Do you love jeans…?

HEY FRIENDS IT’S great to know that you love jeans.

But did you ever think from where has this piece of fabric emerged. And why? Why didn’t you think of what made mankind to turn to such a different kind of a fabric for dressing up?
Reconsider this: This fabric probably emerged from the need for a certain cloth that could withstand the tough conditions faced by the labourers in one of the western nations and so we got out with what is called ‘Jeans’.
End up here?
Don’t you live in a place where there is a high temperature for most of the year? Then tell me why do you sport the bulky and heavy jeans so fantastically even after suffering the difficulties of its heavy weight and sweat producing effects.
Don’t you get tired with its bulkiness in weather like that of India? Why not choose a fabric that helps you deal with the hot environment of the subcontinent very well? And helps let you live a much better life here in this nation and not in a place where most of the part of the year has snows and chilling winters?
Here, in this nation, we have hot winds blowing, dust rising heavily every dry morning and afternoon, sun showing its exclusive presence, thick and rich forests with various animals and plant species. It is a land that has a mostly a plateau, yet a good portion of it is plain, with delta in the Bay of Bengal.
The westerners are quite different. They are just ‘upside down’ from our perspective. Now, does that mean should ape them? Is it necessary to do so to be called ‘developed citizens’ of a ‘developed nation’, when we have not yet been able to find the liveliest way to survive in our own land!
We should know how to survive in our own land. Let’s live our lives, not theirs. Yes, it’ll require a lot from us but we will have to do it. After all, to live in here on this generous land, we have to adapt styles to suit our climate. Do you have a land to live your own on its terms?
I sincerely hope that we are more open and positive with our approaches. We are alive to the flora and fauna, to the climate and environment of this wonderful land. If we try, we can banish the jeans from our lives. Forever.
It is not impossible!

Uma Khurana: Teacher turned sex broker

SCHOOLS ARE RATED as the best institution after home for the socialization of children and a teacher is considered as the best mentor who can groom, nurture and shape personality of children as per the customs and traditions of society. What will happen if the architect of children’s personality turns out to be a sex broker?

The whole nation was shocked when the TV channels showed in their sting operation that a Government School mathematics teacher, Uma Khurana, was forcing children into prostitution. It is a bolt from the blue for every responsible citizen of India. As news flashed on TV channels, the anxious and angry parents rushed to Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya on Asaf Ali Road to take care of their children. Later, she confessed her involvement in the sex racket during interrogation by police. It is an irony that she was suspended from her previous school (Vivek Vihar Branch) in December last year because of her poor teaching ability. But her reinstatement at the Bubuli Khana Branch raises question over credibility of bureaucrats.

During the interrogation, she has also confessed that a number of influential persons are involved in sex racket. It is true that these crimes cannot be complete without the involvement of powerful persons. It seems that the influential and powerful people are also operating in it. It is unfortunate that our judicial system has a number of loopholes and because of that we are unable to bring truth before the court of justice. This is the reason why most of the times the accused get away scotfree, which, in turn, boosts other criminals to do so.

This incident has created chaos among the parents, especially for those who have kept their children in boarding schools. This is not the first case of its type. It has become a daily routine affair. Everyday, Newspapers and TV News Channels give information of incidents of rape and molestation of students. Since it is ironical of Indian society that they hate victims rather than the criminals very few people have courage to lodge FIR and most of the cases go unnoticed.

Recently, another MCD schoolteacher was suspended. In order to avoid unpleasant events with children, MCD authority transferred male teachers to the boys’ schools. Generally we believe that females can understand pain of girl child, but here case is just the opposite as a female becomes planner of hell for another female.

