Low cost construction & housing ideas (first draft, needs refinements)

There are lot of talk on housing (check the background list)

Please watch this talk Life is easy. Why do we make it so hard? Jon Jand…: http://youtu.be/21j_OCNLuYg

Please read the holistic issues around housing
http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/implement/phsyical-social-environment/housing-quality/main


 The objective I would like to achieve are

Vision:

a) Aim '0' material cost, if not aim for minimal amount on material.
b) Aim design assistance so, labor cost can be reduced.
c) Build Rurual Infrastructure like schools, Roads and Pavements with 'Do It Your Self" Ideas and designs, so that villagers can develop their places on their own.
d) Build volunteer brigade to engage in rural infrastructure/training and as hobby and thereby contribute to nation building.

Objective:

To achieve the vision, I feel a series of steps are required. Most important I can think of them are..

a) Make cost vs benefit analysis for 20% of the material that is contributing to 80% of cost. Do this analysis with alternate options possible. Every owner should understand this data and make conscious choices, So he is justified in the value & benefit he derives. This will enhance the satisfaction of the owners.
b) Come up with open source collection of design choices for low cost housing. Also launch community based, assistance service. This assistance is social & voluntary man power contributed. The help ranges from Design, documentation, process & legal consultations. Volunteers can assist in house building labor as a hobby (like in west!).

Important candidates

1) Design

2) Gabion walls 

3) Plastic wrapped mud blocks

Practical Ideas

1) Good is good enough. While mud buildings, lime building have withstood for centuries, concrete buildings are collapsing in ones life time itself. Burdening owner with wrong choices is inflating construction prices. First step is to do right fitment. In rural areas construction can be horizontal, rather than vertical. For ex, a school, which is one floor can manage without pillars or concrete ceilings.
2) Mud block housing. Explore effective anti-insect and worm (especially geddalu) mixes to weed off the fear in choosing  mud blocks in construction. Popularize  interlocking mud blocks. Use design concepts of locking bricks to avoid cement as brick binders and to reduce construction time and enhance precision quality.
3) Come up with waste plastic recycling ideas. For ex. can we make shrink wrapping of mud blocks with waste plastic covers? The plastic disintegration takes 100s of years. As it is concealed and avoids sun, life is really long.  Wrapped mud block will be more resistant to water. Wrapping also helps in wastage reduction during handling.
4) Similar to plastic, can waste tyres can be encapsulated in cement-glass mixture to prepare roof tiles? The tyres are excellent water proofing material. It can reduces the weight of roofing, there by reducing load bearing capacity needed on wall.
5) Look at alternate options for plastering and painting.
6) Look at ideas that cut down labor hours, by better design and planning. I feel this can reduce cost of construction by 20%.
7) Popularize construction from container blocks for temporary housing. Rental models can be derived. This can address capacity issues for travel & leisure industry(seasonal necessity), Office for start up companies.. Farm houses ....etc...
8) Explore use of plastic bottles to create green houses. Really helps farmers.

9) Explore options to use vegitable binders (like rain tree pods) for stabilisation. Use plastic to wrap and avoid detoriation!
10) Explore fortified (Mixture of sand and sea shells) mud blocks for rural road construction
11) Come up with associated engineering designs for air conditioning, water circulation, water purification, electricity generation, rain water harvesting etc..
  a) Wind power can be employed for circulating water. This enables rain water circulation for purification an cooling the house
  b) Water can be used in hollow pillars. This increases water storage space and strength of pillar
 c) Slanting Solar paneling can help to reduce effect of water and sun on roofing and also provide electricity
 d) small scale bio-digester can provide waste disposal and additional fuel for cooking
 e) Automated green houses on roofs can provide vegetables and reduce heat and water effect on roofing

12) Gabion walls can be a good idea for fencing, house compound construction etc. This can be used in rural road construction also (it avoids concrete). Gabion walls can be used to reuse - demolished concrete structures). River side boulders can be used. If boulders are constly or not available, mud blocks rolled in cement can be used as filling material. See video link in background material.

