OK so there is something important I have to discuss with my fans before I retire for the day.
I'm heavily disappointed with the smell of fried onions and garlic. Like I think I'm gonna go on a onion-garlic FREE diet now. I know I'm brown and fried onions is like the additional-essential Desi ingredient. Our lives and food are incomplete without onions.
Well, no point of complaining now..I didn't wait long enough for some hot Italian architect to ask me out. So I guess I'm stuck with the cooking with onions and garlic tradition. However, I shouldn't think too negatively...who knows, maybe my hubby will develop a deadly allergy against onions and I'll never have to fry any. Or even better, maybe he'll hate my cooking so much that he'll decide to hire a cook or eat out everyday! :) Well maybe we can hire a cook and then eat out on Friday nights after a movie or something. Or maybe we'll eat out and then go for a walk by the lake. Okay, I think I'll just leave that till later for now.
The point is, my hubby's going to have to hire a cook regardless of his allergy and my poor cooking skills. The only reason I'm saying this is because I'll be writing more and more about it until he realizes how frustrating it is for me.
Well that depends too. My Mom says that she didn't even know how to make tea when she was married off to my Dad. You see, when you become a new part/addition to another brown family (especially 20 years ago) you're expected to know everything a wife/daughter-in-law was ever destined to know and do. So well, I guess you can figure out that my Mom had to struggle quite a lot to eventually become the amazing cook that she is today (I kid you not!).
I know I have to go through that process too; someday...not so soon, but some day for sure. I just want to write about it now so that when I come check my old blog posts 10 years down the road I'll be laughing my head off with my hubby, who'll hopefully love my cooking by then. Or who knows, maybe my 20 year old daughter who detests cooking as much as me will realize that her mother (ME) experienced similar feelings when she was her age and ended up writing the article she's reading now.
<3
Abeer Parkar - DesiGhee Ltd.
Mississauga, Ontario
Canada
26-Jan-2010
(P.s Happy Republic Day Desi people!)
[11:09pm - 11:38 pm]
Friday, January 29, 2010
Sunday, January 17, 2010
I used to be a realist; now I'm just a dreamer
My books are just lying around,
Articles I can’t get past page three.
At every word my mind wanders,
And I direct an unreal movie.
I can spend my whole day dreaming,
About a special day; waiting…thinking.
So unexplainable this uneasiness,
A whirlwind of emotions; what a mess.
Trying to focus and just work,
But my head doesn’t cooperate.
You should save me from dreamland,
Before I lose myself and go mad.
Scream at me and wake me up!
I’m too high, pull me back on earth.
Lovingly welcome me into our new world,
Cuz’ I hoped for this just like any other girl.
Abeer Parkar
17-Jan-2010
Articles I can’t get past page three.
At every word my mind wanders,
And I direct an unreal movie.
I can spend my whole day dreaming,
About a special day; waiting…thinking.
So unexplainable this uneasiness,
A whirlwind of emotions; what a mess.
Trying to focus and just work,
But my head doesn’t cooperate.
You should save me from dreamland,
Before I lose myself and go mad.
Scream at me and wake me up!
I’m too high, pull me back on earth.
Lovingly welcome me into our new world,
Cuz’ I hoped for this just like any other girl.
Abeer Parkar
17-Jan-2010
Wednesday, January 6, 2010
Studying (Students Dying)
22-Oct-2009
Re-edited and published on 06-Jan-2010
This afternoon R and C asked me “well what if you know you didn’t do your best?” Here’s the trick, you know you did your best because you’re worried, that means you aimed for nothing but the best. There are some students who generally don’t care or know what’s going on in class. For example, the kind of students who walk into class unaware that there was an assignment due. We’re not like that, comparatively, we work harder.
We balance part time jobs and full time education. We’re constantly under pressure at school, work and sometimes, even at home. But no matter what, we still strive to produce best quality work. Yes we’re human, we get bogged down because of time constraints, family problems, personal problems; situations which are simply not in our control. There are times when we break down, it’s all but natural.
But it’s okay to mess up every once in a while; humans are prone to committing mistakes. Sometimes we make mistakes unintentionally, we were nothing but destined to screw up at some point. We end up feeling like jerks because of silly mistakes but we shouldn’t let them take us down. Every time we fall, we have to help ourselves up. Nobody’s going to help change our degree of optimism or pessimism unless we’re willing to re-wire our own neurons. External ideas and inspiration only causes friction, the real spark is the one we create from within our thirsty souls seeking knowledge and excellence.
