Lakshmi’s Story—“Sold”

Each year 12,000 Nepali girls are sold into brothels in India. This is the stark fact even today and this is what propelled Patricia McCormick to write “Sold”, the story of 13-year-old Lakshmi, who was sold by her gambler-stepfather into prostitution in India.

In her notes, McCormick writes, “As part of my research, I traced the path that many Nepali girls have taken—from remote villages to the red light districts of Calcutta. I also interviewed aid workers who rescue girls from brothels…But most touching and inspiring was interviewing survivors themselves. These young women have experienced what many people would describe as unspeakable horrors. But they are speaking out—with great dignity… It is in their honor that this book was written.”

The author has also stated in an interview, “It was a challenge to keep the book from being too grim, and to keep Lakshmi's humanity alive in a believable way” and  “in even the grimmest of situations, there is kindness as well as cruelty, terror as well as boredom, and even, surprising as it may seem, humor.” Well, true to her words, McCormick has written a book that is interestingly told from the point of view of the main character (in a series of short, vignette-style chapters) and, true to her credentials as an investigative journalist, the book contains factual events that, even if they are so difficult to imagine for a normal person, are true to life—the life of those unfortunate girls sold into slavery from where only the lucky few get liberated.

Lakshmi lives an ordinary life in a village in the foothills of the Himalayas in Nepal. She goes to school like any other girl and even though life is hard, it has its simple pleasures. But, her life takes a nasty turn when her stepfather sells her into prostitution in India. In the brothel (ironically named ‘Happiness House’) she is beaten and starved until she gives in to the wishes of her brothel madam Mumtaz to sleep with her customers. Her miserable life becomes a bit more bearable when a boy who runs errands for the girls teaches her to read. She also forms friendships with her roommates. Such moments and such relationships bring a sense of balance to the harshness of brothel life and enable her to survive in this terrifying world. She is finally rescued by an American who comes to the brothel to rescue girls.

“Sold” has been now translated into Nepali (“Bechiyeki— Will they ever be free?”) the translators being Bishwanath Paudel and Tikaram Sharma Paudel. They have done a fine job. This book has 300 pages and the main story is divided into 288 very short chapters which certainly makes for easier reading and serves the purpose of making this horrifying tale less grim as the author intended. The last few pages are on instructions for discussions on the book and some readers’ reviews. The Nepali version has been published by the joint efforts of Joyce Tapper, “The Didi Project” and “Captive Daughters”.

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Homes, Homes and Yet More Homes

Shakespeare has said that a man becomes a real man only after his father dies. In the same vein, our forefathers were of the opinion that a man becomes one only after he has built an abode for himself. How far Shakespeare’s statement holds true is for the more enlightened to discuss and debate but there can be no doubt that our forefathers’ oft-repeated adage has to be taken with a pinch of salt nowadays. Without question, the building of a home is a most tedious affair, and certainly was more so in the days gone by. And so, fittingly, our forefathers were right, for the process does test the strongest of men. However, in today’s world, the test is not about building houses, but rather, about the purchasing of the same. And in the present times, with the plethora of housing companies embroiled in an all out contest to build larger and better housing projects, the times have indeed become quite testing for prospective home owners. It is not easy to choose and pick among so many when making what will be, in most cases, the largest investment of one’s life.

At the same time, one can rest assured that choices have never been wider, and housing projects, more attractive. Therefore, one must give appreciation where it is due, that is, to the brave and visionary housing developers who, in spite of trying times, are gamely (and optimistically) forging ahead with bigger and grander ventures. Some of these brave souls have been impressively successful in their efforts and, especially in the capital, the results of their visionary labor are conspicuously on view throughout the valley. One such organization is The Comfort Housing Pvt. Ltd. (TCH) whose completed projects include 76 stand-alone houses in Sitapaila, 42 of the same in Budhanilkantha, 76 more in Ichhangu and the more recently completed 44-unit TCH Tower II in Lazimpat. (prices from Rs. 49 to Rs. 75 lakhs per unit). Other projects include a 54-unit project in Thaiba (Rs. 46 lakhs to Rs. 62 lakhs per house) as well as the 51-unit TCH Tower III in Panipokahari (Rs. 59 to Rs.93 lakhs) and the TCH Tower IV in Sitapaila (67 units: Rs. 48 to Rs. 80 lakhs each).

