Language Lost And Found

Photo courtesy: Daily Mail

The language once I admired, the letters with which I gambled my emotions, is strange to me. With so much of pain, I realize that the flow in my writings had disappeared. Although I look up to Malayalam more than English, the so called universal language always remain as my favorite.

Now you will be wondering how could I conclude so! Well, blogging and actual writing differs a lot. Here no one mind to correct or criticize. All we do is give positive comments. Even if I receive some personal messages regarding the mistakes I make here, most of my readers tend to give a thumbs up. It is not that I blame you. Initially, I enjoyed positive feedback and thought everything I post are perfect copies. Recently a blogger as well as my colleague pointed out a fact. He said blogging is a world of praises. I didn't take it seriously then. But when I was asked to write a few essays in journalistic language, I failed bitterly. I felt as if the world has gone blank. My love for this language has suddenly disappeared.

I made a self criticism. These are the faults I found in me:

• I don't read much English newspapers. Working in a Malayalam daily was my excuse
• I've taken a new year resolution which is to update my English blog regularly. It didn't happen. I blamed time.
• I rarely went through English books and blogs these days. Again, time is the villain

Now, the solutions follow:

• I've started reading English news websites
• Posting one article a week is still a dream. Hope to make it happen by next year somehow
• Beginning with Sigmund Freud's 'Interpretation of Dreams' I'm going to be a regular reader at least of e-books  

Munnar Strike - Power of Women

Hill stations are undoubtedly the best places to relax. Anyone visiting there would wonder how beautiful the life of natives would be! Oxygen in its purest form, serene weather and absolute exquisiteness around… it is the same that tempts people to acquire land in these areas. But truth is different. Days of folks living out there are absolutely horrible except high class.

Among the hill stations in India, Munnar is considered as one of the perfect destinations for honeymooners as well as other tourists. Any user who browses this name will find picturesque places. Every nook and corner of Munnar is wonderful. Whether it is river, hill, town, resorts or eateries, all serve as places of tourist attraction.

For past one week, Munnar is quiet without tourists. Reason behind it was a strike. Here are a few features of the iconic attempt:

• Conducted by plantation workers of Kannan Devan Plantation
• Ladies in the forefront
• No leader or political parties to lead
• Around 5000 females took part
• Demands were salary hike and increase in bonus
• Politicians were not encouraged
• Venue was National Highway from Kochi to Dhanushkodi
• Protestors blocked NH for nine days
• Most of the participants were Tamilians

On Sunday, opposition leader of Kerala legislative assembly, VS Achuthanandan joined the camp. He announced he’d be there till the problem is solved. A man of 90’s sat for the whole day with protestors. By night, their demands were agreed. Usually they were paid only a minimum of Rs. 232. They had to pluck 21 kilos of tea leaves per day. Even if they give an outcome of 100 kilos, they are paid just Rs. 308. So they went on with a strike for minimum pay of Rs. 500. They also wanted bonus of 20%.

Womenfolk didn’t entertain participation of men in the strike as they feared males can be easily influenced by management. Only person whom they trusted was VS Achuthanandan.

It must be admitted that this is one of the historic effort with no banners of any political or social organization. Sadly the credits of this fight back don’t belong to women of Keralites. Malayali females love to live cozy life. Albeit they wish to oppose for a social cause, their family won’t allow. There will be a few exceptions. Yet most of the family setup in Kerala thinks a woman who raises her voice is a burden. So Malayali female community is covered up with ‘emotional shatters’. Apart from household jobs and office works, she’d seldom have a world. 

Spotting a lady dancing in a procession in Kerala might be a tedious task. Happiness, sorrow and anger has its limit when it comes to Malayali ladies and the boundary won’t go beyond the four walls of her house. Way to go Tamil ladies… You showed the world what’s female power. Salute for your courage and effort!

For A Dad Who Never Made Him Smile

Image Courtesy: http://daily.bhaskar.com

She came with her two kids for our college ‘get together’. Elder one is four and second is two years old. While the younger baby made merry, other one was quiet. His eyes didn't bear the charisma of childhood. I was observing him all the while.

Though my friend or his mom agreed that her eldest son had all favors of being the first baby, his life was strange. From the day of birth, he had to face lots of problems. While all other kids of his age lived their life so happily, he couldn't.

His mom is a divorcee. She had to face mental, physical and sexual harassment from her husband. And the saddest part is, the elder son had to witness all these almost every time. Moreover, he forcefully made this baby to drink alcohol. For the boy his dad was a scary creature.

As soon as he turned four, his mom admitted him in a nursery school. Other fellows in his class used to entertain him. Yet it'll take time for him to recover.

His mom told me, “He would still say 'I'm going back to my dad's place', when I beat or scold him.”

There is nothing that time could heal especially in a kid's mind. He longs for dad's presence even if his dad never made him smile.