Hoping for the best amid pandemic

 PC THOMAS

Coronavirus has apparently created massive financial disproportions in humans from all walks of life. What is even more worried is the striking reality that many lives are falling into poverty, particularly from the lower middle class that includes skilled labours, hawkers and workers. With the earning hands shifted to jobless or endured pay cuts, many families are finding it hard to cope with things in their life, which ultimately affected the education of their children.  

Recently, media reported a Class-X student of Indore allegedly ended his life as he had no means to pay his outstanding fees which was forcefully demanded by his school authorities. In another report, a man who was rendered jobless due to the coronavirus-induced lockdown, hanged himself at Kanpur in UP. In July, media reported, children in about 62% households discontinued their education amid the Covid-19 outbreak. Suicide Cases during Corona Lockdown in India are many.

Numerous reports also came to light showing that many parents are very much hard-pressed to maintain the education of their children due to their job loss. Many unaided parents have been forced to sell their valuable resources for buying the gadgets for the virtual education of their children, driving them further into poverty.  

Also Read: Stay Positive in Negative situation

Obviously, the pandemic crisis has led to a massive spike in the unemployment rate of the country. A latest report of the CMIE revealed worrisome data, which says more than 1.8-Cr salaried employees lost their jobs in India since April, followed by one lakh job losses in May.  

As a result, education is mainly undergoing a severe predicament at the moment. Presumably, schools and college campuses will be shut through 2020 due to an increasing number of COVID cases. In the midst, the shift of classroom experience to virtual platform has highlighted digital disparities, exposing vast tracts with internet connectivity problems. Parents find it difficult to pay for laptops, iPads, smart-phones or the data packs for their children to log into online classes.

While everybody suffers differently, it is of serious concern, how can common people or unemployed parents survive? When and how the economy will recover?  As far as school authorities are concerned, how can they ensure the security and wellbeing of students, teachers and staff? How do they discipline students? How can they protect teachers? How do they revamp classroom experiences? Can parents afford to pay school fees without job? Can institutions afford to pay teachers without students?   There are many unanswered questions.

Also Read: Corona crisis and coronation of our lives

The crisis has revealed that hoping for the best does not help us. On the other hand, we must plan for the worst and hope for the best. The time is ripe that governments should vehemently address this issue – Save our souls and save our States is the weep of people. All state Governments must prioritize the most deprived children and their families through significant social protection schemes including child benefits, remote learning opportunities, healthcare services and generate more and better quality jobs for people to survive. It is also significant that each State and districts have a plan for how to ensure that the pandemic does not derail the aspirations and achievements of this generation of students.

 

Will local reservation strengthen the unity of India?

 PC THOMAS

While the COVID-19 pandemic is aggravating the economic crisis, an already emotional issue of job reservation is brought to spotlight in Madhya Pradesh. On Tuesday, 19^th August, the Honorable Chief Minister Madhya Pradesh Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan announced that all government jobs in the State will be reserved only for the “children of the State”.

While reading the news, I remembered a story in the Bible. In the New Testament of the Bible, we read in St. Mathew’s Chapter 15, verse 21- 28 the story of a “Canaanite Woman’s hope”.  Jesus was going off to the territory near the cities of Tyre and Sidon. A Canaanite woman who lived in that region (local) came to Jesus and said “Son of David, Sir” she begged. “Have mercy on me, my daughter is possessed by a demon and is in a terrible condition” she cried. To test her faith, Jesus made an apparently humiliating statement. “I have been sent only to the lost sheep of the people of Israel” – “It is not right to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs” (that means Jesus is not bound to help a non-Jew). But the woman’s answer was even more powerful.  She answered “That is true Sir, but even the dogs eat the leftovers that fall from their master’s table”. Jesus was amazed at her faith and said quickly “You are woman of great faith! What you want will be granted to you” And that very moment her daughter was healed!

I do agree that adequate reservation must be given to the children of the State by the respective state governments. At the same time, MP Government has to bear in mind that people from other states living in MP are also contributing to the development of Madhya Pradesh.  Last year, the Kamal Nath government had directed industries in Madhya Pradesh to provide 70 pc reservation to people from the state. In July, the Haryana government promulgated and ordinance reserving 75 pc jobs in the private sector for local people. And, on August 5, the Telangana cabinet approved a policy to reserve 60 pc of skilled jobs and 80 pc of unskilled jobs for the people of the state in the new industries. Read more PC Thomas Article

M.P government has to take into account the current insecurities of all people arising from the jobless situation, especially in the midst of the spread of corona-virus pandemic. Job is needed for all people of India for their survival whether they are sons of the soil or not.

