Reaffirming that age has never been an obstacle for Indian politicians, a recent report lists India as the country with the oldest head of government as well as the oldest ministerial cabinet among 15 of the largest economies in the world. At 78, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is one of the only two septuagenarians on the list. The average age of the Indian cabinet 64.4 years is almost two-and-a-half times the country's median age at 25.9. This is far greater than most of the developed economies where the difference is only a decade or so. Even the Chinese leadership is more youthful with an average cabinet age of 61.2 years.
We might have one of the youngest populations in the world, but the difference in age between our leaders and the populace is palpable. There is thus an increasing disconnect between the leadership and the people. Apart from the age gulf dynastic politics too is a massive hurdle to youth finding expression. The present lot of young leaders has to live in the shadow of political patriarchs until the latter make way, which in the Indian context could take an extraordinarily long time. A gerontocracy is fundamentally conservative and risk-averse, blocking reform in any direction. India's yawning age gulf goes a long way towards explaining the quality of the leadership we get. Reservation for women is now a hot-button political issue. Perhaps we also need to think in terms of reservation for youth, leaving out the creamy layer of those who come with dynastic connections. Institutionalisation of inner-party democracy would help, too.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Reforming India's Universities
KANTI BAJPAI, Aug 21
If India is to build a stable liberal democracy, if we are to empower the vast mass of the Indian public, if we want to give ourselves a more equitable and fair society, and if we want sustainable economic growth, then our university system desperately needs to be reformed. The UPA government has understood this. Its plan to massively expand the university system is recognition that the idea of a liberal, empowering, just and sustainable India depends on a vibrant, expanding higher education system.
Critics have argued that quantity will come at the cost of quality. This is correct, but as Kapil Sibal, the minister for human resources development, has recognised, there is simply no alternative. Over the longer term, quality should improve. One way of dealing with the fall in standards is to bring in foreign talent. India's university system is depressingly Indian. You can walk the corridors of academe and not see a single foreign face amongst the faculty. Our university system does not embody universality. Like Indian industry in the 1960s and 1970s, it has shut out foreigners and has suffered as a result.
India's universities need to be made more 'universal' if they are to flourish. The latest ranking of world universities shows that India has a long way to go in higher education. Its once proud university system, the best in Asia after the Second World War, has fallen on very bad times. It is not that Indian university education has languished altogether. The IITs (even though they have a lot to answer for), IIMs and a host of other universities such as Delhi and JNU have brought high quality higher education to India. Nevertheless, relative to the rest of the world, India has fallen behind. It has also fallen behind in terms of India's demographics. Our much-vaunted 'demographic dividend' and 'youth bulge' will turn into a social and political nightmare if we do not expand and improve university education.
Bringing in foreign talent will help our university system. If we look around the world, we will see that no university system of any repute is insular, certainly not as insular as India's. Even China, with its authoritarian political system and its relative lack of English competence, has thousands of foreign faculty.
Historically, there is no major university system that has been self-sufficient. This is particularly true of the American university system which drew and continues to recruit massively from Europe and other continents. A university must be as universal as possible in terms of recruiting talent. Recruitment in India must be opened up not just to NRIs. It must be opened up to everyone Asians, Africans, Arabs, Europeans, Latin and North Americans that has the English language competence to teach in India.
The presence of foreign faculty will not only help bridge the gap in quality teachers. It will also have an impact on Indian colleagues. Good quality teachers from abroad will have a powerful demonstration effect. Indian universities, like Indian schools, suffer from teacher absenteeism, from lack of professionalism in terms of classroom transactions, from a lackadaisical approach to supervision and from abysmal research. Foreign colleagues, just in the normal course of their functioning, will both embarrass and inspire Indian counterparts.
More than any amount of exhortation from the HRD ministry or vice-chancellors or articles in newspapers, it is this that will energise the Indian faculty. Of course, hiring foreigners will cost us money. It will also require adjustment in our horrible visa and residency rules. We could save money by hiring foreigners on a part-time basis, at least in the beginning; see the experience of the Indian School of Business. And surely it is not beyond our home ministry, mad as it is, to amend our approach to visas and residency. India's national interest requires that we find the money and construct an entry system for foreign teachers. Above all, it requires that we change our attitude to the presence of foreign faculty in our universities.
If India is to build a stable liberal democracy, if we are to empower the vast mass of the Indian public, if we want to give ourselves a more equitable and fair society, and if we want sustainable economic growth, then our university system desperately needs to be reformed. The UPA government has understood this. Its plan to massively expand the university system is recognition that the idea of a liberal, empowering, just and sustainable India depends on a vibrant, expanding higher education system.
Critics have argued that quantity will come at the cost of quality. This is correct, but as Kapil Sibal, the minister for human resources development, has recognised, there is simply no alternative. Over the longer term, quality should improve. One way of dealing with the fall in standards is to bring in foreign talent. India's university system is depressingly Indian. You can walk the corridors of academe and not see a single foreign face amongst the faculty. Our university system does not embody universality. Like Indian industry in the 1960s and 1970s, it has shut out foreigners and has suffered as a result.
India's universities need to be made more 'universal' if they are to flourish. The latest ranking of world universities shows that India has a long way to go in higher education. Its once proud university system, the best in Asia after the Second World War, has fallen on very bad times. It is not that Indian university education has languished altogether. The IITs (even though they have a lot to answer for), IIMs and a host of other universities such as Delhi and JNU have brought high quality higher education to India. Nevertheless, relative to the rest of the world, India has fallen behind. It has also fallen behind in terms of India's demographics. Our much-vaunted 'demographic dividend' and 'youth bulge' will turn into a social and political nightmare if we do not expand and improve university education.
Bringing in foreign talent will help our university system. If we look around the world, we will see that no university system of any repute is insular, certainly not as insular as India's. Even China, with its authoritarian political system and its relative lack of English competence, has thousands of foreign faculty.
Historically, there is no major university system that has been self-sufficient. This is particularly true of the American university system which drew and continues to recruit massively from Europe and other continents. A university must be as universal as possible in terms of recruiting talent. Recruitment in India must be opened up not just to NRIs. It must be opened up to everyone Asians, Africans, Arabs, Europeans, Latin and North Americans that has the English language competence to teach in India.
The presence of foreign faculty will not only help bridge the gap in quality teachers. It will also have an impact on Indian colleagues. Good quality teachers from abroad will have a powerful demonstration effect. Indian universities, like Indian schools, suffer from teacher absenteeism, from lack of professionalism in terms of classroom transactions, from a lackadaisical approach to supervision and from abysmal research. Foreign colleagues, just in the normal course of their functioning, will both embarrass and inspire Indian counterparts.
More than any amount of exhortation from the HRD ministry or vice-chancellors or articles in newspapers, it is this that will energise the Indian faculty. Of course, hiring foreigners will cost us money. It will also require adjustment in our horrible visa and residency rules. We could save money by hiring foreigners on a part-time basis, at least in the beginning; see the experience of the Indian School of Business. And surely it is not beyond our home ministry, mad as it is, to amend our approach to visas and residency. India's national interest requires that we find the money and construct an entry system for foreign teachers. Above all, it requires that we change our attitude to the presence of foreign faculty in our universities.
India needs cadre of skilled youth: Kalam
Staff Reporter
— FILE Photo: PTI
Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam Bangalore: “No Indian youth should be without either a world class higher education or without world class skill sets,” former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam said here on Sunday.
Interacting with students and faculty at the Oxford Educational Institutions, he said that India needs a large number of talented youth with higher education “for the task of knowledge acquisition, knowledge imparting, knowledge creation and knowledge sharing”.
A large segment of India's population — 540 million people — is under the age of 25, he added.
India's university education system contributes three million graduates and post-graduates every year and the country's schools educate seven million a year.
“Educational systems should create two cadres of personnel — a global cadre of skilled youth… and another cadre of youth with higher education,” he said.
These cadres will be needed “not only for powering the manufacturing and services sectors of India but also… to [fulfil] the human resource requirements of various countries in specialised areas in science, technology, humanities and management,” said Prof. Kalam.
“The university system will have to work towards increasing the output of the higher education system from the existing 11 per cent to 15 per cent by 2015, 20 per cent by 2020 and 30 per cent by 2030,” he said.
In his inimitable style, Prof. Kalam charmed his young audience with his inspirational messages, some that he exhorted the students to repeat after him.
“Defeat the problem and succeed” was the central theme of his address, which he illustrated with examples from history and contemporary personalities.
It was his creative streak that helped Mario Capecchi overcome acute adversity and win the Nobel Prize, he said. Likewise, initial failure did not deter the genius A.K. Ramanujan, he added.
The former President acknowledged the work of H. Sudarshan, founder of Vivekananda Girijana Kalyan Kendra, at BR Hills.
“In the present circumstances and environment, it was inspiring to see how a MBBS doctor has put all his dreams in mainstreaming the tribal citizens of Karnataka for the last 25 years,” he said.
Potential
Addressing students of the Presidency Group of Institutions at an interactive session at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium, Prof. Kalam said that India has all the resources to become a developed nation by 2020 but lack of confidence among its youth was increasingly becoming a hindrance to make this dream a reality.
He said that India has made progress in various sectors, including agriculture and manufacturing, and it is leading the information technology revolution.
“We have everything to become a developed nation. However, the confidence level of our youth is a worry,” he said.
For students, it was a special class by “Kalam Sir” and they welcomed him with a huge applause, and some of them presented flowers too.
They were eagerly waiting to hear his speech and “Kalam Sir” did not disappoint them.
http://hindu.com/2010/08/30/stories/2010083060010400.htm
He taught them how to have “wings to fly” and urged them to “dream big”.
Former President A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
Interacting with students and faculty at the Oxford Educational Institutions, he said that India needs a large number of talented youth with higher education “for the task of knowledge acquisition, knowledge imparting, knowledge creation and knowledge sharing”.
A large segment of India's population — 540 million people — is under the age of 25, he added.
India's university education system contributes three million graduates and post-graduates every year and the country's schools educate seven million a year.
“Educational systems should create two cadres of personnel — a global cadre of skilled youth… and another cadre of youth with higher education,” he said.
These cadres will be needed “not only for powering the manufacturing and services sectors of India but also… to [fulfil] the human resource requirements of various countries in specialised areas in science, technology, humanities and management,” said Prof. Kalam.
“The university system will have to work towards increasing the output of the higher education system from the existing 11 per cent to 15 per cent by 2015, 20 per cent by 2020 and 30 per cent by 2030,” he said.
In his inimitable style, Prof. Kalam charmed his young audience with his inspirational messages, some that he exhorted the students to repeat after him.
“Defeat the problem and succeed” was the central theme of his address, which he illustrated with examples from history and contemporary personalities.
It was his creative streak that helped Mario Capecchi overcome acute adversity and win the Nobel Prize, he said. Likewise, initial failure did not deter the genius A.K. Ramanujan, he added.
The former President acknowledged the work of H. Sudarshan, founder of Vivekananda Girijana Kalyan Kendra, at BR Hills.
“In the present circumstances and environment, it was inspiring to see how a MBBS doctor has put all his dreams in mainstreaming the tribal citizens of Karnataka for the last 25 years,” he said.
Potential
Addressing students of the Presidency Group of Institutions at an interactive session at the Koramangala Indoor Stadium, Prof. Kalam said that India has all the resources to become a developed nation by 2020 but lack of confidence among its youth was increasingly becoming a hindrance to make this dream a reality.
He said that India has made progress in various sectors, including agriculture and manufacturing, and it is leading the information technology revolution.
“We have everything to become a developed nation. However, the confidence level of our youth is a worry,” he said.
For students, it was a special class by “Kalam Sir” and they welcomed him with a huge applause, and some of them presented flowers too.
They were eagerly waiting to hear his speech and “Kalam Sir” did not disappoint them.
http://hindu.com/2010/08/30/stories/2010083060010400.htm
He taught them how to have “wings to fly” and urged them to “dream big”.
The burden of youth
SHAILAJA CHANDRA
Photo: Rajeev Bhatt
They deserve better: Better education, better opportunities...
Raise the topic of population and expect the following reactions: India will have the last laugh because its population is youthful and would continue to be so for decades more. Or, there is the Nandan Nilekeni idea which is fast becoming popular with optimistic urbanites — that a second hump of opportunity might miraculously emerge from the laggard Hindi belt States.
This oversimplification can cost us dearly. The demographic dividend argument is used in the West to signify the proportion of working people compared to retirees. In India, the so called dividend is actually represented by a disproportionately high number of young people who for the most part would be incapable of staying rooted to the school system and thereby end up uneducated and unemployable. In short, a burden on society.
Among them, girls will continue to have early pregnancies and their underweight infants will have poor chances of survival. For those that live, the cycle of malnutrition, stunting and wasting will be perpetrated and inequities will grow. Across the country, the regional and intra-State disparity would widen and resources for health and education would get sucked up or scattered before they can get to those in the greatest need. This is a recipe for disaster.
A development issue Governments need to recognise that population is not merely a health issue but an overarching development issue. Concrete measures are urgently needed to enforce the prevention of Child Marriage 2006 Act and to make marriage registration compulsory. Incentives are needed to push up the woman’s age at first birth and to make birth spacing attractive. Instead of honing in on a broad category called Below Poverty Line (BPL) it would make sense to target the lowest wealth quintile where fertility rates are disturbingly high.
Alok Ranjan Chaurasia and S. Gulati in “India the State of Population 2007” have divided the country into three groups. In the first group there are the Hindi belt States and some north-eastern states like Manipur and Meghalaya. Together they will account for more than half the population growth in the country by 2026. In these States, lowering fertility will be very difficult as the majority of couples use no contraception. Among the poorest families in these States, the “wanted fertility” factor, when parents want larger families as insurance against old age and to provide additional hands for work, is as high as 40 per cent of the total fertility. A “techno-medical model” of family planning as Chaurasia and Gulati call it, with a focus on female sterilisation will quite simply not work, because many couples actually want more children.
In the rest of the population of these States, including poorer families who do not want more children, a huge unmet demand for contraception exists. By present indications, the goal of two children per woman set for the country by 2010 will not even be achieved in the next two decades by these States. The New York Times mocked India’s “paradox of a proud democracy”, describing the persistence of child hunger and galloping malnutrition levels as worse than sub-Saharan African countries. Given this scenario, nothing can succeed unless the numbers become manageable. And waiting for trickle-down to happen, much less miracles to emerge from the sheer weight of a youthful population is being completely unrealistic.
