Banning 'The Kerala Story' - for and against.

Even as the demand for banning the controversial film The Kerala Story - chronicles the story of four girls who run away from their homes to get recruited into the ISIS and consequently go through hell - gets louder, the authorities maintain that there is little scope for the state government to intervene in the issue. Once the Central Board certifies a film, states cannot interfere in its screening said the Cultural Affairs minister.

Echoing the demand to ban the film, the PM state secretary had said that the ban will not solve the issue.

"Let the film be released here. The response should be by producing a counter narrative to the film forthwith, rather than banning it".

Meanwhile, legal experts point out that the district administrations could intervene if the screening of the film creates any law and order problem. The film can, then, be banned.

Courtesy. The New Sunday Express.

Tailpiece.

A quiet Sunday.

Caste matters.

There is mounting pressure to include caste-related questions to understand the economic well-being of marginalised communities accurately. Previous censuses have only published data on Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes besides the general category. The demand now is to include the Other Backward Castes (OBCs). This will make the census reflect the present socio-economic status of various castes and updated OBC figures.

Why is caste census being demanded?

A caste-based census gathers data on economic status and other caste-related information of every Indian family, both in rural and urban areas to help the authorities define deprivation indicators and map inequalities at a broader level. This data helps better policy-making by identifying both disadvantaged and privileged sections of society. Many political parties feel that te present reservation being based on the last caste census conducted in 1931 does not reflect the correct numbers.

The first and last caste census

The first census in India to include data on caste was conducted in 1881. From 1931 until 1941 caste-based data was collected but not published. The UPA government conducted  SEBCs in 2011. It was the first caste-based census since 1931. The data was, however, not published. The population of OBCs was 52% as last recorded in the 1931 caste census.

Is caste census constitutionally mandated?

Article 340 of the Constitution authorises the appointment of a commission to investigate the conditions of SEBCs and the difficulties under which they labour. The commission is assigned to make recommendations for the Union or any State necessary for the removal of such difficulties and to improve the conditions of the Socially and Economically Backward Classes.

Who is seeking caste census?

A large number of political parties have publicly expressed support for a caste census, while the central government has cited the need for more time to conduct it. The NDA government agreed for a caste census in 2018. However, in 2021, it rejected a demand for another SECC by the Maharashtra government citing policy issues and administrative challenges.

Why is caste census being opposed?

Critics say a caste-based census may give rise  demand for more reservation in jobs and educational institutions from various communities. The Mandal Commission previously granted reservations to 27% of jobs under the central government and public sector undertakings, resulting in a total of 49% reservation for SC, ST and OBC. The Supreme Court had capped the reservation to 50% through the Indira Sawhney judgement. There is now a demand for removing this cap.

How is the caste census gaining momentum?

The Supreme Court of India dismissed a plea challenging the Bihar caste survey in Jan 2023. The Bihar government's caste census is now underway. In 2015, the Karnataka  government conducted a caste survey which was not released.

What next?

The decennial census was due in 2023. It has been delayed due to the Covid pandemic. The government has to take a call on whether or not to include caste in the next census.  

Courtesy. The NIE 

Tailpiece.

A quiet day. Disturbing news that should get sorted out in the next week.

Return to Kochi.

After a hectic three days, we're on our return trip to Kochi today. 

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready well in time. Said our byes to the landlord who'd graciously booked us an Uber to go to the airport.

Our flight is from Delhi to Kochi via Hyderabad by the Indigo. Should reach Kochi by 2125 hrs.

Interesting incidents, that take place, shall be added on subsequently.

Epilogue

Thanks to the landlord of our workspace, Vandana ji, we got our Uber taxi at a trifle past 11 and could reach Terminal T2 by 12. Went about the routine checks and Renu, the wheelchair attendant, helped Lekha to the boarding point but not before a nice lunch at the food court in the area.

The flight landed, on time, at Hyderabad but the onward flight to Kochi was delayed by 25'. However, it put on its boosters and was at Kochi at its scheduled time of 2125 hrs. And it was pouring at Kochi! After having a Masala Dosa at a restaurant close by, we set off for Guruvayur and reached home by a half past midnight.

Hit the sack at a half past 1. 

Tailpiece.

A nice, short trip.

 

At New Delhi (3).

Our third day at New Delhi. Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. Today, it was my turn to meet up with certain officials at the Department of Science and Technology as well as a few at the Niti Aayog.

