The Dark, Blue Sea

 JUST HAD TO POST IT!



There is a pleasure in the pathless woods,
There is a rapture on the lonely shore,
There is society where none intrudes,
By the deep sea, and music in its roar:
I love not man the less, but nature more,
From these our interviews, in which I steal
From all I may be, or have been before,
To mingle with the universe, and feel
What I can ne'er express, yet cannot all conceal.-

Roll on, thou deep and dark blue ocean-roll!
Ten thousand fleets sweep over thee in vain;
Man marks the earth with ruin-his control
Stops with the shore;-upon the watery plain
The wrecks are all thy deed, nor doth remain
A shadow of man's ravage, save his own,
When for a moment, like a drop of rain,
He sinks into thy depths with bubbling groan,
Without a grave, unknell'd, uncoffin'd, and unknown.

His steps are not upon thy paths-thy fields
Are not a spoil for him-thou dost arise
And shake him from thee; the vile strength he wields
For earth's destruction thou dost all despise,
Spurning him from thy bosom to the skies,
And send'st him, shivering in thy playful spray,
And howling, to his gods, where haply lies
His petty hope in some near port or bay,
And dashest him again to earth: there let him lay.

The armaments which thunderstrike the walls
Of rock-built cities, bidding nations quake,
And monarchs tremble in their capitals,
The oak leviathans, whose huge ribs make
Their clay creator the vain title take
Of lord of thee, and arbiter of war;
These are thy toys, and, as the snowy flake,
They melt into thy yeast of waves, which mar
Alike the armada's pride, or spoils of Trafalgar.

Thy shores are empires, changed in all save thee-
Assyria, Greece, Rome, Carthage, what are they?
Thy waters washed them power while they were free,
And many a tyrant since: their shores obey
The stranger, slave or savage; their decay
Has dried up realms to deserts:-not so thou,
Unchangeable, save to thy wild waves' play-
Time writes no wrinkle on thine azure brow-
Such as creation's dawn beheld, thou rollest now.

Thou glorious mirror, where the Almighty's form
Glasses itself in tempests; in all time
Calm or convulsed-in breeze, or gale, or storm,
Icing the pole, or in the torrid clime
Dark-heaving; boundless, endless and sublime-
The image of eternity-the throne
Of the invisible; even from out thy slime
The monsters of the deep are made; each zone
Obeys thee; thou goest forth, dread, fathomless, alone.

And I have loved thee, ocean! And my joy
Of youthful sports was on thy breast to be
Borne, like thy bubbles, onward: from a boy
I wanton'd with thy breakers-they to me
Were a delight; and if the freshening sea
Made them a terror-'twas a pleasing fear,
For I was as it were a child of thee,
And trusted to thy billows far and near,
And laid my hand upon thy mane - as I do here.
                                                                            — Lord George Gordon Byron

Mining for philanthropy?

‘There is enough for everyone’s need but not enough for everyone’s greed’. The Government seems to have reiterated the Gandhian philosophy by bringing in a provision through a draft mining  legislation that will restrict unregulated use of minerals. The provision is a plan to restrict concessions to companies that mine scarce resources.

This has been a result of the amendment to the Draft Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Bill, 2009, which happens to be a crosschecking manual. The Bill is likely to get a nod next week by the decision makers after due discussion and approval.

The bill, which aims to balance aspirations of both investors and project-affected persons, has already gone through marathon discussions in the last couple of years to evolve a consensus amidst divergent views from the Centre, states and the industry. Handique, Mines Minister has spearheaded a proposal in the bill that makes it mandatory for miners to share 26% of their profits with local people affected by such projects. The mining industry has strongly opposed the proposal.

Among other things, the draft legislation provides for a seamless transition among different mining licenses to ensure that investments made by companies are properly rewarded by way of grant of mineral lease. The draft legislation also provides for sharing of mining profits with project-affected people.

In case of a mine becoming non-functional or slipping into losses, the firm concerned should compensate affected people by paying an amount equal to the royalty given to the state government. The bill is said to replace the existing Mines and Mineral Development and Regulation Act (MMDR Act), 1957.

In lieu of better clarity on the legislation, the Coal Ministry also held discussions on the draft Mines and Minerals Bill, as the impact would be highest on Coal India, the country’s largest mining company. The key emphasis of the discussion has been on proposals with the government for clarity on the existing rehabilitation policy with proposed new proposals on profit sharing. The demand has been on managing rehabilitation activities to keep with job offers in the new proposal. The new legislation has also been viewed in light of the concerns over land acquisition norms.

According to the government, India’s total iron ore resources, the fourth largest in the world, are estimated at 23 billion tones. Of this, not a lot is available for mining and many connected with the mining industry say depletion of resources is increasing rapidly.

Travelogue

Its that time of the year again, when I wish to choose a life of anonymity and want to be known as energy-- neither by my name, nor caste, nor my sexual preferences, liking, or anything else.

For the same, like always, all I'd thought of was wearing a garb of no one hoping to be lost in a place of multitude. Usually, there used to be many thoughts in the arena of achieving this life of nobody (yes strange I am that when people wish to become somebody, I wish to be known as a nobody) and all I would do is lie in my bed waiting for days to pass and nights to set in where no light would flash on me from anywhere (not that I am a celebrity but even the minuscule acknowledgement of anything puts me in a discomfort for the fact that there would then come the viscous circle of desire=expectation=fear=unrest=not at peace with your ownself). Also the whole gamut of criticism and appreciation lands me in a discomfort for the fact that the two affect me or rather anyone and takes the person away from his/her original self.

So after much contemplation or rather trusting my impulsion and intuition, I'd thought about what I could do to break this chain, and so am choosing to do something which I have never done so heroically before-- write my own travelogue.

By far journey of life has been more of a roller coaster ride while small journeys to places with someone, for work or something else have been for a purpose. My travelogue this time is totally my own, without judgement of others, without anyone, just my own, without a purpose and without a destiny.