In the second group, Gulati et al include States like Maharashtra, West Bengal, Gujarat, Haryana and Orissa, which have achieved or are about to achieve the two child goal. But even today these states measure the success of the family planning programme by sterilisation of women, usually undertaken after the demographic damage has been done. A stricter enforcement of the legal age of marriage and much greater stress on spacing methods, in the initial childbearing years, would be infinitely more advantageous than concentrating on sterilising women that have already produced several children. Gujarat has trained some 5,000 ANM’s in inserting IUDs using Zoey models. This has liberated women by acquiring a 10-year protection against pregnancy. With more than 5,00,000 successful insertions done on village women, Gujarat’s Public Health Commissioner Amarjit Singh recites his mantra, “women use this IUD but only if they feel comfortable.”
The third group of States comprises Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab and Tamil Nadu. These States will account for hardly 15 per cent of the population growth by 2026 and have all achieved replacement levels of fertility with two children per woman. But here we may be in for some surprises. According to the Registrar General of India (SRS data 2006) Himachal Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have higher marital fertility among 15 to 19-year-olds than Rajasthan or even Bihar. Two more south Indian States, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, have nearly twice the proportion of children born to pre-20-year-olds compared to Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. West Bengal is another surprise, being exceptionally prolific when it comes to childbirth among 15+ teenagers. This is best illustrated with an example:
Take Andhra Pradesh. Were all births under age 20 to be eliminated, the marital fertility would be reduced by 40 per cent each year, which would translate to over 20 million averted births in one generation of 60 years. But in the absence of efforts to push up the age at first birth, the reproductive process is starting too early and is propelling the population momentum, despite the average number of children being two or less than two per woman.
The Child Marriage Restraint Act 1929 was hardly implemented with any seriousness. That appears to be the fate of the new Prevention of Child Marriage Act 2006 also, which has made little dent on the States. Neither family nor society will raise a finger against early marriages, which are invariably followed by the first childbirth within a year. Something else is badly needed to slow the pace of the population momentum.
Remedial steps First, there should be a Compulsory Registration of Marriage Act with an office of Registrar General of Marriages to coordinate and monitor implementation of the Act countrywide. State Planning Boards should be presented with an annual picture of marriage registrations done and the median age of rural girls at the time of marriage. This information should be disaggregated and published throughout the State to give an idea of registrations done and gaps that continue. The birth of the first child after 19 needs to be incentivised and targeted to lowest wealth quintile, which is not the same thing as the entire BPL stock. The wanted fertility syndrome needs to be countered with state supported insurance for children lost, and employment guarantees for those that live. Concentrating on the lowest wealth quintile in every block, would make a lot of sense, as otherwise the richer among the poor would drain away whatever benefits might accrue.
India’s young population, far from being a boon, is a potential calamity. The births of children in quick succession when the girl is less than 20 is providing an unhealthy impetus to the population momentum besides denying women the right to decide what impacts their lives the most. Only if the economic consequences of the population momentum are understood, would governments take notice. Unfortunately that day is nowhere in sight.
A career civil servant with over 40 years experience, Shailaja Chandra is presently the Executive Director of the Jansankhya Sthirata Kosh (JSK), National Population Stabilisation Fund. The views expressed here are her own and do not reflect that of any organisation.
The outlook for India’s youth is not as rosy as it is assumed. The population explosion and denying young women their right to decide on matters that impact their lives will only bring in more problems, not solutions… |
They deserve better: Better education, better opportunities...
Raise the topic of population and expect the following reactions: India will have the last laugh because its population is youthful and would continue to be so for decades more. Or, there is the Nandan Nilekeni idea which is fast becoming popular with optimistic urbanites — that a second hump of opportunity might miraculously emerge from the laggard Hindi belt States.
This oversimplification can cost us dearly. The demographic dividend argument is used in the West to signify the proportion of working people compared to retirees. In India, the so called dividend is actually represented by a disproportionately high number of young people who for the most part would be incapable of staying rooted to the school system and thereby end up uneducated and unemployable. In short, a burden on society.
Among them, girls will continue to have early pregnancies and their underweight infants will have poor chances of survival. For those that live, the cycle of malnutrition, stunting and wasting will be perpetrated and inequities will grow. Across the country, the regional and intra-State disparity would widen and resources for health and education would get sucked up or scattered before they can get to those in the greatest need. This is a recipe for disaster.
A development issue
Alok Ranjan Chaurasia and S. Gulati in “India the State of Population 2007” have divided the country into three groups. In the first group there are the Hindi belt States and some north-eastern states like Manipur and Meghalaya. Together they will account for more than half the population growth in the country by 2026. In these States, lowering fertility will be very difficult as the majority of couples use no contraception. Among the poorest families in these States, the “wanted fertility” factor, when parents want larger families as insurance against old age and to provide additional hands for work, is as high as 40 per cent of the total fertility. A “techno-medical model” of family planning as Chaurasia and Gulati call it, with a focus on female sterilisation will quite simply not work, because many couples actually want more children.
In the rest of the population of these States, including poorer families who do not want more children, a huge unmet demand for contraception exists. By present indications, the goal of two children per woman set for the country by 2010 will not even be achieved in the next two decades by these States. The New York Times mocked India’s “paradox of a proud democracy”, describing the persistence of child hunger and galloping malnutrition levels as worse than sub-Saharan African countries. Given this scenario, nothing can succeed unless the numbers become manageable. And waiting for trickle-down to happen, much less miracles to emerge from the sheer weight of a youthful population is being completely unrealistic.
In the second group, Gulati et al include States like Maharashtra, West Bengal, Gujarat, Haryana and Orissa, which have achieved or are about to achieve the two child goal. But even today these states measure the success of the family planning programme by sterilisation of women, usually undertaken after the demographic damage has been done. A stricter enforcement of the legal age of marriage and much greater stress on spacing methods, in the initial childbearing years, would be infinitely more advantageous than concentrating on sterilising women that have already produced several children. Gujarat has trained some 5,000 ANM’s in inserting IUDs using Zoey models. This has liberated women by acquiring a 10-year protection against pregnancy. With more than 5,00,000 successful insertions done on village women, Gujarat’s Public Health Commissioner Amarjit Singh recites his mantra, “women use this IUD but only if they feel comfortable.”
The third group of States comprises Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Punjab and Tamil Nadu. These States will account for hardly 15 per cent of the population growth by 2026 and have all achieved replacement levels of fertility with two children per woman. But here we may be in for some surprises. According to the Registrar General of India (SRS data 2006) Himachal Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have higher marital fertility among 15 to 19-year-olds than Rajasthan or even Bihar. Two more south Indian States, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, have nearly twice the proportion of children born to pre-20-year-olds compared to Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh. West Bengal is another surprise, being exceptionally prolific when it comes to childbirth among 15+ teenagers. This is best illustrated with an example:
Take Andhra Pradesh. Were all births under age 20 to be eliminated, the marital fertility would be reduced by 40 per cent each year, which would translate to over 20 million averted births in one generation of 60 years. But in the absence of efforts to push up the age at first birth, the reproductive process is starting too early and is propelling the population momentum, despite the average number of children being two or less than two per woman.
The Child Marriage Restraint Act 1929 was hardly implemented with any seriousness. That appears to be the fate of the new Prevention of Child Marriage Act 2006 also, which has made little dent on the States. Neither family nor society will raise a finger against early marriages, which are invariably followed by the first childbirth within a year. Something else is badly needed to slow the pace of the population momentum.
Remedial steps
India’s young population, far from being a boon, is a potential calamity. The births of children in quick succession when the girl is less than 20 is providing an unhealthy impetus to the population momentum besides denying women the right to decide what impacts their lives the most. Only if the economic consequences of the population momentum are understood, would governments take notice. Unfortunately that day is nowhere in sight.
Sunday, August 29, 2010
India’s mirage of youth is old age and wrinkled politics
The youth of this country are now beginning to ask this question. Have they been fooled into voting for the Congress-led coalition government into power for the second time? The average age of the Cabinet today is more than 67 years with the “eldest” being Foreign Minister S M Krishna just a whisker away from his 80th birthday. Railway Minister Mamata Banerjee (of TMC) is the youngest at 55.
There has been so much talk about the aspirations of a young India and leader after leader have espoused this view. But there falls the proverbial shadow between what is being preached and what is being practised. The Congress party takes pride into calling itself the party, which appeals to the youth – the Congress had severely criticised other parties on the issue of leadership (run by the grand old daddies).
But this sheen has almost vanished as the youth realise that there is no difference between the Congress and other parties. There is growing disillusion amongst the youth – they find the same old faces in power again and again – they want change – the Congress party has to look into their demands – because if this discontent builds up it can prove to be the party’s undoing in 2014.
Let’s take a look at the profile of the Cabinet and the party to get the clear picture: Dr M Singh, P Mukherjee, A K Antony, S M Krishna, V B Singh, M V Moily, S J Reddy, V Ravi, M Kharge, M S Gill, M L Vora, Ms M Kidwai and a lot of others.
Fallout of this: The present finance minister’s sagacity has never been in doubt, in spite being elected to the Lok Sabha for the first time he has held important cabinet portfolios since the time of Mrs Indira Gandhi. But age is catching up with him (he is 75); one can notice that he loses his temper far too often these days.
There have been many occasions when Pranab has lost his cool. Probably, he knows he is playing his last innings and in the final analysis it’s Dr Singh who pipped him to the post.
The performance of the Cabinet in the last year and a half has not been satisfactory –S M Krishna has blundered his way from one crisis to another. M S Gill finds himself in hot soup over corruption allegations and delays in the run up to the Commonwealth Games. J S Reddy has not been able to handle the urban affairs well – the flats scheduled to be ready for the officials of the Commonwealth will not be ready now. He looks weak and tired. Kharge, V B Singh, Moily and others have been equally ineffectual.
Antony as Defence Minister has been average while Home Minister P Chidambaram finds himself at loggerheads with many Congress ministers and leaders on a variety of issues.
The Congress party cannot expect to come back to power again merely on the basis of its glorious past. Its leaders would have to go back to people and connect themselves with the grass root workers all over again and face challenges from various corners. They have to prove themselves.
Be it Bihar, Uttar Pradesh or even Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh, the ground realities have been changing rapidly and the State leadership has been lacklustre.
The most glaring example is Bihar where the Congress party is not able to get a capable leader with pan state acceptability. In Uttar Pradesh, the situation is all the same. Minus the Congress President and Rahul Gandhi, who is the Congress leader at the moment to take on Mayawati and Mulayam Singh all-alone?
Jharkhand faces the same kind of situation where the Congress party could not get a capable leader and PCC Chief Pradeep Balmuchu lost his own seat in the last assembly polls. In Madhya Pradesh, Suresh Pachauri is still facing the ire of factional leaders supported by Digvijay Singh, Arjun Singh and a few more leaders.
Down South, one could see the new audacity of Jagan Mohan Reddy and the open war between R V Deshpande and D K Shiv Kumar in Karnataka.
One of the reasons why the Congress president does not want to remove Dr Manmohan Singh is his impeccable credentials and honesty. But then, how long should a common man suffer and how quickly would the pressing series of problems be allowed to linger? It is here that the Congress leadership has to think in a positive and prudent way and find a suitable way out to take the country out of the present state of affairs.
Ajay N. Jha is consultant to the Lok Sabha Speaker. For comments, write to
opinion@khaleejtimes.com
Youngest nation, oldest cabinet
India may have the youngest population of the world's biggest countries, but it has the oldest leader and oldest ministerial cabinet. In most of the world's top economies, the average age of a cabinet minister or his equivalent is just a decade or so higher than the median age of the population. But in India, the average age of a cabinet minister is almost two-and-a-half times the country's median age.
At 78, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is the oldest head of government in a major economy. In fact, Singh is only one of two heads of government older than 70 in 15 of the world's biggest economies, which account for more than 70% of the world's GDP and 60% of the population. Italy's Silvio Berlusconi, 74, is the other. Four leaders are in their 60s; all of them from Asia. The rest are either in their 50s or their 40s, with Britain's David Cameron the youngest at 43.
Of course, Singh is not an exceptionally old leader by Indian standards. Atal Behari Vajpayee and P V Narasimha Rao, for instance, were in the prime minister's chair when they were in their late 70s. Morarji Desai became PM at the age of 81.
Nor is Singh the world's oldest head of government. All of th following are older: Robert Mugabe, president of Zimbabwe, Abdullah bin Abd al- Aziz al-Saud, king of Saudi Arabia, Abdoulaye Wade, president of Senegal, Hosni Mubarak, president of Egypt, Raul Castro, president of Cuba and Mwai Kibaki, president of Kenya.
But India is unlike these countries in that it is a multi-party democracy and our prime minister clearly stands out when compared with his democratically elected counterparts in much of the world. Even big economies that are not democratic, have younger leaders with China's Wen Jiabao much younger at 68 and ripe to be replaced by a much younger person in 2012 when China chooses the fifth generation of Communist party leaders.
UPA 2's Cabinet has an average age almost two-and-a-half times the country's median age. The average age of the 33 cabinet ministers is 64.4 years, which is 14 years more than the recently elected British cabinet, the youngest cabinet in our list. Averaging 61.2 years, China is the only other country where the average age of the cabinet is above 60 years.
But comparing just the average ages of different cabinets doesn't tell the full story. The fact is that India has the lowest median age — the level at which half the population is younger and half older — of 25.9 years on this list of the 15 largest economies. It, therefore, also has the largest mismatch between the age of its population and the age of its leaders.
The difference between the average age of India's cabinet and the median age of its population is almost 39 years, which is three times the gap for the developed countries on this list. In fact, with the exception of the US, where this age difference is above 20 years, all the other G-8 countries have cabinet ministers on average less than 20 years older than the median age of the country.
The list indicates that developing countries tend to have a higher age difference between their leaders and the population. This gap is 31 for Brazil, 28 for Indonesia, and 26 for China. But remember that China's median age is 10 years more than India's, so a gap of 26 years is much less significant.
Could the response to a young leader like Rahul Gandhi, or his father Rajiv Gandhi in an earlier era, be a manifestation of a yearning among many for this age gap between the leader and the led to be reduced? Your reading is as good as ours.
At 78, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is the oldest head of government in a major economy. In fact, Singh is only one of two heads of government older than 70 in 15 of the world's biggest economies, which account for more than 70% of the world's GDP and 60% of the population. Italy's Silvio Berlusconi, 74, is the other. Four leaders are in their 60s; all of them from Asia. The rest are either in their 50s or their 40s, with Britain's David Cameron the youngest at 43.