13) Explore usage of nylon netting or jute netting. These netting can act as fibrous material to hold mud blocks and increase strength. Enclosed nylon brings long life.
14) Evaluate fiberglass and cement boards to reduce weight, where real concrete constructions are not required. How to surface them, so that the exterior get long life against sun and water
15) Terracota items. How to train villagers, so they can make their own piping for water and seweage

Rural Infrastructure

1) Develop technology such that, roads, check dams, farm fencing can be done using local materials. The Do It yourself, technology should help villagers to develop rural infrastructure on their own. If they do it on their own, they can repair it on their own. Many villages doesnot need tar/concrete roads. The infrastructure required could be like European cobbler stone roads (see picture)

Background material

1) Nice write up on low cost housing -> http://www.deccanherald.com/content/248463/low-cost-high-quality.html
2) Container construction -> http://expand-isbu.com.au/residential-single.html
3) Alternative to cement ->  http://www.sheltercentre.org/sites/default/files/PA_AlternativesPortlandCement.pdf
4)  Effect of using fly ash with cement -> http://www.ijert.org/download/7669/effect-of-partial-replacement-of-cement-by-fly-ash-with-using-nylon-fiber-in-concrete-paver-block
5)  3 day house construction using pre-cast material -> http://rajan-c-mathew.blogspot.in/2013/05/low-cost-pre-fabricated-houses.html
6) Interlocking bricks ->
 a)  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XY_5wkQRqEo
 b) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipozUYLy-BE
 c) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYErEl-PfTs ->

( I have an idea to combine these three with plastic )

7) Is Interlocking bricks stronger -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqgxTjGl-AU
8) strong structure from interlocking bricks -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qAO01YfHADg
9) Interlocking brick making machine (manual) -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pk1MsZTDiU
10) How to build block wall without mortar -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAswNJyZjvM
11) Waste bottle construction, for compound walls -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqGSbnpsmio
12) 5L budget house plans -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kCglA50tjOs
13) How self interlocking bricks increases productivity -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zUGU_nCHvVI
14) $ 2000 (approx. 1Lakh) costing shipping containers are converted in to nice luxurious houses. Some adopted designs can make it possible to construct sub 5L houses in India -> http://awareness-time.com/a-shipping-container-costs-about-2000-what-these-15-people-did-with-that-is-beyond-epic/
15) In-situ pavement construction -> https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=639768112845114
16) Pavement laying with automation -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PLDP6s5FPCk
17) School using reusable plastic bottles -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LPxXH7rCSHQ
18) Gabion walls (meshed walls with boulders). avoids cement -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QFjEWnA3Mtc
19) How to make pavement -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhpjkIf2GXQ
20) One old lady building patio & fire place with little help -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuOUKo5wS54
21) Cobblerstone pavement -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wr6W2wycktM
22) Designer Cobbler stone laying -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2mYAahqczOA
23) Epoxy resin for filling cobbler stones (2 people doing a circle) -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6hges7Ru-A
24) Artificial brick work look, no painting, exposed surface (material for plastering to avoid paint work) -> https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iiMFEkMoYU
25) plastic and coir fibers to reinforce mud blocks study papers -> http://www.researchgate.net/publication/267924726_STABILIZED_LATERITIC_BLOCKS_REINFORCED_WITH_FIBROUS_COIR_WASTES
26) IISC brochure on mud blocks (CST) ->  http://www.cst.iisc.ernet.in/Pages/Recent/cst_brochure.pdf
27) Plant based stabilizer commercially available (brand name stabilizer solutions Inc - http://www.stabilizersolutions.com) -> http://www.slideshare.net/sportechnic/stabilizer-101227102055phpapp01
28) About Mud Blocks and Chitra Vishveshwaran  -> https://biomearchitects.wordpress.com/page/3/

Understanding soil is only half the stor(e)y! Soil, a composition of sand,silt and clay(along with impurities and organic matter) is available in abundance in shades ranging from white to the seldom preffered black(cotton soil)…but experts say “it deosn’t matter if its black or white”for colour is not a reliable indicator of its strength.Clay is the active material, exhibiting a variety of moods-swelling,shrinking,cracking,depending on her relationship with water. Sand and silt are rather inert with no cohesive property.Because of this neutral behaviour,a high(atleast 70%)sand content is preferred.
To understand the percentage of sand in a particular sample,we take a known quantity
of soil and seive it in a 75micron mesh. The passing through mischief makers are clay and silt.Weighing the sand retained on top will give us the percentage. Once sand content is adjusted to 70%(by addition of quarry dust or sand),cement or lime is used as stabiliser.

