SOCIAL MEDIA SCAMS AND CYBERCRIMES

 

“I am calling from the Police Department. Your parcel has been seized by Customs and we have found drugs in it”

“This is the Enforcement Directorate. Your accounts and your phones are under surveillance and we believe your business is in gross violation of GST rules”

“This is the Cyber-Police Cell. Your daughter who studies in XYZ College in Delhi has been involved in a sex scandal and we have her videos in our possession.”

All these are how the new age social media scams, cyber-frauds or cyber-crimes start. What follows is a horrible charade of cyber-arrest, presentation in front of a cyber-court, monitory fine and swindling of one’s life’s earnings. Businessmen, Doctors, Engineers, IAS officers and even solicitors have fallen prey to this new age crime.

So, how can you deal with this assault and avoid financial bankruptcy and emotional devastation? Don’t panic and stay alert. CBI, Police, Customs, ED, Judges do not arrest you on a voice call or video call. Cyber-arrest is a fraud and has no place in our Indian constitution. Report such calls to www.cybercrime.gov.in or call the Cybercrime helpline at 1930. You can also follow Cyber Dost on X, Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.

 

Senior Citizens are easy targets

As we age, our finances become more important to secure a comfortable and independent future. Unfortunately, scammers take advantage of this vulnerability and target seniors with deceptive schemes designed to steal their hard-earned money. These scams can be incredibly sophisticated and can prey on a senior's trust or sense of urgency. The consequences of falling victim to such scams can be devastating, leaving victims with emotional distress and significant financial hardship.  To help you protect yourself and your loved ones, you need the knowledge to identify and avoid these scams.

1. The Grandparent Scam

This scam exploits a senior's love and concern for their family. Scammers often target landline phones, posing as a terrified grandchild. They can claim to be in trouble with the law, need money for bail or legal bills, or be caught up in an unexpected travel situation requiring immediate funding. The urgency of the situation is a key tactic here. Scammers will often instill a sense of desperation, asking the grandparent not to inform other family members and to move quickly to give money electronically or via prepaid gift cards. They can also use voice modification methods to sound more like an actual grandchild. This fraud takes advantage of a senior's natural desire to help their loved ones in need. However, a red flag should go up if the caller refuses to identify themselves clearly, refuses to connect the senior to the supposed parent, or insists on untraceable payment methods. Always encourage elders to verify the story directly with their child or another trusted family member before sending any money.

 

2. The Health Insurance Scam

Scammers also target seniors who are with some health insurance coverage. They may contact elders by phone, email, or in person, disguised as representatives from a health insurance company, or a government body. Their end goal is to steal personal information such as Aadhaar and PAN numbers. This information might be used to file fake medical claims or commit identity theft. Seniors should contact their current insurance provider directly to confirm the legitimacy of any unsolicited offer that requires sharing personal information or paying upfront fees for insurance services.

 

3. Tech Support Scams

Tech support scams target seniors who may be less tech-savvy yet rely heavily on computers for communication and everyday work. Scammers use scare tactics, bombarding elders with pop-up messages or phone calls claiming that their computer has a virus, serious safety flaws, or is running slowly. They coerce the senior into granting them remote access to their computer, allowing them to install malware or steal personal information. Furthermore, they may provide needless "repair services" for a hefty fee, even though the problems are fabricated. Personal and banking details on the computer can then be accessed and misused to withdraw funds.

 

4. Sweepstakes/Lottery Scams

The lure of winning a life-changing sum of money can be enticing, particularly for seniors living on a limited income. Sweepstakes and lottery scammers prey on this desire by pestering elders with unsolicited calls, letters, or even emails saying they've won a massive prize. The catch? To claim their "winnings," the victim must first pay upfront fees or taxes. These expenses are sometimes disguised as processing fees, administrative charges, or "insurance" to secure the prize. However, after sending the money, the victim never receives the winnings, and the fraudster disappears. Legitimate lotteries and sweepstakes will never ask for money to claim a prize. Seniors should never send money based on unsolicited offers, even if they appear to be legitimate.

