Sorry, Playboy India is not a Goa

Playboy bunnies show off the Indian uniform. The holiday state of Goa has decided to reject a proposal for India's first Playboy club on one of its beaches following complaints that it would promote prostitution. Picture: AFP

• Playboy wants to expand into India
• Bunny uniforms changed to suit Indian "values"
• Indian politician says it will promote "vulgarity"

PLAYBOY'S business plan says it wants to open 120 clubs and bars in India by 2022. There's one problem. The Indians don't want them.

Playboy's potential expansion into India faces serious opposition. Politician Michael Lobo alleges the clubs will promote "vulgarity". He has threatened to go on a hunger strike if even one club is allowed to operate. 

In a country where kissing in public is considered taboo, trying to open a Playboy bar was always going to be tough. 

In preparation for the first club application, Playboy  founder Hugh Hefner approved changes to the iconic bunny uniform. Bunny bottoms have been replaced with long drapes of black chiffon. 

"We are clear about one thing - there will absolutely be no nudity. The bunnies will be suited to Indian sensibilities and moral values," Sanjay Gupta, CEO of Playboy Lifestyle, said in an India Times article. 

Indian newspapers reported that Playboy had hired six bunnies who had arrived in India to undergo a four-week service training program. 

But while Playboy has toned down its image, it wasn't enough. 

They applied last week to run a beach shack in Goa. That application was a little bit cheeky. 

Beach shacks can only be operated by an individual not a business. 

Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said the application had cause heated debate in parliament. 

"As per the state government's shack policy, one can not approve applications in the brand name; one has to apply in his name", Mr Parulekar said. "The department found that the application by the club does not fall under the legal purview."

So the Playboy shack was rejected. Whether that has killed Playboy's Indian dream remains to be seen.

View the original article here

Sorry, Playboy India is not a Goa

Playboy bunnies show off the Indian uniform. The holiday state of Goa has decided to reject a proposal for India's first Playboy club on one of its beaches following complaints that it would promote prostitution. Picture: AFP

• Playboy wants to expand into India
• Bunny uniforms changed to suit Indian "values"
• Indian politician says it will promote "vulgarity"

PLAYBOY'S business plan says it wants to open 120 clubs and bars in India by 2022. There's one problem. The Indians don't want them.

Playboy's potential expansion into India faces serious opposition. Politician Michael Lobo alleges the clubs will promote "vulgarity". He has threatened to go on a hunger strike if even one club is allowed to operate. 

In a country where kissing in public is considered taboo, trying to open a Playboy bar was always going to be tough. 

In preparation for the first club application, Playboy  founder Hugh Hefner approved changes to the iconic bunny uniform. Bunny bottoms have been replaced with long drapes of black chiffon. 

"We are clear about one thing - there will absolutely be no nudity. The bunnies will be suited to Indian sensibilities and moral values," Sanjay Gupta, CEO of Playboy Lifestyle, said in an India Times article. 

Indian newspapers reported that Playboy had hired six bunnies who had arrived in India to undergo a four-week service training program. 

But while Playboy has toned down its image, it wasn't enough. 

They applied last week to run a beach shack in Goa. That application was a little bit cheeky. 

Beach shacks can only be operated by an individual not a business. 

Tourism Minister Dilip Parulekar said the application had cause heated debate in parliament. 

"As per the state government's shack policy, one can not approve applications in the brand name; one has to apply in his name", Mr Parulekar said. "The department found that the application by the club does not fall under the legal purview."

So the Playboy shack was rejected. Whether that has killed Playboy's Indian dream remains to be seen.

View the original article here

Warning: Don't be friendly in India

Source: news.com.au

Crowds passing through Chawri Bazar. Photo: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Agra marketplace. Photo: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

• Indian men get "wrong signal" from friendly female tourists
• Western women warned not to socialise alone with locals
• Females visiting India down 35 per cent in three months

THE owner of a famous restaurant in India says the friendliness of western women can confuse local men and lead to sexual assault.

Farhang Jehani, who owns The Leopold Cafe, told news.com.au that Indian men often get the "wrong signal" from female tourists who are simply being friendly.
 
"(Female tourists) behave very well. It's not a question of them not behaving," he said.

