With its mountainous landscapes, snow-capped peaks, wind eroded volleys, icy deserts and ancient Buddhist monasteries, this last Shangri La is attracting a growing number of tourists Surely one of the major reasons why this mountainous beauty — declared a Union territory in 2019 — has been a bone of perpetual contention between India and Pakistan is its unmatched scenic beauty which has earned it the appellation of Switzerland of Asia. While its immediate neighbor, the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir has been a hotbed for political contentions, violence and unrest, the Buddhist majority of Ladakh and Zanskar region is a calm haven for tourists despite its proximity to Kargil (which borders PoK (Pakistan occupied Kashmir)) and China. Not surprisingly, given the resurgent worldwide interest in Buddhism this ‘moonscape’, ‘little Tibet’, and ‘the last Shangri La’ is attracting a rising number of domestic and foreign tourists. With its mountainous landscapes, snow-capped peaks, wind eroded valleys, icy deserts, ancient Buddhist monasteries where gentle monks spin prayer wheels in time-honoured tradition, Ladakh (pop. 300,000) recorded more than 500,000 tourist arrivals in 2022 — an impressive inflow, considering the region is accessible by road for only six months of any year. During winter, roads are blocked by heavy snowfall and the only access is by air with flights from Delhi and Srinagar, weather permitting. The airport — Kushok Bakula Rimpochee — is in Leh. Several private airlines ply flights from Jammu, Srinagar, Delhi, Chandigarh, Mumbai, and Kolkata. The newly planned under-construction Zojila tunnel which is a Rs 25,000 crore project is envisioned to establish an all-weather connectivity between the Union territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir. It is also likely to boost tourism even in the lean season. Contemporary Ladakh comprises the Buddhist dominated Leh and Nubra valleys and the Muslim dominated Kargil and Suru valleys. The region sprawls over an area of 59,146 sq. km and constitutes a basin surrounded by the Great Himalaya Range in the south-west, the eastern Karakoram range to the north, and the Stok range in the south-east. Moreover, Ladakh hosts several great lakes including the Pangong Tso, the world’s largest brackish water endorheic lake. However, visitors, especially foreign visitors, should note that given Ladakh’s proximity to China and Pakistan, access to certain parts of the region is restricted and a special permit is required from the district magistrate in Leh to visit some distant areas. The earliest inhabitants of Ladakh were the Khampa nomads who grazed their yaks on its high pastures. Permanent settlements along the river Indus were established by the Mons, Buddhist pilgrims on their way from India to Mt. Kailash in Tibet. Tsongkhapa, a Tibetan pilgrim introduced a new Buddhist order in Ladakh known as Gelupka, headed by the first Dalai Lama at the end of the 14th century. In the years following, the Balti-Kashmiri armies launched a series of attacks on Ladakh and in the early 16th century King Ali Mir of Baltistan defeated the nomadic tribes and annexed the region. But…
Home-made desserts packed with the goodness of fruits are a healthy and nutritious option for children. Try these super-nutritious desserts this monsoon: writes Khushboo Nehaal Jashnani Mango Sago (3 servings) Ingredients • 3 large mangoes • ½ cup milk • ½ cup cream • ½ cup sago • 5 tsp sugar • 1 tsp vanilla essence Preparation guide • Soak the sago overnight. • Cut one mango into cubes and set aside. • Cut two mangoes and puree them with 2 teaspoons of sugar. • Pour the puree equally in three bowls/cups. This will form the lower layer. • Blend cream, milk, vanilla essence and three teaspoons of sugar. • Pour in the bowls to form the next layer. Take a few teaspoons of sago and spread on it. • Top with mango cubes and refrigerate. Serve chilled. Seed Power Dessert (4 servings) Ingredients • ½ cup basil seeds or chia seeds • 2 tsp roasted pumpkin seeds • 1 cup muesli • 1 cup cream • ½ cup milk • 3 tsp sugar • 1 banana Preparation guide • Blend cream, milk and sugar. Soak basil or chia seeds in this mix overnight in the refrigerator. • Pour the mixture into three cups. • Chop banana into small pieces. • Add a layer of banana cubes. • Add three teaspoons of muesli and top with pumpkin seeds. Passion Fruit Popsicles (2 servings) Ingredients • 1 passion fruit • 1 orange • 4 mint leaves • 5 tsp sugar Preparation guide • Cut the passion fruit into small pieces. • Squeeze orange and extract the juice without seeds. • Blend passion fruit pieces in a mixer with sugar and mint leaves. • Add orange juice and blend again. • Pour into a plastic cup or popsicle mould. Refrigerate for 120 minutes. • While removing, pour some water over the outside of the mould to loosen the popsicle before extracting. Raisin-flax Seed Sweet Bread (3 servings) Ingredients • 6 slices of soft bread • ½ cup raisins • 8 tsp sugar • 1 cup water • 2 tsp flax seeds • 2 tbsp butter Preparation guide • Mix water and sugar and boil over low flame, stirring continuously till it becomes slightly thick. Set aside. • Melt butter on a saucepan and place bread slices on it. • Place raisins and flax seeds on the top layer of the bread slice and pour a spoon of sugar water over it. Turn it over and toast for a few seconds. Turn over again so that the raisins are on top. • Add another spoon of sugar water and toast. • Remove from flame and serve.
