Thoughts on Kerala

2011-01-22T20:43:00.000-08:00

Action plan for Sabarimala

In the wake of the gruesome tragedy that occurred in Pulmedu this year, it is time for a rethink about the proposed Master Plan. Only Lord Ayyappa’s grace must have prevented such incidents till now, considering the apathy and callousness of the authorities in implementing the necessary precautions. Perhaps the Lord Himself must have been disgusted with the situation and He chose to signify His ill-will through this incident. At least now the authorities should consider this as an eye opener and discharge their responsibilities with due respect to the lives of innocent devotees and the money they pour in. Many people might have considered the Sabarimala season as an occasion for personal gains and filling the coffers of the Devaswom Board and the State Government. As the HC has observed rightly, there was no co-ordination among the different Departments of the State Government. Even after the unfortunate incident, these departments are entertaining themselves by blaming one another. The details are an open book before the public.

What happened in Pulmedu is the sum total of the greed of some people to make quick money, the haste of the devotees to get back to their places after seeing the Makarajyothi and the selfish manner in which they trampled over their fellow beings. Much money must have changed hands when nearly 2000 vehicles were allowed to park in the Periyar Tiger Reserve Forest where entry of vehicles is prohibited; how none of the authorities came to know of the 2 lakh+ people camping on the Pulmedu for hours together and how they got there unseen by anyone is a real mystery. Who gave the eco-development society permission to put up shops there to fleece the devotees remains to be seen. Nearly twenty people boarding an auto rickshaw, and it crushing under the weight blocking the narrow path, speaks volumes about the avariciousness of the people there.

The question whether Makarajyothi is man-made or divine is totally beside the point. The debate is initiated only to camouflage the real issue. There are hundreds of places where much bigger crowds assemble and disperse within shorter periods of time without causing disasters. Whatever be the outcome of the debate, the crowd is only set to increase during the coming years too. It is a question of faith and faith is not rational. People undertake the perilous journey to the temple in the midst of the forest knowing fully well that the legend of Lord Ayyappa itself is a myth. What is required is a systematic and professional approach to crowd management and the development of the necessary infrastructure.

Well, the attitude of the people who gather in such a place cannot be changed much overnight, but the authorities can do a lot to enable the pilgrimage a better experience without causing any reduction in their ‘official’ income. This requires proper planning in advance and executing the projects on a time bound basis, of course, with ample help and sponsorship from willing devotees. PPP should be ideal in this respect.

The Master Plan for Sabarimala should urgently include the following projects:

1. Make the trekking routes to Sabarimala and back one way. The present blockage of the incoming pilgrims is caused mainly by the returning devotees using the same path up to Pampa. The long queue of the devotees waiting for hours together to seek entry to the 18 steps can be avoided.

2. Construct a flyover from Sannidhanam to Pampa Hilltop to allow people to go back to their native places as fast as possible, because once the Darsan and offerings are over, that is exactly what the devotees want to do. This path will also help in evacuating the crowd in an emergency and carrying indisposed people to the hospitals urgently..

3. Make the system of collecting the ghee-filled coconuts and issuing aadiya neyyu in return more popular. Now the devotees climb up the 18 steps with the irumudi on their heads, and once they reach the top, they have to find a place to unpack it, pour out the ghee into pots and wait in a long queue for hours together to get the abhishekam done. The coconuts thus collected can be mechanically opened, the ghee taken out hygienically and offered for abhishekam, and the pieces of coconuts sent down through conveyer belts.

4. The coupons for all offerings should be made available along the entry route; the prasadams can be distributed by the side of the flyover during return.

5. The system of allowing people for long hours around the sanctum sanctorum should be discontinued. The only counter required there is the one collects the ghee-filled coconuts. They need to stay there only until the darsan is over, after which they should move over to Malikappuram and other places of worship and then enter the flyover for the return trek. They can collect the prasadom on the way. This will enable more and more people to come up the steps without being kept waiting.

6. The number of days on which the temple is kept open may be increased gradually. In addition to the first day of every Malayalam month, the temple may be kept open on Uthram, the birth star of the Lord. But it is certain that all such measures will not reduce the number of devotees thronging the premises during Makaravilakku.

7. Discourage people who come on a pleasure trip for trekking. I mean, those who go up the path through the forest wearing footwear like canvas shoes and socks, leather chappals or just rubber slippers. The path from Pampa up to the temple is sacred and need to be climbed barefoot. The police can easily prevent such people at the foot of the hill itself.

8. The ropeway to carry goods for use in the temple is a must. The foot route through the forest – both traditional and the other – should be widened, the sides well bound by concrete structures and the path properly laid with pre-stressed interlocking concrete bricks, which can be laid even during the rainy season.

9. The heavy rush in Pulmedu is experienced only on the day of the Makaravilakku. At the flat plane before Pulmedu from where devotees start moving on foot should be cleared for parking vehicles. No vehicle whatsoever should be allowed beyond this point. The trekking route to Sabarimala should be widened, leveled and cleared of all obstacles well ahead of Makaravilakku day.

It is high time that Sabarimala is declared a National Pilgrimage Centre and effective co-ordination between the State and Central Governments be enabled. There will be a great number of devotees and firms willing to provide the necessary infrastructure, once the Master Plan is finalized with the help of the experts in the field.

2011-01-20T00:44:00.000-08:00

നിര്‍ബന്ധിതമാക്കണോ മലയാളം?

