SINGLE PARENTING

By: Devi Priya P.G

“The family is both the fundamental unit of society as well as the root of culture. It is a perpetual source of encouragement, advocacy, assurance and emotional refueling that empowers a child to venture with confidence into the greater world and become all that he can be”    

                       

 In this context a not so discussed but an important issue is being thought about – Single Parenting.

                        

       Single parents are known to all of us; every day we come across quite a few-struggling for themselves and their children. But hardly do we realize that, may be because we feel we have bigger problems to worry about. But in reality how hard is to be a single parent, that too in a scenario  

When even parents who live together find it difficult to take care of their children, to do all that is possible for their better future and bring out the best in them. Across the globe there are numerous single parents – either because of death of one parent, divorce or abandonment by the other. Whatever be the underlying causes, the problems faced by them are really huge irrespective of their socio-political-economic backgrounds and ethnicity.

                    

                One of the major issues faced by the single parents apart from a minority of the economically affluent and legally separated is to make both the ends meet financially. Even the basic requirements like food, shelter and education of children are real challenges faced by them. Parental and family supports are not extended beyond certain minimum requirements and to a few such solaces are distant dreams.

                 

                 The society’s attitude towards them and the kind of social isolation is in fact disheartening. Being a single parent need not always be a matter of choice, it can also be due to circumstances beyond one’s control. But in reality the society fails to understand this and treats them disrespectfully-especially if the family is devoid of a male member. In fact every single day is a struggle for them-discharging the responsibilities at home and work and looking after the needs of children are extremely difficult. This becomes even tougher for those with differently abled kids.

                  As a matter of fact majority of the single parent families are female headed. A mother who lives separately with her children is viewed entirely different from a father with his children. This happens irrespective of the class structure and educational qualifications of the female counterpart. The kind of ill-treatment against such women even at workplace both in terms of sexual violence and emotional torture is really a shame. The fact is that many of these cases remain unreported. The so called social activists and women welfare organizations have done little in this regard to curb the menace. Even the religious norms and institutions which intervene very actively when two individuals decide to be together for the rest of their life hardly bothers to address the issues and settle them thereafter once they are separated.

                  The suicidal rates among single parents along with their only hope – their children also stems out from the kind of agony and pressure imposed upon them from the society and even their own family members. Very often the sentiments of the children are so badly hurt and the extent of pain inflicted upon them in their childhood adversely affects their future prospects too. Especially in developing and under developed countries where the social security measures are given least priority such unaddressed issues are numerous. Even though giving a proper legal framework ensuring adequate financial assistance along with timely counseling for the parent and child aren’t the only solution they might solve the problem to a greater extent.

                The potentials of single parents are numerous. They become more self reliant and less co-dependent. They learn to accept the harsh realities of their life and strive to bring out the best in themselves and their children in spite of this their self respect and dignity are being questioned many a times. Their credentials are hardly acknowledged.

Never forget, they need recognition and needs to be treated respectfully for what they are; because they are neither aliens nor superheroes/heroines but are ordinary people like you and me.

Prince of Vienna!!

By : Jithin Raghavan 

Renowned are those Malayali’s who inhibit foreign culture into their lifestyle. But, we seldom come to know of someone who has pioneered a new culture outside his country. Let us meet one such person. The man who introduced the festival that makes every summer in the city of Vienna beyond awesome. His name is Prince Pallikunnel, hailing from the city of Malappuram. 

Midway through the season when the heat reaches its maximum, the city of Vienna develops a festive mood under the leadership of Prince. This has been the scene for the past eleven years. The streets play host to a small ‘world get-together’ with people storming in from every nook and corner with their songs and dance numbers. And to add grandeur to the event, cuisines of all kinds are made available here. The festival named ‘Strassenfest’ fills the mob with a feeling of joy unbound.

Prince is the director of PROSI, the first ever exotic supermarket in Vienna. It is often said that one can find a malayali at every other place in this world, intending pun of course. But then, it is more than difficult to sow the seeds of success on a foreign soil. PROSI reminds us that hard work and determination may not suffice to succeed. Politeness, Respect, Obedience, Service and Intimacy are equally important ingredients for a business to prosper. Back in the year 1999, PROSI was born with all this. For some ten years now, PROSI has taken on the daunting task of bringing the taste of home to the foreign-born people living in Austria, and introducing Austrians to the food of the world.

