tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49999531263017693472024-02-07T15:32:02.672-08:00Nicholas Francis Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400987588291677545noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999953126301769347.post-34518174635515100282024-01-01T07:16:00.000-08:002024-01-01T07:16:43.074-08:00<p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif";"><span style="font-size: large;">Resolute Towards Resolutions</span></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When the new year is
around the corner, many among us would get excited and electrified not just
because it is yet another new day that is waiting to dawn. But more
importantly, we would seem to have an illusionary spring upon our feet to jump
out of our bed with many resolutions for the New Year. These resolutions all of
a sudden appear into our minds and would keep us engaged into making the ‘how
of it?’ possible to be adopted.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHdZ01o-5ZWOW-hZsqpSvqGdfFqxxLuATzZJja6Nw-DpywyaaWAgjey6kXqZTUiJdffZYoINy5dtV5nwb9mG_4oSAKVyxuf2q_GV0s_nYv91dav2qC4qJo92WtSAMtuagCXj351-vAnnPDv9Bw3GbuT7TQdiTZ3uKg16rBuM6E3t8IKMs84yerWVVViC-/s275/images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="183" data-original-width="275" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicHdZ01o-5ZWOW-hZsqpSvqGdfFqxxLuATzZJja6Nw-DpywyaaWAgjey6kXqZTUiJdffZYoINy5dtV5nwb9mG_4oSAKVyxuf2q_GV0s_nYv91dav2qC4qJo92WtSAMtuagCXj351-vAnnPDv9Bw3GbuT7TQdiTZ3uKg16rBuM6E3t8IKMs84yerWVVViC-/w640-h426/images.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><o:p></o:p><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Whether, these
resolutions actually do make a meaningful difference to us, or do they just
remain as a mirage that evaporates when the heat turns on is a million dollar
question. It perhaps would be fitting to go beyond the thin screen to have a
look into the making of the resolutions and impact that they have on our lives.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">One of the best ways to
have a closer look at our resolutions is from the stand point view as to how
they were thought off in the first case. Was it developed with a reflection
within the personality as a course correction method to work on the work-life
balance? or was it developed to compete with someone whom we envy around in our
social and professional connect? It must be understood that when resolutions
emerge as part of a process of our self reflection, they are most likely to
have a positive impact on our personality and influence our actions towards
accomplishing them.</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Now with the reason
being established behind our resolutions, the more pertinent aspect would be to
know if they can actually stand the course of time to bring a desired positive
outcome. For any reasonable progress to take place to work on resolutions there
must be a strong quotient of ‘resoluteness’, to get that practiced and imbibed
into the daily frame of our lifestyle with consistency and determination. It is
not just to be a knee jerk reaction to surface for a few days and then silently
disappear from the daily routine.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKeRHBP7IMKbWBMwmRuRMQPkte4hcvAX5TSkGXK1N77hu_rIuJhoGL_EPNWw9WCBauotCp4VcfDz07F7oMx128V5qKfNod-xm29fCV88HkPZGE3bRUB2uvZo3Z5sC970gXAr14jNcdvhmhdtBwAwELoQ7s6sJJaBVxAbYDFH0zCxzZJ1F3GEvLQX1Jh7eT/s1200/RS8032_GettyImages-872927552-hig.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1200" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKeRHBP7IMKbWBMwmRuRMQPkte4hcvAX5TSkGXK1N77hu_rIuJhoGL_EPNWw9WCBauotCp4VcfDz07F7oMx128V5qKfNod-xm29fCV88HkPZGE3bRUB2uvZo3Z5sC970gXAr14jNcdvhmhdtBwAwELoQ7s6sJJaBVxAbYDFH0zCxzZJ1F3GEvLQX1Jh7eT/w640-h432/RS8032_GettyImages-872927552-hig.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: left;"><br />Resolutions are life
goals split in small measure of milestones. As you travel the distance and keep
on progressing going beyond each milestone, you will finally reach the desired
destination.</span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">There are a few basic
elements that are fundamental to accomplish this effectively:</span></li><li><span style="font-family: Symbol; font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Fix the resolutions that are linked
with your own reflection and not copy from others.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Be practical in limiting the
resolutions to an achievable level and not compile a huge list.</span></li><li><span style="font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Allocate a time and targeted
response schedule for practicing whatever you outline</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Stay focused from distractions and
time wasters in the productive hours of the day.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Be patient and consistent with your
efforts and do not jump to have instant success.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Do travel alone on the path to
accomplish your resolutions, as group work will not help.</span></li></ul><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", "serif"; font-size: 12pt;">Resolutions with being
resolute lead you nowhere!</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nicholas
Francis</span></i></b><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; font-size: 13.5pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">www.nicholasfrancis.in<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm;"><o:p> </o:p></p>Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400987588291677545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999953126301769347.post-29659285493298679102023-10-21T08:24:00.001-07:002023-10-21T08:30:24.793-07:00Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Idaikattur <div style="text-align: justify;"> <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Sacred Heart of Jesus Church, Idaikattur</span></span></b></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">An Historical Architectural
Edifice Radiating Divine Blessings</span></span></i></div></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswVaQsmBX0YrhfiVeGpCqH4kAb1cOpCTH7p-94a7EZ5CiYAO3bewOlpxFntPEkOhlA-EUroGONxOV2tO-Fr0K-BkjAO6xLnUyLVhPT6IhqyhBQiuLzRDPjqRBg-jQFEeFOG2FJBOhyCn9MtA2u9uokNRnlSeWLRbW0iV2lLMbKTepX7iXZPqngmYPKDCV/s5184/IMG_4623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjswVaQsmBX0YrhfiVeGpCqH4kAb1cOpCTH7p-94a7EZ5CiYAO3bewOlpxFntPEkOhlA-EUroGONxOV2tO-Fr0K-BkjAO6xLnUyLVhPT6IhqyhBQiuLzRDPjqRBg-jQFEeFOG2FJBOhyCn9MtA2u9uokNRnlSeWLRbW0iV2lLMbKTepX7iXZPqngmYPKDCV/w640-h426/IMG_4623.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: x-large; font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;">Every church will have an historical connect with the
past deeply linked with its establishment and existence. But what you will find
at the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Idaikattur, Sivagangai District is
something that is spectacular with significance standing out with legendary
connect of history, culture, heritage and divine faith with blessings.</span></div><blockquote style="border: none; margin: 0 0 0 40px; padding: 0px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"></span></div></blockquote><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt; text-align: justify;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Constructed in pristine
design of the Gothic Architecture, the Sacred Heart of Jesus Church is an
iconic church that transcends time. Located along the banks of river Vaigai, it
is a never to be missed catholic church with intricate and innate detailing
that is very unique.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95EUK3OyDhrB6AvI_TGOttuVBJKjRpFY_JtK49ZXY5V9KtRqqnfpgHqs4JzCZ_Okcp3EobOGMiQsmpTkzztRNdyiYCzgANfaMcjlkhS0lzUOTEFL6lq1drLI9ew7OFrdT6fkRNnIN0wNBFwQJZRxj0nABSnVJs2bLmKysV-D5fyr6mhqNDAEIqzziyGuM/s5184/IMG_3172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95EUK3OyDhrB6AvI_TGOttuVBJKjRpFY_JtK49ZXY5V9KtRqqnfpgHqs4JzCZ_Okcp3EobOGMiQsmpTkzztRNdyiYCzgANfaMcjlkhS0lzUOTEFL6lq1drLI9ew7OFrdT6fkRNnIN0wNBFwQJZRxj0nABSnVJs2bLmKysV-D5fyr6mhqNDAEIqzziyGuM/w640-h426/IMG_3172.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Historical
Connect of Across the Seas:<br /></span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">This
unique church of the sacred heart of Jesus was built in 1894 AD by a French
missionary Fr. Ferdinand Celle SJ has an interesting history, steeped in legendary
connectivity, this is a replica of the Rheims Cathedral in France.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6F0htVbkvsOxRyxxZvpRaKPr_sMtmZaA7N1yK7JyybGSrbJnenrndPzqiVFN-KI8n3aSxNLZlx7LCwBobwVwvocANWdHPIaDV-hyl_0PblR-2dyaqB3DkEWvNHUclj9s7WqHJe1aFgqykUVcjaCKx3UOr8j4GPA5UK1bDiOb1DDwooGvOliaXr-mGR2h/s5184/IMG_3202.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="5184" data-original-width="3456" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb6F0htVbkvsOxRyxxZvpRaKPr_sMtmZaA7N1yK7JyybGSrbJnenrndPzqiVFN-KI8n3aSxNLZlx7LCwBobwVwvocANWdHPIaDV-hyl_0PblR-2dyaqB3DkEWvNHUclj9s7WqHJe1aFgqykUVcjaCKx3UOr8j4GPA5UK1bDiOb1DDwooGvOliaXr-mGR2h/w426-h640/IMG_3202.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>A
French Anglican lady by name Mary Anne was suffering from severe heart ailment.
She met three Roman Catholic ladies who advised Mary Anne to have Novena prayer
for the sacred heart of Jesus for nine days. When doctors abandon a patient,
God's grace is the only source for curing if the patient completely believes in
him. With this conviction and confidence, she had novena prayer to the sacred
heart of Jesus. After five days of prayer, she got completely cured.
Immediately to show her gratitude to the sacred heart of Jesus Mary Anne wanted
to build a church.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">When
Mary Anne came to know about the arrival of Fr. Ferdinand Celle SJ in France,
she requested him to build a church to the sacred heart of Jesus in his parish
Idaikattur in south India with a donation of 2000 francs. This is to express
her gratitude to the sacred heart of Jesus and it should be exactly like the
Rheims cathedral in France. Father accepted her request with great joy and
agreed to build a church in Idaikattur.<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;"><br /></span><b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">Architecture<br /></span></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">Idaikattur Church is an
architectural marvel decorated with distinctive French style of Gothic
architecture. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The church is constructed
with high vaulted roof supported by columns with cantilevers. The windows are
adorned with small brick pillars with hollow flower bricks and stained glass
which illustrate the events of the way of the cross vividly and skillfully.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJf9mRq5ykMRXW5F23LdaHLljfHm1vVxBbhk9zHo73B2Hf3iwZA-9G6-4FwtfGZOhvl3UtcmVQHILnA7p9JUKHXB6TooKpRUIUWvq0c7Xf9gLg19D8F6xVdXwHnZ749SHUf29BToGMuZOMxzicQJjL8Sff7TB8RLXJ03cR4EXlW8zD0la99rWMWcej5Vbk/s5184/IMG_4779.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="5184" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJf9mRq5ykMRXW5F23LdaHLljfHm1vVxBbhk9zHo73B2Hf3iwZA-9G6-4FwtfGZOhvl3UtcmVQHILnA7p9JUKHXB6TooKpRUIUWvq0c7Xf9gLg19D8F6xVdXwHnZ749SHUf29BToGMuZOMxzicQJjL8Sff7TB8RLXJ03cR4EXlW8zD0la99rWMWcej5Vbk/w640-h426/IMG_4779.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The stucco figures and
the statues of saint, angels and the sacred heart of Jesus, his foster father
St. Joseph and the Holy family statue with golden gilt and the mother of
sorrows are of great beauty and symbol of ancient French artwork.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
Main Altar:<br /></span></i></b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;">The
main altar of the church is more beautiful with gigantic Gothic facade of 45
feet high with stucco figures of God the father holding his only crucified son
Jesus by his hands and the holy spirit proceeding from his chest surrounded by
angels in clouds and in the glittering gold rays of the sun around the whole
work are relief from the wall.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">This main altar depicts
the doctrine of the Christianity i.e., the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit
are in one and the same clearly shown to all people who look at it. The Gothic
arches are decorated with rows of beads, flowers, garlands.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCjBdg44_5DwGXTon75pydkV7Ymkj226GSYQf13Cf_Kh4Vn6x5z8k2wCHAaDyoqN31wWYlvdYT12qnk0BlGOIK846WSXM004atRmuZ70nOTvEpKr9ywwfYNJIzgg0HEeqhPC1RQNao5f8fB6DqlM2osGSgT9GIv_fpC5c8Q_L_uXcTEdddtrVC7hACwIs/s6000/DSC01509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJCjBdg44_5DwGXTon75pydkV7Ymkj226GSYQf13Cf_Kh4Vn6x5z8k2wCHAaDyoqN31wWYlvdYT12qnk0BlGOIK846WSXM004atRmuZ70nOTvEpKr9ywwfYNJIzgg0HEeqhPC1RQNao5f8fB6DqlM2osGSgT9GIv_fpC5c8Q_L_uXcTEdddtrVC7hACwIs/w640-h426/DSC01509.JPG" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 14pt;">Another
unusual feature of the church is the statue of Sacred Heart Jesus Christ.
Paintings and statues of Christ usually show his heart at the </span><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">center</span><span style="font-size: 14pt;"> of the
chest. At Idaikattur, the statue shows the heart on the left side of the chest.
