Election Mania

In India, elections are big affair. Be it parliamentary or Panchayati elections, it is high pitch voltage drama. But, the amount of involvement of masses and administration does vary. Bigger the election lesser is panic, lesser is botheration and lesser is pressure on the administration. Even the amount of canvassing (which is unmatched across the globe), goes up as we step down in the hierarchical position in democratic structure going for election. Panchayati or municipality election (the lowest rung of local government) is a scenario of posters, flags, and hoardings at every corner, lane and street. This becomes more scattered as the area of constituency grows. Local level dhol and drums vanish and instead of relying on door to door foot contact the contestants shift their trust on fast moving vehicles, breezily waving their hands non stop, hurting their wrists by over exercising it. Therefore, hence proved that level of position going to hustings is inversely proportional to intensity of drama.

As part of Chief electoral office, I had first hand knowledge of action at the top level. State Assembly election was war at all fronts. Everyday was a Monday, in full session, with meetings lined up back to back, information flowing in and out at bizarre pace, day unfolding as if there is no tomorrow, and tomorrow being again the same today. Life relentlessly paced through, without breather to recollect and retrospect. If anyone lost sense of humour then it was solid frustration, and if humour prevailed then it was challenge to save it from drying out soon. Wit wilted and venom flowed, succumbing under immense pressure of work and work culture.

I have come back to election office, to liaison for police department again. I landed up with misgivings that parliamentary elections are bigger than assembly, and hence more nerve wrecking, hair splitting, and demanding. But, there was big surprise in store for me. It is turning out to be cool affair, with things moving very normal, which is abnormal in this office. I had experienced a situation when normality was out of place and abnormality a norm. A volte-face in situation is keeping me in dilemma, as to when the bubble of abnormal peace will burst and things will go haywire. Everything looked opposite- smiles staying on face for unnecessarily longer period than required, putting doubt on its credulity. People were taking pains to describe their business and busyness, in order to justify their involvement at same fervor as in last elections.

Witnessing the election process from top, having a bird’s eye view is an experience in itself. Last time, it opened the whole world for me, having a perspective beyond police. I realized that police was a cog in the machinery, which though having important role to play, was not the only important organization. Hitherto, I was under impression that ‘we’ were ‘I’, in the election process and ‘I’ dominated the electoral process. However, during first stint, I realized the concept of ‘we’ in totality in this mammoth electoral 'Yagya'. I am enjoying this parliamentary election, sitting in hot chair. Hot chair- not because of some power or being most wanted in thick of action- but, because of sitting in a room on top third floor with big two wall glass doors, without ventilator, letting all sunshine getting trapped and baking me right from morning to dusk, and only noisy ceiling fan fanning the oven. Surely, this experience will add value to my knowledge. 

Combating Mindset : One of the challenges in anti-human trafficking effort

Over the years, I have become a subject of ridicule because of my passion with this subject of human trafficking. And honestly, even I feel that my passion is growing disproportionately with time. Theory and practice when clubbed together becomes dangerous mixture, and I am active in both for a while, now. Hence, perhaps, I get more sensitive, as the world for me is local, in practice, and international, in theory. And that sensitivity (many of my friends call it oversensitivity) forces me to react to vivid human rights violation and exploitation, which would be trafficking, but in frame of feudal society reference a mere customary practice having societal sanction.

Recently, I was a resource person on the subject, and I was interacting with senior officers of defence and civil services. While discussing on the issue of forced labor (labor trafficking) in agriculture and domestic help, I had to face vehement opposition for trying to challenge the set system of convenience for both victims (who do not understand the exploitation, which is normalization for generations) and exploiters. The entrenched feudal mindset was vulgarly manifested through strong support to rights violation, as according to them victims were in a better situation than place of origin from where they are recruited. The failure of the social justice system, making them vulnerable at the point of origin, was debated as an excuse for continuity of exploitation at the place of destination through forced labor.

When we talk about partnership and multi agency approach to combat trafficking, it becomes imperative for all to realize that support and services have to come at all phases of trafficking, origin-transit-destination. Failure of agencies at one phase cannot be reason to overlook exploitation at other phases. We have to rework on our mindset and accept the existence of problem. Exploitation is unacceptable in all forms, irrespective of its existence in the past. 

