A Small Tribute to India's Greatest Leader

Neckline or Hemline DoesNot Define a W♀man

Aambabu's Lesson in Management

Aambabu and the Killing Question

Darjeeling Landslide!

Darjeeling Landslide

Once again the hills of Darjeeling Reels under the fury of Mother Nature. As of this morning the death toll is at 38 but that should be going up as reports coming from Tingling (sub-division of Singbulli Tea Garden) that 2 more dead bodies were recovered from the Nepal side of river Mechi. Like 2003 landslide this time also it is the Mirik Block that has been hit disastrously.

While Darjeeling copes up with this disaster the national media as usual silent. To giants of national media #NDTV, #CNNIBN, #TIMESNOW to name a few who has ignored as usual the hills of Darjeeling. For these giants just a refresher on your nation, Darjeeling tea, tourism and timber annually fetches more revenue than what Lalit Modi has camped off with. Sushma Swaraj and her clans have not produced that many bahadurs to lay down their lives for the nation as has Darjeeling done. It’s not that Darjeeling or the people of Darjeeling want you to shout out loud on your channels but a hush hush would have been a respect paid to humble queen of the hills and guess the buck just does not stop here.

I have seen the effect of 2003 landslide how it destroyed property, took away lives and for some left a deep scar that can never be healed. Today I wonder could we have done anything to avoid this calamity or lessen its magnitude. Wonder if we had ensured that all houses were still built in the old architecture of only ground plus one, with the upper being wooden structure, unlike what we see in the hills these days huge concrete structures. Another aspect that has always bothered me most is the boulders which get carried away from the riverbed, doesn't it disturb the ecological balance or the huge dams that we are creating upstream for hydro-power purposes or the huge high tension electrical towers that carry them.  

If we could have or not abate the fury of nature but like 2003 the people of Darjeeling has once again shown their true nature not only to endure but to be their for one another when the chips are down.

Rescue Work in progress by the locals

Photo Courtesy Roshan Thapa

Darjeeling Tea: Prices Soar, Life Doesn't

Darjeeling Tea Labors

Once again Darjeeling is in the news for producing the highest priced tea ever sold. This time around, it has put Johnny Walker Blue Label to shame for all the 65 years put into blending it by just a simple handmade tea going for the same price. Yes, Makaibari Tea Garden this time sold for a whooping $1850 (`1.11 lakh) per kg. Yes! Indeed the story of the Prestigious Darjeeling Tea goes way back to the days of the British Raj. Most of the Tea Gardens do have their folk lore of British Raj and more importantly the system is has remained the same over the ages.

However, Darjeeling Tea has its actual history dating way back to the mid-nineteenth century, and not only since the days of the Raj. So many years of Indian independence has somehow just passed them by and they still remain in the dark days that overpowered the whole country before 1947.

Darjeeling Tea Garden: People Who Make It

Times have changed, tea prices have soared, but the people producing this magic with their hands

Life at Darjeeling: Tough but Ever-Smiling

still remain empty handed. However, life has always carried on for The Great Indian Mango People of the tea gardens labors and staff. Some of them would tell you about the drought days and how they survived on corn and homemade liquor, some would tell you about the agitation days, some would tell you about the days of lockout, and the remaining would tell you about the devastating landslide and other natural calamities that pluck out fresh lives off the people of the hills just as they pick the best tea leaves for us to savour the “Darjeeling”.

Waiting for the Winds of Change

 According to the Times of India, "Fair-trade plantation may seem like an oxymoron," Besky said. "Plantation workers are not small farmers. They are laborers who, like peasants, live and work on land they do not own." Besky discusses the impact of fair trade and other movements that brought Darjeeling tea plantations into the 21st-century market for geographically distinguished and ethically sourced food, and into India's multiethnic democracy. These movements have World Trade Organization Geographical Indication status, a distinction Darjeeling shares with famous place and food names like Scotch, Champagne, and Roquefort, and the Gorkhaland agitation, a longstanding movement to form an Indian state separate from West Bengal, to include Darjeeling, its tea plantations and its majority of Indian Nepalis, or Gorkhas. "There is a deep disconnect between national, global and regional calls for justice, and the lives and work of the very people in whose names those calls have gone forth. The workers are keenly aware that in the market for justice, the tea plantation is not going anywhere." (read report).

