India Information » General

Pictures of Japanese recovery

webgracesam — Wed, 13 Jul 2011 12:59:25 +0000

I’ve always admired the unity and resilience of Japanese people. Check out these cool pictures of recovery in the wake of Asia’s recent devastating tsunami and earthquake.

Pakistan Minority Minister’s shocking murder

webgracesam — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 16:00:39 +0000

Been very tied up lately, how I miss indianising y’all. In any case you can’t find an unoccupied hour in the midst of the World Cup cricket craze. The minnows seem to be doing better… wonder what is the benefit of lionizing our Indian players, showering millions of Rupees, deals and what not.

Cricket aside, news from Pakistan last week grieved me bitterly. It is a serious question where this country is heading. A federal minister, the only Christian in the cabinet, Mr. Shahbaz Bhatti, was gruesomely assassinated by extremists. The attack was carried out by a group of masked men who ambushed the minister on the street. They pulled him out of his car and opened fire at point blank range before fleeing. It is indubitably a big loss to minorities. Bhatti routinely had been receiving death threats for urging reform of Pakistan’s blasphemy laws.

Last few years I had closely followed the events in Pakistan, and let it be the Gojra incident in 2009, or the Asia Bibi life sentence last year, this man Bhatti was present deprecating them all. He had unreservedly used his political influence and power to voice for the oppressed microscopic communities and address their problems.

In a YouTube video recorded by Bhatti a few months ago, he said that Al Qaeda and the Taliban “want to impose radical philosophy in Pakistan” including the blasphemy law and sharia Law, and he said he is “speaking for the oppressed and marginalized Christian minority.” He boldly said he would give his life to stand against religious discrimination in his country. Should it have been this quick? There are no “saviours” in that country. Either one, or none at all.

After the forced death of Salman Taseer, the governor of the Punjab region, on 4 January, this is the second assassination in a row of a senior Pakistani official who tried to reform the country’s blasphemy law. The blasphemy law dates back to 1860 when India was under British rule, and was designed to protect Muslims against the Hindu majority when Pakistan and India were combined. Wonder what Muhammad Ali Jinnah who vociferously called for a partition to establish what he calls a “secular state” will have to say on the current scenario. That is why every country needs a capable, visionary and characterful leader.

Till today none has ever been able to muster courage to repeal Section 295C of Pakistan’s Penal Code which stipulates that “derogatory remarks, etc., in respect of the Holy Prophet … either spoken or written, or by visible representation, or by any imputation, innuendo or insinuation, directly or indirectly … shall be punished with death, or imprisonment for life, and shall also be liable to fine.” Sample the case of this Karachi lawyer who found himself behind the bars on blasphemy charges just because he refused to take up the case of a client and threw into the dustbin his visiting card which had his name “Mohammed” printed on it.

Pakistan’s slide into religious fanaticism and fundamentalism is really very scary. As its neighbour India will suffer more specially with the infiltration of extremists into Kashmir that poses a threat to peace and harmony. Aint we really fortunate living in a country like India where despite our problems and little quandaries there is so much hope. Our democratic structures have paved ways for freedom, creativity and innovation. Saffron extremism, which minorities here are facing with, will soon end with education and training reaching every nook and corner of our vast nation. I always tell my fanatic Hindu friends, Christians and Muslims might be minorities in India…but in Pakistan, Christians and Hindus are minorities…so never compromise with equal treatment of people whether majority or minority. If not here, somewhere you are a minority. After all, what goes around comes around. A US lawyer once said: “It’s always the minorities who aren’t a part of the mainstream who define what the limits… of the majority are going to be.”

Concludingly, no government that fails to prioritise “people” and endow freedom and respect to minorities will succeed. We saw the spectacular downfall of Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak that inspired the popular uprising against Libya’s Muammar Kadhafi and demonstrations in other Arab countries, including Yemen, Bahrain and Jordan. It might not take long for such an uprising in Pakistan.