We are well aware that Khurana alone does not conduct trafficking. Chief Minister Sheila Dixit has shown special concern over it. Police is investigating her phone record and has also nabbed Virender Arora in connection with a sting operation by a private TV channel. But this whole affair has opened the truth of dishonesty of police. This was nothing compared to Nithari episode in which Punjabi businessman, Moninder Singh Pandher and his servant and aide, Surender Koli had brutally raped and killed uncountable number of innocent children. Despite the fact that CBI has indicated that it is not only a case of killing and raping children, but also that influential people are involved in it who operate organ transplant racket, but nothing has been done. Can we believe that only two people were involved in the Nithari episode?

It is also a bitter truth that more than 50 per cent of India’s female population does not know how to read and write and this heart-wrenching incident will create insecurity in the minds of parents. They will be compelled to think twice before sending their daughters to school. If we are unable to stop it, our literacy rate will go down.

It is high time to think over these episodes. We are aware that Khurana is not alone. There are a large number of Khuranas walking on the road to catch our children. It is not only the case of Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya but of the whole world. These types of people have no caste, class, region and religion. Their victim may be Muslim, Hindu Christian, Sikh, Jain or Jew. It is our prime duty to cope with it. The whole country should come on single platform to teach an unforgettable lesson to people like Khurana.

Editorial Update: The sting operation conducted by Live India TV boomeranged for the channel itself. Investigations reveal two associates of Uma Khurana concocted a ploy in a bid to teach the school teacher a lesson who owed them money. They used the channel and an aspiring journalist to act as a prostitute and defame Khurana. As per media reports including NDTV and HT, The school girl who acted as the victim has been arrested by the crime branch and further investigations are on.

Zubeen Garg: The soul touching singer

IT WAS ONLY during the last year (with the release of Gangster) that we had discovered Zubeen Garg, one of the finest singers in India. Yes, Zubeen is a big name in Bollywood now. He has lent his soul touching voice to some fantastic tracks like “Ya Ali”, “Jane Kya Chahe Man”, “Teri Tamanna”, “Piya Milan Ko Jana”, “Jaane Kya Hoga Rama Re”, “Subah Subah”, “Dilruba” etc. Almost all the numbers by him were hugely popular in the industry.

Zubeen might be a new name in Bollywood, but he had established himself as one of the greatest singers in Assam way back. Since the release of his first Assamese album (I believe “Anamika”, in 1991) Zubeen has been in the scene and given one fabulous track after another. Truly, Zubeen is an icon in Assam.

So far he has sung more than 7000 songs in various languages including Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Nepali, Oriya, Punjabi and Marathi. He has about 40 albums in his name.

There is something really special about Zubeen. He not only sings from his soul but also presents it excellently. The way he modulates (alap) his voice, it’s simply superb. There is hardly any singer in Bollywood who sings alap as proficiently as Zubeen does.

He is also a very good actor. He has already acted in several Assamese films. He had even directed a film himself “Tumi Mur Mathu Mur”. He also acted in “Dinabandhu”, the award winning Assamese film.

Zubeen is going to act and direct a Hindi film called “Chakra” soon. Zubeen’s debut pop album “Zindegi” has just hit the market.

Zubeen has his own website - www.zubeen.com.

World Alzheimer's Day: Let us remember those who cannot remember

ALZHEIMER’S & RELATED DISORDERS SOCIETY OF INDIA (ARDSI) is celebrating the “National Dementia Awareness Week" from the 16th Sep to 22nd Sep 2007. Organisations and other like-minded people are arranging and participating in the programme to support the cause of Dementia in India. It will go a long way in supporting the cause of the patients and caregivers.

I am not a doctor, psychologist or social worker by profession but have a passion to work for the elderly and for the cause of Alzheimer’s. I got interested because of my association with ‘Dignity Foundation’. My colleague Hendi Lingiah and I were instrumental in starting India’s first 24 x 7 Dementia Care Centre, near Mumbai. Working with the patients, care-givers and browsing through the internet, I gained knowledge about Dementia, which I would like to share with the society.