Maman and Ammayi had come with the car to pick me up while Lekha was to stay back at our living quarters during our calls. Meanwhile, Bijumon sir and Chambu had gone on the sightseeing trip organised for the Mann ki baat team.

Meeting up with the officials - especially, without prior appointment - can be tricky and could entail long waits! Luckily for us, our visits went off smoothly and we could meet up the people whom we'd wanted to and that's a great achievement!

But by the end of it all, it was an exhausting day. The lunch at the Mandi House was nice and we could meet up with a lot of people who were part of the 'Mann ki baat' group.

We, then, made a dash to the INA Market to buy some banana chips to gift the landlord of our apartment and spent a while there.

A quiet evening thereafter!     

Mann ki baat @ 100.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter past 8. The hired car had reached us with Ammayi in it and we, soon, set off for the Vigyan Bhavan for the program. Maman had sent us the passes along with the car.

The 'tamasha' in the name of security checks was all over at the entrance to the building but I suppose it's a necessary evil in today's dangerous environment. Anyways, we got over the blues and got to sit at the last row in the imposing hall - incidentally, it's my first visit to the place as an invitee!

The Vice President was the chief guest for the morning's public meeting. I was impressed with his talk which was to the point, liberally laced with humour. The inaugural session was followed by two analytical sessions of distinguished panelists, interspersed with stand easy and lunch. The afternoon session, too, had two interactions with a distinguished sets of panelists, followed by the valedictory function with the Home Minister, Amit Shah as the the chief guest.

He, too, spoke well and analysed threadbare the 'Modi thinking' in the Mann ki baat and reiterated that it was one show that kept politics totally out of it!

Ammayi, Lekha and Bijumon sir went off to Sarojini market for shopping and a bit of sight seeing for the benefit of Bijumon, whose first visit it was to New Delhi!

There was a 'high tea' session after the last meeting. Boy the mad rush at the eats by the crowd baffled me and I'd to be satisfied with a samosa and a pakora.

Secured for the day, by a half past 7. 

Tailpiece.

The 100th episode of the 'Mann ki baat' is on the 30th Apr.

Heard out the PM on the Republic summit before calling it a day. Great to hear about the transformation that his 9-year rule has brought about. Bash on regardless, Modiji!

At New Delhi.

Off to New Delhi as invitee for 'Mann ki baat @ 100' at Vigyan Bhavan tomorrow. In Jun '17, the PM had spent time with the PN Panicker Foundation and he was received with a book, that was a practice handed over to us by none other than my Muthachhan himself.

In his next Mann ki baat, the PM had mentioned about this practice of ours and had directed that all functions organised by the central government will, henceforth, follow this practice and to shun the use of bouquets, shawls etc.

All individuals, organisations mentioned in the previous 99 episodes are invitees for the program.

The Quarterdeck was systematically shut down by afternoon, yesterday and it was an early evening to get up at 12 AM, courtesy my cellphone alarm and we went about our chores. Both of us were ready well before 2 AM. Sajish was at our gate on the dot and we set off to the airport, soon after. Reached there by 4 and we headed for the checking-in formalities. Had a cup of coffee and a light snack much before our boarding time of 6. Suresh, providing wheelchair assistance for Lekha was a great help.

Was at Goa by a quarter past 7 and we had to while away time till a quarter past 12 for our connection flight to Delhi. Again worked on my laptop and finished the day's work as well as received/acknowledged messages from friends and relatives. on the phone. Ibrahim, with the wheelchair was of a great help. 

Reached New Delhi by a quarter past 3 but tragedy struck. Somebody had walked away with checked in baggage but thanks to the computerisation and the consequent networking, the blighter was identified, quickly recalled from Terminal 3 and he had returned our luggage, collected his luggage. What surprised Lekha and me was that his suitcase was quite a few shades different from ours and wondered how he could be so callous.

Reached Maman at Jor Bagh and had a briefing for tomorrow's plan of action.  

It was again a comparatively early evening!

Need of the day - Peace of mind!

The owner of a coffee shop had been busy all day. Being Saturday,  his shop was very crowded and the customers seemed unending.

He had been on his toes since morning. Towards the evening, he felt a splitting headache surfacing.

As the clock ticked away, his headache worsened.

Unable to bear it, he stepped out of the shop, leaving his staff to look after the sales.

He walked across the street to the pharmacy to buy himself a painkiller to relieve his headache. 

He swallowed the pill and felt relieved. He knew that in a few minutes, he would feel better.