So the people wait…wait for the winds of change to come and strike a balance between their lives and the reputation and price of the tea they produce.

Veteran danseuse and teacher lives on charity

Tara Balgopal

We Indians are a happy lot, proud of our cultural heritage and forgetful of all that is painful and anything that calls for taking responsibilities. What happens when these two emotions are blended together? What happens when the rich, cultural heritage and the people who represent that are forgotten by the system, by us, by India as a whole?

This article tells one such story. Take a moment to read this.

Veteran danseuse and teacher lives on charity - The Hindu

Bioscope

A visit to Dilli Haat took us back down memory lane, where as kids back in 1980s & early 1990s this was a scene from any lane or by-lanes of any Indian town or city. Wonder how many were inspired by this in the past, today just a showcase at the prestigious Dilli Haat.

Never mind we do have the idiot box to snub our kids creativity.

Just another Indian woman

She is around 40, hails from a village in West Bengal where electricity is yet to make its appearance. School was a few days dream for her.  When she was merely out of her teens, she was married off to a stranger from Uttar Pradesh.  She has two kids, a 20- year old daughter and a 10-year old son.  Her husband is an alcoholic and a gambler.  He does not earn a penny, beats her, and throws her out of the house.  She now works as a domestic help, her daughter is suffering from high fever and is lying unattended in UP. Her son is being raised by a kind doctor in the south.

A common Indian story, right?

Not quite.

What makes her special is her indomitable spirit...her thirst for knowledge.  At this age, she uses the little free time she has to learn how to read, write, and do simple calculations.

At one hand she wants to know if airplanes fly by lord shiva in heaven.  On the other, she wants to know how to read the meters in auto rickshaws. she tells her children not to waste time in chatting with friends but to read the news papers instead.  She longs for some love and security but has none. She dreads that she wouldn't even have a place to stay when she grows old. She gets no legal help in that village in UP to get her due as a helpless woman whose husband treats her cruelly. Her family, poor as they are, is in no condition to travel to UP and stand by her while she fights for her rights.

And the last but the most difficult part is that she is physically challenged.  Her auditory capability is next to nil. Without the highest power hearing aid, she will not get to hear the loudest car horns on the busiest Indian roads and might be mowed down by a speeding truck. Her eye sight is also failing.

She wants to get her daughter married but has no dowry to offer.

Her dream is to fly. If only we can help her break the millions-of-years-old shackles of poverty, suppression of women in a male society, and tricks played by nature on her physical capacities.

How can we help?

By getting her some legal aid in fighting for her rights, by trying to get her daughter married without dowry, and by pulling in an organisation or a fund that will help her purchase her hearing aids when needed (priced at 6000 INR at least) and get her a pair of contact lenses.

Spread the word and respond if you or any organisation is ready to support the cause. 

International Woman's Day: A Tribute to an Angel

Miss Helen Daniel

March 8: International Woman’s Day…a day when womanhood is being celebrated in several ways all over the world. On this special day, I could only think of one woman…Miss Helen Daniel. A woman who made so much of differences in so many lives, she is known as Bari (maternal aunt), Boju (grandmother), Chhema (maternal aunt), Phupu (paternal aunt), Didi (elder sister), and Bahini (younger sister) to so many people in so many fond and great ways.

Among her siblings, she was known as Kalo Pothy (the black hen) because she would protect all her siblings with all her might. At the age of 15, she claimed to be of 18 and started her career as part of the British army in colonial India. At the age of 85, she still receives a stipend from the East India Company!

Eventually, she landed up working with the West Bengal Government Health Services as a TB health visitor. At that time, with the stigma associated with a disease such as TB and the risks of working as a health service professional, people wouldn’t easily take up such a job. But Bari did.

She worked and earned and supported families…not only her own, but of people known and unknown. It’s no great wonder that even today, she is remembered, adored, loved and respected by multitude of people all across the globe. In her own words, “I never married…but see…I still have so many children!”