Dementia is a brain disorder that seriously affects a person’s ability to carry out daily activities. The most common form of dementia among older people is the Alzheimer’s disease, which initially involves those parts of the brain that control thought, memory and language. Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a silent killer of the brain and lives off the world’s elderly people. It is the fourth leading cause of death among the older adults in the developed world. Named after Alois Alzheimer, the German physician who identified it in 1907, it remains elusive as to its cause and is resistive to treatment. It starts as a robber of memory and slowly erodes the intellectual and functional abilities leaving the patients bed-ridden and ultimately leading to their death, mostly through pneumonia (infection of the lungs). The course the disease takes and the pace at which the changes occur vary from person to person. On an average, patients live between eight and ten years after they are diagnosed with the disease, though some may live with the disease for as many as 20 years. Alzheimer’s disease is not senility and it is not a normal part of the aging process. It is a disease. It can strike anyone. It may be diagnosed only by a physician and only after a thorough physical, psychological, and neurological evaluation.

In India, by 2005, approximately 3 to 4 million had been afflicted by dementia. According to a study, about 4% of the population over 65 is afflicted with dementia; it means that by 2010, we will have around 10 million people afflicted with Alzheimer’s disease.

No treatment can cure Alzheimer’s disease. However, for those in the early and middle stages of the disease, the drugs terrine (Cognacs), donepezil (Precept), rivastigmine (Exeo), or glutamine (previously known as Romany) may help pre-vent some symptoms from becoming worse for a limited time. Most often, spouses and other family members provide the day-to-day care to the patient. As the disease gets worse, the patients need more and more care. This can be hard for caregivers and can affect their physical and mental health, family life, job and finances.

As my ex-colleague Ms Hendi Lingiah, Clinical Psychologist, France, says, “It would be a hard task, knowing for example the number of the Dementia population in India. Following a plan in the public health policy becomes a necessity – it involves recognition of the early symptoms of dementia, the different models of interventions, research on the disease, drug and non-drug therapies, infrastructure-training of professionals and homecare givers.” This challenge to public health is hardly accepted in developing countries; do we let the disease crush us or do we start working together? Research on Alzheimer’s disease in India is still in the initial stages. Medication is expensive. Among the family members, care for Alzheimer’s patients, even with the best of intentions, is accorded low priority. Professional support systems are non-existent. Against this background, general physicians and neurologists try their best to make things better for AD patients. We do not have enough day-care centres or assisted living communes as in the West. Are there any aids or gadgets that make life a little better for the AD-afflicted?”

Due to lack of awareness of AD, most patients / family members tend to ignore the symptoms of the disease as a normal part of the aging process. Clinical help is sought only after a drastic deterioration in the patient’s health has set in. Creating mass awareness about this tragic condition can help detect Alzheimer’s at an early stage and provide avenues for appropriate support and care for patients. What is needed is counselling and support services to help sustain the capacity of the caregivers. Training the volunteers and informal caregivers can be of immense help in supporting the family and caregivers. Also, all old age homes and hospitals should have wards for the AD-afflicted. So if you know anyone suffering from Alzheimer’s or Dementia, take him to the doctor for diagnosis or to any organisation that offers psycho-social care. I know there are not enough specialists in this field or their action is limited, owing to lack of funds and goodwill. But presently in India, ageing and senior care has become an important issue and the government has started to react by integrating it in its policy for the old people. But let us not depend only on the ministry; let us come together and make a joint effort in our own way to make the life of seniors comfortable; let us offer support and care to people suffering from Alzheimer’s as also their care-givers.

Let us salute all the family members and the caregivers of the AD-afflicted patients. Together we can do a lot for the AD-afflicted; so, join the movement!

Videogame playing and childhood obesity

VIDEOGAMES ARE the latest in-thing. Children are simply crazy about them. Ask any child what he wants as a gift for any occasion and the answer would be the latest electronic game in the market. Even you mignt have never heard of the version or the game but these kids are far better researched when it comes to trendy videogames. It seems that the entire genre of kids is glued to electronic games that form the crux of their entertainment criterion.

