POWERLESS BULBS Save power, and reuse bulbs!!...today, we are using bulbs that are no longer useful to light-up as decorations. People who like decorating their homes with Christmas trees can use these bulbs as ornaments, if not on trees, they always dazzle up your space. We need: Used Bulbs, except the Spiral CFL bulbs, they are difficult to paint. Colorful adhesive tapes Oil colors in tubes Paint brushes One tough Glue Glitter powder, or glitter chips Long Satin ribbon or a decorative thread, enough to make a beautiful simple bow for hanging. Steps to make these ornaments: Take the bulb and clean the surface with a damp cloth, let dry. Now if you have colorful adhesive tapes, start sticking them as per your design. Or start painting the surface with oil paints, dont use paint thinners, the paint should not drip. use oil paints that come in tubes instead. Let the paint dry and now take a satin ribbon, make a bow and stick it to the holder with a hot glue or a strong glue. To only make a shimmery bulb, apply glue all-over the bulb, shower the shimmer onto the bulb, let dry and your shiny bulb is ready. - Prathyusha Talluri More articles from this author..... NO EMPTY VASES WEDDING RETURNS
NO EMPTY VASES Decorations need not be spent on. I had some expired pasta spaghetti at home, i ddnt want to throw them. I found an empty flower vase so decided to stash the spaghetti in it and Lo, people asked me where i got that idea from. I might have found it some day on TV or a Magazine, today my Kitchen has this statement piece. I switch the vases, presently my idle water pitcher is busy holding the spaghetti. One summer afternoon, i found an interesting grain like weed at a beach shore...i plucked a few strands and my another flower vase is full now. These ideas are so inexpensive!! Think and try... - Prathyusha Talluri More articles from this author..... COFFEE FILTER COCOON WEDDING RETURNS
COFFEE FILTER COCOON I was decorating my Guest Bath and the color theme turned out to be Red, White, Black and Grey. I found a beautiful shower curtain, thats where the story started, i had to buy everything else to match it! I found the bath accessories, towels, mats but the wall was empty...i searched and searched, i couldnot find anything in red that would be bright on my white wall. One sudden idea and now my guest bath decoration is done.. THINGS I HAD: Paper coffee filters (mostly used in USA in electric coffee makers), an empty photo frame, a thick drawing sheet, necessary red color, glue, a grey color printed paper, all already at home. I DID THIS: I cut the drawing sheet in the size that fits my photo frame. I started folding each coffee filter cup into half and pasted the papers one after the other to the sheet, starting from center. Towards the edge, i folded the papers short and adjusted the shape. Once the papers were stuck well and dried, i painted the edges with Red color and used a printed Grey paper to stick some stem like pieces.....similar to the design on the shower curtain. I started with a design in mind, people said it looks like a cocoon!! My wall looks so beautiful and the guests are surprised too, with the story behind !! - Prathyusha Talluri More articles from this author..... WEDDING RETURNS YOUR OWN WRAPPING PAPER
WEDDING RETURNS Wedding season again! People who have enough time in hands, can plan for what not....return gifts are hot these days. Think of giving these Pretty Little Packages with sweets or your chosen gifts like Silverware, some like giving silver kumkum boxes, lamp holders etc.... Musical Memories A CD with a custom label that includes the bride and groom’s initials is a wonderful favor. Include songs from Sangeeth or the wedding and reception as a reminder of the special day. Sangeeth is no more an only North Indian tradition. Fruits not flowers Use artificial fruits to decorate the Mandap or the reception stage, not just flowers. It can be comparatively affordable. HandMade Using handmade paper bags or jute bags from a cottage industry will not only look elegant but also support those labourers and the organisation running the business. Sametime those bags can be reused too. - Prathyusha Talluri More articles from this author..... YOUR OWN WRAPPING PAPER
YOUR OWN WRAPPING PAPER Everytime we have to pack a gift, we realise often that we are running short of wrapping paper or we have totally forgotten to buy a roll. Here is my idea to design your own gift wrapping paper. Things we need: White paper or any color thick paper, long enough to wrap your gift Along 2 Sided tape, ( instead you can use Vinyl Foam Weather Seal available in USA and cut them in pieces) A wide paint brush A wooden scale or a scrap wooden bar Acrylic Color of your choice Cut the 2-sided tape into shapes of your choice, stick them to the wooden scale/bar. Pour the desired amount of color onto a flat plate, apply the color with a paint brush to the 2-sided tape pieces on the scale. When the color is wet, impress onto the paper you chose. Let it dry and your gift wrapper is ready. Create the designs of your choice on your favourite color paper. - Prathyusha Talluri More articles from this author..... Cup Cakes- Paper Flowers CANS AND CRAFT
పిల్లలను ఆకర్షించే పెన్సిల్ బాక్స్ తయారీ ఎన్ని పెన్సిల్స్, పెన్నులు కొన్నిచ్చినా కూడా మీ పిల్లలు వాటిని ఎక్కడో పాడేసుకొని, మిమ్మల్ని ప్రతిరోజూ పెన్సిల్ కొన్నివ్వమని విసిగిస్తున్నారా? అయితే వారికీ పెన్సిల్స్, పెన్నులు పెట్టుకోవడానికి కంపాక్స్ బాక్సులు అందరి దగ్గర ఉంటాయి. అవి స్కూల్ వరకు మాత్రమే జాగ్రత్తగా ఉంచేలా చేస్తాయి. కానీ ఇంట్లో ఐతే అలా కాదు కదా. వారికీ నచ్చినట్లుగా అక్కడ, ఇక్కడ పడేస్తుంటారు. మరి అలా పిల్లలు వారి పెన్సిల్స్, పెన్స్ లను ఎక్కడ పడితే అక్కడ పడేయకుండా ఉండాలంటే.. ఆ వస్తువులను పెట్టుకొనే బాక్స్ వారిని ఆకర్షించేలా ఉండాలి. మరి అలాంటి వస్తువును ఎలా తయారు చేయాలో ఇపుడు ఈ వీడియో ద్వారా చూసి, మనం కూడా అలాగే చేద్దాం...!
