“Yatra Naaryastu pujyante Ramante tatra Devata”-
(Where women are respected there dwells God)
Manu Smriti
Women’s day is observed throughout the world on March
8th. The world acknowledges the pivotal role played
by women in every aspect of life and celebrates their
accomplishments in many fields hitherto dominated by
men. Until recently, woman was confined to her home,
executing her domestic tasks- cooking, cleaning, washing,
looking after the family etc and the literacy rate of women
was abysmally low. But now, she has broken the shackles
and proved her mettle in science, engineering, politics,
army, airforce, films, arts, sports, medicine, research and
what not. From conquering the summit of the tallest
mountains to delving into the mysteries of the deepest
oceans, she has displayed her prowess in every imaginable
field. The achievements of women establish beyond doubt
that the hand which adeptly kindles the kitchen stove or
scrubs the clothes clean is equally proficient at steering
aircrafts, using the microscope or successfully running
countries as heads of state. Asima Chatterjee as the first
woman Doctorate holder in science, Indira Gandhi as the
Prime Minister, M S Subbalakshmi and Lata Mangeshkar in
music, Indra Nooyi as the CEO of Pepsico, Saina Nehwal and
Koneru Humpy in sports, Arundhati Roy and Kiran Desai
in literature- are just a few among the numerous women
who have instilled pride in Indians with their excellence in
their respective fields.
Despite the fact that women constitute half of the population
in India, their pathetic condition in many regions, especially
rural areas, demands attention and remedial action. Every
woman should be imparted basic education along with
her male counterpart. Priority should be reserved for
ensuring health of women, prevention of female foeticide,
protection of women from harassment, and enabling
equal opportunities for women without discrimination.
Empowerment of the women and assuring gender equality
should be a prime focus for the Government.
In ISRO also, thousands of ladies are employed : juggling
and balancing their various responsibilities as a space
scientist, daughter, wife, mother, sister and friend. On this
occasion, Voyage salutes every woman in this world- the
efficient manager and the most reliable pillar of support
and strength for her family, and the epitome of love and
care.
Monday, March 7, 2011
Friday, January 7, 2011
A trip to thusharagiri
It was a bright, sunny day at Kozhikkode. About 12-13 of us, friends from college, had
assembled for a friend’s marriage. Having devoured a sumptuous lunch, we set out in a
couple of cars for Thusharagiri, renowned for its waterfalls. The road was narrow and winding, mostly uphill. The area was sparsely populated, and houses were few and far between. Soon, we arrived at our destination. Thusharagiri, situated about 50 kms away from Kozhikkode, is a scenic waterfall, being preserved as an eco tourism project by KTDC. A breath- taking view of hill ranges, entirely embellished with greenery, with clouds hovering in the vicinity of their summits, and the river bubbling at their base- greeted us through a hazy mist, from the parking zone. Eager with anticipation, we entered the eco tourism region excitedly. A tiny stream, originating from large boulders and rushing down signalled the beginning of the waterfalls. Thereafter, we crossed a portion of the stream by stepping over rocks of varying sizes. At the first stage of the waterfalls, some of us decided to get our feet wet and waded into the water at the base. The mighty water thundering down from a great height was an awe-inspiring sight. As we ventured closer, the white foam sprayed into our faces, eliciting
delighted squeals. The rocks bordering the water are worthy of an ascent, for the surefooted
and the adventurous. After drinking in the magnificence of the place to our heart’s content and plenty of snaps later, we resumed our walk. Soon, we came across a towering tree, on the banks of the fast- flowing stream. The trunk was extremely tall, and hollow right through. If you glanced upwards, crouching inside the spacious interiors of the tree, the sky was visible at the top. The circumference of the tree was large enough to accommodate four people comfortably. It was an intriguing experience. This was followed by a steep climb to the second stage. Flanked by dense vegetation on both sides, we enthusiastically undertook the arduous journey to the top. There were rough steps cut into the hillside, at some places. To view the descending water we headed right from an intermediate flat landing. The path was rather narrow and hence precarious. At the end, we encountered a wide, bouldered slope, leading down to the water, separated from the land by railings. Cautiously, we climbed down and joyously beheld the water flowing majestically, amidst the rocky hills. The hurrying water on one side and the diverse flora on the other, constituted a panoramic view. We captured the beauty in our minds, as well as our cameras.
The energy- sapping trek uphill had worn down many of us. We squatted on the rocks for a brief rest and gulped down water. Our thirsts quenched and feeling refreshed, we retraced our path along the narrow hillside. Those who were on their second visit to the place, warned us that the climb to the remaining stages was even steeper and would consume much of time and energy. As most of us had trains to catch, we concluded that returning to the city would be wise. Feeling ecstatic, we embarked on our return journey. The descent was swifter than the ascent. The flowing water gathered into an enclosed lake of sorts, in close proximity to the first stage. We paused for a final view of the furiously rushing water nearby. Sitting on the edges of the rocks, we dangled our feet in the water and enjoyed its chillness. The cool water had a soothing effect, both mentally and physically.
Reluctantly, we bid adieu to the charming waterfalls at thusharagiri and boarded the cars
for our trip back to Calicut city. Memories of the place fresh in our minds, we resolved to
return there at the earliest opportunity and enjoy its beauty in full.