Miss Helen Daniel

Being a single woman, she brought up more children than two mothers of that era could put together. She shaped more lives than she can ever remember; she stood by the known and the unknown in their times of need, sickness and desolation; she showed her inner strength and courage at times when the strongest of the strong would have crumbled. Her love and affection is still found in her radiant smile and gestures. You’d still find her busy all the time on her mobile phone…talking to someone or the other. If you ask, she’d say, “There are so many lonely and old people…if I call, they feel happy. Is there something wrong with that?” Miss Helen Daniel…the savior still of lonely hearts, if not in person but then with the help of technology.

It is true that with age, she has lost some of her physical might. But she still is the same angelic person to the core. She is still trying to live a life for people… if in no other possible ways, then in her prayers.

A woman of substance, she is probably one of those rare women who is called as “ama” (mother) without ever giving birth.

On Woman’s Day, I salute Miss Helen Daniel…my dear Bari…one of those great Indian mango people…who make this world a better place!

New Delhi World Book Fair 2013

In a city where weekend means household work, parties, shopping, or mall hopping…the New Delhi World Book Fair was a welcome break. For bookworms like me, it was almost an enchanted escape to the land of tales!

The Fair was organized by National Book Trust, India, an apex body of the Government of India, Ministry of Human Resource Development. It was held from February 4 to 10, 2013 at the centrally located Pragati Maidan exhibition grounds, New Delhi.

This year, apart from Indian and international publishers, the New Delhi World Book Fair had France as the Guest of Honor Country. France presented glimpses of the industry and its writings through a large contingent of French publishers. Besides, many authors and scholars from France engaged in discussions and conversations with the Indian counterparts at the many literary programs and professional round tables organized during the New Delhi World Book Fair. The vibrant cultural heritage of France with its music, food, as well as cinema and other cultural performances formed a major component of French presentation.

 New Delhi World Book Fair

The theme of the New Delhi World Book Fair this year was "Indigenous Voices: Mapping India's Folk and Tribal Literature." The diverse expressions of Indian's traditional native cultures, including exhibit of books, traditional art forms, crafts, panel discussions, and performances were showcased.

People from all walks of life and age groups flocked the New Delhi World Book Fair. Some were engrossed in reading up as much as they could; some were spending a nice time with family and friends; some were there to explore what others were exploring; and some others were there to buy books at the best bargains. Honestly, not often would you get a flat discount of 33% on Tintin comics, would you?

It was interesting to see how parents were eager to introduce their children to the pleasure of reading books. Contrary to popular beliefs, we could catch glimpses of loads of kids completely immersed in their books. While some little ones were literally dragging their parents to buy their favorite books, others were proudly showing off their newly acquired 3D books!

 New Delhi World Book Fair: Children Performance

Young couples discussed which books to buy for their future homes…and there were those who were trying to impress their partners by displaying their love for books. Another interesting fact was that on the last day of the fair…food stalls were completely emptied by the throng of hungry crowd! The only options left were tea and ice creams.

Added to the magic of books and food was the cultural arena that acted as an awesome break from the monotonous city life. Enjoying tribal music and dance at the heart of Delhi was more than what we could have asked for at the New Delhi World Book Fair. Just in case, you missed this year’s fair, do visit it next year. For the great Indian Mango People, the New Delhi World Book Fair is kingdom of dreams @Rs.20/- per head.

Just another Ball Game

Satyajit Pal, 16, Bongaon, Dream: To be a footballer; reality: Poor Indian 

Durga Puja, 2012. The city of Kolkata was flooded with lights, love, and laughter… true to its name, The City of Joy. The four days of Puja are of pure festivity…of dressing up in your best, spending time with family and friends, and eating and making merry. 

Especially for the young people, these are the days of freedom and of dreams…the time to be cozy with your partner and, if you don’t have one, to find a pretty face to complete the festive dream.

Amidst this festive high, we spotted Satyajit, carrying his heavy, modern day sandwich board…advertising for a mobile service provider. He is just 16, stays near Bongaon, West Bengal, and is a ninth standard student in a local school.

