India

India steps into history with women’s quota bill

Tuesday 9th March, 2010 (IANS)

India’s politics took a decisive step towards change Tuesday with its upper house passing a historic bill giving one-third representation to women in parliament and state legislatures, crossing the biggest hurdle in the road towards political empowerment for women in the world’s largest democracy.

The 13-year perilous political struggle to give women adequate representation ended with the Rajya Sabha finally debating the contentious issue and then voting 186-1 on the Constitution (One Hundred and Eighth Amendment) Bill, 2008 amid acrimony, political divides and ugly scenes of dissent.

Only the last step remains – of the Lok Sabha endorsing it. With the numbers stacked in favour of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government in the lower house, this should hopefully be a formality, said activists and leaders, who had fought long and hard to see the day.

The reserved seats would be allotted by rotation to different constituencies and would be valid for 15 years after the commencement of the Amendment Act.

The flagship legislation did not get passed on International Women’s Day as the government had hoped but a day later. Nonetheless, it was a time for hyperbole and the timing of the bill, introduced by the Deve Gowda government in 1996, could not have been better.

Even for the usually taciturn Prime Minister Manmohan Singh who described it as ‘a historic step forward’ towards ’strengthening the process of emancipation’ of Indian women. Both he and UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi had staked the government’s future on the passage of the bill.

‘This is a momentous development in the long journey of empowering our women,’ he said at the end of a lively debate on the bill that saw 27 speakers participate.

‘Our women faced discrimination at home, there is domestic violence, they face discrimination in equal access to education, healthcare, there are all these things. All these things have to end if India were to realise its full potential,’ he added on an emotive note.

That the issue of giving women in a still deeply traditional country assured representation in the highest echelons of political power provoked the most intense reactions was evident from the prime minister’s opening remarks itself.

‘I owe you a profound apology for the disrespect shown to you…,’ he told Vice President and chairman of the house Hamid Ansari.

On Monday, Ansari found himself virtually accosted by a handful of MPs who tore the bill into shreds and hurled the pieces at him. On Tuesday, a disgusted Ansari suspended seven MPs from the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), the Samajwadi party (SP), the Lok Janshakti Party (LJP) and the Janata Dal-United (JD-U), regional parties whose main support base is in the Hindi heartland.

At this point, women constitute nine percent of the Lok Sabha, 10 percent of the Rajya Sabha and only seven percent of state legislative assemblies.

Correcting the anomaly, however, saw the blurring of many political lines and the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance government losing some of its political edge.

The RJD and the SP announced the withdrawal of their support to the government and the ally Trinamool Congress abstained from the vote. Within the Janata Dal-United (JD-U) divisions appeared with Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar for the move but its other big leader Sharad Yadav bitterly opposed to it.

But the Congress battled the hurdles. It was a triumph for Congress president Sonia Gandhi who was determined that it would go through. In the Lok Sabha, the task would be easier with the Congress having a strength of 208, the largest constituent of the UPA’s 259 members.

The SP’s 22 seats and the RJD’s four would not make a difference, said a party leader.

But this was an issue that went beyond politics, a reflection of the emerging women power in a rapidly modernising India.

Principal opposition Bharatiya Janata Party’s Arun Jaitley who opened the debate said he had a feeling of being a party to history in the making when he came to the house and his party ‘unequivocally’ supported it.

Communist Party of India-Marxist’s (CPI-M) Brinda Karat said the move would change the ‘culture of the country because women today are still caught in a culture prison. In the name of tradition, stereotypes are imposed and we have to fight these every day’.

These stereotypes will also be broken by the bill, said a delighted Karat, who believes the entry of a larger number of women in legislatures would make for ‘more sensitive politics’.

Inequalities would be rectified, age-old biases corrected. With this bill, could things finally change. A tempting thought for India’s women.

A bill that would have empowered India’s women politically was blocked on International Women’s Day by ministers of Parliament who call the legislation elitist, according the Indo-Asian News Service.

The bill was first introduced in 1996 and would have reserved one-third of legislative seats for Indian women. A dozen members of India’s upper house who oppose the bill made a scene tearing up the document and throwing the shreds at chairman Hamid Ansari when a motion was attempted.

Two regional parties with mostly Hindi supporters threatened to withdraw support from the government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh accusing it of trampling the interests of minority women. The ruling United Progress Alliance (UPA), it seems, was unprepared for the bill to fail Monday—the local media had hyped its imminent passage.

