And trafficking in India

The Indian Express, Pune edition dated 2nd April has published a story of how women and girls from drought hit areas in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu are being pushed into prostitution in Mumbai and Goa. It is another unfortunate scenario that those who are already suffering from natural calamities are being further victimised. It is so easy to lure those who are starving to do any kind of act against their will, and young women and girls have always been vulnerable, being unable to fend for themselves. They can be trafficked on the pretext of finding work or they might be lured into it after they have migrated to other places in search of work, but in either case, they are the victims. And unfortunately, the truth cannot be known till they are rescued.

Syrians selling their daughters

Read a disturbing piece of news some days back about Syrians selling their young teenaged daughters to old Arab men to save their husbands. It is something that made me feel so miserable and angry at the same time. On one hand I felt sad for the poor women of that war torn country that they have no other resource than to sell their children and on the other there was anger that is that all a daughter's life is worth. It further angered me that such things are happening all the time and nobody takes any preventive steps. While on one hand the situation of Syria saddedned me, on the other such blattant violation of human rights angered me. In any case, the pathetic condition of this country like many others needs to be improved with necessary steps to be taken both at the national as well as international levels.

http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2013/03/22/syrians-selling-their-daughters-to-saudi-husbands.html

For a better tomorrow

For a better tomorrow
It should be we and not me
It should be world and not community
It should be hope and freedom
Playgrounds and not prohibitions
Flowers and not guns
Food and not drugs
Love and not fights
Sharing and not snatching
Living and not just existing
 

Pay as you weigh!

A Norwegian economist has suggested that obese air passengers should be charged extra and has propounded three models describing how people belonging to different weight category may be charged. While it may seem like good economics, with majority of people facing an ever increasing waistline, it is doubtful how feasible it might be. Can weight really be a good criteria for grouping people? I am not too sure about it. Most probable chances are that there will be widespread protests if airlines try to implement it. And most important, it might lead to unjust classification and stereotyping based on weight. However, one good thing can come out of it. It might encourage people to exercise and try to maintain an average ideal weight. And that might be good, not just for their own health but for the world at large. Not sure about the airlines in that case!

Hero worship

Justice Katju's mercy plea for Sanjay Dutt seems funny to me. Just because he is an actor does not mean that he is above law. He may be a good actor or a good family man but that does not mean that he can get away by doing that what puts the lives of lesser known, poorer people behind the bars. It seems funny that the man who has studied law and knows the principles of 'Rule of Law' fails to understand the principle of equality that is the most cherished principle of all. It is high time people stop hero worship and get down to real things, like promoting equality for less fortunate ones.

Just like that

Wondering what life would have been like if I had been somewhere else, some other country, some other family. I doubt it being as blessed as it is now. Because I may cry over small things I know that what I have got the vast majority of the world would die to get it. But still, would I be a different person if I had not got this freedom? Would I be a fighter if I had been underprivileged? Would I have surrendered or moved on? No idea what I would have done because circumstances make a man. But I know I would never in any circumstance bend down or compromise on my principles. The only thing is had my principles been the same in different atmosphere and upbringing?

Questioning our neighbours

Sometimes I really wonder what our two dear neighbouring countries gain by killing innocent people. Why is that these countries have so many communal clashes, bomb attacks and mass killings? Is the violence state sponsored or is the state completely helpless in protecting the basic human values? Does the general public support such killings? Or do the minorities have no rights at all? Because a country that fails to protect its minorities is in a very pathetic condition. A country that stifles the liberal voice cannot claim to be a democracy. Isn't it a shame that those who are to be cherished are crushed, those who should be heard are attacked? Shouldn't our neighbours grow up and allow peace to spread its healing touch? Shouldn't they be willing to allow a condition of love and progress prevail instead of generating hatred that kills not just the victim but also the perpetrator? I wish I could question our neighbours.