SHAME ON ISRAELIS BARBARISM!!

“Palestinians death tolls has tripled this year..900 of them were killed, including 300 were children, 400 were injured..”

Over sixty years, Palestinians in Gaza strip and West Bank have been fighting back Israeli forces for the freedom of their land. According to the various news reports every day Palestinians are suffering Israelis brutalities and being killed mercilessly. Their death tolls are rising and alarmingly the number of Palestinians killed in the West Bank and Gaza strip has tripled this year. According to B’Tselem report, 373 Palestinians were killed in 2007, of which 53 were under 18 and 35% were civilians not involved in fighting. The previous year, Israeli military operations in Gaza claimed hundreds of lives.

Background: During the President Bush regime, U.S played a very important role by interfering in lives of the Palestinians. The Palestine government is divided into two parties, the PLO (the party of Arafat) and Hamas.
PLO was established for the people of Palestine and started as a resistance force, fighting the Israelis. They came into existence after several decades of fighting. But since they were the only party representing Palestinians, they became corrupt. After Arafat Death the U.S became more influential and in some way managed to control/influence the affairs of PLO. The U.S insisted on elections and Mohd Abbas was installed as its puppet for election, though Abbas is nothing but a lap dog. Against PLO Hamas was another party to take part in the election.. Hamas is a military group which has two sides to their operation: one side is military and the other side is social. They build the most well functional hospitals, clinics, schools, etc., in Gaza and the West Bank. Hamas uses it funds wisely and for the people. This party has been declared as a terrorist organization because it’s a militant group to resist Israelis. Surprisinly Hamas won the majority which was a landslide victory that shocked the world. They won simply because they fight for the people and stand up against any aggression.

Israel then created further blockades and made the daily lives of Palestinians more difficult, leading the PLO and Hamas to fight internally amongst them, in order to gain/retain power. The outside power took the advantage of this situation. First the Israelis invaded West Bank and now they are targeting Gaza strip. Since the very beginning Israelis have been eyeing Palestine that’s why in strategic locations around east Jerusalem and west bank, there are allot of illegal Israeli settlements (townships, villages, etc.,). Even the UN has condemned them as illegal in end number of UN resolutions but Israel has continued to defy because they were getting support from the United States.

Present: As soon as the ceasefire expired a few weeks ago, Hamas decided to launch a few rockets into Israel, killing 4-5 people, after firing no more than 400 rockets over a 7 day period. because as a part of truce between Israel and Hamas, Israel was suppose to ease the blockade, making it easier for Palestinians to move around and get on with their daily lives. But this did not happen and as a result Hamas reacted fearlessly without realizing of what the consequences must be. Israel in response decided to fire over 400 bombs within first few minutes of the war and currently more than thousand people have died. Hamas government buildings, military compounds, laboratories, metal workshops and supply turned into rubble. One of the other key reasons why Israel has overreacted this way is because on the 10th February, national elections will be held and the person, seen as the most capable of protecting Israel will win.

Everyday the condition of Gaza strip is becoming from worse to worst. Recently the Presidentship of George Bush is over. United States, has elected its new president Barrack Obama who is accused on being silent on this issue, though in his speech he promised change and not status quo. Now the question is, where is his promise when thousands of innocent people are being attack for selfish motives? According to his spokesperson, until he is not the president, he does not think he should make a public statement about this. But then how come during the recent Mumbai siege, he was one of the first world leaders to condemn Pakistan for turning a blind eye to terrorism? If a Muslim nation is attacking, he'll speak and condemn. But if Muslims are being attacked, all of a sudden he is "not yet officially sworn in" One the other hand, Israeli civilians are sick and tired of the rocket attacks and they are standing behind the army and hoping this time the Israeli government needs to go after Hamas and destroy them because their 40 Israelis have died due to rocket attacks Doesn’t matter if more than 900 Palestinians are killed, one third of them children have died in the past eight years. So the question is where is war proportionality? By comparing the numbers of dead Palestinian with Israelis, it seems its one sided attack where Israelis are finding excuses to invade Gaza strip. Israel accused Hamas of continuing the smuggling of weapons into the Gaza strip via tunnels to Egypt then why people in Gaza are not using those weapons for their self defense when they are being attacked? Moreover the Bush government has provided Israelis with destructive weapons used in the massacre of Gaza civilians and even abstained from a U.N vote for a cease fire that it helped draft. By any counts, what is Israel is doing is illegal and is a war crime. The Israeli airstrikes on the Gaza Strip violate important tenants of international humanitarian law, including violations of the Geneva Conventions. The violations include both obligations of an Occupying Power to protect an Occupied Population, and the broader requirements of the laws of war that prohibit specific act. Do Israelis really think by attacking the roads, bridges, civilian infrastructure or so-called Hamas infrastructure, the number of extremists has gone down or has it gone up? Aren’t more orphans going to be drawn into this? If you turn aza into a massive prison, wont there be rioting. How does Israel benefit? Hamas is wrong for firing rockets but the Israeli government response to this is wrong by several multiples.