Of course, Singh is not an exceptionally old leader by Indian standards. Atal Behari Vajpayee and P V Narasimha Rao, for instance, were in the prime minister's chair when they were in their late 70s. Morarji Desai became PM at the age of 81.
Nor is Singh the world's oldest head of government. All of th following are older: Robert Mugabe, president of Zimbabwe, Abdullah bin Abd al- Aziz al-Saud, king of Saudi Arabia, Abdoulaye Wade, president of Senegal, Hosni Mubarak, president of Egypt, Raul Castro, president of Cuba and Mwai Kibaki, president of Kenya.
But India is unlike these countries in that it is a multi-party democracy and our prime minister clearly stands out when compared with his democratically elected counterparts in much of the world. Even big economies that are not democratic, have younger leaders with China's Wen Jiabao much younger at 68 and ripe to be replaced by a much younger person in 2012 when China chooses the fifth generation of Communist party leaders.
UPA 2's Cabinet has an average age almost two-and-a-half times the country's median age. The average age of the 33 cabinet ministers is 64.4 years, which is 14 years more than the recently elected British cabinet, the youngest cabinet in our list. Averaging 61.2 years, China is the only other country where the average age of the cabinet is above 60 years.
But comparing just the average ages of different cabinets doesn't tell the full story. The fact is that India has the lowest median age — the level at which half the population is younger and half older — of 25.9 years on this list of the 15 largest economies. It, therefore, also has the largest mismatch between the age of its population and the age of its leaders.
The difference between the average age of India's cabinet and the median age of its population is almost 39 years, which is three times the gap for the developed countries on this list. In fact, with the exception of the US, where this age difference is above 20 years, all the other G-8 countries have cabinet ministers on average less than 20 years older than the median age of the country.
The list indicates that developing countries tend to have a higher age difference between their leaders and the population. This gap is 31 for Brazil, 28 for Indonesia, and 26 for China. But remember that China's median age is 10 years more than India's, so a gap of 26 years is much less significant.
Could the response to a young leader like Rahul Gandhi, or his father Rajiv Gandhi in an earlier era, be a manifestation of a yearning among many for this age gap between the leader and the led to be reduced? Your reading is as good as ours.
The New Activists
Gone are the days when khadi-clad activists would accost passersby on street corners. Gone are the days of armchair philanthropists with more talk than walk. The new activist is not only more socially and economically savvy, but they look the part too.
Right at that stage of the evolutionary calendar when the race to ‘make it’ in the world begins — when wrapped in self-indulgence many begin their experiments, and adventures of varied kinds — a few choose to go off course. They are equally, or rather, more accomplished than the herd chasing six-digit salary packets. It’s just that they have a higher calling — society. With an abandon, these young people have embraced a new zeitgeist of idealistic visions which they see no reason to temper. They are fuelled by a desire to make a difference, and choose to be social change-makers.
The enduring image of activists and social workers has been that of a khadi-clad, gaunt, do-gooders who in reality looked more impoverished than the masses they aimed to emancipate. They were emphatic talkers who were well-versed in theories of social change and its ilk — all of which hardly translates to action on ground. The enormous value they placed upon change, transformation and movement were just that — something intangible that spawns nothing concrete.
Not so, with the new wave social workers. In fact, besides the ideals, these nouveau activists have nothing in common with their predecessors. No distributing pamphlets, sticking posters or sporting slogan-boards. No noisy speeches on shaky podiums.
And definitely not the torn jhola (bag). They carry smart laptop bags instead. They hate to waste paper, so campaigning is mostly virtual, done over the Web. Facebook and other social networking sites are the preferred platforms to announce movements. What’s best, they are well-educated. Armed with university degrees, and sharp intellects, these young social workers apply their mind to social problems, and tackle them with a hitherto unseen focus and clarity; their approach clearly solution-driven.
Bangalore has its share of them. In fact, with its title of a vibrant technology innovation space, this city is seen as an ideal laboratory for social experiments and have lured a whole set of young change-makers.
This is precisely the lure that drew 23-year-old Keerthi Kiran, a graduate from BITS Pilani, here. He runs Grassroutes, a fellowship programme “which funds youth to go on roadtrips across India, discover and work with change-makers, do their bit to change the world and inspire more youth into social action”.
While at college, Kiran and friends — Abhilash Ravishankar, Sriram, Shravya and Goutam — were part of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Leadership cell. Their experiences working with underprivileged women and children urged them to work in the social sector. They set up a group, Youth Factor (Yofa) to “work on engaging youth into social action through novel and exciting initiatives”. The underlying philosophy of Grassroutes is more or less the same. “Young people need to know why they want to bring social change. To ask the right questions, they need the right exposure and experience,” says Kiran. They decided to base Grassroutes in Bangalore because here, among all other Indian cities, Kiran, found the right climate for social innovation. “Bangalore is the best for all kinds of start-up activities. This city encourages people who want to do different things.”
Kiran chose to be a social activist for two reasons: One, the inherent challenge that the development sector posed. Second, his passion for the cause. “I was always interested in the state of the country and our society. I could see that anyone ready to apply his mind can bring about tangible, sustainable results. I could do something, instead of just talking about it.”
Kiran has been working in the development sector for two-and-a-half years. Ignoring the traditional milestones of passing out of college and grabbing the most well-paying job has been rewarding for Kiran. At the end of every edition of the programme, he gets his validation — “When a young person understands why India should be a welfare state,” he says.
Kakoli Das took a little while to heed her social calling. After graduating from the National Institute of Technology, Silchar, she worked with a couple of MNCs in India and the US, before coming back to Assam, her home state. Her move to Assam was a byproduct of socio-cultural forces, and the weather of unrest in her state. “I saw a huge disparity — the abundance on one side and the utter lack on the other,” she says.
A slew of social disparities played out in her mind for a while, and she decided to tackle income generation. She chose the craft sector for multiple reasons. Almost 70 per cent of the Assamese population depended on handloom or handicrafts for their primary or secondary income. Almost every house had a loom. The maximum impact, Das realised, would come if she worked within this sector. Also, the people by tradition had fantastic skill sets — weaving and craft.
“There was excess labour, ready infrastructure, and also the skill. All that was required was the monetisation,” says Das, explaining the logic behind her decision.
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_the-new-activists_1430217
Right at that stage of the evolutionary calendar when the race to ‘make it’ in the world begins — when wrapped in self-indulgence many begin their experiments, and adventures of varied kinds — a few choose to go off course. They are equally, or rather, more accomplished than the herd chasing six-digit salary packets. It’s just that they have a higher calling — society. With an abandon, these young people have embraced a new zeitgeist of idealistic visions which they see no reason to temper. They are fuelled by a desire to make a difference, and choose to be social change-makers.
The enduring image of activists and social workers has been that of a khadi-clad, gaunt, do-gooders who in reality looked more impoverished than the masses they aimed to emancipate. They were emphatic talkers who were well-versed in theories of social change and its ilk — all of which hardly translates to action on ground. The enormous value they placed upon change, transformation and movement were just that — something intangible that spawns nothing concrete.
Not so, with the new wave social workers. In fact, besides the ideals, these nouveau activists have nothing in common with their predecessors. No distributing pamphlets, sticking posters or sporting slogan-boards. No noisy speeches on shaky podiums.
And definitely not the torn jhola (bag). They carry smart laptop bags instead. They hate to waste paper, so campaigning is mostly virtual, done over the Web. Facebook and other social networking sites are the preferred platforms to announce movements. What’s best, they are well-educated. Armed with university degrees, and sharp intellects, these young social workers apply their mind to social problems, and tackle them with a hitherto unseen focus and clarity; their approach clearly solution-driven.
Bangalore has its share of them. In fact, with its title of a vibrant technology innovation space, this city is seen as an ideal laboratory for social experiments and have lured a whole set of young change-makers.
This is precisely the lure that drew 23-year-old Keerthi Kiran, a graduate from BITS Pilani, here. He runs Grassroutes, a fellowship programme “which funds youth to go on roadtrips across India, discover and work with change-makers, do their bit to change the world and inspire more youth into social action”.
While at college, Kiran and friends — Abhilash Ravishankar, Sriram, Shravya and Goutam — were part of the Centre for Entrepreneurial Leadership cell. Their experiences working with underprivileged women and children urged them to work in the social sector. They set up a group, Youth Factor (Yofa) to “work on engaging youth into social action through novel and exciting initiatives”. The underlying philosophy of Grassroutes is more or less the same. “Young people need to know why they want to bring social change. To ask the right questions, they need the right exposure and experience,” says Kiran. They decided to base Grassroutes in Bangalore because here, among all other Indian cities, Kiran, found the right climate for social innovation. “Bangalore is the best for all kinds of start-up activities. This city encourages people who want to do different things.”
Kiran chose to be a social activist for two reasons: One, the inherent challenge that the development sector posed. Second, his passion for the cause. “I was always interested in the state of the country and our society. I could see that anyone ready to apply his mind can bring about tangible, sustainable results. I could do something, instead of just talking about it.”
Kiran has been working in the development sector for two-and-a-half years. Ignoring the traditional milestones of passing out of college and grabbing the most well-paying job has been rewarding for Kiran. At the end of every edition of the programme, he gets his validation — “When a young person understands why India should be a welfare state,” he says.
Kakoli Das took a little while to heed her social calling. After graduating from the National Institute of Technology, Silchar, she worked with a couple of MNCs in India and the US, before coming back to Assam, her home state. Her move to Assam was a byproduct of socio-cultural forces, and the weather of unrest in her state. “I saw a huge disparity — the abundance on one side and the utter lack on the other,” she says.
A slew of social disparities played out in her mind for a while, and she decided to tackle income generation. She chose the craft sector for multiple reasons. Almost 70 per cent of the Assamese population depended on handloom or handicrafts for their primary or secondary income. Almost every house had a loom. The maximum impact, Das realised, would come if she worked within this sector. Also, the people by tradition had fantastic skill sets — weaving and craft.
“There was excess labour, ready infrastructure, and also the skill. All that was required was the monetisation,” says Das, explaining the logic behind her decision.
http://www.dnaindia.com/bangalore/report_the-new-activists_1430217
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Mamata woos city youth with job vow
While addressing the Trinamool Chhatra Parishad The Trinamool chief was silent on relations with the state Congress, but made it clear that it was her party that had taken the lead in efforts to oust the ruling Left from West Bengal. "Had I not set up the Trinamool Congress, the CPM would not have faced reverses," Mamata said.
It was clear that she wanted to touch upon a raw nerve among the students gathered around her. "I know that 30 years have gone to waste, with the CPM doing nothing to create job opportunities. Many have left the state and even the country in search of jobs and research facilities. We shall get them back. I have planned a number of industrial projects in the state just in a year. More opportunities for jobs and research will emerge. I will appeal to the youngsters who had left to return," the railway minister said.
Accusing CPM of rampant corruption and failure to implement development projects in rural areas, Mamata said that people across the country have now started to realise that she was right while opposing "forcible land acquisition" at Nandigram and Singur. "The people's movement has moved from Nandigram to Aligarh. Very soon, there will be necessary changes in laws related
to land acquisition. CPM does not know how to work. I have proved that industry can be set up without forcibly acquiring land," she said.
According to her, CPM's role in Friday's violence at Baghajatin was shameful. "How can CPM demand the participation of outsiders in elections for a certain borough? Just because we don't call bandhs or organise roadblocks, don't consider us weak. On September 1, we shall organise Lajja Dibas (day of shame) at Baghajatin to protest Friday's incident," she said.
Read more: Mamata woos city youth with job vow - Kolkata - City - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Mamata-woos-city-youth-with-job-vow/articleshow/6453708.cms#ixzz0xyUIWHwv
It was clear that she wanted to touch upon a raw nerve among the students gathered around her. "I know that 30 years have gone to waste, with the CPM doing nothing to create job opportunities. Many have left the state and even the country in search of jobs and research facilities. We shall get them back. I have planned a number of industrial projects in the state just in a year. More opportunities for jobs and research will emerge. I will appeal to the youngsters who had left to return," the railway minister said.
Accusing CPM of rampant corruption and failure to implement development projects in rural areas, Mamata said that people across the country have now started to realise that she was right while opposing "forcible land acquisition" at Nandigram and Singur. "The people's movement has moved from Nandigram to Aligarh. Very soon, there will be necessary changes in laws related
to land acquisition. CPM does not know how to work. I have proved that industry can be set up without forcibly acquiring land," she said.
According to her, CPM's role in Friday's violence at Baghajatin was shameful. "How can CPM demand the participation of outsiders in elections for a certain borough? Just because we don't call bandhs or organise roadblocks, don't consider us weak. On September 1, we shall organise Lajja Dibas (day of shame) at Baghajatin to protest Friday's incident," she said.
Read more: Mamata woos city youth with job vow - Kolkata - City - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kolkata-/Mamata-woos-city-youth-with-job-vow/articleshow/6453708.cms#ixzz0xyUIWHwv
At NDRI, Rahul invites youth to politics
Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi today appealed to the youth of the country to join politics to invigorate the political system and build a stronger and resurgent India.
Interacting with more than 750 students of the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Rahul repeated the theme of ‘two Indias’ that he used — in a different context — while in Orissa only yesterday.
India today, Rahul said, is divided into two parts, the haves and the have-nots, in the form of the urban and the rural populations. While people in the urban areas avail of multiple opportunities, the rural population is deprived. For the growth and the progress of the country, it is necessary to carry along all its people. The dairy sector, he said, could become the bridge between the two sets of people — with its development, the rural population would be able to earn a decent living.
Asked for how long the system of reservations would continue in the country, Rahul said students should rather ask when more educational institutions would be set up, so that they get new opportunities.
Rahul mingled with the students during his hour-long stay at NDRI, shaking hands with and hugging several of them. “So far we had only read about his nature, his intellect and his political vision. Today we had a first-hand opportunity of knowing him from close quarters,” said a beaming Arpana Verma, a student of Animal Biotechnology. Another student, Dr Sohit Ojha, said, “He talks from his heart. He is sincere and genuine.”
Union Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Congress spokesperson Jayanti Natarajan accompanied Rahul. No local political leader was present.
Earlier in the day, Rahul visited the CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, and Kurukshetra University. A protest demonstration by slogan-shouting members of the CPM-backed Students Federation of India (SFI) at Kurukshetra was followed by a mild lathicharge by the police.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/at-ndri-rahul-invites-youth-to-politics/673672/0
Interacting with more than 750 students of the National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Rahul repeated the theme of ‘two Indias’ that he used — in a different context — while in Orissa only yesterday.
