Shillong: a destination you should not miss

Come to the former capital of Assam and the current capital of Meghalaya and experience a cold morning, a cool day, and a foggy evening in Shillong. The city is 1496 meters above sea level and has a population of around 270,000.

Shillong is predominantly occupied by the Khasis who belongs to the Mon-Khmer family. They follow a matrilineal system in Society where the daughter takes care of the ancestral property while the eldest son is the head of the clan. A majority of the population are Christians.  There are significant Assamese, Bengali, and Nepali minorities. Shillong also holds the first University in the North Eastern Region known as The North Eastern Hill University, well know colleges like St Edmund's College, St Anthony's College, St Mary's College, Lady Kean College, Seng Khasi College, and others which invite students from different parts of Northeast. Shillong is therefore, a hub of many cultures where the Khasis meet the Nagas, Mizos, Manipuris, Tripuris, Assamese, Arunachalis and Sikkimese.

Shillong is a magnificent hill station known as 'Scotland of the East' and house several natural lakes, waterfalls, and other tourist spots. Some of the tourist spots that a traveller can enjoy in Shillong include Umiam (Barapani Lake), Don Bosco Centre on Indigenous Cultures, Nan Polok (Wards Lake), Lady Hydari Park, Elephant Falls, Shillong Peak, Golf course and others. Brief look into some of these attractive tourist spots

Umiam Lake: Umiam which is also known as Barapani lake is one of the major lakes situated towards the north of Shillong. This lake resembles the 'Lochs', or lakes of Scotland and it is the main lake used for hydel power project that generated electricity for the state of Megalaya. People can enjoy boat ride, fishing and the scenic beauty of this place. There is a water sports complex. There is a garden (Lum Nehru park) by the side water sports complex.

Don Bosco Centre on Indigenous Cultures: Don Bosco Centre on Indigenous Cultures is a must visit tourist centre. This largest cultural museum in the whole Asia is the house of the eight North Eastern States of India. The museum is under the care of the Salesian order of the Catholic Church. It is the visual library of the entire North Eastern states of Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and Tripura. It is located within the precincts of the Sacred Heart Theological College, Mawlai.

 Wards Lake: Wards Lake which is also known as Nan Polok or Lover’s Park is an artificial lake surrounded by a fairly large garden. The wooden bridge at the middle of the late attracts visitors the most because they could feed the numerous varieties of fish. Boating is another attraction of this place. Lotus in the lake and the flower gardens add beauty to the Lake.

Lady Hydari Park: Lady Hydari Park could also be termed as eco-eriendly Park in Shillong. It has variety of local flowering plants and orchids. The small zoo inside the park attracts more people to visits since there are no major zoos in Shillong. Swings, sea-saws and comfortable seating places add joy to visitors especially to children. This Park which spread around a kilometre is name after Lady Hydari, the first lady of the state, wife of the Governor of Assam.

Shillong Peak: Visiting Shillong without visiting Shillong peak is incomplete. Shillong peak gives a birds-eye-view of the entire city. Visiting Shillong peak in the evening makes you feel as if you are seeing heaven on earth. Shillong peak is 1965 meters above sea level. Shillong peak hosts to a radar station for Indian Air force.

Elephant Falls: The rock which resembled an elephant at the side of the falls made the British to name the fall as Elephant falls. On the way to the falls there are shops that sell traditional handicrafts and various local and non-local food items that attract and refresh tourists. The falls is located in Upper Shillong area which also houses the Eastern Air Command of Indian Airforce.

To visit Shillong, a traveller can take an aeroplane, helicopter, or choose to travel by road. Meghalaya is known as the ‘abode of clouds’ so at times aeroplane or helicopter services are cancelled. People need to carry warm clothes and be prepared to enjoy the winding roads to Shillong. Visit Shillong and enjoy the tourist spots, music, food, fresh air and meet the always welcoming Khasi people. Visiting Shillong will give you an idea about the entire North Eastern states in India.http://ocdcorner.wordpress.com/2014/12/18/shillong-a-destination-you-shouldnt-miss/ 

Ka Kristmas ka dei ka por ban long kum U Krist ba im

Ka Kristmas ka dei ka por ba ia u Krist la kha. Ka pynkynmaw ruh iangi ba, ‘U Krist u la shah iap, U Krist U la mihpat bad U Krist un sa wan pat’. U Jisu u la wan sha kane ka pyrthei 2014 snem mynshuwa bad u la iai shong iai sah bad ngi naduh kita ki por bad un sa bteng ban wan ha ka jingim jongngi man ka sngi. Ki briew ba duwai, ba puson shaphang U Jisu, ki briew ba iamap, ba iasuk, iaieid, kiba iarap ia ki parabriew, bad ki briew ba len lade ban pynbha ia ka imlang sahlang kin sa shem ia U Jisu ha ka jingim jongki. Ka Kristmas ka dei ka tlong ba wanrah jingim ha ka jingiadei jongngi bad U Blei bad ki parabriew bad ka mei mariang jongngi. Ka Kristmas ka dei ka por ba U Blei u pynpaw ia ka jingieid bapura, ka jingieid khlem jingthew iangi ki khun bynriew. Ban puson kham janai ia ka jingmut kane ka por jongka jingkyrkhu kine ki symboh pyrkhat harum ki lah ban iarap iangi.

Ka Kristmas ka dei ka por jong ka jingpynbna.