Born into an ordinary family, it was while pursuing his teaching career (after completing his M.com) that he got the chance to do his higher studies in Austria. After two years since his arrival in the country, he along with a friend of his put up a stall that sold Indian perfumes, vegetables and newspapers. Seeing the immediate success, he started a restaurant as well, which turned out to be a failure. He tried his luck creating a travel agency. The result, sadly, was no different. But, these failures proved to be the very stepping stones to his future success.

What happens in a normal scenario is, when someone comes to a foreign country as a student and finds all his attempts at different ventures ending as failures, he curses himself and the place, and thinks of nothing but returning home. On the contrary, Prince, having learnt a thousand lessons from every single failure he made, and acquiring strength from each of them, built up the first ever exotic supermarket that stands out as the biggest and most useful of its kind in the country. At the age of twenty five, when he flew to Vienna, the only thing he had with him was his master’s degree. But the courage in him to face situations and immense self belief always came to his aid.

The lack of food from home led him to open a shop for Indian products. Apart from being a supermarket, PROSI today is a part of everyone’s daily life in Vienna. For anyone curious about food, though, it is more than fine; it is a treasure trove. Nearly six thousand products from over sixty countries are being sold here. Eateries from around the world are available. People hailing from Philippines, Nepal, Bangladesh and Africa are also employers here. Providing native food, PROSI restaurant aims at instilling that warmth of ‘being at home’ to those who leave home and come here looking to prosper in life. In a kitchen at the back of the store, international cooking classes are offered every Saturday.  Once you are inside this chamber you in terms of cuisine can travel from Cameroon to Bhutan, Malaysia to Bolivia, and Madagascar to Myanmar. 

The smell of the kitchen wafts through the supermarket, bringing a memory of home, or a dream of adventure. And needless to say, Indian food finds maximum demand. This also serves as a platform for foreigners to learn and try their hands at the Indian cuisine. The street festival organized by PROSI twice a year is greeted with much enthusiasm. Around fifty odd artists perform in the cultural extravaganza organized along with it. The food festival arranged is equally welcome. Apart from these, yoga and dance classes find places in the festival, which prove to be added bonuses in portraying our culture to the outside world.

A dominating presence in the art and culture in Vienna, Prince established an organization ‘Kala Vienna’ to help enhance international culture in the country. He has served as the representative of Indian World Chamber of Commerce in Austria and the World Malayali Council President. A man of utmost passion in every single thing he does, Prince has done more than a great deal in portraying not only our culture, but a variety of International cultures to Austria. The least we can say is that he has been given a befitting name – PRINCE!!

Once upon a time, GOD played with a GOLDEN dice

 Does GOD really need gold & money in the ‘GODS OWN COUNTRY’?

  

  By : Arjun.R.Shankar

The whole world is flabbergasted and amazed and all their eyes are on the capital city of Gods own country. Thiruvananthapuram, the capital of Kerala has managed to take a special place in the history. Usually every tourist reaching this city never misses an opportunity to see the beauty of the magnificent Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple. The massive temple dedicated to lord Vishnu. The temple gave its present name to Thiruvananthapuram. ‘Thiru’ ‘Anantha’ ‘Puram’ means Sacred Abode of Lord Anantha Padmanabha.

 In June 2011 a review of the temples underground vaults was undertaken by a panel appointed by the Supreme Court of India as there were accusations of gross mismanagement within the temple. The inspection team meticulously planned and inspected the temple and opened the age old secret vaults of the temple one by one and the findings were a series of shock to the eyes and mind. They could not believe the eyes as they witnessed priceless treasures from the cellars of the temple.

According to the temple records the vaults were last opened 136 years back and the present one was an attempt transcending history. According to the website of Sree Padmanabha Swamy temple the treasure trove so far included countless gold and silver coins, gold ornaments, stone studded crowns, idols and figurines inlaid with precious stones and jewels, golden bow, golden vessels etc. These sterling and opulent treasure literally and virtually mesmerized everyone who had witnessed them. The whole endeavor was radiating impulses of the past and the very opulence of them was unraveling history and traditions with a mix of heightened exaltation. It was the moment when the ‘present’ in their eyes and mind praised the ‘past’. The feelings must have been inexplicable. Even the miniscule part of the configuration of air was filled with a historical redolence.

