Drizzling Nostaligia....

I love the December weather. Winter breeze, it’s fragrance, drooping leaves. Ooh!..I am short of words to describe my love for Zephyr..

The breeze brings a mixed memories in my nest.- both wonderful and worse! Leaving (I try to leave) the worse, I fondle the fantabulous ones. Though it’s been a decade since I left college, the memories continue to linger. All the excursions ranging from 3-5 days were organized in Dec. And the most important of all.. The FIRST ever reunion too was held in December. One thing I love about excursions is-it pulls the classmates close; a sort of Unity in Diversity-creating a special bond! Talking about my class, sometimes I really wonder whether any kinda bond existed? Maybe for nerds like me; bond exists always! Perhaps, I am the ONLY one who is in touch with almost everyone. Mind you, this adds to my responsibility too. In case of any wedding(s) happening, my friends ask me to update the detailed information of classmates, their whereabouts, mail ids, phone numbers. Hold on. My responsibility is not coming to a dot there. Ever since the first reunion happened in 2006, some of my friends bestowed me with a new designation “International Co-ordinator” Whenever my buddies pop up in gtalk, they ping me with the questions. ”Hey, when is gonna our next get together? Make it fast. Can’t wait” Despite all the differences, one thing is there - everyone wish to relume the good old memories. And yes, I do MISS all and wish I could go back to the fantastic days of cute fights, chit chats, bitching, cribbing, bunking, movies, hang outs and a lot more.. Few juicy spicy stuffs and adventures- the crush(es) tales,eloping,secret wedding during student days blowed up the fun, thrill and tension to the teen days.

Even today, the moment I land in Kerala, I call every one. Sometimes makes anonymous calls with voice modulations and at any cost, I meet my old classmates, spent time in roaming, movies and of course meeting in parks too J To those guys and girls who envy and frown at me for behaving like an eternal student, I would say, I am young at heart. And yes, that’s the way I am.

We never really grow up. We just learn how to act in public. (Curtsey : Face Book like )

Once again the winter breeze arrives,

Sprouting up my mixed memories...

The moments lie fresh in my nest,

In life I brush the old as my best.

IPL- Indian Politics League

Until a couple of years ago, I was an admirer of Tharoor.Even after reading all his nonsensical tweets, I was optimistic that Tharoor is the only person who could bring some development in Kerala by keeping the commie thugs at a bay.The less said about his tweets, the better.Media misquoted him on many occasions- First the cattle class tweets; then his opinion on Nehru's foreign policy was also misinterpreted by the media..and few other similar cases.In all those cases, he deserved the benefit of doubt.His naivety can be excused.Ever since he joined the Indian Politics, he has always been the centre of attraction.Without any exaggeration, I would say, Tharoor became a brand. Youth considered him as India's Obama-- The man who is gonna bring a total change in the political system and many more..Sadly, the hopes are no more..he disappointed us.

His tweets were nonsensical to the core.Often enough his tweets were about his New York based wife, where he roamed with his New York based wife, about her wonders, his passions for cricket, his sons passion towards cricket even though they grew up in a non cricket atmosphere.He kept on publicizing the matters that were supposed to be within private network A kinda show off! Hmm, maybe US style! Coming back to IPL controversy,we cannot defend him.He erred in his judgement.Unnecessarily he got into mentoring, and was caught red handed.
His wonderful initiatives in Kerala/TVM are going to be unnoticed in the midst of the nasty scam.Compared to other crooks, Tharoor is lesser evil.Many vultures roam in and around politics and government I have one question to our dear PM..Sacking a lesser evil and keeping vultures like Pawar,D.Raja..Is that fair?

Sheikh Never Shakes!

No, I am not in cloud nine. But yes, I am happy watching the inaugural ceremony of the world's tallest building 'Burj Khalifa" yesterday.Only time can answer the life of Burj Khalifa( I am not sure about the structure!) But I think the attempt of Western countries and Indian media to write an obituary note to Dubai shall halt.Since last couple of months, the western media has been busy in broadcasting the dirge in every possible manner.What's so shocking about Dubai when most of the countries in the world are under the recession grip? Why blow up the Dubai crunch alone during world wide recession? Dubai financial crisis were reported in a couple of news papers (New York Times, Guardian..) long back! Of course,they weren't given publicity in Dubai due to censoring. And what were the Indian Media doing then? Now they found something and has began the celebration of crisis!

