Inner

March 2011
Rs. 30.00 Enhance Your Life
Changing
Relationships ?
Agony & Ecstasy
Together Forever
Women in Business
Education
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Eve’s Times March 2011
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March 2011 Eve’s Times
Making a Choice
Hi Friends!
Life presents us with many choices. But most of us do not recognize these
choices as we are carrying the baggage of programmed dogmas and beliefs,
prejudices and biases either passed on to us or learnt due to our own personal experiences of seeing, reading,
listening and being affected by certain incidents and peoples that present themselves before us. Some of the
learning is based on misunderstanding on our part, some learning is modified to suit our needs and beliefs
and some learning bestow meaning to us that motivate us to enhance our inner self. Well, what do I mean by
this?
All I mean is that we must understand that we are living in a much happening world today, filled with
opportunities not only for varied careers, but myriad ways of leading meaningful lives and obtaining a sense
of fulfillment. Women must emerge out of the programmed way of living that has been ingrained in us
and do whatever will give them inner satisfaction. We have a choice not to put up with abuse. We have a
choice to study whatever subject whenever we want to. There are innumerable ways of attaining economic
empowerment which do not impose time constraints. Opportunities for flexible work or pursuing a hobby,
social service and any other activity are countless. We can also decide to teach what we know to others.
Eve’s Times believes that women have to take up the responsibility of making choices in life that will keep
them, their family and the society happy and progressive. It is time we emanated from our insecurities, and
clichéd personality aberrations attributed to women since time immemorial such as envy, jealousy or being
touchy, sensitive, emotional, seeking sympathy, projecting our weaknesses to gain something etcetera…
etcetera… When we have moved out into the world to seek our own space, we should give up all the unwanted
baggage and move forward with determination and confidence. And it is time we thought seriously about
‘sisterhood.’ It is possible for women to network, communicate with one another amicably and try to forge
unconditional friendship with other women, without expectations. We must prove it. That is the underlying
mission of Eve’s Times. It may be a new, hitherto unheard of phenomenon... but we are confident that it
will happen. Women can be best friends, be supportive of one another and interact with other women with
camaraderie. Let us introspect about this on the occasion of the International Women’s Day. Wishing you all
women out there, A Great , Successful Life Together!
Ciao,
Swati Amar
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Agony and Ecstasy 6 Contents
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Contents
BRINGING LITTLE JOYS TO THE WORLD 51
Health & Fitness 40
Art Nook 42 Driver of Destiny 32
Salt & Papper Korner 58 Art of Cleaning 33
Gurudev 62 Getting Comical 35
Modern day Fables 37
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Vol. 6 No. 170 Rs. 30.00

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Agony and Ecstasy
Romance sprouted for the first time when Sahana a

smart, independent, young woman, employed in a
software firm, got attracted to Rohan, a brilliant software
engineer working in the same firm. However, her dreams
crashed when she broached the topic of marriage. Rohan
had lofty ambitions and was not considering a serious
commitment with anybody.
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Agony and Ecstasy

When she got wind of his intentions, she
used several tactics to get him to agree,
including pleading, threatening, cajoling.
Finally she tried to commit suicide.
Sahana was saved and she is frequenting
a psychiatrist today. However, she is
on an ego trip now. Instead of helping
herself out of depression, she is hell bent
on trapping Rohan into matrimony.
Mrinalini, on the other hand, had a steady

boy friend, Sanjay. Her message, however,
was loud and clear, “ No strings attached.”
Therefore when she got attracted to
Vinay, another guy in her college, she
did not hesitate to go after him. Vinay
allowed himself to be manipulated when
a teary-eyed Mrinalini told him that she
and her boy friend were breaking up
and got sexually involved with her. The
entire engineering college was witness
to an angry brawl when Sanjay returned
from his jaunt and uncovered the truth.
Mrinalini had to break up with both men.
Sneha was in seventh heaven when Vĳay

expressed his true love for her. Even as
their intimacy grew, she did not hesitate
when Vĳay called her to the coffee pub
during college hours. She bunked her
classes to meet Vĳay. The couple then
took off to a sprawling bungalow in the
outskirts of the city. Vĳay’s friends were
waiting for him with a bountiful of
lip-smacking eats and drinks. Sneha’s
drink was spiked and when she regained
consciousness, she was shocked to see a
video film of her ‘sexual escapades’ with
a group of men! Today, Sneha is selling
a gold bangle, a chain or her favorite
trinket to keep the wolves at bay!
These are not just stories, but real incidents

happening in the once laidback city of
Chennai which is a cauldron of swirling
clandestine romantic escapades and
activities today! Chennai youngsters are
not any different from their counterparts
in any of India’s highly westernized
metros. Today’s younger generation is
reveling in the joy of the newfound
freedom that the era of globalization and
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liberalization has bestowed on them. children to understand them.

Hence, children too expect their
A leading psychiatrist in Chennai, As Dr. Muthukrishnan avers, parents to understand them
Dr.V. Muthukrishnan opines if social norms and morality entirely! Parents have failed as
that premarital sex is a universal are not formulated properly, effective role models!”
phenomenon today and is on the marriage as an institution will
rise too. The period 1991-98 saw be corrupted. The irony is that
a decline in the rate of premarital sexual liberalization and financial
sex by about 9% to 10% due to independence of women have
fear of AIDS. According to Dr. D. resulted in their dehumanization.
Narayana Reddy, sexologist, while
premarital sex had been prevalent The upheavals in the family
earlier, today the issue is coming systems have a major role to play
to our notice much more. Dr. in the increasing permissiveness
Lakshmi Vĳaykumar, a leading that is pervading our society
psychiatrist, supports this view. today. As Nalini Parthiban puts
is succinctly, “ In joint families,
Dr. Muthukrishnan’s premise children would see their parents
is that after the invention of subject themselves to the higher-
the contraceptive pill in the ups in the family rung. In nuclear
sixties, pregnancy risk in women families, elder’s views are not
declined. This sexual liberalization considered important. Children
of women led to an increase in the are exposed to all family problems
permissiveness in the western and are made to feel important. Vidya Shankar, Ex-Chairperson
society, whom we are aping today, So any behaviour is acceptable to of the Juvenile Welfare Board of
thanks to the media explosion. them.” Tamil Nadu and Chairperson of
Relief Foundation feels that there
According to Dr. Nirmala Prasad, is a lot of aberration in the family
Principal, MOP Vaisnhav College unit today. “In this fast-track age,
for Women, advancement in there is no stress on relation-
medical technology has its own building exercises or family
pitfalls. Today, city girls are aware bonding within the family unit.
of safe sex. There is no guilt Career ambitions or addiction to
feeling attached to premarital sex the visual media have left no time
anymore. While in Chennai there for the children. It is imperative
are still exclusive colleges for that the strength of the relationship
boys and girls, computer-learning between a husband and wife be
centers have increased the conveyed to the child. A comfort
opportunities for boys and girls zone should be established for
to meet and are breeding grounds discussing any matter with the
for sprouting romances. child so that a healthy feed of
information is accessible to them.
Nalini Parthiban, erstwhile
Communication channels should
Principal of Vana Vani
be healthier within the family
Matriculation School, Chennai, Dr. Latha Nityanand, psychologist,
unit.”
feels that society has become endorses this view. “We are
less critical of social behaviour. teaching our children to derive a Dr.Vĳaykumar, psychiatrist,
Today all rules are falling apart. lot of self-gratification. Our family opines that parenting is not taken
From corruption to premarital values have changed. Children see as a serious issue today. Most
that parents no longer have time parenting is done by default or
sex, everything is accepted by the by accident but not due to love of
society. The youth commune is for the older generation and that parenting. Though parents are the
adapting itself to western culture their career and other needs are education and financial providers,
as a duck takes to water, going to much more important to them. time is a rare commodity today. “I
the extent of indulging in physical Parents today have no control over tell all parents, if you really love
their children. Parents expect your children give them the time.
relationships before marriage. Many families exhibit perforated
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value systems. When corruption and other vices are Writer and Corporate filmmaker Ms. Usha
accepted, the child gets the message that everything Subramaniam feels that we should accept that the
is okay. Parents of today want to actualize their youngsters are different today and hope that all
dreams through their children, which again is not
the values that we have tried to instill in them will
the right thing to do,” he says.
eventually see them through life successfully. “
Never give up on your efforts to din some values
into their heads. When the time comes, these values
will definitely help them to evolve as better human
beings.”
For the youngsters, sex is no longer out of reach. They

can get it easily. The idea is to have fun. Moreover,
it makes them feel important in the eyes of their
friends. The first coital experience is usually due to
peer pressure. Girls who do not have boy friends are
looked down upon. Yet, boys and girls of today do
not want long-term commitments.
Says Chitra Rangan, a mother of two boys, “ I think

sometimes, working together and spending long
hours cultivates a common bond between two people.
At that point in time, the involvement may become
something meaningful. Marriage is however a totally
different issue. “
Says teenage heartthrob of the south, actor

Madhavan, “ An adolescent relationship may not be
unwarranted, but a full-fledged one, which incites
you to catch up on sex, is risky. It depends solely
on the discretion of what the parents teach them.
Definitely, ninety percent of the adolescents all over
the world experience some form of physical attraction
and association with the opposite sex before they turn
eighteen. The essence is, where you draw the line.”
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The upshot of premarital sex?

Vidya Shankar feels that it is harmful for a society for the girl and in our conservative society they
to nurture premarital sex, which is a high-risk area cannot lead a normal married life. There is a deep
because when pregnancy occurs most abortions are core of unworthiness. Respect for marriage as an
performed under wraps, endangering the life of institution declines because the feeling that it is
the mother. Since the victim is herself a child, the okay to have sex outside marriage crops up. If we
development of the baby is affected. She cannot give are heading for contract marriages like the Swiss or
prenatal care because she is herself preoccupied with fostering the concept of DINK couples, we are eroding
the taboos associated with unwanted pregnancy. The the moral fabric of our society,” says psychiatrist
problems of adoption of such children are immense. Muthukrishnan.
Sudatta, or the Adoptive Parents Network that she is
Psychological conflicts abound when premarital sex
involved with deals with issues related to parental
becomes a way of life. When a marriage is solemnized,
readiness, conception and safe birth. Unprepared
it becomes a dilemma for the girl to decide whether
pregnancy leads to desertion and abandonment of
she is going to confess about her experiences to her
the infant.
fiancé or not. Suicide due to unwanted pregnancy is
As a gynecologist and a mother of three daughters, not uncommon in our country.
Dr. Nithiya Ramamurthy condemns the increase in
Dr. Muthukrishnan avers that premarital sex leads to
premarital sex which seems to have influenced the
increase in the incidence of divorces, marital discords,
college going children more than school children.
relationships with more partners, delayed time of
“ When young college girls rush to you for help,
marriage, extramarital affairs and commercialization
as doctors, though we are against abortion, we are
of sex leading to faster dehumanization of women.
forced to help those in distress. Most girls do not
Liberalization has led to more number of women
come for a second time because of the trauma and
remaining single, mistrust of men or rejection of
emotional stress associated with abortions. They
long-term commitments.
either keep away or use contraception.” She strongly
advocates parental monitoring of teenaged children.
Chitra Rangan is worried about diseases like STD
or AIDS, “ I feel that parents should have no qualms
about talking about everything frankly to their
children, which is what I do.”
Says Dr.Latha Nityanand, “Girls who indulge in
premarital sex go on a guilt trip. “When we talk of
premarital sex, we only get the image of girls because
the boys have always been involved in it. Today
women feel equal to men in everything, including
premarital sex. However, while women have evolved
men have not kept pace with them. We have made
life easier for men because, all said and done our
society is still conservative and when it comes to the
question of marriage, men still want virgins!
Moreover, there is more hype about sex than what
exactly happens so much so that there are a lot of
expectations in sexual relationships. This leads to
disillusionment and therefore a hunt for the ideal
partner. It also leads to unhappy marriages because
the girl is not happy with her husband. Youngsters
do not realize that sex is more of an emotional rather
than physical gratification.”
“Unwanted pregnancy has disastrous consequences
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So how does one deal with the

explosive situation?
Apart from throwing open the channels of “Biologically, homo sapiens are a one-mate species.
communication within the family, an ambience That is the law of life. We are trying to change
of camaraderie would help. Parents should act as all that. Any change against nature will have its
strong role models and good friends. They should implications,” says Nalini Parthiban.
also exhibit understanding and offer support when
disaster strikes. A healthy flow of information is “ I am an optimist,” says Dr. Narayana Reddy, “
also important. Some feel that opportunities for While were are lagging behind in aping the west by
boys and girls to be alone should be restricted. Dr. a couple of decades, the west has already realized
Muthukrishnan advises that in colleges and other the importance of family ties after the Sept 11
institutions, teenagers can meet in well-lit areas catastrophe. In the US people go back to their homes
under supervision for a specified period of time. after work. The west is adopting our culture. The
time period, or kala chakra is one big vicious circle. If
It makes sense to forewarn the girls about the a catastrophe strikes, we will go back to the teachings
consequences of premarital sex and emphasize on the of our forefathers. Right now we are going down hill,
dignity of the self and the body. Children should be but we will rise again. After all, as the Lord said,
usefully engaged in extracurricular activities during Sambavami yuge yuge!”
their free time.
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Eve’s Times March, 2010
PREMARITAL SEX
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Marriages are supposed to be marriages are quite common for

made in heaven. That was the belief both women and men. Tolerance,
that saw marriages contracted, commitment and compromise
sustained and nourished a few in relationships have been
generations ago. Sixty odd years eroded and lasting marriages are
ago, India was going through the becoming unusual.
turmoil of gaining independence.
The world was reeling under the In this atmosphere there are
horrendous aftermath of a war marriages that have lasted for
that had wiped out young men decades. What is the glue that has
in many numbers. Disease and made these marriages sustain?
malnutrition made many young What are the situations that have
men die leaving behind widows to bonded couples for years? Do
bring up families. couples really live happily ever
after? Or is this a myth perpetrated
Arranged marriages were the by fairy stories, M & B romances
norm. Love marriages were and movies that say THE END
frowned upon by society and inter showing a couple walking away
community marriages were rare. into the bright horizon. What
Divorce was an aberration and about couples who have lived
stigma was branded on a girl who decades together and who are
had a failed marriage. Today more going towards their sunset years?
and more couples are choosing
partners for themselves without Padmini Natarajan
reference to caste, community,
religion and status. Second
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A 65- year old saga