India today, Rahul said, is divided into two parts, the haves and the have-nots, in the form of the urban and the rural populations. While people in the urban areas avail of multiple opportunities, the rural population is deprived. For the growth and the progress of the country, it is necessary to carry along all its people. The dairy sector, he said, could become the bridge between the two sets of people — with its development, the rural population would be able to earn a decent living.
Asked for how long the system of reservations would continue in the country, Rahul said students should rather ask when more educational institutions would be set up, so that they get new opportunities.
Rahul mingled with the students during his hour-long stay at NDRI, shaking hands with and hugging several of them. “So far we had only read about his nature, his intellect and his political vision. Today we had a first-hand opportunity of knowing him from close quarters,” said a beaming Arpana Verma, a student of Animal Biotechnology. Another student, Dr Sohit Ojha, said, “He talks from his heart. He is sincere and genuine.”
Union Minister Prithviraj Chavan and Congress spokesperson Jayanti Natarajan accompanied Rahul. No local political leader was present.
Earlier in the day, Rahul visited the CCS Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar, and Kurukshetra University. A protest demonstration by slogan-shouting members of the CPM-backed Students Federation of India (SFI) at Kurukshetra was followed by a mild lathicharge by the police.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/at-ndri-rahul-invites-youth-to-politics/673672/0
Friday, August 27, 2010
Youth in Pakistan want peace and respect
Shafqat Amanat Ali, 40, is the son of legendary Pakistani singer Ustad Amanat Ali Khan. Called the rock star Ustad, he represents the ninth generation of the illustrious Patiala gharana. Among his popular numbers are songs from films including Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna and Dor. In India on a four cities' musical tour covering Pune, Bangalore, Delhi and Chandigarh, Shafqat spoke to Meenakshi Sinha :
What is the current scene of music in Pakistan?
There's a thriving culture for music and arts with new singers coming up with their unique styles. But the political scene in the country is very unstable. This is very unfair to new artistes as they are unable to organise concerts because of security risks. For established artistes the situation is not that difficult. Though people come out with families for dinners and concerts, it's mostly for established artistes' performances. It's the newcomers who face problems.
Who are Pakistan's popular artistes and what is their audience like?
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Ahmad Jahangir, Sajjad Ali and me are the current popular artistes in Pakistan. I've a mixed audience that includes people from 12 to 82 years. The popular genre is classical and fusion. Hard rock is still not popular in Pakistan.
Do you all still find it difficult to get visas to perform in India?
Visa problems exist even today. It keeps changing from a state of relaxed to strict rules. It's almost like one day is good and the other day is bad. What i've figured out is that if your papers are in order and you know the right people then you don't face problems. At times the issuing authorities are very supportive also.
Where are you most comfortable in terms of creative freedom India or Pakistan?
Indian culture is far more open. In Pakistan, you cannot cross the line. But overall, people's reaction is the same in both countries. To be creative, you need a larger audience. I've had the most amazing audience response in Pune while in Kolkata there were 50,000 people at my programme.
How do you see Indo-Pak relations? Can artistes like you bridge the gap?
Whatever is happening at the political level is very intense at times. But cultural connections between the two countries have always remained. The masses have been very supportive of this and we artistes never felt that there's any disconnect with our audience. I get the same amount of love and affection from India as i do from Pakistan and vice versa. Pakistani artistes are loved in India and i see hope in this gesture that despite the political turmoil we haven't lost the human touch. I feel we artistes have a greater role to play in building this connection and encourage more people-to-people contacts.
How do you see the growth of fine arts in the current situation of Pakistan?
Pakistan's fine arts' culture used to be very restricted during the 11 years of Zia-ul Haq's regime. Today, it's no longer like that. On the one hand there are religious fanatics and on the other there're youngsters who definitely want peace and respect. The latter are our hope for a better society.
What about influence of Indian films in Pakistan?
People are crazy about Indian films. They love them. With the government open to Indian releases, revenue now goes to them, though piracy still continues. Those who don't manage to see these films in theatres, manage to see them on the cable TV and through DVDs.
Read more: 'Youth in Pakistan want peace and respect' - Interviews - Opinion - Home - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/interviews/Youth-in-Pakistan-want-peace-and-respect/articleshow/6440805.cms#ixzz0xnrq6rEq
What is the current scene of music in Pakistan?
There's a thriving culture for music and arts with new singers coming up with their unique styles. But the political scene in the country is very unstable. This is very unfair to new artistes as they are unable to organise concerts because of security risks. For established artistes the situation is not that difficult. Though people come out with families for dinners and concerts, it's mostly for established artistes' performances. It's the newcomers who face problems.
Who are Pakistan's popular artistes and what is their audience like?
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Ahmad Jahangir, Sajjad Ali and me are the current popular artistes in Pakistan. I've a mixed audience that includes people from 12 to 82 years. The popular genre is classical and fusion. Hard rock is still not popular in Pakistan.
Do you all still find it difficult to get visas to perform in India?
Visa problems exist even today. It keeps changing from a state of relaxed to strict rules. It's almost like one day is good and the other day is bad. What i've figured out is that if your papers are in order and you know the right people then you don't face problems. At times the issuing authorities are very supportive also.
Where are you most comfortable in terms of creative freedom India or Pakistan?
Indian culture is far more open. In Pakistan, you cannot cross the line. But overall, people's reaction is the same in both countries. To be creative, you need a larger audience. I've had the most amazing audience response in Pune while in Kolkata there were 50,000 people at my programme.
How do you see Indo-Pak relations? Can artistes like you bridge the gap?
Whatever is happening at the political level is very intense at times. But cultural connections between the two countries have always remained. The masses have been very supportive of this and we artistes never felt that there's any disconnect with our audience. I get the same amount of love and affection from India as i do from Pakistan and vice versa. Pakistani artistes are loved in India and i see hope in this gesture that despite the political turmoil we haven't lost the human touch. I feel we artistes have a greater role to play in building this connection and encourage more people-to-people contacts.
How do you see the growth of fine arts in the current situation of Pakistan?
Pakistan's fine arts' culture used to be very restricted during the 11 years of Zia-ul Haq's regime. Today, it's no longer like that. On the one hand there are religious fanatics and on the other there're youngsters who definitely want peace and respect. The latter are our hope for a better society.
What about influence of Indian films in Pakistan?
People are crazy about Indian films. They love them. With the government open to Indian releases, revenue now goes to them, though piracy still continues. Those who don't manage to see these films in theatres, manage to see them on the cable TV and through DVDs.
Read more: 'Youth in Pakistan want peace and respect' - Interviews - Opinion - Home - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/opinion/interviews/Youth-in-Pakistan-want-peace-and-respect/articleshow/6440805.cms#ixzz0xnrq6rEq
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Young India Inc backs needy kids
More than 400 underprivileged students across 40 schools from the steel city have a date with Kshitij, the annual flagship extravaganza with a conscience, to be hosted by the CII’sYoung Indians Team at XLRI tomorrow.
Jusco chairman and Tinplate Company of India Ltd director Bushen Raina will inaugurate the daylong event, now in its third year, at the Tata Auditorium, while prizes worth more than Rs 35,000 will be distributed by East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Himani Pandey.
Tinplate is this year’s official sponsor of the event, which, as its name suggests, seeks to help less-privileged schoolchildren reach new horizons of achievement through a host of competitions such as quizzing, painting, singing and dancing.
Aishwarya Kalyan, a member of the external linkages cell of the premier B-school said that the CII Young Indians network in XLRI was led by student Harsh Jhawar under the guidance of professor M.G. Jomon, and comprised 26 team members across management streams of XLRI. The CII Young Indians’ XLRI chapter worked to provide a leadership platform to young minds at the B-school, with a focus on nation building initiatives, including socially relevant development projects in the areas of education, employability, youth affairs and health.
Kshitij is an important vehicle and platform to fulfill those ends, say organisers, as it actively involves children of vernacular medium schools and project schools of the steel city.
“Kshitij helps boost confidence among students who hail from the economically weaker sections of society. They have talent, but they need opportunities and encouragement to display and hone it. This platform can really help them strive for betterment in their lives,” said a senior professor of the B-school.
Last year’s event had been a resounding success, said the organisers, which prompted them to reach out to more less-privileged students this year.
Members of the external linkages cell said, it was only because of sustained efforts of the Young Indians network at XLRI that Kshitij is being able to help more children every year. Active involvement from the faculty and students at XLRI and generous support from the industry have made this event a success, they said.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100821/jsp/jharkhand/story_12836323.jsp
Jusco chairman and Tinplate Company of India Ltd director Bushen Raina will inaugurate the daylong event, now in its third year, at the Tata Auditorium, while prizes worth more than Rs 35,000 will be distributed by East Singhbhum deputy commissioner Himani Pandey.
Tinplate is this year’s official sponsor of the event, which, as its name suggests, seeks to help less-privileged schoolchildren reach new horizons of achievement through a host of competitions such as quizzing, painting, singing and dancing.
Aishwarya Kalyan, a member of the external linkages cell of the premier B-school said that the CII Young Indians network in XLRI was led by student Harsh Jhawar under the guidance of professor M.G. Jomon, and comprised 26 team members across management streams of XLRI. The CII Young Indians’ XLRI chapter worked to provide a leadership platform to young minds at the B-school, with a focus on nation building initiatives, including socially relevant development projects in the areas of education, employability, youth affairs and health.
Kshitij is an important vehicle and platform to fulfill those ends, say organisers, as it actively involves children of vernacular medium schools and project schools of the steel city.
“Kshitij helps boost confidence among students who hail from the economically weaker sections of society. They have talent, but they need opportunities and encouragement to display and hone it. This platform can really help them strive for betterment in their lives,” said a senior professor of the B-school.
Last year’s event had been a resounding success, said the organisers, which prompted them to reach out to more less-privileged students this year.
Members of the external linkages cell said, it was only because of sustained efforts of the Young Indians network at XLRI that Kshitij is being able to help more children every year. Active involvement from the faculty and students at XLRI and generous support from the industry have made this event a success, they said.
http://www.telegraphindia.com/1100821/jsp/jharkhand/story_12836323.jsp
Thursday, August 19, 2010
AIDS message through youth carnival
The three-day ‘Illavattam – Youth Carnival 2010,' an HIV/AIDS awareness event, got off to a colourful start here on Tuesday.
Nearly 1.5 lakh students from various schools and colleges across the State are participating in a string of cultural and sports events, organised as part of the carnival by the Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TANSACS).
Inaugurating the event, Health Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam said that people in the 16-28 age-group were more susceptible to HIV/AIDS and awareness campaigns are necessary to sensitise them. Over 500 Red Ribbon Clubs would be set up in schools and colleges across the State to strengthen the awareness among the students.
Of the 1.82 lakh people with HIV/AIDS in the State, nearly 45,000 are under ART treatment. “The ‘Varumun Kappom' scheme has integrated counselling in the medical camps to sensitise people to HIV/AIDS,” he said.
Terming the carnival as ‘India's largest youth cultural event,' Mr. Panneerselvam said youth should be the torch-bearers and carry forward the awareness messages to people.
Principal Secretary Health V.K. Subburaj said that nearly Rs.100 crore was being spent on measures to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS every year. “Awareness campaigns form the core of prevention mechanism. As many have misconceptions about HIV transmission, the social taboo is high,” he said.
Mayor M. Subramanian reiterated the importance of youngsters knowing the right information about HIV/AIDS. TANSACS Project Director Shambu Kallolikar, Chennai Corporation AIDS Prevention and Control Society Project Director P. Jyothi Nirmala, Tamilnadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University Vice-Chancellor Mayil Vahanan Natarajan, University of Madras Registrar P. Saravanan and Director of Collegiate Education S. Jayabaskaran Charles participated in the event. District-level competitions were held last month and the winners were selected to participate in the State-level events. Over 14,000 students are participating in cultural programmes and 25,000 students in sports events. Awareness film screenings, variety entertainment, Gana fest and exhibition are to be held as part of the youth carnival.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article563060.ece
Nearly 1.5 lakh students from various schools and colleges across the State are participating in a string of cultural and sports events, organised as part of the carnival by the Tamil Nadu State AIDS Control Society (TANSACS).
Inaugurating the event, Health Minister M.R.K. Panneerselvam said that people in the 16-28 age-group were more susceptible to HIV/AIDS and awareness campaigns are necessary to sensitise them. Over 500 Red Ribbon Clubs would be set up in schools and colleges across the State to strengthen the awareness among the students.
Of the 1.82 lakh people with HIV/AIDS in the State, nearly 45,000 are under ART treatment. “The ‘Varumun Kappom' scheme has integrated counselling in the medical camps to sensitise people to HIV/AIDS,” he said.
Terming the carnival as ‘India's largest youth cultural event,' Mr. Panneerselvam said youth should be the torch-bearers and carry forward the awareness messages to people.
Principal Secretary Health V.K. Subburaj said that nearly Rs.100 crore was being spent on measures to prevent and treat HIV/AIDS every year. “Awareness campaigns form the core of prevention mechanism. As many have misconceptions about HIV transmission, the social taboo is high,” he said.
Mayor M. Subramanian reiterated the importance of youngsters knowing the right information about HIV/AIDS. TANSACS Project Director Shambu Kallolikar, Chennai Corporation AIDS Prevention and Control Society Project Director P. Jyothi Nirmala, Tamilnadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University Vice-Chancellor Mayil Vahanan Natarajan, University of Madras Registrar P. Saravanan and Director of Collegiate Education S. Jayabaskaran Charles participated in the event. District-level competitions were held last month and the winners were selected to participate in the State-level events. Over 14,000 students are participating in cultural programmes and 25,000 students in sports events. Awareness film screenings, variety entertainment, Gana fest and exhibition are to be held as part of the youth carnival.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Chennai/article563060.ece
Monday, August 16, 2010
Rahul Gandhi and Future of Youth politics
Rahul Gandhi hails from a powerful political family of India and is the son of Sonia Gandhi, Congress President and wife of the late Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister of India . Rahul’s great grand father Jawaharlal Nehru was one the founding members of the Congress party in independent India.
Even though his mother entered active politics, Rahul did not show much interest until 2003. He slowly and steadily built his image as a youth force of the Congress party.
Rahul made his intentions to enter politics strongly by making a goodwill visit to Pakistan to watch the two nations play cricket. In May 2004, he contested the elections and won by a huge margin a seat in the Lok Sabha. He started his political career from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. His victory generated considerable media excitement and enthusiasm. The younger generation started looking up at him as a role model.
