Take-2

Image Source: ancient-origins.net “Who is the team leader of your group?”, an official in an urban administrative office asked our team who was on field during our district immersion in Satna, Madhya Pradesh. I said, “My name is Nitisha”. “What is your full name?” he questioned looking perplexed. “Nitisha”, I said again. He insisted, “You would have a full name, wouldn’t you?” I remarked that I didn’t have any, but since the team had begun feeling uncomfortable we gave someone else’s name from the team and ended our meeting. This wasn’t my first encounter with someone on field who was supremely concerned with what my surname was. If you still haven’t understood, this is the shadow of caste which has been following me everywhere like a ghost, refusing to go away anytime soon. During the district immersion course at ISDM called Realizing India, I realized the privilege of my surname ‘Pandey’ which denoted that I come from the so called upper caste. Most high level...

Kamala Bai is a Dalit Sarpanch in the village of Magneri in a district of Madhya Pradesh. Since the seats in Gram Panchayats have a reservation of 50% for women, she won the elections by a 100 votes. Her husband has studied till twelfth standard and she calls herself uneducated.  An NGO helped her in getting information on the finances and the working of the panchayat. Once she started work, she wanted the women in the village to participate in the Gram Sabha. She wanted them to speak up and have an equal opportunity in stating their views on matters related to the village. She said and I quote, “The Gram Panchayat should take care of the village like it is their own child. When people have issues do they go to the Prime Minister or the Sarpanch to resolve their problems?” She questioned on the things which didn’t seem right and got the administration to take note of it. She also fought with lawyers who asked for bribes and the village rowdies who participated in illegal ...

Extensive details regarding the Fellowship and the Organization can be found on the website. http://www.teachforindia.org/ As for the interview process regarding the staff application, you can get in touch with me over mail. I'd be happy to have a discussion.  Signing off, Nitsy

This friendship’s day was a revelation – an enriching one. Three of my most important and best friends didn’t call me and neither did I. We (speaking for them too, cause I’m me) didn’t feel the need to call, exchange wishes and be in an awkward position after 30 seconds on what to discuss. 

How would I look with a dupatta around my head or a bindi adorning my fore head? Beautiful, right? I would be the shy ideal Indian to-be-bride girl. I would be safe from harassment, molestation and rape. But, No. I don’t need a dupatta or bindi. I want you want me. I take it an insult that you are not excited by my looks, expressions or clothes. I am inviting you, because I’m a bad girl.

I am a symbol of the youth of the nation who has a dream for change and needs the help of you all in turning that dream into reality. I am not here to sympathize, empathize or criticize. I just want you all to listen to me, question yourselves and think about what can be done.

It is really weird that my ten year old cousin has more knowledge about Facebook than his mom. This was to imply the influence this social network has had on our lives. From politics update to movie gossip, you don’t need to tune in to news channels anymore. Facebook is the new versatile information center. Having a Facebook account is the new ‘having a girlfriend’ trend that makes you popular – that star of the class and a hit among your peers. 

Have you ever looked at your ex-boyfriend and wondered –“Was I drunk the entire relationship?”  And have you ever looked at your girlfriend (cause you don’t want an ex prefixed, trust me) and wondered – “Oh my God, she’s like a thousand tabs open in a single browser, all the time!!)  Despite this, according to the Center of Statistics which I just made up, 40% of the nation’s population is in Love. And that’s just the stretch on Park Street during weekends. Every one of my friends is either in a relationship or getting married and having babies. And I’m just over here – having cake and getting fat even for my trackpants. So Yes, for me – It is complicated. All the hype about Love and relationships is nauseating for me. Having to look perfect all the time with a happydent smile on your face as if love was all that mattered? Arrgghhh!! Who are we trying to fool?  Gone are the days when love fluttered with butterflies in your stomach and violins in...

With a drink in his hand and a hidden smirk in his face, he approached her. She wasn’t shocked at all for guys had been making passes at her all night, but he was different. Her face lit up in the mildly lighted bar with a glazing smile. 

Imagine this. Scene 1: An Indian goes to France on a tour. On returning he mentions how clean the cities of France are while peeing on the roadside and littering it with trash.

