The Dying Glory of Indian Circus

There was a time when the Indian circus shone in its full glory. Circus industry was loved by people of all ages alike. What happened to this industry now? Where have the artists gone? Why its luster is fading away? How Indian Circus did come into existence?

Origin:

India has a long tradition of street performers and travelling entertainers. But the origin of the Indian Circus in today’s form dates back to the late nineteenth century.

Philip Astley, an English equestrian and circus inventor, credited Vishnupant Chatre as the originator of Indian Circus. He initiated this art form in India under the patronage of the Raja of Kurduwadi. Chatre was in charge of the stables of the Raja. He was an eminent equestrian and singer. He founded The Great Indian Circus and had its first performance in 20th March 1880. His team performed throughout the country as well as foreign territories such as Ceylon, South East Asia and North America. The audience admired him everywhere. The only place where he could not match the size and magnificence of his competitors was North America. So he decided to continue his pursuit within India.

During his tour in Tellicherry (Kerala), Chatre met Keeleri  Kunhikanan, a master of martial arts and gymnastics. Keeleri was appointed as an acrobats trainer in The Great Indian Circus. In 1901, he opened a circus school at Chirakkara near Tellicherry, which later became the circus epicenter of India. The school produced a long list of performers who later started their own circus companies. Some of these companies were Grand Malabar Circus (1904), Whiteway Circus (1922), Great Ramayan Circus (11924) etc. Thus, Kerala became the “Cradle of Indian Circus”.

To honour the legacy of Keeleri Kunhikannan, the Government of Kerala started a Circus Academy in Thalassery.

Keeleri Kunhikannan is regarded as the “Father of Indian Circus”.

In its full glory:

Circuses were a major form of spectator entertainment in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. With a team of various range of artists including clowns, acrobats, trained animals, trapeze acts, musicians, dancers, tightrope walkers, jugglers, magicians, ventriloquists and other performance oriented artists, circus attracted huge crowd whenever they visited a city. They have enraptured their audiences since many years. But today their survival has become  a question mark.

A dying industry:

Indian circuses are on the verge of extinction. Only a few circuses are left in India today, down from 300 two decades ago. The circus managers predict that soon no grounds will be left to hold a circus. Some of the reasons for this downfall are:

  • Indian circus companies keep their affairs as trade secret. It is mostly hereditary affair and confined within a few people. This acts as a barrier in entry of efficient persons.
  • The companies feel that circus acrobatics require intensive training from childhood. Earlier children as small as 10 years of age were trained to become circus artists. In light of Supreme Court’s ban on child employment below the age of 14 in 2011, the companies are facing a dearth of human resource.
  • A popular genre of performance and attraction for the audience ceased to exist when the government of India prohibited the use of wild animals for entertainment purposes in 1997.
  • With access to television and other forms of e-entertainment, the circus acts have no longer remained unique. The majority of acts which were once exclusive to the circus are now performed on television, including juggling, acrobatics, gymnastics and aerial acts
  • Indian families consider circus as a risky profession and do not allow their children to choose this as a profession. We do not see dynasties of artists in India as seen in Western counterpart.
  • Circus artists retire at an early age of 40. After which they are left with no other option but to do manual work. Lack of security discourages new people to take up this profession.

Suggestions:

Here are a few suggestions to revive this traditional art form:

  • Circus can be used to make the dying arts more appealing to the masses. This would attract more viewers.
  • The government should provide for financial protection to the artists post-retirement. At present, Kerala is the only state to provide pension to veteran and needy artists.
  • Learning circus acts is similar to learning an art form. The government should set up circus training academy to promote this art as a profession. It should be similar to sports academy; with a well-defined syllabus and regular academics.
  • The companies need to update themselves to attract the younger generation. Mr. Gopinath Muthukad, a noted magician from Kerala, announced to launch a show called “Circus Castle” in Thiruvananthapuram that would combine circus acts with magic tricks.

I find it heartwarming that despite of enormous challenges faced from television and internet, Indian circus companies are trying to get back to life and revive their grandeur in the entertainment realm.

Category management in e-commerce: what does it look like, and why do you need it?

Anyone who works in sales has probably heard about category management at some point. It’s a crucial thing for business people! After all, it’s only through utilizing category management can they really guarantee that they don’t lose their positions in the market or their profits.

Category management stands for the organization of product categories, which solves everything in our modern world. Recall your last trip to the store: how long did it take for you to find yogurt? You know it belongs in the category of dairy products, which is why it is located on the shelf next to the milk. Imagine if yoghurt was classified, for example, as a dessert; how long would it take you to find it? Category management oversees the organization of retail space, both offline and online! It is the categories you need to develop when creating online store browsing, managing your range of products, and developing the design of your website.

