Tag Archives: Writing

Poem: The Calling

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A few years ago, I wrote a poem about being an avid reader and have now decided to write one from the writer’s perspective. Why do I write? Read on to know…

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The Calling

The words, they beckon from within,
A siren’s song that won’t give in.
They dance and swirl, a restless tide,
Demanding that I be their guide.

This burning need, this endless ache,
To put pen to paper, thoughts to make.
To craft a world, to paint a scene,
To give these voices life, pristine.

For writing is my truest bliss,
My raison d’être, my life’s abyss.
Without this craft, this sacred art,
I’d wither, lost, with a broken heart.

The page, my canvas, waits for me,
Inviting me to set words free.
To weave a tale, to sing a song,
That carries readers along.

So I will heed this inner call,
This driving force is what drives us all.
I’ll write until my dying day,
For writing is the only way.

The International Day of Potato: Celebrating a Global Staple

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The potato, a humble tuber that has nourished civilizations for millennia, is finally getting its due recognition on the global stage. On December 30, 2023, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed May 30th as the International Day of the Potato, a testament to the crop’s enduring importance in feeding the world.

The potato’s origins can be traced back to the Andes of South America, where it was first cultivated by indigenous communities between 5,000 and 8,000 years ago. These early potato growers recognised the tuber’s remarkable resilience and nutritional value, making it a staple food that sustained the Inca civilization.

The potato’s journey to global prominence began in the 16th century, when Spanish conquistadors brought the crop back to Europe. Initially viewed with suspicion, the potato slowly gained acceptance and became a dietary mainstay, fueling the rise of urbanisation and the Industrial Revolution. During the Qing Dynasty in China, the introduction of the potato helped alleviate famine, solidifying its place as an essential crop.

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The potato’s resilience was further tested during times of conflict, such as World War II, when its high yield and storage capabilities provided much-needed food security. However, the Irish Famine of the 1840s serves as a stark reminder of the dangers of relying on a single crop variety, as a lack of genetic diversity left the potato vulnerable to disease.

Today, the potato stands as a beacon of food security and a pillar of sustainable agriculture. With over 5,000 varieties worldwide, the potato’s genetic wealth offers a powerful tool to combat pests, diseases, and the impacts of climate change. From the 12,000-hectare Potato Park in the Andes, where indigenous communities manage and protect their potato genetic resources, to the innovative use of potato starch in bioplastics, the humble tuber continues to inspire innovation and drive progress.

The potato’s global significance is undeniable. It is the third most consumed food crop globally, with 159 countries cultivating the tuber. This widespread cultivation is a testament to the potato’s adaptability, as it thrives in diverse farming systems, from small-scale, hand-tended plots in the Andes to vast, mechanised commercial farms across different continents.

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The potato’s nutritional profile is equally impressive. Rich in carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals, the potato is a complete food that can help address issues of food security and malnutrition. Furthermore, the crop’s high yield and efficient use of resources make it a valuable tool in the fight against hunger and poverty.

The cultural and culinary dimensions of the potato are equally captivating. From the iconic Irish potato famine to the Russian love affair with vodka, the potato has woven itself into the fabric of human history and tradition. Across the globe, the potato has inspired a myriad of beloved dishes, from French fries and mashed potatoes to the Peruvian causa and the Indian aloo tikki.

The inaugural International Day of the Potato, to be celebrated tomorrow, will be a momentous occasion, marking a significant milestone in the global recognition of this remarkable crop. The day will provide an opportunity to showcase the potato’s multifaceted contributions to food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture, while also honouring the crucial role of small-scale family farmers, a significant proportion of whom are women, in safeguarding the crop’s genetic diversity.

The celebrations will be led by the Food and Agriculture Organization, or FAO of the United Nations, in collaboration with the World Potato Congress, Inc. and national governments. The day will feature a range of activities and initiatives designed to raise awareness, advocate for the potato, and celebrate its cultural and culinary significance.

