The area of Okhla was reverberating with the sound of Nauha (mourning songs) when thousands of devotees walked together mourning in the mild dusk of Chehlum.
Numerous women, children and young people from Amroha, Meerut, old Delhi and Okhla participated in the rally.
With the recitation of Nauha the wave of energy was spread all over. People were beating their chests and many of them had cut their bodies to feel the pain of those died in the Battle of Karbala.
Chehlum is a Shia religious observation that occurs 40 days after the Day of Ashura, as a tribute of the martyrdom of Imam Hussain Ibn Ali (as), the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad (saw). Imam Hussain Ibn Ali (as) and 72 supporters died in the Battle of Karbala in the year 61 AH (680 CE). Forty days is the customary span of mourning in many Islamic societies. Arabs call this event as ‘Arbaeen’, which means forty. Also it is known as Chehlum among Urdu-speaking Muslims.
Jamia’s Premchand Archive inaugurated an exhibition of the collection of Pandit Banarasidas Chaturvedi’s work and life this week. The collections in the exhibit comprise a wide range of photographs, books, letters and articles of his time.
The Director of the Prem Chand Archive, Sabiha Zaidi, said: “The archive aims at preserving the work of a legend who contributed in the national movement, social awakening and secular tradition of India. Pandit Ji wrote both in Hindi and Urdu; his writing depicts the plight of families of revolutionaries, Dalit, and communalism.”
During the exhibition, as a tribute to Pandit Banarasidas Chaturvedi, his grandson Dr. Apoorva Chaturvedi, TN Chaturvedi, a renowned Hindi author, and Wishwnath Tripathi, a counterpart of Pandit B. Chaturvedi, gave tribute lectures. The inauguration and the lecture were also attended by the Vice chancellor, Mushirul Hasan, lecturers and students.
Remembering the legend, Wishwnath Tripathi said Pandit Banarasidas Chaturvedi was a modest and determined writer who wrote what he felt. “He was man of social empathy who tried to reflect the complexities of that time in his literature.”
Taking a note on communalism, Pandit Banarasidas Chaturvedi had once said that it is quite possible that one can be a Hindu and an Indian too at the same time. “Epitomizing Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Banarasidas Chaturvedi argued that Gandhi “was a Gujrati, a Hindu, an Indian and a global citizen, and there was no conflict of functioning. The only problem comes when we toil to uniformity instead of unity,” Wishwnath Tripathi added.
Recalling the period of Pandit Banarasidas Chaturvedi, TN Chaturvedi said it was a time of simplicity, and writing used to be clear and direct. Pandit Banarasidas Chaturvedi was a common personality who was never wary about his attire but always serious regarding his work, Chaturvedi added. “He was not confined to one perception; he was a man of multi-dimensional writing.”
Pandit Banarasidas Chaturvedi was also known to be a visionary who has written ahead of his time. In his lifetime, he traveled to Fiji and Russia and met Indians living there. Touched by their plight he had written about Pravasi Bhartiya.
“In recent years we have felt the need for a Ministry of Diaspora, while he had written of this need decades ago. He was also acquainted with this subject that Gandhi Ji once said ‘if you want no about Pravasi Bhartiya you should ask Pandit Banarasidas Chaturvedi,” recalls Wishwnath Tripathi.
In his inaugural address the Vice Chancellor, Mushirul Hasan, said it is a matter of pride to have legendry work in our archive; the student of Jamia must be benefited by this collection.
With moist eyes the grandson of Pandit Banarasidas Chaturvedi, offered his thanks to Jamia‘s archive for the respect of the work of the literary man, and wished that students will witness this literary history.
“To make the Archive more popular among the students, we are organizing seminars in various departments and toiling hard to bring more of collection here. At present Acharaya Nishant Ketu and Padamshri Suntia Jain also agreed to contribute their work to the archive,” said Sabiha Zaidi.