In line with the wish expressed by the Canaanite Woman, Shivraj Singh Chouhan’s government should reconsider its decision and reserve only 80 pc of government jobs to the children of Madhya Pradesh and leave 20 pc to the people from other states. All Indians are the sons and the daughters of Mother India whether they are born in one geographical area of India or the other. Like Covid-19, hunger affects everyone without any distinction or discrimination! If all the State governments follow the policy of reserving 100 pc jobs only for the people from their States, it can lead to tensions and conflicts among the different States of India and the unity and integrity of India could be adversely affected.

Moreover, a particular State may not have adequate number of skilled persons or experts in a particular field and some other State may have excess of experts or skilled persons in that particular field. In that case a policy of reserving hundred percent jobs for the sons of the soil will be harmful to both the States. From the perspective of the holistic development of India and the unity of the nation, hundred percent job reservation for the sons of the soil is not a bright idea.  – Stay Updated with Best Blog PC_Thomas

Will Schools be Reopened on September 1?

PC THOMAS

Coronavirus has captured the imagination and thoughts of governments, educationalists, scientists, the media and common man. As businesses revive gradually following the months of lockdown, now the debates about the reopening of schools and colleges have gathered momentum in India. 

In the United States all schools are all set to resume.  In fact, some have already reopened and normal classes started from the first week of August amid rising number of cases. According to a report, it is known that just fourteen days after schools reopened in the U.S, over 97000 children have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. This has been a matter of great concern worldwide, indicating that more cautious steps are to be taken before the normal functioning of the schools amidst the spread of pandemic.  However, considering the gravity of the situation and variation of the pandemic across the globe, many countries are at different stages regarding when and how they plan to reopen schools. These decisions will be made by the governments, often in discussion with local authorities.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal in his address on the Independence Day said that the schools in the Delhi city will not be opened until the Covid-19 situation is brought completely under control. Besides, the Deputy CM and Education Minister Manish Sisodia confirmed before the media that the government would be slow on the issue of opening schools considering the current situations, especially the lesson learned from the condition of school children in the US. In a separate statement, he said that if the parents and teachers together with the 16-lakhs students of Delhi would start praying, it is certain we will soon be able to re-open our schools.

Some State governments are also reportedly considering opening schools from September month. On the other hand, the Centre has clarified that it has not yet finalized any specific date for the reopening schools.  It is also reported that the Centre has prepared the modalities and the plan to restart schools and other educational institutions in a phased manner, starting from September 1.

The return of children to school is important and hopefully a welcome step, but parents and children raise many questions. A greater part of parents are anxious about school closure dampening their children’s education, about children missing social interactions and about children staying on track for the next grade.

Governments should make sure that the schools should be reopened only when it is fully secure for students. However, going back to school will be something totally different from what the children and parents were used to before. It is assumed that schools may restart for a period of time and then a decision may be made to close them again temporarily, depending on the local context. Nevertheless, in the evolving situation, authorities will need to be flexible and be prepared to adopt safety measures for the protection of every child.

In this time of uncertainty, what should a parent do if his child is struggling to get back into school mode?  Parents should keep in mind that their children may experience stress. In that case, they can create a supportive and fostering atmosphere and respond positively to children’s feelings.

It is obligatory for parents to help children to stick to their regular practice and make learning playful and enjoyable by incorporating other activities such as family reading time or games. Give additional support to your child at home by building a routine around school and schoolwork. This can be of great support if they are feeling restless and having trouble regarding focusing on studies.

We all need to keep in mind that the solution to COVID-19 is no longer only in the hands of the experts. Only God can intervene when God’s people pray in harmony, in suffering situation. The Education Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia’s faith is very much valuable. In line with his faith, let us pray the welfare of the country – If the parents and teachers together with the 40-crores students of India would start praying, it is certain all students of India will soon be able to go to schools safely and comfortably. This article publiashed in Metro Vaartha on 19.8.2020. Stay Updated- The Best Blog PC Thomas

Stay Positive in the Negative Situation

PC THOMAS

The global economic recession and uncertainty set off by the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the stringent lockdown imposed to contain its spread have impacted lives and livelihoods in India. Financial imbalance and social isolation have pushed many of them to the brink of despair and uncertainty.