U Angel Gabriel u la pynbna ba yn sa kha ia U Jisu (Lk 1:26-32). U la pynbna ha ki nongap langbrot ba la kha ia U nongpynim ka pyrthei (Lk 2: 8-20).  Ka por Kristmas ka dei ka por jongka jingpynbna ba wanrah jingbha. U Blei u pynbna ba u ieid ianga ngi haduh katta katta bad u la phah ia U Jisu ban wan siewspah iangi. U Blei u la phah ia ki angel ban pynbna ia ka khubor jong ka jingkmen. Ngi kum ki khun kyntang jong U Blei ngi dei ban long ki nongpynbna ne ki nongpynphriang ia ka khubor babha U Blei bad pynkynmaw ba U Blei u ieid eh iangi. Ngi dei ban long ki briew ba kiwei kin lah ban iohi ia U Jisu baim ha ngi.

Ka Kristmas ka dei ka por jong ka jinglen lade.

Ka por Kristmas ka dei ka por jong ka jinglen lade. Ka Maria ka la len ialade da ka ba ong ‘Hakhmieh nga long ka shakri jong U Trai, ai kan urlong ha nga katkum ba phi ong’ (Lk 1: 38). Ka por Kristmas ka dei ka por ba ngin bret lut ia ka jinglong shimet ne ka jingkhwan bad ngi dei ban pyrkhat ia ka jingbha jong baroh. Ka Maria ka la aiti kylluid mynsiem ialade ha ba U Blei u wan long briew hangne ha sla pyrthei ym ialade shimet hynrei ban siewsphah ia ka pyrthei baroh kawei. Lada ngi aiti kylluid mynsiem ialade na ka bynta ki kam U Blei bad ki kam lehbha ia ki parabriew ngin sa ioh ki jingkyrkhu na U Blei.

Ka Kristmas ka dei ka por jong ka jingkmen.

Haba ka Maria ka la leit jngoh ia ka Elizabeth, Ka Elizabeth ka la ong, ‘U khunlung ha kpoh jongnga u la ryngkoh da ka jingkmen’ (Lk 1:44). Ki Angel ki la rwai ‘Burom h’U Blei sha jrong’ (Lk 2: 14) bad ka Anna ka la iaroh ia U Blei tang shu iohi ia U Jisu (Lk 2:38). Ka por Kristmas ka dei ka por ba U Blei u wan ban pynkmen ia ngi. Ka dei ka por ba ngi kmen namar U Blei u la kyrkhu iangi lyngba ki briew bad ka mariang. Ngi ruh ha kane ka aiom Kristmas ngi dei ban long ki atiar ban wanrah jingkmen ha ka jingim ki parabriew. Ka jingiaieid, jingiamap, ka jingleit jngoh ia ki ba duk ba toi, ki briew ha ki iing sah tymmen ne leit kynduh ia ki khynnah ba khunswet khun rangli bad kine ki jingleh bha jongngi kin sa wanrah jingkmen iangi. Ka jingpynkmen jongngi ia kiwei ka long ka jingpynkmen jongngi ia U Jisu bad ialade hi.

Ka Kristmas ka dei ka por jong ka jingkyrmen.

Ka jingkha ia U Jisu ka wanrah jingkyrmen ia baroh ki briew khamtam lei lei ia ki jait bynriew Ju ba ap khmieh ia ka jingwan U Messaiah. Ki riewstad na ri mihngi ki la kylli da ka jingkyrmen na U Herod, ‘Hango la kha ia i khyllung i ban long U Syiem ki Ju? (Mt 2: 2). U angel u la ong ha ki nongap langbrot, ‘wat sheptieng namar nga wanrah ka khubor ba bha’ (Lk 2: 10). Ka por Kristmas ka ai mynsiem ia ngi ba ngim dei ban duh jingkyrmen ha ka jingim jongngi. Ngi dei ban long ki briew ba trei shitom bad ba shaniah tylli tyllan ha U Blei bad U Blei un sa btin lynti iangi. Ngi ruh kum U Jisu u ba wanrah jingkyrmen ngi dei ban long ki ba ai jingkyrmen ia kiwei. Ki briew ba dap jingkyrmen ha lade ki lah ban ai jingkyrmen ia kiwei.

Ka Kristmas ka dei ka por ba ka kam ka kren khamjam ban ia ka ktien.

U Ignatius bakhuid na Loyola u la long, ‘ka jingieid ka dei ban kham pynpaw ialade da ki kam ba ym tang da ki ktien’. Ka por Kristmas ka dei ka por ba U Blei u pynpaw ia ka jignieid jong U iangi ym tang da ka ktien hynrei da kaba phah iala U jong U Khun U Jisu Krist. Ngi ki briew ngi dei ba bud ia ki nuksa U Blei. Ngi dei ban  kloi ban iarap ia ki ba lanot bad ngi dei ban long ki briew kiba kylluid mynsiem ban noh shynniang na ka bynta ka jingbha ka imlang sah lang jongngi. Ki briew ba kylluid mynsiem ia kiwei kin sa ioh jingkyrkhu shiphew shah na U Blei.

Ka Kristmas ka dei ka por jongka jingpynbna, jinglen lade, jingkmen, jingkyrmen bad ka por jong ka jingieid da ki kam. Lada ngi kwah ban ba U Jisu yn wan shong ha ngi shimet shimet ne ha ka iing ka sem jongngi ngi dei ban long ki ba la khreh. Ngi dei ban ban im ka jingim ba kiwei ki lah ban iohi ia U Jisu ba im ha ka jingim jongngi. Lada ngi im kum U Jisu kane ka pyrthei kan sa long ka pyrthei ba dap jingkmen, jingkyrmen, jingieid bad jingiamap. Ai ba U Jisu yn pyrsad ia ka jingim jong U ha ngi khnang ba ngi lah ban im bha ha kane ka pyrthei. Kristmas Basuk bad snem Thymmai Bakmen iaphi baroh.

Published in Mawphor on 24/12/2014

Link: http://mawphor.com/more?category=articles&id=727

How to make a Film?