The boy was out earning money while the entire city was having a ball. For sacrificing each evening’s merry making, he earned Rs. 350. In four days, he would make about Rs. 1400.

On asking why he was carrying this extremely heavy board around when he could have easily taken his girlfriend around, he gave a shy smile and said that he plays soccer and wants to make it to the district selections. For this, he desperately needs a pair of soccer boots and the only way he could buy them was with the money he’d get by carrying this board around. He did not have any of the other required soccer gear; neither did he know how to get them.

His family supports him as much as they can and had asked him to go out and enjoy like the other boys. However, for Satyajit, puja meant soccer and his dream was that of a pair of boots.

We don’t know his current whereabouts, neither do we have any more details. Our only wish is that unlike the thousands of other promising sportsmen, who get lost among the multitude of helpless Indian mango people, the dream of this boy should not be shattered and he should at least get a fair and good shot at realizing his dream of playing for the country.

The saints go marching in!!!

When the saints go marching in, so do men… For the baraat that has gone in and scored a huge and real life brownie point (read as perfect Indian wife & hefty dowry) for the bridegroom, the band that accompanied him finally walks home after a day’s job. They do not get to ride the car got by the bridegroom as a dowry nor any share of the booty… All they get is their daily wage and a little tip to go along with, not enough to ride a public bus too… In their glamorous attire they look a pretty picture, well that is as long as they are playing. These men are skilled enough to be performing together the bollywood blockbusters; however, they do not read music because they do not belong to the privileged lot of people who have had proper training. Most of these men have been born with flair for music and are in the profession mostly as a part time job, as this profession does not have constant flow of income as it is seasonal. Even in the season, it is not a daily affair, so they make ends meet by doing odd jobs.
Hope the saints will be watching over them when they go marching in…

The Best Half

Just another passer by, like many who came, went, and yet to go by… Just another passer by.I am a face that passes by the entrance and exit of Sealdah station every day.Here am I, and not to forget that standing by me is my best half. Yes! She is my third wife and the one I have been married for the longest. More than a decade now…the longest, and still standing tall. The rest had just come and gone by; indeed in those days of youth time just flew by.Yes, in quiet moments, just by myself, I think how uncertain were those moments of life. Crazy were the phases, but then looking back, just one steady ship. Yes again! Indeed the best. The best half.

Street Urchins

These children are categorized by UNICEF as the “Children on the street” or the “Children of the street”. They are considered as the hidden children as they never feature on any national surveys. The Indian census nowhere mentions these children and the only count we have is an estimated one by UNICEF. They do not actually count as they are not yet precious enough for a vote; which is reason enough for them to bypass the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) is Government of India's flagship programme for achieving the target of Universalization of Elementary Education (UEE) in a time-bound manner. The intent of this programme is to make education free and compulsory for children in the age group of 6-14 years. Education is, after all, one of the Fundamental Rights.

Sounds nice! It would actually be very nice if this fundamental right of the future was framed such that it reaches out to all the children; the essence seems to be there indeed, but the action is still missing.

As far as these children are concerned, study does not go very well in an empty stomach. There! Don’t we have the Mid-Day Meal Scheme? Yes! Apparently, the Mid-Day Meal is the world’s largest school feeding programme reaching out to about 12 crore children in over 12.65 lakh schools/EGS centres across the country.
But then we do have the hidden children; all these beautiful schemes and campaigns just pass them by. Neither the government, nor families are there to bring these children back to school. (To be continued)

Caged Damsels

From all corners of the country, we are brought in to be the caged damsels, entertaining the society. Some of us were brought in by the men we loved; some of us were sold off by relatives and family; some of us were too young to remember how we were brought in; but almost none of us came by choice. And yet, it is we who are considered fallen. Dr. Gilada's paper on perspectives and positional problems of social intervention shows that 70% of women are forced into prostitution and 20% of these are child prostitutes. The Indian National Commission for Women (National Commission for Women (1997) The Velvet Blouse: Sexual Exploitation of Children Delhi: Government of India, p.4.) quotes figures of two million sex workers. The number of child prostitutes as a percentage of the total is also quoted as being high. It has been suggested that 40% of female prostitutes begin selling sex before they are eighteen. Interestingly, in India, there have been no really reliable regional, let alone national, studies that can suggest the size of the sex industry...or, in other words, there is no count of Indian caged damsels.

