FOCUS AREA NOTES FOR MARCH2021 EXAMINATION

1.3 LS OF EMPOWERMENT

By

CHRISTINE LAGARDE

The 3Ls of Empowerment is a speech by Christine Lagarde and there she talks about the

importance of women empowerment and the ways to achieve this goal. She begins the speech by

stressing the role of women in the modern world. She stresses that women have great potential

and inner power. But they are denied the opportunity to contribute their potential for the benefit

of the entire human race. She says that there are three ways in which we can open the doors of

opportunity for women. They are, Learning, labour and Leadership.Learning or education is the

foundation on which any change is built. Learning helps women to empower themselves.

Women‟s education has a wider and stronger impact than the education of men. She adds that if

a man is given education, it will empower only him and his family, but if a woman is given

education she will give help the whole society to achieve their goals. Labour or employment is

the second step to help women achieve their true potential. Now they face many problems like

unequal wages, low payments, low job security and exclusion from high status jobs. If women

participate in economic activity, it is good, not just for women, but for the entire nation.

Women‟s economic participation can increase per capita income also.In order to give more

opportunity for women in the workplace there should be changes in laws and policies.

The third aspect is leadership. More women should come to leadership positions. They should be

a part of decision making. Christine Lagarde asserts that women are actually as good or even

better leaders as compared to men. They take decisions based on consensus building, inclusion

and compassion.

Christine Lagarde says that If we make a world where women can meet their potential, the world

will benefit from it. Lagarde ends her speech by saying that if women dare to take risks by
gathering courage and strength, there will be difference in the entire society and this difference

will deliver good results.

ABOUT CHRISTINE LAGARDE

Christine Lagarde is a French politician and lawyer serving as President of the European Central

Bank since November 2019. Between July 2011 and November 2019, she served as chair and

managing director of IMF. Lagarde previously held various senior ministerial posts in the

Government of France: she was Minister of the Economy, Finance and Industry (2007–2011),

Minister of Agriculture and Fishing (2007) and Minister of Commerce (2005–2007). Lagarde

was the first woman to become finance minister of a G8 economy (and the only woman as

of 2020) and is the first woman to head each the ECB and IMF.

2.MATCH BOX

“Matchbox” written by Ashapurna Debi tells the story of the couple Ajit and Nomita. It presents

the picture of the unhealthy relationship existing in some Indian families. The author compares

women to matchboxes. Matchboxes have the potential to set everything on fire. But in

appearance, they are meek and harmless. Women also are capable of great things ,but in most

occasions they will stay without exhibiting this capacity. The central character of Matchbox is

Nomita. She is a typical Indian wife who does not realize her true potential. She is good looking

and she got married to a rich family because of her looks. Her husband Ajit has the habit of

opening his wife‟s letters. He argues that it is his right to screen her mail. He doesn‟t pay any

attention to Nomita‟s protest. Whenever she protests, she is treated badly. Besides, he ridicules

her by calling her „dung picker‟s daughter‟. Her poor family background forces her to suffer the

humiliation in silence. Nomita is presented in the story as a person who speaks her mind. So no

one attacks her outright. The other members of the joint family can only pinch her with sharp

words. The readers become very empathetic towards Nomita as they understand the poverty and

the
miserable condition of her mother. Her mother has the habit of begging money from her

daughter and son-in-law. Really the letters she received were from her loving mother. At the

climax of the story we see Nomita infuriated when Ajit asks her what she could do. She sets fire

to the anchol of her own sari. This frightens Ajit and he becomes defensive. But later when he

goes out and meets others she pretends as if nothing has happened. She cannot tell her mother

and those in the village about her real situation. She is not ready to burn the colorful shell in

which she has shut herself up. Men know that women will not be ready to move out of their

comfort zones. That is why they handle them so confidently and carelessly as they treat

matchboxes. They put them in their pockets because they are sure that they will not burn

themselves or harm them.

3.ANY WOMAN

„Any Woman‟ by Katherine Tynan, an Irish writer, is a short poem presenting the all –
INTRO
embracing power of a woman to hold a family together.

The role of woman is indispensable in a family. She is the back bone of the family as well
THEME
as society. Without her, the family will crumble down and ruin utterly. Though she is not given

due care or consideration, she lives for others and loves and cares them.

There is a mutual and harmonious bond between the woman and family. There is no home in its

right sense if there is no woman. The integrity of family is due to the woman. If she is cut off

from the family, the integrity of the family will be no more and even the earth wouldn‟t be a

place worthy to live. Her warmth of love that pervades in the entire family for its strong and

smooth existence as it evades none to be out of track or doing wrong. Thus she safe guards

the family from any evil forces or adverse experiences affecting them. She wishes and prays for

the safe and well settling of her children.

