CONNECTIONS

A little more than a month ago, I signed myself up on this particularly interesting website I found online, www.postcrossing.com. It is a place where strangers from around the world interact with one another through the exchange of postcards, letters, souvenirs etc. Having a profound interest in languages and culture this project appealed me. Thus I began sending postcards to random fellow postcrossers (as they like to call themselves).

Just a few days back, after waiting impatiently for a month, I received a card in return! I was overjoyed to see the beautiful picturesque snow clad Alps Mountains of Switzerland. But what equally pleased me were the kind words on the back of the card. It said “Heard about the heat in India, hope this cools you down”. Though simple and sweet, her words meant a lot to me.

I hope I am lucky enough to meet many more such kind people whom I can cherish for life, just like this postcard.

This one is for you Absynthia! Thank you so much. You made my day.

The Other Side Of Rape.

Treating the rapists..

Just the other day, my professor was telling us about a seminar he had attended once in Nirmala Niketan College of Home Sciences, Mumbai. A group of psychologists, counsellors and psychiatrists had gathered to conduct a seminar on how to treat the accused and prevent rape. What was different and interesting about this particular seminar was the fact that it gave a new outlook to the whole issue of rape. It focused on treating rapists psychologically. It got me thinking.

I am not saying that the accused can be tried as a mental patient and get away with the crime. What I am saying here is we can treat the accused psychologically. Merely imprisoning him is not enough. It will definitely bring justice to the victim but it will only put an end to one case. What about thousands of other rapists out there? We cannot see rape as one broad issue. It has many small branches and we need to treat each case differently. We need to dig deeper and try to understand the root causes of rape.

Pedophilia for example is considered a serious mental disorder. How can you only imprison such a man and expect him to behave normally after he has served time in jail!? He is mentally ill. He deserves to be imprisoned of course but is also in dire need of some psychological help!

According to Dr. Partha Gangopadhyay a trained psychiatrist from London, who is based in Scotland now “In the UK, an individual who has been convicted of serious sexual offences, including rape, would need to compulsorily participate in psychological programs in prison which are delivered by Forensic Psychologists within the Criminal Justice Services.”

The main causes of rape in India are unrequited love, sexual frustration and male chauvinism. So keeping that in mind, Individual/family and group therapy should be provided to the rapists with special training in anger management so that they can express anger in a socially accepted manner without hurting anyone. There is also a need for the offenders to learn the appropriate way of interacting with others. So, Social skills must be taught to them. Furthermore, role plays, group discussions, relaxation skills, stress management etc. are some of the techniques I think would go a long way in treating rapists and eventually eliminating rape.

Kindness of a stranger...

It was a hot sunny day as a huge crowd gathered on the Thane railway station, eagerly awaiting the CST bound local train. Having been used to commuting at such peak hours I was mentally prepared for the mad hour rush that day 8 o'clock in the morning. I had to reach Dadar, to college, my presentation was due in an hour. When the train arrived I somehow managed to make my way in, squishing and getting squished by a mob of women! Finally I got a place to stand comfortably. No sooner than 5 minutes, our 1^st class ladies compartment became awfully crowded. I guess a little more than usual. Being accustomed to all this, I ignored and started reading my novel.

A little while later unable to move my hands or legs, I began feeling uncomfortable. I was sandwiched between two women! Within a matter of few minutes everything started becoming hazy.  I looked around, badly wanting a place to sit. I felt dizzy and very weak. My head started aching and I found myself panting for breath. I drank some water and closed my eyes for a few minutes. After which I remember none! I collapsed on the floor.  I vaguely remember someone splashing water on my face and shaking me to get up. There was this aunty who had been kind enough to give up her seat in the train. She washed my face with a handkerchief, gave me a chocolate to eat and also offered some food which I gracefully accepted. Thanking her immensely for her help.

She advised me to go home and take rest. I knew I couldn’t do that. I had an important presentation to give.  Fortunately she also was getting down at the same station. She insisted on dropping me safely to college in a cab.

