Review India's country profile at:
http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/rough/2007/06/india_street_chlinks.html
Select one of the human rights topics to investigate below. Read and or/ view sources on PBS'
Select one of the human rights topics to investigate below. Read and or/ view sources on PBS'
Frontline website.
Summarize the issue being sure to explain why it is a human rights issue. Explain how India's government is responding to this crisis and evaluate the role and effectiveness of Parlaiment in managing this issue. Propose your own action plan for resolving this problem.
Poverty and the Organ Selling Industry
http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/rough/2006/07/india_a_pound_o.html
http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/rough/2006/07/india_a_pound_o.html
Sexwork, Human Trafficking and HIV/ AIDS
http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/india304/aronson.html
http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/india304/aronson.html
Education, poverty and the "digital divide"/ access to technology
http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/india/
http://www.pbs.org/frontlineworld/stories/india/
Due Wednsday, January 7. Minimum 250 words. Remember that all video elements must be submitted by Tuesday January 6 for in-school editing.
22 comments:
Christopher Morawed
In the article “India, a new life” getting the children off the streets, children are becoming bad people because they are living on the streets. It is estimated that now three thousand children are living on the streets of Vijayawada. In this article it explains how the children living on the streets are attracted to hustling as a way of life. Using money raised from foreign donors, the government put together houses for these homeless kids. As this increases, so does the marginalization between social classes. The rich become richer and the poor become poorer as technology increases and those who are familiar with the technology earn more money where as those who aren’t do not earn money and become more separated into different social classes. Obtaining kids to join the homes however was another problem that was happening while patrolling the streets. A tactic used to lure the children into the homes was using a child that already joined. I believe this is a good tactic because if they use friends then the children will be more familiar and feel more comfortable with approaching and persuading the kids into joining the house. This program has been running for 17 years and in those years more than 25000 children were helped. This is a human rights issue because each child has the right to a fair education. Without housing, kids are not obtaining vital information that they will need or else they would continue living on the streets. If I had to make a plan to help these children, I would provide games and activities for anytime of the day they want to stop bye. If they decide to stay with the house, I will also offer them education and shelter along with food and games to play. The kids would want to join and stay until they could get better life or job.
Mac Tarr
Humans have a lot of rights, but the choose to violate their rights by having unsafe sex and spreading HIV/AIDS. At an interview with Raney Aronson, she said that the first time she filmed about AIDS was in 2000. She focuses on women in four Indian cities that were HIV positive and were living for a long time. They agree that the treatments that they are getting were working very well for them. To help these women, there is a sex worker union. The women also say that the sex worker union is fighting for prostitution to be legal in India and it helps them stand up for themselves. IN India sex is very hard to talk about among people. The statistics of girls being sold for sex is increasing all across India.
Kimberly Gangemi
C-Block
Nua!
Firstly, I would like to state that I was staggered when I read that India was a prospering core of prostitution; prior to this article. I had always believed India to be very conservative, and often fathomed at the fact that they even bear children due to their modest beliefs. However, when I thought deeper into this situation I was reminded of a novel that took place in a country like India, Egypt, entitled Palace Walk by Naguib Mahfouz. In the novel it details how a married man goes out each and every night to drink and pick up women. Moreover, the wife in the novel says and does nothing about it. Throughout the duration of the novel I was at dismay thinking that women actually bared their husbands disrespecting them in such a way. It's not even related to the belief of being a feminist, but the fact of being a human being; a human being who should be entitled to rights and principles concerning the pursuit of happiness, which is thankfully addressed in our Constitution. The main focus of the interview with Raney Aronson is about AIDS/HIV and how it is increasing due to the red light district. This is undoubtedly a human rights issue because everyone should have access and education about their health, and lives in some AIDS related matters. However, the guilt haul of this article is not aimed at the prostitutes, but at the presumed men. Men, who are uneducated about AIDS, have no idea that safe sex (condoms) are in any way a correlation to preventing AIDS/HIV! Thus, they refuse to wear them even if the sex worker insists. However, it's difficult for the sex workers to say no, especially since prostitution is not legal and they need money. I'm not promoting prostitution, but they are people too, and they deserve their rights! Also, another upstream battle for the sex workers to voice their opinions is that is basically restricted to even discuss sex. In addition, another situation that relates to prostitution is the trafficking of women, especially young women. Families should never do that to one another even if they believe it is the last resort to survive, there is always another way out of poverty. The government has set up organizations that set up programs for AIDS education. The Prime Minister and parliament have addressed the issue as very serious in recent years, and are developing strategies for AIDS/HIV prevention. In fact, one of the programs and campaigns in India is the promotion of wearing condemns with public events and advertisements. It good to see that the government is addressing the issue, but I think it took them way to long to realize, and that there is much more for them to do. It may sound naive, I am not joking, but my pursuit in life is to become a princess, not only for the luxury, but immensely to speak for those who have no voices. In my reign I will be able to get the attention of the world and India that their country's red light district should indeed come to a red light (stop)! Perhaps I will inspire the women of India that there are other things out there other then working as a sex slave, unless their into that. I agree with Chris, that in order for children to grow up into respected environment adulthood they must grow up in a respectful which could be provided by a good education and positive people.