Indian critics argue that the monarchial set up coupled with reckless planning lead to the present crisis.Agreed,its the reckless planning.Look, Indians talking about monarchial set up when the whole of Indian polity is smudged in Family feud ,heroic worship and statue spree.Oh, yes, not to forget the skyrocketing prices since last couple of years which had made the life of a common man more miserable.Indian media who bitch on the Dubai's uninsulated economy should brush up on Harshad Mehta, Ketan Parekh Satyam scam and so on..The secondary market witnessed a sudden downfull and took time to recover.Satyam irregularities resulted in a major setback for employees. Furthermore,due to worldwide economic slowdown those students who were offered campus placements didn't receive any further communication from the employer giants like Infosys,TCS,Wipro..So whats so fussy about Dubai downfall?Imagine a similar crisis creeping in the Indian IT/BPO/Pvt Bank sector.What would be the scenario then?What will happen to our professionals (carrying the holier-than-thou attitude) who spend lion's share of their salary on EMI and other remittances?(Apartments worth more than 30 lakhs,Car and other luxuries!)

Kerala economy is dependent on Middle East. The annual remittance to Kerala from Dubai is around 46000 crore.Major projects in the state are NRI sponsored ones.All these would come to a stand still if the crisis deepens. So its time to think constructively than entertaining or horrifying the public with negative news.Now that other Emirates has joined hands to support Dubai; sooner the entire Middle east will flock to Dubai's rescue.Let us learn some good lessons from them. United we stand and divided we fall.

( The Burj Khalifa event serves only as an introductory note.Personally I am against all these extravaganzas)

SRK Smokes!

SRK!Does it rings a bell?Oh! Yeah...I know celebrity names tickles a kinda joy within us.Do we miss an opportunity to sneak into their eSpace??Nooo..we wanna read and chew all the juicy spicy latest news!I know you will be 'surprised' to see SRK smoking form own chimney.I wanna take you to a place where SRK smokes.Guess what?Old wine in new label! And I bet you are going to Snore upon watching SRK smoking.

OH, Ya..I forgot to shed light on SRK..Sekhar,Rajeswari&Krishna.Now don't make weird conclusions that Mr 'S' or Master 'K' is going to lay their hands in blogging because we don't wanna transform this space into another battlefield. ;-) :P

Her Gest from my nest...

She was unique- woman with a difference and a substance too..the word fear had no place in her dictionary and she lived by ideals and never succumbed to anything in her life.And all these made her different form other women of her age group.I have never seen her talking or discussing on dressing or attires.Her mind was always filled with inquisitiveness and magnanimity.Above all she was loved and revered across all age group.I have vivid memories of her.Her interests had no boundaries and so also her thoughts.Books,Newspapers,International relations,Music,Scriptures everything occupied a prominent place in her thinking.she observed and analysed all those with great enthusiasm and never missed an opportunity to discuss/debate with people of similar interests.Yes, I am talking about my Mother.

Had she been alive, she would have been the happiest person seeing my blogs and scribbles.Whenever I go to my mom's ancestral place, the neighborhood choirs.."You look like Sulo" ( Wish I could be courageous and knowledgeable as her!)Some others used to tell.."hmmm..Had your mom been alive, she would have been happy seeing the little ones.Its an ill-fate that she didn't get a chance to see her children settled with family".

The maids in our house were treated with utmost love and affection and mom did something ( this something is a broader term.Because her generosity had no bounds) or other for their well being and taught them not only letters or words but also evoked a strong confidence(because she was against drowning in tears) in them..Even after these years of passing, everyone remembers and glorify the way she lived.

Yes, I do remember her deeds...her courageous attitude towards life, to conquer challenges without shedding tears.I donno whether I could be like her..But today being her death anniversary, I remember all the deeds she has left behind..and it remains as a light house..

What I learned is If we continue to remember someone who has left us, it will make us more weak.Whereas if we remember their dreams,desires and their ideals, it could propel us towards a more meaningful destination.

Back to Blah Blah...

Its been pretty long since I babbled anything here.Its not that I have nothing to rant. Like everyone, I too have many things to prattle.My mind hardly works these days ;-)rather my mind has stopped working.So no posts in Workings of Mind :D (ST,I am trying for a PJ.You know whose influence it is!)

But why the blog remains prattle free these days? Oh! Its not any kinda 'block'(The excuse bloggers place very often) Mine is sheer Laziness.Nothing more Nothing less.Let me put it in another way;I lack self motivation.I can make others read and write. But I rarely does the same.

During my vacation in Kerala,I made an attempt to revive my reading 'The Argumentative Indian', 'Deterring Democracy' by Noam Chomskey and 'India after Gandhi' by Guha.As usual,couldn't finish :D For the time being all the three are enjoying their vacation in my book shelf :D

So friends.. I am back! Back to blah blah...

Classes,Courses and Craps!

I was talking to a friend over the phone.Seems she was sending her kid(6 years) to cricket coaching and skating.Though she wanted to pack  off her kid to swimming classes,she couldn't..because the classes  begun already.I was carefully listening(of course with interest and enthusiasm)to her.Then a question popped up from her side.."Are you sending your kid to any classes? My mind muttered in spontaneity..Oh!yes, I'm sending him to attend humanitarian class'!I think that is the need of the hour.