Yes, a few who I have told about it call it an adventure but to me its as important as food for life or air to breathe. The journey is my attempt to detach myself from the luring of the world for more, from good (according to them), from success (as they define), from moolah and materialism.

Life has always been living on the edge for me, be it at home, work or anywhere else. Struggling and juggling, as if these are the only two purpose GOD has sent me to this world for. With questions less concrete and answers not even remotely known, I am heading for Rajasthan (dun ask me why I chose it or more 'coz analysis of it is something I would not want to do at all.)

Heading to the places I have not seen or been before, people who I have never met or any kind of unfamiliarity does not scare me even a bit. Strangely I feel that I'm heading home...to where I belong...its a feeling less explicable

 I don't know where I belong but strangely feel that I would find all the answers to my life on this journey, feel that all the complexities that I am engtangled in my everyday life would become comprehensible.

I feel all that I long for in this so called self-fulfilled life that I am leading would be met on my journey to this not so far land....

All I have to is wait for the train to stop...

(The post was written on the 6th of Dec, 2010 and courageously published today!)

Let’s plant trees

With just fifteen days left for the grandeur “Commonwealth Games” to begin, its time we retrospect the ecology of Delhi that was disrupted in the drive for hosting the games for the ‘benefit for all’. The biggest hazard has come to the trees of Delhi. According to the Citizen’s charter by Department of forest in section A which gives details to ‘Felling and removal of trees anywhere in the National Capital Territory of Delhi’.

1. Permission to fell trees is regulated under provisions of Delhi Tree Preservation Act, 1994; a copy of the same may be obtained from the Government Printing Press.
2. If a private individual/company wants to fell tree/trees anywhere in Delhi owned by them an application, in Form 'B' has to be made to the Tree Officer, Dy. Conservator of Forests (South/Central/West) and to Conservator of Forests, Delhi. The forms are available with the nearest Forest Office. Licences to fell trees can be given only 1Ha. Area of Khasra No. and only 2 licences can be issued in a year in respect of one property. The permission for felling is deemed to have been granted if no reply is received from the Tree Officer within 60 days. The applications complete in all respect will only be entertained by Tree Officer.
3. After obtaining permission, the individual/Company should fell the trees within the time limit prescribed in the licences.
4. If any tree is causing danger to life and property, the owner of the land may fell the tree and report the fact within 24 hours and such intimation should be made in Form 'A'.
5. It is for each individual and Company to effectively protect all the trees growing in their areas.

Of the mileu of uprooting activities that Delhi denizens have observed so far, the only balming effect comes from the more stated less heard remedies suggested in the citizen’s charter which states, “a) If an individual/Company is not satisfied with the order passed by the Tree Officer regarding felling permission, he/Company may file an appeal with the (Appellate Authority), within 30 days from the date of order of Tree Officer. The Appellate Authority under the Delhi Preservation of Tree Act is Secretary ( Environment, Forest & Wildlife), Govt. of NCT of Delhi, Delhi Sachivalaya, New Delhi - 110 002.”

Planting trees in the densely populated city may be a tough drive in keeping with rapid urbanization and fast industrialization of the capital already attuned to these rapid changes. However, if urban planners look into finer detailing of the city, inflating the lung of the city-would not be a problem. Perhaps the best way to start with could be looking at plantation drives in other cities more green with similar problems like ours—be it the east or west! As for the citizens, each one plant one.

(For any complaints regarding felling or damaging the trees A Tree Help Line has been set up to attend any complaints including lopping at Phone No. 23378513.)

Cleanliness is next to Godliness

Its time again for trumpeting, masquerading, and shouting slogans imbued in spirituality for it’s the time for festivities— the time for Ganpati Utsav.

The moment is close to all our hearts for we celebrate again the homecoming of lord Ganesha-an embodiment of ‘shubh’ (good luck), to bestow his presence on the earth for all his devotees. Worshipped as goddess of wisdom, prosperity and good fortune the festival celebrates the birth of lord Ganesha.

But in the festivities, there is something pertinent that the human eye overlooks. Ever wondered where does Ganpati Bappa go after immersion? The stress is more on the tangible—the idol. After years of emphasis on the need to acknowledge environment friendly idol immersion there have been various protests by people on the same. The plea to ‘go green’ has come from environmentalists, scientists, and social welfare activists.

Some Facts:

To be able to choose the most appropriate ecosensitive solution it is important that we understand the environmental impacts of these pujas:

• The biggest environmental threat comes from idol immersion, which is generally made from Plaster of Paris, which pollutes the water bodies. Plaster of Paris is a calcium sulfate hemi-hydrate : (CaSO4, ½ H2O) derived from gypsum, a calcium sulfate dihydrate (CaSO4 , 2 H2O), by firing this mineral at relatively low temperature and then reducing it to powder. While idols made out of naturally occurring clay ( shaadu in Marathi) dissolve within hours of immersion in water, PoP idols may take anywhere between several months to years to fully dissolve. However, the Central Pollution Control Board issued guidelines for idol immersion on June 2010 which state in Section 2.1 (i) that ‘Idols should be made from natural materials as described in the holy scripts. Use of traditional clay for idol making rather than baked clay, plaster of paris, etc. may be encouraged, allowed and promoted.’

• Another source of water pollution comes from the paints that are used on the idols. In addition, when chemical paints are used to decorate the idols, these paints contain heavy metals such as mercury and lead, which seep into the water as the idol dissolves. The guideline again states in section 2.1 (ii) that ‘Painting of Idols should be discouraged. In case idols are to be painted, water soluble and nontoxic natural dyes should be used. Use of toxic and nonbiodegradable chemical dyes for painting idols should be strictly prohibited.’

• Noise pollution, traffic congestion, and increased consumerism without much emphasis on the environmental hazard cannot be ignored.

• The waste generated from the non-bioderadable accessories on the idol further add onto the list of pollutants.

