Tag Archives: India

Elections in India

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It was election day in Delhi yesterday. Mr. Naveen Chawla, The Chief of Election Commission of India also went to vote and found that his name was not in the list. His name was in the deleted list. It became news and all the TV channels started talking about it. The employees of Election Commission did something and finally Mr. Naveen Chawla voted. It has always been a issue for general people that they go to vote and find that their name is not present in the voting list. How can this happen that they forget the name of the Chief of the Election Commission of India?

Later Mr. Chawla said that there was some confusion because he had changed his apartment a few months ago and that is why his name was also shifted to the other list. But everybody knows that it was only an excuse. Media people were saying that they had seen the list and his name was in the deleted list. Well, whatever the reason was, the Election Commission of India should not say anymore that they can organize elections well. Now it is good evidence for the world that proves the quality of elections in India.

822-year-old-living person

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Elections are approaching, and the Election Commission of India is working diligently to issue voter ID cards to all eligible voters. This is a relatively new requirement in India, where having a voter ID card is now mandatory to vote. The government frequently announces that anyone without a voter ID card will be barred from voting. However, just days before the elections, the Election Commission often reports that individuals without voter IDs can still participate, due to their inability to reach everyone in time. Despite substantial expenditure on this project, the results have been far from successful.

Alarmingly, nearly 50% of the voter ID cards issued contain incorrect information or printing errors. For example, Amar Ujala, a prominent Hindi newspaper, reported today (08/04/09) that the Election Commission issued a voter ID card to someone named Ballu from Muradabad, with his age mistakenly recorded as 822 years old. Ballu, having received this erroneous card, faces a dilemma: with elections just around the corner, he is unlikely to have the time to rectify the mistake before voting. He will use the card as-is and vote as an 822-year-old. Similarly, voter ID cards were issued to individuals named Nanhi and Khurseed, inaccurately recorded as two years old.

They, too, will use their incorrect IDs to cast votes. Another significant error involved the issuance of 424 voter ID cards to one address, implying that there are 424 residents from the same family living at that address, which is clearly incorrect. When I received my first voter ID card, I found that my father’s name was printed incorrectly, and my address was wrong. I was advised to wait until a month before the next elections, which would be five years later, to address the issue. Despite being issued by the government, voter ID cards are often not accepted as valid proof of residence or identity by any institution, whether public or private, due to these persistent errors.

On March 24th, the Times of India reported a similar mistake where a voter ID card was issued to a twelve-year-old girl. It is concerning that while the Indian government struggles with basic tasks like issuing accurate voter ID cards, it plans to build nuclear power plants. If the government cannot manage something as fundamental as voter identification, it raises doubts about its capability to handle complex and critical projects like nuclear power. The frequent errors and inefficiencies in the voter ID system suggest that India may not yet be fully prepared to tackle such high-stakes projects, where there is little room for error and significant challenges in managing nuclear waste and safety.

Sex workers bank and sanitary pad factory

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Indian sex workers face significant barriers in opening a bank account due to strict requirements for residential proof and a guarantor. It is puzzling that banks mandate a guarantor, who must be an existing account holder at the same bank, for account opening. Without a guarantor and with no official residential proof, many sex workers are unable to access banking services. This requirement further marginalizes those already living on the fringes of society, making it even harder for them to achieve financial stability.

Durbar Office

For a long time, sex workers faced immense difficulty in opening bank accounts, which prevented them from saving money securely. Their savings were often stolen—either by brothel owners or clients. To address this issue, Durbar advocated for policy changes to allow sex workers to open bank accounts without the need for a guarantor or formal residential proof. Despite these efforts, both the government and banks refused to make these changes. In response, Durbar sought a different solution: they requested permission from the government to establish a co-operative society specifically for sex workers. After significant effort and negotiation, they finally received approval to move forward with this initiative.

