A Battle of Legacy: Where Both Will Be the Losers — Part I

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November 10, 2018

The battle of legacy in Indian National Lok Dal Party, an offshoot planted and nurtured by Late Chaudhary Devi Lal, a kingmaker and former Deputy Prime Minister of India, who sacrificed his own crown claim on the Prime Ministership for another competitor VP Singh, is again on cross-roads after a long span of three decades. Nearly 30 years ago, there occurred a feudal dispute over the legacy of political assets of Ch. Devi Lal, even during his lifetime, between his two sons — Omprakash Chautala and Ranjeet Singh. But, the then strongest stalwart Devi Lal, favoured his eldest son Omprakash Chautala and rebuked Ranjeet Singh, which resulted in a revolt by the younger son. That revolt made Ranjeet Singh a zero from the hero and he had to content in the dark politics of downfall and the elder son Omprakash Chautala got the legacy garden; however, he had to face the thorns also with the glamorous smell of flowers of politics.

Now as the Indian National Lok Dal Supremo, Omprakash Chautala along with his elder son Ajay Singh Chautala is in jail in a case of JBT teachers recruitment scam; so the reins of his INLD party are in the hands of his younger son Abhay Singh Chautala, the leader of Opposition in Haryana Vidhan Sabha. But, Dushyant Chautala, an MP, and son of jailed leader Ajay Singh Chautala has also left no stone unturned for uplifting the downsized INLD party after the conviction of his grandfather Omprakash Chautala and father Ajay Singh Chautala. Now due to the distraction of the people from the BJP, internal leg pulling in the local Congress and lack of any third strong alternate in the state, the INLD-BSP alliance showed a thin bright ray of hope to the voters to line up with the alliance. And the public started to crowd in the rallies of INLD-BSP. But, how a goat can digest the five kilograms of cotton seed cake? The big crowd scenes turned the minds of INLD second liners that they have reached very near to the crown of the state and will surely win the race in the next assembly elections going to be held within a short span of one year. This fictive crown in mind created leg-pulling and downsizing competition between INLD Party Supremo’s son Abhay Singh Chautala and grandson Dushyant Chautala and encouraged them to have a grip on the party cadre in the state to prove their individual supremacy, throwing the party interest in the hell.

What ignited the word war?

In a rally, organised at Gohana to celebrate the birth anniversary of Party’s legendary leader and founder Late Chaudhary Devi Lal in October 2018, a group of enthusiastic youngsters raised slogans favouring and demanding to name Dushyant Chautala as the party’s CM candidate for the upcoming assembly elections in the presence of party’s present Supremo Omprakash Chautala, which not only showered the hot waters over the ambitions of Abhay Chautala to become the CM, but also boiled the party Supremo. Taking the decision with a steamed mind, the party’s National President, Omprakash Chautala suspended his two grandsons — Dushyant and Digvijay Singh from the cadre posts on the charge of indiscipline and got the show-cause notice served to them through a disciplinary committee of the party. Thus, the inner laid dynamite to eliminate each other’s competitors came to a burst in the public court, which resulted in the open word war to prove themselves as the real representatives for the party’s legacy.

The image of Abhay Singh Chautala had been advertently portrayed as that of an angry man from his initial stepping in the politics; whereas, Dushyant Chautala has been groomed to look like a sober mass leader like late Chaudhary Devi Lal. This sagacious, prudent, and sensible image of Dushyant made him more popular, mass favorite and much loved young leader in the party, which irritated Abhay Chautala to the extent of sidelining and defusing him on the party platforms by pressurising the party Supremo to expel his competitor from party cadres. This unexpected strict and quick action of party Supremo has indirectly conveyed the message to Dushyant Chautala to remain in his shoes and not to try to get out of these. But, sometimes results are contrary to the expectations and this happened here too. Dushyant came up with an injured lion strategy and started to hold rallies with more strength and aggressively clearly explaining his status and conspiracy woven against him on the public platforms. Show of strength is going on from both fronts through word bullets in media and public meetings.

Commenting on the ongoing scenario, Abhay Singh Chautala, in a public meeting of his supporters at Charkhi Dadri on October 29, said that a similar conspiracy was hatched by some people three decades before to break the party involving Ranjeet Singh, the younger son of Late Chaudhary Devi Lal, by projecting him the chief minister of the state and on the same pattern some elements are again trying to break INLD party now; but in the coming assembly elections, they will also meet the same fate like Ranjeet Singh and they will be marginalised to the zero base.

By Jag Mohan Thaken

(The latter part of the Article will continue on Sunday.)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in 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.)

Doordarshan made a difference in Naxal Reporting!

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Afternoon Voice

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November 10, 2018

Attacking the messenger will not kill the story. What happened with Doordarshan Crew states that Naxals want only their version of the story to be published or be broadcasted. They want to be surrounded by “embedded journalism”.

