SLOW POISON How rampant industrialisation and total apathy made Chapraula, once in the fertile Yamuna floodplain, the centre of the cancer belt of NCR p4 saturday, january 9, 2016
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Bringing home baby India’s adoption process moves online in an attempt at transparency. Whether new methods will help shed old prejudices and keep the child firmly at the centre remains to be seen p9
CHI CHI CHICKEN Coming soon: Meats that don’t come from animals, courtesy technology p7
LOOK WHO’S HERE Ranveer Singh, Bollywood’s unlikely star, strikes again at the box-office p14
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Thrills of the rocky edge Taut nerves may mess up one’s shot at bravery. Yet Pulpit Rock is a place that makes people lose their common sense
Travel log Getting there
Etihad, Emirates, Scandinavian Airlines and KLM fly to Stavanger from Kolkata via Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Oslo and Amsterdam. Stay
Spend your Norwegian holiday in Feistein lighthouse (www.klepp.kommune.no).
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Clouds on the fingertip No amount of photographs or videos can approximate the moments of sheer exhilaration, of drinking in the dreamy beauty of the fjord with hungry eyes
images arundhati basu
Test your stamina with hikes to Preikestolen, Kjeragbolten and Trolltunga or climb the world’s longest wooden staircase in Flørli it shas just 4,444 steps. In the eye of a storm The juvenile accused in the Delhi gang rape case being produced before the Juvenile Justice Board in New — Delhi subramanium
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ith my left foot dangling off into the sky as we puttered by tiny lighthous- prophesies that the rock shall fall off the the edge of the ledge, I took a es, evergreens, and white and red wooden cot- mountain into the fjord the day seven brothpeek down, and thus my right tages scattered on green patches on the fjord. ers marry seven sisters from the area around foot never got the chance to The real drama happened when we came up- it. I hedge my bets on geological reasons leadbe as brave as its counterpart and sway 604 on the granite cliffs of Ryfylke, the light colour ing to the decimation of the rock. metres above a fjord. Perched upon the very of which gives Lysefjord its name (meaning Surrounded by young mothers with babies fringe of a rocky outcrop in the heart of Roga- ‘light fjord’). Make no mistake. This was a wild strapped onto them, wee boys with fathers, land county in Norway, my nerves were taut. fjord, 40-odd km in length, carved out by gla- dogs panting alongside their masters, teenage As taut as they can get when they contemplate ciers during the Ice Age. At one point, we hikers and gutsy old women and men armed a tumble into the dark (and possibly hypoth- looked up and spied the flat mouth of Preikes- with walking poles, I was finding it all surreal. ermia-inducing) fjord. tolen hanging out. Beneath what looked like a My partner and I had almost decided against This is what transpired a few minutes be- tiny slab of rock was a sheer fall into jagged the trip with a woeful weather forecast of fore. “But I want to sit at the very edge,” I nego- cliffs. If you did fall, it would not be death by pouring rain — I am a fair-weather hiker, thank Saturday the women Lajpat Na- water tiatedt’sterms withand a grim partner.atHe looked the place they called at the first go. home for three years. datedBut thewe objective Juvenile Justice Act. you. decidedoftothe wing it as the Nordic market arewaters purposefully for downgar at the glassy below, looking looked up Since and of death We leftthe thebrutal cruisegangrape at the village Tau of forJyoti the do. Responding a petition by weather, Subramanian There’s noto such thing as bad only weekend Onemy particular and said simply,bargains. “And I want wife.” stall is hike. SinghStavanger’s Pandey, a physiotherapy student in was Del- bad local iconic beer, Tou, Swamy and Aman Hingorani on the age of juclothes, they say. selling theon Connaught variety of brewed I was halfway the road toPlace bravery. hi in December India has seen an out- veniles, at Tau in 2012, the mid-19th century, before it said that the of the Act is Nothing prepares youobjective for the thrill of Preikjewellery, one-fourth thecause. price. Women the My rightbut footatgave up on the pouring of public criticism for sexual violence brewery moved to Stavanger in 1901. We estolen. “to ensure rehabilitation in society and No their amount of photographs or videos aggressively rummage through. Prakash Ya- even The landscape was unlike any we had seen. and agot demand for at death perpe- can a peep the penalty Riksvei for 13 the (National to enable the young offenders to become approximate such moments of sheeruseexdav* keeps anoreye for shoplifters. Preikestolen theout Pulpit Rock is a steep cliff Road trators. of this movement by hilaration, 13),Much a 280-mile-long tourist was routeledthat ful members the society in later years”. But of of drinking in the dreamy beauty Chubby, a perpetual smile, he magicalthat, true towith its name, juts out squarely like a runs Pandey’s parents. They conveyed their under- of north-south through a few counties in the less fjord than awith year,hungry the neweyes Billand putsthe a question irrefutly produces hotfeet teatofor as soon as Iaintropulpit, 82 by 82 beme precise, above fjord skirting standingfjords, of justice to Parliament only capi- able islands and islets,—farmlands markfact onthat these it basic is theintentions. kind of place that makes duce myself. I am certain that this may and called Lysefjord inalmost south-western Norway. tal punishment for the rapists and no less. vertiginous cliffs. The lose debate has given sense. voice to the viewpeople their common not be my firstand time at Prakash’s stall. Little Brave men women walked right up do to Thishike massitself movement hadIta took direct The is arduous. usimpact about points of politicians, lawyers, sociologists, acis a freelance based in lack a I, oredge, the scores of buyers through the sat down and rummaging flashed toothy grins two on Parliament, whichclimbing passed boulders the anti-rape hours of walking, and arundhati tivists andbasu protestors. Butwriter “children thetheir wares, know that as teenagers, Prakash for shutterbug friends. Then there was gingerly laws in 2013. Theour punishment gangrape making way downforthem, trip- Northampton, voice in the UK political process. Their rights canandcategory his cousin Rohit* at astood facility the of the Veryspent Bravetime — they at ping wentacross up tobrooks a minimum of 20 on the occaand slipping not be trampled upon by misinfor juvenile were accused of sional the edge anddelinquents. clicked a fewThey dozen selfies. years and a maximum of life slimy rock before we imwere anywhere formed public opinion or murder. TheIduo hasnot alsohelp spent time at aabout facil- near All along could thinking prisonment. For When repeatthe offendPulpit Rock. legs start tiring majoritarian politics,” explains ity for juvenile is clearly that tiny wobbledelinquents. and then thePrakash long, long drop out, ers, itthe death sentence was stops, is worthwhile to make brief Arlene Manoharan from the Centoo busy to take his eyes or mind off the made possible. down thereafter. turn around and take in Their rights cannot be tre for Child and the Law, throngs at histake stall.on I decide The Nordic naturetoismeet him the This pressure was kept ofupthe trampled upon by the landscape Bengaluru. next day. invigorating. The Norwegian auand, barely fjord a week the andbefore islets loomGiven that it is too sensitive to misinformed public Sundayrefuse afternoon in north thorities to be killjoy and Delhi, and a third death ing opinion or anniversary of the mystically yontalk to current juveniles apprenot last der. number youngfrom boysthe are wild lazing inAll thealong light I could fence theofhiker student month, Parliament The way to Pulpit majoritarian politics hended for crimes, what can forhelp aboutanother sun. Mattresses have been Rock laid out to air thinking and passed tumble that the Pulpit law.isThis time, it Rock punctuated mer juveniles tell us about the that tiny and up the boys are field.wobble promises if ascattered step goesacross awry. the playing ratcheted punishment by theemerald green system — how is life at these facilthenend, the long, “Namaste,” me. At the other Our basethey wasgrin the atoil-boom forlong juvenileslakes, accused of woods heinous light and ities, and how does it change down thereafter aboutof30 others are boisterouslydrop washing town Stavanger on Norway’s crimes such as rape andopen murder. trails that into raonce they are released? In other their uniforms hanging them out to dry North Sea coast.and The erstwhile Previously,vines. anyone years was con- words, is the system meeting the stated aims Theunder British18mothon the volleyball net and to football fishing port dedicated sar- goalpost. sidered a child, andduo would not of faceusthe same of reform, rehabilitation, re-integration and er-son ahead Thisand is anherrings observation dines is ahome prettyin Delhi, for ju- procedure ofkept trialup anda punishment as adults, re-socialisation? steady banter. venilesmade in conflict the law. With the paint- irrespective Imagine town up ofwith 18th-century of their crime. By thisboy new ‘Juvea teenage Talking to former juveniles in Delhi gives us ings of Gandhi APJ Abdul Kalam the sprinting wooden houses, and cobbled lanes and an on atmonile Justice (Care andhim, Protection Children) reason to pause and ask if rehabilitation is reup. Tailing a hefty,ofrudwalls, and the flanked impish by smiles the faces dy-cheeked spheric harbour lively on pubs housed Bill, 2014,’ those between 16 andfrequent 18 years of age ally such an abrogation of justice. mother makes around, you wouldn’t guess it is a facility for stops in old warehouses. may be adults thefor casea of heinous totried pantasand askin him lift. He or Root issues boys of thefts, kidnappings, murders On accused a sunny day, we cruised into Lysefjord on raises serious although they out: will “But not receive ancrimes, eyebrow and points I rapes. Untilofyou thenegated exceptionally aand boat. The rays the notice sun were by the thought death penalty or life imprisonment. It means Fazal* greets us warmly and leads us up many you wanted a Norwegian holihigh walls barbed wire thatwhite hem and the day, wicked windwith that whipped the red, putting minors through the adult penal sys- dark flights of stairs in Gandhinagar, to his mum?” field. I blue accompany Prakash andofRohit inside tem indigo Scandinavian cross the Norweof investigations, Suddenly we came trials uponand thejails. Pulpit workplace. This East Delhi neighbourhood is the facility. is also Rohit’s gian flag on aThis poleSunday at the tail of the boat, 28th and Rock. Only a few months before this was passed full of garment outlets, where clothes are bebirthday and great the two cousins areclouds back to visit byThe my hair, with glee. Wads of rolled Parliament, the of Supreme Court had eluci- ing stitched or sold. In this small factory, local lore Preikestolen
Despite stories of rehabilitation and hope, India’s juvenile justice system, just like its formidable correctional homes, seems averse to giving second chances
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More sinned against? Inmates of an observation home in New Delhi s subramanium
reams of denim and incomplete jeans are lying around. Today, Fazal supervises the men who sew those jeans and earns ₹19,000 a month. But at the age of 16, he did time for murder. His story is similar to those of Prakash and Rohit, where some of his friends were involved in a scuffle that ended in a fatal stabbing. Fazal was standing around with that group. When the police came, they rounded up everyone including the 16-year-old. “I was so afraid after I was picked up by the police… my friendships got me into trouble. I decided to keep only good company and work hard after being released, for the sake of my mother and sisters,” he says. Fazal is quick to add that he worked at garments factories even before he was apprehended for murder. “I learnt a lot more of tailoring and embroidery at the juveniles’ home. I also learnt to be more disciplined… All this helped me when I was released after 18 months,” he says. Fazal is lucky to have found a steady job. But a regular income after serving time in a correctional home doesn’t compensate for the problems that plague the juvenile justice progress. On one hand, the root causes of crime
need to be eliminated. Social workers explain that desperation brought upon by poverty, substance abuse, lack of family support, and lack of access to education often propels minors to crime. On the other hand, once crimes are committed and the perpetrators apprehended, the system is required to pay close attention to their time at these observation homes, and their return to society after release. This is a critical period, one where the State is supposed to provide rehabilitation. But the failings here often feed back into the root causes of crime itself.
dren,” she adds. These arguments don’t sway those who have been protesting on the streets for stricter punishment. Vikas Tyagi is one of them. As part of the ‘16 December Kranti’ he has been keeping vigil at their long-term outpost in Jantar Mantar. For him, even this new law does not go far enough, “The Juvenile Act needs to be amended, allowing for life imprisonment and death penalty,” he says. Flip-side story
Tyagi might be surprised if he hears Prakash and Rohit discussing their time in the obserEvil at large vation home. Rohit, who now runs a successIn the Bill introduced in Lok Sabha, Maneka ful business making flower arrangements for Gandhi, minister for women and child devel- weddings, proudly shows me hundreds of opment, lists some of the problems that photos on his laptop. Both Prakash and Rohit prompted a review of the existing law, includ- passed Std X exams while at the home. “Our ing “increasing incidents of abuse of children motivation was that we must race ahead in life in institutions, inadequate facilto compensate for this setback. ities, quality of care and rehabilNo matter how bad your environitation measures in Homes, high ment is, you have the ability to pendency of cases.” These are ischoose the right thing,” he says. sues the Parliament could have I was 16 at the time of Neither of them thinks the the crime. If I had addressed. “The earlier law was new law will help. Rohit laughs been sent to Tihar, I meant for rehabilitation. The as he says, “We were both wrongwould have not come ly put in Tihar Jail for a while, and new law is aimed at criminalisaout reformed tion. Nothing changes for the we heard other convicts talk condition of juveniles at preabout stealing trucks, and who sent,” says Ved Kumari, profesthe don of certain areas was. At sor of law at Delhi University. the home, the staff and counselThere is also a staffing crisis. “In our field expe- lors really cared for us. They tried to create a rience we have rarely found functionaries better environment.” Prakash adds, “I was 16 at who fit the bill. They are almost always demo- the time of the crime. If I had been sent to Titivated and consider these as punishment har, I would have not come out reformed. I postings. They do not get training and sup- would have suffered.” port, but are blamed when children escape or Rohit describes how, for a long while after engage in violence,” says Manoharan. his release, neighbours avoided him and gosWith the new law, the state is seemingly pe- siped about him. Finding a bride was also diffinalising the public for its own failings. This is cult. He faced rejection from families the similar to the recent Supreme Court ruling moment he told them about his past. But todisqualifying those without formal education day, things are better. “Today I have a car, a from contesting civic elections in Haryana. bike, a small family and my own business. I The system falls short of addressing both have everything I need,” says Prakash. Despite crime and punishment. “Our experience dem- the deficiencies of the system, it somehow onstrates that a majority of these children worked out well for these young men. And would have a psycho-social history that re- that’s why they believe that every child could flects on the failure of the State in some way. do with a chance. *Names changed to protect privacy Should we then place the entire blame on the child?” asks Manoharan. “What was required is greater accountability of the State to chil- anoo bhuyan is a Delhi-based journalist
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Active interest Parents of Jyoti Singh Pandey arrive at Parliament to observe the debate on the Juvenile Justice Bill sandeep saxena
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Miami unlimited Look out for bits of Cuba, bits of India, sexy limousines and sunny beaches
Yield to steel More than 150 factories have sprouted where once crops swayed in Chapraula village, 50 km from Delhi images kamal narang
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Here to stay Little Havana is home to Cubans who fled Fidel Castro’s regime in Cuba shutterstock
espite the huge geographical dis- home to Cubans who fled Fidel Castro’s retance between India and Miami — a pressive regime in Cuba. They maintain a part return trip will see you cover close of their old lifestyle in the heart of America, so to 30,000 km — there is enough in one comes across people making cigars, cookGetting there this beach haven to remind you of home. And ing Cuban food or playing dominos. Coral GaThere are no direct flights between no, we are not talking about the Indian restau- bles, on the other hand, is one of the first India and Miami. But you have rants and banyan trees, which are more than planned communities in the area with its arseveral options: Qatar Airways, common sight. chitecture almost entirely Mediterranean. which will fly you through its hub A first-time visitor from India can be forgiA must-visit, though, is the South Beach arin Doha; British Airways, which will ven for feeling patriotic as he travels around ea, which pulsates with music, shops, eating take you through London; or t isMiami betterflag if the gives us Miami. The hasgovernment the same colours as places, has filedhotels cases with the NGT, the AllRoad IndiainInstiand bars. Lincoln the cinity. Medical reports compiled from Lufthansa, which will take youvisits to we cannot live like this,” visde- South the Indianpoison, flag, making the hearts of many tute ofBeach Medical Sciences has been petitioned area is a mecca for those in the local hospitals, however, tell another story. through Germany. You can also flyYoclares Pradeep iting Indians swell with Tyagi, pride. the Onlypradhan a close mood to run to a cancer registry, all in vain. shop or try outbut different cuisines. In- gesh Nagar, who hails from nearby KhudikheAir India or Jet to reach Miami. (village of Chapraula, when dian, look will reveal thechief) difference — in the middle Nitu Pal, whose house sits just name outside the ra village, had filed cases with the NGT after Italian, Thai, fast food — you it and wethe meet at his flag office off National Highway there of Miami isjust a green circle enclosing boundary wall of Suchi Paper Mill, shows the collectingGetting is more than one restaurant specialising detailsaround about the polluting indusare various options for with 91. His village about is bang in the the image of aof tree and 40,000 the words ‘The City of in blackened of South his feet. “Even young kids tries andThere it. Locals soles say that Beach is also famous the medical records of locals middle of the Chapraula Industrial area, bare- for Miami-Florida-Dade Co.’ in place of the Ashoka herethe have feet like this; it does not wash off,” exploring Miami including bus tours hugely expensive Lamborghinis and the help of several youngsters. As Nagar is curly 50 kminfrom Chakra ours.the Capital. he says. in bikinis sipping martinis. women rently away at the State Police Acadeandtraining the Metromover, which goes More asthan 150 industries are packed beThen you wander around Miami, chances Three chimneys are spewing smoke(in barely Then there are white-sand beaches case my, the around crusadedowntown has suffered Miamiwithout and its its tween of avillagers are thatthe youhomes will have peacockin this fertile 50m from the “At sun 9 pm smoke youhouses. forget your tanthe lotion, do visible face and star campaigner. financial area. This covers about patchpast of the floodplain. walk you.Yamuna Or the guide on After more starts filling not the air and it becomes difficult worry; every Miami beach to is seven kilometres, and is free. There A village gave way thanbus 50tour, deaths over a hundred falling ill breathe; it stays the by and far the best way like that until peppered with lotion dispenis also a metro rail which goes in see thisthe region, the tell locals blaming polluto city, will youare that morning. We cannot even dry sers), shopping bargains and In 35 thekm early ’80s, South when Florida. the govabout around The South Beach is tion of — inthe themany air and water and — for a one banyan treeson land our clothes anymore,” says Pal. what the city is most known for — ernment acquired land in the arOther options include public buses, also famous for the spate of chronic diseases, were lining the sprawling walksmany is ac-of which “We even have to wash the fodbeing home to movie and rock ea for industry and housing, taxis and rent-a-car services. Our village earns the hugely expensive unheard of by them even until ten yearsLamborghinis ago. tually an Indian banyan. der that westars give our and cattle,” multi-billionaires. maximum revenue for many people were left with just Tip On December 15, the National During the bus tour, the Green Tribu- chips in Dharmender Tyagi.Miami fun What makes is that Uttar Pradesh, but we the land on which their houses is one of the best tube placesmanuto nal (NGT) issued closure notice to Arvi Compoguide also relates interesting A frail Moolchand Pal, aged 84, have once you have reached a particustood. A TV picture received nothingMiami get a tattoo. nents and about India Miami. Woodlin, besides ordering walks out of lar anecdotes At one his home with diffi- it is notin areturn area, discovering facturing unit started by Samtel seven other industries in the he area to clean up culty. “I nowproblem. intersection, for instance, find it difficult Most of to the streets run in 1987 (and now shut) was the theirvisitors act before December 2015. These stric- parallel asks to be careful as31,this was the place talk. If Itodid not have medical one another and you can always first major industrial plant to tures are but aJustin half-victory and caught have come af- join where singer Bieber was speedcoverupaswith a retired TherwhereNational you started. sprout here. Several other induster while years under of efforts by the of locals to in draw ing the influence alcohol his mal Power The city isCorporation also steepedemployin history. So there is pion. It is thetries followed, including many only convention centre in the US attention to their plight and sustained media $2,000-a-day rented Lamborghini. Not sur- the ee, IFreedom would have dieda ayellow long time Tower, towerago,” withhe a where that were out of political the Capital. themoved two major parties, that attention. prising, many would say, given that Miami has green states.dome, The octogenarian’s thoughts back to generally which was built in 1945flyand first For miles alongeach the other Noida-Greater Noida oppose on everything, more luxury cars than New York or Los An- used his younger days, anewsroom. time whenNow this it very place as The Miami is an art meet; road, unfinished apartment blocks both loom hold over Republicans and Democrats Choking on indifference geles. The guide will also point out that the museum was overrun withexhibits green fields. which things that once be- their the dry open space. Closer to Chapraula, conventions here. Or head towards the “Our village earns maximum revenue 1930s gangster Al the Capone lived on Palm for Is- longed “Even to illiterate knowBecause that pollution Cubanpeople refugees. Miami City wideHall, roadwhich suddenly ruts was disappears earlier usedand as adeep terminal Uttar in Pradesh, lands Miami.but in terms of health, educa- Beach kills; I has live the righthighest next tonumber the plant, will I building of how holocaust appear onbythe narrow stretch. Pan Locals on twothe now-defunct American tion andis, welfare we have There of course, a lotreceived more tonothing the city in of survivors not get sick,” heisasks. there also a Holocaust Memorial. wheelersClose and bybicycles the dust Airlines. are the navigate hangars where Pan return,”which fumesisTyagi, histhe rough dialect, Miami, one of 32 cities in typical Miami Until now, no directanother link hasplace been establishFor history lovers, to visit is Am clouds amidst caravan of trucks, as piles in of parked its aseaplanes (called Clippers) of western UP,that liberally peppered with insults. Dade County are all, incidentally, called the ed between the industrial unitsCentre, and thewhere cases the Miami Beach Convention construction rubble and garbage loom into 1940s. Since 2011, has written Miami. ThereTyagi is Little Havanamultiple or the letters gated Muhammad of cancer, hepatitis, liver disorders Ali beat Sonny Liston in and 1964 skin and view on open plots. phadnis to the district authority, a local property of Coral Gables. Littleorganisation Havana is became ailmentsthe reported among the people in chamthe vi- ashwini world heavyweight boxing “The two firms that were shut down are the
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Two factories have been ordered shut in Chapraula industrial area as locals in this once fertile Yamuna floodplain blame pollution for an outbreak of chronic diseases among them
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Scraps of childhood Youngsters play amidst mounds of rubbish on an empty plot that also hosts a weekly local market
smallest here, there are many bigger fish,” says Pradeep. All around the factories, rubbish is piled high on empty plots and migrant workers comb it for metal scraps to sell. Chapraula’s weekly Thursday market, which attracts people from surrounding villages, has for years been held on a dirty plot opposite the paper factory. Flow of slow poison In the narrow lanes in the village, nearly every household has a member who is either battling a chronic illness or succumbed to one. Water pumped from underground is unfit for drinking — it is yellowish-green and the total dissolved solids (TDS) count is an alarming 2,700 in some samples. “The district administration installed pipes and booster pumps for drinking water supply more than 18 months ago, but there is no supply yet,” Pradeep says. For now, those who can afford are purchasing water from reverse osmosis plants at ₹20 for 15 litres. “I haven’t received any complaints from villagers about any industry or pollution of the groundwater here,” says Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sub Divisional Magistrate of Dadri. The administration has received proposals from private companies to supply water to the area, he says, adding, “Rice mills do not use any water”.