1.       Working Title- (Film Name)

2.       Production Team (Names and roles)

3.       Focus/subject (The focus of the video will be)

a.       Audience (The target audience for the video is)

b.      Genre (The video will be in the style of)

c.       Final length (The finished movie will last for)

d.      Objective (The finished movie will last for)

e.      Outline (Mini Synopsis)

Gratitude- Mother Theresa

Ka Jingsngewnguh (Gratitude)

Shisien ka Mother Theresa ka la shah khot ban long chief guest ha ka skul Loreto ha Kolkata ha ka sngi Children’s day. Ha ka por ba la ailad ia ki khynnah ban kylli jingkylli i wei na ki khynnah i la kylli, “Mother kaei ka jingsneng kaba phi kwah ban ai ia ngi ki khynnah?” Ka Mother Theresa da ka jingphuhsamrkhie ka la ong “Ko hep barit, ngam don jingsneng hynrei ka kyntien jingieid ba nga kwah ban pashad ym tang iaphi hynrei ia ki kmie ki kpa bad baroh ki ba don hangne ka long, ‘Gratitude’ (Ka jingsngewnguh). Ka jingngewsnguh ia U Blei, ka jingsngewnguh ia ki parabriew bad ka jingsngewnguh ia ka Mariang’.  Ka jingsngewnguh ka wanrah jingkmen, jingieid, jingiamap, jingiatylli bad ka pynlaitluid iangi.” Paralok nga ieng hangne da katta ka mynsiem sngewnguh. 

Development Journalism and New Media

Development Journalism and New Media

1.      Introduction

Media has immense powers, primarily it is a watch dog. They shoulder the responsibility of spreading awareness among people and thereby developing the nation. Political leaders like M.K Gandhi have used media extensively to promote development. Gandhi has been termed as the most influential writer and journalist that India has produced, Gandhi knew the power of the word, spoken and written, in inspiring people to action.[1] Gandhi realized that he can bring development only when people are informed about a particular issue or event. Development journalism and New Media play vital role in creating, moulding and reflecting the public opinion. They contribute to shaping political, economic and social development in the country.

2.      Understanding the concepts

2.1   Development

The systematic process of economic, social, political, environmental and scientific transformation due to the continuing or constant working on a particular issue or event is known as development. It is the process of adding improvements to land, village, town, health sectors, transport and others. The process of developing, progress or growth of or in particular thing or area is known as development. The word ‘development’ is derived from the old French word ‘desveloper’, which means ‘unroll, unfold, unwrap, unfurl, unveil or reveal’, in 1590s.

2.2  Journalism

Journalism is the process of collecting, analysing, interpreting and disseminating of information to public through medium like print, broadcast, internet or new media. Journalism refers to the news or feature stories (light, entertainment stories) that are expressed either in a descriptive way or concise pattern through different types of media.[2] Journalism comes from Acta diurna, which appeared in the Roman era, where news and announcements affixed to or installed in the city centre at a time when it was called the Forum Romanum. The origin of the word Journalism is ‘Journal’ or ‘du jour’ which means day, where all the day’s news or the news contained in the printed sheet.[3]

2.3  Development Journalism

Jo Ellen Fair, Professor of Journalism and Mass Communication, conceptualises ‘development journalism’ as reporting that relates to the primary, secondary and tertiary needs of a country’s population. She describes it as news that satisfies the needs of a country’s population and enhances self-reliance, i.e. news that relates to development or to social, economic or political problems.[4] It concentrates on giving voice or courage to under privileged individuals, family, or groups of people and helps them to have dignity and status in society. The main characteristics of development journalism are the deliberate and active role in pressing for change. It is geared towards mobilising the people for national development. The notion of development journalism was introduced in 1960s at the Press Foundation of Asia and it became popular in the Third World countries.

Development Journalism is synonymous with a ‘grass roots approach’[5] or ‘local journalism[6],’ that is, it is decentralised and participatory. It does not restrict itself to mass media alone but also use the traditional communication media. Development Journalists travel to under developed areas, collect information through interaction with citizens and report it in different media. The work of travel journalists invites government officials or authority concern to take active role or steps to improve the living conditions of those people in remote places.

The most important component of development journalism is credibility, which most readily won by the media’s adequately advocating the interests of the affected people, which means interalia articulating criticism of the government. Probably only a free media system is able to contribute to rooting out corruption, this fundamental evil in developing countries, by revealing and pillorying it. The most important task of development journalism can be seen in removing the acquiescent basic attitude towards one’s own destiny which is so closely tied up with poverty.

2.4  New Media

New media refers to on-demand access to content anytime, anywhere, on any digital device, as well as interactive user feedback, and creative participation through  CD-ROM, HTML, streaming media, DV editing, web applications and DVD-video, chat rooms, e-mail, online communities, Web advertising, virtual reality environments, Internet telephony, digital cameras, mobile computing. Wikipedia, an online encyclopedia, is an example, combining Internet accessible digital text, images and video with web-links, creative participation of contributors, interactive feedback of users and formation of a participant community of editors and donors for the benefit of non-community readers. Facebook is an example of the social media model, in which most users are also participants.[7]

3.      Goals of Development Journalism

Development journalism identifies under developed places and exposes them to government and public through medium like print, broadcast, internet or new media. It aims to reach rural areas with timely, relevant, and clear information. It addresses the negative news and spot news bias and try to report more news concerning the development process and get people involved to act on information people received. “The goals of development journalism are promoting grassroots, non-violent, socially responsible, ecologically sensitive, personally empowering, democratic, dialogical and humanistic forms of communication”. Development journalism emphasis on stability, partnership, harmony, and consensus therefore, there is no distinction between ordinary people and officials. Developmental journalism promotes mass rights over those of the individual. It is rooted in the notion of doing what is right for the common good.

