Major Issues

Political Battleground

2011-06-04T15:40:00.000+05:30

Political Battleground

The Maya government is apparently at loggerheads with opposition parties on the land acquisition issue. Politicians have intensified their campaign against the government keeping next year’s polls in their minds.

Four persons, including two policemen were killed as protesting farmers and administration clashed on May 7 at Bhatta-Parsaul, the twin villages, which have become the nerve centre of the land acquisition protests. Several rounds of gunshots were fired from both the sides. District Magistrate of Noida Deepak Agarwal and SSP, S N Singh were also injured in the firing.

Since then the two adjoining villages are abuzz with politicians and media persons, jamming streets of these villages.

Mayawati government is facing the heat of the recent events that took place in these two villages. The problem lies in the variation of acquisition rates offered to farmers. Farmers of Tappal, a village in Aligarh and centre stage of the protests from the very inception of the protests, are demanding rates equal to their counterparts bordering Delhi.

The issue has given opposition parties an opportunity to corner Maya government. It seems, Rahul Gandhi, taking a cue from Mamta’s landslide victory in West Bengal reached Bhatta-Parsual during the wee hours on May 11, riding pillion on a motor cycle, dodging strong police presence tried to encash the “opportunity”. The issue intensified on the same night after police arrested the leader. Many congress supporters and leaders landed in the twin villages, supporting farmers’ protests and condemning police action against them.

But Congress must introspect its own policies while criticizing others’. The same party vowed to go ahead in Jaitapur, despite the fact that farmers as well as environment activists are protesting against the proposed nuclear power project. Even former Chief justice of Delhi High Court, A P Shah has said in his report that no safety study was undertaken while

finalizing the project.

Farmers of Srikakulam are dissenting against the proposed thermal power plant on their soil. Three farmers were killed and several others were injured when police opened fire on the protesting farmers. Paryavarana Parirakshana Samithi, an organization, which is protesting against the proposed plant has crossed its 600 days of protest. But congress has backed the project and there are no signs that the government will back out on the issue.

The party has come to power for the second time, but there are no visible efforts to confirm that it tried to create a consensus on the pending bills on land acquisition. The “dual standards” adopted by Congress makes it clear that it has no other interest in Bhatta or Parsual but to convert the agonized farmers as their votes.

There are rumours floating in the atmosphere that senior congress leader Digvijay Singh paid a huge sum to farmer leader Manvir Singh Tewatia to “incite” farmers and embarrass the

Maya government.

Police is now on the lookout for the leader who fled from the scene the very same day. Police is also probing at the ammunition front. Its noteworthy that farmers confronted the well equipped security personnels. There were reports of heavy firing from farmers’ side. Who provided ammunition to farmers is an issue to be probed seriously.

Senior Bhartiya Janta Party leaders including Rajnath Singh, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi and Arun Jaitley visited the villages and consented to extend their “full support” to the farmers. However, Singh and Jaitley were taken into “preventive custody” later.

UP Chief Minister Mayawati blamed Congress for farmers' protests in different parts of the country. She said that there was a need for uniform policy on land acquisition and her party will “raise” the issue in Parliament. She was addressing a party meeting in Chandigarh.

UP in past few months have witnessed several mass protests. The farmers of the state are asking for a uniform rate policy and till date, the UP government has not found any remedy to pacify the agitating farmers.

The cause of the May 2011 protests in Uttar Pradesh are disputed: the protestors claim that they are a direct consequence of the land acquisition has been challenged by the state government, which has stated that the acquisitions had been completed by July 2010 and that the 2011 protests were due to "anti-social" elements encouraging the violence. The farmers believe that the compensation paid by the state government for their land was inadequate, whereas the government believes it to be generous.

In the recent past, the country has witnessed widespread protests in different parts against land acquisition, which in turn either shelved the project or resulted in several casualties. Politicians are voicing for a “stronger and farmer friendly” law on land acquisition. However, Land Acquisition Amendment, Rehabilitation, and Replacement Bills are ready for past five years but the only wait it has to get the “political consensus” of the leaders to pass it in both of the houses.

The farmers have been agitating since January this year for better compensation for the land acquired by the UP government for the Rs 9739-crore Yamuna Expressway. They have also demanded a share in the land after it was finally developed.

Eleven villages had been notified by the authority in the first phase of land acquisition. The expressway will be 160 km long and six-laned, connecting Greater Noida with Agra.

Summer Delight

2011-06-02T17:55:00.001+05:30

Summer Delight

The recently held mango festival gave Delhites an opportunity to taste mangoes from all across the country. Several varieties of mangoes were on display during the three day-long fair.

Various varieties of mangoes were on display in the fest

Horti Sangam 2011, an inter-state agriculture fair was held in Delhi from May 27 to May 30. The fair opened on a good note with people from all across the capital showed a keen interest in the festival. The festival is held every year in the month of May, and this was the eight time it was held in Delhi. Several varieties of mangoes were put on the display on May 27 this year.

Mango growers from all across the nation participated in the event enthusiastically.

India is the largest producer of mangoes in the world. India exports about 40,000 tonnes of mango in 80 countries and annual sales of mangoes and mango products export reached 85 million U.S. dollars in 2009-10.

M C Shanthakumar, a mango grower from Tamil Nadu shared his experience, “ This is the first time I am taking part in this festival. This is a good experience for me. We have brought over 10 varieties of mangoes for the customers here. The most selling variety is Alphonso and others which are witnessing good demand is Banisha and Malguava.”

On the Madhya Pradesh stall, there were several varieties of mango were on display. ‘Dussehri’ one of the most popular mango variety was available in the stall and people were thronging to buy it from here. Indra Kumar Rawat, one of the farmers from the state, looked happy. He said that he learnt a lot from here and will use this experience to further improve the production and quality of his produces.

