At The Hindu: Unrivaled skill of unravelling puzzles
April 9, 2009 at 1:07 am | Posted in At work | Leave a commentTags: Aishwarya Sriram, autism, Chennai, internship diary, puzzles, skill, talent, The Hindu
CHENNAI: Whether 20 pieces, 50 pieces, a 100 or a 1,000, numbers don’t matter when Aishwarya Sriram is determined to solve a jigsaw puzzle.
“Aishy can solve puzzles, but she herself remains a puzzle,” her parents, Gayatri and Sriram, say. After all, her impenetrable focus to finish puzzles late into the night is unrivaled by anyone else they’ve seen. But like many people with autism, 27-year old Aishy’s diligence is the expression of her special skills.
Autism is a developmental disorder which affects the brain. While children who are autistic usually lack social communication or interactive skills, they usually show unique abilities in other ways. For Aishy, it’s her heightened visual-spatial judgment.
Governing Body member of Vidya Sagar Spastics Society of India actor Revathy inaugurated an exhibition of Aishy’s puzzle collection here on Tuesday. Aishy’s completed works include puzzles of the Mona Lisa, the Last Supper (her favorite), and a silver KRYPT, a monochromatic puzzle which requires piecing together solely based on each piece’s shape.
“She has a photographic memory of each piece, so she doesn’t need any images to refer to,” her mother says.
When Aishy was 3 years old, her parents noticed her speech progressing slower than that of their first daughter’s. After a visit to a paediatric psychiatrist, they learned Aishy was autistic. Since then, family friends say the parents have been supportive of all of Aishy’s accomplishments, including her most ardent hobby, jigsaw puzzles.
She first discovered puzzles when she was 10, after crying for her teacher’s attention while at Vijay Human Services, a school for special children. A box of cardboard cut-out pieces fell from a cupboard, and Aishy’s teacher was pleasantly surprised to find a completed puzzle and content child upon her return.
Her parents say working on jigsaw puzzles, which started as a mere “time pass,” became an intense hobby, and now family friends from all over the world send Aishy puzzles instead of chocolates or souvenirs. Aishy’s sister, Abhirami, says the family keeps a stock of puzzles at home to quell Aishy’s spontaneous and voracious appetite for puzzles, and now, she has completed 74 puzzles to-date.
Nandita Krishna, director of the C P Ramaswami Aiyar Foundation applauded the family’s support of Aishy’s accomplishments through the puzzle exhibition: “Just as you would celebrate the graduation or diploma of a normal child, you should encourage and take pride in the achievements of special children.”
Ms. Krishna said she has witnessed many families in which the fathers abandon the autistic child, leaving the single mother to cope with the struggles of earning for the family as well as nurturing the child.
However, Ms. Gayatri assures that it is her husband’s commitment has been instrumental to Aishy’s growth.
“He always says these (special children) are divine souls, and God has given us the opportunity to raise such a child,” she said.
For the Sriram family, Aishy is a perfect fit.
At The Hindu: Anything but dull…..
April 8, 2009 at 1:05 am | Posted in At work | Leave a commentTags: Chennai, Chennai Super Kings, cricket, fans, Indian Premier League, internship diary, reality show, The Hindu, Vijay TV
CHENNAI: Thirty-six small pairs of eyes stared in awe as bowler Sudeep Tyagi bobbed his head and shook his hips to the music, surrounded by cheerleaders turning somersaults. The young fans of the junior team are used to not blinking when watching the Kings on the field, but watching their Tyagi break it down only a few feet away from them was an equally hard trance to snap out of.
“We’re really happy and excited!” they chimed, unable to sit still in their seats.
Almost as lively as the field action itself, the Chennai Super Kings meeting with the three Vijay TV Chennai Super Kings junior finalist teams on Monday evening was anything but dull.
“This is the first time I’ve ever seen anything like this in my life,” said batsman S. Anirudha, in response to the children’s buzzing and his team-mate’s dancing.
However, the children’s smiles fell at the mention of the IPL’s move to South Africa. “We’re very sad. If it were here at least we could have gone.”