The Christ is highly embellished with golden crown and silk robes.</span></span><br /> <span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> <br /></o:p></span><b><i><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt;"><br /></span></i></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 14pt;">Epitome
of Miracles & Blessings:<br /></span></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">The Sacred Heart Church </span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;">stands out as an epitome of faith and blessings to the
people, blending grace and peace with miraculous power of healing over more
than 140 years.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixj0mvpfE30G8DGmUG7IQ-8IUPB6e-wdSRtvTswkoWncZDM4IXgfoXzfMxKieYnIbcVt-f7GPd5iE6-D1eUFEyahWRo1nu5xj04Q3N5qYaKXsLx0qBoz6w05AVFQzA46zXjx6A6w9aYeCQgu42rYoVuB-eybfLIMEO2s7bRQEIwgD9dp-CGjvlf1s3Hvnx/s6000/DSC01523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="6000" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixj0mvpfE30G8DGmUG7IQ-8IUPB6e-wdSRtvTswkoWncZDM4IXgfoXzfMxKieYnIbcVt-f7GPd5iE6-D1eUFEyahWRo1nu5xj04Q3N5qYaKXsLx0qBoz6w05AVFQzA46zXjx6A6w9aYeCQgu42rYoVuB-eybfLIMEO2s7bRQEIwgD9dp-CGjvlf1s3Hvnx/w400-h266/DSC01523.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>There is a miraculous
anecdote connected with the construction of the church, as the work of divine
destiny, there were showers of blessings upon the church and the construction
activities. When the spirits of Fr. Ferdinand were really down, there was an
unbelievable occurrence that was taking place in his mind. As a dream, he
visualized that angels were actually lending their graceful gesture to support
the construction work, by shouldering the responsibility of working with the
construction materials layer by layer. He saw the church rising with the
support and intervention of the angels from above.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%;">There is a popular saying
in Tamil “Intha Alayam Sammanasukalal Kattapatathu”, which translates English to
“this Church was built by the angels”, which is true when you see the
sculptures within the Church.<br /></span><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p> </o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><b>- Nicholas Francis</b></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p>Author of the Coffee Table Book</o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p>"Marvel of Miracles"</o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 14.0pt; line-height: 107%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><o:p><br /></o:p></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px;">www.nicholasfrancis.in</span></span></div>
Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400987588291677545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999953126301769347.post-33212425048179677822021-10-07T01:31:00.002-07:002021-10-07T01:34:02.617-07:00<p><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span><span style="color: #20124d; font-family: times; font-size: x-large;">Space & Significance for </span></span></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: times;"><span style="color: #20124d; font-size: x-large;">Professional Social Work in
India</span><span style="font-size: large;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: center;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">In an era when the concept of social
development is on the spotlight as an indicator for assessing the true wealth and
status of a nation, we have many undercurrents that keep pushing it to the top
of the discussion table of practically every segment in the society. Whether
there is merit or not in those discussions is not a big deal; but what is to be
noted here is that everyone wants to be identified with the concept of social
development in some way or the other. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><o:p> </o:p></span><span></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoB-icZ4v2hg4H2NZAP-BujEgIv1rsYsjS8tbkSBW74Z4BaFfUpBTLh0o-J1wPZMyrID3PMVo_766WYlsZW63oc62KgPJQtGgNa3YhrXKdkU96fhBdDLl2_3efzNoeJQ2wqnt0JmLUtQDy/s1024/socialworkgraphic-1-1024x501.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="501" data-original-width="1024" height="314" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoB-icZ4v2hg4H2NZAP-BujEgIv1rsYsjS8tbkSBW74Z4BaFfUpBTLh0o-J1wPZMyrID3PMVo_766WYlsZW63oc62KgPJQtGgNa3YhrXKdkU96fhBdDLl2_3efzNoeJQ2wqnt0JmLUtQDy/w640-h314/socialworkgraphic-1-1024x501.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: justify;">It is in this scenario, it may not be out of
place to mention that there is a cult of professionals who are keen to be
counted by having the appropriate space and significance accorded to them for
contributing their might towards the cause of social development with a
professional touch. Without any doubt we are talking about the cult of
individuals who belong to the discipline of ‘Professional Social Work’ who are
confined within a certain boundaries for far too long.</div></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span><o:p> </o:p></span><span>Social work as a profession in our country
has been in existence right from the early days of our nation’s independence
during 1947. The deep rooted intervention of social work can be vividly
recounted in many areas of welfare, rehabilitation, education and community
development initiatives as there are numerable testimonies in the pages of
history for all to see.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">We cannot deny the fact that social work as a
concept emerged from the west and then came into India as a consolidation of
charity based intervention.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Social work
profession in India is firmly grounded in the Fundamental Rights and Directive
Principles of State Policy as enshrined in the Indian Constitution, and in the
United Nations (UN) Declaration of Human Rights. What is of concern is that,
despite its deep rooted existence in the Indian social landscape, yet it craves
for proper recognition at the national level as a profession with appropriate
mechanism and statutory bodies for recognition and regulation, so that the
profession is taken very seriously. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span>Insights into the world of professional
social: </span></i></b><span>Social work is often viewed as any
intervention on a voluntary basis in the society and largely associated with
the non-governmental sector, which is not entirely true, since it operates much
beyond the non - governmental set up.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>The National Council for Social Work
Education in India defines Professional Social Work as “an internationally
recognized academic discipline and practice based profession, based on
knowledge, methods, and skills of working with people and systems. It is built
in the foundations of values and ethics of human dignity, sensitivity to
structural realities, and respect for diversities. It promotes</span><span> </span><span>social justice and social development, guided
by the Indian Constitution and by India’s commitment to International Human
Rights Law”.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjZ8EDZiqxijpEBepZZ2oKA7qMgsO7d-GnLOX2Xiee7gRlsGhsGhyphenhyphenMkJ_Uh0yIcsZytmd_kYdVfoHRZs21wX6QwIorKhlchInpUnhY-jLrQBmzcRiFfLTp4JN6MxzyDxzs6-KB5VHhev1/s1360/61sLayJexhL.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1360" data-original-width="907" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJjZ8EDZiqxijpEBepZZ2oKA7qMgsO7d-GnLOX2Xiee7gRlsGhsGhyphenhyphenMkJ_Uh0yIcsZytmd_kYdVfoHRZs21wX6QwIorKhlchInpUnhY-jLrQBmzcRiFfLTp4JN6MxzyDxzs6-KB5VHhev1/w266-h400/61sLayJexhL.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></div><span><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>In the meantime, it is common to find many
categories of people calling themselves as so called social workers, since they
are engaged in some sort of public activity on a social service basis. There is
no harm any way in their self proclamation, but what needs to be sorted out or
clarified is that whether all of them could be classified as professional
social workers?</span><b><i> </i></b><span>Those who belong to this category often take it as a
decorative or fashionable venture to use it as a tag for their social
recognition. Their activities largely centre around distributing some takeaways
on specified days like their birthdays, anniversaries of festival occasions.</span></span></div></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Professional social work is much more than
charitable service. It based on a systems approach with many interventions
firmly grounded on sound theoretical principles to make the life and
environment better for those who gets past through it at any point of their
life. The common story which is shared in a lighter vein among the social work
students by their professors is that, when you meet a hungry man, don’t just go
and give him a fish to eat and stop with that. Instead, teach him the art of
fishing so that he can sustain his life with dignity based on self reliance.<br /> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN-US">Core Competency of Social Work Professionals:
</span></i></b><span lang="EN-US">Professional Social Work as a comprehensive
process starts with working to empower individuals, families, groups,
organizations and communities to enhance their well being and increase their
problem solving capacities. It stands as crusader to address and challenge
barriers, inequalities, and injustices that exist in society by facilitating
the inclusion of marginalized, socially excluded, dispossessed, vulnerable and
at- risk groups of people. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">It assists people on the awareness creation
and sensitization level about the various welfare and developmental schemes,
projects, programs and initiatives that are provided by the government and
allied agencies. It also stands out as a valuable source for the developmental administrators
to plan, organize, administer and manage programs both at the Voluntary Sector
and at the Institutional Sector to advance the concept of Social and Human
Development.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The success of the professional social work
as a concept and practice methodology is very much based on the expertise of
the professionals involved. They have sufficient practice skills in knowledge
of assessment and relationship building to help the process to achieve the
targeted outcome. Professional social workers operate with ethical principles
in encountering / confronting inequality in socio-political spheres, address
challenges in economic injustices and gender aspects recognizing the
inter-connectedness that exists within and across all systems at Micro, Mezzo
and Macro levels. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span>Professional Social Work can be an inclusive
part of developmental administration: </span></i></b><span>All
the social, welfare and developmental policies that are promoted through the
government mechanism are a result of a process that is centred around the
perspectives of the officials based on the principles and polices of the
political dispensation that is in power. There is nothing wrong about since
this has been the practice of the past and also the present, which in all
likelihood will be the pattern in the future as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none; text-align: justify; text-autospace: none;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQQOrt4x_F8vP3b7Dzo2YNnd97bcNqYvrIhQCFZ98WwE5MmkX8W2jm08HVSIKSo6JaNdfaCTy4nDbWK4P25wj03ttP9bFnaUkwlszwfgBMpIoTdImxPoUlcFS5hBl3ABvo_AAASqf-fjS/s624/ESIJqV6X0AMsfL0.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="624" data-original-width="624" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeQQOrt4x_F8vP3b7Dzo2YNnd97bcNqYvrIhQCFZ98WwE5MmkX8W2jm08HVSIKSo6JaNdfaCTy4nDbWK4P25wj03ttP9bFnaUkwlszwfgBMpIoTdImxPoUlcFS5hBl3ABvo_AAASqf-fjS/s320/ESIJqV6X0AMsfL0.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: justify;">We
also need to accept and acknowledge that there have been considerable efforts
on the part of the government at the national level to tackle many social and
developmental issues which have grown over a period of time as threatening
problems. Various social legislations and statutory provisions are also enacted
to help in providing assistance and protection to people in need and<span> </span><span>distress. This is in addition to the state
governments’ efforts at their level to address the social and developmental
issues with the resources at their disposal. These energy and efforts are never
to be undermined, at the same time there is no harm in looking at an objective
angle of assessment of them from the point of view of efficacy of them in
alleviating the issues in tune with the present times.</span></div><span> <o:p></o:p></span></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">What we need here is an inclusive mechanism
to provide space for the Professional Social Work personnel to be part of the
system at the policy level, program development level, implementation level and
also at the evaluation level, so that they could blend the authority of
governance and power of doing good with that of humanistic concern based on the
aspect of human development for which they are adequately qualified and
trained. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span>The
possible way forward:<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b></span></i><span>It is
always wise and prudent to be part of the solution than to be part of the
problem and keep blaming the system, for which we have no answers. We need a
paradigm shift in the very basic approach of handling developmental
administration; we need to move away in qualitative and quantitative terms from
a ‘top-down approach’ to that of a ‘bottom-top approach’. The best window that
can be opened up for involving professional social workers is at the local body
level, in which the real transformation of the various policies is supposed to
take place. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The ladder of inclusivity and synchronization
of support in a professional approach can move up to the Taluk level and to the
District level in which the panchayat, municipal and civic corporation
structures come into the reckoning. It is here that when many agencies
coordinate and collaborate to implement the various schemes, there would be a
great scope for professional social workers to offer their expertise in program
implementation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">The next stage is at the state level in which
there will be an opportunity for the professional social workers to be part of
the policy making team or structure. It is yet another vital space that the
social workers can bring in their vast experience, expertise and professional
knowledge into focus by providing a component of value addition to the
administrators. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Social schemes and programs are not just
material units that can be distributed and moved away from the scene; rather it
must provide an opportunity and a canvas to work on the mindset of the
beneficiary. This can be done effectively if the policies are people centric
including within it a structure for accommodating the specific needs of people
at the grass root level for better coverage, acceptance, consumption and
successful transformation of their lives in accordance to the schemes or
policies. It is here that the role of professional social workers comes into
play in garnering the support of civil society, and micro level organizations
to social development initiatives, programs and projects. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span>Challenges
faced and the need for course correction:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></i></b><span>It
is a matter of reality that we are witnessing an aggravation of social problems
in addition to poverty eradication, rural development, public health,
employment etc. We are currently witnessing many new issues related to human
trafficking, destitution of older persons and violence against vulnerable
groups, rehabilitation and inclusion of persons with disabilities into the
social mainstream, environmental degradation and loss of livelihood due to
climate change, growing culture of drug and substance abuse, domestic violence
and human right violation etc. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><o:p></o:p></i></b></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>This
calls for augmentation of skilled manpower to get engaged in various capacities
to address these aspects with continuing education, training and development as
part of their professional career enrichment in the field of professional
social work. This apart, the engagement of professional social workers in terms
of employment and career opportunities in various sectors is largely
unregulated with varied working conditions. The salary and other</span><span> </span><span>working
conditions are not justifiably satisfactory on a wider scale while taking into
consideration of the lahks of them languishing without any feature of job
security in the private sector.</span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2D6jowSisbShENRC9W6rKpnu5USh2H9gXdpzn0ZLiYdHQYl9kZivKZfoj6_7YLqM5Kkzh7UYmQG96q3sIyeGylMWeXQGnIl5z2VYv3kzcwIL5WlUaz-wU4EleIoFi2Gg8YSL_IVHPiy8/s400/SU4SW_LOGO-400px.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="400" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiY2D6jowSisbShENRC9W6rKpnu5USh2H9gXdpzn0ZLiYdHQYl9kZivKZfoj6_7YLqM5Kkzh7UYmQG96q3sIyeGylMWeXQGnIl5z2VYv3kzcwIL5WlUaz-wU4EleIoFi2Gg8YSL_IVHPiy8/w400-h400/SU4SW_LOGO-400px.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><p></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span>Need for recognition:</span></i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span> </span></b><span>Concerted efforts are being taken at the
national level to bring to light the much anticipated legal and structural
framework for Social Work Education and Practice in our country. Yet there is
no much progress in this regard which is a sorry state of affairs in the modern
era of governance. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">There
have been many attempts in the past to get the National Council started like
the “National Council of Professional Social Work in India Bill, 1993” and the
“National Council of Professional Social Work Practitioners Bill, 2018”, which
were carried out by select group of eminent social work educators and
practitioners in the country giving much impetus to carry forward the need to
establish a professional council for social work in our country. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><span>At
present thanks to the efforts of Niti Ayog, recently an initiative in the form
of a meeting of select social work educators across India was called to discuss
the need for a national council for social work. The deliberations of the
formal meeting led to the formation of a select group of eminent social work
educators who prepared a Draft Bill on a National Council for Social Work
(Education and Practice), Bill 2020. There are attempts to get a wider
consultation for the draft from among social work educators / institutions and
practitioners both at the government and non- government level</span><span>.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Given
the fact that the society needs professionally educated and trained manpower in
the domain of professional social work to address various issues related to
human conditions; community development; human resource management; health and
welfare of people, especially children and women; welfare of the marginalized
and elders; disabled welfare and rehabilitation programs; rural reconstruction;
urban planning & development; corporate social responsibility initiatives
and disaster management etc. It is only imperative that the formation of such a
council will bring more advantages to the education and professional aspects of
social work within the country. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span>In
conclusion</span></i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span>: </span></i><span>Our country will
eventually stand to gain if we acknowledge the need to accord the deserving
space for professional social work to be absorbed into the governmental and
institutional setup at various levels of developmental administration. This is
imperative and unquestionably a very pragmatic need of the hour, if we are to
make rapid strides with a broad based community foundation in terms of
achieving a higher status of human and development index, which would also be
instrumental in making the lives of our people comfortable, happy, contended
and dignified. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p align="right" class="MsoListParagraph" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-align: right; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span><span lang="EN-US"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--></span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><span>Nicholas
Francis</span><span><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6pt;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;">Note About the Author:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt 21.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">Nicholas
Francis, the author of the “Handbook of Professional Practice & Career
Development in Social Work” holds a Masters Degree in Social Work from Bishop
Heber College in Tricuchirappalli along with a ‘University Rank from the
Bharathidasan University’ for the same during the year 1991.<o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt 21.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; text-align: justify; text-indent: -14.2pt;"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-bidi-font-family: Wingdings; mso-fareast-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">Ø<span style="font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span lang="EN-US">He
can be reached at <a href="mailto:nicholasmdu@gmail.com"><span color="windowtext">nicholasmdu@gmail.com</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 6.0pt; margin-left: 21.3pt; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 0cm; margin: 0cm 0cm 6pt 21.3pt; mso-add-space: auto; text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: times; font-size: medium; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family: times; font-size: medium; line-height: 115%; mso-themecolor: text1;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400987588291677545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999953126301769347.post-50654822544732418302021-06-05T08:43:00.001-07:002021-06-05T08:43:51.548-07:00The Full Circle of Life! <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCnBUE90sbZIDiuM5P2H7McDvtI487XHK5t3tCpfu1vl7l9WEC-Xlloh1ii6_XDeRk97JgPtIolmdCRtAvsGHwhoWl8siMAakQuump7MhYUC5H71vTEPwjIz9S75hf87T6ZL4uFfWX2Xm/s2048/The+Full+Circle+of+Life.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1518" height="634" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCnBUE90sbZIDiuM5P2H7McDvtI487XHK5t3tCpfu1vl7l9WEC-Xlloh1ii6_XDeRk97JgPtIolmdCRtAvsGHwhoWl8siMAakQuump7MhYUC5H71vTEPwjIz9S75hf87T6ZL4uFfWX2Xm/w474-h634/The+Full+Circle+of+Life.jpg" width="474" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400987588291677545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999953126301769347.post-90086490848188511002020-05-05T09:34:00.002-07:002020-05-05T09:48:34.748-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<h2 style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">A Pat and a Push for the Public Health System </span></span></b><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">by the People in
India!</span></span></b></h2>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">We are in the
midst of a huge pandemic that has taken away the normalcy from us in terms of
our regular routine and life activities being completely stalled. We are
confined to the precincts of our homes and having adjusted ourselves to a new
life circumstance which is starkly opposite to what we have been doing all
these days. There is a constrained silence within us and around us which
practically is the new life status that we share with those who are lucky
enough to be safely away from the web of the dreaded virus. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">In the midst of
the silence a few of us are startled with the siren sound of the ambulance that
is passing by our neighbourhood, or woken up by the domestic breed checkers (DBC's) who come
house to house to equire about our health status. Periodically, we can hear
the public address system far away blaring with details of the procedures to be
adopted as safety health practice in this pandemic environment. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Did we ever
ponder for a while from where all these are originating out? and who is responsible
for all these activities in times of turmoil and trauma for the people? No
guesses, all these are part of a gallant effort by a coordinated team that
belongs to the “Public Health Care System” in our country which is in the
frontline as we fight the dreaded pandemic. It sounds good, but what do we know
about it? and how are we connected with it? are questions that must occupy the
minds of people at the present moment.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Perception and
Reality:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">As
always perception keeps varying from person to person, but in many cases a
concept of mob psychology applies and translates into a group perception of a
majority. It is in this background we are faced with a realistic perception of
the concept of public health among our people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">If
one can traverse through the mindset of people in terms of health care,
everyone would be by far comfortable to go into a private health care system,
than that of the government setup. This is in a way because of the fact that
the general perception of the government health care set up is for the other
person and not me. In a similar manner, Public Health is always construed to be
a government system that is for the public and not me. This can easily be taken
as the general perception of the common citizen in our country irrespective of
where they belong and what work they do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">One
of the possible reasons for this perception could be that Public Health mostly
works from behind the scene, in terms of being a silent workhorse that caters
to the preventive and promotive aspects of health care in the country. It is
easily identified as the government’s business and it is something related to
community or village work, which sadly is not the case. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">While we know that Public health is the initiative and efforts taken by
the Government with regard to disease prevention and control in the country. It
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">plays
a very vital and pivotal role in the general health status of the citizens,
since it works on a wide spectrum of services that are undertaken in a large
scale covering a huge number of people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The Central
Government through the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare provides the scope
for Public Health to function within the country’s health care mechanism. It is
with the support of the Government through provision of resources and financial
outlay various activities are carried out across the country through the
structure of public health.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 12.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Despite this, the
public health care system of our country has always been at the receiving end
when compared to that of the private sector health care institutions. It is
always been a matter of debate and discussions in our country at every level.
But, as always in times of national calamity or a nationwide health issue that
is casting its dangerous impact on the common people, it has been the public
health system and structure that comes to the rescue on a larger canvas
covering the length and breadth of the vast geographical areas of our Nation.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Vital Vanguard: <o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The
structure and framework of the public health in India has been a vital vanguard
for the people to protect themselves against the very many dreaded diseases
that have surfaced from time to time. We need to acknowledge that through the
efforts of the public health system we have been able to successfully combat
major health problems like malaria, tuberculosis, small pox, polio, etc in the
past, since independence of our country. We have also fought the spread of HIV
AIDS, avian flu, HINI influenza in the recent past which affected multitudes of
people. Now, as we all know that it is the public health care system that is in
the forefront to fight the pandemic Corona Virus which is dangerously impacting
the lives and livelihood of the people in our country. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Apart from taking on emergent
health care issues on a far footing, the public health system must be credited
for increasing the human life expectancy among the population in India with
considerable improvements in the health care facilities for the masses. The
social problem of relatively high maternal and child mortality is also been
effectively tacked by the vast network of the public health system in our
country.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">The process of </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">surveillance within
the framework of the public health system is playing an important role in
assessing the level incidence of new diseases among the people and for also analyzing the impact that it creates among the social fabric of the nation. This is a very
critical step for framing up intervention strategies that needs to be drawn
up from time to time and address the emergent realities in the wake of endemic
and pandemic diseases. Based on the pointers that the public health
surveillance throws up when in need, the government is able to bring in
regulations that are necessary to be adopted towards the mitigation or
eradication of various major health issues.</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">This is a very proactive role that often goes unnoticed from the eyes
of the common people, but from the point of view of the health care
administrators and civic administration this is a strong foundation on which
they operate.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Significance to
Social Development:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The health status of the citizens to a great status reflects on the
economic and social progress of the nation. It will be hard to imagine that one
could contribute to the GDP through their respective work area, if they are to
be stricken by threatening health issue, since their productive capabilities
will be drastically hampered, impaired and impacted. Mass health care hazards
if unchecked will result in chocked economy for certain. It goes without the saying
that significance of public health must also be viewed from the point of the economic
progress of the country.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This apart, the public health system to
a great extent works towards reducing the health inequality between the have’s
and have not’s.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The economics of health
care comes to the light when it is addressed to mass population in a country
like ours in India. Various researches points out the fact that common people
are gravely impacted by spending their resources and wealth for their health
care needs. With health care for curative services being offered in the private
sector for a considerable cost, it is not that all the citizens can afford it.
