'The girl child needs to be educated about her rights'
Mumbai Sheriff Indu Shahani has started an initiative called the women's helpline to help women who are facing violence or sexual harassment. Backed by the overwhelming response to the social campaign 'Ek Rediffmail Bhej Ke Tou Dekho' to fight against eve teasing, Bhumi and various other leading NGOs in association with rediff.com, will host a silent candle light vigil on the eve of Women's Day -- March 7 at 9 pm at the Gateway of India, Mumbai. The mass gathering supported by Shahani, will be held to propagate the message to curb the growing issue of verbal and sexual assaults against women in the city.
The initiative is an extension of rediff.com's commitment to mobilise Internet users to lend their support for the cause of open spaces and eve teasing. In an interview with rediff.com, Shahani spoke about the Rediffmail initiative, issues facing women today and how to address them.
"India has taken great strides in the field of information technology. It is like the BPO of the world. So it is a good to see an IT company like Rediff put technology to good use for a cause like this," Shahani said.
What made you choose to be part of this project?
When I became sheriff of Mumbai on January 5, the New Year incident that happened outside a Mumbai hotel was still fresh in memory and a lot of things were written about it. That thing accelerated the need to do something for women who face harassment or violence. The need to do something about this issue struck me when sometime ago, I got to know that my maid's daughter was being abused by her husband.
We took her for counselling and also put her husband, who would come home drunk and beat her up, in rehab. But initially I did not know what to do about it. I, despite being an educated woman, did not know how or what to do. That was when it dawned on me that something needs to be done. And then the Rediff tie-up happened. Now women who are in distress can either call up 1298, where they will be put through to an NGO, or they can email call1298@rediffmail.com, where they will get a list of NGOs in this project, who they can contact.
How did the 1298 helpline come into being?
After taking over as sheriff, I had said in an interview that we are planning to do something for women who are facing domestic violence. The people at 1298, which runs an emergency medical service, saw that and offered their call centre for our cause. Then Rediffmail came in and offered to do the e-mail part.
What do you hope to achieve through this project?
A lot. In just the first month, we've had some 20-25 calls per day. Of these most were enquiries. We have answered them. Some 60 cases came in that were really serious and needed immediate attention. We have referred these cases to counsellors and NGOs. I have asked these organisations to report to me on a weekly basis on the progress they have made.
In your capacity as the sheriff of Mumbai, what other initiatives have you taken?
This helpline is one thing. The other thing is I am meeting corporates to get them on board and help us set up our own team of counsellors who will be dedicated to this cause. Though they do a good job, there is only so much that NGOs can do. So, having a dedicated bunch of counsellors for us will go a long way in providing a permanent solution to this issue. Creating awareness is the first step.
What more do you think needs to be done to tackle this problem?
I think we need to train counsellors. That is the key. Then, we need to go to schools and colleges and create awareness at that level. We must train them in legal issues and ensure that they are aware of their rights. For example, there is a law called the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, 2005. How many people do you think are aware that such a law exists? These are some of the ways and means by which we can start addressing this issue.
Most cases of violence again women take place at home and they are not even spoken about most of the time. How do you plan to change this?
Things we are doing now is a first and important step towards addressing this issue. Starting the women's helpline, holding candle light vigils like the one we are planning with Rediff are also methods of instilling confidence in women... make them feel they can face and overcome troubles. They do not come out in the open due to fear. Removing that fear is half the battle won. Education is also a key factor. The girl child, especially, needs to be educated. The more people get educated, the more they will know what their rights are. They become more confident and can stand up for themselves. Even men will realise that an educated woman will not take it lying down.
What do you have to say about our law and order machinery? Is it fit and sensitive enough to handle this issue?
Not to say that they are doing a bad job, but they also need to be counselled and made aware of the issue. But in a city like Mumbai, I think citizens can play a more active part than the police. What can the police force do in a city of Mumbai's population? Here is where the media has to step in and help in spreading awareness among the public. That in itself is a form of education.
Friday, March 7, 2008
March 8 is celebrated as International Women's Day.