Media in India

webgracesam — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 15:06:50 +0000

Nazi propaganda chief Joseph Goebbels said that if a lie were repeated publicly a hundred times, it would become a truth. It might now not be possible in Germany, but in India it’s easy with our conscience keeper, the MEDIA! Recently, a friend was involved in the death of a restaurant manager who allegedly went under the wheels as a result of his anger. The incident was reported by all major newspapers and television channels. Not just report, it was headlined on the top by papers like the Times of India. Not that media shouldn’t, but the events that followed the incident and the fashion it was reported, gave a disturbing exposure.

Within hours after the incident, media outlets dispatched journos, one to the police station where the good friend was arrested. Another press person tracks the family’s address and ceaselessly annoys for an interview. In less than 4 hours, you switch on the news channels, and you have the anchor talking over and over and over on the accident. The flash news text will highlight the incident for the next two days. In another one hour, we have a graphic expert quickly animate the scene with erroneous conclusions on what transpired. And now with the graphic, we have the news anchor walk up and down with a big cane pointing where the car brushed, where the road is located…even what position the car was. By now our old and young are glued on watching as if an epidemic hit.

The first journo dispatched to the police station is still to get any detail on the incident, but with an opera pitch, standing beside a patrolman, will judgementally speak on what he thinks has happened. He will also visit the incident place and get some passerby comment on what he never saw . By now an opinion has already been made…friends and family start to panic. Surprisingly, for another 24 hrs, TV channels kept making opinions displaying the graphic and some pictures of some passerby commenting on the accident. And the second jounro already has pitched his tent outside the house pointing his finger at where the family lives.

The next day, newspapers make the accident the headline despite a major UN report speaking on the degrading health in India. This piece was placed in fourth or fifth page as if it doesnt concern Indians like this accident does. Something that creates sensation creates more revenue, why else? Newspapers even went to an extent of reporting where the person lives and in which floor not giving the slightest thought on how it would affect the family. And then comes the senior columnists of the newspapers waiting to make a 5-page editorial. They ambiguously remark on the incident.

Well everybody gets their share. The Psychologists publish a report on the accident saying ‘stress taking toll’. “The road rage incident has once again brought to fore issues of increasing violence and decreasing tolerance in cities,” they write. Oops what about the jobless news analysts? The second page of the newspaper has their reports. They bring out all past cases of brutal deaths. Somehow fill the gaps, create sensationalism. Furthermore, we have the incurious observers, who are called on special TV programs to debate on who is right and who is wrong. Another successful episode for their TVR rating.

This might not be the scenario just here, must be the same in other countries as well. But one has to wonder if the freedom of press in India is misused? Does this watchdog need another watchdog? Look at the recent Radia tapes controversy. The tapes show several wellknown media faces bowing to the wishes of the powerful corporate lobbyists. The names of the journalists involved includes those top seniors in NDTV, HT, and India Today. Napoleon must be right saying “I fear three newspapers more than a hundred thousand bayonets”. Should I also quote Gandhi here for my country people ? “I believe in equality for everyone, except reporters and photographers.”

Adios~

Binayak Sen’s conviction a travesty of justice

webgracesam — Sun, 26 Dec 2010 19:08:11 +0000

It was indeed a travesty of justice. The appalling verdict convicting Binayak Sen to life imprisonment has come as a shock. A local court in Chhattisgarh found Sen, a doctor and civil rights activist, guilty of criminal conspiracy to commit sedition.

When our bigwigs accused of the CWG and telecom scams go scot free, a man who dedicated his entire life to the poor is charged on fictitious evidences. The 58 year old paediatrician has been accused of carrying messages and letters to Maoist rebels.

Most human rights activists, academics and even journalists have reacted with utmost horror at the sheer injustice of the judgement.

Dr Sen is a professor at the prestigious Christian Medical College (CMC), Vellore, of which he is an eminent alumni. At least 22 noble prize winners from all over the world had sought his immediate release.

Amnesty International which considers Dr. Sen a “prisoner of conscience” has asked that the “state and federal authorities in India immediately drop these politically motivated charges against Dr Sen and release him.”

Sen who graduated top at the Christian Medical College in Vellore refused to heed his father’s wish for him to study further or work in England. He gave up his lucrative career and comfortable lifestyle and chose to provide healthcare to poor tribals in Chhattisgarh.