DRAINAGE NO-NOs Putting the wrong things down the drain can damage the sewer system, result in sewer backups in your home, and harm to the environment. Anyone who uses the city sewer system should be responsible for what they flush or pour down drains. Don't Flush This Basically, the only thing you should ever flush down a toilet is human waste and toilet paper (in Western countries). Here is a list of some things to keep out of the toilet. disposable diapers Teeth floss condoms cleaning wipes/paper napkins of any kind, except the toilet tissue bandages and bandage wrappings Automotive fluids Paint, solvents, sealants and thinners Poisons and hazardous waste tampons and tampon applicators cotton balls and swabs Unused Medications Do not flush unusued medications down the toilet. You can safely dispose of medications in the garbage, or take medications to an approved prescription drug take-back site or event. Fats, Oils and Grease (FOG) Grease in sewer pipes causes sewer maintenance problems for property owners and the city. Never pour grease in your sink drain and try to use your garbage disposal ( in the Western countries) less. - Prathyusha Talluri More articles from this author..... WHITE VINEGAR TALKS
WHITE VINEGAR TALKS If your Vinegar could talk....it will shout to Help you!! Dont Boil Eggs without me: To keep eggs from cracking, add 2 tablespoons of White Vinegar per Litre of Water before you boil. Your cooked eggs will stay intact and be easy to peel. I'll hunt that Fish Smell in the Kitchen: Next time you's searing fish or cooking something equally pungent, like Cabbage, place a small bowl of vinegar next to the stove to absorb the odor. I've never met a Sink/Bath Tub Drain i couldn't unclog: The fizzing combo of vinegar and baking soda is a great way to clear out gunk. First pour half a cup of baking soda in the drain, then follow with the mixture of one cup of white vinegar and one cup of hot water. Immediately plug/cover the drain with a rag/ cleaning cloth to keep the bubbles contained for 10minutes. Rinse by pouring a kettle of boiling-hot water down the drain. I can get rid of Sticky Stuff: When you have to remove the sticker from a bottle, to get rid of the sticky glue, dab the spot with vinegar. Try me on a Manicure: Before applying nail polish, wipe your nails with a cotton ball dipped in white vinegar. It removes the coat of natural oils, allowing the nail polish to stay longer and it prevents chipping too. Dont use me to do these: Cleaning Marble/ Granite countertops. Cleaning waxed Wood surfaces/furniture. Remove grease from Cast iron/ Aluminium pans. Scrub Ceramic tiles. - Prathyusha Talluri More articles from this author..... Cup Cakes- Paper Flowers Cute Nut Bird CANS AND CRAFT
