How civil it is?

What is a civil society group? This coinage by the print media in recent months relates to NGOs and other organisations and associations who work for the public interest. Some of them are just paper tigers working their way to recognition, awards, prizes and further elite interests.

My question how is it that they only are civil? Does that mean there are no other groups or organisations that are civil in outlook and functioning? For me, a small informal group working for a particular cause is as civil, perhaps more so, as one that is well organised by educated elites.

These groups can be simply called societal groups, social organisations or public interest organisations depending upon their status and work. Or could be specific to their nature or function such as farmers' group, environmental body, Gandhian panel and car users' forum.

Of helmets

With Tamil Nadu undergoing another experiment with the compulsory wearing of helmet, my thoughts go back to a few years ago when the joke was played. I was taking my mother on a two-wheeler on the Chetput bridge when we saw a youth lying dead, apparently from an accident.
The next day we read in the paper that he had gone to pay the fine that day for not wearing helmet. It shook me.

Of course, I had been wearing helmet seriously for long years to the extent that my hair had started falling turning a patch a bald. When I say this to others they say that at least your head is there!
Thank the helmet!

What we have to in the present context is to make it compulsory for the youth. Because it is they who drive fast and crazy without any regard for others and even themselves. On the highways away from the city it should be made compulsory for all drivers.

The Government would do well to provide helmets free of cost for the poor and needy. When they can give a television for entertainment why not a helmet for the head of the family?

Helmet or Meet Hell! -- this is my contribution as a journalist!