In Monsoon Romance is in Air!

Romance is a reflection of peace of mind, happiness, love, affection, fun and, anticipation and vow for bright coming days.

In India Monsoon is lifeline. It brings respite from scorching heat, lush green surroundings, promises agriculture produce and salvages from water scarcity. It is a ray of hope for all, agricultural rural india, which constitutes more than seventy percent of population and administrative urban India, which survives on rural India's performance.

The most romantic music of India, the reflection of blissful proximity sport (swings: Jhula) and carefree playful expression of childhood in water puddle is dedicated to monsoon (sawan). There are many other expressions of love and fun attributed to rainy season in India.

It won't surprise me if there is some logical explanation to worship of Shiv-Ling (representation of coitus) in Monsoon (Sawan) across the country. This represents historically the culmination of man-woman loving relationship. Traditionally, thus Monsoon  represents the time to plan for family progress when future is secured. Certainly, Monsoon promises secured future to millions.

Welcome MONSOON! But, please be soft and loving, not catastrophic. Let us romance, spread love and have fun. 

Book on human trafficking

Finally my edited book 'Human Trafficking: Stakeholders Perspective' is published by Sage publications. The best practitioners, activists, intellectuals, academicians and Non profit organizations have contributed. It gives a chance to look at human trafficking from different lenses and motivates the agencies to sharpen their combating arsenal.

http://www.sagepub.com/books/Book241087/toc

http://www.google.com/url?q=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.flipkart.com%2Fm%2Fhuman-trafficking-stakeholders-perspective%2Fp%2Fitmdkw4s8d3vzukz%3Fpid%3D9788132110477%26fromSearch%3Dtrue%26otracker%3Dsearch&sa=D&sntz=1&usg=AFQjCNFbYisrITJfZMlMfEEhwJFQKs74Qg

Pathetic treatment of child sex trafficked victims

Watched a very interesting investigative documentary by CNN on child sex trafficking- "Selling the Girl Next Door". I congratulate the documentary film maker for bringing out the visuals out of detention center in US. It was pathetic and horrifying to see the girl victims of sex trafficking, as young as 12 years, being chained. They were chained at multiple places, Belly chains, handcuffs and foot chains.

Interestingly, rather than being remorseful the government authorities had absurd justification to it. Shackling this victims was for their safety. I totally disagree with the justification of keeping the girl trafficked in detention center shackled like a heinous crime offender for safety. They wanted to justify shackling a 'victim' child in chains within 'four walls' to protect. That was disgusting. It reflected that they do not even trust their own security system and anticipate a 12 year old child 'victim' to be a threat to others or may escape. 

What sort of protection are we talking about. These child trafficked victims have already gone through enough of physical and psychological trauma. More than physical, it is the psychological damage, which needs to be repaired and protected from further harm. Through this insensitive act in juvenile detention homes, the state agencies caused more harm than healing. 

Nowhere in the picture I sensed that they were treated as victims. Something has to be done immediately to check this malpractice across US (the film categorically mentions that it is a practice prevalent in almost all states). This is certainly violation of child rights. 

The reason for the child trafficked victim being kept in detention centers, instead of safe houses is lack of infrastructure and the State governments unwillingness to disburse money for running it (if a structure is created through Public Private Partnership). We cannot wait for the governments to release funds for new safe homes. Why not customize a section of detention center and make it child friendly. Why not tap the potential of NGOs, philanthropic foundations and other donors. 

Coming back to the core issue of discussion, in my opinion chaining any child below 18 years, for whatever crime they commit, is like treating them as adults. Then why the farce of showing it to the world that children (as per UN Convention, any person below 18 years) are treated different.

US is gearing up to combat human trafficking. It is the only country coming out with TIP report, evaluating the efforts of 185 countries (rest are the reports of UN agencies). US has always been rating themselves in Tier 1 list. The credibility of its evaluation will be questioned if they do not manage their own backyard. 