Five herbs which you can grow in your apartment block If you can think out of the box, then even a small apartment can be used to grow some essential herbs! Lemongrass: Whenever you buy a stalk of lemongrass at the local market, you can choose pick a stem with firm base. Just trim the top of this herb and place it water but see that you don’t submerge it. The stalk produces roots and news shoots within few days. Mint: Compared to spearmint and peppermint, this is a relatively easier option since this herb shares a tendency to grow like a weed. Simply spread the mint seeds in a small pot filled with soil and keep it under slight shade and sun. Curry leaf: A rich flavored herb with a beautiful aroma, curry leaves are common in most South Indian homes. You can plant this sapling in a flower pot and provide support it with a stick for vertical growth. See that there is enough sunlight and you should water the plant at least once every day. Rosemary: There is no need for frequent watering and therefore this can maintained easily in an apartment. Out of the different varieties of this herb, you can pick the one which grows upright, that makes it easier for growth in compact spaces. Indian Basil (Tulsi): Most of the Indian homes will have the Indian basil which doesn’t require much care and also grows well if kept near the windows. Make sure that the soil remains moist. - Kalamdhari
మరకలు పోగొట్టేద్దాం... మెరిపించేద్దాం...! మనం నచ్చిన బట్టల పైన కానీ, ఏదైనా వస్తువుల పైన కానీ మరకలు పడిన లేదా జిడ్డుగా మారి దుర్వాసన వచ్చేలా అయితే మనకు చాలా బాధగా ఉంటుంది కదా! మరి అలాంటపుడు ఆ మరకల నుండి, దుర్వాసనల నుండి మన వస్తువులను ఎలా కాపాడుకోవాలో ఒకసారి చూద్దామా...! చెమట మరకలు : చెమట మూలంగా షర్టులు, బ్లౌజులు మరకలతో దారుణంగా తయారవుతాయి. చూడడానికి కూడా ఎంతో అసహ్యంగా ఉంటాయి. అందువల్ల ముందుగా ఆ మరకల వద్ద లిక్విడ్ డిటర్జెంట్ సబ్బుతో రుద్ది, ఆ తర్వాతే సబ్బుతో ఉతికి చూడండి. మరీ మొండి చెమట మరకలైతే మాత్రం వెనిగర్ తో కేవలం ఆ ప్రాంతాన్నిమాత్రమే రుద్ది, ఆ తర్వాత మాములుగా సబ్బుతో కడిగేయవచ్చు. వెనిగర్ లేకుండా గోరువెచ్చని నీటిలో నాలుగు ఆస్పరిన్ బిళ్ళలు వేసి, ఆ నీటిలో దుస్తులు నానబెట్టి ఉతికేయండి. మరకలు మాయమైతాయి. తెల్లని దుస్తులైతే మాత్రం కాస్త హైడ్రోజెన్ పెరాక్సైడ్ ను మరకలపై కొద్దిగా రాసి అయిదు నిముషాల తర్వాత ఉతకండి. లిప్ స్టిక్ బాల్ పెన్ మార్క్స్ : ముందుగా మరకపడిన బట్టను ఓ పాత టవల్ పై ఉంచండి. మరకపైకి వచ్చేలా ఉంచి ఓ చిన్న పాత గుడ్డను ఆల్కాహాలులో ముంచి దాన్ని మరకపై తట్టినట్టుగా పదేపదే చేయండి. ఆ తర్వాత వాష్ చేయండి. మరకలు మరీ జిడ్డుగా అంటుకున్నట్లుగా అనిపిస్తే కిరోసిన్ తీసుకుని మరకపై పూసి అయిదు నిముషాల తర్వాత శెనగపిండితో గట్టిగా రుద్ది కడిగేయండి. కార్పెట్ పై క్యాండిల్ చుక్కలు : అందమైన, ఖరీదైన కార్పెట్ పై క్యాండిల్ చుక్కలు పడితే... అందుకే ఓ స్టీలు గిన్నెలో ఐసుముక్కలు వేసి దాన్ని ఈ క్యాండిల్ చుక్కలపై కాసేపు ఉంచండి. చల్లదనానికి ఈ క్యాండిల్ వ్యాక్స్ మరింతగా గట్టిగా మారుతుంది. అప్పుడు ఏదైనా స్పూన్ మొనతో దానిని చెక్కేసి బ్రష్ తో శుభ్రంగా తొలగిస్తే సరిపోతుంది. డిన్నర్ ప్లేట్ లపై పసుపు రంగు : ప్లాస్టిక్ ప్లేట్లపై పసుపు మరకలు తొలగించాలంటే ప్లేట్లను గోధుమ పిండితో గట్టిగా రుద్ది కడిగేయండి చాలు. నిత్యం వాడే బకెట్లు మగ్ లపై ఉండే జిడ్డు మరకలు పోవాలంటే ముందుగా వాటిని కిరోసిన్ లో తడిపిన గుడ్డతో గట్టిగ తుడిచి, ఆ తర్వాత సబ్బుతో కడగాలి. ప్లాస్కు దుర్వాసన: ప్లాస్కు లో దుర్వాసన పోవాలంటే నాలుగైదు కోడిగుడ్డు పెంకులను చిన్న చిన్న ముక్కలుగా చేసుకుని వాటిని ప్లాస్కులో వెయ్యాలి. దానిపై వేడినీటిని పోసి మూతపెట్టాలి. మధ్యమధ్యలో బాగా కదిలిస్తూ ఓ గంటన్నర పాటు ఉంచండి. ఆ తర్వాత సబ్బుతో కడిగేయండి. ఇక పొడిగా ఉండేలా తుడుచుకున్న తర్వాత ఓ చెంచాడు పంచదార అందులో వేసి మూతపెట్టి దాచుకోండి. దుర్వాసన రాకుండా తాజాగా ఉంటుంది.
