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School or else…! TRAI rights a wrong |
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Women in Islam
Ordeal of the film festival
The blue light
FOLLOW UP
Prospects of Third Front receding
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School or else…! THE
idea to put the onus of sending a child to school on parents is laudable per se, but it is not very practical and feasible. The number of parents who do not or cannot send their wards to schools runs into millions. How is the government going to handle those who do not follow the directive? Yes, it can ask them to pay a fine but things will work out much better if it wields the carrot rather than the stick. Instead of punishing defaulting parents, it has to make elementary school education so alluring that no parent is able to resist it. What must be realised is that there is no dearth of motivation for seeing one's child educated. Those who can afford it are already more than keen to ensure good education for their children. Even the illiterate or the indigent dream of their progeny being able to read and write and move up in life. It is just that the financial and social conditions are such that they perceive school admission as a luxury or a burden instead of a necessity. Even those who deliberately keep the child at home do so only because they need extra hands for household chores or as farm labour. If school offers a little more than education, going there will suddenly become a more attractive proposition. Free education, free books, mid-day meals and even monetary incentives to children of poor parents can do the trick, ensuring that these facilities are free of corruption and bureaucratic red-tape. The experience so far is that mid-day meals have led to better attendance in many schools, especially in poor localities. A properly run meal scheme can not only promote education but can also provide essential nutrition which is every child's birthright. Tamil Nadu's experience with the mid-day meal scheme has been of great help in spreading education. At the same time, it is necessary to give the desired thrust to education, particularly of girls. Schools that are without teachers, furniture or blackboards extend no welcome sign. While castigating those parents who do not send their children to schools, the government must also fulfil its part of the bargain. Let us also put in the dock those who have deprived education of adequate funds for as long as one can remember. All educationists have been pleading for 6 per cent of GDP as the resource allocation for this vital sector. The actual figure rarely crosses even the 3 per cent mark. The politicians cannot absolve themselves of the responsibility of neglecting education. |
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TRAI rights a wrong INDIA’S telecom revolution, spectacular as it is, has not spread to the desired level due to hare-brained government policies. While India has some 10 million mobile phone users, China adds 5 million new subscribers every month due to cheaper services resulting from economies of scale. India’s licensing policy has divided the country into 22 regions, each with two licences to operate mobile networks. The licence raj has led to higher costs and endless litigation on one count or the other. The fragmentation of the national market, disputes between cellular and basic operators and ambiguous policies have resulted in over-regulation and limited competition. As a result, some global telecom giants have stayed away from India. It is the mobile telephone user who has ultimately paid the price for limited competition. The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has righted at least one major wrong by recommending on Monday unified licensing guidelines for both basic and cellular mobile services in the country. A single licence and a single national market should have been adopted right at the beginning. Government policies had created an uneven playing field for the two types of operators. The cellular service providers were charged a hefty licence fee who, in turn, passed on the burden to the consumer. Basic service providers like Reliance Infocomm, however, had to pay a lower licence fee and, as a result, were able to offer limited mobility at cheaper rates. Reliance violated the spirit of limited mobility by offering its subscribers multiple registration and call-forwarding facilities. For this the TRAI has asked the company to pay a penalty of Rs 485 crore. Reliance has accepted the fine and welcomed the TRAI recommendations. The broader aim behind the TRAI recommendations is to put an end to the licence raj in the telecom sector and the spate of litigation over services and technologies. The TRAI Chairman, Mr Pradip Baijal, could have gone a step further and also removed the circle-wise segmentation of the national market. The TRAI will have to keep an eye on corporate malpractices to protect the consumer. For quite a few years the cellular operators were allowed to charge the consumer more until a broader competition was ensured. The country will have to learn lessons from China in this field to achieve a deeper penetration of mobile telephone services and ensure their efficiency and proper regulation. Clear-cut policies will not only avoid litigation, but also attract better service providers at the global level. |
