Activities against Covid 19

Our state government is doing their best in preventing the spreading of coronavirus and we’re still in stage 2 and stage 3 isn’t that far, but still govt. working to sustain in current stage.  In Chennai, the corporation has hired people to conduct survive on door-to-door basis to identify those vulnerable to Covid 19 and yesterday a couple of men enquired us and we informed them and specifically mentioned about my condition (a muscular dystrophy patient and a wheelchair bound with less resistant power) so that in case anything it would be easier. Govt. had informed a rapid test would be conducted on everyone from April 10, by taking blood samples to detect certain antibodies that react with the Covid 19 protein. Today we had our disinfectant splashed through the fire engine on the exterior of all the houses and shops in our street to prevent covid 19. Already the roadsides are sprayed with disinfectant using jetting machine, the fire engine reached up to 3 stories.  

Chennai with a population of 8 million have 150+ covid 19 positive cases, including 4 in my zone (Adyar), is the maximum in the state that continue to top second in the country. The groceries and vegetable shopping time is too limited between 6am to 1pm to restrain the activities of public that often hit the roads, lying going for grocery. Surprisingly the weather turned wonderful this evening with sudden rush of storm clouds and wind, chilled down the day warm, but I wonder will this mild showering would wipe off the disinfectant splashed on the houses. With each passing day, the covid cases were only on rise so it’s sure the lockdown that announced till April 14^th will be extended to few more weeks. Being stay home is something very difficult to many, but I see people got used to this difference and understand the situation better than earlier, bring hope the success against the covid 19 isn't far away.

Stay home, Stay safe

India Lockdown

It is the time to be conscious what we really need or need to do, when a deadly virus is spreading into our society and becoming a mass by transmitting from one person to another. To control the spreading, lockdown is implemented from today throughout our state of Tamil Nadu like many other states and districts in India. No vehicle will be allowed to move in or out of the district and state borders except freight traffic; no one would allowed to come out of their house rather than buying essential goods and the lockdown will be in exists up to April 1.

What happens in Chennai after the announcement was terrific and people were almost forgotten the reason for lockdown and thronged the bus stands and chased the buses and crowd traveling to their hometowns since the work places and institutions are closed. That one scene of chasing the buses remind me zombies! Sorry to say like that. But that much of gathering is a way, that could easily widespread the virus to become havoc. Already one case of community spread is reported in our state and what if there’s someone like that in the crowd? The covid would travel to any extreme that is difficult to tackle.

We’re making ourselves get ready to fight, prevent the virus staying into our lives and living society.  Hand wash has been enforced into our lives which i think is the only way we could do something to preserve us apart distancing ourselves from others.  At this time we have any option other than following the govt. instructions, the only reliable source to save us from covid 19. Obeying the orders and self-restraint is more important to preserve us and our dear ones and it’s time to be real responsible and showcase the love, in an unusually way of distancing ourselves and live up to their reliance. India has crossed 500+ covid 19 positive patients and 12 reported deaths so far… People have to keep in mind that we aren’t forced to stay home to save ourselves alone but everyone we have connected in our lives. Hope the numbers become stable and were stepped down to no more. 

Precaution is Prior - Crime Against Women

The police encounter on all 4 accused in Hyderabad lady doctor rape-murder case is something I couldn’t appreciate while every other in the country praised a lot. The first thing stroke my mind when I heard on the encounter was the accused were only escaped through this act of instant death.  I see death, killing or execution couldn’t be severe than living to feel the pain and shame. I’m not against the encounter or support it either, but this could be avoided to punish them any other ways where they regret for their cruel act consciously. Life is precious, and one could not compensate on it and at same time taking a life involuntarily couldn’t be right and those culprits deserve punishment undoubtedly. But shot to dead someone will only free them from the consequences that make them feel regret or experience pain until they die.

The encounter could trigger a fear in those who think of molesting women but I don’t know how long this will sustain fear in evil minded men, when the world instantly and constantly turn over topics. I know the violence against women and children has come to light lot these days and this has to be uprooted from our society where new found thoughts are replanted or a change in perception of men, what should thrive from the homes where children are taught or practiced to treat women with equal rights, dignity and respect. Though they deserve lot more than what reaches our thoughts. Despite the actions taken on the accused and sending alarm to men we need to take conscious measure in protecting ourselves at first place before turn over the society.

We somehow knew the society we live isn’t secure – so what we’re in need of lot more security cameras – and in this condition we have to make certain of our own safety. Though they say fear is an illusion in darkness but all conditions aren’t same and what hides in darkness couldn’t be predicted. So it is better we have a torch to guide us safely and beware on every steps forward in a place (society) where it feel suspicious. I wonder what the education system teaches us rather how to protect ourselves first and tackle a suspect trying to hurt us. Why can't the institutions, workplaces guides/practices on self-defence as prior courses before they learn some technical terms, because our life is important than what we learn or earn. Children and women should be aware of the circumstances they work, study or routes commute as these are the places vulnerable for sexual maniacs to attack. Last but not least, these are things that should never let down women who had come to a place which isn’t easily to come over and men had to protect them from their own sexual.