 

Facebook / Instagram / WhatsApp / Telegram / X Scams

It seems like every time you log onto Facebook, another scam rears its ugly head. Turns out, it's not just you. Over 60% of users on the platform report running into scams every single week – more than any other social media giant. The truth is, whether we're double-tapping on Instagram, scrolling through TikToks, which is now banned in India, or catching up on X (the platform formerly known as Twitter), social media has become a constant companion, and scammers have taken notice. Scam ads are more prevalent than ever, lurking in the corners of our feeds, waiting to trick unsuspecting users. These ads often promise too-good-to-be-true deals, offer fake products, or lead you to shady websites, all designed to steal your personal information or money.  Knowing how to spot scam ads and protect yourself can make all the difference. Here’s how you can protect yourself on social media and stay one step ahead of the scammers.

 

1. Too-good-to-be-true offers

These ads promise amazing deals that seem unreal. You might see a luxury watch for 90% off or a free vacation, but if it sounds too fantastic, it probably is! Scammers lure you in with these offers to grab your attention and some of your cash. Always research any deal you come across that’s way below market price. If it's unbelievable, it’s worth putting on your “scam radar.”

 

2. Fake celebrity endorsements

Scammers love using images of celebrities to make their ads more credible. They might claim a famous person is endorsing a product or offering a giveaway. AI has made it very easy to use a celebrity’s image, video and voice to convince you to make very profitable investments. Industry barons like Narayan Murthy, Media celebs like Palki Sharma, Stock market gurus like Ashish Kacholia are always endorsing fantastic stocks which you can buy for pittance today and be a multi-millionaire in the next two years! Check if the celebrity has actually made such a post or if it’s just a stolen photo. Legitimate endorsements usually link back to official accounts.

 

3. Phony giveaways

“Congratulations, you’ve won!” Sound familiar? Ads that claim you’ve won something, or are giving away high-end items for free, often lead to phishing sites. They usually ask for personal information like your address or credit card details in exchange for your “prize.” Legit giveaways won’t require sensitive info upfront, so always be cautious.

 

4. Subscription traps

These ads lure you in with a free trial or a seemingly low-cost subscription. After signing up, you may find yourself unknowingly locked into expensive monthly payments. Always read the fine print before committing to a trial. If you notice confusing terms or hidden fees, it’s a red flag. Legitimate companies will make their subscription terms clear, so always ensure you know what you’re signing up for!

 

5. Phishing links

Phishing scams are rampant on social media. You might receive a message with a link that claims you’ve won something or need to verify your account. Or you might come across an advertizement claiming the same on some social media site. Clicking on such links can lead to malicious websites designed to steal your personal information. Always be cautious about clicking on unknown links, especially if they come from unfamiliar accounts. When in doubt, go straight to the official site instead of following the link. Remember Maruti, Tata Motors, Hyundai or Honda do not give away free cars to celebrate their sales landmarks!

 

6. Impersonation ads

These ads mimic legitimate businesses, with fake websites or social media pages that appear to be genuine. They often target well-known brands, making it hard to tell the difference. Before clicking or buying, make sure you’re dealing with the official account by looking for verified badges or searching for the company directly.

 

7. Romance scams

These are particularly heart-wrenching. Scammers create fake profiles to build romantic relationships, only to eventually ask for money or personal information. They might claim they need funds for travel, medical bills, or other emergencies. Be cautious of new connections who quickly express deep feelings and avoid sharing financial details. What is unfortunate is that seniors often fall prey to such scams as they are lonely and feel that an affair in the evening of their life won’t harm, but it almost always does.

 

8. Social media quizzes

Ever come across a fun quiz that promises to reveal something about your personality? While many are harmless, some are designed to gather your personal information. Scammers may use these quizzes to collect data for phishing or identity theft. If a quiz requires you to provide sensitive info, like your phone number or email, it’s best to skip it. Stick to reputable sources and always be cautious about what info you share online! Always quiz the intention of the quiz-maker and why are they keen to help you to win the contest.

 

9. Investment/crypto scams

With the rise of crypto-currency, investment scams have flourished. Advertisements may promise guaranteed returns or insider strategies that promise to double your investment overnight. Often, these scams are too good to be true and lead to financial loss. Always conduct thorough research before investing in any scheme. Remember, legitimate investments won’t promise quick returns and will involve inherent risks. Don’t let the promise of quick riches push you into making hasty decisions!

