Shrink not children's space

 

Courtesy 

"There are children everywhere but not childhood “ , a saying I  come upon reading an article , and how real it is. In our neighborhood there is a family, the only male member of it  has gone abroad and his wife is a teacher in a nearby school.They have got two daughters aged 7 and 5. Her sister a college professor  is residing adjacent to our place along with her husband , a businessman and daughter 3 years old.

Since all go to their work and the granny takes care of the kids when they return from the school in the evening.They take rest or play after taking milk and snacks. They may sometimes do the homework or spend time enjoying a cartoon on the TV.

They always need to play and fun is part of their growth. But the reality is that they don't get the space  and it results in many a psychological and emotional problem.

  Once Children's mother narrated an incident to me which  opened her eyes in respect of her concern for the children. 

One day  she took permission and returned home early. In her house, one room supposed to be a storeroom is kept locked always.When she asked about the children her mother   replied that they went out to play with other children in the garden. She wanted to check the mail from his hubby and She turned the key in the lock  and opened the door of the store room wherein a laptop was kept. 

To her astonishment she found her daughters and her sister's daughter sitting in the corner   looking  at the screen of the laptop   and the room was dark.Actually, the room was kept locked always but  her mother  opened it and forgot  to close it. When the children came in the room it was ajar they entered into the room and decided to spend some time with the laptop which their grandma did   not notice  and locked it without their knowledge.

Immediately their mother  shouted and asked the children  to shut down the laptop and come out of  the room. 

She asked me, “Uncle I feel very bad about this, and I don't know   how to solve it.” 

I have explained to her about the significance of  golden hours of children especially in the evening when they return from the school they should be taken care of nicely and they should be provided with  SPACE they require for their well being and growth physically and mentally.

I asked her”Why do you allow children to access laptop?’

She replied,” Out of necessity. I have instructed my elder daughter to learn the basics so that she can attend her father's  mails and sometime she would call him  through SKYPE in the event of an emergency. “

I said, “OK. But this is not the age to leave the kids to operate it independently without the supervision of an adult member. Like fire Internet also to be treated with care otherwise we have to face unnecessary  problems"

.I continued," We cannot blame your mother, she would forget things  due to old age and not aware of the problems associated with laptop and Internet. Even they play games through it they become addictive and their academic progress is affected"

I  suggested, “you make out a password to open the Laptop and never disclose it to  your children till they attain a particular age they should not be allowed to handle laptop without your monitoring their activities. You can also tell your hubby to contact you over the phone if there is an emergency.See that the laptop is  kept not within the reach of the children. You can arrange tuition for them so that they spend time with purpose."

She has taken my advice and I hope she would go by it for the sake of their children.

‘This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers  by BlogAdda

REVIEW OF THE ALL SEEING DIGITAL EYES

 

 

No of pages:  173

Published by: Self

Published on:  September 20th 2018

Genre: Non fiction Self help  Internet Digital security

ISBN

1720184135 (ISBN13: 9781720184133)

Booklinks :Goodreads    Amazon 

Author's links: Goodreads   Amazon           

                             

My take 

An amazing and timely relevant book. The title has got my attention and I have requested the author for a copy of the book. I thank the author for having sent me the book in PDF form. As the title suggests the book deals with the eyes that are observing our digital journey when our eyes are glued to the smart phone or laptop screen.

WHEN we are active in the cyber realm, there are so many persons watching our activities and there is all the possibility of manipulation, abuse or misuse  by some of them. Our negligence and  overindulgence in the social media and Internet related platforms may lead us to mishaps or loss affecting us physically and mentally.

We have to develop  a critical thinking attitude which idea is highlighted in this book.Also, parents should take some precautionary measures so that their teen aged children don’t fall prey to their own mistakes and blunders by giving all the personal details.  

The All Seeing Digital Eyes by Neville J Kattakayam is a tremendous book for all netizens and others who want to learn about the digital arena.

Social media, Internet and the use of smart phones have become an essential and integrated part of our lives.

 They have become lifetime companion for our young people as well as others .On reading this book you fathom the nature and vulnerability  of the cyber world and you would be able to safeguard yourself from unwanted threats. Your reckless navigations on the online world should   not land you in any sort of trouble.  . 

The author has crafted an excellent resource for all netizens and the knowledge  he imparts would stay with you to prevent you from becoming victims to perpetrators of cyber world and ensure your digital wellbeing .

