YOUTH FOR EQUALITY YOUTH FOR EQUALITY

Doctors’ strike, a national embarrassment!


As I was about to enter my kitchen at 11.45 at night, an SMS buzzed: “Ab tak 112!” It was one of my journalist friends circulating for the doctors’cause briefly indicating their plight. I stepped back and started visualising what our agitating doctors would be doing like at this odd hour of the dark and rainy night?

Will they be enjoying a gala time in this romantic atmosphere with colleagues or filling their empty stomachs with delicious food in the hiding?Well, for enjoyment sake I called up at AIIMS to verify how things were going on in reality.

I was flabbergasted after talking to a few highly exhausted voices on phone. I was informed at least 22 agitating students and junior resident doctors were still there, protesting a gross injustice being done to them with a proposed bill by the Centre intended at ostracizing the meritorious doctors.As most of us would switch TV channels to avoid “striking doctors”, they are living it in reality.

They are suffering enormous pain with each passing hour as 112 of the 134 protestors have already collapsed braving the day’s heat in the open. Believe it or not but they showed their iron will for one week (read 2,41,920 minutes or168 hours), without a piece of bread. For a hungry a hungry stomach and fainting soul every moment matters.

The ones, who were persuaded to leave All India Institute of Medical Sciences, have left their struggle for others to continue. These brilliant doctors in the making know they cannot match social activist Medha Paktkar who showed how to turn a protest embarrassing for the Government.

For, they are just like you or me or our brothers or sisters at home or in colleges.By they way, how many of us would dare such a feet for more than 48 hours for our right? Many of us could feel the pangs of hunger if we had ever tried a fast at home. But this time, it appears a fast unto death for these budding doctors. But who cares? We are not doctors. Why should we show support? They are not earthquake or flood victims.

They are not either any of our family members. Isn’t it? Really? Will good doctors benefit us in the long term or anybody else’s family? Aren’t these individuals those “saviours” who would ultimately stand as an iron shield between life and death of any of our beloved family members in emergency? They are the ones whom we would look forward to as God’s ultimate help.

But how callous our political leaders are turning out to be? Although it is the VVIPs like our politicians who would desperately search for the best trained hands in medical fraternity.

For, they can’t chances with any quota-tagged doctor of suspicious academic ‘excellence’.If we have ever got benefited by a doctor, it is time to show gratitude. After all it is not Union Minister Arjun Singh who would get treated by a doctor from an OBC (or, other backward class) category, it would be us or our family.

If we failed to express our solidarity to these suppressed doctors today, we would only be ensuring a tragic careless death by any raw hand of an OBC doctor in near future?Let’s rise to the occasion like an awaken society and support these doctors lying on the road!Anything’s possible! Just be united !

Miles to go before I sleep....I am here to visit your dream world with silent moves. I am looking around as a person who wish to contribute but don't know in which direction to move. If you allow, I can decorate your world with unimagined pearls of wisdom and affection for all.

Just awake from your sleep, this visitor has approched to know and feel every thought that you treasured for so long.I will see to it that I empathise every thought and express it all. But before I begin the odyssey , i see a long road ahead of friendship and I HAVE MILES TO GO BEFORE I SLEEP.....
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What makes us special ?

We all are special. We are needed by someone or the other at this place or the place we are yet to visit. Becaue we have come on this planet for a cause.

If this is what we have heard many a times or read somewhere, why do we hesitate to believe it. Why do we underestimated our worth? We have, perhaps, allowed so many people to evaluate or pass decision what is good or bad in us or suitable or unsuitable for our kind of persons.

Is it really wise that our vechicle of life is being driven by others? Or, we just want to remain a child who needs someone 'extraordinary' to tell us about our own hidden beauty?

It suprised to think how most of the times we tend to allow any individual to judge our worth as per his or her level of judgement?

Be it air, water, birds, animals or friends everything holds a distinct meaning to us despite what others have told us to believe in. This shows our nature to perceive things has significance regardless of what others' feel about it.

Then, why do we allow others to take us for granted at times? Who are they to show us the world through their eyes ? We all agree to these questions but how many of us keep it in mind when the chips are down ? Isn't it?

We can be kept in delusion for a short span of time but not always. To see everything in black and white, we need to awake and feel why we have been made different than any other human being? And why do we usually fail to draw respect and importance for being the way we are?

Many of us know how, when and why to welcome and at times simply ignore others' views about our lifestyle. But most of the time we forget : It's our life. And , we have the full right to beautify us with our own chosen things, habits and creatures.

We must learn how to avoid others, especially the ones who are always read to judge us. We can do it if we strongly believe in our intuition that helps us through common sense. The great spiritual leader Osho once said it, not me.

