From the principal’s desk
Jesus and Mary college is one among many institutions which is dedicated to the education of the
youth especially women. Jesus and Mary College was founded in 1968 as a constituent college of the
University of Delhi. The mission of the college is to educate young women, to help them bring about
development in themselves, their homes and society. Partnering in the evolution of a just, humane and
inclusive society in our country is our vision. Our attempt is to enable students to see life as a vocation
and a call, to discover their uniqueness, and to develop their talent and strengths. Thus we enable our
students to be women of competence, compassion and conscience.
Keeping in view the vision and mission of our foundress, St. Claudine, we at Jesus and Mary College
have a vibrant unit of NSS (National Service Scheme) creating awareness and sensitizing our students
to socially relevant issues and the needs of the society. The NSS is working hard towards the personal
development of our students through community service.
It gives me immense pleasure to release this 2nd edition of the newsletter “aavahan” for NSS which
highlights various social issues and also motivate our youngsters to contribute their best to the society.
It’s a commendable effort by students and Staff Advisor of NSS.
I wish them all the best in this endeavour. May God bless you!
Sr. (Dr.) Marina John rjm
______________________________________________________________________
आज के संचार युग में तकनीकी शक्ति के साथ पूरा विश्व 'ग्लोबल विलेज' में बदल गया है| शंक्ति की इस दौड़
में 'युवाशक्ति' एक ऐसा विश्वसनीय आधार है जिस पर पूरे विश्व की आशाएँ टिकी हुई है| यह युवा अपने परिवेश के
प्रति सतर्क और सजग है और पूरे उत्साह तथा ईमानदारी से विश्व को, समाज को और व्यक्ति इकाई को
सँवारना चाहता है| इस युवा शक्ति ने अपने मज़बूत इरादों के साथ सामाजिक संगर्भों से जुड़े प्रश्नों पर
गहराई से विचार करते हुए जीवन के संरक्षण के लिए जान की बाज़ी लगा देने की आतुरता दिखाई है| अन्ना
हजारे द्वारा चलाए गए भ्रष्टाचार विरोधी आन्दोलन को युवा ताकत ने अपना समर्थन दे कर समाज की
गरिमा को बनाए रखने का अथक प्रयास किया है| इस युवा शक्ति पर पूरे समाज को गर्व है साथ ही यह विश्वास
भी है कि समय की कसौरी पर अपने इरादों की सुनहरी इमारत खड़ी करने में इन्हें सफलता मिलेगी| एन० एस० एस०
के मंच से यह युवा प्रयास विविध स्तरों पर अनेक चुनौतियों का हल ढूँढने में कार्यरत है| इन युवा छात्राओं
का एक स्वस्थ प्रयास इस पत्रिका के दूसरे अंक को संजोने में भी दिखाई दे रहा है| इनका 'आवाहन' समाज के
कल्याण से जुडा हुआ है| इनका इस प्रयास की सफलता के लिए हार्दिक बधाई और भविष्य के लिए शुभकामनाओं
की शक्ति का आशीर्वाद!
संचालिका
शारदा भटनागर
____________________________________________________________________________________
From
Desk
"Don't ever question the value of volunteers. Noah's Ark was built
by volunteers; the Titanic was built by professionals"
I found this quote; a few weeks back on some website and instantly connected with it. The value of
volunteers in today’s zeitgeist is exceptionally important. For any voice to be heard, any movement to
succeed, and any change to come about, there has to be a team of volunteers who move out of their
comfort zones to confront the situation and find a solution. And to me, all such volunteers are leaders.
The second edition of the JMC-NSS Newsletter “Aavahan” is dedicated to all the dynamic volunteers
of our college, who have made a positive difference in someone’s life. Aavahan is dedicated to all those
volunteers who have gone beyond their call of ‘hours’ and ‘attendances’ and made a change somewhere;
irrespective of their belonging to NSS, WSDC, JMCEP, AICUF, or NSO. Aavahan-2, as we fondly call it,
is a celebration of this volunteer power – the power of the youth to change the world. Dear Volunteers,
this one is for you.
The sine qua non behind Aavahan 2 is its first edition. The first ever newsletter of JMC NSS Society
which was published to provide a forum to the students to discuss and deliberate on the social issues
was appreciated by the teachers and students alike. It was heartening to see in our volunteers a spirit of
service – a spirit which warmed hearts and service which brought smiles on many faces.
Aavahan in its second edition gives a platform to various volunteers in sharing their experiences and
ideas. I would like to thank all volunteers who contributed to this edition with their articles and other
tips. I would also like to congratulate two volunteers – Aditi Juneja & Janice Masih, for winning/earning
their ‘Volunteer of the Year’ awards. Both of you have done tremendous work in the past two years. A big
Thank you to last year’s President Karishma Sawhney and other core team members for sharing their
experiences with us. You were great mentors to us. I would like to thank Sister Marina for her constant
support and guidance. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Sharda Bhatnagar, Dr. Shefali Mishra, Dr.