L S Rautkar, Senior Horti Development officer from Hoshangabad district of Madhya Pradesh was accompanying the farmers in the fest. He said, “ We are here to learn from other growers. Our major focus is to improve the quality of mango we grow in the state. Through these events, we give our farmers a platform to exchange ideas with the farmers of other states. We are telling them the benefits of cultivation management and training them to use drip irrigation to increase productivity.”

However, Many other shop-owners (read mango-growers) complaint that “lack of publicity” have eaten their business. They blamed organizers for the “low turnout” of customers. Salil Damle, a mango trader from Maharashtra was apparently unhappy with the organizers. He blamed authorities for not “publicizing” the event.

However customer relations desk of the event rubbished the blame. They said that scorching heat is one of the major reasons for low turnout of people. Sarita Agarwal, who came all the way from Ghaziabad to buy Alphonso hailed the event. She bought over 10 kgs of mango. She said, “ Though, many varieties of mangoes are available in the city, but we don’t get such a diverse range to choose from. I am happy that the festival is organized.”

Travel Tale

2011-05-06T17:46:00.000+05:30

Paragon Town

Half an hour’s drive away from the capital city Chandigarh and tucked away in the serene surroundings of famous Shivalik mountain range, Pinjore soothes the eyes of visitors. The very first thing that attracts the attention of the visitor is greenery spread all across the town. Known for its famous 17^th century Yadavindra gardens, the town has all the modern facilities to accommodate the populace.

Stroll through the town and one will find children hopping around mango trees, a sight very rare in most of the cities of India. Pinjore with a population of 25,498 is one of the most desirable places to live in North India. One will not find any home without a tree or two. People here have a strong penchant to grow plants, especially mango tree outside their homes.

Vishwanath Purohit, a teacher and resident of the town tells more, “The town has tradition of growing gardens from the Mughal period itself. However, development is taking place in the town as well, but people here with their strong love for trees avoid felling any of the existing trees and build homes only in the areas, where there is no plantation. We encourage our youth to plant more trees, so that we can leave a green and clean Pinjore for our coming generations.”

The town has a sizeable number of mango trees, so mango festival is held here every year in July; during this festival, growers from all over the region come display mouth-watering varieties of this 'King of Fruits.

Gurmail Singh Dhankar, Forest officer Pinjore shares more, “The secret behind this green belt is Punjab Land Preservation Act which restricts residents as well as developers and protect this existing forest cover. Pinjore is set over 1800 feet above the sea level and needs trees at the ridges to hold soil erosion. Though, builders are pressing hard but the forest department has halted them from disfiguring this beautiful town.”

With every passing year, forest cover is getting thinner and this is a cause of worry for everyone including policy makers, environmental activists, and parents. Climate change is a buzzword of this century. One can find news channels echoing concern over depleting natural resources and increasing natural disasters as consequences of this imbalance in the nature.

What meets the eyes in Delhi and other metro cities of India are high-rise concrete buildings and malls. However trees do exist in these cities as well but there, numbers are low.

Now days, when more and more cities are in the race to become ‘developed’ this town stands tall among all others, forwarding a lesson to the population to go for more green space to avert the ongoing climate hazards.

Delhi’s Farm loans take a Wrong Route

2011-05-06T17:40:00.002+05:30

The scam is said to be in many thousand crores. The real benefit never reaches to the needy.

Delhi’s Farm loans take a

Wrong Route

Delhi is the new hotbed of Indian agriculture. Surprised? You should not. According to the data released by NABARD, Delhi, one of the biggest urban centers of the country received more than 20 thousand crores as agriculture loans in 2009-10.

‘Farmers’ in the national capital received more loans than their UP, West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand counterparts. The four agrarian states received less than 31,000 crores in 2009-10.

Delhi alone has consumed more than Rs57, 000 crores of farm loans since 2007-08. Farm loans are available as low as 4% and if repayment is done on time, one can get rebate on the loan as well.

Now the finance ministry is reviewing all disbursements of farm loans in the past few years, with the government investigating whether farm loans are being diverted to commercial real estate.

The figures are disturbing, given that the UPA government has over the years enhanced allocation for subsidized loans from Rs86,000 crores in 2004 to Rs4.75 lakh crore in 2011-12. The trend captured by the ministry also shows a lion’s share of the benefits being cornered by UPA-ruled states or allies, wielding their influence on vital government resources.

Delhi’s rate of disbursal is inexplicable considering the fact that the city has a mere 39,000 hectares of cropped land while Punjab has 78.61 lakh hectares. Of the 39,000 hectares of cropped land, Delhi’s record show, only 26,785 hectares is the net sown area. State government officials said that capital’s produce is so negligible that it is not even accounted for when nationwide statistics are collated.

Nevertheless, hundreds of Delhi’s residents have taken loans at cheap rates citing ‘agriculture’ as their profession. Officials who do not wish to be named said that these borrowers are not farmers- they are city’s elite who own massive farmhouses. According to MCD, there are almost 1450 farm houses in Delhi alone. In these farmhouses, the only agricultural activity that they indulge in is the planting of vegetables and flowers.

Few of the leading banks which avail farm loans in Delhi are SBI, Punjab National Bank, Bank of Baroda, Central bank.etc.

One official on the condition of anonymity said, “ The so-called agricultural land is mainly in the farmhouses located at the outskirts of the city. These are owned by wealthy businessmen and politicians. The loan disbursal amount in Delhi is high because these farmhouse owners acquire loans citing agriculture as their profession but the money is used somewhere else.”

Farm loan upto Rs 1.5 lacs can be availed without any guarantee. And the process is easy if one have some ‘gel well’ with the officials.

