Warrier's COLLAGE July 28, 2021

Welcome to Warrier's COLLAGE On Wednesday July 28, 2021 In Conversation with Manu S Pillai Author and Historian https://youtu.be/epgYnlCbKs0 (Learning from History) Good Morning Nice Day M G Warrier M 134 Ekadantaya Vakratundaya... https://youtu.be/6gBBlDorGY0 (Link Courtesy : Saravana Varma Mumbai) A Select Responses 1) Vathsala Jayaraman Chennai Urmila in Ramayana Kaikeyi and Urmila are comparable in one aspect. Kaikeyi thought that even if she is defamed as 'terrible Raakshasi, her husband Dasaratha should not be blamed as a person who has not kept up his promise. He exposed all her merits as demerits.The flawless Kaikeyi is treated as a cruel woman. Continued at H1 2) V T Panchapagesan Chennai Musings on Today's Motherhood* Days are changing and children's ways of living are altogether changed......with their self confidence ... My granddaughter who is a USA citizen has planned everything for herself. Chose a life partner, fortunately from our side. Built up a career, after about two years she planned well and a kollu pethi was born on the 20th July, 2021 to her. All by her effort without other's help. Amazing. Hats off to her! *Responding to Vathsala Jayaraman's observations in a different context (Excerpts at H3) (Congratulations and Best Wishes 🙏-Warrier. For those wondering why, "Kollu Pethi" means "Pet Granddaughter") 3) Muthulakshmi Subramanian The article on Ghyan Chand and the details about the Kerala Bank are welcome. English and Hindi contradictions - is enjoyable. It's sad that Urmila's role is not recognised and given value. I admire her. (In real life also, 'heros' and 'heroines' get more attention. Though their survival itself is dependent on other characters-Warrier) B Books by M G Warrier Chasing Inclusive Growth : Reforms for Financial Inclusion : https://www.amazon.in/dp/B07B527VZY/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_NVX5RE4Q3MDQ9CXXDXG0 Preface to "Banking, Reforms and Corruption"* (2014 Print Edition. Now available in eBook format titled "Chasing Inclusive Growth") : S S Tarapore's Foreword and Usha Thorat's message are indicative of the encouragement and support I received from senior members of the Reserve Bank of India family. Tarapore watched me, guided me and pushed me to perform better with parental care and concern and appreciated my every move instilling confidence in me to move forward. The responses I received from the readers to the articles published in newspapers and magazines since 2005 gave me confidence to put together select published articles in one place. The result is in your hands. Thanks to Dr Sunandan Roy Chowdhury (Sampark, Kolkatta), who, brought out the first print edition of this book in 2014. In this book, I have attempted to express my perceptions, anxieties and aspirations about the 21st Century India Growth Story with focus on resources management in the Indian context by policy interventions in the structure and governance of the financial system. This is an area well researched and documented by several scholars, politicians and many in social media. The difference this book claims is the commonsense approach backed by an on-the-job learning experience spanning half a century. Section I of the book, on Financial Sector Reforms, takes on record the latest developments in the financial sector and outlines possible corrective measures that can be considered by those who can influence policy formulation. Section II gives an overview of the role of Reserve Bank of India and the need to be cautious while dismantling the central bank. Section III rushes through some basic development issues which deserve more attention from the planners. Section IV covers some aspects of corruption which has become a subject of interest for those who are ‘practicing’ it and for the victims. Section V draws attention to (i) the sudden withdrawal of a social security system, namely defined-benefit pension scheme and the incompetence and inadequacy of its substitute, namely National Pension System and (ii) the need for ensuring better shelter and social security for the ageing population of India. I dedicate this book to my wife Sudha, who keeps me fit for all my endeavors and my grandchildren, Govind and Vihaan who happen to be the inspiration for me to dream about a better tomorrow. M G Warrier *My other books on Banking and Finance are "India's Decade of Reforms" (2018) and "Restoring TRUST in Governance" (2020)-Warrier C Collage in Classroom History of Cooperative Banks https://www.economicsdiscussion.net/india/cooperative-banking/cooperative-banking-in-india-history-structure-importance-and-weaknesses/31365 Excerpts : Strengthening of Cooperative Banking Structure: With a view to strengthen cooperative banking structure and promote cooperative credit, the Reserve Bank undertakes the following measures: (i) It pays special attention towards rehabilitating and revitalising the weaker cooperative units. (ii) It makes arrangements for maintaining the flow of cooperative credit by involving commercial banks to finance the primary agricultural societies. (iii) It makes efforts in improving the lending policies and operational efficiency of cooperative credit institutions. (iv) It provides financial accommodation to cooperative credit institutions. (v) It conducts special training courses at the Cooperative Bankers’ Training Colleges for the personnel of state, central and urban banks. (This is the position decades ago. We will discuss subsequent developments in the coming weeks-Warrier) D Readers Write Holy Ganga : Vathsala Jayaraman Hindus believe that bathing in the