Sapna Gandhi, and Ms. Shikha Makkar for their guidance, encouragement and inspiration throughout the
year. You are the best conveners we could ever have had. Taking care of us like our mothers, supporting
us as friends, motivating and guiding us as mentors; you have been power sources for me especially,
throughout my journey. Last but not the least; I would like to thank my Vice–President Rose and Core
Team members – Aditi, Mercy, Neethu, Nikhita, Niharika, Nupur, Roshni, Shagun, Simran, Valli and
Vasumana,. You guys have been the best team ever! Special thanks to the Editorial Team - Roshni, Valli,
Neethu, Aditi & Mercy. You made my work so much easier. Aavahan 2 wouldn’t be possible without you.
I am finding it difficult to wind up this article realizing that it would be my last Editorial for Aavahan. My
association with the NSS Society for the past three years has been a great learning experience, beautiful
pages of my life. I will miss planning events, running against time meeting deadlines set by me for me
and my team, simple learning and living experiences, and the satisfaction of pulling off a successful
event. When I look back, I feel ecstatic about the way things went – From the Orientation to the Closing
Ceremony, the blood donation camps, the collection drives, our first-ever newsletter and now the second
one, exposure trips, Diwali Mela, NSS Day, movie screenings, recycling projects, talks, awareness drives
and so on. I will miss you NSS but I am glad that I am leaving you in safe hands. I hope that the society
reaches new heights in the coming years and I am sure it will. It has great teachers, great volunteers and
The
President’s
a great Core Team to guide it through.
Warm Regards
Sumangali R
Editor, Aavahan
President, National Service Scheme (NSS), JMC
Page 2 and 3
NSS: Journey Through The Year.
NSS is the largest student organization of Jesus and Mary College, consisting of a committed
and diligent team of core members and hundreds of volunteers working tirelessly towards social
welfare activities. The richness and diversity of our activities over the year show our society's
commitment to unbiased, unprejudiced service to the society and efforts for creating a sense of
social consciousness and responsibility among our students. Through this chronicle we hope to
revisit and emphasize on the endeavors and hard work of our team throughout the year and hope
for another year of myriad activities which reinforces and highlight the intrinsic aim guiding our
society of NOT ME BUT YOU.
Orientation: National Service Scheme JMC unit kick started the brand new year with lots of
promise and enthusiasm with the NSS Orientation on the 3rd of August. Hundreds of first years
were introduced to what amounts to being a part of NSS and were familiarized with our aim of
inculcating social welfare in the community. The orientation was followed by formal induction
of students in the society wherein within NSS, they joined departments namely cleanliness, NGO
and creativity depending on their interests and inclination.
Talks and awareness: With the major emphasis on upliftment of disadvantaged groups and
spreading greater awareness about these among people, NSS in association with various NGO's
organizes talks and discussions in the college. These talks sensitize our students and give them
opportunities to work for such disadvantaged groups and causes. Talks by various NGOs and
organizations like Sweccha (environmental issues), PETA, Make a Difference (providing
education to the needy), International Alcohol and Drug Counselors Certification Trust
(alcohol and drug problems), Joining Hands (social development), Kutumb (education among
urban displaced), Parivaar( care and development of children), Hindu Rao Hospital (talk on
Thalassemia) educated our students about diverse and pressing issues of importance throughout
the year. A lot of our members have taken the initiative and are enrolled as volunteers for these
organizations.
Our quest to spread greater awareness and knowledge was also achieved through various
sessions on issues of relevance to each one of us. Primus Hospital held a session on adolescent
obesity and made students aware of its implications, effective prevention and treatment. Cancer
Awareness Talk was also organized by which was greatly useful in dismissing the popular myths
related to cancer and made volunteers aware of the actual facts. A group discussion was held
by Dr Rajeev from NIMHANS on social environment of the present youth, domains of social
engagement and role models.
NSS Day: A Day When We Came To Existence. 21st September of every year marks the birth of this
prestigious society. The enthusiastic members of the society left no stones unturned to make this day
memorable. The day started with Sr. Marina, The Principal, lighting the lamp. The society released its
very first edition of its newsletter “Aavahan”, which was followed by an oath taking ceremony where all
the core members solemnly pledged to abide by their duties.
The celebration saw many emotional and cultural phases where NSS with make a wish foundation (NGO)
fulfilled the dream of a child. To add to the joy, the step for change performed a street play and the
NSS volunteers made sure that each and every audience enjoy the musical touch with their melodious
classical songs and the NSS Anthem. It was truly a colossal experience, truly based on the theme “Joy of
Giving”.
