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Letters to the Editor: April 30, 2019

Hearty Congratulations

I have been a Press letter writer for over forty-five years and have got over 3000 letters/write-ups published in several newspapers & magazines. Over the years, from time to time, many newspapers had given due value to ‘Letter Writers.’ But, unfortunately, almost all the newspapers (barring one or two) have trimmed or even vanished the Readers’ page altogether.

Here comes Afternoon Voice. I have been an avid reader and contributor to AV for the last few years and today this is the only newspaper which values the contributions of its readers. Above all, the paper does not publish just for ‘namesake’ by harshly editing it. The “DIARY” column gives ample scope for the readers to express their views and opinions which are published in full.

Of late I have noticed that when a reader writes a piece on a crucial subject or a socially important matter, AV publishes it as a “Special Feature”, thus highlighting the importance of the subject. We, the contributors, take it as an honour and recognition! Regular contributors are also approached for interviews on crucial issues. Above all, this is the only paper in the recent past which has considered its contributors as the “Team or Board Members”.

Hearty Congratulations and best wishes for all success in the years ahead too. May Afternoon Voice grow as the No. 1 newspaper in this city.

S.Krishna Kumar

Congratulations

Hearty Congratulations to Afternoon Voice on its 10th NBC Awards. It is time to congratulate your team of editors, writers, and journalists as their sheer hard work, perseverance, and determination have helped the news daily reach this place.

We hope that the teamwork will see and try to offer an exciting mix of features, plus stories, and that will go a long way engaging writers like me more busy with relentless activities on various subjects including sports and Cinema.

Afternoon Voice — Your Paper Your Voice is ringing in our ears for a long time and we hope in the coming days, we will be able to cross all barriers and come out with flying colours. Good luck Team Afternoon Voice.

C.K. Subramaniam

Be happy, keep smiling

Afternoon Voice is the voice of conscience. It’s informative and participative. The editorials of AV are known for the accuracy of thought and expression and its Editor-in-Chief has been awarded for excellence in journalism so many times.

‘Beyond the News’ is more colourful and carries the class of its own. Important topics, excellent picture quality. I must admit that I need to improve to find a place here. I am not a journalist in a classical sense but you all encouraged me to start writing. I believe in this and will also advise the youth to work with passion, dedication, and perseverance as well as improve your heart, body, and mind.

Mahendra Singh

Best wishes to all

Congratulations to the dedicated team of Afternoon Voice which is an esteemed publishing house on the successful completion of 10 fruitful years in a business where big fishes have failed to survive in today’s digital age. Afternoon Voice – the NBC group mouthpiece may be small in stature but big in content and readers like me look forward to it to start the day on a refreshing note. The group is known for honest reporting swims through tough tides even during Tsunamis because patrons can make out the difference between ‘Fake and Real news’ in a media today which is dominated by screams and shouts.

Special thanks to Vaidehi Taman for her fearless reporting and media ethics which her critics may hate or target her on social media but when the going gets tough, the tough gets going and she is the very best in today’s age of journalism where pen pushers show bias towards political groups but she is a woman of substance who stands tall with her frank and unbiased editorials.

It is my privilege and honour to be associated with the group by sharing my personal views on a platform that believes in facts. Best wishes to all.

S.N. Kabra

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)

Mumbai voted but Josh is missing

Rajesh Choudhary

April 29, 2019

Voting started on a very slow pace in all six constituencies of Mumbai on Monday. Till 11 am in the morning Mumbai North seat registered only 7.85 per cent voting. The overall voter turnout was average and it struggled to cross the 50 per cent mark. Mumbai North West witnessed 50.37 per cent, Mumbai North East 51.59 per cent, Mumbai North Central 47.11 per cent, Mumbai South Central 51.45 per cent and Mumbai South 46.90 per cent voter turnout.

Criminal lawyer and NCP MP Majeed Memon said, “Due to long weekend, we are witnessing low voter turnout in Mumbai. Till now we had appealed to voters that voting is their constitutional right and they should exercise it effectively. However, this time we have informed voters that voting is not only their constitutional right but it is an important national duty. It’s an obligation on citizens and they should not ignore national obligation. This is an important election and citizens should understand its importance.”

Mumbai voted on Monday for 17th Lok Sabha, but Josh was apparently missing. Polling booths were seen less crowded and long queues were not visible. Long weekend and migrant voter’s apathy are key reasons behind this. Many voters with family went out of the city for a picnic. Migrant voters also did not turn out in higher numbers to vote. In 2014, there was a Modi wave in the whole country. It is clearly absent this year.

Senior Advocate Abha Singh said, “Voting percentage has always been low in Mumbai. Colaba had recorded the lowest voting count of 39 per cent all over India. In 2014, the voting percentage had increased to 58 per cent. People have to stand in queue for 30 to 45 minutes and there is no separate queue for women. Many people avoid voting due to mismanagement by polling staff. This time people are confused to whom to vote for. People don’t want to stand in queue just for the sake of pressing the NOTA option. Educated people are not bothered about which government will come to power. Voting should be made compulsory.”

Polling picked up momentum in the noon. The voting figures till 12 o’clock are 19.46 per cent Mumbai (North), 17.64 per cent in Mumbai (North West), 18.39 per cent Mumbai (North East), 16.21 per cent in Mumbai (North Central), 16.80 per cent in Mumbai (South Central) and 15.51 per cent Mumbai (South).