Additionally, category management involves working with procuring. For example, knowing what every category of your products includes and what KPIs it is supposed to meet helps you choose only the best suppliers and negotiate the most favorable terms of collaboration.

Due to poor-quality category management or the lack of thereof, an online business can lose up to 30% of its customers, so a professional category manager is worth their weight in gold. So, what are their duties, and how do you bring maximum results to your business? We will tell you below.

What does a category manager do in e-commerce?

The main responsibilities of a category manager in the area of e-commerce include:

  • Analyzing data to determine market trends and consumer needs;
  • Developing strategies for category management;
  • Developing tactics for category development, merchandising, and promoting specific product items;
  • Communicating with suppliers, building long-term relationships and concluding favorable terms of cooperation with the best price-quality ratio;
  • Placing orders and dealing with procurements;
  • Placement of product categories to achieve maximum results;
  • Cooperating with the marketing and sales department within the company to ensure transparency and efficiency throughout all business activities;
  • Determination of the most competitive and profitable prices for product categories;
  • Demand forecasting and prompt replenishment of stocks;
  • Budgeting and cost optimization.

5 tips for becoming the best category manager in e-commerce

Category management is a true art that requires special training and exceptional skills, especially in e-commerce. Here are some tips on how to work effectively with categories:

1. Communicate regularly with suppliers and stay up to date

The primary task of a category manager in e-commerce is to ensure a steady flow of goods or services. Check your suppliers’ certificates and financial stability periodically, set stringent deadlines, and supply performance guarantees. Any fluctuation in the market can lead to trouble for suppliers, which, in return, means problems for yourself.

2. Increase your level of expertise

A category manager cannot know everything in the world. Still, they should strive to achieve this, given that the business’s stability from the perspective of turnover depends on this. You must understand new and old pricing models and keep track of investment results, including costs and risks associated with procurements. Of course, you will need individual professionals (for example, lawyers) for different aspects of this work. However, your task is to consider all the factors and work them out.

3. Plan categories down to the very last detail

The success of category management depends on the effectiveness of the categories you create. And to accomplish this, you must understand your audience and the details of every category by considering its role, purpose, performance criteria, etc. Expanded categories that can grow and develop make it easier to attract profitable suppliers and build strong relationships with them.

4. Use zero-based budgeting

Zero-based budgeting is a budget planning method that does not include the budgets from earlier periods. Instead, budget planning is based on sales forecasts, technical costs, and economic calculations. Since one of the main tasks of a category manager is to justify the created categories and budget requirements, this approach to budgeting in a category management setting is the most appropriate.

5. Don’t forget about digitalisation!

Category management in e-commerce is a top priority for online development and technologies. Therefore, the category manager must quickly implement the most effective innovative solutions in software and electronic systems or services to oversee product categories.

The job of a category manager in e-commerce is much the same as that in traditional retail: it is still challenging but extremely exciting! Perhaps nowhere else can you find so many new experiences, tools, and opportunities than in this field. Just don’t be afraid of using different innovative methods and continually developing both product categories and your professional abilities.

Things to Avoid When Buying a House

Is the excitement of buying a house taking a toll on your progress? Buying a home is fulfilling, but the process can be a nightmare, and you could also acquire a property that only adds more stress to your life. It requires the right approach, especially in the modern online-oriented world. With the available online listings and resourceful information pools like Hauzisha.co.ke, you can easily browse and navigate the market. As you hit the market, you need to be wary, ensuring you don’t fall into the common pitfalls that could frustrate your quests. Here are the things to avoid when buying a house, ensuring you find and invest in the best property.

Skimping on the research

The online listings make browsing the available properties for sale; this gives you valuable information, but don’t skimp on the research. Even with virtual tours, nothing beats the experience. Check out as many open houses as you can, do thorough research, and get a feel of the real estate market’s landscape.

A significant part of real estate deals is location, and physically visiting the available houses gives you more than you can get from the online experience. You’ll get the vibe the neighborhood exudes, and the feel varying houses hold, making it easier to narrow down the options.

Not doing the math

How much house can you afford? You’ve been saving up, but have you considered your credit rating? Mortgage preapproval is an excellent step as you hit the market. You’ll have a clear picture of how much you can spend on a house. Nonetheless, that’s not the only math you should do. Consider the long-term financial implication.

