"I do not yearn the future; nor do I long for the Past.
Both of these options, I believe are escapes from the challenge and sometimes the pain of living in the present.
I thus believe in blooming wherever I'm planted or, more appropriately, regularly replanted.
And so I joyfully try to make do with wherever and who-so-ever I am"
- Farid Esack
This simple, powerful and profound statement confuses me.
On one hand I am so impressed with his clarity and control over the mind and emotions. On the other, I wonder, can living according to these ideals ever be enough? Will it actually feel complete, or does it mean mere 'existence' and not 'living' in the true sense.
The beauty of life lies in the 'memories'. Some that you look back upon with a frown; and certain others that leave you wishing that you could go back to that very moment- wishing it were frozen in time because everything seemed so 'perfect'. The past can never really be erased, no matter how much one wants it to be; and this is one of the most important lessons that we learn in this journey. For me, the most important person in my life can today only exist and breathe inside my head. If complete self control means letting go of this yearning for 'what once was', I doubt it is possible, even for the mentally strongest amongst us.
And looking to the future: dreams, hopes and ambitions- is that not what fuels life and adds meaning to it. Can we be ever be satisfied living like mere fish in the ocean, with no sense if direction, no desire to find out what lies on the outside?
Reality is sometimes wonderful, easy and happy- in the good moments, we often tend to lose a sense of reality, living in a protected bubble. In these times it is the future which brings us the UNCERTAIN, the unprepared for, the struggle; For life cannot always be a bed of roses. In times of distress, when nothing seems to be going right for us, when despair seeps into every pore- the HOPE and PRAYER for a better tomorrow inspires us and takes us through like the flame of a candle in the darkness.
Farid Esack's words however, I cannot choose to ignore. There is so much wisdom and so many years of experience that has gone beyond his thoughts. The vision behind his words inspires and the simple message seems to call out. 'The most important thing is to live in the moment; cherish the life that is now.'
I ask for the sense that enables one to simply strike the balance! :)
Friday, September 4, 2009
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Social Networking and the 'E' word
An interesting comment on the relationship between Narcissism and the internet sparked off this post. Also, just a couple of days earlier I had come across an article on net-addiction which will surface later in the blog. Social networking has become as important as any other ‘basic amenity’ for most of us today; one day without Facebook or Twitter and we feel lost, disconnected from the rest of the world.
‘God! I was away this weekend, can’t wait to log in, there is so much catching up to do’, or ‘Listen, my net is down; can you check if somebody wrote on my wall’ have become common elements of conversation. Honestly, I cannot remember how I used to keep tabs on my friends before Orkut or Facebook came along, it seems like so long ago.
This irresistible pull that micro-blogging and social networking has today is much fiercer than say the desire to catch one’s favourite show on TV. Even in college, all that I want to do in between classes is (no, not facebook) go on the internet; and this totally stupefies me because I have always been a person who has ‘hated’ the computer. (It is a strong word, but I actually felt very strongly about this not so long ago). Anything to do with this machine and I would be the last to volunteer; the more the distance between the comp and me, the happier I was.
In Journalism today, CONVERGENCE is the word of the hour; if one is not the jack of all trades (the basics of print, radio, internet writing and television) there is absolutely no room here. This leaves people like me with no option but to look at the internet in a new light, and truth be told it is fairly simple to get hooked on to this world wide web, even if one detests it initially- it is in reality, ‘no rocket science’! :P
After that long intro, down to the details. An acquaintance remarked on the narcissistic nature of social networking sites earlier today. After a lot of thought, I realise that it actually holds true to quite a large extent. Subconsciously, we have all fallen prey to this alter identity crisis.
Narcissism is the feeling of ‘self-love’; it also treads on the waters of Egotism. It is generally used in the negative connotation to signify a sense of superiority over the others. This is propagated to a large extent by each one of us with an account on any SN site.
How many of us can identify with even a few of the following: looking through lots of photos to find the right profile picture, or when someone manages to capture a decent frame during dinner or evening out, running back home and the first thing you do is to upload it that very night? Thinking of what to say on your status message- typing out something only to delete it midway because it simply does not sound right, why does it even matter? Logging in at regular intervals after we have written a note or uploaded a video to check if somebody has commented or even just ‘liked’ it are examples of self-obsession; whether it is a conscious gesture or not.
