Life on the street...

I am not sure I have really spoken about life on the streets much in previous blogs, Kolkata has over 20 million people residing in boundaries, and some stats (courtesey of CIA factbook) provide a useful context about life in India - 25% of the population live below the poverty line, 3 in every 100 children born die.
Interesting the ratio of female to male birth is not that different (stark contrast to everything i have been hearing on female foetus abortion). Life expectancy for men is 66 years, women 71, a whopping 60% of India's labour force work in agriculture and only 61% of population over age of 15 can read and write (only 48% of women). India is largest producer of licit opium, but illicit drug production rife and trafficking big problem.

Spent some time today with seasoned long stayers in this part of the world (Bangladesh, 9 years) and stories of abducted children, murders and rape don't seem so far away from things portrayed in movie slum dog millionaire. But there is a very positive upside, fantastic hospitality - everyday i recieve acts of compassion and genuine caring for the 'guest in my country' as some have described to me.

I have uploaded a few photos of activity that goes on in streets here, home to thousands of people in Kolkata, walking along a 100metre stretch of road last night i counted 18 people sleeping. Many have stalls by day and sleep on plank of wood at bottom of their stall by night, but most directly on pavement, a blanket overtop, nothing underneath. Walking along street you often have to step over feet and children lying curled next to mothers. By day the gutter is the bathroom everyone washes daily, soaping up by bucket on street (or at bathing ghat as in picture in album). I have no idea what people do during monsoon season when water teems down and apparently is often up to 1 metre deep in street.

Large communist gathering today on Maidan with one policeman saying they expected 1 million people!!!!!!!!!, large show of strength with hundreds of buses bringing people from around the city and much flag waving.

Visited the Kolkata book fair, which had a scottish theme this year (British Council sponsers event), majority of books english but stall after stall selling study guides for MBAs (quick peek looked v v difficult algebra ughh!!), computer courses, mathematics, finance, accountancy and there were actually people in there buying them!

Thanks for messages on board, what a great connection Sue, am sure villagers are v v thankful, a friend was saying that tiger pee smells v strong so perhaps some sniffer dogs as well??!

Take care all, xx
Jess