In the same regard, Section 2.1 (iii) of the guidelines further suggests that ‘Worship material like flowers, vastras (clothes), decorating material (made of paper and plastic) etc. should be removed before immersion of idols. Biodegradable materials should be collected separately for recycling or composting. Non-biodegradable materials should be collected separately for disposal in sanitary landfills. Clothes may be sent to local orphan house(s).’ With only little emphasis on defining role of state pollution control boards and pollution control boards in section 3 (ii) that ‘SPCB/PCC shall help the local administration in preparing material for mass awareness for the purpose’, it seems that there is less emphasis on tools and types of public awareness medium adopted by the CPCB. 

Of these, some issues can be partially resolved by adopting eco-friendly options. Studies carried out to assess deterioration in water quality due to idol immersion reveal deterioration of water quality in respect of conductivity, bio-chemical oxygen demand and heavy metal concentration. In pursuance to the directions of the Bombay High Court, CPCB evolved the Guidelines for immersion of idols and other puja materials reaching in the water bodies during festival. The guidelines are good to begin with, but the biggest challenge lie in the actual implementation of these guidelines.

It is also the time to look forward to more such pujas of which the most popular being the Durga Puja in West Bengal. Hence, some possible solutions to the problem could be:

• Immersing the idol in a water tan constructed by the government, instead of directly into natural water bodies.
• Using only a natural clay idol and immersing it either in the tank or in a bucket of water at home.
• Reusing the same idol every year.
• If one is using a PoP idol, simply sprinkling a few drops of water on it as a symbolic immersion and donating the idol to be recycled for the following year.

Its time for festivities and happiness. Lets work towards making these occasions not only joyous and enjoyable for today but also tomorrow and times to come by little thought on what we sow in while we will reap tomorrow!

At the brink of basics

There is a common saying that promises are made to be broken. Much exemplary to the saying is the present scenario. Its that time of the year when all are geared up to augment and anticipate what would suit international audiences best or the reverse— what’s the best way to highlight a particular issue to the informed audiences globally. Raison d'être— the grandeur upcoming Commonwealth Games 2010((bad for commonhealth)) for which India has been awarded the prestige of hosting it vis-à-vis a platform for all to showcase what they’ve got irrespective of their sporty sides.




At a time when Delhi’s denizens have been pushed to act as hosts and tolerate the topsy turvy commonwealth planning, and are baffled with the city plans, there comes a question on actually how viable are these plans. If they are then do they even remotely meet civic and environment amenities for all? As per the plans laid down by the committee, the ‘The historic city of Delhi will look its best for visitors during the XIX Commonwealth Games 2010 Delhi. One of the legacies of the event will be that it will leave behind a city much more beautiful and charming than it currently is. The colonial city-centre and Delhi’s main shopping area, Connaught Place, has been given a new façade and is already experiencing resurgence. Rajpath, the main avenue in Lutyens’ Delhi, is being rejuvenated. The city’s monuments, an integral part of the rich heritage of Delhi’s past, are being cleaned and revitalised. New international standard signages and bus shelters will add to Delhi’s modern look as will new public conveniences such as call booths, shopping areas, etc.’



The first and foremost doubt that arises after juxtaposing what had been stated and what exists is on the mad race for ‘beautification’ of the city. If the city has been called a historic city it does not mean doing away with hawkers, old shops and places but a better management of the same with viable environment friendly options like placing dust bins at appropriate places, putting a fine on litter and so forth. All this will only add onto the splendour of the city.



City Infrastructure



With a vow for a dedicated metro line, twelve new flyovers and several bridges and under-bridges planned to improve road connectivity with the Games Villages, the sports venues, and within the city and road widening in constant progress and a total of 1,100 new low-floor, high-capacity air-conditioned buses which will ply on Delhi roads by 2010 to ease commuting, comes a question on the existing conditions for the inhabitants here.



The broadening of roads day in and day night exposes all to the dust pollution in a weather which is already humid enough to cause breathing problems. Also what level of pollution would it add to the city is another gray area. This is in coincidence with the doing away of rickshaws, which are a symbol both of the heritage of the city as well as the most environment friendly transport for commuting short distances.



Civic Services



The civic services of the plans say, ‘Delhi Jal Board is planning to augment water supply substantially by 2010. Two new initiatives have been undertaken to boost water supply from the current 670 million gallons per day (MGD) to 941 MGD. Plans are also underway to streamline Delhi’s solid waste management system. Twenty new hospitals will be functional by 2010 to enhance Delhi’s healthcare and medical infrastructure. Special trauma ambulances will be on call during the Games to provide immediate relief in cases of emergencies.’



What are the costs and how the water supply situation will be dealt with is murky. To add, the solid waste management system that has been proposed had seen no signs before commonwealth (needless to ask why) and till now there is still not much clarity on how would they do it and where all.



As per the Delhi government data, of 3133511 hospitals in Delhi (2001-2002) there are only 530 beds available (does not include observation beds). In such a scenario there comes a question if an addition of twenty new hospitals would increase the number of beds when its already too less for the Indian population.



Of all the preparations for the grand finale there is one simple question which comes from all sections, why did we not think of these things before for the people of the city and of whatever targe4ts have been set are we really going to achieve any? If yes, then when?

Truth alone triumphs

In adversaries lie opportunities! It’s been over eight years since Toxics Link began its struggle and protest against the pesticides use by bringing forth a report on the use of pesticides by farmers, which caused around 500 farmer deaths in the Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh.



Pesticide consumption in agriculture has been on the rise in the last 20 years in India. Pesticides are used extensively in crops such as cotton, paddy, chilies, horticulture, tobacco, etc. They are also used for public health purposes like vector control for diseases like malaria, dengue, and so forth. However, little attention had been given to their long-term impact on the environment and human beings. The situation was even graver when the report was published in 2002 stating facts.



The report investigated into the harmful effects of pesticides on farmers in the Warangal district of Andhra Pradesh and has been a collaborative effort of Toxics Link, Sarvodaya Youth Organisation, Centre for Resource Education, and Community Health Cell.