xoxo,
kg
Loretta Au
January 6, 2009
Block C
With 1.1 billion people, India is the second most populated country in the world, but is only the seventh largest country. One of the biggest issues in India is poverty and homelessness. It was reported in 2001 that 78 million people in India were homeless. A fraction of which are homeless children. These children roam the streets aimlessly vulnerable to physical and sexual abuse and abduction.
In Gita Pullapilly’s article “India: A New Life Getting children off the streets” she allows the reader through a firsthand description of her experience in India concerning homeless children. The difference between the poor and the rich is become more distinct, and as a result more children are going to be affected because the cities will be more crowded with people looking for work. During a late night walk in southerin Indian city of Vijayawada with Father Thomas Koshy, Gita finds a disturbing amount of children sleeping on the streets. Many of these homeless children reside to hustling to find money. Others earn money from rag-picking and collecting recyclables. Vijayawada has a population of 1 million people, many of which life on the streets. Father Koshy has helped homeless children since 1989. He was asked by Nijayawada’s mayor to create a shelter home called the New Life Children’s Home. Children are surprisingly hesitant in joining the shelter home. Many children choose to stay on the streets because of more freedom. The street life is surprisingly addicting to children. “Although life on the streets is harsh and dangerous, it has a certain allure.” As a way to draw the children into shelter and care, Father Koshy employs former street children to reach out. These former street children know where unfound children sleep and hide. Father Koshy has helped over 25,000 children by giving them shelter, care and an education.
Melissa Coughlin
The article entitled "India: A Pound of Flesh. Selling Kidneys to Survive" by Samantha Grant is truely compelling. The slums of India are full of poor people who seek riches, naturally. When one is asked to give a Kidney for some money, they would say yes immediately! There are both positive and negative views of this. It can be seen as a beautiful thing for people in absolute need of a new organ. For example, someone who needs a kidney transplant or has chronic diabetes. Though, there is much controversy to this, because it seems that the poverty stricken people are being taken advantage of. Sure, someone can survive with one Kidney, but their health is at risk. The poorer people who give up their organ will probably need it much more than the person to receive it, because those who live in the slums are exposed to more illnesses. After having the surgeries, many donors complain of not getting their money. Others gain health problems shortly after having their Kidney removed.
I agree with Kimmy, "The Prime Minister and parliament have addressed the issue as very serious in recent years, and are developing strategies for AIDS/HIV prevention. In fact, one of the programs and campaigns in India is the promotion of wearing condemns with public events and advertisements. It good to see that the government is addressing the issue, but I think it took them way to long to realize, and that there is much more for them to do." Yes! It always takes people so much longer to stop a catastrophe from happening, until they get the shock of it emerging before their eyes. People dont want to believe in negative things like HIV/AIDS, as well as many other horrible things. So they put them aside until they grow into a large mess, which they eventually have to clean up. And also, you don't have to become a princess, if you want to help the world and educate, you should become a politican.
Justin Lefkowitz
C Block Gov
India is the second largest country in the world. It holds home to just about 1.143 billion people. Just about 28 percent of the Indian population earns less than two dollars a day. Two dollars is nothing to the average American. In fact, an average impoverished family in America owns a home, a television, a microwave, and a refrigerator. If an Indian were to see this, they would think that the poor people of America are living like Kings and Queens.
In the PBS: Frontline Interview Red-Light Reporting, Raney Aronson conducted research about the Red-Light District of India. Two major results of the Red-Light District are Prostitution and Human-trafficking. These two factors lead to the creation of Mafia-made brothels. Brothels lead to women and men selling themselves for sex.
The sex-industry is one of the biggest work forces in India. Some of the people in India are actually born sex-slaves. Some families sell their children, when they are young, to brothels so that the kids can make some extra money for the families. If some Indians are not sold or born as sex workers, they might join the industry when they are a bit older. Many women join the sex-industry in India, as an act of desperation for money, not just for themselves, but also for their families.