It was a love marriage. It was an Then began a life of service and children a good education away
inter community marriage. It spirituality. Swarna worked from the village. So I migrated to
was the classic boss and assistant with the Durgabhai Deshmukh Madras and initially stayed with
getting together in marriage program to open and run my older sister Nagammal. Then I
and it became for many years Baalwaadis and maternity centres. set up my own establishment close
a long distance marriage. Dr She was the Chairman for the to the children’s schools. Of course
Swarnambal, now 86, went to North Arcot District and Polur I moved again when my daughters
work as Dr Kumaraswamy’s Taluka and twelve centres were joined Church Park”. This period
assistant in his rural clinic in in operation. She had to visit and of about twenty years was a time
Polur. Two years later they got supervise their functioning in a when the couple lived apart.
married in Tirupathi. “There was jeep given for this purpose. After “He would come to Chennai
no objection from my parents. two years when she had collected whenever he wanted to see the
My mother and eldest sister some good funds for the project, kids. As our clinic was focussed
Ramalakshmi helped to arrange local politicians wanted to misuse greatly on maternity there was no
and perform the wedding”. It the funds and she resigned in weekend. So he would just get into
was not without drama though. disgust. She then concentrated on his car late afternoon or evening,
Her brother rushed up the hill to her husband’s practice. and drive in to see us, spend
try and stop the wedding at the the night and leave early in the
last minute. He could not find the Three children were born and morning to go back to Polur. He
venue and promised Balaji that if their education became a matter was doing his cooking, practice
he showed the way, he wouldn’t of concern. “We had a lot of family and earning money for us.”
stop the wedding....and he did find burdens. Doctor had to educate
and bless the married couple. his brothers and get his sisters Swarna has learnt to change the
married. We wanted to give our dialect of her Tamizh to suit the
F| 16

language of her in-laws and the transition between results in divine bliss”.
Brahmin Tamil and Mudaliar speech is fluid. The joke
in the family was that Swarna was an excellent, ‘kai Doctor had a reputation in Polur that he never ever
rasi’ doctor. She would put up her board and build asked for money. Whatever the patients gave he
up a good number of patients and then change house accepted...there was no fee structure. He has been
or disappear!! “I would spend the children’s holidays leading an austere life; both have visited Sabarimalai
in Polur. We lived in Triplicane, Gopalapuram and innumerable times. Doctor used to walk from Salem
now for many years in Shastri Nagar. Our old house to Pazhani and then on to Pampa for many years. He
has been converted into apartments. Our son Dr was regular in performing the Giri Pradakshanam in
Srinivasan lived in the UK for some time and then Thiruvannamalai on Poornima days. The Krithigai
came back to India. He and his wife Raji look after and yearly Sashti vradam has been part of his
us now. We have no responsibilities, no anxieties...in spiritual life. Now at 95 he is weak and unable to
fact I do not know the prices of anything. Daughters keep the vigorous religious regime. He spends his
Dr. Shanthi and Bamini are settled in UK and USA time listening to Swami Paramarthananda’s lectures
and visit regularly. Vasu and Shanthi chose their and transcribing them.
own partners. Bamini had an arranged marriage.
In the quietness of their lives both Swarna and
Our grandchildren have grown up to be good human
Doctor rest on their laurels. The divine glow in both
beings....that is what makes our life contented and
their faces inspires younger generations to search for
blessed”.
satisfaction and peace after leading such an eventful,
After the children’s education was done Swarna did service oriented and fulfilling life.
go back to Polur for some years. Then began their
travelling to visit and help with grandchildren. This
Padmini Natarajan
was also a time when Doctor began to immerse
himself in spirituality. Swarna says, “I went with him
everywhere barring Amarnath and Mt Kailash ---he
has made two trips!”
“The success of any marriage depends on a basic

concept” says Doctor Kumaraswamy. “You have to
be considerate partner and there should be equality,
a sense of give and take...then family life goes on
smoothly. When a feeling of superiority creeps in
then the marriage collapses”.
Spirituality has been a part of Doctor’s life. “Both of us

had upadesam from the Madurai Adeenam and that
was the beginning of our spiritual life. Swarna took
on the daily burdens of our life and I concentrated on
supplying the finance. My focus has been on parents,
patients, social service and in spiritual elevation”.
It has been an austere way of life for Doctor for many

years. A cold bath, puja, compulsory sharing of the
food before eating with a child and any other guests
has been his way of life. He has practiced equality
and insisted on sharing his meal with the house help
too. If any case came up during his morning puja, he
would go and attend to it, come back have a bath again
and then finish his prayers. “Athithi devo bhava ,has
been my philosophy. Meditation helps to clean your
mind, your thoughts and facilitates withdrawal from
the world. I believe that the divine is within you and
outside you. This awareness helps to interact with the
world and makes you feel that I have everything and
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The Golden Couple

have time on our hands”.
The couple has been to Singapore many times, “maybe

twenty,” to stay with Srikumar and Lakshmi. “Theirs
was an arranged marriage. Chitra married Ravi, the
boy-next-door! All things being equal we were happy
with their decision. She learnt dance, music and I
taught her to drive and brought her up as a modern
girl,” says Ramanathan. Today Chitra is successfully
running a business and stays in the same apartment
complex with her parents and looks after them.
Ramanathan’s sambandi from next door G N

Theirs is a story the usual humble middle class is replete Subramaniam drops in. “He and his late wife
with. Their love is simple, selfless and enduring…… Nagalakshmi have been our best friends. Our
friendship is very strong and he is my philosopher
Their wedding was an arranged one. Ramanathan
and guide” asserts Ramanathan. “Their marriage
had seen Rukmani working in a subsidiary company
lasted 68 years.”
of his employer Easun Engineering. She was a clerk
and he was an Assistant Manager. The families fixed Both feel very sad at the breaking up of so many
up the alliance after the customary matching of marriages in the society today. Rukmani comments,
horoscopes and family compatibility. Ramanthan’s “Divorce was not a common word back then. Joint
family was originally from Tirunelveli like families gave strong support. These days daughter’s
Rukmani’s but had migrated to Kayamkulam, Quilon are pampered and spoilt and any sign of trouble is
Dist., Kerala. He finished his college education in blown out of proportion.” The couple basks in the
Trivandrum. Rukmini grew up in Ooty where her love and warmth of their scions, “We have wonderful
father was in the Forest Department and studied grand children. Chitra’s daughter Hamsini is a
upto SSLC in Shanthi Vĳaya Hindu School... “not a working girl and Harshita, a Table Tennis champion.
convent,” she clarifies hurriedly. She has three other Srikumar’s son, Sidanth is an undergrad in computer
sisters and four brothers while Ramanathan grew up science in a University in the US and daughter Swati
with six sisters and another brother. He started his is in Class 12. Our grandchildren are very close to
career looking after the rice mill and stationary shop us. They make us proud with their achievements and
owned by the family and then moved to Chennai. good values”.
Rukmani says, “I was the first daughter and had to
go to work”. Ramanathan was instrumental in starting the Exnora
projects in their neighbourhood. “I was driving
“I wanted to marry a girl from a needy family” around in my Fiat till I was 81--never had any accidents.
says Ramanathan. Rukmani stopped working after Now I am not allowed to drive,” he complains. The
marriage as her husband had to travel a lot. Their son, doors of their hose are open to everybody in their
Srikumar was born in ’61 and daughter, Chitra in ’65. circle of family and friends. Usually someone or the
Rukmani says that her in-laws were tremendously other drops by after making a call first to ensure that
supportive and Ramanathan was a like a pillar to the couple ties up their black Labrador! Both enjoy
his family. “My in-laws were happy because I was listening to Carnatic music.”
there for all the family’s needs and supported him
wholeheartedly. There was no cause for friction as I “Our golden marriage,” says Rukmani, “has lasted
did not have any complaints and the marriage has because I was entirely dependent on him”. After 50
been a smooth one”. The deeds were reciprocated by years of marriage they echo each other’s thoughts
Ramanathan as he helped her family too. “Oh yes. and finish sentences for each other!!
We do have fights but I give in first,” says Rukmani.
Padmini Natarajan
“We have carried the responsibility of the family and
now during old age we fight more! That is because we
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Forty Years Together

Arvind and Shantha are celebrating their fortieth and are very close on a day to day basis.
wedding anniversary this May. They have moved
houses, cities, jobs and are finally leading a retired Arvind is more brutally frank about their lives. “I
joint family life with their son Deepak, his wife have enjoyed every moment of my forty year old
Ranjani and two grandsons Kedar and Sarang. marriage. I have a first class wife and in-laws, great
They regularly visit their second daughter Sowmya children, loving sons-in-law and daughter-in-law.
and her husband Vivek and two grandsons Raghav Without much income at times it used to be difficult
and Vidyuth in Bangalore. They make a yearly visit to make ends meet. We have faced several setbacks in
to their oldest daughter Niela and husband Hari life together including being thrown out by my father
in Delhi and enjoy the achievements of grandkids with a pregnant wife and our daughter’s marriage
Shreyas and Shraddha—the only granddaughter. All breaking up after 45 days and business failures. We
this has not been achieved easily. have bounced back each time. I have a loyal and
trustworthy group of friends, cousins and a few well
“We have had many ups and downs”, says Shantha, wishers who gave me a push when I needed it. We
part-time teacher known for her Math prowess. have changed three cities and I even did a stint alone
“There have been many pluses and few minuses. in Coimbatore for a year where I learned to cook”.
A good and loyal husband and three children have Shantha adds, “Cooking yes, but I used to come back
bolstered my marriage. We had financial ups and to a sink full of dirty dishes!!”
downs and our children were never demanding...
they adjusted to situations and circumstances with Arvind’s day begins with a swim and then he cooks
equanimity and till today have never said ‘you didn’t eggs for his grandsons. Shantha then cooks the day’s
give us this or that. They have been positive about meal. She is particular about going to the temple.
everything”. Arvind used to play tennis and golf but has given it
up because of bad knees. Both go for a regular walk
Both sides of the family have been very supportive together.
of Arvind and Shantha. “I have always lived with
parents, in-laws or kids. Now it is grandkids as The final word from Arvind is, “My three siblings
well,” says Shantha. She comes from a big family and I are very close...maybe because we did not have
and entered another big family and has kept in touch any inherited money to fight over”.
with both sides of aunts, uncles, cousins and the next
Padmini Natarajan
generation as well. Her five sisters live in Chennai
19 |G

F| 20

21 |G

EVOLVING INTRICACIES….
Relationships probably date on relationships. going through the same emotional
back to the time when the early turmoil as shown in Deepa
humans appeared on this earth. The west was the first to evolve in Mehta’s controversial film ‘Fire ’.
Adam and Eve, supposed to be this regard, to be soon followed by
the first man and woman, shared the eastern countries, including EXTRA-MARITAL AFFAIRS: -
a relationship of companionship India. Over the past couple of Marriages are not always taken for
before they ate the apple of lure decades we have seen a drastic granted. More and more couples
which turned them into man and transformation in this direction. are getting into relationships
wife. Relationship has existed Not only is the western culture outside their marriage. Some
ever since, in various forms. It has influencing our upbringing and are very open about it but some
taken the shape of a mother and attitudes, it is stepping into the hide the truth with lies. However
child, brother and sister, husband way we perceive relationships too. in most societies adultery by
and wife or just man to man or men is accepted but when it
GAY COUPLES: - Homosexuality comes to women, the rules
woman to woman. Relationship is no longer taboo but on the
is the deep bonding you share are different. Nevertheless,
contrary a matter to be proud of financial independence of women
with another person though most to many during the present times.
often it is attributed to sharing the these days have made them
Men who are in relationship with fearless enough to get into affairs
same blood/ lineage/genes and in other men are not only open
case of a marriage, a physical and outside marriage. Sometimes
about their choice; they even tend both partners are aware of each
emotional contact. to glorify their image in society other’s wayward adventures but
Like history, relationships are circles. Many a celebrity like they still let it last as long as the
deep rooted. They walk hand in George Michael and Sir Elton John going is good. After all, divorce is
hand and there is nothing called are becoming brand ambassadors going to burn a few holes in their
questioning here. You cannot say of gay marriages. This bond is pocket and not worth the effort at
this is right and this is wrong. You legalized the world over and so all.
just accept things the way they is the adoption of kids by gay
are. What might seem wrong to couples, to complete the family COUGAR COUPLES: - This is a
you might be right to the other circle. new term given to couples where
person and vice versa. usually the female partner is
LESBIANISM: - Women are years older than the male. Many
History by itself has been shaped not lagging behind in sharing a tribes follow this tradition for
out of relationships. Dynasties a homosexual relation and are the mere factor that when the
were built and destroyed on the open about posting their lip-lock woman grows old and weak; the
basis of relationships. To a large pictures in magazines and internet man is still young enough to take
extent it was the society that websites. Some are born with gay care of her. He can still go ahead
shaped relationships and the tendencies and some acquire and marry younger women to
pioneers of traditions who dictated these traits from the environment satisfy his physical needs but
the commandments. History has they live in. It is usually initiated his first wife tends to remain a
seen a spate of relationships apart in places like hostels and prisons mother figure to him and every
from what was termed normal where women are forced to decision in the household is taken
ones and though such liaisons live together in close physical by her. Even in the modern society
were considered scandalous at proximity. Like in the movie ‘Girl cougar couples are on the rise.
some point or the other, in the Interrupted’ where Angelina Jolie When Hollywood actress Demi
present day they stand justified. tries to use her manly side towards Moore married Ashton Kutcher ,
Relationships no longer adhere her weaker mates, by attempting young enough to be her son and
to the norms of society or the to seduce them. However, Saif Ali Khan married Amrita
doctrines of tradition. They are sometimes the relationship takes Singh who was a decade older to
more individualistic and people shape for want of somebody with him, the ball was set to roll. Soon
are more open about their outlook the same physical qualities and to follow the movement were
F| 22

