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From: bala@mordred (Bala Krishnamurthy)
Newsgroups: net.nlang.india
Subject: Re: dowry
Message-ID: <344@mordred>
Date: Tue, 8-Oct-85 11:20:31 EDT
Article-I.D.: mordred.344
Posted: Tue Oct  8 11:20:31 1985
Date-Received: Sat, 12-Oct-85 06:48:14 EDT
References: <3110@ut-sally.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: Department of Computer Science, Purdue University
Lines: 37

Before we fall off the cliff questioning the very purpose of this discussion
I would like to point out that, YES, it happens. And yes it has happened
in *this* country. It happens in middle class South Indian families (of
which I am a member).

There is no gainsaying the fact that there are n people in this country
who no longer acept/give dowry. The real questions to be attacked are:
	
	(1) Is there *anyone* who takes/gives dowry ?
	(2) Are we doing something to aid the process of eliminating this?
	(3) Can we stand up to the "others" in India and boldly tell them
		"Wrong. It is a crime. We can do without it."
	(4) What prevents us from doing this?

Dowry in any form is still dowry. Accepting it meekly as an established
"tradition" is a cop-out. Ever think of not attending (or at least
not eating at) marriages of friends/relatives where you know dowry is being
given/taken? At least not being afraid to state your views openly?
It may not be much but social changes will not happen overnight, small
things like this go a long way in changing deep-rooted views.

For the "elders" who are reading this (I am 24) and still think,
"Oh it is no big deal to take dowry as long as the other person can
afford to give" - all I can say is -- stop and think. It is a crime. Period.

If you have changed one family's viewpoint you have done something.

Cheers,
bala



Balachander Krishnamurthy	bala@purdue.EDU	        (ever reliable ARPA)
Dept. of Computer Science	bala.purdue@csnet-relay  (reliable CSNET)
Purdue University    {ucbvax,decvax,hplabs}!purdue!bala	(semi reliable usenet)
W. Lafayette IN 47907		317-494-7805		(um, well, er... GTE)