From sunflower, hemp, flax, chia to pumpkin seeds, once discarded seeds are being touted as the next superfood offering numerous health benefits, Writes: Mini P. There’s a new superfood in the health and well-being universe — seeds. From sunflower, hemp, flax, chia to pumpkin seeds, once discarded seeds are being touted as the next superfood offering numerous health benefits because of their exceptionally high nutritional value. According to latest research, seeds are part of the protein food group, and half an ounce of seeds is the equivalent of one-ounce serving of meat, poultry and seafood. “Seeds are the new superfood of the snacking world, and rightly so. They are rich in essential nutrients and low in fats, offering a guilt-free snack that nourishes body and mind. Among them, the superstars are flax, chia, and pumpkin seeds. They stand out because of their unique nutritional value — omega-3s, fibre, and antioxidants. I highly recommend including these three seeds in the family diet,” says Dr. Esther Sathiaraj, AGM, Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, HCG Hospital, Bangalore. Seeds are available in their natural form, sundried, roasted, or flavoured. They can be used as a dry snack, or can be added to desserts, gravies, and salads. Flaxseeds Flaxseeds are the richest source of omega-3 fatty acid — alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). ALA reduce reduces bad cholesterol and increases the good. Flaxseeds are also fibre-rich and aid digestion, reduce blood pressure, and are good for hair and skin health. They are also known to prevent certain cancers. Moreover, given that one teaspoon of flax seeds contains 2 gms of protein, it’s an ideal source of protein for vegetarians. How to eat: Flaxseeds are somewhat tasteless. So, add them to salads, breads, cakes and smoothies. They can also be ground and added to flour, gravies and cookie or cake batter. Chia seeds Chia seeds score over all other superseeds on fibre and selenium (a mineral vital for immunity and brain health), and they come close to flaxseeds for their ALA omega-3 fatty acid content. Chia seeds also provide plenty of protein, calcium and magnesium. They are very effective in lowering blood pressure levels. How to eat: Soak them overnight in water or juices; use them as a crunchy addition to desserts, faloodas and milk shakes. They can also be added to puddings. Pumpkin seeds Pumpkin seeds are especially abundant in minerals, including zinc, magnesium, potassium, phosphorous, manganese, iron and copper. They are also an excellent source of protein. They help fight Alzheimer’s disease, boost immunity and reduce muscle inflammation and prevent formation of kidney stones. Also known to promote good sleep, these seeds provide relief from anxiety and depression. How to eat. Roast and add some salt to make a snack. They can also be added to salads.
Anitha Bennett You might not be able to make that dream vacation to the Alps, but there are other ways to treat your family to some out-of-the-world stuff. Find some exotic ice-cream flavours for them to sample. At the same time, drive home the point that such desserts are a rare treat, only to be consumed occassionally. Here are some recommended flavours. Mint-Chocolate Chip This super cool ice-cream flavour is made of a wonderful combination of light green mint ice-cream and small chocolate chips. The minty ice-cream is concocted by adding peppermint flavouring to plain ice-cream. A few drops of green colouring is added to emphasize minty coolness. The menthol combined with the already cold ice-cream gives the five senses a high! In addition to chocolate chips, mint candy bits are also sometimes added for extra crunch! Oreo Cookies and Cream If you love Oreo cookies, then this flavour is just right for you. Creamy ice-cream with bits of almost black oreo cookies makes it delectable. Oreo cookies are chopped into bite-sized pieces and the best part is they don’t become soggy in ice-cream. You can combine any Oreo cookie flavours available with ice-cream to get a lip-smacking dessert. Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough The next best thing to a chocolate chip cookie is the cookie dough itself. And to have cookie dough mixed with ice-cream is a real treat! Cookie dough is chewy and the chocolate bits melt in the mouth. Sometimes the chocolate chip cookie dough also contains oatmeal and honey. The ice-cream that goes in with it is either vanilla, chocolate or coffee-flavoured. Rainbow Sherbet This ice-cream is a delightful combination of fruit juices of all flavours with milk, cream and sugar. Fruit flavours available include pineapple for yellow, orange for the orange, raspberry for the pink and lime for green. The colours manifest in streaks or swirls with the flavours blending beautifully. Hence the name — Rainbow Sherbet. Birthday Cake Ice-cream Cake with ice-cream is one of the most popular dessert combinations worldwide. Children love to celebrate a birthday with cake-flavoured ice-cream. This appetizing concoction has pieces of cake mixed with ice-cream. The cake comes in different flavours and so does the ice-cream, the most wanted being vanilla, strawberry and chocolate. And there’s the icing on top! The frosting is swirled around the top of cake ice-cream and colourful sprinkles are added to make it a decorative affair. Visit a gelato shop for fat-free desserts.
Every home experiences days when children don’t want to go to school. Morning battles are difficult to handle. Try these options: An energising snack of fruit or nuts before breakfast. Small rewards kept ready for good behaviour. A chart listing things to be done in the morning, including brushing, bathing, and eating. Stars can be rewarded every day when tasks are completed without complaint or fuss. Younger children can be given a pictorial chart, with pictures to remind them of each task.
Veena Shankar My daughter is five and usually loves school. But after every weekend or holiday, she refuses to get back to school, and I have a hard time persuading her. I know it’s a common issue, but it’s a pain. Any solutions? — R.S. This problem is not unique to children. Adults also suffer ‘Monday morning blues’ or reluctance to begin work after a break. Most kids have the same problem after a few days of fun and freedom. Here are some suggestions to make your child look forward to school. Get her to call a few school friends the previous day on the phone. This could make them eager to see each other again. Buy small gifts or sweets for your child to distribute to her classmates on re-opening day. If you have been on a vacation, you could bring souvenirs to distribute to her classmates. Offer a small reward if she gets ready for school in time, without fuss. Praise her when she does it. Explain to your child often about why school is important, and how learning can help us do many exciting things in the future.
