Manmohan Singh on Female Feticide in India

Alas, the prime Minister brings light to the issue.

Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss told the conference that stricter enforcement was not enough. "At the heart of the problem are deep-rooted prejudices," Ramadoss said.

I don't get the impression that Indians in India (or even NRIs here) realize the depth of the prejudices and prejudice practices so prevalent in our culture. Speaking out is the first step, I suppose so hearing these words from the Health and the Prime Ministers represents a good step forward. Things are only getting worse according to the article so I hope these words find their way to action.

The New York Times version of this article highlights campaigners who would argue against me:

“It is not enough for him to preach to us about the problem,” Dr. Bedi said. “The current laws are not being enforced. It is the government’s responsibility to take action.” Sabu George, another prominent campaigner, welcomed the prime minister’s decision to devote an entire speech to the subject, but agreed that the content was “very disappointing.” “We have a very good law, but it is not being implemented. That is the government’s responsibility,” he said. “He talked about changing mind-sets. He should have focused on how the law could be implemented.”

Why are Indians so against changing mindset? Do you think educated people are doing this because they're not afraid of the law? NO. Its because of their ridiculous mindset. I, personally, think there should be a shame campaign. A coordinated effort to denote such practices as downright shameful. Apparantly guilt and shame are the way Indians are maneuvered to do anything anyways! (And in this case I would finally be okay with that :)

Sex Selection in the US?!

"...a fundamental dynamic between technology and culture: Technology can coax cultures one way or the other by making it easier to do what you want to do, with less difficulty and without other people knowing about it."

Something I spent a lot of pondering when I decided to get into this field. "Technology." Is it really as evil as some people proclaim? No. But there are moments when you question what progress research has given us and whether to claim it as progress or to denounce it as the root of a demise.

Another thing I've already blogged about before is female feticide in India. These two themes come together in Slate's article here. Quite shocking, in my opinion, that Asians have carried and managed to hold onto this tradition in the US long enough for scientists to see the results in generations born here. Unfortunate. No further comment.

Another reason to NOT get married

Happily married people tend to have lower blood pressure than their single peers, but being single may be healthier than being unhappily married, a new study suggests.

Read on but its common sense. At least for me. Now ladies and gentlemen - a study to back me up.