Going through three news bytes that might have far reaching ramifications:-
1. The Sport of Jallikkettu.
The Supreme Court had banned the conduct of this sport - popular in Tamilnadu and played in
the aftermath of the 'Pongal' festival. Through the sport, the best of the bulls are displayed to the
farmers for mating their cows and it has been followed as a tradition. At times, it must be said
that the bulls are made to go through inhuman behaviour and it's such unacceptable ill treatment
that had forced the animal lovers - through PETA - to take up the issue with the highest court of
the land seeking a total ban and indeed get it!
However, the students all over the state, have initiated peaceful demonstrations everywhere,,
beginning with the Marina Beach in Madras over the last few days, resulting in the central
government permitting the state government to go ahead with the sport, through an ordinance.
Consequently, the sport was held all over the state during the weekend but the protesting students
are, now, demanding a legislation in Parliament to clear future impediments in the conduct of
the sport!
People power must be exercised when wrong things are carried out by those in power. And it's
also the responsibility of the citizens to go to the courts for redressal of their grievances that are
just and genuine.
2. The Rising Frequency of Train Accidents.
It's a known fact that successive governments had only paid lip service to the 'safety' aspects of
the railways. Come budget time, all the railway ministers have launched populist schemes
beginning with a slew of trains to/through their parliamentary constituencies giving scant regard
to the safety factor. The attitude was that the safety of the lakhs of people travelling by trains be
damned!
So, there exists the problems of old tracks needing renewal, replacement of old coaches that
carry passengers, even old wagons that ferry goods and the traffic and signalling systems that
are crying for modernisation. And, as if this wasn't enough, the angle of sabotage by Pakistani
elements has become a reality. The havoc that it can cause is much more than border skirmishes
because the retaliatory action by the armed forces would have been swift and relentless. How do
we avenge the death of innocent civilians in addition to the destruction of valuable railway stock?
3. Increasing cases of Student Activism.
Of late, Kerala is witness to rising student activism. That this state has always been politically
charged notwithstanding, the activism has shown a trend that no discussions are welcome. Let's
take the two cases that had happened/is continuing to happen:-
(a) The Maharajah's College, Kochi.
The Principal had taken action to remove the graffiti on the walls, within the campus and
initiated disciplinary action on the students behind the childish act. Consequently, the
students of the SFI group had burnt down the chair of the principal! It was an act of
vandalism that should not be tolerated and rightfully, the entire faculty - irrespective of
their political affiliations - had carried out a protest march in support of the Principal. The
three responsible have been suspended by the SFI from the organisation. Wonder what
punishment will the college give?
(b) The Law Academy, Thiruvananthapuram.
The student unions have been striking their classes for the last ten days demanding the
resignation of its Principal, alleging favouritism and high handedness in the following:-
(i) Internal Assessment and
(ii) Marking of attendance.
That both the Principals are women is another factor. It's a matter of concern that women
are intimidated in this manner when the gentlemanly alternative of discussions, to arrive at a
solution, is available.
Tailpiece.
The temperatures are rising steadily and I wonder what it would be as we pass through the summer months. With the north east monsoon being scanty, the state is staring at a severe drought condition!
1. The Sport of Jallikkettu.
The Supreme Court had banned the conduct of this sport - popular in Tamilnadu and played in
the aftermath of the 'Pongal' festival. Through the sport, the best of the bulls are displayed to the
farmers for mating their cows and it has been followed as a tradition. At times, it must be said
that the bulls are made to go through inhuman behaviour and it's such unacceptable ill treatment
that had forced the animal lovers - through PETA - to take up the issue with the highest court of
the land seeking a total ban and indeed get it!
However, the students all over the state, have initiated peaceful demonstrations everywhere,,
beginning with the Marina Beach in Madras over the last few days, resulting in the central
government permitting the state government to go ahead with the sport, through an ordinance.
Consequently, the sport was held all over the state during the weekend but the protesting students
are, now, demanding a legislation in Parliament to clear future impediments in the conduct of
the sport!
People power must be exercised when wrong things are carried out by those in power. And it's
also the responsibility of the citizens to go to the courts for redressal of their grievances that are
just and genuine.
2. The Rising Frequency of Train Accidents.
It's a known fact that successive governments had only paid lip service to the 'safety' aspects of
the railways. Come budget time, all the railway ministers have launched populist schemes
beginning with a slew of trains to/through their parliamentary constituencies giving scant regard
to the safety factor. The attitude was that the safety of the lakhs of people travelling by trains be
damned!
So, there exists the problems of old tracks needing renewal, replacement of old coaches that
carry passengers, even old wagons that ferry goods and the traffic and signalling systems that
are crying for modernisation. And, as if this wasn't enough, the angle of sabotage by Pakistani
elements has become a reality. The havoc that it can cause is much more than border skirmishes
because the retaliatory action by the armed forces would have been swift and relentless. How do
we avenge the death of innocent civilians in addition to the destruction of valuable railway stock?
3. Increasing cases of Student Activism.
Of late, Kerala is witness to rising student activism. That this state has always been politically
charged notwithstanding, the activism has shown a trend that no discussions are welcome. Let's
take the two cases that had happened/is continuing to happen:-
(a) The Maharajah's College, Kochi.
The Principal had taken action to remove the graffiti on the walls, within the campus and
initiated disciplinary action on the students behind the childish act. Consequently, the
students of the SFI group had burnt down the chair of the principal! It was an act of
vandalism that should not be tolerated and rightfully, the entire faculty - irrespective of
their political affiliations - had carried out a protest march in support of the Principal. The
three responsible have been suspended by the SFI from the organisation. Wonder what
punishment will the college give?
(b) The Law Academy, Thiruvananthapuram.
The student unions have been striking their classes for the last ten days demanding the
resignation of its Principal, alleging favouritism and high handedness in the following:-
(i) Internal Assessment and
(ii) Marking of attendance.
That both the Principals are women is another factor. It's a matter of concern that women
are intimidated in this manner when the gentlemanly alternative of discussions, to arrive at a
solution, is available.
Tailpiece.
The temperatures are rising steadily and I wonder what it would be as we pass through the summer months. With the north east monsoon being scanty, the state is staring at a severe drought condition!
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