10 year old Zabiullah's ordeal

An effort to address child labor in domestic sector

Why mothers queue up to end their lives?

"Mother dies with two kids" - the headline in today's New Indian Express datelined Mandya makes an uneasy reading followed by a haunting day. In fact, this sort of news stories hits the headlines almost every day in newspapers and therefore, such news items hardly find place in the prominent area of the newspaper.

The kids are aged 10 and 6 years and mother is 35 years. She found the lake near her matrimonial home to end her life forever. As soon as she jumped into it with her kids, the lake has swallowed them as it was longing for it. Their lifeless bodies floated in the water and settled on the sidewalls when villagers procured them from there. Everyone gathered around became uncontrolled and burst into tears. Obviously! 

After coming to her matrimonial home 16 years back, she had certain dreams like any girl of that age had. She was naturally attracted to the lush green shores of the nearby lake. As days went by, she took bathe in the lake water, swam, fished sometimes with neighbors. She took her kids there to give them bathe. Kids always enjoyed swimming and fishing in the lake. She would have never imagined of their end in the same lake!

Of course, she is the victim of domestic violence. Arrest of her husband and parents-in-law follows. Law takes its own course and there ends the matter. The agony, anxiety and horror created by their death do continue ticking in the heart. Who is in the line for the next attempt? I am really worried.

What was the responsibility and burden of those who cried on their dead bodies? How many times they would have had heard of her cries, screaming, shouting for help from her matrimonial home? How many attempts would have had been made to console her and save her from threat to life? Probably, the community members would have known everything and consoled her. There is an equal probability of non cooperation from the villagers during her strife. She grew in the middle of violence-torn domestic environment from a bride to the multiple roles of wife, daughter in law and mother of two kids. She took the extreme step when it was unbearable.

A mother never takes such daring step even if she suffers from extreme hunger. She would have definitely had a past wherein she had consoled herself in each stage of sufferings resulted from domestic violence. Suicide or killing oneself is the last resort one could depend on. Till then, all efforts would have been tried and failed. She would have had approached her closest people for a solution to continue her life for the sake of kids. All have failed miserably! As a result, her lifeless body floated in the lake water. Within her exposed world, it was the only way out for her to release her soul.

What is the use of the legislations, schemes and programs with funds and salaried people that aimed at delivering justice to vulnerable women? It all looks like a mockery of justice. Unless they are accessed by the needy in time, what great status are we going to achieve by just boasting of them?

The appalling number of such wives, daughter-in-laws and mothers ending lives is on a constant rise; it is much more than the number of farmers who committed suicide. The difference is that farmers' suicide gets a hype while mothers' death toll does not create an outcry.

Right to Education Act - A betrayal

In the backdrop of Karnataka Government's steps to implement Right to Education Act 2009, a series of discussions have been initiated in the state. Though the government has made its commitment to implement it from this academic year, the Karnataka Right to Education rules 2010 has not yet been notified. Without rules, how can it be implemented?

The private schools have come to the streets to protest against the provision of 25% seats for the children belonging to backward and vulnerable sections of society in the neighbourhood. Government has fixed the fees of such child as Rs.11750. Each private school will be given the amount for admission of each child. However, private schools are up in arms against the Act. Organisations like Dalit Sangharsh Samiti (DSS) have started campaigning for implementation of the Act. There are some groups which have raised speculations and reservations about the Act.

My principal opposition is that the Act has not complied with the provisions of Convention of the Rights of the Child (CRC),1989, to which India is one of the signatories. When a new legislation is made, such compliance has to be adhered to. However, the Act has not recognised any provisions of the UNCRC. As per CRC provisions, a child is a person below 18 years. RTE Act has covered only children in the age group of 6-14 years. In fact, its derivation is from Article 45 of the Constitution where it was mentioned as 'free and compulsory education for all the children below 14 years'. However, when the law was made, the coverage of children has further been cut short, and thereby children who are in need of early childhood care and education were left out. By non complying to the CRC provisions, adolescent group also has been left out from the purview of RTEA. 

Early childhood care, known as anganwadi education, is the base and preparation of primary education. It is known as fundamental course of a child. During this period, the child gets exposed to a different world of learning, new sounds, shapes and colors. The aptitude for education is formulated in this stage. Unless properly guided at this stage, the child may not be able to land up in primary school. Parents of the child also needs guidance and counseling at this stage. Anganwadi education encompasses not only the child, but the whole family as well for its coverage in terms of nutrition, health, education, adolescent health etc. Anganwadi education should be considered to be part of elemetary education. However, RTE Act has left it out.

Similarly, the age group of 15-18 years is out of the Act's purview. A child would be completing his elementary education in 8th standard at the age of 14 years. The minimum qualification for a job nowadays is SSLC or Plus two. In such situation, what would be the use of this Act for a child who belong to OBC, Muslim, Tribal or Dalit? This Act will obviously create large number of school drop outs in the 8th standard. Massive enrollment for first standard and massive drop out in 8th standard!! 