4.      How new media brings development?

New media helps in better education facilities, facilitates interactive learning and make learning less boring.  It makes people to think creatively at very early age. Digital media technologies and their so-called killer apps, and the popular adoption and acceptance of these computer applications, are revolutionising our sensory perceptions and cognitive experiences of being in the world.[8] New media brings attention to issues that are overlooked or under-represented by other media and by the international political community. As investigative reporters, they uncover the stories within the stories, revealing the multi-faceted nature of poverty. Neuman argues that new media will alter the meaning of geographic distance, allow for a huge increase in the volume of communication, provide the possibility of increasing the speed of communication, provide opportunities for interactive communication, allow forms of communication that were previously separate to overlap and interconnect.

New media educates the people on social problems like Aids, dowry, sati, female foeticide, polio and other areas. New media bring attention to issues that are overlooked or under-represented by other media and by the international political community. As investigative reporters, they uncover the stories within the stories, revealing the multi-faceted nature of poverty.[9] Digital media also known as new media have revolutionised the exchange of information. News travels at a very high speed to public. Websites, mobile applications, blogs, and social media have become standard additions to the way people stay connected to and interact with news and events, and today’s media professionals require a robust skill set in order to stay current in their field.

5.      How new media journalist use media for development?

One definition of the duty of a journalist reporting on development is to: “critically examine, evaluate and report the relevance of a development project to national and local needs, the difference between a planned scheme and its actual implementation, and the difference between its impact on people as claimed by government officials, and as it actually is.”[10]  New media journalists can provide interactive discussions about various political, social and economic issues and try to form a solution. For example Video Volunteers provide a platform for people to raise questions about corruption, infrastructure, education, health, gender, forced evictions, caste and identity, art and culture, environment, development, conflict and technology and make government to take actions.

6.      Impact of Media in Development

6.1  Print

Print is the oldest media forms that include books, newspapers, magazines, journals, newsletters, and other printed material. Print media can address the issues like economic development, agriculture and food security, health, sanitation and medicine, employment, education and literacy, informational technologies development, housing conditions, environmental sustainability, urban and rural development, gender equality and many other areas.

6.2  Radio

Radio is the wireless transmission of signals through free space by electromagnetic radiation of a frequency. It is a powerful mass medium used in education for disseminating information, imparting instruction and giving entertainment. To reach the unreached areas, radio has immense power. Its waves can reach remote corners of the country. It is a fast, inexpensive and sows the seeds for development through communicating development messages. Different programmes pertaining agriculture, environment, health, women safety, child welfare, science & technology, national spirit and others are being aired so that people learn and are informed.

6.3  Television

Television can be a powerful tool for development. Initially television programmes were kept tight under control of the government, which embarked on a self conscious effort to construct and propagate a cultural idea of the Indian nation. A radical transformation of television in Indian has brought in 1990s. Doordarshan and other private own television channels began to focus on socially relevant problems such as AIDS, alcoholism, cancer, child abuse, drugs addiction and rape. Some public television programs stimulate visits to the zoo, libraries, bookstores, museums and other active recreational settings, and educational videos can certainly serve as powerful development devices.

6.4  Internet

The impact of Internet on education can be felt in homes, schools, colleges, universities, with information available at lightning speed. Today a vast amount of information is available at just a click of the mouse. Sharing of information or ideas through internet will foster development. For example when a person wants to learn how to edit a movie, photo, song etc they can just visit YouTube and they will get the tutorials. People who want to do research on various topics cannot but depend on internet.

6.5  Mobile

The advent of mobile devices like smart-phones, games consoles, digital cameras, media players, net books and handheld computers have been rapid and the impact on development is becoming an area of significant research interest. Mobile devices are the best friends of people. For example engineers, doctors, builders, architects, mechanics and other people irrespective of their professions need mobile to communicate with their colleague or clients. Farmers needs mobile so that they get information about the different types of seeds, fertilizers and schemes available for them. 

7.      Advantages of Developmental Journalism

Development journalism has a lot of attraction for developing countries. First, in countries where poverty is the norm, the government of the day wants and needs as much support as it can get. A press that reports government inefficiencies is therefore not welcome. The government will probably have to take decisions which are based on the common good but which harm individual liberties. These decisions may be highly unpopular but they have to be taken, and a hostile press can hold back government’s progress while a supportive press can help the government push these policies ahead.

8.      Disadvantages of Development Journalism

The press becomes far less critical and eventually is forced to give up its ‘watchdog’ role in society. Developmental press has come to be equated with one in which the government exercises tight control and prevents freedom of expression, all in the name of noble ends.

9.      Conclusion

Media has a very significant role in the development of a nation. Development journalism and new media have impact on different sectors like agricultural, education, science, economic, political, cultural, religious, medical, and other sectors that affect humanity. They can transform the thinking pattern, behaviour and action of a person or of society.  Creative and proper use of development journalism and new media will enhance faster growth in society and in a country.

10.  Bibliography

Books

1.      Everett, Anna and Caldwell, John T. (2003) New Media: Theories and practices of Digitextuality. New York. Routledge.

2.      Sharma, Seema (2005) Development of Journalism. New Delhi Anmol Publications Pvt. Ltd. Pg 32-33.

Internet

1.      http://www.buzzle.com/articles/types-of-journalism.html accessed on 14/8/2014.

2.      http://fjrbudiman.wordpress.com/2012/10/22/the-origin-of-journalism-in-the-world/ accessed on 21/8/2014.

3.        http://archives.dailynews.lk/2012/05/03/fea01.asp accessed on 17/8/2014.

4.      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_media accessed on 21/8/2014.

5.      http://www.east4south.eu/index.php/media_and_development/2._development_journalism/ accessed on 21/8/2014.