How will you manage the mortgage payments and expenses of running the house? Buying the dream house is one thing, and keeping it in top shape is different. You need to manage repairs and maintenance, consider concerns such as home insurance, and following its location, property taxes. All such costs should be in your math, ensuring you buy a house you can afford in the long run.

Falling for the flashy aspects

House sellers strive to capture as many potential buyers as possible. The staging includes fancy aspects highlighting the property’s gems. Don’t focus on them, but pay more attention to the bones and structure. External factors aren’t as important as a solid foundation and a house in good shape. Those flashy appliances won’t hold as much value as a roof in good condition, emphasizing the need to ensure you don’t fall for the vivid aspects while ignoring the structural integrity.

Being in haste or too relaxed

If you are in haste, you’ll cut corners even without noticing it, such as skimping on inspections or overlooking flaws that can turn out to be a costly mistake. Start early, understand the market, potential loopholes to consider, and thoroughly inspect a house before making a firm and final offer.

Being too relaxed doesn’t pay off either. You are likely to pass on a great house, expecting to find a better one. The more you skip houses, the less likely it’ll be to capture a great deal, especially as your lowball offers could see great houses slipping off your fingers. Take your time, but don’t be too relaxed. This way, you’ll have enough time to check more details, make an informed pick, and invest in a house you’ll treasure for long.

Going at it alone

Sure, the modern real estate market makes the processes more manageable. You can search properties on sale online, make an offer, negotiate, and even conclude the deal with fewer in-person interactions. However, unless you are experienced in real estate dynamics, going at it alone can be a costly mistake.

Hiring a real estate agent helps in many ways. Apart from capturing great deals with their reach and negotiation skills, the agent can help you deal with the extensive paperwork and processes. You can fast-track the process and avoid common mistakes that could see you losing an edge after finding that dream house. Apart from agents, you can also enlist professionals such as lawyers, ensuring that you understand the contract’s fine print.

Not thinking about selling

While buying a house, you may not think about selling soon. Nonetheless, it is crucial, considering that you may have to relocate or want an upgrade. Will the property and its features be attractive in the next five years, or will it require considerable remodels to keep up with the evolving real estate landscape? How about the location, significantly since you can’t change it? The resale value consideration makes it easier to pick the right house.

Ready finances, knowing what you can afford, shopping around, enlisting professional services; you need the right strategy to start house hunting. Avoiding the common pitfalls is easier with a solid plan, helping you find and buy the right house matching your immediate and future needs.

Paranoid Personality Disorder – A Serious yet Neglected Condition

Paranoid Personality Disorder (PPD) belongs to a group of conditions called Cluster A or eccentric personality disorders. Persons with such personality disorders tend to exhibit unusual or abnormal behavior. These people possess unusual thinking. Persons with PPD are always suspicious of others and strongly believe that other people are constantly trying to harm them. Paranoia means illogical suspicion and mistrust towards other people.  It is a serious yet often neglected personality disorder.

American Psychiatric Association in DSM-5 states that 2.3% to 4.4 % of the US population suffers from PPD. It is mostly found in males.

Causes:

The exact causes of PPD are not known. However several studies suggest that:

  • A person’s childhood experiences and past trauma can onset this condition. Childhood abuse, being a victim to bully or other such childhood factors can cause PPD.
  • Other social factors can also contribute to its cause, such as divorce, financial crisis, never marrying or other socio-economic factors
  • Family history of schizophrenia and delusional disorders.

Symptoms:

DSM-5 lays that a PPD person has a pervasive pattern of suspiciousness, mistrust and hypersensitivity. Symptoms of PPD include:

  • There is no ground or logic for their suspicion that other people are trying to deceive them. They “think” that others are trying to exploit them.
  • They often criticize others but are hypersensitive towards other’s criticisms.
  • Will be jealous and strongly believe that their partners are being unfaithful.
  • Are unforgiving and hold grievances.
  • Due to lack of confidence, they are unable to build healthy relationship with family, friends and colleagues.
  • Without any substantiation, they believe that they will be betrayed.
  • They tend to find inner meaning in comments and communications from other people that are absolutely innocent and simple.
  • Always doubt the trustworthiness of others.
  • They constantly believe that people are ruining their character and reputation.
  • Do not realize that their behavior or attitude can be a cause of a problem.
  • They don’t open up to others on belief that others will use their personal information to manipulate them

Diagnosis:

A health care professional first discusses about symptoms and family history. The patient may also undergo physical examination. The health professional tries to assess the patient’s behavior by asking him about his response to an imaginary situation. Wrong diagnosis may mix up Paranoid Personality with Borderline Narcissism.

