Introspection..

My pride as an indian has been fiercely shaken. Internationally, we are shamed. We feel ashamed in our hearts that we are a part of this "Democracy", where such unimaginable crimes happen.

I don't feel that we should celebrate our republic day, because we are NOT free. The British have been replaced with social evil and a patriarchal attitude. Our government is apathetic and slow in action, event after 65 years of independence. Aaj Bharat Mahan hai - aisa nahi lag raha. Our erstwhile leaders & freedom fighters would be repulsed, if they knew that this was the 'bright future' of the nation that they actually fought and laid down their lives for.

But like any other Indian, i don't intend on giving up. And neither should we. Lets pay homage to the brave girl by ensuring that we do our bit. That we start with changing the mindsets in our family, among our friends. And that we do not stop voicing the stark injustice that we all face, till effective laws come in place to ensure a safe environment for the women of this country. We do not rest till India is safe for every individual. Not only during our lifetime but also for those who will follow.

May her soul rest in pace. She has shown us the naked picture of our society and the evils which reside in it. The least we can do is to never let any woman/man/child go through a similar ordeal ever again. She has not died in vain. INDIA, lets ensure that we live up to her expectations

Nature's elixir..

No episode of Satyamev Jayate, has really created as much of an outrage in my mind, as today's did. As a mumbaikar, ive only heard of people having problems related to water scarcity, empathized and then forgotten about it. I had read about how water pollution was rampant and how we need stricter reforms...etc.

But the mere photos of rivers like Ganga and Yamuna being used as sewage and Garbage dumps, horrified me to the core of my being. To realize that, we in mumbai receive water from villages as far as 100 Km's because were not able to harness the monsoon water, is disconcerting. No more long showers for me definitely.

The framers of our constitution and laws, got everything right, except the overseeing of implementation. We have a law to fallback upon, to prevent such kind of blatant pollution and destruction of water, natural ecosystems...but we do not implement them. How do companies which dump the garbage in our rivers even exist today?? Why havent they been shut down? Because they bribed a govt. auditor?? or because we just dont care enough.

No wonder, little rain and were flooded. There is not outlet for the water - naturally (Duh!!). Were turning ourselves into a concrete jungle...killing our every interaction with mother nature. WEN DO WE STOP? Sure the govt officials are corrupted - so they should be replaced by others - who continue the same cycle. It never ends. Considering the rate at which we are expanding, clean water is a very precious resource...and were polluting watever little is left.

I believed that things weren't so bad. But i was wrong. We all need a reality check. Things are really bad and they're getting worse - every single day that we sit around and JUST talk. The govt needs to be prodded into action - whether its water pollution,  garbage disposal or rain water harvesting.We need to be able to remove time from our hectic lives for these problems - because the year end appraisal, or ur brand new car wont make a difference, if nature is dying around you. If the only sources of water around you are unsafe, or if you cant even walk outside w/o covering your nose from the stench of overflowing waste bins.

Our ancestors have always lived in tandem with nature - sure they died earlier, but healthier...We need to reverse our cycle back. If every individual can spend a few minutes on thinking wat he/she can do, we will arrive at a solution. Its a community effort and we all need to stand united for once.