Metallica concert in India

Music is perhaps a quintessential part of youth, and implicit in the development of the notion of the 'teenager', providing a way to sculpt an identity and at once rebel against authority figures, with each generations music being considered better in every way than the predecessor. It should come as no surprise then that the upcoming series of gigs planned by Metallica in India have caused such furore. Not least when the first had to be cancelled due to safety issues.



The audience reacted to the news that the gig was cancelled in a way that is reminiscent of 1969's infamous Hell's Angels plagued Rolling Stones concert, and certainly at odds with the international perception of a skilled, intellectual generation of Indian teens coming through. Could it be that the implied violence associated with the 'Metal' genre inspired such reaction, or could it be the result of a newly established youth conscience within India? What is certain is that the uproar came as a shock to the world observing it eliciting commentary from, amongst others, the Huffington Post. What is undeniable however, is that the event proves Indian teens to be a passionate collective, dedicated to their interests.

As one of the world's youngest, and yet largest countries it stands to reason that India has reached a state of national (and cognitive) maturity to enable the demarcation of a group of individuals that can define themselves in such a way as to spontaneously protest, however, it would be unfair if the world viewed both India, or the individuals involved negatively as a result of them mimicking decades old behaviour of likeminded teenagers.







Additional information: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-10-29/gurgaon/30336704_1_lars-ulrich-metallica-concert-indian-fans

the Media consumption of Indian youth

Source: http://www.bytecolumn.com/08/big-digital-launches-youth-online-reality-show/

BIG Digital launches India’s first youth online reality show ‘Transform India- Youth Uncensored’

BIG Digital, the digital content and marketing arm of the Reliance Broadcast Network Ltd., is proud to announce India’s First Youth Online Reality Show, which promises to play the role of a catalyst, in initiating a youth movement in the country. Aptly titled ‘Transform India- Youth Uncensored’, the reality show will empower the youth by providing a platform for them to voice their opinion through an extensive social media initiative.

Consuming information through multiple platforms and translating it into highly opinionated discussion forums either online or with peers, the youth of today have a mind of their own. It is against this milieu that BIG Digital launches ‘Transform India- Youth Uncensored’, a high voltage online reality show which will address social problems ranging from escalating corruption, safe sex, eve teasing to gender discrimination from the perspective of the youth.

This digital reality show will bring over 100 colleges from across the six cities of Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore and Hyderabad to fight the battle to Transform India through their innovative ideas, on raising concern for issues and tackling them thereafter. Colleges will compete against each other, as they upload videos on how they believe they can best tackle societal issues. These videos will be judged by an esteemed jury panel, and will then be left open for online voting. Teams will be given a socially relevant topic and will be asked to upload the video of their proposed recommendation to tackle them. It goes without saying that as the show progresses the battle between colleges will be very exciting and audiences the world over can watch its un-edited version online.

Hard pressed for time and a challenging audience base to garner attention from, with 70% of brands in India struggling to communicate and engage with, the youth are a key audience base that marketers today chase. Transform India – Youth Uncensored, brings forth a unique opportunity for both youth and marketers looking to connect. While it offers the youth a platform for expression fuelled by issues that make for serious conversation currency, creating engaging environments leading to a transformation – an India 2.0, it will provide fantastic opportunities to marketers to get associated and play a pivotal role in piloting India's transformation.

BIG Digital will ensure a holistic treatment to this property, across its media verticals ranging radio, television, out of home, on-ground promotions and of course digital.

Soumen. G. Choudhury Business Head, 92.7 BIG FM said “It is our constant endeavour to offer pioneering initiatives, and Transform India: Youth Uncensored is a leap in that direction. We want, through this initiative to galvanize a movement in the youth space as we allow them to focus their energies towards this path-breaking social media initiative. We are confident of the youth coming on board to express their views, while we offer an excellent platform for advertisers to partners with.”

Transform India will culminate in an online reality show which is fun, motivational and educational. Every episode will capture imaginations of millions of youth, featuring unique tasks, controversies, goof-ups and sincerity. The content will be packaged to create a rage among Indian youth. The content will mirror the face of bold Indian youth willing to go to any extent to accomplish tasks that will transform people, the city and India!
About BIG Digital:

BIG Digital, is Reliance Broadcast Network’s initiative in the digital space, creating a surround of innovative digital media integrations on the mobile and online platforms. BIG Digital works with fresh talent across regions, in the music and entertainment space, to create intellectual properties for brands via digital endorsements. It thereby creates platform agnostic ideas bringing brands and content, closer to the consumer.

Source: http://pearlriseentertainment.blogspot.com/2011/08/big-digital-launches-indias-first-youth.html

Most of the Indian youth reads news at the online sites

The year 2010-2011 can very appropriately be termed as ‘The Year of Scams’ for India. From CWG to Adarsh Housing Society, India witnessed scams in almost every major sector. The common man in India who has seen and heard about numerous such scams with regularity that leaves the outside world astonished, is mostly unflustered after any such news breaks. But the sheer number and magnitude of scams those were unearthed before the common man in the past year surprised and generated interest from all in the country.

While television and newspapers have remained the primary source of information for any news, internet has also played its role in creating awareness about these scams and providing readers with more details and facts around these. ViziSense, in its report, analyzed and highlighted that contrary to common perception, a substantial chunk of audience is from the age group of 15-24. The report highlights readers from the 15-24 years age group constitute 24% of the total size of audience that has read scam related news online. But the largest chunk of 40 % is formed by working professionals, the age group of 25-35.

Not to surprise an astonishing 77 % of readers read about the 2G scam on the internet which is said to be one of the biggest scams of recent times. This was followed by the CWG scam read by 16% of readers. Adarsh, land scams and LIC corporate loan scam followed the list.

The data was analyzed and collected basis ViziSense panel’s consumption of news content across top news / web portals.

Source: http://www.indiainfoline.com/Markets/News/Scams...Indian-youth-make-a-beeline-for-online-news-sites/5097947932

facebook brings in "other life" of "romantic utopia" in the life of urban and rual youth in India

The adopted otherness in a SNS away from the conservative society and ever increasing social pressure brings in SNS utopia as a "release point":

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=begUTxCzoZw&hd=1

here's a statement from a viewer in youtube:

"I actually had an incident like this happened to me a few months back .. I met this girl from out of town a day before she was leaving... We clicked and I was like ... Shinning .. So i gave her my card and told her to get in touch with me.. She mailed me .. got me on facebook .. We send mails back and forth ... and she told me she would come to town in a few months .. Then a friend who happened to know her.. told me She was married.. She came to town yesterday ... I won't meet her.. :'(" - oooohyaaah100

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=begUTxCzoZw&feature=player_embedded#!

