If political parties adhere to the directives of ECI, this year India can have eco-friendly Lok Sabha elections
Election Commission of India (ECI) has asked political parties to avoid the use of plastic during the course of election campaigning. The moral code of conduct from ECI says the political parties should try to avoid the use of plastic/polythene in the making of posters, banners, etc. If political parties adhere to the directives of ECI, this year India can have eco-friendly Lok Sabha elections.
Even after the order, the market is flooded with a host of plastic made election campaigning material. The range includes, flags, banners, posters, streamers and so on.
Retired chief environment engineer with UP Pollution Control Board KK Sharma appreciated the EC move but said, "As of now, success of the stand depends on the will of the political parties. Lets hope the stand acts as a deterrent against the non-biodegradable monster-plastic."
Several political parties welcomed the step. The Congress high-command for instance, has directed its members to follow the instruction in letter and spirit. "In wake of the same, we have already placed order for glazed paper flags, buntings and streamers," UP Congress chief, Rita Bahuguna Joshi told TOI over phone.
The move would mean more expenditure on campaigning material as plastic come at much cheaper rates.
The move would mean more expenditure on campaigning material as plastic come at much cheaper rates. Rajesh Kumar who claims to supply election material to ten states said, "the input cost in the material had increased. The effect was obvious on the sale price."
He also took the chance to display a host of paper and cloth-made election material. Kumar has come up with unique replacements. For example: for his Bahujan Samaj Party buyers, suppliers are offering bangles in BSP blue. Those from Samajwadi Party and the Congress have the option of buying paper-made tea-coffee mugs. Women Congress workers may also get tri-colour hairbands and wristbands. Then there are caps and badges for all parties. Flags made of satin cloth are the latest addition in the segment.
Source: Times of India
Monday, March 16, 2009
Renewed Effort by Delhi to save River Yamuna
After the innumerous failed campaigns with billions went wasted, there is one more “Clean Yamuna Campaign” initiated by Delhiites………..
After the innumerous failed attempts, there is one more effort to save India’s one of the most polluted and pious rivers, Yamuna. As per the news report of ANI, hundreds of delhiites, students and environmentalists have come forward in a campaign to save the river from further pollution.
In the last week of February 2009, all the enthusiastic gathered at the Jamia Milia Islamia University’s Ansari Auditorium holding placards and banners and raising slogans in favour of cleaning of the river Yamuna.
ANI writes in its news report, at the function, Tajendra Khanna, Delhi lieutenant Governor urged the residents to unite for the campaign.
He further said that the motive of this campaign was to increase the participation of people in the “Clean Yamuna Campaign”.
He also mentioned that the Supreme Court had given green signal to the 2.5 billion rupees ''Yamuna Action Plan II'' and hoped that in 18 months time, the condition of the river would change.
The Yamuna Action Plan was launched in 1993, with the aim of conserving the river has met with no success despite billions being spent on it.
While 60 per cent of Delhi''s water needs are fulfilled by Yamuna, almost the same percentage of the city''s sewage finds its way into the river.
The national capital alone produces 3.6 billion litre of sewage every day, but due to poor management, less than half of it is effectively treated.
The remaining untreated waste is dumped into the Yamuna River.
After the innumerous failed attempts, there is one more effort to save India’s one of the most polluted and pious rivers, Yamuna. As per the news report of ANI, hundreds of delhiites, students and environmentalists have come forward in a campaign to save the river from further pollution.
In the last week of February 2009, all the enthusiastic gathered at the Jamia Milia Islamia University’s Ansari Auditorium holding placards and banners and raising slogans in favour of cleaning of the river Yamuna.
ANI writes in its news report, at the function, Tajendra Khanna, Delhi lieutenant Governor urged the residents to unite for the campaign.
He further said that the motive of this campaign was to increase the participation of people in the “Clean Yamuna Campaign”.
