EHTERAM

In my opinion the human ability to forget, adapt and move on is both a blessing and a curse. We take everything with a pinch of salt, go to bed a little anxious but manage to wake up every morning and go on with life as usual whether it's Covid, a natural disaster, racism or body shaming. Some people however choose to stand up, battle against the odds and strive to make a difference Maybe not in big ways but in their own little ways. This magazine of ours is an attempt to pay respect and gratitude to the "common" people of our country who in their own ways are extraordinary.

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THE PARADOX OF AN IRONED SHIRT Prasoon Reddy

He shares, “I migrated to the city in search of better livelihood opportunities. Back at my village, I was sent to graze cattle.”

Imagine lifting a weight of 8.5 kilograms with a single hand for about 8 hours each day for almost 15 years. That is what Mr Yerriah has been doing to produce crisp-ironed clothes for his customers. During rush hours even his wife lends him a helping hand With earnings of 10,000 rupees per month, he is barely able to meet his family’s needs. The financial state does not inhibit him from sending his children to school Having not had any education, Yerriah understands its importance more than anyone else. He believes “Education is the only gateway for poor people like us.”

Inching towards his 40’s, Yerriah looks worn out and pale. The ruggedness of his profession has made his health feeble.

During the conversation, we made him aware of the schemes like PM-MUDRA YOJANA which disburse loans at very nominal rates, which can be made use of by Yerriah to procure ironing machines of the modern age which weigh less and are far more efficient. To this, he laments “To access any such facility I need to be literate, which I am not but thankfully since my children are studying they do help read letters and other documents these days”

He points out, “The only upside of this profession is that I get to choose on which days to work and when to rest”.

Towards the end Yerriah’s wife too joins our chat and offers her a piece of insight, she goes on to say “We have kept up our name with our work and hence customers keep returning to us. Our work speaks for us”.

The resolute gleam in their eyes throughout the conversation made me realise how each story which is ordinary in the eyes of the world, holds a tale of extraordinariness.

PATTACHITRA: IMPRINTS OF THE DYING ART FORM OF BENGAL

Syed Hisham Labib

Pattachitra is a traditional scroll painting style that originated in Bengal and has been practised for over a thousand years. Originally used to illustrate tales from Hindu mythology, Pattachitra artists are known for their attention to details, vibrant colours, and elaborate designs. Today, the art form has expanded to include a variety of themes, from social issues to current events.

The creation of a Pattachitra painting is a labour-intensive process. The fabric is prepared by applying a mixture of chalk and gum to achieve a smooth surface, and the design is drawn with pencil or charcoal Natural colours made from fruits, minerals, and flowers are then used to fill in the design, with a black outline for emphasis.

Unfortunately, Pattachitra is a disappearing art form. With modernisation and digital media becoming more prevalent, traditional art forms like these are losing popularity. According to Sankar Ghosh, a Pattachitra artist from West Bengal, "Learning the techniques required for Pattachitra takes time, patience, and expertise, which has caused many young people to lose interest in the art form."

Another reason why the younger generation is moving away is financial instability. Sankar also says, "It's hard to generate a sustainable income from the art nowadays; that is one of the big reasons why the young generation is moving away from it".

To keep the art form alive, awareness around its cultural relevance must grow, and young people must be encouraged to learn the techniques. The government could also assist by funding artists and hosting exhibitions to display their work. In conclusion, Patachitra is a beautiful and historically significant art form that exemplifies Bengal's cultural heritage. By promoting it, we can ensure its survival for future generations.

