Topics for Assignment - Reg:

Dear Students,

Topics for your Assignments will be displayed on this, our academic blog shortly.

Regards and all best wishes,

Rufus

WHAT IS LIFE? - JBS Haldane

Introduction:

John Burdon Sanderson Haldane was a British-born geneticist and evolutionary biologist. He was one of the founders of population genetics. In this essay, Haldane attempts to analyze the essence of life and the composition of life by means of scientific logic and practical philosophy.

Where does ‘life’ belong?

In normal conditions, a thing must correspond to a noun. For example, bricks, water, coal-gas etc are things. At the same time, there are others like a wave, a tune etc which have less claim to be called a thing. In this kind of a classification, where does ‘life’ belong? Does death mean a loss of something, or merely a change of state like a disarrangement of patterns?

Early people thought that life was breath. But breath consists of gas, which can be made into a solid or liquid. Also, many living things do not breathe at all. Hence life is not a kind of matter. When a man or an animal dies, he does not lose or gain weight.

According to our ancestors, anything which moved was alive. That was a good definition before the age of machines. But a machine such as a motor-car moves itself, and so does a steam-ship. Now, people asked, “Is man a machine?”

According to the philosopher Descartes, both men and animals were machines, but that the human machine was controlled partly by the soul whereas animals had no soul. So some scientists think that life is just a very complicated mechanism.

Machines vs Individuals:

A machine is a system capable of performing some function, made up of replaceable parts. For example, if any part of a motor-car is broken, a new one can be got to take its place; and an engineer could tell a great deal about the car’s behaviour. The opposite to a machine is an individual – which cannot be taken to pieces and out together again. Each part depends on the other to keep it alive.

Animals: Perfect Self-regulating Machines:

An animal is only a very perfect self-regulating machine. Many of the bones act like levers. The eye is like a photographic camera. A good example of self-regulation is that of human temperature – which is so steady that a small rise or fall is a danger signal. The most obvious example of self-repair is the continual renewing of the skin, and the healing of wounds, and the most remarkable of all, is reproduction.

Machines vs Minds:

According to Haldane, the machine theory also fails when we consider our minds. The mind has a unity of its own. Somehow the most varied sensations and emotions are held together. Yet, the mind depends on the body. If you cut off the blood supply from parts of the brain, the most intelligent man becomes a hopeless idiot.

Life – A Synthesis of Opposites - Mechanism and Individuality:

Life then is a synthesis of opposites – of mechanism and individuality. A man is a machine and at the same time an individual. We find the same union of opposites everywhere. Wood is both hard and soft. If it were not hard, we could not use it for furniture. If it were not soft, we could not cut it. Thus we find that there is generally a progress from mechanism to individuality in the life of an individual.

Conclusion:

To conclude, life, according to Haldane, is essentially a pattern of chemical happenings, and so to say that life does not consist of chemical processes is, according to Haldane, as futile and untrue as to say that poetry does not consist of words. And life is something between mechanism and individuality – but seems to strive towards greater individuality or oneness.

THE POSTMASTER - Rabindranath Tagore

For an interesting analysis of "The Postmaster" by one of our alumna @ MCC, (an ex-student) Samyuktha, CLICK on her blog HERE. Hope that solves your notes anxiety for Tagore's "The Postmaster" :-)

Learn Japanese...:

Japanese Language classes will be conducted on Saturdays and Sundays by the Indo-German Chamber of Commerce. This is an excellent opportunity to learn the Japanese language with programs suited to attain a good level of proficiency in conversational Japanese.

For more details, contact: 044 - 24352010/24354779

Book Launch...:

Landmark and Penguin Books India lauch Ali Sethi's debut novel The Wish Maker, a coming-of-age novel - written when the author was only twenty-three. "Each fascinating character breathes on the page, but each also represents a social strata," comments Shapiro in his review of the book.

Venue: Landmark, Apex Plaza

Date: 25 July

Time: 6:30 pm

Ph: 42144444

FREE IAS Coaching Classes..:

Young Men's Indian Association will conduct free IAS Coaching classes for the 2010 preliminary examination on weekends from September.

For details, contact: YMIA, New India Building, II Floor, 49, Moore Street. Ph: 25343337.