He also mentioned that the Supreme Court had given green signal to the 2.5 billion rupees ''Yamuna Action Plan II'' and hoped that in 18 months time, the condition of the river would change.
The Yamuna Action Plan was launched in 1993, with the aim of conserving the river has met with no success despite billions being spent on it.
While 60 per cent of Delhi''s water needs are fulfilled by Yamuna, almost the same percentage of the city''s sewage finds its way into the river.
The national capital alone produces 3.6 billion litre of sewage every day, but due to poor management, less than half of it is effectively treated.
The remaining untreated waste is dumped into the Yamuna River.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Impact of Climate Change
Dryland in IndiaPhoto Credit: UNDP
Kavas village, RajasthanPhoto Credit: UNDP
In the past two decades, four islands of Sundarbans - Bedford, Lohachara, Kabasgadi and Suparibhanga - have sunk into the sea and 6,000 families have been made homeless
Map of changes in the thickness of mountain glaciers since 1970. Orange and red colors indicate thinning, blue colors indicate thickening
Satellite image of Gangotri Glacier in India showing its decline since a maximum. It has been noticed that between 1977 and 1990, the Gangotri glacier retreated by as much as 364 meters or about one-third of a kilometer. 
Photo credit: Dunedin Canmore Housing AssociationA project in Slateford in Edinburgh, Scotland, which has built car-free eco-green housing
Photo credit: AkuppaPeople carrying banners and skeletons on the National Climate Change march in London on November 4, 2006
Photo credit: Mark Wolfe/FEMA photoThese images were taken by Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), in Gulfport, Mississippi, USA, on September 8 2005 and on August 11 2006, during and after the cleanup of debris from around the Memorial Hospital in Gulfport
More than 45 million cubic yards of land-based debris was left in Mississippi by Hurricane Katrina
Photo credit: Benjamin Pender
People carrying banners in the shape of cloud weather symbols on the National Climate Change march and Carnival of Climate Chaos in London on November 4 2006
People carrying banners in the shape of cloud weather symbols on the National Climate Change march and Carnival of Climate Chaos in London on November 4 2006
Friday, June 6, 2008
INDIAN KIDS ARE ON GREENING DRIVE
How about a marker pen with red chilli or turmeric ink? Or a mosquito repellent produced from papaya leaves?
Budding scientists from Maharashtra and Gujarat have come up with these products, receiving recognition at an international science fair.
Venkatraman and her classmate Neha Kulkarni, products of Modern English School, Mumbai have developed an extract from the leaves of papaya that can control mosquitoes. They studied the efficacies of the extract for several months and found that ''the mortality rate of mosquitoes was 86 percent''.
Their product is completely bio-natural and cost effective. It doesn't cause any harm to the soil, plants and human beings
''We collected papaya leaves, crushed them to make an extract, diluted it in water and studied its effect on mosquitoes in different stages,'' Kulkarni told IANS.
Venkatraman and Kulkarni showcased their innovations at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (IISEF) in US last month and bagged the third prize beating nearly 1,500 young innovators from across the world.
Similarly, another pair of budding scientists from the S.G. Dholakiya Memorial High School in Rajkot, Gujarat, has produced marker pen ink from chilli (red ink), turmeric (yellow), carrot (saffron) and even rose petals (pink).
''First, all different types of coloured vegetables are taken and crushed separately. This solution is boiled at 100 degrees Celsius for nearly 20 minutes. It is kept for self-cooling and after nearly an hour, the dye is prepared,'' said Pooja Dholakiya.
''Kerosene is added in different proportions to the dye. Then 0.5 cm diameter cotton cording is taken and poured into the dye. After about one hour, people can use it as marker pen,'' explained Dholakiya's classmate Ridhi Dasani.
They too represented India at IISEF 2008. As a team they got a $1,000 award at the fair.
Seeing the young talent of India, Indian Science and Technology Minister, Kapil Sibal remarked, ''It's heartening to see that budding scientists are going eco-friendly. This is a good sign for both science and new innovations.''
