Schoolchildren taking out a road safety awareness cycle rally in connection with the fifth anniversary of Kerala’s first campus-based community radio service, ‘Radio Macfast,’ at Thiruvalla. / by Special Arrangement
Radio Macfast Awards to be presented tomorrow
Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala will inaugurate the fifth anniversary celebrations of the first campus-based community radio in the State, “Radio Macfast-90.4”, to be held at the St. John’s Cathedral Hall in Thiruvalla on Saturday.
According to Fr. Pradeep Vazhatharamalayil, Radio Macfast chairman, Revenue Minister Adoor Prakash will present this year’s Radio Macfast Awards to Kaviyur Sivaprasad, award-winning film maker; Roy Abraham Kallivayalil, global general secretary of the World Psychiatry Association; and Jacob Joseph, social worker who runs a charity home at Othera in Thiruvalla, on the occasion.
Metropolitan Archbishop of Thiruvalla Thomas Mar Coorilos will preside over the meeting.
To be feted
Fr. Vazhatharamalayil said 15 eminent personalities from different walks of life would also be honoured as part of the anniversary celebrations. Those to be honoured are: Kurien Oommen, renowned Chest Physician who has won World Health Organisation award for his contributions to the anti-Tuberculosis drive in the State; A.C. Rajeevkumar, Ayurvedic physician; B.G. Gokulan, Ayurvedic physician popularising traditional ophthalmology across the country; P.N. Suresh, Vice Chancellor of Kerala Kalamandalam Deemed University; Kailash, film actor; K.V. Alexander, sports personality; M.S. Sunil, social worker; C.P. Monai, writer; N. Rajeev, president of Eraviperoor grama panchayat which won the State Award; T.K. Sajeev, president of Kaviyur grama panchayat that bagged the government’s Best Panchayat Award; C.P. Robert, district coordinator of CARD Krishi Vigyan Kendra; Thomas Koshy (Lalan), social worker; Fr Thomas Payyampallil, Bodhana Social Service Society director; and Shaji Paulose, Homoeopath.
Anto Antony, MP, will inaugurate the Radio Village project and Mathew T. Thomas, MLA, will launch the new Radio Macfast Android Mobile Application on the occasion.
Delsy Sam, municipal chairperson; Blessy, filmmaker; and M. Salim, president of of Thiruvalla Merchants Association, will address the function.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Kerala / by Special Correspondent / Pathanamthitha – November 14th, 2014
Jomy and Joffy Joseph with some of their restored vehicles / H. Vibhi / The Hindu
Brothers Jomy and Joffy Joseph restore old bikes and have a vintage collection
Looking at the shiny motorcycles parked in the yard of Jomy Joseph’s house in Kathrikkadavu, it’s hard to distinguish between the warring feelings of nostalgia and appreciation. A twin cylinder Jawa 350, 1986 and ’87 Rajdoot-Yamaha RD 350s and two Yezdi Roadkings, reminders of an age gone by, sit there proudly. But unlike the blackened, oil smeared, wheezing few still bravely plying our roads, these look even better than their original forms.
The twin cylinder Jawa 350 restored by the brothers / by Special Arrangement
Jomy and his brother Joffy run an automobile electrical shop near North Railway station, as did their father and grandfather before them. But it is not just the shop the brothers inherited from their father, but also a passion for automobiles and an uncanny flair for restoring them.
“Our father loved vehicles and used to take us on rides when we were young,” recalls Jomy, as Joffy pulls up some old images on his phone of their father and younger versions of themselves posing with a number of yesteryear vehicles.
“He bought me an ’87 Roadking in 1996, which I eventually sold. But when Joffy and I got into restoring vehicles, we tracked down all the vehicles that left our family and bought them back, including the Roadking,” says Jomy with barely concealed pride.
Proud he has reason to be, because the very same motorcycle is among the ones sitting in the yard, modified with a glider sourced cylinder and expansion chamber, a custom exhaust fabricated by the duo, and the front disc assembly from a Yamaha FZ. Decked out in green paint, with fat tyres and a damper to control the vibration levels, the motorcycle is an imposing presence, classic, yet modern.
