Tomato - Too red to handle !!!

Bittan Market, Bhopal. Thursday vegetable haat (market)- As usual it was a busy day, though numbers were less as compared to the weekned market. Still one could smell people sweating it out to buy the cheapest one.

Tomatao as usual were too red to handle !, twenty four rupees a kilogram !. Understand it was 36 per kilogram in Delhi. So we were cheaper than Delhi, may be we can have few more than Delhities. Well one thing to cheer Onions this time have given a run to tomato - just three rupees a kilogram. Well tomato was also four rupees a kilogram few months back !

Moral of story – store vegetables when they are cheap but for now enjoy onions, (but do brush your teeth after eating them), forget tomato for few days and wait for the prices to fall. Our FM says it will !. Or if you still wish to have them – don’t go out this weekend (save money !!)

- anil

Tuvalu, small and remote island nation in Pacific Ocean

Have you heard of the word Tuvalu ?

It means ‘group of eight’ and interestingly is name of one of the remotest and world’ fourth smallest nation. It is an island nation located in the Pacific Ocean, just south of the equator between Fiji and the Gilbert Islands (Kiribati). Its name (Tuvalu meaning group of eight) refers to the country's eight traditionally inhabited islands but in actual it has nine islands, the last one got inhabited in 1949. Tuvalu was first sighted by Europe in 1568. Tuvalu got independence on October 1, 1978 from British regime. It has population of approximately 11,000 people which also has got doubled after 1980’s.

Tuvalu is low lying country and is inhabited by Tuvaluans. Tuvaluans are basically Polynesian. Culturally Tuvalu has traditional community system wherein each family has its own task, or salanga, to perform for the community, such as fishing, house building or defence. The same skills of a family are passed on from father to son. The tuvaluan language is a major language which is spoken there. Though English is also an official language, but is not spoken in daily use. Climatically Tuvalu is tropical but the lands there have poor soil which does not support much agriculture. It almost has no potable water. The country has no known mineral resources. Subsistence farming and fishing (including exports) are the primary economic activities. It also depends on foreign aid. About a thousand tourists, on average, visit Tuvalu annually. Like .com, .in it too has an internet domain name ‘.tv’. Their official currency is Tuvaluan dollar which is coupled with Australian dollar.

As Tuvalu is low lying and is particularly vulnerable to any rise in the sea level from future climate change. In mid-February 2004, unusually high tides caused seepage that transformed much of the interior into a salty lake, harming root crops. This is a major issue, which threaten the country's underground water table and its existence. Increase in population, global green house gas emissions etc. are impacting the environment and their worry too as it impacts their existence.

I had read about 'Tuvalau' and compiled this piece on this interesting nation, thought share with you all on this vibrant blog - anil gulati

My Photo is missing !

Mr. Gupta is a Managing Director of a corporate house. The business is doing well and it could be categorized as middle Level Corporation. As business is expanding in order to give boost to their image they have recently set up a public relation department which is headed by a well versed and professional public relation professional Mr. Kapur. Mr. Kapur had recently retired from public relations department of a big enterprise. But he is man with contacts. He is hard working, respected in media and has had a successful career as public relation professionals before he retired. He in his new reincarnation has had a problem at hand. Mr. Gupta, the MD of the company does not understand the very role of public relations department, for him it is his own photograph in the newspaper or electronic media. Rather than communicating positive image of his organisation and the work they do he wishes to see his own photograph.

If a report appears in the print media highlighting their organisation, their good work, it is okay with him inspite of the fact good amount of hard work had gone behind the same and it had helped to generate good will in public for the organisation. But the mere fact that his photo was missing, he was not delighted!

Probably more than his organisation he wanted to see his own photograph makes the difference. This is one area where majority of public relation professionals have challenge in their hand when one works for an organisation which does not understand the role of the PR.

Rather than creating positive image for the organisation and showcasing the real work many a times, many PR professionals like Mr. Kapur may have to do ! land up to doing image make over for the owners, trouble shooting in media.

yours truly - Anil Gulati
PS- A always these are personal; opinion of the contributor !!

