Surrogate Motherhood in India

Millions of couples all around the world are battling infertility. Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART) like Surrogacy seem to be the light at the end of the tunnel for such couples. Surrogacy involves employing the services of a surrogate mother to physically bear and give birth to a child at the end of term binding a contract. Although it seems to be a win-win situation for both parties, there are certain delicate legal and ethical issues that come into the picture.

Is Surrogacy Moral?

Throughout the pregnancy, the surrogate mother is physically and emotionally involved with the baby. Pregnancy comes with its own set of hormonal changes and the surrogate mother is bound to get attached to the baby during the process. Giving it up at the end of term and completely detaching herself once the child is born can be very taxing for the surrogate mother, affecting her mental well-being as well.

Ethical issues are also raised on treating a child as a commodity, a commercial object that can be bought off someone else. Surrogacy has the potential to violate human values and dignity as it places the reproductive capacity of a woman in the market place. The Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine clearly states that “the human body and its parts shall not, as such, give rise to financial gain.” Since surrogacy essentially removes the idea of motherhood by treating women as “objects of reproductive exchange”, this “womb-for-rent” practice devalues the process of childbearing.

There is also a lack of regulation in this field that causes exploitation of surrogates in addition to denying basic human rights of citizenship and identity to the surrogate child. Oftentimes, the surrogate mother comes from a poor third world nation. In the absence of economic alternatives, they are sometimes pushed into international commercial surrogacy by their families for the sake of their livelihood.

Legal Aspects of Surrogacy

Most countries throughout the world do not consider the intended parents as the child’s legal parents. That title goes to the birth mother. India is an exception, with commercial surrogacy being legalised in 2002. This, in addition to the relatively low cost has made India a very sought-after destination for international surrogacy.

The Indian Government has regulated the laws governing surrogacy with the surrogacy contract between the parties involved and the ART guidelines of the clinic. Drafting, reviewing and signing the surrogacy contract at the very beginning is of paramount importance.

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) along with the Law Commission of India have laid out the following legal guidelines for surrogacy:

·         Prohibition of sex-selective surrogacy

·         Birth certificate of the child to have the names of the intended couple as legal parents

·         Requirement of one of the intended parents to be the donor to promote a healthy biological relationship

·         Surrogacy contract to take care of the surrogate’s life insurance cover

·         Right to privacy of the surrogate

International surrogacy also comes with several legal issues of its own. The surrogacy laws of both countries should be uniform. The citizenship to be granted to the child is also another major legal issue.

The focus of this article is to bring to light the various legal and moral grounds surrounding surrogacy. Although it comes with its own challenging ethical and legal issues, in most cases, it goes smoothly for each party involved as long as there is a solid agreement in place.

Connecting with Nature

The World Environment Day is organized every year in order to encourage worldwide awareness about environmental importance and its protection which is in turn aimed to get a healthy environment for everyone, especially for the coming generations. It is celebrated in more than 100 countries every year with a unique theme. The Theme for the year 2017 is “Connecting with Nature”. World Environment Day is celebrated to promote positive actions for the environment in order to sustain all forms of life in the long run. This year’s theme calls us to be a part of nature by joining any natural environment related activity. It invites us to find fun and exciting ways to create a vital relationship with the environment and to cherish the same. So how can we connect with nature in order to make the World Environment Day 2017 more successful?

How to Connect With Nature on This World Environment Day

You can celebrate the day  by performing both the indoor and outdoor activities and these can be:

Plan Outdoor Trip

Planning an outdoor trip like at beaches or in the valleys on the day will boost your senses as well as your enthusiasm and strengthen your connection with nature.

You can also visit the major parks in your city which are surrounded by the healthy plants, trees, and a variety of pretty flowers. Do not just walk inside the park, take long breaths and also try to touch and hug the trees carefully. This is such an awesome way to come closure to nature and realize the importance of their existence for our own.

