Rising Rape cases

Recently, NDTV reported that since 1971, there has been ten-fold increase in rape cases in India. So, no one can deny the truth. Is it part of our culture? Is it because of the modernity? Is there any ‘economic’ angle? Is our education system itself to blame?

Knowing reasons behind this unending ordeal is not enough. And no legislations can stop this crime. Is changing mindsets enough? How to change it?

As common men and women, and as future administrators, how will you solve this problem?

Since the NDTV has taken up a comparison of 1971 and 2014, let us look into how society was in 1971 and in 2014. What are the changes that have come to our society over these years. Has the gender gap increased, has pronography fired up ill habits on male population of the country, has society deteriorated and has come under the control of male chauvinist pigs when compared to levels in 1960s, and has globalization failed in its social objective of equality and gender nondiscrimination.

Let us look into a few parameters from 1971 census and 2011 census in India first. Census gives an authentic picture of how society is in its limited dimensions and is highly reliable.

The percentage of educated male : 46%(82.14% in 2011)

The percentage of educated female : 22%(65.46% in 2011)

Urbanization has led to 30% population living in cities with advanced facilities like schools, hospitals, better law enforcement etc

The sex ratio has dropped from 1971 levels due to preference for male child but is up from 2001 level.

Female work participation rate is 25.6%(up from 12.1% in 1971)

Hence it is clear that socially the standards of women and overall country have improved

The Nationl Crime Records Bureau reports cases of rape (IPC 376) and Cases of sexual assault (IPC 353) and finding seems to suggest a rise in such crimes. I completely agree to the fact that number of reported rapes in the country has risen rapidly but the point where i would like to differ is that, the claim of number of actual rapes that occur in the country cannot be concluded as increasing rapidl, rather i stand by the fact that the number of such crime getting reported has increased and those not getting reported has decreased.

Nation have become more aware of the reality of sexual violance. Strong gender movements around the world has strengthened the voice of women who earlier suffered in silence. Role of NGOs that were at nascent state in 1971, National Commission for Women was established only in 1992 to help the women in uplifting them.

The evolution from a patriarchial society where women are considered inferior to man to a modern society where both are considered equal has undergone certain friction from traditional society, but by better laws and proper action from government can control rapes in the country. Rape is the problem of indian society and will undergo only gradual change and has no quick fixes.

It is the duty of its male citizens to stand by their female citizens to overcome the ills such as rape that is  a leftover of our past. More activism and sensitivity is a right step towards controlling rape.

Finally, Blindly following statistical data to project issues should be stopped For if statistics is to be followed blindly, high divorce rates from past may get interpreted as fragmentation of our culture and higher road accidents from 1971 levels may mean deteriration of transport system and safety rules while these are not the cases in real sense

certain solutions to control rape are

1. Better gender sensitization in school and college level

2. removal of traditional mindset of dignity of house linked to women

3. Strong gender laws to act as deterrent

4. Implementation of justice Verma committee report setup post nirbhaya incident.

5. Greater gender equity in police to ease the problems in police station.

6. Community level awareness on gender issues and women empowerment so that the self respect of women in society is regained(rather than being dependent on men) - economic angle of rape can be prevented by this

7. Removing social taboos such as exclusion from village during periods as followed in certain parts of country.

8. Promoting greater interaction with opposite sex rather than considering male and female seperately.

These steps could surely forge ahead to control the menace of rape

The Great Indian Elections

Come April , and the biggest entertaining season of India begins
                             no i am not refering to IPL or T20 world cup finals, cricket is the bread and butter of Indians and due to increasing frequency of occuring , its hype has reduced. Rather its Elections in India spread over two months which is coming to entertain you and follow you in your home, in the morning bus to office, in the office , during lunch break, during tea (Chai pe charcha) ,in the evening news , to the 9PM debates and to your bed.

                           Its a festival in a way, The Model Code of Conduct kicking in marks the beginning. Serious campaigning , creation of manifestos , making promise of reforms , Criticizing opponents(leading to rediscovery of different words in each language) leaders willing to do any service for votes and rallies creating nuisance to ordinary life.
                       
                           Yet they are all necessary for History gives us a glimpse of the origin of this festival.  Elections were introduced in India in the year 1892 to elect leaders for Municipal bodies set up by Lord Ripon in 1882. The Election to State provinces began in 1919 after the coming of Montagu-chelmsford reforms introducing dyarchy in states. The reforms of 1935 abolished dyarchy in states and replaced it with elected government. the greatest achievement to Indians from this bill was Dyarchy in centre even though it never materialised. The grand old party of India , The Indian National Congress won and gained power in 7 out of 11 provinces and in 1938 the number increased to 8.

                          The first Lok Sabha election of independent India took place in the year 1951-52 under the guidance of chief election commissioner Sukumar Sen and from then on the humungus task of conducting elections is shouldered by the election commission of India with impeccable record of Perfection, Transparancy and Accountability. The election commission derives its powers from the constitution (Part xv, Art 325) and even holds powers greater than that of judiciary during elections. The present Chief Election commissioner is V.S Sampath. The coming elections will elect representatives for the 16th Lok Sabha having a strength of 552 members.

                             Elections ensure democracy in a country and is highly essential for political stability. But what are the other benefits of elections?
   
                              Eletions bring multi sectoral benefits to a country (only in short run) as the flow of money into the economy increases. Its boosts the economy in a way similar to budgets or deficit financing(may be to reduce the absence of budget in elecion year). The trade and expenses involved in elections run to millions of dollars (at least off the record) though there are set limits to expenses by candidates. The media screams through your living room about the candidates in elections, their backgrounds, how the past government has faired, opinion polls to project possible winners,  what are the new promises, how many with criminal records are participating, which party is promising what as freebees (from rice to TV sets to Laptops and what not). The period of elections see revival of writing on wall, new slogans, colourful banners, stages and decorated Jeeps and caravans plying across the roads. Ideologies, religion ,caste , ethnicity and what not are dragged in as topics for campaigning and gaining votes.

                                            courtesy:Manorama

                                    There is the day of election when the nation goes to the election booth to cast their votes.India follows a system of universal adult frachise with right to vote for citizens above the age of 18 (61tst  amendment in 1988). The candidate winning maximum number of votes is declared as winner. The last day of campaigning fills the nation with vigour and spirit marking a perfect climax to this festival

                             This years election will see the introduction of None Of The Above(NOPA) Option in electoral machine as a new candidate. Also Election Commission plans to introduce physical printouts for verification of votes done. The mains opponents are the congress and BJP. This years campaigning has seen large scale use of social media and electronic media for campaigning. The election fever has already set in , let us also join in to indulge in the colours of this year's election and take a promise to vote in the elections. Jai Hind

Back to blogging

Its been a long time since last blog
finally out of college and trying to set up a career.
presently trying to crack civil services , a prestigious exam of govt of India
The journey has been tough and enlightening at the same time...learnt a bit more aout myself and about the world and realised that i am still a child in a world filled with knowledge..."its crazy here"(a qoute of my friend Pritom). Let me try to paste something from my present preperation days in this blog"(i will try to be honest, i admit i am lazy) so no idea when the next blog will come but till then my friend...have a great time