As he strolled out of the shop, he casually asked the salesgirl, "Where's the Chemist?" He's not at the cash counter today.

The girl replied, "Sir, he was having a splitting headache and he said he was going across to your coffee shop". He said a cup of hot coffee would relieve him of his headache.

The man's mouth went dry and he mumbled, Oh! I see.

This is a typical case of looking outside ourselves for somthing that we have with us.

How strange, but true.

The chemist relieves his headache by drinking coffee and the coffee shop owner relieves his headache by taking a pill.

Similarly, many of us travel across the lengths and breadths of the earth and also visit various shrines and holy places to find peace.

Eventually, we come to realise that peace is with us at all times in our hearts and mind.

Peace of mind comes from being content with ourselves and being grateful for what we have with us.

There is a peaceful way of going through life but it all depends on our willingness to change our attitude toward everything in life.

Think about it.....

My take

One's happiness always comes from within. 

Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by 10.

Ramesh and his assistant, Gokul came in by 9 and got our surroundings cleared up. With their help, I could also replace the faulty sitting room light.

A short siesta after our maid's exit.

Bijeesh was called in, who sorted out the erratic foot valve of the water motor.

An early evening.  

The purport of Chapter 11 of the Bhagvad Gita.

Birth and death are two events one cannot cognize by oneself. So, they need a witness who certifies them. 

For that the witness must be existing before birth and after death.

Any statement made by anybody other than such a witness should be taken with some amount of doubt.

So, the statements made by scientists regarding birth of universe is only inferential, subjet to available information.

Is there any witness to the birth of universe.

Only God alone exists before and after every created being.....(I am the beginning, the middle and also the end of beings - Bhagvad Gita 10.20).

Since He is before every other creation, he is not knowable by any created entity (like mind and intellect).

(Neither the gods nor the great sages know My birth; for I am the cause of the gods and the great sages in all respects - Bhagvad Gita 10.20).

Here, when He says 'My birth', God is referring to Himself as the saguna Brahman, where the Absolute Brahman manifests Himself as the Ishwar, the basis for all creation. Ishwar is Svayambhu, the self born. He is self caused and has no other cause for His birth. He is the cause for all that is born after that. It is in Him every thing exists and into him every thing dissolves.

So only by attaining the status of Ishwar, one can know about every other created thing like the universe. So how to know such an entity? 

It is intuitively known in the intellect when the 'mind' ceases to be. That is called 'Ananya bhakti', where the mind does not wonder about anything else.

By undivided devotion, O Arjuna, can I in this form be known and realised in truth/

Only by attaining the Transcendental status of God one can visualise the birth, middle and the end of the Universe.

This is the purport of Gita Chapter 11, the universal form.

Arjuna was a great devotee. So God granted him that vision.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by 10. 

A quiet Sunday. Today was also Santha kunjamma's 'sanchayanam'. Her daughter-in-law had given me the rundown.

Helped Lekha to water the plants.

Scarcely believable but achingly true.

* In 2019, the Rand Corporation (an American research organisation which advises the US Government and the US Military) advised the US Government on how to entice Russia into attacking Ukraine.

* There is a massive failure of comprehension about the extent of what is happening and how fast it is all happening. There are still people around who regard it as a coincidence that so many bad things are happening all at once. The truth is that everything that seems to be chaotic is choreographed. There are no accidents and no coincidences. There is a reason - one reason - for everything that is happening.

* The US is trying to get countries onside by threatening them with violence. Russia and China are trying to get countries onside by offering them deals and friendship. Sadly, the US no longer has the power or wealth to wield a big stick and the carrots on offer are far more effective.

* Any extension of World War III will begin with a military exercise. And major military exercises are now occurring daily.

* Why is the US determined to defend Taiwan? What would the Americans think if China claimed that Long Island should be independent? What would the British think if China wanted to adopt the Isle of Wight as a protectorate? How many people want to die to protect Taiwan? (Probably, the  same as the number of people prepared to give their lives to protect Ukraine.

* The world is already in a global recession but governments have changed the definition of 'recession' and 'inflation' and are fiddling the figures.  

* The mainstream media hasn't bothered to report that the war between Saudi Arabia and Yemen (much bigger and nastier than Ukraine) seems to be approaching an end.

* The conspirators have always known that AI will lead to at least a billion people being forced into unemployment. There is absolutely no future for administrators, IT specialists or bureaucrats - they will be unemployed within three years at most. Teachers, doctors and nurses will be  unemployed (and unemployable) within five years - so will the police. Those who lose their jobs will almost certainly never work again. They will have to survive on the universal basic income.