Interestingly, the people who are called "Great", were those who always believed in their strengths much before others reminded them. They listened to others only to know about others' less revealed personality or thoughts. But they never started beliving in everyone's consideration of them.

Success is always possible for each one of us. We don't realise it because we await somebody to come and tell us how much capable we are in comparison to our peers. Isn't it regretful that despite not having any disability, we feel crippled in difficult situations.

It is always easy to give up but it takes a real man to take on the problem and view it as opportunity to move ahead of others. We all have basic facilities to support our survival but we have to realise how to utilise it in the best manner.

Remember! It is usually the middle class youngsters who reach the top, not the rich man's son or daughter. For, the ones, who face difficult situations they know how to handle them in after life too.By being open and sharing thoughts with like-minded people we can always enhance our level of understanding.

Many a times even such things do not work. But nothing beats the time we spent in introspection (popularly as meditation) with complete silence and solitude. It is when we learn listening to our soul that we realise how much beautiful and special we are.

We look for others who are chasing some others. We don't realise that the minute we stop running after the mirage, the impossible looking aims turn around and search us with desperation.We are more important than anybody else around. People may see where we are today but we should look at ourselves where we can be.

Let there be no one take us for granted even for day. For, we are a visitor not slaves on a planet, which is overcrowded with billions of people who need extraordinary special persons like us.We never fail but constantly improve by some degree with each experience.

The moment we are born our personality begins getting affected by all those who come close to us. Irrespective of our relations with others, our personality takes shape due to the kind of individual beings and situations we come across.

Isn't it something that really makes us so different or special than others?

We just need to feel our extra special being hidden in ourselves before anybody does it for us. There are hundreds of people having minimum education, abilities, looks or support, but they do rise in life. Do you know why ?

It is because before anyone tells them about their latent potential , so late in life, they have already learnt it by themselves in their own mirror at home.

Indeed, it is a fascinating planet of possibilities and hope. But we have turned blind to see hope. The journey which should have been celebrating by travelling all alone with full freedom, has failed even to take a start because we are searching for somebody to join or push us. Can there be more foolishness than this ?

We are all intelligent more than our academic or professional excellence. We have to just start realising all this sitting alone.

Wishing for a true lover in life?

By Sandeep Datta, April 18 , 2006

“I wish I had someone to express my love to”--Most of us nurture this feeling deep inside our hearts the moment we retire in bed or wake up long after the sunrise. Often we miserably fail to say it exactly to the person for whom it matters the most.Instead of what we have nearest to our hearts, we blame on our luck and fail to notice the gem of a person so near but so far.

We can blame it on psychology or the intrinsic greed to get fascinated or longing for someone completely unknown. Much similar to the tune of Bollywood's films of the 80's.

Doesn’t it look like expecting from life to take a shape as any fictional work does?But should our search go on till the feeling to love someone turns a nightmare of life? Or, should we learn how to find that person in our daily life?

When lyricist Sahir Ludhiyanwi wrote the immortal song of the film Kabhi Kabhi, he would have never intended others to live in reveries and repent for an unfulfilled romantic dream. But most of us do so without realizing the person we long for is usually around.

We just need to learn how to recognize him or her. All we need is to recall the presence of those loving individuals who leave their indelible mark on our hearts withe their selfless acts for us.

Interestingly, most of us long for the best choice on earth but never realise the love is never about possessing someone for a momentary pleasure. It is about according the sincere appreciation, affection and respect for other individual’s presence in our lives.

To many individuals, it may not be a fair deal. But what’s the beauty of one’s love if it doesn’t evolve an urge to sacrifice the best pleasure just for someone’s sake?

Or, is it simply a convenient medium to cover up one’s lustful desire?

Love is far bigger concept than possessing someone without winning a heart full of respect. The physical intimacy may be a part of loving expression but not the sole objective. Irrespective of gender, age or species, we have to have the true affection for others.

And, with deep love inside your mind, you cannot nurture hatred for others.You just care and understand others’ point of view.But it is surprising to notice people await for a day to make others feel it but fail to convey rest of the year.

For, we may have never thought what kind of person do we actually deserve.We may be waiting for a handsome macho man or a Hoor from the other world. But do we wish to spoil another full year with such vague thoughts. If a person already has everthing that makes a 'complete' person, do we think he or she will stop just at us?

We can do ourselves a big favour if we beging locating such a person around us. We may have spent most of our time with that loving person in daily life but we don't realise that person's worth. Why?

Just think about the person who is always ready to give you and enjoys every moment spent with you.Or, think of the person who did everything but never complained. Just think, think and rethink.

The extraordinary person for you may be just standing close to you. We need to realise the kind of individuals we actually deserve are generally around us. Most of the time, except in rare cases, we are searching for persons who are in no mood to spend even an hour in our company.
Being realisitic helps a lot.