Great Women

Mother Teresa

As the day is a remembrance to great women for their outstanding achievements that are indefinable, let’s have a feel of their feats. Mother Teresa, the idle women, born for a cause and died for that cause and the cause was ‘serving Humanity’. Agnes Gonxha Bojaxhiu, was the birth name assigned to the lady, who belonged to a small district of Rome with her charity mission. India has been the country, being major blessed with her sanctions. She was also remembered as the Humanitarian Nun of Calcutta “The Saint of the Gutters”

Annie Besant

Annie Besant, the daughter of William Wood and Emily Morris, was born in 1847. She came to India on 16 November 1893 to attend the Annual Convention of the Theosophical Society at Adyar in Madras. Since then, she worked for the freedom of India. She purchased the newspaper Madras Standard and renamed it New India, which, thereafter, became her chosen organ for her tempestuous propaganda for India’s freedom. She named this freedom “Home Rule” for India. In August 1917 she was made the President of the Calcutta Session of the Indian National Congress.

Lady Diana

The late Diana, Princess of Wales was born as Lady Diana Frances Spencer on 1 July 1961 in Norfolk. She married The Prince of Wales at St Paul’s Cathedral in London on 29 July 1981. Her biggest achievement, becoming the most famous woman in the world and raising awareness of several social issues including AIDS, poverty, drug problems, homelessness. Diana was involved with dozens of charities and had a particular interest in children and AIDS victims. She held honorary ranks with several regiments of the Armed Forces. She was an excellent pianist and was patron of several music organisations and charities.

Sarojini Naidu

Sarojini Naidu, the eldest daughter of scientist-philosopher, Aghornath Chattopadhyaya, and Barada Sundari Devi, a poetess was born on 13 February 1879 in Hyderabad. Her father was also a linguist, a crusader, who established the Nizam’s College in Hyderabad in 1878, pioneering English andwomen ’s education. Her ability to sing charmingly fetched her the title ‘Nightingale of India’. Sarojini worked as an active politician and freedom fighter ever since 1917. She was a woman with multiple talents. A great poet, writer, orator, leader, fighter, activist, liberator, administrator, mother, daughter, friend, but most importantly a true Indian.

Rani Lakshmibai

The great heroine of the First war of India Freedom. She lived for only twenty-two years. She became a widow in her eighteenth year. Jhansi, of which she was the queen, was in the grip of the cunning, cruel British. She was the embodiment of patriotism, self-respect and heroism. She was the queen of a small state, but the empress of a limitless empire of glory.

Indira Gandhi

Indira Nehru Gandhi was born on November 19, 1917 and was the only child of Jawaharlal and Kamala Nehru. Being influenced and inspired by her parents, Indira Gandhi rose to power in India and eventually became prime minister. She dedicated her life to progress in her country despite the overwhelming problems and challenges she encountered. A brilliant political strategist and thinker, Indira also possessed an extraordinary desire for political power. As a woman occupying the highest position of government in, what was at that time, a very patriarchal society, Indira was expected to be a passive leader, but her actions proved her otherwise.

Bachendri Pal

Bachendri Pal was the first Indian woman to climb to the summit of Mt. Everest, in 1984. Her father was a border tradesman who took atta and rice from India to Tibet on mules, horses and goats. She was judged the best student in the course, and marked down as ‘Everest material’, much to her surprise. In an advanced camp at NIM in 1982, she climbed Gangotri I (6,672 m/ 21900 ft) and Rudugaira (5,819 m / 19091 ft).

Kalpana Chawla

Born in Karnal, India, Dr. Kalpana Chawla, was the first Indian American to step into sky. She was fond of flying, hiking, backpacking, and reading. She held Certificate Flight Instructor’s license and Commercial Pilots licenses for single- and multi-engine land airplanes and single-engine seaplanes, instrument rating, and Private Glider. She enjoys flying aerobatics and tail-wheel airplanes. She was the first and only Indian-American in space (she wasborn in India and became a naturalized U.S. citizen). She was also a U.S. doctorate & M.S. in aerospace engineering and B.S. in aeronautical engineering from India. One more feather in her cap was that she was the second Indian in space, after Indian citizen Rakesh Sharma, who flew on a Soviet mission.

Lata Mangeshkar

It is a voice that no Indian can miss. Delightfully high, the notes rendered clearly to the last bar, the words pronounced with a rare panache – the voice has haunted Indians for over five decades. The ‘masseuse’ of this all-pervading music and the queen empress of India’s immensely popular light music industry, is a portly, dark, camera-shy, plain-as-jane, woman, Latabai Mangeshkar, who, as a playback singer, enjoys today, a clout, which even the movie moguls of the country’s film industry cannot dream of. Lata Mangeshkar’s songs have captured the hearts and imagination of millions of her admirers around the world. They have become an inseparable part of the daily lives of Indians – wherever they may be. Words fail to express the depth and scope of Lata Mangeshkar’s genius. Lata Mangeshkar has come to symbolise India in a way that no one else has, or ever will for years to come.