Vijay TV General Manager K. Sriram said the channel has offered to pay for the airfare to South Africa and entry fee for the finalists who would have originally been offered these perks if the IPL had remained in India. But now, due to logistical reasons, the children will have to cheer on their team miles away from the action.
“Our favorites are Dhoni and Raina,” they said, “we will definitely be watching them on T.V.”
The Chennai Super Kings Junior Team reality show was set up by Vijay TV to encourage children who want to become professional cricketers one day. The children, aged 7 to 12, have enjoyed every moment, according to Mr. Sriram, although the elimination rounds can be tough.
Only two more episodes remain to select the champion junior team, but regardless of which junior team wins the title, the CSK team can rest assured they’ve got the unconditional support from all of their younger fans.
At The Hindu: Tamil Nadu Sailing Association returns from expedition
April 2, 2009 at 2:23 am | Posted in At work | 1 CommentTags: internship diary, leisure, ocearn, recreation, sailing, sport, Tamil Nadu Sailing Association, The Hindu
By the time I got home yesterday evening, I was covered in a light film of black coal dust. I had spent most of my day boating at Chennai Port, to greet the two sailboats that had ventured on a 1200 km fortnightly trip down the Eastern coast to Rameshwaram and back.
It was an expedition jointly arranged by the Tamil Nadu Sailing Association, and the Armed Forces of Chennai, to promote awareness of sailing as a leisure sport and to expose youth to the job opportunities available in the Army.
TNSA Captain Shantha Ravikumar said her experience was exhilirating and “when you have that perfect circle of blue around you, in water and sky, you really get a chance for introspection, to learn about yourself.” She said, upon seeing the white sails, the TNSA and Armed Forces teams were welcomed warmly at all the major cities along the coast, and were able to spark interest in sailing as a recreational sport. Often, Indians focus on cricket or football (soccer), and miss out on adventure sports which really develop character and leadership qualities, she said. The sense of responsibility and confidence children gain is most noticeable when they take up sailing.
Already the TNSA has started offering classes to children in the 7-12 age group on Sundays. The club, which began with 4 members with 4 second-hand boats, has now burgeoned into an organization of over 100 members and 75 boats, according to TNSA Captain of Boats Ravikumar Manian.
Despite the long coastline available, sailing has not become a prevalent leisure or tourism activity because it requires more awareness, infrastructure, and a cleaner, coal-free port, Captain Shantha said. “There has been talk of building a marina in Chennai, but it is still in the planning stages,” she said.
At The Hindu: "Spread awareness of polio vaccination"
March 25, 2009 at 5:54 am | Posted in At work | Leave a commentTags: internship diary, polio, Rotary International, The Hindu, vaccination
CHENNAI: In the latest push toward the eradication of polio, community leaders have been urged to convince their followers of the safety and importance of the polio vaccination.
Statistics released by the World Health Organization show that 14 cases of polio have been noted in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Delhi so far this year, and India ranks second among the four remaining countries in which polio exists: Pakistan, Afghanistan, India and Nigeria. (Some 40 cases have been identified in Sudan as well in the latest round, according to media reports.)
The Editor of Rotary Magazine, T.K. Balakrishnan, blamed a section of a certain minority community in these regions for having spread propaganda that the vaccine was part of a plot to curb their fertility, and consequently many people refusing to take the vaccine.
But now, he says clerics have been urged by Rotary International to promote polio immunization awareness at at weekly prayers.
President of the Ulema Council of India Khalid Rasheed Farangimahli says there are 70 committees in Uttar Pradesh comprising Islamic scholars, doctors and social health workers whose job it is to ensure that the misconception is removed from society. He says their efforts have been successful.
“Two years ago, 90 per cent of the polio cases in India were within the Muslim population,” says Mr. Farangimahli. “Today, that figure has come down to 30 per cent.”
Islamic institutions have been issuing appeals in newspapers preceding each National Immunization Day (NID). Saudi Arabia now permits only those with a polio vaccination certificate to enter the country for Haj pilgrimage, Mr. Farangimahli pointed out.
