Slumdog star for sale

I noticed many response to this story and a great many suggested that people should do something about poverty of which I agree, but how many of those who say something should be done to assist the poor and needy are really doing so?

I brought to the attenton of Oprah Winfrey, Dr. Phil,Gayle King, Warren Buffett, Bill Gates. Rachael Wray and so mnay others the plight of a family right here in America and only one replied so far and that is Bill and Melinda Gates foundation and the reply was, we feel for the victims but we just cannot help as we don't assist individuals.

My question to these companies and businesses who don't give to individuals, is? who are the ones supporting you? is it the the companies or the individuals the small man whom you see daily?

It is time for you all to stop this foolishness and help the man on Main Street, most times the millions you give to these big non profits don't even reach the little man, the C.E.O's are the ones who benefit.

That'sthe very samething the President is doing bailing out the big guys while the little man is left behind.

What you need to do is to seek out genuine individual needs and cases, then give assistance as needed once it is determined that those needs are genuine and ligitimate.

By Selvin.. Posted September 14 2009 at 1:34 AM.

your all stupid, get a life, kiss a girl!....do somthing!!!!!

By stacy.. Posted July 21 2009 at 5:39 AM.

THE INDIAN SLUM STORY:
The producers of this movie have portrayed India in a bad shape.This might be an attempt to scare of the investors from the booming India.Though the facts are true,why didn't the producers show the best things happened in India? Its not the Indian public who wish to have slums.Who is to be blamed?Does taking such a film solve it?Indians admire Mother Theresa.Do they admire Danny Boyle? No.He just shamed India,scaring off tourists and investors to some extent which thereby delays slum eradication.Now Indians are nick named slum dogs...it hurts.This also reflects the dumbness of the present Indian Government which just kept quiet watching the proceedings..what a shame!

By sarathi.. Posted May 22 2009 at 10:18 AM.

(Comment 1 of 2)
WHAT AN ABSOLUTE DISGRACE!
Re: (By Lisa. Posted April 24 2009 at 9:29 AM.)

Lisa: You are an "incredibly intelligent" caring compassionate, perceptive and ultra-discerning Human Being.
Of all the comments I read, yours targeted EVERY thought (with a few exceptions to some of my most extreme ones) that I had about the makers of the US$300,000,000.00+ movie.
How greedy can any low-life movie producer be to give a measly $700 and a little over US2k for such great contributions those (Oscar Winning) kids made to his movie, then left them to rot until the cameras started to shine their lights on the evil movie producer like Danny Boyle, who gain so much, and gave so damn little.

By Monty.. Posted May 18 2009 at 7:27 AM.

If you don't know what is the value of a child then don't have it. Stop selling kids for money. She is an angel. I think she will be more happy without you. A father like you, it's useless. He doesn;t even know what is the meanong of a father.I hope she will have a good parents in the future.

By usha.. Posted May 15 2009 at 3:34 PM.

does anyone want to say anything about Karen Matthews???

By gottcha.. Posted May 12 2009 at 2:31 PM.

If you can't afford to bring up a child...plzzz don't make children.. how cheap of that so called father

By Dia.. Posted May 11 2009 at 5:20 PM.

where angelina jolie..hahahaha..

By jane.. Posted April 25 2009 at 10:32 AM.

Having been to India's slums, I found the movie to show accurately slums in India and the lives lived in them. I love India and its people, but the slums are unimaginable and even worse then what is shown in this movie. If the country, its citizens and those around the world, do not want this portrayed, then they should do something about it and seek to actively change it!
The filmakers are directly responsible for putting this child in danger! They just showed an entire film about the risks to children suffering from poverty in Indian slums and yet they leave this kid and family in the same conditions without protection for her and her fame and to top it off THEY payed her a shameful wage, compared to their earnings! Then they take thes kids to America and expose them to wealth beyond their wildest imaginations, and then take no measures to protect them and their families emotionally and financially, during the media frenzy that followed this film! I hold the American filmmakers responsible for such desperate situations that this child and possibly other children from Slumdog are now being "exposed" to. Shame on you Danny Boyle and any of you, who dangled wealth, fortune, fame from the US, in front of this family and then did not stick around to be responsible for your actions in the lives of those your profited from!

By Lisa.. Posted April 24 2009 at 9:29 AM.

they shd leave dem alone.fools in britain.why british ppls think wot they know r the best?this is our land n not uk.damn.would they do that if the situations r they same as britain?

By kwaku bamfo.. Posted April 23 2009 at 10:29 PM.

i think its wrong to sell your duaghter i think they jus move into the apartment they are given

By ahmad.. Posted April 23 2009 at 7:41 PM.

Pity this family is being cast in this kind of light. But what do you expect from a poverty striken family. How many people, in the same kind of situation, given offers like this, would refuse? I think the media over-dramatise issues and sensationalise things just to sell thier stuff. The fact of the girl's lack/poverty has been conveniently forgotten. She won an oscar, so what? Does that put food on her table or give her clothes? Those in developed countries with a sheltered existence should be more sensitive to the plight of have nots in poor countries like India.

By sanmi.. Posted April 23 2009 at 6:00 PM.

that's really shamefull for india.poverty may be a problem, but selling daugters!no.that girls future must be saved

By abhijit.. Posted April 23 2009 at 3:37 PM.