Stabilised mud by definition is”mud which does not soften due to action of H2O,by use of a small quantity of binding agent.” Now the homogenous mixture(of soil+quarry dust+stabiliser)has to be compacted to increase density by applying pressure to soil in a mould which produces SMB(stabilised mud block).Alternately soil can be rammed
on site in a mould.These mud blocks undergo a crucial test(the wet compressive strength test).Its soaked in H2O for 48hrs and then tested by placing it in a machine and applying load.
Once crushing strength is determined, and blocks are certified satisfactory,they are ready for laying with composite mortar(cement+soil+quarry dust-1:2:3 ratio). These walls have to be well protected from rain.A good plinth level and overhangs will do the job in most cases. for the paranoid, a protective(silicone compound)coating should suffice.

29)  Enzyme stabilized Earth, no cement used example (Indian Company) : http://www.slideshare.net/BoronInno/boro-zyme-b-dbv1-concept-presentation-bricks-house
30) How to test suitability of mud for construction ->  http://www.archinomy.com/case-studies/712/mud-architecture-construction-details-and-techniques

Chanakya Neeti - 11 - Proof for todays wrong interpretation of 'Cast system'

~*ಚಾಣಕ್ಯ ನೀತಿ-11*~

||ವಿಷಾದಪ್ಯಮೃತಂ ಗ್ರಾಹ್ಯಂ ಅಮೇಧ್ಯಾದಪಿ ಕಾಂಚನಮ್|
ನೀಚಾದಪ್ಯುತ್ತಮಾಂ ವಿದ್ಯಾಂ ಸ್ತ್ರೀರತ್ನಂ ದುಷ್ಕುಲಾದಪಿ||

ವಿಷದಲ್ಲಿ ಬೆರೆತಿರುವ ಅಮೃತವನ್ನೂ, ಮಲ ಮೂತ್ರದಲ್ಲಿ ಬಿದ್ದಿದ್ದರೂ ಸಹ ಬಂಗಾರವನ್ನೂ ತೆಗೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳಬಹುದು. ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠವಾದ ವಿದ್ಯೆಯು ನೀಚರಲ್ಲಿದ್ದರೂ ಸಹ ಅವರಿಗೆ ಶಿಷ್ಯನಾಗಿ ಅದನ್ನು ಪಡೆದುಕೊಳ್ಳಬಹುದು ಹಾಗೂ ಯಾವ ಕುಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಹುಟ್ಟಿದ್ದರೂ ಸಹ ಸ್ತ್ರೀಯು ಸದ್ಗುಣಸಂಪನ್ನಳಾಗಿದ್ದರೆ ಅವಳನ್ನು ಸ್ವೀಕರಿಸಬಹುದು. ಇದಾವುದೂ ತಪ್ಪಾಗಲಾರದು.

2 great observation on education and respect for good women. I am happy to see it documented. Note Chanakya was the founding member and PM of mauryan court. His words means, policy of the state. The statement is significant because, women enjoyed a special status in that time and caste system was not applicable for women. It also means, caste was more considered as a profession ( as men were the main earners) than the way it is treated today. The marking of strict cast boundary was to protect the skill and trade, rather than to divide people. This is not different from world cultures. We have 'smith' in England, whose family was in the trade of black smithy (metal forming). The western society had protected trade at family level, while Indian system protected it at higher cooperative level. System to protect trade and skills is a necessity. We have it today as, patents, copyrights, trade marks & NDA. Some NDA of MNCs prohibits employees to join opponents for say 5 years. Bonds are taken to protect skill trainings by companies like Wipro, TCS. IAS officers are prohibited to join businesses for 2-3 years after retirement. So cross trade restrictions exist today as well. Muslim and to a greater part British, turned it as the kind of "caste definition" we see today. During subjugation, they caused economic imbalance among these traders. The caste groups started orienting with economic class (upper, middle & lower). So some castes got the names associating as Upper/Lower castes. The economical backwardness make them feel inferior. Instead of economic policy of rulers, the 'bad' tag got associated with religion. This was a propaganda to divide the nation by British. Due to schooling, many youngsters believe 'Hindu' is bad because of caste system. Isn't it time to re -educate us on truth?

