We love to litter

The other day I was on a ferry in Mumbai, and I saw a family eating a bag of chips. Afterwards, the mother threw the wrapper into the sea. The children followed her example. Everybody just looked away. It was after all ‘picnic time’. Who will bother to look for a garbage can, that too on holiday?

What is this inherent need to not throw garbage where it belongs, you ask? Well, when was the last time you saw a garbage bin in your area that wasn’t overflowing?

Or the last time that the garbage bin has been duly emptied? How is a civilian supposed to act civil if the facilities don’t prompt that behaviour?

I remember when I was walking to a shop the other day, a man threw a banana peel at the garbage dump on the road. The peel of course, never actually landed in the bin and fell in the pile that was accumulating on the roadside. Next thing we know, a bike skids on the peel and the rider falls off. Who would have thought, right? Who’s to blame here now, the man who threw the peel and littered on the street, the rider who didn’t see where he was going, or the system that did not attend to the matter at hand?

If we won't clean up India, who will?

Hygiene and sanitation concerns have led to grave diseases and deaths. This has remained an issue for a very long time. We have been complaining about it relentlessly.

You complain about families littering and polluting our streets. Do you do anything about it, except watching from the sidelines?

Why wait for bits and pieces of waste to turn into a monstrous eternal pile of junk?

‘Itna problem hai, toh solution ban jao’.

Watch out for warning signs. Wake up before the alarm bell rings.

Alarm Bajne Se Pehle Jaago Re!

Open Letter from a Barren Farm

Dear India,

In songs of beauty, of abundance, of prosperity, I was once the main hero. You used to sing about my lush green pastures as you watered the soil, where rice, maize and corn grew. Cattle grazed, I was full of life. A symbol of prosperity to animals, birds, crops and people.

Now, it's a different story. I am infertile. I'm no longer of use to you. The songs are all a thing of the past. I am abandoned and I'm lonely.

No one writes songs about those that they wronged. I am the field that you wronged by diverting water to the cities.

No one writes songs about those who they malnourished. I am the field that you used too much pesticide on.

No one writes songs about the ones that hold them back. I am the field that got in the way of your 'city dreams'.

No one writes songs about the one that they abuse. I am the field that was used to grow your cash crops.

You think I've forgotten how it used to be before, when fields were lush, green and fertile - that I've forgotten how I used to be? You think I want to be this infertile field, now that you are begging me to grow something… anything! You think I want to be the desolate piece of land of your funeral pyre? Remember you abandoned me. I waited and hoped.

Today you look at me with fallen eyes as the ones who toil upon me are about to take their own lives. You call out to the nation, to the masses, to the media. No one seems to care."No one is coming to save our crops, to rescue our lives, and our lands."

Only when we're down to the last crop in the country, down to the last surviving farmer, perhaps only then the country will finally wake up. Only when it's a little too late, will we all will decide to finally awake.

Yours barren and infertile,
The Farmland.

Open Letter From A High Voltage Wire

Dear Human,

Ever felt like you've hung around somewhere for so long that you begin slipping into the woodworks? I've been feeling that way for a while now.

You only notice me during the monsoons. If I suddenly have some amount of voltage, it's of a major concern. I get that me, being a wire, and a live one at that... cannot be exposed to water. But it's not like I am not functional during the rest of the year - you get what I'm saying?

I have been here for years - and it's beginning to feel pretty cramped up here. You would think that after all these decades of hanging around, I would get a neat makeover - but noooo. If being shoved carelessly around poles hasn't been boring enough, you've gone ahead and added a few more wires and now, you've just turned me into a nest of wires.

And should one of your own careless kind cross my path, you have to write these shocking headlines about me in your tabloids, blaming my ugliness and every detail about me.

Do not even get me started on all the various carts of food, clothes and what-not you display at abandon below me. Some of you have the audacity to use me as a clothesline, for crying out loud. I mean, DO YOU KNOW WHAT I CAN DO?

Just, look at me. Think about me, have some consideration for the times that I haven't electrocuted you. And while you take the time to do that, I'll take your advice and just, hang in there...

Dangerously Yours,
High Voltage Wires.

Creating opportunities in all impossibilities: Nurturing hockey talent

Meet Shanmugham P, international hockey player who’s been coaching hockey to underprivileged children since 2001.

