Culturama April 2020

ENGLISH MONTHLY

14

VASUDAIVA KUTUMBAKAM

- The Whole World Is One Family

APRIL 2020 - VOLUME 12, ISSUE 02

80/-

2

April 2020 | CULTURAMA

EDITOR'S

NOTE M

arch was a month of joy and sadness. Joy, as we celebrated Global Adjustments’ 25th anniversary with guests from around 34 nationalities at the India Living Awards; and sad, because many are since under lockdown. This has been a testing moment for the human race on the whole. It shows how insignificant man is against nature with a capital N. We become even more acutely aware of this as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to spread, halting businesses, vacation plans and educational schedules for 2020. Let’s stay safe by taking necessary precautions and send positive wishes to those suffering. Let’s remember, this too shall pass.

Culturama sends these ancient Sanskrit words out into the ether: Sarvesham Swastir Bhavatu Sarvesham Shantir Bhavatu Sarvesham Poornam Bhavatu Sarvesham Mangalam Bhavatu Translation: May May May May

all all all all

be healthy be at peace enjoy fulfilment good things happen to everyone

Rohini Manian rohini@globaladjustments.com Global Adjustments believes in good health above everything else; therefore, AIKYA 2020 has been temporarily postponed as a precautionary measure. We will confirm the new date soon as the world’s health and safety come under control. Apologies for any inconvenience caused and sincere thanks for your understanding. Namaste.

CULTURAMA | April 2020

3

Rohini Manian Editor-in-Chief

Thank You for your friendship!

Meera J Pillai Deputy Editor

We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as foolsMartin Luther King, Jr.

Shobana Sairaj Business Head V. Kathiravan Creative Head S. Rajthilak Graphic Designer

This special cover of Culturama is dedicated to Global Friendships.

The Flag Area at Global Adjustments India Living Awards 2020 was a platform to rejoice ‘unity in diversity’.

While we may not be able to name every Global Citizen on the cover, we want to thank everyone for helping reinstate the idea that the whole world is one family. Today, more than ever, we look for support, love and friendship through the globe!

Contributors Susan Philip | Jeremy D’Cruz | Antara Pandit Anurima Das | Saniya Surana

Chennai (Headquarters) 5, 3rd Main Road, R A Puram, Chennai – 600028 Telefax +91-44-24617902 E-mail culturama@globaladjustments.com Bengaluru #333/1, 1st Floor, 9th Main, 14th Cross, 2nd Stage, Indira Nagar, Bangalore – 560038 Tel +91-80-41267152, E-mail culturamablr@globaladjustments.com Delhi-NCR Level 4, Augusta Point, Golf Course Road, Sector 53, Gurgaon – 122002, Haryana Mobile +91 124 435 4224 E-mail del@globaladjustments.com

INBOX

Dear Editor,

Mumbai #1102, 11th Floor, Peninsula Business Park, Tower B, SB Road, Lower Parel, Mumbai – 400013 Tel +91-22-66879366 E-mail mum@globaladjustments.com Hyderabad Suite-18, 3rd Floor, Rajapushpa Business Centre, Stone Ridge Centre, Opp. Google, Hitec City – Kondapur Main Road, Hyderabad – 500 084, Ph: +91 40 48687956

I recently came across a copy of your magazine Culturama and was very impressed by its content. I realise that this magazine will be a very useful read for all the staff of my office, the World Health Organization. It contains information related to cultural connotations and other topical subjects that is very useful.

Gautam Basu, World Health Organization, New Delhi

E-mail hyd@globaladjustments.com

Owned, Published & Printed by Ranjini Manian, Published from New No. 5, Third Main Road, Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai – 600 028, Printed at Rathna Offset Printers, 40, Peters Road, Royapettah, Chennai - 600 014.

Editor: Rohini Manian

Dear Editor, Ever since I have been reading Global Adjustments' magazine ‘At A Glance’ and its transformed ‘Culturama’, I have never come across a better cover design than the one which adorns the March 2020 issue. As for the contents, it is a veritable collection of people, places and activities that make GA what it is today. God willing, I will await the Golden Legacy issue.

Nikhil Raghavan

Disclaimer Views and opinions expressed by writers do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s or the magazine’s.

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Creating Empowered Global Citizens

4

April 2020 | CULTURAMA

Get your Culturama e-magazine visit www.culturama.in

Or scan QR code to subscribe through mobile

CULTURAMA | April 2020

5

INSIDE

CULTURAMA

35

Spotlight

Health experts share their take on COVID-19

GA Foundation

12

#Championwoman spread positivity

Complete lockdown for 21 days till April 14 Need to break the COVID-19 chain Social distancing the only way to save humanity Callousness will risk lives of people All Indians are united.

Safety is our priority.

14

GA Special

#NationalLockDown

Celebrating a Silver Legacy

39

India Insight

50

Big Picture

Animals of Worship

24

Influencer’s Corner

Finding the real India

The Heat Is On

6

April 2020 | CULTURAMA

STEPPING TOWARDS

A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE AISC is committed to empowering our students to work toward a sustainable future. Here are some of the measures we have taken to improve our relationship with the environment.

#EarthDay2020

ENERGY 23%

of our daily power from 958 solar panels

LED bulbs in 93% of all classrooms

15%

Less Power Consumption

2017

per year

WATER Rainwater used per year for horticulture

1400+ kilo liters

Treated sewage water repurposed for flushing and gardening

80% CULTURAMA CULTURAMA || April April 2020 2020

www.aischennai.org

2012

per year

Nil

Since the 2019 student-led plastic ban, we have saved...

52

Paper cups per year

1 Million

,00 0

WASTE

77

SMS Food

Short cultural snippets for an easily digestible India

Chettinad Chicken

Chettinad is a region in Tamil Nadu from where the Chettiars hail. They are known for their business and financial acumen, which saw them establish flourishing trade relations with many countries in South-East Asia and further afield. They’re also known for their distinctive cuisine, and the Chettinad chicken curry is, more or less, a signature dish.

Spices, not just chillies but also coriander, cumin, cinnamon, cloves and cardamom, as well as pepper and fennel, occupy pride of place in the Chettiars’ kitchens. The latter two are used particularly generously in the chicken curry, alongside ginger and garlic. There’s also a less-common spice among the ingredients – kalpasi – also known as the ‘stone flower’. These spices are freshly ground and sautéd

or lemon juice is used to add a tang. A garnish

in sesame oil with plenty of shallots, turmeric and

of chopped fresh coriander leaves provides the

red chilli powder to make the gravy for the chicken,

finishing touch. It goes well with rice, dosa, idli,

along with ground coconut. Curd, tamarind water

appams and even parathas.

Tradition

Thimithi

Thimithi or fire-walking is a religious ceremony practised mainly in Tamil Nadu. Its origins may be found in the Mahabharata, the story of the Kaurava and Pandava cousins. The ceremony is dedicated to Draupadi, wife of the five Pandavas, venerated as Amman or Mother Goddess. Draupadi was severely humiliated by the Kauravas, and vowed to leave her hair loose and uncombed till her husbands eliminated her tormentors. After the Pandavas defeated the Kauravas in the Kurukshetra War, Draupadi finally combed and bound up her hair.

