Recently I did a story about how Kamathipura has lots its charm and how it’s just left for a few handful low paid commercial sex workers and few other pimps whiling away their time in those empty streets which were ones full of life in spite of being one of the city’s most infamous areas. Fortunately I had never found a need to venture there but this time one of my seniors wanted me to do a story on how life has come to a standstill and over shadowed by a dreadful disease AIDS and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases. This is what I felt when I came back. Kamathipura ones had its own charm.
Nancy a commercial sex-worker told me about how the charm of festivals has faded and life as a whole has come to a standstill.
Nancy originally from Manipur came to Mumbai 15 years ago with dreams of making a living and helping her family in her village. She started working as a helper in a south Mumbai beauty salon. “But the demands in my house kept on increasing and I could not cope with the pace of this fast moving city. The greed of earning more eventually pulled into the business to prostitution. I was well aware of what I was getting into and I have no regrets of where I am now.”
Talking about the festivals in the city’s largest red-light area Nancy said “As the popularity of festivals increased in the city various mandals also started mushrooming here. I have been living here since past ten years and have been actively involved in such social activities since then. In the beginning these festivals attracted a huge crowd and also helped us in our business. We had huge pandals, bright lights and attractive decorations. We also organised attractive fun-fairs to attract local residents. This not only pulled crowd from the local area but at one time these mela’s were so popular that people came to Mumbai just to see these fairs from remote area.” Often Kamathipura had tourist from all parts from India, in spite of being one of the most infamous parts of the city according to Nancy every man had visited this place once in his lifetime. But the reasons for these visits differed, some were attracted by the glam and lights while some came to just have fun. But only a few came with an intension to help. “However this small city in itself had managed to attract all kinds of visitors” says Nancy.
“But as people became aware of AIDS and Sexually transmitted diseases thanks to the NGO’s working here people eventually stopped coming here. Our business also was largely affected and similarly the basic economic state of the resident commercial sex-workers was poor. Hence we did not have enough money to spend on festivals as a result the charm of the festival faded off” says Nancy.
Dr. Shivanand Naik working for a ‘key clinic’ a part of a NGO known as PSI (Population Services International) in grant road said “since my clinic is near the red-light area I have many patients from Kamathipura especially during festive season. They is an increase in the number of patients as more and more people are getting aware of AIDS and STD’s but the pace or speed at which the disease is spreading has slowed down. I have an equal of ratio between male and female patients in my clinic. Another observation I have made is that sex is very easily available in colleges and offices and hence the inflow of people coming to these sex-workers has reduced. Before I had many college going young boys who came to me for STD related problem but now this has reduced. ”
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Saturday, August 19, 2006
I have a dog phobia
I have a dog phobia
On 18th evening when I left from office after a long and tiring day at work I was greeted by a very affectionate street dog just outside my office entrance. As soon as the dog came to me I screamed “somebody help me, take this dog away!” but the dog did not seem to understand that and came more closer to me. Few of my office colleagues were passing by and instead of helping me they just teased me and drove way. I was so scared that now I wanted to scream my lungs out but thanks to a watchman who came to my rescue and diverted the dog’s attention away from me. I fled the sight the minute the dog looked the other side and did not even wait to thank that man.
The whole instance was so funny that I kept laughing the entire time on my way home. I wasn’t so petrified by dogs ever in my life until some time back my boyfriend’s dog, Tipu bit me. This incident happened couple of months back when I went to visit my boyfriend at his home. In the beginning his dog sniffed my hand and then sat beside me. He’s always been a friendly dog and I began playing with him. A queer quality about Tipu is that he doesn’t like anyone touching his tail. Of course, I was unaware of this fact. While playing with him, I accidentally happened to touch his tail. He immediately pounced on me and bit my hand. By the time my boy-friend could come to my rescue Tipu had already bitten me.
Since that day I have developed a dog phobia and I don’t even dare to pass by a dog. But the dogs in Mumbai are unaware of my phobia and so land up chasing me every second day on
Mumbai streets.
