The race for water.

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A  picture

A textbook in my school has a picture of a beautiful goldfish in a transparent pot of water.The pot has a tap at the bottom which is slightly open and so the water drips out.

Just a pictorial drawing, not even a photo.Yet, even at my age I tend to search for that page to see if the fish is safe or if the water has diminished...

 I  laugh  at myself and then I think-  aren't we in that fish's position?

Trees drying up

All around us we see acres and acres of dried up coconut trees. The ones that aren't dried up yet seem to be struggling in the battle for life. Other trees have dried up too but because  they are spaced apart it takes time to get our attention.

 Yet on deeper thought, these trees shouldn't have been here.They are meant for the sea shore and river beds. Men have planted them here for commercial reasons.Until now the rains helped us in time. So we didn't notice it. They  consume a dinosaurs' share of water while we look at each other in fear : the fear of our water sources drying up.

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Animals dying

 Yesterday the papers said that our forest animals had started    dying due to the drought and so the  officials were thinking of building artificial water holes for them.

 The legal process and then the practical process : its just that the existing animals must survive until then.

The clock ticks and temperatures soar. Yet it is only March. Winter's breadth of farewell is still upon us. April and then May. The ultimate test of survival. 

Uncertain future

 Some States (of India) had rain . And even floods. There was some talk of linking rivers. But again governments may change (elections are nearing). Who knows who will win? And what policies they will follow. Which groups  will they favour? 

Who will  the survivors be?

                                                                             

                 

                        

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Dowry System - Why do the educated accept it?

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"Happy woman's day," we hear some people wish each other. A lucky few can afford to smile on hearing such greetings while to others it sounds meaningless. And to some others it triggers the flow of tears.

A MARRIAGE PROPOSAL-
I heard a family discuss the various proposals of marriage that had come up for their daughter. The horoscope of one of the boys suited their daughter very well but it looked like the family expected much more dowry than these people had ever thought of.

The girl concerned was a brilliant student all her academic life and was now working at a Multi National Company - with the same qualification as the boy. Only thing  being elder, he was senior. The parents thought of gearing up for the inevitable - providing whatever the family asked for, when well wishers interrupted them and asked them to stop the mad race.

"Do you think you are doing her any good? they asked. What if this attitude continues throughout her life?
Let this boy go. The girl is still young and has ample number of possibilities before her."

ANOTHER INCIDENT=
This reminds me of another incident where a very beautiful girl was engaged to a boy two years her senior. Her father's  Fixed Deposit was to mature two months after the wedding which he had promised to give the couple to buy whatever they would need to start a new family. But hours before the wedding the groom threatened that if the amount was not given immediately he would isolate the bride , not let her meet her parents, etc. The father of the bride was confused. But her elder brother was very firm that the marriage be called off immediately, stating that they were lucky the marriage hadn't yet taken place. In India, this is a bold step because relatives and friends come from far and wide to attend a marriage.
The groom never expected it and apologized immediately, saying this and that. But that was that. The girl later married a nice boy and is happy.

UNREASONABLE-
What puzzles me is that after so many years of  education  and thought, people could still be so under developed in their brains.What once started as a parent's gift to their daughters for security in cases of emergency has now turned into a cheap trade, a business. They demand jewels which  are not going to be taken out of the bank lockers or used till the next generation anyway. It's not safe to be kept either at homes or to be worn by people.

 On the streets, in public buses and at shops we sometimes overhear young boys telling each other that they are doing this and that course not for love of the subject or to improve their prospects but to increase their rate as bridegrooms. One is shocked but I was presently surprised to hear a set of girls saying that they were doing the same courses as boys to snub them if they asked for any dowry.
What about those who can't study but still are worthy for what they are, who work all day at home to provide a caring, encouraging place for the family to grow and develop, I thought though I liked the spirit of fighting they were putting up.

THE EFFECT-
This curse has resulted in so many abortions and ill treatment of girls even in their father's homes as if they were responsible for their gender or birth. In many States of India the proportions of the girl -  boy ratio is imbalanced and alarming.

