Story of BPL to APL.......

By: Ashim Kumar Ghosh.

It becomes  dark, almost evening, cattle's are returning back to home. Family members are alert to make arrangement for cattle in shed. But hens and cocks are still playing in the courtyard of Dula Marandi, a Santhal Boy from Mayurbhanj district. Just passed matriculation exam and running to Baripada head quarter for collecting admission forms of various colleges, where he will get chance for further study.

I was with my Colleague in field visit. He told me to stop nearby Dula Marandi's home to collect some of the information from him, what actually he is doing now ? Yes, we came down and entered in the Dula Marandi's courtyard home. I have seen very unique among the Santhal Population. They are very clean and very good sense of  art in the wall of houses. Actually they are the great artist and they have good sense of presentation of Art in daily life.

As we entered in the courtyard of Dula Marandi's Cousin courtyard, actually it was not Dula Marandi's father house. When Dula was child, his father and mother got sheltered in the house of his (Dula) cousin. Dula is from that background, his father has not own house, he with his family dependent to his cousin. Dula is student of Government school and used to go school to get the Mid day meal every day.

I have seen very unique life style of Santhal Community, in leisure hour, they use to make rope out of local grown grass and used for making the cot. But here Dula is making rope, when he is getting time, because it gives earning to family and for Dula, it is expenses for his education. We offered to sit in the cot in the courtyard, and all the children and age old age person were in the courtyard, it was evening, therefore they have already started to boil the water in open kitchen in courtyard to boil rice. I asked their menu for that day.....they told happily " we will eat Chicken today" and a Desi White chicken was tied up with the rope in courtyard and so gladly they offered us to stay for night and we will eat and enjoy. So generous the family.

Dula's cousin came to us and started interacted with us. He was repeating some of the sentence again and again, though he was in mood.......he told...thora liya hain....no issue..it is the part of the culture of the tribal society and added with values and sanctions. He was telling, Dula is only boy in our family, he passed examination...but we will not send him in Army or in Police, because he is the only son in our family. He will work in office.....

In between, Dula's father and mother returned back from work, they are so simple, I have seen aspiration in his eyes, he was so emotional and want to do lot of things but his hands are tied up....I can understand....what is that....Immediately he took his nephew (Dula's Cousin) and discussed. I asked them what is going on....they told yes we are coming with the Dula's Report card...he passed the examination sir...now he will go the college. But Dula is not going to Join Army or police again he repeated, but and mother is smiling only...with gentle facial expression.

I have been observed very closely the tribal community, even in the North East,  Tea garden of North Bengal and Assam. They are using minimum of two languages, one is the state language and second one is own mother tongue. I have seen in North Bengal  Tea garden area, tribal community is talking in Hindi, Sadari, Nepali and Bengali. In Assam, tea garden community is also talking in Ahom, Sadari language. In Manipur I observed tribal community is also opting their own mother tongue first and then second language as Manipuri. In Odisha I observed same, Dula's family are talking in Santhali language within the family members and when they interact with the outsiders, then they choose to talk in Odiya language. So there was a moment when all the families are talking in Santhal language within the family members.

In between Dula came in bicycle from Baripada Block head quarter, he was carrying file paper and bags in his hand. He talked with us and immediately rush to inside the house and came with the certificate, mark sheet and admission form. He was seeking help from us, which college is better to go for further study...He told that he is willing to study Political science.

when we are discussion about the college and marks, Dula's father came in our discussion, he was not utter a single word but watching and listening our discussion. Dula was very curious to know about the career path. In between the Dula's cousin brother again murmured sir....Dula will not go to Army or Police, he is the only  son of the Family.

Neighbours also joined in our discussion and then they raised the issue of BPL to APL.....12 houses in that locality are deprived of getting the electricity power. House is just on the road side, electric wire is crossing above the road, but Dula used to study in DIBRI....light by kerosene oil, no electricity. People revealed that Transformer was sanctioned and also installed but never got the electricity, because transformer transformed from  BPL to APL....surprising how transformed...they told sir...it was stolen...as report says...we told them...very soon you will get the elctricity bill....they told yes....sir...department is saying deposit money...but not giving the bill.