Seranna with the ladies working at the worksite

Durbar has now established a co-operative society exclusively for sex workers, with twelve thousand members saving their money through this system. This society operates much like a traditional bank, offering services such as loans and savings accounts. For sex workers who are confined to brothels and unable to visit the bank in person, Durbar’s staff travels from brothel to brothel to collect deposits. I had the chance to visit the bank and saw many sex workers managing their banking needs directly. This initiative has significantly benefited the community, providing not only a secure place for saving money but also access to loans when needed.

Production process

This development represents a major step forward in supporting the financial independence and empowerment of sex workers. In the same bank building, there’s a small shop dedicated to sex workers, offering daily essentials at prices lower than market rates. This shop is exclusive to sex workers, but it also features a section for items like toys and clothes created by sex workers, their children, or their family members. Seranna and I took the opportunity to shop there and were impressed by the concept. Additionally, Durbar has launched a factory that produces sanitary pads, employing only sex workers.

Final Product

This initiative is another remarkable effort by Durbar to support and empower the community. The combination of the bank, shop, and factory reflects the organization’s commitment to improving the lives of sex workers in innovative and impactful ways. The operation was impressively organized. Durbar had brought in an MBA professional to assist with launching their product in the market. Accompanied by Seranna and the camera crew, I had the opportunity to film at the factory, which was conveniently located at the entrance of Sonagachi, the red light district. At the factory, I observed about ten women working. Many of them appeared to be over 55 years old.

They explained that as they age, opportunities in the sex industry diminish, making it crucial for them to secure a stable income. The job at the factory provided them with much-needed financial stability. I found this project highly commendable, as it not only offers employment but also respects the dignity and contribution of these women.

A lady making Sanitary pads

Interview with sex workers

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We interviewed several sex workers in Kolkata for the documentary, and I was fortunate to serve as the interpreter between them and Seranna, which allowed me to speak with them personally. One notable observation was that many of the sex workers we spoke with had entered the profession after experiencing significant hardships in their lives. For example, I spoke with a sex worker originally from Faizabad, now residing in Kolkata. She shared that she had married a Muslim man against her family’s wishes, leading her to leave her home and move to Kolkata.

After spending a few months in Kolkata, she discovered that her husband was a drug user. Despite her repeated pleas for him to quit drugs and find a job, he refused to change. When she had a child, their financial situation became dire, as her husband was unemployed and she couldn’t seek help from her family due to the conflict caused by her interfaith marriage. Faced with these challenges, she decided to leave her home and turn to sex work at a brothel. She is now happy with her life, feeling that it is better than what her husband could provide.

She enjoys a newfound independence and freedom, and has even rebuilt her relationship with her family. Initially, there were issues when her family learned she had become a sex worker, but those conflicts have since been resolved. Notably, she worked as a program coordinator for Durbar, the sex workers’ organization. Her role brought her into the public eye, and when her neighbors from her hometown saw her on TV discussing sex work, they began inquiring about her parents. Her parents urged her to leave the profession, but she is resolute in her decision to remain a sex worker. She is very content with her life and even hopes to continue in this profession in her next life.

When asked about her wishes for her child, she expressed a desire for them to attend school and secure a stable job. However, a significant challenge for sex workers is getting their children admitted to school. Most sex workers in India lack residential proof, as many are brought from countries like Nepal or Bangladesh, or they frequently change their residences. Because many sex workers come from other countries, or even if they are from within India, they often lack residential proof. This is due to frequent changes in their place of residence or the controlling nature of brothel owners.

Typically, sex workers are not permitted to leave the brothel area. While some may work at hotels, this opportunity is limited. Brothel owners usually only send those who have been with them for several years, as these workers are considered less likely to run away. In some cases, brothel owners also send someone along with the sex workers when they go to hotels to ensure they remain under control. Another major issue for sex workers is the low income they earn from their profession. In India, sex work is very inexpensive, and sex workers often lack social identity and security.