If the calculations are accurate the treasures value has exceeded one lakh crores and is still appreciating. The experts in charge of estimating the treasures are undertaking a labyrinthine task as it’s always complicated and difficult to estimate the value of such antiques and artifacts. With such a startling treasure bag, the temple has become the richest temple in the world.

Since independence from Britain, the temple is controlled by a trust run by the royal descendants of the Travancore royal family. After 1947 the kingdom of Travancore merged with the princely state of Cochin which ultimately became Kerala. And a special praise and a token of appreciation should be attributed to the royal family for keeping the treasures intact. Over the years and after the independence they always could have taken the wealth which they never did as it was done lavishly by their contemporaries in India and other parts of the world including Nepal. They have upheld the royal dictum that they are still the ‘Padmanabha dasas’ (servant of lord Padmanabha) a title which they assumed years back. 

In the wake of the findings and the international acclaim which it has gained, the first and foremost thing the govt. should do is to effectively beef up the security of the temple premises. At no cost they should make the temple a vulnerable target. In the century of unprecedented fully fledged terrorism anything at any time in any magnitude can happen and the security apparatus should be fully equipped to cover all such dimensions of speculations and reorient its approaches and ethos. Let them install the latest available surveillance systems, alarms etc. The whole area should be under the surveillance of top notch commando wings.

The larger and the most pertinent question asked at this juncture is “What to ultimately do with this treasure trove?”

A lot of views at this juncture say’s that the entire treasure should be used to pay off the debts of the state and country and should be used to undertake developmental activities for the development of the people for providing the basic amenities to the poor. This is indeed a novel idea for a variety of noble causes and it’s a true fact that God does not need money and gold.

But, again the larger question is “should this be at the cost of sacrificing our legacy and historical wealth? Should the confronting problems be solved by selling our unique artifacts?

The acclaimed historian KN Panicker upheld the view that the treasure belongs to the state and the public. The author fully endorses the views upheld by KN Panicker. It’s indeed the wealth of Kerala and all the treasures are an intrinsic part of our culture and history of Kerala. All of them have different stories to tell and has significance of historic proportions. All these treasures are now the vital links which connects the present with the past. There is no doubt that these treasures should be preserved in a well designed museum with world class security facilities and surveillance systems. Now it has become the richest temple in the world and if Cairo museum can meticulously preserve the treasures of Tutankhamen then why can’t we?

The whole treasure trove is a part of history and the people have all the right to see this splendid wealth and understand the history and folklores. Proper and time bound studies should be initiated in a transparent manner to unearth the real stories behind all the artifacts as only more and more research will reveal the true history of the period and it should be brought out for the knowledge of the people.

The Supreme Court of India bench presided by Justice R.K Raveendran and AK Patnaik in an interim order asked the authority to set up a museum to preserve the treasures and has also warned any claim over the treasure in a different order.

We need money for developmental activities but it is not the way to generate money. Let’s stop the humongous corruption, stop pilferage of govt. exchequer, have a strong Lokpal and bring back the countless black money from the Swiss bank and other unidentified sources to our country. Can any minister give the assurance and guarantee that the govt. will utilize these treasures for the benefit of the people with integrity and fullest transparency? If the govt. and the minster’s and politicians are unable to stop the purloining and loot of public money that are really supposed to be used for the benefit of the people how can they safeguard this money? Unless there is no accountability like a strong Lokpal there will be corruption in handling this money and the commitment of the govt. to bring back the black money will gradually die and the treasures will indeed become a real windfall for the govt. in all senses.

Our historical treasure troves should only be preserved for posterity and for the future generations and as it is said the intrinsic and antique value will only appreciate with time.

A NOBLE CRUSADE

         “Faith is the daring of the soul to go farther than it can see”

By: Jithin Raghavan

Heroes are considered those who beyond the rules sacrifice themselves to the benefit of their principles! Mostly, in that time not many understand their stand and decisions, later the people see the contribution and proceed in accepting them as heroes! It is not heroism when a person with an IQ of 165 and plenty of cash on hand makes it to Harvard. It is heroism when this same person 

finds a way to give of himself to the world around him, despite his privileged circumstances.

 Here is someone, who by her noble and inspirational actions is truly deserving of that title.