The poet opens the poem with metaphorical images. It is said she is the „pillar of the house‟,

„keystone of the arch‟, „roof and wall‟ to insist her pivotal role in a family. Her sacrificial love is

symbolized through „ fire upon the hearth‟, „light of good sun‟, heat warming the earth, „light
POETIC DEVIC
of love‟. How the complete family is kept in the bondage of her love, not allowing anyone

going astray is picturesquely expressed through „sacred ring‟. The images of „floor to roof‟,

„warp and woof‟ represent the woman or mother as a symbol of patience and omnipresence. The

repetition of „I am‟, the anaphoric use of language is used to insist on her identity and

importance. The closing couplet of the poem is prominent as the allusion, the reference to the

birth of Jesus Christ and the prayer highlight the unique and deifying role of any woman.

The choice of words to describe the multifaceted role, the metaphorical images, sober tone that
EFFECTIVEN
prevails throughout the poem transform the emotions and feelings of the speaker, the woman to

the readers and asserts her identity aswell.

The simple poem is a humble expression of the supreme role of a woman. The author steadily CLOSING

moves the poem to bring out the status of such self less loving woman who is not given any

consideration or recognition. Thus the poem is an eye opener too to realize the reality in which

the empowering and enterprising force remains.

4.HOREGALLU BY SUDHA MURTHY

In every tiresome journey, we need a place to rest and regain our energy. This is necessary if we

want to continue our journey successfully. Everyone is carrying heavy burdens of problems and

worries. They need a place to unburden themselves. Sudha Murty in her anecdote “Horegallu”

talks about a stone bench under the village banyan tree. People used to sit there and refresh

themselves during their long walks. They blessed the horegallu for being there. Like the physical

horegallus people need emotional horegallus as well. The author‟s grandfather was such a one.

The grandfather used to sit on the stone bench and listen to the worries of the villagers. This

gave them strength to carry on with their journey. In the modern times the author found Ratna, a

clerk in her office doing the same service. She used to listen to the problems shared by her

colleagues. People sometimes need to share their worries and problems with someone else. In
the present times everyone is busy and no one has time to listen to others. Talking itself can

release a lot of pressure. It is not necessary to suggest solutions to their problems. Actually

solutions should come from the people themselves. It is enough to be a good listener. A good

listener should be patient and sympathetic. Also he should not be judgmental. It is not necessary

to be immensely intelligent or professionally trained. No one can solve another person‟s

problems. The process of sharing itself can give the person some clarity about the problem. Most

of all, a good listener should be trustworthy. They should not betray the other person‟s trust. Our

present times require more and more horegallus. In a world where people have become

increasingly selfish, this has great relevance. Sudha Murty concludes her anecdote with the hope

that there were many more living horegallus like the grandfather and Ratna in this world.

5.THE HOUR OF TRUTH BY PERVICAL WILDE

The play, 'The Hour of Truth', is written by Percival Wilde. The play is taken from A

Question of Morality and Other Plays. The characters are Robert Baldwin, Martha, John, Evie,

Mr. Marshall and a maid. The scene is set at Baldwin's cottage and it is Sunday afternoon.

Robert Baldwin has gone outside. His wife and children are anxiously waiting for his arrival.

The sky is so dark. The family is expecting that it will rain and they don't know whether

Baldwin would take his umbrella or not. While the family is waiting for Robert Baldwin's

arrival, they are talking themselves about John Gresham on whose bank Mr. Baldwin worked.

Now due to financial crisis, bank was closed and John Gresham is found guilty for that and is in

jail. From their talk, it is evident that John Gresham's trial is on the next day, and John Baldwin

is giving evidence against him. But John Gresham calls him that day. They are very anxiously to

know why he calls Baldwin.

Evie has a doubt whether Baldwin has involved in “wrecking of the bank” because every

newspaper is mentioning that, and Baldwin does not say anything against it. Martha tells that the
newspaper is unfair to him. Since Baldwin is working under Gresham's orders, the family has a

doubt whether he involved in the bank crash.

But Martha firmly believes that Baldwin never did anything at all. He found out the bank

crash by accident. John immediately says that he saw Donovan, the assistant cashier the last day

at the Athletic Club. Donovan was working there for eight years. The news came “like a bolt out

of a clear sky”. John has a suspicion that his father must have known about it because he is “the

only witness against John Gresham”. Since he was named after John Gresham, John feels that

because of John Gresham his name is damaged. Even he mentions that John Gresham has

acquired a lot of wealth in these twenty years while his father is getting just sixty dollars a week.