assembled for a friend’s marriage. Having devoured a sumptuous lunch, we set out in a
couple of cars for Thusharagiri, renowned for its waterfalls. The road was narrow and winding, mostly uphill. The area was sparsely populated, and houses were few and far between. Soon, we arrived at our destination. Thusharagiri, situated about 50 kms away from Kozhikkode, is a scenic waterfall, being preserved as an eco tourism project by KTDC. A breath- taking view of hill ranges, entirely embellished with greenery, with clouds hovering in the vicinity of their summits, and the river bubbling at their base- greeted us through a hazy mist, from the parking zone. Eager with anticipation, we entered the eco tourism region excitedly. A tiny stream, originating from large boulders and rushing down signalled the beginning of the waterfalls. Thereafter, we crossed a portion of the stream by stepping over rocks of varying sizes. At the first stage of the waterfalls, some of us decided to get our feet wet and waded into the water at the base. The mighty water thundering down from a great height was an awe-inspiring sight. As we ventured closer, the white foam sprayed into our faces, eliciting
delighted squeals. The rocks bordering the water are worthy of an ascent, for the surefooted
and the adventurous. After drinking in the magnificence of the place to our heart’s content and plenty of snaps later, we resumed our walk. Soon, we came across a towering tree, on the banks of the fast- flowing stream. The trunk was extremely tall, and hollow right through. If you glanced upwards, crouching inside the spacious interiors of the tree, the sky was visible at the top. The circumference of the tree was large enough to accommodate four people comfortably. It was an intriguing experience. This was followed by a steep climb to the second stage. Flanked by dense vegetation on both sides, we enthusiastically undertook the arduous journey to the top. There were rough steps cut into the hillside, at some places. To view the descending water we headed right from an intermediate flat landing. The path was rather narrow and hence precarious. At the end, we encountered a wide, bouldered slope, leading down to the water, separated from the land by railings. Cautiously, we climbed down and joyously beheld the water flowing majestically, amidst the rocky hills. The hurrying water on one side and the diverse flora on the other, constituted a panoramic view. We captured the beauty in our minds, as well as our cameras.
The energy- sapping trek uphill had worn down many of us. We squatted on the rocks for a brief rest and gulped down water. Our thirsts quenched and feeling refreshed, we retraced our path along the narrow hillside. Those who were on their second visit to the place, warned us that the climb to the remaining stages was even steeper and would consume much of time and energy. As most of us had trains to catch, we concluded that returning to the city would be wise. Feeling ecstatic, we embarked on our return journey. The descent was swifter than the ascent. The flowing water gathered into an enclosed lake of sorts, in close proximity to the first stage. We paused for a final view of the furiously rushing water nearby. Sitting on the edges of the rocks, we dangled our feet in the water and enjoyed its chillness. The cool water had a soothing effect, both mentally and physically.
Reluctantly, we bid adieu to the charming waterfalls at thusharagiri and boarded the cars
for our trip back to Calicut city. Memories of the place fresh in our minds, we resolved to
return there at the earliest opportunity and enjoy its beauty in full.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
LECTURE AT SCHOOLS PROGRAMME-AN ACCOUNT
“Beep Beep”, the alarm in my mobile was giving out its wake up call faithfully at 6 am. Grumbling about its punctuality and persistence and cursing it for meticulously carrying out its duty, I sat up, rubbing my eyes and switched it off. Vaguely, I sensed the presence of butterflies in my stomach. As the slumber- induced fog in my brain cleared away gradually, the reason sprang to my mind- the day I had to go to school and conduct classes under the aegis of World Space Week ’10 celebrations of ISRO had dawned. Suddenly, I was wide awake. I had announced my willingness to be a resource person (as we are known) on a sudden whim. But once I was briefed about the activities to be carried out, I realised that earnest effort had to be put in to pull it off successfully. A refreshing shower and a quick bite later, I commenced the final stages of my preparation for the same. By the time I concluded a swift perusal of the slides in the presentation, the vehicle arranged for our journey had arrived at our doorstep. It had been pouring cats and dogs since daybreak. The LCD operator and two of my senior colleagues from LPSC, Manoj Sir and Venugopal Sir were picked up on the way. Being experienced, they put me at ease, sharing the anecdotes of previous years and counseling me on how to tackle the students’ doubts and queries.
Our first destination was Iqbal school at Peringammala., nestled between picturesque hills and lush forests. As our van rumbled along the winding, uphill road, I noticed the students glancing curiously at the flex board displayed on the vehicle and murmuring among themselves, “Look, ISRO people have come here.“ The Headmistress and teachers there accorded a war welcome to us. The screen and projector were set up. As soon as the laptop was turned on for a last minute scanning of the slides, the power supply went off. The laptop was entirely devoid of charge. The obliging teachers provided us with the school’s laptop, but unluckily, it was low on charge too. The school authorities informed us that this was a regular occurrence and that they were compelled to rely on generators to hold practical classes for the children. About an hour would lapse by the time a generator was procured and put into operation. Notwithstanding these setbacks, we resigned ourselves and decided to go ahead with our mission.
About 100 students (of classes 9 and 10) and teachers were crammed into a library room intended to accommodate not more than 40. Having completed schooling just 5 years ago myself, it was overwhelming to behold the adulation and anticipation of the pupils and their tutors. The fact that the prestige of our organisation was at stake gave me courage. After a formal welcome by the HM and a short introduction by Manoj sir, I plunged into the presentation nervously. My senior colleagues intervened whenever I encountered difficulties , in elucidating a point or was searching for the exact Malayalam translation for technical terms. It was transformed into an active, vociferous interaction between us and the students, awakening their interest and inquisitiveness. The responses to the queries thrown at them were highly enthusiastic. Manoj sir’s quick wit elicited quite a few laughs. The resumption of power supply was greeted with rapturous applause. As we wound up, many of the children had their eyes glued to the visuals on the slides.
Subsequently, there was a barrage of intelligent, thought- provoking doubts from the listeners- how is the launch vehicle controlled and commanded remotely at the launch pad? Beyond the atmosphere, what provides the reaction force for the rocket to proceed upwards? What are the cryo fuels used in our launch vehicles? – being a few samples. There were queries on the RSR launches and the admission procedure at IIST too. We collected the feedback form and set out for our next school, the NSS Govt School, Peringammala. Emboldened by the debut attempt, I relaxed and enjoyed the panoramic view all around.
Unsure of the precise location, we went farther ahead and were ultimately guided correctly to the institution. About 200 students and teachers were seated in a large auditorium. Lady Luck smiled on us this time with the electricity authorities favouring us and the slide show was put up. Unfortunately, the microphone brought out by the authorities refused to co-operate and we had to strain our vocal chords yet again. One of the teachers delivered an excellent introduction on the observance of World Space Week. The video of C-11 (Chandrayaan) liftoff drew spontaneous appreciation from the young audience. Here too, the information imparted by us was received with immense interest and vigour. A smart girl stretched our thinking powers to the limit, probing us with numerous questions on the cosmos- regarding black holes, the theory of relativity, discovery of traces of fossil fuels on the moon Titan etc. The 15-year-old confessed to be an avid reader of Stephen Hawking, arousing our admiration with her insatiable quest for knowledge. A young man enquired,” Chechi, will you come next year also? The video was fantastic.” A few girls actually flanked us, clutching their notebooks and asking for our signatures. Almost embarrassed, I hastily scribbled ‘best wishes’, while trying to acquaint with all of them. With great pleasure and satisfaction, we bid adieu to the school and embarked on our sojourn back to the city.