On 18th evening when I left from office after a long and tiring day at work I was greeted by a very affectionate street dog just outside my office entrance. As soon as the dog came to me I screamed “somebody help me, take this dog away!” but the dog did not seem to understand that and came more closer to me. Few of my office colleagues were passing by and instead of helping me they just teased me and drove way. I was so scared that now I wanted to scream my lungs out but thanks to a watchman who came to my rescue and diverted the dog’s attention away from me. I fled the sight the minute the dog looked the other side and did not even wait to thank that man.
The whole instance was so funny that I kept laughing the entire time on my way home. I wasn’t so petrified by dogs ever in my life until some time back my boyfriend’s dog, Tipu bit me. This incident happened couple of months back when I went to visit my boyfriend at his home. In the beginning his dog sniffed my hand and then sat beside me. He’s always been a friendly dog and I began playing with him. A queer quality about Tipu is that he doesn’t like anyone touching his tail. Of course, I was unaware of this fact. While playing with him, I accidentally happened to touch his tail. He immediately pounced on me and bit my hand. By the time my boy-friend could come to my rescue Tipu had already bitten me.
Since that day I have developed a dog phobia and I don’t even dare to pass by a dog. But the dogs in Mumbai are unaware of my phobia and so land up chasing me every second day on
Mumbai streets.
Friday, August 11, 2006
Working in my head office
After the whole rearrangements and shuffling done with the Zones and reporters I have been assigned the health beat and have started working from the head office which is an out and out new experience for me.
Before when I worked for the zones we all always wanted to come to the HO and do our stories and write for the city pages. And now when that is actually happening I am not really very happy. May be I’ve got used to the comfort zone in my bureau office, but the main thing that bothers me is the long hours of work that I have to put in and without any monetary hicks in my job. In the zones I started my work relatively early and was done with two stories a day by the time it was evening. I also had time for my family and especially Rahul, but now I don’t have time for myself and nor for anything else that I enjoy.
Now I start my day in the morning at around 11 as usual but my actual work starts only after 3.00 pm and gets over not before 8.00. then I forcibly wait for the daily editorial meets and then leave for home only at 9.00 so by the time I am home I am exhausted and don’t even feel like eating when I am home. Mostly I sleep empty stomach and have sleepless nights since I don’t know I am suppose to be doing the next day and this vacuum pisses me off.
Another thing that bothers me in the HO is the pressure which I feel on my head; I sense a sword hanging on my head all the time when I am in the HO. I guess it’s just the presences of all my immediate seniors around me and their eyes forever questioning on what I am upto in the office.
I guess I will have to learn to live with it as I can’t do much about it and may be tomorrow I’ll get use to this pressure and anxiety around me. I just pray I get something better and be a bit more relaxed in the next few days I am not started to feel sick and hope I don’t hit the bed with a ice pack on my head.
Before when I worked for the zones we all always wanted to come to the HO and do our stories and write for the city pages. And now when that is actually happening I am not really very happy. May be I’ve got used to the comfort zone in my bureau office, but the main thing that bothers me is the long hours of work that I have to put in and without any monetary hicks in my job. In the zones I started my work relatively early and was done with two stories a day by the time it was evening. I also had time for my family and especially Rahul, but now I don’t have time for myself and nor for anything else that I enjoy.
Now I start my day in the morning at around 11 as usual but my actual work starts only after 3.00 pm and gets over not before 8.00. then I forcibly wait for the daily editorial meets and then leave for home only at 9.00 so by the time I am home I am exhausted and don’t even feel like eating when I am home. Mostly I sleep empty stomach and have sleepless nights since I don’t know I am suppose to be doing the next day and this vacuum pisses me off.
Another thing that bothers me in the HO is the pressure which I feel on my head; I sense a sword hanging on my head all the time when I am in the HO. I guess it’s just the presences of all my immediate seniors around me and their eyes forever questioning on what I am upto in the office.