She also walked on burning coals to demonstrate her chastity and adherence to dharma. This event is

The temple priest first walks across the pit with a

celebrated in the Thimethi ceremony. In the lead-up

decorated pot of milk, symbolising the testing of

to the ritual, devotees perform various forms of

Draupadi. Devotees follow. The premise is that the

penance. A shallow pit is dug in temple premises

pure come out unscathed from this literal test by fire.

and filled with burning coal and wood. The fire is

The ceremony is also observed in temples in South

banked down until only glowing embers remain.

Asian countries with a sizeable Tamil population.

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April 2020 | CULTURAMA

CULTURAMA CULTURAMA || April April 2020 2020

9 9

Word

Kabab mein Haddi

Three’s a crowd, all over the world. ‘Third wheel’ and ‘gooseberry’ are good examples of what the Hindi phrase kabab mein haddi seeks to convey. Kababs are bite-sized grilled chunks of ground meat mixed with tangy spices. Now, imagine encountering a bit of bone while savouring melt-in-the-mouth kebabs – in other words, finding a haddi in the kabab. That’s exactly the way an extraneous person either ruins the mood of a pair of lovers, or acts as a barrier to the enjoyment of an otherwise homogeneous group. The phrase can be used to tell someone off –

unwanted or de trop in a specific situation – “The

‘Arey, don’t be a kabab mein haddi yaar! Let Raj and

IT team went out for dinner last night. I was the

Deepa go to the beach on their own’. It can also be

only one from the HR Department, and I felt like

used as a term to describe one’s feeling of being

kabab mein haddi.”

Person

Licypriya Kangujam

Licypriya Kangujam is all of nine years old, and already among the newsmakers. In 2018, this little girl from the northeastern state of Manipur attended a UN conference on disasters with her dad.

Young as she was, Licypriya was disturbed by the speeches she heard there. And so she launched the Child Movement, or Bachpan Andolan, ‘to protect the planet by tackling climate change and natural disasters’.

Licypriya expresses concern about the impact of climate change on rural India and school-going children and is fighting for the inclusion of climate change–related lessons in school curriculums.

Last year she started a ‘Great India March’ from India Gate, New Delhi, and demonstrated in front of

10

Parliament House, urging Prime Minister Narendra

activists, including Greta Thunberg, pressing for

Modi to enact laws to curb climate change.

immediate cessation of subsidies for fossil fuels.

The young girl has, with the help of an IIT professor,

Her interest in climate change makes a comparison

assembled what she calls SUKIFU (Survival Kit for

with Greta Thunberg inevitable, but calling her

the Future), which comprises a potted plant in

India’s Greta annoys Licypriya. She points out that

a clear backpack connected by a tube to a face

she began her campaign before Greta did, and

mask, which theoretically supplies fresh air to the

insists that although she and Greta are friends, and

wearer. It draws attention to the alarming levels of

the latter inspires her, she has her own identity and

air pollution.

story.

Licypriya was the youngest speaker at the COP25

As the world celebrates Earth Day on April 22, here’s

in 2019. She has also written to the World Economic

hoping that youngsters everywhere will rise up in

Forum

defence of our Planet.

along

with

other

April 2020 | CULTURAMA

young

environment

CULTURAMA | April 2020

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#Each for Equal with #Championwoman

I

nternational Women’s Day (IWD) was first celebrated in the United States in 1909 and a million women took part in it. The GAF-IWD 2020 campaign theme is drawn from the notion of 'collective individualism’. An equal world is an enabled world. Gender equality is essential for economies and

communities to thrive. The race is on for a gender-equal boardroom, a gender-equal government, genderequal media coverage, gender-equal workplaces, gender-equal sports coverage and more gender equality in health and wealth. So let’s make it happen. Let’s be #EachforEqual. #Championwoman has the sole goal of reducing the gender gap in the workforce and market places. The GAF team ‘MARCH’ed to speak to more and more women and girls about being fixed on a goal to be career intentional and speak up to seek assistance for the same.

#EachforEqual with the batch of #Championwoman programme at GAF

We at Global Adjustments Foundation conduct free interactive ChampionWoman workshops for school and college girls and working women.

Call at +91 75502 21513 or e-mail championwoman@championwoman.org 12

April 2020 | CULTURAMA

Schoolgirls sought support from peers to complete activities in their team-building workshops

GAF team with Krithiga Reddy and advisory board member Suhasini Maniratnam

Krithiga Reddy, former managing director of Facebook India, at the GAF Centre to address a cohort of #Championwoman girls

Founder Chairperson Ranjini Manian addressed the Infosys workforce on #EachforEqual

Women leaders from Australia and Chennai, India focused on a common goal, ‘Women Engagement and Empowerment’

Follow us:

/championwoman

/championawoman

www.championwoman.org

+91 75502 21513

CULTURAMA | April 2020

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GA SPECIAL

Celebrating a SILVER LEGACY

G

lobal Adjustments celebrated 25 years of Global Friendships at the India Living Awards 2020 held at the Le Meriden, Chennai. As a tribute to India and its times, the evening

commemorated living legends from the fields of media, philanthropy, culture, business and sports. The evening was attended by FDI leaders, diplomats, Indian industrialists and wellwishers of Global Adjustments.

On the 25th anniversary Ms. Rohini Manian, CEO, Global Adjustments says, ‘We have dedicated ourselves to 25 years of international delivery standards with Indian warmth. Helping 1000s of Make in India families thrive, whether in metros or new towns, has been a fulfilling journey. While Global Adjustments was started with the philosophy of being an India solution provider for Make in India families, we are now equally serving our Indian clientele as a one-stop shop for their real estate needs. Propcierge, a digital platform providing property solutions and support, will soon be unveiled. Our philanthropic arm championwoman. org fills the urgent need for gender equality, maximising the potential of women and girls in India’s workforce.’

GA celebrated 25 years with this spectacular 5-tier cake

Bollywood dance by expats was the showstopper

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April 2020 | CULTURAMA

The stage celebrating 25 years of GA

Congratulations

on

yet

another

impeccable,

brilliant, vibrant event. GA’s work creating cultural bridges and your contribution to empowering thousands of young women is remarkable and inspiring. It was my honour and privilege to be a part of the assoccasion and be one of the awardees.

Thank you and my warmest felicitations!

Alarmel

Valli,

Bharatanatyam

dancer,

Bhushan awardee

Girija Vaidyanathan, Former Chief Secretary Tamil Nadu Govemnet awards Dr Mariazeeena Johnson, Chancellor, Satyabama University with the Philanthropist Award

Padma Founder-Chair Ranjini Manian awards Padma Bhushan Alarmel Valli with the Cultural Ambassador Award

Pong Kok Tian, Consul General of Singapore, awards Archana Kalpathi - Most Inuencial Woman in Entertainment

CULTURAMA | April 2020

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Andrew Hoover, AISC, gives an inspiring speech

GA is an excellent company that has helped both Indians and expats feel at home - Congratulations!

Kavita Singhania, MD, Express Avenue Group

Lakshmi Narayanan, Founder - Cognizant, gives the Emerging Business award to Rajaraman Santhanam, Co-Founder of Chargebee

N. Ram, Editor-in-chief and MD, The Hindu, presents Murugavel Janakiraman, Founder, CEO Bharat Matrimony with the Business Excellence Award

Congratulations on this milestone anniversary. I still remember the start up days. Baby tentative steps, which became giant strides with confidence and maturity. Global Adjustments is now a well established, reputable institution with a stature and profile commanding respect among the target audience. All the best for continued success.