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Women in Islam FROM burqa to bikini would be a sensational headline for describing the churning that is taking place in certain Muslim countries for freeing the world's fastest growing religion from the stranglehold of the self-serving mullahs. Vida Samadzai may be the western media's idea of the brave new face of Afghan women, for long tortured and humiliated by Al Qaida and the Taliban. To project her participation in a beauty pageant in Manila as a bold step against the repression of women in Afghanistan and other Muslim societies may actually hurt the campaign that Muslim women activists have launched by devising more meaningful strategies. The international community rightly applauded the role that Shirin Ebadi has played in seeking a just and fair dispensation for not only women but other victims of repression as well. Unfortunately, the clergy was not alone in denouncing her activities when she was chosen for this year's Nobel Peace Prize. She was attacked by the non-Muslim lunatic fringe for rooting for both Iran and Islam! Nearer home, the controversial Bangladeshi writer Taslima Nasreen managed to whip up another controversy. In 1993 her book "Lajja" (shame), a fictional account of the ill-treatment of Hindu families in Bangladesh as a reaction to the destruction of Babri Masjid, had earned her the fatwa of death "for reviling Islam". This time she is accused of having "assassinated the character" of certain well-known personalities in the country in a biographical book called "Ka". Lajja had aroused the ire of the mullahs. Her latest book has made a number poets, writers and politicians close rank against her "audacity" to malign them. Clearly more purposeful activity is going on in rabidly Islamic societies for exposing corrupt and debased poets and politicians and the fanaticism of mullahs. Somehow the US-based Vida's body show in Manila does not fit into the emerging pattern that seeks to give women a place of dignity and equality in male-dominated Muslim societies. The supporters of the Taslimas, the Shirins and the Asama Jehangirs would feel cheated if the Muslim women's liberation movement was hijac ked by the fashion industry for serving its commercial interests rather than the cause of Muslim women. A more purposeful tribute to the emerging trend was the daring film "At Five in the Afternoon", on the life of Afghan women, made by Samira Makhmalbaf of Iran. The film missed the top honour at Cannes but won the Golden Peacock at the just concluded international film festival in Delhi. Thought for the day Studies serve for delight, for ornament, and for ability. — Francis Bacon
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Ordeal of the film festival WATCHING four – at times even five — films in a day for 10 days can be a daunting task even for a diehard cinema buff but scores of film critics do exactly that during a film festival for two reasons. One, because most of them in India are deprived of classics since very few such films make it to the neighbourhood cinema. And two, because it is essential to view as many as one can to get the correct perspective on the current developments in world cinema. I was one of those who underwent this “ordeal” during the 34th International Film Festival of India held in New Delhi from October 9 to 19. Now that the eyes are no longer red, it can be said that the exercise has been worthwhile. The common element that one can clearly perceive is that they displayed the sincerity of otherwise. Otherwise, the films were so very different from one another that comparing them could be a frustrating exercise. The dividing line between mainstream and art cinema is now almost non-existent. The only class distinction that does exist is good cinema and bad cinema. What a pity that most of our films continue to fall in the second category, despite there being so much of talent and potential. The standard excuse is that there are no takers for “award-winning type” films. That pre-supposes that there is a market for sickening boy-meets-girl-meets-villain template. Nothing could be farther from the truth. The majority of such expensive fantasies too run to empty houses. Then why not make a few sensible, clean films every once in a while? They may not set the cash counters on fire but will at least not incur as much losses as some of our recent phenomenally priced turkeys have? And even when we do make fantasies, can we make them with some degree of intelligence? The large rural areas may still demand the routine masala fare but at least the city crowd is hungry for meaningful cinema. If we put aside the Cinema of the World section and focus on the films entered in the Asian