Only those who can afford to pay can get care and treatment from that of the
private and corporate sector. This leaves a huge gap in the society between the
have’s and have not’s which throws up a big social problem. It is here that the
role of the public health system and structure comes to the rescue for all to
have accessible health care at their own environment. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 12.0pt; margin-left: 0cm; margin-right: 0cm; margin-top: 6.0pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The psyche of the people undergoes a
great stress and strain when any major health issue that affects them in terms
of a mass impacted syndrome. Many would be requiring immediate medical
facilities that are institutionalized through the hospitals and many more would
require life modifications at their community level. Public health is
significantly known to play a very proactive assistance in developing coping
strategies on a prevention approach through IEC campaigns. The Information,
Education and Communication through vernacular languages reach out to millions
of people so as to bring about a behavioural change among the people to
overcome their problems.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Promoting Public
Health:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Public Health at the perception level of the common people in country
would have been something that was concerned with somebody’s health and not
something that of their own. Thanks to the Corona Virus, now people are
starting to wake up to notice the importance and vital role of the public
health care system in that of the status of the health of the people of our
nation. It has taken a pandemic to possibly turn the perception of the public
health upside down. Hope it stays that way and keeps on growing in strength
among the mindset of the common people in our country. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Any program or initiative which is focussed for the masses, will achieve
the targeted outcomes, only if they are consumed by a majority of the people
for whom it was intended and implemented. In this manner, the people of our
country will have to give due respect to the concept and practice of public
health by proactively participating with greater sense of positivism. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Promotion of public health does not start and end with the government alone,
there needs to be greater level of participation of the public who are common
citizens in the initiatives, programs and campaigns of public health in our
country. The participation of the people in the public health initiatives and
promotion of the same within their families will indeed create a rippling
effect which eventually can have a greater and significant reach with
percolation deep down in the society.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Yes, we are asking that the allocation of financial outlay for health
sector be increased considerably in the union budget. Infact, this is also vociferously
being raised at various seminars and workshops that are conducted day in and
day out. There is a clarion call to modernise the government setup and
infrastructure in tune with modern standards. There are questions of concern of
inadequate manpower in the public health sector in proportion to our population.
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hundreds of messages, images and memes
float through the social media with ideas to revamp health policies, changing
the modalities of operation and sharpening the focus of public health care
system etc.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">With due respect to all concerned, in my humble opinion the points
mentioned above are not entirely wrong. Each one in their own right has a
credible valid reason to state, seek and to review the aspects of public health
appropriate to their expertise and experience. There are challenges that are
always part of any system that is taken up at the national level, particularly
to the size and scale of our country like India.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">All said and done the onus lies in the hands of people to make Public
Health successful, meaningful and effective for the cause it works. We cannot
remain mute spectators without taking part in the national mainstream and then
critically evaluate the system of public health. It would be much more prudent,
if we are to come together and lend our support to cause of public health in
our country so that our people and our nation stays healthy and wealthy. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We live in an age of rapid social
connectivity, through technology interface success stories of the public
participation in public health care system will indeed result in a cascading
social action that would benefit our nation. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0cm; text-align: justify;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">This is the time for the common public to
give a big pat for the public health system in our country and also a great push to
promote it in the society for the welfare of the people of India!<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">-<span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-stretch: normal; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; line-height: normal;"> </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;">Nicholas Francis <o:p></o:p></span></b></span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">..................<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Note about the author:<o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">Nicholas Francis is a
Professional Social Work Administrator based at Madurai. He is also a Motivational Author and Freelance Writer.<o:p></o:p></span></span></i></div>
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Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400987588291677545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999953126301769347.post-50846245899201827032020-03-25T10:28:00.000-07:002020-03-25T10:32:24.637-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><span style="color: red; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Abilities
Unlimited</span></span></b></span></h2>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: medium;">An
unforgettable evening that lives in my mind!</span></i></span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The synchronized movements of classical dance performed
to professional precision and perfection are always a mesmerizing treat for the
eyes and soothing to the soul. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The experience is all the more divine when performed
by artists who are differently abled. It is a blessing to be gifted with an
opportunity to witness the abilities of those who are specially abled on a
stage that vibrates electrifying enthusiasm. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9iZDtZe1ba5aF0Ny2qFEN9UQy1GfIgkm78HTuxAIP39bMxS7KFTjmtBYPQbMOMpWNg2Iq2l6EqHuLp3nwDlFSHzClWWElTMRuSxkGnsxjLecEGPC-sH5LeCvaow0FPK2spBFl4_NVga6/s1600/Ability+Unlimitted+Dance+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1050" data-original-width="1600" height="420" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-9iZDtZe1ba5aF0Ny2qFEN9UQy1GfIgkm78HTuxAIP39bMxS7KFTjmtBYPQbMOMpWNg2Iq2l6EqHuLp3nwDlFSHzClWWElTMRuSxkGnsxjLecEGPC-sH5LeCvaow0FPK2spBFl4_NVga6/s640/Ability+Unlimitted+Dance+12.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It was one such evening that I was fortunate to be
part off, to truly get immersed in the pleasure of passion which showcased the astounding
confidence, flair and professional presentation skills of the artists who are
otherwise referred in society as “persons with disabilities”. The grounds of
Vellaichamy Nadar College in Nagamalai Pudukottai was the place that opened new
vistas for the dancers to delight the audience with a once in a lifetime
program that was star studded with each and every member of the team.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Better late than never: <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">I must confess that the evening that I am referring
here was not something that happened recently, but it did happen in the year 2017.
I had enriched myself more than adequately that evening by witnessing the unlimited
abilities of the differently abled persons and treasured those memories with
some photographs that I was able to shoot during the event. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It needed a special time and occasion to do a write
up and on 25<sup>th</sup> March 2020 when the whole world is confined to their
homes with a deadly virus that has and is threatening mankind, I thought it fit
to do this write up to emphasise that the human connections are very much
powerful and valuable than compared to any other connections. </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Live performance
with life:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The manner in which the Visually Impaired dancers enthralled
the audience with their perfectly synchronized bharathanatiyam dance sequence
holding lamps in their hands was unimaginable to be honest. The reason for me
to term it as ‘unimaginable’ is simply because I did have a question in my mind
whether it was a real onstage live performance or an animated movie sequence
that was screened on a big stage.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6Ltg6vYOBL0fOd1avmENjU4uPzcxD3NONRnO1cMMEK30FmH6-4XQ1KqKOA-xm8sRy2DgeLj3iQ1_IZcMRfd-nuV6_J4Lx7yOVKVFuE72QQvbUbdUwkmWwTDkX1awm-I8vGZWIYSKXrX0/s1600/Ability+Unlimitted+Dance+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1035" data-original-width="1600" height="413" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6Ltg6vYOBL0fOd1avmENjU4uPzcxD3NONRnO1cMMEK30FmH6-4XQ1KqKOA-xm8sRy2DgeLj3iQ1_IZcMRfd-nuV6_J4Lx7yOVKVFuE72QQvbUbdUwkmWwTDkX1awm-I8vGZWIYSKXrX0/s640/Ability+Unlimitted+Dance+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVU6SUPPqtqXR6EUVn0a6jgyNq9eCGV4lpEQrHZ7wpvRu7W03aAa4I-2wLjwpuqoz5kkTs-Y4b8t1JE77eW8-BAPTylKvso9BzLq7IAid8e7asWgs3l7kLcY1Z7YIvWOvUXnAdWo01_EsX/s1600/Ability+Unlimitted+Dance+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="1600" height="392" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVU6SUPPqtqXR6EUVn0a6jgyNq9eCGV4lpEQrHZ7wpvRu7W03aAa4I-2wLjwpuqoz5kkTs-Y4b8t1JE77eW8-BAPTylKvso9BzLq7IAid8e7asWgs3l7kLcY1Z7YIvWOvUXnAdWo01_EsX/s640/Ability+Unlimitted+Dance+2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">If the bharathanatiyam enthralled, the wheel chair
bound dancers of Sufi music got the audience to the edge of their seats. It calls
for great strength and determination to be on public view straddled on a wheel
chair, but here the men came dressed in white with their exceptional skills for
a wonderful performance of Sufi Music Sequenced Dance. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUupBpYpdnESi0uvhD95d3pL_EfhVxrgmircbDh4x9tbS2XBSeVY_TdORPhjlCoh8Ho7feX9s-6urflDBB9b73vnDSyN99UmoPgBM2IbjBHb7QHpUXHXSIYuc9Gzn9kfv-TIOPlf0frj2n/s1600/Ability+Unlimitted+Dance+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1047" data-original-width="1600" height="417" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUupBpYpdnESi0uvhD95d3pL_EfhVxrgmircbDh4x9tbS2XBSeVY_TdORPhjlCoh8Ho7feX9s-6urflDBB9b73vnDSyN99UmoPgBM2IbjBHb7QHpUXHXSIYuc9Gzn9kfv-TIOPlf0frj2n/s640/Ability+Unlimitted+Dance+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5It4Ms5NVv9dqcqX0k4KxGqHre4EGPfsGeDmQKRpP7-5-P5_7Irpq1Irch16NidUGrfJHOTwTODXusBdxkn9kNDtjcq7XZUnUDlqfwW1IGOLKSPOyvmjvUHNL8tvU1Z9q8rbNBrxzx-xn/s1600/Ability+Unlimitted+Dance+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1022" data-original-width="1600" height="408" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5It4Ms5NVv9dqcqX0k4KxGqHre4EGPfsGeDmQKRpP7-5-P5_7Irpq1Irch16NidUGrfJHOTwTODXusBdxkn9kNDtjcq7XZUnUDlqfwW1IGOLKSPOyvmjvUHNL8tvU1Z9q8rbNBrxzx-xn/s640/Ability+Unlimitted+Dance+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The feel was so lively
that one could easily identify themselves of being part of a dance item that
was new and unique in style and substance. The impeccable lighting and the
audio literally took everyone out of the auditorium into a flight fantasy.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LruaQi3dofrdINooJ1ML1L0HvqkvKPl5cCaqsx1DTUgNbA_4eA7JDewr4wlQ05qIT9i4-nAr3pbpk_XiT5HF6dId4J6buqxJOnMe5EMSAPappz67jqPiY_khdbp0Y592ivHEEsCvl8EX/s1600/Ability+Unlimitted+Dance+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1087" data-original-width="1600" height="434" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2LruaQi3dofrdINooJ1ML1L0HvqkvKPl5cCaqsx1DTUgNbA_4eA7JDewr4wlQ05qIT9i4-nAr3pbpk_XiT5HF6dId4J6buqxJOnMe5EMSAPappz67jqPiY_khdbp0Y592ivHEEsCvl8EX/s640/Ability+Unlimitted+Dance+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It takes two for a tango goes the saying, it was
very touching to witness a classical dancer only with her left leg give us one
of the boldest demonstration of bharathanatiyam during the evening. It was not
only a dance that got many locked on to the stage, but more importantly a
message that what one could do in life with what they have, not just living
complaining of what they have not. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86IurqGzsC6irKo9t79niYRw22GOnClEyMylhhKG0JcAi-Q0w6XcMia8p1cC7N7GFbYSltkbyAdLCMRsAMR5N8zCSulLxMUb1Ddc_k_Hc4rgyP4IooqB_7fK-DQgFSYM8eTfL-YgxCwoc/s1600/Ability+Unlimitted+Dance+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86IurqGzsC6irKo9t79niYRw22GOnClEyMylhhKG0JcAi-Q0w6XcMia8p1cC7N7GFbYSltkbyAdLCMRsAMR5N8zCSulLxMUb1Ddc_k_Hc4rgyP4IooqB_7fK-DQgFSYM8eTfL-YgxCwoc/s640/Ability+Unlimitted+Dance+6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9KKmR-aSCJHbF655qhXUbLB5k2zQNffGOtALA8kdt-68RGuhUJ65hEjrbaqxFbCKzNVW5ZovcXcycuNePZKPOiBoK2MGgpMli5zMJYzPZSJHv2-O8eC11hRLI-uaJ6bqsz_QI0MtSIQ9/s1600/Ability+Unlimitted+Dance+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="993" data-original-width="1600" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD9KKmR-aSCJHbF655qhXUbLB5k2zQNffGOtALA8kdt-68RGuhUJ65hEjrbaqxFbCKzNVW5ZovcXcycuNePZKPOiBoK2MGgpMli5zMJYzPZSJHv2-O8eC11hRLI-uaJ6bqsz_QI0MtSIQ9/s640/Ability+Unlimitted+Dance+9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The dancer was so graceful that one did not
notice that she was just dancing with only one leg. She gave a graceful
depiction of the classical dance that conveys much through muthras and
abinayams so delightfully that one could easily relate to the theme of the
dance and the presentation in appreciation.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">What is
music to the hearing impaired?</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8ejkY1BNCEOK6vRsU78pcRUgHVMIP-krmtQfDVbm-pd2DJwK23xUEfNO4y2znBa1dqtOAMbdJmHLoXk34qVi-xkXkMBBdE3OydCs7LZpHlYwCxsUaQC-3r5eaQxmpgZf9GfX9UzuE8Hf/s1600/Ability+Unlimitted+Dance+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8ejkY1BNCEOK6vRsU78pcRUgHVMIP-krmtQfDVbm-pd2DJwK23xUEfNO4y2znBa1dqtOAMbdJmHLoXk34qVi-xkXkMBBdE3OydCs7LZpHlYwCxsUaQC-3r5eaQxmpgZf9GfX9UzuE8Hf/s640/Ability+Unlimitted+Dance+7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The world will go gaga with music that is blasted with
a high decibel on professional speakers. So what?.....it is not something
unusual may be the common comment from anyone. Quite unexpectedly the evening
ended with a standout performance by a hearing impaired female dancer combing
with wheelchair bound dancers to give one of the most passionate and powerful
performance that got sound raptures in the form of nonstop clapping from the audience.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-50Zqz-UHEsVmmYIEhCAiUfqSIU61_r8fsuZ_LnD9qlqWkiJBXOYQN33z4nhwzXBy-FyMnkqwjK2HhsUa2hZ-RQX7CQQE1H0oI53pM5JSRnaMaWZ2BsK9886yiAWLCK5sXk9JKUvWtlw/s1600/Ability+Unlimitted+Dance+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="1600" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT-50Zqz-UHEsVmmYIEhCAiUfqSIU61_r8fsuZ_LnD9qlqWkiJBXOYQN33z4nhwzXBy-FyMnkqwjK2HhsUa2hZ-RQX7CQQE1H0oI53pM5JSRnaMaWZ2BsK9886yiAWLCK5sXk9JKUvWtlw/s640/Ability+Unlimitted+Dance+14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9vS7fR_anHejAL5Qi0kXp7qIhQDp4PSmwaNEsVmYgxaboIbWAv7xVV0hyphenhyphenzCGZ8LD0OjpW3208gUcF-0N8HU370T1xwbuew67Vja6iJC_cqDyGrmYnaABPH8Hk5NtS9qJ2eavu3VoW2_b/s1600/Ability+Unlimitted+Dance+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1350" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9vS7fR_anHejAL5Qi0kXp7qIhQDp4PSmwaNEsVmYgxaboIbWAv7xVV0hyphenhyphenzCGZ8LD0OjpW3208gUcF-0N8HU370T1xwbuew67Vja6iJC_cqDyGrmYnaABPH8Hk5NtS9qJ2eavu3VoW2_b/s640/Ability+Unlimitted+Dance+10.jpg" width="538" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">If one were to look at the photos without bearing in
mind that that the female dancer was actually a hearing impaired person, they
would not believe their eyes. Taking a second look and observing the facial expressions,
the synchronised pose and formation of the dancers, would blow you out of your
wildest imagination as to whether was it possible? Yes!, it was the crowning
glory of the splendid performance that came through effortlessly but punctuated
with great poise and an excellent piece of choreography that let the passion
rule the stage. </span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">How did I
get there in the first place?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It was my good friend Shri. T. Kumar, the Director
of Physical Education and NCC Officer of NMSS Vellaichamy Nadar College in
Madurai who invited me for the very special evening which was celebrated in
their college campus as a social responsibility day. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">‘Virutcham’ an initiative by the NCC Cadets past
and present of the college has taken up the social initiative to extend support
for the deserving sections of the society. This was an annual event that gave
out socio- economic benefits to the deserving sections of the society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A great initiative from the college which is
described as a great motivation and encouragement from only with the support of
the College Management, Principal Staff and Students says the founder of
Virutcham Shri. T. Kumar. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Passionate Dancers
who proved:</span></b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The evening would very well go into my frame of
mind as the one that dispelled the darkness on the question of the abilities of
the persons with disabilities. It is not just a matter of mere words just for
the sake of mentioning, but instead it comes directly from the deepest bottom
of my heart that those dancers not only brought light on their abilities but
very effectively convinced the audience that abilities are not to be limited on
physical ailments or impairments..... Abilities are a mater the mind and heart
and it shall spread light whenever there is a conducive atmosphere in the
society.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6lJuk5Ll12BFHpwJdxYBjJX5h5pwY0mdpBz6Wdti5HC9RFUYs803rpKCWiDIWIDoD97kPIrJgeamNTzWY_TRyAIuv2Dh_gmM73Fh9GDwZq0l6voMukZHIXtZ2VZ0OqdygzZz36A-PXiKy/s1600/Ability+Unlimitted+Dance+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1558" data-original-width="1600" height="622" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6lJuk5Ll12BFHpwJdxYBjJX5h5pwY0mdpBz6Wdti5HC9RFUYs803rpKCWiDIWIDoD97kPIrJgeamNTzWY_TRyAIuv2Dh_gmM73Fh9GDwZq0l6voMukZHIXtZ2VZ0OqdygzZz36A-PXiKy/s640/Ability+Unlimitted+Dance+8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The team that relegated the audience and shook me
off my foot was mentored, trained and guided by Guru Dr. Syed S Pasha, a
renowned therapeutic theatre dance choreographer from ability unlimited <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>in New Delhi.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Nicholas Francis<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://www.francispublications.in/">www.francispublications.in</a>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<br /></div>
Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400987588291677545noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999953126301769347.post-13922402382019337042019-12-01T07:13:00.003-08:002019-12-01T07:13:54.605-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thoughts about Life in the Countryside</span></span></b></h2>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Stepping out of
my house and driving through the countryside for some fresh air was certainly
an experience that I would cling on to for a long time. My intention to go out
to the country side, not very far off from where I live was to take a
refreshing break from mundane activities that I was stuck with. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The hectic life with pulls and pushes are
enough to burn out the calmness within, moreover when we need to rejuvenate
ourselves so as to keep the spirit glowing in us, such an attempt to go out of
the circle for while rather helps.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The first aspect
that caught my attention was the greenery around from the paddy fields. Birds
and Cattle were on their own course without any disturbance from people around.
