It’s an issue that is both open and closed at the same time. We are talking here about the age-old practice of ‘thalaikoothal’, literally meaning cold water head bath, which is a polite euphemism for the practice of mercy-killing, where, in some parts of Tamil Nadu, the elderly are dispatched through lethal injections or pills, Supposedly to end their suffering. But is this a form of organised crime? Does this kind of an end for the elderly tantamount to cold-blooded murder? Now, writer, director and editor Priya Krishnaswamy’s Tamil feature film “Baaram’ (The Burden) parts the curtains on this gruesome tradition in a way that has had viewers shaken and stirred. She brings to mainstream filmmaking a subject many would be in the dark about. The film becomes essential viewing as it also poses an ethical dilemma for the viewers, which comes as baggage with the term ‘mercy-killing’.
Through her extensive research, Priya reveals that there are 26 different ways of putting the elderly to rest. One of these is to shove mud down their throats. So aware are the aged of this practice that some even ask for mud from their own land as they believe it will grant them salvation. Then there are others who leave home so they don’t fall prey to thalaikoothal. The 91-minute film focusing on elder abuse, set in rural Tamil Nadu, is based on true incidents. It was not only a part of the Indian Panorama section of the 49th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) but also one among the 12 films nominated for the International Council for Film, Television and Audio-Visual Communication (ICFT) UNESCO Gandhi Medal. This medal is given to a film that best reflects Mahatma Gandhi’s ideals of peace, tolerance and non-violence.
Denne historien er fra January 2020-utgaven av Dignity Dialogue.
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Denne historien er fra January 2020-utgaven av Dignity Dialogue.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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I Hope I Never Lose My Voice
Asha Bhosle, the evergreen playback singer who has some of the greatest film hits to her credit, celebrated her 88th birthday in September 2020. But age has never been a determining factor. She continues to do what she loves the most – singing.
Reverse Mortgage: A Boon for Seniors
The thought of being financially independent, not running short of funds in case of medical emergencies and not being a burden on their children accords a lot of mental peace and a restored sense of dignity to the elderly. Dr. Sampath Iyer explains how reverse mortgage makes this possible.
Get Rid of that Bronchial Cough
Symptoms of acute bronchitis usually resolve within one or two weeks with home treatment. You should start to feel noticeably better after a few days. Meanwhile, drink plenty of water and warm liquids and eat healthy foods. The article highlights some of the home remedies that work.
Build Bridges, Not Walls
To be able to live in harmony with each other, we must learn to not just contact but also connect, suggests V Anand Kumar.
Balancing Spirituality and Indulgence
Susanne Kempken, co-founder of The Guided Meditation Site, explains why there is no harm in being indulgent while being spiritual.
Self-Control: The Need of the Hour
‘The Marshmallow Test’ by Walter Mischel is a good book to read for those interested in understanding self-control and learning how to master it. Indira Ananthakrishnan gets into further details of what it means.
Different Kinds of Wills
Wills are an important part of the financial planning process. A will is a legal declaration that spells out a person’s wishes and intentions in matters of care of dependents or inheritance of property after his or her own death. Here is an article on the different types of wills.
Doctor in the Kitchen
Even as we turn to finding a cure for our ailments in our kitchens and gardens, Dr. Sonam Vohra provides an insight into what makes for a home remedy and why caution is required.
Stick to a Healthy Diet
Given the current pandemic there is so much information being shared about what makes for a healthy diet that it can become overwhelming. However, there are just a few simple pointers that you must keep in mind.
Understanding the Corona Virus Vaccine
Getting vaccinated is the best way to protect oneself and others from severe illness or death, especially in the case of the coronavirus. This is in addition to other recommended precautions such as wearing mask, keeping social distance and maintaining a high level of hygiene. K R K Moorthy explains how the vaccine works and the possible side effects.
