Microplastic particles in water

The latest report by WHO states that almost 94% of all packaged water bottles contain micro plastic particles in them which maybe twice as high as those present in tap water. While it may not be sure what harm these particles cause to human health or to the aquatic life that consumes it, they are still a matter of concern. The biggest problem with pollution by micro plastic parts that they are too small to be seen by eyes or separated by any process. In December 2015, President Obama banned the use of plastic micro-beads in all products including body scrubs and toothpaste. The micro beads are used for exfoliating purpose but being made of plastic are non-biodegradable and form a large part of micro plastics present in water. As the plastic is building up in marine animals, humans are exposed to not as well. The toxicity of plastic wastes and their build up in the marine life is a matter of concern. So while the exact adverse affect of micro plastic particles may be unknown, in the long term, they may pose far greater problems.

Women's day

Every year we celebrate international women's day. It is good that we celebrate those women who have achieved something in the fields of science, business, sports or politics. We even talk about the empowerment of the weak and downtrodden women but in reality nothing really changes. Women are accountable for the majority of unpaid labour, they do not get equally paid for equal work, they are subjected to sexual abuse at workplace and domestic violence at home, they are more likely to dropout from school or leave job to take care of their family members. Women do not get equal opportunities for education, employment or even reproductive rights. They become child brides, often married off to their rapist. They may be harassed for dowry or abused physically, mentally or economically at home. They are subjected to body shaming or other comments. In USA, their reproductive rights are endangered, in India, harassment for dowry, in vast majority of developing countries, they do not have access to education, around the world, they are subjected to harassment. Female foeticide or the abandonment of new born girls is also uncontrollable. They walk miles to collect potable water facing hardships and dangers. Religious laws are used first to curb the freedom of women. Just celebrating women's day is not enough unless actual meaningful work is done to uplift the women. Not just the laws but their implementation is required. But more than law, a change in attitude towards girls and women in needed. Where the subject is demand for equality, just celebrating on one day is not enough. Real work, all 365 days of the year is required.

Curbing food wastage

While about 795 million or one in every nine people in the world do not have enough food to lead a healthy life, one-third of all food is wasted. In the developing nations, food is wasted at the production stage while in developed nations it is wasted at the stage of consumption. The French have passed a law in 2016 to control food wastage at the super markets. According to the law, groceries and super markets are required to donate all food new expiry date to charities. Grocery stores are banned from throwing away edible food and can be fined $4500 each time. A large amount of food is wasted at the grocery stores which throw away food which is still good but past its sell by date. The sell by dates are often confusing and are largely responsible for the food wastage at the consumption stage, as they do not indicate the state of food quality. The new law is a way of preventing food wastage at this point and can be a guide for other nations also looking for ways to control food wastage as well as combatting hunger at the same time.

Toddler tantrums

Kids love to play. Kids belong to their own world, have their carefree life where anything can be a toy and any place a playground. The internet got amused with the antics of Justin Trudeau's youngest kid but the most important thing was that he did what all kids his age love to do, they just don't care about rules and protocols. Most people with young kids have problem in public places as they are expected to keep their children under control. Whether in a flight or a public gathering, parents have a constant dread of what their child would do next. They are told to discipline their child, frowned upon or scorned if their child does not sit quietly. But you cannot expect a child to behave like a grown up. A child needs to play, to track, to question, to explore, to satisfy his curiosity. He is learning about many things. You cannot make a child sit quietly and not ask the many questions that are swarming in his head. Many a times, people forget what their kids are at young age or maybe they do not understand the different circumstances in which the children are. Parents are taunted that their kids are worse of the lot, that no other child behaved that way, but the truth is every single child behaves in just the same way. The only two times when a child is quiet are if he is unwell or he has been beaten up. A child is carefree, he jumps, he walks, he talks unmindful of where he is our who is with. That is the pure joy and innocence of childhood. That is the wonder of young age.

Postpartum depression: an overlooked tragedy

Motherhood is beautiful. Becoming a mother is an unique experience. But not everybody is prepared for the challenges that becoming a mother brings forth. The recent case of a young married woman who killed her 25 day old daughter in Delhi because the incessant crying of her baby drove her mad shook everybody. People labelled her evil and witch and everything else, demanding the strictest punishment for her. But the fact is that what she said might be what happened; the uncontrolled crying of her baby drove her mad, till she couldn't take it any more.
Postpartum depression is a very common phenomenon but sadly like most mental health issues, overlooked and neglected in the Indian society. Physical changes in the body, hormonal changes, low self esteem because of looks, lack of sleep, lack of support and help, household chores and an uncontrollable baby, there are many reasons that can drive a new mother to depression. Many a times, a new mother is completely unaware of what life would be after the baby comes and is left overwhelmed and confused. Inability to handle the child along with keeping up with the appearances, might drive her to frustration and a complete loss of balance. When I gave birth in the United States, my doctor asked me if I would like her to prescribe some medication for postpartum depression. Sadly, such is not a case in developing nations. In places like India, people tend to overlook the fact that the birth of a child may actually be a traumatic experience which may require medical help. One of the best advice that I got after delivery was to sleep whenever the baby slept. Lack of sleep because of nursing and diapering at odd hours can be a trigger towards frustration and depression in a young mother.
Postpartum depression is a reality, a fact that needs to be handled carefully. Living in nuclear family without any help or support, overburdened with work and life changing experience of giving birth can drive a mother towards depression. Having training classes during pregnancy, counselling sessions and support from family, friends and most importantly the partner can help in avoiding depression and any other mental imbalance.

Marriage and conversion

Every person has a right to marry and found a family with the person of their choice. Every person has a right to follow any religion of their liking or to not follow any religion at all. An adult woman has a right to marry a man whom she likes irrespective of his religion. If she studies about his religion and likes it enough to convert then there is nothing wrong with it. Conversion only for the purpose of marriage because of some loopholes like the permissibility of polygamy while not actually following it is not allowed but conversion for the purpose of following it and marriage being incidental to it is not wrong. No court can nullify the marriage of two consenting adults who have come together with their own free will. Mixing inter-religious marriages and conversions with human trafficking is wrong. Courts have a right to protect the victims of trafficking but they do not have a right to nullify the marriage of two adults. It is wrong to presume that every inter religious marriage is for the purpose of forced conversions. A third party interfering with the marriage of adults is not an acceptable thing.

Mandatory language in schools

Language is not just a means of communication, it embodies the culture and practices of a place and its people. It grows along with the practices of the people who speak it, evolves as their culture evolves. Language is an organic being which is very much dependent upon its speakers who are also its protectors.

The Karnataka government has recently made the teaching of Kannada language mandatory in schools. The government is also mulling over punishing those who do not follow this order by either imposing a fine of rupees two lakhs or withdrawing the recognition of such schools. This action of the government maybe a part of the vote bank politics but it is also an attempt to preserve a language from becoming endangered. At a time when majority of the spoken languages are at the verge of becoming endangered or extinct, any attempt to protect a language is not bad. The Constitution protects the linguistic minorities and gives them rights to protect their language. Any other attempt to protect and propagate a language should also be welcomed.