A country that has 1 billion population, 26 crore people living under poverty line, not enough potable drinking water for everyone, basic infrastructure problems of roads, power and education, so many court cases in backlogs.. what is the most important thing that we really need? I would think moral policing. Don’t agree with me? At least our government does! Government really needs to make sure what we are viewing on the television, if I am close to my spouse in the public and if I am dancing in the pub after 11PM!!! This is the MOST IMPORTANT thing that needs to be addressed. If Richard Gere, the guy who comes to
I heard a even more surprising story yesterday. Google employees in
Richard, Google, We are ashamed and embarrassed for what happened. Please be assured that common man is with you. Our intellect and reasoning is still intact. We just do not know how these clowns and corrupt politicians get elected and make fun of our democratic system. It will take time but we will figure it out.
Talking about Orkut, it seems two girls in Brazil were on Orkut and they made friends with a complete stranger. One of the girls agreed to meet with him and got raped. When the other girl was asked questions about this online behavior, she said, “The risk of getting raped is far far lesser than passing your life without getting noticed!”. Again, can we blame Orkut for it? It will be like Burkhas are safer for women and it will save them evil men. I do not think that rape rate in Burkha countries is lesser than non-burkha countries. The only way to deal with it is by empowering women, creating a safer environment, better law enforcement and a better community. Anyway, this does ask for a separate debate and I will reserve it for another posting.
Update : Arun gave me some interesting links on the same topic. Vir Sanghvi wrote an article on moral policing in Hindustan Times.
Pratap Mehta wrote on Indian Express.
It’s a sad thing that the real problems – poverty,infrastructure et al are not being attacked.Instead so much fuss over moral behaviour!
Seems like the Indian authorities have a sadistic attitude towards success stories be it Orkut or be it some celebrity..they seem eager to protest against every little harmful detail.
Reading this blog, it feels good to find out that there are others who feel the same, who understand that the real problem is elsewhere. So there ‘s still hope for a better India..someday!
I meant “harmless” detail..in the comment above
sorry for the typo!
Thanks for the encouraging words Priti. We all need to work towards a better India. And I am sure people like you will enable it to become one!
Amit,
If every person in India knew what was good for him and for the society in general, no laws would be required. The risk of mugging keeps people away from downtown areas in US cities after 8 pm. Bangalore is fast becoming similarly unsafe with the disparity between rich (read Techies) and poor rising steadily. The money and exposure to US culture is luring the neo rich to the pubs. Empowering women should not only mean women drinking in pubs and partying late into the night. If a rule is made which is equally applicable to all, namely pubs closing at 11 p.m. we should look at it positively and consider it good for our own safety.
I do agree that hooliganism should not be tolerated in any form be it Shiv Sainiks or anybody. Educated people like you and me discussing these issues over net will not necessarily change the society because these issues are not important for more than half the population. We must understand that what is happening in India today is the result of true democracy (majority rules!!!). The masses are not bothered by any changes in rules and are ready to adapt to new situations like a herd of cattle. What you and I are looking for is democracy with educated voters, educated women and educated ministers…
It is a little difficult to imagine how India will improve given that the priorities of the next generation are completely different from those required to bring about a change.
PRESS RELEASE
Ref No.: 269/SPCC/ GC/08. Date: 2.9.08
To,
The Chief Secretary to the Govt. of Sikkim
Tashiling Secretariat,
Gangtok.
Subject: People debarred from implementation of Nirmal Gram Yojana in Sikkim.
Respected Sir,
The undersigned as Chairman Grievance Cell of Sikkim Pradesh Congress Committee (SPCC) had been invited by the villagers of Chisopani, Tintek, Bhaisal Goan, ICDS Chisopani, Burbotey, Aambotey and Lalsore for redressal of their grievances for not receiving the facilities of Nirmal Gram Yojana provided by the Government of India.
Whereas on the spot verification of the areas in question the people were found using their toilet inside a tent-like barricade area. A large area of the villages in question were immune deliberately debarred from these health and hygienic facilities.
That the meeting of the Grievance Cell of SPCC held on 25.8.08 at the behest of the local people criticized the so called publicity of the Govt. highlighting the receipt of the award by the Government of Sikkim for implementing Nirmal Gram Yojana when such lackadaisical approach and whimsical implementation of such vital schemes are coming to the forefront.
The signatories submitted their grievances for onward submission of their petition to the Chief Secretary, Govt. of Sikkim and demanded that the Schemes for Nirmal Gram Yojana by implemented before 15th Sept. Of this current month failing which they have asked the Chairman to lead their delegation for submission of grievances to His Excellency, the Governor of Sikkim.
The Grievance Cell Committee of SPCC also visited the Basal Goon areas and found that the road dug out by RMDD about two years ago were left not only without carpeting and back-wall but without any drainage system. The public of the entire area of Chisopani, Bhaisal Goan have expressed their fear that huge landslide might swept away their entire village any day if no proper restoration of these half done road excavation is streamlined and executed methodically.
The undersigned is therefore compelled to approach your good office to kindly redress the grievances of these poor people where the Govt. have not even provided drinking water facility at all as on date, on behalf of the ruling Govt. for the last 14 years.
The Villagers smelt rotten that there is a big chance of Corrupt practice by the Panchayat or the existing MLA as the matter is very serious one, the undersigned would request your good self that the Vigilance enquiry may please also be initiated to give justice to these villagers so that their grievances are redressed without forcing the undersigned to approach the Governor of Sikkim leading a Grievance delegation of SPCC forthwith.
This petition also nullifies the false claim of receiving award from Govt. of India for implementing Nirmal Gram Yojana in Sikkim. That the SDF Govt. should not implement such eye washing false scheme to earn the pathos and agonies of the poor people. It is very sad that people are staying at the stone age era just 12 kms. away from Namchi, the South District Head quarter, where the SDF stalwarts reside.
That this is also a case study of how the PIME Program Implementation Monitoring Evaluation Deptt . of SDF Govt. have pathetically failed in its duties thereby falsifying the tall claim of the Govt. that they have raised the standard of living of the people in Sikkim. The grant of award by Govt. of India is not our indicator of the real and actual development taking places in the villages in Sikkim . The Grievance Cell has opined and it is resolved that this type of daylight Corruption will be exposed by the Sikkim Congress Committee on 14.09.08 during their State Level meet at the same place i, e Chisopani in South Sikkim.. Therefore the Govt. is advised to act wisely.
Yours faithfully.
(S.K. Bardewa)
Enclo:
Signature of the
Petitioners.