Telangana agitation

Internet has made this world very small. The connectivity with increased awareness of happenings in one place in the world is affecting people in other places. The fragrance of Jasmine revolution has given boost to the desperate people to fight and oust Egypt President Hosni Mubarak. The flame of democracy is producing heat in all autocratic Islamic nations.

The dictatorial governance in many nations is rising from its slumber and planning some measures to protect the less privileged and suppress any uprising as in Tunisia and Egypt. Some governments are adamantly and violently suppressing the anti-government revolution. Voice for democracy in dictatorial nations is receiving support from all over the world.

India is a democratic nation. In autocratic and dictatorial nations peoples struggle attracted attention from all over the world and the dictators could be thrown out within a short span. In a democratic nation, the largest democracy in the world, people in one region, Telangana are struggling for more than five decades to have self rule. Telangana, a princely state, under the rule of Nizam at the time of Indian Independence. After attaining independence in 1947, many princely states have joined Indian Union. Jammu and Kashmir merged with certain reservations and Dominion of Hyderabad merged in Indian union after military action by Sardar Vallabhai Patel, the Home Minister of India in the year 1948 on 17^th of September. During the course of formation of states in the Indian union, Telugu state – Andhra was formed in 1951 by separating from then Madras state now Tamilnadu. During the course of reorganization the states in Indian Union Andhra politicians influenced the central government and state of Andhra Pradesh formed by the merger of Andhra and Telangana. The merger was conditional, that these two can separate when Telangana people wanted it. The decision of separation was rested with Telanganites as they are in minority and merger was against the recommendations of the first State reorganization committee.

Since the formation of Andhra Pradesh, the Andhra politicians being majority in Assembly and also rich, worked for self development and neglected the development of Telangana. They have flouted every agreement that laid the foundation for AP formation. There was strong agitation against this discrimination and for formation of separate Telangana in 1969. The affluent Andhras in the government could successfully crush the agitation by bringing the military and killing almost 400 students. Lack of political will and disorganization, voice of Telangana could be suppressed by the ruling Andhra governance. But the suppression had gone to such extent that the word Telangana had become taboo in Assembly. The districts in Telangana region should simply be referred as backward region without bringing in the word Telangana. Telanganites who had to have 40% share in employment in the secretariat and various government organization has become just 10 -15% only.

Noting the discrimination and unrest in the Telanganites and the Telangana struggling being spear headed by intellectuals, Shri K. Chandrashekhar Rao, a shrewd politician, floated a political party, “Telangana Rashtra Samithi” in the year 2002. He along with various organizations fighting for Telangana cause is struggling to achieve statehood. KCR had undertaken fast unto death on November 29, 2009. Entire Telangana supported him. The unrest that was created by his critical condition has finally resulted in the pronouncement by the Home Minister of Indian Union that the process of Telangana state formation will be initiated on December 9, 2009. This decision was pronounced after an all party meeting convened by the chief minister of Andhra Pradesh. In that meeting except CPM all other parties have given a nod to formation of Telangana state. But, within a few hours of Home Ministers pronouncement, all the Andhra politicians irrespective of party affiliations have made U turn and created political crises decrying Home Minister’s pronouncement on statehood to Telangana. The politicians have damaged hundreds of crores of central government properties and created political chaos. Cowered by Andhra Politicians’ hooliganism the centre has back tracked on its commitment.

The entire situation made Telanganites anguished and more determined to fight unrelenting battle until Telangana state is formed. Telanganites are following various non violent methods of protests and demonstrations against the Andhra government. The government is trying to suppress it by violent police methods. In the name of law and order police is resorting to lathi charge, firing and attacking girl students in hostels in Osmania hostel in the darkness, preventing media to the place of action. The media, mostly Andhra media, ignores the peaceful struggle of people and violent methods of police. Very few channels report it only partially and those media are attacked and obstructed at place of action.