In a warped way, this ‘publicising’ of our personal lives and intimate details seems to bring pleasure and a certain degree of entertainment to our otherwise drab lives. These online profiles become so much a part of our ‘real’ lives, blurring further the lines between the real and the virtual. The added pressure that we have willingly enslaved ourselves to, is this phenomenon of social networking.
Now, not only do we have to dress, act, behave and conduct ourselves in the right manner in the real world, but it also extends to internet sphere: the right picture, the right people on your friends list, the incessant wall posts to a friend who you meet every day in class or your sister who is just across the hallway in which you have to sound smart and funny. This unhealthy quest for perfection of ‘self’ can be quite disturbing if not restricted.
Sigmund Freud once said that humans are born without a sense of themselves as ‘individuals’, without any ‘ego’. It is during childhood and youth that certain individuals pick up the idea of a perfect self.
Social networking has guaranteed that even the most quiet and naive persons have a sphere to get up and be noticed. It is the instant ‘pep-up service’ in life; it does not matter how terrible your day at work has been, if six friends have ‘poked’ you and three have written on your ‘wall’- the day suddenly seems much better indeed!
Narcissistic in nature or not, social networking has become an integral part of my routine. To keep in constant touch with those who matter to me and to share my every moment with them and vice versa is a feeling that cannot be described. So is this sub-consciously feeding to my ego? Well, I sure as hell hope not ;)
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Just :)
We could not wait for the weekends, my sister and I. It meant an absolutely amazing two days of fun, frolic and a little work thrown in as well. To most other pre-teens, the end of the week meant malls, movies, coffee and tons of gossip with friends; to us it was two days of total family bonding; after completing all necessary school work of course; my mother would not spare us otherwise.
My parents would ensure that during the holidays we gave mother a well-deserved break; ordering in or pigging out at a nice restaurant was a definite feature. My father and I were the foodies, my mother and sister would tag along and make appropriate ‘yummy’ noises at all the right times to keep us company. It was a fabulous set up; we loved the meal, enjoyed the drive back with dad’s old Hindi music playing in the background; his off-key singing amused and entertained us. (To this day, every time he sings my face lights up) We grab dessert on the way home. The typical Saturday ended with us either watching television together; or us kids retreating to our room to read, giving the parents some quality time together to catch up and inevitably discuss us.
Sunday afternoons were my absolute favourite- ‘family game-time’. No excuses for absenting oneself were entertained; but that really did not matter, because none of us wanted out of it ever. It was always a post lunch session, after we had helped mother clear out the dishes. Meanwhile, dad would get the living room ready; it was either ‘carom’, ‘spellbound’, ‘monopoly’, ‘scrabble’ or ‘mind trap’. It really did not matter what game we played although we all knew his weakness for a good session of carom; one of the many things in which he was an absolute pro!
And so it would begin, a few hours of high pitched giggling, squealing, chatter, insults and arguments. (Which in hindsight make for some of my most treasured childhood memories and without a doubt my sister’s too)
My mother turned into one of us every time she played; sometimes father complained that she was worse than a teenager- she had this habit of constantly breaking into incessant giggling whenever she missed an easy shot, or one of us did something goofy! Seeing her face scrunch up in delight and eyes fill with tears because of laughing so hard left me glowing inside, that sound of pure glee delighted us every single time; and my father’s mock exasperation only added to the fun! Occasionally, he would see the funny side of the tale and join in on the joke! On such occasions, the four of us- well! It will suffice to say that the neighbours did not have quiet Sunday afternoons for a long time indeed.
Today, I sit thinking of the days that used to be; the years that have sped by at a rapid pace. I reflect on the ‘high’ points of my life- the few achievements and stories of success. It amazes me that though all of these are incredibly meaningful and special, the moments I truly cherish are the ones with no special significance. I rarely even remember birthdays!
It is the times when I have done nothing extraordinary, nothing to write home about- these are tales that might not evoke the any emotion when narrated to or read by someone else; but which define me, make me the person I am on the inside. Times when just like any other family we have laughed, fought, cried and complained; these mean the most.
