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‘FRAMED FOR LIFE’

New media is one of the most promising fields  the Digital era has thrown up. For one with a passion to unravel new paths, what better enterprise than the emerging and vibrant field of New Media that is expected to generate employment opportunities for thousands of young job aspirants in the years to come? 

Setting trends in the New Media is young Soundarya Rajnikanth who is the founder of Ocher Studios Pvt Ltd. Soundarya Rajnikanth's  Ocher Studios has entered into an exclusive multi-picture deal with Warner Bros Pictures India. The pact covers the production and distribution of Live-Action South Indian language films to be released by Warner Bros.

"We are excited and proud to be working with Soundarya Rajnikanth who is extremely talented, has good insight into film making and knows the pulse of the southern market," said Blaise Fernandes, Country Head for Warner Bros Pictures India.

Eve’s Times brings to you an exclusive interview with this young and ambitious entrepreneur. We are sure many more youngsters would be motivated to take up enterprises  in new and emerging fields and contribute to the growing economy in a big way. Over to Soundarya…..

Could you give us a brief background about your education including your special training in Australia.

I completed my schooling in my mother’s school, Ashram in Chennai. I then went to Perth, Australia, to Edith Cowan University to complete my higher education in multimedia.

Why did you decide to go into the New Media?

The film industry is my family. I wanted to do something new and challenging in this field; something that will set a benchmark.

What  motivated you to venture in this field?

The challenge involved and the passion in me!

What projects has your enterprise accomplished successfully?

We have successfully completed over a 110 projects, films, ads, animation episodes, short films, 2D/3D ads, to name some.

What are the challenges you faced in setting up the enterprise?

I faced what every new company faces , finding the team , breaking into the market , keeping the monthly billing consistent , being update with the technical advancement , everything . .. Some things never change. Nothing comes easy! : )

What is your vision/future goals for your organization?

Our vision is to create new benchmarks in technology to support the future creative needs. We provide our services in VFX, post production and Animation. Later this year I am planning and working towards setting up a gaming division for mobile internet and console.

What counsel would you give to young women and men who want to set up  an enterprise?

Dream, gather information, set your goals, put your team together, work really hard and never give up!

What are the infrastructure bottlenecks  in our country for a field like yours?

Technical support that is readily available for specific needs is yet to come through.
We in Ocher are creating our own technical solutions to work through these bottlenecks, for in-house needs and outside.

What kind of encouragement can  the government and private educational institutions give to  promote the New Media?

On the educational side, private and government institutions should start training programs in this field for awareness at an early age. Multimedia and animation are not only for entertainment, it is a myth that has to be broken. Animation must be made a mandatory subject!

Is New Media only about entertainment? Or what else do you think are the possibilities?

The entertainment industry has always been one industry that uses every possible and new invention. Multimedia is largely used in medicine, defence, scientific research etc…. 3D walkthroughs and simulations are very widely used in many fields that people are not very much aware of.

WIKIPEDIA

Animation is the rapid display of a sequence of images of 2-D or 3-D artwork or model positions in order to create an illusion of movement. It is an optical illusion of motion due to the phenomenon of persistence of vision, and can be created and demonstrated in a number of ways. The most common method of presenting animation is as a motion picture or video program, although several other forms of presenting animation also exist.

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‘CHASING A MIRAGE’

Emaciated hands stretch out expectantly
For a tiny morsel that would appease
The torment of rumblings emanating
From the pits of the little girl’s stomach,
While the fair young damsel empties her plate
Into the innocuous looking dustbin and
Struts about like a coquettish peacock,
‘Cause it satiates her cravings for self-love.

As a mother of two teenage girls, I am often assailed by terrifying dreams. I am sure most urban Indian women would be subjected to the onslaught of such traumatic eruptions form the subconscious every now and then. I got up with a jerk, as cold sweat broke out despite the chilliness of the Margazhi breeze in Chennai! The plight of Indian mothers in today’s era of globalization is indeed pathetic.

A mother’s nightmare brings to light one of the greatest tragedies that mankind has ever known. The irony of it all is that, it is happening in the global era, to the most educated and elite sections of the fairer sex, which have the responsibility of ensuring the empowerment of their unfortunate sisters. Yet, the world at large has shut its eyes to the consequences that might afflict future generations. Despite vociferous clamors by the so-called women activists and socialists on all issues affecting women, this is one issue, which is permeating stealthily like cancer, and while the world sleeps on, will erupt one day like a tempest, maiming future generations physically and intellectually.

Do we realize that today, the world is witnessing gender inequality at its worst? And unfortunately, the learned and the so-called elite women are the victims? Today’s narcissistic culture is breeding such a fervent passion among teenagers that sadomasochism is at its peak! Never before has an entire generation of school and college going young and healthy girls deprived their growing bodies of the nourishing morsels that will nurture future generations. It is an undeniable fact that nature has entrusted women with the responsibility of not only creating new generations, but also nurturing them so that they can carry the societies forward. The world seems to have forgotten the paramount truth that overrides all other concerns- its own existence and continuity is at stake!

The era of myriad beauty pageants has brought about a drastic mutation in the mindset of the younger generations. While one cannot blame the impressionable young age that is enamored by the inundation of opulence, global jaunts, innumerable gifts and adulation aplenty that go with success in such ventures that reek of vanity, it is deplorable that the entire world has paid the slightest attention to a matter that needs to be addressed on an urgent basis.