Diwali Mela: Come October and JMC saw the biggest NSS event- Sparsh Diwali Mela 2011.
The colorful Mela and its festive fervor was enjoyed by students and teachers alike. The Mela
was was brimming with NGO stalls put up by our students and promised of spreading the festive
celebrations across by donating all proceeds to charity. The celebrations continued with exciting
games stalls, braiding, henna tattoo stalls and sumptuous snacks.
I Love My JMC Clean: Promoting and maintaining cleanliness in college is one of our major
aims and NSS has made an earnest effort towards the cause. We organized an 'I Love my JMC
Clean' campaign wherein our volunteers worked towards maintaining a clean and hygienic
campus. We also organized a cleanliness drive to drive home the importance of cleanliness as an
an all-embracing ethic of sound living.
Blood Donation Camp: One of the most important activities of JMC NSS is the blood donation
camp. In association with Red Cross Society, Blood connect and RML hospital, NSS organized
a blood donation camp which saw an impressive figure of donations. The donors were given
refreshments and incentives after donating. This was certainly a milestone in our efforts in
underlining the cause that giving blood is giving life. Our volunteers and entire team felt greatly
satisfied having done our bit in serving the society.
Cloth Collection Initiative: NSS recognizes the importance of the basic necessity- proper
clothing for the poor and needy. We believe that by using our old clothes, we can make a
genuine impact in solving the problem for providing clothes to the needy. Hence we launched the
warm cloth collection drive in the winter months of January and February wherein we motivated
the girls to contribute to this noble cause. Later, that year a VASTRA SAMMAN initiative
was also conducted wherein we donated usable footwear, clothes, biscuits, newspaper etc. to
the underprivileged children. The response was noteworthy and we would like to thank all the
donors for their benevolence.
Recycling Project: NSS believes in channelizing the competitive spirit among our volunteers
by engaging in interesting and fun filled activities. This was done through the organization of
competitions like Best Out of Waste and Creative Writing Competition where the students left us
all enthralled with their display of talent, creativity and innovation.
Movie screening and Street Play: NSS also organized a movie screening wherein we screened
the award winning documentary Smile Pinki. The film showed the story of a poor girl in rural
India whose life is transformed when she receives free surgery to correct her cleft lip and
greatly inspired the volunteers. The institution also experienced a magnanimous street play by
the children from Qutumb, An NGO that works to develop a sense of community among urban
displaced people belonging to lower income groups through the spread of education and to provide
them with greater employment opportunities as well as better conditions of employment.
Campus Activity: Finally, NSS volunteers assisted the student union in the organization
of various college events like the Elections, Teachers Day, Fresher’s Welcome, the PTSA
and Montage. Our diligent volunteers helped in making each and every event a smooth, well
managed and successful affair.
However this is not the end. NSS with its tireless spirit and zest offers many more events in the
pipeline. There's a movie screening, Blood Donation Camp in association with Blood Connect
and Cleanliness Day all coming up on 30th March.
With this we bring a year full of a plethora of socially responsible activities and events to an
end. We hope all our efforts towards organizing activities, seminars, camps and discussions
have helped the students in expanding their horizons and becoming more aware and productive
citizens of the society. We will continue to put in our humble efforts in striving towards a
harmonious society which is ethically responsible and sensitized towards the needy and
disadvantaged.
Aditi Singh
English (h) III
Page 4:
Hum Mein Hai Hero: Towards Youth Empowerment.
As I sit to write about Youth Empowerment many ideas flash across my mind at once. The first and the
most perpetual question: how should I begin? Let me begin by talking of the microcosm. If we take
the example of our college and the potential that youth has it might not be wrong to call our college a
mini ‘nuclear plant’ where students are coming forth with new ideas and immense energy to bring those
ideas to fruition. Here, each one of us is trained formally in classrooms and engages in co-curricular
activities to bring out the best in us. The success of various blood donation camps, food and clothes
drives along with helping little children learn the basic numbers and alphabets college is a place thriving
with the energy of the youth.
At the macrocosmic level, the importance Anna Hazare’s Lokpal campaign gained due to the immense
support from youth cannot be ruled out. It is interesting how the power of youth alarmed the
government during this time as the Government decided to come up with a new law—Not more than
100 sms per day!
Having established the immense potential and power of the youth to influence the already existing
structures, the next question which is troubling is that this is only half the picture, what about the other
half of the country? The potential of the poor rural youth has not yet successfully been tapped into.