Unspoken Still

Words cannot describe certain feelings
the pain in pursuing dreams, passion
when contemporarily rely on someone
or more than one, to even overcome a day 
comes with a question can I?

There’s something to be chased always                                         
even at dreams, and it could be anything
that anybody could decide the course
or chose the kind of attitude
from their personal vista.

Dreams come and go, but passion
keep tracking the path that flash lighted
sustaining a flow to keep track free
and a smooth ride is always on
however hard the surface rock!

Sometime it feels like nothing to lose
hopelessly life moves on, stereotype
that I always like to break
has become unchanged for a while
what decided by me not.

Like the terms and conditions that ever read
people never take time to read minds

or understand the difficult being different
as we try to outshine from the low light
their high beams brings us down. 

BJP Won But Not In Tamil Nadu!

Congrats Mr. Modi and BJP! BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) has swept larger seats in the parliament election and Mr. Narendra Modi as Prime Minister is continuing his office for 2^nd time. Though Modi have won and we had to accept the fact and while appreciate the efforts he put for the success, we can’t see it as the decision of entire nation. South Indian states almost swept against Modi and BJP which seems only a section of people want Modi or BJP and not the widespread nation.  A success is a success, whether we accept or not. North and Central Indian states had red carpeted for Modi and their reasons could be anything but certainly couldn’t sense a significant development was the reason for the successive of BJP or Modi. I haven’t great knowledge about the development of other states than Tamil Nadu, but I have ideas about the neighbouring states of Kerala, Andhra and Karnataka    where the influence of governing BJP is different.

Everyone knows that BJP is a religious party based on Hindutva concept but I believe the previous regimes under Vajpayee   weren’t serious taking forward the religion but had been reliable for people.  I think I don’t have the right to comment on states I wasn’t fully aware but coming to Tamil Nadu we have reasons to deny Modi and BJP. In last five years at office, I couldn’t see the Modi govt. promoting any significant projects or development on almost anything. I believe development is a progress happens any government comes to power, but the Modi’s govt. has any reason to continue in office, at least in the state of Tamil Nadu the things they are intend to implement where obviously against people welfare and wealth of state. Though different religious people live in Tamil Nadu, but nothing forces us from being united through the shade of one – Dravidian – and think on rationalism, couldn’t appreciate or invite a principle that impose anything against democracy. India is the largest democratic country and bringing all into a compression of saffron or hindutva is unwelcomed at any cost.

Coming to the state of Tamil Nadu, actor Kamal Hassan’s Makkal Neethi Maiyam (People Justice Centre) party has earned considerable votes to secure 3^rd place in the row of vote bank, even though they couldn’t win a seat in both parliament and by-election, sweeping an amount in short span of exists (14 months) is an unexpected twist that reveal people’s tendency for an alternate to the big leads – DMK and ADMK. My candidate or the person I voted R. Rangarajan IAS has led 2^nd with the number of votes the party’s candidates secured in the Parliament election and the 3 constitutions in Chennai witnessed considerable vote to the party. In Tamil Nadu, the opposition party alliance has swept all the seats from the state, except the 1 win by the ruling party which alliance with BJP, and it was an expected win even by common men as the almost state is against BJP or Modi and the ruling party doesn’t have an option rather going with BJP to continue their regime in Tamil Nadu. In worst case BJP govt. has failed in looking into the farmers issues and was accused to hold back the Tamil Nadu government in its control and make plans against the people to face this sweep out in TN.

Parliament Election and My Choice of Vote

Our state is polled for the 17th parliamentary election – that’s happening at many phases across the country – and today I exercised my franchise by casting my vote to torch symbol that represents the Makkal Neethi Maiyam (People Justice Center) headed by actor Kamal Haasan but I wasn’t intend to poll for the party and I doubt will I voted MNM if the candidate wasn’t R. Rangarajan IAS. I read his profile, ideology presented as manifesto and the clear state of mind on political scenario and expressing the intentions to implement on the constitution and overall a coolly personality to enrich his duty. The voluntarily retired, as sub-collector and officer on duty, joined MNM party to serve people directly after inspired by Kamal’s political ideology and he’s an important pillar in designing the party manifesto.

I never voted just considering a party alone. For me, first it was the candidate and I believe only if we select the right person better things could happen because he’s going to be the connector between the govt. and people and if it’s going to be a problem how we could receive good signals.  Candidates are the basement of a strong parliament or legislative and anyone defective could bring deceive to people. Though I don’t say who I voted were the best but I tried to choose who’s better through my perception rather opt for party politics. I believe in the saying ‘politics isn’t corrupt but the politicians’, so here I want to choose a right representative to talk to their leadership in achieving the goals for the constituency. I initially thought of voting the opposite party candidate but changed my decision, though she had a good profile she sounded like a party depended.

At the end of the poll Tamil Nadu (our state) recorded 70% of voting and to my disappointment my constituency (Chennai South) becomes the 2^nd least record percentage with 58% following 57 % in Centre Chennai.  I see this as a democratic assassination because Chennai South is where the most educated live and economically leading. The Chennai IT corridor comes under this constituency and well established education institutions, and posh and upper middle families lives lot there alongside dense labour communities but still this less percentage gives a shame on people. When other constituencies recorded above 70% with most rural aspect, these city dwellers (who benefits lot) failed to be socially responsible and democratically right.

