Yuddha Bhoomi - Bhoomi Yuddham - ( Battle Field – Battle for Field )

The Sunday supplement of “ Mathrubhumi “ Newspaper dated 13-9-2015 narrated the hardships faced  by  a  brave  ex-serviceman,  who fought three  wars for  India  with  an  iron  will   and  resolve.   The  story  made  very  painful  reading  and  has  left  a  sense  of  heaviness  in  my  heart.  Here it goes :

Part one – Yuddha Bhoomi – Battle Field :

Sri.C.V.Krishnan Nair, ( 81 years ) currently   resides  in  Taliparamba,  Kannur,  Kerala  State. He   saw  active combat  in  the  1962  war  with China,  the 1965   and  1971  wars  with  Pakistan.  Death of  fellow  servicemen and colleagues,  destruction  of  military  hardware,   civilian  infrastructure  did not weaken him a  bit . Rather  they   made  him  much  stronger  in  body,  mind   and soul.        

Born  as  one  among  the  six  children  of  Chindan  Nair  ( a military personnel ) of Thrichambaram Village of Kannur District,  Sri.C.V.Krishnan Nair  joined  military  service  in  1958  at  the  age  of  23  and was attached to the 9^th Battalion of Madras Regiment. He  had  his  first  posting in Kashmir and soon after got drawn into the 1962 Indo – China war. Sri.Krishnan Nair was exposed to the vagaries of nature and also the hardships of battle.

During the 1965 war, Sri.Krishnan Nair was posted at Punjab.  The Pakistan army crossed the Ichchogi canal and attacked the Indian forces.  It was a bloody conflict which resulted in heavy material and human loss to Pakistan. 71 personnel of the Madras Regiment were martyred  in  the field. The Indian forces  squarely  defeated  the  enemy  and  drove  them  back.  Sri.Lal Bahadur Shastri, the  then Indian  Prime Minister  congratulated  the  commendable  bravery   exhibited  by  the  Madras  Regiment  personnel.  

Sri. Krishnan Nair  was  posted  at  Barmer  in  Rajasthan  during   the 1971  war. The Indian  army’s  operation  was  codenamed    “ Cactus Lily “, which.    crowned  our  forces  with  astounding  success   and  glory. Sri.Krishnan Nair suffered minor injuries in the war  but ignoring it, he continued  in service till 1976, when on health reasons he got discharged from the army as a “ war victim “, and returned to civilian life. Sri.Krishnan Nair had hoped for a happy transition from strenuous service to peaceful retired life, after leaving the army. But destiny had charted the course for another  vicious battle in his life, which has been so tiring, troublesome, cantankerous  for Sri.Krishnan Nair, than the blood soaked war fields that he had treaded upon.

Part Two – Bhoomi Yuddham – Battle for Field :  

Taking into consideration his service record and contribution, the Government of India  granted 2-60 acres of land to Sri.Krishnan Nair at Adoor Village in Kasaragod District of Kerala in 1970 and handed over the ownership records for the same in 1972.  Physical injuries and illness prevented Sri.Krishnan Nair from visiting his land for quite some time. But by  then it was encroached upon by the neighbours, who claimed ownership to the land, even though the Revenue Department Officials confirmed  Sri.Nair’s ownership over  the  said lands.

Sri.Nair’s travesty started then and has extended for  over three decades now with no sign of decisive action taken on the part of the bureaucracy and the Department Officials towards delivering the land granted to him by the Government of India.  It is more ironic to note that he has been dutifully   paying the taxes on the subject land till date, without being in a position to enjoy the benefits accruing from it.

Official apathy forced Sri.Krishnan Nair to move his case to the Judicial Adalat which passed an order in February 2005 directing the Officials to handover possession of the subject land to Sri.Krishnan Nair within a period of five months.  The order remained only on paper and nothing concrete came out of it. As a soldier Sri.Nair could fight and defeat the enemies in the  battlefield, but as a civilian he could not win over the treacherous maneuvers  of the neighbours  abutting his land and the indifference exhibited by the officials.