Rahul Gandhi has been working on steadily in building a strong image in the political scenario of the country. His steps are proving him to be a mature human being and is building confidence amongst his supporters that one day he will be the future of Indian politics.
India is one of the world’s youngest democracies with more than 60 per cent of its population between the age group of 18 and 45 years. With majority of population in its younger years, India is boozing with confidence and zeal and in coming years is ready to leave an impact on the world politics
Modern Day Youth have been shaped by a variety of historical forces. These forces are worth a second look, as the Indian youth is a major influence on the future operations. India has for the past six decades saw many parties, many ideologies, many brilliant vision and great leader.
As our democracy is becoming stronger, it gave rise to many large and small political entities. Congress, the party of the people, has experienced many changes, since its inception.
Over the years India has seen many great leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and others, who, with their unwavering commitment, courage and inspirational leadership helped youth of the nation to move in the right direction. However, at this juncture, India welcomed Rahul Gandhi for the confidence of youth and being the motivating factor that can set standards for them.
Rahul Gandhi almost single-handedly won more than 20 seats in Uttar Pradesh and the Congress party a total of 204 seats in the Lok Sabha . His decision to go alone in the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh has proved to be very effective.
Rahul Gandhi has taken up Bihar as his ‘Battle zone’ .On his Bihar Campaign the youth icon visited Patna Women’s college driving the students crazy. Rahul, who visited the college for an interactive session with the girls, had quite an impact on them. Rahul , projected a deep approach during his media interaction.
Rahul is relying on the youth for Congress’s new membership drive ‘Team Bihar’ to repeat the success achieved in UP. At the same time he tried to win over the confidence of the greats of Nitish Kumar, Jayalalita, Navin Patnaik and Mamta Banerjee by praising their works in their respective states.
It gives us a glimmer of hope that he can be the change that India wants, or should I say the hope that India needs. He is a leader who is not afraid to call a spade a spade, even if it brings negative results for his own party.
He held elections for the youth Congress for the first time in Punjab. He began to build its framework in Tamil Nadu, where he made efforts to reinvigorate the youth.
In all these states, one thing is common that Rahul Gandhi wants the youth to participate in politics. This is probably the main reason why youth sees him as their idol and inspiration.
Over the years he has gained maturity and confidence and has gained a lot of popularity as well. In the years to come, the country will see Rahul as a young leader, on whom Indian youth is pinning all their hopes and aspirations. To his leadership where sizable chunk can relate to him, his ideology and vision to take India on a progressive path.
http://www.albertam.com/rahul-gandhi-and-future-of-youth-politics-2/
Even though his mother entered active politics, Rahul did not show much interest until 2003. He slowly and steadily built his image as a youth force of the Congress party.
Rahul made his intentions to enter politics strongly by making a goodwill visit to Pakistan to watch the two nations play cricket. In May 2004, he contested the elections and won by a huge margin a seat in the Lok Sabha. He started his political career from Amethi in Uttar Pradesh. His victory generated considerable media excitement and enthusiasm. The younger generation started looking up at him as a role model.
Rahul Gandhi has been working on steadily in building a strong image in the political scenario of the country. His steps are proving him to be a mature human being and is building confidence amongst his supporters that one day he will be the future of Indian politics.
India is one of the world’s youngest democracies with more than 60 per cent of its population between the age group of 18 and 45 years. With majority of population in its younger years, India is boozing with confidence and zeal and in coming years is ready to leave an impact on the world politics
Modern Day Youth have been shaped by a variety of historical forces. These forces are worth a second look, as the Indian youth is a major influence on the future operations. India has for the past six decades saw many parties, many ideologies, many brilliant vision and great leader.
As our democracy is becoming stronger, it gave rise to many large and small political entities. Congress, the party of the people, has experienced many changes, since its inception.
Over the years India has seen many great leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Atal Bihari Vajpayee and others, who, with their unwavering commitment, courage and inspirational leadership helped youth of the nation to move in the right direction. However, at this juncture, India welcomed Rahul Gandhi for the confidence of youth and being the motivating factor that can set standards for them.
Rahul Gandhi almost single-handedly won more than 20 seats in Uttar Pradesh and the Congress party a total of 204 seats in the Lok Sabha . His decision to go alone in the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh has proved to be very effective.
Rahul Gandhi has taken up Bihar as his ‘Battle zone’ .On his Bihar Campaign the youth icon visited Patna Women’s college driving the students crazy. Rahul, who visited the college for an interactive session with the girls, had quite an impact on them. Rahul , projected a deep approach during his media interaction.
Rahul is relying on the youth for Congress’s new membership drive ‘Team Bihar’ to repeat the success achieved in UP. At the same time he tried to win over the confidence of the greats of Nitish Kumar, Jayalalita, Navin Patnaik and Mamta Banerjee by praising their works in their respective states.
It gives us a glimmer of hope that he can be the change that India wants, or should I say the hope that India needs. He is a leader who is not afraid to call a spade a spade, even if it brings negative results for his own party.
He held elections for the youth Congress for the first time in Punjab. He began to build its framework in Tamil Nadu, where he made efforts to reinvigorate the youth.
In all these states, one thing is common that Rahul Gandhi wants the youth to participate in politics. This is probably the main reason why youth sees him as their idol and inspiration.
Over the years he has gained maturity and confidence and has gained a lot of popularity as well. In the years to come, the country will see Rahul as a young leader, on whom Indian youth is pinning all their hopes and aspirations. To his leadership where sizable chunk can relate to him, his ideology and vision to take India on a progressive path.
http://www.albertam.com/rahul-gandhi-and-future-of-youth-politics-2/
Ties that bind
This Independence Day, youth clubs renew their commitment to the country
Tricolour kites in hand, the Shivalik range in the background and an open ground to themselves, a group of 30 happily “reaches out to the sky”. “This is our way of expressing our free spirit and celebrating our love for India this Independence Day,” says Rahul of Global Environment Concern, set to celebrate the day at Leisure Valley, Sector 10, with a kite-flying event.
Other youth clubs in the city have come up with their own plans for the day. “We are going to celebrate the day with the students of Hamari Kaksha in an effort to give back to society,” says Saloni Bajaj of Youth United. “We want to make the children aware of the history of India’s independence in an interesting way. To that end, we have organised a quiz on topics like freedom fighters, know your country and know your leaders,” she says. Other events include patriotic poem recitation competition and games like ‘Blow the Balloon’. Elsewhere, AIESEC Chandigarh plans to give international interns a feel of real India by instructing them on the development the country has witnessed in the 63 years since Independence. Participants are expected to wear ethnic Indian clothes for the event that will also include a short film on Indian freedom struggle and a skit on Indian culture and heritage.
Making blogs, taking out processions, performing skits and sporting the national colours — all this has become a way of expressing a sense of belongingness to the country. At YuvShaala, “it is the freedom to study that we want to celebrate,” says Kshitij Mehra, who tells us how they collect old books and distribute them to under-privileged children in Himachal Pradesh. “We have asked students to donate books on any subject, including those for preparation of entrance examinations. People can either send the books to House No 1519/1, Sector 43 B or can contact us on facebook or our website www.yuvshaala.com. We have also planned to hold career-guidance seminars in various school,” he says. The club has also floated a project Marg 2010 after they got permission from Himachal Board of Higher Education to hold counseling sessions in 12 districts of the state.
Meera Sharma, coordinator of Spirit India, another youth organisation, says “We have organised an introductory session for the students of SD College, Sector 32 through which we want to motivate the youth to involve themselves in various projects designed to channelise their resources in a productive manner, arousing a spirit of nationalism and patriotism”.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Ties-that-bind/660458
Tricolour kites in hand, the Shivalik range in the background and an open ground to themselves, a group of 30 happily “reaches out to the sky”. “This is our way of expressing our free spirit and celebrating our love for India this Independence Day,” says Rahul of Global Environment Concern, set to celebrate the day at Leisure Valley, Sector 10, with a kite-flying event.
Other youth clubs in the city have come up with their own plans for the day. “We are going to celebrate the day with the students of Hamari Kaksha in an effort to give back to society,” says Saloni Bajaj of Youth United. “We want to make the children aware of the history of India’s independence in an interesting way. To that end, we have organised a quiz on topics like freedom fighters, know your country and know your leaders,” she says. Other events include patriotic poem recitation competition and games like ‘Blow the Balloon’. Elsewhere, AIESEC Chandigarh plans to give international interns a feel of real India by instructing them on the development the country has witnessed in the 63 years since Independence. Participants are expected to wear ethnic Indian clothes for the event that will also include a short film on Indian freedom struggle and a skit on Indian culture and heritage.
Making blogs, taking out processions, performing skits and sporting the national colours — all this has become a way of expressing a sense of belongingness to the country. At YuvShaala, “it is the freedom to study that we want to celebrate,” says Kshitij Mehra, who tells us how they collect old books and distribute them to under-privileged children in Himachal Pradesh. “We have asked students to donate books on any subject, including those for preparation of entrance examinations. People can either send the books to House No 1519/1, Sector 43 B or can contact us on facebook or our website www.yuvshaala.com. We have also planned to hold career-guidance seminars in various school,” he says. The club has also floated a project Marg 2010 after they got permission from Himachal Board of Higher Education to hold counseling sessions in 12 districts of the state.
Meera Sharma, coordinator of Spirit India, another youth organisation, says “We have organised an introductory session for the students of SD College, Sector 32 through which we want to motivate the youth to involve themselves in various projects designed to channelise their resources in a productive manner, arousing a spirit of nationalism and patriotism”.
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/Ties-that-bind/660458
Sunday, August 15, 2010
64th Independence Day: India and the MTV Generation!
“You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind.” - Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi.
We are celebrating the 64th Independence Day today. But unlike the past, the youth of today look back with cynical eyes wondering what Independence Day is all about.
A s a survey carried out in various cities of India has revealed that today’s youths have forgotten its history and have no idea about what happened in the year 1857. For some, it signifies a car’s number plate; while for others, it’s a year when riots took place.
Independence is the freedom of the soul, a perception of the mind and a feeling understood by the heart. This freedom, perception and more importantly, this feeling is that of liberation, patriotism, self-dependence and other such things.
When all such terms are put together and imposed upon the majority, it is a big responsibility on the youth of that nation and on those who create it. That nation is India.
So when India celebrates its 64th Independence Day, what does it mean to its people and the MTV generation at large? The sad part is that today, a majority of masses get enthusiastic about Independence Day/Republic Day as it has been declared as national holiday by the government. Gone are the days when people were very eager to attend Independence Day functions and were proud of being the part of the celebration.
When Breaking News Online asked a youth about the importance of freedom to him, quick came the reply, “India is a great country! Maoists and terrorists are also enjoying freedom in this great country.
Maoists are free to derail any train at any time and in any route. Terrorists are free to plant bombs anywhere in this country. There is no bar on Ministers regarding quantum of corruption. We need an overhaul.”
As the tri-color unfurls in its full splendor on the 15th day of this August, let’s introspect on to how we can together make a positive difference for the nation - whether through eco-friendly practices, energy-efficient measures, community service participation, financial contribution, fighting corruption or cost-effective innovation.
P.S.: On a lighter note, we are mentioning names of few good patriotic movies: ‘Lakshya’, ‘Rang De Basanti’ and ‘Border’. Happy Independence Day!
We are celebrating the 64th Independence Day today. But unlike the past, the youth of today look back with cynical eyes wondering what Independence Day is all about.
A s a survey carried out in various cities of India has revealed that today’s youths have forgotten its history and have no idea about what happened in the year 1857. For some, it signifies a car’s number plate; while for others, it’s a year when riots took place.
Independence is the freedom of the soul, a perception of the mind and a feeling understood by the heart. This freedom, perception and more importantly, this feeling is that of liberation, patriotism, self-dependence and other such things.
When all such terms are put together and imposed upon the majority, it is a big responsibility on the youth of that nation and on those who create it. That nation is India.
So when India celebrates its 64th Independence Day, what does it mean to its people and the MTV generation at large? The sad part is that today, a majority of masses get enthusiastic about Independence Day/Republic Day as it has been declared as national holiday by the government. Gone are the days when people were very eager to attend Independence Day functions and were proud of being the part of the celebration.
When Breaking News Online asked a youth about the importance of freedom to him, quick came the reply, “India is a great country! Maoists and terrorists are also enjoying freedom in this great country.
Maoists are free to derail any train at any time and in any route. Terrorists are free to plant bombs anywhere in this country. There is no bar on Ministers regarding quantum of corruption. We need an overhaul.”
As the tri-color unfurls in its full splendor on the 15th day of this August, let’s introspect on to how we can together make a positive difference for the nation - whether through eco-friendly practices, energy-efficient measures, community service participation, financial contribution, fighting corruption or cost-effective innovation.
P.S.: On a lighter note, we are mentioning names of few good patriotic movies: ‘Lakshya’, ‘Rang De Basanti’ and ‘Border’. Happy Independence Day!
Join hands in India''s development: Rahul to youth
Continuing his programme of connecting with the youth, Congress General Secretary Rahul Gandhi today asked them to join hands for development of the country during his first day of the two-day tour in Karnataka. During an hour-long interaction with students at St Philomena College here, Rahul dwelt on the role that youth can play in the political arena and development process.
He also spoke briefly about the scourge of terrorism and the need to eradicate it. The media was kept away from the event.
Police had a tough time trying to control students who vied with each other to catch Rahul''s attention. The party general secretary, who arrived at Mandakalli airport here by a special aircraft from Bangalore, was accorded a welcome by Opposition Congress leader in the Karnataka Assembly, Siddaramaiah.
Several Congress leaders also assembled at the airport to greet their leader. Rahul later left for Shimoga, the home district of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, for another interaction with students.
He will wind up his first of his two-day programme in the state with an overnight stay at Dharwad.
He also spoke briefly about the scourge of terrorism and the need to eradicate it. The media was kept away from the event.
Police had a tough time trying to control students who vied with each other to catch Rahul''s attention. The party general secretary, who arrived at Mandakalli airport here by a special aircraft from Bangalore, was accorded a welcome by Opposition Congress leader in the Karnataka Assembly, Siddaramaiah.
Several Congress leaders also assembled at the airport to greet their leader. Rahul later left for Shimoga, the home district of Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa, for another interaction with students.
He will wind up his first of his two-day programme in the state with an overnight stay at Dharwad.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Northeast youth given concessions to join Indian Army
Youths and tribals in the northeast have been given special concession in height and educational qualification to join the Indian Army, an official said here Wednesday.