వంటగదిలో మీకు తెలియని కొత్త షెల్ఫ్ ప్రదేశాలు...! పనికిరాని వస్తువులన్నిటిని కూడా స్టోర్ రూమ్ లోపెట్టేస్తుంటాం. ఎందుకంటే ఈ పనికిరాని వస్తువులను తీసేయడం వలన కాస్త ఖాళీ స్థలం దొరుకుతుంది. అదే ఒకవేళ వంటగదిలో అనేక వస్తువులను పెట్టుకోవాల్సి ఉంటుంది. కానీ వాటికోసం మరో స్థలాన్నివెతుక్కోకుండా వంటగదిలోనే మనకు నచ్చినట్లుగా ఎలా అందంగా మార్చుకోవచ్చో కొన్ని సూచనల ద్వారా తెలుసుకుందామా...! వంటగది చిన్నగా ఉందనుకోండి.. అందులో మళ్ళీ షెల్ఫ్ లు అంటూ చేస్తే అది ఇంకా ఇరుకుగా మారిపోతుంది. అలాంటప్పుడు సింక్ క్రింది స్థలాన్ని వాడుకొని మన వస్తువులను అమర్చుకోవచ్చు. మరి సింక్ కింది భాగాన్ని ఎలా వాడుకోవచ్చో చూద్దామా...! సింక్ కింది భాగంలో షెల్ఫ్ లాంటివి అమర్చుకోవడం వలన మీకు అవసరమయ్యే వస్తువులను అక్కడే పెట్టుకోవచ్చు. అలా చేయడం వలన అందంగా ఉండటంతో పాటు స్థలం కూడా మనకు ఉపయోగపడుతుంది. పైగా శాశ్వతంగా అక్కడే ఉండే షెల్ఫ్ లను మీరు ఎంచుకోవలసిన అవసరం లేదు. ఎందుకంటే ఎప్పుడైన రిపెర్లకు ప్లంబర్ వస్తే ఈ మొత్తం క్యాబినెట్ నే తొలగించాల్సి కూడా రావచ్చు. అందుకే అటూఇటూ కదల్చడానికి వీలైన ఎన్నో అండర్ సింక్ షెల్ఫ్ లు ఇప్పుడు మార్కెట్లో లభిస్తున్నాయి. టూ టైర్, త్రీ టైర్ ఫుల్ అవుట్ బాస్కెట్లు ఇప్పుడు మార్కెట్లో అందుబాటు ధరలలోనే లభిస్తున్నాయి. అనువైన దానిని ఎంచుకుని సింక్ కింద అమర్చండి. అందులో డిటర్జెంట్లు, లిక్విడ్ సోప్ బాటిల్స్, బ్లీచింగ్ పౌడర్ డబ్బాలు, బ్రష్ లు, చివరకు హ్యాండ్ టవల్స్ తో సహా చక్కగా సర్దుకోవచ్చు. చిన్న చిన్న బాటిల్స్ లాంటివి ఉంటే వాటన్నింటిని ఒకే ట్రే లో సర్దుకోవచ్చు. మీరు ఈ షెల్ఫ్ లను ఎప్పటికప్పుడు శుభ్రంగా కడిగి పెట్టుకోవచ్చు.
Cup Cakes- Paper Flowers Baking doesnot come easy to all. But making paper flowers with cupcake liners is so easy. To make one flower we will need 6 cupcake liners, a glue stick, a button/jewel and a thick drink straw/ pipe cleaner/sticks. Fold each liner, stick 3 liner that are folded using a strong glue, hide the middle joining zone with a colorful button. Make the same kind of flower with the other 3 liners. Take the 2 flowers, insert the straw/ stick as a sandwich and the flower is ready. - Prathyusha Talluri More articles from this author..... http://teluguone.com/vanitha/content/cute-nut-bird-944-24955.html http://teluguone.com/vanitha/content/tin-can-crafts-944-25254.html#.Uo790CfQtQA
CANS AND CRAFT We generally throw away tins/ cans after emptying their contents. There are simple tips and few easily available items to give an ordinary tin can, a new interesting look and a useful new life. After you empty the contents of the tin, peel off the wrapper. Some wrappers peel off easily, some need to be soaked in water and removed. Let the can dry completely to avoid rusting. Buy Adhesive paper with an interesting design that either matches your other decorative items or the one with a bold/ beautiful design you like. If Adhesive paper is not available in the market, you can take a bigger size thick white paper and paint it with colors/design you like. Measure the height of the Tin and cut the paper accordingly. Now, apply Extra-hold glue like Elmer's All-Purpose Glue to the Tin surface and start sticking the painted thick white paper. Stick it well without air gaps on the surface. You can use it as a Single Flower vase, as i dont think it can handle the weight of many flowers and water together....use it as a Pencil Holder, Plastic Spoon Holder for parties etc.. - Prathyusha Talluri More articles from this author..... http://teluguone.com/vanitha/content/cute-nut-bird-944-24955.html