However, farming does take place in Delhi but farmers of nearby villages prefer to grow vegetables and flowers. The amounts cornered as farm loans indicate to sectors like real estate which is one of the most booming sectors in the capital. The gravity of the issue can be measured only when government comes out with its investigation report on the usage of this money.

The amount disbursed as farm loans seem quite high for 26,000 hectare land. This means close to one crore rupees are being issued to each hectare. India does not grow such ‘expensive’ crops.

The trend brings to the fore the issue of rampant misuse of agriculture loans. Loans classified as ‘intended for agricultural purpose’ qualify for below-inflation rates and are often written off by the government. This might be one of the reasons such loans are growing at a break-neck speed.

Agriculture in a city like Delhi is never a profitable venture, land has become expensive in the city and farmers sell their land to the developers to get hefty amounts in return.

Agricultural loans are available for various purposes. Farmers may apply for loans to buy raw material for the cultivation of food grain crops as well as for horticulture, aquaculture, animal husbandry, floriculture and sericulture businesses.

Under Kisan Credit card scheme, famers in Delhi can avail a loan of Rs15,000 per hectare without any surety. The bank will verify his personal and other records before sanctioning the loan. Once issued, a Kisan Credit Card is valid for three years, depending on the performance of the farmer, the facility can be extended.

Animal Menace

2011-05-06T17:37:00.000+05:30

Pachyderms on rampage in Orissa.
Animals like feral cows, wild boars cause severe damage to standing crops

The Indian farmer faces many problems all through the year in growing his crop. There are nature’s unpredictable turns, spiraling prices of commodities, corruption at various levels in the administration which sour his dreams many times, and to add to his woes are wild animals, which ruin his crop, forcing him to shift his entire cropping pattern. The problem is not restricted to any particular region of India. Farmers all across the nation are facing the heat of it.

Because of these animals, many crops including pulses are being grown on smaller scale and farmers are ‘likely to stop the production’ of many such crops if any serious measures are not taken by the ruling governments at states and at the centre.

Animals not only destroy their yields but also take toll on human lives. There are large numbers of casualties, which are being reported by media, where man-animal confrontation is acquiring alarming proportions and for this, reasons may vary from industrialization to climate change.

Recently, monkeys became political issue in Himachal Pradesh when farmers made it compulsory for contesting politicians to listen to their problems.

Monkeys in Himachal Pradesh have become a serious problem. They come in large groups and destroy crops. They even attack people. The problem became so serious that state government officials allowed permits to kill these menacing simians. Conservative estimates put the loss at Rs300 crore to Rs450 crore in the horticulture and agriculture sectors, and if the watch and ward of crops is included the loss goes up to Rs1,500 crore a year.

A K Gulati, Chief Wildlife Warden said, “Man-animal conflict exists from time immemorial. In Himachal Pradesh, Monkeys have become a major problem for farmers in the state, though there are other animals as well which damage the crops. Population of simians must be contained; they are more than 4 lacs and increasing.”

On government’s measures to curb the menace, he added, “Forest department is on extensive sterilization drive of monkeys. 32,000 monkeys have been sterilized in past four years. In 2010 alone, over 15,000 monkeys were sterilized.”

He opined that in next four to five years the situation would be very much in “control”.

On the permitted killing of wild animals, he said, “under section 11 of The Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, any wild animal which has become dangerous to human life or to property (including standing crops on any land) by order in writing and stating the reasons therefore, permit any person to hunt such animal or cause such animal to be hunted.”

According to him, 300 permits have been given to farmers. However, when asked about the number of hunted monkeys, he told that only 15 simians were killed.

The wildlife wing of Himachal Pradesh estimates that over 900,000 farmers mainly in Shimla, Solan, Sirmaur, Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Una, Mandi and Kangra districts were affected by wild animals. Monkeys, numbering over 400,000, mainly target cereal and fruit crops, causing extensive damage.

Agriculture is the main occupation of the people in the state, providing direct employment to 69 percent of its workforce.

Experts in the field state various factors responsible for the rise of such incidents. Dr. G M Wani, Retired professor of Sher-e-Kashmir University and an active wildlife activist says, “The problem largely lies in the encroachment of forest and forest land. Man-animal encounters are increasing due to diminishing forest cover and officials have failed to address the matter properly.”

In Agra’s Bah tehsil, which is one of the major producer of Arhar and mustard, farmers, are growing arhar in fewer acres because of feral cows. These cows roam in big herds and attack standing crops. Yatendra Singh, a farmer of village Fatehpura says, “We have to sleep in the fields to save our crops from these cows. They are many thousands in number and come in large group. If once they pass from anyone’s field, crop of that farmer is sure to be destroyed.”

Other farmers of this area echoed the same concern. This area touches notorious valleys of Chambal and is considered unsafe. Still these farmers sleep out, away from their homes only to save their crop that they grow after toiling hard for days.

Khairagarh, another tehsil of Agra, faces similar problem of feral cows and nilgais. N K Janu, Divisional Forest Officer, Agra says, “Loss of habitat is a prime reason for the occurrence of these events. Pastureland in these areas has diminished and wild animals like nilgais are coming out from forests to these areas in search of food. Improper animal husbandry practices are also responsible. The problem is acute in khairagarh because domestic animals like cows are left open once they stop producing milk. Number of these cows is in thousands and they ruin entire crop of the area.”

He further added, “Income level is going down in this area because people are largely dependent on agriculture. The problem has one peculiar angle as well. People don’t want to get their daughters married in these areas because of it.”

However, there are large numbers of crop damage reports, but forest officials say that not a single animal has been killed in this area.

Manish Tyagi of Rahlai village, which falls under Khairagarh tehsil shares more on the problem, he said, “Nilgais and cows pose grave threat to the farmers of this area. Crops worth many thousands are destroyed every year because of these animals. People can kill nilgais but killing a cow becomes a religious matter, so nobody dares to take action against these cows.”