Maryam Amma(My experience)

G.P Girl’s was the hostel provided by the college of Jamia Milia Islamia. The hostel was maintained by hostel authorities and guards. Whether it was a hot summer or extremely cold winters, the guards performed their duties sincerely. On out corridors there were few ladies sweeper who cleaned our rooms regularly. Whenever they were with their friends company, they would laugh and talk loudly but when any lady sweeper sits alone at her favorite corner, she would light up her cigarettes and start smoking. That moment one could make out from their tensed facial expression that they are hiding some painful secret. Not only those hostel sweepers but also those guards have painful hidden story which is generally left unnoticed. I had come across a lady guard, Maryam Amma, who did all her duties sincerely bearing up various burdens of life.

It was my first night in hostel, I noticed a tired old lady approximately sixty years old, with her approximately nine year old boy. I was shocked to know that old lady was our hostel guard. I asked my roommate, “Who’s that boy and how they both are related to each other.” Her reply was, “That boy is an orphan grandson of Maryam amma. Her son and daughter died long time ago so she is the only guardian of the kid.”

Often Maryam amma asked me for a match stick to light a candle for her grandson because her unsecured kid was scared of darkness. Every night Maryam amma would sit next to her grandson and the nervous boy would hold her hands until he closes his eyes to a soundless sleep. The hostel girls were sympathetic towards the child and never refused to help him with his studies. For him, his grandma was everything who showers her grandson with his parents love. But he was unaware of the fact that his Grandma was also nervous because she was alone bearing up all his responsibility at this old age when she needed comfort from her children. In her prayers she would only ask for q bright future for her grandson.

This incident touched me so much that I realized that before complaining to others about our problems we should look at these people. Everywhere there is struggle but Maryam Amma was a good example, because despite having so many problems she was trying her level best to lead a normal life. Sweepers and guards also hid their personal problems behind their comforting smiles. One should live in present, forget about past but be prepared of future.

MANGAL PANDAEY: Was he a legendary hero?? (Editorial)

In the Indian history, the revolt of 1857 was the most outbursts of anger and discontent accumulated in the hearts of Indian Masses ever since inception of British rules in Bengal, following the battle of Plassey and Buxer. British historians dubbed it as a sepoy mutiny and Indian historians have hailed it as the first war of independence. Jawaharlal Nehru in his book, “Discovery of India,” described it feudal revolt of 1857.

The Indian soldiers of East Indian Company started the revolt and it spread like a fire across the country. Millions of peasants, artisans and soldiers participated in the revolt and formed a glorious chapter in the Indian History. Mangal Pandey was also among those freedom fighters but we know nothing about his personal life except that he sacrificed his life for the freedom of the country.

Resent researches conducted by the historians are different from the old ones. Personal life of Mangal Pandey is lacking with enough facts . According to the old researchers, Mangal Pandey was a Brahmin. Like his father he was also a loyal sepoy in the East India Company. New bullets were introduced with cartridges greased with cow and pig fat. (Blasphemous for both Hindus and Muslims soldiers). When Pandey saw manufacturing of grease, in the simmering flame he killed the two sepoys and later hanged to death. This incident made him a matyr among masses.

