Newsmen learn to file reports in sync with changing times

By R Swaminathan

The sense and sensibility of mediapersons has undergone a sea change in recent days after the Delhi rape and its aftermath. Newsmen are now looking in every nook and corner for news relating to offences against women. Even courts are not spared; whether it is acquittal or conviction, anything and everything to do with sexual crime makes it to the press/ media. Not that the agencies have appointed special correspondents to report this sensitive branch of abnormal human behaviour or judicial activity.The reader, it is believed,  is keen to know what abnormal behaviour happened in which part of the country and what justice has to be meted out to the victim and without delay. The nose for (rape) news seems to have been sharpened also to bring to light offences which have been happening all these days but had gone unreported or unregistered in police chowkis. The harassment the victim/s face(s) in police stations and  from the khaki demons has always been there and will continue to be there, and the move to appoint set up more all-women police stations or increase their strength in a station to at least 33 per cent is a welcome move.

Obviously, the awareness has increased among both the victims and the law enforcing authorities to this species of crime and there is a growing feeling that the offenders have to be brought to book and women can't take it lying low any longer.

The reporters have not been appointed with a specific jurisdiction to cover this variety of news but have suddenly developed a strong preference to enquire with the authorities during their routine calls at night to file their last beat reports of the day. The details shared in such moments are churned into elaborate stories in newspapers the next morning. It is a pity that the quota of crime news in the newspapers is increasing day by day, whether it is murder, elopement, kidnap or chain snatching or even infidelity and crime over flirtatious behaviour. Experts join politicians and party leaders in expressing their opinions on every possible issue relating to devious behaviour, some vehemently state that it is all due to the provocative western attire while a few others say that adherence to our ancient moral education and values can do wonders. Yoga is doled out as the easy solution even as it is told that the weaker sex should definitley learn martial arts or self-defence techniques. The working women are advised to carry small useful tools of assault or pepper spray or a torchlight, besides calling or texting their favourite mobile friends/ family members every now and then on their whereabouts. Some want the juvenile delinquency redefined but no one can deny the fact the boys are becoming mentally maturer at an earlier age than in the past due to various socio-cultural phenomena and exposure to the entertainment media.

There is a craving, mild or strong, to experiment with among either sex and this is fanned by the entertainment industry which is preparing recipes of all sorts thanks to the western influence. While violence has become a big worry for Uncle Sam, sexual assault has become a great challenge for our police babus and netas. 

At election time, we see newsmen tuning themselves to stories of alliances, party manifestos, poll promises and poll time freebies. Pre-poll predictions and post-poll analyses show a clear pattern and scheme as it were.

At war time, we find incidents on the battle front move in a plethora and during the Emergency reports of compliance, obedience, discipline multiply in astronomical proportion. A similar fine tuning is happening now in this profession and there is a surfeit of news relating to sexual offences, and their dedication to duty must be channelised to raise awareness in society and prevent future crime. If that is achieved, the reorientation is in order and their credibility will be above board.Thus there is no mystery behind the sudden rise in the recording of this crime, and no debate in any forum is going to settle issues _ on causes and effects _convincingly and conclusively.

P,S: The rape law is being amended soon to make a provision that consent cannot be presumed in a matrimonial relationship between the complainant and the accused. Thus Marital rape becomes punishable. Previously an age limit of 15 was there and a marriage could not be taken as a licence to rape. Now husbands need the consent of the women for consummating their marriage. An argument quoting the moribund law of Restitution of conjugal rights cannot get them anywhere because a decree means nothing under that law. The court can only pave the way for judicial separation and divorce, or exhorting the couple to live together. Ultimately it is the success of the spouses that matters to bring them on even keel. Now the law will make the husband absolutely obedient and shorn of violent behaviour in the bed room.

Mecheri V Venkataraman attains Devi's Padam

Shiva Shiva Shiva

We are very sad to hear about the shedding of the mortal coils by Br Shri M V Venkataraman, son of Mecheri Shri Vedapuri Iyer. WE had been blessed by him at the July Satabhishekam in Chennai and we are shocked to know about the sudden setback to his health.
A great scholar deeply involved in current affairs as well as highly sophisticated scriptural texts, a shrewd accounts officer, a strict parent, a stickler for discipline, straightforward always, independent in all ways and remembering to write back to all those who addressed him in writing even in the evening of life, keen to answer back phone calls any time even in the sunset of life a little hard of hearing, a real Srividya Upasaka who could thanks to Ambal's Arul take part in the Deeksha of his son just ahead of the Satabhishekam, a noble soul that completed four score years of purposeful human Being caring for all those in need of help, an asthika who completely associated himself with places of worship near his dwelling place, Ramani Athimber ( to me and our family members) endeared us all by his principles, policies, character and conduct at all times.
We are indebted to him always for the great affection he showed towards us and the great interest he showed in our growth and well-being. He will continue to bless everybody from his eternal abode in Sri Lalitha Parameswari's Sripuram, I strongly believe.

The special attribute of Srividya Upasana has been described in Tantras like Vamakeshwara to be: bhogashcha mokshashcha karasthitaiva – Srividya grants both Bhoga and Moksha to her Upasaka. Bhagavan is re-affirming the same in this verse. One who worships Sridevi in Srichakra in the said manner – every Friday – from the day of his
Diksha till his death (yAvajjIvitam) – will attain all luxuries like health, wealth, prosperity, fame (keerthi) along with his near and dear ones and after losing his mortal body, attains the sAyujya of Sri Lalitambika.

