Why on Earth Should We Curse Someone for Sneezing!

Dec 08, 2015, 06:00 IST

By M S VAIDYANATHAN

It is intriguing and at times, amusing to see how deeply people believe in superstitions. Once I was travelling in a bus with my colleague to take an exam. Just as we were about to enter the examination hall, someone sneezed. My colleague's face turned red. He stopped dead in his tracks, walked back a few steps, sat down, had a glass of water, rested for a few moments and then, entered the hall. Someone sneezing just at the moment when he was about to enter the hall was a bad omen for him. I tried to make him see reason. The person who sneezed was suffering from cold and therefore, should atleast be considered an 'exception' but in vain.

In another case, a friend of mine always kept in his box a pint-sized pencil. It was so short and blunt that forget writing with it, one could hardly ever manage to hold it. Often a pair of forceps was required to extract it from the box. But it was a must in his armory. Our Professional Exams were one and as fate would have it, my friend misplaced his 'lucky charm' and got really worked up. I told him bluntly that primarily what was required for taking any examination was preparation and if that was not there, it was meaningless to have the best pens or pencils, just to carry around. My sermon did not have any effect on him and he continued searching frantically for his prized possession, till he located it. The smile on his face was unbelievable, as if he had achieved the impossible. He was confident that now he would clear the examination with flying colours, which he did and then, it was his turn to share with me his experience. Seeing his rock-like confidence in his superstitious belief, I could not muster courage to tell him the results could have been the outcome of some computer mistake also! The list of such primitive beliefs or practices is seemingly endless. You have auspicious and inauspicious times for carrying out various activities. You have the 'Rahu Kalam' and 'Yama Kandam' when no auspicious work is undertaken, instead, you have the 'Shubha Muhurtham' for performing them. We have seen people cursing their luck when a cat crosses their path. For some, if you stumble while stepping out for work, it is most likely that your day at your workplace will be counter-productive. How did such beliefs or practices gain credence or find a place in our day-to-day life or how did they get deeply embedded in our minds defies logic. They have been faithfully handed over by one generation to the next. Today's generation seeks an answer to the 'how' or 'why' of any practice, a trait that was conspicuously missing in the earlier generations, who only knew how to obey implicitly what they were told attributing everything to an all-encompassing clause - ' our elders have some strong reason to propagate some practice, which is for our own good'. I once tried and did get an answer as to why Brahmins, before having lunch or dinner, do 'parishechanam' - sprinkle water thrice round the plantain leaf or plate, accompanied by the recitation of some mantra. In those days, there were no dining tables or chairs and they had to squat on mud floor for lunch. It transpired that the essence of such practice was just to ensure that insects like ants do not crawl on to the plantain leaf. A practice akin to what the Jains do - put on a face mask, in pursuit of 'ahimsa'. Over the years, the norms may have been diluted in some cases but the beliefs still remain. What is required today is a plausible reason for any such belief or practice in vogue. We may have sent a satellite to the Moon and the Red Planet, we may pride ourselves as living in Modi's digital world. But, all that does not deter us from tightly holding on to some of our age-old beliefs and practices that simply defy logic. It's time to be more scientific and for that, we must inculcate among ourselves and our children some scientific temper to make our life meaningful and rational. (maharajapuram.s.vaidyanathan@gmail.com)

A 'pedestrian' argument for 'vertical' growth

By M S VAIDYANATHAN

Published: 31st May 2016 04:00 AM

Last Updated: 30th May 2016 11:26 PM

Most of us are invariably conscious of our fundamental rights and that includes the right to walk or move at our own leisurely pace. We don’t mind nudging fellow pedestrians and co-travellers, conveniently ignoring the discomfort we may be subjecting them to, like stepping on their shoes or hitting their spectacles with our elbow, so that we can surge forward comfortably.

In my school days, my father would tell me the story of a person who, while on his morning walk, would swing his arms vigorously, unmindful of the surroundings, and on one occasion, when he happened to hit an elderly person who was following him and did not repent, had to be politely told that the right to swing his arms ended where the other man’s nose began.

Today, the picture is different. Even pavements are not available thanks to encroachment. Pedestrians are forced to step on to the roads. The streets are bursting at the seams. Young or old, everyone seems to be in a mad rush to get to their destination. Ignoring traffic signals, they weave and dart across the road. Accidents occur and are faithfully reported, but no one takes them to heart as a lesson for observing road discipline.

Less luggage, more comfort goes the old adage. However, today everyone, school-going children, college students, and office-goers, carries a bulging bag on their back reminding one of Quasimodo. It is this luggage that more often than not, hurts passers-by and fellow commuters. Those who carry these bags are oblivious to the pain they are inflicting on others.

