Encountering Count Dracula
It was the year of 1964. I had just finished matriculation, taken admission in college and was introduced to the new world opened up by library books meant for " More than school" students.
We had also just shifted our house. Earlier it was the busy & bustling locality of Kathal bari with long rows of houses and front yards full of children of all ages and playing all kind of games - one could join any team and get busy. The new house was in the exclusive campus of the Institute where my father was a professor. The Campus had just been ready with huge Institute building, and about twenty quarters for professors, and a Kachcha road that would bring you to campus from the city - a good three kilometers away. The whole campus of fifty acres was actually the mango orchard of the then Maharaja of Darbhanga, donated to the Institute. On the eastern side, was river Bagmati. The institute and most of the houses were on the northern side. In the southern side, there were only five huge bungalows. Whole area was full of tall shady mango trees.
On the other side of the river was a ceremonial ghat where dead bodies were brought for cremation. In fact the campus area was called Kabra Ghat. Stories floated around for decades how the whole area was earlier infested with bhoot and pishach of all kinds till a siddha come and imprisoned them all with his mantra. So now, while the spell of those mantras continues the area has no fear of any ghost.
That was some encouragement. But what of the disappointment that I faced while occupying my room! Our earlier house had no electricity. In those years, even in a district capital like Darbhanga, half the population did not have electricity despite wealth. But we had seen electric poles while coming to our new house and were excited. Then to find that though the houses had all fillings, there was actually no "Connection" That was scheduled to be available only after a year or so.
Our house was on the south- eastern tip of the campus and in that my room was on the farthest south east corner. Yes, in honour of my laving started college, and in recognition that I would have to burn
Midnight oil for "studies", I was allowed to occupy a secluded room, all to myself. The other four members managed with other two rooms and a big hall, leaving my room entirely to myself. Earlier also. I had the habit of reading till late night, with mother to give me company, while she finished her scores of jobs. But now my room was exclusive.
Then came that memorable day. I had borrowed some books from library among which was the novel "Count Dracula". After dinner, when everyone was retiring to bed I took the Kerosene lamp to the table near my window and started the book. It was a gripping horror story. The narration was superb. I still remember the descriptions of dark nights and wide forests opening up outside the house. Count Dracula would come floating from those forests. While he traveled, his two eyes would shine brightly like two dots of amber, which would grow bigger and fiercer as he came nearer. Then he would come through the window with all his charms & overtake his prey. If he came on moonlit night, his jet black cloak would shine too. Throughout the book Count Dracula kept coming to his victims off and on.
I was thoroughly engrossed in the story. The whole house had long fallen asleep. Occasionally, I would take a quick glance out of my window and would be amused to notice how the outer environment was matching with the description in the book. It was a night with half moon- may be the 6th or a 7th day of the waning fortnight - which meant that the moon had arisen late on the eastern horizon and was now casting a mystical spell of semi - light & semi-darkness. There were some clouds too. On the other side of river, two bodies had been brought for cremation some time in the evening. We had witnessed the flames going up high as the Chita burned through the evening Now, the flames had died down but not entirely. Two glowing spots could still be seen in the distance. Even today I can see them before my closed eyes, whenever I think of that night. It appeared as if Count Dracula was lying low with his burning amber eyes scanning the vast grounds before him, to decide in which direction he should go to hunt for his next prey.
When I finished the book, it was past midnight; one-thirty, may be two o'clock. A slight chill ran through me. The two amber dots in the distance were a perfect match to the description of any Count Dracula waiting to spread his wings and rise and come floating over the vast lawns full of shady trees.
I distinctly remember - I was not scared of the scene outside the house. I had no fear of Count Dracula or any of the Bhoot, Pishach whose stories were leisure - time talks of the campus. But I knew that I had been gripped by the novel and the images would overpower my imagination if I allowed them to sink deep into my thinking process. I must not sleep. I had to wipe out those images - then and there. How was I to counter this image problem? If I allowed these images to, linger, they were sure to come back to me on all future nights whenever I would walk along these roads or any similar location. They could scare me then; at least would take away some of my bold spirit. I had to secure my future from these images of Count Dracula.
I thought and thought and finally deiced on what I had to do. The answer was available on my book shelf. Another book which I had borrowed from father just a day before! That seemed promising to wipe out all images and scare of Count Dracula for ever from my thinking process.
That book was Rajyog by Swami Vivekananda. A profound analysis of the 9th chapter of Bhagvadgeeta! This chapter is described and deals with as Rajvidya, and Rajguhya vidya, i.e. the process of training the mind.
My father being a professor of Sanskrit & Philosophy, I had long since been introduced to Indian scriptures, and mythology. Various concepts of Bhagvadgeeta were not new to me. I could follow the analysis of Swami Vivekananda when he dealt with the subject of conscious, subconscious and the ways to train the mind and thought process.
I read through the book. For me, it was as gripping as the earlier book had been. And it was wiping my thoughts clean of Count Dracula and his images. I kept on reading it.
Sometime in the early morning, mother came to my room and chided me for not having rested. The book was snatched away, the lamp was extinguished and I was ordered to sleep. She promised to wake me up in time for collage.
Throughout these years, the images of these vast fields and trees and the river Bagmati the burning Chita - all have remained in my memory – as they were. But no scary image of Count Dracula. Occasionally I pick up my copy of Rajyog and try to absorb its concepts. And pat myself for having found a perfect solution to Count Dracula.
------------------------
published in Harmony, April, 2007
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Saturday, October 25, 2008
New Strategies for Education
New Strategies for Education
WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVE OF EDUCATION?