Another problem with this Act is the non-compliance with the most progressive children's Act implemented in the country. The Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection) Act 2000 has not been mentioned anywhere in the Act though JJA is linked with all children below 18 years. The special judicial bodies under JJA such as Juvenile Justice Board and Child Welfare Committee have been in place in every district in the country. JJA deals with corporal punishment under Section 23: cruelty against child. However, the law makers seem to be unaware of JJA. Really it is very unfortunate! Several cases of school children have already been reported to CWCs. Hence, in future too, plenty of cases will be reported to CWC or JJB. Without recognising the existence of these children's courts, RTE Act has been made in heaven.

State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (SCPCR) has been  entrusted with monitoring of implementation and made appellate authority in the state. In Karnataka, when KCPCR still reels under so many problems including lack of status, insufficient staff and infrastructure thanks to the apathy of the government, how can it take care of this new responsibility? Local Authority as per the Act is the BEO. This would definitely pave a way to the BEO to take advantage of the situations, in a larger way than earlier.

There are lot of confusions and vested interests in RTE Act. It has been made in hurry, definitely not in the best interests of the children of this country. It seems to showcase to the international community that we have an Act to ensure universal primary education as promised in the constitution and commitment made in UNCRC. 

The children of this country are betrayed further!

Cycle, our future vehicle

An uncared for news item attracted my attention: The story reads: A cyclist knocked down by a car in city. This story, for a newspaper and for us, is not a big story at all. It is obvious that such story would get only that much space and attention. It is police beat news and invariably has appeared as part of its routine crime coverage.

I was pained by the news. Beacuse, the car, the polluting vehicle has hit a cyclist, a non polluting vehicle user. In fact, bicycle is our future vehicle. A car which runs on the exhausted fossil fuel produced elsewhere moves on the road with the space of 6 to 10 cycles and emits carbon monoxide and other fumes to the public hub of oxygen, hits a cyclist who is the weaker symbol of our safe future.

Each fuel-centric vehicle on the road is a burden on our children. How much is the emission of these vehicles to our precious air every minute? Leave alone the cities and towns, the villages too have unaffordable number of private vehicles now. Indian cities and towns suffocate with the day-by-day increasing number of fossil fuel-fed vehicles. There is no regulation in the number of vehicles that hit the roads everyday. Anyone can own a vehicle and drive it onto the public road at anytime and leave the dangerous fumes to the lung space of the public. None will question. Such action in fact is looked at with respect and adoration. A person who owns a car or any other private vehicle is highly respected. (Some hotels/ institutions do not allow visitors who come in bicycles or motorcycles inside their campus. Their vehicles have to be parked outside the compund. However, if you come by car, you are allowed to enter straightaway.)

The recent additions of Honda, Wolksvagan, Hyundai and other companies are pretty long and spacious ones which too hit the roads almost everyday. Such cars take space on the public road equivalent to that of 10 cyclists. Is it justifiable to have such a car in such crowded traffic, encroaching others' space? Is this justifiable to allow such companies to produce such spacious cars in cities like ours? When I see these cars in small, congested and shabby roads, I realise the lacuna of pro people policies in our system. Why should the city administration allow such cars within its limits? Why can't the city corporation enforce a rule like the University of Mangalore has done in its campus? Only cycles are allowed inside the campus. Whoever comes inside can take a bicycle parked near the gate and reach the offices and class rooms.

In a city or town where there are only underdeveloped and narrow roads, huge vehicles cannot be allowed on a regular basis. It will definitely create a havoc. It is in simple sense, undemocratic. Like European countries have switched over to bicycles, Indian cities and towns too can take such action. In order to save our remaining oxygen chunk, even this would be a late decision. But, better late than never!

European countries like Holland have developed bicycle paths to ensure safe cycling for the cyclists. There are no case of vehicles hitting cyclists over there. We need such bicycle paths. But, I am sure, it is too much an expecation one can have from the government. It will take action only when it realises and faces tremondous pressure from public that there is an oxygen shortage.

I am fond of bicycle. In my childhood and youth, I had a bicycle. Even after marriage and settled in Mysore in the ninetees, my vehicle was bicycle. I had regularly dropped Usha to her office and picked her up in the evenings. I used to go to a number of places on bicycle only. Later I switched over to a two wheeler. But I always feel that I should switch over to bicycle.

Cyclists should be given high respect, not for the car wallahs. Why should respect go to someone who harms our environment and hijacks public space? Let us start thinking in favour of bicycle and procure one to use it for at least short distances. The rights of cyclists are long due. No cyclist should die on the street from now onwards. Let us write to the concerned to implement the rights of cyclists and bicycle policy for future.

