ஐல்லிக்கட்டு - The fight peaks!!

Call it the Arab Spring or the anti-hindi agitation in 1960s, it is happening again.

People turning out in numbers in support of Jallikattu are doing so not out of compulsion but out of sheer emotional connect and the very native grit.

The gathering is massive and state-wide. This was the time where we had to push ourselves waiting for none. Imagine. And we did. The unison is against the country's highest judiciary. An act condemning the central and state government’s failure to act swiftly. And more importantly against an organisation that has no idea what it has brought upon itself in the name of animal welfare. 

More often than not, such issues bring with it a conspiracy.  Claims of tricky trade are doing the rounds. Whether it's a fact or a myth is a debatable topic but we can wait it out for another day. The need of the hour is to earn back our most valued possession - the native sport and the values attached.

For now, let's let the world know. We pride our culture. We won’t let go of our identity. December 2015 saw us united when the worst of floods hit us. Yet again, when all hopes seemed lost, united we are; standing together and making a mark of our own like ever. Reflects as to nothing can come in our way. Not natural calamity, not even supreme court.

It’s only fair that law should not rob people off their tradition and rights but to protect it. Law can't tame culture. 

If a ordinance can be brought overnight to demonetize currency, why not one respecting sentiments of millions. The CM is answerable. So is the PM. Let’s reach out to more and claim back what's rightly ours. After-all everyone deserves to have what's theirs.

A special note of mention and tons of thanks to all those who keep their stance in continuing to support while I still write this.

Jai Hind!!!

- DC

Indisciplined Aussies

For some, the recent axing of 4 of the Autralia's star cricketers can come as a shocker. But it is not anything new for CA. By refusing to consider Shane Watson, James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson and Usman Khawaja for selection ahead of the Mohali Test, the Australian team management has once again shown that when it comes to discipline, it doesn't care about a player's reputation.

# In 1998, Ricky Ponting got thrown out of a disco in a Kolkata hotel for trying to gatecrash a party. He was also involved in a scuffle with guards and was fined by CA. Next year, after a day-nighter in Sydney against England, he broke the 1.30 am curfew and had drinks in a bar in a red-light area. A scuffle with a bouncer then left Punter with a black eye, a three-match ban and a fine.

# On the day that Australia were to face Pakistan at Johannesburg in their first 2003 World Cup match, it emerged that Shane Warne was to be sent back after testing positive for a banned diuretic. Cricket Australia wasted little time in sending the ace leggie back. He was also banned from all domestic and international cricket for a year.

# Australia were involved in an ODI series against Bangladesh at home in 2008 and stand-in skipper Michael Clarke and then-coach Tim Nielsen called for a compulsory team meeting on the eve of a match. Andrew Symonds, though, chose to go on a fishing trip instead, also missing an optional training session. He was promptly sent packing.

# It was Symonds turn again. After Australia beat New Zealand in a warm-up match at the Oval during the World T20 in 2009, Symonds went overboard with the celebrations and went out to watch a rugby game. He also indulged in a drinking session when under a no-alcohol contract. Skipper Ponting and the team management had no hesitation in throwing him out of the team and the tour.

# One too many for Symmo. Oncew again, Symonds was dropped for two matches after an all-night drinking session which saw him report for training completely drunk. Though Australia lost the game thanks to a wonderful 100 from Ashraful, they did not think twice about dropping their most explosive player.

Sun Film ban- a shocker from SC

BPO employee gangraped in moving car in Gurgaon. Minor gang-raped in moving car in Greater Noida. Teenager abducted, gang-raped in car by landlord. MBA graduate allegedly gang-raped in car.  Woman gang-raped in car, dumped in south Delhi. Minor girls kidnapped on cars for trafficking.

An alarming rise in heinous crimes like sexual assault on women, kidnapping and dacoity seen increasing each passing day have impinged upon the right to live in a safe environment. All these project the poor state that our society is currently in. And worse, there hasn’t been any stopping even after numerous reforms and measures of safety and protection. The public aren’t as safe as they are assured to be. One such move that recently came in was the ban on sun film usage on cars throughout the country all at once. The government claims that this ban is meant to curb crimes committed using the opacity of sun film as a cover, though the advantage of sun film in this tropical nation cannot be ignored.

The Supreme Court of India banned* the use of sun-protection film based on ‘crime-on-wheels’ cases of recent times, citing shortage of policemen and the scarce availability of special devices which can measure the opaqueness of vehicle windows. However, there is no ban on the use of tinted glass with the same visual light transmission (VLT) level. Nor is there a ban on the use of curtains. Though recent claims of a case to be filed over ban on curtains and window shades are heard around.

Apparently, this has had an adverse effect on general public who have found the going very tough and disturbing. This ban is seen as unjustified and irrational by many who feel that this is yet another drive which would subside after a while.

If the verdict could actually help in bringing down the crime-rate, people shouldn’t complain about a little discomfort. However, this doesn’t seem to make much of a difference to the crime scenario. Rather the general mass is hit badly due to ever rising mercury. Sun Film industry worth Rs.150 crore is left in jeopardy. In addition to the rising cost due to over conusmption of fuel for AC workload, transparent windows lead to passengers being seen clearly, inviting unwanted attention of bikers and commuters. Far from protecting women; it only exposes them to more sexual harassment. And targeting cars with lone drivers for miscreants will thus become easier. Also a good view of the car’s interior increases the chances of burglary.

If the ruling does stand and the implementation is firm, then the logical step for all the auto manufacturers would be to provide tinted glasses within permissible limit of visibility at a premium. Also extend it to after-market for the current running cars. Further, special vigilance on stray cars, beefing up of Highway and city patrolling system, CCTV cameras, are certain other options to try and negate the crimes but is still a question of How and Where??? In lieu of giving a safer environment, the government has given a verdict which has rather caused a major concern among public which needs to be addressed immediately with a proper system.

Banning sun film use, asking women to avoid night outs, asking them to avoid provoking attire that calls for rape aren’t solutions. What we are witnessing is the government being reactive to law and order problems while what is required is a pro-active approach in eliminating the root cause of crimes. Easier said than done of course, but then isn’t the government meant for that!!!

Meanwhile women can wear burka if they are uncomfortable being ogled at.

Sarcastic comments that I came across:

# “I travel every day about 50 kms from home to office. Most of the private school buses, buses, infant travel vehicles have not yet removed the tint. On the other end I can now easily see who is in the other car and I can watch their move, see when the lady applies lipstick and when she combs her hair because the glass is transparent. Thanks to SC and RTO who gave us the opportunity to watch all this and get entertained on the road.”

# “Ironically, it remains the case that someone could draw the curtains, install detachable sun-protection shades, or tint his car windows – all of which are still permissible under the law – and rape someone in his car to his loins’ content.”

Disclaimer: This is in no way intended to dishonor the Supreme Court of India. Just a topic of arguments been discussed.

* (On April 27, the Supreme Court issued an order, effective from May 4, 2012, banning sun film on car windows, in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a common man, Avishek Goenka.)

- DC