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One of the key highlights of the 2024 celebrations will be the formal adoption of the International Day of Potato proposal by the FAO during their annual general assembly in December 2022, followed by the approval and resolution of the declaration during the United Nations General Assembly in September 2023. This formal recognition will pave the way for the first-ever International Potato Day to be celebrated on May 30, 2024, just a few days before the next World Potato Congress in Adelaide, Australia.

The International Day of Potato 2024 will be a momentous occasion, a global celebration of a crop that has nourished civilisations, fueled economic progress and continues to play a vital role in addressing the challenges of food security, nutrition, and sustainable agriculture. As the world comes together to honour the humble potato, it is a testament to the enduring power of this remarkable tuber and the resilience of the communities that have cultivated it for millennia.

The $10.9 Trillion Invisible Economy: Recognizing the Value of Women’s Unpaid Labour

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During one of the International Women’s Day events in February, I heard something that made me want to check it out further. According to an analysis by Oxfam, if women around the world received the minimum wage for every hour of their unpaid labour, they would have contributed a staggering $10.9 trillion to the global economy in 2020 – more than twice the size of the global tech industry that same year, valued at $5.2 trillion. Women’s unpaid labour is a staggering economic contribution that often goes unrecognised and undervalued.

Unpaid labour falls into two main categories: unpaid work within the production boundary of the System of National Accounts (SNA), such as subsistence agriculture or construction of one’s own home, which contributes to GDP but is not monetarily compensated; and unpaid work outside the SNA production boundary, such as domestic labour like cooking, cleaning, childcare, and caring for the elderly or sick within households for their own consumption. This type of unpaid labor is not included in GDP calculations.

The key aspects that define unpaid labor are that it involves mental or physical effort and is costly in terms of time and resources; the individual performing the activity is not remunerated or paid for their work; and it includes activities necessary for the health, well-being, maintenance, and protection of household members or the household itself.

Unpaid labour encompasses a wide range of activities beyond just household chores, such as volunteering, interning, and other forms of unpaid community work. However, the term “unpaid care work” specifically refers to unpaid domestic activities like cooking, cleaning, childcare, and caring for other dependents within the household.

Women bear a disproportionate share of this invisible burden. Oxfam reports that women and girls handle more than three-quarters or 75%, of the world’s unpaid care work, carrying out 12.5 billion hours of this work every day. In the United States, women complete an average of 4.5 hours of unpaid labour daily, while men complete 2.8 hours.

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The unequal distribution of unpaid care work between women and men represents a violation of women’s rights and a barrier to their economic empowerment. This gender gap persists across regions, socio-economic classes, and cultures, rooted in discriminatory social norms and stereotypes about gender roles.

In some countries, the gap is particularly stark. In India, women spend almost six hours a day managing the home, while Indian men spend a paltry 52 minutes. Even in more gender-equal countries like Sweden and Norway, women still complete 42 and 50 more minutes of unpaid labour per day, respectively, than men.

The disproportionate share of unpaid work that women do has a significant impact on their careers and professional opportunities. Women’s career paths are often hampered by a “broken rung,” facing difficulties when it comes to stepping up to managerial roles. For every 100 men promoted from entry-level to manager, only 87 women were promoted, according to 2023 data.

Unpaid care work is also directly linked to the gender pay gap within households. Because women’s salaries tend to be lower, they are usually the ones who stop working to take over childcare, further exacerbating the pay gap. Additionally, women responsible for a large amount of unpaid care work may find it difficult to work full-time hours, limiting their job opportunities.

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Tackling entrenched social norms and gender stereotypes is a crucial step in redistributing responsibilities for care and housework between women and men. Public awareness campaigns, education programmes, and financial incentives for fathers to take parental leave could promote a fairer distribution of the unpaid workload.

Countries with robust welfare programs that provide care for children and older people, such as Sweden, Denmark, and Norway, have higher gender parity in unpaid labour. Sweden, for example, gives parents 480 days of paid parental leave to be shared between them, promoting a more equal sharing of care responsibilities. Creating a supportive culture for working parents and caregivers through policies like flexible work schedules and teleworking, can also help women balance their paid and unpaid responsibilities.

