Indianised Indians

Delhi shields poor to appear beautiful

The upcoming 2010 CWGs have suddenly woken up the authorities to realize Delhi needs beautification, as foreigners will be visiting the city during the Games. The resultant action is beautification drive by revamping roads and planting Bamboos and Bougainvillea trees, up to 2 kms of the Games venues.

But, is the sole purpose of this drive is beautification only? Kusuma Devi, 67, of Nehru Camp degrees, “Our colony is being shielded with plants to hide us.”

Inspired by the China’s idea of hiding the slums near Olympics villages, the Commonwealth authorities are acting wise by claiming it to be “Green”.

Priyanka Sarkar of PACS (Poor Areas Civil Society) says, “The Govt has a agenda for developing the city, but at the same time managing the immigrants becomes a tough task.”

While people living in the slums lining those stretches are not much concerned about how they are being hidden, they have a crucial question to ask, “Foreigners will be travelling here so if India is showcased as better place, it is good. But tell us, where shall we go?” asks Ranjan Kumari, a fourth grade employee in Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

The beautification drive is taking place not only around Commonwealth Games sites, but the Delhi Govt is collaborating with BSES as “Green Drain” plan to plant Bougainvilleas along the drains of Najafgarh drain and Burari and Bhalsawa.

Bamboos which belong to grass family can grow almost half a meter in a day and that has made them attractive for planting them along the roads which are lined by slums, in order to hide them from tourists who would be visiting the Capital city during the Games.

To de-waste Delhi's e-waste

In a noble initiative, a Delhi based Non Governmental Organisation (NGO), Toxics Link, has installed bins in the City’s St Paul School as part of a pilot project to collect e wastes. This is the first of its kind project in India, which has been initiated at a non-commercial level.

The NGO which works to eliminate toxic wastes plans to execute it in two stages. The Programme Coordinator of NGO, Priti Mahesh, says, “This is the first stage of two stage process, which we will expand further to markets and other popular places.”

India generates 400,000 tonnes of e-waste, which is increasing at the rate of 15 percent per annum. Managing them is a tough task since the country doesn’t have proper regulation.

But, Toxics Link plans to engage government establishments like municipalities and government run schools and organisations as well. “This initiative has created awareness among people and authorities are noticing it. There have been talks of formulating proper codes to regulate e wastes, lately,” says Mahesh.

Recently, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), a central government’s entity, recognised 12 organisations nationwide which are allowed to collect and recycle e wastes.

One of them, Earthsense, which is operating plants all over the country to collect and recycle e wastes, in collaboration with Toxics Link.

“Earthsense collects the e waste from different e waste bins and reuse or recycle them,” says Spokesperson of Earthsense, S. John Robert. “Proper norms and safety guidelines, set by CPCB, are followed here. We have latest recycling facilities that confirm to international standards,” he adds.

However, Robert feels awareness among populace is needed. “Common people are not coming to dispose off their e wastes. Only those are coming who are very much aware of the repercussions of this waste.”

Multinational giants like Nokia have initiatives to collect used items but that is limited to mostly cellular phones. Mahesh says, “Earlier initiatives to collects e wastes were mainly limited to commercial sectors. No one was providing service to common people.”

Mahesh asserts the need for proper campaigning at ground level. “To reach the general population we have started with schools, which is a great medium to attract the attention of masses.” She adds further.

It has been reported the Delhi Govt has ordered Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) to install bins before the upcoming Commonwealth Games, at strategic locations like markets and government schools which is easily accessible to people.

M F Hussain is no more Maqbool Fida Hussain

M F Hussain is no more Maqbool Fida Hussain.

Maqbool, in normal circumstances, means “accepted”, Fida means “sacrifice”, again in normal circumstances.

How maqbool is he in his own country is debatable but if a similar insult mechanism, on which Taslima Nasreen or Salman Rushdie is celebrated, is applied, uncomfortable questions arise.

An unequivocal and accepted answer seems to lie in expelling the scoundrel out of the territory. See, there are no more violence, no outrageous “public” protests thereafter and obviously the resulting perfect harmony between “usually” violent Hindu and Muslim communities. Practically koool.

But, here comes a startling revelation. Our political parties are good at research. See, how they did manage to dig out the heinous insult, committed over 25 years old ago, by this Rangeela MF.

