Digital Library of India

In early 2000, the Union Government initiated a unique project to establish the Digital Library of India (DLI). Its vision was to create a digital collection of rare books sourced from libraries in different parts of the country and make them accessible as a free online resource for research, study and of course archiving and documenting.

As a first step towards creating the DLI, a collection of one million books on a variety of subjects, including literature, science, art, culture and music were to be digitized and listed in a searchable catalogue. The project later passed into the hands of the ministry of communications and information technology. The DLI houses several rare books and publications on music in many Indian Languages, including Hindi, Urdu, Marathi, Gujarati, and Bengali. Researchers and collectors can access these at their convenience and even download and store for future reference.

The DLI also contains a scan of Musicians I Have Met by S.K. Chaubey, published in 1958 by the publications division of Uttar Pradesh information department, consisting of “pen portraits” of some of the outstanding names of in the world of Hindustani classical music. Along with several articles on music, it contains fascinating reports filed by correspondents of leading publications.

Till recently, these and thousands of other rare books could be accessed only if an intrepid researcher was willing to crawl into dusty libraries, sometimes fenced in by all manner of often unreasonable rules and red tape. Free access to DLI makes it easier and welcoming for readers and researchers. The programme in two parts, consisted of a first segment featuring presentations of instrumental music by members of Samaj, followed by a second segment of vocal music rendered by schoolchildren.

Metro to Marketing Train

Advertising to increase by 12.7% in the coming year, GroupM said in a report. From Digital to print advertising, businesses are fighting to give their ads and spending in crores to attract customers. Now, Companies are targeting Metro train coaches in cities to promote their business. I was travelling in one of the Yellow line metro and whole Train was covered with advertisement of E-commerce giant Amazon India.

It was very difficult for me to understand Where the Train was last up to. Everything was covered with ads from Amazon. Even the interior ad space was covered with E-commerce ads. The Delhi metro covers 190.03km across six lines and ferries close to 260,000 passengers on a daily basis. Part of it is underground and part overground. DMRC runs 216 trains with 1,282 coaches. According to a report, 8 Million people used its services in 2013-14. Presently, most of the Metro trains have become marketing trains.

Earlier companies fight for ads on TV and newspaper, now they are fighting for ads on Metro. It might a situation in India when companies will promote their business on Indian Railway, which is one of the longest networks in the World. In Delhi, after IndiaMart, Amazon, and Political parties, Myntra will be seen advertising on Delhi Metro coaches. Paytm and Snapdeal are also in discussions to do the same. Advertisers may around Rs. 25 lakh to wrap up six to eight coaches of the metro for a month i.e. on average Rs. 4 Lakh for a coach.

The companies are also hoping for similar opportunities in Bengaluru and Chennai. Mumbai smaller Metro has trains sporting ads from BigBasket, UltraTech Cement, and Oxigen, an electronic payment service. Consumer goods and mobile phones companies may also join the queue. Delhi Metro has awarded exclusive rights for displaying advertising materials including pictures, printed material, electronic media, smart posters, and visual displays. The concept is very popular in Singapore, Bangkok, Hongkong, Dubai, and the US.

This is very catchy and effective medium. This leads to increase in consumer base, more downloads of mobile apps, and increase in revenue. Even, people who are not aware of it know about companies. It becomes easy for sales person to reach out in a local market and sell products because of awareness of companies and products. What if Metro trains are also used to increase awareness of Social causes? Display ads of Government campaigns may increase awareness and it will last long. With changing scenarios of marketing in last two years, huge amount of money will flow in market and there will be more marketing trains.

Importance of Sports for Economy

Today sport emerges as an important component of Socio-economic development of a country. The active participation in sports improves community health and productivity, reduces medical expenses, imbibes discipline in character, generates great leaders, and enhances social cohesion. The execution of a mega sporting event helps in developing infrastructure, generates employment, secure inflow of foreign capital, generates players and athletes, and thus contributes significantly to the economic development of a country. Therefore, it can be said that the impact of sports on economy and society is multi-dimensional.

There are many sports played in India but cricket is most famous game in India. Since a decade, Indian sports ministry is well focused on increasing the sports facility in India. India has hosted several international sporting events after Independence including 1982 Asian Games to ICC Cricket world Cup in 2011. India is rich in giving great athletes to the world. In sports such as Cricket, Hockey, Wrestling, Shooting, Chess, Badminton, Football, Golf, Kabaddi, Races, Billiards, Baseball, Boxing, Tennis, Formula 1, Polo, and Rock Climbing. Still, India needs to work more on infrastructure and other facilities. In the 11^th Five Year plan, government allocated INR 46,360 Million for development of sports in country. Since then India had hosted Formula 1 Races, Hockey World Cup, Common Wealth Games, and Cricket World Cup.