We particularly the Indians, have become obsessed with stuffing the blooming buds with a lot craps..In the race,we are leaving our humanitarian culture in a trash box...We,the elders are miserably failing to read the mind of the children.Without trying to depict their mind,we impose our interest on them,leaving them shattered.Vacations are meant to enjoy the little pleasures and happiness around life.Yes,Of course,we need to pursue other creative ventures too.For everything,there is an appropriate Time&Age.Unfortunately,we ignore the both.

Hereafter if someone 'asks' me about vacation courses and classes..I am gonna give my 'Humanitarian' reply!Howzzz it??;-)

Realities Beyond Three P's

Pub bharo,Pink Chaddi,Pink Condom,Muthalik,Minister…. are the latest happenings in our country.Even a kindergarten kid may be aware of the pub bharo&muthalik&pink chaddi campaigns!No room for the justification of muthalik's Taliban thoughts.After all ,anyone who is above the age of 21,is legally permissable to visit pub.Molesting the girls are more horrendous than the pub culture.It was quite surprsiing to see nation wide 'pink chaddi campaign"...virtual world was enriched with this discussion.In between came our honorable minister's 'slogan' 'Pub Bharo'(Definitely,the UPA must have felt embarassed at minister's statement..they might have thought Minister is a spokesperson of pub owners!)finally things went calm.No chaos or confusions on valentine's day!Group of women leading a campaign,several men joining it later on,the campaigning caught a national level attention(i doubt whether any other movement have caught this much of popularity!)Media,Pub Owners,Muthalik&Minister emerged victorious!!They all received nation wide publicity.A sort of free marketing for alchohol companies!The question remains..who fell into the prey?Undoubtedly our society!Particularly Indian Women!

The enthusiasm taken by the women in pink chaddi campaign,the initiative taken by our honorable minister in pub bharo andolan was “commenable”!But it is disheartening to see that no 'proper measures' are initiated for resolving livelihood issues of women in rural areas.Unfortunate to say that,issues that requires national attention are swept under carpet!Quiet usitative for we,the Indians!But are we aware?Or is there any campaign or andolan to tackle such issues?Society is more bothered about people going to pubs and discos.Minster too much concerned about the urban upper class life style.No doubt about that.If we have had a glance at the few of the basic issues..sure,women would have abstained from such worthless revolution or we would have focussed our attention on realities.

An official study done in 2007 has revealed some shocking information on child abuse,particularly sexual abuse.According to the study, 53.22 per cent children reported having faced some form of sexual abuse. Nearly 22 per cent child respondents reported facing severe forms of sexual abuse and 5.69 per cent reported being sexually assaulted. Children on streets, at work and in institutional care also reported the highest incidence of sexual assault.

The prohibition of manual scavenging Act came into force in 1993.Still there are 13 lakh manual scavengers in our country,out of which more than 90%are women..Activities of manual scavenging are evident in metros as well.Its ironical to see that, in spite of crores of rupees earmarked for the rehabilitation of manual scavengers...these oppressed class continues to depend on foul smell for their livelihood.So the existence of variance is crystal clear.where does the money goes?

Victims of natural calamities sell their kidneys (for livelihood) via brokers..and they are not paid fully for the 'transaction'.Moreover the post surgery health problems has prevented these women from taking other domestic jobs.Many women sell their kidneys to earn a regular income by setting up small busines..but for few others,wedding expenses of their daughters are met by the kidney sales.Whatever the reason ...everything ends up in a disaster..at the cost of women's health!The most shameful part of these kidney episodes are, there is a huge demand for the same from the urban area..and these poor folks are being cheated by offering lucrative rates!

Till today,none of our commission has been able to put a check on the spurt of sex rackets.Victims of the sex rackets are eventually transformed as sex workers(prospective prostitudes!)Very often girls enter their teens with a lot of hopes about their future.Unfortunately all their hopes are nipped in the bud once they are being targeted by the unscrupulous people who runs the racket.Political Police Baron nexus favours the smooth functioning of the rackets.Victims of sex rackets are always treated as accused!

Indian society feels ashamed to talk about prostitudes,scavenging and sex rackets in public..Perhaps,that could be the reason as to why we are helpless to wipe out these malignant activities.Its ironical to see that people don't hesitate to do these shameful acts!Women in our country fight for equality,reservation in parliament...but they forget to bespeak on behalf of the neglected women.Worst part is the discourteous attitude towards the isolated class.

In India, despite its growth, women depend on primary health centres — most of which lack proper facilities — for child birth..THe infant mortality rate during child birth are very high.Lack of proper medical facilities is the root cause for such unfortunate incidents.


Besides these scavenging,sex rackets...there are innumerable issues that affect the existence of a woman..from female foeticide to rape.Thousnads of girls are missing every year.Most of the girls fall into the trap of agents(Both job&pimps)Alas! we take an indifferent direction towards the same.What caught our attention(particularly women) was Pub Bharo&Pink chaddi...and our society ensured their honest support towards such movement!