Shastras describe four kinds of Mukti or liberation:

1. sAlokya - living in the loka or abode of Amba, which is Srinagaram
2. sAmIpya - living in the proximity of Sridevi in Manidwipam
3. sArupya - living with a form identical with Sri Lalita
4. sAyujya – merging totally into Sridevi and becoming HER

The four are progressive and one's final goal is sAyujya, which is impersonal liberation and true Moksha, when there is true abheda between upAsya and Upasaka. A worshipper of Saguna Brahman like Sri
Lalita, after death, takes the path of Devayana to travel to Srinagara and attains Salokya Mukti. Gradually, he is blessed with the knowledge of Nirguna Brahman and finally attains sAyujya.

Follower of other paths qualify for one of the three (other than sAyujya), but a Srividyopasaka is blessed gradually with the four types of Mukti.
However, for a person who, through his upAsana, has attained Chitta Shuddhi and then the perfect knowledge of the Brahman through the anusandhAna of Upanishad vAkya, there is no devayana or the first three types of Moksha as he is already established in unity with Sridevi as Nirguna Brahman, and is hence a Jivanmukta – liberated even while living – waiting simply for the dissolution of the body. Such a person, whose goal is simply Moksha, has nothing to do with other desires or Bhoga.

Bhava Shankara deshika me sharaNam

-----------------------------------------------
On 1/21/13, Sailesh Venkatraman <mvvsadaabhisekham2012@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
> Mecheri Vedapuri Venkatarama Iyer attained the Lotus Feet of Divine Mother
> in Sripuram at 6:45 pm on 18th January 2013. Dasastu will take place at
> 164. Rasta Peth, Pune 411 011 residence on 27th January 2013. In grief
> VENKATARAMAN FAMILY MEMBERS

Sexual offence can take forms and go unpunished

By R Swaminathan

The brutish Delhi rape and several incidents of sexual assault of women from distant and different parts of the country which have followed it almost every day have stirred a debate on amending the existing laws to impose severe punishment as early as possible on those behaving like beasts. The clamour for death penalty has been seen even among leaders in power and finally the courts will have the discretion to impose that depending on the severity of the offence. But it is doubtful if enough thought has been given to yet another problem of sexual assault and exploitation, of course, with the consent of the woman concerned. The 19^th century habit of men keeping women as second or nth number of wife is still continuing in many places, including big cities and towns.

Women are virtually taken for a ride by these men who wield enormous power, position or pelf and the woman's body and soul is violated with impunity. There is a thin line between rape and such sexual crime in most cases. The element of coercion or consent is difficult to measure in many cases. The extra-marital affairs are still very common and even courts have given the children born out of wedlock a share in property in recent judgments as if it is inescapable.

The arrangement of the “second family”, or “chinna veedu” as it is called in Tamil, seems to be working well for many and also has social recognition these days. There is no stigma or hesitation in the practice of bigamy or polygamy as long as economics is in favour of the man in action. This external cohabitation was resented by children years ago as they were laughed at by peers. But that kind of moral disapprobation has disappeared or is disappearing.

Passive acceptance of the fling due to the persuasive skills of the stronger sex is no mark of consent or approval. Women are won over by these powerful men by gifting jewels or property in liberal doses and the women are quietly subjugated without any feeble protest. Those who wriggle out after having a physical relationship mostly get away with a cheating (420) case but if the cohabitation has resulted in a pregnancy, what has happened is not just cheating but more than that and calls for severe punishment and damages in the eye of law. Only a powerful amendment will ensure justice to the dumped woman.

We have come to a stage in foreign countries when leaders are forced to face the courts for outraging the modesty of hotel servants or one-night stands or organising hunga bunga parties or paid intimacy with minor girls. From the entertainment industry we get to hear stories casting couch and from the media, tales of writing or shooting couch, all pointing to sexploitation of women who have a fancy for quick money and big money. Women who come from a rural background are easily exploited or driven to the world's oldest profession from which they cannot redeem themselves for generations.

No one can convincingly argue that monogamy is the one and only form of marriage suitable for men and women also from the point of view of health and future of children. Such contentions will be easily refuted. Even government service rules may mention that bigamy is not allowed but punishment is seldom given. But experts will agree that children born out of wedlock develop criminal propensities easily and become more demanding and aggressive in their later lives.

Apart from bigamy, there are sexual offences against women committed by men who promise to marry or marry many a times offering the moon to the beloved. Some multiple marriages happen without the knowledge of the woman concerned and she rushes to the police station in tears sometimes only after she comes to know about the much married man. Such morally depraved men should face punitive action when the laws are amended. Otherwise, women will be at the receiving end (pun intended). The innocent adolescent years and the amorous scenes in the entertainment media and even in real life in the neighbourhood embolden the weaker sex to experiment a loose relationship. They discover they are in deep trouble only very late and the situation becomes irretrievable at times.

No amount of compensation from the cheating man will seem enough, and will not ensure a smooth and happy life for the woman. A separate category of offenders are there thanks to the advancement of technology like hidden cameras and mobile phones. They click secret pictures of consenting women in relationship (when they are conscious or are deliberately sedated) and later blackmail them into sexual favours or try to mulct money. Even these friends have to cool their heels in prison for sufficiently long time. The list of possible sexual offences and violation of the woman's body cannot be complete and the spirit is more important to ensure that everyone is treated like a human being reasonably and rationally enough.