Navarathri special: Some best ways to celeberate navarathri (My 'agraharam' navarathri)

         The falling golden leaves of autumn together with the ‘poojo’ atmosphere created in Kolkata(my present residence) have brought back my childhood ‘navrathri’ memories. Back home, in ‘Marudhur agraharam’, our small village, a few kms from maayavaram(mayiladudhurai), in Tamil Nadu, Navrathri used to be a blissful occasion, for which we children would wait eagerly every year.

           

            Our village was of typical Brahmin origin. ‘Golu’, a beautified arrangement of dolls(right), practised in Tamil Nadu as a part of navrathri celeberations, was an essential part of the festival in every house. Women at home prepared sweets, snacks and prashads and a different kind of ‘sundal’ or chickpeas each day. They cleaned the houses and decorated them before the occasion. A new ‘kolam’ or rangoli, each day, would welcome guests, from both within the village, as well as relations from outside.

But, among all, we children were the ones to enjoy the most. Every morning, we would wake up early and dress up for the function and then visit friends’ houses. Our whole gang would gather together, after which we would walk together to the village temple. There, we would help the priest to decorate the temple outdoors, and carry water for abishegam. It’s quite puzzling how hard we used to work those days! My own children cannot even carry a tub of water within the house!

           

The dressing up was an occasion in itself. Traditional ‘paavadai’(long skirt and blouse) was the dress code for most girls, while some of us wore fancy dresses like ‘Krishna’, ‘Radha’ and other such mythological characters. All this mostly happened collectively, in groups, especially the hair-styling. My friends would come to my house for having their hair done from my paattimaa(grandmother), who was an expert in making different styles of plaits. She would then stitch our hair with flowers and other ornamental decorations.agraharam and have sundals of all the houses!

The stitching was an elaborate one, but she would do it for all my friends without complaining. Then we would go to all the houses in the neighbourhood and people would give us gifts.

 

 

           
 After so many years, thinking about it, I doubt all that was real. A whole lifetime as a millionaire would not be able to counter the happiness that we had those days.


[Based on an interview from a friend]

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Why should women change their titles after marriage?

This is not exactly an Indian topic, but I thought it is a worthwhile topic to discuss, anyway.

            Women all over the world, whether they’re married, single (or taken!) are entitled to be considered equal to men and given due respect wherever they go. But, the practice of women changing their last names after marriage and getting addressed as Mrs., is still very much prevalent and is regarded as something obvious. This is a traditional practice and is not questioned by anyone. Of course, this practice isn't harmful like the Sati or Polygamy. But, it does create a sense of gender inequality and female inferiority. Why should a woman always be the daughter of XYZ or the wife of ABC? Why can’t she be herself?

            We should also note the fact that it isn't illegal to call a married woman Miss., and there are many women who keep their titles even after their marriage. It’s really important to understand that all women are free to choose what they want to be called.

For a woman to be treated with respect by others, she should first learn to respect herself. Women should maintain their dignity and prove that they aren’t dependent on men and have full rights and pluck to live alone.

            Here are certain constitutional rights provided to all Indian women:

CONSTITUTIONAL PROVISIONS

The Constitution of India not only grants equality to women but also empowers the State to adopt measures of positive discrimination in favor of women for neutralizing the cumulative socio economic, education and political disadvantages faced by them.  Fundamental Rights, among others, ensure equality before the law and equal protection of law; prohibits discrimination against any citizen on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth, and guarantee equality of opportunity to all citizens in matters relating to employment. 

Constitutional Privileges

(i) Equality before law for women (Article 14)

(ii)  The State not to discriminate against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex, place of  birth or any of them.

(iii)       The State to make any special provision in favor of women and children.

(iv)  Equality of opportunity for all citizens in matters relating to employment or appointment to any office under the State.

(v)  The State to direct its policy towards securing for men and women equally the right to an adequate means of livelihood and equal pay for equal work for both men and women.

                                            

(x)        To promote harmony and the spirit of common brotherhood amongst all the people of India and to renounce practices derogatory to the dignity of women.

(xi)       Not less than one-third (including the number of seats reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes) of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every Panchayat to be reserved for women and such seats to be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in a Panchayat .

(xii)      Not less than one- third of the total number of offices of Chairpersons in the Panchayats at each level to be reserved for women.

(ix)  Not less than one-third (including the number of seats reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes) of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in everyMunicipality to be reserved for women and such seats to be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in a Municipality.

(x)  Reservation of offices of Chairpersons in Municipalities for the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and women in such manner as the legislature of a State may by law provide.