For over 30 years he devoted to treating patients and training health workers for administering primary health care. In fact Sen was selected for the Jonathan Mann Award for Global Health and Human Rights in 2008.

It is clearly unjust of the BJP government to slap life imprisonment to a gem like Sen, connecting him with the Maoists. The man himself in 2007 had said “I have never condoned Maoist violence. It is an invalid and unsustainable movement.”

Activist Teesta Setalvad believes that Sen got convicted on “trumped up evidence” because the BJP-ruled Chhattisgarh government was gunning for him.

The press and those at high power must not let such injustice pervade in our democracy, especially when it is someone who stood for the poor and suffering. Sincerely hope our press, NGOs and rights activists will condemn Sen’s life imprisonment and work for his release.

‘indianiser’ completes another year..

webgracesam — Sat, 18 Dec 2010 17:19:10 +0000

Another birthday and ‘indianiser’ is climbing up the ladder. One more year of memories, that is what my sweet angel has offered. Athenian Aeschylus, the father of Greek tragedy, said “memory is the mother of all wisdom”. Well someday when life becomes all hectic, I would flip over a page and smile at all those interesting entries I made.

So Happy Birthday to indianiser. Currently it has at least 300 regular readers and by next December, it is gona cross the 1000 mark. So let’s wish it all luck. Have no present for my boy oops but its also my birthday and have no present for myself..wont that make us even?

Let me wish you all a Happy Christmas. Enjoy your holidays and dont forget those gigantic resolutions for 2011

Adios ~

Watch Pranav Mistry’s innovation at TED

webgracesam — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 09:06:53 +0000

I’ve not been recently blown away watching any video like this one of Pranav Mistry. He developed a wearable gestural interface device which could reorganize reform and revolutionize our virtual community. It is a must watch! The best part is, he is making it all open source!!

You might also want to watch this video of Sunitha Krishnan who is galvanizing India’s battle against sexual slavery by uniting government, corporations and NGOs to end human trafficking. Listen to her in the TED video below. She has rescued over 3,200 trafficked girls. Isn’t that mind-boggling?

Our Kiran Bedi as well was invited to talk at the TED conference. If you have time, watch this as well. For the first time a PM’s car was held under her rule. She also spoke on how she introduced education and meditation programs for prisoners. Well…the credit doesn’t go entirely to her. Much before she entered the police, various Christian groups were providing the same relentlessly. They are the real pioneers…we just need people to recognise their efforts in this country.

What a spectacular Commonwealth Games opening ceremony

webgracesam — Mon, 04 Oct 2010 18:49:43 +0000

What a show it was. A fitting reply to all those sardonic observations and cynical comments on India’s ‘incompetence’ in holding such a mega event. Where is CNN, BBC and this one clownish “Channel Seven” that came out with a manipulated sting operation to shame India. I was totally spellbound as I watched the opening ceremony live. I regret so much for not making it to the event despite getting a pass (hate those long queues). Like the Pakistan contingent commented, “it was an impressive fusion of technology and tradition”. Superb colours, effects, beats, songs, cultural performances and what not. All those media groups that made loud noises on poor preparations should be now ashamed on not predicting such an out-of-sight phenomenal show. Thanks to all the volunteers and all those “nameless” who have worked hard to make this a success.

“The concerns of recent weeks forgotten as dazzling event launches Games amid atmosphere of national pride and celebrations,” reported The Guardian newspaper of UK. The Telegraph newspaper, also published from London, said: “The biggest sporting spectacle India has ever hosted kicked off in typically colourful fashion… And there we were thinking it might never happen.”The Australian, published from New South Wales, wrote, “After weeks dominated by the old India of corruption, poverty and chaos the new ‘Incredible India’ of diversity and cultural pride showed its face.” The Sydney Morning Herald was surprised at how a country as vast and populous as India could pull off a spectacular opening ceremony. And those India newspapers that spoke poorly on the preparations are now showing nationalistic pride talking on a spectacular show.

Five thousand years of culture, heritage and tradition so beautifully was displayed in the music and dance which was viewed by tens and thousands and officials from 71 teams representing 54 Commonwealth member states. I would call it a flawless opening. You simply could not miss the smiles on the faces of officials, including Kalmadi, Mike Fennell and CGF CEO Mike Hooper. We are very happy that everyone liked it. Now we hope the momentum is carried forward over the next 12 days, said the organising ceremony secretary general.