The biggest problems with the sex industry of India are the diseases that get spread through work. HIV/AIDS is a huge problem in India. Many of the people in the industry do not necessarily use condoms when doing their jobs, so diseases spread more easily.
The government has been trying to take precautions to stop the spread of disease, although not so much the prostitution. Some of the cities in India have been making condom laws. In order for the men to have sex with the sex slaves, they must use a condom. This is a very good idea passed by the Indian Parliament. This should help decrease the number of Indians diagnosed with HIV/AIDS annually.
Prostitution is a big problem in India and it should be dealt with immediately.
Gerald C Lara Jr.
The article "India: A Pound of Fles,
Selling kidneys to survive" by Samantha Grant has been one of the most mind bobbling articles i've read about India. This article tells the tale of Ms. Grant's experience and research in India about the Infoamous selling of kidneys. Though banned nearly tewlve years ago by country law, people still continue to line up to sell their kidneys for a few hundred dollars. Due to the alarming obesity rate in india, the number of diebetic and health problems incread leading to the need of more kidney donors. This is taken advantage to the poorer communities of India to sell their Kidneys to help them out financially. This led to many controversies including Governmental responsiblity and health problems. Many consider that Indi'a government is responsible for the poor in their country, and should figure out a way to help them instead of their selling of body parts. Many doctors believe that you need both of your kidneys."Nature has given us two kidneys because the poor especially are prone to more infections and more renal problems," Dr. H. Sudarshan proving that this could cause more health problems for the donors than the ones who needed the kidney.
This is a human rights issue particularly with the right to sell. It should be a rule that you can sell anything you own, and inadvertantly you do on your kidney so you can choose wether or not you keep it. Accepting the consequences or the benefits is the reason why we choose things in life. Based on this article it seems to me that there could be a need to sell kidneys since the government of India seem to be taking no action to help poor communities. Sure they banned selling of kidneys, but what god does that do to help build a community. Poor communities need the money to survive in a time of crisis, and they should have the right to sell if no governmental aid is being given.
If I were running things over there, my first action of business would be finding out how to give more money to the poorer communities. I would promote eating healthy and advice excercising at gyms. By doing so, it could possibly influence the public therefore lowering the obesity rate, and creating less need for kidneys. Also, creating gyms means creating more jobs with a higer pay possibly. I could increase the employment rate, and lower the poorer population lowering the need to sell kidneys. This is my plan. If only i ran their govrnment.
farooq hussain
C block
India is one of the most over-populated countries in the world. It s teeming population ahs rendered India as one of the most impoverished countries. People from every possible economic adversity can be found in the ever growing mass. The average Indian person is said to be lucky to find a successful job and live a comfortable mediocre life. Many impoverished American do not realize an Indian family will give anything to exchange their lifestyle for the American families. In the article red light district, the writer Raney Aronson interviewed the people who have sought to seek a living by means of prostitution and human trafficking.
One would think that in a country so culturally conservative, this would not be a problem. Ironically, the topic of AIDS as well as protection is taboo in the Indian communities. The profession of selling sex is viewed by many Indian families to lessen their burden and a means for monetary resolve. They sell their children, or spouses to the mafias running the brothels. These mafia run brothels are widely popular in Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata.
Some children are born as sex slaves and their only way out is either death or if some one else buys them. People are not aware of protection and men consider it pointless. Many do not even know the reason or how AIDS is contracted; one man was quoted to say “if only the prostitutes would wash their hands!” Although the government has been trying to take some precautionary steps to help control this spreading of the disease, many of the Indian communities fail to realize the detrimental result for their ignorance.
With surge of population increase, we can only hope that the Indian people and government can effectively decrease the rate of AIDS infection, as well as the prostitution business. This can only be done by controlling the population and opening sex education to all communities.
Chris - E-: Thoughtful and informed work, but I think the action plan could use some development
Kimi - E-: Analytical and passionate, though I'm curious if the "positive people" suggestion
Loretta - E-: Articulate work reflective of in depth work with the text
Melissa- E: Impressive blog; it is clear that you were interested and actively reading the assigned work
Justin- E: Sophisticated and detailed - I remind you that India is not the second largest but the second most populous nation in the world.
Gerald - E: Specific and rich with contextual details, nice work.
