Thursday, September 18, 2008
Friday, September 5, 2008
Delicate relationship,handle with care!!!
Recently I attended a funeral. Even before the cinders could cool, I noticed a ‘no love lost’ behaivour of the daughter-in-law. Having lived together for three decades why is that their inter-personal and intra-personal relationship failed? This set me thinking…………
An adorable mother, a lovable sister, a doting grandmother fails miserably when it comes to the ‘in-law’ relationship. Why can’t she be an adorable mother-in-law? Or for that matter a lovable daughter-in-law?
Curiosity got the better of me. I began investigating. I recorded a comment that this relationship was strained even at the highest level of office i.e. the Prime Minister. The relationship is at its worst when it comes to the lower income group. It has deteriorated at the middle order.
My inquisitiveness took me through the winding roads of varied thoughts. The younger women were full of venom about their possessive mothers-in-law. The mother-in-law always felt that she had given her prized possession to a women who was not worthy of it. Further there is a lot of discrimination between the daughters-in-law. No wonder books like ‘Dollar Bahu’ are a best seller. The older generations had tales to say about their daughters-in-law. That the younger generation was a self-centered and a selfish lot. They were all sugar when they needed the mothers’-in-law help and were a ‘bitter guard’ otherwise.
Is there no respite from this problem? Then I noticed a family where both the women were sharing a cordial and a healthy relationship. The wise mother-in-law enlightened me that the day the new bride entered the house she had a heart to heart talk with her about this relationship. She also advised her that the adorable son should not be sand-witched between the two women who loved him the most. In case of any misunderstanding it should be sorted out between them. They should not be running to the men. That they can settle their dispute amicably if one is able to see the point of view of the other. Today they live in the same building but in two different apartments. Each has her own independence in the course of the day and at the same time they are shopping, cooking, and celebrating festivals together.
This should be an eye-opener. Both should go halfway to meet the other. When women can reach the space, can’t they really uphold a small but a really important relationship? I think women like us with firm determination can make a little effort to make this relationship cherishable. If only I have made you thinking positively I think I was successful in driving the point. Let us make up our mind to put in a little effort to make this world a happier place to live in and if possible bring down heaven onto the earth.
Published in the ‘Little Women ‘the annual journal of the WDC, ST. Mary’s
An adorable mother, a lovable sister, a doting grandmother fails miserably when it comes to the ‘in-law’ relationship. Why can’t she be an adorable mother-in-law? Or for that matter a lovable daughter-in-law?
Curiosity got the better of me. I began investigating. I recorded a comment that this relationship was strained even at the highest level of office i.e. the Prime Minister. The relationship is at its worst when it comes to the lower income group. It has deteriorated at the middle order.
My inquisitiveness took me through the winding roads of varied thoughts. The younger women were full of venom about their possessive mothers-in-law. The mother-in-law always felt that she had given her prized possession to a women who was not worthy of it. Further there is a lot of discrimination between the daughters-in-law. No wonder books like ‘Dollar Bahu’ are a best seller. The older generations had tales to say about their daughters-in-law. That the younger generation was a self-centered and a selfish lot. They were all sugar when they needed the mothers’-in-law help and were a ‘bitter guard’ otherwise.
Is there no respite from this problem? Then I noticed a family where both the women were sharing a cordial and a healthy relationship. The wise mother-in-law enlightened me that the day the new bride entered the house she had a heart to heart talk with her about this relationship. She also advised her that the adorable son should not be sand-witched between the two women who loved him the most. In case of any misunderstanding it should be sorted out between them. They should not be running to the men. That they can settle their dispute amicably if one is able to see the point of view of the other. Today they live in the same building but in two different apartments. Each has her own independence in the course of the day and at the same time they are shopping, cooking, and celebrating festivals together.
This should be an eye-opener. Both should go halfway to meet the other. When women can reach the space, can’t they really uphold a small but a really important relationship? I think women like us with firm determination can make a little effort to make this relationship cherishable. If only I have made you thinking positively I think I was successful in driving the point. Let us make up our mind to put in a little effort to make this world a happier place to live in and if possible bring down heaven onto the earth.
