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~

While travelling to India your mind might be filled with images of deserts and palaces or of starving women cooking on makeshift fires while half naked children play in rain drenched streets. The real India, however, is hidden in the nook and crannies, it peeks at you from the Gullies and villages, it spreads its wings in the dirt of the market.  It can be savored in the mouth watering jalebi or a steaming cup of chai. It reflects itself in the sari of the local women; it can be seen clearly on the glistening forehead of the farmers and experienced on the charpoy with stories from grandmothers. This is the real India, an India which is as yet unexplored by the modern inventions, which is a peaceful and shadowy adobe. You can loose yourself in the kaleidoscope of Indian colors and festivals.

India is a culturally and religiously rich country. It is home to countless traditions and customs; it brims with the festivities and vibrancy of its people. To compress the description of India in a few words or pages is impossible. It is a river with abundant religions, castes, customs and a variety of people. Let’s take a look at some of India’s more prominent features, what makes this country tick.

India is the seventh largest country in the world. It ranks second in terms of population with over 1.2 billion people; it is no wonder then that this melting pot of a nation accepts people from different backgrounds and cultures and mixes in them the spirit of brotherhood and oneness. It is home to twenty eight states and seven union territories. Each of these states contributes to the cultural heritage of this country.

NORTH INDIA

The northern part of India comprises mainly of the regions of Delhi, Jammu and Kashmir, Punjab, Uttaranchal, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh. North India has witnessed the rule of many empires like Moguls, Guptas and Maurayas which added to the splendor and architectural history of the country. Many of the monuments of this period of history mark different places in Delhi. These have left a permanent place in history. Red Fort, Qutub Minar and Humayun’s tomb in Delhi, Taj Mahal in Agra. Jaipur also known as the pink city, which is located in Rajasthan, is a treasure trove of palaces and forts. Uttar Pradesh is dotted with wildlife sanctuaries and parks. The more famous hill resorts and hill stations can be found in Himachal Pradesh. The paradise on earth Jammu and Kashmir is a must for tourists.

RELIGIONS OF NORTH INDIA

North India is religiously a very diverse region. The Hindu pilgrimage of Char Dham, which is a very famous religious tour, is undertaken in north India. North India is also famous for religious places like Haridwar, Mathura, Allahabad, and Varanasi. The Buddhist Mahabodhi Temple is also located in North India. The famous religious site of Sikhs i.e.; the Golden temple is also located in Punjab. Ajmer, which is a holy site for Muslims, is located in Rajasthan. Languages such as Sindhi, Punjabi and Hindko are prominently spoken in this region.

FESTIVALS OF NORTH INDIA

The main festivals celebrated here are Baisakhi, Hemis, Gurpurab, Holi, diwali etc.

CUISINE OF NORTH INDIA

North India is mainly famous for its Punjabi food. The flavors of Punjab come alive at almost every home. The tandoori and Punjabi recipes are a must at every famous hotel and dhaba not just in northern India but also throughout India. The Punjabi food is also very famous internationally. The tandoori chicken finds a place even in the menu of some of the world’s most famous restaurants’.

The street food of north India is a thing to die for. The ‘Pani Puri’, ‘chat’, ‘aloo tikki’ and ‘khaare biscuit’. All of these delicacies can be brought at a minimum fare from the myriad make shift stalls set up at almost all the roads. The chaats too can be of different varieties like papri chaat and aloo chaat.

SOUTH INDIA

South India comprises of the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamilnadu and the union territories Lakshadweep and Pondicherry. Dravidian languages are spoken by the people from the south; these languages are Kannada, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Tulu. The history of south India is peppered with the rule of many kings and their invasions. The ruler ship of these kings left a lasting impact on the cultural and architectural history of south India. South India is located on the Deccan plateau. Many rivers like Kaveri, Tungabhadra, and Godavari etc run through south India.

TEMPLES OF SOUTH INDIA

The temples which dot south India are very famous for their architectural importance. Temples like Somnathpur temple, Meenakshi temple, Tirupathi Balaji temple, Mahabalipuram temple etc are the famous ones of the south.

MONUMENTS OF SOUTH INDIA

The famous monuments of south India are the Charminar in Hyderabad, Golconda fort, Gol gumbaz, Mysore palace etc.

RELIGIONS OF SOUTH INDIA

Though south India is peppered with temples of Hindu deities, the regions of south India are diverse in terms of religion.  Andhra Pradesh and Tamil nadu are dominated by Hindu religions, whereas Kerala sees a vast amount of Christians as its inhabitants, there are about five distinct types of Christians in Kerala.