The catastrophe that occurred with the wide use of pesticides in the district might not be as high as the Union Carbide gas leakage issue in Bhopal but the gravity of the situation was same.



Just like any other oppressed-oppressor struggle, the issue too caught attention of Pesticides manufacturing company Crop Care Foundation, a consortium of pesticide manufacturing companies earlier known as Pesticides Associations of India, which compelled them to file a defamation case against all those who brought the information out in the public domain.



The fact-finding team consisted of representatives of diverse organizations that are deeply involved with agricultural issues in rural areas, sustainable development, environmental protection and related public health issues. This included representatives of Toxics Link (New Delhi), Community Health Cell (Bangalore) and Sarvodaya Youth Organization (Warangal).



After eight years of persistent struggle, on July 20th 2010, a two Judge bench of the Supreme Court of India quashed the criminal defamation case against 11 activists initiated by the Crop Care Federation (a consortium of pesticide manufacturing companies earlier known as Pesticides Associations of India) in the Magistrate Court of Warangal for publishing the report.



In its judgment, the Honorable Court observes, “The general tenor of the report indicates that the report meant to focus the harmful effects of exposure to pesticides. It is quite evident from the report that it was not meant to harm, hurt or defame any individual or the manufacturing company”.





This SLAPP (Strategic Lawsuit Against Public Participation) type litigation, brought upon by one section of pesticide industries, was filed in Warangal and the Warangal court had also issued non-bailable arrest warrants against some of the accused, in 2007, after Andhra Pradesh High Court had dismissed the appeal to quash the proceedings.



This is the first time that the Pesticide manufacturers, who have been filing many civil and criminal defamation cases against environmentalists, for speaking or writing on pesticides, have lost.



This month’s newsletter shares the happiness of the success with its readers.

Wake up to the Civil Liability Nuclear Damage Bill 2010

Here comes the civil liability nuclear damage bill 2010 to ‘provide for civil liability for nuclear damage, appointment of Claims Commissioner, establishment of Nuclear Damage Claims Commission and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto, for enactment by the Parliament in the same year.’

he prime motive of the bill is to bind the operator and the government both legally and financially so that both are liable in case of a nuclear accident. The bill as it may seem is soon to become an ACT. Thanks to the efforts from the civil society that the Bill which seeks to compensate victims of a nuclear liability went through a process of consultation to review environment and health ministries on long term liability in the event of a nuclear accident.

When the punitive side of a nuclear programme is looked at, it is important to summarise as to why does India need such a bill.

India has an ambitious and indigenous nuclear power programme to achieve the goal of 20,000 MWe electricity produced through nuclear energy by 2020 which will be further increased to 60,000 MWe by 2032. In this way, India will produce 25 percent of its electricity from nuclear power plants by 2050. Presently, India is producing 3981 MWe of electricity through nuclear power. The share of nuclear power can be increased with the involvement of foreign private involvement in manufacturing and supply of nuclear reactors.

To reap the benefits of Indo-U.S. Civilian Nuclear Deal of nuclear commerce and attract the U.S. companies involved in nuclear commerce like General Electric and Westinghouse, it was necessary to introduce a liability bill which would help these private companies in getting insurance cover in their home state. Thus, the bill will help in the realization of the Indo-U.S. Nuclear deal.

After the enactment of the Nuclear Liability Bill, India will join the international convention on liability in the civil nuclear arena. The nuclear trade will thus benefit India with the participating countries in the nuclear arena. The bill shall necessitate suitable amendments in the Atomic Energy Act 1962 which will pave way for private investment in the Indian nuclear power programme.

Salient features of the Bill

• The Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill, 2010 fixes liability for nuclear damage and specifies procedures for compensating victims.
• The Bill fixes no-fault liability on operators and gives them a right of recourse against certain persons. It caps the liability of the operator at Rs 500 crore. For damage exceeding this amount, and up to 300 million SDR, the central government will be liable.
• All operators (except the central government) need to take insurance or provide financial security to cover their liability.
• For facilities owned by the government, the entire liability up to 300 million SDR will be borne by the government.
• The Bill specifies who can claim compensation and the authorities who will assess and award compensation for nuclear damage.
• Those not complying with the provisions of the Bill can be penalised

However, there comes a debate on the viability of the Bill on grounds of financial assistance and legal relief. Also, if the bill is left for implementation as it is there is a possibility of the manufacturers and suppliers of nuclear paraphernalia to go Scott free.

Hence, the draft leaves out these important points:

• The liability cap on the operator (a) may be inadequate to compensate victims in the event of a major nuclear disaster; (b) may block India’s access to an international pool of funds; (c) is low compared to some other countries.
• The cap on the operator’s liability is not required if all plants are owned by the government. It is not clear if the government intends to allow private operators to operate nuclear power plants.
• The government will notify the extent of environmental damage and consequent economic loss. This might create a conflict of interest in cases where the government is also the party liable to pay compensation.
• The right of recourse against the supplier provided in the Bill is not compliant with international agreements India may wish to sign.
• The time limit of ten years for claiming compensation may be inadequate for those suffering from nuclear damage.
• Though the Bill allows operators and suppliers to be liable under other laws, it is not clear which other laws will be applicable. Different interpretations by courts may constrict or unduly expand the scope of such a provision.

Therefore, it can be hoped that the draft is reviewed in keeping with all the aspects of liability it incorporates.

Thwarted anti-pollution laws

It is believed that there are three kinds of lies: white, black and statistics. But the third might not hold true in the case of agriculture becoming chemically intensive in the diabolical case of the state of Punjab showing increasing cases of cancer, cerebral palsy and neurological disorders.