Treatment:

PPD persons generally do not recognize that they are suffering from such condition. So they do not seek treatment. Moreover, their treatment becomes a tough job due to their trust issues. They do not believe their psychotherapist. Patients with PPD are not likely to follow their treatment plan and may even question the therapist’s motives. Whenever a patient seeks medical assistance, psychotherapy is the preferred treatment. It includes improving their general coping ability and social interaction and communication skills.

Medications are not prescribed in PPD. However some anti-depressant, anti-anxiety or anti-psychotic drugs can be used if the person has severe symptoms.

Prevention:

There is no definite way to prevent Paranoid Personality Disorder. It may not be possible to prevent PPD, but treatment may allow those who are susceptible to it to find more productive ways to handle situations.

Uniqueness Of Indian Constitution

The uniqueness of Indian Constitution lies in the fact that it is the longest written constitution in the world. Initially, our constitution had a preamble, 395 articles and 8 schedules. At present, our constitution has 448 articles and 12 schedules. 26th November of every year is celebrated as the Constitution Day.

History:

In 1934, the idea of the formation of a Constituent Assembly for India was put forward for the first time by M.N.Roy. In 1935, the Indian National Congress also demanded for the formation of a Constituent Assembly. The British Government finally accepted the demand. In November 1946, the Constituent Assembly was constituted under the Cabinet Mission Plan. The Assembly held its first meeting on 9th December 1946. 211 members were present in the meeting. Dr. Sachchidananda Sinha was elected as the temporary President of the Assembly. Later, Dr. Rajendra Prasad was elected as the President of the Assembly.  There were two Vice-Presidents – H.C. Mukherjee and V.T. Krishnamachari.

There were several committees of the Constituent Assembly which dealt with various constituent making tasks. There were 8 major committees and 13 minor committees. The most important among them, the Drafting Committee was set up on 29th August 1947. Its task was to prepare a draft of the new constitution.

The first draft of the Indian Constitution was prepared in February 1948. There was an 8-month period for people to discuss the draft and suggest amendments. Based on public suggestions, second draft was prepared and published in October 1948.

In total, the Drafting Committee sat for 141 days.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the “chief architect of the Constitution of India” introduced the final draft of the Constitution on 4th November 1948. It was declared as passed on 26th November 1949. Some provisions came into force the same day itself, but a majority of the provisions were enforced on 26th January 1950. Due to this, this date is referred as the “date of commencement”.

Features of the Constitution:

  • Indian constitution is the lengthiest written constitution in the world.
  • It is drawn from constitutions from different countries like Britain, USA, Russia, Australia, Japan, Canada and so on.
  • Indian Constitution is a flux of rigidity and flexibility. Some provisions can be amended just like an ordinary law is made while some provisions need special procedure for amendment.
  • It’s a perfect balance of federal and unitary features. It follows federal features such as two government, division of powers, written constitution, supremacy of constitution, rigidity of constitution, independent judiciary and bicameralism. It also has unitary features like single constitution, single constitutionship, emergency provisions etc.
  • Our constitution follows the parliamentary form of Government, i.e. there is cooperation between the legislative and executive organs of the Government.
  • The constitution provides for single citizenship.
  • Part IVA of the Constitution outlines various Fundamental Duties of each citizen.      
  • Part III of the constitution provides 6 Fundamental Rights of each citizen.
  • Universal Adult Franchise provides voting right to each and every citizen of the country irrespective of their caste, creed, sex, literacy etc. But the citizen’s age must not be less than 18 years.
  • Emergency Provisions – National emergency (due to external aggression or war), State emergency (failure of constitutional machinery), Financial emergency (due to financial instability in the country).
  • Another unique feature is three-tier government system which is not found in any other country of the world. Apart from center and state, constitution gives recognition to rural local governments (panchayats).

Steps To Stay Mentally Fit

Do you know that about four percent of the total global population suffers from anxiety disorder?  Do you know that Lesotho (a South African country), Guyana (a South American country), Republic of Korea are some of the countries with highest suicide mortality rates?

We all are concerned about our physical fitness, but do we really care for our mental wellbeing.

Photo by Suzy Hazelwood on Pexels.com

What is its importance?

