“The God would have created eves with an abdominal zip, if He prefers caesarian to a normal delivery,” quipped Dr Gita Suresh from EVK Medical Centre, Chennai. She was answering to a query on "why caesarian", and the reply not just evoked laughter but also some thoughts and a healthy debate.
The venue was SNR Kalaiarangam, and the Sunday audience seemed to be more illuminated with the smiles of tiny tots and their moms. With the ambience of togetherness and happiness around, Women’s Centre was celebrating its 25th anniversary with an open forum on ‘women and wellness’.
“Infertility is a challenge that no one expects. Dealing with infertility and its treatment can be emotionally frustrating and exhausting. It can put a strain on even the best of relationships. But medicine has developed in such a way that it gives good reasons to be optimistic,” said Dr Mirudhubashini Govindrajan, clinical director of Women’s Centre.
Though the literacy rates have increased and people are more accessible about medicine, many are unaware of facts like infertility, its reasons and treatments available. A group of leading professionals from the Women’s Centre clinical team, headed by Dr Mirudhubashini, made themselves available to the women of Coimbatore through a free 2-hour open public session ‘Ask the gynaecologist’.
The first doubt from the audience was on 'fertility'. With all the specialists of Women Centre on dais, it was the infertility specialist Dr Lakshmi’s turn to answer.
“Infertility is the inability to become pregnant after one year of trying to conceive. Now a days, one of six couples suffer from infertility. Only 10 percent of the infertility is due to unknown causes,” she said.
“There are many causes for infertility which vary from women to men. Failed ovulation (the failure to develop and release egg due to some hormonal imbalance, stress, obesity etc), damaged or blocked fallopian tubes due to previous infection, surgery, tuberculosis etc, disorders of the uterus and problems around the uterus, age and other hormonal disorders can cause infertility in females while low or abnormal sperm count, stress, ill-health, hormonal problems, diabetes mellitus, smoking, tobacco and alcohol consumption can be the reasons in males.”
"Infertility can be treated. It can be sometimes cured with medications and not surgery, if known in the earlier stage," she added.
Meanwhile, a slip was passed on to the stage. Dr Suganya read it out, a question on sperm and embryo freezing. Dr Mirudhubashini explained on the situation that leads to sperm and embryo freezing and extend to which it can be kept frozen, said, “Well… often sperm is frozen when a man undergo some serious surgeries or treatments like chemotherapy, where there are chances of decrease in sperm count. Or it can happen when the husband may not be available at the time of sperm collection for test tube baby or in vitro fertilisation.”
“… And about the extend to which it can be kept frozen defers on conditions available. Anyway, embryos can be preserved for years.”
The next question was on in vitro fertilization and formation of embryos. Saranya, the embryologist was ready with her answer. “In vitro fertilization is a technology where human eggs, sperms and embryos are handled and grown outside the human body, in a very controlled environment with the optimum temperature needed. The embryo is then placed into the mother’s womb after a few days, to grow further into a baby,” she said. "It is this stage where the need for embryo freezing arises. If the implantation happens to be unsuccessful, then the embryos, collected and kept frozen, can be used."
Implantation unsuccessful?, came the next question.
Mirudhubashini now asks Dr Saradha to explain.
“Implantation is the term used for the process of keeping embryo back in uterus. If there is any further problem inside the uterus, which is causing a hindrance for the growth of the baby, then it is called implantation failure,” she explained. "The laboratory conditions are the most important aspect of implantation. The sperm, egg nor embryo should be kept in a temperature outside 37 degree, that it can cause abnormalities in them."
Dr Suresh and Dr Indrani Suresh from Mediscan, Chennai, had no hesitation answering a query from a mother on whether the doctors would support abortion in case of any abnormalities found. "Doctors are the advocates of the unborn. A doctor only has the right to save a life. He will never ask for an abortion unless the situation demands."
On the future mental and physical sufferings of such babies, he quoted one of his experiences where a childless mother who conceived after treatment, was shocked to know that her baby was handicapped. Though abortion was suggested she said that if the baby can be kept alive at least for a few seconds after the birth her motherhood will be fulfilled. “…It depends on attitude. It’s a baby of our own that matter. All the rest comes after that for a childless couple,” he added.
“Today, women are less pain tolerant. They can’t tolerate the delivery pain, which was once considered the privilege and happiness of womanhood. Some working couples also 'plan pregnancy', some want delivery in ‘auspicious time' and good positioning of birth stars, and demand caesarian,” Dr Gita Arjun said.
Teenagers also took the opportunity to clear their doubts. The effect of uterus removal on physical fitness was raised from one of them. “Uterus removal has nothing to do with physical fitness. Since hormones are produced by ovary there is no chance for hormonal imbalance too," Dr Saradha explained.
The session continued with many more live questions and answers, but the most enlivening part of the session was the latter part. The children, whose reason for being in the earth was the Women’s Centre, filled this part with variety cultural programmes.
Published in Expresso, The New Indian Express on August 6
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Friday, July 25, 2008
The labour of love
"Pitha rakshiti koumare
Bartho rakshiti youvane
Putro rakshiti vaardakye", says Manu.
Yes, there is a need for a woman to be cared for in all phases of her life _ especially when in labour.
And it's to cater to her physical, emotional and mental needs that Coimbatore Women’s Centre has added new features that cater to the needs of mothers-to-be _ especially the 'birthing suite'.
"The childbirth is a sweet memory that a mother should always cherish. It should not be turned into a thing that she should fight to forget. It is to be carried through out the life as now-a-days motherhood comes only once or twice in a lifetime for most of the women," says Dr. Mirudhubashini Govindarajan, clinical director of Women’s Centre.
"We try to take up women issues in a manner that is less addressed by other hospitals or organisations. We focus mainly on the comfort zone. that should be provided for a woman to have a pleasant delivery," she explains.
Childbirth being the most special occasion for the women, the mother-to-be should be taken care of and provided with all comforts around. It's to serve this purpose that the centre has added ‘birthing suite’ concept among its features.
"Birthing suite is more than a hotel room with all the facilities around. Rather than the physical amenities, the suite helps in backing the expecting mother with needed emotional support. The husband's access to the room at the time of delivery is also made possible. All the equipment needed for the delivery will be there in the suite hided so that it do not create an ambience of hospital. Usually, all the deliveries except the high risk cases will be held in the suite itself," said Jayaram Govindarajan, the administrator of the centre.
The most special feature of the birthing suite is the ‘birthing bed’, which gives a comfortable birthing position for the mother-to-be and also the staff attending her. The main characteristics of the birthing bed includes its excellent design for the usage of it through out all the birthing phases, its low entrance height, stable construction, inclining of segments according to comfort ability and easy control of handles.
Stepping into 25th year of service, Women's Centre, located at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital, is a comprehensive women health care setup providing most complete solutions for all the health problems of women, from her puberty to menopause. It is unique in Coimbatore and the first of its kind to receive an ISO 9001:2000 award for its quality in service.
A well-catered team of 14 highly qualified full-time consultants, several visiting consultants, para-medical staff and a handful of other nursing staff enable Women’s Centre to be more passionate and responsible for the services. The consultants include professionals in infertility management, embryology, clinical obstetrics and gynaecology, andrology, laparoscopic (key hole), endoscopic and hysteroscopic surgeons, gynec-oncology, ultrasonology, adolescent care, pregnancy, newborn care and neonatology.
"We are an independent entity without much tie ups, for we concentrate more on quality, than spreading out the banner name. The key element of this type of organisation is the specialised consultants at the reach of our hands. It is not that to invite a visiting professional at their schedule, but it is to provide the medicare at the time, when the patient is in need of it," said Jayaram on the reason for not having more branches.
Women’s Centre, with a hand full of specialised doctors, round the clock are capable of giving individual attention to the patients. The infertility department, which needs more care while handling with eggs and sperms, outside the human body, to make sure that the couple bears their own child, it is important to have an individual attention.
The Centre is having an infertility laboratory with a completely sterile environment, which enables them to be more precise in IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) treatment.
"IVF is the last thing to choose for a childless couple. We are having many other phases of treating infertility, even without any surgery. IVF being the more critical phase is dealt with more precise. Highly qualified medical and technical personnel with years of hands on experiences add to the IVF facilities in the hospital," said Dr Lakshmi, specialised in treating infertility. Also three embryologists are there to offer their services round the clock.
Spreading more than 15,000 new smiles to the world, the centre has given many childless couples a reason for living.
"I was childless for 17 years. I tried out many medicines, but of no use. Then I came to know about Women’s Centre from some of my villagers. I was suggested to do IVF. Now I am three months carrying, thanks to the doctors here," says Janaki (name changed) of Erode.