A study done by Germany’s Microtrace Mineral Lab detected high uranium levels in hair samples of mentally retarded children. Adults too were found to have the toxin. Another study, done by ecology NGO Greenpeace, indicates that Punjab is suffering the ill effects of chemical, radiation and biological toxicity. The study was conducted in 50 villages in Bhatinda, Ludhiana and Muktsar districts. Especially worrisome was the detection of nitrate pollution, linked with the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers, in many wells. Two water samples in Doda found the nitrate levels at 94.3 mg/l and 72.8 mg/l, much above the WHO safety limit of 50 mg/l. In Muktsar, the home district of Punjab CM Parkash Singh Badal, a state health department survey revealed that 1,074 people died of cancer between 2001 and November 2009 and 668 others are on their deathbed. In Lambi, the home constituency of Badal, 211 residents lost their lives and 164 got afflicted with cancer in the last eight years, revealed health department survey report.
 Industrial effluent, flowing into water bodies, has added to the problem. Cases of pancreatic and other cancers are being reported from settlements along the Ganga, with residues of arsenic and other poisons having been found even in ground water

What comes forth after seeing these cases of toxicity is that we as individuals are surrounded with toxic elements in some way or the other. The recent death of a scientist after drinking juice of bottle gourd comes as an even more shocking news than the Mayapuri incident because in the case of Mayapuri we could atleast term the substance as hazardous. Here comes a question to the central policy makers as to when will they realize that the situation is precarious, if only after an alarm bell, stats, and studies then there are already myriad. In any case, it can be said that like Malwa in Punjab, problem can arise anywhere because the larger issue here is toxicity—chemical, radiation and biological. To say, Bhatinda is just one area examined. There might be more and grave!

Renewing Bhopal Catastrophe

Its said that time heals all wounds. But is it the truth or a ‘feel-good’ belief? In the case of the recent Bhopal Gas tragedy verdict it seems to be no more than a 'balming' effect by the political leaders and judiciary which has worsened the wounds than doing any better.  After a quarter century of the world’s worst industrial disaster, the nightmare of December 3rd 1984, killing over 15000 people while exposing around 50000 to the deadly methyl isocynate (MIS) gas leaked from Union Carbide has revisited the people of Bhopal with the Supreme Court of India ‘awarding’ former Union Carbide India Chairman Keshub Mahindra and seven others in the Bhopal gas tragedy case only a maximum of two years imprisonment.

Adding to the let’s leave it concept, the Prime Minister of India gently uttered piercing words like, “Bhopals will happen while the country has to progress”.
In light of the verdict and the valued judgment passed by the decision makers of the country, it’s a question worth posing to all those who were behind it, who are covering it or who will give way to more such occurrences in future by ignoring what happened as to why are we living in denial? Firstly its justice delayed and after such a petty punishment by the judiciary, justice to the victims of Bhopal is largely denied. What remains is just a shrill of the victims consistently fighting for justice?

What instigates even more is the dead silence of the ex Chief Minister of Bhopal Arjun Singh, the pragmatic appeal to leave it behind and not dig graves by bringing back the question on the esteemed departure of the former ninety year old chief Union Carbide India Limited (UCIL) Warren Anderson, and the existing hazardous industries flourishment in the country despite laws. Its time we review the future prospects of these hazardous industries in the country and weigh it against its plausible humongous aftermath by taking queue from the Bhopal Gas Tragedy. 

In present time; open global market economy, hazardous industries are playing their decisive role in economic development and the advancement of the well being of the people in any country but simultaneously they are causing the problem of risk to human life and the environment. In this way, it has become a matter of grave concern all over the world and specially in developing countries like ours which is not only facing the acute problem of environmental pollution but also the pressure of population growth which in turn is supposed to be one of the main reasons responsible for causing the problem of environmental pollution.

Be it the number of people who are affected by the tragedy and the verdict or the number of years that have gone by in passing a judgment on such an important case, none can be said to justify the catastrophe that happened in the wake of December 1984. In lieu of the incident, it’s important we magnify the origin of national policy on chemical and hazardous industries. Not to forget, this it is not just meant to define hazardous industries or putting them in the outskirts but better conceited efforts and implementation of the same.  The whole truth nothing but the truth!

The realist-dreamer dichotomy

A believer in dreams is seldom a realist is what we generally perceive. They are either two separate beings or identities. A realist is one who is pragmatic, believes in what s/he sees, while a dreamer hops boundaries to rather foresee than just see what exists. A dreamer lives in an imaginary world which most people see as an illusion while a realist analyses the world around hard to either live in it or absolutely defy it. There are myriad differences between the two. And yes have heard phrases like one who does not dream does not make it a reality ...et al.


Like always, my confused (according to world standards) or rather well mixed (according to my standards) mind is trying hard these days to demystify the dilemma whether a dreamer and realist can be one identity. If not, which category do I fall in. My childhood was more like an ostrich. Would close my eyes if danger was seen. And strangely was even saved, not for being GOD's favourite but for the fact that there were many before me to act as protective shields. And hence being at the convenient end was more a dreamer and less a realist. But life is like a toddler's step. Challenges thrown at each and every nook and corner. You never know which one and of what intensity might fall into your lap.

The irony is— the more the challenges and hardships the lesser a dreamer and more a realist one becomes. Since m made of the same like everyone the general applied to me as well. The tables have turned now. After some years of toil, I'm a realist or rather an absolute one and less a dreamer.

Nevertheless, has come about a mild change in life.  There has come a dream to live and the realist in me is diminishing to enliven the long subdued dreamer. The realist is compelling, pushing and jostling hard to outcast the dreamer. But the dreamer, everytime its knocked out comes back steadily to keep its position almost like a spider continues making its web despite odds.

Whatsoever it may seem, at present its the dreamer that has captivated me and all I wish is to live in my world of illusion which seems more woven into reality.

So lemme dream...dream...............and dream!!!

And thats when Avantika got married!!!

