MY GURU

 

MY GURU

My friends, associates and well-wishers would have seen my articles / write-ups on varied themes and topics. Many of them were devoted to items that have occupied my thought, as areas to be shared with our people. In the process, I have received responses varying in spirit and attitude as well as in views. All such views have been respectable indeed.

A sizable majority has congratulated my efforts and has enthused me to touch upon such items that I deem fit.  But, I have to choose items to avoid the feeling of rubbing things in to others. The present title may not instantly appeal but, I owe my ‘everything’ to the person under this most appropriate caption to him. I chose the epithet “Guru”, for- the other common terms – the Teacher, the Mentor, and the Professor carry a degree of inadequacy in connotation.  I can not afford any inadequacy when I pay my respects to him.  I trust the puritans of language would certainly permit this usage for its rich connotation. One can readily recognize the esteem I hold for my Guru. The urge to respect him came to me ever since I came under his spell way back in July -1962. I was then a student in the   I B.Sc. class in my Alma mater- St. Philomena’s College, Mysore. The college then had a brilliant band of dedicated teachers, in sharp contrast to the general attitude to teaching today. Most of those teachers can be rated very high.  Yet, none was that brilliant as Prof. T.R. Balakrishna, whom I cherish and venerate. Frankly, I am a tiny speck in the vast ocean of his ardent admirers. With substantial authenticity I state that Prof. T.R.B was unique 

                                                                                                                                                   What do I mean by this? Every class has a spectrum of audience ranging from the dull / indifferent to the excellent / dynamic students. Without exception, all categories of us had the same response to his lectures and NOT a single student ever said ‘I could not follow’ his lecture.

My rating of Prof. T.R.B is not from the mere unanimity of his appeal. It would be proper to consider all aspects of his uniqueness at least to substantiate my observation. My first ever idea of a lecture came to me the day I listened to my Guru. I hasten to add that, prior to this blessed occasion, earlier I have gone through the process under several other lecture[r]s during our   Pre-University class in the same college. What a soul-stirring experience it was to listen to Prof. T.R.B! To say the least, his lectures were the most organized.  To date, I have not come across anyone who has surpassed Prof. T.R.B in any facet. Over the last 62* years, I have been observing the process of collegiate teaching, from either side of the podium. Besides, in the last several years I have often listened to various Experts, Scientists, Technocrats, Administrators, Doctors, Engineers, Educationists and Vice-Chancellors. A few have been good but not of the kind of brilliance I have known from Prof. T.R.B. People may mistake me for eulogizing my professor. Honestly, I speak of his real glory from my soul.     [*61years + as on Dec-16 , 2021]

Why should I do it now?

Quite simple. None of us stand to gain. I mean you, me or the Professor. Still, I 

deem it fit to  recall the glories of the man for at least two reasons. One – I owe 

my teacher-life to him and   two – even now if I do not explicitly speak of him, I 

am afraid the real glories of him  would be lost to the oblivion, leave alone their 

being unsung.      

To continue                         Prof. K,Raman                                          

 

THE STUFF CALLED 'SNUFF' -II

               THE STUFF CALLED 'SNUFF' -II

Often snuffing occurs during conversation and rarely two snuffers keep talking. Generally a snuffer and a non–snuffer meet in a street corner and go about the topic of the day’s interest. The snuffer holds his hands behind and keeps the snuff box on the left and the right hand is constantly caressing the box of snuff. This act of his draws boys’ attention and a few of them gather in the vicinity as if talking about some subject. Too often the boys are watchful of his hands and they do not even bother to know of his face. Also a frontal positioning may disturb the snuffer and he may drive the boys away. So, they take positions not too ‘visible’ to the snuffer.    