Another childless couple, settled in Australia, came to Women’s Centre knowing about it from the successful story of their relative. Sairadha, childless for five years is now a mother-to-be with a four-month child giggling in her womb.
Apart from the health care services, the centre also stretches its hands to educational aspects. Classes are been conducted for the expecting and her relatives on various issues like the breast-feeding, obesity, a pre-note on the delivery pain, meditation etc. The shortage of well-trained personnel has made the centre to have a tie up with Bharatiar University to start a new course in Maternal and Child health for plus-two students. It also offers a Fellow of National Board (FNB), with students from various parts of the country enrolled after an all-India entrance test.
"The best feature of the centre is the emotional support they are providing. They understand us fully and only after that the doctors even start treatment. The way of approach helps to build confidence in patience," said Biji Alexander, who is preparing to be a mother after the IVF.
"Instead of bits and pieces here and there, we give a package for childbirth, starting from treatment till having a baby, at ultimate rate of affordability along with quality. In all means, Women’s Centre spreads an ambience of a second home for the mother-to-be," says Dr. Mirudhubashini with a confident smile.
Published in Expresso (The New Indian Express) on 25/07/2008
Bartho rakshiti youvane
Putro rakshiti vaardakye", says Manu.
Yes, there is a need for a woman to be cared for in all phases of her life _ especially when in labour.
And it's to cater to her physical, emotional and mental needs that Coimbatore Women’s Centre has added new features that cater to the needs of mothers-to-be _ especially the 'birthing suite'.
"The childbirth is a sweet memory that a mother should always cherish. It should not be turned into a thing that she should fight to forget. It is to be carried through out the life as now-a-days motherhood comes only once or twice in a lifetime for most of the women," says Dr. Mirudhubashini Govindarajan, clinical director of Women’s Centre.
"We try to take up women issues in a manner that is less addressed by other hospitals or organisations. We focus mainly on the comfort zone. that should be provided for a woman to have a pleasant delivery," she explains.
Childbirth being the most special occasion for the women, the mother-to-be should be taken care of and provided with all comforts around. It's to serve this purpose that the centre has added ‘birthing suite’ concept among its features.
"Birthing suite is more than a hotel room with all the facilities around. Rather than the physical amenities, the suite helps in backing the expecting mother with needed emotional support. The husband's access to the room at the time of delivery is also made possible. All the equipment needed for the delivery will be there in the suite hided so that it do not create an ambience of hospital. Usually, all the deliveries except the high risk cases will be held in the suite itself," said Jayaram Govindarajan, the administrator of the centre.
The most special feature of the birthing suite is the ‘birthing bed’, which gives a comfortable birthing position for the mother-to-be and also the staff attending her. The main characteristics of the birthing bed includes its excellent design for the usage of it through out all the birthing phases, its low entrance height, stable construction, inclining of segments according to comfort ability and easy control of handles.
Stepping into 25th year of service, Women's Centre, located at Sri Ramakrishna Hospital, is a comprehensive women health care setup providing most complete solutions for all the health problems of women, from her puberty to menopause. It is unique in Coimbatore and the first of its kind to receive an ISO 9001:2000 award for its quality in service.
A well-catered team of 14 highly qualified full-time consultants, several visiting consultants, para-medical staff and a handful of other nursing staff enable Women’s Centre to be more passionate and responsible for the services. The consultants include professionals in infertility management, embryology, clinical obstetrics and gynaecology, andrology, laparoscopic (key hole), endoscopic and hysteroscopic surgeons, gynec-oncology, ultrasonology, adolescent care, pregnancy, newborn care and neonatology.
"We are an independent entity without much tie ups, for we concentrate more on quality, than spreading out the banner name. The key element of this type of organisation is the specialised consultants at the reach of our hands. It is not that to invite a visiting professional at their schedule, but it is to provide the medicare at the time, when the patient is in need of it," said Jayaram on the reason for not having more branches.
Women’s Centre, with a hand full of specialised doctors, round the clock are capable of giving individual attention to the patients. The infertility department, which needs more care while handling with eggs and sperms, outside the human body, to make sure that the couple bears their own child, it is important to have an individual attention.
The Centre is having an infertility laboratory with a completely sterile environment, which enables them to be more precise in IVF (In Vitro Fertilization) treatment.
"IVF is the last thing to choose for a childless couple. We are having many other phases of treating infertility, even without any surgery. IVF being the more critical phase is dealt with more precise. Highly qualified medical and technical personnel with years of hands on experiences add to the IVF facilities in the hospital," said Dr Lakshmi, specialised in treating infertility. Also three embryologists are there to offer their services round the clock.
Spreading more than 15,000 new smiles to the world, the centre has given many childless couples a reason for living.
"I was childless for 17 years. I tried out many medicines, but of no use. Then I came to know about Women’s Centre from some of my villagers. I was suggested to do IVF. Now I am three months carrying, thanks to the doctors here," says Janaki (name changed) of Erode.
Another childless couple, settled in Australia, came to Women’s Centre knowing about it from the successful story of their relative. Sairadha, childless for five years is now a mother-to-be with a four-month child giggling in her womb.
Apart from the health care services, the centre also stretches its hands to educational aspects. Classes are been conducted for the expecting and her relatives on various issues like the breast-feeding, obesity, a pre-note on the delivery pain, meditation etc. The shortage of well-trained personnel has made the centre to have a tie up with Bharatiar University to start a new course in Maternal and Child health for plus-two students. It also offers a Fellow of National Board (FNB), with students from various parts of the country enrolled after an all-India entrance test.
"The best feature of the centre is the emotional support they are providing. They understand us fully and only after that the doctors even start treatment. The way of approach helps to build confidence in patience," said Biji Alexander, who is preparing to be a mother after the IVF.
"Instead of bits and pieces here and there, we give a package for childbirth, starting from treatment till having a baby, at ultimate rate of affordability along with quality. In all means, Women’s Centre spreads an ambience of a second home for the mother-to-be," says Dr. Mirudhubashini with a confident smile.
Published in Expresso (The New Indian Express) on 25/07/2008
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Imbibing the 'art' of living
“I learned to dream, to dream high,” said Preetha, a kindergarden kid with a twinkle in her eyes. This was what 600 of them from various orphanges who walked in to the Nani Kalayarangam at Mani School, Coimbatore on Saturday had to say. All of them were gathered to celebrate a day laughing, clapping and knowing more.
The programme ‘we care, we share’ was organized by the art of living to instil various values of life in the children. There was a clapping session, a gratitude session, laughing session and many other value sessions. The children imbibed self-love and self-confidence through the programme.
“When ever you feel low, stand in front of a mirror and shout ‘I can, I will’. This will build up your confidence,” said Soundarajan, district coordinating committee member, art of living, to the children during the self-confidence session.
Sasirekha, a member of art of living during a section on self-love interacted with the children through stories and visuals that helped them understand the importance of self-love. When she told the children to hold their palms close to the heart and repeat her words, the auditorium echoed with the repetition of her words, “I am very very special, I love myself”.
The faces of the tiny tots brightened with smiles during each section.
“It’s not important for one to give money to these children but giving them some time is what matters. So we planned such a day, one special day for them to make them feel special,” says Sasirekha.
There was a meditation session by 'Sanvithi’ - the women wing of art of living, which made them, sit on a magic mat and take a virtual ride across rivers and mountains.
Many people want to help the needy. But they don’t know how to do so. Being under the banner of art of living enables us to help them, said the members.
“The children from orphanages are more frustrated than normal kids. They need special attention. Through this programme, we are trying to build a clear fertile mind in them so that good things can grow in it,” said Lokanayaki, ex-lecture, Krishnammal College.
This is only a beginning. We are trying to monitor orphanages around the city, so that we can give them our special attention, care and love, said the coordinators.
In the post-lunch section, the children were thrilled by the magic show performed by Veerashekhar. Also the lucky draw and the gift hampers given to them took them to the heights of joy.
There are many among these children who have great ambitions and great willpower to succeed. Such programmes enhance the spirit in them and help molding them for a better tomorrow.
“Even if only five from these 600 become the leaders of tomorrow, we will be glad,” said Sasirekha.
Published on 02/07/2008 in Expresso, The New Indian Express
When karma justifies destiny
‘As you sow, so shall thy reap’_ The Bible
Janarrdhana Guptha, a Kovai-based energy consultant, too believes in this cosmic principle of ‘give and take’. “Our karma includes actions that we have ‘sown’ in the past, including in the past births, that are the cause for those ‘reaped’ in our present life,” he says.
Think about it. Are you not interested in knowing about the aura that guides you or the amount of energy within you? “Knowing the amount of energy in you _ be it positive or negative, can help sort out your problems,” says Guptha explaining 'energy correction and crystal healing'.