Stock market unsolicited tips are invariably fraud. If I know that stock ABC is going to fetch me a 200% profit in the next six months why will I advertize it to the world? Rakesh Jhunjhunwala has died long back but he is still giving stock advice on the internet and in Facebook!

 

10. Impersonating established entities

It has been observed that fake/deceptive/fraudulent WhatsApp/Telegram groups/accounts have been created impersonating the Franklin Templeton or Blackrock brand names. These groups are illegally using their logo and name to deceive innocent individuals. Without obtaining any authorization from the regulator to provide investment advice, they recommend securities for investment, promise high returns on such investments, aiming to swindle funds into unfamiliar bank accounts. One must always verify the authenticity of these accounts by going straight to the company site.

 

What to do when you encounter a scam advertisements on social media 

If you come across a scam advert, don’t panic. Here’s what you should do:

1. Don’t click: First and foremost, resist the urge to click on the ad. Even a quick tap can lead to trouble, like downloading malware or being redirected to a phishing site.

2. Report it: Most social media platforms have options to report suspicious ads. Look for the "Report" or "Flag" button, usually found near the ad. Select the appropriate reason, like "Scam" or "Phishing."

3. Block the advertiser: If you can identify the advertiser, block them to prevent seeing more of their content. This helps keep your feed clean and reduces the risk of exposure.

4. Warn others: Share your experience with friends and family. A quick message or post can help them avoid the same scam. Awareness is key to staying safe.

5. Check your accounts: If you think you might have fallen for the scam, check your bank and credit card statements for any unauthorized transactions. Consider changing your passwords and enabling two-factor authentication for added security.

 

The moral of the story is that money has to be earned by hard work and there is no short-cut to prosperity. Even the fraudsters are working hard to con you. So be alert, don’t panic and don’t share your personal details, Aadhaar, PAN and insurance details with anyone. Don’t be greedy and don’t be naïve, no one will, out of the goodness of one’s heart, unearth a fortune for you, you will have to earn it by the old fashioned way. Cyber-crimes must not be suffered in silence and solitude but immediately reported to the police and there is no provision of Cyber Arrest in our constitution. The Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act) has stringent penalties for cyber-crime- imprisonment for 3 years or fine up to Rs. 500,000 or both. You can help the government by reporting such crimes by ringing the helpline 1930 or leaving your complain on www.cybercrime.gov.in

Six out of 10 individuals receive at least three spam calls a day and nine out of ten receive at least one spam text message. Telephone service operators are now launching an AI driven spam detection solution and one operator, Airtel, has flagged 1.12 crore (11.2 million) phone calls as spam and alerted their U.P based customers. Other operators will soon follow. Cybercriminals however will always remain a step ahead and it is the end user who has to become smart and avoid these social media and cyber-fraud quicksand. 

PARENTING – ONE AIM BUT MANY WAYS

Parenting is considered the most important job in the world! Parents anchor children's lives and lay the foundations of relationships, attitudes, and behaviour patterns. How carefully they navigate through the rough waters of childhood and adolescence determines how smoothly the child will thrive in adulthood. The way a child is cared for and nurtured has a significant impact on their general well-being. Parents should listen to their children, show them affection, and discipline them constructively.

Our children are now grown up adults and though we enjoyed their childhood to the maximum, only photographs and videos are now left in our empty nest to remind us of those good days gone by! In one of my previous blogs I told you about a patient of mine, who is a child psychologist and who offered me some golden nuggets about child psychology. If you missed it then here it is for you: https://surajitbrainwaves.blogspot.com/2024/06/child-psychology-i-never-knew.html

This blog is a result of a very long and leisurely evening spent with her after her surgery, and after listening to her views, I am not really sure what type of a parent we were!

 

Futility of scolding

The most important thing for a parent is their relationship with their children. It is that pause one takes before reacting and the thought they put into treating their child with compassion and empathy. Scolding might take the heat off your own head, but the impact it will have on the young impressionable mind is lifelong. Scolding also underlines that the parent has limited control over his/her emotions, and they use verbal aggression to deal with this disrupted emotional state. So, in a way, the parent is modelling verbal aggression to deal with crises. As a parent, you may not like to set up such a model for your child to follow.