മലയാളം മാതൃഭാഷയായിട്ടുള്ള ആരേയും പ്രകമ്പനം കൊള്ളിക്കേണ്ടതാണ്‌ പത്താം ക്ളാസ്‌ വരെ എല്ലാ സ്കൂളുകളിലും മലയാളം നിര്‍ബന്ധിതമാക്കണമെന്ന നിര്‍ദ്ദേശം.. നിര്‍ബന്ധിതമലയാളഭാഷാപഠനം മെച്ചപ്പെട്ട ജീവിതസാഹചര്യങ്ങള്‍ ഒരുക്കുമെങ്കില്‍ ആരും അതിനു വഴങ്ങുമെന്നതില്‍ തര്‍ക്കമില്ല. മലയാളമറിയാത്തതുകൊണ്ട്‌ ഇന്ന്‌ കേരളത്തിലാര്‍ക്കും ജോലി നിഷേധിക്കപ്പെടുന്നില്ല. പക്ഷേ, കേരളത്തില്‍ ജനിച്ചുവളര്‍ന്ന്‌ ഉന്നതബിരുദവും നേടി ജോലിയന്വേഷിച്ച്‌ മറുനാടുകളിലേയ്ക്ക്‌ വണ്ടികയറുന്ന ശരാശരി ചെറുപ്പക്കാരുടെ പരാധീനതകള്‍ക്ക്‌ ആരാണ്‌ പരിഹാരം കാണുക? മലയാളമെന്ന ഒരൊറ്റ സംസാരഭാഷ മാത്രം വശപ്പെടുത്തിയ ഉന്നതബിരുദധാരികള്‍ ഇംഗ്ളീഷിലുള്ള ഒരു ചോദ്യത്തിനും മറുപടി പറയാന്‍ കഴിയാതെ തല കുമ്പിട്ട്‌ തിരിച്ചു വണ്ടികയറുന്നത്‌ ആരെങ്കിലും അറിയുന്നുണ്ടോ? ഒരൊറ്റഭാഷാസമൂഹമായ കേരളത്തില്‍ ഇംഗ്ളീഷില്‍ സംസാരിക്കാന്‍ ശ്രമിച്ചാല്‍ 'യെവനാരെടേ, സായിപ്പിണ്റ്റെ കുഞ്ഞോ?' എന്നു ചോദിച്ച്‌ അപമാനിക്കുന്നതിണ്റ്റെ ഫലം ശരിയ്ക്കും അറിയുന്നത്‌ മറുനാട്ടില്‍ ജോലിയ്ക്കു ശ്രമിയ്ക്കുമ്പോഴാണ്‌. കേരളത്തില്‍ പഠിച്ച എല്ലാവര്‍ക്കും കേരളത്തില്‍ തന്നെ ജോലി ലഭിക്കുമെങ്കില്‍ വളരെ നല്ലത്‌. പക്ഷെ, അതിനുള്ള സംവിധാനം അടുത്തെങ്ങും ഉണ്ടാകുന്ന ലക്ഷണമില്ല. അതോടൊപ്പം തന്നെ കൂട്ടിവായിക്കേണ്ട മറ്റൊരുകാര്യവുമുണ്ട്‌ - കേരളത്തില്‍ പഠിച്ചവരില്‍ മലയാളം തന്നെ ശരിക്കു സംസാരിക്കാനറിയാവുന്നവര്‍ എത്ര ശതമാനം വരും? ടിവി യിലും മറ്റും പ്രത്യക്ഷപ്പെടുന്ന അവതാരകരുടെ കാര്യം ഒരു സൂചന മാത്രമാണ്‌. അവിടവിടെ ഇംഗ്ളീഷ്‌ വാക്കുകള്‍ കൊരുക്കാതെ ഒരു വാചകമെങ്കിലും പറയാന്‍ കഴിയുമോ മലയാളികള്‍ക്ക്‌? ഇപ്പോഴത്തെ അവസ്ഥ ഉള്ള മലയാളവും പോയി, ഇംഗ്ളീഷൊട്ടു കിട്ടിയതുമില്ല എന്നതാണ്‌.
ഇംഗ്ളീഷ്‌ മീഡിയം സ്കൂളുകള്‍ കൂടുന്നു, സര്‍ക്കാര്‍ സ്കൂളുകളില്‍ കുട്ടികള്‍ കുറയുന്നു എന്നീ പരാതികള്‍ ഉള്ളപ്പോഴും ഉന്നതവിദ്യാഭാസമേഖലയില്‍ എന്തുസംഭവിക്കുന്നു എന്നാരും അന്വേഷിക്കുന്നില്ല. അവിടെ പൊതുവെ അദ്ധ്യയനം മലയാളം മീഡിയത്തിലാണ്‌, ക്ളാസ്‌ റൂമുകളില്‍ പോലും. ക്ളാസ്സിനു പുറത്ത്‌ ആശയവിനിമയവും മലയാളത്തില്‍ തന്നെ. പരീക്ഷ എഴുതുന്നത്‌ ടെക്സ്റ്റ്‌ ബുക്കുകളില്‍ നിന്നും കാണാപ്പാഠം പഠിച്ച ഇംഗ്ളീഷില്‍. ഗുരുവും ശിഷ്യനും 'ഒരേ തൂവല്‍പക്ഷി'കളായതുകൊണ്ട്‌ എഴുതിവച്ചതിന്‌ ഫുള്‍ മാര്‍ക്കു കിട്ടും, റാങ്കും കിട്ടാം. പക്ഷേ, കേരളത്തിനു പുറത്ത്‌ അഭിമുഖപരീക്ഷയില്‍ 'മൌന'ത്തിന്‌ മാര്‍ക്കില്ലല്ലോ. കേരളത്തിലെ ബഹുഭൂരിപക്ഷം പേര്‍ക്കും മലയാളമല്ലാതെ മറ്റ്‌ ഏതുഭാഷയിലുണ്ട്‌ പ്രാവീണ്യം? ആകെ അറിയാവുന്നത്‌ മലയാളം മാത്രം. അറിയാവുന്നത്‌ അടിച്ചേല്‍പ്പിക്കേണ്ട കാര്യമില്ലല്ലോ. നമ്മുടെ നേതാക്കന്‍മാര്‍ പ്രസംഗിക്കുന്നതും നിയമസഭയില്‍ വാഗ്വാദങ്ങള്‍ നടത്തുന്നതും ഒക്കെ മലയാളത്തില്‍ തന്നെയല്ലേ? ആരെങ്കിലും എന്തെങ്കിലും ഇംഗ്ളീഷില്‍ പറഞ്ഞാല്‍, "എന്താ പറഞ്ഞത്‌?" എന്ന്‌ അടുത്തുനില്‍ക്കുന്നവനോട്‌ ചോദിക്കണം! മുന്‍ഗാമികള്‍ പണ്ടെങ്ങോ ഇംഗ്ളീഷില്‍ കുറിച്ചുവച്ച വാചകങ്ങള്‍ അര്‍ത്ഥമറിഞ്ഞോ അറിയാതെയോ ഫയലുകളില്‍ പകര്‍ത്തിവയ്ക്കുമ്പോള്‍ എല്ലാ നവംബര്‍ ഒന്നാംതീയതിയും "ഭരണഭാഷ മലയാളമാകണം" എന്ന മുറവിളി ഉയരും. സര്‍വകക്ഷിസംഘം കേന്ദ്രത്തില്‍ചെന്ന്‌ ഏതെങ്കിലും മന്ത്രിമാരെക്കാണുമ്പോഴും ഒരു ദ്വിഭാഷി അത്യാവശ്യം. ഇന്ത്യയിലിന്ന്‌ പ്രചാരത്തിലുള്ള പ്രാദേശികഭാഷാപത്രങ്ങളില്‍ മലയാളം മുന്‍പന്തിയില്‍ നില്‍ക്കുമ്പോള്‍ മലയാളം നിര്‍ബന്ധിതഭാഷയാക്കേണ്ടതുണ്ടോ? ജോലിയന്വേഷിച്ച്‌ മറുനാട്ടില്‍ പോകുമ്പോഴും അവിടുത്തെ ഭാഷ പഠിച്ച്‌ അന്നത്തിനുള്ള വഴി തേടുമ്പോഴും മലയാള അക്ഷരമാലയിലെ വൈവിദ്ധ്യവും സമ്പന്നതയും പ്രയോജനപ്പെടുമെന്നു തോന്നുന്നു. മറ്റുസംസ്ഥാനങ്ങളില്‍ നടപ്പാക്കിയെന്നു വിവക്ഷിച്ചിരിക്കുന്ന ഭാഷാപഠനപദ്ധതി കേരളത്തിനു യോജിച്ചതേയല്ല. ഒന്നാമത്തെ കാര്യം അവര്‍ക്ക്‌ ഉയര്‍ന്ന ജോലി അന്വേഷിച്ച്‌ പുറത്തേക്ക്‌ പോകേണ്ടതില്ല. തമിഴ്‌ മാത്രം പഠിച്ചവര്‍ അതുമാത്രം കൊണ്ടുകിട്ടുന്ന ജോലി തേടിയെടുത്തുകൊള്ളും. ഇംഗ്ളീഷ്‌ പഠിച്ചവര്‍ പുറത്തും ജോലി തേടും. അവരുടെ മാതൃഭാഷാപ്രേമത്തിണ്റ്റെ ജീവിക്കുന്ന രക്തസാക്ഷിയാണ്‌ കേന്ദ്രമന്ത്രി അഴഗിരി. നമുക്കും അത്തരം ഭാഷാഭ്രാന്ത്‌ വേണോ? കര്‍ണ്ണാടകത്തിലും ആന്ധ്രയിലും സ്ഥിതി വ്യത്യസ്ഥമാണ്‌. ഒരു ഭാഷയോടും അയിത്തമില്ല. കുട്ടികള്‍ പോലും മാതൃഭാഷയും പ്രാദേശികഭാഷയും ഇംഗ്ളീഷും ഭംഗിയായി കൈകാര്യം ചെയ്യും. ഒരൊറ്റഭാഷാസമൂഹമായി വളരുന്നതാണ്‌ കേരളത്തിണ്റ്റെ പ്രശ്നം. അറിയാതെ ഏതെങ്കിലും മറ്റുഭാഷക്കാര്‍ കേരളത്തില്‍ വന്നാല്‍ അവരെ 'ഗോസായി, പാണ്ടി' എന്നൊക്കെ വിളിച്ച്‌ പുച്ഛിക്കുന്നതിലാണ്‌ നമുക്ക്‌ ആനന്ദം. എത്രയോ മലയാളികള്‍ മറ്റുദേശങ്ങളില്‍ പോയി ജോലി ചെയ്തയക്കുന്ന പണം കൊണ്ടാണല്ലോ നമ്മുടെ ധൂര്‍ത്തും പരിഹാസവും. കേന്ദ്രസര്‍ക്കാര്‍ കേഡറില്‍ കേരളത്തിലെത്തൂന്നവര്‍ കഷ്ടപ്പെട്ട്‌ മലയാളം പഠിച്ച്‌ കീഴുദ്യോഗസ്ഥരുമായി സംവദിക്കേണ്ടിവരുന്നു. ക്ളാസ്സുമുറികളില്‍ അടച്ചിട്ട്‌ തല്ലിപ്പഠിപ്പിക്കേണ്ടതല്ല മാതൃഭാഷ.
എല്ലാ സ്കൂളുകളിലും പത്താംക്ളാസ്സുവരെ നിര്‍ബന്ധിതമായി മലയാളം പഠിപ്പിച്ചാല്‍ കേരളത്തിണ്റ്റെ പ്രശ്നങ്ങള്‍ തീരുമോ? അതും നൂറുമാര്‍ക്കും സൌജന്യമായി നല്‍കി വിജയശതമാനം വര്‍ദ്ധിപ്പിക്കുന്ന ഇക്കാലത്ത്‌? സ്കൂളും ക്ളാസ്മുറികളുമുണ്ടാകുന്നതിന്‌ എത്രയോ മുന്‍പുതന്നെ മലയാളം ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നു! അതുപോലെ, ഹിന്ദി സ്കൂളില്‍ പഠിപ്പിക്കുന്നതു പോരാതെ എത്രയോ കുട്ടികള്‍ ഹിന്ദി പ്രചാര്‍ സഭയുടെ കോഴ്സുകള്‍ പഠിച്ച്‌ ഉന്നത പരീക്ഷകള്‍ പാസാകുന്നു! ആരും നിര്‍ബന്ധിച്ചിട്ടല്ല ഇതു നടക്കുന്നത്‌. ആവശ്യത്തിനുതകുന്ന ഭാഷകള്‍ ആരും പഠിച്ചുപോകും.
ഭാഷ വളരുന്നത്‌ ക്ളാസ്മുറികളിലല്ല, മറിച്ച്‌ അതിനുപുറത്ത്‌ സമൂഹത്തിലാണ്‌, അവിടുത്തെ പ്രയോഗങ്ങളിലൂടെയാണ്‌ പുതിയ വാക്കുകളും ശൈലികളുമുണ്ടാകുന്നത്‌. കാലത്തിണ്റ്റെ ആവശ്യം ഭാഷയുടെ സംരക്ഷണമല്ല, പകരം അതിണ്റ്റെ വളര്‍ച്ചയും വികസനവുമാണ്‌. ഒരു ഭാഷയും ആരേയും അടിച്ചേല്‍പ്പിക്കേണ്ടതില്ല. ആവശ്യമുണ്ടെങ്കില്‍ ഏതു ഭാഷയും പഠിച്ചെടുക്കാനുള്ള കഴിവ്‌ മനുഷ്യന്‌ ജന്‍മസിദ്ധമാണ്‌. അതുപോലെതന്നെ, ആരും പഠിപ്പിക്കാതെ സ്വയം വശഗതമാക്കുന്നതാണ്‌ മാതൃഭാഷ. ചുറ്റും നിറഞ്ഞുനില്‍ക്കുന്ന ഭാഷ സ്വാഭാവികമായും സ്വായത്തമാകും. കുട്ടികള്‍ ഒരു വയസ്സുമുതല്‍ സംസാരിച്ചുതുടങ്ങുന്നതും വ്യവസ്ഥാപിതവിദ്യാഭാസം ലഭിക്കാത്ത നിരക്ഷരകുക്ഷികള്‍ പോലും മാതൃഭാഷ അനായാസം കൈകാര്യം ചെയ്യുന്നതും ആരെങ്കിലും 'മലയാളം നിര്‍ബന്ധിത'മാക്കിയിട്ടല്ലല്ലോ. നിര്‍ബന്ധിച്ച്‌ അടിച്ചേല്‍പ്പിക്കുന്നതൊന്നും ശാശ്വതമായ ഗുണം ചെയ്യില്ല.
ജീവനും വളര്‍ച്ചയുമുള്ളതാണ്‌ ഭാഷ. വളര്‍ച്ചയുടെ വിവിധഘട്ടങ്ങളില്‍ മറ്റു ഭാഷകളില്‍ നിന്ന്‌ വാക്കുകള്‍ കടം കൊണ്ടും ആഗിരണം ചെയ്തുമാണ്‌ മാറ്റങ്ങളുണ്ടാകുന്നത്‌. അത്തരം മാറ്റങ്ങളാണ്‌ ഭാഷയുടെ ശക്തി. കേരളത്തിലെത്തിച്ചേര്‍ന്ന വിദേശികളുടെയും സംസ്കൃതത്തിണ്റ്റെയും സംഭാവനകളാണല്ലോ ഇന്ന്‌ മലയാളത്തിണ്റ്റെ പദസമ്പത്ത്‌. സംസാരിക്കാന്‍ ആളുകളുള്ളിടത്തോളം ഏതൊരു ഭാഷയും നിലനില്‍ക്കുകയും വളരുകയും ചെയ്യും. മലയാളത്തെക്കുറിച്ച്‌ ആരും ആശങ്കപ്പെടുകയും ഒന്നും അടിച്ചേല്‍പ്പിക്കുകയും വേണ്ടതില്ല. മലയാളം വളര്‍ച്ചയുടെ പാതയിലാണ്‌, മലയാളികളുള്ളിടത്തെല്ലാം അത്‌ പ്രചരിക്കുകയുമാണ്‌.അല്ലെങ്കില്‍ മിക്കവാറും എല്ലാ മലയാള പത്രങ്ങള്‍ക്കും മെട്രോ എഡിഷന്‍സും ഇ-പേപ്പറുകളും വേണ്ടിവരുമായിരുന്നില്ലല്ലോ.

2010-11-28T23:07:00.000-08:00

ഇത്‌ ചാതുര്‍വര്‍ണ്യമോ?