Though I often board the same train, I never met that kind generous soul ever again. It was as though she had been there on that particular day to help me! It was because of her I made it to college safely that day and felt fine enough to give the presentation.  

A New Beginning...

She sat by the window sill and stared at the beautiful sunset. In a moment’s time the sun sunk rapidly and turned the sky into a clear purple tinged gray. With the blink of an eye, she felt a rush of emotions, knowing somewhere in the back of her mind that the time was running out.  


“Katie, this is it now. It’s now or never. There is no turning back. You have got to do this, you need to do this.” She murmured to herself to boost her self-confidence. She had planned this for months now. It was the perfect time. He was to be out of town on business for the next couple of days. By the time he would start the search for her, she would be in London with her parents, where she belonged in the first place.

“Would he notice the cash missing from the cupboard”? She wondered. Her thoughts drifted into another world. A time when they were newly married, before his abusive behavior took turn.  She closed her eyes and shook her head. She decided to leave late at night to avoid contact with her nosy neighbors. She stepped out in her neatly trimmed garden, took in the breath of fresh air. She started towards the train station. The moon shined upon her dark brown hair giving a clear view of the path ahead. Her scars no longer visible. She seemed just like the rest.

The Secret City Of Krasnoyarsk-26.

Recently while reading Sidney Sheldon’s most famous novel “The Sky Is Falling”, I came across something I found interesting enough to share with you all.  While reading about a secret, underground city situated in Russia in the novel, I was surprised of its actual existence!

I did a little bit of research on this small, secret, closed town in krasnoyarsk, Krai, Russia. 

                                               

Nestled in the forest wilds of Siberia, Krasnoyarsk-26(the town's former name) today known as Zheleznogorsk, was the largest producer of plutonium in Russia, which is the key ingredient in nuclear weapons. Formed during the Cold War in 1950 by Joseph Stalin, whose sole purpose for existence was to secretly produce high quality, world class nuclear armaments. Till today there is one fully functioning reactor in the city which they say if turned off would kill the entire population of Karsnoyarsk-26, as it is the energy generated from this reactor that heats this frozen city!

Situated in the banks of Russia’s Yenisei River, Krasnoyarsk-26 is just one of many still existing underground cities in Russia!  As is the tradition with Soviet towns containing secret facilities, "Krasnoyarsk-26" is actually a P.O. Box number and implies that the place is located some distance from the city of Krasnoyarsk.

The fence around Krasnoyarsk-26

 Residents in similar cities were recruited from across the USSR to inhabit the city and staff its military production facilities. In exchange for constant KGB- “committee for state security of the Soviet Union” surveillance and heavy isolation, these residents were provided with a high standard of living. Food, wages, and housing in the secret city was the best in the USSR and thus attracted the most talented and brightest Soviets. However, the trade-off meant these citizens were subject to extreme control and monitoring on behalf of the government. The concrete wall that surrounds Krasnoyarsk-26 is a staunch reminder of the limits that confronted residents.

With the end of the Cold War and the scaling down of nuclear activities, Russian secret cities are facing many new challenges. Former closed cities that depended on the military-industrial activities for their sustenance are struggling to find services and jobs. 

BOOK REVIEW: GENTLY FALLS THE BAKULA:-

TITLE: - Gently falls the Bakula

 AUTHOR: - Sudha Murthy

GENRE: - Contemporary romance.

“Shrikant was restless……holding a Bakula flower in his palm, he was wondering why he was fascinated by this tiny flower, that was neither as beautiful as a rose nor had the fragrance of a Jasmine or a Champaka. And yet, it was very special to him. It held an inexplicable attraction to him.”

Gently falls the Bakula, written by the Chairperson of Infosys Foundation, Mrs. Sudha Murthy, is like her other novels, deeply rooted in the Indian soil with a simple narrative and plot.

 Set in a small town of Karnataka, Shrikant and Shrimati are two very intelligent, young students, always competing with each other to prove their intelligence. As always Shrimati outsmarts Shrikant. The two children are also neighbours whose properties have been divided by a Bakula tree due to family feuds going on since past few generations. The story starts off with their childhood and then goes on to reveal the excitement and nervousness of their blossoming love, with only the Bakula tree as its witness.