Those simple moments where I was sitting around doing ‘nothing’- these are the ones that are dearest to my heart; the ones that I will cherish the most: in this wonderful, difficult and challenging journey called Life!
My parents would ensure that during the holidays we gave mother a well-deserved break; ordering in or pigging out at a nice restaurant was a definite feature. My father and I were the foodies, my mother and sister would tag along and make appropriate ‘yummy’ noises at all the right times to keep us company. It was a fabulous set up; we loved the meal, enjoyed the drive back with dad’s old Hindi music playing in the background; his off-key singing amused and entertained us. (To this day, every time he sings my face lights up) We grab dessert on the way home. The typical Saturday ended with us either watching television together; or us kids retreating to our room to read, giving the parents some quality time together to catch up and inevitably discuss us.
Sunday afternoons were my absolute favourite- ‘family game-time’. No excuses for absenting oneself were entertained; but that really did not matter, because none of us wanted out of it ever. It was always a post lunch session, after we had helped mother clear out the dishes. Meanwhile, dad would get the living room ready; it was either ‘carom’, ‘spellbound’, ‘monopoly’, ‘scrabble’ or ‘mind trap’. It really did not matter what game we played although we all knew his weakness for a good session of carom; one of the many things in which he was an absolute pro!
And so it would begin, a few hours of high pitched giggling, squealing, chatter, insults and arguments. (Which in hindsight make for some of my most treasured childhood memories and without a doubt my sister’s too)
My mother turned into one of us every time she played; sometimes father complained that she was worse than a teenager- she had this habit of constantly breaking into incessant giggling whenever she missed an easy shot, or one of us did something goofy! Seeing her face scrunch up in delight and eyes fill with tears because of laughing so hard left me glowing inside, that sound of pure glee delighted us every single time; and my father’s mock exasperation only added to the fun! Occasionally, he would see the funny side of the tale and join in on the joke! On such occasions, the four of us- well! It will suffice to say that the neighbours did not have quiet Sunday afternoons for a long time indeed.
Today, I sit thinking of the days that used to be; the years that have sped by at a rapid pace. I reflect on the ‘high’ points of my life- the few achievements and stories of success. It amazes me that though all of these are incredibly meaningful and special, the moments I truly cherish are the ones with no special significance. I rarely even remember birthdays!
It is the times when I have done nothing extraordinary, nothing to write home about- these are tales that might not evoke the any emotion when narrated to or read by someone else; but which define me, make me the person I am on the inside. Times when just like any other family we have laughed, fought, cried and complained; these mean the most.
Those simple moments where I was sitting around doing ‘nothing’- these are the ones that are dearest to my heart; the ones that I will cherish the most: in this wonderful, difficult and challenging journey called Life!
Saturday, August 1, 2009
What lies in between!
It is probably a very fundamental mistake, one that has been passed on for centuries now, or maybe it was meant to be; in order to cajole the human mind into thinking and probing- I am referring to one of the most irreplaceable tools of daily life, the COIN. Hold one up, study it. There are two sides or ends or extremes that never face each other; two halves that are joined together all throughout the surface, but at the same time are distinctly apart- it can only fall one way or the other: heads or tails!
Another analogy that reiterates this concept is Robert Frost’s ‘Road not taken’. [For those who do not remember, it is a must read J] It talks about two roads diverging in a yellowed forest, and about how chances are that these paths will never meet; and how life being the way it is will just let you go down one, and if by any chance you want to get to the other, you will have to retrace the entire path.
All through the years, we grow up simply accepting this probable truth. Is there no real middle path, does it always have to be one way or the other?
I like my food with less oil- a very difficult concept to get in most places I eat out at; I don’t want ‘oil-free’ or ‘regular’ I want ‘less oil’ [for those who are grinning, there is a difference :p] I like to drink, I find it very difficult to resist a couple of pegs when in the right mood but don’t necessarily have to get drunk in order to have an enjoyable evening. A concept alien to most people who claim ‘what is the point of drinking if you are not going to get sloshed’!
The path of moderation; taking the best of both worlds and forming a middle ground, why does this seem so difficult?