The show begins

 The snuffer still retaining his hands at the back, gently taps the lid of the box as a safety measure to ‘settle’ snuff dust to a lower position ; otherwise the snuff dust may fly off in air when box is opened. The gentle tap on the box signals the intent of the snuffer to stuff his nostrils with the stuff. The boys are aware of it! So, they become highly alert now. Another tap or two on the box signifies the urge of the snuffer to his hobby. Unlike smokers, snuffers give more intervals between successive sessions of snuffing.  All eyes of boys are now set on the snuff container placed in the left palm of the snuffer though both his hands are still crisscrossed at his back.  The snuffer by birth appears to be an adept remote-sensor. YES, hands still crossed, by a flick of his left thumb he opens the ‘treasure’ of his daily dream- the snuff.

Still conversing, his right fingers turn brisk; the thumb and index finger plunge into the powder and pick a pinch and draw themselves out in moments. THE PINCH IS READY BUT NOT THE SNUFFER –as yet.  The boys are keen to watch his stuffing the nose and are slightly upset that their rear positioning was a poor option. A couple of them swiftly move slightly up and have a better view of ‘larger than normal dimension’ of his swollen nose.   As they are rejoicing over the vantage view point, a stranger on a bicycle with his left leg anchored on the road seeks to know the house of a person. At this distraction, the snuffer releases his right limb and rapidly feeds the snuff in to both nostrils – in an electric move [putting to shame even the best of wicket keepers who bring off quick silver stumping]. At least one boy missed the snuffing act and regretted to have spent 20 minutes for nothing. Electric act brings off electronic response in the snuffer who has already had a cerebral hit!

He now neighs like a horse in partial pressure of the cerebral irritation which he enjoys by recalling the pungent pulse. Sometimes, the surge of pungent effect in the nasal canal, initiates a violent series of sneezes which run for a while. The violence is shown in the loudness of ‘brrrishcha, brrishcha’ as if he is whipped by someone to utter so. The end of sneeze marks ‘peace’ for the snuffer who presents the looks of a weather-beaten owl with his popped up eyes watering through the corner and a pink nose tip with a few hanging drops threatening to fall on him.  Suddenly the man pulls a piece of cloth from somewhere [hand-kerchief?  Does not reveal being so, due to its typical burnt looks] The snuffer holding the diagonal corners of the cloth in two hands places it underneath the nose and drags it across much like the spindle in a weaver’s loom  that travels right to left and returns to repeat the left –right course. Seemingly the snuffer looks freshened up to resume conversation for the next two minutes before he runs to the road edge to blow off his liberally flowing nasal fluid. The onlookers feel more agonized than the snuffer himself. For him it is, pressure invited. All boys are by now elsewhere. When did they disappear is unknown.  

Snuffing in Mysuru region

Snuff in Mysuru and around is marketed as pellets –probably to signify its explosive potential. But, these are just the half of the ingredient; the other half being pellets of lime [calcium].   The process of using snuff in that region looks more strenuous than what we know in our areas. The snuffer, from his stock rolls out a couple of snuff pellets and 1 or rarely more calcium pellets. Now starts the exercise. On a hollow valley of the left palm, the snuffer inserts the right thumb and fiercely crushes the pellets as if taking revenge on a greedy money lender. Being elderly, he is not convinced of his own physical prowess; he exerts himself with his tongue peeping out through the vacant   spaces on the right or left jaw, suggesting cruel power being applied. In a few seconds, the pellets are rendered powders of grey and white; suddenly the thumb sits over the powder and makes circular motions making an intimate mix of the two components. With calcium in place, the irritant value should be more and not to miss the fresh ‘fire power’, the man feeds the blend by sucking snuff air through each nostril separately. Yes, the old man is worked up; fearing the loss of his cap [wearing a head-gear is a tradition in the region], the man removes it before he sneezes in utter disregard to people around.  The horrible part of the exercise is the grinding surface of the palm is relieved of the snuff residues by open clap which scatters the irritant all around. Inexplicably, snuffers always perform in isolation [not in groups –a sharp contrast to groups of smokers] and cause irritant-spread among the peaceful members in a gathering.