Janivara .... The sacred thread

'Janivara", the sacred thread is a composition of 3 threads, signifying Goddesses Gayatri (thought), Saraswati (word) and Savitri (deed) respectively. Wearing the sacread thread, is to indicate a practitioner of this principle (like black coat of a lawyer).  'Thought', 'Words' and 'Deed' has to be in synchronized form, that is the core idea. Western saying is 'Do what you say, and say what you do'. Idea of sacred thread, goes one step further "Think before what you say & do, Do what you think and say, Say what you think and do, Then think it all over again for improvement".  Is it not convincing to practice this 'idea' with personal commitment and honesty by wearing the sacred thread, than with a blind 'Gayathri & Sandhyavandane'? It has become a mocking subject because, no body teaches on real objective, but insist on blind process. Can anyone wearing a black coat becomes a Lawyer? It is definitely a joke, if common people run around in courts wearing black coats and thinking themselves as lawyers. They are even quarrelling, which author & version of the book they are holding, without ever reading it or understanding original constitution & Laws for which those books are written as commentaries.  It takes serious proportions, when a mad man wears a white coat and insists to do a heart transplant on you. Today's reality is close to this situation.

By the way, it is 3 threads and applicable to all adults (not just brahmins). When started women also practiced it. 

And very important Rigveda reference for women threading...

Due to children, women could not cope up with the objective. They consulted the best of the best and decided to transfer the responsibility to husbands, as they are the elders of family. So, men wear 6 threads with double responsibility ( one set for self and another set for better half). Today, time has come to return back the 3 threads to women, as they want equality. It will be less burden for men :-).

Humans need symbols, customs etc for perception, for reminding oneself and to be focused. Corporate companies write their aims and objectives every where (be it internet, share report or the last slide of every presentation ...to show their identity). If god is everywhere, why one needs a temple and that too an idol in a temple? You may be great....but other people need them. My argument is 'know the objective' first. As long as you understand...you can have your own mantra or a way to keep focused on the objective. Gayatri says...Dhio yona prachodayat..meaning let the divine inspire our thoughts. As I said in the beginning, If thoughts are pure and focussed, your deeds and saying will follow. If you think, gayathri is enough for you..so be it.. Sringeri jagadguru doesnot wear 'sacread thread'. It is not applicable to sadhus. It is not applicable as they have understood the original meaning, so that they do not need these symbols and practices. There is no rule that, sringeri jagatguru needs to be a brahmin.
Janivara length is 96 times the width of 4 fingers. 96 itself the 24 x 4 and is 24 bijakshara of Gayatri mantra and 4 represents the 4 vedas. (reference from Bannanje Govidanchar in one of the upanishad and Gayatri Mantra Rahasya). Does janivara give any identity to be a brahmin? Is uniform necessary for a soldier to wage a war? Is black coat necessary for a lawyer? If white coat is not put on, can't the sick get relief from a doctor? Janivara is like white coat of doctor. Significance is limited to that.  It was not a birth right. So, Janivara does not give unique identity to a brahmin.

Historically, we had an easy conversion of a scholar to Brahmin. Vyasa and valmiki etc were the examples. There were many Greeks during Alexander invasion and latter rule, opted to stay back in India and converted to be brahmins and priests. Rama is a kshatriya. Krishna was OBC. They were wearing Janivara. Read wiki page for "Haritasa gotra". An ansistor of rama called Haritasa, converted to brahmin. Madhwacharya, Buddha were born in this clan. So, From the linage, madhwa charya was a warrior. Mayura, the first kadamba king was a brahmin. He converted to Kshatriya. Banaras king is a brahmin even today. Drona was a brahmin, but fought as warrior in Mahabharata. Ravana was a rakshasa (not even human). He was wearing janivara and doing sandhyavandane (gokarna story). Agastya was not a brahmin. But he started a brahmin gotra and converted many people to become brahmans. He is the worshipped saint for many non-brahmin sects even today.  Switching of cast and sub-casts in olden days was as simple as switching ones profession (Same  as an Arvind kejriwal switching from IIT engineer to IRS officer to social activist to CM of Delhi!). This is the reason, I said brahmin was a stream like lawyer today. 