During the summer time, people from Rajasthan come with their cows and other animals to these areas in search of food and water. People of Khairagarh tehsil keep a close watch on this stay awake in groups during nights to keep these animals away from their fields. Because once these animals pass from any field, crop is destroyed in few hours time.

On the overall decline of pulses and other crops in Uttar Pradesh, L S Katiyar Joint Director(Pulses) says, “ The problem is acute in many parts of UP. Nilgais particularly target peas and arhar. In the terai region of UP which shares its border with Nepal faces acute problem. Wild boars and feral cows are two culprits behind the crop damage there. Farmers of this region, have stopped growing potato and other root crops because, wild boar destroys almost entire crop.”

On the production of pulses, he said, “Production of pulses has gone down in Kanpur, Etawah, Agra and Farrukhabad region. Farmers have shifted to other crops because of losses.”

Feral cows are a serious problem in many parts of UP. Farmers of Balarpur village of Mainpuri district have guava orchards in most of their farms. Feral cows, which come in large groups, do extensive damage in these orchards. Now many farmers have started cutting these orchards to shift to some other crop in which losses are lesser. Even production of maize has gone down in this district.

In Orissa, elephants destroy properties worth many thousands every year. Official statistics show that at least 600 people were killed in animal attacks, especially elephant raids, in the state between 2001-02 and 2009-10. The government had disbursed more than Rs 4 crore as compensation to the families of the victims during the period.

Elephants caused the worst damages during this period taking a heavy toll on crops and property. Apart from destroying crops in 32,195 acres, they also damaged 5,680 houses across the state. The state government had to shell out more than Rs 1.17crore as house damage compensation to the victims.

Elephant attacks have been most frequent in Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts but villages on the outskirts of the state capital have also suffered enormously on account of pachyderm attacks.

The perception that there are any over-abundant wildlife populations is not well founded. The notion of abundance is based on the fact that wildlife causes widespread damage to human interests, not based on their numbers.

The reality is that wildlife is not at all abundant outside a few high profile protected areas; it only looks abundant on the basis of the damage it causes to our crops, property and life. Only populations of a few species, namely nilgai, wild pig and black buck, which live on agricultural lands, or close by, are seen as abundant. Even these species are not abundant as their density in and around these croplands is far lower than their density in managed forests.

Experts are of the view that whether these populations are abundant or not, they live off the agricultural lands, causing huge losses to the rural economy. The food obtained by the animals from the agricultural lands is clearly the cost of conservation that should be borne by the government, not by the poor farmers. It is clear that conservation comes at a cost but the costs are distributed unevenly in the society. The government bears the limited cost of maintaining the staff and developing the infrastructure.

In the southern states, the problem is very acute because forests cover in this part of India is thicker than other states. In the state of Karnataka, elephants are one of the wild beasts, which destroy crops of the farmers. Maximum damage is in sugarcane. In 2010 alone, elephants from Bhadhra Tiger Reserve ruined over 14% of the crop of nearby villages. Karnataka has about 6000 elephants in its various forests.

DCF Bhadra Wildlife division says, “The problem was acute in the past; however there are fewer reports of such incidents in the area. If any such complains reaches us, we assess the damage and compensation is given in few days. We have shifted 10 out of 16 villages out of the reserve. Now sometimes one or two elephant reaches out to the farms and damage the crop. In that case, farmers are compensated immediately.”

In Tamilnadu, areas bordering Nilgiris forest range is quite vulnerable. Elephants, bison and wild boars do extensive damage in nearby agriculture lands.

S. Subramaniyam, DFO Nilgiris North Division tells more, “Elephants in this part damage crops, particularly sugarcane and banana. Though, we have taken many preventive measures including solar fencing, Elephant Proof Trench and chain fencing, but what we advise farmers that they should not grow sugarcane and banana in the farms which are very near to the forest.”

Speaking on man-animal conflict, he said, “The natural inhabitants (tribals) know how to live with these animals because they are living in the wild for past many centuries. Now people from plains have started coming in to get employment and land, the number of incidents has increased. Tea and eucalyptus plantation have snatched habitat from these wild animals so now with no other choice they roam around in search of food and destroy crops. ”

Another forest rich state rich state Uttrakhand faces the problem of man-animal conflict in large numbers. Paramjeet Singh, Wildlife Conservator shares more, “Man-animal conflict is a regular routine in the state. Resentment resides with the damage episode. Entire state is sensitive but we have divided the regions in three parts keeping sensitivity in mind. Tehri and Chamoli areas are the most sensitive areas, Garhwal is medium and Nainital and Rudraprayag are very sensitive. The main animals which damage crops are wild boars, blue bull and monkeys.”

According to forest officials, 327 persons have been killed and 828 were injured since the formation of the state. Elephants have killed 87 people in the state. In case of casualty, the ex gratia amount is Rs 1 lac and crop compensation is provided after assessment.

In central India, Madhya Pradesh farmers face the dissension of feral cows, black buck and cheetal. According to the forest department officials, areas bordering Bundelkhand are severely affected by Nilgais.

Dharmendra Shukla, CCF says, “Animals which do extensive damage to the crops are nilgai, black buck and cheetal. These are the animals, which roam out of the forestland in search of food and in turn destroy crops in many parts of the state. There are various factors accountable for the problem but mainly problem lies in diminishing forest cover. Now more and more land is going under cultivation, which snatches food and shelter from these animals.”

It is obvious that the actual damage to crops, coupled with the opportunity cost of protecting the crops is so high that it deserves a serious attention of the government and the society. Equally serious is the loss of quality of life of the people of the vulnerable villages in terms of lost comfort and sleep. Spending close to 100 nights, year after year, perch precariously built machans in cold and wet weather must be a very exasperating experience.