Another, snuff-stuff is the placing of snuff over broken teeth or gum which keeps causing some agony to the sufferer. This approach, an assumed remedy, is found among both genders. Thus, a range of addicts has submitted itself to the power of powder – the ‘snuff’.                    Prof. K. Raman

 

THE STUFF CALLED 'SNUFF'

 

THE   STUFF CALLED ‘SNUFF’

Of the varied addictions known for men, the use of snuff by the addicts is both interesting and irritating to be honest. Yes, it is an ‘irritation-invited’ by the user. They enjoy the abrupt punch in the cerebellum following a feed of a pinch of snuff.  Snuff is a derivative of tobacco leaves and it never leaves the addict. Properly dried and cured leaves of tobacco are ground to fine powder and marketed. It is a silent revenue source and has not been banned from public places. In fact, the snuff addicts do not hesitate to stuff themselves with the stuff in any place – be it office, Seminars, temple, hospital premises and even while on work. Unlike the smoker seeking a hide-out, the ‘snuffer’ has freedom to indulge in his hobby at any place and time. They truly defy ‘time and space’.  So, they must be divine ‘avatars’ as they defy time and space.  

Snuff - where is it?

Unless a regular user, we may not know where to procure it from. But, the snuffers would ‘sniff out’ the outlets marketing the item. Snuff cannot be bought across the counter from every shop. Yes, there are tiny kiosk-like or box like small shops where snuff is the prime commodity. These shops may not even market cigarettes which are just the cousins of snuff, being themselves fine shreds of tobacco leaves. Like all typical trades, snuff selling /buying has some market practices of quantity specification. Such snuff- selling shops are generally in the inner town, near markets or temples and some cinema hall enclaves.  Even an out-station snuffer quickly foists a bondage with the snuff –seller and vice versa. They enter intimate conversation with absolute ease that any on-looker would presume them to be long time friends. They use a language relating to brand names and the pricing pattern per unit. These units are exclusive to the stuff called snuff. Obviously, they are ‘spoon‘ measures. These spoons are quite tiny and are kept clean and tidy, to avoid ‘snuff brands getting inter-contaminated’. It means the seller uses the same measure for all varieties or brands.

The measuring device:

Though I have named it a spoon, it is a true double ended tool. Yes, both ends have small cup like wells –one end with a larger well and the other with a smaller one and the shaft is more a rod than a flattened handle. It is a treat to watch the shopkeeper dispensing snuff quantities in to recipient containers by abruptly changing ends to add the right quantity or number of large and small measures. For each delivery the rod of the spoon is gently hit on the rim of the larger container to dislodge the snuff powder from the well. The rhythm there of by the ‘tingle’ sound of the spoon is quite orderly and systematic.

The buyer

Snuff buyers are invariably men of middle age, while some labour–class youngsters also buy snuff. Normally shops- only dispense snuff and do not provide containers. Occasionally companies market snuff in containers. Otherwise, the buyer gets new snuff in old container. Beginning with banana sheath folds, the containers are varied in form and shape with flat cattle horn containers, also flat silver container, similar stainless holders and flat aristocratic silver containers.   Of late, tubular tin containers are used too. All of them hold a small quantity of snuff. The addicts prefer new stuff as it is more pungent as against the old insipid powder.  Snuff addicts have a typical approach to the way they inhale the virulent powder and enjoy the tentative dislocation thereof.

The art of ‘snuffing’

Smokers seldom attract attention; but the snuffer is watched as if awaiting an explosion- especially by boys 7 – 10 in age. Unobtrusively they stand in the vicinity of the snuffer and keep watching him –as to how the man inhales the explosive powder. The snuffer though undaunted by the on-lookers, keeps them guessing for fairly long time to nearly frustrate them. One or two boys disperse but some boys stay anchored and determined to frustrate the snuffer.