Dr S Bose from Delhi says, “Every hour children play videogames doubles their chances of obesity. When children are young they require healthy foods and regular exercise. Sitting for hours at a stretch and playing videogames and doting on junk food leads to obesity in children.”

A prominent factor that leads to obesity in childhood is the fact that children lack discipline which eventually affects their health. Once they begin to play electronic games they are unable to get over them. It is a sort of addiction. Their thought patterns register the theme of the games in such a way that it is difficult for parents to pull them out of the games.

Karuna Makkar, teacher from Delhi says, “My eight year old is crazy about videogames and so is my 10 year old. They come back from their tuitions in the evening and sit to play. They even sleep talking about the characters in the games. It seems as if the whole world is non-existent and the games are their lifeline.”

Children love to live in fantasyland and videogames provide the perfect platform where they can find the key to the world of fantasy. Certain kids find solace in videogames who are usually backbenchers in school or are often mocked at by friends.

Tarun Kashyap is one such child. Megha, his mother says that Tarun is a below average student who is often made the laughing stock by his peers. Tarun loves to play videogames because he is able to succeed while defeating the animated characters in them. He is enthralled by a sense of victory each time he defeats someone. But his rising weight has recently become a matter of concern for his parents.

On the other hand, Jyothi Mehta, businesswoman says, “If children begin to treat videogames as defense mechanisms, I think parents must counsel them. After all we want our children to grow up into mature and responsible individuals who can fight real life battles instead of the ones in videogames.”

Vipul Gupta, retailer form Delhi says, “My son loves to play videogames and often revolts when he is told to shut down the station. Now, I am getting concerned over his increasing weight. He is unable to exercise and hardly has any friend because most of his time is either taken up by videogames or his home-work. According to his recent report from school, his grades have also been falling. I am unable to understand how to get him out of this affair with electronic games.”

Factors that lower the risk of obesity in children are physical activity and eating. Obesity is difficult to treat once it has been established, thus its prevention during childhood is essential in order to fight this global epidemic.

Obesity leads to a number of heath problems, including increased stress levels, high blood pressure, risk of stroke and heart attack. It is difficult to prevent obesity if it occurs in childhood, thus parents need to be vigilant in regard to their child’s weight.

Mohit Sud, an executive working with a Bangalore based MNC says, “Children nowadays have become couch potatoes. It is very difficult to find the exact cause for his. It has been noticed that children who refrain from going out in the field and playing with their friends are more prone to getting addicted to electronic games. It is not entirely their fault; it is the changing lifestyles that are leading to childhood obesity.”

Neeti Bhalla, housewife, says, “My eleven year old, Aditya has bloated over the last few months. I cannot entirely blame him for that. Since my husband has a transferable job, we tend to shift quite often. Ady loses his friends eventually. He has found great happiness in electronic games but his staple diet consists of Pepsi and chips followed by an array of other junk delicacies. We were guilty about or son having to lose his friends so quickly that we gave in to all his demands. Now his weight has started bothering us.

Obesity is becoming increasingly common in urban areas where children are stuck to electronic games. Competitive pressures in school and demanding lifestyles are robbing our children of their childhood. It is high time we do something about it before it gets too late.

‘Om’ is for all and none can patent it!

‘Om’, ‘Aum’ or ‘Omkara’ whatever one calls it, is not in fact a word but an intonation, a complete mantra, which, like music, transcends the barriers of age, race culture, religion and even the species. The sound ‘Om’ is considered to be the origin of all —that is why researchers say that ‘Om’ was the first sound that emanated after the big bang. ‘Om’ is a cosmic sound which the Yogis have felt and heard in their subconscious and while in trance and so it enjoys a reference in many Upanishads and religious books. The greatest beauty of ‘Om’ is that a reference to it is found in almost every Indian language and in every dialect where this wholesome cosmic sound is denoted alphabetically.