A)From the point of view of the SOCIETY or the NATION-
Is the society gorwing richer?
Is there enought material production and materialistic gains?
Does the socio-economic system permit equitable distribution of wealth and production?
Is there a reduction in the drudgery of the common man?
Does the environm,ent permit pursuit of excellence?
Does the environment permit inculcation and establishment of ethical and personal value systems alongwith pursuit of freedom and fearlessness?
Do the prople have a sense of commitment towards:
a) the society,
b) the cultural and philosophical heritage,
c) the nation?
Do people regard contentedness as a cherished value?
Does the society uphold truth as the ultimate goal?
B)From INDIVIDUAL’S point of view:-
The education for an individual,
- Must make him better equipped to earn his living.
- Must encourage him to the pursuit of excellence.
- Must build up the sense of belonging towards the society and the nation.
- Must build up the sense of compassion and friendliness towards others.
- Must bring in appreciation of social harmony.
- Must inculcate dignity of human life and human labour.
What system of Education can give us these? Read More
WHAT ARE THE OBJECTIVE OF EDUCATION?
A)From the point of view of the SOCIETY or the NATION-
Is the society gorwing richer?
Is there enought material production and materialistic gains?
Does the socio-economic system permit equitable distribution of wealth and production?
Is there a reduction in the drudgery of the common man?
Does the environm,ent permit pursuit of excellence?
Does the environment permit inculcation and establishment of ethical and personal value systems alongwith pursuit of freedom and fearlessness?
Do the prople have a sense of commitment towards:
a) the society,
b) the cultural and philosophical heritage,
c) the nation?
Do people regard contentedness as a cherished value?
Does the society uphold truth as the ultimate goal?
B)From INDIVIDUAL’S point of view:-
The education for an individual,
- Must make him better equipped to earn his living.
- Must encourage him to the pursuit of excellence.
- Must build up the sense of belonging towards the society and the nation.
- Must build up the sense of compassion and friendliness towards others.
- Must bring in appreciation of social harmony.
- Must inculcate dignity of human life and human labour.
What system of Education can give us these? Read More
Devdasi -- An attempt at Economic Rehabilitation.
My work with Devdasis of Sangli and Kolhapur has been narrated at:
The Integrated Rural Development Programme for Women in Developing countries:
What more can be done?
Published as a chapter in the book "Women Development & survival in the third world" Edited by Halesh Afshar Longman Publication U.K.(1989)
A feature article was based on this experiment :
Eradicating the Devdasi Cult- Article by Vimal Patil in Femina and Illustrated Weekly.
RIPA, Jaipur used it as the base for a seminar discussion -1990,
The Integrated Rural Development Programme for Women in Developing countries:
What more can be done?
Published as a chapter in the book "Women Development & survival in the third world" Edited by Halesh Afshar Longman Publication U.K.(1989)
A feature article was based on this experiment :
Eradicating the Devdasi Cult- Article by Vimal Patil in Femina and Illustrated Weekly.
RIPA, Jaipur used it as the base for a seminar discussion -1990,
Sati, the real Legend
Sati, the real Legend
Daily Pioneer, Delhi.
Ordinarily the word Sati has come to be associated with a backward looking, non-developmental mind. There is no dearth of words to describe how the illiterate, uneducated, dumb women of our country fall prey to the vision of Sati.
This is an issue where I consider the intelligentia guilty on more than one count. Firstly they have not made proper assessment of the enormity of the problem which is both quantitative and qualitative. We have nearly fifty crore women in the country out of which more than twenty crore are illiterate, and uneducated. Those who are educated are either steeped in tradition without knowing where the original idea came from or are extremely critical of present day tradition but have not tried to look into the origin and enlighten others about it.
Read more
Daily Pioneer, Delhi.
Ordinarily the word Sati has come to be associated with a backward looking, non-developmental mind. There is no dearth of words to describe how the illiterate, uneducated, dumb women of our country fall prey to the vision of Sati.
This is an issue where I consider the intelligentia guilty on more than one count. Firstly they have not made proper assessment of the enormity of the problem which is both quantitative and qualitative. We have nearly fifty crore women in the country out of which more than twenty crore are illiterate, and uneducated. Those who are educated are either steeped in tradition without knowing where the original idea came from or are extremely critical of present day tradition but have not tried to look into the origin and enlighten others about it.
Read more
female feticide and illiteracy... the 2 curses on a MAP
Oh! to be born and educated
Published Mainstream delhi July 2002]
To be born and to be educated are the most fundamental rights of anyone.The fast declining rate of female to male sex ratio as has been brought to the fore in the latest census of 2001 has created a wide- spread alarm among the government circles, the voluntary sector and academicians all over the country. There is no doubt that this kind of decline is not natural but is a result of rampant sex detection tests and female feoticide.
Apparently it would be expected that fmr (Female to Male sex ratio) should increase with increase in education. The actual trends are quite the reverse.
Read more
Payment of Subsistence Allowance -- A case study
Payment of Subsistence Allowance: -- A case study in systemic changes for office efficiency.
The Departmental Enquiry Rules and Manuals provide for how to deal with defaulting govt servants. Two rules are crucial for present discussion (i) for a person under suspension, the enquiry should be completed in six months - but this time is extendable by authorities at various levels (ii) the person under suspension will be paid a subsistance allowance which will be 50% of his pay and allowances for the first 3 months, to be enhanced to 75% for the remaining period of enquiry - however the authorisation for allowing him to draw the SA has to be issued only for three months (or less) and has to be revised by appropriate authority every three months.
