Talking Point, a monthly column encourages website readers to write on issues of public interest.

Marriage No More A Sacred Tie

BY SIMER SINGH

The recent amendment made by the Union Cabinet for claiming divorce surely proves that marriage in India is no more a sacred tie.

SIMER SINGH

In the Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill 2010, the ‘irretrievable breakdown of marriage’ as a ground for seeking divorce has been approved by the cabinet and is yet to be put before the parliament.

Even before the final approval by the parliament this new change has already created immense speculation among people of India. Their fear for the Indian society to experience a drastic shift from what it is to what it will become is very valid. Also with the divorce rate already increasing another amendment can prove very detrimental to the society.

But with due respect to Indian sentiments I would like to put forth a few points. Despite all the efforts made in the past decade dowry is still prevalent in our society, girls still burn themselves as they can no longer bear marital torture and most important the rate of extra marital affair among men as well as women has increased many folds.

It is better under such circumstances to move out of a relationship than living with a coquette person. There is a need to realize that in a relation every partner gives each other many fair chances before a grave decision of divorce is undertaken. The supreme court of India recommended this amendment only after conducting an in-depth study in one such case that it came across where in the couple refused to make efforts to make there relation workable.

In my opinion the ‘irretrievable breakdown of marriage’ act will prove beneficial for all those people who are suffering badly in a marital alliance. It is important to understand that in the process of separation or divorce two people undergo colossal emotional turmoil. And to top it all they have to go though rigorous court proceedings.

Therefore with the recent amendment it will be easy especially for women to walk out of an incompatible relationship.

(Simer Singh can be contacted at simleo17@gmail.com)

In the winter of age

BY ANCHAL NAYYAR

ANCHAL NAYYAR

You embraced me in your arms when my eyes were just a single line, you held my finger and chose the softest earth for me to tread, you compiled a list of the finest schools for my learning, you earned hard and harder to realize all I desired…

Giving to parents what they at least deserve, supporting their trembling fingers, becoming vision for the eyes losing sight and not making a list of the finest old age homes for their living, but sharing sips of warm coffee and listening to the tales of the bygone era from their wrinkled face… a mirage in the times of growing struggle for wealth, power and vanity!

Why does past become murky as years flow by?

Who stops you from moving ahead in life, who at all slackens your pace from carving a name for yourself? The irony is that as one forges ahead in life with innovative visions in mind, one forgets about the brains that went into framing these visions of today!

The youth today needs to not just display love and affection to the old, but understand the tribulations that they face and approach them with a blend of emotional and rational point of view.

Although the constitutions have many laws for the rights of the elderly, but in the winter of age, more than any law, it is the warmth of human touch that rekindles the hope to rejoice under the shade of grey hair… it is the smiles of the children and grandchildren that acts like the beams of morning sun adding sparkle to the cold drops of dew.

This age will dawn someday at you too,

O men of vigour and zeal;

Time is ripe to show care for those who care the most for you,

Lest your life is buried in time with heart so cold and none to heal.

(Anchal Nayyar can be contacted at anchal_nayyar@hotmail.com)

Need to redefine Humanity

BY AKANKSHA BANSAL

AKANKSHA BANSAL

It may sound a clichéd topic and probably not even half as exciting as the current burning, crashing, breaking, and barking ones. The issue of human treatment to nature is as old to me as I am to myself. From family to friends, teachers to school books almost every one had a view to impart on this issue. My head and heart buzzed with their thoughts of compassion towards all creatures around, human or non-human. But as they say life teaches you an entirely different lesson – different from what learnt from the books, I also learnt that the compassionate relationship between humans and nature is only a matter to impart and not practice.

Humans have become so human that they are no more a part of nature; but sole humans. Nature has come to stand outside the domain of humanity. We are no more natural beings. The difference with ‘other’ natural beings and aspects has gone far enough for us to wage a war against them; war, in every sense of the word – to destroy and destruct them to the last possible extent. Lately I came across two very heart rendering incidents in my university campus. The first was the notices put up all over the walls here invoking us humans to uphold humanity and get rid the ferocious population of dogs inside the campus. The language used and the thought process shook me from within because I was in a way asked to redefine the term ‘human’ and consequently ‘humanity’. The notice was put up by the blind students association who objected to their being fed by some ‘psycho’ students whose ideology in some way had derailed form that of the ‘normal’. The notice went on to condemn that they are almost always ready to bark and bite which puzzled beyond any comprehension whatsoever. They find it difficult to roam about in the campus because of dogs and therefore seek for elimination. No animal acts ferociously until and unless provoked. And how far can we go with elimination? Should we wipe them out entirely?