The Jamia Teacher’s solidarity group along with AISA (All India students association) organized a candle march to express their concern for Palestinian victims in Gaza strip. Photo feature By Monis Ahmed and Babu
The century old goat market at meena bazaar, Jama Masjid, was crowded this week not only with people but with goats prior to Eid- ul- Azha. The Muslim festival popularly known as Bakri Eid, is one of the major festivals among Muslims celebrated universally. On this day, Muslims sacrifice an animal to illustrate their devotion, conviction and honesty towards Allah. Traders from nearby states of Rajasthan, Haryana and Utter Pradesh throng the Meena Bazaar in old Delhi. They have goats of all sizes and breeds including Mewati, Pahadi and Totapari. Prices are phenomenal and ranges from Rs 300 to Rs 50,000.
Inside the world of goat
The flocked locked in front of the Jama Masjid
Buying and selling the goat food
A few days of beautification before the final slaughter
We are the world’s fourth largest economy. We have sent a mission to the moon. And in two years we will organize the Commonwealth Games. Delhi is one of the largest capitals of the world, home to 16 million people, the amount of garbage generated by this number is staggering. As with other exploding cities, our civic structure is not adequately geared to handle this tide. Thousands of invisible hands, émigrés from Bengal and Bihar get dirty every day to clean our City. They live on as an invisible community on the outskirts of Delhi. Despite living in the capital and with so many governmental educational schemes, their children don’t have the benefit of attending school. These children are often busy looking after younger siblings or helping their parents with their work. As they roam aimlessly around the slum, one wonders if they have any future in this transforming capital of the biggest democracy of the world.
Think of Ramlila and you can picture a Sita clad in a nine-yard long orange saree with her head covered. But talk to present generation and they will tell you how they have seen Sita. “Sita wears cut-sleeved blouses and she wears jewellery like Aishwarya Rai wore in Jodha Akbar,” says Harshita Agarwal, a nine-year old.
Ramlila, which was a part of tradition in earlier days, is losing its importance as a means of recreation. Computers, television and video games have taken over. “In our days, we used to wait the whole year for Ramlila. It was one of the few means, apart from radio, that we had for recreation,” says Kanta Malhotra, now a grandmother of two. “Now my grandchildren laugh when I tell them to go and see that Ramlila. They prefer TV over it,” complains Malhotra.
But there are still some homes in Delhi where Ramlila is awaited just like a new show on TV is. Sahil Ahuja, a student of eleventh standard in a public school says, “My father plays the role of Ram in the Ramlila held near our place. This Ramlila has been happening here for the past 34 years. I have been a part of it since I was a child. Ramlila for me is an integral part of my life.”
The Chairman of this Ramlila Committee in Patel Nagar, Jitender Bhardwaj says, “This Ramlila is as important for me as it is for the kids in this area. I still get excited during those days as I used to when I was a child. It is important for the kids to learn about their culture. And they are able to do it in an exciting manner through this Ramlila.”
The kids, who have grown up seeing Ramlila are also excited about taking part in it. Pratyaksh and Praman, who are six-year old twins, can always be seen behind the stage to catch more of the back stage action. “This time we both are playing the role of monkeys in Hanuman’s army,” they both say in chorus.
Though Ramlila portrays the story from the holy book of the Hindus, it has never been restricted only to Hindus. People from other religions await it as much. Salim Khan, a 50-year old, who lives in Okhla Vihar says he has been seeing Ramlila ever since he shifted to this area. “Ramlila is an event that I await throughout the year. I have been seeing it since I was in tenth standard. I love to go and sit on the rickety seats and eat peanuts while watching Ramlila,” he says.
For Ritika Bajaj, a teacher with a primary school, this year was the first time when she watched Ramlila. While the joy clearly reflects on her face, she realises the many years she has already missed. “I think that I have missed out on something in life. After seeing it, I feel I would have enjoyed it more if my parents had got me here when I was a child,” she says with a promise that she would ensure that her own kids would not miss this gala cultural event.
Delhi-based Kiran Jain, a 49-year-old, has been struggling to meet her daily needs. Widowed at an early age, Jain is a single mother of a mentally challenged child. Instead for taking up typical jobs ‘meant’ for a woman, she decided to learn to drive auto rickshaw from Sunita Choudhary, the first woman auto driver in Delhi. Twice everyday, once in the morning and once in the evening, Choudhary conducts free auto driving lessons for interested women.