Thoughts for a New Academic Year..:

Dear Students,
Welcome to another dynamic year of Academics. For some of you this may be the last year of your graduation, while for some others, you've still got a year more to go..!
Either way, I thought of enumerating below, Seven golden principles for my students, which I'm sure would effect a lasting transformation in YOU.

1. Always march to the beat of your own band - The most satisfying experiences in our lives are when we are engaged physically, emotionally, spiritually, mentally, or intellectually. Life is meant to be effortless. If you're tugging and pulling, and everything feels like an uphill battle, then you're doing the wrong thing. If you don't like a class, quit it. Don't try to march to the beat of your teacher, chugging and pulling, and distracting the attention of others around you in the process.

2. Dedicate Quality Time - Life is so precious; make the most of each and every day. Rise early, spend some quality time by yourself as well as with those you care about. Go for a walk, workout, read a book.

3. Be Passionate in Everything you do - Show passion in everything you do. Let it show in your body language, in your smile, in your voice. Let your eyes sparkle. Let the world see and hear your enthusiasm and let it feel your passion.

4. Always be true to yourself - Live a life of integrity. Take pride in whatever you do. Be proud of who you are and what you represent. Accept others with all their flaws. Show compassion and goodwill to your fellow human beings. Be dignified. Lead a life of purpose and be proud of your values.

5. Don't take yourself so seriously - Recognise that perfection isn't always the only option. Don't let life's imperfections bother you. Lighten up and see the funny side of things when they go wrong, the learning in them. Be tolerant, smile...don't waste your energies on the small stuff, you have much bigger fish to fry.

6. Show gratitude and say thank you to the people who have helped you along the way. Send a handwritten letter to someone who has touched you. Call up a friend or loved one and tell them how much they mean to you. Compliment a friend or a class mate on a job well done. Show people you appreciate and care about them. Acts of kindness cost nothing but mean everything.

7. Be a role model and mentor for people - Serve others. Volunteer in your community and help others achieve their goals. Your world will be enriched and a better place for sharing your talents and giving freely of your time. Leave a lasting legacy.

Have a dynamic and lovli year ahead! All the best..!

Regards and all best wishes in all your endeavours...
- Rufus

(With due acknowledgements to Prof.Charles Marcus for his lively inputs)

THE SCIENTIFIC TECHNIQUE - Bertrand Russell

THE SCIENTIFIC TECHNIQUE

Introduction:

According to Bertrand Russell, the earliest beginnings of scientific technique can be traced back to the prehistoric times. The use of fire, the use of agriculture, and the domestication of animals etc are prehistoric in origin. In this essay, Russell tells us that the most important characteristic of the scientific technique is that it proceeds from experiment, not from tradition.

Beginning of Writing – beginning of History:

The beginning of writing coincides with the beginning of history. The next great advancement in scientific technique was the working of metals. Roads have been constructed chiefly for military reasons. The Middle Ages invented the gun-powder and the mariner’s compass, and finally the invention of printing.

Protests against Machinery and Return to Nature:

Lao-Tze, who lived in the sixth century B.C., protested against the destruction of ancient beauty by modern mechanical inventions. Roads, bridges and boats filled him with horror because they were unnatural. He believed that men should live according to nature. Rousseau also believed in the return to nature, but no longer objected to roads, bridges and boats.

According to Rousseau, return to nature, if it were taken seriously, would involve the death by starvation of some 90 per cent of the population of civilized countries.

The Application of Science in Technology and Production:

Science advanced very rapidly throughout the whole of the 17th and 18th centuries, and it was only at the end of the 18th century that it began to affect the technique of production. Ancient Egypt to the year 1750 saw less change in methods of work than there have been from 1750 to the present day.

Certain fundamental advances had been slowly acquired: speech, fire, writing, agriculture, the domestication of animals, the working of metals, gun-powder, printing, and the art of governance etc. These advances, because they came slowly, fitted in, without too much difficulty, to the framework of traditional life, and so, men were not conscious of a revolution in their daily habits.