Martha tells that her husband is very dedicated to his work. Whatever John Gresham asked him

to do without revolting he obeyed.

Finally Robert Baldwin comes in the house. Everyone wants to how the crash happened in

the bank. He tells that even he knows what John Gresham is doing only one day before the crash.

It is under his pressure that John Gresham closed the bank. He even tells them why John

Gresham asked him to meet. John Gresham wants him to tell, “I don't remember”, when the

court asks anything about the bank crash to Robert Baldwin. If Robert Baldwin does this, he will

get a hundred thousand dollars. But Robert Baldwin is an honest man. So he does not accept his

proposal.

But when the whole family hears about the money, their mind begins to change. They begin

to convince John Gresham. Martha wants to know whether the depositors would lose any

money. Robert Baldwin replies that no one will lose anything. Thus the family comes to know

that the money is safe. John Gresham's crime was that he misappropriated the funds.

The family begins to persuade Robert Baldwin to say lie and to help John Gresham. At first,

Robert Baldwin is shocked. Martha tells him that since they named their son's name after John
Gresham, it will be a disgrace to their son. Also, it was John Gresham who sponsored John‟s

baptizing. With these words, she forces Robert Baldwin to help John Gresham.

According to Evie, if John Gresham tells the depositors that he will pay everything back

the next day, they will hate Robert Baldwin for sending John Gresham to jail. John supports her

by saying, “Nobody wants to see him punished”. He also feels that if John Gresham does not go

to jail, he will start a business where Robert can become his partner. This makes Robert Balwin

to get angry.

Martha tries to convince Robert Balwin by saying that now John is the sole breadwinner of

the family. But his income is not sufficient for the family to survive. If Robert accepts a hundred

thousand dollars from John Gresham, the family can lead a cozy life.

Robert Baldwin never thinks that his family will change after hearing the amount which

John Gresham will pay if Robert Baldwin says, “I don‟t remember” in the court. It makes him

sad. He calls them “Shams”, “Liars”, “Hypocrites” and “Thieves”. Still, the family persuades

him to accept the money. By this time, Mr. Marshall, the President of the Third National, arrives

in the home. He gives a piece of happy news to Robert Baldwin and his family by telling that a

good position is awaiting for Robert Baldwin in the Third National. He hears from John

Gresham that Robert Baldwin has refused to tell lie in the court which prompted John Gresham

to confess. Mr. Marshall is impressed by his honesty. As the play ends, he tells Robert Baldwin‟s

family, “I can only say to you what every man will be saying tomorrow: how highly I honour

and respect your husband!...” .

6.A THREE WHEELED REVOLUTION

IRFAN ALAM –NOTE 1

Irfan Alam, an internationally acclaimed entrepreneur is a man with a difference. He has

deviated from the usual path of corporate business mentality to a socially responsible
entrepreneurship. During his teenage years, he started Stock Trade Analysis and won a famous

reality show, “Business Baazigar”in which he contested with a business proposal. The main idea

behind the proposal was to organize the rickshaw sector and make it a profitable venture. He

suggested on redesigning rickshaws and equipping it with music, newspapers, first aid kits,

refreshments and advertisements. It created a revolution in the rickshaw sector. He was invited

for the Presidential Entrepreneurship summit 2010 and Obama complimented him with the

words as “you are doing a tougher job than me”.

The real journey to his success began with water. When he was seventeen years old, he hired a

rickshaw on a summer afternoon. He was thirsty. He asked the rickshaw puller whether he

would provide him water. He answered him that there was no such provision because he did not

have money to buy and stack them. That moment made him to think about the plight of the

rickshaw pullers. Thus in 2007,Samman was formed to organize and empower the rickshaw

pulling industry under one shade and thereby improving their livelihood. It started with “no

funds “but an “innovative “and “special thrill” for its members. The word Samman means

respect or dignity to all. Alam strongly believed to bring the marginalized to the mainstream.

The first aim was to change the concept of “rent” rickshaws to “own” rickshaws. They were

given training on basic etiquette and traffic rules. They were also given insurances, id cards and

uniforms. The money earned through advertisements and other amenities was divided between

the rickshaw pullers and the Samman. It gave them a sense of belonging and empowerment.

The social venture thus became a social cause. Children of the operators and their spouses

attended free evening classes called Samman Gyan. Innovative ideas like solar powered fibre

glass rickshaws are a new attempt at present. The environmental friendly mode of transport has

given a new identity and self esteem to the underprivileged. Some people enjoy success

individually.There are people who are able to make others taste the fruits of their triumphs. Here

Alam stands unique as a saviour for the downtrodden.

