Gender equality
Gender equality means social equality. In other words, when people of all genders get equal responsibilities, rights, and opportunities, then it is called gender equality. Nowadays everyone is affected by gender inequality, so we should treat people of all genders equally. From gender equality, people will get benefits, which are necessary for us. Economic prosperity also depends on gender equality. Gender equality helps prevent crimes against women and girls, so it is needed for us. Gender equality impacts our society also. It is a basic human right that the value of a man and woman are considered equal. The vision of gender equality envisages that we have equal access to power, resources, and opportunities and live in a safe and equal society. There are many provisions for gender equality in the Indian Constitution, including Articles 14, 15, 16, 39, and 42. Moreover, under the right to equal work, articles 39(d) and 41 of the Indian Constitution recognized the principle of equal pay for equal work for men and women. We have noticed that there are many provisions in the Constitution for gender equality, but they have not been implemented properly. That’s why, to implement gender equality, first of all we need to change our mentality; only then will it work; otherwise, no effort will be fruitful. Besides, it is seen that there are some kinds of jobs that are reserved for males in some sectors. Likewise, we should also reserve some jobs for females as to their capacity. Then it becomes equal in our social system. After all, to make it possible, we should take necessary action as mentioned, and it is equally necessary to change the people’s mindset.
Asik Ahmed
(asikelahi280@gmail.com)
Kumbh Mela, a celebration of faith
Every twelve years, the festival of Kumbh Mela carries the prefix “Maha,” which means great, as it is the largest gathering of the Kumbh Mela that’s held every three years in one of four cities—Prayagraj, Haridwar, Ujjain, and Nashik. Prayagraj is hosting the Maha Kumbh Mela this time. The Kumbh Mela draws upon Hindu mythology and the legend of demons and gods fighting over a pitcher containing the elixir of immortality.
Hindus believe that taking a dip in the sacred river will cleanse them of their sins, purify their soul, and liberate them from the cycle of birth and death, as the ultimate goal of Hinduism is salvation.
The Skanda Purana is widely cited to explain the origins of the Kumbh Mela.
The Kumbh Mela has played an important part in history by mobilising and uniting society.
The Kumbh Mela is included in UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and this underscores its global cultural significance.
The Kumbh Mela is a timeless Indian tradition, representing the cultural and spiritual unity of Hindus. Recognised as the largest religious gathering in the world, it serves as a sacred platform for devotees to immerse themselves in faith and devotion. Historically, the Kumbh Mela has been a significant stage for dharmik awakening and the preservation of dharma through spiritual gatherings and conferences. The Kumbh Mela is a time to bathe in the sacred rivers, which is believed to wash away sins and purify the soul. The holy dip, or “Shahi Snan,” is considered the most auspicious act of the festival. The Kumbh Mela attracts millions of people from all over the world, regardless of caste, creed, or gender.
Jubel D’Cruz,
(jubeldcruz@yahoo.com)
Waste from festivals
Through the column of your esteemed daily, I would like to bring forth my concerns regarding the plastic-waste aggregation in the Bramhaputra river as a result of the recent festivals and the ongoing carnival. While big events like these celebrate our culture and heritage, they also tend to leave behind a trail of environmental degradation. Dumping single-use plastic cutleries, water bottles, plates, decorations, etc., by the riverside accumulates a heap of non-biodegradable waste that eventually gets thrown into the water, which then floats down to the riverbed, endangering aquatic life and contaminating the water. Despite awareness campaigns, the improper disposal of waste still prevails. I urge the government and festival organisers to implement better regulations and management practices, and I also request the citizens to be mindful and make disciplined choices while enjoying these festivals.
Sanchari Pandit
Cotton University
Let better wisdom prevail
The truce and the anticipated ceasefire proposed in the Gaza Strip are welcome, though belated, moves. It is a wonder why such a serious effort was not taken much earlier by the stakeholders, which could have saved thousands of precious lives. Even now, doubts are there as to how far the new efforts are going to bring lasting peace to this ever-turbulent region. The warmongers should realise at least now that their avaricious and dictatorial manifestations never help them gain anything out of war, but only pain and misery not only to the people of the country under attack but also their own people, including their kith and kin, most of whom are really innocent.
Shalini Gerald
(shalini_gerald@yahoo.com)
Peace in Gaza
Just two days before the completion of his term, President Joe Biden has delivered pleasant news regarding the ceasefire in Gaza and that all hostages will be released, and it is one of the most significant developments of global importance in the first month of this year, and it will be implemented on the ground. This will ease tensions in one part of the world, and in this series, another pleasant news is expected from the Russia-Ukraine war after taking over charge of the USA by Trump.
Behind the scenes, the US, Qatar, and Egypt played a crucial role in mediating to end the 15-month war triggered by the act of terrorism by the Hamas militants, and they faced the consequences also, and how the common man received the news with a sigh of relief was clear from the jubilant scenes shown on television.
The way Israel went on the offensive in response to the October 7, 2023, attacks sent the message loud and clear to Hamas and its allies, and consequently, Israel’s offensive reduced large areas of Gaza into rubble, and 90 percent of the Gaza population is said to have been displaced. and moreover fear, hunger, and diseases prevail in the camps where these displaced people are packed in. It is due to such circumstances that Hamas has accepted the draft agreement, and it seems that Israel has got a commanding position as far as defining the ceasefire conditions is concerned. Israel decimated much of the military and political leadership of Hamas as well as Lebanese group Hezbollah and it is also well known that Israel dealt one of the heaviest blows to both the groups, irrespective of the international pressure. The act of Hamas and its allies to take several Israelis hostage has clearly backfired, and they have to suffer heavy loss in men and property.
Owing to the Israeli offensive, it became imperative for Hamas and its allies to keep the hostages alive so that they could be used to negotiate a deal for a ceasefire, but it proved their folly as they suffered very heavy losses. Elimination of top leadership of Hamas also means that it wishes to buy some time in the conflict to protect its second- and third-rung leadership and also to get back some of those caught by Israel during the offensive. As far as global repercussions are concerned, Israel was furious over the stand taken by the United Nations, which was against the offensive attitude adopted by Israel. In an unprecedented step, Israel declared the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres as ‘persona non grata ’. Thus, on one hand, Israel sent a tough message to not only Hamas and its allies but also to the world that it would not hold back if the situation so demanded.
The situation is such that Hamas will think a thousand times before resorting to a repeat of the 2023 attacks. But it’s not clear if its allies and the Houthi rebels in Yemen think along the same lines. The clarity, which demanded working on minute details, is clouded by the US’ internal political dynamics too. The outgoing administration under US President Joe Biden is trying to hasten the process of passage of the draft agreement on the Gaza ceasefire so that he gets credit for conflict resolution ahead of the inauguration of new President Donald Trump. This haste may leave behind some tricky areas. Also, the draft agreement is not clear on some other points. Who will ‘run’ Gaza will be the most important point. This will be the most complex issue to be handled soon after the ceasefire agreement. The emotive element and fundamental difference in political viewpoints between Israel and Palestine make it complex.
This point will also test the international community’s acumen in handling conflict resolution. For now, Israel has said ‘no’ to the involvement of Hamas or the Palestinian Authority in running Gaza. The world will watch keenly the emergence of an alternative in this regard. But, for now, the world awaits the passage of the draft agreement and subsequent effective on-ground implementation of the Gaza ceasefire.
Yash Pal Ralhan
(ralhan.yashpal@gmail.com)