After the demise of Benazir Bhutto (murder/accident whatever), Pakistan looked ‘broken down’. The steam blew away of all the grudges mustered against then President Pervez Musharraf, and it seemed like people were scared or even regretting of getting into forcing Musharraf to step down.

No wonder then that the - as it is delicate - coalition started giving way with Nawaz Sharif and his Pakistan Muslim League-N threatened of removing all support and not cooperating with (Benazir’s) PPP.

Not at all an unusual scenario for India though. Walk out from cabinets and parliament, threats and ‘dharnas, accusations and mud slinging is what keeps our politicians ticking! And then remaining time is spent licking wounds caused by the terrorist attacks on which the opposition attacks doubly lethally.

Or else it would not have been difficult for even inanes to realize that the “ceasefire” term does not exist in the dictionary of Pakistan. Firing by the Pakistan army in Tanghdhar sector which is under ‘ceasefire’ probably was just to distract, engage and devastate by ‘terrorist attacks’- a tactic which could have been anticipated by our nation.

Had it not been for the Indian army’s determination of not moving out of the strategically important sectors, even God wouldn’t have been able to help (remember he helps those who at least try!)

Opening unprovoked firing on an Indian border post, violating ceasefire on LOC, after a drama of mutual understanding since Dec 2003, does not require dare or valour, it is the common and obvious act of crafty and cunning.

When will we learn to be more evaluative and preventive rather than licking our wounds? The LOC ceasefire violation, simultaneous serial blasts at Jaipur, a few hoax calls, making all defence, safety, protection and investigative institutions busy… to strike somewhere else unexpected? Or rather be warned!

If Angelina Jolie and Brad Pit go to a ‘rocky’ beach for a stroll and play with three of ‘their’ kids it becomes news. The fact that she is pregnant (first time on), with Brad’s twins (-before marriage doesn’t matter-they are not Indians) is glorified no end. That Brad has time to help her on such outings is indeed laudable. What is surprising is even the rich and affluent have to ‘hunt’ for house of their choice and be guest(seek refuge) to a friend till then!

Back home a very common sight is a hapless bare footed mother-toeing by the hands two half (if not fully) naked kids with hair matted with soil and sweat. Third one suckling her breast relentlessly, blissfully making sound on the rhythm of her steps, is kicking at the fourth in her stomach. They are oblivious of the scorching sun. All of them unmindful of the dust falling from the tub of rocks or sand that the mother is carrying on her head-this does not make news-labourers and their lives seldom do.

Probably the only commonality between the two is the number of children and both mothers’ creditable commitment towards the children.

Though still in the womb, I am already distraught with the happenings in the surroundings. The filthy crimes and atrocities against the girl-child and women are a proof that NOTHING has changed from the days of evolution.
Women are ill treated in every walk of life, in every part of the world, unbelievably rampant in India.

Be it a minor or an old lady of 80, any ‘female’ from a ‘few days old’ to ‘few days to live’ is susceptible to molestation, rape, sale, physical abuse and murder. Being mentally challenged, being chronically ill, being blind or being disabled does not safeguard you from any such evils. If some one claims to be your lover and you do not reciprocate, acid might be splashed on you or you could be ‘murdered in public view’.

Then there are the wife beating; dowry burning; naked parading; molesting by teachers; molesting by ‘uncles’ and grand fathers; sexual harassment at work place, acid attacks; couch casting, lewd remarks, cheap and vulgar gestures, stalking; marital rape and so many other things. Latest are the cyber crimes. ‘MMS’ the mod league. When police personnel can rape minors, who can feel safe?

The abuses against females of all ages are varied. Some times trivial sounding ones also impact the morals. One day 12 yr old Niti came home demoralized from school. She was hurt that the sports teacher does not allow girls to play basket ball. “He rather ensures that boys practice and win the tournaments. He thinks these are boy’s games…” Even karate is only for boys.

