Dec 30, 2008
Dec 20, 2008
CAT calling: 59,000 to take test from NCR
Manash Pratim Gohain I TNN
New Delhi: Come November 16, and the common admission test (CAT) will see a new high with around 2.7 lakh aspirants taking one of the ‘globally-acclaimed toughest entrance-test’. In the NCR alone, over 50,000 students will be appearing for the test to get into one of their favourite B-schools.
According to CAT committee sources, there has been a 23 percent increase in the total number of applications filled this year. However, the number will come down substantially after the screening of applications. Satish Deodhar, a faculty member at IIM, Ahmedabad, and member, CAT committee, said: “We have received over 2.9 lakh applications, of which over 2.7 lakh would be receiving the admit cards for the exams, which will be around 70,000 more then that of last year.”
Delhi region, which falls under IIM Lucknow, is handling 59,000. According to IIM Lucknow sources, the NCR region would be having 55 to 60 centres. IIM Ahmedabad is handling over 51,000 applicants, while its Bangalore counterpart is handling over 60,000 applicants and IIM Kolkata would be taking care of over 50,000. Apart from the Indian Institute of Managements (IIMs), this year 118 other B-schools would accept CAT score for admission for the academic session of 2009-2010. NCR tops the list with 34 B-schools.
CAT, an examination known to throw up surprises every year, would be a two-andhalf-hour exam. For the last two years, it tested aspirants with 75 questions, divided into three sections. And most coaching classes are not taking any chances of predicting the unpredictable. IIM-Kolkata alumnus, Deekshant, director of MBA Guru said: “In all probability, the pattern would remain the same — with three sections and around 75 questions. Not too much of variations in numbers, but yes we can see variations in the toughness of the questions. Last year, the English section was tough. So we might see a relatively easy English section.”
However, Parvesh Bansal from Tata Consultancy Services and an aspirant this year disagrees. He said: “English is still going to be the toughest this year as well as CAT is trying to get into the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) mode and get online. In online tests, they can’t really make the quantitative section tough.”
With the paper setters in the past have repeatedly said that the aim of the exam is to search for genuine talent and, therefore, the surprise element, Ulhas Vairagkar, director, TIME, Delhi, said: “Our advice remains unchanged. Don’t go with a fixed mindset, whether in terms of number of question or structure of questions. Also doing well in CAT has nothing to with the number of questions.”
Coaching institutes are now gearing up students mentally for the defining moment. And they are taking different approach in doing so. “This year, we have conducted a large number of revision workshops. Based on our past experience, we have found that now more and more students start preparing early and may lose focus. So they need a lot of revision. Unlike in the past, almost 50 per cent of aspirants come to us with prior preparations,” said Vairagkar.
With just over 10 days left, students are being prepared to face the exams on a positive note. “One should go for the exams with lot of positive attitude and, therefore, we are holding motivational sessions like screening of films like Pursuit of Happyness to remove the fear of failure,” said Deekshant.
And most students are taking mock CATs. Ankit B Jethani, a final-year student of BBE from DU said: “With just a few days left, we (friends) are taking our mock CATs. Mocks are tougher than the original CAT, so it gives us a lot of confidence. Of the 75 questions, if we can attempt at least 10 in each section, that would be the key.”
manash.gohain@timesgroup.com
New Delhi: Come November 16, and the common admission test (CAT) will see a new high with around 2.7 lakh aspirants taking one of the ‘globally-acclaimed toughest entrance-test’. In the NCR alone, over 50,000 students will be appearing for the test to get into one of their favourite B-schools.
According to CAT committee sources, there has been a 23 percent increase in the total number of applications filled this year. However, the number will come down substantially after the screening of applications. Satish Deodhar, a faculty member at IIM, Ahmedabad, and member, CAT committee, said: “We have received over 2.9 lakh applications, of which over 2.7 lakh would be receiving the admit cards for the exams, which will be around 70,000 more then that of last year.”
