LISTENING [ON REQUEST from Mr. LAKSHMANAN]

LISTENING

[ON REQUEST from   Mr. LAKSHMANAN]

Listening is a demanding exercise; it demands time, demands keen attention, demands eagerness to learn by hearing; above all listening fructifies only if the idea is retained. What makes ‘listening’ a worthwhile effort is, connecting the information gathered to a process or practice or phenomenon.  

A major hurdle to ‘effective listening’ arises from difficulties in understanding the basics  leading to comprehension. Without comprehending the totality of information, any knowledge is fragmentary.  The problem is complex if we try to identify the real issues behind listening. The exercise called ‘listening’ is a variable as a function of age. Students [younger age] have a different disposition to listening as compared to the attitude of elderly persons [beyond 30 years of age].

WHAT INTERFERES WITH ‘LISTENING’ PER SE

The student –though less attentive, reconciles to being confined to a place for ‘listening’. An adult cannot stay put in a place for more than 2 hours at a stretch. You can observe ‘dejection lit large’ on faces of men 30+ by age whenever they participate in academic programmes like seminar or special lecture. The sag in their seats like old pillows with head tilted to a side under a soporific influence of ‘lecture. This is because the elder mind indulges in instant assessment of the resource person’s ability to present an idea. From the role of ‘listening’ the elder man turns a judge and tries to pick flaws in the message delivery. He fails to channelize the information to the right storage domain. In the process, the listener gets digressed and loses the occasion to appropriately co-ordinate all ideas; instead, [s]he is interested in the shortfalls of a lecture, only to ultimately feel that ‘nothing was clear’. Without concentrating, no lecture can help the faculty of ‘learning’.

RECTIFICATION

Every malady has a remedy. A common defect in properly receiving an idea pertains to understanding of ‘terms’. It does not relate to English alone; it can happen in one’s mother tongue as well. The underlying reason is careless listening.

Carelessness in listening is from the tendency of looking around instead of sustaining attention to the speaker.  So, one should cultivate the habit of attentive listening. A simple method to turn attentive is to practice ‘noting-down‘ specific points like terms , meaning or reference or the source of information or the place or year etc. It is impossible to be inattentive if we try to mark information in a compact form. Always carry a scribble pad exclusive for the purpose of ‘recording’ information. This habit would readily compel our taking a position, physically the most advantageous for careful listening. It would inculcate the habit of punctuality in us to reach the venue in time to take vantage seat- ideal for attentive listening. Another approach could be to take along a like-minded friend with the same tools on hand so that later on the two can exchange ‘notes’ or opinion on any item of interest from a session of listening.

Listening would soon turn a pleasant exercise because one starts getting ‘clarity’ on intricate points by careful listening. Listening and pleasure thereof are mutually inclusive, each triggering the other in a ‘cause and effect’ relationship. But, please remember that one session of earnest listening can surpass the benefits of hard learning from books. Also, by listening one also gets to have a clear training on ‘how to arrange our thought‘ to plan a straight forward delivery to be a convincing conversationalist. After all, nothing succeeds like success. Try these simple methods and get to enjoy the opportunities of listening.

GOOD LUCK                   Prof. K. Raman

 

 

OH! LANGUAGE

 OH! LANGUAGE

With the advent of Computer as a major DEVICE to handle a variety of ‘Socio-economic’ operations, some degree of conflict is felt between traditional usage of words in English and the same words implying something else, not known to the traditional user.

Also, there is a perceptible ‘poverty’ in expressions, especially among the computer-trained personnel as against the old timers who have had an impeccable training in ‘handling’ of English as a medium of communication. The latter revel in the prescribed purity of terms while the former are both casual and causal about slipshod usages. Computer –literacy / proficiency seems to confer on those youth a sense of supremacy- more as an ego-inflating tool than defusing such notions. Right from the term ‘LANGUAGE,’ a semantic confusion pervades the minds of both categories of personnel of the old world and those of the new world. The ‘new world’ is a reference to computer-dominated world order while the ‘old world’ is a passive reference to the earlier mode of life punctuated by human effort in all day-to-day transactions.  

LANGUAGE

When a traditional term like ‘language’ is used it refers to a specific structured presentation of details in grammatically organized and paraphrased statement. If someone says I know 4 languages, it amounts to his / her being familiar with different formats of presentation typical to 4 different tongues or  Languages. These languages need not be related to one another.

If a computer-trained person claims to know 4 languages, it merely implies his/her familiarity of employing different modes of ‘feeding’ data for programming computer[s].

ROAMING

Traditional English refers to the act of ‘moving around’ without any defined purpose. As such it is a somewhat unpleasant activity of aimlessly moving around.