Nisha Daniel Do you suspect your child is a slow learner? You could be wrong. She might be good at some tasks and not in others. A slow learner is distinctly different from a child with a learning disability. A slow learner learns everything that is expected of her, and is capable of attaining milestone development norms, but at a slower speed than her peers. A slow leaner needs more time, repetition and help to keep up with her classmates. If you suspect your child has a serious learning problem, consult a psychologist. Often, it’s a temporary lapse of ability to keep up. Here are some ways you can help your child to keep up with her peers. Identify your child’s learning style. She could be an auditory learner, who learns best by hearing as opposed to visual learners who are good at learning from the black board and Smartboards. On the other hand, kinesthetic learners learn best from hands-on learning. Most children learn through a combination of learning styles. When you identify the best intelligence suitable for your child, you will find she learns much better. Get your child started early. Some children don’t instantly pick up new subjects. Exposure to them beforehand can help. Get your child to read prescribed textbooks before each lesson is taught or introduce her to materials related to the subject. With this knowledge, she will have the advantage of familiarity with a subject/topic when it is taught in class. Boost your child’s confidence. What is your child’s strength? Is she very good at draw but slow in maths? Encourage her to drawing and praise her work. Nurturing her talent for art will help her feel confident about herself, and help others appreciate her better. This will translate into better performance in other subjects as well. Give her learning aids. If your child doesn’t remember things easily, create visual charts or mnemonics. Look for videos and other multimedia content on a given subject. A repetition of concepts in different forms can help her grasp the various aspects related to the subject/topic. Learning new skills. Learning new skills becomes easy when previous skills are mastered. When a child is good at addition for example, learning multiplication is easy. But if the child is slower than her peers in learning the first concept, acquiring new capabilities will prove difficult. Reviewing a new skill/ subject beforehand will help you figure out the skills your child needs to develop before getting to that topic. Personal tutoring can be a great help as there is no pressure to keep up with peers, and a child can be helped to understand topics on a one-on-one basis. Every child has innate intelligences. It’s worth spending time and effort to identify and nurture them. It also pays to identify their weaknesses so you can lend a hand.
Is your house child-proof? If you are a parent who’s worried about safety of children, you probably have done some amount of child-proofing, especially in the early years. Making your house child-enabled is the next step. Childproofing keeps the environment safe, but a child-enabled home provides opportunities for learning and exploration. It’s advisable to make every room in your home a place that encourages exploration. Place the new book about dinosaurs in a low shelf in your bedroom. Provide a stool in the kitchen where your child can work on rolling rotis or shelling peas, while making sure it is safely away from the stove and that the gas is turned off when you are not around. Store healthy snacks such as carrots, nuts and fruits in places your child can easily see and access. Place new objects, toys and books in places where children can reach them, while locking up what’s dangerous or unsafe. This way, you’ll find yourself saying ‘No’ a lot less and enjoying more moments of watching your child learn through discovery and exploration.
Dear Parent It’s shocking but true. India has more than 1 million children with Type 1 diabetes, according to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF). With childhood obesity pegged at 50 percent in metros, Type 2 (adult-onset) diabetes among children is also rising alarmingly. Given the large quantities of fried and packaged foods our children consume, their health could be in grave danger during the next five-10 years. It’s becoming increasingly apparent that children are becoming victims of what were perceived as ‘adult’ diseases, including gall bladder and kidney stones, high cholesterol and metabolic disorders. It’s frightening to think of what will happen to the next generation, after years of consuming carcinogenic products, fried stuff, food additives, and excess salt and sugar. It’s time to confront this issue on a war footing, before we nurture a generation infected with chronic diseases. Greater effort needs to be made to ban the sale of junk foods in schools and hospitals. Safety norms in food production must be enforced to ensure unsafe food colouring and other additives do not find their way into packaged foods. As parents, we need to speak up and press the authorities and society for change. At home, we need to encourage exercises such as skipping. cycling, running, and trampoline jumping. Moreover, the parents community needs to restrict television, iPad, and other gadgets to planned timings. Planned menus which include daily fibre intake will also help flush out toxins accumulating in our children’s bodies. Let’s realise the gravity of the situation and act before it’s too late!