Recalling this ‘lecture at schools’ programme fills my mind with elation each time. It is a glorious opportunity for us to reach out to and interact with budding scientists and engineers. Having been educated in a private school in the city, I had requested to be allotted schools in the rural suburbs of trivandrum. Although the infrastructure was found wanting in these schools, the incredible fact that the students were on par with their urban counterparts in awareness and knowledge delighted me. The intrigue expressed by the students inspires us also, to garner more knowledge on space Science, to be better- equipped to do justice to the student community during such events. All in all, it was an extremely rewarding and memorable experience.
Our first destination was Iqbal school at Peringammala., nestled between picturesque hills and lush forests. As our van rumbled along the winding, uphill road, I noticed the students glancing curiously at the flex board displayed on the vehicle and murmuring among themselves, “Look, ISRO people have come here.“ The Headmistress and teachers there accorded a war welcome to us. The screen and projector were set up. As soon as the laptop was turned on for a last minute scanning of the slides, the power supply went off. The laptop was entirely devoid of charge. The obliging teachers provided us with the school’s laptop, but unluckily, it was low on charge too. The school authorities informed us that this was a regular occurrence and that they were compelled to rely on generators to hold practical classes for the children. About an hour would lapse by the time a generator was procured and put into operation. Notwithstanding these setbacks, we resigned ourselves and decided to go ahead with our mission.
About 100 students (of classes 9 and 10) and teachers were crammed into a library room intended to accommodate not more than 40. Having completed schooling just 5 years ago myself, it was overwhelming to behold the adulation and anticipation of the pupils and their tutors. The fact that the prestige of our organisation was at stake gave me courage. After a formal welcome by the HM and a short introduction by Manoj sir, I plunged into the presentation nervously. My senior colleagues intervened whenever I encountered difficulties , in elucidating a point or was searching for the exact Malayalam translation for technical terms. It was transformed into an active, vociferous interaction between us and the students, awakening their interest and inquisitiveness. The responses to the queries thrown at them were highly enthusiastic. Manoj sir’s quick wit elicited quite a few laughs. The resumption of power supply was greeted with rapturous applause. As we wound up, many of the children had their eyes glued to the visuals on the slides.
Subsequently, there was a barrage of intelligent, thought- provoking doubts from the listeners- how is the launch vehicle controlled and commanded remotely at the launch pad? Beyond the atmosphere, what provides the reaction force for the rocket to proceed upwards? What are the cryo fuels used in our launch vehicles? – being a few samples. There were queries on the RSR launches and the admission procedure at IIST too. We collected the feedback form and set out for our next school, the NSS Govt School, Peringammala. Emboldened by the debut attempt, I relaxed and enjoyed the panoramic view all around.
Unsure of the precise location, we went farther ahead and were ultimately guided correctly to the institution. About 200 students and teachers were seated in a large auditorium. Lady Luck smiled on us this time with the electricity authorities favouring us and the slide show was put up. Unfortunately, the microphone brought out by the authorities refused to co-operate and we had to strain our vocal chords yet again. One of the teachers delivered an excellent introduction on the observance of World Space Week. The video of C-11 (Chandrayaan) liftoff drew spontaneous appreciation from the young audience. Here too, the information imparted by us was received with immense interest and vigour. A smart girl stretched our thinking powers to the limit, probing us with numerous questions on the cosmos- regarding black holes, the theory of relativity, discovery of traces of fossil fuels on the moon Titan etc. The 15-year-old confessed to be an avid reader of Stephen Hawking, arousing our admiration with her insatiable quest for knowledge. A young man enquired,” Chechi, will you come next year also? The video was fantastic.” A few girls actually flanked us, clutching their notebooks and asking for our signatures. Almost embarrassed, I hastily scribbled ‘best wishes’, while trying to acquaint with all of them. With great pleasure and satisfaction, we bid adieu to the school and embarked on our sojourn back to the city.
Recalling this ‘lecture at schools’ programme fills my mind with elation each time. It is a glorious opportunity for us to reach out to and interact with budding scientists and engineers. Having been educated in a private school in the city, I had requested to be allotted schools in the rural suburbs of trivandrum. Although the infrastructure was found wanting in these schools, the incredible fact that the students were on par with their urban counterparts in awareness and knowledge delighted me. The intrigue expressed by the students inspires us also, to garner more knowledge on space Science, to be better- equipped to do justice to the student community during such events. All in all, it was an extremely rewarding and memorable experience.
Sunday, September 26, 2010
CANINE CATASTROPHE
The day dawned bright and sunny in Ooty. My friend Ammu (I will call her thus for the sake of her anonymity and my safety) and I had risen at daybreak (read 7 am). Having finished brushing and bathing, we were all set to venture out. It was the second day of our class’ excursion to Ooty. Since the cock was yet to crow for the rest of our friends, we decided not to perturb the sleeping beauties and slipped out of the room noiselessly. Feeling fresh and elated, we strolled along at a leisurely pace along the street.
Now I must highlight a particular trait of ammu’s character. She possesses this tremendous fascination and passion for all kinds of flora- flowers, plants (both big and small!!), trees and ofcourse, loves wild jungles. Foraying into forests and landing in trouble would be typical of her. Returning to the anecdote, the pleasant warmth of the sun and the tree-lined pathways lifted our spirits further, and we were soon chatting and giggling.
Suddenly, ammu nudged me and pointed across the road. “Look at those beautiful woods. Come, let’s explore it.” Glancing at the said ‘woods’, all I could perceive were some thick green bushes and shrubs dotting either side of a narrow, rubble-filled lane. Before I could voice my opinion, she had grasped me by my arm and dragged me across the road to her lovely woods. Not desiring to pour cold water on her enthusiasm, I gave in without protest and plodded along beside her. The bushes grew denser and more mysterious almost immediately after we had stepped into the lane. As we went ahead, drinking in the greenery, the road sloped upward gently and took an abrupt turn to the right. At the bend, there was a large house flanked by sprawling grounds.