"They are friendly and that's the problem with India - we take it as a wrong signal and that's the whole thing.

"Indian men take it as a wrong signal and take it as the wrong way."

The Leopold Cafe, in the bustling Colaba district, has risen to global fame since prominently featuring in the novel Shantaram.

The popular tourist jaunt was also the first target of the 2008 Islamist attacks in Mumbai, in which 166 people died - including two Australians - during a three-day rampage.

The Leopold Cafe in the days following the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Source: News Limited

Mr Jehani said he had not noticed any decline in female travelers despite new statistics showing the number of females visiting India had dropped by 35 per cent in the past three months following a spate of highly publicised sex attacks.

Last month six Indian men allegedly gang-raped a 39-year-old Swiss cyclist who was camping with her husband in a forested area in Datia district in central Madhya Pradesh state.

A British woman also jumped from her hotel balcony in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, which is south of Dehli, when she feared being sexually assaulted.

"I have seen a lot of beautiful young girls coming and they are quite comfortable and they come in groups," Mr Jehani said.

"For Bombay I feel is a safe place but Delhi I cannot say much about it.

"These incidents don’t happen over here."

However, he urged women to take safety precautions.

"Be careful - don't get too friendly with strangers," he said.

"If you have something to eat and drink with them be careful.

"If you're in a group it's OK because you're protected by other people but if you're single or in a couple avoid that kind of get-together."

Mr Jehani said the fatal gang-rape of a 23-year-old Indian student by six men on a bus in New Delhi in December was "brutal".

"You don't call them human beings - you call them animals," he said.

"India is still a safe country ... it is still safe for women."

Mr Jehani said business was booming.

"In fact I feel tourism to our place has increased because normally we just have backpackers but, of late, we have tour groups who come here," he said.

"I have not been worried (about bad publicity) because these things happen more in Delhi and other places and not in Mumbai so much. Mumbai is a safe place, even as of yesterday.

"Every corner of Bombay is quite populated whereas in Delhi I noticed the streets are quite isolated on that basis the chances of these things happening are more possible."

The Australian Government says women travellers need to take "particular care" in all parts of India, even when traveling in a group.

"Women travellers often receive unwanted attention and we continue to receive reports of verbal and physical harassment by groups of men against Western women," according to its smart traveller website.

"There have been a number of sexual offences reported against foreign women in different parts of India, including in major cities and tourist destinations such as Goa.

"Women should exercise vigilance, and avoid walking in less populous and unlit areas, including city streets, village lanes and beaches.

"We have received reports of harassment against women, particularly in taxis and auto rickshaws."

Follow @itsKShort or email kristin.shorten@news.com.au

View the original article here

Warning: Don't be friendly in India

Source: news.com.au

Crowds passing through Chawri Bazar. Photo: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Agra marketplace. Photo: Getty Images Source: Getty Images

• Indian men get "wrong signal" from friendly female tourists
• Western women warned not to socialise alone with locals
• Females visiting India down 35 per cent in three months

THE owner of a famous restaurant in India says the friendliness of western women can confuse local men and lead to sexual assault.

Farhang Jehani, who owns The Leopold Cafe, told news.com.au that Indian men often get the "wrong signal" from female tourists who are simply being friendly.
 
"(Female tourists) behave very well. It's not a question of them not behaving," he said.

"They are friendly and that's the problem with India - we take it as a wrong signal and that's the whole thing.

"Indian men take it as a wrong signal and take it as the wrong way."

The Leopold Cafe, in the bustling Colaba district, has risen to global fame since prominently featuring in the novel Shantaram.

The popular tourist jaunt was also the first target of the 2008 Islamist attacks in Mumbai, in which 166 people died - including two Australians - during a three-day rampage.

The Leopold Cafe in the days following the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks. Source: News Limited

Mr Jehani said he had not noticed any decline in female travelers despite new statistics showing the number of females visiting India had dropped by 35 per cent in the past three months following a spate of highly publicised sex attacks.

Last month six Indian men allegedly gang-raped a 39-year-old Swiss cyclist who was camping with her husband in a forested area in Datia district in central Madhya Pradesh state.

A British woman also jumped from her hotel balcony in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, which is south of Dehli, when she feared being sexually assaulted.