Despite the fact that the unlocking has been in progress for past 65 days as of writing this piece, people are attempting to adjust themselves to the new normal life.  However, during this Covid-19 crisis, there are reports indicating to a growth in alleged suicides. On the flip side, there are stories of young people who have triumphed over adversity with life-changing success.

The challenge of Covid-19 is that it is a large-scale crisis affecting the entire society. Businesses go bankrupt, people lose jobs, no hike in salary and people face many struggles to survive during these difficult times.  However, it is a fact that even in the toughest of times, positive people are winners and the negative people are the losers. All of us have the opportunity to utilize this Covid time positively to prepare ourselves to build a better future for us and for our posterity.

Sometimes people, probably because they follow their zeal with passion or because they are by nature aggressive, brave, ambitious, they are willing to leave the comfort zones and move towards the discomfort zone to achieve what they look for in life. But there are some who drift through the present situation aimlessly.

The primary lesson that we need to take from this situation of pandemic is that it is a crisis or it appears to be a setback to the progress of the entire humanity, but the world is not going to an end. The world will emerge stronger and we will find a treatment for the disease and we will go about our lives and get stronger and get better. The most important thing that we can do today is to have that self-belief. Every crisis builds its own winners and even the absence of a crisis has losers. Hence, be positive and believe in you and in the Supreme Power that gives meaning to your life.

In addressing the social issues related to the suicides committed by Covid-19 positive patients or the disgrace and stigma attached to the disease, we need to educate people about reasonably confronting painful and difficult situations in life. Further, we need to be sensitive and caring about persons who need support and encouragement.  Therefore, it is very important for us to quickly reach out those persons in our society who show indications of depression. Timely financial and emotional support in this difficult situation can reduce the number of people taking an irreversible stride to end their lives.  The Central and State governments, on their part, need to take care that  the schemes announced to alleviate the sufferings of the poor and the needy reach the deserving people and that too without delay. For all of us, the need of the hour is to be positive about life and embrace life with confidence come what may! - This article published in Metro Vaartha on 14.8.2020. Stay Updated- The Best Blog PC Thomas

 

 

 

 

Engaging Youth to Act

 PC THOMAS

Once a youth was admitted to hospital following severe injuries attained in a bike accident. When asked him how it happened he said – After participated in the Youth Day’s cocktail party in the hotel and while returning to home late at night, I saw two motorbikes coming parallel in my opposite direction. I began to accelerate in order to race between their motorbikes. But it was they come nearer, that I realized the headlights belonged not to two motor-bikes, but to one car!

Different from the above scene, the youth of today has now become fully disciplined in roads as Coronavirus taught them a bouquet of life lessons in their way of thinking, driving, working and acting. Young people have become heroes of the pandemic now by adapting themselves with critical life situations, keeping careful behind the wheels, lifting spirits of others and letting people know the type of protocols to follow to fight against the pandemic situation. Let us send the virus thanks for these precious lessons it taught.

Today, 12th of August, the nation celebrates one of the awareness days, the International Youth Day. The day is celebrated to recognize the importance, role and hard-work of the Youth. It is one of the most important days to engage the generation of the youth of our world to help them and contribute more to our communities and society. The theme of the International Youth Day-2020 is “Youth Engagement for Global Action”.  The day intends to demonstrate the manners by which youngsters at the local, national and worldwide levels are upgraded.

In India, the youth constitutes about more than one-fourth of the total population. Therefore, Youth Day is important for India as it focuses on making a better India with a set of priorities according to improvements in the lives of children and youth.

Needless to say, this year’s International Youth Day comes amid an unprecedented global crisis. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in acute social and economic impacts around the world.  Young people are particularly exposed to the disruptions the pandemic has caused, and many are now at risk of being left behind in education,   economic prospects and health and wellbeing during a critical stage of their life development. Young people are more likely to be unemployed or to be in precarious working arrangements, and thus they lack adequate social protection.  About one billion students and youth across the world have been affected by school and university closures. Economic miseries and social isolation have pushed many people to the brink or beyond.