Anomaly in Juvenile Justice System

Juvenile Justice system in Karnataka, though functioning regularly, has been criticised for various reasons. One of the criticisms is the selection of functionaries in CWC and JJB, in contravention of JJ Rules. According to Karnataka JJ Rules 2010, there shall not be any functionary who is in the management of any children's home. However, on the contrary, there are a number of undeserved persons who managed to get into CWC and JJB. CWC and JJB are the magisterial bodies which have powers to inspect, monitor and assess the children's homes run by NGOs. In such situation, how is it practical for the CWC/JJB functionaries to look into the functioning of their own Children's Homes? Is it not a mockery of the system?

The Selection Board has not properly looked into the antecedents of the persons who had applied for the post of Member Magistrate in CWC or JJB. The Board should have conducted a home enquiry / police verification of the persons to ascertain the background of the applicants. I personally know some members/ chairpersons who run children's homes in the same district. If there is discripancy or violation in their institutions, who will take congnisance of it? Who will inspect the institution?

First of all, on ethical ground, the funcitonaries who run such institutions should voluntarily resign from the post immediately before someone files a complaint with the department or high court. Or the Selection Board should review the selection process and initiate action against such functionaries. Compliance of law is very important for a member magistrate to discharge his / her duties. Under the heading of disqualifications, Karnataka Rules 2010 has very clearly put the relevant provision. There are directors of  NGOs that run children's home in the state, with or without the assistance of the government. Now, if they are part of CWC or JJB, how will they be able to deliver justice in the spirit of law?

The Selection Board, of which Director of Dept of Women and Child Development (DWCD) is the member secretary, has to immediately look into this anomaly and initiate the corrective measures to make the system in the district proper. This step will generate a trust on the juvenile justice systems among the commons.   

Manthalpatty, abode of natural beauty

Manthalpatty is the culmination of mountains. A series of mountains with shola forests. 25 kilometers away from Madikeri, headquarters of Coorg district. I came to know about the name from Lovie, my niece. The place became famous after Galipata, a Ganesh starrer Kannada movie was made over there. Emily, my daughter wanted to play in water and therefore, she was not very interested to go to the hills. 

After borrowing Mumtaz's car, we set off towards Manthalpatty by noon. Usha on the front seat and Emi and Miggie on the back seat. I loved driving on hilly, zigzag tract. Sameer said it was not more than 8 kilometers while Mumtaz said about 15 kms. As we were going, at one particular point, the road became suddenly steep and small. There were no vehicles in front or behind us. The green branches grown to the road touched our car and said good bye. While I was enjoying the drive, kids started screaming as no human activity was around. Then came the dry, shaven hills. The cracked road made us go slow. As a solace for our tense drive, we found a small tea shop on the road side. After having black tea, we moved on. A jeep which came from the opposite side stopped and told us: 'Its a must see place. You have to drive another six kms. But the road is not good'.

The petrol display started blinking when we had left Abbey falls itself. It meant the petrol had gone to reserve. I was tense only about that. I called up Sameer who said that it would go another 50 kms in reserve. Though his words encouraged, the problem continuously bothered me. Still, we took the risk. Kids were telling: let's go back, pappa.

When we reached the arch of Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, it was 3.00 pm. We saw vehicles parked down the valley. The road continued uptill the valley. The car moved forward. Suddenly I realised the road was full of boulders as the mud had disappeared in rains. I was in such a situation wherein I was not able to take a reverse. Since there was no option, I continued going but slowly. When I reached the valley, all the visitors were looking at our car with wonder in their eyes. A jeep driver said: 'sir, how did you manage to bring this car here? No car comes here. All come in jeep only'. I really got scared. On one side, there is no petrol stock, and steep road with big boulders on the other side. What should we do?

There is a small office set up by the Forest department to collect fees from people. Rs.60 is charged for a vehicle. Except toilet facility, nothing is available. We should have taken food with us. Now, the snacks and bananas that we had brought are over. I asked some drivers for petrol. But they use only diesel.

With all these tensions, we looked around. Beautiful hills around! People have already trekked to the top. We also moved to the top. Miggie and myself reached the top first. It looked like top of the world. The lush green shola down the valley was really fascinating. I closed Usha's eyes and brought her towards valley. She opened her eyes to see the magnificent scene. Emily was so excited. She clicked photographs.

The hills would have been more beautifule in green cover. Now during summer, no green cover remained on the hills. Moreover, the grazing cattle were eating all the fresh shoots. Cool breeze patted us continuously and made everything cool. For a few minutes, we forgot everything, all tensions and worries.

I found the joy and excitement of kids were out of boundaries. Children like travelling to places, seeing new things, and meeting new people. Parents should be able to take them periodically to break their monotonous schooling.

I drove back with some courage. The boulders were really a challenge. However, somehow, I managed to reach the top near the arch. I found some cars like Swift, Indigo etc were parked there. They never dared to take the risk.

While coming back, it was really enjoyable. I put the car in neutral mode in the zigzag sloppy road. We reached near the rivulet flowing from the Abbey falls. Three of us, except Usha, had a bath. There was no much water to dive or swim. Usha took the photographs.