March 8 is celebrated as International Women's Day.This year, Get Ahead focuses on women in the workplace -- specials will feature ladies who have taken up unusual professions, corporate bigshots and how one's gender can influence one's career.
'There is a glass ceiling for women at the top'• 'The girl child needs to be educated about her rights'• 'Women in India have made their mark'• 'Ladies! It's time to wake up and smell the coffee'• Single in the city: A woman's perspective• Campaign: Join the fight against eve teasing• Corporate fashion for career women!• If both genders are equal, why celebrate Women's Day?Earlier Specials• India's top businesswomen• India's best sportswomen• India's top 10 women politicians• Bollywood's best actresses. Ever.• Salute the woman who inspires you!
'There is a glass ceiling for women at the top'• 'The girl child needs to be educated about her rights'• 'Women in India have made their mark'• 'Ladies! It's time to wake up and smell the coffee'• Single in the city: A woman's perspective• Campaign: Join the fight against eve teasing• Corporate fashion for career women!• If both genders are equal, why celebrate Women's Day?Earlier Specials• India's top businesswomen• India's best sportswomen• India's top 10 women politicians• Bollywood's best actresses. Ever.• Salute the woman who inspires you!
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
India ended their tour of Australia on a high note when they beat the hosts by nine runs on Tuesday to win their best-of-three finals series 2-0.
India ended their tour of Australia on a high note when they beat the hosts by nine runs on Tuesday to win their best-of-three finals series 2-0.
Sachin Tendulkar scored a superb 91 and paceman Praveen Kumar went on to capture four wickets as the tourists followed up Sunday's six-wicket win in Sydney with a thrilling victory at the Gabba in Brisbane.
The Australians, who also lost last year's tri-series finals at home to England, recovered from a terrible start to give themselves a glimmer of hope when James Hopes (63) and Matthew Hayden (55) made half-centuries, only to come up short.
Monday, March 3, 2008
India end innings at 258/9
India end innings at 258/9
Immediately after Tendulkar's wicket, the Indian innings seemed like losing its way when Michael Clarke removed in-form batsman Rohit Sharma for 2. He bowled it around outside off, the batsman drove it on the up, where Symonds did the rest by snapping a sharp catch. India were 209/5, when Sharma departed.
There was ecstacy in the reverse-sweep he played in the 80s - a shot we dont see often from Tendulkar that late in the innings. And, there was agony - when he tried to come down the track, but could only manage to push the ball to short mid-on, where Ponting arrived in time to take a brilliant diving catch. Tendulkar went for 91, just nine runs short of a second consecutive hundred. India, 205/4.
Yuvraj Singh went in the same way he came into bat. A six off the second ball he faced showed signs of an innings that could change the course of the game. But, it only flattered to deceive. While Yuvraj was in the middle, the innings developed a gusto-type momentum to it - with the Australians looking totally down. Yuvraj stroked intermittent boundaries to apply more pressure and then a huge impulsive stroke for six before departing two balls later, trying to hit one out of the park - came on slow to the batsman and holing out to Hayden for a run-a-ball 38.
Michael Clarke struck an important blow for Australia when he removed Gautam Gambhir early for 15. It was tossed outside the off-stump by Clarke. Gambhir came down the track to clear long-on and drove it very hard - but could only manage to find the waiting Mitchell Johnson, who completed the catch. India were 121/2 when Gambhir departed.
Robin Uthappa threw his wicket away to Stuart Clark after getting off to a good solid start when he got a leading edge that went straight into the hands of James Hopes, who made no mistake in grabbing a straightforward, easy catch. Uthappa departed for 30.
Earlier, Sachin Tendulkar reached his fifty when he dabbed one down to third man off Clark. The 70-ball fifty was highly composed of a larger percentage of boundaries, which he began stroking once he got his eyes in. Some of the usual shots were back in action - the straight drives, the cover-drives, the dabs over third man. He looked extremely confident, keen on giving his innings the momentum it needed to put a competitive score.
Bouyed by their win against Australia in the first final at Sydney, India began the second contest on a rather sedate note - with both batsmen preferring to be cautious than adventurous. The first boundary of India's innings came as late as the seventh over, when Uthappa helped Lee's ball on its way to the fence. Tendulkar's approach was also similar - to see the new ball through and then he opened himself. A superb baseball-like straight pull welcomed Stuart Clark into the attack. India reached their fifty in 79 balls.