'Among the eligibility criteria to join Indian Army, the minimum height required for the northeast Indian youth is 157-160 centimetres as against rest of India's requirement of 169 centimetres,' Assam's Silchar-based Army Recruitment Office director Colonel Sanjeev Bajpai told reporters.
He said for the tribals, the minimum educational qualification is Class 8 pass while for the others it is Class 12 pass to join the army as soldiers, soldier-clerks, store keepers-technical, soldiers-technical and nursing assistants.
The tribals constitute 27 percent of northeast India's total population of 38,857,769, according to the 2001 census.
'We will take whatever number of youths who want to join the Indian Army from the northeast, if they fulfil the eligibility criteria. There is no quota or vacancy posts systems for them,' Bajpai said ahead of a week-long open recruitment rally in Tripura beginning Aug 23.
There are special categories for sportsmen of state and national level, sons of former soldiers and war widows, widows, and National Cadet Corps - 'C' certificate holders, he said.
'Frequency of holding open recruitment rallies in northeast India have been increased of late to encourage youth of the region to join the Indian Army and lead a proud life,' Bajpai added.
'Among the eligibility criteria to join Indian Army, the minimum height required for the northeast Indian youth is 157-160 centimetres as against rest of India's requirement of 169 centimetres,' Assam's Silchar-based Army Recruitment Office director Colonel Sanjeev Bajpai told reporters.
He said for the tribals, the minimum educational qualification is Class 8 pass while for the others it is Class 12 pass to join the army as soldiers, soldier-clerks, store keepers-technical, soldiers-technical and nursing assistants.
The tribals constitute 27 percent of northeast India's total population of 38,857,769, according to the 2001 census.
'We will take whatever number of youths who want to join the Indian Army from the northeast, if they fulfil the eligibility criteria. There is no quota or vacancy posts systems for them,' Bajpai said ahead of a week-long open recruitment rally in Tripura beginning Aug 23.
There are special categories for sportsmen of state and national level, sons of former soldiers and war widows, widows, and National Cadet Corps - 'C' certificate holders, he said.
'Frequency of holding open recruitment rallies in northeast India have been increased of late to encourage youth of the region to join the Indian Army and lead a proud life,' Bajpai added.
An Arrogant Young Man
Now that Youth Day is here, once again the time comes to be told how great it is to be a youth (in the 15-25 age bracket) in India.
But this year, I thought I would do something radical. I will not tell you what you could or should be doing. Instead let me share with you what I, a middle-class, 23-year-old urban youth working with an international company in a major Indian city, think of myself.
There are plenty of ‘me’ in this country and considering the contribution by ‘my’ kind to the GDP, I think what I think is food for thought.
I was 13 when the new millennium began, and as I remember, we were heralded as the phoenix that would bring a new India out of it own ashes. Ten years later, I take a quick look at my own report card. All things considered, I think I get 66%.
I am arrogant, completely devoid of unnecessary obligations, free in my love, smug in my sense of how modern/liberal I am, strangely reluctant to let go of religion, confident in my abilities to reach any goal I choose, uncaring about anything that doesn’t affect me directly, still following politicians my grandfather’s age, easily roused to anger, don’t believe in government interference and have a good job in an air-conditioned office that is making me richer than my dad.
The list under “Things you have done to 'change the world'” is rather small. In fact, personally, managing to pay my postpaid cell phone bill before the due date can be classified as a major social achievement.
Let’s face the truth. The wings I soar upon were not made by me. My English-medium school, B.A Degree, Internet, 32-inch flat screen TV, microwave, washing machine, daily newspapers, jeans, pens, fruits and a million different material things, along with most of my outlook on life, were given to me by my parents.
I don’t think I have flown above the past; I think I was pulled onto the top of a high tower, strapped to glider and shoved off. Gliding higher up was more or less involuntary.
Among social and work-related circles, a disdain for the past has become rather fashionable. No one wants to know about the License Raj, about the struggles for freedom or even about the Emergency.
Talk about Mahatma Gandhi and I am generally met with scorn along the lines of " oh who him? It’s just a picture on a wall! He didn't do ALL that much you know". This comes from the same class of people who can't seem to stop anyone from even jaywalking.
But such is the way. The past is not so important to me. I prefer the unseen future which I will be making myself.
But there are other things of which I am proud. I am a somewhat moral and reasonably law-abiding citizen who speaks four languages, pays my taxes, has a steady job and am not quite as ready as my forefathers to urinate on every vertical surface I find. I am devoid of any ideals of not letting the evil capitalists win. What I really want to know is how I can steal their jobs faster and when that shopping mall will open, since I got my salary yesterday.
I am sure that my opinion counts and if anyone tells me that it doesn’t they better be ready to fight me. The world is a place that needs to be taken over and I believe I know how to do it.
And if anyone looks at me and sneers "Indian" you can be damn sure that I will sneer back with the words "and what miserable little shack to you come from? What’s that? 3% yearly growths...are you serious? Didn’t you lose your job to me last year? Unemployed are you? That’s right. Keep walking!"
As a young man, I may not have done much. I may not even be much to look at, maybe too many pizzas and Coca-Cola have made me ‘healthy’. But I know that I have done enough to ensure that I am on a path that will allow me to do anything.
I am not a ‘somebody’, but I could become ‘anybody’. I am confident about tomorrow knowing that.
http://sify.com/news/an-arrogant-young-man-news-columns-kimlPfidcac.html
But this year, I thought I would do something radical. I will not tell you what you could or should be doing. Instead let me share with you what I, a middle-class, 23-year-old urban youth working with an international company in a major Indian city, think of myself.
There are plenty of ‘me’ in this country and considering the contribution by ‘my’ kind to the GDP, I think what I think is food for thought.
I was 13 when the new millennium began, and as I remember, we were heralded as the phoenix that would bring a new India out of it own ashes. Ten years later, I take a quick look at my own report card. All things considered, I think I get 66%.
I am arrogant, completely devoid of unnecessary obligations, free in my love, smug in my sense of how modern/liberal I am, strangely reluctant to let go of religion, confident in my abilities to reach any goal I choose, uncaring about anything that doesn’t affect me directly, still following politicians my grandfather’s age, easily roused to anger, don’t believe in government interference and have a good job in an air-conditioned office that is making me richer than my dad.
The list under “Things you have done to 'change the world'” is rather small. In fact, personally, managing to pay my postpaid cell phone bill before the due date can be classified as a major social achievement.
Let’s face the truth. The wings I soar upon were not made by me. My English-medium school, B.A Degree, Internet, 32-inch flat screen TV, microwave, washing machine, daily newspapers, jeans, pens, fruits and a million different material things, along with most of my outlook on life, were given to me by my parents.
I don’t think I have flown above the past; I think I was pulled onto the top of a high tower, strapped to glider and shoved off. Gliding higher up was more or less involuntary.
Among social and work-related circles, a disdain for the past has become rather fashionable. No one wants to know about the License Raj, about the struggles for freedom or even about the Emergency.
Talk about Mahatma Gandhi and I am generally met with scorn along the lines of " oh who him? It’s just a picture on a wall! He didn't do ALL that much you know". This comes from the same class of people who can't seem to stop anyone from even jaywalking.
But such is the way. The past is not so important to me. I prefer the unseen future which I will be making myself.
But there are other things of which I am proud. I am a somewhat moral and reasonably law-abiding citizen who speaks four languages, pays my taxes, has a steady job and am not quite as ready as my forefathers to urinate on every vertical surface I find. I am devoid of any ideals of not letting the evil capitalists win. What I really want to know is how I can steal their jobs faster and when that shopping mall will open, since I got my salary yesterday.
I am sure that my opinion counts and if anyone tells me that it doesn’t they better be ready to fight me. The world is a place that needs to be taken over and I believe I know how to do it.
And if anyone looks at me and sneers "Indian" you can be damn sure that I will sneer back with the words "and what miserable little shack to you come from? What’s that? 3% yearly growths...are you serious? Didn’t you lose your job to me last year? Unemployed are you? That’s right. Keep walking!"
As a young man, I may not have done much. I may not even be much to look at, maybe too many pizzas and Coca-Cola have made me ‘healthy’. But I know that I have done enough to ensure that I am on a path that will allow me to do anything.
I am not a ‘somebody’, but I could become ‘anybody’. I am confident about tomorrow knowing that.
http://sify.com/news/an-arrogant-young-man-news-columns-kimlPfidcac.html
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
It's always show time for youth
Whether they're checking out Leonardo DiCaprio or enjoying the rib-tickling `3 Idiots', Youngistan is keeping its date with movies. They're such avid movie-goers that they often watch at least five a week.
And there's no more rushing to catch the first day, first show. GenY goes by the cast and prefers to read several reviews before deciding which one to watch. "I don't want to waste money on movies considering it's so expensive in Bangalore. Hence, I only go for movies that get killer reviews,'' says Aditi Gaitonde, first-year Mass Communication student, Christ University.
Aditi is a movie buff and loves foreign films, specially those from Hollywood. "But foreign language films are more touching and experimental such as `Amelie' and `City of God'. Going to theatres is expensive now and so I download some movies from internet. There are some good sites which provide all information -- from cast and crew to synopsis... Our college also has a movie club called Transtalkies, where we screen movies and analyse them," she adds.
If some prefer experimental cinema, others don't mind shelling out money if it's their favourite director. "I see who is the director and then read the reviews. I like to watch movies by Anurag Kashyap or Madhur Bhandarkar. I never go by the trailers which is just a publicity stunt,'' says Avanish Tiwary, first-year print journalism, Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media (IIJNM). Avanish too prefers foreign films, specially from Iran. He either sees them on DVDs or downloads them.
While Sumana Sri, a BA student from Christ College, loves to watch movies first day, first show, her college timings make this impossible. However, she still manages to catch five movies a week. Though she prefers English and Hindi movies, she takes out time for Kannada and Telugu films with her family. "I watch Hindi movies mainly because of the script. When it comes to regional films, I have no other choice but to watch what my parents prefer,'' she says.
She adores films starring Leonardo DiCaprio. "I haven't been disappointed by his movies as yet,'' says Sumana. She's an ardent fan of action and thriller movies, but detests horror flicks. "I really can't watch brainless comedies,'' she adds.
Snigdha Bose, final-year MBA student from Symbosis, Bangalore, goes largely by the reviews. "I don't want to spend much on movies and due to my packed schedules, I hardly get time. So, I download them and see them on my laptop where I can fast-forward songs and scenes I don't like,'' she explains.
Some youngsters such as Hitha Gujjar, a third-year journalism student of Mount Carmel College, doesn't mind watching any film. "I watch movies of all languages -- Kannada, Hindi, English, Spanish and French. Sometimes, we choose movies by others' feedback. I read reviews before going to the theatre,'' she admits. The cast, crew, script and acting are other essential factors which Hitha considers.
Her friend, Tanu Kulkarni is majorly into movies and but she loves the less predictable one and those which give value for money. "I enjoy Hindi and English the most but make it a point to read several reviews before going," she added.
If some things haven't changed with students over the years, it's their passion for the silver screen.
Read more: It's always show time for youth - Bangalore - City - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Its-always-show-time-for-youth/articleshow/6295460.cms#ixzz0wLgkcy8k
And there's no more rushing to catch the first day, first show. GenY goes by the cast and prefers to read several reviews before deciding which one to watch. "I don't want to waste money on movies considering it's so expensive in Bangalore. Hence, I only go for movies that get killer reviews,'' says Aditi Gaitonde, first-year Mass Communication student, Christ University.
Aditi is a movie buff and loves foreign films, specially those from Hollywood. "But foreign language films are more touching and experimental such as `Amelie' and `City of God'. Going to theatres is expensive now and so I download some movies from internet. There are some good sites which provide all information -- from cast and crew to synopsis... Our college also has a movie club called Transtalkies, where we screen movies and analyse them," she adds.
If some prefer experimental cinema, others don't mind shelling out money if it's their favourite director. "I see who is the director and then read the reviews. I like to watch movies by Anurag Kashyap or Madhur Bhandarkar. I never go by the trailers which is just a publicity stunt,'' says Avanish Tiwary, first-year print journalism, Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media (IIJNM). Avanish too prefers foreign films, specially from Iran. He either sees them on DVDs or downloads them.
While Sumana Sri, a BA student from Christ College, loves to watch movies first day, first show, her college timings make this impossible. However, she still manages to catch five movies a week. Though she prefers English and Hindi movies, she takes out time for Kannada and Telugu films with her family. "I watch Hindi movies mainly because of the script. When it comes to regional films, I have no other choice but to watch what my parents prefer,'' she says.
She adores films starring Leonardo DiCaprio. "I haven't been disappointed by his movies as yet,'' says Sumana. She's an ardent fan of action and thriller movies, but detests horror flicks. "I really can't watch brainless comedies,'' she adds.
Snigdha Bose, final-year MBA student from Symbosis, Bangalore, goes largely by the reviews. "I don't want to spend much on movies and due to my packed schedules, I hardly get time. So, I download them and see them on my laptop where I can fast-forward songs and scenes I don't like,'' she explains.
Some youngsters such as Hitha Gujjar, a third-year journalism student of Mount Carmel College, doesn't mind watching any film. "I watch movies of all languages -- Kannada, Hindi, English, Spanish and French. Sometimes, we choose movies by others' feedback. I read reviews before going to the theatre,'' she admits. The cast, crew, script and acting are other essential factors which Hitha considers.
Her friend, Tanu Kulkarni is majorly into movies and but she loves the less predictable one and those which give value for money. "I enjoy Hindi and English the most but make it a point to read several reviews before going," she added.
If some things haven't changed with students over the years, it's their passion for the silver screen.
Read more: It's always show time for youth - Bangalore - City - The Times of India http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Its-always-show-time-for-youth/articleshow/6295460.cms#ixzz0wLgkcy8k
Chennai hosts youth carnival to boost AIDS awareness
A three-day youth carnival has been organised in Chennai to spread AIDS awareness and sensitise masses about the deadly disease.
Pledging their solidarity with the people living with HIV, scores of people participated in the special 'Illavatam' (Youth Carnival) amid fanfare and exuberance.
In a bid to strengthen social amalgamation, the activists also held plays and musical shows with a 'humanist' approach and condemned the widespread practice of marginalisation and discrimination against the HIV infected people.
Hosted by the Indian Community Welfare Organisation (ICWO), a spate of mesmerising cultural performances and breathtaking acrobatics were also held during the course of the inaugural session.
The organisers said the main objective behind the festival is to enlighten youngsters about HIV-AIDS and remove misconceptions and doubts that instigate fear with regard to the ailment.