The two of us went round the corner. Subsequently, multiple things occurred concurrently. A couple of dogs rushed out from the direction of the house, towards us, barking ferociously. Caught by surprise and feeling frightened, our instantaneous, involuntary reaction was to flee. Before we knew what was happening, we had fled a few steps forward, the dogs in apparent pursuit. The curve was a cul-de-sac and we realized that we were stuck. Then it dawned on us that it would be wiser to try and return the way we had come. But, to our horror, as soon as we attempted it, the barking ascended to a louder decibel level. Ammu, scared out of her skin, started screaming at the top of her voice, “Oh God! Let’s escape from here. Come, ranjani. These dogs will tear us apart.” Almost hysterical, she caught my arm and appeared ready to escape at lightning speed. Sensing that she was more frightened than me, I overcame my fear with effort and concluded that we had to stand our ground, for the moment. I clasped her hand tightly to prevent her from running in fright. Trying to conceal the tremor from my voice, I consoled her, “Do not be afraid. And whatever happens, DO NOT run. That will result in the dogs giving chase. They won’t attack unless we try to run.”
Meanwhile, the dogs had reached the threshold of the courtyard and halted in their tracks. As we looked on in fright, they positioned themselves at the gate, glaring at us and barking away furiously. A few, tense attempts by us to go back revealed that they had no intention of permitting us to go past them. Finally, we decided to proceed upward, where the path seemed to end in a cottage. Glancing behind fearfully, we slowly made our way upward, praying and hoping for another escape route from the ‘woods’. The cul-de-sac terminated in a staircase. We climbed up those steps and to our immense relief, came face to face with an elderly man standing in the garden of a tiny cottage. We narrated our plight to him and enquired if there was an alternative path for return to the main road. He quashed our hopes by replying in the negative. He informed us that our only option was to take the lane we encountered during our onward trip.
The memory of the fierce barking still haunting us, we asked him desperately, “But how can we return that way? The dogs will attack us.” He responded casually,”No. They will neither chase you nor bite you. If you are really frightened of going alone, my grandchildren will accompany you on their way to school.” So saying, he summoned two kids (who looked less than 6 years old) and instructed them,”Come, my dears. Escort these two ladies past those dogs.” The two tiny boys, draped in school uniforms and navy blue sweaters and huge bags strapped onto their shoulders, nodded in assent. They eyed us with the frank curiosity reserved for tourists. Bidding goodbye to their grandpa, they descended the stairs and began the trek downhill. We thanked our saviour and followed suit. The young boys strode on, unafraid and we walked close behind them.
When we arrived at the bend, the terrifying dogs resumed their vociferous barking, still settled on their perch proximate to the gates. Our guides remained unfazed and one of them stooped down, grabbed a couple of pebbles and flung it at the dogs. This panicked my friend and she shrieked frantically at them,”NO! NO! DON’T DO THAT!DON’T TRIGGER THEIR ANGER!”. After pacifying her, we proceeded along the path, numb with fear. Once we had safely negotiated the danger area, relief flooded through us, although the barks followed us for a considerable distance. Soon, the main road came in sight.
We thanked our brave ‘escorts’ for their assistance. They bade farewell and continued their journey to school. I spoke to my friend sternly and forbade her from deviating from peopled roads and rambling into the wilds. She meekly assented and we moved on, along the road. We came across two of our friends out for a stroll and grinned sheepishly at them, shuddering at the remembrance of our misadventure. The rest of our walk was peaceful and uneventful and we returned, exhausted to our hotel. Needless to say, we were rebuked by our friends for thoughtlessly wandering to unknown, remote regions!! The memory of this scary adventure remains fresh in our minds.
Now I must highlight a particular trait of ammu’s character. She possesses this tremendous fascination and passion for all kinds of flora- flowers, plants (both big and small!!), trees and ofcourse, loves wild jungles. Foraying into forests and landing in trouble would be typical of her. Returning to the anecdote, the pleasant warmth of the sun and the tree-lined pathways lifted our spirits further, and we were soon chatting and giggling.
Suddenly, ammu nudged me and pointed across the road. “Look at those beautiful woods. Come, let’s explore it.” Glancing at the said ‘woods’, all I could perceive were some thick green bushes and shrubs dotting either side of a narrow, rubble-filled lane. Before I could voice my opinion, she had grasped me by my arm and dragged me across the road to her lovely woods. Not desiring to pour cold water on her enthusiasm, I gave in without protest and plodded along beside her. The bushes grew denser and more mysterious almost immediately after we had stepped into the lane. As we went ahead, drinking in the greenery, the road sloped upward gently and took an abrupt turn to the right. At the bend, there was a large house flanked by sprawling grounds.
The two of us went round the corner. Subsequently, multiple things occurred concurrently. A couple of dogs rushed out from the direction of the house, towards us, barking ferociously. Caught by surprise and feeling frightened, our instantaneous, involuntary reaction was to flee. Before we knew what was happening, we had fled a few steps forward, the dogs in apparent pursuit. The curve was a cul-de-sac and we realized that we were stuck. Then it dawned on us that it would be wiser to try and return the way we had come. But, to our horror, as soon as we attempted it, the barking ascended to a louder decibel level. Ammu, scared out of her skin, started screaming at the top of her voice, “Oh God! Let’s escape from here. Come, ranjani. These dogs will tear us apart.” Almost hysterical, she caught my arm and appeared ready to escape at lightning speed. Sensing that she was more frightened than me, I overcame my fear with effort and concluded that we had to stand our ground, for the moment. I clasped her hand tightly to prevent her from running in fright. Trying to conceal the tremor from my voice, I consoled her, “Do not be afraid. And whatever happens, DO NOT run. That will result in the dogs giving chase. They won’t attack unless we try to run.”
Meanwhile, the dogs had reached the threshold of the courtyard and halted in their tracks. As we looked on in fright, they positioned themselves at the gate, glaring at us and barking away furiously. A few, tense attempts by us to go back revealed that they had no intention of permitting us to go past them. Finally, we decided to proceed upward, where the path seemed to end in a cottage. Glancing behind fearfully, we slowly made our way upward, praying and hoping for another escape route from the ‘woods’. The cul-de-sac terminated in a staircase. We climbed up those steps and to our immense relief, came face to face with an elderly man standing in the garden of a tiny cottage. We narrated our plight to him and enquired if there was an alternative path for return to the main road. He quashed our hopes by replying in the negative. He informed us that our only option was to take the lane we encountered during our onward trip.