2. LEGAL PROVISIONS

To uphold the Constitutional mandate, the State has enacted various legislative measures intended to ensure equal rights, to counter social discrimination and various forms of violence and atrocities and to provide support services especially to working women.

Although women may be victims of any of the crimes such as ‘Murder’, ‘Robbery’, ‘Cheating’ etc, the crimes, which are directed specifically against women, are characterized as ‘Crime against Women’. These are broadly classified under two categories.

(1) The Crimes Identified Under the Indian Penal Code (IPC)

          Rape for different purposes   

          Homicide for Dowry, Dowry Deaths or their attempts

          Torture, both mental and physical

          Molestation

<        Sexual Harassment

                  Importation of girls (up to 21 years of age)

(2)  The Crimes identified under the Special Laws (SLL)

Although all laws are not gender specific, the provisions of law affecting women significantly have been reviewed periodically and amendments carried out to keep pace with the emerging requirements. Some acts which have special provisions to safeguard women and their interests are:

(i)  The Employees State Insurance Act, 1948
(ii)  The Plantation Labour Act, 1951
(iii) The Family Courts Act, 1954
(iv)The Special Marriage Act, 1954
(v) The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955
(vi)   The Hindu Succession Act, 1956 with amendment in 2005
(vii)  Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act, 1956
(viii)  The Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 (Amended in 1995)
(ix)  Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961
(x)   The Medical Termination of Pregnancy Act, 1971
(xi)  The Contract Labour (Regulation and Abolition) Act, 1976
(xii)  The Equal Remuneration Act, 1976
(xiii)  The Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006
(xiv)  The Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 1983
(xv)  The Factories (Amendment) Act, 1986
(xvi)   Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986
(xvii)   Commission of Sati (Prevention) Act, 1987
(xviii)  The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005

3.                  SPECIAL INITIATIVES FOR WOMEN

(i) National Commission for Women

In January 1992, the Government set-up this statutory body with a specific mandate to study and monitor all matters relating to the constitutional and legal safeguards provided for women, review the existing legislation to suggest amendments wherever necessary, etc.

(ii) Reservation for Women in Local Self -Government

The 73^rd Constitutional Amendment Acts passed in 1992 by Parliament ensure one-third of the total seats for women in all elected offices in local bodies whether in rural areas or urban areas.

(iii)   The National Plan of Action for the Girl Child (1991-2000)

The plan of Action is to ensure survival, protection and development of the girl child with the ultimate objective of building up a better future for the girl child.

(iv)  National Policy for the Empowerment of Women, 2001

The Department of Women & Child Development in the Ministry of Human Resource Development has prepared a “National Policy for the Empowerment of Women” in the year 2001. The goal of this policy is to bring about the advancement, development and empowerment of women.

The History of Astronomy

          

           Astronomy or Astrophysics has been a very attractive subject for Indians since ancient times. Ancient Indians, like Aryabatta, the great scientist, tried to figure out the secrets of the sky and deep space for predicting the future. This involved complex mathematical calculations and equations many of which are unknown to us today. Only a small fraction of these calculations is used at present for astrology and printing of Panchangams or religious texts. But, these are used only for religious purposes and the knowledge the calculations could provide us is still hidden to humankind.

           Ancient Indian religious texts are a huge treasure of knowledge on science and astrophysics but due to certain inaccuracies the whole text is termed false. The calculations used to find the exact timings of the solar and lunar eclipses, created over 1000 years ago are used even today and the calculations are still very accurate. The ancient Indians could tell about the Nava grahas (nine planets), grahanas (eclipses) and outer space without the use of any modern equipment.

          
           It is our moral duty to rediscover those calculations and bring back the huge knowledge that ancient India possessed.
 
To know the history Indian astrology, visit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindu_astrology

India is going to be the greatest supplier of fuel in a few years!

     India is going to be the greatest supplier of fuel in a few years!
 Unbelievable, isn't it?
         
          Uranium is considered the most essential fuel in today's world. But it is discovered that if the present rate of consumption continues, then, within a few decades Uranium would be in extreme shortage. So, secondary fuel resources would be in great demands.




Thorium

 This is where India comes in! It is said that in a few decades, thorium, a naturally occuring radioactive element, would replace uranium as it is more abundant and is economically beneficial.
 Thorium is particularly attractive for India, as it has only around 1–2% of the global uranium reserves, but one of the largest shares of global thorium reserves at about 30% of the total world thorium reserves.The country published about twice the number of papers on thorium as its nearest competitors, during each of the years from 2002 to 2006. The Indian nuclear establishment estimates that the country could produce 500 GWe for at least four centuries using just the country’s economically



extractable thorium reserves.
 A 2005 report by the International Atomic Energy Agency discusses potential benefits along with the challenges of thorium reactors. India has also made thorium-based nuclear reactors a priority with its focus on developing fast breeder technology.