“I need to pay house rent of Rs 2,500. There is no one to generate income at home. I think if I learn this skill then at least I would be able to pay the rent and also to take care of my child,” said Jain.
Like Jain, Archana Kashyap too participates at Choudhary’s training sessions. Kashyap’s husband left her two years back. With no decent means of livelihood, she has decided to become an auto driver.
When asked the reason for the choice of the profession, Kashyap retorts, “If women can become prime minister and president in India then why can’t a woman be an auto driver?!” She claims to be a dedicated learner and seems excited to get her driver’s license.
In a city where women often find it difficult to travel due to harassing auto drivers, presence of female drivers may come as a relief.
“Nowadays autowalla harass women and charge more. When I start driving, I will charge through metre and will take special care for my female passengers,” says Kashyap.
Shruti Yadav, a 22-old-old student, had an opportunity to ride on Sunita Choudhary’s auto. “First of all, I was amazed to find a female auto driver. But then I was really happy to note that women at grassroots level are taking up such jobs. This is true women empowerment,” exclaims Yadav.
Sunita Choudhary, the woman behind all this is quite confident about her venture. With the upcoming Commonwealth Games, she feels women auto drivers will be more in demand. “Woman drivers would be more polite and welcoming to the guests during the Games,” she adds.
Her own story has been that of an inspiration for hundreds of deprived women in the city. She came to Delhi in 1992 after undergoing horrific domestic trauma. In 2001, she enrolled with the Institute of Driving, Training and Research (IDTR) to become the first woman auto rickshaw driver in the city.
All eyes would be on the road to see whether Choudhary’s initiative bore fruits.
By Akanksha Kukreti Photo:Babu Date - September 19, 2008. Residents of Jamia Nagar were busy shopping for Eid in the local market at Batla House. Suddenly sounds of gun firing startled the people. Delhi Policemen along with National Security Guards were engaged in an alleged encounter with terrorism suspects. The people on the road turned panicky and rumours started spreading wild. That’s when Radio Jamia 90.4, the community radio station run by AJK Mass Communication Research Centre of Jamia Millia Islamia went live on air. Listen to know more…
By-Moonis Ahmad and Babu A solidarity procession was organized by the newly formed Coordination Committee of Indian Muslims along with other Muslim advocacy groups to voice their concern against terrorism and police action on 26th September, Friday at Jantar Mantar.
The rally was attended by major Muslim organizations, leftists, intellectuals, students and social activists. The leaders condemned all disruptive terrorist acts and serial bombings as well as the incidents of State bias.
“The 19th September Batla house encounter of suspected terrorists had created enough commotion amongst the residents of Okhla and Muslims in general,” confesses Irfanullah Khan, chairman of Jamia Nagar coordination committee. “Earlier it was madarsas, and now educated Muslim youths are being targeted by the police. The aim is to bottleneck them educationally and economically.”
While addressing the gathering, Syed Ahmad Bukhari, Shahi Imam of Delhi’s Jama Masjid, severely criticized the media for demonizing and labeling Jamia Millia Islamia and Okhla as the hubs of terrorism. He said, “If Atif was behind Delhi bomb blasts, then who is to be blamed for the blasts at Nanded, Ajmer Dargah and Mecca Masjid of Hyderabad.”
The members of JNU student’s union also participated in the agitation. The union’s President, Pradeep spoke against the state’s high handedness in this clamp down. “The role of RSS in this polarization and its involvement in bomb explosions should be thoroughly investigated,” he demanded.
Abu Asim Azmi, Member of Parliament in Rajya Sabha from Uttar Pradesh opined: “The media has tarnished the image of Muslims, Islam and azmis (a title used by the Muslims from Azamgarh) in Mumbai and Delhi.” He further added that “Azamgarh has produced patriots like Maulana Shibli Nomani, Kaifi Azmi and Brigadier Usman”
The students and demonstrators in the agitation were holding various placards like “we want CBI/judicial enquiry”, “we are against terrorism” and “stop arresting innocents”
Another JNU union member Monisa voiced that all the resistance movements in India should unite. She further added that all the marginalized voices, whether Muslims, dalits, adivasis and Christians should fight for their rights.