BJP MLA Kumar Iylani said, “Voting percentage is low because many names have been deleted from the voter list. Many people are searching their names in the voter list. More than 25 per cent names from a building have been deleted. Due to summer season, very few people are venturing out to vote. The voting percentage can be increased by rectifying mistakes in the voter list.”

On social media, too, people appeared calm regarding voting and election. While during 2014 Parliamentary election, the social media was full of messages of appeal, advice, and persuasion to vote different parties constituency wise. In 2014 general polls, WhatsApp, Facebook, and Twitter were packed with election messages. That energy was lacking this time. People seemed not interested in politics. Last time common people was expecting a change and Narendra Modi had mobilised them. However, Modi could not fulfill their expectations.

Independent journalist Kanchan Srivastava said, “Voting percentage has always been low in Mumbai. Not only Mumbai, but voting percentage is low in all metropolitan cities. Mumbaikars are not willing to vote. Some people have gone on vacations. Urban voters are not committed as compared to their rural counterparts. Many people feel that Modi government will retain power, so there is no need to vote. Even during last Lok Sabha when there was Modi wave, voting percentage was low in Mumbai. Election Commission, Prime Minister, and celebrities have urged voters to cast their vote. Ajit Ranade has tweeted that the government should provide an incentive to voters who exercise their franchise.”

Though the government has declared holiday on April 29, the rush in local trains was as usual. Means many Mumbaikars did not take leave for voting and gave weightage to bread and butter. Mumbai is the financial capital of India. However, the business community of the city did not come forward to support any party this year. It is said that they are unhappy with many provisions of Goods and Services Tax (GST). At least 40,000 police and security personnel were deployed across the city.

However, prominent political leaders and Bollywood actors-actresses exercised their franchise. NCP president Sharad Pawar, Shiv Sena supremo Uddhav Thackeray, MNS leader Raj Thackeray and Union Minister Smriti Irani were prominent among the political leaders who voted in Mumbai. Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Urmila Matondkar, Madhuri Dixit Nene and a stream of other Bollywood celebrities voted here and urged others to step out and make their vote count. BJP MP Poonam Mahajan, Congress nominee Urmila Matondkar, industrialist Anil Ambani and actress Rekha were among the early voters in Mumbai.

Across 72 constituencies in nine states, more than 12 crore voters were supposed to exercise their franchise on Monday. Voters decided the fate of total of 945 candidates. Over 1.40 lakh polling booths had been set up for the same. Elections were held in 17 seats of Maharashtra, five seats in Bihar, one in Jammu and Kashmir, three in Jharkhand, six in Madhya Pradesh, six in Odisha, 13 in Rajasthan, 13 in Uttar Pradesh and eight in West Bengal. Counting of the votes will take place on May 23.

Lack of josh — Politics has failed to mesmerise voters

Vaidehi Taman

April 29, 2019

On Monday, the voting began at 7 am for 72 seats across nine states in the fourth phase of the 2019 Lok Sabha elections with PM Modi’s appeal for ‘record voting’ and reports of EVM glitches and clashes from several areas. Mumbai seats, known for low turnout in the Lok Sabha polls, recorded 51.6 per cent voting in 2014, which was an improvement from 41 per cent of 2009. Now, in 2019, the voter turnout is average. There was a lack of josh. In spite of PM Modi’s fancy interviews, Raj Thackeray’s rallies and supporting films with BJP agendas, somewhere the present politics has failed to mesmerise the voters. Mumbai has witnessed a close fight in at least three to four constituencies. In Mumbai South, sitting Sena MP Arvind Sawant faces a tough fight against city Congress President Milind Deora. Mumbai North Central will see a close contest between sitting BJP MP Poonam Mahajan and Congress’s Priya Dutt. Sanjay Dina Patil (NCP) and Manoj Kotak (BJP) are locked in a neck-to-neck fight in Mumbai North East. In Mumbai South Central, Sena MP Rahul Shewale and Congress candidate Eknath Gaikwad are fighting it out. This year Congress earned its share as they have strong contenders. Urmila Matondkar (Congress) has put up a challenge before BJP’s Gopal Shetty who had won the 2014 elections by more than 4.75 lakh votes, but this time it seems to be difficult as Gopal Shetty has aged and he has attracted many controversies in this particular constituency. In Mumbai North West, the fight is between sitting Sena MP Gajanan Kirtikar and Congress’s Sanjay Nirupam; here Kirtikar is winning as it’s hardcore right-wingers belt. Another interesting fight would be in Maval, where NCP chief Sharad Pawar’s grandnephew Parth is locked in an electoral battle with sitting Sena MP Shrirang Barne, Parth may win because the kind of money spent here can achieve anything. Congress had a lack of influential campaigning and an efficient organisational set-up in Mumbai, while its ally NCP does not have any presence in the city. This would help Sena-BJP win most of the seats in Mumbai. However, their alliance is likely to suffer more losses in rural areas and to make up for that, the focus was on urban seats.