GUARDING THE WILD

Aishwarya Sharma

The sprawling University of Hyderabad campus is home to a wide variety of exotic plants and animals. Spread over 1600 acres and located in Gachibowli, this campus is rightly regarded as the lung space of Hyderabad. Scores of peacocks, wild boar, hare, Indian grey mongoose, monitor lizards, and cobras are amongst the fauna that are commonly found here. The security personnel at the University make the peaceful human-animal co-existence a reality "Darr toh lagta hai, par duty toh karna padta haina." said Chandan Ratravath, a security officer of University of Hyderabad. As he explained his encounters to us there appeared a bright sheen in his eyes that spoke a thousand words He gave bits of how he tackled snakes and pythons. After receiving mere three-four days of training from the Indian Security Force at Kondapur, Chandran and his colleagues decided to protect human existence in the University from wild animals and reptiles with heroic vigour

The University however has made all efforts to provide the security with necessary equipment and safety shoes to tackle wild dogs and snakes. However, no training has been given by the Central Government as such to take special care of endangered or vulnerable species on campus who need special attention.

Narrating an interesting anecdote, Chandran exclaimed that once there was a huge python found in the ladies’ hostel area, and how they caught the reptile and later allowed it to escape in the majestic wilds of the University of Hyderabad campus.

FINDING MAGIC IN THE MUNDANE

Ritika Yadav

They say life gets busier when you grow up. It is true but does that mean one should forget their passions and interests in this hustle-bustle of life? Amrita Mishra, 43, doesn’t believe so. Married at the age of fourteen, Amrita was always interested in art. Her mind always found amusement in colours and her hands in creating crafts. But it’s not easy to follow your heart. She works as a security guard at the University of Hyderabad. She wakes up at 3 am in the morning, cooks food, completes the household chores and goes for her 8hour shift at the university. Though her hectic schedule gives her little time for herself, she says, “ Work is neverending. But we have to take out time to do what we like”. After completing everyday chores, she paints every night

She believes that it is a therapeutic activity that keeps her mind calm. For her, art is more than just a piece of drawing. It is freedom and control. Being a free-spirited, independent woman, she also likes taking out some time for herself during the day when she can do whatever she wants to. On some days, she paints, on others, she watches a movie.

Amrita’s firm juggling between making a living and following her passion is not just her struggle but that of every Indian married woman who finds it difficult to give time to her hobbies. But what keeps them going is the desire to follow their hearts. It is this little time that they get to spend on their hobbies that reminds them who they are and what they are capable of

COMPUTER CENTRE AND BEYOND… Rhea Hansdak

“Hum Gehne Nahi, Rishte Banate Hain” …. The famous tagline of one of the best jewelry brands. Dinesh had no idea how much it meant to others, but for him, it was a gamechanger. He served as a Commanding Officer of the South Garo Hills of Meghalaya from 2010-12 He had heard a lot about the unrest in the border regions. On his first visit, He spoke to the Field Commanders and asked them to engage with the locals. But the locals refrained from meeting any Security Forces. Dinesh insisted on calling them for a cup of tea and asking them their problems. He believed that without their active participation security of border area would be difficult.

In the meantime, a “Civic Action Programme” was organized in the border area. After analyzing, Dinesh concluded that the villagers are illiterate and lacked basic facilities and always had a constant fear of burglars. So, he came up with an idea to start a small project. One day, He met Church leaders and told them about his idea to establish a small Computer Centre. They welcomed his idea and offered him a small room.

The villagers were extremely happy to have the first Computer center in the border area. Dinesh requested the villagers to post two persons at night for the protection of the computer center and when villagers started night duties the problem of burglary completely stopped. BSF also offered a few introductory computer courses to help the kids, and the popularity of the Computer Centre went viral in the nearby area and beyond.

As the project was a success, the locals from a nearby village came and requested to establish a computer center in their village. Dinesh accepted their proposal and with a little initiative he not only created healthy relations within the villagers but also achieved his target by creating a second line of Defense along the international border and thereby “Creating sense of security among the border population” which is a prime role of BSF.

