The Parent TRAP

(column by Aveena Lopes)

The new-age parents’ dilemma – choosing between nanis and nannies In a country where people are proud of their strong family ties, the responsibility of bringing up children is usually shared by all the members of the family – parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles and, of course, the hired helps. Now with the dawn of the nuclear families, as families disperse for independence, better work prospects, privacy etc., the act of bringing up children becomes more complex.

Due to high costs of living in the metros, more women have picked up jobs to help make both ends meet, and of late, these working parents are warming up to the concept of day care centres. In fact, many corporates have realised the need to provide such services to their employees, and thus, companies like Infosys, Bharti Group and Google have opted to become more women-friendly and provide this facility. Although very popular in the West, the concept was initially met with reluctance by parents in India. However, the initial inhibitions have slowly been shed and play schools have earned the trust of young working parents, so much so that sending one’s kids to day care has become a more elective decision rather than a compulsion.

Interestingly though, internationally, the high costs of the service – that can vary between $840 per month to $1,045 – have caused a reverse effect among many Indian parents overseas. Many are fetching the grannies from their hometowns to lend a hand with the children.

Day care centers in India have observed a positive trend over the years and the number of children enrolling has increased tremendously. Mothers are opting for day cares because of the disciplined training, the opportunity for their kids to socialize and have fun while learning; besides giving the mum’s time for their work and hobbies.

Despite all the pros, there are still the ‘grandma’ loyalists, who prefer the same hand that rocked their cradle, arguing that apart from the assured quality of attention, grannies also ensure that the kids remain true to their cultural heritage.

Experts caution that a child’s comfort must not be compromised at the cost of convenience. As Dr. Sanjay Chugh says, “It would largely depend upon the circumstances. Both options have their own pros and cons, one needs to see the viability of the chosen option, along with keeping in mind the well-being of the child.” So day care or grannies, either way moms can be sure that their kids are in safe hands!

(End of Aveena Lopes column)

Leader, who?
The book spares the superheroes, but it’s the more normal ones that are under the scrutiny of its rifle scope...

(column by Shashank Shekhar)

Theory says that they are great people but reality paints a portrait rather contrasting. History books have left not the tiniest stone unturned in glorifying their lives, but upon delving further, an alternative point of view emerges, and slowly but steadily, creeps into the mind, tipping at the very idea of history dictated under authority.

The subject under scrutiny over here is dedicated to an idea often misunderstood, misjudged and misrepresented; the idea of a leader and the definition of leadership. To which Anthony F. Smith’s The Taboos of Leadership, is a groundbreaking endeavour – to say the least – for it treads, the ‘turned-stones’ and demystifies countless fables and myths surrounding leaders, and constructs a definition or maybe a character sketch of these great men in the most believable way that does not hesitate to call a spade, a spade. According to Larry Probst, CEO, Electronic Arts, it is perhaps “the most realistic book on leadership to date.”

They say that the merit of a book lies in the lingering effects that it leaves behind in the reader’s mind, akin to achieving short spells of nirvana; of having discovered the most fundamental truth, the truth that fathoms an understanding that ventures beyond horizons, but yet is as precise as a drilling tool, arming the reader with clear-cut insights. If picked up randomly off the shelf, books and thoughts on leadership dole out often repeated age-old recipes about true leaders and their ways. ‘A true leader is the one who cares more for his employees than for himself,’ or in an advertisement by a leading business newspaper that quoted, “Leaders don’t force people to follow. They invite them on a journey.” Great piece of copy indeed, but where is the substance? Instead, what The Taboos of Leadership talks about is the “Painful, touchy, intimate, difficult-todiscuss, and politically incorrect taboos of leadership. By holding them (leaders) up to the light, judging them for good or bad, exposing their myths, and revealing their underlying truths.” Jack Welch laid off employees by thousands after taking over GeneralElectric (GE). We all know the stuff Steve Jobs is made of, and the flamboyant ways of Richards Branson; yet all we do is put them on a pedestal and worship them, not caring for the very quality that puts them there and us in a sea of unrecognisable faces? For, as Smith says in his book, “Taboos are issues or ideas that are too painful, embarrassing, threatening, or complicated to talk about openly.”

On a conclusive note, Anthony Smith’s unorthodox treatise on leadership is a refreshing one and is a tale that needs to seep through beyond boardrooms and management circles. A bit indulging at times, owing to his tacit understanding of the subject, The Taboos of Leadership explicitly explores ten areas of a leader that have rarely been explored. After all, a leader is a human and when has our breed ever been the perfect lot.

(End of Shashank Shekhar column)

Accessories & Gizmos

Get Dazzled with Cartier
Ever inventing ways of designing writing instruments so as to make a definitive style statement, Cartier has now come out with a dazzling collection of Must de Cartier mini-ballpoint and Louis Cartier pens. The pens are encrusted with diamonds in detailed designs that vary from vertical, diagonal to intertwining lines. Another pen among these Cartier classics comes with gold plating in a gold leaf design. Whether your pen has 14 diamonds of approximately 0.17 carats or 160 diamonds of approximately 1.60 carats, they all promise to add that highly coveted sparkle to your written words!

Swarovski’s panther’s on the loose!
Ever since 1976, Swarovski’s fascination for animals has seen many an animal captured in crystal form. This time, pave the way for a magnificent panther! Created to mirror elegance and power, the figurine is a brilliant part of their Home Décor Collection. Poised upon a granite pedestal, which highlights its figure, the resplendent creature looks ready to pounce upon the beholder! Sure to make your heart skip a beat!

Portico’s pretty solutions
Here’s your chance to fuss over your bedroom. With Portico’s Silk Trousseau Collection, particularly the Silk Trousseau set, you’ll never run out of options to experiment with your curtains, quilts, bolsters... The elaborate colours match with the fancy prints and the touches of hand embroidery are bound to get you to pick Portico to adorn your beds, pillows and drape your doorways. A sure source of sweet dreams for every night to come!

Sip in style!
Do your friends go green at your collection of drinks? Now you can have them gawk at the craftsmanship of your bar cabinet as well! Gujrat Haveli presents to you a stylish cabinet to accessorise your drinking alcove. With asturdy, teak wood structure ornate with hand-painted colours along the edges, and a ruddy colour to go with the red sparkling wine placed within this cabinet is priced at Rs.22,000.

A mini powerhouse
DPA Communications brings to you its innovative new notebook – the U1000. It has a 127mm VGA LCD screen and is a powerful combination of functions like wireless Internet, mini notebook, mobile phone, camera and GPS navigation. The U1000 is the world’s first 3.5G mini notebook, which, apart from being a much evolved version, is also the computer of the future. Invest in one, for Rs.69,555.