Energy, plentiful in the cosmos, is pure on its own and is balanced. Then how this negative energy develop? "If a tenant is well settled in a house, left by its owner due to his miserable past there, then it has nothing to do with vaastu or horoscope. It all relates to ‘karma’. When energy is the base on which this cosmos is built, it is a person’s karma which determines the kind of energy he attracts. “Not just his/her karma, even that of his ancestors,” says Guptha.
In energy correction, karma controls the whole life. Until and unless a person is aware of this, he will never have a control over himself. Wherever a man goes, his karma follows. So does the energy beam.
Clairvoyance is the tool for reading the karma. ‘Karmic reading’ through clairvoyance is a ‘virtual go back to the past’. It helps in determining the type of karmic burdens or blessings one is carrying.
“My wife and I got into this because of higher energy beings (devatas, as we call them). Perhaps we have been selected for this purpose. Our knowledge is merely a drop in the ocean. Clairvoyance should be a guided one, obtained from some energy higher than human beings,” says Guptha.
After reading the karma of the individual and his family members, dead or alive, the clairvoyant identifies where things went wrong. Then the energy flow can be corrected accordingly.
Energy correction is the concept of controlling 8 directional energies, 7 chakras and 7 energy bodies in people and boosting and balancing the 5 elements in land and buildings.
When energy comes towards a person from major four directions, it remains positive till it is 3 feet from him. However, beyond this his karma determines the energy receipt and its quality. Unlike in Feng Shui and Vaastu, energy correction can be done through quantification of energy in percentage.
“I don’t need the physical presence of the person for karmic reading. Just a photograph will do. However, the date and time of birth and name of the person will help cut short the time required.”
The negative energy in a person is due to bad karma. The tool used for this negative energy correction is known as Crystal Energy Field (CEF). CEF, a combination of multiple crystals, is selected, energized and programmed according to the karma of an individual or his family.
Energising and programming are two major concepts on which crystal fields work. Every object has its on energy. However, the energy within an object is not sufficient enough to act as an energy giver. The same is true for crystals that need to be energized. Energizing helps imbibe lasting energy in a body. Especially when it is in crystals, it lasts for hundreds of years. Energizing and programming will take 2 to 8 weeks depending on the karma reading and also the magnitude of the problem to be solved, says Guptha.
CEFs need not be worshipped or carried with you. All you have to do is find a safe space for it. It’s up to the client to programme it even for generations.
The crystal shapes used for building a CEF are based on the client's needs. They could be Crystal Maha Meru for balancing the Seven Chakras and Seven Energy Bodies, Crystal Stupa for controlling the Five Elements of Nature, Crystal Rahus for directing Energy Beams, Crystal Vajras and Viswa Vajras for destroying Negative Energies and some unique shapes like Ashta Vajra, Ashta Vajra Stupa, Double Vajra Phurba, and so on. Crystal Colours too are important. Amethyst for Spiritual Energy, Red Cornelian for Money Energy, Lapis Lazouli for Wisdom Energy, Green Aventurine for Cleansing Energy etc.
These crystals are imported mainly from countries like Brazil. He also gets crystals from Gujarat, Himalayas and remote areas in South Africa. The tools made of crystals are carved into definite shapes through handwork. Guptha designs these tools and sends their photographs to Nepal where particular groups of people carve them for him. It takes several months to make a single piece of tool. No machine work can be used since the crystals are so delicate and need to be hand made.
He owns a grand collection of crystals and energy correction tools in his Sri Sudharshan shoppe, the largest of its kind in South India, as he claims.
Unlike other sciences that can seldom assure the time required to solve the problem, energy correction is time-bound. It is a solution given to the entire family.
Guptha has clients across 18 countries. He has published articles and books on energy corrections, Feng Shui, Vaastu, Numerolgy and has four websites as his own. For karmic reading and a printed report on the whole energy level of the person and his family and the reasons for the problems, he charges around Rs 15,000. CEF can vary in its cost depending upon the solution needed.
“We live in Kaliyug. Everything will be misguided and wrong judgments will rule. All we can do is to enhance the positive and control the negative,” says Guptha.
Now, get rid of the negative powers that govern you. Get energized!
Published on 02/07/2008 in Expresso, The New Indian Express
Monday, June 30, 2008
Nilambur-famous for its forestry and its landscape, a small town situated forty kilometer from Malappuram town, North Kerala. The teak plantation covers the major land area in nilambur. The nature enthusiasts, who are in much need of information on teak, can find the Connolly’s plot and teak museum as the perfect place.
Nilambur is renowned for the oldest teak plantation in the world, Connolly’s plot, just two kilometer from the town. The teak plantation is named after H.V Connolly, the Malabar District Collector. During his period, he took initiative in planting teak in the entire nilambur area. Chathu Menon, the forest officer under Connolly, organized the task of planting the saplings. He was laid to rest in the teak garden in Connolly’s plot.
The oldest teak tree, Kannimari is a rare attraction at the Connolly’s plot. The plot extends over 2.31 hectares beside the Chaliyar River at Arecode. This is one of the most famous forestry plots of the world, attracting foresters from all over the world, interested in studies and researches in teak trees. This experimental plot is preserved since 1844.
Four kilometer away from the town, on Nilambur-Gudalur, stands the world’s first teak museum, and its only kind in India. The museum is a sub centre of Kerala Forest Research Institute. Arranged in the two-storied building are exhibits, articles and details of historic, aesthetic and scientific value, which give information on all aspects of teak to visitors.
The fascinating abundance of information on this wonder tree attracts an entire horde of tourists to visit this museum through out the year. The extensive root system of a fifty five year old teak tree exhibited for welcoming the tourists is itself a metaphor of the past, present and future of the museum.
The ground floor exhibits a translite of Kannimari teak- the oldest naturally growing teak tree, the life size replica of the trunk of the largest known teak tree and added attractions are traditional granary and miniature model of sailing vessel called ‘Uru’, made of teak wood.
The depiction of foliage, flowers, fruits and barks of the tree gives us deeper insight into the characteristics of the teak. The large stump of a 480-year-old teak tree is also exhibited in the museum. The various methods of seed-grading, pre-sowing treatment, preparation of teak stems, and vegetative propagation of teak and different stages in the complete rotation cycle of teak from seed to mature tree are also on display. In addition, a collection of over 300 butterflies, moths and insects that are found in teak plantations are exhibited in the museum.
Another exclusive section deals with the various physical disorders of teak, disease causing insects and pests, plantation and other nursery diseases. Some of the special attractions of the museum are a series of interesting paintings portraying tree-felling operations, a collection of photographs on the phonological of the events of the teak at different seasons, exhibits on traditional harvesting tools and wood, samples of different ages from various parts of the world.
The 800-meter long bio-resources natural trail on the museum campus is indeed, an interesting one. This natural trail passes through a heavy growth of shrubs, trees and bamboos. One can also find different species of birds and reptiles here. There are 50 naturally grown tree species and 136 endangered and near-extinct tree species of the Western Ghats planted in this natural trail.
Thus, the Conolly plot and the teak museum offer a strong perspective of a glorious era spanning a period of 150 years. It reveals the magical bounty of the natural beauty.
Nilambur is renowned for the oldest teak plantation in the world, Connolly’s plot, just two kilometer from the town. The teak plantation is named after H.V Connolly, the Malabar District Collector. During his period, he took initiative in planting teak in the entire nilambur area. Chathu Menon, the forest officer under Connolly, organized the task of planting the saplings. He was laid to rest in the teak garden in Connolly’s plot.
The oldest teak tree, Kannimari is a rare attraction at the Connolly’s plot. The plot extends over 2.31 hectares beside the Chaliyar River at Arecode. This is one of the most famous forestry plots of the world, attracting foresters from all over the world, interested in studies and researches in teak trees. This experimental plot is preserved since 1844.
Four kilometer away from the town, on Nilambur-Gudalur, stands the world’s first teak museum, and its only kind in India. The museum is a sub centre of Kerala Forest Research Institute. Arranged in the two-storied building are exhibits, articles and details of historic, aesthetic and scientific value, which give information on all aspects of teak to visitors.
The fascinating abundance of information on this wonder tree attracts an entire horde of tourists to visit this museum through out the year. The extensive root system of a fifty five year old teak tree exhibited for welcoming the tourists is itself a metaphor of the past, present and future of the museum.
The ground floor exhibits a translite of Kannimari teak- the oldest naturally growing teak tree, the life size replica of the trunk of the largest known teak tree and added attractions are traditional granary and miniature model of sailing vessel called ‘Uru’, made of teak wood.
