As a natural left-hander, I often ask myself whether being a leftie by birth is a curse or a blessing. Unable to find out a definite answer to this question, I told myself that being a leftie has both positives and negatives.
The society doesn’t approve a left-hander doing normal things like lighting a lamp or offering money to someone, as using the left hand for such activities, especially during auspicious occasions, is considered taboo and unpropitious. Once, I was abused by a flower vendor for paying her a `10 note early in the morning with my left hand. But on the positive side, it is said that left-handed persons have a good memory.
For those who may not know, every year, August 13 is celebrated as ‘International Left-Handers Day’. On this day, many left-hander friendly products are launched and awareness on the advantages and disadvantages of being a left-hander are spread. Also, on this day activities are held for the right-handers to try out products made for lefties. Interestingly many American presidents, including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and Ronald Reagan, are lefties. Not to forget, famous musicians such as Paul McCartney and
Beethoven, and writers Mark Twain and Lewis Carroll have also been left-handers.
It is said that 10 per cent of the world’s population is left-handed. Therefore, in a world where most people are right-handed, lefties often face difficulties in performing day-to-day tasks with appliances predominantly designed to suit the convenience of right-handers. Naturally therefore, left-handers are more likely to be injured while handling such apparatus.
However, in international cricket, around 30 per cent of the batsmen who occupy positions from one to six in the batting order are left-handed. Is there some quality inherent in southpaws that make them good cricketers? Do the laws of the game favour them? Maybe it is a combination of both. Scientists say left-handers have increased spatial awareness and the capacity to think and react quickly to objects in three dimensions.
Research since the 1980s has shown that our preference for being left or right-handed is probably determined in the womb, as early as the eighth week of pregnancy. From the thirteenth week, babies tend to suck either their right or left thumb.Sadly, in our society the stigma and shame of being left-handed still seems to persist. And society’s inability to cater to left-handers remains a concern.
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