In the light of the above, on International Youth Day this year 2020 youth can effectively spread the message and make it interesting and relevant. They can use all their channels to propagate the message about the World Youth Day and its significance in a manner handling with the pandemic crisis, by organizing a virtual public debate or meeting to discuss young people’s contributions to national and international levels. They can take the lead in fighting against false information which is intended to mislead people in the present crisis, as well as in spreading preventive measures. 

Let youth accelerate their drive towards goal and ensure that they have every opportunity to participate fully in the lives of their societies amid the crisis. To make all the goals a reality will require the cooperation of each individual, including Governments, the private sector, civil organizations and people around the world. This article published in Metro Vaartha on 12.8.20- Stay updated with the Best Blog PC Thomas

Traditional drugs for Covid-19 faces bottleneck pressure

PC THOMAS

Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his video conference on March 28, said that the AYUSH sector has a long tradition of keeping the nation in the pink of health and its importance has increased manifold in the continual efforts to tackle COVID-19. The Government has set up the Department of AYUSH – which stands for Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homoeopathy – to utilize and promote these therapies in the field of healthcare.

While Covid-19 looms large, it is commonly seen that no allopathic doctor is supporting or acknowledging the traditional treatments such as Homeopathy, Ayurvedic and so on. Last month, media reported that Homeopathy treatment was given to 42 Corona-infected patients in the Rajastan by physicians of the Homeopathy University of Jaipur, which yielded positive results. There was also another news reported that thousands of homeopaths in the public and private sector are outraged at the state directive restricting them from practising their system of medicine.

Traditional medicine has some features that the allopathic class does not have. Similarly, Allopathy also has its own features that the traditional does not have. Medical Experts believe that in the event of an outbreak of infectious or other serious diseases in the country, all these therapies will work together to tackle the disease effectively in prevention and treatment of cases. It is in this light that the Prime Minister said that traditional therapies could suggest better ways to combat the virus.

While modern medical field has not yet succeeded in developing a timely and effective drug against the coronavirus, there is a growing public demand to use non-allopathic therapies to treat the patients who are found to be Covid-19 positive. In India many people take traditional therapies such as homeopathy or Ayurvade for making themselves immune and fight against the virus.  Many local communities are also taking interest in distributing homeopathic medicines from the source to the public interest for the prevention of disease.   But the Allopathic community or modern science never acknowledges or supports the quality of the drug.

In view of the huge increase in the number of Covid patients in Kerala, the Government of Kerala has decided to appoint non-Allopathic doctors and staff to run the first-aid centers. But no further pursuance has been taken by the government. The reason is said to be due to the opposition from the allopathic medicine sector. The Indian Medical Association (IMA), an organization of allopathic doctors, is strongly opposed to alternative therapies, especially homeopathy.

Immunity drugs in traditional therapies are often demonstrated since they are scientifically based. Government hospitals, medical study facilities and graduate colleges have been set up in all these medical units. The government also pays their employees. Every day thousands of patients approach such hospitals and achieve the results. Yet what is the logic of saying that such treatments cannot be acknowledged even when epidemics are rampant in the country? This discrimination must be ended. The government needs to settle the Cold War between the medical communities and work towards a co-operative treatment plan on a war footing basis.  This article published in Metro Vaartha on 7.8.20- Stay updated with the Best Blog PC Thomas

 

Friendship Day versus Raksha Bhandhan

PC THOMAS

Friendship day coincides with Raksha Bahandhan. International Friendship day is on July 30, but in India, it is celebrated on the first Sunday of August, on the basis that the valuable role a friend plays in life. True friends make up our life more joyful. They give us a feeling of belonging, cause us to feel cherished, never let us feel lonely and promote us to live with a better life and let go of our negative behavior patterns.

Though Friendship Day is intended to promote the role of friend in life, it is misused by the youth, like a Valentine day spirit, making a juvenile romance with many girls, saying that at least two-line-girlfriends are needed to enjoy life. At the same time it is a dangerous fact to understand that “Not a single crow, which has caught on two-line electrical wire, is alive today”!!