The struggle is continuing. At this juncture what happened in Tunisia and Egypt had given boost to Telanganites. Egypt people are fortunate that military has cooperated with them. In Libya, where antigovernment rebel is becoming bloody, world nations including India are ready to help the people. The unfortunate situation for Telanganites is this region is in a democratic nation under Andhra colonial rule. The police and paramilitary sent by the central government are against people and central government wallowing in the money bags and blackmail tactics of Andhra politicians is unable to see the aspiration and anguish of Telanganites. This is a democratic nation’s internal affair and states autocratic policy. But Telanganites are strong; they fight to achieve their goal.

Jai Telangana Jayaho Telangana.

Perfect Wish

I prayed God,
“Give me wealth”.
He gave me in abundance
But there are thieves
And I am scared.

I prayed God,
“Give me power”.
He made me king
Protecting subjects
Burdened me.

I prayed God,
“Give me strength”
He gave me sword
That brought me enemies
Peace ever evaded.

I know not ‘perfect wish’

I prayed God,
“Give me knowledge”
He blessed me,
“My name is thy knowledge
Let thyself be subdued in Myself”.

Necessity is..........

These are the Photographs I have seen in the Telugu daily – Vaartha. The tribals have found a way to cross the overflowing stream with help of polythene balloons. Though lot of funds is allocated, tribal areas lack basic facilities. As the government had failed to help them, they have found an innovative way of crossing the stream. After blowing air into polythene sacs and closing them tightly by tying, they are using them to cross the stream. It is definitely life risk. But in unavoidable circumstances they have to do this. This innovative dangerous unavoidable risk is being taken by tribals of Eturunagaram of Warangal district in Andhra Pradesh of India.

Nature

Blooming flower

On the plant

Blossoms fully

Beautiful for long

Severed early

Withers fast

Lost future

Mourns nature

Indian Squirrel

In January I have visited Agra. Agra is a place on the international tourist map. One of the world's wonderful monument Taj Mahal is in Agra. The other important tourist spot is Agra fort. This fort is of great importance in Mughal history in India. All the Mughal kings were coronated here. Shah Jahan who had built a beautiful monument Taj Mahal for his beloved wife Mumtaj Mahal was imprisoned by his son Auranzeb in this fort. Imprisoned Shah Jahan could have the view of Taj mahal from his prison. He died imprisoned in this fort.

There are beautiful gardens in this fort. The interesting thing I found here is squirrels running fearlessly in this courtyard and gardens.

Indian squirrels have three white lines on their back. There is a mythological story attached to the presence of these lines. Lord Rama had to cross the sea and enter Lanka to fight Ravana who had kidnapped his wife Sita Devi. During that war to cross the sea with his 'monkey army' they had to build a bridge across the sea. This was done by the army by bringing and putting huge rocks in the sea. This is called 'Rama Sethu'. This 'Rama Sethu' of rocks is believed to be present now which connects Srilanka and India and is submerged in waters. During that time when 'sethu' was being built a little squirrel want to do its bit of service to Lord Rama. So it had carried tiny pebbles aiding the army. Lord Rama had come to know of this squirrel and with affection he had stroked the back of the squirrel with his fingers leaving their marks which are carried through generations of squirrel. Based on this there is an adage in Telugu, "vudutha bhakti". This means however 'small' people might be what little they contribute for the cause will be recognised.

Prayer

I am confident that sincere prayers are always answered. If they are not answered may be that is not good for us. We, as kids ask our parents so many things. They always give us what we need and what is good for us but not everything. Similarly even Almighty gives us what we need and deserve and what is good for us. I do feel bad when certain things go wrong but reconcile thinking that in due course I will realize how it was good or at least not that bad for me.
I have the habit of visiting Bhadrakali temple in Warangal as and when possible or feel troubled by the situation I am in. I feel comfortable after a visit to this temple. Most of the time I pray for others, my family members or patients as if they are happy and healthy I will also be happy and peaceful. I do pray for myself when in trouble to get out of it. Most of the times I feel my burden of the problem is lessened.
For more than a year I was suffering from menstrual disturbance which I attributed to my age. Just a few days ago I felt that the problem is causing lot of disturbance and during that period I was somehow had to accompany my siblings who had come to my place to visit the temple. First time I simply wished in front of deity – Bhadrakali Devi, to get rid off my menstrual problem. Today is the 4th Thursday since I visited the temple and made a wish. I am very much grateful to ‘Devi Maa’ for helping me to get rid of the problem forever. Within a week of my visit to the temple my condition is diagnosed and I had undergone surgery successfully. Now I am up and about trying to take part in daily chores day after day in graded way.
Probably next month some day I will go to the temple and offer special worship.