Today when Dinesh looks back, people see the Inauguration Place of COMPUTER CENTRE but he just smiles and sees BEYOND THAT

Abhinek Patel

India, with its diverse culture and rich heritage, has always been a land of disparities. Unfortunately, one such disparity is the social divide that exists among children This divide stems from the differences in socio-economic status, caste, religion, language, and gender. Children belonging to the lower socio-economic strata, oppressed castes and tribes, and minority communities often lack in getting adequate education, healthcare, and opportunities. This social divide among children in India is a major concern for the country's development.

Karan & Yash are of the same age but live in a completely different and contrasting worlds. One goes to a posh convent school in Gachibowli, and the other goes to a government-aided primary school. One in his free time goes to the mall, and movie hall to enjoy himself with his family while the other goes to help his mother to sell sugarcane juice.

During summer vacation Yash goes to his grandparents' house or summer camp, away from his busy life of schooling to a care-free life. This is how usually a 10-year old child is supposed to spend their summer vacation. But not for Karan, he goes to help his mother in earning. He doesn't know the universe that Yash lives in, the universe with Iron Man and Captain America saving the world. His mother said,” I'm not capable of sending my child to a big school like other kids, but I am doing my best to provide him with the education.” She further added that she wants her child to continue his studies and get a government job in the future because many times due to family responsibilities they have to stop schooling and work to provide earnings to the family. Though Karan's mother doesn't want her son in her cart, she also can't leave him alone as he is too young to live alone. He is fragile and gets scared too easily. Though both the kids' worlds are full of innocence, they are poles apart. As they grow up, both will have extremely different childhood memories to change. Karan can surely change his fate with his actions, but with the social injustices and unequal opportunities he will have to work twice as hard to reach half as far as Yash.

LIGHT AT THE OTHER SIDE OF DARKNESS

There is a saying that in this universe, no one is perfect; everybody has some shortcomings, either external or interna. In India, 4.95 million people have blindness, and 35 million are visually impaired. LightHouse Reader Writers group works for blind and visually impaired Students. Mr Sayantan Banerjee is the founder of the organisation and works for the welfare of the community. Being a differently-abled person himself, he believes that he should be addressed as a human before being called anything else

Do you think people treat us like they treat other people?

It will be incorrect if I say people mistreat us; they do help us but they never think that we are as capable as they are. We lack some features that an average human has, and sometimes we might need some special facilities, but it doesn't mean we can't do what an average human can.

When did the idea of starting this group occur to you?

We started this group in 2019. Being brought up in a city like Kolkata, we get a lot of facilities and help, what about others? I met with the Light House group in 2016 at a picnic and thought to start the group

For how long has the group been helping the visually challenged students, and what kind of help do you provide?

The group has been active for more than four years; it started with a handful of people, but now many people have joined. If we talk about the main work we do, it will include recording notes, lessons, and books, finding a scribe for the students in the exam seasons, and assisting them in life.

Syed Hisham Labib

Nowadays, we have interactive phones, watches and even computers. How do you think it helps people with special needs?

Yes, with technological advancement, we have seen a lot of inventions for differently-abled people, especially the visually challenged students ebooks, audiobooks, smartwatches, interactive devices etc.

Is there a message you would like to give to the people with special needs?

What I can say, based on my personal experience, is that people or society will say a lot of things about you and your abilities but keep in mind what they can do, you can do too. Will it take something extra? Yes, it will, and you should never be afraid of putting in the extra effort; take the extra step.

THE GOLDEN HOUR RESPONDERS

What do a car collision and a cardiac arrest have in common? It’s the bystander’s response to dial the 108-emergency helpline number. Before the launch of the 108 helplines in 2005, reaching out to an ambulance was a cumbersome and anxious act. It changed when Ramalinga Raju and his family alongside the Government of Andhra Pradesh, launched the 108 Emergency Response Service on 15 August 2005 in Public Private Partnership with GVK EMRI.