My book, Community Policing: Misnomer or Fact? (Sage Publications 2011), discusses the philosophy of community policing, its governing schools of thoughts, and its strengths and weaknesses. The volume also deals with conceptual variances of community policing, the factors that impede smooth collaboration between police and public, and the organizational principles that have been neglected by police organizations and others. Concepts like Police Syndrome, Conceptual Literacy, Person Steered Initiatives (PSI), Precision Policing Technique (PPT), Tracking Participation Footprint (TPF), Image Dating or Image Mapping (ID/IM), intuitive approach, and many more are explained and discussed. I have used case studies to elucidate the practical applicability of these concepts. I negotiate with the idea of allowing civilian participation to become one of the legitimate means of improving efficiency and effectiveness of police. I believe that compliance of law must go hand in hand with protecting basic rights of people. Unless this is done, the foundation of liberal democratic society is betrayed.

Importance of Research in Police

How important is research in shaping our work?
OR
Is research too theoretical to have any relevance in field operations?

All through my police career, I have found my colleagues questioning the importance and relevance of research in their work. The popular  critical comments are, "Every day is a new day for us", "No two situations are same" and the worst critiques would be "Researchers have no clue about the field dynamics", and "We being in field and facing situations, handling crisis know much more than any researcher would tell us through on and off superficial visits".

No doubt, each one of those comments come from experience and they are meaningful, but over-rating oneself and underestimating others is the cause of our clinging to colonial work culture. We have shielded ourselves from the changing need of the service seekers, eventually widening the gap between the two.

All the countries, which have changed their work culture, keeping in pace with the changed socio-cultural, political and economic dynamics, have learned from research inputs. External and internal agencies research contribute in analyzing the current practices, figuring out the need of the community served, suggest relevant changes and help in customizing and adjusting to desired change.

We lack in having fair and enriching research contribution in policing. And whatever valuable research is done remains often a paper work as an ornament in the shelves. Transferring research into action is a challenge, particularly when there is insurmountable inertia in appreciating good work done.

It is high time that countries facing a transition should appreciate and encourage good research to guide and assist them in reframing and restructuring their organization and operations. 

Human Trafficking: An ongoing challenge

The problem of Human Trafficking is omnipresent, across the globe. Native Indians in USA, African girls in war torn countries, East European girls trafficked to Western part, Philippine, Thai and south east Asian girls to Australia, Mexican and other South American girls in USA and Canada, African girls to UK.. the story goes on and on and on.... There is no end to these guresome stories.

How do we combat that? Where do we strike- 'Supply' or 'demand' side? whom do we focus on 'victims' or 'offenders'? Debate is on.. 

Human Trafficking is Humans exploiting Humans. So, solution lies in spreading awareness about amongst Humans, all, irrespective of age, creed, colour, race, religion and nationality. 

To start with, Youth is the best target for spreading awareness. They are the potential victims, prospective exploiters, traffickers and the best ears and eyes of the society. Their involvement can expedite the process of fight against trafficking manifold. 

To be more effective it is necessary to take up this as a mission at policy level and by civil society organizations, together.

The Pleasure of Service

I had always wondered about the power of giving. ‘Giving’ not only empowers the receiver but also empowers the giver. It is a win-win situation. I do not mean here materialistic give and take, but it connotes services of all kind. ‘Sensitivity is the jewel of humankind’ and only those who are sensitive can think of giving.

I had grown seeing my father give, sometimes beyond his means and still struggling to be happy. It pained me to lose my piece of pie and seeing it going to others. But, gradually I realized that it wasn’t mine at all. It was my greed, as I had enough, in fact more than enough.  We become so possessive that we don’t want to part that extra we have, which we don’t care for when it is lying with us, but strongly desire to have when shared with or given to others, who don’t have any. I even realized that I didn’t mind sharing with my dear and near ones, but didn’t want an alien to have it. Who are those aliens actually? It took me some time to comprehend. They were none but one of us, living in the same world, same community but still remaining as have not’s. The same flesh and blood, but getting different treatment from the haves.

Mahatma Gandhi, the great philosopher said, “Consciously or unconsciously, everyone of us does render some service or another. If we cultivate the habit of doing this service deliberately, our desire for service will steadily grow stronger, and it will make not only for our own happiness, but that of the world at large.”  Lately, when I stepped into my father’s shoes I figured out that he wasn’t struggling to be happy, but he was actually enjoying his magnanimity. I am so proud to be in his shoes now.