6.        http://mecs.ukzn.ac.za/Libraries/311/Lecture_Notes_-_Development_Journalism.sflb.ashx accessed on 21/8/2014.

Footnotes

---

[1] The works of Gandhi could be seen in The Indian Opinion, Navjivan, Young India, Vegetarian and others. Seema, Sharma (2005) Development of Journalism. New Delhi Anmol Publications Pvt. Ltd. Pg 32-33.

[2] A journalist reports news, which can be through print, television, radio, or even the Internet. The main purpose of a journalist is to report news with accurate facts in an unbiased manner. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/types-of-journalism.html accessed on 14/8/2014.

[3] http://fjrbudiman.wordpress.com/2012/10/22/the-origin-of-journalism-in-the-world/ accessed on 21/8/2014.

[4] http://archives.dailynews.lk/2012/05/03/fea01.asp accessed on 17/8/2014.

[5] Grass roots approach is an approach which deals with basic issues, basic fact, basic ingredient, basic public opinion that might affect people at large.

[6] Local journalism deals with news or information from local areas or rural areas and brings effect or changes in that particular area. Journalists are rooted in the local culture concerned. Example of local journalism could be town hall meetings, fire side chats and so forth.

[7] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_media accessed on 21/8/2014.

[8] Anna Everett and John T. Caldwell (2003) New Media: Theories and practices of Digitextuality. New York. Routledge. Pg. Xi.

[9] http://www.east4south.eu/index.php/media_and_development/2._development_journalism/ accessed on 21/8/2014.

[10] http://mecs.ukzn.ac.za/Libraries/311/Lecture_Notes_-_Development_Journalism.sflb.ashx accessed on 21/8/2014.

Include mother in the Identity of a child

Include mother in the Identity of a child

Every human person is a unique person. Physiologically, psychologically, or intellectually we might be different but ultimately we are a child to our parent; brother and sister to our siblings; nephews and nieces to our parents’ brothers and sisters; grandchildren to our grandparents and relatives to whom we have blood relation. In one way or the other we are all interconnected being in this universe.

Practically every day we read in news report about the ill fate of mothers. We hear that mothers committed suicide, raped, strangled to death, beaten up by husband because of dowry, forced to do abortion and prostitution. The Times of India on July 9, 2014 reported that One Stop Crisis Centre ‘Gauravi’, a centre in Bhopal where women victims can seek help by directly walking in or by calling a toll free number, has witnessed more than 500 calls and 41 walk-ins in just three weeks. India is a place where there are many female goddesses being worshipped, is this supposed to be the status of our mothers in India?

The question asked by the Supreme Court as to ‘why are mothers ignored?’ should not be just a question but should evoke immediate action from government and people. Government need to recognize that mothers are part and parcel of a child. The Hindu reported on July 17, 2014 that mothers hardly match the authority a father commands in official documents necessary to prove a person’s identity. Indeed mother’s connection with a child is much deeper and stronger than what patriarchal society sees it. From womb to tomb we always find that there is always a mother.

The mother figure is the most centric figure in a child’s life. From infancy to adulthood, a mother’s role in influencing and shaping her child’s life does not cease. She is seen to take on various roles in her lifetime for the sake of her children and her family. She adopts roles of a playmate, a teacher, a friend, a companion and support system to her family.

The mother is the one who accompanies during childhood-playing with them and teaching them various things, schooling days- teaching them how to read and write, youth days- how to cope up with peer pressures and other teenage problems, while searching job they would accompany the child to office or pray for them, and while working they would prepare food for the child.

Mothers have done so much for the growth of a child. Is it not her fundamental right to be part of the identity of the child just like the father? In agreement to Mr Madhav Kant Mishra from Allahabad, who filed the petition in court that ignoring the parenthood of the mother in government documents is in gross violation of the Fundamental Right to Equality under Article 14 of the Constitution, mothers should be acknowledged and given equal importance as the paternal figures.

Is Politics just a blame-game?

Is Politics just a blame-game?

Politics is an opportunity for politicians to lead, guide and bring development for people. Politics is to enhance democracy which is a government ‘of the people, by the people and for the people’. Politics and democracy aim at uniting people, transforming society, respecting people and provide equal rights and opportunities for citizens of a country. Politics and Indian democracy is in a pathetic stage in this present era because politicians instead of encouraging each other, working together for betterment of society are not fighting against one another and degrading the dignity of one another. Politicians are now intruding into private lives of individuals.

Narendra Modi is regarded as the ‘tea boy’, Rahul Gandhi as a ‘fraud Gandhi’ and Arvind Kejriwal ‘Mango man’. The election campaign of political parties for the General Election 2014 has become a campaign to degrade one another. BJP goes after Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), Congress goes after BJP and AAP accuses Congress and BJP. Power, prestige and wealth have taken control over politics. Politicians no longer respect one another. Congress President Sonia Gandhi accused BJP of indulging in divisive politics by “sowing seeds of poison” (zeher ki kheti) and instigating violence. Mulayam Singh Yadav said that Narendra Modi presides over ‘mass murder’ of Muslims. Mr. Modi accused the Congress of being “high-class elitists with a feudal mindset,” and said that the Samajwadi Party, is a “Samaj-Virodhi (anti-social) Party”. Mr. Kejriwal accused that “Mukesh Ambani has Modi in one pocket and Rahul Gandhi in the other... He can allow Modi to have a five-year term and also give Rahul Gandhi five years to rule”. Gadkari claimed that Kejriwal had levelled “false, baseless, scandalous and defamatory statements” when   he was listed as one of the most corrupt politicians by Kerjriwal. Narendra Modi was remarked as “maut ka saudagar” (merchant of death) while Kejriwal is called as an “Anarchist” who is now a ‘Maoist without weapon’.   This cycle of blame - game has continued since the launch of the campaigns and doesn’t seem to stop. Is this kind of campaigning truly the best way to win the general public over? Where is the ethical responsibility and respect of human dignity in our so called political leaders?