Greeting for Women

What I think about women is right or wrong but I have thoughts about women who are our profound desire and without whom any man survive in this world and they are our source of life which dwells around them. First as a mother she couldn’t be compared with any other relationship and she’s so special in many ways and in various stages of life and from womanhood to motherhood she’s consider to be so sacred and venerable and according to a child she’s a livelihood.  There is no way a man could live without women and he need to come across her at every instance as a mother, sister, wife, daughter and overall as a friend man’s life depend on women and of course women to men. 

Being a son I couldn’t stop related by my mother, who’s behind and in front of my life to make sustain there’s sunshine and I couldn’t think a world without my mother and even in my dream I couldn’t survive without her, because she’s my life and nothing could part me from her in this inevitable world. Though I don’t have a sister to personally make life better and sweeter, my cousins fill the gap and there’s nothing communicating with them and they add an ingredient of sweetness to my world through their immense concern, care and love which exuberate me to a height   invisible. My grandmother at other hand is a transformation of love and there’s nothing concern for her other than the welfare of us, following the footstep of our late great grandmother. Anyone related with her would have disliked her and there wasn’t a hardworking woman like her, who has been busy all her life upbringing her children and looking after the dairy business. 

My aunts are all cool and always come with special care and attention and at the midlife I see a balance at their approach with either the young or old, it’s always fun being with them. And about a life partner or wife it’s never in my list of concern or wish or desire but as always keep dreaming or imagining which is common among men or women, the thinking inspires writing and although impractical I continue to script down the desire. I never think women is lesser than men but only more sufficient and incredibly mysterious to bear immense trouble or pain we would only fail to realize or try to understand. 

I do have friends in women, who were all such nice personalities distinct by their liberal thoughts, what the world really needs now to improvise the gender and not only as professional women or mother, but as student has the response to teach the parents the changes we really need and as a mother bringing up the boys reliable to women and treat with same regard.  Rely by true friendship; I admire the women here who create an impact in my lifestyle which I consider fortuity to understand (a bit on) women and their point of views. On this Women’s Day I greet all the women   there to look forward in life against all the hurdles and you were the most wanted women in our lives, where our hopes and desire for future is defined and designed by you. Love you dear women!

Compensate?

State govt. employees salary has increased to a height of ever; perhaps the double amount of their salary. But what bothers me here was doubt. When the employees were protested to bring back the old pension scheme, the govt. was very quiet or showed ignore attitude and even high court condemn and request employees to go back to work. Now the salary has ample increased! Why should we not doubt that this is a way to shut their mouth, so that they won’t speak out the corruptions or unheeded about it? I wonder when they could increase the salaries to all high, what the rulers would take home? I doubt will it grant to great heist ever in Tamil Nadu.

At other hand liquor rates has increased in the state run wine shops (TASMAC), will sure fall on the labours head.  I think the mighty rate of customers is labours and daily wage, who drink letting his family suffer and this price rise is sure to cut pocket of the family. No I am not supporting drunkards or encouraging. When the common interest is to close all the liquor shops, the govt. increasing the price and planning to open the shutdown shops only welcomes the drinkers and social illness. The price rise is obviously to compensate the elevated space of govt. staffs salary. So the govt. is only balancing the state without improvising either side (positively) or built a parallel income to liquor. Looks prohibition is like only a dream project that will never takes place, unless govt. takes conscious decision and rehabilitates drunkards.  

Attitude

There are some people where we get irritated once they open their mouth to speak and make feel when they will shut up. There are some people really know many things and have an idea on almost, which isn’t a bad but while appreciating the same, we can’t kept listening whatever they says. In a communication or debate only one side couldn’t be taken into account. On first time listening, one side perhaps would sound wise and right, but for that alone we can’t give up without giving a chance to the opponent to express to know what their hold. One might attained great wisdom and is conceptual and fruitful… but attitude ways doesn’t need to be same.  He perhaps factual but the way he delivers the matters is more than what he is or he knows. He should be driving on the right path but how he follows the rules and safe his ride lies on the way of driving his vehicle. I appreciate people who lead through their experience more than education because they all experience life rather reading someone’s. But a basic knowledge is always need for the betterment of life, whatever the carrier one chose and to direct him properly and legally a basic sense is needed.

I know someone who haven’t completed his high school but in a short term, has achieved a great sense and began to talk like an expert. I know he had worked along his father and meeting different people and the experience at the workplace all brought him up to a state of mature. While I appreciate the guy and admire his confidence level of achieving, which many refuse to give thoughts, I condemn his way of behaviour and mocking others by his head weight. Almost he’s right on things and practical, but I was expecting a transformation rather reflecting as a mirror. What things right for someone couldn’t be the same with others and it doesn’t need to be though, but what’s right should be exactly right rather what has been set right through the practice. I believe attitude is important and one may be accurate but poor at delivery mislead all.