Delhi region, which falls under IIM Lucknow, is handling 59,000. According to IIM Lucknow sources, the NCR region would be having 55 to 60 centres. IIM Ahmedabad is handling over 51,000 applicants, while its Bangalore counterpart is handling over 60,000 applicants and IIM Kolkata would be taking care of over 50,000. Apart from the Indian Institute of Managements (IIMs), this year 118 other B-schools would accept CAT score for admission for the academic session of 2009-2010. NCR tops the list with 34 B-schools.
CAT, an examination known to throw up surprises every year, would be a two-andhalf-hour exam. For the last two years, it tested aspirants with 75 questions, divided into three sections. And most coaching classes are not taking any chances of predicting the unpredictable. IIM-Kolkata alumnus, Deekshant, director of MBA Guru said: “In all probability, the pattern would remain the same — with three sections and around 75 questions. Not too much of variations in numbers, but yes we can see variations in the toughness of the questions. Last year, the English section was tough. So we might see a relatively easy English section.”
However, Parvesh Bansal from Tata Consultancy Services and an aspirant this year disagrees. He said: “English is still going to be the toughest this year as well as CAT is trying to get into the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) mode and get online. In online tests, they can’t really make the quantitative section tough.”
With the paper setters in the past have repeatedly said that the aim of the exam is to search for genuine talent and, therefore, the surprise element, Ulhas Vairagkar, director, TIME, Delhi, said: “Our advice remains unchanged. Don’t go with a fixed mindset, whether in terms of number of question or structure of questions. Also doing well in CAT has nothing to with the number of questions.”
Coaching institutes are now gearing up students mentally for the defining moment. And they are taking different approach in doing so. “This year, we have conducted a large number of revision workshops. Based on our past experience, we have found that now more and more students start preparing early and may lose focus. So they need a lot of revision. Unlike in the past, almost 50 per cent of aspirants come to us with prior preparations,” said Vairagkar.
With just over 10 days left, students are being prepared to face the exams on a positive note. “One should go for the exams with lot of positive attitude and, therefore, we are holding motivational sessions like screening of films like Pursuit of Happyness to remove the fear of failure,” said Deekshant.
And most students are taking mock CATs. Ankit B Jethani, a final-year student of BBE from DU said: “With just a few days left, we (friends) are taking our mock CATs. Mocks are tougher than the original CAT, so it gives us a lot of confidence. Of the 75 questions, if we can attempt at least 10 in each section, that would be the key.”
manash.gohain@timesgroup.com
CAT: Expect the unexpected, Variations Are Random With One Section Tougher Than Others; For Times of India
Manash Pratim Gohain I TNN
New Delhi: Unpredictability is the only prediction for the Common Admission Test (CAT) as over 2.76 lakh students are all set to sweat it out on November 16 to get a place in the top B-schools of the country. There will be over 54,000 female candidates taking the test this year. Over 118 Bschools would accept CAT scores this year. And no one is hazarding a guess as to what surprise is in store in this edition of CAT.
However, before the trends, here is what CAT-2008 looks like in numbers in comparison to 2007. In comparison to 2.3 lakh applicants in 2007, 2.85 lakh applicants have been accepted this year. According to Satish Deodhar, member CAT committee, “Close to 3 lakh forms were sold for 2008. While 2 lakh wrote the test last year, it would be 76,000 more this year.”
The exam, scheduled to start at 10.30 am, would have three sections and would be of two-andhalf-hour duration. According to sources from IIM Bangalore, CAT would be conducted from IIM Bangalore this year. On condition of anonymity, a faculty of IIM Kolkata, said: “The trend has been a special surprise after a threeyear interval. Going by that trend in 2006 and 2007, the number of questions remained 75 and English remained comparatively the toughest section and so we can expect a new variation this year.”