Basic Response

Life is ever new. Every second unfolds new knowledge. We may or may not be aware of it. Sometimes the knowledge gained remains only in subconscious state only to come out or realized later. When anything happens, the instant response of individual is basic response of the being irrespective of the knowledge and position. The later response depends on the developed personality.
As a medical professional I am very confidant of never missing a diagnosis when it comes to patient. When it had come to apply the same knowledge I have failed. This is because I never thought myself to be a patient and examined in that perspective. I carried self examination but ignored the finding as I was healthy and carrying on my profession and other activities with great energy and enthusiasm. I never felt my age though I had few symptoms of menopausal age. Occasionally I would get my blood pressure checked as I had suffered from hypertension in my pregnancy. Once I was 50 and had disturbances in my menstrual cycles I attributed it to peri menopausal disturbance, though I thought to get a scan done to rule out anything abnormal in my uterus and ovaries. During this course I once palpated myself my abdomen and did feel hard above the pubic bone in lower abdomen but I attributed it to thickness of abdominal wall and failure to relax myself. When I think of it I really feel silly and ignorant.
Recently my menstrual cycle was very short once I had within 22days and immediately following I had it in 15days. This has put me on alert. Then on palpation of my abdomen I did feel the lump in my lower abdomen and even my husband (he is also a medical professional) palpated it. Like any other person would feel, we also did not want to accept immediately that I have lump. So I decided to undergo ultra sound scanning of my abdomen. Though in the core of my heart I felt that I am having uterine and/or ovarian tumor I thought probably scanning would reveal that I have only slightly enlarged uterus and everything else is normal. If that is the report I can have some medical treatment and get out off my menstrual problem, my wishful thinking. In a week I took an appointment from a sonologist and got scanned. It revealed that I had quite an enlarged uterus with multiple fibroids occupying my lower abdomen – pelvic region. Once said and shown and sonology report given, I had to accept. Accepting the report is accepting surgery. Though I am used to do surgeries, when it had come to me it was really difficult to accept the decision that moment. I had to suppress my tears by batting my eyelids.
As gynecologist I did gyne/obs surgeries. I would counsel the patients and prepare them to take up surgery when it was essential. Most of the time, whenever possible I would allow medical treatment and give patients various options available. Sometimes patients would themselves opt for surgery making things easier. Now it is the decision to be taken by me for me. Once diagnosed, I could clinically assess the extent of tumor for sure. Had it been for any patient I would have forthright said to undergo surgery earliest and explained the risks of waiting. Now I had to counsel myself. My husband in affirmative said to me what I would say to my patients. I know it is difficult to accept disease/tumor by any person. Now I understand how difficult it is when it happens personally.
Now that decision is taken I had undergone detailed pre-operative investigations. Everything turned out well. I was otherwise healthy and fit for surgery. I had good team of doctors who had carried on surgery on me. Though I opted to have spinal anaesthesia, anaethesiologist firmly advised general anaesthesia, which I think was a very experienced decision. Though I was under general anaesthesia, later I came to know that my blood pressure did rise to 210 and they have to take me into deeper plane. This raise in my BP is clear indication of my stress to undergo surgery. Had I had spinal it would have been a difficult situation.
Everything had gone out very well for me. The biopsy of the tumor revealed to be only benign in nature. Today is 13th day since my surgery. It is every body’s co-operation and Almighty’s grace that I am able to carry out my self very well.
This experience has taught me that to read and hear is being aware of things but to experience personally is different and it is true understanding of knowledge.