Governments can also recognise and measure unpaid labour and incorporate the measurement of unpaid care work into national statistics and GDP calculations to make the economic value of this work visible. They should also conduct research and collect data on the time spent on unpaid care work by women and men to better understand the issue. Governments should also invest in public services and infrastructure that can reduce the time and effort required for unpaid care tasks, such as childcare facilities, elder care services, and time-saving household technologies, as well as implement family-friendly policies like flexible work arrangements, teleworking, and paid parental leave to enable both women and men to better balance paid work and unpaid care responsibilities. This will reduce the burden of unpaid labour.

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They can also redistribute unpaid labour more equally by tackling discriminatory social norms and gender stereotypes that associate unpaid care work with women, through public awareness campaigns and education programs, providing financial incentives and policies to encourage men to take on a greater share of unpaid care work, such as “use-it-or-lose-it” parental leave policies, and adopting a “care lens” in policymaking across different sectors to ensure that the redistribution of unpaid care work is considered. Legal and social protections for paid care workers, like improving wages, working conditions, and social protections for paid domestic and care workers, who are often women and work in the informal sector, should be initiated to achieve greater gender equality and unlock the full economic potential of women.

The staggering value of women’s unpaid labour, estimated at $10.9 trillion globally, highlights the urgent need to recognise, reduce, and redistribute this invisible burden. Addressing gender inequality in unpaid care work is not only a matter of women’s rights and economic empowerment but also a crucial step towards achieving gender equality and unlocking the full potential of societies worldwide. As we confront the realities of women’s unpaid labour and its profound economic and social implications, we are reminded of the urgent need for collective action and solidarity. By recognising the true value of women’s contributions, advocating for policy reforms, and challenging gender norms and stereotypes, we can create a more just, equitable, and inclusive world for all. Let us harness the power of awareness, advocacy, and activism to dismantle the invisible barriers that perpetuate gender inequality and pave the way for a brighter future for generations to come.

Festivals of India: Narasimha Jayanti

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Tomorrow is Narasimha Jayanti, a significant Hindu festival that commemorates the birth of Lord Narasimha, the fourth avatar or incarnation of Lord Vishnu. This auspicious day is celebrated with great fervour and devotion by Hindus, especially the Vaishnavites, across various regions of India.

The festival holds immense spiritual and cultural significance, as it symbolises the triumph of good over evil and the power of unwavering faith in the divine. The legend of Narasimha, who emerged from a pillar to slay the demon king Hiranyakashipu and protect his devotee Prahlada, is a testament to the divine intervention in restoring the balance of dharma or righteousness, in the universe.

According to Hindu mythology, the demon king Hiranyakashipu had received a boon from Lord Brahma that made him virtually invincible. He could not be killed by man or beast, neither indoors nor outdoors, neither on land nor in the air, and not even during the day or night. Hiranyakashipu’s tyrannical rule over the three worlds and his oppression of his son, Prahlada, who was a devoted worshipper of Lord Vishnu, angered the divine. In response, Lord Vishnu incarnated as Narasimha, a half-man and half-lion avatar, to vanquish the demon king and protect his devotee Prahlada. Emerging from a pillar, Narasimha killed Hiranyakashipu, thus restoring the balance of good over evil and the supremacy of devotion to the divine.

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The festival of Narasimha Jayanti, celebrated on the Vaisakha Shukla Chaturdashi or the 14th day of the waxing moon in the Hindu month of Vaisakha, typically falling in April or May, commemorates this pivotal event in Hindu mythology. It is a day to celebrate the victory of knowledge over ignorance, the power of unwavering faith, and the divine’s protection of his devotees. While the core significance of Narasimha Jayanti remains the same across India, the festival is celebrated with unique regional variations that reflect the diverse cultural tapestry of the country.

In the southern states of India, particularly in Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and northern Tamil Nadu, the veneration of Lord Narasimha is deeply ingrained in the local traditions and customs. Two of the most significant pilgrimage sites dedicated to Lord Narasimha are Tarigonda and Ahobilam, both located in Andhra Pradesh. During Narasimha Jayanti, these temples witness grand celebrations known as Brahmotsavams, which attract devotees from across the country. The Brahmotsavams at Tarigonda and Ahobilam are marked by elaborate temple rituals, processions, and community feasts. Devotees participate in these festivities to seek the blessings of Lord Narasimha and to immerse themselves in the spiritual atmosphere.

