E-Book: Write Like A Pro
Dr. Marcia Riley's e-book 'Write Like A Pro' includes my PFS rule for the technical text. This free e-book may be downloaded from: http://bookboon.com/en/textbooks/career-job-search/write-like-a-pro

E-Content: Environmental Ethics

Borrowed Robes

I brought out a collection of my translations titled Borrowed Robes in May 2012. The online version may be read at https://www.angelfire.com/nd/nirmaldasan/robes.html

V. Mariappan's review of this book appeared in the August 2012 issue of the Journalism Online newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/journalismonline/message/150 

 

 

Book Review: Treading On Gnarled Sand

By Nirmaldasan

(nirmaldasan@hotmail.com)

-- appeared in the November 2011 issue of the Journalism Online newsletter -- 

Poetry, according to K.S. Subramanian, is a vocal representative of the trends of a period. To measure up to this task of reflecting reality, a poet may have to tread on gnarled sand where the past and the present clash revealing a very bleak future. The mythic Aswathama gives a piece of his mind and one can hear the groans of a city. One also meets with masked gunmen in a Silicon Hub that ‘flourishes in the bay of its mantra’.

But even as trends change, language changes too. In a preface to his second book of verse titled Treading on Gnarled Sand, Subramanian writes: “I have produced a reluctant ensemble of free verse and traditional meter and tried assiduously to follow the conservative track. If there are deviations they are unintentional. But it must be stated that I would rather deviate a little to bring out the emotion than camouflage it in form. After all lucidity matters as much as dexterity of language.”

Interestingly, the poet is most lucid whenever there is a display of linguistic dexterity. Here are a few examples. In ‘The Changing Face of Bangalore’, there is this stunning paradox: “Death catches up with age! / But a city ages even in death.” And in the ‘Rain’, the final quatrain drops a nugget of ecological wisdom:

“Be it placing the day of the Bang,

building dams or space sentries;

Man is still not master of his day,

a quake or monsoon ruins his peace.”

Most of the poems in this volume under review are in free verse. One such verse is titled ‘On the Fine Thin Sand of Goa’. But more than the irregular lines, it is the concluding, near-metrical quatrain that touches the heartstrings of the reader:

“Foreigners sink a fortune to

Discover happiness here;

Goans sink their happiness

To strike a fortune abroad.”

All reviewers have their personal likes and dislikes. The poem that most appealed to me is titled ‘An Incantation’. Here are the concluding lines:

“‘Veerabahu! Veera Mahendra!’

The voice trails off too soon

As lids close for the night.”

Treading On Gnarled Sand is K.S. Subramanian’s second volume of poetry, published by the Calcutta-based Writers Workshop. The hardback limited edition is priced Rs. 150.

Planet In Peril: A Call For Ethical Action

By Nirmaldasan

-- appeared in the October 2010 issue of the OSLE-India newsletter --

A new book titled Moral Ground and subtitled ‘Ethical Action For A Planet In Peril’ has been published by the Trinity University Press. The Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu, in is foreword, comments that all ‘the articles in this book tell us the oral ground we stand on.' He writes: “They are a clear call to action. We are called to understand that climate change is a moral challenge, not simply an economic or technological problem. We are called to honor our duties of justice, to prevent the enormities of climate change, as the price of the lifestyles of the privileged is paid by millions of poor people, in the loss of their livelihoods and their lives. We are called to honor our duties of compassion, to prevent the suffering of millions of innocent people, especially the hungry children.”

Edited by Kathleen Dean Moore, Professor of Philosophy at Oregon State University, and Michael P. Nelson, Associate Professor of Environmental Ethics at Lyman Briggs College at Michigan State
University, ‘Moral Ground brings together the testimony of over 80
visionaries — theologians and religious leaders, scientists, elected
officials, business leaders, naturists, activists, and writers — to present a diverse and compelling call to honor our individual and collective moral
responsibilities to our planet.' The President of OSLE-India, Dr. Nirmal
Selvamony, has contributed to this tome an article titled ‘Sacred Ancestors, Sacred Homes.'

There is a special 40% discount price of $15, excluding shipping at the rate of $6 for the first book and $1 for each additional copy. The 504-page hardback book’s original price is $24.95. A good beginning to combating climate change is to own a copy of this book. ISBN 13: 978-1-59534-066-5.

For further details, check out tupress.org.

Book Review: Water For The Roots
By Nirmaldasan
(nirmaldasan@hotmail.com)

Rajam Krishnan’s Verukku Neer is a Sahitya Akademi award-winning Tamil novel that has been rendered into English under the title Water For The Roots by Pattu M. Bhoopathi.

It is an undeniable fact that something is always lost in translation. No translator has ever succeeded in capturing the flavours of the original text. There are ways translators can wittingly or unwittingly do injustice. One way is trying to improve the original; another way is being too faithful to it. So if it be granted that all translators err, what has Bhoopathi done? Does his translation fall short of or exceed the quality of the original?

