What is written on the wall,read it…

For us, we the nation are bemoaning the barbaric act of gangrape for almost a week.  This can’t get more brutal than this. Capital city is on boil. College students, housewives, old and young, all are out on the streets. The angst is understood. Anger is justified.

India has witnessed a movement, where thousands of people come on streets own their own to show the solidarity with the victim. This is a civil society entirely supported by young blood, who wants to make system more prompt and responsible.

 This is the generation, which was born during or after the era of liberalization.  

But the government doesn’t understand what they want. They are not on the same wavelength.The younger lot will probably not be intimidated by the might of the government. For the time being, government has been able to disperse them but they will again join hands when opportunity arises.

Issue on the centrestage is to bring a more stringent law. Ensure safety of women. Hanging the guilty man is not going to address the problem of rape. Nor the demand of justice for a girl will solve the issue. Hundreds of rape cases have been reported in past few months from across the country.

What is needed is a fast paced judicial system, a better policing system. This does not mean that we should not fight for the Delhi girl. We must fight with all our might. But be ready for a prolonged battle.  We are dealing with rape cases with an archaic police act of 1861. Inefficiency of the act has been widely exploited by the rapists. The inadequacies in the system suits the perpetrators of the crime, who are close to ruling class and often indulge in such activities.  So challenge the status quo.

Prime minister came on television after much afterthought and empathized with the rape victim. He is daughter of three women, alright but he has not shown urgency and the courage to deal with the issue. Time is running out sir.

वॉलमार्ट में 100 रु/ किलो बेबी कोर्न

किसानों के हाथ आया मात्र 8 रुपया

ब्रज मोहन सिंह

चंडीगढ़/जालंधर। विदेशी कम्पनियां आएंगी तो किसान रातों रात करोड़पति बन जाएगा। अभी तक केंद्र सरकार राज्यों को यही बता रहे है। कांग्रेस के युवराज राहुल गांधी ने अमृतसर भी एफडीआई के कई फायदे गिनाए। लेकिन पंजाब के किसानों का अब तक का अनुभव निराशाजनक ही रहा है।1990 के दशक में किसानों को पेप्सिको के हाथों ठगे जाने के बाद अब उनका सीधा वास्ता वॉलमार्ट जैसी बड़ी कंपनियों से हो रहा है।
अब जब एफडीआई आई की खूब बयार चल रही है तो दोआबा के बहुत से किसानों ने सैकड़ों एकड़ जमीन पर बेबी कोर्न की फसल लगाई।बाबी कोर्न को एक ऐसे फसल के तौर पर प्रचारित किया गया जो किसानों को मालामाल कर सकती थी।
लेकिन ऐसा हुआ नहीं। पिछले दो सालों से बेबी कोर्न की फसल पैदा कर रहे किसान अब तौबा कर रहे हैं। जानकर हैरानी होगी कि भारती वॉलमार्ट सहित पंजाब के बाजार में बिकने वाले जिस बेबी कोर्न की कीमत 100 से 150 रुपए किलो है। उसके लिए एक किसान को महज 8 रुपए प्रति किलो के हिसाब से कीमत मिल रही है।

(नीचे:किसान के साथ  स्टोरी के लेखक ब्रज मोहन सिंह)

पढ़ें:http://www.bhaskar.com/article/c-3-773492-NOR.html?HF-1=

Mystery surrounds uranium poisoning in Punjab | Features | Environment

Mystery surrounds uranium poisoning in Punjab | Features | Environment

UK-based clinical toxicologist Carin Smit recently came out with startling revelations that traces of uranium and other heavy metals were found in the hair samples of children and adults in Faridkot district. But there are no uranium mines in Punjab. So where is the contamination coming from?

Ever since the startling news   broke, in March 2009, that traces of uranium and other heavy metals   had been found in the hair samples of children and adults at the Baba   Farid Centre for Special Children in Faridkot district, Punjab, the   Centre has become the focus of intense government and media scrutiny.   The revelations were made by UK-based clinical toxicologist Carin Smit   who noted the bizarre medical condition of the children who, until now,   had been considered extreme cases of mental disability. Their limbs   are deformed, they have bulges on their heads, and their eyes have grown   well beyond normal size.

Not a sight worth repeating, sir!

