FREEDOM OF MEDIA

 

 

Freedom of Media or the freedom of press is an emphasized essential right in a democratic country. It is the freedom of expression and freedom of communication. It has done wonders for the enlightenment of the human well-being and for the development of  a country. Freedom of media  is the right to speak out the necessities of the  group, it is the right to express the  views of the people  and it is the right to criticize the authority. Through media, we can invite the attention of the authority for particular reasons and for particular causes. Through electronic and press media, we can express the will, wishes and needs of the people. We can speak against the authority, we can correct them. It is the strongest way of protest, as words have the power of sword. A democratic country appreciates and understands the freedom of press and media. 

But, it is misused now in many areas and in many countries. Because of the growth of electronic media, it has become an area that faces great competition. Each channel or newspaper, competes to increase their publicity, rating and circulation; for that, they are compelled to include more and more controversial issues or news that invite mass attention. Such kind of news are mostly irrelevant, that never cares the problems or issues of the people or country. It may be about the news of film stars or about political stunts or some other controversial issues that never help the growth of the people or country. For increasing the rating and circulation, they never bother to find the truth, they may disguise themselves as police officers and private secretaries of some renowned persons; they are keen to give only ‘Breaking News‘ with the part that they got. They may be violating all personal freedom, just peeping into the lives of others. They may be exceeding the limits with this freedom of media. 

Medias can bring changes in the community; they should focus on the problems of the people, what they need, what should be done for the upbringing of the women, children and poor and the downtrodden, what should be done to fight against, poverty, ill-literacy, drug and alcohol; and what should be done to abandon corruption and child labour. They can do even more, like, boosting the new generation to protect and preserve the nature, love the country and the fellow citizens. 

Media should act like a progress chart for the government and catalyst for the community.

 

MONSOON

 

 

It is Monsoon in India. The rainy season or the Monsoon starts from the first of June and extends to the mid September. In the beginning, all are expecting for the rain as it brings a relief to the sever drought and heat. It is like a life saving drop from the clouds. Farmers are the real benefactors. They need rain to cultivate their crops and; the harvest of the next year depends on this rain fall. If it fails, they will be ruined and they will be in famine. This will affect the economy of the county too.

 

 

The first half of rain is warmly welcomed by the people as they are thirsting for it; because the Summer extends to three months with severe heat and drought. Wells are re charged, fields are soaked during this monsoon. Kids also enjoy the rain by playing in the rain and wetting themselves. All enjoy it. But, when it becomes incessant and torrential with storms and thunder, it may become a nuisance. This year India is experiencing, torrential rains with cloud sprout, storms and land slides. Many have lost their lives as the Monsoon completes the first half. Still, it rains heavily. Rains, that bring relief for the farmers, now brings tears in their eyes. Most of the areas are under flood threats. They are not able to cultivate fresh crops; it is raining heavily and incessantly, it seems, it may not stop for long.

According to the meteorology, Monsoon is the reversing wind, that happens during this June- September season. It occurs, due to the wind blowing from Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea to the scorched land. If the rain is normal, it is a good season, for tourism too. The landscape is really beautiful with mist and fog seen over the mountains.Boating through the rivers are adventurous and enchanting. We can enjoy the climate as it is not too hot or too cold. 

 

This year’s monsoon brings lots of disasters, in Uttarakhand with cloud sprout and landslides. It has turned out to be another natural calamity. But, a normal Monsoon is really enjoyable.

TRAYVON MARTIN: A VICTIM OF RACISM?

“Martin could have been me 35 years ago” Barack Obama’s these words show the saddest side of racism. He was speaking about the acquittal of George Zimmerman, who shot to death,  Trayvon Martin  an unarmed 17-year-old youth, in 2012,in Florida. He was shot because, he was a black, the white, Zimmerman might have feared of his sight. The blacks are discriminated and considered as criminals or they are watched suspicious. American president, Barack Obama, himself has experienced the worst of race discrimination and it stays fresh in his memory.  Obama continued in his speech, “that if a white male teen was involved in the same kind of scenario, that, from top to bottom, both the outcome and the aftermath might have been different.”

