do not harm children.

INDIA

I recently read an article from BBC News online called
"Shocking story of a battered toddler". It's about a young child who was brutally beaten, with human bites all over her body, broken arms and a 'partially' smashed head. She was taken to a hospital in Delhi. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-16828725

After reading this short, brutal article, I am questioning who is at fault? Who is to blame for this act? The person who did the act? (Of course the  person is to blame, because why in the hell would they even dare to touch a child who did no harm to them! ) I do not mean to sound as a person who is full of hate, but at this moment in time I cannot even fathom how there are people out there who even think it is okay to do such disgusting, hurtful acts.

The government of India? Why is it so common in India for acts to even exist and persist. It's not even shocking anymore to hear such issues. That's what's so wrong. It should not be common.

It is said that 11 children in India go missing every hour!  If that is the case why isn't the government of India doing anything more to stop it? India is a rich, vibrant, beautiful country. It has the resources to educate human-beings. But why is it so divided? Is the real issue that humans want to be able to differientiate with one another? To be divided into social classes and only help themselves and not a country as a whole?

CANADA

A day after reading the above article, I kept questioning what the government of India can do to change such acts from happening. Then, I was on my Twitter and a Canadian article came up and the headline wrote "Saskatchewan couple guilty of neglect after girl starved, kept in basement."
http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/saskatchewan-judge-finds-couple-guilty-of-not-providing-basics-to-granddaughter-138647134.html?device=mobile

You can read the article for yourself. But it was interesting how coincidentally I happened to read both articles during the same time.

So my new questions and thoughts on this matter are, if acts such as these are happening mostly everywhere what can we do so stop it?
Canada does not lack anything. We are a VERY rich country full of opportunities and resources.  Education is right in front of us!  So what happened?  
I know that's a very broad question... But it's important to ask these questions and attempt to solve them. 

Pondering.....


Comments from the Winnipeg Free Press Article: 

jonsinvolved

10:52 AM on 2/3/2012

This is tragic to no end. One cannot but feel grief on behalf of the child who has received such despicable treatment. Yet, so many questions remain. What evidence did the Judge find extensive and compelling ? What will become of the child? Why do we still struggle with this type of behavior in our society? The question begs, What are we still doing wrong? Hopefully, this is another good day for our Justice system.

Blue Eyes

3:19 PM on 2/3/2012

Why did they ever fight for custody of her in the first place when they so clearly despised this little girl? She'd have been no worse off as a ward of CFS. What terrible, terrible people. That poor little girl will be scarred for life. I pray her next home is a loving one.

happy veg!

I've been officially vegetarian for 33 days! I have 332 days left to go! I guess I should tell you why I became vegetarian. I felt I had to do 'my' part. It started off from watching documentaries.One being HOME (you can watch it on YouTube) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqxENMKaeCU&feature=watch-now-button&wide=1
Conveniently new years was coming up and I decided YES I can finally make a resolution and ACTUALLY go through with it!

The observations I've made so far being veg is, I get intoxicated way FASTER. I have minimized how much I consume on the weekends (added health benefit). I eat way more vegetables than I would of when I used to eat meat. I am constantly eating, but in a healthier way. I can see better (ha just kidding,broccoli has YET to have that affect on me). But overall I feel better!

My protein is mainly from lentils and beans. I usually have 'daal' which is yellow lentils. Below is a recipe on how to make it. Overall, it has been a great 'life' decision and not a difficult transition at all! 

                                                          

keepin' it light.

This past week has been quite a tough week for me. Personal problems that only seemed to get worse. Luckily in life everything falls into place like it should (with time that is). So today I am going to keep this blog post light. I thought I would post some funny videos. It originates from 'shit girls say' but this is the 'Indian version'. This is not to be racist in anyway or discriminate against anyone. It is purely for laughs. If you don't enjoy it, you can disregard this post.

 

 

 

 

Original Version

  

marriage.

ATTENTION: THIS POST IS NOT MEANT TO PUT MARRIAGE DOWN. I BELIEVE IT IS BEAUTIFUL  BUT IT IS NOT MEANT FOR ME AT THIS POINT IN MY LIFE.

I've hit that year, stage and point in life where many of my friends are engaged, planning there weddings or already married.

I can honestly say I am definitely not at that stage to be married. But then does one have to be at a certain stage to marry? Or does it happen naturally?

As for my personal choice, I would prefer to be married at a later age. An age where I am fully capable of taking care of myself and another individual.

 It all stems down to three main things:

1. Independence - most women love their independence, not saying when you’re married you don't have any. But most often things change. You rely more on your significant other than you would single or sometimes in a boyfriend/girlfriend relationship. I guess it has to do with having more responsibilities. You are somewhat responsible for another person. Actually you are.

2. Money- you have more money to spend on yourself. I'm the type of person who likes spending on others, especially my companion but I'm sure when I'm married I will have to budget. So yes, budgeting is the key as to why I'm not married yet (ha).  Plus I want to live a comfortable life with my significant other. I don’t want to ‘struggle’.

