Issue: Nov 2020

 

SPOTLIGHT

Composting Movement

Alka Damle can rightly be termed as a social reformer. A former Maths teacher living in Mormugao, she is known for creating awareness among the general public for over a decade now. Leading by example, she has been personally composting her own domestic waste, besides running active campaigns, thus trying to educate others on the importance of segregation and handling domestic waste. She speaks to EVESCAPE about a recently launched waste composting initiative and the role citizens need to play. Excerpts...

The Initiative

We all know that 70 percent of the  garbage dumped across the state, can be recycled by the citizens themselves who generate the same. We all can easily give back to the mother earth what we get from her by composting our waste. This very thought made a well  known experienced young environmentalist, Abhinav Apte from Ponda, Goa to take up this challenge. For this he came up with an idea of having a group ‘comepost ville’ .To have some excitement and generate enthusiasm amongst  the citizens, he has thought of playing it like a football game as in ‘football ville’.

He has involved citizens like me of Goa who he knows are already trying to spread the awareness in their own capacity. Now that such like minded people have come together from all over Goa , Abhinav has set a target of  reaching  out to 1000 Goans by End December  & inspire them to start composting their kitchen waste as well as garden waste there by converting waste in to ‘black gold ‘. For this Goa is divided in to 5 zones .Viz Panaji, Mapusa, Marmugao, Margaon, and Ponda. There are local leaders, coach who if required can guide people to actively participate. I am a coach for Marmugao zone. Each zone has been given a target of having 200 players by end of this year, actively involved in composting their kitchen & garden waste. It is our prime duty to save our mother earth & this is the easiest  small step each one of us can take for same.

Role of Women

First and foremost, we need to get rid of the mental block and start saying WE care rather than WHO cares. The very basic thing women can easily do is start composting their domestic wet waste as well as garden browns. For women living in apartments, we periodically demonstrate as to how it can be done on community basis. In fact in a colony with apartments, dry garbage too can be easily recycled. 

At least one Sunday morning in a month, leave the kitchen with the men folks to prepare breakfast & get together to clean your surroundings. If possible involve your ward elected representatives too.(Actually it should have been the other way. Our elected representatives should take initiative & motivate people to take up clean city drives regularly not only when they receive circulars from top on special days like 2nd October.) Mahila Mandals can organise clean surroundings competitions once a month. Lastly,  ‘make it a habit to always  carry a cloth bag & make a vow that come what may “I will not ask for or take plastic carry bag”.

Role of Citizens

In today’s world of equality, what is expected of women is applicable to men as well. Citizens should feel proud to be Indians & refrain from dirtying or harming our very mother earth. Refrain from abusing her by spitting, littering, honking, urinating  where ever one feels like. Every time they are tempted to do any of the above things in public, they should feel the pain of  raping one’s own mother. Each one of us instead of asking ‘why me’ should start  asking  ‘why not me’. 

Steps to Handle Household Waste

Segregate wet & dry. In the dry garbage one may segregate plastic, paper & glass. But I understand it is not easy on a daily basis but it is not difficult as well especially if one is staying in a colony of apartments. There each household can accumulate & end of the month can give to a fixed Bhangar contractor. 

Kitchen waste including egg shells is so easy to compost & does not require any fancy khamba or pots. What is required is the mind set of ‘creating wealth out of waste’ by finding out the easy composting methods. Rightly so compost is referred as ‘Black gold’.

Non-veg waste is a bit of a problem although they enhance the compost quality, but one has to dig a pit under some tree & cover it with a heavy metal grill cover, to keep the rodents away. Otherwise in any case our country there is no lack of stray dogs & pigs that can be fed. ENDS

OPINION

Where Are The Women?

By Dr. Sumitra Iyengar

When a woman communicates her decision to participate in Politics, there are plenty of suggestions and she is also asked quite a few questions like:

Politics are not for girls from good families! Women are not winnable candidates! What does your family think of your entering into politics? Do you know how dirty politics is? Have you got the permission of your family members to enter politics? Are you sure you know what you are getting into? Where and how are you going to get funding for your foray into politics? Etc.!

None of the above are ever stated or asked of men if they declare to their families or society that they will be entering politics. Today we are asking and trying to create an awareness on why ‘Women should actively participate in Politics!! That is something we women and in fact society overall should sit back and think, is this fair? should such a question be asked or even debated about?

For a democracy to remain pertinent ‘currently’ the equitable participation of women in politics is essential. Considering that at least 50% and in some countries, this can be 51% of the population are women, it should be mandated that there is an equal representation of women in politics. The presence of a higher percentage of women in politics augurs towards building a robust and sustainable democracy, which is fair and equitable to all the citizens of democracies across the world. 