In West Bengal, where the Mamata Banerjee-led Trinamool Congress is facing its toughest challenge against the Bharatiya Janata Party; BJP candidate Babul Supriyo’s car was vandalised and there were also reports of a clash between Trinamool workers and security personnel in the state, where eight seats are voting today. Still, Banerjee would always remain the choice of locals. In phase three, one person had died in political clashes while the car of CPI(M) candidate Md Salim was attacked in Islampur during the second round. The one issue, that affects Mumbai, India’s financial capital and home to 22 million residents (official figures), is that it is home for the undocumented millions who are deprived of electoral representation. And this repeats, year after year, owing to a flaw in the electoral model. The Lok Sabha elections of 2019, about 35,000 of the city’s rag-pickers — mostly Tamil women — are expected to travel back to their villages along Tamil Nadu’s coast to exercise their franchise following fervent calls from their families back home. Moreover, even as WhatsApp messages and posts in social media underline the women’s sense of independence and ‘freedom of choice’ to do so, fact remains that they do not exercise any electoral muscle over the powers that affect them directly in Mumbai itself. Issues of water supply, housing, sanitation, and safety still matter of concern, local political party union to fight for their rights, but there is nobody to stand by these rag pickers.

The Tamils are members of the De-notified Tribe (DNTs). Like them, the Pardhis, Banjaras and the Waghris also form a sizeable lot in Mumbai. The Sassoon Dock, Mumbai’s prized wet dock, itself employs the service of about 25,000 Banjara women to clean prawns on a daily basis and live in nearby slums. Apart from that, the Pardhis who live on the streets in Mumbai easily number around a lakh in the city and have Aadhaar Cards, PAN cards, and Driving Licenses but no Voters’ Cards. The leader admitted that in western and north Maharashtra, the opposition has posed a serious challenge. Nandurbar, Dhule, Maval, and Dindori are the seats that can witness a reversal of results. Nandurbar, Dindori have significant presence of tribal voters who are unhappy with the ruling parties over reservation issues. BJP-Sena will have an edge over the opposition in MMR it won’t retain all seats. It would not be a cakewalk for the ruling combine, as there is no Modi wave this time. It may lose a couple of seats, including Mumbai South and North East, while the margin in other seats will reduce. Congress could not give its 100 per cent and failed to organise rallies by Rahul or Priyanka Gandhi and this will affect them badly. Congress leader hoping for victory in at least 10 of the 17 seats, they may win at least six seats, including Dhule, Nandurbar, while NCP has better chances of winning Mumbai North East, both seats in Nashik and Maval. Election results can bring the truth to open but till then if we have to sum up this time voting, we can clearly see, the lack of josh and more of the jar to the polling booth.

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)

Complaint against CJI Ranjan Gogoi

Jayanthy Subramaniam

April 29, 2019

In all the cases of sexual harassment in India which involve persons of high position and prestige, women are always placed at a corner that she is acting out of prejudice. In the present case involving CJI, the same thing is happening, no organisation or person is coming openly in support of women SC employee that justice will be done to her. This itself shows that she will not get any single court employee corroborating her claims even if it is true in all sense. Since this case involves CJI, a fair trial should be given to this case, not only citizens of India is looking at this case but also the whole world is watching this case that how safe India is for women employees. When we are grappling at press freedom index of 140 out of 180 countries, its responsibility of fourth pillar democracy to highlight the shortcoming in the case and help get justice to that women or CJI in a way that justice undoubtedly is seen be done.

What ‘lose people’s trust’? ‘People’s trust’ will be lost more by all this muckraking and screaming. Let the judges get on with their inquiry. My trust in the court has deepened due to the steps it has taken in this case of what seems to be a large conspiracy. SCI has been creating laws stifling the normal behaviour of people. Now, the SCI has fallen victim for what they made

A very well reasoned critique that should be read and digested by all concerned judges and officers of the Supreme Court. Why should the judiciary and legislature be exempted from the scope of the very judgement that the Supreme Court delivered in case of sexual harassment? For a nation to believe that they have an unbroken system and to trust the rule of law, the highest officers of the judiciary have a compelling moral obligation to be the role models for the citizens. Nothing can be more dangerous than cynicism on the part of the common man to set back democracy from its pursuit of a fair and equitable society.

Not just the Vishakha guidelines, any act of violation of any law by the members of the higher judiciary should not be inquired into by the Judiciary itself. Justice Karnan’s case exemplifies this predicament. The only platform where a proper action can be initiated against a SC/HC judge is the Parliament of India by invoking Article 124 (4) & (5) and the Judges (Inquiry) Act, 1968. This is the privilege of the Legislature. By constituting a committee of its own, in order to establish its own integrity, the Judiciary has overstepped and usurped the powers of the Legislature and thereby breached the doctrine of Separation of Powers. The step will not afford an unequivocal and incontrovertible solution to the vexed issue. One may wonder what punishment can be awarded to the CJI by the said committee in the hypothetical scenario, wherein he is found guilty. It would be simply an ethical exercise sans any constitutional authority.

Consider how this would be handled by other democracies. An allegation of this form would first be handled by the local Thane. If necessary, state and national police would be called in. If validity was found the case would go to the local prosecutor and, ultimately, it would be heard by a local judge. In other words, nothing special would be done for a Supreme Court judge. In this case there are two glaring problems: first the Supreme Court should not have taken this case and second, the judge with a conflict of interest should not have spoken out from the bench. While this is a personal case, it should be noted that both of these principles have been violated by the Supreme Court numerous times for years.