How, for a large office the second rule causes suffering and wastage and how a system change and reduce the two? Here is a case study
The Departmental Enquiry Rules and Manuals provide for how to deal with defaulting govt servants. Two rules are crucial for present discussion (i) for a person under suspension, the enquiry should be completed in six months - but this time is extendable by authorities at various levels (ii) the person under suspension will be paid a subsistance allowance which will be 50% of his pay and allowances for the first 3 months, to be enhanced to 75% for the remaining period of enquiry - however the authorisation for allowing him to draw the SA has to be issued only for three months (or less) and has to be revised by appropriate authority every three months.
How, for a large office the second rule causes suffering and wastage and how a system change and reduce the two? Here is a case study
Fuel does grow on trees
Fuel does grow on trees
Times of India, 1 july 2005
Art. by Leena Mehendale and Ranjan Goswami, PCRA
The burning of fossil fuels at the current rate is likely to create an environmental crisis. In India, bio-diesel, an alternative and renewable source of energy, is gaining momentum. Bio-diesel burns cleaner and is available from natural, renewable sources such as tree-borne oilseed and animal fats. Like petroleum diesel, bio-diesel operates in compression and ignition engines.
Blends of up to 20% bio-diesel (mixed with petroleum diesel) can be used in nearly all diesel and most storage and distribution equipment. These low-level blends (20% and less) generally do not require any engine modifications. Bio-diesel can provide the same payload capacity as diesel.
Read article
Times of India, 1 july 2005
Art. by Leena Mehendale and Ranjan Goswami, PCRA
The burning of fossil fuels at the current rate is likely to create an environmental crisis. In India, bio-diesel, an alternative and renewable source of energy, is gaining momentum. Bio-diesel burns cleaner and is available from natural, renewable sources such as tree-borne oilseed and animal fats. Like petroleum diesel, bio-diesel operates in compression and ignition engines.
Blends of up to 20% bio-diesel (mixed with petroleum diesel) can be used in nearly all diesel and most storage and distribution equipment. These low-level blends (20% and less) generally do not require any engine modifications. Bio-diesel can provide the same payload capacity as diesel.
Read article
Crime Profile of Maharashtra : Dowry Deaths Mainstream 22Sep2001
Crime Profile of Maharashtra : Dowry Deaths
Published Mainstream 22 Sept 2001
Dowry is undoubtedly a stigma on the Indian society. A girl leaves her parental house around the age of 20 years and accepts the matrimonial house as her home where she would spend the rest of life. Her well-being, sense of security, confidence and empowerment, everything depends on the treatment that she gets during the initial period immediately after the marriage. The menace of dowry torture increased so much during the last twenty years that now it has become a threat to the sense of well-being of the newly married girl.
Read further
Published Mainstream 22 Sept 2001
Dowry is undoubtedly a stigma on the Indian society. A girl leaves her parental house around the age of 20 years and accepts the matrimonial house as her home where she would spend the rest of life. Her well-being, sense of security, confidence and empowerment, everything depends on the treatment that she gets during the initial period immediately after the marriage. The menace of dowry torture increased so much during the last twenty years that now it has become a threat to the sense of well-being of the newly married girl.
Read further
Energy auditing india
This article suggests a methodology to carry out Energy Audit of India viewed from a systemic perspective.
Energy conservation is a multifaceted activity involving both promotional & regulatory measures. The level of energy efficiency in developing countries is very low. The reasons for this are lack of technical knowledge, non-availability of energy efficient equipment / machinery and energy subsidies. Energy subsidies, particularly those encouraging energy consumption by keeping the energy prices low, result in low efficiency, environmental degradation and increased energy intensity.
As per world energy outlook, India’s Specific Energy Consumption per unit of GDP is higher by 3.7 times that of Japan, 1.4 times that of Asia and 1.5 times that of USA, indicating very high energy wastage and thus potential for substantial energy savings.
READ FULL ARTICLE
Energy conservation is a multifaceted activity involving both promotional & regulatory measures. The level of energy efficiency in developing countries is very low. The reasons for this are lack of technical knowledge, non-availability of energy efficient equipment / machinery and energy subsidies. Energy subsidies, particularly those encouraging energy consumption by keeping the energy prices low, result in low efficiency, environmental degradation and increased energy intensity.
As per world energy outlook, India’s Specific Energy Consumption per unit of GDP is higher by 3.7 times that of Japan, 1.4 times that of Asia and 1.5 times that of USA, indicating very high energy wastage and thus potential for substantial energy savings.
READ FULL ARTICLE
Cycling as a National Sport
Automotive vehicle population in the country is increasing at an alarming rate.
As per EPCA survey, Delhi is the 5th most polluted city of the world. Auto vehicle emission is responsible for serious lung diseases including lung cancer. A study on Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) in Pune city has shown that lung capacity of the student community has gone down by 50% because of air pollution.
READ FURTHER
As per EPCA survey, Delhi is the 5th most polluted city of the world. Auto vehicle emission is responsible for serious lung diseases including lung cancer. A study on Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR) in Pune city has shown that lung capacity of the student community has gone down by 50% because of air pollution.
READ FURTHER
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Dr Gopalrao Modak : A journey of dedication and sacrifice
Dr Gopalrao Modak : A journey of dedication and sacrifice
(Nominated by PCRA for Padmashree Award 2004)
Born on 15th September 1914 in the family of active freedom fighters, with his father and three uncles in the forefront of freedom struggle, Gopalrao Modak inherited a legacy, which called for commitment to the cause of the nation, sacrifice and concern for others. This was a period when the struggle for the independence was on and young Gopalrao Modak and threw himself completely in national activism.