But few authors deny that he was a matyre. According to the authors, Rudranshaud and Shahid Amin, Mangal Pandey was not a matyre and the killing of two sepoys by Mangal Pandey was manipulated and he was hailed as a hero. According to theses researchers, it was by chance that Mangal Pandey had consumed opium and had killed two sepoys and then he was hanged to death. But Amaresh Mishra refuted them and said that they are manipulating the story. Mangal Pandey will always be a hero because he sacrificed his life for the freedom of the country. According to him he existed in 1857 and it’s too difficult to collect the facts that points out that he died after consuming opium.

The research that has been done confuses the reader. Before independence, maximum of those who were eyewitness of his life were illiterate. India had no constitution, no rules and regulation of its own but was a puppet of British. The credibility of facts is in question because the researchers are digging the facts of 1857 in this 21st century. It’s not sure how intensely the research has been done. According to the recent researchers, the existence of Sita Ram Pandey is also vague. Whatever is the truth, but one cannot deny the fact that this freedom fighter inspires the masses to be loyal their country. That was an era, when every Indian citizen participated in numerous revolts, and some legendary leaders gave up their life for the freedom of India.

RACIZM: A HARMFUL VIRUS (Editorial)

There is a saying, “If one part of a human body is suffering from any disease then he is not physically fit and he needs a thorough check up. That disease is caused due to some harmful virus.” During the British Raj it can be said that India too was suffering from that disease. Indians were treated worse than labours within their own country, they didn’t have any fundamental rights and there was anarchy everywhere. They were racially abused for their brown skin and were tortured when they asked for a small share within their own homeland. Many Indians gave up their lives for the freedom of the country. Similarly Africans too were treated sub-humanely and were racially abused and had faced many derogatory remarks. But they never gave up and they faught for their independence and fundamental rights. One such example was the discrimination in the film industry between the blackskinned and the white skinned people. A Long time ago blacks were looked down upon because of the colour of their skin. To enter the film industry they started acting in theatres which were not acceptable by whites. Gradually these blacks were successful making inroads into the predominantly white dominated African film industry. Although, initially the lead roles were always performed by white Africans and the role of a servant or other secondary class were given to blacks. Later, through generations of constant struggle they managed to gain success in getting lead roles in film industry. But that was long time ago.

There has been remarkable development from the 18th century to 21st century. In this phase of global revolution, the countries are building good relations with each other. Over the years, India has developed good relation with the countries like China, Japan, America and Russia. Howe ever, India is progressing politically and economically but still it has not been able get rid of its old disease. Racial discrimination and corrupt politicians manipulating the public is halting whatever progress we have made as a country. Before independence the virus ‘racial discrimination’ was spread by the British but now the disease is spread by our own Indian politicians. India is divided between weaker and powerful sections of society. Powerful people like industrialist, politicians, and lawyers are crushing the weaker sections of society which includes farmers, rickshawpullars, and peasants for their selfish needs. No doubt the government of Nandigram is responsible for its crisis. The strategy applied to capture government land from peasants was extremely shameful. Politicians were enjoying the power and luxuries without caring about those peasants who were killed by the powerful butchers. Hundreds of people became homeless and many were orphaned. The government of Nandigram did not provide any compensation to those peasants who suffered the violence. It is sad that Indian politicians are so selfish that they only concentrate in building big companies and solving the problems of rich and powerful, whereas the problems of poor and illiterate people are silently kept aside. There is no difference between politicians and Britishers. To be rich and powerful always discriminated Indians on the grounds of their religion, culture and state.

The discrimination started just after the Godhra riots when our politicians divided us on the basis of our religion. Politicians themselves are responsible for the birth of terrorism and now, politicians are trying to divide us on the basis of the state we are born in. Raj Thakrey hurt the religious sentiments of North Indians by making derogatory remarks on “Chhat Puja.” He also made derogatory remarks on Biharis. He claims that Maharashtra belongs to the marathis and that the North Indians should leave ‘his’ state and work within their own respective states thereby going against our very basic fundamental right. Being a citizen of India we are free to stay and work in any state of India. This remark has created enough violence in all the states of India, essentially disrupting the livelihood of the very poor that is the taxi drivers and shopkeepers who were attacked and injured. How can an Indian tell another Indian which state to live and work in?