Another incident that not just took me aback but angered me enough was the use of dogs’ body as a part of malignant campaigning against the Vice Chancellor. The hatred of the students went to the extent of painting the body of the dogs with the words VC in an attempt to demean him. My friend rightly commented – there is absolutely no point making them understand anything as for them the word Dog is nothing more or less than an abuse. But sadly enough I didn’t expect this from the upcoming ‘intelligentsia’. This approach of the students, studying in India’s one of the best universities, who cry foul at the slightest provocation conducting marches, vigils, hunger strikes for their democratic rights while forgetting another’s rights made me wonder about the use of education. The events mentioned here were simply gross and completely uncalled for.

If there is any human out there worrying about the ‘precious’ flora and fauna then that is because either the food chain is being disturbed or whether is exhibiting changes which affect us adversely, or for any other reason that has to deal with humans directly – currently or in the long run. There hardly are people who talk about these creatures as rightful owners of earth in the very same way as we as humans are.

(Akanksha Bansal is a M.Phil, 1st year, Centre for Linguistics, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi and can be contacted at akanksha.bansal15@gmail.com)

Let’s Go Back

BY NEHA VERMA

NEHA VERMA

When students from batch of 1986 to 2009 met, it was a walk down the memory lane. Those carefree days of university when time meant nothing but fun was remembered in the alumni meet of School of Communication Studies recently. Though over the years, the department has changed, so much so that it is now called School of Communication Studies, the very thought of meeting old buddies was enough to pull the alumnus back to where they originally belonged.

The tears were as visible as the joy on their face. Ten years down the lane none of them had though that they would be what they are today. Many love stories were revisited. Those assignments, pressure of studies, tension of exams, late nights in boys hostels, those long waits outside girls hostels, everything came alive as the alumni met.

Life moves at its own pace. It keeps giving new things at the cost of old memories that we cherished the most. It plays upon the humans so smartly that we never get to know when life moved on. It is the occasions like reunions and alumni meets that makes us realize the time that went by without giving the slightest hint.

The new generation replaces the old. But at alumni meets, it is the old that is valued. They could not stop talking about student life and how the world changed after they passed the university, their stories of success and struggle, emotions and professionalism and learning to strike out the balance in the cruel world that waits outside the innocent gates of university.

The alumni felt enthusiastic to see the young students in the department. But the best part was the fun they had while they pulled each other’s legs on how they look so old, the hair which were once so obvious are now a matter of jealousy as some of them have lost it while some still flaunt it.

The marriage question was next on the list. Those were the days of girlfriends and boyfriends and not wives and husbands. Bunking classes just to have stroll with your dream girl in the lush green gardens outside the Botany department, they never knew life will not give them this chance again with the same girl.

The professors too were seen with a difference. For the batch of 1996, seeing a newly married woman who joined the department as a professor then, is now the chair person of the School Of communication Studies, looked unbelievable . This alumni meet brought back the memories of innocence and forgotten love and the evening ended with warm hugs and mild tears.

(Neha Verma, is presently pursuing masters in Mass Communication and journalism from school of communication studies, Panjab University, Chandigarh, India. She can be contacted as neha4_verma@yahoo.com)

The Little Nation

BY SUPNEET VIRDI

SUPNEET VIRDI

The west has always seen India in a different light! Whether it was an over and artificial clichéd image of India as a Land of snake charmers or something as absurd as this being the place of Supernatural Powers. And living in a foreign country, I am feeling more Indian then I was feeling back at home. They still see India as some exotic spiritual place where one gets enlightenment, which is actually not bad for Tourism Industry of India, considering that amazing Incredible India ad!

My current place in this world is this small two islanded nation in the extreme east (popularly how directions are told) of the globe, Middle earth as depicted in Tolkien novels, and its latest promotional medium being James Cameron movie ‘Avatar’ –New Zealand. This small nation with population of less than 4 million is coming up in a big way! Harvard graduated John Key; the Prime Minister is working on makeover of the Sheep Rearing image of the country! Actually he is not to be blamed, the place is so beautiful and serene and above all Kiwi attitude is so chill out, that people actually work at leisure and relax at leisure!