Realise and accept with open arms that person's affection and sense of care, who is already around you. Irrespective of temporary physical beauty, enjoy that person's role in your life.

Just feel that ecstasy of being loved by someone truly loving, instead of chasing someone who is already running after someone. Who is complete in this world? There are and there will always be individuals better than you and the one who is in your life presently.

I pity those indivduals who have someone loving them by mind n' soul but still...they are looking for somebody better.

Nobel Laureate Gabriel Garcia Marquez said: True Love is not blind. It sees everything, and still continues to flourish."

I doubt if there are enough people to learn anything from such a thoughtful saying too.

Just visualise the day you may not have anyone to call your own. With whom will you share a great news or something tragic that requires a heart that understands?

There are some thoughts that leave a lasting impact on our lives, provided, we can spend a minute with them. How about spending a few seconds that may change the way we look at lot of things around us.

Allow me to share those words that affected me very deep in my heart......but sent by someone else.

To realizeThe value of a sister Ask someoneWho doesn't have one.
To realizeThe value of ten years:Ask a newlyDivorced couple.
To realizeThe value of four years: Ask a graduate.
To realizeThe value of one year: Ask a student whoHas failed a final exam.
To realizeThe value of nine months:Ask a mother who gave birth to a still born.
To realize The value of one month:Ask a motherwho has given birth to A premature baby.
To realizeThe value of one week:Ask an editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realizeThe value of one hour: Ask the lovers who are waiting to Meet.
To realizeThe value of one minute: Ask a personWho has missed the train, bus or plane.
To realizeThe value of one-second:Ask a personWho has survived an accident...

To realizeThe value of one millisecond:Ask the person who has won a silver medal in the OlympicsTime waits for no one.Treasure every moment you have.You will treasure it even more whenyou can share it with someone special.

To realize the value of a friend: Lose one.

May we all realise what we have around us instead chasing those high-headed individuals who may never enjoy being with us!

Media bashing; favourite pastime of critics

By Sandeep Datta

Media seems to be the favourite talking point nowadays with hate mails being the latest outlet to express displeasure. One wonders if the critics can be taken for their word, considering their penchant for jingoism and bhaigiri.

TO DISCUSS what’s going wrong with the media and country has turned a favourite topic with a lot of individuals these days.

It delights many people to be blatantly critical on just about anything, without much thought.Perhaps, after Bollywood blockbuster ‘Rang De Basanti’ things have revolutionised at least in the metropolitan cities.

But not everything said appears in a good taste. Recently, a letter with a heading "Shame on Media" was widely circulated through emails and posted on public platforms. The letter pointed fingers on media’s intelligence to show irrelevant contents instead of the ’real’ issues.

Since it explicitly generalized media’s role, I felt tempted to separate some wheat from the chaff. Without encouraging the inflammatory language or jingoism usually seen on a few television channels, I take a strong objection to an uninformed criticism of the entire media.

Many newly-hatched chickens called "awaken youngsters" need to have some insight before they write just anything on public platforms.Everyday, there is a new expectation from the media. It appears justified at times and many of us take it as a compliment to our role than a bane. And, we take pride at being the deliverer for the society. But none of us is infallible is also a fact.

Article 19 of the Indian constitution states that "all citizens shall have the right ..to freedom of speech and expression."

Media derives its power from the same right available to everyone.But not many people know what it takes to deliver results in the business of news and views.

Surely, it requires a lot more of energy and intelligence than generally witnessed at some tea stall or inside a beer bar during heated debates.

Why does media report or telecast any issue despite its least value from journalistic sense? The answer is: to survive for reporting truth and also suffice the ’public demand’. The latter is largely influenced by "WHAT SELLS".

One may not find some absolutely irrelevant content appearing in daily newspapers at large, except in tabloids that survive only on yellow journalism.Ask anyone about Gandhi, it is likely he or she may utter two to five sentences about the Father of the Nation.

Ask about Nehru, may be one sentence.But ask the same person about Bhagat Singh, Chadrashekha, Rajguru, Kudi Ram Bose (the youngest person to be hanged in 1911 for his involvement in the Bhagalpur bomb case). It’s most likely not many may claim to know even a sentence about them.

A small survey around anyone’s native place can show how many so-called educated people can spell the full name of President A.P.J.Abdul Kalam.Ask anyone how many people are willing to visit Siachin, Thar Desert, remote villages, naxalite-affected areas or even war zones with a paper and pen? And, that too when they have no full proof life insurance for covering news in such zones for news? But we do it.

Ever thought about how much risk of life media men take to organise hidden camera exclusives for the public and to awaken the sleeping government? Do you think we don’t get threatening calls to our kids or families?