Aishwarya Rai

Born in the small sleepy town of Mangalore in Karnataka, on November 1, 1973, Gullu as she is fondly called, made India proud when she won the Miss World title in 1994. Since then there has been no looking back. Life was not an easy joyride for this green-eyed beauty. She faced very many ups and downs before proving her mark in the industry. She has to her kitty some of the most memorable Bollywood flicks like, Hum Dil DeChuke Sanam, Devdas, Mohabatein, Choker Bali, Taal and she is also planning certain Hollywood movies with some renowned directors.

VijayLakshmi Pandit

Pandit Vijayalakshmi is one of India’s most famous women was distinguished for her work in government and for her interest in the women’s movement. Madame Pandit was appointed ambassador to the Soviet Union in 1947 and ambassador to the United States in 1949. From 1953 to 1954, she served as the first woman president of the United Nations General Assembly. She then became Indian high commissioner in Britain. She became ambassador to Ireland in 1955 and ambassador to Spain in 1958, and held both posts until 1961. She was governor ofthe Indian state of Maharashtra from 1962 to 1964, and served in India’s Parliament from 1964 to 1967. She retired from public life in 1968. Madame Pandit wasborn in Allahabad, India.
Women’s Day

Sania Mirza

Sania Mirza is the current youth icon in India. Coming from Hyderabad, this teenager girl has achieved great heights and is continuing to create history in Indian tennis by becoming the first ever Indian to break into the top-50 WTA rankings. She also became the first Indian woman to win a WTA tourney when she lifted the Hyderabad Open trophy in February 2005. Sania Mirza has also been honoured with the prestigious Arjuna award bythe Indian government for the year 2004.

Kiran Bedi

Honoured with the Magsaysay Award, she was the first woman to join the Indian Police Service in 1972 and the first sub-divisional lady police officer in the country. She draws inspiration from thinkers and writers like Hazrat Mohammed Saheb, Gandhi and Guru Nanak.Bold and courageous ,she has broken all myths about the “weaker sex”.

Barkha Dutt

Most conspicuous as the courageous face during the Kargil war,Barkha Dutt is senior editor at NDTV. Her motto in life is, “Be willing to be unpopular as it makes your reporting more honest.” Full of grit and confidence, she is a woman who has added a new face to bold journalism.Her fearless coverage of the Gujarat riots has earned her added praise.

Dr. Kiran Mazumdar -Shaw

Chairman & Managing Director, of Biocon Limited, Kiran Mazumdar-Shaw’s pioneering efforts in biotechnology have drawn global recognition both for Indian Industry and Biocon. Referred to as “India’s Biotech Queen” by The Economist and “India’s mother of invention” by New York Times, Ms Shaw is a successful technocrat of global standing and highly respected in the corporate world. Her unique vision has helped Biocon scale great heights. Ms. Shaw is the recipient of several prestigious awards including the ET Businesswoman of the Year, Best Woman Entrepreneur, Model Employer, Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year Award for Life Sciences & Healthcare, Leading Exporter, Outstanding Citizen, Technology Pioneer, and the PADMASHRI (1989) and PADMA BHUSHAN (2005).

Arundhati Roy

The first Indian to win The Booker Prize for her celebrated work “the God Of Small Things”, Arundhati Roy was born in 1959 in Shillong, India. She has written two non-fiction books, The Cost of Living (Random House / Modern Library) and Power Politics (South End Press), which have been collected under the title The Algebra of Infinite Justice in India (Penguin India) and the United Kingdom (Flamingo).

Anju Bobby George

25 year-old Anju Bobby George created history after winning a bronze medal in the World Athletic Championships at Paris.Anju had previously won a medal at the Commonwealth Games and a gold at the Busan Asiad Games . With a string of excellent performances in international events and some encouraging jumps which measure up to world standards, during training sessions, Anju George is all set to create history at the Athens Olympics in 2004.
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Celebrations

International Women’s Day was created to inspire women throughout the world to work towards equality. The day is commemorated at the United Nations and celebrated in nations around the globe.

Women’s Day

Few causes promoted by the United Nations have generated more intense and widespread support than the campaign to promote and protect the equal rights of women. The Charter of theUnited Nations, signed in San Francisco in 1945, was the first international agreement to proclaim gender equality as a fundamental human right. Since then, the Organization has helped create a historic legacy of internationally agreed strategies, standards, programmes and goals to advance the status of women worldwide.

Over the years, United Nations action for the advancement of women has taken four clear directions: promotion of legal measures; mobilization of public opinion andinternational action; training and research, including the compilation of gender desegregated statistics; and direct assistance to disadvantaged groups. Today a central organizing principle of the work of theUnited Nations is that no enduring solution to society’s most threatening social, economic and political problems can be found without the full participation, and the full empowerment, of the world’s women.