However, neither faculty members nor aspirants are going with a fixed mindset as CAT is known to turn all strategies upside down. Deekshant of MBA Guru said: “It would be foolish to predict anything. Variations have been random and the only consistency we have seen is that in last five years the test has been tough and getting tougher as the number of questions are coming down. Earlier, it was speed based, now it is more of testing your managerial skills, rather than your knowledge.”
In last five years (2002 to 2007), the variations have been random with one section being the toughest, much more so than others. In 2002 and 2003, the English section has been the easiest. From 2003 to 2005, data analysis was comparatively the toughest, while in 2006 and 2007, English became the nightmare.
Then there were variations in the number of questions, with the only consistency being that since 2002 it has seen a gradual decline in the number of question asked. In 2002, the paper had 150 questions. In 2003 and 2004 there were 123 questions, which came down to 90 in 2005. In 2006 and 2007 there were only 75 questions, which is fairly similar to what GMAT adheres to, giving rise to speculations about CAT going the GMAT way.
While the number of question remained the same in 2003 and 2004 and so also the toughness of the section on data analysis, CAT sprang a surprise by bifurcating the paper into sections A and B. Section A contained questions worth half and one mark each, while section B had question worth two marks each. Does that leave much option to guess as to what it would be like this time? Rajiv Kumar, an aspirant said: “Why hazard a guess? CAT is not for guess work. And that’s where the fun of the game is.”
Agrees Asha Kaul, professor, IIM Ahmedabad, “I don’t want to comment on what CAT would be like. Yes, it has been the toughest challenge for those aspiring to pursue MBA from the best institutes in India and I feel it would maintain that status. And except for those setting the paper, no one has actually been able to anticipate what surprise CAT will throw up. Only those with the right attitude can crack this exam.”
Ulhas Vairagkar, director, TIME, Delhi, said: “Don’t worry about the surprise element. Just do your best. Even if one attempts 40 to 45 questions and even if seven to 10 of those are incorrect, even then there is a huge probability of getting a good percentile and a call from a good B-school.”
manash.gohain@timesgroup.com
New Delhi: Unpredictability is the only prediction for the Common Admission Test (CAT) as over 2.76 lakh students are all set to sweat it out on November 16 to get a place in the top B-schools of the country. There will be over 54,000 female candidates taking the test this year. Over 118 Bschools would accept CAT scores this year. And no one is hazarding a guess as to what surprise is in store in this edition of CAT.
However, before the trends, here is what CAT-2008 looks like in numbers in comparison to 2007. In comparison to 2.3 lakh applicants in 2007, 2.85 lakh applicants have been accepted this year. According to Satish Deodhar, member CAT committee, “Close to 3 lakh forms were sold for 2008. While 2 lakh wrote the test last year, it would be 76,000 more this year.”
The exam, scheduled to start at 10.30 am, would have three sections and would be of two-andhalf-hour duration. According to sources from IIM Bangalore, CAT would be conducted from IIM Bangalore this year. On condition of anonymity, a faculty of IIM Kolkata, said: “The trend has been a special surprise after a threeyear interval. Going by that trend in 2006 and 2007, the number of questions remained 75 and English remained comparatively the toughest section and so we can expect a new variation this year.”
However, neither faculty members nor aspirants are going with a fixed mindset as CAT is known to turn all strategies upside down. Deekshant of MBA Guru said: “It would be foolish to predict anything. Variations have been random and the only consistency we have seen is that in last five years the test has been tough and getting tougher as the number of questions are coming down. Earlier, it was speed based, now it is more of testing your managerial skills, rather than your knowledge.”
In last five years (2002 to 2007), the variations have been random with one section being the toughest, much more so than others. In 2002 and 2003, the English section has been the easiest. From 2003 to 2005, data analysis was comparatively the toughest, while in 2006 and 2007, English became the nightmare.
Then there were variations in the number of questions, with the only consistency being that since 2002 it has seen a gradual decline in the number of question asked. In 2002, the paper had 150 questions. In 2003 and 2004 there were 123 questions, which came down to 90 in 2005. In 2006 and 2007 there were only 75 questions, which is fairly similar to what GMAT adheres to, giving rise to speculations about CAT going the GMAT way.