YOUR CONTRIBUTION-
Let those who are concerned with the amendment of laws do whatever they think best but it is the public attitude that matters ultimately. Girls specially should be aware of their basic human rights and their worth as individuals.
And well armed with the courage to use them whenever the need arises. 

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An idea for English Teachers

Last year I was worried that our 10th Std students weren't able to cope up with the Samacheer System of Uniform Education as far as English was concerned. It was mainly because they do not have enough exposure to the spoken word.
But now that 6th to 8th Stds are given time and space for activities and CCE ( Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation), why not make use of the opportunity and share what we could do with these little ones?.

 For example, this humorous song about vegetables would be common enough for villagers to be interested in. Children could either hold a vegetable in their hand or a picture or cut out of it.A group of children could be selected for singing it to the tune of, 'Merrily we go round the mulberry bush' or 'The wheels of the bus go round and round'.
Other children can be taught to come to the centre depending on the vegetable they represent.
Local drum beats can be included to give a war like atmosphere. Even if they are asked to learn only one line each, the whole class will tend to learn and enjoy the song.
        
               Malini went to  market,
                                 market, market
                   Malini went to  market to buy some vegetables.
                       Tomato and carrot,
                         Brinjal, pumpkin
                   Onion and  beetroot - All in one bag.

                                Oh, you are crushing me,
                                                crushing me (2)
                                 Oh you are crushing me
                               Cried tomato to pumpkin.
                                         
                                 Don't you dare mention my weight
                                                       mention my weight(2)
                         Don't you dare mention my weight
                                                     said pumpkin to tomato

                                                You're jealous, pumpkin, accept it
                                                                                      accept it(2)
                                                You're jealous, pumpkin,accept it
                                                               said brinjal siding tomato.
                                             
                                                Red cheeks you say,asked beetroot
                                                                                beetroot(2)
                                                Red cheeks , you say asked beetroot
                                                 What can be redder than mine?            

                                               But red's not real beau u ty
                                                                          beau u ty(2)
                                                Red's not real bea u ty
                                                       said carrot skin shine

                                                I'm sick of your beauty talk
                                                                        beauty talk(2)
                                                I'm sick of your beauty talk
                                                      how 'bout some health instead?

                                                  Then even I'll get a chance
                                                                       get a chance(2)
                                                   Then even I'll get a chance
                                                                    butted bittergourd

                                                  Still hopeful, you green cro co dile

                                                                     cro co dile (2)

                                                      Still hopeful, you cro co dile
                                                               Interrupted Onion.

                                              Peace, peace, no tears, please
                                                                            peace please(2)
                                               All are welcome to my leaf
                                                                        said peacemaker banana.

All the vegetables assemble together and kneel down while the banana leaves stand behind them.

( South Indians consider it a delicacy to eat from a banana leaf).


         Other teachers please share your ideas too.

The trash in our brains

                                                                     Free digital photos.net

"I was writing and writing

 but I just couldn't complete 

the exam 

And then the bell rang

And  I opened my eyes

 And lo! it was a dream."

How often 

I've heard these words

I just can't say:

Which means,

 You must have heard it too.

Even after they settle

with good jobs:

Different scenes

 haunt

 people for years :

Some of fear,

Some of shame
And embarrassment

Appearing in dreams

Confirming their presence

In the subconscious

Minds of people.

Shouldn't there be

 An answer,a cure?
Tell me if you know

Even others 

would like to hear 

Of a solution,

An end

                                          Those who wouldn't
                                           go for counselling
                                       And shy away from declaring
                                         That something bothers them;

Perhaps they should

 sit still 

Before a mirror

And speak

To themselves
positive facts
That the brain has not noted

Everyday
Instilling confidence

Writing themselves

Invisible 

  Love letters
                                                                                                                                                                             

  Till ultimately

 The message  

Reaches the soul.

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P.S- Any other suggestions  are most welcome for public good.

The joyous song of a victorious rose plant

                                                                                                                  I 'm the third  plant in the row
From three sides
Yet at the apex
And  the easiest to approach
And the easiest to destroy.

