A Chance Meet And A Journey Begins........

(Source: MITHILAsmita Website)

We just brush each other, smile, a casual question, and begin a whole conversation on paintings. She was on her way back to her gallery in J.P.Nagar, after saying few words on social entrepreneurship in Yahoo office and I was typing my blog for our NGO, sitting in a Volvo Bus.

Her response to my ‘What do you do?’ intrigued me – ‘We preserve Art’.  MITHILAsmita, her organization directly connects with the artisans of Madhubani paintings, also popularly known as Mithila Paintings and creates a market for their art form, ensuring the heritage of this art is preserved and reaches true patrons of original painting in India and across the world.

In this whole exercise, the exploitation of middlemen, if not eliminated is reduced to a large extent, who most often dilute the dignity of the art, by compromising on the content of the art to commercialize it, little realizing that this self serving attitude, could actually lead to extinction of the art form, which is not only our country’s pride but a reliable source of income for many households in the villages of Mithila.

One serious dive into its history tells us, how this ritual function which is primarily a women’s tradition, has evolved in the past decades. The earth quake in early 1930s and severe draught in the late 1960s compels the women to take this art form from their house walls to paper, which not only got them public attention and recognition but also generated income for their families.

Ramosara Foundation has been working on revenue generating models and exploring avenues to run their old age home and this chance meet had a world of possibilities. Immediately, the journey began to join voices, hands and walk the way together.

Every purchase of Mithila painting from MITHILAsmita, J.P.Nagar will support the cause of Ramosara Foundation, in the construction of Vridhashray and running the home.

Karigar, Ramosara Foundation’s extended arm to showcase art, handicraft and products prepared by both artisans, folk artists from lower economic classes and established painters from across the country aims to be a creative mind’s abode and will display Mithila paintings as well. More about this project to be shared on this blog and website soon!

With every purchase of these aesthetically rich paintings or any other product from MITHILAsmita, multiple social causes will be served, preserving Art, supporting the artisans, saving the heritage and meeting RSF’s objectives.

To experience the satisfaction of being part of this, join us in this journey!

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Each One, Reach One, Teach One

When I was asked to blog on Dementia by the Secretary of RSF who was a contributor in my writing portal for Indian writers, my immediate reaction was – Research and write. I hoped to get more traffic directed to Ramosara Foundation blog and let the projects be known that will assist them in seeking financial support.

Fortunately I did not have any one in my family who suffered from Dementia, so while I wanted to assist RSF, I was not quite clear how, except pay the membership fee for constructing the old age home Vridhashray, which I felt is a noble cause, and I agreed.  She insisted I write whatever I can, absolutely confident about my competence on writing, and not considering the fact that Dementia was new to me and I had very little command on the subject.

I asked her who is backing the projects financially. Without a minute’s hesitation, she replied – “No one! We only have a piece of land to build Vridhashray and that is our first big milestone.”  I went one step further and asked how many members so far. “Just the Governing Body”, came her prompt response.

I was a little amused at the juvenile approach. I was actually not prepared for that candid response. I was hoping to hear some influential names, mention of some big donations, and some big projections for the future. I wished her luck in the venture and began my research on Dementia, my sincere effort to assist the project.

What I completely missed, in this exercise, was how easily she made one more person aware about Dementia – Me! Thanks to Ramosara Foundation, and I'm sure many people can be made aware of it.

By now I realize, that was RSF’s primary objectives – to create awareness on Dementia, and now I already know something by finding out more details about it - its first symptoms, how we can identify people with Dementia, the various stages, already keen to research more and write about it in multiple blogs – Through me and my blogs, the reach will be much more.

At times this works better - Each one, reach one, teach one – instead of conducting seminars, dwelling on books, Google to glory on a particular subject which is highly critical for everyone to know  - just letting one person have an informal chat can bring more relevance, importance and attention.

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About Lakshmi Menon

Lakshmi is author of “The Second Choice” and several children’s books. Her Malayalam Novel “Veendum Yatra" was serialized in a reputed weekly back home, in the late eighties. She is the founder of a writing portal www.industwomanwriting.com that is popular for encouraging young writers showcase their creative writes.

Why Ramosara?

Voice from Canada: Courtesy - Shubhra Dutta

When I was first approached by a member of RSF to support the cause, I was in the middle of chaos in India - in my home town Kolkata, with two ailing seniors at home, loads of uncertainty and obviously with no time to read RSF blog, let alone respond.