FESTIVALS OF SOUTH INDIA

South India celebrates a variety of festivals like Aaranmula boat race, Onam, Nehru trophy boat race, onam etc in Kerala. In Tamil nadu pongal, karthigai deepam, natyangali, jallikatu are celebrated with fervor. In Karnataka dusshera, yugadi, rajyotsav and karanga are celebrated. In Andhra Pradesh pongal, ugadi, ganesh chaturthi, Deccan festival and lumbini festival are given a lot of importance.

CUSINE OF SOUTH INDIA

The main foods of the south are the Mughalai and the Andhra cuisine. The dosas and idlis are a treat to die for. The uttapam, pongal and rasam feature in almost all menus of famous restaurants in South India. The Hyderabadi  haleem is the most famous cuisine of Andhra Pradesh, it is usually served during Ramzan, the holy month of Muslims. The main feature of the South Indian cuisine is that it offers a wide variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. The pickles, chutneys and papa dams are also a part of the main meal. The main offerings in the desert are the Jalebis and the various items maid from milk.

EAST INDIA

The states of West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Jharkhand together form east India. This region is mainly famous for tea (Darjeeling), religious places for Hindus, Buddhists and Jains. The beaches, monasteries and temples all together make East India a very famous tourist spot. It is also home to __ % of the indigenous communities in India. Orissa and Jharkhand the two mineral rich states are located in this part of the country.

RELIGIONS OF EAST INDIA

Hinduism is the primary religion of this region and Bihar is also home to the Father of two religions, Buddhism and Jainism. Along with Hindus you will also find Muslims, Christians and Sikhs. Sarna or Nature worshiping is another practice prevalent among the indigenous communities of the region.

PLACES OF INTEREST OF EAST INDIA

Bodh Gaya, Nalanda University, Sanchi Stupa (Bihar) Jagannath Temple, Sun temple, Chilka lake, beaches, wild life sancturies (Orissa), Netarhat and Betla districts In Jharkhand pull a tourist crowds. Darjeeling Tea gardens and Sunderbans are other places that attract tourists other than the City of Joy.

LANGUAGES OF EAST INDIA

Bangla is the main language spoken throughout east India. Along with Bangla, Hindi, Urdu, Magadhi, Santhali and other indigenous languages are also spoken in the region.

FESTIVALS OF EAST INDIA

The major festivals which are celebrated throughout east India are durga puja, sonpur cattle fair, Bihu, rath yatra, konark dance festival, ganga sagar mela and hornbill festival.

CUISINE OF EAST INDIA

Eastern Indian cuisine is fairly simple.  The food is either steamed or fried. Rice is the staple food and people throughout eastern India are fond of it. Dal (pulses), green vegetables, tomato chutney and fish/ chicken/ mutton or pork are the common accompaniment to Rice. Indians from Orissa and West Bengal are especially very fond of sweets and sandesh and rasgulla are a part of their daily diet. Mustard oil is the main oil used for cooking.

WEST INDIA

The states of goa, Gujarat and Maharashtra together form western India. The main languages spoken in western India are Marathi, Guajarati and various dialects of Hindi along with Konkani.

The most famous parts of West India are probably Mumbai and Goa. While Mumbai is famous for its film industry, Goa is known to be the heaven of party goers with a spread of beaches and lakes. Goa is a photographer’s dream, with a spread of lush green beaches and sands the beauty of this place cannot be compared with any other region.

MONUMENTS OF WEST INDIA

The famous monuments in this part of India are Gateway of India, Aga khan palace, Ajanta ellora caves, elephant caves and Aurangabad caves.  The state of Gujarat is famous because it was the home state of Mahatma Gandhi.  Gujarat is also famous for its various temples and culturally enriched architecture.

FESTIVALS OF WEST INDIA
The main festivals celebrated in this region are teej, dung darbar, diwali, gudi padva and narali purnima.

CUSINE OF WEST INDIA

The cuisine of east India is very diverse in nature. It has spicy as well as muted elements in it. Famous dishes are the, Chicken Xacuti, Daal-Baati-Choorma, Fish Curry, Bhelpuri, Thepla, Laal Maas, and Pork Vindaloo

India is not just a picturesque holiday country with half naked men toiling away in fields. It is a country seeped in culture and tradition. A country which accepts people and imbibes in them a national spirit.