Ask anyone if they’ve ever heard of Vikram Singh Bisht of Asian News International (ANI) who died taking pictures of terrorists during 2001 Parliament Attack Case. Ever heard of any tribute for him?Ever thought about the cost media men have to pay to "expose" a big fish?

I hope you have read about the recently exposed senior advocate threatening to sue NDTV with rupees 50 crores for defamation? Tehelka journalist Tarun Tejpal’s struggle to survive after his first expose against NDA government is a common knowledge.

Many people say even the last spoon or piece of office furniture was questioned for its bill. How many people think about what happens when a big crime is exposed or any idiotic revelry or religious processions on roads are questioned?

Have you ever thought why do very educated or informed people join the media despite minimal financial rewards than even any marketing guy?But we still question the top shots irrespective of their status or power to explain their actions before public. And, we do it at our peril.

When people are sleeping or celebrating festivals or National Holidays or go into hiding after few bomb blasts, it is the media men who are on their 24x7 job along with fire brigade personnel or security men.Media lends support to the helpless, needy and the battered souls.

We are that PUBLIC VOICE which a common man flutters to speak before any cop. Risking one’s life carrying a notebook and pen is certainly a craziness that every journo has to live with every time he or she is on the job.

A developing country like ours should take pride in the fact that it has an upcoming breed of journalists, which wants to empower the common man on the road. Citizen journalism is its latest example.Otherwise, who cares if a sister, mother or a daughter is raped or killed in public, who cares if the brutal incidents like Nithari child killings are suppressed or who cares when reservation issues or cases like Jessica Lall or Priyadarshini Mattoo murder cases are influenced by powerful people?

It is also true that some media organisations have much room to improve for their reporting and news content.But again it is the MEDIA power that crushes the most powerful and makes them kneel down, irrespective of any individual’s might to retaliate with force?

But the main question of the letter remained: "Why do media give so much importance to news stories like Sanjay Dutt’s hearings in TADA court in place of reporting the death of a military officer?

The reply: Because most of the public likes switching over to Bollywood item girls Mallika Sherawat or Rakhi Sawant shows just when news about a rehabilitation camp or Army’s rescue operation is telecasted.

Otherwise, ask anyone how many people around you watch the Republic Day parade? How many of you listen to the Presidential address before Independence Day despite its significance?

Surely, most of us prefer fooling around like monkeys or buying popcorns for the latest girl friend or clicking pictures keeping India Gate at the ’background, even if it happens to be the Martyrs’ Day!

My Darling Media Crictics

I am not prepared to take just anything the people want to say on public platforms, generalising the role of media that includes many sections beyond one or two TV 'journalists' or channels.

As you know, I also share the view that not all are the greatest journalists. But still, the number of individuals who have made a difference to social life only on the basis of their guts to report the right /secret thing is huge.

You may be thinking, like many others, as if I have defended the inflammatory language or jingoism shown on television or in newsrooms on many sensitive subjects. But that’s unfounded.

I have defended that reporter who is making a difference to the world of information by risking his/her life from goons in remote areas, where these so called media-haters cannot even dare to stand for a moment.

I am supporting those unsung heroes who never come into limelight because of their limitations or lack of Godfather but still they have dare to be the voice of voiceless. Just think of the day, if media is banned to report like in Pakistan, who will report about any incidents taking place across the country? Who will report when the police man will rape/loot/ or kill any innocent man. I don't think the police will ever file a case against itself in the next 100 years.

It's the ‘fear’ of journalists, if I take some liberty to speak my mind, which makes them stand up from their seats and explain their actions, once a PRESS card is flashed. Otherwise, do you think the ones occupying powerful positions will allow any common man even to enter their office with any official complaint?

Do you think a girl can warn a policeman, if she doesn't have the "media” to fall back upon. For her plight, she can take refuge under “MEDIA” support.

The media actually needs self-restrain, and if needed, certain code of conduct to regulate itself in terms of programming or style of reporting.The ones crying wolf over certain channels need a bit of introspection, especially they must remember that they will drop their pants if confronted with even a police constable on road.

Either such individuals-cum-critics dare to stand for even their neighbour in legal platform and before the powerful organisations or it's better they don't teach media persons how and what not to do?Though there criticism to question the illogicial coverage or telecast of anything objectionable due to its communal, provocative or vulgar programmes, is their fundamental right to speech and expression provided by law.

And, everyone welcomes that if it pin points specific actions, not everyone related to media.Just ask them, what if there is no media....how many Lalus, Mulayams, Amar Singhs, Arjun Singhs, Mayas and even Modi can they dare to take an official stand against?Much before going so loud against entire media the so called ‘critics’ must remember the present state in Pakistan without MEDIA and even Afghanistan?