Yeah, not even a small insult can go unnoticed under their hawkish eyes, however old it may be.

There were the days when no one noticed all these stuffs seriously, but over the years the increasing government’s spending on research is paying dividend. Attitudinal change is seen!

I’m sure, they will come out with something concrete about Ajanta and Ellora caves as well, among other things. It may take some time, you know how the government people function.

Amid all this, the level of tolerance has been elevated further by few notches, thanks to the guidance provided to youths by golden oldies. Otherwise, our tolerant nationalism would have taken a violent turn.

Nationalism has been redefined. Gandhi is rechristened, remodeled. He fought non-violently out of no choice, as the then Gandhi was born and brought up in technological disadvantaged society. We don’t have any impedance in this age. Technologically and economically third to none.

We have always loved our god(s), and we still do. No doubt. And, sanctity of our mother land is second to none. We were alien to crimes and corruption till our films depicted it, bad governance till Bofors or Tehelka cases were highlighted. We were raped of our innocence of no fault of ours, otherwise we would have been forever a virgin.

But our mother land is paraded naked by MFs, our Quran’s verses have been satanised by Rushdies. Nevertheless we never raped our mother land and never followed satanic paths.

Sarah Fox Palin: In her re-energised avatar

By Neyaz Farooquee

Sarah Palin, the Republican’s 2008 Vice Presidential candidate, lost the elections quite convincingly, blamed largely for the defeat, bewildered, knowing nothing what to do, went into hiding for almost a year, and rightly so.

Nobody knew, when she resigned from Governership of Alaska, what’s in the store, till she came up abruptly with a book, Going Rogue. A great idea to remain in news, and may be to remain in Presidential fray, at least unofficially, as its clear John McCain is not going to be around in 2012. With this book, she tries to clear the air, using her trademark style of narrative, expecting electorates, at least Republicans, to acknowledge her esteemed presence.

To pile on her loss in elections, she resigned from Governership, giving ample reasons to her critic, especially McCain camp, whom she had deserted after the elections, to further question her integrity and suitability as a vice-presidential candidacy, let alone her future prospects as President.

While the spectators were busy analyzing, has she really gone rogue, Palin springs another surprise, joining Fox News, a right wing, Obama bashing news channel, as a Commentator. It is left to your guess as to why she joined Fox news. Will she use it as a training ground to dodge the media’s question in 2012, or it would be a propaganda tool?

But, for the time being, it seems a wise decision, as it is certainly going to help her remain in touch with her core electorate. And, in turn, electorate also would be benefitted in terms of knowing her better. It’s unquestionable that she gave every chance to media to mock her, but it is also imperative that, while media mocking her excessively, faltered in giving the Hockey mom a fair chance to present herself in her own way. May be a beauty queen’s way. Or may be a journalist’s way. It’s quite obvious she didn’t define her presence; media defined a mocking character called Sarah Palin, with her incessant involuntary help throughout the Presidential campaign.

Recently after her comeback, she complained about a question on ‘60 minutes’, "I think that these are the political establishment reporters who love to gin up controversy and spin up gossip. The rest of America doesn't care about that kind of crap." Obviously, she is better prepared now.

Last week, while announcing hand in glove, of her joining of Fox News as commentator, Bill O’ Reilly, in his Tuesday show, Reilly Factor, invited her to come on his show anytime, to ‘set the record straight’. It seems, she also has got some friends in media who can vouch for her publicly.

Amid all this, she is still seen as a doll. Time to time she still gives enough fodder for her critics to cheer about. Bloomberg’s Margaret Carlson, calling her populist, reportedly said on Countdown, “They… have actually been part of a fairly intellectual group of people. But she really doesn't know anything. And it's in God's plan apparently that she not learn anything."

Senior advisor to McCain, Jon Schmidt, still finds her stunningly inept and ill prepared. On 60 minutes show, he said, referring to an enquiry against her when she was Alaska Governor, “She went out and said that, you know, 'This report completely exonerates me.' And in fact, it didn't. You know, it's the equivalent of saying down is up and up is down. It was provably, demonstrably untrue.”

Commentators also doubt her stay at Fox News, given her tumultuous history of Going Rouge. Writing for Nation, Leslie Savan, “She could back out of the contract as she has so many speaking engagements.” If it happens, it would be quite comic. She can’t afford to risk Fox platform now.