കേരളത്തില്‍ ഇന്നും ചാതുര്‍വണ്യം നിലനില്ക്കുന്നുന്ടൊ , മറ്റൊരു രൂപത്തില്‍? ഗുണ, കര്‍മ്മങ്ങള്‍ നോക്കിയാല്‍, അങ്ങിനെ ആരെങ്കിലും സംശയിച്ചാല്‍ അത്ഭുതപ്പെടാനില്ല.
വരേണ്യവര്‍ഗം. മറ്റുള്ളവര്‍ ചെയ്യുന്നതിന്‍റെ, അല്ലെങ്കില്‍ അവരെക്കൊന്ട ചെയ്യിക്കുന്നതിന്ര്ടെ , പങ്ക്‌ ദക്ഷിണയായി സ്വീകരിച്ച്‌ കൊഴുത്തുതടിക്കുന്ന നേതൃവൃന്ദം.. അവര്‍ എണ്ണത്തില്‍ വളരെക്കുറച്ചേ വരൂ. ഭരണത്തിണ്റ്റെ ചരട്‌ ഇവരുടെ കൈകളിലാണ്‌. നാട്ടില്‍ നടക്കുന്ന എന്തുകാര്യങ്ങളേക്കുറിച്ചും അവര്‍ അഭിപ്രായങ്ങളും നിര്‍ദ്ദേശങ്ങളും നല്‍കുന്നു. അവരുടെ ഇഷ്ടത്തിനെതിരായി പ്രവര്‍ത്തിക്കുന്നവര്‍ ശിക്ഷിക്കപ്പെടും. ഏതുസാഹചര്യത്തിലും അഞ്ചാതെ കൂസാതെ ഇടപെടുന്ന, ജയവും വിജയവുമൊക്കെ ജന്‍മസിദ്ധമായിട്ടുള്ള രാജവംശം. ചാനല്‍ചര്‍ച്ചകളില്‍ ഇവര്‍ സാധാരണ പങ്കെടുക്കാറില്ല, കാരണം ചിലപ്പോള്‍ പ്രതികരണം മലയാളനിഘണ്ടുവിന്‌ പുറത്തുള്ള വാക്കുകളിലായിപ്പോകും. പക്ഷേ, ദക്ഷിണ നല്‍കാതെയുള്ള ഒരു കാര്യവും നാട്ടില്‍ നടത്താന്‍ സമ്മതിക്കില്ല.
പടയാളിവര്‍ഗം. നേതാക്കന്‍മാര്‍ക്കുവേണ്ടി തല്ലാനും കൊല്ലാനും സമരം ചെയ്യാനും ജാഥ നടത്താനും കരുത്തുള്ള ചെറുപ്പക്കാരുടെ നിര.. അസൂയാലുക്കള്‍ 'കൂലിപ്പടയാളികള്‍' എന്നു വിളിച്ചേക്കാം. മറ്റുസംഘടനകളുടെ പ്രകടനങ്ങള്‍ പൊളിക്കാനും ഇവര്‍ മതി. ഇവര്‍ ചെയ്യുന്ന ജോലിക്കുള്ള പ്രതിഫലം ദിവസക്കണക്കിനോ തൊഴിലില്ലായ്മവേതനമായോ നല്‍കപ്പെടും. അട്ടിമറി, നോക്കുകൂലി, തുടങ്ങിയ വരുമാനമാര്‍ഗ്ഗങ്ങളും സ്വീകരിക്കാം, ലെവി മുകളില്‍ എത്തുമെങ്കില്‍. അഭ്യസ്ഥവിദ്യരാണെങ്കിലും അസ്തപ്രജ്ഞരെപ്പോലെ പെരുമാറാനുള്ള കഴിവ്‌ അത്യാവശ്യം. ഇതില്‍ മുന്‍നിരക്കാര്‍ക്ക്‌ ചാനല്‍ ചര്‍ച്ചകളില്‍ പങ്കെടുത്ത്‌ തത്ത പറയുന്നതുപോലെ പഠിപ്പിച്ച കാര്യങ്ങള്‍ ഉരുവിടാം. വരേണ്യവര്‍ഗ്ഗത്തിണ്റ്റെ താല്‍പര്യങ്ങള്‍ സംരക്ഷിക്കുന്നതില്‍ ഇവര്‍ക്ക്‌ വലിയ പങ്കുണ്ട്‌.
വാണിഭമാഫിയ. വിലകിട്ടാവുന്ന എന്തും വിറ്റ്‌ പണമാക്കുകയാണ്‌ ഇവരുടെ കര്‍മ്മം. ലോട്ടറി, മദ്യം, ഭൂമി, വനം, മണല്‍, നീരുറവകള്‍, കണ്ടല്‍, തൊഴില്‍, വിദ്യാഭ്യാസം, ചിട്ടി, സര്‍ക്കാരുദ്യോഗം, വര്‍ക്ക്‌ കോണ്ട്രാക്റ്റ്‌, മന്ത്രിപ്പണി തുടങ്ങിയ എന്തും ഇവര്‍ക്ക്‌ വില്‍പ്പനച്ചരക്കാക്കാം. വരേണ്യവര്‍ഗ്ഗത്തിന്‌ ദക്ഷിണ കിട്ടുന്ന എന്തിടപാടും നടത്താന്‍ ഇവര്‍ക്ക്‌ ഏതുമാര്‍ഗ്ഗവും സ്വീകരിക്കാം. കഴിയുന്നത്ര സംരക്ഷണം മുകള്‍ത്തട്ടില്‍ നിന്നു കിട്ടും, അതുകഴിഞ്ഞാല്‍ തട്ടുകിട്ടിയെന്നും വരാം.
സാധാരണജനം. അന്നന്നത്തെ അന്നത്തിന്‌ അദ്ധ്വാനിക്കുക, കിട്ടുന്ന കൂലിയില്‍ വലിയ പങ്ക്‌ ചിട്ടി, ലോട്ടറി തട്ടിപ്പുകളില്‍ മുടക്കി ഭാഗ്യം പരീക്ഷിക്കുക, മദ്യമേതായാലും ആവശ്യത്തിലധികം കുടിച്ച്‌ സംസ്ഥാനത്തിന്‌ വരുമാനമുണ്ടാക്കിക്കൊടുക്കുക, ദാരിദ്യ്രരേഖയ്ക്ക്‌ തൊട്ടുമുകളിലും താഴെയുമായി നിലകൊണ്ട്‌ മറിച്ചുവില്‍ക്കാനാവശ്യമായ റേഷന്‍ സാധനങ്ങള്‍ കേന്ദ്രത്തില്‍നിന്ന്‌ കിട്ടാന്‍ സഹായിക്കുക, തലചായ്ക്കാനിടവും ഉടുക്കാന്‍ വസ്ത്രവുമില്ലെങ്കിലും ഒരു നല്ല നാളേയ്ക്കുവേണ്ടി പ്രവര്‍ത്തിക്കുന്ന സ്ഥാനാര്‍ഥികള്‍ക്ക്‌ കൃത്യമായി വോട്ടുചെയ്യുക, ഗത്യന്തരമില്ലാതെ വന്നാല്‍ ആത്മഹത്യ ചെയ്യുക, ഇതൊക്കെയാണ്‌ ചുമതലകള്‍. ഇക്കൂട്ടത്തില്‍ പെടുന്ന ആദിവാസികള്‍ ഒരു നല്ല പരസ്യവസ്തുവാണ്‌ പല കാര്യങ്ങള്‍ക്കും. ഈ വിഭാഗത്തില്‍ പെടുന്നവര്‍ വംശമറ്റുപോകാതെയും രക്ഷപ്പെട്ടുപോകാതെയും നോക്കേണ്ടത്‌ ഉപരിവര്‍ഗ്ഗങ്ങളുടെ ആവശ്യവും കടമയുമാണ്‌. ആ ഉത്തരവാദിത്വം അവര്‍ കൃത്യമായി നിര്‍വഹിച്ചുകൊള്ളും. എന്തായാലും, ദൈവത്തിണ്റ്റെ സ്വന്തം നാട്‌ എന്ന ഒരു പേരു നമുക്കു ചാര്‍ത്തിക്കിട്ടിയിട്ടുള്ളതുകൊണ്ട്‌, എല്ലാം 'അദ്ദേഹത്തിണ്റ്റെ ഇഷ്ടം' എന്നു സമാധാനിക്കാം.

2010-06-15T00:42:00.001-07:00

മലയാളത്തെ ക്ളാസിക്കല്‍ ഭാഷയായി അംഗീകരിക്കണം എന്ന മുറവിളി കേള്‍ക്കുമ്പോള്‍ മനസ്സില്‍ ഉയരുന്ന ഒരു ചോദ്യമുണ്ട്‌ - ഏതു മലയാളം? ചന്തുമേനോന്‍, സി വി രാമന്‍പിള്ള തുടങ്ങിയവരിലും കവിത്രയത്തിലും വള്ളുവനാടന്‍, മയ്യഴി ശൈലിയും കടന്ന്‌ വാമൊഴിവഴക്കത്തിലും കെ ഇ എന്നില്‍ എത്തിനില്‍ക്കുന്ന ദുര്‍ഗ്രാഹ്യതയിലും ഞാന്‍ പരതുകയാണ്‌. ടിവി അവതാരകരുടേയും ഇംഗ്ളീഷ്‌ മീഡിയത്തില്‍ വളരുന്ന കുട്ടികളുടേയും മലയാളം എന്നെ കുഴക്കുന്നു. അങ്ങാടിയിലും കടപ്പുറത്തുമുള്ള തൊഴിലാളികളുടെ നാടന്‍ പ്രയോഗങ്ങള്‍ മലയാളമല്ലെന്നുവരുമോ? അതോ, പത്രത്തില്‍ അച്ചടിച്ചുവരുന്നതാണോ ശുദ്ധമലയാളം? ഏതുമലയാളമാണ്‌ ക്ളാസിക്കലാകുക? ആരുടെ പക്കലാണിതിണ്റ്റെ അളവുകോല്‍? അതിരിക്കട്ടെ, ഹിന്ദി ഒഴിച്ചാല്‍ പ്രാദേശികഭാഷകളില്‍ ഏറ്റവും കൂടുതല്‍ വായനക്കാരുണ്ടെന്ന്‌ ചില മലയാളപത്രങ്ങള്‍ മത്സരിച്ച്‌ കണക്കുകള്‍ നിരത്തുമ്പോള്‍ ഭാഷ മരിച്ചുകൊണ്ടിരിക്കുകയാണോ? നേരോടെ, നേരത്തേ നേരറിയാന്‍ ലോകത്തെവിടെയും മലയാളികള്‍ ഉറക്കമൊഴിഞ്ഞു കാത്തിരിക്കുന്നത്‌ ഭാഷ മരിച്ചോ അതോ, ക്ളാസിക്കല്‍ പദവിയും അതോടൊപ്പമുള്ള കോടികളും നേടി മലയാളം രക്ഷപെട്ടോ എന്നറിയാനോ? നേരെന്തായാലും, 'ക്ളാസിക്കല്‍' എന്നതിണ്റ്റെ മലയാളം എന്താണ്‌ എന്ന്‌ ആരെങ്കിലും പറഞ്ഞുതരുമോ?

2009-10-23T03:25:00.000-07:00

PLASTIC WASTE MANAGEMENT

- Prof. P. C. Menon

Plastic is an indispensible material in the modern world. It is an industry involving millions of crores of Rupees all over the world. India alone produces and exports plastic materials worth millions of Rupees, providing employment and job opportunities to crores of people. All other industries are in some way or other dependent on plastic products. Any idea of closing down the industry or banning its production and distribution is nothing short of suicide.

The Indian plastic industry exports in 2008-09 was worth about $3.7 billion, according to Plastindia Foundation President Arvind Mehta. The per capita consumption of plastics in India is 6 kgs against the world average of 27 kgs. India's consumption is set to double by 2012 and we need improved manufacturing technology to cater to our growing demand, he said. India is projected to become the third-largest consumer of plastics by 2012 with sectors like packaging, electronics, telecom, infrastructure, healthcare and consumer durables set to witness surge in plastic consumption, Mehta added.

The plastic processing sector comprises of over 30,000 units involved in producing a variety of items through injection moulding, blow moulding, extrusion and calendaring. The capacities built in most segments of this industry coupled with inherent capabilities have made us capable of servicing the overseas markets. The economic reforms launched in India since 1991, have added further fillip to the Indian plastics industry. Joint ventures, foreign investments, easier access to technology from developed countries etc. have opened up new vistas to further facilitate the growth of this industry.

It is impossible to find a suitable substitute in the near future. The reason why the use of plastic is so popular and wide spread is the convenience of use, the protection it gives to otherwise perishable materials and the safety it renders in packaging. Plastic carry-bags come in handy at stores and vegetable shops, eliminating the need to carry bags when you go shopping. It is practically impossible to carry enough number of cloth bags unless you are certain about the quantum of things you plan to buy. Therefore, it is better to believe that the world cannot think of Life without Plastic.