With a Diploma in Medicine and commitment to social service, Dr. Modak left Pune in 1938 to live in a tiny, sleepy village Khanapur in Haveli Taluka of Pune District. Dr. Gopalrao Modak took inspiration from Gandhiji and devoted his whole life for village development activities.
READ FURTHER
------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Leena Mehendale at 10:01 AM
(Nominated by PCRA for Padmashree Award 2004)
Born on 15th September 1914 in the family of active freedom fighters, with his father and three uncles in the forefront of freedom struggle, Gopalrao Modak inherited a legacy, which called for commitment to the cause of the nation, sacrifice and concern for others. This was a period when the struggle for the independence was on and young Gopalrao Modak and threw himself completely in national activism.
With a Diploma in Medicine and commitment to social service, Dr. Modak left Pune in 1938 to live in a tiny, sleepy village Khanapur in Haveli Taluka of Pune District. Dr. Gopalrao Modak took inspiration from Gandhiji and devoted his whole life for village development activities.
READ FURTHER
------------------------------------------------------
Posted by Leena Mehendale at 10:01 AM
Reforms in Examination
Reforms needed in the system of Examination
This article suggests some essential modifications in our present method of examination.
It is an important argument here that actually carrying out these modifications is not a very difficult task. Secondly, these reforms can be carried out on modular basis.
Most importantly, any investment in Human Resource Development will pay far richer dividends hence all efforts on carrying out these reforms are most relevant.
read the article
This article suggests some essential modifications in our present method of examination.
It is an important argument here that actually carrying out these modifications is not a very difficult task. Secondly, these reforms can be carried out on modular basis.
Most importantly, any investment in Human Resource Development will pay far richer dividends hence all efforts on carrying out these reforms are most relevant.
read the article
EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN IN COMING YEARS
EMPOWERMENT OF WOMEN IN COMING YEARS
---Leena Mehendale
I recall that way back in my student days I always considered myself lucky for having been born in free India and in an environment where access to education was not denied. Happily, it never occurred to me then or now to question the luck for being a woman.
Read the article
---Leena Mehendale
I recall that way back in my student days I always considered myself lucky for having been born in free India and in an environment where access to education was not denied. Happily, it never occurred to me then or now to question the luck for being a woman.
Read the article
Friday, March 14, 2008
Unresolved problems in Jatropha Biodiesel -- Keynote Address for biodiesel seminar at Nashik
Keynote Address given at biodiesel seminar at Yashwantrao Chavan Mukta Vidyapeeth Nasik, arranged jointly by Vidyapeeth and IASRD..
Dt. 24 Feb 2007
It is my pleasure, that Institute of Applied Systems & Rural Development, New Delhi has invited me to deliver this key note address at the seminar being held today in Yashwantrao Chauhan Open University Nasik.
Read here
Jai Hind.
-------------------------------------------------------
Dt. 24 Feb 2007
It is my pleasure, that Institute of Applied Systems & Rural Development, New Delhi has invited me to deliver this key note address at the seminar being held today in Yashwantrao Chauhan Open University Nasik.
Read here
Jai Hind.
-------------------------------------------------------
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Not a Kirkol Chedchad
checked on 12-08-2012 -- no correction needed
Not a Kirkol Chedchad
Leena Mehendale
6th January, 2008.
The incidence at Juhu on the late night of 31st December, 2007 is being brushed aside as an event of "Kirkol Chedchad" (A routine trivial jibe at women). This is highly objectionable. The incidence is a conspiracy to gang rape, to say the least. Had it not been for the prompt action of some photographer and some policemen present on the site, the victim ladies would have faced much more henious and barbaric behavior than what they actually faced. Also, it was a pre meditated crime, planned and carried out in cold blood, even if the precise identity of the victims was not pre-decided. It has the analogy of a group of gangsters planning and looting the vehicles on the Mumbai - Ahmedabad highway, where the identity of passengers was not pre-decided but the category was.
The F.I.R. therefore must be registered as conspiracy and attempt of gang rape. All the media observers and enlightened citizens must see to it that a dilute F.I.R. is not allowed to pass.
This instance and especially the view point as expressed by some seniors that “such instances of Kirkol Chedchad keep happening”, make the issue more serious. It is a pointer to the mental attitude towards dignity of womanhood. It brings me back to a very important lacuna in IPC. Time has come to understand that the danger of groups of unashamed drunken goondaas is looming large on our streets and posing threats to out society. Therefore when such people have been captured in camera it should be considered as sufficient evidence to book a case against them. Unfortunately however our criminal procedure requires that the victim ladies must come forward, must disclose their identity and must keep repeating this shameful occurrence with them again and again, re-living the most horrible experience of their life. We think that unless and until the victim ladies undergo this ordial, the society cannot be freed from such goondaas. That is the legal fallacy under which we all live and which we all accept.
It is an extreme paradox that even as in all other types of crimes the victim is never the prosecutor and it is the State which is the prosecutor, yet in case of rape victims, it is the victim lady who is termed as prosecutrix and the evidence does not become complete without her statements. Her position in the witness box is further discriminated through the application of Section 154(4) of Indian Evidence Act under which the accused is allowed to make all attempts to prove that the witness lady had a bad character.
Let us consider the case of a crime of house breaking. Consider that the residents of the house were not physically present but some neighbors witnessed the incidence and captured the culprits and handed over to the police. How does the police investigate further? The police goes to the site of incidence, collect all the physical evidences of house - breaking, photographs etc. but not necessarily the statement of the owner of the house. And yet the F.I.R. can be registered and a charge sheet can be brought before the court. The same law and order machinery claims complete helplessness unless and until the victim ladies themselves come forward in a rape case.
