Land of contrast(s)

Land of contrast.

On the last page of a newspaper(The HINDU) was a news about 200000 pounds donated by most respected Narayan Murthy ji for erection of a statue of Mahatma Gandhi in Parliament square at London. It was also mentioned there that they have already got 500000 pounds. Lord Meghnad Desai’s name was also written in the news item.

A news about excavation of two Harappan sites at Binjor and Rakhigarhi was also published on that same last page. The site may claim as the largest Harappan site. But I thought why this news was published?

Some days back there was news that Smt Shail Devi who saved life of about 20 people from a mob in a village was given just 50000 rupees by the High up people in Bihar!!

Today on TV there was a news of a murder just only for 10 rupees??

Though in service, but due to lack of enough money I am unable to go to Chennai frequently for treatment of wife and child or for myself.

Today in BBC it was shown that in a village of Bengal area a new fridge (refrigerator) came to the Chaudhary’s home, and this is the first one in that village??? And thus  many households come to put something or the other in that fridge!!

Farmers attempting suicide in India is also a news- and it is many times considered as a normal news.

Few villages do not have toilets for women. Few villages do not have drinking water sources!! Women have to fetch from far off places. There is one village in central India where men keep more than one wife, because fetching water itself takes many hours. Thus at any given time one wife remains in the house to serve the husband and his family.

Girls from east and poor parts of India are trafficked to west part of India (I did not want to name the states thinking people may think bad about me). These girl, women are having a status of just a commodity only, not a human being!! They sold and resold once their work is over or age takes over. One program on Life Ok TV Channel depicts all such stories as Sawdhan India!! INDIA FIGHTS BACK

Thus point is that there is no limit how people can use the money. How they feel about the money. But I don’t get good feeling when people spend huge amount on making just a statue.

Earlier temple were erected but those acts must be seen in the context of time and space of that era.

But when the globalization has taken place, everything now becoming in “cloud” and diminished boundaries between real and imagined (virtual) then spending such amount in making a statue is not a good idea. That money could be utilized to establish a solar energy plant, toilets for girls, making available the drinking water to villages, making available the education to girls in remote villages, making available the food grains in remote villages in Orrisa, Maharastra, Jharkhand, UP, Rajasthan, MP AP etc, or helping in improving infrastructure in Naxal areas, or improving the feeling of cut off in Kashmir area, where youth is totally going away from feeling of India (One India!!).  Making  available the new technology to the villages so that farmers can prosper.

These are the some of the activities where money should be invested.

I think there is a huge gap in research area. Can such money be invested in R & D, thinking it as philanthropy? There should be a National Science fund to support the R&D activity across India.

So that those who wish to donate money can donate fund in this scheme, such pool of fund can be utilized for R & D schemes, May be such as sending a Manned flight to MARS or Moon.

Or making a communication satellite in India

Or making a 100% Indian car.

Fund for excavation of important sites and DIGITISATION of documentation(data base)

DIGITISATION of manuscripts of all the libraries of India. (Kelkar(s), Saraswathi mahal, Ali Bux, Rampur, IGNCA, etc etc and many more can come together)

DIGITAL INDIA and Make In India are also there.....

An overview of data from Population census- A & N Islands

An old post which was written in November 2004. It could not be published since the Tsunami struck. And the draft was lost in the computer.  but traced back now.
Population census: Andaman & Nicobar Islands- an overview

Why Port Blair can be a better place to live in.

The census data has been published now. But for whole set of data, we have to wait more.  

The A & N Islands has a very peculiar setup altogether, given its geographical scattered-ness/ spread in the Bay of Bengal. This consists of numerous islands (including rocks) numbering more than 500. Few are inhabited and are separated by the deep-sea creeks.

However, the population comes out as 356000(census 2001). This projects the immense possibilities and potential for collecting data on various aspects, which due to some inherent problem of the census we are unable to collect. The left out portion of information on the populace can provide various insights on the socio-cultural set up of the population settled in these islands. This was initially started as the penal settlement during the British Raj for the political prisoners and freedom fighters. This territory has the distinction of hoisting the national flag prior the India got Independence. None other than our hero of freedom struggle the great Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose unfurled the flag. This part had been a occupied territory of Japanese, later freed by the British and again got freedom, when India became independent. Since then the place has been inhabited by the influx of the population.

Looking at the village summary of the A & N Islands census 2001 data, there was one table on population wise distribution of the villages. Table provided data on 1991 and 2001. In 1991 the number of villages having population of 1 to 200 were 284 that has decreased to 273 in 2001 census. Similarly the number of villages having population in bracket of 201 to 500 has also decreased from 95 in 1991 to 89 in 2001. Same is the case for the villages having population of 501 to 1000. Does this indicate anything?

