because while feeling depressed over non-achievement of any significant goal, I think I have taken some important steps in addressing the issue at a larger level.

Could bring a lot more attention and to the issue, awareness among parents, learning from various organizations working on this issue already and the biggest being deciding to contest the local Municipal elections #BBMP.
My primary aim in contesting these elections is to bring awareness among the citizens about how important it is to be open to being a part of political scene which is controlling our Country's every smallest decision and fate of millions. To make politics acceptable. To inspire at least some to jump in to the fray. To prove that the answer to Bad politics is Good politics NOT No Politics.

But may be a year is a small time in our Indian context where issues are dragged for decades before getting any one to act on them. So may be I shouldn't be so depressed after all. We all also put a lot of individual efforts. Why is it so difficult for like minded individuals to work together? Won't we be achieving better results?
Nevertheless, today I want to draw more specific goals for the next one year, which should be independent of any other factor. Will I be successful?

POLITICS is NOT POWER but RESPONSIBILITY. Let us not let another D.K. Ravi die.

D.K.Ravi, well known as an upright and honest official is dead. It's not only the death of an officer with an impeccable record of honesty whilst fighting against all odds, but death of our ability of being human.Why? Because, basic human instinct of FEAR is being played upon with brutal acts.

Its time to show the rogue elements in Polity and Public life, the place where they belong.
It's time we take a stand for humanity and future of our children.
It's time to no more ignore our conscience and follow our hearts.
It's time to ACT.  Reclaim what you deserve in this country. We are in a Democracy and often we forget this. Let's redefine the word POLITICS. Politics is NOT POWER but it is RESPONSIBILITY.

The movement should continue. Let's not rest until we show people what being a Public Servant means. That we are giving Politicians power NOT to RULE us but to GOVERN us, by taking us along. We deserve a better country, where we can live with out fear.

This is a chance for all of us to choose Clean, Citizen centered, Problem solving, Ethical politics.  Let's unite for the larger cause. Let not another Ravi die. Let's not let another Manjunath die. The answer to Bad politics is not No politics but Good politics.

Let this fury and pain turn in to constructive solution based actions.


maithreyi.in@hotmail.com

#DKRavi, #clean politics

Am dreaming BIG. Astronomy and Music to make the world Human.

When you compare the size of Earth to the size of Sun its like a mustard seed to a big Orange. When we compare the size of Sun to the size of the biggest star discovered till now, its almost a dot. Now Solar System is a small dot in Milky way Galaxy. Milky way has billions of stars. There are millions of Galaxies in the OBSERVABLE Universe. It's difficult to imagine this. Can you imagine what would lie beyond the observable Universe? How small is a human being when compared to the size of Earth, Sun, Milky way and so on? Thinking beyond Earth will truly bring out the humanity in us.

But we humans think just the opposite. we think we are the only ones in this Universe. We fight for human made Religion, Caste. As if our religion defines us. Does religion feed us? How does the colour of my skin, or the dress I wear or the food I eat define the humanity in me? In my view there can be only two religions in this world. Human and Inhuman.

Compare the cheer a bright sunshine on a glistening - still wet from the nights' mist- leaf brings to that of a burnt patch of greenary which has been burnt from a dropped bomb. (not to mention of the innocent lives it takes). Why should we deny human kind/our future generations the breath taking beauties of this wonderful World.

We r nothing when compared to this Universe. We didn't create anything on Earth. Why then destroy it? Is it really that difficult to stop? Can't we control our Greediness? Can we act less Selfish as a Nation? Can we think of WE -OURS and forget the words MY - ME?

If humility can be registered in every human being possible by divulging the wonders of the World, by taking science of nature and creation which is in no way related to any Religion or Race in this World, won't it be a more Peaceful World?

Music and the wonders it can do. It heals, energizes, can make people Human and Unite. Can any one dispute that?Why not encourage it as one of the main subjects in school?

