Anubavangal: Tharaasaippola vaazhkkai - The Beam Balance

Anubavangal: Tharaasaippola vaazhkkai - The Beam Balance: "தராசைப்போல் வாழ்க்கையும் போகும் மேலேயும் கீழேயும் இதைவிட தாழ முடியாது என்று வருந்தும் பொழுது திடீர் என்று ஒரு மாற்றம் வானை நோக்கி ஒரு ஏற்ற..."

Wholesome Venture

I met her for the book 'Pathbreakers'. She had wanted to make it big in the IT world, but circumstances made her take a break, and then husband encouraged her to become an entrepreneur. She runs Jute Emporium, a shop that deals mostly with jute related products, and has other eco-friendly products too.

An article also appeared in The Hindu Retail Plus - Say Jute. I was amazed when my editor told me about the response to the article - several calls with people wanting to know more about it. There is awareness, we only need to know where to source alternate products from.

I liked the way she said - most people have to make extra efforts in CSR. I am glad my venture itself is socially responsible.

There are many like her, and many who would like to use products from people like her. I am glad I am at least getting to meet such people and write about them

Anubavangal: Naduvaantharam - Middle Man

Anubavangal: Naduvaantharam - Middle Man: "உலகத்தில் எவ்வளவோ பேர் எவ்வளவோ உருப்படியான வேலைகளை செய்து வருகிறார்கள். சிலர், மற்றவர்கள் காட்டும் வழியை பின் பற்றுகிறார்கள். சிலருக்கு எந..."

Keeping a Watch Every Moment

Today Hindu Metro Plus has an article on Child Sexual Abuse. As the writer rightly points out - Nov 19 is not World Day for Prevention of CSA, everyday is.

Educators, parents, all adults have a responsibility towards every child to give them a peaceful, stress free life, most importantly, one that lets them grow up learning only those things appropriate to their ages. There is sense in our traditional system which does not encourage unmonitored mingling between the sexes - it reduces the possibility of abuse. Making children aware so that they do not become victims is important.

But here, I also want to stress - bringing them up in a way that they do not become perpetrators later is also important. Though for every parent their child can do no wrong, it is children who grow up to be adults who perpetrate such beastly acts. And I think, it happens when they have been exposed to wrongs themselves. Giving them respect as children, and teaching them to respect others are important. Giving right priorities, teaching them to focus within and find peace there will help maintain emotional balance.

Similarly, while dealing with those around us, I think we should keep that respect. Many acts like stealing, cheating and abuse of the vulnerable can happen with a desire to take revenge. Be it a driver, the maid or anyone from economically backward segments, treating them as human beings is important.

We cannot eradicate this overnight. But if we reduce the propensity to offend by creating a positive atmosphere around us and increasing awareness, maybe we will go back to days when we do not have to keep a hawk's eye on our children all the time, do not look at every casual interaction with suspicion.

May we find peace in this lifetime.

Anubavangal: Santhi Nilava Vendum - May Peace Reign

Anubavangal: Santhi Nilava Vendum - May Peace Reign: "கீழே போய் விளையாடு என்று சொல்வதற்குக்கூட தாய்மார்கள் பயப்படுவார்கள் என்று நான் நினைக்கவில்லை. சில பிரச்னைகள் மேற்க்கத்திய நாடுகளில்தான் நடக்..."

The Beast Emerges

Godzilla, he is not
Neither ugly nor fearsome
Not emerging from deep seas
Nor from the belly of the earth

He walks this world
Looks like you and me
With a friendly smile
With a similar gait

Angry one moment,

Laughing the next

Dining and wining
Behaviour at his best

With similar fears
Similar feelings
He is one of us
The same love and lust

Watch out!
For there lurks
Under the skin
A beast evil

Ready to snatch
Our babies away
To hide in corners
And have its way

Tearing their innards
Killing them easy
Dumping them
Walking away freely

Sated, and yet not
Looking for the next lot
To feed the inner beast
With the smile of a human

Gaurd well,
Be a hawk
Let them not stray

Into the dark

Though it is day
And there is light
In his mind
It is night

His shadow falls
Causing blight
Killing the innocent
Shutting out light

In this modern age
Of science and progress
Lust throws up
A Beast, a Monster.

Note: Two stories within a week in the newspapers - an 8-yr-old boy and a girl, in two separate incidents, molested and killed. Two of many that go unreported?

One Earth: The Gender Imbalance

One Earth: The Gender Imbalance: "The thought of surgical modification of the gender of the child from female to male in the womb gave me the shivers. A friend posted this on..."