STRANGE JOBS WOMEN IN THE WORLD TAKE UP The two highest IQ’s ever recorded (on a standard test) both belong to women. Given a piece of land and the same level of help, Women were found to be more efficient than men, and produced bigger harvests. Women are ready to take up any challenge and come out Winners. There are always the standard career choices—doctor, lawyer, teacher—but there are plenty of other options no one ever hears about. Few women have taken up such jobs which are called WIERD,,,however, they are all for a Living! Odor Tester: Employees at a Perfumery/ Homecare products Company test the efficacy of deodorants and antiperspirants by sniffing subjects’ armpits..it is not fun, its a job for them. Wrinkle Chaser: At shoe companies, it’s a wrinkle chaser’s job to use a special iron to ensure shoes are smooth as glass when they leave the factory. Furniture Tester: Loungers actually get paid to test furniture for companies by sitting on it. They have to wriggle around, rock, lean back, lean forward and assess the overall level of comfort. Somedays furniture testers try out 200 different pieces. Pet Food Taster: They are appointed to taste pet foods for the texture. Its not tasty for humans atall, and the very fact, its pet food. Vomit Cleaner: The roller coaster rides, remind us of people messing up. Some theme parks employ cleaners specifically designated to mop up puke. Professional Sleep Agents: Professional sleepers doze off as part of sleep research projects, to help scientists and doctors figure out the mysteries behind sleep disorders. Resort Waterslide Tester: to check the height, speed, water quantity and landing as well as all safety aspects of the theme park rides. - Prathyusha Talluri
వంటసోడాతో నమ్మలేని ఉపయోగాలు...! మాములుగా మనం వంటసోడాను వంటల్లో వాడుతుంటాం. కానీ వంట సోడా వలన అసలు ఇంకా ఎన్ని ఉపయోగాలు ఉన్నాయో మీకు తెలుసా? మరింకెందుకు ఆలస్యం వంటసోడా ఉపయోగాలు ఒకసారి చూద్దామా...! * ఆమ్లెట్ ఉబ్బినట్లుగా రావాలంటే గుడ్డుసొనలో చిటికెడు వంటసోడా కలపాలి. అలాగే కేక్ తయారీలోనూ ఉపయోగించవచ్చు. * బజ్జీలు,పకోడీలు లాంటివి కరకరలాడాలంటే, వాటి తయారీలో చిటికెడు వంటసోడా కలిపితే సరిపోతుంది. * స్నానాల గదిలో అద్దాలపైన పడిన నీటి మరకలను తొలగించాలంటే... వంటసోడా సోడాలో నీళ్ళు కలిపి పేస్ట్ లా చేసి దూదితో అద్దాన్ని తుడవాలి. తరువాత పొడి వస్త్రంతో తుడిస్తే సరిపోతుంది. * బకెట్ నీళ్ళలో చెంచా వంటసోడా వేసుకుని స్నానం చేస్తే చర్మ సమస్యలు దూరమవుతాయి. * ఫ్లవర్ వాజ్ లో పూలు ఎక్కువ రోజులు తాజాగా వుండాలంటే నీళ్ళల్లో చిటికెడు వంటసోడా కలపాలి. * సాక్సుల దుర్వాసన దూరం చెయ్యాలంటే వంటసోడా కలిపిన నీటితో వాటిని నానబెటట్టి, వాటిని ఉతకాలి. * చెక్క ఫర్నిచర్ పై పడిన పదార్దాల మరకలు పోగొట్టాలంటే ... ఒక మగ్గు నీటిలో చెంచా వంటసోడా వేసి, మరకలు పడిన చోట ఈ నీటితో తుడిస్తే సరిపోతుంది. * చెమట వాసన దూరం కావాలంటే.. కొన్ని నీటిలో పావు చెంచా వంటసోడా కలిపి చల్లుకోండి. చెమట దుర్వాసన దూరమవుతుంది. * దంతాలు పచ్చగా ఉంటే టూత్ పేస్ట్ పై చిటికెడు వంటసోడా వేసుకుని తోముకోండి. దంతాలు మిలమిలా మెరుస్తాయి. * నోటి దుర్వాసన ఇబ్బంది పెడితే... గ్లాసు నీటిలో రెండు చెంచాల వంటసోడా కలిపి పుక్కిలించాలి. దీనివల్ల నోరు రోజంతా తాజాగా వుంటుంది. *వస్త్రాలను శుభ్రం చేయడానికి వంటసోడా బాగా ఉపయోగపడుతుంది. గ్రీజు మరకలైతే ఆ ప్రాంతంలో వంటసోడా చల్లి రుద్ది చూడండి. క్షణాల్లో మరక మాయం.
మీ ఇంట్లో సీసాలు ఎక్కువగా వాడనివి ఓ పక్కన పెట్టేసారా? వాటితో ఎలాంటి ఉపయోగం లేదని అనుకుంటున్నారా? అయితే అలాంటి వాటిని బయటకు తియ్యండి. వాటితోనే మీ ఇంటికి వాతావరణాన్ని మార్చే విధంగా తయారుచేసుకోవచ్చు. మనం మాములుగా మొక్కలను మట్టి కుండల్లో పెంచుతాం. దీనివల్ల మన ఇంటికి కాస్త అందం వస్తుంది. కానీ ఈ సీసా గాజుపాత్రలలో మొక్కలను పెంచడం వల్ల మన ఇంటికి మరింత అందం వస్తుంది. అయితే ఈ గాజు పాత్రలకు చిన్న ఇటుక ముక్కలు, బొగ్గు పొడి , మట్టి తీసుకొని, వీటిని ఒకదాని తర్వాత ఒకటిగా పొరల్లాగా వెయ్యాలి. తర్వాత మనం ఎంచుకున్న మొక్కలను పెట్టుకోవాలి. అదనపు ఆకర్షణ కోసం ఈ గాజుపాత్రలో రంగుల గులక రాళ్ళు, గావ్వల్లాంటివి అలంకరించుకోవచ్చు. ఈ విధంగా చేయడం వలన మన ఇంటి అందం మరింత రెట్టింపు అవుతుంది. అదే విధంగా గాజు పాత్రలు కూడా వృధా కాకుండా పోతున్నాయి.
