Monthly Archives: September 2014

Former foreign secretary Venkateswaran cremated in Bangalore

Leaders, Records, All, World Opinion

Last year when he found himself in the news again for a crucial incident that occurred in his life in 1987, former foreign secretary A P Venkateswaran, ever the gentleman, refused to go back in time and dwell on his sacking as foreign secretary by Rajiv Gandhi.

“I believe that grave digging is not at all a pleasant task,’’ he said when his 1987 sacking through a press conference by Rajiv Gandhi was compared last year with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s tearing up of an ordinance cleared by the UPA cabinet at a press conference in New Delhi.

The 85-year-old former foreign secretary who carried himself with great dignity died at a private hospital in Bangalore on Tuesday and was cremated in the city on Wednesday.

Despite an illustrious career spanning 35 years in the diplomatic service, Venkateswaran’s career was highlighted by his ignominious exit as foreign secretary in January 1987 when Rajiv Gandhi snubbed his foreign secretary for making contradictory statements on a proposed visit to Pakistan.

“You will be talking to a new foreign secretary soon,” Rajiv Gandhi told a Pakistani journalist who raised the question of contradictory statements coming from the Prime Minister and his foreign secretary at a press conference where A P Venkateswaran was also present.

Following the snub at the press conference Venkateswaran quit the Indian Foreign Service. “My resigning was a spontaneous action since I have always believed that life without honour is no living at all. I felt that the statement (by Rajiv Gandhi) was an arrogant attempt to try and humiliate, when all the facts were on my side like his impending visit to Pakistan for a SAARC summit,’’ Venkateswaran said last year when he was dragged into the limelight again.

Venkateswaran was considered among India’s best foreign officials while in service. In a letter he wrote to the diplomatic corps when he took over as foreign secretary to Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi on April 30, 1986 stated that it was necessary for the country to perceive the work of the IFS as being invaluable. “We might flatter ourselves that we are doing something extremely valuable for the country, but unless it is also perceived as such by our countrymen, they might well conclude our contribution is not worthwhile…” he said.

Last September when asked to draw comparisons between his own situation and the one involving Rahul Gandhi, Venkateswaran only commented to say that ‘history repeats itself first as a tragedy and then as a farce.’

After his exit from the IFS, Venkateswaran, who hailed from a Palakkad Iyer family, had settled down in Bangalore and set up the Asia Centre, a think-tank on Asian affairs comprising former diplomats and academics.

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Express / Home> Cities> Bangalore / by Johnson Abraham / Bangalore – September 04th, 2014

Kozhikode to get its first multi-level parking facility

Business & Economy, Travel

Kozhikode :

The corporation is all set to welcome it’s first multi-level parking slot at Railway Station Link Road. The project is likely to be materialized in two years. The Calicut development authority has taken all the steps to commence the construction of the parking slot at the earliest. The CDA will take up the work on Built Operate Transfer (BoT) basis with the private firm with whom the civic body had earlier entered an agreement with after the dissolution in 2007.

Though the city corporation authorities laid the foundation stone for the proposed scheme on the land owned by the CDA in 2010, it failed to take off due to various technical reasons.

The CDA has already had talks and finalized discussions with the representatives of the firm ‘Yennavees’ to ink an agreement. The company will transfer the parking plaza to the CDA after a period of 33 years.

The Rs 9 crore project is bound to set up a seven storey multi-level parking plaza on the proposed 23 cents.

The project aims to set up parking slot to park 100 four wheelers and around 25 two wheelers in the initial phase. The project will be completed within two years from the day of the commencement and a portion of the building will also host the office of the CDA.

At present, vehicle owners are being forced to park on road sides and in parking slots set up by private players and malls in the city. Though the civic body had set up a parking space near Arayidathupalam, the space is insufficient to meet the increasing requirements of the public. Traffic snarls have become a routine affair in the city due to the limited parking space.

“We have held numerous rounds of talks with the company representatives and made slight changes in the agreements. They have agreed to increase the number of car parking slots from 63 to 100.

