Monthly Archives: June 2009

Who actually gets married? A motorbike dowry story.

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A question that has always been on my mind is: who actually gets married—the bride and groom or their families? It’s common to hear about weddings, but sometimes the stories surrounding them make me question who is really getting married—the couple or their families. I recently attended my cousin’s wedding, which was a traditional village wedding, quite different from the more modern weddings in Indian cities. I was particularly interested in the concept of dowry, so I asked my cousins about it. One cousin shared a surprising story about the dowry.

The bride’s family was required to give a motorbike as part of the dowry. They asked the groom which motorbike he preferred, and he chose a Bajaj Platina. The bride’s family purchased this bike about two months before the wedding. However, after buying the bike, they informed my cousin’s family of their choice. My uncle, however, didn’t like the Bajaj Platina and preferred a Hero Honda bike. He insisted that the bride’s family return the Bajaj bike and buy a Hero Honda instead. Since the bride’s family had already paid for the Bajaj Platina, it was difficult for them to return it and get their money back.

They explained that the groom had specifically requested the Bajaj Platina, which is why they bought it. But my uncle argued that they should have consulted him instead of the groom. Since the groom works in Korba, a city about 30 hours away by train from our village, my uncle said the bike would not be used by the groom and should be used by him instead. To resolve the issue, the bride’s family involved the bride. They asked her to tell the groom’s siblings that she preferred the Bajaj bike over the Honda, hoping to convince my uncle.

Despite her efforts, my uncle refused to accept the Bajaj bike. He insisted that it should be a Hero Honda, which was his choice. Eventually, the bride’s family had to pay a penalty, return the Bajaj bike, and buy the Hero Honda. This bike was neither the groom’s nor the bride’s choice; it was simply my uncle’s preference. The bride’s family lost about Rs. 10,000 in the process. It was astonishing to see how the bride and groom had no control over their own wedding. Why ask for a bike if it wouldn’t be used by either the bride or groom? Who was really getting married—the bride and groom or my uncle? I saw my uncle driving the new bike the day after the wedding. I wonder when the bride will get to use the bike her father purchased for her.

After the wedding, the bride moved into the groom’s village house but stayed there while he returned to his work in Korba. I asked my cousin about this, and he explained that village tradition requires the bride to live with her in-laws for at least two years after the wedding. So now, while the groom is in Korba, the bride is left in the village, managing household chores and taking care of her in-laws. At just 19 years old, the bride would have loved to move to Korba with her husband. Instead, she is stuck in the village, where she spends her time cooking, cleaning, and looking after her in-laws. She would have preferred to continue her studies, which would have been easier if she lived with her husband in Korba. I hope that someday, these traditions will change and women in India will have equal rights. For now, though, there is hope for a better future.

Coca-Cola research for book

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I worked with the American writer Mr. Michael Blanding as his translator and local assistant for two days, on June 14th and 15th, in Mehndiganj. Mr. Blanding is writing a book titled *Coke Machine*, which explores the Coca-Cola issue and will be published by Penguin Publications, USA. I first met him on June 14th at the Lok Samiti’s office in Mehndiganj. While Michael has previously written articles about the Coca-Cola issue in Colombia, this book will also address problems in India, Colombia, and Mexico. One of his notable articles is “Coke: The New Nike?”

Broken pipes of Rain harvesting system at Mirjamuraj Police station

Before working with Michael, I was aware of the issues in India and Colombia but did not know that Mexico was also affected. Michael informed me that Mexico is the largest market for Coca-Cola products, and now faces severe problems with obesity and other health issues. Obesity was not prevalent in Mexico a few years ago, but with the increased sales of Coca-Cola products, the obesity rates have also risen. He also mentioned that Coca-Cola and Pepsi are planning to introduce coconut water in India, which struck me as odd. I doubt they will be able to offer a truly natural product, as it will likely be mixed with chemicals.

We interviewed about ten people, visited Coca-Cola’s rainwater harvesting sites at various locations, and examined their wastewater discharge system. I had hoped for improvements, but the situation remains unchanged. We visited two rainwater harvesting sites: one on the rooftop of the Agriculture Research Center in Kallipur village and another on the rooftop of the Mijramurad Police Station. Neither site was operational, with most pipes either broken or jammed. At the Agriculture Research Center, staff reported that Coca-Cola had set up the site about two years ago to create a positive impression.

 

However, it ceased functioning within a few months, and despite notifying Coca-Cola officials, no repairs were made. The rooftop now overflows, and the rainwater harvesting system is entirely nonfunctional. The well, intended to capture and recharge groundwater, was completely dry, and residents said they had never seen water in it due to jammed pipes. The situation at the Mijramurad Police Station was similar. Most pipes were broken or jammed, and local residents, including a journalist and police officers, confirmed that the site stopped working a few months after its installation, with no subsequent maintenance from Coca-Cola.

Residents near the Coca-Cola plant reported significant water shortages, blaming the company for their problems. They noted that water scarcity was not an issue before Coca-Cola arrived in Mehndiganj. Many showed us their dry wells and nonfunctional hand pumps. Farmers now purchase water for irrigation because their bore wells no longer work. Wealthier individuals with submersible pumps sell water to poorer farmers. We visited two ponds dug by the village committee, which are different from Coca-Cola’s sites. The committee had chosen land with lime-rich soil to filter the water effectively.

They connected nearby villages to the pond through pipes, allowing rainwater to flow into the pond and recharge groundwater. It appeared that the village committee’s efforts were far more effective than Coca-Cola’s. Nandlal Master, President of Lok Samiti, mentioned that Coca-Cola had conducted groundwater testing through an agency called TERI (Tata Environmental Research Institute), which recommended that the company leave Mehndiganj. Based on my observations over the past three years, I agree that Coca-Cola should exit Mehndiganj. I am eager for Michael’s book to be published and hope it will support the people of Mehndiganj in their struggle.

 

The God got sick :)

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Yesterday was an important day for the Jagannath Temple to celebrate a festival called Rathyatra. People from all over India visit the temple to participate in a ritual where the deity is bathed with water throughout the day. It is believed that by evening, the deity becomes unwell due to the prolonged bathing. Typically, sweets are offered in temples, but once the deity is said to be sick, offerings change to parwal (a type of vegetable) and basil soup. This soup is then distributed among the people as a blessing. Following this offering, the temple is closed for the next fifteen days.

Parwal and basil soup is an Ayurvedic remedy commonly prescribed for cold and cough. The idea is that this medicinal soup will help the deity recover. During these fifteen days, the temple gate remains closed, except for a daily opening to offer the basil and parwal soup. After the fifteen days, it is believed that the deity will have recovered, and the statue is taken out of the temple on a chariot and brought to Lord Jagannath’s Sasural (in-law’s) temple near Rathyatra, to allow the deity a period of respite after the illness.

In Benares, the deity is taken to the Sasural temple, while in Puri, the statue is brought to Lord Jagannath’s aunt’s temple. The statue remains there for two days, after which a large fair is organized. In Benares, the statue is paraded on a chariot and placed on the main road near Rathyatra Crossing for three days. After the fair concludes, the statue is returned to the temple. These are the only three days in the year when the Jagannath Temple in Benares is without its statue. This festival is known as Rathyatra.

While the fair in Benares is significant, it is not as large as the one in Puri, which is enormous. Last year, over ten million people attended the Puri fair.