Divided we stand

The strife for complete equality and non-discrimination will never work. The simple reason for that is that we always fall into groups and point fingers at each other. If it's not race, then it's money, gender, education, educational streams, geographical locations, age, disabilities, or even technological preferences.

If all else fails, there's always physical looks and/or skin colour.

Beautiful

Absolutely beautiful sights the Kokan Kada and Taramati peak were. Their description, however superlative it may be, will still be modest. One has to see it to witness nature's art at its best. Visit, but be responsible and do not litter the place. We cleaned it up day before yesterday. 4 gunny bags full of glass, 5 gunny bags full of plastic and 3 gunny bags of paper -- enough said isn't it?

Youth for Equality

The YFE sent emails to everyone on their list today, notifying that they have now entered politics to clean up the system. The email asked questions to the reader; the result is a bit predictable isn't it :)

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Date: Sun, 21 Jan 2007 23:17:41 +0530
From: "Siddhesh Poyarekar" 
To: "Youth for Equality" 
Subject: Re: YFE Goes POLITICAL
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Hi,

To be honest, I have not been following the development of the YFE
forum for quite some time now. But since these questions came in I
thought I'd answer on my behalf since I feel that's the least I can
do.

On 1/21/07, Youth for Equality  wrote:
> Q. Don't you think that it's cruel and unjust to beat
> innocent students, throw water cannons, tear gas at
> them, and put them behind bars in order to curb their
> silent protest?

True, it is. But the issue is much larger than water cannons, tear gas
or for that matter, even reservations

> Q. Don't you think that there is a possibility that we
> are living under a dictatorship?

No we are not. We are living in a corrupt democracy. There is a very
vital difference. There is no justice in reserving seats for different
classes just as there is no justice in NOT reserving seats for
different classes.

> Q. Don't you think that the government is playing the
> game of "Divide and Rule" with its reservation
> policies?

Yes they are. No arguments about that.

> Q. Did you ever think of protesting against the
> functioning of the system in a democratic way?

Yes. But if you think protests and demonstrations are the democratic
way then please think again. There is also a very strong case for
reforms. Devote all that time that you sit and prepare slogans and
slides for this movement to educating the under-privileged and THEN
claim that there's no need to give them crutches. Only then will you
have a morally higher standpoint. Demonstrations and protests make YFE
and the Indian youth in general look very selfish.

> Q. Don't you think the current politicians are
> unfairly using public emotions for their vote bank?

Honestly, so is the YFE. That is exactly what politics is all about
and YFE is already a part
of it.

> Q. Don't you think that there is an urgent need for
> replacement of the people controlling the Indian
> system?

This is a very difficult question to answer. The Telegraph describes
YFE as follows:

"One group represents the cream of the country's youth"
(http://www.telegraphindia.com/1070108/asp/atleisure/story_7233137.asp)

Honestly, I can't quite disagree with that. There's many more people
in this country than the few lakh students that forms and supports the
YFE. It is really no use if YFE is just another organization that
shouts on and on for 'equality' and doesn't do anything else.


Regards,
-- 
Siddhesh Poyarekar
http://siddhesh.tk