Bring Nature Indoors

You can also decorate your home by keeping the jars of fresh flowers at the different places in your house. You can also give a space to the houseplants such as Aloe Vera, Anthurium, Peace Lily, Peperomia, Snake Plant, Christmas Cactus, English Ivy, and Basil etc.

Make Use of All Senses

You can find a peaceful green area where you can perform yoga or meditation as it connects all your senses with nature and gives a peace and relaxation to your body and mind. You can also put off your shoes and can start walking on the grass. This is such an amazing way whereby you can walk wet grass during the morning. Now, enjoy the sensation of the touch, andfeel the fresh air on your skin.

Plantation

Planting in your garden or in your nearest park can be a fascinating experience that directly links up you with nature. This step will seriously encourage the development of a green and healthy environment for you and everyone.

Add Vegetables to Your Diet

Buy some organic vegetables and fruits from the vegetable market. Instead of sending your servant to buy them, go yourself and pick the variety of fruits and vegetable. Now, Eat fruits and cook vegetables at your home with without any assistance. By doing so, you can create a healthy connection with nature. Thus, build a close relationship with nature on the day. The aim of celebrating this day is to become aware of the importance of sustaining the environment for a healthier life for the present and future generations.

The Perils of working in the NGO Sector

The not-for-profit sector in India is driven by visionaries and philanthropists who foresee a better community by solving problems that our society is plagued with. However, it has its own share of challenges; an important one being human resources. An NGO needs a dedicated workforce to manage innumerable tasks, leverage resources and build a friendly relationship with the recipients and donors. It faces various hurdles with the management of the HR function.

People have ingrained belief in working for corporate and government organizations with stable, secure and well-paid jobs. People in non-metro towns do not have enough corporate job options. For them, to choose a career in the social sector itself is a big step. There is a sense of insecurity with the job and salary when working at an NGO. Also, they wonder if they will be in line with society's idiosyncrasy while working with HIV infected people or the disabled. It is difficult to change this mindset.  Our government should pitch in with efforts to educate both, people at the grass-roots level and the leaders behind the NGOs, to adopt practical thought processes.

One would rarely find an exclusive HR department in an NGO. Neither does the founding committee allocate enough funds nor do they put in the required efforts on developing a HR team. The other employees lack organizational efficiency. Hiring is a time consuming process. It requires patience to sort applications and interview candidates. Also, young people join in to get NGO experience and leave with certificates. Some non-profits themselves term it as a good time to fill the gap in their summer leave. They must hire full time candidates. They have more time to imbibe the culture, adapt to the requirements and work productively. It would be wise to retain interns and those working on a project basis.

NGOs at grass-roots level are unable to manage funds and cash flow. They constantly need money and resources by funding which need to be utilized appropriately. Wages ought to be paid on time. They often have long working hours including outstation travel and stay. Employees work on different domains and across departments. NGOs must hire people who are self-motivated and willing to work out of their comfort zone; people who are able to strive for a goodwill cause.

Most NGOs lack proper facilities which make it more difficult to attract quality talent and volunteers. Scarcity of water, fluctuating electricity and unkempt surroundings make a bad work environment. There should be regulations on facilities and support for employees. It is crucial for NGOs to maintain hygiene and keep their employees motivated by ensuring access to these basic needs.

Non-profit trusts and organizations tend to give too much attention to raising funds instead of solving problems. There is a lack of communication to the lowest grade staff in the organizational structure, making them feel left out and lose trust. NGOs must keep everyone aligned to their vision and mission. Keeping governance systems in check would ensure everyone is on the same page and work in unison.