Politicians need to realize that they are people’s representatives and need to set good example in words and deeds. Political parties need to campaign for election in order to win but they should not let power and position control their values as human beings. Politicians need to take political campaigns or rallies as an opportunity to spread values among people and not to degrade one another.

RFLI, an organisation for life

RFLI, an organisation for life

“When you do something, do it with love. It is not the outcome that is important; it is the love you put into it that counts,” said Sr. M Annunciata, Secretary cum Treasurer Respect for Life India (RFLI).

Respect for life India (RFLI) is a non-profit, secular organisation run by the Good Shepherd Sisters. RFLI started in August 6, 1986, with its secretariat established in Bangalore. Their main aim is to promote, protect and foster human life at all stages and to act against all that would lessen human dignity. They believe that every human is precious and unique in the eyes of God and the human family. The organisation is concerned with issues like abortion, child labour, drug addiction, alcoholism, suicide, battered wives, dowry deaths, plight of disabled, euthanasia and HIV/AIDS. It focuses on issues from conception to natural death, and to act against all that would demean human dignity because every human is precious and unique in the eyes of God and the human family.

RFLI for the past 12 years have been visiting colleges like, St. Joseph’s College (Arts and Science), St. Joseph’s Evening College, Christ University and Mount Carmel College to conduct seminar or for to give awareness programme. Sr. Annunciata is the current director of the RFLI centre in Good Shepherd Convent campus.

RFLI conducts awareness programmes, pro-life sessions at different schools and colleges, and programmes for women and resource person at churches, slums, juvenile homes and so on. They also hold National Convention once in two years in different cities. RFLI have centres in different places in India like in Karwar, Shillong, Goa, Agra, Erode and Chennai.

One of the ministries that RFLI organisation have take up is rescuing girls who are forced to work like sex workers and bring about a better life for the girls working at brothels and the red-light areas. These sex workers were promised good jobs before they were bought by their owners but they ended up selling their body to earn livelihood. Sr. Annunciata  said that while the woman or mother is selling her body, the children will be kept outside the house or  their children are left on the streets all by themselves. Therefore, RFLI takes these children to a home, educate them, give them food and shelter, taught to pray, draw, also taught yoga and karate and train them to be better life. By doing so, Sr. Annunciata said that at least the children will not be abused and at least they will be freed from the same trade.

To run NGO or any institutions or organisations, money is needed. RFLI receives money from schools they have in Good Shepherd Convent campus. They also receive funds from people who support the institution. Currently there are three staffs taking care at the institution. RFLI also receives volunteers from time to time in order to carry out the mission.

They have various publications, like newsletters, brochures, information folders books, and also have library of books and audio visual library which are used as research centres and also hold exhibitions. Charts about various issues like abortion, child labour, drug addiction, alcoholism, suicide, battered wives, dowry deaths, plight of disabled, euthanasia and HIV/AIDS are displayed from time to time.

RFLI has different centres in different places. Some of them are Chaitanya, centre for the homeless, Abala Ashraya Sanga, centre for women on the streets where they are provided with counselling and shelter for a week or two. St. Micheal’s Home, centre for unwed women and Marian Ville, hostel for working women in Good Shepherd Convent. In all the works we do, do it joyfully and happily and the fruit of happiness will come. St. Ignatius of Loyola said, “Love ought to manifest itself more in deeds than in words.”

Sr Annunciata

Respect for Life India

Good Shepherd Convent, Museum Road.

Bangalore, Karnataka, India 560025

Phone no.: 91-080-22246806

91-9844129904

Email:         respectforlifeindia@dataone.in

Website:       respectforlifeindia.org

Sacrificing life for faith

Sacrificing life for faith

The ongoing atrocities against Christians living in Iraq by the extremist militant group Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), has proved Karl Marx’s words that religion is the opium of the people. Religion is an institution that is supposed to lead us to God. It encourages us to love our neighbor. No religion teaches its followers to hate, destroy or kill other human beings. Is it right for ISIS to kill and persecute Christians in Iraq in the name of religion?

The killing of more than approximately 1,50,000 Christians in Iraq has become an issue of concern. Up to 1,00,000 Christians are reported to have fled their homes in Iraq, especially from cities like Mosul and Qaraqosh, because of the threat posed by ISIS. Christians were given three choices by the brutal oppressors: convert to Islam, pay a dhimmi (a tax collected by non-Muslims for their residence), or be executed. The Vatican’s Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue has stated that ISIS has “committed and was continuing to commit unspeakable criminal acts” against the Christians and Yazidis. ISIS needs to realize that human lives are not just pawns to establish religious supremacy.

The persecution or killing of people in the name of religion is wrong and should be condemned. It is often said that those who persecute others in the name of religion often do not know anything about their religion or its teachings. They could be considered as fanatics and equated to outlaws. Perpetrators should be punished justly.

Religion is a means to enhance our human life here on earth. Islam, Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, and other religions aim to lead us to the Divine and they are supposed to help us love one another. Different religions need to have a dialogue and make resolutions to work together, build a just human society and create an atmosphere where people can live as brothers and sisters.

Ethnographic Research

Ethnographic Research

Every child is born to a family, culture, state or nation. Culture is an innate thing to a human person but it gets modified when we interact with other cultures. We often hear people saying that ‘American or European cultures are better than Indian or Sri Lankan cultures’. People cannot judge as to which culture is the best or the worst because each culture or ethnic group have got their own uniqueness just like every human being is unique in their own way.