I still remember the article published in Outlook magazine a few years back. It featured the Naxals, their daily routines, their challenges, struggles, and all aspects of their day to day life. The story comprehensively raised questions on the government’s commitment, how human rights and dignity of local tribals and residents were sidelined, how big corporates were awarded everything they wanted, how local people were compelled to make numerous sacrifices for their generations, how they’re not taken care of anyone, how government, police, and politicians exploited them and ultimately justified all acts of the Naxals. Such stories have never been rare; apart from the print media, some electronic media have been doing stories in their tone exclusive stories in the Naxal areas. The Naxals have always been familiar with these journalists but what happened on November 30 in Dantewada district with Doordarshan crew was shocking and unprecedented.

In fact, the Naxals want to be covered by embedded journalists. They give free access to those journalists who translate their version of the story and publish or broadcast. It’s just like PR journalism where a PR representative makes you a call, invites you in an event, offers you a good breakfast, lunch or dinner, gives you a good gift and send you a press release with an expectation to get it published as it is. It’s very easy to get reactions of the Naxals. You just need to activate your source and the source will ensure your safe journey to their area and will provide you with all logistic support also.

Similarly, it’s also very easy to take reactions of the politicians and bureaucrats from these areas. The Politicians would ensure you get good accommodation and their men will arrange everything for you. Moreover, bureaucrats will also be more than happy to explain their efforts, works, and success stories with you. So, ultimately, it’s very easy to approach the Naxals, Netas, and the Babus in the Naxal affected areas but when it comes to common people, it costs heavy risk.

If no journalists were killed before by the Naxals in a direct attack, it was because they were invited by the Naxals and their entire trip was planned under the security cover of these extremists. The Doordarshan Team was neither accompanied by the government officials nor by the Naxals’ men. They’re simply given protection by the police as a precautionary measure. The DD Team deserves special appreciation and recognition for their daring to interact with the people at ground level without any PR exercise with either Naxals or Netas. This kind of journalism must be encouraged and promoted because the ultimate objective of journalism is to discuss all aspects of a story and the Doordarshan Team was doing the same by reaching out to the common people. The Editors Guild of India is right when they say that these people don’t deserve any mercy at all!

By Yogesh Sheetal

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in 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.)

Letters to the Editor: Nov 10, 2018

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Afternoon Voice

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November 10, 2018

1) Fireworks missing but festivities binds the communal fabric together!

Diwali symbolises the spiritual victory of ‘light over darkness’, ‘good over evil’ and ‘knowledge over ignorance’. But the festivities over the years have come to symbolise just the opposite which is the reason why the biggest festival of Hinduism has lost its charm and significance over the years. Rising poverty and inflation signifies darkness over light, rapes and killings each day is the victory of evil over good and unemployment, job losses and bleeding economy signify mental ignorance over knowledge in spite of education and degrees that has been reduced to mere certificates.

Diwali this year seems to be subdued as people struggle to make both ends meet due to financial constraint as celebrations cost money which is luxury for most citizens which is the reason why this year’s festivities are grim and dim for most people. The ban on crackers too has played spoilt sport in the name of environment protection though smoking which is more harmful both to the human body and nature is allowed with a statutory warning.

However, citizens should not feel disheartened and still should find ways and means to enjoy the festivities. The glitter may be missing but we can still light a lamp in a poor man’s life who may be your domestic help or driver by offering clothes, sweets or some monetary contribution to brighten their Diwali. Caring for the old and sick in orphanage homes who have been abandoned by their near and dear ones too is illuminating the lives of those who are surrounded by darkness. Greeting fellow citizens irrespective of caste and creed is possibly the best gesture to brighten Diwali this year. We, in Mumbai, are blessed that the communal fabric of the city is intact in spite of previous years riots and blasts which were triggered by our foes to weaken our unity.

Hope the fellow readers and the editorial as well as the support team of Afternoon Voice had a prosperous Diwali. May AV get brighter with each passing year with unbiased reporting which is the forte of your esteemed publication!

– S.N.KABRA

2) Shashi Tharoor did not do anything wrong

It seems that Delhi BJP vice-president Rajiv Babbar is trying to “make a mountain out of a molehill” about Shashi Tharoor’s matter as he filed a criminal defamation complaint against Tharoor for his alleged defamatory “scorpion” remark against Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He must consider that it was just a quotation which was made by an unknown RSS leader in which he said, “Mr Modi is like a scorpion sitting on a Shivling; you cannot remove him with your hand, and you cannot hit it with chappal (slipper) either”. I don’t believe that Tharoor did anything wrong to narrate this quotation in his book, because every author is free to quote such published material in writing. The objections over such act of narration seem as to deprive a writer of his freedom of writing.

– M.F.U. Tandvi

3) How long will Ram issue go on?

I admit that the Ram temple was never a poll issue for saffron parties as Union HRD Minister and party’s poll in charge Prakash Javadekar claimed in the recent. But I cannot understand that why the saffron parties always raise this matter in the time of elections. Why do they remember their Ram during poll’s time? Also, he claimed that since the matter is in court, we won’t be able to set a temple date. But yes, who can stop us from coming up with a grand statue of the Lord in Ayodhya? Who can stop us from developing the temple town? It seems that all the parties and oppositions are in a race trying to defeat each other at any cost. For this purpose they are wasting money, playing with the religious sentiments of people and exploiting them. The voters should consider this political game which is harming their personal lives.