“I wanted to challenge the stereotypes surrounding the pursuit of sports that are ‘not so popular’”: Shanmugham P.

There’s a widespread belief that apart from cricket, others sports have no place in India. Several talented players from our country have withered away, with no support from both the government and society. Even with such challenging circumstances, Mr. Shanmugham P literally held his ground.

Against all odds: The rise of a hockey star

It was not an easy ride for Shanmugham P., who took on to hockey right from his childhood. The stereotypes that came with sports other than ‘cricket’ did not deter him. He pursued his passion with single-minded dedication, and his efforts slowly paid off.

He secured a position in his school team, then he made it to the state team, and eventually to the national team.

Even then he never had it easy. Pursuing BE from an evening college, he stayed focussed on his game. Eventually, politics in sports, and the limited reach of the game drove him to a point where he was about to quit.

That’s when an opportunity came his way and changed the direction of his life: the role of a Coach.

Creating opportunities where there are none: Coaching the young

He started his journey as a coach with the NGO, ‘Dream a Dream’, which promotes sport as a medium to help children from vulnerable backgrounds. The success of the programme inspired him.

“Hockey as a game excited me much more than before. Their performance at school also improved, I was overjoyed to see how hockey was helping them,” recalls Shanmugham.

Having coached the state team, other professional leagues for over a decade and also the Qatar national team, Shanmugham embarked on a whole new venture when he learnt about the Jude Felix Hockey Academy (JFHA). JFHA was the brainchild of Jude Felix, an Arjuna Awardee, Olympian and former captain of the Indian hockey team.

Founded by a group of national and international hockey players, the academy used sports as a medium to help underprivileged children.

“We’re able to show that sports is a miracle healer. We are happy that we were able to give back to the game and the society,” he says.

With support and encouragement, talent can flourish

“The academy wishes to see many kids play the sport. Although they are not expected to stick to the game, the children do. Our professional sports persons and veterans motivate the community to be a part of the sporting programs.”

Sports in India: Rough road ahead?

“Future for sports in India will only be good if the Government, corporates and schools develop our grassroot structures. Or else, even with all the professional leagues coming up, we will fail to produce champions at the International level.

Sporting infrastructure for a common man or even a family should be accessible, for them to play a sport of their choice.

There is nothing wrong with cricket garnering attention. A lot of groundwork has gone in, complemented by the structures created to promote the sport. Hockey, and other sports need such impetus too,” he emphasises.

Lamenting the absence of sport facilities in government schools and the non-implementation of sports policies, he feels that a professional approach to all games can change their visibility and image.

If he can break the status quo, why can’t we?

“Our academy is an example for what citizens can do.”

Despite the standards set, JFHA is now faced with the challenge of retaining its volunteers, for not all volunteers are players.

“Our oldest volunteer is a 69-year-old woman. If she can come and volunteer, teach, learn and play hockey with the children, what’s stopping others?”

Often times, we bicker at the poor support and infrastructure for the athletes in our country, but only after poor performance at a major sporting event crushes the hopes of our athletes. Before we lose our country’s talent to this grim reality, let’s act; let’s address all that stops young talent from reaching their full potential.

Alarm Bajne Se Pehle Jaago Re!

Open Letter from a Crumbling Flyover to the City

Dear Commuters,

You have been flying high with me, everyday and every night. When I first came into being, you were dumbstruck with awe. Then you soared with me, crossing over to the most inaccessible parts of the city with ease.

Many decades have passed. I am tired of bearing your weight. Your vehicles are getting bigger by the day, growing both in size and in number. I have borne many accidents here. Many deaths. You zoomed over me, overcome by the thrill of speed.

But that was all in the past. Today I am in the last stage of my life. Years of accommodating you has taken its toll on me.

And now you have turned a blind eye towards me. I'm in complete disarray and I need repair. Numerous articles are written on me. I am now said to be a dangerous, crumbling flyover. We may not even have to wait for an earthquake, a blizzard or a cyclone and I will come crashing down on you and your neighbourhood establishments.

I guess then we'll have a real jam, won't we now?

Barely Standing,
The Crumbling Flyover.