There is a reference to ‘Om’ in Oriya, Gujarati, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, Kashmiri, Sindhi, Sharda and Sindhi as well. Another interesting feature is that a reference to ‘Om’ is found in foreign languages too, including German, Chinese and the Greek. ‘Om’ in fact does not belong to a particular sect or religion. A reference to it is found in those who belong to other faiths as well. Researchers say that in Greek, it is pronounced “Omein or Omeni’. The famous Bodh mantra “‘Om’ Mani Padme Hoon” too makes a reference to ‘Om’. Buddhists do recite this mantra daily while remembering the Ultimate. This is the “Mool-Mantra”, the basic mantra for Buddhists and begins with ‘Om’ like almost all mantras of Hindus including the greatest of all mantras— the Gayatri Mantra. How sweet it sounds when people holding faith in Sikhism believe in “Ek Omkaar”. The best connotation of ‘Om’ is found in Bhagwat Gita where Lord Krishna, during a conversation with Arjuna (in the 8th and 10th discourses), explains the significance of this eternal sound.

Krishna, in the 8th discourse says that there is harmony, peace and bliss in this simple but deeply philosophical sound. By vibrating the sacred syllable ‘Om’, the supreme combination of letters, if one thinks of the ultimate personality of Godhead and quits the body, he will certainly reach the highest state, viz., ‘statelessness’ (eternity). In the 10th discourse, the Lord explains to Arjuna that in all the syllables and recitations, “I am the one word— the Omkaar.”

According to Chanogya Upanishad, the syllable ‘Om’ is a call to knowledge and it signifies assent. The Narda— Pancaratra states: “When the transcendental sound vibration is practised by the conditioned soul, the Supreme Lord is present on his tongue”. The Atharva Veda and the Mandukya Upanishad mention the importance of “Omkara”, which is said to be the beginning, middle and end and is eternal— beyond all material restrictions. It is considered unlimited, transcendental and indestructible. Taittirya Upanishad says that ‘Om’ is the supreme symbol of God— a sound which expresses all truth. It is with because of this reason that priests begin the worship with ‘Om’. Spiritual teachers begin their lessons with ‘Aum’ and even all the Hindu mantras generally begin and end with ‘Om’. This Upanishad further says that those in whom ‘Aum’ resides are united with God. ‘Om’ according to Mandukya Upanishad, is the one eternal syllable that encompasses all that exists — the past, the present and the future— they are all included in this one sound and all that exists beyond the three forms of time are also implied in it.

Linguists believe that ‘Om’ is in fact made of three Sanskrit letters— “Aa, Aau and Ma” which when combined gives rise to the sound ‘Aum’ or ‘Om’. It is believed to be the basic sound of the world that contains all other sounds. It is a mantra or prayer in itself and if correctly intoned, it can resonate through the body so that the sound penetrates to the centre of one’s being— the Atma or the soul. That is why, the great mystic and the 14th century poetess of Kashmir, Lalleshwari described in one of her Vaakhs that, for one who intones the single mantra ‘Om’ every moment , intoning a thousand mantras are literarily meaningless. In yet another Vaakh, Lalleshwari, (commonly known to both Muslims and Hindus as Lal Ded), says that ‘Om’ is such a mantra and such an experience that an individual only has to intone it and hear it!

There is also a reference to ‘Om’ in Katha Upanishad-I. According to it, “the goal which all the Vedas declare, which all austerities aim at and which men desire when they lead a life of continence is ‘Om’. Whoever knows and intones this syllable obtains all that he desires. This is the best support, the highest support one can get. Whosoever gets this support is adored in the world of Brahma”

The syllable ‘Om’, also known as Pranava, can also be spelt as ‘AUM’ and Westerners, who hold faith in Hinduism, decompose ‘Aum’ into three parts; for them, ‘A’ stands for creation, ‘U’ for preservation and ‘M’ for destruction or dissolution. According to another interpretation, the three letters forming ‘Aum’ indicate the three lokas of this universe, both gross and subtle – Svarga (heaven), Martya (earth) and Patala (the netherworld).

