Time to volunteer 💪 and get yourself a 👍

In one of my previous posts, I shared how the Tamil Nadu government acts on current issues with the advice, suggestions and recommendations from experts of various fields, in particular the contemporary writers. 

In continuation, I would like to share the link where Tamil Nadu government has initiated the above promised teaching-learning process and has invited applications from volunteers who could spare their valuable time to teach children around their neighbourhood. 

                 https://illamthedikalvi.tnschools.gov.in/Welcome

This is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to become a part of this 'first of its kind initiative in India.' There are several NGOs such as Vazhai, Agaram, Teach for India engaging in teaching rural, underprivileged children. Nevertheless, for a government to step into such a massive initiation with a budget of 200 crore for the project is for the first time in India and the best one could ask for. 👏👍💪👌🙌

Yes, "Illam Thedi Kalvi" is the initiative where children between classes 1 and 8 are taught basics of reading, writing and comprehending skills by volunteers in their neighbourhood. 

(1) To those who question - can't teachers do the same in schools: There is a huge divide in teaching-learning process since the pandemic. Most of our children - even those who attended/are attending online classes - have lost interest in studies and forgot even the basics. This is more evident in rural areas and among the government school children who did not have an access to online education and continuous learning. 😟

(2) What do I gain out of volunteering? Trust me, more than your contribution, you will be at the receiving end! Right from understanding your society around and its needs, realizing our responsibilities as citizens, gaining skills such as leadership quality, ability to coordinate, initiation, creativity and team work, there will be a lot of takeaways for each one of us. One could equip themselves here with the invest of only time and knowledge by volunteering. To motivate yourself, there is one more social benefit! You could make new like-minded friends (some for lifetime) 💚💞

(3) Besides, working with the government is a pride in itself! We get to have the first hand information of all that government has do with this programme. We are an integral part of them. 💪

(4) Who are eligible to register? Anyone with a minimum qualification of Class 12. So one can register along with his/her siblings, parents, friends and even grandparents. 👪👫👬👭

(5) Any remuneration? Not sure in the government press release. But I do believe that one would gain way more than what money could give! 😎

(6) How long? From Nov 1, it will begin in 12 districts. Based on this pilot study, with necessary modifications in the plan, the scheme would be rolled in all other districts of Tamil Nadu. ✌

(7) When? Depends on your choice, either part-time or full-time. Full-time is approximately 1.5 hrs/day in the evenings.👀 Part-time includes once in a week or twice in a month. 

Anything more you need to know, either visit the website or call me (just another volunteer) 😍 But do not delay; do register yourself asap and get a memorable experience! 💗💖

The never-ending confusion of grabbing a seat in a car!! 🚗

Have you (addressed to women only) ever wondered where to sit while traveling by car with a male friend or colleague? I have. Several times. Before & after marriage. Till date. This might sound very silly and insignificant, but a woman out there could relate themselves to this never-ending confusion.

Once three of us - a male and two females, where one female was married at that time - were out for lunch together by car during our days of research. It becomes an unwritten rule that a married woman wouldn't occupy the front passenger seat with any male except their close family members. When she insisted that I take that seat to avoid making our male friend look like our driver😆, the colleague-friend said a stern 'no.' Though that was quite insulting to me then 😝, it made me wonder what would go wrong if a male and a female sit in the front together. But when two males and a female travel together, be it for personal or professional reason, the latter is pushed to the back passenger seat - no matter which two are closer friends or colleagues. It is also an unwritten rule (may be there is a written rule 😠) that whenever male persons are there, they invariably take the front passenger seat!

Does it depend on the common perception that the male-female duo would be couples or likely to become one; or a sort of discomfort to use gears while driving; or the driver-friend-colleague's fear that he would be seen indifferent; or movies that mostly portray such couples getting physically intimate; or a myth that man to man conversation is easier; or it is merely a status-quo. It could be one or all of these or something else. No clue!

To some extent, this behaviour is justifiable in case of rural parts of India or Tamil Nadu. But in urban parts where we 'claim' to be progressive in many fronts and 'scream' about gender issues, this remains confusing to me! Such practices do not exist in some metropolitan cities outside our state and definitely not a scene in other parts of the world. I prefer the front passenger seat filled first while I drive to have a sense of company during the trip, no matter how short or long the distance is or who travels with me.

Having said that, it is equally difficult to ask our male friend or colleague - who drives - as to where we should sit. That puts both in embarrassment. What if I ask my male friend/colleague to occupy the front seat while I drive and he is reluctant. Again a delicate situation. And what if the woman is unwilling to take the seat despite offered by her male friend? He might feel awkward!

