On the 13th
of August this year, a friend texted me early in the morning, wishing me a
“Happy Left-Hander’s Day.”
“So you’re
left-handed” is a remark I’ve heard a million times. It’s been said with disdain,
surprise, or mockery. I’m grateful to my parents for not trying to turn me into a right-hander.
Society demands
that you give and receive with your right hand. This is one rule that I may
break or not adhere to. An autorickshaw driver once refused to receive the fare
from me because I was handing the money to him with my left hand. When I sit at
the computer, I must transfer the mouse to the left side or learn to work it
with my right hand. As a left-hander, I must position my book in a certain way
and write. Some left-handers have their hand trailing across the page as they
write, and thus, fresh ink may be smudged. Smudge, smear, or not, lefties are
there writing their hearts out. The list of challenges is long. From scissors and can
openers to musical instruments, left-handers don’t have it easy, but they
survive and thrive.
International Left-Handers Day:
International Left-Handers
Day is celebrated on August 13th and was founded in 1976 by proud
lefty Dean R. Campbell to celebrate the uniqueness of left-handed individuals
and to raise awareness about the challenges they encounter in a predominantly
right-handed world.
Societal Pressure:
Society is
curious, apprehensive, and critical of lefties or maybe even amused by them. A “left-handed
compliment” or “two left feet” also has negative connotations. The word "left" has been
steeped in stigma and misunderstanding in many cultures and may also be considered
unlucky or sinister.“Left” comes from the Latin word “sinistra,” meaning “left.” Conservative rural
and urban families may force their children to switch hands. Left–handedness is
also linked to the performance of unclean tasks. I’m grateful that my parents did not force me
into being right-handed.
Southpaw:
"Southpaw" is a
nickname for a left-handed person. The term "southpaw" is often used
to describe left-handed sportsmen, boxers, athletes, and baseball players,
among others. It is said to have originated from baseball, where left-handed
pitchers faced west, causing their throwing arm to point south.
Fun Facts:
Only 10–12% of the world population is left-handed.
Left-handers have differently wired brains. They tend
to use the right hemisphere of the brain, which is more associated with
creativity, intuition, and spatial awareness.
Left-handers may excel in math, architecture and music
because of their greater ability in spatial reasoning.
Research shows that left-handed people are more
intellectually gifted and have higher IQs.
There exists in Goa, the world’s first museum for left-handers,
featuring over 100 statues of famous left-handers.
The Indian Left-Handers
Club celebrates and encourages left-handers. (https://www.indianlefthanderclub.com/)
In Morocco,
left-handers were once considered cursed or devilish.
Some Famous Left-Handers:
Mahatma Gandhi,
Jimi Hendrix, Oprah Winfrey, Ratan Tata, Amitabh Bachchan, Saint (Mother) Teresa,
Barack Obama, Lady Gaga, Leonardo Da Vinci, Sachin Tendulkar, Steve Jobs, and Mark Zuckerberg.
Being left-handed
is nothing to be embarrassed about or ashamed of. It’s a trait fashioned by
nature. You’re kind of out of the mould but still beautiful.
To every brave
southpaw who lives and loves life, continue to live and celebrate your life
with flourish—smudges and all.
..org
Image credit: Freepik images.
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