ANOU’S BLOG
Invisible and impregnable barriers
Many newspapers and news channels chose to sum up 2006 in India as an year where people power finally emerged. True they have many reasons to do so: Jessica and Priyadarshini got justice, the Right to Information Act was salvaged from potential hijackers and the son...
an ordinary day
Come January 1st and we all set out making new resolutions for the new year. I use to do it too and then somehow these were forgotten as life took on its course. This year I just let January 1 be like just another day, the difference being that I watched it go by with...
the right to be a child
There are laws and declarations, organisations and institutions and more all seeking to protect children's rights to be children. Conferences are held and debates too..But if I were to tell you that the right to be a child lies hidden in every child rich or poor...
an unequal battle..
Nanhe's predicament haunts me ceaselessly. As someone wrote: this is the battle of the mind and the heart, and none of them are wrong.Nanhe is precious to many of as we are addicted to his smile. Somehow when Nanhe smiles than for that tiny moment everything seems so...
reconnecting – a story in six pictures
It was a very special day, Utpal was to visit his mom. He got up early. wore his new sweater and shoes, and was all set to go. He has asked his best friend Kiran to accompany him.His little head was filled with confused images. there was a time, only a few months ago...
in real danger
My mother died of cancer. Many do. The difference was that she stubbornly refused all form of treatment. She bore her excruciating pain with rare courage. Life had to be lived till the very last breath was her leitmotiv, and she did, remarkably alive as she quietly...
for a handful of spinach…
Have you ever wondered how much a handful of spinach costs? A few coins on a market place, a little more in a fancy store... and a few leaves picked up in a field would not be missed by its owner.Not quite. In a remote village in the state of Bihar a little 10 year...
a very special tree
oThe world celebrated Xmas. In a tiny lane of an urban slum in Delhi a bunch of very special kids did too. Just like children all over the world they wanted a Xmas tree and nothing could stop them.Nothing to write home about, some would say, but what if I told you...
a very special xmas gift
Xmas has always been a time of joy and giving, of cheer and even miracles. As you grow up you stop believing in Santa, but there is always the anticipation of finding out what the little packets around the tree contain.My xmas gift came a day earlier and in the most...
tale of two Indias..
As winter sets in in India's capital city, once again we get reminded of the existence of 2 Indias. While one is busy preparing for highly westernised festivities, the other is huddled around makeshift fires simply trying to survive.This is India a land where extreme...
the cotton carder
I happened to be standing at the gate when the cotton carder went by. Hearing the high pitched sound of his carding bow was a Proustian experience as it brought back a flood of long-forgotten memories.There was a time when you could plan your day with almost clockwork...
a verdict of hope
The Jessica Lal verdict is out. It took a long time coming. Wonder why as she was shot in a place filed with Delhi's own page 3.For seven years we were almost mute witnesses to a mockery of justice where the entire system connived to save the killer who was a is said...