Social life at bangalore for singles

If you’re in Bangalore, single and are looking for a social circle that doesn’t involve married friends, here’s a great new place to hang out. Floh (Find Life Over Here) is a start-up that aims to bring together urban professionals in their twenties and thirties not with the ambition of setting them up, but to give them a platform to mingle and find interesting people outside their immediate social circles.

Siddharth Mangharam, entrepreneur and founder CEO, hit upon this brainwave after meeting his wife at a cheese-tasting event, an interest they both share. Having realized how increasingly difficult it has become for urban, well-settled single men and women to venture out and meet other singles outside of work and the comfort of friends, Siddharth and his wife decided to pitch this idea to singles within their personal networks, i.e., friends and professional contacts who had hit a dead end in dating.

Having said that, Siddharth is quick to assert that Floh is not a dating site or even a matrimonial one even though it has been instrumental in bringing some singles together. His business model works on the premise that singles have as much right to a happening social life as married people do – in fact, being free from rigid commitments and obligations, singles should find it an active social life easier than their not-single counterparts. There is no matchmaking involved, though. Every member is vetted and personally interviewed by a Floh founder and ‘determined’ whether they’d fit in with the network and enjoy interacting with its existing members before they gain entry.

There is also a very thoughtful right-of-admission reserved – access to Floh is on an invite-only basis, where only an existing member can invite you and refer you to Floh. Siddharth insists he doesn’t want this to balloon to unmanageable sizes and says that it’s not at all about the numbers. Considering the number of women members trump the number of men in the Bangalore venture currently, this ‘security’ measure is much welcome.

S, (name withheld on request), a marketing professional in her thirties, vouches for this. Having been a member since its inception, she’s still single, but welcomes the opportunity to meet like-minded people (or otherwise) outside her hectic corporate life once in a while and let her hair down. Her work and lifestyle have included a lot of travel so far, but she’s now in Bangalore for a good while and highly recommends Floh to single women in Bangalore.

Though this network is open to people in their twenties, Joe, an artist in his mid-twenties, found the evening event to cater mostly to the 30+ crowd, something Siddharth says depends on the event you attend, since the network caters to people in the 25-40 age bracket. Floh events are bracketed into 4 categories – food (cook-outs), beverages (trips to vineyards, cocktail events) outdoors (nature sports, heritage walks) and cerebral/artsy (theatre workshops, photography). One can choose the event based on their likes and preferences. This way, the chances of meeting like-minded singles increases dramatically, says Siddharth. He tries to organize at least 4-8 events a month and covers a wide variety of interests including the recently concluded and hugely successful paint ball event for the perennially-young-at-heart populace.

With experience at McKinsey & Co. and Microsoft, Siddharth with his latest initiative seems to be poised on the edge of hitherto uncharted territory in urban India. His mantra is perfectly summed up in his own quote: “Emotions are best expressed when two people meet in a no-pressure, natural environment.”

He hopes to expand this to Delhi and Mumbai soon.

Bangalore’s Floh already has close to a 1000 members in 6 months of existence, but they’re handpicked and have to go through the Floh screen to gain entry. Floh’s only requirement is that if you find someone you’d like to date in their network, you’ll have to quit the network – a small ask for a terrific opportunity to meet interesting people and to skip the odious matchmaking ritual by well-meaning but largely irritating relatives and/or having to register on matrimonial sites with no surety of authenticity of profiles.

Note: Visit the Floh blog for write-ups and articles by members.

Youth in Manipur demands "change"

It's hard to see anything positive coming out of the 60-day economic blockade in Manipur (India). But the blockade and counter blockade by two communities have actually led to a new wave of consciousness in this northeastern state with people, particularly youngsters, getting together and demanding a change in the present state of affairs.

With assembly elections due next year, many people are networking online and off it too to organise themselves and be the arbiters of their own 'destiny' in the Congress-led state wracked by unrest.

Anguished by the poor state of affairs in his home state, Bimol Akoijam has started an online campaign on the social networking site Facebook titled 'People's Campaign for Assembly Election 2012: Deciding Our Destiny'.


'It's time we act in order to have a life with dignity and well-being. The right to choose our political leadership is the basis for the change that we are seeking. The aim is to make the political class accountable for the mess and decadence that we are in today,' Akoijam wrote on his Facebook page.

The economic blockade called by the Sadar Hills District Demand Committee (SHDDC) Aug 1 and a counter blockade called later by the United Naga Council have crippled normal life in Manipur, making prices of household commodities soar and resulting in acute scarcities, including of life-saving drugs.

Among the various activities planned is one on Oct 18 that aims to bring together all those who have moved out of the state for education, employment or other purposes and take their help in spreading awareness about the upcoming assembly elections and urge people to vote for the right candidate and make it an 'issue-based election'.

The meet, which is to take place in different cities across the country, has found many takers.

Yet another online group, 'Debate on Economic Blockade in Manipur' has scores of followers voicing their opinion.

'The economic blockade is happening because some people have political authority over their tribe, but even their own tribe people condemn this (blockade). Majority of people- whatever be their tribe- are suffering because of this,' wrote Achilles Vaiphei.

'The people of Manipur have been taken for a ride for far too long,' said Sharmila Singha, a homemaker from one of the worst affected districts, Chandel. 'Because of the interest of a handful of people, the entire state is in doldrums. And all the while the government has not been able to do anything about it.'

The main bone of contention in the logjam is the demand by the SHDDC for a separate Sadar Hills district, which is strictly opposed by some other sects as the area also includes some ethnic-Naga settled areas.

So, as the clashing communities remain firm on their demands, the rest of the state looks on helplessly and pays a heavy price.

Therefore, even as people in other states protest the rise of petrol prices to Rs.67 per litre, in Manipur it is being sold at around Rs.200 in the black market. An LPG cylinder can cost anywhere between Rs.1,800-2,000.

'We have gone back to using firewood for cooking. How can anyone afford a cylinder at such prices? Whatever be the issue, it's always...always the common man who suffers,' said a bitter Priyanka Yumnam, a homemaker.

Madhu Chandra, who hails from Manipur and is the spokesperson of the Northeast Support Centre in Delhi, told IANS: 'There is a feeling that there is a dearth of things in the state, but these are available in the black market for those who can afford the high prices...the blockade has therefore unleashed corruption in a big way.'

Mandira Singha, a 20-year-old who lost her father to the blockade because of lack of life-saving drugs, added: 'There is government apathy towards our condition. It's been 60 days and nothing has been done by the centre. Why? Had this happened anywhere else in the country would the reaction have been the same?'