This is in direct reference to a talk by an eminent expert on the field of ‘Brahminisation & Dalitisation’. A stalwart and scholar with immense years of research and experience; he spoke about the atrocities that the Brahmins inflicted on people of the lower caste, cleverly questioned the very fundamentals of the Hindu religion in which true prayers have to be in Sanskrit and Goddesses are depicted with blood smears and weapons perched on a dead animal. He mentioned that the lower castes enjoyed no privileges, no dignity of labour, no respect in society and were treated worse than animals.
There were a number of questions that clouded my mind, I did not disagree with his views; realized that it was high time that they felt as equal a component of the society as any other sect; that they should be entitled to certain privileges. His words even had me considering if maybe the reservation on basis of caste was actually justified; something that I had earlier taken a very stern stand against; although the nagging doubt of whether resorting to discrimination (albeit of a different kind) yet again in order to overcome the rift caused by prior discrimination still bothered me. His following lecture the next day had a totally different effect.
It emphasized on the dignity of labour, how backward classes did more of the meaningful and manual work only to be treated with derogation. About how society is hypocritical and superficial, rewarding those who do the so-called easier work. His words seemed to reflect an opinion that the entire Brahmin community was a thieving bunch, who did not treat their women right, took undue credit and continued to be a bane to the progress of society. This did not anger me; but I stopped listening without bias, suddenly it seemed like I had taken a defensive stand, mentally criticizing his comments without meaning to do so.
He went on to add that there should be equal wages for the doctor: who cleaned and repaired the human body, and the sanitation worker: who cleaned and repaired roads and buildings! This he declared was dignity of labour, considering no job more menial than the other- idealistic but far from practical. And what about the question of skill- the nuances of surgery, the knowledge of every single vein and organ that constitutes the human anatomy inside out; can it actually be equaled to plumbing a drain, just to prove a point?
In his address, the concluding statements included that the only way at a reformed, equal and progressive society was ‘Dalitisation’. The wave was already in motion he added illustrating that “Dalit women have been smoking for centuries, my mother used to and so did my grandmother… today, the trend is that most women smokers are from Brahmin households; The Dalits have always eaten meat, nowadays it is the Brahmins who eat it and dispose the bones in their backyards- This is in reality Dalitisation, but the Brahmins will never accept it; they refer to it as westernisation!”
This is when I got thinking about the coin; in the name of open-mindedness and reform, this influential scholar chose instead to propagate an extremist outlook, change in a very superficial sense, which would only continue this vicious circle of injustice and revolt, time and again. The simple way to have influenced us aspiring journalists and forced us to look at an equal society in a broader light, would have been to simply promote the path of moderation; emphasizing the need for each individual to contribute to an equal society, to freedom in the true sense of the word.
Maybe the human mind will never understand moderation in the broader sense; maybe life is more challenging this way! It is very easy to say that the middle path is what is ideal, but as an individual at every phase of life I have chosen the extremes; there are 2 sides to a coin BUT what is it that lies in between- will we ever care enough to find out!
Another analogy that reiterates this concept is Robert Frost’s ‘Road not taken’. [For those who do not remember, it is a must read J] It talks about two roads diverging in a yellowed forest, and about how chances are that these paths will never meet; and how life being the way it is will just let you go down one, and if by any chance you want to get to the other, you will have to retrace the entire path.
All through the years, we grow up simply accepting this probable truth. Is there no real middle path, does it always have to be one way or the other?
I like my food with less oil- a very difficult concept to get in most places I eat out at; I don’t want ‘oil-free’ or ‘regular’ I want ‘less oil’ [for those who are grinning, there is a difference :p] I like to drink, I find it very difficult to resist a couple of pegs when in the right mood but don’t necessarily have to get drunk in order to have an enjoyable evening. A concept alien to most people who claim ‘what is the point of drinking if you are not going to get sloshed’!
The path of moderation; taking the best of both worlds and forming a middle ground, why does this seem so difficult?
This is in direct reference to a talk by an eminent expert on the field of ‘Brahminisation & Dalitisation’. A stalwart and scholar with immense years of research and experience; he spoke about the atrocities that the Brahmins inflicted on people of the lower caste, cleverly questioned the very fundamentals of the Hindu religion in which true prayers have to be in Sanskrit and Goddesses are depicted with blood smears and weapons perched on a dead animal. He mentioned that the lower castes enjoyed no privileges, no dignity of labour, no respect in society and were treated worse than animals.