It was so soothing to the eye, a significant respite from the images of the
concrete blocks that are filled in our vision. The lush green paddy fields
brought in a great amount of freshness to the soul, which has taken a lot of
battering off late. I was immersed in the tranquility of the environment and
felt that the vibrations all over me leading to some deeper questions and
inferences on my life as well.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-BXymvANEcXHFG60zuASkLqxrniZh69-VOE9DUyha1v6rQ0Q-GH6UQ0BTUqn-u5hEcdXiCUs0XfA4O9XpO87bMW8pRiskojsNLyvRAJN7UmKwmYA-FQHIR8gxmP-R-SdPNAIErljCT24/s1600/Goats+Walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="908" data-original-width="1600" height="362" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-BXymvANEcXHFG60zuASkLqxrniZh69-VOE9DUyha1v6rQ0Q-GH6UQ0BTUqn-u5hEcdXiCUs0XfA4O9XpO87bMW8pRiskojsNLyvRAJN7UmKwmYA-FQHIR8gxmP-R-SdPNAIErljCT24/s640/Goats+Walk.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Since it was an
evening around sunset, there was lot of activities that were silently going on
in the surroundings. The workers were getting back to their households after a
hard day’s physical work that keeps them going strong and healthy. It is not a
coincidence that a thought like this struck me “When you are physically toiling,
you are in the best shape of your life”. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are more often used to mentally toil and
physically go out of shape!</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I was able to
see a lot of students get back to their homes in a bicycle after attending to
school that were within the city limits. Many young girls and boys were
fearlessly riding back home, though tired they were seen in a jolly good mood
to go back home. The heaviness of their school bags was not casting any
negative feel on their overall personality. I often wondered if we ever could
leave our children to go home alone after school. We pamper them and go out of
our way to arrange personal transport and get them tracked till they reach
home. I guess that’s why the countryside students are all the more better
equipped to overcome adversities as they grow up. They are better prepared to
face life in practical terms. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9R4VbI5UT6qGZYz-W03LP9r1iRllHG5TK7S9rmnBrNqtSHmHCNW0IH1o0w6QoWWEeZs7cTT8X9l8lMatbRAvz3awIlzmLyd1j51bX50EtnGLM7mwWi7zQeVc8xzKzThAQoeAu5Up3GNT2/s1600/Cycling+Back+Home_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="965" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9R4VbI5UT6qGZYz-W03LP9r1iRllHG5TK7S9rmnBrNqtSHmHCNW0IH1o0w6QoWWEeZs7cTT8X9l8lMatbRAvz3awIlzmLyd1j51bX50EtnGLM7mwWi7zQeVc8xzKzThAQoeAu5Up3GNT2/s640/Cycling+Back+Home_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The simplicity
of the people living in the outskirts was yet another aspect that kept on
lingering in my mind for a very long time even after I had returned home. They
are easily approachable and have no weight in the heads with unwanted illusions
about people. You stop them for a question and they come to you with a naïve smile
on their faces to answer you with all sincerity. The city bread individuals are
to take a lesson or two from these simple souls who strike with their grace.</span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The general
social fabric is so networked that they would notice any new entrant into their
environment; moreover they stand united to overcome any difficulty experienced
for anyone within their space and surrounding. This is very reassuring and
keeps people in good faith despite the age group. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All in all, my
sojourn at Panagandi Village at the outskirts of Madurai gave me a new perspective
for the day, which will last for a very long time in my mind. </span></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">More to come
………..</span></span></div>
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Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400987588291677545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999953126301769347.post-45610916410663762522019-11-06T07:59:00.001-08:002019-11-06T08:00:08.466-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 18.0pt;">KEELADI<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Footprints
into Deep History<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">The
feel of living so close to footprints deep into history engulfs you as you
travel just out of Madurai on the Rameshwaram Highway. Even before the feel fresh
air hitting your face could go away from you, you will land exactly at Keeladi-
The Archaeological Excavation Site which has sprang open a new dimension into
the cultural heritage of Tamil. The site just 12 kilometres southeast of
Madurai is now the new landmark for heritage history among the present
generation.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">The
significance of this place is that the unearthings have given a deep insight
into the ancient civilization, something that could have existed during the Iron
Age, more importantly during the Sangam era on the banks of river Vaigai as
mentioned in Tamil literature. The pointers are far too significant going
several layers into the depth of a flourishing civilization that has been
buried with sand and time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">What
started off as an exploratory project has now come to be a main stay assignment
for the Archaeologists who are getting valuable collection historical materials
and artefacts that take you ages deep down to history. It is sheer pleasure
that this site is very close to the ancient city of Madurai, something that can
certainly be added to legacy of the already culturally rich city. Excavations
carried out during various phases from the year 2015 onwards had brought to
light the existence of an urban civilization that could be dated to the 2nd
century BCE.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Many
would ponder as to what is so special about the excavation site in Keeladi?, after
all every<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>excavation will throw some
light on the past history. That is true, but certainly not a one line statement
with which we can view the excavation site at Keeladi. Archaelogists have pulled
out around 6,000 antiquities, some of which have been carbon dated and found to
be priceless excavations. They include golden ornaments, copper objects,
terracotta chess pieces, earrings spindle whorls, beads made of terracotta, hopscotch,
bone points, glass wares, red and black pottery and iron objects. They have
found brick structures, terracotta ring wells and water drain system which
indicates of a planned urban settlement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The graffiti that has been found on broken pieces of earthen wares and
pottery have similarities to the Indus Signs. There are findings of an ancient
neighbourhood that might have existed as part of the Vaigai Valley Civilization
and many have also started to link it with the Indus Valley Civilization.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tkyQi_H1a48ZBs-T2kyY4LbWYApYjf0ZQOuKI-qmUXtnJJbgC62XVKdB5mjxOzdTjT4Q2tIDCwl59ybM_8UlGv38VpjkkmWgvaCwOOYM_n-eGjtwVPHpdzkI1tv-6uyE0uSvX8QP7eho/s1600/Keeladi+Excavation+5-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="956" data-original-width="1600" height="382" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tkyQi_H1a48ZBs-T2kyY4LbWYApYjf0ZQOuKI-qmUXtnJJbgC62XVKdB5mjxOzdTjT4Q2tIDCwl59ybM_8UlGv38VpjkkmWgvaCwOOYM_n-eGjtwVPHpdzkI1tv-6uyE0uSvX8QP7eho/s640/Keeladi+Excavation+5-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvioH4Dx4cV3P4uNma5WO31t0xLsBbVDqfJ-Ez6qKE7l2B4vBPeZHTU4wj2LzKsqpzRuSO0k2DtmeiKZydjCy-3Ren3Ply85uwkIyedWU5h6xFLV_6yMqDyjmfHN8qGvnvNU6PLpyIPj2Y/s1600/Keeladi+Excavation+5-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1025" data-original-width="1600" height="410" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvioH4Dx4cV3P4uNma5WO31t0xLsBbVDqfJ-Ez6qKE7l2B4vBPeZHTU4wj2LzKsqpzRuSO0k2DtmeiKZydjCy-3Ren3Ply85uwkIyedWU5h6xFLV_6yMqDyjmfHN8qGvnvNU6PLpyIPj2Y/s640/Keeladi+Excavation+5-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhof76rgigBgqiqkvnwDpoLCAK2mIkXCETQAKzhhDO5DWLFJr42Av_KbZUO2Q468EtdEpO0fZekf1OCGSYPA1XvXmdsPVbXqLoNsNyNzvr8FMMBoYEaLp3M63NNUKPVbwizSeAc9R2z0Zdl/s1600/Keeladi+Excavation+5-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="961" data-original-width="1600" height="384" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhof76rgigBgqiqkvnwDpoLCAK2mIkXCETQAKzhhDO5DWLFJr42Av_KbZUO2Q468EtdEpO0fZekf1OCGSYPA1XvXmdsPVbXqLoNsNyNzvr8FMMBoYEaLp3M63NNUKPVbwizSeAc9R2z0Zdl/s640/Keeladi+Excavation+5-1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">For
the people of Madurai who have so many cultural outlets and festivals, Keeladi
came as an additional gift from nature and mother earth to them. It has started
to vividly creep into their lifestyle and thinking. Scores of people have started
talking about it in common platforms and even celebrating it with enthusiasm,
school and college students made beeline visits to the excavation site and have
paid keen attention to all details given by the archaeologists at the site. It
is estimated that more than 1.5 lakh visitors have come to the excavation site
during the last few days of the fifth phase of excavations which recently
concluded during October 2019. The site has got the support of the students
from various colleges to render their services as volunteers to regulate the
visitors who have come from near and far areas. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">I
have had the good fortune to have made a visit to the excavation site during
the first phase and also during the recently concluded fifth phase. It was an
enriching experience to stand on the land that has pre historic significance
and gave me an innate sense of elation that I could see the treasures of the
ancient people at close quarters. It was a nice experience for me also to get
involved the volunteer support program to motivate the college students to act
as volunteers at the excavation site.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniRcQ7lOQxPz87Qu7EP9M7HjCGh1MxXyLX7XOjSvffvJNWZjEopG_dWf9eBiBHKMYeNqZnsNuwd95TIdd6FMIPkvZFg5q4OM2-tOMenpEUoKICau5KBwrRite_hgTjAJ3VYxsgSP7O4Qp/s1600/Keeladi+Excavation+-+Nicholas_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhniRcQ7lOQxPz87Qu7EP9M7HjCGh1MxXyLX7XOjSvffvJNWZjEopG_dWf9eBiBHKMYeNqZnsNuwd95TIdd6FMIPkvZFg5q4OM2-tOMenpEUoKICau5KBwrRite_hgTjAJ3VYxsgSP7O4Qp/s640/Keeladi+Excavation+-+Nicholas_.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif";">Keeladi
has sparked off many research studies and drawn the intellectuals, historians,
epigraphists, geologists and archaeology enthusiasts to discuss and debate the
historical significance that it brings to the society. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Keeladi will be spotted not only in the Map of
India, but also very soon in the Global Map as an important archaeological site
of importance! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /></div>
Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400987588291677545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999953126301769347.post-54840459048184955552018-01-19T01:34:00.002-08:002018-01-19T02:06:30.180-08:00Tumultous Three Nights That Refuse To Fade Away!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><u><span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></u></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The harvest festival of Pongal is
always a time to celebrate all across Tamil Nadu wherein the festivities
attached to the glorious occasion transcends religion, caste and creed.
Everyone will be in a joyous mood to pay their thanksgiving to the farmers; the
bulls and reserve a day to meet with close ones. The city will practically be
closed for three days - a sort of ‘standstill’, since all will go to their
respective villages to celebrate Pongal with their family members, courtesy the
benefit of extended holidays for all. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">This year also it was a standstill,
not just an ordinary sense. It will
probably go deep down in the history of the nation, as the entire Tamil fraternity
stood up for restoring their traditional game of ‘Jalikattu’, without which the
festival of Pongal has no real significance.
The silent storm of the student community raised their protest in
Alanganallur initially, which snowballed into an unprecedented large scale
protest by the entire society all across the state with a sea of humanity
standing behind the students and the youth in their fight for Jallikattu.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivU7uEKEcKaHO4W8_ERR3iUdX1P-ke2ej0a9ceV6WdSwecCJaPrC9CLo47dcNHyOd90TmHB98MnpVHs2WW5rXrsMhZe5TDKmB0YJMqMUr4HNiP8B7uQtrU-5-V1Niw6uB9gKNObkuLVIpx/s1600/Jalikattu+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivU7uEKEcKaHO4W8_ERR3iUdX1P-ke2ej0a9ceV6WdSwecCJaPrC9CLo47dcNHyOd90TmHB98MnpVHs2WW5rXrsMhZe5TDKmB0YJMqMUr4HNiP8B7uQtrU-5-V1Niw6uB9gKNObkuLVIpx/s640/Jalikattu+9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-UIYd5pRTdvuJevZeyxNUfWi_9zA08a9itbIjGqY3_387Tv0Z6RB-zYzCbvf95a1aoQqTDcTzxePrLMzmfE6sfaLBz0juLvzDoc61VxOSfCUXauUfNQKbyVhIHdF2YoZMmokp4Qo6pzN/s1600/Jalikattu+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-UIYd5pRTdvuJevZeyxNUfWi_9zA08a9itbIjGqY3_387Tv0Z6RB-zYzCbvf95a1aoQqTDcTzxePrLMzmfE6sfaLBz0juLvzDoc61VxOSfCUXauUfNQKbyVhIHdF2YoZMmokp4Qo6pzN/s640/Jalikattu+12.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b style="text-align: justify;"><span lang="EN-US">Social Action of a New Order:</span></b><br />
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<span lang="EN-US">The protest that shook the state
of Tamilnadu sent vibrations all across the Tamil speaking community even
beyond our country, which resulted in a very positive support from one and all.