Sneha always complains that her science teacher Mr. Surya Prakash encourages only boys for debates, projects, outdoor assignments and competitions. “He openly says taking girls to other schools is a big ‘lafda’ and far too big a responsibility. The parents of girl students refuse to send girls to other cities so why get into the hassle and give them a chance at all…”

Radhika’s father Mr. Raghav candidly says, “I can’t trust any one where my daughter is concerned and I can’t take leave to accompany her every time, so I do not let her participate in any of the talent shows. She is a qualified good singer, and my heart breaks that I am hindering her progress, but then the world is not safe…”
Anjali was a very good cadet and had become the Sargent Major of her NCC girl’s battalion. Her father did not allow her to go to Delhi for RD parade. Anjali’s brother had participated in the RD parade earlier. Anjali’s being a girl was her biggest crime.
Vidula gets paranoid when her daughter gets late even by a few minutes. “I bought her a mobile just so that I can reach her where ever she is. It doesn’t reduce my worry much, but at least I can be in touch” it was not so with Ravi her son.

Why go further- I heard my grandmother praying often that “God let it be a boy…and I will offer you…” though she herself is a woman. “… In fact, because I myself am a woman that is why… ”, she was once telling mother, “I don’t want you to bring a girl in the big bad world… and keep worrying till death of either…”
Being born in any ‘strata’ of life doesn’t safe guard the girl-a female is a female-a utility item, a problem attracter in this world. If she ‘plays up’/ cooperates it is SEX, if she ‘protests’ it is RAPE.

AND SO, I would rather NOT be born; and save my parents from a life full of tension and prayers; of apprehensions and reservations. And I would rather not go through the battery of Dos and Don’ts. I would rather not be a puppet in the men’s world.
For me my mother is already afraid. That makes me intimidated.
Like me all the girl children should REFUSE TO BE BORN, sit back and watch the Gay world that results. So I earnestly beg- SAVE ME NOT, I AM A GIRL CHILD.

A typically Bollywood film situation – unfortunately a FACT not a Fiction. And unfortunately the loss of life is for real.

This isn’t even the first time when the LACKADAISICAL attitude of the men in khaki has come to the forefront. Firstly, seldom do the police reach while the victim is still holding onto his breath. If at all it does, it rather put the papers and records in order than try to save the person, thereby ensuring he is dead.
It is said in defense of the “Khaki” that dealing with thugs, rouges and hard core criminals toughens them so much that they work mechanically, by the book and minus the heart. They have no place for emotions and sentiments as these could get them killed.
Accident victims are NOT criminals of any kind and deserve much more compassion and sympathy. The foremost thing that they need is “HELP” not paper work.

It’s high time we had DIFFERENTLY SPECIALIZED FORCES for different purposes WHICH WORKED TOGETHER (ensuring they avoid forming pockets of their specialized jurisdiction criteria).

For accidents, police force specialized in FIRST AID and PARAMEDICS could be in place which could be reachable from highways and high traffic areas. They should have so many of these SPECIALISTS that they would be placed at every few meters and INSTANTLY come to know of any accident. OR they should be contactable by PATROLLING POLICE who would inform them of any untoward incident.

Reaching an accident site within moments need not remain an “English movie” thing. Though probably aid reaching by CHOPPERS is still a distant dream for us, a TEAM consisting of a paramedic/doctor with an ambulance, a ‘crime policeperson’, a ‘paper-work’ policeperson and one probably specializing in deciding the jurisdiction, ALL WORKING TOGETHER should save many lives.
And then again, probably we should have a NATIONAL police- NOT bounded by STATE boundaries, who could later on sift and HAND OVER the cases to the concerned state-police. POLICE should be police and not UP police, Bihar police, Delhi police… at least till the time the PRIMARY REQUIREMENTS of the victims are dealt with.
Unless the police have been given the role of ‘GOD’ to decide who should die.

Unless this is one way of tackling the population-to let the possibly dying-DIE.

Unless unemployed, restless hence violent youth is the National agenda. (Creating trained paramedics is going to create lot of employment.)

If so, why not make EUTHANASIA the order of the day? Why not do away with the practice of patients being admitted to hospitals at all?? Why not grant EUTHANASIA (disband) to the defunct police force right away???