The Scientific Technique: Its Impartiality:

The scientific technique is closely connected with the social virtue of impartiality. According to Piaget, the reasoning faculty in a child, is a product of the social sense. Reasoning develops as a method of arriving at a social truth upon which all men can agree. The advantage of this method is that, private emotion will not be regarded as the test of truth.

Another aspect of the scientific method is that, it gives power over the environment and also power of adaptation to the environment. It is success in this practical test of power over the environment or adaptation to it, which has given science its prestige. All modern life is built upon this practical success of science.

Scientific versus Pre-Scientific Technique:

The essential novelty about the scientific technique is the utilization of natural forces in ways that are not obvious to untrained observation, but discovered by deliberate research. The use of water-power in an old-fashioned water-mill is pre-scientific, but the modern use of water-power by means of turbines is scientific.

Clearly the line between scientific and traditional technique is not a sharp one, and no one can say exactly where the one ends and the other begins. Primitive agriculturists used human bodies for manure, and imagined their beneficial effect to be magical. This stage was definitely pre-scientific.

Conclusion:

The most essential characteristic of scientific technique is that it proceeds from experiment, not from tradition. It is this scientific spirit which is characteristic of modern times, and it is because of this spirit that the power of man in relation to his environment has become so immeasurably greater than it was in the civilization of the past.

HAMIDA - Lesson Summary

HAMIDA

Introduction:

“Hamida” by Amrita Pritam is a satire on the inhumane treatment meted out to an infant, all because of communal strife. The story portrays the malady of communal hatred and its horrific effects on society.

Hamida finds a Baby:

In the early hours of the morning, when it was still dark, Hamida went out of her home and discovered a new-born baby, born to a mad woman, who was by now stone-dead. Hamida, brought her husband and together, they took the baby to their home.

The news spread like wild fire in the village. The women hurried to Hamida’s house and blessed Hamida. They appreciated her act of mercy and went back to their homes. The elders buried the mad woman’s corpse.

The Meeting of the Hindus to discuss the Baby:

Hamida was curious to know what was being said about the child and its dead mother. The Hindus called a meeting to discuss the matter. Soon, the religious fervour was spreading across the room and the atmosphere was filled with hate.

Finally it was decided to take back the boy from Hamida and bring him up under the paid custody of the water-carrier woman. It was also decided that the boy would be provided with two square meals a day when he grows up.

Hamida’s Agony:

Hamida felt very traumatized and agonized. They were given black looks and ostracized by the Hindu community. Having nurtured the tiny infant with her own milk for six months, after six months of sleepless nights, after washing the soiled garments of the infant for so long a time, the child had come to look upon Hamida as his own mother. So Hamida did not feel like parting with the child.

Rashida’s Plea:

Rashida sincerely defended his wife’s love for the child in front of the village elders. But the Hindu elders were very particular about taking the child from the custody of Hamida. Now, the water-carrier woman emerged and took the unwilling baby from Hamida’s arms. The child felt the rough touch of unfamiliar hands and began to cry.

Hamida sank to the ground. She heard the boy’s crying. That night, no food was cooked in Rashida’s home. Even their own little son Javed felt sad at the departure of the baby boy.

Conclusion:

On the fourth day, the villagers could talk of nothing but the fate of the infant, which refused to take any food. The story ends with the infant throwing up every drop of milk that went down his throat.

Thus the story represents communal egos and hatred that divide the society and thereby take away the humane aspect of man. Amrita Pritam, through her short story criticizes these Hindu-Muslim divisions, and pleads for greater unity and harmony among the various faiths of the country.

Guest Post [Exclusive] for our Blog by an Established Writer:

Useful Tools, Sites and Apps for Student Writers:

The Internet is overflowing with sites designed to help student writers increase skills and productivity. Unfortunately, sifting through all of these options can be time consuming. If you need tools you can depend on and access instantly, bookmark this list of useful writing sites.

Brainstorming:

Jott - Writers on the go will love this free web app that turns voice messages into text messages. You simply call a phone number, record a message, and relax as Jott turns the recording into text and sends it wherever you want it to go.

ThinkFold - ThinkFold is a free web tool that provides an interactive outline to organize ideas. Groups and individuals can create an outline, rearrange ideas, and see changes automatically.