Depriving essential nutrients to the body at a growing age, especially by those who can afford, is an unpardonable sin. What kind of future generations can these girls, who have wreaked havoc on their constitutions and hence stunted the growth of their bodies, nurture? I am sure there are no serious studies on the appalling consequences of these hedonistic pursuits. Yet, the irony of it all is that the path to the hedonistic pursuit commences with self-denial. Remember what one of the winners of the Miss World title blurted out after her success? The young Indian woman declared that the first thing she would do after the event was to have a hearty meal! This single sentence offers a disquieting insight into the travails of a beauty pageant aspirant. And to think that this trend may eventually lead to the starvation of almost half the world’s population, even if all the countries of the world somehow manage to make food available in abundance, makes us wonder where we have gone wrong. While it is not an offense if people go to bed without two square meals a day during times of drought and famine that often plague several underdeveloped countries, the peccadilloes of vanity cannot be pardoned.

It is true that the passion for anything foreign courses through the Indian blood ever since the days when women maneuvered astutely to lay their hands on crimson, succulent tomatoes from the British, to turn out delectable fares. It is also true that even as the windows of the world have been thrown wide open today, urban women have been emancipated from many a shackle that had chained them for centuries.  While our own culture had accorded a place of dignity to women who were central to families, we needed western culture to instill in us concepts of financial and emotional independence. Western influences have transformed many an urban woman into a thinking individual who is well on her way to realizing her potential to the fullest.

Yet, time was when afflictions such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia were alien to our country. Today, while some young girls who are traversing the path of self-destruction are severely afflicted with these disorders, which at best could have been kept at bay had they refurbished their bodies with a balanced diet. The day is not far off when others will follow suit. I was shell-shocked when my twelve- year old daughter told me recently that her e-mail friend from London, Jenny, aged twelve, died due to anorexia! She was a model! Can you imagine the plight of her distraught parents? The anguish of a mother who witnesses her daughter wilting away under her eyes for an unfathomable cause is inexplicable. The angst that strikes the womb that bore her child is unendurable. The excruciating torment that assaults the bosom that fed manna to her tender infant even surpasses the pains that strike her when she brings a life into the world! A mother’s grief?  God forbid if a woman has to ever undergo the trauma of losing her child!  If this trend continues ceaselessly, the end of the world may not be a fatuous thinking any more because it may be submerged by the torrent of downpour from the eyes of the innumerable, hapless mothers of the world!

Constant inundation from the west has managed to sustain India as a land of paradoxes. While on the one hand, the girl child in the rural and semi urban areas is languishing in misery, shouldering the burden of running a household, taking care of her siblings, deprived of education, or even basic human rights like appeasing her hunger or living with dignity, westernized girls in the urban areas are on the road to self-destruction, and in the process, jeopardizing the bright future of entire societies which might eventually end up being populated by stymied, crippled generations.

The incongruity of the situation is magnified by the fact that hordes of professionals from various fields are thriving magnificently, riding on the fragile shoulders of the petite damsels, who they are grooming as ‘glamorous champions of social issues’. Whirlwinds of activities are swirling around at a frenzied pace in the world of glamour. The corporate world too has jumped into the fray with multinationals competing aggressively to sponsor ostentatious beauty pageants. The catalog of the flourishing gaggle in the beauty trade out to make a fast buck makes impressive reading: fashion designers, model coordinators, event managers, choreographers, gym and aerobics professionals, dentists, skin specialists, plastic surgeons ( known today as reconstructive or cosmetic surgeons!) and various others from the medical profession etc. How long would the dainty damsels be able to haul the encumbrance of these multitudes of predaceous populace? It is only sagacious that a corrective move towards emphasizing healthier looks be made that would not only save the world from future disaster, but also ensure that these professions continue uninterrupted.

It is imperative that this issue is addressed by the nation on a priority basis. While on the one hand, we are battling poverty and ill health that hamper our country’s progress, we cannot afford to lose a substantial percentage of our learned and otherwise healthy population to such grossness of mind that precludes delicacy and discrimination.

 The government as well as social activists and advocates for the rights of women must take up the issue along with other pressing concerns. Through the media, the medical fraternity should bombard the younger generations with facts about the ill effects of intense dieting. Instead of extolling emaciated women as harbingers of fashion, the print media should make a concerted effort to initiate propaganda about beauty, brains and health.  The media must be banned from exhibiting scrawny models, movie stars and stars of the small screen, who look gaunt, but otherwise stuffed up at the right places! (What an irony! While Indian women were known to be buxom beauties, today’s generations have taken to saline sachets and sponges to give them the right curves at the right places. ) Our nation can take the bull by the horns and be a forerunner in campaigning for the alteration of guidelines that are the fundamental criteria for selection in international beauty pageants.

 
And here we are, going against the laws of nature, defying the pandects of the Protector, trying to prove…. What?  

The bodies of renowned champions for women’s cause, Clara Zetkin and Alexandra Kollontai might be writhing in their graves.  Having taken up the concerns of exploited women as their life’s mission, they would never have dreamed that a day would dawn on the universe, when women would willingly give up their basic needs, if only to capture fleeting, covetous glances from their male counterparts.

The most painful thought that crosses one’s mind is the staunch silence maintained by the genteel male population. May be, the sturdy and brawny populace has one more ammunition up the sleeve to undermine the steely determination with which the women of the millennium are surging forward. No wonder, many young men with ‘modern thoughts’ are party to this transgression that goes in the name of infusing a new wave in the realm of fashion. No new idea can be considered modern if it is detrimental to any section of the world’s population. It is surprising that the astute world of men has failed to realize that this trend will ultimately affect not only women and their babies but will shake the foundations of whatever is left of the cohesive family systems in our country. 

