Independence Day?

August 15, 1947-Independence at last! Millions of Indians on the streets, celebrating their new found freedom.  Tears of joy, shouts of jubilation, people hugging and congratulating one another; at the same time mourning their loved ones, who they lost during the struggle.

August 15, 2012 – A National Holiday.

65 years since we got our independence, and the meaning of the day and the word seems to have changed with each passing year. Today, August 15 as I see it, is a day when all of us are especially glad that it is a holiday. A day, away from our boring, monotonous jobs.  A day to relax, to catch up with friends- for whom we haven’t had the time, because of our “busy schedules”.  August 15 2012 is all about wishing friends on Facebook, changing our respective profile pictures to the Indian flag, posting an old message about independence  as our status with ‘Jai Hind’ being the last two words by default.

How many of us really sit and think about that day? How many of us really feel sad for the ones who lost their lives fighting for our freedom? How many of us really care?

It is true, there is still a lot to be done in order to develop our country, in order to rid it of its poverty and ugliness i.e. corruption. But the start has been made, and it is only fair that we as citizens contribute the least we can, to see our country grow, to make it a better place.

Let not August 15 just be a ‘holiday’. Let it be a day which will take us closer to the India we all want to see. And then one August 15 after a few years, we will all shed tears of joy, congratulate and hug each other for reaching there, for  daring to make a change.

Grace Jaya.

Nightmares on wheels continue.

When Asha was pushed off a moving train by four men who attempted to molest her, 25 feet down into a dry river bed, her co-passengers remained dumb spectators. Including couple of ladies, the train had people dotting every bogie. She ran into each screaming, and what prevented any of them from helping is a revolting mystery.


July 24th. The day 19 year old Asha Rani was pushed out of a moving Yeshvantpur-Mysore Express near Maddur into the river bed of Shimsha. She had been on the way back from her workplace when the men misbehaved, made sexual advances and offered money for sex. Her objection provoked them to kick her out, literally. The victim is an orphan, lives with her grandmother in Vidyaranyapuram, Mysore and works in Hinduja Garment factory, Bangalore.

Hundreds of women in Bangalore travel by train. Many have experienced similar harassment. The Railway Police have failed to take any action despite numerous complaints. But it's ridiculous how in the presence of 10 odd men and women, a girl still cannot feel safe in public. She cannot trust the society anymore. Till the last decade people only feared getting their hands dirty in property issues or road accidents that could have criminal tags. But today, the dignity of a woman weighs lesser than the effort of having to report an incident to the police or help a hapless teen.

The accused, identified as Akbar, Imran, Rafeeq and Zuban are scrap workers from Mysore who boarded the train from Ramanagara Station. Asha even knew one of them already. They were arrested and produced before the Maddur JMFC Court which remanded them in 15 days judicial custody. And again, the co-passengers who were vegetables escape blame.

Everything from the misbehaviour to sexual advances may have been inevitable, but how could a girl be pushed off a moving train at the end of quite some drama in the presence of other passengers! The fall on the rocky river bed has left serious head, bone and spine injuries.

Meanwhile, the Karnataka Women's Commission has assured Asha that the government would take responsibility of her and would provide her asylum in a government-run destitute women's home.

The tears that well up in Asha's eyes, each time she would recall her 'hellish experience' is a reflection of deliberate injustice towards women and as well as misogyny in the Indian society. She's now afraid of traveling by train. Who isn't?

Not ignorance, just avoidance.

My knowledge of Indian Politics is not much. 'Much' would be an understatement. It is pathetic; and when I say that the reason for this is that Politics disgusts me, it is not an excuse. It is simply the truth. The way I look at it, Politics is nothing but a sport of power played on a filthy playground, and I refuse to let the dirt pollute my mind.


This is all I have to say on the topic, unless Baba Ramdev becomes the President.

WE are who WE are

Far away from love, away from food, away from homes, women today have excelled in fields every man always has been in, since ages. It's not difficult for women today to do work out of their comfort zones these days. But where do you draw the line? Do women really have to go out, get kicked around their butts and do what men do? Or live life like a princess in the hands of their fantasy princes?