The depiction of foliage, flowers, fruits and barks of the tree gives us deeper insight into the characteristics of the teak. The large stump of a 480-year-old teak tree is also exhibited in the museum. The various methods of seed-grading, pre-sowing treatment, preparation of teak stems, and vegetative propagation of teak and different stages in the complete rotation cycle of teak from seed to mature tree are also on display. In addition, a collection of over 300 butterflies, moths and insects that are found in teak plantations are exhibited in the museum.
Another exclusive section deals with the various physical disorders of teak, disease causing insects and pests, plantation and other nursery diseases. Some of the special attractions of the museum are a series of interesting paintings portraying tree-felling operations, a collection of photographs on the phonological of the events of the teak at different seasons, exhibits on traditional harvesting tools and wood, samples of different ages from various parts of the world.
The 800-meter long bio-resources natural trail on the museum campus is indeed, an interesting one. This natural trail passes through a heavy growth of shrubs, trees and bamboos. One can also find different species of birds and reptiles here. There are 50 naturally grown tree species and 136 endangered and near-extinct tree species of the Western Ghats planted in this natural trail.
Thus, the Conolly plot and the teak museum offer a strong perspective of a glorious era spanning a period of 150 years. It reveals the magical bounty of the natural beauty.
Circus - A declining art
Circus, an art that attracted the people world wide, is now in the wedge of decline. The existence of circus is challenged world wide especially in India. Circus, as a declining art form, is not preserved or encouraged well.
Often the circus people entertain us by making their life at risk. When they are walking on the narrow threads, when they play with man-eating carnivores, when they fly high to touch the sky, all they do is to make us laugh by endangering themselves. When they end up their performance and successfully leave a smile with audience, they are entering into another rebirth.
About twenty years before, circus was a good ‘entertaining business’ that had talented opportunities in our country. Now, the situation has changed and today this art is added in the declined arts. Within these twenty years, most of the circus artists have changed their profession.
The media revolution and the central government order to ban the use of animals in circus have changed the entire scenario of this art form. The public often misinterpret circus as an art of exploitation by assuming that the artist are forced to wear disgusting costumes by the circus owners for the financial profit. Now, circus is like any other art form with respectable salary and other allowances. However, though the situations have changed, no one is ready to survive in this profession.
The young generation artists started moving towards cinema, advertising and many other media profession. When the entertaining profession like magic shows, film, folklore etc are appreciated and recognized through various awards by government, circus still stands out. In addition, like other arts, circus does not have any organizations or unions in common. When the government show keen interest in providing place and space for cricket, football they should turn back to circus too. Also, the municipality should avoid imposing high taxation on their land for exhibiting the circus.
The technological improvisation and development of modern equipments have influenced the success of film industry. But the circus is existing only with the talents and risks taken by the artists. Circus also tells the story of the communal harmony and brotherliness. They work hand in hand. They are the co-travelers of danger and calamity. They appear in the ring every time as a test of luck to live.
When this art form makes the audience laugh, but with tears in the eyes of the artists, it is the duty of our government and public to nurture the art of circus. The ‘circus’ both as an entertainment and an art form, should be encouraged.
Often the circus people entertain us by making their life at risk. When they are walking on the narrow threads, when they play with man-eating carnivores, when they fly high to touch the sky, all they do is to make us laugh by endangering themselves. When they end up their performance and successfully leave a smile with audience, they are entering into another rebirth.
About twenty years before, circus was a good ‘entertaining business’ that had talented opportunities in our country. Now, the situation has changed and today this art is added in the declined arts. Within these twenty years, most of the circus artists have changed their profession.
The media revolution and the central government order to ban the use of animals in circus have changed the entire scenario of this art form. The public often misinterpret circus as an art of exploitation by assuming that the artist are forced to wear disgusting costumes by the circus owners for the financial profit. Now, circus is like any other art form with respectable salary and other allowances. However, though the situations have changed, no one is ready to survive in this profession.
The young generation artists started moving towards cinema, advertising and many other media profession. When the entertaining profession like magic shows, film, folklore etc are appreciated and recognized through various awards by government, circus still stands out. In addition, like other arts, circus does not have any organizations or unions in common. When the government show keen interest in providing place and space for cricket, football they should turn back to circus too. Also, the municipality should avoid imposing high taxation on their land for exhibiting the circus.
The technological improvisation and development of modern equipments have influenced the success of film industry. But the circus is existing only with the talents and risks taken by the artists. Circus also tells the story of the communal harmony and brotherliness. They work hand in hand. They are the co-travelers of danger and calamity. They appear in the ring every time as a test of luck to live.
When this art form makes the audience laugh, but with tears in the eyes of the artists, it is the duty of our government and public to nurture the art of circus. The ‘circus’ both as an entertainment and an art form, should be encouraged.
Harry Potter - A fiction stranger than Fact!
Harry Potter, a series of seven fantasy stories written by British author J.K Rowling, is in the height of its publicity. The books chronicle the adventures of an adolescent guy wizard ‘Harry Potter’, together with Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger, his best friends. The story is mostly set at Hogwarts School of Witchcrafts and Wizardry- an academy for young wizards and witches. The central story concerns Harry’s struggle against the wizard Lord Voldemort’s attempt to conquer death.
The success of the novel has made Rowling the highest earning novelist in the history. Rowling’s publishers were able to capitalize on this buzz by rapid and successive releases of her book. It is amazing fact that ‘Harry Potter’ is the most influencing character created by a novelist. With the release of the seventh book, Harry Potter series have become so crazy even for the adults.
A good readable novel will ultimately have the power of bringing in the moral values and basic humanity among readers. But Harry Potter under critic examination is not exhibiting such qualities of a good novel. This is clear from the fact that, her first book, ‘Harry Potter and The Philosophers Stone’ was finally published after eight rejections from various major publishers.
The author herself has quoted the theme of the novel as ‘theme of death’. She quoted “My books are largely about death”. Especially, when the book is aimed at children below the age of fifteen, it should have the theme of hope. Instead the book is presenting an over view of death, witchcraft, nightmares and other troubles.
When other fictitious stories create a world apart from ours, Harry Potter creates a link between virtual world and other world. Thus it makes the witchcraft to happen within the existing world of ours itself. In addition, the ‘wizard guy’ is an ordinary boy who is realizing his wizard character very late. The children think themselves to be a part of the witchcraft and are even trying to gain knowledge in it. The book has become such a craze that children started dressing like Potter and are living in such a hallucination.
If ‘Harry Potter’ were an imaginary character, beyond human powers, children would have ignored this, just as a story. But when Harry potter is presented as one among the ordinary, it forms a greater tendency for the children to turn towards wizardry. Instead of making children to understand the real life and its problems, Rowling is making children to think of gaining extra ordinary powers to over come troubles. This will lead readers to run away from reality. It seems that Rowling’s mind is governed by clichés and death metaphors and she knows only that kind of writing- thinks the majority of the parents.
The American religious groups and recently Vatican have claimed that the magic in the books promotes witchcrafts among children and make them far away from religious beliefs. Vatican City refers Harry Potter as ‘the wrong kind of hero’ and he poses a danger to children across the world. In addition, Vatican quotes the book as unsuitable for children.
It is a notable fact that, the book is not creating simply mere fans, but the followers of the hero. This can create a more situation than the present. Under the critical examination, it is clear that Harry Potter should not be given this much importance, but only a position of mere fiction or fantasy story.
The success of the novel has made Rowling the highest earning novelist in the history. Rowling’s publishers were able to capitalize on this buzz by rapid and successive releases of her book. It is amazing fact that ‘Harry Potter’ is the most influencing character created by a novelist. With the release of the seventh book, Harry Potter series have become so crazy even for the adults.
A good readable novel will ultimately have the power of bringing in the moral values and basic humanity among readers. But Harry Potter under critic examination is not exhibiting such qualities of a good novel. This is clear from the fact that, her first book, ‘Harry Potter and The Philosophers Stone’ was finally published after eight rejections from various major publishers.
The author herself has quoted the theme of the novel as ‘theme of death’. She quoted “My books are largely about death”. Especially, when the book is aimed at children below the age of fifteen, it should have the theme of hope. Instead the book is presenting an over view of death, witchcraft, nightmares and other troubles.
When other fictitious stories create a world apart from ours, Harry Potter creates a link between virtual world and other world. Thus it makes the witchcraft to happen within the existing world of ours itself. In addition, the ‘wizard guy’ is an ordinary boy who is realizing his wizard character very late. The children think themselves to be a part of the witchcraft and are even trying to gain knowledge in it. The book has become such a craze that children started dressing like Potter and are living in such a hallucination.