Each comment she made while campaigning, she lost a bit in already diminished stature. But after comeback, while she is better by a whisker, she gave conservatives a choice to rally around. While criticising Obama, they needed a choice that they could portray as their better alternative, who truly believe in change, and who ‘can’.

On her Facebook page, a fan who claims to be a republican, writes, “I was really disappointed the way you left the scene, but I’m happier now as you have made a grand comeback. Now I can claim Palin is here for a real change.”

She is here, certainly, to dispel the doubts about her qualifications to lead the country. But question remains as how much one can remodel herself in span of 3-4 years? She didn’t know a year before, the difference between Koreas. Which enemy his son is going to fight? Who bombed WTC?

But she is morally upright, since McCain has publically come ih her support. He said, “I am so proud that Sarah Palin agreed to be my running mate.” He spoke to Palin and congratulated her for joining Fox News. “And she will be coming to Arizona, I’m sure,” he added.

It would be quite premature to forecast anything certain about Palin, there is no doubt Republicans are rallying around her. But it is to be seen how much she improves her geography, among other issues, to be a confident Presidential candidate who can face charismatic and tall Obama, who is certain to lead Democrats in 2012.

Naxals: Not a child game to play frivolously

By Neyaz Farooquee

Nine Adivasis were killed last October in Dantewada in Chhatisgarh. Police detains the witnesses under the banner of Operation Green Hunt. Recently The Hindu reported about Adi Shambho and total control over her movement by state Police. Mystery remains.

This is not an isolated case, many of them doesn’t even reaches us, as media’s freedom is also curbed. It was reported mutely in some section of media that regional newspapers’ editor get summoned if they write anything against Salva Judum, operation Green Hunt, or anything that bothers Government. In some cases, they are asked to come to Police station and file reply at a short notice of 2 hours.

While regional media can’t stand up to the might of state Government, the mainstream national media is quite wanting while reporting a balanced perspective. Sponsorship plays an important role.

The sudden uprising of Naxalism has much to do with their land being taken forcibly for tapping the mines they are walking on. And the beneficiaries are clearly multinationals, which are the source of major revenue to newspapers and channels.

Naxalism has many dimensions, intermingled with local problems. In Chhattisgarh, its being forced away from their land, in West Bengal, they sniffed a chance to regroup courtesy moral help by a political faction in land acquisition case. In Andhra they have joined the demand of a separate Telangana state.

PM is right in saying it is greatest threat to our nation, as they are estimated to have 20,000 foot soldiers, and it covers almost 40 per cent of India’s geographical area, with a large number of sympathizers including Academicians and media persons. But the solution he offers, dealing with them Iron-handedly, isn’t practical to synchronise on such a large scale.

When iron hand is applied on them, there are greater chances of its misuse, as machinery isn’t aware how hard, or for the matter soft, he has to hit. In the process, chances are also that machinery end up hitting many wrong persons, missing the disguised culprit. Recent trends have been a hard punch on state face, as and when it tried to hit them.

What is needed is sincere and swift action, phase-wise, beginning with new areas where Naxals have started infiltrating into. The moment state machinery would try to bang up to their highest level in hierarchy; it would take some other dimension, like flowing water. Starting with egdes has greater chances to be effective, as number of sympathizers here would be low, and they would be having a chance to permeate into mainstream. Better facilities like school, colleges, community centre and rehabilitation centre would go a long way.

We can’t absolve ourselves of our duty by blaming them they destroy the infrastructure we build there. Making police post in schools is bound to harm the school in a hostile environment. We left them with no choice.

Fraudsters duped people giving fake appointment letters

By Neyaz Farooquee

It was just two months since 20 years old Rambira Kumar got his job letter from the Indian Railways. He was thankful to the incumbent Railway Minister Lalu Yadav for his job through ministry quota. At last his faith in Yadav, who hailed from Kumar’s district Gopal Ganj, repaid.

While most of Kumar’s friends had nothing substantial to boast off, he was happy to work as a fourth grade Railway employee. But all of a sudden it changed when he realized he is not being marked in employee register. He smelled something fishy in it.

His worst fear came true when he approached his station master to verify. Not only was he not being marked for the month, his name was entirely missing from the employees list. Further enquiry revealed he was never in the list.