During the harvest season, paddy growers village might be labelled a ‘cancer belt’. “Those sell their produce to a rice mill located on a who have children of marriageable age are plot between Chapraula and neighbouring Sa- worried they might not be able to find partdopur. “I saw more than five pipes, of 10-15 ners for them,” says local resident Anil Mavi. inches diameter, dumping untreated water Among those who benefit from the factointo the ground. During the harvest season, ries are the migrant workers who toil in them, these pumps work night and day,” says Vik- villagers who rent them houses and the shops rant Singh, of Sadopur village. set up by locals that cater to their needs. All of Rice milling uses water at every stage, from them stand to lose if the industries were to be washing and soaking rice to parshut down. “But we have no opboiling to remove the husk. The tion now, this poison is worse,” liquid waste is either pumped Mavi says. underground or allowed to In Sadopur, sarpanch Nagendrain into the Hindon river dra Singh flatly denies any cases The two firms that some distance away. Years of unof chronic diseases or related were shut down are checked pollutants are accumudeaths in his village. Tellingly, the smallest here, lating in the water. however, his neighbours say that there are many the sarpanch’s father and an unbigger fish Detritus of denial cle had died of cancer in the reThere is no central registry or dacent past. tabase that tracks the rising inciAnother neighbour, Vikrant dence of chronic diseases. Based Singh, 31, suffers from hepatitis C. on what they can afford, people visit private The father of two young children found out hospitals and deplete their savings on medi- about his condition in 2013, when he was cal bills. “We use the nearby Community about to donate blood. He worries about the Health Centre at Badalpur only for minor ill- uncertain future facing his children. His famnesses, and for childbirth,” says Pradeep. ily sold its land to the government and the In an ironic twist, aside from the official de- money is fast-dwindling as he has to travel to nials, villagers themselves refuse to acknowl- Delhi every week for treatment. edge the health hazards as they worry that the In Badalpur village, barely 5 km away, statues and elephants in sandstone rise like ghosts amongst the houses, adjacent to the National Highway. This is the Ambedkar Park and the monuments were sanctioned by the former chief minister Mayawati, who was born in this village. The project is probably the largest and most expensive construction in the region, and is literally a white elephant — denoting money spent on empty symbols while people die right next door. Chapraula is a symbol of all that is wrong with India, particularly Uttar Pradesh. When people give up their ancestral land for industry, do they also give up their right to clean air and drinkable water? Those who haven’t already succumbed to the poison around them are trapped in a cycle of pain and suffering. As Mahesh Tyagi, a 51-year-old farmer from Chapraula put it, “We once used to stay in heaven… today we are trapped in hell.”
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Wait to exhale Residents navigate dust clouds amidst the endless caravan of trucks ferrying industrial supplies
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APPROACHING EYE LEVEL
Sound of silence Hearing and not hearing are both skill-sets for living. Taking a few deep breaths and listening to sounds and words can at times take you past them
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uman beings have figured out all kinds of ways to meditate. If Amar Chitra Katha was to be believed you have to do a lot of standing in loinA nightmarish death cloth on one leg. Sound meditation luckily alThis illustration from lows you to sit firmly. In this method, you are The Sandman: Overture shows a told to let sounds come to you. You keep your carnivorous plant eyes closed, ears open and pay attention to all aspect of Dream being the sounds around you — the scraping of furburnt alive dc niture in the apartment above you, the persistentertainment via ap ent crow outside and the sound of television next door. You don’t attempt to identify the sounds or think about them. You don’t have to worry about whether the sounds will increase in volume, decrease, end or begin. You try to pay attention without expectations. If you’ve ever tried sound meditation, you know it gives you a startling battery recharge, of feeling brightly, fully alive. Perhaps because we spend a lot of our time protecting our ears and selves by tuning out noise. Not listening is a vital skill after all. One of the difficulties that people who wear hearing aids face is tuning out background noise. So much so that in the hen comics listat-titles as the dreaming plant Quorian sees the flow- even by Alan Moore’s standards. The artwork last couple of years, there’ve beenbuffs a lot of with genuine literary of merit, er-Dream burning, here’s how Gaiman pre- there, although magnificent and formally actempts by people hacking the hardware Neil Gaiman’s Sandman sents the scene to us: “And the silent screams complished, didn’t quite have the range of their hearing aids to make it suit theirThe individfeatures theconsider top of every of the burning plant go through Quorian like styles or the playfulness of Overture. ual hearing needs. And thosenear who single part one, of and with good(with reason. Across its a gnawing worm and make him tremble. He themselves Deaf culture a capital When Dream investigates the murder 70-plus issues, that The deafness Sandmanis expanded D) reject the notion a disabili- our has never seen fire, only been told of it in tales shown in the opening scene, he is forced to ideas of what graphic medium ty. Deaf culture is justthe different from hearingcould transmitted by root and pollen and scent.” meet the First Circle, a higher grade of eleachieve, withwho its dizzying of high and culture. So those are part mixture of Deaf culture This is reminiscent of Shaper’s shape-shift- mentals including his father, Time himself. As its distinctive visual ing ways in iconic Sandman stories like A Dream speaks to his less-than-impressed fadon’tpop seekculture hearingreferences, aids or cochlear implants, grammar dogged is refusal to dumb Dream of a Thousand Cats, where he appears as ther, we see an old man holding a withered believing firmlyand thatitsdeafness not somelet its protagonist (Dream of the End- a gigantic cat (the Dream-cat has a prominent flower turning into a young boy chomping on thingdown to beor ‘fixed’. less, also known A couple of years ago IasfellMorpheus, in love withShaper a teen and role here too, by the way), or A Midsummer a fruit… and back to old again. All around colourful names) indulgeforin su- Night’s Dream, where he confronts a young Wil- him, the boundaries of reality seem oddly pershowsome calledother Switched at Birth, interesting That series full of per- liam Shakespeare in medieval finery. Dream is, meable. The idea of Time living a simultanemanyperhero reasonsshenanigans. but most cool forathe slow and shutterstock metaphysical become after all, how you dream him as. total sonified acclimatisation of Deafentities culturecould for viewous, all-inclusive reality is introduced almost as popular as this onecool did was newsthis for comics ers. For me, additionally because is The death of one of his aspects also gives entirely through the art, and that by itself is a andhear artists. Sandman, while over and not awriters show I can in theThe background Gaiman thetelling perfect means young girls are each othertoabout the decreasing patience for banalities and partly, a staggering achievement. above its literary influence, empowered folding clothes and sorting papers and wan-them bring forthalmost something that he study of terror of my own to-do uncle, creating a longitudinal list.word I’ve found A quick aboutmyself the deluxe to around go forthmy andhouse dreamasbig. dering I usually do, feel- abusehas conversation (aslong theydesired: said in athe Bill Cosby case). My interrupting, tuning outofand edition The thinking Sandman:(like Overture At the the first issue, Dream ing guilty forbeginning not beingof respectful to the between Morpheus andtoMorfriend remarked families exist maintain the Eddie Izzard’s squirrel) about whether I’ve leftpub(the mini-series was initially The Sandman: wasAge captured by a Television. magician Switched called Burgess. Golden of American at status pheus. Thethey gistwill of the matter is, will quo and hear only what althe gas on. Because of course I wasn’t paying lished in six comic-book instalOverture has some he that remained foryou seven decades, Birth There is a show requires to watch faces,weakwhen to thestay Dream of any planet low things the same. attention either. As This little attention ments). is a as tall, elements of bothtoathe gas ened revenge. Gaiman hands, lipsand andplotting subtitles.his This is a show that had This dies, causes a rupture in the canitwork, of course, in other surprising wasapaying person in front ofwell-produced me. prequelIand sequelto theexceptionally at a long-drawn conflict It’s thata had oncehinted had a completely silent episode. and the variways.space-time One of myfabric closest friends This year I found meditation hardback that aincludes over a the dream lord And of his showrobbed that rewards attention. in strength. a round- The ous Dreams the Endless gathgrowing up wentof through a brief app dozen that shocked me with how(and additional covers is themeditation, 160-page story of that aboutSandman: way this Overture is like sound helper in the Conclave of phase Confused but magnificent party girl much it improved well-beother sketches) my drawn by Wilwarfocus and the cost of Dream’s eventual victory.in college. ing you on sensory perception and then Pronouns. the she end came of it all, In recent times I’ve One By night, ing. Iliams am easily by thefamous exand shocked Dave McKean, the sensory outset, itperception. is clear that Gaiman and gettingFrom you past proves toroaring be insufferable, even myself to for making homeMorpheus past midnight cellence of things that humanity the original Sandman covers of the caught artist JH III are noskillpunches Hearing andWilliams not hearing arepulling also both himself. He wonders: “Am I always like this? drunk but convinced that having has known is excellent forother thou-mea1990s. There are several listening less and1980s less and whatsoever. very first sequence shows an sets for living in The families. All Indian families Self-satisfied. and un- ningful extras: brushed her teethIrritating. twice sheSelf-possessed was sands aofportion years. Exercise, meditaof the script with Gaiaspect of Dream (the Dream of “a race of huge continuously demonstrate the requirement to concede center stage to anyone but man’s priceless safe. willing She grinned jauntily at her tion, kindness! Who thattoitread. liner notes is aknew delight carnivorous plants, withAlimited of hearing and not hearing. friend mobility, tells me but myself.” ancientthe Egyptian mother whoAn opened door, aspect replies: “I Williamsreally all good stuff? So I do itinterhas aisparticularly interesting beautiful minds”) being burnt alive. the story of her uncle feeling her up andThere her are believe so. Yes. Inher, my experience.” walked steadily past walked occasionally and some talk about it the view wherein he reveals of the inspiraa number of obviously flashy ways in which cousins of the same age. As young girls they gathering Dreams allows have Williams steadilyThis upstairs to herofroom. All would rest of the time as if Ithe do itOverture regularly. artwork (Jim tions behind you can doand thisthen as akept comics artist, told each other an eagle eyebut on Wilcolourist Dave Stewart) well and truly But been(and well if she hadn’t stopped onto the landing I am working at it now, on good days Steranko, MC Escher). execution veersSome more towards theirliams’s still younger cousins. years later the flexa long his muscles. In a with panoramic four-page to have conversation the straw ele- taking The metaphorical deep breaths andelements listen- of Sandman: Overture has some painterly else. the uncle. phant my friend toldthan her anything mother about fold-in landscape, seeHer themother many aspects hanging on the we wall. pre- of ing both to the words and coming outToofdiehard people’s a prequel a sequel. fans, it The panel progression is stately, And of course, the mother and her cousinsthe too diviDream across and space, united tended not to hear time and never brought it up.in their mouths and on very good days, past is the triumphant return theyhearing hungered for all sionsmolested are idiosyncratic andasGaiman, back in I’vebewilderment had been by the uncle young girls. being thus. It is the always been a at talker andunited been surroundthe words. these years. To new readers, it is a spectacular the saddle with hiseach favourite hits top And they too had told othercreation, but no one of artwork that ought be framed ed bykind talkers. In recent times I’ve to caught my- in introduction to the Endless. And yes, the det@chasingiamb thenow, worda go. flower-Dream else. gear And from perhaps newThe generation of is displayed in museums self drawing listening rooms, less and less. Partly, it is a or luxe edition is worth the ₹1500 price tag. described as “someone with a white flower on painted on ceilings. Williams was the artist on a tall stem with dark resplendent leaves”. And Promethea, an almost fatally ambitious series, aditya mani jha
The stuff of dreams
A homecoming in which the creator of the cult Sandman comics series pulls no punches, taking diehard fans and new readers on a rollicking ride into the world of the Endless
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The Sandman: Overture (Deluxe Edition) Neil Gaiman, JH Williams III, Dave Stewart and Todd Klein Vertigo Graphic novel ₹1,500
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Nisha Susan is a writer and editor of the feminist website The Ladies Finger
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LIGHTHOUSE
Tolstoy’s chicken and the expanding circle Meat-eaters have always faced an ethical dilemma. Thanks to technology, though, that problem may soon be solved
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’m a devout carnivore, but a decade apostle of liberty, Thomas Jefferson, and a half ago, I turned vegetarian once kept slaves. for a year. My reasons were moral, At this point, it is worth considerand best illustrated by a story about ing why the expanding circle exthe Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy. In his latpands. To my mind, the reasons are er years Tolstoy was a vegetarian, and one instrumental. The circle expands beday he invited his aunt home for dinner. cause incentives change. The two She said she’d come but insisted, “I must main factors driving this are trade have chicken!” Tolstoy paused at this conand technology. dition, but then agreed to provide the Economics teaches us that every bird. The lady duly came home, gup-shup human being can provide value to happened, and then when they moved to this world (comparative advantage) the dining table, she found a live chicken and that voluntary trade always leavon her chair. There was a carving knife es both parties better off, leading to a alongside. positive-sum game. If ‘The Other’ is “We knew you wanted chicken,” Tolworking hard to improve our lives, stoy said, “but none of us would kill it.” and it is in our interest to improve The story, as I know it, ends there — but theirs, for that is how we profit, then I can’t imagine Tolstoy’s aunt ate Tolstoy’s the circle is bound to expand to inchicken. She must have been rather exasclude them. perated, and Tolstoy was indeed a bit of a Technology also plays its part. Unspiritual crackpot towards the end of his til recently, half of humanity — the felife. But the story of the chicken resonates male half — was deeply constrained with me. It demonstrates our denial because that’s just how the comparawhen it comes to food. In our mind, there tive advantage game played itself is a screen between the meat that we eat out. Housework and raising large and the animals that are killed for that families took so much time that it meat. We taste the flavour and enjoy the made economic sense for family No dead meat The man who wouldn’t harm a chicken the hindu texture, but we behave as if the butchery units to specialise, and for women to never happened. We pretend that the stay at home and for men to go out chicken on the plate and the chicken on and be breadwinners. This got codithe chair are different creatures. But of course gentleman named WEH Lecky way back in the fied in social norms, and thus women got they are not. Tolstoy’s flapping, squawking 19th century: The Expanding Circle. Lecky pos- forced into subsidiary roles. That changed in chicken is Varma’s Chicken a la Kiev — and so, ited that there is a circle of beings who qualify the 20th century. Firstly, household technolomany years ago, I gave up meat. for our moral consideration as equals, and gy freed up huge chunks of women’s time. SecEven if I later explained my subsequent re- that this circle has tended to expand through ondly, birth control gave them, well, more gression by talking about recurring headach- human history. In prehistoric times, we might control over their bodies. There is much to be es and how my body was too used to meat to have regarded just our family or our tribe as said for good intentions, but women’s empogive it up, deep down I know that’s just a ratio- being part of it, and everyone werment really happened benalisation. I didn’t have the strength of charac- else would have been ‘the other’. cause of technology, and so ter to carry through on my resolve. I dreamed But through time, that circle exhurray for technology. of luscious, succulent kebabs, and ignored the panded and kept expanding. It And hurray for technology one One day we will be screaming of the lambs. began to include other commumore time, because if our circle as aghast at meatThe guilt and dissonance I still occasionally nities and races, and eventually expands to include animals, it eating as we are feel may soon be moot, though. Some fine sci- included all of humanity itself. It will do so not because of the betoday when we look entists, much to be praised for their noble en- is this expanding circle that led nevolence of meat-eaters around back at slavery deavours to better humankind, have recently to the end of slavery, to women the world, but because growing found a way to grow meat in the laboratory, being allowed to vote, to the meat may no longer require the without a sentient creature being involved. great immigrant nations across killing of animals. And here, conWithin a couple of decades, I predict, you will the world, like the US. sider the consequences of all anibe able to eat a medium-rare steak that is, in The philosopher Peter Singer mal products being every way, the same as any you would get to- argues that one day animals will be within this manufactured without animals being inday, except for the fact that no animal would circle. He believes that one day we will be as volved. The incentives around rearing farm be harmed in its making. The organ it will aghast at meat-eating as we are today when we animals will change. And so one day, cows and come from would have been manufactured a look back at slavery or women not being al- pigs and chickens and goats may go extinct la carte, and would never have been part of a lowed to vote and so on. For a person in the not because we ate them, but because we stopliving creature. 23rd century, looking back at the 21st, it will ped. The irony is delicious. On that note, at the turn of this new year, let seem as astonishing that we once slaughtered t@amitvarma me tell you about a concept propounded by a animals for food as it does to us that the great
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Amit Varma is a novelist. He blogs at indiauncut.com
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STATES OF MATTER
Free, not fair The mythology of free trade being a force for economic progress remains entrenched in world politics
sukumar muralidharan
This was one among many issues on which the Nairobi talks deadlocked, finally producing a declaration which steered a middle course between irreconcilable positions. And, as the practice of free trade develops exceptions in numbers that reduce the doctrine to a laughable farce, the theoreticians engage in contortions of numbing complexity to keep faith alive. At a recent World Bank conference on development economics, Eric Maskin of Harvard University tried to unravel what he thought was an anomaly. Globalisation in its latest avatar had brought prosperity to ‘emerging economies’, but fallen short in terms of the collateral assurance of reducing inequality. “(W)age inequality (had) actually increased,” observed Maskin. And the very same economies that testified to the growth promise of shutterstock globalisation — China and India — also bore witness to rising inequality. This was anomaEXTRACT lous, since there had been several ‘globalisations’ (sic) in the past which fulfilled the Unequal world Anti-WTO demonstrators at Nairobi, where a WTO Ministerial Conference was held in prediction that “freeing up trade should reDecember 2015 reuters/noor khamis duce inequality in emerging economies”. Maskin’s belief in income convergence lobalisation has created a unique memo written for the global lender in the drew from the experience of the US and contispectator sport, where political early-1990s. nental Europe in the latter half of the 19th cendignitaries periodically gather at India’s own embrace of neoliberalism has tury. Besides the scanty empirical basis, carefully chosen venues for days of fostered a vigorous automobile industry, iden- Maskin grossly misread the experience. Jeffrey deliberation over humanity’s most conse- tified in various policy documents as an im- Williamson, another economist who has quential problems. It is a spectacle at which portant potential contributor to growth. made frequent passages through World Bank ‘civil society’ — as the new force in world poli- Ironically, 2016 also dawned with India’s capi- portals, has found that the 19th-century retics is called — is granted a tent of its own, fi- tal city trying to grapple with cord is at best mixed. Between nanced in the main by western charities, to the pollution consequences of 1870 and 1913, “inequality rose haveannever faked role a tear. perform assigned as the moral con- the next untrammelled one starts to takegrowth shape until of the gap be- feeling of relief. When it was would condramatically in over rich INew World me the edifice pretence. Not private science Not of anfor integrated globalofcommunity. tween the falling of tears the rising of new tinue crying,countries automobiles as aand means my body such wouldascontinue its Australiainand meevents the artifice of up suffering. Twoforsuch wrapped the yearEvery just of ones reduces sharply along with increased lev- nations conveyance. state of shock a fewStates”. hours,Over andthe then all thefor United same Industrial my eyes have in ever shed on elsNairobi gone salty by. At drop the climate summit Paris, develof humidity until I work up definialso disillusioned vo-a more wouldthe be wellperiod, again. poor Untiland the next time I’d innewly industriinsist on keeping your account or otherwise has been authentic. oping countries insisted on pinning ‘historic taries tive pace. can hear of theSometimes propositionI that advertently rouse anger. I learned to alisinghiscountries of thehow “Old vastthem subsidies they I wish I knewfor theglobal source of my flood. I wish I agriculture responsibility’ warming on western crash-land against surface and it sounds like could abe a niche appease. to stare anger in the World”,how notably in the Scandinahand out to keep I learned could tell nations, you morewhile about the origin my uniquely industrial reserving for of themthe breaking of raindrops. The deeper the reserved for developface. Ioflearned to beregion, patient.witnessed I learned tocorrelove vian paltry numbers tears, or how rights I devolve from a the state of sobbing selves future to repeat same follies. ing grief,countries the moreintangibly they fall farmers past myon the global trade. my field father despite his apparent cruelty. AsinI