The Dowry Evil.

Monday, 27 September, 2010.
A 30- year old woman, set on fire.

Shruti Khullar, wife of an Air Force personnel and resident of Ghaziabad was burnt to death by her parents-in-law this saturday afternoon.She was immediately rushed to Safdardung Hospital in Delhi where she succumbed to her injuries.
http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HD/2010/09/27/ArticleHtmls/WOMAN-SET-ON-FIRE;-IN-LAWS-UNDER-COPS-27092010005003.shtml?Mode=1

This is just another story of an Indian girl who was brutally killed by her own family members.

According to Indian Police, every year it receives over 2,500 reports of bride-burning , while human rights organizations in Pakistan report over 300 deaths per year. The Indian National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reports that there were about 8172 dowry death cases registered in India in 2008. Incidents of dowry deaths during the year 2008 (8172) have increased by 14.4 per cent over 1998 level (7146).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dowry_death

Everyone is aware of the increasing number of dowry deaths, which are a punishable offence, yet the custom of dowry goes unquestioned.

Still there are families who do not accept their own daughter-in-laws as a part of their family. They have to pay a price in order to make a place for themselves in the new family and their status in the marital homes depends on the amount of dowry they bring in.

I find this strange and shocking and let me share it with you.
The Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961, was amended in 1984 , with few changes being made in it. A limit was set on the amount of dowry being demanded. But dowry itself was not banned.


I think we need to question the existence of such social evils which are prevalent in our society since ages. But just thinking won't help. We need to wipe them out or they would take over our society and cause havoc.

Another Delhi Metro news!

Monday, 27th September, 2010.

U must be wondering why am I writing so much about Delhi Metro. It is simply because I am in love with it. I have realized that it's the best gift to the people staying in Delhi and closeby. It has made lives convenient and easy.

If it was not there I wouldn't be reaching my college on time [atleast I reach college ;)] everyday which would have been really difficult otherwise.

Now here's the news I read today. 

Women coach in Metro trains.
The Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) will place stickers on platforms to mark the entry to the coach.
 http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HD/2010/09/27/ArticleHtmls/Women-coach-in-Metro-trains-27092010001026.shtml?Mode=1
Wow, its a splendid news for me.Now I won't be standing all the way to my college or atleast I won't be giving looks to male passengers who occupy the seats reserved for ladies. I don't mind standing but it is difficult to be like that for 1 hour 30 minutes! phewww!


Also, for me and also most of the girls travelling its not comfortable to stand with all men around you. The train is overcrowded and there is hardly any space top move, you just have to stick to the space which is occupied by your legs and stay like that till the time people get down at their particular station.


Thanks for this wonderful news. I am looking forward to this new change.I will soon share my experience of travelling in a coach 'specially' reserved for girls! It makes you enjoy the most of such special priveleges. Isn't it fun?

CWG Break.

Sunday, 26th September, 2010.

Yippee…Hurray...I am so happy and excited. I am so much looking forward to a break from studies during the CWGs. Our college and many other schools, colleges in Delhi and NCR will close during the International Event. 

I was thrilled to read this news in today's Hindustan Times.

After studying, meeting deadlines, working on essays and stories for days, we finally get some time to relax, enjoy and most importantly sleep like dead people for hours.:)

I am sure all students are looking forward to this fantastic break of the year. Here I give special reference to my friends and classmates. I guess they can very well understand and relate to my happiness and excitement.

We have been working like crazy people almost every day of the week. This break seems so much fun. I hope it goes like that and we are not overburdened with home work and assignments. That would spoil the fervour and excitement!

I have my fingers crossed for any such bad news and am eagerly waiting for my ‘chuttiyan’ to start.:))

What about you guys?

Leonardo DiCaprio interested.

Sunday, 26 September, 2010.

Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio expressed his interest in the cause of tiger conservation to the Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh. 

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HD/2010/09/25/ArticleHtmls/CALL-OF-THE-WILD-Leonardo-to-help-save-25092010001022.shtml?Mode=1 

Leonardo wants to visit India within a few months and help create awareness and sensitize people about the condition of our national wildlife, the tiger.

The Minister is happy and said “DiCaprio’s involvement will strengthen India’s efforts” to save the tigers.