Published in the ‘Little Women ‘the annual journal of the WDC, ST. Mary’s
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Shared Time
I did not even know how 25 years passed by. Yup! we have completed the silver jubilee of our married life. It looks as though it was only yesterday that we first met.The silver bells are alredy chiming. It is a very happy and a contented feeling.
If I look back a girl who was shy, apprehensive,uncertain about the wedlock comes to my mind.I have since then grown in my confidence by leaps and bounds."Behind every sucessful man there is a women" is what we often hear. In my case reverse has been the situation. I'am what I'am because of his encouragement.
There are many wonderful moments that we have shared.Not only our happiness but our apprehensions and worries. But he has always been at my side. He has been my pillar of strength in thick and thin. He has been my source of inspiration. At this special moment I would like to thank him for all the support extended to me over all these years.This is my small way of showing my appreciation for him and what he really means to me.
I pray to God that he should be blessed with health,wealth ,prosperity and that all his wishes be fulfilled.
If I look back a girl who was shy, apprehensive,uncertain about the wedlock comes to my mind.I have since then grown in my confidence by leaps and bounds."Behind every sucessful man there is a women" is what we often hear. In my case reverse has been the situation. I'am what I'am because of his encouragement.
There are many wonderful moments that we have shared.Not only our happiness but our apprehensions and worries. But he has always been at my side. He has been my pillar of strength in thick and thin. He has been my source of inspiration. At this special moment I would like to thank him for all the support extended to me over all these years.This is my small way of showing my appreciation for him and what he really means to me.
I pray to God that he should be blessed with health,wealth ,prosperity and that all his wishes be fulfilled.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
The State Intermediate Board
POSTPONEMENT OF THE INTERMEDIATE EXAMS
The State Intermediate Examination is scheduled from the 6th of March to the 19th of March. On the 13th of March, 2008, we received a notice at our college. It stated that, as per the instructions of the Board of Intermediate Examination, the Math’s II –B exam scheduled on the 14th of March has been postponed to the 16th, Sunday on account of the Bandh call given in AP. Many students are upset about it as they have their Economics exam on the succeeding day. As the syllabus is vast it hardly gives them time to revise the subject. In fact they require a minimum of 2 days to revise leave alone study the subject. The authorities should have carefully scrutinized before taking this decision as the future of lakhs of students is at stake.
Ratna Srinivasan
Lecturer in Economics
St.Mary’s College
Yousufguda
Hyderabad.
Published in the Deccan Chronicle on the 15th of March
The State Intermediate Examination is scheduled from the 6th of March to the 19th of March. On the 13th of March, 2008, we received a notice at our college. It stated that, as per the instructions of the Board of Intermediate Examination, the Math’s II –B exam scheduled on the 14th of March has been postponed to the 16th, Sunday on account of the Bandh call given in AP. Many students are upset about it as they have their Economics exam on the succeeding day. As the syllabus is vast it hardly gives them time to revise the subject. In fact they require a minimum of 2 days to revise leave alone study the subject. The authorities should have carefully scrutinized before taking this decision as the future of lakhs of students is at stake.
Ratna Srinivasan
Lecturer in Economics
St.Mary’s College
Yousufguda
Hyderabad.
Published in the Deccan Chronicle on the 15th of March
Monday, March 10, 2008
BIG BAZAAR
On Saturday I accompanied my mother to the Big Bazaar. They had adopted yet another gimmick to pull the crowd. This time it was a Dhamaka sale which offered a flat 50% discount from the 14th to the 24th of February. This attracted gate crashing crowds.
I took a fancy for a wall hanging with Meenakari work on it priced at Rs.300.
Then began the Herculean task of moving in the serpentine queue to reach the cash counter. Jostling, pushing and heaving I finally managed to reach the cash counter. I was told that the discount was not applicable for the article which I wanted to purchase. Dismayed, I argued that it was not mentioned that the discount was applicable only on selected items. Unable to justify their stand they directed me to the customer service cell. The stand taken at the cell was again the same. Fretting and fuming I asked them what next? They asked me to put my grievance in a book which will go unnoticed. I felt cheated. What about the quality time spent there? How will it get compensated? Is it not fair on their part to display a board stating that the discount was applicable only on selected items? Why draw crowds on false grounds? As customers probably we are meek and docile and the big companies take advantage and make most of it.