But in computer-based systems like cell phones, Roaming means being away from  a normal place [town or City or country] where the phone is generally operated from. 

BOOT

Basic English term ‘boot’ is noun referring to ‘The shoe WHICH COVERS THE FOOT AND THE LEG UP TO THE KNEE.    As a verb ‘boot’ refers to the act of kicking. In colloquial use, ‘got the boot’ means ‘kicked out’ of the job.

Boot in computer application refers to the system being ready to take inputs for work. Fails to BOOT implies system fails to open up.

DEFAULT

Default in traditional English is an aberration or failure to abide by prescribed norm. [S]He is a defaulter means [s]he is a habitual wrong-doer or does not follow the general practice.

In computer terminology, ‘By Default’ suggests that ‘automatically’ it happens. The monitor goes blank by default, if the system is not used for more than a few minutes.

Ironically, members of the old world and those of the new world do not subscribe the opinion of the other group and merely rate each other as ill informed personnel. The computer skilled person can rapidly execute work on a computer except that of ‘Drafting’ a decent communication to some other agency and invariably leans heavily on the ‘old world'  person to carve out a powerful draft.

Necessarily the ‘old’ and the ‘new’ have to co-exist and be mutually inclusive and can never be mutually inclusive.

Prof. K. Raman

 

 

 

 

BLOG POSTS

BLOG POSTS

So far a number of items, though disparate have been presented –at least 1 per day. Honestly, I have myself no idea as to the relevance for these topics. Still, I have been trying to present varied themes/ subjects to the advantage of readers drawn from varied avocations. Still, it remains to be ascertained as to the utility of these. Being a blog piece, each of them has to cater to ‘general reading’ without making ‘too- academic ‘an appearance. In al,l it is a game of ‘thus far and no farther’ limits and it is an act of balancing to stay fresh without confrontationist app[e] al , nor can  look too naïve to invite bitterness of readers. It is a hard exercise of something on something and just not nothing of anything.  A tricky deal at that is the intricacy behind blog posting. 

On a number of occasions, I have experienced a state of ‘blank feeling’ trying to locate the topic for the next day. On most occasions, my choice of topic has been one of ‘impulsive flash’ than of any studied selection. Sometimes, the previous day’s posting may tempt us look for a contiguous topic, and SUCCEED in choice of topic, though the topic may not succeed as a readable material.

In any case, before we can embark on a topic, it is necessary to satisfy ourselves of the material for its content in terms of value or relevance to a situation. Items of medical importance or food value generally enjoy wide acceptability almost through the year. Certain items like Vaccines or specific drugs may need timely presentation, lest should suffer being neglected by any reader.

So, it is now important to look for ‘ideal’ topic to keep the work going on. It would be nice if our readers offer some topics that can mean something new for us to understand in all their dimensions. You may suggest – a topic or two either under ‘comments‘ or through WA link between us. Thank you

Prof. K. Raman

 

 

GURUVAYUR

 GURUVAYUR

Guruvayur is a noted town in Trissur district of Kerala. It is a small but serene town with several small temples in a radius of a few kilometers from this temple town. However, the place is a heartthrob of Devotees of Lord Krishna, in view of the temple for Krishna whose deity is tiny but held in esteem for the deity’s radiance as a powerful ‘healer’ and people throng the place just for a glimpse of the child Krishna.  Honestly, I called it a glimpse because one has to move through narrow corridor in front of the ‘sanctum sanctorum’, in a steadily moving queue with very little scope to stand for over 30 seconds. If one desires a longer glimpse, [s] he may have to repeat the exercise of moving in a queue from the start again. A brief glimpse of Krishna in Guruvayur is a scintillating experience by a feeling of ‘satisfaction’ typical by a ‘dharshan’ of the most sought after.

The importance that ‘Guruvayur’ has gained over the years can be visibly felt by its connectivity by road /rail and the facilities for stay and food. An express train- ‘Chennai Guruvayur’Express connects most places of Tamilnadu to Guruvayur and vice-versa.  Another option could be to take to travel by road along western districts of Tamil nadu – Say Pollachi/ Coimbatore- Palakkad- Trissur- Guruvayur.