An open letter from a dumpyard

Dear civilians,

Here's the deal. I know I am a garbage dump, but COME ON. You honestly need to stop dumping EVERYTHING into me, even when, clearly, I cannot take any more. It's like you see, but you choose to not acknowledge the fact that I.have.no.space.anymore.

And then, you don't even segregate your stuff - doesn't that help your environment or something? Why would you not sort me out by separating your garbage - it's not rocket science.

And here I am, just lying in filth, letting out a stench that reeks of hell. I don't even know where I begin and end anymore. I thought I was the only unfortunate one - but I was so mistaken. There are more like me, some so far beyond help that I don't even recognise them anymore. They are becoming like mini landfills within the city.

To add to this, some of us are even broken... literally broken! We are supposed to be the place that holds your waste, so it doesn't really help you when WE are broken. I mean, where are you going to throw us, into another garbage can?

Give us a break, man. There's only so much responsibility you can dump on us now, isn't there?

Sickeningly Yours,
The dumpyard

How I met my first molester

“When is a safe time for women to leave for home from office in the evening? 8 pm? 7 pm? 6 pm?

I left office at 5 pm that day. I had to run some errands and I left early to get a head start. I took the bus, found a seat and sat down for the long journey. I paid for my ticket when the bus conductor came by, and when I leaned back into my seat, I felt a hand touch my back; a hand that was squeezed between the seat and the window just to feel me up. I turned around, feeling shocked and violated. The sight that greeted my eyes disgusted me to the core. I saw the molester smiling back at me. I got up from my seat and asked him to explain his actions, as I trembled in anger. He continued smiling at me, not responding.

I got up, and moved to another seat. I looked back again and the man was staring at me.

I had a feeling of dread creeping all over me. I didn’t know if I should raise an alarm or let this go - I was afraid he would alight from the bus and stalk me if I made a hue and cry about this. On the other hand, I was furious about what I had to go through. I stopped leaving at 4pm.

I thought that somehow, not leaving at 4 pm is a solution. What next? Do I stop taking the public transport? Do I weigh the pros and cons of taking my molester to task, who is probably looking forward to torturing another hapless woman? Do I change offices? Do I change streets?

What do I do?”

The signs are everywhere

These are issues we are well aware of – but we have waited for the next big assault, the next horrific rape, the next brutal attack to wake us out of our slumber. They say it’s never too late to do something, but in this case, it is. Now is the time to show that we don’t want to wait anymore.

Alarm Bajne Se Pehle Jaago Re!

An Open Letter to Children from a battered Playground

Dear kids,

They say that some lessons can be only learnt on a playground.

I will be the first one to agree - I mean look at all the lessons I am teaching the kids.

So kids, here goes nothing:

You will learn to adjust. You need to understand that I'm not always ready to be used the way you'd like. Sometimes I will have pebbles. Sometimes I will host non-sporting functions. Sometimes I will be unavailable. We'll work around it. We always do.

Be versatile like me - I am used for every sport.

Don't sweat the small stuff - I will not be the same size you need me to be.

Always remember the bigger picture - remember that the sport is bigger than the playground.

These valuable lessons will come in handy when you are competing at a national level. Or at a global level. Like the Olympics.

Some of us may not be very receptive, but you know what they also say: "Any publicity is good publicity."

And then you can all point fingers at us. But how does it matter?! We have taught you the hard lesson by then.

Go ahead learn these lessons kids, while I settle some scores.

Yours Sincerely,

The Battered Playground.

Open Letter from a Broken Street Light

Dear Pedestrians,

From where I stand, I have seen a lot. Accidents, people stumbling and falling in the dark, women being stalked, molested and raped - you name it. Yessir, many a disaster has occurred right below me. Had there been a CCTV mounted on me, you would have the evidence as well.

It's pretty traumatic being me. I have shed light on so many incidents... but hidden in the dark are so many more. Once, an old man was mugged. My wiring was in dire need of repair, so no one saw what happened. Perhaps if I were in a better condition, they wouldn't have had the guts to attack and rob you.

You may have passed by me many times. Some of my own kind are well lit even during the day, but aren't turned on during the night. Some of us, including me, have existed for so long that people have forgotten that they could use me, and I just stand there, unused, uncared for.