I took a fancy for a wall hanging with Meenakari work on it priced at Rs.300.
Then began the Herculean task of moving in the serpentine queue to reach the cash counter. Jostling, pushing and heaving I finally managed to reach the cash counter. I was told that the discount was not applicable for the article which I wanted to purchase. Dismayed, I argued that it was not mentioned that the discount was applicable only on selected items. Unable to justify their stand they directed me to the customer service cell. The stand taken at the cell was again the same. Fretting and fuming I asked them what next? They asked me to put my grievance in a book which will go unnoticed. I felt cheated. What about the quality time spent there? How will it get compensated? Is it not fair on their part to display a board stating that the discount was applicable only on selected items? Why draw crowds on false grounds? As customers probably we are meek and docile and the big companies take advantage and make most of it.
Friday, February 22, 2008
CONTEMPLATION....FROM A LECTURER'S NOTE PAD
Thoughts about gender empowerment turned the wheel of time in my mind to the Vedic period. It was a golden era for women. In the Vedic times women were treated at par with men. They exercised the freedom of thought, word and deed. Then began the endless oppression and suppression of women. Women were treated only as bread makers leave alone breadwinners. So the struggle for self respect and self esteem was long because in the deeply traditional Indian society, accustomed to absorbing influences of all kinds over the centuries, changes come slowly, it was more so in the case of women. Hence the new economy and the new life style has engendered but has hardly wiped away the old values particularly the code of conduct of women. Thus we find many girls sandwiched between the tradition of yesteryears and the present modernity. The journey of transition from homely chicks to independent women is yet to reach its destination. In this process there are many challenges and opportunities including job opportunities, which gives women the much-needed economic freedom.
The job opportunities are so many that it has often led to confusion in the young minds. But are all the jobs suitable for women? Labeled as a weaker sex for many centuries can they take up challenging jobs like a pilot?….. or for that matter a bus driver?……. women in merchant navy far away from the families? Women are often forced to choose between a career and a family. Will they be able to strike a balance?……….out of choice can they remain single? There are umpteen such questions. Gender empowerment can be complete only when all these questions find answers in all fairness. Nevertheless a change is round the corner and inevitable.
The changing scenario in women empowerment is encouraging. Women literacy has been increasing slowly but steadily. A brave Jhansi, a soft spoken Kasturba, a diplomatic Indira, a soothing Mother Teresa come to our minds as they have left footprints on sand. Our own contemporaries like a homemaker Harshini, a councilor Chandana, a revolutionary Medha, a daring Kalpana can be an immense source of inspiration.
Women are today employed in jobs that did not exist a generation ago. They are employed in jobs rarely filled in by women like auto drivers, gas station attendants, magazine editors, software programmers etc; Men are accepting a female boss though grudgingly… Do we see a change??? But, women continue to be great homemakers too!
Women are the greatest assets in the society. They are equal to men in all the spheres. All that they need in today’s world is a bit of empowerment. It is the duty of the society to provide this. If not it should be taken. The process of taking is empowerment too! Being a mother gives a women incredible feeling of empowerment. Education remains the key to both political and economic empowerment. In the WDC’S endeavor for gender empowerment let all of us join setting aside our doubts, filled with aspirations, strive to covert these efforts into a REVOLUTION ……….a HURRICANE.
The job opportunities are so many that it has often led to confusion in the young minds. But are all the jobs suitable for women? Labeled as a weaker sex for many centuries can they take up challenging jobs like a pilot?….. or for that matter a bus driver?……. women in merchant navy far away from the families? Women are often forced to choose between a career and a family. Will they be able to strike a balance?……….out of choice can they remain single? There are umpteen such questions. Gender empowerment can be complete only when all these questions find answers in all fairness. Nevertheless a change is round the corner and inevitable.
The changing scenario in women empowerment is encouraging. Women literacy has been increasing slowly but steadily. A brave Jhansi, a soft spoken Kasturba, a diplomatic Indira, a soothing Mother Teresa come to our minds as they have left footprints on sand. Our own contemporaries like a homemaker Harshini, a councilor Chandana, a revolutionary Medha, a daring Kalpana can be an immense source of inspiration.