The 8th habit - a reflection

Learn to do what you love and love what you do

Recently Stephen Covey a renowned writer and speaker on leadership was in Delhi and I was lucky one to attend to his one day seminar on his new book The Eight Habit. I was bit unsure before going but nevertheless it was an opportunity I did not wanted to miss, hence was on trip to Delhi. I must confess I was moved, probably that is the reason I am writing this feature for the blog and would like to acknowledge his book in this feature as text here is from his book, probably sharing what he wants to say to readers of this blog.

Let me start with his introduction, though many of us may know him, just to reiterate he is a world famous author of several acclaimed books, and has received numerous honors and awards, including being named one of Time magazine's twenty-five most influential Americans. One of his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People was a real popular one and had crossed a figure of over fifteen million copies in its sales. I would like to share this opportunity to share few words on his new book, the eighth habit and the seminar.

He is his book takes us through the changes that has affected us in today’s new world. It says that this new world has turned from information and knowledge to wisdom. It is a vastly changed place. The challenges and complexity all of us face in our relationships, families, professional lives, and communities are of an entirely new order of magnitude.

Being effective as individuals and organizations is no longer merely an option -- survival in today's new world requires it. Stephan Covey adds that in this new Knowledge Worker Age, in order to thrive, innovate, excel, and lead we must build on and move beyond effectiveness. The call of this new era in human history is for greatness; it's for fulfillment, passionate execution, and significant contribution.

Accessing the higher levels of human genius and motivation in today's new reality requires a sea change in thinking: a new mind-set, a new skill-set, a new tool-set -- in short, a whole new habit. The crucial challenge of our world today is this: to find our voice and inspire others to find theirs. It is what Covey calls the 8th Habit.

The Eight Habit is not about ‘being effective’, but about fully expressing one’s own potential. It is in the real on being, not doing. The opposite of being fulfilled and fully expressing ourselves, is a feeling of psychological emptiness, the knowingness that ‘something’ is missing. We often try to fill that emptiness with things like being very busy, watching television, etc. The Eight Habit implies a fully conscious choice to live from our unknown potential rather than from our known past. It is also about, as a leader, a parent, a teacher, helping others to reach their full potential. In organizational life, it comes down to finding the entrepreneurial spirit in our associates, the same passion and urge to create, that is found in those who start companies and organisations.

He in his seminar of the books says that Information Age is going over into the Creation Age, the Consciousness Age. This change implies that we need to get access to something deeper and greater than just information i.e. our deeper being. Only there will we find wisdom.

We could call wisdom the child of integrity built on principles. Integrity implies being humble, humble enough to realise that we are part of something greater than our limited selves. Humility is the mother of wisdom and courage the father. To live a life of principles takes courage. It is not very common…

Accessing the higher levels of human genius and motivation in today's new reality requires a sea change in thinking: a new mind-set, a new skill-set, a new tool-set -- in short, a whole new habit. The crucial challenge of our world today is this: to find our voice and inspire others to find theirs. It is what Covey calls the 8th Habit. So many people feel frustrated, discouraged, unappreciated, and undervalued -- with little or no sense of voice or unique contribution.

The 8th Habit is the answer to the soul's yearning for greatness, the organization's imperative for significance and superior results, and humanity's search for its "voice." Profound, compelling, and stunningly timely, this groundbreaking new book of next-level thinking gives a clear way to finally tap the limitless value-creation promise of the Knowledge Worker Age. The 8th Habit book how to solve such common dilemmas as:

- People want peace of mind and good relationships, but also want to keep their lifestyle and habits.
- Relationships are built on trust, but most people think more in terms of "me" -- my wants, my needs, my rights.
- Management wants more for less; employees want more of "what's in it for me" for less time and effort.
- Businesses are run by the economic rules of the marketplace; organizations are run by the cultural rules of the workplace.
- Society operates by its dominant social values, but must live with the consequences of the inviolable operation of natural laws and principles.

Covey's new book is a real great effort on this direction and may help you to transform the ways we think about ourselves and our purpose in life, about our organizations, and about humankind. The seminar was basic introduction to that process.


- Anil Gulati

Salman Khan on a wall clock !!

