Religious freedom in a secular state

History is witness to how different religions have influenced India over the years. The culture of this nation emphasises the embedding of religion into the lifestyle of its citizens from an early age. This is not restricted to a native religion like Hinduism but extends even to Islam, Christianity and Zoroastrianism.

Religion is a way of life; from the way we dress up to what we eat. It is hard for a person brought up in a typical Indian family to imagine life without religion.  It is so deeply rooted in our upbringing that it becomes an inseparable part of our identity.  In certain cases, our indoctrination of religion also extends to demeaning other religions and provoking hatred towards them. Religious tolerance is a term that comes to the rescue in such cases. But, more than ‘tolerating’ other religions secularism should be about being comfortable with them.

For any individual, religious freedom is of utmost importance.  It gives him a sense of identity and belonging. Tyrannical

Everything's fair in love and war?

enforcement or ban of religious activities is unjustified as it limits the individual’s fundamental right to pursue any religion. However, if certain religious practises tend to damage the social integrity or the security of a nation and its citizens, it is only logical to reconsider these practices. For example, the practice of Sati in Hinduism or the practice of polygamy in Islam can be considered to infringe on an individual’s right to life. While Sati was banned years ago, polygamy continues to exist.

To what extent can a secular state separate itself from religion, especially in a country like India where religion forms the social fabric of the state? Most political parties gain power by harnessing the might of religious attitudes.  They refrain from hurting the sentiments of their ‘vote banks’ by raising religious issues.  Interference with any religion, even on reasonable grounds like national security or personal freedom, can result in chaos.  Besides, if anyone criticises a certain religious practice or ritual, advocates of the ‘suppressed’ religions go about destroying public property and harming innocent people instead of initiating rational dialogue. Where does this leave us as a nation?

Religion like any other entity that exists within the framework of a society and state, should be subject to change with time. A religion that does not customise itself to the well-being of its followers is sure to decease. Scholars and educators of different religions should not shy away from constructive criticism of their religion. Healthy criticism provokes thought, encourages debate and helps us evolve. Change can be brought about not through enforcement by the state by someone who understands the religion.  Secularism denotes non-interference of state in any religious matter; the state and religion operate as separate power centres.  But wherever religion threatens humanity, the entry of the state as protector is completely justified.

Rising from the Ashes

Rescue Operation in Progress

The dramatic rescue operation at Camp Hope, Chile, came to a happy end. The 33 miners stuck in the San José mine finally ascended from their underground refuge on October 13, watched by rescuers, officials, media and most importantly their loved ones.

Camp Hope was relieved and electrified with emotions as the first miner Florencio Avalos (31) appeared in the rescue shaft Phoenix, painted in red, white and blue (colours of the Chilean flag). Avalos’ wife and his inconsolable seven-year-old son hugged him as soon he walked out of the shaft. He was then greeted by the Chilean President Sebastian Pinera, who was present at the site throughout the operation.

The 33 miners who were trapped in the mine since August 5 were finally rescued by a team of experts and supervisors from NASA. Phoenix, a capsule shaped rescue shaft, to carry one man at time and equipped with an oxygen tank, video links, lightning and hands-free phone was designed to release these miners from the underground mine. The operation was completed successfully after 44 hours of intense drama and without any glitches. The near tragic episode that lasted for almost 70 days ended on a happy note with Luis Urzúa, the last miner, reaching the surface.

For details on rescue operation: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11485392

Luis Urzua with Chile President Pinera

After spending a few minutes with their family the rescued miners were immediately taken to the hospital for check-ups. Several miners were found to have dental infections and eye problems due to dust and darkness.  One of the miners was diagnosed with pneumonia, though it was not very serious. Nonetheless, the doctors were astounded at the sound condition of the miners despite their ordeal.

Uruzua said, “The 70 days that we fought so hard were not in vain. We had strength, we had spirit. We wanted to fight, we wanted to fight for our families and that was the greatest thing.” The President told Urzua:

“You are not the same, and the country is not the same after this. You were an inspiration.”