Ethnographic Research which is also known as Ethnographic Field Research is a concept developed by Malinowski, Evans-Pritchard, Mead and Boas. The word ‘Ethnography’ is derived from the Greek word ‘ethnos’ which means ‘folk, people, nation’ and ‘grapho’ which means ‘I write’. Research is a systematic investigation of a particular thing, event, or incident, culture and so on in order to arrive at new logical, reliable conclusions and to establish new facts. Ethnographic Research is therefore, a systematic study of a particular culture or culture of an individual. It is a branch of anthropology that describes the culture of an individual or group through close observation, reading, and interpretation.  Ethnography is the study of social interactions, behaviours, and perceptions that occur within teams, organisations, and communities.

Ethnographic Research is qualitative in nature. In this form of research, researchers observe, conduct interviews and surveys of smaller populations and groups is done in-depth. The results of the study of one particular culture will not be applied to other cultures. Statistical methods of quantifying data collected are not used in this method. The researcher is involved in the field to be studied and thus they know the ideas, values, habits, ways and action patterns of the community in the field.

Ethnographic Research is Subjective in nature. According to ethnographers Bonnie Sunstein and Elizabeth Chiseri-Strater, “when someone says “that’s really weird” or “aren’t they strange”, a fieldworker hears these comments as signals for investigation.”  Culture is inborn and cultivated in us in us and we tend to act and behave accordingly. When we step into a new culture, we bring with us our previous experiences, preconceptions, and ideas of our culture. When we act, judge or interact with others our culture will guide us knowingly or unknowingly. The ethnographer is always present in the research he or she conducts and the texts he or she creates.

The questions that an ethnographic researcher needs to ask should include qualitative and descriptive questions. They should ask not only what they see but also the opinion, interpretation or explanation of the respondent. According to Sunstein and Chiseri-Strater, “An ethnographer and a journalist may both gather information about the same event but write up their accounts very differently. A standard daily newspaper reporter, for example, conducts research in an attempt to be objective: to give the who, what, where, when, and why of an event for a readership that expects facts without too much interpretation. As a fieldworker, your purpose is to collect and consider multiple sources of information, not facts alone, to convey the perspective of the people about the culture you study.”

Participation, personal encounter, direct observation and experience are the primary tool for data collection. Identifying, clarifying, negotiation, refining and elaborating are pivotal tools for ethnographic research. Ethnographic research is cyclical in nature: data collection, analysis and interpretation are a continuously interrelated and inseparable process. The methods used for collection data could be visible or open-ended (frontstage), invisible or close-ended (backstage), and overt (straightforward) or covert (not openly). In ethnographic research the dichotomy observation-participation is used.  An open-ended question is one that cannot be answered with a simple “yes” or “no.” According to Rafoth in order to help interviewers develop their answers further, researchers need to keep the following in mind. Extending questions: “What led to that?” “How did that start?” Filling in detail: “Could you ‘walk me through the event?” Identifying key actors and agents: “Who else was involved?”Inner events, “How did that make you feel?”

Secondary data add texture and broaden the work of an ethnographer by studying about cultures in larger historical, geographical, and political contexts. When primary and secondary data are combined together an ethnographer or readers will get a comprehensive view about culture. The range of subjects for ethnographic research is unlimited and we can study the mundane or the exotic, the ordinary or the extraordinary.

In mass communication studies, ethnographic field research has become the standard procedure used to study the working of media institutions and more recently, has gained ground in audience research. Participant observation has been the key method of enquiry for several decades, particularly in the area of news. The other major strand of communication studies in which participant observation has taken a prominent position is audience research.

 In mass communication Ethnographic research relies on techniques such as observation, video diaries, photographs, contextual interviews, and analysis of artefacts. Observations can be made at home, at work, or in leisure environments. People can be studied with their family, on their own, with work colleagues, or as part of a group of friends. In ethnographic research the role of the researcher determines his/her social location in the community/group under study.

Data analysis and interpretation should be seen as a process, ‘with fieldwork, data-text translation, coding and conceptualising all go ahead at the same time. Analysis implies breaking up the research material into separate units, then searching for patterns, categories and holistically looking at the data. Analysis is not simply ‘wet-finger’ theorising. Jorgen suggests several analytic strategies such as identify the basic components of a phenomenon, look for patterns and relationship among facts, compare and contrast, ask different questions and rephrase them and consult exist literature.  

Bibliography

http://methodsofdiscovery.net/?q=node/19

http://www.bmj.com/content/337/bmj.a1020

http://hbr.org/2009/03/ethnographic-research-a-key-to-strategy/ar/1

https://www.gov.uk/service-manual/user-centred-design/user-research/ethnographic-research.html

Development communication Stories

Development communication Stories

1)      Name of publication/s: Deccan Herald                         Date of Publication: Tuesday, May 20, 2014

2)      Title of the article: A backward desert region blooms on the back of a refinery

3)      Why you consider the stories Development stories?

I consider the story about oil refinery and petro chemical complex coming up in Barmer, Rajasthan by Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) as a development story because; this project has already given new dimension to the lives of people in the backward desert region with new infrastructure like roads, buildings and so on and there is better connectivity with cities. Basic necessities like water and education are also taken care because the company has laid new socio-economic foundation to take care of people. The refinery will bring in better communication facilities for the people whether through mobiles, TV, Radio, Newspapers or internet. People are excited of getting fresh drinking water as this village has had no source of fresh drinking water.  Even in the area of marriage we can see development. People who were finding it difficult to marry of their children are not getting marriage proposals because of the coming up of the oil refinery in this village. The setting up of the Balmer Oil Refinery has made many private institutions to start various job oriented courses. The water in Balmer area is water borne diseases water and people get different types of sicknesses like early ageing, hunchback, joint pains, weakening of bones and dental cavities. The setting up of pipeline for fresh drinking water will reduce the sicknesses in Balmer, Sajiyali and other surrounding villages. Cairn India has also installed RO plants in different villages which provide fluoride free water to people. The Balmer Oil Refinery has also attracted real estate sector and hotel industry in these areas. People are now investing even for barren lands in which people in Balmer areas have never dreamt that it would be of any use.  Constructions of private housing projects in Balmer areas are now in full swing.  There is a boon in hospitality sector too. The youth from different villages are employed at construction sites and are engaged in back office operations in the hotels. The production of oil from this area will lift Rajasthan to be at par with other leading oil refineries in India. The coming up of oil refinery and petro chemical complex have brought development in the areas of education system, health facilities, transports, economy, connectivity and others.