There are a large number of hotels for stay and food, besides the ones organized by Guruvayur Dewaswam board. Also, the temple has created facilities for ‘free’ supply of food to devotees in specifically organized ‘Dining halls‘ in the vicinity of temple. It is a matter of preference for us to choose a facility convenient to us. Access to the precincts of the temple can be had by availing of roads defined as Nadas’ –East, West, South based on the location of the road with reference to the direction relative to temple. I have not had the occasion to know of the ‘north nada’ to the temple. The most popular of course is the Eat Nada that connects key locales as Bus stand, and the road connecting with Railway station. There are connecting roads to the other nadas from ‘East’.  Being the main thoroughfare, the East Nada has a straight lay out facilitating a distant vision of the Temple from across a kilometer or so. It is quite an imposing view from that point- the main entry. A statue of the Divine bird ‘Garuda’ welcomes us as we enter the East nada. On either side along East nada several business establishments like hotels, Eateries and shops are located.

Legend has it that, Lord Krishna after the ‘Kurukshetra’ battle wanted to relax in some calm place rich in vegetation. In an effort to locate a place of such description, the two Divine personalities, ‘Guru’ and ‘Vaayu’ were surveying the area. In that mission, when they came to this place they found ‘Lord Shiva’. The Lord who was  here then suggested ‘Let Lord Krishna’ relax here ; I shall move to a nearby locale’. So, Lord Shiva is in ‘Mammiyur’ just about 1 km Westward from Guruvayur. In honour of the two persons –Guru and Vayu – the place is named Guruvayur. Also, legend has it that any visit to Guruvayur’ can be complete only if the devotee visits ‘Mammiyur’.                                                                                                   An announcement to thius effect is placed in the outer ‘praakaara’ exterior to ‘Bagvathi’ sanctum sanctorum’ just North of Guruvayurappan ‘sannadhi’.

There are a few temples within or near the limits of Guruvayur. These include Mammiyur [ Shiva temple], Chamundeeswari [Shakthi temple], Parthasarathy temple , Lord Venkatachalapathi temple. Dharshan can be had in all these temples in about 2 hours. A night and 2 day time stay at Guruvayur would suffice for the nearby visits including ‘AAnaikkottaaram’ about 5 KM where all temple elephants of Guruvayur are maintained in natural surroundings. Some 64 elephants are kept. Except the very old ones, others are released for temple duty in pairs for a month in turns.

The legendary elephant ‘Kesavan’ of Guruvayur, after serving Lord for about 65 years , despite failing health carried the Deity in procession and rushed out of the temple and breathed his last just outside the temple on an ‘EKADHASI’ day and dropped dead. In honour of this elephant a life-like statue of KESAVAN is erected in on a platform, south of the temple. Guruvayur temple offers Dharshan during most hours except for a brief 2- 2 1/₂                hours between 3-15 am and 5-30 am or so, just after ‘Nirmalyam’  dharshan around 2.40 am to 3.15 am. On most days ‘Sree veli’ dharshan is available--one each in the morning [6-30am] and evening [4-45pm,] when Lord Guruvayurappan [Uthsava moorthy] is taken on a 3 round procession within the temple premises. On special occasions, only 2 0r 5 rounds are also performed. During ‘Sree veli’, Lord is taken on a decorated elephant. Most temple elephants in Kerala are tuskers, unlike in Tamil nadu. Just prior to ‘Sree veli’ senior citizens are permitted entry through a separate queue [6.00 AM and 4.00 PM]. A trip to ‘Guruvayur’ is more than a rewarding experience always by the sheer variety of ‘Alankaras’   presented on sessions of Dharshan. Besides, the celebrated ‘NARAYANEEYAM’ WAS RENDERED in the hall opposite the deity by Sri. Narayana Bhattathiri [of Melapaththur]- a staunch devotee of Sri. Guruvayurappan.  A divine place so close to us.

Prof. K. Raman

THE OLD MAN

 THE OLD MAN

If the term appears uncomfortable take it as the grand pa. But, ‘grand pa’ would create the impression of relationship, though the present endevour does not refer to specific individual. The information presented is to be more generic and so ‘old man’ fits the description better. To appropriately understand the details or features, one should travel 65-70 years back into the times, since such personalities are not around for us to infer how those  old men were.

The old man being referred to was able-bodied but suffered hindered vision. So, he was fond of ‘commanding’ errands from young boys –not necessarily his grand children. Like the proverbial crane watching for ‘prey’ the O M [OLD MAN] was invariably seated in big platform in the frontage of house. If he spots a boy [ 8- 10 in age] he would signal him to come near ; then he would in a low whisper tell the boy ‘please buy PATTANAM SNUFF’ from ‘Murugan shop’ on the bazaar street; so saying the OM would pass on a 4 Anna coin [=25 paise]and further tell him ‘come bag quick , without walking in the hot Sun’. When the boy returns with the material, he would critically examine the label for ‘pattanam stuff’; if he was not convinced, the OM would not hesitate to send the boy back with a firm directive to gather only ‘pattanam stuff’.  Now the boy is more alert lest he should again go in search of ‘pattanam snuff’. Once done, the OM would not fail to say ‘thanks’. This- the OMs practised almost daily.