Each miner had a story to tell. Each one had his own experiences. Each one emerged a hero. This is one episode that has certainly changed their lives forever.

Rescued miners with President Pinera

What next?

The miners are currently being bombarded by media from all over the world. Many film makers are in queue to buy the rights, to make a movie on the incident. Speaking to Al Jazeera, Stuart Higgins editor of a former UK tabloid, said:

“The media opportunities in terms of films, books, TV specials, will be absolutely unlimited.”

President Pinera has welcomed all the 33 miners in the parliament on October 25. He also reassured that mining at San José will be barred.

The flawless rescue operation that involved billions of dollars is undoubtedly a very good example of crisis management and the credit for this goes to the Chilean government and its people. However, all the celebrations and jubilations should not shift the focus from the main issue of negligence in adopting safety measures and issuing licenses to such mines. Chile which is a hub of mining projects now needs to earnestly concentrate on its mining policies and take into consideration the safety of miners.

Apart from celebrating this historic episode of bravery, governments of countries across the world need to draw lessons from it.  Only then will the tribulations of these miners be of consequence.

 

RELATED LINKS:

http://tinyurl.com/2fsgd69l

http://tinyurl.com/2dvvyet

http://tinyurl.com/2vxy2lx

Dakiya Daak laya

India celebrated National Postal Week from Oct 9 to Oct 15

Gone are the days when people would anxiously set their eyes on the neighbourhood galli (road) waiting for the postman to deliver letters from their loved ones. Not only did he deliver letters but also read it out to people when required. The postman today has been conveniently replaced by e-mails, cell phones, SMSes and social networking websites, thus ending the trend and culture of letter writing. However, writing and receiving letters is still a nostalgic experience. The postal service in India has a fascinating past and has crossed many paths to become what it is today.

Post Boxes

History of Postal Service in India

Records of services similar to post are recorded in ancient texts like Atharvaveda and Arthashastra. Chanakya’s Arthashastra mentions the messenger service which involved collecting information and revenue data from various provinces.

The first Department of Posts called Diwan-i-Barid were started in the reign of conqueror Muhammad bin Qasim in 712 A.D.

The Indian post service in the 14th century is described by the Islamic scholar and traveller Ibn Batuta to be of two types. One was important government documents carried on horse back and the other was carried by men on foot. Most of the emperor courts had special runners to carry necessary information from one place to another.

The Pigeon post is credited to Emperor Akbar. Pigeons were trained and housed in the royal palaces; they were used for urgent near by delivery of messages.

Between 1764 and 1766 East India Company established post offices in Bombay, Madras and Calcutta. The postal services were made available to the public in 1774; a fee of two annas was charged per 100 miles.

The Post Office Act XVII of 1837 was passed which provided free services to certain officials. This privilege became controversial and on the basis of this on October 1, 1837 the Indian Post Office was established.

Indian Stamps

Postages

The first stamp, a red adhesive wax stamp called Scinde Dawk, was used in 1852 in the Sindh province of India to signify prepayment of the services. (picture)However all India stamps were issued only in the year 1854. Most of these stamps were printed in Calcutta and had images of Queen Victoria on them. The stamps were issued after a careful study of the postal systems in Europe and America.

Scinde Dawk Stamp

In 1858 paper stamps with a watermarked image of an elephant head was used. In 1882 a complete new set of stamps was issued for the ‘Empire of India’.

In the 20^th century most of the stamps were designed to represent and reaffirm the British rule in India. The first pictorial stamps that appeared in 1931 had pictures of government structures and Purana Quila Delhi, to mark the British government’s move from Calcutta to Delhi. In 1937 a number of stamps were issued illustrating various forms of mail transports.

New stamps were issued in 1941 following the World War 2, using minimal ink and paper. The size of the stamps was later reduced considerably, for economic reasons.

