Month: June 2015

Categories
Guest writer

Forced to donate by Jagannath Puri temple priests

A reader writes a letter about temple priests demanding large donations to perform the simplest of poojas and offer their blessings.

We have been introduced to our respective religions and Gods since childhood. As Hindus, we visit temples or Gurudwaras, join our hands in respect and gratitude, say our prayers and drop some money in the donation box before we leave.

Hindus have four prime pilgrimage destinations where we place our strongest faith and which we believe we should visit before we breathe our last. These comprise Badrinath in the North of India, Dwarka in the West, Puri in the East and Rameswaram in the South.

Puri travels…

I visited one of these places recently with my husband and mother-in-law. Located in Puri, near Bhubaneswar, Orissa, the Jagannath Puri temple has idols of Lord Jagannath, Goddess Subhadra and Lord Balabhadra. On an average, the temple sees hundreds of pilgrims every day. During my first and recent trip to Puri, I visited the temple twice.

The first day a panda (the local priest) greeted us at the entrance gate itself. He promised to guide us around the temple and help us with the puja and darshan. For this, he charged us Rs 51. First, we made our way to the counter in the temple complex where donations were accepted and entered in the account books. But we were surprised to see a rate card here! The price for the prasad ranged from Rs 251 to around Rs 30,000!

Despite being a strong believer in the Almighty, I did not support this idea – but since it was our first visit to one of the Char Dham temples, we went ahead with it. With a small cane basket as a prasad for around Rs 451, we proceeded towards the main temple building.

The grandeur of the temple was evident by the huge gates and the stone carvings that covered the walls. But sadly, these walls were not as you would imagine. Some of them were covered in greenish black fungus, so much so that the carvings could not be seen clearly.

…and then the travails

Being a pilgrimage destination of a high order, the temple is always crowded. Unfortunately, we did not find any queue or queue managers to mind the unruly crowd. As a result, people had to push their way ahead. Devotees were allowed to pray only from a certain distance from the main idols. A darshan in closer proximity required a VIP ticket. This time, we went in for the unpaid darshan.

Our panda guided us to an area where few other pandas were performing rituals to bless the devotees. We did this pooja – post which we were asked to donate around Rs 250. My husband gave me a puzzled look and gave Rs 101. The panda reluctantly settled for the amount. We then moved ahead – or were pushed ahead – by the crowd. Punched by some and hit in the stomach by the nudging elbow of a woman who was filled with so much devotion that she did not mind hurting fellow devotees, we reached the barrier where the prayers were offered. The pandas stood here in a line, we handed over our prasad basket to them and they blessed us. But this ‘blessing’ required another donation of Rs 101. It turns out that this is the fixed rate for donation here!

I also saw a man who stretched out his hand from the crowd, holding a wedding card for blessings. He was told to donate Rs 500 if he wanted the card to be accepted. I saw him pulling out a note of Rs 100 and stretching out his hand again only to be turned down because ‘it takes a fee to make your card reach the main idols’. I didn’t see what happened after this as we walked out of the temple building.

There were numerous smaller temples and shrines within the same complex. We went to one such temple, where another panda handed a small box of sindoor and two red bangles to me, as an offering to Goddess Lakshmi. I hesitated, as I hadn’t asked for it and didn’t know what to do. He said “Sirf bees rupaye (Only Rs 20)”. I took it. He gestured further into the temple, where another panda waited with a different pooja. He took these from us, prayed in our name and added a golden key. He touched the key to the idol’s feet and gave it to us. “500 rupaye,” he said.

We were at a loss of words . He said “Ye Lakshmi ke khazane ki chabi hai, isse aapke ghar mein Lakshmi aayegi.” We said it was too much. This angered the panda, he threatened us of the ill consequences – making us wonder if we were in a house of God. He took the key back from us at once, telling us we were disrespecting Goddess Lakshmi. Finally, he haggled for the price of the key and reduced it to Rs 100, explaining that it was for the pooja he did. Getting angrier and angrier at this systematic looting of devotees, I confess to feeling helpless in the hands of the practice that was going on for years inside the temple premises. It even shook my belief in God for a while – how could He let this happen if he really was still present there? I felt disheartened about visiting any more temples.

We then toured the complex for some time, and visited its museum, which had a lot of beautiful statues and setups that told different tales from the life of Lord Jagannath, Balabhadra and Goddess Subhadra.