The CDA will begin the construction works once the plan is approved by the corporation post Onam” he said. “We wish to commission the parking plaza within the set time frame of two years as it is one of the priority projects listed by the CDA. The construction work will be commenced at the earliest most probably within a month,” he said.

A M Jayan, CDA secretary said that the parking slot will help put an end to the existing issues to an extend. “The public has been finding it difficult to park, and move around. This scheme will be a great relief to this city once it is realised” he said.

source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / The Times of India / Home> City> Kozhikode / TNN / September 04th, 2014

At 60, ‘Kerala Karshakan’ continues to sow inspiration

Agriculture, Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Green Initiatives & Environment, Nature, Records, All
The April-June 1955 cover of the agriculture magazine, Kerala Karshakan. — PHOTO: BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
The April-June 1955 cover of the agriculture magazine, Kerala Karshakan. — PHOTO: BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Kerala Karshakan also has the distinction of being the second oldest farm magazine in India

Kerala Karshakan, a constant companion to and a commentator on Kerala agriculture, is 60.

This is a memorable year for those in the State still “romancing” farming, the magazine’s first full-time editor R. Hali has said in his introductory remarks in the diamond jubilee edition.

Kerala Karshakan also has the distinction of being the second oldest farm magazine in India, the oldest being Indian Farming published by Indian Council of Agricultural Research, said Mr. Hali.

The monthly is now a sine qua non for farmers across Kerala, who have taken its paid circulation to about 1.25 lakh a month. Kadakkarappally panchayat in Alappuzha district is an example of the magazine’s popularity. Its editors were surprised to find in 2012 that the panchayat, with about 3,500 farming families, had a subscription base of over 3,000. Kerala Karshakan, more than anything else, had made agricultural schemes, programmes and their implementation more transparent, said an agricultural officer. he magazine has its strongest subscriber bases in Kannur, Kozhikode and Thrissur, said an official.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kochi / by Special Correspondent / Kochi – September 09th, 2014

A brand ambassador for palliative care

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Inspiration/ Positive News and Features, Science & Technology
Wheelchair-bound Baby Fatima is the inspiration behind Saira of 'Bangalore Days'. Insert : Fathima with Parvathy (R)
Wheelchair-bound Baby Fatima is the inspiration behind Saira of ‘Bangalore Days’. Insert : Fathima with Parvathy (R)

Remember Saira of ‘Bangalore Days’? The character of Saira, who vanquishes the handicaps of the body using sheer willpower, is based on a real life character who caught Anjali Menon’s attention at a ward in the Kozhikode Medical College. Baby Fatima, a wheelchair-bound young girl who went to each patient, made them smile and consoled them, was the real life inspiration behind Saira.

Baby Fatima, like Saira, is also fast becoming a rage in the campuses. Fatima is visiting campuses to garner support of the students for the palliative care work in connection with the ‘Becoz I Care’ campaign jointly conducted by the Institute of Palliative Medicine and Students in Palliative Care.

Even though not a radio jockey like Saira in ‘Bangalore Days’, Fatima, too, has the gift of gab. The palliative care workers contend that once Fatima speak a few words to them, any patient will be able to forget their woes. Ask Fatima how she came to possess such boundless positive energy, and she will wax eloquent about her family and her childhood.

Parvathy (L) with Anjali Menon (R) during the making of the movie, 'Bangalore Days'
Parvathy (L) with Anjali Menon (R) during the making of the movie, ‘Bangalore Days’

 Fatima grew up with her ‘moothumma’ Malappuram Kottappadiyil Kiliyamannil Mumtaz Usman’s family as the pampered lone sister of moothumma’s four sons. It was not as a handicapped child that the family treated her. Having been raised in such a way as to instill confidence in her, proved to be her strength, according to Fatima.

Fathima is a second year BSW student now, though she has not gone to school or college for studies. She studied from home. It was as part of the ‘Becoz I Care’ campaign that Fathima had her first glimpse of a campus, giving her immense joy.

BSW was a natural choice for her as social service is her ambition in life. Soon after completing Class 10, Fathima took the lead to meet up with palliative care workers and became part of their activities.