Source: Indo Asian News Service
Budding scientists from Maharashtra and Gujarat have come up with these products, receiving recognition at an international science fair.
Venkatraman and her classmate Neha Kulkarni, products of Modern English School, Mumbai have developed an extract from the leaves of papaya that can control mosquitoes. They studied the efficacies of the extract for several months and found that ''the mortality rate of mosquitoes was 86 percent''.
Their product is completely bio-natural and cost effective. It doesn't cause any harm to the soil, plants and human beings
''We collected papaya leaves, crushed them to make an extract, diluted it in water and studied its effect on mosquitoes in different stages,'' Kulkarni told IANS.
Venkatraman and Kulkarni showcased their innovations at the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (IISEF) in US last month and bagged the third prize beating nearly 1,500 young innovators from across the world.
Similarly, another pair of budding scientists from the S.G. Dholakiya Memorial High School in Rajkot, Gujarat, has produced marker pen ink from chilli (red ink), turmeric (yellow), carrot (saffron) and even rose petals (pink).
''First, all different types of coloured vegetables are taken and crushed separately. This solution is boiled at 100 degrees Celsius for nearly 20 minutes. It is kept for self-cooling and after nearly an hour, the dye is prepared,'' said Pooja Dholakiya.
''Kerosene is added in different proportions to the dye. Then 0.5 cm diameter cotton cording is taken and poured into the dye. After about one hour, people can use it as marker pen,'' explained Dholakiya's classmate Ridhi Dasani.
They too represented India at IISEF 2008. As a team they got a $1,000 award at the fair.
Seeing the young talent of India, Indian Science and Technology Minister, Kapil Sibal remarked, ''It's heartening to see that budding scientists are going eco-friendly. This is a good sign for both science and new innovations.''
Source: Indo Asian News Service
An Individual Success Story
It's the World Environment Day. And the residents of Sealine in Pali Hill - one of Mumbai's most upscale suburbs - have started a new initiative.
They have come together to reduce their carbon footprint. And after turning over a new leaf, they're now on a mission to start an entire movement.
And all the credit for this goes to Navin Chandra - a 78-year-old retired chemical engineer.
Navin is on a mission. He has convinced all the residents of his building to lower their collective carbon footprint.
And he has done a lot of preparation for this.
He has installed solar panels on the rooftops, which provide for most of the society's power needs and ensure continuous hot water supply.
He has also started rainwater harvesting that ensures unlike other buildings in posh Pali Hill, Sealine never suffers from water shortage.
And vermiculture recycles all the garbage collected into a green space. This has always been a luxury in Mumbai, even for the posh localities.
From some initial resistance, Chandra now has the entire building backing him.
''I think its great. We are giving back to the environment instead of taking from it. It makes us in a sense citizens of the world,'' says Ranjini Ramachandran, a resident.
The residents have adopted a local park and the Carter Road promenade hoping their efforts will inspire a larger movement.
And Navin is happy.
''In Mumbai we face so much water and power shortage so its important we look for environment friendly solutions,'' he says.
Source: NDTV.com
They have come together to reduce their carbon footprint. And after turning over a new leaf, they're now on a mission to start an entire movement.
And all the credit for this goes to Navin Chandra - a 78-year-old retired chemical engineer.
Navin is on a mission. He has convinced all the residents of his building to lower their collective carbon footprint.
And he has done a lot of preparation for this.
He has installed solar panels on the rooftops, which provide for most of the society's power needs and ensure continuous hot water supply.
He has also started rainwater harvesting that ensures unlike other buildings in posh Pali Hill, Sealine never suffers from water shortage.
And vermiculture recycles all the garbage collected into a green space. This has always been a luxury in Mumbai, even for the posh localities.
From some initial resistance, Chandra now has the entire building backing him.