My master's son any morning
Loves to take my face
In his hands
And ruffle it thoroughly
Till my petals  fall off
And my bare head remains
Dancing drunkenly.

Oh that I had the voice of humans
To let my master know
                                                                             
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                                                                                     That I too had done my duty
                                                                                     And produced
                                                                                     A healthy beautiful rose.

Again I try and produce
A healthy beautiful bud.
This time the gates are opened
And a trailer loaded with stone
Moves backward overlooking
That it was stepping on my toes.

And when it turns to move
My head hooks on to its opening
And  rips off as it moves.
The lady comes next morning
Looking for a rose
To match her red dress:
My heart cries thinking
How my bud would've matched
Her dress much better
Than the one she picked.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            All free downloads.com

One day the air seemed corroded
And stifled my breadth.
 I struggled and puffed
But turned brown instead
I looked at me with horror
And awaited my end.

The gardener had some pity
And left a tiny shoot -
As he chopped off the rest
I hoped for the best.

Now my arms are growing
And my head too
I feel strong and healthy
Confident too.


Never give up, children
Someday,someone'll hear your voice
And lift you on a pillar
And all the world rejoice.

Do all women miss their old homes?

The call to eat Briyani -             Free digital photos. net

"Come soon, akka, (elder sister) why do you take so long ?" my  sister called. She was sitting on a swing in a park and eating from a large plate. " Here, take a plate from there and there's Briyani here. How long I've been looking  for you!"she said.
(Briyani is a special dish made by cooking rice and meat together).

There was an empty swing by her side - and the place was shady. So I happily ran forward. 

And then I woke up in my bed and realised that we weren't small and unmarried any more. My sister herself was married and with two children. I felt a sense of loss and loneliness. Not that I missed the ready made Briyani. I was never a good eater and had to be constantly reminded that I had still to finish my meal. Interesting table conversations always got me distracted from the business of eating.

The changes -

"So what if we're married, we're happy with our new families anyway," I tried to reason out. In some ways I have more freedom than before. At my old home I was just one of the siblings. Here I am the queen of the family. As my father was very conservative we weren't even introduced to all the guests of the family. In fact we had to avoid going that way until the guests had gone. Here  I  have a fair part in determining the extent of relationship  we ought to  maintain with each family.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                          Free digital photos. net                                                                                                                                  
Unlike most women, particularly working women,                                                                                         I've had some sort of help one way or the other so I didn't have to sweat it out that much.really. Am I justified then in missing my old home? 

The main difference -
Of course, at one's old home we only had to bother about our book work.Which is much better than bothering about the ingredients that go into each person's plate and the comments that might follow. Foolish though it sounds, there was some kind of security - we could be 'we' at our old home and accepted as such. Here we have to be aware of the different relationships and act accordingly, even suppressing our points of view for the sake of peace. We are reminded here that blood is thicker than water and so we have to wait patiently till 'eyes' are opened and reality is understood.

But here and there we find soothing relationships which is to us like the choicest of ice creams on a sunny day.


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A Pongal (harvest) Without Rain (Poem)

A Pongal without rain
without ground water
hard on the sugarcane
hard on the farmers
who look to the skies
which replies,
Where are the trees
to catch my charges?
only steel towers
use different charges
to make you talk.





Sugarcanefields - All free downloads.com

Clouds
 laden with water
look down
 and see
 thick smoke
and dust
from so  many
of man's activities
And move on
 to better places.
Other men have

 different races
to bother about
than every farmer's
livelihood.

They'll dig bore wells
deeper and deeper                                                   till who knows
one bore well meets another
within the earth
from different sides :
till the ruptured Earth                                            explodes
and throws us all out.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Ricefields - All free downloads.com
Till then  
we'll continue  
heedless of all warnings
and greet each other
with meaningless words:
"Happy Pongal"
"Happy (rainless) Pongal"
"Happy (chemical) Pongal"

NB - Pongal is the harvest of rice and  sugarcane,both heavily dependent on water; celebrated as a festival in the middle of January.