What is racism? In many parts of the world, in many countries, many people suffer because of this racism. Some biological groups are discriminated, they are treated as less desirable and inferior. Some characteristics and abilities are attributed to certain people, because they belong to superior race. The blacks or the inferiors are not allowed to come forward to the main stream, or they are not allowed to enjoy the comforts that the superior community enjoys. They are often observed with suspicious eyes, as they may steal, or they may violate the rules, or they may cause riots etc. 

We all boast that, we are modern community, that hates racism, social, economical and cultural discrimination. But, in real fact, we may not be able to avoid discrimination. We may not be ready to support or encourage the inferiors ( that is the way they are considered). A cultured or developed society should discard racial discrimination. All are important; each one is blessed with different talents; if we shun away some on the basis of racism, we may be preventing some  talents, that might have proved brilliant.

Martin, the strong youth, might have dreams,wishes and talents. A white’s non thinking actions has ruined all; along with Martin’s dreams, the dreams of his parents’ too was perished. It is time to stop discrimination, if so, “we may become a more perfect union”, as Obama has inspired.

MAN’S FIRST MOON LANDING

 

 

“That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.”These are the words of Neil Armstrong, the first man on Lunar. On July 21st 1969, man entered into the surface of Earth’s wonderful satellite, the Moon for the first time. The three men behind this historic expedition were Neil Armstrong, Edwin Aldrin Jr and Michael Collins. The first two touched the surface of the Moon, Collins stayed back in the orbit of Moon to control their space ship Columbia.

Hundreds of years, Moon remained as a fascinating big and round thing on the sky. Each month, men watched the growth of it from a small piece to a big round one which gives light during the night. Then it diminishes and fades away for a short span of time. Men might have observed the changes that occurred on Earth during these Full Moon and New Moon days. Some might have worshipped it as God; some have assumed different shapes present in moon. Mothers used to show children the moon while feeding them, or to entertain them. Similarly, it remained as a wonder for many years. Later, scientists made studies on this wonderful round shaped thing on the sky which gave light, and it was discovered that, it  is the satellite of Earth, that stays in between Earth and Sun. It receives lights from the Sun and shines, but not hot like the Sun.

Scientists began to study more on astronomy. After Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik I on 1957, there occurred a competition to explore more on space and Moon. The United States, surprised the world with its Apollo 11 mission, which landed man in the moon. On July 16, 1969, the Saturn V rocket launched Apollo 11 into the sky from the Kennedy Space Centre, Florida. After one and a half orbit around the Earth, they started their journey towards the Moon. On July 19, they entered the orbit of Moon. On 21 July, Armstrong and Aldrin made their historic land. After spending 21 hours and 35 minutes on Moon’s surface, they returned with 46 pounds of Moon rocks. They had seen our beautiful and bright Earth from the surface of Moon. Remember the heroes once again as their steps were giant leaps for astronomy ,for astronauts and for the world.

 

Resources:   http://history1900s.about.com/od/1960s/p/firstmanmoon.htm

http://history.nasa.gov/ap11ann/FirstLunarLanding/ch-1.html

FREEDOM

We are so particular about our freedom; it gives us the right to do what we like. We may speak about individual freedom, freedom of communication or freedom of expression and freedom of protest. Modern world is keen on arguing for freedom and acquiring freedom. It is a crime, if you act against the freedom of others.

But, some of our doings may obstruct the freedom of others; that is, we may be enjoying our own freedom by obstructing that of your neighbours. We may argue for freedom in our society, in our religion, schools, in public place etc, as it is our right.

We all like to enjoy life-like a kite, but, the string controls its movement. Similarly, we too need a string to control ourselves while enjoying the freedom; if not, we may become shattered and torn like a kite with broken string. The string and the person who holds the string controls the movement of the kite, if it likes to go with the wind, it is not allowed to do so. It is flown against the wind to reach higher and higher.