The vast majority of women like us who become sex workers do so because of dire economic circumstances. Those of us who enter the brothel and street prostitution sectors are very young. Many – perhaps most - are children. The situation is thought to be especially acute in northern states where a combination of poverty and the low status of females contribute to their exploitation in the sex industry. In many desperately poor regions it is accepted that girls will become prostitutes in order to help their families. (http://www.who.int/hiv/topics/vct/sw_toolkit/sex_work_asia.pdf)

Pathways into sex work in India are 3-fold. First, many women are born into sex work as the family profession. The stigma associated with sex work, often coupled with residual caste system discrimination, severely limits educational and alternative economic opportunities. Second, many young women from rural areas and neighboring countries (e.g. Nepal, Bangladesh) are deceived, sold, or otherwise trafficked into sex work against their will. Driven by the extreme poverty facing their families and the lure of relatively large incomes, some women choose to return to sex work, albeit in a less coercive context, once they are returned to their homes. Sex workers in Calcutta are conservatively estimated to earn an hourly wage almost twice that of women in urban India. Finally, some women, given limited options, choose sex work as a means to support their families after being widowed, divorced, or abandoned by their husbands. About 9% of a random sample of sex workers in the Sonagachi “red light” area stated that they entered the profession voluntarily.

Source: http://www.ucghi.universityofcalifornia.edu/docs/womens-health/hiv-prevention-among-sex-workers-in-india.pdf

And so...here we are...part of your mango community...who counts us? Do we really count?

Piano Man of Kolkata

I don’t know his name. I am not sure if any of us does. He is one of those most insignificant mango people in Kolkata. He works in Braganza’s music store and can play almost all musical instruments impeccably. Apart from selling the instruments, he will entertain you with music for hours. If you hum a Rabindra Sangeet, he is sure to play it on the piano. Take your chance and sing any classic Bengali number, he will surprise you with the musical accompaniment.

When he plays, he doesn't look at you. It seems as if he is engrossed in his music. If you try and strike up a conversation, he will humbly tell you that he has never learnt music. It is all a gift of the job he has with the store. For years, he has been with the store, selling stuff…and, more than that, cherishing the music that he spreads all around.

I don’t know how much he earns. I am not sure if his children are well nourished and educated. I don’t know if his wife has ever heard of the brand names common in the malls. I can’t tell if he even knows the technical jargon of the music he plays. But he sure seems happy.

Kudos to you, mango man, for keeping up the spirit of life!

Auto Woes

To begin with, let's talk about autos. I don't know about other states. but since I live in Delhi, let's talk about it. I stay in a place near Saket, one of the richest South Delhi areas. But our place is mostly inhabited by migrants (and thankfully, we still do not have any Raj Thakreys hooting us out). A narrow road full of shops leads to our residential area. Since people in Delhi believe in multiple traffic lines and since there is no traffic police (at least in real life irrespective of what is there on papers), there is always a huge traffic jam. So, even when you try to get an auto to take you home from a place that is about 1.5 Kms away, the autowallahs would either refuse to go or charge at least four times what the meter reading would be. We, Delhities, are used to it. But think about it...although the auto fares have been raised and the police and administration is well aware of this fact, every time, we end up spending four times more than what we should really pay.

People with big, fat salaries and stretched cars will not even realize the trauma that we face everyday. But for us, mango people, aam admi (and aurat, to be precise), how do we feel each time we are refused, standing helplessly on the road side? The police complaint numbers are useless...since no auto driver is afraid of the same. Maybe they too have their own story to tell. But right now, I want to tell out story...middle class mango people.

Will Anna Hazare's Lokpal Bill put an end to this? If not, what will? I don't want to accept "buying your own car" as an option even if I have the choice to do so. What will improve this?