The memory of the fierce barking still haunting us, we asked him desperately, “But how can we return that way? The dogs will attack us.” He responded casually,”No. They will neither chase you nor bite you. If you are really frightened of going alone, my grandchildren will accompany you on their way to school.” So saying, he summoned two kids (who looked less than 6 years old) and instructed them,”Come, my dears. Escort these two ladies past those dogs.” The two tiny boys, draped in school uniforms and navy blue sweaters and huge bags strapped onto their shoulders, nodded in assent. They eyed us with the frank curiosity reserved for tourists. Bidding goodbye to their grandpa, they descended the stairs and began the trek downhill. We thanked our saviour and followed suit. The young boys strode on, unafraid and we walked close behind them.
When we arrived at the bend, the terrifying dogs resumed their vociferous barking, still settled on their perch proximate to the gates. Our guides remained unfazed and one of them stooped down, grabbed a couple of pebbles and flung it at the dogs. This panicked my friend and she shrieked frantically at them,”NO! NO! DON’T DO THAT!DON’T TRIGGER THEIR ANGER!”. After pacifying her, we proceeded along the path, numb with fear. Once we had safely negotiated the danger area, relief flooded through us, although the barks followed us for a considerable distance. Soon, the main road came in sight.
We thanked our brave ‘escorts’ for their assistance. They bade farewell and continued their journey to school. I spoke to my friend sternly and forbade her from deviating from peopled roads and rambling into the wilds. She meekly assented and we moved on, along the road. We came across two of our friends out for a stroll and grinned sheepishly at them, shuddering at the remembrance of our misadventure. The rest of our walk was peaceful and uneventful and we returned, exhausted to our hotel. Needless to say, we were rebuked by our friends for thoughtlessly wandering to unknown, remote regions!! The memory of this scary adventure remains fresh in our minds.
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Conservation of Energy
“Hey! Coming for tea?”, queried my colleagues, as the clock ticked to our usual tea time. I nodded in assent and after switching the PC to standby mode, rose. An accidental, fleeting glance at my neighbour’s PC revealed that it was in full power mode. Hastily, I turned it into sleep mode and switched off the lights, on my way out. A friend, who happened to witness my actions, commented mockingly,” You are really stingy!” I retorted indignantly,”This is conservation of energy, not miserliness.”
Such is the attitide of many among us- unknowingly, unintentionally, we are contributing to the colossal waste of electricity in this world. Despite the advent of nuclear power, India still relies primarily on our water bodies for meeting a huge chunk of our power needs. Conventional non-renewable resources (like coal) and emerging renewable resources (wind, solar, wave energy) constitute only a tiny portion of the generated power. The steady growth of population, coupled with wanton deforestation and pollution, has caused much of our hydro-resources to dry up. The severe water scarcity afflicting most of our country is its grave consequence. Conscious avoidance of power wastage is a very simple, but highly effective means by which we can contribute our mite in energy conservation. Let us always remember to switch off all the lights, fans and other electrical equipment while leaving rooms, both at home and office. Switching the PC to sleep/standby mode saves considerable power. When it is known apriori that we will be absent for an hour or more from a room, (while attending meetings, etc.), the PC can be shut down and the AC can be turned off. At home, the TV can be switched off while it is not being watched by anybody. Use of CFL lamps in place of incandescent bulbs, taking care to switch off unnecessary lamps, keeping the fridge turned off for 2-3 hours everyday- all can go a long way in saving power. With the entire country plagued by power drought and prolonged hours of power cuts, such practices are the need of the hour.
Whenever I go to the canteen or bathroom, I perceive mindless wastage of water- from taps carelessly left running or not closed properly. My friends watch amused, as I go around the wash area, closing the taps. Water is a precious resource and it is our duty to conserve it. There are millions of people deprived of water even for their basic needs- drinking, bathing, cooking and washing. Water is also inevitable for irrigation in agriculture. Every drop of water saved by each one of us counts. As the saying goes- tiny drops of water make the mighty ocean.
Another invaluable resource that is squandered commonly in offices is paper- as printouts, xerox copies etc. Manufacture of paper requires felling of trees. Thus, wastage of paper is equivalent to mindless destruction of trees. Let us vow to minimise the use of paper to essential purposes alone. Instead of printouts of pages for verification, correction or reading, the soft copies can be utilised. Only the final, corrected copy needs to be printed out. Similar is the case with xerox copies. Further, for rough work or calculations, unwanted one-sided sheets can be utilised. We can exhort our family, friends and colleagues to keep these simple points in mind and follow them. This will assist in safeguarding our environment.
As all of us are aware, petrol and diesel are fossil fuels, on the verge of extinction. By relying more on public transport and walking or cycling to places of close proximity, vast quantities of fuel can be saved. It also has positive implications on our health. Instead of four or five individuals travelling alone in separate cars, pooling of vehicles can be practised in offices. Such measures can decelerate the pace of depletion of the reserves of fossil fuels.
Let us also lend our hands in alleviating the problem of plastic menace. The plastic wrappings of toffees and snacks are often carelessly flung onto the pavement by many of us. Throwing such non-biodegradable waste in garbage bins is the first step in solving this pressing issue.
This earth was a beautiful, clean place when we arrived. It is our responsibility to ensure that the future generations inherit atleast as much and not a deteriorated planet.