The rally witnessed loud sloganeering by the emotionally charged participants against police, media and the state. However, the leaders promptly controlled the mob.
Later in the evening, some leaders including Muslim Majlise Mushawarat president Dr. Zafrul Islam Khan, Dr. Syed Qasim Rasool Ilyas of All India Muslim Personal Law Board and Maulana Abdul Hameed Nomani of Jamiat Ulama-I-Hind went to the PMO where they handed a memorandum listing their demands.
For most students like Vikas of Jamia Millia Islamia the procession was important because it brought all concerned citizens on a common platform
You think someone wearing a full-sleeved shirt in this humid weather is bonkers? It might not be the latest fad but it is certainly a preventive measure. It is what the doctors are advising if you want to stay away from dengue. Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and other concerned agencies claim that preventive measures have been taken to fight dengue. But since the outbreak of dengue fever since this June, the cases are still increasing.
V K Monga, Chairman, Health Committee, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) says, “Till yesterday, 208 cases have been reported from Delhi for the year 2008.” He said the total number of cases reported last year was 548. He also added that the total number of cases is expected to be more than those of last year.
“The increase in the number of cases can be attributed to early monsoon and increase in the volume of monsoons this year. There is more humidity and also the temperature has not been very high this year,” he said.
While the agencies are busy bracing the outbreak with various measures, there seems to be a blockade on the way with the workers for the Domestic Breeding Catchers (DBC) going on strike.
This is being cited as another reason for a surge in dengue cases, points out Monga. “This problem will be solved shortly. They are demanding a regular government job, which is not possible. They are hired on a contractual basis. They are taking advantage of the situation because they know that this is the peak season for them.” Monga claims that the MCD is ready to deal with the dengue cases. “I have visited one or two hospitals and seen the provisions. The supply of platelets and medicines is enough. There will not be any problem.”
Dr R N Singh, Chief Medical Officer, Malaria, New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) claims that special beds have been earmarked for dengue patients in hospitals like AIIMS, Safdarjung, RML, Lady Harding and other hospitals which come under NDMC supervision. So how harmful is dengue for you? Dengue is a viral disease which is transmitted to humans by the bite of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. The severe form of dengue is called dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF). It can lead to a more critical stage called the dengue shock syndrome. It could result in death if not managed in time.
Dr Prena Chhetri, a resident doctor at Indraprasthra Apollo Hospital, says, “Unlike the nocturnal malaria-transmitting mosquito, the dengue mosquito bites during the day and breeds in clean water.” It also bites several times at a stretch without rest, which means ‘a single mosquito carrying the dengue virus could infect more people in a shorter time’.
But the good news is that Dr Chhetri says it is not difficult to keep yourself safe. “The safest option is to wear full-sleeved clothes and make sure that no stagnant water is there near your surroundings. The dengue scare is bigger than the actual diseases every year so don’t be paranoid, just take precautions.” So this season, do your best to be free from the grip of dengue!
Twenty year old, scruffy looking Nikhil, his hair tied into a pony tail scurries with plates of shawarma at the Al-bake restaurant at the Community Center in New Friends Colony. Speaking fluent Hindi as he takes the orders, at a glance, he looks like any other waiter. A closer look however confirms that he is not an Indian.
Leaving back his ailing father at home, Nikhil immigrated from Nepal in search of employment in 2006. Having landed a job at the restaurant, he has been working as a waiter since then.
Nikhil is not the only Nepali working at the restaurant. There are more than 12 others from across rural Nepal who work at the restaurant. There are still many other Nepalis who work in the various restaurants and eateries at the Community Center.
“We employ those boys who are good at work. I pay them salaries according to their work. The more skilled they are, more they are paid,” says Sonu Aggarwal, owner of Brijwasi restaurant. “For those who are not skilled, we train them with a minimal salary. When they become skilled, we increase their salaries.”
Most of these Nepali waiters have one thing in common to say: that they came to Delhi for want of employment opportunities back at home. And most of them come from poor backgrounds and have little or no education at all. The grim scenario at home has pushed these young men to look for greener pastures beyond the boundaries.