What we require is a regimen to dispose of used plastic properly. We have learned to handle much more hazardous things like electricity, cooking gas, etc. most effectively. Of course, a well planned awareness program is inevitable, but a total ban on the production and use of plastic materials is both unwise and impractical. Instead, we have to start thinking on the lines of how used plastic can be re-used, recycled and disposed of in a healthy way. Though it is advisable to use more of bio-degradable plastic, it is not a feasible solution in the immediate future. Some ways to tackle this problem are:

Recycling of plastics in an environmentally sound manner. This involves selection, segregation and processing.
Build roads using Plastics Waste. Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai has made extensive studies on this and has proved that such roads are much better than bitumen coated roads.
Plastics Waste Disposal through Plasma Pyrolysis Technology (PPT). This is a state of the art technology that integrates the thermochemical properties of plasma with pyrolysis process.
Conversion of Plastics Waste into liquid fuel. A research-cum-demonstration plant was set up at Nagpur, Maharashtra for conversion of waste plastics into liquid fuel.
Thermalysis : Thermalysis is process whereby scrap and waste plastics are converted into liquid hydrocarbons that can be used as fuels (diesel, gasoline etc.).
Re-use of plastic wastes as binders : Waste plastics, made up of Polyethylene, or Polystyrene softens after heating around temp 130-135 degree C. A study using thermogravimetric analysis has shown that there is no gas evolution in the temperature range 130-135 degree C.The softened plastic has binding property; these molten plastics material can be used as binder. It is found to be a good blend with bitumen for block making, modified light roofing, plastic flooring and polymer reinforced concrete etc. A pilot study has been successfully completed in the the Thiagarajar College of Engineering, Madurai.
Use of plastic shredders. A company named Cecon Pollutech Systems Pvt. Ltd. Has produced machines that can shred used plastic into re-usable materials. The shredder shreds all kinds of waste like syringes, needles, glucose bottles, pet bottles of mineral water, plastic lumps, pellets, wood paper, cardboard etc. This can be widely used in Finishing & Producing Industry, Hospitals / Nursing homes, Bio – Medical Waste, Laboratories, Catering Industry, Supermarkets, Municipal Authorities, Pharmaceutical Industry, Plastic Industry, and Card Board Industry.
USING COMPACTORS

A compactor is a machine or mechanism used to reduce the size of waste material or soil through compaction. A trash compactor is often used by homes and businesses to reduce the volume of trash.

Normally powered by hydraulics, compactors take many shapes and sizes. A large bulldozer with spiked wheels called a landfill compactor is used to drive over waste deposited by waste collection vehicles (WCVs). WCVs themselves incorporate a compacting mechanism which is used to increase the payload of the vehicle and reduce the number of times it has to empty. This usually takes the form of hydraulically-powered sliding plates which sweep out the collection hopper and compress the material into what has already been loaded.

a. Commercial use

Many retail and service businesses, such as fast food, restaurants, and hotels, use compactors to reduce the volume of non-recycleable waste as well as curb nuisance such as rodents and smell. In the hospitality industry tolerance for such nuisances is particularly low. These compactors typically come in electric and hydraulic operation, with quite a few loading configurations, like Ground-Access, Walk-On and Secured Indoor Chute.

These compactors are almost exclusively of welded steel construction for two reasons: durability under pressure and exposure to the elements, as compactors are installed either completely outdoors or sometimes under a covered loading dock.

b. Residential use

There are also trash compactors designed for residential use which, likewise, reduces the volume, smell, and rodent problems of garbage. This can be especially valuable for households which regularly dispose of items such as disposable-diaper boxes or the non-edible portions of vegetables from a large garden. Related to this, there are frequently limits to the number of trash bags/receptacles that can be left outside for residential pickup, which further renders such compactors beneficial to such households.

c. Municipal use

In addition to the waste vehicle and landfill use, there are solar-powered trash compactors that can hold the equivalent of 200 gallons of trash before they need to be emptied.

Types of Compactors

Portable, static and skip compactors for plastics and waste materials

There is a wide range of waste compactors to suit individual requirements to considerably reduce the volume of waste materials and associated waste disposal / landfill costs. Compactors provide an economical and satisfactory solution to the problems faced by large waste producers such as food manufacturers, hotels, shopping centres, hospitals and leisure facilities. These machines are designed to ensure maximum compaction, thus cutting uplift and transportation costs and occupying much less of valuable waste storage space.

The benefits of using waste compactors

They help to keep the workplace clean and tidy, significantly reduce pollution, leaks and spillage, minimize storage space, reduce smells and fire risks, prevent insect and vermin infestation, improve site hygiene, and enable real and immediate savings in the costs of waste management. One such Compactor is RR-PC10 Portable Waste Compactor.

Compacting Project at Mumbai Central Station, Western Railway.

In October 2001, ICPE (Indian Centre for Plastics in Environment) set up a compactor machine made at a cost of about Rs 1.75 lakhs with a capacity of 6 – 8 bales of PET bottles per hour at the Mumbai Central station. The compactor has been operating at the Mumbai Central since October with good success. Contract workers collect bottles from various parts of the station; bring the bottles to the storage bins at the compaction site. At the moment the collection rate is around 1000 – 1500 bottles a day. The compacted bales are taken away by the recycler appointed by ICPE and transported to the recycling units.

What is being practiced in Mumbai can be a lesson in practice for all Local Self-government Bodies.

WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM AT BRIHNMUMBAI MUNICIPAL CORPORATION

In Mumbai, the Dry and Wet waste is separated at the source itself, so that the Dry wastes could be further segregated and sent for recycling, resulting in lesser load to the landfill sites. The wet waste is processed through vermiculture or similar process to generate compost.

ICPE has joined hands with some NGO's and BMC to propagate the Proper Solid Waste Management culture among the citizens. BMC has given a secured area and a shed for segregation of dry waste, two one- tonner vans to move in the locality for 8 hours to collect dry wastes from households, Identity badges to the rag pickers, who accompany the BMC vans and collect dry wastes from door steps of the households/society buildings and bring them to the sheds for segregation. The dry wastes are product-wise segregated into paper, plastics, metal and others. These segregated dry wastes are stored in the secured sheds for disposal. Scrap dealers come and buy the scraps. The amount thus collected is distributed among the rag-pickers.

The wet wastes are collected by separate BMC vans from the household localities for composting, resulting into zero garbage concept.

ICPE has provided collection bins, hand gloves, aprons, masks, etc. to the rag pickers, and promotional literature to the society members. ICPE also co-ordinates with BMC, NGO's and others, provides training to rag-pickers and conducts awareness programmes to the general public, school children, members of the housing societies etc.

The invention of Plastic and the materials made out of it have revolutionized the consumer industry to such an extent that a blanket ban on the production and use of Plastic is unwise. Instead, it is time to think of the above mentioned ways to handle used plasic.

What is possible in a big metropolitan city like Mumbai should certainly be possible in the Corporations, Municipalities and Panchayaths in Kerala. But what we essentially require is a definite change in the mindset. We believe that dirt in our house is decoration in the street. We freely throw out the waste from our house over the walls on to the roads, and blame the government as irresponsible for not clearing the rubbish.

Still, there is some hope for us. The valuable service done by Kudumbasree in many respects tells us that something is possible in our State. A further extension of this, with ample help and guidance from the State and Local Self-governments, can go a long way in Waste Management with the involvement of the enlightened public of Kerala.

References:

http://www.cpcb.nic.in/wast/plasticwast/Options_Plastic_Waste_Management.pdf

http://www.cecon.in/waste-plastic-shredder.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compactors)

http://www.rocksiderecycling.co.uk/compactors_RRPC10.asp )

http://www.envis-icpe.com/waste_seg.htm#brihn

http://www.plexconcil.com/ipindus_english.asp

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/News/Economy/Foreign-Trade/Happy-days-for-plastic-goods-exporters

2008-06-30T01:18:00.000-07:00

An analysis of the Social Studies Text book in the 7^th Class.

The first three chapters are considered controversial. The excerpts chosen to illustrate certain situations that existed in Kerala about a hundred years ago do not seem ideal to convey the social message intended.

Introduction

The text opens with an exhortation to the students to creatively interfere with the immediate surroundings of life. The second paragraph in the introduction speaks about ‘jeevithaththinte aduththa parisarangal’ (referred to as JAP hereafter) and the need to interfere with it.

Lesson 1

This describes how the farm lands were wrested from the landlords and handed over to the real farmers. But, in the present situation, as seen by the student, this doesn’t seem to have produced the desired effect. The extract from K. Madhavan Nair might have been true some 50-60 years back. As a result of the Agricultural Revolution and Land Reforms Act, all such lands belonging to the Janmis became the farmer’s, but are they their own now? In the JAP that the children see now, the land has changed hands and somebody else uses it for construction purposes. They fill the cultivable land for other purposes like constructing concrete saudhas. The aftermath of the evacuation process in Munnar, where Political parties and the moneyed appropriated forest land for constructing palatial resorts and hotels, is well known to everyone. Are the Janmis referred to by KMN responsible for filling the cultivable land and the present scarcity of rice? How can the 12 year boy constructively interfere with the present plight?

What AKG describes also must have been the plight of some farmers long ago. These farmers who got the land in their names are the same people who sold it for a pittance to bigger land owners and brought about the present plight. What is the present plight of the Kayal nilam recovered from Vembanad Kayal by Murickan with great efforts? There is no cultivation now and the recovered farms have been handed over illegitimately to undeserving people for a paltry sum.

Viththittavan Vilakoyyum is a mighty understatement now. It needs to be modified with ‘if KSKTU permits’. The present situation now in the field of Agriculture is that the arrogance of the Janmi has been replaced by the haughty autocracy of the political parties and their henchmen.

There is absolutely no reference to the Pattakkar who deceived the Janmis during those days and became landowners themselves; is there any account of the number of Janmis who lost all their belongings as a result of non-remittance of what was due to them? The net result of the Land Reforms Act appears to have been a total breakdown of the economy of the State. The landlords were deprived of the wealth and the farmers did not get it either. In such a situation, can any one be blamed for shifting the focus on to cash crops? In turn, it cannot be forgotten that cash crops prop up our economy to a great extent.

If only some enterprising men had not chosen to deport themselves from the State and work elsewhere for their earnings, the State would have been in dire straits even now. Is it not true that the State survives even now on the money sent by the workers in the Gulf?

In short, the lesson is a mirror that reflects only a distorted picture of what happened over a period beyond hundred years, which has no relevance to the present situation. Why did the farmers abandon cultivation? Why did we have to turn to other States for rice? What happened to the proposed Bhakshya suraksha Paddhathi? Why is it that we have to turn to the Tamilians, Biharis and Rajasthanis for labour? A lot of questions like this need to be answered. What the children need to ‘interfere with’ is the present autocracy of the political parties blocking their education, progress and development - through strikes, hartals and political rivalries.

The table regarding longevity and literacy does not reflect anything connected with the said Agricultural Revolution. The increase in the former is because of increased awareness of personal hygiene and medical facilities achieved through greater literacy; the contribution of the Missionaries and other private agencies in establishing schools and colleges cannot be ignored in facilitating the increase in the latter.

The reference books mentioned also are severely one-sided.

Lesson 2.

The reference to untouchability that existed in the society before some time is true and it still exists in some other parts of India in the crude form. But, as far as Kerala is concerned, the children studying in schools do not recognize this distinction between the higher and lower class of people. They make friends with anyone without asking their caste or creed; teams are formed without this distinction. They live together and play together. In any case, there is not much untouchability among the children as experienced by members of the different political parties and groups within them. The gradation that exists within the same political party, the rivalry existing among different coalition parties and the human carnage resulting from belonging to different political groups – all have far outclassed the damage that was said to have been existing in the past in the name of caste and creed. If ever there is some class difference experienced now among children, it comes from different labels of student unions imposed on them by the political parties.