* Sunak is warmonger. Biden would be a warmonger if he knew what it meant.

* The conspirators have speeded things up so that they can move us deeper into the Great Reset before too many people wake up.

* The world has split in two and those of us in the West are, I'm afraid, in the rancid half. I find it scary to look around and to realise that the countries my government wants me to hate and to fight appear to be more open, honest and decent than my own country.

* The BRICS countries now have a combined larger GDP than the G7 countries. If you live in the US, the EU, the UK or Australasia  then you are living in the new Third World.

- Dr Vernon Coleman 

My take

The author is worryingly close to the truth!  

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. The maid was at work today.

A quiet day.

The evening chores.

Be grateful!

The qualifications that gave you a job are the same qualifications someone has but doesn't have a job....

- Be grateful.

The prayer God answered for you is the same prayer others have been saying without success yet....

- Be grateful.

The road you use safely on a daily basis is the same road many others died on.....

- Be grateful.

The place which you worship and God blessed you is the same place other people worship in but their lives are still in shambles.....

- Be grateful.

The bed you used in the hospital, got healed and discharged, is the same bed many other people died on....

- Be grateful.

The same rain that made your field produce good crops is the same rain that destroyed someone's field....

- Be grateful.

Be grateful because whatever you have is not by your power, your might or your qualifications but rather by the grace of the Almighty God.

Remember! He is the Giver of everything you have.

Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle late, went through the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10.

Drove to town, firstly to h/o my owing to the Dish TV man, Gireesh.

Shut down The Quarterdeck systematically.

Lekha and the maid went to the ration stand to collect our dues for the month.

Dropped our trip early morning tomorrow as Maman pops up another offer!

India becomes No.1

India surpasses China to become the world's most populous nation. Its population has touched 142.86 cr, against China's 142.57 r, the UN's world population dashboard showed yesterday.

Population will grow for next 30 years : UN

UN projections estimate that India's population will grow for the next three decades after which it will begin declining. According to the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)'s State of the World Population Report 2023, the breakdown age wise, is as follows :-

    * Age group   0 - 14 yrs       - 25%

    * Age group 10 - 19 yrs       - 18%

    * Age group 10 - 24 yrs       - 26%

    * Age group 15 - 64 yrs       - 68%

    * Age group  > 65 yrs          -   7%

Country to have 192 million elderly by 2030

The population demographics of India vary from state to state. Kerala and Punjab have an ageing population while Bihar and Uttar Pradesh have a young population. According to the estimates of the UNFPA, the size of elderly population will nearly double to touch192 million by 2030, largely in the southern and western states.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. Washing machinex of bed linen carried out.

Hameed gave the royal ditch as he didn't fetch up as promised.

Washed down the Chevy; Lekha helped. 

Record power consumption in Kerala.

The state witnessed a record consumption of power last Monday with the demand rising drastically to 100.3586 crore units. With the mercury levels rising, the demand for power is increasing by leaps and bounds.

Compared to last year there is an eight percent increase in power consumption now. However, the Electricity Board has decided not to bring in any power curbs now, as we are in a comfortable position - a KSEB official.  

The power minister, K Krishnankutty, has urged the consumers to exercise restraint in power consumption during peak hours. 

The KSEB officials are anticipating some sort of easing of situation once the summer showers begin to fall from the beginning of next week.

Tailpiece.

Had got up at a half past 3, the chores and was ready by a half past 5. We left soon after, had breakfast at the Aaryaa's, near Edappalli and reached the clinic by about 10' short of 9.

Our next visit would be after the second week of May.

Started our reciprocal by 12.

A quiet evening where sleep was beckoning! 

Small pieces of information!

Am giving small pieces of information that can be beneficial for all of us in times of need. So, without much ado, let get started.

Devotion

Lord Rama once asked a question. He was so curious to see so much devotion and dedication in Hanuman that wondering about it, he asked hanuman, what it felt like being Hanuman.

Hanuman told Rama, "When I think I am an individual when I'm in the "body consciousness", I'm your servant but when I'm in the "soul consciousness", I'm part of You....and when I'm in the "being consciousness", when I'm in my self, then I am You. There's no difference between you and me"

Sayujya

In Vaishnava philosophy, mukti is of four kinds - salokya, samipya, sarupya and sayujya. When a sadhaka (aspirant) dwells in the same world as God, it is called Salokya. Samipya means staying close to God. In sarupya mukti, the aspirant acquires equality in power and all the divine attributes of God (Chandogya Upanishad 11.20.2). 