Sachin Tendulkar and Anjali, to this day enjoys the extra-special powerful of the roman emperors
Ash and Abhishek Bachchan and relationship she shares with her. Julius Ceasar but still went on to
many more to quote. Moreover, And she has adopted a second indulge in an illicit affair outside
when celebrities tend to become child too! her marriage. It is said that Ceasar
ambassadors of these kinds of was aware of her flirtatious nature
offbeat relationships, then it seeps Finally, there is another set but remained mum on the matter.
into the society as something of couples that doesn’t want
normal. kids at all to meddle with their Many writers and artists of the
relationships. They are popularly 15th 16th, 17th, 18th century were
On the other hand there are women termed DINKS (Double Income supposed to be gay , including
who marry men old enough to be No Kids). Here, both the partners the genius Leonardo-da-Vinci. In
their father, probably looking for are career oriented and financially fact one of the mysteries revolving
a father figure in him. Catharine independent and are happy in around the identity of the model
Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas each other’s presence without ever who posed for the picture of
made this kind of relationship having the thought of wanting Monalisa is that it was Da-Vinci’s
popular. kids to complete the family circle. gay partner.
Earn, Spend, Party is their mantra
LIVING TOGETHER :- This is for life. And last but not the least
the latest culture to seep into our Draupadi was married to five
society where couples live together The evolution of relationships men at the same time, taking
without getting into the bond of has completed one big circle. turns in sharing her wifely status
marriage. After experimenting on What has gone around has come with each of the Pandavas for a
a few years of compatibility, they around. year. Maybe Elizabeth Taylor, the
decide whether they are ready actress famous for having married
to get married or call it quits or Even thousands of years ago the most number of times (nine
simply continue to co-exist as love people were into diverse till date), would have loved to be
partners. A couple of decades ago relationships. Many a great ruler in Draupadi’s shoes but as luck
when Kamal Haasan lived with and men in power had contact would have it, she couldn’t afford
Saarika and even had a child out with different women at the same to be married to more than one
of wedlock before deciding to tie time, either getting wedded to man at a single point of time.
the knot, it raised many a brows all of them or marrying one or
in the society. But now such things two of them and retaining the Well, as a premise, we can say
seem much more common and rest as concubines. In fact it was that our ancestors were far more
acceptable. considered a prestige symbol for evolved when it came to the
men to practice polygamy. choice of relationships . Amidst
SINGLE MOTHERS:-Financial all the talks of a free society and
independence has led women Kunti was an unwed mother when liberated perspectives, we still
today to go in for this correlation. she gave birth to her illegitimate have systems like Kaap Panchayat
They don’t mind having children son Karna and after marrying and Shariat laws which allow
out of wedlock and then raising Pandu, birthed three more sons killing of men and women who
them on their own without the born to different men (celestial dare end up in liaisons that don’t
assistance of the male partner. beings to be precise). Indeed, it adhere to the general norms of
Actress Neena Gupta was one was considered justifiable by the customs and traditions. It can be
of the pioneers in this direction society at large for women to have as quick as a bullet in your head
when she bore cricket legend physical relationships with men or as torturous as death by pelting
Vivian Richard’s daughter and with intellectual and potent genes stones.
later was open about her liaison to so that it could be passed onto
the society at large. However, not their progeny. Wrapping up-- Polyandry is yet
all single mothers go in for their to make a mark in our society, but
History has also seen the likes of considering the imbalance in the
own genetic kids. Many these Cleopatra, the gorgeous queen of
days prefer to adopt orphans and male-female ratio across the world
Egypt having a torrid affair with today, looks like it is soon going to
rear them as their own. Former a lesser ranked Marc Anthony
Miss Universe Sushmita Sen emerge in a big, big way.
and thus setting an example of
when barely into her twenties, love and deceit in relationships. Geeta Canpadee
adopted a girl baby and became a She was married to the most
single mother to her daughter and **********************
23 |G

BREAKING NEWS………..THE LIGHTER SIDE
VEGGIE HUB ON YAMUNA BED?

About 3,000 acres of farmland just outside Chennai of major cities,” agriculture secretary PK Basu said.
and another 2,000 acres outside Hyderabad have been The Yamuna bed could be turned into a vegetable
identified for what will be dedicated vegetable farms farm for Delhi.
for these cities. These farms will begin supplying
vegetables in 2-3 months. This is part of the UPA The recent rise in prices of onions, tomatoes and
government’s plan, likely to be announced within a other vegetables, which took food inflation to 13.8%
week, to keep vegetable prices in check by setting up in December-end last year — it was 15.57% for the
dedicated vegetable farm clusters near major cities. week ended January 15 — singed the government and
“The idea is to have vegetable clusters within 50 km dampened the feel-good mood over high economic
growth.
F| 24

This news will make everyone stand up and say, ‘at last
some action is being taken and not just plain repeated
reports on the statistics of the alarming rates of
inflation.’ This attempt on the part of the government
will earn them kudos and re-establish the fast waning
faith in their ability to only talk and not act.
WRINKLES? NOT AGE,

IT’S THE SMARTPHONE
Wrinkles may be a sign of approaching middle age
but younger women now have a reason to worry;
the smartphone squint, caused by constant peering
at a small screen of an iPhone or BlackBerry. Many
of them are developing premature wrinkles from
staring at their smartphones, says London based anti
ageing expert Jean-Louis Sebagh. He said peering
NOW A VIRTUAL WIFE FOR INDIAN at a small screen causes facial strain, around and
BACHELORS between the brows. “It’s easily rectified with the
light use of Botox by an experienced doctor,” said
Indian bachelors keen to get a taste of married life
can now log on and apply for a virtual wife online in an Evening Standard report quoting the expert,
a scheme that offers a glimpse into changing Indian according to the Daily Mail.
society.
A popular matrimony website now allows men to Will this news decrease the sale of iPhones and
choose from four types of wife and then receive Blackberrys or increase the use of botox? Ladies
automated telephone messages from them that reflect will fi nd this one a tough decision, and men? They
their character. have to drain their bank balances either way!
Now why isn’t the women’s lib protesting? Is it because
they couldn’t care less or is it because virtual husbands
are also in the plan? Ah, ah! Kanchana.Rao
News Buzz
New Science Lab Equipment for Olcott Memorial School
Under the aegis of Community Services Banking, State Bank of India donated science lab equipment worth
nearly 5 lakhs to Olcott Education Society. Mr. S.A. Thimmiah, General Manager (NW I), State Bank Local Head
Office handed over the donation amount to the educational society. Located in Besant Avenue, the 116-year
old Olcott Education Society is taking care of underprivileged and destitute children. The organization runs
Olcott Memorial High School, which provides free education to children from socially and economically
underprivileged sections of the society.
25 |G

F| 26

A TOAST TO OUR WOMEN…….
Hi Friends! is also the housekeeper and is

deprived of education and even
The time’s come for the a decent meal in several humble
world to remember the most homes in the villages and slums
beautiful, useful, productive, in the urban areas! Women and
intelligent and talented species children need to be liberated
in the universe- Women! from back-breaking and ceaseless
This month’s going to be one labour for which they get a
full of stories about myriad pittance. Women must be freed
known and unknown women, from the clutches of alcoholic
extolling their contributions husbands, tormenting mothers-
and generally trying to in – law and lecherous men at
pamper them…. The media work places. Women need to be
fad… so to say. They always treated as human beings first.
need a few hypes round the This is not to say that they must
year so that they can fill up be pampered once a year and
pages and pages of print then forgotten till yet another
matter! Does it all boil down International Women’s Day
to only filling up pages or surfaces.
are we genuinely concerned
about the challenges women Well , the silver lining is that
have to encounter and handle things are changing for the
effectively so that their better…. And fast. But I would be
families and friends can be happy only if I see all the little
happy? girls in rags pick up their satchels
and march to school, their head
I for one am a Real held high, hearts swelling in
Womanist--- this is far pride while dreams loom large
too different from MCP or before their eyes.
Feminism. I believe that
society needs to understand In today’s world when
women and acknowledge opportunities are innumerable….
their contributions. The Let the women also carve a niche
authorities need to take steps for themselves…
to mitigate the sufferings
of the poor girl child who
27 |G

The Government may overlook & Film Producer, Mumbai below:

problems like the 2 G, CWG
and many other G, but when Ref: Film story submitted by you, 1. In the script submitted by you
the ‘civilians’ approach the regarding financing of films by it is shown that there were
government to get routine Government of India , Your letter two sets of cousins, namely,
clearances, this is what happens…. dt. ............ the Kauravas, numbering one
hundred, and the Pandavas,
A Team comprising of a Writer, a The undersigned is directed to numbering five. The Ministry
Producer, a Director, etc applied refer the above letter and state that of Health and Family Welfare
to the Government of India for the Government has examined has pointed out that these
financial assistance with the your proposal for financing a film numbers are high, well above
script to produce a Movie on called, ‘’Mahabharat’ . The Very the norm prescribed for
Mahabharata. High Level Committee constituted families by them It is brought to
for this purpose has been in your kind attention that when
All of them committed suicide consultation with the Human the Government is spending
later and the reason will be very Rights Commission, National huge amounts for promoting
obvious once you have read the Commission for Women and family planning, this will send
reply from the government. Labour Commission, in addition wrong signals to the public.
to various Ministries and State Therefore, it is recommended
Subject: Mahabharata
Governments and have formed that there may be only three
definitive opinions about the Kauravas and one Pandava.
To: The Writer, Film Director
script. Their observations are as
F| 28

the visually impaired character be construed as a case of
‘Dhritharastra’ is derogatory. child labour. Also there is no
Therefore the said character record of his being paid any
may not be shown as visually compensation. This may also
impaired. be deemed to be violatory of the
provisions of The Child Labour
6. The Department of Women (Prohibition and Regulation)
2. The Ministry of Parliamentary and Child Development have Act, 1986 and Minimum Wages
Affairs has raised an issue highlighted that the public Act, 1948. Such references in
whether it is suitable to depict disrobing of one female the film may be removed.
kings and emperors in this character called ‘Draupadi’ is
democratic age. Therefore, it objectionable and derogatory 10. The character ‘Sri Krishna’ has
is suggested that the Kauravas to women in general. Further been depicted as wearing a
may be depicted as Honourable the Home Ministry anticipates peacock feather. The peacock is
Members of Parliament (Lok that depiction of such scenes our National Bird and wearing
Sabha) and the Pandava may create law and order dresses made from peacock
maybe depicted as Honourable problem and at the same time feather is an offence under the
Member of Parliament (Rajya invite strong protests from the Wild Life Protection Act, 1972.
Sabha). The ending of the different women forums. Such This may not be depicted.
film shows the victory of the scenes may also invite penal
action under SITA (Suppression 11. Smt Maneka Gandhi has raised
said Pandavas over the said
of Immoral Traffic Act), very serious objection for using
Kauravas. The ending may
therefore this may be avoided any elephants or horses in war
be suitably modified so that
and deleted from the film. scenes, since there is every
neither of the Honourable
scope for mistreatment and
Members of Parliament are
7. It is felt that showing the injury to the said animals. The
shown as being inferior to the
Pandava and the Kauravas as provisions of the Prevention of
other.
gamblers will be anti-social Cruelty to Animals Act, 1890
3. The Ministry of Science and and counter-productive as it and Prevention of Cruelty to
Technology has observed that might encourage gambling. Animals (Amendment) Act,
the manner of birth of kauravas Therefore, the said Pandava 1960 would be applicable in the
is suggestive of human cloning, and Kauravas may be shown instant case. Suitable changes
a technology banned in India . to have engaged in horse may be made in the script to
This may be changed to normal racing. (Hon. Supreme Court address the objections raised.
birth. has held horse racing not to be
gambling) 12. In pursuance of the
4. The National Commission Memorandum of Ministry of
for Women has objected 8. The Pandavas are shown as Finance regarding austerity
that the father of Pandavas, working in the King Virat’s measures, it is informed that in
one Sri Pandu is depicted as employment without receiving the battle field sequences, only
bigamous, and also there is any salary. According to the ten soldiers may be allowed
only one wife for the Pandavas Human Rights Commission, for each side. Also, all the
in common. Therefore suitable this amounts to bonded labour characters may be shown to
changes maybe made in the and may attract provisions of have obtained a valid licence
said script so that the said The Bonded Labour System under the Arms Act, 1959
Sri Pandu is not depicted as (Abolition) Act, 1976. This may as well as the Indian Arms
bigamous. However, with be corrected at once. Act, 1878.You are therefore
the reduction in number of requested to modify the script
9. In the ensuing war, one character along the lines indicated
Pandavas as suggested above,
by name Sri Abhimanyu has above and resubmit it to the
the issue of polyandry can be
been shown as fighting. The undersigned at the earliest for
addressed without further
National Labour Commission reconsideration.
trouble.
has observed that, war being
5. The Commission for the a hazardous industry, and Sd/-
Physically Challenged has the said character being 16 Under Secretary
observed that the portrayal of years old, this depiction will Contributed by Shanta Shivakumar
29 |G

Yeah Write !_!_

You think English is
easy?
1) The bandage was wound around the wound.
2) The farm was used to produce produce.
3) The dump was so full that it had

to refuse more refuse.
4) We must polish the Polish furniture.
5) He could lead if he would get the lead out.
6) The soldier decided to desert his dessert in

the desert.
7) Since there is no time like the present, he thought it

was time to present the present .
8) A bass was painted on the head of the bass drum.
9) When shot at, the dove dove into the bushes.