Dev Raj, 18, from Solokhombo village in Nepal, traveled to Delhi 15 months back looking for a job and a livelihood. Today he works at the Brijwasi restaurant at the community center. He earns a salary of Rs 2,200 a month. The restaurant he works at also employs about 20 other Nepalis.
The porous border shared by India and Nepal, lax immigration rules and a lack of VISA regime between the two countries also makes things easier for them.
Kamal Thapa, another waiter at the Al-bake, says that they just pack their bags, board a train and travel to Delhi. “That is as easy as that,” he adds.
Once in Delhi, through acquaintances, relatives and friends, they hunt for work. To curtail their expenses, most of the Nepali workers put up together in the same house. “We eat from the restaurant and share our rents. This way we are able to save some money from our meager salary,” Dev Raj says.
Nepalis are not just working for others. There are quite a few of them who run their own small businesses as well. And that is exactly what Sher Singh Lama, 30, from Dhaling village in Nepal, has been doing for the past 8 years.
“I used to work as a domestic help for more than 6 years. My employer had promised to send me to London to work for one of their cousin’s house but he did not keep his promise,” he narrates. “After that I started this momo business with two of my friends.” He earns a daily profit of about Rs1, 500-2,000 a day.
Lama lives at Lajpat Nagar along with more than 50 other Nepalis in a building, fully occupied by them. All of them are into momo business and go as far as Khan Market and Nehru place, to sell momos.
Be it working as waiters or selling momos on the streets, the Nepali immigrants have a reason to be glad. “It is better to be here, working and earning rather than being at home jobless,” says Kamal Thapa.
यूँ तो दिल्ली में हर साल अंतर्राष्ट्रीय बुक फेयर और दिल्ली बुक फेयर का आयोजन होता है लेकिन यहाँ एक जगह ऐसी भी है जहाँ हर हफ्ते ऐसा ही एक बुक फेस्टीवल होता है । हम बात कर रहे हैं पुरानी दिल्ली के दरियागंज में लगने वाले संडे बुक बाजार की । “दरियागंज अपने संडे बुक मार्केट के लिए न केवल एशिया बल्कि सारे विश्व में मशहूर है । यहाँ ज्यादातर किताबें सैकेण्ड हैंड ही होती हैं”। ऐसा कहना है जयप्रकाश गौड़ का जो पिछले 30 साल से यहाँ किताबें खरीदने आ रहें हैं । लेकिन एमसीडी के द्वारा 2009 तक इसे नई जगह पर ले जाने से ये काफी नाराज़ भी हैं । ट्रैफिक और अन्य समस्यायों के चलते इसे यहाँ से हटाया जाना है। इनका कहना है कि, “इससे एक तरफ जहाँ ग्राहकों को परेशानी का सामना करना पड़ेगा वहीं दूसरी तरफ दरियागंज का ऐतिहासिक महत्व भी कम होगा”।
कितनी पुरानी है ये मार्केट
दरियागंज संडे बुक मार्केट के प्रेसीडेन्ट सुभाष चंद्र अग्रवाल बताते हैं, “ये मार्केट 1965 से यहाँ लग रही है । शुरूआत में ये दुकानें लाल किले के पीछे लगती थी। बाद में इसे दरियारंज शिफ्ट कर दिया गया और तब से ये दुकानें यहीं लग रही हैं”। 40 साल से यहाँ अपनी किताबों की दुकान लगाने वाले देवीदास दुबे का कहना है, “यहाँ आपको 50 साल से लेकर 200 साल पुरानी किताबें मिल जाएंगी जो आज दिखने में भी दुर्लभ हैं”।
हर तरह की किताबें हैं यहाँ