''I think its great. We are giving back to the environment instead of taking from it. It makes us in a sense citizens of the world,'' says Ranjini Ramachandran, a resident.
The residents have adopted a local park and the Carter Road promenade hoping their efforts will inspire a larger movement.
And Navin is happy.
''In Mumbai we face so much water and power shortage so its important we look for environment friendly solutions,'' he says.
Source: NDTV.com
Environment is Second Big Problem for Delhi
By Shilpi Aggarwal
Hey, Delhi congrats! It’s heartening to see that delhites are maturing up. We have finally started to wake up to the stark realities of deteriorating environment. Yesterday, I was watching the CNN-IBN’s State of the Environment show. And, it was appalling to see the results of their survey. Six metropolitans of India voted for environment as their second most problem beating sanitary and water, law and order, unemployment and even corruption. Unbelievable but yes, quite remarkable! And, when they were asked what they want for their cities – high rise buildings, luxury malls, or trees, 46% chose trees instead of cities. Still, Pretty high number!
Survey Poll indicated the growing concern for environment among urban India. It showed people care for and are willing to do something for the betterment of the environment.
But another aspect the show pointed toward is the gap between their concern and their lifestyle. It was shocking to see how people think when it comes to contribution to this alarming problem. 45% of people connect the problem of air pollution to the industries. They think the major contributor is the industries and their own vehicles come second. Majority are not aware that sewage from their homes goes to the rivers, contributing it in major way. More than 50% think their sewage go to Municipality drains. Undoubtedly, People are acutely feeling the heat of the people. But they are not connecting it to their lifestyle. Majority believes that only planting trees in a big way can solve the issue.
Although a guy came forward from Noida and admitted he takes bicycle to go to his office, he also made a point that many of his friends wants to do the same but unable to do so due to the lack of proper infrastructure. And, what was more heartening to see when a lady acknowledged that the environment is as important commodity as milk or petrol or any other. She was in fact ready to pay more for environment as well. There came a child whose family opts for public vehicles on weekdays and only take out car once a week for outing. Poll also shows the result that people don’t mind in using public transport given they are affordable, convenient, safe and high on comfort. And, the yes, it shows in the successful implementation of Metro project.
Yesterday’s CNN-IBN’s show was a clear picture of growing sense of Young Urban India towards the environment. Whereas the people of Europe and America vote for environment as an urgent social problem poorly, we in India have finally woke up to the call.
Hey, Delhi congrats! It’s heartening to see that delhites are maturing up. We have finally started to wake up to the stark realities of deteriorating environment. Yesterday, I was watching the CNN-IBN’s State of the Environment show. And, it was appalling to see the results of their survey. Six metropolitans of India voted for environment as their second most problem beating sanitary and water, law and order, unemployment and even corruption. Unbelievable but yes, quite remarkable! And, when they were asked what they want for their cities – high rise buildings, luxury malls, or trees, 46% chose trees instead of cities. Still, Pretty high number!
Survey Poll indicated the growing concern for environment among urban India. It showed people care for and are willing to do something for the betterment of the environment.
But another aspect the show pointed toward is the gap between their concern and their lifestyle. It was shocking to see how people think when it comes to contribution to this alarming problem. 45% of people connect the problem of air pollution to the industries. They think the major contributor is the industries and their own vehicles come second. Majority are not aware that sewage from their homes goes to the rivers, contributing it in major way. More than 50% think their sewage go to Municipality drains. Undoubtedly, People are acutely feeling the heat of the people. But they are not connecting it to their lifestyle. Majority believes that only planting trees in a big way can solve the issue.
Although a guy came forward from Noida and admitted he takes bicycle to go to his office, he also made a point that many of his friends wants to do the same but unable to do so due to the lack of proper infrastructure. And, what was more heartening to see when a lady acknowledged that the environment is as important commodity as milk or petrol or any other. She was in fact ready to pay more for environment as well. There came a child whose family opts for public vehicles on weekdays and only take out car once a week for outing. Poll also shows the result that people don’t mind in using public transport given they are affordable, convenient, safe and high on comfort. And, the yes, it shows in the successful implementation of Metro project.