It is obvious from the above that wild animals, both herbivores and predators are a serious issue in the lives of the rural people, especially the tribals and other poorer sections. While predators have to pay the price in terms of poisoning, snaring and electrocution deaths, crop-raiding populations are also in serious danger of being exterminated through poaching by locals as well as professionals.

Unless serious efforts are made to control the prevailing conflict, these populations are likely to be wiped out in the near future. Therefore, the management of these populations should deal with the problem of crop raiding and the conservation of these species as well.

The very surprising fact is that many of the states have not done any survey to address the problem. Neither they have any collected data of incurred losses by these invading animals. Famers of many states cry foul for the “inactive” role of administration in addressing the issue. Some states have proper mechanism to deal with this problem but many other have none.

On the compensation front, some states are quick to release relief funds but this is not the case in many other states. In UP, though crop damage by wild animals is quite high but officials of the Agriculture department says that there are no “complaints” in this regard, therefore no funds are released for crop damage.

Kasab gets death for Mumbai carnage

2010-05-06T18:20:00.000+05:30

Finally, death for Kasab

After eighteen months and Rs36 crore later, the perpetrator of the most heinous crime against humanity, was sentenced to death by the special anti-terror court of M.L. Tahaliyani in Mumbai. The capital punishment awarded to the lone surviving terrorist arrested alive was awaited by all those who saw him spraying bullets at CST station on the fateful night of November 26, 2008.

Justice Tahaliyani pronounced capital punishment for the 22-year-old terrorist on five counts of murder, conspiracy to murder, waging war against the country, abetting murder and committing terrorist activities under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act. 166 people were killed in the carnage.

The sentencing will definitely be a setback to ISI and other defense organizations of Pakistan, which support and wage terrorism against India. Pakistan has time and again tried to wound the very spirit of India but failed to do so. India’s diversity is the strength and when it comes to nation, entire population of India stand together. That is what has been seen on 26/11.

Though it was expected earlier but finally he has been given what he deserves. This will give solace to all those who lost their lives on that night. This will definitely send a strong message to Pakistan’s terror outfits which are engaged from many decades, in the plans of derailing Indian establishment.

As judge Tahliyani said that no leniency should be shown to Kasab. “In the court’s opinion, Kasab has no chance to reform. Keeping such a terrorist alive will be a lingering danger to the society and the Indian government,” Judge Tahaliyani said while pronouncing his verdict, three days after he convicted him for the massacre.

The judge cited the example of the Kandahar hijack case in which arrested terrorists were swapped for the passengers held hostage.

“If Kasab is kept alive, this situation may occur again,” he said. The judge said Kasab had joined terror outfit LeT voluntarily and offered himself to be a “mujahideen“(holy warrior).

Kasab, who hails from Fardikot in Pakistan, broke down after hearing the sentence.

As the judge was reading out the sentence, Kasab was seen sobbing. He asked for a glass of water during the pronouncement.

After the sentence was read out, Tahaliyani explained to him in Hindi that he had been given death penalty on five counts and whether he wanted to say anything.

But the Pakistani gunman simply shook his head after which he was taken away by the police back to the Arthur Road jail.

But judicial procedure, as experts were saying, will give some more time to Kasab, as now he can appeal to the Supreme Court and later to the President of India for clemency. But he stands almost negligible chances.

This sentence will send strong message to Pakistan that India is capable enough to tackle this menace and will send all those to hell who think they can cause any harm to it.

From the very morning everyone was glued to TV sets to hear the sentence and there were celebrations all across the nation on the widely expected outcome. Now everyone wants that he should be hanged as soon as possible. Political parties, particularly BJP have raised concerns that this case should not be kept pending like that of Afzal Guru’s. Indian citizens voice the same concern that there should not be any delay in hanging this militant. Capital punishment to Kasab will be a lesson to those who think they can go away with whatever they can do to India. No, not any more.

Winter kills the poor

2010-01-25T01:12:00.000+05:30

Photo- The Hindu
This year, if MET department is to be believed, more than five hundred people have lost their lives due to winter. The most suffered community has been the poor and the needy in big cities who have no place to go, and they don't have adequate 'arrangements' to fight the winter.
In many northern states like Punjab, Delhi and UP mercury has dipped lower than 5 degree Celsius. Though governments of these states claim that they have spent many crores for these poor people but efforts, it seems, have remained to the papers only.
Only UP government claims that they have granted Rs 10 crores to purchase blankets, ironically this state shows 450 deaths (maximum deaths in a state so far) due to cold.
Historically, Makar Sankranti ( A famous Hindu festival) celeberated with much fervor, marks the Sun’s entry into the northern hemisphere and the end of winter.
But this year this has not happened. Uttar Pradesh has been the victim of weather’s extremity. There have been 450 deaths in the state, nearly 40 in Bihar, while Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab and Haryana are constantly under sub-zero temperatures .

Most deaths have occurred among the poor due to inadequate shelter and lack of warm clothing. Compounding the problem has been rain across North India, including Delhi, UP, Haryana, and Punjab, after which temperatures have fallen further. Amritsar remains the coldest place with minus one temperature in the north. MET department predicts that icy winds will continue to blow in from the Himalayas and there isn’t much hope of fog dissipating in a hurry either.

Dense fog cover has been engulfing entire north from early hours of the evening and disappears only after 8.30 in the morning. Recent train accidents in near Kanpur and Tundla has raised alarm bells in the railway department and Indian Railway has released some guidelines to prevent any mishap in future. Though mercury level has gone in past two days but fog is still to say good bye. Dense fog cover in Delhi has been delaying many flights for hours and in worst case cancelling them. As many as 14 trains passing through Hapur and Moradabad has been cancelled and will be continued ony after the fog cover disappear.