To Continue             Prof. K. Raman

THE JOINT FAMILY SYSTEM - II

The J F S -II

Grand pa / Grand ma were towering leaders of JFS

Yes, nothing would happen without their assent. Even if grand ma turned weak and not fit for hard chores like handling large vessels for preparation of food items, she would prescribe the day’s menu and ensure its happening. She was an almanac by herself and would keep track of events like Amavasya or Dwadhasi and would insist they be duly observed in preparations of food that would not violate the code of culinary conduct. Grand pas were largely silence personified. Silence was a true weapon and if he broke silence, rapt attention should descend on everyone irrespective of age or gender. On such occasions the man would suggest some changes or would specify modified code of conduct. Such changes were to reorganize ‘home front’ in the light of some guests due in a day or two. Implicit adherence to new guidelines was expected from the eldest son downwards to the last child crawling on the floor. Astonishingly everyone understood the tone of grand pa and verbal interactions dropped in decibels and everyone mastered the nuances of signaling by the eye. This optical art was indeed the forte of the daughters in –law of such homes; they could convey a dozen ideas in a flash of the eye and twitching of the mouth in a plane not to be noticed by anyone else except the intended recipient. Such signaling was common then.  It could now be seen in some elders of the present day who have had their grooming in such traditional settings.

Grand pa was the domestic economist and grand ma – the home physician however unlettered the two were. People of those times had robust common sense and ‘native wisdom’ strong enough to perceive economic signals right. Borrowing in cash or kind was a sin. It was a rigorous training to live within means- a thing conspicuous by absence these days.  Lest how should we understand the present day pack of credit cards for each person, which by the then standards are big discredits. Truly, there is economic dare-devilry these days!

We have known of two major types of JFhouses – the rich and the not-so-rich mid-income group. In the former, grandpas were Judges/ Doctors, Land lords, University Professors or Principals in institutions. The second category was from clerical cadres in Railways, Postal services or school teachers, Head masters or Head mistresses or village munsiff s and the like. But the fabric of life was frugality in either category and the head of the family was the grand pa in all homes.

Thus, the JFS offered a number of advantages for child care, frugal living, family bondage, obedience as a pattern of elder- younger association, and in respecting the women. Yes, the house had women of a range of age groups and they were held in esteem and those women had learnt the art of getting on with members of the other gender in absolute dignity.

THE NUCLEAR FAMILY

By the very composition it is the smallest group of parents and child[ren]. Expected to be highly organized in self –contained houses just sufficient for 4 0r 5 members at the most. In terms of facilities NFs enjoy more modern amenities than the larger JFs. Generally no elders   till the very inmates get older by efflux of time. NFs suffer a greater DEPRIVATION when their daughters are given in marriage and move away; also when sons move off to jobs elsewhere. Old NFs become highly nuclear and so rapidly lose identity. Does it mean that NFs are bad? No, they do not stay stable and tend to fragment in about 22 -24years from establishment. But it is a convenient outfit for planning an establishment as per one’s dream or desire. No sharing of resources is necessary. Actually some early problems are incomplete facilities, and early hiccups in preparation of standard food items of delicacy and a nervous mental state when guests keep visiting the newly-wed and so on. But, these fade off in a couple of years. Early child care needs elders back home when both members are in employment. However, NFs are economically better off and their resource-building potential is superior to those of JFs. Despite these, NFs do not get timely counseling on planning for days ahead or on states of minor ailments; they have no family support to bank on as their near ones are far away. Their short term existence has resulted in mushrooming of OLD AGE HOMES / SENIOR CITIZEN HOMES/ Domestic Nursing care, Catering services/ Geriatric care Homes. That has been the story of organization of Indian family as JFS and later as NFS with their boons and banes.

                                                             Prof. K.Raman

THE JOINT FAMILY SYSTEM

 

As of now

Dear SIR / Madam

A fair number of requests have come in suggesting the continuance of blog writing on my part. My lone fear was, only very few were going through the pieces. If something interests them, why disband it?  I shall keep posting.  A request for a specific item “Joint family” has been made by Prof.N.S . Rangarajan  of Madurai.  A  kind of   reader request it is. So, let me honour his suggestion. Today’s posting is on that topic.

