dishonest.

I've always loved children and even though I would never think of having them for my own, I knew in the back of my mind there would come a point where I would.

I also confide in my doctor a lot. I've changed doctors over the years because when I was around the age of 19, I felt more comfortable with a woman doctor which ended up leading me back to my family doctor. He's someone who really cares for human beings and someone I trust.

Now here is the issue.

When I read articles where doctors tell other women lies that they have cancer in the uterus and have to get a hysterectomy- then I become VERY angry inside.

This is happening in Rajasthan -north-west of India as I write this.

Women are confiding in doctors, saying that during menstruation they are bleeding heavy. The doctors recommend they get there uterus removed because they say they 'MIGHT' develop cancer.

Many of the women in the article were reluctant of getting the surgery but they did because the doctor told them so. Did I mention the doctors get paid $200 which is equivalent to 10,644 rupees. For some people, especially in this village it means selling there house and/or animals and hope to survive in this tough world.

Not only that but most of the women who get these surgeries are physically tired and cannot do 'normal' activities like they used to.

This article doesn't have to do only with the lack of education but also dishonesty. If my doctor told me, Priya, if you don't get this surgery your life will be ruined- I would think for 2 minutes and end up getting the surgery. This is because we often trust people who have vowed to take care of humans. Not only that but we simply trust our doctors.

It's sad. It's sad because we live in a world where greed means more than the value of human beings.   

pre.post highlights: One! International Charity Event

Thanks to my amazing ma for taking pictures throughout the evening.

4 days left.

This post is dedicated to my charity event I am holding on for an organization called One! International Poverty Relief. They are an amazing organization, filled with awesome people that strive to teach literacy to children living in the slums of Mumbai!

Tonight We Are One! is a night filled with awareness, entertainment, great food and a way for you to be part of ending poverty and educating the youth!

Come out and experience it all at the Norwood Community Centre, Friday January 25, 2013,
6:30 p.m. !!!

when will it stop.

4 days ago another article was written about a 29-year old woman who was gang raped on a bus in Punjab. The woman pleaded to get off the bus but no one said anything or did anything except stop at a secluded area where six men raped the woman throughout the night.

The six men have been arrested.

This is another of the many cases, women are being victimized, tortured and objectified. When will our culture get it in their heads that women are not born to be sex objects! When will the media stop objectifying women in the first place?

All I see in magazines is women wearing products after products, starving themselves to look more appealing to who? To themselves? Or to the eyes of others? It's sad to think when I have children they will be growing up in a materialistic, fake- alistic WORLD.

Let's work together to educate the people in our life to not think/be like that. Because if we have more people loving, instead of conforming then maybe, just maybe it will stop.

 

so much to say.

So much has happened this past holiday in the news. First the Connecticut shooting and secondly the Delhi rape victim.

I have a lot to say about both but this post will focus on the Delhi rape victim. My ma was the one who told me about what happened. My first reaction wasn't shocking as I've heard many stories in India where women are raped and abused and there's no cry out, except this time. It's very unfortunate what happened but it's important that it did- to teach a lesson.

When I'm in India, especially in smaller states like where I was born- Allahabad- population of 1.74 million, I feel very cautious of how I present myself. This is because whenever I go out, my sister and I get stared at like vultures. It's quite disgusting but it's something we have taught ourselves to ignore. And, that's just it. We teach ourselves to ignore the wrong to protect ourselves when we shouldn't even have to.

It's time India changes their way of thinking and it's time they talk about sex. First, educate children at a younger age about sex. It's still very hush, hush there and if it's understood at an earlier age of what's wrong and right then maybe such problems wouldn't arise so often. If I understand correctly sex education isn't taught at most high schools in India or at all?

And in all honesty it's time citizens of India get taught about sex because come on,  India has a population of 1 billion or more so it's time they open there eyes to that option. It will leave less children in poverty, it will help the overall culture and hope to free the country as a whole into an open-minded way of thinking. - That's purely my thought on it.

ravi shankar

As a classical Indian Kathak dancer, we would often be told by our guru (teacher) to listen to classical music like Ravi Shankar.

Ravi Shankar's talent in playing the sitar is magnificent and being that he passed away at the age of 92 he lived a good life, or so it seemed with his stage presence.

I am actually very excited because on January 25, 2013 is the day I will be holding a charity event for an organization called One! International. They teach literacy to children in the slums of Mumbai and one of the performances for the evening is a sitar piece by a man I've known for many years, Joshua Stanton.

Joshua has the same grace as Ravi Shankar had. I can't wait for all of you to see him perform. Have a wonderful weekend, great people.

 

abuse.

For the last year I've been following the Maple Batalia case. Batalia was shot to death at Simon Fraser University in Vancouver, BC in September of last year. The men alleged of murdering her was ex-boyfriend, Gurjinder (Gary) Dhaliwal and his friend Gursimar Bedi.

Batalia was only 19 when she passed away. She lost her life at such a young age and for what reason?

I was reading many of the comments on articles written about the case. Some defended Dhaliwal, saying he was a quiet and a shy guy and others would say he would yell at Batalia on the phone behind closed doors.

I don't know neither ones personality but I know from personal experience that when you're that young you have no idea that you're being abused; physically or emotionally unless you're out of that situation.

This is based on my personal experience. I was emotionally abused a couple of years ago and it wasn't that the person called me negative names but rather put me through an emotional roller coaster where I almost lost my family, friends and myself. I was focused on fixing things with that specific relationship that I never focused on myself, my education or being my best self. Of course, with every experience, you learn and become a stronger, better individual- or strive to be.

Unfortunatly, Batalia never had the opportunity many men and women should. I find abuse a complex term. When I used to think of abuse, I thought of physical violence and pain. But when I look back at my life and experiences I realize that abuse is more than just that. It's a constant battle of having to conform your morals and ideals to match the other person's. And for what? NOTHING. It's all for nothing because at the end of the day as human-nature is, you move on and so does your past.

That's why it's so important to surround yourself with people that help you to be grounded and to find your inner-self (as hard as that can be). I'm so fortunate to have people around me who deeply love me and I finally have the mind to appreciate it.

It wasn't easy posting this. It has to do with the fact I always used to say I would NEVER be one of those women who would be emotionally abused but I became that person for a bit. I thank everyone who helped me realize that and contined to fight for me to be a better me.

For anyone who knows someone who's being emotionally or physcially abused, don't ignore it. Whether it's someone yelling on the phone, embarassing someone on the street or cheating on someone. It's abuse.

Maple Batalia (1992-2012)