We are all used to listening about how "Katrina" caused so much damage in New Orleans, "Dennis" in Florida etc. We are not used to hearing how Mumbai was paralysed by "Pyarr" or how people of Chennai got their water from "Vaali". Strange as it might sound cyclones in Northern Indian Ocean do have names. Actually they started naming them from mid -2004.
Naming storms is very convenient for everybody - meteorologists, government, news media and the general public. Now people in India can talk reminiscently of how "Laila" gracefully showered just before the crop season.
Just like any other ordeal in South Asia , naming cylcones cannot be done without playing politics. Cyclones in North Indian ocean are not named alphabetically as in the Atlantic ocean. Eight countries (Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Srilanka and Thailand) each contribute names for cyclones. The nations are then arranged in an alphabetical order. The cylones are then sequentially named according the names given by these nations.
For a list of cyclone names click here
This form of naming is not unique to Northern Indian Ocean. The Western Atlantic cyclones use the same method for naming cyclones. Why can't keep it simple by naming them according to English alphabetical order.
Sunday, December 11, 2005
Monday, October 03, 2005
Dress Code- A suppression of expession
This post is about a recent rule brought about in my alma mater- Anna University. A new vice-chancellor took over recently, and he has decided to impose some of his perceptions of propriety on 50,000 students all over Tamil Nadu. To quote the directive from Anna University website:
"The dress code states that students should not wear jeans, t-shirts, skirts or sleeveless and tight-fitting outfits and enjoins them to dress conservatively."
Chennai has always been a conservative city, but it generally avoids contoversies. Such imposition of "Indian culture" is usually restricted to the likes of Siva Sena and VHP in the north. So it really surprised me to hear about this happening at my own backyard.
To quote the VC's comments on the rule:
"We are only trying to ensure that students dress decently and modestly, in a way that befits our culture. A dress code will also pre-empt harassment of women students,"
Sorry sir.. I differ on your arguements. I do not accept your interpretation of "Indian Culture"
Traditional Indian attire for women used to be two-piece which exposed much of the upper body. Women in ancient Indian society were much more emancipated when compared to women in the modern Indian society. Somewhere down the line in history, the rights of women diminished and the dress they were required to wear increased.
Dont mistake me.. I dont say all girls should start wearing two piece. Dress in whatever you feel comfortable in...
Dress is a form of expression. You feel good when you dress good. It is a way of stating your attitude and character; a way of expressing creativity. In the modern society Jeans and T-shirts have become symbols of youthfulness and confidence. Any move to ban them is retrograde and antidiluvian.
As for short skirts, low hip jeans, short tops, etc... These are symbols of culture change. They are not yet totally accepted by the Indian middle class society. The college is a place where much of the cultural change happens. Dont try to control the change, because you cannot.
Ok now for the second argument: Girls who wear "modern" clothes are more susceptible to harrassment.
I do not accept or deny this. You need to perform a scientific survey to determine it. Like I already said, such clothes have become symbols of confidence. My hypothesis is that girls who wear modern dresses handle harrassment in a bolder way than girls who dont. From my experience, most harassers steer clear of girls who are not intimidated. The solution to harrassment of women comes by empowering them, not restricting them.
Finally to prevent more criticism from women organizations, the vice-chancellor has said even boys will be banned from wearing jeans and t-shirts. They should be dressed in formal shirts and pants. I dont understand why if certain type of western clothes are acceptable, certain others are not.
"The dress code states that students should not wear jeans, t-shirts, skirts or sleeveless and tight-fitting outfits and enjoins them to dress conservatively."
Chennai has always been a conservative city, but it generally avoids contoversies. Such imposition of "Indian culture" is usually restricted to the likes of Siva Sena and VHP in the north. So it really surprised me to hear about this happening at my own backyard.
To quote the VC's comments on the rule:
"We are only trying to ensure that students dress decently and modestly, in a way that befits our culture. A dress code will also pre-empt harassment of women students,"
Sorry sir.. I differ on your arguements. I do not accept your interpretation of "Indian Culture"
Traditional Indian attire for women used to be two-piece which exposed much of the upper body. Women in ancient Indian society were much more emancipated when compared to women in the modern Indian society. Somewhere down the line in history, the rights of women diminished and the dress they were required to wear increased.
Dont mistake me.. I dont say all girls should start wearing two piece. Dress in whatever you feel comfortable in...
Dress is a form of expression. You feel good when you dress good. It is a way of stating your attitude and character; a way of expressing creativity. In the modern society Jeans and T-shirts have become symbols of youthfulness and confidence. Any move to ban them is retrograde and antidiluvian.
As for short skirts, low hip jeans, short tops, etc... These are symbols of culture change. They are not yet totally accepted by the Indian middle class society. The college is a place where much of the cultural change happens. Dont try to control the change, because you cannot.
Ok now for the second argument: Girls who wear "modern" clothes are more susceptible to harrassment.
I do not accept or deny this. You need to perform a scientific survey to determine it. Like I already said, such clothes have become symbols of confidence. My hypothesis is that girls who wear modern dresses handle harrassment in a bolder way than girls who dont. From my experience, most harassers steer clear of girls who are not intimidated. The solution to harrassment of women comes by empowering them, not restricting them.
Finally to prevent more criticism from women organizations, the vice-chancellor has said even boys will be banned from wearing jeans and t-shirts. They should be dressed in formal shirts and pants. I dont understand why if certain type of western clothes are acceptable, certain others are not.
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