When any case reaches the court, there is a plausibility of the charges levelled. Then the media verifies. The spokesman for the litigants in the courts doesn’t have any obligation to verify the charges. These court spokesmen will do when their client is innocent. Everyone else is spectator, like watching a cricket match to be entertained. Only people who have credibility are those who practice credibility are concerned. SC judges have fulfilled the role. If the complaint is not credible, the female Judge will point it out, just like it was the case of Lokpal appointment. Who dissented? India has seen the protest when judiciary does not function, as was the case in Nirbhaya’s case. Who gets to decide what the perfect procedures are? The common man or the advocate who is not committed to the quality of facts the circumstances? Unless humane corrective measures are taken the court may lose people’s trust.

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. The facts and opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of AFTERNOON VOICE and AFTERNOON VOICE does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)

3 Greatest Indian Films From Last Years Which Deserve A Watch

Afternoon Voice

April 29, 2019

India holds the record for producing thousands of films every year. As we all we are aware that Indian cinema is not only Hindi cinema, rather it consists of many regional industries which include Bollywood or Hindi film industry, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Bhojpuri, Marathi, Punjabi, Assamese, Bengali and many more. Every single film critic, film website, blogs and magazines has discussed and wrote many articles, reviews, and critical analysis about the popular films made in 2018 across the nation like include Tumbbad, Raazi, Stree, Andhadhun, Rangasthalam, U Turn, Mahanti, 96, Vada Chennai, Ratsasan, , Sudani From Nigeria, Sexy Durga, and many more.

However, there are films which did great in international film festivals but failed to get the attention of Indians as they got limited screens when they released. But somewhere these films carved a niche for themselves, and they went through hundreds of film festivals across the globe, won numerous awards, and were appreciated, lauded and stand out of the crowd for their storyline, screenplay, presentation, bold portrayal, mesmerising cinematography, acting, music, sound effects, editing, universal approach towards story and overall execution.

Here will be discussing about the films which are as important as the parallel cinema was in the 1970s. These films are film institute in themselves who teach so many aspects of film making to the aspiring filmmakers. Hence, these films should not be missed by film students.

Ee. Ma. Yau.

Rarely do we come across movies that affect us on so many levels and Ee Ma You is one of them. It’s a Malayalam satirical drama which revolves around the death and funeral of a father Mesthiri which is brilliantly portrayed by Kainakiri Thankaraj and how his son reacts to it. Everything that can go wrong goes wrong and the ensuing mess is what that drives the film ahead. Such a simple story but handled remarkably well by the Director Lijo Jose Pellissery whose last film was the magnificent “Angamaly Diaries”. It is a hard-hitting, realistic, poignant and touching tale of a son who loves his dad and would do anything to fulfil his last wish.

The movie takes you through a day in the life of Eesi son of Vavachan who has promised his father a colourful post-death procession and a funeral that suits a king. The rest of the story tells us whether he will be able to keep his promise or not. The portrayal of the ugly truths throughout the film will keep making you feel restless as a social being in every bit and parts of this most sensible cinematic piece. The handheld camera following the character was a monopoly of the horror genre which is thrashed away by this duo of director and cinematographer. It has completely explored the human nature of taking advantage of someone’s death to manipulate others and assert one’s own righteousness giving less priority to morality.

The script of the movie is not one that tries to please the audience but is intended to tell us a story the way it exactly needs to be told. The cinematography of the film handled by Shyju Khalid immerses the viewer into the world Vavachan Eesi and the rest of the characters go through without feeling the presence of the camera. Director of the film – Lijo Jose Pellissery is one of the finest filmmakers of our time and the way he has managed the film to be what it is – is magnificent and appreciating. He is a blessing for cinema lovers who crave never before tried themes and style. The last half an hour is an absolute delight with the heavy rain adding to the magic.

Each and every character on screen has done a remarkable job with their respective roles. Chemban Vinod Jose gives an electrifying performance and this for sure is his career best role till date and Vinayakan as member Ayyappan has come out of his mass and thug image and played a role where he will make you cry and laugh at the same time. I had a fabulous time watching this and would recommend it to everyone. This film proves that death brings the real face and truth out in the field.

To Let

This film is a gem of Indian cinema which gives you the feel and rumination of the Satyajit Ray’s and Guru Dutt’s cinematic excellence and spiritualistic feel. It’s a deeply moving portrayal of social drama whose approach is universal and connects to everybody. A couple is stuck between the humiliation of house owner and finding a dream home, an aspirant writer dreaming of his 1st film venture and a better future for their child. The camera narrates the condition of the house through a tiny bird, closet and rays when sunlight penetrates through the window on and further keeps the narration flawlessly

Character development at its best and each scene is very relevant to the story. The actors have done a phenomenal job especially the lead female character. The story itself is fresh and never been heard of in the past. Very natural and simple shots make this movie stand out from the rest of the mass entertainment movies. The sound of radio and television, the conversation of people and auto on the road compensate for the music.

