A journey through four States

A WALK THROUGH YESTERYEAR: Dakshinachitra is a beautiful representation of how it was yesterday and how it relates to the culture that we have today.

How would you like to travel through time and visit all four South Indian States in three hours? Engaged in fun activities on how things are done the olden days ways and experience how our father's father did what and how?
In this day and age when everything can be done at a click of a mouse and everything, from idly and coffee to money, cars and houses can be had in an instant, preserving and promoting the slow-paced rich heritage of the South India seem like a daunting task. But not for the people behind the Madras Craft Foundation, the organisation behind the setting up of Dakshinachitra, a cultural village 21 kilometres south of Chennai.
Built in an effort to bring the hidden wealth of South India to light, Dakshinachitra celebrates the myriad cultures of the people of South India.
Waiting to be explored are 17 heritage houses, amble long recreated streetscapes, and a host of contextual exhibitions ranging from a traditional agricultural abode to a potters workshop.
Seeing how the people of rural Karnataka live is just a few steps away from the main entrance. Here lies a colourful display of an Ilkal house from the Bagalkota district of Karnataka. Built in stone, these types of houses are where weavers create their masterpieces known all over as the famous Ilkal sarees.
Laying just a stone throw away is Andhra Pradesh with its beautiful exhibit of the Ikkat weaver's house from Koyalagudam, Nalgonda district. The State also showcased a coastal Andhra house, cattle shed and granary from Haripuram, Yellimachil district. A brief description of the house mentioned that even up to this day, villagers live in clusters of similar houses 50 to 80 years old.
A more detailed representation of the states of Tamilnadu and Kerala are shown in the different types of houses and occupation. An original Natukottai merchant house from Chettinad, Pudukottai district allow visitors a walk through the life of a Chettiar in his four small bedroom house with a veedu on each side. The agriculturist's house from the Mayavaram district displayed farm implements used in the olden days. In case you are wondering how a potter lived, here is your chance.
From two potter families of Chengelpet district is a house depicting the lifestyle of potters with space for living and working giving space for a goldsmith on the verandah. Beautifully placed is the reproduction of the village Ayyanar shrine, a distinctive guardian deity of Tamilnadu. The large horses, elephants and cows believed to be Ayyanar's transport (vahanas) were also intricately depicted.
Tamilnadu cannot be without its famous Kancheepuram silk saree weaving houses brought to the fore. Impressive ways and designs from this district synonymous to the best saree the world over were laid out for everyone to see. Guests can even try their hands on weaving with the help of the friendly artisans present in the site.
The magnificence of Gods' own country is recreated in all its finery in Dakshinachitra. From the Syrian Christian house with all its embellishments to the myriad designs of boats used by the fishing community gives anyone who visits a feel of this highly tropical environment. While in Dakshinachitra, one should not fail to engage him/herself in the wide range of activities designed to give a true feeling of South India. From toy making to weaving, grinding rice to pottery, the experience can be hands-on. That is if you don't mind dirtying your hands a bit. After all, it's not everyday that you get the chance to walk through four states and experience its culture in its finery.