4)      Summarise the core of the stories.  

The story about ‘A backward desert region blooms on the back of a refinery’ published in the Deccan Herald on Tuesday, May 20, 2014 was written by Abhishek Gaur. The story tells about the setting up of oil refinery and petro chemical complex in Balmer. The project was for commercial productions and is set to complete in 2017. The story in a particular way narrates the feelings of the people in Balmer, Saijiyali and other neighbouring villages regarding the establishment of the oil refinery. It just seems to the people that the basic problems in the area which were never addressed in last 60 years seem to have been of great concern because of the coming of the project. Better education, water, transport and health facilities are not initiated in the region. There is better connectivity with cities and better mobile network towers are now installed. The article contains lots of quotes of local people about their experiences before and after the setting up of the project. For example Rupa Ram Chaudhary from Sajiyali said, “The situation had become so bad that none of the families from nearby villages were ready to marry their girls here because their daughters would have to travel several miles on foot every day just to fetch drinking water.” The story provided some facts that water in Balmer area has 5000 to 8000 TDS (Total Dissolved Solids) which over the years resulted to water borne diseases and cause different types of sicknesses to people. Cairn India has installed these RO plants at Bhakharpure, Kawas, Gida, Jogasar, Aakdada, Baytu, Gudamalani and other villages to improve the quality of water. Hotels and restaurants are mushrooming, land rates have shot up by over 300 per cent in last one year, local youth are now getting jobs and youth are being train for job oriented courses. The Balmer Oil Refinery will help Rajasthan to become India’s top oil producing state.

1)      Name of publication/s: The New Indian Express         Date of Publication: Tuesday, July 8, 2014

2)      Title of the article: A Unique forum for the people, by the people

3)      Why you consider the stories Development stories?

I consider the story about ‘A Unique forum for the people, by the people’ as a development story because there are many development activities that Video Volunteers did and are doing which have been mentioned in this story. Agenda setters and gatekeepers control the news of main stream media but the coming up of Video Volunteers (VV) provides real and truthful information about an incident or event. Video Volunteers portrays the truth, creates local leaders, gets people and government to take action and enables the oppressed to advocate for themselves. The main objectives of Video Volunteers is to enable people to speak for themselves through their own medium which is convenient and provide them space and time to do so. Most marginalised communities of India like dalits, tribals, women, and socio-economically weaker sections now have their opportunity to voice out and make government take action because of Video Volunteers. A network of community correspondents act as stringers in rural areas and get original stories which are unheard off so far. The wider connection of Video Volunteers with other mainstream media like Headlines Today and CNN-IBN boast the credibility of their work and have wide publication. Video Volunteers focus on 12 broad issues: corruption, infrastructure, education, health, gender, forced evictions, caste and identity, art and culture, environment, development, conflict and technology. The issues are areas of developments that each and every nation needs to concentrate. Video Volunteers correspondents talk to people in rural areas, create awareness about various issues, make them realize their rights, and to talk about solutions and ways forward. They also help government to find solutions to certain problems. The acts of running campaigns to put an end to untouchability and campaign for Right to Education (RTE) are development stories.

4)      Summarise the core of the stories.

Svetlana Lasrado wrote the story about ‘A Unique forum for the people, by the people’ to show the truth that an online media network stirs conversations for social change. The story tells us that how Video Volunteers could be a mouthpiece of privilege and under-privilege people. People could raise questions about corruption, infrastructure, education, health, gender, forced evictions, caste and identity, art and culture, environment, development, conflict and technology and make government to take actions. The story mentioned that main stream media are often barred to tell facts but not with Video Volunteers which was started by Jessica Mayberry and Stalin K in 2006.The story tells about the initiatives of Video Volunteers and the activeness of their correspondents which have given voice to thousands of people in lower strata across 24 states in the country. In India The volunteer network concentrates mostly in central and northern India like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha and Maharashtra because they continue to have some of the worst socio-economic indicators and are also conflict prone. The network of community correspondents operates like a rural stringers network. The correspondents identify a story then talk to their mentor to identify shots, interviews and research and then once filmed, the story gets edited which will finally go onto website and YouTube channel. The content is also share with Headlines Today and CNN-IBN, Youth Ki Awaaz, Oximity, Global Voices and others. Community reporting is that it catalyses change for the people and government. The presence of a camera boosts the morale of officials and makes them more accountable. In 2013-14 Video Volunteers had impacted 49,568 people in 198 villages. Video Volunteers correspondents have encountered threats from some people but they join hands with the Human Rights Law Network and sought support from organisations like the Community to Protect Journalists. Currently Video Volunteers  are working on the murder of Dalit activist Sanjay Khobragade on May 17 by six upper caste people who have gone scot free. They are running a campaign to put an end to untouchability and pushed that laws should be enforced. Right to Education (RTE) in India is another campaign that Video Volunteers are running and this campaign have revealed that many schools have remain shut because of the lack of teachers, drinking water facilities and toilets.