Yesterday’s CNN-IBN’s show was a clear picture of growing sense of Young Urban India towards the environment. Whereas the people of Europe and America vote for environment as an urgent social problem poorly, we in India have finally woke up to the call.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Get your facts right Mr. Bush
By Shilpy Arora
“Prosperity in countries like India triggers increased demand for better Nutrition, which in turn leads to higher food prices” – says U.S. President George W Bush
You Guys (U.S. People):
• Constitute 5% of the world's population but consume 24% of the world's energy.
• On average, one American consumes as much energy as
o 2 Japanese
o 6 Mexicans
o 13 Chinese
o 31 Indians
o 128 Bangladeshis
o 307 Tanzanians
o 370 Ethiopians
• Eat 815 billion calories of food each day - enough to feed 80 millions
• Throw out 200,000 tons of edible food daily.
• Consume 159 gallon water daily, while more than half the world's population lives on 25 gallons.
• Destroyed 50% of wetlands, 90% of forests, and 99% of prairie in last two centuries.
• Feed 80% of the corn grown and 95% of the oats to livestock.
• Use 56% of available farmland for beef production and it takes 5,214 gallons of water to produce a pound of beef.
• Use as much commercial energy as 10 people in the developing world.
Other Facts
Our (rest of the world):
• 250 million people have died of hunger-related causes in the past quarter century — roughly 10 million each year.
• 1.7 billion people lack access to clean drinking water
• 25 million people are poisoned by pesticides in less developed countries, and over 20,000 die
• It takes an average of 25 gallons of water to produce a pound of wheat in modern Western farming systems.
But this old guy- President Bush has not gone through above facts. So the crux of the story is if u lack general knowledge u could be next U.S. President.
“Prosperity in countries like India triggers increased demand for better Nutrition, which in turn leads to higher food prices” – says U.S. President George W Bush
You Guys (U.S. People):
• Constitute 5% of the world's population but consume 24% of the world's energy.
• On average, one American consumes as much energy as
o 2 Japanese
o 6 Mexicans
o 13 Chinese
o 31 Indians
o 128 Bangladeshis
o 307 Tanzanians
o 370 Ethiopians
• Eat 815 billion calories of food each day - enough to feed 80 millions
• Throw out 200,000 tons of edible food daily.
• Consume 159 gallon water daily, while more than half the world's population lives on 25 gallons.
• Destroyed 50% of wetlands, 90% of forests, and 99% of prairie in last two centuries.
• Feed 80% of the corn grown and 95% of the oats to livestock.
• Use 56% of available farmland for beef production and it takes 5,214 gallons of water to produce a pound of beef.
• Use as much commercial energy as 10 people in the developing world.
Other Facts
Our (rest of the world):
• 250 million people have died of hunger-related causes in the past quarter century — roughly 10 million each year.
• 1.7 billion people lack access to clean drinking water
• 25 million people are poisoned by pesticides in less developed countries, and over 20,000 die
• It takes an average of 25 gallons of water to produce a pound of wheat in modern Western farming systems.
But this old guy- President Bush has not gone through above facts. So the crux of the story is if u lack general knowledge u could be next U.S. President.
Monday, April 7, 2008
Biofuels No More Green
By Shilpy Arora
Mr. Balvinder has one ambition in life – “to thrive on farm-grown fuels as it is best option to earn good money and get a tax credit of doing eco-friendly stuff first time in India.”
He is one of the many farmers of Northern India who are switching over to Biofuel production. A decade ago Indian farmers encashed upon Green Revolution and then IT, are now nosing their way to Biofuel production. Biofuel has become one of the most attractive catchphrases in India today.
The Government is also squandering a lot of funds to increase usage of Biofuels. But, it is unaware of fact that Biofuels will increase pressure on land and lift the crop prices to a record high.