***Published in Newstoday, 01 June 2007, page 3.

People helping people

When huge waves threw people out, when the ground opened up and buildings collapsed like a deck of cards, when the water rose and people were trapped - that was when the three major world disasters struck not very long ago.
Currently in Mamallapuram for a get-together to share their experiences during those horrid days, when no help came and money meant nothing, are 25 participants from NGOs working on the rehabilitation of the victims of the tsunami in India, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Indonesia, the desolating Pakistan earthquake and the devastating hurricane Katrina in America.
Wrapped in creative presentations, different emotions, mostly of pain and desolation, came out as participants recounted stories of where they were, what they were thinking of and what happened seconds, minutes and hours after the disaster struck.
'To gather information and come up with a resolution on how to handle disasters with less or no damage to life, more than property, is what we envision in this workshop,' said Victoria Dunning, Director of Grant Making, Global Fund for Children. According to her, the members of the local community are the first responders to any disaster and the best source of information on how to tell the world to be better equipped in case another disaster strikes.
Enveloped in deep emotion, participants from countries affected by this devastating tsunami said they knew of cyclone, typhoons, windstorm and other such occurrences happening in a country situated near the sea but they had not heard of tsunami. 'Had we been informed and educated on what a tsunami is and how we should handle its occurrence, there would have been less loss of life and properties,' said a woan from Banda Aceh, Indonesia.
The wounds in the body can be easily cured but the wounds in the heart take time to heal. That was how S Desingu, a village worker from Mamallapuram summarised his experience. He is a member of the Society for Education and Action, an NGO working with the fishing community in coastal Tamilnadu People, according to him, helped other people. Help from other ends came much later, and from the government, far too late.
'I tried my best to save as many people as I could but I could not go far enough to reach old people thrown out in the wind and young boys and girls crying for help.' People were still recovering. Many were yet to venture into the sea again and 'many dare not look at the waters once more.'
'There had been a prediction about the tsunami, but our government kept quiet about it for fear of the income from tourism being affected,' said says a participant from Thailand. She added that the government never bothered about lost lives and rebuilding what was left of the people. 'They were more concerned about making the place attractive again for tourists to keep coming,' she remarked.
On October 2005, when a powerful earthquake rocked Pakistan, more than 50000 people were killed within 30 seconds, lakhs were rendered homeless and an insurmountable number were left looking at a bleak future. Pakistanis or not, people got together like one big family in support of one another. 'Relief came but what mattered most was the knowledge that there are people who are ready to lend a helping hand to get up and start life anew,' said Sameena Nazir of the Potohan Organisation for Development Advocacy, Narah Mughlan, Pakistan.
The count started from day one, then it was the tenth, the thirtieth, three months until it was day 300, still no help was forthcoming. The endless wait for help during the hurricane Katrina disaster saw people go hungry and fall sick, search for their belongings and found nothing, explore possibilities of escape but discovered nowhere. 'One thing admirable about the whole situation is the spirit of people willingly helping other people,' said Benny Pucket Sr of the Zion Travelers Cooperative Centre, Louisianna.
Where were you when the disaster struck? What were you thinking? How did you feel? Words said in a whisper during their days of grief are now reverberated for everyone to know and for everyone to be aware of the danger lurking behind every disaster. And the fact that had the people been equipped with information on what to and not to expect, what should and should not be done when disaster strikes, a lot more lives could have been saved.
The five-day workshop ended today with the writing of a disaster-learning manifesto by all 25 participants. The workshop organiser, Global Fund for Children, as part of its effort to strengthen grassroots initiatives to improve the lives of children who would otherwise be left behind, will circulate the manifesto to various groups all over the world.

***Published in Newstoday, 25 May 2007, page 8

Thank God for Mothers!

"There is no better place for a worried child to put his face on than the mother's shoulder".

'I am no mother's pet. I have never been close to my mother, and I don't think I will ever be. Now, I try to be as close as possible to my daughter because I know how it is not to feel the love of a mother. And that's the worst feeling one can have', writes Sujatha, a young mother, in her online blog-diary.
Many would agree. Not having one's mother around during his / her growing up years is something less of the ordinary. Mother and growing up perfectly go hand in hand because mothers seems to have that feel and touch, not to mention comforting words, that no one else can provide a growing up child. Without a mother, one must become his / her own parent and raise oneself. And this is most difficult for children.
Mothers are the sweetest gift from Gods to us. There is no way we can ever really thank our mother for all she does for us nevertheless we must make it a habit to keep reminding ourselves of the various sacrifices she made while raising us. Thank God for Mothers, thank God for Mothers' Day. Today is Mother's Day, the best time to say in words how much you love and care your mom.
In India, and in most Asian countries, women generally have a negative feeling about staying at home and being ?just a mother?. This is something that should change in time because motherhood is the most admirable job a woman can have. An unknown author said, ?Somebody said it takes six weeks to get back to normal after you've had a baby. That somebody doesn't know that once you're a mother, ?normal? is history?.
By becoming a mother, a woman allows herself to be a different person altogether. No longer just a single person but one who will be forever attached to her husband, her children and her children's children.
Asked what is the best and the worst part of being a mother, Reema, a mother of two said, ?When my little boy say 'I love you mama' and throws himself to me in a big hug when he gets up each morning. The worst would have been the first day I sent him off to kindergarten and he kept shouting my name while I hid myself behind the wall?.
Motherhood is not an easy job. It is in fact the most difficult of all. On the job 24-7 without salary, mothers hardly take a day off. Up before anybody else and still working until almost everybody's gone to bed. Mothers never complain even if no one seems to appreciate what they are doing. But what is Mother's Day for? Contrary to popular belief, Mother's Day was not conceived only to give business to those selling greeting cards or those in the gifts manufacturing business. Mother's Day celebrations dates back to the annual spring festival the Greeks dedicated to Rhea, the mother of many deities, and to the offerings ancient Romans made to their Great Mother of Gods, Cybele.
Mother's Day is celebrated in over 40 countries around the world. The exact date of this holiday, however, varies from country to country. But wherever you are, whether you are a six-year-old, sixteen or sixty, you sure know the best way to show your mother you care and that you appreciate having her in your life. Mother's Day need not be celebrated only for a day, but this day could well be a start of a sincere appreciation of what your mother has done, still doing and will not doubt to continue doing for you whether you say Happy Mother's Day to her, or not.
If somebody says your mother knows you love her and that you need not tell her. That somebody is not a mother!
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Published in the Mother's Day issue of Newstoday, 13 May 2007, page 3.

