When you have faithfully done all your duties towards the family and society , it is surely the time to celebrate and relax during your autumn years .It is not only for the government or society but your duty also to make your autumn years the best years …
Sheeba Naaz and Sumiran Preet Kaur have the story .


There is a big misconception as to what constitutes a happy and fulfilling retirement. Retirement is a personal experience and each retiree will have his. And for a fulfilling retirement, you need planning from before.
Two of the most populous states of the world, India and China share the world’s major proportion of the elderly. Current ratio in India is 1 old person in every 12 persons . By 2050 it will be 1 in 5 persons .The total population of the elderly in India will be 327 mn in 2050.
Pratap Singh, a businessman, in his ripe age of 85 says that there is no stopping once you decide to live your life to the fullest. “I play golf and exercise. I also work for NGO’s. But yes, I couldn’t have done it alone. Support and love from family are also the factors. Plus the face that I’m still earning in this age gives me a lot of confidence.”



B.K .Trehan in his book “Retired but not Tired” refers to the importance pf preplanning for the old age and adjusting and changing of the mindset before reaching the old age. He also writes as to how one should involve oneself in various activities after retirement. “The effort has to come from our side. The country is seeing an increase in the dependency ratio and this will continue to grow. The number of elderly persons is increasing by the day. We will have to pick the stick in our hands. We not only have to engage our selves with various activities after retirement but also continue to associate ourselves with NGOs that work to sensitize the society and put pressure on the government to address issues concerning the elderly. Moreover the rapid urbanization is leading to changes in lifestyle and mindset. We no more can sit back and say ‘our sons will take care of us’ and then finally not prepare for the old age. We have to come forward to help each other.” Trehan retired as a President from a major energy conglomerate in 2002. Yoga is his passion and he has been teaching yoga for the last 20 years. He has also authored three books concerned with Yoga and old age.


Shri J.R Gupta, 64, is the president of senior citizens council of Delhi. The council has more than 1200 members from all over Delhi. Shri Gupta has created a network of more than 500 active seniors citizens who live alone due to their children settled abroad.

NGO Help Age India works to create awareness among its members who are senior citizens and also suggests the government about what all improvements can be brought in the existing laws and schemes for the elderly. But they also insist that it is the responsibility of the individuals to be aware of their rights and make efforts in making the retiring years fruitful. The NGO also comes with a periodical “Happy Old Age” which highlights the problems of old age and also shares the main points of its researches.

Sunita Goddara runs a Recreational Centre for old people from lower income grouping Kalkaji. “We have keertan and bhajan sessions for them . We also arrange a meeting with a lawyer so that they can be made aware of the various rights and privileges . We also make it a point to play chess many times a week. It helps them rejuvenate.”

Ram Kumar Sharma ,58, a resident of Green park , runs a dance class session once a week where only the elderly practice and let their hair down “I’m alive and kicking till the day I die. This is and I will make the time of my life. Yes financial and emotional support is must to let me enjoy the ‘me time’.”

In short, if you prepare well in advance twilight years will not be bleak.

So does life end after retirement? Not necessarily. Even in the old age homes, senior citizens have found a sense of purpose and meaning. Sheeba Naaz and Sumiran Preet Kaur report.

Archaeological Survey of India recently celebrated the world heritage week. With this ASI wants to involve people in its effort to save the monuments. Here is a report by Sumiran and Sheeba

By Aqsa Anjum and Sumiran Preet Kaur

Photo: Jaishree

“The pain is unbearable once it starts”, says Nuzhat Begum, a young teacher in Kucha Nahar Khan’s MCD school in Old Delhi who has been suffering from migraine for last ten years। “I ignored it initially but after some time it became unbearable. Soon I was under medication. Though I still get those pangs, but it is not that unbearable.”

Areeba Saeed, a student of Presentation Convent School is another victim of the pain.“During my boards exams, I suffered from anxiety. I used to remain awake at nights and this led to extreme pain in the right side of my head,” points out Areeba. Her mother Zakira Saeed ignored it thinking of it as a routine headache. But constant pain made her realize that it was not a normal headache compliant. Eventually Areeba started vomiting। Her case was severe.