I have always believed that women who have been working in the not for profit organisations or corporates need to consider their experiences and understand that they are amply qualified to move from this space into politics. In fact, this experience gives them the needed understanding about Governance and Citizen needs, they will be better equipped to contribute to Governance and betterment of society overall. 

One of the key factors that makes it imperative for more women to take active part in politics is the power in numbers. Once there is a majority representation of women in politics, these women will be able to debate and fight on issues and enable policies that are women friendly and enact laws that look at the needs of women in a more wholistic manner.  Not like in todays atmosphere where women are treated like beggars or charity cases.

It has been said before and I reiterate this, investing in educating a woman creates for a better society. An educated woman will find employment, she in turn will utilise her income towards educating her children and uplifting the family for a better life. An employed woman will contribute towards the GDP and the welfare and betterment of society. Similarly investing in a woman to enter politics will see all the above factors and will further include the nurturing and upliftment of society in a more equitable and wholistic manner. 

Gender Balance in Politics will automatically create Gender Balance in the Workforce and Family Life. 

EDITOR'S NOTE: The writer is based in Sydney, Australia and is Secretary, SEVA International Inc. NSW, Director – CEO, WEI-CAN Australia.

PERSPECTIVE

LG Polymers Gas leak -- a sheer negligence

By Dr. Sheetal Madaan

The Visakhapatnam gas leak, was an industrial accident that occurred at the LG Polymers chemical plant in the R. R. Venkatapuram village of the Gopalapatnam neighbourhood, located at the outskirts of Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, during the early morning of May 7,  2020.

People who lived close to the LG Polymers factory, woke up in the early hours, to a pungent smell. People came out of their houses, ran helter-skelter, knocking and waking up their neighbours, asking them to come out immediately. Their eyes were itching and burning. Many people fell down, gasping for breath and many others lying unconscious on the streets. Hundreds were admitted to hospital, complaining of breathing difficulties. Twelve, including two children died. The cause of the death was due to the inhalation vapours of styrene gas, a toxic compound, that had leaked from the factory. 

Trees near the factory were discoloured, and banana plants in surrounding farms had turned black.

The factory opened in 1961. It manufactures polymers of styrene, a flammable liquid. It makes plastics, that we use in everyday life. Styrene is stored in containers, below the temperarure of 20C, as it evaporates easily. It was told that, the temperature rose suddenly, that morning with the leak. It could be easily seen that, the maintenance during the lockdown was neglected. The emergency siren was also not working. 

Earlier reports, as old as, 2016, shows poor maintenance. It is also seen that, the pipes in the water sprinklers of one of the tanks was corroded. These sprinklers help lower the temperature in the tanks.

It is also said that, the plant was operating, since 2017, without the required environmental clearance. The people, had raised the concerns, when they smelled the gas during their walks. They had also complained to the Pollution Control Board too, but, no action was taken. 

End of the day, what we see, is that, comman man suffers, for all the misdeeds done by the officials. They just brush aside as an accident and get on as usual. Such accidents cannot be stopped, unless every individual takes the onus and responsbility of every life around. We hope, this accident becomes a learning and at least, take steps to stop such mishaps, further.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The writer is a homeopathy practitioner & reputed social activist. She is based in Vizag.

SNAPSHOT

A passionate Teacher

National Award recipient Dr. R. C. Suvarna Fonseca e Antao has an M.Phil in Environmental Science, B.H.M.S Homoeopathy, and is presently practicing Homeopathic consultant at Dr. Suvarna's Trinity Clinic at Comba, Margao. EVESCAPE caught up with the accomplished educationist and Homeopathic practitioner to know more.  Excerpts ...

You are a recipient of the National Award to Teachers for the year 2019 for your innovative teaching methods. Tell us about it and the ICT technique you use to teach students.

My teaching career spans over a period of four decades. I pioneered the use of modern gadgets in my teaching. It began with black board and lecture method, to it was added the use of OHP (over head projector), then the use of ICT. As the academic year shrunk in size, but students  required practice, tests, mock exams, MCQ preparations, and this needed a lot of preparation and time management as well as multitasking. This is when I took up to a three pronged method of classroom  teaching using computer, LCD, internet and ppt, in a micro-notes form, in my teaching. It is colourful  animated, precise, live, and can be modified  as and when needed, and available  at any time. 

Micro notes and mind mapping is so convenient, that you can have the entire chapter on a page. I have had feedback from students  that if they listen to my lectures attentively, there is no need to study. Only revise. It is because the flow of ideas is in the form of mind map and that helps immensely.

Your work as an educationist also involves....

I have done enormous  work as Chairperson of Board of Studies Biology, as Chairman of Paper Setting Panel, of Paper Correction, as Chairperson, Chief Moderator, Moderator etc. I also contributed a lot to the syllabus of Biology and Environmental Science. I have worked with SCERT in greening the Curriculum and was invited by Directorate of Technical Education as Chairman in preparation of all material like MCQS, Video Lectures, Question Papers, etc, that was  required for the GSET EXAMS.