Right outside the museum there was a small temple. Since it was almost closing time, the panda was about to shut its gates. We joined our hands standing outside the gates and prayed, but he opened the gates on seeing us and another couple. Completely unnerved by our earlier experience, we walked in but announced that we didn’t have any money. He just smiled and said, “Jitni aapki ichcha ho (Donate as much as you wish).”

We were happy to hear that we could actually donate as per our will, so we prayed and gave Rs 11, which he happily accepted. We felt humbled and bowed down to touch his feet. Maybe this was a way that God answered my questions, that I should not generalise my opinion from one to all.

Sent by Neha Madan, Delhi

(Picture courtesy www.go2india.in. Image is a file pic) 

Categories
Wellness

5 exercises for excellent calf muscles

Ditch your power walks and zumba classes that exhaust you – do these five exercises for the most shapely calves ever.
by Beverley Lewis

You don’t need to spend hours at the gym trying to work on your calf muscles. You simply need to spend about 15 minutes exercising this muscle, three times a week to get shapely calves.

So without further ado, here are our top 5 calf workouts.

Double leg calf raiseThe double-leg calf raise. This particular exercise uses one’s body weight to strengthen and tone the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles or calf muscles.

Begin by standing next to a wall. This is to help you with balance.

Now place your feet hip-width apart. Next, press down onto the balls of both feet and raise your body upward, making sure that your abdominal muscles are pulled in tightly. Hold this position for a few seconds and then go back to the starting position. Do 3 sets of 12 repetitions each.

When you get fitter you can add different variations such as using a stepper and holding a dumbbell between your hands while performing this exercise.

Single-leg calf raises. Stand on one leg near a wall for balance with the other leg bent behind. Now, position your toes and the balls of your feet on an elevation like a stepper or a stair, making sure that your heels and arches are off the stepper or stair.

In order to balance yourself, place your hands on the wall. Lift one leg and place it against the leg which is on the stepper or stair.

Now begin raising your leg up and down. This particular exercise works the calf muscles. Do 15 repetitions and then switch legs.

Seated calf-raise. The seated calf raise exercise places emphasis on the soleus muscle, which consists of slow twitch muscle fibres. Begin by sitting on a boxSeated calf raise or a bench, making sure your feet are flat on the floor.

Now, flex your calves as high as possible before returning back to the starting position. Make sure to squeeze your calves at the peak extension of the movement, making sure that you perform this movement slowly, before returning to the starting position.

Walking and hiking. These are excellent calf-strengthening exercises, especially if you go uphill. Remember, the steeper the climb, the more strain on your calf muscles.

Swimming. This is another great exercise to get toned and shapely calves. This is because swimming works the calf muscles along with the rest of the legs muscles. Also, because it is low-impact, it’s a safe way to strengthen calf muscles, especially if you are overweight or are recovering from an injury.

Need more help? Watch this: 

(Pictures courtesy blitarweb.biz.id, www.fitstudio.com, terrafirmaadventures.com. Images are representational in nature)

Categories
grey space

More women at risk from dementia

A critical report on dementia’s and its spread throws out startling facts about why women are more affected than men.
by Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI)

Across all regions of the world, dementia disproportionately affects women. More women than men develop dementia, and a large proportion of carers are women, in both informal and formal capacities. While the higher prevalence of dementia amongst women is noted in the research, there is little evidence of policy being put into place and actioned in response to this. In the few papers focussed on lower and middle-income countries (LMICs), there was often no governmental organisation or programmes to address the problems associated with dementia, either for the person with dementia or to support the caregiver.

Expectations are made in many countries that families will look after older relatives, including those with dementia. This expectation often extends to it being the women in the family who take on this direct caregiving role. There was often reluctance amongst women caregivers to access help from formal and informal support services, due to conflicts between cultural and family expectations or the ability and willingness to seek help on the part of the caregiver. In LMICs in particular it was seen to be important to ensure that community services were made more easily accessible to women with little or no education.

Dementia careWomen will continue to provide care, whether this is due to societal expectations, or an individual wish to support members of their family and friends. Whatever their motivation, there needs to be adequate and appropriate information and support in place to enable these women to provide care, and feel cared for themselves.