Various laws has been enacted for the upliftment and security of women from time to time.Lack of proper channels to ensure the effective functioning of those laws and absence of stringent action has lead to the growth in the violence against women.Instead of making a hue and cry over petty issues,it would be worthwhile if women conjointly makes some serious endeavours for the effective functioning of laws for the protection of women.


Why the pink chaddi campaign gathered this much momentum?is it coz its all about educated upper class?or the issue is about the 'right of a woman to go to pub'?or is it due to the campaign sprouted in metros and urabn areas?or that we are left with no other issues to deal?

Pink chaddi campaign has proved that urban women enjoys considerable amount of freedom and voice to make their choices.Yes,educated urban women can tread a path for a change.Powerful voice,freedom and inclination of women ,if channelised properly ,can mitigate many of the adversities of neglected class.Besides mitigating,such powerful voice can illuminate the lives of millions of women suffering in our country.The collective and constructive thoughts if shuffled properly,can bring a difference not only in the life of rural women,but also can create a significant change in the development of our society.

Lets make a sensible choice!Pub Bharo or Protect Women?

Look At The Board!!

Couple of days back,my kindergarten kid was playing with his small board and a marker.At home,he always wants to take teacher's seat!A harassed mother i'am!..don't have any other option!I obey his orders..else the outcome will be a long face and frowny eyes with full of anger!

Suddenly he said"Look at the board"..At first i didn't heed to his instruction.Then came the second call! STUDENTS...Look at the board I SAY! An unnecessary punch on Students &I say(instead of look at the board!)I asked him...who taught you to say 'Students'? Within a fraction of second,came his innocent reply.."At school my teacher tell like this only"

Again i asked..Tell me Baby,.."whether your teacher addresses you and your classmates as Students or children?
Without any hesitation,he answered 'My teacher calls us Students and not Children"

I pondered..why these blooming buds are treated and addressed as students?why can't the teachers impart the language of Love and affection?Is it possible for the elders to put an end to their rusty narrow thoughts?

Response to Reporter's Obambulating In Indian politics

Before reading this please go through Reporter's Diary

Reporter...Put forth Your question like this!
“Can the congress leaders think of nominating a person other than from Nehru dynasty for the post of prime minister?
Will the BJP led NDA can endorse an individual who does not belong to the Advani coterie?
Is it possible for the SP to nominate a person other than duo’s favourite?
Does Mayawati posess all the capabilities to become a PM?
Question towards Public
Are we ready to support an’ independent ‘individual’ if she or he has all the political,moral & intellectual credentials,to be the country’s head?
Secondly..
Suppose if a Dalit has all the above credentials….shall we endorse him/her for PM’s post?

Past

The pre- independence era& early 50’s witnessed a boom of Obama’s(with respect to capability) in India’s socio-political environment.Sardar Patel,CR,Jagjivan Ram,.JP Narayan….all were great personalities!Particularly,CR initiated innumerable number of reforms for the upliftment of untouchables and encouraged their participation in national politics.JP Narayan’s contributions are also praiseworthy in this matter.Jagjivan Ram..served as a defence minister,deputy PM(twice) .Regrettable to say that..the media carried an unwanted ‘discriminative’ headlines on KR Narayanan’s death.You are also committing the same mistake by highlighting the ‘untouchable’ elementin your question(Even though you sound to be positive for their upbringing)I feel you should have refined the question in the first place.Our SC chief justice?Hence,you cannot be neck and crop in your question.

But yes,there are certain ‘elements’ inherent in our political system…that prevents an independent (intellectual with all inclusive qualities) from becoming a PM.

Past&Present

Indian politics is full of paradoxes!We jog on to brag..the world’s largest democracy”.Alas!till this moment,we are following Caste,Clan&Regional politics.

In the early twenties,Gandhi publicly acknowledged CR as his successor..and wrote a letter to CR
“You are…perhaps the nearest to me.My innermost being wants your approbation of what I’m doing and thinking. I cannot always succed in getting it,but it craves for your verdict…”
Nonetheless,in early forties,owing to the ‘regional’ pressure,Gandhi took a different stand.Hindi speaking population(vast majority) preferred a northie to occupy the PM’s place.Thus Pandit Nehru was chosen.Of course like his contemporary mates..Nehru also had his own charm,which pulled the public towards him.

Under the existing scenario,its very tough for an individual with all political, moral and intellectual credential to be the country head..the reason is” politrical barrier”
Consider the internal elections held in each and every political party in India.The coterie vested with highest powers hold the ‘absolute’ authority and their pampered darlings enjoy all sorts of patronage.The liegemen are not supposed to question the functioning of higher authoritie..even if they questions,they will be thrown out .For this matter,all the parties weigh equally.

