To beat the Chennai heat, I usually stop by some elaneer (tender coconut water) cart by the roadside. So, that day I stopped by a elaneer cart to quench my thirst. Usually, the elaneer sellers are men. I was mildly surprised to see a lone woman, manning the cart. There was a mound of tender coconuts balanced expertly on top of the push cart. Responding to my request for ‘ water only ’ nut, the lady selected a lemon green coconut from the pile. She rolled it into position with one hand while with the other, she deftly wielded the aruval (heavy iron knife). In few seconds she had shaved off the tough husk until the pale off-white skin of the tender coconut was exposed. With the same swift movement, she carved out a small hole on top of the tender coconut and handed it over to me to drink. I asked her to give me a straw so that I can drink it without spilling the water. She smiled and said almost mockingly, “ You city folks don’t know how to drink elaneer properly. I’ll teach you
As we enter the ebbing moments of the year 2023, it is time to reminiscence about the events that shaped this year. Started with a devastating earthquake in Turkey and Syria, the year saw yet another bloody war raging across Gaza killing numerous innocent lives. With natural and man-made disasters and conflicts dominating the year, it is very difficult to find a silver lining. Yet there are some brave efforts by individuals that has rekindled our faith in humanity. Here is a round-up of the major events that unfurled during the year 2023 across the world, in India and in Chennai. The impact of these events may well extend well in year 2024 and beyond . 1. When the Earth shook: In February this year, a devastating earthquake ripped through Turkey and Syria. The devastating 7.8 magnitude earthquake near the Turkey -Syria border on February 6th 2023 was one of the biggest disasters in recent history. Tens of thousands of people have been killed and many more have been injured. Thousands