Campaign Against Bride Trafficking in India “ Campaign Against Bride Trafficking in India,” interview with Mr. Shafiq Ur Rehman, founder of ‘Empower People Organization,’ which helps bride Trafficking and honor crimes against women by Kanakadurga. We are moving forward and making lot of progress in the society and we thought we got rid of “Kanyasulkam,” parents of the little girl used to pay money to the old aged bridegroom to marry their daughters. After lot of struggle and hard work of so many social reformers it was eliminated from the society and stopped the social evil of Child Marriages. Now we are trying so hard to get rid of the Dowry system from our society, meanwhile other social issues like female infanticide, bride trafficking, where some people convince parents that their daughters will get married, or get jobs, or become heroines to support the family, take money from them along with the girls and they disappear. They take the girls using this method, or kidnap and sell in the villages of North Indian States where men are not getting married as the result of women ratio is getting reduced. These women are tortured, beaten, used as slaves, multiple men in the same family use them for sex, sometimes after having an heir they resell them to the men who offer more money taking the child from the mothers etc. Government is busy with its own problems so someone has to take care of these women. So Mr. Shafiq Ur Rehman who came from the very progressive family started taking interest in this issue and as he got support from lot of people they all started “Empower People,” organization in order to help these Bride Trafficking and honor crimes against women. It has the membership of at least 10.000 Assam, Bihar, Haryana, Jharkhand, Punjab, Rajasthan, West Bengal and some linkages in Himachal Pradesh. Recently a documentary about Bride Trafficking and the problems faced by these women called “Paro,” was shown in the Rajya Sabha to show the government how it is affecting women in the above mentioned States of North India and do something about it. I (Kanakadurga) wanted to interview him to know more about this problem, what kind of programs they are taking up to help these rescued women for the readers for Teluguone.com and he agreed to it. He is always busy in either rescuing women, attending conferences or if someone blames them for something happened in the village, he has to be there to clear their misunderstandings etc. in spite of his busy schedule he gave this exclusive interview. Let us try to know by asking him how bad the problem is and what everyone as a citizen supposed to do in order to eliminate this problem. Please read the whole interview and try to help these people. Kanakadurga: Namaste Shafiq ji, First of all we are all so proud of the work you are doing by starting the Campaign against Bride Trafficking in India! Can you first tell us about yourself so that we will know about your background? Shafiq Ur Rehman: Thank you so much for all kind words, I was born and brought up in a progressive peasant family in Gaya (Bihar). I was never a proficient boy in any front. I never tried to play cricket or football or any game, I was an average student in my school. But I was extra-ordinary in organizing school events as well as community service, In 6th class I with my classmate founded a group “Shastri cadet core” (it was a parody of National cadet core) which opens a library in front of school for the drop-out friends who were not able to join any school for some reason. Our other major work was cleaning in school and neighboring areas. I joined a radical communist party in 1998 when I was student of class 8th with a mission to search a solution of suffering and discrimination and unfortunately I never attended any class after 8th class, that’s how I discontinued my education, but learned a lot by observing people, social problems, by reading lot of books. KD: You were involved with the Marxist party before you started this campaign. Why did you come out of that party and what made you start this Campaign? SR: Yes, I Joined a Maoist group but soon after I realized that we need a sensitive approach than a violent action, soon after I with my friends founded a group career development corner, it was daring step but we opened a total 23 schools in whole district. And finally I decided to leave the party and started my own intervention in the area. Nothing much was done by organized effort but it was a small initiative of a teenager which was supported by community as well as government. KD: Did you first saw anyone suffering with this problem? When did you first time came across such a case was and what did you do then? What did really make you to take up this cause of bride trafficking and do something about it? SR: In 2005 we launched EMPOWER PEOPLE in Delhi with a new idea of intervention. We organized a 300km march on foot against female foeticide in Haryana. During this march I met a woman who said that people like her who are living in a difficult situation need help. I assured her that I will meet and try to rescue her after this march. After 6 months of the march I visited her village but I couldn’t find her, when I enquired about her the villagers informed me that may be she ran away from the village but some young people shared the opinion that she might have been be sold by the family with whom she lived to some other man. They also informed me about the menace of bride trafficking and the network involved in this kind of trafficking. KD: Can you describe what’s really happening when a woman is married brought from a different state into a family where there are 2 to 3 unmarried brothers? Let me clear out one thing here that these are not lawful or ethical marriages, bride trafficking is simply a form of modern day slavery, and girls are being sold and resold from one person to another. These girls become sex slaves and agricultural laborers. In some parts of Haryana polyandry (Women with more than one husband) still exists not because of sex-ratio but its traditional means of marriage like polygamy (Men with more than one wife). Due to various reasons including law polyandrous marriages are performed secretly without any rituals. Trafficked brides who are known as “Molki” (lit-purchased) jugad (arrangement) or Paro (lit-stolen) are actually commodity on sale. Girls are being sold to 4 to ten times, after they have been used totally until their beauty, energy are gone then they let them settle down with some disable, widower or deserted men. KD: What is the main cause for this problem? Does Female infanticide is contributing to this problem? SR: Can we justify any rape only because rapist is not married and not able to find a sex partner? If so, it is but in my opinion its cruel justification coined by buyers. Three major social crimes Sex selective abortions or female infanticide, honor killings and bride trafficking are happening in the region and that indicates the situation of the women in society. The State Haryana have two Gaushalas (Animal shelters) in each block and only three women shelters home in whole state. This is real problem with the society. There are many forcing factors sex selective abortion is one of them but not the only factor. It has a long history of slave trading, traffickers are called Burdafarosh it’s a Persian term for slave traders. That indicates historical background of such trafficking. The forcing factors of Bride Trafficking can be identified as: 1. Cultural beliefs of Polyandry and karewa marriages (When a husband dies wife is forced to marry brother of the husband, sometimes it happens with the consent of women.) 