Legend

International Women’s Day is the story of ordinary women as makers of history; it is rooted in the centuries-old struggle of women to participate in society on an equal footing with men. In ancient Greece, Lysistrata initiated a sexual strike against men in order to end war; during the French Revolution, Parisian women calling for “liberty, equality, fraternity” marched on Versailles to demand women’s suffrage.

Women’s Day

The idea of an International Women’s Day first arose at the turn of the century, which in the industrialized world was a period of expansion and turbulence, booming population growth and radical ideologies. Following is a brief chronology of the most important events:

1908

The history of International Women’s Day is a history of taking action. The event originated in 1908 when women garment makers in New York demonstrated to demand better working conditions. They worked in appalling conditions, earned half of men’s wages, died prematurely from poor health and didn’t have the right to vote.

1909

In accordance with a declaration by the Socialist Party of America, the first National Woman’s Day was observed across the United States on 28 February.Women continued to celebrate it on the last Sunday of that month through 1913.

1910

The Socialist International, meeting in Copenhagen, established a Women’s Day, international in character, to honour the movement for women’s rights and to assist in achieving universal suffrage for women. The proposal was greeted with unanimous approval by the conference of over 100 women from 17 countries, which included the first three women elected to the Finnish parliament. No fixed date was selected for the observance.

1911

Inspired by an American commemoration of working women, the German socialist Klara Zetkin organized International Women’s Day (IWD) in 1911. On March 19, socialists from Germany, Austria, Denmark and other European countries held strikes and marches. In addition tothe right to vote and to hold public office, they demanded the right to work, to vocational training and to an end to discrimination on the job.

Less than a week later, on 25 March, the tragic Triangle Fire in New York City took the lives of more than 140 working girls, most of them Italian and Jewish immigrants. This event had a significant impact on labour legislation in the United States, and theworking conditions leading up to the disasters were invoked during subsequent observances of International Women’s Day.

1913-1914

As part of the peace movement brewing on the eve of World War I, Russian women observed their first International Women’s Day on the last Sunday in February 1913. Elsewhere in Europe, on or around 8 March of the following year, women held rallies either to protest the war or to express solidarity with their sisters.

1917

With 2 million Russian soldiers dead in the war, Russian women again chose the last Sunday in February to strike for “bread and peace”. Political leaders opposed the timing of the strike, but thewomen went on anyway. The rest is history: Four days later the Czar was forced to abdicate and the provisional Government granted women the right to vote . That historic Sunday fell on 23 February on the Julian calendar then in use in Russia, but on 8 March on the Gregorian calendar in use elsewhere.

Since those early years, International Women’s Day has assumed a new global dimension for women in developed and developing countries alike. The growing international women’s movement, which has been strengthened by four global United Nations women’s conferences, has helped make the commemoration a rallying point for coordinated efforts to demand women’s rights and participation in the political and economic process. Increasingly, International Women’s Day is a time to reflect on progress made, to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played an extraordinary role in the history of women’s rights.

A celebration of the mystery called ‘woman’

Yes! It’s International Women’s Day (March 8th). A universal day for all women around the world to celebrate. It endows them with a sense of honor, dignity and self respect for being the person that they are. This day marks a celebration of the economic, social, cultural and political achievements made by women over the years.

In India, women have been tormented and subjugated throughout all times and ages. Indian women have fought their way through exploitation, harassment, and have managed to secure their rights in the public domain. In spite of continuing exploitation and injustice against women both in the domestic and work sector today, several milestones have been achieved in terms of education, freedom of choice and liberty, equality etc.With growing literacy and financial independence women in India feel more empowered today to assert their right to a life of dignity and self worth.

Women in India have, through history, been the victims of a cruel paradox. On the one hand, woman power is celebrated as Shakti – the source of all energy, the life force of the cosmos. Yet, in actual social practice, an oppressive dependence was encouraged as the social norm. Independence of both thought and action were frowned upon, indeed, even prohibited on pain of punishment and ostracisation. Of course, there were exceptional women. They are celebrated in myth and legend, in saga and history, in verse, in music and dance. But the very exceptionally of these women underlines the unfortunate condition of the vast majority of womanhood.

Indeed a woman’s essence lies in her innate ability to care, love and sacrifice for the other. She plays an all-enveloping character of a mother, daughter, wife and sister as a friend, nurturer, guide and partner from time to time. Emotional and vulnerable, sometimes erratic, sometimes serene, she displays a wonderful range of emotions from being patient to being extremely courageous in times of crisis.

Today’s woman is a blend of traditional values and contemporary style. She is a storehouse of incredible force and brings colors to life. A sublime image of warmth and indomitable strength, she’s someone to be respected, and cherished.

Happy Women’s Day to all women around the world!

