International Nurses Day

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https://www.freepressjournal.in/indore/international-nurses-day-2020-these-nurses-bravely-meeting-the-covid-challenge

Plight of Working Mothers harder during COVID-19

PCTHOMAS

The COVID-19 outburst has compelled schools, crèches and day-care centers to shut their doors. In response, many working women with their tiny kids are now struggling between household chores and office works with a sudden increase in child care responsibilities. Working women are continually battling, keeping up a balance between their personal and professional lives while at home around their kids in the Covid-19 pandemic. What is more, the situation has hit the women-folk hardest. They are persistently battling, keeping up a harmony between their own and professional lives and their life at home around their children at the time.

One of the working women shares: “I used to drop off my four-year-old child at a daycare home en route workplace and get him back while returning. This was our everyday practice during the working days until the pandemic broke out. After the pre-schools and childcares were shut down following lockdown, my husband and I are completely befuddled. My husband was forced to choose work-from-home option with a less salary since I have to attend office now. How can a father be a mother?!  We don’t know how long it can be done.”

Transforming into the status of motherhood is one of the most unfathomable happenings in a working ladies' life. Nothing gives her more delight than holding her infant in her arms. Yet, for certain working women it is challenging to live fully her motherhood during the continuous flare-up of coronavirus pandemic. Fear, uneasiness and sentiment of vulnerability have gripped them terribly at this difficult time.

Motherhood is not an easy task particularly in the event that you are a working employee. The added stress of work can make you depleted as well as put you in a difficult situation of not having the option to invest enough energy with your kids.

Having professional career makes a woman find her task at home, overwhelming and demanding. This may make her on edge and put her in despair that can even aggravate it. This is very conceivable particularly in the current circumstance when COVID-19 pandemic has constrained all working moms, just like other professionals to work from home.

Women are usually very passionate in whatever they do and they are accustomed to overseeing nearly everything alone. In the present situation, working women find it hard to balance their commitment to their work by which they earn for their family and at the same time commitment to care for their children adequately. Under this circumstance, they have no other option but to concentrate on their work, finding an alternate way of dealing with the situation at home with the help of their r relatives who can deal with their children comfortably.

Certainly family is important similarly, the working women who are light of the family too are important. So you, working women, you need to take at least 30 minutes daily to spend doing things you would like to do. You can even simply relax and enter into the privacy of your self away from others. This will help quiet you down, bring down your worries and make you more joyful and satisfied. Stay updated with best Blog PC Thomas

How do we prepare ourselves against Covid pandemic?

PC  THOMAS

The exponential hike in coronavirus cases is troublesome for the people across the planet. The World Health Organisation (WHO) warns that the pandemic will wreak further havoc on the face of the earth.

Now, newer blueprints are emerging in India’s Covid-19 surge with cases crossing a million-mark. With the fear looms large, the coming back of complete lockdowns in various parts of India is even more worrying.

Bihar has been declared completely closed for two weeks from Saturday. Major cities in various states have been closed. U.P and M.P are under complete lockdown during weekend, Sundays. Guwahati, the capital of Assam has been in lockdown since June 28. Pune in Maharashtra on June 13 and Bangalore on July 14 were closed. Calcutta is in a partial lockdown in various cantonment zones. In Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram is on a triple lockdown from July 6. At least one-third of the country's population is facing lockdowns again in at least 10 states.

Now, one question people seek an answer is what we can do now to resist? - It is difficult to answer. However, we can boost our resilience, which is our single best weapon for dealing with stress. This one disease, Covid-19 can provide us with such wisdom beyond our comprehension. It offers a plethora of lessons on a personal, regional and planetary level showing the urgency to promote necessary transformations of our society to survive in the twenty-first century. 

In order to keep the virus under control, it is important that people must follow social distancing protocol effectively. The more people we have exchanges with, the more possibility the virus has to spread. Hence, try to limit the number of people we see - especially over short periods of time. All People should adhere to the government guidelines, wearing masks and sanitization regularly.