TCH CEO Om Rajbhandary, is probably still basking in the afterglow after recently being  awarded the International Quality Summit Award, 2008, by Business Initiative Direction (BID) at the Quality Summit in New York for excelling in most criteria required, as defined by BID, towards the making of a ‘most excellent business’ organization.. TCH’s success in a short period of time (it was established in 2001) owes much to its CEO’s drive and marketing acumen shored up by projects that have been able to deliver as promised. Rajbhandary, a firm propagator of the benefits of community living is, however, not happy about the progress of the latter. He has been quoted as saying, “I would estimate that only 30% of the homes developers are selling are being bought to be lived in.” Such a tendency, that of buying houses as a means of investment only, does not help towards the making of a community, and in fact, dilutes greatly the whole concept of ‘community living’. This is one troubling aspect that could hinder the making of new and vibrant townships. Additionally, because the houses bought as investment are naturally priced much higher for re-sale, it is likely that they will be out of reach for many new buyers, thus leaving unoccupied houses, vacant for a long time.

It would be logical to think that apartments would fare much better in this regard as they would be less expensive and attract buyers who are really in need of an address. However, going by quoted prices for many new projects, it does seem possible that a similar situation can arise since the prices are still quite high. Nevertheless, high prices notwithstanding, there is a lot of attraction in buying readymade homes, be they houses or apartments. For one, security, one of the main concerns today, is an important provision that comes with living in such places. Secondly, and as importantly, basic necessities like water and electricity are, one could say, almost guaranteed by the promoters. Moreover, factors like a landscaped environment and various other facilities that make living easier, and healthier, are also built into the system. No wonder there are so many prospective homeowners with the fervent desire to be a part of it. It is thus natural to expect a booming market in housing development. It is then, no wonder, to see the number of developers and projects growing in leaps and bounds and the field has become too crowded now to be able to enumerate each and every developer and his project. Nevertheless, a few examples should suffice to get a general idea about the whole scenario as it stands today. 

Developers have left no stones unturned to come up with newer and more modern designs as far as future projects are concerned. Although, according to K.C.Parikh of Ambe Housing and Developers Pvt. Ltd., many of the offers on hand appear to be limited to paper at the moment. Additionally, most of the glossy brochures have a small clause that states, more or less, ‘All designs and specifications are subject to change as decided by the architects or by the builder’. Perhaps that is why he and the company’s marketing executive, Ritika Silwal, make it a point to inform that five floors of their eight-floor project, Metro Apartments (58 units: Rs.60 lakhs and above) near Kuleshwor, have been completed.  Likewise, its other venture, the 72 units, eight-storied Ambe Residency at Chabhil (Rs.55 to Rs. 59 lakhs), is also supposedly half complete. At the recent Real Estate Expo in Kathmandu, one could discern special efforts to score a point by those with finished or about to be finished projects through photographs of ongoing construction and half finished buildings.

Along the same lines, Laxmi Khadka of Seng Yoan Housing emphasizes that her company’s 30 row houses (Rs. 1 crore and above) at Naya Bazar, is 50% complete. Similarly, Prestige Apartments at Chandole (Rs. 88 lakhs to Rs. 2. 6 crores) also claims to have completed half of its civil works. One of the bigger developers, Guna Group, will be handing over the 160 unit Stupa Apartments in Sinamangal to owners this September, sold at prices ranging from Rs. 40 to Rs. 49 lakhs each. The company has as its ongoing projects, the 48 flats LLP Apartment and the 50 flats LP Apartment, both in Lazimpat; as well as Reliable Colony in Bhainsepati (110 bungalows). Likewise, Roadshow Real Estate, having already completed four projects (Budhanilkantha Phase I, Narayan Bhawan, Lalitpur, Phase III and Maharajgunj Phase I and II) is now offering Naya Bazar, Bhatbhateni and Chetrapati Apartments in the near future.