Typically, they charge between Rs. 50-100 per client, as sex work is usually brief—clients often engage in sex for just 5-10 minutes and then leave. Sometimes, they do not even see the face of the person they are with. Both sex workers and clients prefer to keep their identities hidden, which contributes to the clandestine nature of the work. Sometimes, sex workers spend up to an hour with a single client, earning around Rs. 500 for that session. However, this is not the norm. Typically, they see numerous clients each day, often making only Rs. 50 per client after giving half of their earnings to the brothel owner.

Though they might have a few regular clients who are more generous and even book overnight sessions, these opportunities are rare. The majority of their income is minimal, forcing them to see more than ten clients daily, which takes a significant physical and emotional toll on them. Due to the lack of residential proof, sex workers struggle to open bank accounts or access services that require identity verification. In India, stringent checks for residential documents have become more common since the Mumbai bomb blasts, exacerbating the difficulties faced by sex workers. If they are caught without proper documentation, they risk being sent to jail.

Many sex workers reported that police raids are frequent, during which they are often beaten, abused, or imprisoned. Ironically, the same officers who conduct these raids sometimes return the following day to solicit sexual services from them. The sex workers explained that brothel owners typically pay local police stations a bribe each month to avoid raids. Despite this, the police still conduct raids when there is political pressure or an opportunity for personal gain. Some sex workers recounted disturbing experiences where police officers took them to jail and sexually assaulted them there. It was deeply shocking to hear how those meant to uphold the law were instead violating it.

They also mentioned that, in some cases, the police have even targeted the children of sex workers, which was particularly horrifying and hard to believe. When we asked sex workers about their services, most said they do not perform oral sex or offer massages to their clients. Only one woman admitted to giving oral sex, but only to select clients. In India, discussing oral sex is taboo, and it is often not mentioned by sex workers. This reluctance is surprising, as providing such services could potentially increase their earnings. The reasons for this silence are unclear, but some believe it is considered an “English style” of sex, though it may have historical roots in India. It’s possible that this practice was introduced by the British and then spread globally.

One of the sex workers shared a story from the early days of Durbar’s efforts to provide basic literacy and education. Durbar sought to rent a room from the local community to start their classes. Despite their best efforts, which included approaching nearly everyone in the neighborhood over a two-month period, no one agreed to rent them a space. Many residents questioned Durbar’s motives, arguing that educating sex workers would lead them to disrespect others and make their own decisions. As a result, Durbar had to set up the classes at their own office, which was about a kilometer away from the brothels.

Another interesting observation was that many sex workers have a regular client who holds a special place in their lives. This client is not merely a customer but acts like a life partner, often providing support for the sex worker’s children. One significant challenge for sex workers is getting their children admitted to school, as they are required to provide the name of the child’s father. Since this can be difficult due to their circumstances, some of these special clients step in and provide their name as the father, helping the sex workers with the admission process.

We also inquired about sexually transmitted diseases, and, frankly, most sex workers were only aware of HIV. They knew about lubricants but had limited knowledge beyond that. Despite using condoms, they reported frequent breakage, which they attributed mainly to poor-quality condoms. I believe that using lubricant could help prevent such issues. Before meeting Lane, I had never seen lubricant myself, and I’m puzzled as to why it’s not readily available in our market. The sex workers clearly need more comprehensive training and education on sexual health, but unfortunately, the government is doing little to address these needs.

All the sex workers we spoke to expressed a strong belief that sex work should be decriminalized, a sentiment I share. I consider sex work to be one of the world’s oldest professions, possibly even the oldest, alongside agriculture. Legalizing and decriminalizing it is crucial, as sex workers are an integral part of society and deserve the same respect as anyone else. Unfortunately, achieving this change in India will likely be a prolonged struggle, given the current state of our politics. Often, when one political faction attempts to make progress on this issue, others obstruct their efforts. Despite these challenges, organizations like Durbar are making commendable strides, and I remain hopeful for meaningful change in the future.