Though Delhi government has arranged bonfires at many places but they are not enough to meet the demand of lakhs of poor people living in the city.

Though some NGOs and college students are contributing their wit by collecting used woolen clothes and later giving these clothes to the needy.

But there are thousnads of other who are suffering and bearing the brunt of winter in India and we need sincere govrnments to solve the probem. Shelling out money on the name of poor and later pocketing it in their pockets is the realty we see happening daily in our country. Corrupt habits of politicians and babus will not die until citizens come out in open and taking things in their own hands to complete them on time.

Every single person dying due to winter is a slap to the present goverenment as well as people who claim that India is prospering at rapid rate because they forget to mention that India is prospering -true, but Bharat, where our most population lives is hungry, poor and starving.

Though signs of the change are visible but it will take at least two decades to fill this disparity gap and that seems impossible.

Contribute your bit if you feel something inside. That is the purpose of this article.

Major Issues: Street children and liquor shops in Delhi

2010-01-22T20:48:00.000+05:30

Major Issues: Street children and liquor shops in Delhi

Street children and liquor shops in Delhi

2009-12-07T01:10:00.002+05:30

Street children and liquor shops in delhi
UNICEF estimates that there are more than four lakhs street children are in India’s five major cities including Delhi. Delhi alone is a home of more than one lakh children.
As soon as sun bade adieu to the world, liquor shops all around Delhi come alive with people thronging their like honey bees. Zoom there a little more and a good number of kids can be located roaming from person to person with a mug and ice cubes. These kids serve as bartenders for these people and in return get some money and lot of abuses and beatings.
Abdul, 12 collects bear bottles apart from serving chilled bear to the people there. He sells these bottles at a rate of rs 3 each.
“ sab karna padta hai bhaiya, maa gharon me kaam karti hai tab ja kar guzara hota hai”( Have to do everything to meet ends. Mother works as a maid), says abdul. This young fatherless boy does not go to school because there is one to earn.
New ashok nagar, which borders Noida, has turned into a big liquor market. People in large numbers collect here to get wine and bear. Wine is less costly in Delhi. People after drinking fight here, hurl abuses at these street kids and at passerby. Delhi police has its presence near the liquor shop but seems to have no eyes to watch all this happening right in front of their eyes.
Sarita vihar, another posh colony of Delhi, where many such kids can be seen collecting bear bottles and serving bear to the drinkers. Many of these kids drink wine and bear people leave in their mugs. Many of them are addicted to correction fluid.
In Delhi there are large number of ngos are working for the welfare of these kids. Many ngo websites are full of glorifying stories. What one needs is to do is to just go out, one can find children doing all this at every liquor shop. Begging by these street children at every traffic light is a bare truth every person living in Delhi knows.
Though some significant work has been done for the welfare of street children but that is not enough. Not only ngos but public participation is needed if we wish to see our nation out of this curse. Common wealth games are knocking at our door.
Delhi government should give heed to this issue on urgent basis if it wishes to save its face in front of the international community.It is estimated that there are 314,700 street children in Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Kanpur, Bangalore and Hyderabad combined and about 100,000 in Delhi. Factors which have given rise to the increase in number of street children in India include poverty, family break-ups, armed conflicts, natural and man-made disasters, lack of employment opportunities and the attraction of cities.

Havocs of Plastic Bags

2009-12-04T17:06:00.000+05:30

Havocs of plastic bags

It has become a kind of a style statement for masses to carry things in plastic bags. Heap of polythene waste can be located at every corner of the locality one lives in. According to Central Pollution Control Board 10 thousand tons of plastic waste is generated that is nine percent of the 1.20 lacs Tons Per day of Municipal Solid Waste in India. Big numbers of stray animals like cows die every year due to consuming this dangerous chemical stuff. Indian government under Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 has banned use of polythene bags in the market but it seems on papers. Go and visit any market of this nation and one can find polythene in the hand of every person buying vegetables, soap or any other household item.

There have been so many hue and cries over the banning of this chemical hazard but polythene has made its presence so strong in the social fabric that it has become a sort of habit. People feel comfortable carrying a poly bag in place of a simple cloth bag.

Women going to market for shopping ask poly bags for everything, complains a shop owner. It has become a kind of a daily habit for citizens and coming out from a set routine is very tough. The worst part of polythene is that it never decays and using habits are rapidly making inroads into rural parts of our country. This growing problem needs a serious approach and efforts if we wish to see our coming generations breathing in a clean and green atmosphere.

With its reach expanding to rural areas, polythene has started showing its after effects that includes low production, water logging and cattle deaths. Some states are quick to react on such reports other as reluctant as they were earlier. But there has been no effective measures planned yet which can turn this ban into an effective Act and violation of it should be feared by users in fear of repercussions that will follow afterwards. And more than that people participation is very much needed in this cause. Until and unless people start feeling that poly bags should be banned at the earliest there can be no help to government.

Big rivers like the Yamuna are the victim of human negligence. Even after several measures to clean Yamuna in Delhi, polythene waste can be seen littered here and there at the banks of this historical river. Delhi in March this year has imposed ban over the use of poly bags but there has been no change in the using habits people and one can find polythene available easily in market.

But there are few good signs are also visible. Some aware persons, after understanding its after effects have started carrying home made paper bags to avoid polythene. Some companies have started giving their products in paper bags to join this say-no-to-poly bags cause.

But much more is needed to be done at grass-root level. First to kill the habit of polythene among new generation kids, lessons should be taught at school level to tell the kids the harmful effects of polythene. This spreading habit should be stopped at the earliest and there should be some street plays and other campaigns to discourage people to use polythene in every part of our nation no matter village or town.