In day-to-day life, ‘Om’ can be heard even when a creature inhales and exhales. That is why sages and saints have been practising this mantra while meditating for generations. When a temple bell chimes, the vibration produced resembles the sound ‘Om’. Or for that matter, if you try a simple tuning fork, a similar reaction, viz., ‘Om’, the cosmic sound, results. Even during an echo, those with ears that can gauge sound can feel it! The power of ‘Om’ is so great that while one meditates or while one chants it, he creates within himself a vibration that synchronises with the cosmic vibration and thus the individual starts thinking universally. The momentary silence between each chant becomes palpable. Researchers say that the mind moves between the extremes of sound and silence until, at last, the sound ceases. In the ensuing silence, the single thought, ’Om’ is quenched - there is no thought. This is the state of trance, where the mind and the intellect are transcended as the individual self merges with the Infinite Self in this pious moment of realization. It is a moment when the petty worldly affairs are lost in the desire for the universal. Such is the immeasurable power of ‘Om’.

‘Om’ is in everyone’s genes. It is a question of how one reads it, deciphers it, finds it, traces it, and links it to one’s roots. ‘Om’ is for all and in fact no one can patent it!

English: Is it the language of success?

NDIA HAS INHERITED a multicultural and multilingual society where bilingualism and multilingualism have become the order of the day to be a part of the main-stream. While mother tongues and regional languages were part of the curriculum from the beginning, English made inroads into our educational system as a second language. Slowly, realising the importance of English as an international language, many schools upgraded it as first language in the curriculum. Little information is available, however, on the number of people who "know" English and the extent of their knowledge or even on how many people study English at school. According to the 1981 census, 202,400 persons (0.3 percent of the population) admitted to English being their first language. Less than 1 percent admitted to English being their second language while 14 percent admitted to being bilingual (in two of India’s many languages).

The Fifth All-India Education Survey conducted in 1992 explored the avenues for studying English in India. According to the survey, only 1.3 per cent of primary schools, 3.4 per cent of upper primary schools, 3.9 per cent of middle schools, and 13.2 per cent of high schools use English as a medium of instruction. Schools treating English as the first language (requiring ten years of study) are only 0.6 per cent of rural primary schools, 2.8 per cent of rural high schools, and 9.9 per cent of urban high schools. English in India is offered as a second language (six years of study) in 51 per cent of rural primary schools, 55 per cent of urban primary schools, 57 per cent of rural high schools and 51 per cent of urban high schools. As a third language (three years of study), English is offered in 5 per cent of rural primary schools, 21 per cent of urban primary schools, 44 per cent of rural high schools and 41 per cent of urban high schools. These statistics reveal a strong desire to study English on the part of people exposed mostly to vernacular education, even in the countryside.

English continues to be the premier and prestigious language in higher education because the resource and guidance available in this language are abundant compared to that available in the regional languages or even the national language. Careers in business and commerce, government positions of high rank, and science and technology which attract the brightest, continue to require fluency in English. English is another passport and provides the visa for overseas study.

English is reckoned as a prestigious language and the tongue of first choice and continues as medium of instruction in elite schools at every level. Private English medium schools are mushrooming in all large cities and many smaller cities. Even government schools run for the benefit of senior civil service officers, use English because only that language is the acceptable medium of communication throughout the nation. It serves even better while one migrates to exploit opportunities and Indians are constantly shifting base within the country. Our cities reflect this reality.

The working-class, comprised of rural and urban migrants and who perhaps are bilingual in their village dialect and the regional language, perceive English as the tool for their children’s advancement. Schools in which English is the medium of instruction are a "growth industry." The English speaker also commands more respect and draws courteous responses in some situations than does a speaker of an indigenous language.

