I am a journalist. I started out as a physicist and then worked at Scientific
American magazine for a few years, at which time I became interested in the
Andamanese. My book on them, The Land of Naked People: Encounters with Stone Age
Islanders, is just out. It is a nonfiction account, using journalism, history,
anthropology and other sources to tell their story.

Having visited the islands a number of times, I have a fair idea of what works
and what doesn't work. I'm especially interested in seeing an overhaul of the
welfare system, which is miserable, especially in remote settlements such as
Dugong Creek. I'd like to see a great deal more accountability in the system, so
that welfare staff who molest, push alcohol, and otherwise abuse their powers
actually get punished and fired, not just transferred to another settlement,
where they continue as before. The welfare staff need to be trained, motivated,
and answerable to a single, dynamic person, who will have ultimate
responsibility.

Madhusree


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]