– Mohd Rahmani

4) To kill the tigress was not good step

I totally agree with the Child and Women Development Minister Maneka Gandhi that the Maharashtra government should not have permitted a hunter to kill “man-eating tigress”. Really, it was disheartening to bear up the brutal death of a wild animal. Though it is a fact that the tigress was attacking the people vigorously as 13 people have been hunted by her and villagers were so afraid of her horrific attacks, but instead of killing her, could the forest department not have made more efforts to capture her alive? It is forest department’s responsibility to protect the wild animals and not to harm them in any way. The step to kill the big cat shows their failure to trap her alive and protect her life. The Maharashtra government should give strict instructions to the forest department in this regard so that it could not be repeated.

– Mohd Usmani

5) Provocative statements will do nothing

It is being observed that after the Supreme Court ordered the volatile Ayodhya dispute appeals to be listed in January 2019, the Hindu organisations such as RSS and VHP, and some political parties such as Shiv Sena and BJP, are trying to spoil the peaceful atmosphere across the country. No single day goes unmarked when a provocative statement does not exist in this regard. Some of them are challenging the judiciary system of the country while some others are demanding an urgent ordinance for the construction of Ram temple in Ayodhya. I believe that such provoking statements will bring no results except that they will cause to destroy communal harmony in the country. So we should respect every step of the Apex Court and wait for the verdict.

– F.T.Mulla

6) Opportunist father made his son scapegoat

It was not surprising to read that an opportunist father made his own son a scapegoat for the sake of his own benefits as Tej Pratap Yadav, elder son of Rashtriya Janata Dal chief Lalu Prasad, said, “I was made a scapegoat for political benefits of several people in my family and party”, because it usually happens in political families. The political leaders are always ready to do anything to grow up their political career or to protect it whether it goes against their family or their own offspring. But I believe that marriage is an essential fact of one’s life so it must be kept away from the personal affairs of politics or business. In another case the marital life seems to be a kind of punishment as the same happened in the case of Lalu’s son. This incident is a lesson for all opportunist fathers that they should not misuses their progeny for their political advantages.

– MF Qasmi

7) Be careful

No one knows when and what will happen in the next moment. Therefore, we should be careful in every moment of life. It is heart-breaking and deeply shocking news for mankind that a terrifying accident occurred in Haryana. According to the news, at least 13 persons have died and eight others were seriously injured after a jeep carrying passengers and a car collided with a truck coming from the opposite side near Mudlana village near Gohana city in Haryana’s Sonipat district. As per initial reports, the truck was coming from the wrong side and rammed into a car, a cruiser (passenger carrying vehicle) and a bike. All the injured have been sent to BPS Government Medical College for Women, Khanpur Kalan for treatment. I demand at first Haryana government to pay attention the road safety, secondly to arrest the truck driver and I finally, request the people to be careful in every breath of the life. My thoughts go out to the families in this time of grief. I would like to say to victims families that although no words can really help to ease the loss you bear, just know that you are very close in every thought and prayer. I am at a loss for words during this sorrowful time. Please know that I am thinking of you and praying for peace and comfort.

– Aamir Siwanas

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

Festival of Lights – Dispel the darkness of our ignorance

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Jubel D'Cruz

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November 10, 2018

Diwali is one of the most beautiful seasons of the year. It is a time filled with light and love; a time when Indians all over the world rejoice. It is the darkest night of the darkest period, yet it is a celebration of light.

The meaning of Diwali, its symbols and rituals, and the reasons for celebration are innumerable. Diwali celebrates Lord Rama’s glorious and long-awaited return to his kingdom of Ayodhya after his 14 years of exile in the forest. It commemorates Lord Krishna’s victory over the demon Narakasura who had kidnapped and terrorised the gopis of Vrindavan. It is also celebrated as the day God Vishnu married Lakshmi. Diwali is also associated with the story of the fall of Bali – a demon king who was defeated by Lord Vishnu. In general, Diwali signifies the triumph of good over evil, of righteousness over treachery, of truth over falsehood, and of light over darkness.

However, Diwali is not a festival of lights in order that we may burn diyas, fireworks and sparklers. Sure, these are wonderful ways of expressing our gaiety. But, it is not the only or true meaning of ‘light’. Diwali is a festival of the light that dispels the darkness of our ignorance; it is a festival of the light which shows us the way on our journey through life. The purpose is not to glorify the light of the candle or the firecracker. The purpose is to glorify the light of God. It is he who bestows the real light, the everlasting light upon the darkness of this mundane world. A candle burns out. A firework is a momentary visual experience. But the candle of a still mind and the fireworks of a heart-filled with devotion are divine and eternal; these are what we should be celebrating.

We decorate our homes with lanterns; but what is the symbolism behind that? Those lanterns signify God’s light, penetrating through the ignorance and sin of our daily lives. They signify the divine light, shining its way through this mundane world. A home bathed in light is a home in which anger, pain and ignorance are being dispelled; it is a home that is calling to God. However, too many people turn this into a domestic beauty contest, spending days and a great deal of money to purchase the newest diyas and the most beautiful candles. This is only the light of glamour. It is not the light of God.