spondingly sharp reductions totrade a more uncontrollable of weeping un- The A summit in Nairobistate followed soon after cheek and create little monsoon ‘border paradigm’ was once puddles. grew older, he gave up the cane and the ruler inequality. For middle-income til I am of all feeling. with itsmomentarily usual mix of emptied arcane debates over ter- theAlthough eyes are ostensireigningmy philosophy of globand learned to economies express his such temindustrialised All I know is, I shed two kinds tears.unsubOne is al minology, hard bargaining andofsome blytrade the treaties: source of this that no deluge, watchperBelgium, through language. We the beas France, Germany, more physiological. It is less salty and is not dog tle arm-twisting. they do not feel thewould pain ofhave this organisation came equals.and I learned pacify Netherlands the UK,to inequalmotivated by momentum suffering. It is thesputtered consequence As growth has to a jurisdiction birthing of salt-water. The pangs that regulate ity declined, though beyond conditions him, to by entreat himmagnitudes. to see things modest of bodily exhaustion. You’vering-fencing noticed it many halt, countries have begun sec- commerce run deeper.atI national have managed to In the frontiers. earlyI knewThe my was perspective, toamexbackground admittedly I wish thepolicy through times in bed, when I yawn and my days tors seen as important for incessantly national economic traceofthem to a nerve that of runs the Uruguay Round multilateral ne-of my the dominated pettiness of his biguous. trade verytantrum briefly source flood Freepose eyes leakThere in response. It happens me on gotiations welfare. is in some quarters,togrowing close to my—heart. which led to the creation of the from 1860 tillthrough theThen tenderness about 1880. followedof“amy remornings for when youiswake me up I am WTO nostalgia what referred to before as a ‘rulesWhen I was a US child I cried in 1995 — the signalled its intent to se- treat from trade words. I healed myself from the liberalism (which)…included ready to be woken. trading I yawn assystem’. much as I must based multilateral The my- verely about abridge petty things. My tears this principle and assume over- France, Germany, trauma of childhood. I was conItaly, Portugal and Spain”. have theofnight beforebeing and my facefor is similarly thology free trade a force econom- sight were powers honest, over but their cause inmatters of national policy. vinced mytoexperience with abuse Yet, trade continued grow because of a greeted with a soft stream of tears. This strand significant ic progress remains entrenched. in retrospect. for moments Developing countriesExcept sought to secureI sharp woulddecline make me stronger, more costs. immune. in transportation With all of The tearsbasic also premise rises when I’m World making small talk their of the Trade Orgacried interests out of fear, when I’d agriculture somehow manage by bringing within theAsevidence I got to know you, as you began to expose in, Williamson found that migrawith onions as Inow work my way through the the nisation (WTO), a two-decade-old global to incite temper. never hitthis me tion ambitmy of father’s negotiations. InHe retrospect, yourself, how wrong had Ialearned far stronger impactI was. on inequality many petticoats that dress them, or when presence, is that development is about a coun-a was withclearly his bare hands, used a cane, based on aalways false expectation ofor thea than To trade. say you are short-tempered would be an speck of dust infiltrates try achieving its place my in eyelids. the global value possibilities ruler, as a symbol, I suppose, to peasant demonstrate of industrialising agri- understatement. prone to suddenconfits Curiously, afterYou allare this, Williamson This As type shedding does notnations constitute chain. theofwestern industrial as- culture that the and needafor discipline was atof theits heart of cluded wilful ignorance disasof ragethat when suddenly clicks and thesomething “connection between inequalcrying. cend the value chain, they create spaces below trous his reprimanding, malice was meant, consequencesthat for no mass livelihoods and ity shifts your brain and your mouth and inside the forces of globalisation was broken” provoke the more insoluble variety forYou others to occupy. Rudimentary stages of the it was strictly business, parental business. He between environment. But even this rather hopeful spews venom. You1946. say things you know 1913 and Even after takingyou actears — bulbous, crystalline, laden with the exploration production with attendant pollution hazards would lash of atunknown either myfrontiers palms or myran legs. soon in- count don’t mean, and evidence then struggle afterwards of ample of the absence to of weightbe of areas emotion. Thesedeveloping are the instruments would to grant countries to There was no standard prescription to how a dead end. Industrial nations as insist on such take them back. You try to keepeconomist yourself in connection, the neoliberal fithrough which I perform my act ofonce crying. preference. Lawrence Summers, chief keeping many lashes merit.they The hand beating usuthe one vastcould subsidies out to nally check.has to fall back on its existence as a matIt beginsin with singleBank tear that economist theaWorld and sits a USperched Treasu- keep ally lasted long as of hisfarmers temper,onasthe long as terYou paltryas numbers field, try to warn me about things that trigof religious faith. against thewho edge a single until it resigns ry official inof later yearseye, administered the while adrenaline coursedfood through hismeasures body. Somedenouncing security in- ger your outbursts. I know, for instance, never muralidharan is an independent writeror itself to the pull my angst. bitter pill ofgravitational fiscal austerity to of countries in As fi- troduced times when fit had passed, he would hold sukumar byhis developing nations as a distorto keep you waiting, never to yell at you researcher in Gurgaon Shimla the firstmeltdown, tear meets said its earth-bound the tion nancial as much in fate, a secret me unapologetically. of free markets. All I remember was the and mock you inbased any way. But I and cannot always con-
The economy of tears
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In this extract from her memoir A Handbook For My Lover, Rosalyn D’Mello recounts that not everybody is equipped to process tears, or their aftermath
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A Handbook For My Lover Rosalyn D’Mello HarperCollins India Memoir ₹499
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Getting home
New adoption guidelines intend transparency. But whether it will help fight prejudices and plug illegal trafficking is yet to be seen
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amla* advises caution as one steps into her home in central Delhi. Fragile glasses are lined on the floor and books stacked up. They will soon be in boxes, packed and moved, and a way of life wound up. The 36-year-old is moving in with her mother in the NCR and the reason is four-month-old Diane*, who came home a month ago. The grandmother will provide much-needed family support and a welcome helping hand.
When we met in November last year, Kamla, a single mother, was busy streamlining her new life around Diane. The baby, bathed, powdered, and her thick mop of hair parted neatly sideways, sits serenely as she is rolled around the house in a pram. “From day two she started responding to my voice,” says the mother. She had mulled adoption for a long time, and once her mind was made, she spent the next few years preparing for it. The uncertainties of an NGO job were given up for a steady position with an international agency. Priorities changed and that included ‘slowing down’ a hectic career. But between May 2014, when she registered with a specialised adoption agency, and October 2015, when she brought Diane home from Nagaland, much had changed in the way adoption happens in India. Like thousands of prospective adoptive parents, she was stranded in the middle of a transition during which the chief players in the official system swapped roles.
Agencies and prospective parents had responded to these guidelines with alarm and apprehension. The SAAs weren’t exactly beaming at being reduced to ‘caretakers’. Two petitions challenging the guidelines have landed in the Bombay High Court. A CARA official insists that the move is aimed at bringing transparency, to enable prospective parents to make “informed choices” and not be at the mercy of the SAAs.
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o much of it was upon me,” rues Kamla. She is among the first batch of parents who adopted under the new system. And that gave her an inordinate amount of anxious moments. The onus was on her to get things moving. With the system still in teething stage, she encountered incomplete child study and medical examination reports. Finally, when she missed her first chance to adopt, she decided to take matters head on. She had registered with a Pune agency, one she trusted, but soon realised she had little n August last year, under guidelines from hope of getting a child from there after the the Ministry of Women and Child Develop- guidelines came into place. “I didn’t know ment, the Central Adoption Resource Author- where I was on the list. After waiting for a year, ity (CARA) took the adoption process online. will I still be at the bottom? After the guideEarlier, finding a home for a child hinged al- lines came into place, the agency was not helpmost entirely on the 411 specialful either.” She believes that by ised adoption agencies (SAAs) then it had become an ego batacross the country. CARA played tle between the agency and the the monitoring authority, excentral body. However, on AuThe move is aimed at cept in inter-country adoptions, bringing transparency, gust 7 she received an SMS with where it was the facilitator. the choice of two babies from to enable prospective Under the new system, howMaharashtra. The first baby was parents to make ever, CARA has taken over the tagged with the medical reports “informed choices” role of placing the child in a of another and other informahome. Earlier, prospective partion was incomplete too. She ents registered with an SAA and had consciously opted for a got onto its waiting list. The child without special needs, but agency subsequently did a home study, and the second baby shown to her was HIV+. “I was whenever a ‘matching’ child was cleared for willing to go with the baby as long as the medadoption legally, it was placed in the home ical reports were correct. Though the baby was and CARA was intimated. Under the new sys- 10 months old, the information was about a tem, prospective parents register online with five-month-old. I got suspicious.” CARA, get on its waiting list and, when their The guidelines demand that the prospecturn comes up, are shown up to six children tive parent ‘reserve’ a child within 48 hours. online, of which they will have to ‘reserve’ one. Having got the SMS on a Friday, she was unable The SAAs are left with the job of caring for a to seek clarifications immediately as it was a child awaiting adoption and tackling the pro- weekend; she reluctantly let her chance go. A longed legal processes that precede it, but parent who misses a chance goes to the botwith not much say in placing the child. tom of the waiting list. On the next working
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And they care Often babies coming to an SAA are malnourished, born before term or require extensive medical care. The agencies nourish them back to health k ananthan
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‘I’m too complex, too layered…’
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In the meanwhile Children at play in an orphanage in Salem. Taking care of a child, including the medical needs, and going through the long and cumbersome legal process to get him or her cleared for degree. Having said that, I don’t subscribe to adoption, are the work tags people assign to me.ofI the have a strong SAAs; (below)belief that our flesh and bone isatall Children themortal. Manjushree Orphanage What we really are is souls… the energy that in Tawang, situated we actually are, is infinite,” he says. “You’re 10,000 ft above sea getting this, right?” he pauses to check. level near the IndoFinally giving his feet aChina rest,border he kneels on in the floor and rests his head on the table. “If Arunachal Pradesh
Ranveer Singh is not just the hyper-energetic goof you see at film promotions and roasts. His portrayal of Peshwa Bajirao shows he can also bring emotional heft to a character
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day, she walked into the CARA office. “I asked them if they were going to harass a prospective parent. I was well-informed and still struggling, so imagine the fate of many others.” The need of the moment is to effectively empower agencies to handle the new responsibilities — be it preparing a report or uploading them. A parent can now choose a child from any three states in India, and that in turn means dealing with parents from far-off places, for which the agencies must be adequately prepared. Aware of the healthy ratio of babies to prospective parents in Nagaland, Kamla opted for that state. During her turn, she needed barely a few minutes to ‘reserve’ a child, but the glitches in getting her home were many. She found herself chasing the agency in Kohima to get things done. Being a single parent and a non-Naga didn’t make her job any easier. After much perseverance and knocking on doors, she finally flew home with Diane after four hectic days in Kohima. “By the end I was in complete war mode. Nothing is as difficult as this labour pain,” she states wryly. However, despite the hurdles she faced, she believes the new system will improve with time. “I have great respect for it. It will streamline the adoption process and speed it up. It will also prevent malpractices in agencies.” After Kamla’s case, CARA has stopped sending intimations to prospective parents on Fridays and instead does so in the first three days of the week. The District Child Protection Units are now said to be working closely with the agencies in uploading information. Is the child at the centre?
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Sangitha Krishnamurti from Bengaluru is the adoptive parent of an 11-year-old and works with stakeholders in the field. She appreciates the government taking responsibility for the children but, at the same time, calls for more sensitivity in its approach. “The old systems were not great. For decades they didn’t work efficiently. But they had the child at the centre. It was all about finding a family for a child and not a child for a family.” To Krishnamurti, the idea of ‘reserving’ a child is much like blocking travel tickets, giving the entire adoption process a commercial hue. The guidelines intend to bring erring agencies to book, but may end up stifling the good cautions that release, many upThe hero has arrived Ranveer ones. Singh atKrishnamurti a promotional event for his latest Bajirao Mastani afp/sujit jaiswal right agencies may be pushed to down their
hrough the frosted glass doors of an office cabin at Yash Raj Films, one can only see a pair of black boots furiously pacing the room. Inside is the restless Ranveer Singh, less than a week after the release of his magnum opus Bajirao Mastani. There’s a fairly large media contingent waiting to meet the actor after reuters, ritu raj konwarit is what is being called his career-best perform- something is infinite, then I don’t think ance. Singh has limited time to spare and his important to put names and tags for the conmanager is keeping a strict eye on the clock venience of one’s own cognition. If you say that is fast has an to ensure thatindeed he meets everyone. every totherapy. Ranveer isAnother quirky, eccentric andasleep energetic, it shutters, as was confirmed byYet a veterstomach. A pair of of twin sisters, in in a while, actor leavesSAA theinconfines becomes the definition who I am…warm But I’m anonce in charge of a the long-running Delhi. upset sweaterstoo and socks to and perched of the cabin hug former co-star Parineeti their too complex, layered be just that.”on a Declining to betonamed, she talks of teething stare at colleagues you disinterestedly. Chopra orofmentor Aditya Chopra beforeand van- small Yet,seat, many of his will admitThere that problems, following the guidelines several babies, and toddlers who ishing again. they took aunwell while to wholly understand the shutting down when it comes to a point of ze- are out turns from cribs. About 30 minutes later, it’s care my turn to reach guy who up on sets with a boom box or ro agreement. The agency takes of the At the outset, Campos thatyellow she is meet Singh. He’s of stillthe pacing briskly. I feel attends meetings in redclarifies pants and physical well-being children, many of notwearing againstbright the guidelines: “The guiltyarrive beingmalnourished seated while he removes chairs shoes. “If I’m colours, does it whom and intention is right and in the interthe babies way toinensure smoother walk. mean I want attention? I’m not wearing it for asfrom pre-term need ofaspeof the child.” What worries her, “You shouldThe feellegal guilty,” he says with a laugh. others. I likeest those prints and I enjoy wearing cial tending. procedure however, is thatI’d the entire “I feel my thoughts better Even when wear theprocess school involved to get a childare cleared forarticulated on colourful shit. ends up treating the wearing, children I’d as the go.” Dressed all black, Singh is back that 20 other kids were adoption is long in and cumberThetoideauniform of commodities. Each parent looking real self.the He’s lost the ‘reserving’ beefed-up a be theiscentre of attention,” Singh says. has to child some. Shehis asks why agency much shown to sixstar. children torso andthese handlebar he’d like ac- blocking To many, be Singh is anup unlikely KaranonJoperforming crucial moustache tasks is travel tickets this practical. quired of Peshwa Bajirao. har admits line, that but when hemay firstnot laidbe eyes on the not givenfora the say portrayal in the child’s CARA says apThe hair onThough his baldthe pate is slowly inching Sindhi actorThe at the Yashofficial Raj office he that, was aghplacement? guidefor every 9,000 waitbackallow as well. “I became obsessed with this ast at Adityaproximately, Chopra’s choice of hero for Band lines an agency to reject a ing (BBB). parents, not who moreeven thantried 800 character. I’m surethe when you of go that deep in- Baaja Baaraat Johar, prospective parent, scope (without needs) to something it must lead toIfsome kind of talking his children director friend outspecial of it, took his this veto remains unclear. available for adoption. personality isdisorder. I really think need are words back after watching Singh’s debut act. transparency the desired objective, theI SAAs therapy. Doing part made me a little cra“Criticism tends to hurt more when you’re want access to thethis waiting list too. A change in At ground zero zy,” says Singh. new,” says Singh. “I remember coming out of the system has meant the prospective parents tooJuhu familiar of To prep himself what callsnow the got acid Campos a movieisatallPVR andwith two the girlsrealities standing on the waiting list offor each SAAhehave adoption world andsaid, no computer system testthe forCARA the waiting actor inlist. him, the 30-year-old the next to the BBB poster ‘This is YRF’s new onto can fathom these. for instance, the prefpulled out all stops. From isolatguy?Take, Yuck!’” Delhi Council of Child Welfare in Civ- erence for children with light skin colour. “As ingt the himself in a hotel room, Singh’s off-screen demeail Lines, the of forenoon is bro- a society we have many generations go bepractising a quiescence Marathi accent nour, which was once to deemed ken only by the coach, prattle to of breakchildren. Loraine fore we look beyond these she says. with a dialect annoying andthings," attention-seekIf I’m wearing bright Campos, assistantwhile director of oneaof the oldest She mentions one prospective mother who reing a shoulder filming ing, is now being called endearcolours, does it SAAs in the Capital, generously allows a visit to Iluctantly her chance adopt, whenhe’s her battle scene, Singh feels he went More to importantly, mean want let going. the jaundiced baby is getting photurn came up on the wait list, as the child tonursery. war andA back. “I had to dig proved his acting chops time attention? I’m not deep in the course of shooting and again. Last year alone he wearing it for others this film and I realised there’s a went from a rich spoilt brat lot of reserve. My co-star (Deepifrom New Delhi (in Dil Dhaka Padukone) will admit that dakne Do) to an 18th-century there were times when she warrior in the span of a few would say, ‘I’m done.’ But I always found I had months. Singh admits that the success, more to give,” he says. though humbling, can also get heady. “FortuIf one went purely by his media appearanc- nately I’ve lived 25 years of my life as a normal es, you probably wouldn’t peg Singh as some- person,” says the man who comes from a one capable of bringing such emotional heft business family. “As a family we’ve seen many to a character. During film promotions he’s a ups and downs, so my upbringing predisposhyper-energetic goof, on the red carpet he es me to understanding how transient the turns up in PJs, and the first brand he chose frills of my profession are. And, my god! Can to endorse was a condom. “I have a raging li- it take your attention away!” he says. He goes bido,” he had famously declared. Does he on to share that his best pal admonished him identify with this public perception or is for talking only about his endorsements. there more to him than meets the eye? “Ask “‘Why aren’t you talking to me about your me again. I want to articulate myself well,” he character?’ my friend questioned. I now truly says, chomping down the last of a chocolate understand that the only thing that matters brownie. “Do you remember this Eminem is being a performer, everything else is simsong, ‘The way I am’? It says, ‘I am the way I ply peripheral.” am. If I wasn’t, then why would I say I am?’ Everything they write about me is true to some mohini chaudhuri
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Decoding India’s No. 1 thrill machine Author Mukul Deva reveals his plotting methods, early influences and choice of companions for a literary dinner
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ndia’s leading thriller author Mukul Deva’s latest book, Assassins, was released in the US before it was out in India, meaning he’s on the cusp of global fame. His greatest hits so far include titles such as The Dust Will Never Settle, And Death Came Calling and Salim Must Die. Many of us acquired bad nail-biting habits while page-turning our way through Deva’s
shown to her was ‘too dark’. An agency, on the other hand, would be better clued in to such ground realities, she says. A bond evolved between prospective parents and the agency under the previous system. Through the home study, the agency examined at close quarters the dynamics of a family and its requirements before placing a child with it. “That made the parents less anxious… the trust that we will give them a child they will not reject.” The ‘good’ agencies gave pre-adoption counselling to parents, helping them make a very important decision of their lives. The new system has no room for that bonding as the parent lands up at an agency after ‘reserving’ a child. The earlier system centred adoption on the ‘human element’. What constitutes a good home? Who makes a good parent? Campos knows there are no right answers. Yet, an agency frequently considered educational and financial markers to decide on the suitability of a home for an adoptive child. “Our criteria of a good parent might be different from yours,” she says. At the end of November, Campos had got legal clearance to put five children at her agency for adoption; now her greatest fear is that of a mismatch. “It hurts to know that we are working for the ₹40,000 paid to us once a child is adopted. We have learnt, and the system has evolved with us through these years,” she says. At the agency, Campos’s days are packed. Mornings are spent on home study trips, which she has to complete under the new guidelines. The overriding feeling is of doing all the work, but having no control over where the child will eventually end up. By early January, two of Campos’s children have been adopted. One went to a family that had previously registered with them and another to a new one. “We are happy with the family,” says a staffer. If erring agencies are the target, Campos suggests revoking their licence. “Nobody is above board,” she reiterates. Jolly Geevarghese, adoption officer at the Hope Foundation’s Asharan, believes there are enough checks and balances. Agencies are inspected by at least five different child protection bodies in a year. Krishnamurti agrees, stating, “The ones who are unscrupulous will hero Armymanbe that regardless. TheyAction are not binding themturned-bestselling-author, selves to ethical guidelines to start Mukul Deva is awith.” sharp Geevarghese is worried about thehisincomdresser who likes suits bhatt across stitched plete home study reports she israjeev coming