It was quite a day yesterday...I'd thought before I forget the not so trivial trifles of yesterday, I should just put them in words. Okay, so it was Avantika getting married...Firstly, it was hard to digest that Avantika was getting married so soon??? Of all days, I had the maximum work in office yesterday. My boss called me twice for meetings, and then when I was just about to leave( so dat I can possibly reach home early and prove Neha and all the others that I can atleast now be on time!), came and chatted with me for about half an hour.

Neway, I still managed to reach home on time. The cab booking as per the plan was done. But just fifteen minutes before, got cancelled...Hate quick cab service...Bloody dearth of cabs and drivers in the traffic jam and the shaadi hulla bulloo made me more nervous...Applying the Aaal is well funda, I still managed to book one cab (after quick, easy and meru said no). Neha also thankfully reached half an hour late...Saviour almighty...But there was another tension on the side...The RITA syndrome... This woman, my next door irritating and mean neighbour, very much like the angrezification of her name, the BTM also had to go for the shaadi and wanted me to be her highness' official escort for almost everything (give her good company, travel arrangements and keeping her happy types!) Hell!!! Neway, I managed to shoooooooo her away, thanx Neha...Love u babes for calling a spade a spade!

Okay, Neha came and sorted most of the mess...After waiting for an hour, we chucked the cab and moved in an auto (With RITA in acting superciliously saying "mein jaldi nahin chal sakti", and chickening out in the last minute, after getting all dressed( in the parlour, overdressed, as if it was her own wedding) saying that she is not coming.

The best part of the evening: Okay, so Neha and I left, leaving that woman RITA to her choice of not coming along. So, here we started jabbering, like we used to...circumstances, lack of time and a lot of stupid things done here and there, had somewhere affected the bond between Neha and me, and "TALKING" like we used to do was something we did and restregthenend our bond. I guess this was the biggest 'uplabdhi' of the day and the most memorable part of the evening.

Moving further, with constant calls from the only punctual person Anamika, we managed to reach the venue only one and half hour late. After meeting Avantika and Anamika, and catching up with Shiraz on the way, came RITA!!!!

Imagine the gutts of the woman? She came coordinating with Zafar and Habib (who she doesn't even know that well, saying that Anjali and Neha left me, plz take me along, like that Avril Lavigne song"I'm with u" types!!!). The minute she came, I felt like not saying hi but slapping her right in front of every1. Wat a b....h!
Neway, I was way toooooooooooooooo happy already meeting old friends (Neha, Anamika, Viji, Zafar, Habib, Khumpi, and many others!)

Okay, after Neha and Shiraz left, came the illuminatis: the fog, the more Rita menace , Amrit's absconding=Anamika worrying about how to get back home (justified), and my stuff locked in Avantika's room, while me struggling to find sm1 with the key to it.

Not to underestimate the Rita menace: "Anjali my shoe broke, please get dinner for me...Anjali please sit with me...Anjali please come with me till there...Anjali please don't leave me alone"....Uff, I had it, felt like giving her away to one of the Army men there (since the shaadi was in Cantt) and asking them to shoot her at sight!

Not to forget the loo incidence with a friend (yeah she went in a men's loo after being misguided by a guard). Thank GOD there was no guy inside...And I was told especially, while she was in..."Madam ye gents ke liye hai" ...with me finding it way tooooo difficult to tell him dat we were misguided and its not me who has to use it. In all dis, Avantika was getting married...God bless her, but the situation yesterday: traffic jam, fog, anger, irritant around were more than the estimated difficulties.

How can I not write about how we came back? In the dense we were trying to figure out the road, people and our way, asking like those horror films: koi hai??? Whatever, after wandering for three hours on the road, dropping Anamika to her place, I came back along with Zafar, Habib and 'Rita'(bloody nicely slept while Anamika, Zafar and me were struggling to find space and fit in)!
Reached back at 2 am and sighed for coming back safely...Better late than never...My roomate told I was laughing in my sleep like mad...Probably repercussions of the day or rather night!

Luv,
Anjali

Where's the fulcrum???

There are those who act instantly, there are even more who wait and act, and there is a species like me who just act, act and act...Impulsion is both a bliss and a curse for me...but my point of nattering here is to actually analyse and even find ones like me who act instantly without wasting a second which is never balanced and is either a hyper or a hypo reaction...I mean, where is the balance system in me? And this question is solely for the almighty to answer? For my ownself...my moods are too difficult to handle and for people who know me see a different me every new day... But there's one good to it...At least my husband will find a new me everyday...Poor he, will have to handle a new woman every day.. either he likes or dislikes...okay, okay.. lets not divert but rather divulge and analytically state...that why is the 'case' with me. People who define normal and abnormal should definitely answer this one(although I don't like the ones defining or differentiating such!) . Was it the rickshaw that went over me in my childhood that caused it, or my kidnapping that has turned me into this? Or is it that I've spent part of my childhood playing in 'kallu-kasai's' house( yes, that one was an eye opener for me as well when my mom lately told me that I was a regular visitor to kallu-kasai- my dad's ex-kaarigar's house!) . What is it that made me this? The question is a conundrum till now. Its very important for sissi and all the ones who know me to answer this question. Till the time I get rave answers to this one, I'll keep cracking the code myself...After all self-help is all that I need!

Oh Fish!

It was a Saturday evening. I was coming back from work the usual way! The usual seems to be more mundane, boring and dead for somebody like me who hates routine... The unusual me was thinking the usual stuff of how to get rid of the usual everyday life? Partying happens once a while, vacation ends even before it begins; socializing is something I do even more than the usual. And at the end of the day...all this is also part of my usual self- to get away with monotony.

While this thought was flocking my mind, I walked past by the 'alchemist'! The place, people and everything were there ever since. But the idea struck me for the first time. There is a pet shop on my way home. And me being a die hard animal lover, I would sulk every time I used to see the place thinking that I don’t have the space to keep a pet (Donna is far away). I would even go to the shop pat and play with a few dogs, cats, parrots, singing birds and move on sulking that I can't get them home!

