Cyber harassment prevalent in the city

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By: Jayashree Narayanan, Hina Fatima Khan, Sanat Sinha, Shadab Nazmi

Sabreen Haziq , a graduate student of Delhi University, vividly remembers how last year, she started to receive calls and messages from an unknown number. “Some random guy would start calling me from a private number, make derogatory remarks and threaten me at times”. Because she did not report this incident, it aggravated to such an extent that a white Honda city car started following her wherever she went. Yet she did not report it and to avoid him, she stopped going out and switched off her cell for a month. Then the calls and the chase stopped.
Such instances of cyber harassments are increasingly becoming common in India. A nature-wise report of the complaints received by National Commission for Women (NCW) from January 2011 till October 2013 shows an increase in the number of reportedcases from nine in 2011 to 27 in 2013.
Cyber stalking does not have any one exact meaning but it can be meant as ‘threatening,online communication which is a blatant intrusion into an individual’s privacy, where the stalker attempts to establish relationships with their victim without their consent’.With the advent of modern technology, such a crimeis a recent phenomenon, with women generally being the targets.
“There is at least one case getting reported every day from the South west Delhi areas of JNU, Chattarpur, Mahipalpur and IIMC. Women in the age group of 18-30 years get continuous calls from unknown numbers (most of them are done by relatives) and they report directly to 100 helpline number and we put this case under section 509 of Indian Penal Code (IPC). Sometimes, we threat the perpetrators as a warning but at times, they get rough on us, thus we take firm actions,” says Amar Singh, Sub Inspector at Vasant Kunj police station.
Presentlyvictims of stalking can file complaints under Section 509 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which says that whoever, intending to insult the modesty of any woman, utters any word, or any such misbehavior shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to one year, or with fine, or with both.
H.S Gill, former Assistant Commissioner (ACP), Delhi Police, says that once a complaint is received, the inquiry begins with retrieving the call details of the victim or any form of communication through which the harassment has been perpetrated. This is then cross-checked for allegations. In case of private numbers where the mobile number is not visible, “the nodal officers of telecommunication companies like Airtel, Idea, Vodafone in Delhi circle become directly answerable to the Police which help in nabbing the offenders”.
Another way to nab the perpetrators is through surveillance by phone tapping technologies. He recalls an incident around six years back when Sonia Gandhi,Chairperson of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), got death threatsfrom a young boy in Kolkata. But no case was filedagainst him due to lack of evidence. “Even though, lack of evidential data still posesa threat to cases being solved, the technological expertise has definitely gone up in the last two-three years.” He adds that new and unique ways of cyber stalking and cyber-crime have gone up tremendously. The self-reported demographic survey by Working to Halt Online Abuse (WHOA) mentions the total cases for 2012 as 394 in comparison to 305 cases for 2011.
Nirmala Samant Prabhavalkar, Member of the NCW in charge of cyber-crimes against women mentions, that “these crimes have become too complex and more high-tech because of improvements and access even in villages.” The motives range from denial of relationship proposals to revenge thereof.
“I get several friend requests from strangers on Facebook. When I don’t add them, they send me messages in my inbox and threaten me to add them. Since it’s the social media, I don’t really care but when it started to become incessant calls/texts from strangers, I reported this to the police station. By the time, they trace down the perpetrators’ phone number, he has already changed into a new one. It’s difficult and time consuming,” says Neha Rustagi, an English honors student at Kamala Nehru College, Delhi University who eventually changed her phone number.
The greatest issue with the internet and technological progression is the concept of anonymity and virtual presence.The social media can be regulated by implementing private settings to avoid such incidences but cyber-harassment is still unleashed. Text messages have gone through evolution and many social media like Whatsapp, which provides free text messages to users, has also been a major source of cyber stalkers and the number of such cases is growing further.

Journey of a man with a cure

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Journey of a man with a cure

Unani medicines are seen as a form of alternative medicine. Meet Hakim Zaki Mohd. Khan, a hakim (traditional doctor) in Old Delhi who gives an insight into his life in his own words.

An audio visual presentation by students of AJK MCRC, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi.