Recent researches have shown that Biofuel is doing exactly the opposite of what its proponents intended. In fact, Biofuels are adding to Global Warming and devastating green cover of the planet.
The problem with most biofuels is that their production needs land and this leads to the destruction of forests that suck up huge amounts of carbon from the environment.
Countries that have ignored it until now are paying the price. While Brazil and U.S. are facing the shortage of food and increased carbon emission, according to a report by Wetlands International, Indonesia has destroyed so many wildernesses to grow palm oil trees for Biodiesel that its ranking among the world’s top carbon emitters has surged from 21st to third.
Another study has revealed that it will take more than 400 years of Biodiesel use to pay back the carbon emitted by directly clearing peat lands to grow palm oil and clearing grasslands to grow corn or sugarcane for ethanol has a payback period of 93 years.
Moreover, every acre of land used for growing Biofuel can be used to grow food crops and thus, Biofuels also add up to the shortage of food. Recently, a U.N. report says that Biofuels pit the 800 million people with cars against the 800 million people with hunger problems.
The crux of the story is, Biofuels are not at all good option for a poor nation like India. Yes, we need energy resources, but our Green cover is more precious than Biofuel production. We have to understand that Biofuel are no more green and scientists of the world should look for another feasible and flawless alternative.
Monday, March 17, 2008
India uncompromising on its economic growth
By Shilpi Aggarwal
At the recent meeting of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with Former United States vice President and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Al Gore, India made its stance very clear that it will not compromise on its economic growth for any target for carbon emission reduction.
Al Gore, a climate change crusader, tried its best to pursue Indian leaders to take the leadership in the fight against climate change. According to him, India should come forward for development of renewable technologies and do the same as it would have done in sectors like IT, pharma and steel, to name a few.
On being asked on India’s firm position that developing countries should be forced to make mandatory reductions in their carbon emissions, Al Gore said the developing countries have freedom to choose whatever targets they want to set.
However, India feels that before pressurizing developing nations, the world and UN should pressurize US who is the single largest emitter of carbons in the world and also the one who has done the least in solving the problem of global warming.
Today, all across the world, everybody is blaming each other and waiting for the other to come forward and take the initiative. Today, India is not doing it because US is not ready to do it. Tomorrow, China will not do it because India is not doing. We are sharing excuses. Amidst all these blame games, what is running out is time? And, our planet is heading towards destruction with each passing moment.
At the recent meeting of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with Former United States vice President and Nobel Peace Prize Winner Al Gore, India made its stance very clear that it will not compromise on its economic growth for any target for carbon emission reduction.
Al Gore, a climate change crusader, tried its best to pursue Indian leaders to take the leadership in the fight against climate change. According to him, India should come forward for development of renewable technologies and do the same as it would have done in sectors like IT, pharma and steel, to name a few.
On being asked on India’s firm position that developing countries should be forced to make mandatory reductions in their carbon emissions, Al Gore said the developing countries have freedom to choose whatever targets they want to set.
However, India feels that before pressurizing developing nations, the world and UN should pressurize US who is the single largest emitter of carbons in the world and also the one who has done the least in solving the problem of global warming.
Today, all across the world, everybody is blaming each other and waiting for the other to come forward and take the initiative. Today, India is not doing it because US is not ready to do it. Tomorrow, China will not do it because India is not doing. We are sharing excuses. Amidst all these blame games, what is running out is time? And, our planet is heading towards destruction with each passing moment.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Bura Na Mano Holi Hai!
By Shilpi Aggarwal
Hey guys, its holi again. Although I am not avid holi fan, but I strongly feel it’s a unique festival. There is no such festival like holi where you get up early only to get dirty, soiled and drenched. And there you are, elated with mischievous smile, eyeing for the target to splash the colors of fun and frolic. It is the only festival where you try to be in your worst old clothes. All in all, it’s an amazing festival.