What is shocking for all of us is the sight of young editors, taken into police custody, not for the crime they committed with their mighty pen. This becomes a matter of great concern when they are arrested on the charges of “ brokering” a deal. We close our eyes. Think for a moment.

It was a deal worth Rs 100 crore. I don’t think they would have done it for themselves! Or perhaps, they are the last man doing this in this country. We are aware of a culture where corporate use scribes as a handle to ensure big time profits. What has gone wrong?

Are you shocked to hear all this? Actually we should not. Not long ago, names of many journalists had figured in the 2G scam. Some of them having strong political backing remained seated, where people with no so strong political links, made to walk away.

In this recent case, conversations between the journalists and the representatives of the corporate house were recorded on video tape. It was like falling into a booby trap, willingly.

Usually, we journalists have six senses. When we go out, we know what is wrong, what is right. Whom should we meet, whom we should not. These are basics of journalism. I wonder this is the channel, which taught the television channels craft of sting operations. But they ultimately got trapped first.

It’s a rot. The sound of crumbling of fourth pillar is thunderous, to say the least. Money changed hands or not, we are not privy to this information. But when cops picked up the young editors like taken into police van, it was a pathetic sight. Sight not worth repeating!

Badal-VS-Badal in the open

Hours after being sacked as Punjab's finance minister, Manpreet Badal Wednesday said he had already sent his resignation to state Governor Shivraj Patil, adding that he was "finished with the Akali Dal"."I cannot say if my resignation reached first or the move to drop me from the cabinet. You can check the timing of this. They (Punjab government) must have done something since my phones are tapped and my house is bugged," Manpreet said at a crowded press conference at his official bungalow here.Manpreet Badal was sacked from the council of ministers in Punjab headed by his uncle and Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal following a controversy in recent days over his stand on a Rs.35,000 crore conditional debt waiver being offered by the central government to Punjab to tide over a mounting Rs.70,000 crore debt."I was rebuffed many times.

My suggestions were not accepted. It was impossible for me to work in this team where the rug was being pulled from under my feet," he said.Manpreet said he was not quitting the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal on his own but was expecting the party, which had suspended him Tuesday for indiscipline, to expel him."I am finished with the Akali Dal. This is not the Akali Dal that I grew up with. This is Sukhbir's (cousin Sukhbir Singh Badal's) Akali Dal," Manpreet said indicating that he was expecting his expulsion soon.He was flanked by four sitting Akali Dal legislators -- Ajit Singh (Anandpur Sahib), Jagbir Singh Brar (Jalandhar Cantt.), Manjinder Singh (Beas) and Charanjit Singh Channi (Chamkaur Sahib) -- during the press conference. Manpreet's father and chief minister Badal's younger brother Gurdas Singh Badal, who is a former MP, was also present.The legislators raised their hands to show support to Manpreet before the media even as he said that he had not yet thought of floating a new party. He added that he had no offer of joining the Congress either.Manpreet said he would not appear before the Akali Dal disciplinary committee, which has asked him to do so on Oct 20, saying that the party's disciplinary committee had no power to haul up ministers for their official actions. He said that he had not done any act of indiscipline in the party.Manpreet instead demanded the resignation of his first cousin and chief minister Badal's son, Sukhbir Singh Badal, who is Punjab's powerful deputy chief minister and the Akali Dal president."The deputy chief minister misled the people of Punjab (on the debt waiver issue). This is uncalled for. Rather than he demanding my resignation, I demand his resignation. I have set standards of public integrity in Punjab in three-and-a-half years as a minister," Manpreet said.Manpreet produced official papers to prove that the controversy over the debt issue was unnecessary, saying that he was only trying to help Punjab get out of the debt trap."Punjab is lagging behind all other states in growth. If the finance minister does not raise finance issues, who will? There has been an attempt to discredit me. I have been left with no option but to resign. I am not happy, I am doing it with a heavy heart. I am baffled by the turn of events. I am speechless. An impression has been created that the finance minister is lying," he said. He said that there was a move in the Punjab government to scuttle the attempt to get Punjab out of the debt trap."I want Punjab to get this waiver. The government of India is flush with funds. The union finance minister (Pranab Mukherjee) is a generous man. Whosoever goes to the centre in my place should negotiate. Even if the deputy CM or Mr. Kalia (industries minister) go, I have no problem as long as it benefits Punjab," he added.(agencies)

Jahan Ram wahin Ayodhya

New Delhi, Sep ३०: The Ayodhya dispute has remained an emotive issue and mired in a slew of legalsuits for decades involving Hindu and Muslim religious groups.
Following is the history, chronology and timeline of the Ram Janambhoomi-Babri Masjid issue on which the Allahabad High Court delivered its keenly awaited verdict today on the Ayodhya title suit.

