Evolving with baby
Regarding nahutpa, without a consent from the child, it is unfair to leave a mark on his body that will remain throughout his life.
Source: http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/tseitm-18535-evolving-with-baby/
Getting a baby to sleep is way to go, what will happen in case of ear piercing? Nahutpa, as it is called, is considered one of the most essential event in one’s life. In the event of death, some even went tothe extend of performing different ritual depending on whether the decedent had done the nahutpaor not. Leaving aside the metaphysical sentiments, I see an unethical element. A child came alone tothis world, with his mother as a medium. He is totally ignorant of life yet with full of life in stock. He isas much an individual as we all are. Later, he will decide what is right or wrong by himself and will beleading a complete life like anyone else.
Without his consent, it will be unfair to leave a mark on him that will remain throughout his life. Whenhe is little grown up, the elders can ask him if he wants his ear get pierced. It is highly likely that henods because everyone he see will have pierce ears. That will also solve the problem of inconsolabletension the child goes through, in the nahutpa process. If the child says “no” to the above question, itis still all fine. We should rather be happy that, an individual’s concern is heard and respected.
In regards to “identity” of the self w.r.t. our society or of holding the “collective conscience”, the child – which still awaites the development of his cognitive faculty like reasoning, knowledge etc. – shouldnot be made the victim. Even the answer (incase a “yes”) to the question of nahutpa should bedeliberated. The very act of piercing can be perfom anytime in his life, the psychology of himselffeeling out of crowd or not, is upto him.
Jingle baby anklets, coming to this, what are the ideas behind wearing them on the babies? A tracking device? A decoration? An automatic rhythmic instrument to make the child happy? To the first question: Animals, when protection is needed, are tagged and they are traced. To the second question: Humans are not meant to be decorated. They wear clothes because it is considered to be proper and they make themselve beautiful/handsome by embrassing certain styles at their own will. Anklets, to be taken as part of apparel is purely subjective and should be left to the will of the individual (read child). Here, only the “will” is needed, not “right/wrong” - a dichonomy or even “good/bad” - a continum.
The arguments above doesn’t mean that we stop using baby anklets rather it is a message, highlighting some bad implication that we should better be conscious of. In order words, the tradition of wearing anklets on babies should be taken as a lenient folkways and not as a social mores.
Coming to the baby’s mother, I want to counter the tradition of do’s and don’t on her diet. Thetradition seems to had codified even how much drop of water to be drank by her (surely myexaggeration). When the obstetrician advices that the mother can eat anything, what is the logicbehind not believing the doctor’s words and enforcing the archiac not-to-eat unquestionable list?Innocently speaking, our skin do not get burnt when we sweat, even after eating enough oo-morok (a chilly). But let me be quick to add, the chilly has an effect on stool. On the same line of aurgument,any edible will usually be good to eat without affecting the Breast milk but some of them willundoubtedly affect it. Now am I contradrating myself by earlier denouncing the traditional not-to-eatlist and simultaneously uphelding cause-effect logic on food?
My reason is this. To err is human and learning should be constant. The mother should be allowed the freedom to choose what she wants to eat. Only if it is not going well with the baby’s metabolism, she can trace what food was eaten and stop and expirement and so on and so forth. For example, a heavy coffee drinking may affect child’s sleep due to caffiene contains. The “end” we look is mother and baby’s wellbeing and all we need to decide is what “means” to undertake. The traditional means is worse than the one mentioned above and is twofoldly explained. First, by exercising freedom, the confidence level of the mother increases. It is vital of the baby’s overall progress in life. Second, every human is unique and a more unique will unequivocally be the relation of two humans. Therefore what suit well with a mother-baby couple may not necesarily be true for some another.
Culture is too intricate and it is continously being crafted since time immemorial. There are plethora of detail in our culture which are extremely beautiful and ingenious as well. But as it evolves, let the things you see as depreciating, undergo a rational enquiry. Afterall, social dynamics with a scientific temper is what we all are involved in.
Women dues
Meitei society is a deeply sexist society.