Arun Bewoor, Former CEO Bush Boake Allen

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April 2020 | CULTURAMA

Dr V. Sumantran, former CEO, Tata Motors, gives Padma Srhri Narain Kathikeyan the Sports Star award

Little guests of the evening

GA team celebrates the Silver Jubilee with the guests

Packed room at the event

Congratulations to Rohini and the entire team of GA for achieving this significant milestone of delivering 25 years of service and value to your clients. Great credit to Ranjini Manian, for founding this organisation and building it to this level of recognition. Wish you and your team great success in the years to come.

Shanker Annaswamy, former MD, IBM India

Thank You, Sponsors!

The most memorable moment from the evening was when the expats showcased their temporary home

CULTURAMA | April 2020

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Beautiful

nd

22

INDIA

Expatriate Photo Competition

The 22nd Beautiful India Photography Competition entries were a huge hit at ILA 2020 st

21

beautiful

INDIA Photo Competition

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April 2020 | CULTURAMA

CAPTURING INDIA!

T

he 22nd anniversary of the Beautiful India Photo Competition saw hundreds of entries from expatriates hailing from over 11 nationalities. The photographs were submitted under four different categories: Into India, Places, Faces, and Culture and Festivals. From splashes of festive colours

to daily life in India, the photographers handsomely captured images from their journey across the country. An avid photographer himself, Mr Thomas Dose, Managing Director, BMW India, and Mr Nitirooge Phoneprasert, Consul General of Thailand in India, judged the competition. Here are some of the awardwinning images from this year’s entries.

Gateway of India

Window with a view in Jodhpur

Photo: Sarassat Fabien France

Photo: Sonia Hays Spain CULTURAMA | April 2020

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Godman

Photo: SJ Lee Korea

Putting on my make-up

Photo: Taroi Kanoi Japan

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April 2020 | CULTURAMA

In the hands of Ganesha

Photo: Edgar Gaillot France

Puja offering for a blessed family

Photo: Eva Alonso Spain CULTURAMA | April 2020

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Music I have never heard before

Photo: Thibaut Dejean de la Batie France

Rainbow smiles

Photo: Christel Allory France

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April 2020 | CULTURAMA

CULTURAMA CULTURAMA || April April 2020 2020

23 23

INFLUENCER'S CORNER

Finding the

REAL INDIA

Abhiraj Rajadhyaksha and Niyati Mavinkurve’s brainchild, ‘Following Love’ is a one-of-a-kind social media page, which lists out the 100 reasons why one should love India. Anurima Das catches up with this influencer duo, who are spreading joy, positivity and lots of knowledge, one social media account at a time

E

xpats are often mesmerised by India and

45-minute documentary on him, so we thought

its culture, but most of the time Indians

why not compress all that data and present it in 3

do not feel too motivated about their own

to 4 minutes. This was the idea, presenting unique

roots. This was a perspective that Abhiraj and

things about India in a short format such that it

Niyati understood and decided to find a solution

does not get boring and is educational too,’ points

for. They realised that the facts connected to India

out Abhiraj Rajadhyaksha, Founder and Chief

are not presented in a millennial-friendly way. ‘For

Storyteller, Following Love. With an intention of

instance, everybody knows who

making Indians fall in love with India, Abhiraj and

APJ Abdul Kalam is, but

Niyati followed their heart and their page is now

nobody

has

the

time to see a

24

April 2020 | CULTURAMA

a hit.

The influencers Abhiraj, a Mass Media student, graduated with a degree in advertising

in

2014.

After

college, he started working as a freelancer on several film projects and Niyati, a qualified Chartered

Accountant,

started working in 2015. But she quit after almost a year and started working as a freelance writer. ‘I worked from 2014 till mid-2019 as a freelance editor, film-maker and

cinematographer

and

I used to take up freelance assignments for ad agencies too, but what was lacking was creative freedom. I was making

videos

that

didn’t

have my voice in them. I was taking up assignments based on how much money I would earn. After working for 5 years and managing some savings, I decided to take a break from my work to make videos that I feel passionate about. So the idea started from a gap year and that’s how we got rolling,’ Abhiraj reminisces.

‘During my travels abroad, I felt that people there proud of their heritage and culture even if they aren’t that significant.

Indians, on the other hand, despite

having

legitimate

things to be proud of, are not as passionate,’ adds Niyati Mavinkurve,

Co-Founder,

Chief Everything Else Officer, Following Love.

CULTURAMA | April 2020

25

but we’re thankful for the love and support. Once the 100 reasons series is over, we can objectively watch all the videos and understand which videos people have liked the most. We would like to dig deeper into a topic and make more detailed videos.

One thing that will remain constant is that we want to make educational content watchable and shareable,’ Abhiraj explains.

Niyati is also keen on starting a channel through which she wants to explain taxation and financials to people in simple language.

The duo’s unique observations and positive outlook about India got swift appreciation on social media.

During their remarkable journey, meeting the Iceman of India, Mr. Chewang Norphel, was one of the best moments, they believe. A Padmashri

Even as the two wrap up their series, they are finding new ways to spread love on the social media through their positive messages about India and people as such.

awardee, Chewang has been a resident of Ladakh for 30 years and is known for triumphantly helping the residents get clean water through glaciers.

Overcoming challenges ‘The challenges are still there. We are travelling all the time, so the expenses are more than the revenue we make; it’s just that the ad revenue helps us sustain it a little longer. It has been less than a year since we started, so it’s still new for us, but we’re learning,’ Niyati says. The duo took this part of the journey as a post graduate project. Abhi tells us that getting followers on social media was a risk they were ready to take.

While Abhi does the video editing and the research, travel bookings and other tasks are carried on by Niyati. Both of them are equally involved with the shooting and share similar responsibilities.

Milestones and anecdotes • The 100 Reasons to Love India series started on May 22, 2019. Today, they have 353K followers on Facebook and 209K followers on Instagram.

• Places covered in the series: Meghalaya, Sikkim, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Goa, Ladakh, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh (Indore), Tripura, Bihar, Punjab and Delhi.

Future plans

• Environment-related topics covered for solution-

The 100 Reasons series is likely to be completed

based videos: Eco-friendly Ganesh idols, plastic

real soon. Asked as to their plans post this, they

problem in Ladakh, Amazon Fires, Australia

mentioned they are keen to continue making

bushfires and many more.

videos. But the subject or the kind of videos they want to do is still unplanned, and they want to use

• They launched merchandise too – Farak Padta Hai T-shirts.

the break after the 100 Reasons series to plan their

• Their Ganesh visarjan (immersion) video was the

walk ahead. When they began, they had around 2 to

first to go viral. This video explaining eco-friendly

3K followers on Instagram and now they have about

ways for visarjan gained immense traction.

200k followers. ‘We didn’t expect this response, 26

April 2020 | CULTURAMA

CULTURAMA | April 2020

27

WWF gets new

Philanthropy Ambassador Wildlife has been paying a heavy price as the world deals with the repercussions of climate change.

Today, more than ever, humanity needs inspiring role models to lead the way for a better future.

Team Culturama takes a look at WWF’s newest ambassador

W

e live in a world today where wildlife conservation deserves priority at the highest level. The World Wildlife Fund

(WWF) India recently announced that Madhura Visweswaran,

Co-founder

of

the

Redwood

Montessori School and the Redwood Montessori Foundation,

will

be

their

new

Philanthropy

Ambassador for Tamil Nadu.