2. Sex selection and declining sex ratio 3. Social Perception of Early Marriage 4. For the purpose of domestic and agricultural labor. 5. Organized trafficking network who sells girls at a very low price. KD: What is the present ratio of men and women or boys or girls in India? SR: As per the latest Census in the year 2011, the total female sex ratio in India is 940 per 1000 males and the female child sex ratio is 944 girl children per every 1000 boy children of the same age group. The overall female sex ratio has increased by 0.75 % in the Census 2011 as compared to the previous Census of 2001. KD: What kind of programs have you designed to create awareness among the people about this problem? SR: We simply believe in Empowerment of these girls, we are not victimizing them to put in a shelter home or something like traditional anti-trafficking organizations are doing. However we believe in Institutionalization of cause but it should be under leadership of survivor. Our major activities are Sensitization and engagement of community - 1. GENDER AND FEMINIST PERSPECTIVE BUILDING FOR PRI (Panchayati Raj Institution) LEADERS 2. Enabling and strengthening “Mahila Mandals” formed under state government scheme as well as domestic violence cells in districts. 3. Mainstreaming, leadership building and CBO (Community Based Organizations) formation of trafficking survivors as well as local women with a right based approach to ensure safety and community based sustainable reconciliation of outsider and locals. 4. Inclusion is essential part of whole concept and we are trying to organize other right based movements in the society. 5. Advocacy at state and national level to induct cause of bride trafficking and honor crimes in policies as priority. 6. As well as campaigns in source and transit area of trafficking KD: Do you rescue the women who become the victims of domestic violence and treated as slaves? ) What is ‘Empower People?’ What role does it play in rescuing girls and women? SR: Yes we rescue these girls who are in difficult situation and trying to ensure their rehabilitation as per needs and their consent. EMPOWER PEOPLE is a registered NGO which coordinates all actions and campaigns in field, it was found in 2005 by me and my friends. The Empower People is functioning as umbrella organization for Bride Trafficking survivors led by 20 community based organizations. It generates funds legal and other required supports for these Community Based Organizations. The EMPOWER PEOPLE is responsible for whole rescue operation and its follow up. KD: How do you rescue these women and what kind of help they get? SR: We used to rescue someone with the help of community as well as police department. And we take full responsibility of the girl’s counseling, shelter, food clothing everything is being provided by Empower People. KD: Do you get threats from in-laws or husbands whose wives are rescued? SR: Threats and attacks are part of our life. Every week we receive some calls and sometime our colleagues were attacked but we don’t care KD: How do you protect yourself from such people and how do you provide protection to the women you have rescued? SR: We believe in community engagement in every step. Protection of girl is really big challenge but people always support us and ensured the protection of these girls. KD: Do you get grants from the government or support or encouragement for doing such a wonderful social service? SR: Last year Union minister of women and child development informed the parliament that “Haryana Government stated that there are no forced marriages (bride trafficking) in the state and that the marriages are also being solemnized across the country breaking the barriers of caste, creed and language.” It is clear that government is not willing to accept it as a problem so they don’t give us any funds or support us. Other donors do not have clear idea of funding, they never fund for any good cause they need to know that Economic prosperity isn't always a sign of social progress. They are working in Bihar on female foeticide where sex ratio is comparatively balanced and good but only because Bihar is not economic sound, they will work on everything. We have no institutional funding but many of our friends and concerned people are supporting us to continue our battle. KD: Are there any cases where you have rescued women and sent to their parents back? Yes, but it’ as bad experience, Girls who were sent to their parents were not happy as there is social stigma and many issues are involved, but in one case it worked out when we recently organized a marriage of a girl in Assam with her class-mate. She is happy with her husband. Many girls were repatriated to their native home but results are not satisfactory. KD: What if the girls or woman do not want to return to home as they are scared of getting married again by their parents? SR: Most of girls don’t want to return their native home we respect their opinion and induct them in our campaign. Our most of grass root workers are survivors of bride trafficking. Elected president of EMPOWER PEOPLE is also a survivor of bride trafficking. Some girls are living with their husbands who are supporting them. We all are working to curb the bride trafficking in different capacity. KD: There is no doubt that it is a major problem or a social evil like child marriages, atrocities against women etc. How can this bride trafficking be stopped? In which states this problem is becoming more? Is it spreading to other states too? SR: Yes, Bride trafficking is a big problem in Haryana, Rajasthan, Punjab, and western Uttar Pradesh while some other states are becoming source of trafficking; some states like Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat are becoming source as well as destination for the trafficking. We are trying to create a peoples movement to break the chain of trafficking network. We are organizing trafficked bride training to the rescued women so that they can become community leaders and work for society. But without Institutionalization of cause, trafficking would never be stopped, there is need of holistic campaign among community, sensitization in political, judicial and law enforcement system and we are trying to make it possible. KD: What are common people are supposed to do in order to end this problem? SR: Speak against the odd, people can speak for these angels who are kept under some devils, we as grass root workers always need support, backing and safeguard, readers of this interview are requested to write/speak about bride trafficking, they also can donate us to continue our works, they can write to donor agency that why this topic and area is neglected. KD: Even though many people are aware that killing the girls before they are born is creating the problem of not having enough women for lot of men to get marry still they are not changing the attitude of choosing boys over the girls. What do you think about it? SR: Violence against Women is largely prevailing because of the societal mechanism combined with patriarchal values. The cause Bride trafficking is plain and simple result of that notion which leads our society towards sex selective abortions and traditional polyandry marriages in new form. This problem is not just result of sex selection but all these problems and their root causes are parallel. We