There were a number of questions that clouded my mind, I did not disagree with his views; realized that it was high time that they felt as equal a component of the society as any other sect; that they should be entitled to certain privileges. His words even had me considering if maybe the reservation on basis of caste was actually justified; something that I had earlier taken a very stern stand against; although the nagging doubt of whether resorting to discrimination (albeit of a different kind) yet again in order to overcome the rift caused by prior discrimination still bothered me. His following lecture the next day had a totally different effect.
It emphasized on the dignity of labour, how backward classes did more of the meaningful and manual work only to be treated with derogation. About how society is hypocritical and superficial, rewarding those who do the so-called easier work. His words seemed to reflect an opinion that the entire Brahmin community was a thieving bunch, who did not treat their women right, took undue credit and continued to be a bane to the progress of society. This did not anger me; but I stopped listening without bias, suddenly it seemed like I had taken a defensive stand, mentally criticizing his comments without meaning to do so.
He went on to add that there should be equal wages for the doctor: who cleaned and repaired the human body, and the sanitation worker: who cleaned and repaired roads and buildings! This he declared was dignity of labour, considering no job more menial than the other- idealistic but far from practical. And what about the question of skill- the nuances of surgery, the knowledge of every single vein and organ that constitutes the human anatomy inside out; can it actually be equaled to plumbing a drain, just to prove a point?
In his address, the concluding statements included that the only way at a reformed, equal and progressive society was ‘Dalitisation’. The wave was already in motion he added illustrating that “Dalit women have been smoking for centuries, my mother used to and so did my grandmother… today, the trend is that most women smokers are from Brahmin households; The Dalits have always eaten meat, nowadays it is the Brahmins who eat it and dispose the bones in their backyards- This is in reality Dalitisation, but the Brahmins will never accept it; they refer to it as westernisation!”
This is when I got thinking about the coin; in the name of open-mindedness and reform, this influential scholar chose instead to propagate an extremist outlook, change in a very superficial sense, which would only continue this vicious circle of injustice and revolt, time and again. The simple way to have influenced us aspiring journalists and forced us to look at an equal society in a broader light, would have been to simply promote the path of moderation; emphasizing the need for each individual to contribute to an equal society, to freedom in the true sense of the word.
Maybe the human mind will never understand moderation in the broader sense; maybe life is more challenging this way! It is very easy to say that the middle path is what is ideal, but as an individual at every phase of life I have chosen the extremes; there are 2 sides to a coin BUT what is it that lies in between- will we ever care enough to find out!
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Is it just about the questions?
It is a very confusing world we live in- this fact was exemplified in today’s rather interesting lecture on Nationalism; or what we perceive of it. Where does one turn to if the very fundamental history that you learn in school is rubbished; when all that seemed important in the ‘glorious’ freedom struggle is thrown out the window? It is very easy to accept what is taught to us, to learn up answers and to take in facts that are wrapped up in the pretext of education; even more effective if these will later fetch you an extra couple of marks in the forthcoming examinations.
The thing that is not so simple is the rhetorical analysis of these facts, much later- to have it broken down principle by principle, to question the very fundamentals all over again. As a youngster still learning, still seeking to soak in the depths of knowledge, which version does one read into, which argument does one go along with, when both sides seem to make equal sense; if one is not instantly provoked or peeved off with the opposing viewpoint immediately, does it reflect a sense of complacency or indifference; can it simply not indicate that more research and analysis on the subject is needed before arriving at any further judgement or conclusion. In matters of extreme social relevance or importance, is it not necessary to look at things from the other perspective; even if just temporarily so.
Why is it so easy for bias to seep into our way or mode of thinking? The youngster’s mind which is capable of nurturing and remembering is tarnished by this uncanny trait of ‘influence’; it is absolutely essential to accept that as the youth there is so much that we do not know, have not experienced and simply do not understand; but it is even more important to understand, analyse, read up by one’s own means; to listen to all kinds of input, look at both sides of the coin and then figure out what one’s stand is! This, however is much easier said than done; and a very important factor which affects it is the power of EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION, the manner in which the presenter comes across: vehemence, emotion, precision, clarity, passion and emphatic speakers tend to leave a longer and lasting impression than their counterparts with lesser oratorical skills- it is very easy to be swayed by the former, even if the latter makes more sense.