According to the World Bank data, South Asia is one of the world’s youngest nations with about 26%
of the young population. It is also estimated that between 2010 and 2015 about 1 million youth will
enter the work force. Amid all these figures the concern lies in the fact that rural youth have not been
trained with the skills that will help them attain employment and further will help the family income rise
considerably. The UN celebrated August, 2010-August, 2011 as the International Year of the Youth and
various schemes have been implemented especially in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu,
aimed to impart education and job-oriented skills.
The youth has been recognized as the most important resource for the nation’s poverty reduction
and progress development plans. The government now aims to channelize this storehouse of energy
in the right direction to achieve the desired growth over the coming years. Indeed, education and
employment seem to be the biggest hurdles towards youth empowerment where education for all
does not necessarily mean progress for all. The capitalist globalised world does favour the skilled young
workforce but it would be a challenge to maintain the economic balance and ensure constant job
opportunities on the part of the government.
The youth on their part need to be motivated and find epicenters of inspiration. The new Hero
advertisement seems to sum up this mood quite rightly with their “Hum mein hai Hero!” jingle.
Therefore, be aware, be motivated and look out for when you can shine.
Aditi Juneja
English (H) III
Be The Change, Bring The Change.
As I waited on the road for the light to turn green,
I looked around,everything was as it had always been
The day was a busy one,I still had miles to go
But something caught my eyes,something which made my pain grow
A little boy,about six or seven,sitting by that busy road
With those dreamy eyes in which some undaunted hopes showed
He had tattered clothes and a book too old to be read
With one hand he held the book close to his eyes,while with the other his younger brother was being
fed
I could see the sparkle in his eyes,I could read his moving lips
I had often seen him begging here on my frequent trips
But today there was no pain to be seen, no trace of gloom
An iota of hope was shining brightly,happiness was making its room
Life hadn't been a bed of roses for him,but still he had a smiling face
He was trying to make things better,yes he was trying at his own pace
I could see the hunger in his eyes,an unsatiating hunger for knowledge
He had a sense of faith in his future,the depth of which I couldn't gauge
Could I do something to give him a better tomorrow ?
Could I help him have a day sans all pains n sorrows ?
And then I said to myself 'I can be the change, I can bring a change'
I'll make my life worthwhile, I'll help the known and also the strange
We could all bring about better days for them,We can all begin to care
If only we could stop and lend a hand and not just stand and stare !
Ankita Rajeshwari
Psychology (H) II
Page 5:
Poonam Bagai is the founder President of CanKids…KidsCan, a family support group enabling
children and their families faced with cancer, and the children’s unit of Indian Cancer Society,
Delhi. She is the Deputy Chairperson of Pallium India, a charitable trust dedicated to providing
quality palliative care in India. She is also alumni of American Cancer Society University since
Dec 2005.
Poonam is a colon cancer survivor, who prior to her cancer was an economics graduate from
St. Stephen’s College, Delhi University, a Class I Government of India Railway Officer, and a
transport consultant with the United Nations –ESCAP. She loves children and is passionate
about making a difference to the causes of Childhood Cancer and Palliative Care in India. She
lives in the NCR of Delhi and has two boys of her own, Angad 14, and Akram 10.
Cankids has been one of the most prominent ngos in the area of helping cancer patients. How did
this ngo come up?
I was detected of colon cancer in 2000 in Warsaw where I was staying with my husband and two young
kids. The news was very devastating and left me crushed. The agonizing treatment left me depressed.
But I was lucky to be cured of cancer due to the enormous support of my family and the good treatment.
I returned to India in 2002 and was determined to give back to society. In 2003 I attended a Conference
session ICCCPO – (International Confederation of Childhood Cancer Parents Organizations) in Delhi.
I spent the year studying the NGO world in Delhi and India, and learning about children’s cancers. In
November 2003, I brought a proposal to Mr Mehta, Vice Chairman, Indian Cancer Society, Delhi, to set
up a separate support service for children with cancer, under the umbrella of Indian Cancer Society, and
in January 2004, Cankids…KidsCan, was born.
What are the difficulties that you faced in this journey?
Fortunately, the requisites for setting up an NGO were taken care by Indian Cancer Society which is a
government body. From the beginning we were focused on doing the real work. We are a grass root level
organization which is not a charity but an institution that enables children suffering from cancer and their
parents. Ours is a community level organization that encourages individuals to come forward and help
their less privileged friends.
In India, over 70% of the affected children die of cancer. Why is it so? And what role does CanKids
play here?
70-95% of childhood cancer is curable worldwide because of better response to treatment and protocols.
However in India nearly 70-80 % children die of cancer due to late diagnosis, lack of awareness,
inadequate medical facilities and the exorbitant cost of treatment. Thus we could prevent many of these
unfortunate and untimely deaths.