Fortunately, even though he was not in the list, he was remunerated on time. But he did not want to miss the future payments so he approached Siwan Railway station to get it rectified.

At Siwan station, he came across something he had never anticipated. Kumar discovered he was not the only one who was missing from the employee list. He met Chhote Lal, his neighbour’s relative, who was appointed at Chunaar Railway station near Varanasi. A candid conversation between the two revealed that they were getting their salaries paid on time but both were missing from the employees list.

On enquiring with the Railways officials at Siwan Station, they found their appointment letters to be fake. “Then we realised we were duped”. The monthly salary apparently paid by Railways was a trap to catch more fishes.

“When we heard Kumar has been appointed as a trackman through the Ministry quota due to the efforts of one Samodh Gupta alias Santji, we had no reason to doubt his authenticity. He was from the Railway Minister’s village,” says Dr. Rajendra Prasad, Chhote Lal’s brother-in-law. “We paid him Rs 2.85 lakh in advance for the job,” he adds.

Surrender Shah, Kumar’s father, reveals he was approached by Santji claiming to be a close associate of the Minister’s elder brother Subhash Yadav, and his Private Secretary RK Mahajan. “He promised he’ll arrange a job for my son in the Railways through ministry quota if I pay him Rupees one lakh in advance.” Shah was told that a security deposit of Rs two lakh was needed for an appointment through ministry quota.

“I gave him one lakh and the relevant documents for submission to the Rail Division,” says Shah.

Three days later, on Sept 1, 2008, Santji returned with a recruitment letter apparently signed by the Divisional Rail Manager, Varanasi. He asked Shah to pay the rest one lakh. “I paid him after selling my wife’s jewellery,” rues Shah.

Then Santji asked Kumar to get a medical check-up done at a private hospital in Siwan, where thankfully Kumar had to pay ‘concessional rate’ due to Santji. After passing the medical check-up, his appointment was confirmed as a Trackman at Phulwaria Railway station, the Minister’s ancestral village.

Under the impression that Kumar has been recruited in Railways through Ministry quota, many paid Samodji in advance in hope of getting a permanent job . Some in thousands, some even in lakhs. Dr Rajendra Prasad was one of them. He paid Rs 5 lakh in all, for his Brother-in-law.

When asked who else in his knowledge were duped by Santji, Shah counts the names on his finger, “Shivaji Gupta-- four lakh, Kamta Singh-- One lakh, Surendra Giri-- 1.20 lakh, Nagina Singh-- 1.14 lakh, Anup Ram-- 60 thousand...” The list goes on.

When Kumar and Lal realised they were duped, they approached Santji. He asked them to refrain from making noise otherwise they would lose a chance to get transferred. "He assured us a job at a new Railway line under construction near Varanasi within six month. Otherwise, he promised to return our money," says Kumar.

A year passed by but nothing happened. “Now, when we approach him, he threatens us of dire consequences,” says Shah. He adds, “After losing all hopes to persuade Santji to return our money, we went to his village. His house was a like a shanty and his relatives, when asked about Santji, disowned him.”

The matter is sub-judice but Santji and his accomplices, says Dr. Prasad, are roaming around free. “These people, claiming to be the Minister’s relative or villager, are duping innocents. But I feel if it comes to the knowledge of Laloo Yadav, we would surely get justice.”

Celebrating Diwali in Delhi's Muslim ghetto

By Neyaz Farooquee

One of the most visible festivals in India, Diwali, is packed with food, Diyas, prayer, and above all, happiness and intimacy. There is one locality in Delhi, Jamia Nagar, where Muslims abound, and the people there celebrate Diwali in their own unique way.

Gaurav Yadav, an undergraduate student of Law and a resident of Joga Bai in Jamia Nagar, feels no difference in celebrating the Hindu festival of Diwali, or Holi or Dussehra, in the largely Muslim area. In his words, “There is a huge difference between two persons clapping for you or 100, but still there is no such feeling of ‘others’ here.” He adds, “I was born here and most of my friends are Muslims, we all celebrate Eid, Diwali or Holi ‘together.’ And this is the difference”.

“On Diwali or Holi, guests outnumber hosts; on Eid hosts outnumber guests, and it’s quite unique in its way that in all our festivities most of our guests are Muslims,” he adds. Yadav claims the colony Joga Bai is named after his foremother, Joga Bai, who was one of the courtiers of the Mughals.