Positive parenting can boost a child's self-esteem as they are encouraged to have open conversations about their thoughts, beliefs, and feelings. Particular focus should be given to the first few years of a child's life, as during this time, a child's brain develops at an extraordinary rate. This provides an exceptional opportunity to shape their ability to learn. Storytelling, discussions about day-to-day activities, reading together or walking through a garden are all learning activities.

 

Encourage talent, accept limitations, and prepare for the world

Part of good parenting is allowing the child to develop their personality through play. Playing, along with being a fun activity, improves children and adolescents' cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being. Parents have to encourage their talents while also accepting their limitations. It is extremely useful to have open conversations around pertinent questions like: What is it that they are most afraid of? Do they feel under-confident? Has anyone troubled them recently? Make them feel appreciated, as though their thoughts and opinions matter because they do. Teaching about good touch and bad touch, and how to deal with the latter is an absolute must. Children who do not receive adequate care and protection are among the most vulnerable people in the world. 

 

Types of parenting

There is no "100% correct" way when it comes to parenting, and the way you will educate your children will be influenced mainly by the way you yourself were educated, the way you observe other parents, and of course your personal background.   Despite all this, there are several common parenting styles, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. If you know how to align yourself with the parenting style that suits you, it will be much easier for you to be consistent in the education you give your children.

 

1. Authoritative Parenting

Many child development experts argue that this parenting style is the most effective. Characteristics of such parents include:

·        Willing to establish clear and consistent rules and boundaries

·        Having high expectations for their children

·        Knowing how to listen well to their children

·        Knowing how to give positive feedback and doing so regularly

Advantages and Disadvantages

Authoritative parents provide their children with a loving and supportive environment to grow in, and as a result, children of such parents suffer less from mental health issues and have higher self-esteem than children raised under other parenting styles. Additionally, children of such parents are healthier and are less likely to use drugs and alcohol and be less violent.   However, this style requires a lot of patience and rules, which can be difficult for both parents and children. Thus rules like ‘no play after sunset’, ‘dinner at 8 and bed at 9’ need to be implemented with patient and logical explanation.

 

2. Authoritarian Parenting

It may sound the same as "authoritative parent," but it is not. For authoritarian parents, it is important that children do everything necessary to succeed so that they can be the best version of themselves. Such parents:

·        Set clear and rigid rules and expect their children to follow them

·        Punish – sometimes severely - "Clean your room or I'll throw away your toys,"

·        Have high expectations for their children and do not accept failure –“If your grades are not good you will be punished”

·        Do not encourage open communication - "Because I said so!" without entering into a discussion on the matter

Advantages and Disadvantages

It's important to remember that not every child will grow up to be an Olympic athelete/swimmer or the next great genius Albert Einstein, and this parenting style has quite a few disadvantages, despite its excellent intentions. Children of authoritarian parents do not see their parents as legitimate authority figures, and are more likely to engage in negative behaviors such as smoking, skipping school, and drinking alcohol, compared to children raised under other parenting styles.   They also are more likely to suffer from depression, and though this style aims for success, their grades are not necessarily higher than those of their peers.

 

3. Attachment Parenting

This approach puts the child at the center and creates a protected and safe environment for them. Such parents have the following characteristics:

·        Tend to maintain a lot of physical contact with their children – holding hands, carrying them, and even sleeping with them in the same bed.

·        Respond to every cry for help from the child without hesitation – soothing, comforting, and supporting to provide a warm, loving, and safe environment.

Advantages and Disadvantages

These children grow up to be more independent, mentally resilient, less stressed, more empathetic, and have greater control over their emotions. However, such parents may themselves suffer from certain disadvantages, such as not dedicating time to themselves and their partners. The child too at times becomes a reassurance seeker, which may be an issue in later life.

 

4. Permissive Parenting

Parents who advocate for this parenting style are loving and warm. Unlike other parents, they let their children set the rules, and besides that, they also have the following characteristics:

·        Do not advocate for setting many rules “Don’t want to go to school, don’t go.”