Wearied by age and haunted by insults, Sri.Krishnan Nair’s son-in-law extended a helping hand and took the cause on his behalf and opened another front in the battle for justice.

In 2009 a survey was conducted by the Revenue Department officials after visiting the concerned site. The report submitted by the Kasargod Tahsildar ran on these lines – “ An extent of 2-60 land granted by the order of L.A.15/70 in Adoor village stands in the name of one Sri.Krishnan Nair in Government Records. But it seems that Sri.Krishnan Nair has since expired “

It is poignant to note that Sri.Krishnan Nair did not embrace death in the three wars that he fought for India, but he was martyred by the Revenue Department Officials. Can there be a more glaring example of official callousness and irresponsibility shown to a brave son of India?

This shocking revelation and lackadaisical bureaucratic attitude forced Sri.Krishnan Nair to place the  matter before Sri.A.K.Antony,  the then Honourable  Defence of Minister of India in 2009. The Respected Minister sought a detailed report on the episode, advising it to be treated as a matter of utmost importance and urgency. Nothing came out of this effort too. The matter was then taken in person to Sri.Rajendran, the then Honourable  Revenue Minister of Kerala State  when he visited Kasargod, who in turn  sought a report from his department officials, directing them to look into the matter in earnest and bring it a finality.  There was no progress worth mentioning..  

Out of desperation and exhaustion Sri.Krishnan Nair approached the Kerala High Court which in its order dated 30-06-2014 directed that the concerned land be handed over to Sri.Krishnan Nair within a period of six months from the date of the order. But  even  after  a  year,  things  are  in  a  cul-de-sac, with the file not making the slightest movement in the official corridors.     Great Isn’t ?  The efforts initiated by the Human Rights Commission towards bailing out Sri.Krishnan Nair from this impasse also got defeated.

Age and exhaustion has slowed and wearied Sri.Krishnan Nair. The final point blank range shot came as a bolt from the blue in February 2015, when the Revenue Adalat had a sitting at Kasargod in the presence of Sri.Adoor  Prakash, the current Revenue Minister of Kerala.  When questioned by him as to how this problem could be solved and put an end to, the Revenue Officials spelt out the following answer  – “ It is not possible to grant 2-60 acres of land.  At the most we can give 50 cents and that’s it “   Fleeting time had not only diluted Sri.Krishnan Nair’s physical strength and mental agility, but had also shrunk and narrowed  the quantum of  land allotted to him. What can be said of this pathetic situation? Who is to be made responsible and questioned for the mental torture and agony inflicted on a dedicated serviceman, who has  fought for our nation ?

I would like to inform the readers that three family members of Sri.Krishnan Nair ( 2 sons and 1 son-in-law ) are currently  serving  in  Indian  Military.

The collective voice raised by scores of ex-servicemen for grant of One Rank One Pension (OROP) has been heard by the Defence Ministry. In unison,  it reached a crescendo so as to hog the limelight and  attention.  Will the solo,  feeble  voice of Sri.Krishnan Nair  ever reach the ears of the Government Officials for due redressal? 

It is time the present Defence Minister  and the Government of India  step in and  initiate  earnest  efforts  towards  soothing the bureaucratic wounds caused on Sri.Krishnan Nair’s physic and psyche, thereby bringing much needed peace of mind and happiness to him for the remaining part of his worldly  existence.  

Jai Hind.

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God’s own country’s woes

God’s own country, as Kerala is popularly called is a distinct land with a cherished culture  and  history. It  is  a  beautiful,  picturesque  state of the Indian Union and has been a  forerunner in  progressive thinking,   labour  rights assertion, leftist leaning and domination, women empowerment, matrilineal inheritance pattern,  total  literacy  and  communal  harmony.  This has been in vogue from Independence era and the psyche has remained undisturbed and progressive over the decades.