Time was when nations used to tether under the stranglehold of a different kind of ‘Food Problem’ that wiped out millions of lives from the face of the earth. What a blasphemy that the world has forgotten the dreaded famines and droughts that assailed the world, once too often during the first half of the twentieth century and that was not even a few decades ago. What then mars our minds with utter callousness that we shun the once scarce commodity, the dearth of which ‘ate’ away many lives? Mankind has diverted all its endeavours toward vanquishing the travails of hunger pangs. When man eventually did overpower the concern of food scarcity, how much did he gloat over his astuteness and success? While many nations are still grappling with the problem of paucity of comestible, how can the world let itself be steered by the apathy of a few chauvinistic nations which are dominated by avarice and whose only philosophy of life seems to be “I, Me, Myself’.  It is true that mankind has witnessed the highest order of intellectual advancement today. Yet the irony is that man is blinded by the dazzle of a few unseemly green papers!   

While little mermaids are frolicking in the aquamarine seas or busy chasing a mirage, the world looks on apathetically, and terrified mothers are spending sleepless nights, traumatized by horrendous thoughts of entrusting the future of the world to feeble hands that will one day clasp the bridle! Zero waistlines, come again?

-Swati Amar

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BRAND NAYAN

Chennai is under the siege of Chennai Super Kings. While excited cricket fans are charting out grand plans to accommodate the fast-approaching match amidst their hectic schedules, the frenzy seems to be reaching a crescendo as the D-Day draws closer. The bewitching brand ambassador of Chennai Super Kings, Nayantara, known for her dazzling smile and a compelling persona gave an exclusive interview to Eve’s Times team, sharing her views about the ensuing match.

What is your responsibility as the brand ambassador of Chennai Super Kings?

As brand ambassadors, actor Vijay and I are there to support the entire team. There will be seven matches in Chennai and we will be present in the stadium during all the seven matches and cheer our team. Even if we are shooting, we would take time off to ensure that we are present when the match is being played.  I hope that will motivate our players greatly.

We are also shooting a promotional video for IPL. It is getting ready. Actually the video involves the presence of Vijay, Dhoni me and the team members. But all of us are in different places and are busy with our own schedules.  Vijay is shooting away from Chennai, Dhoni is playing and I am shooting too, in Vizag and hence we have not been able to arrive at a mutually convenient date. But soon, we would sort out our date issues and get together for the promotional shoot. Rajeev Menon will be doing this film.

Why did you consent to be one of the brand ambassadors for Chennai Super Kings?

Right from the beginning, IPL has been in the news and a lot has been happening in the arena of cricket. With people like Shah Rukh Khan and Preity Zinta associating themselves with the game, cricket has acquired an attraction and glamour as never before. These stars have added a new dimension to the game. Therefore when I got a call from the organizers I agreed immediately. I am a person who does not say yes unless I am convinced. I will never take up any assignment even if it is really a big thing, if I am not convinced. I felt like supporting the Chennai team strongly.

What are your expectations from our players?

Obviously, I expect all our players to work hard and play their best and get us the trophy (laughs).

Have you ever played cricket?

Not that I remember. But there is this hazy memory, when as a toddler I used to play with my brother and friends. If I remember right, I used to insist on batting all the time. But I am a great fan of cricket and I watch cricket matches a lot.

So what other games do your play? Or what are your interests?

I don’t play a sport. But I like to listen to music a lot and I also watch movies, which is a great passion for me.

Would you like to give a message to all youngsters out there who are cricket aspirants or those who want to   achieve something in life?

Though I am a brand ambassador, I am not a cricket player and I don’t think I am qualified to give any counsel about how to play the game. But I would definitely like to say this to my friends- Set a goal for yourself and try with utmost sincerity to reach your goals. You have to have total dedication to whatever you do. We live in a world of fierce competition. It is not easy for anybody to get anything easily. Today’s youngsters are full of life and want to reach the skies. They want to achieve a lot of things. Nothing seems to be enough for them. So you have to put in real hard work to achieve your goals.  Of course, there is also the luck factor that will influence one’s success. I feel if you have faith in God, it will make a big difference. At the end of the day you have to believe in whatever you do. Only then you will get whatever you want. You have to give  hundred percent of yourself. Then you can achieve your goals.

More than anything else, one should try to be a nice human being. One should always think good about other people.  I strongly feel that if something good doesn’t happen to us we should not think that something bad should happen to other people. That thought itself will distract you from your goals and you will end up losing even what you are supposed to get. You do your own thing with focus, dtermination and hard work and you can reach the summit.

Super Info on Super Kings

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INVEST IN WOMEN

We have talked enough and more about women’s advancement. The result is there for all to see- in the form of stupendous enrolment of girls in schools and their employment in offices and global careers. There is a quiet revolution happening in the rural side too, with the emergence of Self-Help-Groups and their role in economic and entrepreneurial empowerment of the rural women. The dawn of the current century has quietly ushered in an era where the world will soon experience the remarkable impact of women’s contribution to the world on all fronts. 

There is no denying the fact that we still have a long way to go. Illiteracy, infanticide, feticide, sexual, physical and economic abuse and exploitation, dowry demands and the innumerable other social evils that have haunted women for generations are still rampant in several pockets of the country. But there is mass awareness about the right of the girl child to live with dignity that inspires an odd rural belle to raise her voice against child marriage. There is an aura of boldness and courage that inspires a woman or two to raise their voice against dowry.  The ball has started rolling and it is only a matter of time when the consequence of women empowerment will be felt globally. Until then women have to tread softly but firmly, leaving their imprints for others women and of course, men to emulate.

An arena where women are making a major difference to our country is Banking and Finance. Eve’s Times is happy to bring to you excerpts from an interview with Asoka Chatterjee, General Manager, Indian Overseas Bank, Chennai that explores the opportunities for satisfying careers and advancement in this sector.