Educative & informative Your cover story ‘Free-range parenting phenomenon’ (PW July) was educative and informative. Till date, I was familiar only with helicopter, tiger and bulldozer parenting styles. Now I believe free-range parenting is perfect for Gen Z as our children have access to limitless information on the internet and are far more independent than our generation ever was. Free-range parenting which advocates giving children freedom with responsibility is certainly the best option available. Moreover, your Ask the Counselor column in the July issue was excellent. Counselor Shubhada Shekar’s advice on how parents can support aggressive children was nuanced and useful. Lima Shekar Hyderabad Free-range parenting safety concerns Your cover story on free-range parenting (PW July) was thought provoking. As much as you may advocate that free-range parenting is like a breath of fresh air for India’s patriarchal and so called ‘interfering parenting’ culture, I believe it must be practised with a caveat. It is uninspiring to watch careless parents in the neighbourhood encouraging their under-age, immature children to independently explore ‘the outdoors’ where many dangers lurk. The spate of lawsuits filed against practitioners of this negligent parenting style in the US should serve as an eye opener and warning to Indian parents. Children’s physical safety and well-being should be the top priority of parents. Tanisha Ravi Mumbai Excellent apps selection Thanks for an excellent selection of reading and spelling apps in the Resources section (PW July). My three-year-old son is learning to read and loves interactive activities, games and puzzles. The Kids Reading and Spelling app recommended has very interesting activities to improve children’s spelling and vocabulary through funny animations and phonics. Look forward to more reviews of educative mobile apps. Manasa Sankar Chennai Wodehouse nostalgia I loved reading your inaugural Wry Musings column by Suresh Subrahmanyan titled the ‘Double Negative Trap’ (PW July). Being a 1970s person, I loved the references to Calcutta and the smash hits of Pink Floyd and The Rolling Stones, The Beatles and Elvis Presley. They brought back so many childhood memories. Moreover, Subrahmanyan’s style of writing made me nostalgic about my childhood favourite and one of the most widely read humorists of the 20th century — P G. Wodehouse. Looking forward to more wry musings! Kalki Chatterjee Kolkata Regional cuisines recipes request Your Health and Nutrition section (PW July) on black urad dal recipes prompted me to try them all out and with great success! I never thought black urad dal could be cooked in so many ways. And the fact that this lentil is rich in calcium and aids digestion is bonus. Would really appreciate it if you could share recipes from different regions/cuisines of the country in your future issues. Your Leisure and Travel section featuring Malaysia was also a compelling read. I was excited to learn that this country, known for its scenic beaches and dense rainforests, is also emerging as a golfing and Formula One racing hub. Mansi Deva Bengaluru Trampolining health benefits The ‘Keeping fit with trampolines’…
PW invited parents of Dharav High School, Jaipur to share insights on how they help their children imbibe Indian culture and traditions “We are a joint family with 13 members living under the same roof. This made it easy for us to teach our daughter Saumya (class VIII) Indian values, culture and traditions. Festivals are about celebrating together. In our household, we touch the feet of our elders to take their blessing. Our children observe and follow this religiously. As much as we cannot avoid Western culture, we also strive to make our children understand Indian culture and traditions so they can pass it on to future generations” — Garima Jain, Director, Beacon Public Senior Secondary School, Murlipura “By encouraging active participation of our daughter Bhavya (class XI) in all Indian festivals and reading about Indian history and mythology to better understand their cultural significance, we are ensuring she grows up with a strong sense of identity and cultural roots. We discuss these stories and highlight the valuable lessons they teach. In today’s globalised world, taking pride in Indian heritage and culture assumes special significance. Moreover, we have enrolled Bhavya in Indian music and dance classes, and routinely organise visits to museums. Through these efforts, we hope to instill a sense of pride, appreciation, and deep-rooted understanding of Indian culture” — Taruna Sharma, homemaker “As a family, we pray, eat, and work together. Our son Dev (class X) loves to read Panchtantra and Jataka Tales. From his childhood, his grandparents have told him stories from Indian mythology and folklore We observe all Hindu festivals to ensure our children appreciate the value of Indian customs and traditions. Often, we set off on a ‘discover India’ vacation with the children to dance festivals or haath bazars so they can explore the local markets, languages, dances, costumes and traditional food” — Neelam Agarwal, homemaker “Our daughter Akansha (class XII) has embraced our culture willingly and remains curious about diverse Indian traditions. From youngest age, we introduced her to Indian folk tales and mythology through storytelling from the epics and focused on the basic values they represent. All Indian festivals are celebrated together during which Akansha wears traditional Indian attire. We also introduced her to traditional Indian meals at home and involved her in the cooking process to make it a fun and educational activity” — Ratika Agha, homemaker
PW invited parents of Delhi Public School, Jaipur to share insights on how they introduce their children to different careers “Our endeavour has always been to understand the strengths and weaknesses of our daughter Mishti (class XI) to steer her towards the most appropriate career which will give her financial security and help her lead a high-quality life. To this end, we encourage Mishti to converse with professionals from diverse fields and then we discuss the pros and cons of specific careers with her. We also maintain a positive attitude and encourage careers that match my daughter’s skills” — Shilpi Dutta, homemaker “I encourage my son Tejas (class XII) to sign up for hobby clubs so he can explore his interests and discover his passions and potential career paths. To broaden his perspective, we have introduced him to experts from a wide range of professional backgrounds. We also buy him books and online resources to understand 21st century careers better. Moreover, career fairs organised by DPS provide valuable insights and interactions with industry experts. The Alumni Interact is also an extremely useful initiative of DPS, Jaipur” — Alka Joshi, homemaker “It is important to expose children to diverse experiences from youngest age before getting them started on choosing career options. Therefore, we encourage our daughter Parii (class XII) to enrol in various scholastic and non-scholastic activities that inculcate curiosity, an open mind and self-awareness. Equipped with this mindset, she has set a goal for her aspirations and created an action plan based on a clear understanding of her interests, aptitudes and how to align them with career opportunities in the professional world” — Vanshika Madhwani, homemaker “I have exposed my daughter Prisha (class XI) to the real world to the extent possible so she can make informed career decisions for the future. In her childhood, I narrated stories of war heroes, their valour and ability to deal with the trials and tribulations that came their way. As she grew older, I exposed her to a variety of sports and musical instruments. I noticed she has a flair for badminton, playing the piano and guitar, and even Western dance. I also encourage her to participate in school debates and Model United Nations (MUN) conferences” — Pragya Gupta, entrepreneur