In a candid conversation with Mr Khwaja the Pilot and Mr Yadagiri the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) of a 108 ambulance we uncover the deeds of service and humanity the duo has rendered to society. Yadagiri opens up about his teen days when he aspired to become a doctor and serve the community. The aspiration remained a dream given His duty as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) entails providing emergency care to patients to ensure their survival till reaching the medical institution

He points out instances where he has been roughed up and mishandled by relatives and bystanders of the patients. Yet Yadagiri fondly shares,“With a deep feeling of contentment, I go to bed each day”.

Mr. Khawaja, the driver, laments the fact that the pay received for the workload and amount of risk undertaken is not proportional. On being questioned about why then he is not on the lookout for other employment opportunities, he gazes towards the serene skyline and answers “Just like the passing clouds, the issue of wages pinches and goes away but the satisfaction I earn from the job is unparalleled.” He goes on to say that the words of gratitude that patients and their relatives deliver for the service he does is priceless.

The conversation can thus spark an internal monologue within ourselves. One must acknowledge the fact that indeed each individual carries a story that is personal to them and may seem insignificant to others but it is these individual “extras” amongst the millions that leave an impact on mankind, aptly conveyed by the saying in Hindi “Boond boond se sagar banta hai".

Prasoon Reddy

MARRIAGE: A GATEWAY TO FREEDOM OR A CAGE FOREVER?

Girls are often told from a very young age how different life would be after marriage. Every time a girl asks for something that her family disapproves of, the answer is always “You can do whatever you want after marriage”. But is marriage really a gateway to freedom for women?

Radha, 23 years old, married to Raghu tells us “I got married as soon as I turned 18. My parents did not let me study further; they told me this is the right age to get married. It took me a few years to convince my husband and in-laws but eventually they allowed me to study further” Radha completed her graduation in Hindi this year. Though Radha’s husband was supportive of her educational journey, this is not always the case. Anukriti is a 26-year-old housewife. As she shares her struggles and hardships after marriage,

“Life was much easier when I was single” she says, “There were rough times with my parents as well but at least fewer people were involved in the drama”. Anukriti believes that she lost agency over her life as she got married. As families got involved, her life choices became everyone’s but her own. Everything from her work status to her clothes came under extreme scrutiny. While ‘freedom’ can mean differently for different people; Radha’s perception of freedom might be very different from that of Anukriti’s, what remains constant is the idea of one’s agency over their life No other human being should be a woman's ticket to live life the way she wants. For some people getting married may open doors to a happier life while it may shut all doors of possibilities for others

Ritika Yadav

THE HEART OF A NURSE AND THE MIND OF A PRINCIPAL

Rhea Hansdak

Alice Hansdak, 87 years retired Nursing school Principal belongs to Dumka, Jharkhand. Her life story is inspiring because, from a young age, she had to face many challenges. Born in a poor family, her parents could not send her to school. She started working as a sweeper at a tender age in a foreigner's house Soon the foreigners realized that she was an intelligent and smart kid. The foreigners decided to send her to school and took care of her fees. She did really well in her 10th and 12th board exams She was then sent to CMC Ludhiana to study nursing. Once she reached there, she didn't look back. She faced a lot of problems in the 5 years she spent there. She had to adjust to the food, and people around. She also faced triple oppression. After coming back, she got a teaching job in a missionary nursing school. She had to work overtime to earn money. Soon she got married to her childhood love

Stephen who was a Doctor. They had four children. She used to struggle a lot between her family and job. In those struggles, she lost her eldest daughter Silviya in an accident. She was heartbroken. This incident did not stop her, she and her husband decided to go to CMC Vellore to study further After this, she got the position of Nursing school Principal of Mohulpahari Christian Hospital and her husband became the superintendent of Mohulpahari Christian Hospital. Leading a happy life, they even travelled abroad to thank the family who helped Alice to study and achieve a respectable position in society.