Our lack of motivation is mostly our fault, it’s useless to blame someone or something else. When we’ve worked to our full potential there’s no reason to worry about the outcome. There are times we screw up and we just have to bow down to destiny, but the next time life gives you a chance… you go ahead and kick ass!
Abeer Parkar
Re-edited and published on 06-Jan-2010
This afternoon R and C asked me “well what if you know you didn’t do your best?” Here’s the trick, you know you did your best because you’re worried, that means you aimed for nothing but the best. There are some students who generally don’t care or know what’s going on in class. For example, the kind of students who walk into class unaware that there was an assignment due. We’re not like that, comparatively, we work harder.
We balance part time jobs and full time education. We’re constantly under pressure at school, work and sometimes, even at home. But no matter what, we still strive to produce best quality work. Yes we’re human, we get bogged down because of time constraints, family problems, personal problems; situations which are simply not in our control. There are times when we break down, it’s all but natural.
But it’s okay to mess up every once in a while; humans are prone to committing mistakes. Sometimes we make mistakes unintentionally, we were nothing but destined to screw up at some point. We end up feeling like jerks because of silly mistakes but we shouldn’t let them take us down. Every time we fall, we have to help ourselves up. Nobody’s going to help change our degree of optimism or pessimism unless we’re willing to re-wire our own neurons. External ideas and inspiration only causes friction, the real spark is the one we create from within our thirsty souls seeking knowledge and excellence.
Our lack of motivation is mostly our fault, it’s useless to blame someone or something else. When we’ve worked to our full potential there’s no reason to worry about the outcome. There are times we screw up and we just have to bow down to destiny, but the next time life gives you a chance… you go ahead and kick ass!
Abeer Parkar
Thursday, December 24, 2009
When They Received Proposals
So this evening I was at a small party. It was a Desi, ladies only get together. I sat with the young gals and we were planning our friend’s summer wedding. Coincidently, the older women began discussing the Old Days back home. They were talking about their youth when they began receiving proposals from suitors. I eavesdropped on their conversations because, well first of all, they were loud and also because it was an intriguing topic.
It is a different experience altogether. Back in the days, especially while living in India and Pakistan it wasn’t customary for a girl to have a significant role in the arrangement process of her marriage. There might be different opinions on this statement, therefore, I’d like to share my perspective with regards to the people I personally know.
My mother received infinite proposals as soon as she entered the 10th grade. She was born and grew up in Mumbai, India. After rejecting all those proposals, somehow she ended up with my Dad. Well, the process was quick. Friend of a friend introduced the two families. My mom met Dad once. He asked her a few questions while she failed to ask any because she was just too damn nervous. My Mom’s father accepted the proposal and they were engaged soon after. Within two months they were married. And that was it.
There was only one meeting prior to the wedding. I try to think over this concept repeatedly and still, I cannot imagine this happening to me. Our times have changed drastically. This is what the ladies were discussing. To them, it is all different now. Us daughters, have the right to choose our own husband. I don’t feel that customary restrictions apply to us, especially in North America. My parents are aware of this right as well. They’ve given me permission to seek a suitor of my own liking and then inform them about him. I’m glad to have this wonderful opportunity.
There are some parents who force their daughters into marriage. Whereas, this is strictly against Islam. A woman cannot be legally married to any man if she does not agree to the marriage. Her marriage is undoubtedly nullified.
These are just a few thoughts which brewed in my mind during the party. I’m grateful to Allah (God) that He’s blessed me with a family who understands and conforms according to the rights of women in Islam. I don’t know if either one of them will ever read this, but if they ever do, I hope they’ll be happy. And with respect and love for my parents I am determined on choosing the perfect son-in-law, InshAllah.
Abeer Parkar
25-Dec-2009
It is a different experience altogether. Back in the days, especially while living in India and Pakistan it wasn’t customary for a girl to have a significant role in the arrangement process of her marriage. There might be different opinions on this statement, therefore, I’d like to share my perspective with regards to the people I personally know.
My mother received infinite proposals as soon as she entered the 10th grade. She was born and grew up in Mumbai, India. After rejecting all those proposals, somehow she ended up with my Dad. Well, the process was quick. Friend of a friend introduced the two families. My mom met Dad once. He asked her a few questions while she failed to ask any because she was just too damn nervous. My Mom’s father accepted the proposal and they were engaged soon after. Within two months they were married. And that was it.