Asoka Chatterjee is in every way a picture of femininity. Yet, beneath the exterior of the dignified woman clad in ethnic Indian attire, lies an astute, firm and dauntless banker who has handled innumerable challenges in her remarkable career. Over to Asoka:

Banking and finance industry provides innumerable opportunities for women and over the years, women have indeed excelled themselves, especially in the middle management levels. However, compared to our earlier generation, we have been able to advance only slightly as far as snaring top job positions is concerned, despite enormous efforts. This applies to every sector, not only banking.  In a way private banks are better off because they are able to recognize people better. Some private banks have in fact encouraged women immensely and we see many women who are now visible at the top, holding leadership positions. 

Once women enter the fray, the rise up to the middle level management is rapid. But to get to the top, they have to work harder to prove their worth. The reason for this situation is because women continue to be taken at a discounted value. The basis for this stems from the generalized perception prevalent in the society that women are the weaker sex and hence their performance must be weaker too.
Physical attributes do not form the underlying basis for most jobs. Hence this perception is absolutely wrong. Women are more comprehensive in their attitude because they are good at multitasking.  Their vision is 360 degrees. They are able to visualize problems from different angles. They are good in analyzing and arriving at decisions. Their EQ level is much better. Women take decisions with both their brain and heart together and hence come out with excellent decisions, with a human touch.

Banking is an industry where success stems from team- work. Women make excellent team leaders. They are involved with their team, motivate the members, empathize with them and work as a part of a cohesive team.

Banking and finance are the pillars on which the society rests and hence the industry offers ceaseless opportunities and a lot of scope for advancement and growth. This sector is evolving rapidly and India is now setting global benchmarks.  Down the line I foresee the day when there would be no necessity for one to visit the bank. There era of online banking has dawned. This however necessitates development of specialized skills. It is imperative that women equip themselves with specialized skills as that will give them the requisite tools for advancement.

A woman can empower other women. This is another reason why they should rise to decision making levels. I can quote two examples from my experience.  In an organization recruitment was going on for field-level jobs. A girl had applied for the job but she was rejected by the management saying that she had no place to stay. They did not even ask her opinion. A woman who was holding a senior position questioned this decision. She approached the girl and her father and found out that the girl had no objection taking up the job. She also found that there was a guest house where she could stay. The decision was reversed and the girl justified the decision by performing exceedingly well.

When I was the regional manager, I noticed that a girl who was holding a second position in one of our branches was very good. When an occasion arose to find someone to head a branch I called the girl and asked her. She was not sure if she could head the branch. I encouraged her to take up. Despite initial hesitation she agreed and under her leadership the branch evolved into an A-rated branch. Wherever she goes, her branch gets an A-rating.

I have also seen women do very well in Customer Relation Management because it is the nature of women to value loyalty, service and bonding. Women are also good in industrial relations. They are understanding and are able to handle industrial relations deftly. At the same time, they are bold, their courage emanating from their basic honesty and integrity. When in pressure, women are dauntless and don’t cave in. I remember many occasions in my career when I have had to take bold decisions. Once I was even threatened that I would be shifted from my posting. I told the people to go ahead and do what they could. Nothing happened.

 Moreover, we see women excelling in IT.  With banks moving more toward automation, it offers greater scope for women to perform. Banking, Finance and Mutual Funds require analytical ability which women are gifted with.

I am against the idea of women’s quota because when a woman achieves due to her hard work and merit, the tendency for people would be to say that she snared the position due to the quota. Women are capable and will be able to achieve high positions if their true worth is recognized without prejudice and bias.

One reason that deters women from taking up senior positions in the bank is the social problem of relocation.  After reaching the middle level, many women hesitate to move forward because the society expects them to take care of their family first. Hence leaving the family members behind to go to another place is a major hurdle in the advancement of women. The industry should understand that it is a social constraint and have a re-look at the relocation policy to unearth if there are possibilities to help women who may otherwise be exemplary contributors.

If we can offer flexibility in working time   the industry will reap the benefits of offering job opportunities to many women. If organizations can recognize the social demands on women and adapt to her needs, such as offering her the option of joining the organization after a break during child-birth, and arranging counseling for women , it will go a long way in  eliciting the best out of their women employees.

Often after child birth, women are thrown into a quandary because they have to manage everything themselves without any help.  A few years after child-birth are difficult for women, not because they lack something, but because of their social responsibilities.  Pressure from marriage and childbirth are likely to affect their work. Counseling is important for women.  Child-care facilities, if offered, will also be a major shot in the arm for encouraging women to continue to contribute to their work without distractions. If organizations can accommodate this period, then the Human Resources segment can use the potential of women to the fullest extent.

For success, my counsel would be to impress upon the women the need to improve their skill base. We are living in an era of specialization and women must be prepared well to face the future trends. Another important issue is that women who aspire to hold senior positions must be cautious because their every move of will be under scrutiny. They must conduct themselves with propriety. The trick lies in striking a perfect balance between your personal life and career. After all, if your personal life is not perfect it will affect your career and vice versa.

I would also like to tell women that it is important to think about their family first. But a woman must also learn to think about herself. Let family members also understand that if a woman achieves something it is good for the family too. And it also beneficial for the society. Finally, I would like to say that for any society to make progress, men and women must complement each other and tread hand-in-hand.

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LIFE IS A BIG PARTY

The New Year has dawned on an optimistic note.  However, memories of forgettable incidents that marred the bygone year are still lingering, the events of the last few days having benumbed the senses of many conscientious citizens. The world has lost an indomitable leader, there have been many incidents of riots, violence, murders across the country and the world; not to mention the  disconcerting incidents in the country  during the New Year’s Eve   that have stunned many of us , despite the fact that there was a lot of media hype and sensationalism. While the events are to be condemned, they are also lessons for us to unearth the underlying causes that could have given rise to such heinous happenings. Life is indeed a big party. There’s fun, there’s music and dancing, there are drinks and there are friends.  But life is also interspersed with challenges, unpredictable occurrences and people. Life teaches each one of us its own lessons. A lesson well learned is a life well lived. Coming to partying, a culture which is pervading our country like wild fire, what are the views of some of us? Read on for an enlightening debate!