Such is the attitide of many among us- unknowingly, unintentionally, we are contributing to the colossal waste of electricity in this world. Despite the advent of nuclear power, India still relies primarily on our water bodies for meeting a huge chunk of our power needs. Conventional non-renewable resources (like coal) and emerging renewable resources (wind, solar, wave energy) constitute only a tiny portion of the generated power. The steady growth of population, coupled with wanton deforestation and pollution, has caused much of our hydro-resources to dry up. The severe water scarcity afflicting most of our country is its grave consequence. Conscious avoidance of power wastage is a very simple, but highly effective means by which we can contribute our mite in energy conservation. Let us always remember to switch off all the lights, fans and other electrical equipment while leaving rooms, both at home and office. Switching the PC to sleep/standby mode saves considerable power. When it is known apriori that we will be absent for an hour or more from a room, (while attending meetings, etc.), the PC can be shut down and the AC can be turned off. At home, the TV can be switched off while it is not being watched by anybody. Use of CFL lamps in place of incandescent bulbs, taking care to switch off unnecessary lamps, keeping the fridge turned off for 2-3 hours everyday- all can go a long way in saving power. With the entire country plagued by power drought and prolonged hours of power cuts, such practices are the need of the hour.
Whenever I go to the canteen or bathroom, I perceive mindless wastage of water- from taps carelessly left running or not closed properly. My friends watch amused, as I go around the wash area, closing the taps. Water is a precious resource and it is our duty to conserve it. There are millions of people deprived of water even for their basic needs- drinking, bathing, cooking and washing. Water is also inevitable for irrigation in agriculture. Every drop of water saved by each one of us counts. As the saying goes- tiny drops of water make the mighty ocean.
Another invaluable resource that is squandered commonly in offices is paper- as printouts, xerox copies etc. Manufacture of paper requires felling of trees. Thus, wastage of paper is equivalent to mindless destruction of trees. Let us vow to minimise the use of paper to essential purposes alone. Instead of printouts of pages for verification, correction or reading, the soft copies can be utilised. Only the final, corrected copy needs to be printed out. Similar is the case with xerox copies. Further, for rough work or calculations, unwanted one-sided sheets can be utilised. We can exhort our family, friends and colleagues to keep these simple points in mind and follow them. This will assist in safeguarding our environment.
As all of us are aware, petrol and diesel are fossil fuels, on the verge of extinction. By relying more on public transport and walking or cycling to places of close proximity, vast quantities of fuel can be saved. It also has positive implications on our health. Instead of four or five individuals travelling alone in separate cars, pooling of vehicles can be practised in offices. Such measures can decelerate the pace of depletion of the reserves of fossil fuels.
Let us also lend our hands in alleviating the problem of plastic menace. The plastic wrappings of toffees and snacks are often carelessly flung onto the pavement by many of us. Throwing such non-biodegradable waste in garbage bins is the first step in solving this pressing issue.
This earth was a beautiful, clean place when we arrived. It is our responsibility to ensure that the future generations inherit atleast as much and not a deteriorated planet.
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
THE ART OF TEA MAKING
It was a wet Saturday evening and I had just woken up, refreshed. My afternoon siesta had been extended (unintentionally!) well into the evening. Feeling both virtuous and adventurous, I resolved to spring a pleasant surprise on mother – I decided to prepare the evening tea before she returned home from work. I am no novice at tea making, having done so quite a few times, under mother’s supervision. With such encouraging thoughts, I made my way to the kitchen. I mentally listed out the required ingredients- tea powder, milk, sugar, water. Commending myself for recalling everything, I thought ,”This is extremely simple. My tea is going to be excellent.”
I examined the steel utensils in the kitchen with a critical eye. A wide variety of shapes and sizes were available to choose from. After some deliberation, I selected one which was aesthetically appealing and which would suffice for the volume of tea needed. I filled it with water, lighted the gas stove and placed it reverentially on top of the fire. Next was the unenviable task of extracting the tea powder from among the countless tins of multi-coloured powders stacked on the shelves. Since I am well-informed on all matters concerning eatables, I was soon able to narrow down my search to two identical brown-hued powders. One was coffee and the other was tea and I hadn’t the faintest idea which was which. How was I to overcome this dilemma?
Now here I had a real brainwave. My olfactory senses had to be brought to the fore. I sniffed at each one in turn and was instantly able to distinguish the two. I added a few spoonfuls of my hard-found tea powder to the water. I trusted my intuitions and concluded that the precise number of spoonfuls had been added. I watched the tiny brown tea particles darting about in the hot water with pride. To protect my precious tea from undesirable contaminants, I covered it with a plate.
Subsequently, I looked about for milk. After a frantic search lasting a good ten minutes, it was ultimately discovered inside the fridge, in a covered container. Admonishing myself for failing to do it earlier, I swiftly ignited the other stove and deposited the milk container atop the blue flames.
Satisfied, I was smiling gleefully when a hissing sound emanating from the heated tea water grabbed my attention. “Ah, it is boiling. Let it boil for a little while,” muttering thus, I found the sugar and strainer and wisely kept those on the ready. By this time, the afore - mentioned hissing noises had become more prominent, compelling me to turn around. I watched horrified, as the tea boiled over and started overflowing. I hurriedly turned off the stove and surveyed the damage. To my relief, only a meagre quantity had been spilt. The only outcome of this disaster was the additional burden of some tiresome cleaning.
Just then, some peculiar sounds (alarmingly similar to the previous one), originating from the milk vessel this time, reached my ears. Foreseeing more destruction, I hastened to turn off the stove a second time. Heaving a sigh of relief that all the noises had ceased, I flopped into a chair, exhausted. After a brief rest, I resumed my arduous tea- prepration with renewed vigour.
I selected a large vessel and positioned the strainer over it. Next, with utmost caution, I lifted the boiled tea and poured it into the vessel through the strainer. Now the milk had to be added. With some apprehension, I unscrewed the lid of the steaming milk container. Grey, translucent fumes rushed out of it. The sides of the vessel had been transformed into a brown-black colour. Obviously, it had been burnt by overheating. (Later, my mother informed me that that vessel was not supposed to be heated by fire!! Apparently, it was a storage vessel.). Trying not to glance at the brown patches, I started pouring the milk into the tea. My knowledge of the colour of tea was my sole guide to the quantity if milk required. I persevered with the process of milk addition till the liquid acquired the appearance of tea.
With the addition of a few spoonfuls of sugar, my tea was complete. After stirring the mixture, I doled out a spoonful and tasted it nervously. “It is deficient in sugar”, my taste buds screamed. Swiftly, I enhanced the sugar content, stirred the tea and tasted it again. Now it was just right. Pleased with my efforts, I quickly washed up the dishes and tidied up the stove.