Politicians like Raj Thakeray are an embarrassment for our country although Raj Thakeray has only followed his own Uncle Bal Thakereys’ footsteps. Bal Thakerey had divided the people on the grounds of religion to attain maximum votes from Hindus. Similarly Raj Thakeray is dividing us Indians on the basis of State to increase his vote bank. If this carries on then soon there will come a time when each state will demand to have its borders sealed and fight to become a separate country. There was a time when we Indians were proud of our diversity but now this diversity is becoming a liability to be misused by politicians.

BHUTAN: A PEACEFUL PARADISE (Interview)

“There is no armed conflict in Bhutan maybe that’s why people of Bhutan are happy”, said Mr Kinley Dorji, chief editor of Kuensel. Some of his anwers are as follows:

Q: According to you what should be the media’s role in armed conflict?
A: Umm… in armed conflict you should be objective and professional in reporting. But I would like to emphasize that sensivity is very very important. Media should be sensitive and objective in varying interest. If you talk about the role … the goal is not just about report but to go beyond that, to find solution of the problems. That would also mean reporting it objectively, analyzing and offering solution…suggestion.

Q: What kind of conflict do you have in your region?
A: Right now.. umm.. You’re talking about armed conflict?

Q: Yes!
A: There is no armed conflict in Bhutan.. Maybe that’s why my country people are so happy.. But yes we had one experience of armed conflict. In 2003, the indian militants of North East had come inside the Bhutanese forest. But Bhutanese army flushed them off. That’s the only conflict I had experienced.

Q: Do print and electronic media behave differently in armed conflict?
A: Electronic media is little bit difficult because you need to go with crew and equipments. So I find it little difficult. It is difficult to do today’s coverage. Radio goes around little easier but perhaps the easiest is the print. Print plays a very important role in our situation.. Anyway… because we were able to give the proper facts, figures, proper picture, analysis and bigger and broader story.

Q: What do you think is the most poweful media?
A: The most powerful media is gossip. Be it any medium, it is strong and influential. The other point of armed conflict is, reporting beyond human impact of people. We need to work hard in reporting the facts and also work hard in reflecting them.

Q: Are there any government control over media?
A: No..no government control, but what is happening in Bhutan is the whole concept of media is new. So government, society and even media is a new thing to experience… and there are no law to control for government to control either. We have monarchy. But what is happening in 2008, there will be new constitution. There will be democracy. It will guarantee freedom of expression, freedom of media and right to information.

Q: How do the people react to this new media in Bhutam?
A: Bhutan is very small country hidden up in the mountain. It is not very developed. The journalist are respected and treated as educated class.

{I had taken his interview on March 28, 2006 in The Indian Habitat Centre. Mr Kinley Dorji, one of the renowned journalist of Bhutan was also invited.}

LUCKNOW: A CITY OF NAWAB (Editorial)

Lucknow, which was once the “city of Nawabs,” has its own recognition in culture, language and mannerisms. Since the Mughal period it has inherited its sophisticated culture from the nawabs, when our country was struggling under the domination of the British rule. The Nawabs were no less than kings because they had abundance of money to lead a sophisticated and lavish lifestyle. They enjoyed watching cock fights, flying pigeons and traditional dances like Kathak in beautifully decorated palaces like “Kothas.” Though the communities never had a good impression about those dancers but still the nawabs usually sent their son to learn manners and sophistication from them. Maybe that was the reason why the nawabs were so spoilt. From head to toe those dancers were always decorated in beautifully crafted jewellery and rich dresses. Their beauty and charming behaviour attracted many a nawab to go to their palaces.