M S Swaminathan

An Inner View

The man who changed the face of Indian agriculture!

WORLD Food Prize, Ramon Magsaysay Award, Albert Einstein World Science Award, United Nations Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Sasakawa Prize, Volvo Environment Prize, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, Padma Vibushan. You name it, and he’s got it. One big room is not enough to accommodate the huge number of plaques, trophies, certificates and commendations conferred to and received by Dr M S Swaminathan, Chairman of the National Commission on Farmers, and member of Rajya Sabha, the upper house of Parliament in the Government of India.
TIME magazine acclaimed M S Swaminathan as one of the twenty most influential Asians of the 20th century, one of only three from India, the other two being Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore. He has also been described by UNEP as “the Father of Economic Ecology”. Strongly influenced by Mahatma Gandhi’s unique belief in ahimsa or non-violence to achieve purna swaraj (total freedom) and swadeshi (self-reliance), Dr Swaminathan, seeing the growing food shortage in the country, enrolled at the Madras Agriculture College, Coimbatore, hoping to help in liberating the country from lack of food. It is while studying agriculture that he learned that men and women toiling daily in the fields know their jobs better than a scientific expert. Therefore, as the present chairman of the National Commission on Farmers, Dr Swaminathan recommended a national policy for the farmers, not merely a policy for agriculture. “The new strategy for agriculture development is to put the well being of the farmer at the bottom line. We need a human-centric approach to the agriculture policy,” he says.
After pursuing a doctorate degree at Cambridge University, and post-graduate degrees in agriculture research at Wageningen University in The Netherlands and University of Wisconsin, USA, Dr Swaminathan came back to India equipped with the knowledge on how to tackle the challenges of Indian agriculture. Since then, his contributions to the agricultural renaissance of India led to his being widely referred to as the scientific leader of the Green Revolution movement.
“Indian agriculture is in a state of transition today. We have bright spots, but there are also a growing number of serious dark spots caused by ecological risks, economics and the growing risk arising from both meteorological and marketing factors. We should transform these risks into opportunities, which can become the beginning of a new dawn for Indian agriculture.”
At 81, the indefatigable Dr Swaminathan frequently travels to different parts of the world for lectures, meetings, conventions and conferences, apart from attending to his numerous responsibilities in different organisations, local and international, where he holds key positions. The support of his family is what he counts on most, even today. “When the chips are down, only the family stays with you. It is where I get genuine affection with no expectations.”
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- Published in the May issue of At A Glance, India's first and only cultural magazine, by Global Adjustments Services Private Limited, Chennai