river Ganga remits sins and facilitates attainment of salvation and that dying in Kasi ensures release of a person's soul from the cycle of births and re births. Even Nehru spoke of Ganga as " the river of India, beloved of her people around which are intertwined her memories,her hopes and fears and her songs of triumphs, her victories and defeats." (Continued at H2) E Book Review : Ivory Throne By Manu S Pillai https://www.timesnownews.com/amp/columns/article/the-ivory-throne-court-intrigues-black-magic-and-a-slice-of-kerala-s-history/486104 Excerpts : The book also depicts Kerala and its evolution through the ages -- for example, the quaint style of dressing, where women for many years never wore an upper garment; the arduous caste system; the influence of Tamil Brahmins in administration; and the queer systems where the king’s or the queen’s consort got no real recognition or position and could be dispersed and changed easily after children were born. Similar sexual openness is reflected in the society through a procedure called ‘Sambandam’ followed by Nairs and Ambalavasis wherein they were allowed to enter into multiple contractual marriages. Other castes had similar arrangements under different names. F Leisure 1) Communication https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/readersblog/the-mobile-story/the-mobile-story-35679/?comments=show Posted online comments : "interesting thoughts. we have come a long way from the time we communicated through letters. the speed and facilities have helped a lot. the spontaneous outbursts which happened only in proximity earlier are now happening between people separated by continents. there\'s no private communication that remains private. media takes pride in procuring and transmitting contents of interactions which used to have protection for various valid reasons till last century. whether we are better off, depends on individual perception. keep writing.'" 2) Thrill of watching Ivory Throne on Television : https://m.timesofindia.com/entertainment/telugu/movies/news/baahubali-makers-grab-the-ivory-throne-to-adapt-it-into-an-original/amp_articleshow/68484419.cms (This is a 2019 report. Have not checked updates-Warrier) 3) V T Panchapagesan Chennai On the last day of the war in Ramayana : Instead of Dwapara yugam, let us stretch our imagination, they interacted in Kali Yugam... Read below* : The vanquished Ravana lying on the ground, groaning in pain, awaiting his death. Rama calls his brother Lakshmana. Lakshmana, the ever obedient brother says “Yes brother, what do I have to do.” Dear Lakshmana, for all his faults, Ravana is still a great man, very learned and full of wisdom. A great Shiva Bhakta, a benevolent Chakravati, Singer, Musician, Expert in Veena, knows the Vedas by heart. Go to him, pay your respects and request him to share his learning before he departs from this world. Lakshmana immediately proceeds to the ground where Raavana is lying and stands near his head. Hearing the footsteps and recognising that Lakshmana is standing near his head, Ravana keeps quiet. Lakshmana waits for a long time and then returns frustrated to Rama. Rama, the all knowing, smiles and says : Lakshmana, when you go to someone for learning, you have to stand at their feet, not sit besides their head. Lakshmana goes back and stands near Ravana's feet. Looking at Lakshmana, Ravana now smiles and welcomes him. He asks Lakshmana to come near him so that he can whisper in his ears. Says Ravana : "I will teach you the 4 most important things which all must follow to be successful. 1 Don't get hooked to Whatsapp and waste your precious time believing every story on it. 2 Dont send video files more than 3 MB and waste people's time. They don't have that much time to squander. 3 Don't squabble with friends on social media especially on politically motivated topics and spoil your mood and relaionships. 4 Do not talk about the Budget whether it's 2020 or 2021 because the Govt will again make a fool of you" V T Panchapagesan (*Mythological Version at H4) G Quotes about History of Money https://forgottentruthhistory.wordpress.com/historical-quotes-money/ Like : "A fungible thing,” writes Father Lewis Watt, S.J., in The Ethics of Interest, ” is one which perishes in the act of serving its natural purpose. . . The natural and normal use of a loaf of bread, for instance, is to be eaten. . . The loaf is a fungible thing.” The money of which these writers speak, therefore, exists prior to being lent. A loan for them is the transfer of a pre-existing claim forgoods and services which the lender has acquired. The lendes gives up something. But when bankers grant loans, they bring exchange medium into existence, they create money. They are not simply lending exchange-medium having an existence independent of them and of the borrowers. ” Borrowing,” writes Prof. O’Rahilly in Money, ” covers (1) the transfer of preexisting claims legitimately earned by the holders; (2) the creation of new money-claims. . . The Government does not and cannot borrow pre-existing money from the banks : all it can do is to pay them for creating new money.” As Professor Soddy insists, the banks do not give up anything at all.” – Reverend Denis Fahey, Money Manipulation and Social Order, 1944 (Father Denis Fahey, C.S.Sp. was an Irish Catholic priest. Fahey promoted the Catholic social teaching of Christ the King, and was involved in Irish politics through his organisation Maria Duce) H 1) Continued from A1 In the same way Urmila thought that only if Lakshman hates her completely he could serve rama and Sita in a way he should. Urmila is painted a great