There is a saying “Agra ka Taj, aur Lucknow ki shaam, sabse khoosoorat nazaare hain.” Taj Mahal of Agra, and the evening of Lucknow are the most beautiful sights to behold” In the evenings, the roads of Lucknow were always crowded with beautifully decorated carriages which was a mode of travelling for the people. Urdu language has always been the main dialect of Lucknow. The nawabs were said to be a lazy lot because they had too much money,were considered to be spendthrifts and lead an amazingly decadant lifestyle with not a single thought given to the people starving on the streets. In that era people had a different kind of mindset. They discriminated between males and females. Females were killed as they were born because they were considered as bad luck for the family. Whereas the birth of a boy was celebrated with great pomp and show.

When Indians were under the British rule they suffered from the brutal behavior of the English people. Indians were discriminated against and were treated as servants within their own country. When the Britisher’s brutality grew, the whole Indian sub continent rose against them. Many Indians gave up their lives for the sake of India’s freedom. The worst step taken by our political leaders in 1947 was the division of India in two parts, India and Pakistan.
If one campares Lucknow of the 21st century with the 18th century, there have been remarkable developments. The Indian constitution made during Indian independence had added some new laws against the zamindari system and gradually as the land started getting confiscated by the new Indian government…the lavish lifestyle of the lucknow nawabs started to get curtailed. The money started disappearing and so did their luxuries!”.

After Multinational companies were set up, the traditional heritage started getting neglected. Lucknow, once the city of Nawabs, is hardly left with any Nawabi heritage. Few tourist places that are restored are Chota Imambada, and Bada Imambada. Whereas many other heritage buildings are misused because they are neglected by the government. Either shops are built and the entire structure is broken bit by bit and rebuilt or they are abandoned by the people and come crumbling with neglect.

The government has been misusing Lucknow’s weath and heritage by making huge over spaced parks and gardens(Ambedkar park being one glaring example). Statues are built and then broken and then rebuilt-one more grand and imposing than the other. Wheras the traditional places are losing their beauty and are in a shaky condition. Nowadays people are using much advanced method of commuting like auto rickshaws, buses or rickshaws. Few carriages can only be seen near Lucknow railway station. They have become educated and have started entering various fields like medicine,engineering,law etc. The traditional dances like Kathak or Bharatnatyam has become recoginsed as an important and beautiful art of India. Though there have been tremendous developments and progress in the city but Lucknow is still known and recognised for its culture, manners, sophistiocated behavior and also its its beautiful Udu language which is still prevailing in Lucknow. And it lies with us,the residents and lovers of Lucknow to preserve it and cherish it so that our coming generations can proudly claim to belong to a beautiful ancient city….the city of Nawabs…the city of Urdu ghazals, the poetry, the ‘tehzeeb’ and the beauty of the Imambada and horse pulled carriages as well as the city of Hazratganj and the ‘tunde ke kabab’!

THOSE WERE THE HOSTEL DAYS: Part II: College Life (My Experience)

College life is completely different from school life. School days are full of innocence and pranks while we get into college we are mature and serious. The hostel life in school has its own charm and beauty. I was allotted accommodation in G.P girl’s hostel by my college Jamia Milia Islamia and I stayed in a room with two more freshers. According to the hostel rules, with one or two freshers, there has to be a senior. But ours was a lucky room where all three of us were freshers. In a gap of two months one girl came as a roommate but within a month she left the hostel, then another roommate came and she too left the hostel. The Hostellers had an impression that we torture our roommates that’s why they left the hostel. But it was all wrong!!

Our first roommate was shifted to “Womens Working Hostel.” Another roommate was too homesick so she couldn’t adjust in the hostel and she left it. But our third roommate was a troublesome. She used to keep her lights on the whole night with an excuse that she wanted to study. But at night she used to doze off on her open book. Whenever we saw her sleeping we would stretch our hand to switch off the light, but she would suddenly wake up and tell us to keep the lights on. Her name was Kahkasha, but her friends called her “Kaks.” Her another bad habit was, she would stand in front of the cupboard, hide her face behind her cupboard door and eat her snacks. She was one of the amusing characters in our room.