What are your thoughts as an educationist on the current scenario of online education forced upon the student community by the prevailing global health crisis?

The pandemic has created an upheaval in every field of our lives. As an educationist, the entire scenario took us by surprise. Some like me had already started teaching the ICT methods. But for many it was the first time. The difference was that, though I used ICT, I was physically present in front of my students, so there was a healthy interaction. But now they have to be satisfied by the recorded voice, or the live recording which has it's own limitations. 

Students are missing friends, activities, practices, treks, picnics. Isolation and stress had increased, thus risk of suicides. 

Parents and teachers are stressed too. Preparation time has increased several fold for teachers, thus increasing their anxiety level. It has been stressful to all the stakeholders. 

The good part is both teaching and learning can be done from home. We have now learnt hat technology can be used to the limit in education. What you need is a laptop or a good mobile as a device to see and hear the class, and good  internet connection.

Earlier this year, the Ayush ministry had issued a statement that unani medicines and homeopathy may cure/curb Covid19. Is homeopathy capable of combating this disease? What has been your personal experience as a practitioner in the treatment of coronavirus?

Yes I am 100 percent sure that Homoeopathy can cure Covid19 infected patients. I have cured 31 patients (2 in Mysore, 1 in Mumbai,  11 in UK, and the rest in Goa), by prescribing individualistic homoeopathic similimum.

I feel satisfied to say that one patient came out of the hospital with a patch on his lung, and was cleared using Homeopathic remedies. Cases were taken through teleconsultation and  monitoring was done on a regular basis. 

So many homoeopaths around the world are shouting hoarse, to allow homoeopaths to prescribe remedies parallel to allopathy. The best time to introduce the Homeopathic medicine is at the onset. Homoeopathy has awesome remedies for anosmia, whic is a sure sign of Corona infection.

What is important  for the effectiveness of  the treatment  is the sync between the patient and doctor. 

On the doctors side is the philosophy of Homoeopathy, knowledge of portrait of the drugs, counselling skills, to be non judgemental, etc and good case taking skills.

On the side of the patient, is self awareness, faith, honesty and determination. If this interface is present then cure is certain.

Given the fact that homeopathic medicinal products are considered to be safe, have they been tested in this pandemic. Has any  epidemiological research been carried out or proposed to be included in the treatment of Covid19?

In Goa, I'm not sure, but in India  there are Homeopathy stalwarts, who have done systematic study and advised the fraternity. So also, world over, there are many doctors, who have maintained  statistical data, and disclosed their success through webinars courses, etc.

But, sad to say, nobody in power in India and world over, who can make a difference, is listening and believing in the curative property of the single, simple, sweet, minute, efficacious doses of Homoeopathic remedies, that have their origin in nature. ENDS

IN FOCUS

SMASHING PATRIARCHY: THE LEGAL WAY (Part: 2)

By Dr. (Adv) Shalini Yadav

Since time immemorial property rights have been enacted for the benefit of men and thus they continue to enjoy disproportionate power in society to this day. The Law Commission of India, pointing to the inequality and discrimination in the Hindu Succession Act, (HSA) 1956 termed the Mitakshara Law a fraud on the Constitution and denial of coparcenary rights  by birth to women only on the grounds of sex as an outright negation of their fundamental rights. But for the limited Streedhan, and her own earnings through her own labour, and a right in the father’s separate or self-acquired property (from that too she could be disinherited by the father through a Will) women had no absolute control over their property because they either could claim mere maintenance from it or could not dispose it off at will. The only merciful exception were widows whose legal status had been vastly improved during the British times. They could as per the Women’s Right to Property Act, 1937 claim survivorship and the interests of their deceased husband. 

Basis the above findings, the Commission recommended amending the HSA, 1956 in order to provide Hindu women equal inheritance rights in their ancestral property. Consequently, the Hindu Succession (Amendment) Act/(HS(A)A), 2005, to amend and codify the law relating to intestate or unwilled succession, among Hindus, Buddhists, Jains, and Sikhs  got the Presidential assent on 5 Sep 2005, and came into effect from 9 Sep 2005.This Act made important amendments in women’s inheritance rights over agricultural land; Mitakshara joint family property; parental dwelling house; and those of remarried widows. 

The following landmark changes were brought in by HS(A)A, 2005:

Inheritance Rights over agricultural lands: By amending Section 4 and deleting the earlier Section 4(2) of the HSA,1956 it states that the 2005 amended law will henceforth override and prevail over all preceding laws relating to Succession. In a landmark move, it also removed a highly discriminatory earlier law and granted equal inheritance rights to women over agricultural lands.

