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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MODI(FIED) VISITS

It was a spectacular treat to the eyes – the overflowing crowd of cheering Indian expatriates who poured into the Dubai Cricket Stadium to hear Prime Minister Sri. Narendra Modi, stands testimony to NaMo’s popularity among the  People of Indian Origin, all over the world. That the Ruler of United Arab Emirates  skipping  protocol,  accompanied by his brothers’ went to the airport to receive Sri.Narendra Modi goes to indicate his charisma and reach. His visit to the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque at Abu Dhabi has been received well by all, ( including those who are skeptical about his secular credentials ). The decision of the Emirates Government to donate land for the construction of a Hindu Temple, towards respecting the religions feelings of the huge expatriate community, is another sweet diplomatic success.

Previously the Madison Square Garden in the United States,  saw a sea of humanity congregating to listen to the electrifying speech of the oratorical Prime Minister, which sent current waves not only among those present, but also for scores of others who viewed and heard him through television.

NaMo’s  speeches  are  indeed  mesmerizing. He  has  mastered  the  skill of  carrying the audience with him -  whatever  their  strata  and wherever the venue be.  The crowd goes gaga on seeing him, and applauds every  phrase and sentence spelt out by him. This overwhelming reception was never accorded to  any other Indian Prime Minister on foreign soil,  for some decades now.  Sri. Narendra  Modi  is  undoubtedly  the  most  popular  Prime    Minister  ( after Pandit Nehru )  among  the  People  of Indian Origin, and  has  emerged  as  a  highly  respectable  figure  in  the  eyes  of  other  Governmental  Heads,  spread  across  all  continents. 

Back home, lampooning cartoons and criticisms are doing the rounds criticizing NaMo’s constant foreign visits. The bottom line is that he is globe trotting  with the sole purpose of  bringing business investments into India, and  which  on materializing would usher a bountiful economic  reward  for  India,  India  Inc.,  and  its  subjects.

A sulking opposition unleashes verbal cannonade on Sri. Modi on various  issues, encompassing governance and non governance issues. The hue and cry raised on the Vyapam scam did not seem to have had any effect on the electorate of Madhya Pradesh where the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, headed by its Chief Minister Sri.Shivraj Singh Chauhan, has  swept  the  recently  concluded local body polls, decimating  the  Congress.

Now the litmus test for Sri.Narendra Modi  lies  in  the  state  of  Bihar, where elections are due shortly.  Whether  Bihar  will  get  seduced  by his  “ awaas “  and charm is to be seen. If it happens then the devastation caused by the NaMo Tsunami would leave the opposition battered. 

Let the people of Bihar decide and choose their “ netas “ purely on merit.  

Jai Hind.

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Honour the Bravehearts’

The time  has  come  for  the  Government  of  India  to  accept  the demand for One Rank One Pension (OROP) put forth by the members of the armed forces, ex servicemen. It is but strange to understand as to why this long pending claim has  not  been  approved  and  cleared  by the  Government,  which  is  just  and  very  reasonable.  

Our  military  is  one  of  the  most  well trained,  disciplined force  in the world, whose men serve the nation with true patriotism. Further  they perform  a  plethora  of  duties,  during  periods  of  war  and peace. Their  efforts  in rushing to the aid of people at times of natural calamities  like  floods,  earthquake,  tsunami  etc are beyond comparison  and  deserve  the  highest  praise.

It  is  true that  they  are  honoured  ( posthumously in some cases ) and their  services  recognized with  gallantry  awards  at  regular  intervals. That  would  go  to  satisfy  their  service  achievements, but  not  to cover  the extra mile of satiating their financial adequacy, post retirement.

Steering away from negativity, on a dispassionate perspective, we should agree in unison, even though with chagrin and dismay,  that hundreds of  crores of precious taxpayers’ money has been ( is being ) gobbled up by repeated scams of various hue and stature. Added to that is the siphoning of funds earmarked for developmental activities / projects at different bureaucratic levels. They have all gone down the drain and reached wrong destinations.  This undesirable practice, which is looked down with abhorrence by the  people  has  permeated  into our system for  some  decades  now,  showing  no  signs  of  abatement.

The slogan “ Jai Jawan ., Jai Kisan “ implies the principle that the members of the military and farming faculty should remain in good stead and be duly recognized and rewarded.  Unfortunately we are facing the inglorious  fact  of  hundreds of farmers committing suicide,  due  to diverse  reasons,  triggered  by  both  natural and  man made  factors. This  pitiable  state  is  an  affront  not  only  to  them, but  also  to  the nation.     

The Government of India should seize the opportunity now, see reasoning and rise above parochial political considerations and take a policy decision on implementing the One Rank One Pension for the service personnel to whom every Indian should bow with respect and regard, as our peaceful living is attributed to their stressful yet sincere service on the nation’s borders, safeguarding our boundaries from inimical external forces.

Give them their rightful due right now – is the clarion call of support from WE THE PEOPLE  OF THIS GREAT NATION  TO  IMPLEMENT  ONE  RANK  ONE   PENSION SCHEME ( OROP )

Jai Hind.                                          

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Peoples’ (Mis)representatives’

The ongoing Monsoon session of Parliament has so far  been  a washout,  with no business being transacted due to the disruptive tactics of the opposition parties. Nothing  but  imbroglio,  the  session  is  most   likely  to  be  a  naught,  a  total  logjam, The august  house which  has seen  stalwarts, selfless  patriots  and  statesmen  of  worth,  resembles  a  noisy grocery market, with  charges and counter charges being  hurled  from both the Treasury and Opposition benches.

The indecent, indignant  behaviour lowers the decorum of the house manifold. The Members of Parliament are indulging  in  literal  verbal  cannonade  on  the  floor of the house and  their conduct   is  rather  maladroit.

This unprecedented mayhem let loose on the well of the Parliament House by the “ respected, dignified  members of Parliament “  makes  a mockery of democracy and a betrayal of  trust  reposed  by the  citizens of this country on them. Seeing their audacious behaviour irritates and  angers the  common man.  Making  colossal waste of public money running to crores unabashedly, without a sense of responsibility and guilt  cannot  be  pardoned  by  any measure of  saner thinking.

Adding fuel to the fire is the demand by  the  MPs’ for increasing their salaries, when they already enjoy a host of perquisites and privileges. This  is  wholly  untenable  and  unjustified.  Is   it  a  bonus  for  their detestable  conduct?  

Congress, the  main opposition party takes extra pride in gloating over  the  disruption  of  the  proceedings, when  they  had  raised  a hue  and  cry  over  similar disruptive practice  resorted  to   by  the BJP led NDA, when  UPA  was  in  power. At  that   juncture, they had advocated observance of decency,  gave  sermons  on  upholding the dignity of the house. They had derided, denounced the then opposition members in strong terms, when they are unleashing pandemonium at  free will presently.  Can  there  be  a  better  example  of double  standard  in  letter  and  action  by  the  Congress?

If  the  grand  old  party  of  India  and  the  other  opposition  parties had  allowed  the  house  to  function  and  cornered  the  Government on vital issues through healthy discussions, then it could  have  been  a  turnaround  for  them  in  public  domain. But they do not practice what they preached to the BJP led NDA opposition,  while  occupying  the  reins  of  power.

To  sum up, Parliament is the highest temple of our democracy, which should witness healthy deliberations, constructive debates towards fostering the interests of the country and  the  wellbeing  of its  people. To obstruct its functioning is a sin ( whoever does it  ) against the nation and its subjects, which does not go well in the eyes of the masses, whose pent up anger will boomerang against them and will echo with virulent force in the ballot boxes.

Jai Hind.

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