delightfully pulpy Lashkar series, which dealt cled kid. That happened largely I think with counterterrorism’s unsung heroes. But I because I was a horrible student and dying to really sat up and took notice when I read his get out of school. more recent Ravinder Gill series. In this he creSo how was your army stint? ates rounded heroes — and heroines too — who feel like genuine people. The juxtaposi- I spent over 16 years in the Indian Army, which special hand Most experience tion of Gill’s action-packed working days, I finally left as a Major. MyAmilitary SAAs have a handful of and counterhandling national security matters, with sim- gave me insights into terrorism children with special youwho noticed mering domestic troubles makes for riveting terror ops, which I am sure needs fail to in getthe rahul kumar was a kvery exciting reading. Gill’s upper-crust wife Simran isn’t all Lashkar series. The armyadopted that happy with his choice of career and the time, Zac, but the problem is that if I told you pay scale that goes with it. She feels he could what we did whilst in the army, I would have have done better in life. Never mind online. “Uploaded documents do that not he’s offera to take you out and shoot you. We wouldn’t that, would genuine hero. clarity and we worry if it is the right family.” want The new ruleswe? in The that Dust changes Will Never Settle it turns ButBesides, she concedes were long overEvery Indian prospective adoptive (At●this point, I tactically change the subject.) out that main adversary hiscurtail estranged due and Gill’s that the new system is will illeparent (PAP) you registers online with CARA What prompted to switch careers and first daughter who is planning a terror attack gal adoptions to some extent. start writing thrillers? ● PAPs are given registration numbers in Compared Delhi. Assassins, revolves around atwith too, 5,964 adoptions in an India andthrillers a seniority on their and based I am aware how hard it is to tack in the Capital, this time2012, to bethe committed from January 2011 to March number I love registration with CARA write them, given the detailing and technical by an old batchmate of Gill’s. TheMarch high-stake stands at 3,988 for April 2014 to 2015. required to put a good plotsrecalls are meticulously up toago, give the construct She a time, until abuilt few years when ● On the basis on their senioritythriller in the tois also allows us to reader little arriving breathing space. In short: the onlyvery children at the agency were gether. wait This list, they area genre shownwhich a choice of up the complexity unputdownable. those with special needs. “And I don’t think examine to six children online of the human mind, Meeting Deva real down,” life, I initially abandonment hasincome she says,found mak- emotions and motivations. But when I wrote ● After the viewing, a child has to be himithard to slot. It waswho at a never gathering of scrufing about children get into the my first military action thriller, publishers ‘reserved’ within 48 hours fy writersMost in Delhi, he was the oddchilone told me that Indians don’t write these. I had to system. SAAs where continue to receive ● In case non-selection, the PAP goes themofthat the Mahabharata was writout —through dressedthe to the nines in anallexpensive dren police. Almost of them remind of the wait is listnot a military an bottom Indian, and if that business suit. Like James Bond walking into tentobythe have a handful of children with special needs, the wrong room. who rarelyconference get adopted in India. Campos action thriller, then what is? As wethis get on talking, he tellsof mesocial security blames the absence Kamla believes the new system will force The unputdownability: how do thatprospective his schedule is to write for for parents. Geevarghese laments people to shed their prejudices as it gives you do it? four there hoursare every Each book programmes them zero space to dither. Krishnamurti that no day. rehabilitation Hmm… While creating chapbegins with a who two-page for the children do notstory get a family. thinks be achieved through the constant “If I The told you whatthis can ter-wise outline, I see to it that idea, cannot which host he expands intospecial a SAAs a child with needs for engagement with prospective parents. “Very we did in the army, something unpredictable as chapterised outline. Then he relong; at Hope, they are moved to other homes, few people are speaking toasparents before they I would have to is happening all the whatever is required. asearches few of which are government-run. “Most of you” adopt, lettingpossible them know that certain ways of shoot time. Secondly make sure He adds, “I make that every these homes aresure overcrowded thinking need to Ichange, like the characters are as interesting as I technique I describe, whichthat may and it is with pained hearts focus on complexion, wanting the canand make them, andfor aremaking always havetransfer potentialthem. for misuse, we We delibneed date time of birth facing some threat, impossible eratelystable has some in it. A more homesflaws for children their horoscopes. Parents who Very few people are and a taut deadline. good special exampleneeds, of this is the methods in And situations come with one where to adopt because they cannot speaking to parents Deathcan Came Callingskills thatand all have they be taught re- slight mishave children biologically will need before they adopt Bond-style suitswith — where do steps in them, so any attempt to use them will And your James habilitated,” says Geevarghese. to make their peace this, and you buy them? You get them specially backfire quiteshe spectacularly.” Adoption, says, should get counselling if needed.” stitched? Or are they available on Flipkart if I habits Counwere kick-started by notHis beown seenreading in isolation. Vinita Bhargava, the author of too want one? Adoption in India: Policies and ExpeMrs Dignum, his fifthand grade teacher, and he selling, both before after Of course them stitched... Right here in andI get an associate professor in Human read everything his hands — riences adoption, shouldhe becould made lay intrinsic to theon sysDelhi. Though and someChild of them I pickhas from MassiStudies, studied initially wasoften heavily intoadoptive Enid Blyton and Development tem. Shehehas seen parents mo adoption Dutti. scene in India down the decades. Biggles, butwith soonthe the task children’s bookspre-teen were re- the struggling of rearing placed bybut thewho thrillers of James Hadley Chase, children remain wary of opening up Among the founder-members of CARA, she Since you’re dressed kill, let me askhaving one lasta a girl child 27toyears ago after Wilburthis. Smith, Ken Follet and Alistair MacLean. about “Parents should be made to feel adopted question: Supposing you’re going to a literary free to talk about their problems and they biological son. “I have been trying to underdinner and could choose who’d be seated at Alistair MacLean? You do bring him to mind. stand what psychological process would help should be helped,” she says. your table, who’d be with you? And what Really, Zac? Of course I read Alistair MacLean. I overcome the issues of genes and blood and to would you drink? Past the prejudice mean, seriously, who didn’t, especially in have a child belong to parents,” she says. that last literary supper, Iwhen would love to her, a system is effective it releases those days. Youisthink I resemble him? Krishnamurti among a growing group of AtFor Lorelei Lee in front of me,toTagore or Shakchild for adoption legally the available parents who have chosen to adopt a child in ahave Especially his later books like that one where espeare astoquickly my right, and Stephen King as possible. A process thator is addition to having a biological one. And fight- parents the Eiffel Tower gets hijacked. Bhagwati to mynexus left. And drink? willCharan break Verma the unholy between ing prejudice is part of that choice. “That we quick Champagne, of course: the best bottle of Bollthugs and rackets. To Bhargava, the I take that a compliment, though I dare didn’t careasabout complexion meant thatsay, ourI hospitals, ingeristhat money can buy.but I am of course asfor not big bosses, people who will am better looking son was placed in(laughs). our family two-and-a-half need suming that the publisher would paying parents and children as abe new fammonths after we completed the paperwork, hand-hold Did you have childhood dreams about forisit.birthed. which is unheard of for a boy,” she says. Her ily becoming an action hero? *Names changed to protect privacy son does get teased for his complexion, and as never imagined I would thethe ar- zac o’yeah’s latest comic detective novel, Hari, a Hero aActually parentI she has empowered himjoin with Hire, was released in October 2015 my. You see,toI deal was awith pretty scrawny, bespecta- pforanima confidence it effectively.
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Each day as it comes Kalipada Pal has been in the profession for 45 years. Too old to cover long distances on foot, he now gives make-up lessons to the young
Masters of disguise The bahurupis of Bengal are a dying breed
‘B Shades of life A bahurupi with his palette of inexpensive make-up colours.
ahu’ or many, and ‘rup’ (also roop) or form — together it means many forms or avatars. The bahurupis, a community of performers in Bengal, are not the shape-shifters of Hindu mythology. But they are the gods and goddesses you may have seen on local trains, buses, village fairs and weekly haats. Not every bahurupi is a singer, dancer, mimic or acrobat. But what they excel at is the art of make-up. The bahurupi’s mastery in disguise finds place in Bengali literature. One of the most notable examples is an episode in Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s semi-autobiographical novel Srikant, in which a man in the guise of a tiger sends an entire household in a remote Bengal
village into panic. Bahurupis, for centuries, survived on alms from villagers. They’d go door to door, collecting rice, pulses, vegetables, fruits, oil and old clothes from benevolent matriarchs. Most families indulged them in return for the entertainment they provided. The present-day bahurupi cannot eke a living out of the art of disguise. Some are rickshaw-pullers; some work as porters, and many others are employed as farmhands. It’s only at carnivals, especially during the monsoons, that they get a chance to return to their legacy handed down through generations. shantanu das is a Mumbai-based photojournalist
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All in it together A group gets ready for show time
True colours One last look before setting out for the day
In the face Train journeys are a part of daily life
To work, to work Aboard a train to Kolkata
Holy trinity Bahurupis in the guise of The Destroyer walk to a railway station in Tarakeshwar, a town in Hooghly district
Gender bender A girl dresses up as Lord Shiva
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‘I’m too complex, too layered…’
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In the meanwhile Children at play in an orphanage in Salem. Taking care of a child, including the medical needs, and going through the long and cumbersome legal process to get him or her cleared for degree. Having said that, I don’t subscribe to adoption, are the work tags people assign to me.ofI the have a strong SAAs; (below)belief that our flesh and bone Childrenisatall themortal. Manjushree Orphanage What we really are is souls… the energy that in Tawang, situated we actually are, is infinite,” he says. “You’re 10,000 ft above sea getting this, right?” he pauses to check. level near the IndoFinally giving his feet aChina rest,border he kneels on in the floor and rests his head on the table. “If Arunachal Pradesh
Ranveer Singh is not just the hyper-energetic goof you see at film promotions and roasts. His portrayal of Peshwa Bajirao shows he can also bring emotional heft to a character
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day, she walked into the CARA office. “I asked them if they were going to harass a prospective parent. I was well-informed and still struggling, so imagine the fate of many others.” The need of the moment is to effectively empower agencies to handle the new responsibilities — be it preparing a report or uploading them. A parent can now choose a child from any three states in India, and that in turn means dealing with parents from far-off places, for which the agencies must be adequately prepared. Aware of the healthy ratio of babies to prospective parents in Nagaland, Kamla opted for that state. During her turn, she needed barely a few minutes to ‘reserve’ a child, but the glitches in getting her home were many. She found herself chasing the agency in Kohima to get things done. Being a single parent and a non-Naga didn’t make her job any easier. After much perseverance and knocking on doors, she finally flew home with Diane after four hectic days in Kohima. “By the end I was in complete war mode. Nothing is as difficult as this labour pain,” she states wryly. However, despite the hurdles she faced, she believes the new system will improve with time. “I have great respect for it. It will streamline the adoption process and speed it up. It will also prevent malpractices in agencies.” After Kamla’s case, CARA has stopped sending intimations to prospective parents on Fridays and instead does so in the first three days of the week. The District Child Protection Units are now said to be working closely with the agencies in uploading information. Is the child at the centre?
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Sangitha Krishnamurti from Bengaluru is the adoptive parent of an 11-year-old and works with stakeholders in the field. She appreciates the government taking responsibility for the children but, at the same time, calls for more sensitivity in its approach. “The old systems were not great. For decades they didn’t work efficiently. But they had the child at the centre. It was all about finding a family for a child and not a child for a family.” To Krishnamurti, the idea of ‘reserving’ a child is much like blocking travel tickets, giving the entire adoption process a commercial hue. The guidelines intend to bring erring agencies to book, but may end up stifling the good cautions many upThe hero has arrived Ranveer ones. Singh atKrishnamurti a promotional event for his that latest release, Bajirao Mastani afp/sujit jaiswal right agencies may be pushed to down their
hrough the frosted glass doors of an office cabin at Yash Raj Films, one can only see a pair of black boots furiously pacing the room. Inside is the restless Ranveer Singh, less than a week after the release of his magnum opus Bajirao Mastani. There’s a fairly large media contingent waiting to meet the actor after reuters, ritu rajthink konwarit is what is being called his career-best perform- something is infinite, then I don’t ance. Singh has limited time to spare and his important to put names and tags for the conmanager is keeping a strict eye on the clock venience of one’s own cognition. If you say that is fast asleep has an to ensure thatindeed he meets everyone. every totherapy. Ranveer isAnother quirky, eccentric and energetic, it shutters, as was confirmed byYet a veterstomach. A pair of of twin sisters, in in a while, actor leaves theinconfines becomes the definition who I am…warm But I’m anonce in charge of a the long-running SAA Delhi. upset sweaterstoo and socks to and perched of the cabin hug former co-star Parineeti their too complex, layered be just that.”on a Declining to betonamed, she talks of teething stare at colleagues you disinterestedly. Chopra orofmentor Aditya Chopra beforeand van- small Yet,seat, many of his will admitThere that problems, following the guidelines several and toddlers who ishing again. they took aunwell while babies, to wholly understand the shutting down when it comes to a point of ze- are out from About 30 minutes later, it’s care my turn guy who turnscribs. up on sets with a boom box or ro agreement. The agency takes of theto reach At the outset, Campos that yellow she is meet Singh. He’s of still briskly. I feel attends meetings in redclarifies pants and physical well-being thepacing children, many of notwearing againstbright the guidelines: “The guiltyarrive beingmalnourished seated while he removes chairs shoes. “If I’m colours, does it whom and intention is right and in the interthe babies way toinensure smoother walk. mean I want attention? I’m not wearing it for asfrom pre-term need ofaspeof the child.” What worries her, “You shouldThe feellegal guilty,” he says with a laugh. others. I likeest those prints and I enjoy wearing cial tending. procedure however, is thatI’d the entire “I feel my thoughts better Even when wear theprocess school involved to get a child are cleared forarticulated on colourful shit. ends treating the wearing, children I’d as the go.” Dressed all black, Singh is back that 20 up other kids were adoption is long in and cumberThetoideauniform of commodities. Each parent looking real self.the He’s lost the ‘reserving’ beefed-up a be theiscentre of attention,” Singh says. has to child some. She his asks why agency much shown to sixstar. children torso andthese handlebar he’d like ac- blocking To many,be Singh is anup unlikely KaranonJoperforming crucial moustache tasks is travel tickets this practical. quired of Peshwa Bajirao. har admits line, that but when hemay firstnot laidbe eyes on the not givenfora the say portrayal in the child’s The CARA says apThe hair onThough his baldthe pate is slowly inching Sindhi actor at the Yashofficial Raj office he that, was aghplacement? guidefor every 9,000 back as well. “I became obsessed with this ast at Adityaproximately, Chopra’s choice of hero for waitBand lines allow an agency to reject a ing (BBB). parents, not who moreeven thantried 800 character. I’m surethe when you of go that deep in- Baaja Baaraat Johar, prospective parent, scope (without needs) to something it must lead toIfsome kind of talking his children director friend outspecial of it, took his this veto remains unclear. available for adoption. personality isdisorder. I really think need are words back after watching Singh’s debut act. transparency the desired objective, theI SAAs therapy. part made me a little cra“Criticism tends to hurt more when you’re want accessDoing to thethis waiting list too. A change in At ground zero zy,” says Singh. new,” says Singh. “I remember coming out of the system has meant the prospective parents tooJuhu familiar of To prep himself what callsnow the got acid Campos a movieisatallPVR andwith two the girlsrealities standing on the waiting list offor each SAAhehave adoption world andsaid, no computer system testthe forCARA the waiting actor inlist. him, the 30-year-old the next to the BBB poster ‘This is YRF’s new onto can fathom these. for instance, the prefpulled out all stops. From isolatguy?Take, Yuck!’” Delhi Council of Child Welfare in Civ- erence for children with light skin colour. “As ingt the himself in a hotel room, Singh’s off-screen demeail Lines, the of forenoon is bro- a society we have many generations go bepractising a quiescence Marathi accent nour, which was once to deemed ken only by the coach, prattle to of breakchildren. Loraine fore we look beyond these she says. with a dialect annoying andthings," attention-seekIf I’m wearing bright Campos, assistant while director of oneaof the oldest She mentions one prospective mother who reing a shoulder filming ing, is now being called endearcolours, does it SAAs in the Capital, generously allows a visit to Iluctantly her chance adopt, whenhe’s her battle scene, Singh feels he went More to importantly, mean want let going. the jaundiced baby is getting photurn came up on the wait list, as the child tonursery. war andA back. “I had to dig proved his acting chops time attention? I’m not deep in the course of shooting and again. Last year alone he wearing it for others this film and I realised there’s a went from a rich spoilt brat lot of reserve. My co-star (Deepifrom New Delhi (in Dil Dhaka Padukone) will admit that dakne Do) to an 18th-century there were times when she warrior in the span of a few would say, ‘I’m done.’ But I always found I had months. Singh admits that the success, more to give,” he says. though humbling, can also get heady. “FortuIf one went purely by his media appearanc- nately I’ve lived 25 years of my life as a normal es, you probably wouldn’t peg Singh as some- person,” says the man who comes from a one capable of bringing such emotional heft business family. “As a family we’ve seen many to a character. During film promotions he’s a ups and downs, so my upbringing predisposhyper-energetic goof, on the red carpet he es me to understanding how transient the turns up in PJs, and the first brand he chose frills of my profession are. And, my god! Can to endorse was a condom. “I have a raging li- it take your attention away!” he says. He goes bido,” he had famously declared. Does he on to share that his best pal admonished him identify with this public perception or is for talking only about his endorsements. there more to him than meets the eye? “Ask “‘Why aren’t you talking to me about your me again. I want to articulate myself well,” he character?’ my friend questioned. I now truly says, chomping down the last of a chocolate understand that the only thing that matters brownie. “Do you remember this Eminem is being a performer, everything else is simsong, ‘The way I am’? It says, ‘I am the way I ply peripheral.” am. If I wasn’t, then why would I say I am?’ Everything they write about me is true to some mohini chaudhuri
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Decoding India’s No. 1 thrill machine Author Mukul Deva reveals his plotting methods, early influences and choice of companions for a literary dinner
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ndia’s leading thriller author Mukul Deva’s latest book, Assassins, was released in the US before it was out in India, meaning he’s on the cusp of global fame. His greatest hits so far include titles such as The Dust Will Never Settle, And Death Came Calling and Salim Must Die. Many of us acquired bad nail-biting habits while page-turning our way through Deva’s