Mental health includes our emotional, psychological and social health. It influences the way we feel, think and act against the situations we face in our daily lives. It also determines our attitude towards others, our decisions and how we relate to others. Mental wellness is important because:

  • Increased self-esteem: Mental health is related to our self-esteem. It greatly affects our personal feelings about ourselves. Persons with blooming mental condition will focus on selves’ good side. They will bring out their good qualities and will lead a happy and cheerful life.
  • Have good relationships: Persons with sound mental health can spend quality time with their family and friends. They extend compassion and support to other people in times of their need. Thus, they can have healthier relationships with society.
  • Higher ability to cope with stress: Mental fitness provides the strength to deal with stressful situations. A stable mental state can facilitate healthier ways to cope with relationship disputes, financial difficulties, work challenges, and other life concerns.
  • Improved productivity: A cheerful attitude and healthy state of mind always yields better productivity. Happy mental state enables you to work effectively and efficiently.
  • Better quality of life: Your overall quality of life improves. You socialize, become participative, travel, explore new adventures or anything of your interest.

How to attain mental wellness?

Now you know the need of having a healthy mental state. But how to attain it? Read on:

  •  Have a healthy and balanced diet. Munch on mood boosting foods such as, chocolate, salmon, green tea, spinach, nuts, coffee and so forth.
  • “Early to bed and early to rise” is the Mantra. For an adult, 7-8 hours of sleep is recommended to have a healthy body and fit mind.
  • Interact with people as much as you can. Make new friends, join a club, pursue any hobby or do something that gives you happiness
  • Adopt a pet. In 2021, a survey was carried out on UK pet owners and it was found out that about 90 percent of dog owners were mentally healthier.
  • Exercise regularly. Do yoga, swimming, cycling or jogging. You may even join a dance class. Physical fitness is co-related with mental health.
  • Have a positive attitude towards others. Don’t become judgmental.

Here is a word of caution – If you feel that you are falling into depression and nothing makes you happy; you feel a constant state of emptiness, do seek a professional help. You can also talk with your family and friends.

Ending note:

In today’s world, maintaining mental health is a challenging task. The pandemic has contributed to mental health problems in people of all ages worldwide. Let us take care of our mental well being and extend help to others.

Anybody Can Speak Fluent English

Speaking fluent English is everyone’s dream. In present times, fluent spoken English capability is associated with smartness. More your fluency, greater is your smartness. Although I personally don’t feel so, but there is no harm in learning and mastering a new language, right? The task may feel intimidating at first; but believe me, 8 simple tips can sail you through this language ocean.

  1. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes: You may fumble in your initial stages of English speaking; may use wrong tense, use two comparatives together (such as, This burger is more bigger than that one) etc. Don’t panic. It is absolutely fine to make mistakes. Don’t be ashamed. Learn from your mistakes. Get the courage to speak up. Accept criticisms sportingly.
  2. Hear English conversations: The easiest way to improve your speaking skills is to listen to English content as much as you can. Turn to English news channels like CNN –News 18, ET Now, India Today, Bloomberg Quint or any other channel that is provided by your cable operator. Listen to them carefully. Pay attention to their choice of words and how they are expressing themselves. Listen to English YouTube content. Watch more English movies; use subtitles.
  3. Use technology: In this technology driven world, you can always make the most out of it. There are many apps that can help you to improve your spoken English. Apps like Duolingo, Cambly, BBC Learning English, ECL Learning English are available in Google play store. You can use them anywhere, anytime in your mobile phone and practice your vocabulary, grammar and pronunciation.
  4. Read a lot: Reading is the key. It is not a mandate to read big novels or complex books like Finnegans Wake or Infinite Jest. Just grab a simple story book or a novella, sip on your favorite coffee and enjoy. Switch to English newspaper. Learn and understand the new words. Note their usage in a sentence. Bear in mind that your reading should be pleasurable; else soon you will lose interest.
  5. Use English every single day: Even if you aren’t studying or speaking English actively, increase your daily English interaction to the hilt. Start by simple things like changing your mobile phone settings to English and listening to English songs.
  6. Think English: One of the most common mistakes that we all tend to do is while speaking, we arrange our thoughts in our native language. Then we translate it to English. This is the biggest blockade in your fluency.  You must arrange your thoughts in English.  This will reduce your fumbling.
  7. Don’t stress on grammar: Do you know that the native speakers often break grammar rules? It is important to have grammatical knowledge to have a strong grasp on the language, but when it comes to speaking, grammar should be the least concern in your list. Your aim is to make yourself intelligible. Gradually you will start to catch on to the grammar rules.
  8. Increase your vocabulary: Try to learn at least 3-4 new words every day. Make weekly goals and try to achieve them. Learn new phrases, jargons and terminologies. This will help you to express your thinking in fewer words.