(Azera Rahman can be contacted at azera.rahman@gmail.com)
Source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/demand-change-cry-manipur-youth-052243212.html

Indian youth is comfortable to add their parents in facebook

In India, the youth thinks their parents are cool to add in facebook. 64% said their parents are cool enough. One said 'its no big deal... i send my parents messages and i chat with them on it since i don't get to see them now that i'm abroad . i dont mind them seeing my page. what am i hiding.... she also knows where to draw the line between having a look at my page and being nosy. Besides fcbk is not the place to put info you dont want some people to see'. another stated that 'parents shud be added...in my view first parents,then comes everyone...parents shud also know with whom we are talking to, what we are sharing..and ofcourse keeping them upto date with the technology'. 'Its cool to have my mom, aunts and uncles on my fb.... even my grand parents !! its a good way to keep in touch, especially if u dnt call them up regularly... they get to know wat i'm up to, who i'm with or i broke up with... its all there.you dnt hv to go around explaining, how, why, what, where or when. Its there for them to kno... so its alrite'.

It's interesting to know that some of them has dual account! one for parents and other for friends/ 'not so known friends'. 'tatz y i hav 2 account .. 1 fr ma family member and known... another for making frndz nd known frnds.... :-'.

source: http://campus.yahoo.com/debates/friend-your-parents-facebook-c659f8f55dae1fd452c753534286193ba8b1d1e4

the youth in India- La Tomatnia or anna team?

To me, India is not one country but a "theme & ideology" under which many countries stay together...the demography, psychography and even economy changes in each 500kms...we have more than 200 languages, varied cultures, rituals, society. Even the religious belief for each religion are diversified (even within same religion)...it is actually very tough to create one movement pan-India.

Interestingly, I understood that we do have common AIOs (Youth segment) for few factors...one of them is the "hatred against the politicians and bureaucrats". the "anna team" (the team behind anti corruption movement in India) understood it well and created the movement successfully. This is the first ever post-independent movement in India which appeals to all the youth in India across the demography, culture, class, economy and social barrier. the team successfully promoted it through alternative media, word-of-mouth, open press, radio stations to gather support. The govt was bent, finally.

in other hand, we have "other india" who lives in socio-cultural Utopia and dreams of being "exotic" in this very country.

In the wake of a popular Bollywood movie which glorified Spain through its crap story, half Indian actress and a six fingered Hero, the “La Tomatnia” came in India!

The original La Tomatina festival which once started in Spain (once a year) to overcome the over-production of Tomatoes and reincarnate Spanish tourism is now being enthusiastically “copied” as a “social activity” by some enthusiasts in Bangaluru and Delhi! It’s unfortunate that we, being Indian, fail to understand that this country is culturally rich enough to arrange or re-invent any mode of “social activity” (which is fit for our demography) rather than merely copying the “others”. A socio-cultural activity as “Holi” (which unfortunately became religious, later) was designed by our fore-fathers to initiate the social network, break self-barrier, social belonging, spreading happiness and peace; the same motto, that La Tomatnia has in Spain.

The fetish of being “westernized” is rooted so deep in our gene that we fail to recognize the price of a tomato (in India) vis a vis the hungry Indians (for original La Tomatina at Spain, the tomatoes come from Extremadura, where they are less expensive and are grown specifically for the holidays, being of inferior taste)!

Or is it actually a fetish of showing off the power of money to the “other India”? A fetish that is growing in monstrous proportion in the cities like Bangaluru and Delhi… “See I can smash so many tomatoes with my girlfriend which you might never have eaten in your life”…a Spanish dream in dreadful Bangaluru traffic!

The most common disease in “India.inc” is ‘living in a socio-cultural Utopia’ which many youth relishes everyday. When these day dreams break, they lands into the Smokey, polluted, poverty ridden, class barricaded roads of modern India…

Read more about Anna team and La Tomatina, India:

http://www.deccanchronicle.com/channels/nation/north/anna-team-anticipates-every-step-centre-plans-meticulously-214

http://www.benglued.com/tomato-festival-in-bangalore/

http://www.latomatina.co.in/

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:854YhvOwXGIJ:post.jagran.com/juice-up-your-coming-weekend-with-la-tomatina-festival-1311845291+la+tomatina+delhi&cd=3&hl=en&ct=clnk&gl=in

celebs are encashing on "anna phenomenon"!

Brand Anna has gone beyond corruption; marketers have begun dismantling the components of Anna Hazare's successful sway over India in what is now acclaimed as the biggest online and offline public campaign India has ever seen.

Many have already jumped the gun, and latched on to Annagiri to promote subjects Anna Hazare might not endorse, or even be aware of.

Arindam Chaudhary: Ramlila Maidan, Day 11

IIPM thought beyond the Nobel, and created the Rabindranath Tagore Peace Prize. Even after Anna Hazare rejected the one crore rupee prize this year for undisclosed reasons, Arindam Chaudhary somehow got on the stage on Day 11 of Anna's protest. With Mahatma Gandhi's giant poster and his sequel listening on, he ranted about murdering "some two hundred million people of our country before the age of 40…" so that we can live till 80.

This, from the founder of an institute which sued Google(!) for unfavorable results, sued a media house for an unfavorable article and just lost a defamation case against a website after the court quashed the case.

Sankalp Srivastava: 'Anna Chalisa'

Anna Chalisa, a five minute track was written, composed and sung by him, and Sankalp even distributed free CDs to support India Against Corruption.

Unlike Arindam's rant on the Ramlila Maidan, Sankalp Srivastava's Anna Chalisa could be a genuine case of Anna-holism.

But Sankalp's background as an event manager makes this suspect; free giveaways are an old marketing gimmick. The poor are always poor, the protesters are always protesting - where was Sankalp when we needed him then?

Sanjay Leela Bhansali: My Friend Anna

There's a lot of Bollywood regulars on the social activism scene. Rahul Bose was quietly lending a hand in the rubble of the Indian tsunami, and even owns an NGO.

Shabani Azmi has done a lot of children and women's rights, the rights of displaced migrants.She' also the Goodwill Ambassador of the UNPF as well as for the HIV/AIDS programmes for SAARC region. Gul Panag works actively for Col. Shamsher Singh Foundation and Gul 4 Change to work for gender equality, addiction awareness, education and employment, environment and disaster management.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has never been seen doing anything - even light a candle at the fashionable vigils. And now he's distributing 'My Friend Anna' T shirts to blatantly promote his upcoming My Friend Pinto.