There was only one meeting prior to the wedding. I try to think over this concept repeatedly and still, I cannot imagine this happening to me. Our times have changed drastically. This is what the ladies were discussing. To them, it is all different now. Us daughters, have the right to choose our own husband. I don’t feel that customary restrictions apply to us, especially in North America. My parents are aware of this right as well. They’ve given me permission to seek a suitor of my own liking and then inform them about him. I’m glad to have this wonderful opportunity.
There are some parents who force their daughters into marriage. Whereas, this is strictly against Islam. A woman cannot be legally married to any man if she does not agree to the marriage. Her marriage is undoubtedly nullified.
These are just a few thoughts which brewed in my mind during the party. I’m grateful to Allah (God) that He’s blessed me with a family who understands and conforms according to the rights of women in Islam. I don’t know if either one of them will ever read this, but if they ever do, I hope they’ll be happy. And with respect and love for my parents I am determined on choosing the perfect son-in-law, InshAllah.
Abeer Parkar
25-Dec-2009
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Blasting from the Past
I want to write a poem.
I don’t know where to start.
Should I start from childhood?
Or from when we drifted apart?
Curious I am about our friendship.
How it started, where it’s stalled.
Not a day of misery ever.
Except the days I miss you.
No feelings of regret or remorse.
Except the ones of losing you.
Unheard are my cries and tears.
Unheard to you I’ve become.
We ran together in open fields.
Inseparable like the moon and stars.
Beautiful princesses in our kingdom,
No suitor stood a chance.
Then one day Prince Charming came,
And took you away in a flash.
So here I am writing this,
Hoping some day you’ll see to it.
See to what? These are just words.
Nothing explains the pain inside.
Nobody shall know what bothers me now,
You were my best friend who knew it all.
I’m afraid of change now more than ever.
I hate what changed you and everyone else.
Hey! I finally I have a poem,
And it doesn’t sound that bad.
Hope you read it someday,
And remember what we had.
By: Abeer Parkar
15-December-2009
I love you Fo.
I don’t know where to start.
Should I start from childhood?
Or from when we drifted apart?
Curious I am about our friendship.
How it started, where it’s stalled.
Not a day of misery ever.
Except the days I miss you.
No feelings of regret or remorse.
Except the ones of losing you.
Unheard are my cries and tears.
Unheard to you I’ve become.
We ran together in open fields.
Inseparable like the moon and stars.
Beautiful princesses in our kingdom,
No suitor stood a chance.
Then one day Prince Charming came,
And took you away in a flash.
So here I am writing this,
Hoping some day you’ll see to it.
See to what? These are just words.
Nothing explains the pain inside.
Nobody shall know what bothers me now,
You were my best friend who knew it all.
I’m afraid of change now more than ever.
I hate what changed you and everyone else.
Hey! I finally I have a poem,
And it doesn’t sound that bad.
Hope you read it someday,
And remember what we had.
By: Abeer Parkar
15-December-2009
I love you Fo.
Friday, December 11, 2009
The Desi Cousins' Disconnect
Honestly, is it just me or do people tend to change after marriage. Okay, so I'm being a little dramatic, they don't really change. They just become very busy with the "married life". Let me point out that I'm referring to cousins I've grown up with. As kids, the thought of separation was impossible. We were going to have amazing times during our lavish weddings. I never had the opportunity to enjoy any of those weddings. Why? Because like other brown NRIs, I'm settled in Canada while the rest of my huge Brown extended family lives in countries half way across from the North American continent.
Times change. That's what happened. Life's buzzing by fast. There are certain events which slap me back into temporal reality. Cousins getting married, going away to live their own lives and raising kids (my nieces/nephews) is one of those realities. This kind of stuff makes me think hard. It's amazing what marriage can do to one's relationship with their old pals.
Here's my theory; if you're a brown/Desi cousin living in India this is what the situation looks like:
You're married now. I never made it to the wedding because I was in university. It's October, I'm busy with midterms. Anyways, you went ahead and got married because of many complicated and unexplainable Desi family factors which forced you into marriage.
Now you're busy, expertly cooking butter chicken and still struggling with Biryani. And ofcourse, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping and who can forget the ultimate Desi-wife chore; making Chai/Tea for your hardworking husband who comes home in the evening fatigued. Nothing makes sense to him except that all he wants right now is some delicious brown ethnic food cooked in desi ghee and a hot cup of Chai.