The reason is not far to seek. It is a common human trait to turn a blind eye to what is happening behind our backs, forward looking that we are! During the rush hour, while commuting with backpacks, one seldom realises the damage being done — someone is hit, someone loses his handheld device and at times, some are even thrown off-balance. In the process, tempers fly high and heated arguments take place resulting in chaos and confusion.

All this can be avoided, if people moved their bags from the back to the front and carried it like kangaroos, for then they would at least clearly understand where they ‘stand’ and what they are doing. Or people could go back to the traditional way of carrying their bags in either hand though that would mean horizontal growth or sideways expansion.

This brings to mind another way of solving this problem — vertical growth. Why not draw inspiration from Lord Ayyappa’s devotees and attempt carrying bags on our heads? It might look a little odd to begin with, but if we can get some celebrity to endorse the idea, it may become the ‘in’ thing to be. And carrying head-loads is nothing new — porters still carry things that way.

maharajapuram.s.vaidyanathan@gmail.com

Retirement Blues

Thirty summers ago, when my father detailed his post-retirement plans at the dining table, all listened intently.  His presentation was impressive, he sounded firm and clear.  A typical day for him would begin only at 6 a.m. instead of 4.30 a.m..  He allotted an hour exclusively for reading the newspaper in the morning instead of hurriedly going through the headlines and leaving for office. He planned to have at least three hours sleep during the afternoon immediately after lunch.  Evenings were reserved for going to the temples in the vicinity of our house.  Watching TV serials, listening to the news and retiring to bed early were clearly included in his typical day’s schedule.  Whether others took him seriously or not, I did.  Every word that he uttered was etched in my memory. He was eagerly looking forward to his retired life.

It was my turn now. Two years to retirement, I decided to unravel my post-retirement plans.  Compulsions in my work place forced me to think and talk frequently about retirement.  After thirty five years of active service, I badly needed a break from the work I was involved in, where rewards and recognition for work done were less and threats and veiled threats from superiors for initiating action for the lapses of my subordinates was a daily affair.  My subordinates for their part, uniformly believed that their  claim to receive salary and perks was their fundamental  right which was not in any way linked to the jobs they was assigned to perform.  I chose to share my views with my family members at the dining table in the traditional way. I faithfully reproduced the words my father had used, making a couple of cosmetic changes in a typical day’s schedule of activities like spending a couple of hours at the stock-broker’s office and playing bridge at the social club, etc. The response was shocking to say the least.   My better-half led the dissent from the front.  “You talk of retirement, and here I am even without a weekly off that you have been enjoying all these years”, she poured her heart out.  As a home-maker, contemplating something like retirement was next to impossible for her.  Her curt advice to me was that whatever I planned to do, I should ensure that I did not stay at home during the day, lest my nagging could hamper her routine work. 

My daughters too did not want me to talk of retirement, as that would only make me lazy and complacent.  To stay fit physically and mentally, I needed to stick to my existing work schedule, they firmly felt.  If the reports of the Government planning to raise the retirement age from 60 years to 62 years came through, I should blindly accept it, was their considered view point.  As someone holding three professional qualifications, I could set up my office at home or elsewhere and start practice.  Additionally, I could take classes for the students pursuing the professional courses.  The list of options available to keep me occupied was endless for them. There is nothing like retirement or retirement plans as long as one is alive and kicking was their summing up response.   

M.S.VAIDYANATHAN ACMA ACS

MADRAS MEMORIES

Madras Memories




Madras to me is a place that brings back nostalgic memories of my younger days that I love to rewind time and again, just to tell myself that this city truly gave its people, peace and unbridled happiness in their daily life that was relatively free from the mad rush and uncalled for tension that is witnessed today. Those magical moments, when I would wake up in the morning to the wafting aroma of piping hot filter coffee, break my fast with steaming hot fluffy hot idlis drenched in sambar. Have time to stand outside the gates of Gemini Studios to catch a glimpse of the filmstars entering the place for their daily shoot and if lucky get a chance to shake hands with them. My next stop-over would be the famous Safire Theatre bus stop - the movie complex that housed – even in those days - three theatres only to check out the movie being screened in Blue Diamond - where one could enter and leave at leisure - and a favourite spot among college students then.

Commuting was not an issue then by bus, auto or taxi. Of course, I vividly remember the occasions when going out to receive a relative at the Central Station or at Egmore railway station alongwith elders in a taxi, I would be forced to duck below the window level to escape being spotted by the hawk –eyed traffic policeman and save the taxi driver from being penalized for carrying more than the permitted number of passengers.

Hunt for books would primarily be confined to the 'Higginbothams' - a landmark that is bang opposite to another landmark - the Life Insurance Corporation building - and if that failed, one could confidently go to the Moore Market complex for meeting their requirement.

Evenings were invariably reserved for a stroll on the shores of Marina Beach from Light House to Kannagi statue with a paper cone filled ‘sundal’ in hand and the waves periodically kissing your feet. On week-ends I had the choice of sabhas in T.Nagar or Mylapore to choose from, to watch some play being staged there. So much for pastime at a measly amount that did not pinch your pocket.