Marriages are solemnized between the two person, they addressed each other as their better half and a life long companion in all walks of life. But right from the very marriage day, these young people are made to go through a series of gender inequality customs. On the marriage day, the husband dines before his wife and she is made to dine from the the left-outs of her husband's plate. Talking a spoon of food from the used plate and to continue the dinner from her plate, is although becoming a contemporary trend. However, the questionable thing is the underlying theme of woman's subjugation and male's chauvinism. The wife is not allowed to eat with her husband by sharing the same curry or any other eatables. When in menstrual cycle, she is even not allowed to serve a cup of tea to her husband, let us forget her going in kitchen and preparing it. During this period, she is not allowed to enter kitchen, touch utensils etc. In other times, she is equally prevented from the mentioned activities unless she has taken a bath. All these activities, if conducted, are treated as desecration.One of the most barbaric form of human nature, the 'untouchable' still prevails in our meitei society in a disguised form.
How much important is education to student?
Published at http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/sangai-express-news.php?newsid=5737 and http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/sangai-express-news.php?newsid=5763
Regarding nahutpa, without a consent from the child, it is unfair to leave a mark on his body that will remain throughout his life.
Source: http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/tseitm-18535-evolving-with-baby/
Getting a baby to sleep is way to go, what will happen in case of ear piercing? Nahutpa, as it is called, is considered one of the most essential event in one’s life. In the event of death, some even went tothe extend of performing different ritual depending on whether the decedent had done the nahutpaor not. Leaving aside the metaphysical sentiments, I see an unethical element. A child came alone tothis world, with his mother as a medium. He is totally ignorant of life yet with full of life in stock. He isas much an individual as we all are. Later, he will decide what is right or wrong by himself and will beleading a complete life like anyone else.
Without his consent, it will be unfair to leave a mark on him that will remain throughout his life. Whenhe is little grown up, the elders can ask him if he wants his ear get pierced. It is highly likely that henods because everyone he see will have pierce ears. That will also solve the problem of inconsolabletension the child goes through, in the nahutpa process. If the child says “no” to the above question, itis still all fine. We should rather be happy that, an individual’s concern is heard and respected.
In regards to “identity” of the self w.r.t. our society or of holding the “collective conscience”, the child – which still awaites the development of his cognitive faculty like reasoning, knowledge etc. – shouldnot be made the victim. Even the answer (incase a “yes”) to the question of nahutpa should bedeliberated. The very act of piercing can be perfom anytime in his life, the psychology of himselffeeling out of crowd or not, is upto him.
Jingle baby anklets, coming to this, what are the ideas behind wearing them on the babies? A tracking device? A decoration? An automatic rhythmic instrument to make the child happy? To the first question: Animals, when protection is needed, are tagged and they are traced. To the second question: Humans are not meant to be decorated. They wear clothes because it is considered to be proper and they make themselve beautiful/handsome by embrassing certain styles at their own will. Anklets, to be taken as part of apparel is purely subjective and should be left to the will of the individual (read child). Here, only the “will” is needed, not “right/wrong” - a dichonomy or even “good/bad” - a continum.
The arguments above doesn’t mean that we stop using baby anklets rather it is a message, highlighting some bad implication that we should better be conscious of. In order words, the tradition of wearing anklets on babies should be taken as a lenient folkways and not as a social mores.
Coming to the baby’s mother, I want to counter the tradition of do’s and don’t on her diet. Thetradition seems to had codified even how much drop of water to be drank by her (surely myexaggeration). When the obstetrician advices that the mother can eat anything, what is the logicbehind not believing the doctor’s words and enforcing the archiac not-to-eat unquestionable list?Innocently speaking, our skin do not get burnt when we sweat, even after eating enough oo-morok (a chilly). But let me be quick to add, the chilly has an effect on stool. On the same line of aurgument,any edible will usually be good to eat without affecting the Breast milk but some of them willundoubtedly affect it. Now am I contradrating myself by earlier denouncing the traditional not-to-eatlist and simultaneously uphelding cause-effect logic on food?
My reason is this. To err is human and learning should be constant. The mother should be allowed the freedom to choose what she wants to eat. Only if it is not going well with the baby’s metabolism, she can trace what food was eaten and stop and expirement and so on and so forth. For example, a heavy coffee drinking may affect child’s sleep due to caffiene contains. The “end” we look is mother and baby’s wellbeing and all we need to decide is what “means” to undertake. The traditional means is worse than the one mentioned above and is twofoldly explained. First, by exercising freedom, the confidence level of the mother increases. It is vital of the baby’s overall progress in life. Second, every human is unique and a more unique will unequivocally be the relation of two humans. Therefore what suit well with a mother-baby couple may not necesarily be true for some another.
