The Torch-bearers of the Nation

India’s history calls for a powerful youth-led social activism. 1883, the year that witnessed the beginnings of the civil rights movement by a young Gandhi, can be regarded as a spark that rapidly spread the fire of youth-led social activism ever since in Modern India. That which Gandhi started, refuses to die down even today, as it created an India that was never to tolerate any form of social injustice. Inside of this creation, it was the youth that were to be the torchbearers carrying the bright light of ever-inspiring social change from the revolutionary leaders of the past. As is said on countless occasions, yet never ceasing to be true, the future of India lies in the hands of youth, and social activism is that vehicle which can bring about ownership and responsibility among the mass, contributing towards accomplishing an extraordinary future that India envisions.

P.S. This was an article I had submitted to The Education Times as a part of their contest in which 150-word articles concerning the role of youth in social activism were invited from all over India. They selected 5 entries. Mine didn't appear in the newspaper, but it surely belonged here as my personal piece of writing. 

My experience at the RTO

I woke up late one morning only to see that I'm past the time that my class starts. It was going to be a herculean task to get ready and travel 20km by bus only to reach, at best, the 3rd class out of the 4 classes that day. After loitering around the house thinking about how I should be waking up early, I stumbled upon a great opportunity of giving my Learning License test and to complete the remaining formalities. My LL had long expired and it was restricting to travel out on the roads without a license.

I reached the RTO on my two-wheeler and went straight ahead to the parking lot. As I parked my vehicle into a vacant spot, I heard a person standing right behind me saying, "Boss, you've come here to get a license?". I replied hastily, "Yes". He asked me to follow him as he told me with considerable ease that he will guide me through the process. I followed him up to a certain place; asked him how much he would charge, as I soon realized that this was a person not directly involved with the licensing authorities. He quoted "approximately Rs. 50 here and there" with an expression that conveyed the amount was meagre.

I brought the required documents along as he was doing all of my work - filing the documents, pasting the photographs, giving it a certain order and structure, giving it a seal of a driving school etc. He then walked around hastily and asked me for a total amount of Rs. 550 to get an LL and DL for both car and bike. I was initially shocked to know of the amount, but at the back of my head, I was quite sure it was very cheap compared to the Rs 1000+ that is normally paid. To be honest, I was confused. My eyes then wandered over the name of the driving school and I decided to go ahead as my work was getting done through "a driving school". I rushed back home; brought in the amount; paid it to him. He helped me with the further processes required to obtain an LL - go to the 2nd floor; stand in the queue; show the inspector the original documents; after the signature, get a challan of Rs. 60. I did just that and I was sure of what was to be done next. That made me comfortable as I found a smooth flow to the processes one after the other.

After completing the formalities, I gave him a call. He rushed to where I was and asked me if I had passed the test that I had just written. I told him I had. He was glad and he asked me to come another day to receive the LL. That day came, but I didn't get my LL. Then another day, and another day, and another day. Finally, I had my LL after more than a week's time. I was glad. He now asked me for Rs. 100 to be given to "someone". I paid him the amount and thanked him for all the work that he had done for me. He gave me the dates on which I needed to come back to the RTO to get hold of a DL. All was well and good.

When I think about the turn of events right from when I parked my vehicle in that vacant spot, I don't see anything "wrong" with what had transpired as opposed to the common conception. What really happened was that I unnecessarily spent my parents' hard-earned money and I found it very disappointing that I did it. One has the choice of going all by himself and get an LL by paying Rs. 60.

In these times where India is taking a strong stand on transparency, I think it is a great opportunity to look into the systems in place at the RTOs. Perhaps the govt. can make the processes more transparent and direct? Maybe they can employ people, especially, to guide people through these processes? The increase in expenditure (to pay these people who will serve at the RTO) will be a tiny speck compared to the govt. spending on various areas of civil and social aspects. The RTO serves us well. Why not take the service to a whole new level?   

A Woman's Right To Freedom: Will She Get It?

After the Ruchika Girhotra case has taken a turn, for the first time in 19 years, towards the initial stages of justice, we are now struck with an episode that is more or less, an emulation to the former case. This case, though a new one, is an age old case when thought of it in terms of the events leading to the consequence - the death of 2 innocent women. A 2nd year Bachelor of Arts student returning home with an acquaintance on a scooter had to make a pit stop as the scooter broke down. The 2 policemen, Arvind Patel and Kanaiyhalal Tiwari, taking advantage of the circumstances, approached the women, but only to beat them up, tear open their clothes and make an MMS clip out of this appallingly shameful event. A complaint was registered which led to a couple of policemen, Praveen Tripathi and Ashok Tiwari, to turn up at the victims' house to record their statements. After realizing the absence of the father, the only member of the house, they issued threats to the girls. Soon after, both girls consumed poison leading to the younger sister's death. The elder one was admitted to a hospital but an attempt to save her life turned futile, as she died later that night.

Again, no action was being taken initially. It was only when the news channels took this case up and when people in the neighbourhood cried slogans and demanded action, did it warrant punishment against the accused. Suspension. Yes, it is just a suspension for now. It is said that on a particular condition, they can regain their freedom to don their uniform once again. Perhaps it is a way to cover up for all that they have done, metaphorically speaking. But its not possible now that the people are truly aware of the incident.

This is not a new issue. Women are harassed on the streets, on the bus, at the railway station, at the workplaces, so on and so forth. The only place where a woman could probably find herself safe is at the temple, many may say thanks to the strong and sacred foundations built into each inch of the walls; but then again, it only takes a very large number of people at the temple to let harassment surface again. No one notices it; the woman doesn't speak about it; case closed.

Sexual abuse/Molestation/Eve Teasing/Rape are all heinous crimes that give any sensible person a complete account of the mentality of men living in the society. It is necessary to demand a personal introspection by each one of us on the aspects of such cruel mentality. Its only after an honest introspection that a realization dawns upon us as to how sickening this social evil is.

There have been frequent attempts to try and understand the male instinct causing molestation. Many reasons like, for instance, out of lust,  have been assigned to such grave incidents. There are also other reasons that come to mind, like, out of anger, to take revenge, so on and so forth. These reasons are true, yet do not speak of a remedy. It is shocking to know that there hasn't been a remedy on this - even in principle. By remedy, I don't intend to speak of the laws against molestation. There are a few. Please go through these particular links for laws against molestation, sexual harassment and rape :    
http://www.molestation.in/laws-against-molestation
http://www.legalserviceindia.com/articles/rape_laws.htm

But there seems to be no remedy to the occurrence of these appalling events. The laws are passed in order to punish the criminal. But is there a way to stop the crime? Yes, by changing the structure of laws in the judicial system. The judicial system is a very strong force to reckon with, but only if it has effective laws that not only punish the criminal, but also finds a way to reduce the occurrence of the crime. Maybe the judicial system needs a revisit on the laws that have been passed.

All in all, it is the awareness among people that matters the most. When people around the world realize the plight of women on facing such situations, we might just be fortunate enough to see a plummeting of such cases in future.

Let us stand up for the women in our society. Let the natural symphony of our society be undisturbed by the cacophony created by the evil of sexual abuse.