Press Release
Regulate, not ban adult content
The regulatory environment is quite strict in India when it comes to adult content as India is largely a country driven by heritage and culture. The government has in the past taken strict action against channels for showing adult content.
Transmission of a leading fashion & lifestyle channel was stopped for a few days and resumed only after the channel’s management gave an assurance to the then I&B minister that the code of conduct will be followed. Consumer bodies and local action group’s have often raised the issue of adult content been shown on national and niche channels. TV19, an adult channel proposed to the Government in 1995-96 is still pending.
By western standards, Indian TV is remarkably chaste with no full frontal nudity and not much kissing. The country’s most risque channel is a lifestyle channel, which shows models gliding down the catwalk, while Indian actresses are required to do nothing more suggestive in Hindi movies than to gyrate in the oft repeated wet sari scene. And of course multiple kissing scenes between the lead pair in select movies. However, regulation is lenient with adult content between 11.30 pm and 4 am.
However, the reality outside the public realm is much different and public acceptance is scarce. Wide interest in adult content exists in India primarily because sex is a taboo in the heartland of India. However, urban life witnesses extremely high traffic with the Internet coming of age. Cyber cafe’s are usually packed with people surfing and downloading adult videos. The same demand for porn is seen with private Internet connections.
A rather high demand has been witnessed for adult VCD/DVD/VHS with a steep fall in the rates of VCD/DVD/VHS players. High demand also exists for subscription based adult streaming video’s and free-to-air channels that are downloaded and relayed at convenient times. Cable Operators are known to be showing adult content, usually XXX, post midnight till the wee hours of the morning, to a very ‘loyal’ viewership and often ‘on demand’.
It is apparent that a huge market exists in India for adult content against an unfavourable regulation. Adult content is a part of daily urban life through movies, music videos, cable and other retail platforms. Adult content is freely available in the market in many forms (magazines, video parlours and even cinema halls in remote towns/villages etc). It is being shown on cable networks post midnight on their private channels and also on many TV channels.
Internet is one of the biggest sources of access to adult content and people are freely downloading and viewing porn. The recent MMS expose’ of students and the ‘smoochsensation’ of leading film stars is just a mild reflection of both acceptance and indulgence. The adult content industry generates a lot of revenue, which is usually unaccounted, thus the government is losing out on its due share.
When regulated, matured content has the potential of generating huge revenues and a part of this revenue can be utilized for social upliftment of women and issues concerning women welfare and AIDS. Unfortunately, it is just the TV channels that are being made scapegoats when we have a greater threat from the Internet, almost, knocking at every door and available freely.
Today unrestricted access to streaming XXX video’s, callgirl services, sex-dating is available at the stroke of a key and anyone having access to the Internet can and is, probably, using these services from the comfort of their homes. Television is not even a fraction ‘porn savvy’ as other services and unfortunately is being demonized. Indian television is still a family entertainer and will continue to be, however, with a dash of change in keeping with the changing times.
The fact is whether the Government regulates adult content or not, it will continue to be available on demand and has the potential of influencing ‘minds’. When we know and agree that adult content is available on demand then we might as well work together and use technology to regulate the flow.
The need is to create a common opinion that when adult content is freely available on demand then it must be regulated. A regulated broadcast of adult content will help the Government in exercising proper control thus restricting access to minds that are not ready for adult content. We are living in ‘technologically superior’ times with technology defining and redefining itself by the day. We must make best use of technology in the form of ‘conditional access’ to regulate this segment.
(The author, Ashish Kaul is Senior Vice President, Corporate Brand Development for Essel Group, a multi-venture corporate comprising of Zee Telefilms, Esselpropack, Playwin, Esselworld and Waterkingdom; Agrani Group among others and can be reached via kaula@esselgroup.com)
Picture courtesy for Jism: www.indiadaily.com
Ram Teri Ganga Maili: www.thehotspotonline.com
Bali is full of memorable moments, and some of them involve animals. Temple monkeys tug at bags, beach dogs nap near sunbeds, and cats wander into cafés like they own the place. Most interactions are harmless, but a bite or scratch can change the day quickly, because you may need immediate medical care and follow-up treatment. This is where Bali travel insurance becomes more than a box to tick.
In this article, you will explore whether animal bite treatment is insured, the exclusions, and the steps to claim easily in Bali.
Why Animal Bites in Bali Need Special Attention
Bites are not only about the visible wound. Insurers and doctors both treat them as medical events that can pose an infection risk, especially when the bite breaks the skin.
A scratch that looks small in the moment can still lead to:
● A doctor’s examination and wound cleaning
● Medicines and dressings
● Follow-up consultations if the doctor advises observation or further care
From an insurance perspective, this matters because claims are usually assessed on medical necessity and documentation, not on how dramatic the injury appears in a photo.
How International Travel Insurance Looks at an Animal Bite
Most travel policies are built around emergency medical expenses for unexpected illness or accidental injury abroad. A bite or scratch usually fits the accidental injury bucket, but coverage is rarely blanket.
In many plans, the following may be considered if a doctor prescribes them and bills and medical notes support them:
● Consultation and outpatient treatment
● Emergency care and procedures, such as wound dressing or stitches, if clinically required
● Prescribed medicines and investigations
● Hospitalisation if the treating doctor confirms it is needed
Common Reasons Claims Get Reduced or Rejected
This is the part travellers often miss. Insurers usually do not deny claims because an animal was involved. Claims become difficult when the event looks avoidable, the reporting is delayed, or the paperwork is weak.
Avoidable-Risk Situations Insurers Scrutinise
Policies commonly exclude or limit claims linked to unsafe conduct or preventable exposure. For animal bites, scrutiny may increase if the incident appears connected to:
● Provoking, feeding, or trying to handle wild animals
● Ignoring warning signs at tourist spots
● Being intoxicated at the time of the incident
● Activities that a policy lists as excluded or restricted
The takeaway is simple: if your own description sounds like a risky choice rather than a sudden accident, the insurer may challenge it.
Delays, Missing Papers, and Policy Conditions
Even when your incident is genuinely accidental, claims can still stall due to basics such as:
● Not informing the insurer or assistance partner within the required time
● Missing itemised bills, prescriptions, or clinical notes
● No proof of travel dates or passport entry details when requested
● Submitting only pharmacy slips without a doctor’s consultation record
International travel insurance is paperwork-driven. If you document it well, you reduce the chance of avoidable back-and-forth.
What to Do If You Are Bitten or Scratched in Bali
Your health comes first, always. But a few sensible steps can protect your recovery and keep your insurance file clean.
Medical Steps That Help You and Your Claim
Act fast, stay calm, and get proper care before worrying about bills.
● Clean the wound promptly and seek medical care, even if it seems minor
● Follow the doctor’s advice, including follow-ups if recommended
● Avoid self-medicating in place of a clinical assessment, because insurers often ask for a doctor’s report
Claim Notes and Documents to Collect
Keep these handy; they’ll save time and avoid follow-up questions later.
● Doctor’s notes that mention the nature of injury, treatment given, and advised next steps
● Prescriptions and pharmacy invoices
● Itemised hospital or clinic bills
● A brief written note of where and when it happened, while it is still fresh in your mind
Final Word
Animal bites in Bali are not rare, and they are not always dramatic, which is exactly why travellers underestimate them. Many travel policies can cover bite-related medical treatment when it is accidental and medically necessary, but the outcome depends on your policy terms and the quality of your documentation. If you buy cover thoughtfully, keep the assistance number handy, and respond sensibly if an incident happens, you give yourself the best chance of both good medical care and a smoother claim experience.