With officialdom and society stacked against children with disabilities, parenting children with special needs requires and demands steely resolve, determination, patience, time, and often physical effort writes Cynthia John & Mini P. On May 31, national roller skating champion Advaith Ramesh (15), who is diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder, was denied permission to board a Sri Lanka Airlines flight at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru. According to the airline’s staff, the 15-year-old athlete was a safety threat to pilots and passengers. Advaith’s parents, who had meticulously planned a family vacation in the Maldives, were outraged by the suggestion that their son posed a danger to the flight passengers. After several hours of discussion and heated arguments during which mom Smrithy Rajesh produced Advaith’s unique disability ID card issued by the Government of India and previous travel history of flights to Dubai, Advaith was allowed to board the flight. This incident of official and public apathy, indifference and hostility towards Advaith resonates with hundreds of parents of children with special needs (CWSN) across the country. Every day, parents of CWSN are confronted with accessibility, inclusivity and acceptability challenges in schools, public transport and public spaces and also from society. According to a 2019 Unesco report, India hosts 7.8 million children with disability, including physical and mental disabilities. Of them, 75 percent are not enrolled in any education institution. Moreover, the report says that 24 percent of CWSN are less likely to receive early stimulation and response care; 42 percent unlikely to have foundational reading and numeracy skills; 51 percent experience unhappiness; 41 percent likely to have experienced discrimination; and 32 percent severe corporal punishment. With officialdom and society stacked against children with disabilities, parenting special children requires and demands steely resolve, determination, patience, time, and often physical effort. Parents of CWSN experience a roller coaster of emotions and experiences, from denial, realisation, acceptance, guilt, self-pity to sheer physical fatigue and stress. A 2009 study published in the Journal of Autism & Developmental Disorders found that mothers of adolescents and adults with autism had levels of stress hormones comparable to soldiers in armed combat. “Despite knowing that it’s not easy to raise a child with special needs, we chose to adopt one. She had a heart problem as well as other development issues. Dealing with people around us and answering their questions was tough. Within a year of adoption, we had to take her through surgery. It was a stressful period. We know that the future may also be difficult but we believe that with love and care we can enable her to realise her true potential,” says Dr. George Cherian, a Bangalore-based ophthalmologist, who has one biological child and two adopted children including a CWSN. When the authors of this narrative interviewed a handful of parents with CWSN, most of them revealed they suffered exhaustion and that their reserves of time and resources for self-care are more depleted than of parents of ‘normal’ children. Yet their need for refuelling is also greater.…
Roopa Banerjee “Had ye been there — for what could that have done?” wrote poet John Milton in Lycidas. The sentence is interrupted midway and goes on to express an entirely different thought. This is anacoluthon — a literary device that intentionally disrupts the structure and syntax of a sentence, resulting in a unique and impactful effect. This interruption midway causes an unexpected discontinuity in the expression of ideas within a sentence, prompting the reader to think more intensely. Anacoluthon originates from the Greek words aná (meaning ‘not’) and kolouthós (‘following’). It refers to deviation from the expected grammatical structure within a sentence, where one part doesn’t logically follow another. This is a powerful literary device that challenges readers’ expectations and injects energy and intrigue into a narrative. Authors use it to evoke emotions, emphasise ideas, and convey the chaotic nature of characters or events. Anacoluthon disrupts the flow of language, demanding attention and offers a fresh perspective to the narrative. One of the earliest examples of anaculothon is in Ulysses by James Joyce where it creates a sense of disorientation and stream-of-consciousness. In the chapter ‘Oxen of the Sun’, Joyce uses anacoluthon to show the disjointed thoughts of various characters. The abrupt shifts in language mirror the cacophony of voices, capturing the chaos of the scene. In Beloved by Toni Morrison, it is used to convey the haunting and traumatic experiences of the characters. Through fragmented narrative structures, Morrison recounts the fragmented memories and psychological scars of the characters. Anacoluthon is also often used in pop culture. In the Hollywood movie Pulp Fiction directed by Quentin Tarantino, anacoluthon is used in several dialogues and monologues, deliberately disrupting the flow of conversation. These disruptions add depth to the characters’ interactions, intensify the tension, and contribute to the film’s distinctive style. Literature abounds with many examples of this unusual literary device. For example in Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut, these lines illustrate anacoluthon beautifully. “The bells of the city were ringing. I wasn’t asleep. I looked at my watch. It was way after breakfast time. The bells quit ringing. I never heard such lovely bells in all my life.” Herein, Vonnegut uses anacoluthon to portray the broken thoughts and confused perception of time experienced by the protagonist. The shift in tense and subject creates a sense of confusion and disconnection, echoing the hero’s experiences of war and trauma. In Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, the lines “You’re inches away from death every time you go on a mission. How much older can you be at your age?” are anacoluthic in the second sentence. The sentence starts with a question about age and ends with a comment on the dangers of missions, creating a disruptive effect that highlights the absurdity and futility of war. Anacoluthon is not limited to literary works; it manifests in everyday conversation. Someone could say, “I was thinking of going to the gym today, but then, you know, the weather is so nice, maybe I’ll go for a hike instead.”…