But the only thing I loathe about this festival is the weird ritual of balloon throwing which starts two or three weeks before in advance. No, I don’t have anything against your fun but I don’t understand the fun in hurting anyone. I hope, it is needless to say, balloons can hurt the person very badly, in certain cases, it may lead to serious injuries, even loss of eyesight or hearing power.
Girls are the most preferred targets of water balloons during holi. They think twice before step out their homes. In every nook and corner of the city, there is guys hidden eyeing for their prey. On the streets, kids won’t scare of hitting a woman with water filled balloons but they don’t dare to touch a guy. Even, they know that it is only girls who can be their easy victim. What’s more, its not only kids alone but the big guys too behave rowdily. They pack into cars with all their weapons (water and color filled balloons and sometimes, eggs) in place and roam around the city only to find a girl. Sometimes, they forcefully smudge colors on their face (sometimes, to get touchy with the girls!)
Isn’t it disgusting when you are on your way to your workplace or for some important meeting, you made wet by the water balloons? I really don’t understand how you can have cheap and sadistic pleasure from other person’s discomfort.
The other day I was traveling in a bus and the girl sitting besides the windows was tried to hit by the water balloons. Thankfully, the window was closed and no such untoward incident happened. What’s more appalling is when these balloons are sometimes filled with gravels, dirty colors and even with muddy water.
Holi is the festival of fun, frolic and celebration. What kind of celebration is this, where the pleasure lies in hurting somebody? People don’t even realize how they would feel if the same prank is being played out on them. And hey, if you are forcing your friends and near and dear ones into your idea of fun, it’s still acceptable. But, how can you force a stranger into something when he isn’t interested? And, much to my shock, parents don’t see any wrong in these things and don’t teach these basic things to their kids. If you complaint, they would say,”Bura na mano holi hai!”
“On Monday, Ramesh Dave, a senior news editor with Samkaleen, a sister publication of this newspaper, paid dearly for somebody's idea of revelry. He happened to be sitting near the window of a local train, when a stone flung by a miscreant gouged out one of his eyes. This ugly incident recalled a similar one that occurred some years ago, when a young woman travelling in a Mumbai train and who happened to be standing near the doorway, had a water balloon filled with small stones flung at her. The balloon burst and the gravel inside it damaged her eyes irreparably. This time, Mumbai also reported the case of a 10-year-old boy who was smeared with some toxic substances by two young men on a romp. Not only did he lose a clump of his hair and suffer from a painful rash, he was left badly traumatised.
Over the years, the festival of colours has become synonymous with the most vile and violent forms of sexual harassment. A report by the Gender Study Group of Delhi University, based on a survey of sexual harassment on the campus, reported that such attacks reached their peak during Holi. According to this report, some 60.55 per cent of women hostelites of Delhi University complained of aggravated harassment during this festival. Many of them coped with it either by leaving the university before Holi or not stepping out of the hostel during the day. The attacks, the report noted, ranged from throwing balloons from fast-moving vehicles, and molesting women on the pretext of applying colour on them, to throwing condoms filled with water, hurling stones at them or forcibly dunking them in buckets of water. Only 11 per cent of students interviewed felt that the behaviour displayed during Holi was ``normal'' and a part of the spirit of Holi. Not surprisingly, most of the women interviewed reported experiencing the ``fear of being physically assaulted''. There is very little that individuals can do in the face of such organised and widespread barbarism. In fact, even police surveillance can go only so far and no further. The only way this crime can be tackled is by ordinary men and women condemning it in the strongest possible terms and building a strong public opinion against it. For too long has such behaviour masqueraded as traditional Holi revelry. This is to paint the festival of colour in the blackest hue. ” -Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay)Ltd.