Innovative Tools - The Brainstorming Techniques Resource Center by Innovative Tools is loaded with articles, software, tools, and techniques for brainstorming.

Mindmeister - This free web app allows writers to create a mind map to better visualize brainstorming ideas. Writers who choose to sign up for the free version are able to share and access their ideas from anywhere, as well as see group changes in real time.

ThinkGraph - ThinkGraph is free downloadable software that allows you to place your thoughts into 2D Concept Map. The map creates a visual illustration for student writers to place and organize thoughts.

Reference and Research:

Encyclopedia.com - Encyclopedia is a free online encyclopedia and dictionary with pictures, facts, videos, and other helpful research and reference resources.

Allreaders - This website is a great resource for finding books based on various criteria. Writers can use Allreaders to search for books with specific characters, elements, plot lines, settings, and themes.

Internet Public Library - The IPL is the online equivalent of a local public library. The site offers reference materials, subject collections, books, magazines, newspapers, and an index of useful websites.

Writing Tools and Instruction:

The OWL - The OWL (Online Writing Lab) at Purdue University offers more than 200 resources for students who need help with academic and creative writing.

Writer's Digest - A superb site for writers of all levels, Writer's Digest helps students perfect writing skills. The site offers resources, advices, tips, and a writing community.

Dartmouth Writing Program - The Dartmouth Writing Program offers an excellent online writing guide for students. This website gives you step-by-step instruction on the expectations writers will see in college.

Writing Fix - Writing Fix has many features to help students improve their writing, including plot ideas, lessons, and writing techniques.

Zoho - Zoho is a must-have suite of free productivity apps. Specific Zoho programs that would be useful to student writers include Zoho Writer, Zoho Docs, and Zoho Notebook.

Grammar and Editing:

Autocrit - Autocrit was created to find weaknesses in manuscripts but will help any writer improve their draft. This resourceful tool can find overused words, slow pacing, and dull sentence structure.

Grammar Girl - Mignon Fogarty, a.k.a. Grammar Girl, makes editing fun by delivering short, weekly podcasts with simple tips that are easy to remember.

Bartleby - Bartleby offers many free reference books online. The site's English usage texts are especially useful for writers who need help with grammar or editing.

Daily Grammar - Daily Grammar provides daily lessons and workshops to help everyone improve their grammar.

SparkNotes - This resource is known for study guides, but has many other helpful tools for students, including a comprehensive grammar guide. The guide offers information about common errors, style, and usage.

Guest post from Karen Schweitzer, the About.com Guide to Business School. Karen also writes about online colleges and universities for OnlineCollege.org.

I BSc Pbt/Zoo(Reg) Students - Text books - Reg..:

Dear Students of I BSc Pbt/Zoo(Reg),

Those of you who have given the price of the text books (Rs.50/- each) have been acknowledged in our academic website HERE.

I BSc PB & PBT Click HERE

I BSc Zoo (Reg) Click HERE

Regards and all best wishes,

Rufus

Acknowledging the good ones in Class..!

"Sincerity makes the very least person to be of more value than the most talented hypocrite" says a great philosopher.

It is indeed great joy for a teacher, when he sees his words being honoured by the student.. Here, I would like to give a special word of appreciation to the sincere and committed ones who cared to respect the words of the teacher and brought along what was expected of them - the day's Newspaper!

This post wishes to acknowledge and bless the good ones. God bless you.

I BSc Pb& Pbt Class:

1.Suriya, K
2. Arul Christina Devi, J
3. Aarthi Evangelin, J
4. Deepika, M
5. Kavitha, S
6. Sowmiya, T
7. Thanga Quilly, J
8. Sreeja, H
9. Janani, K
10. Jeeva Bathseba, B
11. Ruby Evangeline Mary, A
12. Mohana Priya, G
13. Karthika, P
14. Haripriya, B
15. Sowmia, S
16. Vinnie Cheeran
17. Nandhini, R
18. Padmavathi, M
19. Bhubaneshwari, S
20. Sheeba, C.S
21. Solomie, S
22. Esther, M
23. Rajaguru, A
24. Henry, H
25. Kali Dass
26. Shaji Solomon, P.S
27. Oswald J Smith, M
28. Manikandan, N
29. Vikneswaran, K.S

