Posts

Narakasura - The end - Part 2

Image
  Narahasura – The end Naraka the son of Lord Narayana and Bhudevi had moved from being a warrior with some divine blessings to an asura who was misusing his power and strength to kill dharma. His friendship with others of the adharmic kind like King Kamsa and Banasura made his arrogance and atrocities worse. His kingdom Pragjyotisha was fertile and prosperous due to the presence of Devi Kamakkhya. Despite his atrocities, he was powerful due to the blessings from his parents and the presence of the Devi. The doings of Naraka earned him the name of Narakasura. During this period, Sage Vasishta used to reside in the Nilanchal hills of that region. He once visited the Kamakhya temple and wanted to take the darshan of the Devi. Narakasura’s powerful ministers prevented the sage from entering the kingdom. Angered at this disrespect the Sage cursed Narakasura that Devi Kamakhya will vanish from his kingdom and his death will soon occur in the hands of his mother. (The local folklore in
Post a Comment
Read more

Narahasura - The Beginning - Part 1

Image
  Narahasura – The beginning   It was the Krita Yuga. There was complete silence in the Brahmand. The various worlds were distressed as the balance was upset. Why? Because Mother Earth or Bhudevi was held captive in the primordial ocean There were no yagnas on earth. The regular pujas and sacrifices had stopped. There were no seasonal cycles. The Devas together prayed to Lord Vishnu for deliverance. Vishnu took pity on the plight of the inhabitants of the various worlds. In order to save his beloved, Bhudevi, he took the form of a giant boar. The boar looked huge and majestic and its roar made all the worlds tremble. The Devas rushed to pay their respects to the majestic boar and sang its praises. The boar jumped into the primordial ocean liquid and went   straight he to the bottom of the ocean. He looked around the murky liquid for his Bhudevi. After searching for a long time, he finally found her in a cave under the water. The cave was guarded by the dreaded Hiranyakshasa. Hi
Post a Comment
Read more

#Shakthi series- Jaswantiben Jamnadas Popat

Image
  Shakthis Who Shaped our Society #9 Jaswantiben Jamnadas Popat – An entrepreneur   It was a hot humid afternoon in 1959 in Mumbai. A large joint fam lived in a small apartent. The men were doing work but the women wanted to do something to supplement the income in order to improve their lot. They tried to get some employment but did not get any as they were not educated. Suddenly Jaswanti said “Why work for someone? Let us give ourselves jobs.” Jaswanti with six of her sisters decided to roll out papads and sell them. They made a few packets of the papad that were sold almost immediately. Their original investment was Rs.80 borrowed from a social worker. Opportunity and the desire to beat poverty was the one thing that was common among these women and many others in that area. The number of women who wanted to participate in this enterprise had already grown in few months. They had one problem though – the long and intense monsoons of Mumbai that made drying the papads diffi
Post a Comment
Read more

#Shakthi series - Pappamal

Image
  Introduction In the lush landscapes of Tamil Nadu, where agriculture plays a pivotal role in the economy and culture, organic farming is gaining momentum as a sustainable alternative to conventional practices. One notable figure in this movement is Pappamal, an inspiring organic farmer whose dedication and innovation have made significant contributions to sustainable agriculture in the region. This essay explores her journey, methods, challenges, and the broader impact of her work. Early Life and Background Pappamal hails from a traditional farming family in Tamil Nadu. Growing up amidst the verdant fields, she developed a deep appreciation for agriculture and the land. However, like many farmers, she witnessed the adverse effects of chemical farming practices on the environment, health, and soil quality. This realization prompted her to seek a more sustainable approach to farming. Embracing Sustainable Practices Pappamal's transition to organic farming began with exten
Post a Comment
Read more

#Shakthi series - Kittur Rani Chennamma

Image
  Kittur Rani Chennamma Her husband, king Mallasarja Desai was dead. His only son had also passed away. The heir to the throne was a minor and an adopted son as well. The colonial powers were greedily waiting to snatch the small but prosperous kingdom. Anyone would have just crumbled in such a dire situation. But Kittur Rani Chennamma was made of sterner stuff. The first armed rebellion against British forces Exactly 200 years ago…October 1824- The Battle of Kittur led by Rani Chennamma saw the death of Thackeray, East India Company’s political agent and hundreds of British soldiers. A woman regent was able to successfully foil the attempts of the British to capture the realm.   Born Achiever The spark was seen right from the beginning in Chennamma. Born in the small village of Kakati in Belagavi district of Karnataka, in 1778, Chennamma was known for her bravery even at an early age. She was trained in horse riding, sword fighting and archery. From Kakati native to Kittur
Post a Comment
Read more

#Shakthi series - Savitribai Phule

Image
  Shakthis Who Shaped our Society #5 Savithribai Phule – The mother of the abandoned (1831-1897) The small girls were running around during their school break. A middle aged lady was looking at the children with a contented smile. This was a not a scene in a school in the 21st century. It was a scene at a school in the late 1800s Savthirbai Phule – the protector of women in children was a phenomenon in Maharastra in the late 19 th century. Savithribai Phule was happy to see her children in their element. Heralded as the mother of Indian feminism, Savitribai Phule spent her life in the service of poor and downtrodden. Her work in the education and upliftment of women and widows was particularly notable especially she lived in a conservative society. Savitribai Phule was a trailblazer in providing education for girls and for ostracized portions of society. She became the first female teacher in India (1848) and opened a school for girls with her husband, Jyotirao Phule. Savitr
Post a Comment
Read more

#Shakthi series - Salamurada Thimakka

Image
  Introduction The banyans looked at each other and shook their branches in happiness. They saw their mother walking under their shad to visit one of their younger brothers. The lady, aged but happy and content was looking around the tree laden area with contentment and happiness. Meet Salumarada Thimakka. Salumarada Thimakka, often referred to as the “Tree Lady” of India, is a remarkable environmentalist known for her extraordinary dedication to afforestation and conservation. Born in 1910 in the state of Karnataka, Thimakka has become a symbol of perseverance and commitment to the environment, inspiring many with her selfless work. Her life story highlights the importance of grassroots activism in combating deforestation and climate change. Early Life and Struggles Thimakka was born into a humble family in a rural village. From a young age, she faced the challenges of poverty and limited access to education. However, these difficulties did not deter her spirit. After marrying
Post a Comment
Read more