For nearly 60 years, WWF has worked towards building a future in which humans live in harmony with nature. Their mission has been to conserve the world's biological diversity and promote the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.

Madhura has worked in schools around the globe for 20 years and is trained to work with children Madhura Visweswaran

with different learning abilities. Her passion to go organic and spread awareness about how each child can make an impact to preserve the ecosystem is reflected clearly in the work done at Redwood and in her association with various farms.

When it comes to what role children will play in this from the point of view of an educationist, she articulates, ‘I strongly believe that children are the future and it is vital to engage them via talks and

Regarding the association, Madhura says, ‘My role

nature experiences. We must get our children out

as a Philanthropy Ambassador is to help WWF

there, amidst nature, to help them appreciate the

India reach as many people, especially children

web of life and to help them understand challenges

within Tamil Nadu. From a long-term perspective,

and what each one of us can do to mitigate them.

I aim to work in conjunction with WWF India to

Our state animal, the Nilgiri tahr’s numbers are

create widespread awareness on the environmental

dwindling and I am personally invested towards

stresses existing in Tamil Nadu, at the micro and

raising awareness among children to help conserve

macro level.’

our state animal.’

28

April 2020 | CULTURAMA

Walk the Talk Learn the language, live the culture – with this in mind, Toshiyuki Abe, Managing Director of MCNS Mumbai, is intent on learning Tamil, and enjoys the nuances of both the language

Mrs. Thatchayini Fukao (left) in a language session with

and the culture.

Mr. Toshiyuki Abe at the Global Adjustments Head Office

For these and many more customised, one-of-a-kind programmes, reach out to us.

Call: +91-95516 95967 E-mail: vyjayanthi@globaladjustments.com

CULTURAMA | April 2020

29

Understanding

Covid-19

E

Former U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy recently held a conference call with Indiaspora members to discuss the coronavirus pandemic – the disease, its global spread and the public health response.

Here are some excerpts from it

xpert, first-hand and accurate information directly from eminent leaders in the field is crucial during this time of unprecedented

global turmoil. Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, who served as the 19th Surgeon General of the United States from December 15, 2014 to April 21, 2017, provided an overview of the current situation surrounding the corona virus. He answered several questions on some common sense steps to stop the spread of the virus, and what to expect next.

Facts about Covid-19 • Covid-19 has symptoms similar to that of the flu, but there are subtle clinical differences. It is much more contagious than the flu.

• It is 10 times more deadly than the flu, with the case fatality rate (CFR) approximated to be 1% (1 out of 100 people).

• The virus causes pneumonia directly (so is viral in nature) and cannot be treated with antibiotics as in the case of normal bacterial pneumonia.

• Mortality rates show that the virus affects the elderly population much more than children.

and their health systems are overwhelmed.

• South Korea, Iran, Italy and Spain have been severely affected.

• China

minimised

emphasised

• People can spread the disease and not even know it; cases are still rising greatly.

social

proactive

interactions testing

as

and virus

containment methods.

• South Korea has also implemented strict rules, and the number of new cases has been reduced to less than 100 per day.

30

• Italy was not able to tamp down on containment,

April 2020 | CULTURAMA

• The known cases are probably only a small fraction of the actual number of cases.

• Some

mitigation

distancing,

measures

teleworking

in-person meetings.

and

include

social

shutting

down

Q&A • Is there any correlation between the virus and the weather?

We don’t know; some coronavirus strains do not do as well with warmer weather. But we don’t know about this one, and hope warmer weather this summer will help.

• How long do we need to rely on social distancing?

We don’t know; hoping it will only last for about three to four weeks.

• It is yet to been seen what will happen in countries like China when they begin to resume normal activities.

Social distancing creates anxiety and stress, and has a severe economic impact.

• Preventative measures?

There are no preventative medications that have been determined as completely effective.

› Everyone should wash their hands for at least 20 seconds after returning home from the outside world.

› Don’t touch your face when you are outside, especially your eyes and nose.

› Make sure to wipe down your phones and keys, not just countertops and appliances that you touch.

› Stay home when you are sick.

•When is the right time to get tested?

Common symptoms include a dry cough, fever and body aches. If you have these symptoms, call

stumbles are normal. After the Ebola virus, it became clear that global preparedness and a coordinated pandemic response were necessary.

We need to fund local public health offices and federal offices, need to work with the private sector and need to restore global pandemic offices.

• How long can an individual be infectious; do people become immune after getting it?

They will be infectious for a few days before symptoms begin, and while exhibiting symptoms.

There is no concrete information about whether people become immune.

• If you are recovering from a health concern that has compromised your immune system, would it help or hurt in fighting off Covid-19?

Unrelated medical problems would not strengthen your immune response. Fatigue and dehydration from other illnesses can, in general, make you more susceptible, but you can recover and build up your immune system again.

• How is the virus spreading commonly, and is it airborne?

› Physical

contact with coughing or sneezing

‘droplets’ from an infected person.

› Metal

surfaces and fabrics can hold these

‘droplets’ for hours.

› Covid-19

is not airborne like in measles; it

does not have that kind of efficiency.

your doctor and get their expertise. It could be Covid-19.

•Why were we not prepared for this pandemic?

Excerpts taken from https://www.indiaspora.org/.

Please visit the website for more information.

Pandemics are relatively predictable. History shows that there is a pandemic every few years.

They usually happen suddenly however, so

CULTURAMA | April 2020

31

Our Wildest Ride Yet Dr Jeannette Wolfe, an academic emergency physician, and Barbara Annis, Founder and CEO of Gender Intelligence Group, share their insights into the worldwide pandemic COVID 19

H

ave you ever sat in the passenger seat of a car and pressed down on an imaginary brake

because

you

were

increasingly

uncomfortable by the driver’s speed and their brazen flirtation with disaster? In the past week, life as we know it has been unprecedentedly disrupted

by COVID-19. Right now, we are all riding shotgun and COVID-19 is behind the wheel. The question is, are we all wearing our seatbelts?

including the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and the Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) also killed more men. Some of this gap is due to differences in gender-based cultural habits, for example, in China, far more men than women smoke. However, there also appears to be a biological sex-based difference in immunology.

Detailed basic science research on SARS showed that after being inoculated with similar amounts of virus, male mice experienced higher viral titers and greater inflammatory changes in their lungs.

Importantly, their findings correlated with age.

In those at the extreme of age there were no significant differences, but for those in between

So why are a frontline emergency medicine

it was quite pronounced, with a group of middle-

physician and a business CEO teaming together

aged mice infected with a moderate amount of

to write about COVID-19? Because we are both

virus showing a 90 per cent mortality in the males

experts in how biological sex and gender influence

but only a 20 per cent mortality in females.

our bodies and behaviour and we realise that the actions people take or don’t take in the next few weeks will heavily impact the overall mortality rates of this virus. So, we think it’s time we have a frank talk about sex, gender and COVID-19.

Sex-based differences in COVID-19 death rates are likely due to both sex chromosomes and hormones.