Consider another case. You walk out of a building during the night and some group of goondas pounce upon you. You fall down, you are beaten up, your clothes are torn, your belongings snatched and suddenly you are freed and taken out of scene. Can you identity the victims even if some cameraman has photographed them? Which evidence is the conclusive evidence - the cameraman of his photographs or your statement stating you don’t recognize anyone? Would you like the goondas to be let out because you could not identify them? While you were being beaten up, would it have been possible for you to recognize the goondas?
It is time that we realise that the danger lies in letting such goondas loose on our streets. Rather than waiting for the actual statements of the victims, our law enforcing agencies should proceed on the basis of other evidence collected in the matter. In the given instance the camera photographs alongwith the statement of the photographer and the constables who actually rescued the ladies should be given due importance and the charge of conspiracy and attempt to gang-rape should be registered.
The Law department also must pay attention to these issues and bring out suitable amendments to the IPC and the Indian Evidence Act.
In the mean time the F.I.R. in the Juhu case must be registered as a conspiracy and attempt to gang rape rather than a case of "Kirkol Chedchad".
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
kept on janta_ki_ray_part2&3
Not a Kirkol Chedchad
Leena Mehendale
6th January, 2008.
The incidence at Juhu on the late night of 31st December, 2007 is being brushed aside as an event of "Kirkol Chedchad" (A routine trivial jibe at women). This is highly objectionable. The incidence is a conspiracy to gang rape, to say the least. Had it not been for the prompt action of some photographer and some policemen present on the site, the victim ladies would have faced much more henious and barbaric behavior than what they actually faced. Also, it was a pre meditated crime, planned and carried out in cold blood, even if the precise identity of the victims was not pre-decided. It has the analogy of a group of gangsters planning and looting the vehicles on the Mumbai - Ahmedabad highway, where the identity of passengers was not pre-decided but the category was.
The F.I.R. therefore must be registered as conspiracy and attempt of gang rape. All the media observers and enlightened citizens must see to it that a dilute F.I.R. is not allowed to pass.
This instance and especially the view point as expressed by some seniors that “such instances of Kirkol Chedchad keep happening”, make the issue more serious. It is a pointer to the mental attitude towards dignity of womanhood. It brings me back to a very important lacuna in IPC. Time has come to understand that the danger of groups of unashamed drunken goondaas is looming large on our streets and posing threats to out society. Therefore when such people have been captured in camera it should be considered as sufficient evidence to book a case against them. Unfortunately however our criminal procedure requires that the victim ladies must come forward, must disclose their identity and must keep repeating this shameful occurrence with them again and again, re-living the most horrible experience of their life. We think that unless and until the victim ladies undergo this ordial, the society cannot be freed from such goondaas. That is the legal fallacy under which we all live and which we all accept.
It is an extreme paradox that even as in all other types of crimes the victim is never the prosecutor and it is the State which is the prosecutor, yet in case of rape victims, it is the victim lady who is termed as prosecutrix and the evidence does not become complete without her statements. Her position in the witness box is further discriminated through the application of Section 154(4) of Indian Evidence Act under which the accused is allowed to make all attempts to prove that the witness lady had a bad character.
Let us consider the case of a crime of house breaking. Consider that the residents of the house were not physically present but some neighbors witnessed the incidence and captured the culprits and handed over to the police. How does the police investigate further? The police goes to the site of incidence, collect all the physical evidences of house - breaking, photographs etc. but not necessarily the statement of the owner of the house. And yet the F.I.R. can be registered and a charge sheet can be brought before the court. The same law and order machinery claims complete helplessness unless and until the victim ladies themselves come forward in a rape case.
Consider another case. You walk out of a building during the night and some group of goondas pounce upon you. You fall down, you are beaten up, your clothes are torn, your belongings snatched and suddenly you are freed and taken out of scene. Can you identity the victims even if some cameraman has photographed them? Which evidence is the conclusive evidence - the cameraman of his photographs or your statement stating you don’t recognize anyone? Would you like the goondas to be let out because you could not identify them? While you were being beaten up, would it have been possible for you to recognize the goondas?
It is time that we realise that the danger lies in letting such goondas loose on our streets. Rather than waiting for the actual statements of the victims, our law enforcing agencies should proceed on the basis of other evidence collected in the matter. In the given instance the camera photographs alongwith the statement of the photographer and the constables who actually rescued the ladies should be given due importance and the charge of conspiracy and attempt to gang-rape should be registered.
The Law department also must pay attention to these issues and bring out suitable amendments to the IPC and the Indian Evidence Act.
In the mean time the F.I.R. in the Juhu case must be registered as a conspiracy and attempt to gang rape rather than a case of "Kirkol Chedchad".
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
kept on janta_ki_ray_part2&3
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
SAVE ENERGY interview in Shilpa Bichitra
http://www.shilpabichitra.com/shilpa2003/dest097.html
SAVE ENERGY
By Leena Mehendale
Executive Director, Petroleum Conservation Research Association
Energy makes our world work. We have almost come to take it for granted. But lately you may have heard people, and seen many newspapers and magazines discuss the ‘energy crisis’. What is the problem? Why are people constantly wondering about the future?
Let us show you how each of us has a part to play in tackling the problem. And making the world a better place in the future.
What is Energy?
We constantly hear the word ‘energy’ in everyday life. We admire the ‘man with energy’. We eat ‘high energy foods’. Parents say their children are ‘full of energy’. And so often we hear that the ‘world is running out of energy’, that energy is precious, that it should not be wasted.