shown to her was ‘too dark’. An agency, on the other hand, would be better clued in to such ground realities, she says. A bond evolved between prospective parents and the agency under the previous system. Through the home study, the agency examined at close quarters the dynamics of a family and its requirements before placing a child with it. “That made the parents less anxious… the trust that we will give them a child they will not reject.” The ‘good’ agencies gave pre-adoption counselling to parents, helping them make a very important decision of their lives. The new system has no room for that bonding as the parent lands up at an agency after ‘reserving’ a child. The earlier system centred adoption on the ‘human element’. What constitutes a good home? Who makes a good parent? Campos knows there are no right answers. Yet, an agency frequently considered educational and financial markers to decide on the suitability of a home for an adoptive child. “Our criteria of a good parent might be different from yours,” she says. At the end of November, Campos had got legal clearance to put five children at her agency for adoption; now her greatest fear is that of a mismatch. “It hurts to know that we are working for the ₹40,000 paid to us once a child is adopted. We have learnt, and the system has evolved with us through these years,” she says. At the agency, Campos’s days are packed. Mornings are spent on home study trips, which she has to complete under the new guidelines. The overriding feeling is of doing all the work, but having no control over where the child will eventually end up. By early January, two of Campos’s children have been adopted. One went to a family that had previously registered with them and another to a new one. “We are happy with the family,” says a staffer. If erring agencies are the target, Campos suggests revoking their licence. “Nobody is above board,” she reiterates. Jolly Geevarghese, adoption officer at the Hope Foundation’s Asharan, believes there are enough checks and balances. Agencies are inspected by at least five different child protection bodies in a year. Krishnamurti agrees, stating, “The ones who are unscrupulous will hero Armymanbe that regardless. TheyAction are not binding themturned-bestselling-author, selves to ethical guidelines to start Mukul Deva is awith.” sharp Geevarghese is worried about thehisincomdresser who likes suits bhatt across stitched plete home study reports she israjeev coming
delightfully pulpy Lashkar series, which dealt cled kid. That happened largely I think with counterterrorism’s unsung heroes. But I because I was a horrible student and dying to really sat up and took notice when I read his get out of school. more recent Ravinder Gill series. In this he creSo how was your army stint? ates rounded heroes — and heroines too — who feel like genuine people. The juxtaposi- I spent over 16 years in the Indian Army, which special hand Most experience tion of Gill’s action-packed working days, I finally left as a Major. MyAmilitary SAAs have a handful of and counterhandling national security matters, with sim- gave me insights into terrorism children with special youwho noticed mering domestic troubles makes for riveting terror ops, which I am sure needs fail to in getthe rahul kumar was a kvery exciting reading. Gill’s upper-crust wife Simran isn’t all Lashkar series. The armyadopted that happy with his choice of career and the time, Zac, but the problem is that if I told you pay scale that goes with it. She feels he could what we did whilst in the army, I would have have done better in life. Never mind online. “Uploaded documents do that not he’s offera to take you out and shoot you. We wouldn’t that, would we? genuine hero. clarity and we worry if it is the right family.” want The new rules in The Dust Will Never Settle it turns ButBesides, she concedes that changes were long overEvery Indian prospective adoptive (At●this point, I tactically change the subject.) out that main adversary hiscurtail estranged due and Gill’s that the new system is will illeparent (PAP) you registers online with CARA What prompted to switch careers and first daughter who is planning a terror attack gal adoptions to some extent. start writing thrillers? ● PAPs are given registration numbers in Compared Delhi. Assassins, revolves around atwith too, 5,964 adoptions in an India andthrillers a seniority on their and Ibased am aware how hard it is to tack in the Capital, this time2012, to bethe committed from January 2011 to March number I love registration with CARA write them, given the detailing and technical by an old batchmate of Gill’s. TheMarch high-stake stands at 3,988 for April 2014 to 2015. required to put a good plotsrecalls are meticulously up toago, give the construct She a time, until abuilt few years when ● On the basis on their senioritythriller in the tois also allows us to reader little arriving breathing space. In short: the onlyvery children at the agency were gether. wait This list, they area genre shownwhich a choice of up the complexity unputdownable. those with special needs. “And I don’t think examine to six children online of the human mind, Meeting Deva real down,” life, I initially abandonment hasincome she says,found mak- emotions and motivations. But when I wrote ● After the viewing, a child has to be himithard to slot. It waswho at a gathering of scrufing about children never get into the my first military action thriller, publishers ‘reserved’ within 48 hours fy writersMost in Delhi, he was the oddchilone told me that Indians don’t write these. I had to system. SAAs where continue to receive ● In case non-selection, the PAP goes themofthat the Mahabharata was writout —through dressed the to the nines in anallexpensive dren police. Almost of them remind of the wait islistnot a military an bottom Indian, and if that business suit. Like James Bond walking into tentobythe have a handful of children with special needs, the wrong room. who rarelyconference get adopted in India. Campos action thriller, then what is? As wethis get on talking, he tells of mesocial security blames the absence Kamla believes the new system will force The unputdownability: how do thatprospective his schedule is to write for for parents. Geevarghese laments people to shed their prejudices as it gives you do it? four there hoursare every Each book programmes them zero space to dither. Krishnamurti that no day. rehabilitation Hmm… While creating chapbegins with a two-page story for the children who do not get a family. thinks be achieved through the constant “If I The told you whatthis can ter-wise outline, I see to it that idea, cannot which host he expands intospecial a SAAs a child with needs for engagement with prospective parents. “Very we did in the army, something unpredictable as chapterised outline. Then he relong; at Hope, they are moved to other homes, few to people are speaking toasparents before they I would have is happening all the whatever is required. asearches few of which are government-run. “Most of you” adopt, lettingpossible them know that certain ways of shoot time. Secondly make sure He adds, “I make that every these homes aresure overcrowded thinking need to Ichange, like the characters are as interesting technique I describe, which that may and it is with pained hearts focus on complexion, wanting as theI canand make them, andfor aremaking always havetransfer potentialthem. for misuse, we We delibneed date time of birth facing some threat, impossible eratelystable has some in it. A more homesflaws for children their horoscopes. Parents who Very few people are a taut deadline. good special exampleneeds, of this is the methods in And situations and with one where come to adopt because they cannot speaking to parents Deathcan Came Callingskills that and all have they be taught re- slight mishave children biologically will need before they adopt Bond-style suitswith — where do steps in them,says so any attempt to use them will And your James habilitated,” Geevarghese. to make their peace this, and you buy them? You get them specially backfire quiteshe spectacularly.” Adoption, says, should get counselling if needed.” stitched? Or are they available on Flipkart if I reading habits were notHis beown seen in isolation. Coun-kick-started by Vinita Bhargava, the author of too want one? Adoption in India: Policies and ExpeMrs Dignum, fifthand grade teacher, and he selling, both his before after Of course them stitched... Right here in andI get an associate professor in Human read everything his hands — riences adoption, shouldhe becould made lay intrinsic to theon sysDelhi. Though and someChild of them I pickhas fromstudied MassiStudies, initially wasoften heavily intoadoptive Enid Blyton and Development tem. Shehehas seen parents mo adoption Dutti. scene in India down the decades. Biggles, butwith soonthe the children’s bookspre-teen were re- the struggling task of rearing placed bybut thewho thrillers of James Hadley Chase, children remain wary of opening up Among the founder-members of CARA, she Since you’re dressed toyears kill, let me askhaving one lasta a girl child 27 ago after Wilburthis. Smith, Ken Follet and Alistair MacLean. about “Parents should be made to feel adopted question: Supposing you’re going to a literary free to talk about their problems and they biological son. “I have been trying to underdinner and could choose who’d be seated at Alistair MacLean? You do bring him to mind. stand what psychological process would help should be helped,” she says. your table, who’d be with you? And what Really, Zac? Of course I read Alistair MacLean. I overcome the issues of genes and blood and to would you drink? Past the prejudice mean, seriously, who didn’t, especially in have a child belong to parents,” she says. that last literaryis effective supper, Iwhen would love to her, a system it releases those days. Youisthink I resemble him?group of At For Krishnamurti among a growing Lorelei Lee in front of me,toTagore or Shakchild for adoption legally the available parents who have chosen to adopt a child in ahave Especially his later books like that one where espeare as toquickly my right, and Stephen King as possible. A process thator is addition to having a biological one. And fight- parents the Eiffel Tower gets hijacked. Bhagwati to my nexus left. And drink? willCharan break Verma the unholy between ing prejudice is part of that choice. “That we quick Champagne, of course: the best bottle of Bollthugs and rackets. To Bhargava, the I take that a compliment, though I dare didn’t careasabout complexion meant thatsay, ourI hospitals, ingeristhat money can buy.but I am of course asfor not big bosses, people who will am better looking son was placed in(laughs). our family two-and-a-half need suming that the publisher would paying parents and children as abe new fammonths after we completed the paperwork, hand-hold Did you have childhood dreams about forisit.birthed. which is unheard of for a boy,” she says. Her ily becoming an action hero? *Names changed to protect privacy son does get teased for his complexion, and as never imagined I would thethe ar- zac o’yeah’s latest comic detective novel, Hari, a Hero aActually parentI she has empowered himjoin with foranima Hire, was released in October 2015 my. You see,toI deal was awith pretty scrawny, bespecta- p confidence it effectively.
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STATES OF MATTER
Free, not fair The mythology of free trade being a force for economic progress remains entrenched in world politics
sukumar muralidharan
This was one among many issues on which the Nairobi talks deadlocked, finally producing a declaration which steered a middle course between irreconcilable positions. And, as the practice of free trade develops exceptions in numbers that reduce the doctrine to a laughable farce, the theoreticians engage in contortions of numbing complexity to keep faith alive. At a recent World Bank conference on development economics, Eric Maskin of Harvard University tried to unravel what he thought was an anomaly. Globalisation in its latest avatar had brought prosperity to ‘emerging economies’, but fallen short in terms of the collateral assurance of reducing inequality. “(W)age inequality (had) actually increased,” observed Maskin. And the very same economies that testified to the growth promise of shutterstock globalisation — China and India — also bore witness to rising inequality. This was anomaEXTRACT lous, since there had been several ‘globalisations’ (sic) in the past which fulfilled the Unequal world Anti-WTO demonstrators at Nairobi, where a WTO Ministerial Conference was held in prediction that “freeing up trade should reDecember 2015 reuters/noor khamis duce inequality in emerging economies”. Maskin’s belief in income convergence lobalisation has created a unique memo written for the global lender in the drew from the experience of the US and contispectator sport, where political early-1990s. nental Europe in the latter half of the 19th cendignitaries periodically gather at India’s own embrace of neoliberalism has tury. Besides the scanty empirical basis, carefully chosen venues for days of fostered a vigorous automobile industry, iden- Maskin grossly misread the experience. Jeffrey deliberation over humanity’s most conse- tified in various policy documents as an im- Williamson, another economist who has quential problems. It is a spectacle at which portant potential contributor to growth. made frequent passages through World Bank ‘civil society’ — as the new force in world poli- Ironically, 2016 also dawned with India’s capi- portals, has found that the 19th-century retics is called — is granted a tent of its own, fi- tal city trying to grapple with cord is at best mixed. Between nanced in the main by western charities, to the pollution consequences of 1870 and 1913, “inequality rose havean never faked role a tear. perform assigned as the moral con- next one starts to takegrowth shape until the untrammelled of the gap be- feeling of relief. When it was would condramatically inover richINew World for me the edifice pretence. Not tween science Not of an integrated globalofcommunity. falling of tears the rising of new tinue crying,countries privatethe automobiles as aand means my body such wouldascontinue its Australiainand forsuch me events the artifice of up suffering. Two wrapped the yearEvery just ones reduces sharply along with increased lev- nations of conveyance. state of shock a fewStates”. hours,Over andthe then all thefor United same Industrial my eyes have in ever shed on elsNairobi gone salty by. Atdrop the climate summit Paris, develof humidity until I work up definialso disillusioned vo-a more wouldthe be wellperiod, again. poor Untiland the next time I’d innewly industriinsist on keeping your or otherwise haspinning been authentic. opingaccount countries insisted on ‘historic tive can hear tariespace. of theSometimes propositionI that advertently rouse hiscountries anger. I learned to alising of thehow “Old vastthem subsidies they I wish I knewfor theglobal sourcewarming of my flood. I wish I crash-land responsibility’ on western surface and it sounds like agricultureagainst could a be a niche appease. to stare anger in the World”,how notably in the Scandinahand out to keep I learned could tell you morewhile about the origin my the industrial nations, reserving for of thembreaking of raindrops. The deeper the uniquely reserved for developface. Ioflearned to beregion, patient.witnessed I learned tocorrelove vian paltry numbers tears, how rights I devolve from a the state of sobbing selvesor future to repeat same follies. grief, the moreintangibly they fall farmers past myon the ing countries global trade. my field father despite his apparent cruelty. AsinI spondingly sharp reductions to a more uncontrollable of weeping un- cheek A trade summit in Nairobistate followed soon after and create little monsoon The ‘border paradigm’ was once puddles. grew older, he gave up the cane and the ruler inequality. For middle-income til I am of all feeling. with itsmomentarily usual mix of emptied arcane debates over ter- theAlthough eyes are ostensireigningmy philosophy of globand learned to economies express his such temindustrialised All I know is, I shed two kinds tears.unsubOne is bly minology, hard bargaining andofsome the treaties: source of this al trade that nodeluge, watchper throughFrance, language. We the beas Belgium, Germany, more physiological. It is less salty and is not they tle arm-twisting. not feel thewould pain ofhave this dog do organisation came equals.and I learned pacify Netherlands the UK,to inequalmotivated by momentum suffering. It is thesputtered consequence As growth has to a birthing of salt-water. The pangs that regulate ity declined, though jurisdiction beyond conditions him, to entreat himmagnitudes. to see things by modest of bodily exhaustion. You’vering-fencing noticed it many halt, countries have begun sec- run deeper.atI have managed to In the commerce national frontiers. earlyI knewThe my was perspective, toamexbackground admittedly I wish thepolicy through times in bed, when I yawn and my trace tors seen as important for incessantly national economic them to a nerve that runs days of the Uruguay Round of multilateral ne-of my the dominated pettiness of his biguous. trade verytantrum briefly source flood Freepose eyes leakThere in response. It happens me on close welfare. is in some quarters,togrowing to my—heart. gotiations which led to the creation of the from 1860 tillthrough theThen tenderness about 1880. followedof“amy remornings when youiswake me up I am WTO nostalgia for what referred to before as a ‘rulesWhen I was a US child I cried in 1995 — the signalled its intent to se- treat from trade words. I healed myself from the liberalism (which)…included ready be woken. Itrading yawn assystem’. much asThe I must based to multilateral my- about petty things. My tears verely abridge this principle and assume over- France, Germany, trauma of childhood. I was conItaly, Portugal and Spain”. have theof night beforebeing and my facefor is similarly thology free trade a force econom- were but their cause insight honest, powers over matters of national policy. vinced myto experience with abuse Yet, trade continued grow because of a greeted with a soft stream of tears. This strand significant ic progress remains entrenched. in retrospect. for moments Developing countriesExcept sought to secureI would make me more immune. sharp decline in stronger, transportation costs. With all of The tearsbasic also premise rises when I’m World makingTrade smallOrgatalk cried of the out of fear, I’d somehow their interests by when bringing agriculturemanage within theAsevidence I got to know you, as you began to expose in, Williamson found that migrawith onions as Inow work my way through the to nisation (WTO), a two-decade-old global temper. never hitthis me yourself, theincite ambitmy of father’s negotiations. InHe retrospect, how wrong tion had Ialearned far stronger impactI was. on inequality many petticoats that dress them, or when presence, is that development is about a coun-a with his bare hands, used a cane,ofor was clearly based on aalways false expectation thea than To say you are short-tempered would be an trade. speck of dust infiltrates try achieving its placemy in eyelids. the global value ruler, as a symbol, I suppose, to peasant demonstrate possibilities of industrialising agri- understatement. prone to suddenconfits Curiously, afterYou allare this, Williamson This As type shedding does notnations constitute chain. theof western industrial as- that the need discipline was atof theits heart of of culture and afor wilful ignorance disasrage that when something suddenly clicks and cluded the “connection between inequalcrying. cend the value chain, they create spaces below his reprimanding, malice was meant, trous consequencesthat forno mass livelihoods and shifts your brain and your mouth ity andinside the forces of globalisation was broken” provoke the more insoluble variety forYou others to occupy. Rudimentary stages of it was strictly business, parental business. He spews the environment. But even this rather hopeful venom. You1946. say things you know between 1913 and Even after takingyou actears — bulbous, crystalline, laden with the would production with attendant pollution hazards lash of at unknown either myfrontiers palms or myran legs. exploration soon in- don’t and evidence then struggle afterwards count mean, of ample of the absence to of weight of areas emotion. Thesedeveloping are the instruments would be to grant countries There was no standard prescription to how to a dead end. Industrial nations as insist on take back. You try to keepeconomist yourself in such them connection, the neoliberal fithrough which I perform my act ofonce crying. preference. Lawrence Summers, chief many lashes merit.they The hand beating usukeeping the one vastcould subsidies out to check. nally has to fall back on its existence as a matIt begins in with singleBank tear that economist theaWorld andsits a USperched Treasu- ally long as of hisfarmers temper,onasthe long as terYou keeplasted paltryas numbers field, try to warn me about things that trigof religious faith. against thewho edge a single until it resigns ry official inoflater yearseye, administered the adrenaline coursedfood through his measures body. Somewhile denouncing security in- ger your outbursts. I know, for instance, never sukumar muralidharan is an independent writeror itself the pull my angst. bitterto pill ofgravitational fiscal austerity toof countries in As fi- times when fit had passed, he would hold to troduced byhis developing nations as a distorkeep you waiting, never to yell at you and researcher in Gurgaon and Shimla the first meltdown, tear meets said its earth-bound the me nancial as much in fate, a secret tionunapologetically. of free markets. All I remember was the mock you inbased any way. But I cannot always con-
The economy of tears
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In this extract from her memoir A Handbook For My Lover, Rosalyn D’Mello recounts that not everybody is equipped to process tears, or their aftermath
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A Handbook For My Lover Rosalyn D’Mello HarperCollins India Memoir ₹499
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Getting home