need to attack on that notion or conceptions. KD: Can you please share some of the good and bad experiences you have faced since you have got seriously involved in this cause? SR: Yes, there are many good and bad experiences but I would love to share a good experience, once our executive committee was planning to establish a shelter home for Bride Trafficking victims and we were discussing funds and other details suddenly one of our survivor CBO leader asked me that “Shafiq are you going to allow these girls to have sex in shelter? If no! Who are you to decide that girl doesn’t want to have sex or why you are denying her right to sex”. I was really shocked to come to this point then our executive committee decided to postpone the idea. The survivors and even victims teach us how to deal with some problem. No one can imagine that I was trained by these girls, I never know how to deal with such things but they guide me in difficult times. Bad experiences are many and generating funds and executing the programs are really tough jobs. KD: Don’t you get scared or frightened when doing this kind of work against the wishes of the villagers who are too orthodox and think that what they are doing is right and there is nothing wrong in it? Yes after all I’m simple human being but working for this particular cause is like evil habit, many times they attacked on me and my friends but every work in this world is a risky job. We know there are thousands of girls who are desperately waiting for our intervention. KD: Is everyone in your family dedicated to the cause of bride trafficking? SR: In some way, my family is supporting me financially emotionally and more ways. They are core donors for this cause KD: You have won Social Bravery Award, ENGO award and you have been chosen as Amazing Indian by one of the TV channels. How did you feel when you won these awards? SR: To be frank Awards does matter for me, only because I need to be recognized. I have no mentor no donor and even no networks in the field where I’m working while our enemies have a strong network of police politicians, criminals and many powerful authorities with a huge community support. Bride trafficking network is hundred time strong than a sex tracking network. After these awards mainstream media is using word bride trafficking that’s a great advocacy. Awards and media reorganization are part of advocacy for the cause. KD: I think you are the most courageous person who chose the hard path to help these helpless women. Did you ever regret for getting involved in this cause? SR: Interestingly, I’m the most coward person in my team, my girls ‘n boys are really courageous they always support me in making any decision or action. In 2008 I was advised by a psychologist to leave this cause so I left it for a year but after some months she felt that I’m going to be sick, and finally she suggested to me to come back to my cause. She felt that if I don’t work on this cause I wouldn’t live. I’m proud to be working on an issue where no one is daring to work. KD: How do you feel when you rescue women from very hard situations and when they thank you for bringing them out of darkness into light to start a new life? SR: The moment when we rescue someone is the biggest awards from all the awards for all of us. But no girl ever says thank you to me, they simply hate every man including our team members as they have faced tough situation in the hands of their so called husbands, so it’s natural that they hate men. They think we are buying them like like others but soon after counseling and after spending some time with us they realize that we are their brothers. Whenever they use to cry we cried along with them. We all have a strong emotional bonding. We love and respect each other after all we all are fighting for freedom. KD: If you explain taking a woman’s story how she got married, faced abuse, treated as slave and then rescued by you that will help people understand how this is happening. Can you do that please? SR: Rupa was abducted from Asam in early 1995 at the age of 12. She was sold to a man in Haryana and after two years resold to another man. She was sold totally ten times in 13-14 years. We found her in critical situation in September 2009. She was in mental trauma and high depression. Her new owner was 68 years old with 3 children and Rupa has 4 girl children of her own. We rescued her with community participation (with the help of Panchayati member) in December 2009 with her girl children. After a year of counseling and therapy she expresses her wish to marry a man from another block of same district, who was widower, has two boys and willing to accept her girl children. After the marriage they are living together happily. Rupa is an emerging community leader, now she is helping other women in getting justice as member of our paralegal team. KD: Can you share your final thoughts about atrocities against women, your opinion about death penalty, female infanticide, bride trafficking with us? SR: Death penalty is a patriarchal form of punishment and I dare to say that it’s another shade of rapist mentality. In this case the death penalty is nothing but an attempt to hide state-failures. I would never support death penalty but in this particular case we find many state failures. After Nirbhaya’s case there were many honor suicides were reported where rape victims committed suicide only because of media. We need to understand the concept of honor and mentality behind it. One can ask why people killed their daughter, answer is simple they don’t want to give her extra care to save from cycle of violence including rape or dowry killing or she can bring dishonor by sexual misconduct or any misbehavior. The sex selective abortions or female foeticide, honor killings, rapes, gang rapes, trafficking, witch killings, older women hunt are parallel and result of the societal mechanism combined with patriarchal values by which women are forced into a subordinate position commodity. And the same cause is behind mentality of rape. We need to understand causes and then we can find a way to work on gender inequality as well as crime against women. Shafiq ji thank you so much for giving us this interview in spite of your busy schedule for the readers of Teluguone.com which helps the readers to understand about the issue of bride trafficking and what Empower People Organization is doing and how you are rescuing these women and helping them. We really appreciate it very much for your efforts and all the best in your future projects. Thank you so much for your co-operation! For more information about “Empower people,” “Campaign against Bride Trafficking,” and if anybody wants to donate for the survival of this organization you can visit their website http://www.empowerpeople.org.in/ - Kanakadurga
Cute Nut Bird Your kids will go nuts for these cute little birds made from just a few things available in the nature. Make It: Glue various natural or store-bought nuts together to form a bird's body and head. You can use Apricots, Hazelnuts, Betelnuts and let them dry completely after glueing. Cut wings, a beak, and feet from colored foam or cardboard and attach to the bird. Add google eyes to finish. Isn't it a cute li'l birdy...use your imagination to create other birds too... You and your child can also make these Pinecone Birds...collect some pinecones..paste google eyes to some foam balls, twist some brushes to make their feet, paste a beak, and imagine them walking!!! - Prathyusha Talluri