Unlike Friendship day, Raksha Bahandhan or Rakhi epitomizes family relationships.  It is celebrated today, the 3rd August, with boundless happiness and passion because it is the bond between brothers and sisters.  There is a deep feeling of love in it.  As we enjoy sacred festivals like Raksha Bahandhan, we should remember that, in reality, they all are meant to remind us of the inner bliss and oneness that are our inherent nature and are the very essence of life. Read more PC Thomas Article

In today's world, where human beings and nature are besieged by problems connected to Covid threat with social distancing, celebrations of such sacred days are in pipe-line pressure, however, they come out even more forcefully through various social media. These celebrations are intended to bring the much-needed message of unconditional love, destroying all enemies and disparities from our live.

Once an old man’s 100 years of Birthday celebrated where he was asked a question – "What is the greatest achievement in your long life"? - "I don’t have any enemies now", he said.  The questioner asked again: "How did, Grand-dad, you achieve this superhuman character,'? In laugh he said, "I did have many, many enemies, but NOW, in this my ripe age, all bastards are dead, I have outlived all of them.”! It is funny, this is not what the quality of having no enemies – instead, while living with the society, we wipe out our enemies and make them friends. This love makes us perfect friendship, because love is the spirit of God.

Seeing a noble action– during the U.S civil war, the then American President Abraham Lincoln was criticized for speaking of generous treatment for the southern revolutionaries. The critic reminded Lincoln that there was a combat going on, the confederates were the enemy, and they should be destroyed. But Lincoln loudly uttered, "I will destroy my enemies by changing them my friends"! This is what the real weapon of killing enemies and making friends with divine love.

The Friends in Friendship-Day and the siblings in Raksha Bhandhan-day are different in nature, on the basis of the above story.  In this dynamic and diverse world, that is changing very fast, friends also change. It is difficult to appraise whether they will be your support strength when you need them.  On the other hand, brothers can be dependable, their love for their Sisters never change.  Their love and affection match with Lincoln’s love and attitude, not with the Old man’s case.

All of us share a love-hate relationship with others in our life. Let us celebrate the Friendship day and promote the maxim that "A friend in need is a friend indeed".  And come to Raksha Bahandhan, it’s time to show some sibling’s unconditional love and bondage in their life.  This article published in Free Press on 2.8.20- Stay updated with the Best Blog PC Thomas

The Little Cat, Ate the fresh fish

PC THOMAS

Kudos to Ameya S, a class-2 tiny-tot, for her poem “Little Cat” published in Metro Vaartha, dated 15 July. Having got ‘crazed’ with the rhyme, I took a screenshot of the child’s page and put it in the status of my mobile. Also, I added one more quote in my status page –“Keep encouraging, because your words may be the only pillars of strength for someone who is pulling themselves up to stand again and learn on”.

Since the Malayalam clipping in my status page is unable to understand for the contacts who are non-Malayalees, they all enquired - “What is it meaning sir?, make it  in a language which we can understand’. In reply mode I said, it is a poem written by a class-2 child in Kerala, it means: “The little cat came, Eaten the fresh fish, When make a Noise, The little cat ran away”. All people have appreciated.

The tiny tot Ameya’s poem made me crazy, why? A very long time ago, when I was in the fifth class, (when there was no mobile or internet), my English teacher made an extempore writing competition, to be performed on the blackboard. Everyone was asked to write anything on the board, and the selected one would be prized. In my turn, I wrote my originally written a four-line poem in the board about a little cat like this. I remember it - “Myavu, Myavu Little Cat, Drinking Milk with closing eyes?, You Think, no one knows, But everyone knows you are naughty”. My poem was awarded. The whole teacher encouraged me to write more. It really made a stepping stone in my career.

I am now nearly a senior citizen level, not a journalist,  but I have written hundreds of write-ups in various publications.  With over the past 26 years of writing experience, I have cultivated an addiction of mine from a flickering flame to a raging fire with words. My Cat-Poem was laid a strong foundation in my life. At the same time, I see a phenomenon in the field i.e, - “No prophet is accepted in his own country” – means, all recognition and apperception of my works I get only friends from far distant areas, not from locals from close vicinity.