Brahmans were in the trade of providing 'religious services'. 'Veda' wass their base for providing religious services. So, 'Dharma' or the 'professional ethics' of brahman is to 'Think'/'say' and 'Do' as stated in Vedas. It is as simple as that. If today, a brahman engages in another profession, say 'Medical Doctor', by wearing sacread thread, he has to 'Think', 'Say' and 'Do' ethics of medical profession. Do your duty whole heartedly without regards for results, says gita. It is just another form of stating same thing. Does the modern thinking say anything different? Same was true for 'Kshatriya', who was in the trade of providing 'security' of the nation. If you understand this, you have deciphered the 'cast' system.

One of the problem faced by todays generation is to argue using the commentaries on original idea than the original idea itself. Hindu culture is like democracy. Any one can come with a definition to suite his understanding or make it simpler for others to learn. From this aspect, different people have given different perspective. The commentaries are meant only for understanding the original idea. Some commentators..to show of have their skill, have elaborated so much so that, original idea is lost in the process. 3 debt is one such explanation. If it better suites you to understand the concept..you can accept that. Issue is simple....2+2+2 = 6...so is 4+2. = 6. Is there any meaning arguing. 4+2 is only 6?

Addendum

Referrenced from "http://aavaahana.blogspot.in/2011_07_01_archive.html"

Brahmin: is not a caste, in those days who were educated and could scholar the Vedas were called Brahmins irrespective of the caste they belonged, to certify them that they were Brahmins, they were asked to wear a holy thread called Janivara, and from then on whatever caste they earlier belonged to, was not theirs anymore but were called Brahmins forever, a person was never considered Brahmin just because his parents were, this thread (Janivara)slided from their left shoulder moving across their chest and stomach and ended at the right side of their hip, this had another reason too, during their Gurukul period i.e. schoolings , a task of getting food from the nearest villages and sharing the alms was one activity they did have to accomplish everyday, they had to stay cautious of not getting mislead due to their puberty at times and stay focused to their studies. So the thread was worn by these young men so that, young girls and women who supposedly get attracted to these young boys could possibly ruin their lives, hence when a young boy head shaven with a thread across would come around begging in the village was an indication of a Brahmin boy, under schooling. When such boys are around or at the front door begging for alms women and girls will have their faces covered or head bowed or partially invisible and the boys too had to bow their heads down and not look at them, this was to avoid them fall in love, to avoid discontinuation in studies.
Thus, Brahman meant the one who possessed "Bramha Gnana" by mastering all the four vedas, "Bramhana" was the certification of his completion, understanding and implementing the sanskaras mentioned in the vedic texts, it is hence not a caste. As one who completes his course of engineering is called an "Engineer", anatomy a "doctor", similarly the one who masters vedas was called a "Bramhan". not necessarily an Engineer's son should also be certified an Engineer or a Doctor's son a Doctor though they possess no knowledge about the same, similarly a Brahmin's son not necessarily will have to be certified a Brahmin without the "Bramha Gnana".

Ref and Additional material at : 

1) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Upanayana#Three_debts

2)  http://manasataramgini.wordpress.com/.../notes-on-early.../

Most interestingly the sanatkumAra saMhitA gives two forms of upanayanaM, the vedic form for dvijas and tantric agnimukhaM version for women and shUdras. On recieving that they may perform several rites, but the pA~ncharatric brahmin is still supposed to perform vaidika rites to various deities in addition to the internal pA~ncharatric sacrifices to vedic deities given in the rudra rAtra.

Reposting the article. from (https://enjoyingyourkids.wordpress.com/2015/02/01/why-did-you-have-your-child/)

February 2, 2015

Why did you have your child ?