The neighbourhood of Jamia Nagar has a central University, Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI), which was a result of a nationalist movement started by Muslims before India’s independence. JMI has attracted a large number of Muslims in this area from the whole country. Recently it was in the news due to two allegations of terrorists.

Rahul Raja, 21, a graduate of Social Works study and a resident of Okhla village doesn’t find any difference in Diwali celebrations except in the number of Hindus. “Decorations and rush of Diwali is missing here but not the fervor." He adds, "With the influx of Muslims, most of the Hindus have migrated to other colonies. But I was born and brought up here only and I love this place. Simply, I can’t think of going anywhere else.”

But the increasing polarization, he feels, has taken its toll on the psyche of the country. “Last night, wearing Kurta, I was bursting cracker in the middle of the night along with many Kids. One kid came to me and asked, are you a Hindu?” I replied, “Yes.” Kid said, “You don’t look like a Hindu in Kurta.”

Mohan Lal, the priest for the last 11 years at the Okhla village temple in Jamia Nagar, says, “We celebrate Diwali here as we might have in any other place.” Differences apart, says 75 year old resident of Okhla Village, Brijkishore Seth, we live together, we eat together and we celebrate together.

Noble just for hope, So is New Delhi high on hope

By Neyaz Farooquee

New Delhi took a sigh of relief last week when visiting Commonwealth Organising Committee put their stamp of approval over the ongoing preparations for the Commonwealth Games 2010. With scepticism all around, including CWGs Federation president Michael Fennel voicing concern, and given the efficacy and reputation of New Delhi in question, CWG organising Committee’s approval is bound to have its repercussions well beyond CWGs.

While, it can be said that construction of venues and other infrastructural facilities are well on its pace, there is hardly any preparation visible for security and safety of CWGs that is a matter of concern. Just assurances by different ministries are not enough, the highest authorities concerned should lead the way to synchronise a bit too many stakeholders, like Home Ministry, Police Department, Intelligence wings, and different committees.

Out of 12,500 police personnel approved by the Centre, Delhi police plans to recruit almost 6,500 by the end of this year, with less than just one year to go. How early or late this exercise would be is to be contemplated later.

The decision to install CCTVs at only 58 market locations need to be accelerated to examine its adequacy and efficiency well in advance for a vast city like Delhi.

Claim by the Delhi Govt for smooth traffic for Games, keeping in mind the exponential growth of traffic in the city, is well-found, if not extraordinary, but for pedestrians it’s just not enough. New DTC buses, if all plied on road before CWGs, as planned, is bound to change the face of the city along with the world class Metro Rail. And in this case, Delhi seems well on course.

Other smaller concerns, India hopes, Delhi would sort out soon. Yes, Obama won Nobel just for hope, so Indian citizens too hopes for a noble, systemised, secure and entertaining Commonwealth Games. Good luck India!

Spurious Mehndi spoils Eid and Dussehra in parts of India

By Neyaz Farooquee

Every year, monsoon or no monsoon, everything runs the risk of getting ruined by flood in Gopal Ganj, Bihar. But it was a bit different this year. For a change, routine annual floods didn’t come at all. But then came, with the Eid and Dussehra festivities, a new villain—Mehndi.

Decorating hands and feet with Mehndi by girls and women, on special occasions like festivals and weddings, is customary in Indian sub-continent. Earlier people used to pluck leaves from its tree and grind it into semi-solid paste for using it. After drying up, it acts as temporary tattoo that slowly fades away in a few days. Presently, prepared Mehndi is easily available in the local market for just 10 bucks.

20 year old Nahida Perveen of Gopal Ganj uses it on her hands and feet since her childhood as part of her Eid celebrations. But this Eid, she says, she used Mehndi bought from market only to get inflammation, irritation and vomiting.

Samina Khatoon, 33, also from Gopal Ganj, used it on the occasion. “Two or three hours later, I felt irritation on my hands and feet. Soon it started swelling, nausea followed and I fainted,” Says Khatoon. She was rushed to the hospital in the middle of the night. “With the colour of Mehndi still clearly visible on my hands and feet, I celebrated my Eid in hospital bed, in the company of doctors and other Mehndi patients,” adds Khatoon.