KRK, Salina Wali Khan, Yoggitta Dandekar: Stripping for Anna Hazare

Kamaal Rashid Khan tweeted his willingness to strip at Ramlila Maidan. In his own embarrassing words: "bhai logon maine kapde nikal diye hain. barish ho rahi hai na. Ramleela maidan mai nanga baithoonga.(sic)." (Brothers, I have taken off my clothes. It's raining. I will sit naked at Ramlila Maidan)

Ditto for Yuvraaj Parashar (seen in 'Dunno Y... Na Jaane Kyon' )..'I will strip for Anna. He is like a God to me,' says Yuvraaj "I am totally inspired by Anna Hazare. Woh humein batana chahte hain ki humein apne haq ke liye ladna chahiye. And this is why I am giving my support to his cause, totally."

Marathi actress Yoggitta Dandekar's willing to do a Poonam Pandey; she's ready to run topless in a marathon if Anna wins, or so she claims. She's already painted her body in the tricolor to support to "pledge support" to Anna Hazare's cause.

Salina Wali Khan is willing to do the opposite. The Delhi-based actor and model has claimed that she will dance naked if Anna's Jan-Lokpal Bill is not passed.

Amusingly, she also stated: 'My decision is not for gaining publicity. I am not like other models who make controversial claims for grabbing eyeballs. I am not doing it to be famous but for the common people."

Federation of Indian Animals Protection Organisation: Donkey Rights

In a letter to Anna Hazare, the organization wrote of India's 1.6 million donkeys, used as "objects to mock at corrupt officials…"instead of being treated as the "innocent, hard working animals who truly bear the burden of the world"

The donkeys, FIAPO wrote, "were undoubtedly terrified and confused…" and "had no vote in the matter", requesting Anna to ask his followers to not use donkeys as symbols of corrupt politicans

DJ Jenni: Stripping Against the Casting Couch

intoday

"We need an Anna Hazare in film and music to curb this menace… ", says Jenny D, talking about the "open secret" of the casting couch in Bollywood and Indian music industry.

Mumbai based DJ, Jenni Costa has launched a Facebook campaign called

'Fight the Casting Couch', and has received support from Citizen Action Forum.

According to her: "Has anyone wondered why there are so many female singers and musicians, but hardly any female Music Directors in the film industry? The reason is simple - the Casting Couch. I myself have been a victim of this nasty phenomenon, and I had to face humiliation in the past. I know a lot of girls who just give in because they have almost no other option…"

However, apart from regular posts from Page Admin to invite others, there is nothing actually happening on the Facebook Page. There's a post about 'Ten Bollywood Models' who will strip nude to support the cause, but no one knows how they are. Another Poonam Pandey?

Source: http://www.mensxp.com/

"Anna phenomenon" is not "cool" to all!

there's a growing irritation and protest against "Anna Hazare" who is being called as "prop" to appeal the young population of India and create a movement against "corruption.

But a large number of individuals are slowly going against Anna due to his or his team's "autocratic" pivotal decisions without taking the concern of the mass India.

Below are few Social Network groups who's talking against the "Anna phenomenon" but supporting the "anti-corruption" movement:

Democracy is the freedom to wear an I Am Not Anna T shirt in the public and not get beaten up.

TV news didn't give you all the facts - it was clearly fighting for TRPs, byte for Anna byte, to offer viewers counterpoints to the Jan Lokpal, or even to Anna himself.

Neither did the newspapers, if the headlines of two of India's leading English newspapers during the Anna fest are counted.

For a readymade platform of dissent against Anna, the simplest, and fastest way of getting the trickle-downs from all over the internet, all on one page is Facebook.

And the only stand we take at MensXP.com is for people who stand up and be counted.

Anna Hazare is NOT India

Anna Hazare is NOT India

Former fighter pilot Shashank Shukla created 'Anna Hazare is NOT India' to speak out against the dangerous precent that Anna Hazare set at Ramlila Maidan.

His page talks bout the “Jan Lokpal Bill and the current Anna Phenomenon”.According to him:“…the issue is correct, the methods being employed by Anna ji of undermining (the) authority of parliamentary democracy sets a very dangerous precedent”

Shashank even planned a“counter-sit-in” on Thursday near the Maidan against Team Anna's protest.Shashank has also mentioned the ignorance of Lokpal supporters when it comes to understanding the Bill.

I am for a non-corrupt democracy, not an Anna Hazare dictatorship.

DemocracyNotAnna

The Facebook Page URL for this page is actually shorter - Facebook.com/DemocracynotAnna. The most happening Anna-dissent destination on Facebook is also the most thought provoking. Members give perspective to the media hype of #Anna, present individual inquiry into the workings of Lokpal bill, and both Fans and the Page Admin post analytical content from the internet. If Anna was hype, DemocracyNotAnna is a just a few carefully considered Likes, longer, carefully thought comments and a regular eye on the going-ons of the Anna-verse.

Why I Hate Anna Hazare and Co.

Not about hate, but the logical opposite of hate - an indifference to Anna's popstar appeal. A bit of rightful scorn though - it seems to be a cathartic notepad for those who can't speak against Anna in the public domain. Users question the reality of his 12 day fast, the pasts of Team Anna members, and the necessary LOLs that every Facebook Page needs.

Also, busting the few myths floating around on SMS - including the implementation of Lokpal bill in Singapore (its a myth!).

And the Page Admin has agreed to argue against every point you write for the bill.

Against Anna JanLokPal Bill

There's only 45 members right now, but with regular links presenting different perspectives on Anna's protests, an active admin and a critical focus on the Jan Lokpal Bill and Anna Hazare, it is necessary Liking for the Anna-athiest.

THE JOKE OF LOKPAL

There's always people here willing to argue you out of your belief of the Lokpal Bill. Armed with the kind of Lokpal IQ that would give the most righteous Anna fans a pause, comments are supplemented with news, links to other Anti-Anna/Lokpal Facebook pages and Notes breaking down the Bill and it's flaws.

Democracy or Hazare ?

Find like-minded people on one the biggest Anti-Anna Groups on Facebook. Question Mr. Hazare's unwillingness to run in the elections and specific examples of how the media overstepped the ethics of journalism in supporting Anna for TRPs. Pro-Anna posts aren't abused, but thoughtfully critiqued.

Youngest Female Sarpanch (Village Head) Makes Her Village IT-Enabled

It's a story that's actually many stories.

A village named Soda didn't have water. So the young sarpanch, Chhavi Rajawat (incidentally a young, female MBA graduate) got inquisitive about the funds allocated to the village. Since more had been spent than allocated, she raised funds on her own.

Money came from family and friends - 20 lakh rupees wasn't enough for the Rs 3.5 crore that the reservoir needed.