Comparing Countries Compassion

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Seranna has launched a documentary series titled *Comparing Countries: Compassion in Kolkata*, focusing on sex work and the lives of sex workers in India. This project is part of a broader initiative where she plans to explore these issues in various countries, but she chose to start in India. I’ve been selected to assist her in organizing interviews and will also be interviewed about my work with Sanjeevani Booti. Seranna hired a camera crew from Delhi for the project, but unfortunately, they have not been up to par. The crew, especially the cameraman, has been problematic—frequently engaging in disputes with each other in front of the interviewees. Their unprofessional behavior extends to asking inappropriate questions during interviews. Seranna has been visibly frustrated, but there’s little we can do, as the production company, though prominent and helmed by an award-winning director, does not have the director present for this project.

This documentary, *Comparing Countries: Compassion in Kolkata*, focuses on the legal landscapes surrounding sex work in different countries. I am thrilled to be involved in such a meaningful project. My role includes contributing ideas on direction and handling translations. I’ve translated several interviews with sex workers, social activists, university professors, transgender individuals, and children of sex workers. The project has been incredibly rewarding. We conducted a condom usage demonstration and provided training for sex workers on maintaining their safety and maximizing their earnings. I’m confident that this documentary will be a significant success. I feel fortunate to be part of this impactful work.

Seranna interviewing Laxmi Narayan Tripathi

Sex worker’s conference

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Today marked the inauguration of the conference, and we arrived around 9 o’clock. The event took place in a spacious hall, filled with nearly a thousand attendees, including sex workers from various parts of India and abroad. It was the largest gathering of sex workers I’ve ever seen. There were also many Hijras present, and participants from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Australia, Hong Kong, the US, and the UK. However, the majority were from India and Bangladesh. The event was graced by the Mayor of Kolkata, some religious leaders, and numerous other VIPs as chief guests.

I had the opportunity to meet Dr. Jana, a member of the Government of India’s advisory board on HIV and AIDS programs. He is the founder of the Sonagachi Project, a remarkable initiative that has become a global model for success. The conference was organized into two daily sessions, each lasting three hours. The second session featured a panel discussion on whether sex workers should be considered entertainment workers. Although the conversation was predominantly in Bengali, I managed to grasp about half of it.

It was fascinating to hear the sex workers share their perspectives and experiences. Many spoke about the challenges they face, particularly those related to police harassment and societal discrimination. A recurring issue highlighted was the difficulty their children face in gaining school admissions due to their parents’ profession. Additionally, they struggle with opening bank accounts or obtaining insurance because they lack residential proof. This also means they might have trouble accessing online services, as identity verification is now required at cybercafés.

During the conference, a few media representatives approached Seranna for interviews about our documentary. She was interviewed first, followed by myself. They were interested in discussing the Sanjeevani Booti project. After my interview, they spoke with other foreigners, Hijras, and sex workers. I’m eager to interview a few sex workers myself, as this is a unique opportunity to gain deeper insights into their lives and experiences. I plan to conduct these interviews tomorrow.

Documentary filming about Indian Sex Workers

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I met Seranna today at her hotel and talked with her for about two hours. We discussed how the shooting went the previous day. She mentioned that they were supposed to film the sex workers at G.B. Road but couldn’t because the sex workers and brothel owner didn’t allow it. She simply talked with them, but she didn’t understand much of what they were saying due to the crew’s poor translation skills. They spoke to the sex workers, but often didn’t translate. She said it was okay and she was satisfied with what she was getting.

Seranna explained that the brothel owner charged her Rs. 20,000 ($450) just to let them in and organize a ten-minute dance performance by sex workers. They weren’t allowed to film the dance or anything inside the brothels. Despite this, she was still happy with the outcome. I’m sure she’s a very cool and positive person. I see this as a mistake on the part of the crew members. When I worked for CBC and MTV Italy, we conducted research beforehand, ensuring everything was well-organized. But with this documentary, nothing is organized. I didn’t like it at all.