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International Women’s Day: A celebration of the mystery called ‘woman’

Since 1975, International Women’s Year, March 8 has been celebrated as International Women’s Day,

Since 1975, International Women’s Year, March 8 has been celebrated as International Women’s Day, “to commemorate the historic struggle to improve women’s lives”. On this day thousands of events are held throughout the world to inspire women and celebrate achievements. A global web of rich and diverse local activity connects women from all around the world ranging from political rallies, business conferences, and government activities and networking events through to local women’s craft markets, theatric performances, fashion parades and more.

The tradition sees men honoring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc with flowers and small gifts. Indeed a woman’s essence lies in her innate ability to care, love and sacrifice for the other. She plays an all-enveloping character of a mother, daughter, wife and sister as a friend, nurturer, guide and partner from time to time. Emotional and vulnerable, sometimes erratic, sometimes serene, she displays a wonderful range of emotions from being patient to being extremely courageous in times of crisis. The tradition sees men honoring their mothers, wives, girlfriends, colleagues, etc with flowers and small gifts.

We all celebrate women’s day but do you know how a woman was formed? Bible tells about how a woman was formed and how important role a women plays in men’s life. In genesis chapter we find the formation of a woman. While a man was sleeping, God took one of the man’s ribs and close up the place with flesh. Then the lord God made a woman from the rib he had taken out of the man, and he brought her to the man. She shall be called ‘woman’ for she was taken out of man. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.

The great and devoted women of bibles are Eve, Sarah, Bathsheba, Esther, Hannah, Ruth, Marry and there are many more. World celebrates the achievements of women and talks about what they had contributed in the society but bible speaks about inner self. It tells that how should women be submissive to their roles and duties. Its not only the matter of work which we do but it is actually how a woman thinks and her heart. Work is what people look for but God looks our heart. He searches our heart that whatever we are doing are we doing with a right perspective. Bible says,

“Instead, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” 1 Peter 3:4

So make a difference, think globally and act personally!! Make everyday International Women’s Day. Do your bit to ensure that the future for girls is bright, equal, safe and rewarding.

Women are special

Woman is the epitome of love, patience, sacrifice. A mother, sister, or wife she executes her. . .

Woman is the epitome of love, patience, sacrifice. A mother, sister, or wife she executes her duties with dedication love and selflessness. For eons women have been glorified for their achievements in various walks of life. Mother Teresa, Indira Gandhi, is shining examples of these. Also, women of bible, Esther, Hannah, Sarah, Ruth, and Marry have been adorned for their righteous life before the lord.

The story of Esther is one of the most challenging, problematic, demanding, and intriguing stories in all of Scripture. It confronts a lot of assumptions many religious people have about the role of women, the providence of God, and what actually defines a believer. Her story is like a Cinderella story born in poverty and obscurity she becomes queen over one of the most powerful empires in history. Esther humility and her faithfulness to God made her queen. Esther found a favor in the eyes of the lord which made her special. We all are special in the eyes of the lord. God wants to use us like Esther. All, we have to do is to cover ourselves with humility and righteousness. When we will humble ourselves to the position when we find it hard to do at that time God will raise us. He will exalt us in front of everyone.

The Bible’s Esther is faced with difficult choices but she never looses her trust in the Lord God of Israel. She keeps on trusting to Him and Him alone. If we will continue trusting in God and his word no matter what our circumstances are He will raise us like Esther. As his word says those who look unto God their faces are never covered with shame. We have to be strong and courageous because there are times when men lose their heart and at that moment a women has to support men and encourage him. A woman has the special responsibility given by God. They are to be known as partners of men.

A woman has to play different roles by being a mother, wife, and daughter. God has given this responsibility to us because he knows that only women can do it. God has a special plan for each woman. He wants us to do his will and his will is to clothe us with strength and dignity. God wants us to be faithful and wise and to do noble things for him.

Dance in India

Dance in India, is rooted in age-old tradition. This vast sub-continent has given birth to varied forms of dancing, each shaped by the influences of a particular period and environment. These pristine forms have been preserved through the centuries, to become a part of our present culture, a living heritage which is both our pride and delight.

Nurtured in temples, princely courts or villages, dance has moved into the auditorium of today, bringing pleasure to many more people, in far-flung regions. It is now possible to appreciate the lyrical grace of the Manipuri dance of North-Eastern India in, say, Gujarat. This dance-form arising out of Krishna-bhakti, is sinuous in its movements and romantic in its concept, celebrating a divine theme which is meaningful to people all over the country. Similarly, the sophistry of Kathak, which flowered at the courts of the Mughal princes with its accelerated tempo, intricate foot-movements, and subtle facial expressions, evokes a resplendent past common to us all.

