People Web International

By PWI Reporter Central India

The Bastar District in Chattisgarh is also known as the “Kashmir Of Central India.”

Home to various tribes like the Gonds, Marias, Abhay Murias, etc, the facets of tribal life are witnessed in varied forms, in places like the Kanger Valley National Park and Jagdalpur.

There are Bastar Tribal Tour Packages devised by the tourism department. The tribal communities are heterogenous and they live in groups in well defined territories. Agriculture and forestry are their main sources of income.

The Halba tribes are farmers, the Marias are the hill experts; the Bhatras are the advanced tribes, the Dholars the cow farmers and the Dhruvas the warriors. Singing and dancing are their way of life and they are by and large uneducated.

Though the socio economic status of the tribals is below the national standard, the government is trying hard to alleviate their lot by promoting tribal crafts. Middlemen eating into the profits are making the overall recovery process slow. Though the pro poor schemes have not reached the tribals, the tribal products are finding their way in international markets, and there is a ray of hope.

Overall Bastar provides the streak of irresistible adventure for the tourist, and travelling to this area is an immense pleasure.

Contact: central.india@peoplewebinternational.com

By Manashimaya Duttagupta, PWI Reporter National Capital Territory Delhi
 
Honor Killing is defined as a death that is awarded to a woman of the family for marrying against the parent’s wishes, having extramarital and premarital relationships, marrying within the same gotra or outside one’s caste or marrying a cousin from another caste.

The word awarded is used here because the very name suggests that. Personally, I think and believe that it shouldn’t have been honor killing because the name in itself has the two words which basically are widely different in meaning. When a person is killed as a punishment, the term “honor killing” should not have been used with the word honor rather it should have been ‘disgraceful killing’ because it is an act of vengeance, usually death committed by male family members against female family members who are held to have brought dishonor upon the family.

At times, a woman can be targeted by her own family members for variety of reasons including refusing to enter into an arranged marriage, sometimes victim of a sexual assault, seeking divorce – even from an abusive husband. The mere perception that a woman has dishonored her family is sufficient to trigger an attack on her life.

The loose term ‘Honor Killing’ which should be strongly condemned and criticized, applies to killing both males and females in cultures that practice it. Male persons can also be the victims of honor killings by members of the family of a woman with whom they are perceived to have an inappropriate relationship.

In the Indian society, particularly in North India, women are regarded as a personal property. In some states like West Bengal, honor killings ceased about a century ago and are non-existent in South India and Western States of Maharashtra and Gujarat. The Indian state of Punjab and Haryana is known for incidents of honor killing.

The recent 2010 shocking incident of honor killing in the National capital where a couple and a woman were murdered by their own brothers/brother-in-law condemn and think that activism is needed to reform the prevalent system from the root.

The story goes as Monica, a Gurjar had married Kuldeep, who was a Rajput, and their families did not approve of the alliance. Both of them belonged to the Wazipur village of Delhi. Shobha, Monica’s sister, on the other hand had a relationship with a boy of another caste and had reportedly helped her sister to elope with a man belonging to another caste.

According to police, the accused Ankit Chaudhury, Mandeep Nagar and Nakul Khan murdered their sisters Monica and Shobha and brother-in-law Kuldeep for bringing dishonor to their families by marrying outside their community. Their relatives often criticized them that their sisters have found their partners from a different caste and therefore there was a lot of pressure on them and that’s why they did this.

The brutal crime that’s being committed in the name of honoring their family values infact has brought dishonor to their own family, their community and their country. When will they understand that love, peace and friendship amongst human beings by crossing all barriers of national and international race, culture, caste, religion will in true sense make them humane and will free them from the shackles of their narrow thoughts, making them more richer and morale in a democratic country like India.

Contact: nct.delhi@peoplewebinternational.com

By PWI Reporter Central India

INDIA - The case to compensate the Bhopal Gas disaster victims had been decided, but after twenty six years, claims are still being settled. The compensation arrived at was 1 million rupees for those killed, half a million rupees for those crippled and one third million rupees for those who had developed partial disability. The paltry sum meted out to the victims has provided little relief.

In December 1984, a large number of people died after a poisonous gas leaked out from the Union Carbide factory. Meanwhile the Government has sought the extradition of the former Union Carbide Chief, Mr Warren Anderson from the US. The Indian Government plans to make do the shortfall, on additional claims over and above the four hundred seventy million dollar settlement between the Union Carbide and Union Government deal in 1989. Protests took place in  Madhya Pradesh, during the visit of US President, Mr Barack Obama’s visit to India.

Though the permanent effects of the disaster are not estimable, there are over 4000 people still visiting health facilities, after so many years, for gas related ailments. This is truly a case of justice delayed, which is justice denied.

Contact: central.india@peoplewebinternational.com

By Anita Mathew Perumal, PWI Reporter Tamil Nadu

CHENNAI, INDIA - The entrepreneurial urge, driven by his passion and sense of commitment brought Mr. Valliappan Raju from Botswana back to Chennai. With a mission in mind it took him two years to set the ball rolling.

