Fence and gated field

Last month I went for an outing with family on ECR (east coast road) and came via GST (grand southern trunk) road and during the ride across countryside, I find some gates and the above one was opposite to where we had our lunch (that we brought from home) beside a village pump set and well.

The closed gate seems to be the entry to the paddy field that was fenced around, perhaps to protect from cattle or marking their plot and field. The gate with lush green paddy fields inside insist me not to miss the opportunity and being a devote of Good Fences meme, by Run aRound Ranch, wants me to capture it for the series. 

RGB Monday

Mom’s colorful Pongal Kolam (included red, green and blue) drawn for the harvesting festival – Pongal! Kolam or Rangoli is a pattern drawn (in different forms) in front of the houses, which is a traditional custom followed by the people of India esp. the Kolam is a cultural identity of Tamil people and drawing colorful Kolam in front of the home is considered as auspicious and a sign of welcome during the festival seasons and events. 

Jallikattu, should be banned? I don’t think so…

Though Deepavali is my favourite festival, and I simply loved it for fireworks and sharing of sweets and snacks, Pongal is an occasion I quite admire for its significant phase on life. Pongal is a grand festival in Tamil Nadu that celebrates the thanksgiving of nature and harvesting season. On this time, farmers set to harvest their fully grown crops and make Pongal (a dish made by boiling of rice) out of it and dedicate it to the sun, which is the source of energy for all.  Pongal, which celebrated for four days (Jan 14-17), also worships the cattle – which supports human in cultivation for great productivity – and celebration of bulls, for their endurance and mighty on tillage. Though tractors and harvesting machines have replaced the man and animals lately, the small scale farmers are still depend on cattle and I could see bulls ploughing lands, even today at the outskirts of Chennai. This is the time people has to understand, however mechanism has developed to help humans and throw out cattle’s from field, they (bulls) still need to be involved in farming and cows for milking to sustain them from decline.

Pic courtesy: wiki

Just like bulls used for ploughing and bullock carts, Jallikattu is a traditional sports (conducted during the festival of Pongal) where bulls are let loose into an open space (one by one) and man has to control the bull or grasp it for some time. The sports has been banned by the Supreme Court for last couple of years, following the complaint filed by animal welfare activists that bulls are ill-treated during the training and the event. Even though few days back, the central government gave a green signal to conduct the sports played according to the regulations the Supreme Court has formed in its former reports. The Apex Court has once again ruled out the decision of the central govt. to conduct the event and the people who have been in great delight (followed by the union govt. consent) had been disappointed now. I know everyone has an opinion on the sports and reason to support and oppose and for me this is not just a sports, but a way to keep alive the bulls and sustain their relationship. Because I believe, only until the sport is here, the bulls (that are specifically breed for the event) will continue to exist.

The time I appreciate the animal welfare activists, for bringing out the cruelty behind this sport and ill-treats while taming the bulls, upon which the Supreme Court brought some restrictions in conduction the game in 2007 and until 2014 the event has went formal, taking a dramatic change in the pattern of its conduct. The event has been captured in videography thoroughly – to keep certain the rules are followed and bulls aren’t harmed, and the players, who are subjected to catch the bulls, have given uniform and are forced to take physical test before entering the ground. Unlike earlier, where the players and audience are blend with crowed and many who aren’t fit enough are injured through the cause, and  to prevent this the players and onlookers are separated by a strong fence now, and the age is also restricted to be between 20 and 40 for those who like to play. The game’s rules have also been simplified from being insane, where too many hold on a bull and pulling its tail… the players are allowed to grasp only the bulls hump and holding there for 30 seconds or run 30 feet from the entrance (called Vadi Vasal) where the bulls are let loosed.

When things being right and conductors and players are conscious about the rules, what makes the animal activists asking for a ban? I am not supporting animals being harmed in anyways, but I strongly believe without hard work and struggles nothing survives.  Bulls are hardworking animals and if we haven’t let them play and treated in right manner it will becomes weak. Experts believe that a bull with full vigour breeds strong bovines, and for that these animals has to be active and endure.  And only till their need is there, the people will keep support the bulls and for those bovines were the livelihoods keeping them alive and healthy is much needed. Beside these what bothers me more was the survival of bulls! A question rises in me, what is the state of bulls if the Jallikattu is prevented? Or any kinds of activity that involve bulls are restrained? Just being conscious that no animals (the domesticated) are harmed is enough to preserve them? The noted cattle species Kangeyam, an indigenous breed of India, is on the verge of life along with many other species. It’s easy for us to support animal’s welfare and look after our job, which does not involve cattle and it won’t going to bother us further. But for farmers, the animal’s welfare as well the survival of bulls is very important on the race.

The tradition and culture can be transformed according the comfort of life, unless it has nothing meaningful. I don’t see Jallikattu as just the traditional courageous sports, but ways to keep sustain the bulls and active their breed. According to Kala Karthi, Jallikatu is created not for the sports, but for training the users in controlling their bovines. Though I am not sure about the tradition behind it, the Jallikattu is perhaps created to showcase manpower and used as a platform to marry the virgin by taming the bull that reared by her family. Today it is played (maybe) to sustain the practice/tradition and existence of bulls! 

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?

Couple of balcony rails

From the houses of neighbors

During my staying in the upper portion of this house when the torrential rain and flood struck here in the beginning of December, last year, I got to shoot some photos on the surroundings and find some baloney rails on the neighbor's house and I shot to share on Good Fences meme, at Run a Round Ranch.

The first one was inspiring to shoot on, as I find the design and coloring of the rail prettier. The other one was shot from the house opposite to ours, though it was attractive alike the former, I like the black rails in backdrop of coconut palms. The resident of the house has put to dry clothes on cords tied across the railing.