Gudiya, 23, a resident of neighbouring district Siwan, is 23 miles from nearest Govt hospital. Just returned from the hospital, she says, “I used Mehndi on every festival and wedding but for the first time something like this has happened.” She adds further, “I will never use it again.”

More than 500 girls were treated for Mehndi reactions, said Dr. Bipin Bihari Chandra, a physician at Gopal Ganj Hospital. Hundreds of similar cases were reported from different parts of Bihar, West Bengal, Orissa and Jharkhand.

In some places rumours of death due to Mehndi reaction, that eventually turned out to be false, made the situation worse. According to Dr. Shambhunath Singh of Gopal Ganj Government Hospital, “... a large influx of patients was not only due to Mehndi reactions, but psychological effects as well.”

Another doctor at the Govt hospital, Shayam Saran observed, “The Mehndi, it seems, were contaminated with PPD to get sharp and lasting color.” PPD (para-Phenylenediamine) is used in dyes and pigments and its use in hair dye is controversial as it is allergic to skin.

Same week, for Dussehra festivals, buying and selling continued, grand Pandals erected, sound of hymns of Prayer reverberated but young girls were less than being happy as they were instructed not to use Mehndi this Dussehra. So, virtually, a Jewellery was missing from their embellishment.

“Mehndi used by patients has been collected and sent to laboratories for testing. Two doctors have been suspended for showing negligence in treating Mehndi patients,” said Upender Singh, a Police officer from Gopal Ganj. Singh confirmed there has been no arrest in the case so far.

While, apparently contaminated Mehndi has been sent for testing, residents here are not optimistic if any action would be taken against the manufacturer. Nishat Alam, a resident of Gopal Ganj says, “It will meet same dead-end like any other case in Bihar.”

Is Twitter just babble?

By Neyaz Farooquee

The way Twitter has grabbed the attention of populace in a short span of time since it was founded in 2006 is amazing. It got its five billionth post this week. An interactive site, ranked 13 by web information company Alexa, it gives a lot of space to its users to express themselves through micro-blogging. However, notwithstanding its utility and prominence, it is being labelled as a “non-serious” stuff.

In a study by a market research firm, Pear Analytics, 41% of about 3,000,000 daily postings on Twitter are just “babble”. It’s an enormous amount considering the fact that Twitter users are concentrated mostly in US, UK and few other countries.

Nishath Nizar, an active Twitter user, agrees with the finding. “I use Twitter because everyone is on Twitter.” Did he ever read or respond to Deputy External Affairs Minister Shashi Tharoor, celebrated, and perhaps most controversial, twitter user from India? “No! never. As I said I’m on it just because everyone else is on it,” Nizar adds.

“Twitter is a temporary phenomenon which will fade out soon. See the kind of postings it’s getting of late,” says Abhay Shankar, a Sociology scholar in Jamia Millia Islamia University, New Delhi. “It was a part of the initial revolution which Web 2.0 brought in. And the media hype sustained it,” he adds.

Mizaj Mammu, a graduate student of Applied Psychology in Delhi University, disagrees. “Just see the growth rate of Twitter and compare it with others'. It’s almost 1400 per cent a month, compared to 250 per cent of Facebook.” She adds, “Even if its 41 per cent postings are 'babble', it has served its purpose.”

If any tweeter (user) tweets (posts) on the site, its followers get that tweet through SMS and the post is updated at the website simultaneously. Referring to the extensive use of Twitter in the Iranian election crisis, Mammu adds further, “It’s quite an amazing and powerful concept of Citizen Journalism.”

Prof Devesh Pandey, who specialises in Development and Globalisation studies, thinks its popularity is due to its “only 140 character per posting.” He says, “People find it easier to read and write small and compact posts. So, whatever comes to their mind, its ‘tweeted’ by the easily available mean, say for example, SMS. In the process many posts are not ‘scholarly’ but somehow it shows how the Twitter has revolutionized the way people think, write and communicates.” With a smile he brings to notice he just used the word ‘tweeted’, past form of tweet.

Prof Pandey adds, “It’s a form of micro-blogging, but its effects are macro. Revolutions are taking place here, celebrities and fans are interacting through it. It’s even helping thieves know the where-about of master of their target home.”