“We started restoring vehicles in earnest ten years ago, but we had the good sense to buy lots of motorcycles back in the 90s when they cost anywhere between Rs. 5,000 to 7,000, along with enough spares to last us some time. Then people thought we were mad, but now getting your hands on even one of these is hard,” Jomy says, referring to the many vehicles they have collected and stored away for future restoration. The brothers love collecting things, and conversation is peppered with little anecdotes. Joffy pulls up more pictures: their grandfather standing next to a ’47 Hudson Commodore 8 and the brothers in a Chevrolet Bel Air convertible which they drove down from Bengaluru. They even purchased the horn from a dredger that sunk off Mattancherry, just for the sake of it.
The twin cylinder Jawa 350 restored by the brothers / By Special Arrangement / The Hindu
All their restored vehicles have ‘Vampire’ written on the bodywork in a simple stylised font. “Back in my father’s day, everyone would work on their vehicles and give them a name. There were others like ‘Venom’, for example. So we chose to continue the tradition. Once, when I went to Edappally church with a ’62 Volkswagen Beetle, the priest asked me what the word meant, but I didn’t have the heart to tell him,” laughs Jomy.
Despite having a sizable collection of vehicles to work on and restore to glory, the brothers have no intention of putting the motorcycles on permanent display or selling them. “This is our passion and we manage to find time for it despite our commitments at the shop. Our joy comes from rebuilding and maintaining them, and going for rides on them,” says Jomy, who started the first registered RD 350 club in Kochi.
What they do is not for everyone though. “Many people nowadays buy old vehicles for exorbitant prices and attempt to restore them, but don’t have the time or patience. It requires a lot of dedication, each vehicle takes us around three months to modify and we don’t take help from anyone else,” says Joffy.
The brothers are happy in their own world fuelled by the love for vehicles. A little restoration in the mornings and evenings, handling customers at their shop, and going on rides during their free time is all they want to do. “We occasionally help people procure vehicles but we don’t have time to work on other people’s vehicles. All we want is to continue as we do now. It’s a good thing our families are supportive,” says Jomy, indicating their daughters, who already seem poised to continue the family tradition, referring to the vehicles as mol and demanding rides from their indulging fathers.
A 1994 TVS Express Miniped restored by Jomy and Joffy / By Special Arrangement
With mopeds, scooters, motorcycles, and even the occasional car or two awaiting their turn under the skilful hands of the duo, the streets of the city may soon witness small slices of history again. Not blackened and oil smeared this time, but shiny and proud.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Features> MetroPlus / by Sooraj Rajmohan / Kochi – November 13th, 2014
CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan offers birthday greetings to Justice V R Krishna Iyer who turns 100 on Thursday, in Kochi on Wednesday | Express
Kochi :
As per Malayalam calendar, Justice V R Krishna Iyer will be turning 100 on Thursday. From legislating orders in favour of the deprived as the state’s first Law Minister, to giving path-breaking verdicts, voicing casual campaigns, penning 105 books and colossal list of other published works, he played a pivotal role in defining some of the crucial moments.
The city has geared up for the special occasion with a host of programmes that will be attended by dignitaries, including legendary singer Yesudas and Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
A group of organisations, including the International Interfaith Dialogue India (IIDI), Kerala Khadi Pracharak Samithy, Kerala Santhi Samithi, Ashraya Charitable Trust and the Vaikom Mohammed Basheer Malayalam Patana Kendram will lead the celebrations. There will be an all-religion prayer at 7 am followed by celebrations at 10.30 am at his residence ‘Sadgamaya’, to be presided over by IIDI president M D Nalappatt.
Singer and IIDA peace ambassador Yesudas will deliver the keynote address. CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan visited Iyer at his residence on Wednesday. Chandy will attend a public meet as part of the celebrations on Sunday.
Express caught up with a few who cherish their memorable moments with the veteran jurist.
What surprised journalist BRP Bhaskar was Krishna Iyer’s commitment to the cause of the poor when he came to inaugurate a seminar on the adivasi issue which he organised in Kozhikode some time ago.
“He and the late Sukumar Azhikode had once issued a statement at the government’s instance which disappointed the tribal people. I was, therefore, keen about his presence.
He wanted me to arrange a person to stand in the queue and buy a ticket for the morning train from Ernakulam.
The person whom I entrusted with the task overslept. Iyer overlooked the lapse, stood in the queue, bought the ticket and came to Kozhikode,” Bhaskar said.