Equal rights for daughters in ancestral property- The most pathbreaking change was in Section 6 of the HSA,1956. This section was substituted with a new clause in the 2005 amendment, whereby in a Hindu Joint family governed by Mitakshara Law, a daughter of a coparcener becomes by birth, a coparcener in her own right and has same rights and liabilities as a son. It gives equal rights to all daughters whether married or unmarried. 

Right of partition to a female in a joint family dwelling place- Repealing the old Section 23 of HSA 1956, the 2005 amendment gives the right to a female heir to now ask for her share to be partitioned in a dwelling house which is wholly occupied by a joint family, irrespective of whether the male heirs choose to divide their respective shares or not. 

Expanding the rights of Hindu widows in the matter of inheritance- The amendment deletes Section 24 of the earlier Act, that barred widows from inheriting their deceased husband’s share upon remarriage. They now retain their right to this inheritance irrespective of their post-widowhood marital status. 

While this law would apply to all properties that had not been partitioned till 20 December 2004, the new law would be contested on the grounds whether and in what circumstances could it be applied retrospectively. The next fifteen years saw differing judgements on this, till the Supreme Court finally settled the matter in a case on 11 August 2020 to decisively establish a uniformity in the rights of all Hindu women with regard to inheritance of HUF property.

EDITOR's NOTE: The writer is a Gurgaon-Haryana based lawyer, women rights activist & political commentator. 

YOUTH POWER

The GIRL Child

By Ifza Sayed

If someone asks me, "What is God's greatest creation?", I would undoubtedly say, "The Girl." Who ever knew that this little human being would play such an important role in everybody's life. A girl is a mother who gives us life, a sister who is a best friend you can never get rid of, a daughter who is a miracle that never ceases to be miraculous. But unfortunately even today in many parts of India the birth of a girl child is not welcomed. She faces discrimination and humiliation at every stage of life. And if she tries to raise her voice she is blackmailed, harassed, abused, brutally raped, murdered and finally burnt. I am proud to be a GIRL and would stand up for every girl child. 

Ifza is a Grade 10 student of The kings school, Margao. The above is a poster drawn by her to propagate the message.

FESTIVAL

Trinity of Navratri

By Rohini Naik Kini

Navratri is my most awaited festival. I can’t exactly remember how and when I got intrigued with this part of the 10-day long festival, I’m glad nevertheless that it did. While we all know that it is a celebration of triumph of good over evil, for me it is a celebration of life, of endurance, and of patience. 

As a young girl growing up in Bangalore, the festivities marked with washing up and dolling up of most automobiles across the roads including BMTC buses. My earliest memories also include visiting my Baba’s printing press and all of their friends’ business establishment on the 8th day of Navratri-the Ayoodh Puja. The only lure of visiting places after places was the sweet boxes we could collect, sometimes it lasted us until Diwali and then the fresh stock. It was good while it lasted and we grew out of it soon. It was beyond sweets, now. 

The second phase was all about dressing up to dandiya nights. Its somewhere in those garba was my awakening of the real mystic meaning of the nine nights. It was a calling for the lesser ritualistic yet more ascetic celebration. Legendary reference made by my grandma that Shakti/ Durga Devi fought against a demon for about nine complete days and nights having foregone food and sleep, intrigued me. Hence I started fasting during Navratri. Over a period of time, I started adding few rituals and started enjoying doing them.

My preparation commences about a fortnight in advance. On Day 1: the symbolic commencement of Navratri with the Ghatasthapana (or kalash sthapana) and the sowing of the navdhanya. Each of these grains are to signify the nine forms of Shakti. These grains starts to sprout and grows into tender shoots over the period of nine days. That’s the celebration of life.

On day five, invoking five forms of Shakti, along with the deity’s family comprising of 108 members are hosted on the Mandal. About 108 different shlokas are recited in their praise while I take parikram (going around the mandal to do a dandavat after each shloka) this is one of the most powerful invocation of the Durga and is called Durga Namaskar. A test to signify endurance amidst heightened energy and aligned chakras, especially after fasting for five days.

On day 10, inviting nine young girls or forms of Shakti, had been a visual treat every year seeing young girls turn up all dressed, dance and sing and partake the prasad with me. I wait patiently for the chirpy ones to settle down and then they demonstrate the same patience as I perform the puja and take their permission to break my fast of nine days. 

If bidding farewell to these young angels is tough enough, visarjan of my Durga Devi is all the even more tougher. With every passing year I learn to get a little more from the Trinity of Navratri – to be patient, to strive to the point or beyond endurance and to celebrate Life in itself.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The writer is a IT Risk & Compliance professional living in Bangalore.

HAPPY DEEPAWALI

Akash kandils created by Kiran Komarpant, Canacona.