Ruchira Gupta, 48, has the habit of putting women like Sita Devi, 51, at ease. “Ruchira madam helped me get my confidence back,” says Sita, who worked in a red light district in Kolkatta until Apne Aap, an NGO established by Ruchira nearly 10 years ago, showed her a way out and eventually carved a new life for her as one of its volunteers. Sita’s is a story echoed by over 10000 women around India, who have beeen rescued from forced sex trade by Ruchira’s globally-feted NGO. Ruchira, a former journalist, got herself involved with this in 1995 after she finished a documentary on sex trade in Nepal.

Ruchira Gupta, (left) receiving the Clinton Global Citizen award for Leadership of Civil Society in 2009

The 47-minute film titled The Selling of Innocents was shot over a period of nine months during which Ruchira closely interacted with women in red light districts in Nepal and Mumbai. The documentary was acclaimed worldwide and, a year later, won Ruchira an Emmy for outstanding investigative journalism.

After the film wrapped up, she stayed in touch with the 22 women whose stories she had recounted. She didn’t want to go back to journalism and wanted to do something about all the exploitation she had seen in the brothels. She decided to form a self-help outfit that met informally to discuss their problems. During their meetings, Ruchira would coach the women about how they had the right to say no to flesh trade and also enable their kids to get access to education.

This group became the model for how Apne Aap would eventually operate. The organisation today has nearly 150 anti-trafficking self-help groups across Asia, South East Asia and other countries. This initial effort was set into motion in the year 2002 when Ruchira officially registered the NGO in mumbai.

Eventually Apne Aap began reaching out to women in Kolkatta, Bihar and New Delhi. They go to key areas where intervention was required, identify and form a team of local women, who would be educated and trained to communicate with their peers in the red light area, make them aware of their rights and encourage them to come to each others’ aid. Governments and other private organizations are being approached for monetary aid. Apne Aap’s self-help groups usually have about 15 members, whose primary task is to campaign with the local officials for access to education, subsidized food, police protection and other rights. They also run gender resource centers where they provide non-formal education and vocational training to groups of girls and women to get an alternative means of livelihood.

Undoubtedly, obstacles have cropped up every step. Those involved in the sex-trafficking industry have threatened them quite often. Ruchira believes she can take care of herself but she is worried about the more vulnerable among them. The constant backing of her family – especially her husband Sunil Nerula who works in the UN – makes plenty of difference.

Much like how Apne Aap became a universal movement, Ruchira’s aim is to effect change at the very highest level and for which purpose she has vigorously fought for a stringent anti-trafficking law in the world and in India. She wants woman to attain a status where they can transform the system that takes their power away from them in the first place. 

A noble crusade indeed!!

Wer art thou Mr. Footpath?

This time we are bringing something Straight from the HEART of cities. Exclusive writings related to various aspects of a city are analysed in multidimensional angles. This is a new attempt by us to bring some of the very important, dazzling or least bothered problem of city to the fore. Change Editor X of your BLOG- Jithin Raghavan has gone round the cities and the writing is an account from the heart and reflects the Pulse and vibrancy of the cities. This time it’s straight from the historic city of KOZHIKODE or Calicut.

------- TEAM AKHSHAYAPATHRA

       VANISHING BEAUTY OF CALICUT

By:  Jithin Raghavan

It’s been a while since I wanted to do this write-up. The people here in Calicut collectively ask, “Where are the footpaths?”. This is a journey in search of them. Footpaths here mean the drainages that have been topped with slabs. Shopkeepers have taken over the footpaths and these have vanished into thin air having merged with the shops. At certain other places, the footpath vendors rule the roost. The pedestrians seldom get the chance to access the footpaths and are forced to take the busier roads. Even though it has been the case for quite some time now, no action has been taken in this regard whatsoever apart from the roads around Mananchira1, where the corporation has built them with perfection. 

We need footpaths. Footpaths that work! Footpaths which make it possible for pedestrians to walk. Quite simply a path for people going on foot! The term is often for paths within an urban area that offer shorter quieter routes for pedestrians. But this term will soon be forgotten. We do have footpaths but certainly not for safe pedestrian walking! There have been those footpaths where one can walk safely with head held high without fear of tripping on a loose stone. Then there were those where one had to tread very carefully head bowed down to ensure that one didn’t trip and land face down on the pavement! There have also been those with yawning holes wide enough to accommodate a foot and leave the walker shocked and very disturbed. With all the construction activity in many areas it isn’t uncommon to see building materials strewn all over the footpath. But here in the city of Calicut the biggest headache are those diligent footpath vendors who liberally decorate the footpath with footwear, fruits, food stalls etc!