“Refusing to recognize the symptoms is what leads to the problem,” points out Dr. Ajay Rohatgi , an MBBS doctor who owns a private clinic in Daryaganj. “It is a lifestyle disease that can affect anyone. Young generation of today are more prone to it due to their tedious lifestyles, stress and competition,” he adds . “Common triggers of migraine include heat, stress, and lack of sleep or food. But nowadays emotional changes in behavior can also influence the functioning of the brain stem. Migraine is also seen as a family tendency in few cases।”

Recognize the symptoms

The International Headache Society has come up with symptoms of migraine. These include headaches which usually last for between 4 and 72 hours (untreated). The patients will also have at least two of these symptoms:
-one-sided pain
-severe pain
-moderate to severe pain that interrupts your normal life
made worse by physical activity

DR. Parvez Akhtar, a physician who owns a private clinic in Yamuna Vihar says , “

A migraine attack is a chain reaction between nerves due to inflammation of certain nerves that can trouble a person to great extent। The cause of migraine has to do with a breakdown of communication in body with breakdown in communication between nerves.”

Look for Cure

One should not avoid migraine as a mere headache .It should be prevented before it worsens. According to Dr Rohatgi, “It can be cured by avoiding certain food and drinks which have the ability to trigger migraine in a person. Take light food especially bland food . Take lots of water. Avoid hard drinks and soft drinks. Meditation and exercise are good as they calm down the nerves. It is also advisable to sleep in dark room and take adequate rest. No worry is worth your peace of mind.”

The Brahmpuri acid attacks now have a face. The sketch of the attacker has been released recently by Delhi Police. Neha Sethi, Nazia Jafri and Sumiran Preet Kaur trace the story.

With the mention of the word Tibet, all we think about is the political turmoil. This time also it is a political story but not in the form of dharnas n demonstrations. Movies and popular music are new ways to vent out their pent up feelings. Sheeba Naaz and Sumiran Preet Kaur reports.

By Gaurav Kumar and Sumiran Preet Kaur
Photos- Jaishree,Radio story: Aqsa Anjum

Janpath wore a deserted look even at the peak hours of the day, a week after the serial blasts. Delhi Police has now taken various precautions to ensure the safety of the citizens in Connaught Place (CP).

An official stationed near Janpath, on condition of anonymity, said that a lot of precautions have been taken to ensure safety from their side. All the dustbins have been turned upside down, the Central Park has been closed. There is a lot of frisking and metal detectors are used at all the crowded places

But are all these precautions enough to ensure the people of their safety? “Our business has gone down by nearly 50%. People are no more coming here,” says Ashwini Katpalia, owner of snack corner, Depauls at Janpath. “By turning the dustbins, how can how can you ensure the safety of your citizens. The city will get even dirtier. I mean will the bombers come back and put the bombs in the dustbins again? There is so much crowd that it is difficult to actually keep a track of all such activities. This time it was dustbins, next time it can be anything else.”

What happened that day?

Shoaib Hussain, had gone to Gaffar Market to collect his mobile. As he was approaching the bike, a strong push threw him 6ft away. Before being unconscious he saw people being blown into pieces. He woke in the hospital in I.C.U and had received multiple injuries and burns.

Jai Prakash, a beverage seller outside Central Park, says that immediately after the blast all were startled. “After I heard a huge thump I could not understand anything. The thump shook me. After a few seconds later people stared coming out of the Central Park in huge numbers. There was black smoke coming. By that time we knew it was a blast. I could see people lying on the ground in the park.”

Parshuram, a chaatwala at Janpath recalls that there was panic. “When people came to know that serial blasts were taking place in CP, everybody started running here and there. Everybody shut their shops and went home. There was police all around. Janpath hasn’t seen as much crowd as we used to see before the blasts.”

The never die attitude

So does that mean it’s a no-no to CP for shoppers? “Everybody gets scared initially. But people move on. There’s so much more to Connaught Place than just shopping. Clothes at cheap prices, restaurants, window shopping …No one can resist Connaught Place,” says Neelam Juneja , a doctor and a regular visitor to CP.

For Pia, a tourist from China, there is no reason to be afraid. “We all have to die, if not this way than some other way. We have to move on.”