Another source of entertainment were the two greedy Kashmiri sisters, Rehana, Romahana. Without asking they would snatch the food sent by my mother which we used to heat on the heater. We had to hide our food from them. When we used to have jam sessions and farewell parties till morning 4 o clock were the other good memories of our hostel. I was always ready with a script of a play. Daily, during evening we used to have tea party. Next to my room was our caretaker’s room and her son, must be about 8 or 9 years old, was an eve teaser. He had the habit of giving flying kisses and eye winks at girls. Our provost office was located at the entrance of the hostel. Many times I had noticed a dark middle aged woman, with badly worn dull colored sari, and slipper, coming out from the provost’ office. I had the impression that the woman was a worker. We received complaints that we did not wish her at all. Like me, many freshers were curious to see the provost because none of us had seen her before. To our shock the provost was the same middle aged woman who often came out from the office. Whenever she called us for hostel meetings, she had the habit of giving long lectures which were off the topic. She had the habit of shouting too much at girls because according to many girls she was unmarried and she takes out her frustration on hostelers. It was winter, when I bunked the hostel with a group of six hostel girls just because I wanted to play basketball in my college. The college was some distance away from my hostel. But this could not continue longer and I was caught, and we all got a good bombardment from our provost. But by the end of our third year we wished to take revenge on our provost. We sneaked into our Vice Chancellor’s (V.C) office with a long list of complaints. When our V.C entered the hostel premisis he just taunted “Why don’t you record this whole incident.” We took it seriously and students from Mass Communication Research Centre, recorded the whole incident in their camcorder. It was an unforgettable incident of my life. Bunking hostel, loud music, birthday parties and wild behavior was one part of my life. When we are in the hostel we criticise everything but when we leave then we miss each moment that we spent there.

THOSE WERE THE HOSTEL DAYS….(Part I): School (My Exprience)

“Rules are meant to be broken,” is a very common slogan of hostellers. I had a wonderful experience in three hostels and each hostel has its own charm. Located on a hilly area “All Saints School,” in Nainital is dominated completely by girls. The hostel girls were famous for their tomboyish and aggressive behavior. The hostellers of class 12 had the full authority to rule the hostel premises. They maintained the discipline in dormitory, corridors or mess. Even the extra curricular activities were handled by them. School authority had never interfered in their work. Our matron Disouza, who was called Disco by us, was a good piece of entertainment. She had a huge manly personality with short curly hair. She was famous for hitting and banging the girls and her killing looks made every girl shiver. Our morning used to kick at 5:o clock with her impressive abusive language. Well, I can’t blame her because it was her normal language. Her dressing style was amusing. She never hesitated in wearing bright color T-shirts and tight fitting slacks though she was too bulky to fit in it. Her age must have been about 50 plus but she was expert in flirting with the young and old. Even middle aged office bearers were also not spared from her. At 9 pm when the lights of the dormitories were switched off, we used to scare girls with candles and “ghungroo.” Many a times we were caught red handed and bombarded but according to hostel norms it was cool to get punished. We were used to of getting punished for bunking PT classes or school classes. Whenever we sneaked into the dormitory to eat snacks we were generally caught. Prefects had full authority to give us any kind of punishment like, to kneel with one leg stretched out, or scroll down on the field full of small pebbles. If we still misbehaved we were made to take 20 rounds of the playground. The more we misbehaved the harsher punishment we got. It was a resident school and very often our class teachers used to get the home food for us.

In class 12 when we did hunger strike just because the principal was against the celebration of the friendship day. According to her, the friendshipday was cancelled because there was no school unity. Our head girl had the guts to ask the principle to write the reason for not celebrating the friendship day on a piece of paper. She had put that piece of paper on the notice board. Class 12 took the decision for a hunger strike and the announcement was made by the head girl and by all the prefects. Not a single girl ate the food. Our principal got furious and suspended the batch holders. For at least 2 months not a single class was held. But when we apologized for our behavior, the batch holders were given back their position and the situation was under control.

The incident of our PT display was also unforgettable. That day it was raining heavily and hostellers on their own went to the PT display Ground with their buckets and towel. We soaked the water from the PT ground to make the place dry for our parents…. The school Principal was impressed by this act of ours.