PLEASE WALK SIR!! THIS IS THE BEST..

The narrow footpaths on either side of the roads at Valyangadi1.1 have luckily not yet been taken over. But, different is the case with the roads at the market where vehicle parts are sold. The road connecting Aurobindo Gosh road and the Cherooty road passing right through the middle of the market is in a terrible situation. Such is the amount of vendors and goods that one tends to wonder if there is any road at all. The footpaths are loaded with the leftovers of the sold vehicles and have absolutely no role at all.

Footpath is just a figment of one’s imagination at the court road. And just in case you are thinking of going to the S.M.Street2 from the fourth gate along the footpaths, you might as well think again. There is every chance that you end up somewhere else. The shops have beautifully merged the footpaths to themselves. Elsewhere, the pedestrians are troubled by the goods and almirahs being kept on the footpath by the owners of the shops. It’s like a few segments separated by equally long spaces, simply cancelling out their very use. Things are no different in the Sweet Meat Street. Footpaths are totally under the control of the vendors. One can seldom see them let alone walk on them. Similar is the scene at the P.M.Taj road.

The footpaths at the entrance to the Palayam market have been beautifully modified by the corporation. These end at the subways. But the ill factor is that these are not user friendly. The pedestrians get themselves into a tangle if they try coming out of the footpaths as it is a parking hub for two wheelers and four wheelers alike. As far the market is concerned, the fruit sellers use up most of the space. Even the slightest disturbance at the footpaths turns out to be a bigger problem in the busiest of roads in the city. The vendors are maximum in number during the evening. And the pedestrians being more in number during this time as well, makes it even more cumbersome. 

Even though the vehicles are less in number at the Moideen Pally road, it still is difficult to travel on foot due to the street vendors prevalent at the place.

Takeover of the footpaths are at its most beautiful form at the Malaparamba3 junction. Some vendors have taken the footpaths as their private property here. The police had once taken the initiative to stop the sales here. But due to interception from the senior officials, they failed to carry out the “operation”. This being one of the busier places in the city, it becomes even more troublesome to travel.

These are just a few of the sample scenes at the city. At certain other places like Pottamal junction, Nadakkavu, English church road et al, takeovers have been made though in a smaller magnitude. And both the police and the corporation are still finding it hard to come up with a solution.

All requests, politely or otherwise have fallen into deaf ears and they have become permanent landmarks in the area. Most of the footpaths on the main roads have been narrowed. The authorities need broader roads to accommodate a burgeoning city replete with many hundred vehicles added on a daily basis.

Let me mention those footpaths which have been generously concreted by builders who felt that it was their God given right to present such an entrance to their many apartment owners. Never mind if there are rain water drains and chambers as old as the last century beneath them! Are the powers that be listening?  Will road widening also mean decent footpaths in this city? Beware people! You simply cannot be footloose on the footpath anymore!

NOTES:  1- Mananchira Square is a park in the heart of Kozhikode town, Kerala state, south India. The historic maithan, adjacent to Manachira has been converted into an arcadia with beautiful trees and plants, artificial hill, shrubs, sculpture, an open air theatre and above all, a musical fountain. 

1.1          -- Valiyangadi

Valiyangadi alias Big Bazaar, one of the major shopping centers located near the railway station is known for its wholesale of Kerala spices. Big Bazaar road and Court road are good places to purchase spices. Handicrafts items can be purchased from the supermarkets on Mavoor road and CSI Mananchira. Valiyangadi is also known for its wholesale trade of fresh, salted and preserved fish. 2. S.M.Street The Sweat Meat Street is one of the busiest and crowded areas of the Kozhikode city. The Kozhikode Halwa and Chips are popular throughout Kerala. The other local culinary delight in SM Street is the 'Biriyani'. S.M. Street is just across the Mananchira Square. Walking through S.M. Street and further through the Big Bazaar Road gives one, a glimpse of activity in the market. The roads on both sides are lined with quaint old stores selling all kinds of goods. The Big Bazaar Road leads to the beach. 3.Malaparamba Malaparamba is located in the suburbs of Kozhikode city, Kerala, South India. Kozhikode on the Malabar coast, was the capital of the Zamorins and also a prominent center of trade and commerce. It was on the Kappad beach near Kozhikode that the Portuguese navigator Vasco Da Gama landed in 1498 in his search for a sea route to India. A monument to commemorate this historical landing can be seen on the beach

  

Start camera, ACTION!!! ----UNREAL things in the REAL frame...