If anyone asked me this question in 2010 , I would have taken a while to answer…. If I ask you this question now I wonder what your answer would be … Take five minutes to think about your answer and then read on…
My guess is that you will probably say either or all of the following :

1. I have been married for x no of years and this was the next step to it
2. I was nearing 30 and the doctor / family advised to have now than later for several biological reasons….
3. To pass on the lineage of our family…
4. My relationship with my husband was stagnating…A child would improve things between us…
5. There is a lot of pressure on us from family to have kids
6. I have one already…I had another child for my first born
7. By accident !
8. any other (you could put it in my comments)

In 2010 my answer would have been 2,4 and 5…. It took me 5 years and a little help from my cousin to understand that ALL these reasons are not really the right reasons to have kids….
Now, let me ask you another question … Why are you a homemaker (if you are one ) ? Again your answers could be

1. My kid/kids is/are small and they need me
2. I live with my in laws and they don’t appreciate me working while the kids are young
3. My husband wants me to take care of the kids at home
4. We don’t have good daycares in India so its better I take care of them myself
5. I don’t have a work visa
6. Any other (again, you can mention in the comments below)

In 2010, I would have chosen 1. But you know what , both my questions have the same following answer for me now :
We should have kids because we want to ENJOY our life with them….We want to enjoy our own childhood which we have left behind…We have become serious , mature adults who cannot laugh without a solid reason to laugh, who cannot play in a garden for the sake of playing, who do not have that innocence on our faces anymore… As a side note, isn’t it wonderful how a person’s eyes beautifully reflect their innocence or the lack of it….
So….. God gave us a passport to go back to our childhood… To have kids and revel in their innocent smile, their playful demeanor, their contagious laughter, the twinkle of their eyes when they are doing something naughty,their soft small fingers holding your fingers, their oh so soft cheeks where you can plant endless kisses and they won’t complain, their unbridled energy, their judgement free eyes, their unconditional hugs and kisses…..aah …the list is endless….
So my next question is
If you are enjoying your life and don’t feel the need for a child then why have one ? Is it fair to a child if he is brought into this world only to make the society happy ? It’s not a sacrosanct rule that everyone in this world should have children….and if it is then who made these rules…? Who made the rule that we have to marry and then only have children?? So if you don’t find the love of your life, you have no right to have a child and enjoy him/her…. If you do, you are at risk of countless questions and judging eyes ….
Do send me your comments… I will love to know what you think …
Till then, Enjoy your child :)
Anumeha

Women Insecurity & Empowered women

"Beauty brands are voraciously feeding on the insecurity of women..". Logical Indian is logically pointing, who is funding media houses to fan women "in-security". After all, Multi billion dollar business of cosmetics and advertisements sits on one foundation - "women in-security and associated complexes". After all these scary media campaign on rape comes down, A series of market Ads with a theme on  "Confident Women", heralding premium brands will be released in to the market. Result, a soaring jewellery, cosmetics and women inner ware sales. No prize to the guess that, prices will be inflated before Ad campaign. Real empowered women do not subscribe to fashion brands (spend all resources, get stressed out and become more un-happy), but work to empower vulnerable sections of society like children and senior citizens. She derives happiness within and not from the pseudo appreciation of discontented colleagues and neighbours (who will switch to the next passer by and talk on back)!.

Women empowerment and celebrating motherhood.....!

After world war 2, west underwent a huge reconstruction work. A million+ working age men had died in battle and there was a great shortage of labour to meet the demand of reconstruction. The reconstruction was riding on top of an industrial revolution, so demand was really high. If the demand was not met, cost of labour would multiply many fold. Many business were used to cheap labour (some time free labour from prison inmates) and were not ready to take up the reconstruction work, till labour costs were controlled. Govts had 2 options. Encourage immigration from 3rd world or engage more citizen (like bringing in non working people, raising the retirement age etc). Encouraging immigration had its own set of problems. Immigrants are expected to send back their earnings to their host countries and remain poor in the immigrated country. That means, wealth is shared with 3rd world and at home, more lower classes will emerge fragmenting the society. Lower classes will bring poverty and racism, which will reflect on politicians. On the other hand, majority of the non-working population were women, who were loaded with day to day house hold activities. Women were happy and cozy at home. Bringing them on to the labour market, will result in nuclearisation of families, increase discontent in family life. Looking at the options, business houses saw an opportunity. Nuclear family means, more consumption and that is good for business. They also knew, double income in the hands of husband & wife will temporarily mask the discontent in family life. Since politicians were fearful of loosing support due to racism, businesses lobbied for the other option. Political class agreed with one condition. Bringing women to labour market needs to be a smooth process with less negative effects on to their political profile. Govt needed a story to begin with and to start pulling out women from the comforts of their houses. So, a media campaign was launched on the "women empowerment". Women who were suffering due to war, collapsed economy and other ills of society were targeted and their anger was consolidated. The anger was redirected against men and in-laws as oppressors. A picture is painted that, men are the reason for their suffering (while war and economy were the culprits). The idea worked. Labour market stabilized, businesses got cheap labour and consumption soared, . Economy flourished. Wealth remained in the rich countries. However there was a price. Families got nuclearised. Work load on women increased, children suffered due to lack of support. Debt, Alcoholism, drugs & divorce increased. Sociatal values lowered.

