Child-Drain Day

To celebrate a day for a cause and that too on the birth anniversary of a National Icon, is one of the best things we have. So like the teachers’ day we are celebrating today the “Children’s Day”. But what are we celebrating?-may be we are not sure of it….and after all the celebrations are only for affluent. So while schools across the country are organizing various functions, many children have not even seen a school from inside and those who are organizing functions-Social Flaunters-are employing child labours…so as they say -life is full of ironies….

My title explains that I am not much enthusiastic about it…..so I just tried to recollect news about children-what did I remember- a school bus in Panvel catches fire and kids succumb to fatal wounds, Domestic child labour brutally beaten, count-less cases of children harassment at home, school and at work place(!), worms in Mid-Day meals, Cartoon Channel stops telecasting so that children can go out and play, teacher shaves head of student cause he did not wear proper uniform, Government passes Right to Education and bail application of some psychic paedo rejected…What are we really celebrating here…they say you cant think with empty stomach, I think it should not be a reference to welfare at least.

Recent movies have highlighted various plights of children notably Page 3, Traffic Signal, TZP and SDM. But what has really changed in our attitude? A young boy comes to my house to deliver newspaper, another comes to deliver groceries, even to collect raddi paper and the best one -to collect kachra and I am here writing about children abuse and welfare!!!

As legal citizens of India we have innumerable rights but what about our future citizens? So the Punching Bag comes with Right to Education-without adequate infrastructure….Forget about the underprivileged kids, their agony is beyond Ishwar’s Kripa Drishti but even the children of affluent class are facing “interesting” problems. The kids are grown up at crèche, what kind of children they are expected to become? Children glued to cartoons’ channels what about them? Makes me wonder even after reading in the newspapers and watching on TV which one of our politicians-nowadays even children are hired to campaign in elections-is going to take cognizance of all this?

As for underprivileged children, they have plights of their own, illiterate parents having no income always use them as shields to combat poverty. One child at traffic signal can earn up to Rs. 100-150 average daily….Now that’s not any meager income. Just do a simple math and you will realize racket behind this (a scene in SDM where kids are trained and tortured …rings bell?) I read recently – a traffic signal is given as a dowry in wedding. There are many selfless NGOs working towards this cause but people like us who turn blind eye should seriously think about this. Children of sex workers are another serious issue which we are not even aware of and so they are reduced to “exciting” cover stories for “Children’s Day” special magazines.

Child abuse is a serious and yet neglected issue. Tiny hands of tiny children craft expensive sarees so that some Page 3 social workers can flaunt them with style. All those PeTA supporting actresses should definitely be questioned on this. And worst of all is sexual abuse of children-mere statistics will make you palpitate. Over 50% of the abuse in this case is domestic and largely unreported-Now that’s an eye opener…but again this is an open secret in our society for ages (Amar Meyebela by Taslima Nasrin and Bitter Chocolate by Pinki Virani)

But what simply baffles me that those very people who can understand these facts are making their children suffer gruesomely….Watch TZP and one will realize many similarities at home. The other thing which always bothers me is use of child artists in TVs and movies. Nowadays just about everywhere children give out their best performances to please worthy judges and greedy parents. Which takes me to the physically and mentally challenged- special kids-they are not different than us but rather one better. With all wisdom, intelligence and physical power it’s our choice not to use it rationally and they have not even been bestowed with this option.

Children are sensitive to their surroundings and we all adults create those surroundings. So I guess its not much debate about our responsibility but its only of acting on that responsibility. Wikipedia says Congress is trying to gain mileage by making Nehru’s Anniversary as Children’s Day…..Well debate is always open…..But Nehru despite his involvement in freedom fight nurtured one of the brightest child prodigy and perhaps the best post independence leaders- Indira….If all the parents can take a leaf out of those very letters ….we will definitely have brighter tomorrow…..

N.D.K. Nikhil

“Pedestrian Mannerisms”

One of my best friends in college times used to love driving. I did not follow his passions then as I didn’t know driving …but now I can understand why many simply love driving….its something which can really take your fun “long way”!!

Well, so as I am inside the vehicle and driving I will give my biased view of a driver about pedestrians outside….

In our country potholes are biggest deterrent to enjoy the driving but to me equally bad are the pedestrians…..for once we have footpaths ………and it always eludes me why cant we use them. Now I know a lot of footpaths have encroachments but then is it an excuse to walk on the roads which are meant for vehicles? While crossing one should be using “Zebra Crossing” but we rarely have them on crossings, so basic issue here, will always be neglected. Also the punching bag (the Perfect Government), is to be blamed for not having enough sub-ways. In Thane at Teen Hat Naka, I think there is one of the biggest crossings in Mumbai, but for last so many years we have not been able to envisage a sub-way there. An unfinished sub-way at Nitin Company, which is also a risky crossing, may get completed precisely when next elections are in the corner.