To Krishna Iyer, Excise Minister K Babu was always ‘omnipresent’. Even before he was a minister, Babu was a regular at most of the functions in the city as he is now.
“I liked him calling me omnipresent. One day while I was passing by in my car, I saw him take his evening walk along the Marine Drive. I stopped the car and requested him to join me for a labour union meet I was off to. Much to my surprise he got into the car instantly. I was overwhelmed by his humbleness,” said Babu.
At the meeting, recollects Babu, Iyer took the mike and gave a stunning extempore in which touched upon the different aspects of labour movement history in India. Immediately after the seminar, leaving an awe-struck audience behind, he left the hall to continue his stroll. He is always prepared to inspire people, Babu said.
P Rajeeve MP shares a bond with Iyer right from his formative years. “During my college days, he would call me up in late nights summoning me urgently. Reason? It could be just to discuss a book of Mao,” said Rajeeve.
“One of my most memorable moments is when he came all the way to Delhi to meet the Prime Minister to request for a Metro service for Kochi. He was 98 then. When he reached 7RCR, the then PM Manmohan Singh came out of his room and said “Welcome Rajarshi!” he said.
Only very few like Rajeeve know that Iyer has a soft spot for ice creams.
Kochi Mayor Tony Chammany never escaped the criticism of Iyer who vehemently attacked him a few months ago for the bad roads in the city.
“But at another instance, when I was late for a programme in which we both were guests, he didn’t allow the orginisers to start the event until I arrived. He stood by the point that the first citizen of the city deserves to be treated with respect,” said Chammany.
“He will gracefully respect you, but don’t expect him to stop speaking out his mind.”
One reason why everyone loves Iyer, said M A Baby MLA, is that he had lended support to the needy.
“Once when powerful lobbies of self-financing colleges were against my decision to intoduce an Education Bill in the 2006 LDF Government, Iyer gave me strong support. I wouldn’t forget it,” he said.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Express News Service / November 13th, 2014
Wolfgang Theuerkauf / by Special Arrangement / The Hindu
Wolfgang Theuerkauf, a German who dedicated over 30 years of his life to the conservation of plants of southern India, passed away in Wayanad on Thursday. He was 66.
Affectionately called Swamy by his loved ones, Mr. Theuerkauf established the Gurukula Botanical Sanctuary at Alattil, near Periya, in north Wayanad, where he nurtured hundreds of thousands of plants endemic to the Western Ghats for over three decades without any external support. He is survived by his wife Leela and two children, a son and a daughter.
Mr. Theuerkauf was suffering from liver cirrhosis and was bedridden for the last couple of weeks. He breathed his last on Thursday night at the sanctuary. The last rites were performed on Friday at the sanctuary.
A German by birth, Mr. Theuerkauf decided to settle down in India in the late seventies when he was attracted by the teachings of Sree Narayana Guru. He was a disciple of Nataraja Guru, the successor of the spiritual leader. He was also closely associated with Guru Nitya Chaitanya Yati.
Mr. Theuerkauf established a small ashram at Alattil and created the sanctuary as a Noah’s Ark for endemic plants on 50 five acres in 1981. The botanist was known for his works related to rainforest restoration activities, especially in the Mukkuruti forest in Karnataka.
He pioneered the cause of conserving endangered plants, organic farming and alternative energy mechanisms. In 1981, Mr. Theuerkauf became an Indian citizen and married Leela, a Malayali woman from Periya.
A treasure trove
The sanctuary is a treasure trove for scholars, nature photographers and botanists across the globe.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature has named the Gurukula as one of the 25 global centres of biodiversity. In 2006, he won the Whitley Award, the highest environment honour in the U.K., for the most effective conservation effort across the world.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by E.M. Manoj – T. NandaKumar / Kalpetta , Thiruvananthapuram – November 08th, 2014
The Kerala State Council for Science, Technology and Environment (KSCSTE) has announced the winners of the Science Literature Awards for 2013.
C.P. Aravindakshan, K.V. Mathew, A. Achuthan, Aranmula Hariharaputhran, V.P.N. Namboothiri, and Sasidharan Mangathil won the awards in various categories for their science-related works in Malayalam published in 2013, an official press note quoting KSCSTE Director George Varghese said.