While the number of question remained the same in 2003 and 2004 and so also the toughness of the section on data analysis, CAT sprang a surprise by bifurcating the paper into sections A and B. Section A contained questions worth half and one mark each, while section B had question worth two marks each. Does that leave much option to guess as to what it would be like this time? Rajiv Kumar, an aspirant said: “Why hazard a guess? CAT is not for guess work. And that’s where the fun of the game is.”
Agrees Asha Kaul, professor, IIM Ahmedabad, “I don’t want to comment on what CAT would be like. Yes, it has been the toughest challenge for those aspiring to pursue MBA from the best institutes in India and I feel it would maintain that status. And except for those setting the paper, no one has actually been able to anticipate what surprise CAT will throw up. Only those with the right attitude can crack this exam.”
Ulhas Vairagkar, director, TIME, Delhi, said: “Don’t worry about the surprise element. Just do your best. Even if one attempts 40 to 45 questions and even if seven to 10 of those are incorrect, even then there is a huge probability of getting a good percentile and a call from a good B-school.”
manash.gohain@timesgroup.com
Dec 19, 2008
Oct 30, 2008
Oct 23, 2008
Oct 21, 2008
Oct 18, 2008
LOST IN MAN'S WORLD
Water started overflowing the washbasin. Ruma felt a piercing chill run through her bare flesh as the water meandered down to her. In a state of semi consciousness she realized that she was alive. She turned her head towards the washbasin. As the water kissed her cheeks she could see the steadily accumulating puddle of water sharing the red colour which her sari, otherwise snow white, acquired, maybe an hour or two back. She tried to sit up, but failed. An aching body, collapsing strength and an unbearably killing pain between her legs was making a mockery of her effort. She closed her eyes trying to recollect. In the solitude of her artificial darkness she saw a cyclone walked over her that shredded her life with a razor sharp accuracy. She was raped.
“So where did he first hold you and tell me in details what happened? asked the officer on duty of the Ratan Nagar police station. This was the first time Ruma was in a police station and that too to lodge an FIR and the very first feeling she had of being disrobed. In the next half an hour she lost count of the number of times she was repeatedly disrobed. As she left the police station a feeling of nakedness followed her as if everyone was staring at her with an X-ray eyes.
It was late in the afternoon. The sun was planting its last rays on her garden. Ruma was sitting on her rocking chair in her balcony, veiled by the elongating shadows of the old 'money plant' leaves. What should she be doing? Cry? Even tears had dried up. Should she kill herself? As she was contemplating, a helpless emptiness gripped her. A vehicle drawing up in front of Shankar Yadav's bungalow broke her trance. Till then she was unaware of the soft drizzle she loved so much till the other day. It was a police van. About fifteen minutes later she saw the policemen returning to the van with Santanu with them.
“Everything would be fine,” she said to herself as she eased herself in to the sofa straining her eyes towards the wooden gate some 50 metres away from the window. She was expecting her husband, Nishant, Who was rushing back to her side, cutting short his much important official tour.
A year later Santanu was acquitted. In between his father, Shankar Yadav won the assembly elections. She got the news from her lawyer. The judgment advised Ruma to take psychiatric help. With her eyes opening its floodgates, she reached Nishant's office. Munching the last bite of a burger he was busy dropping sugar cubes into the secretary's coffee mug. As she dropped in the secretary left. Lowering herself into a chair she looked at Nishant for a few seconds and said, “We lost the case”. “I know,” he coldly replied as he browsed through a file. She felt as if her heart skipped a beat or two. Placing herself in front of the window she stared down. Construction work was in progress in the opposite building. She saw a few women carrying bricks on their head and depositing it on the fourth floor. A worker was feeding her child under the shade of the grinding machine. The supervisor went to her and shouted, “You bitch, feed her later on. She won't die. Go to work”. The woman laid a thin cloth on the stones and placed her crying baby there and left for work. Ruma left the office without saying anything. Nishant was too busy talking to his lawyer.