Ultimately, one attains intimate union with God, the Sayujya kind of liberation.

Biometric Frauds   

Frauds of this variety are on the increase. Most common sources of biometric stealing are the registrar offices, where one has to give his biometrics for registration.

Download 'mAadhar' app and lock your biometrics.

Prevention is better than ure.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10.  Sajeesh gave me a good haircut and a nice massage.

Lekha's beautician, Seena, came around lunchtime.

Had gone to Dr (Mrs) Sodhi for my sore throat. She has put me on medicines for a week.

Selvam, the dhobhi, had also fetched up by lunch time and cleared up a huge backlog!.

. 

Adieu Santha kunjamma!

At about a half past 5 in the morning, Vidya - Sarala Kunjamma's daughter - had called me up to report that Santha kunjamma, all of 87 years and Alzheimer's stricken, had passed into the the mist of time a few minutes earlier. Had quickly ascertained the exact time of the funeral from Sreekutty, her granddaughter, and told her and her mother that we'd be fetching up for the funeral and in no way should the funeral be conducted earlier than our arrival as I wanted to see Santha kunjamma's body, one last time!

Then I called up my sister and Padmakumar - who were at Thrippunithura - to be ready as we'd be picking them up enroute. We set off at 9, finished important work at the bank - Rajesh, the BM, helped me in that - and were off to Neelamperoor.  

The journey was fine and by a quarter to 12, we'd picked up Rema and Padmakumar from Thrippunithura. Lunch was enroute at Chingavanam and we reached Puthuvayil House by a quarter to 3. We could spend about an hour with Santha kunjamma before the funeral procedure started.

     *     *     *

The third of four daughters of Puthuvayil Kesava Panicker(Valia Muthachhan) and Peyramma, Santha kunjamma was very shy and quiet. She was extraordinarily beautiful. After the death of Valia Muthachchan, Muthachhan had brought in Santha kunjamma, Sarala kunjamma and Radhan chettan into his house at TC 804, Thycaud, where his joint family stayed, for their onward progress in life.

I must have been in the kindergarten then. I remember Santha kunjamma marrying Pande chettan (from Mahatashtra). He was smitten with her beauty but had a dangerous quality, in that, he was fiercely possessive of his beautiful wife which brought about quite a few unwanted fights between the couple as he hit her with his belt and sometimes, even kicked her with his shoes on. 

We'd gone along with dad to Bombay as per his transfer orders and a few months later, we heard that Pande chettan had returned to Bombay after siring a son, with Santha kunjamma.

Muthachhan was upset about the fizzled marriage of his niece, held himself responsible for it and set up a house for her and her son, Unni within the compound of the Puthuvayil household. It was in that house that she breathed her last, this morning.

Despite efforts, Unni didn't make it big and became the proverbial problem child for her which was a sad thing. She had receded to the innards of the house, visited the nearby Neelamperoor Devi kshetram twice a day without blaming anyone for her plight.

She wasn't bitter about the strange turns that her life had taken but always had that beautiful smile on her face.

She was fond of me, used to hug me tight and shower me with kisses. However, over the last three years as Alzheimer's racked her body - especially after Maheshwari peyramma had passed into the mist of time - she sported that far-away-look and was never with anyone, in the truest sense.

Adieu, Santha kunjamme! My tears and prayers. Shall miss you till my very end!   

Tailpiece.

The funeral began around a quarter to 4 and by a half past 4, the pyre was set alight. We started for home immediately after, dropped Aniyan at Chingavanam, Rema and Padmakumar at Thrippunithura around a quarter to 7 and we reached The Quarterdeck at a quarter to 11.  

The Ist Vande Bharat train comes to Kerala and politics begin!

Widely perceived as an alternative to the state's proposed Silver Line semi-high speed rai;, the Vande Bharat Express is expected to cover a distance of 488 km - from Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur, in 61/2 to 7 hours. At present, the Rajadhani Nizamuddin Express covers the same distance in eight hours, with eight stops.

The exact time that the train is likely to take will be decided once the stops are finalised. As of now, the train is likely to halt at Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam Town, Thrissur, Tirur, Kozhikode and Kannur. The fares would be around Rs.1,500/- for the a/c chair car and around Rs.2,500/- for the executive class.