The size of the population in the habitations is increasing at high pace. Most of the villages acquired the size of 1001- 2000 and 2001 to 5000. This has significance in light of the population growth rate. I mean that the population in villages has grown at high pace so that the number of villages having population of above 1000 has increased in this decade.

One of the comfort index for life is essentially the availability of drinking water. In Andaman and Nicobar Islands, 76% household have Tap water as source of drinking water. Since 86% household have source of water within or near their premises and only 14 percent have it away from their premises. This fact alone keeps this UT of Andaman at a unique place, Considering the remote and geographical spread of the Islands in Sea 

Sex ratio	2001	%	1991	%
<750	132	26.35	127	25.20
751- 900	165	32.93	183	36.31
901 - 1000	129	25.75	118	23.41
1001-1200	46	9.18	48	9.52
1200+	29	5.79	28	5.56
total	501		504

SEX RATIO:  The villages having sex ratio of less than 750 have increased in this decade. There are now 132 villages having the sex ratio <750 in comparison of 1991 census.

Now looking at the percentage distribution of the villages according to the sex ratio there is minute change. Does this indicate something? The sector working in the field of women empowerment and also for mother and child or in social sector, can very well say that the sex ratio is on decline. This is a situation of caution.

The sex ratio has declined in the category of 1000 to 1200 bracket. The data shows that the no of villages having the sex ratio of <750 has increased in the decade that is not at all good sign.

The ratio of women to the males overall has shown a decline. This should have to be looked into. As to what factors are responsible for decline in the sex ratio. This number should increase in the higher bracket, such as 1000 or above.  However there are many villages having sex ratio more than or equal to 1000 in A & N Islands.

Household and houses

                As per the 2001 census there are 104222 census houses in A & N Islands and out of these only 94196 houses are occupied and 10,026 are vacant census houses. Similarly, in rural areas there are 71,836 census houses out of which 64,744 are occupied. In Urban area out of 32,386 census houses 29,452 are occupied. Out of the occupied census houses only 74.92 percent houses are actual residence or are used as residence. On the other hand 1.97 percent houses are used as residence cum other uses.

Out of the total Census houses in A& N Islands about Ninety percent house are occupied and rest are vacant. Out of these ninety percent occupied houses only 75 percent houses are actually used for residential purpose, eight percent are shops/ business offices, approximately 2 percent houses are used as residence cum other uses. While 10 percent of the occupied houses are used as other non-residence purposes, there are 1.19 percent houses, which are used as temple and other places of worship. Occupied Houses which are used for residence cum other purposes, are more in rural areas (2.04%) than in urban area (1.81%).

There are 73062 households in A & N Islands and about 51 percent households are in owned houses, while 22 percent households are living in rented houses. Out of the 20048 households in the municipal council of Port Blair, 40.61 percent live in owned houses while 42.85 percent households live in rented houses.

Most of the houses in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are having two rooms. About 40 percent households have two dwelling rooms and 31 percent households have only one dwelling room. Approximately 2 percent households have six or more dwelling rooms. Same trend is in Port Blair municipal council area where about 41 percent households have two dwelling rooms and 36 percent households have only one. About three percent households don’t have any exclusive room.

About half of the households residing in the Port Blair municipal area are living in the rented houses and only half of the households own the houses.  Among the rented houses there are 44 percent households enjoying separate one room, while out of the owned houses only 30 percent households have one room.

Out of total households, 72 percent have single married couples in A &N Islands, this percent in west Bengal is 74.5 and 70.7 in Sikkim. This reflects on our social behavior that indicates that society at large prefers the nuclear family instead of combined family across the states.

In A & N Islands the percentage of households with two married couples is 7.  While percent of households having three married couples is one and only 0.08 percent households had five or more married couples in single households. 

COMFORTABLE PLACE( for couples) TO LIVE IN:-

One of the “comfort indicators” for any place may be thought of as having an independent sleeping room by the married couples. People in Mumbai very well know the value of living space (read as freedom space)

In A & N Islands, Out of total married couples 60 percent have independent sleeping rooms. This percent is 57 and 51 in respect of the West Bengal and Sikkim respectively.  In A& N there is sharp difference in the availability of independent sleeping room to married couples vis-à-vis Urban and Rural. In Urban area of A&N islands this percentage is 71.4 and for rural it is 55.21, District wise the percent is 64.14 for Andaman and 30.86 in Nicobar. 