The growth and intensification of e-commerce traffic over the worldwide web (aka the internet) has multiplied opportunities for cyber terrorists. Enter the cyber security professional With cyberspace payment gateways multiplying, e-payments, credit cards circulation and the country’s internet user base expanding, e-commerce is fast becoming a way of life for government, corporates and middle-class India. However, the growth and intensification of e-commerce traffic over the worldwide web (aka the internet) has also multiplied opportunities for cyber fraudsters and terrorists to hack into citizens’ accounts and play havoc with their finances and businesses. Cyber criminals or hackers strike through virus attacks which may erase an entire system or by stealing financial information from secure systems or breaking into systems to modify files without owners’ knowledge. Therefore unsurprisingly, there’s galloping corporate and public demand for IT (information technology) security professionals (aka ethical hackers) who can counter the machinations of the growing community of cyber crooks and criminals and checkmate them. The job profile of a cyber security professional includes permitted ethical hacking into a company’s network to identify security loopholes; designing security systems for business and other organisations; 24×7 remote management of security systems and firewalls; security auditing; cyber forensics (clinical investigation of computer crimes) and training company personnel to safeguard its e-commerce activities. The ideal qualifications for a career in cyber security are a degree in engineering or computer science topped up by specialized diploma courses in cyber security. Certification programmes such as CISA (Certified Information System Auditor), CISM (Certified Information Security Management) and CISSP (Certified Information Systems Security Professionals) are very useful to kick-start a career in cyber security. Other vendor specific certifications such as CCSP (Cisco Certified Security Professional) and MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer) are also useful. Most of these courses are of 12 months duration. Among the reputed institutes offering postgrad cyber security diploma programmes are IMT, Ghaziabad (www.imt.edu); Tilak Maharashtra University, Pune (18 months); and Manipal Institute of Technology (distance education programme). Network Intelligence India also offers several training programmes which are good for an introduction to cyber security, and the Sedulity Group, Delhi (www. sedulitygroups.com/elearn/ethicalhacking.php) conducts workshops on ethical hacking. With institutional and corporate demand for cyber security professionals rising 200 percent per year, this is a big-bucks career option. Freshers start at Rs.5 lakh per year and after acquiring two-three years hands-on experience, annual remuneration packages could swell to Rs.15-24 lakh, with the sky being the limit for competent self-employed professionals. “In the near future, almost all businesses will take to e-commerce in incrementally expanding modes. With cyber security awareness among Indian companies being very low currently, and cyber security regulations coming into force, the demand for well-qualified and trained information security professionals will skyrocket. According to NASSCOM, cyber security will be a major job creator within the IT sector with the annual demand rising exponentially,” says whiz kid Yash Kadakia, chief technology officer of Security Brigade Infosec Pvt. Ltd, a cyber security firm founded by him in 2006. Kadakia’s interface with the worldwide…
Do not let your idea of adolescent independence stop you from engaging with the young people in your life. They value staying connected with family, even if they do not always show it , writes Elise Woodman Parenting teenagers can feel daunting. With high rates of youth mental health diagnoses and persistent messages about adolescents’ desire for independence, parents and carers are searching for ways to support their kids and maintain a relationship with them. Family connectedness — the sense of belonging and closeness that can be present in families of all shapes and sizes — can protect young people’s well-being and mental health. Feeling connected to family can provide a stable foundation for positive development and building a sense of self. Family connection helps young people feel secure and supported at home as they cope with the changes of adolescence and explore the world and relationships beyond home. But it’s not always easy to foster when the teenager in your life says they want you to leave them alone. Here are some ideas to try. Pushing away but wanting connection Our previous research involved interviews with young people, who told us that although their words and actions sometimes push parents away, they need and value time with family much more than we might realise. Similar research suggests young people want family involvement, despite sometimes sending mixed messages. In 2020, 80% percent of 15-19-year-olds surveyed rated family relationships as very or extremely important. Here’s what young people told us they wanted parents to do. 1. Be present in their lives Time with parents and family members is important to young people. Connections are built by being engaged with your teenagers during the mundanity of life — while washing the dishes together, sharing meals or driving places. Young people need to see you are genuinely interested in their lives. Ask open-ended questions and remember the important things they tell you. A good first step is putting away your phone — yep, just like we keep telling them to. Don’t assume changes in their mood are just due to hormones or neurological shifts. Teenagers in our research told us sometimes they hide away in their bedrooms because their parents are focused on work and not mentally open to connect with. When life gets busy, be explicit that you value time with them and want more of it. If you are not living with your young person, showing a consistent interest in their lives is crucial to maintaining your connection. 2. Share in each other’s interests Common interests naturally support time together and engaged conversations. Ask about the things they care about. Spend time together doing the things they enjoy — shopping, hiking, watching movies. Think about ways they can enjoy their interests at home — cook a meal or watch a movie together. 3. Value them for who they are right now Young people want to feel valued as an important part of the family and have their individuality and ideas respected.…