What is the ‘REALITY’ in reality shows? 

By: Arjun.R.Shankar

Gone are the days of soap operas and saas bahu serials. The people of this country irrespective of their living backgrounds, cultural cachets, status watched them zealously and appreciated them, so were the actors whom the Indian households exhilaratingly accepted and associated them with their family and treated them as kin. Very often they were exalted and inebriated for their phenomenal acting prowess. The channels were engaged in usual rat races and scurrying for increasing their ratings and the level of profits. In all sense the programmes were ruling the roost. And it was actor’s right time.

But with the passage of time the western programmes had greatly influenced the channels to start a similar wave in the country at least on a trial basis. The channels understood that only a change could break the slots and rolls of serials and they were absolutely right in thinking that way. The new branded programme ‘REALITY SHOW’ was the new product to be sold and was the right choice and it really outdid the soap operas. The euphoria created was inexplicable and unfathomable. Within a small gap the shows had taken a front seat. People became mad about the performances as the whole concept was fresh and scintillating. And the organizers pompously termed the whole endeavor as a branded platform to express ones hidden talent and potential.  These shows from the front angle have innumerable success stories and acclaims. But has anyone thought about the pulse of backstage happenings?

The reality shows have produced many worthy stars, but the people very often forget the unnoticed victims of such shows. There is no discrimination to avail the ‘Victim badge’ the victor and the vanquished of the show both can claim that. There are many examples of winning victims of reality shows. We should understand and acknowledge the fact that there are numerous families in the country who are now in a strong debt trap due to these reality shows. This is the same country that has witnessed innumerable farmers and workers stuck in the cobweb of money lenders. But in the modern time, history repeats for different reasons.  The victims of the show have pooled their money for success and we know that there is only one winner. The looser looses all his morale and is pushed into the state of perpetual dejection. A close friend of the author lost a sum of Rs.4 lakhs in a Dance reality show. He was shown the EXIT Door at the 6^th round. The ardent participants of the shows include small children to even grandmothers.

The only thing, rather an advantageous line of argument put forward is regarding the ‘Grand Opportunity and instant fame’ which they claim to give to the participants something in return for humiliation, mockery and even assassinating their character in the name of ‘TRANSFORMATION OF ETHOS’ by many of them who itself are a contradiction to Civilized Beings. There is an ethical and moral Line of Control to every actions, talks and deliberations. But many of the judges and related persons actions fail to justify the acts in the name of fun and character moulding and cross the Line of Control. There is a limit to fun. There are exceptions to all this. There are good and really qualified judges whose acts are directed for the well being of the participants. Many of these stupid notions are passed on to the people.

 In many shows the people grossly humiliate the participants with their hasty and perfunctory comments and slanderous remarks. Anything cannot be tolerated in the name of fun. As television is an important medium, such vulgar comments, harassment will go down the lowest ebb of the society inspiring a lot of children and others, who in turn will think that this is the best and ultimate thing, and that will create a thirst in many of them to take many of these stupid things for stardom and fame. Children and others should be guided always by good examples and illustrations. Many forget that all the instant fame, reputation, celebrity status, autograph seeking fans which they give is the different avatar of ‘Bubble Reputation.’

People of this country loves such shows, so anything worth entertainment should not be denied to the people and taking a hasty step against such shows would be ‘Tughlaq Move’. What about the plight of the small children paraded in the shows? They face mad competition at a very tender age and they hear nasty comments. At a larger level it has become a battle between the parents. There is certainly a limit to torturing children in the name of fame and money.

The biggest thing to be kept in mind is regarding the extent of profit these channels extract. The amount is humongous and staggering and as company tagline says “it’s beyond imagination”. The money which the channel gets after 4 or 5 episodes is more than enough to give the entire prize money of the show. The rest of the episode year round is profit. The question we should ask is “who is the real and ultimate winner”? The answer is never a contestant. The real champions are the channel, producers, advertisers, and the mobile companies who work meticulously with precision.  Should the participants pay a heavy price for such Bubble fame?