P.S. Today I completed 12 years in blogging which I begin in 2005. Started as information oriented, transformed slowing into my personal blog expressing my own perspectives, thoughts, experience and photos. I could surely say it’s only because of bloggers reading and commenting kept me going. If you didn’t read or comment how could I write for none? Blogging’s main purpose, I believe is sharing and if anyone isn’t to share I would have stopped doing the same. Almost who were with me then weren’t now, but I have come across many variant bloggers teaching me various things and move on leaving space for others. I think only like that! But still I couldn’t forget my first comment and reorganization as a blogger, and it’s the bloggers who did everything to put me arise. Thanks all for your support and keep cheering as usual J

Poor state of city goats

During my evening walk in neighbourhood last weekend, I come across some goats grazing around the garbage bins, few houses away from the pretty one you saw in my previous post. This is not the first time seeing them feeding on the waste matters thrown out as useless, this is a regular sight at this neighbourhood area, with a road lead to the corporation  school and a temple and another goes around a posh area. But this scene hasn’t changed for long.

I know these are goats reared by some people of the resident area on the road ahead and the goats were left always on the road and some time they come to our street in search of food and I have seen them standing on their rear legs munching on the leaves and branched hanging outside the compounds. I really feel bad for their state of living and I have no idea about their rearing in a city.  If they can’t feed them properly its better give up and they live well somewhere.

They not only feed on garbage but also wander on streets put risk on riders as well the goats. Goats need space or at least a shed to live together and taken care by the owner, but they well survive in villages than cities. (All were captured in mobile)

He posed to me but as i move closer he keeps away

Linking this post with SATURDAY CRITTERS

Cattle’s on Drive

Last Sunday we went for an outing and long drive up to Nagalapuram trekking base, across the border of Tamil Nadu to experience mountains and checking couple of dams. Once crossed the Periyapalayam, the landscape turned quite rural and into the state of Andhra, I come across many cattle’s and some in groups where drove by farmers.

During our lunch halt near a village, on the roadside, we find little groups of goats drove by the villagers perhaps on their way to or from grazing.

On our way back and close to evening, the buffaloes (below) seems to drive back to home... the picture was shot near Uthukkottai, the border town of TN-Andhra.

Linking this post with SATURDAY CRITTERS

Youth revolution turned people for Jallikattu

Before I go into the historical revolution and ever seen frame of protest by our youth of Tamil Nadu against the ban on our traditional sport Jallikattu, I want to condemn the police for executing batons on the youth gathered on the Marina beach, where the main protest was going through (peacefully) for 6 days (from Jan 17-22). The protest first began at Alanganallur, the town famous for the valiant sport, has inspired the youth of Tamil Nadu to form a protest arbitrarily to save the Jallikattu which directly supports the native breed bulls. The protest began with hundreds of people crossed millions at the end of the day, across the state. At Marina beach (the 2nd longest beach in world) alone more than 1.5 million had gathered for the protest, which had no head to lead but the small small groups gathered at the beach were all connected through social media.

The most amazing and ever seen about the protest was it was conducted in a very stocky and self-disciplined state, where no one affected in anyways… although there was some, which were adjust by the public because of the intention of the protest. Individuals perhaps have different opinions on conduction the sport, but the overall spirit of Tamil people was supposed to support the Jallikattu as it was a cultural identity of Tamils and when the youth of Tamil Nadu come to the street to protest there was none left to prevent but rather came forward (as families) to support the cause. Even though I haven’t participated in the protest physically, my mind was quite around and I intensely supported the revolution and kept sharing things related to protest and expressing my thoughts via Facebook while  continue watching the news channels for update.

The protest conducted on the footstep of Gandhi (Non-violence) went such peaceful with dignity, trust and courage.  And also his dream and belief of independence had come true though the protest where women and young girls staying overnight without any hesitation or fear about the opposite gender who protected them like their own sisters. It is one of the greatest strength of the protest where the world looks after with awe. The protest has projected the determination of Tamil people and will power of youth and moreover the exhibition of lifestyle and the behaviour pattern of the youth and the culture of Tamils make feel pride. It seems there isn’t a youth revolution happened like this in post-independence India (perhaps with Hindi protest), where an entire state comes together to standstill to protect their cultural identity and interest.

The protest for jallikattu had touched beyond the core cause of conducting the sport! The unison inspired by the protest has set hope that we have the will to face anything that’s against the people. It couldn’t be enough how many times we put salute to the youth who achieved what they want (by non-violence) putting pressure on the state government to take immediate steps, and thus CM met PM and an emergency law is implemented to conduct the sport against the ban of Supreme court and there’s a hope the law will make the sport constant. Though the sport is already regulated by the Supreme Court in year 2007, which brought down anything displeasure related with the sport, the newly implemented law is expect to add sternness. Until the Monday evening, when the former chief justice reveals the real facts about the law, there’s an uncertain condition prevailed everywhere whether to let down or not the protest.