Best book award
Dr. Aravindakshan, who is well known for his efforts in popularising science, particularly among young students, won the award for the Best Science Book (Children’s Literature) for Madhuram Athimadhuram Rasathanthram .
Two awards were announced in the Best Book (Popular Science) category — Mr. Mathew bagged the award for Manushyan Oru Super Computer and Dr. Achuthan for Paristhithi Padanathinu Oru Aamukham .
Dr. Hariharaputhran and Dr. Namboothiri won the awards for the Best Science Book (In-depth Science) for their works Jeevasaasthrathinte Kadha and Prapancha Srishtiyude Padippurayil – Daivakanathinte Samkshiptha Charithram respectively.
Mr. Mangathil won the Science Journalism award for his articles on disaster management published in the Mathrubhumi daily in 2013.
The KSCSTE had instituted the annual award to recognise individuals who made substantial contribution to science literature in Malayalam.
Each winner would receive Rs.50,000, a citation, and a certificate, the press note said.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Thiruvananthapuram / by Special Correspondent / Thiruvananthapuram – November 13th, 2014
What does it take for a startup to be successful? Two spunky 14-year-olds with deep passion for movies, enough marketing chutzpah and skills to tinker with social media, was all that Parippu Vada Media (PVM) had.
But, the five-month-old firm, launched by Shane Mathews and Jai Kishan K Sudhi, Class IX students of Toc-H Public School at Vyttila here, has already created a niche, being the youngest player in the business of movie promotions via social media.
PVM, which has a tie-up with designing company Designment, has handled social media marketing for over 20 short films and five movies including the blockbuster Vellimoonga, John Paul Vathil Thurakkumpol, Double Barrel, Rosappookkalam and Chirakodinja Kinavukal.
The service of PVM includes online promotion, reviews, cinema news, location updates, film gossip, teasers and first-look posters.
“I was a diehard movie buff. During the summer vacation I thought of starting my own company. Both Jai Kishan and I were crazy over movies and this brought us together,” said Shane. The duo started the Facebook page for PVM in May this year.
Shane says Designment has played a huge role in shaping PVM. The promotion of a movie will take three weeks to one month and the team of two makes Rs 6000 to Rs 10,000 per film. PVM is now planning to launch own website to mark their first anniversary. “A mobile app and a mascot will also be launched soon,” said Shane.
Jai Kishan said promotion of movies through social media is now an integral part of marketing Malayalam cinema. PVM was also lucky to have a veteran actor like Prathap Pothan as their patron. “When I came across the style of promotion carried out by Parippu Vada Media and knew that two 14-year-olds are behind it, I extended full support to them,” said Prathap Pothan, who will launch the mascot of the company.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Pramod Thomas / November 12th, 2014
Diverse events are on the cards to celebrate the birth anniversary of renowned ornithologist Salim Ali, often observed as the National Bird Watching Day, on November 12.
The events are being organised by the Social Forestry wing of the Dept of Forests and Wildlife and World Wildlife Fund-India.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Express News Service / November 11th, 2014
It is the sheer passion for adventure that drove a group of young men from city to form the Calicut Off-road Club six months ago. From a small group of fun drivers, the COC has now become a major contender in many of the off-road motor sport in South India.
“Initially, it was a get-together of a group of owners of four-wheel drive vehicles. But we found that many of the group were interested in going for extremes. So we finally decided to enter into competitive events,” said Renjith Andrews, one of the founders of the club.
The event organized by the DTPC at Karuvarakkundu in Malappuram was the first one contested by the COC. The club has thus far participated in seven events in the last six months.
“The event organized by Mahindra at Sakaleshpur in Karnataka last month proved to be a turning point for us. We bagged a total of five titles in the event,” Renjith said.
Linu K V and Sabin Raj won the first place in the petrol class, Sidharth and Vivek first place in the diesel class, Robish and Sandeep second price in diesel class, Linch and Vipin third place in diesel class and Sidharth won the overall championship.
Sidharth won the Ooty Great Escape event held on November 9. He along with Arun P P who won the Great Escape Vagamon earlier, has been selected for the finals to be held in Nasik.