Learning a new language is always fun. It is not a rocket science. Catching up with fluent speaking skills just requires the right attitude and mindset. Be confident and remember that you are not the only one who faces hesitation. If it is taking time, don’t stress yourself. Gaining fluency is a process. Make this journey pleasurable and interesting and soon you will see the results.

Ahilya Bai Holkar – One of The Least Known Indian Social Reformer

A visit to India’s past will reveal numerous examples of women who influenced the world through their benignity, far-sightedness, aura, courage, and their character. But Ahilyabai Holkar (31 May 1725 – 13 August 1795) is regarded as one of the greatest queens of Malwa in terms of fame and respect. One of the least known social reformers of India, Ahilya Bai Holkar fought for the rights of women till her last breath. She is a respected Maharani (queen) and will remain to be so in all times to come.

“In latter days from Brahma came,
To rule our land, a noble dame,
Kind was her heart and bright her fame,
Ahilya was her honoured name,”

Joanna Baillie

Marriage

In 1733, she married Khande Rao Holkar. He was the son of Malhar Rao Holkar, a commander in the service of the Maratha Peshwa Baji Rao I and lord of the Malwa territory. Thus, her marriage to Khande Rao, which happened in a sort of accident, served as a stepping stone towards her rise to prominence.

She gave birth to their son Male Rao  and daughter Muktabai in 1745 and 1748 respectively.

Ahilya Bai never believed in traditions. She married her daughter to a poor brave man, Yashwant Rao, after he had beaten a band of dacoits.

Rise to position

In 1754, the young Ahilya lost her husband Khande Rao, her biggest support, to the battle of Kumbher. She was devastated. After 12 years of this incident, she lost her second biggest support, her father-in-law in 1766. As per the tradition, Male Rao succeeded the throne, but unfortunately, he also died after a short span of time in April 1767.

After so many tragic losses, she remained undismayed. She asked the Peshwa Madhav Rao I to take over the administration on her own and soon assumed the throne of Indore in December 1767.

The queen’s glory

Inspite of facing initial objections from a segment of her kingdom, the Holkar sect of Maratha army supported her. She ruled the kingdom for the next 30 years gracefully. She was a compassionate ruler and always remained accessible to her subjects. She always paid attention to their concerns.

She, along with subhedar Tukoji Rao Holkar, her military head, gloriously protected her kingdom from invaders and despoilers.

Under her years of reign, Indore achieved its utmost glorious peak. From a small village, she transformed Indore to a beautiful and prosperous city.

She undertook several infrastructural projects in Malwa and  frequently sponsored festivals. She regularly gave donations to Hindu temples.

The queen never used public cash to meet her family or personal expenditures. She contributed money from her personal funds to charity. She pursued literary, musical, artistic, and industrial endeavours in her capital Maheshwar. She even established a textile industry in Maheshwar.

Ahilya Bai had a great taste in literature and she herself was well read. As a result, her capital became home to a number of eminent citizens, including poet Moropant, Shahir Anantaphandi, and Sanskrit scholar Khushali Ram. Ahilya Bai was very fond of her craftsmen, sculptors and artists who were well paid for their work and held in high regard by her.

Accomplishments

The great queen adorned various cities with beautiful temples, wells, dharmashalas and ghats..

  • Bhusawal – Changadeva temple
  • Gaya – Vishnupada temple
  • Sinhpur – Shiva temple and ghat
  • Ujjain – temples of Ganapati, Janardana, Shri Lila Purushottama, Balaji Tilakeshwar, Ramjanaki Ras Mandal, Gopala, Balaji, and many other temples, 13 ghats on the Shipra river and many dharmashalas
  • Puri – Shri Ramachandra temple, dharmashala and garden
  • Dwarka – Mohatajkhana and Pooja House
  • Ayodhya – Temp[les of Shri Rama, Shri Treta Rama, Shri Bhairava, Nageshwar/Siddhnath, Sarayu Ghat, well, Swargadwari Mohatajkhana and dharamshalas

Other site names include Alampur, Amarkantak, Ambergaon, Bhimsankar, Burhanpur, Chandwad, Ellora, Gangotri, Haridwar, Jalgaon, Nathdwar, Prayagraj,Mathura, Sultanpur etc.

“Ahilyabai had one of the most stable reigns of the 18th century.”