So Chhavi Rajawat got more even inquisitive about the funds sanctioned to her village. Files at the district headquarters in Tonk revealed a calculation error. Chavi decided to get proactive about the lack of transparency and accountability. Soda thus became India's first IT-enabled village, after tying up with a German software vendor to set up an internet and intranet portal. along with a technology education lab.

The portal allows Soda's 10,000 strong population 24x7 access to the funds sanctioned for the village.

There's also online postings of birth and death certificates, besides posting land records online.

"A fire in Tonk had destroyed land records of many villages," says Rajawat. "This ERP (enterprise resource planning) application will have an electronic database, and store all land records in servers."

Rajawat recently represented India at a recent UN poverty summit.

"Most youth in the village are unemployed, as they don't have higher education due to absence of a college. We want to change that with e-education," says she.

There's even a website, www.soda-india.in where Chavi posts info about funds allocated for projects such as a village bank, community centre for weddings and cataract surgery for the needy.

Theres even plans to link Soda's portal with the state government's websites.This will make Soda the first fully computerized Panchayat in India. While there has been a sanction by the Central government (Rs 4,500 crore) for the e-panchayat project, matters of fund allocation and project monitoring are not clearly mentioned. (MensXP.com)

Source: http://in.lifestyle.yahoo.com/youngest-female-sarpanch-makes-village-enabled-105116396.html

Anti corruption movement, Anna phenomenon and the youth in India

Anna Hazare, widely known as the last Gandhian, who forced the federal government to agree to introduce stringent anti-graft legislation, has become a rallying point for youths in India. The 71-year-old former Indian army driver-turned-social reformer’s five-day hunger-strike, at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi galvanized youths across religions. It also imitated freedom fighter Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi who drove the mighty British imperialists out of India. Hundreds of thousands of people joined Hazare’s crusade. As the wave of support grew into an avalanche through candle-lit rallies in many towns and cities in India and from around the world through social network sites such as Facebook and Twitter, the April 5-9 fast for an anti-graft law shook the Congress-led federal government and brought it to its knees to concede to the popular demand. Hazare would not have evoked such unprecedented public support had it not been for his austere Gandhian lifestyle. The white topi (cap) worn and popularized by Gandhi is back, and has captured the popular imagination of the masses. Writing about the “Father of the Nation,” Einstein said that “generations to come will scarcely believe that such a one as this [Gandhi] ever in flesh and blood walked on this earth.” The half-naked fakir touched the scientist deeply. The next generation who will not see the last Gandhian - Hazare - in the flesh will perhaps express similar sentiments.Born Kisan Baburao Hazare, his journey from the non-descript Yadavbaba temple in Ralegan Siddhi, a village of 3,000 near Pune where he lives, to becoming a youth icon has been a remarkable four-decade long story.
Hazare’s singular motive to rid the country of corruption, especially in government, ignited the masses which have had to bribe officials to obtain basic documents such as passports or birth and death certificates. Two things changed the frail man’s life dramatically and spurred him into being the icon to the younger generation that he is today - poverty and divine intervention.



The voice of the youth against corruption is gathering momentum on campuses all around the country. Irrespective of political affiliations, students are in favour of the cause espoused by Anna Hazare’s anti-corruption campaign.Anna Hazare’s agitation has highlighted many a disconnect in today’s political setup. There is the disconnect between the young and the old schools in the Congress. The younger lot of MPs fear an Anna wave against corruption while the veterans hope to ride the Anna storm with the traditional recipe of caste combinations during elections. The public rhetoric by the MPs is different from their private views. Many are apprehensive that the 74-year-old man who has drawn a huge response from ordinary people all across the country — in all probability even he did not expect it — is making them redundant. The MPs, cutting across party lines, have to pay lip service to Anna because of the current public sentiment. The government, which sent him to Tihar jail, has suddenly started ‘saluting’ him, and Congress spokesman Manish Tewari has even apologised to Anna for calling him corrupt. The fear of being made irrelevant has united the political class to take up the issue of ‘Parliament’s supremacy’ and enacting laws following the due process, which includes referring it to the Standing Committee. Anna cannot be allowed to dictate a timeline or the contents of a bill to Parliament, they say. For, if they accept it, they would have no role though people have elected them.
If they give in to Anna’s demands, it would open a Pandora’s box, they claim. What if several thousand Kashmiris hold an indefinite fast demanding an independent Kashmir and threaten to die if their demand is not met? What would happen if several thousand Sangh supporters demand building the Ram temple at the disputed spot in Ayodhya? Or hundreds of millions insist that the government does away with OBC reservation in jobs and institutions… Should the government give in to all these demands just because thousands congregate and there is a fear that some may die? While politicians have a point, it is also true that they have suddenly woken up to their rights and duties as parliamentarians. Nobody squeaks when 17 bills are passed in an hour or when demands for grants are guillotined year after year within a few seconds. And, as those gathered at Ramlila are quick to point out, politicians themselves have brought the situation upon themselves. The fact is people are now finding a connection between the high-level loot (the entire Anna episode has to be seen against the backdrop of the 2G spectrum allocation scam and the Commonwealth Games 2010 scam) and their plight as they have to battle rising prices and unemployment. Though a handful at Ramlila might have actually studied the pros and cons of the Jan Lokpal Bill, they support it because they suspect the intent of the government and the political class. Today, Anna’s bill has become synonymous with the fight against corruption. His indefinite fast has touched many hearts, mostly urban, middle class and net-savvy Indians. But MPs admit the more the agitation lingers, the deeper will be the impact on the country. Already several MPs have been gheraoed in the hinterland. For good or for bad, Anna has captured the moment. Given the support he has, he is no longer pushing for just a discussion on his bill in Parliament. That was his demand about a month ago. Now, he wants Parliament to pass the bill and in his given timeframe. Naturally, this is difficult for every political party as MPs will have no leeway in government matters. Whatever the outcome of Anna’s agitation — and the situation is still fluid — he has given a jolt to the political class. Let us hope that the agitation will strengthen both the citizenry and the functioning of Parliament.
Padmaraj Menon, a final-year law student, said he backed the new Jan Lokpal Bill suggested by Anna Hazare. “There is a quote that goes like this; ‘Corruption is more dangerous than prostitution.’ Prostitution may endanger the moral values of an individual but corruption endangers the moral and ethical fabric of the entire nation. The level of corruption indicates the economic backwardness of the country. So I am supporting the bill.
Sanitha T S, a post-graduate student of Maharaja’s College has no doubt regarding her stand. “Fight against corruption is always good for society. I express my solidarity to Anna’s movement,” she said.

