Author: Deeya Nambiar

I believe in taking every day as a learning phase, and exploring my writing skills. I have enjoyed the challenges as a journalist, content writer and college lecturer, and at the moment am living life analysing the extraordinary in the ordinary!

Chapter of Life: Action and Reaction

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There are days in your life when nothing seems to be going the way you had planned and wished. There are days in your life, when your patient self gives away to the hurt words and actions of others. There are also days when you feel torn apart and you end up saying thing, which you should not have said. There are thus some days when you end up hurting somebody through words or actions even if you did not intend to do so. These are just your frustrations that you may have found an outlet for.

By the time you realise what had happened, equations in relationship often undergo change, forever. And the time that you missed never comes back. Still life, sometimes, gives a second chance.

Yet the best option is always to keep a check on yourself, before you even give yourself a reason to regret and wait for a second chance. My personal experience has done wonders.

– A deep breath to invite calm

It is very difficult to get a clear picture of a situation when emotions like anger and tears arrest you.
Have you ever wondered how you react when your boss calls you into his room to tell you that your performance has not been remarkable, especially at the time of recession? Some react instantly, some stay calm. For sure it would not be a laid back attitude as you know that the current economic situation has also turned more demanding from a performance point of view.
Of course you cannot ignore it. Also, the more you think about your boss’s remark, sleepless nights and a temperament to harm others with words will take more control of your otherwise friendly and calm nature. It is not easy to forget but still you can move over such situations – beginning by taking deep breaths. This would calm you down, and prevent an ugly display of emotions, war of words and wrong decisions.

– A second to think

When situations are not fine, emotions very easily shroud your thinking process. However, by taking a second to think will instantly prevent you from simply surrendering yourselves to the rule of feelings and sentiments. “I’m right, and you are wrong” would soon give way to, “May be I went wrong somewhere, I’ll get back to you”.
In case, if it is your boss who gave you a trimming down session, you would think about the probable reason for the boss’s reaction. Also, instead of bad mouthing and sulking, you would begin thinking of working on target achievements.
You need not run away from situations; or think of “I quit because he said so”.
A second to think can make a whole lot of difference.
– A word it takes to make or break
It is best to avoid any conversation when you cannot think well, especially when you are a victim of emotions. At such a time there are more chances of speaking out those words and things that are hurtful, display aggression, arrogance and animosity. The end result would be nothing but shocked friends, colleagues and dear ones. When you calm down, you will be equally ashamed of yourself and your actions.
As children you might have hurt your parents several times. Once you acknowledge your mistake, or in some cases the parents help you correct your ways, everything is back to normal. And you remember not to repeat the mistake. The parents forgive you and continue to love you as always. However, imagine such a situation with your boss? It becomes really embarrassing coming back to the office after you create a sticky situation.

– A sorry comes to rescue

“I’m sorry,” “I apologise,” “I regret my action”. These are some of the word combination you resort to sort out an issue. It means a lot if you genuinely mean it.
I remember leaving sorry notes on my father’s table. The boss also appreciates if you say sorry for your action. But you have to give your bloated ego a reality check to understand the practical demands of life.
In fact, often it is our ego at work that causes trouble in a generally peaceful environment. Therefore, do not expect anything in return for the sorry that you said to someone.

– A dislike, to adjust to

It is not necessary that you like everybody whom you come in contact with. Every person has a unique individuality. Your may like some, love others and hate few. But when living in a society, be it home, school, college or office, you have to learn to master the art of adjusting to your dislikes too. For instance, you do not like the way a particular colleague gossips, writes mails to top boss with cooked up office stories and situations that did not exist. Unfortunately the person shares the office space with you.
Every day you have to see and be with the person though you hate to do so. Therefore, you become rational. Since it is impossible to change a person, you decide to adjust and concentrate on work.

An article on life that you typed on computer is easy to correct or delete by pressing the keys or mouse button. In real life, you do not often get a chance to undo your emotions, words and actions, once it is expressed. As an ordinary human being, you are bound to make mistakes and sometimes break relations too; next time think before you act.

Published in ezine.com

India Wakes to Chinese Make

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The association of Chinese products and Indian market is a long story. History has witnessed material import from China, especially Chinese silk, making way into silk industry. Chinese sarees are not new to Indian woman and so are the Lord Ganesha idols, electronic goods and toys. The six months ban imposed on import of toys from China is a direction taken to protect the domestic industry; a much needed step on the part of government to help the survival of various struggling domestic and cottage industries in India.

Indeed, the Chinese goods have become the current fad everywhere, especially for its low pricing. However, import of Chinese fabric has not struck the right chord with the saree industry.

In fact, sarees, unique to its Indian roots, is today a part of international culture, with blend of foreign material in an Indian connection. But it made news when silk sarees, especially Banarsi, the undisputed queen of every woman’s wardrobe, saw the weavers on a protest march last year as the Chinese sarees, a cheap imitation of authentic Banarsi, enjoyed better sales.

Named after the holy city of Varanasi or Banaras, this exclusive Indian treasure, is today facing the tunes of social and economic change. Though the finance minister has given India an assurance that we belong to secure zone, the industries have started facing the heat. The still ongoing economic crisis is fast spreading its tentacles to every form of business, choking the profit makers.

“Business of Banarsi saree has come down due to economic recession around the globe in many ways. Because all the fabrics made here are luxury items. All those who purchase these are the ones who are rich, either from India or from abroad…. People, who buy the stuff eventually, are affected by this financial crisis. And therefore, this influences us,” said Maqbool Hasan, a Banarsi saree exporter in a news report.

