The right kind of vandalism
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The fact that I was helping society was an added benefit.'
The 44-year-old had spent all her adult life looking after her family and the house after she got married, cooking three meals for the family, helping kids with their homework and ferrying them to school. She had no time for herself, and her passion for painting took a backseat.
So, when she came across the announcement from the non-profit Karam Korpom Foundation, about a wall painting project to beautify defaced walls across the city, she immediately wanted to participate.
Several NGOs in the city are working with volunteers such as Subathra to put an end to the abuse and defacement of walls in residential areas, parks, schools, and other public spaces by beautifying them with paintings.
Awareness messages on conservation of the environment, murals of children reading, proverbs, artwork featuring flowers, sceneries, Tamil culture and tradition, the importance of wellness and health, all find a place on these walls.
Community engagement is crucial, says V Umamaheshwari, co-founder of Karam Korpom Foundation.
'People have a tendency to abuse an already disfigured place further. However, when we involve the community or the residents of an area in the painting process, the fact that they painted a section of a wall or even something as small as a flower, gives them a sense of ownership over the place. They feel the need to maintain it.'
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In 2023, following a Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) drive against defacement of public property, police lodged complaints against 340 individuals for defacing walls by sticking posters.
Besides curbing defacements, wall paintings also motivate school children to come to school or visit the school library. 'A govt school in Pallavaram struggled with attendance, partly due to its dull appearance. The students started to look forward to coming to class every day after the walls of the school turned pretty, the teachers told us,' says Kaitlyn Jessica, one of the volunteers of United Way of Chennai, another NGO that works with wall paintings for a cause.
'The knowledge that I could contribute to this cause makes me happy.'
S Ravikanth Venkataraman, a teacher at the school, says, 'The colourful makeover has made our library a favourite hangout spot for students. They're excited about coming in and spending time here. Even if it's because of the bright walls, I'm glad they're now picking up books and reading them.' The next time you pass by Holy Angels School in T Nagar or govt school Tambaram, watch out for the vibrant figurines and the colourful flowers blooming on the walls.
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Time of India
18 hours ago
- Time of India
The right kind of vandalism
'As I picked up the brush to paint a mural at Cenotaph Road, I finally felt like I was doing something for myself, after decades,' says Subathra S, a homemaker. 'It took me back to my childhood, to the days I used to paint. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The fact that I was helping society was an added benefit.' The 44-year-old had spent all her adult life looking after her family and the house after she got married, cooking three meals for the family, helping kids with their homework and ferrying them to school. She had no time for herself, and her passion for painting took a backseat. So, when she came across the announcement from the non-profit Karam Korpom Foundation, about a wall painting project to beautify defaced walls across the city, she immediately wanted to participate. Several NGOs in the city are working with volunteers such as Subathra to put an end to the abuse and defacement of walls in residential areas, parks, schools, and other public spaces by beautifying them with paintings. Awareness messages on conservation of the environment, murals of children reading, proverbs, artwork featuring flowers, sceneries, Tamil culture and tradition, the importance of wellness and health, all find a place on these walls. Community engagement is crucial, says V Umamaheshwari, co-founder of Karam Korpom Foundation. 'People have a tendency to abuse an already disfigured place further. However, when we involve the community or the residents of an area in the painting process, the fact that they painted a section of a wall or even something as small as a flower, gives them a sense of ownership over the place. They feel the need to maintain it.' Tired of too many ads? go ad free now In 2023, following a Greater Chennai Corporation (GCC) drive against defacement of public property, police lodged complaints against 340 individuals for defacing walls by sticking posters. Besides curbing defacements, wall paintings also motivate school children to come to school or visit the school library. 'A govt school in Pallavaram struggled with attendance, partly due to its dull appearance. The students started to look forward to coming to class every day after the walls of the school turned pretty, the teachers told us,' says Kaitlyn Jessica, one of the volunteers of United Way of Chennai, another NGO that works with wall paintings for a cause. 'The knowledge that I could contribute to this cause makes me happy.' S Ravikanth Venkataraman, a teacher at the school, says, 'The colourful makeover has made our library a favourite hangout spot for students. They're excited about coming in and spending time here. Even if it's because of the bright walls, I'm glad they're now picking up books and reading them.' The next time you pass by Holy Angels School in T Nagar or govt school Tambaram, watch out for the vibrant figurines and the colourful flowers blooming on the walls.
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Harmful words
Which one do you recall faster? Appreciation or negative criticism? The natural urge in every human is to hear good appreciation for their deeds from others; even after getting several such appreciations, one negative feedback is more than sufficient to spoil peace of mind. The worst part is the repeated recall of it in our mind. Thirukural, an ancient Tamil masterpiece by Thiruvalluvar, offers timeless wisdom on ethics, governance, and human conduct. One of its most profound teachings (Couplet 129, Chapter 13) states: 'Even the wound inflicted by fire will heal, but the one caused by a harsh word never heal.' This simple yet powerful verse underscores a universal truth: physical pain fades, but emotional wounds from cruel words can last a lifetime. In modern terms, verbal violence is a silent crime, one that leaves no visible scars but can destroy confidence, relationships, and mental well-being. Society often condemns physical aggression but tolerates verbal abuse under the guise of 'honesty', 'tough love', or 'discipline'. However, research in psychology confirms that emotional abuse, including insult, humiliation, and harsh criticism, can lead to anxiety, depression, and even PTSD. Unlike a burn or a cut, the damage from words does not heal with time alone. Once spoken, cruel words cannot be taken back. The memory of them lingers, replaying in the victim's mind long after the incident. Repeated verbal abuse diminishes a person's self-esteem, making him doubt his abilities and worth. Relationships, whether personal or professional, crumble when communication turns toxic. Does this mean we should never hold people accountable? No, accountability is necessary, but it must be enforced with dignity. In the workplace, if an employee underperforms, provide constructive feedback. If termination is necessary, do it professionally, without insults or public shaming. Rather than saying 'You are useless! You're fired!', it is better to say, 'Unfortunately, your performance doesn't meet our requirements, so we have to let you go.' If a relationship turns toxic, walking away is healthier than engaging in verbal battles. Instead of screaming, say, 'This isn't working for me any more, I think we should part ways.' In parenting, correcting a child's mistakes with patience yields better results than shouting or belittling. Instead of saying 'You're so stupid!', say, 'Mistakes happen; let's figure it out how to do better next time.' Thiruvalluvar's wisdom reminds us that how we speak to others defines our own character, not theirs. Words are weapons, use them wisely. Silence is better than using harsh words, if you can't speak kindly, act instead (end a job or relationship respectfully). Healing verbal wounds takes years, prevent them by choosing empathy. In a world where social media, workplaces, and even personal relationships are rife with verbal aggression, the Thirukkural's message is more relevant than ever. Harsh words are a crime, one that justice cannot undo. In leadership, love, or daily interactions, we must remember that fire burns the skin, but cruel words scar the soul. Before speaking, ask: will my words build or destroy? If the answer is 'destroy', 'silence is the wiser choice'. joyatwin@
The Hindu
a day ago
- The Hindu
Sanitary workers rendering great service to humanity, says Udhayanidhi Stalin
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