Men and women may share over 98 per cent of the same DNA, but we now know which genes get turned on and off after an environmental trigger

From the data we have so far, physiologically, males

like an infection can be quite sex specific. Although

appear to be at greater risk of having symptoms,

we once thought our X- and Y-chromosomes

and of dying from COVID-19. In Italy, currently 58

were mostly involved with hormonal reproductive

per cent of confirmed cases are male, and in China

housecleaning tasks, recent research suggests

sources have shown the death rate to be between

that these chromosomes also contain genes

2.8 to 4.7 per cent in men versus 1.7 to 2.8 per cent

that regulate our immune response and actually

in women. Of note, previous coronavirus outbreaks

influence which genes on other chromosomes

32

April 2020 | CULTURAMA

get read. Interestingly, there is now evidence that

have an overly exuberant inflammatory response

COVID-19 infects lung tissue via attaching to the

that ends up suffocating their lungs and preventing

angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor,

adequate oxygen exchange. Women may be

and the gene for ACE2 is on the X chromosome.

somewhat

protected

from

this

inflammatory

overdrive due to certain estrogenic effects that Concerning sex hormones, although both men

dampen it.

and women have estrogen, progesterone and testosterone in their bodies, their ratios are sex

When considering big picture numbers as to

specific.

who and how many might actually die from this

Testosterone

can

suppress

immune more

pandemic, our biological sex, however, is probably

complicated and vary depending on circulating

far less of a factor than how we as a society

levels and interactions with different pathways

collectively manage these next few weeks. This

of the immune system. A recent study showed

is where the ‘gender’ part comes in. In general,

that when nasal cells infected with a flu virus

women historically tend to be more focused on

were exposed to estrogen, they had smaller viral

medical issues, are less likely to take unnecessary

replication rates, suggesting that compared to

health-related risks and are more likely to wash

women, men might require a smaller viral load to

their hands. Now is a good time for us all (and

get sick. Plus, men may be at greater risk of dying

perhaps especially risk - tolerant men) to consider

from COVID-19 because in some cases they may

the following:

responses,

while

estrogen

effects

are

1. Respect this virus. As an emergency medicine physician who has weathered the HIV, SARS, H1N1 and Ebola scares, Dr. Wolfe can say that COVID-19 is a different creature. This virus is very contagious and spreads even before someone is symptomatic. Personal accounts of its impact from Italian medical colleagues are chilling and hint to the chaos that will likely hit our health care systems soon.

Fortunately, there are lessons from other pandemics that can help us get ready for COVID-19, such as those learnt over a hundred years ago when the Spanish flu that killed upwards of 100 million people. During that pandemic, cities that supported aggressive early interventions like voluntary quarantines, school closures and bans on public meetings seemed to avoid a significant bolus of people getting critically ill, compared to communities with less restrictive policies. Social distancing works, and for those of you who may still be muttering, “Yeah, but don’t you think we pulled this trigger just a little too early,” unfortunately the answer is a definitive “no”.

Once even a small amount of a community gets infected, isolation strategies don’t work as well and the number of people getting sick all at once can quickly exceed the amount of available hospital and intensive care beds. COVID-19 makes things even trickier, however, as it appears that patients who survive have longer recovery times compared to patients with more common types of pneumonia. This creates a double logjam – more sick patients coming in and fewer patients going home.

CULTURAMA | April 2020

33

Further confounding things are the very real shortages that have already started happening. By now most people are likely aware of the critical mask shortage. In another time, the idea that hospital administrators would be constructing do-it-yourself masks to protect their frontline workers would have been simply absurd. Yet, we are now in a new reality and this is only the beginning. This is a long domino chain.

2. Be a modern-day hero. The heroes of this outbreak will be the ones willing to bunker down into the trenches of their living rooms and sacrifice their everyday conveniences to put the health of their families and the most vulnerable in their communities first. Social isolation will only work if people do it.

3. Worship altar of Mr. Clean. In a freakishly timed release, this past December a group of researchers published a data-driven simulation model showing how pandemics might be mitigated by having more travelers at airports simply wash their hands. Their modeling suggested that by increasing hand hygiene at 10 core airports, the risk of a pandemic could be decreased by 37 per cent. Although we can’t roll back the clock and just donate a couple of barrels of hand sanitizer to those airports, there is still great value in deciding right now that having clean hands will be your new super power.

Besides handwashing, here are five other easy ways to slow COVID-19’s spread: cough into your elbow, clean your cell phone, flush the toilet with the seat down, use hand sanitizer after touching shared public surfaces and... wash your hands again. Importantly, if you have kids at home, remember that your optics matter. What you do, will likely influence whether or not they adopt or discard their own COVID-19 prevention habits.

4. Secure a sanctuary. With social distancing guidelines and public closures, many families will find themselves spending an uncomfortable amount of time together over the next many weeks. Cabin fever peppered with real concerns about physical risks and financial uncertainties can be a set up for sparks.

Know your limits, and when you need a break separate yourself from those you love. If you don’t have a cough or a fever and live in an area where there is adequate space to safely go outside, get some fresh air and exercise. Otherwise, identify an inside place where you can escape to re-centre. Use technology to your advantage: play a game, listen to some music or download a relaxation app. If things get overwhelming, know the resources to get you or your family members help.

5. Use your status. Somewhat ironically, the population most at risk in this pandemic – older men – are also the ones who are making many of the key decisions in how government, business and health care systems are reacting to this crisis. If you are fortunate to be in this group, use your influence wisely. This virus is quickly redefining how we do ‘work’, and policies that are made now will influence not only your own personal exposure risk but also those of your colleagues and employees. For our economy to stay afloat during this uncertain time, you will need to be nimble and creative in ways to keep the population who can work, working. Of note, please pay.

This is it. COVID-19’s foot is on the gas and we are all in for one wild ride. Click in that seatbelt.

Dr Jeannette Wolfe is an academic emergency physician and the host of the podcast Sex and Why Twitter @WolfeJeannette Barbara Annis, Founder and CEO of gender intelligence group, is a worldrenowned expert on Gender, Diversity and Inclusivity. Check out www. genderintelligence.com / or e-mail at bannis@genderintelligence.com

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April 2020 | CULTURAMA

Complete lockdown for 21 days till April 14 Need to break the COVID-19 chain Social distancing the only way to save humanity Callousness will risk lives of people All Indians are united.

Safety is our priority. #NationalLockDown

CULTURAMA | April 2020

35

PARENTING

RESPECTING ELDERS

starts from home

Treating elders with respect is a significant part of life skills. Antara Pandit shares how, through meaningful conversations with children, parents can help them understand the importance of respect ’If they respect you, respect them. If they disrespect you, still respect them. Do not allow the actions of others to decrease your good manners, because you represent yourself, not others.’– Mohammad Zeyara

I

childhood, while in today’s world, these life skills have to be excavated from within people? We are born with the capacity and ability to be humane.

As a part of parenting 101, growing up, we were all raised to be kind and respectful to others. However,

have often heard many elders who are a product of the ‘baby boomers’ generation (born between 1946 and 1954) as well as those before and

after, talk about why vital life skills like kindness, empathy, respect, gratitude and so on, need to be taught today. Being a woman and mother from the millennial generation, do this?

Yes,

whole-

heartedly! Why does it

to our preceding generations even during their

seem

like

I

agree

with

our experiences shape us, and somewhere along the way, this capacity to exhibit qualities that make us humane diminishes. With our children growing up in a world that is overwhelmed by strife and screaming out loud for compassion, respect and empathy, how do we ensure that they do not lose themselves and forget the qualities that make them good human beings?