The light of Diwali should be within us. It should symbolise the personal relationship between God and our families. Let the light penetrate inward, for only then it will have the lasting benefit. A piece of cotton soaked in ghee lit with a pure heart, a conscious mind and a desire to be free from ignorance is far “brighter” than a 100 expensive electric bulbs or earthen lamps.

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

Celebrate this Diwali by only lighting Lamps, no Crackers

By

Vaidehi Taman

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November 8, 2018

With the Supreme Court restricting the sale of firecrackers, many feel that the decision is a welcoming one but was taken at a wrong timing. When pollution rates were going high in India, the activists, courts, and people had many reasons to call for the ban, but the stringent rules were imposed just ahead of the festival. The SC refused to impose a nationwide blanket ban on the manufacture and sale of firecrackers and said that only “green firecrackers” would be allowed to be sold in the country which are less polluting.

As per the directives issued by the apex court, bursting of firecrackers will be allowed only from 8 pm to 10 pm. For The New Year and Christmas celebrations, bursting will be allowed between 11:45 pm to 12:30 am. Besides that, the court has also banned the online sale of firecrackers and restrained e-commerce websites from selling them.

I am not against the ban but definitely, I am not in favour of the timing of the ban. Since 2014, India is already divided into religious groups. From eating beef to wearing cloths or boozing, in a particular state there are frequent bans on some or the other thing. This is one more order. I hope this ban won’t ignite any fire.

The court must be aware that the matches and fireworks industries are holding more than a lakhs of children who are crushing the very enjoyable span of their childhood. Child employment is in thousands in this extremely hazardous industry. Even places unknown earlier for firecrackers have been reported of having illegal firecrackers units. The production pace gets accelerated during September-October to meet the enormous demand during Diwali. To cope up with the target, thousands of children are employed on a casual basis. Generally, these children are from the slum, underprivileged background, and strays. If such industries close doors for them, they chose to beg or steal. The hunger can lead them to drugs to flesh trading. Pedophilia is already a threat; many exploit these young slaves as the government has no alternate arrangements for their rehabilitation. Juvenile homes are another horror story.

In Mumbai, all the street kids and street residents do seasonal business — in January and August they sell flags, in December they sell Santa caps and Christmas decorations, in other festivals they sell flowers, and in Diwali they sell crackers. This is their way of life. They have to switch and shift for survival. All of a sudden, the regulation on selling firecrackers without notice is bound to challenge the livelihood of those people who depend on the industry. Across Mumbai slum areas, from Dharavi to Bhiwandi, there are many small-scale firecracker industries. They invest huge amount by taking loans for this very season; with this ban, there will be a big imbalance in these people’s life. If usual fireworks are banned, where will the industries sell their products which are already in their stock? As the government has failed to provide job opportunities, we actually need to find more alternatives like Eco-friendly firecrackers or ‘green crackers’, so that we can follow our tradition and culture to protect the environment.

We all know that the raw materials used for the manufacturing of the firecrackers are highly explosive in nature. A speck of negligence could mean instant death or crippling. Besides, due to constant exposure to chemicals like sulfur, potash, phosphorous, chlorate etc., the children contract deadly infections of lung, skin, kidney, and eyes.

Matches and fireworks industry being highly hazardous, the law provides for imprisonment from three months to years and a fine unto Rs 20,000. But, thanks to the various law-enforcing agencies, this legal instrument has remained a paper tiger till date. Leave alone the imprisonment, till date the maximum penalty imposed for violation of this law is a paltry Rs 200. In spite of having all this information, how many such businesses closed or raided in Mumbai?

The revelations of both governmental and non-governmental studies on this subject agree that these units keep flouting the norms and provisions of Explosive Act, Factory Act, and Labour Laws. Yet, there is a mushrooming of such units all over the country which are running without registration of a license. We have failed to tackle the menace all these years and even in future we will not be able to control them; then why this hypothetical drama of conditional ban?

One really can’t put a ban on crackers during Diwali; it makes quite an illogical attempt to impact an issue while at the same time, trying to hurt the sentiments of a lot of people. Indian cracker industry is mainly manual labour and employs more than two lakhs people; however, it accounts for not more than 1 per cent of the overall pollution created. We might need to stop eating non-vegetarian food, stop driving cars, retire all old trucks transporting material and food and of course stop using AC and fridge. These steps will actually work towards reducing the rise in global average temperature and improve the air quality and repair the ozone hole.

When we burst crackers on Diwali, we pollute the environment by creating carbon dioxide. When we drive Car/Bus/Auto or truck, we pollute the ecosystem.

Cigarettes, Vehicular pollution, water pollution, honking, littering (religious and otherwise) etc. are bad for the environment too and they happen every single day of our lives. Why have we not spoken about these? Why only Diwali? Ask for every day pollution-free earth and for that we need to avoid every single thing that contributes to global warming.

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

Firecracker sellers suffer doom and gloom Diwali

By

Afternoon Voice

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November 8, 2018

While the country celebrated the festival of light with much fervour, the recent inflexible rules imposed on the sale and use of firecrackers by the Supreme Court has subdued the festive merriment of many. Air pollution is becoming a bigger and bigger issue in our lives and given that condition, SC’s decision to ban firecrackers is a welcome step; however, it has costed a significant distraught to the firecracker industry and the shopkeepers as they have marked a huge loss in the foremost season of their businesses.