Recently I happen to be at a village namely Dharda Ganesh in Shivpuri district. I had an opportunity to meet Kirori Mal. Kirori Mal runs a barber shop. His shop is outside of the Gram Sabha hall at the entrance of the village. He seems to be a huge fan of bollywood actress and had photographs of almost all the actresses on the walls of his make shift kind of the shop. It was an added attraction to his shop for the clients to come to get either haircut or shaving done. He was self confessed fan of Salman Khan. But I bit puzzled as I could not see Salman Khan on the walls so was bit inquisitive. I dare ask him where is Salman Khan. He pointed towards his wall clock, on the side wall of shop. There was his Khan!! Moving in his wall clock! He had made a cut out of the Salman Khan and had replaced second’s needle on the wall clock. Quite an interesting way to use photograph of his idol - Salman Khan on the move that too every second!! So it was not only bollywood actress but even Salman Khan on the move which was attraction for his clients especially the young ones of the village which used to visit Kirori mal’s shop every now and then off course to get either hair cut or for a nice clean shave...

- personal views of anil gulati

Devipura gets a school

UNICEF’s make shift school, Panna, Madhya Pradesh, February 2, 2006 - We drove eight kilometers on the dry barren land to be at Devipura. It is here in the vast landscape stands a make shift school in UNICEF’s tent. Pranlal, who may be ten years old is one of the student (He does not remember his age, many of the students would say eight or ten as their age). He is visually challenged but studies and stays in this school. He likes it, and says it is the best. Education department had titled them as Shiksha Ghar or residential schools. UNICEF had provided these tents as a part of rehabilitation support to Panna district after it had been ravaged by floods in July of year 2005. UNICEF had provided forty four tents to education department for temporary schools for children which had been extensively damaged by floods. Presently they are more than a school. They are now residential seasonal hostel’s for children. It was all not that easy to set up these. Team members of Rajya Shiksha Kendra of Government of Madhya Pradesh had actually brought part of these tents on themselves to Devipura. People here say they did not have a school for years but this temporary school has given them more than that. Children not only study here, they eat here as well stay in the same tent. District administration has organized for their meals. It is not only in Devipura but also at other places where these tents have been converted as hostels. It has being a good start, but still drinking water and improving teaching quality and support District administration for construction of schools still remain as some challenges which one has to overcome to help them to return to their life.

- contributed by anil gulati

The little dreams which are in their eyes only ?

(This was written by me quite some time back but still holds true hence thought share it with you all)

It was first Saturday of August of year 2004, time when Bhopal is at its best, with little drops drizzling on my body, cool breeze touching you and I was at Bittan market haat - a weekly vegetable market that caters to upper end clients from Arera colony and nearby areas for providing vegetables at comparatively competitive price. It had been raining on and off in Bhopal last week, so bittan market too had itsshare of water and filth within which was the buzz vegetable market. It was notan easy time to sell vegetable. Vegetables prices had shoot up; the market only had vegetables from nearby Bhopal that could make up there. It is here one meets Nadeem, whose is next to his father selling vegetables.Nadeem studies in class fifth (though he should be in much higher class but maybe joined school late) In the evening on haat days he is next to his father witha separate column on the haat lane. He gets an additional independent space,next to his father. Nadeem does not want to sell vegetables all his life hewants to grow up and work in office. He has his own ambition. He too wants toplay and enjoy like other kids do and not be in this place selling vegetables.But it is the lure of extra income to poor family plus ‘it is better ratherthan roaming around’ adds his father. In Bittan market one can find many children having separate space or column normally next to their parents. This not only works as an extra hand for parents, but an additional income for the family. Though an extra space means extra 23 rupees per day (Rs 15 for lights, Rs 4 for the corporation and few rupees for tea)additional income is what these poor parents look for. For some like Rohit,who is just four years old sitting next to her mother selling vegetable it isalso a matter for survival. His father had lost the job while her mother wasselling vegetables and feeding her one-year-old child and next to her was rohitwho was having simple chapati as his dinner and simultaneously selling veggies.In addition to Rohit, Nadeem there are young ones like Suraj who roam around and sell lemons in bittan.