30 days since we begun, and now we talk in terms of aperture, shutter speed, exposure and more when it comes to camera handling. We can now, understand the patterns and logic behind everything happening around us, when we could not describe the "P" of "Politics" earlier. And yes, we do! We, the women, at NDTV-IndiaCan Bangalore, stand today, in wait of what we have to be tomorrow - princesses to be kicked around our butts in the lives we choose - Journalism - being the lamps of truth - seeking for NEWS - seeking to be "WE" who "WE" are!

The journey so far and the journey ahead!

                                      One month!30 days,since we began a new journey. A journey,at the end of which,we will all be realising our dreams. Dreams that we have held so close to our hearts for a long time. 

                                       What we need is some guidance and help,which we are now receivng at NDTV-IndiaCan,Bangalore,through the hands of experienced proffessionals,who could well be spending their valuable time elsewhere. But they have chosen to help us realise our dreams,carve us,help us to discover our potentials and at the end of this 12 month journey watch us take away as Journalists.

                                        This 12 month journey is going to be incredible,eventful,exciting,experiential and not to forget exhausting! But,we are up for it.Ready to take up challenges,cross hurdles,do anything it takes to get us to our goal.

                                        Because we are here for a reason and we mean serious business!

Grace Jaya.

Johnny Johnny Yes Papa. Eating Money? No Papa!

It's 3.30 on a crisp Wednesday afternoon and either footpath in front of the Banshankari BDA Complex is crowded dramatically in a minute. At first it looked chaotic and left onlookers clueless, but then a pattern was forming. Towards the T-junction; on the left were 300 girls and on the right were 300 boys - holding placards and shouting slogans with much patriotic gusto in their eyes.

I was on the way back home when I spotted this sudden activity. I was so excited; all I could think of was CAN I JOIN CAN I JOIN CAN I JOIN!! I took a minute to comprehend the scenario and was more than convinced by what I learnt.

Among the placards they held and slogans they chanted at the top of their spirits were ones protesting against corruption, corruption, and corruption. Anna Hazare Supporters’ Karnataka division lead this protest and were spotted around in aprons carrying Anna logos. They lead the scene, providing students slogans, flags and encouragement.

I asked one of the volunteers if I could join too, and he readily agreed. It’s only after the 3^rd time I repeated after the slogans that my journalist self kicked in! I almost ran back t to the IndiaCan institute and brought back the camera. I covered the event and felt tides of satisfaction wash over the journalist me. 

I intended to pull out only one of the boys to enquire deeper than what met the eye about the event, but ten were tagging behind me to explain! I had to excuse myself for distracting the human chain, and finally ask my questions to Pranav, a final year student at BNM. He told me everything including how they were all from BNM College (across a couple of lanes from BDA), the supporters came in to their campus at around 2.30pm, their speech, the protest, the awaken patriotism and his name.

I continued to click few more shots while I spoke to more girls on the opposite side; Monica, Padmasree, Kavya, Panchami, Ann and others whose names I dont recall. All the efforts of the rude, scorching sun to discourage me from graphing the event on my camera were in vain. By now, cameramen from TV channels had found their way here and had begun to acknowledge this effort.

I stayed for 20 minutes more, as a participant. And in that time, as I shouted slogans out with all my zest, I was also imagining myself participating in the main protest at Freedom Park this Saturday.

When I finally returned the camera, copied the photos into my PD and was on the way back home, I felt a silent rush of content. 

 

Bharat Mata ki Jai.

The "So Called Brother" in our society!

In India 60 rapes registered a day – Most of the rape cases are not being reported due to poor conviction rates, under-reporting of rape cases by victims. For every reported case of rape, more than 50 go unreported due to lack of faith between the victim and the police and the insensitivity of the police personnel towards women.

And Men in India who ranks top in RAPE, MOLESTATION and EVE-TEASING never hesitate to extend hand to tie a RAKHEE – Later on they will join shoulders with other male members of their family in killing their sisters and name it HONOUR KILLING! And if I talk about domestic violence, that is another epic all over again!

MEN! Are not you guys ASHAMED of this Hypocrisy??