Gordon

She also arranged for water supply form Ganga river to be received by temples like

  • Rameshwara Jyotirlinga, Tamil Nadu
  • Mallikarjunaswamy Jyotirlinga, Andhra Pradesh
  • Janardanaswamy temple, Kerala
  • Padmanabhaswamy temple, Kerala
  • Venkateshwara (Tirupati Balaji) temple, Andhra Pradesh
  • Mahabaleshwara temple, Karnataka
  • Subrahmanyeshwara temple, Andhra Pradesh
  • Pasupateshwara temple, Tamil Nadu
  • Dwarkadhish temple, Gujarat
  • Ranchhorji temple, Gujarat
  • Utkanteshwara temple, Gujarat
  • Vaijanath temple, Maharashtra
  • Tryambakeshwara Jyotirling, Maharashtra
  • Panchavati temple, Maharashtra

There are several other temples, the names of which have not been included here.

Legacy – After her death in 13th August 1795, she was succeeded by her commander-in-chief, Tukoji Rao Holkar (who was also the adopted son of Malhar Rao). He then abdicated the throne in favour of his son Kashi Rao Holkar in 1797.

Ahilya Bai Holkar was a woman ahead of her time. As a tribute to the great Indian queen, Government of India issued a commemorative stamp on 25th August 1996. Moreover, Indore International airport has been renamed to Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport and Indore University has been renamed to Devi Ahilya Vishwavidyalaya.

Such was the great queen’s valor and legacy that even after 40 years after her death, Sir John Malcom wrote,

“Her first principle of government appears to have been moderate assessment,

 and an almost sacred respect for the native rights of village officers and proprietors of   land.

She heard every complaint in person; and although she continually referred cases to

courts of equity and arbitration, and to her ministers for settlement, she was always accessible.

So strong was her sense of duty on all points connected with the distribution of justice, that

she is represented as not only patient but unwearied in the investigation of the most insignificant cases,

when appeals were made to her decision.”

Purple Day of Epilepsy

Purple Day is the international day of Epilepsy Awareness. It is observed on 26th March of every year. Purple Day is a grassroots initiative dedicated to raising awareness about epilepsy worldwide. It aims at creating awareness among the masses about epilepsy and bust the myths and stigma associated with it. The purpose of Purple Day is to educate the people who are not familiar with epilepsy, and to let those who suffer from this condition realize that they are not alone.

History of Purple Day

This concept was instituted by a 9 year old girl, Cassidy Megan of Nova Scotia, Canada in 2008. Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia joined hands with her in this initiative. The first Purple Day event was held on 26th March 2008. At present we call it as the Purple Day for Epilepsy Campaign.

In 2009, Anita Kaufmann Foundation of New York and Nova Scotia based Epilepsy Association allied to launch Purple Day internationally. Their object was to involve organizations, schools, colleges and eminent personalities. The Purple Day campaign received Royal Assent in March 2012 and is now an official Canadian awareness day.

Canada is the only country in the world whose government officially recognizes March 26th as Purple Day through the Purple Day Act implemented on June 28, 2012.

Today as many as 100 countries globally celebrate this day.

How to celebrate this day?

There are several ways by which you can honour this day.

  • Easiest way is to wear purple clothes and tell your friends why you are wearing this colour on that particular day.
  • You can help the local bodies in organizing events.
  • Help the NGOs, launch campaigns, spread epilepsy awareness as much as you can.
  • You may also apply to the Anita Kaufmann Foundation and become a Purple Day ambassador

Apart from these things, you can always make people realize that Epilepsy awareness is not just a one day affair. People can make small contributions (not necessarily financial) throughout the year.

What is Epilepsy?

You may have a vague idea about this disease. Let’s have a clear understanding of what this thing really is.

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases in the world. WHO states that there are about 50 million people worldwide who suffer from epilepsy. It is a neurological disorder in which nerve cell activity in the brain is disturbed, causing seizures, periods of unusual behavior, abnormal sensations or sometimes loss of consciousness. Epilepsy is self-diagnosable. The severity and duration of seizures can vary from the briefest lapse of attention to severe convulsions.

“It is characterized by recurrent seizures, which are brief episodes of involuntary movement that may involve a part of the body (partial) or the entire body (generalized) and are sometimes accompanied by loss of consciousness and control of bowel or bladder function.

Seizure episodes are a result of excessive electrical discharges in a group of brain cells. Different parts of the brain can be the site of such discharges. Seizures can vary from the briefest lapses of attention or muscle jerks to severe and prolonged convulsions. Seizures can also vary in frequency, from less than one per year to several per day.”

World Health Organization (WHO)

Symptoms

  • Stiffness of muscles
  • Loss of consciousness
  • Uncontrollable jerking movements of arms and legs, or sometimes whole body
  • Blank staring
  • Unresponsiveness

There are 2 types of seizures.