Earlier in the day, Indian captain MS Dhoni won the toss and decided to bat in the second final of the triangular one-day cricket series against Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane on Tuesday.
Australia made one change to the team that lost the first final Sunday by six wickets, bringing in medium pacer Stuart Clark for spinner Brad Hogg.
India were forced into one change, with pace bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth brought into the side for the injured Ishant Sharma.
India also retained 19-year-old leg-spinner Piyush Chawla. He bowled well in the first final, but the Sydney Cricket Ground is more suited to spin bowling than the pacier Gabba wicket.
If Australia win this match, the series will go to a decider in Adelaide on Friday.
Immediately after Tendulkar's wicket, the Indian innings seemed like losing its way when Michael Clarke removed in-form batsman Rohit Sharma for 2. He bowled it around outside off, the batsman drove it on the up, where Symonds did the rest by snapping a sharp catch. India were 209/5, when Sharma departed.
There was ecstacy in the reverse-sweep he played in the 80s - a shot we dont see often from Tendulkar that late in the innings. And, there was agony - when he tried to come down the track, but could only manage to push the ball to short mid-on, where Ponting arrived in time to take a brilliant diving catch. Tendulkar went for 91, just nine runs short of a second consecutive hundred. India, 205/4.
Yuvraj Singh went in the same way he came into bat. A six off the second ball he faced showed signs of an innings that could change the course of the game. But, it only flattered to deceive. While Yuvraj was in the middle, the innings developed a gusto-type momentum to it - with the Australians looking totally down. Yuvraj stroked intermittent boundaries to apply more pressure and then a huge impulsive stroke for six before departing two balls later, trying to hit one out of the park - came on slow to the batsman and holing out to Hayden for a run-a-ball 38.
Michael Clarke struck an important blow for Australia when he removed Gautam Gambhir early for 15. It was tossed outside the off-stump by Clarke. Gambhir came down the track to clear long-on and drove it very hard - but could only manage to find the waiting Mitchell Johnson, who completed the catch. India were 121/2 when Gambhir departed.
Robin Uthappa threw his wicket away to Stuart Clark after getting off to a good solid start when he got a leading edge that went straight into the hands of James Hopes, who made no mistake in grabbing a straightforward, easy catch. Uthappa departed for 30.
Earlier, Sachin Tendulkar reached his fifty when he dabbed one down to third man off Clark. The 70-ball fifty was highly composed of a larger percentage of boundaries, which he began stroking once he got his eyes in. Some of the usual shots were back in action - the straight drives, the cover-drives, the dabs over third man. He looked extremely confident, keen on giving his innings the momentum it needed to put a competitive score.
Bouyed by their win against Australia in the first final at Sydney, India began the second contest on a rather sedate note - with both batsmen preferring to be cautious than adventurous. The first boundary of India's innings came as late as the seventh over, when Uthappa helped Lee's ball on its way to the fence. Tendulkar's approach was also similar - to see the new ball through and then he opened himself. A superb baseball-like straight pull welcomed Stuart Clark into the attack. India reached their fifty in 79 balls.
Earlier in the day, Indian captain MS Dhoni won the toss and decided to bat in the second final of the triangular one-day cricket series against Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane on Tuesday.
Australia made one change to the team that lost the first final Sunday by six wickets, bringing in medium pacer Stuart Clark for spinner Brad Hogg.
India were forced into one change, with pace bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth brought into the side for the injured Ishant Sharma.
India also retained 19-year-old leg-spinner Piyush Chawla. He bowled well in the first final, but the Sydney Cricket Ground is more suited to spin bowling than the pacier Gabba wicket.
If Australia win this match, the series will go to a decider in Adelaide on Friday.
Sachin Tendulkar top scored with 91 as India set Australia a target of 259 in the second CB Series final in Brisbane
Sachin Tendulkar top scored with 91 as India set Australia a target of 259 in the second CB Series final in Brisbane
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