Let me begin by asking you a simple question, Where do you see yourself in 5 years? Now answer this, Where do you see your country in 5 years? Does these questions make you think in two different routes? Do you think your personal ambitions and growth in the coming years is more attractive than that of your country? And are you actually fine with it?
Recent events from my country – India:
As most of you are probably aware, I am a citizen of India and have been living in the US for the past 7 years. When we get together with friends, I sometimes like to portray my country as a technologically advanced nation which is on its way to a bright future with amazing talent and will soon be on par with any other developed nation in the world.
But it is sad that some events that happen in our country actually make us bow down our heads with embarrassment and disgust. The old saying is actually true – ‘One bad apple can spoil the whole bunch‘. Due to some miscreants back there, who haven’t had a decent upbringing, who have resorted to heinous crimes, we are all facing such a major setback to the entire country.
1. 16 Dec 2012 – Delhi Gang Rape – Read more
Now who doesn’t know about this most unfortunate incident that happened late last year, and made us all feel so angry and enraged about it, and yet remain helpless. It simply shows that these men are some wackos who have got to be put in an institution of some sort. How can anyone be so cruel and yet remain a human being (or are they?)
The poor girl who was the victim of endless assault, actually passed away while being treated in Singapore, God rest her soul in peace, and I am actually happy that she died instead of having to face our cruel society which has a deaf ear for such misdeeds.
The incident lead to several protests from people, demanding proper justice for the victim, and corrective punishment for all those involved. The protests went on, the culprits were caught, and they are being tried in our law courts.
2. 15 April 2013 – 5 Year Old Raped in Delhi
This is just un-believable!!!!! After all the hoopla about the above incident, several protests and anger shown by people against such harassments, here comes another shocker.
The girl is just 5 years old, and I just cannot comprehend what she might have gone through those 40hrs locked up and abused repeatedly. What is wrong with these people? They are not sane enought to live among us for sure. Is there a punishment worth this crime, I really do not think so. I cannot think of a punishment which will bring this person to justice or even make him suffer the way the victim did.
So another protest? Another arrest? Another case in court? What next? Is this what we as Indians like to portray about our country and culture to everyone else?
The 5 year old girl is reported to be undergoing treatment at AIIMS and is recovering (from what??) – Read More. Are you kidding me? This whole incident will leave such a mark which is sure to haunt her entire life.
These might actually be two of the several such assaults on women and girls that have actually been reported. How about those that go un-noticed and hidden off by use of “power” and “influence”?
3. 20th April 2013 – 10 year old girl raped by HeadMaster – Read More
How unfortunate it can be if parents are second-guessing whether or not to send their kids to school because the teachers themselves are sexually abusing the children in the god-forsaken place!!! I cannot fathom the fact that a learned and educated person who is actually eligible to be heading a school can get to this level as this person did.
So what does this say about our education programs and our country boasting of the best known schools with international standards? Will anyone ever send their kids to study in one of our schools with such bad reputation? What about the teaching community and how this has affected them in general?
The first incident on a public commute system, the second one right next door neighbour, and the third one at a school. Where is it safe for our kids then? It is with great difficulty that I have restrained using any ‘swear’ words at these culprits, just to keep my article clean. Does our legal institution allow for capital punishment or death sentence for such crime? But on second thoughts, is that the ultimate punishment for them? If it was me, I would have made them suffer for their entire life and they would have rather hoped to die than suffer.
4. Back in October 2012 in the US – Saanvi (Read More)
Well, one should not assume that we Indians are bad-asses only in our country. There are some of them who actually come here to live the American dream, but end up showing their true colors. This was sensational news late last year, when the Indian born immigrant killed and abducted a baby for a ransom of a mere $50000!!!!!.
Just a mere 10 month old Saanvi was abducted and later killed and stashed in a sauna by this heartless criminal. In the melee of kidnapping, he also ended up killing the baby’s grandmother who stood in the way. Of course, he was stupid enough to get caught and is behind bars now, but what about the family he left behind in grief ?
I sometimes wonder what goes on in these people’s minds when they even plan such an act, because I feel if you have 1% humanity in yourself, you wouldn’t even be able to come up with such thoughts. I feel very bad for these helpless victims who have fallen prey to such predators who have taken their lives for granted.
Over To You
Are you an Indian, and if so, what do you feel about these recent crimes by our citizens all around the world? What more can we do about it except maybe talk about it and condemn such acts? Is there anything that we can do which will make another person not even think of repeating such crimes?
I also want to make it clear that there are several people in India who have given their lives to bring about peace and advancement to our nation, and we should not judge the entire population by looking at a minor few like the ones who performed such horrendous criminal acts. Our nation is growing at an exponential rate, with IT industries contributing a major part to our economy. But somewhere in our path to progress comes along an act of immense distress which pulls us back a couple of steps.
I would love to hear from you of your thoughts on the same, share your line of thinking to make life better and bring peace to this world. Thanks for reading.
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Hi Praveen,
I’m glad you brought up this topic of discussion today, though as you mentioned, there is nothing much either of us can do or say for such acts of crime. But if it’s not us, then who does?
I’ve been reading the news, and keeping up with things. One just keeps praying that when our kids step out they remain safe. But are they actually safe anywhere, or even a woman going out of her house – is she really safe? Where is she safe, in-fact that is the question.
I’d thought that something solid would come out of the Delhi Gange Rape case – but nothing really came out of it, other than a few words here and there. Not to mention, the very next day somewhere else a similar crime was done on an infant!