The India story

Dementia is a public health issue that will become increasingly visible in LMICs as the population ages. All countries need to understand the current and predicted prevalence and acknowledge that dementia disproportionately affects women; the impact on women needs to be ascertained in individual countries, along with a review of the support available currently and what is needed to meet future needs.

As the population ages, the prevalence of dementia will increase, given that advanced age is the greatest risk factor for dementia (Alzheimer’s Association, 2014). The number of people globally estimated to be living with dementia in 2013 was 44.35 million. This is predicted to rise to 75.62 million in 2030 and 135.46 million in 2050. The rates of increase across different parts of the world is not uniform, with rates increasing in India, China and South Asian and Western Pacific regions at three times the rate of increase in high income countries.

In 2013, Alzheimer’s Disease International estimated that around 38 per cent of people with dementia were living in high income countries, and 62 per cent in low and middle income countries (LMICs); this is predicted to rise to 71 per cent in LMICs by 2050 if current trends continue. These figures highlight the need for all countries, in particular low and middle income countries, to develop plans to ensure the provision of appropriate health and social care to manage the increasing need of the ageing population.

Influencing factors

Many factors influence carer burden and strain across different countries, ethnicities and cultures. In a survey of 11 sites in middle income countries (Latin America, China and India) the factors leading to carer strain were found to be the primary stressors of behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), dementia severity, the care needs of the care recipient and time spent caring.

Cutting back on paid work to undertake care was significantly associated with higher carer strain in most countries. No significant associations were found in chi-square analyses on demographic variables, dementia diagnosis, severity of dementia, medications prescribed or where the person with dementia lives which would account for these high levels of carer strain. Elsewhere, in Iran, factors increasing the risk of psychological morbidity in dementia carers included being a spouse, having an affected person at home, and living together.

The impact on finance is also significant in LMICs, where the fewer than half of the people with dementia received any kind of pension; this proportion was lower in India and Nigeria. However, some LMICs have adopted policies of non-contributory pensions as part of social welfare programme, or have wide access to healthcare services, addressing some of the problems faced by the older population. The majority of caregivers in the 10/66 Dementia Research Group study had to cut back on paid work, or stop working altogether, in order to care for the person with dementia, with no provision of any kind of state caregiver allowance. In Tanzania, with no state care available, it was suggested that provision of community day care for people with dementia, either by the state or religious organisations, would allow caregivers to undertake more “productive work”.

Read the entire report here.

(Pictures courtesy www.dailymail.co.uk, www.huffingtonpost.co.uk)

Categories
Film

Review: Insidious Chapter 3

Far from being scary, this film falls flat in several places and does not hold the audience’s attention for long.
by Ravi Shet

Rating: 2 out of 5

Making his directorial debut with this horror film, Leigh Whannell brings Insidious Chapter 3, a prequel set a few years before the haunting of the Lambert family. The film begins with a young girl, Quinn Brenner (Stefanie Scott) approaching a psychic Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye) for a chance to talk to her late mother Lillith (Ele Keats).

Quinn thinks that her mother has been trying to reach out to her through the world of spirits and Elise can help her through the reading. Elise refuses, however, but she agrees later. But she is not able to complete the reading, since she hears a demonic presence that threatens to kill her. She advises Quinn not to reach out to her mother on her own. Regardless of the warnings, Quinn still attempts to reach her mother which opens doors that are meant to be closed.

She starts hearing noises in the night and the next day, she notices a dark figure waving to her offstage before going onstage for an audition at the theatre academy in New York. While crossing the street, Quinn again sees the same dark figure waving to her and she stops to look, but a speeding car hits her. The accident temporarily leaves her bedridden and she is looked after by her father Sean (Dermot Mulroney); however these problems are nothing in comparison to the ones she faces when she is tortured by demons trying to get at her soul every night.

 

This film provides no chills and thrills and is not likely to stay with you once it’s over. There were just two scenes of note – onen where the demon grabs Quinn and attempts to pull her over the ledge, and the other, where the spirit of Black Bride nearly kills Elise. Curiously, there is not back story for the demon in the film, though it is a burnt victim with a breathing mask. The end of the film signals the hint of another installment coming audiences’ way; however this installment of the Insidious series falls flat when compared with its previous two fellows.