Ruma was in the kitchen when she heard the doorbell ring. It was only 8pm. It could not be Nishant, as now a days he was returning very late. She opened the door trying to make a guess and saw Nishant entering and sitting down on the sofa. As she was making her way into the kitchen to fetch a glass of water for him he stopped her and held out his hand. He was holding out a few pieces of paper. She took them while leaving for the kitchen. As she poured her eyes over them she felt a numbness creeping into her. She finds her world under her slipping away. She was reading her divorce papers.
Ruma boarded the train bound for her maternal town. The driver came to see her off. Before leaving the driver said, “Madam, next week is my daughter's wedding. Can you give me something?” She fished out whatever was there in her purse and placed it in his hand as the train started its journey. “Ruma was supposed to arrive today, wasn't she?” asked her mother. Her father, who was engrossed in the newspaper, said “Yes, but I hope she doesn't”. And Ruma didn't.
“So where did he first hold you and tell me in details what happened? asked the officer on duty of the Ratan Nagar police station. This was the first time Ruma was in a police station and that too to lodge an FIR and the very first feeling she had of being disrobed. In the next half an hour she lost count of the number of times she was repeatedly disrobed. As she left the police station a feeling of nakedness followed her as if everyone was staring at her with an X-ray eyes.
It was late in the afternoon. The sun was planting its last rays on her garden. Ruma was sitting on her rocking chair in her balcony, veiled by the elongating shadows of the old 'money plant' leaves. What should she be doing? Cry? Even tears had dried up. Should she kill herself? As she was contemplating, a helpless emptiness gripped her. A vehicle drawing up in front of Shankar Yadav's bungalow broke her trance. Till then she was unaware of the soft drizzle she loved so much till the other day. It was a police van. About fifteen minutes later she saw the policemen returning to the van with Santanu with them.
“Everything would be fine,” she said to herself as she eased herself in to the sofa straining her eyes towards the wooden gate some 50 metres away from the window. She was expecting her husband, Nishant, Who was rushing back to her side, cutting short his much important official tour.
A year later Santanu was acquitted. In between his father, Shankar Yadav won the assembly elections. She got the news from her lawyer. The judgment advised Ruma to take psychiatric help. With her eyes opening its floodgates, she reached Nishant's office. Munching the last bite of a burger he was busy dropping sugar cubes into the secretary's coffee mug. As she dropped in the secretary left. Lowering herself into a chair she looked at Nishant for a few seconds and said, “We lost the case”. “I know,” he coldly replied as he browsed through a file. She felt as if her heart skipped a beat or two. Placing herself in front of the window she stared down. Construction work was in progress in the opposite building. She saw a few women carrying bricks on their head and depositing it on the fourth floor. A worker was feeding her child under the shade of the grinding machine. The supervisor went to her and shouted, “You bitch, feed her later on. She won't die. Go to work”. The woman laid a thin cloth on the stones and placed her crying baby there and left for work. Ruma left the office without saying anything. Nishant was too busy talking to his lawyer.
Ruma was in the kitchen when she heard the doorbell ring. It was only 8pm. It could not be Nishant, as now a days he was returning very late. She opened the door trying to make a guess and saw Nishant entering and sitting down on the sofa. As she was making her way into the kitchen to fetch a glass of water for him he stopped her and held out his hand. He was holding out a few pieces of paper. She took them while leaving for the kitchen. As she poured her eyes over them she felt a numbness creeping into her. She finds her world under her slipping away. She was reading her divorce papers.
Ruma boarded the train bound for her maternal town. The driver came to see her off. Before leaving the driver said, “Madam, next week is my daughter's wedding. Can you give me something?” She fished out whatever was there in her purse and placed it in his hand as the train started its journey. “Ruma was supposed to arrive today, wasn't she?” asked her mother. Her father, who was engrossed in the newspaper, said “Yes, but I hope she doesn't”. And Ruma didn't.