Leaving aside some, most developers’ projects appear to be ventures that will only be completed two or three years down the line. And, one would think, this should be a matter of some concern to potential buyers. Buyers are required to pay from 10 to 15% at the time of booking, and to pay an additional 10 to 15% within 30 to 45 days. Keeping in mind that the number of builders has grown substantially, with even foreign investment involved (Chinese, Korean and Indian), it can be presupposed that buyers will be a bit wary of coughing up significant amounts of cash to ensure a home or an apartment in projects that will be completed a few years later. Actually, this was a sore marketing point when TCH started its venture in 2001 and its market savvy CEO decided that all future projects should first have model houses built before going to the market. “Seeing is believing,” was his opinion.

Many companies also have another disclaimer on their brochures stating that the cost of the units are based on current market value and so are subject to change. One can only guess where land values will go in a few years time and how the inflationary graph will progress, so it does become a bit of a gamble for buyers. And going by what the developers say about there being only a 10 to 15% margin in their projects, it looks like it’s a bigger gamble for them, especially with the entrant of many new members in the field driving up competition to attract what one can only assume, a limited client base. Limited, because, in an economy in shambles, it is hard to see how the client base will increase in proportion to the growth in housing projects.  Although, strangely enough, some housing projects seem to sell even as the ink on the announcements have not dried. For example, in Sitapaila (a hot spot of housing development) Prem Gurung’s Sita Homes, a project of about 100 stand-alone units on around thirty ropanis of land, are apparently all sold out even though only around eight houses have been presently constructed. The price? Rs. 1 crore and above. The success of Comfort Housing has also been much talked about, and there have been tales of people queuing up from early morning with requisite advances in hand, to book their choice in just announced projects. Such success stories must surely have encouraged growth of numerous new developers.

Quite a few architectural and engineering firms are integral parts of some promoters’ boards. Civil Homes, another success story, has the byline, ‘promoted by bankers and engineers’ as its USP. Top honcho Engineer Ichha Man Tamang states with justifiable pride, “Others build large numbers of apartments, we build a greater number of stand alone homes.” Doubtless, Civil Homes is the biggest as far as units built is concerned, with the numbers reaching almost a thousand. . Their Civil Homes Phase III in Sunakothi is about 200 units strong and is said to be one of the largest housing undertakings in the country. Now, according to Tamang, a bigger one is on the anvil, this time in Khumaltar. Built on land area varying from 5 annas to a ropani, the Phase III undertaking has six types of houses ranging from 1175.82 sq. ft. built up area to 2540 sq. ft. with additional areas for car porch.

Architectural Consultants Astra Development Network are involved in quite a few projects according to its Chief Architect, Bipin Chitrakar. These include the already concluded Signature Apartments in Teku, Lifestyle Housing in Tahachal (under construction) and another planned up-scale project in Dhapasi. However, as far as professional groups are concerned, Engineer Bijay Rajbhanday’s CE Construction Pvt. Ltd. is amongst the front-runners in the business in many ways. Having parented Comfort Housing since its establishment, it has recently separated from promotional involvement with the same and has itself become an unit of the CE Group which, besides CE Construction, also has CE Developers and CD Developers in its fold as well as several other entities including CE Services. The different entities are at the moment busy with some important ongoing projects such as Dhapasi Cluster II (6 residential buildings as an extension of its Cluster I), Veena’s Residency (60 houses on 35 ropanis of land), the 11 storied, 29 units Retreat Apartments at Bijeshwori (around 1000 sq. ft. per unit), Rio Apartments, and the grandest of all, Grande Towers in Dhapasi. The Grande Towers is certainly a creative project going by the conceptualized pictures in the brochures. Planned to be constructed on 54 ropanis, with eleven towers holding 42 to 62 apartments each (a grand total of 500 apartments), the central one will be called the Sun Tower and those surrounding will be also named after different planets. It’s a grand visionary project; there is no doubt about that.