About a year into the marriage, you're possibly pregnant and will be delivering a cute baby soon. And by now my cousin doesn't even remember my name. So the baby finally arrives. Now you're staying up at night with your first child, in the "other" room obviously because you don't want to disturb your husband who's trying to sleep after a long day at work. He has to go back to work without fail because "the Desi couple" are paying for Huggies/Pampers (or w.e diaper brand you plan on using) every week because babies love to poop a lot. For those who don't know; newborns like to poop in little amounts and mommies have to throw away the diaper right away. Two hours later, the baby's pooped again. They don't do it all at once and I'm sure there's a scientific explaination for that.
Anyways, that's drifting away from the topic. As I was saying, now you, my dear cousin are just damn busy. You look after a baby, a husband and a house. And if you're living with Desi in-laws with really brown, old & illogical mindsets who don't want you to leave the house...then oh god damn! O_O Goodluck!
This is where, I've disappeared from my cousins' lives. All our good times. Staying up on weekends, watching funny movies, cracking non-veg jokes that little kids arent supposed to hear. Sometimes we used to put on loud music and dance like there's no tomorrow. Or we would just sit around getting bored and wait till one of us comes up with a marvellous idea.
Back then, I didn't think about marriage at all. The only wedding-related thoughts we used to have was "Hey, what will you wear on my wedding? What kind of pranks will we pull off on the groom? What kind of Mehendi/Henna design will we get designed by the beautician?"
And now, that's it. My cousins have left behind memories for me, good memories ofcourse, because I dont remember any bad ones. It's their time to build new dreams with their life-partner who they'll grow old with. I was just someone who accompanied them till adulthood. Their marriage pushed me out of their league and left us with not much in common. This doesn't happen to particularly everyone. Some cousins and friends do keep in touch, but some just drift away.
Well, all I can say is "Adieu!"
Abeer Parkar
11-Dec-2009
Times change. That's what happened. Life's buzzing by fast. There are certain events which slap me back into temporal reality. Cousins getting married, going away to live their own lives and raising kids (my nieces/nephews) is one of those realities. This kind of stuff makes me think hard. It's amazing what marriage can do to one's relationship with their old pals.
Here's my theory; if you're a brown/Desi cousin living in India this is what the situation looks like:
You're married now. I never made it to the wedding because I was in university. It's October, I'm busy with midterms. Anyways, you went ahead and got married because of many complicated and unexplainable Desi family factors which forced you into marriage.
Now you're busy, expertly cooking butter chicken and still struggling with Biryani. And ofcourse, cleaning, laundry, grocery shopping and who can forget the ultimate Desi-wife chore; making Chai/Tea for your hardworking husband who comes home in the evening fatigued. Nothing makes sense to him except that all he wants right now is some delicious brown ethnic food cooked in desi ghee and a hot cup of Chai.
About a year into the marriage, you're possibly pregnant and will be delivering a cute baby soon. And by now my cousin doesn't even remember my name. So the baby finally arrives. Now you're staying up at night with your first child, in the "other" room obviously because you don't want to disturb your husband who's trying to sleep after a long day at work. He has to go back to work without fail because "the Desi couple" are paying for Huggies/Pampers (or w.e diaper brand you plan on using) every week because babies love to poop a lot. For those who don't know; newborns like to poop in little amounts and mommies have to throw away the diaper right away. Two hours later, the baby's pooped again. They don't do it all at once and I'm sure there's a scientific explaination for that.
Anyways, that's drifting away from the topic. As I was saying, now you, my dear cousin are just damn busy. You look after a baby, a husband and a house. And if you're living with Desi in-laws with really brown, old & illogical mindsets who don't want you to leave the house...then oh god damn! O_O Goodluck!
This is where, I've disappeared from my cousins' lives. All our good times. Staying up on weekends, watching funny movies, cracking non-veg jokes that little kids arent supposed to hear. Sometimes we used to put on loud music and dance like there's no tomorrow. Or we would just sit around getting bored and wait till one of us comes up with a marvellous idea.
Back then, I didn't think about marriage at all. The only wedding-related thoughts we used to have was "Hey, what will you wear on my wedding? What kind of pranks will we pull off on the groom? What kind of Mehendi/Henna design will we get designed by the beautician?"
And now, that's it. My cousins have left behind memories for me, good memories ofcourse, because I dont remember any bad ones. It's their time to build new dreams with their life-partner who they'll grow old with. I was just someone who accompanied them till adulthood. Their marriage pushed me out of their league and left us with not much in common. This doesn't happen to particularly everyone. Some cousins and friends do keep in touch, but some just drift away.
Well, all I can say is "Adieu!"
Abeer Parkar
11-Dec-2009
Friday, July 17, 2009
The Why to Studying Media Arts.