Apart from all these activities, the entrepreneur in Fatima has launched a designer clothes boutique in her own home. Fatima’s muthumma Jamal Ayesha accompanies her to the Medical College every morning, where patients await the girl, who has been a regular presence there for the past five years with a beaming smile and soothing words of care.

Life +ve Becoz I Care campaign is about each student reaching the brochures and registration forms of palliative care to ten households. The goal is to make the kind-hearted souls who are willing to set aside Rs 3 daily (Rs 1000 annually) as members in the ‘Tracks We Live’ project. The palliative care workers will then be able to deliver one time painkillers to one patient at Rs 3. The project aims at alleviating the pain of a patient using one person’s donation.

For registration form visit: www.instituteofpalliativemedicine.org
Phone: 82816 64752

source: http://www.english.manoramaonline.com / OnManorama / Home> Lifestyle> Health / by Kapil Raj / Friday – July 25th, 2014

‘I am a Malayali’

Arts,Culture & Entertainment
The Malayali presents a ubiquitous blend that lends generously for caricature. Photo: Thulasi Kakkat / The Hindu
The Malayali presents a ubiquitous blend that lends generously for caricature. Photo: Thulasi Kakkat / The Hindu

Yohan Chacko shares his thoughts on his people on the occasion of Onam.

The Malayali evokes many an image when thought of, thanks to clichéd portrayals that one comes across in the movies and print. Coming from a state that has the unique distinction of being the first in the world to freely elect a Communist government and the first in the country to declare 100 per cent literacy, the Malayali presents a ubiquitous blend that lends generously for caricature. To most what comes to mind is a coconut oil eating, curly haired, lungi-clad, highly-educated Marxist who loves his fish as much as he loves his alcohol. Just like everything in Nature, the precept of the Malayali has changed over the decades, however some things remain constant. When I embarked on writing this piece, I asked some of my non-Malayali friends to give me words that they thought fit the word ‘Malayali’. The ones that caught my interest were Greenery, Education, Language, Water and Onam.

Nature has provided for the Malayali’s needs in abundance. Verdant rolling hills, lush fertile plains, rivers that run through the year and beaches that dot an entire state border bear testament to that fact. The language of the Malayali rolls over his tongue like a bag of marbles in a bowl of gelatin but is sweet to the ear. In fact communication in Kerala has evolved to such an extent that it is quite possible for two Malayalis to have an entire conversation without saying a single word. Hand gestures, posturing and monosyllabic grunts have found its way into the day-to-day Malayalam lexicon. With the advent of the British Raj, the Malayali was forced to make peace with a foreign language that came along its shores. It was taught like the mother tongue without any change in intonation, enunciation or punctuation which is why the Malayali speaks English like Malayalam.

History tells us that unlike other states of India, Kerala saw little of wars and was blessed with kings who allowed the fine arts to flourish alongside overseas trade. One aspect of the fine arts that has developed greatly is the ability to make others laugh. Humour comes naturally to a Malayali. A review of Malayalam comedy forms from stand-up to films reveals the intellectual nature of this rib-tickling humour. A few keystrokes and one can find a veritable hoard of ‘mallu-jokes’. On a recent search I came across a wonderful sketch on YouTube called ‘Sab Malayalee Hai’. The protagonist explains in heavily-accented ‘mallu’ Hindi how famous people in the world from Barack Obama to ‘Hussain’ Bolt are Malayalis. Continuing in a humorous vein I decided to look at Malayali stereotypes and see how many I could come up with.

The Malayali man at home is the king of the jungle. He roars incessantly, sometimes pointlessly while the female of the species does all the work. His long sentences are prefixed with ‘Edi’. He struts proudly, and is fond of the thickness of his moustache. He is a social animal and loves his siesta. The Malayali woman at home is the lioness. Protective of her young she secretly dreams about how much dowry her son will get her once he has settled in the ‘Gelf’. There are two types of Malayalis in office. One who is conscious about the English he speaks and thereby remains silent in most discussions and the other who is the exact opposite. This Malayali will partake in discussions enthusiastically completely oblivious of his peculiar accent. Both these types however have one thing in common. They belong to the same gang that seems to mysteriously form in any office that employs more than three Malayalis.

