Friday, October 13 More Goa Pool, Child Labor In India

My mom got like 15 mosquito bites. Apparently there is an epidemic of dengue fever going on in India, and most cases have been reported in Delhi. Unfortunately there is no prevention or cure. The carrier mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, found on the campus of the very hospital that treats patients. My parents are officially obsessed with mosquito protection. First of all, they brought four bottles of repellent ranging from 20-97% DEET, and natural Eucalyptus spray. They also brought special clothing repellent with which to soak their clothes. Moreover, they brought mosquito-screen mittens and hoods so they look like beekeepers. They also were surprised to realize that the hotels don’t have mosquito nets over the beds. I like finally being able to feel like a tourist here. Because everyone’s a tourist and there’s nothing to do except be a tourist. We spent today at the Fort Aguada pool again, but stayed in the shade this time. Red Kingfisher beer signs were everywhere, because the Kingfisher mogul has a gated estate here in Sinquerim. And Kingfisher beers are everywhere; they’re actually cheaper than bottled water. It’s now officially illegal in India to employ children under the age of 14 as domestic servants, in dhabas, restaurants, hotels, tea shops, or recreational centres. An ad says, “Don’t deny them their childhood, don’t deny them their right to study and play”. Interesting that it was written in English, obviously meant for an upper-class audience. Such as, say, the Jains, whose servant Rajesh is only 12 years old. This is a great law in theory; however, I don’t think much will change. Children from destitute families need to earn money because their parents make them, small businesses rely on this source of cheap labor, kids born in villages without legal papers can’t go to school or get good jobs, and the rich people (like the Jains) can afford to just bribe officials to look the other way.