At first I was very sure that ‘to question and confute is to learn; and to learn is to live’. Over the last few weeks, I have felt the need to modify this- ‘to listen, retain, remember and reflect is just as important as the questioning; and as long as one is always thinking, it is all that matters!
The thing that is not so simple is the rhetorical analysis of these facts, much later- to have it broken down principle by principle, to question the very fundamentals all over again. As a youngster still learning, still seeking to soak in the depths of knowledge, which version does one read into, which argument does one go along with, when both sides seem to make equal sense; if one is not instantly provoked or peeved off with the opposing viewpoint immediately, does it reflect a sense of complacency or indifference; can it simply not indicate that more research and analysis on the subject is needed before arriving at any further judgement or conclusion. In matters of extreme social relevance or importance, is it not necessary to look at things from the other perspective; even if just temporarily so.
Why is it so easy for bias to seep into our way or mode of thinking? The youngster’s mind which is capable of nurturing and remembering is tarnished by this uncanny trait of ‘influence’; it is absolutely essential to accept that as the youth there is so much that we do not know, have not experienced and simply do not understand; but it is even more important to understand, analyse, read up by one’s own means; to listen to all kinds of input, look at both sides of the coin and then figure out what one’s stand is! This, however is much easier said than done; and a very important factor which affects it is the power of EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION, the manner in which the presenter comes across: vehemence, emotion, precision, clarity, passion and emphatic speakers tend to leave a longer and lasting impression than their counterparts with lesser oratorical skills- it is very easy to be swayed by the former, even if the latter makes more sense.
At first I was very sure that ‘to question and confute is to learn; and to learn is to live’. Over the last few weeks, I have felt the need to modify this- ‘to listen, retain, remember and reflect is just as important as the questioning; and as long as one is always thinking, it is all that matters!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Cashing in on Cashew
"Progress" is a very relative term. 20 year old Lakshmi, from Koondapur in Karnataka lived in a thatched hut without a toilet, kitchen or any other basic amenities, a mere seven years ago. Living with her husband and two children, she had no clue whether she could even afford to feed the family the next day. Today, her house boasts of a concrete roof, a bathroom, a kitchen and is furnished with a small cot. The family often gathers around the radio in the evenings to listen to popular Kannada songs!
This climb in the social ladder is a reality in the lives of many other rural women living in Puttur, Sulya, Udupi and the South Kanara district of coastal Karnataka. For Lakshmi, and scores of other unskilled and uneducated women, life changed completely the day they started working in the cashew industry. Taking home an average of Rs.900 a week, life has ceased to be a constant struggle for them
Over 3000 women from these areas have found a lifeline in the flourishing cashew enterprises which offers scope for employment in avenues like manufacturing, processing and export. With the guarantee of a definite income all year round, these women have not only bettered their lives in recent years, but are also funding the education of their children now.
Previously engaged in either farming or beedi-rolling, the shift in the employment pattern took place a decade ago. The cancerous health hazards of beedi-rolling and the heavy manual labour in the fields took a toll on these women and they started looking for alternative sources of income. Struggling with unemployment for over four years, the setting up of cashew industry in the state , by the government in the late 90's came as a boon to them. Coastal Karnataka, being climatically and geographically suitable, became the cashew hub of the country after The National Horticultural Mission declared this nut as one of the 11 crops to be popularized.
Kerala, South Kanara and the Konkan coastal areas are the centres of cashew nut cultivation in the country; which is the world's largest exporter of these nuts. In the Udupi district alone, 25000 hectares of plantation was set up initially with an investment of Rs.850 lakhs. Today, around 160 cashew enterprises are seen here. A labour-oriented field, all factories have over 95% women employees as neither is heavy machinery operated, nor is stressful toiling required. Men are engaged only in the packaging and transport departments.