As the crisis allows us to find additional meaning in our lives, many little things surprisingly become very important for us. What to do now?  - As a very little measure, do yoga regularly as breathing exercises will increase our lung capacity. As heart rate increases, breathing becomes rapid and the virus will likely find it difficult to gain a foothold. Those who are smoking quit their habits as smoking damages the lungs providing a foothold for infections.

Although the Covid time affects our emotions, memories, feelings and perspectives, it should help us to transform our vision of life for better and to develop our character. A crisis like this teaches us lessons we would not learn when things are pleasant. We are the sum of the experiences that we come across as we go through life. As human beings, when we encounter a challenge, we have liberty on how to respond to it. Every decision that we make leads us down a different road.

Although there are many unforeseen transformations are brought into our lifestyle, we can use this time more effectively and the crisis can be changed into an opportunity to better the quality of our life!.

This article published in Metro Vaartha on 21.7.2020

Stop comparing your child with Damor-ka Beta or Pinky-ki Ladki

PC  THOMAS

With the CBSE Class-12 and Class-10 results have been declared and students have begun steering up for a decisive phase of their lives. For Class-10 students, the results decide as to which stream they choose further and it is one of the significant milestones for their life. For Class-12 students, it is all about getting into the right institution and face competition. And those who fail to perform in exams, they have to take further chances to improve and recover.

Nowadays, an increasing sense of competition has attacked the mind of children, parents the relationships and society at large. Some parents think that the marks obtained are of the barometer to judge their children’s life and future. At the same time, children’s natural ability, skills and innovation usually take a backseat.  

Once the results are out, parents generally start comparing their children’s marks with those of others. They say to their child –“Look at Damor-bhayya ka beta, or Pinky-didi ki ladki”.  You have scored only 88-percent marks, while the others have scored 98-percent. They have not given tuition for their child, their life situation is too meager.  At the same, we give you full luxuries and amenities – If you are a parent like this, you are fully spoiling the life of your child!

It has been seen that insufficient marks in exams push students towards depression leading to even suicide in this cyber age. If your child gets high marks, that is great! But if the child doesn’t, don’t take away their self-confidence and dignity from them. Appreciate the effort, even if your child secures 2 marks more than the previous test. Tell them that they have ample room for inventiveness. This builds confidence in them.

Some parents feel pride that they have made their kid’s admission in prestigious and costly schools. Obtaining good education is a privilege of the children, and it is the obligation of the parents to train them accordingly. Parents ought to comprehend that the primary objective of the best instruction is to make capable and independent people and not qualify them for securing an occupation and earn money.

Parents should also keep in mind that every child is unique and special from the other. Each one has its own set of special talents and strengths. As the children are the most important in their life, parents must focus all their attention on them and do whatever they can to make sure that they do well as per their merit and potentials. Let the children opt for their own careers.

Cut-throat competition usually leads to depression among students and as a result, they fail to justify the expectations of their parents. The parents should take out more time to understand and encourage their kids instead of comparing them with peers and classmates. School can assure students that examination marks are not the only benchmark to decide their future. - askpcthomas@gmail.com

This article published in Metro Vaartha on 18.7.2020

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

Can coronavirus spread via Newspapers?

PC  THOMAS

The Apostle Saint Thomas doubted Jesus’ resurrection saying that until Jesus himself comes to him and touches his body, he would not believe. In the same way, as a skeptic literally by name, I decided that until the coronavirus eliminated from Indore, I won’t read physical newspapers subscribed at home!

The decision I took with my ignorance based on exaggerated rumors spread in social media about newspapers being carries of covid-19.  Also there were no authentic pieces of information with regard to the issue came to my notice at that time. However, in the peak of covid-19 induced lockdown, there have been many doubting Thomases all at once discontinued newspapers in their homes and satisfied themselves temporarily with e-papers. Through unlock 1.0-period, however, I restarted enjoying two newspapers including Metro Vaartha subscribed at home.

Let me say an experience with my newspaper boy Mayank Dindayal Sharma, aged 25, has now become a bank officer! From childhood onwards he distributed papers, and even after getting job in bank, he continues the distribution of papers and he believes the paper-boy’s job adds him extra dignity besides his banking post. He shares, “During lockdown the people were influenced by different misunderstandings and rumors spreading that newspapers being instrumental in the spread of corona virus. Thus, about 50-percent of people stopped newspapers in April, however from May-June the situation has entirely changed.  Starting from June-July, more than 90-percent of people wanted to get their daily newspapers again, but about 10-percent of people are still under fear”.