In many of the programmes, a large chunk of the participants come from the low income categories or poor backgrounds. Many of their talent enthrall and captivate everyone and we see the channels celebrating their problems and bugaboos with crocodile tears. In spite of the farce, are the contestant’s really benefitting?

Many of the shows get wide coverage and unparalleled success and acclaim only because the channels are flooding the charts with such reality shows. For them its huge business and super profits, abnormal profit whatever we can call them. The people often forget this thing. They watch it because of the limited choice. You don’t have anything else other than this.

There are many things happening behind the curtain which people are not at all aware of. Start camera, ACTION is preceded by various sufferings and hardships borne by the participant and their family which no channel, producer or the spectator acknowledges because it does not have entertainment value because it’s real not show. They are only happy with the melodrama after the ACTION!!!!  

It’s amazing, even the poorest farmer or casual labourer sends an SMS to their favourite participant. (The penetration of mobile technology) an act which will disturb the equilibrium of his budget. The monthly roll gets an additional commodity—‘RECHARGE OFFER CARD.’ The allocation slightly shifts towards from rice and wheat to cards when the show gets nearer to the final rounds.  Most of the winners in the show are decided by SMS, the guiding beacon of victory, prestige and the symbol of strength and fortitude. It’s not the best that often wins, but the popular that wins.

The biggest reason of the debt trap of the contestants is because of the large amount of money spent on the paraphernalia’s of the show. For a single performance, the candidate has to dole out large amount of money for the set, costumes, choreography, property, theme, hiring co stars etc. the channel conveniently frames new round and the contestant has to do things to survive. That means doling out more money. At the end, just imagine the total money spent by a participant.

So these channels who select the contestant are bound to take care of these charges rather than leading them to debt traps or else please don’t conduct shows. It only needs a miniscule amount from their total profit to address these issues. And there should be strict monitoring of the conduct of the show. No one should be allowed to do anything in television. Morality should not be compromised at any cost. There should be stern action against the offenders.

If possible end the SMS loot. What guarantee do all of us have that they are all recorded properly and it’s the votes that ultimately determine the winner. What credibility does this format have?

Channels should also think something useful for the people. Gone are the days of T.V quizzes for children and others, which had encouraged innumerable children to read newspapers and magazines voraciously. Now the channel says that people don’t want serious stuffs or they simply need soap operas and unreal shows undermining the aspirations of the people.

People should definitely understand the sufferings of the parents. Especially the parents of children who are shown the exit doors saying “sorry dear you are OUT”.  What about the depression of the children and people, their family? Who is going to heal that? The people who support all these shows owes answer to them

Remember, these channels gurus and reality shows are not the ultimate verdicts for your children friends.

THE ABOVE SAID STUNTS AND ACTS IN THE in the reality SHOWS ARE PERFORMED BY EXPERTS WHO’S FAMILY AND KINS are SACRIFICING MANY THINGS. IMITATE AT YOUR OWN RISK.

REFRECENCE TO ANY active or present SHOWS OR PROGRAMMES WITH AFORESAID features are purely not COINCIDENTAL. 

THE SPRAY OF DEATH

The ELIXIR of Despair, agony & DEATH

By:  Arjun.R.Shankar

After intense debate, deliberations and controversies over the Spray of death- Endosulfan finally, has been globally banned. The Contact Group on Endosulfan and new persistent organic pollutants to the Stockholm Convention, meeting in Geneva has confirmed this. The whole people of Kerala are in absolute jubilation and were distributing sweets and chocolates. The news of the global ban has come as a relief to the suffering people of Kerala. Many active NGO’s and other groups have regarded this as an essential confidence booster for their activities and they say that their next step is to ensure the victims get proper rehabilitation and relief measures.

Even as the state and country is celebrating the chemicals global phase out, the larger question which we should pose is whether this ban will effectively address the concern of the people? There will be a global phase out because the international consensus says so. But there are many exemptions to the ban and other complications like ratifying the ban. The exemptions include a phase out period of 5 years to implement the ban on production and use of the toxic pesticide. Under draft A, the parties to the Stockholm convention on POPs have agreed to include Endosulfan in Annex A of banned organic chemicals. Once the parties adopt the decision to include Endosulfan in the Annex A, they will have a period of 5years and extra 5years as a cushion period if needed in two installments- to phase out the use and ban of Endosulfan which is currently used in the cultivation of about 15-20 crops such as cotton, coffee and maize.