This reviewer, though he has read four of Rajam Krishnan’s novels and has appreciated her style and thoughts, would like to confess that he hasn’t read Verukku Neer. And though he has read Bhoopathi’s English version twice, his remark on the quality of the translation would obviously lack authenticity.

This translation – excuse my saying again that I have read it twice – has sowed in me a desire to read Verukku Neer. And I will do so at the first opportunity.

The protagonist Yamuna, soaked in Gandhian idealism, seems to succeed where Gandhi himself, as critics say, has failed – on the domestic front. Her uncle Joseph had told her, even if one is the wife of a ruffian, to ‘try to live up to the grand ideal of truth and ahimsa and find your fulfillment in such a life’.

Yamuna loved Sudhir. But he was against Gandhi. He tells her: “Non-violence is sheer hypocrisy and love is mere duplicity.” Though Yamuna doesn’t agree with him, she realizes that Sudhir is not a hypocrite.

Yamuna liked Indunath. He is a Youth Congress leader. But it doesn’t take long for Yamuna to find out that he is a sheer hypocrite and an opportunist who pays only lip service to Gandhian principles.

Yamuna married Durai. He belonged to a lower caste and was brought up in an ashram supported by her parents. By his own confession: “I am a very ordinary man. I have all the likes and preferences of an average individual.” Has she made the wrong choice?

Yamuna’s married life is full of compromises. She submits to the will of her husband and wears a non-khadi saree to a party and even removes a portrait of Gandhi from the wall. But she continues to hold on to Gandhi in her heart. And the result: Sudhir tells Yamuna that the biggest mistake of his life was marrying her.

The novel with its interplay of ideologies, however, ends on a hopeful note. The Sahitya Akademi published the translation in 2010 and the book is priced Rs. 100.

Bhoopathi, it may be noted, won the Nalli-Thisai Ettum Literary Award for 2009 for his English translation of the Tamil classic Muttollayiram under the title Pearls Of Passion And Fury. He may be reached by email: bhoopathim@yahoo.com

Counselling: Journalism After Plus Two

By Nirmaldasan

(nirmaldasan@hotmail.com)

A seasoned journalist says that journalism can be taught in six months. Yet another experienced editor opines that it is premature to do journalism after +2. A professor of journalism asserts that a basic degree in the arts or sciences followed by Post Graduate Diploma in Journalism is the ideal mix for those who wish to choose journalism for a career. And my views are in complete agreement with theirs.

However, for those who are eager to straight away join B.A. in Journalism & Mass Communication, I think some guidance is necessary on some key factors.

First, choose the right educational institution. Any institute worth its salt will have a navigation-friendly website that is updated at regular intervals. The older the institution, the better it is; and if journalism is the only course taught there, it must be really good. Check the website for accreditation details, especially its validity period. According to newspaper reports, many top institutions have not applied to NAAC for re-accreditation and have been advertising their courses with an expired accreditation certificate.

Parents and prospective students of journalism have a right to know the curriculum and syllabus before they join the course. Therefore, these documents must be on the website; if not, it is better for the applicants to go elsewhere. Equally important is infrastructure. Is there a television studio? A campus newspaper? A campus radio? A multimedia laboratory?

If you find that all these are fine, then you need to look at the faculty. Do they have industry experience? What are their qualifications? They may even have a doctoral degree. One must be cautious here because the Ph.D may not be in journalism. Since the media industry pays very well, it is quite difficult to get staff having both industry and academic experience. Find out whether the staff members have a masters degree in journalism. A newspaper report in the Times of India has revealed that the Department of Media Sciences is strangely headed by a mechanical engineer.

Today’s world is driven by a media economy; therefore, it is not surprising if the candidates are carried away by the glossy promotional material. Think and think again. And ask this most important question: “Is this an academic institution or a business organization?” It may be a hard fact that privatized education is a business, yet you must insist on getting every rupee’s worth. I hope you get high marks in +2 so that you do not have to bargain for a seat in any institution.   

An institution may fail many of these tests and yet be Number One because of its illustrious alumni. If the alumni of an institution have won recognition in journalism, then that institution is certainly the right place for you to do journalism after +2.

S. Muthiah Releases Barefoot

By Nirmaldasan
(nirmaldasan@hotmail.com)

— Appeared in the April 2010 issue of the Journalism Online newsletter —

Barefoot, a sort of community newspaper put together by some 30-odd students of the Department of Journalism in SRM University, was released on  Friday (25 March 2010) by the noted historian and editor of Madras Musings, Mr. S. Muthiah. Dr. Sridhar Krishnaswami, Head -- School of Media Studies,  received the first copy.