This is expected from the educated lot of India to take this responsibility in their hands to stop poly bag usage and to create awareness among the masses who does not know its hazardous effects on the environment. Though NGOs and other socially active people are giving their efforts to educate people about the harms of polythene but more co-operations is needed from society.

Kids addict to correction fluid at Agra Station

2008-02-27T18:19:00.000+05:30

Kids addict to correction fluid at Agra Station.

Agra , Feb- 27: Time 7o' clock, evening. passengers are anxiously waiting for Taj express at Agra cant station. Some poor children are also roaming at the station without any attention from passengers.But there is something seriously wrong with these vagrants. They are walking like a drunk and have something in their hands , which they are inhaling frequently.
As one moves closer to them he feels strong smell of correction fluid. in their hands they have this solution poured on a piece of cloth and they inhale it repeatedly. When asked why they inhale it , Satish a 14 year old boy says , " I have started taking it when I was only seven. It gives me relief". " poore din paise kamane ke chakkar me thak jate hain ( after daylong race for earning , I am left dog tired). Isko soonghkar need a jati hai ( I can sleep after inhaling it)" , says Mohan , who sells Pan-masala and cigarettes in the train ( Government has banned smoking in the trains and at stations.).
There are almost 90 children on this station including few girls. Most of them have left their homes due to odd consequences like death of mother , regular beating etc. Some of these children are addict to this hazardous liquid from last many years. They are too addicted to quit it. Imran , who is merely 10 and addict of this fluid does not know that it is very harmful for lungs. he smiles and says , " Mujhe accha lagta hai ( I like it )." Saina a girl who is hardly 10 years is also a fluid addict. She lives in a nearby slum and sells Guthkas and refilled water-bottles in the train. These all children are from economically handicapped society and their livelihood on regular basis.
Many of these children are taking this fluid from last 5 to 7 years under he nose of station and police administration. But Railway police SP shows ignorance about the matter , and assured the reporter to take proper step to rehabilitate these children. Surprisingly , the police station is in the station premises and the policemen on the beat visit the station regularly. Railway Protection Force ( RPF) , however has helped a Delhi based NGO Chetna in rehabilitating these homeless children. But not much is achieved till date. " we have sent many children to Government Correction homes. But there are many hurdles. Most of the times these homes are full and this is not possible to send all children to these homes. but we are helping Chetna whereever they want our help" , says Kailash Chandra Gupta , In charge RPF Station. Children allege policemen and vendors for taking money. " They take 10 to 20 rupees from us and sometime snatch our belongings. They beat us and force us to do their work " , says a boy.
" We started here in 2005 and working hard to see the positive signs." says project co-coordinator Chetna ,Pramod Kumar . " We use community therapy ( in community therapy children are treated , where they live ) because it is less expensive. We haven't big set up to rehabilitate all the children in one go." He tells further about the way they treat these small addicts. " we organise games like cricket , kabbadi , Kho-kho to exhaust them. Once they are exhausted they sleep soundly without any drug" he adds.
But this therapy does not work much as they live in the same environment and start taking the liquid as soon as they see their colleague taking it. There is hardly any sign board visible anywhere in the city to locate Chetna. Children also allege the NGO people for beating and ill treatment. But all charges were denied by Pramod Kumar.

Doctors who are working with this NGO say that white fluid is directly affecting lungs and and then affects the immune system. So these children are slowly moving towards death.
With regular hardships posed by police beatings , threat posed by vendors and potters , these kids are left with pain and sorrow at the end of the day. To cover which they succumb to the temptations of drinking and substance abuse, without knowing that they are inhaling death. But blaming the administration is not right. We as a society are responsible for the state of these children. Thousands of Indian visit Taj every year but no one has even tried to raise the issue. Local and national media is more responsible than people. Neither any newspaper nor any channel tried to cover this issue.
so the future of these children are entirely in darkness.

Women with a mighty heart!

2008-01-25T19:13:00.000+05:30

Om Shree, 36 year old woman subdued her own interests for the sake of her family.Despite the threats and difficulties,she kept on going and now this woman owns two mini trucks.--
Balarpur(Mainpuri, UP)
It is dark as usual , when Om Shree returns from her guava orchard to her home where her siblings would be waiting for her to dine together. Today she has everything to run a family in this small vilage.But things were not like this for her only two decade ago , when she lost her parents and responsibility of all young members came upon her delicate shouders.
She was only 16 years old.She hoped that in such tough time , her uncles and cousins would help her but for her surprise they all were eying to grab the land. They beat har many time and spread ill-rumours about her character in the village. " they wnted me to sign on the property papers without any protest. They forced me to leave the village , so that they could take the hold of my ancestral land", she says.
Things were not easy for her in any way. She had nothing called 'money' at home because everything was gone in the treatment of her father who as suffering from Tuberculosis.Her cousins has criminal records so no one stood against them to help her.
" When they failed in their plans to owerpower me easily as they thought earlier.They started misleading my younger brothers , by saying that one day I would sell all the property and would fled away from home. one of my brother even satrted drinking and gambling in their company. My brothers abused me- their elder sister due to the poision filled in them".she says while tears rolling on her cheeks. " I suffered a lot but the very moment I decided that I would not let them fulfill their wicked-plans. It is tough for girls to stand against such bad men but I had no option left with". she adds further.
However there were many hurdles on her way but her steadfast determination brought her the desired fruit. She used both love and stick to bring her brothers back on the right path. She worked as labourer to feed her siblings. " during day I used to work on my land and at night I went to harvest wheat crops to earn money to meet the family expencs". she tells.
She tried to file comlaint against her cousins but police did not listen to her. Then she decided to transfer the old gun of her father as defence weapon against them (cousins) but problems were tied to her everywhere. "I went Mainpuri umpteen times but in vain. Clerks demnded money for 'chai-pani' which I hadn't and they ." she tells.
But her work was not done yet. She had two sister two sisters to marry. So to marry one of them , she started working overtime and within two years she collected some money.In 1999, she got her sister married to a well-setteled man. The guava orchard planted by her had now started giving plenty in return , so in 2004 she purchased a mini truck with partial loan.
Only in one and and half year she paid the loan and on previous 'Diwali' she purchased another. Her brother Raju said that she had suffered a lot due to them and he would give her all comforts for the rest of life. When asked about her own marriage , she says " If I will marry there is no one to look after them. even today people are behind my property and I can't let them do, no matter for that I have to do some sacrifies."
Om shree is not much worried now because her brothers has grown young and they are looking after the work with her. " we respect her determination to survive in such tough situation , where everything was against her. She is source of inspiration to us and we want to make all our daughters like her." says a group of women of the village.