It was no different in Madurai, which was the spark that resulted in a fire of
protest to spread to all corners within no time. The magnetic force that the
students managed to generate out of their network and steadfast commitment to
stand united till concrete action was seen in black and white was the hallmark
of the protest. I must confess this magnetic force could never leave me alone,
as I was emotionally bonded with the students for their honest and clear
commitment to have their tradition preserved.</span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ddZNTdWidJEIEQ6ZqWYwSOpXUbTUJgTs7csm253fBJQ8Xf1ngkfHaJaj4cxA-iPAObdP8T1eUybuUvo2lbFnbRf23bpQeRbXetrLRG1BfQMo13OsTg6RPdOvFC16L7c1QdyUO99q8T1t/s1600/Jalikattu+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ddZNTdWidJEIEQ6ZqWYwSOpXUbTUJgTs7csm253fBJQ8Xf1ngkfHaJaj4cxA-iPAObdP8T1eUybuUvo2lbFnbRf23bpQeRbXetrLRG1BfQMo13OsTg6RPdOvFC16L7c1QdyUO99q8T1t/s640/Jalikattu+8.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">As a Social Work Professional, I
was oriented to the concept of ‘Social Action’, but honestly what I witnessed
in Madurai was something beyond the text book and average practice methods. It
was a Social Action of a New Order, which was definitely once in a lifetime
chance to witness such a huge response to a voluntary call for protest that was
totally self driven without affiliation to any association, caste or religious
groups or political parties. It was of the Students, by the students and the
youth, for the Society. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3I46d5LOwx4nTU3BOwe6shnKespCYeNGgFJNdDFPuaAarEHmkVZCqp5AF2A8qqcz1teIbd5U8zMQpyCbEPuPW8JQBKq99Ry6Bll0dVHaZZXIUvpJ1w7c5Z4WDVcy3Z5FU-6MlD3jXtkTH/s1600/Jalikattu+SS+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3I46d5LOwx4nTU3BOwe6shnKespCYeNGgFJNdDFPuaAarEHmkVZCqp5AF2A8qqcz1teIbd5U8zMQpyCbEPuPW8JQBKq99Ry6Bll0dVHaZZXIUvpJ1w7c5Z4WDVcy3Z5FU-6MlD3jXtkTH/s640/Jalikattu+SS+11.jpg" width="640" /></a><span lang="EN-US"> </span>I wanted to document the action by
capturing some photographs of the protest, especially during the nights, so
that I could have something unique to preserve. I had one of the significant
moments of social consciousness played in front of my eyes, which seemed to be
a clear case of History of the State in the new era. As I walked through the protest area three
nights with my camera (Thursday – 19<sup>th</sup> Jan, Friday -20<sup>th</sup>
Jan and Saturday- 21<sup>st</sup> Jan), more than the pictures that I my camera
captured, it was my heart that absorbed all the emotions that rented the air
with valor and courage.</div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">Human Thunder at Thamukam:</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The larger than life size protest
was unfolding at Thamukkam, the arterial road in the city which is synonymous
with many political and social occurrences of the past. I was thrilled to be
admist a sea of Humanity with their vociferous slogans, songs and anthems that
captured the attention of the protesters. It was no ordinary protest and it
needed a super human effort larger than the self to keep the spirits of the
volunteers sustained to be heard. Every one synchronized their shouts to form a
human thunder at Thamukkam and we could feel the air reverberating with shouts
of solidarity that was intended to reach the persons who mattered most to bring
back Jallikattu to them.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDLYmGDQNL_QgioT7bf5_503pU9SYq0hiR2p5MtfPDR1gOPs9Yxqgclus6YkGrZDyTUEVJLV8QsUv5s6Hd2sK0iLnbTgZnq4rt_NugNJTjM_EYKv2ftlOiazmioX4fQ6Yi9DnmzF7fNz2/s1600/Jalikattu+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxDLYmGDQNL_QgioT7bf5_503pU9SYq0hiR2p5MtfPDR1gOPs9Yxqgclus6YkGrZDyTUEVJLV8QsUv5s6Hd2sK0iLnbTgZnq4rt_NugNJTjM_EYKv2ftlOiazmioX4fQ6Yi9DnmzF7fNz2/s640/Jalikattu+14.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">It was heartbreaking to hear loud
shouts from the protesters who never cared for their vocal chords, but wanted
to have their traditional umbilical cord preserved with the following slogans …“Meesiya
Murku da……Peta vai Viratu da”; “Jal …Jal Jalikattu – Vaa Vaa Mallukattu”; “Tamilan
Da…Thanmana Singamada”; “Thadai Sei….Thadai Sei….Peta vai Thadai Sei”; “Vaadi
Vasal Thiranthal than….Nangal Veedu Vaasal Poovom”.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfRZvP9GuPV2YCx1gdo7cKMlDJ1pK7kxprDoxRBtpA25C9fMRlnXxJUVDrQ7pWDDbM0S38RDOGvNt_ZHmBiURD9_6yn1dczXRgoo03ZCkTkSw8LKJ1E_DXxT2El3GpU7tpHw7WlRyXBX0/s1600/Jalikattu+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHfRZvP9GuPV2YCx1gdo7cKMlDJ1pK7kxprDoxRBtpA25C9fMRlnXxJUVDrQ7pWDDbM0S38RDOGvNt_ZHmBiURD9_6yn1dczXRgoo03ZCkTkSw8LKJ1E_DXxT2El3GpU7tpHw7WlRyXBX0/s640/Jalikattu+10.jpg" width="640" /></a><span lang="EN-US"> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The entire place resembled like a
new community of likeminded people who never wanted a home to sleep, nor their
own favourite food to eat or the best costume to dress. All were sitting on the
road, which they would have never imagined even in their wildest dream. But all
this suffering and sacrifice was for a social cause, only that was utmost in
their minds. I could not only see Students, it was filled with ladies, many
with their entire family members, youth, working professionals, media persons,
radio jockeys, rotary members, traders,
hawkers, businessmen, educationists, folk artists, musicians and every possible
vocation on earth. What was striking was the participation of children even
during the nights. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSm5A6Go999mH7qr0L2-3QJzpZSfFxG87c8MKWvIP0OkxSRPpMGa3eAYbm0Fi-2FZ16gFUCcLqZckXw8IeWQ9BNBpOCe4v6Wrda8U50fQFIQSwwRBri89yNtl3KKSzLSTFrwfzqc7nu1-w/s1600/Jalikattu+Photo+15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSm5A6Go999mH7qr0L2-3QJzpZSfFxG87c8MKWvIP0OkxSRPpMGa3eAYbm0Fi-2FZ16gFUCcLqZckXw8IeWQ9BNBpOCe4v6Wrda8U50fQFIQSwwRBri89yNtl3KKSzLSTFrwfzqc7nu1-w/s400/Jalikattu+Photo+15.jpg" width="400" /></a><span lang="EN-US">The sound that erupted from the
protesters created ripples which stretched from one corner of the road to the
other, in the process energizing everyone who braved the biting cold and sleepy
nights. To keep them fit, volunteers prepared and served hot food items like
mixed rice, iddlies, dosas, which would beat the best of restaurants. There
were mini vans stationed at vintage points to prepare hot Oothappams in the
middle of the night to keep the protesters going strong. Coffee, Tea, Milk
along with biscuits was abundant and it was like a manifold community wedding
of many eating at one place with plates in their hands. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNr9gWp1clikysCblzuRC_aV5IU2iUCzQIrkHnQ-mZK0H-O26GQZeonSbZ5y1Ojf4GNQFik-KYVO07-7ugtSC9QPpl8HtY_5KYToswi3yBZwJlPcy7CIAAmacC0oYf9cHtt9-E4h2hUB-/s1600/Jalikattu+18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGNr9gWp1clikysCblzuRC_aV5IU2iUCzQIrkHnQ-mZK0H-O26GQZeonSbZ5y1Ojf4GNQFik-KYVO07-7ugtSC9QPpl8HtY_5KYToswi3yBZwJlPcy7CIAAmacC0oYf9cHtt9-E4h2hUB-/s640/Jalikattu+18.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: left;">I was admiring a young husband and
wife who prepared ‘sukku malli coffee’ and served it hot for the cheer leaders
so that they could thunder with power. With every passing minute the night
seemed to be long and sweet, no one felt a trace of sleep …..May be because the
Thunder at Thamukkam was growing bigger and louder.</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">Taking on a speeding Train:</span></b></div>
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The protest at Madurai reached a different level hitting the national headlines, when the youth in Sellur braved themselves to run on the railway track on the bridge of river Vaigai to stop the Coimbatore – Madurai Passenger on its tracks bringing the entire southern railway operations to a grinding halt.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmG_NZfNmkf9TYXVWTotV-6MzC1lkTYcf2Cm3bdOCUbUA3oi3dQ1DR-ViPgBaX1B81y1XxF-WPysfjdxHkmuGXgS5rVEKxQpZ-K6Al1qRrR-hkyjZqzOGqiZ2qTuV79VpY_TPNgn4I2Ow/s1600/Jalikattu+Photo+24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUmG_NZfNmkf9TYXVWTotV-6MzC1lkTYcf2Cm3bdOCUbUA3oi3dQ1DR-ViPgBaX1B81y1XxF-WPysfjdxHkmuGXgS5rVEKxQpZ-K6Al1qRrR-hkyjZqzOGqiZ2qTuV79VpY_TPNgn4I2Ow/s640/Jalikattu+Photo+24.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1iqrGI6x8GAqYwDmUIhZBZKlOQGQv8akzCe__nNuxS68yvwA-JaBMr1kvrnufG9g1IId5YqY4nU_Jv1QbqUm2vkVbmsxu9WqK10LLS_hKL6zDdJBay571kDzJ-Y8oM2VSq02cV5QcjyO/s1600/Jalikattu+Photo+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhs1iqrGI6x8GAqYwDmUIhZBZKlOQGQv8akzCe__nNuxS68yvwA-JaBMr1kvrnufG9g1IId5YqY4nU_Jv1QbqUm2vkVbmsxu9WqK10LLS_hKL6zDdJBay571kDzJ-Y8oM2VSq02cV5QcjyO/s400/Jalikattu+Photo+23.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I have lived in the railway colony
and I know pretty well what it takes to stop a train, and what would be the
impact of such an eventuality on the status of the Indian Railway network. The
protesters wanted to intensify their stir by hitting the national headlines,
which they successfully did. Along with the youth, it were the women around
that area who bravely ran on the tracks to stop the train, naturally the videos
of the train stoppage went viral. The news of the stoppage of the train in
Madurai spread like wild fire and many more incidents followed suit all across
the state. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I was particular to visit the spot
and take some photos, so I took on a difficult route to reach the river Vaigai
along with my friend SR.Kannan around 2.00am early on Friday morning 19<sup>th</sup>
Jan 2017. It was a sight to behold , since I found teenagers and youth all over
the railway tracks sleeping across it boldly and seated all over the engine,
which was running till then, hoping that it would be released soon. But that
was never to happen, since it remained stopped for five days, something which
has never happened before in any part of India. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXH5l2jvgtDBYjxvpZWqSag9wzwXBywxUQ0ZMkiQ0Ao6afXYmESV-qphznsYcCMdVCEquAJQrBQ6MgZW0rCm3S8QIHA_Z3M9FANUKCmBtgnVX48uhbt4brJazr5MGnIv4VUKxkYSOOYz4/s1600/Jalikattu+Photo+22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXH5l2jvgtDBYjxvpZWqSag9wzwXBywxUQ0ZMkiQ0Ao6afXYmESV-qphznsYcCMdVCEquAJQrBQ6MgZW0rCm3S8QIHA_Z3M9FANUKCmBtgnVX48uhbt4brJazr5MGnIv4VUKxkYSOOYz4/s640/Jalikattu+Photo+22.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The train stoppage was a severe blow
to the administrators, as they found now way to negotiate with the protesters
to end the real life drama on the tracks and to rescue the train. Consequently
Madurai remained cut off from the Rail network of the Nation. The commitment of
the Youth in wanting to see a tangible and dependable solution for their
protest was very evident with them only relenting to release the train on
Monday, still with much resistance and a mild latti charge down the river. </span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">Resoluteness even in Rains:</span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVgrjISfjy0Gw3WQ2Us_NBEkyhETf8dGd-HO8QVo1bBLowAyrz4t2sEXLW7BHgl-GLBU2zUfKKbqaKuxgI1hhtKDMU9HDxrytEBnFBdrQmNXegPf7sIMywCPJzNftiL840bQNL7BbJWKi/s1600/Jalikattu+SS+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqVgrjISfjy0Gw3WQ2Us_NBEkyhETf8dGd-HO8QVo1bBLowAyrz4t2sEXLW7BHgl-GLBU2zUfKKbqaKuxgI1hhtKDMU9HDxrytEBnFBdrQmNXegPf7sIMywCPJzNftiL840bQNL7BbJWKi/s640/Jalikattu+SS+9.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The high impact night for me
personally was Saturday night when the crowd grew stringer and bolder, even to
the extent of braving the rains. It was raining cats and dogs at Thamukkam, and
there no signs of withdrawal of the protest. The people were literally drenched
and had no change over clothes, nor any towel to wipe them dry. I guess they
preferred to remain wet and shiver in the rains, so that the news of their
sufferings could send shivers down to the state, which it eventually did. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The significance of this whole protest
was the art of managing any situation with the available resource by the
students and youth, ably supported by generous people. Huge flex banners were
brought to the ground and the youth held them over the heads, while the ladies
who were seated beneath it switched on their mobile phones to keep the place
illuminated. This certainly brought not only relief to the suffering students,
but honestly tears to my eyes. I mean it!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_DEJ4dIqZXne7c2huwYaPmwPGGeu3N_zdNrQFCpbLOKeEjJXN0x8DfNGxzwG9uQCmCPs_2-qSw1KASw7HNNXMnGtYPrWhh9qzwxVKZfAWVt3hcu2ow5BHaJd8hZAlyPWbdt5NQCC7XDD/s1600/Jalikattu+SS+26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN_DEJ4dIqZXne7c2huwYaPmwPGGeu3N_zdNrQFCpbLOKeEjJXN0x8DfNGxzwG9uQCmCPs_2-qSw1KASw7HNNXMnGtYPrWhh9qzwxVKZfAWVt3hcu2ow5BHaJd8hZAlyPWbdt5NQCC7XDD/s640/Jalikattu+SS+26.jpg" width="640" /></a><span lang="EN-US"> </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Imagine the parents who get over
protective when their children, particularly young ones gets wet in the rains
and comes home drenched. The immediate response would be to wipe them dry and
change their clothes so that they are not affected by the rains. It does not
stop there; they are then cuddled in a warm blanket and offered some warm food
to eat, to keep them warm. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwczvQ6E5sg4PagJVzrUKDcxtaAC5TLvojImJMpb2MJ0CAklp4uYR6J5_S4d1ATDOrxTFBsenIKLJQGiF130CMdM3u2urt9TZoa-VI4seZf6TTpaO1p7bp8gciZqLTOyNZfz1rgHe6IW5/s1600/Jalikattu+Snapshot+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwczvQ6E5sg4PagJVzrUKDcxtaAC5TLvojImJMpb2MJ0CAklp4uYR6J5_S4d1ATDOrxTFBsenIKLJQGiF130CMdM3u2urt9TZoa-VI4seZf6TTpaO1p7bp8gciZqLTOyNZfz1rgHe6IW5/s320/Jalikattu+Snapshot+1.jpg" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US">But in
Thamukkam, the women along with their children were seated in the rains with
little or no warm clothes. The only saving grace was some umbrellas that kept
changing hands and the flex banner that was held up by the students. Care was
taken by a few volunteers to sweep the floor to drain out the rain water that was
stagnant. One can easily take a cue of disaster management tips from the youth
for their appropriate reflexes which seemed so smooth to the eyes and soothing
to the soul.</span></div>
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<b><span lang="EN-US">Memories for Eternity:<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">The show of strength as one may be
free to call, the protest by the students, independent of any affiliation would
definitely be written in ‘Golden Letters with Bold Fonts’ in the history book
of Tamilnadu, if not for the entire nation. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">No one can fancy the fact that thousands
of young people in vulnerable age groups with volatile emotions can be grafted
for an ethically and morally well sounded protest, displaying a high degree of
self control of social behavior. The manner in which they managed to draw in
common people of all segments was the standout highlight, more importantly they
never let anyone take advantage of their power till they had their way in
getting an ordinance passed revoking the traditional sport of Jalikattu. </span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I am sure when the youth of the
present generation teach their children about history of Jalikattu or that of
Social Action, they would hold their heads high and say with pride..”I was part
of that”. I will not hold myself for any consideration in saying with
contentment, that “I too was part of it”, as I would be one among the fortunate
and lucky ones to have witnessed history in its making.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJ8tU1EDZgX_SRT4Rf0X58PPR1Tcul8ZZd1uzt5Uy42cmKRipEp55TyznKhub4_7VWUmOZIzf27Jmt78FTbG1VIihbumBRWsL61TTbgX8_jrgd6rL1AEsBPkp2OWNzCy4ZhFyENUZi1r_/s1600/Jalikattu+SS+23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnJ8tU1EDZgX_SRT4Rf0X58PPR1Tcul8ZZd1uzt5Uy42cmKRipEp55TyznKhub4_7VWUmOZIzf27Jmt78FTbG1VIihbumBRWsL61TTbgX8_jrgd6rL1AEsBPkp2OWNzCy4ZhFyENUZi1r_/s640/Jalikattu+SS+23.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">These three days refuse to fade
away from my memory, and I will seriously not try, even to a very tiny extent
to forget it…..could I?</span></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><span lang="EN-US">-<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><b><span lang="EN-US">Nicholas Francis<o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: x-small;">www.francispublications.in</span></div>
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Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400987588291677545noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999953126301769347.post-8413522135747253482017-05-14T10:18:00.003-07:002017-05-14T10:18:59.521-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua", serif; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">Happy Streets of Madurai</span><span style="color: #002060;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">When I received a message request from my friend RJ
Ramana of Mirchi FM Radio Channel in Madurai to participate in the Happy Street
Program in Madurai on 14<sup>th</sup> May 2017, I never imagined that it would
really be a day of unwinding from the hectic professional life. <o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">It was a certainly a day that residents
from Kamarajar Salai came out of their concrete jungle homes and took to the
busy arterial road to play games that one could never imagine to play on a normal day. By the way Kamarajar Salai in Madurai
connects city to Ramanathapuram Highway and is intricately crowed with shops
and establishments which is even more thickly populated with residences since
it has close proximity to the famous Meenakshi Amman Temple. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Happy Street as a novel concept to
promote camaraderie among the people and bring about togetherness in coming out
for a common cause to refresh and rejoice within their own environment is a
welcome step. Kudos to the energetic Commissioner of Madurai Corporation for hitting
upon a fantastic idea and implementing it with the support of Corporate
Sponsors, Media Houses and the Civic Administration. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWFSYGbp-DPGfwuk-DU3fq8QzSIX6v2XtNP_zhbOw2ESB9CZqgmntiKlK6quTihOQB_MmQZqoaT3RArV-kUbvqDrTGV2orNG6D-M_VGSUPMbAdXuV7P_d7eqMtJU42EDUTWzFpEjaUKMR/s1600/Happy+Street.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWFSYGbp-DPGfwuk-DU3fq8QzSIX6v2XtNP_zhbOw2ESB9CZqgmntiKlK6quTihOQB_MmQZqoaT3RArV-kUbvqDrTGV2orNG6D-M_VGSUPMbAdXuV7P_d7eqMtJU42EDUTWzFpEjaUKMR/s640/Happy+Street.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The response to the Happy Street
Program was enormous from the public as they made use of the space to come out to let their spirits and energy enthusiastically be engaged in an activity of
their liking, most importantly something that was far from their mundane daily
life. It was heartening to see people of all ages throng the location, which
was cordoned off from vehicular traffic and take centre stage to display their
talents in various games like Basket ball netting, Shuttle Cock, Table Tennis,
Carrom Boards and Skipping. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">Youngsters were excited to display
their skills in roller skating, Trampoline Jumping and Archery. The Youth got
an opportunity to play Cricket with Tennis Ball on the cement road which was a
dream pitch to stroke around. The Cycling Team with their gears were doing synchronized cycling that was a treat to the eyes of the audience and passerby.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Professional Boxers were giving an
opportunity for the young to throw a few punched with the boxing gloves on, something
that we do not see too often in a place like Madurai. Gymnastics was also part
of the game on display, as young persons were seen trying their luck on the pole
by scaling it and balancing themselves on the top of it. Spinning of Tops was a treat to the eyes and a
surprise package, since not many know the trick to get it on their palms to
spin off. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIYznDCMRhWIBBZSWQ9CzjuANAFQx83cyjIKtuCVVWEetS7A8FfVjUZVHRfMJ5YJcRko7xuoURV2PXmfWTU6MT-ih7Qu9cOd-ZZiB46sbNfwo8hArCurbUkgOeX46-sQ5lVSl0QrD2wg_/s1600/Happy+Street+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhIYznDCMRhWIBBZSWQ9CzjuANAFQx83cyjIKtuCVVWEetS7A8FfVjUZVHRfMJ5YJcRko7xuoURV2PXmfWTU6MT-ih7Qu9cOd-ZZiB46sbNfwo8hArCurbUkgOeX46-sQ5lVSl0QrD2wg_/s640/Happy+Street+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeCUs0atXkbvZv53foNqEeEieWkR4T9vSKfx0E_ZVOTXuEhu6OWx1jRL48eOd9j9wDGzE_lyJnUrvUgYf-7pP2nOl7sVjlG01v8eZahi83lZlCi9LcdHEnKlS54Dzjpe7Ne19lUPvBiGf/s1600/Happy+Street+13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOeCUs0atXkbvZv53foNqEeEieWkR4T9vSKfx0E_ZVOTXuEhu6OWx1jRL48eOd9j9wDGzE_lyJnUrvUgYf-7pP2nOl7sVjlG01v8eZahi83lZlCi9LcdHEnKlS54Dzjpe7Ne19lUPvBiGf/s640/Happy+Street+13.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">The Organisers were able to get the
crowd to do some on the spot dancing with live bands playing out Western Songs
and popular film songs. Certainly ‘Mustaffa ....Mustaffa’ Song from AR Rehaman
got the crowd to wave their hands in unison to get a magic effect. Celebrity
playback singers also lent their voice by performing hit songs on the stage. An
young girl just jumped on stage to do a graceful dance synchronizing with the
tune of ‘Alegra....Alegra’ Song which was very well sung on stage. The crowd
that swelled around the stage were also doing some graceful moments for each
song.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The Radio Jockeys led by RJ Ramana did
some fantastic fast paced dances with the crowd pulling in participants from
all ages. RJ Jackson Durai and RJ Kalyani too added grace to the dance party. This
apart there were choreographers from the Cine World who kept the audience
engrossed to their dance movements with various dance groups.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The mobile phones were the busy gadgets
since Selfies dominated the day, with every bit of the proceedings getting a
gentle click by all. No one was left in the crowd. It was hilarious to witness
people sporting coloured hair wigs and taking / posing for selfies on their mobiles.