OMG, this discussion is a total chaos and confusing!!!! Instead I should let it go with the flow to save my brain drain! 😎

Is a child-friendly library possible? 😐 YES! 😊

As a kid I used to visit district library in Kanchipuram with my father. He was fond of Tamil fiction and I would just see around not knowing what to pick. Sometimes my father helped, rarely the librarian (because only rarely I sought his help) and many a times I found myself lost there. Do I have to read dailies or comics or real big ones or the smallest book of all? I did not know then!!! Mobile libraries gave me the same feel at that age but was fun to see books moving around my neighbourhood!

                            Courtesy: WEF

In my experience, physical structure of the library was not attractive at all in the first place. The reading space was neither airy or broad. It took a while (read as many years) to realize that "what is important in a library is the books and not these spatial items." Secondly, I was never taught how to approach a library. When I say how to approach, I do not mean that libraries are places to be approached in a defined professional way. Being an amateur in browsing will land us in real good books sometimes. But I haven't been taught anything at all about a library tour. The library that was existing in my school was never opened for students. I am sure none of you would be shocked to know that as this is common in our schools - be it government, aided or private. In colleges & universities, we would be taught (at least I was taught) to visit library as buying recommended subject books would be highly unaffordable to many of us (me). 

                           Source: Tamil Nadu Foundation

To mention a few libraries that I frequently visited, the infamous Connemara library surprised me with the number of books and the fact that it is a National Depository Library (meaning a copy of anything published in India is received here by default). Isn't this an awesome thing!!!!! Then the British Council Library in Chennai that is purely posh and I had always felt inferior to go as it seemed to be a 7-star hotel where I would never fit in by any means. I could not recall any relevant literature I had borrowed as I had never felt at home there. Oh then the only library in Tamil Nadu with the highest level of security, the American Library in Chennai situated in the consulate campus. To enter is a challenge in itself as you need to pass through several levels of security checks that might frustrate you. Yet, books/articles we get there are worth taking the effort. But I was exposed to all these places and many more only for the sake of research and I do not remember spending hours together in any of them for general reading. In fact, not having memories of long hours in library is something to be ashamed of. By the time most of us understand that library is a treasure filled with magic for life, we would be typical adults for whom unlearning and relearning become difficult.

Having known this secret the next typical thought of an adult is to introduce their kids to library at an young age. Well, I tried doing the same with my daughter. The first visit to a district library was a disaster as we (mom & dad) wanted to get out of the place ourselves. Some reasons include suffocation and poor lighting. Even after fulfilling these basic necessities including toilets, I do not think it is possible to retain kids there even for a while. On wondering what kind of libraries would pull kids in, google showed me some model children libraries across the world. Presenting their images here:

The above pictures show enhanced physical features of libraries for children. The outward appearance is the very first attraction for kids, no matter what we boast of the proverb "Don't judge a book by its cover.' One cannot make a child understand (or there is no need to teach them) that libraries are meant for reading and not playing. To make a child enter and sit/roam around for a while is the biggest challenge and if such uniquely designed structures could do the task, it has to be done immaterial of investment. 

Though the Anna Centenary Library in Tamil Nadu's capital city has a good children section, it is nothing but a baby step. As children are fond of playing and only playing, children section of libraries need to be playful, attractive and interactive enough to pull them inside. It is said that the job well begun is half done! The reading part will take care of itself once children hang around and love hanging around in a library of their kind.  Below are pictures of library existing in our state. There are not many of this kind, unfortunately.

Be it a school or a public library, minimum requirements or tiny changes that will not cost much include keeping libraries open, an independent children section, bright coloured walls, accessible & low-lying book shelves, few play items, colourful books, enough air and light, kutty kutty incentives, child-friendly furniture/space to sit/lie down, freedom to act on their own and a child enthusiast (you call them a librarian, no problem). 

If you google, you will find a handful of unique libraries in the world doing innovative things such as paying kids for books they read, delivering books using exciting modes of transport, etc. It is okay if we could do nothing unique or innovative of that sorts but we cannot shy away from the duty of bringing kids to libraries. To depend on government is the reliable path to get things revamped. Yet seeking help from stakeholders would prove fruitful for both schools and public libraries as many stakeholders are willing to work in unison. 

P.S.: Yep, I have not told anything about having one at home because It is too personal to intrude into! 😄

A stupendous beginning to end something odd!