All these are certainly unrivalled steps in the right direction but these exemptions worry the people because the phase out time suggested is pretty long if the extra exemption is also taken. And the whole ban can turn out be a smokescreen because this can be used for another eleven years if the govt. feels like. Due to its acute toxicity, potential for bioaccumulation, and role as an endocrine disruptor several people have died and are handicapped. The exemptions provide that the chemical can be used for certain crops for the stipulated period and what guarantee does the govt. offer to the people that their lives will be safe from the deadly repercussions of the chemical?

The global ban is the reminder of exceptional sensitivity but the whole credit lies with the other member countries who tried to ban this death spray and the biggest paradox emerged here when India rejected the global ban and sought exemptions and even persuaded other countries to put down the voting format and sought the opinion format. The view taken by our country in such a platform amidst such an uproar and anguish of people reflects the insensitivity and lackadaisical mindset.  The govt. has very conveniently neglected the plight of hundreds of people from Kasargode district of Kerala and adjacent villages of Mangalore. The govt. stood firm on its ridiculous line of argument of ‘lack of proper evidence’.  The people of Kasargode with severe neurological and congenital deformities fail to qualify as proof for the govt. Their life has been ravaged by years of exposure to the Endosulfan. Hundreds of people died in the region over the years. Every child born into the family inherits some abnormality.

Still the govt. believes that they are exceptions. This is absolutely bizarre line of thinking devoid of commiseration and compassion.  It is incogitable to dub the entire deaths and deformities in the region as mere co incidence.  Anil Kakkar, Director, Crop Care Federation of India said on record “What is the proof that those people are suffering due to Endosulfan”? Govt. believes in another independent study which demonstrates that the symptoms in reported cases correspond to those of handi godu, attributed to chronic inbreeding in the region and not Endosulfan.

The govt.'s another argument is that it is the cheapest available sources of pesticide available and the alternative will be ten times expensive.  We should keep in mind that India is the largest producer of Endosulfan and there is strong pesticide lobby operating in India. The govt. says that many farmers in India support this chemical even though it has certain ill effects.

The complete mandate is with the govt. to decide whether it’s the advocate of these Lobbies or the people? The commercial utility of the chemical should not overshadow the health aspects of the cultivators and people.

The govt. in this case is extremely concerned with the plight of farmers and the multifarious angles of cultivation to increase the self sufficiency of food commodities. Here is another glorified paradox. The number of farmers who have committed suicide in India between 1997 and 2007 now stands at a staggering 182,936. The rate at which farmers are killing themselves in these states is far higher than suicide rates among non-farmers.  People speaking of self sufficiency have created that at the cost of the poor cultivators and many of them are adversely ravaged by Endosulfan and other harmful chemicals that are banned in other parts of the world but are widely used in India. Finally what we see is an active Supreme Court asking the Prime Minister about the rotting food grains in the storage houses and govt. warehouses and above all a corrupt and inefficient PDS. And we have largest number of people below the poverty line and largest malnourished children.

All the above references reflect the different views by the govt. and the result of such hazardous opinions formulated in the same field of agriculture and supplementary activities. The govt. has divergent and insolently contradictory approaches in many of these. But it wonders why they have an extra care for the production of harmful pesticides?

Even though Endosulfan is cheap, taking into the devastations unleashed by this chemical, the govt. should have taken a firm and outright step to ban this. Even if the proof is not sufficient we should respect the action taken by other advanced and developing countries that had banned this because of the nature and the expected repercussion of the chemical. It was essentially an advanced step to protect their people. At least we could have acknowledged their concern. 

Finding an alternate to this harmful chemical is the duty and unflinching commitment of the govt. and it is bound to fulfill that. The Stockholm Convention has agreed to fund if the country can find an alternative.

The death spray has been banned, but the future and course of this chemical lies in the effective operation and sensitive will of the Govt. Union govt. should come forward for the rescue mission and rehabilitation works. What we need is a Relief and rehabilitation on war footing. A separate Tribunal for the victims should be formed. This should enable better compensation and relief measures.

This is essentially a victory for the people who had struggled against the use of this deadly chemical but unfortunately a partial one, a victory at the cost of other countries when our country INDIA showed a half hearted approach to the global ban. Even this victory pains heavily.