 

Does that show any indication of housing problem or any difference in the housing pattern among the districts. In the municipal council alone the 71.33 percent of married couples enjoy the privilege of independent sleeping room. As per the census definition the room exclusively under possession of household is to be counted under this category. May be in Nicobar mostly houses are in shape of Hut or katcha type hence the counting of the separate dwelling rooms becomes difficult, Resulting in this type of statistic. However the cultural practices have influence on usage of rooms or a house(especially as we are looking at a room exclusive for use for a couple).  If we see the tribal village with the eyes of so called our civilized view, then there bound to be lot of difference. Each civilization has its own yardstick for everything. Therefore inferences on such type of statistics are to be drawn in that context only and not to be generalized.

While I was developing upon this abstract, on 26^th December 2004 the tsunami and quake hit the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Devastation is unknown and cannot be assessed soon. In Nicobar District several islands faced the tidal waves and lost many lives. Loss is still unknown. However estimated figures have to be yet to be ascertained. 

 

As per 2001 census, the population of Carnicobar was 20000 in 17 habitations, whereas the population of the Nancowry block was 22000 comprising of 156 habitations. The Campellbay with 4000 people and Malacca with 3000 people were the two habitations with largest population. Other habitations were having population less than 2000. Still few deaths will be un-accounted for.

URBANISATION:-

Urbanisation is considered as a global phenomenon. There was only one urban centre in Andaman Nicobars and it was the city of Port Blair having population of 75000. In census 2001, Two census towns made their entry on the map. The ward no 1 of the Garacharma panchayat which was a neighborhood of the Port Blair City, grew in bounds and acquired the status of census town with the population more than 9000. Whereas another hub close by but accessible by a sea route of 5 to 10 minutes also grew and acquired the status of census town with a population of almost 7000. These two are the best example of pace of urbanization in Andamans. Port Blair the capital city was only 15 less from 1 lakh mark of population. It is buzzing with more than 22 thousands households and more than 37% of work participation rate.  Female work participation rate is just 15% whereas the percentage of female share in city population is almost 45%.

Work participation rates are about 36% and 31% for Garacharma and Bambooflat respectively. In both census towns the share of female population is almost 46 %. The female Work participation rate is 18 and 14 in Garacharma and bambooflat respectively.  

Census town		literacy	work participation	% female popln	female work participation
Port Blair	99984	77.08	36.75	44.62	14.92
Garacharma (CT) - Ward No.1	9427	75.36	35.70	46.79	18.36
Bambooflat (CT)	6787	71.75	30.87	46.63	13.84

Thyagraj Aradhana Festival and Bangalore Nagarathana

There is a famous trinity, called as trinity of carnatic Music. The trio Tyāgarāja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri.

Later on in early 20th century trio of MS, DKP, MLV were known as the trinity of carnatic music.
These three women singers broke away the traditions and established new trends and established themselves as path breaker. Since in  earlier times women singers were not allowed to sing on stage and several restriction were there. Pallavi was one among them. DKP borke this tradition.She established herself as a finest Pallavi singer also.
MS the famous M Subbulakhsmi ji, other is D K Pattamal ji, third is ML Vasantakumari ji. Together they were known as Trinity of carnatic vocal music.
But still i doubt why the T Brinda and Mukta ji were left out??
www.newindianexpress.com/cities/chennai/article1438758


Now the matter is that Thyagraj Annual Aradhna was on Saturday, January 2015. This is being broadcasted by the Doordarshan for quite many years now. I had been watching it since many years. When I was at IIT Kanpur i got to see many times this direct telecast. Many stalwarts of music performed together at this Thyagraj Aradhana, siting in front of the temple. I had seen MS performed there. Once i saw VaijayantiMala ji (that time she was MP), Several other Semagudi Srinivas Iyer, Many more......list is long.

Bangalore Nagarathna

This year also in Jan 2015 i was able to see it. There were so many musicians. The main attraction for me has been that many musicians all together join and sing at the Aradhana. Though the temple is said to be built by a great women singer Bangalore Nagarathna, the member of a great tradition of women community, who with lot of devotion, determination and discipline have preserved our great musical heritage. It is irony that today we feel proud of this musical heritage, but do not give credit to those women.Thus Bangalore Nagarathna spent all her wealth to buy the land and built a temple for Thyagraj. But she was not allowed to sing and offer her music aradhana in front of temple!!!! what an irony.??
This year i saw Umaylapore Srinivas playing Mrindangam, Famous face was of Smt Sudha Ragunath.
There were hordes of people attending this Aradhana. Old women, senior Artists all sat together with few upcoming artists and few students. There were few small girls sitting just next to senior ladies. Few people were seen standing. Most senior was Umaylapuram Srinivas ji, I could recognise him since I had seen him and his program on TV for many years now.