Guess how many mobiles did go dry with batteries burning out of the charge. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRaO0GENQoHy2jBtrtZ-sZmmFIlANLC0euIqs1C-X2m0AYhe8vtr2GUhvBmb-3Lvx-YdnvDUbgZ233egs7dkMRxmQbBaWSwiLk8V7EhBA3k35fMAUrUaau6R5Jxs6hvCbbhINQKkDgiUbG/s1600/HS+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRaO0GENQoHy2jBtrtZ-sZmmFIlANLC0euIqs1C-X2m0AYhe8vtr2GUhvBmb-3Lvx-YdnvDUbgZ233egs7dkMRxmQbBaWSwiLk8V7EhBA3k35fMAUrUaau6R5Jxs6hvCbbhINQKkDgiUbG/s640/HS+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Book Antiqua, serif;">The Happy Street was not confined to
just Games and Fun, on a serious note there were many social themes on which
awareness was spread through to the public. Noticeable among them was Effective
Consumption of Water, Environment Protection, Planting of Trees, Organic Food
and Healthy Civic Lifestyle etc. A Mobile Blood Donation Van was also stationed
at the location to get the public to do donate blood and save life. Soups and Food items were also part of the
package to keep the public attracted.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">On a personal note, I felt elated when
I had a chance to meet up with some of my family friends like M. Rajesh of
Guna Vilas, Sivanath and Nitin Shah from Classic Readymades. My friend Gnanagugan was up
with his family for the program and even tried his skill in ‘Stick Fight’. I
was able to meet up with Media friends like Edwin, Photographers Selvam
Ramasamy and OSD Suresh. Suresh even got me pose for a snap, which was a cute
remembrance, so did Deepika who shot me in action.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsN5aahA7RLSmqxx7XPORNcvb2kNSJyVEDabim5dRMuY_dIVAbn05Xwt_Lbyv2QM9qdNJNQuw40aq83hj_AEhdkRFiqizcH45ACMyoMO3mVX_EL0GHHxvOYPIlnHxetAYmP2JAtvV-1u9/s1600/Happy+Street+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivsN5aahA7RLSmqxx7XPORNcvb2kNSJyVEDabim5dRMuY_dIVAbn05Xwt_Lbyv2QM9qdNJNQuw40aq83hj_AEhdkRFiqizcH45ACMyoMO3mVX_EL0GHHxvOYPIlnHxetAYmP2JAtvV-1u9/s640/Happy+Street+9.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyFVV8-8ZEg-56j_n1yaT71tqr8t7hsILqSRkojPGQK5PDySBuuIPAAUfmWsntRGiA89a6siwLb5zPRzm8PZ9e71ubaXuK5uf6OWDYP2UM7CchHgUFgFfg-VdBGn_Xwz2D_236dCJ47a-/s1600/hs+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmyFVV8-8ZEg-56j_n1yaT71tqr8t7hsILqSRkojPGQK5PDySBuuIPAAUfmWsntRGiA89a6siwLb5zPRzm8PZ9e71ubaXuK5uf6OWDYP2UM7CchHgUFgFfg-VdBGn_Xwz2D_236dCJ47a-/s640/hs+4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The thrill to be on a busy road for
three hours on a Sunday morning with the public of Madurai was a pleasant opportunity.
The mini carnival sort of program would eventually benefit if more colour and
content is added in the ensuing editions to represent the cultural advantage that a city like Madurai has. It would
be on comparable lines very soon with the carnivals that takes place in many
cities around India and abroad.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApnyE0CpiPshniTnkfBKL56WQ44DqzYg2IAVb6-j0bs4Xqn22ucwv4mRIUzZuIGnNn0mcFx2xUGXCEh2LknEbMR5jUPqeVkt2R7gjeWep0pWr_vdPkICHhYM42F9xfsj0ebDG_jaVZ0iZ/s1600/Happy+Street+16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApnyE0CpiPshniTnkfBKL56WQ44DqzYg2IAVb6-j0bs4Xqn22ucwv4mRIUzZuIGnNn0mcFx2xUGXCEh2LknEbMR5jUPqeVkt2R7gjeWep0pWr_vdPkICHhYM42F9xfsj0ebDG_jaVZ0iZ/s640/Happy+Street+16.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9smfMfcnhmVegicYVVygptVB91vvp5xtrFRc52-GF10xe4sdql5aq86fCmFtCXdGKVV4td4_Z6MXX-EtrRRIjU4uiIv1QSHWZTmqOZ-X_HcwYpdHD-OR6mfh1UF2nWzB_ZAeVrziHhK0P/s1600/Happy+Street+19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="386" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9smfMfcnhmVegicYVVygptVB91vvp5xtrFRc52-GF10xe4sdql5aq86fCmFtCXdGKVV4td4_Z6MXX-EtrRRIjU4uiIv1QSHWZTmqOZ-X_HcwYpdHD-OR6mfh1UF2nWzB_ZAeVrziHhK0P/s640/Happy+Street+19.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span><span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">For now the tagline of the Happy Street
program in Madurai “Vanidiya Vaarthu.....Vanthu Vilayadu” (Vehicles will not
come.....Come and Play) shall remain as a memorable one!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Book Antiqua","serif"; font-size: 9.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><a href="http://www.francispublications.in/">www.francispublications.in</a> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400987588291677545noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999953126301769347.post-53773047963426915542017-05-11T04:33:00.000-07:002017-05-11T23:37:38.173-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><span style="color: #990000; font-size: large;">Capturing the
Colourful Chitirai Festival in Madurai</span><o:p></o:p></span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;">Chitirai Festival is an all
encompassing event that brings good cheer to the people wherever it is
celebrated coinciding with the full moon day. One could ask why is it all
the more special in Madurai, which is also known as the Temple City in Tamil
Nadu? <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;">Madurai with the iconic and
legendary Sree Meenakshi Amman Temple is probably the all happening place, where one could be immersed in the
thickness and richness of colour, tradition, heritage, music, dance and
performing arts. The people of the city from far and near places flock in
groups not merely by the hundreds, but actually goes beyond the thousands and
even surpass the lakhs to participate in what could be termed as a “Mother of
All Festivals.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AQ_FIdEn33-q0iteQcj1Gb6hOGkThyphenhyphen8D27-ZJWm1oRMaqrBzPtQGexlieQP_3SCRi-HZrtLHEXfExaBUuqqkRWqxbaW8K4oP52u7n9GUAS_Sb9QSyhqnrUzZa2tVPnbVr8s6fgq42qij/s1600/Chitrai+Festival+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0AQ_FIdEn33-q0iteQcj1Gb6hOGkThyphenhyphen8D27-ZJWm1oRMaqrBzPtQGexlieQP_3SCRi-HZrtLHEXfExaBUuqqkRWqxbaW8K4oP52u7n9GUAS_Sb9QSyhqnrUzZa2tVPnbVr8s6fgq42qij/s640/Chitrai+Festival+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;">The cultural festivities associated
with the Chitirai Festival in Madurai is mindboggling as the entire city comes
alive with sound and light, dance and songs, prayers and offerings, divinity
and affinity, love and joy etc. There is so much of love and warmth in the air
with celebrations taking place in every nook and corner involving all segments
of people. One significant reason for this mass celebration can be that two major
events like the Meenakshi Thirukalyanam and Lord Kallazhagar's entry into the
river Vaigai takes place during the same period. Both the events have a legendary legacy
attributed to it, but yet in modern day times, it is almost getting more
significancant due to the large crowds who are emotionally, spiritually and culturally blended to a
tradition that is almost owned and expressed by the people of Madurai.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXmywzPhPL8dQ__3JYHNa9LA7q7e7c_DWnvfuA7CDVESstfNGN_NUhO9E4315lN5eAAcuPQlwLAvzHCjROzMwbxUhne5I7Ib5Z0wrY5c4Z2UGpUUj6MO1dT93SF79wnvAfbnc7ZmbnSzs/s1600/MCF.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXXmywzPhPL8dQ__3JYHNa9LA7q7e7c_DWnvfuA7CDVESstfNGN_NUhO9E4315lN5eAAcuPQlwLAvzHCjROzMwbxUhne5I7Ib5Z0wrY5c4Z2UGpUUj6MO1dT93SF79wnvAfbnc7ZmbnSzs/s640/MCF.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0nad83LSlfhzt6Sj9CZqLNxC9ldcRSwbUe-IA9AZkqz43SJ2IJN3Phs_sjWdWVjSDGFtmQJU2g5lCEBy_Moojs5m5P4j6ojdgaNaHt4Yp741ovp1risVQw6L9_AJMaHbQGN4pU6rgMLo/s1600/Meenakshi+Temple+Car+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv0nad83LSlfhzt6Sj9CZqLNxC9ldcRSwbUe-IA9AZkqz43SJ2IJN3Phs_sjWdWVjSDGFtmQJU2g5lCEBy_Moojs5m5P4j6ojdgaNaHt4Yp741ovp1risVQw6L9_AJMaHbQGN4pU6rgMLo/s640/Meenakshi+Temple+Car+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;">Every year, I used to watch the
newspapers for a big size photograph of the Thirukalyanam, Therottam and Alagar's Entry into River Vaigai and then forget about it after a few days. But this
year was something special and spectacular, since I got into the thick of the
things and ventured into the city to have a feel of what the Chitirai Festival
was all about. The other important or rather main reason for me to get into the
crowds was my Canon DSLR Camera that I carried to shoot some photographs of the
happenings. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 412.3pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;">I must honestly confess that I was
awestruck with the lively energy and electrifying atmosphere around the city
during festival. People came wearing their best dress and accessories, children
with play items were seen having fun all around. The Women kept pace with the
crowd in moving swiftly in waves to have a look at the deity and offer their
prayers. The elderly were seen in the crowd sitting on the pavements and on the
staircases of the shops and establishments and praying to the lord from a
comfortable distance. The Youth were exuberant and making their presence felt
in a huge crowd. So much of crowd assembling on their own, staying with the
festivities and dispersing peacefully without any issues is something that
needs to be appreciated. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 412.3pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;">The most striking feature of the
Chitirai Festival is the procession of Sree Meenakshi Amman along with other
deities in various forms along the much famous Chitirai streets in Madurai. The
spectacle is truly colourful and soulful when the procession goes past you, as
you can witness young Children dressed up like the Lord in appropriate attire
with jewels. Meenakshi Amman is the most common dress that children wear, and
no surprise you can witness the charm and beauty of Meenakshi Amman through the
young children who do not get tired in a grueling route spanning atleast 20
Kms. Children are also dressed up like other god and goddesses and are
accompanied by their parents along the entourage. Folk artists break the noise
barrier with their thunderous performance of Oiyilattam, Mailyattam, Kollattam,
Thappattam, Kaavadi Attam etc. Cartoon Caricatures comes alive with many
sporting huge faces of animals and famous historical personalities to draw the attraction of the crowd.