I BSc Zoology (Reg):
1. Priya, V
2. Deepa, C
3. Devi, K
4. Kumutha, J
5. Hemalatha, M
6. Miroshini, S
7. Shamini Mary
8. Sugantha Mani, A
9. Janet Jemima, I
10. Ezra L. Ryujah
11. Solomon Bernard
12. Prasad, R
13. Jayashree, M
14. Saranya, D
15. Suganya, R
16. Ruth Auxiliya, D
17. Gokulakannan, S
18. Khamlianpau Vaiphu
19. Manjula, A

You have a great attitude! Wish you all the best, great success, and God's blessings in all your academic endeavours on this, your new year in College.

God bless you..!

Regards and all best wishes,
Rufus

JGVV CHARITABLE BOOK BANK FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS..:

Jaigopal Garodia has started the Charitable Book Bank for college students during the year 2000. Even the customary membership fee is not levied here.

The books are given free of cost to any one without any distinction of caste, colour or creed. The college students are also given free note books along with the text books. Thousands of graduate and post graduate students from 300 colleges benefit every year. Twenty thousand books worth Rs.50 lacs are kept in book bank.
For more details contact: 044-26206261 or their website HERE

Mobile Phone Etiquette...:

This happened in a class, in MCC, a couple of years ago. A lady professor was taking class when one student's cell phone started ringing on three separate occasions. The professor finally stopped her lecture and asked for the offending student to stand up, but to no avail. Frustrated, she said, "I'm not going to give attendance to anybody today, unless the student owns up". So saying, she completed her lecture and moved out. Soon, a guy came rushing down to the prof, and asked for apologies, admitting he was at mistake and asked her not to withhold attendance for the class, as some were reeling under "acute shortage of attendance".

On another occasion, a lecturer, during his talk, was interrupted again and again by the ring tones of a student, that he said, "Why dont you answer that call, please?"
Just imagine this situation...! where are we heading towards? A few years ago this would never have happened.

People today can't separate their private life from their public behaviour.

How many times have we stared at the person sitting across us in the theatre, or in the bus or train, or restaurant who is talking in a loud voice without any thought to the people around him?

The problem, according to Dhar, lies in the fact that, phones have taken the globe by surprise and as a result good manners and etiquette have not had the time to develop in so short a time.

In Tamil, there is a proverb which comes to my mind, "Giving a Garland in the hands of a monkey...!"

The lack of mobile etiquette is quite disgusting. There must have been at least one time when you have flouted the rules yourself, says Dhar.

Let's try to come to terms with "mobile" manners by beginning here.

First of all, talking in a theatre or a play or a concert is very rude. Switch off your cell phones people. ! The earth wont stop, nor will the sky fall. In case if it's a real emergency, or during a meeting, excuse yourself and go out.

Remember, when talking is taboo, so is ringing. Keep the handset on silent alert so you can afford to ignore unwanted calls wheareas keep track and not miss the important calls either.

Speaking softly is in general the way to go, and the latest phones have extremely sensitive microphones so you really have no reason to shout.

Talking on sidewalks or while in a immobile car is acceptable, if done cautiously.

Talking in cars, bikes while driving? It's stupid and illegal. If it's urgent, pull over. Nothing is more precious than your life. And let the phone go to voice mail when some one calls, you can always call them back after some time.

In the end, the onus of being a gentleman or lady falls on you dear reader. Please be responsible and courteous towards others. Your manners will only stand by you in good stead in the future and most definitely help in some manner or the other.

A simple thought to where you are, whom you are with, what others are doing should be enough for you to decide whether to make or accept a call.

With due acknowledgements and thanks to Prof.Dhar, CBH

MCC Does it Yet Again..!

Madras Christian College does it yet again..! 

The College is placed eighth among the TOP TEN best colleges in the nation in the Arts Stream, and in the seventh position among the TOP TEN best colleges in the nation in the Sciences.

The Madras Christian College ranks second among the TOP TEN Colleges in Chennai City.