Cell phone disaster

Nowadays I strongly feel that the there should be some kind of control mechanism in using mobile phones. In recent times, the number of users of cell phones has increased considerably. In Bangalore, I think, everyone has at least one cell phone. Most of them always keep head phone and speak for a long time.

Don't they know the consequences of it? Or do they do it knowingly? I feel pain sometimes if I speak a bit longer. We all understand that it is meant for quick message. However, people have started using it for chatting. This would definitely collapse their system. As someone put it, "will destroy your brain".

Cell phones create radiation, no doubt about it. However, the radiation is very minimal.  World Health Organisation also has admitted it and issued guidelines for using cell phones. Low level radiation is deadly in long term. It does not harm you immediately. However, usage of cell phone for a longer time will definitely result in great physical damages. Radiation is invisible, non stinking, and untasted. Unlike radiation, low level radiation does not even create any feelings. Thats how all these radio active materials thrive on in the electronic gadgets in the civil life. Nuclear Power industry also thrives on the same survival strategy.

None will oppose low level radiation since no harm is seen anywhere. A cell phone user may get brain tumour after a span of 20-25 years, which cannot be linked directly to cell phone, though it could be the source. It is a tricky situation, of course. Nuclear lobby also behaves in the same manner. There are many reasons for cancer, tumour, not necessarily nuke radiation. Lack of nutrition, smoking, alcoholism, etc could be cited as reasons.

I am afraid of our country where a half of the population has become customers of cell phone might turn to be the abode of cancer patients. We will have to see only sufferings of the short living generations.

Is there any wayout to avoid such a disaster?

Malnutrition among young children

Malnutrition has now been in the news. Almost everyday. Its because of the intervention of the Karnataka High Court on the issue. Within 15th May, state government has to submit its report and action plan to eradicate malnutrition. This order was made on the backdrop of a suo moto Public Interest Litigation (PIL) by High Court. HC has formed three committees also to look into the whole malnutrition issue. The issue got highlighted recently when TV9 telecast deaths of about 4000 odd children in Raichur district, followed by the corruption in ICDS section of Dept of Women and Child Development (DWCD). Director, Joint Director, Deputy Director and some other officials of DWCD, Bangalore have been suspended after a Lokayukta raid on their houses and offices.

There was a discussion in SCM House, Mission Road in Bangalore this morning. Mathews of SICHREM, Mariswamy of SPJ, Dr Asha, Sudha of Right to Food Campaign, Saroja of Chiguru, Dr Padmini and Nagasimha of CRT and others were present. The meeting was called to formulate an action plan on combating malnutrition among children, which will be submitted to the committees appointed by HC.

Malnutrition is a byproduct of poverty. It is a violation of human rights. Malnutrition is a diability too, as someone in the meeting put it. It is rampant among children in the age group of 3-6 years. Anganwadi centres have been set up in villages by the government under ICDS (Integrated Child Development Scheme) to combat malnutrition among these children. It is also meant for pre-natal and post natal purposes. However, a large level of corruption from the top to the bottom has been underway. Its a known secret. But Lokayukta proved it to be true.

I made a suggestion to strengthen the Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) in the district to conduct surprise visits in anganwadi centres, file FIR if anyone found guilty, and catch hold of the officials responsible. Since CWC is the supreme body in the district to look after care and protection of children under 18 years, it would be an effective strategy to strenghthen it. Right now, CWCs are unaware of their powers and functions. They are made to act as servants of DWCD. CWC, a first class magisterial body, has been reduced to be subordinate body of District WCD. So sad and pathetic situation. This is how the DWCD has weakened the child care mechanism. If CWC is strong in the district, all child care services would be effectively monitored. CWCs need training in legal aspects and support from organisations to function effectively. However, all the NGOs blame CWCs as toothless body. Not only CWCs, but the NGOs and activists too do not know about the powers of CWCs. Thats where the problem lies!

Since ICDS fund meant for poor vulnerable children and rural women folk is shared by the officials on a regular basis, public accountability has to be in place. Now, other than the dept heads, none knows how much is allotted and spent. Who decides on spending it? No idea among us. Therefore, A public accounts committee has to be formed at the taluk level to monitor the ICDS fund utilisation, chaired by a First Class Judicial Magistrate. Each penny has to be accounted and audited. By doing this, we can ensure that the penny allotted is spent for the child. In the committee, CWC and Bala Vikasa Samithi (BVS) should have representation.

Simultaneously, convergence of all departments has to be in place. There are various schemes and programs in each department. However, the departments never meet together to do something common on children. It is like five horses drag the chariot to their own direction and end up nowhere. HC has to issue directions to the government now to initiate convergence as a policy to implement the schemes.

Formation of a District ICDS Monitoring Committee involving various networks and NGOs in the district is not a bad suggestion. But, why do we need another network when already there are many committees? What we need to do is to strengthen the existing bodies and make them work.