me about something as mundane as clothes. It was winter and I hadn’t packed adequately. My shoes were shabby, as was my outfit. You wanted to make sure I’d be warm enough that evening. We were supposed to go to the opening of a show of your father’s photography, and you were distressed by my apparent shabbiness. You wanted to remedy the situation, make suggestions, find alternatives. You started to nag, then badger, until you built up a little storm and I didn’t know what to do. So I decided to flee. I opened the door and I ran away. You shut the door behind me. When I got into an auto I received an SMS from you. It was curt but precise, and surprisingly free of grammatical errors. “I don’t think I want to see you again after tonight.” That January evening, in the snare of a thick, foggy Delhi winter, I learned how hot a tear can be. As they strolled down my face, first leisurely, then like a torrent, I learned the significance of opposites — hot, explosive tears on cold, exposed skin. I wasn’t sure what to do. All my luggage was at your house, and you hadn’t given me a spare key. So, after roaming the streets of Connaught Place, I decided to make my way to the amla* advises caution as one steps When we met in November last year, Kamla, Agencies and prospective had re- the gallery. I wasn’t sure whereparents else to go. I was into her home in central Delhi. a single mother, was busy streamlining her sponded to theseI spent guidelines first visitor. timewith withalarm each and photoFragile glasses are lined on the new life around Diane. The baby, bathed, pow- apprehension. The SAAs weren’t beamgraph, fell in love with quiteexactly a few, especially floor and books stacked up. They dered, and her thick mop of hair parted neatly ingthe at being reduced ‘caretakers’. Twoyou petone your fatherto took of you when were will soon be in boxes, packed and moved, and sideways, sits serenely as she is rolled around itions challenging themother guidelines have landed two-feet tall. Your lay naked on a bed, a a way of life wound up. The 36-year-old is movthe house in a pram. “From day two she start- in the Bombay Highon Court. A CARA official inmaternal smile her face as you sat beside ing in with her mother in the NCR and the reaed responding to my voice,” says the mother. sistsher that theheld moveonis to aimed bringing transand her at tits. As I stood there son is four-month-old Diane*, who came She had mulled adoption for a long time, parency, prospective parents to the staringtoatenable the strange similarity between home a month ago. The grandmother will proand once her mind was made, she spent the make choices” notatbeyour at the way“informed your infant fingers and tugged mothvide much-needed family support and a welnext few years preparing for it. The uncertain- mercy the SAAs. er’sofnipples and the way you tend to tug at come helping hand. ties of an NGO job were given up for a steady mine, I heard your voice echoing against the o much ofspace it wasofupon rues position with an international agency. Prioriwhite-cube the me,” gallery. SoKamla. I quickly She isover among firstatbatch of parents ties changed and that included ‘slowing walked to a the corner the opposite end of adopted under that to down’ a hectic career. But between May 2014, whothe entrance. Youthe leftnew thesystem. galleryAnd to speak her an inordinate of anxious mo- me when she registered with a specialised adop- gavesomeone and whenamount you entered, caught The onus was onaher get things tion agency, and October 2015, when she ments. staring at you. For fewtoseconds wemovsimply Speak, memory Rosalyn D’Mello’s memoir is as blunt brought as it is courageous pallavi gaur With the in teething stage, she Diane home from Nagaland, much ing.made eye system contact.still Then you moved your right child fingers study towards and had changed in the way adoption happens in encountered hand in theincomplete air, curled your examination when India. Like thousands of prospective adoptive medical the inside of your reports. palm soFinally, that only your trol the impulse that leads to your anger. And,parents, missed finger her first chance adopt, de- it was stranded the middle of acor-shepointer dors, she on terraces and in in basements. Every stuck out.to Then youshe moved often enough, my feminism gets in the way.transition to take matters headaon. during chief players in cided ner of this citywhich has, atthe some point, speckled back and forth to form silent gesture. “Come There are many moments when, try as I may, Ithe with hadisregistered with a Pune official systemofswapped roles. deposits salts from my dried-up tears. I She here” what you seemed to say.agency, one cannot get myself to pander to your mood have managed to stain clothes, books, sheets,she trusted, but she had I obeyed, mysoon heartrealised still reeling fromlittle the imAugust plates, last year, under guidelines from swings, so I meet your curtness with curtness npillows, of of getting a child from there after the mugs, and everything in be-hope pact your message. the Ministry and Child Developand I pay the price in salt. cameat into place. “I didn’t tween, with of theWomen acidic fervour of my tears thatguidelines We stood the threshold of the know gallery. I theinCentral Adoptionthe Resource AuthorSo when you break, when you deliver yourment, I was on After waiting for acare year, for bear, each molecule, memory of somewhere wanted to the telllist. you how I didn’t took the adoption process online. turbulent monologues, I say nothing, I doity (CARA) I still be at the bottom? After the guidefragment of pain you have inflicted on me. willclothes. That I had flown all the way just to be finding a home child hinged al- lines nothing except cry, not wilfully or consciously,Earlier, came agency not help-this The first time you for led ame down the underhere forinto you,place, that the I knew howwas important entirely theyou 411 specialbut almost involuntarily. The act of crying ismost ful you, either.” believes that by the ground of on tears, were as shocked by your show was for butShe I couldn’t summon adoption my complicated version of paralysis, an artic-isedinfluence thenemerged it had become batas Iagencies was. “So I(SAAs) guess the spell has bro- words. All that were a an fewego tears. country. CARA played ulation of a state that lies between the two im-across tle between agency ken.the The veil has been lifted. You probably You looked at me andthe you raisedand yourthe right monitoring authority, ex- me.” pulses of fight and flight. My gift of speechthe don’t However, feel the same way about hand more sobody. that the flesh of on yourAupalm The move is aimed atoncecentral inter-country adoptions, abandons me. Words swirl inside my head andcept inI should 7 shesoft received anwith SMS with have read it for whatbringing transparency, gust made contact the surit was the facilitator.I told my- to enable prospective form various permutations and combinationswhere theface choice ofleft twocheek. babies it was — manipulation. of my It from wasn’t a theifnew howof sentences, but they are not transformed by Under Maharashtra. Thea first self that I wassystem, convinced I was parents to make slap. It wasn’t pat. baby It waswas somehasyou, taken over the to “informed the coherence offered by language. My mindever,in CARA tagged with the medical reports love with I had to learn thing softer and more vulnerachoices” You do not console of all placing child in a replays over and over and over the scene thatrolelove another and other informaof you,the even the non-flatsomething akin to love. me when I weep. You of ble, Earlier, prospective par-I reled to this state I’m in of heightened pain, add-home. tion was incomplete too. She tering bits. When I look back “Please don’t run away on me do not exactly know registered withof anyour SAA move and — ing, in the process, fresh salt to my wound. entsalise had consciously opted for a the slyness again,” you said, and smiled how to onto itstrying waiting list. The the You make a mockery of my tears. You are in-gotyou child without special needs, but were to challenge pleadingly. subsequently didfor a home different to my body’s spill; in fact, you are fre-agency to her was HIV+. “I was intensity of my love you bystudy, and the second baby shown “I won’t, I promise.” a ‘matching’ child was quently amazed and astounded by how youwhenever baby as long the medinsinuating it was merely thecleared for willing to go with the “Have a glass of as wine.” legally, of it was placed in the home ical reports were correct. have reduced me to tears. You tell me that Iadoption consequence a spell, a delu“Sure.”Though the baby was CARAa blind was intimated. the new sys- 10 months should be stronger, that I should cultivate a re-andsion, the information wastried, about a spot. And Under with each subsequent It has old, never been easy, but I’ve relentprospective register online signed indifference to your tantrums, that Item,act I got suspicious.” of cruelty parents you started to push thewith limits,five-month-old. lessly, to stick to my promise. I suppose what get on waiting listto and, shouldn’t let it affect me, that by crying I sur-CARA, demand thatdespite the prospecstretch theitsboundaries seewhen how their much I The youguidelines wanted was that I stay, your badturncould comes up, are shown up to sixhow children render my power. parentso ‘reserve’ a child withinout 48 instead hours. of withstand, to measure long ittivegering, we could work things of which they will haveuntil to ‘reserve’ You do not console me when I weep. You doonline, got the SMS on afrom Friday, sheBut wasthere unable would be until I cracked, I gave one. up andHaving my running away you. have SAAs are left with jobtrying of caring for a ve-to seek not exactly know how to. You have led me toTheabandoned immediately as itmoments was a you. Youthe were to test the beenclarifications exceptions; there have been awaiting and tackling bouts of madness in every conceivable publicchild reluctantly let worth her chance go. Aand racity of myadoption feelings towards you. the pro- weekend; when itshe just didn’t seem it to stay, that game precede it, lots but ofparent place. I have wept, on your account, in alllonged who misses a chance goes tothe thecourtesy botIt legal was aprocesses complicated with times when you didn’t even have not much in placing child. one eve-tomtoofextend forms of transport — buses, autos, planes,with the waiting list. choice. On the next working checks and say balances. Forthe instance, to me that trains, scooters, cars — and in all habitable ning, again, during our first year together, And they care Often babies coming to an SAA are malnourished, born before term or require extensive a handbook for my lover was published in spaces — stranger’s bathrooms and livingmedical when weThe were still negotiating when k ananthan care. agencies nourish themdistance, back to health rooms, in kitchens and hallways, and corri- we lived in different cities, you went crazy on December 2015
New adoption guidelines intend transparency. But whether it will help fight prejudices and plug illegal trafficking is yet to be seen
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APPROACHING EYE LEVEL
Sound of silence Hearing and not hearing are both skill-sets for living. Taking a few deep breaths and listening to sounds and words can at times take you past them
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uman beings have figured out all kinds of ways to meditate. If Amar Chitra Katha was to be believed you have to do a lot of standing in loinA nightmarish death cloth on one leg. Sound meditation luckily alThis illustration from lows you to sit firmly. In this method, you are The Sandman: Overture shows a told to let sounds come to you. You keep your carnivorous plant eyes closed, ears open and pay attention to all aspect of Dream being the sounds around you — the scraping of furburnt alive dc niture in the apartment above you, the persistentertainment via ap ent crow outside and the sound of television next door. You don’t attempt to identify the sounds or think about them. You don’t have to worry about whether the sounds will increase in volume, decrease, end or begin. You try to pay attention without expectations. If you’ve ever tried sound meditation, you know it gives you a startling battery recharge, of feeling brightly, fully alive. Perhaps because we spend a lot of our time protecting our ears and selves by tuning out noise. Not listening is a vital skill after all. One of the difficulties that people who wear hearing aids face is tuning out background noise. So much so that in the hen comics listat-titles as the dreaming plant Quorian sees the flow- even by Alan Moore’s standards. The artwork last couple of years, there’ve been buffs a lot of with genuine literary of merit, er-Dream burning, here’s how Gaiman pre- there, although magnificent and formally actempts by people hacking the hardware Neil Gaiman’s Sandman sents the scene to us: “And the silent screams complished, didn’t quite have the range of their hearing aids to make it suit theirThe individfeatures theconsider top of every of the burning plant go through Quorian like styles or the playfulness of Overture. ual hearing needs. And thosenear who single part one, of and with good(with reason. Across its a gnawing worm and make him tremble. He themselves Deaf culture a capital When Dream investigates the murder 70-plus issues, that The deafness Sandmanis expanded D) reject the notion a disabili- our has never seen fire, only been told of it in tales shown in the opening scene, he is forced to ideas of what graphic medium ty. Deaf culture is justthe different from hearingcould transmitted by root and pollen and scent.” meet the First Circle, a higher grade of eleachieve, withwho its dizzying of high and culture. So those are part mixture of Deaf culture This is reminiscent of Shaper’s shape-shift- mentals including his father, Time himself. As its distinctive don’tpop seekculture hearingreferences, aids or cochlear implants,visual ing ways in iconic Sandman stories like A Dream speaks to his less-than-impressed fagrammar dogged isrefusal to dumb Dream of a Thousand Cats, where he appears as ther, we see an old man holding a withered believing firmlyand thatitsdeafness not somelet its protagonist (Dream of the End- a gigantic cat (the Dream-cat has a prominent flower turning into a young boy chomping on thingdown to be or ‘fixed’. less, also known A couple of years ago Ias fellMorpheus, in love withShaper a teen and role here too, by the way), or A Midsummer a fruit… and back to old again. All around colourful names) indulgeforin su- Night’s Dream, where he confronts a young Wil- him, the boundaries of reality seem oddly pershowsome calledother Switched at Birth, interesting That series of per- liam Shakespeare in medieval finery. Dream is, meable. The idea of Time living a simultanemanyperhero reasonsshenanigans. but most cool for athe slowfull and shutterstock metaphysical become after all, how you dream him as. total sonified acclimatisation of Deafentities culturecould for viewous, all-inclusive reality is introduced almost as popular as this onecool did was newsthis for comics ers. For me, additionally because is The death of one of his aspects also gives entirely through the art, and that by itself is a andhear artists. Sandman, while over and not awriters show I can in theThe background Gaiman thetelling perfect means young girls are each otherto about the decreasing patience for banalities and partly, a staggering achievement. above its literary influence, empowered folding clothes and sorting papers and wan-them bring forthalmost something that he study of terror of my own to-do uncle, creating a longitudinal list.word I’ve found A quick aboutmyself the deluxe to around go forthmy andhouse dreamasbig. dering I usually do, feel- abusehas a conversation (aslong theydesired: said in the Bill Cosby case). My interrupting, tuning outofand edition The thinking Sandman:(like Overture At the the first issue, Dream ing guilty forbeginning not beingof respectful to the between Morpheus andtoMorfriend remarked families exist maintain the Eddie Izzard’s squirrel) about whether I’ve leftpub(the mini-series was initially The Sandman: wasAge captured by a Television. magician Switched called Burgess. Golden of American at status pheus. Thethey gistwill of the matter is, will quo and hear only what althe gas on. Because of course I wasn’t paying lished in six comic-book instalOverture has some There he that remained foryou seven decades, Birth is a show requires to watch faces,weakwhen to thestay Dream of any planet low things the same. attention either. As This little attention ments). is a as tall, elements of bothtoathe gas ened revenge. Gaiman hands, lipsand andplotting subtitles.his This is a show that had This dies, causes a rupture in the canitwork, of course, in other surprising wasapaying person in front ofwell-produced me. prequelIand sequelto theexceptionally at a long-drawn conflict It’s thata had once hinted had a completely silent episode. and the variways.space-time One of myfabric closest friends This year I found meditation hardback that aincludes over a the dream lord And of his showrobbed that rewards attention. in astrength. round- The ous Dreams the Endless growing up wentof through a briefgathapp dozen that shocked me with how(and additional covers is themeditation, 160-page story of that aboutSandman: way this Overture is like sound helper in the Conclave of phase Confused but magnificent party girl much it improved well-beother sketches) my drawn by Wilwarfocus and the cost of Dream’s eventual victory.in college. ing you on sensory perception and then Pronouns. the she end came of it all, In recent times I’ve One By night, ing. Iliams am easily by the famous exand shocked Dave McKean, the sensory outset, itperception. is clear that Gaiman and gettingFrom you past proves toroaring be insufferable, even myself to for making homeMorpheus past midnight cellence of things that humanity the original Sandman covers of the caught artist and JH Williams III are noskillpunches Hearing not hearing arepulling also both himself. He wonders: “Am I always like this? drunk but convinced that having has known is excellent forother thou-mea1990s. There are several listening less and1980s less and whatsoever. very first sequence shows an sets for living in The families. All Indian families Self-satisfied. and un- ningful extras: brushed her teethIrritating. twice sheSelf-possessed was sands of years. Exercise, meditaa portion of the script with Gaiaspect of Dream (the Dream of “a race of huge continuously demonstrate the requirement to concede center stage to anyone but man’s priceless safe. willing She grinned jauntily at her tion, kindness! Who thattoitread. liner notes is aknew delight carnivorous plants, withAlimited of hearing and not hearing. friend mobility, tells me but myself.” ancientthe Egyptian mother who An opened door, aspect replies: “I Williamsreally all good stuff? So I do itinterhas aisparticularly interesting beautiful minds”) being burnt alive. the story of her uncle feeling her up andThere her are believe so. Yes. my experience.” walked steadily pastInher, walked occasionally and some talk about it the view wherein he reveals of the inspiraa number of obviously flashy ways in which cousins of the same age. As young girls they gathering Dreams allows have Williams steadilyThis upstairs to herofroom. All would rest of the time as if Ithe do it Overture regularly. artwork (Jim tions behind you can doand this as akept comics artist, told each other then an eagle eyebut on Wilcolourist Dave Stewart) and truly But been(and well if she hadn’t stopped onto thewell landing I am working at it now, on good days Steranko, MC Escher). execution veersSome more towards theirliams’s still younger cousins. years later the flexa long his muscles. In awith panoramic to have conversation the strawfour-page ele- taking The metaphorical deep breaths andelements listen- of Sandman: Overture has some painterly else. the uncle. phant my friend toldthan her anything mother about fold-in landscape, seeHer themother many aspects hanging on the we wall. pre- of ing to the words and coming outToofdiehard people’s both a prequel a sequel. fans, it The panel progression is stately, And of course, the mother and her cousinsthe too diviDream across timenever and space, united tended not to hear and brought it up.in their mouths and on very good days, past is the triumphant return theyhearing hungered for all sionsmolested are idiosyncratic and back in I’vebewilderment had been by the uncle asGaiman, young girls. being thus. It is the always been a at talker andunited been surroundthe words. these years. To new readers, it is a spectacular the saddle with hiseach favourite hits top And they too had told othercreation, but no one of artwork that ought be framed ed bykind talkers. In recent times I’ve to caught my- in introduction to the Endless. And yes, the det@chasingiamb from thenow, worda go. flower-Dream else. gear And perhaps newThe generation of is displayed in museums self drawing listening rooms, less and less. Partly, it is a or luxe edition is worth the ₹1500 price tag. described as “someone with a white flower on painted on ceilings. Williams was the artist on a tall stem with dark resplendent leaves”. And Promethea, an almost fatally ambitious series, aditya mani jha
The stuff of dreams
A homecoming in which the creator of the cult Sandman comics series pulls no punches, taking diehard fans and new readers on a rollicking ride into the world of the Endless
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The Sandman: Overture (Deluxe Edition) Neil Gaiman, JH Williams III, Dave Stewart and Todd Klein Vertigo Graphic novel ₹1,500
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Nisha Susan is a writer and editor of the feminist website The Ladies Finger
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MEAL TICKET
Paper chase Tolstoy’s chicken and the expanding circle LIGHTHOUSE
Sometimes you just want to nestle in the warmth of what will never let you down: a perfect dosa
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s I am always on the hunt for new water lined up on each table. things to write about, eating out The menu is the same (I imagine) as any Sanaintara with me can often become an exer- ravanaa anywhere in the world, with the addimaya oberoi cise in Anthony-Bourdain-esque tion of Kingfisher beer and wine for the bombast (“There’s this new bar that serves French. Apart from varied tiffin standards, fried insects —” I began the other day. “No,” from uttapams to idlis to a dozen kinds of dosaid the hapless friend, hastily. “Okay, then the sas, it also has ‘Chinese’ and North Indian place where you eat in the dark with…” “No.” items, all vegetarian — gobi Manchurian, pa“The one with the calf’s head pancakes?” neer biryani, and the mysterious mushroom ’m a devout carnivore, but a decade “No.”). But every once in a while, the urge for rogan josh. Generous thalis, and dosas, both apostle of liberty, Thomas Jefferson, and a half ago, I turned vegetarian something tried-and-tested hits. tubes and triangles, were rustling their way once kept slaves. for a year. My reasons were moral, At moments like this, in Paris, it’s a rough around theAtroom. this point, it is worth considerand best illustrated by a story about deal. The city isn’t quite the desert for Indian Some ing things, likethe avial and rava khichdi, are why expanding circle exthe Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy. In his latfood that it was 18 months ago, but many of only available so wethe stuck to theare bapands.atTodinner, my mind, reasons er years Tolstoy was a vegetarian, and one the newer options come with a hefty price tag. sics: rasam, sour and The spicycircle and expands sinus-warminstrumental. beday he invited his aunt home for dinner. This week, I was in the market for a more bud- ing, little vadas and idlischange. in sambar, and cause incentives The two She said she’d come but insisted, “I must get option, but where to turn? Around the city obviously, dosas. main factors driving this are trade have chicken!” Tolstoy paused at this conyou’re more likely to find red velvet, incense, On our right, a table was having an arguand technology. dition, but then agreed to provide the neon tandoori chicken and the dreaded ment about how to eat with one’s hands. To Economics teaches us that every bird. The lady duly came home, gup-shup Laughing Cow cheese naan, whereas in the Ta- our left,human the triple-earringed waitervalue was to exbeing can provide happened, and then when they moved to mil-speaking La Chapelle area it’s all South In- plainingthis the world menu to a couple. “C’est une crêpe (comparative advantage) the dining table, she found a live chicken dian or Sri Lankan food. But even here, I’d de riz, croustillant, avec ou sans patates,” heleavsaid. and that voluntary trade always on her chair. There was a carving knife already been scarred by a few of the restau- (It’s a crispy riceparties crêpe,better with or es both off,without leadingpotato a alongside. rants that well-meaning Paritoes.) Some pointing oui-ing positive-sum game. If ‘Theand Other’ is “We knew you wanted chicken,” Tolsians had directed me to: later,hard the pair appeared have working to improve ourtolives, stoy said, “but none of us would kill it.” hockey-puck idlis, gloopy beige ordered fourinterest dosas and a matar and it is in our to improve The story, as I know it, ends there — but vegetables in unlimited servpaneer. This have offended theirs, for that is might how we profit, then Generous thalis, andthe circle I can’t imagine Tolstoy’s aunt ate Tolstoy’s ings, and watery sambar. a purist, but to theexpand waiterto just is bound inchicken. She must have been rather exasToday, I didn’t have it in me to dosas, both tubes and cludelooked them. inscrutable, as if he were triangles, were perated, and Tolstoy was indeed a bit of a go exploring, to parse the trail of thinking also darkplays thoughts Technology its part.about Unrustling their way til recently, spiritual crackpot towards the end of his South Asian greasy spoons lookthese mixers paneer and half of of humanity — thesamfearound the room malebar, life. But the story of the chicken resonates ing to strike gold among the, didn’t want constrained to say. halfbut — was deeply with me. It demonstrates our denial well, gilt. My flagging spirits had service is confused, but becauseThe that’s just how the comparawhen it comes to food. In our mind, there taken a combined hit from a miMy paper tive well-meaning. advantage game playedmasala itself is a screen between the meat that we eat serable day, a post-Christmas came about minutes afout. dosa Housework andtwo raising large and the animals that are killed for that step on the weighing scale, and ter my idlis, families took so which much presented time thatme it meat. We taste the flavour and enjoy the the looming prospect of January’s punishing with twomade enormous thalis tosense attackfor simultaneeconomic family No dead meat The manand who Iwouldn’t harm a chicken the hindu ously. “Eat texture, but we behave as if the butchery work schedule, was adamant that only thistofirst,” said aand passing waiterto in units specialise, for women never happened. We pretend that the Saravanaa Bhavan would revive them. English, stay nodding to the dosa. getat home andcrsipy for men to“It’s go out chicken on the plate and the chicken on We ventured out around lunchtime, into a ting cold!” added, his moustache drooping andhebe breadwinners. This got codithe chair are different creatures. But of course gentleman blusterynamed afternoon, theway prospect ofthe hot fied WEHonly Lecky back in in disapproval. in social