Composed by Vikram Sarath for Indianiser.com

China and 15 diplomatic allies boycotted the Nobel Peace Prize award. The list of Beijing’s supporters included Russia, Iran, Pakistan, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela and Cuba. Not surprisingly, it was nations that had vital economic ties to China. Russia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela are all important oil exporters to China. And Iran and Sudan were supported at the United Nation.

Under growing pressure by its giant neighbour, Nepal and Sri Lanka as well decided against attending. Without question, Beijing’s reaction has been comically heavy-handed. The country even blacked out the BBC, CNN and other international channels during the Nobel ceremony and cut off Internet access.

Salil Shetty, the secretary-general of Amnesty International, rightly accused China of trying to “sabotage this year’s award with political pressure, arm-twisting and economic blackmail”.

According to our media sources, China issued at least four diplomatic notices urging Delhi not to attend the Nobel ceremony. India ignored the requests despite the risk that it could sour the visit of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao.

However, India, as the world’s biggest democracy, by attending has supported human rights, freedom of speech and expression. Failing to attend would have sent the wrong signal. India has never skipped a Nobel Peace Prize ceremony in previous years.

China jailed the recipient, Liu, for 11 years for writing essays and co-authoring a manifesto, Charter 08, urging political reform, protection of human rights and an independent judiciary.

Authorities in China have placed Liu’s supporters, including his wife, Liu Xia, under house arrest to prevent anyone from picking up his prize.

It was the first time in 74 years the prestigious $1.4 million Nobel Peace Prize was not handed over. In fact a fuming Beijing has now founded its own peace prize, the Confucius Peace Prize!

Wait…before ending…a very interesting question has been asked by a Mumbai-based economist. How would India react if a Nobel was given to Arundhati Roy for “championing the cause of oppressed minorities in India, particularly Kashmiris and Maoists”? Would India send its representative? Or not? That is something perhaps we will have to wait and watch!

The much-hyped India visit was a very successful trip indeed. The real agenda is nothing but business although our media tried to make the trip look like the recognition of India’s rising power which is rather making us blind at our realities and strong at our realpolitik downplaying the significance of courteous diplomacy. In fact the business deals would render over 50,000 jobs in US. Boeing, alone will be selling $28 billion worth of aircraft to Air India, SpiceJet and Jet Airways, which will create 280,000 jobs in the US.

The charisma Obama holds sure is amazing. It has given some sort of boost to our sluggish politicos. But what was more intriguing to me was how Obama tactically stole the hearts of Indians including those hardcore right-wing extremists by “immoderately” quoting Gandhi, Tagore and Ambedkar. Well, morning he was paying visit to Gandhi ashram and museums talking highly on the influence of Gandhi in his life and presidency, and by afternoon he was signing deals on the sixth largest sale of war weapons in the history of the United States. Wonder what our non-violent, peace-loving Gandhi would have said. Did he go a little overboard? Am not against extravagantly citing Gandhi and his influence, but just dislike the interweaving of both in a clandestine manner. All the names that Obama went quoting were those who gave us the great Indian Constitution which apparently is now being tampered with.

What I sincerely wished was our media used the Obama trip to diffuse a message of hope and change in a society steeped in caste hierarchy. Caste plays out in India just as race plays out in the US. According to a recent research, untouchability is practiced in 80% of India’s villages. The inherent caste-related inequality still dominates the social, economic and health sector. The oppressed and subdued especially the dalits are deprived of opportunities. The devastation of the life and land of the tribals continues unabated.  Look at our politics, the dynasty rule in Congress and other state parties. Forget politics, look at Bollywood. Why is there no major lead female Dalit star in our film and TV industry? Is it because they are dark? But look at Hollywood, my favourite Denzil Washington can be a super star and pair with all those fair ladies. Obama’s trip could have at least slightly brought hope to those fighting systematic discrimination of lower castes. Obama’s election is an unprecedented victory of 400 years of Black slavery and institutional racism. It was a victory for Blacks who form 13 percent of the US population and who are mostly poor.

“In the life of Gandhiji and in his simple and profound lesson to be the change we seek in the world. And just as he summoned Indians to seek their destiny, he influenced champions of equality in my own country, including a young Martin Luther King. After making his pilgrimage to India a half century ago, Dr King called Gandhi’s philosophy of non-violent resistance ‘the only logical and moral approach’ in the struggle for justice and progress,” the 49-year-old US President said.