In bittan market young boys, who even have mastered art ofnegotiations, mainly sell lemons. Suraj normally fetches about Rs 50 /60 eachtime haat is there, helps him get extra buck part of which also goes to hisfamily another part to his fulfill some of his own wishes. But problems comeswhen it rains they do not have shed, they either use a polybag or piece of bagto hide under it but have to sell vegetables, which are perishable in nature.One has to sell it off or else end of day end up making loss instead of profit. Rohit Nadeem and Suraj are still lucky ones from out of the lot but for Kanchanand Rajni whose parents do not have shop here but these children beg for money /vegetables and take home whatever they can. These little girls even do not study in school. It is at these markets they get to earn a bit.

Children like Rohit, Nadeem, Kanchan and Rajni do add to income of theirrespective families but they loose what other children get - time to be ontheir own, be in their own age, play and grow instead growing up fast and learnselling, and end up loosing what is said to be their own their own Bachpan -which once gone cannot come back in life… They have their own little dreams in their eyes, many of them may not want tosell vegetable but may have ambition to work in office but there is another bigquestion of an opportunity, an opportunity to study, opportunity to grow,opportunity to get jobs and the list is long one … or else they would end updoing what their parents are doing and will never be able to reach the dreamwhich these little eyes fantasize…

- anil gulati

(The views expressed in this article are personal opinions of the contributor)

newswhichmatter

The little dreams which are in their eyes only ?

(This was written by me quite some time back but still holds true hence thought share it with you all)

It was first Saturday of August of year 2004, time when Bhopal is at its best, with little drops drizzling on my body, cool breeze touching you and I was at Bittan market haat - a weekly vegetable market that caters to upper end clients from Arera colony and nearby areas for providing vegetables at comparatively competitive price. It had been raining on and off in Bhopal last week, so bittan market too had itsshare of water and filth within which was the buzz vegetable market. It was notan easy time to sell vegetable. Vegetables prices had shoot up; the market only had vegetables from nearby Bhopal that could make up there. It is here one meets Nadeem, whose is next to his father selling vegetables.Nadeem studies in class fifth (though he should be in much higher class but maybe joined school late) In the evening on haat days he is next to his father witha separate column on the haat lane. He gets an additional independent space,next to his father. Nadeem does not want to sell vegetables all his life hewants to grow up and work in office. He has his own ambition. He too wants toplay and enjoy like other kids do and not be in this place selling vegetables.But it is the lure of extra income to poor family plus ‘it is better ratherthan roaming around’ adds his father. In Bittan market one can find many children having separate space or column normally next to their parents. This not only works as an extra hand for parents, but an additional income for the family. Though an extra space means extra 23 rupees per day (Rs 15 for lights, Rs 4 for the corporation and few rupees for tea)additional income is what these poor parents look for. For some like Rohit,who is just four years old sitting next to her mother selling vegetable it isalso a matter for survival. His father had lost the job while her mother wasselling vegetables and feeding her one-year-old child and next to her was rohitwho was having simple chapati as his dinner and simultaneously selling veggies.In addition to Rohit, Nadeem there are young ones like Suraj who roam around and sell lemons in bittan.

In bittan market young boys, who even have mastered art ofnegotiations, mainly sell lemons. Suraj normally fetches about Rs 50 /60 eachtime haat is there, helps him get extra buck part of which also goes to hisfamily another part to his fulfill some of his own wishes. But problems comeswhen it rains they do not have shed, they either use a polybag or piece of bagto hide under it but have to sell vegetables, which are perishable in nature.One has to sell it off or else end of day end up making loss instead of profit. Rohit Nadeem and Suraj are still lucky ones from out of the lot but for Kanchanand Rajni whose parents do not have shop here but these children beg for money /vegetables and take home whatever they can. These little girls even do not study in school. It is at these markets they get to earn a bit.