India produces more than thousands of films every year. The genres and budgets of the films range from lacs to crores of rupees but there remain very few films that mark an identity in International film festivals. This film rounded hundreds of film festivals across the globe. It won awards in almost all the festivals it went through and was highly appreciated by the cine lovers. This is one of the few movies that will stay with you long after you have left the cinemas. The film was completed in 25 days and the cast are all newcomers. Chezhiyan is a director to look for.

Academy Awards winning Iranian filmmaker, Asghar Farhadi lauded the movie in an interview as it is a pure film. I was moved by this subject and the acting was very good. Indian veteran filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan praised this movie as very very sensible, beautiful movie. Sri Lankan filmmaker Prasanna Vithanage also praised this movie as a sincere movie with genuine concern.

Village Rockstar

Rima Das has shown the courage and has swum beyond what needs to be successful and delivered a cinematic excellence with the little resources she had. It’s poetry flowing through the cinematic form. You don’t dare to pity anybody and especially not Dhunu or her mother. You just watch with a state of awe and come out with your heart full of joy. In a small village in northeast India, a 10-year-old Dhunu dream of having her own rock band has struck a chord with the audience from Oscars, Cannes, and Toronto to many other national and international film festivals across the globe. Her vibrant spirit, imagination and self-assurance stand out in a world where girls are expected to be timid and submissive. With her gang of boys and the support of her widowed mother, Dhunu faces the struggles of her daily life and hopes for the day when she can finally play song on a real guitar.

This film is an ode to the undying spirit of people living in villages which is touched by nature. They think themselves to be privileged who dream and yearn for the same. The deliberate minimal use of dialogues and stunning cinematography makes the viewers, slowly encapsulated by the winds and purity of a village setting. The fact that Rima Das has spent her formative years in her village is quite evident in the film. No other movie maker could have reached into the deepest corner of the soul of the place and present us something as visceral as Rima herself.

She used close-ups to show the innocence and the landscape beautifully. Her camera moves with the wind almost as these kids make their way through rains and roads. The film is a simple coming of age story which reminded the audiences of Indian Parallel cinema. A self-taught filmmaker, Rima took the reins of each department of her movie herself. Her story is as fascinating as the young Dhunu in her film. Screenwriter, Director, producer, cinematographer, editor, production-designer and all in all a film department in herself – Rima Das won India’s top Film Award for this Magnum Opus.

Apart from India’s Best Film National Award, she also won the Best Editor Award. Her film’s lead actress and her niece Bhanita Das won India’s best Child Actor Award, and her Audiographer-cousin Mallika Das wins India’s Best Audiography Award. It was selected for India’s official entry to 91st Academy Awards. She shot the film on DSLR camera and edited her unplanned shots taken over two years without comprehensive screenplay by following YouTube tutorials. She is the New Hope to Guerrilla Filmmakers spread across the globe. Her success proves that money or team support is not necessary if you have the talent and vision to be a filmmaker. All you need to make a film is a camera.

What the teacher is, is more important than what he teaches

Vinod Dixit

April 29, 2019

A. P. J. Abdul Kalam said that “Educationists should build the capacities of the spirit of inquiry, creativity, entrepreneurial and moral leadership among students and become their role model.” According to UNESCO in a statement acknowledged that crises, conflicts, and insecurity, alongside rising intolerance and discrimination, as well as budgetary restrictions, are some of the factors affecting teachers in much of the world, undermining both their freedom and empowerment.

We all are aware that though teachers are critical to the functioning of society yet the teaching profession does not receive the respect it deserves. The profession of a teacher is the most important profession in the world because teachers fulfill the transfer of knowledge to “young minds”, without which the world we live in would degrade and fade. Teachers are like real potters who not only give our life a shape but also enable to lit like a lamp forever after dispelling the darkness from all across the world. It is said that nothing is nobler in life than lighting a lamp in an ignorant soul. The saying is indeed true. Today the profession of teaching is recognized as one of the noblest professions in the world. World Teachers’ Day reminds people of the important role that teachers play. Teacher shapes the mind and goals of our younger generation, shaping the growth of the Nation. It is an opportunity to rethink issues facing teachers from an international perspective. This day allows students, parents and community members to show their appreciation for teachers and the positive impact they make on society. Teachers exert tremendous vital influence upon society. The community is entirely depending on the teachers because it is in his hand to create and destroy society. So it is must necessary by teachers that what will be the future of the community. Teachers act as our friend, philosopher and guide through our growing years in school and in later years of young adulthood. Parents are the first teachers in our lives and impart the most important values of life from the day we are born, for learning remains a lifelong process. Teachers lay the very foundation of a nation by preparing the future citizens of the country; instilling in them the moral values as well as the capabilities to help the nation shine on.

A teacher understands that the development of every child is equally important and recognizes the responsibility and faith that a parent places on the teacher when a child is sent to school.

A teacher is a person who gives children a space for a flight instead of limiting their moves. Robert Frost said, “There are two kinds of teachers: the kind that fills you with so much quail shot that you can’t move, and the kind that just gives you a little prod behind and you jump to the skies.” Unlike other professions, teachers exert a tremendous influence upon society. It is in their hands to create or destroy the future of our land. Teachers’ profession is very great for the students because they are the idol for every student. Teachers are the torchbearers of a society’s path towards progress and their contribution to the growth of mind and soul of youths is immense. They are one of the best trainers to complete the ambition of students’ lives by learning a good way. Teachers need encouragement and support from the community to feel that their devotion to students is appreciated. All students should acknowledge a teacher’s efforts and contribution in molding us into becoming better human beings and citizens through education and knowledge. Let us show how your teacher in your life means to you.