12) There was a row among the oarsmen about how
10) I did not object to the object. to row .
11) The insurance was invalid for the invalid. 13) They were too close to the door to close it..
14) The buck does funny things when the does are
present.
15) A seamstress and a sewer fell down into

a sewer line.
16) To help with planting, the farmer taught

his sow to sow.
17) The wind was too strong to wind the sail.
18) Upon seeing the tear in the painting I shed a tear.
19) I had to subject the subject to a series of tests.
20) How can I intimate this to my

most intimate friend?
F| 30

GRAFFITI
The English Matters
language do people recite at a play
and play at a recital? Ship by truck
and send cargo by ship? Have
noses that run and feet that smell?
How can a slim chance and a fat

chance be the same, while a wise
man and a wise guy are opposites?
You have to marvel at the unique
lunacy of a language in which
your house can burn up as it
burns down, in which you fill in a
form by filling it out and in which,
an alarm goes off by going on.
English was invented by people,

not computers, and it reflects
the creativity of the human race,
which, of course, is not a race at
all. That is why, when the stars are
Let’s face it - English is a crazy ends and get rid of all but one of out, they are visible, but when the
language. There is no egg in them, what do you call it? lights are out, they are invisible.
eggplant, nor ham in hamburger;
neither apple nor pine in pineapple. If teachers taught, why PS. - Why doesn’t ‘Buick’ rhyme
English muffins weren’t invented didn’t preachers praught? If with ‘quick’ ?
in England or French fries a vegetarian eats vegetables, what
does a humanitarian eat? In what Contributed by Shanta
in France. Sweetmeats are candies Shivakumar
while sweetbreads, which aren’t
sweet, are meat. We take English
for granted. But if we explore its
paradoxes, we find that quicksand
can work slowly, boxing rings
are square and a guinea pig is
neither from Guinea nor is it a pig.
And why is it that writers write

but fingers don’t fing, grocers don’t
groce and hammers don’t ham? If
the plural of tooth is teeth, why
isn’t the plural of booth, beeth?
One goose, 2 geese. So one moose,
2 meese? One index, 2 indices?
Doesn’t it seem crazy that you can
make amends but not one amend?
If you have a bunch of odds and
31 |G

The Vivid dawn-tinted smear

Of a lone rose in an Orchard
Vitally caresses my fi ngertips
In all its unsullied splendor
‘Midst Frost, Sleet and Hail
The Black Bonnet shimmers wickedly,
As I enwrap its gossamer petals
The new Wheels barely skim the Ground
In streams of sheer satin sheathing
As the Porsche floats proudly
My Pulse racing in a Bid
On Bro’s Gravelly driveway
To hold on to a piece of pureness
The plush Vinyl seating beckons to me,
A sliver of Moist innocence
The forbidden Steering Wheel glistens invit-
That wilts in the Strident nocturnal glare ingly
Of the raging Storm overhead Abandoning my Voices,
T’is a Microcosm of Life; a Life I race over and slide in stealthily
Abounding with Cathartic Bids The Engine purrs Seductively,
To hold on to a piece of unstained Innocence As I head out to embrace the world
‘Else corroded by Strident realities “I’m the Driver of My Destiny!” I holler
As I speed madly down a highway,
While Blasting Metal music springs
From the Dolby stereo within
The flashing Headlights of an oncoming truck

Assault me in the dead stillness of Night
I slam my foot on the brakes but to no avail!
Alas, the breaks, I learn, are dysfunctional!
I swerve the Porsche toward a curb
Yet, I am engulfed in a deadly collision,
In an avalanche of blood, smoke and metal
‘Midst the throes of a shuddering Heart
An inner Voice screeches from below
The blackness of an ebbing life
‘You were the Driver of your Destiny’
Poems by Nish Amarnath, San Diego

driverodestiny.blogspot.com
F| 32

TO CLEAN OR NOT TO CLEAN

Madhuvanti SK looks into the parent-child war involved
in the cleaning of a room...
‘’Impossible is nothing, nothing is impossible.

’’ Whoever said that wasn’t really or clothes. In fact, only in this of a warrior bravely approaching
thinking straight or, they weren’t messy state does my room ever the deadly battlefield, as I enter my
thinking at all. In all probability, give me the feeling of being ‘my room.
the rate of thought process would room.’ Most normal kids would
have been below 0.5% to say the clean their room everyday or Cleaning my room is a Herculean
least. If there is one thing that is once in awhile because of that task for me, which explains why I
impossible, it is cleaning my room. driving force called MOM. Some so wisely dedicated my life to not
Let me make things clearer- it is others, strange weirdos that they cleaning it in all these 21 years.
impossible for ME to clean MY are, are clean freaks themselves Cleaning my room would mean
room. and cannot sleep a wink if their tidying every nook and corner.
room resembles a tornado-cum- This means that I have to follow the
Many moms all over the world, earthquake hit area. adage ‘A place for everything and
after reading this would probably everything in its place.’ Sounds
gnash their teeth and mutter in Mom indefatigably goes on about easy?? IT IS NOT. When you have
disgust, cursing me and dubbing how I should tidy up the mess a zillion things out of place, you
me as the Grinch who stole the when I make and as far as possible, don’t really know what or where
joys of cleaning. Oh well, the try not to make a mess at all. Alas that right place is !
world is after all made up of many and alack, that piece of counsel
Don Quixotes. mulishly refuses to stay put in my Now, the task entails picking up
head. However, miracles never an arbitrary article in my room
To begin with, I’m very, very, very cease, and once in a blue moon, and finding its appropriate place.
lazy (read indolent, lackadaisical, I find myself surrendering to my Then I realize that it is not going to
don‘t-carish) when it comes to mom’s entreaties and decide to work, so, I embark on my mission
cleaning. I really don’t care if clean my room. I assume the air of torture by cleaning out my
I’m submerged in my books clothes and book shelves. I throw
all the clothes carelessly onto the
floor and place my precious books
on the bed. Half heartedly, I start
folding the clothes when I unearth
a book that I haven’t read in ages.
I steal a quick glance at the clock.
I’ve been working hard at folding
my clothes for the last five minutes
and allow myself a well deserved
break. I pick up the book and
promise myself that after the first
chapter I shall resume folding my
wretched clothes. Before I realize
it, one and a half hours have passed
by and I have officially cleaned my
room for five minutes consistently.
I hastily push all the other things
into place haphazardly and get to
making the room look fallaciously
33 |G

the best of ideas, especially “You missed a spot - not
considering the fact that my that spot, this one here.’’
mom, like every other mom in ‘’ Clean your room on a daily
this world has a pair of eyes basis and do both of us a favour.’’
that could put a hawk to shame. ‘’Don’t forget to clean under the
“Why is this book lying here?” bed …………………………….......’’
“Make space for your college For the first time in my life, I
tidy to save myself from further books here and put the stare at mom dumbfounded and
admonitions. Over the years however, other books elsewhere.’’ no words come out as she fires
I have come to realize, that this is not ahead. I fumble, mumble and
curse under my breath. Then, I
assure her that the room will be
clean, just as she wants it to be,
and hurriedly clean the room,
while casting surreptitious peeks
from the corner of my eye to see
if she’s left the room. When I’m
completely certain that she has, I
rush to the door and slam it shut.
Now I’m back to my book.
When over five hours have passed,

my room is eventually clean, and
I look worn-out, exhausted, beat,
pooped, done in, etc. I’m also
sneezing incessantly, as a result
of the truckloads of dust that has
been uncovered in the process of
cleaning. Eyes watering, peeved,
annoyed and terribly sleepy, I flop
onto my now clean bed, pull the
blanket over my head as if to shut
out everything and anything even
remotely connected to cleaning in
particular.
I wake up from my nap and go

for supper. Mom comes into my
room, nods approvingly and says
“ See, now you’ll be able to breathe
easy and be more organized,’’ as I
look at her in a resigned manner. I
wake up the next day and am late
for college. I am unable to find a
dupatta to match my churidhar. I
am unable to find my project file.
One sweep of the things on my
table, a good tensed forty minutes
later and a profusely sweating me,
I find my file. I sigh in relief and
look up .My eyes widen in shock
and disbelief
My Room Is Back To Its Messy State !
F| 34

35 |G

A h man,
Another
Super man
This really happened
at an international airport
One Indian passenger named

Anantharaman Subbaraman
WHY PLEASE TELL arrived at an international airport.
ME WHY He ended up waiting for his

visa for about 2 hrs for the
1. If walking is good for one’s authorities to call his name...
health, the postman would be
immortal. Finally, he got wild and went to
2. A whale swims all day, eats only the authorities and shouted why
fish, drinks a lot of water and.... IS they haven’t called his name yet.
FAT.
They retaliated and claimed
3. A rabbit runs and hops all the that they have been calling
time and lives only, at best, for 15 him for the last hour and a
years half .......... and were wondering
why he hadn’t responded!
4. A turtle doesn’t run, does
nothing.... yet lives for 450 years..!!
The reason became clear when the
5.Politicians dont work, dont immigration officer announced
attend office, sleep in meetings, his name again on the microphone
eatjunk food & yet live for 90 years as : ‘Another man , Super man’
plus & die while in servive.
NOW PLEASE ANALYSE

SINCERELY & DECIDE FOR
YOURSELF TO EXCERCISE OR
NOT TO…
F| 36

He remembered his grandfather’ s words, started scratching

his head and the monkeys followed. He took down his hat
and fanned himself and again the monkeys followed.
Now, very convinced of his grandfather’ s idea, he threw his

hat on the groun but to his surprise, the monkeys still held
on to all the hats.
Then one monkey climbed down the tree, grabbed the hat
from the ground and gave him tight slap and
Guess what he said?
“You think only you have a grandfather ? “
It’s an old story that we read in Class 3 but with

a brilliant brand new ending
A hat-seller who was passing by a forest

decided to take a nap under one of the trees, so Tale Piece
Jus’ a Piece of Cake
he left his whole basket of hats by the side. A
few hours later, he woke up and realized that
all his hats were gone.
He looked up and to his surprise, the tree was

full of monkeys and they had taken all his hats.
The hat seller sits down and thinks of how he

can get back the hats.
While thinking he started to scratch his head.

The next moment, the monkeys were doing the
same.
Next, he took down his own hat, the monkeys

did exactly the same. He got an idea. He took
his hat and threw it on the ground and the
monkeys copied him. So he finally managed to
get all his hats back.
Fifty years later, his grandson, also became

a hat-seller and had heard this monkey story
from his grandfather.
One day, just like his grandfather, he passed by

the same forest. It was very hot, and he took a
nap under the same tree and left the hats on
the floor.
He woke up and realized that all his hats were

taken by the monkeys on the tree
37 |G

K arti Chidambarm is not a maverick, but

indeed he is contemporary, with his feet
firmly planted in the roots of emerging India and
his sights directed toward a radiant future, just as
every thinking person believes.
Women have far more opportunities today than

ever before. I had an occasion to go to a corporation
school and speak to the students recently. I told
them, ‘I am sure that many motivational speakers
who might have visited your school might have
told you that you have great role models like
Indira Gandhi, Jayalalitha, Mayavati, or Kalpana
Chawla for you to emulate. However, these people
are not really your role models.’ I then asked them
how many of their mothers had finished school.
About ten hands rose up. I asked them how many
children’s grandmother had finished school. No
hand was raised. At the age of thirteen they have
beaten two generations. I told them, ‘At thirteen
you are all more educated than your mothers and
grandmothers. You are your own role models.’
Today, the real revolution is happening in women’s

education. If more and more women, especially
rural women get educated, the society will be
transformed remarkably. Things are changing.
At the same time new opportunities are coming
up. Moreover, traditional practices are also at
war with modern developments. Today, women
are more vocal. They don’t want to be passive
partners. They don’t want to be subjugated by
their fathers, brothers, husband and sons. They
are raising their voices more because they are
becoming economically independent.
Women’s education that provides opportunities

for personal income of women is the most
liberating factor for them. It has been the practice
to tell a woman that she has to constantly depend
on her father when she is growing up and before
she gets married, on her brother; after marriage on
her husband and after the husband is gone, on her
son. She is constantly dependant on a man for her
existence and survival.
I think if a woman is able to break out of this

shackle and maintain herself and her dignity, by
being economically independent that will be more
liberating. Today, women have the opportunity to
get liberated in that kind of way.
It is obviously creating some tension in a
F| 38

traditionally male-dominated
society. This tension will help
them. I also think this tension will
ease up and women will come into
their own. Eventually, women’s
empowerment lies in the fact
that they must be economically
independent and not depend on
men.
There are complaints in certain

quarters that relationship problems
have arisen because women are
more outspoken. I think it is too far-
fetched to think that women have
not had relationship problems since
time immemorial. It is a myth to
think that fifteen years ago or even
earlier man and woman had an
ideal relationship. I think women
were not more vocal then. Probably
the woman did not complain so
much and she put up with her man.
Now she is complaining and that is
why it is coming out in the open. Let
us not suddenly think that in 2008
women and men are not having
good relationships. Are you trying
to say that hundred years ago men
were perfect and they were having
perfect relationship with their
wives? It is unbelievable. Men was
always doing what they wanted to
do; women were just too submissive
and the society did not allow them to
speak; so they kept quiet. Don’t tell
me that everybody’s grandmother
had a perfect marriage. I don’t
think so. Man was doing what he
wanted to do. Women were not
speaking up. Today women are
speaking up. They are economically
independent and they are able to
raise their voice about what he is
doing. Eventually, the woman will
come to be accepted for what she is,
as a thinking person, with her own
dignity, desires, ambitions and as a
valuable contributor to the progress
of the family, society and the world
at large. That will define the true
success of women. The day is not
too far off for women to achieve this
success.
39 |G