In order to understand something, drilling down

these

skills came naturally

36

April 2020 | CULTURAMA

Photo: Silvia Ricanek Germany

to the crux of the matter usually does the trick.

but even to someone his own age, I immediately

When I see lack of emotion or empathy from a

ask him how he would feel if someone spoke to

child or an adult, or if I see a young child speaking

him the same way. Children’s voices are unfiltered

disrespectfully to their caretaker or any adult,

and so I know that while his intention would have

for that matter, my immediate reaction is a non-

been to get his point across, the effect would have

judgemental ’Why?’ As quick as we are to compare

been otherwise. Even at 5-and-a-half, the concept

another child to our own, very often things are

of empathy is easy to understand as the mind is

not black and white, as in this case it does not

uncluttered and a sponge to new thoughts and

necessarily mean that the child was never taught

experiences. So, if we can raise our children to

respect. No parent would ever sideline compassion

always empathize with those around them, respect

for others and respect completely; however, the

will automatically follow.

importance placed on it varies. If children see their parents treating themselves and each other with respect, it will lay the foundation for how they learn to treat themselves and others around them.

Helping our children understand that respect for yourself comes first, and only then can you learn to be respectful to others around you. This needs to be reinforced continuously throughout their growing years. Telling them that ‘You need to respect elders’ may very well fall on ignorant ears; not out of purposeful ignorance but because children need

If your child has been rude or disrespectful, talking about things once they are calm is key. I have learnt that talking to them during the situation is not the most ideal time about limits or consequences. At a later time, setting expectations can help set the tone for future behaviour. Intervening with children from the time they can communicate can lead to positive results. Even though it may not seem like it from all the protesting that follows, children really do want limits!

rational explanations in order to truly understand,

Although they may not thank us now, they sure will

just like adults do. For example, in many families,

once they have children of their own!

touching the feet of elders when greeting them signifies respect and is a form of receiving blessings.

My boys Dev and Shiv, 5-and-a-half and 3 years old do it – but only because they are told to. They do not yet understand the significance behind it; we plan to introduce the ‘why’ behind this soon. How do we teach respect to young children in an ageappropriate manner? This is where empathy plays a very crucial role.

International schools like the ones’ my boys go to include the cultivation and practice of various lifeskills into their daily curriculum. Teaching life-skills, of course, is not a job only for schools, but it begins at home.

Empathy is putting yourself in another person’s shoes and feeling what they feel. It is at the very core of humanity. This is a skill that is embedded in our DNA and to me is life-altering, because it can make or break who we are as people. If I hear Dev speak in an impolite manner to not only an elder CULTURAMA | April 2020

37

ANIMALS OF WORSHIP

Photo: Shira Daryn Israel

INDIA INSIGHT

India has long held sacred its wildlife in its myths, epics and in daily worship. Jeremy D’Cruz delves deep into some of the interesting stories surrounding animals, which have become an integral part of the Indian ethos

I

ndia is a land of complex stories, of Gods and

by its service of bringing in seeds of fruit and grains,

Goddesses who articulate themselves through

or the Ashoka tree in the grove that sheltered Sita

the sacred worship of its flora and fauna. The pipal

when she was Ravana’s prisoner – all these tales have

tree under which the Buddha meditated on his path

stood the test of time. Here we celebrate some of

to enlightenment, the parrot that earned its gratitude

the animals and the legends associated with them.

38

April 2020 | CULTURAMA

No matter how small Traditionally, many of the Indian households begin the day by decorating their foyer with beautiful designs made of rice flour and coloured flowers. A clear message that even the tiniest insect must be fed. Ants are revered so much in certain parts of Karnataka that rice and jaggery are placed beside

Photo: Arnaud Passieux France

anthills as offerings.

In the coastal districts of Maharashtra, the anthill is worshipped as the abode of Lord Shiva. Snakes also make these anthills their home, and the anthill is symbolic of the harmony shared by the two different species, mirroring the modern world as we know of it.

The honey worshippers

Nandi, the sacred bull, is the vehicle of lord Shiva

Honey harvesting and beekeeping are long-standing traditions in India. History traces honey as the first sweetened food tasted by ancients who inhabited the Indian forests.

Frogs and toads are creatures associated with water bodies and biologically designed to be better suited to wet environments. Several communities believe that keeping these creatures happy will welcome

At the Srisailam Temple in Andhra Pradesh, Goddess

showers.

Bramarambika, one of the avatars of Goddess Shakti, is believed to have reincarnated herself as this humble insect in order to be close to Lord Shiva who resides in these hills in the form of a jasmine flower.

The Jenu Kuruba, a small ethnic group of people who come from the foothills of Karnataka, have traditionally been honey collectors. They even derived their clan’s name from the ‘honey’ itself, ‘Jenu’ in Kannada.

The people of Assam put on a wedding-like ritual for two frogs of the opposite sex, complete with all other Indian wedding hullabaloo. This act of faith is especially sacred when facing a drought.

Holy cow, it’s a buffalo The Toda clan, found in the Southern plateaus of India have since the beginning of time shared a special bond with nature. These people believe that man was created only after the buffalo, and in reverence to the folklore, the buffalo is primary.

The Jenu Kurubas pay respect to the humble bee through their traditional tribal paintings that portray the revered bee and the harvesting of the honey.

These honey gatherers truly live a harmonious relationship with the humble honey bee.

The buffalo is the main deity housed in an exclusive temple with dedicated priests to attend on them.

Dairy temples are believed to be auspicious and is forbidden to outsiders. As a mark of respect, at the time of the animal’s death, its remains are organically

Croaking away

disposed of in a proper separate burial site.

Bhekuli Biya or frog weddings are a traditional folk practice that is a celebration of faith and natural elements. An act that is carried out to appease the Gods for better rainfall.

The Todas truly live in synergy with their beasts, which transcend into the sacred deity that is worshipped, completing the karmic wheel of life.

CULTURAMA | April 2020

39

Bhekuli Bija

The gentle giant Lord Ganesha is the beloved elephant-headed God

The Lepchas believe that everything in their

in Hinduism and is associated with new beginnings.

environment holds deep spiritual significance, and

However, this celebration is not entirely dedicated

that plants and animals share a close symbiotic

to the elephant, as it also happens to worship an

relationship with their human counterparts.

animal that is otherwise seldom noticed – the unassuming boar.

Indian mythology relies on the balance of the natural elements and trust that it is vital for harmony for all

Boars tend to scrounge for food by digging into

life on Earth. Animals have coexisted with human

the earth, which brings forth fresh shoots and

beings from time immemorial. But in the end, all

hence is associated with fertility. These animals are

that matters is respect, not just among humans but

worshipped by rice farmers during the first four

towards every other living thing on Earth.

days of the festival.

The village folks of Damal, Kancheepruam, believe that lord Vishnu, another revered Hindu God, takes the form of the boar. The manifestation, known as Varaha, shows the body of a man and head of a boar with enormous tusks, seated beside his consort Bhudevi or Mother Earth.

The blood pheasant The blood pheasant is Sikkim’s state bird. These birds originate in the Himalayas. The blood pheasant is sacred to the Lepcha community. According to Lepcha folklore, the blood pheasant saved their ancestors from the great flood and guided them to the safety of a nearby mountain top.