Women are today employed in jobs that did not exist a generation ago. They are employed in jobs rarely filled in by women like auto drivers, gas station attendants, magazine editors, software programmers etc; Men are accepting a female boss though grudgingly… Do we see a change??? But, women continue to be great homemakers too!
Women are the greatest assets in the society. They are equal to men in all the spheres. All that they need in today’s world is a bit of empowerment. It is the duty of the society to provide this. If not it should be taken. The process of taking is empowerment too! Being a mother gives a women incredible feeling of empowerment. Education remains the key to both political and economic empowerment. In the WDC’S endeavor for gender empowerment let all of us join setting aside our doubts, filled with aspirations, strive to covert these efforts into a REVOLUTION ……….a HURRICANE.
THE BOND
My husband is a bank employee. He was posted to Hyderabad, as his job is transferable. I joined a local college as a lecturer. A couple of months later I was asked to meet the members of the Management. The management members stated that attaining 100% result was mandatory. Besides, securing a couple of ranks among the top ten ranks of the state was also essential. I was dumb struck. Here I was at the beginning of my career and their expectations were skyrocketing.
I identified three students who fulfilled the requirements of attaining a state rank. Then began the Herculean task of motivating them. These exercises often demotivated me and took me into long hours of deep depression. Among the three students, I found that one had the caliber to attain the set target. Unfortunately her parents legally divorced in the month of December. Since then her grades started slipping down. The management took me to task at the deteriorating performance. It took me another mammoth effort to bring her back to normalcy. After restoring normalcy, I not only started counseling her but also brain washing her to attain the set goal. I emotionally black mailed her stating that if she did not attain the rank I may have to resign from my post.
During the period of counseling we became close to each other. She started opening up to the insecurities, which were looming large after her parents legally divorced. Over a period of time she shared all her fears, emotions and apprehensions in her private life. In this process a strong bond developed between us. Her love for me made her work harder and longer. Her performance started showing an upward trend, though gradually.
The day of the declaration of the results finally arrived. My heart was in my mouth. I could hear my heart thumping vigorously. I was sitting in the staff room in the first floor waiting for the result. Finally I heard her yell from the ground floor “Mam, you need not resign. We have attained it.” Her tone sounded musical .Her vibrant voice was a feast to my ear. She laid the foundation for the success story of the Institution. Attaining a state rank became almost a habit with us thanks to the initial achievement.
I will be ever grateful to her as, early in my career, she made me realize that the bond I develop with my students is the only and the strongest motivating factor to attain the desired and the best results. Love is indeed a driving force, which takes us to the great heights of achievements and makes the impossible seem simple and possible.
I identified three students who fulfilled the requirements of attaining a state rank. Then began the Herculean task of motivating them. These exercises often demotivated me and took me into long hours of deep depression. Among the three students, I found that one had the caliber to attain the set target. Unfortunately her parents legally divorced in the month of December. Since then her grades started slipping down. The management took me to task at the deteriorating performance. It took me another mammoth effort to bring her back to normalcy. After restoring normalcy, I not only started counseling her but also brain washing her to attain the set goal. I emotionally black mailed her stating that if she did not attain the rank I may have to resign from my post.
During the period of counseling we became close to each other. She started opening up to the insecurities, which were looming large after her parents legally divorced. Over a period of time she shared all her fears, emotions and apprehensions in her private life. In this process a strong bond developed between us. Her love for me made her work harder and longer. Her performance started showing an upward trend, though gradually.
The day of the declaration of the results finally arrived. My heart was in my mouth. I could hear my heart thumping vigorously. I was sitting in the staff room in the first floor waiting for the result. Finally I heard her yell from the ground floor “Mam, you need not resign. We have attained it.” Her tone sounded musical .Her vibrant voice was a feast to my ear. She laid the foundation for the success story of the Institution. Attaining a state rank became almost a habit with us thanks to the initial achievement.
I will be ever grateful to her as, early in my career, she made me realize that the bond I develop with my students is the only and the strongest motivating factor to attain the desired and the best results. Love is indeed a driving force, which takes us to the great heights of achievements and makes the impossible seem simple and possible.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
Doesn't it show a wonderful bond between the teacher and the taught?