heroine by Shri Mythili Sharan Gupta in his kavithaa "SAAKETH" in Hindi. He has created a special place to Urmila. Rabindra Nath Tagore also keeps Urmila in a much higher place. In some rural versions it is said that Nidra devi was escaping from Lakshman for 14 years and his sleep also occupied Urmila and she spent the entire 14 years in sleep only as per the directions of Nidra Devi and that she could not even recognise Lakshman when he returned after 14 long years. In some other versions it is stated that Urmila treated her mothers-in-law with much kindness and that she was a great artist and she drew the scenes of the wedding ceremony of four brothers beautifully in a canvas. However much she tries to console herself, her feelings burst out. She does not care for royal dignity; ordinary citizenship is enough for her. She has only duties to perform and she hates fighting for kingship. In her opinion the state belongs to those who toil and work for the prosperity of the nation. Urmila's agony and sorrow possess literary importance. The following lines are a revelation of the poet's skill, originality and creative art. “Vus rudanthi virahini ke rudan ras ke lep se Aur paakar thaap uske priya Virah vikshepse varana varna sadaiva junke ho vibhushan karna ke Kyon na banthe kavijanonke tamra patra swarna ke” (Rudanti:- a rare herb. The roots are crushed to prepare juice. The thick juice is applied on copper plates which are heated in a special furnace. High temperature and chemicals in the juice transform the copper into pure gold fit for making ornaments. This is a kind of alchemy. Perhaps Mythili Sharan Gupta ,the poet is aware of this process and has used it skillfully, using his imagination and applying the figure of speech called pun – shlesh alankar in Sanskrit. Rudanti also means a lady always shedding tears of sorrow). Hence the poet feels strongly, “If only the tears of Urmila are applied on the copper sheets used by poets for writing, heated using the fuel gathered and stored due to the 14 years’ long separation, certainly every letter composed by poets will be golden and worth hearing and listening to for generations. The transformed gold is useful for making earnings; so also Urmila’s lamentations. The imagination is not running riotous but praiseworthy. Another description of Urmila runs as follows:- Urmila of Ayodhya is just like a solid stone heavy due to tons and tons of sorrow, the pathos accumulated slowly running out of her eyes in the form of small droplets) The voice was that of a woman who has barely been given three to four lines in Valmiki’s Ramayana. True, Urmila is a minor character, one amongst the four daughters of Janaka and the four daughters-in-law of Dashratha, she does not have a major role to play. Yet the untold story of her sacrifice is one that has fired many a poet’s imagination and inspired many a writer to make her their muse. After all, in the few lines dedicated to her, even Valmiki categorically states her sacrifice as unparalleled. Rabindranath Tagore classified Urmila as one of the forgotten heroines of Indian literature. She was also made the central character of Hindi poet Mythili Sharan Gupta’s Saket. 'Saket' was the prescibed Text for Visharad exam of Dakshin Bharat Hindi Prachara Sabha, and even today those unforgettable lines are reverberating in my mind. Vathsala Jayaraman 2) Continued from D Ganga Matha,the giver of life to so many people,starts getting polluted right at the source.The commercial exploitation of the river,the swelling population around, result in discharge of untreated community & industrial waste into the river resulting in major deterioration in the quality of water.It is said that more than 30 million gallons of untreated sewage flow into the river in between various ghats in Varanasi. Experts feel that the Ganges water is unfit not only for drinking and bathing but even for agricultural purposes.This is the situation notwithstanding the existence of many" SAVE GANGA' projects.Ganga has become life threat to the same people whom she nurtured. But human faith is something unpredictable.Even people who are fully aware of all the pollutions and the possibility of disease contacts, visit Varanasi, take bath in Ganges, feel devoid of sins, go to their lodges and take bath in some other water( whether it is the same Ganga supplied thro taps?) to remove the dirt on their physique. There is an interesting story about the faith of people in Ganga. Once Lord Viswanath,the presiding deity of Banares expressed doubt that the devotees didn't have faith in the purity and sacredness of Ganges, as they appeared to be. His consort Parvati counter argued that Shiva should not suspect the people. Both of them wanted to test this. They disguised as ordinary human beings as man and wife. As already planned the husband fell into the water and got entangled . The wife started shouting, "Pl help my husband to come out.The person who tries to help should be sinless. There is a 'curse' in our family that my husband will get involved in floods & he has to be saved only by a sinless person. Otherwise my husband will not escape death' The woman started lamenting. Many people who were taking bath in Ganges at that time came forward to help but hearing her condition, they thought of various mistakes they had committed and hesitated.The man was in deep distress inside the waters. Suddenly a man in his 40s jumped into the river caught hold of the hair locks of the husband and saved him. The couple profusely thanked the man and enquired about him. He said' I am in Kasi for the past 20 years. I am working as a cook