The tempting desire to be Politically Correct…

We live in a world that we claim is free. We are blinded by our own desire to be psychologically separated and yet we biologically, historically, politically and economically grow closer to the other. Today, every step we take, move we make and vow we break the lives of the people around us are positively or adversely affected and at times even have the power to alter the course of history.

But as our search for being aloof and disconnected draws us into the virtual world and empowers us with qualities we could only dream off, in reality we become weaker by the day. Not wanting to harm another and yet live the lives we dream and desire has led to the creation of a politically correct society.

Being Politically Correct is a phenomenon that once restricted itself to the drawing boards of many an office atmosphere where colleagues and supervisors choose to stay aloof from decision making or moments of truth so as to avoid being seen in the wrong light and inadvertently kill, once highly prized notion called “the risk taker”. Now its so vied that people across the spectrum of life have not just used its qualities but morphed it to suit their whims like a mask tailored to a particular face.

Being “Politically Correct” does not serve any constructive purpose. It provides an escape route to the weak who simply can’t handle the truth. It bargains for time by working in grey areas allowing the person in question to feel the mood of his opponent by choosing his words carefully and quickly changing his goalposts without being detected so that the opponent mostly sees him in good light. It is often misused to represent the qualities associated with losing face but rather it’s a cunning way to alter situations without creating enemies.

It is said that a diplomat’s job is to think thrice and do nothing but in this case saying nothing or choosing the most appropriate words that could best steer the communicator from possible controversies is making the everyday man a diplomat! But though this may have its benefits where unnecessary problems are avoided, it also has its downfalls.

People today, are becoming hyper sensitive to terminologies and often, being politically correct can be viewed as the scapegoat and catalyst to intensify the emotion rather than understand and solve the problem at hand. Instead of being brave and solving a dispute, people find solace in feigning ignorance and pushing stuff under the carpet. These comfort zones are so enticing that if made a religion they would have the largest number of followers the world over. People who are diplomatic and careful in what they say have the burden of knowing whats at stake and that the longevity of the problem will depend on their actions alone. They risk being perceived as impersonal and often as cowards who choose to hide behind terms and technicalities to digress the situation rather than solving a problem that could increase productivity.

So when we look back at this concept we realize that being politically correct is both a boon and a bane to the individual who possess it. If used intelligently it can end wars but if used callously it can generate them!

There has to be proper guidelines and limits as to when, where and how we can use this concept and that the same should be used appropriately and not as an answer to whimper behind our own inabilities. Its time we breakdown the Alice and Wonderland imagination w have of the world and see her for who she truly is.

The Story behind Horniman Circle - Fort, Bombay

Bombay is known to be a melting pot of cultures the world over; right from the the British Raj till today. Life in the city was brought to life through the apt and efficient reporting of many a prominent newspaper including the Bombay Samachar and the Times of India. Freedom Fighters would often quote many a line from the Bombay Samachar, in particular, due to its unbiased views during the end times of the Raj.

But unlike the popular papers that have survived today here is a small peek into a paper that was not so lucky but none the less created a legacy worth remembering!

In April 1913, Congress leader Pherozeshah Mehta started The Bombay Chronicle, a newspaper which was an important Nationalist newspaper of its time, and an important chronicler of the political upheavals of a volatile pre-independent India. It was during this time that Benjamin Guy Horniman, an English journalist, who held the position of News Editor and Assistant Editor at the Calcutta Statesman in 1906, made a name for himself in India with his articles on the investigation of the Hindu-Muslim riots in Eastern Bengal, was invited by Mehta to start the Bombay Chronicle.

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After the massacre of innocents at the now infamous Jallianwalla Baugh in the Punjab in 1919 and the subsequent glorification of General Dyer by the then British Authorities, it was Benjamin Guy Horniman, a British National and the then editor of the Bombay Chronicle [1913 - 1919] who decided to vociferously pursue the truth much to the dislike of the British Government.

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They repatriated him under the Defense of India Act.  Undeterred, he returned to Bombay in 1926 to the hearty welcome of the Bombay public. Upon his return, he reentered the ranks of the Bombay Chronicle as its editor but resigned in March 1926. After Independence, as a mark of gratitude to his integrity and work for the Indian people that they renamed the then Elphinstone Circle located opposite the Town Hall to today's Horniman Circle.