It’s obvious that only strong and active bulls can breed native cows which means of healthiness or restoring health in many ways.  We do hope the protest emphasis the vital of bulls and make aware the importance of preserving them among the public. Did we saved the Jallikattu or not, we disclosed a behaviour that’s impossible to bring out unless it was inbuilt through the rich culture alike Tamil. Though we united as India, any part of the country hasn’t seen such a confrontation and comfort facing the supreme power and creating a protective environment for the women in protest. No one from the political or film industry is allowed into the protest; rather those come alone on their own interest, is indeed setback to those who believed that only they could manage certain things, people taught them that it is we they are depend.

I am certain the history will never forget this occasion, though the protest has been a grand victory and was supposed to end peacefully was disturbed by the wrong attitude of the police. I don’t want go deep into the issue that made me feel bad and sad. But what happened could never bring down what was created by the youth. I think I don’t need to say more but the video below will show you the real starts… the mobile torch protest by youth during the dusk makes feel heaven on earth, where the technology and traditional inherent overshined! Hats off! 

The lack of content

There’s a proverb called ‘old is gold’, which meant that old things are valuable as gold and what’s happening with things produced these days proves that quality is something we lost in the past and what’s in the production today couldn’t deliver the best and anything we take is out of content and quality. I’m not denying quite that all things made are useless but less in quality and quantity. The manufactures produce more than enough things these days and we aren’t in lack of getting things but do they all make feel content? Lately, I feel more the quality is something sacrificed on almost everything we purchase. Because I could obviously see the difference in quality on things bought back (at least in less than 10 years) and now. For example, my new wheelchair is just 7 months old and the front wheel tyre is torn out!

I am using power wheelchair for more than 9 years and until I get the new one lately I was constantly using a power wheelchair (which was my primary) purchased in 2007. The wheelchair is in good working condition and I use it sometime to keep in touch and sustain with its comfort, even though its tyres are worn out there isn’t a piece of damage to them and the joystick is still doing well for even the wheelchair manufacturers to amaze! Because, they themselves admit the joysticks provided these days couldn’t last more than 3 years. And I don’t want to say anything more on it. Even though the technology has advanced they couldn’t sustain the quality make feel worse.

Other days on my evening outing in wheelchair I spent some time at my uncle’s workshop and was amazed to see the plastic chair that was bought in 1990, when they started the Maruti workshop, still exists without damage. Only its legs have shortened due to long and excess use. I have seen the chair used for all sort of activities and many a time the chairs have supported the car engines during reassemble.  But with today’s chairs we are supposed to be beware sitting, because the chairs aren’t strong enough like before and a small drag will see its legs bending. So was the quality of plastic used these days. We had couple of chairs and a stool from 90s and until I got my fracture in 2013, I used the stool for bathing and even the color of the stool was faded and it came with a damaged leg, but continued to support without a mishap. We had searched for a similar stood but couldn’t get a strong one alike anywhere.

I know there are different kinds of mirrors in market to see our face, in colourful frames and design… but do u believe I still use an old car wing mirror to see my face daily. Yes, it was a side view mirror that broken from a car door, long back, at uncle’s workshop and we have dropped it down number of times but haven’t see a damage or fading mirror. I mentioning it mainly because the plastic and the mirror where such standard piece and I didn’t need a change as any mirror do the same. Another thing that makes me believe the quality has lost its foot was the Air con machine (split a/c); we bought at the same time I got my first wheelchair (2007).  

Our LG A/C is more than 9 years old and only last year we are forced to change the indoor unit due to gas leak but the outer unit (compressor) continues to work well supporting the second hand Samsung blower unit. I know few people have changed couple of ACs during this period. Ours was so far raised only minor issues and the AC was under annual maintenance contract (AMC), though it is one of the reasons for its long stability but that alone is not enough I believe, because if the unit wasn’t a  quality content it’s impossible to survive.  We bought another AC for my brother in 2013 and before completing a year it witnessed a major problem and the enter coil unite was changed in the outer unit. And about a year from then, the compressor goes off and made a huge sum for mending. It all makes clear what kind of standard we are living.

Could we replace the Nokia 1100’s stability? Though I know today’s mobiles are sophisticated but when it comes to calls I think the former is best. Even though we could manage with certain things that support life from outside, the food that lack quality is impossible to digest. I really want to say I fear to intake anything got from the tiffin café or hotels and eat with hesitation that nothing indigestion should happen. I have experienced trouble having food from the hotel, but I think its normal thing to happen sometime and another thing I like to put front is the taste and quantity of food served.

Almost restaurants have raised their price tag, perhaps, due to economic growth and increase price of grocery, but why do they reduce the quantity of food? When the price increases, at least the amount of food should have sustained, right? The couple of idly and vada got from the hotel couldn’t feel me content and taste different from one time to another. Though it was perhaps the intention of restaurant owners to reduce and increase certain things, the naturally gown Apple deceives me to feel bad. I eat an apple per day and I find the apples aren’t tastier and easily chewable these days.