I guess I will have to learn to live with it as I can’t do much about it and may be tomorrow I’ll get use to this pressure and anxiety around me. I just pray I get something better and be a bit more relaxed in the next few days I am not started to feel sick and hope I don’t hit the bed with a ice pack on my head.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Friday surprise
I love surprises and it was a perfect day to plan one. It was a Friday and I had made a plan to give a surprise to Rahul. In the morning one of our common friends called me and asked what my plans were for the weekend. As usual I was getting ready for work so I thought I should ask Rahul before planning anything. When I called him he said he has work till late evening and can’t meet me. But I wanted to give him a surprise to I told my friend that we both would go to Malad where he works and surprise him, he also had plans to take our respective boyfriends for a romantic dinner and then on a drive. She too was exited about the plan and we dressed in our best for the night.
Suddenly Rahul called me and while talking he asked what we girls had planed for the night. I tried my level best to hide and behave normal, but he guessed it and strictly instructed me not to come there and drop the plan. I was very disappointed and angry, and went to office with a sour throat. In the office everyone noticed my bad mood and kept a distance form me as they knew it was a live wire and could be fatal. But indirectly they all tried to make me laugh and cheer me. They all are very sweet and always helping me get back when I am off mood.
Rahul had told me that he would be busy till late so I went home early and on my way I met mom. She was going to see one of our relative who was admitted in Sai hospital. I went home and sent a very annoying message to Rahul “I am all alone in the house on a Friday evening, doing nothing and trying my best to keep clam. I hope now you are happy and satisfied?” he did not reply for long and then he called to check if anyone was home.
A few minutes later my door bell rang and when I opened the door some one shouted Bhooo….. I got so scared and when I opened my eyes I saw Rahul!!!!! I was stunned to see him in front of me. I ran and hugged him so tight that he could not even stand properly. This was the first time he gave me a surprise and I have no words to express how I felt.
Rahul is very unpredictable but never knew he was so romantic and so good at giving surprises!!!!!!!!!!
Suddenly Rahul called me and while talking he asked what we girls had planed for the night. I tried my level best to hide and behave normal, but he guessed it and strictly instructed me not to come there and drop the plan. I was very disappointed and angry, and went to office with a sour throat. In the office everyone noticed my bad mood and kept a distance form me as they knew it was a live wire and could be fatal. But indirectly they all tried to make me laugh and cheer me. They all are very sweet and always helping me get back when I am off mood.
Rahul had told me that he would be busy till late so I went home early and on my way I met mom. She was going to see one of our relative who was admitted in Sai hospital. I went home and sent a very annoying message to Rahul “I am all alone in the house on a Friday evening, doing nothing and trying my best to keep clam. I hope now you are happy and satisfied?” he did not reply for long and then he called to check if anyone was home.
A few minutes later my door bell rang and when I opened the door some one shouted Bhooo….. I got so scared and when I opened my eyes I saw Rahul!!!!! I was stunned to see him in front of me. I ran and hugged him so tight that he could not even stand properly. This was the first time he gave me a surprise and I have no words to express how I felt.
Rahul is very unpredictable but never knew he was so romantic and so good at giving surprises!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, February 24, 2006
this is Mumbai
I had gone for a really boring event about a panel discussion about VAT in a national institute in Mumbai. the topic was not something of my interest so moved out of the auditorium as soon as I finished collecting the necessary information I thought I would leave but the guy form the institute who had invited me saw me sneaking out and so he asked me if I cloud wait for ten minutes. He took to a building top floor and showed me a new side of Mumbai. I was shocked to see if it was real Mumbai and took the pix.
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
To a boy who is a friend
I had read some where that trust is the only thing that makes a relationship work. It is on this strong base that my relationship with Rahul stands and keeps us going. We went to a party on Valentines Day and there I met one of my old friends Bunny. He told me that my ex boyfriend Narendra was in town and asked if I would like to meet him. Rahul knows everything about me including my past and the men I have been friends with.