Dr Asha said the all of a sudden, you cannot give lot of nutrition with eggs and milk or something else. Child's body cannot absorb it in its body. What is needed is immediate treatment, may be hospitalisation. Gradually the child will be able to eat something. But, moderate children can be given nutritional stuff now and prevent them turning into severely malnourished.

It is also very atrocious to know that government spends Rs.4 per child a day! Is this sufficient to keep a child nutritious? Govt of Tamil Nadu spends Rs.12 a day. It gives meal to the child. Out of Rs.4, how much actually reaches the child, after licked and eaten up by officers?

An old woman in Raichur cursed the department when she came to know about the corruption in ICDS: makkala duddu thakkondavaru narakakke hoguthare! (Those who poached children's money will end up in hell only.)

Homes on Footpath

On the way to office from Shivajinagar, I saw them again! On the same spot, under a dirty blanket. Three of them are as young as 10 years. They are seven in the group. When I pass them, they would still be in the mood to wake up. The toddlers have worn discoloured and torn shirts and trousers. Their uncombed hair has grown so long as it looked they never had bothered about its growth. The verandah of furniture shops has turned home for the group during nights. They just sleep on the bare floor, covering with an old, torn blanket. It seems that none comes on thier way to disrupt their sleep. Or, they would sleep after the policemen's usual night patrolling. Or, there might be some 'nominal monetary adjustments'.

Is this group belongs to same family? Where have they come from? How long they have been in this metropolitan city? How do they make a living? What language they speak? How much they are able to earn a day? There are such questions that emerge suddenly from within. I have to find answers from them soon a day.

I feel sometimes ashamed of the existing systems that have been set up for child protection. Child Line is a helpline existing in the city for rehabilitating such vulnerable children. Moreover, government rescue homes have been functioning in the city. This apart, Non Government Organisations (NGOs) have opened their offices to serve them. Government officials also have responsibility to rescue such children and ensure them a secured future. There are such institutions. And money allocated. But still, children are on foot path!

An unusual experience in my village

When I was inside the Vaayanashala, as populalry called in Kerala for village level libraries, after one and a half decades, I felt nervous. A kind of fast journey backwards suddenly gripped me. I spent most of my adolescent days and considerable part of youth in library activities, as secretary and member. Howmuchever sweat was flown to it while finishing the floor of the reading hall! So much of physical labour! Now, Vayanashala has gained a decent and proud look. The reading hall has full of newspapers and periodicals. The library has full of books, old and new, systematically catelogued.

A banner carrying my photograph and name was hung in front of Vayanashala. The program was discussion on my newly translated book on 'zero budget natural farming' from Kannada to Malayalam on 15th April 2012. The name of the book is 'Subash Palekarude zero budget Prakruthi Krushi'. In fact it was formally released at Kochi in last December by Sarang Gopalakrishnan. Now the Venue was Vayanashala's reading hall. Prof. Keshavan Vellikulangara, the lone and old literary figure from our village was present to inaugurate the program. He has been known for his writings on children and science. A close aide of the then politician Lonappan Nambadan, Keshavan Mash, as popularly called, is known for his public speeches.

Joy Kaitharath, who abandoned his politics in Marxist party a decade ago and turned to pro people issues now, was present. He has been into the exposure of corrupt politicians and anti people policies of government. P V Velayudhan, or Velayudhettan, who has taken up implementation and propagation of zero budget natural farming at home and around, had come to speak about the practices in farming. C A Robin came in time. He has been running a monthly magazine, Keraleeyam. Devoted completely for its management and propagation, Robin hardly went for his government job. He has grown to be a known social activist in Kerala. His intervention and involvement in all the atlernative activities in the state are well known. He was the active member of Novu Gramapthram, published by me during my youth in Kerala. He continued the publication with other friends even after my exit from there. His canvas of activity naturally grew to the wide spectrum of Kerala. Keraleeyam was initiated about 12 years ago.

My old friend Rashid Erath, Paachan Joy, Renny Varghese and Sukumaran also spoke about my contribution to Malayalam. I could see a few faces which I had forgotten. I gradually recollected them. The most shocking fact was the total loss of my memory about a friend: Hakim Kaliparambil. He was very close to me and we spent unlimited time together in my youth. However, even now, I am not able to recollect the moments we spent together. Of course, he has changed a lot as he lost his hair and developed ageing. He children are adults now, one in engineering and another one in sports.

P S Iqbal, who hails from my village and lives in Thrissur now, could not turn up. He was a fire brand in our village during my adolescence and youth days. An active member of CPI(M) and a popular orator, Iqbal gained several fans among the youth at that point of time. If continued, he would have become a top leader in the state, MLA or a minister. However, he was sidelined within the party and he had to join a government job. He found at least some satisfaction in reading and activities with film society at Thrissur. I can still see the flame in his eyes.