In India, cashew cultivation starts in November but the crop is ready for harvest only in May. Farmers have had a fairly good produce as no major disease or epidemic has been recorded in recent years. The quality of Indian nuts, especially the Goan variety is in great demand all over the world; it surpasses even the African ones. The local demand for cashews increases during Christmas and Diwali but good business is enjoyed all year round. Consumption is relatively higher in Mumbai, Delhi and other northern states.
In the 75 processing plants in the Udupi district, rural women are hired and given weekly wages according to their work output. With working hours from 8 in the morning to early evening, their domestic chores remain unaffected. There is also the option of taking the nuts home and peeling it; mainly to help support the elderly and disabled women.
Cashew processing involves boiling the nuts, initially. Large quantities are heated in incinerators and then roasted. The kernels are then cut using simple machinery, followed by heating again and peeling. Grading is done next where the cashews are separated by hand on the basis of size and colour. Over 30 kinds of nuts are manufactured in India, ranging from small, brownish ones to the large Ivory-white ones. The final packaging is done depending on whether the nuts are of export quality or for the local market. The cashews are vacuum packed, treated with a gaseous mixture of 70%Nitrogen and 30%Carbon-di-oxide to prevent spoilage and then sealed. Thus packed, these nuts can be stored for around a year without chances of rotting.
Nalina, 33 of Kukoondoor says, "I have worked for 13 years as a cashew peeler, and have three daughters who attend school. In the evenings, they also help me shell extra kernels at home. We lead comfortable lives today because we earn almost Rs.1200 every week." Mallika, another villager in Karkala, turned to working in these factories after her husband abandoned her family six years ago. Stranded, without an educational background, money or relatives to turn to, she had no option but to join the cutting department of a kernel processing factory. Introduced to this job by a neighbour, she is still employed as a cutter, six days a week. "I work here along with my mother and sister. Together, we support my children. The absence of a man in charge of running the household is not felt anymore. This job has given me a new lease of life. I am making plans for my sister's wedding next year," she proudly adds.
Benefits like sickness and maternity leave, provident fund, insurance and gratuity for the women, organized by the government has made their lives more secure. Manager of the Mahalasa exports in Hiriadka, Mr.Rohildas says, "The government earnestly supports the cause of employing these under-privileged women. Recently, taxes have been reduced to 4% and incentives have also been assigned for the labourers." Since there is no specific retirement age in this industry, women can continue to work as long as they are physically able to.
And there is demand for more labour. Partner of B.R.K cashew industries in Karkala, Jayawant Kamat says, "The company started with fifteen labourers 50 years ago. Today there are over 800 women employed by us. We can hire 200 more women right away, as the demand for cashew nuts is on the rise and the industry depends entirely on manual labour, not machinery. We have set up a unit in Padubidri, near Mangalore where beginners are taught tasks like peeling, cutting and grading of kernels. Started four months ago, several women have been absorbed by the factories already. On an average, each worker can earn around Rs.180 a day. Bus facilities have also been recently arranged for the workers."
Interestingly, there is no environment pollution caused as a result of processing and packaging cashews as can be seen in most other industries. All the by-products are bio-degradable. They are used for various purposes; the cashew fruit is used to make alcohol, its hard shell is used in the manufacture of paints, oil and varnish. The seed coat is an integral component of the gutkha and tobacco industries.
A research station at Ullal, in the South Kanara region, under the University of Agricultural Sciences, tests cashew oil and juice from the various plantations. The marketing channel in the state is the Cashew Merchants Association, which also promotes women welfare and employment
This climb in the social ladder is a reality in the lives of many other rural women living in Puttur, Sulya, Udupi and the South Kanara district of coastal Karnataka. For Lakshmi, and scores of other unskilled and uneducated women, life changed completely the day they started working in the cashew industry. Taking home an average of Rs.900 a week, life has ceased to be a constant struggle for them
Over 3000 women from these areas have found a lifeline in the flourishing cashew enterprises which offers scope for employment in avenues like manufacturing, processing and export. With the guarantee of a definite income all year round, these women have not only bettered their lives in recent years, but are also funding the education of their children now.
Previously engaged in either farming or beedi-rolling, the shift in the employment pattern took place a decade ago. The cancerous health hazards of beedi-rolling and the heavy manual labour in the fields took a toll on these women and they started looking for alternative sources of income. Struggling with unemployment for over four years, the setting up of cashew industry in the state , by the government in the late 90's came as a boon to them. Coastal Karnataka, being climatically and geographically suitable, became the cashew hub of the country after The National Horticultural Mission declared this nut as one of the 11 crops to be popularized.