The crusade against corruption unleashed by Anna Hazare has given a platform for each and everyone to voice their opinions they have been pent-up for long. In connection with this, seminars and discussions were held in many colleges.
“The campaign is not to support a person but to back a noble cause. We support it whole-heartedly. There are many offices like village offices and police stations where people often knock for help. But it has become a breeding place for corruption. So it is good that these offices come under the purview of the bill,” said Janardhana Shenoy, general secretary, SFI.
Though they are supporting Anna’s cause they have their apprehensions too. “The campaign against corruption is always welcome. But it should not throw any challenge to the existing Parliamentary system. The first and major step in this regard is to eschew bribe,” said Jinto John, district president, KSU, Kerala.
For infotech professional Sachin Dombe, the Independence Day weekend starting on August 13 indeed became an extended one. He decided to extend his leave by a day on Tuesday, citing support for anti-corruption crusader, Anna Hazare’s Lokpal Bill movement, as the reason. Hazare, in his appeal televised across the country on Monday and Tuesday, urged people to participate in a mass movement to coincide with his fast-unto-death stir from Tuesday in support of a strong Lokpal Bill.
More than 40 voluntary groups in Pune organised a rally from Nal Stop to Balgandharva Chowk on Tuesday morning to support Hazare. Nearly 3,000 youth participated in the agitation. At Balgandharva Chowk, the volunteers sat on a relay fast and a makeshift pandal was set up opposite Balgandharva Rangmandir. They raised slogans and sang patriotic songs. Dombe was one of the many young professionals who took the day off to participate in this movement.



“I have taken a day off on Tuesday to be present for the rally and the relay fast,” said Dombe, who carried an “arrest me” placard and wore an “I am Anna” Gandhi cap. Like him, many other youngsters were in the forefront of the protest. Telecom professional Deboshri Mitra travelled from Kharadi to participate in the rally and the relay fast. She had taken the day off on Tuesday and was planning to decide whether to take leave on Wednesday too. Her colleague, Harshal Marathe’s leave was not sanctioned, yet he made it a point to be present for the rally on Tuesday morning. “We have been conducting the campaign on behalf of the India Against Corruption (IAC) in our company and our friends since April this year,” he said.
The Internet is being extensively used by young information technology (IT) and other professionals from Pune to spread the word.
“The Facebook page of IAC is flooded with hits and we are updating the latest news on it,” he said.
Vikas Sutar and Shrikant Sapkal, who were among the protesters in Pune, said they felt this was a ‘now or never’ situation as far as the Lokpal Bill was concerned. They felt compelled to participate in the public movement.

Reference:
http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/report_annas-jolt-exposes-gaping-disconnects-neerja-chowdhury_1580149
http://expressbuzz.com/cities/kochi/citys-youth-find-a-saviour-in-anna-hazare/306977.html
http://www.dnaindia.com/mumbai/report_youth-force-backs-anna-hazare-in-pune_1576832
http://www.cathnewsindia.com/2011/05/09/anna-hazare-becomes-a-youth-icon/

How Anna Hazare became the face of anti corruption movement

We for sure need a Lokpal Bill because it will bring in a clean government. Anna Hazare should be worshipped for what he is doing," Sonu, a barber, told me earlier this week. Not just Sonu, but many I chatted with believe the Lokpal can be a solution to all their problems, from water supply to ration cards to gas connections. So what do we understand from the Sonus of this world?
A) Many supporting Anna Hazare's movement don't have the slightest clue about the specifics of the bill. They think the Lokpal is a magic cure for all the ills in the country.
B) Team Anna (led by Arvind Kejriwal) has captured the imagination of everyone tired of the bureaucratic and political corruption in this country. Their call to fight 'corruption' with a 'fast' is working wonderfully in mobilising people.

What is being forgotten in all this is that the team is offering a simplistic solution to a complex problem. Team Anna is offering a quick fix to corruption via the Jan Lokpal Bill.
Khristina, a journalist, says when people see something good happening, they instantly want to become a part of it.
"Even when there's an illusion of something good, we would want to be a part of it. I guess this happens because all of us want to be a part of the 'greater good'; to say 'I was there'. Of course, there could also be a 'herd mentality' at work. In fact, many may not fully understand Anna's 'Fight Against Corruption' and its implications, but the knowledge that it may result in something good is causing this frenzy," she explains.
This is where Team Anna have got their strategy right: they are fighting for the good and the betterment of the nation. A vast majority feel they should be behind Anna Hazare and support the movement. On the other hand, the government has failed to explain its stand to the nation. Its communication strategy, if it has one at all, has failed miserably. Jharna, a cricket journalist, says: "I feel Anna and his supporters are trying to rouse public sentiment against established evils like corruption, but the resulting wave will do very little towards actually getting rid of bribery in daily life. The leaders are merely encouraging blind faith and putting themselves on pedestals to be worshipped the same way modern-day politicians do."

How the UPA lost the plot

How has such a mass movement built up over the last couple of months? The UPA has much to answer for. Instead of trying to bring to book people behind its mega-scams, it was busy cementing its coalition and running down activists behind the Lokpal movement. From maligning protesters to spreading rumours, the government has tried several dirty tricks. What it hasn't done is to tell the misinformed masses what the Jan Lokpal bill is all about and how it can't solve all the nation's problems.
The government isn't speaking lucidly about how our country already has independent agencies such as the Central Vigilance Commission, the Comptroller and Auditor General's office, the Election Commission, and the Central Bureau of Investigation to fight corruption. A Lokpal would only add to the long list of investigating bodies in the country.
Instead of explaining why it is against Team Anna's version of the Lokpal, it goes about arresting Anna and creating a huge sympathy wave for protesters, bringing back memories of the Emergency era. Anna's arrest catalysed common citizens. It made them take to the streets as they saw the government's action as undemocratic, an obstruction of their rights. The Congress has spoken in many voices, confounding the issue further. From a minister calling Anna Hazare mad to Abhishek Manu Singhvi announcing the government is open to discussing 80 per cent of the bill, the UPA has made a farce of the issue. Manu Singhvi's statement shows that the government was ready to extend an olive branch only when things seemed to be going out of control. The government has blamed Lokpal activists of compromising India's security and integrity, when there was no vandalism, and even a basic law-and-order problem was not in evidence. Some Congressmen were so foolish as to draw a parallel between the recent London riots, comparing anti-corruption protesters to hooligans.