  • Simple Partial seizures  – The person remains conscious but there can be dizziness, disturbance in sensations of sight, smell, taste, hear or touch and jerking of limbs.
  • Complex partial seizures – The person becomes unconscious. Other symptoms are blank gazing, unresponsiveness and performing repetitive movements.
  • Generalized seizures – Includes Absence seizures, Tonic seizures, Atonic seizures, Clonic seizures, Myoclonic seizures, Tonic-clonic seizures.

Causes

The causes are still unknown. However some reasons have been identified.

  • Brain tumor
  • Stroke
  • Severe head injury
  • Brain infections
  • Lack of oxygen during birth
  • Genetic influence
  • Developmental disorders

Do You Know?

As one of the original supporters of the day, Anita Kauffman initiated the setting of a Guinness World Record for the largest ever epilepsy training session in 2017. This event was held at Mall of America, Bloomington, Minnesota, in alignment with Purple Day Walk.

Prevention

It is not evident that this condition can be prevented. But some studies have shown that about 25% cases can be prevented.

  • Sufficient pre-natal care can prevent head injury during birth
  • Lower the chances of stroke and heart disease – exercise, adopt a healthy lifestyle, avoid tobacco and alcohol
  • Get vaccinations. Jabs can protect you from infections that may sometimes lead to epilepsy
  • Stay healthy during pregnancy
  • Avoid head injuries

Early and timely detection can cure epilepsy.

Myths

Let us go through some myths that are associated with this condition

  • Persons with epilepsy are mentally unstable
  • They are not smart as other people
  • Epilepsy is contagious
  • It cannot be treated
  • Such persons cannot lead a normal life

These are not true. Persons with epilepsy can absolutely have a normal life, are as smart as their peers and are NOT MENTALLY UNSTABLE. This condition is completely non-contagious. In about two-thirds of patients treated with anti-seizure medication, epilepsy no longer occurs. Patients who are unresponsive to medications receive surgery.

Conlusion – Let us take initiations from our end by doing whatever we can. Let us not discriminate the persons who are going through this condition. Our small contributions can make a huge difference to the lives of people who are living with epilepsy.

Don’t Miss the Forest for the Trees

Undoubtedly we have all heard the saying, “don’t miss the forest for the trees”. This saying stresses the importance of not being so focused on the small details that you forget to see the big picture. As a society we are increasingly becoming more obsessed with the small details and that has found its way into our jobs. No job is immune to this phenomenon and one of the fields that has strangely seen a great impact is teaching.

Photo by Arthur Krijgsman on Pexels.com

The Social Media Ready Classroom

For many teachers and especially the younger teachers, this focus on small details has led to a focus on the small details of their classroom. Some teachers focus on such things like:

  • The smell of the classroom.
  • The lighting of the classroom.
  • Class decorations.
  • Board borders.
  • The aesthetic appeal of the
    • Classroom
    • Desks
    • Shared spaces
    • Teacher
    • Spaces
    • Worksheets

The Problem

For many, they have an ideal image of their classroom being social media ready. For others they insist that their classroom needs to be a calming environment for them to work in. However, many are so focused on the minute details of their classroom and controlling things at the tiniest level that they have forgotten the bigger picture. They are so focused on the tree in front of them they have forgotten that they are in a large forest. 

Many find themselves burnt out and struggling to maintain their level of perfection for the whole year. Others find that the things they have done to make their classroom cute and social media ready isn’t setting themselves or their students up for success, and soon become frustrated in the time that they have wasted. An even smaller percentage find what makes their ideal classroom actively work against the success of their students and hinders their growth. Something no educator wants to see. 

The Solution. Starting with a Curriculum Map Template

For those who are ready to make a change and start thinking about the big picture, the solution is simple. Stop comparing your classroom to the ones you see on social media and pull up a curriculum map. A curriculum map template can be extremely helpful in making sure you aren’t missing the forest for the trees. A curriculum map template helps teachers begin planning their classroom and the curriculum within it on what students need to walk away with at the end of the year. Educators are able to focus on the big picture and then work down to focus on things as they come up.

This isn’t to say that classrooms should be devoid of character and charm. Those should be the finishing touches on a well crafted and planned out classroom. Starting with the curriculum and attending to the small details later allows teachers to be:

  • Organized
  • Goal focused
  • Create arrangements and environments that:
    • Enhance student learning
    • Enhance goal oriented behavior
    • Enhance instructional priorities

Think about when you were a student. Do you remember all the small details of the classroom or the lessons the teacher provided that made you think?