The drop in numbers and the tight concentration of cases in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar is no reason for other States to feel complacent, he said. The concern is that polio can continue to spread through migrant laborers.
District Family Welfare medical officer Dr. Vijaya says that for people in Tamil Nadu, polio is only “one train ride away.” She said: “The polio vaccine must be given repeatedly, irrespective of immunization status.”
Last month, about 1.2 million children under the age of 5 were given two drops of the oral polio vaccine, as part of the NID campaign. Although there have been no recent reports of polio in the southern States, surveillance, immunization and awareness must continue.
Even with the government’s extensive immunization campaigns, Mr. Balakrishnan says there will still be some children of migrant workers who are not given the vaccine. For India to reach “nil virus status,” it must have no cases of polio for three consecutive years.
“We simply cannot let it go,” says Rotarian and special invitee to the National Polio Pulse Committee (India) K.C. Vijayan. “We cannot stop now, having come so far.”
This article appeared in The Hindu on march 25, 2009.
At The Hindu: Take a tour for stress-free life
March 23, 2009 at 4:29 am | Posted in At work | 1 CommentTags: internship diary, stress, Tamil Nadu, The Hindu, tourism
CHENNAI: Drop the office files, turn off cell phone, and leave domestic problems at home. It’s time to take a minute to enjoy cool breeze, according to V. Irai Anbu, Tamil Nadu Tourism and Culture Department Secretary.
At a discussion hosted by the Public Sector PR Forum recently, Mr. Irai Anbu said the best way to lead a stress-free life is to set apart time for tours and travel with no strings attached, and that means disconnecting the laptop and getting out of the house for some fresh air.
Today, life has become hectic, he said, and people have become preoccupied with work deadlines and troubles at home. But he says it’s important for people to “get away” to relax because humans, by nature, crave a change of scenery. “Human beings always get bored,” he said.
“We receive the same phone calls, see the same people, and soon we feel nauseated.”
Travel also enhances a person’s individuality, Mr. Irai Anbu said. The knowledge a person gains from interacting with new people and seeing different places gives them better understanding of the world. “A person who travels a lot will always be mature and feel secure,” he said.
At the same time, he said people should not approach travel as if it were a history lesson or research, because even setting an agenda for a trip only makes a person more exhausted. Travelers should approach all vacations with an open mind, he added.
Moreover, travel may not even require a great deal of planning: Mr. Irai Anbu said people can take a short tour within Tamil Nadu itself, anytime they find a free weekend. Travel within the State has become easier now through Hop-on, Hop-off air conditioned tour buses.
M. Rajaram, I.A.S. Managing Director, Tamil Nadu Tourism, said tourism in Tamil Nadu is flourishing, and the State has become the second most popular destination for foreign tourists coming to India. He said the rich heritage, beautiful beaches, hill stations, and temple architecture have attracted people to Tamil Nadu.
However, he added that tourism here lacks cleanliness and friendliness, which the Tamil Nadu Department of Tourism is trying to work on through tree-planting projects and solicitation of the private sector to fill the gaps the government cannot fill.
“Tourism cannot be promoted by one party alone. It requires all,” he concluded.
At The Hindu: Leading them from darkness to light
March 18, 2009 at 6:06 pm | Posted in At work | Leave a commentTags: Chennai, education, IIDA, internship diary, slums, The Hindu, unemployment
CHENNAI: For 35 years, the Inter-Mission Industrial Development Association (IIDA) has cast light on the futures of those whose past has been shrouded in shadows.
At its anniversary celebration here on Tuesday, founder and president of IIDA Jochen Tewes said the Association has worked to transform the lives of those below the poverty line by equipping them with the skills necessary to obtain jobs.
A mechanical engineer, Mr. Tewes recognised the prevalence of unemployment when he came to India in 1974. “The immense poverty in slums touched my heart,” he said. He wanted to provide them with the tools to secure self-sustaining jobs.
What began as a “one-man army,” with Mr. Tewes training seven boys in fitter skills, has now become a full-fledged set of community colleges, industrial schools and day care centres, which have given degrees to over 4,000 students in Chennai.