The Legacy of Jawaharlal Nehru

Jawaharlal Nehru, one of the greatest Leader India has seen so far, was the first Prime Minister of India. He was at the forefront of Indian politics and Independence movement along with Mahatma Gandhi. The people of India loved him a lot, and he remained as the Prime Minister for a long duration of 17 years! He is considered to be the architect of the modern India. Jawaharlal Nehru was born on 14^th November 1889 as the son of Motilal Nehru and Swaroop Rani. He was a graduate of Trinity College, Cambridge, and the Inner Temple, where he trained to be a barrister. He became a rising figure in Indian politics by the year 1910. The Non-Cooperation Movement was a significant phase of the Indian independence movement from British rule. Mahatma Gandhi led it after the Jallianwala Bagh Massacre. It led to thousands of common citizens to participate in Indian Independence movement. Nehru was an active leader of this movement, and he got arrested for the first time for activities against the British rule.

In 1929, Nehru became the president of the Indian National Congress. It was his first leadership role in politics. On 8^th August 1942, the members of Congress passed the Quit India resolution demanding complete political freedom from Britain in exchange for support in the World War II. The following day, the British government arrested all Congress leaders, including Nehru and Gandhi. He spent a total of nine years of his life in jail. Pandit Nehru wrote ‘The Discovery of India’ in 1942–46 at Ahmednagar fort in Maharashtra, where he was in imprisonment. The book is considered one of the finest modern works on Indian history. He wrote several other books later.

Once elected, Nehru headed an interim government, weakened by outbreaks of communal violence and political disorder. After failed attempt to form coalitions, Nehru reluctantly supported the partition of India. He took office as the Prime Minister of India on 15 August 1947. He was a visionary leader and started to lead India to accomplish his vision of India. The Constitution of India was enacted in 1950, after which he started working on an ambitious program of economic, social and political reforms. He led India's transition from a colony to a republic, while nurturing a multi-party democracy. He took a keen interest in developing Indian foreign policy.

Under Nehru's leadership, the Congress emerged as the largest party all over India and won consecutive elections 1951, 1957, and 1962. He remained popular with the people of India in spite of some political troubles and the 1962 Sino-Indian War. Throughout his 17-year leadership, he advocated democratic socialism and secularism. In 1951, he published the first five-year development plan and encouraged India’s Industrialization movement & improvement in the agricultural production.

Nehru had the vision of investing in Space Science & Nuclear technology and also had the skills to convince his colleagues about it. He brought exceptionally great intellects like Dr. Bhabha & Dr. Sarabhai to lead these programs & also managed to get help from other countries like the US, Canada, France and Germany in the early stages of these programs. He instituted various social reforms such as free public education and meals for Indian children. He approved the legal rights for women including the ability to inherit property and divorce their husbands. He appealed the conventionally opposed categories of low caste and high caste, Hindu and Muslim and North Indian and South Indian.

The Indian democracy is in the steady state today because of the foundations laid by Nehru. If India has become a large economy in the World, it is because of the multi-purpose projects, the public sector undertakings and institutions established by Nehru as well as the systematic planning process initiated by him.

India will always remember Jawaharlal Nehru as a great leader of Congress, the single largest political party in India that time & the first Prime Minister of India. During his leadership, India became independent, the Constitution of India was signed, and India made considerable progress as an Independent Nation. He developed a great relationship with multiple nations and led India on a progressive path. He was the greatest political leader India had seen so far.

Helping Our Aging Parents

Do you have aging parents? Then consider yourself blessed. It means that you are in the prime of your life, and have already accomplished a lot of what you had been dreaming since your childhood. On top, you still have your loving parents whom you have known since you were born.

But never take this blessing for granted. Many are not as lucky as you. Many may not be having any parents alive, and a few may have only one of the parents alive. As time goes on, your blessings may run out. I have known many who always had this regret, "I wish I had done this ..." for their parent. However, one would only say that this is not their fault. Everyone thinks their parents will live forever; at least as long they themselves are alive. The fact is, we have seen our parents ever since we have been alive. The thought that they can leave us, never enters our mind. Let the truth be told, however harsh and heart-breaking it may be for you. Unless you yourself meet an untimely end; your parents will depart from this world before your eyes!