Rich in traditional and Persian motifs, brocades with intricate designs created from gold and silver thread, once upon a time Banarsi sarees found a world wide platform during the rule of Mughals.

The rulers, known for their flamboyance, encouraged silk weaving to that of the cotton. The glorious history survives through some of the traditional patterns and designs that are hard to duplicate; and a saree lover has a variety to choose from, be it pure silk (katan), organza (kora) with zari and silk, georgette, or shattir.

Little wonder then that the millions of people in the city are dependent on saree weaving, which is a kind of cottage industry in Varanasi. These traditional families of weavers burn their midnight oil to make the saree from home.

The poor, mostly illiterate weavers have to confront many a situation to weave the prestigious sarees. From the moneylenders to the climate and the availability of raw material to the laborious working conditions, everything has an impact on the physical and mental state of about 15 lakh people in the Banarsi saree industry.

The specialty of Banarsi saree is, in short, the skilled labour that is as distinct as the place itself. The rest of raw materials, including zari, silk and dye are imported from other places.

Interestingly, the raw silk used for weaving Banarsi sarees has always had a foreign connection. Earlier, it was Japan and now China has taken over the reign. Raw silk is not only imported, but also smuggled and sold in the black market.

Despite the fact that Karnataka and Gujarat have taken over as the primary providers, Chinese silk is still giving a tough competition. According to a 2007 news report, raw silk from China is thought to contribute up to 50 to 60 per cent of the sari-weaving market in Varanasi.

Similarly, when the weavers or artisans are spending days together to weave a saree, powerloom owners have made things simpler with computer-assisted copying of designs. They are producing cheap imitations of original Banarsi at various places. To add to the misery, these imitation sarees are said to be enjoying better profit margins.

With the sale of sarees going down and rising inflation making things difficult for the suppliers to meet the demands, artisans are feeling the heat in their sole profession.

“The business is not doing well. We work for 15 days and often there is no work for another 15 days. Initially, the labour charge was Rs 500 and today, it is only Rs 400,” said Javed, a weaver.

The struggle for existence has taken a toll on such weavers.

Instead of testing their patience further, they have opted for alternate means of livelihood. While some are working at construction sites and as rickshaw pullers, others are migrating for better job prospects.

Thanks to globalisation, Indian goods have better exposure internationally; nevertheless, the doors have also let in scenes of insecurity.

The Indian handloom and cottage industries have emerged stronger after every unwarranted crisis for years and the past sows seeds of hope for the Banarsi saree industry. The decision to ban Chinese toys may be just the first step, but it also goes to show that domestic industry still holds primary concern. It is easy to find skilled labour, but maintaining the tradition needs attention and care.

Published in:Merinews.com… A Merinews Pick…
India wakes up to Chinese make by Deeya Nayar-Nambiar

Bible and American President

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Barack Obama, the 44th President of United States is the first US president to swear on the Bible that Abraham Lincoln used for his 1861 inauguration.

In the US, presidents are not constitutionally required to be sworn in using a Bible, though most presidents have traditionally used one to take oath of office.

It was George Washington, the first president of United States of America who began this practice. He borrowed a Bible from St. John’s Lodge No. 1.

Chester A. Arthur in 1881 and Theodore Roosevelt in 1901, were some exceptions as they did not use a Bible.

Similarly, when Kennedy was assassinated, Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson assumed the job of president and took the oath of office aboard “SAM 26000”- Air Force One in 1963. Since there was no Bible in the plane, he used a Roman Catholic missal (contains religious services).

The popular choice till date has been George Washington’s Bible. It has been used by Warren Harding, Dwight Eisenhower and George W Bush.

Some others like Richard Nixon and Bill Clinton have opted for personal Bibles. While Nixon used two Bibles belonging to his family, Clinton chose his grandmother’s.

The Lincoln Bible, an 1853 Oxford University Press edition, will be on display at the Library of Congress from Feb 12 to May 9 as part of an exhibition for the 200th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth.

No matter what the rule says, the presidents continue the tradition to finish the oath of office with the words “So help me God”.

Obama’s Taste Of Lincoln

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January 20 is etched in the history of the United States as a new era of responsibility. A new president is sworn-in and the day is looked forward to as a new beginning. Barack Hussein Obama, the 44th President of United States, has not just many promises for the world but many firsts to his credit too.

He is not only the first African-American President but also the first US president to swear on the burgundy velvet Bible that Abraham Lincoln used during his 1861 inauguration.

According to a news report, Obama is said to have been “deeply honoured” to have the first use of the Lincoln Bible since the Civil War to “provide a powerful connection to our common past and common heritage”.

“Obama has drawn inspiration from Lincoln, who faced the toughest challenge as a president with a nation divided by Civil War.”

His “extraordinary inspiration” is visible in the selection of his team too. He has inducted a number of political rivals, including Hillary Clinton, into his cabinet, which is a strategy reminiscent of the “team of rivals” approach of Lincoln.

That’s not all, a self-professed follower of Abraham Lincoln, Obama also went on to have on his lunch menu the food eaten by Lincoln after his inauguration. And thus based on the tastes of Lincoln, seafood stew, pheasant and duck with chutney, and apple cinnamon sponge cake made way to the table.

The president in his swearing-in ceremony warned the nation of the tough times while pledging hard work. “Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America – they will be met.
“On this day, we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord.”

In a divided world, where fear, scare and insecurity have taken a toll, Obama is a ray of hope. Wish peace and faith spread beyond the inaugural speech…