If ‘Harry Potter’ were an imaginary character, beyond human powers, children would have ignored this, just as a story. But when Harry potter is presented as one among the ordinary, it forms a greater tendency for the children to turn towards wizardry. Instead of making children to understand the real life and its problems, Rowling is making children to think of gaining extra ordinary powers to over come troubles. This will lead readers to run away from reality. It seems that Rowling’s mind is governed by clichés and death metaphors and she knows only that kind of writing- thinks the majority of the parents.
The American religious groups and recently Vatican have claimed that the magic in the books promotes witchcrafts among children and make them far away from religious beliefs. Vatican City refers Harry Potter as ‘the wrong kind of hero’ and he poses a danger to children across the world. In addition, Vatican quotes the book as unsuitable for children.
It is a notable fact that, the book is not creating simply mere fans, but the followers of the hero. This can create a more situation than the present. Under the critical examination, it is clear that Harry Potter should not be given this much importance, but only a position of mere fiction or fantasy story.
Cyber Crime - Hacking the youth
CYBER CRIME
The internet, which once opened its doors to a wide array of knowledge and education, is now paving way for misleading the youth. The upcoming number of net cafes and internet surfing that can be availed for the price of pizza are haunting our children’s precious time and brain.
In this era of increased crime and mischaps, internet forms vast sources of criminal opportunities. The internet space is called as cyber space. Simply, cyber crime is an evil having its origin in the growing dependence on computers is modern life. In a day and age when everything from microwave ovens and refrigerators to nuclear power plans is being run on computers, cyber crime has assumed rather problematic implications.
Every time you buy stuff online, do your banking or pay bills over the internet, check in with your office by e-mail or just surf the web for fun, it may be a gateway opening for a cyber crime.
The cyber crime mainly is misunderstood only by the term ‘web pornography’. But, the cyber crime is spreading over its hands more wide in different fields. ‘Hacking’, an illegal intrusion into a computer system or network is used for personal monetary gains such as stealing the credit card information etc.
Child pornography in internet is highly used by its abusers to reach and abuse children, sexually, worldwide. The very fast spread of internet as a household community has made the children a victim to the cyber crime. Another cyber crime is cyber stalking in which repeated harassment or threatening behavior of cyber criminals towards the victim by using internet service. Cyber stalking can include making harassing phone calls, killing the victim’s pet, leaving written messages or objects etc.
As the software companies are booming up, software piracy is also increasing. The software is stealed through the illegal copying of genuine programs. Chat rooms also make platform for the cyber crime to take place. IRCS (Internet Relay Chat) servers have chat rooms in which people from anywhere can come together and chat with each other. Many cheatings can happen in a chat room. In addition, credit card fraud, net extortion, copying a company’s confidential data for huge amount etc are serious cyber crimes that prevail in the present situation.
Cyber crime also shows its authencity over friendship communities. When the friendship communities like orkut, hi5, mingle box etc open the chances of unlimited friendship, it sometimes mould up cyber criminals. A cyber crime was registered in Mumbai, about the murder of a young software engineer by her ‘orkut lover’ in a hotel. This incident peels off the community crimes.
A computer user who is an internet addict can gradually change into a computer maniac. Later as internet crawls up like drugs, in the brain, the chances for the creation of cyber criminals increases. Thus when traveling through the virtual world of internet surfing, one must be sure of the hidden traps and the dangers that may come across. It should be the intelligence and knowledge that is to be used for not getting in cyber crime would and not to turn as a ‘cyber crime victim’.
E-Security tips for students:-
* As a global store house, use internet to increase your knowledge
* Respect the privacy on the net
* Be careful about talking to strangers on a chat room
* Never try to misuse other’s e-mail or pass word
* Be careful about the programs and information while downloading
* Don’t get trapped in on-line gambling and free prizes
* Do not give your password to anybody
The internet, which once opened its doors to a wide array of knowledge and education, is now paving way for misleading the youth. The upcoming number of net cafes and internet surfing that can be availed for the price of pizza are haunting our children’s precious time and brain.
In this era of increased crime and mischaps, internet forms vast sources of criminal opportunities. The internet space is called as cyber space. Simply, cyber crime is an evil having its origin in the growing dependence on computers is modern life. In a day and age when everything from microwave ovens and refrigerators to nuclear power plans is being run on computers, cyber crime has assumed rather problematic implications.
Every time you buy stuff online, do your banking or pay bills over the internet, check in with your office by e-mail or just surf the web for fun, it may be a gateway opening for a cyber crime.
The cyber crime mainly is misunderstood only by the term ‘web pornography’. But, the cyber crime is spreading over its hands more wide in different fields. ‘Hacking’, an illegal intrusion into a computer system or network is used for personal monetary gains such as stealing the credit card information etc.
Child pornography in internet is highly used by its abusers to reach and abuse children, sexually, worldwide. The very fast spread of internet as a household community has made the children a victim to the cyber crime. Another cyber crime is cyber stalking in which repeated harassment or threatening behavior of cyber criminals towards the victim by using internet service. Cyber stalking can include making harassing phone calls, killing the victim’s pet, leaving written messages or objects etc.
As the software companies are booming up, software piracy is also increasing. The software is stealed through the illegal copying of genuine programs. Chat rooms also make platform for the cyber crime to take place. IRCS (Internet Relay Chat) servers have chat rooms in which people from anywhere can come together and chat with each other. Many cheatings can happen in a chat room. In addition, credit card fraud, net extortion, copying a company’s confidential data for huge amount etc are serious cyber crimes that prevail in the present situation.
Cyber crime also shows its authencity over friendship communities. When the friendship communities like orkut, hi5, mingle box etc open the chances of unlimited friendship, it sometimes mould up cyber criminals. A cyber crime was registered in Mumbai, about the murder of a young software engineer by her ‘orkut lover’ in a hotel. This incident peels off the community crimes.
A computer user who is an internet addict can gradually change into a computer maniac. Later as internet crawls up like drugs, in the brain, the chances for the creation of cyber criminals increases. Thus when traveling through the virtual world of internet surfing, one must be sure of the hidden traps and the dangers that may come across. It should be the intelligence and knowledge that is to be used for not getting in cyber crime would and not to turn as a ‘cyber crime victim’.
E-Security tips for students:-
* As a global store house, use internet to increase your knowledge
* Respect the privacy on the net
* Be careful about talking to strangers on a chat room
* Never try to misuse other’s e-mail or pass word
* Be careful about the programs and information while downloading
* Don’t get trapped in on-line gambling and free prizes
* Do not give your password to anybody
SEZs - Grabbing away the lands
The retail sector in India is now in deep trouble and it will further deepen in the forthcoming five years. The development of ‘shopping mall culture’ in the country is the cause for this threat. In addition, the establishment of special economic zone is a parallel cause for the downfall threat of retail sector.
With the help of foreign investment, multinational companies and big industrial houses has started entering into these malls by investing huge capitals. Foreign companies are targeting 110 crore population of India and investing huge money , keeping in view of upcoming business profits and is trying to establish mega malls across the country.
The promise of these companies is that they provide all goods, from needle to sword, dust to silver, gold and diamond jewelers under one roof. Due to heavy investment, they are buying goods in bulk directly from factories or manufactures on cash with discounts. As a result, the trade of other Indian authorized dealers, retail and wholesale traders etc will see an end.
The giant industrial houses in major include Reliance, Tata, Adanis, Spencer, Mahindra, Hindustan Unilever, Unitech, Wall mart, E-Mart etc. Reliance is now trying to purchase crops directly from farmers, thus becoming a threat to the existence of intermediaries. Fresh vegetables are collected from states including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka at cheaper rates and are stored in large warehouses in mass volume. The vegetables reach the market only when demand and price rises in the nation.
The increased trend of ‘mega mall culture’ is overviewed with threat by retail sectors. The existence of common traders is on question. Though, the central government is welcoming it, some individual states as Uttar Pradesh has banned the establishment of multinational shopping malls. If the future trade falls off within the hands of these giant mega malls, India in no time, will become a puppet in the hands of foreign monopoly.
The approval of government to bring particular areas under Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is equally disturbing the existence of retail and wholesale traders. Here these areas are supposed to follow different economic laws that are more liberal than India’s typical economic laws. By promoting some areas as SEZ, government wishes to increase its foreign investment in India. But Indian government is itself turning into a scapegoat before foreigners.
Chennai in Tamil Nadu, Cochin in Kerala, and Noida in Uttar Pradesh are the major areas that are being converted into SEZ. It is said that SEZ gives an opportunity for the domestic enterprises and manufactures to compete globally.
P. Nazruddin, president of Merchant Association, Calicut stated that if SEZ is introduced in India widely, the scenario will take a terrific face. Commonly, in a state, government has introduced VAT (Value Added Tax). But for SEZ’s, VAT is not applicable. In Indian economy, if a profit is earned of two lacks is earned by Indian corporate sectors and other industries, 25 percent of that profit should be paid as income tax. But SEZ is avoided from income tax.