I surprised, in tribal area, lot of fruits in tree but not stolen....livestock's are making free movement not stolen.....Jackfruit is in the tree and it is in the reach to collect but not stolen...during February to March Mohua flower smells the forest but not stolen...but how transformer stolen....they replied me...sir it is BPL to APL.......

We do not know...but after independence of our country, Parliament of India sanctioned projects and scheme for the upliftment of Dula Marandi, and for others... scholarship, stipend, free text books, bridge course, rural electrification scheme, jan Dhan, Kisan Insurance scheme, Indira Awas, Atal Yojana, Mahatma Gandhi Rural employment guarantee programme, Rajiv Gandhi millennium well scheme, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidalaya,  for BPL- Below Poverty line population but still we have to go long for upliftment. Actually it is BPL....to APL.....they have to go from below to above.....

Beating the Heat.....

                                                       by: Ashim Kumar Ghosh

Few days Back I was travelling to the periphery area of Simplipal core area of Odisha. It was tribal habitat area, mostly I interacted with Santhal and Ho tribe in that area. People updated me that HO came to this area, because Britishers want timber from the forest for boat construction. It was very beautiful place and Odisha Government also made a good road to reach the village. There are good places, where people can go for tourism purpose...just to relax from the daily busy life. I have interacted with some of the HO tribe, they know two languages Oriya and Ho language. If you want to talk with them, you need the help of translator to make your conversation fruitful.

 It was 40 degree temperature almost, I stationed in small town UDALA...it is a block head quarter of Mayurbhanj district.  It is one of the biggest District in Odisha. Recently Panchayat election held and BJP got maximum number of seat. Driver of my vehicle told me "you know some time we lose due to own mistake, it is not who conquered you, but you lost because of your ignorance" actually that happened with BJD party in Odisha during Panchayat election.

Road are well constructed, area is very peaceful and calm, but temperature is very hot. But green coverage "Floara and Fauna" will give you mental peace, cool from within. People are also very simple. You will make friend with them very easily, but your intend must be very clear.

UDALA is very small town, Block head quarter, hardly 2 km is the diameter of the town, small shops but you will find two wheeler are always roaming in the town. I was stayed in the hotel, big building, big restaurant, but decor in the room is not saying about, very maintained hotel, surprisingly in small town hotel got the license of BAR...not confirmed whether licensed or not but running BAR...Morning I used to go out from the hotel to the beautiful villages of the Simplipal pheripherry area. But morning I observed that the  people in motorcycle used to come to the hotel with big plastic bag and collects Kingfisher Beer Bottle. They might have small shops and outlet for Beer bottles. This is because beating the heat of 40 degree temperature of town.

When I entered the village area, it is beautiful scenic coverage. people are busy in their farm land. But during noon I crossed the market place, there are small places where mostly women they are selling the Local HADIA (Rice beer), villagers those who are coming to the market they are sitting in those places with family even children are also seen, but only adults are beating the heat and enjoying the local rice beer. People are enjoying talking, very colourful, cool and calm. No objection, free to all, no ban....I assumed this is important for the place where 40 degree temperature...to beat the heat.... and also pure because every houses are making rice beer. You can beat the heat in only Rs.20/-...no chilled from outside but chilled in stomach. That's the way the tribal population is working and surviving to beat the heat in those places.

 I was very happy to see, how people in remote places are free...liberated and enjoying their life with local production and also very pure...in their thought process and also in behaviour. People are coming together, sitting in very simple style...talking each other and consuming Hadia that locally made, no power structure, no hindrance....everybody is enjoying...no intention to cheat people.