I think the Media have taken advantage of the poor family, whatever the father had supposedly done I dont blame him. The media have taken advantage of his poverty, the producers have paid the poor girl nothing awards dont pay for hunger. Leave the family alone and stop the intrusion

By faruk ahmed.. Posted April 22 2009 at 11:46 PM.

A crazed father with a crazed “work up rich” plan.

By munya.. Posted April 22 2009 at 6:15 PM.

Hey crazy,
Don't forget that America is built by the immigrants who came from diff. countries. So credit goes to all those brilliant people.
U will see in near future where America is going to be without those immigrants.

By Kumar.. Posted April 22 2009 at 6:07 PM.

its the act against human right.the dad of rubina ali should be penalized for this type of turpitude....

By Darpan Raaz.. Posted April 22 2009 at 9:48 AM.

The film has deeply damaged india's image. Generally people will accept that India is accurately illustrated by Slumdog Millionaire. Inidans are portrayed as brutal, cruel/evil (blinding a child), violent, stupid, belligerent, filthy, jealous of another's success, uncaring, unfaithful, and each one for himself in a rat eat rat world with police at liberty to carry out torture. Any kind or compassionate act is seen as an exception rather than the rule.

Its may be true that some of above happen in India. It also happens in advanced countries. There are rotten people everywhere in the world.

But India is also a cradle of civilisation. Music, poetry, storytelling and cuisine second to none. Indians are amongst the most intelligent brains in the world. Generally Indians are very hospitable and big hearted.
This did not come across in the movie.

And because "Who want to be a Millionaire" is a reality show. Then most unfortunately Slumdog will be percieved as reality in India.

Ameerali Abdeali
Singapore

By Ameerali Abdeali.. Posted April 22 2009 at 9:40 AM.

I am doing a 3-4 minute speech on this article for school and this has been the biggest eye catcher for me. It amazes me how a father can do this to his own child. He shouldn't take advantage of his daughter this way. To me, she deserves better.

By Lindsey .. Posted April 22 2009 at 7:28 AM.

i think people should stop blaming india for this.. . befure adding your comments you sould all keep in my mind that india got independence only in 1947, and before that the extremely proud brits ruled over her, and all the wealth and resources that india had inherited from nature and as wellas from its previous civilizations were all drained from india to britain that became more and more developed sucking indias wealth. today india has to deal with many problems- terrorism from the neighbours, corruption, poverty......and i think people from countries that is developed by draining other countries' (as do looters) wealth should think twice before blaming india...
and i am really disgusted by this shameless act.... its shame, how a father can sell his own daughter for money...

By silvi.. Posted April 22 2009 at 6:22 AM.

wow the english have done it again.
theyve now generalised two countries america and india
america is greedy and india is poor
thats all they can write about to satisfy their stupid ego

and if there are any british here that are hurt by this comment; now you'll see what it feels like to be generalised.

not all indians are poor, not all indian cities are polluted and not all indian children live in poverty and are sold.
when danny boyle made trainspotting , he didnt potray the whole of scotland doing heroin. it was just a certain percentile.
ditto with slumdog.

also dont forget that the british have ruled us for more than 4 centuries. prior to that we were know as the "soneki chidiya" which means the golden bird. this is because agriculturally, geographically and economically the country was very well off. its one of the oldest civilizations. The britishers came in and took all that away. the jewel that your queen wears in her crown is the kohinoor, the world largest diamond and it once belonged to the indian nation, before it was looted by your ancestors.

we only got our independence in 1947. the country had to literally rebuild from scrap. and now you are glorifying the poverty, saying that all of india is like this.
this is complete BS

By me_kt.. Posted April 22 2009 at 2:10 AM.

I am disappointed on Media always highlighting and showing the bad side of things happening in India and allowing people generalising the mentalities of Indians.

I have been brought up lovingly by my parents in all the comforts and have seen the beautiful things of life in my country, wherever I see. I am proud of being Indian and for everything I have been given here. Pros and Cons are always associated and can be see that in every country. Whats the point of highlighting such issue and making that a talk of the town! Who or which country is Perfect? After being ruled for 4 centuries by British regime, India is leading in Technology and other areas and is quiet competent to face different challenges. I am sure, this hard work would still bring a more sweeter fruit in the near future and we will see every one satisfied with what they have and whom they have.

I wish you too the best for the challenges of your life.

By Anu.. Posted April 22 2009 at 1:29 AM.

This is a shame. Many of us would never understand the life in India. I don't agree with the father, it makes me sick to think about selling one of my kids. BUT you have to understand that even if they got more money for the movie they would still be in the slums because that is what they know and want. This is the way of life that they know and they will go back to it. Pray fully the little girl will get a good education and realize that there is a different better life outside of the slums. But like all big media stories it will lose the attention in a few weeks and life for them will resume and they will all be forgotten.

By t Goode.. Posted April 22 2009 at 1:20 AM.