The final outcome of this experiment of mine was some truly delicious tea (though my brother remarked that it was a tad too sweet). Also, my brave attempt drew appreciation from my mother. With repeated practice, I have now gained considerable expertise in the art of tea making.
I examined the steel utensils in the kitchen with a critical eye. A wide variety of shapes and sizes were available to choose from. After some deliberation, I selected one which was aesthetically appealing and which would suffice for the volume of tea needed. I filled it with water, lighted the gas stove and placed it reverentially on top of the fire. Next was the unenviable task of extracting the tea powder from among the countless tins of multi-coloured powders stacked on the shelves. Since I am well-informed on all matters concerning eatables, I was soon able to narrow down my search to two identical brown-hued powders. One was coffee and the other was tea and I hadn’t the faintest idea which was which. How was I to overcome this dilemma?
Now here I had a real brainwave. My olfactory senses had to be brought to the fore. I sniffed at each one in turn and was instantly able to distinguish the two. I added a few spoonfuls of my hard-found tea powder to the water. I trusted my intuitions and concluded that the precise number of spoonfuls had been added. I watched the tiny brown tea particles darting about in the hot water with pride. To protect my precious tea from undesirable contaminants, I covered it with a plate.
Subsequently, I looked about for milk. After a frantic search lasting a good ten minutes, it was ultimately discovered inside the fridge, in a covered container. Admonishing myself for failing to do it earlier, I swiftly ignited the other stove and deposited the milk container atop the blue flames.
Satisfied, I was smiling gleefully when a hissing sound emanating from the heated tea water grabbed my attention. “Ah, it is boiling. Let it boil for a little while,” muttering thus, I found the sugar and strainer and wisely kept those on the ready. By this time, the afore - mentioned hissing noises had become more prominent, compelling me to turn around. I watched horrified, as the tea boiled over and started overflowing. I hurriedly turned off the stove and surveyed the damage. To my relief, only a meagre quantity had been spilt. The only outcome of this disaster was the additional burden of some tiresome cleaning.
Just then, some peculiar sounds (alarmingly similar to the previous one), originating from the milk vessel this time, reached my ears. Foreseeing more destruction, I hastened to turn off the stove a second time. Heaving a sigh of relief that all the noises had ceased, I flopped into a chair, exhausted. After a brief rest, I resumed my arduous tea- prepration with renewed vigour.
I selected a large vessel and positioned the strainer over it. Next, with utmost caution, I lifted the boiled tea and poured it into the vessel through the strainer. Now the milk had to be added. With some apprehension, I unscrewed the lid of the steaming milk container. Grey, translucent fumes rushed out of it. The sides of the vessel had been transformed into a brown-black colour. Obviously, it had been burnt by overheating. (Later, my mother informed me that that vessel was not supposed to be heated by fire!! Apparently, it was a storage vessel.). Trying not to glance at the brown patches, I started pouring the milk into the tea. My knowledge of the colour of tea was my sole guide to the quantity if milk required. I persevered with the process of milk addition till the liquid acquired the appearance of tea.
With the addition of a few spoonfuls of sugar, my tea was complete. After stirring the mixture, I doled out a spoonful and tasted it nervously. “It is deficient in sugar”, my taste buds screamed. Swiftly, I enhanced the sugar content, stirred the tea and tasted it again. Now it was just right. Pleased with my efforts, I quickly washed up the dishes and tidied up the stove.
The final outcome of this experiment of mine was some truly delicious tea (though my brother remarked that it was a tad too sweet). Also, my brave attempt drew appreciation from my mother. With repeated practice, I have now gained considerable expertise in the art of tea making.
Saturday, July 3, 2010
Tall Musings
One fine evening, I was making my way dreamily to the drawing room from the kitchen. Having just devoured a few sweets, my sense of contentment was complete. Unfortunately, my smooth progress was impeded by a collision between my head and the door frame. “AMMA...” I screamed, as a moment later, my brain decided to experience the sharp pain of the impact. Stars were circling around my head. Swearing, I rubbed my scalp and began grumbling about the sub-normal heights of the doors to my family members. They had all been summoned to the scene of the mishap, by my shriek of anguish. “It’s because of your arrogance, you should be more humble”, advised my hard-hearted brother. Mother nodded in agreement, enquiring anxiously, “Are you alright? Does it hurt?” Father chided, “You should be more careful. Always remember to stoop down at the low doors”. I sighed. This was turning out to be a regular happening now.
If you belong to those elite group of humans who are regarded as being taller than ordinary mortals are meant to be, read on...you will surely empathize with me. For the uninitiated (read “people of normal height”), I hope this will give a peek into our lives, a view from incredibly lofty heights...
Well, I measure about 172 cms (5’9”) vertically. Throughout my life, I have wondered whether my height is a boon or a bane and till today have not reached a conclusion. It will fetch you numerous, imaginative nicknames- giraffe, thotti, kudakkambi, beanpole are a few samples. If you happen to meet relatives or friends after a hiatus, they will invariably exclaim, “ How tall you’ve grown! Your parents will have a tough time finding a boy for you!” Although their concern is touching, it exasperates you no end. The last 10 years’ experience has taught me to expect this query, listen and respond to it with an impassive face.
All the comforts and infrastructure in this world are intended for dwaves. As mentioned above, you have to be humility personified to pass unharmed through many doors. If you are unfortunate enough to be travelling standing in a bus, utmost care has to be taken to avoid damage to your brain. I discovered the existence of a lamp on the ceiling of KSRTC buses towards the back, the hard way, when the bus went over every rut and hump on our well-maintained roads. On the other hand, if you are travelling seated, you will require treatment for sore knees by the time you arrive at your destination. Mind you, you will be cramped for want of sufficient space between seats in whatever mode of conveyance you employ- car, bus, plane or auto.
My favourite posture while reading or watching tv at home is thus : sit on a chair, stretch my legs and place them comfortably on the sofa on the other side of the room. The only drawback is, mother will have infinite reasons to walk across just then and my cosy reclining will be disturbed frequently. My stretching of arms finds no favour with her either. Both annoyed and amused, she declares on such occasions, “Only an abode of gigantic dimensions will suit you!”