Again the OM WOULD REAPPEAR on the platform by 11.00 am and await for a passer b[o]y. This time OM sendts another boy to a particular house by naming the inmate of that house and tells,  ‘please fetch ‘HINDU’ Paper [of that day], by telling him that Railway maamaa wants. Again he would express ‘thanks’. This boy may say ‘no much sir’. OM with wide open eyes further magnified by the spectacle he wore would be frightening and say ‘what did you say? ’no much’. It is wrong, say ‘don’t mention please’. OM would turn a tutor to anyone without hesitation.

By 3.00 pm the OM takes ‘mesmerizing’ filter coffee- pretty hot, delivered into his mouth from a silver tumbler with a definite capacity for 400 ml. The ‘delivery ‘would be from a height of 3 inches from his mouth.  The hot stuff reminds something to OM; Yes, to procure Coffee seeds from India Coffee Depot. OM is saddened that it is already 3.20 pm; India Coffee Depot shuts by 2.30 pm.

The next day the OM , deputes his grandson to buy coffee seeds [Plantation A] and strongly warns the boy not to buy the flat seeds[ Plantation B] But, the OM does not trust the boy’s arithmetic ability and insists on ‘purchase bill from I C D’ counter. It will be easier to tally the cost with the bill and the balance returned. Those OMs were meticulous about every paisa spent and that it should be accounted for.

Most OMs were excellent with their English- diction, usage, grammar and spelling. Most girls would seek help from such OM for doubt clearing. OMs were very sensible too; they would not send any girl to any work , besides would ensure that girls reach their homes safe and in time. Most OMs were genuine prides of their locality. Quite organized were those OMs of 1960s , 1970s and earlier.

Prof. K. Raman

PETS

PETS 

Growing pets at home must have been a product of Western influence, especially from the British who had established their presence on the Indian soil. It is a common sight in England, where elderly women move around in London streets with their Pets as healthy as the masters themselves. To our surprise at times the Pet is more cared for than even the members of the family. Till late 1970s or so, Indian household by and large had no ‘Pet culture’. 

Gradually, it got social acceptance and it slowly has attained the stature of ‘STATUS SYMBOL’ to keep pets at home. How does it bother us? It does, since the pet is so big a pet that the masters behave petty even when they drop in as our guests. Those masters do not leave the pet back home even when they visit weddings in another town. When their car moves out from the garage, it is pet that jumps into the vehicle and hangs his head out through the window, casting a menacing look on any passer-by. That is ‘their’ head ache. But when they call on us on the premise of attending some wedding or interview, the pet makes a Royal entry and chooses to bark at us. 

We are worried as our boys liberally target [pelt stones] barking dogs. The masters pacify us telling that Oh- he is just greeting … but, these visitors never greet us, as they are interested in the upkeep of their pet than of any concern for the hosts. Perhaps hosts look like ghosts for them and in response to the masters’ moods, the pet barks at only the host and servants of the host household. There is lot of fuss about feeding the pet. Being naïve, our children throw items like ‘appalam’ before him. He sniffs and starts sneezing. 

The masters are panicky that the animal has picked up cold; the elder son of that family catches the snout of the animal, and plants himself on the neck of the animal and ‘force opens’ the jaws of the pet and sprays some medicine into the throat of the pet and gets up triumphantly, looking around in gusto of his act of dare devilry of opening the dog’s mouth.  The whole morning turns irritating for the hosts as the pet menacingly sniffs every member of the host family. The owners of the pet merely enjoy our plight and do precious little to confine the animal by chain. They preach ‘pets should not be chained if they should be loyal to us’. 

Our mother murmurs within herself ‘who wants this saturn’s  [sani’s] loyalty’. Even more menacing is the cruel demand for a special gruel to be made for the pet to be ‘slow-cooked‘ in mineral water. The orthodox host asks ‘give us the cooking vessel to make the gruel’. The pet owner jetting the lower lip in disapproval says ‘use your utensil and make the broth’. The alert host retrieves an old vessel from a gunny bag and makes the gruel for the animal. The host asks’ What would you have for breakfast?’ The guest ‘we take just coffee and after bath go to the wedding hall; after wedding we visit temple; from the wedding hall itself we return to Chennai by early morning tomorrow in our car. A huge sigh of relief pervades the air and all children of the host family eagerly await the guests moving off to the wedding destination. Soon after they leave, the younger boy is caught hold of and his ear twitched firmly with a question “why did you throw the ‘appalam’ to that Saturn. None can eat it as the ‘pet has sniffed it’. Don’t be stupid to waste any food”.

