Window Seat | Mrinal Chatterjee | 20.9.2020
Butterflies
Butterflies conjure up
images of sunshine, the warmth and colour of flowery meadows, and spring
gardens teaming with life. There are many references to butterflies
in literature, from the puranas to the Bible through Shakespeare to modern day
literature, and from poetry to musical lyrics. These colourful tiny creatures have
been around for at least 50 million years and probably first evolved some 150
million years ago.
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| Photo: BN Neelima |
Butterflies
(and moths to a lesser extent) have immense scientific value. They are an
extremely important group of ‘model’ organisms used, for centuries, to
investigate many areas of biological research, including such diverse fields as
navigation, pest control, embryology, mimicry, evolution, genetics, population
dynamics and biodiversity conservation.
Butterflies
have ecosystem value. These delicate
creatures help in determining the health of the environment. Areas rich in butterflies and moths are
rich in other invertebrates. These collectively provide a wide range of
environmental benefits, including pollination and natural pest control.
Moths
and butterflies are an important element of the food chain and are prey for
birds, bats and other insectivorous animals.
Therefore, they need to be protected, more so as they are facing habitat loss with the march of urbanization and deforestation.
Over 30 organisations in India, working in the
field of biodiversity conservation, came together to host a national event
named ‘Big Butterfly Month: India 2020’ on various aspects related to
butterflies. It began on September 5 and will continue till September 20.
Various activities like online workshops on butterflies, photography and
videography contests and butterfly count were held. Goa- based Foundation for
Environment Research and Conservation (FERC), co-ordinated the programme.
(Photo: BN Neelima, Tirupati)
Woman of substance
As Kangana Ranawat, Rhea Chakrabarty and of late Jaya Bachhan hog the headlines and prime-time television space and everybody and their uncle and aunty are discussing about them, as the social media is jammed with stand with one of the above mentioned three ladies- I came across the story of Muthulakshmi, who deserves to be known widely.
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| Muthulakshmi Reddy |
Muthulakshmi Reddy was born in 1886 in the princely state of Pudukottai in the Madras presidency (now Tamil Nadu). Her father was Narayanswami Iyer. Her mother was a Devadasi who were women who were ostensibly “dedicated” to temple deities tasked with passing on the baton of the art of dance to the next generation. The grim reality was different. They were often subjected to exploitation and were considered prostitutes by the British government. It was actually worse than prostitution- no one chose to be a devadasi. The prepubescent girl was initiated into the system by a religious ceremony which ensured her permanent status as a concubine. She would have a male patron, but no rights to his surname or inheritance. Devadasis needn’t marry and were called, “Nityasumangali” - meaning immune to widowhood. It was a crass euphemism - after all, you can’t become a widow if you aren’t married.
Luckily
for Muthulakshmi, her father was an academician and a school principal. He gave
her the power of education. The class in which she studied had 40 boys and 3
girls - separated by a screen. Even then the parents of the boys objected,
fearing their “innocent” sons would be ensnared by a prepubescent femme fatale.
This may sound absurd, but this was a common trope in those days. One of the
teachers resigned in protest. But her father stood with her and provided her a
plank.
After attaining puberty, she was home schooled, as was the tradition in those days. She wanted to change not just her destiny, but also those of others. She asked the Maharaja of Pudukottai for funds to study medicine. The stunned Maharaja gave her a princely sum of Rs.150 which was the much needed escape velocity that changed her trajectory.
She became the first woman to enter Madras medical college. She was studious and bagged several medals. When she wanted to take obstetrics and become a surgeon, the professors were shocked. Surgery with its blood and gore, was considered a man thing then. Nevertheless, with characteristic persistence, she became an obstetrician. She started catering to the elite professionals first. However, a turning point happened soon.
Her
sister developed rectal cancer and eventually died. Back then, cancer wasn’t
known to the public as the emperor of maladies. Those who were unlucky enough
to get it were considered doomed. No one wanted to spend on a lost cause. So Dr
Muthulakshmi took it upon herself to go to the UK and trained in Royal Marsden
hospital to manage cancer patients. She had a rare combination of strong roots
and powerful wings. She came back to Madras, but faced painful apathy about
cancer.
She
turned to Women’s India Association - which helped fund, the first cancer
hospital in Madras - the Adyar cancer institute.
One
day, three girls from Namakkal ran away from the Devadasi system and asked her
, “Now what will happen of us? Where will we stay?”. She realized the dire
problem and set about the long journey that would culminate in their
emancipation.
She
sheltered them, but not just them. She started the Avvai home. She met Sarojini
Naidu and became a nationalist.
Realizing
the importance of political power, she went on to become the first woman to
join the legislative council in British India. She was also the first woman in
the world, to become the deputy President of a legislative council.
She
met and married Sundara Reddy, with the condition that they will be equals.
Dr Muthulakshmi Reddy, fought two battles simultaneously: first-finding land and funding for the cancer hospital; and the second-liberation of the devadasis.
The
cancer hospital, grew slowly but steadily. She asked everyone who would listen
for funds, including King George V. Today it’s a world class institute, giving
life to many. Her statue stands there, like a guardian angel of the cancer
patients.
On December 5, 1947, at long last, the Madras Presidency passed the bill preventing the dedication of young girls as devadasis.
The
laurels followed. She was awarded Padma Bhushan in 1956.
Her story is the triumph of grit over fate. It’s a reminder that we can script our own destiny, regardless of where we start. Neither social ostracism, nor the strictures of colonial India could conquer her will.
She’s the hero that our daughters need to know about.
Tailpiece: 4 benefits of Green Tea
The
richness reflects.
The cost of milk is saved
Don't even have to give biscuits
And the guests don't come again.
Tailpiece 2: Not easy to be a Teacher
Teacher: Construct
a sentence using the word "sugar''
Pupil: I drank tea
this morning.'
Teacher: 'Where is
the word sugar?
Pupil: It is
already in the tea..!!
Teacher: Our topic
for today is Photosynthesis.
Teacher: Class,
what is photosynthesis?
Student:
Photosynthesis is our topic today.
(Courtesy: Social
Media)
***
Journalist
turned media academician Mrinal Chatterjee lives in Dhenkanal, a Central Odisha
town, writes fiction and translates Urdu and Hindi poetry into Odia.
mrinalchatterjeeiimc@gmailo.com
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