3. Alone Time- I love my privacy. I like having time to myself to finish work or take a nap or just sit and read. I enjoy time with myself and I see no harm in it. I feel it is very important for married, non-married, basically everyone to have some alone time.  It keeps one sane.

Now, I want to make it clear that being married is a beautiful gift to have. Sharing your life with someone you love is simply incredible BUT personally I am not at that stage. Maybe one day I will but until then I choose not to be married... YET.

No marriage for me YET.

I'm also going to post an article from The Economist called "The Flight from Marriage: Asians are marrying later, and less, than in the past.This has profound implications for women, traditional family life and Asian politics."

Let me know what you guys think. I would love to hear your opinion on marriage.
Enjoy!

 http://www.economist.com/node/21526329

condoms.

In PR class last week we were given a booklet to read called Program Planning. In it, was an article called "India Changes Attitudes on Condom Use," it was on a PR campaign encouraging men and women to not be ashamed of using or buying condoms.
It was a very successful campaign. (Below I have listed what they did to make it so successful)


Whenever I go to India I often find that talking about sex or even saying the word is still used very quietly. The ironic issue for me was that India has population of over 1 billion and you would think by now it would be an openly spoken topic. But no it isn't. It's slowly beginning to be and I am on a mini-quest as to why it wasn't examined earlier.
One of the reasons I found was, the topic of sex and condom use still has a social stigma attached to it. I also believe it to be because of our elder generations (Indian men and women) who were brought up thinking that sex should be very hush, hush.

Most women and men, especially in rural parts of India are just beginning to be educated about the topic. HIV levels are quite high in India and recently, people are acting on changing the 'hush,hush' mentality.

I can say from my own experience that protected sex was never spoken about. It is not common in the Indian culture to even talk about it. Some kids never discuss it with there parents and that has to do with there upbringings (what was spoken of and what was not).

Fortunately, television shows, friends and school taught me what 'safe sex' is, but I was much older when I took the time to learn it. I laugh to myself because I remember when I was 14 years old and I thought it took 9 months to get pregnant. That's how naive I was. Plus going to a catholic school for nine years of my life didn't really teach much on sex.
It was only when I went to a public school from grade 10-12, we learnt how to use a condom etc... (the old banana trick). It was all laughs and giggles at that age. But now looking back I am glad we were taught that.
I believe if young men and women were taught at an earlier age in India, then diseases would not be as prevalent. But yes, on a positive note it is changing for the better.


I am going to post a condom video ad. It is hilarious only because it reminds me of a 'condom' like characters who resemble care bears or Teletubbies but it does have some good stuff in it. Enjoy!

Oh and my quest still continues.





Program Planning (Condom Bindaas Bol! Campaign) 
They focused on three parts: 
1. Partnerships and Endorsements- "Famous television celebrities were recruited to record brief public service announcements to communicate the message."
2. Meetings with Editorial Boards of Major Publications- "Highlight the results of the research study about men's perceptions of condoms. Encouraging shopkeeper to increase sales by overcoming their embarrassment about selling the product to customers."
3. Use of New Media- (youtube)- "a video mailer was prepared that provided one scenario of how a shy customer is encouraged by a retailer to ask for a condom"


Condom Bindaas Bol! had a 22 percent increase in the condom market. 

Apology.

This is a letter to those who take the time to read my blog. 

I apologize I have not taken the time to write during the holidays since it was a busy time, eating, drinking, dancing and laughing away. 

I must say it was nice to be away from social media for the time I was, only because it gave me a chance to spend quality time with family and friends face-to-face rather than on my smartphone! (Though I was told several times to get off my blackberry) 

2012  I will make it a point to keep posting. NO MATTER WHAT!!!! 

Anyways, let's talk about good reads. 

One book I'm reading right now which is so far hilarious is "On the Outside Looking Indian" - Rupinder Gill 

It's about a young South Asian woman growing up in the North American culture and how different her life was compared to her friends. It is also about the author re-living her childhood for the second time the way she wanted to in the first. 

I instantly wanted to read it because of the cover. CUTE 

The girl in the picture is the author- Rupinder Gill

I am also going to post a video of the author-Rupinder Gill and how her experience after writing this memoir has changed her life. 

"Without risk there is no reward" 

the Rise of Indian Fashion.

Fashion in India has changed so much from the time I went there when I was 11 years old to now.The vibrant colours worn, and the intricate embroidery on every piece of clothing is magnificent. 

Synergy One Delhi Couture Week 2011

Synergy One Delhi Couture Week 2011

Designer: Ecru (Wedding Dress)

.

"A focus on ornamentation. His traditional silhouettes feature intricate embroidery and stone work." - Vogue India

Synergy One Delhi Couture Week 2011

Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week

Synergy One Delhi Couture Week 2011

Synergy One Delhi Couture Week 2011

Synergy One Delhi Couture Week 2011