As  ill  luck would have it, there has been certain disturbing signs and overtures emanating from God’s own country from selective groups, both political and apolitical to mobilize,  galvanize  people on  caste  and  communal  lines,  which if  unchecked  would  go  to  pave  the  way  for  undesirable consequences.

The  nation woke  up  to  a  rude  shock  when  some  Malayali  Muslim   youth were  killed  in  an encounter  with  the  security   forces in   Kashmir  Valley sometime ago.  Even  their  parents’  were  not  aware  of   their  wards’   having  gone  astray  and  joined the rank and file of militant groups in distant Kashmir. They  were  shattered  within  themselves   and   shamed  in   the  eyes   of  the  society   and  the  nation. What  made  these  youngsters  from down  South  to get religiously radicalized,  take  arms  and  wage  war   against their  motherland? Does it not  amount to  treason  and  treachery  of   the worst  order ?

Another shocker came last week when some youth from Kerala were deported by the United Arab Emirates Government on suspicion of having links with Islamic State - the dreaded terrorist group. It is worrisome to note that the Emirates Government  is  likely  to  deport  many  more in the coming days,    most  of  them  hailing  from  Kerala  state.  Why  should  a  section  of  God’s own country’s  young lads have such an  affiliation towards a heartless,  marauding   group   which   unleashes   violence  and  cruelty  of   unimaginable nature on  their opponents  and  fellow  human  beings  belonging   to   other  religious  denominations. What  a  drastic  fall  in  thinking  and  values ! It  is  very  painful  to  think  that    our   youngsters  are going   maverick  by  getting  attracted  to  such  heinous  gangs .

The Hindu  newspaper  dated  18-9-2015  featured  an  article  on  Page 9  titled –    “  Re-emergence of Diphtheria -   Orthodoxy defeats Immunization – People shun immunization citing religious reasons “.  It narrates the case of ultra orthodox Sunni Muslim families of Malapuram District who are dissuading the practice of administering immunization drugs  on  their  children on religious grounds. Should affliction to faith come at the cost of health ?  The article elaborates that nearly 24000  children  have  been   kept away  from  all  immunization  procedures. This  has  resulted  in  the  death  of   Ameerudeen, a  12  year  old  boy  of  Kondotty,  who died  of  diphtheria.  These  narrow, stringent, ultra orthodox  views  have  been  heard  of  in  Taliban  held  areas of  Pakistan  and  Afghanistan,  which   has   claimed  hundreds  of   young  lives.   

We  are  aghast  to  read  and  know  that  such  fanatical,  decrepit   mindset prevails  in  our  neighbouring  state  itself.  It  is  time  the  Muslim  leadership of  Kerala –  both political and religious, come down heavily on the scourge of superstition,  educate  people  to   fall  in  line  and  adopt  to    modern  health  care,  thereby  joining  the national mainstream,  instead  of playing   havoc  with   the   wellbeing   of    younger    generations   under   the  garb  of   upholding  orthodoxy.

Is   Talibanism  rearing  its  ugly   head  among   a  section  of  misguided  Kerala   youth ? Can  anybody  desire  or  approve  of  this  tendency  to  take shape  and  grow ?  The  Government  of  Kerala  has  a great,  onerous  responsibility   towards  arresting   the  above said  disturbing, dangerous  trends.  High  time   for   self   introspection  and  correction.  If  not,  there can  be  no  hope  for  redemption.

Jai Hind

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SALUTE THE GREEN WARRIOR

This is the story of a tireless environmentalist and a dedicated, determined nature lover, whose selfless service is commendable and sustained love for mother earth deserves salute, and on whom the Tamil Newspaper  “ Dinakaran “  dated 30-8-2015 featured an article in its supplement.

Smt.Thimmakka, aged around 80 years is that wonderful personality. She was born in a village called Kattanahalli in Karnataka state  and is illiterate. At the age of 19, she was married to Pikkala Chikkaiya., a farmer from Hulligal Village in Ramanagara  District of Karnataka state.