Protests greet new VC

(Text and Pics by Neyaz A Farooquee)

To protest the death of a student of Jamia Millia Islamia in a bus accident, the University students held a demonstration here in the Campus today. A speeding blueline bus crushed Lalit, a 2nd year student of BTech, yesterday evening in the Campus.

The students started protesting soon after the accident and continued it throughout the night to demand compensation for the family of the victim. Proctor called-in Police to control the “agitating” students. Many students are seriously injured in the lathi-charge.

The new Vice-Chancellor Najeeb Jung, who joined 24 hours ago, addressed the students today and assured them of every possible help. Regarding students’ demand of 20 lakh as compensation to the family of victim, he said, "There can't be any compensation for life. Why demand 20 lakh, why not One Crore?"

He also informed the students that he has asked DCP, South Distt to come to his office to discuss the students’ complain that Police enters hostels even on slightest pretext with the complicity of Jamia administration.

The new VC being escorted to Open air theatre to address the students

VC, Najeeb Jung in consultation with other Authorities of Jamia

A two minute silent prayer for the deceased, Lalit

VC addressing Jamia students

Students gathered at Safdar Hashmi Open Air Theatre

Jai Ho... Jamia

From the jubilant days of flouting every norm to the days of being suffocated to follow every norm unheard of, is proving quite a nemesis for me and, I guess, my classmates are not too far from this sordid, outrageous feeling.

The orientation session, on the very first day of scheduled three days, reminded me of my olden-golden days of graduation, where being in time was a self-satire. But that was not to be here for very long, thanks to Obaid Sir. I swear, being late by half an hour was not a big deal few months back, rather it signified busy-ness and added to your portfolio of being something. Something similar to brave and smart. But the very first day of my class in AJK MCRC at JMI established the fact that 9.30 means atleast 9.25. As I entered the class room, I heard a voice, “You are late”. It was 9.30 only.

Enthusiasm of introducing Neyaz Ahmad Farooquee came down to Neyaz. Only Neyaz. And Jamia Millia Islamia to just Jamia. Hunt for humour in daily dose of introduction session turned wild to an extent so as to grab the attention of everyone’s yawn.

The every task which I thought would be entertaining was turning out to be boring till one day someone called Ramesh Menon appeared. And then I realised that something which I liked, something adventurous, is about to come and in its anticipation everything was looking boring to me. And these ongoing onslaughts of boredom would be the basis for a joyful future.

Now, twisting the neck diametrically to look forward.

Dayare Shauk Mera Dayare Shauk Mera...

Shahre Aarzoo Mera Shahre Aarzoo Mera

Vibrant Gujaratis...after 7 years

(Pics and Text by Neyaz A. Farooquee)

A happy home, after all...

Residing in a desolate home in the sleepy neighbourhood of Jamia Nagar, they are self-content with what they have got. And they have to. Every necessity of their daily life is being provided by the 'Happy Home Foundation' but the void of being forced away from their own homeland, their very own, can’t be healed easily by any Marham.

Brought in Delhi in 2002, they have consoled themselves of harsh reality of Gujarat. A vibrant Gujarat for some but not for all. And certainly not for these innocents, if one presumes them to be. Youngest one was merely 3 years old and the eldest was of raw 9 years when fortune forced them to Delhi with a Medical delegation which has gone to serve the riot victims.

They have experienced the seven years of ‘estrange-ness’ mutely on the mercy of others. Have food to eat, clothes to wear, thanks to the Zakat given by the cross section of the society, including Hindus and Christians along with Muslims. The task of schooling lay with a school in the vicinity, The God's Grace. They provide books for these children along with school dress.

Jawed is the eldest of them all, he is 18 and most composed. A pretty good student, he was in 7th standard in the Gujarati medium in Sabarkantha district of Gujarat but the language barrier, or perhaps the situation, forced him to be demoted to 2nd standard in English medium God's Grace School. When I met him, he was a bit apprehensive in talking me but steadily he eased. And I learned that he aspire to study mass communications. Mass communications... perhaps he wants to communicate something he strongly feels about.

Abrar, in 8th standard, wishes to be a doctor one day. He remembers that his locality witnessed although just one death in the clashes but there were countless injured. He remembers that there were very few doctors visible in the area and even ambulances were attacked.

Wasim, a 7th standard student, most flamboyant among the elder guys, aspire to be a cricketer but unfortunately Happy Home Foundation doesn’t have any playground so he plays indoor games. Table Tennis is his favorite among indoor games but on holidays he gets a chance to play in nearby playground under the supervision of a caretaker.