Caste,Clan&Region remain as a bottleneck .Unless and until we wipe out the 3 barriers from our’thinking’..it is unlikely for us to weave a dream for ‘Indian Obama’(even though we have witnessed Obama Boom in the past)in the near future.Mankind comes first,followed by gender,region…If we succeed in applying the ‘theory of mankind’ and calibre..we will be blessed with the best Prime Minister.

Concluding my comments with a Passage from CR’s diary(which was wrote during his days behind the bars in 1921)

“We all ought to know that Swaraj will not at once or,I think even for a long time to come,be better government or graeter happiness for the people.Elections and their corruptions,injustice,and the power and tyranny of wealth and inefficiency of administration will make a hell of life as soon as freedom is given to us.Men will look regretfully back to the old regime of comparative justice,and efficient,peaceful,more or less honest administration.The only thing gained will be that as a race we will be saved from dishonour and subordination”

Rest In Next ;)

My Personal History- Published in Tehelka(Issue dated 16th Aug 2008)

‘Talent and creativity were ruthlessly buried. Only rote learners survived’


I AM OVERTAKEN by repugnance whenever I think of my school days. The reason is quite simple. I was crippled mentally during high school. As I pen this essay, a couple of questions pop up. What is the purpose of education? Why are children always treated as students?

I was raised in a joint family, which included a grandfather and a paternal uncle. My mom, a homemaker, was a lady of high calibre and she nurtured the passions of her loved ones. Like any other mother, she too had dreams for her children, wanting them to be confident and fearless under any circumstance.

I was inclined to music, so my parents sent me to music classes when I was 10 years old. I was an average student, although I had a penchant for current affairs, quizzing and debates. My parents were content with my scores, which ranged between 65 and 70 percent. Little did they know that one day, their daughter would be demoted and devastated.

My turmoil began when I was in class seven. The school headmistress, who had exceptional teaching skills, heard of a fight that had broken out between me and another friend. She sought an explanation from our parents. After this, occasional taunts aimed at me became a regular feature of her classes. This made me an object of ridicule among my classmates. Day after day, my anxiety and fear grew, but I couldn’t reveal my feeling to others including my mom.


Illustration:Uzma Mohsin
In class nine, my anxiety grew further, because of Math and the Math teacher. She used to place the weaker students in one corner of the classroom so she could focus more attention on them. This created a negative impact on me. I started feeling targeted and cornered and felt that my independent thinking was suppressed. My inability to draw perfect maps or figures was used as a pointer while making scathing comments and this added fuel to the fire.

An extended hell! That is how I describe class nine. Did they ever make a single effort to point out my strengths? They denied me an opportunity to grow! At the end of the year, I was demoted. Later, I realised that 36 other students also suffered the same fate. The reason the school authorities gave was “filtration” before promotion to class 10. A few students joined other schools while others registered for a re-evaluation of their papers. I lacked the mental courage to fight. I repeated class nine, completed the 10th with 72 percent marks and thus my journey through the tunnel came to an end.

Today I ask — who were the losers when the library hours and physical training sessions were hijacked for extra classes and revisions? In the race for achieving high results, talent and creativity were ruthlessly buried. Only rote learners survived.

For my pre-degree years, I opted for commerce at the Government Victoria College in Palakkad. With just 72 percent, getting admission was difficult but I managed to snag the last available seat. This marked a rebirth for me. In college, I found that independent views were encouraged, I could actually explore life while learning. Each day, I found a new me within myself. The support I got from the teachers helped build my self esteem. In the second year, I joined the college cricket team and represented my college in matches. Resuming music lessons under the guidance of a renowned musician added to my happiness. In the first year, I had actually topped my class and was soon among the top five at the university. A student demoted in class nine occupying a place at the top! My teachers felt a little disappointed as I missed the overall top rank by a whisker. But for me, the results were a morale booster. It was a turning point for me.

I went on to do my masters, and was elected to the college union. Canvassing, meetings and elections were fantastic experiences. A timid, neglected school student elected to the college union!

Soon I was on stage, addressing the college, attending cabinet meetings, interacting with students and the principal, leading the college in inter-collegiate festivals, forming an association exclusively for girls to encourage them and ensure their participation in campus activities. The scared introvert in me had gone forever.

Failing a class in those days was — and is, even now — humiliating, primarily because teachers and the larger society make a child feel that way. It is seen as a scandal, a blot from which one can never recover. I left school with a heart filled with fear, depression and diffidence. My college faculty changed all that. To them, I was just one among the thousands of students they teach. They are my idols, because they changed my destiny forever. •

Something To share About Tarnished Feminity

Friends....This year on women's day...i wrote a poem 'Tarnished Feminity".My idea behind penning those verses was to spread the message..rather..to throw light on the deprived women(often termed as Sex workers)..Now this poem has found a place in a collection of poetries..and will be released in january 2009.