As I entered in the Hotel gate at evening, the scene was something different, where I saw good number of young people beating the heat with Beer Bottle only in Rs.120/-. They are coming in motorcyle coming and going. Within half an hour, the campus is full with the motorcyle. But boarder are absent in the hotel, Restaurant is no more for customer, all the staffs of the hotel is being engaged in the Bar to serve the people who are beating the heat with Kingfisher Beer Bottle.

Very interesting how the companies like Kingfisher is targeting small cities and particularly young generation, it was the huge business. Next morning I saw the back side of the hotel, more than thousands of the Beer Bottle is lying here and there. Other side a poor family, father, Uncle, Mother and Children are busy in collecting the plastic glass, Beer Bottle. They are surviving with the collection of plastic glass and bottle. They have also migrated from Rural area.

But oppositively in Rural areas, no bottle, no plastic....but it is green SAL leave. No dirty...clean...yes they are the person following the norms of SWATCH BHARAT ABHIYAN....keeping clean the environment but also beating the heat....

Concluding....Companies are targeting the habits of the people and accordingly branding the product ....therefore they have targeted the small towns, where youths from villages migrated for work, earning minimum Rs.700-1000/- per day and making the expenditure of Rs.120/- per day for beating the heat...but in rural area it is HADIA....Local Rice beer, beating the heat. Second point there are nexus to issue the license for the hotel to run the BAR with hotel industry. This is also required but who is making what....and from whom....but really we are beating the heat...of 40 degree temperature.

Are We sensitive enough towards our children.......in context to Manipur conflict situation....??

by:  Ashim Kumar Ghosh

Manipur is being imposed AFSPA (Armed Forces Special Power Act). It authorizes the central government and heads of states and Union Territories to declare the regions they govern to be "disturbed areas." The act gives armed forces extraordinary powers, including immunity from legal action, and the licence to shoot to kill and arrest people without obtaining warrants. It has been alleged that over 1,528 people died in extra-judicial killings ('fake encounters') carried out by the army between 1979 and 2012 in Manipur. The Supreme Court in July said the army and paramilitary forces couldn't use "excessive and retaliatory force" in Manipur, and asked for a report on alleged fake encounters in the state[1].

There are evidences regarding the ethnic conflicts throughout the years in between the Kuki-Naga-Meitei it is a triangular conflict, engrained in the political movement from each side, each ethnicity is endorsed by the political armed groups. Ethnic conflict is caused by ethnicity, which mobilises, structures and manages ethnic organisations. Further, their leaders use ethnic divisive strategies to mobilise political support. The minority ethnic groups having endured alleged discrimination for over sixty years felt that their shared deprivation had been long enough and thus mobilised political support on ethnic lines. The territorial integrity of Manipur is now vigorously challenged by the diversity of 36 ethnic groups living in the State. The insurgents of these ethnic Kukis, Nagas, Kacha Nagas (Zemi Nagas now) and smaller units like Hmar, Paite, Gangte etc all demand regional autonomy or independence. Meiteis want an independent Kangleipak while Kukis dream of Zalengam. Nagas prefer to form Nagalim[2].

New district have been carved out of nine existing districts of the Manipur for the demand of separate Sadar hill district, other districts are also been divided to split the NAGA population as told by Naga leaders of UNC several time. The creation of these districts comes in the wake of the ongoing indefinite economic blockade enforced by the United Naga Council (UNC), protesting against the creation of two districts, Sadar and Jiribam, alleging that the new districts would encroach the ancestral land of the Nagas[3].

UNC imposed economic blockade since 1st November 2016 and till continued, amidst blockade first phase of election held in Manipur for 11th Manipur legislative Assembly. The UNC has decided to continue with its economic blockade - which completed 100 days on February 8 - against the Manipur government's decision to bifurcate Naga dominated areas and create seven new districts[4].