The author advises us to be careful and cautious about the ill effects that can be avoided if we act with care. He narrates   many dangers, pitfalls, and risks which we may encounter due to our surfing  sans prudence. 

Using a liberal dose of anecdotes, examples of real-life experiences that we can relate to, the author warns us to be aware of loss due to the wrong choices. We should become tech-savvy enough to have a safe online trajectory.

The book is written in first Person and the writing style is easy to follow. The technical jargon may see to be alien to readers but the language used is simple to make any layman understand what the author wants to tell.

The plan

The nuggets of knowledge would be useful to you in your personal life when you go through the virtual world.

There are three parts titles being 1. Technology stack 2 .Threats to you while the online and 3.Take control.

From the Internet, the book discusses all the subjects like Trolling, Doxing,Bullying hacking etc. The book covers DarkNet also .It warns about the Home Wi-Fi a sweet spot that cyber criminals could try to attack  targeting you.

There are tips for you and parents on various prevetive measures. The author has written this book with a idea to enlighten his daughter and hence the book may seem to target parents with teen age children and all should read this book to get awareness about  the internet and it's dangers.

Top 3 tips for safe online journey.

Create an Avatar -which represents the real you, but do not directly link up to you

If it is for free , then YOU are the Product

Explain to your children abut Stranger Danger and the dangers of radicalization early on .

There are spelling mistakes and the book needs some more editing . Language is good and it could be better.

There are totally  19 chapter

My favorite are

We are Data

Revenge porn

Your online persona

Overall this intresting and informative  book has come at this contemporary atmosphere   when there are so many issues,  problems and sufferings come into light owing to the lack of  proper knowledge of Internet and digital world .

A quick and must read by all who work on line and off line,  so as to make a safer and secure  journey in the cyber realm.

My score 4/5

Disclaimer. I have received a free PDF copy of the above book in exchange of my honest and unbiased review .I have not received any Monetary compensation for the same.

Author photo taken from Good reads 

Fun is playful

If we treat our life as a game, there would be a lot of fun. If we observe children playing we can see them to have their own rules and regulations which  in no time they formulate. We  look at children playing with paper boats when it rains and when their boats sink in the water running in the street  they clap and laugh.

They fight for the same toy. Their playfulness astonish  us and they are mischievous enough to make us guffaw.Child cries for toys and man dies for rewards.

When we grow up we lose our original childhood mentality ,we miss the track and become serious about our life. Only a few of us are capable of taking their childish attitude even though they have reached a stage of adulthood.     

In our office ,there was a  staff member who got the inclination to crack jokes and we used to laugh along with him.When you play antics with  others you have to be careful about how far you can go as it may result in awkward situations and lead to unpleasant consequences if the persons at the recieving end don't take it sportive.

Some might say it is wrong to make fun of others as this may lead to misunderstanding and the person who is made fun of may feel hurt. Hence it is always better to be fun to a limited extent and at tolletance level. 

Let us call my buddy T who is able to create pranks to make others laugh and have a pleasant time.

In our office, we got an adding machine and there would be paper roll thrown here and there. Some wasted paper would be lying there.  T took one long  piece ,with a safety pin he tied it  to the   the back side of the pant  of the person without his knowledge who got engrossed in his work. It would  look like a tail of a monkey.   When he got up and walked we all noticed it and burst into laughter. He would walk like a king. Only after coming to see the paper roll attached to his backside he   tried to beat our T as he knew he was the person to indulge in such sort of antics. 

 We got an intercom service and our T called another staff. He told him he got a training programme at a distant place in the coming month. He changed his tone  and told him in an authoritative manner. The staff  believed it and called for the railway agent to book the ticket Later on we suggested him to check up with HR official and he came to know how he was fooled off.  

We used to have a dinner party now and then among ourselves on the occasion of any celebration. Usually, it would be our personal get together and it would be confined to our own members.

 Once our T arranged a party. We were not given the full details.

 Having assembled in the hall we were introduced to the new couple.  The couple, we meant the person who served us tea in the morning and evening  and his wife who got married recently.He prepared tea and coffee in his house and brought to the office. He was not an employee like us but he was associated with us for a long time and he became so close to be called a family member. He was a a nice person and we were all very much friendly with him. Actually, when he entered our office someone would be shouting "Hot water arrives" mocking at the quality of tea . With smiling face he would take it in jovial mood.