Please stop putting the US, namely "Hollywood", into this. This is a BRITISH film. And for all the people saying they should have given her family some money... why? There are plenty of child actors and none of their families got paid. Why not? Because the FAMILY didn't earn that money, the child did. They did the right thing by putting HER money in a trust, just like they would any other CHILD actor. And to the idiots who think an 8 year old girl (and her FATHER) needs access to that money, for the father to spend as he pleases, are some damn fools.

By Gianni.. Posted April 22 2009 at 1:15 AM.

Human could be the worst of it's kind in animal kingdom. Most of all, from greed and lust.

By hart.. Posted April 22 2009 at 12:42 AM.

@ michaelz0

I pity you my friend, and the sad, hateful life you appear to lead. I can only hope that whatever God you pray to will lead you out of the hole you're digging yourself into. We all deserve to be happy in life, if nothing else, so God bless you.

By Danke.. Posted April 21 2009 at 10:45 PM.

America is creating new slumdogs everyday. Unruly out of control spending bees are losing their nest and are headed to slums in CA, AZ, NV, and many more places.

American's right to rule the world has ended long time ago. I expect American to explode a nuclear weapons out of frustration in the near future on innocent citizens of the world.

As for me, being American has freed me. I plan to live 1000 years and collect ALL my benefits not welfare I paid into last 40 years.

Speaking truth makes people uncomfortable. Americans & Brits are thieves & thugs 'cause they steal oil, ideas, culture & lots other.

Jai Obama. Jai America.

By michaelz0.. Posted April 21 2009 at 8:28 PM.

this iss crazy...I would never sell my child and I DO NOT BELIEVE FOR A SECOND THAT HE THOUGHT MAYBE SHE WOULD HAVE A BETTER LIFE. He thought he was going to cash in...Which is sad...I cld never give my child up...instead i would work harder to take care of them...This is so Sad...And whats worst is she doent know what the heck is going on.

By this is crazy.. Posted April 21 2009 at 5:08 PM.

If the Americans are so terrible to you people, WHY DO YOU KEEP COMING HERE!! STAY IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY!!! TRY FIXING WHERE YOU LIVE INSTEAD OF COMING OVER HERE COMPLAINING ABOUT EVERYTHING!!! WHERE YOU COME FROM CANT' BE ALL THAT GREAT OR YOU WOULDN'T BE HERE!! SO JUST SHUT UP OR LEAVE ALREADY!!

By Angie.. Posted April 21 2009 at 5:19 PM.

Slumdog has made $326,000,000.00 for the owners. The Indian artists have been paid less than 1%. That includes the novelist, world class music director, & all the other artists. As a good employer, I think the owners should distribute 10% of the movie gross, $33,000,000.00 among the Indian crew as a 'special bonus'. These Indian artists have given all the expertize without which Danny Boyle, with no previous achievement record, would never be where he is today. He's getting millions 'cause he signed a contract with 'points'. Boyle's previous movie made a whopping $20,000,000.00, amount Slumdog has made for many weeks in a row.

I call Americans and British beggars who steal from the Indian slums.

By michaelz0.. Posted April 21 2009 at 3:53 PM.

of course he's having another baby a Rubina brother/sister is worth at least 5 grand

By eric viking.. Posted April 21 2009 at 5:20 AM.

She was paid $5000 for a few weeks work and also got to go to Disneyland. Enough is enough!

By IamSoSickofAllTheseGreedySlumdogs.. Posted April 21 2009 at 5:24 AM.

Is Rubina's dad only thinking about himself because how do you think Rubina feels about her father selling her after she has been part of their family for a couple of years and then you just get rid of her like she was never a part of your family what a shame...fathers like this make everyone ashamed but the sad part is that they don't give a crap about it and they never change. what a shame...poor Rubina, i have a lot of grief for her because my dad is just like this and i haven't seen him in 3 years =(

By rella.. Posted April 21 2009 at 2:23 AM.

To those who admonish "if you can't afford em, don't have em", try to keep in mind that poorer than poor people who dig through dumps for a living and a meal aren't likely to think in your terms. After a hard day of dumpster diving a man is not going to spend his money on a condom, nor stop to think of pithy sayings about his lifestyle.

By Dennis.. Posted April 21 2009 at 1:08 AM.

It is an unfortunate and sad story because Rubina is beautiful and talented much to her father's knowledge. It just seems that if you have 3 kids and a baby on the way and are making £3-4 a day, then £2,040 (two times his salary) and a free home with a trust for your daughter sounds like a pretty sweet deal. There are plenty of Indian, African, and European, American decent that were impoverished as well, this makes sense to them too. If the betterment of his family was on his mind, the gifts (apartment, money, trusts, etc) would have been accepted or negotiated differently. Now if the father is too afraid to move from Mumbai for his own family's good, then he, and he alone chooses to hold the family in a stationary position. Not America, Not Britain, Not the producers of the movie, not the director, but Daddy himself. Rubina's education is offered on a silver platter and he turns his nose up saying, not enough. Most of the people I know here in America don't even have that! Replace one evil with another, one problem with another, and everything is not so different. Sit on the high horse and blame everybody instead of the only entertaining party. Make a plan, like everyone does! It doesn't take college degree to do that. Thailand, Zimbabwe, Yugoslavia, Mexico, there is always the story of the people that decided to build and grew. And not in this way, not in this fashion. Not so ungratefully. Almost any family would have been appreciative of these gestures.