Some benefits of thorium fuel when compared with uranium were summarized as follows:

• Weapons-grade fissionable material is harder to retrieve safely and clandestinely from a thorium reactor;
• Thorium produces 10 to 10,000 times less long-lived radioactive waste;
• Thorium mining produces a single pure isotope, whereas the mixture of natural uranium isotopes must be enriched to function in most common reactor designs. The same cycle could also use the fissionable U-238 component of the natural uranium, and also contained in the depleted reactor fuel;
• Thorium cannot sustain a nuclear chain reaction without priming, so fission stops by default in an accelerator driven reactor.

The Story of Our Freedom- from Colonialisation to Independence

          A series of events were involved in the colonialisation of India, the struggle for freedom and ultimately, the Indian Independence. Let us cherish our freedom by glancing through these events:

AD 1492	Vasco-da-Gama discovered India
AD 1600	After overthrowing the portugese and Dutch, the British established the British East India company in Surat, Ahmedabad, Broach and Agra.
1757	Battle of Plassey, between the English and Siraj-ud-Daulah, Nawab of Bengal.
22nd Oct 1764	Battle of Buxar, between the English and a trio of Mir qasim, Shah Alam and Shuja-ud-Daulah. The Nawabs were badly defeated.
1765	Treaty of Allahabad
1767-1798	The Mysore wars against English
1775-1818	The Maratha wars against English
1857	The first revolt for freedom: Great leaders like Rani Lakshmi Bhai, Tantya Tope and Kunwar Singh had sacrificed their life fighting for freedom.
1885	Establishment of the Indian National Congress
7th Aug 1905	Lord Curzon partitioned Bengal. Indian leaders started the Swadeshi and Boycott movement to oppose the partition.
1906	Establishment of All India Muslim League
1909	To create a gulf between the Hindus and Muslims the British followed the divide an rule policy. For this purpose it passed the government of India act
1916	The INC and Muslim league met and got united, to fight against the British. They signed the Lucknow Pact.
13th April 1919	Several innocent people were murdered recklessly in the Jallianwala Bagh massacre.
1929	Lahore session of congress launched the Civil Disobedience movement, demanding for complete independence.
26th January 1930	The day was observed as the first independence day by Congress all over India. This day is the present Republic day.
1931	Bhagat Singh, Rajguru and Sukhdev were hanged
8th Aug 1942	The all India congress committee met at Bombay. It passed the famous quit India resolution.
1943	Subhash Chandra Bose formed the Azad Hind Fauj (INA)
1943-1947	several acts and conferences
20th Feb 1947	Mr.Atlee declared that British would quit India by June 1947.
14th Aug 1947	Pakisthan Independence day
15th Aug 1947	This day is a great landmark in the History of India. India won freedom but lost its unity.

                         The freedom struggle wasn't a bigger version of today's strikes and protests. It was a mixture of fights, oaths, sacrifices and bloodshed of several hundred Indians. The freedom which we so obviously enjoy today, wasn't always so obvious for us Indians. It is a gift presented to us by our great leaders. We must utilise it productively.

 

Happy Indian Independence day

 

            Do you know what I do every independence day? Come on! Guess it! I watch TV! This isn’t a joke. It makes me proudly appreciate the freedom of speech and expression because of which we are able to see what’s happening in Denmark sitting at home in Delhi. The Tamil channels have very good debates or ‘pattimandram’ on Independence Day. I saw a very interesting one which not only made me laugh, but also made me think. The discussion was: What is most important for the development of India- money, political intelligence or force?’ The speakers shared so much knowledge that even the greatest scholars of the world cannot put together in the time given. Such is the talent of the Indian youths. It makes us think: why is the nation that created great minds like Mahatma Gandhi, Dr.A.P.J.Abdul Kalam still lagging behind in the world?

 

            Exactly 66 years before today was hoisted the first tricolour of independent India. On this very day was sung the divine anthem, which wasn’t just the song of freedom, but also the spirit of freedom. This is the day our people breathed the first breath of freedom after years of struggle, struggle for being free from foreigners, in our own country,. Those were days when Indians couldn’t walk on equal platforms with foreigners, within the Indian boundaries. Today, India has given equal rights to all her residents, whether they’re Hindus or Muslims or Sikhs or Buddhists. Today, we’ve freedom of speech and expression, freedom for life and freedom for hope. Today, beyond all differences, we, the citizens of India, know and value our identities as Indians.