40

April 2020 | CULTURAMA

Blood pheasant

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HOLISTIC LIVING

THE CHALLENGE OF CHOOSING TO BE KIND Eknath Easwaran answers questions about how to be kind with others without compromising on your own emotions and happiness I find it really hard not to lash out if someone attacks me. Anything else feels weak.

Strength is often equated with the capacity to attack, but to me it means the internal toughness to take whatever life deals out without losing your humanity.

It is those who never stoop to retaliation, never demand an eye for an eye, who are truly strong. They have the toughness to be tender, even sweet, while resisting violence with all their heart.

By contrast, those who are ready to strike back at the slightest provocation are not strong but fragile.

They may espouse a higher view of human nature, but almost anything can break them and make them lash back at those they oppose.

When someone is being sarcastic or cruel to you, the natural response is to retaliate. If you want to be unshakable, you have to train your mind in patience and endurance, the most gruelling training that life offers. Life shows no mercy to those who lack this

Indulging in anger is pointing a poison-tipped

inner strength. Every virtue requires the toughness

arrow

never to retreat in the face of challenge.

inward,

aimed

straight

at

ourselves.

It

taints our thinking, poisons our feelings and turns our relationships adversarial. If we continue to think resentful thoughts, mistrust spreads in the

I have the opposite problem: I tend to back off even if someone is taking advantage of me.

consciousness like some toxic underground chemical

Putting others first does not mean saying yes to

until we have a permanent disposition for suspicion.

everyone. When you allow people to exploit you,

When anger pollutes our internal environment to this extent, we don’t need particular events to trigger suspicion. It has become an automatic response, draining us of energy like an insidious hidden leak.

Our nervous system and vital organs react angrily on their own, without any connivance from the mind. The long-term effects can be disastrous: heart disease, stroke, extreme emotional stress, perhaps even lower resistance to disease and impaired capacity to heal.

42

April 2020 | CULTURAMA

you aren’t just hurting yourself; you are helping the exploiter to hurt himself as well. To connive with somebody who is not living up to his responsibilities not only doesn’t help the situation; it doesn’t help that person either. Seeing the Self in those around us means supporting them to do better – not through words, but through unvarying respect and personal example. It is this unwavering focus on the Self in others that helps them realise its presence in themselves – and in us and others as well.

The more insensitive the other person is, the

for children who grow up without hearing a 'no'

more reason for you to alert your mind to be calm

from their parents will be terribly brittle when they

and compassionate – and, if necessary, to face

have to take, no from life itself – and, worse, they

opposition firmly but tenderly. We aren’t helping

will have a hard time saying no to themselves. But

inconsiderate people when we give in to their

loving opposition, whether to children or to adults

demands or let them walk all over us. It only feeds

you live or work with, has to be done tenderly and

the habit of rudeness to let them have their way.

without any anger or condescension.

It requires enormous judgement, and bravery too,

Otherwise you are likely only to be adding more self-

to oppose non-violently people we love. We can

will to the flames. This is a difficult art. Go slowly, and

lovingly wear them down with our patience, and

remember that it is always better not to act in the

when we see signs of regret and reconciliation,

heat of the moment. Whenever time allows, instead

we make friends again and completely forget the

of responding immediately to an unwise demand,

barrier that stood between us.

take a mantram walk first, meditate, and then speak when you can do so with kindness and patience.

Love often shows itself in the inward toughness that

Remember, too, that the very best way to change

is required to say no to an attitude or desire that we

someone is to begin with your own example.

think will bring harm. Parents have to do this often,

CULTURAMA | April 2020

43

Around the world in

5

For their natural picturesque setting, one of the more sought - after summer vacation spots in the world are waterfalls. Team Culturama takes a look at some of the famous and stunning waterfalls from across the globe!

Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe Victoria Falls is famous among the tourists for the rainbow that often forms in its spray. At 108 metres and with an average flow rate of 1,088 cubic metres per second, it sure has impressive numbers ready for the approximate 2.5 million people who visit the waterfalls every year. Locally known as Mosi-oa-Tunya (the smoke that thunders), it is believed that the sound of this waterfall can be heard for 40 kilometres.

Niagara Falls, Canada Considered to be one of the world’s most famous waterfalls, the Niagara Falls in Ontario, Canada, is an experience to behold. Although it is only 51 metres in height, every second it is calculated that 3,160 tons of water flows over Niagara Falls. This makes it stand apart from all the other waterfalls from around the world. The Niagara Falls is divided into three parts, which connects Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. It is estimated that this stunning waterfalls attracts 12 million visitors every year.

44

April 2020 | CULTURAMA

Skógafoss Waterfall, Iceland A renowned tourist destination, the Skógafoss waterfall situated on the Skógá River in the south of Iceland, is also a popular movie location. Although it is only at 60 metres, its spectacular background is known to be constantly producing a single or double rainbow, especially during sunny days. One can get a glimpse of this stunning waterfall in the Game of Thrones, Thor: The Dark World and in the Bollywood movie, Dilwale.

Iguazu Falls, Argentina and Brazil Visited by over a million tourists every year, the Iguazu Falls form a natural boundary between Argentina and Brazil.

This mesmerising waterfall, which is in a distinct U-shape, has an average flow of 1,756 cubic metres per second. At 82 metres, this tourist attraction is at its best during spring or autumn, because summer is hot and humid.

Angel Falls, Venezuela At 979 metres, the Angel Falls is the world’s tallest waterfall. This nature’s marvel, also known as Kerepakupai Meru, gets around one million people every year. But before the mid-1950, the falls was relatively unknown. It is believed that the waterfalls got its name in the mid-20th century after a U.S. aviator, Jimmie Angel flew over the falls for the first time. Today, Angel Falls is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

CULTURAMA | April 2020

45

HOLISTIC THE LAST LIVING WORD

Spreading love, one child at a time Although she was born around 8,000 kilometres from India, in Amsterdam, Maartje van den Brand found her calling here. Her tough childhood helped her empathise with others in need and do everything in her power to make difference, any way she could. Team Culturama got in touch with her to learn about her incredible work at Manasa Jyothi in Karnataka with children with special needs

W

hen she was 3 months old, Maartje van

for a year with children with special needs. After

den Brand had an open-heart surgery

finishing her work there, she came back to her

and became one of the first to survive

cushy life in Amsterdam, only to find something

the operation. She then went on to spend the initial

missing. ‘I knew what I did there was something

four years of her life in hospitals. ‘It was during that

that touched my heart and I was good at it. But life

period that I felt my life needs to have a purpose

in Amsterdam kept me busy, until one day I decided

and I must do something to give back to the world,’

that something else was calling me again. I got in

Maartje recounts.

touch with a voluntary organisation and decided to

She became a physiotherapist and answered a call for work in the slums of Makassar, Indonesia, 46

April 2020 | CULTURAMA

go to India. I gave up my practice, rented out my house and left for India.’

But it wasn’t a smooth sail for Maartje. She knew very little about India and had to do much homework to understand the people and culture here. ‘I remember asking where I could do a Hindi course, only to discover later that the language in Karnataka was not Hindi at all. And nobody knew about what kind of disabilities the children in Manasa Jyothi had. So I had to begin from the absolute bottom.’

Manasa Jyothi in Koni, Karnataka, is a home and a school for about 20 children with special needs. Her first two months there were extremely challenging, mainly concerning the way the headmaster treated and abused the children. ‘But the children needed a voice, because who would speak for them when they couldn’t? For me, it was a sign that I was brought to them to speak on their behalf. The Manasa Jyothi Board decided that I could stay with the children.