He said he felt honoured and humbled to visit the residence where Gandhi and King stayed and the memorial of the father of nation at Rajghat.”We were humbled to pay our respects at Rajghat. And I am mindful that I might not be standing before you today, as President of the United States, had it not been for Gandhi and the message he shared with America and the world,” he said.

Very impressive President, may be we should cling on to “hope” and wish Tagore’s words “where the mind is without fear and the head is held high” came true…maybe not today, but some day soon.

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The Commonwealth Games will begin on October 3, 2010 and close on October 14, 2010. Adequate security arrangements have been put in place in order to provide security to the sportspersons, officials, spectators, invitees, volunteers and workforce as well as to the entire city of Delhi.

Along with the tickets, the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games has circulated Do’s and Don’ts for ticket-holders. While reiterating those Do’s and Don’ts, all those who will visit the Games venues should also observe the following Guidelines:

(1) In order to reach the venue on time and to be in your seat before the start of the competition, you should plan well in advance taking into account the possible traffic.

(2) The sooner you reach the venue, the quicker you will be able to reach your seat.

(3) You should be prepared to wait in a queue.

(4) Closer to the time of the start of the competition, the number of ticket-holders and invitees may be more and the queue may be longer.

(5) You should carry your ticket or accreditation card (together with the ticket) without fail. No one will be admitted without a ticket or an accreditation card (together with the ticket).

(6) Flap Barriers and RF readers have been installed to “read” the ticket and the accreditation card. If the reading shows the ticket or accreditation card as ‘invalid’, a second attempt will be made, and if the second attempt too shows the ticket or the accreditation card as ‘invalid’, the person will not be admitted.

(7) In addition, every person will be frisked and checked.

(8) It is possible that the flap barrier or the RF reader may fail sometimes, for a few minutes, owing to technological glitches. In such a case, the security personnel will do a thorough manual check of the person, the ticket and the accreditation card and you must be prepared to subject yourself to the manual check. In addition, every person will be frisked and checked.

(9) If there is a manual check of ticket-holders/accreditation card holders, your wait in the queue may get longer. You are advised to kindly put up with the inconvenience patiently.

(10) For the Opening and Closing ceremonies, you are requested to take the seat according to the ‘block’, ‘row’ and ‘number’ printed on the ticket. For the other Games events you will be guided to the ‘block’ mentioned on your ticket, in which you must take your seat.

(11) You are requested to abide by the guidance that will be provided by the ushers.

(12) Only a few vehicles/cars with authorised ‘vehicle access passes’ will be allowed to go up to the designated points in the games venues. If you are travelling by a car with an authorised ‘vehicle access pass’, you will be required to alight at a designated point. You must walk the remaining distance to the entry gates.

(13) Some games venues have designated parking lots. If your vehicle/car has an authorised ‘vehicle access pass’, the vehicle/car will be allowed to be parked at the designated parking lot. Your vehicle/car must be parked in the designated parking lot in accordance with the directions given by the security personnel.

(14) At the end of the competition/game, you must be prepared to walk to the designated parking lot and get into your vehicle/car.

(15) Visitors who travel by vehicles which do not have a ‘vehicle access pass’ may use the Park & Ride or the Park & Walk schemes.

(16) Citizens are requested to use public transport as far as possible.

(17) Please do not carry items which figure on the restricted list.

(18) The Do’s and Dont’s and these ‘Guidelines’ will apply to every visitor and there will be no relaxation and no exception will be made in any case. All are requested to cooperate.

Everything is slow in this country. Even my pastor in a different land knows this fact too well. Days before the preparations for Games began, I predicted we would never complete the refurbishment of shops, roads and parks which is now half done while there is less than 10 days for the Games to begin. Indeed the govt. must be blamed for not keeping its commitment to the people. Are they lazy because this is democracy? I look at the pictures of filthy rooms in the Games Village taken by an undercover BBC reporter, and boy my blood boils. The pictures show stained wash basins and showers and dark red marks caused by workmen spitting out chewed betel leaves. It does shame me to the core to see my country like this. Forget about the Games Village, even otherwise sometimes I wonder why Indians including the educated go about spitting paan and ill-using govt property. Delhi in this regard has displeased many like me. Wonder if these small glitches would have occurred if the CWG was held in a city like Bangalore or Trivandrum.