With no flowing rivers to irrigate the fields,  and surrounded by mountainous, barren landscape, coupled with  inadequate  rainfall,  nature presented  a  rough,  dry  posture  in  Hulligal  and  its  surroundings.

Thimmakka entered into happy matrimony and thanked the Almighty for having sent such an affectionate person like Pikkala Chikkaiya, as her husband. But as ill luck would have it, destiny played a cruel game by not blessing the couple with a child. Prayers and penances were of no avail and the couple remained issueless, which tormented them physically and mentally as a big issue for many years. The pain got multiplied with insults, criticisms from near and dear,  and the helpless couple digested the social stigma with patience and resolve.

It so happened that on a hot summer day, Thimmakka and Pikkala Chikkaiya were traveling by foot from Kudhoor to Hulligal, Unable to bear the scorching heat, they searched for a shady place. Unfortunately the road was totally barren, bereft of a grass of green. Left with no other option the couple trudged their way home in the grueling weather. 

The tiresome journey turned a new leaf in their lives and the couple decided in unison to plant and nurture trees in the entire road stretch from Hulligal to Kudhoor, covering a distance of 20 kilometres. This was put into action immediately with the planting of five banyan tree saplings on the very next day. What started as a trickle in the year 1955., gained  momentum with each passing year and their endeavour continued till 1991.   This avocation gave much needed mental relief to the childless couple, who  started  grooming  the  saplings  like  their  children  with care and concern.  Despite several odds, the couple went about watering the saplings and protecting the saplings with tree guards.  Thimmakka experienced  the divine  pleasure of  feeding  children  while  watering  the  saplings.

With the passage of years, the saplings grew to become big trees, providing shade and umbrella cover  from  Hulligal  to  Kudhoor.  Now  they  number  around  386 banyan trees.  The sustained efforts of the couple caught the attention of the forest department officials who extended a helping hand in taking care of the trees and their upkeep, thereby giving the couple  rest,  relief  and  satisfaction. It is commonly said that “ When  God  closes   one  door,  He  will open another “. In the case of Thimmakka and Pikkala  Chikkaiya,  nature deprived them of a biological child, but blessed them with over 386 botanical children. Interestingly the latter ones will have a much longer life span than the former one. Further  they  will  go  to  do  only good and provide shade  to  tens  of   thousands  of  people  who  pass  through  them  daily,  for  years  to come.   

Lending credence to the fact that trees bring copious  rain,  monsoon has kept its regular timetable with  Hulligal  and its peripheries. It has  neither  disappointed  nor  arrived  late.  

Pikkala  Chikkaiya  died some years back, which turned out to be an irreparable loss to Thimmakka. But  the  personal  tragedy  did  not dampen her  spirit  nor  slow  her  speed  in  growing  trees. Till  this  day she  campaigns for  social  and  environmental  causes  among  villagers,  and  has vowed  to pursue them life long. What  a  far reaching,  futuristic outlook  from  a  devout,  dedicated  soul.  

Recognition  in  the  form  of  awards   came  calling,   and  made  a   beeline  on  the  couple  and  Thimakka  from  various  private institutions and government departments, ( including the prestigious Rajyotsava Award  initiated by the Government of Karnataka )  for  their / her   unstinted  work towards nature conservation and environment protection. Thimmakka dedicates  them   all   to   her   dear   husband   who  stands  by  and  blesses  her   from   the  world  unknown.

 The Environment Ministry of  the  Government  of  India  must  recognize and  honour  Thimmakka  for  her  Herculean effort  in  greening  mother earth.  

The lofty trees that dot the road from Hulligal to Kudhoor will stand testimony to the efforts of Thimmakka and Pikkala Chikkaiya and sing eulogies  in  their  memory  and  praise  for  generations  to  come.

                                                         

“ Dharmo Rakshati Rakhsitaha, Vruksho  Rakshati  Rakshitaha “

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