But that day the impulsive me was at its best. The shop owner thought that I came for the general animal therapy. But to much of her surprise I asked her to give me a pair of Gold fishes. And even before she could take them out for me, one of them jumped out of the aquarium right next to my foot. The owner quickly put her back in the aquarium. I dunno what went in me but I decided that I wanted the same fish which came out with the one which comes out along with her while taking her out.

And there I got the two golden beaus. What I felt after I held them is inexplicable. I felt connected with them since I dunno when. The bliss, the solace, the peace… I felt within was something I had not felt in a long time.

It was time to name them. Since it is silly to stake your life and jump out of the pool no matter how excited you are, I named the one that came out of the aquarium Silly. And the other which came out willfully of the pool was named Willy.

Now I have two new roommates, two new kids, two new soul mates whichever way one wants to put it. But it’s an ultimate bliss to see them, flap their fins when I’m around, flaunt themselves when someone comes to see them and kiss each other when they feel nobody is watching.

Silly-Willy u’ve painted my life with love! Welcome home!

When things go wrong, I make them worse: Blasphemy

When things go wrong, I make them worse: Blasphemy

Blasphemy

Pompously speaking:I'm free spirited, with a mind of my own, economically on the edge of the purchasing power parity( simply put can spend my own money), and in a nutshell headed toward where I want to be. But the realist in me urges me to stop living in denial.

Looking back, may be the present isn't what I wanted to be, but somewhere what I was and still am has shaped the present what it seems to be. The coveted life I wanted to live is left some where far behind. What matters most today is the luring hope I'm chasing. Alas, all I feel now that 'hope' is just a mirage.

Thinking of it, I feel I splurged on 'hope' way back on my journey to the possibility of success. The indulgence was so much that now I am running low on it. Its sheer pathos that there is no revival, redemption, recreation of it now 'coz what I had seem to have withered away.

When I see myself ten years before I see the same me more hopeful, full of the spirit that I have the capability to change what I do not like about my way of living or add on to the goodies of my life. I worked real hard to reach atleast the brink of that hope. I worked real hard...The change came in my way of life but not the way I wanted.
One may term it as destiny, karmas, circle of life, or anything, change came in the worst form. The good I had diminished and what I wanted to do away with grew aggressively. I'm still working hard to make things the way I want. But the more I want it, the more it comes out of my hands like sand. All I know of now, is that since 'hope' is less and the burdens far too many, its difficult to live like this. Call me pessimist, call me lost, call me anything you want to . All I know of now is that its really hard to live 'low on hope'.

I feel meek, feeble and helpless 'coz somewhere I know now things I'm born with will not change for the rest of my life and to carry the burden of it for the rest of my life is not courageous. All I can say now is that I tried.

“Power corrupts the absolute, absolute power corrupts absolutely”

Its time for elections. The Eccentric, Lunatic, Emerging Cowards Omnipresent in the Nation-State (ELECTIONS) will blow their own trumpets, add feather to their caps, and make the whole politics tamasha look like dog and the bone game.

It’s the first time I am gauging the elections so closely. And trust me, after seeing the whole jingoism, campaigning, shouting of slogans, and the ministers so closely, I am perplexed about the new face of my country.

I remember the days of my childhood, when there were talks about elections in and around my house. Both my parents have been responsible citizens of the country and have casted their vote with extreme sincerity and honesty. And when people used to come and tell them stories about bogus votes, booth capturing and many more, I remember my parent’s faces turning red with anger. But for me, election was relaxation, fun and collection of posters, badges, flags and many more things distributed at the time of campaigning. My mom will freak out if she’ll know this, but when there used to be rallies at the time of campaigning, passing by in front of my house, I used to sneak out, gather my friends and go in the rallies. I always liked the hulla bulloo at the time of elections. Whenever there were elders taking part in a serious conversation about politics, I used to jump in between saying that I like a particular candidate. Imagine a kid doing all this in the age group of 6-12 probably. The fact was that I knew nothing about politics and the term voting meant boating for me. My imagination even left behind the speed of light. I thought that all the people contesting for elections go for a boat race and s/he who wins the race wins the elections. What fun I’d thought. Then once, I faintly remember there were talks about a polling booth based in the Pallival Park in Agra. And I remember that mom had taken us once for boating there. It didn’t even take a minute for me to think that I have sat in the same boat as our esteemed candidates.

But I always thought after listening to the boring stories from people about party representatives, parties, manifestos, and candidates, that I will never like the subject and will maintain a safe distance from all this, when it comes to opting for a career. But probably those conversations built a mindset for me, and today I love to criticize or critically analyze anything and everything about politics in and around the world. I fee people who say they do not have a political opinion are fooling themselves because the fact that you are not political is also a political opinion.
But there is a slight change. While in my childhood I liked all the tamasha in the name of politics, today I like/dislike ideologies but not the furore in the name of elections. I like critically analyzing a particular situation/candidate/ideology/manifesto… but not the day to day nonsensical things that go in it. Like for instance, I like a party’s stand on the G20 summit, but I abhor if someone discusses if Rahul Gandhi will marry or not.

Now that I have an insight to what goes within for elections, I can tell you that it’s easy to contact Barrack Obama but not our not so esteemed party candidates from an ant sized ministry who are contesting elections for no other reason than a vested interest.
The phone calls keep ringing, people do not respond, if they do they reply by saying that the person is not there. If they are there they won’t listen, if they listen they won’t react, if they do their reaction is far from maturity. Hence, the agenda gets lost in this queue for plausibility. I’m not saying that all the policticans are the same. But most of them.

We released the dalit’s charter of demands wherein we invited all the political party representatives to take it up for inclusion within their party manifesto. Guess what, a major chunk of people did not turn up. If even if they did they started belittling each other. Two opposition party leaders started abusing each other on the stage. It was a funny sight to watch. But what about the agenda? I personally also do not support a separate world for anyone. Even if the decision makers did not want to recognize the demands they could have atleast asked for changes in the demands. And for this presence is mandated and attention towards the thing addressed, the prime focus. Alas, the charter kept flying in the air, from one hand to another but the situation till date is the same. NO RESPONSE. (Do you know that the Reservation bill was passed within two minutes in the winter session of the parliament without any objection even from the SC ministers in the Lok Sabha?)