Even the electricity charges are reduced to 1/8th in SEZ. When a foreign entrepreneur maintains SEZ, it is not compulsory for him to hire Indian labor. Instead, he can hire labor for cheap rates from outside India, which brings out unemployment in India. Just 18 workers in a SEZ will replace the work of 400 workers in Indian industries. The situation stands similar to giving room for a stranger in our house, who later becomes our house-head.
The irony is that, our Indian government is strongly welcoming this attempt. The foreign money that may flow in through SEZ is their aim. The national economists should be concerned about the economic instabilities that may burst out in the forthcoming years. Economy may boom and development may be beyond imagination. The other world giants will come to invest. We may be able to economically stabilize and technologically revolutionalise. But, a people of high tradition and culture may be vanished and Indian agricultural lands may turn into a fiction.
With the help of foreign investment, multinational companies and big industrial houses has started entering into these malls by investing huge capitals. Foreign companies are targeting 110 crore population of India and investing huge money , keeping in view of upcoming business profits and is trying to establish mega malls across the country.
The promise of these companies is that they provide all goods, from needle to sword, dust to silver, gold and diamond jewelers under one roof. Due to heavy investment, they are buying goods in bulk directly from factories or manufactures on cash with discounts. As a result, the trade of other Indian authorized dealers, retail and wholesale traders etc will see an end.
The giant industrial houses in major include Reliance, Tata, Adanis, Spencer, Mahindra, Hindustan Unilever, Unitech, Wall mart, E-Mart etc. Reliance is now trying to purchase crops directly from farmers, thus becoming a threat to the existence of intermediaries. Fresh vegetables are collected from states including Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka at cheaper rates and are stored in large warehouses in mass volume. The vegetables reach the market only when demand and price rises in the nation.
The increased trend of ‘mega mall culture’ is overviewed with threat by retail sectors. The existence of common traders is on question. Though, the central government is welcoming it, some individual states as Uttar Pradesh has banned the establishment of multinational shopping malls. If the future trade falls off within the hands of these giant mega malls, India in no time, will become a puppet in the hands of foreign monopoly.
The approval of government to bring particular areas under Special Economic Zone (SEZ) is equally disturbing the existence of retail and wholesale traders. Here these areas are supposed to follow different economic laws that are more liberal than India’s typical economic laws. By promoting some areas as SEZ, government wishes to increase its foreign investment in India. But Indian government is itself turning into a scapegoat before foreigners.
Chennai in Tamil Nadu, Cochin in Kerala, and Noida in Uttar Pradesh are the major areas that are being converted into SEZ. It is said that SEZ gives an opportunity for the domestic enterprises and manufactures to compete globally.
P. Nazruddin, president of Merchant Association, Calicut stated that if SEZ is introduced in India widely, the scenario will take a terrific face. Commonly, in a state, government has introduced VAT (Value Added Tax). But for SEZ’s, VAT is not applicable. In Indian economy, if a profit is earned of two lacks is earned by Indian corporate sectors and other industries, 25 percent of that profit should be paid as income tax. But SEZ is avoided from income tax.
Even the electricity charges are reduced to 1/8th in SEZ. When a foreign entrepreneur maintains SEZ, it is not compulsory for him to hire Indian labor. Instead, he can hire labor for cheap rates from outside India, which brings out unemployment in India. Just 18 workers in a SEZ will replace the work of 400 workers in Indian industries. The situation stands similar to giving room for a stranger in our house, who later becomes our house-head.
The irony is that, our Indian government is strongly welcoming this attempt. The foreign money that may flow in through SEZ is their aim. The national economists should be concerned about the economic instabilities that may burst out in the forthcoming years. Economy may boom and development may be beyond imagination. The other world giants will come to invest. We may be able to economically stabilize and technologically revolutionalise. But, a people of high tradition and culture may be vanished and Indian agricultural lands may turn into a fiction.
Nano Food - Near your Fridge
‘Techno-fear’ has always pulled back the common people from accepting new inventions in the field of technology. The protest of this kind that existed against computers and mobile phones has now vanished. They have now become the part of human kind. So is the fear towards the use of nano-technology in food. Though use of nano-technology is widely accepted in other fields including computer chips and even cosmetics, nano-foods are not gaining wide acceptance.
Nano-technology – the new wave at the shore of technological boom is the applied science and technology, which control the matters smaller than one micrometer. The era of nano-technology is now finding its way out. The most enhanced development of nano-technology is in the field of food and agriculture in India.
Nano-foods, simply means the normally used food, but produced using nano-technology. Improved food processing, packaging and safety, enhanced flavor and nutrition are the promising fields of food technology where nano-technology can overrule.
The potential benefits of the nano-foods are now a subject of detailed study. Scientists and researchers are pulling up the rope of nano-foods. The food industry in many developed countries like America and Britain etc and developing countries like India is now investing many millions of dollars in nano-technology research and development. Many corporate sectors are progressing in the development of nano-foods.
Nevertheless, nano-foods do not get enough publicity and acceptance due to some misconceptions among common people. People often think that nano-foods are foods produced by some atomic modifications and can contain some chemical substances. They also think that these foods may bring about some health hazards. People find it more difficult to opt nano-foods because of these insecure doubts.
The fact is that, nano-foods have nothing to do with such atomic modifications in food. The food is said to be nano-food when nano-particles, nano-technology techniques or tools are used during cultivation, production, processing and packaging of food.
This misconception of the nano-foods is a hurdle for the development of nano-technology in food production. It can be overcome if the major resource people and the government come forward by promoting the knowledge of nano-technology. Studies in nano-foods and their benefits should be given more importance. In this scenario of increased population and rising unemployment in India, the mass production of any product using nano-technology can make a great difference.
Debates are going, on the safety and regulations of nano-foods. How far it can gain publicity and acceptance among the people is left to the future. Anyway, scientists and researchers are finding ways to bring the technology into our fridge door. In an agricultural country like India, the economic conditions can be developed by introducing nano-technology into the fields of cultivation and production. Time ask to wait and see whether this booming technology will bring the nano-foods on our dining table in the upcoming years.
Digital Divide creating Info rich and Info poor
In this present world of booming communication technology, there is a need to search about the reach of the communication media to the common people. All are screaming of the revolutionary development in the field of communication. However, a detailed study in this field reveals that, it is not a digital boom that is created, but a digital divide.
The digital revolution has not been able to act as a digital equalizer. Mainly in developing country like India, the digital boom have created two extremes of groups- info-rich and info-poor. When the 80 percent of the people living in developing countries earn only 20 percent of the global incomes, they are running far away from the doors of telecommunication infra structure. In a democratic country like India, where all are to be treated equal, digital divide is an upcoming national crisis that creates inequality.
To explain, digital divide is the gap between those who have access to the latest information and communication technologies and those who do not. It is not only the lack of physical access to technology that made the digital divide, but also the absence of access to other resources that leads them to know about these technologies. Many see this digital divide as the failure of the development initiatives as well as the failure of the government.
The major causes for the digital divide in India includes the technological factors, language and literacy factors, financial or economic factors, government and political will etc. in developing country like India, the poor state of telecommunication network especially in the villages is the major barrier for the internet usage. There is a wide telecommunication gap between rural and urban sectors within the country. While the total tele-density rose to 15.44 percent in 2006, the rural tele-density rose to 2 percent, the urban tele-density to 31 percent. This needs to be viewed in a position with the fact that 73.2 percent of the Indian population resides in villages while, 26.8 percent resides in urban areas. There will be an estimated 71.6 million internet users in India by 2011, representing 6.0 percent of the population.
Digital divide questions one’s right to communicate. It is the right of any individual, community and society to communicate more specifically through the media. But the digital divide becomes a hindrance for the ‘info-poor’ group in India. Both in the international and national scenario, digital divide are creating an imbalance in the information flow. If only a digital equalizer is formed between the info-poor and info-rich, we can attain a democratic communication system.
In India, though new technologies in information and communication have brought about major changes in the world, the disparities remain wide spread. In India, 26 percent of population still lives below the poverty line and 40 percent of the population is illiterate. Ours is a large semi-literate populated nation, in which hardly 0.5 percent of the population has a personal computer.
The sensationalism and commercialization of digital media technology aims at upper class urban rich families which again makes a hindrance for the technology and information to reach down to the common public. As far as new media is concerned, it has an immense potential in development. But the exclusion of common people of who are poor, illiterate and rural, from the world of digital improvisation holds back the balanced communication scenario in the country.