competition section, which are the only ones which are judged for awards in the Indian festival, it can be said with confidence that the films even from strong contenders like China and Japan are not much better than what we have produced in the past. It is just that we have thrown in the towel of late and are not coming up with any outstanding movies. Experimentation seems to have been left to regional film makers. Coming to the organisation of the festival, it continues to be disappointing and bureaucratic. Imagine there being no representative of the Indian film industry at the closing ceremony except Aishwarya Rai. It would appear as if Bollywood was boycotting the festival. Surely, more glamour can be roped in to make it a happening event. This was the last festival to be held in Delhi, with Goa having been finalised as the permanent venue from next year. Perhaps that is why the heart of the organisers was not in the task at hand. The apathy showed, and hurt. But nothing could have hurt the festival harder than the rape of a Swiss girl. She was molested when she was returning home after a night show. Imagine two youths overpowering her in the car parking of the Siri Fort Auditorium, the venue of the festival, and going round the city molesting her. Suddenly, Delhi came to be seen as the rape capital of the country rather than just the national capital. In a way, the decision to make Goa the permanent venue may prove a blessing because Delhi now stands badly stigmatised. The problem is that Panjim does not even have the basic infrastructure as of now to host such an event. Goa Tourism officials put up a brave front while claiming that multiplexes and other buildings will be constructed in time for the next festival but knowing the way government machinery functions, one has too many doubts. The Director-General of the Cannes Film Festival has been flown in to India to guide the officials about how to deck up Panjim. That’s impressive indeed but how effectively this advice is heeded remains to be seen. One of the aims of hosting a film festival is to promote one’s own cinema. A film bazaar was organised at the festival for this purpose. But the volume of business transacted there was dismal. Foreign delegates were just not there. It was proudly announced that representatives from 24 countries had confirmed participation but only Uzbekistan and the Maldives put up their stalls. And even they did not make much of purchase. It is not as if Indian films have no takers. Their gana-bajana holds a lot of attraction in West Asia, Russia and even China and Japan, besides neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. But the thrust to export to these countries is lacking. Pakistan, of course, deliberately stayed away from the festival but the other countries could have been roped in, if only the approach of the hosts was a little more inviting. Instead of being apologetic about the stuff being dished out by Bollywood, we have to promote it as a special brand. The escapist fare can find ready buyers if only we market it right. We also have to make better dubbing arrangements. At the same time, it is necessary to graduate to making films for mature audiences. The economics of film-making ordains that some cost-cutting measures should be taken to make them economically viable. One, give the star system a go-by. Hiring big names sends the budget into the stratosphere. Serious cinegoers want good acting instead of chocolate faces. There are enough talented actors around to give any star an inferiority complex. Two, lay greater stress on good scripts. A film just cannot work without a powerful story. Three, don’t mount a film like a costume drama. The trend all over the world is towards simple portrayal of everyday life. All this can be done at a fraction of the cost of a typical Bollywood film. Small cinema halls have started coming up in larger cities. These can be put to good use. Amitabh Bachchan had said about a decade back that we make most of our films for the audiences with the IQ of a child. Well, some of these children have grown up over the years. It is time someone catered to their mature needs. A film festival can only showcase what is being created in a country. It is time Bollywood woke up too and made some serious contribution. It is true that those who made such films in the seventies and the eighties burnt their fingers badly but the drought of more than two decades has the audience begging for good, clean, wholesome, meaningful cinema. Any
makers? |