By blackbeautyintexas.. Posted April 21 2009 at 1:01 AM.

Just another dead beat dad, but lets not forget about the people in charge of spending the money tax payers pay.Here we have a country so poverty stricken, but we have to hand it to them and every other country for that matter, they really have their priorities in order. How much does it cost to have a space program? Billions? India's Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle (PSLV) rocket takes off from the Satish Dhawan space center in Sriharikota, India, Monday.

By Kevin.. Posted April 21 2009 at 12:37 AM.

The main question is, why is she still in the slums? Let me remind you that I'm talking of a place where the air is polluted severely, there is no protection, and there is barely any sanitation.
All the children in the movie were special and Rubina is one of them. However, unlike most, Rubina played a major role in this movie, explaining why she needed to show up at the Oscar's as they received the awards.
My point is She needs to be compensated for her acting and fame she brought to the movie as well as just the other major characters. She should not be compensated just because she is poor but because among 1,500 kids she was chosen to a movie, a movie with great success.
As for her father what can one say? The man is poor, he is poverty stricken. His daughter gets a role in a movie, it strikes big, he wants cash. His her father. It is wrong trying to adopt the child for cash, especially without knowing the names or background of the prospective parents. However, it can be justified.

By Innocent.. Posted April 20 2009 at 11:27 PM.

One, it is not American greed. I do believe that the director and film crew were BRITISH, so stop blaming the Americans for once.

Two, Rubina was paid. A trust was set up for her, not her family. She did the work, and the money is there for her, she is being provided with schooling and boarding (if her family had allowed). The film company should not be faulted for attempting to prevent the little girl from being robbed blind by her own family, just to end up in the same situation while the company is trying to provide for her future. At least they attempted to look out for her well-being.

Three, anyone have Madonna's phone number? This little girl needs adopting compared to Mercy. Unlike little Mercy who has a father and schooling and grandparents who are caring for her in Malawi, little Rubina's family is selling her to the highest bidder.

By Meig.. Posted April 20 2009 at 11:04 PM.

Looks like a great opportunity for Madonna, Opra, or Angelina Jolie to come to the rescue. Why not buy the girl? What do you expect from a third world country and the poverty that this girl came from.

The damn movie makes millions from the hardship of these people. Why didnt they set aside a portion of their profit to take care of the actors and get them out of the lives they lead.

By Steve.. Posted April 20 2009 at 10:56 PM.

This is all President Obamas fault... his and his alone....

SHAME

By Bob Slipper.. Posted April 20 2009 at 10:52 PM.

why has this girl not been paid for the success of the movie...looks like american greed rears it's ugly head again..maybe uncle danny could kick in a few bucks to help the situation i mean he probably only made a few million maybe even twenty million off this..pathetic uncle danny you preyed on the plight of those over there like you cared so much and it turns out you didnt. good luch getting her properly educated after she is sold and resold around the world a half dozen times.

By Russ Postlewait.. Posted April 20 2009 at 9:18 PM.

Before raising and nailing questions on morality, responsibilities of film producers, role of the government and blatant generalizations we have to be careful. The social setting has a very important role to play in these types of cases. Poverty challenges righteousness and moralities and exposes the vulnerability of an individual. Though the father wants a bright secured future for Rubina and wanted to legally give her away for adoption (not a sale, which in reality, do happen) to an affluent family, he seemed to have clearly crossed the line delineating collective family happiness and personal greed. In India, there are all kinds of legislations in place but no effective enforcement thereof which itself is a problem. It would be irrational (if not naively ignorant) to judge societal values and behavior of a population based on the conduct of a particular individual. The film producers are not responsible to share their profits with the actors if not stipulated in the contract. However, conscience has its own place in the whole equation. In the race to situate responsibilities we are losing focus of the most important issue--the welfare of Rubina (or for that matter every child who is similarly placed). Securing her wellbeing should be the essence of any meaningful discourse. Regurgitating hatred or portraying one’s moral virtues is easy, condemning a system is even easier but suggesting rational constructive ways to fix it is difficult and is the need of the hour.

By Raja , Canada.. Posted April 20 2009 at 9:50 PM.

Life isn't fair and it will never be fair. I feel sorry for anyone who is living in a poverty. You can never understand ones life unless you lived it. I personally will never ever sell my child no matter how much i am straving or struggling financially i don't see how Rafiq can sell his own flushing blood. He was living all of this time why wanna sell your child now? That little girl's life is much more valuable than just any money.

By Mona.. Posted April 20 2009 at 10:18 PM.

You know I am ashamed of the people who made this film. here they use the story of these children's lives and the movie makes millions of dollars. Why in the world arent the producers giving more money to the children who starred in the film, and setting up schools in the slums and maybe making a differnce in the world of these slum children. Here they make all this money off of this film and they can't at least give some money to help these people. They are greedy son of a ... and for now on I am going to pirate all of there films!

By antonio.. Posted April 20 2009 at 10:16 PM.

Rubina's father has 3 children and 1 more on the way. Why have children if you cannot take care of them? If you really want children, have 1 or 2 and do the best you can for them. Why go on and on and sell them.

By Kate.. Posted April 20 2009 at 10:03 PM.