Keshavan Mash has offered to give some paddy land to Vayanashala to do experimental farming. Everyone has appreciated it. Vayanashala Secretary Saheer is though little skeptical has shown interest to go and check the land. I encouraged them to go ahead as there are natural farmers around to help them out.

There were some 35 people in the program. Rashid was saying: it is really amazing as people never get together like our old days, that too on sunday. Robin also expressed the same feeling. Social networking has gradually come down. All prefer to sit before TV on holidays! TV has really played a major role in destroying the social fabric.

Victim of son preference: What's the real issue?

Infant Afreen was subjected to her father's violence and later hospitalised in Bangalore. Now the latest news is that she succumbed to death by this morning. All the media have been very keen about reporting about the issue. Everyone has blamed her father Umer Farook for his cruel behaviour. His 19 year old wife also has suffered injuries and burns, inflicted by him.

Afreen is not an isolated case. There have been several cases of children reported from different parts of the country. The number of unreported cases is actually more than what has been reported. Why girl children are targeted for violence? We cannot blame one person like Umer Farook. It is the reflection of a patriarchic society wherein girl children are seen as a liability. Umer wanted a male baby as he did not want to take the liability of a girl baby. That was the motivation for him to illtreat his daughter Afreen.

The issue is not very simple. It has got a huge backdrop of violence-filled male dominated society. Son preference has taken toll of millions of girl children in our country. Take the census of 2011 and see the sex ratio. It has further dropped from 927 to alarming figure of 914. It means for each 1000 males, 86 girls were not allowed to be born. Though law has banned sex determination tests and feticide, several clinics in our towns still operate such activities. If you multiply 86 per one thousand for the whole population of 120 crores, you will get the incredible number of 'killed' girls during the past one decade. In this gender based killing, both men and women take active role, irrespective of caste or religion. In fact, women sometimes take lead role for female feticide. The reason is women also are part of the patriarchal society and are supposed to protect its values and norms.

Girls are liabilities for their parents now. Dowry is gigantic demon trying to maul them always. The parents somehow manage to get their daughters married by giving dowry. However, they cannot live peacefully. Dowry harrassment, domestic violence, son preference etc in marital home bring their daughter back home. If she is sent back after solace, she is brought back dead. Currently, deaths of newly wed women are reported regularly. The number of women committed suicide out of domestic vilolence is more than that of farmers now. Unable to bear the wrath of husband, a large number of women kill themselves along with their children. In this situation, what would be the pulse rate of parents who have got daughters? Umer Farook is a slice of this society.

Who is bothered about this silent genocide taking place for several decades? What is the point of making a huge propaganda in Afreen's case when millions are killed systematically but silently? It is called sensationalism or media hype. In such situation, none is interested to get into the actual issue of the problem. Even the child rights activists are carried away with it.

What we need to do at present is the awareness campaign about the importance of girl children, compulsorily involving the religious leaders, political leaders and local community leaders in large scale. Social status of girls has to change, not only in towns but in rural areas as well. It shall not be done only on the declared days for girl child. It should be a regular activity, making a part of the day to day life. This will definitely bring about far fetching changes in and around us.

Economic calculations in relationship

On last Sunday, I was on my stroll in morning in the Lingabudhi Park near my house. One person crossed over and turned to me, then asked: Aren't you Ibbani Babu? I said yes and looked at him trying to locate who he was. Without giving any strain to my mind, he introduced himself. He is Mahesh, now a lecturer in Kannada in Christ University. While he was doing his degree in Maharaja's college, Mysore, he has participated in the cultural programs I had conducted. He was in Goutham Hostel at that time. I was running a monthly magazine, Ibbani in Kannada. Prof. J R Laxmana Rao, famous science writer called me Ibbani Babu first time. But I did not carry it throughout.

Suddenly I located him. He has enthralled us by singing beautiful folk songs in the programs. Now, he has got wife and a small kid. He teaches PU students in Christ PU residential college, near Bidadi.

While sharing about the boys who study in the college, Mahesh said that parents would not mind spending money for their children if they get good education and discipline. Parents want strict institutions where their children groom with highly disciplined. For a year, the fee is around 2 lakhs. Compared to my PU study without any fees, it is really a shocking figure.

Now a days, parents have become illiterate in the case of their children. When children grow into adolescence, parents become blank. They just don't know what to do with them. Adolescents obviously behave hyperactive, outstanding, overcharged, disoriented, and diffused. Unless parents get training exclusively on adolescent behaviour at this point of time, it would be hell at home. The conflict between parents and the child becomes common. So parents find a quick and easy solution: put the child in some 'strict' institution to shape him/her.

Gradually, child gets into a different world. His thought process gets changed. For him, parents become a source of money or materials. A kind of business relationship develops in a subtle way and slowly the intimate and emotional relationship fades away.

It is disastrous!

A mechanical relationship between parents and the son/ daughter would prevail upon in the days to come. Relationship would confine to job placement, marriage, property sharing, family functions etc. You have to read it with the increasing number of Homes for the aged, and murders of parents by children.