Celebration of our atic was a 3 day event. First day was tea party; second day was dance party, third day we used to show scary movie to our juniors. Class 12 girls had to wear in the scariest attires. We were in class 12 when we got the opportunity to scare our junior’s .We made our Ghost mask with rice, dal, toothpaste, and paints. At 12 in the night, the main switch was put off. One girl had lied down on a stretcher, with a skeleton. We carried the stretcher on our shoulders shouting the slogan, “Ram Nam Satya Hai, Ram Nam Satya Hai. Each ghost had a torch, we made a group of four or five girls to crowd and scare the juniors. Pyjamas were pulled down, quilts were snatched away, T-shirts were torn, and girls were thrown in the buckets full of water. We had scared the hell out of them.. The ghosts had to stay in a group in order to be protected. if any of the ghosts were caught alone then they were attacked by the juniors. It was a completely jungle night. If the junior shouted loudly or they pretended to be very scared then they were distributed sweets and chocolates. Everything was forgiven for that day. We had to stay awake whole night for the jam session.

It was a completle girls hostel so guy were a unique piece for girls. We hardly used to go for a town walk. Many girls had a crush on our maths teacher and many were heartbroken when he got married, some of them had even cried. Though he was our teacher but he was also not spared by anyone of us. Our classmates had Sread gum on a sheet of paper and kept it on his chair. Without realizing, our maths teacher sat down on that chair and as he got up to write something on the board, that paper got stuck on his back. On that paper it was wriiten “If you have guts, kick me on my buts.” When everyone giggled he was able to make out that there is something wrong in the class. We were told to vacate the class for some time and he closed himself in that class. But when he came out he was fuming with anger. He did not teach the class for at least 10 days until we apologized.

In our school there was a trend of bullying juniors. I used to make the juniors stand next to me and ask their classmate to get some snacks for me. There was a cycle of bullying. If I would bully a class 9 girl then that girl would buly her junior and that junior bullied her junior. But if you won’t bully your juniors then your junior would bully you. Running, hitting, taking panga, was very normal in hostel. But the farewell was the most touching moment of my life. That was the only day when my juniors had forgotten all their grudges, they became too emotional. I passed out from that school 5 years ago but still those wonderful memories are fresh in my mind. As the years passed, everyone started settling in their life s smoothly. My classmates grew matured and changed with the time. Those tomboyish girls became sophisticated but whenever we meet we forget our sophistication and behave likle old hostelers. But I wonder, for how long it will remain the same. As the time is passing, life is changing and everyone is accepting those changes. During my school days I use to think that there the college life and school life are similar. But I was wrong.
(Soon u’ll get part 2)

HEIGHTS OF TERRORISM!!! (Editorial)