What does ‘energy’ really mean?
The Various Forms of Energy
Mechanical Energy
The moving force of all machinery. They do work by making wheels go round. Animal power and human energy are also examples of mechanical energy.
Heat energy
The heat of exploding gases makes an engine move forward. Blowing up a balloon with hot air, and letting it go, is like how a jet engine works with heat energy!
Light Energy
...or radiant energy, pouring out from the sun, sustains all green plants. Radio waves, X-rays and ultra violet rays are also invisible forms of radiant energy.
Chemical Energy
The energy of food and fuels. Food keeps us strong for work. The energy of oil, coal, wood and gas-released in the form of hear-runs engines, keeps us warm.
Electrical Energy
This is associated with magnets and electrical currents. It lights our homes; makes our gadgets work – at the flick of a switch.
Nuclear Energy
This is the energy from the nucleus of an atom. It can be very dangerous (when used for A-bombs and H-bombs) but also has very important uses if used for peaceful purposes (e.g.: in power stations).
How Energy Aids Mankind
Energy has always been the key to man’s greatest goals, and to his dreams of a better world. The caveman started on the path to civilization when he discovered the energy in fire for that and light, and utilized the energy in his body to hunt for food and survival. Today, man has come a long, long way, and discovered innumerable ways to make various forms of energy work for him.
This quest for finding new uses of energy has led to exciting discoveries and inventions in fact; we cannot imagine a world without them.
Machinery in our factories and farms, electricity for lighting and heating, petroleum to carry us places, nuclear power and solar power to aid exciting futuristic programmes and inventions have all risen from man’s interest in energy.
Our Most Important Energy Source
Of all our energy sources, there is nothing so useful of versatile as OIL or petroleum.
Hidden in vast reservoirs, deep under the earth, oil is considered the prime source of energy all over the world. When you think of ‘OIL’ you probably think of something to cook with, or something that keeps machinery working.
But oil is much more than that. In its crude state- or basic form –oil or petroleum is a dark black liquid, which is pumped out of the earth and ‘refined’ – or separated into various forms of ‘oil’. Each of these forms of ‘oil’ has countless uses – in our homes, on our roads, in our farms, and in our factories.
OIL Takes Millions of Years to be Made.
Oil lies trapped deep under the earth’s surface. How it got there is very interesting:
Plants and animals that lived millions of years ago on earth died and were covered with layers and layers of sand and rock, preserving their energy within their cells.
Under pressure, these turned into dark liquid – ‘crude oil’.
Oil was first discovered by man when it seeped to the surface in small quantities. As man began to discover uses for it – from medicines to fiery weapons, to burning at temples-the demand for this marvellous substance grew.
Today, gigantic oil wells with huge drilling bits bore deep through the earth’s surface till they strike a store of gas and oil, floating on water. Oil is made to gush out and collected in large quantities, from where it is sent to the refinery.
Oil is sometimes found under the ocean bed too! This method of pumping out oil is known as ‘off-shore drilling’.
Refining Petroleum - for a Hundred Different Uses.
Heat and pressure is applied to the crude oil in varying degrees at refineries – to squeeze every drop of usefulness from oil.
This separates oil into its various components such as: gas, petrol, kerosene, diesel, lubricants, etc.
But… Precious Oil is in Short Supply.
Oil, like all natural resources can only be found in certain places: N. America, USSR, Saudi Arabia, the Middle East and N. Africa are some of the leading oil producing regions of the world.
India, unfortunately, has very little of its own oil…. hence we depend greatly on what we get from other oil-rich nations.
And with oil becoming more and more difficult to locate all over the world, it is also very expensive for our country to buy it.
Unfortunately, a Lot is Being Wasted.
The saddest thing is that after paying so much, a lot of people carelessly waste this precious liquid.
In kitchens, gas and kerosene stoves sometimes burn unnecessarily. The black smoke you see coming out of automobiles means a big waste of petrol. In factories and farms, tonnes of precious oil are wasted through bad working methods.
Set up by the Government of India, Petroleum Conservation Research Association is a registered society under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas to promote conservation of petroleum products. Its principal objectives:
* To formulate strategies and promote measures for accelerating conservation of petroleum products leading to environment protection, energy and sustainable development;
* To create awareness among masses about the importance, benefits and methods of conserving petroleum products & clean environment by enhancing information and capacity building;
* To promote research, development and deployment efforts aimed at petroleum conservation & environment protection, support & facilitate efforts for adoption and dissemination of fuel efficient technologies and substitution of petroleum products with alternate fuels and renewables;
* To establish synergistic institutional linkages at the national & international levels in the areas of petroleum conservation & environment protection;
* To provide training and technical advisory services, designed to achieve economy & efficiency in use of petroleum products for cleaner environment;
* To function as a “Think Tank” to the Govt. of India for proposing policies and strategies on petroleum conservation and environment protection aimed at reducing excessive dependence on oil.
Oil Will Last Much Longer….
If we all take a bit of care.
The world has been using up a lot of oil over the years. Will the day come when there is no more oil under the earth?
That day may not be far away. But what we can do now, when we still have this precious liquid, is to use it as carefully as we can.
In the kitchen: the pressure cooker, and other fuel-saving methods help save gas and kerosene.
On the road: driving slowly and keeping vehicles in good condition save precious petrol and diesel.
In fact, we can try and avoid using private vehicles as far as possible, and think twice before each trip. Cycling costs not a drop of petrol!
In factories: thick black smoke, coming out of factory chimneys, is a sure indicator of waste-and a problem of pollution too. Factory workers can, with good techniques and an efficient work pattern, avoid a lot of waste of oil.