We used to buy apple and other fruits a familiar woman who sells them from a roadside stall and being a well-known, she only gives us if the fruits were good enough. The apples don’t expose any damage or insect bite and sometime comes in delicate pink and dark in red, but until we cut-off we couldn’t guess the quality inside. Sometime it’s very hard to nibble and taste similar as pears and futile to eat. I know everything has a market in this world, and there could be some people projecting what kind of apple should be grow in what quality and quantity. I believe it’s the hybrid cultivation that keeps the nutrition away… the apple industry (and any kind of farming these days) seems to focus on only high yield and don’t care about the quiddity.  I feel the content of eating an apple is possible only if we eat more than two apples… but when I can’t eat a one, how could this possible.

The complaint about quality has been in trend for long but I feel it more lately compare with things available around. I feel very imbalance with this kind of trend where things become costlier but the quality and quantity couldn’t reach that height.  Thanks for taking time to read my frustration…

NOTA and other Parties

I see a high number of NOTA (none of the above) this time in the Tamil Nadu state election...  I need to say I don’t support it quite. I see it's an option to choose only if we think/consider all the candidates in a constituency are unfit. But before we head to poll a vote we should aware who are contesting, and whose words are promising, reliable and yet realistic. I don't know people think voting to nota as a fashion statement? But rejecting everyone blindfold isn't a democracy. We are forced to survive among thorns and what we should see is which one is less sharp… I support for a change, but in a largest democratic country like us it will take time and people has to come out of their comfort zone to choose their candidates and parties.

As expected there had been a heavy competition between the two prime parties of Tamil Nadu and   both has come close in defeating each other in minimum number of votes… thanks to the 3^rd front and other parties to go on individual rather making an alliance. Though they all witnessed defeat in all constituencies (never like before), it only helped the prime parties gaining more than enough seats to form a govt. and strong opponent. The ruling party (ADMK) has come to power once again with majority of seats and ever in a history of an opposite; DMK has scored an increasingly large number of seats to hopefully to see a healthy debate. With any other parties having voice for people, the DMK has more responsibility to preserve and restore people’s rights and need in assembly.

Apart many complain of money distribution for voting (which is true) from both the parties, the 3^rd and 4^th level parties losing the deposit only proves their wrong calculation and blindfold confident. Overall they are planned to praise themselves than making a strategic. Apart making freebies and implementing complete prohibition there isn’t anything prudential in their manifesto (including the prime parties) and making an alliance in a short period and indifference attitudes put them down front. Though change is their main goal but the way they chose to be wrong… a change could be happen only step by step, just the way prohibition should be, because a sudden change will not be healthy always and long-lasting is doubtful. 

Friday Review: 49-O

The comedy king of Tamil cinema, Goundamani, has reappeared in a movie after long back and also led the film titled 49-O. The movie released in Sep 2015 deals with the state of farmers and fertile lands being transformed into housing plots though political satire. Goundamani as the protagonist haven’t come back to do a regular comedy role as hero, which most comedians prefer do to these day but acted prudentially in a serious character along his counter dialogues for what he’s famous for.

Goundamani is a genuine farmer and believes that fertile land is the future, oppose to the farmers decided to sell their fertile land to a real estate company but their poverty forced them to go ahead with the decision and later deceived by the company and local politician. The people realizes their mistake and to help farmers get back their lands, Goundamani come with a plan of promoting his own fertile land but instead of making housing plots he develops  graveyards, beside the lands of farmers to block the business of the company.

As another step to regain their fertile land, they decides to sell their votes instead of politicians fix the amount, usually, they come up with a sum to be paid for vote. Later they nominate their own candidate and propagate for his victory against the local politicians… but unfortunately he was murdered. At that moment, Goundamani starts a pioneering movement and how did that help them to regain their fertile lands is rest of the story. Like one man army, Goundamani bears the entire movie and his age isn’t an issue while his energy level on entertainment front is still adequate.

With simple story, Goundamani’s strong dialogue delivery and script writing upholds the farmer’s struggles and political satire as the highlight of the scenario. The land promoters has been excoriated a lot and much of illusions relevant to the fake promises by them has been revealed in fun manner. The music/songs and cinematography has been average, but nothing to complain about and many scenes have been straightforward so the film concludes in less than 2 hours. The movie is worth watching for the strong social message that supports the value system of farming and re-entry of Goundamani - for his political counter! 

Btw. 49-O is a rule referred to The Conduct of Elections Rules in Indian, a procedure to be followed when a valid voter decides not to cast his vote and decides to record this fact. 

Flood relief or payment to vote?

Why should everyone get flood relief amount when really haven’t affected?  Life get affected during the season of rain is normal, though the past season had been terrific and almost everyone undergone an experience on first, but there are certain areas and people where the affect has been least and at some places there was only power cut and was back to normal in 2-3 days. Are they (the govt.) conducting survey on really who are affected? I think two third of the relief amount goes to unaffected and those experienced trouble are still in need. There are places on the bank of rivers, canals and lakes lost away nearly everything and how come this minimum amount of Rs.5000-10,000 is enough to bring back their lives to normal? Govt. should cut off giving relief even to people staying above two stories with no record of flood in their area or home and the amount should be added to those severely affected.