Kerala, South Kanara and the Konkan coastal areas are the centres of cashew nut cultivation in the country; which is the world's largest exporter of these nuts. In the Udupi district alone, 25000 hectares of plantation was set up initially with an investment of Rs.850 lakhs. Today, around 160 cashew enterprises are seen here. A labour-oriented field, all factories have over 95% women employees as neither is heavy machinery operated, nor is stressful toiling required. Men are engaged only in the packaging and transport departments.
In India, cashew cultivation starts in November but the crop is ready for harvest only in May. Farmers have had a fairly good produce as no major disease or epidemic has been recorded in recent years. The quality of Indian nuts, especially the Goan variety is in great demand all over the world; it surpasses even the African ones. The local demand for cashews increases during Christmas and Diwali but good business is enjoyed all year round. Consumption is relatively higher in Mumbai, Delhi and other northern states.
In the 75 processing plants in the Udupi district, rural women are hired and given weekly wages according to their work output. With working hours from 8 in the morning to early evening, their domestic chores remain unaffected. There is also the option of taking the nuts home and peeling it; mainly to help support the elderly and disabled women.
Cashew processing involves boiling the nuts, initially. Large quantities are heated in incinerators and then roasted. The kernels are then cut using simple machinery, followed by heating again and peeling. Grading is done next where the cashews are separated by hand on the basis of size and colour. Over 30 kinds of nuts are manufactured in India, ranging from small, brownish ones to the large Ivory-white ones. The final packaging is done depending on whether the nuts are of export quality or for the local market. The cashews are vacuum packed, treated with a gaseous mixture of 70%Nitrogen and 30%Carbon-di-oxide to prevent spoilage and then sealed. Thus packed, these nuts can be stored for around a year without chances of rotting.
Nalina, 33 of Kukoondoor says, "I have worked for 13 years as a cashew peeler, and have three daughters who attend school. In the evenings, they also help me shell extra kernels at home. We lead comfortable lives today because we earn almost Rs.1200 every week." Mallika, another villager in Karkala, turned to working in these factories after her husband abandoned her family six years ago. Stranded, without an educational background, money or relatives to turn to, she had no option but to join the cutting department of a kernel processing factory. Introduced to this job by a neighbour, she is still employed as a cutter, six days a week. "I work here along with my mother and sister. Together, we support my children. The absence of a man in charge of running the household is not felt anymore. This job has given me a new lease of life. I am making plans for my sister's wedding next year," she proudly adds.
Benefits like sickness and maternity leave, provident fund, insurance and gratuity for the women, organized by the government has made their lives more secure. Manager of the Mahalasa exports in Hiriadka, Mr.Rohildas says, "The government earnestly supports the cause of employing these under-privileged women. Recently, taxes have been reduced to 4% and incentives have also been assigned for the labourers." Since there is no specific retirement age in this industry, women can continue to work as long as they are physically able to.
And there is demand for more labour. Partner of B.R.K cashew industries in Karkala, Jayawant Kamat says, "The company started with fifteen labourers 50 years ago. Today there are over 800 women employed by us. We can hire 200 more women right away, as the demand for cashew nuts is on the rise and the industry depends entirely on manual labour, not machinery. We have set up a unit in Padubidri, near Mangalore where beginners are taught tasks like peeling, cutting and grading of kernels. Started four months ago, several women have been absorbed by the factories already. On an average, each worker can earn around Rs.180 a day. Bus facilities have also been recently arranged for the workers."
Interestingly, there is no environment pollution caused as a result of processing and packaging cashews as can be seen in most other industries. All the by-products are bio-degradable. They are used for various purposes; the cashew fruit is used to make alcohol, its hard shell is used in the manufacture of paints, oil and varnish. The seed coat is an integral component of the gutkha and tobacco industries.
A research station at Ullal, in the South Kanara region, under the University of Agricultural Sciences, tests cashew oil and juice from the various plantations. The marketing channel in the state is the Cashew Merchants Association, which also promotes women welfare and employment
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