As far as the business houses were considered, the formula worked well. They were very happy. After capitalizing in the developed world, They wanted to apply the formula in 3rd world also to expand their business. Although 3rd world is rich in man power, "women empowerment" campaign was launched. In India, unemployment is a basic problem. Instead of rationalizing work among families, women employment was encouraged. This has created double income families on one side and more un-employed families on the other side. Employed woman does not marry an un-employed man. So, a skewed social structure emerged.

The double income families helped to fuel consumption, but started injecting the same problems of west in India as well. Impact of suffering is many fold in 3rd world countries as more people will be dependent on one person. Unlike in west, there is no support systems to relocate affected people (be it drugs, old age homes, child care centers etc). So, impact is large. The working women is causing more discontent among women in un-emplyed families.

India has respected women since early ages. Each god is given a consort to show this equality (this is not the case in west). Many practices like 'sati' are adopted by women themselves to protect against aggressors and not imposed by men. Women find their role and hand in all aspects of societal activity, be it art, architecture, war or medicine. If society is skewed towards men, we would not be hearing a story like jhansi rani. In fact the epics talk of 'swaymwara' to enable a girl to choose a groom of her liking, while the epics from west celebrates a picture of women in slavery market. Freedom and equality is visible on the scripted walls of all temples (which are the real history books in India). This is the reality.

However, no body in media gives this picture. Paid media like TOI and paid authors continue to take single events, generalize the problems and are thrusting it on society (For example read http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/…/articleshow/9237496.cms?). An incident of rape is generalized to paint a picture that, all men have intention to rape. This creates more insecurity in society and break up families. Women should understand the reality. Women are not the only sufferers. Children, elders and even men are suffering. The situation is complex due to diversity (multi ethnic, multi cultured, fragmented society with multi layered class system). There sufferings are due to in-equal distribution of resources and lack of development. Men and in-laws are not the reason for all the ills faced by women. Definitely Indian women are stressed more than say women in Norway/Sweden. But this is true for children, men and elders too. The stress is due to large population, limited resources and in-equitable distribution. Increased burden of education, difficult travel conditions, inflated prices are retarding the progress. Men are as helpless as women. A man works hard to accumulate wealth for the family, especially for children. But these children are left to be molded by women. Man is working for children future, but their future (meaning the entire families future) is given in to the hands of women. Isn't this empowering? Without understanding the reality, subscribing to the business funded ideas of empowerment and blaming men will not solve anything. Most of the burden (as depicted in cartoon in beginning) faced by women are originated by children and not by men (who are working out of home more than 10 hours a day now). Serving and supporting children should not be considered as burden. It is a debt we need to repay (debt is given by our parents, but we need to reimburse it to our children with interest). Supporting children is not unique to Indian women alone. Although many working option exists, many European women prefer to stay at home and take care of their children. Motherhood practiced and celebrated more than womanhood worldwide!

1) A  nice video celebrating Mother hood across world.

<div id="fb-root"></div><script>(function(d, s, id) {  var js, fjs = d.getElementsByTagName(s)[0];  if (d.getElementById(id)) return;  js = d.createElement(s); js.id = id;  js.src = "//connect.facebook.net/en_US/all.js#xfbml=1";  fjs.parentNode.insertBefore(js, fjs);}(document, 'script', 'facebook-jssdk'));</script><div class="fb-post" data-href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10151241730702242" data-width="466"><div class="fb-xfbml-parse-ignore"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10151241730702242">Post</a> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/shankar.naidu">Shankar Naidu</a>.</div></div>

2) A blog write up by a mother converted from 'working mother' status to a 'stay at home mom (SAHM)

https://enjoyingyourkids.wordpress.com/2015/02/26/i-am-lucky-to-be-a-stay-at-home-mom-sahm/

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