Today's (02.09.2021) The Hindu well drew my attention and planted a huge smile on face with one of its fine pieces in the very first page. It is 👇

                        source: The Hindu (02.09.2021)

This culture of addressing others as 'sir' and 'madam' has long faded away from most of the countries in the world. May be it did not exist at all in many parts of the world. In particular, it is always fascinating for me while watching English movies and series to see people addressing each other by names in educational institutions & workplaces - irrespective of age difference &  designation. It looks highly professional, indeed! 🙌

Whereas in India, the instance mentioned above seems to be the first of its kind. The origin of this kind of salutation in India, which is now immaterial,  is dated back to colonial days! What is needed is to get rid of it. Though it looks extremely difficult, it certainly is not unachievable. The ray of hope is now seeded by this Panchayat office in Kerala that has made the reform by means of displaying boards with names and designation to make it easy for public to address the officials. The office suggests other ways to address officials just in case they find this new move too odd to get adapted to. Interestingly, the news article also states that the choice of words in letters is also undergoing a massive change and experts in vernacular language are working on identifying alternatives, on 'desire' (not request). This is nothing less than awesome for the kind of new professional set up it gives to the office. Reforms at such grassroot level stay stronger and grow healthier! 🙇 Kudos!!!!

Nonetheless, just the imagination of bringing such a reform in a smaller unit around gives a mixed feeling, the dominant one being 'not positive'. This long existing culture is difficult to be separated as majority perceive this as a symbol of dominance, authority, ego, position, respect and what not! As long as we cling to these, the chances of change are meagre. Yet, when a place where most of the visitors are from rural areas could make a difference to work culture, isn't easier to do so in an educated environment? Yes, only when it begins from top of the hierarchy. 

I am here reminded of a scene from the Tamil movie Ratchasi where the school Principal encourages students to call her by name and children doing so. Many of us would have felt it being overboard (to be honest, I found it artificial and forced), but it seems to be a good beginning for a better work culture and professionalism. 

P.S.: After having stepped into a conventional  work setup, my habit of calling people by names has changed drastically. I find myself  overusing 'sir' & 'madam' which is abnormally elevated. Let me see if I could change myself for good! 👐 

செவி கொடுக்கும் தமிழக அரசு 👏💪

பெருந்தொற்றுக் காலத்தில் பதிவியேற்ற தமிழக அரசுக்கு சவால்கள் ஏராளம். எந்த சவாலையும் இது சிறியது, இது பெரியது என புறக்கணிக்க இயலாத அளவுக்கே அனைத்து சவால்களும் உள்ளன. இவற்றை வேகம் மற்றும் விவேகம் ஆகிய இரண்டும் கொண்டே எதிர்கொள்ள வேண்டியுள்ளது. இவ்வாறான சூழ்நிலையில் துறை சார்ந்த வல்லுனர்களின் அறிவுரைகள், பரிந்துரைகள் போன்றவையின் அவசியம் இன்றியமையாதது. தமிழக அரசு பதவியேற்றவுடன் பலதரப்பட்ட வல்லுனர் குழுக்களை அமைத்துள்ளது பலரின் பாராட்டையும் பெற்றது.

இந்த நடவடிக்கையின் அடுத்தப் படியாக தமிழகத்தின் முக்கிய எழுத்தாளர்களின் கருத்துகளையும், எழுத்துகளையும் கூர்ந்து கவனிப்பது, வாசிப்பது மட்டுமன்றி அதன் தேவையினை உணர்ந்து தமிழக அரசு உடனுக்குடன் நடைமுறைப்படுத்துவது பெரும் மகிழ்ச்சியை மட்டுமன்றி ஒரு புது நம்புக்கையையும் அளிக்கிறது. கீழே இரண்டு உதாரணங்கள்.

                                                        நன்றி: கூகுள்

எழுத்தாளர் சாரு நிவேதிதா அவர்கள் குமுதத்தில் தமிழ் எழுத்தாளர்களின் நிலையினைக் குறித்தும் அரசு செய்யக்கூடிய செய்ய வேண்டிய முன்னெடுப்புகள் குறித்தும் விரிவாக முதலமைச்சருக்கு திறந்த மடல்கள் இரண்டை கடந்த ஜூன் மாதத்தில் எழுதினார். அதனை தன் வலைப்பக்கத்திலும் வெளியிட்டிருந்தார் (http://charuonline.com/blog/?p=10346). மிக நீண்ட கடிதங்கள் அவை. தமிழ் எழுத்தாளர்களின் அவல நிலையும், அங்கீகரிக்கப்படாத சூழலும், சமுதாயத்தின் பார்வையும் என விவரித்துள்ள கடிதங்கள் அவை. அதில் அவர் குறிப்பிட்டுள்ள முக்கியமான கருத்துகளை ஏற்று அடுத்த ஓரிரு வாரங்களில் முதலமைச்சர் சில உத்தரவுகளையும் ஆணைகளையும் பிறப்பித்திருந்தார். அதாவது புதிய நூலகம் அமைத்தல், எழுத்திற்கு உயரிய விருதுகள் பெறுவோர்க்கு அரசு வீடு பரிசளித்தல், ஆண்டுதோறும் எழுத்தாளர்களை கண்டெடுத்து தமிழக அரசு விருதுடன் பரிசுத்தொகையும் வழங்குதல் போன்ற ஆணைகளே அவை. இன்னும் செய்ய வேண்டியவை ஏராளம் இருந்தாலும் இந்த நடவடிக்கைப் பாரட்டுக்குரியதே. 