Why don't we make Tolerance one of the main subjects in schooling. Why don't we really start "Educating" the children, Education in its true sense. If as Nations we can start taking these small but impactful steps, we can start holding the legacy of Earth as it is, and let the natural evolution continue...keeping in tact the beauty and mysteries. Let no one play with it. Let only Natural Calamities, beyond the control of humans deface earth. Nothing else. No one else.

I believe its possible. I am dreaming big and believe in my Dream. Do You ?

maithreyi.in@hotmail.com

The Interview of the Rapist

Am happy this interview happened and it came to light. Due process of Law. We all want to follow. But it raises some serious questions and rightly so, not that they haven't been expressed before.


If a case like Nirbhaya's is taking 3 years and more, whats the fate of rest of the cases. Its easy to imagine.

For victims to come out and register a case is so difficult. Social stigma, fear of retaliation by the attacker, dissuading police make it almost impossible.

Once registered, the so called fast tracking,  granted to us by law makers after so many consultations,  revelations, brain storming for years, drags on for ever.

Finally judgement delivered. Its death. Nothing less. But he appeals, the court again takes years to hear the appeal and then to take a decision on it. Let's think, the court rejected the appeal.

The accused then appeals to the President of India. He/ She again take their own time. Now, for all we know, he might be pardoned for what ever reason or death turned to life term.

Can any one see justice here. One might even forget what happened and to whom? Is this kind of justice deterring perpetrators? The answer is the Interview in question. Instead of looking at why this is happening, our neta log are busy singling out who gave permission and take action on them. Shame on them.

Who is to blame? The Judges? The Judicial System? The Political System? Or We The People? While its easy to blame the other and which is what we have been doing till now, the answer is WRITTEN ON THE WALL IN BOLD.

Why does the Govt ban the interview to be telecast. Coz its afraid of the rage it would create among the public. Coz its afraid that the number of people asking questions will rise. 

Enough of sitting on the sidelines and expecting others to do what you want.
Enough of blaming it on fate.
Step On. Your Life Your Responsibility.
Do what ever is needed. Whether its participating in a protest, asking for answers from authorities, asserting your rights, disbursing your duties, supporting good politics and become a part of the process.
Be The Change You Want To See.

Is it a School or Khap Panchayat?

A class 10 girl, one of the toppers in the class, from a high end school in Bangalore, daughter of highly educated parents has taken her life in the fit of a moment in an agonizing way 2 days back. It was shocking to say the least. Is the school at fault or the parents or the girl herself. Or we as a society to blame?
This is not the first time, we have seen such incidents. A well known legislature's daughter killed herself few months back over a similar issue.

The school should have handled the issue in a much better way. . The Heads of Education themselves are not 'educated' nor in a position to educate the children. Its time we look at 'Education' from a totally new perspective. We should realize that the world has moved on. And it doesn't help a bit, if we stay stuck to our centuries old outlook towards emotional and social issues, specially concerning teenagers. Lifeskills are an important part of educating a child.

I want to ask these so called 'Educationalists' how different are they from 'Khap Panchayat' of Haryana. A friendly hug on campus play ground. According to reports, she has been made to stand in the corridor for 2 hrs and been suspended for day and half, and been handed over with reprimanding letters. Come on. If you indeed feel its wrong, there is a way to handle it.Why don't the schools have councellors on campus. With information overload and exposure to otherwise unimaginable faces of the world at a young age due to internet and mobiles, today's youngsters are being served with more than they can handle, although not intentionally.

Councellors on campus is the #needofthehour.

Now to the parents, along with a responsible handling of gadgets, we should also maintain a healthy and sound relationship with the child. We shouldn't forget that we are the only closest people the child really can count on. The child should be assured of this at every stage. When ever such issue crops up, it should be handled in a sensible way, how much ever enraged we are. This must be an ongoing process. Right from a young age. Teenage is something where this bond has to be stronger than ever. We need to adopt ourselves to the changing times, and accept change.

Then children, should be taught to be self confident and positive. Nothing can be end of the world. The parents, teachers and the society are equally responsible to make them feel such. Where do we begin??? Can we do it?