Children like Rohit, Nadeem, Kanchan and Rajni do add to income of theirrespective families but they loose what other children get - time to be ontheir own, be in their own age, play and grow instead growing up fast and learnselling, and end up loosing what is said to be their own their own Bachpan -which once gone cannot come back in life… They have their own little dreams in their eyes, many of them may not want tosell vegetable but may have ambition to work in office but there is another bigquestion of an opportunity, an opportunity to study, opportunity to grow,opportunity to get jobs and the list is long one … or else they would end updoing what their parents are doing and will never be able to reach the dreamwhich these little eyes fantasize…

- anil gulati

(The views expressed in this article are personal opinions of the contributor)

living for others

Guna is one of the first districts in Madhya Pradesh to set up a nutritional rehab centre. It's a 16-bed special children care ward, under the supervision of a paediatrician, to support severely malnourished children. The facility not only treats infection but also supports immediate dietary needs, using locally available material. This isn't a stand-alone venture but is attached to a district hospital with sufficient back-up. The district mobilised resources from possible donors. The most unusual contribution, to kick start the centre came from 81-year-old Brindawan who is no stranger to Guna or the district hospital. He is around to help people in distress and it's by choice as he enjoys doing it. During our interaction, he laments, "ultimatelyeverything will go to the fire (a reference to death). I'm 81 and have seen a lot. Let me do something which satisfies me." Brindawan hails from Sagar district, came to Guna in 1992 to attend a yagna (ritual) and stayed on. He eats at voluntary organisation that provides highly-subsidised food to relatives staying withpatients in the hospital. This is mainly run by contributions from individual donors. Brindawan is again one of them. He had donated Rs 10,000 to the kitty. He owns about 30 bigas of land in Sagardistrict (another district of the state of Madhya Pradesh). His family, including his son and grandchildren, stays at Sagar. The octogenarian's eyes reflect his experiences; he fondly remembers the early period of Independence and also the Raj.

He feels a lot has changed over the past five decades. Corruption is one thing that has eroded thesystem, there are plenty of opportunities, lots of schemes for people's benefit but real benefit is stillelusive. Brindawan isn't the only one, if you look around there may be many like him. For persons like him,what's important is the difference they make to others' lives. When you meet people like him, you feelencouraged and faith is rejuvenated. In disasters such as tsumani, earthquakes and floods, these people make an enormous contribution towards rescue and relief but that remains virtually unnoticed.

- anil gulati

(these are personal opinions of the writer)

Tribal festival of elopement – Bhagoria haat

15 tie knot this year in tribal districts of Jhabua

Love was in air tribal parts of central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh. Cupid strikes in an unusual way - single boys and girls elope to find their life partners in a colourful festival of the Bhils and Bhilalas. This is particular in Jhabua district of the state.

This is actually of the nature of a ‘mass svayamvara’, or a marriage market, usually held on the various market days falling before the Holi festival in March. As the name of the festival indicates, (bhag, to run), after choosing their partners, the young people elope and are subsequently accepted as husband and wife by society through predetermined customs.
It is not always that boys and girls intending to marry each other meet in the festival for the first time. In a large number of cases the alliance is already made between the two, the festival provides the institutionalised framework for announcing the alliance publicly.

The tradition is that the boy applies gulal, red powder, on the face of the girl whom he selects as his wife. The girl, if willing, also applies gulal on the boy's face. This may not happen immediately but the boy may pursue her and succeed eventually. The Bhagoria haat also coincides with the completion of harvesting, adding to it the dimension of being an agricultural festival as well. If the crops have been good, the festival assumes an additional air of gaiety. In the life of the Bhils and Bhilalas, Bhagoria is not merely one festival but in fact a series of fairs held one by one at various villages on their specific market days, commencing eight days before Holi.
Earlier men, wearing turbans and jewellery with cummerbunds, go all out to woo the girls in their colourful skirts, blouses and scarves. But changing times may have caught up with this quaint festival. Today Bhil males wear shirts and trousers to the mela and women too apply lipstick and talc.

At the heart of the mela is the uninhibited mingling of men and women and they celebrate it by dancing to the beat of dhols and thalis and the sweet melody of the shehnai and bansuri (flutes). Bhagordev or the god of Dance is worshipped on this occasion. With drum beats and flute tunes filling the air, they scout for prospective partners. They dance, sing and being together on the fairs' rickety merry-go-rounds. Sex is not a taboo during the period.