I couldn’t lie to you, and believe me I wouldn’t. I read somewhere that if you can laugh at yourself then you are growing as an individual. I am in the IT sector for the past 1 year, 123 days and experienced enough to provide a Knowledge Transition (KT) on the very few perks we IT people have.

Women are the most beautifully strange creations of God. To comprehend her feelings, thoughts, emotions and actions is a very grueling task; intricate enough for most people including her. Therefore, to make matters a little easy and with the little observation I have made, here are a few tips that will help one cognize the mystery that is a ‘Woman’.

Heard.Saw.Read.Thought.Argued. Hurt.Angry.Sad.Hopeful. I've heard, seen, read, argued and thought too much now. I am fed up - of all the pity and sympathy, of all the blames, of all the discrimination.

When I think of music, I remember the times when I rejoiced and danced till I was out of breath, the birthday and family celebrations where only ‘good music’ was allowed, the live concerts where all that mattered was nothing; how I cried with good and bad memories when a song played; how hours went by with my favorite playlist on. If you can relate to any of this, then you are certainly a music enthusiast.

For a very long time all those diagnosed with AIDS have been discriminated against by our society. Ostracism, humiliation and mistreatment at the hands of family members, doctors and society is becoming very prevalent. This article discusses that whether we need to practice a differential approach /treatment towards people with HIV or not. 

I am a fan of western sitcoms and I was utterly disappointed by the number of beeps that undermine all the fun in our television channels. I mean, what is the big deal about sex? It is just a three letter word  which is a big reason for our existence today. We need not be embarrassed by it but rather accept it and move on. But, again this is my opinion.

Our environment has constantly been threatened by the use of plastic bags and we have been ignorant for too long. The use of plastic has been banned in New Delhi from today 22nd November, 2012. Let us see why and how is plastic - a daily commodity in almost 95% households so dangerous. 

I am an Indian. I wake up every morning with the smell of black coffee and French toast by my bed-side. The daily newspaper comes even before brushing my teeth in my priority list. I suit up and drive in a chauffeur driven car to my office which is in the 22 nd floor of the tall and elegant building with shiny windows and 24x7 security. I use the lift, enter the office, into my air-conditioned room and order my secretary to come in. I look over my schedule for the day, arrange/cancel meetings with corporate slaves like me and then go onto thinking ways to make more money with few investments. I take a flight for a business meeting and am home with invitations to a high class business party. My wife gets into a designer outfit, complaining all along how she hasn't bought a dress this week. I ignore her gab as I’m busy working a deal over iPhone. We drive to the party, have the usual chit chat with colleagues about world and politics, enjoy a few drinks and return home. My...

Facebook has revolutionized the world in many a ways. But for the youth, it still remains a means of having fun, spending time with friends, showing off and sharing stuff. Now, those of you who curious about this ‘ Fun ’ I've stated, this post is specifically meant for you all. I was bitten by the Facebook bug three years ago and so whatever I’m about to say is on a ‘ Been there, done that ’ basis. If you are addicted to Facebook and genuinely want to enhance your social networking status, read on. 1. Why do you think it’s called ‘Facebook’? Now don’t over think. It is because people want to see your face and not the pictures of famous people. For that they have Google. Click a picture of yourself and update it now. 2. Now, not any snap should be posted as a profile picture. It’s because people judge you by your display pic. These days there are companies who hire individuals on the basis of their social networking profiles. Therefore, you need to be cautious. ...

I was irritated. Going all the way to Kolkata for an exam where I didn’t even have a substantial chance of getting through seemed meaningless. Nevertheless, I did; with no preparation whatsoever. A government exam where applications were accepted in lakhs had only 100 seats, 50 of which were reserved. This system of our country confused me. Here’s why. I come from a lower middle class family. My father still works 10 hours a day to earn a meager Rs. 15,000. We don’t have a maid and my mother does all the household chores. Can you imagine what my parents went through to make their daughter an engineer? My relatives can’t, the society can’t and neither can the government. There are several parents like mine who have faced all the hurdles to educate their sons and daughters so that they have a bright future. But when this hard core reservation system of the country takes away an opportunity from the deserving ones, there is no one to hear the plight of those poor parents and th...