Women Hails!
The dawn of march 8
With a tone of Sameness
Joy&happiness all over.

Alas!Feminity-A curse
For alot unseen girls
Who can neither puff
Nor toast women's day.

Born as pure like you and me
Fluttered like butterflies
with dreams and hopes
Reasons of livelihood
Sinful acts of society
Made them impure and isolated

Dwelling in the dark
Leading a life of constant submission
Fear,shame&muted agnition
Nobody to share their pain&grieves
No machine to animate&elevate them,
Not a soul to wipe their tears
And propel their desires..
Withal,they yawn for solace!

Gaging the body
Burrying the sorrows
Bearing the stigma
Folding the wishes
The worthless life continues...

Can they erase their tainted mark
And hope for a better tomorrow?
Do we care to remove their stains?
Shall we spread lights in their lives
By accepting them ingenuously?

Who am I?

Nobler at heart
Scrawler in thoughts
Crawler in blogging
Babbling Scrabbler
Scribbling Reflections.

A Note Of Thankssss.....

Sorry friends....I'm on a vacation to my Home town Kerala...so couldn't update this space.Anyways...i have got a glad news to share with the visitors of this site...
Two years ago,a close friend of mine...lead me to this beautiful world of blogging.. Today,i'm proud to say that,this hobby has fetched me an opening!!

The glad news is that,last month my article on teaching appeared in Indian Express site under the section blogs..here goes the link for that article.

http://blogs.expressindia.com/showblogdetails.php?contentid=335850

My personal history has been published in latest Tehelka(issue dated aug 16th 2008)
link to that essay

http://www.tehelka.com/story_main40.asp?filename=hub160808talentand_creativity.asp

My friend Shaan's constant support and encouragement made me to explore, think...and scribble!I'm Thankful to him..There are few others who expresses their opinion and support through mails...and i'm indebted to them too...

I feel lucky to have such wonderful people around me for my profession!

Teaching-Redefined

A synthesis of imperfections!thats how I describe Indian education system.Business minded schools,imperfect teachers,obsolete method of teaching,syllabus failing to spurt analytical thinking and rote learning.Ironically,the ongoing furious debate on our education revolves around only one aspect that is the rote learning.All other fundamental factors are ignored while discussing the flaws of education system.Perhaps,the word 'education' itself is applied in a narrow sense..rather it is always used as synonymous to 'academics'.

Of all the fundamental factors ,Teacher assumes a greater role in building the future of a kid and I have always felt that ,teacher is the most appropriate person who can take a child to greater heights.A revered individual with an amalgamation of originality,distinctive ideas,ability to mend a child through the process of continuous interaction and mentoring.But how many number of parents can agree with the foresaid role of a teacher?Indian society jog on to live under a notion that teacher is a professional who sermonizes text book contents to the student mind!

Teacher – Foster Parent?

Accentuating the pivotal role of teachers as foster parents in school arises because, it is here, where the mental development of a child takes place.More deeper the teacher-student bond,,greater are the possibilities of miracles!Each and every student yearn for a Sosaku kobayashi(centre character in the book toto chan,who changed the lives of many students)in his or her teacher.

Paradoxically, subservient teachers(subservient to school management)takes a dictatorial role with students,and this has attributed to a wide gap in the teacher –student relation.Voice,needs and expectations of students thus goes unheard! Friendly gestures coupled with a bit of strictness and preaching is sufficient enough to mould a child particularly during the adolescent stage.Its obvious that the 'cane work' of a teacher at this juncture could prove disastrous.

Why students carry a 'prejudiced' view about teachers and teaching?What makes a teacher 'great'? why students are 'fond' of particular teachers?The answer lies within the classroom itself!Those teachers who mend the child to lead a good life are admired by the students,even though they lack teaching skills.A teacher who takes the child out of the 'locked world' is always remembered.Those teachers who can relate text book theories with real life and world are revered forever.A teacher who understands and develops the qualities of children is loved eternally!

Teaching Standards

The ability of a teacher to convince the students,their talent to deliver electrifying lectures thereby making the classes lively,their skills to motivate the children are considered secondary and often enough irrelevant for teaching purposes in our country.

When there are no proper yardstick(at present B ed is the only criterion),where there exists unethical practices in the appointment of teachers(Private schools demanding lump sum from prospective candidates)is it possible to find great teachers?.In government schools, no attempt is made to check the teaching skills.Furthermore absence of a proper system to evaluate the teaching standards and periodical performance of teachers in our country has resulted in an unsatisfactory educational environment.Even though our society considers teachers as a catalysts of change,there are no regular orientation course to elevate their teaching skills.The pathetic and poignant state with respect to the evaluation and orientation of teaching skills has reduced the quality of education .In the context of these cluttered background,how can we address teachers as 'catalysts of change'?

