I find it fascinating to read the local news sections of the papers in places I am visiting. The articles often portray the values and challenges of the people at that moment in time. I chose just a couple of articles to share with you from Mumbai to demonstrate some of these value issues, which I hope will provide you an insight into the complexity of modern Southern Asia life and politics.
Rcent Mumbai Newspaper Articles:
Nov. 19th Hindustani Times article by Mugdha Variyar “New marriage bill unfair to men’
(The Marriage Laws (Amendment) Bill will amend the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 and the Special Marriage Act, 1954, and could give the wife a share in her husband’s property if the marriage has broken down irretrievably following a separation of at least three years.
The demands of men’s rights activists include that both parties – the husband and the wife – must be allowed to oppose the divorce petition (the bill gives this right only to the wife on the grounds of financial hardships)
They also want the bill to contain the concept of shared parenting of the child between the mother and father after the divorce.)
“The bill is completely anti-men. It will also affect the women members of the husband’s family, as it will give the wife 50% share in his property even after divorce,” said activist Amit Deshpande, president of Save Indian Family Foundation.
Nov. 20th
14 yr. old kills self after harassment by boy. HT Correspondent
“A 14 year old girl fro Kandivli committed suicide on Tuesday, after being allegedly stalked and harassed by a boy in her neighborhood. The police are investigating reports about the boy posting derogatory remarks on the girl’s social networking site…..A few days ago, the girl’s father had apparently tried to lodge a complaint against the boy for harassing his daughter. “Simran Panesar’s father told us that a 16 year old boy from the neighborhood used to harass his daughter. He used to try to talk to her on the street.,’ said Hareswar Pimple, senior inspector, Kandivli police station. Panesar was found hanging from the ceiling fan of her bedroom. She was taken to hospital, but doctors pronounced her dead. The police will also inspect Panesar’s bedroom to see if she left any suicide note.
Edu dept orders Airoli school to take back 100 expelled students HT Correspondent
“A day after VPM International School, Airoli, denied entry to 100 students fir bib-payment if fees, the state education department on Tuesday ordered that they be allowed to attend classes….
Stating that the school cannot deprive students of education, NB Chavan, deputy director of education, Mumbai division, met the school management in the afternoon. “the cannot punish the students because the parents have not paid the fees.” …
Justifying the school’s decision, principal Sandha Sondur, said the commission had also directed the parents to pay the prescribed fee. “We waited on-and-a-half years for them to pay the fees. We even allowed Class 9 students to attend extra classes during vacation. But we cannot wait anymore,” she said.
Angela Merkel to get Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace “for her exemplary leadership in Europe and the world during the financial crisis and her stewardship of the economic growth in Germany.” Merkel,…, has been a strong supporter of close relations with India….”
Nepalis vote to end gridlock amid threats: Mixed day – Country records more than 70% turnout; several injured in inter-party classes and a bomb explosion.
Over 70% of 12.1 million electorate in Nepal cast their votes on Tuesday to choose the country’s next assembly that is expected to draft a new constitution to end years of turmoil and political uncertainty.
….”Despite incidents of violence that claimed one life and injured dozens leading up to the polls, polling was by and large peaceful across the country.
Three children were injured when a crude toy-shaped bomb exploded in Kathmandu. There were also few reports of booth capture and violence.
A total of 191,000 security personnel, including 62,000 from Nepal Army, were deployed at over 18,000 booths.
…. Over 16,000 candidates are in fray for the 240 directly-elected seats and 335 under proportional representation in the 601 member constituent assembly which has 26 nominated members as well.
Counting of votes will be over by November 26 for directly elected seats and by December 6 for seats under proportional representation.
Pak court imposes restriction on Indian Movies.
A Pakistani court on Tuesday imposed restrictions on the screeing of Indian films across the country and laid down certain conditions for their release.
Justice Khalid Mahmood of the Lahore High Court issued the interim order in response to a petition filed by controversial TV talk show host Mubshir Lucman, a former film producer known for his anti-India stance.
Lucman claimed that under Pakistani rules, Indian movies that are shot completely in India and are sponsored by an Indian cannot be screened in the country.
…The court’s order cam days after Pakistan’s electronic media regulator slapped fines worth RS 10 million on 10 entertainment channels for airing excessive Indian and foreign content, including films and serials.
Indian movies have largely fuelled a boom in the Pakistani box office after former military ruler Pervez Misjarraf eased restrictions on their import in 2006.