On October 23, the Supreme Court ruled that only firecrackers with reduced emission and decibel levels can be manufactured and sold during all festivals that too with strict time limits. On Diwali, firecrackers could be burst between 8 pm and 10 pm, on the Christmas and the New Year days, people will be allowed to burst firecrackers between 11:45 pm and 12:30 am.

Vrushali Kalekar, a bank employee residing in Mira Road asserted, “I have stopped bursting crackers since a very long time especially those that create a lot of noise and air pollution. Nowadays, people are also more aware of the pollution; so, comparatively, there has been an overall decrease in the number of families bursting crackers this Diwali in my locality. However, the kids are unaware of all these facts; hence, they enjoyed the festival bursting crackers. It would be a bit harsh if kids are also stopped from doing so.”

The court has also stated categorically that crackers cannot be sold online and warned of strict punishment for any violation. The apex court had also allowed the bursting of ‘green crackers’ in a short time frame between 8-10 pm. The ‘green crackers’ also created enough scepticism, especially in the unorganised manufacturing industry. When AV spoke to the shopkeepers in the city, we found hardly anyone who knew what the green crackers are!

Green crackers are the ones without harmful chemicals that would cause air pollution — hazardous components in the firecrackers are replaced with others that are “less dangerous” and “less harmful” to the atmosphere. Firecrackers manufacturing industries employ lakhs of people. Upset with the SC judgement that came into action just two weeks before the festival, a large part of the firecrackers industry and workers regretted that the decision has largely impacted the sales.

While many factory owners and workers criticised the short notice and lack of time that led to remanufacturing of the firecrackers, small retailers and dealers faced loss as the customers went reluctant with their shopping spree. Moreover, since the transportation of the crackers across the country usually starts a month before the festival arrives, many small-scale businessmen failed to renew their stock with ‘green crackers’ and eventually got suffered from a declined sale.

A retail firecrackers vendor Umesh Yadav expressed, “Diwali feels incomplete without crackers; the SC’s conditional ban has led to sales decline this time than the previous year. We hope people won’t completely stop buying them as we are still expecting a better market spree in Christmas and New Year.”

According to a Supreme Court bench, 10 lakh kilograms of firecrackers are used every day during Diwali, a festival that is celebrated for around five days. According to the World Health Organisation global air pollution database, India has 14 out of the 15 most polluted cities in the world in terms of PM 2.5 concentrations. Considering the extremism of the situation, the conditional ban on firecrackers and a noise and smoke-free Diwali was a relief to the residents. Environment experts too welcomed the apex court’s order and reminded the government that only a sustained focus will be effective in tackling the menace. However, the same cannot be said for the traders. On the one hand when the 28 per cent GST on the crackers acted as a major whammy, the unsold stock and dwindling market put the final nail in the coffin.

Shruti Mogre, a student from Mumbai said, “Just like previous years, this year too we have bought the crackers. Keeping the ban into consideration, I personally haven’t observed any huge difference in the amount while buying them if compared from the last year. We usually buy those crackers that create less amount of pollution so that the essence of festivity remains amongst the children and also it doesn’t harm the environment.”

Apart from the loss suffered this festive season, the firecrackers manufacturing industries across the nation fear a massive job loss from next year — these units not only employ workers for manufacturing but also engage workers in related industries such as packaging, printing, paper rolling transportation, and others.

Azhar, a firecrackers vendor from Andheri bemoaned the ban and stated, “Diwali is the time we make maximum profits. I had a whole stock but the sale was so marginal that we are clueless about what to do next! For us, Diwali is finished.”

Agreeing with air pollution becoming a pain in today’s time, he welcomed the SC judgement saying, “It could’ve helped many workers and traders if this judgement came a few weeks ago.”

‘Always keep dreaming to reach your goals’

By

Afternoon Voice

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November 8, 2018

The Managing Director of Mirachem Industries, Aneel Murarka is also a philanthropist with an interest in students’ welfare and education. Social Worker and Founder of Ample Missiion, Murarka is very closely associated with NGOs, including ALERT India (which works for Leprosy Control), NASEOH, which works for underprivileged children, and the National Association for the Blind (NAB). In an interview with our Editor-in-Chief Vaidehi Taman, this man on mission shares his views on the Indian politics, his works towards social welfare, and his hints around how Indian democracy can prosper and remain free and fair!

How do you describe yourself — a businessman, Social Worker or Philanthropist?

I’m a combination of all three and each one is inter-related to each other. My business provides me with bread and butter and funds my philanthropic activities — social work — through which I’m able to help mankind.

Tell us something about ALERT India and NASEOH?

Over a decade now, I’m very closely involved with both of these NGOs and in their projects and offering guidance to help them reach out to more people. My strong association with ALERT India lends dignity to the lives of society’s outcasts – lepers. Through NASEOH, we bring hope to the underprivileged children.

What has inspired you to do social work? How do you manage funds?