Former IIDA student, A. Shanker, says he had a life filled with troubles, because his mother had died when he was five years old and his father was an alcoholic.
“My life was like a wilderness, but my friends now see it has become a garden,” said Mr. Shanker, who works for Youth With a Mission, Ooty.
German Consul General in Chennai Roland F. Hermann said India should be proud of its advances, as it has developed into a strong nuclear power and has provided a large market of consumers and IT companies. Still, he said, “that is half the story of India,” and millions of people are still without clean drinking water or proper sanitation. For those people who cannot see a ray of light in their futures, he said providing them an education is the best way to make them self-sufficient.
“Give them the basics,” Mr. Hermann said, “it is the key for the country.”
The most rewarding experience for Mr. Tewes has been seeing former students at well-paid jobs now, and he said many have even started their own businesses. “The teachers are often envious when they see the students now make more than they do,” he added.
At The Hindu: Two legends, two nations and one great ideology
March 17, 2009 at 6:04 pm | Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a commentTags: Chennai, civil disobedience, freedom, India, internship, Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., non-violence, The Hindu, U.S.
CHENNAI: Two men from opposite sides of the world transformed their countries based on the same precepts: non-violent protest can spark change, not only within a nation, but around the world.
To mark 50 years since Martin Luther King Jr.’s pilgrimage to India, the U.S. Consulate General here inaugurated an exhibition at Sri Krishna Sweets on Monday, featuring the ideological exchange between India and the U.S. The “Journey Toward Freedom” exhibit focuses on two legendary leaders in particular: Mahatma Gandhi and Martin Luther King Jr.
He came to India in 1959, 11 years after Gandhi’s death, wanting to see the sights and the country wherefrom the Gandhian thought originated. India was the only country to which he said he would travel as a pilgrim, not a tourist.
“King did use what he learned here and he imparted those methods to the U.S.,” said Frederick Kaplan, U.S. Consul for Public Affairs.
Seeing that Gandhi was able to catalyse India’s freedom struggle from Britain, he used the same method to fight for the rights of black Americans in the U.S.
U.S. Consul General Andrew T.Simkin said “today, we can see some of those ideas influencing U.S. President Barack Obama.” He said Obama has not only read the writings of both thinkers, but has also demonstrated their struggles were not in vain.
“His election as President shows the fight by King Jr. has reached its height, a new historic landmark.”
The ideological exchange is something that continues today and will only continue to flourish, Mr. Kaplan said, as interactions between people of both nations have become more frequent.
Mr. Simkin said the exhibit is a reminder of the links between Indian and U.S. thinkers: “We take away the value of non-violent struggle for justice in a diverse society.”
At The Hindu: At Bala Mandir, happiness is the right of every child
March 15, 2009 at 6:02 pm | Posted in At work | Leave a commentTags: anniversary, Bala Mandir, Chennai, education, India, internship, orphans, school, service, The Hindu
CHENNAI: A sea of smiling children sang out in unison, “Happy Birthday to you!”
It was their wish to sing at their alma mater’s 60th anniversary celebration scheduled for Saturday, and because happiness is the right of every child at Bala Mandir, Maya Amma granted them permission.
“As adults, we often forget what children want,” said honorary secretary of Bala Mandhir, Maya Gaitonde, ‘Maya Amma’ to the children. But, from the looks of it, she’s been doing her part to secure not only the happiness but also the success of her children.
Since 1949, the Bala Mandir Kamaraj Trust has provided children with holistic care. Established by the former Chief Minister, K. Kamaraj, and S. Manjubhashini, Bala Mandir has kept its doors open to children below the age of 5 and, in some cases, the staff have nursed infants back to health.
The medical unit provides paediatric, homeopathic, allopathic and Ayurvedic services, and there are several 24-hour counsellors on the staff to cater to the children’s emotional and mental well-being.
“If you see a child smile, that’s the greatest thing,” says Chitra, a Bala Mandir social worker.
Now Bala Mandir, described as a “banyan tree” by Ms. Gaitonde, may open branches in other districts of Tamil Nadu.