Hey guys, its holi again. Although I am not avid holi fan, but I strongly feel it’s a unique festival. There is no such festival like holi where you get up early only to get dirty, soiled and drenched. And there you are, elated with mischievous smile, eyeing for the target to splash the colors of fun and frolic. It is the only festival where you try to be in your worst old clothes. All in all, it’s an amazing festival.
But the only thing I loathe about this festival is the weird ritual of balloon throwing which starts two or three weeks before in advance. No, I don’t have anything against your fun but I don’t understand the fun in hurting anyone. I hope, it is needless to say, balloons can hurt the person very badly, in certain cases, it may lead to serious injuries, even loss of eyesight or hearing power.
Girls are the most preferred targets of water balloons during holi. They think twice before step out their homes. In every nook and corner of the city, there is guys hidden eyeing for their prey. On the streets, kids won’t scare of hitting a woman with water filled balloons but they don’t dare to touch a guy. Even, they know that it is only girls who can be their easy victim. What’s more, its not only kids alone but the big guys too behave rowdily. They pack into cars with all their weapons (water and color filled balloons and sometimes, eggs) in place and roam around the city only to find a girl. Sometimes, they forcefully smudge colors on their face (sometimes, to get touchy with the girls!)
Isn’t it disgusting when you are on your way to your workplace or for some important meeting, you made wet by the water balloons? I really don’t understand how you can have cheap and sadistic pleasure from other person’s discomfort.
The other day I was traveling in a bus and the girl sitting besides the windows was tried to hit by the water balloons. Thankfully, the window was closed and no such untoward incident happened. What’s more appalling is when these balloons are sometimes filled with gravels, dirty colors and even with muddy water.
Holi is the festival of fun, frolic and celebration. What kind of celebration is this, where the pleasure lies in hurting somebody? People don’t even realize how they would feel if the same prank is being played out on them. And hey, if you are forcing your friends and near and dear ones into your idea of fun, it’s still acceptable. But, how can you force a stranger into something when he isn’t interested? And, much to my shock, parents don’t see any wrong in these things and don’t teach these basic things to their kids. If you complaint, they would say,”Bura na mano holi hai!”
“On Monday, Ramesh Dave, a senior news editor with Samkaleen, a sister publication of this newspaper, paid dearly for somebody's idea of revelry. He happened to be sitting near the window of a local train, when a stone flung by a miscreant gouged out one of his eyes. This ugly incident recalled a similar one that occurred some years ago, when a young woman travelling in a Mumbai train and who happened to be standing near the doorway, had a water balloon filled with small stones flung at her. The balloon burst and the gravel inside it damaged her eyes irreparably. This time, Mumbai also reported the case of a 10-year-old boy who was smeared with some toxic substances by two young men on a romp. Not only did he lose a clump of his hair and suffer from a painful rash, he was left badly traumatised.
Over the years, the festival of colours has become synonymous with the most vile and violent forms of sexual harassment. A report by the Gender Study Group of Delhi University, based on a survey of sexual harassment on the campus, reported that such attacks reached their peak during Holi. According to this report, some 60.55 per cent of women hostelites of Delhi University complained of aggravated harassment during this festival. Many of them coped with it either by leaving the university before Holi or not stepping out of the hostel during the day. The attacks, the report noted, ranged from throwing balloons from fast-moving vehicles, and molesting women on the pretext of applying colour on them, to throwing condoms filled with water, hurling stones at them or forcibly dunking them in buckets of water. Only 11 per cent of students interviewed felt that the behaviour displayed during Holi was ``normal'' and a part of the spirit of Holi. Not surprisingly, most of the women interviewed reported experiencing the ``fear of being physically assaulted''. There is very little that individuals can do in the face of such organised and widespread barbarism. In fact, even police surveillance can go only so far and no further. The only way this crime can be tackled is by ordinary men and women condemning it in the strongest possible terms and building a strong public opinion against it. For too long has such behaviour masqueraded as traditional Holi revelry. This is to paint the festival of colour in the blackest hue. ” -Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay)Ltd.
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