The blue light GEETA had been coming to my house to wash utensils for many years. She was no better or worse than others of her kind, except that she had a tendency to pilfer small change more than most. Five rupees a month, I reasoned, was not too much to pay for the peace of the household. So I let her steal and kept her on and the wheels of the house ran smoothly. Geeta lived in a small bustee near the narrow bylanes of the Kalighat Temple in Kolkata. Her husband had left her and she lived with her parents and sister. Her small daughter, Radha, aged eleven, stayed with her. When I had time to listen to her chatter, Geeta used to complain that Radha hated lessons and refused to go to school. Moreover, her grandparents used to insist that she stay at home and attend to household chores, much to Geeta’s bitterness. “I live with them and, therefore, my daughter has to work as a servant”, she used to complain. “Don’t let her leave school”, I used to admonish, before rushing away. This was during the years I had a job and had less than half a ear for the problems of others. One day Geeta came to me crying. “Didi, let my Radha work in your house”, she wept, “She is beaten so badly, every day. Last night I went home and she had welts all down her arms and back. My father had beaten her with a belt...she will die if she stays there, Didi, she is only a little girl”. “She can’t work in the house”, I said feebly, “Besides she must not give up on her education. Try to put her in a boarding school, Geeta”. She looked at me wordlessly. I knew and she knew that there were no boarding schools for those of such meagre income. Yet, what else could I say? Barely 10 days later, Geeta entered looking radiant. “My daughter has been admitted to boarding, Didi, and I don’t have to pay anything. I can also go to visit her on weekends. It is all due to Mother...” Apparently Geeta had been in the habit of putting her forehead on the doors of Nirmal Hriday, one of Mother Teresa’s Homes, which she passed everyday, and praying for a solution to her problems. That day she had completed work in great distress of mind, and rushed to beat her forehead on the hard walls of the Home. “Save my daughter, Mother, save my child”, she had prayed over and over again. And, “a blue light shimmered from the walls and I felt a sense of peace and blessing...”, she told my enthralled staff, “The very next day Padma didi asked me if I wanted to admit Radha to her school. Just like that... I bit back the words from my lips. My educated mind could spot many “flaws” in this “miracle”. The blue light could have been a reflection of moonlight or the gently glowing streetlamps...Or.. But I kept quiet. Radha was admitted to Padma’s school and is progressing well. Geeta managed to open a small tailoring shop and move to a one-room “house” of her own, which was attached to the shop. She is firmly convinced that it is all due to the “blue light” and Ma Teresa who listened to her plea for help. And in the week of Mother’s beatification at the Vatican, I look back over the years and still wonder. A miracle or....plain, blessed luck that even our poor can aspire
to? |
FOLLOW UP VIOLENCE by teachers is on the increase. Students are being pushed into attempting suicide or running away from their school and home. Students are denied justice and a way out to educate themselves in schools without any sense of fear. Have a look at some case studies:
The District Education Officer assured the agitated gathering that appropriate action would be taken against the guilty teacher. The police registered an FIR and arrested the teacher on July 20, 2002. Later, she was granted bail and the case is still pending. The Education Department has transferred her to Lehal Secondary School in Khanna.
When the girl returned to her class, two other teachers took upon themselves the role of moral policing and beat her up, humiliating her to no end. The hapless girl could not take it any more. She went to a toilet, and consumed diluted acid from a bottle lying there. When her condition started deteriorating, she was sent home. Her mother took her to hospital, where her life was saved by washing her stomach. The Mohali police registered a case of abetment to suicide against the teachers. But a compromise was worked out and her parents were persuaded to withdraw the case.
This incident took place in Government Multipurpose School of Patiala. Jarnail Kumar was admitted to Rajendra Hospital, Patiala, for a week. In this very school, another boy, Jatinder Kumar of Class XI, had tried to kill himself by slitting his wrist. His teacher had made derogatory remarks against him. The teacher was later transferred.
S.M. Sharma, SDM, Balachaur, who had looked into the incident, said, “Of the missing 43 students, 29 were found in a farmhouse and the rest were traced by the police after three or four days.” The Principal claimed the students had escaped because they were supporting another student, Gurvinder Singh, who was expelled from the school. The Principal had not informed the parents even after two days of their missing.
There were reports that beating of students was a common practice in the school. Relatives of Meenakshi were told that the girl fell from the stairs. The teacher was suspended.
The Principal, instead of taking cognizance of the seriousness of the matter, rebuked the parents for confronting the teacher and threatened to expel the child from the school. The incident sparked a vigorous reaction. Many religious and social organisations demanded action against the Principal and the teacher. But no action was taken.