But I have yet to see so modest people in any other part of the world! One of my friend she wanted to buy this particular brand of make up from here, which was costing her 70 NZ $ here, and in India it would be costing her 66NZ$, and the customer service person at the store, directly told her that it would be beneficial for her to buy the product from India. I mean where else would you find such modest people.

And what I have experienced so far is that Kiwis are in awe with the Indian Community. And Indians being Hardworking are proving there caliber too. About the Image of the country, most of them still think that it’s a hot nation ( I had to convince them that many regions even receive snow), that its no more a nation of snake charmers and yes we are getting richer and stronger!

But overall Kiwis love Indians and I guess it is this love which is taking the bond further. But at least Kiwis try to understand other point of view, unlike other powerful nations! So it has been so far so good!

(Supneet Virdi is a media student, right now in New Zealand, from past eight months living with her family, traveling, exploring and understanding the ways of Kiwi culture…and struggling as a Migrant. Supneet can be contacted at supneet.virdi@gmail.com)

SUKANT DEEPAK

Now, I’ve always wondered, who are really the kind of people who write for blogs? And who do they ‘write for’ (exactly the same question, almost all my bosses have asked me for so many years). Of course, could never really find the answer. Now there are some who, as the cliché goes, demonstrate their ‘hidden talent’ (though sometime wonder if they have any) and there are those who would spam your inbox so hard with repeated pleas to check out their latest post, that they become a pain in the ass! Big time! Of course, one is sometimes pretty surprised about the fact that people, who have absolutely no idea about basics of prose or for that matter even what a ‘structure’ is all about can write with such an authority. And yes, there are some forced eccentrics too…Those who open the thesaurus and write whatever they see on random pages and actually belief that their written word is no less powerful than that of Orhan Pamuk.

Of course, this doesn’t really mean that the ‘originals’ don’t exist…There are journalists like Jhoomur Bose, who write with so much vengeance (which may not really find a place in mainstream media) and will definitely find a place among some of the most impactful (now this word is multi-dimensional too) among Indian bloggers.

Now, a blog can definitely be the perfect platter for voicing that sexy voice of dissent…But atleast make the voice attractive for God’s sake and stop taking the readers’ intelligence for granted (of course, this is true if you have any!) Sounds harsh, right? But then this is exactly the kind of medium where such sweeping statements can be made…Point remains, who is making it?

In other words, stop being a jerk and try to understand what your expertise is…Please don’t get influenced by the ‘new wave’ in Indian writing where every mediocre like Chetan Bhagat is praised as if he is no less depth than Pier Paolo Pasolini! And yes, downloading free themes for your blog doesn’t essentially make you the one with a design sense reminiscent of Mail Today guys…Time to wake up bloggers, the world is waiting!

(Sukant Deepak has worked in features at different newspapers and magazines. He has launched many new media products. He can be contacted at sukant.deepak@gmail.com)

What we need for a successful democracy? BY HEMANT GOSWAMI

HEMANT GOSWAMI

“Ahhh…. Uhhhh… Rajya Sabha!!!.. Lok Sabha… Vidhan Sabha…… Sir, what’s the difference between them.” This question often comes not from illiterate people but from well educated youngsters. Often from people who are graduate or post-graduate and have even obtained their doctorate. Of course some of them are embarrassed and to hide their embarrassment they claim, “See I am not interested in politics. It’s all too muddy. I don’t pay any attention. But yes; I do vote. Where do the people I vote for actually go?”

After looking at the understanding level of even well-educated people about how our democracy function, I am forced to question myself, “What is this election tamasha every second year if people don’t even understand how our system functions. They don’t even know what is the role and duty of the person they are electing.”

What is the use of voting by such ignorant people?

Who is the culprit for all this? We, our Government, our politicians, our education system; who? Most students do study about the form of election and the parliament in their civics class. But is the objective to learn and understand or to score good marks?

With these questions in my mind, I wonder, can we call our form of governance, a true democracy? If nearly half the people who vote are illiterate and are not aware what they are voting for; will it serve any purpose if they actually go out and vote?

Of course, my critics will say, “Voting is the back bone of participative democracy.” I don’t deny it at all. But then, literacy is equally important. And more than mere literacy, political literacy is of supreme importance in a successful democracy.

Challenge we are facing right now in India is not just the challenge of teaching a few black letters in the well bound books in the classrooms; but the real challenge, as far as our democracy is concerned, is that we have a citizenry which is vigilant and sensitive to safeguard their own fundamental rights and have a high level of political learning. What do you say?

(Hemant Goswami is a Chandigarh based social activist)