norms, and thus women got they are not. Tolstoy’s flapping, squawking 19th century: rasam keeping us going through the forced The Expanding Circle. Lecky posI wasn’t going to beroles. hurried my idlis into subsidiary Thatover changed in chicken is Varma’s Chicken a la Kiev — and so, ited that bone-chilling wind and rain. We en- the there is a circle of beings who qualify though. I was savouring them, cutting them 20th century. Firstly, household technolomany years ago, I gave up meat. tered, consideration dripping, to find a restaurant for our moral as equals, and gy into mini-bites myof spoon, so that I could freed up hugewith chunks women’s time. SecEven if I later explained my subsequent re- that this circle half-full even at with French ondly, has tended to3pm, expand through take turns all the standard acbirthwith control gave them,Saravanaa well, more gression by talking about recurring headach- human history.neighbourhood locals, Indian control In prehistoric times, we might companiments coconut chutney, over their—bodies. There is muchtomato to be es and how my body was too used to meat to have regarded just families from oraround town, our family our tribe as said chutney, sambar. Then Ibut tore into myempodosa, for good intentions, women’s give it up, deep down I know that’s just a ratio- being part of it,and tourists with huge dragging it through andsome everyone sambar and the chutwermentthe really happened benalisation. I didn’t have the strength of charac- else would have been wheelie ‘the suitcases. other’. ney and the cause masala of alootechnology, with a beatific expresand so ter to carry through on my resolve. I dreamed But through time, that As we folded circle ex- up our um- sion on my hurray face, revelling in its sameness, its for technology. of luscious, succulent kebabs, and ignored the panded and keptbrellas, a manIton his way out chain-ness. And hurray for technology one expanding. One day we will be screaming of the lambs. at my companion. began to includenodded other commuBeyond the casttime, of nostalgia, more because ifSaravanaa’s our circle as aghast meat-is consistent The guilt and dissonance I still occasionally nities and races, “Oh, going to have such atfood and you’re eventually good. There’s someexpandsand to include animals, it eating as we are to be said feel may soon be moot, though. Some fine sci- included all of humanity a good time,” heItsang, unasked, itself. thing for so reliability, and for quality will do not because of the betoday when we look entists, much to be praised for their noble en- is this expanding and circle then that disappeared through led food that ticks the boxes at a fair (though not nevolence of meat-eaters around backthe at slavery deavours to better humankind, have recently to the end ofthe door to into the mist, like slavery, women cheap) price.the As world, I swigged last ofgrowing my sambutthe because found a way to grow meat in the laboratory, being allowed fairy godmother sambar. to vote, toofthe bar, people meat were may finishing up allrequire aroundthe us no longer without a sentient creature being involved. great immigrant This seemed likeacross a good sign, but I’ve too, most with nations a Café la Madras in here, a stainless killing of àanimals. And conWithin a couple of decades, I predict, you will the world, been tricked like thebefore, US. as people in Paris have steel tumbler. A family began to pour filsider the consequences oftheir all anibe able to eat a medium-rare steak that is, in such standards for Singer Indian cuisine. Still, ter coffees from The low philosopher Peter into the cup and mal the saucer products being every way, the same as any you would get to- argues looking around, we felt reassured. Surelythis the manufactured that one day animals will be within back again to cool them, like a troupe of actors without animals being inday, except for the fact that no animal would circle. sheer He number of that handlebar believes one daymoustaches we will be auas volved. hired to provide the real Udupi atmosphere The incentives around rearing farm be harmed in its making. The organ it will aghast guredat well? meat-eating as we are today when we animals for homesick expats.And It wasn’t will change. so onethe day,most cowsexcitand come from would have been manufactured a lookSaravanaa Bhavan’s outlet, now over back at slavery or Paris women not being al- pigs ing meal of the year, sometimes just and chickens andbut goats may go you extinct la carte, and would never have been part of a lowed five years old, and is one theFor fancier (andin asthe this not to vote soofon. a person want to nestle warmth of whatwe willstopnevbecause we in atethe them, but because living creature. areacentury, goes, more expensive) this ped. 23rd looking back at eateries the 21st, on it will er let you down: a perfect paper dosa. The irony is delicious. On that note, at the turn of this new year, let seem stretch, and certainly the No Gaas astonishing that wemost oncesober. slaughtered t@amitvarma naintara maya oberoi is a food writer based in me tell you about a concept propounded by a animals neshas, for brass or as Bengal tigers: food it does to usjust thatgilt-framed the great mirrors, shiny grey rexine, and metal jugs of Paris t@naintaramaya
Meat-eaters have always faced an ethical dilemma. Thanks to technology, though, that problem may soon be solved
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Amitshutterstock Varma is a novelist. He blogs at indiauncut.com
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Miami unlimited Look out for bits of Cuba, bits of India, sexy limousines and sunny beaches
Yield to steel More than 150 factories have sprouted where once crops swayed in Chapraula village, 50 km from Delhi images kamal narang
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Here to stay Little Havana is home to Cubans who fled Fidel Castro’s regime in Cuba shutterstock
espite the huge geographical dis- home to Cubans who fled Fidel Castro’s retance between India and Miami — a pressive regime in Cuba. They maintain a part return trip will see you cover close of their old lifestyle in the heart of America, so to 30,000 km — there is enough in one comes across people making cigars, cookGetting there this beach haven to remind you of home. And ing Cuban food or playing dominos. Coral GaThere are no direct flights between no, we are not talking about the Indian restau- bles, on the other hand, is one of the first India and Miami. But you have rants and banyan trees, which are more than planned communities in the area with its arseveral options: Qatar Airways, common sight. chitecture almost entirely Mediterranean. which will fly you through its hub A first-time visitor from India can be forgiA must-visit, though, is the South Beach arin Doha; British Airways, which will ven for feeling patriotic as he travels around ea, which pulsates with music, shops, eating take you through London; or t isMiami betterflag if the gives us Miami. The hasgovernment the same colours as has filedhotels cases with the AllRoad IndiainInstiplaces, and the bars.NGT, Lincoln the cinity. Medical reports compiled from Lufthansa, which will take youvisits to we cannot live like this,” visde- tute the Indianpoison, flag, making the hearts of many Medical Sciences has been petitioned SouthofBeach area is a mecca for those in the local hospitals, however, tell another story. through Germany. You can also flyYoclares Pradeep iting Indians swell with Tyagi, pride. the Onlypradhan a close to run to a cancer registry, all in vain. mood shop or try outbut different cuisines. In- gesh Nagar, who hails from nearby KhudikheAir India or Jet to reach Miami. (village of Chapraula, when dian, look will reveal thechief) difference — in the middle Nitu Pal, whose house sits just name outside the ra village, had filed cases with the NGT after Italian, Thai, fast food — you it and we meet at his flag officeisjust off National Highway boundary of the Miami a green circle enclosing wallthan of Suchi Paper Mill,specialising shows the collectingGetting there is more one restaurant detailsaround about the polluting indusare various options for with 91. village about is bang in the theHis image of aof tree and 40,000 the words ‘The City of blackened of South his feet. “Even young kids tries andThere in it. Locals soles say that Beach is also famous the medical records of locals middle of the Chapraula Industrial area, bare- here Miami-Florida-Dade Co.’ in place of the Ashoka have feet like this; it does not wash off,” exploring Miami including bus tours for the hugely expensive Lamborghinis and the help of several youngsters. As Nagar is curly 50 kminfrom Chakra ours.the Capital. he says. in bikinis sipping martinis. women rently away at the State Police Acadeandtraining the Metromover, which goes More than 150 industries packed beThen as you wander around are Miami, chances Three chimneys are spewing smoke(in barely Then there are white-sand beaches case my, the around crusadedowntown has suffered Miamiwithout and its its tween of avillagers are thatthe youhomes will have peacockin this fertile 50m from the “At 9 pm smoke youhouses. forget your sun tanthe lotion, do visible face and star campaigner. financial area. This covers about patch of the walk past you.Yamuna Or the floodplain. guide on After more starts filling the and it becomes difficult not air worry; every Miami beach to is seven kilometres, and is free. There A village gave way than 50 tour, deaths over a hundred falling ill breathe; it stays the bus by and far the best way like that until peppered with lotion dispenis also a metro rail which goes in thisthe region, the tell locals blaming polluto see city, will youare that morning. We cannot even dry sers), shopping bargains and In 35 thekm early ’80s, South when Florida. the govabout around The South Beach is tion themany air and water and — for a one — ofinthe banyan treeson land our clothes anymore,” says Pal. what the city is most known for — ernment acquired land in the arOther options include public buses, also famous for the spate chronic diseases, were liningofthe sprawling walksmany is ac-of which “We even have to wash the fodbeing home to movie and rock ea for industry and housing, taxis and rent-a-car services. Our village earns the hugely expensive unheard by them even until ten yearsLamborghinis ago. tually an of Indian banyan. der that westars give our and cattle,” multi-billionaires. maximum revenue for many people were left with just Tip On December 15, thetour, National During the bus the Green Tribu- chips in Dharmender Tyagi.Miami fun What makes is Pradesh, that Uttar but we the land on which their houses is one of picture the besttube places to nal (NGT) issued closure notice to Arvi Compoguide also relates interesting A frail Moolchand Pal, aged 84, have once you have reached a particustood. A TV manureceived nothingMiami get a tattoo. nents and about India Miami. Woodlin, besides ordering walks out of lar anecdotes At one his home with diffi- it is not area, discovering facturing unit started by Samtel in areturn seven other industries in the he area to clean up culty. “I nowproblem. intersection, for instance, find it difficult Most ofto the streets run in 1987 (and now shut) was the their act before December 2015. These stric- talk. asks visitors to be careful as31,this was the place If Itodid not have medical parallel one another and you can always first major industrial plant to tures but aJustin half-victory and caught have come af- cover whereare singer Bieber was speedaswith a retired National Therjoin up where you started. sprout here. Several other induster years under of efforts by the of locals to in draw ing while the influence alcohol his mal Power The city isCorporation also steepedemployin history. So there is pion. It is thetries followed, including many only convention centre in the US attention to their plight and sustained media $2,000-a-day rented Lamborghini. Not sur- ee, would have dieda ayellow long time the IFreedom Tower, towerago,” withhea that were out of political the Capital. where themoved two major parties, that attention. prising, many would say, given that Miami has states. The octogenarian’s thoughts back to generally green dome, which was built in 1945flyand first For miles alongeach the other Noida-Greater Noida oppose on everything, more luxury cars than New York or Los An- his younger days, anewsroom. time whenNow this it very place used as The Miami is an art road, apartment blocks loom over meet;unfinished Republicans and Democrats both hold Choking on indifference geles. The guide will also point out that the was overrun withexhibits green fields. museum which things that once be- the open space. Closer to Chapraula, theirdry conventions here. Or head towards the “Our earns maximum revenue 1930svillage gangster Al the Capone lived on Palm for Is- longed “Even to illiterate knowBecause that pollution Cubanpeople refugees. Miami wide roadwhich suddenly ruts City Hall, was disappears earlier usedand as adeep terminal Uttar lands Pradesh, in Miami.but in terms of health, educa- kills; live right next tonumber the plant, will I appear BeachI has the highest of how holocaust thethe narrow stretch. Locals on twobuildingonby now-defunct Pan American tion andis, welfare we have There of course, a lotreceived more tonothing the city in of not get sick,” heisasks. survivors there also a Holocaust Memorial. wheelers and by bicycles the dust Airlines. Close are the navigate hangars where Pan return,” fumesisTyagi, rough dialect, Miami, which one his of the 32 cities in typical Miami Until now, no directanother link hasplace been establishFor history lovers, to visit is clouds amidst caravan of(called trucks, as piles of Am parked its aseaplanes Clippers) in of western UP,that liberally peppered with insults. Dade County are all, incidentally, called ed the industrial unitsCentre, and thewhere cases construction thebetween Miami Beach Convention rubble and garbage loom into the 1940s. Since 2011, has written multiple Miami. ThereTyagi is Little Havana or the letters gated of cancer, hepatitis, liver disorders Muhammad Ali beat Sonny Liston in and 1964skin and view on open plots. phadnis to the district authority, a local property of Coral Gables. Littleorganisation Havana is ailments reported the people in chamthe vi- ashwini became the world among heavyweight boxing “The two firms that were shut down are the
Travel log
Two factories have been ordered shut in Chapraula industrial area as locals in this once fertile Yamuna floodplain blame pollution for an outbreak of chronic diseases among them
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Travel log Getting around
There are multiple options to explore the city — taxis, tuk-tuks, the Bangkok metro and Skytrain. Stay
Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit (www.sheratongrandesukhumvit.com) is located in the heart of the city’s shopping district and is walking distance from both the Metro and Skytrain stations. Explore
Quite a few hotels offer culinary workshops. These cookery sessions are a great way to explore Thai cuisine and culture. Tip
Taxis can overcharge. Use the metro or the Skytrain where possible.
Not all Bangkok’s culinary experiences reof childhood volve around Thai cuisineScraps or street food. My Youngsters play dinner experience at DID (Dine in the Dark) at amidst mounds of the Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit unforgettarubbishison an empty ble and humbling. Mobileplot phones arehosts powerthat also a weekly local market ed off as we are led through a dark corridor, except there’s no light at the end of it — only more darkness. The entire foursmallest here, there are many bigger fish,” During the harvest season, paddy growers village might be labelled ‘cancer “Those course meal is aserved inbelt’. the dark — says Pradeep. All around the factories, rubbish sell their produce to a rice mill located on a who have you children marriageable age are needofspecial motor skills to is piled high on empty plots and migrant plot between Chapraula and neighbouring Sa- worried they might the notcutlery be ablewhile to find partmanage your olworkers comb it for metal scraps to sell. Chap- dopur. “I saw more than five pipes, of 10-15 ners for them,” says local resident factory nerves and Anil tasteMavi. buds raula’s weekly Thursday market, which at- inches diameter, dumping untreated water Among those benefitfor from factoworkwho overtime youthe to guess tracts people from surrounding villages, has into the ground. During the harvest season, ries are the migrant who toil them, what’s workers on the plate. Theinrestaufor years been held on a dirty plot opposite the these pumps work night and day,” says Vik- villagers whorant rentisthem houses the shops manned byand visually chalpaper factory. rant Singh, of Sadopur village. set up by locals that cater their needs. of lenged waitto staff while Allthe Rice milling uses water at every stage, from them stand to lose if the industries to inbe exceptional cuisine onwere offer Flow of slow poison washing and soaking rice to parshut down. “Butglobal we have no opcludes Asian and favourites. In the narrow lanes in the village, nearly every boiling to remove the husk. The tion now, this poison is worse,” For Sunday lunch, I choose MethPans and plates Pad thai at Thip Samai ashwin rajagopalan; household hasthea most member who bat-of Sathorn liquid waste is either pumped Mavi says. avalai Sorndaeng, which goes back to (right) ‘hunting’, ordered dishisat either The House tling a chronic illness or succumbed to one. underground or allowed to Sadopur, sarpanch Nagen1957; theInstaff uniform and interiors Water pumped from underground is unfit for drain into the Hindon river Singh flatly any cases probablydrahaven’t beendenies refreshed ever The two firms that drinking — it is yellowish-green and the total some distance away. Years of unof chronic diseases or related since, this restaurant its unique apwere shut down arelending dissolved solids (TDS) count is an alarming checked pollutants are accumudeaths in his in village. Tellingly, peal. The cuisine is steeped the royal kitchthe smallest here, 2,700 in some samples. “The district adminis- lating in the water. however, his—neighbours say that of central Thailand food presentation there are ens many tration installed pipes and booster pumps for thewhile sarpanch’s father andlike an the unborders on art popular dishes bigger fish drinking water supply more than 18 months Detritus of denial cle had diedand of yum cancer the(barehor mok (steamed curry) huainplee ago, but there is no supply yet,” Pradeep says. There is no central registry or dapast. nana flower cent salad) live up to their hallowed For now, those who can afford are purchasing tabase that tracks the rising inciAnother neighbour, reputation. The restaurant hasn’t Vikrant much water from reverse osmosis plants at ₹20 for dence of chronic diseases. Based 31, suffers changed its Singh, food script overfrom six hepatitis decades; C.a 15 litres. on what they can afford, people visit private complete The fathercontrast of two young children from my dinnerfound venue.out Af“I haven’t received any complaints from vil- hospitals and deplete their savings on medi- ter about his stop condition in 2013, when he was a quick at Bangkok’s legendary flower lagers about any industry or pollution of the cal bills. “We use the nearby Community market about toI donate blood. worries about the arrive at 2015’sHehottest new restaugroundwater here,” says Rajesh Kumar Singh, Health Centre at Badalpur only for minor ill- rant uncertain future facing his children. His famin Bangkok. Sub Divisional Magistrate of Dadri. The ad- nesses, and for childbirth,” says Pradeep. ilyThe soldHouse its land to the government anda few the of Sathorn has worn quite ministration has received proposals from priIn an ironic twist, aside from the official de- hats money is fast-dwindling as mansion, he has to atravel to since 1889 — a private luxury t’s impossible to walk a few metres in Basil vate companies to supply water to the area, he no longer an uncommon in pre- hotel, nials,are villagers themselves refuse sight to acknowlDelhi every week for treatment. the Russian Embassy and now a fine dinBangkok“Rice and mills not run tourists. Not at mium says, adding, dointo not use any water”. Bangkok hotels. Two hours later, edge the health hazards as they worry thatChef the ingInrestaurant. Badalpur village, 5 km away, statuTurkishbarely Chef Fatih Tutak’s meKro Kret, a weekend market just an hour Manachai is convinced that I’ve mastered the nu es and in sandstone rise likeand ghosts haselephants been shaped by his travels, the from the Thai capital. This artificially cre- art of fixing a Thai green curry, the quintessen- creativity amongst the houses, adjacent to the occasionally borders on National the maated island houses one of Thailand’s largest tial Thai papaya salad (som tam) Highway. This is theLike Ambedkar Park the cabre. ‘hunting’, theand restauclusters of Mon people from Myanmar, who and the mildly sweet steamed monuments rant’s were sanctioned by dish, the former most ordered which were primarily responsible for the spread of pumpkin pudding. chief minister who was born this isMayawati, duck breast served with in blood Theravada Buddhism in Indo-China. I jostle At 5pm — not dinner time by village. The project is probably the largest and spatters of pomegranate sauce. for space with monks in ochre robes on the any means — the serpentine most in is theThe region, special interest CapiThip Samai’s hotexpensiveOfconstruction packed ferry; this island used to be best queue outside Thip Samai, Bangis literally white elephant denoting tal aby Water Library,— which asstreetsideand woks known for its Buddhist shrine but today, food kok’s legendary pad thai estabmoney on empty symbols whileofpeople over 30 labels stills churn out pad thaispentsembles is the biggest draw. lishment, continues to grow. In diewith right nextand door. sparkling water in a largerafter pad thai Kro Kret’s biggest claim to culinary fame is the ’40s Plaek Phibunsongkassembly-line Chapraula than-life is a symbol of all that wrong fountain — theis perfect precision the tort man nor galah (Mon-style deep-fried hram, the country’s then Prime with India, particularly Uttar to Pradesh. When accompaniment the contemfritters). Bangkokians also come here to stock Minister, decorated the pad thai people give up theirEuropean ancestralcuisine land for porary onindusoffer. up on local condiments. Or Tor Kor Market has with the status of ‘national dish’, try, do they alsoAgive up their right to cleannot air weekend is clearly been ranked one of the world’s finest for fresh thus ensuring the dish’s popand drinkable water?toThose who haven’tculalenough explore Bangkok’s food, the perfect spot to shop for supplies for ularity not just in Thailand but ready succumbed the poison them inary to offerings. I amaround left with no my Thai cooking lesson. My market guide for all over the globe. Thip Samai’s hot streetside time are trapped in a cyclebut of pain and suffering. As for shopping; everything else can the day is Chef Manachai from Basil, the signa- woks churn out pad thai after pad thai with as- wait Mahesh Tyagi, a 51-year-old farmer from Chapwhen you’re in line at Thip Samai for that ture restaurant at Sheraton Grande Sukhum- sembly-line precision, always finding the bal- steaming raula put it, “We once to stay in heaven… hot plate of used pad thai. vit. He is not an easy person to please but after ance between the sweet, the salty and the sour. today we are trapped in hell.” multiple stops at Or Tor Kor we finally arrive in The ‘Superb Pad Thai’ wrapped in a light om- ashwin rajagopalan is a Chennai-based lifestyle and travel writer saurabh yadav Wait to exhale Residentsacademies navigate dust clouds amidst endlessiscaravan of truckssignature ferrying industrial his kitchen. Culinary like the one at the elette Thip Samai’s dish. supplies
Hunger pangs in Bangkok
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Thrills of the rocky edge Taut nerves may mess up one’s shot at bravery. Yet Pulpit Rock is a place that makes people lose their common sense
Travel log Getting there
Etihad, Emirates, Scandinavian Airlines and KLM fly to Stavanger from Kolkata via Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Oslo and Amsterdam. Stay
Spend your Norwegian holiday in Feistein lighthouse (www.klepp.kommune.no).