Tri-partite agreement failed in New Delhi in between the Ministry of Home, Govt. of India, Manipur Government and the UNC leaders and Economic Blockade became the poll agenda in the state. People of Manipur were left disappointed on February 7 as the Centre, state government and the United Naga Council failed to reach a consensus in the second round of tripartite talks to break the economic logjam in the state[5].  But common people were the sufferer from both the sides, but they have enjoyed the right to vote with 82% of voting percentage.

Questions also been raised what is in the agreement framework of Govt. of India and the NSCN (IM), agitation is going on and even gheored the Governor of Manipur to get the answer about the words and paragraphs of the agreement. Prime Minister of India, during election campaign clarified, we are working for the Territorial integrity of Manipur not the divisive role for divide and rule. The signing of the “Peace Accord”, “Naga Accord” or “Framework Agreement” (interchangeably used)has drawn flaks from all across the country. Neither the Government of India nor the NSCN IM which has signed the Accord on behalf of the Nagas has come out clear on this issue. The NSCN IM ultimate demand has been the integration of Naga inhabited areas of Asom, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh, Myanmar and consolidating it to “Nagalim” (Sovereign Independent State of the Nagas[6]). "There is not a single word in the framework agreement, signed with the NSCN (I-M), that would compromise the territory of Manipur. The Congress government here has been sleeping since 2015. Now, it is raking up the issue to win votes. Ibobi Singh and others have been spreading lies to the people on the issue," Modi said during his 55-minute speech[7].

Ball passes on the court of election commission of India to conduct free and fare election in Manipur. Appeal has been made to UNC to withdraw the call of prolonged economic blockade from Manipur. Manipur Governor Ms. Najma Heptulla on appealed to the United Naga Council (UNC) - the apex body of Nagas in the state - to reconsider their decision of continuing with the indefinite economic blockade of the Imphal valley in light of the impending state assembly elections[8].

Govt. of India, Ministry of home shifted para military forces to help state government to clean the highway so that necessary commodity for the people can be prevailed at the state level, but it also failed, evident from long queue in fuel station. Security forces shifted from Utter Pradesh to Manipur for election purposes. Prices of commodity is rocketing high, again people of the state are suffering whether hill or valley, all impacted. With little headway in efforts to end the economic blockade in Manipur, the assembly polls in the state may see one of the highest deployment of Central para-military forces in the recent times. Sources in the home ministry said that around 20,000 troops deployed in parts of UP covered in the first few phases of polling, may be diverted to Manipur over the next 15 days. According to force deployment details accessed by TOI, while 16,000 troops are already deployed in Manipur to help the state government clear National Highway-2, along which Naga rebel group United Naga Council has been enforcing a blockade for over past three months[9].

Chief election commission of India notified after the notice from NCPCR has served notice on February for not using the children during the election process.

State CEO of Election commission has notified for using the children in the polling process because VDF is in strike for getting the hiked salary and decided not to be part of the election, what is the reason...? why they do not want to be part of the election process...ASHA and AWW are also delayed in getting their salary in time in State but they agreed to be part of election...matter to be discussed.. Even as the Manipur Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) urged the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) not to used children below 18 years of age in any election related activities, handful of students volunteers were deployed in most of the polling stations today during the first phase of Manipur assembly poll. The students volunteer were used following the direction of the CEO Manipur as an alternative measure for Village Defence Force (VDF) who use in election has been disallowed by Election Commission of India (ECI). The student volunteer will be paid an honorarium of Rs 200 for their service by the election office[10].

Child right commission of Manipur notified and requested CEO for not engaging children below the age of 18, while keeping in the mind the situation of State and examination in hand. UNCRC is being ratified by Government of India and National Policy for Children is the document circulated by Govt. of India. The Manipur Commission for the Protection of Child Rights (MCPCR) has sent a written intimation to the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), asking the latter not to involve children below 18 years in any election related activities and process as instructed by the Election Commission of India (ECI). The reaction of the MCPCR comes following a report published by a local daily that published an order of CEO on the subject “deployment students in polling stations for regulatory purposes”[11].