Media Arts & Science College is the only dedicated college in India to have a degree program in Animation, Gaming and Film Studies with collaboration from both, an Indian University and an International University.

With no capital in hand, no venture capitalist funding, Mr. Valliappan Raju, the Director of MASC took this bold step with the support from his family and his bankers to lay the foundation for this college in the year 2008.

The young generation of today is bubbling with knowledge and creativity. The founding member inspired by the talent and enthusiasm of these youngsters and also convinced of the great demand all over the world for professionally qualified Animators and Gaming Developers decided that MASC will not just be another academy but instead will be a college for Media studies.

MASC is associated with Manonmanian Sundranar University in Tirunelveli, Tamilnadu, which is recognised by University Grants Commission, Govt. of India and National Assessment and Accreditation Council. The degree awarded by the university is valid globally. The degree programmes at MASC offers integrated programs with their partner Universities abroad.

The college initially started in the year 2008 and offered only animation training that year but  in the year 2009, MASC opened doors to the Degree, Post graduate and diploma courses in various disciplines: Computer Arts and Media, Gaming, Film studies and Animation Arts.

MASC is an English medium, co-educational college with state of the arts facilities. They have both local and international faculties and have also implemented EDUSAT, video conferencing aided learning to assist in the interactive sessions.

MASC has a high quality curricula and the method of teaching is of international standards. The total number of students for the graduate and diploma courses is 120 and the ratio of lecturer to student is 1:20.

The post graduate course in film studies has a strong support of the film fraternity in Tamilnadu. Both, the post graduate and diploma students will undergo their internship with leading international animation studios with whom MASC has signed up.

MASC has also signed an MOU with the University of Wales, Newport in the United Kingdom whereby the students have an opportunity to extend their education if they qualify prescribed credits. Both the universities allow their students for a global exchange programme.

The majority of the students are from outside the city of Chennai. By November, 2012, the college will move over to a bigger campus with residential and other recreational facilities, all provided within the campus.

MASC is a unit of Rama Nama Educational Trust and is supported by a very aggressive Advisory and Governing Council of personalities from the field of Education, Media and Advertising and the Films.

Today, with a growing demand world over for qualified Animators and Gaming Programmers, MASC is all geared up to bring forth the best in this field.

For more details on MASC, log on to www.masc.asia

-- by Anita Mathew Perumal - PWI Reporter Tamil Nadu - tamil.nadu@peoplewebinternational.com

By PWI Reporter Pune

I was just hoping all of you to recall my earlier article, where I had specially mentioned about my marvelous experience of the 1983 World Cup which India had won. Today, after 28 years, it gives me immense happiness to share the 2011 World Cup, which the Indian cricket team has got for its country, yet it was again a festival time for me and my fellow mates, to celebrate this unique moment with utter most respect and excitement. What a feeling…..

The last two months were a time, where every individual was breathing cricket. All the offices, restaurants, clubs and homes were busy with the “Star Sports” channel, and to top up my statement every hotelier has really minted a good amount of money on booze and food. They displayed a giant LCD which attracted the crowd to just chill and enjoy the matches. The most breathe taking match was the match between India and Pakistan, Oh! It was kind of a sport war between these two countries and the Indian win was a party night for the small, big and the old. I have a great regret for the people who lost their life, during the world cup matches. The cause was due to rash driving and negligence to reach home early. My suggestion to all is ‘respect your life”, be a sport freak, but not at the cost of your life.

Life goes on, time heals all the scars and wounds, and saying this I wanted to update you’ll on the IPL cricket season which has just begun. It has again spread the cricket virus among the big and small. The summer vacation has begun for the school children, and they have a quality time to dedicate for the ongoing matches.

 I wish I could get my childhood again.

-- by PWI Reporter Pune - pune@peoplewebinternatinoal.com

By PWI Regional Reporter Central India

MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA - An e-governance centre will be set up in Madhya Pradesh under a 560 Million rupee grant from the Indian Government. The Union Minister Of State for Commerce and Information Technology, Mr Sachin Pilot said,” All villages will be connected through a high speed broadband network under the scheme.”

Under the e-governance scheme, land lease, records, land plans, and no objection certificates will be computerized. There will be financial inclusion of banking, insurance, telecom and entertainment services as well. The proposal is aimed to include rural services such as agri/ farm inputs & prices, weather forecast, and public grievance redressal systems, to enable speedy electronic delivery of information to the masses.

-- by PWI Regional Reporter Central India - central.india@peoplewebinternational.com

By PWI Regional Reporter Central India

CHATTISGARH, INDIA - Chattisgarh is tipped to be India’s main power hub, as the state government has signed 40 separate contracts with power companies in the area of coal, thermal and solar areas. The move is going to result in a land grab, displacing private farmers, and more than 40,000 acres of prime double crop agricultural land will be eaten up by power companies.

