From wandering to exploring

In the heart of Vidharbha as one goes towards the North of Amravati, a mesmerizing sight captivates the eye. Beauty reflects in the eye of the beholder, that of gushing rivers and dense, lush green forest, of narrow roads and steep terrain. The woods are filled with the cackling of birds and insects crawling on the muddy earth. The wild animals tread the land and it is their home. Melghat is undoubtedly a Nature lover’s paradise, his place to be. As much as this is true, an ugly reality grimaces the face of those dwelling in this region. Beyond the beauty lie the troubles of a race that walks in the darkness of illiteracy, one that is exploited on a daily basis, one which cannot bask in the glory of democracy and one who just wants to keep its own land. The parliament keeps making several laws and the judiciary keeps implementing them, but it’s only when you tread with your own feet to these forsaken lands that you get an insight of the truth. A conversation with the Sarpanch of...

Till 1960’s and 70’s, the concept of litigation in India was in a rudimentary form. Moreover, the pursuit of litigation was completely restricted to private interests. There were minuscule efforts to address wider issues which affected a particular class or general public at large. There seemed to be a missing link between the rights conferred by the Constitution of India and a vast majority of illiterate and poor sections of society. Prior to 1980’s, only a particular individual or a class who were affected by a particular issue could file a case and seek grievance. A person who was not particularly affected by the issue could not file a case as a substitute for the victim even if the matter was of a larger public interest. The drawbacks of the absence of such litigation were particularly felt during the Emergency in 1975-1977 when the fundamental rights of people were violated. It was then that Indian middle class became aware of the importance of rule of law. The Post-emergen...

For when the wine is in, the wit is out. - Thomas Becon ‘Rude food’, a popular column written by Mr. Vir Sanghvi in the Sunday Brunch had an interesting piece named ‘The great wine robbery’ which portrayed cheating in the name of up-selling in the restaurant business. Vir Sanghvi reveals the different innovative techniques of up-selling restaurants use to cheat their customer especially in case of wines. He unveils how restaurants fool their customers by making excuses about wine the customer must have originally ordered for. They later offer wines which they say are better and do not mention that the wine is expensive. They lure customers with daily specials whose price is double any main course on the menu. They uncork new bottles and keep on filling the glasses even when unasked for and offer expensive mineral water like Evian without knowledge. He also suggests what one should do when stuck in such situ...

I became a journalist to come as close as possible to the heart of the world - Henry R. Luce Journalism from its advent was seen as the noble profession. In India, Journalism gained momentum during the colonial era. It was a tool which was used for mass awakening against tyranny of the British government. It was the voice of our national leaders and journalism owed loyalty to those struggling for freedom. However, a few years into freedom and time ch...