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Clouds on the fingertip No amount of photographs or videos can approximate the moments of sheer exhilaration, of drinking in the dreamy beauty of the fjord with hungry eyes
images arundhati basu
Test your stamina with hikes to Preikestolen, Kjeragbolten and Trolltunga or climb the world’s longest wooden staircase in Flørli — it shas just 4,444 steps. In the eye of a storm The juvenile accused in the Delhi gang rape case being produced before the Juvenile Justice Board in New Delhi subramanium
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ith my left foot dangling off into the sky as we puttered by tiny lighthous- prophesies that the rock shall fall off the the edge of the ledge, I took a es, evergreens, and white and red wooden cot- mountain into the fjord the day seven brothpeek down, and thus my right tages scattered on green patches on the fjord. ers marry seven sisters from the area around foot never got the chance to The real drama happened when we came up- it. I hedge my bets on geological reasons leadbe as brave as its counterpart and sway 604 on the granite cliffs of Ryfylke, the light colour ing to the decimation of the rock. metres above a fjord. Perched upon the very of which gives Lysefjord its name (meaning Surrounded by young mothers with babies fringe of a rocky outcrop in the heart of Roga- ‘light fjord’). Make no mistake. This was a wild strapped onto them, wee boys with fathers, land county in Norway, my nerves were taut. fjord, 40-odd km in length, carved out by gla- dogs panting alongside their masters, teenage As taut as they can get when they contemplate ciers during the Ice Age. At one point, we hikers and gutsy old women and men armed a tumble into the dark (and possibly hypoth- looked up and spied the flat mouth of Preikes- with walking poles, I was finding it all surreal. ermia-inducing) fjord. tolen hanging out. Beneath what looked like a My partner and I had almost decided against This is what transpired a few minutes be- tiny slab of rock was a sheer fall into jagged the trip with a woeful weather forecast of fore. “But I want to sit at the very edge,” I nego- cliffs. If you did fall, it would not be death by pouring rain — I am a fair-weather hiker, thank Saturday the women Lajpat Na- water tiatedt’sterms withand a grim partner.atHe looked the place they called at the first go. home for three years. datedBut thewe objective Juvenile Justice Act. you. decidedoftothe wing it as the Nordic are waters purposefully downgar at market the glassy below,looking looked for up Since and death We leftthe thebrutal cruisegangrape at the village of Tauof forJyoti the do. Responding a petition by Subramanian There’s noto such thing as bad weather, only weekend bargains. One my particular and said simply, “And I want wife.” stall is hike. Singh Stavanger’s Pandey, a physiotherapy in Dellocal iconic student beer, Tou, was bad Swamy and Aman Hingorani on the age of juclothes, they say. selling theon Connaught variety of brewed I was halfway the road toPlace bravery. hi in December India has seen an out- veniles, at Tau in 2012, the mid-19th century, before it said that the of the Act is Nothing prepares youobjective for the thrill of Preikjewellery, atgave one-fourth thecause. price. Women the My rightbut foot up on the pouring of public criticism for sexual violence brewery moved to Stavanger in 1901. We estolen. “to ensure rehabilitation in society and Notheir amount of photographs or videos aggressively rummage through. Prakash Ya- even The landscape was unlike any we had seen. and a got demand for death perpe- can a peep at thepenalty Riksveifor 13 the (National to enable the young offenders to become approximate such moments of sheeruseexdav* keeps anor eye out for shoplifters. Preikestolen the Pulpit Rock is a steep cliff Road trators. of this movement ledthat by hilaration, 13),Much a 280-mile-long tourist was route ful members the society in later years”. But of of drinking in the dreamy beauty Chubby, with a perpetual smile, he magicalthat, true to its name, juts out squarely like a runs Pandey’s parents. They conveyed their under- of north-south through a few counties in less year,hungry the neweyes Bill and putsthe a question the than fjord awith irrefutly produces teato for as soon as Iaintropulpit, 82 by hot 82 feet beme precise, above fjord skirting standingfjords, of justice to Parliament only capi- able islands and islets,—farmlands markfact on that theseitbasic is theintentions. kind of place that makes duce myself. I am certain that this may and called Lysefjord inalmost south-western Norway. tal punishment the rapists and no less. vertiginous for cliffs. The debate has given voice people lose their common sense.to the viewnotBrave be my firstand time at Prakash’s stall. Little men women walked right up do to This hike massitself movement had Ita took directusimpact The is arduous. about points of politicians, lawyers, sociologists, acis a freelance based in lack a I, or edge, the scores of buyers through the sat down and rummaging flashed toothy grins two on Parliament, whichclimbing passed the anti-rape hours of walking, boulders and arundhati tivists and basu protestors. Butwriter “children the their wares, know thatfriends. as teenagers, Prakash for shutterbug Then there was gingerly laws in 2013. The our punishment forthem, gangrape making way down trip- Northampton, voice in the UK political process. Their rights canandcategory his cousin spent at astood facility the of Rohit* the Very Bravetime — they at ping went across up to brooks a minimum of 20 on the occaand slipping not be trampled upon by misinfor juvenile They were accused of sional the edge anddelinquents. clicked a few dozen selfies. years and a maximum of life slimy rock before weimwere anywhere formed public opinion or murder. The Iduo hasnot alsohelp spentthinking time at aabout facil- near All along could prisonment. For When repeatthe offendPulpit Rock. legs start tiring majoritarian politics,” explains ity for juvenile delinquents. Prakash is clearly that tiny wobble and then the long, long drop out, ers, itthe death sentence is worthwhile to make was brief stops, Arlene Manoharan from the Centoo busy to take his eyes or mind off the made possible. down thereafter. turn around and take in Their rights cannot be tre for Child and the Law, throngs at his take stall.on I decide The Nordic naturetoismeet him the This pressure was kept of upthe trampled upon by the landscape Bengaluru. next day. invigorating. The Norwegian auand, barely fjord a week the andbefore islets loomGiven that it is too sensitive to misinformed public Sundayrefuse afternoon in north thorities to be killjoy and Delhi, and a third death ing opinion or anniversary of the mystically yontalk to current juveniles apprenot last der. number youngfrom boys the are lazing thealong light I could fence theofhiker wild in All student month, Parliament The way to Pulpit majoritarian politics hended for crimes, what can foraboutanother sun. Mattresses have been laid air thinking and passed tumble that the Pulpit Rockout tohelp law.isThis time, it Rock punctuated mer juveniles tell us about the that field. tiny wobble and upbytheemerald the boys are promises if ascattered step goesacross awry. the playing ratcheted punishment green system — how is life at these facilthenend, the long, “Namaste,” me. At the other Our basethey wasgrin theatoil-boom for long juveniles lakes, accused of heinous light woods and ities, and how does it change down thereafter aboutof30Stavanger others are boisterouslydrop washing town on Norway’s crimes such as rapethat andopen murder. trails into raonce they are released? In other their uniforms and hanging them out to dry North Sea coast. The erstwhile Previously,vines. anyone 18mothyears was con- words, is the system meeting the stated aims Theunder British on the volleyball net and football fishing port dedicated to sar- goalpost. sidered a child, andduo would not face er-son ahead of usthe same of reform, rehabilitation, re-integration and Thisand is anherrings observation in Delhi, for ju- procedure ofkept dines is ahome pretty trial up anda punishment as adults, re-socialisation? steady banter. venilesmade in conflict the law. With the paint- irrespective of town up ofwith 18th-century their crime. By thisboy new ‘JuveImagine a teenage Talking to former juveniles in Delhi gives us ings of Gandhi APJ Abdul the sprinting wooden houses,and cobbled lanes Kalam and anon atmonile Justiceup. (Care andhim, Protection Children) reason to pause and ask if rehabilitation is reTailing a hefty,ofrudwalls, and the impish smiles the faces dy-cheeked spheric harbour flanked by livelyon pubs housed Bill, 2014,’ those between 16 andfrequent 18 years of age ally such an abrogation of justice. mother makes around, you wouldn’t guess it is a facility for stops in old warehouses. may betotried adults the for caseaoflift. heinous pantasand askinhim He or Root issues boys thefts, kidnappings, murders Onaccused a sunny of day, we cruised into Lysefjord on raises seriousancrimes, although they out: will not eyebrow and points “Butreceive I rapes. Untilofyou thenegated exceptionally aand boat. The rays thenotice sun were by the thought death penalty or life imprisonment. It means Fazal* greets us warmly and leads us up many you wanted a Norwegian holihigh walls thatwhite hem and the day, wicked windwith that barbed whippedwire the red, putting minors through the adult penal sys- dark flights of stairs in Gandhinagar, to his mum?” field. I blue accompany Prakash andofRohit inside tem indigo Scandinavian cross the Norweof investigations, Suddenly we cametrials uponand thejails. Pulpit workplace. This East Delhi neighbourhood is the facility. Sunday is also Rohit’s gian flag on This a pole at the tail of the boat,28th and Rock. Only a few months before this was passed full of garment outlets, where clothes are bebirthday and great the two cousins back to visit byThe my hair, with glee. Wads are of clouds rolled Parliament, the Supreme Court had eluci- ing stitched or sold. In this small factory, local lore of Preikestolen
Despite stories of rehabilitation and hope, India’s juvenile justice system, just like its formidable correctional homes, seems averse to giving second chances
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Do we know the mufflerman?
Poop from the sky
Kejriwal in his elements in TV spot
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rvind Kejriwal, the Delhi CM, returns to his tried-and-tested mufflerman avatar to cajole Delhiites to abide by the odd-even car rule. A new TV ad has Kejriwal in his trademark baggy maroon sweater and grey muffler vouching to tell an ‘interesting story.’ But wait. We don’t really see him. In fact, we only see his back, in compliance with a Supreme Court ruling that outlaws images of political leaders in government-funded notices.
Woman hurt by airplane discharge hen a football-sized chunk fell from the sky and hurt 60-year-old Rajrani Gaud in Aamkhoh village, Madhya Pradesh, it was believed to be a freak celestial event. The District Collector thought it to be a rumour. Until Delhi-based aviation consultant Bimal Srivastava read about it and alerted the Director General of Civil Aviation and the India Meteorological Department. Now, experts believe the object was ‘Blue Ice’, or simply sewage that leaked mid-flight from a commercial aircraft lavatory and froze at high altitude.
reams of denim and incomplete jeans are lying around. Today, Fazal supervises the men who sew those jeans and earns ₹19,000 a month. But at the age of 16, he did time for murder. His story is similar to those of Prakash and Rohit, where some of his friends were involved in a scuffle that ended in a fatal stabbing. Fazal was standing around with that group. When the police came, they rounded up everyone including the 16-year-old. “I was so afraid after I was picked up by the police… my friendships got me into trouble. I decided to keep only good company and work hard after being released, for the sake of my mother and sisters,” he says. Fazal is quick to add that he worked at garments factories even before he was apprehended for murder. “I learnt a lot more of tailoring and embroidery at the juvefter hosting an art biennale last year,niles’ home. I also learnt to be more disciDharavi is ready with the world’s firstplined… All this helped me when I was museum in a slum. Design Museum Dhara-released after 18 months,” he says. vi is the brainchild of Spanish artist Jorge Fazal is lucky to have found a steady job. But Rubio, who has worked on art projects glob-a regular income after serving time in a corally. Starting February, the Mumbai slum,rectional home doesn’t compensate for the famously depicted in Slumdog Millionaire,problems that plague the juvenile justice prowill display jugaad items made by residentsgress. On one hand, the root causes of crime
Museum in a slum Dharavi to exhibit local art
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Dancing to new tunes Russian aquarium unleashes talents
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need to be eliminated. Social workers explain that desperation brought upon by poverty, substance abuse, lack of family support, and lack of access to education often propels minors to crime. On the other hand, once crimes are committed and the perpetrators apprehended, the system is required to pay close attention to their time at these observation homes, and their return to society after release. This is a critical period, one where the State is supposed to provide rehabilitation. But the failings here often feed back into the root causes of crime itself.
enny G has serious competition. Only, coming Moreit’s sinned from two cuteagainst? seals —Inmates Winnie of an observation home the Pooh and Laska. The talentin New Delhi Baied twosome from Russia’s s subramanium kal Seal Aquarium in Irutusk, work in symphony — one playing the saxophone and the other backing up on a trumpet. dren,” she adds. After playing some mean tunes These arguments don’t sway those who while twirling in the swimhave been protesting on the streets for stricter pool, they can- As punishment.ming Vikas Tyagi is turn one to ofthe them. vasDecember to show off theirhefine part of the ‘16 Kranti’ has art been Sealong-term critters -1,outpost humanin bekeeping vigilskills. at their Jan- 0. even this new law does tar Mantar. ings For him, not go far enough, “The Juvenile Act needs to be amended, allowing for life imprisonment and death penalty,” he says. Flip-side story
Tyagi might be surprised if he hears Prakash and Rohit discussing their time in the obserEvil at large vation home. Rohit, who now runs a successIn the Bill introduced in Lok Sabha, Maneka ful business making flower arrangements for Gandhi, minister for women and child devel- weddings, proudly shows me hundreds of opment, lists some of the problems that photos on his laptop. Both Prakash and Rohit prompted a review of the existing law, includ- passed Std X exams while at the home. “Our ing “increasing incidents of abuse of children motivation was that we must race ahead in life in institutions, inadequate facilto compensate for this setback. ities, quality of care and rehabilNo matter how bad your environitation measures in Homes, high ment is, you have the ability to pendency of cases.” These are ischoose the right thing,” he says. sues the Parliament could have I was 16 at the time of Neither of them thinks the the crime. If I had addressed. “The earlier law was new law will help. Rohit laughs been sent to Tihar, I meant for rehabilitation. The as he says, “We were both wrongwould have not come ly put in Tihar Jail for a while, and new law is aimed at criminalisaout reformed tion. Nothing changes for the we heard other convicts talk condition of juveniles at preabout stealing trucks, and who sent,” says Ved Kumari, profesthe don of certain areas was. At sor of law at Delhi University. the home, the staff and counselThere is also a staffing crisis. “In our field expe- lors really cared for us. They tried to create a rience we have rarely found functionaries better environment.” Prakash adds, “I was 16 at who fit the bill. They are almost always demo- the time of the crime. If I had been sent to Titivated and consider these as punishment har, I would have not come out reformed. I postings. They do not get training and sup- would have suffered.” port, but are blamed when children escape or Rohit describes how, for a long while after engage in violence,” says Manoharan. his release, neighbours avoided him and gosWith the new law, the state is seemingly pe- siped about him. Finding a bride was also diffinalising the public for its own failings. This is cult. He faced rejection from families the similar to the recent Supreme Court ruling moment he told them about his past. But todisqualifying those without formal education day, things are better. “Today I have a car, a from contesting civic elections in Haryana. bike, a small family and my own business. I oko, the gorilla, taken upon herself to drive some sense in The system falls short of addressing both hashave everything I need,” says in Prakash. Despite man. In a video scripted by of France-based NOE crime and punishment. “Our experience dem-message the deficiencies the system, it Conservasomehow tion Thechildren Gorilla Foundation from Woodside, California, KokoAnd aponstrates that a majority of and these worked out well for these young men. pealshistory to humans the earth. gorilla sign would have a psycho-social that to re-savethat’s why The they44-year-old believe that everytalks childincould language. ‘I am gorilla, am flowers, animals. I am Nature. Koko love flects on the failure of the State in some way. Ido with a chance. changed protectstupid! privacy Koko sorKoko mimes. ‘But manto stupid… Should we then place theman. entireEarth blame on love,’ the she *Names Kokowas cry.required Time hurry. Fix Earth! Help Earth! Hurry! Protect Earth. child?” asks Manoharan. ry, “What anoo bhuyan is a Delhi-based journalist you. Thank you.’ is greater accountability Nature of the watches State to chil-
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Monkeying around Man stupid, save Earth
Active interest Parents of Jyoti Singh Pandey arrive at Parliament to observe the debate on the Juvenile Justice Bill sandeep saxena
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saturday, january 9, 2016
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in-faq by joy bhattacharjya
C
zech playwright Karel Capek was born on January 9. While most of us will not remember his play R.U.R., the word he coined for machine-like beings — robot — has become an integral part of our lexicon. This week’s quiz is all about words coined by authors.
Wordminters
1
Which prolific writer can we thank for the words ‘abstemious,’ ‘addiction,’ ‘bandit,’ ‘barefaced,’ ‘fashionable’ and another 100 more in regular use in the language?
2
The word ‘tween’ was originally not in reference to humans but the young of another fictional species between the ages of 20 and 33. Which is the species and who is the author in question?
3
While Dr Seuss’s writing will always be associated with its use, the word ‘grinch’ was first used in the late 19th century by a man better known for his writings on India. Grinch then meant ‘to make a harsh grating noise.’Name the author.
4
To which 1955 novel, which caused a fair amount of controversy when released, do we owe the word ‘nymphet?’
5
The use of the word ‘dreamscape’ as an imagined location for a dream was coined in a poem ‘The Ghost’s Leavetaking.’ Identify the poet, who also invented ‘grrring’ to describe the sound made by alley cats?
6
To which author, who wrote a thing or two about knights, do we owe the word ‘freelance’ as a person who offers his services in exchange for money?
7
In 2005, Jessica Prentice coined the word ‘Locavore’ in her work ‘Chelsea Green.’ Who or what is a ‘locavore?’
8
In 2005, Jeff Howe and Mark Robinson, editors at Wired Magazine, invented which portmanteau word to describe how businesses were now getting individuals outside their companies to do work for them?
here,there & elsewhere
Hands on
o, hello, hello! This is me, Bins. I have to write for “Her” today, Sbecause she has hurt her hands. Well only ONE hand. The other one is all right. But she says she can’t type using two fingers of her left hand. I think this is very strange. Me, I can type using two toes of my left foot! But then, I am Bins, and she is not-Bins. *shrug* It is difficult to be not-Bins. Of course, she is sitting in her corner of the room and telling me what to write. However, I am not writing what she wants me to write! Why should I? We French are very independent-minded! We never do what anyone wants us to do! But... well, now she is asking me to promise to write what she tells me to write and I have to be a little bit polite and a little bit kind so: she wants me to say what happened to her hand. It starts with the idea she has for setting fire to a strawberry. Do not ask me why she wants to do this. I tell her she is mad. She tells me that it is just like making a “banana flambé” which is with bananas and cream and rum. I repeat, “You are mad. Because a banana is very different to a strawberry. It has a very different personality, that fruit.” She says,
“But I want to try! I’ll place a big hollow strawberry in an egg-cup, fill the interior with brandy, spray on some cream and set the whole thing alight. It will look SO PRETTY!” She puts it all together. At least she has some sense to do this chemistry experiment in the kitchen. I am standing a safe distance away, watching carefully. She has indeed got a giant strawberry from the market. It is the size of a pumpkin. I say, “That is a Godzilla strawberry! Stand back! It is made from nuclear waste!” But she
pays no attention. First she pours the brandy inside Godzilla, then she uses a spray can of whipped cream and goosh! she sprays out a pile of cream. Then she uses my lighter to heat a teaspoon of brandy and — BOOM! Her hand is on fire! Because she was cleaning her brushes with turpentine this morning and forgot to wash it off. “AAAAAAgghhh!” she cries. “Put it in water!” I scream. BEEP-BEEP-BEEP! says the fire-alarm. But she holds her hand under the tap in the sink and the crisis is over. The first three fingers of her right hand are black however. “We must go to a doctor,” I say. “No,” she says. Because she has not signed up for Obama Care yet. “These Indians are crazy,” I say, tapping my forehead, like Asterix. “Pooh!” she says. “It’s only a minor burn. No need to run to a doctor and go bankrupt!” She washes the fingers and covers them with cream. Of course it hurts. A lot. She can’t bend her fingers. “Godzilla has punished you,” I say. “I hope you took everything down correctly,” she says. “Yes,” I say, “of course.” manjula padmanabhan, author and artist, writes of her life in the fictional town of Elsewhere, US, in this weekly column
cornerstone
9
In his 1905 collection of short stories Cabbages and Kings, prolific short-story writer O Henry coined which two-word term to describe a country with an unstable government and an economy hugely dependent on a single product?
10
Which word, in regular use today, was coined by critic Donald Gordon when reviewing a new mystery novel, Half Mast Murder by Milward Kennedy?
Answers 1. William Shakespeare; ‘addiction’ was first used in Othello and ‘fashionable’ in Troilus and Cressida 2. Hobbits, from JRR Tolkien’s Lord of The Rings trilogy. A Hobbit is supposed to have come of age at 33 3. Rudyard Kipling 4. Vladimir Nabokov’s Lolita 5. Sylvia Plath 6. Walter Scott. He first used it in Ivanhoe 7. A person who tries to only eat food grown or raised in his or her locality or immediate surroundings 8. ‘Crowdsourcing,’ derived from outsourcing to the crowd 9. Banana Republic 10. Whodunnit — a perfect descriptor for the genre
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joy bhattacharjya is a quizmaster and Project Director, FIFA U-17 World Cup t@joybhattacharj
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