 

                                                      நன்றி: கூகுள்

இதே போன்று எழுத்தாளர் ஜெயமோகன் அவர்கள் வாசகர் ஒருவரின் ஆரம்பக் கல்வி சார்ந்த ஒரு கேள்விக்கு இம்மாத தொடக்கத்தில் தனது விரிவான கருத்துகளைத் தெரிவித்திருந்தார். அதாவது பெருந்தொற்றுக் காரணமாக பள்ளிகள் ஒரு வருடத்திற்கும் மேலாக மூடப்பட்டுள்ளதால் குழந்தைகளின் படிப்பாற்றல் பெரிதும் மந்த நிலையில் உள்ளதையும், மாணாக்கர் படிப்பினை மொத்தமாக மறக்கும் நிலை உள்ளதையும், இதை சரி செய்ய என்ன செய்யலாம் என்பதான கேள்வி அது. தன் பதிலில் எழுத்தாளர் ஜெயமோகன் அவர்கள் ஆரம்பக்கல்விக்கென பள்ளிகளுக்கு வெளியே ஒரு இயக்கம் ஆரம்பிக்கப்பட்டு, அதற்கென பெரும் நிதி ஒதிக்கீடு செய்து, ஆசிரியர்களைப் பணியமர்த்தி குழந்தைகளுக்கு ஆரம்பக் கல்வியான எழுதுதல், வாசித்தல் போன்றவற்றை சிறு குழுக்களாக பிள்ளைகளைப் பிரித்து கற்பிக்க அரசு நடவடிக்கை எடுக்கலாம் என பதிவு செய்திருந்தார் (https://www.jeyamohan.in/150889/). இப்பதிவு வெளிவந்த ஒரே வாரத்தில் தமிழக அரசு ஆரம்பக்கல்விக்கென ஒரு இயக்கம் தொடங்கப்படவுள்ளது என சட்டசபையில் தெரிவித்திருந்தது. இவ்வாறான முயற்சி இந்தியாவிலேயே முதல்முறை எனக் கூறப்படுகிறது. 

                                                      நன்றி: கூகுள்

எழுத்தாளர்கள் சமுதாயத்திற்கு ஆற்றும் பணி மகத்தானது. முன்னோடியாக தமிழக அரசு இதை அடையாளம் கண்டுகொள்ளும் போதும், அவர்களின் கருத்துகளின் ஆழத்தையும் தேவையையும் உணரும் போதும் சமுதாயத்தின் மீது ஒரு வெளிச்சம் பரவுகிறது. இவ்வேலையை செய்ய வேண்டிய கல்லூரிகளுக்கும் பல்கலைக்கழங்களுக்கும் இது போன்ற அரசு நடவடிக்கைகள் ஒரு நினைவூட்டல், அவர்களின் கடமையை உணர்த்துதல். இவை தொடரும்பட்சத்தில் எழுத்தாளர்களையும், எழுத்துகளையும் கொண்டாடும் நிலை எழலாம். இதன் மூலம் அடுத்த தலைமுறை பரந்த அறிவோடும், மனதோடும் வளர வாய்ப்புள்ளது.👏

As I am suffering from fever 😂

        'As I am suffering from fever' is a common (unforgettable) phrase we all had come cross.😂 This is how most of our generation were taught to write a leave letter while in school as our teachers thought 'physical sickness' would be the only predominant reason. We couldn't get over it even after years 😜 Such an impact it has on us! Interestingly, we still spill those words among friends while we are about to apply for leave in our offices. Most cite sickness as reason for leave which according to me has come from this loooonnnngggg history of letter writing practice given in our English classes. Children during school days give reasons of condolences in families (true in rare cases and mostly this practice is taught by parents) which change as we grow older. Personality of us is tuned in such a way that 'safe reasons' are to be stated in order to get our leave request sanctioned by our superiors.

       Only two types of decision could be made toward our request.

1. Accepted

2. Rejected

         If one has her/his leave eligibility, no matter what your reason is, it will be accepted in almost all cases, except for any emergency situation in the office

        If one doesn't have enough number of leave days to her/his credit, either the application would be rejected and if insisted those days would be treated as loss of pay.