No less grandiose are proposed projects of other developers, such as the Silver City Apartments in Kalikasthan (a venture of Dipak Malhotra’s Silver Valley Developers) that visualizes a truly modern design; Sun City in Gothatar, promoted by Prakash Bajracharya’s Shangrila Housing; Clean Energy Development Bank’s Central Park in Bishalnagar.and Choudhary Group’s Cityscape Apartment Homes in Hattiban. Silver City Apartment prices range from about Rs. 1 crore to Rs. 2.4 crores for units that vary from 3 bed-roomed 1855 sq. ft. apartments to 4 bed-roomed duplex ones of 2810 sq. ft.  Sun City is publicized as the country’s first Global Township and envisages ten towers with around one thousand apartments in total. Prices range from approximately Rs. 32 lakhs to Rs. 52 lakhs for each apartment. The Central Park project is promoted as ‘a professional, international team on its way to creating an energy efficient residential development of green buildings.’ The fact that renowned landscapist M. Paul Friedberg as well as ARCOP Associates, New Delhi, will be bringing the project to life, could well be validation of the claim. Clean Park apartments will cost from about Rs. 79 lakhs to Rs.1.4 crores each.

Cityscape assures amenities like twenty-four hours security, separate swimming pools for seniors and toddlers and a jogging track, features that are actually now a given standard in most housing schemes (in addition to the usual shopping outlet and a 30:70 ratio in living and open spaces). But, in addition, Cityscape also promises a pergola over the driveway and water features besides things like a reflexology path, a meditation court, a sculpture court, play pens, etc… It goes without saying that almost all developers guarantee power back up and regular treated water supply in their projects. While on this subject, it must also be mentioned that as far as interiors are concerned, most of the developers appear to take care that high standard fittings and furnishing are used because they know that interiors matter as much as exteriors do, if not more so. And some go to great lengths to ensure that the interiors do not disappoint. For example, according to Sanjib Parajuli of Kitchen Concepts, all 52 houses of Sitapaila Housing have branded modular kitchens fitted by his firm.  Most definitely, excellent interiors are something one can expect to get when purchasing one of the units of housing companies, be it an apartment, a row house or a stand-alone house. This certainly is not a worry.

More worrisome is that, although, as stated by Ms. Prarthna Baidya (B.Arch) of TCH, there are probably only around 35 registered housing developers, according to Civil Homes’ Ichha Man Tamang, also chairman of Nepal Land and Housing Developers’ Association, 125 housing and real estate developers are registered with the association. Taking into account those unregistered, he believes there to be some 200 firms involved in this business. Certainly a high number, and one that could prove to be the undoing of this sector. As they say, ‘Too many cooks spoil the broth’. And, while developers would certainly like to be optimistic, there are some who are signaling caution as is evident from varying statements made in a leading daily recently. While there are those like Min Man Shrestha of Downtown Housing who claim with certainty that only 10% of the business’s potential has been tapped, there are others like pioneer Sumit Kumar Agrawal of Sunrise Apartments who think that due to a bad economy and global recession, the future doesn’t look good for residential units He wants to now focus on business complexes and has two projects, Sunrise Biz Park and Sunrise Complex, on the horizon. Downtown Housing, meanwhile, is going full steam ahead with its Downtown Apartments (200 plus units) in Khumaltar with the attractive proposal of prices starting from only about Rs. 25 lakhs for its studio/2/3 bedroom apartments.

Sunrise, of course, has been in the business longer, having built Sunrise Homes in Balkumari a long time ago, later projects being the 13 storied Sunrise Towers in Dhobhighat (priced in the Rs. 50 lakhs range) and the 17 storied Sunrise Apartments in Nakkhu (from about Rs. 40 to Rs.73 lakhs), besides Sunrise Cityhomes in the Banehwor area that pledges boutique apartments and designer penthouses starting at around Rs. 92 lakhs and going up to Rs. 1.74 crores for an apartment. Now, he says he is planning a 25-storied building. Here, perhaps there could be some debate on the wisdom of having too high buildings in a city like Kathmandu, which, according to experts, is in an earthquake prone zone. Especially since most envisaged apartments by developers are all tall affairs. 