IN HUMAN LOVE
John's life has suddenly changed. From an uncertain nomadic life to a routine one is much to his liking. This transition from wilderness to domesticity for him is like the easy flow of water downstream. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and a cozy corner: who said life is a bed of thorns.
John owes everything to Rupam. He was lying shivering in front of Mother Mariam's church in a desolate wintry dawn. With an empty stomach in a severe winter he was virtually counting his last seconds when Rupam rescued him and from that day his world revolves around Rupam. He was christened John as he was found at the doorsteps of a church and he likes the name.
Initially he was rebuked and punished whenever he used to play in the mud or dwell in his wild instincts. But gradually as he began to adapt to the suave civilized world he was welcomed warmly within the close circles of Rupam. He too liked the new ways of life and his new companions.
John's day began at 4 am. He wakes up Rupam and both of them goes for a walk. This walk is the best part of the day as it gives him about an hour with Rupam in full privacy with no one to disturb. They used to jog down to the foothill of a nearby hillock and then walk down breathing the sweet misty air of the morning, thus recharging their lungs for the day. In between they used to sit down at the footsteps of Mother Mariam's church for ten minutes. Rupam used to be very silent at these times, deep in his thoughts, of what John has no idea. But for John, it was that fateful day when Rupam rescued him. Everyday the same thoughts overflow his mind and it seemed to him that his gratitude and love for Rupam grows manifold.
For the rest of the day John used to be all by himself, enriching himself with the geography of the area. Rupam used to go for his classes, but this privilege was never meant for the likes of John. But even John doesn't complain, for he sees no greatness engraved in those dry papers, which only the cows seem to relish.
A handsome fellow with a shiny skin, deep black eyes, and an enviably muscular constitution was what John grew up to be as time rolled by. He knew fair sex of his neighbourhood dreams of him and craves for him, but he couldn't degrade Rupam's status by indulging with these.
Rupam is a Naga boy, from a remote village of Thongboi, in Mao district in Nagaland. At present he was in a boarding school for the last four years. This was his last year.
Of late John was seeing very less of Rupam. But no complain, as John knew that this was the time when everyone virtually forgets everything except those dry books. But a different kind of change pained John. Now a days Rupam reacts very coldly to John's presence. But still John thought this might be due to the hard work.
It was the last day of the exam and John observed that Rupam's friends were packing their belongings. When Rupam was back he too started packing. John instantly knew that they were leaving. So he too went out to bid bye to few of his acquaintances.
As he was returning it got quite late. An eerie feeling gripped him. When he entered Rupam's room he saw Rupam staring at the floor with blood shot eyes. For the first time in his life he didn't like something of Rupam. Yet he went to his place and sat down. Suddenly Rupam stood up and said, “Come John, lets go out for a walk”. John was taken aback. “At this hour”, he didn't liked the idea. But he doesn't want to hurt Rupam. Also since next morning they are leaving so Rupam might want to have his last walk. John Obliged.
They were sitting at the footstep of Mother Mariam's church. It was dark. Only the candlelights peeping out of the church door makes one see the shadows of each other. Apart from that John could feel the heavy breathing of Rupam. Rupam came close to him and carressed his head and neck. John felt good at the touch and closed his eyes to feel the ecstasy of the soothing touch.
Suddenly a deep pang hit his neck and he fell with a thud at Rupam's feet. With unparallel strength he opened his eyes and saw his body lying on the step where Rupam was sitting. The legs, which were under his control a few seconds before, were stretching to reach no where. He looked at Rupam in the dark. He could see nothing but the red shot eyes and a shiny 'dao'. And slowly the vision blurred.