The abundant largesse of dance in South India, from the Bharatanatyam of Tamil Nadu, to the Kathakali dance-drama of Kerala, to the Kuchipudi of Andhra, has become part of the melting-pot of culture enriching the life of any Indian today. For, to witness the strength and vigour of Kathakali as it enacts episodes from the Mahabharata and the Ramayana, is an education in itself. The extremely stylised gestures, the elaborate make-up, the masks and the splendid costumes of these all-male dancers, recreates an incomparable sense of pageantry. Bharatanatyam, the temple-maiden’s dance of devotion, has a classic quality which is as daunting as it is beautiful. The rigorous precision of foot and hand movements, the eloquent range of expression depicted through eyes and mouth, and the total linear consonance of body is exacting and exciting in its perfection.

Bharata’s Natya Sastra is the Bible of Indian aestheticians. It says that the Creator (Brahma) created it to give joy in life to the gods who found their cosmic functions to be heavy and dreary. Bharatarmada and Abhinaya Darpana are other important classical works on the Indian art of dance. Kalidasa’s drama Malavikagnimitra, Vishnu Dharmothrara and Agni Purana throws much light on the art. Other important Sanskrit works are Dhananjaya’s Dasa Roopaka, Sargadava’s Sangita Ratnakara, Thulajaji’s Sangita Saramitra, Bala Ramavarma’s Bala Bharata, Haripala Deva’s Sangita Sudhakara, Veda Suri’s Sangita Makaranda, Rasamanjari etc. Tamil works on dance are Bharata Senapatheeyam, Bharata Siddhanta, Bharata Sangraha and Mahabharata Choodamani. In the famous Tamil epic Silappadikaram , there is a reference to eleven varities of dance (alliyam, kudai, kudam etc). It refers to 24 kinds of abhinayam.

The Heritage Of Devadasi Dance

The Devadasi dance tradition which developed through the temple Danseuses is an important type among the dance patterns of India. Bharatnatyam in Tamil Nadu, Kuchipudi in Andhra Pradesh, Odissi in Orissa and Mohiniyattam in Kerala took shape in the tradition of Devadasi dance. These dance forms grew and developed a classical status.

In the Puranas, there are references that a custom of dedicating maidens to the deity in temples was prevalent in India from very early times. They later came to be known as ‘Devadasis’. They were in charge of the music and dance aspects of temple rituals. In India the dancing and singing of Devadasis was an integral part of temple worship. They were attached to temples in various parts of India, like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Mysore, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bengal, Orissa and Kashmir. It was a common custom in all places that maidens under went a symbolic marriage with the deity before she became a Devadasi. In Kerala, it was called ‘Penkettu’.

The Saiva section of Hinduism fancied the Devadasi custom more than the others. The ‘Shiva Purana’ lays down that when Siva temples are built and endowments made for the conduct of the daily rituals, the gift of damsels well versed in dance and song should be made to the temple. History records the fact when in the 9th century A.D. Raja Raja Chola built the Brahadesvara temple in Tanjore he gifted four hundred Devadasis to the temple.

Dance was an important factor in the worship of Siva. He was known as ‘Nataraja’. The 1st items in ‘Bharatanatyam’ called Alarippu and in Mohiniyattam known as colkettu are considered to be dance patterns sacred to Lord Shiva. There is a sloha in praise of Siva towards the end of the text used for colkettu in Mohiniyattam.

Devadasis in Kerala are to be found in the Manipravala compositions of the 1st half of the 13th century and later literacy works. Famous dances like Unniyacci, Unniyati, Unniccirutevi and others are described therein as expert exponents of the Devadasi art, attached to Siva temples and residing in their precincts. Most of the stone inscriptions containing references to Devadasis in Kerala, have been discovered from Siva temples. Saiva form of religion has an antiquity of about 4000 years.

Though in the beginning the Devadasi institution was confined to Siva worship, as times passed other forms of relegion also adopted the Devadasi tradition. By about the 1st century B.C, the Devadasi system had found a place in Buddha, Jama and Hindu temples. Various references in ancient literature gives us an idea of the Devadasi tradition and their dance performances. In Kautilya’s Arthasastra (considered to be written in the 3rd century B.C) there are references to Devadasis and their training in dance. In ‘Mricchaghatiham’ a Sanskrit drama supposed to have been written by ‘Sudraka’ in the 2nd century, the heroine B.C Vasantasena is introduced as a good danseuse. The original ‘Katha-Sarit-Sagara’ (the ocean of story) written in Paisaci language is deemed to have been composed before the birth of Christ. Though original is lost, its Sanskrit translations are available. In the story entitled ‘Alajala’, a dancing girl ‘Sundari’ who performed in temples is mentioned. The earliest and the greatest Tamil epic poems, ‘Cilappatikaram’ and ‘Manimekhalai’ are the main sources of information about the life of the danseuses of Tamil Nadu and Kerala of that age and their special styles of dancing.