These pictures were taken by me while watching the program of Thyagaraj Aradhana on Doordarshan. Thus may not be very clear. I ask everyone to forgive me for any mistake if I have made by posting these pictures.

Dances on TV and their viewing - my view only

For many years I tried to copy a dance step, which I saw in film Kalpana. The dancer did fly doing steps. The famous duo of sisters Ragini and Padmini did the song “Tu hai mera Prem Devta” in film Kalpana. But I did try for few years then gave up since I could not do it. Later as I grew up and came to know that the films are made edited, and now effects are inserted by computer. In film Avatar we could see the partial Human and partial aliens. The set on which the dance of film Kalpana was shot was superb. I think what they might have done with it. Whether they broke it down?. I think they must have conserved it. It was a work of ART. The SHIVA statue and the wall fresco with engraved sculptures, all were superb. 
 

Both the characters were in a competition and offering their Kalaa tapasya (the art of dance) to the God. And from that dancer whose dance the lord wakeup will be the winner. There are two Bhaav. One is the swift, energetic and proud of itself. The other one is as we call Dheer-Gambeer, the serious full of Bhakti and devotion towards the lord. The chirrupy was portrayed through the GANGA, who is always considered as full of energy and proud of her own power. The other was portrayed through GAURI the consort of Shiva who is always devoted to the Lord SHIVA, A true Bhakti. When we see the dancers, one can immediately gets glimpses of their mood and kind of personality. First is the dress and second is the body movement. The Ragini ji has assumed the Ganga, who is always energetic. The ornaments and the dress were matching to the personality of Ganga-who is full of power and proud-ness and shows this by her movements. As I have read in the story of Ganga avataran. Shiva knew this side of hers. That’s why he was ready and alert to protect others from drowning by the power of Ganga, which she intended before coming down. But the power was brought under control by the Lord Shiva’s long traces of hairs. That means scientifically speaking the Turbulence force was controlled by the putting enough small channels so that the force is diverted in many directions and not in one channel. Like to distribute the one gushing river water into many smaller canals so that water gets distributed in these smaller channels and does not effect much in the main river.

The other dancer was dressed in a well manner not too loud and not too flashy. Padmini ji portrayed the Dheer Gambheer and devotion with her movements. Both of them were great and very learned artists. They were the part of Trio known as Travancore (trio)sisters. I read in the illustrated weekly a news article about them many years back (almost 30 years). I still don’t remember much about Lalita ji the third sister member of trio.

The backdrop was also powerfull and made its impact on the aesthetics, and well accompanied the dance sequences; the camera was all through made us to see whatever was possible with the techniques. Remember at those time the technology available to those camera man. They have done the impossible job. Since they thought differently and tried to bring the imagination alive for us. They succeeded in their work. I salute all those involved in making these songs, picturisation, writers, screenplay etc.

I remember a day when I had gone to house of Dolly didi with one of my distant cousin. She was classmate of Dolly didi. In Chakravarty they had a tape recorder. They played the song “Tumko dil diya itni naaz se”. On hearing The song immediately started dancing(inside somewhere) not in their home. The beats and the sound of music was so powerfull that one cannot resist swaying with the beats.  Later one day I saw it in chitrahaar on Doordarshan.  Ragini and Helen ji were there in the dance. They did superb job. I don’t imagine anybody finding any fault with their dancing. Remember in those days when technology was not so advanced.

  Both the Ragini and Helen ji have done perfect job. The Choreography was excellent and the music was mind blowing. Anybody who has inclination to the good music will certainly praise the way the play of beats was brought out in this song and over that the dance steps to meet the beats was also a tough job. The song is pleasant on ears but the dance was very difficult to choreograph. I don’t know whether in those days any award was given to choreography and costume etc. This dance was one of the most suited for the top slot.

But still till day I remember and keep remembering the day when I heard the song on tape recorder of Dolly didi at Type two, IIT Kanpur. I am thankfull to them for letting me hear that song. I hope that Smt Shanta Serbjit Singh reads this page and comment on it’s contents. I consider her as the first Guru, who through her articles on Dance in newspaper always inspired me. And More so living at Kanpur I got the news of happenings in Dance scene. There was no question my going everywhere just see DANCE. As a boy I was expected to study and become someone and not a naachwala or nautanki wala etc.