<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 412.3pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;">I was completely swept with the
colourful pageant that passed across and started to click some fantastic
photos, which made me happy. The interesting aspect is that many would come
forward and voluntarily ask for a photograph to be taken. On the contrary, I would approach many to take a photo of them as they sing and dance along the
procession which is a representation of a rich culture and tradition that is
customary with the soil. The photos which were shared through private messages
with my friends have got a great response. Many acclaimed that I am an avid
photographer and sent their comments in many other ways, much to their choice of words and sentiments.</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGVaFbIA79Y9_zfkUfb3H-oTKo-Zw9Qf6j0uDq53gC5YJiwgk42cYxnEm1jDFSqQOROZBUwkvi9hlZXUkxGmnd0MPUlRExCOoSonWRevvfNVahx30FHIT1zO0ItH2cR5LyUzJpMAEkmnm/s1600/IMG_1365.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKGVaFbIA79Y9_zfkUfb3H-oTKo-Zw9Qf6j0uDq53gC5YJiwgk42cYxnEm1jDFSqQOROZBUwkvi9hlZXUkxGmnd0MPUlRExCOoSonWRevvfNVahx30FHIT1zO0ItH2cR5LyUzJpMAEkmnm/s640/IMG_1365.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9QowXM3QejCYjB3q3CvrBoG2gjKbwWtrTrx00t3eUQTmTFN0wHEyufsR8DSIpt2NAQNglkhKa6JWiH8E5EFyLZtnxA__i3hctVtNUpF5u4-v_RtkrwCqITgoqLO-OKoOHlYl22yXKAyh/s1600/Alagar+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha9QowXM3QejCYjB3q3CvrBoG2gjKbwWtrTrx00t3eUQTmTFN0wHEyufsR8DSIpt2NAQNglkhKa6JWiH8E5EFyLZtnxA__i3hctVtNUpF5u4-v_RtkrwCqITgoqLO-OKoOHlYl22yXKAyh/s640/Alagar+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJCmbANma20bFLoEiMIBsOvLuxwyyXrEU3KAqfdR06PK1LRoo1pjuAxDdAN_3l9hXMX7CBGLWBgl9tNbY8L1xNy-8w8jCkfJrREPp6e1RqiWLMN-YmWGMd8BWXKyfUySNqLjw3eVO1w1i/s1600/Alagar+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLJCmbANma20bFLoEiMIBsOvLuxwyyXrEU3KAqfdR06PK1LRoo1pjuAxDdAN_3l9hXMX7CBGLWBgl9tNbY8L1xNy-8w8jCkfJrREPp6e1RqiWLMN-YmWGMd8BWXKyfUySNqLjw3eVO1w1i/s640/Alagar+3.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskezO8x_tmOXwSzGY7eZKUBDwY_tn9m8RIUFCjYZkW8i9niHXPRDHJCkuH-xzSXoJujHRP8-JJh0vBC3Llui2wE43yZlZkmv3ttyCeWAeBgl8b8_DPLcZcMCQx3_lvj9bmz0Viffg2mTU/s1600/Alagar+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: #666666; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjskezO8x_tmOXwSzGY7eZKUBDwY_tn9m8RIUFCjYZkW8i9niHXPRDHJCkuH-xzSXoJujHRP8-JJh0vBC3Llui2wE43yZlZkmv3ttyCeWAeBgl8b8_DPLcZcMCQx3_lvj9bmz0Viffg2mTU/s640/Alagar+5.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 412.3pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;">But honestly, I would very humbly
submit that I let my passion out for a walk down the streets of
Madurai......what I got in return was a splendid opportunity to capture the
colours of Chitirai Festival. I am sure, it would take many days to sink in
going by the fabulous feedback that my photos have managed to bring in for me.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 412.3pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "book antiqua" , "serif"; line-height: 115%;">Yes .....truly!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="color: #cc0000;">www.francispublications.in</span></div>
Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400987588291677545noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999953126301769347.post-83855543989784865822016-12-09T09:24:00.000-08:002016-12-09T21:52:48.505-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>SELF DIGNITY SOLD ON TV</b></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Mockery of the process of Counselling!</b></span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The new era of television
programming in Tamil Nadu has inadvertently taken upon itself the process of conducting family counselling just like an entertainment item,with an attitude of "I am the Healer", which is nothing but a sheer mockery. </span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">This cheap practice of playing with the emotions of people through the talk shows, wherein the host is projected as a moral counsellor for family issues is not a very welcome step considering the larger welfare of the society. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYhhc1rQ7fTVAGSq7moetJL-xb2-Yj_iDg0zebmH099cew8WADUyAloJEl8IdLIyY28DIFDFRBwmHo_LbXBgZQRJhO1aY7ZnBxULRpfUD7xhLX1NU83gGA3Q7N__WPxYNbkc20YjYFw5p/s1600/C1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcYhhc1rQ7fTVAGSq7moetJL-xb2-Yj_iDg0zebmH099cew8WADUyAloJEl8IdLIyY28DIFDFRBwmHo_LbXBgZQRJhO1aY7ZnBxULRpfUD7xhLX1NU83gGA3Q7N__WPxYNbkc20YjYFw5p/s640/C1.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The reality shows which features
a popular face, without any professional qualification and expertise in counselling as the host to deal with intricate human relationship issues
within the family is a derogatory portrayal of the social and moral
status of the families. No professionally
qualified Social Work personnel would accept what is played out on the small screen
as an acceptable solution to the issues that are discussed. At times it is
disgusting to observe the questions and the state of the conversations that are being conducted on such shows. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The poor hapless persons who are being featured on the show do not know how they are manipulated and projected to the society. To add insult to the wound, more than the actual show itself the promo is over hyped way beyond reality, to create a sensation among the viewers. It is very pathetic to witness the sorry state of insensitivity to very painful human issues which affects all and sundry.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1yeq_r2d3dcndIob__eQW00ANlpqYO_zVgDa6gus1WUO8yjUYzF_HCrgV6V_3i8_yZU3P4zWi88OlzLQuFdoghOMhX2v8koecCI7kFC_scO94GhV8CEUmDQ4-qA3UdPGbVnlis7flp0n/s1600/C2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn1yeq_r2d3dcndIob__eQW00ANlpqYO_zVgDa6gus1WUO8yjUYzF_HCrgV6V_3i8_yZU3P4zWi88OlzLQuFdoghOMhX2v8koecCI7kFC_scO94GhV8CEUmDQ4-qA3UdPGbVnlis7flp0n/s320/C2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">One must remember that Family Counselling
is a very professional practice which is based on many aspects like Confidentiality,
Trust and Professional approaches to therapeutic interventions etc. It is no
secret that such counseling must be handled by professionally qualified and experienced
persons, knowing what they are doing and what is expected of them, not just decked
up with glitz and glamour. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The centrality of the issue here, is that what needs to be handled very carefully within a closed set up is
played up with drama under full lights, bringing the bad side of it to the drawing
rooms in prime time, which is glaring to all sections of viewers. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">For one little
moment, one must imagine what impact these programs would create in the minds of
young boys and girls who are just entering the adulthood phase?, since most of
the programs featured involves extra marital affairs, illicit relationships and
cases of domestic violence. The manner in which they are projected will sow
seeds of moral degradation in the young and fertile minds, which will cause more
harm to them than positive benefits. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">On the other side, I also wonder
why these poor people go to the television channels for sorting out their
personal issues. There are many organized and well established Family Counselling Centers with
professionally qualified experts to give them a better relief than what those on the
reality shows could provide. It is high
time they realize the need of upholding their very own ‘self dignity, irrespective of the conditions they live in either by circumstance or by choice.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjR1VgaNG6GAyDUiEPKeOzKuqm923IvH5aLa3QH4kQ2WiSdtSyzac09wM6AnvrLrEp1bJ2igzAQ4mgTs6cx8R9QjG_2bwuwM7LS6RAb7EHFb7dMWcReP8-wRRn6NrawGmrX4U5FJjWbMJB/s1600/C3.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjR1VgaNG6GAyDUiEPKeOzKuqm923IvH5aLa3QH4kQ2WiSdtSyzac09wM6AnvrLrEp1bJ2igzAQ4mgTs6cx8R9QjG_2bwuwM7LS6RAb7EHFb7dMWcReP8-wRRn6NrawGmrX4U5FJjWbMJB/s320/C3.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I have carefully avoided taking
names of any particular host or the TV Channel, maybe because they all seem to be sinking in
the same rot. Moreover, it can also be taken that the professional ethics within
me is still intact. Yet, I cannot end this blog post without posing a crucial question as to 'who is to
be blamed for this social menace which is spreading its dangerous claws on the
social fabric?'</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Self dignity being sold on a soap
opera!!!</span></span></div>
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Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400987588291677545noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999953126301769347.post-86894876135377448392016-11-24T04:35:00.002-08:002016-11-24T04:54:27.422-08:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 13.0pt;">Festival of Lights and Secular Spirit!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIFfPGyMX8A5sooSN7TDCNug2F57Tk-O_zi96W7F8O_Pzftou90z5lPEvmGS0t4d0r-KH5o8kjjmxl_tSGUgNWff9XnvrFERgPcF5ZLPRzWFve8yMsQRnaEAktr3wjeuVwdSptGUtrZkW/s1600/IMG_5203.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGIFfPGyMX8A5sooSN7TDCNug2F57Tk-O_zi96W7F8O_Pzftou90z5lPEvmGS0t4d0r-KH5o8kjjmxl_tSGUgNWff9XnvrFERgPcF5ZLPRzWFve8yMsQRnaEAktr3wjeuVwdSptGUtrZkW/s400/IMG_5203.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Deepavali – The festival of
lights not only just brings happiness and joy to the people in the society, but
there is a whole lot of other deeper significance attached to it which is very
fascinating to know. The air of expectancy for any festival in India starts
from the shopping spree that people resort to, as the festival fast approaches.
Many times the shopping spree is the only aspect that people do really enjoy, more
than the actual day of the festival. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Tiruchy Days:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">As youngsters in Tiruchy, we were
introduced to the concept of pre night deepavali street sales that are
conducted around the teppakluam near the main guard gate. It used to be an
adventurous night of wading through the crowd and just bargaining with the
vendors to get goods at half price, which was usually the pattern on which the
small time traders would conduct their business. It was not only e clothes, but
instead any property that could be useful for each and every one. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The innate happiness what we would
get after we purchase any material or item at throw away prices from the street
site sellers would be a more happy experience than the actual festival day. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Infact the joy after grabbing a
new product or an item at a throw away rice would be t he talking point among
any age group. As a bunch of close friends, we used to go to the main guard
gate for the Deepavali night sale get drenched in the sea of humanity. The
purchase would eventually end up with a sumptuous food a very preferred
restaurant. For most of the adventurous guys who would make it to the Deepavali
Eve Shopping it would mean that when they go back home, the festival is already
gone by. On a philosophical note, this experience of going out in the night
with friends can be equated with the feel of growing up in age as adults, as we
would be permitted to return home late, many times it would be early morning.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">New Insight @ Vilakuthoon<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Deepavali Eve night shopping
continued at Madurai as well as I moved to settle down at Madurai- the cultural
capital of the state of Tamilnadu. Madurai with its magnificent Meenakshi Amman
Temple and a whole lot festivities attached with the city has been and will always
be a favoured place for many. The streets around the Meenakshi Amman Temple
would be buzzing with frenzied activities on any day, since most of the textile
showrooms, jewellery shops, fancy items, foot wear retailers, eating outlets
and general stores are stacked up with stock and staff to handle large volume
of customers. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ib6thele8V_T-uyIvQ4HoB3so8SRMYh64Xpr0h1ftBVnYwfNN_uTW-TeeAFIzcLRFfPtVC_6YVbZr3uCl3WaHojP2Bia2jBPGcju7rDKW1olDcWx_Fz8Nh2EP59ApydJEguxfD3x7Y7K/s1600/IMG_5266.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Ib6thele8V_T-uyIvQ4HoB3so8SRMYh64Xpr0h1ftBVnYwfNN_uTW-TeeAFIzcLRFfPtVC_6YVbZr3uCl3WaHojP2Bia2jBPGcju7rDKW1olDcWx_Fz8Nh2EP59ApydJEguxfD3x7Y7K/s400/IMG_5266.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The high mast light tower which
stands at ‘Vilakuthoon’ junction is the nerve centre of all attractions during
the Deepavali Eve Shopping fare, since it will be flooded in a sea of people
who throng the arterial road for doing the last minute shopping for the big
festival in the city. There is a pereception in the society that the street
shopping is done by people from the low economic strata. If one makes a visit
to Vilakuthoon area during the Deepavali season, they would find people of all
segments in the society do come with their swelled purses and sparkling mood to
get immersed in the shopping spree. For many it is a jolly good walk down the
crowded road which can be thrilling experience. Apart from purchases like dress and fancy items, one could quench your thirst with Sugarcane Juice and have a quick bite with lots of snacks, not missing the popular 'Jiggarthanda'.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">For a very long time, I was
wondering from where do the street hawkers come and set up their mobile shops
sell all variety of clothing and fancy items for the public during the
Deepavali season in places like Madurai and Trichy, infact the whole of
Tamilnadu. My curiosity started to grow in me and it rather became a desire to
go beyond the crowds and locate a few street sellers to get to know them in
person. I must confess that this desire was worth a try and left within me a
pleasant feel of secularism. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Sales & Secular Spirit:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The first person that I met with
was Mr. A. Rahaman who was selling colourful umberellas. He was a bundle of energy
and positive vibration that kindled a spark within me about this concept of
Sales and Secular Spirit. He hails from Tiruparankundram and he comes to the city
for Deepavali sales not only to make money, but to make it with happiness. He recounts
that this practice has been going for many years and that what money he makes
during the Deepavali Night Sales which lasts for a week prior to the festival
is a considerable amount with which his family is supported during the year. He
wanted to sell his umbrellas to people by making friends with them despite the
crowds. The manner in which he posed for my camera brought real goose bumps
within me. I was impressed with his knack of sales and wished that he grew in
stature to own a shop of umbrellas in Madurai one day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5_gI4KByEzjIdEw_sPZi2FHaZBu8hfiqxqyrYSLNadeR0t0iF0_46qZ_Gdch1J4NSJxYwzRkxzutx0oOYyn_KNgNuGF1Tu4jd0dVP-CX79PTGGJtBFXaHQZN8Ml0NVS4JvxPTivwAopG/s1600/IMG_4133.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5_gI4KByEzjIdEw_sPZi2FHaZBu8hfiqxqyrYSLNadeR0t0iF0_46qZ_Gdch1J4NSJxYwzRkxzutx0oOYyn_KNgNuGF1Tu4jd0dVP-CX79PTGGJtBFXaHQZN8Ml0NVS4JvxPTivwAopG/s640/IMG_4133.jpg" width="424" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The next was this man from
Rajasthan, whose name I failed to recollect now. He was a mobile showroom, holding
in his hands a couple of hangers with new frocks for girls. He spoke chaste
Hindi and said that he travels all across India to sell textiles and his visit
to Madurai during the Deepavali has become a sort of a planned schedule. He was
a bundle of emotions, since he had problems in conversing with the Madurai
folks in Tamil, but yet he was able to attract a lot of customers. I guess his
turban might have helped ...perhaps!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Mr. Subramani who was selling
fancy items along with his brother and wife on the pavement bang opposite to a
big textile showroom was infact doing good for both. Those who stopped to buy
bangles, ear rings and other fancy items also walked into the textile showroom
as well. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">No wonder the Textile sales guy who was waiting at the entrance also
invited me into his shop for a few photographs, whichI politely declined, since my focus was the street sales and not show room sales.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizV3OxMWGkb_cBciYOPd0Q5X8iBYQt4HGMf_RSMT9Yf2yFoQ0HIxB_dXtl1tRy-xMJa3M_Hryk2lnT02hAnW3XNdQegGj3uiwfCZ-w2iycSG8A3x1VCBJ1o4G3fLDjazZj4fAf_93yOLw/s1600/V.Subramani+Fancy+Items+Vendor.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizV3OxMWGkb_cBciYOPd0Q5X8iBYQt4HGMf_RSMT9Yf2yFoQ0HIxB_dXtl1tRy-xMJa3M_Hryk2lnT02hAnW3XNdQegGj3uiwfCZ-w2iycSG8A3x1VCBJ1o4G3fLDjazZj4fAf_93yOLw/s640/V.Subramani+Fancy+Items+Vendor.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The
moot point here is that he was not selling all branded products of beauty care,
but despite that he had customers from all kinds to buy the items that were on
display on his rickety stand. The moment I took out my camera to take a picture
of him, he sported a new look with his neatly worn dress.<br />
<br /><o:p></o:p>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Lifelong lesson:<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6VSJKPKmR-6cO8MSSjxGLSFxkZfU_OVfe16ROPySaghvnWnjGEzQrX525ly1soSNlzpUSfvQ-TwalFxYAd5EVUd8X68b7HEHTke0nMn0PyGhKNQ8lGxzKLhwvBW1jCjTBIhjIYkwSPzh/s1600/IMG_4260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX6VSJKPKmR-6cO8MSSjxGLSFxkZfU_OVfe16ROPySaghvnWnjGEzQrX525ly1soSNlzpUSfvQ-TwalFxYAd5EVUd8X68b7HEHTke0nMn0PyGhKNQ8lGxzKLhwvBW1jCjTBIhjIYkwSPzh/s400/IMG_4260.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">One aspect that I can share with
you all is that, we Indians are mentally and socially very close knit and there
is a secular fabric that is lacing us to our society. No wonder our secular
identity is causing a strain to many eyes across the globe. The Festival of lights has certainly lights up many families with happiness, some with sweets and some with super sales.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Come What May...India will stand
united with good Samaritans like these chosen few whom I have featured in this
blog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400987588291677545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999953126301769347.post-69700156949072607932016-11-04T09:19:00.000-07:002016-11-04T09:19:05.933-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 15pt;">All
Souls Day</span><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The solemnity of
observing the ‘All Souls Day’ is always a very important day of thanksgiving
blended with a fond and warm sense of remembrance to the departed soul. The visit
to the grave yard is not merely rhetoric, but most often something which turns
out to be a soul searching moment of personal grief. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvwwW2z5MsrXYllLwpUGgHRjS6rh3HLMItspzyCj0_DnXttHV4poT7khT-LKetWPiQRSdpEegbJO9TObvtg4_eAiNhN5HwJh1Y5Rpiq8nHxUcPEdvsmAR8BBB7IYH1qNRNuYRN0juP3DW/s1600/Chicha+Grave3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitvwwW2z5MsrXYllLwpUGgHRjS6rh3HLMItspzyCj0_DnXttHV4poT7khT-LKetWPiQRSdpEegbJO9TObvtg4_eAiNhN5HwJh1Y5Rpiq8nHxUcPEdvsmAR8BBB7IYH1qNRNuYRN0juP3DW/s320/Chicha+Grave3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">The grave yard no doubt
wears a festive atmosphere, with the yearly cleaning of the area. The mud made
graves are re- done by clearing all the bushes and dirt strewn around it. The sand
is dug up from the nearby grave and heaped on the grave of our departed soul. The
termite struck wooden cross is re -painted and the lucky one with granite are
washed, so that the names and the dates of the birth and death of the departed person
is clearly visible. Finally it is the topping of flowers of all kinds,
especially marigold which is the commonly used flower by all. Not to forget the
roses and, lilly, jasmine and paper flowers. The candles that are lit up along
with the incense complete the much wanted decoration of the graves. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbvIVn1SOgjMsuP9GdNYmknKbT5ScihZE-FWAb4802F_y_ronLq7W4FPLPsuPTSCTEE-3tbPSqyH2qcPiCluUA6o53vMSmvSSNj3sOlC4axAuY5bUsoDvN1XnSlxLFOjm2YcfZGcXnaUV/s1600/IMG_6859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYbvIVn1SOgjMsuP9GdNYmknKbT5ScihZE-FWAb4802F_y_ronLq7W4FPLPsuPTSCTEE-3tbPSqyH2qcPiCluUA6o53vMSmvSSNj3sOlC4axAuY5bUsoDvN1XnSlxLFOjm2YcfZGcXnaUV/s400/IMG_6859.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">When all that is done,
then comes the prayers which are recited by the kith and kin who stand or kneel
around the grave of their dear departed ones. Some graves have huge gathering
of kith and kin and they start a family rosary or a prayer; some graves have
one or two people doing the same; but many graves do not any one around to stand
and pray for the departed soul. Their
grave is also not done up and remains a place of dirt and dust. I often wonder
why there cannot be a common fund to make up all the graves which are un-attended
for years. It is a pity that there is inequality even in the form and sizes of
the graves. Though it is common fact that all the grave holes are of common
size of length and breadth beneath the soil, they are distinctly different in
size, shape and colour above the soil. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<u><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Chicha .....!!!<o:p></o:p></span></u></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">Every year I make my
yearly visit to the G Corner grave yard which is maintained by the parish of
St. John De Britto’s Church in Subramaniapuram at Tiruchy. I spend moments of