The coal based power plants will have industrial giants like JSW Energy commissioning a 1320 megawatt project. In the thermal area, there is the Chattisgarh Thermal Power Plant, the NTPC’s Korba Thermal Power Station on the CESB East Bank  and the Hasdeo Bango hydro electric projects. The Hyderabad based Lanco group is also setting up a 1,920 megawatt unit.

The power developers will be permitted to sell sixty five percent of their production outside the state. The Chief Minister defends the “power” grab by stating that these power projects will provide employments to thousands of poor families in the area. “My policy is that its value addition should be within the state to help local people get employment," said the Chief Minister.

-- by PWI Regional Reporter Central India - central.india@peoplewebinternational.com

By Ashis Dutta, PWI Reporter Karnataka

BANGALORE, INDIA - The world over, the city of Bangalore in India has become synonymous with Information Technology (IT). So much so that the term ‘Bangalored’ has been coined in the United States and also inspired a soap opera there.

But a question mark has been put on the city’s remarkable technology journey since the year 1991. The reason being the recent Union Budget where the fiscal incentive of tax rebate so far enjoyed by the IT industry has been withdrawn. The effect is a whooping 30 % plus cess and surcharge in tax.

Mr. Vivek Kulkarni, a former top bureaucrat responsible for the growth of IT in Bangalore, has been critical of the government’s policy of withdrawing the tax benefit of the IT industry terming it as killing the goose laying golden eggs.

Kulkarni puts forth the example of China, which, despite its phenomenal growth from a struggling economy in 1978 to the manufacturing hub of the entire world, continues to offer tax incentive to the manufacturing industry.

Due to this tax burden, the most affected among the IT fraternity in India is going to be the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector, as large IT companies have already relocated most of their operations to the tax free SEZ (Special Economic Zone). For an industry which provides high quality employment to more than two million people and supports secondary and tertiary employment of another ten million, the tax has certainly come as a dampener.

As for the city of Bangalore, once the fastest growing city of Asia, whose predominant economic activity hovers around IT – be it real estate or retail, transportation or recreation, it is to be seen as to how the city copes with this new fiscal burden.

-- by Ashis Dutta - PWI Reporter Karnataka - karnataka@peoplewebinternational.com

By PWI Regional Reporter Central India

RAIPUR, INDIA - The Supreme Court Of India upheld the bail of Dr. Binayak Sen in a landmark judgement, stating that a mere association with an unlawful organization does not amount to crime. The verdict was given by Justice Markandey Katju .

Dr. Binayak Sen, was convicted on December 24th  2010, of sedition by a Raipur Court, who had found him guilty of passing on information to Maoist rebels in the territory. An award-winning doctor, working in the tribal areas of Chhattisgarh, had been a victim to conflicting reports earlier, on his alleged involvement in supported violent activities.

 Earlier it was stated that Dr. Sen had passed on three letters written by the alleged Maoist Narayan Sanyal, an inmate of the Raipur central jail, to Pijush Guha, a Kolkata-based businessman. All three were convicted of conspiracy by the Raipur court.

Earlier, thousands of supporters had gathered in Bhopal and Raipur to protest against the life imprisonment sentence. Dr. Sen pleaded innocent on the grounds that his visits to Sanyal were in the capacity as a physician and as a human rights activist. The decision has been lauded in parts of the states of Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

Photo: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d0/Dr._Binayak_Sen.jpg

-- by PWI Regional Reporter Central India - central.india@peoplewebinternational.com

PUNE, INDIA - The culture of Pune reveals its charm by the rich tradition which is followed through ages, for me its forty years now and believe me it’s the same. Though there are massive malls and commercial complexes which have changed the appearance, but the existence of old “wada’s" and “chawls” still stand strong.

Pune is recognized as the house of education, as it has got wide arena in the educational sector. There are schools and colleges of international repute, which allows foreign students to pursue higher education through full time, part time and distance learning options. The Film institute of Pune has its own value, and has created great actors like Nassiruddin Shah, Deven Varma, Jaya Bhaduri, Danny Denzongpa etc.

Celebration of any sport event, which India has won in house or internationally, has been a festival for the citizens. The cricket world cup win of 1983, was an unforgettable experience for me, I was 13 years and big enough to celebrate the event with my fellow mates. At the moment its time for some colorful moment and hence “Holi” is celebrated with full happiness. However Christians are busy attending the morning and evening mass in all the city churches, due to the Lent days. Any festival whether it is Diwali, Christmas, Id-e-milad or Baisakhi the togetherness of friends, neighbor’s and colleuges portrays the feeling of unity and togetherness.

Pune has been associated with some renowned educational institutions which have a global presence and affiliation. The IT sector has grown tremendously with some big giants like IBM, Oracle and Infosys outsourcing some of their large projects to their development centers based out of Pune. Pune has been blessed with a fantastic climate, which gives a romantic rainfall, a warm summer and pleasant winter which is enjoyed by all Puneites.

Recently the Common wealth games conducted in Baner, Pune located in the heart of the city  is now getting recognition among other nations and becoming the place of attraction for the youth.

-- by Milind Kuri - PWI Reporter Pune - pune@peoplewebinternational.com

(Photo Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Pune_India.jpg