The newspaper came to a close in 1959 A.D. 

​An advert during the Independence struggle featured in the Bombay Chronicle

The Bombay Duck - Secrets Untold!

Did you Know?

The Bombay Duck!

We have all heard of the famous dish of the Bombay City called the Bombay Duck; but seldom do people know that its not actually a duck but rather an eel. Locally called the Bombil it is also called the Lizard Fish 

The Bombay duck lives in the tropical areas of the Indo-Pacific. It has been traditionally caught in the waters off Maharashtra in the Lakshadweep Sea, where it is an important item of the yearly catch. This fish is also caught in the Bay of Bengal and in the South China Sea, although in smaller numbers.​​

​​​​​​​The origin of the term "Bombay duck" is uncertain. One popular etymology relates to railways. When the rail links started on the Indian subcontinent, people from eastern Bengal were made aware of the great availability of the locally prized fish on India's western coasts and began importing them by the railways. Since the smell of the dried fish was overpowering, its transportation was later consigned to the mail train; the Bombay Mail (or Bombay Daak) thus reeked of the fish smell and "You smell like the Bombay Daak" was a common term in use in the days of the British Raj. In Bombay, the local English speakers then called it so, but it was eventually corrupted into "Bombay duck".

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The fish is often dried and salted before it is consumed, as its meat does not have a distinctive taste of its own. After drying, the odour of the fish is extremely powerful, and it is usually transported in air-tight containers. The Bombay duck is a popular food item in certain areas of India. Fresh fish are usually fried and served as a starter. In Mumbai, Konkan, and the western coastal areas in India, this dish is popularly known as "Bombil fry".

Why Widows In India Wear White Sarees?

Here is a video I have made to help explain and in a way hail the fight for the emancipation of women and especially widows who, over the years have been neglected by society.

Hidden Secrets - Mahim Causeway - Bombay

When the British took over the Salcette Island i.e. today's Bandra and beyond, many people from Bandra would come to South Bombay in search for work. 

Bandra was separated from the rest of the Bombay Islands at that time by swamp land. The swampy area between the two islands made travel dangerous and thus a need for a causeway arose.  The British East India Company, who governed Bombay at that time, refused to fund the project.

Thus, Lady Jeejeebhoy, wife of the first baronet Sir Jamsetjee Jeejeebhoy, to donate the entire amount of INR 1,57,000/- on the condition that the government would not charge a toll for its use or disturb the Koli community who lived around the area.

The Mahim Causeway was built between 1841 to 1846 to connect the island of Salsette with Mahim.

​​​​​​​​​Today Mahim Causeway is also called L.J. Road.

​​​​​​​​​​Original Road sign  on the pavement - 1800's 

The untold story of Charni Road - Bombay

Charni Road Station, Mumbai: the forgotten story behind it

Between 1822 and 1838, cattle from the congested fort area used to graze freely at the Camp Maidan (now called Azad Maidan), an open ground opposite the Victoria Terminus. 

In 1838, the colonial government introduced a 'grazing fee' which several cattle-owners could not afford. 

Therefore, Sir Jamshedji Jeejeebhoy spent Rs. 20,000 from his own purse for purchasing some grasslands near the seafront at Thakurdwar and saw that the starving cattle grazed without a fee in that area. 

Sir Jamsetjee Jeejabhoy

In time the area became to be known as "Charni" meaning grazing. When a railway station on the BB&CI railway was constructed there it was called Charni Road.

​Credits: The above information has been shared with me by a dear friend Ms. Aban Kabraji for the purpose of enhancing the awareness of our City's Heritage.

Interview with Amit Banage - Teacher, Mumbai, India

Interview with Amit Banage - Teacher, Mumbai, India

Profession : Teacher, Bhavishya yaan: Mumbai, India

Born and brought up in the suburbs of Mumbai, Amit has been in the field of teaching since 2000 and has taken the concept of teaching students to the next level with his own and innovative theory of blending speech and song to create a more activity oriented classroom atmosphere to develop interest for the language among the students. He realized that various currently accepted experiments on various projects helped him realize that the regular school teaching has very less effect on the child.

Come and hear his story and showcase of self made vision and get a glimpse of a radically new technique of teaching that could revolutionize the way we look at our educational system with value and quality.