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)

Letters to the Editor: April 29, 2019

Web Team

April 29, 2019

Idiot: One who doesn’t cast his vote

A person who doesn’t cast his vote is sarcastically called an ‘Idiot’ which in a sense is true as people have no right to criticise govt policies when they themselves have enjoyed a holiday on voting day when others stood in huge queues to exercises their franchise. The voting percentage in Mumbai in the last Lok Sabha elections were dismal at 53 per cent which speaks about people’s attitude towards democracy when they want good governance without being part of the electoral process. It is the poor and the less illiterate who show respect towards democracy by participating in elections religiously and this should act as a lesson for the rich literate to emulate.

Every citizen should exercise their franchise and government too should reward and punish those who participate as well as show disrespect to elections respectively. People who don’t exercise their voting right should be marked absent at workplace and their entire one week salary should be deducted and used for a social cause. Those who vote should be rewarded with incentives like free lunch coupons or monetary benefits which induce them to vote. Education too is the need of the hour to create awareness among citizens to vote as the future of the nation depends on the leaders we elect!

S.N.Kabra

Relevance of Rotary’s ‘Four-Way Test’

Rotary International is ideally known for being a service-club with motto ‘Service above Self’ having a four-way test ritually read at the start of meeting in Rotary Clubs worldwide. But it seems that with a change of times, this four-way test is losing its shine when many Rotarians are themselves a failure when put to this four-way test.

Many Rotarians, especially from the ultra-rich elite category, are crossing all limits of decency in Rotary events overlooking the difference between entertainment and vulgarity. Rotary clubs in India have become societies to exhibit and compete in richness. There are Rotary Clubs in India which have even turned intellectual regular meetings into whiskey-parties to ensure adequate attendance in front of guest-speakers. Sensible Rotarians are mute spectators to all such ugly happenings in name of Rotary because of their being in minority amongst ultra-rich society now having taking control of Rotary Clubs where the money is spent like water even in elections for posts of District Governors.

It is time that Rotary International may seriously look into the matter to save Rotary movement from becoming an ugly show of richness and vulgarity. Even the Indian Government has a duty to save turning of service-clubs turning into venues of ugly happenings.

Subhash Chandra Agrawal

Cast your vote to right candidate

It is very worrying in a democracy like India that the Indian Prime Minister did not throw any press conference or any political interview in his all period of five years. He kept visiting all over the world and now when the Lok Sabha election is going on in all over India suddenly he shared with people a non-political interview which consists of some jokes and some illogical questions. The most ponderable question is that why our Prime Minister is escaping himself from questions after completing his time. People want to know what about the high promises that he has done in the last election, now it is time to answer not to make himself busy in entertainment like programs. It is needless for a Prime Minister to entertain people because there are endless lists of actors and actresses who can entertain people in a better manner. These all dramatic and unexpected acts by a responsible person do not sound good along with they are smacking of diverting people’s attention from the core issues which were more likely to be questioned. It is a high time for people to be not fooled for long and cast their precious votes for the party who is in favour of the development of India.

Md Azim

Modi-interview with Akshay Kumar

It refers to much talked-about TV interview of Prime Minister Narendra Modi with film-star Akshay Kumar which though being non-political yet gave a big political signal in case of need where Prime Minister was in full praise for West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee for personal cordial relations between them to the extent that Mamata Banerjee still now regularly sends Bengali kurtas and sweets to Narendra Modi. Otherwise, political bitterness between the two is evident from their speeches in rallies for poll-campaigns.

Unfortunately, such artificial public-exhibition of political bitterness tends to create personal bitterness between supporters and cadres of politically rival politicians. Time has come to induce a touch of cordiality in poll-campaigns and in Parliament between political rivals.

There was an era when Parliamentarians like Piloo Modi used to sprinkle much-needed humour to cool down bitterness if created between rival political parties in Parliament. The then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri sent a set of dhoti-kurta to veteran Parliamentarian Prakash Vir Shastri as symbolic advice for sticking to national attire while on his foreign trip abroad. Atal Bihari Vajpayee whole-heartedly complimented the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for her leading the nation to a great victory in 1971 Indo-Pak war.

Once Atal Bihari Vajpayee as opposition-leader challenged the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi for an open public-debate at Ramlila Ground at New Delhi making Indira Gandhi to comment that Hindi of Vajpayee was very beautiful! However, in turn, Atal Bihari Vajpayee put complete House in laughter by counter-comment that Indira Gandhi was herself beautiful.

Madhu Agrawal

(The views expressed by the author in the article are his/her own.)

MCC violation: Supreme Court to hear plea against Modi, Shah

Web Team

April 29, 2019

The Supreme Court, on Monday, agreed to hear a plea of Congress MP Sushmita Dev on Tuesday alleging that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP President Amit Shah have been violating the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) during their campaigning for Lok Sabha polls.