Only very few are passionate about this noble profession.Vast majority choose this profession in order to transfer the atrocities they were subjected to during their school days..For some others,failure to land up in a suitable job,directs them towards teaching.Teaching is not a lucrative job.Unlike other professions,the opportunity for growth is less..And yet,this is the noblest of all profession!

What Can Be Done?

Let us not forget that the teacher is the nucleus of education.Teaching must cut across all the barriers-there arises the need to redefine teaching and the role of a teacher.First step towards this is vesting limitless freedom or in other words,no lines of demarcation should be drawn for the purpose of carrying out teaching….so that teachers too can explore,learn and experiment.why can't they ignite themselves before nurturing young minds?The more they teach,the more they learn!Learning is a continuous process….it has no border.At the end of the day,after all these exploring,learning and experimenting,they can also grow,thereby we can make teaching profession more attractive.Besides these,we need teachers who can change the perception of teaching.

What the education system desperately needs is an efficient promising mentors,who are not addicted to monologue teaching or who does not impose brutal punishments in the name of discipline.Schools should build a core team of zealous mentors who can very well connect to the children.Every profession has undergone transformation over the last few decades.Unfortunately,teaching and related methodologies are yet to embrace the change.School is a place where a child grows mentally..there teachers takes the role of parents.Possibly,a redefined Teacher-Student relation and a new horizon to teaching can produce wonders not only in the student lives,but also in the society as a whole.

The Cheerless

The launch of IPL tournament has kicked off to a stretchable debate on the issue of cheerleaders..But do cricket really need cheerleaders?Or why only this kind of cheer leaders?India,is not short of any culture and arts.Perhaps,worlds most respected country in the matter of tradition,culture and diversities!But with the ‘installation’ of these cheerleaders,aren’t we diluting those treasured traditions?

First of all, a game like twenty twenty itself is an entertainment for the spectators.So why unnecessarily making the cheerleaders as an essential part of these matches?

Secondly, if at all the spectators need any sort of entertainment ,why can’t the IPL proudly present other Indian folklore or any other art forms instead of promoting the obscenity?

Finally..where are our women organisations?..who constantly makes hue and cry over petty issues? Where is our minister who is obsessed with targeting men and roaring in volumes?aren’t these a part of commercializing and exploiting women?

In short its all about hypocracy!One side delivering rambling speeches on stage about rural development,Protection of women…on the other side promoting luxury,commercialization and extravaganzas! who is going to care even if millions of people die in poverty and hunger?the promoters cum politicians will be 'busy' in applauding the twenty twenty 'cheerleaders'..isn't it?

Reader's Response To Taking Stress Out Of Schools

Our education system lay too much emphasis on theoretical approach to studies,thus ignoring practical aspect completely.This has lead to the deterioration in the quality of our education..Reforms should not end up with mere revamping or rewriting the text books and syllabus.It has to be something beyond..Institutions make much ado of cent percent results,as a result of which teachers put too much pressure on the students..At home the parents push their kids to become topper in the class,ignoring the child's aptitude.Hence the children are jam packed between these internal and external forces.All these have resulted in their lack of creativity and originality ..Even today our schools follow the obsolete method of monologue approach for teaching.Classrooms should serve as a platform for discussions on various subjects and it will mould the children to develop interest and enhance knowledge in the concerned subjects.Taking the stress out of schools is a collective effort and participation ,Schools,Teachers and Parents.

Reading-Relics Of a Departed Era?

Victor Hugo once quoted " To learn to read is to light a fire;every syllable that is spelled out is a spark"-It has become need of the hour to ignite the mind of today's children and youth.This is because,there has been a gradual decline in the reading habit among children and youth since 1980.With the internet growing popular among teenagers,reading has lost its charm, has sunk in oblivion and thus it has become a dreams of the past.If viewed from a wider perspective,reading is the bridge that connects a child with the outside world.A fusion of enhanced knowledge,rational thinking,clarity of thought,convincing power and cultured mind are possible only through reading.

Books Enlighten;Knowledge Delights..this was the theme of this year's International Children's Book Day"(ICBD)Every Year ,on April 2nd(Hans Christian Andersen's Birthday)ICBD is celebrated with the purpose of inspiring the children to explore and read books.

In olden days,listening to stories was the first step towards reading.Children gets motivated by the stories of moral and ethical values. .Today,television and Computers have replaced the story telling sessions and books. Youngsters lament on time for serious reading..its ironical that the same people while away endless hours in front of television ,watching Award nights and Reality Shows. Spending incessant hours in front of computers which have become a part of modern life style is leading to the indifferent attitude of teenagers towards reading. Growing popularity of social networking culture has made the situation more pathetic!