The story moves on with Shrikant getting admitted to IIT Bombay and Shrimati settling for a local college to pursue her passion in history. Their love survives long distance and the two eventually, get married and move to Bombay, overcoming all the obstacles and restrictions from their respective families.

In Bombay Shrimati is struck with the fast pace of city life. She struggles to adjust in the new place as well as with her duties and responsibilities of a wife. Shrikant meanwhile starts rapidly climbing the corporate ladder. He works relentlessly and soon reaches the pinnacle of the industry leaving Shrimati alone and unhappy. She is forced to abandon her aspirations (due to circumstances) and becomes the uncomplaining shadow of Shrikant fulfilling her duties as the wife of a corporate leader. Years later, Shrimati meets an old professor of History and realizes how empty her life has become and finally decides to take a new turn. But would it have been too late already?

Gently falls the Bakula tells the tale of a marriage that loses its way as self-interest and greed for more money take their toll. Written long ago, this novel stills aptly fits into the Indian life. What makes it an amazing read is its connection to the present reality. On can find so many people like Shrikant who give more importance to material wealth and career rather than family. Although it is indeed difficult to find someone like Shrimati today, the oh -so patient, obedient wife. Another thing I liked the most was the excellent comparison made by the writer, of the Bakula flower with the nature of Shrimati in the sense quiet, shy and always less noticed- qualities which attracted Shrikant to her in the first place.

Overall I liked the book. I would recommend it to anyone who is in search for a love story set in a typical Indian society with aplenty family drama and also to anyone in need of some history lessons! I would give it 4/5..

Review: Masterchef US v/s Masterchef Australia.

“Masterchef” is a TV reality culinary competition show open to all amateurs and home chefs, now adapted and produced by 40 countries in the world. Unlike the original UK program, Masterchef USA is a typical American reality show. In the sense it is overly dramatic, confrontational and offensive.  It lacks camaraderie which is essential in a competition. Now Masterchef Australia (the Australian version) on the other hand is class apart. There is love, empathy, friendship amongst the participants. They consider themselves as extended families. The contestants compete in the right spirit, which makes it a healthier competition. They know why they are here and what they want to achieve, but most of all they know their limits. There is no back stabbing and cursing which is very evident in the US version.  

Besides Masterchef US (MC-US) being a weekly show and Masterchef Australia (MC-AUS) being a daily show, the main difference lies in the choice and attitudes of the judges. Celebrity chef, television personality and restaurateur, Gordon Ramsay along with an Italian restaurateur and food writer, Joe Bastianich and American chef Graham Elliot are the panel of judges in the US version of MasterChef. Ramsay is known for his explosive temper, tough judgment and frequently salty language. Bastianich being a food critic is intelligent in his comments, but does occasionally behave insulting like Ramsay. Graham on the other hand is sweet, nice and well mannered. This makes MC-US more like a soap opera than a professional competition. Rather than encouraging and teaching young cooks, the judges are more interested in pitting contestants against one another.  

The Australian judges- Gary Mehigan, a restaurateur and chef, George Calombaris a Michelin star chef and Matt Preston, food journalist, critic, and a foodie are an excellent choice of judges. Though Matt Preston may  look like a big scary man, he is very knowledgeable and kind. All the 3 judges are so warm, loving and caring that participants feel encouraged and confident even at their weakest times. It is because of this mutual loving relationship that I prefer watching MC-AUS over MC-US. 

MC- AUS is a platform to cook from heart. Here, individuals are treated with respect, even though they may just be “amateur cooks”. It is place to showcase one’s talent and learn from past mistakes. As an all-time Masterchef fan, I want to like MC-US, but I just can’t seem to do so. I am not attached to the participants. I almost don’t care who wins. It’s basically just mindless entertainment. A big disappointment. In the words of the judges “It’s a no for me.”