I hate people who say, "you don't need money to be happy." Those are people who have never been poor. All you rich jerks who don't even know what it's like to not have money. Money is the essence of living in this society. Stop thinking that you don't need it, because without it you can't have anything you want. Yeah there are foundations and non-profits to help poor people. They help 1% of everyone that lives below or at poverty level on this planet. Money is not everything you need to be happy, but it makes up a huge part of it. I dont know who it was that said, "Just look in their eyes and take out the pain of not having money." Thats the dumbest thing I've ever heard. The pain of not having money is the pain of not having a home, not having food, not having medical care, not having clothes, not having running water, not having toys, not having entertainment...and the list goes on forever. You are insulting poor people all over the planet with your stupid comment.

By Derek.. Posted April 20 2009 at 8:59 PM.

No moral relativism can paper over this awful thing. Shame on those who try to justify such an atrocity. What is the world coming to?

By Bill.. Posted April 20 2009 at 7:48 PM.

I have not seen the film yet however the situation in India is unfortunate...Although thousands are making it out of poverty millions still struggle day to day to even eat. My family in a village is one of these families who has seen poverty. Corruption is king in India and unfortunately money talks.

Child labor happens, as does women doing construction and manual labor. waking 3am to start chores ...working tirelessly all day no running water no electricty half the time, now scorching heat no a/c my family works hard but doesnt get paid because of the corruption.

Girls are not married because they are not fair skinned...even if educated. marraiges arranged because of money.. very lucky to get a great husband and family.

India is a beautiful country with a beautiful and rich culture but forgot and has become a slave to selfishness. the caste system should be gone.Respect and graditude of work should be there

When one doesn't eat and must wash the entire house because a so called lower caste came into the house that is a problem.

But being sad or feeling sorry can't change the poor mentality. Many of the poor are happier than the so called people with money... just look into their eyes and take away the pain of no money.

By Anandamayee.. Posted April 20 2009 at 7:56 PM.

Many poor people in the world do not sell their precious children to fill their own bellies.
I have seen very poor women in Africa,starving but holding their precious children close to them.
The father refuses to move into his new home because it might take a year for it to be finished. Nothing is good enough for him.

By Marina.. Posted April 20 2009 at 7:15 PM.

Just like other countries, including the U.S.A., there are wonderful people and there are primitive people. This girl's father is primitive. Hopefully, someone will step forward and offer to pay for a vasectomy for him VERY SOON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

By Paul/Silver Spring,Md... Posted April 20 2009 at 6:40 PM.

I have the perfect solution----let Madonna adopt her!!

By cgillette.. Posted April 20 2009 at 6:06 PM.

I AM SO GLAD THAT DANNY PUT THE MONEY IN TRUST FOR THE KIDS, THIS MAN IS DISGUSTING AND I AM NOT AT ALL SHOCKED THAT HIS DAUGHTER IS NOT CHERISHED FOR WHO SHE IS.


By FLORENCE. Posted April 18 2009 at 11:02 PM.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Yes, but what good is the money to her when she disappears into child trafficking and sex slavery. She probably won't live to see 18 years and that money.

By Rose .. Posted April 20 2009 at 5:26 PM.

According to the article, "He has a family to feed and simply can't afford it."

Here's a thought ... don't have a family that you can't afford. Hmm?

Isn't that obvious? It doesn't take rocket science to figure it out.

By DJH.. Posted April 20 2009 at 5:49 PM.

Wht a touching story, i dnt blame d dad dat much can watch osca girl starve 2 death, somebdy pls help

By Pinnick.. Posted April 20 2009 at 7:27 PM.

i know that indian culture is complex, but i am not well informed about the details of caste, etc. Question: if she were a boy, would this happen?

By Liz.. Posted April 20 2009 at 7:19 PM.

funny how the india-bashers are coming out of the woodwork .
as if their countrymen never made mistakes .

besides , fellow indians offered them help .read the article fully before commenting .

By tk.. Posted April 20 2009 at 4:27 PM.

aaahh this is sooo bad !!! they should be helped out !!! itz not the best idea to sell out the angel faced kid !!!

By hashir.. Posted April 20 2009 at 4:15 PM.

I hate her father.

By Zahir Munna.. Posted April 20 2009 at 3:52 PM.

This is so crazy!! This poor child but not surprising…..I hope she comes through ok…with a father like hers, it is rather scary…...I wish her many more successes in her young life.

By Joda.. Posted April 20 2009 at 3:51 PM.

1] Ignorance, Ignorance & again Ignorance.
Have anyone of you ever been Poor? Have you ever slept without food for days/nights?
Have you ever seen a rich guy throw away luxury food from his BMW while you think where to get the next meal from? When living in Poverty Survival becomes the biggest factor. Im not condoning the Act done by the kid's dad, Im just stating the Truth.........the harsh truth which we living & typing this from our comfortable couches can only imagine.
2] This Doesn't "Only Happen in India"
The Gulf people who were moved by the plight of the girl here in India Conveniently forgot the Plight of the impoverished people in their own Country. Obviously Stardom has its advantages.
3] There are and will continue to be "Child-Selling" People in this World
"Such things are Common in India" as stated by Rafiq is true, but can Happen anywhere in the world too. Greed is Universal in Human-world. Just like Killing one Terrorist isnt going to help finishing Terrorism in this World, stopping Rafiq isn't going to be the Permanent answer to the Root of the "Child-Selling" Problem. This issue got highlighted since the kid concerned became a "Oscar kid".
So rather than Labeling India as "Slumdog-Child-Seller" we need to find a Solution to Root cause. My Suggestion:
Build International Pressure on Indian Government to get its act together not only in this case but as an issue as a whole, otherwise more of such instances will continue.

