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News18
11 hours ago
- Entertainment
- News18
‘The One-Way Ships': More Than Just A Tale Of Survival
Uma Lohray's debut novel, 'The One‑Way Ships', looks at the baby ayahs — a forgotten chapter in India's colonial past 'It's like a story…you don't always get to control what happens, but you can persevere through what others may see as a tragic ending. Eventually, if you keep going, the story turns happy again." It is this spirit of resilience and optimism that permeates Uma Lohray's debut novel, The One‑Way Ships. A story that looks at the baby ayahs — a forgotten chapter in India's colonial past. Once an integral part of the colonial British households, these ladies, mere servants, were used, neglected and abandoned in foreign lands — with no money, no home and simply nowhere to go — once they had served their purpose. The One-Way Ships is a tale of survival as it narrates the tale of Asha, one such ayah who finds herself stranded in England, homeless, friendless and destitute. Her story begins in Simla, the summer capital of pre-Independence India, sometime in the second decade of the twentieth century. At the height of British colonial rule, this was a time when Indians were second-class citizens in their own land. Orphaned at the age of fourteen, Asha finds herself destitute and coming to terms with harsh realities of life. Self-respecting and as someone who doesn't wallow in self-pity, she soon starts looking for a job in Simla, knocking on any and every door. She soon finds a job of an ayah and a caretaker in a British home, where her job was to be the servant to take care of the children — bathing, feeding and playing with them. Taking her changed circumstances in her stride, she also learns new skills — she learns to speak, read and write the English language. The turning point in her life comes when she gets an opportunity two years later to travel with an English lady as an ayah. She takes it, upon the promise of being given a return ticket. A promise that turns out to be false. Imagine finding yourself duped and tricked and left abandoned in a country that isn't your own. That is what happens to Asha. And this is where the character shines. Unwilling to give up, she finds herself starting from scratch and rebuilding her life. In terms of the plot, The One-Way Ships is a simple story — it is Asha's tale of survival, her growth from a protected young girl into a resilient woman who doesn't lose her empathy, despite her circumstances. It is a novel with a lot of characters and souls. Asha may be fictional but this powerful novel is a tribute to many such Ashas, bringing to light thousands of such women whose stories have been overlooked and forgotten. Harini Srinivasan Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
NDTV
13 hours ago
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Jab BFFs Asha Parekh, Helen, Waheeda Rehman Met. See Pic
Mumbai: Veteran actress Asha Parekh shared 'cherished moments' with the 'people' she 'loves' Helen and Waheeda Rehman. Taking to Instagram, Asha Parekh shared a picture featuring the three 'golden girls' sitting in a restaurant and enjoying a meal. For the caption, she wrote: 'Jab we moments with people I love.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Asha Parekh (Official Account) (@ashaparekhofficial) The three iconic figures from the golden age of Hindi cinema are known for their strong bond of friendship. Last year in June, the trio went to Srinagar for a holiday. Asha had shared the picture on Instagram, where the trio posed on a houseboat and had captioned: 'Enjoying the houseboat in Srinagar', with hashtags #FriendsForEver #FriendsLikeFamily #Holiday #FunTime #BeautifulKashmir #Nostalgia and #MakingMemories.' View this post on Instagram A post shared by Asha Parekh (Official Account) (@ashaparekhofficial) Talking about Asha, 82, she commenced her journey in cinema as a child actor and made her debut as a lead heroine in the 1959 film Dil Deke Dekho. After which, she was seen in movies such as Teesri Manzil, Love In Tokyo, Caravan, Udhar Ka Sindur, Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki and Aan Milo Sajna and Mera Gaon Mera Desh among many others. Asha was last seen in the 1995 film Andolan, which stars Sanjay Dutt, Govinda, Mamta Kulkarni, and Somy Ali in lead roles. This film marked veteran actress Asha Parekh's final role before retirement. The 87-year-old Waheeda made her acting debut in 1955 with the Telugu film Rojulu Marayi. She was then seen in films such as Pyaasa, Guide, Neel Kamal, Reshma Aur Shera, Khamoshi, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Chaudhvin Ka Chand and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam. Waheeda was last seen in the 2021 coming-of-age sports drama film directed by Manjari Makijany. The cast includes newcomers Rachel Sanchita Gupta and Shafin Patel, and also stars Amrit Maghera, Jonathan Readwin and Waheeda Rehman. Talking about Helen, she has appeared in over 500 films in a career spanning seven decades. She has been a part of films such as Howrah Bridge, Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai,Woh Kaun Thi?,Caravan, Upaasna, Ram Balram and Sholay to name a few. She was last seen in the 2012 film Heroine starring Kareena Kapoor Khan.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Bihar: Nitish Kumar announces 3x pay hike for Asha workers; Mamta incentives doubled
