Earlier this year Ms.Kanthi Kanan founder of the Right to Walk Foundation filed a petition to the National Women’s Commission and the Andhra Pradesh State Human Rights Commission stating that Peeing in public is equivalent to stripping in public and it should be made a punishable offence. The Government has not yet acted on it. And wisely so. As it can't forbid people from peeing in public till it has provided public toilets. Civic infrastructure has to precede civic laws. And while planning … [Read more...] about Make Gurgaon the Champaran of cleanliness
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Spitting cuts across class in our city
Writing in his weekly Navjivan on Our Dirty Ways Gandhi said that those who spit on the streets have no consideration for others. Today- Many decades later- while the world has become cleaner, spitting continues unabated in our country. And we can't blame the government for this one. In fact the only lull in spitting in public came in India in the 1960's. When through posters and films- some governments to prevent the spread of TB- took up a mass education programme about the dangers of … [Read more...] about Spitting cuts across class in our city
What we can learn from malls
Malls are helping us getting used to technology which we were unfamiliar with. First is the use of escalators. I particularly remember one of my aunts who was mortally scared of taking escalators. She feared that at the time of disembarking her saree would get caught in the moving steps of the escalator. With frequent practice- she is a Gurgaon resident- she is an expert now. I also remember that many years ago a tribal woman from Bastar who badly needed a job as house help had approached her. … [Read more...] about What we can learn from malls
Good Luck Kiran. Good Luck Good Ones. Good Luck India
I was happy to read today that so many prominent and well meaning Indians are supporting Kiran Bedi’s candidature for Chief Information Commissioner. Moreover they are asking the Government that if you appoint another person, please let us know how that person is more suitable. That is great. Acche log ghar se bahar nikal aayen hain. Milkar naare lagane lagey hain- ek acche insaan ke liye. Yeh nayi aur badi baat hai. (The good are ganging up together, in favour of the good. This is a new and … [Read more...] about Good Luck Kiran. Good Luck Good Ones. Good Luck India
Desh ko Sone ki Chidiya nahin, Sone Ka Baaj Banao.
It all started with Shashi Tharoor staying in a five star hotel and not his state Bhavan. In my view he was right to stay where he did. In my view it is not just a question of the State Bhavan not having a gym. For many politicians (particularly those who are exposed to the West) it is difficult to stay in the State Bhavans because of the poor hygiene standards. It is common to find bed sheets stained with semen and boot polish, the bath rooms are also often unhygienic. The crockery used, the … [Read more...] about Desh ko Sone ki Chidiya nahin, Sone Ka Baaj Banao.
Babus should stand- Politicians should stand
Rajasthan CM, Ashok Gehlot has asked the babus to stand up when the neta walks in, to return his calls, and to behave respectfully with him. That this directive has become necessary is a wholesome development. It means that the bureaucracy is challenging the politician’s authority. This is a healthy sign. (Simultaneously the society should challenge the bureaucrat’s authority as all authority in the society should be based on contribution. And by that measure his record in the last 62 years is … [Read more...] about Babus should stand- Politicians should stand