Rajini Rajesh- Writer and media personality

Parting culture is becoming more and more in Chennai and all over the country. Celebrating the New Year’s Eve was not much of a problem a few years back. Of course, there were crowds on the road, they used to stop cars and wish everyone a Happy New Year. They were groups of boys, sometimes, even girls and families. There was no fear in any body to go out and celebrate. These boys did not have bad intentions when they stopped cars or people to wish them. Today, look at what happened in Mumbai.

Groups of young men tried to molest two young women. The girls went with their husband and friends. Even then they were not safe. Today, it is very unsafe going out on New Year’s Eve, for a woman even with her husband and family members. Husbands or other men are unable to do any thing when there is mob frenzy.  When there is a violent mob, what can they do?

Hotels charge huge amounts for New Year celebrations and do not provide the right kind of facilities to celebrate. The Savera Hotel incident in Chennai left a very bad taste and brought to light the hazards of a callous approach and avarice of many hotels who like to make hay while the sun shines. In the process is anyone concerned that the life of a young software engineer was lost?  He was only twenty four years old! Just because he decided to celebrate the New Year in a city hotel and was jumping on the dais along with a huge crowd, he fell into the water and lost his life. Is it is it worth giving up your life for such a trivial reason? What about his parents who had brought him up with a lot of dreams and hardship? He could have had a bright future.
 
Basically the problem was overcrowding. As midnight was approaching, more and more people started coming and the hotel authorities allowed entry to everyone to grab whatever they could on the occasion. That is why the crowd became unmanageable and the dais could not accommodate so many people. Why did not the hotel stop issuing tickets after a certain number of people were allowed? In fact, there should only be advanced booking and no bookings should be allowed on the day of celebration. The hotel just gave in to greed and tried to grab all they could without giving the facilities.

 New Year partying is not a part of our culture. When the crowds are so much, is it at all necessary to go out and celebrate? Moral values have gone down very much over the years. Just because you are in a crowd, can you do anything? It is unpardonable to behave like that. In such situations even the police cannot do much.  I feel we should give a serious thinking to partying. Why is it necessary for every body to go out and party only during New year’s Eve? Parties can be organized on a quieter day when you can have a hall booked entirely for yourself for celebrations.  Just because you want to celebrate along with the masses and the fun turns to a nightmare, I don’t think it is worth it.

 I recall what Mahatma Gandhi said about women, ‘India will truly become free only when a girl can go out at midnight and she is safe.  I don’t think India is free even today! And for women I would like to tell them to take up self defense as the days are becoming more and more unsafe. In foreign countries, chilli and pepper sprays are available for the protection of women. I hope in our country too such devices are made available to women because they are very effective in warding off bad elements and protecting women. If women are trained in self defense and carry such devices they can move around with more confidence.

Leevin Johnson belongs to the Hospitality Industry and is a Party Animal

After a decade of traveling to many countries in the world now I am settled in the Hospitality Industry in Chennai. My views on Partying are different. Partying is fine as long as it is within limits. If you go beyond limits, then chances of accidents can occur. Many of us try to misinterpret what partying is all about. Partying is primarily to de-stress people after a hard day’s work. People wanting to party should know how to handle themselves, how to handle alcohol, and how to celebrate. I feel though the partying culture has caught on, people still do not know how to party properly. They have to be educated on the culture of partying. For e.g., they should definitely know what is their capacity, what are the side effects if you exceed your alcohol limit, the right kind of music, dance, friends and definitely the law of the land. In short, they should know how to enjoy a party!

Knowledge about the law of the land is very important. We have to be careful when we party and should go by the rules. In UK and Europe, especially in Germany, even on a Sunday you cannot mow your lawn before ten o clock because you will be disturbing your neighbours.  You cannot have loud music after eleven o clock. Laws have to be published in the print media so that people become aware and implement them.

Also organizers have to arrange for cover and protection. They should engage the police and security to deal with any situation. There are special squads in London that deal with drunken driving; there are rehab centres to deal with substance abuse. We too need such special infrastructure to handle the cultural change that is happening around us. Unfortunately, while we are ready to party, the infrastructure is not yet ready to support this culture. It is like cooking without the recipe. Every club, pub, hotel and all other places where parties are organized should have the right kind of infrastructure to support partying.

In London a year back they removed the ban on closing time in clubs and hotels and made it twenty four hours. The reason was that when pubs were closed at twelve people started having quick drinks, which is very risky. It was found that if the pubs were open all night, people drink much lesser and are much more relaxed. Moreover, when pubs close at a specific time, all the people who have t had drinks come out at the same time, which is bad news. When pubs are open through the night people come in at different times and leave at different times; this will help the system and keep the roads safe.

If laws are strict, there is a tendency to rebel and act in a clandestine manner.  So people try to hide from their parents, employers and others. It is important to be comfortable with pubbing, clubbing and partying. This will also encourage sensible drinking. For me, despite the fact that I have access to any type of drinks, I go only for beer. It is a personal choice. My idea of partying is primarily socialization, meeting people, making connections and to de stress, to get the mind away from the daily grind.