The total electorate in India has risen to 714 million from 671 million in 2004, there are photo electoral rolls and electronic voting system, and people have started understanding the nuances of politics. To say, the number of people who are interested in changing the membrane of our country has gone up. Surely, this year’s election will be a good to watch. With the dynamics of the parties standing on frivolous grounds, it will also be good to see who wins actually and if her/his victory is worth it. The best part is that this time, none pf the parties is very powerful and so if a particular party does not woo people its chance f winning reduces. Thus, all party’s ideologies are waiting to stand the test of time. Instance, very rightly BJP has sublimed its Ram Mandir issue, Congress has covered its corruption, and the CPI has disguised its pseudo approach to anything that it does.

Thankfully, the aam aadmi has become important. All we need to do at this crucial time is utilize this power in our hands and use our right of voting to the optimum. Today, when the ghetto, oh sorry the alliance is given importance on the basis of power and not ideology, it rests in our hands who we want should win and who should not. The best way I think of doing it is by giving preference t candidate than party because in the present scenario a party also rests on a candidate’s shoulders and if chosen he manipulates the party at his convenience. So why don’t we make use of this art.

I am disheartened with the ways of governance and am sure even you all are in some way or another. But let’s not leave hope and rekindle our patriotism by smudging our nails in the ink of true patriotism. Saviours, rise and shine!

Love,
Anjali

Phonexing myself!

Its been some time since I last blogged and spilled out the truest me. Ok, its time now, that I write about myself since the last time I blogged-till date. I know its been ages, but still I'll make an attempt to recollect all that I have felt within this time frame.
Gosh, what a roller coaster ride it has been all this while. Work was good when I wrote for the magazine, later it became mundane, repetitive, making my life like a pond with algae and the stench of that boring period was so much that I felt and still feel exasperated thinking about it. It made me realise one simple thing- "No matter how cool and handsome your boss looks, he will always be the most hated person in your life." Working like mad, like I always do, made me feel, "God, I am not being valued despite putting in so much!" Result? A complete loss of confidence and my true myself.

But the underlining truth was, he like my past bosses/superiors felt threatened by me. And I realised this, only once I left my job and came in this one where I am now. What a waste of time I feel it was. Never mind. I learn't a lot, went places, met good people. That's optimism. Now, my present work is more satisfying and thankfully, unlike the past my Boss does not feel threatened by me. He has a strength of character just like me. hahahahhaha. And I like that. Hey, I should rather not praise him too much. 'Coz whenever I have praised any of my boss, soon after she/he has turned into a devil and me the reluctant Devil's advocate. But in all this, I should rather thank God that despite turmoils, tiffs, and the grandeur recession I was moving, never gave up!

Ok, enough about work now. Often, people complain that they do not have 'Friends'. Luckily, no such problem has ever happened with me. My friends have stood by me through all the thick and thin this while. I'm thankful and grateful to all of them. I don't tell all them that often. But yes, each has a special place in my life. Mom as usual has been my food for thought, pillar of strength and all that cannot be put in simple words. Ya, in between, I developed a great bond with Donna. Infact, I was always eager for that. But she, as supercilious as she is, never gave me any 'BHAU'. But now, thankfully she realises that I am as much part of the family as she is and gives me that attention I had always craved for from her.

Ya, the best thing I could ever do- I slapped the one who deserved, threw him out of my mind forever and have realised that I have moved a long way ahead. Besides, I also feel, that what did I see in him? May be I had just lost it completely! I bumped into him. God he was looking awful and I reiterated in my mind "He is worth dumping and no better"! Thank you God for saving me from that mean and moody man.

Thank you also for all the ups and downs all this while. Had they not been there, I would not have sought out my life and retrospected this pragmatically. Love you. Keep guiding my path like you have always done and never let me go astray.

Love you!!!
Anjali

NINCOMPOOPS!

How can people be like this? This nerve wrecking and mind boggling question has crept into my system since some days. And since I cannot get an answer to it, I have finally concluded to share this incident with you, filled with humor and pathos. I was coming to office yesterday and found a huge traffic jam on the Kalindi Kunj highway. I'd thought that just like an everyday affair, it would be some stupid GADEEWAALA showoff, who has come blocked the way by coming in the wrong direction, or its some rowdy fellow refusing to go back his way as its below his dignity to reverse the car/auto/rickshaw.. But no, it wasn't that, it was something more amusing, annoying and disturbing than this.
When, my autowaala managed to reach to the 'point of distraction', I saw a pool of cars, cycles, rickshaws, and autos parked in the middle of the road, with all the vehicle owners and drivers gazing at the Yamuna river. My inquisitiveness grew and I peeped out of my auto. Fortunately, I got the chance to see the 'popular' site. Guess what? It was a buffalo fallen in the river which had got stuck in the sand. Striving for life, she was trying to float. No, this is not the amusing site I am talking about. This was the disturbing part.. The irritating thing was the crowd which had gathered to watch the 'tamasha'. Some of them where betting over the survival of the buffalo, while others were busy laughing at the not so funny site. While there were even some who were telling the owner of the buffalo to move on,because the buffalo according to them would never survive.
Kalindi Kunj had actually turned into a picnic spot where the so called civilized human beings were making a mockery out of the struggle for survival of a poor buffalo. And guess what? To see all this, these people had parked their cars, scooters, autos, cycles and even buses right in the middle of the road. GOD knows what happened to the buffalo. If she is alive, I will thank GOD for it, but if the buffalo is dead, then I am sure that her soul would not rest in peace, as it wasn't time for her to die 'coz at that moment GOD had chosen many people (crowd) to help her, but none went to her rescue, not even me!

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmm.......!!!!!!!