That day during dinner Rupam and his friends feasted on dog's meat. [Manash Pratim Gohain, INDOLINK]
John owes everything to Rupam. He was lying shivering in front of Mother Mariam's church in a desolate wintry dawn. With an empty stomach in a severe winter he was virtually counting his last seconds when Rupam rescued him and from that day his world revolves around Rupam. He was christened John as he was found at the doorsteps of a church and he likes the name.
Initially he was rebuked and punished whenever he used to play in the mud or dwell in his wild instincts. But gradually as he began to adapt to the suave civilized world he was welcomed warmly within the close circles of Rupam. He too liked the new ways of life and his new companions.
John's day began at 4 am. He wakes up Rupam and both of them goes for a walk. This walk is the best part of the day as it gives him about an hour with Rupam in full privacy with no one to disturb. They used to jog down to the foothill of a nearby hillock and then walk down breathing the sweet misty air of the morning, thus recharging their lungs for the day. In between they used to sit down at the footsteps of Mother Mariam's church for ten minutes. Rupam used to be very silent at these times, deep in his thoughts, of what John has no idea. But for John, it was that fateful day when Rupam rescued him. Everyday the same thoughts overflow his mind and it seemed to him that his gratitude and love for Rupam grows manifold.
For the rest of the day John used to be all by himself, enriching himself with the geography of the area. Rupam used to go for his classes, but this privilege was never meant for the likes of John. But even John doesn't complain, for he sees no greatness engraved in those dry papers, which only the cows seem to relish.
A handsome fellow with a shiny skin, deep black eyes, and an enviably muscular constitution was what John grew up to be as time rolled by. He knew fair sex of his neighbourhood dreams of him and craves for him, but he couldn't degrade Rupam's status by indulging with these.
Rupam is a Naga boy, from a remote village of Thongboi, in Mao district in Nagaland. At present he was in a boarding school for the last four years. This was his last year.
Of late John was seeing very less of Rupam. But no complain, as John knew that this was the time when everyone virtually forgets everything except those dry books. But a different kind of change pained John. Now a days Rupam reacts very coldly to John's presence. But still John thought this might be due to the hard work.
It was the last day of the exam and John observed that Rupam's friends were packing their belongings. When Rupam was back he too started packing. John instantly knew that they were leaving. So he too went out to bid bye to few of his acquaintances.
As he was returning it got quite late. An eerie feeling gripped him. When he entered Rupam's room he saw Rupam staring at the floor with blood shot eyes. For the first time in his life he didn't like something of Rupam. Yet he went to his place and sat down. Suddenly Rupam stood up and said, “Come John, lets go out for a walk”. John was taken aback. “At this hour”, he didn't liked the idea. But he doesn't want to hurt Rupam. Also since next morning they are leaving so Rupam might want to have his last walk. John Obliged.
They were sitting at the footstep of Mother Mariam's church. It was dark. Only the candlelights peeping out of the church door makes one see the shadows of each other. Apart from that John could feel the heavy breathing of Rupam. Rupam came close to him and carressed his head and neck. John felt good at the touch and closed his eyes to feel the ecstasy of the soothing touch.
Suddenly a deep pang hit his neck and he fell with a thud at Rupam's feet. With unparallel strength he opened his eyes and saw his body lying on the step where Rupam was sitting. The legs, which were under his control a few seconds before, were stretching to reach no where. He looked at Rupam in the dark. He could see nothing but the red shot eyes and a shiny 'dao'. And slowly the vision blurred.
That day during dinner Rupam and his friends feasted on dog's meat. [Manash Pratim Gohain, INDOLINK]
Oct 16, 2008
Oct 4, 2008
Oct 2, 2008
Sep 25, 2008
Sep 23, 2008
Sep 21, 2008
Sep 18, 2008
Sep 17, 2008
Sep 16, 2008
Sep 14, 2008
DELHI BOMB BLAST ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2008 RAISES QUESTION ON THE MUSLIM COMMUNITY AND THEIR SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
Delhi's attack has been unpardonable. So were the earlier ones. I have been a witness of terrorism in the North East of India and do understand and can relate to the loss of faith on the security of the country and the frustration of the commoners.