A Malayali in college knows not the meaning of extremes and I shall not elaborate further on that. Slick hair, combed back like a Roman helmet. The coolest gadgets and the coolest bikes are all part of his arsenal. Despite this outward show of macho-ness he gets tongue tied and all wobbly in the presence of a beautiful classmate.

The ‘Gelf’ Malayali has evolved through time. From RayBan wearing and ‘two-in-one’ toting he now brings down perfumes, chocolates and Scotch whisky, the standard returning-home-on-a-holiday gifts. He longs to return to his hometown so that he can trade his pants for a lungi or kailee but after a month of being at home he yearns to go back.

The foreign Malayali (read western) flaunts his over-enunciated English at every given opportunity. His gifts are usually Nike T-shirts and Reebok shoes. He too will shed his pants for a lungi/kailee the moment he hits God’s own country.

The kids of the foreign Malayali speak flawless English and a peculiar English-accented Malayalam that has earned them the title of ‘Pseudo mallu’. They can’t for the life of them understand why they have to remember the names of all the appachens, ammachis, appapens, and kochammas every time they visit their ancestral home. And quake when they are asked questions in Malayalam by all of the above-mentioned members of the extended family. The ammachi is a portrait of innocence in this world of evolving English. She is universally loved and will always ask you if you remember her. She can’t get her head around the most basic of technological marvels and is firmly against all this ‘jenk food’. She will hug you when you arrive and sniff in your ear when you have to say goodbye.

And finally the drunk Malayali. He is facing extinction in his own State but until then let us cast him also in this essay. Tying and retying his lungi, each time a notch higher lets you know how many pegs he has downed by the level of the knot. At the pinnacle of intoxication the knot will be placed one palm’s width below his armpit almost like a girl wearing a towel on her way to the river for a bath. And they will sing. And sing and sing. For the amount of coaxing they would otherwise need to get on a dance floor, the drunk Malayali will put Shakira to shame.

Despite the funny quirks in the Genus malayali there are also noble traits setting him apart from other Indians. He holds himself in high esteem. He has an overdeveloped sense of cleanliness and his civic sense is unparalleled. He is hard working when he is not ‘hardly working’ and is a consummate survivor, a trustworthy friend and a go-to person when the chips are down. I am a Malayali.

(The writer is a city-based dentist whose song ‘I Am Malayali’ went viral online. )

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / by Yohan Chacko / September 05th, 2014

Project to End Curable Blindness

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Records, All, Science & Technology

Kochi  :

Tony Fernandes Eye Hospital, along with actor Mammootty and Yeshua Charitable Trust, has launched a new project to eliminate curable blindness by 2020.  The project titled ‘Vision 2020’ aims at helping  financially-backward people get proper eye care.

More than 25 lakh people will be screened and 50,000 cataract surgeries will be performed through this project.

The ambitious project also includes a ‘School Screening Programme’ for the student community, tribal village camps and camps to promote eye donation.

As part of the project, a ‘Kazhcha’ app has been developed for the Android market.

The app helps users to enquire, refer and even register for the ‘Kazhcha 2020’ programme at the click of a button.

Those who need free cataract surgery can reach out to the project using the app. They can upload their personal details and a photo into the system via an app and thereafter, the Mammootty fans and welfare association would go through the details provided.

Once the veracity of the application is verified, the hospital will give dates for the free cataract surgery. Details can be received from the hospital offices situated at Palarivattom, Aluva and Kasargod.For more details ,  contact over the following number: 0484-2346445.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Cities> Kochi / by Express News Service / September 06th, 2014

Member of Mangattu Illam Sets out on a Ritualistic Voyage

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Travel
The ‘thoni’ of Narayana Bhattathiri of Mangattu Illam on its way to the Parthasarathy Temple in Aranmula on Thursday | RAJEEV PRASAD
The ‘thoni’ of Narayana Bhattathiri of Mangattu Illam on its way to the Parthasarathy Temple in Aranmula on Thursday | RAJEEV PRASAD

Kottayam :

Narayana Bhattathiri of Mangattu Illam  at Kumaranelloor, near here, set out on Thursday to lead the Churulan boat which would  accompany the ‘Thiruvonathoni’ laden with the provisions for the Ona Sadya of the deity of the Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy Temple.