Another hawker Mahak Sharma shares-“Busting rumors during the peak time of strict lockdown that have caused a fear amongst one and many. Almost all of my parties have now re-stated subscription.  Looking to safety, I deliver newspapers wearing full gloves which are antiseptic. So it is never possible for newspapers to spread this virus.  The distributors are also taking precautionary measures. Workers in printing press are using gloves as a preventive measure to avoid any ill effects on them".

In the very March end, the World Health Organisation (WHO) has categorically rejected the rumour spreading via social media that newspapers can act as carriers of Covid-19. The WHO adds - “The probability of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low and the risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, travelled, and exposed to different conditions and temperature is low, hence what we can do? Wash our hands before and after reading newspapers or books”. All scientific evidences suggest that absorbent paper surfaces that include newsprint are safe from the coronavirus.

However, in the stringent lockdown, the production and distribution of some local newspapers in India have hit hard not only due to the coronavirus pandemic, but also on account of misinformation. Most people say, despite the availability of online-editions, obviously newspaper in hard-copy is always ideal and preferred by almost all people together with their morning tea intake. It is also true that if there is one thing that people are consuming more during the lockdown, it is newspapers. Teaching people about hand washing helps them and their communities stay healthy and safe in this corona crisis. - askpcthomas@gmail.com

 This article published in Metro Vaartha on 17.7.2020

Suicidal tendencies in Children should be tackled

PC  THOMAS

It is shocking to read the news that 66 children and teenagers under the age of 18 have committed suicide in Kerala since March 25, a day after the nationwide lockdown was announced to contain COVID-19.

What is causing the adolescent lives to be so hopeless that there is no ray of hope ahead in their life? Is it is because of the indefinite length of school opening or the inability to see their classmates and teachers, or is it mere loneliness or depressed state of mind? Or is based on the reason that parents rebuked children for not attending online class, or not allowed them online games or due to problems in families and substance abuse by parents?

Though the reasons for the suicides are varied,  it is believed that the lockdown has triggered emotional strain among children as they are not getting to close together with their peers at school which remain closed in the wake of the pandemic. In addition, there may be declining interest in friends, activities, or hobbies previously enjoyed,  domestic issues, lack of parental concern, poor communication between parents and child, parent’s improper way of dealing with the errors committed, that pave the way in spiking the number of suicides among children. 

According to the latest survey conducted by Child Right and You (CRY), the lockdown period resulted in an increase in the relationship between children and parents. At the same time or in contrast, many parents report that their child became more nervous, anxious and short-tempered during the lockdown!

Obviously, due to lockdown, since children cannot go to school, or out of play, they are in tedious emotions and getting bored to tears.   Also, for many families, lack of money and too much debt experienced as the biggest financial constraints due to job losses, salary cuts, etc during this time of Covid, which might have created a chance for more possible parent-children clashes.

However, raising serious concern over the matter, the chief minister of the state asked parents to ensure a happy and peaceful environment at homes. He asked them to take more care of the children who are now devoid of school or college friends.  In view of the situation, the Student Police Cadet project is going to launch a telephonic counseling programme called ‘Chiri’ (Laugh) to provide relief to students facing mental pressure. The project is intended to strengthen students’ commitment towards their families and community along with enabling them to resist negative tendencies like substance abuse, deviant behavior, intolerance and other social evils.

Looking to the current complicated situation of children and families there are some schools that also have come up with on-line counseling sessions that help children cope up with the stress. Obviously, school and teachers can play a vital role as online schooling is on the way of new education.

It is praiseworthy now that the government of Kerala takes the decision to investigate the cause of the child's suicide and provide tele-counseling for the needy to help tackle suicidal tendencies in children. Besides, it would also be a good idea for teachers to set aside some time between online classes to teach a lesson on improving mental health to children and parents as well. Let the children realise that life is not about ending yourself, it is about moving forward.
This Article published in Metro Vaarthha on 14.7.2020