"I have seen a lot of beautiful young girls coming and they are quite comfortable and they come in groups," Mr Jehani said.

"For Bombay I feel is a safe place but Delhi I cannot say much about it.

"These incidents don’t happen over here."

However, he urged women to take safety precautions.

"Be careful - don't get too friendly with strangers," he said.

"If you have something to eat and drink with them be careful.

"If you're in a group it's OK because you're protected by other people but if you're single or in a couple avoid that kind of get-together."

Mr Jehani said the fatal gang-rape of a 23-year-old Indian student by six men on a bus in New Delhi in December was "brutal".

"You don't call them human beings - you call them animals," he said.

"India is still a safe country ... it is still safe for women."

Mr Jehani said business was booming.

"In fact I feel tourism to our place has increased because normally we just have backpackers but, of late, we have tour groups who come here," he said.

"I have not been worried (about bad publicity) because these things happen more in Delhi and other places and not in Mumbai so much. Mumbai is a safe place, even as of yesterday.

"Every corner of Bombay is quite populated whereas in Delhi I noticed the streets are quite isolated on that basis the chances of these things happening are more possible."

The Australian Government says women travellers need to take "particular care" in all parts of India, even when traveling in a group.

"Women travellers often receive unwanted attention and we continue to receive reports of verbal and physical harassment by groups of men against Western women," according to its smart traveller website.

"There have been a number of sexual offences reported against foreign women in different parts of India, including in major cities and tourist destinations such as Goa.

"Women should exercise vigilance, and avoid walking in less populous and unlit areas, including city streets, village lanes and beaches.

"We have received reports of harassment against women, particularly in taxis and auto rickshaws."

Follow @itsKShort or email kristin.shorten@news.com.au

View the original article here

Is it still safe to travel to India?

A UK tourist jumped out a window because of fears she was going to be sexually assaulted in India. Source: AP

INCREDIBLE India - or incredibly dangerous?

That's the question on the minds of would-be travellers from countries like Australia, the US and the UK.

It comes as India passed a sweeping new law to protect women against sexual violence in response to a fatal December gang rape and beating of a young woman on a bus in New Delhi.

Official travel warnings are urging holiday-goers to rethink their trips to India, which attracts around 6.6 million tourists annually.

The gem of the third world has becoming increasingly notorious though, especially for female travellers, after numerous reports of sexual assault and threats against domestic and foreign people.

Following last year's heinous rape and murder of a young girl, and the murder of three sisters in Bhandara in February, a British tourist was earlier this week threatened at a hotel in Agra.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) yesterday updated its blanket warnings for tourists to India on its Smart Traveller website.

The latest update reads: "Due to the risk of harassment and assault, women should exercise caution in India even if they are travelling in a group."

"We continue to recommend Australian exercise a high degree of caution in India overall because of the risk of terrorism, civil unrest, crime and vehicle accidents," the advisory adds.

The UK's foreign office issued a nearly identical advisory earlier this week, while the US State Department told female tourists to "avoid travelling alone in hired taxis, especially at night".

A similar warning was given by the Swiss foreign ministry last week.

India has enjoyed a successful tourism campaign with its "Incredible India" ad spot, featuring actress Patricia Malone as a woman travelling alone in the country.

- with AP

View the original article here

Is it still safe to travel to India?

A UK tourist jumped out a window because of fears she was going to be sexually assaulted in India. Source: AP

INCREDIBLE India - or incredibly dangerous?

That's the question on the minds of would-be travellers from countries like Australia, the US and the UK.

It comes as India passed a sweeping new law to protect women against sexual violence in response to a fatal December gang rape and beating of a young woman on a bus in New Delhi.

Official travel warnings are urging holiday-goers to rethink their trips to India, which attracts around 6.6 million tourists annually.

The gem of the third world has becoming increasingly notorious though, especially for female travellers, after numerous reports of sexual assault and threats against domestic and foreign people.

Following last year's heinous rape and murder of a young girl, and the murder of three sisters in Bhandara in February, a British tourist was earlier this week threatened at a hotel in Agra.

Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) yesterday updated its blanket warnings for tourists to India on its Smart Traveller website.

The latest update reads: "Due to the risk of harassment and assault, women should exercise caution in India even if they are travelling in a group."