By Desmond.. Posted April 20 2009 at 4:01 PM.

I'm so glad we outsource all of our jobs to these peopl. Fantastic!

By no.. Posted April 20 2009 at 3:58 PM.

I was wondering the same thing. Someone stated why do they even bother having kids if they cant afford them. A while back, there was a study done on third world countries and see unlike in the US, they dont really push for BIRTH CONTROL!!!!! If they do have it, they cant afford to get on it. I feel if they have all these kids abandoned, no where to go, hell, they should be forcing all women to take birth control. Put it in the water for gods sake!!!!!!!!!

By LO.. Posted April 20 2009 at 3:57 PM.

"Do not moralise on this poor family and other poor Indians way of surviving unless you put your own house in order first."

My children will NEVER be put up for sale. NEVER! The man is unwilling to move, they are dissapointed that the government doesn't help them and he would rather sell his daughter?
The world would be better if more people would "moralise" and shame these people for what they are willing to do to thier own children. Sick.

By Kilmarley.. Posted April 20 2009 at 3:53 PM.

May god bless the child May she have a great future

By Joseph.. Posted April 20 2009 at 1:05 PM.

we all Indians are also ashamed with this reaction of the girls dad but until and unless u don't know the other side of coin you cant blame others..

But whole country cant be blamed just because of a single person's mistake.

By navin_4m_india.. Posted April 20 2009 at 12:54 PM.

May god bless the child May she have a great future

By Joseph.. Posted April 20 2009 at 1:23 PM.

Meanwhile, one of the richest Indian families is building a 60-story private residence in India(replete with private gardens, garage, and a heliport) to the tune of $1 billion dollars as reported last year in Portfolio Magazine in the United States.

The masses in India should rise up and overthrow these fools.

I saw Slumdog Millionaire. It goes far beyond the distance to articulate many stories (angles) about breathtaking poverty in India--and really the world--and how children and women are at the center of this impoverishment.

Unfortunately, had an Indian filmmaker attempted to tell this story, the script would still be languishing in development. Why? Only whites have the authority (directors, writers, etc.) to articulate what is taking place in the world. It is what I call interpretive colonialism.

The Saudi folks are supposed to be good Muslims. They are just as currupt as a fake $2 dollar bill. This is one of the reasons why so many poor people in Muslim countries are radicalized. The elite, working in concert with the west and east, don't give a damn about these people.

By THINK.. Posted April 20 2009 at 2:05 PM.

This is the problem. Someone living on five dollars a day has 5 kids and cannot afford them, while someone who makes $200 a day has just one or even no children. This is one of the main problems wth third world areas.

By Paul.. Posted April 20 2009 at 1:43 PM.

If you really care about child trafficking read Cathy O'Briens Trance Formation of America.

Do not moralise on this poor family and other poor Indians way of surviving unless you put your own house in order first.

By caroline carter.. Posted April 20 2009 at 9:44 AM.

In the first place, why even bother to start a family when you know you won't be able to support them?

Furthermore, why CONTINUE to bring children to the world when you know it won't be good for any of them?

A lesson for all, before you start to do something that big, please ponder carefully and assess yourself if you are capable of and ready to become responsible for big things like.. well, having a family!

By Jacq.. Posted April 20 2009 at 10:13 AM.

nothing new happends everyday

By imran maqsood.. Posted April 20 2009 at 10:54 AM.

There were many other people in the slums who did not get this opportunity. This father, the brother, and his family should thank God or 'Allah' or whatever they call the Divine, to say a big THANK YOU for the opportunity, for the undreamt of amount of money that they got (don't be over-greedy) and GET ON WITH IT!! The fact that their daughter will get a good education plus more, should have been more than enough. SO Stop Being TOO GREEDY! Ups and Downs are part of life, and they have been one of the few lucky ones to get a good UP, so once again, be happy with what has come your way and GET ON WITH LIFE in a positive manner. If not, they will not be able to cope with a DOWN, if God/Allah thinks they do not know how to appreciate what has been given to them.

By neena.. Posted April 20 2009 at 10:23 AM.

Responsibility starts at home. I have lived in India for 2 years, and things will not change; they have a very corrupt government; corruption runs rampant from top to bottom, and I have many, many examples. And instead taking care of their own, they prefer to send satelites in space. Talking about misguided priorities.
Things will NOT change in India, as they're still under a 18th century british bureaucray system.

By hcd.. Posted April 20 2009 at 11:05 AM.

as per my opinion, the media who are created these all story also cant be excusable ... they are just playing with the poors and their sentiments. we want to listen his father version to now before accept this story. rathar than making stories like this on slum people it will be appreciable if you will do something for their great future.