Kudos to the little child Ameya for her excellent work!. I say, the journey of a 1000-miles really does start with a single step. Your tiny poem will be the stepping stone of your success.  Move yourself in the step-by-step process of your personal growth, - You will be honoured with your skills and creativity. - askpcthomas@gmail.com

Major Challenges Facing Online Education Today

GREESHMATHOMAS

The crisis that Coronavirus created has led to major changes in the education system in many countries. The most significant move is the change of the traditional way of teaching in which students are taught in classrooms meeting teachers face-to-face. Although a lot has been discussed on the impact COVID-19 has had on the economy, employment, and the environment, how the pandemic is currently affecting different stakeholders of the education system and how they are responding to it, needs serious concern today.

While online classes are an effective substitute for the Covid situation, there is one major concern as to how effective the online education is going forward. Although the digital teaching system is considered a temporary one that will fade with the lifting of the lockdown, it is likely to become permanent in the future.

Accordingly, there is an expected change in the curriculum and time of learning in schools all over India. Union Human Resources Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal has lately said that he plans to reduce the syllabus and the schedule of classes in schools for the next academic year after consultations with the education secretaries. He has also sought comments and observations from teachers and experts in this regard. However, the central government is now considering opening schools in August or so and it is hoped that by that time the outbreak of covid-19 disease will be brought under control.

In the midst, a large number of wealthy parents are looking for ways to organize online learning for their children.  As a part of this, they are trying to secure those laptops and mobiles that are the best to suit their children’s needs. On the other side, we recently read the sad news from Kerala that a girl committed suicide due to a lack of access to online learning.  Our digital education system road ahead should not ignore the fact that many such poor students still exist in our country and do not have access to digital educational programmes for want of internet access. At the same time, the urgent need is also to consolidate the procurement of technical amenities for all to be intensified.

At least, every student must have access to high-speed internet even those who are living in isolated areas. For students who are not sufficiently equipped with basic technological tools and skills, watching pre-recorded or live online classes   will be baffling as well as frustrating for them.

The curriculum and learning platform must be designed in such a way that it does not adversely affect the quality of education from primary level to higher secondary level. Governments and educational thinkers must look at this need positively and scientifically.  

This Article published in Metro Vaartha on June 6, 2020

Reducing Syllabus: A Great Relief for Students

GREESHMA THOMAS

A woman had a pet dog and one day it fell sick. To save the dog, every day she attempted to give a tablespoon of medicine down its throat, yet the dog would always resist and pull away. One day when she took the bottle, it slipped out her hands and the medicine spilled all over the floor. To her surprise, the dog went over to the puddle and began lapping it up! In fact, here, the dog had not been resisting to take the medicine. It was resisting the strategy that its master had used– pushing it down its throat.

It is a similar situation when we consider the pedagogy used in our schools. If heavy subjects, other educational burdens along with parental compulsion and peer pressures are push into children’s throat in the name of educational therapy, many of the students will not be able to absorb them and they will resist and vomit it, especially now, as  they are  in the pandemic situation.

During this Covid-time,  when students, teachers and parents are all  in a crisis situation, the decision of the CBSE to reduce the syllabus for classes 9 to 12  by 30-percent this year, seems as a right strategy due to the trouble caused by the COVID-19. It will certainly elevate students’ to a happy frame of mind to study with earnestness.

The CBSE in their process of trimming down about 190 subjects for classes 9-12, cut various key chapters like secularism, democratic rights, religion, gender and caste and food security, which create now a major controversy by some people. However, there was a mixed response from various stakeholders as many school representatives welcomed the move to decrease the course load on children, while a section of academicians said it appeared to be ideologically driven.

Amidst arguments, however, let us realize that education came to bring life and light to people who have no vision or right vision of life. But so often, as we have seen in the above story, we use the wrong method to force our expectations down students’ throats instead of presenting it in such a way that they will willingly receive it.  Parents also often make wrong decisions in their eagerness to give the best opportunities for their children by giving unwanted compulsion in study down their throat. What children should realize is that they are the ones responsible for their own learning, homework as well.

With the CBSE’s decision by reducing the heavy burdens for students at this juncture of Corona crisis, it is necessary to teach the students the values of secularism, democratic rights, religion, culture as well as the evils of gender and caste discrimination. While reducing the syllabus, these lessons must find some place in the syllabus, maybe in a shorter version.  Our first priority today is to save our world from the coronavirus crisis and to look for ways to revitalize the economy, and our lives, after this major crisis. Let the students now go for enjoying the education with discerningly reduced syllabus and freedom! 