These are few brief stories of the fortunates among the unfortunates who are lucky enough to survive to narrate their stories but these boys and girls, at this tender age, are too juvenile to understand the nuisance of life but they have witnessed something that has itched into their mind and they have ‘niched’ a resolve to do, to do something different from ‘them’---the perpetrators of the heinous crime. “What is the difference between me and ‘them’ if I do the same to them”. How true.

And may this truth descend down to everyone irrespective of ‘me’ and ‘they’.

But the story does not end here. If you try to force yourself into the past, a sad drop of water trickles down to the cheek of Fatima (name changed) and suddenly one realise that he is prying far ahead into the tender minds and is contented with whatever little he has got to know from them.

She sobs and others are on the verge of sobbing, “They killed my Ammi and then Abbu”.

Children at Happy Home Foundation, New Delhi in the study room

Studying...

Searching their future...

Their bedroom

Voluntary caretakers of Happy Home Foundation... give 'em a standing ovation

Jamia Edu Fest (in pictures) Part 1 cont...

(pics and text by Neyaz A. Farooquee)

Educational Fest (Talimi Mela)

At the entrance of Educational Fest

At the entrance of Book Fair

Jamia's flag fluttering in sky

Jamia's outreach programme appeal... to be joined by DU and JNU

Preparing for big time ahead

This security man busy doing his job

And this keeping close eye on everyone n everything.
Jamia authority has installed more than 8 cameras for managing the unprcendented rush

A message not for you

An unexpected visitor

At Jamia's information technology centre, paying tribute to our heroes

Photography exhibition by Jamia's AJK Centre for Mass communications

MF Hussain Art Gallery

MF Hussain art gallery waiting to be inaugurated

MF Hussain art gallery, inaugurated by renowed artist Satish Gujral

In Talimi Mela, also...

Doing his job

At engineering faculty

Near University sports complex

Streetplay by Awam theatre group of Jamia
A nice statement in the form of Nukkad Naatak (Streetplay). A bunch of talented guys taking a few cues from newsmen, imitating their style of sensationalising the news, in the process of mocking the newsmen.

They mocked the newsmen by statements like,
"we've got the chemicals used in the destructive activities...its exclusively with us only...see this packet, it contains white powder which was used, according to a highly placed source".
The correspondent gets close to the packet, smells, waits...and says..."pardon us, its a bag of salt."

"An exclusive news. According to our sources, police have cracked the case".
And they telecast a statement by police. "His complexion is black , has black beard, black moustache, dressed in black and have a black bike. Wherever you find anyone matching anything mentioned above, inform us".

And many more nice comments they made.

Rush for Naseeruddin Shah's play 'Ismat Aapa ke Naam'
In the Ansari Auditorium, Naseeruddin shah's famous play 'Ismat aapa ke naam' was to be screened for students but rush made it impossible to accomodate all in the '1000 seat' auditorium, so for the 'left-behinds' it was telecasted on projector in Safdar Hashmi amphitheatre, behind the MA Ansari auditorium.

...to control the rush

Students watching the play at Safdar Hashmi Amphitheatre

Inspiration??? Desperation???

A policeman taking a look at 'Dandi March' in Jamia

Jamia's Edu Fest, Part 1, (Flag hoisting by Honble Governer of Delhi)

(pics and text by Neyaz A. Farooquee)

The founation day celebration of Jamia Millia Islamia started with a March by Jamia Eco club. Main proceedings took place outside Ansari Auditorium with the arrival of Hoble Lt Governer of Delhi, Mr Tejinder Khanna. After a honourary parade by Jamia NCC, he hoisted the Jamia flag.

Honble Governer hoisting the Jamia Flag at its 88th foundation day

Red carpet welcome

Jamia Security staff leading him to dias

Jamia Tarana (Anthem) by its students

On the dias(L to R): Rakhshanda Jalil, Media Cordinator, JMI, Prof Mushirul Hasan, VC JMI, Honble Mr Tejinder Khanna, Lt Governer of Delhi, Anisur Rahman, Registrar JMI, Prof Ghazanfar Zaidi, Talimi Mela organising committee chief, Zubair Meenai, DSW JMI.