My five-year-old son catches a cold infection very often. And while the cold goes away in a week, the cough lasts for four-six weeks. Should I consult a doctor? — Jigna Kumar, Hyderabad Your son’s frequent colds and prolonged cough needs medical attention. While colds are common in young children, a persistent cough lasting four-six weeks may indicate an underlying issue which needs medical evaluation. I recommend you consult a doctor who will assess him thoroughly. It’s always better to be cautious and rule out potential health complications. My daughter complains of pain on the left side of her stomach. She attends sports classes everyday. I suspect the stomach pain has something to do with these sports classes. Should I worry, or will it go away on its own? — Sneha Shirodkar, Mumbai If your daughter is experiencing pain on the left side of her stomach, it’s important to investigate the cause. While sports and physical activities can sometimes lead to muscle soreness, persistent or worsening pain should not be ignored. I advise consulting a doctor to determine the cause and provide appropriate guidance or treatment if necessary. My 13-year-old daughter is small-made, but very active. She has not yet started menstruating. Is this normal? Should I wait for one more year before consulting a doctor? — Geetha Menon, Chennai It’s normal for girls to experience menarche at different ages. So, you can expect it any time soon. However, since your daughter is 13, it might be a good idea for a gynaecologist to evaluate her. While delayed menarche can sometimes be normal, there could be underlying factors that need to be addressed. My eight-year-old daughter loves playing in the rain. Seeing her joy, I don’t restrain her. However, her grandparents disapprove. If she gets wet in the rain, will it harm her health? — Priya Singh, Mumbai Playing in the rain is indeed enjoyable, and getting wet occasionally is unlikely to cause harm to an otherwise healthy eight-year-old. However, ensuring she doesn’t catch a cold or develop infections due to prolonged exposure to wet and cold conditions is important. Encourage her to wear appropriate clothing, dry off, and change into warm, dry clothes after playing in the rain. Being mindful of her health will allow her to enjoy her rainy-day adventures safely. (Dr. Suhail Ambi is consultant neonatologist and paediatrician at KLE – Suchirayu Hospital, Hubbali)
Child development and parenting experts are increasingly becoming aware that providing children choices from young age enables them to develop independence, decision-making skills, and confidence writes Aruna Raghuram Adults cherish their freedom. And, a large component of this freedom is the autonomy to make decisions. Why wouldn’t children want the same? Child development and parenting experts are increasingly becoming aware that providing children choices from young age enables them to develop independence, decision-making skills, and confidence. It also avoids tantrums and gives them a sense of power and control over their lives. Dr. Laura Markham, a US-based clinical psychologist, parenting expert and founder of Aha! Parenting website, says the best way to manage uncooperative children is to give them choices. “Giving choices may be the single most useful tool parents have for managing young children. It really is almost a magic wand, at least until children are about five. And even into the teen years, choices help children learn to manage themselves,” she writes. For instance, if you give your child this choice: “Do you want to go to bed now or in five minutes?”, it may avert a bedtime tantrum. Why does giving choices work? Because it’s a win-win solution. “You, as a parent, are offering only choices that are okay with you. Your child gets to pick one that’s okay with her. You sidestep the power struggle. The child is in charge, within your parameters. No one likes to be forced to do something. Here, because she chooses, she cooperates,” explains Dr. Markham. A cardinal rule while giving choices is to not overwhelm children with too many options. Prof. Michal Maimaran, a faculty member at the Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, USA recalls meeting a paediatrician who was troubled by the number of choices modern day parents are giving their children. For instance, at the park, a child is asked whether she would rather play on the slide, swing, or kick a ball, or throw a Frisbee, or climb a tree! Prof. Maimaran decided to study the impact of providing too many choices to children. The research study published in Judgment and Decision Making (2017) found that children, who were given less choices (two options) vis-a-vis- six or seven, were more engaged and performed better in activities. Age-appropriate choices It’s important to give children age-appropriate and realistic choices. For instance, asking a toddler to choose whether she wants to nap or not in the afternoon is asking for trouble! It will result in a cranky child and frazzled parents. Here are some guidelines: Infants and toddlers. Even infants make choices. An infant indicates when and how much she wants to breastfeed. When a little older, she will select from finger foods that appeal to her in terms of colour, texture or taste. Toddlers should be given age-appropriate and limited choices. For instance, whether she wants to wear a blue or green T’shirt or whether she wants to play with blocks or read a story. Preschoolers. You could…
Check out these insightful books which present new ways of thinking to make parenting easier, meaningful and rewarding – Cynthia John THE EXPLOSIVE CHILD: A NEW APPROACH FOR UNDERSTANDING AND PARENTING ASILY FRUSTRATED, CHRONICALLY INFLEXIBLE CHILDREN BY ROSS W. GREENE Publisher: Harper Paperbacks, Price: Rs.499 Parenting can become an uphill task if your child is prone to throwing temper tantrums and displaying ‘explosive’ behaviour. Angry children are often labelled as adamant, stubborn, and troublesome. This book helps parents understand why some children behave aggressively, and the importance of taking a compassionate approach and supporting children to control their emotions. Author Ross Greene, an American psychologist well-known for his pioneering work in child development, provides neuroscience-based insights to enable parents to understand child behaviour. He provides proactive solutions to help parents support ‘explosive’ children. Highly recommend this practical and useful handbook for parents struggling with parenting easily frustrated and chronically inflexible children. HOW TO TALK YO KIDS SO KIDS WILL LISTEN AND LISTEN SO KIDS WILL TALK BY ADELE FABER AND ELAINE MAZLISH Publisher: Piccadilly Press, Price: Rs. 499 This app improves children’s vocabulary through word games. It comprises over 100 games to improve children’s spelling and vocabulary through animations and phonics. Its interactive activities and games reward children for correct answers. New words are introduced via colorful images, making it easy to remember complex spellings. Memory retention is encouraged through motivational reactions to right answers. Moreover, this app teaches the fundamentals of sentence construction and introduces grammar basics such as adjectives and prepositions. THE WHOLE-BRAIN CHILD: 12 REVOLUTIONARY STRATEGIES TO NURTURE YOUR CHILD’S DEVELOPING MIND BY DANIEL J J SIEGEL AND TINA PAYNE BRYSON Publisher: Bantam, Price: Rs.799 This book by bestselling authors of No Drama Discipline and The Yes Brain, neuroscientist Daniel J.J. Siegel and parenting expert Tina Payne Bryson provides parents insights into how a child’s brain works, and ways and means to foster healthy brain development. Relying on pathbreaking neuroscience research, the authors outline strategies to effectively turn difficult situations, tantrums and mood swings into learning opportunities, to enable children to grow into happy, calm and confident adults. The book is generously peppered with illustrations and is an excellent practical guide on child rearing based on latest neuroscience research.