Grass is always greener on other side

PC  THOMAS

In a landscape, once I happened to observe two donkeys grazing in two different fields, separated by fencing. Tender, green grass grew abundantly in both the fields.   Yet both the donkeys stretched their necks as far as possible towards the opposite direction through the fence just to be able to get a bite of that forbidden grass on the other side.  It revealed to me that the old saying, ‘The Grass is always greener on the other side’, or the forbidden fruit tastes the sweetest.

We humans have the same tendency. We get more attracted to things, talents, abilities or opportunities which others have than our own.    We people are never satisfied even with the abundance we have.  We always find the others are far better, their conditions seem more greenish or attractive to our eyes –   the neighbor’s wife, the friend’s sports car, boss’s beauty bungalow, higher life sep-up of others and so on. See more- PC Thomas Article

On the other side, these things which we think will make us happy, but when we get it we may feel empty and unsatisfied. Our freedom, lifestyle and relations, friendships and bonds, health and situation etc we enjoy daily, which we take for granted simply because they have been in our lives every day. We take a lot of emotional stability to be content with what we have.

This is not mean to say that we should not diligently seek to improve our circumstances, diligently using our God-given talents and opportunities.  But we should not be discontent with the gifted talents that God has given to us and don’t try to covet anything belong to others.  The key to a happy life is being content with who we are and where we are right now. Real contentment does not come when we get everything that we desire, but when we learn to be satisfied with what we have.  

When we have the conviction that we are living according to the best of our abilities and hard work, and believe that our best efforts will be fulfilled by the God in time; our desire to graze on what is beyond the fence will automatically cease and then the grass out of boundaries would not seem more greenish to our eyes.

This article published in Metro Vaartha on  July, 1, 2020

Words beyond Words: Uses of effective words in Writing

PC THOMAS

How many words are there in the English language, how many words generally do we need to get along or how did we get into the ways of using the apt use of words with its structure?  These are questions which are often raised in the context of writing. Almost everyone in the writing career has faced such questions.

English is a language, which is being enriched by new words, phrases and usages every day.  People are always discovering new ideas, places, and things as a result new words come into life. With the newest word additions and definitions the Oxford Dictionary-2018 contains over 8,29,000 words, senses, and compounds.  Every year, it generates more than 1000 new words.  This spiraling growth is due to various ‘attacks’ of other world languages on English.

How many words in English do we need generally? It has been found that with about 5000 words we can just get along. But we require over 25,000 words to express our complex ideas in this cyber age. However, words are power, which we apply in reading, writing, speaking etc. Without this tool we cannot comprehend what is being communicated to us and we cannot respond adequately and appropriately to any communication. By developing our word power we can strengthen the thrust of reading as well as the flair of writing.

While reading, we come across loads of news words.  When we encounter new words, which are unfamiliar to us, usually we may ignore them. If we ignore those words or a word we may not  get the denotation of the sentence, since the meaning of the whole sentence may perhaps be hung on that particular word.  Unknown words appearing in sentences kill the spirit of reading, and cause problems for our understanding of the text.  Therefore, enriching vocabulary everyday is indispensable in the process of learning. One might say we can dispense with difficult words and phrases because simplicity is the rule of the day. Answer to this that we have to understand the views of those who write and talk using words which may be simple to many but difficult for us because we have a poor vocabulary.

We can do much to develop our mastery of writing by paying attention to the apt use of words with its structure. All the way through, our writing becomes concise and attractive.  There is a saying about a man who wrote a long letter because he did not have the time to write a short one. It means, a great faculty is required for clear expression in short and making its meaning wider and it is attained by enriched vocabulary and its proper utility.

Writing in a short and snappy way is a great skill, for which we require a fitting vocabulary and the correct knowledge of structuring sentences.  The necessity of good vocabulary and its usages cannot be overemphasized.  Therefore a constant effort to learn more and more words should be the aim of anyone who uses English for any type of communication.  Increasing word power means to enhance the quality of reading making us feel the real experience of the meaning of words in their context of usage. It can be obtained only thorough devoting a little time regularly for reading.
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Published in Metro Vaartha dated 24.6.20

International Yoga Day along with Father's Day and Music Day

 PC  THOMAS

International Day of Yoga, World Father’s Day and World Music Day come together on June 21.  I think this unison fits absolutely in this time, as we all need to sense about ways to improve our health, family relationship and a life of melody on this very special occasion.