Preparing Indians as they go global

Thousands of Indians leave the country everyday, but how many of them step into the airplane, ready to face the world ? 12,000 metres above sea level and hundreds of kilometres away from home? Like shoals of fish out of water, these people need guidance and help on how to keep their feet on the ground, their toes warm, their lives fun and their business in top form.
'Our company has grown by leaps and bounds. We started looking beyond India for expansion. Opportunities to establish links and services abroad are aplenty but we aren't sure if our people are capable of performing in the same fashion if placed in another country', says K Manoj, CEO of a BPO company headquartered at Anna Nagar.
From pre-departure orientation to in-flight etiquette, searching for a place to live, tables to eat and places go, to knowing cultures and respecting traditions. From establishing the business and actually running it, to learning the ropes and not failing on hopes, Indian IT professionals are in need of assistance on how to be an Indian in the fast-paced global scenario.
For eleven years now, Global Adjustments, a Chennai-based cross cultural training and destination services organisation has been involved in easing the passage of expatriates to India. In the recent past, the company has also taken up the challenge of helping Indian professionals leaving the country, to work or to simply explore the world, by providing training and orientation programmes to hone their communication, social and business skills. Introduction to the customs, practices and traditions of the country of destination is given by the company's pool of resource persons, composed of different nationalities. Courses on table manners, cultural etiquette, creative thinking and organisational skills form part of Global Adjustment's interactive programmes.
'Global Adjustments has trained thousands of Indian professionals,' says its CEO, Ranjini Manian. 'We offer unique, tailor-made courses presented by skilled expatriate and Indian trainers to help prepare Indians interact with clients, travel and work in the western world, in an effective cross cultural mode,' she adds.
Saritha, part of a team of eight young men and women heading to UK to be part of their company's global operation on IT solutions appreciate the fact that they are given the much needed boost in self-confidence with courses offered by companies and organisations like Global Adjustments. 'It is important that we have ourselves oriented and informed on what to expect and how to behave when we reached our country of destination because when we reach the place, we are on our own. And it is difficult to perform our job well when we have other constraints, socially and professionally', she says.
Stepping out of the country, these young professionals serve as ambassadors of India to the world. Their performance and bahaviour speaks of the country and its people back home.
Spoken English and telephone etiquette for call centre employees, social and business orientation for BPO professionals, and cultural immersion to business persons traveling abroad, all aimed at enabling professionals hit the ground running in a new environment and increase their productivity from day one are provided to prepare Indians take the challenge that the world outside offers.

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Published in Newstoday, 13 January 2007, page 3.

Keep wetlands healthy

Mumble, a sweet little ball of penguin fluff has one big problem: no matter how hard he tries, he can't sing. But as it happens, Mumble is a brilliant tap-dancer. He unleashes his deepest feelings not through his beak, he pours them out through his 'happy feet.' His adventures in search of the place where he will be accepted led to his finding one big world problem looming on the horizon - the seas become depleted of fish.
Fish for tomorrow, this is the slogan for this year's International Wetland Day celebrated all over the world, today. With the theme 'Wetlands supports fisheries - Keep them healthy', this year's celebration is highlighting the importance of ensuring that fisheries, and the wetlands that support them, remain productive and sustainable for future generations.
Showing the movie 'Happy Feet' just before today's celebration is one way of making it known to the world, through little Mumble, how we all need to start acting on the worsening scenario of the continuous wiping out of the fish population in our seas.
'Fish for tomorrow' encapsulates the many challenges that mankind is currently faced with. Sustainable management of fish (and other marine species) populations, especially those that are commercially fished, by supporting sustainable aquaculture practices. Effectively managing wetlands and other important fish habitats to protect and conserve fish populations and, increasing buyer awareness of fish species for consumption.
Healthy and functional inland and coastal wetlands play a very important role in the management and conservation of our important fish resources. They provide important habitat for fish populations, including rare and endangered fish species, and are spawning and nursery areas for many fish and other marine species.
World Wetlands Day is celebrated each year on the 2 February. It marks the anniversary of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands (Ramsar Convention) in Ramsar, Iran, on 2 February 1971.
World Wetlands Day was first celebrated in 1997. Since this time government agencies, non-government organisations and community groups all over the world celebrate World Wetlands Day by undertaking actions to raise public awareness of wetland values and benefits and promote the conservation and wise use of wetlands.
In different town and cities all over Tamilnadu, activities that include seminars, nature walks, newspaper articles, radio interviews and wetland rehabilitation.
The focus for today's international celebration is on wetlands and fisheries in recognition of the needs of one billion people who rely on fish as their primary source of animal protein. The day is also dedicate to looking at the state of the world's fisheries where 75 per cent of commercially important marine and most inland water fish stocks are either currently overfished or being fished at their biological limit, and where the effects of unsustainable aquaculture practices on wetland ecosystems are of growing concern.
Inland and coastal wetlands play an important role in supporting fish and fisheries at all levels, from large-scale, commercial fisheries to subsistence fishers, and from wild, capture fisheries to farmed fish.
If we learn to care for the wetlands, not only will Mumble and the rest of the penguins at the north pole not run out of fish to eat, but the world's habitat will remain its balance for a more sustainable livelihood in the future.