My relationship with Narendra ended three years back and it was not on a sour note. He had got selected as a diver in the Indian Navy and had to leave for his training. Mean while his parents insisted him to get married and then resume his work. We were not prepared for marriage and Naren did not want to force his parents to get us married. So we decided to split but on one condition that we won’t have any bitter feeling for each other and will live our lives happily. Soon Naren my best friend and my first crush left Mumbai leaving behind me with a note to move on with my life.
I missed him but did not have any bitter feeling for him as for the time we spent together were too good to be remembered with a sore throat. Then I met Rahul and like a creeper my hands took the support of his strong arms and with the determination of living a good respectful life I moved on. From the time I met Rahul I never realized how time passed and my life had taken a turn towards new spectrums of life and I had discovered a new world which was full of love and happiness.
As I moved on I left behind all memories that I had about Naren. But when ever I hear that he is in town I felt like speaking to him. I wanted to know how is he, what’s up in his life and if he is as happy as I am? From time to time all my questions were answered by different people. When ever Bunny met me I made it is point to ask him about Naren. Even when I went to RCF (where we first met and where Nareb lives) I always wished if I cloud see him, but nothing actually happened. He always remained in my memories and I did not get a chance to meet him after his marriage. I have heard that he is very happy with his wife and I am really very happy for him.
I told Rahul what ever I felt about Naren, he is the only one I can speak my mind and heart out. I don’t need to think of me being judged for what I have said or fear of being punished. I know he understands me and will always wish the best for me. He does get worried about me some times, especially because of my profession. He hates when random people call me up and bother me. Some times he also gets angry but I know all he wants is me to be with good people around me. He wants me to live a respectful life with people talking good abut me and not spread rumors about me. (which normally happens in my profession)
When I told him about Naren and what I felt I thought he might get upset but he did not. He supported me and told me “if you want to speak to him then go ahead and do it.” These words of his eased my mind. I thought when I tell Rahul he might not like the idea of his girl friend wanting to speak to her ex – boy friend. But this turned out to be the other way round and I felt we as a couple have matured and are above these kinds of small insecurities.
I love you Rahul and thanks for being such a wonderful Boy friend. Coz when I was speaking to you about Naren I thought I was not speaking to my boy friend but to a boy who is a friend. I am really luck to have you in my life.
Love you lots Purna.
My relationship with Narendra ended three years back and it was not on a sour note. He had got selected as a diver in the Indian Navy and had to leave for his training. Mean while his parents insisted him to get married and then resume his work. We were not prepared for marriage and Naren did not want to force his parents to get us married. So we decided to split but on one condition that we won’t have any bitter feeling for each other and will live our lives happily. Soon Naren my best friend and my first crush left Mumbai leaving behind me with a note to move on with my life.
I missed him but did not have any bitter feeling for him as for the time we spent together were too good to be remembered with a sore throat. Then I met Rahul and like a creeper my hands took the support of his strong arms and with the determination of living a good respectful life I moved on. From the time I met Rahul I never realized how time passed and my life had taken a turn towards new spectrums of life and I had discovered a new world which was full of love and happiness.
As I moved on I left behind all memories that I had about Naren. But when ever I hear that he is in town I felt like speaking to him. I wanted to know how is he, what’s up in his life and if he is as happy as I am? From time to time all my questions were answered by different people. When ever Bunny met me I made it is point to ask him about Naren. Even when I went to RCF (where we first met and where Nareb lives) I always wished if I cloud see him, but nothing actually happened. He always remained in my memories and I did not get a chance to meet him after his marriage. I have heard that he is very happy with his wife and I am really very happy for him.
I told Rahul what ever I felt about Naren, he is the only one I can speak my mind and heart out. I don’t need to think of me being judged for what I have said or fear of being punished. I know he understands me and will always wish the best for me. He does get worried about me some times, especially because of my profession. He hates when random people call me up and bother me. Some times he also gets angry but I know all he wants is me to be with good people around me. He wants me to live a respectful life with people talking good abut me and not spread rumors about me. (which normally happens in my profession)
When I told him about Naren and what I felt I thought he might get upset but he did not. He supported me and told me “if you want to speak to him then go ahead and do it.” These words of his eased my mind. I thought when I tell Rahul he might not like the idea of his girl friend wanting to speak to her ex – boy friend. But this turned out to be the other way round and I felt we as a couple have matured and are above these kinds of small insecurities.