This time round, the Government tried to make things simpler for these seven days of tribal valentine bliss (am not sure one should use words like valentine in this part of India !!! ). For the first time mariages were registered on-the-spot and certificates issued immediately. Many did not like this too as they felt it works against the tribal culture but some did not bother, were too busy in something else..

- anil gulati

(These are personal opinions of the writer)

the real yaar

Yaar meaning buddy is the word which we often use now a days.. In American terms this is name of boy and is of Hebrew origin, meaning "forest”. Though Yaar is an very uncommon male first or surname in US. In Indian context we normally speak Arre Yaar, referring to our friends. But as of now more than friends it is being used to call your ones peers , people whom we met and many a times generally !

Though purists may say that language is a means of communicating thoughts and so long as it is able to perform this prime function, use of such words stands vindicated. Am not debating them here, but as I was speaking to my friend Pushpendar bhai (!!) on this one he mentioned that word may have come from word yarana meaning friendship. If you call someone as Yaar you mean that she or he as your friend, a friend in need not just a yaar, to smoke and drink together. The test of real yaar is one with whom you enjoy moments of life, but also is with when you need, when you want support, want to confine with someone not only to enjoy…..your real yaar would be with you life long not momentary yaar!

But the meaning of friendship has changed now. These days it is difficult to get real yaar. Interests are vested within itself. Even in friends there is competition, they are friends for merry only or timepass. It is hard to get real friend that is why everybody is just a yaar.

Yours only – anil gulati

The young mantra !!

It’s not a big deal !

I love exploring the unexplored; I wish to do something different. I know it is dangerous, they say do not touch. Let me try and well it is not a big deal. May be I can do it !! These are some of the statements one gets to listens when one kick starts smoking, drinking or that matter using drugs. All of us know that these are bad but our urge to explore and proving ourselves as different, pressure of peers inclines us towards these so called poisons. They actually poison our health, and have long lasting effect on it. These are addictive, expensive; many a times even illegal too.

But lets us remember, it is our choice whether to take them or not. No one can force you if you do not want. It is just working with your urge, managing a question of big deal. Many of us say given a chance we can handle the responsibility, well, here is our chance! We need to take our onus on ourself and do it. Let us say it is not a big deal and stop using them or support others to get over it, off course without being judgmental. Family and friends are a great support. Say big NO to drugs.

- anil gulati

The power of will to fight HIV

Spiritual Gurus do say and even I do believe that our thoughts, moods, state of being and feelings are powerful influences on our health and immune system. Yesterday I was in training on HIV/AIDS wherein I had a chance to hear Pradeep (name changed) on his experience in fighting with HIV, which he and his wife had been living with HIV for last six years. One got moved not only because the way he narrated his story but the way he has been fighting the dreaded virus. More than anything the most powerful message one could get from his talk was that there is life beyond HIV. One needs a will to fight the infection and, which he had in him in plenty.

I presume the moment you have that positive will, you would do whatever is needed and advised to fight the HIV infection. I feel Pradeep is a fighter, a fighter with weapon of will with him. He not only motivates you and tells you that it is will which could be more potent than any other vaccine. He may or may not succeed but more important is his present which he is living with full confidence. To me it proves a point that thoughts, one emotion and the various body systems don't work in isolation. They work together as a whole system.

After hearing from him I did search for some studies, which was more to add to his belief and mine too. One which I found close to this was by UCLA AIDS Institute research which showed that stress enables HIV to spread more quickly in HIV-positive persons and impairs antiretroviral drugs from restoring the immune system. Depression and negative attitudes have also been linked to lowering the immune system, which meant that opposite, could do better, probably a theory of which Pradeep is living example. I and many of us get emotional on issue which affects us, but when you see him and hear about him, his wife and the suffering and stigma they got in return from the society in this 21st century era of technology and openness. How his daughter could not get admitted in any school in capital of this country?

One feels our issues are nothing as compared to his. I got away with a message from him that it is positive will power which has helped to fight in his own life. He is real life role model for me and may be for all of us not only for person living with HIV, encourages us in our encounter with issues which have bearing on us.