My eight-year-old is afraid of the dark. How do I help him overcome this fear? —Kara Abraham, Trivandrum Fear and anxiety are ubiquitous; some have it more than others. Many a time, specific types of fears run in families. Or there may be some incident which has triggered this fear. Make an effort to understand the cause of his fear, and help him cope with it. You could introduce him to positive self-suggestion, such as telling yourself, “I am not afraid”, and narrate stories of superheroes. Maybe he will feel more confident with some kind of totem in hand, that signifies power to protect. Be supportive and don’t ridicule his fear of the dark. My daughter is very sensitive and gets upset when teased by friends. Of late, she has become more withdrawn. Please advise. — Mira Shanmugam, Chennai Depending on her age, you could have a chat with her about what’s bothering her. She might be finding it hard to cope with the teasing and bullying. Sometimes, sharing what you might’ve faced during your own school days and ways you dealt with it helps. Explain to her that it’s natural to have insecurities and reassure her of your full support. Many girl children, especially during their teenage years, become conscious of their body image and develop self-confidence issues. However, if you feel it’s beginning to adversely affect her academic focus, interaction with peers, sleep and appetite, consult a mental health professional. My daughter does all her school work but she completes it more slowly than others. I wonder if she has a learning/concentration problem. — Himanshi Rishi, Delhi There could be several reasons. Does she have difficulty focusing on tasks at hand? Does she have difficulty with specific subjects, or in general? Or is she finding her school difficult? Or she could be suffering from attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a specific learning or intellectual disability. Or it could even be because she has vision or hearing problems. It’s best to get her evaluated by a psychiatrist. My grandmother always talks negatively about my daughter. I’ve tried reasoning with her but there’s no change in her attitude. How can I ensure my daughter is not affected by this negativity? — Jemima Das, Hyderabad It’s a good idea to introduce your daughter to the concept of beliefs and self-worth. Explain to her the background/context of her grandmother and how with age people become rigid in their thinking. Moreover every person has their own point of view, depending on age, gender, education, culture and belief systems. And one can never change the way everyone around us thinks. However, developing a strong inner sense of self-worth, confidence and ability to shrug off negativity will ensure that she will take it on the chin and move on. (An alumnus of NIMHANS, Dr. Sachin Baliga is a well-known mental health professional and a psychiatric consultant at Fortis Hospital, Bengaluru)
Microwaving plastic baby food containers releases toxic particles Microwaving plastic baby food containers releases billions of small toxic plastic particles, says a study published in Environmental Science & Technology (July). Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA, found that microwaving plastic baby food containers released over two billion nano plastics for every square centimetre of container. They also found that three-quarters of cultured embryonic kidney cells died two days after being introduced to these particles. The team conducted the experiment with two baby food containers made from polypropylene and a reusable pouch made of polyethylene, both approved by the US Food and Drug Administration. The researchers filled the containers with either deionised water or 3 percent acetic acid — the latter intended to simulate dairy products, fruits, vegetables, etc — then heated them at full power for three minutes in a 1,000-watt microwave. “It is really important to know how many micro-and nano plastics we are taking in,” says Kazi Albab Hussain, lead author and a doctoral student at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. “Many studies, including ours, are demonstrating that the toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics is highly linked to the level of exposure.” Parents of two or more children are physically less active Parents with multiple young children engage in less physical activity compared to parents with fewer or no children, according to a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. The study analysed data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) spanning 2007-2016 and covering 2,034 adults aged 22-65 years. The researchers examined the association between moderate and vigorous physical activities and the number and age of children in households. Adults with two or more children aged 0-5 reported 80 fewer minutes of weekly vigorous physical activity, and those with three or more children aged 6-17 reported 50 fewer minutes of weekly vigorous physical activity compared to households with no children or just one child in this age group. “Parents often face numerous challenges in finding the time and energy to engage in regular physical activity while caring for their children. By understanding these barriers, we can develop targeted interventions to help parents lead healthier and more active lives,” says study co-author Bettina Beech, Chief Population Health Officer at the University of Houston. People avoid foods they are allergic to Researchers from Yale University in the US have found that the immune system recognises allergens and pathogens in the environment and prompts the brain to take defensive measures, such as avoidance. The same avoidance behaviour is exhibited by people who develop food poisoning after eating a certain meal. The study published in the journal Nature (July) explains why people including children, instinctively avoid foods their bodies are allergic to. “We find immune recognition controls behaviour, specifically defensive behaviours against toxins that are communicated first through antibodies and then to our brains,” says Ruslan Medzhitov, professor of immunobiology at Yale School of Medicine and senior study author. The researchers studied mice that…
India is inhospitable terrain for people and children with disabilities. It grudgingly hosts 26.8 million (Census 2011) people with disabilities including 7.8 million children. The country’s education institutions, public spaces, transport systems and workplaces have dismally failed to provide ease of access and make an estimated 27 million citizens — that’s a huge number — to feel welcome. Tragically, there’s pervasive indifference within society to the needs of disabled children and youth who with a little encouragement and empowerment could transform into productive, tax-paying citizens. According to a 2019 Unesco report, 75 percent of children with special needs (CWSN) are not enrolled in any education institution. Moreover, less than 2 percent of India’s 1.4 million primary-secondaries provide enabling facilities for CWSN. Although the landmark Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, mandates admission of children with special needs into all mainstream schools, this directive is followed more in the breach. Most schools including top-ranked institutions pay mere lip service to inclusive education. Way back in 2011, in the annual EducationWorld India School Rankings (published by EducationWorld — an affiliate publication of ParentsWorld), which rate and rank the country’s Top 4,000 schools on 14 parameters of education excellence and in the annual EW rankings of preschools, your editors included special needs education as a parameter of excellence with equal weightage (100). Subsequently in 2015, EW also started rating and ranking the country’s most respected special needs schools separately to inform parents and encourage schools to pay greater attention to differently abled children. However, despite strident advocacy for inclusive education and accessible public spaces, the pace of change has been painstakingly slow and scattered. Largely, the education and socio-economic environment remains discouraging for children with disability. Within this disheartening environment, the role of parents in enabling children and youth with special needs to access education, therapy and training facilities has become critical. In our cover story in this issue, we present useful advice from parenting advisors and counselors on ways and means parents of CWSN can practice self-care, as well as follow practical guidelines to nurture special children. There’s much else in this issue of PW. Check out our Middle Years feature on the benefits of giving children choices and enabling them to develop independence, decision-making skills and confidence, and the Special Essay highlighting the critical importance of parents remaining connected with teenage children. Also recommended is the Health & Nutrition essay on three ‘superseeds’ offering exceptionally high nutritional value