"Specifically, this platform is used to give opportunity for the HIV infected people to come and express their status and mobilize support for people living with HIV-AIDS. There are also performances by them, lot of interactions and small group meetings," said A.J. Hariharan, Founder Secretary of the ICWO.
"This platform is to provide information, not to discriminate or isolate people living with HIV-AIDS," he added.
The event that began on Tuesday garnered a lot of support with the participation of the locals.
Exhibition matches of volleyball and football were also organised to spread AIDS awareness, while over 3,000 students from schools and colleges of the city actively presented their artistic skills in diverse competitions.
"In today's scenario, people are not even aware of the difference between HIV and AIDS. They are two different things and people are not aware of that. I think it will be good if they are educated on HIV," said Bharathi, a college student.
"This will be more beneficial because it is told through entertainment
which reaches people very easily. I am very happy to be a part of this programme, and I am very happy to contribute a little bit for the eradication of AIDS," he added.
As per the report of the United Nations, over 5.7 million people in India are infected with HIV/AIDS. (ANI)
Pledging their solidarity with the people living with HIV, scores of people participated in the special 'Illavatam' (Youth Carnival) amid fanfare and exuberance.
In a bid to strengthen social amalgamation, the activists also held plays and musical shows with a 'humanist' approach and condemned the widespread practice of marginalisation and discrimination against the HIV infected people.
Hosted by the Indian Community Welfare Organisation (ICWO), a spate of mesmerising cultural performances and breathtaking acrobatics were also held during the course of the inaugural session.
The organisers said the main objective behind the festival is to enlighten youngsters about HIV-AIDS and remove misconceptions and doubts that instigate fear with regard to the ailment.
"Specifically, this platform is used to give opportunity for the HIV infected people to come and express their status and mobilize support for people living with HIV-AIDS. There are also performances by them, lot of interactions and small group meetings," said A.J. Hariharan, Founder Secretary of the ICWO.
"This platform is to provide information, not to discriminate or isolate people living with HIV-AIDS," he added.
The event that began on Tuesday garnered a lot of support with the participation of the locals.
Exhibition matches of volleyball and football were also organised to spread AIDS awareness, while over 3,000 students from schools and colleges of the city actively presented their artistic skills in diverse competitions.
"In today's scenario, people are not even aware of the difference between HIV and AIDS. They are two different things and people are not aware of that. I think it will be good if they are educated on HIV," said Bharathi, a college student.
"This will be more beneficial because it is told through entertainment
which reaches people very easily. I am very happy to be a part of this programme, and I am very happy to contribute a little bit for the eradication of AIDS," he added.
As per the report of the United Nations, over 5.7 million people in India are infected with HIV/AIDS. (ANI)
The agony of the hereditary turks
Politics of youth
As if Omar Abdullah’s contribution alone were not enough, now we have the collective ‘GenNext intervention’ from Delhi on J&K! Right when the country’s youngest chief minister has squandered away, in a matter of a year, the hope and optimism the last two successful Assembly elections and the subsequent political process had generated in J&K, around 40 young members of Parliament, cutting across party lines, issued a joint appeal, urging the agitating Kashmiri youth to join the negotiation table. On the face of it, their resolve indeed is praiseworthy. But the problem lies in an uncomfortable question; about the political and social credentials of these MPs, barring a few exceptions, to be the true representatives of the youth of democratic India and their credibility to command the respect and trust of the country’s aspiring and struggling youngsters, from Kanyakumari to Srinagar.
Before going to the fault-lines in these young MPs’ political makeup, one should look at the backdrop and timing of their ‘peace move’. It took almost two months of agitation and nearly 50 deaths on the streets of Kashmir for Omar to realise the basics of politics and governance; that in a democratic system, the true leaders have to remain constantly in touch with, and reach out to, the people and not remain like a king in an ivory tower especially when outbursts of popular discontent are on display.
It was only after the cultivated ‘bright kid’ image of Omar was razed down, ironically , by the very (stone-throwing) youth of his home state through 24×7 reality TV shows, that he thought it fit to visit a hospital to see the injured. It was exactly on ‘Omar’s day out’ that his young friends in Parliament chose to launch their own ‘peace mission’. It is a different matter it took some experienced political brains in Delhi and the octogenarian Syed Ali Shah Gilani in Srinagar to provide the battered young CM a temporary relief.
In short, in their two-month silent watching of Kashmir crisis and their final decision to venture out, Omar and his young friends put up a perfect display of synchronised reflexes. Did these young MPs snap out of their collective slumber to see their own potential future in Omar’s total disconnect with the youth of his state?
The plot only thickens when you consider that these so-called young turks had neither been shaken nor stirred by a series of recent events that had special significance for India’s youth. Many young couples are being hounded or hacked to death in the name of ‘honour killings’ or ‘upholding the caste pride’ by hoodlums. But none of us had the privilege of seeing these young MPs, supposedly champions of India’s youth, issue an appeal for reason or launch a movement against caste authority. Instead, one of them vowed to take ‘the khap panchayat cause’ to the PMO!
We recently saw a young Dalit girl being made to wash toilet at the school where she studied, leading to her suicide, and how a social boycott forced the Uttar Pradesh government to abandon its plans to employ Dalit cooks in schools. But none of this pricked the conscience of these ‘young and progressive’ MPs.
The nation is also witnessing an animated debate on how to tackle the Maoist problem, especially when many young men and women of the neglected social sections are joining the radicals’ bloody war against the state. Have you heard our Gen-Next MPs air their views on the matter? They also suffer no bout of collective anger when the Commonwealth Games, meant to boost the spirit of Indian’s sporting youth, has turned out to be a mega show of corruption and mismanagement.
But, then, it is no accident that these young MPs who display their collective agony over their friend Omar falling flat on his GenNext nose, remain indifferent to the real issues and causes of the Indian youth. Because, they, like Omar, owe nothing to India’s youth, or their aspirations for becoming what they are; MPs, ministers, chief minister and tomorrow’s rulers. They have made it big not because they have risen from a genuine youth movement or political process or by charming the voters with some exceptional talent.
They owe their rise to just two factors: the powerful political families to which they belong to, and the way they systematically and collectively degenerated our democratic system into hereditary rules that ambush the genuine youth activists, snuff out their political careers and leave voters with no genuine choices.
And the fact that most of the national and regional parties, including those that harp against the ‘dynastic Congress’, have started accepting family raj and started churning out their own Hereditary Turks is posing amajor threat to the democratic process.
As Srinagar revealed the disconnect between Omar and the youth on the street, no wonder his true cohorts in Parliament too felt the heat.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/comments--analysis/The-agony-of-the-hereditary-turks/articleshow/6278871.cms
As if Omar Abdullah’s contribution alone were not enough, now we have the collective ‘GenNext intervention’ from Delhi on J&K! Right when the country’s youngest chief minister has squandered away, in a matter of a year, the hope and optimism the last two successful Assembly elections and the subsequent political process had generated in J&K, around 40 young members of Parliament, cutting across party lines, issued a joint appeal, urging the agitating Kashmiri youth to join the negotiation table. On the face of it, their resolve indeed is praiseworthy. But the problem lies in an uncomfortable question; about the political and social credentials of these MPs, barring a few exceptions, to be the true representatives of the youth of democratic India and their credibility to command the respect and trust of the country’s aspiring and struggling youngsters, from Kanyakumari to Srinagar.
Before going to the fault-lines in these young MPs’ political makeup, one should look at the backdrop and timing of their ‘peace move’. It took almost two months of agitation and nearly 50 deaths on the streets of Kashmir for Omar to realise the basics of politics and governance; that in a democratic system, the true leaders have to remain constantly in touch with, and reach out to, the people and not remain like a king in an ivory tower especially when outbursts of popular discontent are on display.
It was only after the cultivated ‘bright kid’ image of Omar was razed down, ironically , by the very (stone-throwing) youth of his home state through 24×7 reality TV shows, that he thought it fit to visit a hospital to see the injured. It was exactly on ‘Omar’s day out’ that his young friends in Parliament chose to launch their own ‘peace mission’. It is a different matter it took some experienced political brains in Delhi and the octogenarian Syed Ali Shah Gilani in Srinagar to provide the battered young CM a temporary relief.
In short, in their two-month silent watching of Kashmir crisis and their final decision to venture out, Omar and his young friends put up a perfect display of synchronised reflexes. Did these young MPs snap out of their collective slumber to see their own potential future in Omar’s total disconnect with the youth of his state?
The plot only thickens when you consider that these so-called young turks had neither been shaken nor stirred by a series of recent events that had special significance for India’s youth. Many young couples are being hounded or hacked to death in the name of ‘honour killings’ or ‘upholding the caste pride’ by hoodlums. But none of us had the privilege of seeing these young MPs, supposedly champions of India’s youth, issue an appeal for reason or launch a movement against caste authority. Instead, one of them vowed to take ‘the khap panchayat cause’ to the PMO!
We recently saw a young Dalit girl being made to wash toilet at the school where she studied, leading to her suicide, and how a social boycott forced the Uttar Pradesh government to abandon its plans to employ Dalit cooks in schools. But none of this pricked the conscience of these ‘young and progressive’ MPs.
The nation is also witnessing an animated debate on how to tackle the Maoist problem, especially when many young men and women of the neglected social sections are joining the radicals’ bloody war against the state. Have you heard our Gen-Next MPs air their views on the matter? They also suffer no bout of collective anger when the Commonwealth Games, meant to boost the spirit of Indian’s sporting youth, has turned out to be a mega show of corruption and mismanagement.
But, then, it is no accident that these young MPs who display their collective agony over their friend Omar falling flat on his GenNext nose, remain indifferent to the real issues and causes of the Indian youth. Because, they, like Omar, owe nothing to India’s youth, or their aspirations for becoming what they are; MPs, ministers, chief minister and tomorrow’s rulers. They have made it big not because they have risen from a genuine youth movement or political process or by charming the voters with some exceptional talent.
They owe their rise to just two factors: the powerful political families to which they belong to, and the way they systematically and collectively degenerated our democratic system into hereditary rules that ambush the genuine youth activists, snuff out their political careers and leave voters with no genuine choices.
And the fact that most of the national and regional parties, including those that harp against the ‘dynastic Congress’, have started accepting family raj and started churning out their own Hereditary Turks is posing amajor threat to the democratic process.
As Srinagar revealed the disconnect between Omar and the youth on the street, no wonder his true cohorts in Parliament too felt the heat.
http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/opinion/comments--analysis/The-agony-of-the-hereditary-turks/articleshow/6278871.cms
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Net-worked youth lose sleep
For 19-year-old mass communication student Anshu Sharma, it is common to wake up suddenly in the night to check if there is any new mail or to see the latest update of her other social networking partners. Sharma, according to psychiatrists, is among a growing number of Indians aged between 15 and 30 years who suffer from ‘techno-anxiety’.
The increase in the number of social networking websites and growing instances of its overuse have led to habits in many young people, which are causing neurological disorders, restlessness, hostility, irritation and distancing from family members.
‘‘Yes, it happens to me. Be it in the classroom or at home, I am always online, either through the computer or on my phone. There is always an anxiety to know what others are doing. I update my facebook status and tweet almost every few minutes and wait for others to comment on them. When people do not comment, I feel restless,’’ said Gaurav Saxena, who studies at a private engineering college in Delhi.
He says that the anxiety is more when he is alone. Software professional Vivek Trikha says that he spends most of his free time in office in checking mails and other social networking sites.
According to psychiatrist Jitender Nagpal, even nine-year-old children come to him with parents. They feel restless if they are not able to check their mails constantly or if their parents try to monitor their use of internet. ‘‘They get irritated and often this techno-anxiety leads to aggressive behaviour. It causes mood swings and leads to lack of concentration in studies or work,’’ said Nagpal. He said many children find communicating through social networking websites easier than having personal interaction.
He added, ‘‘There is every possibility that such children may become introverts when they grow up. They may not perform well in seminars, recitations and group discussions.’’
India has more than 50 million internet users and the number is increasing fast. A major section of internet users (85%) are between the age-group of 19-40 years.
Five to six years ago, there were mails, then came the option to chat and now there is a flurry of social networking sites Psychiatrists say they receive more than five to six cases of psychological problems caused by the overuse of internet almost every day.
The problems include lack of attention or focus, difficulty in processing real time information, anxiety and mood swings.
It leads to irregular sleeping habits, which can cause other health problems. ‘‘Parents should monitor the use of internet by children and help them communicate real time as much as possible. For grown-ups, there is a need to first identify the problem and accept it. Self-assessment can help and in extreme cases counselling may be required,’’ said another expert.
The increase in the number of social networking websites and growing instances of its overuse have led to habits in many young people, which are causing neurological disorders, restlessness, hostility, irritation and distancing from family members.
‘‘Yes, it happens to me. Be it in the classroom or at home, I am always online, either through the computer or on my phone. There is always an anxiety to know what others are doing. I update my facebook status and tweet almost every few minutes and wait for others to comment on them. When people do not comment, I feel restless,’’ said Gaurav Saxena, who studies at a private engineering college in Delhi.
He says that the anxiety is more when he is alone. Software professional Vivek Trikha says that he spends most of his free time in office in checking mails and other social networking sites.
According to psychiatrist Jitender Nagpal, even nine-year-old children come to him with parents. They feel restless if they are not able to check their mails constantly or if their parents try to monitor their use of internet. ‘‘They get irritated and often this techno-anxiety leads to aggressive behaviour. It causes mood swings and leads to lack of concentration in studies or work,’’ said Nagpal. He said many children find communicating through social networking websites easier than having personal interaction.
He added, ‘‘There is every possibility that such children may become introverts when they grow up. They may not perform well in seminars, recitations and group discussions.’’
India has more than 50 million internet users and the number is increasing fast. A major section of internet users (85%) are between the age-group of 19-40 years.
Five to six years ago, there were mails, then came the option to chat and now there is a flurry of social networking sites Psychiatrists say they receive more than five to six cases of psychological problems caused by the overuse of internet almost every day.
The problems include lack of attention or focus, difficulty in processing real time information, anxiety and mood swings.
It leads to irregular sleeping habits, which can cause other health problems. ‘‘Parents should monitor the use of internet by children and help them communicate real time as much as possible. For grown-ups, there is a need to first identify the problem and accept it. Self-assessment can help and in extreme cases counselling may be required,’’ said another expert.
Out with old in with New
Making political predictions is a difficult task. Ask the psephologists. The task gets even tougher should you be brave or foolish enough to predict the moves of the Gandhi family.