        Doesn't it sound simple!!! Yes. Still, we hunt for 'safe reasons'. This could be attributed to the personality of our superior which matters in this matter to a good extent. They vary from being cordial to highly rude, from being empathetic to autocratic. As we have no direct control over their personality & behaviour, we tend to play games safe at workplace, let alone leave request.

  

        These being on one side, we have quite a few celebrities who take off from their work citing their mental health reasons on the flip side. Naomi Osaka from French Open, Ben Stokes from England Test & Simone Biles from Olympics are some examples. They attracted excess attention due to this fact, yet they showed the world that they respect their body, mind and soul more than any media pressure. This trend leads to the realization of 'it's okay not to be okay.' and it is important to 'admit the same'.

        The reason we state does not matter as long as we are able to take off from our work. No one would have questioned these celebrities if they had cited any physical injury. But they have made a difference now!!! 

        Well, Won't it make a difference if we are able to cite the exact, honest, real reason for the need of a break? Who stops us from doing so? To go out with family/friends, to watch a movie at home with children to de-stress, to clean the mess at our house, to jump on our beds for a full day rest, to finish the last few pages of novel that we could not resist, to get the water tank cleaned or to just stay idle at home are all as much fair reasons as our sickness card is. These things could be done on a weekend is totally out of context. 

 

         I would proudly say that as a subordinate I keep my superior informed of the real reason and as a superior I have always appreciated my colleagues doing so. If we presume that our superiors will not appreciate, it is high time that we start doing it every single time we apply for leave and normalize the whole process. End of the day, it is our inner happiness & peace that would drive us to work and increase our productivity. Normalizing our casual leaves certainly is a key factor in contributing to that inner happiness! This does not take a big effort, after all it is nothing but being honest to oneself! 💕

 

 

P.S.: This does not apply to those who have no intention of performing/being efficient at work at all!

    And as far children and leave are concerned, that will be discussed in another post!!

Free to commute: A road to women empowerment 🚌🚍

Woohoo.....💪

Women in Tamil Nadu are celebrating 🎉the new policy of the newly formed government, free bus service within districts. Among all, Tirunelveli is found to have the highest number of users (beneficiaries). 👏

Without a doubt, this policy move has largely benefitted a lot of women working in unorganized sector with poor wages and job insecurity. It does save them quite a handful of money. There are women in my office who do not hesitate to take break of journeys (from a minimum of two to a maximum of four) to avail this benefit and save their daily bus fares. 👍 There are some around who used to walk several kilometers to reach office to save their hard earned remuneration. Given their jobs as sweepers and scavengers, they are now happy for being able to travel at free of cost. 🙌 There are thousands of such stories in Tamil Nadu to narrate and to be recorded on real benefits of this decision of free bus service to women within district. 

This is a baby step towards a far existing destination - women empowerment - yet a significant one. 🏆 These women who save money by using free public transport climb the first step in the ladder of financial empowerment. Besides that, the ability to travel anywhere with no cost gives a sense of social empowerment. Non-working women who are largely dependent on their husbands for money to visit anywhere - be it a temple or their parents' house - gets that tiny bit of relief now. Being socially connected is a step closer now.  👫👭👬👭

There are allegations from conductors that women began to travel with no reason as it is free. 'What's wrong in it?' is the question!!!! 

Let us (women) not allow anyone tell us 'use this freedom appropriately' for a simple reason that 'let all of us - women - step out and roam around, even if it is to pass time.'  It is not just the measurable output of a policy (such as number of beneficiaries, the routes highly used by women, etc.) is important but its outcome too (sometimes measurable, many a times not). 😊😊

Amidst such good things, never mind of

• Some men and even women claiming that this policy as one useless and waste of public tax money.🙍

• Men passengers' agitation towards free travel of women. It is heard that many men passengers are reluctant to share the common seats (partitioned portion) with women after this policy implementation. 👎

• Male conductors considering women as worthless in terms of revenue generation for transport department.😠 

• Male drivers hesitant to stop buses at stops where women crowd is seen (such behaviour is typical of our drivers during school/college hours where most of them would travel with a free pass).🙅

(These males would soon accept the fact that women of their families are availing the same too)😆

A friend of mine whose PhD thesis was on Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) in Chennai once said that there were handful of benefits in making public transportation totally free. Some of them include reduction in pollution and cost cutting by removal (or transfer) of conductors and ticket checkers. This step of making it free for women in limited jurisdiction could be a move towards free public transport.🚌  

Who could give us the best except our government!!! 🙏