The inevitability of newspaper in the development of an individual cannot be ignored because,it is through this medium a person is connected to the outside world.The columns,editorials,and other scholarly articles appearing in the dailies are propitious for students ranging from high school section to research scholars.With the advent of visual media there has been a drastic degeneration in the news paper reading habit particularly among youth.Print media can influence any age group in a more constructive manner than any other medium.Introduction of a separate accompaniment , with the objective of meliorating and promoting the young talent is a laudable effort taken by the print media.

Unfortunate to notice that,in most of the schools,library hours are hijacked by teachers for extra classes and revision..which means that accepting reading as an integral part of our academic education has a long way to go.By the time the child is in upper primary section,newspaper reading can be made as a part of classroom sessions.Similarly, discussions on a wide range of topics,based on newspaper supplement,would be a positive step towards amplifying a student's debating skills and logical thinking.Any creative attempt in making the children to read,write synopsis,passages,poems...can help the student in wiping out the mugging up habit completely.Having thus identified penchant of a student towards different subjects,classroom sessions becomes more lively and interesting.Conducive are the classroom discussions in the matter of group interaction and socialisation skills.

It is pertinent to note that,our grand parents were just matriculates or graduates.Today, a long list of qualifications supersede our surnames.Nonetheless their avid reading helped them in extemporizing on any topic with ease and perfection.Status of modern generation in this respect is very pitiable.Compiling a sentence without any error rarely happens among present day school and college going students.

"A home without books is a body without soul"
At home, parents squeeze the children for entrance coaching and related academics.Children should be taught about the necessity of reading at a very young age.Regrettable to say , it has become the need of the hour to illuminate the elders, with respect to the priceless power of reading.

Margaret Fuller remarked-"Today a reader,tomorrow a leader"..the communication and socialisation skills,the sense of self esteem and confidence attained through reading and discussions are imperative for a good leader.Analytical mind is nurtured through reading.like differentiating good from bad,right from wrong,truth from myth.By removing darkness,reading leads an individual to the path of knowledge,truth and wisdom.In conclusion,reading is ineludible for the overall development of an individual. Only a collated step from elders and print media can create a difference. Elders should lead the youth to the wonderful world of reading .The print media,which stood as a beacon during our pre independence era,got to inspire the youth.Simultaneously,the young blood must be given a platform to express themselves.Any conducive measure taken by them can reduce the calamitous situation and it will definitely rejuvenate the reading habit of children and youth.

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Very delighted to see the commendable initiative taken by The Hindu with regard to the Timely publishing of Subramania Bharati's letter.Bharati was popularly known as Tamil Poet,hence his proficiency in English language went unnoticed.His writings were true reflections of his mind towards various social issues including colonialism that prevailed during his period.The inspiring letters will definitely bestow thoughts upon today's youth,to cultivate a sense of nationalism.During our pre-independence era as well as in early 50's, besides Bharati,there were many other visionaries,who contributed articles and letters in dailies.Their writings were a manifestations of their constructive thoughts and love for our country..It would be a worthwhile effort,if The Hindu take steps in publishing those letters and articles,in the interest of the nation.

Savitri-A Woman Of Substance!

"A Book has one voice,but it does not instruct everyone alike"

Any mythology or epic can influence us in so many ways.Even great men are inspired by charcters in the epic to face the trials with faith and intensity..Savitri is one such character drawn by Vyasa..The anecdote of Savitri and Satyavan is about their love and relieving satyavan from the clutches of yama by Savitri.The story gives an insight to Savitri’s multi faceted role as well..as an affectionate daughter,a dedicated and loving daughter in law,a determined and devoted wife..Above all she was a woman with a blend of wisdom,faith,fortitude,&confidence.Definitely these attributes makes her unique.

Even though she was the daughter of a Great King,she decided to choose satyavan at her will(knowing that he was pennyless)..Not only that she followed satyavan to the forest,but also she took care of satyavan’s parents.These actions of savitri substaniates her love accompanied by humbleness.When yama took satyavan ,she ran after him and won the battle.It depicts her faith,confidence and courage!

In this era of gender war,mythological character like savitri assumes a lot of significance.Her mind was flushed with wisdom,courage,faith and confidence.Yet she never intervert from her path of her love for Satyavan,duty bound mind….Women can imbibe a lot from the role of Savitri..Even in this 21^st century ,we all make a hue and cry over the legends of Sita and Draupadi..It is true that Sita was pushed to Agnipareeksha..and Draupadi became the victim in the fight between Pandavas and Kauravas,but the same mythology has rendered on Savitri.But her parables remain unsaid,hence we continue to sob along the tales of Sita and Draupadi.Stories of Ubhayabharathi,Savitri,Kannaki…personifies the unlimited Wisdom,endurance,Courage of women…women are yet to explore the same..so our weakness continues to be more visible than our strength.

Women should remain as a Pillar of Strength…and that makes a woman ideal. Savitri is one such rare character of mythology.The greatness of Savitri deserves to be preached and practised among women.Truly she is a woman of substance!