Well, I can say, it’s in my genes. I would rather give the entire credit for the same to my father and grandfather. They have always believed in giving back to the society, so do I. Believe me when I say its inherited in my blood, that belief what is been taught to me is – “give back to society” in your own way, from your own Trust or from your own earning. I never believed in begging, borrowing or stealing. Whatever bit I’m doing for the society at large, is within my periphery, within my control to whatever funds I can generate from my own company.

Your grandfather was an army man during the Indian Independence movement, while your father was the first one to bring business into the family. Two different personas, which one has influenced you the most?

Let me humbly correct you, my grandfather was not an army man, he was a freedom fighter. He participated in the freedom struggle during which he was injured and later jailed by the Britishers. Both my father and grandfather have influenced me the most. Both people have had a different persona and whatever bit I’m today is a catalyst of both.

Have you ever thought of joining the army or politics?

If I get into that zone, I will probably lose my own identity. Today whatever I’m, I’m on my own and the whole motto of the thought is to do something for humanity. To reach out to people – to even that segment of the society where neither the politicians can reach nor the army. The format where I’m placed, I have all the liberties to reach out to anybody whom I want. Getting into any zone of a political career or in the army will not solve my purpose.

What is your view on Indian politics?

Politics has degenerated into a business which has a lot of money, some legal but mostly unaccounted, being pumped into it by vested interests. It’s a global phenomenon but a big problem nevertheless for us. As long as unaccounted money makes its way into politics, it will never be free or fair. And we, as a nation, have to come together to try and figure out how to address this, if Indian democracy has to prosper and remain free and fair!

Would you like to share something about “Ample Missiion”, an organisation that specialises in Intellectual property-based events and organises award programmes? Who decides these awards and how it came into existence?

I‘ve been associated with so many social causes, I have come across so many people in life and I felt that there are so many stars of this young India whom the masses don’t even know. Hence, I thought if I can do something on that format; why not create some award ceremonies, and bring such faces on a platform, let these shows go on air and let the masses understand who the real heroes of life are! And that is how Ample Missiion came into existence. Ample is a format not restricted to a particular cause, the word itself indicates — “Ample Missiion” means there are so many thoughts and ideas running that we thought of getting into all the formats. India is a huge country with multiple issues and multiple problems, if we had subjected ourselves to one particular cause then we would not have touched lives of so many people. That’s the reason Ample Missiion came into existence.

What is “Creating Ripples” about?

“Creating Ripples” is not just a book!! It’s a real man’s biography, that’s my father Mr. Kashi Murarka. This idea came to me one fine day when my father was completing 50 years of his commercial career, I thought why not try and do something or present him something. He is a simple man who doesn’t believe in birthdays or anniversaries. I thought to pen down something and talk about this man to glorify what he is all about. It took me about 10 months to complete this book, because I had to do this without his knowledge, had I done with his knowledge then he would have never allowed me to pen down all this. So, whatever I have penned down in “Creating Ripples” is the real-life story of this common man called Mr. Kashi Murarka.

Do you believe in bestseller book or best read book?

I never believed in the bestseller book. I always believed in the best-read book. They are truly the inspiring ones for life and they touch you to the core.

What is your message to the readers?

Very simple, what I believed in. Believe in yourself, love yourself…trust yourself and you’ve got miles to go and you will reach those levels what you had dreamt of. Always keep dreaming to reach your goals!!

Poison in Air: Wake up India, Wake UP

By

Afternoon Voice

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November 8, 2018

A resurgent India is what we are working for to make the nation happy and prosperous. But this is not possible if the living conditions are hostile. What we need today is a social revolution to make the people of the country not to cut the branch of a tree you sit on from the wrong end like Kalidas did before he attained wisdom.

We are doing the same thing at the moment as a large part of the country is engulfed by poisonous air that we breathe. A river of ‘smoke’ is seen flowing from the western region (Punjab & Haryana) towards the north; satellite photograph taken by NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) of the United States of America shows the stream white cover in the sky.

Come autumn as winter sets in, Delhi and its satellite towns are covered with a haze of smoke and dust that are hazardous for humans. Children and elders are most vulnerable. Burning stubbles in farms violate the law. There are laws that entail to the imposition of penalties on farmers who burn stubbles in their field after the harvest of the crops.

Law alone can’t stop this ‘offence’ against nature and human beings. The law of the land provides punishment for crime, yet people commit offence.

Stubble burning is a burning issue. To stop it the simple way is to go for mechanized harvesting. Farmers say that the cost of the implement plus tractor is high. For most of the year, the tractors and implements lie idle since there are two major crops in a year, kharif and rabi. Mechanised harvesting is uneconomical for farmers with less than ten acres of holding who can’t go for mechanized farming.

The second alternative is to plough back the stubbles instead of burning. But farmers take the easy route of removing stubbles that is by burning it. There is an urgent need to educate our farmers that the smoke that comes out of the burning process is hazardous for health for them as well. Since the burning process is slow the volume of smoke is very high. Village panchayats can take a lead role in educating our farmers not to burn stubble in the field.

Ask any individual or an expert on the subject he will drop series of dos and don’ts to check the menace of air pollution. Some are wise and some are impractical.

