Farms and jobs: Not much to feel good about

Sumitra Behera is one of the teeming millions languishing in the countryside. An unknown Indian, somehow surviving against all odds, she recently figured in the news when she decided to sell her one-month-old baby for a mere ten rupees. It did not shock the nation. No one was outraged, none of the newspapers decided to comment editorially on what was clearly a symbol of national disgrace. Not even one distinguished Member of Parliament, including those who swear in the name of one-third reservation for women, stood up to draw the nation´s attention to the shame reflected in Sumitra's desperation.

Instead, at that very moment the media was gloating over an egregious ´feel good´ factor, a pointer to the historic peak of USD 100 billion in foreign exchange reserves. There was jubilation all around, with corporate chieftains leading the cheer. Meanwhile, news reports said that in the month of December 2003, three other families grappling with hunger in Angul, Puri and Keonjhar in Orissa had reportedly sold their children. The sale of children and body organs is not only restricted to western Orissa or for that matter to neighbouring Jharkand and Bihar. West Bengal is actually the largest 'supplier' of girls, Andhra Pradesh comes next. The rest of the country does no better. You just have to peel off the media façade.