In the course of time, separate subsects of Devadasis came into being. The duties of Devadasis included dancing as well as cleaning the temples, providing flowers and other items needed for the conduct of the daily propitiations in the temple, cleaning the rice and the articles of offerings to the deity to help the work of the priests. In addition, they were called upon to perform dances in the King’s court and serve the palace in general. This variety in their work pattern gave rise to various types with separate distinctive names.

The Devadasis known as ‘Basavis’ in Karnataka, are of 4 types. Those who danced in temples were considered the most prestigious and they belonged to the highest class. The Maledavaru indicated the section which took part in dance recitals in marriages and other festivals, while the Maleyavaru prepared garlands of flowers etc. for the temple and the Subyavaru were plain prostitutes. In a village in Karnataka called ‘Basaruru’, Devadasis can still be found. The common word to denote Siva devotes is ‘Basavas’.

In Tamil Nadu, those who danced in Siva temples were called Devadasis, those who performed dance recitals in the Kings court were called Rajadasis, and those who gave dance performances in festivals elsewhere came to be known as Svadasis.

In Andhra, there were 3 types of Devadasis. The genuine devadasis who performed in temples, those who danced in the court of Kings came to be known as ‘Rajanarttaki’.

In Kerala, the Devadasis had a highly respected place in society. This is made clear from the ancient poetic compositions of Kerala. Devadasis like ‘Chandotravam’ and ‘Sukhasanderam. Kulasekhara Perumal, the ruler of Kerala in the 9th century A.D dedicated his own daughter to the Srirangam temple. So it was not uncommon for maidens from royal or even Brahmin families to become Devadasis. Kerala history has many examples of beautiful and attractive ladies of Devadasi sect being accepted as consorts by kings. It is said that Devadasis, Kandiyiu Teviticci Unni, Cherukarakkuttatti and others had been queens. Uttara Chandrika, the heroine of the ‘Manipravala Kavyam’ of that name belonged to the Chirava royal family.

Abdul Kalam is India’s ‘most trusted’ person

Tue, Mar 2 02:48 PM
Former President APJ Abdul Kalam is India’s ‘most trusted’ person, followed by industrialist Ratan Tata and former police officer Kiran Bedi.
An online survey to identity the 100 most trusted Indians – conducted for Reader’s Digest by market research group The Digital Edge – has thrown up quite a few surprises. The survey, which will be published in the latest issue of the magazine, had sought responses on celebrities from different fields.
Infosys co-founder Narayan Murthy is placed fourth while music composer A R Rahman is next, followed by chess champion Vishwanathan Anand.
PM Manomhan Singh ranks only seventh on the list while cricketer Sachin Tendulkar and cartoonist R. K. Laxman have bagged the eighth and ninth positions.
The tenth rank is shared by ISRO chairman G. Madhavan Nair, economist Amartya Sen and Wipro chief Azim Premji.
Unique Identity Authority of India chairman Nandan Nilekani, actor Amitabh Bachchan and ArcelorMittal chairman Lakshmi Mittal also figure in the top 15.
Social activists Prakash and Mandakini Amte and Anna Hazare share the 20th position. Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain is placed 16th while cardiologist Devi Shetty is ranked next.
Rahul Gandhi is 29th on the list. Sonia Gandhi is in the 72nd position while BJP leader L K Advani is placed 94th.
The survey invited 5,000 people, but a target of 761 people from more than 30 Indian cities, who responded first, were included in the poll.
The survey also solicited responses on the 40 most trusted professions where teachers enjoyed a clear lead. Firefighters were second and farmers third. Politicians were ranked 40th while journalists were a little better at the 30th place.

Takeaway for a housewife from budget 2010
Saturday February 27, 2010 01:51 am PST

There is good reason for any salaried person to cheer the Budget 2010. The salary slabs for tax has been increased. Is there something for the housewife too? Let’s see how the monthly budget of a housewife will be affected by Union Budget 2010.

Reasons to Cheer

There is some good news from the budget for the housewife in the form of support for her budget.

1. She can ride more easily: The Budget 2010 has at last heard the request from electric vehicle manufacturers. The duty on critical components required to manufacture electric vehicles has been reduced to 4%. The finished vehicles also will suffer only 4% duty.

2. She can cook faster and at lesser cost: The aspirational housewife can cook faster as the cost of Microwave Ovens will be lesser. The duty has been reduced from 10% to 5% on the key component – Magnetron. The duties on pepper and asafetida have been reduced drastically (70% to 30% and 30% to 20% respectively).

3. She can buy a better phone: The duties for mobile phone accessories made in India have been reduced to zero.

4. She can shop more: Goods imported for retail sale in pre-packaged condition are exempt from special additional duty. Goods like watches, mobile phones and ready-made garments will get this exemption even if they are not prepacked.

5. Children’s Parties can be more colourful: Toy balloons have been exempt from excise duty. (Have you seen the cost of some of the fancy balloon lately???!!!) They will be more economical now.