Chennai's Top Five (Arts)

1. Loyola College

2. Madras Christian College (MCC)

3. Stella Maris College

4. Presidency College

5. Women's Christian College

Chennai's Top Five (Sciences)

1. Loyola College

2. Presidency College

3. Madras Christian College

4. Stella Maris College

5. Ethiraj College

Chennai's Top Five (Commerce)

1. Loyola College

2. Stella Maris College

3. Madras Christian College

4. Presidency College

5. Queen Mary's College

Source: The India Today - Nielsen Survey
Pic. Courtesy: INDIA TODAY, JUNE 22, 2009

Writing Contest for Students...:

Do you have a vision for how to change the world? Are you engaged in an exciting, youth-led social justice campaign? Do you think regularly about the intersection of politics and spirituality? Are you an aspiring writer?

TIKKUN is looking for smart, crisp writing that combines storytelling with analytical sophistication. They want to hear you talk in particularities, not generalities. Tell a story about yourself and your community and then use that story to explore broader questions about politics or ethics or social change. If you can tie your topic in to a current issue or timely policy discussion, that’s even better. Don’t know where to start? Feel free to pick one of the prompts HERE to use as a jumping-off point.

This contest is open to students under age 25, and the deadline for submission is June 15, 2009.

Free Workshop..:

A free workshop on tackling the Bank Probationary Officers' Examination and Clerical exams will be held at Elite Tuition Centre, Royapettah from 10 am to 2 pm on Sunday, 14 June 2009. Contact No: 9790878868/ 9710993099.

Reopening Date - Reg..:

Dear Students,

College reopens on Wednesday, June 17, 2009. Wish you all the best in all your academic endeavours.

Regards,

Rufus

Learn Sign Language...:

A Basic Course in Indian Sign Language will be conducted between June 15 and June 27, in an 18-hour package, with flexi time slots to suit the needs of a number of people. The first batch will begin on June 15 and be held until June 20 between 10 am and 1 pm.

The other batches will be held on the following dates: June 15 - June 27 between 6.30 pm and 8 pm and June 22 to 27 between 2 pm and 5 pm.

The classes will be held at: Ability Foundation, 28, Second Cross Street, Gandhi Nagar, Adyar, Chennai - 600 020. For details, contact: Ph: 044-24413013

New Principal for MCC..:

The Service of Induction for Dr.R.W.Alexander Jesudasan as the Principal and Secretary of Madras Christian College was held on 31 May 2009 at 5.30 pm in the Anderson Hall, Madras Christian College. It was a packed house and was attended among others by a host of Retd Staff members, former Principals, members of the Alumni and dignitaries from across the Country.

We wish our beloved Principal all the best and wish him all success in all his academic endeavours.

A Letter from a College Girl to her Mom - [EXCLUSIVE]

 

Dear Amma...........,

I’ve been wanting to write this letter for a very long time, but either my emotions got so intense that nothing I felt could be put to writing or I felt so high and dry that I just felt like burying my head in the sand and remaining there. But today is my 18th birthday, (or so they tell me), and I cannot think of a better day to write to you. But first I have to tell you a little story.

On a cold January morning in 1991, a newborn baby girl was found in a garbage bin outside the Government Hospital in the city of Madurai. For all practical reasons it must have frozen to death and become food for the many stray dogs that patrol the streets, as is the case most of the time. But by some good fortune, a milkman heard its weak cries. He found it wrapped in a shawl. He couldn’t afford another mouth to feed and so took it to a Charity organization which catered to disowned baby girls. 

The baby was there for two years till it was adopted by a childless couple in Bangalore. She was given all the love and affection that any girl could have asked for. Nor did she lack anything materially, her foster parents being rich real estate business people. She was an only child and so received all the attention she desired. She got a Public School education. She had no idea about her origins till she was 16 years old. That was when, for some reason, her mummy got it into her head to tell her who she really was. 

From that day the girl has had sleepless nights. At any rate, she graduated from Pre-University with an excellent score card and her daddy decided that she should get her higher education in his alma mater, the Madras Christian College, Chennai. It couldn’t have got better – she loves the college. But she still spends sleepless nights dreaming about her mother. She sometimes invades her sleep in some form of a bloodsucking rakshasi and she wakes up drenched in sweat and trembling all over. 