NEW DELHI: Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar on Wednesday announced an increment in the honorarium of Asha and Mamata workers for playing "a key enhancing healthcare services in rural areas" of the state. In a social media post on X, Nitish said that the incentive for Asha workers will be increased from Rs 1,000 to Rs 3,000. Meanwhile, Mamta workers will be provided an incentive of 600 rupees per child birth delivery instead of 300 rupees. "Since forming the government in November 2005, we have undertaken extensive efforts to improve healthcare services. Asha and Mamta workers have played a significant role in enhancing healthcare services in rural areas. Keeping this in mind and honouring the vital contributions of ASHA and Mamta workers in strengthening healthcare services in rural areas, a decision has been made to increase their honorarium," Nitish said. "Asha workers will now receive an incentive of 3,000 rupees instead of 1,000 rupees. Additionally, Mamta workers will be provided an incentive of 600 rupees per delivery instead of 300 rupees, which will further boost their morale and strengthen healthcare services in rural areas," he added. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mini House for 60 sqm for Seniors with Toilet and Bath (Price May Surprise You) Pre Fabricated Homes | Search Ads Search Now Undo Ahead of the upcoming assembly elections scheduled for the end of the year, CM Nitish has announced a series of social welfare initiatives aimed at expanding the safety net. In a recent move, the Bihar government announced a hike in the pension of accredited journalists under the Bihar Patrakaar Samman Pension Scheme. The state cabinet also approved a new domicile policy that limits the existing 35% reservation for women in government jobs to only those who are permanent residents of Bihar. In addition, the government has introduced a provision of 125 units of free electricity for domestic consumers. Bihar government on Sunday also approved the formation of the State Sanitation Workers Commission to safeguard the rights of sanitation workers and ensure their welfare, rehabilitation, empowerment, and access to government schemes.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Climate
- Time of India
Floodwaters start to recede but several villages still flooded in 6 districts
Bhubaneswar/Balasore/Jajpur: Several villages in six districts remained marooned on Monday even as water levels in rivers like the Baitarani, Brahmani, Subarnarekha, Budhabalanga and Jalaka started receding. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Bodies of Santosh Jena of Chandakuda, 30, and Purnachandra Mohanty of Chahata, 72, who were swept away by the floodwaters in Jajpur district on Sunday, were recovered by fire service personnel on Monday. Floodwaters from the Baitarani and its tributary Kani entered new areas in Jajpur on Monday, leaving hundreds of families stranded. Higher education minister Suryabanshi Suraj visited flood-affected areas in Bhadrak district on Monday. He said floodwaters, which entered villages and farmland, may take some days to drain out. In Kendrapada, villages under Aul and Pattamundai blocks such as Singhgao, Krushnadaspur, Penthapala and Gobindapur, have been cut off by flash floods caused by the swelling Brahmani, Baitarani and Kani. Damaged roads have forced locals to use motor tubes for rescuing stranded people. In Balasore, the situation has marginally improved as water levels of the Subarnarekha and Jalaka started receding, bringing some respite to residents of low-lying areas in Basta, Jaleswar, Baliapal and Bhograi blocks. A total of 18,000 people were affected in the four blocks, and over 5,000 are being provided food from the community kitchens, official sources said. The Balasore administration has mounted massive relief operations, setting up 16 free kitchens and deploying 17 ODRAF teams and 13 fire service units for rescue and relief work. Medical teams, including Asha workers and ANMs, are conducting health check-ups, while veterinary teams are attending to livestock. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "We are focused on stabilising the situation. Relief materials are being distributed, and rescue teams are active. Medical and veterinary teams are working round the clock," said Balasore collector Suryawanshi Mayur Vikas. Essential medicines, ORS sachets and healthcare services are being delivered in the flood-hit areas. Dedicated medical teams, including Asha workers and auxiliary nurse midwives (ANMs), are conducting regular health check-ups in the affected villages. Veterinary teams are also mobilised and are conducting health check-ups and vaccination camps in affected villages to prevent disease outbreaks among livestock. Districts like Balasore, Bhadrak and Jajpur are facing flood for the 5th time this season, sources said. Post-flood disaster management has become crucial for govt authorities to ensure safe drinking water and check the spread of diseases in affected areas. There was no major rainfall reported in the state on Monday, while the IMD predicted light to moderate rainfall in isolated places on Tuesday.
The Hindu
5 days ago
- Health
- The Hindu
Ensure sufficient medicine stock for snake and dog bites, Mandya ZP CEO instructs PHCs
Mandya Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer K.R. Nandini has asked Primary Health Centres (PHCs) to ensure availability of sufficient stock of medicines for snake and dog bites. During a surprise visit to the PHC at Chandagalu village in Mandya taluk on Friday, Ms. Nandini inspected the medicines available at the hospital used for treating snake and dog bites, and sought details regarding their availability and expiry dates. If timely treatment is provided at the PHC itself, referring the patients to urban hospitals can be avoided, she pointed out. During her visit to the PHC, Ms. Nandini reviewed attendance of the staff, records related to in-patients and out-patients, hospital cleanliness, waste management, and documentation related to Ayushman Bharat-Arogya Karnataka scheme. She also spoke to the Asha works present at the hospital and advised them to visit houses in their jurisdiction, and spread awareness about dengue and malaria fever. Ms. Nandini emphasised the need to encourage pregnant women to undergo regular check-ups and ensure timely vaccinations for the children. Meanwhile, medical officer at the PHC Hemanth Raj pointed out that a new building for the PHC had been sanctioned as the current building had become old. As the land on which the present PHC stands was under a legal dispute, an alternate site had been approved for the construction of the PHC, he added. Panchayat Development Officer Vidya and elected Gram Panchayat members of Chandagalu Gram Panchayat were also present on the occasion.