I have the experience of preparing my daughter for an elocution speech on Mathasauhardam when she was in the second standard. She could not understand the meaning of the concept. Children never see the difference between names like Moytheen, Joseph and Molikkutty. They do not distinguish one another as Hindu, Muslim and Christian. It will be extremely difficult for the student to categorize the names in the given class list without the profuse help and explanation from the teacher. Why, the teacher will have a hell of a trouble explaining ‘Dalithan’ when teaching that lesson. Why instill the children with hatred and disrespect that they never had?

The extract about ‘echil’ is simply obnoxious. Why should we force our children to read such detestable things, simply to convince them that such things existed in the past? The situation is not currently experienced and, luckily, our children may not have to come across that in real life. What purpose does it serve?

Similarly, the paragraph about Channar Lahala is also grossly unwanted. You are telling the children that there were avarnanans and savarnans and they were forced to fight for their just demands. This shows nothing more than the power of mass strikes, which is resorted to by all political parties for just and unjust causes in the present context.

Vaikam Sathyagraham also depicts the same story. Fighting for human rights. Perhaps the lesson intended is that such model mass movements are now being used by political parties nowadays to satisfy their vested interests.

It also appears from these extracts that but for Gandhiji’s powers of compromise, these struggles would not have seen the desired result. In both Vaikam and Guruvayur, his interference helped to solve the problem, in spite of the heavy mass movement for bringing about the change. So as not to invite ire from other religions, they also get a passing reference about comparatively unknown figures - Poykayil Yohannan and Vakkom(who) Maulavi. They somehow managed the ‘reformation’ in their religions without the interference of Gandhi.

The rhetoric questions below these extracts are self-explanatory. The children are forced to admit the existence of such discriminations, though they themselves do not feel it.

Mathamillaaththa Jeevan only pushes the child to postpone the question till a later date. He will require to choose one when he faces the question of Reservation – SC? ST? OBC? what percentage? Which quota? He will also need it if he wants to contest an election or become a Minister. Under which quota will he come?

Nehru said that after his death no funeral rites should be done. Was it properly followed? Now, we celebrate his birthday and day of demise with Prayers and offering of flowers at the place where he was buried. Not only his, but that of all the political leaders belonging to all Parties including the revered Marxist Party, is celebrated with wreaths and flower archanas. The State is strewn all over with Rakthasakshimandapams in memory of those who are said to have died in the cause of the Party! It is easy to quote the words of Great Men, but practicing them is left to be done by children around 12 years!

I would be the happiest person on earth if our political leaders properly understood the meanings of the quoted texts and led us accordingly. But, that is never to happen! Because, the greatest weapon in their hands is maintaining the differences!

I can vouchsafe for certain that there is absolutely nothing against Religion in the text. Perhaps the spokesmen of Religions are angry that there is not enough reference about their own greatness. The text does not advertise the worth of belonging to any particular religion and, perhaps sees all religions on the same plane.

The secularism envisaged in the Constitution does not advocate absence of religions, but the right to believe in and follow any religion of one’s choice. All religions were formed with the intention of making human beings better and virtuous; if some religions corrupt, others will take their place. Still, why should we deny the children the opportunity to get moral and value education through their religious teachings? No Nation now denies the right to worship; we are aware of what happened in Russia where religion was negated for a long period. If someone gets some peace of mind and comfort from believing in his god, why should the State deny him the solace, especially when some political parties consider their leaders as more powerful than God Himself.

The statement under ennittum (Page 21/22) is true, not for the children, but about the politically motivated grown-ups who try to reap benefits from communal clashes. What was the role of children in Maaraad Kalaapam except as sufferers? Let us not hide the fact that the caste-creed differences openly come to the fore during elections – in deciding the candidates, choosing the ministers and awarding portfolios. Do the children make such distinctions anytime in their matters? Similarly, the extract nanmayute naalukal, describing a child from some other community reaching the child’s family as a refugee, indirectly gives the suggestion that the child should have been treated differently!

Throughout the lesson, there is a strong hint of fighting against injustice through mass movements. But our political parties and groups with vested interests are at present resorting to this means to fight against whatever that doesn’t suit their convenience. This is what exactly happens in Kerala, whatever be the issue. Today, it is the text book, tomorrow it might be lack of rains. We are given to understand that the only solution to any problem under the Sun is hartal, whether it be price-rise or Tsunami.

Lesson 3

This chapter describes our Independence Movement though many great names are missing. The labels given towards the end – madyalobi, vanapalakar, manal mafia and excise – are likely to create a doubt in the minds of the children whether such acts are desirable or not, in line with the exhortations in the previous chapter. How should the child react to his father when he refuses to contribute towards the treatment of Renu? Aren’t we cheating ourselves when we complain about the escalation of prices and, in the same breath, demand for higher prices for our products? Does the lesson reflect in any way the need to help others when they meet with difficulties, other than collecting funds? The sum total of these three lessons appears to be garnering collective movements against authority, which is exactly what the critics of the book describe as Communism.

All the efforts taken by the Freedom Fighters to resist the authority of the British Government might be misconstrued as a plan to bring down any democratically elected Government. The cartoon praising the Englishmen for their rule might give the children the feeling that it was true – if they are truly aware of the confusion that exists in the present Government and their policies!

I am bound to say that this is a thoroughly unwanted controversy. For one thing, the book doesn’t fulfill any of the requirements of a teachable text; secondly, the presence or absence of such a book in the State Curriculum in the 7^th Standard is not going to make much of a difference in the social atmosphere of Kerala or the academic brilliance of the student. This is especially true because he is assured of 100% pass up to the 9^th standard and in SSLC, one seldom fails!

The only effect that this book is likely to bring about is a major tear in the social fabric, a severe breakdown of law and order. Peace in the State will be terribly disturbed as the followers of Gandhi have discarded Sathyagraha and Ahimsa and have taken themselves to the streets; the followers of Marx are already famous for their militancy. Other groups who are more vociferous and villainous have offered to add fuel to the fire. The policy is to go to the street, attack the policemen, get beaten up and complain about police atrocities. How long will this continue and what will be the ultimate fallout? Not even God knows in God’s own Country!

2007-06-21T22:01:00.000-07:00

Is Marxism in Kerala a Religion?

I cannot help drawing an analogy between the Marxist Party in Kerala and the recent controversies regarding temples. I believe the Party behaves more like a religion than a political outfit.

The Party has become almost a byword for blind belief. Nobody has the authority to question the decisions of the Party bigwigs. Unless you toe their line, you are out. Trying to correct or re-orient the policies will invite derision and being outcast. Those who were once considered the brains of Marxism are now total discards.

The sickle and hammer is more an idol than a symbol. This idol is prominently placed in front of the temple of the Marxist party, the AKG Centre. Its replicas are coming up throughout the State at every nook and corner. The roads all along are paved on either side with this emblem in the form of flags and posters.

Temples for martyrs are being raised day by day, wherever possible. The names of these martyrs are more sacred than that of gods. Places of worship may be demolished for road-widening or other public purposes, but not these constructions. Remove a flag post and there erupts violence.

All forms of worship in temples are followed ditto by the Party. Garlanding the ‘deities’, flower offerings (Pushparchana), Thalappoli, Chendavadyam, Thayampaka, etc. are usual accompaniments to any function. Pageantries along with elephants are not unusual when welcoming esteemed leaders. Flag hoisting is a serene function. The heralding of the flag-mast from great distances, to the accompaniment of lighted torches, is done with more zeal than what is seen in religions. The annual days of leaders of bygone days are celebrated with much fanfare. Every meeting begins with lighting of the ceremonial lamp. Only ‘Karpooraaraadhana’ is missing.

Another more prominent feature of the Party is the confirmed class-difference. The echelons of Party workers are more drastically defined than the ‘Varnavivechanam’ accused of among the Hindus. It is stronger than apartheid itself. In the Bhagavat Gita, Bhagavan said: “Chathurvarnyam maya srishtam, Gunakarma vibhagasa:” (The four classes - Brahmans, Kshathriyas, Vaisyas and Sudras – were created by me on the basis of quality and duties). In the Party, workers are graded into different cadres – PB, State Council, State Committee, Branch Committees, Local Committees, ordinary followers, co-travellers, etc. and the divisions are watertight. ‘Untouchability’ in a different form is at its supreme at all levels. Non-Marxist humans are total outcasts in anything that concerns the Party. Intolerance to criticism reigns supreme. Promotion and demotion are rewards and punishments. Any act or word without respect to the party leaders is liable to be punished with demotion or expulsion. Unless you sing in praise of the Party Secretary, you cannot exist in the Party. Criticize him in speech, poems or cartoons, you invite the axe. It is heard that as many as 2,000 ardent workers of the Party at different levels have experienced the wrath of the Party Bigwig. Why, shouting slogans against a film actor invited expulsion from his parent association for a staunch party worker!

Hero worship in the Party is a two-sided sword. Know for certain whom you are praising! Choose the wrong person, and the sword flies against you.

The Thanthri in Guruvayur did not expel anyone from the religion, to say the least.. He only did some cleansing ceremony inside the temple when he was informed (perhaps wrongly) that a non-Hindu had entered the temple. None would have come to know about it unless somebody else leaked out the matter. But, in the Party, expulsion is a regular course. Anyone who is said to have acted against the ‘interests’ of the Party, according to the Chief Thanthri of CPI(M), will be expelled on the spot and without a chance for explanation. Some men in the Party are greater than gods; their curse can fall any moment for even alleged swerving. The crime can even be supporting the Melsanthi! Religions insist on unquestioned belief in God, whoever that may be. But the Party insists on indisputable allegiance to the Party Head.

Long back, in Hinduism there was divide in the form of Saivaites and Vaishnavites. Is a similar divide going to take place in the Marxist Party of Kerala - as VSites and PVites?

The comparison does not end here. Just as lesser gods used to take their complaints to Brahma, Vishnu and Maheswara, the lower down party members can take their hurts and seek assuage from the Supreme Power of the Party – The PB. The authority of the PB is so supreme that it suspended two members – the Thanthri and Melsanthi from the PB for petty bickerings and envious comments! The affected take the insult lying down and continue to pass the buck downwards.

Well, temples are there for people to find refuge from their worldly worries. Devotees try to seek some solace there. But, as far as this big temple of Politics is concerned, the followers of this sect seem to walk on the edge of a sword, not sure of when they will slip down from the good books of the powers that be.

*Click on comments to express your opinion.

2007-04-26T23:39:00.000-07:00

Should non-hindus enter Guruvayur?

The issue of Devaswom Minister Sri. G Sudhakaran writing to the Guruvayur Devaswom probing the possibility of admitting Yesudas into the temple is likely to grow into alarming proportions. Thanks to the tolerance of the Hindus and the accommodating mentality of Yesudas, it may after all, fizzle out with no consequences.

The first question here is whether the Devaswom Minister has any right to order such a step. In fact, it is not an order, but only a suggestion made in good spirit. What the Minister did not realize is that it is not under his purview to even suggest such a thing.

Temples are not public properties. Each one is, or was, owned by certain families or groups of people and is promoted by the devotees. If the devotees have faith in the particular god in the temple, it will grow in wealth and fame, as it happened in the case of Guruvayur. On the other side, there are hundreds of temples left uncared for by anybody and have no means to subsist. Nobody makes any claim over the right to enter such temples or donate anything to maintain them. The Government is vested only with the supervisory power to oversee the administration of the temples; it doesn’t have the right to make drastic changes in the traditions, conventions and rituals of the temples.