International Yoga Day is celebrated to raise consciousness about the inclusion of Yoga in our daily lives.  On the other hand, World Father’s Day, a day on which children thank their fathers, is celebrated on the third Sunday of June every year for their relentless support and selfless love for them. And the World Music day marks the beginning of summer solstice in the northern hemisphere. It is a great international event that has been ongoing for more than 25 years, in many countries of the world. Read more article PC Thomas

Keeping the Covid-19 outbreak into consideration, now it’s time to focus more on Yoga.  The Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi encouraged people to stay active and fit through Yoga during the time of the virus attack. The government has decided to celebrate the International Yoga Day on digital media platforms this year. Joining Yoga Day celebrations virtually at home with family signifies the importance of social distancing and minimizing the spread of COVID-19.

Yoga is a physical and mental exercise which gives us tranquility, confidence and strength through which those who practise the asana become more productive and resistant in life. In the wake of the corona-virus pandemic, yoga is increasingly being exercised by the people to get immunity. The practice of Yoga strengthens our physical body, as well as the microscopic systems that are not able to be seen to the eye. A strong and disease-free body can be easily maintained by adopting a healthy lifestyle and no doubt, with a regular yoga practice, combined with a few minute meditations in this Covid times, can tackle all mental issues of people and reap the immune-boosting results, though it is not a substitute for medical treatment. 

While we also celebrate the Father’s Day along with the Music day, let our family altogether fine-tune Yoga and music for the sake of peace and harmony in life. With social distancing now essential in this Covid times, one can hardly step out for health clubs and gyms or yoga classes,  putting into practice a basic yoga exercise regularly at home could be an excellent way to stay fit. 
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Published in Metro Vaartha dated 21.6.20

Faithful wary of reopening of Holy Places

P C  THOMAS

The permission of reopening of Holy Places in the unlock 1.0 has snowballed into a controversy as various faithful have alleged that the government’s decision needs revision.  With reference to my article appeared in Metro Vaartha, June-10, many have expressed their opinion that in the wake of the virus looming on the horizon, it is not at all safety to worship in the shrines, therefore raising green-flag for the opening needs a rethink.

From the Hindu community, the famous blogger Sudesh Kumar DJV, shares – “according to me, religion is a _Lakhmanarekha_ to one and all to prevent oneself from wrong doings. Opening of places of worship at this juncture are prone to invite for troubles.  Fortunately, God can see and even hear our silence. Then why this haste in opening the places of worship now, which help paves another way for community spread leaving the entire country into trouble?” 

From the Muslim community Abdul Farhan Shakoor, Indore, shares, “As all other places are opening with proper guidelines and precautions, places of worship should be open for private prayers at least. At the same time, it is also risky, who knows who the virus carrier is!”

The other excerpts from the Christian faith are:-  Anish Joseph, school teacher, Indore shares -  “This Covid situation can be held indicative of what we are, in fact the whole world is facing. Jerusalem is the place of worship of Jews. Yet, Jesus states a time is coming when you no longer will worship the lord in the temples. I believe we need to hold on to this saying. It’s not the place of worship that matters rather the state of the worship. What good do we intend to do now by thronging to the religious places and becoming the agents of the deadly pestilence?”

Mrs Thomas, School teacher, Indore shares-“During this time of test, it is better to worship God at home.  Every faithful should be aware that the number of patients is terrifyingly high in India, hence it is the obligation of the believers to take necessary precautions in order to contribute to the survival and security of society in which they live”.

Fr. Byju Antony, Kerala priest reflects, “It is obvious that the Covid epidemic has invited every believer to come out of our own established structures and customs, - which we ourselves have bound on us - to Worship and Love God in Spirit and Truth.   It is also a time to show our solidarity with the world in co-operating to re-establish a healthy community and society again”.

To conclude, as restrictions on gatherings lifted around the world, the prime concern for common people is whether this is the right time to reopen temples, churches and mosques – all of which are connected with large crowds – when the country is witnessing a quick rise in Covid-19 case!