By Jhani.. Posted April 20 2009 at 8:13 AM.

I blame GW Bush for this, but rest assured, BO will fix this problem, no doubt about it. :)))))

By hcd.. Posted April 20 2009 at 8:58 AM.

The case of Rubina Ali has been exposed because of the fame that "Slumdog Millionaire" garnered. But how many young girls have been through the same plight, in more terrible conditions, throughout the world? I agree to the fact that throwing generalizations in an attempt to explain the appalling behaviour of this man does not work here. Instead, the central concern should be about all these little girls everywhere, who are left out from the structured groundings and rights they are entitled to.
This sordid case is unfortunately the tip of the iceberg.

By C.S.. Posted April 20 2009 at 8:54 AM.

I am appalled at the sweeping generalizations some people are making on this thread, esp. about Indians in general, and the 'cruelty of poor Indians' in particular.

1 Poor Indians are like the poor anywhere: miserable, struggling, sometimes angry, sometimes fatalistic. Very rarely cruel, especially towards their own family.

2 Think twice before speaking from a position of smug righteousness in an advanced industrial society where even the poor people's living standards would be the envy of the truly poor elsewhere.

3 Don't boil it down to that simple mantra of 'work hard' and 'build something'. India's desperately trying to catch up after centuries of systematic exploitation, gutting and looting by Western colonialists. Of course we're working our asses off. But sometimes there's no work to be had (as Western countries are discovering now).

4 HuffPo's sensationalizing journalism skews the story by calling it a 'sale'. Adoption is legal -- as is dowry for a bride, which is traditionally a father's way of paying towards his daughter's support by the groom. Dowry is on its way out in India. But it's not a 'sale'. Nor is adoption.

5 Every city, every country, has its underworld. In 'Slumdog', we saw nothing but the underworld. That would tend to distort your perception. The vast majority are decent, honest, hardworking folks -- just like anywhere else.

By Ramaswamy N.. Posted April 20 2009 at 6:25 AM.

I don't care where you live or how poor you are....selling your child for profit is revolting!
I would rather be poor and have a family.

People in this day and age do not value their children or family...it is disgusting.

What do you have when you are old and gray and all the money is gone?

NOTHING.

By jen.. Posted April 20 2009 at 4:44 AM.

how could a parent sell his child ?
i dont get it
if he doesnt have enough money then he has to show that he is a man and he still has to keep his pride

By jessica park.. Posted April 20 2009 at 4:44 AM.

This is another disturbing story of what goes on in countries where this is brushed under the rug and allowed to go on. Perhaps this girl should put her father up for sale instead.. of course she likely wouldn't get a single rupee for a useless old man with no values.

By Seika.. Posted April 20 2009 at 4:20 AM.

Um...FYI...SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE wasn't made by a US DIRECTOR...it was made by a BRITSH director...why is every1 always trying to bring the USA in this? We're not the 1s selling that little girl, her father is. Read the whole article and stop trying 2 involve the USA in the problems of INDIA...keep it real.

By Purity.. Posted April 20 2009 at 3:24 AM.

Where can we send some money for the little girl and her family? I'm sure the readers could easily make them rich overnight.

By ACV_FrEdUp.. Posted April 20 2009 at 3:29 AM.

The comment by Orenthal is possibly the most ignorant few sentences I've ever read on the internet. Live within their means? Work to build themselves up? You're speaking from a place of privilege, and clearly have no idea how deep and poignant this kind of poverty is. If it was quite as easy as simply working hard, then most of them would be millionaires by now.

And please don't judge an entire nation by one man's action. India is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, and you want them to take responsibility for what one person is doing. How would you like to apologize and take responsibility for something you've never done nor have ever had the intention to do?

Why don't you just go back to watching heart-warming movies about other people's suffering?

By bumpkin.. Posted April 20 2009 at 3:50 AM.

Yes, it may be deemed as an unforgivable crime in wealthy countries like the United States. But one must understand where Rubina's father is coming from. His opinions are products of the intermingling of cultural, economic and political factors.

If we all want to put an end to child trafficking, then we must consider these things.

By Joyce T... Posted April 20 2009 at 4:13 AM.

i would like to point out that this is a british--not american--film. let's be honest. it would be very difficult to shift the blame for the subcontinent's problems. it was not an american colony.

By charles.. Posted April 20 2009 at 4:03 AM.

This news story brings to light something that needs to brought to the public's attention: in impoverished countries, children, especially girls are sold. It is probably rare that their ultimate situation is that they are adopted by families with resources, are given loving homes, good educations and wonderful lives. My understanding is that they wind up as household slaves - or as sex workers.
Hopefully the visibility of the girl from "Slumdog Millionaire" will ensure that the outcome in her case will be good. But most children in this situation are powerless. We who do have a voice should speak up on their behalf, and find a way to help provide them with a chance at a future.

By Elaine.. Posted April 20 2009 at 2:39 AM.

It's a shame that the USA and the millionss of dollars went to a POOR place in the world..and exposed a poor lil girl and didn't have a back up plan. It's USA's faught. They wanna make money and dont carethat the people are REAL!!!!!!!