Guruvayur, as it happens, is one of the richest temples because there are thousands of devotees bent upon donating in cash and kind to its already overflowing coffers. But, it is wrong to conceive any singer as a true and faithful devotee. The songs were written by someone and tuned by some others; what he does is only render it in the sweet sound that he is blessed with, during his run to make money and fame. He cannot claim to have sung in praise of the Lord because of his devotion, since his motive was making money. True, the merchants of Bhakti might have made the best use of his cassettes in their eagerness to promote the God, but that does not enable the singer to be labeled as a true devotee. That is not enough reason to justify his entry into the precincts of the temple.

Well, for a person like Yesudas, a mere entry inside the four-walls of the temple may not be a great achievement to reckon. There are two reasons for this: One, as a singer, he has realized the ultimate God through music; secondly, the temple itself is not ‘pure enough’ for a person of his stature to enter.

The second statement requires further explanation. God does not need any protection. He is not to be contained within the four walls of the temple. It is the people, the administrators and the priests surrounding Guruvayurappan who require the walls. The rituals of the temple are meant to protect the rights of certain groups of people, and on many occasions, they cross over propriety. When devout worshippers are forced to stand in long queues for hours together to have a darshan of the God, the VIPs and VVIPs, mostly politicians and relatives of Board Members, get a free and quick entry. The regular misappropriation of the offerings and temple funds certainly need the cover of the four walls. If such things are done outside the walls, they might be termed as theft. Another ritual in question is the act of conducting ‘Punyaha’, when a non-hindu is caught red-handed, entering the temple. Who can make sure that no non-hindu enter the temple ‘incognito’ or without revealing the identity? The God is not concerned about it perhaps, but His ‘protectors’ are keen to catch such ‘culprits’ to make some money out of it. A non-hindu may not enter the temple, but if he makes a sumptuous donation, it is welcome and glorified.

Temples are social institutions to allow a certain group of people to make a living. They have nothing to do with faith in the omnipresent God. They are institutionalized in the names of certain idols bearing some name of god. The difference between the two is like that between H₂O and water in a pond.

Changes in human behavior cannot be brought about in a day or by an individual. The culture of Hinduism is so strong and all-inclusive that irrational traditions will make way for rational ones in the long run. The true spirit of Hinduism enfolds everyone, to whatever caste, creed or religion one might belong. Those with vested interests may try to withhold changes for some time, but not for ever. There will be a time when the boundaries of human segregation will fade out and all will bask in the Glory of that Single God. There is light at the end of the tunnel and we are certain to move towards it in future.

2007-03-14T06:59:00.000-07:00

The Paradigm in Kerala

There is a paradigm of hierarchy existing in Kerala. Education is such in the State that it produces the following grades of students depending on their abilities:

1. The cream, the best in studies, migrate outside Kerala (to IITs, IIMs, etc.) for higher studies and jobs.

2. The lesser ones complete professional education in Kerala and get stuck in there as Engineers and Doctors;

3. Those below them get into Civil Services like IAS, IFS, IRS, IPS, etc.

4. Those who cannot achieve this, do their PGs and settle down in colleges as teachers;

5. Those with a minimum Degree settle down to become school teachers, Govt. servants, bank employees or land in other clerical work;

6. Those who pass SSLC might become Primary School Teachers who shape the conscience of children;

7. Those with a minimum education and a lot of commonsense become businessmen, traders, or owners of small enterprises; some of them somehow escape to the Gulf Countries to do even menial jobs to make some money. They are ‘praised’ as NRIs.

8. Those who could not complete even school education settle down in hard physical labor;

9. Those who are not good enough even for that become politicians;

10. The luckiest among the last lot, the ones with some crude horse-sense and a lot of thugs as followers, become ministers!

Then, all the other categories mentioned above come under the rule of these ministers.

2007-01-22T07:39:00.000-08:00

Kerala – a mixture of paradoxes

Kerala is a veritable mixture of stark paradoxes.

On one side, there is the scenic beauty and docile people that attract tourists from all over the world. On the other side is the highly politicized atmosphere, where bundhs and hartals might break out any moment out of the blue.

On the one side is the harmonious blending of all religions, castes and cultures leading to an amicable life; juxtaposed is the increasing arms menace and occasional localized communal riots which get smothered soon enough.

Scoundrels are on the prowl, threat to life and property exists, the law and order situation is not the best; yet, people have faith in their neighbors, live a peaceful life and are generally calm by nature.

Education is in total disarray, but the children of Kerala get well under it to the extent of finding jobs in the outside world.

The Government treasury is bankrupt, but the people have enough money in their hands. Poor though their Government is, Kerala is the biggest consumer state and the highest in per capita consumption of liquor.

Trade Unions are said to make life difficult in Kerala, but everyone is willy nilly a member of some Union or other. Each union fights for the rights of its members, yet no union comes into conflict with the others.

Politics is the bread-winner for the jobless and the public in general do not find anything wrong with that.

Those who get elected to power alternatively plunder the State’s resources continuously, but the citizens again vote them to power with zeal.

The leaders thus raised to power carry on their stealth unflinchingly.

The State doesn’t have resources of its own, but any investment from outside is treated with derision. Industries are welcome, only to be fought against and closed down.

The Central Government is kept in power by the support of all the

MPs from the State, but MPs fail to get the State’s due from the Centre.

Mother Nature is not different in its attitude.

Kerala is one of the States that get maximum rainfall, but as soon are rains are over, the State is in the grip of severe draught. There are said to be 44 rivers running through Kerala, but they are not enough to keep the fields irrigated or quench the thirst of people. Kuttanad, where there is the biggest natural water reservoir, is the place most tortured by paucity of drinking water.

The Government proclaims that it is for the poor, but hopes to finance itself through lotteries bought by the poor. The pittance given to the jobless is minus the cost of the lottery ticket.

The non-resident Keralites are worried much about the future of Kerala, but the people living in the State are least concerned. They make merry with strikes, hartals, bundhs, protests and processions.

The State is the most literate in India, but they do not seem to see beyond their own noses.

Kerala is one of the States where roads haven’t developed much since Independence, but it stands first in the sale of Cars and bikes.

The State richly deserves more highways and expressways, but acquiring land for the purpose is fraught with resistance from potential users.

Efforts towards improving hygiene and sanitation are certainly poor, but the number of tourists visiting Kerala is on the increase year by year. The cities abound with stinking heaps of garbage and singing hoards of mosquitoes, but the visitors go back with pleasant memories and vow to return.

The general apprehension about the State is that it is going to dogs, but many still believe that it is ‘God’s Own Country’!

Who knows, perhaps all the things that appear to be paradoxes might really be blessings in the scheme of things in the design of God. May God Almighty lead the State to prosperity. (Only He can do that!)

2007-01-17T18:26:00.000-08:00

How the Politicians killed a Wise Project

Justice K. P. Radhakrishna Menon, ex-ombudsman, describes how his efforts to make Cochin a clean city were defeated by the Corporation.(Manorama dated 16.01.07 Editorial Page)
He titles the article The Ill-fate of Cochin Citizens. As the Ombudsman, he had passed many orders to maintain the City clean, but the Mayor and the Corporation were not keen on implementing them. Rather, they devised the means to defy his orders.
He cites these examples:
1. To make Cochin a clean city, the first requirement was to maintain the three Canals – Perandur, Rameswaram and Kalvathi – clean by avoiding stagnation of water. He designed a project to revive the canals with the help of the Star Hotels and Business houses in Cochin. All the expenses for the project were to be shared by these business houses. A meeting of such sponsors and the Corporation Officials was organized, but the Mayor purposely kept away from it. Though all the others welcomed the project, it could not be carried out because the Mayor did not co-operate. If the project had materialized, Cochin would have got a face-lift and the mosquito menace would have been under control.
2. Another project to fight the mosquito menace was envisaged. This involved dividing the city into five or six sectors, each one under the supervision of the business houses in that area and cleaning the drains once in a week using sea water. Orders were passed to this effect, as also for cleaning the three canals periodically. Nobody in the Corporation was interested in carrying out the orders.
3. He offered to take the initiative to discuss the issue of waste-dumping at Brahmapuram with the residents there and make an amicable settlement, but the Corporation authorities took no hand in bringing them together, providing a platform for discussion and solving the issue. The problem still continues.
4. Using the powers of the Ombudsman, he issued many orders to make Cochin a clean city. As per the Municipal Act, the Mayor was bound to obey them. The Justice issued him with Show-Cause notice for not obeying the orders, but the Mayor obtained orders from the High Court preventing the Ombudsman from taking action.
5. He was ultimately forced to shelve the efforts to make Cochin a clean city because of the offensive behavior of the Corporation authorities and the intervention of the HC. The people of Cochin are now suffering from the irresponsibility of those Officials who sit on their respective chairs pretending that cleaning the city is not their duty.
6. The difficulties suffered by the tax-paying people, especially the ordinary people who are subjected to untold miseries are beyond words. Will schemes like the Smart City under foreign Collaboration make the stinking city equal to heaven?
7. He says: “I learnt from my experience as Ombudsman that no one should expect any help or service from those who stick to their chairs under the conviction that Money power is much greater than the power of Law.”
If this is the fateful conviction of an Ombudsman, what will happen to the efforts of ordinary mortals like us?

2006-12-17T03:03:00.000-08:00

Exams postponed

SFI Procession, Youth leader suffers from Red eye: 40 Exams of Varsity postponed many times;
VC helpless, directions come from a party leader. Students in distress
[original article written by G.vinod for Malayalamanorama, dated 13 december 2006]

Trivandrum: Exams will get postponed if the SFI leader gets Red Eye or the SFI procession reaches the capital. The Kerala University postponed more than 40 exams repeatedly in the last one month. Of these, 21 very important exams were put off two to six times.
Exams were deferred in bundles to intensify the propaganda for College Union Elections and to add glamour to the Union Youth Festival. It is the Syndicate brimming over with leftist members that takes such decisions that are likely to blight the future of students. And the VC remains a helpless witness.
The reason for postponing LLM Exam twice was the Red Eye that affected an SFI leader. Now, it is proposed to hold it on 5th January. It is said that the direction for postponing the exam came from the area secretary of CPI(M). Officials have confirmed that many exams were repeatedly postponed to suit the convenience of the mini-leaders since the All India Jatha of SFI entered Kerala.
Usually, exams will not be held on the day of the College Union Elections, or at the most, on the day of Meet the Candidate. But, this year, once the Union Election was declared for 22 November, the Syndicate decided that no exams should be held from the date of notification until after the Victory Celebrations were over!
The University Youth Festival is proposed to be held from 15 to 19 December. But instead of putting off three days’ examination, those from 12th to 22 have been put off – more than 40 exams. This is said to be to suit the convenience of some chota leaders.
It was six times that the B. Tech Exams were postponed. MBBS, BDS, NURSING Exams were put off three times each and LLM, MBL, LLLB Exams upto four times. Students are highly apprehensive about the time the course will lag on to.
The seventh semester exam of B. Tech was to be over on 13 Dec., but now it will take place only on 20 Jan., which means that the 8th Sem exam will not be held not even in June 2007. The Results will not be out before even September. The students of Engineering Colleges who got campus selection fear that they will lose the jobs; MS Courses in many Universities, in and outside India close admissions by 10th August, which also will be denied to these students.
MA, M Sc, M Com Exams which were scheduled to be over by 10th April will now end only by the end of May. Needless to say that the future of thousands of students is put in jeopardy by the Syndicate purely in the interests of a few political bigwigs.