यहाँ मुंशी प्रेमचंद्र से लेकर सिडनी शेल्डन के नॉवेल, स्कूल, कॉलेज, टेक्निकल, मेडिकल, आर्ट एण्ड कल्चर, मैनेजमेन्ट इत्यादि की किताबें आपको मिल जाएंगी। इसके अलावा बच्चों और महिलाओं पर, कुकिंग, गार्डेनिंग, एग्रीकल्चर की किताबें भी यहाँ हैं । यहाँ फ्रेंच, जर्मन, रूसी, अरबी, फारसी भाषा में भी किताबें उपलब्ध हैं । आप यहाँ से निराश होकर नहीं जाएंगे बशर्ते आपके पास खोजी नजर हो और पैंरों में चलने की ताकत । हर तरह की किताबें यहाँ के पेवमेन्ट पर सजी हुई मिल जाएंगी वो भी आधे से भी कम कीमत पर ।
आखिर कहाँ से आती हैं ये किताबें
“इन किताबों के लिए हमें काफी मेहनत करनी पड़ती है । कुछ किताबें हम रद्दी वालों से खरीदते हैं तो कुछ लोग पुरानी किताबें को खुद हमारे पास बेंचने आते हैं । पब्लिशर्स के द्वारा रकम न मिलने से प्रेस वाले भी कम कीमतों पर हमें बेंच देते हैं । पब्लिशर्स से हम पुरानी किताब कम दाम पर खरीद लेते हैं” , सुभाष चंद्र अग्रवाल ने बताया । उन्होंने आगे कहा, “इन किताबों के लिए हम न केवल देश बल्कि विदेशों से भी संपर्क करते हैँ। अमेरिका और ब्रिटेन से भी पुरानी किताबें यहाँ आती हैं” ।
क्यों आते हैं यहाँ लोग
यहाँ लगी लगभग 200 दुकानों पर आप हर उम्र के लोगों को खरीददारी करते हुए देख सकते हैं । लेकिन यंगस्टर्स यहाँ ज्यादा ही दिखाई देते हैं । लोग यहाँ देश के कई हिस्सों से आते हैं। विदेशों से भी आए हुए लोगों को आप यहाँ किताबों को खोजते हुए देख सकते हैं।
यहाँ पर ज़्यादातर किताबें सैकेण्ड हैंड होती है और कुछ पाइरेटेड भी । इनकी कीमत काफी कम होती है । दरियागंज में ही एशिया की किताबों की सबसे बड़ी दुकान मानी जाने वाली ‘दिल्ली बुक सेंटर’ भी है । तो यहाँ इतनी मशक्कत करने के बजाए आप वहाँ से किताबें क्यों नहीं खरीद लेते हैं ? इसके जवाब में आईआईटी दिल्ली से इंजीनियरिंग कर रहे मुदित सिंह ने कहा, “ऐसी बहुत सी किताबें होती हैं जो वहाँ भी नहीं मिलती हैं और यहाँ काफी कम कीमत पर मिल जाती हैं । 5 – 5 हजार तक की कीमत वाली इंजीनियरिंग की कुछ किताबें यहाँ हजार रूपये में हमें मिल जाती हैं और पढ़ने के बाद हम इन्हें यहीं वापस बेंच देते हैं । जो महंगी किताबें अफोर्ड नहीं कर सकते उनकी ये पसंदीदा जगह है । यहाँ पर बड़े-बड़े लोग और नामचीन पब्लिशर्स भी दुर्लभ और पुरानी किताबों की खोज में आते हैं ।
सावधान रहना भी ज़रूरी
लेकिन ज़रा संभल के ! यहाँ पर खरीददारी करने के लिए आपको बारगेनिंग करने में भी पारंगत होना पड़ेगा । “आप यहाँ दुकानदारों के द्वारा बेवकूफ भी बनाए जा सकते हैं” । ऐसा कहना है आकाशवाणी में काम करने वाली प्रभा किरण जैन का । “यहाँ किताबें खरीदते समय इनकी जाँच- पड़ताल अच्छी तरह कर लेनी चाहिए । किताबें कभी-कभी अंदर से फटी हुई भी मिल सकती हैं” । इन्होंने आगे कहा , “अगर आप मोलभाव करने में माहिर हैं तो 200 रू. की नॉवेल आप 10 रू. में भी खरीद सकते हैं”।
एमसीडी बनाम संडे बुक मार्केट
इन दुकानों की वजह से यहाँ कभी-कभी ट्रैफिक की भी समस्या हो जाती है। ये जगह काफी कंजेस्टेड होने के नाते दिल्ली म्युनिसिपल कारपोरेशन इसे राजघाट या माता सुंदरी रोड पर ले जाने का प्लान बना रही है । लेकिन एमसीडी के निर्णय की मुखालफत करते हुए संडे बुक मार्केट के प्रेसीडेन्ट सुभाष चंद्र अग्रवाल का कहना है, “एमसीडी के इस निर्णय से हमारे रोज़गार पर काफी बुरा प्रभाव पड़ेगा। किसी भी नई जगह पर हमें अपना रोज़गार जमाने में कई साल लग जाएंगें”।
दिल्ली के मशहूर कबाड़ी बाज़ार को लाल किले से हटाकर राजघाट के पास पहुँचा दिया गया है और अब बारी है इस बुक मार्केट की । “हम कहीं भी रहें ग्राहकों का आना बदस्तूर जारी रहेगा”, ऐसा कहना है सुरेश चंद्र का जो यहाँ के पुराने दुकानदारों में से एक हैं । इस बुक मार्केट की ख़ासियत ये है कि आप यहाँ जितना चलेगें उतनी ही अच्छी किताबें पाएंगे । ये बुक मार्केट मोतियों से भरा एक सागर है लेकिन मोती चुनने की काबिलियत आप में होनी चाहिए। रमाशंकर पाण्डेय