The boat ride in the Churulan ferry which would accompany the Thiruvonathoni is his 16th in a row as part of the ritual. “This is my divine appointment,” said Bhattathiri before embarking on the three-day journey. According to the custom, the eldest male member of the Mangattu family will accompanying the boat carrying provisions for the Onam feast at Aranmula temple. Legend has it that one of the ancestors of Bhattathiri then residing at Kattoor, near Kozhenchery, was ordained by the deity to provide him with the provisions for celebrating Onam every year.

Though the family had relocated themselves to Kumaranelloor the tradition has continued uninterrupted. Bhattathiri, along with three oarsmen, has set out on the route which will take them to Kidangara on the first lap of the journey. The boat, after travelling by the Meenachil  river, entered Vembanad lake and will reach Kidangara, near Changanassery, by Friday evening.

He would move out on the second leg of the journey to reach Moovadathu Mana, near Tiruvalla, where he would stay overnight.

He would reach Kattoor on Saturday and from there, the Mangattu family member would travel on the Thiruvonathoni accompanied by representatives of 18 families of the ‘Kara’.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / Express News Service / September 05th, 2014

Panacea for Chronic Diseases: Patients Queue Up to Get Stung!

Nature, Science & Technology
Apitherapy being performed on an arthritis patient at the Bee Venom Therapy Centre in Kalpetta | K Shijith
Apitherapy being performed on an arthritis patient at the Bee Venom Therapy Centre in Kalpetta | K Shijith

Kalpetta  :

A bee sting is definitely not something pleasant or enjoyable, but one will be surprised to see people queuing up to get stung by bees at the ‘Bee Venom Therapy (BVT) Centre’ here.

They believe that the venomous sting of honeybees is a virtual panacea for all their ailments and it can even cure chronic diseases such as psoriasis and arthritis. The stings are also said to be effective in speeding up the recovery process after a stroke.

Between 10 am and 12 noon every Tuesday, patients suffering from various ailments swarm the centre, temporarily functioning in a private auditorium, to undergo the painful technique.K M Sankarankutty, head of the Bee Research and Training Institute under the Kerala Khadi Grama Vyavasaya Board, who supervises the proceedings, will tell you how the ‘sting’ works and unfurl interesting instances and will give you ample evidence to back up his case.

Still if you are not convinced, he will hand you a copy of a pamphlet titled ‘The Miracle and Wonders of Treatment from Bee Venom’ to enlighten yourself.

The black-and-white notice also carries a disclaimer that the centre will not be responsible for any adverse effects that may be associated with the therapeutic treatment, which is also know as apitherapy.

“Certain compounds in bee venom, namely melittin and adolapin, help reduce inflammation and pain, especially in arthritis patients. Apis cerana indica is the bee species used for the treatment,” says Sankarankutty, as he takes a live bee out of a wooden box and places it on the knee of a patient suffering from rheumatoid arthritis.

“After keeping the bee on the affected area, you need to give the insect a small pinch so that it gets agitated and injects venom into the patient through the needle-like portion of the sting apparatus,” elaborates Sankarankutty, who underwent the necessary training at the Central Bee Research & Training Institute, Pune, in 1987. The treatment is not offered to pregnant women and patients with hypertension, kidney and heart ailments, and psychiatric disorders.According to him, ancient Egyptians had used the method as a homoeopathic remedy for arthritis, and reference to the treatment can also be found in ancient Chinese and Greek medical writings. “It’s a century-old practice which is simple and cost-effective. People who are convinced of the medicinal uses of bee venom will be given training in bee-keeping. Bee-boxes will be provided to them by charging `2,000 per box so that they can undergo the therapy in the comfort of their homes. So, more than the monetary benefit, our aim is to create a society sans arthritis patients.” At the centre, bee venom is given as a shot for rheumatoid arthritis, nerve pain (neuralgia), multiple sclerosis (MS), swollen tendons (tendonitis), and muscle conditions such as fibromyositis and enthesitis.