I harte usa and i live here..its sad. I am sure madonna will here aboit this and will buy her anyway!
\
Peace

By Teedee.. Posted April 20 2009 at 2:45 AM.

Elizabeth, child trafficking is also a big problem in the United States. The slums in Mumbai existed because British Colonial Rule sucked the wealth out of India to finance its Industrial Revolution in 1850.

You're right, you don't really know much about India. To speak directly on the father selling his daughter for money. It's ****** up. Still, let's remember this is not a contest concerning morality of nations. If we were to dwell on that, then fingers would be pointed at Western Europeans and the white majority of Americans that have crunched the economic spine of the East, leaving it in turn sociopolitically paralyzed in many ways.

In the US, this type of thing is illegal. It's not unforgivable, as it often goes unnoticed. The internet and the film do not provide enough insight to give you or anyone like you authority in this matter.

By Rebeca.. Posted April 20 2009 at 2:27 AM.

What the kid needs is a good agent so she can get some more acting jobs. You don't see Billy Ray Cyrus trying to sell his kid off to the highest bidder.

By jess_sayin.. Posted April 20 2009 at 2:13 AM.

To be fair: I only know of India what I read online, or see on TV. Therefore it is impossible for me to make a judgment about the father's behavior. In the US, this type of thing would be unforgivable, and is illegal. However, it appears to be somewhat common in India to sell young children of both genders, but especially girls. This has been happening for generations, and we are unlikely to stop it now with our words from a different culture. My feeling is that if it is legal, and the father is going to go through with it, at least Rubina's plight has been noticed; and hopefully the family that pays the adoption fee to her father will treat her with more respect than he ever did. Perhaps they will not use her, and may love her. Let's face it, she'd be better off with a good family than in the slums with that man.
Karma is a funny thing. The money her "father" may get for her will not bring him any joy.... and someday, he may even grieve for his daughter...I have a way of looking at things... when someone does me, or someone I know, harm.. I do not wish him harm, I simply wish him the same joy he gave to me. Then Karma takes care of things for me. Let's all wish Rubina's father all the joy he ever gave Rubina, and let Karma get him for us.

By Elizabeth.. Posted April 20 2009 at 1:21 AM.

This movie has done more than bring Bollywood to the world. It has shown the disgusting poverty people around the world and in particular India endure. Poverty breeds desperate behavior, my heart goes out to Rubina and all others whose lives are ruled by such desperation.

By Jennifer Walford.. Posted April 20 2009 at 1:28 AM.

These people have to live within their means.

Rather than demand things from others, they should work to build themselves up.

Civilizations are built brick by brick by the people who work to reach their goals. You can't build yourself up by taking from productive people.

Indians should be ashamed of the example set by this man and his enablers.

By Orenthal.. Posted April 20 2009 at 1:00 AM.

Why didn't these kids get US scale for this film? Don't the producers have an obligation to share the gains they've made through the exploitation of their subjects? This is disgusting! Where is Hollywood? Where are the producers? Writers? Are they too busy sipping champagne? Perhaps the real title should've been "Movie making-dog becomes millionaire."

Just more liberals exploiting the poor. As always.

By J.. Posted April 20 2009 at 1:09 AM.

If I had the money, I'd adopt Rubina in a heartbeat. I hope she finds herself in the hands of a loving family or guardian. Someone that ensures she experiences all the joys of her culture and heritage, but also gives her a fabulous education and unlimited love. Sweet girl.

By Pam.. Posted April 20 2009 at 1:11 AM.

i think angelina and brad pitt should adopt her

By betty.. Posted April 20 2009 at 12:38 AM.

I would rather die penniless than sell my child. If he does manage to sell her, I HOPE HE CHOKES on every bit of food bought at her expense. How horrible, how heinous, how reprehensible can a human being be? Pretty bad. I pray that the Lord Jesus Christ rescue this child from the false doctrine into which she was born, only He can deliver her from hearts as dark as these.

By Vinny the Shark.. Posted April 20 2009 at 12:37 AM.

Sigh, the movie was not good, based on a very boring British game show.

By Steve.. Posted April 20 2009 at 12:49 AM.

This is only one side of the story. You cannot judge the father until you have heard his side.

By SlumCat.. Posted April 20 2009 at 12:41 AM.

I am so thankful that I live in America as a woman. Sadly, females are not valued in many places and young girls are sold off on a regular basis. No one hears and no one gets involved.

This girl has the benefit of celebrity in her case. She was adequately paid for her work. Many, many unknown actors are hired for low-budget films and make next to nothing. She received more than that, and more yet to come, from the filmmakers. They didn't want her to be a target for con artists and kidnappers so they didn't pay a lump sum. They did arrange for her escape from the slums, but that has been blocked by her father. The filmmakers did all that they could do, and certainly more than they would have had she been an American girl.

We can get as upset as we want over this one little girl, but that won't change the fact that this happens every day to thousands of little girls.

By Leanna .. Posted April 19 2009 at 11:56 PM.

IT IS A SHAME WHAT SOME PPL WILL DO FOR MONEY. I AM SO SORRY FOR THIS CHILD.

THEY SHOULD LOCK UP THE PARIENT AND TROW AWAY THE KEYS.

By CECE.. Posted April 19 2009 at 11:47 PM.