6.A THREE WHEELED REVOLUTION-NOTE 2

A three wheeled Revolution is an interview with Irfan Alam by Sujatha Ramprasad for India

Currents in May 2010 ,after participating in the Entrepreneurship Summit in Washington., Irfan

deviated from the usual path of corporate business mentality to a socially responsible

entrepreneurship. During his teenage years, he started Stock Trade Analysis and won a famous

reality show, “Business Baazigar”in which he contested with a business proposal. The main idea

behind the proposal was to organize the rickshaw sector and make it a profitable venture. He

suggested on redesigning rickshaws and equipping it with music, newspapers, first aid kits,

refreshments and advertisements. It created a revolution in the rickshaw sector. He was invited

for the Presidential Entrepreneurship summit 2010 and Obama complimented him with the

words as “you are doing a tougher job than me”.

. When he was seventeen years old, he hired a rickshaw on a summer afternoon. He was thirsty.

He asked the rickshaw puller whether he would provide him water. He answered him that there

was no such provision because he did not have money to buy and stack them. That moment

made him to think about the plight of the rickshaw pullers. Thus in 2007,Sammaan was formed

to organize and empower the rickshaw pulling industry under one shade and thereby improving

their livelihood. It started with “no funds “but an “innovative “and “special thrill” for its

members. The word Samman means respect or dignity to all. Alam wanted to make riksaw

sector a profitable venture .Alam wanted to make the rikshaw pullers the owners of the rikshaw

by enabling them to get fund by various mini scale businesses in auto itself .He supported them

to buy water bottles juice, biscuits, mobile cards and newspapers in auto for selling those to

pasengers. He also redesigned the auto in such away that spaces in autoes can be sold for the

purpose of advertising and brand promotion The rikshaw pullers were given training on basic

etiquette and traffic rules. They were also given insurances, id cards and uniforms. The money

earned through advertisements and other amenities was divided between the rickshaw pullers

and the Sammaan. It gave them a sense of belonging and empowerment.

Here through this interview Sujatha RamPrasad shows how Alam helped to give a new life for

rikshaw pullers by supporting them in all the practical ways possible. The social venture thus

became a social cause. Children of the operators and their spouses attended free evening classes

called Samman Gyan. Innovative ideas like solar powered fibre glass rickshaws are a new

attempt at present. The environmental friendly mode of transport has given a new identity and

self esteem to the underprivileged. Nobel Prize laureate Muhammed Yunus has invited him to

Bangladesh to set up a similar organisation for the riksaw pullers .Alam advices younger

generation to make make conscious efforts for taking entrepreneurship as a career He also asks

them to take calculated risks for achieving achieving their dream Here Sujatha Ramprasad shows

the resal and great life of Irfan Alam through her pionted and matter of fact questions.We get a

very inspiring picture of Irfan Alam through this interview.

7.RICE BY CHEMMANAM CHACKO

„Rice‟ is a satire on the farmers who are forced to switch to cash crops when the market for

food crops fell..„Rice‟ is a poem originally written in Malayalam by Chemmanam Chacko and

translated into English by Prof.Ayyappa Panicker. The poem hints at the recent

trends in farming in our country and its reducing importance due to the move

towards commercial crops and its benefits. The poet here returns to his homeland

with a doctorate on making toys with husk. But to his surprise, he finds the cash

crops in the place of Paddy- cultivation.

India is largely an agrarian country. In the contemporary world, We find people

keep themselves away from agriculture except for remunerative crops. There has

been noticeable changes in the cropping patterns mainly due to some socioeconomic

factors like increasing need of income, changing life styles. Influencing

modern technology etc. People change with the change. They don‟t realize the

fact that shifting from cash crops to food crops is essential for meeting the food

sufficiency in our country. The poem mirrors this truth. While the poet has come
home eagerly to have athikira rice and to be a part of the farming community by

making husk-toys, his father says with a pride that „not like fools‟ he is doing a

better work . He says this with pride, watching the machine making rubber

sheets. The father considers this change as wise and profitable. The poet

satirically ends the poem by asking whether they would get husk from the centre to make

toys with it. It is a hit at the society‟s attitude of accepting anything not bothering

of or considering the consequences. The poem criticizes the present scenario

prevailing in agri- sector. Thus it highlights the growing need for farming to satisfy

our basic needs and the effects of commercialization.

More notes would be prepared and published shortly.

For any suggestions, comments and advices feel free contact..

Sindhu P

HSST English

GGHSS Kallai

9747276721