Contributed by Anil Gulati

newswhichmatter

Youth take oath to spread awareness on HIV/AIDS


More than 150 people from Malwa and Nimar districts took an oath to help spread awareness about AIDS.
“Should HIV/AIDS issues be taught in schools? What can the youth do to contribute to the cause?” were some of the questions raised by participants at the two-day anti-HIV/AIDS youth meet organised by UNICEF and Madhya Pradesh Voluntary Health Association (MPVHA) in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. The youngsters coined slogans for helping spread awareness.

Western MP, especially 14 districts of Malwa and Nimar regions (which touch commercial areas of Maharashtra and Gujarat), are highly susceptible to AIDS. Of the 1,524 known cases of AIDS in the state, 1,080 have been reported from these districts—with Indore and Ujjain topping the list with 419 and 275 cases respectively.

Khargone follows them with 74 cases, Dhar with 70 cases, Dewas with 66, Shajapur with 67 and Khandwa with 37. All over the state, the number of AIDS patients is increasing by the day with 205 fresh cases being reported in 2004 as against 143 in 2003. As of date there are approximately 1,662 AIDS cases in Madhya Pradesh.

Experts who participated in the meet opined that the fundamental challenge in controlling HIV/AIDS is in getting the right information to the people, especially the younger section of the populace.
“The challenge is not in merely disseminating information, but in doing it in a manner that not only entertains but also educates people about issues, creates favourable attitudes, shifts social norms and helps generate a positive response”, they said.

State AIDS Control Society Project director Salina Singh, who was the chief guest, said, “Young people can make a difference as they can convey the message to their peers. Right information is the key.”
Addressing the gathering, UNICEF communication officer Anil Gulati said, “We are here for a mission to check the spread of virus in our country. Knowledge is power and we need to empower ourselves. What is more disturbing was that it was engulfing the 'productive population' in the age group of 20-40 years. The numbers of patients under this age group is 1,080”

Among the participants was Pushpinderpal Singh from the Bhopal-based Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism. “Majority HIV positive cases go unreported as infected people refuse to take tests and don’t accept that they may be afflicted. They would rather wait for the disease to get converted into full-blown AIDS before accepting the reality,” he said.

MPVHA Executive Director Mukesh Sinha emphasised on the work being undertaken by the civil society organisation on HIV/AIDS. Fox Kids TV series Anchor Ajay Nagrath was present to advocate the cause.


By Sanjay Sharma in Bhopal at www.sify.com Saturday, 11 February , 2006, 09:56

The cultural barrier

Being a communications professional, I get opportunities to interact with a diverse group of
mediapersons. As an individual, one develops affinity for some and Rajendar is one of them.

He works for a Hindi daily known for its coverage of development issues and has considerable penetration
into rural Madhya Pradesh. I still vividly remember the day Rajendar walked into my office and we first met. That interaction resembled a typical official meeting; story angles were explored and details exchanged.

But Rajendar's inquisitiveness did not escape my notice. I was slightly unsure how the report would
come out but still provided him every relevant detail.

A few days later, a half-page story appeared in his newspaper. He had toiled on the idea and made it
big. I was impressed. It's been more than two years hence and gradually we became pals. He changed jobs, but our relationship blossomed. Today he is at the most challenging juncture of his existence, a time when one gets tested. Rajendar is a double masters in Hindi and journalism besides being a gold medallist in the
latter subject. He's trapped in a situation that reflects how difficult it is to change things, mindsets or
so-called cultural barriers.

It's easy for many of us to message around, advocate behavioural change but in real-life situations
it's people-to-people contact, their understanding of the context, their beliefs and relationship that play
a major role. It needs lot of hard work, patience and working out ways that are within communities' systems.

I'm picking up this issue as I see it in the lives of Rajendar and Rajini. They've known each other for
years and want to get married. But Rajendar belongs to a family that's conservative and believes in accepting dowry. At present his 'rate', if he gets wedded to a woman of his caste, is Rs 4 lakh, a Bolero and household furniture. Marrying outside one's caste is not allowed and if that union is without dowry it is strictly
forbidden! Unfortunately, Rajini - a development worker – is not from his caste though she too belongs to a certain upper caste. Both have strong affiliation to the development sector and have stood for issues.