There are a lot of things that should be tought at school level but unfortunately they are not…but to me there are a some things that can be learnt through common sense. I have constantly observed parents walking on the road who keep their children towards the flowing traffic…. Well it may sound cruel but it reminds me a story of “Akbar-Birbal and a Monkey” but again common sensical part here is- how do we assume children to know anything when their parents are totally ignorant about it? Vehicles are constantly keeping their eyes on traffic signals and their count-downs. But how many of us keep eyes on traffic signal while crossing? That’s one of the ways to make road crossings simpler. Why is that we always over-estimate our abilities? Ask those who run while road crossing. What’s the point in challenging the speed of the vehicle….I have always observed while we cross all of us eagerly look at the vehicle speeding towards us but we hardly ever see that behind approaching vehicle there is hardly any traffic. So why not control our ego for a while and cross the road in peace? (And in one piece also)

Recently there was a vexatious order by Mumbai RTO, which banned usage of mobile by drivers completely- that can be separate topic-Likewise there can be a similar order for walkers also. What’s so important to talk when a vehicle is fatally approaching us? Why we want to rely on drivers’ brakes rather than our own sense and judgement? But the main concern is when parents are carrying their children…..have you ever seen a parent literally dragging a child while road crossing? Why to risk the life of your child if you can be wiser? I have always wondered what effect children would be having sub-consciously on their minds when they witness elders’ behaviour. But the most annoying thing as a driver –when you honk to remind walkers of their duties, the walkers give best to give you their glaring looks. Now that’s always a funny site.

Also I would like to add bicyclists in the list of “pedestrians”, as by RTO rules they are not suppose to hold any driving license. But then they sometimes can be huge nuisance. There are people carrying huge loads on the back of their bicycles….and ultimately they end up loosing balance of the bicycle and cause traffic jam. Also school students who ride bicycles must be trained properly to understand traffic rules. They should be issued some sort licenses which will not only smoothen traffic but also will help in case of accident as a proof of identification and blood group. Now I am well aware of “Administrative Difficulties” but then if something is warranted then we have to take initiatives.

A departure from main topic but equally important issue of crossings is of Railway Crossings – the casualties in this case are more and the entire issue is very grave but basic question is left unanswered. What’s more important than our own life which can’t wait for 5-10 minutes?

Now, I am not at all saying drivers are the saner among two, when I am a walker there are certain things that strike me really hard. As drivers, there are certain rules that we must follow even they are not written in the law books. It doesn’t really hurt our time schedule if we let senior citizens, parents carrying children and physically and mentally challenged people cross road in peace. When we are nearby schools and hospitals, there bound to be traffic, so it’s our responsibility to see that students and patients cross safely.

Our Government can do a lot to insure the safety on roads but some unwritten rules can make everyone even safer…………..

N.D.K. Nikhil

“Don’t play with Fire”

One of my best friends always says “it’s not enough to just pinpoint the deficiencies in our ‘system’, but more important is what we do to change ‘the system’.”

Well, I can realize it the most, as I witnessed the horror show in Thane on the morning of 18 October. Six brave fire –fighters lost their lives in the middle of the Diwali-ironically festival of light.

We always criticize our Government but this time I have no words for it. After the whole tragedy our city- apart from posters of ‘the Social Workers’ – did not really take notice of the tragedy. And we continued as if nothing has happened, I really don’t know what will be the event which will transform our society.

And it was sickening to read in the newspapers that the firefighters were not properly trained. What we give a miss here is that those firefighters are slightly better trained than normal citizens and despite of this they show remarkable courage to enter into area to exhaust the fire.

As usual there is only one common problem here ‘The Government’ and this time it’s Municipal Corporation of Thane. When everyone is shamelessly talking about the use of the lift by the firefighters, who will question TMC? When we have a 10 storey skylift with TMC run fire station, how do we sanction the 14 storey buildings?

For a city of 20 lakh, we have only 5 fire stations. Sixth one inaugurated last year still waiting for equipments and personnel. Whereas standard is one station per lakh of population. There are mere 250 personnel to cover area of over 150 sq km. Thane who boasts one of the biggest Industrial areas in Wagle Estate…..The fire station here could collapse any time.

Let’s look at the questions raised after these incidents and their possibly justifiable answers. Q: Why fire-fighters used the building lift? Ans: Skylift could reach as high as 10 storeys. So logically, quickest way had to be the lift. Q: Despite the training, how did they stifle in the lift? Ans: firefighters were last trained 20 years ago on how to open a lift. Q: Why they did not communicate to any of their counterparts? Ans: they were not supplied the basic equipments like hammer, torch and walkie-talkie. And the best of all- Q: How did no one realize earlier they were missing? Ans: There was no Supervising Officer available on night shift. To sum up all- One of the most important departments is left to God’s mercy. The moaning will always be common so really don’t feel like repeating it. But the question is when are we all going to learn lessons and get wiser? If simple routine inspections of all buildings are carried on….the flaws in the fire safety would be diagnosed very early. But the important point here is that of “the root cause”, the fire in the first place was caught because of a cracker- a rocket. I think the time has come to officially educate everyone on how and how much to burst crackers. Is someone going to book the person responsible for causing fire? How many of us are aware of necessary actions be taken when a fire breaks out. It’s very often that when a fire or any such accidents take place, stampede and panic attacks are very common.

We are never shy of questioning the Government Servants for their poor attitude and even poorer work ethics. But we always neglect the fact that they have to work with the primitive infrastructure and that too inadequate. The issues which bother us as common citizens hurt them with equal venom.

Our Army men, Policemen and Firefighters are among the bravest in the world. Even with insufficient resources they give us the best results. To the memories of six brave men who made our eyes wet but their courage will always keep our head high.

-N.D.K. Nikhil