Economical calculations will, no doubt, harm the emotional and intimate relationship, not only between parents and children, but also between husband and wife.

Think positively!

Many things happen in our life unexpectedly. We get upset with them and lose control in life. It would then be a big challenge to come back to the mainstream. Again, something unexpected would take place, you get upset.

This is an unchangeable factor in our busy life. In today's business life, anything may happen at any moment, of course unexpectedly. Something good, something bad. How can we expect only good can happen in our life. Life is a journey with thorns and flowers. Or as my friend Satish put it, "life is like a journey on the road. We get empty roads, heavily traffic road. Sometimes, in the traffic, vehicle gets punctured. What else can we do other than push it till finding a mechanic." We should be mentally prepared for all unexpected consequences. Take them positively. If we are positive towards whatever happens unexpected, we will suffer lesser damage. Therefore, thinking positively is a good practice one can follow.

Sometimes, I feel while going to bed, that it is great that I am still alive. On the day, I have walked in the heavy traffic roads, travelled by crowded buses, crossed the roads avoiding speeding vehicles, daringly moved through dust and smoke. A health hazard or a life threat woul have happened. But nothing has happened. So I say, one more day has passed away without any hazards. But the following day need not be like the previous safe day. Anything can happen at any moment!

We don't need to spend time in expressing our unhappiness, dismay, discomfort, disappointment etc on unexpected things. In the busy life, it is common. We will have to accept everything. Everything positively! Then, life will be beautiful. If you live on the negative factors and past happenings, they will slowly kill your nerves, senses and wisdom. I am training myself to move towards achieving such a status of fearlessness. Come what may, I am prepared to face it.

That's the way it should be. Isn't it?

Stress on children by parents

I really feel it. Do parents really love thier children? If yes, why do they insist their children to do the things which children do not like?

For example, school education. A large percentage of children does not like school. They go to school just because there is a force at home by parents. Why do parents push them to school? Because, parents want them go away at least for the day. They cannot afford their children for even a few hours. Because, children are creative and therefore, hyper active. They need activities to spend thier god-given abundant energy. Unless parents meticulously plan for activities for the day, the child would get into destructive activities by his own. In this context, the child does not understand that it would amount to destructive activity. It is 'destructive' only for parents. Breaking a glass or dismantling a toy, or defacing a picture, it shows the creativity of the child and it learns something out of it. Doing and learning! However, we term it destructive. They learn many things by seeing places and things, meeting people, travelling around. Play makes them happy and energetic. Playing with other children makes the child develop skills and strategies other than mental and physical growth.

I wonder why parents prevent children from playing in the sun? In fact, sun is the source of abundant energy. By playing in the sun, child gets sufficient vitamin D. If they get irritated by sun, they will naturally get into home back. However, parents get scared or concerned about child's health!

Children dislike confinement, whether it is school or house. By nature, they love to move around, see and feel new things, run around happily, and move on without any stress. They cannot afford boredom. They cannot afford repetition. They are unable to bear insult or humiliation, especially in front of others.

Education is the key word of paretns these days. What does education mean for them? Reading the text book continuously, doing home work, attending school regularly. They are not worried if child did not play today. They are least bothered about whether child got sunlight or not. They are not concerned about child's exercise of the day. But, definitely worried about the home work or progress card.

The education system, especially the private type, has exerted lot of pressure on children. Unbearable stress! Having tired of the stress, some children choose to kill themselves. Like the one killed himself in front of the Bengaluru Namma Metro a few days ago or the Engineering student in a hostel in Mysore. Young children cannot choose to do it till they grow.

Every parent knows how to give stress or tension to the child. But, none knows how to get the child out of stress or tension. Everyone wants tense-free life. There are clinics to make them tense-free.

Why do parents insist thier child to gain maximum marks in the class, that too from LKG to 9th standard? All of us know that the school records in these classes never come for help of the child in his/her future. At present, the SSLC record only will be of help. In another few years, that also will disappear and the PU record only will remain. Being this is the situation, why do parents put them in dock? Why do they give stressful study holidays? If the child get first rank in 2nd standard or 6th standard, what difference does it make in his/her future life? Does it reflect in the final records? In fact, none understands that the child will get a cumulative record of stress and tension in the future. By that time, child will not be able to manage stress as it would have become part of his/her lifestyle. And you know, stress is one of the major reasons for obesity, diabetes and related diseases.

Imagine, you do all such efforts on your girl child. If she elopes with someone at the age of 14 or 15, what will you do? All your efforts go in vain! There is an increasing number of girl children eloping with young men. They find it a solace or salvation from the uninterrupted pressure of parents.

Why to put pressure on children? Let them go to school and feel the community of children and adults. Let them play as they want. Let them read as they like. Provide them all the things that they would improve their psycho-social status. Let us not tease or harass them even if they score less in exams. Education is not for competition. It is for the social, mental, emotional development and human values. Let us help them grow in such environ. That would be the great contribution we as parents can do.