We are a family support group for children with cancer and their families providing the entire spectrum
of childhood cancer support services working in and together with the Paediatric Cancer Units of Cancer
Hospitals or in the Paediatrics Depts. of Medical Colleges, RCCs, Trust or Private Hospitals as Patient
Navigators & Advocates, bridging the gaps–to ensure best treatment, care and support. We have a
parent support group where we train parents of the affected children to become the pillar of support for
other parents going through the same agony. Also, we have many children whom we helped in getting
treatment and who fortunately survived and are today our cancer ambassadors spreading awareness about
the cause and instilling confidence among other children having cancer. We have many ‘home away
from home’ facilities for children who come to Delhi for long term treatment. We provide them not only
complete financial help but also emotional and psychological support.
You launched a national outreach project in may 2008. Tell us more about it.
We are trying to provide our services to children not only in Delhi and nearby regions but also all over
India. Thus, we started this pan India movement which enables access to quality paediatric cancer
treatment, care and support anywhere in the country –and provides services & financial assistance. We
are trying to train our cadre for paediatric oncology support services–including social workers, dietitians,
teachers, volunteers, parents and survivors. We are focused on creating awareness that CHILDHOOD
CANCER IS CURABLE. Today, our centres are spread all over the country including Delhi, Rohtak,
Patna, Lucknow, Calcutta, Cuttack, Chennai, Madurai, Pondicherry, Trivandrum, Mumbai, and
Ahmadabad. More centres in Jammu, Varanasi, Guwahati, Pune and Nagpur will be coming up shortly.
You have been spearheading the movement for palliative care in India for terminally ill patients.
What is the situation of palliative care in India for children from poor families?
In our country palliative care is given usually to the terminally ill patients, who are in the last stage
of cancer. However, in advanced countries palliative care is given from the first stage itself when the
scope for curing the disease is highest, forming 1% of the treatment program and gradually increasing
in the ratio as the illness progresses, and constituting 100% of the treatment in the last stage. Palliative
care is extremely important to ensure that the affected individual’s pain is reduced and the symptoms
are controlled. Counselling and psychological support is an important aspect of palliative care and
ensures that the child feels the joy of being a child. This is very effortful task and requires quality care-
something, most of children lack and adults unaware of and unable to provide. We are planning to open
a palliative care centre exclusively for children, probably the first of its kind in India. We want to ensure
that the child’s pain is reduced as much as possible when he/she is going through the last stage at his/her
home.
.
Tell us more about your programme that enables survivors’ reintegration to society and makes
them source of positive change.
Even when a child survives cancer, he/she has to come back for regular check-ups since cancer can come
back any time and we follow through. Also during the treatment the child may suffer problems like body
disfigurement, loss of hair and other problems. This could cause a blow to their self-esteem and here we
try to boost the child’s morale even providing them psychological intervention if required. Also we have
specially trained teachers who ensure that the child is educated during the treatment and we also ensure
her reintegration in her school after treatment.
How do you think today’s youth can help cancer patients? In what way can young people help in
making the lives of cancer patients better?
It is important for everybody, especially young people to be community sensitive. In our country
there are so many causes and it is important for the youth to pick up a cause of their choice and work
towards it. CANKIDS provides a platform for young people to volunteer and also we have internship
programmes where the students work on a specific project and even lead them. It is very important
that the youth realizes how privileged they are and that they should try to give back to society. We are
always welcoming committed and hardworking students to volunteer and intern with us. We have many
programs for such sincere people. And it would be great to see young people come forward and do
something for the society..
Thank you ma’am, it was great talking to you. We wish your organisation a great success.
Thank you. All the best.
By Roshni and S.Anandavalli
Page 6:
“How far a little candle throws its beam, So shines a good deed in this dreary world” - William Shakespeare
It was a usual Wednesday when we were first connected by BloodConnect. We were informed that
there was a talk, by some sort of organization, in the activity period. Obviously we attended the talk
to procure some NSS hours (at least most of us). But faith had other plans. As after that one hour
BloodConnect found in us patents for a lifetime. And we unaware of the fact that along with the
chocolates which were being thrown at us (for every right answer for the popping question during the
presentation!) was the chance of a lifetime to be a part of a thing so meaningful.
The presentation was given by Utkarsh Kawatra and Ridhi Pandey (senior members of BloodConnect).
According to them one of the most common problems being faced by the society is the lack of basic
health facilities which also includes not able to find blood in dire needs of their family members. And
this is where BloodConnect steps in. started at IIT-D, this is a student’s initiative to ensure a surplus of
voluntary blood donations and to spread this message. It has many of the prominent DU colleges under
it and has a team from each college.