I love you Rahul and thanks for being such a wonderful Boy friend. Coz when I was speaking to you about Naren I thought I was not speaking to my boy friend but to a boy who is a friend. I am really luck to have you in my life.
Love you lots Purna.
Saturday, February 18, 2006
something so not 'Purna'
Hi friends after a long time I am trying to blog something today but as usual i am very confused. There are too many things going on in my mind, I don’t know where to start from. So let’s begin from something interesting ………
I have news for people who know me very well! Can you imagine me and books? I guess no coz it’s so not ‘Purna’ when I am reading a book, right?
Yes its true I have started getting hooked to books now and the first book I read was ‘one night at a call center’ by chetan bhagat. It all stared when both Divya and Suparna started discussing about the books they read. Me and Dolly were left clueless and did not know what to do. They talked about many books and how they felt after reading it. I too wanted to join them in the conversation but did not have much to talk about so I thought I too must read some books so that I too cloud talk about it and share my experience.
One day Suparna bought a comic book 'Calvin and Hobbies' to office and I started reading it. I liked it very much and wanted to read more but the book belonged to Suparna and so I cloud not complete it. Then one day when I was with Rahul I saw a book in his car. He had not finished the book but still I picked it up and started reading it. It was my first book and I soon got hooked to it.
I took every opportunity that I found to complete the book. Even in office I finished my work as soon as I cloud and ran to take my place in the cabin and read the book. Everyone in the office were surprised to see me reading it so interestingly. They all laughed and told me “it was so not 'Purna' to see me reading a book!”
But soon I finifshed the book and my quest for reading had increased and I wanted to read more. Suparna got me my second book. It was short stories by Ruskin Bond. And I grabbed it greedily and stared reading it.
I always wondered how can people read so much, sitting in one place for hours with their eyes hooked to the pages of the book, without even bothering to lift up their heads to see what’s going on around them. I felt why does one need a book when there are hundreds of movies to watch and a lot more to do on the net but now I have the answer. When I stared reading I realize
I have news for people who know me very well! Can you imagine me and books? I guess no coz it’s so not ‘Purna’ when I am reading a book, right?
Yes its true I have started getting hooked to books now and the first book I read was ‘one night at a call center’ by chetan bhagat. It all stared when both Divya and Suparna started discussing about the books they read. Me and Dolly were left clueless and did not know what to do. They talked about many books and how they felt after reading it. I too wanted to join them in the conversation but did not have much to talk about so I thought I too must read some books so that I too cloud talk about it and share my experience.
One day Suparna bought a comic book 'Calvin and Hobbies' to office and I started reading it. I liked it very much and wanted to read more but the book belonged to Suparna and so I cloud not complete it. Then one day when I was with Rahul I saw a book in his car. He had not finished the book but still I picked it up and started reading it. It was my first book and I soon got hooked to it.
I took every opportunity that I found to complete the book. Even in office I finished my work as soon as I cloud and ran to take my place in the cabin and read the book. Everyone in the office were surprised to see me reading it so interestingly. They all laughed and told me “it was so not 'Purna' to see me reading a book!”
But soon I finifshed the book and my quest for reading had increased and I wanted to read more. Suparna got me my second book. It was short stories by Ruskin Bond. And I grabbed it greedily and stared reading it.
I always wondered how can people read so much, sitting in one place for hours with their eyes hooked to the pages of the book, without even bothering to lift up their heads to see what’s going on around them. I felt why does one need a book when there are hundreds of movies to watch and a lot more to do on the net but now I have the answer. When I stared reading I realize
Sunday, January 01, 2006
My love notes
If I could have just one wish,I would wish to wake up everydayto the sound of your breath on my neck,the warmth of your lips on my cheek,the touch of your fingers on my skin,and the feel of your heart beating with mine...Knowing that I could never find that feelingwith anyone other than you.
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