Are we are aware about the genuine reason of imposement of AFSPA in manipur, I assume if yes, then are we able to send our children to replace VDF in polling booth. Are not our children are being impacted by the series of Political volatile situation, where schools were bandh for several days in Dr. Keasm killing case, Mr. Sanjit killing case, Inner line permit agitation in both the places Hill and valley, Are we are not aware the state with 188 cases of POCSO FIR after the enactment of Law (Reported by Police), Supreme court of India passed order, not send the children below the age of 12 to outside because of rampant trafficking in the name of education. CBSE exam is in hand..going to be held in March itself...Schools were closed down for several days, syllabus are not being completed, children are running from post to pillar. In this situation can we ask our children to maintain the polling procedure of polling booth...I don't agree.... The Manipur government ordered for shut down all educational institutions in the valley districts for three days as a measure to control rising public unrest over the issue of the three bills passed by the state Assembly last year to safeguard interest of the indigenous people. Official sources said a cabinet meeting presided by the chief minister and decided to close the educational institutions in the four valley districts of Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal and Bishnupur, which were hit by agitation demanding the President's assent to the bills[12]. To counter the growing clamour among students for the implementation of Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Manipur, the state government directed all schools and colleges in Imphal valley to remain closed.

The police department has been asked to make the necessary security arrangements to safeguard the property of all educational institutions[13].

How far our sense permitting us to use children in political movement and Political process, raising economy for home, going outside to get the education in peaceful environment, How far we will say our children to violates own rights to be with the siblings and family....or is it compulsion ?

Are we are giving space to our child ? Are we are doing our activity for the best interest of children ? Is it any value of the statement of the UNCRC and NPC, Childhood is for every children to enjoy their childhood.... “We, indeed, have a moral obligation towards our children; towards their development and security, and in giving them equal opportunity. Let us commit ourselves to the noble task of fulfilment and protection of child rights everywhere. Our children will inherit a world that we would devolve them. It is our responsibility to ensure that such a world is a better place than what we were given,” President Mukherjee said[14]. 

In this grieve situation, we need to be alert and more careful to our children and society. Our Children would give the shape to our society and nation. We need to come in single platform for the sake of my children, our children and children of the nation. There are sufficient and adequate policy, law, act for children in this country, only need of the hour is to follow the norms and direct interpretation for the interest of children.

---

[1] http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/the-afspa-and-manipur-10-key-points/listshow/53613784.cms

[2] https://www.thesangaiexpress.com/6439-causes-of-ethnic-conflict-in-manipur/

[3] http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/manipur-7-new-districts-united-naga-council-okram-ibobi-singh-sadar-hills-nagas/1/830729.html

[4] http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/second-round-of-talks-between-government-and-protestors-fail-in-manipur-1657470

[5] http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/second-round-of-talks-between-government-and-protestors-fail-in-manipur-1657470

[6] http://morungexpress.com/the-framework-agreement/

[7] https://www.telegraphindia.com/1170226/jsp/frontpage/story_137786.jsp#.WLvgRfmGO00

[8] http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/manipur-assembly-election-governor-najma-heptulla-united-naga-council/1/890326.html

[9] http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/elections/assembly-elections/manipur/news/manipur-assembly-polls-may-see-highest-deployment-of-security-forces-in-recent-times/articleshow/57153016.cms

[10] http://ifp.co.in/page/items/38000/students-used-in-lieu-of-vdf

[11] http://ifp.co.in/page/items/37899/commission-asks-ceo-not-to-use-children-in-election

[12] https://www.telegraphindia.com/1160601/jsp/northeast/story_88673.jsp#.WLvlYvl9601

[13] http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/ILP-Manipur-government-shuts-schools-colleges/articleshow/39036459.cms

[14] http://indianexpress.com/article/india/programmes-for-children-have-to-take-centre-stage-in-national-policy-making-pranab-mukherjee-4420322/

My Published Article

It's working India....by the workers of India....