(I thought of writing it when I came to know about yesterday's Mysore incident of a 12 year old girl who was forced to beg in streets by her own father as a punishment for scoring less marks.)

Shivanna's concern

I met 50 year old Shivanna who makes a living by running a horse on the river bank of Kabini at Nanjangud near the famous Shiva temple. My daughter Priyamvada (she is lovingly called Ammu by me) wanted to have a ride on the horse. It was a white, neat, sturdy and beautiful horse. Shivanna helped her climb on the back of the horse. She did not find any problem in riding the horse! It was Rs.30 for two rounds on the bank. She was extremely happy to touch it and feed it. Shivanna has named the horse 'beauty girl'. It was selected to act in the forthcoming film of Darshan, 'Sangolli Rayanna'. He was concerned about the pollution of the river Kabini. He has been living with the tourists' income for the last two decades. He said he has stopped bathing in the river as his skin get allergy. Many people have started compaining about the water. But the worshippers who come from outside dip in the 'holy water' as they believe in it. Now, the life expectancy also has come down. The eatables are polluted. We eat poison everyday. Death takes place at the age of 45 or 50. They die in front of their parents who are still healthy. What is the point of living in such a state of affairs? he asks.

He wonders why the educated eat and promote junk food which contains poison. Has education harmed them or have they not got proper education?

I stood mum in front of him respecting his wisdom.

Holy River Kabini and unholy practices

On 25th March, at about 7.30 am, a group of concerned people assembled on the bank of River Kabini at Nanjangud, in front of Ayyappa Temple. Hunsur based youth Mr Sanjay was explaining about why they had assembled there. Though Kabini has been considered holy river since Nanjudeshwara (Lord Shiva) is at Nanjangud, there is no program to protect the river from its decomposition. Several memoranda have been submitted to Temple authority, Municipality, state government and central government by various organisations and groups so far. Nothing has happened to this effect. The locals and the worshippers who come from outside use the water for bathing and washing. The river is considered as dumping area for the people. They throw their abandoned clothes and other materials into the womb of river.

Save Our Earth Club of Hunsur, led by Sanjay initiated this campaign to clean Kabini. They had come prepared. Interestingly, the Municipal Chairman was motivated to get into the river and remove the dirt from the river bed. College students, Rotary members, and other citizens joined him.

However, the untouched area was the sewage that comes to the river exactly near the Ayyappa temple. How can you clean the sewage? I asked Sanjay. He said it would be difficult. We cannot expect the students would take up such task. The municipality only has to remove it.

The government announces towns but never tries to make a scientific and viable town plan. Kabini is the life line of Nanjangud and T Narsipur. However, the town is harming and suffocating the river with its sewage and other waste. On the upstream, the industrials waste is dumped to the river and downstream, the organic waste!

Can we see any small or big town in the country that does not pollute its rivers? Earlier, locals used to dump their organic waste into the river which did not do much harm since the quantum of waste was little. Now it comes in huge quantity, through centralised sewage pipes collecting all the town waste. How can and how long the river afford it?

People in the area are now indifferent to stinking smell, pollution, unhygiene practices on the river bank. I had taken my 12-year old daughter, Priyamvada to participate in the campaign and she was surprised to see such a huge quantity of waste in the river bed, which has never been taught in her school!

Oh, Footpaths in Bangalore!

I have been in the garden city for the past 70 days. now regularly. and I will have to be in this city at least for a few years from now.

I always wonder how do people manage here. The most astonishing feature that surprised me is the footpath. It is a pedestrian right. However, it has not been respected in that spirit anywhere, by anyone.

Now look at a footpath. As you keep on walking, you will find something on the footpath that forces you to get onto the terrific traffic road. It would then be your luck to continue living, without falling under the wheels.

Sometimes, you will find the footpath is missing. Inevitably, you are forced to walk on the road along with the dreaded vehicles. The Supreme Court has ordered to remove all the religious structures from the footpaths or public places. Most of the district administrations have dared to take up the challenge and got appreciated.

But, what will you do if a car (that too, like a lorry!) is parked on the footpath? There wouldn't be any space around for you to walk forward. So you are on the road! Sometimes, shops have encroached them and using them as thier private domains. There is nothing to demolish or remove from the footpath. Only strict orders can be given to the encroachers. Such strictures can be got adjusted if there is an 'envelope' to the corporation official. Then what about our rights as pedestrians?

Unless we inculcate it as a right and enjoy it as a right, things will continue like this. Pedestrians need to question the encroachers and force them to withdraw their encroachments from the public domain.

I was on my way for lunch today. Half way, my footpath in the heavy traffic road is blocked by a builder. I had to get down to the road, with much caution. All construction materials are dumbed on the footpath! I felt it was an insult to the pedestrian's rights.

How do you feel about it?