Their basic role is to act as a mediator between the people who need blood and those who are willing
to donate the same. They try to reach the society in every way they can. Be it blood donation camps
(in collaboration with the government blood banks), having a helpline portal, conducting motivation
sessions, supporting NGOs or participating in B-plan competitions!!
We 3 have so far attended 3 blood camps each. Earlier, in the beginning, we were not so enthusiastic.
But on attending the camps, and by donating blood, our keenness increased and so was our motivation
towards this cause. Because when you actually feel the blood going out of your veins, and that too
for a good cause, that feeling is extraordinary and cannot be described in words (partly also because
once after the small prick of the needle, you cannot feel a thing!). But as rightly put by shweta “their
(BloodConnect) zeal to work for the society has not only inspired but has been infectious. A perfect
platform who are willing to help in any way they can i.e. by making posters, pamphlets, organizing
events or participating in one(B-plan competitions)”.
Another element which Arpita feels BloodConnect has is the means of socializing. In her own
words, “through BloodConnect we got to meet many different people outside our friends/social circle
from very different background and one thing that binds us all are our similar thoughts and our strive
for social service”. And so right it is. Be it the accident prone poor people through our helpline or the
investors of various corporate for pitching BloodConnect broadens our mindset every single day.
And lastly to conclude in Devika’s words, “if there has been work then at the same time an ingredient
of fun. If there has been responsibility then also immense support and guidance from our seniors.
Although the association till now has been small, I know it has helped me to grow as a person”. Because
in BloodConnect we believe:
“You give but little when you give of your possessions. It’s when you give of yourself that you truly give”
-kahlil gibram
\________________________________________________________________________________
Page 7:
(YOUTH)IOPIA!
They are young and wild and free and only this time, better aware of what they want it to mean.
They form the undertow, they are the fire- simmering under dampened layers of routine and they
are the face of future- they are the YOUTH. The youth today has actually come of age. In a strictly
metropolitan set up, the Indian youth comes from a generation that has dared to dream, believe, fight
and become and have given their children the life they themselves had yearned for. For the rural part of
the nation, the story of India Shining is beginning to pick roots as India becomes the cause of economic
resurrection worldwide. Though for rural India, the challenges are taller, courtesy the policy paralysis,
their zest is also stronger. Before I come across as a happily misguided youth, allow me to explain.
In the realm of changing economic-geo-political realities, the youth today are exposed to challenges of
global appeal and faculties that free them of localized constrained. The eastwardly shift of power circuits
have given the youth the power to make decisions which would have qualified as insanity till a few years
back. Freshly graduated from top B-schools, the youth today have the courage to refuse incredible pay
packages being offered to them, abroad. Those who had settled abroad are home bound wanting to
make a difference at the grass roots, and youngsters with management degrees are joining the gram
panchayats.
If across the globe the young have held Student Protests, Occupied Wall Street, ushered Arab Spring
then back home they have ‘staged’ their disapproval of destruction of their homes at the hands of
corporate giant Vedanta. They have organized Slut Walks to send out their messages loud and clear.
They have made being among ‘the 99%’ prestigious and their prestige is their cause.
On this youth survive organizations like Teach For India where freshly graduated students commit to
educating children at under-resourced schools. Fifteen youngsters run the Youth Parliament to create
awareness among their counterparts and %) youngsters every year dedicate a summer to exploring
their own country via the GrassRoutes Fellowship. They clean the Yamuna, observe Earth Hours,
create ‘Dowry Calculators’ to mock the patriarchal ways and on occasion can be seen Adam Teasing to
set minds right.
Sure their ways are queer but they care and the signs are everywhere:
In the movies they like (Rang de Basanti)
In the songs they hum (sada haq)
In the adds they remember (Jaago Rey!)
In the books they read (Revolution 20-20)
And hopefully in the way they shall lead (Akhilesh Yadav, errr, young when taken in context of Indian
polity)
YOUTHIPOIA it is!
-Beni Chugh
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE- UNSHED TEARS
India’s first Prime Minister, Pandit Jawaharlal Lal Nehru believed that ‘The status of
women indicates the character of a country.’ The nature of this philosophy can be
ascertained by the position a country assigns to women in its theology and rituals .But, in
almost all present and contemporary societies, the treatment of women is prejudiced and
discriminatory.
The Atharva Veda, mentions charms and rituals that ensure the birth of a son and not a
daughter. This is a befitting example that clearly shows the prejudice that precedes the birth
of a girl child in the Indian patriarchal setting. In this ancient and apparently gloomy scenario,
there were always a few champions who advocated women’s liberty. Kautiliya mentions in
the ‘Arthashastra’: ‘That the state shall provide special facilities to women to enable them to
earn a living.’ Sadly, such luminaries were few and far apart, and the biased attitude towards
women has transcended from the ancient to our modern era. Even today, deep rooted beliefs
about a male’s inherent superiority allow men to exercise their free will over a woman.
