Gen X-writes the future

"We had to make ourselves heard"

Neighbors, friends and lovers have emerged as the main culprits in rape cases that have taken across Delhi this year till date. We see a lot of the young generation meeting up at India Gate, in front of Delhi Police Headquarters and Jantar Mantar. We hear them, shouting slogans and holding banners which read things like "We won’t tolerate rape".

But who are these youngsters? Are they the same people who are seen by older generation as materialistic placing their concern for money far above their concern for political issue? Who wear their apathy like Zara accessory if that were true they why did they get together for what the international press is calling one of the world's largest protest against rape and sexual violence.

These are the people who are the country's future. All revolutions begin with young people. Only the young have the energy, the stamina, and passion to fight and change the system. The real reason for these mass protests is because people are just frustrated and fed up. But why does the system needs to change?

Our law system takes so long to punish the accused that the whole meaning of punishment to the culprit or justice to the victim is lost. For instance in Jessica Lal case, everyone knew that Manu Sharma had shot dead Jessica Lal. But it still took 10 years to gain justice.

Everybody wants to be safe and no one should have to ask for it. Growing up we girls follow some rules - dress conservatively, don’t be out till late night, use public transport and always have a male companion if possible. But these rules are baseless now. It doesn't matter how you are dressed, you can’t save yourself from the monstrous mind of rapists.

This year has seen a surge in crime against women. There has been a 158 percent increase in case of rape while molestation incidents have witnessed a three fold rise. Case of “eve teasing” has increased 4 times.

Today’s youngsters are a frank generation. They say it like they see it. They are practical without being ideological. They want straight answers for straight questions. For a generation that feeds on instant pizza, to see something important as a justice taking forever is beyond compensation.

Recently, the Delhi High Court dismissed a petition filed by two out of 5 accused in the December 16 gang rape case seeking quashing of the FIR against them. The court observed that there was sufficient prime-facie evidence against them for framing of charges.

It is proof the revolution has started. The system will change, fast track courts are being set up. We youngsters are being heard.

Goodbye...Hello....

The best 14 years of one's life. Our childhood is spent in school. Everyone remembers the first day of the school..holding our parent's fingers, crying and not letting them go. But ultimately we get used to the place. We make new friends, though everyone is our friend then, but we get to know our real friends later.

I completed my senior secondary from one school, where I spent first 12 years. I participated in every function, events and competition possible in my first school. I changed my school for higher secondary studies. Though I left the previous school, I missed it dearly. Having spent 12 years there, director maam, principal, all the teachers, seniors and even juniors knew me and I belonged there.
In my new school, I was lost. I had to start afresh, make new friends and let the teachers know that I exist. My race for life had already begun even before I could understand. My aim was not to win there but to complete the race. In between I made a few real friends. In these two years I actually grew up from that innocent teenage to a strong headed lady.

This second school became specials as here it was where my carefree life came to an end. For those 14 years my life had been monotonous from school to home, home to tuition, tuition to home, all the studies. Though I had entertainment but my life was hectic. And I clearly hated school life except for my school friends. Well nobody hates friends. But no matter how much you think you hate school, you'll always miss it when you leave. And thus came our farewell, it is an event organized by school to bade goodbye to their senior most students batch. Students have to wear formals, guys in suits and girls in sarees. According to me its our first step into adulthood. A feeling of responsibility and competitive spirit comes in.

Boards started and lasted for one and a half month straight. Gosh, it was strenuous. All the hardwork in the previous year had to be paid back. But as boards ended the feeling of farewell came in again. No more school uniform, those corridors, chats on the back page of register, school canteen food. Nothing would be there, nothing would be the same. There will be a new version of everything, even us.

School had ended and the feeling was yet to sink in. Though with heavy heart everyone welcomed the new life of entrance exams, competition and college. It was time for us to realize that life is a school and one is here to learn, pass all our tests. Problems are simply a part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lesson you learn will last a lifetime. No teacher would be there to judge but we would be our own teacher.
So good luck friends, have a great life ahead. the real exams start now !

The Little Khushi

Everyday as we start our day, we meet old and new people in our life. It may be colleagues, friends, teachers or metro companions. But specifically today lets put the main spot light on all the less fortunate people-our domestic helper. From the milkman to the maid, the guard to the bus driver, they all need a bit of help from us. The Almighty has given the same 2 eyes, 2 hands, 2 legs and brain to all, but it all depends on how one uses it. But in India its different. Our country might be developing rapidly but only in technology not as a literate country. Last week, my maid came to my house with her ten-year old daughter. While the maid was working, I was more than glad to spend time with Khushi, the little darling. She didn't go to school but wanted to go to one. I didn't want to ask the reason behind her wet eyes, as I understood they could just manage 2 square meal for the family of 5. I started singing "A-B-C-D.." for her, and to my utter surprise she grasped it so quickly. Next day she came again with her mother, with the hope of learning something new. That day I made her learn new words.

My dear readers, since then, every evening, the little Khushi comes in singing and dancing, her eyes twinkling with hope to have a better future.

It is not that the illiterates do not want to learn, but they are not so fortunate to have all privileges of life. So it must be our, the literate learner's, the youth's duty to help them read and write. And of-course their happiness and overjoyed smile is much more of a payment. Its  a relief of being able to see our country being developed by our own hands.