6. Better drinking water: Reverse Osmosis based household water filter kits will cost lesser as the duty has been reduced to 4%.

7. House maintenance will cost lesser: Goods under the heading Medicinal and Toilet Preparation will suffer lesser tax at 10% from the present 16%.

8. More Jewellery: Gold will cost lesser in the long run as the duty on gold ore and refines has been shifted from ad valorem rates (in %) to specific duties (Rs. per gram). The tax will not go up even if the base price of gold increases in the long run.

9. More money in husband’s wallet: The personal income tax slabs have been increased. Also the investment limit for tax exemption has been increased to Rs. 1.2 L with 20,000 in infrastructure bonds, which means more money for expenses!

Reasons to Lament

There are some reasons why the Budget 2010 will leave lesser balance in the monthly budget for the housewife too.

1. Can’t afford dropping children to school: The cost of petrol and diesel will jump due to the imposition of customs and excise duties on crude and petrol and diesel.

2. Cost of most goods will go up: The basic excise duty has been increased from 8% to 10%. This will have a compounding effect on almost all goods. By the time this article is written, there is some news that the petrol prices will be increased by about Rs.2.85/liter. Car makers have told that they will be increasing the prices after the higher tax rate will be implemented. Cost of cement will go up. Electricity may cost more as there is a additional duty on coal. Almost all commodities like steel, copper, plastics, etc are going to cost more. This in turn will make all white goods including TVs, washing machines, fridges, mixies & food processors and wet grinders to cost more.

3. Holiday Travel to cost more: Air travel in India competed with railways for a few years in the past. Their advantage is withdrawn by making all classes of air travel to pay service tax.

End of Month for Housewife
Though the list is longer for the reasons to cheer, the housewife will be left with lesser cash in hand at the end of the month. This is because of the higher cost for most of the day-to-day goods and commodities that she will have to buy. End of the month an average Indian housewife will more burden on her shoulder throughout year 2010-11.

RAIL BUDGET – HIGHLIGHTS
No increase in passenger fares

Rs.100 reduction in freight per wagon for fertilisers and kerosene

Free travel for cancer patients in 3rd AC classes

Cost-sharing in public-private-partnership (PPP) mode in some gauge-conversion projects

Further extension of Kolkata Metro on priority basis; stations to be named after Bahadur Shah Zafar, Tagore family

Karmabhoomi trains to be introduced for migrant labour

New Janmabhoomi train between Ahmedabad and Udhampur

Special ‘Bharat Teertha’ train to be run around India to commemorate Rabindranath Tagore’s 150th birth anniversary

Railway line to be extended from Bilaspur in Himachal Pradesh to Leh in Jammu and Kashmir

Andaman and Nicobar Islands to get railway line from Port Blair to Diglipur

Sikkim capital Gangtok to be connected by rail from Rangpo

2011 being 150th anniversary of Rabindranath Tagore, special train to be run from West Bengal to Bangladesh

Gross earnings in 2009-10 estimated at Rs.88,281 crore

Working expenditure in 2009-10 estimated at Rs.83,440 crore

Expenses during 2010-11 estimated at Rs.87,100 crore

Thrust on expansion in 2010-11 with allocation of Rs.4,411 crore

Kashmir rail link to be extended to Sopore in the north of the valley

Net profit of Rs.1,328 crore in 2009-10

10 automobile ancillary hubs to be created

Twenty-two million energy saving CFLs for lighting distributed already

Policy decision to employ one member of family whose land is requisitioned for railway projects

North-south, east-west dedicated freight corridors to be created

Construction of high-speed passenger rail corridors envisaged

More multi-functional hospitals to be set up

Educational facilities to be set up for children of 80,000 women families

Special facilities to be established for gangmen

Insurance facilities for licensed porters as part of railway’s corporate social responsibility

Centre for railway research to be established with Indian Institutes of Technology and

Defence Research and Development Organisation

Will involve unions in policy making

Integral Coach Factory Chennai to be further modernised

New wagon repair shop in Mumbai

Design, development and testing centre for railway wheels at Bangalore

Within five years, all unmanned level crossings to be manned

Construction of more underpasses, besides road overbridges

Greater coordination with state governments to protect railway property

Security of women passengers to be improved

Ex-servicemen to be employed in Railway Protection Force

Five sports academies to be set up

Astroturf to be provided for development of hockey

Employment opportunities for sports persons

Railways to be lead partner for Commonwealth Games

Special drive to increase passenger amenities

Upgrade of 94 stations

Six new drinking water bottling plants in PPP mode

Modern toilets at railway stations

More ticketing centres to help the public

Acquisition of cutting edge safety technology

1,000 route km to be created

Special task force for clearing investment proposals in 100 days

New business model to be created

No privatisation of railways

But greater participation of private sector

117 of 120 new trains for current fiscal to be flagged off