The prime example being that of the holy alliance between man and wife. Marriages
are solemnized with the implicit injunction that the couple shall co-exist in a harmonious
relationship. A marriage inadvertently provides a sanctuary to a woman where she has the
liberty to chart her own growth, progress and prosperity. According to a UN report, as many as
70% of Indian married women between the age of 15 and 49 are victims of beatings, rape or
coerced sex. It is indeed ironical that a place where a woman expects to find love, security and
shelter, turns into a place where she receives pain and abuse.
Violence within the confines of a home is termed as domestic violence. This practice of terror
cuts across boundaries of class, culture, ethnicity, education and age. This evil strikes at the
very root of a woman’s sense of self-worth and leaves her a victim of physical, emotional and
severe psychological trauma. Unequal and hierarchal gender relations manifest themselves in
the familial setup and do not in any way outrage the social conscience. What makes matters
worse is that domestic violence is more often than not, not recognized as real violence. It is
perpetrated under the garb of societal norms and misinterpretations of religious tenets. That is
why countries across the globe have promulgated laws to promote gender justice and protect
women’s rights.
In the 21st century, domestic violence became a prominent national issue and attracted the
attention of the general public. In the wake of this, there came a series of enactments namely,
section 498-A of IPC which was closely followed by sec 304-B of IPC and 113-B of Indian
Evidence Act, so that the suicidal dowry deaths committed by victimized women can be
prevented. With the emergence of protective laws, women began to take active part in social
and political issues yet they faced flagrant abuses every day, every hour, in every religion of the
world.
In spite of many significant criminal laws, a desperate need was felt for a law which provides
a blanket of security to any woman sharing a household and which includes mother, sister,
daughter, widow, divorcee and children as well. Finally a long quest for redemption saw its
culmination in the parliament of India and on the 13th of Sep, 2005 women were blessed with an
act and is now visualized as the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.
In our country, the judiciary has been at the helm of enacting new laws and interpreting existing
ones in favor of women. Our constitution has ensured that women do not have to bear the brunt
of ancient and oppressive ideologies. The issue of domestic violence has always been widely
debated and deliberated upon. The very term sounds like a contradiction in itself and it is indeed
a matter of regret that the terms “Domestic” and “Violence” should be used in conjunction.
It is only when male roles are redefined and when communities are more supportive that this
vehement issue can be done away with. It is a termite that is continually eating into the very
structure and foundation of the society, and if no heed is paid to the cries, very soon we shall
have a hollow society.
“Yatra naryastu pujyante, ram ante tatra devta” which means, “Where women are worshipped,
there only abounds divine grace.”
This is the real status which a woman is entitled to and it is only through this that we can attain
the goal of true liberalization.
Pooja Chakravarty,
Psychology(H) II year
IN SEARCH OF HAPPINESS
Humans have the distinction in the world of living beings of not knowing what they want in life.
A dog knows that he wants to have a good piece of chicken and a bitch to mate with and a caring
master and he will be happy. A cat knows that having some milk and catching a rat will make it
happy. But the poor unlucky humans don’t know what will make them happy. For example, if
getting into a coveted institution seems to be the source of immense happiness, after getting
into it, the very institution might become the cause of all unhappiness. Similarly if getting into a
relationship with the man of their dreams seems as if will make their life a bed of roses, the same
relationship might after some time make them feel like they are walking on thorns. What do human
beings want? What makes them happy? These seem to be eternal questions with no answers. If
they are fortunate to have the love of someone, they will question the worth of their love, they
will weigh it as if it is gold or silver or sugar or rice hoping that it is as ostentatious and extravagant
as gold and not as common and cheap as sugar or rice. What do they want? If they have a house
they will ask God for a bigger house, if their neighbour has a Mercedes, they would wish for a BMW
and would spend all energy thinking how to get it. It seems as if we have built a web of conflicting
needs, desires and wishes in our mind and we somehow don’t know how to come out of that
web. The more we try to find a way out of it, the more we become lost in this web until in our
frustration we give up finding a way out of it.
After contemplating for long why this happens, I came to certain conclusions. Maybe this
is because our ego is so big that it doesn’t let us see things in clear light, it doesn’t let us forget
that one hurting comment that our friend made in jest or frustration, that one incident when our
loved one let us down. Or maybe it is because of our own fears and questions of self –worth that
cloud our mind that we begin to question the motives of people around, that we begin to suspect
even the innocuous remarks made by colleagues, thus ruining the prospects of having fulfilling
relationships and consequently the happiness and peace of mind that comes with them. Or maybe
it is because as time passes we forget the very reasons for which we began our various pursuits in
life.