Smoke from stubble burning is not the only factor contributing to the dangerous level of air pollution in urban areas. Vehicular emission is also a major factor in worsening the air quality in cities like Delhi. Emissions of toxic gas like oxides of carbon, sulfur, and nitrogen are poison in the air. It is a known fact that diesel vehicles emit a larger quantum of toxic gas compared to petrol driven vehicles. But the government can’t ban the manufacture of diesel vehicles including cars for a purely economic reason. The decision to ban diesel vehicles that are ten years old and petrol cars that are 15 years old may sound good to the environmentalists but is bad for a developing economy like India. Instead, the emphasis should be on stricter norms for vehicular emissions.

Some millions of litres of petrol and diesel burn as waste every hour in cities small and big, costing thousands of crores of rupees because of poor roads and poor traffic. Traffic jams at crossings that should take 30 seconds to three minutes are longer due to faulty signals. During peak hours in Delhi and Mumbai, it is bumper to bumper drive in first and second gear. Sometimes it takes more than 10 to 15 minutes to cover a distance of one kilometer. It has been widely publicized to switch off the ignition in case of wait for the green signal is for more than two minutes. Seldom people do it at crossings. Drivers don’t care for fuel going waste and many self-driven car owners do the same as they don’t mind spending a few extra rupees on fuel. I would say even educated and elite are culpable of adding pollutants in the air.

Why, right under the nose of Lutyen’s Delhi heaps of leaves are burnt which is an offence as per a ruling of the Supreme Court of India.

Bhurelal, a retired officer who is Chairman of ‘Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) Authority, said that a Supreme Court-appointed body has come out with a unique solution to reduce pollution level in Delhi. He proposes to ban all private vehicles from plying on Delhi roads.

“Let us hope Delhi air pollution situation doesn’t deteriorate or else will have to stop plying of private vehicles, only public transport will be used,” Bhure Lal added. Detailed provisions of the rule, if applied, have not been made known yet”, Bhurelal has said.

You can imagine the situation in the national capital. It will be undeclared curfew and stampede on roads. Bhurelal’s piece of suggestion is like throwing the baby with bathtub or if you have a headache, severe your head. Be kind to us Mr. Lal.

By R K Sinha

(The writer is a Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha.)

(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in 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.)

Letters to the Editor: Nov 08, 2018

By

Afternoon Voice

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November 8, 2018

1) Let’s celebrate pollution free Diwali

The grand festival has approached and the excitement in people is increasing to celebrate it enthusiastically. But here, we should ponder that the situation of the environment is turning from worse to worst day-in and day-out. So the celebrating Diwali or other festivals without causing pollution is the need of the hour; if we don’t celebrate them in an eco-friendly way, we may not live to celebrate them for the years to come. Also, it is high time that we keep in mind the critical state of the environment, we should change our lifestyle, traditions, customs, festivals and general ways of living in such manners as they don’t lead our atmosphere to be polluted. In the 21 the century, people should use electronic lights to light their houses and for crackers, some non-polluting alternatives will have to be replaced. I request all my fellow citizens to celebrate Diwali without harming the environment.

– M.F.U.Tandvi

2) Cracker-free Diwali will save many lives!

Every year we waste crores of rupees on bursting crackers during Diwali. Why can’t we use the same money for the uplift of the poor? There are millions of people all over the world who can’t even have two square meals of food to eat a day. Instead of spending money on crackers which goes up in smoke, we should donate the same money to an orphanage or a home for the aged. At least the people who are left to die there by their children will feel happy.

On the other hand, firecrackers create a lot of noise pollution and cause a lot of distress to animals and birds. Avoid them if possible or localise their use in a community to an open field. Do help to clear up the mess in your neighbourhood once the festivities are over.

– Jubel D’Cruz

3) Historical Diwali!

This year’s Diwali is a historical one for Indians as Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched a “Diwali gift” in the shape of finalising 12 policies to boost the sector of micro, small and medium enterprises MSMEs. The announcement of a 59-minute loan facility of up to Rs 1 crore for small and medium businesses was one of the key decisions. As the MSME sector plays a vital role in employment, it constitutes a vast network of over 63 million units and employs 111 million people, contributing around 30 per cent to the GDP. PM Modi’s such industry-friendly initiatives will surely boost the economy, decrease unemployment and encourage each and every Indian to venture out and explore their entrepreneurial skills. My heartiest gratitude to PM Modi for taking a public-centric speedy decision. However, he should also form a system to ensure that the loans are repaid on or before time.

– QB Malik

4) Gloomy stock markets to reward risk-taking investors

Diwali is a festival of firecrackers and lights but it was stocks that were bombarded this year by ‘Bears’ on the eve of Diwali on the bourses to spread darkness all around. Rising dollar, crude prices globally, inflation and unemployment figures have dampened the festive cheer which clearly is reflected in the stock markets which is the benchmark to judge the Indian economy which has gone on a tailspin after stocks hit record levels earlier this year. But darkness is followed by light and this is a boon in disguise moment to build a portfolio as many quality stocks are even available below their book value. Diwali picks this year should fire like rockets in the coming days ahead as the brave often are rewarded for the risks they are willing to take at times of turmoil.