Vital stats

* Will have 16 coaches.

* Passenger capacity  1,028

* No pairing train.

* Same train gets daily trip maintenance and periodic maintenance at Kochuveli.

Interesting points

* The travel time cannot be reduced without limiting the stops.

* Vande Bharat trains can operate in Kerala at a top speed of 110 kmph from 2025 once the following are accomplished :-

    - comprehensive upgrade of all infrastructure, including track renewal.

    - strengthening of bridges

    - easing of curves where feasible and 

    - improving signalling system.

Once the works are completed in phases, the train can be operated between 130-150 kmph but it might not be able to touch the top speed of 160 mph. LIDAR - Light Detection and Ranging - survey will have to be carried out. In other words, remote sensing of the earth's surface would be required. 

All political parties, except for the BJP, think that the introduction of the Vande Bharat Express in the state at this juncture, is because of the general elections of 2024! 

My take

The train must be able to run its top speed and towards this end, corrective measures must be put in at the earliest.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. A quiet Sunday.

Helped Lekha in watering the plants. 

Movie posters back in Srinagar.

Movie posters defacing public property are an eyesore across the country but in Srinagar they are a novelty. A whole generation in J&K didn't get to experience them since the outbreak of militancy in 1990.

Poster culture has made a comeback here with the Hindi film 'Bholaa' and immediately became a talking point. They can be seen on Boulevard Road on Dal Lake, next to the Tourist Reception Centre and other areas in uptown Srinagar. Boulevard Road is a beehive of tourist activity. Bhola is being screened in the INOX multiplex, which was opened in September last, bringing cinema back in Kashmir after 35 yrs.

Javed Ahmed, who is pursuing his post graduation from the University of Kashmir said it is for the first time in his life that he has seen movie posters in Kashmir.

A tourist who did not want to be identified remarked that the posters suggest the Valley, too, has movie lovers. "During our earlier visits here, we used to wonder as to how people spent their spare time without cinema", he said. Abdul Aziz, senior citizen, was nostalgic about the reappearance of the posters after 35 yrs.

"Before the eruption of militancy, big movie posters of actors used to be plastered across the walls", he recalled.

- Fayaz Wani in the NIE

My take

The cruising of the J&K to normalcy thanks to PM Narendra Modi's bold Kashmir policy with a firm hand, trifurcation of the state to Union Territories and starting the development process in multi-crore projects to improve infrastructure.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 5, saw the Vishukkani and went about our usual morning chores. A quiet and relaxed day!

Back @ The Quarterdeck.

By midnight, we'd passed Angamali on our journey northward. By the time I'd reached Kunnamkulam, it was a quarter to 3. Got an auto rickshaw from the bus stand itself and the last leg of my journey had begun. Reached home by a quarter past 3. 

By the time I'd unpacked and washed up, it was around 5 and I decided to delay my sleep and went about doing my chores.

Aswathy, the maid was in attendance and she went about her job accordingly. She'd volunteered to pluck down the Labernum flowers and generally get all the items of the 'vishukkani' collected at one place near the puja room.

She was the first person to receive the 'vishukkaineettam' from me and Lekha. The youngster, Amarthyan from the Medicare pharmacists was the second. The newspaper boy, Vishnu should be the first tomorrow.

The heat is going up everyday. The Met people have announced pre-monsoon showers sometime next week. Hopefully, we should find respite from the suffocating heat. 

Lekha and I prepared the Vishukkani before turning in for the night. Remembered my mom helping us with it on the eve of our first Vishu in 2014! 

Iftar @ the PN Panicker Foundation!

Dateline 13 Apr

Had got up at 3, gone through the morning chores and was ready by the time Anto had arrived with his auto rikshaw at our gate. By that time, Paulson had given me the feedback that I'd not got the reservation on the Jana Shatabdi where I continued to be 1st on the tatkal waitlist. The reservation charges had gone for a bunt.

However, without any disappointment, had fetched up at the KSRTC bus stand and could board a low floor a/c bus headed for Thiruvananthapuram. At Ernakulam, had gone around the corner and leaving my lunch pack on the seat that I was sitting. On return, I found a girl sitting with no trace of my lunch pack, she said that on finding it on her 'reserved' seat, she'd chucked it into the dustbin. 

I gave her a piece of my mind because by her thoughtless action, not only my lunch but also my chocolates and fruits had, literally, gone down the drain! Reached the Foundation around 3, had lunch served by Girija, followed with a cup of tea.