Your extraordinary height also brings out the creative best in your kith and kin. My uncle often remarks, “ You’ll make a phenomenal basketball player. You can collect the ball and fling it through the basket countless times. The basket will be miles beneath you.” or “This girl will go to the giraffe’s cage in the zoo, compare her height with it and say smugly, “Not as tall as me, eh?” or “You know why ISRO recruited you? Now they can dispense with rockets to launch satellites. You can inject them into orbit directly.” Then there are occasions when the fact that you tower over normal people inconveniences them, albeit unintentionally. For instance, you will hinder the clear view of others, if you happen to be seated or standing in front of them, while enjoying a stage performance. My short cousin has had to remind me to be considerate of the disparity in our heights- when I hit the shuttle out of her bounds while playing badminton or my strides were too long for her to keep in pace, while taking a stroll together.
Once, during a family pilgrimage, the driver of our vehicle looked plainly disbelieving when I informed him that I was a student of 8th standard. He queried, “Have you failed in some class?” , much to my mortification, but to my cousins’ immense amusement. I also held the dubious distinction of consistently making up the rear of the row during our school assembly. Till recently, people generally found it hard to digest that I was elder to my brother by only a year. You see, he hardly reached upto my shoulders. Thankfully, a few years ago, the growth hormones in his body commenced their activities and public opinion has been altered. Despite not being a Complan girl, my physical growth was swift, leaving me to utilize the fridge and wardrobe at home to keep track of it. For other kids, I was the benchmark. I got accustomed to such claims- some one will announce proudly, “ My head is on level with her ears” or somebody else will despair, “ I don’t reach upto her shoulders even!”
Every dark cloud has a silver lining, however, and being tall is no exception. You will easily stand out in any crowd. Many will be grateful to you for shortening their search while looking for you amongst a group. You can perform such tasks as extracting objects from the topmost shelf or pluck mangoes or flowers from unreachable branches with consummate ease. These are daunting to ordinary people who have to rely on ladders and other equipment to accomplish them. Even if there are huge crowds at temples, you can enjoy the privilege of good darshan of the deities, from the very back also. You will often be the reference or identification for others. People will say, “ That tall girl’s parents” or “ I mean the one next to the tall girl”.
All said, I am quite at peace and take heart from the fact that “I AM A TOWERING PERSONALITY”, literally atleast!
If you belong to those elite group of humans who are regarded as being taller than ordinary mortals are meant to be, read on...you will surely empathize with me. For the uninitiated (read “people of normal height”), I hope this will give a peek into our lives, a view from incredibly lofty heights...
Well, I measure about 172 cms (5’9”) vertically. Throughout my life, I have wondered whether my height is a boon or a bane and till today have not reached a conclusion. It will fetch you numerous, imaginative nicknames- giraffe, thotti, kudakkambi, beanpole are a few samples. If you happen to meet relatives or friends after a hiatus, they will invariably exclaim, “ How tall you’ve grown! Your parents will have a tough time finding a boy for you!” Although their concern is touching, it exasperates you no end. The last 10 years’ experience has taught me to expect this query, listen and respond to it with an impassive face.
All the comforts and infrastructure in this world are intended for dwaves. As mentioned above, you have to be humility personified to pass unharmed through many doors. If you are unfortunate enough to be travelling standing in a bus, utmost care has to be taken to avoid damage to your brain. I discovered the existence of a lamp on the ceiling of KSRTC buses towards the back, the hard way, when the bus went over every rut and hump on our well-maintained roads. On the other hand, if you are travelling seated, you will require treatment for sore knees by the time you arrive at your destination. Mind you, you will be cramped for want of sufficient space between seats in whatever mode of conveyance you employ- car, bus, plane or auto.
My favourite posture while reading or watching tv at home is thus : sit on a chair, stretch my legs and place them comfortably on the sofa on the other side of the room. The only drawback is, mother will have infinite reasons to walk across just then and my cosy reclining will be disturbed frequently. My stretching of arms finds no favour with her either. Both annoyed and amused, she declares on such occasions, “Only an abode of gigantic dimensions will suit you!”
Your extraordinary height also brings out the creative best in your kith and kin. My uncle often remarks, “ You’ll make a phenomenal basketball player. You can collect the ball and fling it through the basket countless times. The basket will be miles beneath you.” or “This girl will go to the giraffe’s cage in the zoo, compare her height with it and say smugly, “Not as tall as me, eh?” or “You know why ISRO recruited you? Now they can dispense with rockets to launch satellites. You can inject them into orbit directly.” Then there are occasions when the fact that you tower over normal people inconveniences them, albeit unintentionally. For instance, you will hinder the clear view of others, if you happen to be seated or standing in front of them, while enjoying a stage performance. My short cousin has had to remind me to be considerate of the disparity in our heights- when I hit the shuttle out of her bounds while playing badminton or my strides were too long for her to keep in pace, while taking a stroll together.
Once, during a family pilgrimage, the driver of our vehicle looked plainly disbelieving when I informed him that I was a student of 8th standard. He queried, “Have you failed in some class?” , much to my mortification, but to my cousins’ immense amusement. I also held the dubious distinction of consistently making up the rear of the row during our school assembly. Till recently, people generally found it hard to digest that I was elder to my brother by only a year. You see, he hardly reached upto my shoulders. Thankfully, a few years ago, the growth hormones in his body commenced their activities and public opinion has been altered. Despite not being a Complan girl, my physical growth was swift, leaving me to utilize the fridge and wardrobe at home to keep track of it. For other kids, I was the benchmark. I got accustomed to such claims- some one will announce proudly, “ My head is on level with her ears” or somebody else will despair, “ I don’t reach upto her shoulders even!”
Every dark cloud has a silver lining, however, and being tall is no exception. You will easily stand out in any crowd. Many will be grateful to you for shortening their search while looking for you amongst a group. You can perform such tasks as extracting objects from the topmost shelf or pluck mangoes or flowers from unreachable branches with consummate ease. These are daunting to ordinary people who have to rely on ladders and other equipment to accomplish them. Even if there are huge crowds at temples, you can enjoy the privilege of good darshan of the deities, from the very back also. You will often be the reference or identification for others. People will say, “ That tall girl’s parents” or “ I mean the one next to the tall girl”.
All said, I am quite at peace and take heart from the fact that “I AM A TOWERING PERSONALITY”, literally atleast!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)