One day when we were sitting in our drawing room, one of us suddenly shouted Shame… Shame… Shame…!  in a singing tone. I saw my 3-year old grand daughter standing amidst us naked after emerging out of the bath room. Hearing this she was shy, laughed and ran to the bed room.

Such scenes are not uncommon in most of homes. In fact, a small child – boy or  girl certainly feels shy when reminded her by the elders saying Shame…Shame…Shame…! As the child grows up, the parents buy various kinds of pretty dresses to cover the child every time. Thus children feel shy if they are not covered with a proper dress. When they reach more than 4 years, they themselves choose their own dress. For going to school, they have uniform, to play, they have another dress, to visit relatives or friends there is a different dress. Dresses are made for all age groups in various fashions nowadays. Fashion technology is a well known profession globally. When we live in such a world, some people want to discard the dress and want live bare bodied! Some of the sanyasies   live naked. We see them in Kumbh Mela. It used to be a feast for the foreign and local photographers! Similarly, modeling with reduced or no dress is another profession growing all over the world including India. Boys and girls come forward boldly for taking up this job. “Shameless girls!” “Shameless boys!” some of us say. Also we may say that it’s shame for Indian culture, just to satisfy ourselves. Who hears our voice? Exposing oneself as much as possible is going on shamelessly.

In a society we have certain common norms to follow. If any one is deviating from it, we feel uncomfortable. People have started questioning the basic norms one has to adopt for building a social fabric. When the norms are not followed, people start living as they like with or without clothes. An adult man or woman appearing naked in public is an odd event. Only mad people will do it. But when it’s happening in a show, cinema or party, it is greatly appreciated.

All of us know that human body is a beautiful structure. But in a civilized society we have to cover it to give a presentable appearance. That was what our ancestors followed and taught us. We still follow more or less in the same spirit. But the changing world with freedom to all asks “What’s in it?”

When we read the letters to the editor in a newspaper, it is evident that there are always two opposing opinions for every issue. We find for and against arguments. Same is the case for nakedness too.

Anyway if we take all these as an entertainment or art or acting, we can do anything we want. Who has to ask? Shame…Shame…Shame…!