Met the Foundation's staff and the many folks who'd come to attend the 'Iftar' function that was being organised by us. Dr Suhaib Maulavi, the Imam of the iconic Palayam mosque at Thiruvananthapuram, was the chief guest and he began by a speech on the 'Purity of Ramadan'. It was followed by the breaking of the fast with dates, a variety of fruits and 'Ramzan yoghurt'.

The prayers followed next at a separate chamber earmarked for the purpose. 

After the prayers, the main course of the dinner followed and by a half past 7, the function was over. 

After a quick bite of dinner, I'd set off for Guruvayur though most of my family members wanted me stay put for the night at Maman's place. I'd applied my normal plan to travel through the night so that the daylight hours were free.

Boarded a low floor a/c bus bound for Kozhikode and it left Tvpm at 2020 hrs.

Back at The Quarterdeck.

Our flight had touched down at Pune at about a 20' to midnight. Lekha had got the wheelchair assistance and the youngster who had come along with us was Mahadev Munde. Quite a helpful fella and thanks to him, Lekha and I were in the aircraft well in time.

The aircraft had taken off at the appointed time and we both dozed off almost immediately after take off. I had already passed on to Sajish, our sa'arthi, that we were arriving at Kochi on the dot. And that's exactly what we did, touched down at Kochi at 46' past 2. Jayaprakash, from Kottarakkara, was Lekha's wheelchair attendant this time.

We were on our way to Guruvayur within no time but not without having a cup of tea enroute. The drive was nice and our transit was uneventful.

No sooner that we got into the house, Kittu had come by and entered the house. After letting Lekha have a short sleep, I'd gone about lighting the lamp in the puja room, rewound the grandmother clock and set it in action and switched on the music.

Later on, there was pressure from Maman for me to be at Thiruvananthapuram tomorrow for the 'Iftaar' ceremony that we were hosting at the Foundation. 

Paulson gave me a feedback that I was first on the 'tatkal' wait list.

Helped Lekha water the plants in the evening.

Amritsar to New Delhi.

Lekha’s cellphone alarm woke me up at 3. We went through our chores and was ready by 5. Kicked off from Hotel Oscar at a quarter past 5.

Had breakfast of puries - all the others dosas - and it came last at a dhabha enroute.

Aman drove the vehicle fairly fast and we could reach New Delhi airport by a quarter past 3. 

Went to terminal T3 with the rest, had a delayed lunch and then, we split. Left for terminal T1, 9 km away from where our flight would take off.

An early check in and Shantanu was the wheelchair attendant - a real sweet guy from Meerut - went out of his way to help us. Damn sweet of him. 

Our flight to Pune 6E 686 took off at 2125 hrs. Shantanu Lekha's attendant; a very sweet guy! We'd reached there by a quarter to 12. 

Vaidyanath Shinde was the guy who'd helped Lekha at Pune and Jayaprakash, at Kochi.

At Amritsar (2).

Was up at 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 8. We set off for the Golden Temple, did the parikrama and 'matha thekaaoed' to our hearts' contend. Partook the 'Guru ka atoot langar' and Lekha and I sat at the special enclosure with seating arrangements. This visit to the Golden Temple was a humbling experience.

I must confess that I was irked about the inscription, glorifying Bindranwale, the number one rogue of his times and the cause of so many deaths of uniformed personnel during Operation Bluestar!

We, then, went across to the Jalianwala Bagh museum and spent time at the beautiful environs there.

We split from the others, bought a bag for ourselves, left for our hotel and had our lunch ordered. Then we'd a half an hour's snooze in our cabin 103.

By 3, we were hurtling towards the Attari border to see the sunset ceremony. Anmol Yadav was an effective 'motivator' who could work the crowds. The Pakistani side, on the other hand, looked lost, depleted and lacking in enthusiasm.

Havildar RB Singh, Jyothi and his dad were taken into our company and we took our photographs with them.

We returned to our hotel and had spent a fruitful evening. Today's the final day of our trip as we hit for New Delhi tomorrow early morning. We need to catch the 2125 hrs Indigo flight to Kochi. And I know that, in the process, shall make many of my friends unhappy for not stopping by there!    

At Amritsar.

Dateline 09 Apr

Got up at 5, the chores but had too many problems in the bathroom for Lekha to get warm water. Fixing up the problems one by one and sending my regular What'sApp messages to friends and relatives took time and I'd to rush through the packing towards the end.