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Published in the International Wetlands Day issue of Newstoday, 02 Feb 2007, page 7.

Let's do our share to save Earth

Onus is on the shoulders of mankind

Severe weather changes, threats to our food and water supplies, rising sea levels, melting glacier, endangered plant and animal species and the spread of deadly diseases. These are some of the untold harm of global warming. And its manifestation has already begun.
The 2004 tsunami that hit many parts of the southern Indian coastline is one concrete example of how global warning can take a toll on our people. Thousands died and millions lost their homes.
Today is World Earth Day. As the world observed this day each year, a reminder is passed on of the challenges we face in saving the Earth. The idea behind the yearly celebration evolved over a period of several years starting in 1962. Then on 22 April, 1970, the First World Earth Day was celebrated in the United States. On 26 February, 1971, United Nations Secretary General U Thant signed a proclamation for the annual celebration of Earth Day.
This year's worldwide celebration of Earth Day calls for an action on climate change. Global warming is one of the most serious challenges facing us today. To protect the health and economic well being of the current and future generations, we must reduce our emissions of gases by using the technology, knowhow, and practical solutions already at our disposal.
The time to act is now. We can do something in our own little ways if we all commit to begin our journey to save the earth.
Change your light bulbs. There are now highly efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) that last for years and use a third of the energy of regular bulbs and actually produce more light. These may cost you more at the time of purchase but we must remember that there are two price tags - what you pay at the cash counter and and what you pay in energy costs over the bulb's lifetime. You may pay more up front, but you will actually save hundreds of rupees in your household budget over the long-term because of their long life.
Drive your car less or don't drive it altogether. Try and go for a car pool, take the public transport or go on the highly efficient train now operating in the city. Even piling multiple errands into one trip helps and if you can walk instead of drive, even better. The sad truth is that a gas guzzler emits as much CO2 as some homes!
As Chennai's climate gets hotter by the day, the use of air conditioning cannot be avoided making our household fuel efficiency swing on the upscale. Replacing older air conditioning systems with new efficient models can cut your annual energy costs by 20 per cent. So replacing the old with the new is a wonderful idea, but not very practical for most of us. Things you can do right now to make sure you're maintaining the right temperature in your house efficiently include keeping your air- conditioning unit clean at all times. Make sure windows and doors are sealed. Again, this will dramatically improve your household fuel efficiency. Sealing air leaks and adding insulation can reduce your annual energy bill by 10 per cent. Of course, if you can stand it, by far the best approach is to avoid using air-conditioners. Ceiling fans use 80 per cent less energy than central air- conditioners.
While it is true that planting more trees will help in the short- term because they essentially soak up carbon, they also release carbon dioxide when they die. So it just postpones the problem. But there are other reasons to plant trees - as wind breaks to save energy, and as shade to lower cooling costs. As for plants, do everything you can in your yard and garden to create ways in which plants use less water. Choose hardier plants, plant things in groups that need more water and put in mulch to help keep moisture in.
The task to save Mother Earth becomes more urgent today. We are not the masters of Earth. We are mere transient residents whose activities affect future generations and the future of Earth. If only the flora, fauna, and the land we live in can speak, they would have condemned us a long time ago. So many species have become extinct because of our irresponsible ways in undertaking our stewardship of Mother Earth.
The web of life imposes on us the message that all living things on Earth, including man, are interdependent members of the whole of life. The extinction of one living species creates a void and produces a chain reaction that will ultimately lead to the extinction of man
Earth Day is a time to celebrate gains we have made and create new visions to accelerate environmental progress. Earth Day and every day is a time to act to protect our planet.

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Published in the International Earth Day issue of Newstoday, 22 April 2007, page 3.