However, leaving this to the experts, and in spite of everything: the weak economic scenario, the escalating prices and the unpredictable political situation, it is still a boom time for builders because of various factors, not least being the rapid population growth in the capital, brought about by uncertainty and chaos in other parts of the country. There are many, for whom, the first priority is to own a dwelling in the capital. And, so, in tune with the times, there are many builders in the fray. Doubtless, developers have been a boon for the city and have contributed substantially to the nation’s economic health besides significantly improving the urban landscape. In conclusion, for those who can afford them, beautiful houses and apartments are now on offer when and where one wants and with the assurance of many amenities that make living a more pleasurable experience. It is indeed something to be thankful for.

A Walk to Remember

My first contribution to the American economy (in America) was when I had to pay three dollars to get a baggage trolley at the Kennedy International Airport, New York. Outside of the States, of course, I had already contributed $100 towards my visa fees. Taken alone, this might not be that significant, but when taken as a part of thousands of visa applications every month, around 80% of which get rejected, one has to think that one’s $100 is part of something really big. In fact, small wonder then that the US government has built a brand new embassy back home, and I gather, is building similarly new ones in a hundred more countries around the world.

“Anyway, back to JFK International. Up to then, in most places I traveled, I had found trolleys to be part of the free airport service. My next contribution to the US economy was to have a typical (and fabled) American breakfast at Links on Tap, a restaurant near Gate Number 30, from where I was to board the Delta flight to Orlando. Called the ‘Breakfast Panini’ (bacon side) it cost me $6.99 along with $0.59 as tax. A grand total of $ 7.58. This was followed by a $ 1.61 coffee at Balducci’s, a couple of shops away.

While the breakfast was as hearty as was fabled and the water that they served with ice, as large sized as expected, I still did ruminate on the fact that it had cost me close to Rs.500 in my own country’s currency. A princely sum for a breakfast, no doubt. However, I wasn’t the sort to get raffled by such pittances. After all, I was now in America – a land I had wanted to visit for the last many years – and was well aware that it is a country where everything comes large size, including the costs. At least if converted to currencies of poorer countries like mine.

In addition, I do believe in the adage, ‘When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do’. Nevertheless, after a few months’ stay here in Kissimmee, Florida, I have come to the conclusion that in proportion to what Americans earn, such costs, especially those to do with basic necessities, aren’t really all that bad. In fact, just the opposite, I must say.  No wonder the locals seem to be so well fed.

Well fed? Well-fed indeed, and grossly overweight in most cases. My first visit to a Wal-Mart Supercenter I’ll always remember as a grand spectacle of America’s heaviest. Take it from me, an unbiased outsider with a bird’s eye view, this country’s biggest problem is not Iraq or the economy – these will one day be solved, one way or the other – but the populace’s health. Obesity? If what I observed in Kissimmee’s Wal-Mart is any indication, then America is doomed.

Remember the saying – ‘Wealth lost, Nothing Lost, Character Lost, Something Lost, Health Lost, Everything Lost’? And take it from me again, once the intestines get used to large helpings to whet the appetite, it becomes next to impossible to get back to normal. At least in the normal way – from what I hear, surgery to cut out one’s intestines to stop oneself from eating more, is the new, and for people like me – a sickeningly abnormal – fad of the times around here.

I pray for you America – there is a rapid evolution in progress here – truly, people are evolving into whale like beings. Particularly distressing is the sight of many shockingly fat little children who, for no fault of their own, will in all probability have to go through the rest of their long fat lives, as humans limited greatly in their God given faculties due to their overfed bodies. Bodies that will invariably have to be considered as burdens.

Oh America – if what is happening here is symptomatic of what will happen in countries on the fast track in terms of prosperity, then I shudder to think of what we’ll see in China’s multitudinous population in coming years. I hope, they with other prospering nations, do learn from their mistakes. But, fact remains that most such countries are quick to follow America’s act in everything they do – and it is becomingly increasingly clear that there is a rapid growth in obesity cases in China’s children – so, are we ready to see humans evolving into blubbery whales all over the world?