I returned to Canada and while I had it back of mind to revert, other priorities took over. I did have a few questions that clouded my decision to support RSF and perhaps the underlying reason for the delay – Is it yet another money making plan in the name of NGO? Will the seniors really have a home in Vridhashray? Will they do what it takes to support Dementia patients? I did not ask any of these questions though.

Instead I asked, ‘Will the inmates be charged? I can trust my wisdom to imagine their objectives based on that response. No saintly, philanthropic, lofty, ambitious, well rehearsed, impressive, eloquent response - plain practical facts – Some beds will be with user fee and a few beds for able seniors will not be charged, purely need based.

The clouds faded. I could connect. My father feels lonely after we lost our mother, now stays miles away from Kolkata, at my sister’s place in Rajasthan with nothing to do in particular. There are many others out there, who will be glad to stay in Vridhashray and pursue leisurely activities – Gardening, Pickle making, volunteering in RSF activities, meet other like minded people, just a heart to heart chat – indeed an abode, someplace else.

When I was asked to represent RSF as a contact point in Canada, I wanted to know more - Why should people even divert their money and attention? Does RSF have any USP, differentiator from other homes? I was asked to wait for the responses, and I am still waiting.

I wanted RSF’s account number to transfer the membership fee, here is the response –

‘We need members who show interest in progress of our projects rather than just pay the membership fee and forget the whole thing. Do continue asking. We will be glad to know that you care for the cause just as we do. Keep our efforts in your prayers

There is no urgency for the membership fee. Will give all details in the right time’

That clears the clouds of doubts completely - What can be a better USP than that? Here is a team who is trying to build a home for seniors, orphans and work on a self sustainable model to run the home, do not want people’s money in their bank account till they are absolutely ready! This integrity will go a long way.

Do We Know Them?

A blog by guest writer – Deepti Naval, Actress, Author of “The Mad Tibetan”

(Source:India-Forums.Com)

How many of us had heard about Progeria and Alzheimer before the movie Paa and Black were released? Likewise, Taare Zameen Par and the recent Ranbir-Priyanka starrer Barfi will keep Dyslexia and Autism in our minds, and we did learn a little about Pompe from Hollywood’s Extra ordinary measures.

Memory Lapse

Out there, there are people who experience that something is not right, they are embarrassed or frightened because they recognize changes in their thinking, all the while fighting to be in control, making up a little story to fill the memory gap, being misunderstood by family members as deliberately lying.

Their story telling is not a lie but a self defense mechanism.

Sign Language

They may point at the glass of water on the table wanting to drink and yet not state clearly what they want, while you stand there waiting and fuming to know what exactly he wants – the glass, book or his spectacles.

It would be a lot easier for him if he could remember the word - cup, but he cannot and therefore most often uses sign language. Soon they start expressing needs, wants and feelings increasingly using gestures and actions.

Pre occupied

They are likely to show signs of withdrawal or be pre occupied with past, restoring old memories and sometimes living in that time and reality. They tend to replace words which they cannot remember like Rain stick for umbrella.

If he cannot remember you as his wife, he is probably thinking of you as someone else, from the time period he was dwelling in his mind - may be his college days. He mixes up relationships and generations, pulls out a drawer to keep something, instead attracted by its contents, begins to empty them, comes to spread the table cloth, forgets what he was doing and starts folding it instead.

Shut out

They may completely shut out the outside world, sit or lie in bed staring into space for hours together and not respond when someone speaks to them. 

He is not ignoring you. We can still talk with them and make physical contact as they still hear and experience through touch.

And there is no film yet to talk about them – the little known Dementia - how it is to lead a life without memories, when every day is a new day and they believe you to be someone from their past. It is challenging for both the patient and his family members.

Here is a chance to know them better, and perhaps lend a helping hand:

Ramosara Foundation (RSF) registered in Karnataka intends to create awareness in India including Schools, colleges and corporate on stages of dementia - their constant struggle every minute with people outside who do not understand what is missing and inner war with their own condition, enlightening people regarding how to deal with Dementia

They are also collating funds with their membership drive of Rs. 4000/- per family to build a home for regular seniors and Dementia patients.

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About Deepti Naval:

Deepti Naval is a person of many pursuits and interests - an actress, painter, photographer, writer, producer and director. She is known for her performance in films like Chashme Baddoor, Kisise na kehna, Rang Birangi, Katha, Mirch Masala, Leela, Freaky Chakra and the recent Listen Ameya. Her first attempt as writer, producer and director is for the film Do Paise ki dhoop, chaar aane ki baarish. Author of “Mad Tibetan” – Stories from then and now – published by Amaryllis Publication of Delhi. A person who never fails to impress the world, each time a layer of her persona is unveiled.