These are the mistakes that have fuelled the public sentiment against the government. Kapil Sibal says Anna is undemocratic. Manmohan Singh says his government is taking the strictest possible action against the corrupt, but everyone knows how he had no role in nailing those guilty in the 2G and the Commonwealth Games scam. It was only after our apex court intervened that arrests were made.
This is proof enough that the government is not serious about curbing corruption

anti corruption movement is touching the grassroot

Yesterday was an iconic day when Mumbai citizens were deprived of their dabbas (packed foods/ lunch boxs) at offices. Striking work for the first time in their 120-year-old history, Mumbai's famed dabbawalas (who deliver more than two lakh dabbas to offices every day, have a “six-sigma” certified error rate — reportedly on the order of one mistake per 6 million deliveries) Friday extended support to anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare in his fight for a stronger Lokpal bill (anti corruption bill to include even the Prime Minister in its power of action). 'Dabbawalas joined in large numbers to lend their support to Annaji,' said Nutan Dabbawala Trust president Raghunath Medge. 'They all wore caps with Anna's name on it and marched peacefully on the side of the road from Churchage station to Azad Maidan (in south Mumbai) without disrupting any traffic. This is Anna's way of peaceful protest,' he added.

Nearly two lakh Mumbaikars depend on the dabbawalas for lunch. But this Friday, they either ate at their office canteen, or ordered from or visited a neighbourhood restaurant -- if they were not on a holiday due to Navroz, the Parsi New Year. Meanwhile, those who had a working day Friday complained of being deprived of home-made food. For finance professional Akshay Magji, it was an 'additional pressure' to eat from outside. 'It has been an additional pressure on me. Yesterday (Thursday) buses and trains disrupted the local commute. Now with dabbawalas on strike, I was forced to eat outside in some restaurant. It took over an hour, plus I didn't get to eat home-made food,' he rued. Raghunath Medge, however, said that they called for strike Friday keeping in mind that most offices will be closed owing to Navroz. 'I agree that our valued customers were inconvenienced owing to the strike call, but I am sure it will be a small percentage,' he said. Those like Khantil Shah, who had a holiday, were relaxed. 'Yesterday (Thursday) when I heard about the dabbawalas' strike, I thought I would have to waste time and money to eat at a restaurant. But then I remembered it is a holiday and relaxed,' said Shah, a public relations professional who has been ordering tiffins the past three years.

Nutan Dabbalwala Trust secretary Kiran Gavande said: 'We are breaking our 120-year-old tradition by not providing tiffins today (Friday). This is the least we can do to support Annaji.' Speaking at Mumbai's Azad Maidan day before yesterday, Sopan Laxman Mare, President of the Mumbai Lunch Box Suppliers Association, said the dabbawalas, renowned in the world for their efficiency, would go on strike for the first time in their 120-year history. "We have already pledged our support to Anna Hazare. He is fighting against corruption for the people of the country. 5000 dabbawalas and 200,000 customers will go on strike on Friday in support of Anna's movement," Mare added. He also said that while bad weather and natural calamities had never made the dabbawalas to take a day off, Hazare's fight against corruption was a much bigger issue as such they had resolved to join him this national cause.

The Mumbai dabbawalas, with their never-say-die attitude have, delivered tiffins to their customers regardless of prevailing situations. “Even during the July 26 floods, we have delivered tiffins to all our customers. Many dabbawalas starved for hours but only went home after the job was complete. This is a special occasion and we will definitely pledge our support to Anna,” Mr Mare added. He also said that the one-day strike will not create trouble for the Mumbaikers. “The Mumbaikers have strong willpower and one-day strike will not make so much trouble for them. In fact, many of them will be joining us in the rally,” said Mr Mare.


Photo & information source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/industry-and-economy/economy/article2369850.ece?homepage=true
http://www.indianexpress.com/news/for-anna-mumbais-dabbawalas-to-take-a-.../833839/

Read more: http://itsscrapped.blogspot.com/2011/08/why-should-i-care.html
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/delhi/Scarcity-of-water-at-Anna-Hazares-protest-venue/articleshow/9672272.cms
http://www.annahazare.org/

few TV commercials that cought the AIOs of young India

Here’s few Indian commercials which catches the best of Indian youth’s AIOs (Attitude, Interest, Openion)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qDuUIww9AIU

(Cadbury India’s ad)

This ad shows how important it is (for any Indian youth) to pass in an exam…play cards... meet a Bollywood celebrity…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rwi-T1l6znU

(Cadbury India’s ad)

Respecting the elders is still a valued tradition

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaPh9kGS0v0&feature=related

(Cadbury India’s ad)

Gifting at Diwali (Indian festive) is very emotional…in India

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asEn619BfaM

(Cadbury India’s ad)

Family is most important to an youth in India. You can see, a teddy is an integral part of a teenager!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i6dEI6D_rcI

(Cadbury India’s ad)

Relationship…love…female are becoming more “smart” than male…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2wBnjtmmg8&feature=related

young couple's family romance…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efRNKkmWdc0

(Vodafone’s ad)

The character Zoozoo was very popular among youth…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=26MLjHFK4Jk

(Samsung guru ad)

On, how important is music in an Indian youth’s life…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pk4ru6_YAs0&feature=fvwrel

(Samsung Guru double sim ad)

This shows that parent’s approval is most important, in every purchase…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRm6avC_85I&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JxzrGBc2d_o&feature=related

(Samsung)

Mobile is a tool to maintain relationship…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M5ECJrnqPcI

(tata tea)

How youth are voicing against corrupted political leaders

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qQSz7nnTUP4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTuJNPZlreM&feature=related

(tata tea)

Against bribing

Dhruv Lakra and the Mirakle Courier - a tale of new India

The new generation of young entrepreneurs in India are creating new directions for business opportunities as well as social responsibility. Dhruv Lakra, an MBA graduate from Oxford started Mirakle Couriers, a courier company with a difference which employs only deaf and dumb youths. A courier service requires minimal use of speech and hearing, which is why Dhruv thought of starting this business for the specially abled people. Barring the 4 management staff, all employees are hearing disabled. He has 2 branches in Mumbai and already plans to go pan India in the long run.