What we can do is to try to come out of these perverted thinking patterns and to make our ego
realize that it is doing more harm to us than good. Once we make our ego subdued and assure
ourselves that people around us are our well -wishers and that we do not need to prove ourselves,
life would be much happier and fulfilling. Every time we doubt something maybe remembering the
very reasons for which that pursuit was taken up could help us to feel the joy associated with that
opportunity again. And most importantly we should remember that we all can commit mistakes
and therefore we should forgive ourselves and others time and again. Maybe then we will be much
happier and peaceful.
Roshni Behal
Psychology(H)/II
Page 8:
Movie Review-One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest
The film that has been analyzed here is “One flew over the cuckoo’s nest”. One Flew Over the
Cuckoo's Nest is a 1975 American drama film directed by Miloš Forman and based on the 1962
novel of the same name by Ken Kesey. The film was the second to win all five major Academy
Awards (Best Picture, Actor in Lead Role, Actress in Lead Role, Director, and Screenplay)
following It Happened One Night in 1934, an accomplishment not repeated until 1991 by The
Silence of the Lambs. The film is #20 on the American Film Institute's 100 Years... 100 Movies
list. It was shot at Oregon State Hospital in Salem, Oregon, which was also the setting of the
novel.
It’s a film on the lives of various people of in a mental asylum. The film begins with the
admission of a prisoner McMurphy who is a very charming and friendly man. He catches
everyone’s attention and soon all the patients begin to enjoy is company. However, his
relationship with asylum’s in charge and nurse ms. Ratchit is not so good as she does not like
his frivolous behavior. Murphy along with his friends continuously breaks rules. They all cross
all limits when they all get drunk and let in two women to part all night. Meanwhile, one of the
patients, Billy sleeps wit one of them. The next morning, on being discovered by ms Ratchit,
Billy pleads her to forgive him and not tell his mother of the episode. On being flatly refused by
Ratchit, Billy looses all control and commits suicide.
In an attempt to put an end to all chaos and disruption of discipline, Murphy is made
a ‘vegetable’ by conducting psycho surgery on him. Unable to accept his dear friend’s condition,
one of the patients- chief, kills Murphy and breaks out of the hospital.
The film highlights the state of mental hospitals of that time. Its really sad to see patients being
chained to the bed at night. We can see clear case of mistreatment of patients in this movie.
When Ratchit asks asks Mr. Washington (another staff) to do a headcount, he rudely shakes
some very old patients out of bed. This hierarchy is depicted even in the basketball games.
The two male staff always form a team and don’t mingle with the patients. Also, the mode of
medication was also strange. Everyday, all the patients were asked to have some medicine, and
the only form therapy was the daily meeting where Ratchit exercised a lot of authority.
The hospital is rather remarkably clean. One could see that the hospital was spotless and had
many dustbins and ashtrays. This was quite a surprise and one could see the staff mopping the
floors in the background.
The camera, in this movie has been rather efficiently used. For instance, when Ratchit asks
Washington to have headcount of the patients, he carelessly shifts the couch on which a patient
was asleep. Immediately the camera focused on a poster which said “protect the patient”.
The movie is a landmark in the history of American cinema. I would say it’s a must watch!
S.AnandValli
Psychology (H)-II
Page 9:
THE ROLE OF YOUTH IN SOCIAL CHANGE
I once read a story in a book about how we as individuals can be agents of change in our own
little ways. Once, a man was taking a morning walk along the beach. He saw hundreds of
starfish coming in with the tide thrown on the beach. The sun’s rays would have killed the
starfish. The man picked them up one by one and threw them back into the sea. A passerby
asked, “What are you doing?” there are hundreds of starfish. How many can you help? What
difference does it make?” the man picked up another starfish and throwing it back into the sea,
replied,” it will make a difference to this one”.
There is a society out there in need of a change. What difference are we making? Big or small it
doesn’t matter. If we all end up making a small difference wouldn’t we end up making a major
contribution in making the world a better place to live in?
“It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can do little- do what you
can.”
–
Sydney Smith
My experience:
National Service Scheme (NSS) - “Not me, but you”, a motto that inspired me every day as
a NSS member to go and reach out to others in need of help. NSS helped me gain a better
understanding about life, my surroundings and the society at large. The three years in NSS
helped me interact with people from different sections of the society on various social issues
and concerns. It enlightened me on the fact of how much we all could contribute and make
a change. Being in NSS gave me the opportunity to work with different NGOs, organize blood
donation camps in college, participate in the clean Delhi drive campaign etc among the many
other events. The three years in NSS has been a wonderful learning experience for me.
Rincy
(Ex-Student)
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