A bench headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi said that it would hear the petition of Ms Dev on Tuesday. Senior advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for Sushmita Dev, alleged that PM Modi and Amit Shah have violated the Model Code of Conduct and the Election Commission of India (ECI) is not acting on her complaint. Singhvi said that four weeks have passed since the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) was enforced in the country and both the Prime Minister and the BJP chief have been allegedly violating the code. To this, the bench said that it will hear the plea on Tuesday.

All Dalit Netas got sidelined?

Rajesh Choudhary

April 28, 2019

Dalit votes could be decisive in the 2019 general elections in India. Ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) could get grand success in 2014 because the party made inroads into the Dalit vote. The BJP’s emphasis on development and economic growth for all captured the aspirations of the younger and educated Dalits. For the first time, the BJP won the largest number of 66 seats in 131 reserved seats. 84 of the 543 Lok Sabha seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes. Similarly, 47 seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribes. According to the 2011 census, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes comprised about 16.6 per cent and 8.6 per cent respectively of India’s population. Keeping in the view of the social and economic backwardness of SC-ST, the provision of reservation in the Lok Sabha was made for the upliftment of these communities.

When contacted on this issue, former Congress MP Eknath Gaikwad said, “Mayawati, Ram Vilas Paswan, Ramdas Athawale and Udit Raj should have fought Lok Sabha polls. Raising the Dalit issue in Lok Sabha sends the right message to Dalits. I won’t comment about Athawale as his party has an alliance with BJP. Absence of Mayawati and Paswan might create some problem. If Congress forms government, then justice will be done to Dalits and minorities. If these leaders are not contesting election, other Dalit leaders will come forward to raise the issue of Dalits.”

This year prominent leaders of Dalit community — Mayawati, Udit Raj, Ramdas Athawale, and Ram Vilas Paswan are not contesting the Lok Sabha elections. It means new Lok Sabha will be deprived of these vociferous Dalit leaders. However, a question arises, who will raise the issue of 20 crore Dalits of the country in the Lok Sabha? It is said that all prominent Dalit leaders are sidelined. In Maharashtra, Dalit leader Prakash Ambedkar is fighting against the former home minister Sushilkumar Shinde. Therefore, either Prakash Ambedkar or Sushilkumar Shinde will enter the Parliament from Solapur. It is also possible that both of them may lose. Prakash Ambedkar said that the Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi’s (VBA) main fight is against the BJP-Shiv Sena alliance. Prakash Ambedkar is the grandson of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. He is also contesting election from Akola. He was a member of the 12th and 13th Lok Sabha Akola constituency of India. Sushilkumar Shinde has served as the Union Home Minister but he is not very much popular like Mayawati or Ram Vilas Paswan among Dalits. New Lok Sabha will witness 84 representatives of Scheduled Castes but very few are of national level. They might be proved a puppet in the hands of their party leaders.

Jogendra Kawade, People’s Republican Party President said, “Opposition party leaders have raised their voice against atrocities against backward castes and minorities in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. They are fulfilling their responsibilities. NDA, BJP backward caste MLAs and MPs, Ram Vilas Paswan have not raised their voice against injustice done to Dalits. They are more interested in pleasing PM Narendra Modi.”

Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan has decided not to fight election but will take the Rajya Sabha route to the Parliament. Ram Vilas Paswan is the Lok Sabha parliamentarian from Hajipur. In 1977, he won from the seat with a record margin of 4.24 lakh votes. Since then, Hajipur has been Ram Vilas Paswan’s stronghold for three decades. Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati also announced not to fight Lok Sabha polls. She said the most important task for her is to ensure the victory of the BSP-SP-RLD alliance on every seat it is contesting in Uttar Pradesh. On the other hand, the Republican Party of India (A) Ramdas Athawale was denied a ticket from Maharashtra by BJP-Shiv Sena coalition. BJP has assured him to send to Rajya Sabha. Unfortunately, the ticket of Udit Raj, sitting MP of Parliament from North West Delhi was cut by BJP. After that, he quit the party and joined the Congress.

RPI (A) Mumbai unit president Gautam Sonawane said, “Many Dalit candidates are contesting Lok Sabha election so there won’t be much problem if Mayawati, Ram Vilas Paswan, Udit Raj, and Ramdas Athawale are not contesting the LS polls. There are representatives from Rajya Sabha who can address the issues faced by Dalits.”

The seven-phased parliamentary elections 2019 for 17th Lok Sabha are going on voting for the fourth phase in the country and the last phase of polling in Maharashtra will take place on Monday. In Maharashtra, the 17 constituencies going to polls are all the six seats from Mumbai, Thane, Kalyan, Bhiwandi, Nashik, Palghar, Maval, Shirdi, Ratnagiri & Sindhudurg, Shirur, Dindori, and Nandurbar. It is remarkable that Maharashtra has 48 Lok Sabha seats, the second highest after Uttar Pradesh (80). Voting for 31 of these seats was held in the first three phases April 11, 18 and 23. Counting of votes will take place on May 23.

BJP Rajya Sabha MP Amar Sable said, “Ever since the Modi government has come to power, it has resolved issues of Dalits pertaining to their reservation, security, and education. Congress has not done anything for Dalits. BJP has followed Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Deen Dayal Upadhyay’s ideology and worked for the welfare of Adivasis, SC, ST, and OBC. Mayawati, Paswan, Athawale, and Udit Raj not contesting polls will not make any difference as BJP has already worked for the upliftment of Dalits. The so-called Dalit leaders have not done anything for Dalits.”