Children are usually admitted from poor or dysfunctional families, and in many other cases, they have been abandoned altogether. Chitra says initially they are emotionally disturbed, but, through unconditional love given by the staff, they learn to trust adults again. It’s the job of the staff to provide children with that missing piece of their lives — family — as many of them come back to visit ‘ammas’, ‘akkas’ and ‘annas’” they grew up with.
“They all have a sibling relationship with each other,” says Chitra. After school and marriage, some girls even return during pregnancy, as per Indian family tradition. The staff conduct ‘Valagappu’ and ‘Seemandham’ ceremonies on request.
The day begins with prayer. Lakshmi Krishnamurti, employed at Bala Mandir for more than 30 years, says they recite a sarva dharma prayer, acknowledging all faiths. Then the children proceed to school.
Bala Mandir recently started targeting two special groups — girls who have dropped out of school to babysit younger siblings, and working mothers who have not wanted to institutionalise their children.
In the evenings, they take part in playtime and extracurricular activities — music and dance lessons, vocational training and chores.
Ms. Krishnamurti says all of the children have to shoulder responsibility, from cleaning to cutting vegetables and cooking. “Though there is a cook, if the girls do not know how to cook, they will not be prepared for their life after marriage.”
Bala Mandir also offers vocational training in computers, carpentry, tailoring and laundering, so the students can land jobs after leaving school.
The trustees hope to implement foster care and vocational training for the empowerment of women. Indian society has warmed up to female children and adoption, but Ms. Gaitonde says there’s more to be done.
On its 60th birthday, staff and students celebrated ‘Service to man, service to God,’ but Bala Mandir seems to have provided much more than service to its children; it has provided them with family and a future.
At The Hindu: Semmangudi tributes, memories mark the day
March 14, 2009 at 6:00 pm | Posted in At work | Leave a commentTags: Carnatic music, centenary, Chennai, internship, Semmangudi, The Hindu
CHENNAI: At a three-fold celebration of musicians, revered stalwart of Carnatic music, Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer was remembered by rasikas, family, and friends at a function organised by the Maadhyama Dharma Samajam to mark his centenary. The programme, held here on Friday, was part of the Gopalakrishna Bharathy Music Festival.
It was the third phase in a series of celebrations honouring the musical legend, and the chief guests provided a sketch of their interactions with the musical maestro.
N. Gopalaswamy, Director of Dalmia Cements, said he once visited Tirukodikkaval, the birthplace of the musician and was pleasantly surprised to find that it was home to many other artistes, including GNB, Maharajapuram Viswanatha Iyer, and Maharajapuram Santhanam.
“The place is surrounded by villages where from several musicians have hailed,” Mr. Gopalaswamy said.
He added that today’s budding artistes are capable of reaching the great heights as Semmangudi Srinivasa Iyer, but must also follow his example in learning under a guru. He said devotion to one’s guru and the guru-shishya relationship is essential to understanding Carnatic music. “Keep the old, but improve on tradition,” he said.
N. Murali, Managing Director of The Hindu, said that while many recognised Semmangudi’s contributions, not as many people are aware of compositions by Gopalakrishna Bharathy to music, even though he was a contemporary of the musical trinity — Tyâgarâja, Muthuswami Dikshitar and Syama Sastri.
Mr. Murali said Gopalakrishna Bharathy had composed his own set of pancharatna kritis and the equivalent of Tamil “operas.” He is best known for his Nandanar Charitram.
“He deserves this festival and to be feted everywhere, for his contributions to Tamil music in particular,” he said.
Vocalist Sudha Raghunathan was also felicitated at the function for her musical achievements. M. Murali of Sri Krishna Sweets said her music has been a gift, as she has managed to bring the divine to her listeners through her music.
Ms.Raghunathan also paid tributes to Gopalakrishna Bharathy, sharing a poem comprised of lines from his several compositions.
On “Semmangudi Mama,” she said she turns to his work and the guidance of her gurus when she seeks deeper understanding of a raga and its nuances. “His music is like a textbook, an encyclopaedia,” she said. Though she regards him as an energetic and talented artist, she remembers best the times when he was just “part of the family.”
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