It is good, but I feel, why do we need celebrities to strengthen our efforts? It’s appreciable that even Hollywood actors are sensitive to such universal causes and are trying to be a part of them just as Bollywood actors do. Still, the question is do we need famous people to stand for any universal or crucial cause so that they are taken seriously by people? Do we need a driving force to make us work for our environment, wildlife or Earth? Are we not sensitive and responsible enough?

So let’s try and prove it that we can as individuals work to save our environment, our wildlife and our planet.

To know some tips to save our environment at an individual level follow the link below.
http://www.zeenews.com/myearth/story.aspx?aid=631550

No value for Life!

Saturday,25th September, 2010

                                                                                                              

Seven elephants were crushed to death by a high- speed train in the Jalpaiguri district in West Bengal. The Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has blamed Mamata Banerjee, the Railway Minister, for this hapless incident.

Mamata Banerjee clarified that “this unfortunate incident took place in an area other than the identified elephant corridor. I have asked the Railway Board to work out a joint strategy with the Environment Minister to prevent such incidents.”

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HD/2010/09/25/ArticleHtmls/JAIRAM-BLAMES-MAMATA-FOR-TRAINS-KILLING-ELEPHANTS-25092010001023.shtml?Mode=1 

Even after the blame game is over and assurances are given that strategies will be made to ensure such incidents won’t happen, I am still doubtful about everything they plan or say. I don’t think there would be any implementation or preventive measures. The frequency of train accidents have never gone down.When ministers in India are not serious about human lives so how can we take their word when it comes to elephants or any other wildlife? When they are not able to manage things going wrong with the citizens of their country so how can we account on them for anything, even if it is about the country’s wildlife?

Just go Away!

Saturday, 25th September, 2010.

Labourers who were working tirelessly to make Commonwealth Games (CWG) a success have turned out to be the most unimportant people now. The Delhi Police is asking these migrant labourers and daily- wagers to leave the Capital by Monday in order to clean the city for CWG. They have been instructed not to return before the games are over. They live in filthy and unhygienic areas around the streets, flyovers and metro stations.

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HD/2010/09/25/ArticleHtmls/Labourers-deported-for-Games-clean-up-25092010001017.shtml?Mode=1 

This is so unfair. How can the government treat them like this? They are the citizens of our country just like you and me. So, why can’t they stay in Delhi? Because they belong to the poorest strata and are never considered equals? Or will they represent a sorry state of our country? Even if they do, is it not the reality? So, why is our country trying to portray an image which is not real?

India is like this where it has poor people living in slums, who work for hours to earn their livelihood and even then they are unable to send their children to school. They live in the dirtiest corners of our cities, as the most neglected section of our society.

The rich have not been asked to change their homes, lifestyle or jobs then why the poor?

They are an integral part of India. The Government does nothing to improve their living conditions or provide them with basic amenities but at least it can treat them with dignity and respect. It can let them live life the ways they want to and help them survive in a world which does not accept them.

A Sigh of Relief

Saturday, 25th September, 2010.

Yes, it was relieving to read that the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) is planning to add more coaches to the existing metro trains. According to a DMRC official, “We will introduce 6-coach trains by next year. By 2011, we’ll run 89 such trains.”

http://epaper.hindustantimes.com/PUBLICATIONS/HT/HD/2010/09/25/ArticleHtmls/METRO-ADVANCING-DMRC-to-run-6-coach-trains-25092010005006.shtml?Mode=1 

The present four- coach train has a carrying capacity of about 1,200 to 1,500. The newly added coaches will be able to carry 600 more passengers per trip. People prefer travelling in Delhi metro as it has connected several areas like Noida, Ghaziabad, Gurgaon, South, North, East and West parts of Delhi making them reachable to the commuters.

I also prefer travelling through metro. One thing which I do not like about the metro is that it is always overcrowded and often I go standing all my way. The people are always in a hurry and keep pushing each other. At every station people are not bothered whether the train is all full but they make sure that they make space for themselves by hook or by crook. This leads to further chaos and irritation.

I am glad that the DMRC could sense our trouble and has taken step to provide a more comfortable ride to its passengers. But I am still not sure whether the newly added coaches will be a total relief or the ever increasing population will spoil the fun.