Farooq- E: Your point about public health education is an important one. I'm curious how the Indian government should FUND such a large project... ideas? Great work :)
As our world becomes more advanced and technical, the more opportunity there is for our younger generation. The commonly used computer was first introduced in the mid 20th century. Today most Americans own one computer per person, or at least one per household, in nations like India, that’s not so much the case. Because of the overpopulation of over one billion civilians, in a nation one third the size of the United States, obtaining a computer per person, or even a computer per class room is not likely. Dr. Sugara Mitra, founder of the Hole in the Wall had made a difference in the lives on communities by placing outdoor computer kiosks. By placing these computers for children to use, free of charge, enables a child’s curiosity to enhance. Frontline had conducted an interview with Ritu Dangwal, Ph.D., of the Hole in the Wall. I strongly agree with her statement, “browsing the Internet is like a child sitting with a book in hand,” Being able to use a computer increases ones communicational skills, engages them in learning about the international happenings, and can teach them anything from algebra to the county of Zimbabwe with one simple click of the mouse, cursor, mullu or sui which mean needle in Hindi or teer, in Hindi means arrow. This program has also shown interest in countries like Cambodia, Ethiopia and the Philippines. I believe that in the future, as this program hopefully grows, more individuals in other countries would be able to use a computer for the information technology job market, which more than half of America’s Fortune 500 companies outsource to India for info-tech support.
Quelmi
Block C
The article from the PBS website entitled “India: A New Life Getting Children off The Streets” is an informative article that focuses on the troubling issue of having many children on the streets of India. This issue happens to be a major human rights issue due to the fact that the basic rights to which these children are entitled they were not receiving. According to the article there are millions of people living on the Streets of India. Not only children but also many adults are homeless and sleep on the streets because they have no place to stay and the impact of poverty. "A child on the street is what we call a roofless and rootless kid. He's an unprotected child,” a quote said by father Khosy who is a Catholic Salesian Priest who was asked by the mayor Vijayawada to open up a homeless shelter in 1989. By raising money from foreign donors and support from the booming High-tech center of Hyderbad Father Koshy was able to partner with a friend of his Anu Dasaka to open up a shelter for the homeless. According to the article Father Koshy believes that the enormous social divide between the poor and the prosperous in India is growing wider. Reports show that in the streets of Vijayawada there are about 3,000 children trying to survive. The government of India is responding to this crisis by raising money to open up homeless shelters for these children and adults who live out on the streets. I personally think the government of India should work harder to fix this issue due to the fact that the effectiveness of Parliament is not helping that much. It is very sad and unfortunate for these children to be living on the streets with no food and no place to go. A plan that would work would be for India to continue raising money to open up more homeless shelters and offer people who are willing to help donate and adopt children.
Quelmi - G-
Michela - G-
Sex trafficking is one of the leading causes of AIDS/HIV in Calcutta and Mumbai, India. Raney Aranson, reporter and producer, filmed a documentary based on Sex trafficking in India’s two largest red light districts. Although Aranson was initially passionate about the rates of AIDS/HIV in India; years later she found a connection between sex trafficking and the disease. Due to the lack of education most Indians especially sex workers don’t know much about AIDS/HIV. With recent terrorist attacks Mumbai is one of the most dangerous places in India to visit but seems to be a hot spot for business men. Most businessmen pay sex workers for services(most of the time unprotected sex). When these men return from home they are unaware that they are carrying the disease and that it’s spreading among their own community.Aranson learned that in Mumbai, the majority of sex workers come from other countries like Bangladesh through sex trafficking. In contrast, sex workers from Calcutta tend to be more educated about sex and prostitute themselves willingly because they were born into brothels. A union was formed for sex workers so that they could be given condoms and education about the disease. During meetings, sex workers learn techniques to say no to unprotected sexual intercourse. The Union is working on moving to different cities and currently have branches in Mumbai. The government should enforce laws against or ban sex trafficking. In the prostitution industry, more and more people are in demand for younger girls. There should also be a law against minors going into prostitution. India has one of the strongest economies in an international recession but where does India stand when it comes to human rights?
-Mike Orr
C Block
In the article “India: Getting Children off the streets”, it explains how there are many children sleeping on the streets of Vijayawada everywhere you turn. This is a huge economic crisis because without these kids having jobs, or an education they can, and most likely will, turn to violence, and robbery to keep themselves alive. Many children who live on the streets began looking through garbage, collecting what would look valuable, and sold it on the streets until they gather enough money to get a meal. Some children were able to gather enough money to see a movie from time to time. The small city of Vijayawada contains almost one million people. The government created a homeless shelter to help get the children off the streets, but that is nearly 190 miles away from Vijayawada. In 1989, men known as Father Koshy and Dasaka, who both believe that people should have a chance to make something out of their no matter the race or religion, began to make homeless shelters where the kids would get food, and a place to live. Creating these shelters would give children time to go out and find a legitimate job, get an education, and start a new life. According to the article “In the 17 years Dasaka and Father Koshy have been running the program, they have helped more than 25,000 children come off the streets, and the organization now runs 12 centers in the city, sheltering and educating both boys and girls.” Currently there are only an estimated three thousand children now living on the streets. Dasaka and Father Koshy have plans to get every single kid off of the street in no time. If I had to step in and control this problem, I would do the same as Dasaka and Father Koshy. I would open Homeless shelters for the children which would provide beds, heater and air conditioning, television, games for entertainment, most importantly I would set each child into school, and last but not least I would find each child a job, so they are able of leave the home and fend for themselves.