The highlight of the show was the Great Indian Journey, heralded by the arrival of an Indian Railways train. The two and a half hour spectacular also saw a helium filled airship float above the crowd presenting India in all its grandeur. It is said to be the world’s biggest helium airship. In a special effect, lights were programmed to bounce off mirrors on the aerostat while 500,000 watts of sound were used to add to the cheer of the 65,000 strong crowd at the venue. It was totally breathtaking. Lord Paul, Britain’s Ambassador for overseas business, said Delhi Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit deserved special kudos for the ceremony.

Oh yea, I did have a laugh at few instances. First, the Duchess of Cornwall failed to stand to attention while the national anthem was being sung. This might seem a very small thing but when you are a guest to such a big event one should notice such small things that matter to the host’s country. It is just laughable They say it’s the royal people who at most times are ignorant or fail to educate themselves of simple things. In fact Prince Charles showed his ignorance of modern gadgets by asking one athlete whether her iPod music player was a device for monitoring her heart. There was another incident. When the Pakistan athletes entered the arena…they had a scramble over who should be the flag bearer. Interestingly, the audience gave a roaring applause to them…in fact the best of all teams. This gesture I thought was touching despite all the conflicts that we have. It just shows how welcoming our people are, even media there have praised this.

Anyways, I am happy that as we wished the Games came off with flying colours. But please, like Suresh Kalmadi, dont be a windbag talking pretentiously on ‘superpower’ and stuffs. We must learn to accept our failures, our mistakes and strive to fix them, because this is Democracy. As a matter of fact, under the pretext of the Games, our capital saw rapid infrastructural changes and yes our rich can now start boasting of living in one world-class city, but how many cared to enquire on the eviction of slum-dwellers and the extreme poor and hungry who suffered in the process. The Commonwealth Games Village had a budget of Rs 464 crores in 2004 and now has a budget of Rs 1400 crores. Could we have saved it for better? In fact in the five years from 2003 to 2008, the CWG project has demolished close to 350 slum clusters that housed nearly 300,000 people. According to reports, only about one third of these families have been resettled. Our modernization should be all-inclusive and not one-sided. Is India shining when nearly 15,000 children under 5 die every three days mostly from preventable diseases? Over 60% of the country’s population still live in poverty.

Concludingly, I would like to ask those seething Indians, who exactly is to be blamed for our corruption and all the nightmare that we went through? This Games and the criticisms surrounding it has brought to light the people who stymie progress and leave us out in the cold. Who else is to be blamed for what our country is going through than our KLEPTOCRATIC bureaucrats. Why pass the buck to British for our stagnant state. Makes me wonder if India really got freedom. To me freedom is still ‘ in the horizon’.

Adios ~

Spectator tips for Commonwealth Games 2010

webgracesam — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 09:18:47 +0000

Note: Below are Do’s and Dont’s for tourists visiting Delhi for Commonwealth Games 2010. With lot of visitors on ‘indianiser’ recently due to the Games, I thought it is necessary to post the below. Unfortuantely the official website of CWG 2010 is down.

Spectator Tips

Ensure that your tickets are valid for the correct venue, session, date and time

Plan your trip ahead of time so that you don’t miss the start of a competition and have adequate time to get to your seats. Take note of the traffic information to ensure that you reach the venue on time

Due to a large number of spectators entering the venue, be prepared to wait in a queue

Undergo a soft ticket check on approach to the pedestrian screening areas

Be prepared and dress appropriately according to the weather forecast

Since re-entry is not allowed, please ensure that you are carrying all your essential items in accordance with the directions given by Delhi Police with reference to the Prohibited Items List. Please note that there is no storage facility for personal belongings at the venues

Do not question, argue or misbehave with any police officer on duty. Do not show any dissent

Do not carry food or beverages (except baby food and medication, which can be proven with appropriate documents) brought from outside the venue .They can be purchased at concessionaire stalls within the venues

