I was reading my teacher’s blog the other day and was overwhelmed to know that he believes in a principle to the core- “Do not talk about individuals, talk about issues”. I’ve seen him implementing this. On this context, let me address the current Indian media. Everytime when I tackle such issues, I borrow heavily from P Sainath sir, my favorite journalist. It’s long since our country’s media has taken up actual “issues” and done justice with them- price rise, farm crisis and rural injustice being the worst reported till date.

Government and media have long blamed the price rise on the drought last year, on cost push and on poor distribution. Unfortunately, this is only half truth. Drought affected our country in July 2009, prices however have been on the rise since the beginning of 2008. The problem lies in various policies of our government. Though, the unfortunate story is the same with cotton, paddy as well as pulses, I’ll take sugar to prove my point. I’ve borrowed facts heavily from Kannan Kasturi, a prominent researcher and writer from New Delhi.

A lot is being compared between India and US these days. But there is one major difference between the two that media, or people have failed to point out. The difference lies mainly in the constitution of the two nations. Their constitution is one or two pages long, whereas ours is the thickest book possible, which tries to define anything and everything under the sun! What makes US great is their 1st Amendment, that says-

It turns me off to see half of the world learning yoga and aerobics to fight obesity while the other half out there is sleeping hungry. The problem is generally blamed on the governments, but a small yet significant solution lies with us. Each grain consumed or wasted holds a significant value. Stop wasting food!!

This post is a feeling expressed by a volunteer of Sankalp who wishes not to disclose his/her name. The PR team has just posted this blog on behalf of their anonymous companion

He bid goodbye with tearful eyes
And I bid goodbye to him
Circumstances were too overpowering
For us, mortals to reign

I learn't to live without him
Walking on my road
But telling myself once in a while
The person was my own

I blamed the universe for the situation
I hoped a day would arrive
When we would meet again someday
The bonding would reignite.