reflection which is often with tears at the grave yard of Chicha, my paternal aunty
who was very fond of us, especially me since I grew up with her from my teenage
onwards. Her name is Josephine Francis, but to all of us she was Chicha. A spinster
who took the burden of the family on her shoulders at a very young age, she was
a warrior of sorts who defended the family in times of trouble and turmoil. She
was not much educated, but a very god fearing Anglo Indian Lady who was very
popular in our surrounding. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpmLV8HJgvaj-w9qNzY3OyNdhaZLX94MqveKjcvB8jGQODgTpTE5FlRQofo-ePPXWEYiEf-h6ED-cIFC1sBnRDsOA9Md2nMDcsW3_dkwvO05fXG-0afDuiXcjcAQOvKY0iPn7Yujbwq89/s1600/Chicha+Grave+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpmLV8HJgvaj-w9qNzY3OyNdhaZLX94MqveKjcvB8jGQODgTpTE5FlRQofo-ePPXWEYiEf-h6ED-cIFC1sBnRDsOA9Md2nMDcsW3_dkwvO05fXG-0afDuiXcjcAQOvKY0iPn7Yujbwq89/s640/Chicha+Grave+1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojx5kVsJwko1d5oNXh59QdfpwrNvV-ftb0chDYtwVxTT0K0THWceXc5V46a6gT8fdhEMETO97kmZlinMG2lGwV7klZQpQmF7ia-e8NmjnvXz6gKnaFElJiM45qk5DHl-LlVdVIPrfUjZ2/s1600/Chicha+Grave.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhojx5kVsJwko1d5oNXh59QdfpwrNvV-ftb0chDYtwVxTT0K0THWceXc5V46a6gT8fdhEMETO97kmZlinMG2lGwV7klZQpQmF7ia-e8NmjnvXz6gKnaFElJiM45qk5DHl-LlVdVIPrfUjZ2/s400/Chicha+Grave.jpg" width="400" /></a><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">To me she was very
special, since we all learned our life from her, which was laced with love and
prayers, we often had fights and arguments...but then they will all wade away
with the night. She slogged for the family like no one, and despite her poor
health she was at our service any time of the day and night. She was a character
that no one could miss, who stood out with guts and valour doing chores of
household work which was manual in nature. Though there are many of our loved
ones in our family who have helped us grow and have departed, my relationship
with Chicha is always very special.....loads and loads of personal experience can
be written on endless pages about her for years to come. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif;">What makes me very
sentimental about the ‘All Souls Day’ and a visit to Chicha’s grave is
something that cannot be explained in words. It is deep rooted within me and
will remain me till my last breath,
since I had the divine blessing to hold her hands as she passed away.......and
her last breath withered in my hands !!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman","serif"; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400987588291677545noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999953126301769347.post-10749525458518542962016-10-27T00:05:00.001-07:002016-10-27T04:30:06.370-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-family: "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: red; font-size: large;">Roosapookaramma </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">(Rose Lady)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The moment I landed up with my camera at the
flower market near mattuthavani bus stand in Madurai, I was expecting to take
shots of various kinds of flowers for my collection. Frankly I did not realize
that there would be a fantastic opportunity to get to know about some
interesting persons who sell flowers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPBdO7BXqwHPHYbECPU3kbSF7QZPaqPz2o8Q5hYebLF_ETZyV_yhEwudGD5aAPXeeefKsBFMVN0rLiBSssCuGvzMIPSppK39qS4fhdFQ9zyIaR7XPiuVjx9az41sNiA7ELvrcaiopYQd0/s1600/IMG_4750.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGPBdO7BXqwHPHYbECPU3kbSF7QZPaqPz2o8Q5hYebLF_ETZyV_yhEwudGD5aAPXeeefKsBFMVN0rLiBSssCuGvzMIPSppK39qS4fhdFQ9zyIaR7XPiuVjx9az41sNiA7ELvrcaiopYQd0/s200/IMG_4750.JPG" width="200" /></a><span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Roses, Marigold, Jasmine, Lilly and many more
flowers were all stacked up, yet something that caught my attention were the
persons who were sitting behind the heap of flowers in their baskets and on
their sack sporting a warm and cordial smile even at the odd hours of the day,
I was there around midnight. The grit and determination of the flower vendors to
have a rewarding sale by connecting with people despite the hardships they
faced, was evidently surfacing from the surrounding even more than the
fragrance of the flowers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUdNz93-UcQzrwlvIzk7YpLn2VNiw6O2lD3eOQNw1D6mbbGVKUReSixvL2YL-lyO7Vmy4e1x8ir7_dK48E8I7wpmgcgBWwpTMtxxukmcf8UCivV9w1H11JwB2MFuJMO4_JV_py09VChhU/s1600/IMG_4741.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUdNz93-UcQzrwlvIzk7YpLn2VNiw6O2lD3eOQNw1D6mbbGVKUReSixvL2YL-lyO7Vmy4e1x8ir7_dK48E8I7wpmgcgBWwpTMtxxukmcf8UCivV9w1H11JwB2MFuJMO4_JV_py09VChhU/s320/IMG_4741.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">The delicate manner in which Sridevi was knotting
a garland of Kadambam (a mixture of Rose petals, Marigold and Herbal Leaves
which people use for their homes and offices ) was a sight to behold and could
not be passed by without being caught on my camera. I asked her for a picture
to be taken and she obliged, but it was sheer hard work and no smile.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pondering why Sridevi did not smile I kept on
moving around the flower market to lookout for some other persons who sold flower
till I got some of them on my camera for a picture. Just then a voice called
out for me and asked me why I was at the flower market at a very odd hour
taking pictures. I looked around to the direction from where the sound came and
got the sight of this lady who was sitting with a basket of Roses.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">I walked up
to her and was greeted with an instant smile that was warm and innocent. I took
some pictures of the roses and then asked her what her name was? In a striking note
she replied in Tamil with an authentic Madurai slang....Ennai Ellorum Rosapookaramma endru than kupuduvaargal ( All will call me as a Rose Lady). I
smiled and sat down to have chat with her ...........<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Rosapookaramma was very glad to pose for a
photograph imagining that her photograph would be flashed in the next morning
newspaper, as she mistook me to be a press photographer. I then took pains to
explain to her that I am not a press photographer, but instead a writer & publisher and my purpose of visiting the flower market was to do a blog on
the ‘Festival of Diwali in Madurai’, of course with a different purpose. But I promised
her that I would publish her photograph in my blog.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0Bmmgqs0uVPs3_8JVytBMjNytaJMtWMw8ZCR0M2El1tZfAoqF-ZN9-UBSmYATzPYEizVKh5VNk5-QnTAZVvZefQTjISCMUJ0F92e33x_5ygpmJCMSwFK9m134v_RTOGW0cCeDPLWM3en/s1600/IMG_4880.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg0Bmmgqs0uVPs3_8JVytBMjNytaJMtWMw8ZCR0M2El1tZfAoqF-ZN9-UBSmYATzPYEizVKh5VNk5-QnTAZVvZefQTjISCMUJ0F92e33x_5ygpmJCMSwFK9m134v_RTOGW0cCeDPLWM3en/s640/IMG_4880.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">It was hard to imagine that she sleeps and eats
at the very place she sells her roses, though she hails from a neighbouring
village around Melur. She goes home once in fifteen days to see her family, as
this flower business in her main source of income being the only bread winner
of her family. She had tears in her eyes while saying...”we have large
agricultural lands back home, but there are no rains and we cannot either do
farming activities or agricultural related work to earn our living”. My heart
stopped for a minute.....just wondering how life could turn around. A family
with lands but unable to earn out of it from their natural vocation is
subjected to seek some alternative source of income generation. And that too in
what conditions.....sleeping and eating in the same place where she sells her
flowers. Literally living on the road. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmvK8cbH-HC6vhQmhrcI1B6n29HCydAfAuDvID0XNB5PvIjSkNOJcmh1UGPr-_PY8N5KM9BsuH-xXu4PEkIMcBRfZviMGwHY9D1F-iRPo3Yns_QdDXxCVVA_AHC9OLGcp92IMgdxZHAzK/s1600/IMG_4877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLmvK8cbH-HC6vhQmhrcI1B6n29HCydAfAuDvID0XNB5PvIjSkNOJcmh1UGPr-_PY8N5KM9BsuH-xXu4PEkIMcBRfZviMGwHY9D1F-iRPo3Yns_QdDXxCVVA_AHC9OLGcp92IMgdxZHAzK/s400/IMG_4877.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">What she said after narrating her story to me was
the highlight of our brief interaction. She said ........</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">..” I Sell Roses....and
Roses comes with thorns....yet people like and love the Roses for the beauty of
it, not bothering about the thorns. So also is our life....whatever difficulty
we have or encounter to live we hide it as the thorns and only share the
happiness to our customers by giving them a value for their money. We sell
Roses with happiness and a smile, so that they go happily”.</span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">I returned home with a bag full of
Roses....though she wanted to present it to me for being kind enough to sit
down for a chat, I insisted that she take the money for it, which she politely refused.
But then, I managed to thrust a 100 Rupee Currency into her hands. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">She asked me
to come back tomorrow to take some more fresh Roses for my Daughter. What an
attitude?
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">No wonder people called her “Rosapookaramma” it
was hard to conceal the inner beauty that she radiated, despite living an extremely
hard life day in and day out. </span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">I moved away from the flower market saying bye to
her with a moist eyes and my heart reverberating the famous lines......“A Thing
of Beauty is a Joy forever!”<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400987588291677545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999953126301769347.post-76949598998071545962016-10-10T23:22:00.003-07:002016-10-10T23:29:48.021-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>Why NO?<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has decided to scrap its
plan to establish a on- site museum at Keeladi
Village in Sivagangai District, where its team have excavated numerous
items and materials that has deep historical evidence of the Sangam period is a
rude shock to the citizens of the region, particularly to the historically
significant city of Madurai.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiasOKfgV4_X7hGy_37yhmo9ELM9xIbXq2WKWKKxsEEB5ovtVCP6iVSg4UjzRF12C-i7oNruuTrDKcVhd3pdWkAYBVe7tQPPSf2pE-EgVA5TFXelHkoEE4mNFQsGLfyRCfAU0SAiqn_PNia/s1600/DSC_0602.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="425" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiasOKfgV4_X7hGy_37yhmo9ELM9xIbXq2WKWKKxsEEB5ovtVCP6iVSg4UjzRF12C-i7oNruuTrDKcVhd3pdWkAYBVe7tQPPSf2pE-EgVA5TFXelHkoEE4mNFQsGLfyRCfAU0SAiqn_PNia/s640/DSC_0602.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
The excavations that were found
close to the banks of river Vaigai dates back to the period of 3 BC and 3AD, is
just 15 kms away from Madurai, which is supposed to have a legacy of the Sangam
period civilization. It is learnt that the ASI had earlier planned to establish
an on-site museum at Keeladi Vilage so that the treasures found could be
displayed and protected to showcase the historical past of the region. This
would have been a welcome step, since the Keeladi Village is situated very
close to the Madurai – Rameshewaram Highway in which thousands of tourists from
India and abroad travel frequently. Moreover the on-site museum would have
promoted the area as a popular tourist attraction in Tamilnadu, which is one of
a rare kind. The excavation site has already drawn wide attention from the
public, since thousands of visitors have visited the site and had a wonderful
experience of witnessing how historical evidences are excavated, treated,
restored and indexed. A large chunk of the visitors have been school and
college students who have developed a pride that they have something like this
close to the place where they live.<br />
<br /></div>
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The proposed plan to shift all
the artefacts and valuable materials excavated from Keeladi to the ASI Centre
at out of the State of Tamilnadu is certainly not a welcome step. It amounts to
packing history from a particular site, where it has deep rooted linkages and
then transporting it to a place where its relevance will not be much
appreciated like that of its original location. The heritage of the site and its materials
will be lost in transition to a regular museum, where people cannot have a deep
understanding. History, Culture and Heritage always are better served when the
land the legacy attached to it is preserved and maintained close it its
originality. It is pertinent to point out that ASI functions and works hard to
preserve all the materials that its officers excavate with a huge effort spent
on the restoration part, which is what finally matters. The Call for an on-site
museum at Keeladi is based on the similar consideration of restoring the past historical
relevance of the land with the present and preserving it for the future.<br />
<br /></div>
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Out of the 40 on-site museums
maintained by the ASI in India, only one is located in Tamil Nadu, and that too
in Fort. St.George in Chennai. The strong plea from the heritage lovers and the
locals to the concerned authorities to establish an on-site Museum has not
proved to be successful despite the unique historical importance and
significance of the findings linked with the site. It is no secret that if
further progress is made at the site, there could be many more findings and
possibly new episodes of historical facts will emerge out of the soil. <br />
<br /></div>
<span style="text-align: justify;">The serious question that is
emerging out now is “</span>No to Keeladi On Site Museum?”</div>
Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400987588291677545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999953126301769347.post-21600378345564986482016-10-08T02:42:00.002-07:002016-10-08T02:42:55.733-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><i><span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Festive Mood at Madurai<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Madurai is an historical town that has many
traditions and heritage connected to the social fabric of the region. Every
aspect of the social life has a cultural significance which can easily catch up
with persons who happens to visit the city. The imposing towers of Meenaksi
Temple with all its splendour are a sparkling edifice that will capture the
attention of people.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigd8dO_qNtgv3uqg8Ig3wwKiLKP816Z0uQD_EKl3a8Fe1eQKAC47IPXcAZSxk7aY8oVKkvfqEdhSL_2dI6Mj5ufbMeUone94DtxrYic0p2H8cpC79MCuAQhUF90-DIIMJxPYOTJvIj2dFk/s1600/IMG_0706.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigd8dO_qNtgv3uqg8Ig3wwKiLKP816Z0uQD_EKl3a8Fe1eQKAC47IPXcAZSxk7aY8oVKkvfqEdhSL_2dI6Mj5ufbMeUone94DtxrYic0p2H8cpC79MCuAQhUF90-DIIMJxPYOTJvIj2dFk/s640/IMG_0706.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The city is ever bustling with festivals and
ceremonies that are devotional, cultural, and heritage oriented. All through
the year various kinds of festivals that are special to the town are celebrated
by all sections of the people. Yet, during the Navaratri Celebrations that area
around the Meenakshi Temple is decked with pomp and gaiety that adds colour and
spirit to city. People flock to the Meenakshi Temple not only to offer prayers
but also take part in the rich cultural festivities attached the Golu Celebrations.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">The evenings are special and the best time to
walk around the Meenakshi Temple, as it is lit up with eye catching lights and
decorated with flowers that give a soothing effect to the eye and the mind.
People who come to the temple seem more relaxed and calm to get themselves
immersed in the spirit of Golu Celebrations, an aspect which is very
appreciable. There seems to be a very positive vibration, since there is dance,
music devotional speeches and a splendid display of dolls and varied articles
that are uniquely significant with the Golu. We could see the young and the old
participate with great enthusiasm and share a special bond of friendship all
through the season which leads up the festival of lights ‘Deepavali’.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt;">It
is perhaps the best time of the year to be in Madurai and enjoy its beauty. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400987588291677545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999953126301769347.post-23422082538967969422016-09-21T22:18:00.006-07:002016-09-21T22:22:19.327-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: red; font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Tolerance – The Way To
Peace<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i>“One moment of patience may ward off
great disaster.<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i><span style="border: 1pt none windowtext; padding: 0cm;">One moment of impatience may ruin a
whole life.”</span><o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div align="center" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: center; vertical-align: baseline;">
<b>Chinese proverb<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;">In a
democratic society, tolerance is a fundamental right for happiness to
exist. Even if we get to the point that we feel we need to say something
then we must learn to say whatever is on our minds with a certain amount of
beauty, poise and love.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; line-height: 115%;"> </span><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , "serif"; font-size: 12.0pt; line-height: 115%;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79JthIL2TOXjsjSvKSAQRwNy6S_jFy-2gzfmo1CaBBHKMeQOCuG4t_oquMGC7KiVV_5nCTwYv7QKxWZR0dHyQ_zCHf1c9hNvvbCyoeJoyeOK6vxp19XCtuLfMp1u5IcC4ChxEypNfXKmI/s1600/IMG_2496.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi79JthIL2TOXjsjSvKSAQRwNy6S_jFy-2gzfmo1CaBBHKMeQOCuG4t_oquMGC7KiVV_5nCTwYv7QKxWZR0dHyQ_zCHf1c9hNvvbCyoeJoyeOK6vxp19XCtuLfMp1u5IcC4ChxEypNfXKmI/s320/IMG_2496.JPG" width="320" /></a><o:p> </o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
A society that is tolerant of each other
will grow and prosper with a feeling of togetherness and peace. Every ambition
can be realized and every dream fulfilled. A tolerant society is a healthy
society, which will go forward with purpose. <o:p></o:p></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Being tolerant of each other and caring
for each other is what makes us human. By teaching tolerance, we allow
individuality and diversity while promoting peace and a civil society. Every
person of every religion has an obligation to uphold the meaning of
tolerance. In fact, tolerance is a major belief within religion; however,
it is not always practiced. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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In the multi-cultural society, that we live
in it is very important to understand the needs and benefits of tolerance. We
should realize that in most cases it is far easier to change our own attitudes
rather than getting frustrated over failed efforts in changing the attitude of
others. In this manner, we develop the skills in becoming individuals who are
more tolerant.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13pt;">“</span><i><span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13pt;">The highest result of education is
tolerance”<br />
</span></i><b><span style="font-size: 13.0pt;"><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7275.Helen_Keller"><span style="color: black; text-decoration: none;">Helen Keller</span></a></span></b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , serif; font-size: 13pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400987588291677545noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4999953126301769347.post-35593690585304471322016-09-20T01:16:00.001-07:002016-09-20T01:16:38.780-07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0cm;">
<span style="color: yellow; font-size: 13.5pt;">MAD</span><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<i><u><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Make A
Difference</span></u></i><span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt;">
<br /></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">This world is all
about ordinary persons accomplishing extraordinary tasks to 'make a difference'
in the society that they live in. Most often when they dare to be different,
they succeed with supreme confidence.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The step forward
to be counted to MAD is to take the initiative with steadfast commitment to
'Personal Development' with enrichment so that they can contribute to the empowerment
of 'Social Development.' It must also be started emphatically that the youth of
the Nation are called upon to develop themselves and integrate their personal
growth with that of the Nation as true Nation Builders.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Today's youth in
general gets a chance to be exposed to Leadership Training and Motivational
Program on Leadership. Whatever inputs that they get from learned faculties
will go in vain, if they are not able to translate their learning into positive
action. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The motivation and
ignition has to come from within to be catalyst for change and for that they
have to be mentored to get into the process of MAD.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I was truly
blessed to have made use of an opportunity to mentor the youth in a leadership
program recently to get enlightened towards the process of MAD.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Nicholashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00400987588291677545noreply@blogger.com7