As far as market forces are concerned, the private sectors have slowly spread technology to middle-income groups. But, when it fails to see that it is the under developed group in the developed countries that is to be focused for a technological revolution, the divide is perhaps widened. In addition, government policies, instead of meeting short-term demands, should provide coherent long-term plan to narrow up this technological divide.
Now, it should be the time for the government and the technological giants to think in another way. By focusing on the rural, under-reserved people who forms the major part of population, the technological and political powers should be able to reach the destination of the real digital revolution. The techno-divide should be dealt with more consciousness and government should find a solution for the widened threat of this digital divide.
The digital revolution has not been able to act as a digital equalizer. Mainly in developing country like India, the digital boom have created two extremes of groups- info-rich and info-poor. When the 80 percent of the people living in developing countries earn only 20 percent of the global incomes, they are running far away from the doors of telecommunication infra structure. In a democratic country like India, where all are to be treated equal, digital divide is an upcoming national crisis that creates inequality.
To explain, digital divide is the gap between those who have access to the latest information and communication technologies and those who do not. It is not only the lack of physical access to technology that made the digital divide, but also the absence of access to other resources that leads them to know about these technologies. Many see this digital divide as the failure of the development initiatives as well as the failure of the government.
The major causes for the digital divide in India includes the technological factors, language and literacy factors, financial or economic factors, government and political will etc. in developing country like India, the poor state of telecommunication network especially in the villages is the major barrier for the internet usage. There is a wide telecommunication gap between rural and urban sectors within the country. While the total tele-density rose to 15.44 percent in 2006, the rural tele-density rose to 2 percent, the urban tele-density to 31 percent. This needs to be viewed in a position with the fact that 73.2 percent of the Indian population resides in villages while, 26.8 percent resides in urban areas. There will be an estimated 71.6 million internet users in India by 2011, representing 6.0 percent of the population.
Digital divide questions one’s right to communicate. It is the right of any individual, community and society to communicate more specifically through the media. But the digital divide becomes a hindrance for the ‘info-poor’ group in India. Both in the international and national scenario, digital divide are creating an imbalance in the information flow. If only a digital equalizer is formed between the info-poor and info-rich, we can attain a democratic communication system.
In India, though new technologies in information and communication have brought about major changes in the world, the disparities remain wide spread. In India, 26 percent of population still lives below the poverty line and 40 percent of the population is illiterate. Ours is a large semi-literate populated nation, in which hardly 0.5 percent of the population has a personal computer.
The sensationalism and commercialization of digital media technology aims at upper class urban rich families which again makes a hindrance for the technology and information to reach down to the common public. As far as new media is concerned, it has an immense potential in development. But the exclusion of common people of who are poor, illiterate and rural, from the world of digital improvisation holds back the balanced communication scenario in the country.
As far as market forces are concerned, the private sectors have slowly spread technology to middle-income groups. But, when it fails to see that it is the under developed group in the developed countries that is to be focused for a technological revolution, the divide is perhaps widened. In addition, government policies, instead of meeting short-term demands, should provide coherent long-term plan to narrow up this technological divide.
Now, it should be the time for the government and the technological giants to think in another way. By focusing on the rural, under-reserved people who forms the major part of population, the technological and political powers should be able to reach the destination of the real digital revolution. The techno-divide should be dealt with more consciousness and government should find a solution for the widened threat of this digital divide.
JUNK FOOD - Impact of Television and direct marketing
In the busy world of ‘no time’, the chance for the growth of junk food in families have raised up. The ability of even a three-year old child to identify and force his parents to buy a product should not surprise many. After all, marketing to children is an art that companies have mastered long ago- especially junk foods.
Television commercials and the direct marketing show the many ways by which companies get children hooked on to junk food even at an early age. High intake of calorie rich junk food combined with a sedentary lifestyle has led to increasing number of over weight and obese children and adults in many developed and even developing countries. Many individuals have been found to suffer from diabetes and cardio vascular diseases even at an early age.
Many companies that reaped great profit through direct marketing to children includes Mc Donald, Magi, Pepsi, Coca-Cola etc. even children at a very small age are now crying over for junk foods of colors, odor, and flavors. The homemade food providing nutrients and a correct diet are out of reach now days.
The various advertisements on foods and drinks imposed during children’s program and on children’s channels drag children to the nearest fast food centers. In addition, use of celebrities and cartoon characters for children’s product that can induce them to buy these products are now in mass demand.
The junk food producers are exploiting the celebrity of children through various commercials. Moreover, the amount of fat, sugar and salt in their products are in very high quantity, thus affecting the health of children. A foreign magazine has reported that American children spend nearly 130 billion of their money on buying junk food every year. In addition, the chance of a child to become obese is 1.6 times greater when he drinks one can of coca-cola daily.
Like these developed nation, India is also moving towards this ‘junk food culture’. This proves to be an easy way for ‘working mummies and timeless daddies’. Nevertheless, the result is the production of many ‘amul babies’ deprived of any physical resistance towards disease. The children become obese when they start eating unhealthy food at a very young age.
“Catch them young” is the successful slogan of junk food manufactures when TV commercials and marketing acts as a good media for spreading this slogan. Childhood obesity is more a marketing-induced phenomenon. The jump of children towards fried items and other junk food can make them obese. Weaning them away from these unhealthy foods and promoting natural foods that are good for health should be everybody’s responsibility.
A ‘good-bye’ to these junk foods can be a rescue from young age diabetics and other cardio vascular diseases. Developed countries including America and Britain have already banned and controlled such commercials on junk food. Therefore, junk food manufactures are turning their eye towards developing countries like India. We should keep our eyes wide open towards the hazards that may eat us in the near-by future in the form of junk food.
Television commercials and the direct marketing show the many ways by which companies get children hooked on to junk food even at an early age. High intake of calorie rich junk food combined with a sedentary lifestyle has led to increasing number of over weight and obese children and adults in many developed and even developing countries. Many individuals have been found to suffer from diabetes and cardio vascular diseases even at an early age.
Many companies that reaped great profit through direct marketing to children includes Mc Donald, Magi, Pepsi, Coca-Cola etc. even children at a very small age are now crying over for junk foods of colors, odor, and flavors. The homemade food providing nutrients and a correct diet are out of reach now days.
The various advertisements on foods and drinks imposed during children’s program and on children’s channels drag children to the nearest fast food centers. In addition, use of celebrities and cartoon characters for children’s product that can induce them to buy these products are now in mass demand.
The junk food producers are exploiting the celebrity of children through various commercials. Moreover, the amount of fat, sugar and salt in their products are in very high quantity, thus affecting the health of children. A foreign magazine has reported that American children spend nearly 130 billion of their money on buying junk food every year. In addition, the chance of a child to become obese is 1.6 times greater when he drinks one can of coca-cola daily.
Like these developed nation, India is also moving towards this ‘junk food culture’. This proves to be an easy way for ‘working mummies and timeless daddies’. Nevertheless, the result is the production of many ‘amul babies’ deprived of any physical resistance towards disease. The children become obese when they start eating unhealthy food at a very young age.
“Catch them young” is the successful slogan of junk food manufactures when TV commercials and marketing acts as a good media for spreading this slogan. Childhood obesity is more a marketing-induced phenomenon. The jump of children towards fried items and other junk food can make them obese. Weaning them away from these unhealthy foods and promoting natural foods that are good for health should be everybody’s responsibility.
A ‘good-bye’ to these junk foods can be a rescue from young age diabetics and other cardio vascular diseases. Developed countries including America and Britain have already banned and controlled such commercials on junk food. Therefore, junk food manufactures are turning their eye towards developing countries like India. We should keep our eyes wide open towards the hazards that may eat us in the near-by future in the form of junk food.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Energising Kovai homes with Feng Shui
What costs you to change the position of a statue in the corner of your house or to clean your wardrobe weekly? Especially if these silly changes can take you to some heights of prosperity and happiness in life."First avoid the negative… then enhance the positive," says a Chinese proverb. It is true with the principle of Feng Shui. Feng Shui, literally meaning 'the way of wind and water' (Feng-wind, Shui-water), is simply the art of placement of objects, which helps the flow of energy (chi) in the best way to help the prosperity to be in the way.
This Chinese science which contents symbolic 'cures' of correcting energies is gaining its stand in India, along with its counterpart, vaastu shastra. When vaastu shastra demands expensive makeovers like reconstructions, Feng Shui gains acceptance through its easy way of silly remedies.
"We take things lightly. We don’t believe in demolishing. But this is a science which depends on angles and hence the moving of some objects here to there can make up things better," says Mini Rajeev, master consultant in Feng Shui.