"We continue to recommend Australian exercise a high degree of caution in India overall because of the risk of terrorism, civil unrest, crime and vehicle accidents," the advisory adds.

The UK's foreign office issued a nearly identical advisory earlier this week, while the US State Department told female tourists to "avoid travelling alone in hired taxis, especially at night".

A similar warning was given by the Swiss foreign ministry last week.

India has enjoyed a successful tourism campaign with its "Incredible India" ad spot, featuring actress Patricia Malone as a woman travelling alone in the country.

- with AP

View the original article here

Eight men rape Swiss tourist in India

Police in India have arrested a group of farmers who have confessed to gang raping a Swiss cyclist.

FIVE villagers have confessed to gang-raping a Swiss tourist in central India, police said, in an incident that has renewed focus on the rampant violence against women in the country.

The woman was on a biking holiday with her husband in central Madhya Pradesh state when she was attacked on Friday night while putting up a tent in a remote forested area.

Her husband was tied up as she was assaulted and the pair were also robbed, police said.

"We have detained five men and they have confessed to gang-raping the woman and attacking her husband,'' local police official M.S. Dhodee told AFP.

Mr Dhodee said they had recovered a laptop, some cash and a mobile phone stolen during the assault, which occurred as the couple were getting ready to spend the night ahead of a trip to the Taj Mahal in the town of Agra.

"They were passing by, noticed the couple putting up their tent and saw an opportunity to attack and rape the woman," Mr Dhodee said.

"We found the laptop buried carefully under a pile of leaves, near some shrubs in the forest. The mobile phone was recovered from the home of the mother-in-law of one of the men," he added.

The Swiss woman, centre, is escorted by policewomen for a medical examination at a hospital in Gwalior, in the central Indian state of Madhya Pradesh on Saturday. Picture: AP

The five arrested men face charges of rape and robbery. The sixth suspect is expected to face the same charges.

Their confessions to police will likely be inadmissible as evidence under Indian law, which rarely allows court prosecutors to cite such statements since they are seen as unreliable and involuntary.

The alleged rapists live in a village near the scene of the assault, which took place about 70 kilometres from the nearest town of Gwalior, which is about 290 kilometres south of New Delhi.

After the attack, the 39-year-old rape victim and her husband, a 30-year-old mechanic, stopped a motorcyclist who took them to the nearest police station, said SonntagsBlick, a Swiss German-language newspaper.

She underwent a medical examination at a local hospital before leaving for the Indian capital Delhi, police said.

The woman's mother-in-law told AFP in Switzerland that she had spoken to her son and the couple were recovering.

Indian children participate in a protest against child abuse and rising crimes against women, in Bhubaneswar, India, on Saturday. Picture: AP

"This morning he phoned me to say they are in New Delhi and that they are both alright," she said in a phone interview from the family's farm in central Switzerland.

U.C. Shadangi, another local police officer, said that his force was in touch with the Swiss embassy who declined to comment to AFP about the case.

The couple arrived in Mumbai last month after visiting Iran and began a cycling holiday across India, making their way to Orchha, a popular foreign tourist haunt in Madhya Pradesh on Thursday, police said.

The Swiss foreign ministry in Bern released a statement on Saturday expressing deep shock at the "tragic incident".

The ministry had issued an advisory for Swiss nationals travelling in India last month, warning that sexual violence was on the rise across the country, and urging both women and men to travel in large groups and with local guides.
In January, a South Korean student holidaying in Madhya Pradesh said she had been raped and drugged by the son of the owner of the hotel where she stayed.

That incident came just six weeks after thousands took to India's streets in nationwide protests following the fatal gang-rape of a 23-year-old student on a bus in New Delhi.

The victim, a physiotherapy student died from internal injuries after being savagely assaulted by six men. One of her alleged attackers was found dead in his prison cell in New Delhi on Monday.

Police suspect he hanged himself, but his family says he was murdered. The government has since opened an investigation into his death.

India's government is facing heavy pressure to step up efforts to protect women after the deadly gang-rape in the capital last December.

Under a new bill approved by India's cabinet last week, rapists face a minimum 20-year jail term and the death penalty if the victim dies from injuries or is left in a persistent vegetative state.

View the original article here