What is a pet to someone may not delight everyone else, especially, when the pet owners take it to such host destinations. For those who have no pets, such animals as grown-up dogs cause anxious moments of disturbing experience. Pet keepers would do well to leave their pets in their home under someone’s care instead of making others uncomfortable.

Prof. K. Raman 

WHO FORMULATED IT?

 WHO FORMULATED IT?

Certainly the opening word in caps is no reference to World Health Organization; it is a question trying to figure out the names or identities of persons behind the very formulation. Of what value has this formulation been is a matter for deeper assessment and appreciation. Yes, I am presenting the real concept of a balanced food preparation that takes care of essential dietary needs of humans. I deem it ‘balanced‘because the ingredients thereof serve defined purposes in the item – ‘PONGAL’. Across best part of the country, the name ‘Pongal’ is widely used and understood.

The very nomenclature of the item refers to its preparatory method of ‘boiling’ [pongudhal in Tamil] the ingredients to derive the hot amalgam of healthy assemblage. Look at its constituents and evaluate their individual value as a food or medicine or both. That is why my ‘awe’ as to who formulated it.       It must have been a product of lengthy evolution of food, food culture, recipe science or recipe art , native wisdom to associate or incorporate herbal medicines with [or into] food. By common sense, several points appear vivid.

CARBOHYDRATE [For Energy]

Any staple cereal is a carbohydrate source as the basic donor of energy. No other plant product can deliver so much energy as do the carbohydrates. [Rice/ Wheat/ other Cereals serve our energy needs]   In ‘Pongal’ the main ingredient is Rice – a Carbohydrate.

PROTEINS [For well-being]

Proteins are essential for healthy organization of tissues / muscles and several functional enzymes are also proteins by organization. The common proteins are different pulses or grams. They are from plants of the ‘Bean’ family. In ‘Pongal’ the protein is green gram [Vigna radiata] [Payaththam paruppu or Pasi paruppuTamil] / Pesarat bele [Kannada]. It is low in Fat, rich in vitamin –B, Calcium, Potassium, fibre and  it readily promotes digestion.

SPICES [For health /Immunity]

‘Pongal’ commands a wide appeal largely due to a set of spices which go into its making. Often, the flavour that accrues to this amalgam is a legitimate taste besides the satiation of palate when the stuff is steaming hot. Quite a few items line-up in decorating the stuff by appearance of looks and appeal to olfactory tickle.

PEPPER [Piper nigrum]

The ‘black pearls’ liberally strewn in the stuff are pepper a stimulant spice that triggers copious salivary output if pepper is half chewed. The hot feel of pepper is a positive addition more as a medicine than as any irritant. There are a range of biochemical constituents in pepper. In addition ‘Piperine’ –an alkaloid in pepper is known to handle a variety of dysfunctions and restore health in humans. Pepper promotes ‘absorption’ of nutrients. Vitamin-C , tannins, flavonoids , carotenoids occur in pepper adding to its value.

CUMIN SEEDS [Cuminum cyminum]

The tiny sharp ‘arrow-like’ brown seeds of Cumin [ jeerakam or jeera or jeerige] are nature’s gift to human welfare. It improves taste and digestive ability. It is a carminative and can control fever. Cumin in the preparation adds to aroma and draws attention. 

MILK [A balanced diet in itself]

At least on the occasion of ‘Pongal festival’, ‘Pongal‘ is prepared in ‘boiling’ cow’s milk as the cooking liquid to which soaked rice is added . On other occasions water is the cooking medium.

CASHEW NUT KERNELS [A Sensational additive]

Cashew kernels contain Potassium, Sodium, Magnesium, Iron, Zinc, Calcium and Proteins. They have soft texture and mesmerizing ‘taste’. Vitamin –B, C and proteins also add to taste.

MAGIC INGREDIENT [For supplementation]

What makes ‘pongal’ a palate –enslaving item is the optimum content of fresh ghee ; it serves to render the amalgam soft , non sticky and pleasant to taste. Too little or too high Ghee is not helpful.                               

Ghee there- in, serves to provide some PLEASANT flavor and a little healthy fat. 

EVALUATION

‘Pongal’ has total food value with all vital supplements to human health and its holistic formulation is in principle –a working concept of ‘balanced diet’ through a single item. No wonder, all South Indian hotels have pongal as a break-fast item. Who formulated it? It is a product of ‘evolved civilization’.

Prof. K .Raman