Seranna said that after spending a few minutes at the brothel, the police arrived, demanding a bribe from her. I don’t know why they wanted a bribe, perhaps because Seranna didn’t have legal permission to make a documentary that would be commercialized. I’m sure the crew members didn’t inform her about this either. The cameraman is a very famous guy, but I don’t understand how these people can make such big mistakes. Seranna said that everything went well with her and she was very happy with the progress.

I had asked Seranna to bring some sex toys, and she brought a lot of dildos and fake vaginas. She’ll give a few of them to me for my NGO. I had never seen them before, so I was excited to check them out. She showed me how to use one of the fake vaginas. It was hilarious. She said she uses these toys to educate people about safe sex practices. I believe that these kinds of things attract attention and allow you to make people listen to what you want them to hear. I liked the toys a lot.

Seranna mentioned that the crew members didn’t want me to join the shooting for whatever reason, but Seranna wanted me to go today, but I declined. Seranna is going to interview two high-class sex workers, a politician, and attend a conference organized by Delhi University about sex work in India. We’ll fly to Kolkata tomorrow to attend the conference. I’m excited for it

Security and Sanitation or Satellite?

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On October 22, 2008, India launched Chandrayaan, a satellite designed to create a 3D atlas of the lunar surface and map the distribution of elements and minerals. Such space missions undoubtedly require substantial funding. However, just a month after the satellite’s launch, India faced one of its most devastating terrorist attacks. Nearly 200 people lost their lives, and over 350 were injured. In the aftermath of the attack, several critical deficiencies became apparent. The fire department lacked the necessary equipment, such as high-reaching ladders and specialized clothing.

Firefighters were equipped with only basic cotton uniforms, and many policemen were killed because they lacked bulletproof vests. I saw a video of a policeman confronting terrorists armed with advanced weaponry while he had only an outdated rifle. These shortcomings highlight a troubling pattern: the government has often neglected to allocate funds for essential safety and emergency services. Similarly, during the Bihar floods earlier this year, thousands of kilograms of grains and food packets rotted because of a severe shortage of helicopters.

With only two helicopters available to cover the entire state, people were dying from hunger and thirst despite the availability of food. This crisis again underscores the government’s failure to prioritize and invest in crucial infrastructure. Sanitation is another pressing issue in India. Public toilets are scarce, leading people to urinate on the streets. The lack of dustbins results in widespread littering, and one sweeper is expected to clean a neighborhood with thousands of residents. Untreated sewage is frequently discharged directly into rivers, and garbage often ends up in these water bodies due to inadequate education and waste management systems.

These problems persist because sanitation and public health infrastructure have not been given the necessary attention. While space exploration is impressive and can drive scientific progress, it should not overshadow fundamental needs such as sanitation, security, and education. Many people in India lack basic knowledge about space missions, with more than 30% unable to write the word “moon” and over 50% not knowing what a satellite is. The majority of the population may not understand the specifics of projects like Chandrayaan or their potential impact.

I believe the focus should be on improving essential services and infrastructure first. It might be more effective to collaborate with wealthy countries for funding space projects or even consider selling these projects to allocate resources where they are most urgently needed. Addressing critical issues such as poor roads, inadequate schools, and insufficient public transport should be a priority. By focusing on these foundational needs, we could significantly enhance the quality of life for many Indians.

Bakrid 2008

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Every day, I witness something that nobody would ever want to see: blood and meat strewn everywhere in my city. During a Muslim festival called Bakrid, each Muslim family is expected to slaughter a male goat, and sometimes they buy one for every member of the family. After slaughtering the animals, they discard the waste on the roads. It usually takes the municipality four to five days to clean up the mess. There’s a show on Discovery Channel called *Dirty Jobs*, and while I’ve watched it occasionally, I can tell you that the tasks they feature are nothing compared to what our municipal workers endure.