in one of the choultries.Being frequented by tourists, I have full work at my place. Only twice or thrice I have bathed in Ganges. I have heard people say that a bath in Ganges will relieve all of the sins earlier committed. On hearing your condition I thought that if I jump into the river , all my sins will be washed off and I will become sinless and become eligible to save your husband." It is said the cook , just because of his faith, had a Darsan Of Lord Viswnath and Devi. It is perhaps the harsh reality that people visit Varanasi not due to real faith but out of fear.The term'FAITH' itself appears to be relative. Faith is entirely different from thoughts of science and knowledge about pollutions. Vathsala Jayaraman 3) See A2 "But I think with education and awareness modern mothers are fully conscious of what steps to take, when to say a 'definite 'NO' to children and when to give freedom along with induction of responsibility. In modern days no mother can exercise so much of coercion on children and neither the children will have any regard to such compulsions. No single style parenting will suit all children and the mother cannot adopt the same style to both her children.They have to integrate it to the needs of each individual child.There is no common tailor made method of bringing up. The word'aalumai' in Tamil may be authoritarian or authoritative. Both have authority of the parent. The authoritarian style which mothers are blamed of consists of a closed system,just obey what the parents say.There is no discussion, no alternatives or no negotiation.Mutual trust is lost .Children are likely to obey for some time but may turn repulsive later. An authoritative parenting style responds to the emotional needs of children while setting limits and boundaries. Children feel a sense of empowerment when there is balance between choice and responsibility. Authoritative parents expect their children to meet high standards while also being willing to reason and be flexible with children when they make mistakes.. As a result, children have the opportunity to learn how to negotiate, become self-reliant, achieve academic success, develop self-discipline, be socially accepted, and have increased self-esteem. Perhaps this is what Suki sivam means by positive aalumai and negative AAlumai. However the present behaviour of modern children cannot be attributed to mothers and their authoritarian attitude alone.In this world of developing communications the'peer pressure'has the supreme role to play and it has spread its demonish wings in all 360 degrees. There is a stage in which any amount of even authoritative parenting may be of nohelp.Children feel what they think is 100% correct. Child psychology has undergone unimaginable changes and some strange behaviour of high ranking children of much understanding parents on certain occasions causes much concern. It is easy for Suki Sivam or anyone to give appealing lectures on platform,decry the role of mother as a phenomenon of animal instinct and it is extremely difficult to be a mother these days with bundles of challenges ahead.It is all the more difficult to handle problem children even by psychologists/psychiatrists.'It is ultimately for the mother to choose which style of parenting suits her child best." Vathsala Jayaraman 4) Continued from F3 After airing fatal arrow on the battlefield of Lanka, Lord Rama told his brother Lakshman: Go to Ravana quickly before he dies and request him to share whatever knowledge he can. A brute he may be, but he is also a great scholar! The obedient Lakshmana rushed across the battlefield to Ravana side and wispread in his ears: Oh demon king, do not let your knowledge die with you.Share it with us and wash away your sins! Ravana responded by simply turning away his head. An angry Lakshman went back to Lord Rama and said: He is arrogant as he always was, too proud to share anything! Rama conformed his brother and asked him softly: Where did you seat while asking Ravana for knowledge? Next to his head so that I hear what he had to say clearly! – spoke Lakshman. Lord Rama smiled, placed his bow on the ground ans walked to where Ravana lay. Lakshmana watched in astonishment as his divine brother knelt at Ravanas feet. With palms joined with extreme humility, Lord Rama said: Lord of Lanka, you abducted my wife, a terrible crime for which i have been forced to punish you. Now, you are no more my enemy. I bow to you and request you to share your wisdom with me. Please do that, for if you die without doing so, all your wisdom will be lost forever to the world. To Lakshmana surprise Ravana opened his eyes and raised his arms to salute Lord Rama: If only i had more time as your teacher then as your enemy. Standing at my feet as a student should, unlike your rude younger brother, you are worthy recipient of my knowledge. I have very little time so I cannot share much but let me tell you important lessons i have learned in my life. 1) Things that are bad for you seduce you easily; you run towards them impatiently. So you must defer the bad action as much as you can and avoid them. 2. Things that are actually good for you, fail to attract you; you shun them creatively, finding powerful excuses to justify your procrastination. So you must do good action without any delay and as much early as you can. This is why i was impatient to abduct Sita but avoided meeting you. This is wisdom of my life, Lord Rama. My last words. I give it to you! said Ravana and died.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

NAVAGRAHA STOTRAM

THE SUNSET OF THE CENTURY

The King of Ragas: Sankarabharanam