However, in recent times in the global marketplace, Indians have become the obvious choice of the knowledge-based industry because of their sheer knowledge of the English language and the ability to effectively use it on the job. The trend is showing positive and upward growth and even the European and American companies have been showing greater interest in offering jobs to Indian professionals. Not all credit is to be given to English alone; knowledge of the subject is important too; yet expression and communication are being powered by English. There is no denying this fact.

Realising the importance of this imported language which can bring benefit to the society and the nation, the National Knowledge Commission of India has proposed to the government of India to strongly recommend the inclusion of English from Standard I in the school curriculum. The Commission is of the opinion that “in the 21st century marketplace, languages are the new bargaining chips. They are tools of trade, no less or more; that is precisely why we must embrace them.” The learned scholars do feel that “linguistic proficiency is the key to unlock the door of opportunities in a world where borders are blurring in the blink of an eye.”

Gandhigiri in America

The Indian techies in US, who have been waiting for the acceptance of their applications for Green Card finally opt for ‘Gandhigiri’ as practiced by Munnabhai in his movie. They have been sending flowers to USICS for the last one-month.

INSPIRED BY Munnabhai’s Gandhigiri philosophy, frustrated techies from India, who are presently living in the US, have been sending flowers to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director for the last one month. Techies initiated this move in wake of unprecedented delay on the part of USCIS regarding accepting the applications for Green Card.

Though USICS had announced in mid June that anyone who has cleared the first stage of the Green Card process can apply for the final stage and later on potentially work for any employer of his choice, USCIS has not been accepting any application for the Permanent residency (Green Card) program.

This campaign was started by an organization, ImmigrationVoice. This is a non-profit organization, which acts as an interface between the set of immigrants and the legislative branches of the government. This helps in reducing the excessive delays and clearing the backlog of petitions, which have been submitted by nearly half a million highly skilled workers who are certified by US Government to be doing a job that no US citizen is willing, qualified or able to do.

In the recent days American government tried to legalize all the illegal immigrants but the issue of the legal immigrants is of least concern to all the lawmakers. AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association) is channeling up all the energy to fight against USCIS lawfully.

Emilio Gonzalez, Director, USCIS who is also aware about this initiative said, “I understand that individuals have been sending flowers to USCIS since July 10. USCIS has made arrangements to forward those flowers to our injured service members recuperating at Walter Reed Army Medical Center and at Bethesda Naval Hospital.

Most of the organizers are happy that atleast their efforts are acknowledged by the Director and these flowers will add colours to the life of soldiers and their families.

But here the question is—can this Gandhigiri really work and can this movement speed up the process?

The Indian Sex Industry: Perturbed, Pressured and Poignant

A DARK GLOOM hovers over the red light area of New Delhi. Hundreds of women stare out of dingy pigeonholes with preening eyes. Who will be their next client, what will they experience and if here is a hope for them when they cross the age of 35 and experience the hatred and stigma pushed on them by society?

Most sex workers in the country are victims of poverty, guilt, sexually transmitted diseases and live a life that is worse than death. They succumb to dire circumstances and have no platform to voice their concerns. They are constantly subjugated to violence and abuse and their plight is never-ending.

Welcome to Kamathipura, a flourishing red light district in Mumbai. This is the hub of the AIDS epidemic in India which affects more than four and a half million people. Over 60,000 sex workers live in Kamathipura and more than 50 per cent of them are HIV positive.

The sex workers in these areas have been sold by their family members or have been tricked in the trade. Their lives lay barren and ragged. They are victims of the society as well as of those who use them for a few minutes of physical saturation. What goes unnoticed is the quandary and challenges faced by these women.

Chanda, a sex worker from Delhi says, “There are good times as well as bad ones. It entirely depends upon the kind of customer one is to get for the night. Sometimes we get Rs 100 for a night while on other occasions it may vary from Rs 75 to 250.”

The rates are higher if sex is offered to the client without a condom which often results in transmitting of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STD). The rates are higher for younger girls who are the worst victims. Many of them have been trafficked from other countries while others have been sold by their own fathers and uncles.