In the southern states, Narasimha Jayanti is celebrated with fervent devotion in temples dedicated to the deity. Special puja or worship rituals are performed, including the Shodashopachara or sixteen-step puja in the morning and the Panchopachara or five-step puja in the evening. Devotees offer flowers, fruits, and other offerings to the deity, and chant mantras and hymns dedicated to Lord Narasimha. The temples also organise processions where the deity is taken out on different vahanas or vehicles such as the lion, garuda, and others.

Many devotees in the South observe a fast on Narasimha Jayanti, consuming only a single meal in the evening after the puja rituals are completed. This act of devotion and discipline is believed to purify the mind and body and to bring the blessings of Lord Narasimha. After the fast is broken, devotees participate in community feasts and enjoy traditional dishes prepared for the occasion. These feasts are often organised by the temples or local communities, fostering a sense of unity and shared celebration.

In the northern regions of India, the celebration of Narasimha Jayanti is marked by a greater emphasis on community gatherings and storytelling sessions that narrate the legend of Lord Narasimha. In the North, Narasimha Jayanti is often celebrated through community events and cultural programs. These may include recitals of the Prahlada Charitra, the story of Prahlada and Hiranyakashipu, as well as traditional dance performances and musical renditions that depict the triumph of Lord Narasimha.

These community celebrations provide a platform for the younger generation to learn about the significance of the festival and to connect with their cultural heritage. They also serve as a means of fostering social cohesion and a shared sense of identity among the devotees.

While the observance of fasting is also prevalent in the North, the specific rituals and practices may vary from the southern counterparts. Some devotees in the North may choose to fast for the entire day, while others may opt for a partial fast, abstaining from certain food items. The puja rituals in the North also exhibit regional variations, with some temples and households following their traditional practices and customs. However, the underlying theme of seeking the blessings of Lord Narasimha and celebrating the victory of good over evil remains consistent.

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In the eastern and western regions of India, the celebration of Narasimha Jayanti also showcases unique regional flavours and traditions. In the eastern states, the festival is marked by cultural programs and traditional dance performances that depict the Narasimha legend. These events often feature local artists and are organised by community groups or temples, providing a platform for the preservation and dissemination of cultural heritage. In the western states, the celebration of Narasimha Jayanti may include fasting followed by feasting, with the preparation of unique regional dishes. The festival is also observed through the performance of special puja rituals and the distribution of prasad or blessed food, to the devotees.

Beyond the regional variations, there are certain special festivities and observances associated with Narasimha Jayanti that are celebrated across India. One such notable tradition is the Bhagavata Mela, a traditional folk dance performance that takes place in Melattur, a village in Tamil Nadu, on Narasimha Jayanti. The Bhagavata Mela enacts stories from the Bhagavata Purana, a prominent Hindu text in the Vaishnava tradition, using specific dance techniques and Carnatic musical styles. The Bhagavata Mela is renowned for its dramatic impact and ritual significance, as it brings to life the tales of Lord Narasimha and his devotees. These performances serve as a means of preserving and transmitting the rich cultural heritage associated with the festival.

Another significant observance that coincides with Narasimha Jayanti is the Shree Satya Narayan Puja, a ritual performed for blessings and prosperity. The shared timing of these events underscores the interconnectedness of various Hindu traditions and the holistic nature of the celebrations during this auspicious period.

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The festival of Narasimha Jayanti is a testament to the enduring spiritual and cultural significance of Hindu traditions in India. Across the diverse regions of the country, the celebration of this festival showcases the unity in diversity that is the hallmark of Indian civilisation. From the grand Brahmotsavams in the South to the community-driven festivities in the North, and the unique regional observances in the East and West, Narasimha Jayanti embodies the rich tapestry of India’s cultural heritage. It is a time for devotion, introspection, and the reaffirmation of the timeless values of righteousness, courage, and the triumph of good over evil.