(Picture courtesy trrdatfiltz.890m.com)

Categories
Event

Rural Maharashtra plays rugby in Mumbai

Maharashtra Mini Rugby 7s tourney kicks off today at Bombay Gymkhana grounds; 16 teams will compete for the top honours.
by The Editors | editor@themetrognome.in

Maharashtra Olympic Association (MOA) recently announced a month long celebration of Olympics starting from Olympic Day, June 23, 2015. As a part of this celebration, The Rugby Association of Maharashtra (RAM) is hosting the Maharashtra Mini Olympics Rugby 7s tournament for senior Men and Women at Bombay Gymkhana Grounds, CST, Mumbai on Saturday, June 27 and Sunday, June 28, 2015 between 10.00 amto 5.00 pm.

A total of 16 teams will battle for the honours in this championship. As per their ranking, only eight teams from each category qualified to participate in the Mini Olympic 2015 in Rugby 7s discipline. In the qualifiers, 23 teams from across the state competed in Ambarnath, Thane on May 8 to 9, 2015.

The qualified district teams for the Mini Olympic 2015 are, Men’s category – Pune, Mumbai, Mumbai Suburban, Nashik, Kolhapur, Gondia, Thane and Jalgaon. And in women’s category – Pune, Raigadh, Mumbai Suburban, Jalgaon, Gondia, Chandrapur, Thane and Nandurbar

Speaking on this occasion, Sandeep Mosamkar, Joint Secretary- RAM said, “Olympic month is an effort to encourage the sentiment of introducing sports in the lives of youth across the nation. Rugby has been instrumental in transforming the lives of youths across various parts of the State. “As a representing body that is passionate about developing the game of Rugby in India, RAM is delighted to be actively involved in the Olympic month celebrations by hosting the Mini Olympics Rugby 7s”.

He added, “There is no dearth of talent in rural Maharashtra. Youth from various regions displayed extreme passion and enthusiasm during Rugby qualifier matches held in Thane. We are confident that tomorrow’s championship will be the key to discover the potential of the next breed of national players from across the State.”

The Maharashtra State Rugby Team has brought laurels to the State by winning the Gold Medal on two consecutive occasions; the Rugby Sevens Event of the 33rd and 34th National Games of India held in Guwahati (2007) and Ranchi (2011) respectively. And have continued the momentum by winning Silver (Women) and Bronze (Men) Medals in the 35th National Games of India, held in Kerala (2015).

(Picture courtesy www.afternoondc.in. Image is a file picture)

Categories
Film

Review: Welcome Zindagi

A fresh look at many current happenings in society, the film gives the message of hope to the broken hearted.
by Ravi Shet

Welcome Zindagi directed by Umesh Ghadge is a remake of the Bengali film, Hemlock Society. The film starts with a discussion on love and relationships followed by a song (featuring Prashant Damle (Prashant) in a club. Meera (Amruta Khanvilkar), a fan of Prashant who never misses his shows is also shown in the same frame enjoying the moment.

Meera is a journalist by profession, who catches her fiancé cheating on her just 10 days before her wedding. She is already feeling lonely and ignored since her father, Dr Rajwade (Vivek Lagoo) has remarried after her mother’s death. On top of everything else, she hears that her boss is about to fire her from her job. Cornered in every possible way, she decides to end her life. For this, she meets her father and asks him for a prescription of sleeping pills on the pretext that she isn’t sleeping well. She thinks overdosing on sleeping pills will be a quick way out.

But at the moment she attempts to consume the pills, somebody rings her doorbell. That somebody turns out to be Anand Prabhu (Swwapnil Joshi). He enters the house and sees the bottle of sleeping pills, which he promptly flushes out. However, Anand does not tell her not to end her life – instead, he advises her to do it in a systematic way.

 

It turns out that Anand is the founder of Happy Ending Society, an organisation that believes every individual has a right to decide his or her destiny. He convinces Meera to enroll in three-day ‘suicide camp’ which will teach her many ways in which to end her life systematically. Convinced by his proposal, she leaves with him for the camp.

The pace of the movie is well maintained and the dialogues are crisp. There are few good cameos by Bharati Achrekar, Mahesh Manjrekar and Mohan Agashe; however the film truly belongs to the lead pair. This film is recommended for family viewing – it is humorous but sympathetic of all the issues we face in our lives, and gives hope to all those going through problems.

Rating: 3 out of 5

Exit mobile version