WHY WALKING?
Exercise was something not thought of at all a few
years ago. The amount of travel done by foot took
care of the body’s need for movement. Today the
most popular exercise all over the world is walking.
Walking is something that humans can feel proud of.
You can even call it as one of the early achievements
of evolution.
The What distinguishes
family ambience and family the ape from man
is his uprighthave
interactions gait.undergone
The confidence a sea in the walk speaks
volumesinofa the
change world person’s
dominatedinner by strength. The natural
curves
IT. Today,of thethespine
role and of the toned muscles that surround it
woman
addthe
in grace and beauty
family is mosttosignifihis walk.cant
when
Speaking compared
of walking to any as otheran time
exercise it is the most
in the annals
sought after and of history.
is safelyWhile prescribed by medical
the woman still
practitioners remains like
for ailments at the
diabetes, obesity etc.
centre
Reasonof- we thealready
family, know she ishow trying
to walk from age one!
her hardest
Walking to hold together
is misconstrued as athegeriatric or invalid’s
divergent
work out, shying forces the pulling away away from it. We
youngsters
from
shouldone rememberother.that Women
whatever have
the work out, the level
always
of intensity been canthe custodians
be increased as
or decreased according to
well as transmitt
the individual need. ersA teenager’s
of familywalking design and
values
an elderand heritage.
person’s design The greatest
could vary accordingly. At the
challenge
same time,the a woman
physically in thefit Indian
older person can compete
family
with a faces
muchtoday younger is tooneretainwhothis
is not fit enough. It is
crucial
your fitnessrole level
and ensure
that decides that the
your intensity and not
future
your age. generations
This is the tread the right
reason why we have 90+aged
path
marathonthat will lead to
walkers successage
defying andand entering into a
happiness,
higher fitnesswhich level with is becoming
every step.
increasingly diffi cult.
Walking is not just a cardio work out for weight
loss.Brinda
The strength Jayraman, and endurance Family segment of fitness
combines with cardio
therapist and trainer analyses when we the
make slight variations.
The only element
predicament of the woman in the that needs to be added is the
Indian family today as well as the as is insisted time
stretches to maintain flexibility. This
and again
confl icts that needs to be so for
overwhelm any form of work out as
teenage
a cool
girls. down and to maintain the length and pliability
of the muscle. The very important element of balance,
stability
The pressingand issue
even for plyometrics
a woman in can be made part of
yourfamily
the walking seemsschedule
to be the with a wee bit of imagination
balance
and enthusiasm.
between her career and family.
She has
The muscles to perform
of thetheleg, balancing
like the quadriceps, the
act with no helping
hamstring, the calves, the glutes, handsand the entire lower
extended to her.
body musculature gets toned upVery oft en she with walking. Take
feels that if family members were
it literally to a higher level (uphill, steps or ramps in
more
malls)empathetic,
to increase the things wouldThough
intensity. be we seem to use
easier. In the present days, women
the legs to walk the actual worker is your lower back CHEERS MY DEARS!
have blossomed
and that is why very we feel wellstiffbut inmen
the area after a walk. Vijaya Chamundeswari
are not ready to accept this.
Bearing this in mind, do not neglect to stretch and relax Fitness Consultant
the area. Swing the arms for a higher intensity; pick up Certified by
Women have to juggle between The American Council on Exercise (ACE)
light dumbbells to add on a few moves in combination.
various roles, whether they are Reebok, Integral Yoga Institute (IYI)
working or not. It is the woman’s Pilates Institute of America (PIA)
duty to take care of all the needs of
F| 40

FORM IV
Statement about ownership and other particulars
about EVE’S TIMES:
1. Place of Publication : Chennai
2. Periodicity of its Publication :Monthly
3. Printer’s Name : K.Elumalai
Nationality : Indian
Address : No. 7 Dams Road
Chindadripet
Chennai -600 002
4. Publisher’s Name : Kamala Balachandran
Nationality : Indian
Address : No. 138, 5th Main Road,
A.G’s Staff Colony Velachery Chennai 42
5. Editor’s Name :Smt. Lata Amarnath

Nationality :Indian
Address : No. 18/1 Second Cross Street,
Dr.Radhakrishnan Nagar
Thiruvanmiyur Chennai 41
6. Names and addresses of individuals who
own the newspaper and partners
or shareholders holding more than one per
cent of the total capital : Eve’s Times Group,
No. 18/1 Second Cross Street, Dr.
Radhakrishnan Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur,
Chennai 41.
I, Smt Kamala Balachandran, hereby declare
that the particulars given above are true to
the best of my knowledge and belief.
Smt. Kamala Balachandran
Date: 1 March 2011 Publisher
41 |G

Art Nook
Janane Sethunarayanan has come a long way
THE MUSIC OF THE ANKLETS in the field of classical dance. Madhuvanti

SK speaks to her about her penchant for
Bharatnatyam and more....
Bharatnatyam- the classical dance of South

India known for its grace and beauty is a
difficult art to master. However, passion for
the art makes it easier .Janane S, a student
of St. Joseph’s College of Engineering and a
disciple of Smt Anita Guha bears testimony
to this. “Bharatnatyam has been my passion
for ages now,” says Janane and there’s no
denying it.
She’s tired after a strenuous day at college, yet

at the mention of Bharatnatyam, her face lights
up and it is impossible to miss the sparkle
in her eyes. Ask Janane if she had evinced a
passion for the art right from the beginning
and pat comes the reply “Well, I would say
yes. As a kid, I used to enthusiastically dance
on various occasions in my apartment. This
did not go unobserved and before I knew
it, my uncle Raghavachari suggested that
I start learning dance on a formal basis.
Consequently, after a few meetings with
Anita aunty, I was enrolled into her dance
school Bharatanjali towards the beginning of
my sixth standard.
Janane’s performances across the various

Sabhas in Chennai, especially in the Margazhi
season are innumerable and the experience
she gained while dancing for programmes at
school, invaluable. “I have danced for many
events at school. I studied in Padma Seshadri
Bala Bhavan, Nungambakkam and there was
no dearth of opportunities at school. Thus,
right from a young age, I was familiar with
balancing academics and dance quite well,”
she says. This explains why despite a jam
packed performance schedule and an equally
frenzied college schedule, Janane manages to
pull it off with élan. She admits that though
it seems herculean at the beginning, it is not
something which is impossible to manage.
“Dancing is my passion and I know that I
cannot allow it to clash with my education.
Regular self reiteration on these grounds
makes the balancing act a lot easier,’’ she
smiles. “Another aspect which makes my life
easier - my friends. They are an extremely
encouraging lot and have always been
enthusiastic about my performances. They
F| 42

have stood by me through thick
and thin,” she adds.
Ask Janane about the kind of a

rapport she shares with her Guru
and she answers without missing
a beat – “Anita Aunty is very close
to me. I have spent majority of
my days after school and college
in class with her. My affiliation
with aunty transcends the realms
of a guru-sishya relationship.
She is a friend, philosopher and
confidante, all rolled into one.
My experiences with her in class
are something that I will treasure
forever. “
Janane has no qualms in admitting

that she would choose to be a
professional dancer rather than an
engineer if the opportunity comes
her way. “Engineering is what I
love. However, it can never take
the place of dance. Engineering
for me, is merely an educational
backing. It is dance that I would
choose as my profession if given
the opportunity as it is my
passion.”
Here’s wishing this talented all

rounder the very best in all her
endeavours.
43 |G

F| 44

Art Nook
Massive Choir of 5700 singers performs at ‘Naadha Vaibhavam’
Krishnamurthy, Smt. Suguna Director – Sri Krishna Sweets, Chennai,
Varadhachari, Smt. Suguna Mr. R. Elango, Managing Trustee,
Purushotham, Smt. Charumathi Trust for Village Self Governance,
Ramachandran. The lead singers for Kuthambakkam, Dr. R D Ravindran,
each Kriti sang with great reverence Chairman – Aravind Eye Care
and respect not withstanding their Hospitals, Madurai, Dhan Foundation,
age and the mammoth crowd. One Madurai & Mr. N. Krishnan,
wished Shri Allepy Venkatesan had Managing Trustee – Akshaya’s
given a better start for the beautiful Helping in H.E.L.P. Trust, Madurai.
kriti of Nagu momo and so too
Shri O.S.Thiagarajn for Muddugare Sri Sri Ravi Shankar praised the
Yashoda . services of the award recipients. “What
should we all do in our life? ...Let’s all
The performance saw a choir of
take a vow to reduce our needs and
over one lakh participants singing
increase our responsibilities.”
‘Krishnam Vandhe’ in unison led by
leading Singer - Ms. Gayathri Asokan. The seating arrangements and
This event is expected to find an enclosures were ear marked Though
entry in the Guinness Book of World one wished that the sun above the head
My son was overjoyed to receive an Records as the ‘World’s Largest Choir’. was kinder . If had to tolerate a severe
invitation to participate in Naada Play back singer Chitra’s kriti on Devi migraine headache since I had to sit
Vaibhavam in the month of Nov itself. was also rendered beautifully. from 3.30 in the afternoon to 10 pm at
Since he was busy with his semester night. Not withstanding the migraine
The Art of Living, a not-for-profit
exams at SRM- I was not too sure I came out in total agreement with
educational and humanitarian
about his participation – to sing 10 Shri GS Mani’s comments,. “We have
organisation, in association with
kritis along with 5000 musicians. The never seen or participated in a mass
MARG Brindavan - the real estate
CD for he same was collected never event like this. Sri Sri Ravishankar
organisation, on Sunday 30th
the less. Given by Chinmaya sisters has given us this chance. ...Where it is
celebrated its 30th year of service to
the kritis were very pleasing and the difficult to sing with 5 or 6 people, we
the society by organising a historic
selection a great job. Compositions have sung with 5700 people. Music is
musical event - Naadha Vaibhavam.
of the trinity Dikshitar, Thyagaraja the most convenient means to reach
This event held at Shriram Gateway,
and Shyama Sastri and Sadasiva the divine and we did that here.” Very
GST Road, Perungalathur, witnessed
Brhamendra, Purandara Dasa, , true as I recall the declining standards
the enthusiastic participation of 5700
Bharati and the finale with Raghupati of the Thiruvayaru Thyagaraja utsava
Carnatic musicians on a common
Raghava Rajaram chosen aptly for where even seasoned Musicians do
platform and created a record of sorts.
the Martyrs day and remembering not sing in total alignment or in line
Gandhĳi. This unique musical initiative with sruti “
conceived by His Holiness Sri Sri Ravi
The rehearsal for the unique concert The Art of Living continues its
Shankar, Founder, The Art of Living
was on 29th with musicians pouring constant endeavor to promote Indian
foundation, had a twofold thrust - to
from TN, Karnataka and Kerala art and culture. This event is yet
make classical music accessible to the
and even Maharashtra in different another milestone in its portfolio. In
masses and to offer an experience
age groups from 6- 80 years. I must the coming years, the organisation
that goes beyond entertainment and
mention the enthusiasm shown by an intends to bring more such events
individual virtuosic display to tap
80 + year old lady who traveled with which highlight H. H. Sri Sri Ravi
the spiritual reserves in performer
us by bus from Myalpore to Shri Ram Shankar’s vision of a violence-free,
and listener. The Art of Living has
Gateway and sang all the 10 kritis with stress-free, and service-minded
always recognised music as Sangita
great reverence and in all earnestness. society, which no longer remains a
Yoga, a profound and potent way of
The Coordination By Vĳay Siva and utopian dream, but an achievable goal
combating aggression and violence
organizing skills of the Art of Living
and promotes inner harmony and Malini Shankar
people with 200 volunteers was by
world peace.
no means a great feat .
During the event, five outstanding
The choir was led by ten renowned
social workers who have been
senior Carnatic music vidwans,
rendering selfless service to the
namely, Shri. T.K. Govinda Rao,
society were honoured with Heroes of
Shri. P.S. Narayanaswamy, Shri.
Humanity Award by H. H. Sri Sri Ravi
Alleppey Venkatesan, Shri. G S
Shankar.
Mani, Shri. O S Tyagarajan, Shri.
Trichur Ramachandran, Shri. B These were Mr. M. Murali, Managing
45 |G

F| 46

March
Marc
Ma rchh 22011
0111
01 Eve’s T
Times
imes
ime
WE DECIDE OUR LIVES

It has always been known bondages, but if they really few who happily balance
that a woman’s life is filled have the desire to break free, married and professional
with trials and tribulations they should lean towards life. Says Madhuri Jessica,
ever since early childhood, people who can give them an IT professional, and a
and at every stage of her life. the courage to carry on.” mother of an infant, “I was
She has learnt to accept this But what about those who given complete freedom
at every new development do not have anybody to to work after marriage. It
of her life. Even during guide them in the right involves perfect balancing
times of joy, it is expected direction? “Women should of two entirely different
of the woman to sacrifice go out and meet other responsibilities. At work you
something. This has been the people. This will help them are a professional employee
unwritten law in our society, gain new perspectives and at home you’re a loving
since time immemorial. about the realities of life and giving person.”
and how to tackle them.
But today, women are They will become adept at However, there are some
emerging out of the glass understanding situations
who have to give up
ceiling and making a mark and acting accordingly. If, in promising careers once they
for themselves. They no the interest of long term gains,
enter matrimony. After years
longer wish to prove to if the situation demands of struggle this seems a great
men that they are equally that you surrender then you sacrifice. But there are some
talented and intelligent. should do so, because it will women who welcome this
Those days are over, as help them in the future,” says with surprising sweetness.
women know that they are Revathi Raghuram, Senior Soma Lata, also an IT
good and are out to make a Executives in a company. professional says, “Even
living out of what they are “But they should never sit though my career is going
good at. Starting from how idle,” adds Revathi who is a good, my fiancé’s parents
long they wish to study, to mother of two. want me to stay at home after
how far they wish to take marriage. It is tough, but it’s
their career, despite other But Swathi , a PR consultant for my own good. They want
responsibilities, women are in a leading PR firm says that me to get accustomed to my
deciding for themselves women should understand new life and then carry on
what they would like to do. that if they have no one to with my career.”
support their decisions, they
Says Swetha Chutkay, a B. Sc. have to give up the fight. All the same, most women
Computer Science graduate “They have to make a choice. agreed that it depends on
from Hyderabad, “My That is the toughest part for the woman totally. How
parents have given me a lot women. As far as society is she takes criticisms, how
of freedom, therefore I have concerned, it behaves based she weighs other people’s
the liberty to study further on how you act. You should opinions and demands and
and then start working. I not give any reason for makes her own choices out
know this is not the case with them to talk. Yet, we should of them is entirely in her
other girls of my age. There go about getting what we hands. Isn’t that women
are many out there who want,” says Swathi. Not empowerment at its best?
wish to do something but every woman has to make
cannot because of society’s this choice, as there are a PS
47
4 7 |G