As a law enforcer I had a chance to see the worst of the world. I had two choices, either to be cynical or grab it as an opportunity to do my bit to change, help who were in need. I thankfully chose the latter. My interest grew in Anti-Human Trafficking efforts. Human Trafficking is one of the worst kinds of violation of human rights; a ‘modern slavery’ is what it is called as. I got a chance to interact with a community which was into ‘community based prostitution’. Most of the children would not have their father’s name for being a customer’s child. Mothers and brothers would be pimps for their daughters and sisters respectively. Education was a far cry in the society. Boys always aspired to be pimps and live on girl’s earnings, and girls had little choice but to become a prostitute at tender age, say around 13.  It was a big challenge for me to work with them. They are a very closed community, preferring not to interact with outsiders, except customers.

 I had multiple disadvantages for being a law enforcer. There was trust deficit between the community and law enforcement. They always received me with suspicion. My police organization did not appreciate my work as it was never my assigned job. They accused me of going wayward and act like a social worker. The civil society too did not take it well as they thought I was transgressing into their domain. Working with a community with stigma was a further challenge as the conservative society always suspected my intentions. Men were supposed to interact with the community only for sexual gratification. ‘I can’t be an exception’ they thought. My family was scared as they presumed that it may harm my reputation and credibility. The chances of character assassination were strong. So, it was never a cake walk; making inroads in the community, bringing my family to my side, taking head on the civil society and working by keeping my parent organization (police) in dark.

 I landed up working with them on experimentation basis, creating my own model of service, implementing with the help of a small group. My passion to serve unconditionally, selflessly, bore fruits and we started seeing results in no time. First, out of 40 children, 32 started going to local school. We facilitated the outreach of the government programs.  The women started grouping and discussed for better future.  But, soon I was to get a rude shock when the children started dropping out of the schools because of discrimination. They were either abused or isolated for being children of sex workers. To my surprise some children who desired to study enrolled themselves fictitiously as children of other community. “How can a child start life with a pseudo identity, compromising with dignity?”, “What sort of personality was in making?” were the questions that troubled me. We again took it as a challenge and tried to shift them to a better environment where they could live as what they were, in the capital of the state, giving them much better opportunity to interact with students from all classes and castes. First year, in 2011, we got six children enrolled. It was a hard decision as we met lot of opposition from all quarters, for having uprooted them from their roots. We had few families to our side that agreed and believed that it was the only way for the children to have education, without prejudices. I was banking on the ‘spillover’ effect. Our experiment worked and children performed extremely well. In 2012 children from three more villages (four villages in all) volunteered to send their children and 32 children, of same community, were enrolled in the schools. The most moving moment was when a girl studying in ninth grade rang me up, immediately after results were out, to tell that she scored 70% marks. She was the one whose mother wanted to push her into prostitution. If we would have failed to mover her out for 3-4 months more she would had been one of the trafficked child, a commercially sexually exploited child.

Now, when I go and meet these children, see them laughing and having best of their life, it motivates me, gives me pleasure and satisfaction. It cements my faith that serving others is bliss, a gift. People ask me why am I so passionate about Human Trafficking, and my answer is “I have seen misery from close quarters”. My passionate compassion is my driving force and I derive energy from those children, families, who have faith in me and made me believe that bringing change is possible. What we need to do is just be sensitive, join hands and do our bit for better world. As being human beings we all are stakeholders. A concerted, collaborative, coordinated and collective effort is a solution to fight this menace of human trafficking. 

Did USA think of moving opposite UK?

USA evoked a very stupid question in my mind...Why everything is opposite to our country, India. We drive car on left side with driver steering the wheel from right side and Americans drive from left staying on right side of the road. The switches have to brought from down to up to switch on lights!! the sockets have the single pin down and the two pins up, just opposite to what we have in India. The water taps in the bath tub will turn opposite, anti-clockwise rather than clockwise that we are used to. The refrigerator doors opens from right side and we are used to opening from left side. Even the spellings in english are different. So, there may be many more.......

I was baffled and for almost a month landed up doing things twice to succeed. It remained a question for me for long. Then during discussion with friends we discerned that perhaps this was an attempt by Americans to keep things opposite to UK and not India. At one point of time it must have been consciously decided that to ascertain their identity it was smart move to topsy turvy the UK settings. So, now it is USA vs UK, and we have to decide if we take up the colonial legacy or follow the current super power. I have to find if there is any other system in place, other than these two I am exposed to....