I remember the other day, when a car rammed into the street lamp down the road. It's ironic, actually. The car couldn't see the other lamp because, well, I wasn't functioning. And it had to go and ram itself in, of all things, a lamp. It's like we're trying so hard to make a point, but no one's really listening, or seeing for that matter.

So while I try and make myself more visible, here's a fun question for you to answer: "How many humans does it take to screw in a light bulb?"

Yours no longer functional,
A broken Street Light

Why has funding in Budget 2015 seen a sharp decline for women?

IndiaSpend, data analysis agency writes for Expert Speak to uncover the real numbers behind Budget 2015.

Fact:

The 2015-16 Budget sees a 19% cut in the overall allocation towards women from last financial year.

The total budget for the Ministry of Women and Child development is less than halved.

Rape crisis centres cut from 660 to 36

A hard look at the numbers

Let’s take a look at the data. As the new Government came to power, they promised that women’s issues will be taken seriously and women’s development was on their agenda. However, the real picture now seems wary.

Gender Responsive Budgeting in India: Funds Decline in Budget 2015-16

The 2015-16 Budget had a 19% cut in the overall allocation towards women from last financial year. The Government is being criticised for slashing funds for women from various quarters.

Let us take a look at the volume of total funds that go towards schemes for women from the past budgets from the last five years:

Budget Allocations for Women in the Past (figures in Rs.Crore)

Source:Union Budget

Budget 2015-16 sees a 19% cut in the overall allocation towards women from last financial year.

The table above shows the gradual increase in the allocation. But this year, the allocation suddenly declined. The central government has cut down the overall spending on social schemes in the budget 2015-16. And that is also reflected in budget allocations for women.

India ranks among the lowest countries in the world: Gender Inequality

The socio-economic condition of Indian women does not fare too well globally. In UNDP’s (United Nations Development Programme) Gender Inequality Index (GII) India ranks 127 amongst 152 countries. GII takes into account reproductive health, empowerment and economic status of women.

The poor statistics of women’s health and overall social backwardness is reflected in poor international rankings.

Very low rates in female Literacy, child sex ratio and maternal mortality: India

Female literacy rate in India is only 64.6% in census 2011.

Another concern is the decline in the child sex ratio (CSR– girls per 1000 boys aged 0-4 or 0-6) in India from 976 in 1961 to 918 in 2011.

As far as maternal health is concerned, the Millennium Development Goals for maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is 140 per 100,000 live births. India had achieved 178 by 2010-12 and it is estimated to reach 141 by 2015.

With such state of affairs cutting down of spending for women may not be conducive for gender development in India.

Ministry-wise Spending Cuts for Women and Child Schemes

Source: Budget 2015-16 (Figs in Rs Crore) *10 crore is Centrally sponsored. Funding through states will be through Nirbhaya Fund.

Less than halved: Budgets for Ministry of Women and Child

The data above show the decline in funding for women in the new regime compared to UPA’s last budget. The total budget for the Ministry of Women and Child development is less than halved. Programmes such as the National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) have shown a lot of success with women’s Self-Help Groups.The funds for the old schemes have been slashed while the new schemes are still not implemented fully.

Following are new women’s schemes from the Budget 2015-16:

New Schemes for Women

Source: Budget 2015-16(Figs in Rs Crore)

Women’s safety is the biggest challenge before the Government and the Indian society. Various attitudinal studies paint a sad picture when it comes to violence against women.

Nirbhaya Fund: Only 321 crore from 1000 crore utilised

After the Delhi rape case of 2012, the Government of India set up Rs 1000 Crore Nirbhaya Fund in the Budget 2013-14. So far, only Rs 321.69 Crorehave been sanctioned from this fund to build Global Positioning Systems for police to provide speedy help in emergencies. In the present fiscal, another Rs 1000 Crore have been allocated for the Nirbhaya Fund.

The new schemes added last year such as Beti Padao, Beti Bachao addresses low female sex ratio and literacy rates in India. So far, it is too early to comment on the implementation of this scheme. This scheme is being launched through the Ministry of Women and Child Development and Ministry of Human Resource Development.

Disclaimer:

Views expressed are of the author alone and do not necessarily represent that of the brand.