2006-12-11T21:49:00.000-08:00

Resistance – The hall-mark of Keralites

Before I begin, let me qualify my statement. By Keralites, I refer to those who live IN Kerala, not all Malayalees. Those working outside and send their money to Kerala belong to a different genre.

So, what is the thing the Keralites do best? Resist, resist everything – whether it is ideas, plans, schemes, suggestions or development. We find arguments to oppose them when it comes to affecting us or our property. Do we need new roads, railways, factories, Dams, IT parks, ports, airports or bridges? Yes, as long as they do not encroach on my property. We resist such things in the name of environment protection, saving wild life and upsetting the living conditions of the aborigines (Adivasis). We will spread the news that the new scheme will destroy our ecology, life style and tradition. We will vehemently resist all attempts even to survey the land.

Do we need to curb the goondaism? Yes, but let us and our group be not affected. Each successive government assures their ranks that they will be spared. The Goonda Act will be properly amended.

The courts of Law are there to be challenged until their decisions turn favorable. There is nothing like permanent truth or stable affinity. Justice is accepted only when the verdicts are in our favor. Otherwise, we have means to protest.

The real festive days for us are the days of bandhs and hartals. We will find reasons to resist something, almost three days a week. Schools and colleges will remain closed, shopkeepers will get a holiday and employees a day of rest.

We need self-financing educational institutions, but not at our cost. Let somebody else pay for it. We will make sure that they don’t get returns from their investment.

Why do we keep on changing the government every five years? Actually, we don’t want to be ruled. Defiance is part of our character. Freedom to do whatever we like is our birthright. A government unnecessarily interferes with our private freedom to make money through avoiding tax, felling forest trees, dealing in spurious liquor, smuggling contraband items, manipulating contracts, running unholy recruitment traps, operating false finance companies and producing pirated CDs. Corruption in bureaucracy is our second nature. Accepting bribes is a way of life. There is nothing wrong with it because it is money paid to smoothen out things. If someone refuses to fall in line, he will suffer, even if he is a Malaysian. Pay the due and all those involved will be kept out of the purview of enquiries.

Kerala as a State has the maximum number of newspapers and TV Channels in India and can boast of the highest number of readers/viewers. What do we read and see? All biased ‘news stories’ that has a tinge of sex and a heavy load of concocted theories to malign the opponents. Yes, we find pleasure in reading about the bad deeds of others, the papers are full of them. TV channels vie with one another in webbing stories of no consequence.

When the UDF is in power, the leftists will resist anything that smacks of progress or development. When the leftists come to power, their internal factions will take care of preventing anything progressive. ADB loans are untouchable, but the currency sent by NRKs (Non-resident Keralites) is most welcome!

Integrity is a quality in question, being fast discarded from society, government and politics. Farmers commit suicide by the dozen; the government continues to dole out promises. Scores die in police custody, but the Home portfolio is intact. Education is in doldrums, progress is at standstill. Safety for life and belongings is still a distant dream.

Such is the fate of Kerala, the land of the most literate, politically conscious, intellectuals. Any ray of hope?

2006-10-21T20:03:00.000-07:00

HEALTH, HYGIENE, HERITAGE

A PROJECT TO REVIVE ALLEPPEY AS A TOURIST SPOT

Introduction

Alleppey, the ancient port town, popularly nicknamed the Venice of the East, is now passing through a significant phase in its development. On one side, there is the infinite tourist potential provided by the backwaters and abundance of house-boats; on the other side is the pathetic living conditions occasioned by water-born diseases and deplorable lack of basic infra-structure. The two canals, which were once the nerve-centers of all trade and activity, have now deteriorated into gutters that breed mosquitoes and all kinds of disease germs. The whole town has the look of a heap of waste-dump for lack of proper sanitation and cleaning. The nauseating smell that enfolds the busy areas is enough to deter the tourists from visiting this place once again.

The fact is that we are blind to our blessings and brag about attracting tourists without doing even the spade work to make the place at least tolerable to them. The tradition that we boast of is only imaginary and we do nothing to concretize it into reality. I have a few suggestions to make, on this eve of the Tourism Minister announcing his decision to invite global tenders for the renovation of Alleppey.

The tradition – a little history

Alleppey earned a name in the trade map of the world when Raja Kesavadas designed the two canals running along the town from east to west to enable easy transportation of hill produce from the east to the western coast through country boats. That was the Golden era, when the whole town was bubbling with brisk activity, the banks of the canals being the busiest centers of trade and affluence. But that was long before surface transport developed. Transportation of goods on motor-driven vehicles caught up with the time and improved momentously. Gradually, Kochi developed into a prime sea-port. The arrival of container traffic tolled the death knell for water-transport and the canals. The canals ceased to carry country-boats and goods anymore; the factories around them closed down or were shifted to other places one by one. The once-busy areas fell into gloom and the solitary pier was left to crumble down.

The ill-conceived and partly executed Thanneermukkom Barrage Project then came into being. That was the final death blow for the canals. Flow of water through the canals got blocked. The tides that used to keep them clean stopped functioning. As the saying goes, stagnant water pollutes. All sorts of weeds took root and multiplied so as to cover the surface of the canals from sunlight and it became a safe breeding place for mosquitoes and germs. Not even the narrowest boat can now pass through them and no one touches that water for fear of itches and other skin diseases. Add to this the ‘civic’culture of dumping all sorts of waste materials into them on a daily basis, plus the comfort of defecating on their shores in the mornings.

How can any planning do good to the town when our ‘hold on tradition’ is so strong as to insist on maintaining this 8 Km. long, 20 feet wide mass of putrefied water in the midst of the town? Nobody realizes that they serve no purpose now other than being the breeding ground for water-born diseases. Any talk about closing it down for ever meets with sentimental outcry and hysterical craze for holding on to tradition. True, they are part of Alleppey’s glorious past, but now they are worse than putrefying carcasses emanating stench and worms for years together. They are not natural waterways, but dug out in the historical past for a specific purpose. They served that purpose meritoriously no doubt. There is no harm in closing them down for good and it cannot cause any serious environmental or ecological problems.

Though I am a strong advocate for this drastic step, I suggest here a few steps to bypass it with a little effort. In my opinion, these canals are, at the same time, our tradition and the curse. No serious studies have taken place so far on how to handle them. Only fleeting comments by some unconcerned minds have ruled their fate till now. Any number of political and administrative gimmicks of ‘cleaning the canals’ has been demonstrated during the past twenty-five years with no success other than piping out government funds. Remedial treatment is sometimes successful in minor ailments, but not in cancerous afflictions.

The title ‘Venice of the East’ is now a total misnomer. The only claim is that this putrefying body of stagnant water filled with germs and worms, that breeds mosquitoes aplenty, was once canals. It is akin to describing the local whore as Miss World. Something drastic has to be done to improve the condition. The canals cannot be allowed to continue like this anymore because of the health hazards it arouses in the town.

HEALTH

Sanitation

Proper sanitation should be the prime concern of any local authority. Here in Alleppey, this is the most neglected department. Alleppey does not have an effective drainage system, neither can it boast of regular removal of waste. All waste materials, including the remains of carcasses, are conveniently dumped into the canals by anyone who chooses to do so. All the wastewater from nearby hotels, houses and business places find its way into the canals. The banks of the canals are open-air ‘comfort stations’ for the public in the mornings. Both the sides of the canals are overgrown with trees, plants and weeds, polluting the water further with shedding leaves.(if the water can be polluted anymore!)

Drainage System

What Alleppey needs badly is a proper drainage system, especially the area around the canals. All the wastewater that is now generated from the houses, hotels and business places should be channeled into this system constructed along the four sides of the canals.

Big concrete pipes, with manholes wherever necessary, should be fixed along the eight Km. stretch of the canals, into which all waste water should flow. The water collected thus should be led to a purification system to be installed at either ends of the drainage pipes on the east and the west. The organic materials sieved out can be used as manure and the purified water can be used for agriculture. The tops of the pipes may be properly covered and leveled so that it can be used either to widen the roads or to rent out for shops. ‘Bridge buildings’ that span both banks of the canals can be constructed wherever possible and leased out to generate revenue. This will easily cover the investment on the drainage system.

Placing drainage pipes along the banks of the canals will necessarily involve the removal of the trees and plants on either side, which gives us a multifaceted advantage. One thing is that dry leaves will not pollute the water in the canals, the second is that it provides enough space to widen roads and construct shop-buildings and the third biggest advantage is that it will stop sheltering the public from anti-social activities in the mornings.

Let us not have the impression that this is not feasible because Alleppey lies on the sea-level or below that. A good number of studies involving Dutch experts have taken place here and their projects are still sleeping on the shelves of some government departments. It is not impossible to invite them once again and devise a project if we have the will to do so. In any case, there must be drainage systems in places like Alleppey in some parts of the world and what is needed is the determination to implement it.

Once the canals are saved from the inflow of polluted water, the rest is easy. They were once clean when seawater used to enter it from either side. The tides used to do the duty of flushing and cleaning them, which can be easily reinstated by opening (or creating) sluice valves on the west and allowing seawater to flow into the Vembanad Lake in a controlled manner. This will be far cheaper and efficient than creating artificial flow using pumps or other devices. The imbroglio created by theThanneermukkom barrage is on the verge of being solved, thanks to the efforts of Irrigation department, which will greatly assist the cleaning of the canals.

HYGIENE

Waste Management

Another department where the local authority exhibits callous unconcern is the disposal of waste materials. Now only a minor percentage of waste produced is removed occasionally and the rest lies where it is and putrefies, giving the town the stench of a garbage bin. Heaps of such material can be seen lying around even major roads and streets for weeks, waiting for disposal. Even what is collected is carried away in the most unhygienic conditions and dumped callously into vast heaps close to inhabited places causing great health hazards. No proper mechanism to separate the materials or incinerate them functions there.

A proper garbage treatment plant is highly needed for Alleppey, if possible two at the southern and northern ends of the Municipality. Garbage collection has to be efficient and regular. For this, the system prevalent in many major townships outside Kerala can be implemented without much difficulty. I have the following suggestions in this respect:

Each house-owner and owners of other establishments should be directed to collect the solid waste produced in their places in plastic/polythene bags, tie them neatly and place such bundles in front of their houses.
The Municipality is already divided into 50 wards. Under the supervision of each councilor, a required number of people may be employed to collect these bags in trolleys/handcarts regularly and bring them to specified spots on the main roads and streets and stack them.
The Municipality should provide enough lorries/tippers to collect the garbage at regular intervals and carry them to the treatment plants.Their job will be much easier, faster and hygienic, once the material is collected in bags.
In the plants, the material should be separated with the help of modern machines into organic and non-organic materials. Bio-degradable products may be used as manure and other items like plastic and polythene can be disposed in the proper way.
Instead of keeping open cans on the roadside, expecting people to bring their waste and throw them into it, collecting waste materials from their houses has many advantages. Sides of the streets will not be littered with uncollected polluting dumps; the plastic menace can be properly handled.
This may not cause much additional burden to the Municipal exchequer. The owners of each house or shop from where the waste is collected may be persuaded to pay a nominal sum on monthly basis, which will generate enough income to pay the laborers to be commissioned under the supervision of the Municipal councilors.
Let us not have the impression that we will not get enough people to do this. We are witnesses to the rush for even menial jobs when the government staff went on strike for weeks together. By and by, the culture of disposing off garbage in this safe manner will catch up with the people. This has happened in many modern townships.
Once this becomes a habit with the people, our streets and, more importantly the canals, will not be littered with waste materials. Streets and roads, when covered edge-to-edge with tar or concrete will have a more decent look and will be much cleaner.