Where and when does all this stop? Is there an end to this? Who puts an end to all of this? It’s clear that our government surely isn’t doing what it needs to do, and I feel it lies in our hands to do what we can.
I would say there should be nothing less a punishment for such culprits other than hanging them or just shoot them. Yes, sorry for saying all of this, but this is what’s needed, and once it’s done, it’s a lesson for everyone who even thinks of committing such a crime. Such a thought itself should send a shiver up the spine.
I won’t say such crimes happen only in India, nor can we blame people for crime a few people commit, as such crimes happen all over the world. But how and what action the rule makers do is what matters, which I strongly feel lacks in our country. I just wish things would change and get better, and there is more safety for the women and children in our country.
Thanks for sharing this important topic with us. 🙂
Harleena Singh recently posted…How to Get Kids to Listen to You
Harleena – Dont even get me started on possible punishments to these criminals…my blood boils every time I think of them and what they did.
It is sad that nothing is in our hands, and we just have to look up to our most in-efficient judicial system to provide justice, what a joke.
Thanks for stopping by and leaving your comment. Glad you liked it.
Praveen Rajarao recently posted…The Trouble with High Pitch Roofs
This is not only an Indian problem but the world’s headache. The rape saga for instance made up a major news bulleting in my country with everyone condemning the act.
Emmanuel – I agree with you, there are similar issues all around the world. I wanted to bring these incidents out into the open so that those people who arent aware of what is happening in India, will get to know.
Thanks for sharing your comment.
Praveen Rajarao recently posted…The Top 5 Players in the NBA
Hi Praveen,
I agree with Emmanuel – this is not only an Indian problem. The mistreatment of women has recently been raised on an international level with a campaign to stop the widespread practice of rape in war zones.
I live in the UK and even here we’ve had some distressing cases of rape and abuse of young girls by gangs of men.
As a woman and as a human being, I find it very distressing and depressing, and I think it boils down to the way people are raised and the values they learn in their communities. Some men are clearly growing up with the belief that women are somehow lesser beings, not worthy of care and respect, to be used for their own pleasure and then discarded.
So much of the world is still ruled by men – even in advanced, supposedly enlightened western societies, when you see gatherings of the most powerful, it’s still usually overwhelmingly a picture of ‘men in suits’. Female heads of state and CEOs are still a rarity. And then you have institutions like the Roman Catholic Church, completely dominated by men. So women are institutionally repressed and subjugated in many ways, throughout the civilized world – in politics, in religion and in the business world. I think it’s those cultural norms that make it easier for sexual violence against women to flourish and go unpunished in some societies – there’s a lot of work to be done. I think education and work to overcome ignorance and false beliefs about the value and status of women has to be the key. Punishing the offenders won’t solve this, though I’m not saying they shouldn’t receive sanctions – but you need to get at the root causes.
This is a brave post about an important issue – thanks, Praveen,
Sue
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Sue – I really appreciate you leaving such a true and heartfelt thought on this article.
Yes, it is with great pain and sorrow that I wrote this article, I had been discussing about these incidents with my wife and family and friends, but just couldnt succumb to the thought that nothing can be done. How is that possible? We are a population of more than a billion people, out of which I hope atleast 75% will agree that there is something missing in our law and justice. So if everyone stood up against it, does it not bring a powerful stand in favor of a solution?
I am sure there are many institutions and NGOs working on protecting the women today, but are they enough to take care of every girl in every country undergoing such social pressure?
Praveen Rajarao recently posted…The Top 5 Players in the NBA
hello praveen,
due to these kind of happenings i am ashamed to call myself an indian but yes one or two persons cant do much about this. this is a big problem in india and all over the world. we do not respect girls , we have to change our mentality
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Prabhat – Yes, just bcoz of a few people like this, we all have to bear the burden. There is a strong need of change in perspective in men like these, not sure where we are all heading towards in future.
Praveen Rajarao recently posted…The Top 5 Players in the NBA
Hi Praveen,
This was a very powerful post and I could certainly relate to your anger and frustrations. I’ve experienced similar emotions myself. I knew that something wasn’t right the last time I was in India in 2007 in New Delhi. I was there for two weeks and every single day in the main city newspapers there were at least 2-3 reports about very young children being raped and abused. Of course, India’s population is very big, but it still made me wonder what kind of sick people there are.
As a Brit of Indian origin, there have been some very shameful, high profile cases of British men of Asian origin (so far a lot of the men seem to be reported as being of Pakistani origin) over the past 5-7 years of grooming very vulnerable English girls for abuse. Some of the stories of what they do are truly shocking it makes my blood boil. It’s difficult as it is being of ethnic minority in a country, without have such acts and behaviours associated with the communities. And even more important than this, what about the terrible scars these evil men are leaving on these poor vulnerable girls.
Thank you.
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Hiten – A warm welcome to DMC, and am glad to see your comment here.
I have been repeating my thoughts to everyone I discuss this topic about, as to how much it has affected my vision of my country and my people. It is very disturbing to feel sad about our own men behaving in such a disgraceful manner.
I am sure this problem is there in every part of the world, but I think there needs to be a start of a major change and why not in India? We have so many leaders who can actually steer our country in a better direction given a chance, but there seems to be a lot of diplomacy and bureacracy that is keeping them shut.
Thanks for your comment and hope to see you back soon.
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