While the world's major killer disease, smallpox, that used to claim millions of lives has been eliminated, the planet has been struck with a more dreaded disease, AIDS or Acquired Immuno Deficiency Syndrome.

The title of my lectures is 'Some Reflections on Dowry', and it would be insulting the sophistication of this audience to elaborate on its importance or topicality. Dowry has become literally a burning problem, and the