·        Do not set clear boundaries – curfew hours, permissible drinks, smoking

·        Do not always try to control their children's behavior

·        Allow their children to make their own decisions

Advantages and Disadvantages

Permissive parents provide their children with a lot of love. Although most experts do not recommend this parenting style, children raised under it often become independent individuals who know how to make their own decisions and appreciate their parents for raising them to reach such a state.   However, these children experience much more stress in their studies, are be more often victims of bullying, and surprisingly - the bullies tend to be children of authoritative parents. As they are setting the rules they often suffer childhood obesity.

 

5. Free-Range Parenting

This parenting style allows children to explore the world, take risks, and make mistakes, but under the guidance of the parents. Before parents loosen the reins, they give children rules and warn them of the consequences of their actions. This allows them to provide their children with:

·        A sense of responsibility

·        Freedom - let your 3-year-old play alone in the park while you watch from a distance.

·        Control over their lives - allow your child to walk to a friend's house a few blocks away, but before he leaves your apartment, you explain that he should not talk to strangers and what he should do if he gets lost.

Advantages and Disadvantages

When children are given the responsibility for their actions, they grow up to be less depressed and anxious, and learn to rely more on their decisions. However, during childhood, they may be physically harmed, although the risk is no greater than that of other children.

 

6. Helicopter Parenting

Such parents control every detail of their children's lives, from the friends they hang out with, the food they eat, to how they spend their free time. The characteristics of such parents are:

·        Trying to control every situation in the child's life

·        Not trusting their children's ability to handle certain situations properly

·        Always offering guidance to their children

·        Trying to solve problems for their children instead of letting them handle them

Advantages and Disadvantages

Experts argue against helicopter parenting because it makes children dependent on their parents. But these children later are  much less likely to drink alcohol, engage in risky sexual behavior, or spend time with people who do so.   However, children of helicopter parents tend to have lower self-esteem, higher levels of anxiety and depression in adulthood, suffer from a fear of failure, and do not handle problem-solving well in their lives.

 

7. Neglectful / Uninvolved Parenting

Of course, no parent wants to be neglectful or uninvolved in their children's lives, but sometimes it's hard to prevent it, for example, if the parent works two jobs or in a different city and for some reason cannot communicate with the children. Such parents typically:

·        Do not have special feelings for their children – leave the child locked in a car while shopping.

·        Do not attend to their children's physical and emotional needs, except for their basic needs - no idea if the child has done their homework or not, and it doesn't really interest the parent

·        Do not respond quickly to their children

·        Are absent from their children's lives physically or emotionally

·        May hit their children

Advantages and Disadvantages

There is no documentation of advantages to this parenting style, but children raised under it tend to be better at relying on themselves, and have higher mental resilience. However, no child deserves to grow up in such an environment, and the disadvantages are many. These children struggle with emotional control, have a tendency toward depression, have difficulty forming and maintaining relationships, and are more anti-social and anxious.

 

To conclude:

There are many parenting styles, and chances are you won't be a parent of just one style, but you'll combine several styles together, and that's okay. Every parent is unique, and so is every child, and you are the ones who know your children best. According to most studies, children grow up best when parents walk the fine line between giving a lot of attention and trying to control them. Either way, you need to try different methods and find out what works best with your children and for you.

FROM VILLAGE TO VIGYAN - Reminiscences of a Pahadi Nuclear Scientist - A Book Review

 

Reminiscence of a Pahadi Nuclear Scientist- From Village to Vigyan is an autobiography of Dr. Chintamani Sunta and is undoubtedly one of those 'you can't put me down' books. I relate to the wisdom and clarity of thoughts of the author for reasons more than one. He happens to be the father of one of my most favorite colleague in Plastic Surgery, Prof. Vinita Puri, and the genetic source of her excellence is now an open secret. 

 

The author weaves the story of his childhood in the villages of Kumaon in Uttarakhand, near the picture postcard settings of Pithoragarh, a story that I have heard many times from my late mother in law, who belonged to the same place and lived a happy life of 104 years. The hills, the streams, the valleys, the pine forests, the lush green and mustard yellow steps of cultivated crops along the hillside and the footpath along their edge for traveling from village to village (dang-dang in Kumaoni) and the occasional encounter with wild boar or leopard are the stuff we have been repeatedly hearing from her. Dr. Sunta has painted the most enchanting scenery of the hills and distant mountain ranges in breathtakingly beautiful prose. I have also trekked extensively in both Kumaon and Garhwal and spent many holidays in Nainital, Almora, Bageshwar, Champawat and this further added to my exhilarating experience of reading the author's beautiful descriptions.