The party was arranged by our T and he offered us snacks and tea. We collected an amount and gave him a gift.He and his wife felt very happy. Their parents also came . A  few drops  of tears could be seen in his eyes as he was overwhelmed by our gesture of love and affection. 

T who could make fun of others has got a golden heart  to make others happy by sharing our joy .

Some might say that it is wrong to lose our seriousness in our lives and not to be playful but it is right to make fun of ourselves,our mistakes shortcomings and failures and move on.. These memories bring us joy and cheerfulness.

Not only we have to upgrade our fun quotient but also update it to sail through storms with easy and smooth  sailing as life has got it's own ups and downs.A little fun now and then here and there would give a great soothing effect in our otherwise demanding and stressful life. 

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda

Review of VASEEGARA NADU

No of pages :   416

Published by :Notion press

Published on :October 15 th 2018

Book links : Goodreads   Amazon 

  

Author's links :  Goodreads  Amazon 

Genre : YA Fantasy Political thriller 

 My take

 After having read, an IT professional- turned author Samura's previous books namely Silconpururm and Semmari   he has become my favorite author. 

My sincere thanks to him for having sent me a free review copy of Vaseegara Nadu .which is a fitting tribute to DR. A P J Abdul Kalam.

First few pages of Vaseegara Nadu have slowed my reading as a lot of descriptions have gone into covering the details of backdrop of  sea and the land nearer to the sea and also a new race of people living in the natural surroundings. Afterward, I quicken the pace as the story unfolds with subplots like  layer after layer in an amazing gait..

I am overwhelmed by the raw, deeply creative and dark story of valour, revenge, loyalty friendship, enmity, violence, deceitfulness ,battles, and defeats. that would blow you away.

This mind-blowing novel is a mix of fantasy and fairy tale with a realistic feel. It is amazingly gritty, savage and heroic fantasy novel that gives all the thrill and excitement. The beautiful story in the harsh imaginative setting has got a sure edge to hook the readers.

The Plot.

This lengthy 416 pages book carries 25 chapters each has got a caption.Its a story of a greediness of a tyrant king of one nation to  capture another kingdom.

The story begins with Koran a ruthless pirate saving a child abandoned by his parents. He christens him Vadumaran. He grows along with his biological son Porimudi. Once they go to the river all alone and Porimudi is caught by a bird Purasura.He has lost his left eye and left leg.

Porimudi reads a lot and learns to guide Vadumaran in several war strategies. In the meantime, they lose their parents. They capture Koranadu with the help of pirates and rule the country.They always try to go for war with  other countries. Vadumaran marries Udayavarasi and they have got a son namely Eladheeran.

Deivasenar a learned guru teaches youngsters all the training for fighting. Vadumaran sends his son Elamaran for learning the skills. Senganal is the only son of Deivasenar.

In the meantime, Vadumaran comes to know about Vaseegara Nadu and decides to fight for the same. 

What is the beauty and greatness  of Vaseegara Nadu? whether Vadumaran succeeds in his endeavors? How they are powered to fight with the opponent? What are the special powers used by the soldiers of Vaseegara Nadu?

So many questions arise and you have to read the book for the answers.

The Pro

The title Vaseegara Nadu and the Subtitle Kanporai Cavarum are eye-catching and the beguiling cover with the images of the two  warriors on the background of the fort is alluring.

The simple  and neat language , writing are good and the narrative prose is the sure page-turner. Once I start to read the book pages fly. The political drama with all the twists and turns includes all the vibes, sentiments and feelings.

The extraordinary power of MCs by taking the form of an animal mainly Crab and Tortoise is depicted with dexterity and prudence..Not only children but also adults would enjoy the tale. Especially the fighting scenes where the warriors change their power is shown in a grand manner. The author has done a great job on this facet.

The fast-paced novel leaves you so engaging to it you won't find a place where it drags. When the knots are unfurled you would feel how intriguing and interesting they are.  As a fantasy writer, the author has lived in the realm of imagination to weave a magical story. The scientific and technical adventures at the time of war would  astound you. Its a story sans boring elements with memorable characters and a riveting plot.

The creativity the evocative language and the quick change of scenes are the reason to experience a benign read. The characters so etched out nicely .you like a guy for all his wit and wisdom, but he dies by the attack of a prudent foe. The gory, bloody with a great deal of realism fights in the arena remind you those fought in the battlefield with ferocity and unexpected finish.