After a year, they hired Shobha, another staff, to work with us.’

During the first five years of her time there, she found it especially taxing; with lack of water, electricity and infrastructure. ‘I decided to make the life for the children inside the home the best I could.

I managed to set up a daily programme for them and started to work one-on-one with the children, CULTURAMA | April 2020

47

Maartje van den Brand with children of Manasa Jyothi

bringing to them a sense of safety and joy. We

After five years, things started to become better;

didn’t have much, but we managed and the

they found a new place to live and the Manasa Jyothi

children started to become themselves again,”

Trust members changed and became more involved.

she recalls fondly.

‘I alter the daily programme, so that each child gets

Then things changed, her love for India and her bond with children at Manasa Jyothi got stronger each day. While she was initially planning to stay for just three months, it has now been 12 years. ‘I got a lot of support from my parents and the Netherlands, which saved us. Shobha also did her work and tried to get donations from India, conquering all the hurdles in the way.’

48

April 2020 | CULTURAMA

attention. The energy in Manasa Jyothi is amazing and this is felt by all the people, Indians The challenges, she says, have made her tougher and helped her personality grow. ‘I have done a lot of training and self-development courses on how to deal with this different way of looking at things. I am a guest in India.

It’s my duty to adapt to the culture and language. I have learnt to put my own feelings and perceptions aside and look at it from a bigger perspective.’

She proudly lists the moments that are precious to her like watching the children play happily or helping one another or even seeing a child dancing his heart out. “It makes every tough moment worth it.”

Maartje also gives motivational speeches for young adults with addiction problems and for those with difficulties in life. She has even guided more than 400 volunteers over the past 12 years. So what does the future hold? ‘I believe I have a story to tell. I am writing a book about my life in India. Now that Manasa Jyothi is doing well, I may take a break and focus on children from other institutions around the world. Who knows, everything is open and the universe is always kind and will show me the way.’

CULTURAMA | April 2020

49

BIG PICTURE

The Heat Is On It is Earth Day on April 22 and in the wake of unprecedented, accelerated climate change, Saniya Surana explores lifestyle concepts from around the world that could possibly lead us towards everyday sustainable living

50

April 2020 | CULTURAMA

T

he Amazon forest. Himalayas. Lake Baikal.

close for civilian flights within the next five years

Grand Canyon. These names conjure up

due to the melting of permafrost, which is cracking

images of heavenly natural beauty and

its runways. Closer home, we see schools forced

adventure in our minds, don’t they? However, today

to declare week-long holidays on account of the

we are witnessing the extinction of several forms

degrading air quality in New Delhi. These are the

of life at the Grand Canyon National Park; rapid

recent events showcasing the depth, extent and

warming of the world’s oldest and deepest lake –

certainty of the effect of climate change in our

Baikal; retreating glaciers and melting permafrost

everyday lives.

across the Himalayan range; and the seemingly

As we collectively recognise the need for urgent

inevitable death of the Amazon rainforest.

action

Foolhardy

degradation,

and

thoughtless

human

behaviour,

to

seize

the

pace

of

environmental

it’s time to discover and examine

more so in the 20th century, assumed that Mother

some of the several age-old traditions and concepts

Nature would repair itself, and even if that failed,

from around the world that we do apply in our daily

there will be some of us who enough with plenty of

lives at an individual and household level even

time to re-construct it. Unfortunately, we have now

today and their positive impact on the health of our

run out of time. Greenland’s main airport is set to

environment.

CULTURAMA | April 2020

51

From Japan: Mottainai

From Sweden: Lagom

One must have heard of the traditional ‘Diwali

A look at our children’s kindergarten books and

cleaning’, a yearly exercise undertaken in all

you cannot miss out the Goldilocks story where a

homes across India - where we take stock of our

little girl by the name Goldilocks is lost in the woods

belongings and dispose of things we don’t need

and comes across a home belonging to the bear

or identify articles that could be used for another

family of three which includes Mama, Papa and little

purpose. A similar concept propagated by the

baby bear. She is hungry and tired and tries out

Japanese is ‘Mottainai’, which loosely translates to

the freshly made porridge and the beds available

‘What a Waste!’

at the bears’ home and uses the one which fit her

The concept provides an approach to waste management and essentially stands for 4Rs for –

‘just right’. The story possibly suggests her drive towards equilibrium; nothing more, nothing less.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Respect; to evoke a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the gifts of nature and its judicious use. The 'Mottainai' principle famously extends to the dinner table, where it is considered rude to leave even a single grain of rice in the bowl!

It is quite like the more popular 3Rs – 'Reduce, Reuse and Recycle idea from the United States.

The concept was also made popular by the Kenyan Nobel Prize winner Wangari Maathai, an environmentalist, through her speech at the 2009 United Nations Summit for Climate Change.

Wangari Maathai

Mahatma Gandhi believed in minimalist lifestyle The Swedish follow a similar concept – ‘Lagom, meaning ‘just right’. A popular story of its origin urges the reader to imagine a bunch of thirsty Vikings at sea with only one communal mug between them. Each Viking would drink just the right amount to ensure that the whole group benefits, and everyone is content. Not only was it fair, it was also a way to ensure survival.

From its original meaning of equality and fairness, Lagom has evolved to mean ‘moderation’ today. It is used in everyday life in Scandinavian countries and can be applied to almost every aspect of your life – right from the number of clothes you own, 52

April 2020 | CULTURAMA

your travel schedules, the amount of caffeine in

concept gained momentum in the 1990s in post-

your coffee, the way you decorate your home or

Apartheid South Africa to encourage harmony and

even what and how much you speak!

cooperation among the people and included respect

In fact, in India, the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi also led a minimalistic life with little

for others, helpfulness, sharing, unselfishness and care.

belongings and patronised a simplistic approach

Notice that the concept looks at the individual only

to life. Popular opinion is that he didn’t own more

in terms of his or her relationships with others and

than 10 to 20 things and the most luxurious object

every individual is always expected to practice and

he owned was a blanket he used to cover his bare

uphold their highest virtues to maintain harmony

chest during winters. He counselled that the world

and symbiotic relationship. Similarly, one must

should build a sustainable development model and

remember the relationship each one of us have with

one of his most popular quotes remains relevant

Mother Nature and with every other living being on

even today – “There’s enough on this planet for

the planet.

everyone’s needs but not for everyone’s greed.”

Human Intelligence, endeavour and unity have From South Africa: Ubuntu

brought us this far – where we have the world at

In today’s world obsessed with operating systems

our fingertips, and there is no reason to doubt that

and software, one must have heard of the famous

climate change – today’s clarion call cannot be

‘Ubuntu’, a free and open - source software available

adequately dealt with.

since the early 2000’s. Interestingly, that the name

The world’s inheritance in terms of knowledge

was derived from a a South African humanist

and philosophy provides the perfect concoction

philosophy which translates to ‘I am because

for purposeful living on the planet. However, this

we are’, and lays emphasis on the importance of

necessitates sustained and focused action at every

interconnectedness and sharing amongst all of

level. It is more important than ever that as citizens

humanity.

of the world, we take an account of the actions and

It is said that a person with Ubuntu knows his or

work together for a brighter and greener future.

her place in the universe and is consequently able to interact gracefully with other elements. The

CULTURAMA | April 2020

53

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