Thank you for saving my Rubina

I could not believe my eyes when they whisked them away to the oscars then returned them to the sums.

By Rebecca. Posted April 25 2009 at 7:41 AM.

I would just like to mention that Rubina's real mother walked out on her when she was 2 years old, and had nothing to do with her daughter until her little girl went to the Oscars.

Ironically now the real mother wants her daughter back. Danny Boyle did a good thing by setting up a education and trust fund, he suggested that they wouldn't know what best way to spend their daughters money, and that got proved when the Father spent it all on himself. This way Rubina gets an education, a future life out of the slums, and none of that money can be spent by anybody else but Rubina. At least Danny Boyle had some commonsense.

I would have thought that NOTW would have done some research into the fact that Rubina mother hadn't given her oh so special daughter a second glance back when she up and left her.

By Emma. Posted April 25 2009 at 5:01 AM.

Whatever this report says about Rubinas father has done is arguably wrong...and this is not how we Indians are.....those ppl in slums are the ones who are frustrated in life and as a result cant distinguish between right and wrong.....Forget about 5-a-day concept of food in Western countries....I am quite sure they get just one portion in a day....

Slumdog Millionaire was a very intelligent attempt by western production house to brand India as a "Slumdog" and guess what, it has paid off.......now I know for sure that Oscar is not meant just for beautiful movies but it also appreciates the "Motives" behind the movie......Being an Indian let me assure you western guys that we are aware of what you think about us and we are also aware that when it comes to us how most of you dont really value your so called actions of "Respect & Equality"......Let me assure you that we are making attempts to prove our point. Well...thanks to our corrupt politicians ( the real Slumdog Millionaires) because of whom I cant guarantee that we will prove our point....

By Sandy from UK. Posted April 24 2009 at 7:46 AM.

Do I care? Not really!

By Andrew. Posted April 23 2009 at 5:57 AM.

Colleen, saying a whole nation is desperate and arrogant is bigoted. If you're English, you would agree that half of the children brought up in England have an appalling childhood. Drunken abusive parents, born out of wedlock and a hedonistic youth. Can u still pass a judgement????

By Osborne. Posted April 22 2009 at 8:55 PM.

Please! The British film makers set up a trust for this child to protect her future, paid her a good salary (which her father spent on himself) and took the care to ensure her the opportunity to attend a school outside the slums, which would offer her the chance to make something of herself. I find it difficult to believe that people would rather blame Danny Boyle for this problem rather than her terrible father. Poverty is not an excuse for his actions. I would blame a system which sometimes does not value female children and sees them as a burden because of dowries and tradition.

By Mary s. Posted April 22 2009 at 12:32 PM.

Poor people everywhere are desperate in trying to meet the day to day expenses and they are, in a way, compelled to do things which the well-healed do for fancy. Rules are always different for the filthy rich and the downtrodden. As long as the children were pawns in the Film Unit's hands they were treated well and cushy but now after all the hullabaloo, they are left in the lurch as expected. The story reveals the sad fact of how the girl,even after her so called Hollywood visit and all, is still excited seeing a plush hotel room and a box of good chocolates. This bothers me much as she can very well be exploited by bad elements by offering a few colorful and glitzy presents. Is she now safe as her mother hopes ? God help her !
As some comments seem to suggest, this is not a situation normally seen in India ; nor is it exclusive to developing countries. There are millions of poor people even in 'Rich' countries and they are not in a better condition, either. Poverty and Ignorance are the blackest curses humanity bears and they should be wiped out.

By K.C.C.Thampan.. Posted April 22 2009 at 8:06 AM.

I disagree with the comment left by Debbie. The family was already fractured. The father saw selling his own daughter the only way out of poverty. That shows his desperation and his dire need to escape his his life in the slums of India. It is a sad situation, and there is no excuse for the actions of the father. I hope her mom is able to take her away from this horrible situation with her father.

By Tanya. Posted April 22 2009 at 12:20 AM.

What a lot of trouble you guys stir up. You've encouraged a very poor man to do and say things he would never normally have said or done and fractured a family, possibly forever. Shame on you.

By debbie. Posted April 21 2009 at 10:32 PM.

your story has highlighted the desperation of indian people and the arrogance of idian men who treat children like posessions well done

By colleen. Posted April 21 2009 at 9:42 PM.