Category Archives: social awareness

Of Names and Identities

Posted on January 4, 2013 by

This morning’s  newspaper brought the interesting news that “a 15-year-old Icelandic girl is suing the state for the right to legally use the name given to her by her mother. Apparently, Iceland has specific rules regarding what names can be … Continue reading →

Posted in miscellaneous, social awareness | 20 Comments

Shastra Poojan

Posted on October 23, 2012 by

Tomorrow is Vijayadashami, [also called Dasara/ Dussehra]. Of the many legends associated wih this festival, the one about the Pandavas hiding their weapons in a hollow in the Shami tree, is one of my favourites. In the Mahabharata, after Yudhisthira lost to Duryodhana in the game … Continue reading →

Posted in social awareness, society | 24 Comments

Crime Against Women or Political Conspiracy?

Posted on October 9, 2012 by

Why are rapes taking place in Haryana with such alarming frequency?? According to the Haryana State Congress chief Phool Chand Mulana, the rape of 11 women in the last one month (is) a “conspiracy to malign the government.” “Such incidents happened earlier also, we … Continue reading →

Posted in social awareness, society | 24 Comments

Of This & That and Teaching Kids

Posted on July 18, 2012 by

When we lived in the City, some friends and I used to conduct a Sanskarvarga for children in an underprivileged area. I have written about it earlier in this post. One thing that we had to remind most of the children … Continue reading →

Posted in miscellaneous, social awareness | 16 Comments

Here We Stand

Posted on July 8, 2012 by

Here we stand here looking through the windows of your homes watching you live your commonplace lives reading, playing, arguing without fear navigating your mundane troubles relishing your ordinary joys.

Posted in reflections, social awareness | 22 Comments

Of Farmers’ Junkets & Free Tablets

Posted on June 28, 2012 by

Earlier this year, 172 farmers from Maharashtra were sent abroad ‘as part of the Maharashtra government’s initiative to “educate” them. While the state government funds half their expenses — upto Rs 1 lakh — the farmers are expected to pay … Continue reading →

Posted in govt policy, social awareness | 12 Comments

Satyameva Jayate

Posted on June 8, 2012 by

Falsehood comes in many forms. Take the horrific case of Apna Ghar shelter in Rohtak, Haryana. Last month, the Incharge of the home Jaswanti Devi, was arrested.  A National Commission for Protection of Child Rights questioned 28 of the inmates. Almost all the … Continue reading →

Posted in reflections, social awareness | 9 Comments

Celebratory Murder

Posted on March 7, 2012 by

As I was reading the morning newspaper, one headline leapt out- SP ‘celebratory firing’ kills boy. The twelve-year old boy, Danish, died after being hit by a bullet during celebratory firing, allegedly by supporters of SP candidate from Sambhal, Iqbal Mahmood. … Continue reading →

Posted in social awareness, society | 18 Comments

Friends, Indians, Countrymen

Posted on June 7, 2011 by

[Julius Caesar is assassinated by a group of conspirators led by his friend Brutus. Brutus justifies the killing, saying that Caesar had become too ambitious and had to be killed. Mark Antony delivers a brilliantly sarcastic eulogy starting with the … Continue reading →

Posted in justice, social awareness | 10 Comments

Uprooting Corruption From Within

Posted on February 6, 2011 by

Zephyr has written a wonderful post-  Could this become THE movement?   on her blog, ‘Cybernag’. She has written about the rally  ’organized under the aegis of India Against Corruption the ‘people’s movement’ in Delhi.’ She has also given the link to vote … Continue reading →

Posted in social awareness | 11 Comments