Diwali is the country’s biggest festival and one doesn’t always need lavish money to bring a smile on the faces of citizens. Greetings and blessings brighten the Diwali cheer more than ‘dear’ (costly) crackers which cause pollution as well as harm to living beings. Respecting elders and caring the needy brings peace for all. Happy and Prosperous Diwali and New Year greetings to all!

– S.N.Kabra

5) Rahul Gandhi’s allegations are baseless

Once again the Congress President Rahul Gandhi raised the matter of Rafale deal in public saying that Dassault Aviation had paid Rs 284 crores as the “first instalment of kickbacks” to Anil Ambani’s Reliance Defence Ltd, and also claimed that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi was having “sleepless nights” fearing action if a probe was conducted into the Rafale deal. It is not the first time when Rahul Gandhi raised this issue, but evidence of all the allegations against PM Modi is yet to be seen. Rahul Gandhi should not speak about such issues until it will be proved in the court on the basis of concrete evidence. Such a statement with no evidence will bring no results for Congress except that party will lose its trust. If he has some objections on Rafale deal he should go to the court and prove that.

– Mohd Usmani

6) World’s tallest statue of Unity is a pride for India

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has unveiled the 182-metre high ‘Statue of Unity’ in the honour of our country’s first Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and dedicated it to the nation. The statue has been built on Sadhu Bet Island on Narmada river, and the imposing statue is touted to be the world’s tallest statue. It is a great tribute to the great leader, who played a major role in integrating the princely states into the Indian Union after the partition of 1947. It is a kind of pride for all Indians to have the world’s tallest statue. I extend my thanks to the Modi government to make the country proud by such giant statue. It always will remind us of the tireless efforts of Sardar Patel which he made for the sake of country’s improvement and reconstruction.

– Mohd Rahmani

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

Array of lights signifies victory of brightness over darkness

By

Vinod Dixit

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November 8, 2018

Diwali, the festival of lights, is a time of celebration and a time for reflection. It also coincides with the heart-warming practice of exchanging sweetmeats with neighbours, friends and extended family to strengthen bonds with one another. It brings the community together. It also inculcates in participants the sense of joy associated with giving. And by doing it especially during Diwali, strengthens our inclination to give others in times of need. It brings together people of all religion to enjoy the celebration.

Diwali is not just about illuminating houses and paths. Persons must ignite the divine light within and let it radiate outward so that it touches all those we come across.

Diwali is celebrated for many reasons; but the most commonly known reason is to celebrate the day Sri Rama, Sitaji, and Lakshman returned from their exile of 14 years in the forest – symbolising a win of good over evil. By the Hindu calendar, it also marks the start of the New Year calendar. In fact, Diwali is considered so auspicious that it is celebrated with families and friends for over five days. The Sanskrit word “Deepavali” means “an array of lights” that signifies the victory of brightness over darkness. It means a row of lights and indeed illumination that forms its main attraction.

Dhanteras has got its name from two words ‘Dhan’ meaning wealth and ‘Teras’ that means thirteenth. The auspicious occasion of Dhanteras holds an important place in the Business community of India and celebrated with utmost divinity and enthusiasm. Lakshmi – the goddess of wealth, fortune, power, luxury, beauty, fertility, and auspiciousness holds the promise of material fulfilment and contentment. In many households, gold and money are worshipped with reverence; new account books are opened in business houses for the new fiscal year and old ones wound up. Many Hindus would have already cleaned their place of abode which according to tradition welcomes the goddess of wealth which is also associated with the festival.

Historically, the origin of Diwali can be traced back to ancient India, when it was probably an important harvest festival. The excitement and celebratory spirit that Diwali brings is unmatchable. Celebrating Diwali with friends and family has its own charm. Diwali, the festival of lights, celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains in India and around the world, is dedicated to the triumph of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. It honours the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi, and the legend of Rama and Sita. Festivities include decorating houses and public spaces with thousands of lights, candles and colourful designs. Fireworks, family gathering and gift giving also form a part of the celebrations. The Hindu festival which signifies the victory of good over evil. During this tenure, thousands of years ago, Hindus saw the return of Lord Rama back in the princely state of Ayodhya after crushing Ravana in Sri Lankan area. The battle was iconic, mammoth and involved good forces of heavenly bodies, supernatural spirits and blessings of mother goddess – Durga over powerful demonic forces of Ravana and his associates.

The growing ethnic and cultural diversity of Hindu religion throughout the world provides the opportunity to participate in the celebrations and rituals of Diwali festival that enhances the feeling of being a part of a close-knit group of Indians. Most Diwali celebrations around the world focus on family and friends and it is a time to reflect on the past and envision for a future, perhaps, in a world where people live together in harmony.

Outside India also, as Diwali approaches, people clean their home to escape bad luck in the upcoming year and families gather for a feast and stay up late, celebrating with the help of crackers and sweets. They believe that the Hindu goddess of good luck visits homes that are brightly lit. Children make “diyas” which are small clay lamps to light and bring good luck to their home so they can receive new clothes and toys.

Let us enjoy our lives and always remember “Life comes once only. No retake/replay/rewind/once more. One should enjoy it. Be happy and keep others happy too.”

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