India is booming globally, foreign investor have shown interest in Indian economy and national investors are also interested to invest outside the India. This is the decade, where the working youths are in large percentage of Indian population. Money is rolling very fast, now everything is smart......smart card to smart mobile.....economy is also rolling very smartly.

India is a big country and perhaps there are number of country within country India. Big in geography, Big in population.....big in strength,....big in thoughts.....and also big economy and one of the biggest democracy in the world. It is a big global market, big players and small players are knocking the door everyday in Indian economy. GDP of the country is also going high....it has made a jump in last decade......this is about the expenditure of individuals, it is going high and high....definitely income is also going high therefore expenditure is also going and going.....

Yes I agree if it is manufacturing, service, construction, marketing, production....every where this youth and young workers are making India......They are the pillars of rising Indian economy...sometime they are recognised and sometime not....but who bothers....Worker means worker.....making working India...making working economy....whether is rural or urban economy....whether it is metro or small city...they are everywhere....they are taking everyday challenge of life and struggle and ready always to build India.....

I am much more concern about their quality of life...perhaps we may not able to provide that environment for them...recent past there was news...workers of Tea Industry in North Bengal are going with tough time...there are news of starvation...workers are migrating outside the industry....moving from organised to unorganised...this is vital concern to rethink the policy for working forces.

In recent past there was so many good act and policy introduced by the Government of India...like Right of Children for Free and Compulsory education Act.......POCSO....prevention of child sexual abuse....Amendment on Child regulation Act....Amendment on Juvenile Justice Act.....Right to child protection act....National Health mission Scheme.....sanctions and allotment has been given under ICDS (integrated Child development Scheme) and ICPS (Integrated Child Protection Scheme). But perhaps our workers are not aware about these beautiful act, policy, schemes and provisions.

We need to see workers with their family always....if the kids of the workers are getting free and compulsory education in Government school, if their kids are getting free health services..if their kids are getting the benefits of the ICPS and ICDS....if their kids are getting the benefit of Juvenile Justice system...entire family of workers will be benefited...worker movement in India also need to look in this matter to cater the need of workers holistically...not through the single lens of workers benefit only...

It has been observed and experienced that country is facing the problem of under nutrition, child labour, child sexual abuse cases are increasing and surfaced...children are out of school, they are being drop out from school, there is unsafe migration.....children are being trafficked...who are them...they are all kids of our workers....my kids...your kids...my neighbour kids...because we are also workers....working for making india....We need to address these problem immediately. Our workers in industry...in farm land...in any places..they are not living quality life..they may ignorant of the provision but service providers need to make them oriented about their benefits.

As I understand when the questions of family comes...there should not be any politics...when the matters of children will come...there should not be any politics....when the matters of workers will come...there should not be politics...yes I am in favour of polity...means quality politics...which will benefit all individuals to go beyond of humanity...

India can only grow...when our working population would live the quality life, quality education and quality health. We need to work with all for stake holders for ensuring welfare of workers, we need to see the every domain of workers family.

“While eating a delicious food, remember the peasants and the workers who made this possible!”

Article authored by

Ashim Kumar Ghosh ( a worker working for workers)

ashim57@gmail.com

Enjoy nature; it is the free gift to us! But don’t harass anybody

By: Ashim Kumar Ghosh. (ashim57@gmail.com)

Today 2^nd of January 2014, it was morning time, very sharp weather. Sunlight is welcoming all to come out from bed and have a look at beautiful nature outside. People have enjoyed and continue to enjoy New Year. We are all exchanging New Year’s greetings, giving wishes to each other; “Happy new Year 2014”. Really I was very glad that people around are enjoying with their families, friends, colleague and others. Somebody is dancing, playing, singing, somebody is busy with children in park, riverside and Circus. Really it looks well. Somebody is also busy in giving charitable services in shelter home, children’s home and also in street. Really glad to see that everybody is happy and very energetic.