Almost every country is facing the threat of terrorism. In 2006, apart from Jammu and Kashmir, approximately 270 people died in the serial terrorist attacks from March to September. In 2007, two major bomb blast had created terror among the public of India. On May 18, 2007 about 13 people were killed in a bomb at a Mecca Masjid in Hyderabad. On Aug 25, 2007, about 42 people were killed in two serial bomb blasts in Lumbini park and in a restaurant in Hyderabad.
According to the survey, in 2006, around 2,765 people died in terrorist-related violence in India and 41 per cent of such fatalities occurred in Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). In the current era when each country in the world is working towards peace and progress, these fanatic groups are killing all innocent people with an aim to create disharmony everywhere. Taking advantage of this situation various politicians prepare a long list of speeches to eliminate terrorism but they fail to keep their promise. The main question is: What do the terrorists want? Who is responsible for terrorism? First part of question is difficult to answer but the second part has few answers. In various circumstances political leaders are also responsible for terrorism.
The definition by US Federal Bureau of Investigation has proved that US President George W. Bush is a terrorist. According to US Federal Bureau of Investigation “Terrorism is the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government, the civilian population, or any segment thereof, in furtherance of political or social objectives.” George W. Bush, had violated the UN Charter by attacking the sovereign nation of Iraq. According to Articles 2(4) and 51 one can attack on another for self defence or with the authority of U.N, but George Bush launched an unlawful use of force against persons and property in Iraq. His brutal bombardment of Baghdad was aimed to terrorize and coerce the government as well as the civilian population of that nation to change its existing leadership. The main reason for the occupation of Iraq is to replace its dictatorship and not permit the emergence of a government headed by the majority Shia religious leadership. And now he is targeting Iran. Bush had stated that Iran is making dangeruos nuclear weapon. Hence according to the definition, George Bush is the main terrorist. But he has not been punished because he is powerful leader.
The political situation in Kashmir is also responsible for terrorist Group. Since India’s independence, Kashmir has suffered tremendously. Kashmir has been disputed territory between the two nations India and Pakistan. The terrorist groups that are prevailing in Kashmir include Jaish-e-Mohammed, Lashkar-e-Toiba, Al-Badr, HM Hizb-ul-Mujahideen, etc. The other parts of India, such as Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal also targeted Naxalite Groups which are supported by Communist Party of India (Maoist). Naxalite and Maoist Groups are recognized as terrorist groups by the government of India. They have emerged into less developed areas of rural, central and eastern India, such as Chattisgarh and Andhra Pradesh. The group started with Marxist agenda but nowadays they have become violent and dangerous.. On February 3, 2007 forest officials of the Kamakhyanagar fell prey to Naxalite brutality. A group of Maoists dragged three forest officials in their sleep, stoned them, slit their throats and finally gunned them down. Initially the Naxalite movement had its epicenter in West Bengal. These terrorist movements have spread to various parts of world and the political groups are using them for their as propaganda. Since the 9/11 attacks the terrorist groups emerged drastically. Afghanistan, Iraq, Central Asia and Southeast Asia are suffereng from horrors of terrorism. It is very important for the world evolve a proper solution of this problem. When politicians are themselves responsible for creating the terrorism then it is really difficult to solve the problem.

THE EFFECTS OF FILMS ON SOCIETY... (Editorial)

For the past many years there has been a vast improvement in the Indian film industry. Not only technology has improved the standard of film production there has also been improvement in the content of the story of a film. They are no more fairytale-types romantic films, but they are more focused on social issues. Such social issues encourage the youth to fight against any prevailing social evils and to work towards constructive development. “Chak De India,” has been the movie of the year 2007 for its impact on the public, because the positive theme of this movie has encouraged the youths of the Indian hockey Team to win finals against South Africa on September 2007. During the British rule in India, cricket was given more important than any other game. As compared to the other games, Cricket always gained government and media support. However the other games like hockey, football, swimming or indigenous games like kabaddi were always sidelined. But after the release of the movie “Chak De India,” at least the media started covering hockey matches. The Indian Hockey Team had won Asia Cup against South Africa. Though press media had covered their match, electronic media had held many talk shows of Indiab Hockey Match to make the public aware of the prevailing apathy. bring their problems in front of the public. But sadly the achievement
Hockey Team of India was ignored by the government of India.Cricketers got more publicity than the Hockey team and their return was celebrated with pomp and show. Thanks to Bollywood for creating awareness of the other matches apart from cricket. People were unaware that our Indian Hockey team had reached the semi finals in 2006 but that time there was no press coverage or any governmental support.
Another major film was “Rang De Basanti” encouraged the public to support the Jessica Lal Case. In that movie, the public marched silently with the lighted candles in front of India Gatefor the justice of the pilot who died accidentally due to government calousness. Influenced by the movie the Indian public marched with a candle in front of India Gate for the justice to Jessica Lal. Since then, Red Fort has become the symbol of protest or a silent march.
“Lageraho Munnabhai,” is the third movie in which the Actor Sunjay Datt has taught “Gandhigiri,” to the audience. Mahatama Gandhi’s “Gandigiri,” based on the concept of non violence had contributed a lot in gaining Independence for India. But in today’s world this formula has failed to work successfully because of too much corruption. Tihar Jail, exams on Gandhiri are held for the prisoners to transform the prisoners into better citizens.