International Day of Families: Celebrating Family Connections

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The International Day of Families is an annual observance recognised by the United Nations on May 15th. This day aims to raise awareness of the importance of families and the role they play in society. Families come in many shapes and sizes, but they all share the fundamental purpose of providing love, support, and a sense of belonging for their members.

The theme for the International Day of Families in 2024 is “Strengthening Family Connections in a Digital World.” This theme reflects the growing influence of technology on modern family life and the need to find a healthy balance between digital engagement and quality time together. As families navigate an increasingly online landscape, it is crucial to explore ways of using technology to enhance family bonds rather than allowing it to become a barrier.

The International Day of Families was first established in the 1980s, when the United Nations started to focus attention on issues related to families. In 1993, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution designating May 15 as the International Day of Families. The fundamental goal of establishing this observance was to raise awareness of the importance of families and the issues affecting them globally. The day is meant to encourage people worldwide to improve their living standards and promote social progress.

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The traditional nuclear family model of a married mother and father with children is no longer the only accepted family structure. Families today come in diverse forms, including single-parent households, blended families, same-sex couples, multigenerational homes, and families formed through adoption or surrogacy. This diversity is a testament to the resilience and adaptability of the family unit.

Regardless of their composition, families serve as the foundation for individual development and social cohesion. They provide a haven where children can grow, learn, and thrive. Families also play a crucial role in transmitting cultural values, traditions, and beliefs from one generation to the next.

While technology has brought many benefits to modern families, it has also introduced new challenges that require thoughtful navigation. The ubiquity of digital devices and the constant connectivity they enable can sometimes come at the expense of face-to-face interaction and quality time spent together.

Parents today often struggle to find the right balance between allowing their children to explore the digital world and setting boundaries to protect them from potential online risks, such as cyberbullying, excessive screen time, and exposure to inappropriate content.  Additionally, the blurring of work and home life due to remote work and the always-on nature of digital communication can make it difficult for families to truly disconnect and enjoy uninterrupted quality time.

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The 2024 theme of the International Day of Families, “Strengthening Family Connections in a Digital World,” encourages families to embrace technology in a way that enhances their relationships and supports their overall well-being. Here are some strategies families can consider:

  • Establishing Digital Boundaries: Setting clear boundaries and guidelines around technology use can help families maintain a healthy balance. This may include designating tech-free zones or times, such as during mealtimes or before bedtime, and encouraging everyone to be present and engaged with one another.
  • Fostering Digital Literacy: Educating family members, especially children, on the responsible and safe use of digital technologies is crucial. Families can learn together about online privacy, cybersecurity, and the importance of critical thinking when consuming digital content.
  • Leveraging Technology for Connectivity: While excessive screen time can be detrimental, technology can also be used to strengthen family connections. Families can utilise video calls, messaging apps, and social media to stay in touch with loved ones who live far away, share important moments, and coordinate family activities.
  • Engaging in Digital Activities Together: Families can find ways to use technology as a tool for shared experiences and bonding. This could include playing interactive games, watching movies or shows together, or even collaborating on creative projects using digital tools.
  • Prioritising Offline Interactions: Despite the convenience and allure of digital devices, families need to make time for face-to-face interactions, outdoor activities, and unplugged experiences. These offline moments allow for deeper connections, uninterrupted conversations, and the cultivation of meaningful memories.

The International Day of Families in 2024 presents an opportunity for families around the world to reflect on the importance of their relationships and explore ways to strengthen their connections in the digital age. The day serves as a timely reminder of the enduring significance of the family unit and the need to adapt to the evolving digital landscape. By embracing technology in a way that enhances family connections, families can navigate the challenges of the modern world while preserving the core values and traditions that have sustained them throughout history.

As we celebrate this day, let us be inspired to cultivate stronger, more resilient family bonds that can withstand the test of time and the ever-changing digital landscape. Together, we can create a future where families thrive, both online and offline, and where the power of human connection remains at the heart of our lives.