Sometimes she creeps into her sleep, a dimunitive little woman reaching out and weeping for her lost child, and she spends the rest of the night trying to sob herself to sleep. Isn’t it strange how a person you have never met can dominate your life? Amma, I am that girl.

Amma, like I said, I have everything I could have ever wanted. I hope that makes you happy. And yet I have nothing. I have a Mummy and a Daddy who love me and who will be hurt if they knew the thoughts that run through my head. But I don’t have my Amma. 

Do you love me, Amma? No, maybe that is too much to ask. But, believe me, Amma, I love you. I love you so much that you fill my thoughts day and night. That’s why I don’t think I can ever have a lover. You monopolize my thoughts. I like to think that you loved me at least then. Otherwise what would have made you wrap me up in a shawl? Did you have to crawl home cold and sick in the January chill because you had sacrificed your only piece of warm clothing for your child? Maybe it was that shawl that saved my life. I have that shawl with me and it is the most precious object I shall ever posses. The nights I’ve gone to sleep holding it to my breast/chest as if it could replace you! 

Do you miss me? Ever wished you could have me back? Or do you feel relieved that the burden that was me is off your back, or should I say your stomach and heart? What did you feel when you put me in that dustbin? Did you put me there gently like a mother lays her sleeping child in the cradle? Such gentleness only a mother can show. 

Were you weeping, Amma, like the woman who comes in my dreams? Or did you just dump me in there, so that you could be done with it quickly? Or was I plucked wailing out of your loving arms by violent hands and thrown there: another piece of garbage to join the garbage already there? 

Whatever it was, believe me Amma, I am not blaming you. I know you would not have done it if you had the slimmest way out.

I often wonder how I came to be around in the first place. How did it happen, Amma? Maybe it was a stolen moment of sweaty love and pleasure, when passion is the only goddess that exists. The gentle kiss or caress of love that let the demon of passion in? Or maybe the sanctioned couch of marital love where the mention of a female baby is taboo, where the mother-in-law stands outside the secret portals waiting for the victorious masculine cry, “It is a BOY!”? Or was it some sleazy side street where drunken animals in human form reduced a straining, struggling, pleading human being into an object of lust? 

Sometimes I hear the pleading and begging in my dreams and wake up screaming. Or was it a stifling, smelly room where men try to purchase the most beautiful of human emotions with greasy bank notes? A posh, tiled kitchen with a hurried liaison, forced or not, before the jealous eyes of the mistress were alerted, perhaps? 

And what was he like, Amma? What was my Appa like? Was his face the picture of love gone out of control? Or was it the face of an inhuman brute? Or, worse still, maybe he doesn’t have a face at all. Whatever it was, you were caught in the biological trap, Amma, and it was not going to let you go till it had run its course.

What was it like when I was inside you, Amma? Did I give you a lot of trouble? What did it feel like when I kicked out with my little feet? I know mothers wait for that feeling with joy, but you, what did it feel like to you? Was there a sense of foreboding doom? 

I often dream of the smile that must have lit your eyes when, for a few minutes, you held my little wriggling body in your arms. Those are my sweetest dreams when I feel my Amma was actually proud of me. What changed that pride to shame, Amma? Was it the fear of returning to a village hovel, to a raging husband and a vicious mother-in-law with the shame of having given birth to a girl child? A useless extra mouth to feed that meant only trouble and wasted money in the form of dowry? Where it is a sin to be born a baby girl? 

Did you think you were actually doing me a favour by sparing me the agonizing death of having raw rice stuffed down my tender throat? Was it the fear of being ostracized by an unfeeling society? Or was it just the fact that babies are bad for business? 

Would you have done the same thing if I had been a boy? My umbilical cord must have been really short if you could consign what you had nurtured within your body for nine months to a garbage bin so quickly. But, Amma, thank you, oh thank you so much for not aborting me.

What are you like Amma? Is something wrong with me? Normal girls my age spend all their time dreaming of nonexistent husbands to be. And here I am, dreaming of a real mother who really exists but whom I’ve never seen. They say daughters resemble their mothers. I often look at the mirror and imagine an older me standing behind me. 