Wom
Wo men h
me
Women ha
ave
ve tto
have o juugg
ggle
lee b
juggle etwe
et weeen
ween
between n h
he
eig
ght
hten
ened
ed by
heightened by complications
comp
co plica
atiio
onn due
various roles, whether they are to menstrual cycles, hormonal
working or not. It is the woman’s upheavals etc.
duty to take care of all the needs of
the children. She is their chauffeur, Universally women are emotional.
teacher, cook, counselor, nurse If a woman doesn’t know how to
and in many families, financial handle her emotions, she goes
provider too. With more and into depression and experiences
more women being educated, the a sense of frustration. This is the
onus of teaching the children has biggest cause of mental health
fallen on her fragile shoulders. problems for women today.
The family ambience and family
Earlier, men were looking after
interactions have undergone a sea Another major problem in the
teaching children at home. As
change in a world dominated by family is the lack of effective
the woman became more and
IT. Today, the role of the woman communicative. Most men don’t
more proficient, men conveniently
in the family is most significant communicate effectively with
swept this responsibility under
when compared to any other time their wives. Women feel that men
the carpet. Soon after marriage, in
in the annals of history. While don’t understand them and are
her enthusiasm, the woman takes
the woman still remains at the not empathetic. Communication
on more and more responsibilities
centre of the family, she is trying between the man and his wife
willingly, not realizing what she
her hardest to hold together the is reduced to the parental mode
is in for. She drives her children
divergent forces pulling away where only parental grievances
to tuition classes, dance or music
from one other. Women have are discussed. Most couple forgets
classes, sports coaching, attends
always been the custodians as to interact in the husband-wife
parent-teacher meetings in
well as transmitters of family mode. Husband-wife issues are
schools and take the flak from the
values and heritage. The greatest rarely discussed today.
teachers, pays the school fees and
challenge the woman in the Indian
does umpteen other chores for Another strange problem has
family faces today is to retain this
the children. She also pays all the raised its head in family circles.
crucial role and ensure that the
bills, goes to the bank, manages After the children are settled
future generations tread the right
finances … her duties are endless. many husband-wife pairs who
path that will lead to success and
happiness, which is becoming are left alone do not know to deal
A man’s job is considered more
increasingly difficult. with each other. Myriad issues
important than his wife’s job.
crop up suddenly, leaving them
Therefore either the woman has to
Brinda Jayraman, Family befuddled. One reason for this is
ensure that the home is well taken
therapist and trainer analyses the that men do not develop hobbies
care of and then concentrate on her
predicament of the woman in the and after retirement, they find the
career or take up a job more suitable
Indian family today as well as the time hanging. In today’s world
to her role of a homemaker, which
conflicts that overwhelm teenage where job-hopping is becoming
entails enormous responsibilities.
girls. quite common, youngsters are
The woman in the family is most
given job opportunities easily,
The pressing issue for a woman in exploited today than ever before.
but those above fifty are often
the family seems to be the balance Amazingly women are capable of
sidelined. Such circumstances or
between her career and family. all these and much more. But if
VRS schemes offered by several
She has to perform the balancing a woman is smart, men become
companies suddenly see husbands
act with no helping hands insecure and feel threatened. So
at home with no recreation or
extended to her. Very often she they always find fault with their
hobby to keep them engaged.
feels that if family members were wives! These pressures in the
Therefore if the husband and the
more empathetic, things would be family cause enormous stress
wife are together for ten minutes,
easier. In the present days, women for the woman, which is further
a fight ensues!
have blossomed very well but men
are not ready to accept this. The challenge to the woman as a mother in the family is the most
significant issue today. This is intertwined with the problem of
F| 48

they know every thing. Their
attitude today is , ‘Just because you
are older, I don’t have to respect
you.’ They have a lot of academic,,
peer and societal pressures.
Heightened hormonal activities
too wreak havoc on them.
But the saddest truth is that we

are nurturing a self-centered,
manipulative generation that
does not comprehend the agony
and frustrations that the parents
undergo to keep their children
in comfort. This has happened
because we have allowed it to
happen. As psychologists we try
to bring about positive changes in
the family ambience by focusing
on the parents because they are
experienced and understanding
whereas the teenagers are young
and inexperienced. Yet, it is our
teenagers. Of late even three to four year olds are taking to temper duty to prevent the youngsters
tantrums. Usually we categorize children as belonging to two different who are in danger.
types-resilient and non-resilient. Resilient children are those who
bounce back to normalcy like a rubber ball every time they encounter While it is true that we have to
hurdles or obstacles. They attain emotional balance easily and can adapt make them aware of our values
to any environment. `The non-resilient child is not strong enough to we should also redefine our
face disappointments in life. Even the slightest disappointment can put values to suit the modern era. We
them off. Most parents don’t know this until the child is 8 years old. should make them responsible
At that time any corrective step does not bring result. When parents and accountable for their actions.
handle non-resilient children wrongly, their self-esteem goes down and At the macro level, schools and
they can’t deal with disappointments. Since parents today try to satisfy colleges should engage everyone
most desires of their children, these children live in a comfort zone. in social work, sports and creative
They think that ‘my parents won’t let me go through disappointments.’ activities, which should be made
However, as they grow up, parents find that they cannot give in to all mandatory to get a certificate.
their whims and fancies. Especially when a child of 12-13 wants to go Only then can we preserve the
to a party and come back home late, parents draw a line. When these essence of family systems, a
teenagers cannot have their way, they express outbursts of anger. priceless wealth bequeathed by
our ancestors.
Therefore it is important to teach are left to fend for themselves
our children how to handle very soon in life and learn to be As a parting message to women I
emotions right from childhood responsible for their actions. I feel would say that despite the fact that
days. Teenagers don’t understand that like the western countries, we women are handling modern day
that freedom goes with should encourage transparency in challenges admirably, they still
responsibility, unless they learn a relationships. lack self-respect and many women
lesson. They want total freedom. allow themselves to be treated
They have had their way all along. Some parents cannot sort out like doormats. Women should
While we are adopting western their own issues and are therefore understand that nobody can treat
culture, our children do not want inept in handling the issues of them with disrespect unless they
the responsibility that goes with the teenagers. Media and school allow them to. It is in our hands to
freedom in the western culture. life are major influences on find ourselves a respectable place
In the west, as long as they live the teenagers today, emitting in the society.
with parents, children have to contradictory signals. Teenagers
lack experience . They feel that ******
follow the rules of the house. They
49 |G

Promoting Vegetarianism
Women in Business could be postponed for 4 years saving disposal, converting them to compost
our countries in the south . , Rain water harvesting , organic
agriculture, cottage industries etc
India is the origin of the spiritual . These activities were recognised
concept of vegetarianism. We by Women’s Chamber of Industry
have dedicated our company to and Commerce to nominate me for
vegetarianism producing 100% SAAC award in the year 2000 as my
vegetarian products. “ contributions to rural economy . “
Sunanda’s entrepreneurial journey “ I believe that all these activities may
has no less been challenging. She have originated with the influence
recounts her experiences, “ I started Mahatma Gandhi’s writings had over
as a small scale manufacturer going me when I read his autobiography at
through many difficulties as I had to the age of twelve . I became a vegetarian
start with bank funds. We have today during my school days. I was an avid
grown to a medium scale HACCP reader of Lord Buddha’s philosophy
certified company . “ . I consider myself a traveler in
Her goal was to promote search of truth. I was searching
vegetarianism by providing all that a reading material on meditation in
vegetarian needs in taste and texture. Hinduism too and when I read the
Her company produces a wide autobiography of Paramahamsa
range of sea weed based instant Yogananda Ji I learnt about Kriya
jelly ,desserts that set quickly with yoga. It helped strengthen my mind
no refrigeration and a range of up- and focus toward social causes. The
market quick convenient puddings world needs Mahatma’s teachings for
like Chocolate Mousse , Marie to become a truly human .
Sunanda Weerasinghe of Sujan biscuit Puddings , Strawberry Trifle, Lord Buddha’s teachings focus
International (Pvt) Limited, the Cream Topping which are a boon to on the mind as the fore runner of
Vegetarian Company is currently busy homemakers. Their products all states if one speaks or acts with
the third Vice President of Sri Lanka help women add their own touch a pure mind . Mahatma Gandhi
Food Processors Association . She has of innovation to their core product had dedicated his life to nurture
been serving as the Chairperson of . Their products match European unlimited and unconditional love
Cleaner Dining program involving standards in a HACCP Certified and kindness. I strongly believe it
upgrading the hygienic standards factory under Classic Vegefoods and is the responsibility of the higher
of mainly smaller eating places in Super Sun brands . being in this universe to safeguard
Colombo city including school all life forms . Such qualities need
canteens under Sri Lanka Food “We manufacture rice and pulse based
product range such as red rice idli , be inculcated in the young. All that
Processors Association and the supports life need be respected . My
Colombo Municipal Council for the white rice idli, dosa , red rice Crepes
in the form of convenient ready mixes father used to bow down to the rising
past four years dedicating her energy sun . You can apply these principles
and time to conduct various seminars . We manufacture vegetarian sausages
, Vege Burghers , Vege Sandwich slice and values to whatever you do in
to educate them and visiting with business or job. My father used to say,
chefs of Uni Lever Ceylon Ltd , to help ,vege chicken cubes and a another
range of similar products with water ‘Seek salvage in one’s own principles .
change their poor standards.
lily seeds to mimic fish egg for the We strive to continue our innovations
Sunanda Weerasinghe was awarded vegetarians such as Vegetarian fish with nature’s best with a deep sense
the successful women entrepreneur egg slice for sandwiches and Water of divinity.
award during the SAARC chamber lily Burghers , Water lily sausage etc .
Women Entrepreneur Council Water lily seeds are known to be good My dream is to contribute to a world
Global Green Summit held on 29 for gastritis and Diabetes . with people living on grains and
November 2010. Only women who pulses, vegetables and fruits that lead
have contributed in many ways to No Vegetarian can complain that to a healthier life and a peaceful mind
the society by in some ways through they miss delicious food by being devoid of aggression and stress; with
their entrepreneurial endeavours vegetarian but the vegetarian range minds submerged in unlimited loving
were honoured during the SCWEC we offer surpasses non veg ,most of kindness as taught by Lord Buddha
summit . all in concept and taste ,” she says. and Mahatma Gandhi
Her speech during the award Sunanda is a columnist who writes What we sow is what we reap. If we
ceremony acknowledged the influence on the value of vegetarian food along choose actions that bring happiness
of India and the Indian in her life. with articles that provide how to to others, the fruits of Karma will be
“ India is like home to me due to grow those vegetables scientifically happiness. A life time is like a flash
many reasons. I discovered my life’s in consultation with a woman expert of lightening in the sky and we are
purpose with the strong influence of in agriculture. She says, “ I try my mere travelers on a cosmic journey .
its spiritual leaders convincing people best to motivate people to grow their May the path of all of us be steady and
to go vegetarian as it is our duty to own food . Even as a small company sure.”
preserve this earth. The world is going amidst many problems I used to
through many catastrophic signs of supply vegetable seeds to villages Sunanda Weerasinghe , Sri Lanka.
eco imbalance. NASA chief says if through temples. I linked them Website: www.vegefooddelights.
Europe goes vegetarian for three days with buyer companies. They were com If you have any queries regarding
a week , the melting of North Pole small projects . I did seminars for being vegetarian or vegetarian food
rural women on topics like garbage kindly contact her on 00 94 712 301848
F| 50