If you have realized this and taken it bravely, then NOW is the time to do something for them. Never postpone your solemn duty of caring for them; because you may never get the opportunity again. So, what can we do for our aging parents? Below is a brief list that may serve as a reminder, an agenda and a To-Do list.

 1. Give Them Your Time

Aged parents feel neglected and unwanted. As senior citizens, they feel as if they are like products which have passed their expiry dates. This terrible feeling is more reinforced, when they find that many of their friends and peers have passed away. The feeling of loneliness can be killing. Find TIME for them. It is the most precious gift that you can give them every day. Remember the times when they send so much time on you. You were their indulgence. They gave up many of their life's enjoyment so that they can spend more time with you. You own needs were very visible, and you would not have been what you are today, if they have not given you their time, often sacrificed their sleep, rest and comfort. Sit with them, eat with them, talk to them, and take them around; is the minimum caring you can do. Often aged parents, after retirement from jobs, are restricted to their rooms. It is just like putting them in a prison cell. Caring for them means making they feel ‘at home’ and that they are still an integral part of your family.

2.  Taking Care of Their Finances

Senior citizens no longer continue to earn or get paid employment after retirement. Your parents may not be earning anything now, yet the cost of living continues unabated. In fact, they may be on the higher side, if cost of healthcare, health food supplements and medicines are added. It would be good if they have a house of their own. You have to see that they do not face any financial hardship. The house can be put on mortgage, if fund position is tight. It will give them the required liquidity to manage their affairs. Your siblings can chip in, if they are good children. Sharing costs would reduce the financial burden. Do whatever you can, but never let your parents face any financial hardship at this age. Remember the times when they did whatever they could, so that you can have what you wanted or needed badly.

3. Caring For Their Health Issues

As they advance in age, your parents will be facing an increasing number of health issues. It can be anything from arthritis or cataract to Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s disease. Senior citizens may not have anyone else in this world to turn to. Some retirement plans and pension schemes include life-long medical care which includes the spouse. Check for any such policies. More than anything else, during their illness, your mere presence with your parents will give them great comfort. Do your best to ease their sufferings in these sunset years of their life.

4. Give Them Your Emotional Support

It might come as a surprise to you, that the ones who supported you emotionally when you were young; will actually need emotional support themselves. But it is true. As senior citizens your parents may feel helpless and frustrated with their illnesses; and lonely because they may have lost their entire elder or peer near relatives and friends. As their very own blood, your emotional support will be a lifeline to them. It will fill the void they feel in their life. Do not miss this chance to repay your blood debt.

5. Old Age Home or Paid Health Caring

In India, it is customary to have the parents in the family. However, times are changing. Many old age parents have their children working abroad. There is no one to take care of them. This situation can be disastrous, when any of them falls sick or becomes a victim of a mishap or accident. NGO’s or paid care givers have to be employed to take care of them. With the risks of theft and mugging of senior citizens on the rise, the children living overseas find it safer and more convenient to put the parents in old age homes.

These are just the most important points to be taken care of, and only illustrative. There are as many ways to take care of old age parents as they thoughtfully did for their children decades ago.  It is not just a noble humane responsibility, but also an experience that is very warm, satisfying and fulfilling. You will remember this for long and feel thankful when your parents are no longer with you. Someday in not very distant future, when your own time comes, you will also be in their shoes.

New Pension Scheme - Retire Well

There was a man living in his late 50s, he had a daughter to get married, a son in his graduation and a wife and he is the only earning member in the family. He had to plan for so many things lined up and most of them are cost heavy. Now there can be two possibilities- the man had done initial investments (stocks, real estate, mutual fund etc) and he sells them and take returns to satisfy the needs along with his savings from the salary. The other situation is that he has planned everything systematically and opted for NPS. He knew how much he would need in future for big expenses like child education, marriage etc. Finally, the man retires- son and daughter both married and living outside India happily. The man now has no earnings in case 1 as he had sold his investments. But in case 2 even though he sold his properties at the time of need, he will get monthly income due to NPS. He still can earn his living without tension and the man along with his wife enjoy their senior citizen life.