By: Abeer Parkar
Written between 07-Apr and 16-Jul-2009
I am returning home after attending my last CCT (Communication, Technology & Culture) class of first year university. And my mind has this sudden purge, wanting to explode with ideas. As the 1st year comes to a close I feel as if my brain took a long swim in the media pool. Being a Konkani and maybe one of the few Indian Konkani members to venture into media studies has put me in a position others in my community haven’t even thought about stepping into. As a media studies student, I suddenly feel that I have a responsibility towards my Konkani community and I hold a degree which grants me this opportunity. In a way I want to insult or prove to “my people” that being a doctor or engineer will not take you to the knowledgeable places I visited during the course of my study. There’s a quote from one of the books I recently read, Stephen Duncombe’s Dream. He says that the specialization of knowledge actually makes the society member ignorant of other important knowledge; issues that they should be concerned about. Maybe you (the reader) now feels that I’m being extremely proud and boasting about university. Hear me out… this degree I’m working towards is “just a bonus”, that’s what my professor Ian Reilly would say.
Right now, what matters to me most is that I am able to read, learn and study new material and theories. And I will put all this into practical use! If I’m going to receive a degree just so that I can boast about studying media I’m basically fooling myself. So no, I’m not going to do that. Instead I would like to become an active member of society. I’m slowly becoming an integral part of society; one which controls its mind. I am joining the media workforce. You are my audience by choice. You are reading my work and will probably be influenced by my ideas.
Dear Reader, you are more than welcome to close this article and entertain yourself with something else. Believe me, I don’t care if you don’t either. However, let me tell you…YOU SHOULD CARE! Why? Well, do you realize that you’ve become dependent on technology? You are being exposed to ideas, products, theories and intertextuality continuously. We, the media have become so ubiquitous that you have taken us for granted. But listen, you can be part of the fun too. If only you can stop thinking that Art is a waste. It is not; Art is driving you. You learn from Art. Language studies is just as important as Biology, Chemistry and Algebra. It is because of communication that you’re actually reading and comprehending my words. Words are important, symbols are important and ART is important?
Okay now forget media for a while, think about religious texts. Force your mind to think about the significance of the Quran in your life (If you‘re a follower of it). Some people read/memorize the Arabic text without understanding because they don‘t converse or write in the Arabic language. Most people in my family have memorized several verses/chapters but they don’t always know the translations. So tell me, what have you learnt from the Quran, unless you‘ve read & understood the translation. How will it positively affect your life and create inner peace if you don’t get the “message”? Now, I do not want to connect the Glorious Quran to media studies. I’m not going to get into any legal/religious mess. I simply want to bring your attention to the significance of language. Language comes in different forms; it can be visual, aural or something else.
Whatever form it takes, it is important because it helps you learn. I hope most agree that the ability to learn is a great gift to mankind. Think about it, we are blessed because we can read and write English. If it wasn’t for English you wouldn’t even be reading my article right now. You probably wouldn’t know how to navigate through the internet either. If I didn’t know English or any other language, these ideas would have been stuck in my head all my life. I’d be unable to share my thoughts/opinions with anyone (…unless I‘m telepathic…). However, at least by sharing my experience I can attract potential journalists and media professionals. Media is part of the global change! If you don’t understand it, as a language…as a form of communication, then you’re simply a passive audience member. You become less important because you have no opinions. Or you have opinions but aren’t able to express them.
Agreed, there are other forms of expression, but come on, is it really a fuss to be part of the news/educational media? Does it hurt to study Journalism and/or Arts? Think back a few years, our villages (in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, INDIA) were bustling with farmers and fishermen. But now we have doctors, engineers and of course, travel agents. Education helped us rise. We merged into different careers & streams of study. So where has your passion disappeared now? Is this the end? Is science and travel & tourism your only contribution to the Konkani community?! Come on people, get on your feet! Don’t forget Media Studies! Television (news channels & soap operas), news papers, magazines, radio & the internet are giving shape to a changing society. You (The Kokani individual) are a part of this community…step up and be an active member. And this advice goes out to all the individuals who feel they can contribute to their own diverse communities by becoming a media professional or journalist.
This article is my contribution to the ethnic, Kokani community I belong to… where’s yours??? …………… Now relax and give it a thought.
*******
****
**
*
Peace.
Abeer Parkar -- an aspiring student-journalist from the multicultural city of Mississauga, Ontario, CANADA & originally a Kokani from the village of Kalusta (District:Ratnagiri), Maharashtra, INDIA.