The author has tackled the nitty-gritty of creating a fantasy world of new races with magical powers.The largest world of imagination with a complex sense.The destiny of one affects other's trajectory leading to the movement of the story with all the terror and horror.

Also the Eco-freindly attitude of the author reflects in all the scenes highlighting the natural resources and the love for animals.
My favorite

I like the following chapters

1. Vaseegara Nadu

2.Ethirani

3. Karpour

Characterwise I admire both Senganal and Aravika. I like the way the guru trains his students and the competitions they face would astonish. The unethical methods of Vadumaran and Porimudi  make me hate them. Among the supportive characters I like Deivasenar ,Gnani  and Kavarathevan.

So many wise messages are sprinkled throughout the book.The succinct blurb gives an account of the nice story  The font , paper quality and the printing are so good ,it makes the reading easy.

What I feel

How on the battlefield the soldiers belonging to the Kora Nadu can fight and simultaneously dig pits to conceal themselves in the night without the notice of the opponents?  

A map would be a fitting addition and the drawings in color would be a great attraction.

My verdict.

Definitely, the book is great on the entertainment quotient and it would  give a great read for fans of fantasy novel belong to all generations. The author has put in all the efforts utilizing his scientific and technical knowledge to include so many ideas and informations to engage us through the novel. This is one of the rarest of the rare book in Tamil in fantasy genre it would engage children, youth and elders as there are many thrillers and romance I novels.

The concept is executed so nicely to give an edge of the script for a movie.

A must read by fantasy fans and others also would enjoy the novel.

Don't wait.Grab the copy from the above link and pamper yourself with a treat of fantasy. 

My Score : 5/5

Disclaimer: I have received  the free copy of this book from the author in exchange of my honest and unbiased review and I have not received any monetary  compensation for the same.

COLLECTIVE CELEBRATION CONJURES UP CONTENTMENT

What if we celebrate every moment, won't you think our  life would be a great blessing? The hustle and bustle in the day to day routine matters take a lot of toll we forget to go by the here and now principle. Festivity comes with the joy of feasting and partying. Once the festival season starts our family would be abuzz with festive spirit and the zeal would be there till the end. Festivals are there to make us realize the beauty of our life and instigates us to flaunt our appreciation of the same. We indulge in all sort of preparations to make the celebration a grand success.

In this busy and stressful world in the technology connectivity era, we forget to emotionally connect with others. Emotional malnutrition spoils our relationships and they become strained giving all the stress and tension. Festivals act  like speed breakers and we are forced to take them seriously to rebuild our social life and rediscover it.

The collective celebration gives an opportunity to mingle with others and our happiness would be increased manifold and the impact would be everlasting.

What if we empathize with the children in an orphanage and celebrate with them, is it not true such a celebration would make not only the children happy we also feel the same way? My daughter suggested on a particular festival day that we would celebrate the same with the children staying in  an orphanage. We took it in right spirit and looked for an orphanage nearby  I contacted the person who is in charge of the same .

Among the children,some are abandoned by unwed mothers and some have lost their parents to accidents. Some are differently abled. There is no one to take care of them and they depend on those who run the center. They also long for love and affection which they miss at their precious childhood days . They need a good diet and moral  support. They are to be assured of safety and security. They should also get guidance to avoid any trouble and mishap.

 First of all, I arranged new dresses for the inmates nearly 50 children aged 3- 10. On that day we went there along  with some of our relatives and friends. In the morning we got introduced to  the staff and the children. First, there was a game session where the children participated and we gave prizes to them. Then there was a grand lunch arranged for all and we served to the children. Again in the afternoon, we got an outing to a nearby park, After play , in the evening and at  the night we got a cultural programme.

After spending the day with the children we returned to our home with contentment and happiness.  The children and the staff they thanked us .We also felt that we would  miss them. 

After festive furore, we may feel exhausted due to overindulgence of feasting etc. But this collective celebration conjures up bliss giving all the freshness and mindfulness. 

We plan to  visit such orphanages once in while to  celebrate with the children and share our happiness.

WE CAN MAKE EVERY CELEBRATION UNIQUE AND UNMEMORABLE BY INDULGING IN A SMALL CHARITABLE  ACTION  AND CREATE A GREAT IMPACT IN OTHERS' LIFE  

‘This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.’