The Hindu : New Delhi News : Inside delhi

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Oct 02, 2007
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New Delhi

New Delhi

Inside delhi

No takers

It is officially in circulation, but from beggars to bus conductors to shopkeepers, it finds no takers. Handing out a 50-paise coin comes with a caveat. The minute it changes hands, it is returned, complete with instructions not to repeat the grave error of doling it out again.

A recent scarcity of one-rupee and two-rupee coins in the city has left shopkeepers worried. Not able to procure enough change from the banks, some of the bigger stores have put up notices asking customers to hand over the exact change or accept the “deprecated small coin”. A notice in a popular eatery in Connaught Place read: “Since there has been a shortage of Re. 1 and Rs. 2 coins, we request customers to tender exact change otherwise they will have to accept 50 paise coins.”

Talk of depreciation!

Smriti Kak Ramachandran

Treat for gig-addicts

Long ignored by international musicians of repute in favour of Bangalore and Mumbai, rock music enthusiasts in Delhi can now brace themselves for an assault on their eardrums with Brazilian thrash-metal band Sepultura descending on the city later this month.

While this may come as a welcome surprise to dread-locked air-guitarists in several colleges across the city, a little introspection goes a long way in unravelling why prominent musicians usually shy away from performing here.

The unspoken but generally acknowledged reason why bands give Delhi a miss is the dearth of awareness and appreciation for international musicians (read non-Boy Bands) among the Capital’s residents. A handful of fraternity-rockers and a smattering of students from the North-east apart, music here is compulsorily associated with Bollywood films or with mainstream “popular” music -- something that is easy to understand, easier to hum and easiest to shake a leg to.

Another reason why Delhi manages to evade the international gig itinerary is the aggressive, rude image of Delhiites harboured by event managers. A few months ago the crowd did itself no favours at a show by the popular band Blue’s crooner Simon Webbe. After being repeatedly pelted with fluorescent bands that the organisers had “thoughtfully” handed out to the crowd, a disgusted Webbe stormed off the stage.

But things they are a-changing. Metal freaks aside, Rhythm & Blues aficionados can also get their dancing shoes in order with the multi-generic Akon hip-hopping his way to the NSIC ground at Okhla Industrial Estate on October 6. Apparently Delhi was chosen as the venue after it registered one of the largest sales of Akon’s latest album.

However, whether this novel turn of affairs bodes well for gig-addicts in the Capital remains to be seen.

Kunal Diwan

State’s obligation

A child needs to be the centre of development and not the product of development was the underlying message at a meeting of non-government organisations in the Capital this past week.

Speaking on the occasion, Indian Alliance for Child Rights co-convener Razia Ismail observed that goods sold at cheaper rates as a result of engaging child labour amounts to justice being denied. “It is not for NGOs to provide for children but it is the State’s obligation.”

On behalf of all NGO representatives present at the meeting, Ms. Ismail spoke of the need for constitution of a People’s Commission and said there was an urgent need for awakening the “national consciousness”, a mass movement to address the issue of child labour.

She questioned the tracking mechanism to ask what happened to all the children rescued from different rescue operations.

Stating that as a child he too helped in the family business, T.K. Mathew, Secretary and Chief Executive of Deepalaya, said he was never denied his rights.

“It is only when the rights of a child are denied, it becomes an issue of concern for all of us.”

Hosted by Deepalaya in support with Winrock International, the meeting saw the participation of more than 40 Delhi-based NGOs.

Madhur Tankha

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