Culture is too intricate and it is continously being crafted since time immemorial. There are plethora of detail in our culture which are extremely beautiful and ingenious as well. But as it evolves, let the things you see as depreciating, undergo a rational enquiry. Afterall, social dynamics with a scientific temper is what we all are involved in.
Women dues
Meitei society is a deeply sexist society.
Marriages are solemnized between the two person, they addressed each other as their better half and a life long companion in all walks of life. But right from the very marriage day, these young people are made to go through a series of gender inequality customs. On the marriage day, the husband dines before his wife and she is made to dine from the the left-outs of her husband's plate. Talking a spoon of food from the used plate and to continue the dinner from her plate, is although becoming a contemporary trend. However, the questionable thing is the underlying theme of woman's subjugation and male's chauvinism. The wife is not allowed to eat with her husband by sharing the same curry or any other eatables. When in menstrual cycle, she is even not allowed to serve a cup of tea to her husband, let us forget her going in kitchen and preparing it. During this period, she is not allowed to enter kitchen, touch utensils etc. In other times, she is equally prevented from the mentioned activities unless she has taken a bath. All these activities, if conducted, are treated as desecration.One of the most barbaric form of human nature, the 'untouchable' still prevails in our meitei society in a disguised form.
There has been a mixed of religion and other social institutions. When a woman is suppressed by the custom, the act is being prejudiced and the reason put forward is mostly on the man's fate. In other words, her breaking of the defined tradition will lead to the husband's ill luck. Most societies do have unexplained customs which they 'valued', but the surprising factor in our case is that, there is no vice versa. Objectively speaking, for good or for bad, if a tradition is maintained, it should be applied to all, irrespective of sex. The gender inequality has been perpetuated by manipulating it on religion. One reform can be thought by bringing a consensus on a religion-culture dichotomy and inculcate the public on the agreed consensus. For example, mopping the floor should be custom and praying is religion. Even the ways of praying can be custom. Similarly, when the emancipation is achieved from various other religious-cultural practices, the reform in custom will be relatively easier as it will be free from 'fundamental' aspects.
God is one and all the religions are His manifestations. No religion will teach discrimination but justice. A taboo should be free from religion. The Truth is obscured, when religion is mixed with taboo. In meitei mythology, the Goddess “Panthoibi” signifies the high status of women in the society. The name says: “Pan”- taibangpan (universe), “thoi”- athoibi (winner), “bi/pi”- pokpi (gives birth). In the test of time, an opposite turn had occurred somewhere and women were left behind. Historically, the “Nupilan”, the “Ema Market”, the “Meira paibi” etc do say a lot on woman's participation on public affairs, but that's only political. The social and cultural aspects are still in stone age.
The projection of female as a flower, the association of she with red/pink color, their coolness character as that of moon; all leads to a child girl's cognitive construct that she should be shy in nature, be submissive, etc and on the other-hand; boys are taught to be outspoken, be smart, be brave, be a risk-taker etc. As these basic differences has been taught since a child is born, it is not surprising to see that it is mostly the women who have maintained domestic gender inequality. Mother's love to father and sons for their well being, sister's love to brothers and father, wife's love to husband etc which is above all, the most beautiful human nature. But the love is adulterated with superstitions and the whole discussion of this article is the manifestations of this adulteration. We should try a totally different means to capture and continue this root emotion, the love.
Chauvinism is culturally inhibited amongst men. Some people tease their friends as adha-mora, which nearest meaning would be an unholy moron. Such words can be heard, when the society feels that a man is living under the whims of his wife. Such prejudice, in most cases, later came out to be a gender neutral family. Among men, outside their family, they will make mockery of females as fools, hang out to nearby pan-dukan and woo woman shopkeepers surreptitiously. The shopkeepers, in order to sell a cigarette extra, would somehow accept the gestures. Aware of these facts and to avoid unwanted situations, usually her husband or mother-in-law accompanies her from a distance. They also try to introduce themselves impressively, real or fact, to her. They seldom accept returned changes/coins when the cigarette bill is paid to a beautiful shopkeeper. The mentioned situation is much uglier in traditional wine vendors, mostly in tribal community, when these people go there to booze.
I'm not a total reformist nor do I claimed that our history has been full of taboo. Rather, I would like to cause to take up a difficult task of segregating the good tradition and preserving it and at the same time reform certain taboos and outdated customs, modernizing them, so that the rich culture is preserved at its best as 'social dynamics' rolls by. Every meitei men and women will be happier of their culture.