* 1528: A mosque is built on the site by Mughalemperor Babar which Hindus allege to be a birth place of LordRam and where a temple was there earlier.

* 1853: First recorded incidents of communal violenceat the disputed site take place.

* 1859: British officials erect a fence to separatethe places of worships, allowing the inner court to be used byMuslims and the outer court by Hindus.

* 1885: Mahant Raghubir Das files a suit seekingpermission to build a canopy on Ram chabootra but his plea wasrejected a year after by the Faizabad district court.

* 1949: Idol of Lord Ram surfaces inside mosque.Muslims claim that it was kept there by Hindus. Muslims protest, and both parties file civil suits.The government proclaims the premises a disputed area andlocks the gates.

* January 18, 1950: The first title suit filed byGopal Singh Visharad asking for the right to worship the idolsinstalled at 'Asthan Janmabhoomi'. The court restrained theremoval of idols and allowed the worship to continue.

* April 24, 1950: The State of UP appeals against theinjunction order.

* 1950: Ramchandra Paramhans files another suit, butwithdraws later.

* 1959: Nirmohi Akhara enters the fray and files thethird suit, seeks possession of the site, doing away with thecourt-appointed receiver. It claims itself to be the custodianof the spot at which Ram was supposedly born.

* December 18, 1961: UP Sunni Central Board of Waqfsmoves in to claim possession of the mosque and adjoining land.

* 1986: On a plea of Hari Shanker Dubey, a districtjudge directs Masjid gates to be unlocked to allow 'darshan'. Muslims set up Babri Masjid Action Committee.

* 1989: A fresh suit is filed by former VHPvice-president Deoki Nandan Agarwala in the name of Lord Ramfor declaration of the title and possession in its favour atthe Lucknow bench of the Allahabad HC.

* October 23, 1989: All the four suits, pending beforea Faizabad court transferred to a special bench of the HC.

* 1989: VHP lays foundations of a Ram temple on landadjacent to the disputed mosque.

(courtesy:PTI)

Mera Gaon, Mera Desh

I visit my village, a little nondescript village, 30 miles south west of Bhagalpur town in Bihar, once in a year, preferably during the winters. This is the time of the year when I spend my holidays without worrying about electricity and power failures. I was following this travel manual for last fifteen years. But this year, I had to visit my village during the height of summers for some pressing family reasons.I was happy to visit my birth place where I was born 35 years back. After all this was the place where I grew up, got my primary and secondary education. I was destined to spend at least 10 days in village aware of this fact that there will be no fans, no coolers, no ACs and no fridge.

Perhaps that was not an issue for me till I was a child. But after spending good 15 years in Gujarat, Punjab and Delhi, it was disheartening and discomforting to live in dark. There was electricity supply 50 years back in my adjoining villages. 1,000 volt power cable used to pass just half a kilometer away from my ancestral house. A dedicated power supply came to our village in 1987 when Congress used to rule Bihar. There was diwali like scene in my village and it could have been spotted from 10 kilometres away.

But those “powerful” days did not last long. There was major electricity cables theft across the neighbouring villages and my village again slumped into darkness for many years. Electricity did not return in many parts of Bihar like my village and no attempts were made to stop cable theft across Bihar. Selling of electricity cable became rampant. After all it was a quick way to earn few hundreds little realizing that this greed will push the state in an age of darkness.

My village sleeps early is not a secret. My two years old daughter Palki refuses to open her eyes after sunset and my 70 year old father sleeps after 7 pm. Entire village becomes silent around 8pm. I literally spend my nights viewing stars from my roof top. I don’t mind watching stars but my little daughter fears darkness as most of the children of her age do. She never lived in darkness in Chandigarh where she was born two years back. Power supply in Chandigarh is better that any other Indian cities.During former Chief minister Laloo Yadav’s Raj nobody thought about power and roads. Those 15 years were miserable. No development work took place. After Nitish Kumar government assumed power in Patna roads got a facelift in the state on a big scale. But electricity remained a far cry for many villages.Summer was at its peak, heat was taking its toll on human life and animals. Only solace was mango orchard around our house, which was planted by my grand father around 1950. But cool breeze was missing. Hand fans were very handy to get respite from the scorching heat. This is the story of half of my village, the rajput tola (part of the village where only rajput lives).