There are hundreds of such cases, which have taken place in the past two years alone. It is apparent that the issue of corporal punishment is not taken seriously. The Education Department of Punjab has two types of punishment to deal with the erring teachers. One, a teacher found guilty is either censured or faces a temporary stopping of up to five increments, besides a ban on promotion. The second includes reversion to lower posts, ban on promotion, permanent stoppage of increments and even dismissal from the service In all these cases of corporal punishment, not a single teacher has ever been given any major punishment. Even the minor punishment has not been administered. The Department of Education has only transferred the guilty teachers, which is not a punishment. The message given is: “you have spread enough terror in this school, now go to another school.” The teachers’ unions are reported to be playing a rather negative role while pressuring the authorities not to take any stringent action against the teachers found guilty of indulging in corporal punishment. |
Prospects of Third Front receding THE prospects of the Third Front with the Congress in the vanguard appear to be receding. This is more on account of the blow hot, blow cold relation between the Congress and Sharad Pawar’s Nationalist Congress party on the one side and Mulayam Singh Yadav’s Samajwadi Party on the other. With Congress President Sonia Gandhi’s foreign origin issue refusing to take a back seat, Mulayam Singh Yadav has gone on the offensive with certain senior Congressmen questioning his secular credentials. The SP has decided to contest seats on its own in the coming assembly elections which can create problems for the Congress. Mulayam Singh Yadav is under attack as the UP Chief Minister has refused to throw out Amarmani Tripathi, who is accused of murdering Madhumita Shukla, a 24-year-old poetess. Mulayam Singh. however, has made it clear that Amarmani Tripathi will have to face the law like anybody else.
Political networking
The Congress is proposing introducing smart cards to bring workers closer to party chief Sonia Gandhi and keep track of the members. Ahead of its bid to return to power in the next year’s general election, the party is distributing smart cards for accessing the central leadership and to keep the members abreast of Congress policies and its manifestos. This is the first time that any political party is implementing something like this. The cards are expected to cost Rs 200 each, though a simpler version with limited access will be available to the lower ranks for Rs 20. Initially, only senior
leaders will be given such cards.
Amarinder Singh’s woes
Capt Amarinder Singh’s drive against corruption is pushing him to a corner within his own party. There are meetings galore by those inimical to his leadership and his own party colleagues are accusing him of political vendetta. This has compelled the Congress high command to sit up and take note. Akali Dal and BJP strategists are working overtime to see if they can engineer a vertical split in the Punjab Congress. Clearly, those ranged against the Punjab Chief Minister are not only on a signature campaign drive but waiting to see which way the dice rolls.
Chinese missile for Pakistan?
Pakistan is abuzz with reports that a Chinese missile called “Awacs killer” forms part of Pakistan’s strategy to counter the airborne Phalcon radars that India is acquiring. The FT-2000 surface-to-air missile (SAM), also known as the Awacs killer, is considered the most appropriate option if the US refused to provide the same kind of Airborne Warning and Controling System (AWACS) to Pakistan. Pakistan is also considering indigenous production of the FT-2000 missile. High-level consultations are on between Islamabad and Beijing in this regard. A statement issued recently by the Pakistan Air Chief, Air Chief Marshal Kaleem Saadat, said that “the nation would hear good news by June 30, 2004.” China too was keen on purchasing the Phalcon but the deal was called off last year in the face of stiff opposition from the US. Contributed by T.R. Rama-chandran, Satish Misra and Prashant
Sood. |
Whatever you do, make it an offering to me — the food you eat, the sacrifices you make, the help you give, even your suffering. — Sri Krishna (Bhagavad Gita) God’s Command directs the path. — Guru Nanak O Son of Man! Upon the tree of effulgent glory I have hung for thee the choicest fruits, wherefore hast thou turned away and contented thyself with that which is less good? Return then unto that which is better for thee in the realm on high. — Baha’u’llah A life of sacrifice is the pinnacle of art, and is full of true joy. — Mahatma Gandhi What we hope ever to do with ease, we must first learn to do with diligence. — Samuel Johnson |
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