In his own words Dhruv stated a moving tale of how he got this idea: "Once upon a time, Dhruv was sitting on a bus next to a young boy looking eagerly out the window. In fact he was not just eager but actually being very restless. He was looking around anxiously, seeming slightly lost. Dhruv asked him where he was going but the boy did not respond. It took him a few seconds to realise that this boy was unable to hear or speak. He was deaf. Though the bus conductor regularly announced the stops this boy still did not know where he was. Dhruv took out a piece of paper and wrote to him in Hindi asking him where he was going. Through the back and forth pen and paper exchange, it suddenly dawned on Dhruv how difficult life was for the deaf. Something as straightforward as a bus became a struggle...It is an invisible disability. You can not know when someone near you is deaf as there are no obvious physical attributes, and so its totally ignored. It is also a silent (voiceless) disability. There is very little public sympathy for the deaf, and by connection, a severe lack of government support for them in India. Particularly when it comes to employment there are no opportunities because no one has the patience or the foresight to learn deaf language and culture. This is how Mirakle Couriers was born...Over the next few months Dhruv spent time exploring the deaf culture and learning Indian Sign Language. He focused on a courier business because it requires a lot of visual skills but no verbal communication. The deaf are extremely good at maps reading, remembering roads and buildings because they are so visually inclined...Over the last two years Mirakle Couriers has grown to operate in 2 Branches in the city, employing 70 deaf employees and delivering over 65,000 shipments per month. We have won several awards including the 2009 Hellen Keller award and the 2010 National Award for the Empowerment of People With Disabilities."




INgene salutes the spirit of "new India" in the morning of 64th independence day of the nation.

India infographics

Source: http://in.news.yahoo.com/india--stats--facts-and-trivia.html

my article

my article available online: http://www.imagesfashion.com/content/ContentDetail.aspx?pg=1&cid=1023

"slut walk" and "Changing the attitude towards women"

In every 29 minutes, a rape case is reported in Delhi (UNIFEM 2010). Besides Delhi has the dubious reputation of being one of the world’s most unsafe cities for women and to its utmost surprise, nothing is being carried out to salvage its image except a few news conferences and some unplanned patrolling. Recent cases of gang rapes have left the city shamefaced in which a 30 year old BPO employee was molested in a moving car and more recently when an 18-year old met the same fate.

However, the accused were caught by police after rigorous patrolling and checking but one can ask, is it necessary that there should be a heinous crime to wake our police officials from a deep slumber? Can’t one ask when will be the capital of India be a safe place to live like other foreign cities like Seoul?

Evident from the crimes that occurred just in a week time, point the finger towards the non-serious police officials. For instance, the Dhaula Kuan rape case in which 5 people were arrested were also booked earlier in separate crimes and surprisingly they were let off on bail. Other cases which reflect the same police apathy include the Mongolpuri rape case and Rohini stabbing episode in which a person attacked five girls with surgical blades.

Likewise, a Seemapuri woman was gang raped by six men in a moving car on 6th December but no FIR was registered by the police against the accused for two days. The action was initiated only after the doctors from GTB hospital confirmed it as a rape case.

Judicial system also lags behind in bringing the culprits to books. Few days back, a convict Mukesh Kumar was sentenced to death for raping and murdering a 14 year girl. But it took five years for the judiciary to punish the guilty. Some politicians give such incidents a U turn by portraying it a handiwork of migrants and some others blame the opposition parties which, unfortunately they are not doing it for people but for their own political gain. Statistics available with Delhi police show that 83% of people involved in crime are from Delhi, while only 17% were found to be outside.

70% of women feel unsafe in Delhi compared to Gurgaon's 65%. Survey shows that 64% of women have been personally harassed or eve teased. But what about those women whose voice is never heard or who don’t want to be named or does not have faith in the justice system. The records show that it is the eve teasers who got emboldened when they don’t get the required punishment.

And it is not only the case of our capital city Delhi. A look on the current status available in leading newspapers show that Madhya Pradesh tops the list of rape cases and Manipur is perched at the bottom. In every nook and corner of India there is eve teasing, molestation, rape and murder either by the officials or by a common man. Work place molestation is a day to day routine now and to its utmost disgrace no one is bothered about it.

As per National Crime Records Bureau Data a total of 21,467 rape cases were reported in 2008, which increased substantially to 3.5 per cent over 2007. Provisional data for 2009 shows that 21,397 rape cases were reported during the year.

Madhya Pradesh reported as many as 2,937 cases, accounting for 13.7 per cent and highest of total rape cases, followed by West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh at 2,263 and 1,871 cases respectively. These states were followed by Maharashtra (1,558), Assam (1,438), Rajasthan (1,355) and Bihar (1,302). The lowest number of cases were reported from Nagaland (19).

"Rape is one of the most violent forms of crimes against women, which not only impacts her bodily integrity but in the long-run, impairs her capacity to develop meaningful personal and social relationships, and affects her life and livelihood," Minister of State for Women and Child Development Krishna Tirath said in a meeting. She said the Supreme Court had directed the National Commission for Women (NCW) to evolve a "scheme so as to wipe out the tears of unfortunate victims of rape" (Source: http://www.merinews.com/article/delhi-capital-city-or-rape-city/15839155.shtml)

So, the much-awaited and controversial Delhi SlutWalk — titled SlutWalk Arthaat Besharmi Morcha — got going on Sunday, with a loud call for society to change its attitude rather than force women to hide indoors. While it lacked the lingerie, fishnet stockings and skimpy clothing of its western versions, the march still managed to bring more than 250 supporters to Jantar Mantar with bright signs and loud chants.

The run- up to the protest had promised celebs, including Nafisa Ali and Gul Panag, but the only one who turned up was Nafisa. The actress- activist, who stressed the importance of gender equality education at home, said the movement was strengthening by the minute and that it was time the practice of blaming women for rapes and molestations was discouraged.

Source: http://in.lifestyle.yahoo.com/photos/it-s-a-start-delhi-s-walk-of-no-shame-1312183273-slideshow/

The Slut Walk has had its fair share of supporters and cynics. The women who are supporting it believe that its high time that women reacted to the vulnerability they are subjected to owing to the onslaught of baseless judgements of the society and that women should be free to wear whatever they want without being held accountable for other people’s behaviour. The criticisms are basically directed towards the name i.e Slut Walk. People feel the name is not appropriate. It is seen as insulting and derogatory. The founders and the supporters of the movement have justified the name by saying that “we want to reclaim the word ‘slut’ and use it in a positive, empowering way. Historically, it has been used by misogynists to degrade women who are sexually assertive – whilst men in the same position have been hailed as ‘studs’ or ‘ladies’ men’. We wish to make it know that women are well within their rights to have consensual sex and to display their sexuality however they like”. Moreover, in a city like Delhi, it is felt that the protest march may become a visual with no or little impact.

The Slut Walk is a good initiative and is addressing an important issue but what is required to make movements like these successful is sensitizing the society. Women should be respected and so should their rights to live their life the way they want. Read more at the website of Besharmimorcha: http://www.besharmimorcha.in/

More reference: http://www.ndtv.com/video/player/the-9-o-clock-news/slutwalk-delhi-copycat-feminism/206640

http://www.youthkiawaaz.com/2011/06/slut-walk-delhi-a-fight-to-reclaim-dignity-and-rights/