My friends say I have a lot of baby fat on me. Are you like that too? They say I have bright, mischievous eyes. In fact, my eyes are my greatest asset. I like to think of you as a cheerful little woman with eyes like mine. I wish I could see you, Amma, even if it is just for a few minutes. 

Will you come to me, Amma? I would go anywhere in the world to meet you. But I don’t know where you are. I am sure you will get this letter somehow, if not today, someday. Just come to me, show yourself to me. And say a few words. I want to know what you sound like. Do that, Amma, and I promise I will never disturb you again. You know where I am. Please, please come to me.

I’ve said some of what I wanted to say to you, Amma. The rest can only be felt when I rest my head on your shoulders and cry 18 years of my life away. When I can squeeze the tears out of your body with my, “I love you, Amma!” Now that I’ve said all this to you, I feel so tired. I have to go to sleep. What will you come in my dreams as tonight, Amma? 

Whatever you come as, remember, your daughter loves you, dreams of you, and is waiting for you to come to her. Amma, when I was born they forgot to cut my umbilical cord. You can never disconnect yourself from me and I can never disconnect myself from you. I shall hug my shawl and go to sleep with the happy thought that I have spoken to my Amma for the first time in my life.

Goodnight, Amma! Sleep tight where ever you are.

Your ever-loving, ever waiting daughter,

Natasha. (I wonder what you would have named me!)

PLEASE NOTE: This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance it may have to any individual or individuals, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

If you're curious to know who the writer is, and if you have any comments for her, mail danyboydavid@gmail.com

Workshop(s) in the City..:

Join in the discussion with Sadanand Menon and Sashi Kumar as lead discussants, followed by a performance of "nadhiyin karunai" based on a poem by Manushyaputhiran.

The work addresses the constant violation of civil space and the unending efforts to sustain 'life', through movement and the spoken word. Actors Rohini and Nikhila Kesavan will perform at SKILLS, No.1, Elliots Beach Road, Besant Nagar on Wednesday, April 29, 2009 at 6.30 pm.

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eType is conducting a fiction writing workshop from May 1 to 7 at Gopalapuram, Chennai - 86. For more details, contact: 9382114768

Writing Workshop and Word Quiz @ British Council...:

23rd April of every year is celebrated as World Book Day. The BRITISH COUNCIL, CHENNAI has planned a range of activities during the week starting 20th till 25th April, centered around the theme of Books to Screen. There will be a special display of books, and people who are interested can avail a special offer on library membership.
On April 25, there will be a writing workshop for people aged 17 and above by Gowri Ramnarayan from 10 am to 1 pm followed by a quiz on the theme, Words n Action from 4.30 pm to 7.30 pm. The last date for registration for the quiz is April 23. For details, contact 42050600.

Career in Advertising Design.!

2adpro is hiring students of BA/MA in English Literature - exceptionally skilled, talented and enthusiastic players to join them in their journey to change the face of print and online advertising across the world. You have to be a strong, decisive, results-oriented leader who can develop and manage relationships across the company and with a wide variety of partners based on trust, teamwork and knowledge. You must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills and be a team player with a consultative approach.

There will be a portfolio screeing, followed by Technical and HR interviews.

For more details, click on their website HERE, or Contact Mr.Nirmal, T.S @ 9790986918

JASNA Annual Student Essay Contest..:

To foster the study and appreciation of Jane Austen, JASNA conducts an annual student Essay Contest, with support generously provided by the Sonia Raiziss Giop Charitable Foundation. Students interested in the life and works of Jane Austen are encouraged to enter.

The Essay Contest is open to students world-wide at the high school, college/university, and post-graduate levels of study.

The topic for the 2009 Essay Contest:

Siblings abound in Jane Austen’s novels. Some siblings act as foils to each other; others are in competition; still others are mutually supportive and encouraging.

Examine the importance of siblings in one or two Austen novels. Discuss how they function in the novel and how they embody larger themes. You may focus on one sibling relationship or you may compare relationships, either within a novel or between two novels.

The Submissions page includes important rules about format and submission of essays and a link to the official Essay Contest entry form.

Entries must be e-mailed or postmarked by May 1, 2009

For more details, Click HERE