Dalit politics has become slavery of mainstream political parties

Vaidehi Taman

April 28, 2019

This would be the 17th Lok Sabha, but almost all Dalit leaders like Udit Raj, Ram Vilas Paswan and Ramdas Athawale to Sunil Baliram Gaikwad were denied tickets. The biggest question is that, who will voice the concerns of Dalits in India if their leaders are sidelined or we can translate it as “Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas”, the BJP messaging has proven to be a reality on the ground for the vast majority of Indians with the ‘Dalits’ being no exception. Dalits alike previously will choose an honest, corruption-free, and action-oriented government. A massive Dalit upsurge after incidents like the flogging of Dalit youths in Una, Gujarat, Dalit student Rohith Vemula’s suicide in Hyderabad University, or the Thakur-Dalit clashes in Saharanpur in UP have also pointed to the limits of the BJP’s Dalit love. In the 2014 polls, BJP got nearly a quarter of the total Dalit votes, something that the Congress used to get in the past. The BJP made inroads into the Dalit vote base of both Congress and BSP.

India’s Constitution, which is authored by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, who was a Dalit — outlaws caste discrimination, yet prejudice remains rife in everyday life. Dalits are often denied their basic rights such as attending regular schools, accessing public water supplies, and staging marriage processions. Even after death, they do not have special provision for cremations; they have to go to Hindu crematory, where dead bodies are cremated by the status. If we look into history, when Ambedkar passed away, he was denied cremation in Chandanwadi crematorium, later on, it was decided that the cremation would take place in Dadar Chowpatty, which is now known as Chaitya Bhoomi. Ambedkar was cremated there after his death on December 6, 1956. Chaitya Bhoomi is a revered place of pilgrimage for all the Ambedkarites and Buddhists in the world. After his death, many Dalit leaders emerged as guards of their community and many of them stayed out of politics and served the community; however, in the recent past, Dalit politics has changed to the slavery of mainstream political parties.

Since then, challenging the caste system and embracing their identity, Dalits have increasingly taken to the streets to demand better treatment, driven by rising education levels, greater entrepreneurship and a growing awareness of their political clout. Young Dalits are showing their power like never before, even wearing Tshirts that read “It’s a Dalit thing, you won’t understand.”

Leaders like Chandrashekhar Azad, who cofounded a Dalit group called the Bhim Army in 2015 to provide free schooling for underprivileged children, have delivered fiery speeches against PM Modi but in reality, he could not deliver much for the community.

Dalits have at times resorted to violent demonstrations to press their point. In April last, they protested a Supreme Court ruling they saw as diluting stringent antidiscrimination provisions, leaving 11 people dead. In January 2018, they clashed with Hindu nationalists in the financial capital, Mumbai, blocking roads and rail lines and attacking buses. There is unquestionably a growing assertiveness among Dalits in India that is expected to gather strength in the years to come. The impact that Dalit anger will have on the 2019 outcome will depend on how effectively the opposition coordinates — which remains a big question mark — and to what extent PM Modi can create divisions within the Dalit community. In the key state of Uttar Pradesh, PM Modi also faces the challenge of a united opposition after the Bahujan Samaj Party formed a seat-sharing arrangement with the Samajwadi Party. Both oppose a second fiveyear term for the BJP.

BJP says it still retains Dalit support after the government launched programs that directly benefit them such as preferential loans. The decision to name Ram Nath Kovind, Dalit, as the President in 2017, shows the efforts by BJP to elevate oppressed groups. However, the amount of disrespect given to Kovind is annoying. There are many circulations on social media where PM is projected larger than the President of India. In the villages of Uttar Pradesh, discrimination against Dalits is still common. Jatav faced threats from upper caste residents when he announced his intention to ride into his bride’s village in 2017. After the local administration refused to help, Jatav appealed to the district magistrate, the head of police, the Chief Minister, and the High Court. The authorities finally allowed the procession to go ahead and deployed a huge police force for protection. After a long time, Dalits are now united and organised; they are fighting to bring social and political changes. The community has come to realise its power and the value of their rights. In UP, they comprise 21 per cent of the total population which means they can turn the fortunes of any party. In UP, there are 17 reserved seats for the Scheduled Caste community and all of them were won by the BJP in the 2014 polls. Ignoring them in 2019 is a big mistake of the ruling party. In the past, Dalits have remained with the Congress and the party has greatly benefitted from their support. However, the first shift came in 1984 when Kanshi Ram formed the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) and weaned Dalits away from the Congress. The shift greatly impacted the prospect of the party and it lost power in the state in 1989.

The trouble for BJP with Dalits started soon after several leaders including Anant Hegde proposed changes in the basic structure of the Constitution. The dilution of the SC/ST Act followed by violence across the country only alienated the Dalit lawmakers from the party. One such MP Anshul Verma, from Hardoi in Uttar Pradesh who resigned in March, hints at the growing discontent among the party’s sitting Dalit lawmakers over their conduct in the last five years, which has resulted in defection to other parties.

(Any suggestions, comments or dispute with regards to this article send us on feedback@www.afternoonvoice.com)

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