How much important is education to student?
Published at http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/sangai-express-news.php?newsid=5737 and http://www.thesangaiexpress.com/sangai-express-news.php?newsid=5763
There is an ancient Chinese saying, “If you plan for one year, plant rice. If you plan for ten
years, plant trees. If you plan for 100 years, educate mankind.” I am also with the view that all human beings are born equal and it is not the hereditary but the education that classifies an individual. Therefore, it is essential to be scientific as well as objective in the approach on how we walk on the road to education. I would like this article to target especially the XII th Class student who recently cleared the examination and opting for graduation. However, it is equally an important moral vision to all the students and their parents.
A sound career view to the students:
For a student, it is very important to thoroughly analyse the career path ahead of you and that, you decide wisely which subject to pursue. One should be aware that the direction is more important than speed. In other words, a student should not go for engineering degree, deluding by the progressive software jobs in India or by any other exiting opportunity, if he is weak in science subjects or if he can excel more in a humanity subjects. You should not be caught in the web of getting typecasted thereby following a path in which you are being told or strongly suggested. The final decision should be yours to choose the career path. By talking a simple analogy you will be able to sense it. We might not have known who Mary Kom is, had she been a Chess player or that she pursued any other conventional line of study. Twelfth class pass is considered one of the most crucial time in formulating your career path and as a general rule, one faces hurdles exponentially with time. The later he opt for a different career path, the bigger challenges he has to face. Twelfth class pass is the demarcating time-line between sharpening your dreams and starting to implement for its achievement. Now all your future fantasies are halted, you closed your eyes and you really started to work in full rigour on achieving it. You gain self-motivation when you find a ray of hope to reach there. These struggling days, you will never forget in your life; rather it will behave as a moral booster to attain more heights in the later days of your life.
A social view to the students:
You are the future pillar to the society and it’s welfare depends on the student to a very great extend. A society is nourished when the number of educated students increase and join hands together in action for a common cause, a better tomorrow. It is kept at it’s best by segregating the elements of society, then rationally modernizing those elements that need reformation and at the same time, reviving those wise elements that are gradually deteriorated. This will help a society to grow economically, socially and even legally and politically. This will preserve it’s deserving root identity. In short I would like to state, Modern and Tradition in equilibrium. The younger generation will be able to follow you with inspiration in contributing towards a better society and in building their own sound individual outlook. Under a formal legislation, your fundamental rights can be claim, if they are violated by any unwanted element. You will be able to appreciate the advantage of being a son of this soil, abide by the law of land. At the same time, you will be able to judge the use of forces by the state authority, it's legitimate dues and it's remedy. "The pen is mightier than the sword - Edward Bulwer-Lytton”. An enlighten soul will be able to disseminate his profound thought in his surrounding, near or far. It will enlighten the rest and makes all a conscious being. I am sure a good educated student like you will not use this weapon on evil things.
A personality view to the students:
The attitudinal, emotional and behavioral attributes of an individual defines his outlook. Your personality will be exemplified by your social status. Your social status will come from the work you do. The work will be attributed by the nature of the job, the amount of service rendered by you to the society, the earning of your job etc. In a nutshell, a good personality has to be molded out from you by you for you. You will then be proud of yourself. People will respect you more for 'what you know' rather than 'who you know'.
A philosophical view to the students:
We all live a life, but we don't live only with the popular but primitive believe like “Survival for the fittest”, “Struggle for existence” etc propounded by Charles Darwin in biological sense and by Hebert Spencer in sociological sense. We have other dimensions beyond a simple struggling for existence. We have an aim in life, we all have a purpose. However abstract the aim may be, it makes us lift little above the primitive state of being and from other living beings. This induces us to use our cognitive faculty called 'reason' to pursue the higher ground. The progress as well as the development in life are the intended and the natural consequences of it. They are the quality and quantity respectively. The progress is your morality and the development is your personality, both with respect to the society we live in. Hence a morality is born in the community. The educated moral philosophers like you will shape up this general morality, the morality of all the people as a whole.
Dear students, I hope this message finds you in good spirit and helps you build success in the challenges ahead. Please don't hesitate to contact me for any suggestions, I will be delighted to help you in my limit. Wishing you all the best. Excel it!
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