“Preparation of vehicles for the tasks was a big challenge for us. We solved the problem by starting a workshop at Kottooli in the city,” Renjith said.
COC feels that the terrain the state is quite suitable for the adventure sports. The club is now recruiting new members and trains them for the future events. “Our dream is to organize an off-road event in Kozhikode itself,” he said.
Apart from participating in the events, the COC is also active in activities for the benefit of the public.
The club has organized a campaign for drug-free Kozhikode and has conducted road safety awareness programmes joining hands with the police and the motor vehicles department.
Anyone who has a four-wheeler can join the club. “They will be scrutinized by the COC committee and will have to strictly abide by the bylaw of the club,” Renjith said.
source: http://www.timesofindia.indiatimes.com / Times of India / Home> City> Kozhikode / TNN / November 11th, 2014
Speaking at the Global Agro Meet 2014, producer Cicil Chandran says that Hi-tech farming is the future for agriculturists the world around.
And this is no ordinary producer.
Winner of the Hi-tech farmer award consecutively in 2012 and 2013, not counting a plethora of other recognitions, Cicil Chandran is the owner of DJM Hi-Tech farm at Neyattinkara in Thiruvananthapuram, adopting advance techniques using latest technology, where he nurtures different varieties of Cucumber, Capsicum, Papaya, Tomato and Bittergourd, just to name a few. When ‘Express’ contacted Cicil he said, “To venture into the Hi-tech agriculture field, proper training for the producer is imperative. Kerala is lagging behind in this regard. Hi-Tech farming yields more than 10 times the produce that is obtained by the conventional farming procedures,” he says. “Moreover, it ensures that the produce is pesticide-free and completely safe for consumption,” he adds. This is amply supported by the fact that he gained a staggering eight-and-a-half tonnes of produce within three months of farming in a 600-sqm field.
He nurtures an enviable Hi-Tech vegetable farm, high-breed, good quality vegetable seedlings, a banana plantation, heliconia, orchid anthurium, ornament plants, a goat farm, a coconut tree plantation, ginger and pepper plantations all under one roof. He also cultivates a particular variety of papaya, the Red Lady, which he says is a highly profitable cultivation that requires minimal care and attention. His DJM Hi-Tech farm is divided into a fully controlled and protected sector and a naturally ventilated area which is covered by insect-proof nets.
The polyhouse in DJM Hi-Tech is also one of the only two farms in the state which uses the smart farm module developed by Centre for Development and Advanced Computing (CDAC). “The smart farm module senses humidity, water and air circulation, soil and carbon dioxide. It takes all these factors into account and makes the necessary changes in settings, all the while dispatching an sms of the changes that it has registered. It is completely automated in every regard. However, only certain crops like tomato, cucumber and chilli, which are self-pollinating, are grown in the sector,” he says, adding that polyhouses are subsidised by 75 per cent. He uses UV stabiliser sheets from Israel to spread sunlight evenly to every crop.
He says that Kerala possesses a huge potential for growth in the Hi-Tech cultivation sector, but is stunted by a lack of training for producers. “Several high quality seeds and fertilisers which are used here are currently imported from Netherlands. If we could provide proper manufacturing facilities of those products in the state, we would be able to cut down extra costs to a considerable extent,” he says.
source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Kerala / by Vaisakh Hari / November 08th, 2014
A view of the burial place of Makthi Thangal at Calvethy, Fort Kochi. Photo: Thulasi Kakkat / The Hindu
Syed Sanaullah Makthi Thangal, one of the earliest progressive Islamic scholars of Kerala, lies buried in the ancient Juma Masjid at Calvathy
In the middle of the khabaristan or burial ground adjoining the historic Juma Masjid at Calvathy, among the many grave markers, weeds and grass is one ancient grave. The tombstone is worn out and cracked, a row of laterite bricks mark out the grave, and a small neem plant has grown right in the middle. This is perhaps the only surviving memory of Syed Sanaullah Makthi Thangal (1847-1912), the famous Islamist reformer and author.
Historical documents reveal that Makthi Thangal was born at Veliyankodu, Malappuram district. But most of his creative pursuits and death happened in Kochi. He studied Arabic from his father Syed Ahmed Thangal and then enrolled at the Chavakkad Higher Elementary School. He went on to become an expert in Islamic studies and an expert in Malayalam, Arabic, Hindustani, Persian and Tamil languages.