Miriam - G: Thoughtful, informed and detailed, but late.
Mike O - G: clearly you were moved by these stories, nice work.
I ask of Mike, Miriam and the rest of the class, where should India get the funding for these proposed reforms? Finding funds for one program means taking from another, how should governments decide on fiscial priorities.
NOTE: Any posts from here on will not count for making the Friday morning progress report deadline, I'm done working for the night. Still, if you're intending to make them up, do it - they'll help raise your grade for the marking period and term!
Pleased to see so many of you here :)
Mac- s-: I didn't notice your post the other day, sorry! Next time try to write a little more, this fell short on the word minimum.
Anthony Fontana
Block C
In the interview with Raney Aronson, she talks to someone who is a sex worker in a brothel. A brothel is a place where people go for sex, for short it is a sex house. In Mumbai, India, brothels, or sex houses are very popular and common. Even though prostitution is not legal in India, this atrocity still goes on. One reason this is a major violation of human rights is because the workers are paid very little and work ridiculous hours. Because of the poverty in India people turn towards this as a way to make money. This is one major reason for the cause of such a barbaric practice to be so widely done. "...no one can understand unless you're in a situation facing the starvation of your entire family: your wife, your sons, your other daughters." Even worse, this red light district targets young girls, they are uneducated and unprotected. This goes against basic moral values. However the bigger problem then human rights, is the AIDS/ HIV epidemic caused by illegal prostitution. These women provide a service against the law; so you can imagine how little say the woman have in “providing.” They may want to use a condom to protect themselves; however, if their customer does not want to use one, they will not. The spread of AIDS/ HIV has been at its highest in years said reporter Aronson. Mumbai is often referred to as a “fleshy center of India’s HIV time bomb.” This is a very true statement because most of the clients are uneducated about the dangers and results of unprotected sex.
Conrad Mallien
1/14/09
Block C
In the article, "A Pound of Flesh", people in India are selling their kidneys for money. Some of these people also have yet to have been fully paid. Even after India had passed a bill twelve years ago to regulate the selling of organs, it is still rampant due to the high number of people with diabetes who need new kidneys. This is wrong, people should not have to sell their body parts in order to make the much needed money they require. Parliament has already passed a bill that heavily regulates the selling and donating of organs, so there isn’t much more they can do about this problem. If it were me, I would seriously try to, at least, enforce the bill.
B. Jones said….
Human trafficking is a human right issue because first of all it is illegal in India and I think if someone chooses to sell their body then that on them. This is an example of the quote "All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and right." The only problem I have with it is the girls that have unprotected sex with guys an either person doesn't know if the other has HIV or AIDS. In 2000 a reporter named Raney Aronson had done a film about HIV/AIDS in four Indian cities, which focused on women who were HIV positive and living and working in the red light district. Sex workers in Mumbai face what sex workers around the world face, many of them are sold into prostitution as young girls and are not there by choice. There is a sex worker union that is fighting for the right to be legal. The men she interviewed in India said they see no relationship between wearing a condom and preventing HIV and AIDS. That is why they don’t wear them. In Calcutta the sex workers demand that the men wear condoms to prevent the spread of AIDS, which is smart. The women in Indian found it difficult to talk too each other about AIDS, but they could talk to Raney Aronson because she is a foreigner, and they feel the same social rules don't apply to her. Many of the sex workers were willing to talk too her and explain what was going on there. Raney Aronson most intersecting interview came when she talked to a woman named Putul Singh. She was this woman who had given up the sex industry to work in the union full time. Putul was sold into sex slavery by her first husband, but along the way was fortunate enough to meet up with the sex worker union. Through their help, she was actually able to leave the trade and work full time for them as a union member. After a few years doing this, she met her current husband, whom she married and lives happily with no longer in the city, but in the country. Too resolve this problem I think no one should be force to have sex with anyone or they should be sold into slavery. If the women are sex workers all the men they have sex with should have to wear condoms.
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