BRINGING LITTLE JOYS TO THE WORLD
O n the occasion of International

Women’s Day we bring to
you a mother-daughter duo that
medicine as a career? There were lots of childless couples
coming to me as patients, and I
used to feel sorry that I couldn’t
After finishing my schooling my
has been revolutionizing the father gave me a choice to settle do much for them. But I realized
IVF scenario in the country and down in my life or pursue my that I had something special in me
bringing little bundle of joys to education. At that time teaching that could make people pregnant.
many young couples. This is an and medicine were the most Then destiny played its part. By
excerpt from our files…. dignified professions for a woman. chance I happened to read Hindu
I chose to do medicine. Newspaper where it said that the
World’s first test tube baby was
SETTING TRENDS born in UK. I wanted to learn
How did she venture into ART,
Dr. Kamala Selvaraj or what was earlier known as more about it. So I wrote to my
infertility treatment? sister, in United States, my friend
Why did she decide to take up in London and my teacher in
Melbourne, Australia enquiring
51 |G

about any training programme in depression as I was quite sure There are many firsts to my credit
in test tube baby method. I got I couldn’t achieve any of this back but the one dearest to my heart
no response from my sister. But home, since the setting up of an is the commissioning of the
my friend in London replied IVF laboratory involved lot of first south Indian test tube baby,
saying that she had not heard of equipment, media and disposable because that is what made me
anyone doing it. Funny but true items which had to be purchased what I am today.
the world’s first test baby was born abroad, as there were not available
at Bourn Hall, UK. My teacher at in India at that time. The others are
Melbourne wrote back to me to
saying that a doctor called Carl When I landed in Madras, my FIRST IN SOUTH EAST ASIA
Brown was teaching about test husband came to receive me at
tube baby. She also gave me his the airport. He had the Hindu Twins born to a patient with
address. In the month of April newspaper in his hand which he Mayer-Rok i nta n sky-Kust ner-
1985 I wrote to Dr. Carl Brown showed to me very proudly to Hauser Syndrome through a
that I was interested in learning my utter dismay and to add to my surrogate – 19th January 2001
about the technology related to woes, I saw that he had given an
test tube baby. I was surprised insertion in the paper welcoming
when he replied to me promptly, FIRST IN INDIA
me back after successful training
inviting me to Monash University, in In-vitro fertilization (IVF). So
Melbourne, to attend a week-long I had no choice but to proceed First Sperm attached Oocyte
workshop to be conducted in forward. It was a very rough road Fallopian-tube Transfer (SOFT) –
November 1985. After attending but it was worth the trouble. 4th July 1992
the workshop everything seemed
strange and went over my head. What are her accomplishments in First Surrogate baby – 23rd June
The entire proceedings seemed this field so far? 1994
impossible and I was drowning
F| 52

First IVF –ET baby born to a 49 (1990) to India’s first frozen oocyte It was entirely my decision to
year old lady – 10th October 1994 pregnancy achieved (Jan 2008). study medicine and I had an
Surely it is going to be a bright aptitude towards science and
FIRST IN SOUTH INDIA future for GG ahead and we wish math was despair. Although my
and pray that we will have more father expressed a keen desire for
First test tube baby, Kamala first to our credit. his children to become doctors
Rathnam – 1st August 1990 neither of them coerced us. I also
When I started infertility practice think that watching my parents
I had to do every step in the lab from an early age talking medicine
First Gamete Intra Fallopian-
and had no technicians to help and performing surgeries kindled
tube Transfer (GIFT) twins - 21st
me. But now there are many an interest. I sometimes feel that
September 1992
trained technicians and qualified in my generation, children either
embryologists. The younger took to medicine or engineering
First Pronucleus stage transfer or chose whatever profession
generation is very keen in pursuing
(PROST) twins – 12th August 1992 either parent practiced as the
research work in this field. If these
qualified personnel stay in India exposure was less and these were
First fallopian replacement of pre- and work with sincerity India the top notch professional choices.
ovulatory oocytes with timed IUI will have a bright future in ART, Nowadays I find that children can
(FROOTI) baby – 25th July 1995 since there is a lot of intelligent just about take anything which
manpower in our country. fancies them and they also seem to
First Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm excel in whatever they undertake.
Injection (ICSI) baby – 9th May Her advise to women who would Such is the power of generation
1997 like to set trends (how to face next.
challenges- for e.g. what were her
First frozen ET Triplets – 19th means to face hurdles to move Enumerate on your training in
November 1998 ahead?) the latest techniques abroad
First ICSI triplets – 13th June 2005 “Success often comes to those who I trained in Assisted Reproductive
dare and act, it seldom goes to the Technology and related Endoscopic
FIRST IN TAMIL NADU timid. and “Time lost can be never surgery from National University
be made up”. These quotes told by hospital, Singapore (1999 & 2001).
my father, keep ringing in my ears I have also completed a diploma
even today. in Endoscopic surgery from Kiel,
Baby born by donor oocyte
Germany (2002). I am also the first
programme in a case of Premature
Be courageous, do what you think Indian to graduate with a Masters
Ovarian Failure (POF) – 19th
is right, have an aim in life, aim Degree in Clinical Embryology and
October 1994.
high, set priorities, stand out Andrology from the Jones Institute
separately and not one among a of Reproductive Medicine, Eastern
How does she see the future in this Virginia Medical School, USA (
field at GG and in our country? crowd. Work with determination
and sincerity. Failures are stepping They were responsible for the
stone to success. “The greatest birth of America’s first test tube
The future for IVF is very bright. baby-Elizabeth Carr).Crash course
mistake of our people is to believe
IVF was started mainly to help for Preimplantation genetic
that they are working for someone
women with blocked tubes. But diagnosis and embryo biopsy in
else”. “There is no limit to what
now the indications are many. Now Prague 2006.
you can do, if you don’t care who
IVF technique have advanced to
gets the credit.”
ICSI, Cryopreservation, stem cell The recent Oocyte technique- was
banking, pre implantation genetic it entirely under your leadership?
diagnosis etc… There will be I STAND TO BE DIFFERENT
further more research happening
in this field in the coming years. Dr. Priya Selvaraj Well, any successful project must
be attributed to a dedicated team
Was it your decision to enter this work-My vision and direction,
At our centre, we have grown over permission and support from
the years from commissioning the field? Why?
my boss (mom) and sincere lab
first south Indian test tube baby
53 |G

staff. I should say that this was adrenaline rush ( besides sky period. Our fertility research
my pet project even before I diving and bungee jumping). I centre should continue its good
actually introduced it into my think that no matter what work I work and excel with time.
lab. The interest was triggered have done until now-contributing
during my post graduation days to improved success rates at our What is your counsel to young
when an endocrinology professor hospital or being a part of its women to forge ahead in their
asked me if we could harvest landmark achievements-this is careers/enterprise?
oocytes from young girls with my first real accomplishment. If
Turner’s syndrome to preserve it culminates in a successful live My message to young women out
their future fertility as they are birth, I would be greatly fulfilled. there would be- Every person is
at risk for early menopause even Of course research never ends and special and has certain qualities
before they attain puberty. It we have to strive towards more that are unique to them. I want
boggled my mind but somewhere healthy pregnancies. women to recognize these innate
it stuck on and today we actually qualities, nourish them and boost
achieved the first step towards What are your future plans and their self esteem. They must
this possibility. To introduce a outlook? develop aims in life-be it at home
new idea you will have to work or workplace or both and realize
your way around your boss (mom) We are planning to improvise them. For instance every year you
and prove that it is possible. It was oocyte freezing techniques by both can set 3-4 top target achievements
not easy to convince her until I slow freeze and vitrification and and plan a strategy to attain it.
actually showed retrieval from also train in Cryopreservation of Every achievement is the result
a frozen state was possible and ovarian tissue and transplantation of a well laid plan. I want them to
fertilization occurred irrespective procedures. I have to kickstart respect themselves and develop
of pregnancy. I have been at it from my PhD programme with the a sound mind and fit body. It is
December 2005 and I am thankful MGR University in oocyte easy to preach various mantras on
to our lab team for being with me. freezing which took a backseat success but I strongly believe that
due to professional and personal unless you know yourself, your
What have you accomplished in commitments at that time. Well capabilities and your weaknesses
this field so far? there is no age limit for learning coupled with an ever willing
and I hope to accomplish all of attitude to change for the better,
This is my first real taste of an the above within the stipulated success will be hard target!
F| 54

Pioneering Entrepreneurship Education

to apply their skills to optimum “Students at MOP are given
utilisation while simultaneously opportunities to conduct a one
balancing their personal day or one week business inside
lives.” Women are famed for the premises of the college. This
their skills in multitasking since is conducted by all departments
time immemorial. Nirmala is in at specific allotted periods during
accordance with this statement. the length of an academic year”
“I have always been firm in my adds Nirmala Prasad.
stance that women, by virtue of
being adept at multitasking will Entrepreneurship, according to
thrive in the field of business.” Nirmala Prasad has little to do
with academics. “A student may
“Does MOP play any role in not be excellent in her academics
encouraging entrepreneurial but may possess brilliant insight
development among women? into the world of business,
Madhuvanti SK and Komal M “Yes indeed,” says Nirmala nonetheless” she adds. She
Jain talk to Nirmala Prasad, Prasad. “The idea of introducing cites the examples of numerous
Principal of MOP Vaishnav an entrepreneurial development students in her college whose
College for Women regarding cell struck me twelve years ago. academic performance was
entrepreneurial opportunities at The idea was implemented a year average but were outstanding
MOP and more...... later. Various programmes which entrepreneurs. “One of my
help students improve their students came up with the idea
business skills are a common of a crèche for dogs. This was
Despite not being an entrepreneur activity all year around. They are nine years ago. Imagine having a
herself, Nirmala Prasad, Principal included as a part of our regular crèche for animals! The idea was
of MOP Vaishnav College for curriculum as well.” still new, a decade ago. However,
Women, Chennai, has played a it is now a reality. I am aware of
pivotal role in producing many one such place which charges
The college not only offers
enterprising and resourceful around Rs 400 on a daily basis
regular BA and MA courses but
women entrepreneurs. Today, to look after dogs. Many other
it has as a part of its curriculum,
students of MOP are not merely students who have passed out of
various subjects which help
seekers of employment. Rather, the portals of MOP, despite not
develop students’ business
they play an instrumental being extraordinary at studies
acumen. This is carried out by
role in creating employment are successful entrepreneurs.
imparting theoretical knowledge
opportunities for people across While some of them have gone
to students and giving them
various cities. on to head event management
opportunities to put their
acquired skills to admirable companies, many others are
Nirmala Prasad is of the opinion use in a practical manner. This into jewellery designing and
that not many women are able to encompasses activities like have famous companies placing
avail the benefits of a full time job the famed MOP Bazaar and orders for their products.”
due to commitments on the home other smaller ventures which
front. Says Nirmala, “Flexi-time encourage students to make Nirmala Prasad is undoubtedly
jobs are not yet a popular option innovative products, sell them a woman who has helped weave
in India. If women are to put and make profits with minimal success stories of innumerable
their skills acquired during their investments. The MOP Bazaar women entrepreneurs across the
formative years in college to full has been successful in attracting nation today. Kudos to her. May
use, Entrepreneurship is the best approximately forty thousand her tribe increase.
option. It gives women freedom people on a yearly basis.
55 |G

A WOMAN WITH A DRIVE

S uccess comes to the doorsteps of those who
persevere relentlessly. Durga C of Durga
Driving School stands testimony to this. “I firmly
without any inhibitions. “I have always believed
that women have to be independent in order to face
the various challenges they may face in a male
believe that success is 99 percent perspiration and dominated world,” she opines.
1 percent inspiration,” says Durga. She is a woman
entrepreneur who has made a mark in her field by
Success did not come easy to her. Durga had to
gaining recognition as the head of one of the largest
face a lot of hardships to achieve all that she has
driving schools for Indian women by Limca book of
accomplished today. “Being a woman, the difficulties
world records in the year 2003. However, today the
you face are ever increasing as you have to strike a
driving school offers its services to men as well. “We
balance between both your professional and personal
have people enrolling themselves in driving classes
lives and that’s where the real challenge lies,” she
from the age of sixteen upwards. In fact, it might
adds.
sound unbelievable that the oldest student in our
driving school is an octogenarian,” says Durga.
What’s more interesting about this successful
Durga’s journey began fifteen years ago when she entrepreneur is that the woman has managed to
decided to assert her independence and set up Durga achieve success with minimal formal education.
Driving school from home. She did not hesitate “I got married at an early age of 17 and whatever
to mortgage her jewelry to overcome the financial knowledge I have gained till date has been through
obstacles that came her way. Thereafter, there has my experience and research.” Durga found
been no looking back for Durga. “I started my driving inspiration in her mother. “My mother went through
school with limited finances in the premises of my a lot of struggle in her life and she was my main
home. As we made progress, we shifted to Adyar source of inspiration as a woman.”
complex. Today I am very happy to admit that we
have carved a niche for ourselves in this field,” she
Her achievement truly is an outcome of sheer
says happily.
hard work and determination. Durga’s journey to
success is indeed praiseworthy. Hats off to Durga.
Her motive behind business is not one of profit
making. On the other hand, it is to enable women
to emerge as independent and confident individuals Komal M Jain
F| 56

Humor
Ménage A Trois
Hindu Marriage Act 1955(Section Deivanai: “When you go to
5) a second marriage is illegal?” the beauty parlour I will bribe
the Chinese girl to make your
“Yes, Madam.” eyebrows look like Dr. Spock’s.”
Valli, lounging on a sofa and Valli: “I will tell Lord Muruga that
buffing her nails, says caustically, you are giving the glad eye to your
“ Tell your madam that I did not Mutual Fund manager.”
elope. I fell in love with Muruga
and married him. I prayed and Deivanai: “You are no better. You
One warm afternoon I switched
fasted every night.” were a double divorcee when you
on the TV. The movie ‘Kandan
came into my husband’s life.”
Karunai’ came on. It was a super
hit film of the seventies, with Deivanai: “ I prayed and fasted
beautiful lyrical songs. day and night.” Valli: “I will make sure you get
spurious tranquillizers. That way
Valli: “You are probably suffering you will sleep for a long, long
There was a sylph like K.R.Vĳaya
from bulimia.” time.”
as Deivanai and a slightly plump
Jayalalitha with a fetching face,
as Valli. Deivanai is furious when Deivanai: “It would do you good Deivanai: “What cheek! I’ll see
she learns that Lord Muruga has to attend some aerobic classes. Or that you get a lethal injection
married Valli. The punching bag try Cindy Crawford’s VCD ‘The when you go for your asthma shot.
is Veerapandi(Muruga’s deputy) Next Challenge.’ Even you should Just you ‘white’ Henry Higgins,
played by Shivaji Ganesan, trying reduce with that.” just you ‘white’.”
to bring a rapprochement between
the two warring wives. Soon Lord Valli: “Hold your tongue. Or else I
Muruga appears on the scene and will send a socks salesman to ring
everything is hunky-dory. your doorbell at 2.30pm when you
are having your siesta.”
I was just allowing my mind to
wander and thinking of a modern Deivanai: “I will have twenty
day showdown between the two friends send ten SMS each daily
wives. It goes something like this: on your cell phone.”
Deivanai has heard about Lord Valli: “I will tap your telephone.
Muruga’s second marriage and That way I will get to know all the Valli: “Just you wait.”
is furious. She calls Shivaji and contents of your e-mails.”
blasts him. Lord Muruga appears on the scene
Deivanai: “I will complain to The to hear the last murderous threat.
“What does your master mean Cyber Crime Cell. And all the He says
by this? He told me he was going latest shades of lipstick and lacy
to Kodi for a holiday. And now lingerie your friend sends from “Good God! I had better scram. I
he says he has married Valli New York by courier? Henceforth do not want either woman.”
according to Gandharva rites.” you will only find stones in the
parcel.”
(This humorous piece is purely
“ Yes, madam.” tongue-in-cheek. It does not intend
Valli: “The next time you go to hurt any religious sentiment.)
“ Gandharva marriage indeed! shopping in your car I will have
What a lot of claptrap! Does he not your tyre punctured.”
know that after the passing of The Shanthi Dinakar
57 |G

salt & Pepper Korner.