 

The trials and tribulations of a young boy from such a remote location in the hills as he crosses one academic and social hurdle after another, just to educate himself is truly inspirational. When we appreciate that academic excellence alone, coupled with hard work and dedication can achieve so much, with so few means and so little to fall back upon, it makes one wonder whether fate is anything else than what you make out of your chances and opportunities that life throws towards you.

 

Dr. Sunta started his professional life as a Physics teacher and after a few teaching assignments he got appointed in Atomic Energy Establishment in Bombay. He worked in Health Physics Department and his nature of work was research on radiation hazards. He devised an inexpensive Gamma Ray Attenuation Counter for this purpose, which added to his popularity. During this time he got married to Kamla and proceeded to the U.S alone for further training in his chosen field. The book describes his experiences in the research laboratories in the U.S and his foreign trips for conferences and research assignments in very simple words that bring out vivid details of persons and places, whether it is Denmark or Brazil or Austria. He was appointed an International Atomic Energy Agency Expert by the IAEA Vienna Head Office and worked in many countries in that capacity. His association with the Brazilian scientists of this field resulted in a fruitful Indo-Brazilian research collaboration for future scientists.

 

After retirement from the post of Director, Radiation Safety Division of Atomic Energy Regulatory Board Dr. Sunta’s association with the Brazilian nuclear scientists flourished further and he became first a researcher and then Professor of Physics in Sao Paolo University where he would do both – teach undergraduate students and guide the research projects of post graduates. He even established an optional graduate course which was committed to research. As he was a professor in a university he was offered resident status in Brazil. Dr. Sunta fondly remembered his office room which had large glass windows overlooking a cherry garden!

 

While working in Bhabha Atomic Research Centre and in Brazil Dr. Sunta had many scientific publications in leading science journals to his credit but his crowning glory was a book ‘Unraveling Thermoluminescence’  published by Springer, which my friend and his daughter Vinita helped him to publish.

 

Though India was ‘Otro Lado da Mundo’, on the other side of the world in Portuguese, Dr. Sunta and his wife Smt. Kamla’s social life in Brazil was very eventful and enjoyable and they would often mesmerize the dinner guests by puffing up Pooris and Chapatis as if by magic. His childhood habit of walking from his village home to school across the hills, valleys and streams helped him when he would go on a trek with his friends in Brazil. He and his wife were immersed in a cross-cultural deluge, imbibing the Brazilian and the Japanese way of life as his unit chief was a Brazilian professor of Japanese descent. Incidentally, 1.5 million people of Japanese descent call Brazil their home. The motto of the land ‘Vive com art’ or ‘live with art’ appealed to the Suntas as they often received gifts like hand painted potteries, embroidered towels. There was pleasant and surprising Indian presence too in Brazil like the Brahma Kumaris in Sao Paolo and an ISKON temple which had its own Gokul and Yamuna!

 

The highlight of this book is the author’s description of nature and his eye for details. It seems that the reader is on a trip with him. The description of his walk with his bride when he took her to his native village Khatali is simply mesmerizing. They started late in the day from Pokhari near Almora and walked along narrow bush clearings, across cultivated fields and beautiful valleys, crossing streams and villages, first in bright sunlight and then as the sun set, in twilight and finally in complete darkness. As they passed the villages along walkways behind houses only light from earthen lamps and kerosene lanterns from these houses would illuminate their path. Later a relative gave them a lantern with which they reached their village home in Khatali. The young bride was very tired and the ladies of the house helped her out of exhaustion. The pair also visited Dr. Sunta's uncle’s house in the village of Simalta. The new bride in Ghooghat, bedecked with jewelries soon became very popular with the village ladies. 

 

The author’s ability to paint in words the rural landscape of the Kumaon hills is only matched by his talent of sketching the cityscape of Bombay of 1963 from the top of a Double Decker BEST bus as it took him and his wife, whom he was showing the city for the first time, from Chembur to Colaba. The description of the city landmarks and localities with their brief histories, the famous eateries and popular street food, all showed his pride of making this magical city his new home!