In farms: a simple checklist on tractors and lift-irrigation pumps for farmers can save valuable diesel.
You have seen how important oil is as a source of energy.
People all over the world have come to realize its value. And while the search goes on for finding more of this precious liquid, scientists are busy working on other sources of energy too.
But as long as people continue to waste our precious energy, all these efforts are of little use. That is why CONSERVATION – or using something without waste – is being popularized everywhere.
As you grow up, you too will be using various forms of energy especially oil, everyday. And the sooner you make conservation a habit the better!
Look around you: has somebody left the lights and fans on unnecessarily? Is there something boiling over in the kitchen? Are there any small errands you can do like walking or cycling down to the store, rather than use a vehicle that consumes petrol? Yes, there are many, many ways you too can help the world save energy.
The author is Executive Director
Petroleum Conservation Research Association
ACTIVITIES
FIELD ACTIVITIES
* Energy Audit & Diagnostic Studies in small, medium and large industrial units.
* Empanelment of energy auditors.
* Soft loan schemes for improving energy efficiency.
* Driver training programme.
* Model depots studies.
* Workshops for domestic consumers of Kerosene/ LPG.
* Clinics for farmers through Agriculture Extension Agencies, State Agriculture Departments and Universities.
* Installing BIS standards agriculture irrigation pumpsets and rectification of inefficient diesel pumpsets for demonstration.
* Workshops on fuel conservation for fleet operators and industries.
* Organizing National/ Regional/State level Seminars on Petroleum Conservation.
* Conducting exhaust emission awareness checks for petrol/diesel vehicles.
* Development of External Faculties for promoting Oil Conservation.
EDUCATION CAMPAIGN
* Oil Conservation awareness campaign through mass media i.e. (Press, Cinema, Radio, TV, Outdoor Publicity, Electronic Animation Display & Van Publicity of State Govt.).
* Development and distribution of printed literature on Oil Conservation.
* Publication and quarterly technical journal such as Act Bulletin, Newsletter on Oil Conservation.
* Production of educational films, TV advertisements, radio jingles and cinema slides on petroleum conservation.
* Participation in Exhibitions, Melas, Fairs, etc.
* Market survey on effectiveness of awareness campaign.
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
* Evaluation of fuel saving devices and additives.
* Development of improved combustion equipments and systems.
* Development of fuel-efficient appliances, devices, equipments.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Also on http://www.geocities.com/eng_articles/interview-shilpa-bichitra.pdf
SAVE ENERGY
By Leena Mehendale
Executive Director, Petroleum Conservation Research Association
Energy makes our world work. We have almost come to take it for granted. But lately you may have heard people, and seen many newspapers and magazines discuss the ‘energy crisis’. What is the problem? Why are people constantly wondering about the future?
Let us show you how each of us has a part to play in tackling the problem. And making the world a better place in the future.
What is Energy?
We constantly hear the word ‘energy’ in everyday life. We admire the ‘man with energy’. We eat ‘high energy foods’. Parents say their children are ‘full of energy’. And so often we hear that the ‘world is running out of energy’, that energy is precious, that it should not be wasted.
What does ‘energy’ really mean?
The Various Forms of Energy
Mechanical Energy
The moving force of all machinery. They do work by making wheels go round. Animal power and human energy are also examples of mechanical energy.
Heat energy
The heat of exploding gases makes an engine move forward. Blowing up a balloon with hot air, and letting it go, is like how a jet engine works with heat energy!
Light Energy
...or radiant energy, pouring out from the sun, sustains all green plants. Radio waves, X-rays and ultra violet rays are also invisible forms of radiant energy.
Chemical Energy
The energy of food and fuels. Food keeps us strong for work. The energy of oil, coal, wood and gas-released in the form of hear-runs engines, keeps us warm.
Electrical Energy
This is associated with magnets and electrical currents. It lights our homes; makes our gadgets work – at the flick of a switch.
Nuclear Energy
This is the energy from the nucleus of an atom. It can be very dangerous (when used for A-bombs and H-bombs) but also has very important uses if used for peaceful purposes (e.g.: in power stations).
How Energy Aids Mankind
Energy has always been the key to man’s greatest goals, and to his dreams of a better world. The caveman started on the path to civilization when he discovered the energy in fire for that and light, and utilized the energy in his body to hunt for food and survival. Today, man has come a long, long way, and discovered innumerable ways to make various forms of energy work for him.
This quest for finding new uses of energy has led to exciting discoveries and inventions in fact; we cannot imagine a world without them.
Machinery in our factories and farms, electricity for lighting and heating, petroleum to carry us places, nuclear power and solar power to aid exciting futuristic programmes and inventions have all risen from man’s interest in energy.
Our Most Important Energy Source
Of all our energy sources, there is nothing so useful of versatile as OIL or petroleum.
Hidden in vast reservoirs, deep under the earth, oil is considered the prime source of energy all over the world. When you think of ‘OIL’ you probably think of something to cook with, or something that keeps machinery working.
But oil is much more than that. In its crude state- or basic form –oil or petroleum is a dark black liquid, which is pumped out of the earth and ‘refined’ – or separated into various forms of ‘oil’. Each of these forms of ‘oil’ has countless uses – in our homes, on our roads, in our farms, and in our factories.
OIL Takes Millions of Years to be Made.
Oil lies trapped deep under the earth’s surface. How it got there is very interesting:
Plants and animals that lived millions of years ago on earth died and were covered with layers and layers of sand and rock, preserving their energy within their cells.
Under pressure, these turned into dark liquid – ‘crude oil’.