Last week, in Parliament and the corridors of power, inside TV studios and in newsrooms across the country, one question was being hotly debated by politicians, journalists, opinion makers and those who like to be known as just analysts: Why were the Gandhis keeping a stoic silence when the government was being hauled over the coals by the Opposition which suddenly seems to have discovered a spring in its step? While the Prime Minister and his A-team were under fire for multiple failures on the price front, Kashmir, Naxalism and now the Commonwealth Games fiasco, both Sonia and Rahul were nowhere to be seen. Even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh refrained from making a symbolic intervention. The Gen Next, once the Congress's in- house shoutdown- the- enemy brigade, kept a low profile while the UPA ministers and AICC functionaries, rather than taking on the Opposition, were busy settling scores with each other.
A brief interaction with the ruling party's many Mr Know-alls in the central hall of Parliament last week has now convinced me that the Gandhis are aiming to make drastic changes both in the government and the party establishment. The dilemma that faces them is: How to wield the axe without spilling much blood.
The exercise is expected to start next month with the re- election of Sonia as the Congress President, a mere formality. She would then become the first Congress leader to hold the post for over a decade without a break. After Indira, Sonia remains the only Congress leader in more than four decades to steer the party to a second consecutive victory in the general elections.
In the party, she shares with Rahul, now the most popular leader in the Congress if not the country, a veto power that no other Congress functionary has. I understand that they are giving finishing touches and waiting for Parliament's monsoon session to get over to effect a massive shake up aimed at revitalising the party and the government.
The objective is clear: Four years from now, the Congress must win a majority on its own.
To raise its current tally from the current 206 to 272 plus, the party has no option but to concentrate on Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Karnataka and choose leaders who can make a difference.
Manmohan Singh Experience has taught the leadership that it is not the performance but a perfect connect with the local leaders and voters that is vital to ensure victory. At the moment, there is an utter lack of compatibility between high-profile ministers and senior party functionaries.
Party leaders have for long lamented that, with the disconnect that exists between the government and the organisation, it is difficult for the latter to carry the message across to the grassroots. I am told some of the senior ministers who command respect may be moved over to the organisation with a view to make Congress ministers accountable to the party. Armchair strategists who wax eloquent at seminars and TV debates may have to give way to those with a readiness to face the heat and dust and take the rough and tumble of Bharat.
So far, Rahul has studiously stayed away from the politics of the parent organisation even as he energised the Youth Congress to make it a parallel power centre.
The genuine competitive elections for Youth Congress officebearers that were held across the country at Rahul's directions were, in reality, talent scouting exercises that brought thousands of new workers into the party's fold and threw up hundreds of hugely talented men and woman who have both the drive and vision.
While a shake- up in the party was never expected to pose much of a problem, getting rid of the many non-performing ministers was not that easy. Plans earlier for a purge of the old order were met with stiff resistance from the well entrenched. This time, they may not have an option. Congressmen in general know that they have a lot of broken promises to keep. But it is perhaps only Rahul who acknowledges that it is probably the last chance to convince voters that they are worthy leaders ahead of 2014.
Sanjay gets a rare mention in Parliament
For the five years that he was in active politics - which include the Emergency, the Janata wave of 1977 and Indira's triumphant return in 1980 - Sanjay Gandhi remained the most controversial political figure in the country.
He was opposed and despised so much that since his death in an air crash exactly 30 years ago, even his most committed former followers, some of whom are powerful ministers in the UPA government, dare not take his name. It therefore came as a surprise to me last week when during a debate in the Lok Sabha on population growth, the JD( U)' s Sharad Yadav praised Sanjay to the skies.
Remember, Yadav was at the forefront of Jaiprakash Narayan's Total Revolution movement which led to the Emergency, during which he was jailed. Surprise, surprise, but this is what he said last week: " Some people blame Sanjay Gandhi. But I feel something has to be done to arrest the spiralling population. Sanjay felt issues such as population should be dealt with a strong hand. I feel that along with incentives there is a need for harsh measures and only then can a solution be found." And this is what health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, a member of what was then known as the Sanjay brigade, had to say: " There is a difference between Sanjay Gandhi's days and now.
We are not going to force anything.
Everything has to be done through awareness and voluntarily." Though it was just a reiteration of oft- stated government policy, it was amusing to see the eagerness of some leaders to show that they are already practicing what the government is preaching.
Mulayam Singh Yadav vouched he had only one son, Sushma Swaraj said she had just one daughter and Maneka Gandhi also said she adhered to the one- child norm. It was just as well that Lalu Prasad, a father of nine, was not present.
On a more serious note, it was heartening to see our elected representatives give the subject the attention it deserves.
A lesson in national interest by GenNext
While the old guard in Parliament kept up their favourite pastime of hammering away at each other, there was an unexpected and upbeat message of hope and reassurance when young MP's cutting across party lines came together and put up an unprecedented display of solidarity over the troubled paradise that is Kashmir.
A joint statement they released suggested they were appealing to the youth in the Valley to shun violence and settle for dialogue, but Parliament's youth brigade left no one in doubt that they were rallying around Omar Abdullah, who at 40, is India's youngest chief minister.
Considering the deep divide in Parliament, the cross party concern for one from their own generation should serve as a powerful symbol of what can be achieved if the national interest is put before partisan political interest. In Parliament's central hall, I saw Priya Dutt and Deependra Hooda going around enlisting support for the statement and the 38 signatories represented the entire political spectrum. There is speculation about the brain behind the show and the list of signatories indicates that it was the Rahul Hand that took the initiative for this morale booster for common friend Omar.
Akhilesh Yadav ( SP), Anurag Thakur ( BJP), Dushyant Chowdhary ( INLD), and other Opposition scions who signed the statement are all Rahul's political rivals, yet share a close personal rapport with him. More importantly, like Rahul, they believe that for the larger good, it is important that politicians set aside their narrow partisan interests.
The scenes inside Parliament where the old guard was busy pointing fingers and outside where the young MPs jointly addressed the media showed just how wide the chasm has become.
So, was the joint show intended to tell the grand old men and women that they don't intend to follow in their footsteps? For the country's sake, I hope so. At least we can be sure that the future is in safe and capable hands.
****
Watching the powerful Yadav troika in Parliament reminds me of the British MP who was in the habit of intervening in every debate and after waxing eloquent for six hours or more would conclude by saying " Mr Speaker Sir, with these brief words, let me conclude". Mulayam Singh Yadav, Lalu Prasad and Sharad Yadav are among the senior most members of the Lok Sabha who know their rights but seem blissfully unaware of their responsibilities.
If Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar had acted like the school marm that she was reputed to be, they wouldn't have been allowed to waste the precious time of the house as they do now. The trio don't even wait for the end of question time for zero hour to begin before launching their daily assaults. Backbenchers are irked to see the three raising their hands in unison with a supplementary for every question raised in the house. What's more, many of the junior ministers seem intimidated by their aggressive postures. Last Friday, Lalu was at his aggressive worst trying to corner the government on the non- performing assets of public sector banks. But he chose the wrong target, as finance minister Pranab Mukherjee told him bluntly that he will not reveal the names of the industrialists who are in the NPA list.
The scathing putdown nearly set off a round of loud desk thumping, but by then Lalu had made his customary walkout.
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/108446/India/out-with-old-in-with-new.html
Last week, in Parliament and the corridors of power, inside TV studios and in newsrooms across the country, one question was being hotly debated by politicians, journalists, opinion makers and those who like to be known as just analysts: Why were the Gandhis keeping a stoic silence when the government was being hauled over the coals by the Opposition which suddenly seems to have discovered a spring in its step? While the Prime Minister and his A-team were under fire for multiple failures on the price front, Kashmir, Naxalism and now the Commonwealth Games fiasco, both Sonia and Rahul were nowhere to be seen. Even Prime Minister Manmohan Singh refrained from making a symbolic intervention. The Gen Next, once the Congress's in- house shoutdown- the- enemy brigade, kept a low profile while the UPA ministers and AICC functionaries, rather than taking on the Opposition, were busy settling scores with each other.
A brief interaction with the ruling party's many Mr Know-alls in the central hall of Parliament last week has now convinced me that the Gandhis are aiming to make drastic changes both in the government and the party establishment. The dilemma that faces them is: How to wield the axe without spilling much blood.
The exercise is expected to start next month with the re- election of Sonia as the Congress President, a mere formality. She would then become the first Congress leader to hold the post for over a decade without a break. After Indira, Sonia remains the only Congress leader in more than four decades to steer the party to a second consecutive victory in the general elections.
In the party, she shares with Rahul, now the most popular leader in the Congress if not the country, a veto power that no other Congress functionary has. I understand that they are giving finishing touches and waiting for Parliament's monsoon session to get over to effect a massive shake up aimed at revitalising the party and the government.
The objective is clear: Four years from now, the Congress must win a majority on its own.
To raise its current tally from the current 206 to 272 plus, the party has no option but to concentrate on Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Karnataka and choose leaders who can make a difference.
Manmohan Singh Experience has taught the leadership that it is not the performance but a perfect connect with the local leaders and voters that is vital to ensure victory. At the moment, there is an utter lack of compatibility between high-profile ministers and senior party functionaries.
Party leaders have for long lamented that, with the disconnect that exists between the government and the organisation, it is difficult for the latter to carry the message across to the grassroots. I am told some of the senior ministers who command respect may be moved over to the organisation with a view to make Congress ministers accountable to the party. Armchair strategists who wax eloquent at seminars and TV debates may have to give way to those with a readiness to face the heat and dust and take the rough and tumble of Bharat.
So far, Rahul has studiously stayed away from the politics of the parent organisation even as he energised the Youth Congress to make it a parallel power centre.
The genuine competitive elections for Youth Congress officebearers that were held across the country at Rahul's directions were, in reality, talent scouting exercises that brought thousands of new workers into the party's fold and threw up hundreds of hugely talented men and woman who have both the drive and vision.
While a shake- up in the party was never expected to pose much of a problem, getting rid of the many non-performing ministers was not that easy. Plans earlier for a purge of the old order were met with stiff resistance from the well entrenched. This time, they may not have an option. Congressmen in general know that they have a lot of broken promises to keep. But it is perhaps only Rahul who acknowledges that it is probably the last chance to convince voters that they are worthy leaders ahead of 2014.
Sanjay gets a rare mention in Parliament
For the five years that he was in active politics - which include the Emergency, the Janata wave of 1977 and Indira's triumphant return in 1980 - Sanjay Gandhi remained the most controversial political figure in the country.
He was opposed and despised so much that since his death in an air crash exactly 30 years ago, even his most committed former followers, some of whom are powerful ministers in the UPA government, dare not take his name. It therefore came as a surprise to me last week when during a debate in the Lok Sabha on population growth, the JD( U)' s Sharad Yadav praised Sanjay to the skies.
Remember, Yadav was at the forefront of Jaiprakash Narayan's Total Revolution movement which led to the Emergency, during which he was jailed. Surprise, surprise, but this is what he said last week: " Some people blame Sanjay Gandhi. But I feel something has to be done to arrest the spiralling population. Sanjay felt issues such as population should be dealt with a strong hand. I feel that along with incentives there is a need for harsh measures and only then can a solution be found." And this is what health minister Ghulam Nabi Azad, a member of what was then known as the Sanjay brigade, had to say: " There is a difference between Sanjay Gandhi's days and now.
We are not going to force anything.
Everything has to be done through awareness and voluntarily." Though it was just a reiteration of oft- stated government policy, it was amusing to see the eagerness of some leaders to show that they are already practicing what the government is preaching.
Mulayam Singh Yadav vouched he had only one son, Sushma Swaraj said she had just one daughter and Maneka Gandhi also said she adhered to the one- child norm. It was just as well that Lalu Prasad, a father of nine, was not present.
On a more serious note, it was heartening to see our elected representatives give the subject the attention it deserves.
A lesson in national interest by GenNext
While the old guard in Parliament kept up their favourite pastime of hammering away at each other, there was an unexpected and upbeat message of hope and reassurance when young MP's cutting across party lines came together and put up an unprecedented display of solidarity over the troubled paradise that is Kashmir.
A joint statement they released suggested they were appealing to the youth in the Valley to shun violence and settle for dialogue, but Parliament's youth brigade left no one in doubt that they were rallying around Omar Abdullah, who at 40, is India's youngest chief minister.
Considering the deep divide in Parliament, the cross party concern for one from their own generation should serve as a powerful symbol of what can be achieved if the national interest is put before partisan political interest. In Parliament's central hall, I saw Priya Dutt and Deependra Hooda going around enlisting support for the statement and the 38 signatories represented the entire political spectrum. There is speculation about the brain behind the show and the list of signatories indicates that it was the Rahul Hand that took the initiative for this morale booster for common friend Omar.
Akhilesh Yadav ( SP), Anurag Thakur ( BJP), Dushyant Chowdhary ( INLD), and other Opposition scions who signed the statement are all Rahul's political rivals, yet share a close personal rapport with him. More importantly, like Rahul, they believe that for the larger good, it is important that politicians set aside their narrow partisan interests.
The scenes inside Parliament where the old guard was busy pointing fingers and outside where the young MPs jointly addressed the media showed just how wide the chasm has become.
So, was the joint show intended to tell the grand old men and women that they don't intend to follow in their footsteps? For the country's sake, I hope so. At least we can be sure that the future is in safe and capable hands.
****
Watching the powerful Yadav troika in Parliament reminds me of the British MP who was in the habit of intervening in every debate and after waxing eloquent for six hours or more would conclude by saying " Mr Speaker Sir, with these brief words, let me conclude". Mulayam Singh Yadav, Lalu Prasad and Sharad Yadav are among the senior most members of the Lok Sabha who know their rights but seem blissfully unaware of their responsibilities.
If Lok Sabha speaker Meira Kumar had acted like the school marm that she was reputed to be, they wouldn't have been allowed to waste the precious time of the house as they do now. The trio don't even wait for the end of question time for zero hour to begin before launching their daily assaults. Backbenchers are irked to see the three raising their hands in unison with a supplementary for every question raised in the house. What's more, many of the junior ministers seem intimidated by their aggressive postures. Last Friday, Lalu was at his aggressive worst trying to corner the government on the non- performing assets of public sector banks. But he chose the wrong target, as finance minister Pranab Mukherjee told him bluntly that he will not reveal the names of the industrialists who are in the NPA list.
The scathing putdown nearly set off a round of loud desk thumping, but by then Lalu had made his customary walkout.
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/108446/India/out-with-old-in-with-new.html
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Each youth should cast vote: Navin Chawla
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