Shahid, a Biryani vendor at Batla House toils hard from sunrise to sunset. He is happy with whatever he earns but doesn’t like to talk about what happened a year ago. He still remembers that evening of Ramadan, when his thela got shattered in an anti-police violence triggered at Batla House, Okhla. The incident took an ugly turn when a group of localites from the minority community alleged that a Beat Constable dishonored a copy of the Quran. The local police chowki was set on fire by a mob of 600 to 700 people. To control the situation, heavy police and Para military forces were deployed.
Now after one year, Shahid is not happy with the changes that have taken place since then. “Police is more strict and don’t allow us to setup thelas on the main road. I park my thela inside the market and this has brought down sales”. Shahid is not the only one who is suffering. It is a common problem for hundreds of vendors like him.
On one side, that violent incident has had a bearing on these small vendors. But on the other side, there is section of people who hold both the Police and locals responsible for whatever happened last year. Tehzeeb Aalam, salesman at Makia Book Depot at Okhla says, “The situation has changed now. Earlier we felt isolated and marginalized as far as development is concerned. The frequency of Police patrolling has increased and we feel more secure.”
The clergy is also happy with the change that has taken place. Maulana Mohammad Rafi, Imam of Jama Masjid, Okhla Main Bazaar says, “Traffic conditions have improved a lot as there are no vendors on main roads. Police is also more vigilant and effectively monitors the traffic to ensure smooth flow of vehicles during evening prayer.”
But even now, there are people like Pandit Manmohan Sharma of Lakshmi Narayan mandir at Okhla, who consider this issue too sensitive to talk about. “NO Comments” was the only answer he had in reply to numerous questions asked about the year old incident.
Learning from their past experiences, Police is also extra cautious this time. Mahinder Singh, Additional SHO Law and Order, Jamia Nagar Police Station said “Last year’s occurrence of violence was the result of miscommunication between the Police and public. This year we have sorted out this problem.” Police has organized Resident Welfare Association meetings to discuss measures to avoid such reoccurrence. They have also deployed a company to ensure the safe movement of women and children.
Meanwhile, the residents keep their fingers crossed- nobody wants a repetition of 2007 Ramadan.
By Nazia Jafri & Gaurav Photo: Babu It’s hard to hold on to your money whenever you see a SALE banner staring at you from various branded stores. The sale season is on at most of the markets in Delhi. The brands not only assure you discounted prices but also claim that their customer services are second to none.
But is the service catering to the needs of the consumers? Tushar Sethi, a 16-year old bought floaters from one of the leading shoe companies, but the sole came off soon. Says an angry Sethi: “Even after umpteen complaints the company refused to exchange the product and mended it with the glue, which was really bad. Ultimately, I threw those floaters away”.
