Top climber dies in fall
New brides score bats to discipline husbands
AN Indian state minister has given hundreds of wooden bats to newlywed brides, urging them to use the paddle as a weapon if their husbands turn alcoholic or abusive.
Gopal Bhargava gave the bats, which are used to get dirt out of clothes in traditional laundries, to almost 700 brides at a mass wedding organised by the government of central Madhya Pradesh state.
The nearly foot-long paddles are emblazoned with messages that read: “For beating drunkards” and “Police won’t intervene”.
Mr Bhargava told the brides to reason with their husbands first, adding that they should “let the wooden paddles do the talking” if their spouses refuse to listen.
He said he wanted to draw attention to the plight of rural women who face domestic abuse from their alcoholic husbands.
“Women say whenever their husbands get drunk they become violent,” he said.
“Their savings are taken away and splurged on liquor. There is no intent to provoke women or instigate them to violence but the bat is to prevent violence.”
The minister has ordered nearly 10,000 bats for distribution to newlywed women.
Many Indian states have launched a crackdown on liquor in recent years, either banning or restricting its sale in a bid to curb alcohol-fuelled violence.
Last year, the government of Tamil Nadu state vowed to introduce prohibition as part of its campaign to win re-election.
The pledge was popular with women voters, who blame alcohol for much of the state’s domestic and sexual violence and for depleting the income of poor families. A SWISS climber acclaimed for his rapid ascents, including scaling dozens of peaks in the Alps in a little more than two months, died on Sunday in a mountaineering accident near Mount Everest in Nepal.
Ueli Steck, 40, described as “the David Beckham of climbing”, died at Camp 1 of Mount Nuptse, said Mingma Sherpa, of Seven Summit Treks.
Mr Steck’s body was taken to Lukla, the only airport in the Mount Everest area.
Mr Steck’s family said the circumstances of his death were still unclear.
“The family is infinitely sad and asks that the media refrain from speculating about his death out of respect and consideration for Ueli,” a statement said.
Mr Steck was acclimatising for his planned climb next month of Mount Everest and nearby Mount Lhotse.