But what is surprising is that most of the terrorist activities are repeatedly pointing to one single religious community, globally, and that is the Muslim community. And even more surprising is the voicelessness of the Muslim intellectuals in India against such activities. Is your silence a stamp of validation on what these non-believers are doing? If not then where are the Muslims, the world's second largest religious community, who loves peace and harmony and who are not suffering from mental and physical dysfunction? Or is the whole community suffering from some sort of complexity? This is not to blame a community for the deeds of a few from that community, this is not to generalise social malice, yet this is to question the social responsibility and social reaction of the community which is under scanner.
Dear friends just a couple of points. The so called 'JEHADIS' whom I call terrorist and non-believers and offshoot from illegal alliance are killing people on the month of Ramzaan and killed 3 fellow Muslims in the recent blasts in Delhi. My apology to the departed for calling them 'fellow'. If they are what Allah wants, then which Allah wants them to bomb Bangladesh every year, Pakistan every week, Afghanistan every day and Iraq every hour? They are everything but Muslims for me and everything but followers of Allah. Would followers of Allah bomb Jama Masjid?
We as a Nation believe these are non-believers, non-Muslims. So are the Muslims ready to accept this hijack of their religion without any protest? Are they ready to accept this destruction of their Nation? If there is no action from this community, among whom are these terrorists taking refuse, then they will neither have a Nation to call their own nor will they have a religion to subscribe. Trust me, the crime done to Islam by the Danish cartoonist is a small prank compared to what these terrorists are doing.
If anyone wants to respond, please make sure this should not lead to comparative studies of religion, because M F Hussain is still alive despite desecrating Hindu beliefs in public. Islam cannot be compared with the tolerance levels of any other religion in the world. Had Hussain been a Hindu painter and painted 'Allah' naked with all his 'devotion' and 'reverance' (This is his claim while painting Hindu Goddess), in Pakistan or elsewhere he would have been slaughtered.
But what is surprising is that most of the terrorist activities are repeatedly pointing to one single religious community, globally, and that is the Muslim community. And even more surprising is the voicelessness of the Muslim intellectuals in India against such activities. Is your silence a stamp of validation on what these non-believers are doing? If not then where are the Muslims, the world's second largest religious community, who loves peace and harmony and who are not suffering from mental and physical dysfunction? Or is the whole community suffering from some sort of complexity? This is not to blame a community for the deeds of a few from that community, this is not to generalise social malice, yet this is to question the social responsibility and social reaction of the community which is under scanner.
Dear friends just a couple of points. The so called 'JEHADIS' whom I call terrorist and non-believers and offshoot from illegal alliance are killing people on the month of Ramzaan and killed 3 fellow Muslims in the recent blasts in Delhi. My apology to the departed for calling them 'fellow'. If they are what Allah wants, then which Allah wants them to bomb Bangladesh every year, Pakistan every week, Afghanistan every day and Iraq every hour? They are everything but Muslims for me and everything but followers of Allah. Would followers of Allah bomb Jama Masjid?
We as a Nation believe these are non-believers, non-Muslims. So are the Muslims ready to accept this hijack of their religion without any protest? Are they ready to accept this destruction of their Nation? If there is no action from this community, among whom are these terrorists taking refuse, then they will neither have a Nation to call their own nor will they have a religion to subscribe. Trust me, the crime done to Islam by the Danish cartoonist is a small prank compared to what these terrorists are doing.
If anyone wants to respond, please make sure this should not lead to comparative studies of religion, because M F Hussain is still alive despite desecrating Hindu beliefs in public. Islam cannot be compared with the tolerance levels of any other religion in the world. Had Hussain been a Hindu painter and painted 'Allah' naked with all his 'devotion' and 'reverance' (This is his claim while painting Hindu Goddess), in Pakistan or elsewhere he would have been slaughtered.
Sep 13, 2008
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