Rajini's parents have agreed, while Rajendar, after using a lot of his skills, managed to make some impact
on his parents. But that's not enough as they need the consent of every adult in the family, which is simply
not possible. Rajendar's parents may have reluctantly agreed for their son's happiness but expressed inability to convince others. After the wedding, both would be out of the biradari meaning that they might not be allowed to participate in family rituals and functions.

As individuals they always have a choice to go ahead and marry but both don't prefer this way. They
want to wed with family consent. But if that happens they would become role models or change agents. It
will be for the first time someone from that area married out of caste and that too sans dowry. Some elders fear that it will open floodgates.

There's an equal chance that they may fail but may kindle a light of hope in someone else who may follow
their footsteps and eventually succeed. That's how change takes place, but it's not easy especially if
you are working against a mindset that's been followed for years and believed to be right.

-anil

where myths and superstitions heal…….

newswhichmatter

where myths and superstitions heal…….

If child has pneumonia– a hot saddle shaped iron dipped in a oil is paced on navel of the little one – with a belief that it will cure it !

Shivpuri is a district of Madhya Pradesh. Though it is district of Madhya Pradesh but is bounded by Jhansi in east, which is a district of Uttar Pradesh, and on the west by Kota district of Rajasthan.

Shivpuri mostly has laid out small hilltops covered with deciduous forests where the slope is gentle with verdant vegetation and good forests round about, the landscape is generally pleasing.
It has a population of about 11.5 million predominantly of which is in rural sector. National highway pass through Shivpuri so has better road connectivity on the main line but the moment you turn inside the roads get quite bumpy. Sometime back I had chance to visit there. I was in a jeep about eleven kilometers from the main highway, suddenly the driver turned left. I was bit amazed and saw the driver with suspicion as I could only see rubble of sandstones on the hilly slope – absolutely no road.

But driver exuded that confidence and was more courageous, he just went ahead and after about three kilometers of non-motorabale hilly lane we were at village Dwarka. Dwarka is village in Pichore Block of Shivpuri. It had an inhabitation of about 60 houses mainly of which were from Sahariya tribes (plus) some from the upper caste mainly Thakurs.

Seeing a jeep coming in the tribals from all over village started gathered near the jeep. I had some one known to the villagers with me so introduction was bit easy. We all gathered outside house of Ranjiraam. It was a typical feudal style; I was offered a charpoi to sit while all of them were on the floor, quite uncomfortable for all of us. I did prefer to stand; it was easier for my heart.

Ranjiram had lost his four children because of measles but when asked what you did when your children had measles he said initially they take their children to temple and they are made to lie down there and devotional songs were sung by group of villagers in favour of god. Measles is called as mata and the firm belief is that this due to ‘god’s wish’ and he only can take care of it. In addition to it, the already malnourished child is given very less to eat with a belief that prayers will have mystic role. By the way what do they eat – either cooked roti alone or sometimes with cooked grass. If they get some work then local vegetable or dal. Dalia – for school children used to come and for last few months that too was missing. I did meet number of children with protruding bellies (a sign of malnutrition or worm infestation) but which they believe as sign of healthiness.

During the discussions I suddenly noticed a child who had some marks around his navel, were bit surprised and even curious. Rather than just exploding with questions, which they could have been risky as they might take it as offense, I felt that there was a need to explore further. I drifted a bit and slowly asked the question what that mark was?

The belief in village is that if the child suffers with high fever (pneumonia), and if hot horseshoe shape iron dipped in oil is kept at the navel of the child - fever will come down and the mark on the child that we saw was the same mark. On hearing this, I could feel chill in my spine – it may be called as ‘navel branding’.

Where are we – if child suffers from measles it will go on it own, if child has pneumonia – navel branding is the treatment, where children may not get all three meals and even if they get some it is the cooked grass – so called dalia for school had not come for last 3 months…

This is the real scenario and challenging one especially if arena of child health. Shivpuri is a district of Madhya Pradesh which already has high rates of infant mortality rates and if we need to bring it down and with these prevalent myths - challenges is beyond delivering services for children, one may have to look more holistically and take it is as a social issue not just health one….

posted by - anil

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