I left Chennai in 1996 when my job took me to different countries in the world. When I came back after a decade, I was amazed to find a totally different Chennai. Lot of software companies and MNCs have come up, there is extra cash flow, lot of mingling and the city is opening up. It will take time for people to get used to the changes that are happening around. We are going through the first reaction of a major cultural revolution. Today lots of hotels, clubs, pubs, disco joints etc., have come up. There is more desire among people to go out and celebrate. People want to experiment with different experiences. This may lead to some of them going off line sometimes. Hence it is important to increase the awareness of the people. Then socialization can be fun and we can indulge in the true sense of partying.

Dr.Priya Selvaraj

Everyone needs some reason to relax. In that context, partying is a personal choice and there is no harm if people choose to maintain decorum. But if people push themselves beyond limits, then partying goes out of hand. Such incidents happen when there is no one to counter check. We cannot place the blame squarely on those partying because many of them are young boys and their dates. We cannot expect them to be under control all the time. When you decide to conduct a party, the host should ensure that proper security arrangements are made. Those in charge of clubs, pubs or hotels should enforce rules and regulations.

I like to party occasionally. After a hard day’s work, you like to enjoy yourself. But it is important to be in control of yourself. Youngsters must be allowed to celebrate according to what is permitted for that age group.  You should educate them about the perils of going out of limits, what can happen if things go awry. When partying is catching up, we cannot prevent the current generation from adopting it. If you are negative, this generation will defy us. Hence, it is better to give them the freedom but you also set a limit. Get to know the crowd they are with. Also, it is important to have open channels of communication with your children so that they are honest about their actions and interactions.

We should have extra police and security forces during the festive seasons. Patrol should be placed at crucial points to prevent untoward incidents.

There was a lot of media coverage on ECR raids. That is a controversial issue. It is unfair to squarely put the blame on such responsible young people who hold good positions in big companies. Also a lot of questionable issues have been raised about the police too. Many companies obtain permission to hold such parties. It is not right on the part of the police to interfere in such parties when permission has already been obtained. I don’t think anybody can stop a private party from happening.

Today’s generation is on a fast track.  I am thirty four, and I have three children. My children have to see that their mother is working hard and she enjoys her work. Also she likes to relax after hard work, in a responsible manner.  It is not necessary for us parents to be seen in a pub every week. But we can set good examples by partying responsibly. I am sure they will understand that. Apart from this, we can only hope for the best!

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FLY HIGH WITH EVE’S TIMES! <---

SPRINKLE STARDUST OVER YOUR LIVES 

If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement and mystery of the world we live in- Rachel Carson

There is a quite another world tucked away from the frenzied earth we live in. It is a world of pixies and gnomes. It is a world filled with houses of chocolates and cakes, of towers and dancing clouds, of stars coming down to earth and  plants reaching up to the skies into a magical land. Kind-hearted giants and benevolent fairies come to the rescue in times of trouble. It is a world where horses fly, animals speak, dwarfs with beards touching the ground grant boons. Witches and wizards are vanquished and good triumphs over evil.

This magical world is created by none other than withered faces that light up with radiant smiles when they witness little feet scampering toward them. When the old and the young hold hands and enter into this magical world, their lives are transformed!

It is said that nobody can do for little children what grandparents do. Grandparents sprinkle stardust over the lives of little children and grant them the greatest boon of their lives- they teach us lessons of happiness, harmony, peace and love. In a world starved of such exquisite qualities that mankind were supposed to be endowed with, grandparents are sentinels that can lead us towards a better world…. If only we would listen!

Meet media personality, businesswoman, mother and homemaker, Uma Sukesh, who unravels the joys of basking in the bountiful love of grandparents. Even as the Grandparents’ Day has just whizzed past us, Eve’s Times has great joy in bringing to the fore, the bliss that our grandparents can bequeath us. And who, but Uma of Ungal Choice can convey this message better? 

Our family is a sort of joint family, where family members have constant interactions. We believe in the value of living and loving together. That is the greatest cultural treasure our ancestors have handed over to us. I believe that our culture and heritage will bring us eternal happiness. I am very close to my grand parents. Soon after I was born my mother became sick and I was brought up by my grand parents in a little hamlet in Chidambaram. I lived with them till I was about five years old.

Even today I launch into nostalgia and recount those wonderful, carefree days in our traditional house in Chidambaram. I can still remember the courtyard, the thinnai; the thazhvaram… the memory of that house is etched in my mind for ever.

The most fortunate thing that can happen to a child is that he receives not only the love of parents, but also the abundance of love that grandparents can give. All parents love their children. It is a given thing. But the love that is bestowed by grand parents is special. There is so much of affection, freedom and that extra touch of special care and tenderness that grandparents can give their grandchildren. When grandparents see their grandchildren, they will transform into children themselves and both the generations will forget the world around them even as they create a joyous world for themselves.

For my son, Vishal, my parents are the world; they are the centre of his life. He calls my father Induppa; Indu is the name of my sister. He calls my mom, Bomma, a name that he has given her ever since he tried to utter her real name, Padma! He is deeply attached to them.  He spends most of his time in their home. In the evening when I have to bring him back to our home, it is indeed a great effort to get him to come with me!
 
I like to maintain certain discipline in my house.  I like my house to be spic and span with everything in its place. I have a lot of crockery and show pieces around the house. My son has learned to be under restraint when he is in our home. He never keeps things out of place or touches fragile things.  But in my parents place, he has all the freedom in the world to do anything he wants. My mother keeps telling me, what is the point if you keep your house like a museum, without permitting the child to touch, feel and experiment?

My mother tells my son stories from Ramayana, Mahabharata and Panchatantra stories every day. She is a painter. She gives him his own paints and books and permits him to do any thing. She also teaches him painting. My father, who is seventy five years old, behaves like a seven-year-old when my son goes to their house. He is my son’s closest friend. Both grandfather and grandson go out for walks together.