Oil was first discovered by man when it seeped to the surface in small quantities. As man began to discover uses for it – from medicines to fiery weapons, to burning at temples-the demand for this marvellous substance grew.
Today, gigantic oil wells with huge drilling bits bore deep through the earth’s surface till they strike a store of gas and oil, floating on water. Oil is made to gush out and collected in large quantities, from where it is sent to the refinery.
Oil is sometimes found under the ocean bed too! This method of pumping out oil is known as ‘off-shore drilling’.
Refining Petroleum - for a Hundred Different Uses.
Heat and pressure is applied to the crude oil in varying degrees at refineries – to squeeze every drop of usefulness from oil.
This separates oil into its various components such as: gas, petrol, kerosene, diesel, lubricants, etc.
But… Precious Oil is in Short Supply.
Oil, like all natural resources can only be found in certain places: N. America, USSR, Saudi Arabia, the Middle East and N. Africa are some of the leading oil producing regions of the world.
India, unfortunately, has very little of its own oil…. hence we depend greatly on what we get from other oil-rich nations.
And with oil becoming more and more difficult to locate all over the world, it is also very expensive for our country to buy it.
Unfortunately, a Lot is Being Wasted.
The saddest thing is that after paying so much, a lot of people carelessly waste this precious liquid.
In kitchens, gas and kerosene stoves sometimes burn unnecessarily. The black smoke you see coming out of automobiles means a big waste of petrol. In factories and farms, tonnes of precious oil are wasted through bad working methods.
Set up by the Government of India, Petroleum Conservation Research Association is a registered society under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas to promote conservation of petroleum products. Its principal objectives:
* To formulate strategies and promote measures for accelerating conservation of petroleum products leading to environment protection, energy and sustainable development;
* To create awareness among masses about the importance, benefits and methods of conserving petroleum products & clean environment by enhancing information and capacity building;
* To promote research, development and deployment efforts aimed at petroleum conservation & environment protection, support & facilitate efforts for adoption and dissemination of fuel efficient technologies and substitution of petroleum products with alternate fuels and renewables;
* To establish synergistic institutional linkages at the national & international levels in the areas of petroleum conservation & environment protection;
* To provide training and technical advisory services, designed to achieve economy & efficiency in use of petroleum products for cleaner environment;
* To function as a “Think Tank” to the Govt. of India for proposing policies and strategies on petroleum conservation and environment protection aimed at reducing excessive dependence on oil.
Oil Will Last Much Longer….
If we all take a bit of care.
The world has been using up a lot of oil over the years. Will the day come when there is no more oil under the earth?
That day may not be far away. But what we can do now, when we still have this precious liquid, is to use it as carefully as we can.
In the kitchen: the pressure cooker, and other fuel-saving methods help save gas and kerosene.
On the road: driving slowly and keeping vehicles in good condition save precious petrol and diesel.
In fact, we can try and avoid using private vehicles as far as possible, and think twice before each trip. Cycling costs not a drop of petrol!
In factories: thick black smoke, coming out of factory chimneys, is a sure indicator of waste-and a problem of pollution too. Factory workers can, with good techniques and an efficient work pattern, avoid a lot of waste of oil.
In farms: a simple checklist on tractors and lift-irrigation pumps for farmers can save valuable diesel.
You have seen how important oil is as a source of energy.
People all over the world have come to realize its value. And while the search goes on for finding more of this precious liquid, scientists are busy working on other sources of energy too.
But as long as people continue to waste our precious energy, all these efforts are of little use. That is why CONSERVATION – or using something without waste – is being popularized everywhere.
As you grow up, you too will be using various forms of energy especially oil, everyday. And the sooner you make conservation a habit the better!
Look around you: has somebody left the lights and fans on unnecessarily? Is there something boiling over in the kitchen? Are there any small errands you can do like walking or cycling down to the store, rather than use a vehicle that consumes petrol? Yes, there are many, many ways you too can help the world save energy.
The author is Executive Director
Petroleum Conservation Research Association
ACTIVITIES
FIELD ACTIVITIES
* Energy Audit & Diagnostic Studies in small, medium and large industrial units.
* Empanelment of energy auditors.
* Soft loan schemes for improving energy efficiency.
* Driver training programme.
* Model depots studies.
* Workshops for domestic consumers of Kerosene/ LPG.
* Clinics for farmers through Agriculture Extension Agencies, State Agriculture Departments and Universities.
* Installing BIS standards agriculture irrigation pumpsets and rectification of inefficient diesel pumpsets for demonstration.
* Workshops on fuel conservation for fleet operators and industries.
* Organizing National/ Regional/State level Seminars on Petroleum Conservation.
* Conducting exhaust emission awareness checks for petrol/diesel vehicles.
* Development of External Faculties for promoting Oil Conservation.
EDUCATION CAMPAIGN
* Oil Conservation awareness campaign through mass media i.e. (Press, Cinema, Radio, TV, Outdoor Publicity, Electronic Animation Display & Van Publicity of State Govt.).
* Development and distribution of printed literature on Oil Conservation.
* Publication and quarterly technical journal such as Act Bulletin, Newsletter on Oil Conservation.
* Production of educational films, TV advertisements, radio jingles and cinema slides on petroleum conservation.
* Participation in Exhibitions, Melas, Fairs, etc.
* Market survey on effectiveness of awareness campaign.
RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT
* Evaluation of fuel saving devices and additives.
* Development of improved combustion equipments and systems.
* Development of fuel-efficient appliances, devices, equipments.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
Also on http://www.geocities.com/eng_articles/interview-shilpa-bichitra.pdf
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