Feng Shui uses symbolic way of curing problems. A house will have problems when it either has a negative energy flow through it or if the positive energy flow is blocked. This can be solved just by removing a wall painting allowing the energy flow or by placing a statue blocking the negative energy, says Mini with confidence.
Mini Rajeev, a Malayalee settled in Coimbatore, who is a master practitioner-cum-consultant in Feng Shui, honoured her degree from Lillian Two’s Institute of Feng Shui, Malaysia, and is now practicing in India concentrating mainly in South India.
"Water and wind is that powerful that it can create marvelous results when arranged in the right position. The flow of water determines the flow of money. It can bring the vibrations of happiness," says Mini.
Speaking on Feng Shui, the most important thing we should take care of is ‘clutter clearance’. Anything in the dumps can be called a clutter. The wardrobe with clothes unused for long time, the collection of newspapers, a peak of books lying on the table and anything like that, which may obstruct the flow of ‘chi’, can turn into a clutter.
"We used to keep things for later use. But the fact is, that someday will never come and the things you kept for a purpose will be turned into clutter. So always concentrate on cutter clearing thereby allowing the positive ‘chi’ to flow in," she says.
Mini had no inclination that she would be taking up such a field. It was after graduating in Maths and getting into family life, that she happened to read an article on Feng Shui, published in this paper. She then started studying Indian vaastu shastra and then switched over to Feng Shui.
Mini is the first South Indian to bag an International second rank in Master Consultancy in Feng Shui. She also is a Master in Pathchee (Chinese Astrology) and Master in Water Feng Shui, all from Lillian Institute.
How Feng Shui works: "In Feng Shui everything represents something. I always try to fuse Indian tradition into this Chinese science. Allowing all Chinese objects inside may turn the house a Chinese emporium which Indians may not like. So I suggest things like a wall painting, a water feature or something else very simple but powerful to bring about good changes."
A house is arranged according to Feng Shui based on the date of birth of the head of the family.
According to Feng Shui, there are three major afflictions, which changes every year. Grand Duke Jupiter, which is in North in the year 2008, Five Yellows in the South and Three Killing, again in the South. "We should not oppose the GDJ by keeping anything against it. Also we should not activate Five Yellows, for example by lighting lamps in the South. Likewise Three Killing also should not be opposed," she advises.
"In Feng Shui, apart from four major directions, there are other 20 directions with four cardinal and four sub directions. Feng Shui largely works on magnetic energy. So if the front door of a house is facing a wrong direction, we can ease it by placing a metal near the door by changing the direction of the entire house. We use a special compass called ‘Lo Pan’ for the purpose, which indicates twenty-four directions and many other calculations," explains Mini showing the Lo Pan.
Mini has already published a book on Feng Shui, which got a good response. She is now working on another book, which details the particulars of human energies. She also takes classes and seminars on Feng Shui. She is now planning to start courses for Feng Shui, which could make the people in India more aware of Feng Shui.
"Looking around is the most important thing," she says about Feng Shui. On the expense of implementing Feng Shui, she says it’s easier to spend for changes than to spend on an entire demolition. For a house of 1000 sq.ft, it nearly costs Rs 25, 000 to 40,000 to change the entire house according to Feng Shui.
She didn’t forget to give some tips on Feng Shui for the readers of Expresso. “Always stick on to quality, because quality makes things work out. Also it is advisable to keep a laughing Buddha diagonally opposite to the entrance. It brings you prosperity if you have bamboo planks immersed in water in the Southeast side of your living room."
She believes nothing is that good or nothing is that bad. Life is in a phenomenon of changes. "Getting energy to accept changes in life can make your life beautiful. And Feng Shui will definitely help you bring out the positive energy in and around you which enable you to live a happy living,” says Mini.
Happy living!
Published on 20/06/2008 in Expresso, The New Indian Express
Kalki - for them she muses
Empowering the third gender is the dream that Kalki nurtures. And who better than the Shikhandi of Mahabaratha-fame to help her realise her quest?This 'God’s special child', as Kalki calls herself, is now busy giving life to a play to be staged by 2009. The script she is penning for Shikhandi will find all the three sexes together on stage. And she believes that "you are not defeated until and unless you stop trying".
This is not the first time that Kalki is attempting a role in theatre. Her passion for theatre helped her grab a double role in William Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’, brought out by Auroville Theatre Group. She loves to work with theatre groups both in Tamil and English, but adds that 'Shikhandi' will be in English.
Now a woman, Kalki was born into a dominant political family in Pollachi as the only 'brother' to two sisters. From her childhood, 'he' always felt the 'she' in him. On reaching puberty, her mind could not accept the changes that were taking place in her body. "It was not an abrupt change that happened with me. Right from the childhood I felt like a woman. I refused to be a man because I was always a woman," says Kalki.
However, she also went through the usual nightmares and inner conflicts as faced by any other transgender. When she expressed her desire to live as a woman at 14, it created a buzz within the family. "No parents would wish to hear that their child is a transgender. As I was the only boy in my family, it created a lot of unpleasantness. I was taken to the Vellore Mental Health Center and was treated for my 'mental illness' for a month," Kalki said deplorably.
"For transwomen, to be honest and truthful to our parents and reveal the real 'we' to them is the most difficult thing in the world. We surely know they will be hurt... and we fear to tell them the truth. But I was bold enough to reveal myself," said Kalki, confidence personified.
Realising that education is the only way to wipe out ignorance, Kalki dedicated herself to it. Though she wished to study in a girl's college, she was enrolled into CBM College, a coed college in Coimbatore to pursue BA English Literature. "It was a woman who was inside me. However, I was forced to adorn the masculine role in my college, hostel... I was put into men's hostel there," Kalki chuckles.
Kalki cites herself "a typical case of a transgender, as per the observations of Benjamin Harry on transsexuals. "According to him, a transgender can identify a voice if heard once. They are good at languages and bad at maths. I possess all these traits," she says proudly.
After graduation, she took up a job with 365 Media in Coimbatore. She underwent her surgery to change her gender during this period. After the operation she started using ladies toilet, something that made her female co-workers feel uneasy. But they gradually accepted her as she was.
She then completed her postgraduation in Journalism and Mass Communication at Madurai Kamaraj University.
Having understood that media had a lot to do with shaping the attitudes of young people, she decided to bring out a magazine for transgenders called 'Sahodari' in 2001. It was solely distributed among her fellow sisters. But with none to finance it, it met with an untimely death.
She then established a foundation called Sahodari Foundation - for transgender males and females of the country. Through a website www.sahodari.org, she is spreading awareness among the youth on second type men and women of India. Sahodari Foundation is a one-woman mission of Kalki. "The foundation was born out of the desperate needs for a positive change in our society regarding transgender issues. It aims to voice political, social and legal rights of transgendered men and women of India," says Kalki.
Now, pursuing her second MA in International Relations, Kalki is aiming higher. She wishes to represent her community in UNESCO and in the UN. Through her mission, she wants the world to realize that transgenders are not just sex-crazy people and not the ones to be exploited always. "We Thirunangaigal (transgendered women - in Tamil) are gifted people. We have better understanding of both sexes and can deal with human problems and relationships more effectively," she says.
Auroville, the international township for peace, proved to be a perfect place for her to realize the artist in her. She enrolled herself in an international music research project called 'Svaram', exploring the ancient culture and music from different parts of the world. She helped people from the Western world have a glimpse of the beauty of Tamil language. She used monetary benefits from the programme to teach poor village girls and women English.
With her skills in filming, editing and acting, it is her dream to work with her favourite director, Maniratnam. But she hates the way Tamil film industry is making use of transgenders in their films. "Right from the Tamil classics to the recently released Vettaiyaadu Vilayaadu and Sillunu oru Kadhal, transgendered women have been portrayed either as psychos or as a misfit. We are not clowns," rues she.
Along with her best friend Rose Venketesan, Ippadikku Rose fame, she is in the process of developing interesting media concepts regarding transgenders. "We are planning for an IT venture for transgenders. I believe it will come as a great breakthrough," she said. Recently, they bought the domain for their website thirunangai.com, which is likely to be launched in August. "It is an exciting venture with a lot of groundbreaking ideas," says Kalki.
Kalki wants to meet Kanimozhi, "who has been very supportive of the transgender community", one day..."just to say a big thanks".
She is only scared of one thing - marriage. "I don’t believe in that social system," she said. "...It won't work for us". But then "love is the most beautiful emotion", she says happily "...and a man who is loved by a transgender would be a lucky one". However, she wishes to be a strong independent woman always.
Kalki never blames the Almighty for her life on Earth. Instead, she lives on a mission here. She is happy the way she is and simply nods her head with a confident smile. Don't queer! Just cheer!
Published on 02/06/2008 in Expresso, The New Indian Express
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