He goes to the Kapaleeswarar temple with my father. He likes the puliyodarai prasadam there. He goes to the Sai Baba temple or the Ramakrishna mission with him. He also goes to the Ramanashram with my father. When my father sits down to meditate, he will sit quietly by his side and close his eyes. Our generation has no time to inculcate spirituality in our children. It is not because we don’t want to, but simply because each of us is handling myriad activities in a day. Only grand parents can teach our children the essence of spirituality.

I am very careful about what I buy for my son. I don’t buy everything he asks. In fact, my son usually does not ask anything. But I make it a point not to give him expensive things. Even though you may be affluent, you have to teach your children the value of money. Also, if your child gets everything he wants easily, later on in life, if he cannot get something he desires, he cannot handle it. Moreover, if you give children expensive things, they will have a tendency to develop snobbery. Only after my son was four, I bought him a small, simple cycle. I don’t buy him chocolates or ice -creams. But he gets a lot of goodies in my parent’s home.

My mother teaches good values to my son, not by preaching, but during the course of day-to-day interactions. I am happy to see that my son is very well behaved. Vishal spends a lot of time in the garden with my father, watering the plants. When I go to pick him up his excitement is unbridled when he shows me a little sapling that has come up or a new leaf that has sprouted. My father has taken to homeopathy after his retirement. Vishal enjoys ‘mixing’ medicines with his grandfather.

You need to talk to children. Grand parents do that all the time. My son did not start speaking till he was three years old and I was worried.  It is entirely to my parent’s credit that he is a chatterbox today. Sometimes I wonder how to keep him shut! Grand parents have a lot of patience with their grandchildren. Children growing with their grandparents will grow wonderfully.

A child needs company. I don’t allow my son to watch TV much, even if it is cartoons. I try to engage him in playing with building blocks. I don’t believe in sending children to hobby classes, tuitions etc. For Vishal, my parents are his friends. He respects my father a lot. With my mother he plays pranks. She feeds him, tells him stories and in the afternoon, he sleeps in her embrace. I can see the glow of happiness, the feeling of being loved and contentment on his face when he is with his grandparents.

There is a great bonding between my parents and my son. Even to the risk of sounding selfish, everyday I pray to God that my parents must live a long and healthy life so that my son may get their ceaseless love and care. I feel that every child should experience this happiness.

In today’s fast paced world, where both parents work, monotony is the bane in most households. Everybody lives a mechanical life. Parents go to work and come home well after the child comes back from school. Children either go to classes or play in the streets till the parents come back. They are starved of love and attention. Money is important, no doubt, but the time you spend with your children is more important. Your child’s future is the most important.

Also, sad, but true is the fact that in some homes, senior citizens are being used. Working parents are sent to drop and pick up children from schools, take them to dance, karate, painting classes etc. I have seen many grandparents keeping a careful watch when their grandchildren go for swimming classes. In some households, sons-in-law demand help from the in-laws as a matter of right.

If grandparents are willing to spend time with your children out of love, it is a different matter. But it is wrong to compel senior citizens to take care of your children just because you need somebody.

I am very particular that my parents have their own space and time. I insist on their being left alone after six in the evening. My father is a voracious reader. My mother likes to watch the TV for some time in the evening. I ensure that Vishal winds up in the evening and does not disturb them after six. Even if I am leaving my son with my parents, I always make it a point to enquire about their convenience and health. My mother complains that I am being very formal. But I feel that we should respect their independence and take their permission before we plan to leave our children with them.
When my father comes to our house, I have set apart a separate room for him to relax. We should all remember that senior citizens have their own lives. We must respect this. They also have health constraints. We must understand this.

I do not allow my son to raise his voice when he speaks to his grandparents, even if it is for fun. Children should learn to respect elders. My mother says that I am strict with my son. It is not a question of being strict. We must discipline our children and teach them when we feel they need to be corrected. If we do not do this, we can never correct them later.

My husband, Sukesh, treats my parents with utmost respect. They also treat him like a son and a friend. There is no distance between them. Today, interactions are all about friendships. While we can blend with the modern time and eliminate the mental distances between generations and bask in our newfound love and friendships, we should never forget what our culture has taught us- to treat others with respect and reverence, especially elders.

God has blessed me with my parents. I consider myself truly blessed for my parents and the fact that my son can derive true love and warmth from his grandparents!

ABIDING TIES

The relationship between grandparents and grandchildren is a unique and exclusive bond that enriches the younger generation and provides succour to the older generation. Family ties have always been the underlying strength and foundation of our culture. On the occasion of the Grandparent’s Day, if we can explore opportunities to revive and rejuvenate this bond, it will do a world of good to our family and society.

Thavamani Ramachandran is a grandmother who revels in the love of her six grandchildren. Excerpts of an interview with her:

My six grandchildren are my world. I am very happy when they are around. In our family we have created a tradition that my grandchildren should spend the Saturdays at my home. My son Nandakumar and I have always wanted our family ties to remain strong and that the next generation remains united.

Every Saturday, children of both my sons and daughters come to my home. By spending time with me and together among themselves   I can see the strengthening bonds of affection among them. It has also fostered unity. Children from different families, if brought up together, will learn to interact with everybody amicably, adjust with others and also mingle without differences. In our family, the birthdays of my grandchildren are celebrated together will all family members.

If parents foster interactions with grandparents and other family members, it is an enriching experience for the child. He learns a lot and it gives him a sense of belonging and identity. This has to be inculcated right from the beginning.

On their part, grandparents should be understanding, affectionate and kind to their grandchildren. There is no point in getting angry with your grandchildren and disciplining them all the time. This will only distance them from you and their parents. In your twilight years, what can give you more happiness than the satisfaction that your family ties will remain enduring and abiding?

What does her granddaughter, Roshni say?