A billion chubby, rosy cheeked Chinese kids, their chinky eyes all but invisible within folds of facial fat – that’s how it will look, is what I say. Laughing Buddhas – a billion of them.

Whales and humans aside, let’s get back to first impressions once again – beginning at JFK International. While the crew of the Delta Airlines I traveled in, seemed to be an all white affair, blond six foot tall pilots and friendly stewardesses with next-door-girl looks along with a quite intimidating head stewardess who appeared to be rather shrewish, the first Americans I encountered on American soil were a gaggle of security people at various points along the long meandering lanes of the airport. They included many blacks and some oriental looking sorts.

One security personnel especially, I remember, a huge black woman with a mighty big bottom (I must say, I am used to such sights now, they being a rather common affair) was in charge of keeping the lines orderly at the immigration counters. But, considering that the first arrivals of the morning (7:00 am) consisted of two large planeloads from different continents, one can imagine that she seemed to have a difficult time keeping everything moving in an orderly and efficient manner.

The immigration people at the counters, I found also to be quite a diverse lot as far as race was concerned. One way or the other, it seemed to me that all that talk about high security and such was a much blown affair – I mean, the immigration people did not look too enthusiastically security minded the way they were going about their job in a way that reminded me of the phrase, ‘job burn-out’. The unbelievably young looking Hispanic security personnel doing the security checks, however, seemed to be quite thorough in their jobs – what with the passengers having to empty their pockets and even get out of their shoes and jackets before going through the detectors.

In fact, the checks seemed to be done with so much thoroughness in mind, that I remember suggesting that they have private rooms where passengers like us could get down to our bare essentials. This would make their job much easier. And, save our times too – considering that one had to walk in and out of the metal detector gates a couple of times, something or the other invariably having being forgotten to be removed from one’s bodily premises.

The plane I boarded for Orlando was a sleek big airplane – I really felt very sorry to see that it was only a quarter full – and with only two passengers in the business section – these too, evidently, non-revenue ones at that. It was an ironic moment for me. Here I was from a country which has just two jet planes in its national airlines – and, if I am not wrong, one is a leased affair – the regular maintenance of which can leave the airlines without any flight schedules for months at a time – not to speak of such episodes becoming hot and publicly debated subjects of habitual corruption in high places – here I was riding high over a deep blue ocean in a large plane only a quarter full. Actually, this was what led me to my next train of thought – is this symptomatic of what I had begun to know, that America was on its way down in the world economic rankings?

Truth be told, the question had already arisen in my mind, minutes after I landed at JFK, as to how the American economy functioned. The $3 airport trolleys had started the train of thought. Now, after a week here, my question remains the same – how does America manage to remain so apparently rich? At least as far as the evidence of well-planned and well-executed infrastructure and the multitude of glossy cars suggest? 

Talking about the latter, however, the Japanese appear to have taken over the roads – one very typical American auto dealer – at least the kind I personally had always envisaged as American – tall, white and blond - did assert during a conversation that he believed that Toyotas and Hondas were the best cars made. The Wal-Mart Super Centers, the Super Targets, the Macy’s and the Dillard’s all seemed to have stockpiles of goods (both fancy and essential) bearing the sign – ‘Made in China’ – and lots of garments that said that they were produced in Vietnam.

So, the manufacturing sector, it is obvious, is not doing so well here. However, I read somewhere that a large American company, Raytheon, did have exceptionally large orders from the Pentagon for supplying things like Tomahawk missiles last year. Apple too I gathered, is showing remarkable growth. But, all said and done, it must be conceded that America is on the downswing in the manufacturing sector.

So, how does the economy run? Trust my fertile brain to come to the logical conclusion - that the continuous process of recycling dollars is what has made this country tick. Banks here appear to have been particularly aggressive in selling their one single commodity – money - to hordes of Americans pampered over the decades with a sense of satisfactory returns for labor and skills – and with seemingly no end in sight for taking care of all needs as well as future desires right now – by the never ending promise of more hours, more earnings – when and where one wants it.

