Heartiest congratulations to the BJP-led government for setting up not one but two new Guinness World Records for Yoga. The government had already made its name in August last year for opening 18 million new bank accounts in a week.
The two new records set by the government are for the most participants (35, 985) performing asanas at a single venue (Rajpat) and as many as 84 nationalities joining in.
Do you think these events are trivial while many social concerns go unnoticed? For a nation, obsessed with records, The Quint could think of a few more accomplishments India could break. Here goes.
‘Least Safe Country for Women’
India is the world’s largest democracy and everyone has the right to freedom of movement across the country. But if you’re a woman, you might want to rethink that.
Here’s a fact - a woman is raped every 21 minutes in India. India has been ranked 1 out of 10 of the most dangerous countries to visit for woman tourists.
According to National Crime Records Bureau’s latest 2014 report, there were 33,764 victims of rape out of 33,707 reported rape cases in the country during the year 2013. As compared to 24,923 cases reported in 2012. This in itself is a record!
‘Worst Sex Ratio’
Whether it’s the magic of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao scheme or whether it’s Indians becoming more sensible, there has been a slight improvement in India’s sex ratio. According to Census 2011, India’s sex ratio is 940/1,000. But that’s not something to cheer about. India ranks 16 in the world when it comes to sex ratio. The sex ratios of Sri Lanka, Nepal and Myanmar are better compared to India.
‘Most Corrupt Nation’
Coal Allocation Scam (2012), Commonwealth Games Scam (2010), 2G Spectrum Scam (2008), Telgi Scam (2002), The Fodder Scam (1990), Bofors Scam (’80s &’90s). Phew! Tired of reading already? There are more. The Hawala Scandal (1990), Harshad Mehta & Ketan Parekh Stock Market Scam (1992).
According to Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index 2014-India is ranked 85 among around 200 countries. Tell us something new.
‘Poorest Nation’
It’s ironic how India is the second-fastest growing economy and is also the home to one in three of the world’s poorest.
One-third of the 1.2 billion extreme poor of the world live in India, according to UN Millennium Development Goals report 2014. The poor and dismal state of the country and the struggle for roti, kapada aur makaan continues but there is no fight when it comes to achieve the record.
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