My husband is a diabetic. I am unable to think of Try to include a lot of sprouts and fresh vegetables
some good snack for him during teatime. Can you and creatively turn out ordinary recipes into special,
suggest some good snacks for diabetics? tasty snacks for diabetics. You can make different
varieties of sandwiches, stuffed chappathis, dosas,
All snacks that are steamed or made with less oil idlis, pidi kozhukattais, upmas and kichris with dhal
are good for diabetics. I have brought out a special combinations, noodles with a lot of vegetables (you
cookery book for diabetics, which is available in the get wheat noodles in the market) dhokla, steamed
market. You can make a variety of snacks for diabetics. vegetable adais, idiyappam, etc.
Sprouted Chana Sandwich

Ingredients
Wheat Bread 8 slices
Grated onions 50 grams
Grated tomatoes 50 grams
Grated carrots 50 grams
Grated mint, coriander leaves 10 grams
Finely cut green chillies 2
Lemon juice to taste
For Preparing Sprouted Chana Chutney
Sprouted chana 100 grams
Red Chillies 2
Jeera ½ tsp
Salt to taste
Method
Papaya
apaya Halwa Cook the sprouted gram in a pressure cooker for ten
Ingredients minutes.
Grind the red chillies, jeera and salt first and then
Papaya diced 1 cup add the boiled chana and grind coarsely.
Skimmed Milk Powder 2 Tbsps Spread a little sauce or green mint chutney over a
Artificial sweeteners 5 small sachets bread slice and spread the chana chutney over it.
Cardamom, powdered one pinch
Over this place grated carrot and other vegetable
Saffron one pinch
gratings, green chillies, salt, finely grated fresh
Method coriander and mint and squeeze a few drops of lemon

juice over this mixture.
Keep the diced papaya in a thick-bottomed pan and Keep another slice covered with chutney and place it
stir. When the paste dries, sprinkle milk powder over the first slice and serve immediately.
over it and stir. Add cardamom powder and saffron.
When it cools, mix the artificial sweetener and serve. Nutrient Details for one Sandwich
Quantity: One serving for six persons Calories 105
Nutrient Details (For one person, one serving) Carbohydrate 18 gms
Calories 21 Protein 5 gms
Carbohydrate 3.6 gms Fat 1.5 gms
Protein 1.5 grams Courtesy 300 vegetarian Recipes for diabetics
Fat 0.07 grams By Mallika Badrinath
F| 58

NEW PLAN FOR LIFE

shall get higher of the Sum depending on the mode of
Assured under the Basic Plan and payment while the maximum is Rs
the Policyholder’s Fund Value. 1 lakh per annum under any mode
However, if partial withdrawal for the 5 years premium paying
has been made during the last two term. There is no maximum limit
years form the date of death, the for the single premium.
Sum Assured under the Basic plan
shall be reduced to the extent of Two partial withdrawals per year
the amount of partial withdrawals are allowed after the fifth Policy
made. anniversary.
Accident benefit Option is also The sum assured under the 5

available under this plan. The years premium paying term
benefit would be equal to the life policies for age at entry below 45
cover up to a maximum of Rs 50 years ranges from 10 times the
lakhs, subject to certain conditions. annualized premium to 20 times
the annualized premium. For age
Under this plan, the policy term is at entry 45 years and above the
fixed for 10 years. The premiums Sum assured ranges from 7 times
can be paid either in a single lump the annualized premium to 10
sum or it can be paid regularly at times the annualized premium.
yearly, half-yearly, quarterly years.
In case of single Premium Policies,
R ecently, Life Insurance
Corporation of India launched
a new plan titled, ‘Samridhi Plus,’
Premiums paid after allocation
charge will purchase units of the for age at entry below 45 years,
the minimum Sum assured is 1.25
Fund. The Unit Fund is subject
which is a guaranteed NAV plan to various charges and value of times the single premium while it
on the ULIP platform. The plan units may increase of decrease, is 1.10 times the single premium
offers insurance protection, safety depending on the NAV. for age at entry 45 years and above.
and growth for investments. It is The maximum Sum Assured
a unit linked plan that safeguards The minimum age at entry under under Single premium policies is
policy holders’ investment from this plan is 8 years (age last 5 times the single premium if the
market fluctuations, so that policy birthday) while the maximum age age at entry is up to 55 years and it
holders get the best of stock market is 65 years ( age nearer birthday). is 1.25 times the Single premium,
through investing in Samridhi The minimum premium ranges if at at entry is 56 to 65 years
Plus fund. This plan will be from Rs. 1500/- (Monthly –ECS)
available for sale for a maximum to Rs 30,000/- 9 single premium)
period of three months from the
date of launch.
In this product, there is a

guarantee of the highest NAV
recorded on a daily basis, in the
first hundred months of the policy,
subject to a minimum of Rs 10/-, or
the NAV as applicable on the date
of maturity , whichever is higher.
The guarantee will be applicable
only for units available in the
policyholder’s fund at the end of
the policy term.
In case o death of the Life Assured

within the policy term, when the
cover is in full force, the nominee
59 |G

Education: Special Feature
NEW TRENDS IN EDUCATION
T he past decade has seen

amazing changes in the higher
education scenario in our country.
As technology develops , mindsets
change and things evolve at record
speed, bringing forth new trends.
Over the last decade the greatest
changes have happened in higher
education, even as our country
slowly moves towards global
practices.
Emergence of many
private universities and
colleges
This has been happening mostly
in the field of management
studies. Many universities
and colleges have come to be
recognized as offering exemplary
management courses. In Chennai
institutes such as the Great Lakes
Institute of Management, Chennai
Business School, Stanford
Business School, Wegan and Leigh
, ICFAI , IIPM are all known to
offer management courses and the
numbers joining such institutions
are increasing. Apart from offering
modern approaches to learning
such as online submissions
of assignments, use of laptop
during class room hours, well
equipped library, internships with
prominent companies etc, these
institutes have stepped in to fill
F| 60

the gap in the traditional university ambience which boom in the educational loans is a precursor to this
usually offer traditional methodologies , amenities, trend.
archaic teacher-student interactions as well as grading
system. Many Engineering colleges and institutions Career Fair Explosion
too have come up that offer contemporary courses
that equip students to join the mainstream of hi-end Even undergraduate students now have the
technology. Paramedical courses are other sought opportunities to face interviews and pick up jobs at
after courses being offered by private colleges. the end of their third year. Many companies go to
colleges to pick up potentially good employees. This
Growth in Media Studies has resulted in a focus on career education as well
as aspirations. Even those employed are seen to take
Many universities and colleges have begun offering a sabbatical to get back to studies to bulk up their
media studies , which is on an upswing. The impact resumes. ISB as well as the IIMs are classic examples
of these young professionals are already being felt of institutions which have a substantial student
even as we can witness a crop of new film makers, populace with work experience. Also part time
directors, music directors, camera technicians, film MBAs offer scope for those employed to strengthen
editors, animation professionals, designers etc. Media their CVs. Flexible class hours, better financial aid
studies and journalism have thrown up a plethora opportunities and promises of higher posts have
of opportunities for students with humanities paved way for part time professional courses.
background and offer alternative new era careers
as opposed to the traditional professional courses Emergence of short term or special-
such as medicine, engineering, teaching etc. Schools
like Asian College of Journalism are churning out
ized industry specific courses
media professionals of high caliber who will soon be There has been an explosion in non traditional courses
making a big difference in the media field. such as Tourism & Travel, Airlines, Hospitality, Hotel
Management, Food and Catering Technology etc
High Tech Amenities and Infrastruc- which snare a huge population of students with the
ture promise of careers a couple of years after school.
Courses such as hotel management, catering etc also
Private educational institutions are ushering in offer scope for studying abroad .
an era of hi-tech class rooms. Soon the days of the
pen and paper will be gone even as students keep Foray of Foreign Universities
hammering away at the laptop keys. Classrooms are
equipped with modern and comfortable furniture Many of these private educational institutions
and are air conditioned. Food courts and well laden offer twinning programmes, internships or visits
cafeterias and canteens are mushrooming as much of professors from abroad as well as degrees from
as a makeover of the rest rooms and libraries, which reputed universities abroad, enhancing the prospect
are equipped with computers. Hostels would soon of a bright career. This trend is also fast catching up.
have single rooms with provisions for computer
paraphernalia. In National Law universities
students are allowed to use computers , air coolers,
refrigerators, washing machines etc in their hostels.
Study Abroad Boom

More students than ever are traveling abroad
and making the world their classroom. Blame it
on the globalization of the business world or the
proliferation of abroad programs, but chances are if
you’re a student today, you’ve got a passport. MNCs
and media organizations give preferences to students
with global education and work experience. The
61 |G

True Spirituality
Sadhguru
I f spirituality or divinity has to
happen, first thing is, we must
get our humanity to its peak. Why
every religion, every spiritual
process has always been talking
about love or compassion is not
because love and compassion
are the ultimate aspects of life;
it is because it is good manure.
If you constantly feed yourself
upon love and compassion, very
easily flowers will bloom in you.
If this manure is not given on
a daily basis, then maybe your
seed is good but still it may not
bloom because the necessary
nourishment is not there.
So if the flower of divinity has to

bloom within you, your humanity
should be kept at its highest
vibrancy. When you feel strong
love or compassion for somebody,
that’s when your humanity sort
of overflows. Not goodness, not
kindness, just simple humanity.
This is not something that you
have to train yourself to do this is
something that is anyway beating
within you. You can kill it with
strategy. You develop various
strategies as to how to suppress
your humanity because it’s not
safe, because you think it won’t
work, because you think that’s
not the way the world is made.
Humanity is not something that
we have to teach through your
religion or scripture or anything;
it is something that beats in you,
throbs in you every moment of
your life. If this is kept at its peak
Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev, a yogi, is a visionary, humanitarian then the next dimension of life
and a prominent spiritual leader. An author, poet, and becomes very easy otherwise the
internationally-renowned speaker, Sadhguru’s wit and piercing next dimension of life is always
logic provoke and widen our perception of life. not available.
We have always understood that

www.ishafoundation.org
turning spiritual means to leave
home and go into the forest. We
F| 62

think turning spiritual means you
have to walk naked on the streets
or torturing yourself. We think
turning spiritual means you must
not be involved with the process
of life around you. It is because
of this kind of wrong notions, it is
because spirituality and religion
have been identified together that
so many young people, so many
intelligent people refuse to look
towards spirituality.
If you look at the world today,

there are there are all kinds of
idiots in the world but you will
see the religious idiots are the
worst of the kind. They cause
the maximum damage and they
exhibit maximum stupidity and
they have been the source of
tremendous problems on this
planet. It has been so in the past
and it is still so. Religion should
have been the solution for all
the problems, but unfortunately
religion has become the source
of all the problems. Religion has
become the focal point for all the
problems that are being generated
on the planet. Because of this many
people, intelligent and educated
people and especially the young
people don’t want to have anything
to do with spirituality because it is
such stupidity. Unfortunately, for
them being spiritual means being
stupid - it has been presented that
way until now.
It needs to be understood that being

spiritual is the most intelligent
way to exist on this planet. Only
when your intelligence rises
beyond the mediocre you can turn
truly spiritual. Spirituality is not
for a fool. It is only for a person
who is really capable of looking at
his life with more intelligence than
the common folk, who can turn
spiritual. It is because spiritual
people exhibited much more
intelligence than the common folk,
they were always sought after in
any part of the world.
63 |G

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Agony and Ecstasy 6 Contents

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Health & Fitness 40

Art Nook 42 Driver of Destiny 32

Salt & Papper Korner 58 Art of Cleaning 33

Gurudev 62 Getting Comical 35

Modern day Fables 37

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Agony and Ecstasy

Romance sprouted for the first time when Sahana a

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Agony and Ecstasy

Mrinalini, on the other hand, had a steady

Sneha was in seventh heaven when Vĳay

These are not just stories, but real incidents

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liberalization has bestowed on them. children to understand them.

March Inner .indd 8 02/03/11 8:47 PM

For the youngsters, sex is no longer out of reach. They

Says Chitra Rangan, a mother of two boys, “ I think

Says teenage heartthrob of the south, actor

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The upshot of premarital sex?

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So how does one deal with the

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Marriages are supposed to be marriages are quite common for

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A 65- year old saga

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“The success of any marriage depends on a basic

Spirituality has been a part of Doctor’s life. “Both of us

It has been an austere way of life for Doctor for many

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The Golden Couple

The couple has been to Singapore many times, “maybe

Ramanathan’s sambandi from next door G N

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Forty Years Together

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BREAKING NEWS………..THE LIGHTER SIDE

VEGGIE HUB ON YAMUNA BED?

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WRINKLES? NOT AGE,

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