The purpose of life is to live a healthy living, eat meal two times a day, keep your family happy, satisfy their needs and earn- how much? The nature says that we are never satisfied with what we get and on how much we wish to earn. But we have options till we have a job, business men are exceptions in this situation. Imagine you are working in a small shop or any unorganised sector and you turn 60. What next? No job, no earnings, what will happen to your family. Here is an illustration to this.

Nothing bad will happen because here is scheme which will provide regular (monthly) income to your family once you retire. This scheme is NPS-New Pension Scheme. It has been introduced by Government of India for providing pension benefits to the common man specifically to those who are self-employed like barbers, shopkeepers, etc. and to those who work in unorganized sector. Under this scheme, individual has to regularly invest some amount and he will get some fixed amount at the time of retirement as income. There are various benefits and what better than this would serve your purpose. It is like you get a reward of your job for the hard work and your contribution to the company.

It is open for every citizen of India and you can opt for this scheme easily and conveniently. It is very flexible and regulated by PFRDA (Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority) which is a transparent regulatory body. Hence, you are secured and keeps a monitor check on the happenings and proceeds. Thus, it is highly genuine and trust worthy. Any person from the age 18 to 60 can opt for this scheme. But when there is an undischarged solvent, unsound mind person or might be a pre-existing account holder of NPS, he/she is not eligible for NPS.

Next section is about opening of NPS account. It is simple indeed. Two types of account can be opened under NPS Scheme i.e. Tier 1 and Tier 2.Tier 1 says that the amount can be withdrawn by the NPS account holder up to the age of retirement i.e. 60 years and Tier 2 account subscribers are free to withdraw their savings as per their requirements.

Everything basic thing is discussed but major question striking your mind would be how much amount to be contributed. So, there is a minimum limit of Rs 500 per month or Rs 6000 per year. The minimum contribution has to be of 1 year. There is one flexibility out here in case of withdrawal. There is an option to withdraw early i.e. before the age of 60. It might be due to some urgency because of severe illness, big expense coming your way, sudden death or mishap. And the other is of course to withdraw when you retire normally at the age of 60. In a country like India, where social security schemes are practically non existent for those in the unorganized sector

Bonded Labour in India – A Form of Modern Day Slavery

        

India is a labour-surplus economy – with an unlimited number of workers willing to work at a subsistence wage – a paradoxical feature of the labour market is the rising incidence of scarcity or shortages amid a situation of potential plenty.  Labour law reform has been in debate since several decades but this has come onto the political agenda in India by the results of the 16^th General Election. it is commonly being argued that the reform is intended to address the problem of labour market rigidities and ensure a smooth economic investment growth by removing the unnecessary obstacles.

Bonded labour is the most prevalent form of modern slavery in India today, despite being outlawed. Individuals and families, including children, are exploited in slave-like conditions to pay off debt. The lender, often a landowner or factory boss, uses numerous tactics to exploit this slave labour. The borrower is often forced to work at paltry wage levels to repay the debt. Exorbitant interest rates are charged (from 10% to more than 20% per month), and money lent for future medicine, clothes, or basic subsistence is added to the debt.

In most cases of bonded labour, up to half or more of the day’s wage is deducted for debt repayment, and further deductions are often made as penalties for breaking rules or poor work performance. The labourer uses what little income remains to buy food and supplies from the lender, at heavily inflated prices. They rarely have enough money to live on, so they are forced to borrow more money to survive. Any illness or injury, often due to the appalling conditions in which they work, spells disaster. More money must be borrowed not only for medicine but also because the injured individuals cannot work, meaning the family is not earning enough to survive.

Sometimes the debts last a few years, and sometimes (especially in agriculture) the debts are passed on to future generations. For those who do manage to pay off the debt, often their situation means that they need to borrow more money so they are perpetually in debt, albeit for a series of loans.