Today, Alice Hansdak is a strong lady, balancing her family and job well She became one of the strongest ladies of that time. She sent her three children to the best school of those days. The eldest daughter became the HOD of Gossner College Ranchi, her son joined India’s best

medical college and became a surgeon; and her youngest daughter is working as a HOD of Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. She is a proud independent woman and leads a life full of content and dignity today. Today, Alice Hansdak is a strong lady, balancing her family and job well. She became one of the strongest ladies of that time. She sent her three children to the best school of those days The eldest daughter became the HOD of Gossner College Ranchi, her son joined India’s best medical college and became a surgeon; and her youngest daughter is working as a HOD of Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi. She is a proud independent woman and leads a life full of content and dignity today

APPREHENDING MENTAL HEALTH FOR SAFER UNIVERSITY SPACES

"Just like we take care of our physical health, taking care of mental health is equally important." said the psychological counsellor at the University of Hyderabad, Dr Hymavathi Having an experience of twenty-six plus years she has been dealing with University students for the past two years

University students are at high risk of developing mental health problems However, making one's mental health a priority while still in college is imperative as it lays the groundwork for the student's rest of the lives along with helping them make the best use of opportunities available in the university space

A conversation with the expert not only allowed us to get an insight into

the students' mental health issues but also that of the University staff

Since Universities allow a free flow of discourse on various issues, mental health is one of them It makes an otherwise tabooed subject an accepted part of a normal human life, making people feel safe to come out and seek help, be it students or staff Moreover, accessibility is another issue which one faces outside the campus Since in Universities, it is usually funded by the government or the Universities themselves it becomes affordable even for those sections of students and staff who otherwise might not have been able to afford it

Talking on the subject, Dr Hymavathi responded by saying that students come to her with various issues which could be mainly categorized into three broad categories: anxiety, relationship problems and post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD) Mostly, the family of the students is unaware of their treatments, however, in extreme cases it becomes important to inform the family members about it

Apart from students, staff such as the security staff or the sanitation workers also visit, and most of their problems are related to family issues This says a lot about receptive attitudes even amongst the lower-rung staff in the university

Dr Hymavathi exclaimed that they do not even need to run awareness drives on the campus anymore as the atmosphere is so positive She emphasized the importance of ventilating Therefore, "one needs to draw a line and see their lives from outside the box", she said

Aishwarya Sharma

A L I F E O F H A R D S H I P S A N D I N S P I R A T I O N

Abhinek Patel

After her father got ill a few years back, she took all the responsibilities and kept running the shop with the help of her younger brother. She said it is not easy to stand in front of the stove all day and cook. Other than that she has to carry big water cans, and heavy utensils all day which is an energy-draining task.

"SOMETIMES PEOPLE THINK THAT WE ARE USING THIS SHOP ILLEGALLY BUT WE HAVE ALL THE REQUIRED LICENSES FOR THIS FOOD SHOP. WE ARE HERE FOR ALMOST 11 YEARS ONLY BECAUSE WE MAINTAINED THE FOOD QUALITY OVER THE YEARS.”

Women in India face numerous challenges when it comes to chasing their dreams and aspirations. One of the major obstacles is societal expectations and gender roles that limit their choices and opportunities. Traditional beliefs and norms often restrict women to specific roles, such as caregiving and homemaking, which can hinder their pursuit of personal and professional goals. One such story is of Nukeshwari, who runs a small food shop and wanted to continue her studies after class 10th but her family members said that there is no need for her to study After her schooling, she wanted to take a Beautician course but her family did not allow it. Born in Vizag, she came to Hyderabad in 2012 with her father, mother and younger brother. At Vizag, her father used to sell sugarcane juice. In Hyderabad, they started Student Tiffin services in 2012

Now that her business is going well, and her brother is taking care of the shop, she opened a beauty parlour with the help of her father, opposite her food shop, to fulfil her dreams. In the morning she spends her time at the food shop only, while in the evening she gives her time to her dreams She is also taking care of her brother's education, who is enrolled in a hotel management course and wants to expand this very business.

Nukeshwari's story shows how girls' dreams get shattered only because of traditional beliefs and norms. But she didn’t give up on her dreams and when the right time came she got what she always aspired for.