What is the string, that controls the life of each individual?or, if there is anything like a string? While enjoying all kinds of freedom, we need a string, a guiding force for a proper sail. Kids and youths should be controlled by parents and elders, they should obey the rules and regulations of the institutions they study and work. If properly guided with small restrictions, they will be able to control themselves when they become matured; they won’t be like a kite with broken string.

Ultimately, the strings of  all people are in the hands of God, the creator, the guide and the protector. He may be correcting us, or he may be directing us through the right way, while He gives sorrows and sufferings. We may be directed against our will, but, that is the real way or the right way that brings success. We may feel, it is the obstruction of our freedom, but we need certain, obstructions and correction for attaining heights. If not, we may become shattered and torn out.

THE NARROW DOOR

 

Striving to Enter  the Narrow Door [ Luke 13: 22-35]

Recently, I happened to come across Jesus’ preaching on Heaven; He explains who will be possessing Heaven on the Last Judgement, and what are the qualifications for entering heaven. On the above mentioned phrase, it is clear, who are the virtuous that reach heaven.

On his way to Jerusalem, someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” Jesus replied, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to”. If so, who will be saved? First, I assessed myself, it seemed, I am leading a virtuous life, helping others, by arms giving and consoling. Wish the good of others, not at all jealous on other’s well-being. Doing the duties without complaints, etc, it is like the normal life of many. But, is it enough for the Heaven? Is this the narrow door, that Jesus had mentioned?

In the eyes of our fellow beings, we may be genuine, judicious, and virtuous. We may be like the people, “who are trying to enter but will not be able to”, because, that is not entering through the narrow door. We may be searching for more wide one, for it is very difficult to enter through the narrow door which Jesus had mentioned. 

For entering through the narrow door, we have to renounce the comforts, wealth and luxuries that we are enjoying. Like, St. Francis of Assisi, we should go for serving the community, our fellow citizens who suffer because of poverty, ill-health and ill-literacy. We should wipe the tears of those, who carve for love, affection, support, comfort and solace. We should open our eyes to see the sufferings of the poor and the down trodden, we should open our ears to hear the sorrows of our brothers and we should stretch out our hands to serve the sick, old and the unwanted. If so, we will be thin enough to enter through a narrow door on the Last Judgement. 

 

DOCTORS DAY

 

Doctors day is the special day for recognizing the contributions of doctors and to thank them for their service. It is the profession that holds the signature of God; doctors are respected for the Power that gives life or that rescues the sick. People show their love and respect to the doctors by giving flowers and greeting cards on this special day.

Doctors day is celebrated on different dates in many countries; In America it falls on 30th March. In India it is on 1st July. It is the birth date of  the legendary physician and second chief minister of West Bengal Dr. Bidhan Chadra Roy.

On this day, contributions and services of our doctors are remembered and our gratitude also  is shown. They are so important to our lives and their services are invaluable. With their affection, knowledge, service, and love they are there to support and console the sick. During the tiring schedule, they are seemed energetic always with fresh attitude and soothing face.

But, now it is pathetic to say that, many of doctors consider their profession only as a money earning one. From morning to-night, they work hard , it is true, but some are demanding huge amounts as consulting fees. Many are interested only in private practices. They earn a huge amount from commissions from pharmacies and labs also. Many try to earn the money they have spent for their studies with their practices. They have the right to do it, but money earning should not be their only criteria. They should avoid strikes when they are most needed, at the time of emergencies.

It is the profession for service, it should be like that. While paying tributes to our doctors, my experiences are with homeopathic doctors, who have completely cured my child’s vascular headache and my allergic  asthma. Both of us do not take medicines now. It is a course that takes too much time, but complete cure with no side effects.

Thanks to all Doctors, who take their profession as a service, to love and cure the sick with their godly bliss.