Though we are one of the affected houses, experienced flood or water entered the home, we haven’t received the relief amount yet when many went through plain power outages used the opportunity and acquired the money. Not that I am envy or against their attitude of getting money when really haven’t affected, and what affected us is nothing much compared to those living in low lying areas and on the bank of rivers. When people make amount like this, the true cause of relief becomes incomplete and those affected continue to wade through post disaster and distress. The govt. and officers in charge should understand who really needs relief and how prior it should be. I just wonder what’s in the mind of government and although it’s obvious that the relief was given in mind of upcoming assemble election; this is how people are measured even at the critical situation like this?

Torrential rain and effect of volunteers

As you all know the torrential rain that stroke Chennai, last week, has washed off the city leaving very little places apart. December 1 recorded the highest rainfall in Chennai breaking down a 100 years history. Though we are affected in the usual way of rainwater flooding our home, this time it was threefold in height of coverage and electric was unplugged for more than 3 day and no mobile signal for 48 hours. The northeast monsoon was at peak for last one month and from the time of Deepavali there were more than couple of constant downpours making Chennai float in water and Dec 1 seems to be the climax. Glad the upper portion of this house was unoccupied from the first flooding time on Nov 15 and we used the upstairs as a temporary shelter to keep ourselves from calamity. Though it struck us in different ways this time with no power, and signal lose of mobiles and the scarcity of milk and can waters make brief trouble but what we have gone though was nothing when it comes to the worst hit areas like the southwest suburbs and places around the banks of river Coovum and Adyar.

Even though it was a great disaster Chennai faced ever or post tsunami, the volunteer’s involvement in rescue and relief operation was heart-warming than the painful disaster itself. Except the time of absence of mobile signal, I was keep checking Facebook (as it was the only source of information for me since there was no electricity at home to watch news/Wi-Fi for internet) for the update on rain and relay on things happening around and related to flood relief. I was quite amaze at the selfless act of youngsters, even before the local body and army arrive, the young people leap to rescue without waiting for anybody make feel the humanity doesn’t’ fail anywhere. SMSs, messages, calls were flying wherever possible on things on available and needed and people kept sharing messages on relief and rescue and teams up to promote the activities around. Beyond the manual helps, fishermen’s in boats were the first to land on water and gave wonderful aid to people to come out of their flooded homes and provided relief to those denied to exit.

It’s been 10 days the disaster stroke us and the surroundings continue to stay wet as it rained mild to heaver throughout last week and due to waterlogged the courtyard remains sludge and need to be washed away. Climbed down to home today, the entire day was spent on setting things around and this time we decided to stay above for some time, since the weather continued to be unstable with heavy spills now and then we doesn’t want to experience trouble again.  Glad the rain decided to stop and the sun was showing up nicely today, sending down hope rays that rain don’t come again and would be lighter even if it showers. Last 10 days was spent without watching television and no update on blog, but I continued to Facebook using the mobile network and later on Wi-Fi. Most of the time was spent on browsing newspapers which carries reports on torrential rain and floods in detail. The relief and rescue effects took by volunteers and uniformed personnel’s was the most impressive things about this time and without them it’s impossible for Chennaities to wake up from the disaster. Hats off all... because of you all we are safe here (though we aren’t affected the most, in some ways I believe their attitude make things possible) and wish you all the very best for the operation on relief and rescue. Let’s continue to stand for each other. 

Lost a dear one

We missed one of our dearest neighbour come aunts last week. Though being a neighbour our relationships with her has been kith and kin from a very long time or to say last from our grandmother’s time period. We moved out of our native area (Adyar) about 10 years back and being here, now, our relationships haven’t been any different but were a kind of reconnection (with old neighbours) and looking back into memories. Though our families know each other well, this particular aunt (whom we called from childhood as aththai – a Tamil word which refers to sister of father) has been so affectionate and holds great concern towards our family. Almost our close relatives know her well and she never failed to enquire me the times I come across her, and I always see happiness in her face every time she faces me (since we moved out of the area) but later become very unhappy and she couldn’t hide her dismay as she was seeing me from the birth – who has been very active quite, my inability to move around bothered her much.

Their house was in the backstreet of ours and during the childhood days it was our playground and most of the evening we are seen roaming around with couple of our best friends, whose house was also on the same street. Moreover, most of them on the street know us and our family being a long time resident along with many others, our parent allow us to play there in belief that we stay safe because of the affinity we got with coupe of families and the family of this aunt was more attachable.  My mom and great grandmother used to exchange words frequently with her, either she visiting their or they. She’s a hard working woman and had done milk business and reared cows.  Her husband is a car mechanic and owned a garage, but being addict to alcohol it was she who take care of everything, along bringing up her 4 children.  There was a great similarity between us (maternal side) who was also involved in milk business and reared cows, apart running a Tea Shop, my maternal uncle is also a car mechanic and had a garage adjacent to our home. 