           

            Rakesh Sharma, during his expedition to the moon, spoke to Indira Gandhi, the then Prime minister of India. When questioned what India looked like from the space, he answered ‘Saare Jahaan se achcha. Hindusthan hamara!’ Another such great soul was also created on this divine day. We cherish the birth anniversary of Shri.Arobindo, the precious jewel of Bengal, on this day. This isn’t just a co-incidence according to me. It is, I believe, the vibration of this auspicious day, that this day has presented us with so much wellness. We Indians must be proud to celebrate such a great day.

             We must do something special, something worthwhile for the country on this day. The size of our contribution doesn’t matter. We must do something good, something that would make us feel the patriotism in us, that would bring out the Indian spirit in us.

           

 

             We must salute to our nation, the great leaders who fought for our freedom on those days and the soldiers who are fighting, for our security, today.  

 

 Jai Hind!

           

EXCERCISE WITHOUT EQUIPMENT?? INDIA ANSWERS!

Want to become thin without diets? Want to look beautiful and fresh all day long? Want to improve your memory power, concentration and intelligence? Will you not be impressed if I tell you a secret that is a 3-in-1 to do all the above, to achieve all this without feeling over-exhausted, without needing to spend a lot out of your purse? Well, there is! But, it's not a secret at all! You already know about it but most of you aren't just applying it.

Some of you guys might feel I'm too boring if you know I was talking about yoga. But seriously, it is the most effective set of exercises- trust me... It's not just what researchers have proved, in my own experience yoga is a very good exercise that, unlike other physical fitness programmes that tires us, actually gives peace and relaxation to both our body and mind.

I'm a practitioner of the Patanjali yoga, which I had learnt from my trainer; guru. One main principle of yoga, my guru used to tell me is that we must do only as much as we can do with ease. We mustn't over-exhaust ourselves. It's also important that we concentrate our whole mind in the exercises and do it slowly and steadily. Here are some yogasanas that would help you ease the pressure in your body and mind:

Warm-up exercises: These are small warm-ups to start with.

1) Side-to-side arm and waist rotations:

·  Stand straight and look front.

·  Slowly lift both your hands sideways, as given in the picture, and turn your body, till your hip from side-to-side.

·  Repeat this as many times as you are comfortable.

This exercise helps to let the body sweat, and brings the tension out, giving you a fresh feel to continue with your exercise. If you do this regularly, this would also help you to reduce the fat in your belly.

2) Push and pull breathing exercise:

·  Stand straight and look front.

·  Interlock the fingers of your hands and place it on your chest.

·  Take a slow and long breadth in as you turn the inter - locked hands towards the front and stretch them before you, as if you are pushing something.

·  Breathe out slowly as you bring your hands back to the chest.

·  Repeat this as many times as you are comfortable.

This exercise helps you to slow down your breathing process and makes you body and mind calm and peaceful.

Asanas that help in physical fitness: The following asanas help to maintain body weight and gives your body beautiful size and shape (what we always want!)

1) Forward bending:

·  Stand straight. Stretch both your hands up.

·  Bend down and touch the ground.

 

NOTE: 1.Don't bend your knees while bending your body. 2. Don't try to touch the ground if you are unable to reach it comfortably. If you keep practising the exercise regularly, then you would see your progress...3. Touching the ground, just beside your feet will be the most effective. [That's a little tough, but keep trying!]

·  Come back to normal position after counting 10[or whatever you're comfortable with]

·  Repeat this as many times as you are comfortable.

This exercise helps to bring out the fat in your tummy.

2) Chakrasana (backward bending):

For beginners:

·  Stand straight. Place both your hands on your hip.

·  Look up and bend backwards.

Advanced:

·  Stand straight. Stretch both hands up.

·  Look up and slowly bend backwards and touch the ground.

NOTE: 1. Don't try to touch the ground if you are unable to reach it comfortably. If you keep practising the exercise regularly, then you would see your progress...2. Touch the ground as near to your feet as possible, for very effective results. 3. For relaxing your back, repeat this exercise alternately with forward bending.

·  Come back to normal position. Repeat this as many times as you are comfortable.

This exercise helps to bring out the fat in your tummy and also your thighs. It makes your body flexible.

3) Arthakathi Chakrasana (side bending):

·  Stand straight. Lift your right hand sideways, shoulder level.

·  Turn your palm so that it faces upward.

·  Slowly lift your hand up and bend towards your left, letting your arm bend along with you towards the left side, touching your ear.

·  Slowly come back to the normal position.

 

This exercise helps to keep your waist in proper shape and make your body flexible.

To be continued...