He began his career as an excise inspector in the British government. This was a period when the Muslims in Kerala had not opened up to public education, were bound by superstitions, were gullible to accept anyone as their spiritual leader. Added to this was the government supported conversion threats. Thangal quit his job and plunged into public life. His mission was to help his community rise from the social and cultural depths into which it had fallen.
Thangal began writing, speaking and propagating his views that were bold, poetic, reformist and directed to benefit the Muslim community. Thangal wrote in the newspapers that were in circulation at that time, those that were ready to publish his articles and also published books on matters relevant to the community in British India. His speeches and all what he wrote turned out to be a clarion call to many who towed his line of thought. Thangal is considered to be the first Muslim to write, publish books and launch a daily newsletter.
Dr. C.K. Kareem, in his Kerala Muslim History, Statistics and Directory, Volume 1 (History of Kerala and of her Muslims), records that Thangal had to suffer a lot for his work. He quotes from Thangal’s concise autobiography, Makthi Manaklesham that gives a graphic account of his travails. The fierce attacks came from the conservatives within his community and from the British. But Thangal was not one to be cowed down by all this.
For nearly 30 years Thangal is said to have travelled the length and breadth of the State spreading awareness about the need for education, women’s empowerment, calling for a fight against superstition, conversion and non-Islamic beliefs.
Book cover of Makthi Thangal’s complete works / The Hindu
E. Moidu Moulavi, in his preface to the collected edition of Makthi Thangal’s works (Makthi Thangalude Sampoorna Krithikal) published by Kerala Islamic Mission, Tirur, states that Thangal must have written 40 books. Though he did not have the means, found no publishers, did all that on his own. Moidu Moulavi considers Thangal’s works as a value addition to the ancient Malayalam literary style and an invaluable historical document. What makes these works more important is when one considers the time during which they were written. The language may not have the finesse but certainly did not lack the power.
“Some of Thangal’s works like Kadora Kudaram, which was a resistance against the British supported religious conversions, Muslimugalum Vidyabyasavum that exhorted Muslims to embrace Malayalam and English education and Naari Narabhichari on the need for women’s education are all revolutionary, progressive works of a genius. As Dr. C. K. Karim observes and from what I have read they were brave views that shook the conformist mindset of the community. Thangal had to suffer a lot for his writings with many slapping court cases against him,” says M.A. Aboobacker, cultural activist.
What made Thangal unique was that he was the first reformist who studied the religious aspects of various religions before formulating his views. As historian M. Gangadaran notes Makthi Thangal as a reformist who used his vast knowledge to find a way out for the Muslim community from the darkness. He understood the significance of language and insisted that it should not be a barrier for Islam.
Failing health forced Thangal to settle down permanently in Kochi. He died on September 18, 1912. Among his many disciples and followers was C.V. Abdurahman Hydrose, editor of Malabar Islam. “Hydrose Sahib stayed at Darussalam Road. His father was also known to Makthi Thangal. It is said that Thangal presented his pen to Hydrose Sahib telling him that he has nothing else to give him and prayed that this pen would be helpful to him.
As Moidu Moulavi writes, Hydrose Sahib, true to the legacy he inherited, went on to publish many of Thangal’s works including Makthi Vijayam,” says Aboobacker.
Once in a while people visit Thangal’s grave, people who have read about him, who have read his works. “It was my friend Gaffoor who first told me about Thangal’s grave. I had read a lot about him and also some of his writings. In January 2013, when Gaffoor came down from Muscat, we went for the Biennale. We then decided to find out where Thangal’s grave was. It took us a lot of wandering, asking many people to finally find it. I feel Thangal who has contributed so much for nourishing and reforming the Muslim community deserves more”, feels R.P. Sivan, a Malayalam teacher at SRV High School.
Apart from a literary award instituted by an organisation in Makthi Thangal’s name there is nothing else to perpetuate the memory of this visionary reformer.
Perhaps, adapting Emily Dickinson’s lines, after a hundred years nobody would know this place. Weeds will rage triumphant, strangers will stroll past this lone tombstone, no one to tell them of the man buried there; lost to memory.
source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus> Hidden Histories / by K. Pradeep / Kochi – October 31st, 2014