Until about 15 years back or her children settled she continued to be a hard working woman and used to drive cows for grazing from vegetable shops to open grounds or wherever there is pasture. Most of their life was spent in thatched roof and her husband and my father were all grown together in their past and only in latter half (or after 2000) they transferred to concrete house.  It was happy for us to see them coming up in life and to a stable place and looking forward to the comfort, but the sad part was they couldn’t lead forward happily. The rapidly increasing cause among the Indian – Diabetic – struck both their lives and her husband due to increase consumption of alcohol exposed to kidney failure and has been living still through dialysis and this too because of her care taken and restrictions. This hasn’t end there, but herself experience problem with her body with diabetics being the main culprit and she also lost her toe in an advanced stage of sugar. And going through number of treatments and surgery brings drawback in their lives. Even though money becomes a matter not, she couldn’t live happily. Like they say health is wealth, and however they become weather with a bad health nothing seems to be cheerful.

The day wake up for us in the sound of drums and I was sure it was the sound of death but wasn’t anticipated to be her. Though she was not well enough and was admitted in the ICU at the same time and hospital where my grandpa was admitted for chest pain and whiz and she was going through the same problem and was discharged a day ahead to my grandpa. And she was breathing through the oxygen mask at the home as well and was suffering so much that she couldn’t explain what. Though she was admitted to hospital once again for a week before her demise, as her condition becomes unstable, the doctors couldn’t indentify exactly from what she suffers from and the diagnosis also fails to understand what make her feel agony. At the mid-night of Friday she breathed last in the hospital. But the breakaway news – drum beat – reached us only in the morning and silence is what remains inside. 

Gate gets painted and painters on work

Thinking about what to post for “Run a Round Ranch’s” Good Fences, I casually come out of the home and saw painters painting the gate of a newly constructing apartment right opposite to our house caught my attention. Though the three storey building rose even before we shifted to this home, the work has been reached its final stage only now with just paintings left to complete the structure. The builders have done some neat designing on the exterior, which I hope to capture once the building is completed. So now, here is a gate (one of the two) being painted in black on top of yellowish coating and I hope you like my candid on the painters J

Painters mixing colors... perhaps black!

Prohibition of liquor is possible, quite?

A plea for prohibition of liquor in our State (Tamil Nadu) has been there for long and one of the leading political parties has prohibition as their main policy and demanding for it quite long time. But in last few years other political parties too took flag against the sales of liquor, which was done through Tamil Nadu State Marketing Corporation (TASMAC) – a company owned by state government.

Very lately the main opposition party (former) leader promised to bring prohibition in the state if they are back in power, perhaps if they win the 2016 assembly election. But it was like a manifesto that supposed to release with the intention of election, the issue become too serious with the demise of Gandhian Sasi Perumal, during his protest to shut a TASMAC shop. He has been protesting in favor of prohibition for long period on the principles of Gandhi – particularly on the idea of nonviolent resistance.

Now almost political parties and various institutions in Tamil Nadu has leap into the issue and urges the state government to implement the prohibition immediately. Some going to the extreme took the issue in their hands to break through and putting fire to the TASMAC shops in the suburbs. Its obvious liquor/alcohol is ill to health and many families suffers because of the head of the family becomes a drunkard and destroy all the economy and hope, his family got on him towards their future.

No doubt, prohibition is must! But implementing immediately is quite impossible I think. I also wonder how people, even with great wisdom believe that closing the liquor shops will stop people from drinking. I know if there’s availability people used to it constantly but what if a road blocked? Isn’t there any other route to reach the destination and in this case to get the feel of intoxicated? People don’t think from the mind of drunkards or those addicted to alcohol. It’s not easy for them to stop consuming alcohol suddenly which is somehow possible only in the case of occasional/social drinkers.

I know people who live on the purpose of only drinking and seem to be intoxicated always. Even a day or two without drinking put them into troublesome and feel anguish and perhaps there are chances of attempting suicide if they are quite out of control. But it does not mean that we have to let them drink forever (and die soon), but it’s a social responsibility to bring them out of the habit and as a initial step in reducing the number of consumption of liquor, the government and social organisations should encourage those who want to come out of addiction and give treatment through rehabilitation centers for free of cost.

On other hand the government should also take step in reducing the sale of liquor rather targeting how to increase the marketing. There has been constant growth (of about 20 percent) at the sales of liquor, from the financial year 2002-03, which proves that those consume liquor has been increased, even though the price could have rose apparently we could not deny the fact and crowd we see in front of the liquor stores. The govt. should come up with creative ideas how to prevent people going blindfold behind liquor bars and also develop an alternate source (parallel) to balance their fiscal lose if they implement prohibition, in a slow and steady progress.

Although it’s good to see people (esp. students) come together with great force and protest against the liquor sale and urging the government to shutdown the shops. Instead shouting and taking violence in hand people should think in silence and try to understand where the problem lies and what the ways to prevent drunkard from drinking. I personally feel the film industries and films especially are encouraging indirectly the drinking habit through the scenes of drinking. I find almost films made in recent years have a scene or two that remind liquor even those who want to give up.

There’s a singer come lyricist called gana Bala, who write songs that praise liquor and habit of drinking. Wish he stops writing such songs that encourage alcoholics and inspire non-drinkers to the habit. Let whoever comes to the power, promise whatever they want to but make certain the prohibition has been implemented at right method and manner that does not let in illegal booze and other drug items that affect the lives of drinkers to worse.