Sitara tried to escape a number of times but gave up thinking about where she would go and what she would do. The families of these girls would not accept them as they are considered to be a stigma on society and they are left with barely any means to start living an earnest life.

Several workers become hostages when they are kidnapped unaware of the threats imposed on them. They are forced into the flesh trade and then brainwashed by the local pimps and Madams running the brothels. They have nowhere to go except for the sex industry, the only community that is ready to accept them.

Ram Prakash Rai, an activist with Savera foundation says, “After the sex workers have no means to generate revenue and are no longer in demand they have absolutely no means to earn a livelihood. Taking this into account we provide them with vocational trainings and help them stand on their feet. We motivate them to start their own businesses and encourage them to become activists.”

“The Police are the biggest gundas”, Says Manju. “They catch us and then demand we have sex with them in order to pay them off for our release.”

Several debated and moralistic arguments have been given to favour and oppose legitimizing sex work in India. According to the Indian Penal Code (IPC), sex work is not illegal. It is the trafficking of women and children for the purpose of making them sex workers, violence and abuse that are illegal. The law does not prohibit anyone from having sex for money, what is prohibited is living off the income of a sex worker and pleading in public for sex work.

It is not the red light districts that carry an aura of lamentation, but it is about the increase in AIDS victims that has caused a ripple in the already troubled waters of sex trade in India. It has become necessary for introducing sex workers with their rights and values. One cannot condemn or look down upon them simply because they are part of the flesh trade. After all, who victimizes them? Clients visiting these red light areas are often businessmen, fathers, husbands and lovers. They need to see a bigger picture which exposes them to the realities of life.

In the Kamasutra, as explained by Vatsayana, prostitution was not considered disgraceful. Every prostitute was prized by her lover and had a code of conduct she needed to adhere too. She enjoyed a position of power and could refuse her lover at her will.

In the days of the Nawabs, Lucknow’s prostitutes were regarded as those possessing high intellect and manners. They were especially appointed to impart etiquette training to the sons and daughters of the rich Nawabs.

Today, the industry’s commercialization and ruthlessness has degenerated its social appearance. It is covered with the grime of lust, ravage and has become a crude form of soul trade. It is important for us to address the myths and whims associated with sex workers and we need to wake up as a nation to fend ourselves from the clutches of ignorance.

The red light district of Kolkata has the lowest AIDS rate in the country. This is the outcome of various organizations that have come to the rescue of the sex workers there. The use of the condom needs to be made essential for the sex workers. They have the power to refuse their client if he insists on unprotected sex. But the biggest plight faced by the workers is lack of awareness and no means to access their rights.

The India sex industry needs a revolution. It needs to be re created by introducing rights for the welfare of sex workers and their families. Their interests need to be safeguarded and the implementation of rights needs to be looked into.

There are thousands of stories that need to be heard. The heart wrenching difficulties and humiliation suffered by the sex workers needs attention. What we mustn’t forget is that even they are human beings and have the right to a dignified life. If someone falls prey to unfortunate circumstances, is it correct on our part to make them criminals.

Darjeeling: Toy Train & Tea Gardens

• When I landed in the town of Siliguri from where I had to catch a cab for Darjeeling, I was told there was a ‘toy train’ as well which one could use to travel to Darjeeling. The catch was that it would take about nine hours instead of the one hour it takes by cab. After thinking for a moment, I decided to take the toy train. And believe me, when the train was winding up the vertical track of blind curves, I thought to myself, I liked the slow moving journey of the steam miniature train.
  
  Amongst the views I got to see from the train, I particularly liked the tea gardens which blanket the slopes of the hills. I remember two gardens in particular – ‘Happy Valley’ and ‘Lopchu’ for their special fragrance. Darjelling tourism has really done a good work with respect to maintaining this old charm of the British Raj. The toy train provided me an opportunity to slowly savor in the freshness of the Queen of the Hills that is Darjeeling.