The other half of my village does not live in darkness. The CFL bulbs dot the village. After 6 pm, gates, tree tops and the chaupals are well lit. The other part of the village belongs to kumhars (potters) and beldars (who dig soil). They have been declared most backward caste by the Bihar government. The most backward part of my village is surprisingly not that backward. Without electricity supply, they have developed their own power station. Pumping set used for irrigating water is being used as power generator. 10 horse power machine supplies electricity to 90 households. Prahlad Pandit, 60, says, “It was started on May 8 this year and the project is highly talked about. Poor people of this village have chased darkness without any government help.“The power tariff is not costly. For one CFL bulb, we charge 1.5 litres of kerosene oil, for 2 CFL, two litres of kerosene oil and for three CFL bulbs three litres of kerosene oil. If one doesn’t have kerosene oil, we charge Rs 45 for one bulb and Rs 60 for two bulbs,” says Prahlad Pandit.Kerosene oil is supplied to BPL families in Bihar on a subsidized rate of Rs 10/letre. But everybody prefers to works under milky lights of CFL.It all started with the effort of two non metric boys, Gajanan and Pankaj Kumar who work part time as mechanics. We saw pumping sets doubling up as generator in many villages like Manihari, Runji and Laldih in Jharkhand’s Godda district. I attached a cable from the pumping set and connected around 100 households. We checked it and it worked perfectly alright, say the duo. Gajanan and Pankaj are like chief engineers and Bipin, Bubloo and Shankar act as watchdogs. Now more and more people are approaching them to give them power.“Over the years, we worked very hard to get electricity but it did not come. Now it provides us power without fail, says kishan Pandit, a panchayat member.

The CFL bulbs have given major fillip to the way children used to study here. Power supply between 6 pm to 10 pm is mostly availed by the poor children. Who could have preferred to sleep than studying under lantern’s light. (Lantern is called laltain in Bihar. These omnipresent Laltain is the election symbol of the Rashtriya Janta Dal, which ruled bihar for 15 years and led the state into the era of darkness.)Under 10 watt CFL light 10-20 students can read and write in a better way. On many village corners these groups are visible engrossed in their books. Village elders watch them studying and take pride in stating that these children will one day change their fate for better. If electricity fails in Delhi, citizens and the leaders make a hue and cry. We also need power supply; we are also citizens of India. How long Bihar will be discriminated. A group of villager says in unison that they have found a way out from the state of misery they were in. Bihar: Where is power? Bihar practically produces no electricity, except 60-8- MW from the Baruani Thermal power plant. Against the peak need of 1500-1800 MW of power, Bihar gets only 600 MW of power from different grids. The electricity requirement for capital Patna city is about 300 MW. The NTPC plant in Kahalgaon produces around 70 MW of electricity, but its costly (RS 10/unit at peak hours). The state of rural electrification scenario is dismal in Bihar, only 50 percent the villages have got power connection against the national average of 84 per cent. Of the total number of 38,475 villages, only 19,281 villages are electrified and some of them partially. Surprisingly, more than 13000 villages were de-electrified again because of theft of electric cables.“When different development projects get started, the energy needs will become very difficult to meet, said Saibal Gupta, Patna based economist. Going by the pace of work in Bihar on rural electrification front, it’s very unlikely that villages here will see light in coming 5-10 years. Puncturing the development agenda of Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar, who is lauded as vikas purush in state, former central minister and Member of Parliament from Banka Digvijay Singh said that not a single MW of power has been added to state’s kitty. Under Rajeev Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran scheme, the Centre has awarded an amount of Rs 2324 crores to Bihar, which will bring alive 43 small projects in the state, disclosed Bharat Singh Solanki, minister of state for power before the Rajya Sabha.There are atleast 14 power plants lined up in Bihar, once they are set up, state would become a power surplus state, with an addition capacity of 12,130 MW.