Candle flickers despite all odds!

2008-01-23T18:05:00.000+05:30

Dusashan Behera, several state and national award winner is a victim of fate, NGOs, tradesmen and administration. He is fighting is a losing battle to save dying Dhokra craft. At the age of 68 his zeal to fight is exceptional.
Situlia (Dhenkanal): " Mu je parjanta banchhi, se parjanta kala ku banchi rakhibi" (till live , I will keep this art alive) Dusashan Behera, many state and national awards winner craftsman says in despair.
Situlia popularly known as Dhokra village first came into limelight when the then Chief minister of Orissa, Nandini satpathy sent Behra’s name in Pragati Maidan’s ‘Shilp mela’ to represent the state.
From there, Dushasan was sent to Japan by former PM late smt. Indira Gandhi to represent India and he did so and received first prize among 25 contestants. The whole village was in a festive mood because the poor villagers thought that their fate would also change with the popularity of this art globally.
But the happiness was short-lived. After returning from Japan, he got other awards but not the funds to run the business. The financial state of this Santhal populated village can be understood as soon as one enters the village..
Various NGOs however work for the ‘upliftment’ of this craft but only on papers. "They says Behera " purchase from us in Bulk and sell them on higher rates". " It takes 3 days and 150 rupees including 300 rupees of brass and other raw material. They offer us 300 rupees per kg, how can we sell in total loss." He adds further.
He was betrayed time and again. Once a man from Cuttack, named Nityanand Bhol took two pieces of his excellent work- Konark Chakra and Ashok Stambha with 108 diyas, giving Behra a false assurance of high monetary prize and award from Central Govt.
" Bhol got the prize for the products he never made. He is also getting pension after that" utters Behra. He tried to file a case of cheating against Bhol but advocates denied. He was allegedly attacked by ‘ gundas’ sent by Bhol to withdraw the case he never filed. " We are poor people, can’t afford police cases, so at last I decided to sit mum at home." Red-faced Behra says.
He is fighting a losing battle. Out of 50 homes, 30 left the work because of the lower on income from the craft business. Even his sons, don’t depend on this art, they are labourers. ‘ On a good day in Situlia says Behra nostalgically ‘ people get money to feed them at the end of the daylong tedious work’.
Prime Minister in 2006, to uplift such excellent traditional crafts, sanctioned six crore rupees to Orissa, but where that money has spent is still a detective story. ‘ Out of six crore rupees, we got a handicraft showroom ‘ shilpika’ which is under control of NGOs. They sell our products at higher rates, taking all money and credit themselves. Says Behera.
But this 68-year-old ‘Young man’ has a fire in his eyes to safeguard this art. He wants to open a school to train people in this craft. He left three jobs to train people only to protect this rare art. This skilled craftsman is still hopeful, that in near future he will get aid from government and his dream to train people will come true.
" I will Train without charging any fees." Says an enthusiastic Behera.

During Bandhs: How shameful to destroy Public property.

2007-09-18T12:03:00.000+05:30

DURING BANDHS: DESTROYING PUBLIC PROPERTY; SOME KIND OF FAISHON?
It
was a tough time for working professionals, school-goers, and passenger coming to Bhubhneswar from other places; in recent rampage by the Engineering students of Biju Patnaik University, demanding withdrawal of Year back system. They damaged everything came in their way, halting traffic for almost one hour.
Earlier this year conflict between Dera Saccha Sauda followers and Akal- takht staunches witnessed many lives and huge damage of Public property. Followers of both sects confronted for almost two months , appeased only after political interference, and written apologies by Dera chief- Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh.
Gujjar-Meena tussle over Reservation also resulted in deaths of scores and great loss of civic Property. It stopped work, inconvenienced travelers and affected supplies for essential commodities. Agitators dig railway lines, set fire to many Rajasthan State Transport buses including police stations and other private buildings.
Two accidents in Agra – one during the execution of Saddam Hussein in which many tourists from European countries were targeted stumbling the tourism industry for 2- three days. In this bandh government and private bodies lost millions of rupees. Another was recently, when 4 persons of Muslim community were crushed to death by an out of control truck. Later on agitated mob set fire to many trucks and blocked the national highway for over 24 hours, paralyzing the tourism industry again.
We, people studying in good institutions, getting standard education.
Is it expected to us to behave like this?
Damaging public property and in such volumes causes inconvenience to we people only. Government imposes more
taxes and fines to collect the revenue. Besides this, the people who affect most are patients going to hospitals in ambulances. Many patients die during bandhs because of road blockades.
There are certain other ways to mark your
protest to the government. Demagogic speeches of greedy politicians should not be followed blindly. We are privileged enough to have brains to distinguish between Brass and Gold.
Behaving in such a way is not expected from civilized people like us and it must be stopped to destroy public property as fashion during protests, Dharnas…
No More Please……

Madhvendra Singh Chauhan
IIMC, Dhenkanal
Mail: interactiveanu@ gmail.com