Businesspersons and celebrities in India also worked with government to promote and develop different sports in India. IPL in Cricket, IBL in Badminton, PKL in Kabaddi, ISL in Football, IHL in Hockey, and IPTL in Tennis, all these leagues in India worked in creating sports hype in the country. Social Media had also played a very important role. Whenever any major sport event occurs in a country then it gives benefit to different sectors. People spend more on tickets, purchase sports brand products, visit restaurants and clubs, watch TV, and many more. Travel Company, Beverages Company also makes huge profits at the time of events.

However, there are certain incidents where government ended up in making loss. Terrorists attacks in Pakistan in 2008, forced ICC to ban cricket matches in Pakistan because of which economy shrinks of that country. Recently in India, West Indies left the tour in between leaving behind loss for sponsors, state sports authorities, BCCI, and other major partners. This forced BCCI to impose a fine of $42 Million to WICB. This may also let BCCI to ban West Indies players play in IPL. Sports contribution in England reached to 1.9% of their total GDP in 2010. FIFA world cup 2014 in Brazil raised business for local players by double.

Hence, it can be seen that sports play an important role in shaping up an economy and government to promote sports in country. This will increase the business for local players who make sports equipments; it will also provide business to airlines and other transport business, media, brokers, and a medium of creating platform for young generation. Adventurous sports like Mountain Biking, Rafting, Cycling, Kayaking, are also positioning in India now. This all will led to increase in employment and will increase money in the economy. 

Indian government will have to make more efforts to promote every sport in India. For this first, the allocation of funds, such as the percentage of budget, should increase to broad base sports. Secondly, sports should be made as an integral part of education system. Third, effectiveness of developmental projects should evaluate periodically. Fourth, Uniformity should be maintained in sports activities of various states of India to provide equal participation opportunity to its citizens. Finally, a structure of good government should incorporate to make the system transparent and accountable. Government should revisit the sporting framework of India. Otherwise, the immense potential of country in sports can never be realized. 

Child Labour

During the Industrial Revolution, children as young as five years of age were forced to work in production factories with dangerous and fatal conditions. The same understanding of children working as labour is now considered as Child Labour.

In India, According to census 2001 figures there are 1.26 crore working children in the age group of 5-14 as compared to the total population of 25.2 crore. However, there are 12 lac children working in hazardous conditions. This problem of child labour continues to be a woe for Indian Government. Government has taken various pro-active measures to tackle this problem but it seems that the efforts of government have borne the desired fruits and it requires much more effort.

Poverty and lack of education are the main cause of Child Labour in India. Parents force their child to work in factories, hotels, restaurants to earn money. Most of the children start working just after they know how to walk which affects their whole life. This has become a tradition for poor people. They feel that this is their work and only medium of earning money.

I was travelling to Dehradun and suddenly I looked at a ‘dhaba’ where around 15 children between 5-15 years of age were working as a waiter. Few of them were washing glasses and plates and the others cleaning tables and serving food. Owner of that restaurant was proudly seated on counter and charging money from the people. Then I thought what could be the reason for these kids to work here? May be the owner find it a very cheap and dedicated labour or there might be the family conditions of these kids. However, whatever was the reason this issue is what makes a child life hell.

Many of us visit restaurants or barber shop, saying loudly ‘Oe chotu idhar aa’ and giving them work as they are not human beings. No, friends this is not humanity. We should join hands together to stop this problem in our country. One should not depend on government measures or actions. ‘We the citizens of this country’ have every right to stop this. Many government committees in India like Gurupadswamy Committee is working on the issue of Child Labour and suggesting measures to tackle it.

It is not about other kids, it is about a nation and future of millions. One should not think, why should I care about others I am happy in my life. Friends there is a famous saying ‘One man can change the entire nation’. Now a day’s every man is saying only one man name i.e. Narendra Modi and once a time in his life he was a tea vendor and now the PM of a country. So one should not underestimate a child and let them force to work before they know what life is all about.

There is a famous slogan – “Children are surprise gift from given by god, open, and bring them forward for all good things.”