Malvika Saini, Danish Khan and L. Jayashree

Tribal art gallery in New Delhi

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Art is the medium of telling stories. Folklores that imbibe the culture and social scenes of the place. This is what is showcased in Gond art which comes from the tribal areas of Madhya Pradesh in Central India.
The Gond art is based on the the belief that “viewing a good image begets good luck”. This inherent belief led the Gonds to decorating their houses and the floors with traditional tattoos and motifs. However, Gondi art has since transposed onto paper and canvass with talented artists showcasing their skills.
It is said that ‘language of the soul’ is expressed in the brilliant hues of Gondi art. The signature styles are the essence of this tribal art form and are intrinsically used to fill the surface of their decorative patterns and motifs. The allusiveness and individualism of each Gond artist is defined by these signature styles.

Here Ms. Rajni Ghag of the MUST Art Gallery located in Delhi talks about the art and its artists whose works have been displayed in order to bring the art to the mainstream urban centre.

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Let us also be heard!

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“I am going through an identity crisis”, laments Shingram Rajshree, a 19 year old Sociology student hailing from Manipur, studying in Delhi. Her thought is shared by many students from North East India, who come to the mainland in search of better education, but are subjected to racist attacks. These issues become intermingled with politics of the region forcing the media to take up a stand. This was what happened with the brutal killing of a 19 year old Manipuri boy, Nido Tania, in Lajpat Nagar market in New Delhi. The north east community which continues to face a lot of problems owing to the discrimination that they face from the mainland India came out on the streets.

“This is not the first instance”, says Dr. Tennyson, professor at the Centre for Afghani Studies, Jamia MIllia Islamia. Yet he feels this incident will help in galvanizing voices against racism.

Shingram Rajshree laughs when she remembers how her Chinese friends knew more about Manipur than her Indian counterparts.

Anti-racism slogans and candle light marches took centrestage in not only Jantar Mantar, New Delhi but also in the living rooms of the entire nation. The protests raised some pertinent questions for the mainstream media and for the people to think about on a larger scale.

Would Tania get justice or will this fight against racism die a natural death?

“Sensitization is the key to bringing sustained change and that is what one should aim for” believes Mr. Kokho, assistant professor at the Center of North East Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia.

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Craftswomen through the day

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The traditional Indian handicrafts and hand-made products form an important part of not only the cultural aspects of the society but also reflect on people who produce them. The craftswomen from various parts of India over a 10 day exhibit at Nature Bazaar 2013, Andheria Modh, Chhatarpur, New Delhi display their products in their efforts to keep not just the tradition alive but be self-dependent.

Women artisans are independent and help keep their tradition alive. They make, sell and display products. This is one part of their lives. The other shade corresponds to the emotions and moments that they share throughout a working day. A glance at their myriad expressions.

The event showcases over 160 regional craftsgroups, NGOs and small producers. Taken: Jayashee, 19 October 2013
Blank. Taken: Jayashee, 19 October 2013
Captured in one of her vivacious moods, Rucha Kaluram, 28 years is an artisan making paper mache craft from Rajasthan since the past 10 years. Taken: Jayashree, 25 October 2013
Initiator of the the ‘Zero waste program’ in Kovallam, Kerala, Medha Bhatt Ganguly, 36 years, prepares for the day. Taken: Jayashree, 19 October 2013
Proud of her Block Print from Rajasthan, craftswoman Parma Devi, 49 years says, “it provides regular employment, better income and education for our children”. Taken: Jayashree, 19 October 2013
Showcasing her parrot toys from Rajasthan, Munni Bai, 45 years, says ” they provide regular employment, better income and education for our children”. Taken: Jayashree, 19 October 2013
Kinauri design shawls maker, Swarna Devi, 41 years says that her smile is her biggest strength. Taken: Jayashree, 19 October 2013
Madhya Pradesh’s Gond paintings are very famous for their detailing the nature. Painter Radha Tikam, 36 years, in a silent moment with her work. Taken: Jayashree, 19 October 2013
Priya, 29 years, shares a light moment with Sarojini Das, 49 years at the Golden grass products display from Odisha. Taken: Jayashree, 25 October 2013
As the day moves on, Sunita Devi, 42 years selling clay toys waits with her husband Taken: Jayashree, 19 October 2013
Juthika Goswami, 49 years selling lampshades from Puducherry engrossed with her customer. Taken: Jayashree, 25 October 2013
The Kerala murals display by Surya, 33 years as the evening comes along. Taken: Jayashree, 19 October 2013
Just as these dolls, the women artisans also have varied shades. Taken: Jayashree, 19 October 2013
As the evening comes to an end. Taken: Jayashree, 25 October 2013