Signage will be put up to help you move in and around the venue with ease

Follow directions in respect of venue code of conduct and house rules

Follow the instructions of ushers present to guide you through the venue

Spectators with special needs will be moved in through a separate queue/gate

Once the event is over or during the unlikely event of an emergency, you are requested to follow the instructions of the staff for a safe and smooth exit

Prohibited Items

Alcohol	Match boxes/lighters
Bottles	Cigarettes/bidis
Cans	Inflammable items
Chair(s)/ tool(s)	Chewing tobacco/Gutka
Firearms	Tiffin
Replica firearms/toy guns	Knives/daggers/swords/scissors/box cutters
Eatables (except baby food)	Sharp/pointed edge materials
Dangerous goods	Handbags/briefcase/ladies handbags except of reasonable size
Fireworks/crackers	Umbrellas
Flares/distress signals	Handicams
Glass containers	Laptops
Backpacks	Sprays (except medical inhalers)
Laser lights/pointers/flash lights	Perfume
Musical instruments	Packets/parcels/torn-up papers
Roller blades	Balloons
Skateboards	Radio
Radio frequency devices	Loud hailers/whistles/shorns
Wooden sticks (lathi), hockey sticks other than participants	Sporting balls
Coins (all kinds)	Promotional products
Electronic equipment that could interfere with the electronic signal of the Games	Animals
Smoke canisters	Flags and/with poles
Darts	orbike helmets

Besides this

Any article that might be used as a weapon deemed to be offensive or abusive or which may compromise public safety will be confiscated

Any other item that could cause harm or can be used as a missile/projectile, damage or cause public nuisance, as determined by the Delhi Police based on specific threat perception, could be prohibited

No facility to keep these items at the entry point has been provided

Prohibited Behaviour

The following actions are not permitted in and around the venue:

Post, stick or place any poster, placard, bill, banner, print, paper or advertising material on any building, structure, fence, tree or cordon without the prior written consent/permission of the venue owner

Distribute any printed or visual matter, display or promote any advertising samples of goods or services or any other matter or thing, without the prior written consent/permission of the venue owner

Misuse, deface, damage, remove, or tamper with any other facility or area used for the Games

Block any thoroughfare including, stairs, steps, pedestrian ramps, aisle, walk-way, foot over-bridge, underpass, passage, entry or exit

Throw or attempt to throw any stone, bottle, projectile or other objects, within the spectator’s area or in the field of play

Disrupt, interrupt or behave in any manner that may disrupt or interrupt any session of the Game, event or activity, distract or hinder or interfere with an athlete, interfere with the comfort of other patrons or their enjoyment of the Games

Use of threatening, racial, abusive, indecent/obscene acts, slogans or violent/behaviour is strictly forbidden and will result in detention or ejection from the venue

Spitting, urinating or defecating other than the place/facility earmarked for that purpose

Interfere with, obstruct or hinder security operations and police personnel on duty in the exercise of his or her functions or duties

Conduct public surveys, solicit money, donations or subscriptions from members of the public

Bring prams or pushers into a seating area, or any other area specified by the venue manager

India emergency phone contacts for Commonwealth Games 2010

webgracesam — Sun, 03 Oct 2010 09:13:15 +0000

Note: Below are some important phone contacts you might need to note while visiting India.

1. Police – 100

2. Police Headquarters – 011 – 3352678

3. Fire Service – 101

4. Ambulance – 102

5. Accident and Trauma – 10999

6. Tourist Information Service – 1363

7. Tourist Department Delhi – 011- 23363607; 011 – 23365358

8. Car Helpline 24 hours.
RACE, 18-A/2, Doriwalan, New
Rohtak Road, Karol Bagh, New Delhi

Bitek Helpline services,
302, Kirti Mahal, 19 Rajendra Palace, Delhi-8

011- 23676767
( Call 930 from the Airtel)

011 – 25826161; 011 – 25766718/19

9. DIAL-A-CAB/CAR HELPLINE

1920; 1929; 1922; 1923

10. Airlines

International Terminal

Domestic Terminal

011 -25652011/21/50

011- 25696535; 25665121

11. Railways Enquiry
Reservation Enquiry

131; 011- 23366177; 011 – 23366101

8787; 011-23348686; 1345