M.S.VAIDYANATHAN ACMA ACS

2,(old no.63) FIRST MAIN ROAD

NEW COLONY

CHROMEPET

CHENNAI 600044

POLICE FORCE – FRIENDS OR FOES

Why are policemen treated with apprehension? There is a strong under-current of suspicion, mistrust and aversion when one has to interact with the policemen. Even in a handshake, should it take place, the usual warmth is strangely missing. Why this empathy towards the protectors of law and order and friends of the society? I personally held the view that all this was solely attributable to our upbringing. As a toddler, my mother would threaten to hand me over to the constable at the street corner if I was mischievous. Policemen to me were ‘kid’nappers. All this, when my own uncle was a top police official. While my friends would envy me, I for one felt totally uncomfortable being in the company of my uncle. I even consciously avoided talking to him in public, forget going to his house. I vividly remember, as an auditioned artiste of All India Radio, Chennai, on one occasion I was offered the chance to talk to Mr.Walter Dawaram. A shiver went down my spine. I felt uneasy and breathed a sigh of relief only when the opportunity was grabbed by my colleague.

Why this aversion, should I say, towards policemen? I have no answer but my gut feelings were confirmed when last week a vegetable vendor met with an accident and lay helpless on the road for sometime. No one volunteered to help. Even the shop keepers in the area chose to remain silent spectators. Unable to stand the indifference any longer, I moved to help when someone pulled me back firmly by my shoulder. “Don’t go. Police will come soon and you will be asked to accompany them to the station. Life will become miserable thereafter for you,” he whispered in a firm tone of a well-wisher. As expected, a couple of policemen arrived on the scene, marked the place, bundled the victim into a waiting auto and left. God only knows what happened to the injured vendor thereafter. Will this animosity, if one may say so, never end? Will this lack of confidence never be overcome? How do we bridge the gap of faith? How do the policemen redeem their image? Are not policemen our brethren? Are they not part of our society? Are we not partners in progress? Will someone answer?


M.S.VAIDYANATHAN

BRINGING UP CHILDREN - ROLE OF PARENTS

There is an imperative need for parents to spend more time with their children. They must move with them as friends and well-wishers and not as bosses or financiers. This is just not happening and it is the starting point for all problems. Added to this, parents, in the name of love and affection, just keeping pampering their children with the so called pocket-money for which the end use is never known. When the money is denied on asking or the quantum is lower than what is expected, trouble starts brewing. For their part, police must discharge their duty without any fear or favour. They must not remain mute spectators.

M.S.VAIDYANATHAN

PREVENTION OF CORRUPTION IN PUBLIC LIFE

Let’s face the harsh reality. The rot has set in. Corruption in our country has become a way of life. What the given caption suggests is stemming the rot. Prevention from further deterioration, slipping into a situation from where things just can’t be set right. Gone are the days when they talked of corruption in high places and that too in hushed tones. Exposure of corruption was a major embarrassment for the guilty. Today, those who fail to fall in line with those indulging in unethical practices are the most likely ones to be socially ostracized. To be honest with oneself, this malicious disease has spread far and wide, in some form and measure. Nevertheless, every responsible citizen must endeavour to address this growing menace.

Instances of corruption, especially in large scale, lower the image of our country on the world map. The telecom sector scam, the commonwealth games mess or the recent adarsh housing issue have all gone contributed in no small measure to our image, our standing taking a strong beating. We are making a laughing stock of ourselves in the international arena. For the sake of a few, should the masses suffer? Should the younger generation risk their future? Should we not allow our conscience to speak, vocally, at least now? It’s high time we took the bull by its horns.

Where do we begin and how? This is the foremost thought that comes to our mind often. As individuals we may not be effectively raise our voice and see that justice is done. We are more often than not, severely handicapped by our personal or family interests coming in the way. There may be a Whistle Blower policy, but who will blow unless there is a guarantee for protection to the whistle blower. No one in the wildest dreams would like to go Dubey’s way.

It is only in such situations that we need to form groups or forums of like minded people who can raise their voice to alert the authorities. There is strength in unity. People who are highly respected in society and in the industry, must somehow be prevailed upon, to lead the campaign against corruption. Its their credibility, their support in any form that is vital, because their voice is surely heard by the powers that be and is decisive in nature. Otherwise, all campaigns will fizzle out in no time, with counter claims or charges will be framed and the campaign leaders silenced.

Support of the media, both print and visual, is equally important. They can play a stellar role.

Last but not the least. Pray, pray to God Almighty. He is our last hope. There is no denying the fact that there is some power beyond our comprehension that is superior to us. Prayers have a healing touch and when sincerely made have time and again proved to have been answered.

Lets make a beginning.

M.S.VAIDYANATHAN