I feel that the most important role grandparents play in the lives of their grandchildren is that of nurturing them. Grandparents can be close friends and sometimes are more understanding than even parents. We feel that we can discuss a lot of issues with them more than we can do with our parents.

It is a special relationship. Though my grandmother doesn’t live with me, every time I go to see her, it is a special occasion for me. When I see senior citizens being left in old age homes, I feel it is cruel. I consider that a very selfish gesture. Grandparents can infuse extra warmth and love in your life and make it richer.

Sometimes, differences of opinion do arise with your grandparents and youngsters may feel grandparents are coming in their way. But then, if you realize they have your best interest at heart, your anger dies down.

Being with your grandparents is truly great. It takes you back in time and revives old memories. I love my grandmother very much. She is the Most Special Person in my life!

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THE ARCHITECTS OF OUR DESTINY 

“The ink of a scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr.” Hazrat Mohammed

Stealthily, consciously or unconsciously, some people impact our lives in more ways than one. They have had a hand in shaping our character, our personality, our ability to make decisions and choices, our predisposition to react to situations, and in fact our entire future. Many faces remain deeply etched in the crevices of our subconscious, and unknown to us, keep constantly firing sparks of inspiration that modify our attitude and behaviour when presented with life situations. Predominant among these faces are the smiling countenances of our teachers, who have instilled many values in us, during the course of carrying out their prime duty of imparting knowledge. They are people who have transformed our lives for the better through the medium of education.

Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man how to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. Teachers not only lay the path for us to tread, but also pave way for us to select an appropriate calling and instill in us the urge to advance  in our professional and personal lives, seeking excellence and growth. Teachers not only shape the destiny of innumerable impressionable young minds, they shape the future or a country by laying foundation for character formation of an entire generation of citizens. On the occasion of the teacher’s day, we salute all those who are committed to this noble profession. Eve’s Times brings to you excerpts of an interview with actor Sneha, who has rendered a sterling performance as a teacher in the film Pallikoodam.

Tell us about your days as a student. Which school did you go to?

I studied in Sharjah Indian School, Sharjah. I have been in Dubai all along and completed my school education in the UAE.

Who is the teacher who influenced you the most? Who had a major impact on you?

Frankly, our school atmosphere was austere and we were never allowed to interact with our teachers in a free and friendly manner. In fact, we were monitored so much that I did not even have too many friends. I just had one good, close friend. For us, it was all the time studies or extra curricular activities. We were all busy with academics. All the communication that we had with our teachers was about asking doubts in lessons.

But yes, there was one teacher who greatly influenced me. After completing my 10th Standard, I had to try for admission to another school. I had wanted to join the science stream, but I went late for admission. There were limited seats in schools in UAE, only twenty two students per class. Hence I could not get the science group. The principal offered me psychology, which I had to take up.

Initially, I was not interested in psychology. But this teacher, Anita, made the subject so interesting that I wanted to continue studying the subject even after school She was friendly and I used to love sitting and talking to her. She kindled the interest in all aspects of psychology, the emotional, personality aspects, aptitude, attitude, decision making and so many other facets of this fascinating subject.
 
Can you recall any memorable incident in school that still lingers in your mind?

As I told you earlier, our school ambience was quite formal. However, I remember all incidents associated with my taking part in innumerable competitions.  There were a group of us, taking part in all inter-school competitions such as music, dance, drawing, debate, beauty  and we used to go to places like Abu Dhabi, Dubai and tour across UAE, participating in a lot of exciting school events.

These competitions were great fun. They were platforms for showcasing our talent and very exciting. We always wanted to ensure that we came away with prizes. Every competition was memorable. I have myself won prizes in music, dance drawing, debate and even cooking!

You are good at music? Why is it that you never sang for a film? Do you think that you will sing for a film in the future?

Singing in school competitions is different. There, even if you go a little off key, it goes unnoticed because after all we are young and excited. However, singing for films is a different ball game altogether. You have to be very good because every little nuance is captured during the recording. Of course, if some music director is willing to take a risk with my voice, I am game for it.

What do you think should be the ideal Teacher- Student relationship that will foster a healthy attitude towards life on the part of the student?

As a student I missed good friendship with my teachers. I feel that friendship should be the underlying basis of any teacher-student relationship. Today, youngsters spend most of their time in schools or colleges, and then a lot of time with their friends.  So the role of teachers becomes more important than that of the parents. Unlike earlier times, I have come across some very friendly and amiable teachers in recent times. Teachers today are not as strict as the teachers of the past.

How did you feel, playing the role of a teacher in Pallikoodam?  Has it in anyway been an eye-opener and enabled you to empathize with the teaching fraternity?

My role as a teacher in Pallikoodam has indeed been a very good experience. I realized the enormity of responsibility that rests on the shoulders of our teachers. I realized that teachers are like parents not to just one child, but many children. Teachers want all their children to be the best. They are concerned about leading them towards the right path in life. They work very hard. Teaching is a great social responsibility because you are giving the students a future; you are showing them the light toward the right path. Teachers give a positive feeling to students about life and give them knowledge, character, in fact, all that is necessary for a virtuous way of life. Teachers play a big role in our lives and we must never forget that. They are equal to, if not more than our parents. Tell me, which other profession lays the foundation for character foundation and the future of the society that we live in?

On the occasion of the Teacher’s day, what would you like to tell the students?

I would like to say this -Whatever you do in life, make sure you do it right. Never stray away from the right path.  I really envy the students, because, it is the best time in one’s life. So revel in pleasures and pain of your student days, and Have Fun!

Your message to the Teachers?

Teachers are doing a great job. It is not easy being in this profession. Let every student salute the teachers on this memorable occasion. Hats off to our teachers!