According to Katpalia of Depauls it’s just a matter of time. “People have short memories. They will forget it and move on .We were lucky enough to escape this time. We all pray that we do not have to face it again. It is nothing less than a nightmare. Police cannot ensure everything with so much population in the city. It is us who have to keep our eyes and ears open. ”

Antim Niwas, a crematorium at Noida Sector-94 now has the technology which allows people to watch the cremation of their loved ones online. CCTV-s have been installed here to record funerals. Those who are unable to attend the funeral can even get the copy of a DVD. Here is a report by Nazia Jafri, Sheeba Naaz and Sumiran Preet Kaur

By

It’s not just the brownie; prices of all the items vary. Espresso Italiano starts at Rs 38 at Connaught Place while at Khan Market it is Rs 70, almost double the price. At Green Park Barista the Espresso Italiano is for Rs43. “I am addicted to drinking coffee. We usually go to Barista at CP every weekend. So I am quite familiar with the prices. But I was astonished to see that same items were available at higher prices in Khan market Barista outlet,” recalls Namrata Roy, a sales executive with VLCC(Vandana Luthra Curls and Curves).

Kumar Saurabh, Marketing Manager of Barista Coffee house, Northern Delhi says that the price variation is due to the fact that all Barista outlets have been divided into three categories. “The first is the Espresso Bar, generally for students and first jobbers, like one at Safdarjung Enclave. Next Is Espresso Bar Plus meant for target customers like professionals, management students, for example the ones in Connaught place and Vasant Vihar. The third is Barista Crème in South Ex and Khan Market for businessmen where people have corporate deals.” But why the price variation? “The price variation is of only of 4%-5% .At Barista Creme we use special coffee beans and all items ordered are prepared in front of the customer only. In other outlets the sandwiches and other eatables are pre-packed. There is a difference of quality.” On being asked why isn’t there any mention of the quality difference and categories in the menu or different outlet names, he says “We will look into the matter. We take this as a feedback,”

And it’s just not the Barista. McDonalds take away counter at Shivaji Stadium, Connaught Place sells a fountain Coke for Rs 9. On condition of anonymity the employee at the counter said that the quantity that is sold at this price is half of the quantity sold at the standard price inside McDonalds.

For a Delhi based lawyer Dr Manjula Batra this is an unfair trade practice. “Price variation between the outlets is a complete discrimination. It is a market driven policy and cheating the consumers. Even if it is a legal practice, the onus of informing people about this difference lies with the company.” Many agree to the fact that a reputed company should always inform the customers. According to Sharon Arora, an MBA student , “I often have a cup of coffee at these joints. I was never aware of this change in prices according to the area. They should inform. We expect such a sense of responsibility from a brand”

But for some price hardly matters. For Sourav Mandal, a law student, such coffee joints are the “it” places. “Where else do you get coffees like these? The crowd is good. So is the food. Many foreigners prefer to go to such places. Youngsters also like the ambience. We can play the guitar, play scrabble and chill out. Many choose to go to such places for their dates.” Truly said, “ a lot can happen over a cup of coffee”. However, this coffee comes for a good price depending upon the location.