Now, of course, the situation has deteriorated so rapidly that the television shows are full of programs in which so-called financial experts dole out high-sounding advice on how one should take care of one’s money.

Travelers on public buses are continuously bombarded with advertisements on tiny TV screens of companies that promise to get you out of debt. Regular crashes on Wall Street are now a normal affair and in fact, most people appear to be taking it in their stride. But, I gather that the government, while it shows concern over the subject, is much more concerned that its citizens might fall into the sick habit of saving more than spending. And, this is what will make the American economy really sick because there is precious little to fall back on to keep the economy going. One can imagine, with the magnificently thought out systems in place, and with a populace that is at heart, ethical, reasonable and law abiding (fearing?) the government manages to remain so munificent basically due to the taxes it collects from the purchases its citizens spend so much money on. And, one can imagine what will happen when the consumers begin to purchase little.

Oh yes, it will certainly lead to a far bigger crash than what we have been seeing on Wall Street. No wonder people are looking forward to a miracle happening to take the country out of its inevitable slide – decisions are being made as to who is the new prophet - Barrack Obama or Hillary Clinton? John McCain or even, Sarah Palin?

Now, back to Kissimmee, and experiences away from this painful subject. My month long stay here has seen me aching for long walks. This is something that is quite extraordinary. People here, I have noticed, hardly ever walk, except to stroll through the malls. My legs, yearning for some long strides, took me on an outing around the block (a large block, obviously) and really, it was like something out of ‘The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner.’

In other words, the only one walking was me. This naturally caused me a degree of apprehension – the apprehension further reinforced by signs that said, ‘Suspicious persons will be reported’.  Imagine, a harmless walk could easily turn out to be the answer to a vigilante’s dream. Thus, I was glad to read in a local paper that they were having a meeting in St. Cloud to ensure the setting up of new localities where shopping malls would be planned in such a way as to encourage people to walk the five minutes to nearby shops.

But, of course, one doesn’t have to be an expert to know that this alone is not sufficient to stop the evolution of humans into whales. The problem is in the plethora of appetizing foodstuff available night and day, everywhere, and at pretty low prices. Taken alone, this is really a very good thing – people will never go hungry and so, maybe, the blame does not lie here. The blame actually lies squarely with people. Most of them (the obese) just don’t know how much is enough.

Or maybe, at a deeper level, and I have read about this somewhere, food is only a substitute for emotional shortcomings. Like loneliness, for example. This, of course, is not something that is exclusive to Americans. It is a universal reality. Like my daughter once said to me, “Papa, there are billions of people out there, but where’s the one for me?” Human nature is such that there are so many inbuilt instinctual factors like mistrust (distrust), egocentrism, doubt, shyness, etc which stop people from reacting and approaching each other as members of the same species should naturally do. And, so, you have a lot of islands in a sea of humanity.

The American family setup is one more issue to be factored in as another cause for loneliness, and thus, if true, the substitution of this socially acute need by ingestion of still more food. Obesity is a dangerous disease. Unlike other diseases that can be cured by adequate rest and recuperation along with requisite medicines, obesity, as is obvious, cannot be treated the same way. So, here goes a piece of advice from one as unbiased as me – no expert, true, but a keen observer nevertheless – America, what your people need is, going back to basics.

Come on, you don’t have to use the drive-through facilities at the bank – why don’t you park your car and go in and stand in line at the counter. Come on Americanos – you don’t have to use the drive-through to eat your Mc Donald burger. Here, I must concede that thankfully, the Big Mac is not really as big as is touted – in fact surprisingly small – and the fries too are more reasonably sized than one would have expected. Is this a sign of things to come? Of course, it doesn’t need someone like me to say that obesity is a really big American problem – who can know it better than those who suffer themselves?

Hopefully, this, the ‘going back to basics’, will enable someone like me to have longer and more enjoyable walks. Without the fear of someone, in some car, or in some window, reporting me in as a suspicious person.