Talking about the Games, who said India is incapable to hold such a large event. As if India never hosted such major events. Those criticising India of being incapable to hold this event is coward, thickheaded, pessimistic and ignoble. India twice held the Asian Games. Now if it was the last minute comments of Mike Hooper, the President of the Commonwealth Games Federation, that led many to doubt on the collapse of the event, then give a second thought. Like this former Indian diplomat asked, was this English man on vacation all these three years overseeing the CWG affairs in India? Hooper simply washed his hands off the Games preparation. Whatever may be the reason, I beg to differ with you all that our prestige is at stake. I don’t believe that the success of this Game will prove to the world the splendour of India. We have better things for that.

Seriously, I wouldn’t entirely put the blame on govt. I agree with Delhi Chief Minister: Media is to be castigated for distorting the picture and giving the country a bad image. I was totally aghast how some media outlets used the ceiling falling down to cash in on more readers for the patently underlying factor which is money. As if nowhere such things happen. Now that we are close, without question the Games must be held and we must root for its success. Even if the Games would be a failure, it would benefit the common man in many ways. Driving through the controversy-making “Games Village” and other central areas of Delhi, I see more good than bad. The old buses have been replaced, pedestrian tracks cleaned and maintained, new roads and flyovers, and what not. I really wondered if we heard of any trivial incidents such as the ceiling falling before Beijing Olympics. Comb through the archives or read the Chinese dailies that published reports before the Olympics began. It was more praises and fewer criticisms. Not even in dream expect the CPC in China to welcome any such report from the home country. The Games came out in full pomp and color. In fact it makes me wonder if our government as well must put a curb on media, scrutinizing every single article that comes out. But would this make our country democratic?

Several athletes have pulled back citing health and safety concerns. The footbridge falling is not due to poor work. It should be attributed to the heavy rains that have lashed over N. India past 2 week. It is dismaying that some athletes cited poor infrastructure and hygiene for not taking part. What are they coming for…sight-seeing? Shouldn’t they just focus on playing and winning? These jellyfishes have more money, fame and victories that they less care on taking part. Take away their medals, bring them to nowhere, and then ask them their reaction. I then doubt if any such matters would concern them. It would be all about making a mark. Those govts that have cited ‘filth’ as a reason to not send their players must answer if they found no filth years back when they were more than excited to colonise India and make the best use of it. History has the truth naked!  However, thanks to a team of English athletes for taking the decision to lead the Scots and others. After all, this multi-sport event was proposed by Rev Cooper to “increase the goodwill and good understanding of the British Empire”.

Seriously, I am keeping my fingers crossed and hoping that CWG will come off with flying colors. On a hush hush note, I might even pray that the incessant rains continue for few more days to avoid a major embarrassment. 

“A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles,” once said our Superman (Christopher Reeve)…say CHEESE

Adios ~

Last week, India’s permanent representative to the United Nations gave a cheque for USD 20 million to the UN Secretary General as India’s contribution towards the ‘Pakistan Emergency Response Plan’. This act came just months after India criticised the US and Britain for its millions that is being used to fund terrorists and war materials. India would never want Pakistan to encourage terrorism and not even in dreams would it offer money. However, when a natural calamity like flood struck, India buried all its anger and took a giant step by coming forward to help Pakistan. Not that the amount was huge, but that act I thought was laudable. I like many Indians felt extremely proud of this rare expression of goodwill.

The floods, which began in late July, are the worst disaster in living memory for the South Asian nation, resulting in the death of more than 1,000 people and leaving millions homeless.

“Natural disasters do not respect national boundaries. This is a small, but significant gesture from the highest levels of the Indian Government conveying the message that the people of India stand by the people of Pakistan in their hour of need,” Puri said while handing over the cheque.

In fact, the cheque that India gave was an addition to the $5 million that was already contributed for relief efforts in Pakistan. Even during its time of misery, did the Pakistan govt desist from exhibiting anger and hatred? Surprisingly, when India offered help, the govt there refused to accept money. They wanted the Indian govt to donate the amount through the UN. Pride even during such calamitous times? I am really touched to hear that India’s aid exceeded even what has been provided by 35 donors, many of them Pakistan’s best friends.

This is the biggest tragedy Pakistan has faced in 100 years. There is no point the govt continuing its tirade against India. Everything is squarely blamed on India. Theorists have even blamed ‘arch enemy’ India for the floods. “Hadn’t India opened the floodgates of its dams to release waters into our rivers to drown us?” they wrote. Where are we heading to? Kashmir will keep burning till Pakistan change its policies towards India. Let’s pray and hope that India shows more of such gestures that bring closer people of both these nations.