Chapter 13:Sivakasi

In coming to southern India, we knew we had to visit the Sivakasi region. Its fireworks and match factories are infamous for their dangerous working conditions and their abuse of workers.
It was an explosion here that lead to Free the Children's action the year before to have Toronto ban from its city-sponsored events all fireworks manufactured with the use of child labour. Even while I was researching the background material to present to Toronto City Council, I had imagined getting inside one of those factories to see for myself the conditions which these children. But as we neared the region that day, I still had no idea how we might accomplish that, for factory owners were always on the lookout for strangers seeking access to their operations, thinking they might be activists out to expose them.

Chapter 12: Madras

"My final memory of Lahore was of a monument on one of its traffic islands - a full sized fighter jet with the flag of Pakistan painted on its tail. One of my lasting memories of Madras would be of an old, bare-chested man, his hair as white as the plodding pair of oxen he was leading through the heavy traffic of the city center. I knew I had come to a different part of Asia. The port city of Madras is the gateway to southern India, and as zealous protector of Tamil culture. It's weather is hotter and it's pace is a little slower. The city is full of narrow and over crowded streets, bazzars and restaurants,and, as we were to find out, alot more than meets the eye."

Chapter 11: Lahore

"Later that day, we boarded a bus for Lahore. The ride would save a few hundred dollars in plane fare. With still two weeks to the end of my trip, I had to make a little money for a long way.

There was only one stop for food and a trip to the washroom. Partway to Lahore, the driver announced our arrival at a small restaurant. Alam and I went inside. I ordered a curry soup, while Alam decided on a lighter snack and come jasmine tea."

Chapter 10: Karachi & Islamabad

"We had mixed feelings about going to Pakistan. I had no doubt I wanted to go; visiting the place where Iqbal had lived and seeing his grave were one of the things I wrote down when I drew up my itinerary.

But I waas told that Pakistan is not always a safe country. A number of human rights workes I had met advised me against a visit. Pakistanis who had spoken out on child labour issues had been beaten, imprisoned or had disappeared altogeher. And after all, they pointed out, it was the place where Iqbal was murdered."

Chapter 9: Delhi

"If I were asked to sum up the time I spent in India in one word, I would have to say, amazing. It's an overused word, I know. But it was just that. Amazing."