 

Dr. Sunta not only introduces the reader to his life and his work but he also introduces his family with great pride. His wife, Smt. Kamla, who not only finished her graduation and Sangeet Visharad in Hindustani Classical music but also comes out as an excellent mother of three children and a wonderful homemaker in not one but two continents. Their elder daughter is an Anaesthetiest and the younger one is a Professor in Plastic Surgery in K.E.M. Hospital in Mumbai and his son manages a media company in the U.S. He fondly remembers all the places he had stayed in the city first as a bachelor and later as a family man. His description of the Mumbai floods of 2005 is particularly a chilling one and his anguish of having lost all the photographs of his children’s’ childhood is truly palpable. Though now a Mumbaikar, he could not disassociate himself from the hills completely and so built a house in Simalta, 2 Km from his village Khatali and this is now a vacation home for his children and grand-children.

 

The author’s love for the Kumaon hills is so profound that he has spent an entire chapter of his book on the festivals, fairs and marriages in the hills. His descriptions of festivals like Phool dei, Vasant Panchami, Holi, Harela, Ghee Tyar, Janmashtami, Navratri, Diwali, Makar Shankranti, Ghughutia, and Ropai and the mythological stories behind each of them are truly a reader’s delight. The seven days of Holi celebration ending in a Bhandara or a feast, the Bedwa Roti soaked in Ghee of Ghee Tyar, the jhanki of Gokulashtami or Janmashtami, the burning of Ravan’s effigy on the tenth day of Navratri in Dushera, the five days celebration of Diwali and Bhai Dooj and the Makar Shankranti or Uttarayan, the last festival of the Hindu colander, they all keep the Kumaon hills in a constant celebratory mood.

 

Remembering about the fairs he would go to in his childhood, the author describes the Nag Panchami and the Kojagiri Purnima fairs that would be held at the Nauling temple, the Anant Chaturdashi fair in Banjain temple and the Kartik Purnima fair at the Sam temple. He also introduces the readers to his village deities and the Gods that are worshipped in the hills besides the regular ones that we know of. Thus Kalsin, the God of crops, Chhurrmal, Sam, Gijai bhooth, Aeirhi, Ganganath and Harjyu Gods, their field of influence and stories behind these Gods are very lucidly elaborated.

 

The traditional Kumaon wedding was one I could identify most easily because it was one of the three types of wedding, yes with the same wife, that I had, the other two being Bengali and a Court marriage. The village palanquin is now replaced by a car in the city but rituals like washing of the groom’s feet by the bride’s father, which is embarrassing to say the least, and the Ratyali that follows is all depicted in beautiful prose.

 

The author then comes to a very poignant part of this book where he talks about untouchability that prevailed then in the village and how greetings were exchanged not according to seniority by age but by social status, whether one was a Brahmin, Rajpoot or labourer. He also goes on to say how those who were untouchable before independence became Scheduled Caste after independence and progressed because of affirmative action of the government so much so that today there is a reversal of political authority in his village and Brahmins are economically weaker.

 

In a section on travels and tours Dr. Sunta writes about his fun filled holidays with his family to various parts of India, Nepal, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, Cambodia, Indonesia and Hong Kong. The travel bug truly kept him busy and this was invariably a great learning experience for his children. The story of Dr. Chintamani Sunta has left me in awe and I am even more convinced than ever that nothing is impossible. If you are prepared to burn the midnight oil and fight it out against all odds, there is always light at the end of the tunnel of struggle, toil and sweat. Another thing that this book brings out is you can take a Pahadi out of Pahad but you can never take the Pahad out of a Pahadi !

 

The book is in paperback of 228 pages and is published by Walnut Publication. Divided in six interesting and inter-related chapters, each chapter begins with an interesting poem composed by our friend and Plastic Surgeon Dr. Venkateswaran. In between the text are some very beautiful sketches made by Mr. Uttam Chapte and Dr. Vinita Puri which are pleasant interludes but don’t stop the flow of the author’s story. It is available in Amazon for Rs. 350.00 and if you ask me, it is a must read.

 

To buy this book please click: https://www.amazon.in/Reminiscences-Pahadi-Nuclear-Scientist-Village/dp/B0DBD7KGTT