The treatment is being offered as per guidelines provided by the American Apitherapy Society.“I had been bedridden for almost nine years following a stroke in 2005.

“ I tried both ayurveda and allopathy to get back to normal life after being paralysed. But nothing worked. I was being carried to the centre by my relatives, but right after I got the first injection of bee venom, I had sensation in my arms and legs. The following week, I came here walking, to the surprise of many,” says Rajarajan, a 53-year-old farmer from Ambalavayal.

According to Dr Rajmohan P R, an ayurveda practitioner based in Meppadi, the bee venom therapy in arthritis patients could be compared with the practice of ‘Agnikarma’ (thermal cauterisation) in ayurveda. “This method has been proved to be effective when patients do not respond to conventional medical care.

The combination of all the ingredients in bee venom could help the body release natural healing compounds in its own defence. However, a comprehensive research is required to establish the healing power of bee venom in treating other diseases.”

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Aadarsh  / September 02nd, 2014

Moonamidangal Bags DC Award

Arts,Culture & Entertainment, Records, All

Kottayam  :

‘Moonnamidangal’, by K V Manikantan bagged the DC Kizhakkemuri Birth Centenary Memorial Novel Award. The award by DC Books is given to the best novel by a debutant writer below 40 years of age.

The award was handed over to Manikantan by writer N S Madhavan at a function held in Kannur as part of the 40th anniversary celebrations of DC Books on Monday.

‘Moonnamidangal’ was selected by a judging committee constituting C V Balakrishnan, Benyamin and Panampilly Aravindaksha Menon from 147 entries.

The books selected for publishing are ‘1920 Malabar’ written by Hakkim Cholayil, ‘Thiru Mugal Beegam’ by Lathalakshmi, ‘Bhoopadathil Ninnum Kuzhichedutha Kurippukal’ by P Jimshar and ‘Karikkottakkari’ by Vinoy Thomas.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Express News Service  / September 02nd, 2014

Indian born scientist wins prestigious US award

Leaders, Nri's / Pio's, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

 

Thomas J. Colacot. File photo. / The Hindu
Thomas J. Colacot. File photo. / The Hindu

India-born scientist Dr. Thomas John Colacot has won the  American Chemical Society’s  ACS Award in Industrial Chemistry , one of the top honours in the field.

He studied at St. Berchman’s College, Changanacherry, Kerala and IIT, Chennai, and is the first Indian to get the award in industrial chemistry. He also holds an MBA degree and was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

The award is sponsored by the ACS Division of Business Development and Management and the ACS Division of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry.

Currently Global R&D manager in the homogenous catalysis area at Johnson Matthey, a specialty chemicals company, Mr. Colacot directs research in US, UK and in Indian labs.

“The ACS is proud to recognize your outstanding contributions to the development and commercialization of ligands and precatalysts for metal-catalyzed organic synthesis, particularly cross-couplings, for industrial and academic use and applications,” a letter from Tom Barton, president of ACS noted.

The 2015 national awards recipients will be honoured at the awards ceremony in conjunction with the 249th ACS national meeting in Denver, Colorado in March next year.

Mr. Colacot had received Royal Society of Chemistry’s RSC Applied Catalysis Award in 2012 for his contributions to the area of catalysis. His work on ‘cross-coupling’ is particularly acclaimed.

Mr. Colacot joined Johnson Matthey, USA in 1995 and started working in the area of palladium catalyzed cross-coupling.

The catalysts developed in his labs are currently used to make new drugs for Hepatitis C, a deadly disease with no cure, one pill per week for type II diabetics, and many hypertension drugs.

His work involves developing and commercializing ligands and catalysts for applications in metal-catalyzed synthetic organic chemistry.

His book on ‘New Trends in Cross-Coupling: Theory and Applications’ is scheduled to be published in October, 2014 by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

He is also PhD thesis examiner to many IITs and visiting faculty at Rutgers University.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> S&T> Science / by IANS / Washington – September 03rd, 2014