ANY FURTHER REQUESTS ARE WELCOME

           Regards.          Prof. K. Raman      

THE JOINT FAMILY SYSTEM

[Topic suggested by Prof. N.S.Rangarajan]

India – as a nation has witnessed ever so many changes, of which   the most perceptible has been the disappearance of the domestic order – ‘the joint family system’. Our knowledge of its prevalence in other countries of the west is rather scanty, precluding the scope for comparison of cultures in the west and that of the orient. But, we humans can not lay contended unless we launch a comparison, no matter what the scale of its irrelevance is in terms of ‘times’. So, we have a handy tool – the nuclear family to weigh the merits of the joint family system with. The two systems are incongruous –being ‘incomparable’. What if? Still, we go about the operation, just to recognize what our gains or losses have been since the joint family was slowly given a go- by.

Precisely, since when the J F S got disbanded is not documented. Till about 1960s or so J F S was in vogue at least in smaller towns and villages. Larger towns and cities, offered better jobs and wages for all job seekers. Naturally, the filial generation – males had to move in search of sustainable lively-hood. From then on, Nuclear family pattern began in larger towns / cities where the boys from villages or small towns had settled as ‘employed bachelors’. Just a marriage was all that was needed to a nuclear family to spring up in a location away from their birth places.

A certain degree of adamant stance is typical of elderly persons in moving out from their ancestral village or town, making it easier for the young to establish a nuclear family ‘free from the clutches’ of in-laws. This must have been the most natural sequence of shift from JFS – NF. Another incentive for NF sustenance has been ‘the generation gap’ inescapably dominant among women folk – particularly in-law, be it mother or daughter. To compound this, the education profile of the two women comes in handy. The less educated is more intolerant of the more educated; it is nearly a golden rule. [There are a few exceptions – far between and in low frequency].With every fuel in right supply, the engines fire on all cylinders though outwardly harmlessly polite. That is largely the scenario or at least I believe so. Together all these firmly entrench the NF outfit.

GAIN OR LOSS                                                                                               

Like most debates, this could also be inconclusive with ‘no-holds barred’ trends on either side. But, for a dispassionate analyst, both loss and gain have accrued to both systems.

Loss due to N F                                                                                                        

After a couple of years of ‘free’ life style, fending the baby in infancy in addition to chores domestic / official is a task. A grand ma in place would easily ‘interpret’ the different cries of the baby and fix it for hunger/ anger / disturbed health etc. Merely by looking at the ‘behaviour’ of the infant, she would choose a safe course of home remedy and restore the infant to normalcy without a fuss. But now people run to the pediatrician and flood different syrups to restore health of the kid after a fee and a couple of days of agony. Children of NFs miss the grandma’s engaging stories that infuse culture, tradition and soothing comforts of sleep on grandma’s lap. Between supper and sleep a single grand ma would easily engage 7 or 8 children every night. Certainly a binding influence from grand parents’ care is unknown for NF children. A long lineage of the ancestry, their socio-economic profile and a vast body of relatives like uncles, aunts, cousins and their near relatives are just unknown to the children from NF outfits. In short, NF system has rendered us islands well connected by the internet. But the mental bondage is missing.       

Ability to coexist – a boon from JFS

It is no exaggeration if I say, easily 4 or more families comfortably co-existed under one roof. The number would readily touch a dozen or more with members of all age groups. They co existed by mutual co operation, division of labour , serving all for food, house-keeping, washing linen, taking care of all children alike . So to say all were parents for all children. Children bonded easily with all of them and every occasion was joyous cutting across age or parentage. There used to be special care for children with ‘now forgotten ‘ oil bath on Saturdays and quarterly ‘stomach purge’ by feeding castor oil to all children. It was believed to be a periodic cleansing of intestines and ensuring digestive well being for children. All these are forgotten practices and sometimes denounced of being unscientific. Certainly, there were less unscientific in the light of the present day junk food habits and resultant obesity issues, impoverished eyesight and such disorders in the young children.                                                                                  

More to follow    Prof. K.Raman

SHOULD I BLOG OR BLOCK?