These are some of the primary things the local authorities and the government should try to implement before we plan to attract global tourists in great numbers. We are blessed by Nature in abundance, but we fail to cash in on them with our negligence and greed for temporary gains. The tourist amenity center recently inaugurated is a good step towards improving our basic infra-structure. Many such centers should come in different parts of the town to look after the needs of local men and visitors. ‘Cleanliness’ should be our watchword in all our actions. Tourists prefer to to places better than their own hometown. Tourists are god-sent messengers who carry all over the world news about the good and bad of the places they visit. Our asset is their goodwill; that is what makes others visit this place.

HERITAGE

We are proud to announce that Kerala is “God’s Own Country”, but we do nearly nothing to make it a tourist’s haven. Alleppey, with its resplendent backwaters, abundant waterways, majestic houseboats, enchanting snake-boats, gorgeous resorts, restorative treatment of the physique and endearing cultural bounty has a rich heritage. It can very well be a ‘Heaven on Earth’ for the visitors. It is the bounden duty of this generation to complete the platform to raise the town to its ancient glory through dedicated efforts forgetting partisan divisions and personal rivalries.

(This project dated 25 June 2002 was sent to all Government authorities, but no action was taken except giving some cosmetic changes to the Canals.)

2006-10-20T20:05:00.000-07:00

Urgent need for road dividers

The increasing number of road-accidents in Kerala is a matter of great concern.. Most of these can be avoided, if there were enough road dividers along the important roads in the State.

It is certainly the duty of the Government to provide its citizens with the right to drive their vehicles safely and comfortably along the roads and not just collect road tax without fulfilling this requirement.

Most accidents occur when vehicles come face to face. The number of vehicles coming on to the road every month is increasing rapidly and the roads do not expand proportionately to accommodate them. When the number of vehicles doubles, the chances for accidents increase exponentially. The occasions of vehicles coming face to face increase multifold. Accidents are highly fatal when this happens; such occasions can be drastically reduced if the roads are modified in such a way that vehicles move only in one direction along a single lane.

We do not have enough roads to make them one-way, but most of them are wide enough to allow two-way traffic in either direction. Such roads shall be divided with ‘physical’ dividers, instead of drawing just a white line as is done at present. The white line does not prevent the drivers from crossing them whenever it suits their fancy, to speed along or to overtake. Most accidents occur when fast vehicles overtake others. Many drivers are overconfident about their ability to swerve the vehicle at the last moment, but frequently this fails them. While overtaking other vehicles, the drivers increase the speed, and when they are in doubt about clearing the oncoming vehicle, they increase it further. Such accidents are highly destructive.

Many studies regarding accidents have come to the conclusion that 90% of the accidents are the result of the negligence of the driver. But my reading is that we provide them with enough opportunities to err and put the blame on them. I believe that nobody ever drives a vehicle to commit suicide. Reducing the chances of vehicles coming face to face will reduce such incidents to a great extent. That will also save a lot of life.

Most of the roads in Kerala are typically accident prone because of the absence of road dividers. Roads are wide enough for three or four vehicles to pass either way, but there is nothing to prevent them from coming face to face. If only dividers were provided, a major share of the accidents could be averted. Also, shoulder lanes should be provided wherever possible to allow the movement of slower vehicles. Wherever possible, bus bays also should be provided.

The dividers don’t have to be permanent or stable. They can be structures made of steel, plastic or cement blocks, propped up along the white line. Vehicles might hit them occasionally, but that will not cause such a great disaster as loss of life. The government may not have to spend a lot on such dividers, because the cost of installing them can be passed on to local business houses, who will be happy to display their advertisements on them. Corporations, Municipalities and other local bodies can take care of finding the sponsors for this in their respective areas. The role of the government is almost restricted to giving permission or enacting a law to enable this. It can also help in designing the most effective structure of dividers.

This is an urgent necessity because lots of lives are sacrificed everyday for want of this safety precaution. The pain is felt only by those who lose their kith and kin. It is high time that the Government acted on this.

2006-10-10T04:01:00.000-07:00

Kerala - an ideal State!

What an ideal State is Kerala!

Here, no farmers commit suicide.

Nobody dies of chikungunya.

Crime rate is the lowest here.

Molestation is unknown here.

Goonda act is superfluous for us.

Blade mafia doesn’t threaten us.

None dies in Police custody.

We top the States in personal hygiene.

We have won awards for sanitation.

Primary health is the best here.

We have the highest literacy rate.

Education for the poor is for the asking.

People below BPL are minimal here.

Our standard of living is very high,

because ration shops are deserted,

liquor shops have long queues.

We have achieved all this

Because our politicians don’t tell lies!

2006-10-02T22:41:00.000-07:00

Hydro Electric Power – the raging controversy

What has gone wrong with us?

Keralites are known for their intelligence and hard work. They are recognized as the champions of dedication anywhere outside Kerala. But inside the State, they are ridden by cross-purposes and retrograde activities. We elect governments with vast majorities in the Assembly, but do not allow them to do anything. Any progressive move is quickly stifled by opposition and dialectical differences. We need institutions of higher education, but we will not pay for them. We have no money of our own, but we shall not borrow from those who have it. Private enterprises we look for, but they should not make profit. Unemployment is increasing at a fast pace, but we do everything to prevent factories from working. The rights of labourers are more sacred to us than labour itself.

Hydro Electric Power (HEP) is by far the cheapest and most sustainable source of energy. It is the most eco-friendly form of producing electric power. It will go on as long as there are rains and rivers and the water used is not wasted. It runs on to irrigate uncultivated land, thus increasing our agricultural output.

But a controversy arises every time we plan further Hydro-electric projects. Environmentalists cry out against them, writers and poets and the so called ‘intelligentia’ rise in agitation. Many projects have had to be discontinued half way. We have to take a fresh look at such things and arrive at a consensus, in view of the future generations.

Mostly, I believe, such controversies arise as a result of our setting wrong priorities. It usually happens in Politics where we put individuals before the People. In the modern world of scientific achievements and technological development, there is no doubt that we need a lot of electricity, much much more.

During the days when electricity began to be used, it was primarily meant for lighting up the house. Then slowly it came in handy for running fans, and replacing traditional household gadgets. Nowadays, even the AC is not considered a luxury; leave alone the scores of electrical equipments that come in handy for the housewife. The computer has revolutionized our whole way of life – beginning from the advantages of personal computers, we have passed into a world where electricity is required 24 hours a day, non-stop. The rise in job opportunities provided by BPOs and other computer-related opportunities demand an exponential growth in the supply of electricity. In short, we have become so dependent on this source of power that life is not virtually possible without it. Other sources of energy like thermal, nuclear and solar power are stilted with either high risk factor or low productivity.

I believe that it is the duty of every generation to provide for the future generations. We live on what our predecessors did for us. We should never be the cause for blocking the unending process of human progress. The comforts in our life, the facilities that we enjoy, are the results of what our previous generations did. The electricity that we use now is the gift of some great minds who took the risk of ‘destroying’ a little environment for the sake of greater benefits to humanity. If the creators of Pallivasal and Idukki projects had not taken the risk, what would have been our plight? If some people had not chosen to cut a few trees and construct palaces and houses in ‘Ananthan kadu’, the city now known as Thiruvananthapuram would not have been there. Why, the house that Sugathakumari lives in would not have been there. The electricity that she now uses up in running her house, in making speeches and glaring through the visual media would not have been there, if some ‘thoughtless’ people had not constructed the power generating stations.

It is inhuman to say ‘enough is enough’. We have been gifted by the deeds of our previous generations and we have no right to deny the rights of the coming generations.

We should not behave like ‘the people who have got into the bus’ and deny entry for others.

Progress necessarily means a selective destruction of environment. We cannot achieve anything without sacrificing something. It is one thing to speak of Nature and write poetry on it, but interfering emotionally with the requirements of the future is another thing. Let us not confuse our priorities. Surely, Sugathakumari et al. do not expect our children to live on traditional jobs like pot-making, mat-weaving and hoeing in the fields.

The times when a person could make a living by writing poems and singing ritualistic songs before the serpent god are far gone; not everyone does win the Booker Prize. Those who enjoy all the comforts of life can be philosophic, but it doesn’t provide bread for the future. Those who have enjoyed the benefits of progress have no right to deny it for their children.

The world is growing at such a pace that we need to tap all the available sources of energy. The wrong priorities set in the political arena and the dictates of outdated labour policy have already put our State some 20-25 years behind other southern states. Our potential in the IT field remains unexploited because of our craze for frequent hartals and bandhs. Foreign investors dread to step in because of our uncertain work culture.

Already, electricity is in short supply. It is high time that we did something about it. Unless some firm steps are taken, the State will enter into a dark age. Many projects have been dropped half way and the latest one, Pathrakkadau, is facing stiff objection. Environmentalists have to realize that any progress is possible only by making certain concessions. Here again, we have to set the right priorities. Some forest area and some living area may be inundated, but we have to suffer this necessary evil. The question of endangered species will have to be assessed in the face of the larger benefits to the State and its subjects. Those who have to be evacuated should be rehabilitated properly.

The disturbance caused to the environment will have to be limited to the minimum. We have to admit that much more interference with environment takes place when the cities develop, natural waterways are blocked and large areas of backwaters are filled up as in GCDA. After all, the survival of human beings, their freedom to work and earn a living, their right to live comfortably, and the overall progress of the State where they live in should be placed far above the discomfort to some monkeys and birds which have no present bearing on human life.

Writing poetry and short stories can be a pastime for the affluent, but it does not fetch a living for the great majority. Emotional entanglement with the world of facts only results in confusion and arousal of unwanted sentiments. Nature is no doubt a beautiful subject for poetry and fiction, but attempts to import them into real life to block the progress of humanity and deny the coming generation their job opportunities and necessities of life tantamount to violation of fundamental human rights.

Well, regarding the argument that the engineers and politicians think up such projects and try to implement them for the sake of making money for themselves, speaks volumes about the corruption prevalent in the higher echelons of power. I do not deny such possibilities, but they can indulge in such things in any other field too – not necessarily in the construction of Hydroelectric Power Stations alone. The interference of the environmentalists is in fact a blessing in disguise to them. They can always make money out of incomplete projects and blame the environmentalists for not allowing them to complete it. They can conveniently look for another project, make budget and estimates, get the commission for whatever is done and wait for someone to ask them to stop. I am afraid we spend most of our efforts in this vicious circle – propose new power projects, hinder them, then look for newer ones.

To sum up, it is the need of the day to put the horse before the cart. Let us prioritize our requirements and work towards achieving them, even though we have to make some concessions and sacrifices. If Mahatma Gandhi and his people were worried about losing the lives of some of them, we would not have got freedom. If our researchers had qualms about trying their medicines on a few guinea pigs, many of our medicines would not have been found. If we were sorry about killing animals, the world would have experienced a terrific shortage of food materials. All progress, even human existence, depends on some casualities; let us sacrifice a few woods and birds for the larger benefit of humanity around us, ultimately for the progress of our State.

2006-10-02T08:19:00.000-07:00

Values go topsy-turvy!

These are the days of values being reversed.

Office of Profit is unconstitutional, so release 56 offices from the definition.

MPs are tempted to take bribes, so increase their salary and allowances.

Drinking is very popular nowadays, so provide cheap liquor (to hell with prohibition!)

Prostitution is rampant, so spread the message of condom.

HIV is dangerous for drug addicts, so provide them with new needles.

Bribery is common among government officials, so legalize it.

Backward Classes refuse to get educated, so dilute qualifications for jobs.

59 years of Reservation did no good, so increase the quota further.

Jaimala claims that she touched Lord Ayyappa, so allow all women inside the temple.

And finally,

Ball tampering is prevalent, so give it legal sanction!