First stamp Of Independant India

In Independent India the first stamp was issued on 21^st November, 1947 which depicted the Indian Flag and the Jai Hind slogan. On the first anniversary of independence a stamp was issued in memory of Mahatma Gandhi. Over the years many stamps were issued which depicted the cultural heritage of India.  1955 saw the theme of technology and development depicted in the stamps.  The inscription of ‘INDIA POSTAGE’ was replaced with “BHARAT INDIA” in 1962.

Till date stamps depict the current achievements of the country the latest one’s celebrating the Common Wealth Games. The growth and history of post, through the postal policies, stamps etc., in a certain sense reflect the development and politics of the nation.

The Indian Postal Service today has around 155,000 post offices, with around 89% of them in rural areas, making it the most widely distributed system in the world. As part of the celebration of National Postal Week, many programmes connected with business development, customer satisfaction, postal insurance, savings account and pension schemes were being organised. Many schools in Tamil Nadu had programs encouraging students to write and post letters.

Even today post is widely used by the government for transfer of official documents, sending official invites, parcels and for communication in areas where internet has not made its way yet. However, there might be a time in the future where post will be a thing of the past.

So, when did you last write a letter?

LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL

With a few hours left for the rescue operations of the estranged miners in the San José copper-gold mine in Chile, the world  is gearing up to witness history. If everything works as planned the rescue operations are scheduled to begin today and the 33 miners will be out in approximately the next four days.

BACKGROUND

33 miners have been trapped in the San José mines, 700 meters below the mine entrance since 5^th August, 2010, a little more than two months now. The mishap occurred due to the negligence of the mine owners, Empresa Minera San Esteban. Even the government had failed to take any action, considering the poor records of the mine.  Many accidents have occurred at this mine before.

During the casualty that occurred, one group of miners near the entrance of the mine managed to escape safely. While 33 other miners who were trapped tried to escape through a ventilation trap but failed. The miners have been confined to the bottom of these mines ever since.

Underground trapped minners

The miners were discovered about 17 days later, when they a stuck a note on one of the drilling shafts. The note read ‘The 33 of us are doing well in the shelter.’ Soon after which attempts were made to get in contact with the trapped miners. Cameras were sent in and arrangements were made to provide them with food and medication. Psychologists were also available throughout for consultation. With the help of neon lights conditions of day and night were created in the refuge area underground.

The note reads, 'The 33 of us are doing well in the shelter.'

Letters were exchanged and regular video conferencing was arranged between the family members and the miners. Many of the families of these miners have set up make-shift tents near the mining area, which is now called Camp Hope.

RESCUE OPERATIONS

Three drilling operations were carried out to rescue the miners; the first one started on August 30. The operations involved raise-bore systems in which a pilot hole is drilled before the shaft is widened for a rescue capsule. More than 20 private companies were involved in these three operations that worked simultaneously.

On Saturday, October 9, one of the shafts managed to reach the refuge area, giving a ray of hope to the miners, their families and everyone around the world.

Rescue Operation Plan

Events to follow

The attempts to rescue the trapped miners will begin at midnight on Tuesday (0300 GMT), Mining Minister Laurence Golborne has said.

A custom built steel capsule is built under the supervision of the advisors from NASA. The rescue shaft, Phoenix, has a 5 ½ inch diameter. The diet of the miners is controlled so that they can fit in the shaft, conviniently. Each capsule contains oxygen tanks, lighting, video link and hands-free phones.

On Wednesday, a mine expert and a medical expert will be sent underground through the capsule to help the miners escape one by one in the shaft. The journey from the bottom of the refuge to the ground is expected to take around 15 to 20 minutes. Rescuers are expecting to bring the men up at a rate of about one person an hour. The entire rescue operation is expected to last for around four days.

Sweaters will be provided to the miners to deal with the extreme change in temperatures. And those rescued during daylight will be provided with sunglasses. Once rescued, the miners will be flown to a hospital 15 minutes away after a quick on-site medical check-up.

If executed successfully, this will prove to be one of the most important and successful rescue operations in the history of mankind.

RELATED LINKS:

http://www.thehindu.com/news/international/article828740.ece

http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/10/11/weather-another-potential-obstacle-for-miners/

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