 SHOULD I BLOG OR BLOCK?

It looks a queer title. Yes, I am impelled to gather opinion from readers as to the feasibility or otherwise of my attempt to posting in blog. It all began on Sept. 22 of the current year with the piece ‘Do you know or remember?’ In all, so far I have presented 101 episodes relating to varied themes, though a numerical majority addressed varied facets / items of learning. As any writer would endorse, the proof of the pudding [writing] is in the eating [reading or readership]. I          f so, what should my endeavour be? To write or to write off  ? Obviously, the latter is a convenient option, as it would perhaps spell relief for most readers who would otherwise feel tormented by some unsolicited title popping up like the unrelenting money lender who makes the first call of the day. I am not trying to portray a picture. Still, after 100 + postings, introspection even in retrospect is not a bad idea. To have a credible assessment, the blog data came in handy to draw inference on ‘readership’ and the responses thereof. Quite some revelation comes from the numbers of ‘readers’ and ‘respondents’. Necessarily, respondents form a miniscule [not that readership is any large]. Curiously, different topics have enthused readers in different proportions. The biggest was 57 readers [episode 4 – What to do? a comic piece though with some critical suggestions]. The others were What to do?- episode II [48 readers], Commitment [ also48 readers] Do you know or remember? II [41], Some comic situations – [37], Nostalgia- [36]. Some 6 pieces had [around 25 READERS]. UNEXPECTEDLY, THE PIECE ON GRASPING Biology has had a patronage from 22 persons.

Only 64 of the 101 pieces have managed to elicit responses varying from 1 to 3.    Not more than 3 persons have ever thought it fit to respond.

Under the circumstances

Am I any justified in abrogating another person’s time and phone space? Honestly, I am in a quandary to decide if to write further or say goodbye, with  folded arms and  sincere thanks to all who had spared their time  to such pieces.

If readers prefer further topics, may I request topic suggestions and some preparatory time instead of my forcing things on any reader. If no suggestions, the cue is taken.   Thank you.                       Prof. K. Raman

DIVINE GRACE- II

Divine Grace-II

A wide range of possibilities is likely to confuse more. Combinations of approach may be useful only if overseeing is effective. The crux of the issue is ‘Decision making’. Perhaps the toughest of jobs is decision making of the right kind. It is a mental exercise that calls for a clear ability of judging the people around. A lot depends on our disposition to all such people to whom we entrust work. Thus, to decide on the right course, calm and composed mind is essential. At the primary stages of planning, a small group of experienced persons is enough.   Stages of execution may need more people. To pick up the right assemblage, our knowledge of them has to be thorough. The infallibility of our judgment can not be taken for granted. Perfect assessments call for a wholesome idea of people under varied circumstances. Human traits show up only on critical situations. Such occasions can not be created by us. One should have had those occasions earlier to facilitate character study.  Some occasions are brought to us by the Grace of God. It is necessary that we stay neutral and alert observing the happenings around. We stand to benefit from those experiences. Being served by memory at the right moment is Divine Grace by itself.                                                                                                                 Such flashes of memory can not be expected always. They come to our rescue without our effort. Therefore, I deem it divine. Almost always these “inner suggestions” work to our advantage. Completing our requirements turn out to be comfortable and pleasant, when we come under the Divine Grace. To make available all such persons at times of our need is indeed providential. Every moment in our daily life requires divine grace. For those who submit themselves to the Ultimate, decision making is less cumbersome as they are elegantly guided by that Supreme Power. I do not advocate any outward display of our faith. All I intend saying is “absolute faith” does help, for, it destroys ego and renders grace to any one. Grace is what any one wishes to be associated with.                           Who else but divinity can render it?                                                                                                                                                                 Prof. K. Raman