Rahul Lahkar, editor of Barefoot (I MA JMC), welcomed the audience  consisting of the faculty and students of the departments of journalism and  visual communication at the MBA Seminar Hall and introduced the chief guest. Outlining the newspaper's vision, he said: "As students of journalism we were curious to know the various aspects of making a newspaper and how things are put together. In the initial stages Barefoot  was not away from hiccups on how to go about the various aspects of reporting, editing, page designing and printing. But the curiosity to lay hands on it made us believe that all our efforts will make us learn and it will be a practical experience. We started, stopped, stood up and started again to make ourselves believe that we could do it." And they did it; and,  as he says, 'intend to move on with the same determination, enthusiasm and  energy in order to learn more'.

Geetha Bharathi (I MA MC), who had suggested Barefoot's tagline 'creating  imprints', sang the prayer song. It may be noted that K.R. Ramu (I MA JMC) had designed the nameplate.

The chief guest Mr. Muthiah said that the basics of journalism could be  taught within six months and what mattered most was practice. Recalling the  days when he was the Honorary Dean of this school, he said he had planned  to run the BA programme along practical lines -- a course in which students would have to bring out a fortnightly or weekly newspaper. But his dreams  fell flat for lack of funds, he said and urged the current Head to press the university to finance Barefoot, which at present is a wholly student-driven initiative.

Mr. Muthiah said that Barefoot had much scope of becoming a vibrant journal as the Tambaram-Chengalpet stretch was a boom area for community news. He pointed out that all community newspapers had to depend on advertising. "But there should be enough content to make a difference to the community," he added and hoped that the Barefoot team would make a difference within a  year.    

Congratulating the newspaper's editor Rahul Lahkar (I MA JMC) and his team, Dr. Sridhar Krishnaswami urged them to continue with the good work, making each issue better than the previous ones. A community newspaper, he said, would help the students look beyond academics and get a larger picture by focussing on the immediate environment. However, he urged them to involve  the experienced journalism faculty such as Prof. Venkat Pulapaka and  himself. "We will make it a success!" he concluded.

Sooraj Rajmohan (I BA JMC) was the compere. Chinmayee Mishra (II BA JMC) proposed a vote of thanks.

10 years of journalism online

By Nirmaldasan
(nirmaldasan@hotmail.com)

Journalism Online is an amateur ezine with a professional touch. It doesn't pay its writers; it doesn't receive subscriptions from the readers; and it doesn't have any dealings with advertisers. Yes, Journalism Online is not a business but a service. It has always laid emphasis on ethics, substance and aesthetics.

The first issue appeared in March 2000 with just five names on the mailing list, including two email addresses of mine. Now with over 900 members, Journalism Online has indeed come a long way in its 10 years of existence. Since it functions from two free domains, readers need to bookmark these urls:

Journalism Online website (launched in May 1999):
https://www.angelfire.com/nd/nirmaldasan/journalismonline

Journalism Online newsletter (launched in March 2000):
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/journalismonline

Rather than the website, it is the monthly newsletter's 10th anniversary that this article wishes to highlight and celebrate. Journalism Online has had little successes. Subhash Rai's Indian Online Journalism published my `Confessions Of An Editor' in its update of November 12, 2002. In March 2003, Sevanti Ninan's The Hoot listed my name as one of the key persons in Indian new media. In September 2004, Journalism Online was one of the sites featured for a week in Yahoo! Groups Editor's Picks.

Journalism Online has been cited even in print. A couple of its editorials have been reproduced by other publications. Some websites have found the site good and, therefore, linked to it. And a thrill of pleasure rushes through the editor's spine on those rare occasions when someone wishes to get an article published in the newsletter.

The ezine has been a primitive venture right from the start. It is plain notepad journalism. No audio. No photo. No video. Just chunks and chunks of text. And that is how it wishes to remain; the online medium itself being an accidental and perhaps necessary evil for communication.

Media students, if they use the separate search engines at the aforementioned urls, will find a lot of material about journalism and its related fields, not necessarily from an examination point of view. There are articles on academic journalism written by experts. There are over a 100 editorials (all written by yours truly) with pungent remarks about the state of the Indian media. This is not to say that Journalism Online specializes only in diatribe. It has praised The Hindu, Times Of India and The Indian Express when praise was due, but it has not hesitated to treat itself to a hunting crop (as Sherlock Holmes did with two swift steps in `A Case Of Identity') when it became absolutely necessary.

Journalism Online thanks its writers (the list is long) and its readers (usually silent) for keeping alive this newsletter that offers less of news and more of ideas.

-- Appeared in the February 2010 issue of the journalism online newsletter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/journalismonline/message/120 --

Silver Jubilee & Other Poems

My latest book of poems titled Silver Jubilee & Other Poems appeared in June 2008. A brief review by S.A. Prabhakar may be read at https://www.angelfire.com/nd/nirmaldasan/reviews/sjop.html

I have uploaded an online version of my book at https://www.angelfire.com/nd/nirmaldasan/sjop.html

-- Nirmaldasan