For these four or five days, animal waste remains on the streets, and people generally avoid the Muslim neighborhoods during this period. I had witnessed this about ten years ago and was reluctant to return, but this year I decided to revisit it with Nadia, a researcher from Singapore. Initially, we planned to walk, but we soon opted for a rickshaw because the sight was overwhelming. Goat skins, meat, and other waste covered the streets, and I was astonished to see people standing around and conversing as if it were a normal part of their routine.

We rode through all the major Muslim neighborhoods in Varanasi, and everywhere we went, we saw the same scene: meat, goat skins, and blood. I even saw someone riding a camel through one of the neighborhoods. When I asked some locals, they informed me that the camel was going to be slaughtered as well. Wealthy individuals sometimes slaughter camels to display their affluence, and the number of camels slaughtered is reported in the news each year. I read that ten camels were slaughtered in Varanasi alone this year.

I’m unsure how to address this issue or whom to hold accountable, but it’s clear that maintaining sanitation is a shared responsibility. Disposing of animal waste on the streets is unsanitary, spreads disease, and is visually repulsive. There’s nothing worse than being surrounded by discarded meat. Nadia, who is also Muslim, was shocked by what she saw. In Singapore, such practices are completely hidden from view. People there contribute money to mosques for slaughtering, which is done discreetly.

Nadia remarked that this method in Singapore—paying for the slaughter to be done on one’s behalf—seems far superior to what we experience here. After witnessing the heaps of meat, she felt ill, and I couldn’t bring myself to eat that day. Nonetheless, it was an eye-opening experience for both of us. Despite the common belief that selling meat is prohibited in Varanasi, the reality is that meat is ubiquitous: in shops, kitchens, and sometimes even on the streets.

Corruption in India

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It seems like “pending” has become a ubiquitous term here, and perhaps we use it more than anywhere else in the world. We have the highest number of legal cases pending in our courts, and people often spend their entire lives pursuing cases with no resolution. Many now prefer to settle disputes privately rather than dealing with the police or courts. When dealing with the police, bribery is almost inevitable. If you go to court, you’re faced with both bribery and lengthy delays before any judgment is reached. Sometimes, even judges are bribed, which compromises the fairness of their decisions.

I experienced this firsthand. Several years ago, I filed a case against a computer shop where I had bought a computer. I had been charged Rs. 43,000 for a computer worth Rs. 23,000. I demanded either a refund or the return of the computer. The shopkeeper agreed to take the computer back and issued me two post-dated bank cheques. However, when I tried to cash them, the bank informed me that there were insufficient funds. Despite repeated attempts and promises from the shopkeeper, I never received my money.

After this, I decided to take legal action. It took over seven years and substantial personal time and lawyer fees before the judgment was finally delivered—in favor of the shopkeeper, because he had bribed the judge. Despite having clear evidence of my case, including a stamped paper agreement and a receipt, justice was not served. I also applied for a tour guide license two years ago, but have yet to receive it. The process has been stalled in various courts. Initially, it took nearly a year for the government to process the application and conduct the exam.

Later, existing guides filed lawsuits to block new entrants into the field. Although I passed the exam, the government has only issued temporary licenses, which are not satisfactory. It seems unlikely that I will receive a permanent license within the next year. I applied for another tour guide license from the state government about two and a half years ago, and the situation is similar. The government has been sued by established guides, and the case remains unresolved. I have almost forgotten about it, as there has been no progress or hearing regarding this case. The Rs. 500 application fee has not been refunded, and it appears the exam may never be conducted.

Additionally, I applied for a registration for a guest house a year and a half ago but have yet to receive it. I am told every few weeks that they are still surveying and will issue the license soon. On one occasion, they even told me to reapply because they lost my paperwork. While the application process was not costly, it was time-consuming. I am currently hosting guests without a license, merely informing the local intelligence unit. Having an official license would provide peace of mind.