By
Babu , Dipu Shaw , Sumiran Preet Kaur
Photo:Jaishree
It was an interesting occasion where esteemed journalists and aspiring journalists gathered to discuss and criticize the medium which they represent. The seminar on “Does the Media Care” was organized by AJK Mass Communication Research Centre of Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi and BBC World Service Trust. The esteemed panelists included the likes of Tarun Tejpal, Ziya us Salam and Prem Shanka Jha. All in the room, including the panelists and the audience agreed on one thing - media is becoming less concerned about important issues like development, environment and health. The first half of the session tried to answer the question “Is Indian media obsessed with celebrities and crime?
The key note address of Mr.Tarun Tejpal of Tehelka sent instant energy waves. The applauses in the room proved that his speech was received with full enthusiasm. He pointed out that the stories in media are corporate centric and there is a paucity of social coverage. “We don’t pay for the media, it is the advertisers who pay, what we see is what the advertisers wants us to see”, he pointed out.
Equally candid but more optimistic about the contemporary media scenario was P.N.Vasanti, Director of CMS (Centre for Media studies). She pointed out how the new trends in news coverage was all about crime and politics. She reminded the audience about the coverage of Sanjay Dutt’s trial and Bacchan wedding. Her references could strike a chord with the audiences as they were still fresh in their minds.
But the picture is not all dark. Pamela Philipose, director of Women’s Features Service admits that the phenomenon of marketisation and globalization is unavoidable but she feels that the new generation who will be entering the profession can reverse the negative trends in media. She referred to the audience, many of whom were students of mass communication and journalism and put the onus of responsibility on them. Senior journalist Usha Rai also agreed with Ms.Philipose and pointed out that there were spaces in the media that addressed developmental issues.
Interestingly Nilanjana Bose of CNN IBN considers that the media cannot be blamed completely. “We have crime all around us and there is nothing wrong in covering crime and celebrities. People want to see it”,she added. Rohit Gandhi, a TV journalist with Canadian Broadcasting opined that media organizations should be blamed for bringing up a system where viewers are mere passive consumers. Thomas Chandy, CEO of “Save the Children in India”, world’s largest independent Child Rights Organization said that the apathy among Indian middle class should be addressed.
The lunch in between the two sessions was not devoid of discussions on media. For Saira, a student of English (Hons) Jamia Millia Islamia, it was nice to see journalists as journalists and not as someone representing and defending their media houses. The audience was all pepped up to attend the second session. The second half of the session tried to answer the question “Why aren’t there more stories about health, science and environment?”
Prem Shankar Jha clearly stated that media being the fourth estate must act as an apparatus of nation building. Zia-us-Salam, senior assistant editor of The Hindu spoke about the divide between rural Bharat and urban India.
At one point of the discussion all the attacks were aimed at television. Amit Sen Gupta, Editor-in-Charge of Hard News, was critical of television journalism. “They neither investigate nor do they follow-up stories”, he alleged. But all the criticism was taken in a healthy manner. Navika Kumar fromTimes Now tried her best to put forward the other side of the story.
Ravi Agarwal, an environmentalist and founder of Toxics Link opined that “Media has certain responsibilities of nation building, shaping public opinion and awakening the mass.” In his view, environmental issues cannot be gazed in isolation, it has to be multi-linked with politics, society and economics.
Prananjoy Guha Thakurata, commentator and editor of “Real politic” ended the symposium with a positive note urging the young generation to celebrate heterogeneity in news. The applause from the audience showed that the young listeners were ready to take the responsibility.

By: Neha Sethi, Sumiran Preet Kaur and Gaurav

Words: Dipu Shaw and Sumiran Preet Kaur

Anuj and other members of Ibtida, Hindu College’s theatre group, are practicing for their forthcoming play. He puffs from a cigarette every time he gets a break from his role in the play. His friend who is sitting and watching the performance shares the fag when Anuj is acting out his part. Both the friends are unmindful of the board less than 20 meters away that says “Delhi University is a no smoking zone now”.

The campaigns to make university campuses a smoke free zone may be a novel initiative of the Health Ministry, but is it effective in combating smoking?

Mayank, another student of the university feels that making the entire north campus a smoke free zone is not the way out. “There should be smoking zones too, where we can go and smoke our cigarettes.” The members of the theatre group argue the same point when questioned about the cigarettes in their hands.


Who’s concerned?

Government of India has launched National Tobacco Control Programme (NTCP) in the 11th five-year plan to implement anti-tobacco laws. Delhi is one of the 9 States to be covered under NTCP. But the Government’s steps of putting up “No smoking zone” boards in the college campuses hardly acts as a deterrent for smokers.

Even the police constables stationed around the colleges are not concerned about catching the smokers. They say it is not their job. In fact, they themselves do not mind smoking their beedis right in front of the college.


Sale continues

Sale of tobacco products may be officially banned in the campus. But if you are a regular smoker, you know where to go for your need. The small tea shops around the corner take care of it. Others, who are unaware of the “facilities” keep their stocks full well in advance. Whether they are the hostellers of Hindu college or other students of the university, they know the means to meet their end.