Written between 07-Apr and 16-Jul-2009
I am returning home after attending my last CCT (Communication, Technology & Culture) class of first year university. And my mind has this sudden purge, wanting to explode with ideas. As the 1st year comes to a close I feel as if my brain took a long swim in the media pool. Being a Konkani and maybe one of the few Indian Konkani members to venture into media studies has put me in a position others in my community haven’t even thought about stepping into. As a media studies student, I suddenly feel that I have a responsibility towards my Konkani community and I hold a degree which grants me this opportunity. In a way I want to insult or prove to “my people” that being a doctor or engineer will not take you to the knowledgeable places I visited during the course of my study. There’s a quote from one of the books I recently read, Stephen Duncombe’s Dream. He says that the specialization of knowledge actually makes the society member ignorant of other important knowledge; issues that they should be concerned about. Maybe you (the reader) now feels that I’m being extremely proud and boasting about university. Hear me out… this degree I’m working towards is “just a bonus”, that’s what my professor Ian Reilly would say.
Right now, what matters to me most is that I am able to read, learn and study new material and theories. And I will put all this into practical use! If I’m going to receive a degree just so that I can boast about studying media I’m basically fooling myself. So no, I’m not going to do that. Instead I would like to become an active member of society. I’m slowly becoming an integral part of society; one which controls its mind. I am joining the media workforce. You are my audience by choice. You are reading my work and will probably be influenced by my ideas.
Dear Reader, you are more than welcome to close this article and entertain yourself with something else. Believe me, I don’t care if you don’t either. However, let me tell you…YOU SHOULD CARE! Why? Well, do you realize that you’ve become dependent on technology? You are being exposed to ideas, products, theories and intertextuality continuously. We, the media have become so ubiquitous that you have taken us for granted. But listen, you can be part of the fun too. If only you can stop thinking that Art is a waste. It is not; Art is driving you. You learn from Art. Language studies is just as important as Biology, Chemistry and Algebra. It is because of communication that you’re actually reading and comprehending my words. Words are important, symbols are important and ART is important?
Okay now forget media for a while, think about religious texts. Force your mind to think about the significance of the Quran in your life (If you‘re a follower of it). Some people read/memorize the Arabic text without understanding because they don‘t converse or write in the Arabic language. Most people in my family have memorized several verses/chapters but they don’t always know the translations. So tell me, what have you learnt from the Quran, unless you‘ve read & understood the translation. How will it positively affect your life and create inner peace if you don’t get the “message”? Now, I do not want to connect the Glorious Quran to media studies. I’m not going to get into any legal/religious mess. I simply want to bring your attention to the significance of language. Language comes in different forms; it can be visual, aural or something else.
Whatever form it takes, it is important because it helps you learn. I hope most agree that the ability to learn is a great gift to mankind. Think about it, we are blessed because we can read and write English. If it wasn’t for English you wouldn’t even be reading my article right now. You probably wouldn’t know how to navigate through the internet either. If I didn’t know English or any other language, these ideas would have been stuck in my head all my life. I’d be unable to share my thoughts/opinions with anyone (…unless I‘m telepathic…). However, at least by sharing my experience I can attract potential journalists and media professionals. Media is part of the global change! If you don’t understand it, as a language…as a form of communication, then you’re simply a passive audience member. You become less important because you have no opinions. Or you have opinions but aren’t able to express them.
Agreed, there are other forms of expression, but come on, is it really a fuss to be part of the news/educational media? Does it hurt to study Journalism and/or Arts? Think back a few years, our villages (in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, INDIA) were bustling with farmers and fishermen. But now we have doctors, engineers and of course, travel agents. Education helped us rise. We merged into different careers & streams of study. So where has your passion disappeared now? Is this the end? Is science and travel & tourism your only contribution to the Konkani community?! Come on people, get on your feet! Don’t forget Media Studies! Television (news channels & soap operas), news papers, magazines, radio & the internet are giving shape to a changing society. You (The Kokani individual) are a part of this community…step up and be an active member. And this advice goes out to all the individuals who feel they can contribute to their own diverse communities by becoming a media professional or journalist.
This article is my contribution to the ethnic, Kokani community I belong to… where’s yours??? …………… Now relax and give it a thought.
*******
****
**
*
Peace.
Abeer Parkar -- an aspiring student-journalist from the multicultural city of Mississauga, Ontario, CANADA & originally a Kokani from the village of Kalusta (District:Ratnagiri), Maharashtra, INDIA.
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