His views are echoed by Delhi based lawyer Manjula Batra: “They are befooling us by selling defective pieces under the garb of a sale. When you approach them with the complaints they don’t register it. Going to the consumer court is one of the options but it needs loads of homework by consumers.”
Faisal Majid Khan, a lawyer and Senior Legal Manager at Novus Pro Company, Gurgaon, says that one way out for consumers is that they should always check the cash slip while shopping. Moreover, they should not hesitate to initiate action against the company if there is a need for that.
In this fast paced life, when people don’t even have the time for necessary chores, going to complain is a job they keep putting off. Geeta Tamta, a call center employee from New Delhi bought a bag from a branded sale and its strap came off the very next day. She says, “It’s a hectic exercise to go for an exchange and on every trip they make some excuse or the other. I even tried to mail a complaint but got confused with the procedure and finally gave up”.
Even those who are willing to complain don’t know where to lodge it. The official web addresses of many brands do not even have a simple procedure for the complainant to complain. It is often so complicated that many just give up out of frustration.
The companies are often ready with what sound like the right excuses. Thang Goumuan, Assistant Store Manager, Adidas, Vasant Vihar branch, says “During sale, we don’t allow exchange as it is difficult to adjust discounts. We allow the customers to try, but not exchange. As for return of goods, that is not allowed even when there is no sale.”
Khan says that there are provisions under which you can approach the consumer court but the problem is that nobody puts that much effort. He further adds, “If it is mentioned on the cash memo that sold items cannot not be returned, then consumers can’t complain as they are accepting the policy of the company. But for those brands which do not mention such details, there is a scope for legal action”.
So the next time you see a 50% off SALE on any of your favorite branded shops, do not forget to read the fine print.
By: Sheeba Naaz and Kinley Tshering Photos: Babu and Rozy Ibrahim
"Rain, rain go away. Come again another day." Delhiites must be chanting this, but with a pinch of salt.
In the wake of continuous rainfall over the last few days, pockets of the Capital are water clogged. According to World Weather Information Services, Delhi’s mean total rainfall for August is 258.7 mm.
Delhi’s poor drainage system gets clogged every time it rains. The water spills over on the road along with the sewage. And this has been a problem for motorists and commuters alike as they had to wade through the ankle-deep water.
Leave apart the roads in the colonies, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi is not even bothered about the drainage system near its own office. After the heavy rainfall on Friday the road nearby the MCD office at Sarai Jullena was flooded. “The irony is that the water is getting clogged just near an MCD office and they aren’t doing anything,” says Yangchen Lhamo, a student at the National Institute of Mass Communication.
MCD’s inefficiency to respond to the drainage problems has infuriated many. “The Uttam Nagar main road is flooded with water these days but the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) has not taken any action so far. Our complaints have fallen on deaf ears,” says Onkar Singh, a resident of Om Vihar at Uttam Nagar.
He further adds, the MCD officials to whom he complained asked for money to take up the task. “They said it is a government office and without money they won’t be working.”
However, the officials and people’s representatives to the MCD have their own reasons. Jamaluddin, an MCD councillor of ward number 206, Jamia Nagar, says the problem of water clogging in Batla House main road is not new. In fact it has persisted for the last 15 years. The main problem is that there is no outfall for the sewage water and the water needs to be pumped out.
When asked why precautionary actions were not taken before the monsoon, Jamaluddin says it could not happen in a day either. “To come up with a permamanent solution for the problem it will take six months to a year’s time. Temporary arrangements could have been made within a month but temporary solutions are not the answers,” says Jamaluddin, who is also a civil engineer.
The increasing load on the drainage system also seems to be taking its toll. The number of people using the drainage system in the area has increased from 400-4000 in the recent years, according to the Congress candidate.
Meanwhile, the likes of Syeda Rizvi, a resident of Okhla Vihar, feels that since there are no proper drains for the clogged water to flow, they will have to depend on the mercy of the sun to dry up the water.
Sweet home
Medication in Deprivation
Don’t we deserve a better treat?
Smile burden with liter 
Eid is a good excuse to buy bangles