I was also busy with my work and also enjoying my home work in morning hours. Currently, my routine job every morning is to wait for the newspaper, checking in every 10 minutes the bag hanging from my balcony, whether newspaper delivered or not. Really very interested to read the newspaper- how was the previous day, what are the events organised in street, where is the exhibition for children. It was also enjoyable moment for me to read what happened on 1^st of January 2014 (first day of the calendar year) in the streets of Kolkata. Though I was less interested to go through the political news, now a days it is too much confusing to me!! But may be interesting for others, should respect the feeling of others.

Going through the supplement pages- Metro news, it was the gala party across the street in Kolkata, artists came together, mind blowing songs and rock performance by the artists, all are happy by face and nice snaps.

I was shocked when I read the news on death of girl, who was sexually assaulted in Kolkata. I was totally stopped, what is happening? why we are permitting such types of inhuman act and serious criminal attitude? Who has given authority to them to disturb the peace in the society? Who has given authority to do sexual assault? Are the children and girls safe in the street? who has given authority to say this place is not for you? who am I to say?  What is my contribution”. Yes my contribution is to maintain the social norms, not to disturb.

I was thinking about the girl, her struggle started since October 2013 till she ended her life in 1^st of January 2014 in hospital. She was chased to death, nobody thought about that girl, she has been picked from home in false assurance and she was assaulted by group of people. She went to Police station with her parents gather lot of courage, but once again she was chased by the same group. We were all silent; law makers and safe guarder-citizens, all. Political parties and leaders are watching and waiting the incident, they are looking for opportune situation. Pressure mounted to her family members from different corners of the accused family to withdraw case from police station, neighbours of the victim also maligned the girl and her family members in public place. Can you assume how it must have felt for the victim and her parents? She was burned by the accused family members, charges were also framed against them by the police, but what is the result- “death of 16 years girl”. She was brave enough to give testimony at that stage.

I was also thinking about the father- he is a taxi driver in Kolkata- he came from Bihar for livelihood in metro city. In my opinion this city is not belonging to only few but this is for all. He came with family, managing resource for the family, running taxi from here and there in Kolkata and earning money for family. He has seen so many things in the street of Kolkata and ultimately what happen, he lost daughter. I question whether we are living in the society where we are honouring the dignity of all individuals? It was the struggle of the taxi driver since October to January 2014. He was compelled to shift rented house from MadhaymGram to Dum Dum just opposite direction in Kolkata city. He couldn’t able to see the lively face of her daughter on first day of New Year 2014. Are we thinking that taxiwala worked for so many people in the street of Kolkata, sometime he pulled patient from hospital to home, sometime during night he has taken passenger from dark to home, reach them safely in home. Do we do justice to this taxi driver who worked for us, who has provided us services? It is not, a big question?

I am also thinking about the police officials- what they are doing, are they committed to their work, are they protecting our children in street. Why not they acted in time, why second and third incident with the victim could happen? How they can threat to the taxi driver “how will you drive taxi in kolkta, we will see you” how dare they are? Are we are paying taxes for that to state for inviting such types of incident in our society, are they entitled to threat people like this.

Yes political parties, they are busy in political blame game. They are working with their own mandate. We have given our consensus mandate for that “you come and do whatever you are find fit” we have given mandate to them for blame game, only that is visible in newspaper and TV channel. Responsibility and duty are things attached with you, you can’t deny it, you have to do your job, for which we have assigned you, if not then don’t waste our time.

Yes got some positive signals, civil society came in the road for demonstration. There was also agitation for justice of the victim. Police administration came in action. My point is that we have to tell the administration, something is going wrong, people need to come in the road for demonstration and agitation, after that only they become alert, it is not good symptoms of good governance and vigilant institution.

I was really in the mood to enjoy with the rhythm of Kolkata but sorry, I stopped reading newspaper for the day and decided to write something on the issues.

Yes I am very optimistic, will change, we all have to contribute to welcome the beautiful nature.

PICS of Children cultural meet held at Imphal, manipur on 10th August 2013