Sunday, February 15, 2009

Realities Beyond Three P's

Pub bharo,Pink Chaddi,Pink Condom,Muthalik,Minister…. are the latest happenings in our country.Even a kindergarten kid may be aware of the pub bharo&muthalik&pink chaddi campaigns!No room for the justification of muthalik's Taliban thoughts.After all ,anyone who is above the age of 21,is legally permissable to visit pub.Molesting the girls are more horrendous than the pub culture.It was quite surprsiing to see nation wide 'pink chaddi campaign"...virtual world was enriched with this discussion.In between came our honorable minister's 'slogan' 'Pub Bharo'(Definitely,the UPA must have felt embarassed at minister's statement..they might have thought Minister is a spokesperson of pub owners!)finally things went calm.No chaos or confusions on valentine's day!Group of women leading a campaign,several men joining it later on,the campaigning caught a national level attention(i doubt whether any other movement have caught this much of popularity!)Media,Pub Owners,Muthalik&Minister emerged victorious!!They all received nation wide publicity.A sort of free marketing for alchohol companies!The question remains..who fell into the prey?Undoubtedly our society!Particularly Indian Women!

The enthusiasm taken by the women in pink chaddi campaign,the initiative taken by our honorable minister in pub bharo andolan was “commenable”!But it is disheartening to see that no 'proper measures' are initiated for resolving livelihood issues of women in rural areas.Unfortunate to say that,issues that requires national attention are swept under carpet!Quiet usitative for we,the Indians!But are we aware?Or is there any campaign or andolan to tackle such issues?Society is more bothered about people going to pubs and discos.Minster too much concerned about the urban upper class life style.No doubt about that.If we have had a glance at the few of the basic issues..sure,women would have abstained from such worthless revolution or we would have focussed our attention on realities.

An official study done in 2007 has revealed some shocking information on child abuse,particularly sexual abuse.According to the study, 53.22 per cent children reported having faced some form of sexual abuse. Nearly 22 per cent child respondents reported facing severe forms of sexual abuse and 5.69 per cent reported being sexually assaulted. Children on streets, at work and in institutional care also reported the highest incidence of sexual assault.

The prohibition of manual scavenging Act came into force in 1993.Still there are 13 lakh manual scavengers in our country,out of which more than 90%are women..Activities of manual scavenging are evident in metros as well.Its ironical to see that, in spite of crores of rupees earmarked for the rehabilitation of manual scavengers...these oppressed class continues to depend on foul smell for their livelihood.So the existence of variance is crystal clear.where does the money goes?

Victims of natural calamities sell their kidneys (for livelihood) via brokers..and they are not paid fully for the 'transaction'.Moreover the post surgery health problems has prevented these women from taking other domestic jobs.Many women sell their kidneys to earn a regular income by setting up small busines..but for few others,wedding expenses of their daughters are met by the kidney sales.Whatever the reason ...everything ends up in a disaster..at the cost of women's health!The most shameful part of these kidney episodes are, there is a huge demand for the same from the urban area..and these poor folks are being cheated by offering lucrative rates!

Till today,none of our commission has been able to put a check on the spurt of sex rackets.Victims of the sex rackets are eventually transformed as sex workers(prospective prostitudes!)Very often girls enter their teens with a lot of hopes about their future.Unfortunately all their hopes are nipped in the bud once they are being targeted by the unscrupulous people who runs the racket.Political Police Baron nexus favours the smooth functioning of the rackets.Victims of sex rackets are always treated as accused!

Indian society feels ashamed to talk about prostitudes,scavenging and sex rackets in public..Perhaps,that could be the reason as to why we are helpless to wipe out these malignant activities.Its ironical to see that people don't hesitate to do these shameful acts!Women in our country fight for equality,reservation in parliament...but they forget to bespeak on behalf of the neglected women.Worst part is the discourteous attitude towards the isolated class.

In India, despite its growth, women depend on primary health centres — most of which lack proper facilities — for child birth..THe infant mortality rate during child birth are very high.Lack of proper medical facilities is the root cause for such unfortunate incidents.


Besides these scavenging,sex rackets...there are innumerable issues that affect the existence of a woman..from female foeticide to rape.Thousnads of girls are missing every year.Most of the girls fall into the trap of agents(Both job&pimps)Alas! we take an indifferent direction towards the same.What caught our attention(particularly women) was Pub Bharo&Pink chaddi...and our society ensured their honest support towards such movement!

Various laws has been enacted for the upliftment and security of women from time to time.Lack of proper channels to ensure the effective functioning of those laws and absence of stringent action has lead to the growth in the violence against women.Instead of making a hue and cry over petty issues,it would be worthwhile if women conjointly makes some serious endeavours for the effective functioning of laws for the protection of women.


Why the pink chaddi campaign gathered this much momentum?is it coz its all about educated upper class?or the issue is about the 'right of a woman to go to pub'?or is it due to the campaign sprouted in metros and urabn areas?or that we are left with no other issues to deal?

Pink chaddi campaign has proved that urban women enjoys considerable amount of freedom and voice to make their choices.Yes,educated urban women can tread a path for a change.Powerful voice,freedom and inclination of women ,if channelised properly ,can mitigate many of the adversities of neglected class.Besides mitigating,such powerful voice can illuminate the lives of millions of women suffering in our country.The collective and constructive thoughts if shuffled properly,can bring a difference not only in the life of rural women,but also can create a significant change in the development of our society.

Lets make a sensible choice!Pub Bharo or Protect Women?