1.    What inspired you into teaching?  

India is the land of Guru – Disciple relationships which has always captivated my mind. From stories of Kings and Warriors to Scholars and Scribes I was inspired with the unique messages that each had to bring forth and yet saw the disconnect with the learnings we take in today’s world.

I was fortunate to be mentored by quality teachers who believed in imparting knowledge than just educating for its sake as seems to be the trend these days. This played an important role as listening to spiritual discourses, helped me develop  a craving to be a teacher.

         2.  How did you get connected to Project Vidya ?

After graduating from St. Xavier’s College, I got a job at an English Medium School but was disappointed by the monotonous and routine style of work. I took a job in a N.G.O. which is a social wing of Sun Pharma company. Through this N.G.O., I worked in B.M.C. School in Chembur for 2 years, experimenting various activities and methods and for the first time, the Municipal School Kids stood on the stage and sang patriotic songs in English during the Republic Day celebrations. I was since then, promoted and became a Master trainer [teachers' trainer] at the headquarters of this N.G.O. in Ambernath.

It was during this time that the Rotary club in partnership with VIDYA was planning to introduce Bhavishya yaan project. The then Head Master  recommended my name and thus I was selected by Bhavishya yaan. Thus, i came in contact with VIDYA.

               3.       How has this Job Role and Vision changed the life around you?

Working with Vidya has helped me realize that to ensure effective learning, it is very necessary to create a non-threatening atmosphere in the classroom. Here there is no competition and every individual is unique and important.

Being with Vidya has not only helped me to grow above my prevailing circumstances  and explore new avenues chief being motivating women to being self reliant.  

              4.      What is your type of teaching?

 “A good teacher is not one, who teaches well, but one who makes the students learn by themselves”. This is my philosophy of teaching. A teacher is just a facilitator who provides learning atmosphere and opportunities to the learners. It is activity oriented learning. Students participate in the classroom activities and come out with creative learning outcome. The strength of the class does not exceed 25.

In addition to this, I have introduced a new concept in teaching -learning activity. Since it is difficult to memorize  tables and rules of grammar, whereas, it is easy to learn songs and poems with tunes, I give tunes to various contents like vocabulary and rules. This is done with many regional songs being  translated by me in English to assist. This concept is named as 'Sing and Speak English'.

For example, the famous song 'Ai mere watan ke logo' was translated in English by me. Students of B.M.C. Ghatla school even presented this song in English, on Republic Day celebration.

I was awarded with a certificate by Rotary International for inspiring and motivating the kids to speak without fear.

              5.      How has it shown benefits in the lives of the students?

Students have gained confidence in speaking English. They participate in activities that enhance their capabilities through interesting activities and songs. Many a student at the under privileged school that I teach in have left the class with more than just self confidence but also reassured that they not only have a reinforced sense of self belief but that they can move out into regular society as an equal.

             6.      Why is this approach of teaching going to be beneficial if adopted by teachers nation wide?

Today, teachers are burdened with routine clerical work while parents have become' Marksist' in their attitude and approach. Removing the fear of exams from their minds and creating a conducive environment through song and innovative techniques could turn the education system up a notch.

Besides, Today, we are following the same old chalk and talk method of teaching, in the classrooms. As a result, learning process has become monotonous and boring. Hence, to develop interest in studies among students, alternate teaching methods have to be adopted.  Teaching methods should be student- oriented, age appropriate, and should enhance in creating a non-threatening atmosphere in the classroom.

All the five sensory organs should be considered before framing activities. It is rightly said, 'I hear, I will forget... I see, I may forget...but if I do..I shall remember forever. Hence, along with auditory and visual, psycho motor activities should also be involved.

The main aim of teaching should be to create conducive atmosphere for learning, making the learning process interesting and fun oriented. Students should enjoy learning.

          7.      How does this help you in your goal?

As a teacher, our goal is to provide opportunities to the students, for their all round development. Activity oriented teaching helps to identify the innate tendencies and qualities of the students. A student, not good in studies, can be excellent in craft and drawing. 

 A student may dislike reading, but he may be good in singing. Thus,interest can be cultivated in students, using methods, favorable for the students. I remember a student, who was weak in tables...but liked to sing. So i composed a song based on tables and this student was the first one to learn it.

In activity based teaching, the trainer is merely a facilitator and an observer. His role is to monitor the activities and the participants, and try to understand the inclination of their nature and interest.