Breakfast was bad, in that Lekha had found a hair in her plate and had to cut short her breakfast. She, however, didn't want me to make a scene of it and therefore, I'd refrained!

We cast off only by 10 because an Audi was parked, blocking us. Finally, had to force the reception to take swift action. Off to Khajjiar and we'd reached there by a quarter to 11. The place resembles Gulmarg/Switzerland. After a photography session, we set off for Amritsar. 

We left the cold climes of Himachal Pradesh of the last five days and had got back to the hot environs of Punjab. We passed through Pathankot by a half past 3 and entered the long southward path to our destination.

Reached Amritsar and our hotel, Oscar off the Batala Road. Viay-Anitha, Lekha and self had gone to see the Golden Temple by night. Returned from there and we'd our evening gtg as usual. Sindhu had introduced us to her friend, who stays here, called Rupinder - a chirpy lady.

Washed down all the pending undergarments, kicked the staff at the reception to issue things that weren't placed as per requirement.

 

Reached Dalhousie.

Got up at 5, the chores and was ready by 8. We were a bit early for breakfast and had to wait for almost half an hour. 

Once Aman was ready, we set off for the sight seeing of Dharamshala. It's a quaint township, where one gets the impression that time has stood still. The narrow lanes - with shops on either side - that cater to two lane traffic is an astounding thing! 

Our first visit was to the Bhagsu Naag temple followed by Lord Shiva's. Lekha and the others carried out shopping and bought a lot for each of themselves. Then we drove down to a Buddhist monastery where the Dalai Lama gave his discourses. I believe that he rarely gives an audience to people, these days! That was a sad thing for me and all of us!

The traffic was so overwhelming that we were caught in a jam for over two hours. We returned to the parking area and resumed our onward journey to Dalhousie. 

The road enroute was under major repairs and the progress was slow. Had lunch around a half past 3 in a wayside dhabha and tea was at around a half past 5. We reached our hotel 'Claret Inn' by about a quarter to 8. Quickly settled down after a nice dinner.

The cold has now receded considerably!  

At Dharamshala.

It was a leisurely morning, in that, we'd got up at our usual time of 6, gone through the our chores and were ready by a half past 8. Had a light breakfast and we left our hotel by a half past 9

Aman Singh, our sa'arthi, had to be told things straight because he lacks punctuality and his general behaviour borrowed on arrogance, at times. Suresh put it across to him neatly and clearly without raising his voice even once and all of us remained quiet. Otherwise, it would have been unfair with one against so many.

Lunch at a dhabha in Padher.

Finally, reached Captain RNS Parmar's house at Palampur at a quarter past 5. Rajni, his wife, had really taken great pains to give us a high tea. We enjoyed our time spent there.

Reached Dharamshala and our hotel, Agasthya Residency by a half past 8.

The cold is comparatively less here but still used the room warmer!   

At Manali (2).

Got up at 6 and I'd decided that I'd not be accompanying Lekha and the others for today's outing.

I'd retched and thrown up bitter bile in the morning and was feeling weak. Had just a bowl of corn flakes, with milk, for breakfast.

Did my pending jobs systematically.

Later on, it was a lousy stomach.

Lekha and the rest went for sight seeing up to Atal Tunnel and saw snowfall!  They had returned by a quarter to 6.

A quiet evening thereafter!

At Manali.

The day had started for Lekha and me at 4, with Lekha's cellphone alarm. Had gone through our chores and was ready by 6 though our departure time was at a half past 6. 

There was a casualty almost at the first instance. Anitha had a bad tummy and had thrown up a number of times. Soon, followed Lekha with tummy aches and consequent pulling out everything that was in her tummy - it was done during the day, almost four times.

We visited the Vaishno devi temple replica at Kulu. We'd reached Kulu by around 1825 hrs!

Had a pow wow at Vijay's cabin 403.

An anxious day, all through and hit the sack around a quarter to 12.

Lekha was quite okay by now!

We'd checked into Hotel La Serene by a half past 7!

Our cosy get together, in the evening.

At Simla(2).

Dateline 04 Apr

Got up at 6. Had a bath and the cold was beaten to a great extent. Had our breakfast on time and we kicked off for our outing for the day by a half past 9. Aman Singh, the sa’arthi is tuned on our frequency by now.

Off to Kufri. Took photographs of ours with the ladies in Himachali attire and me astride on a yak!

By afternoon we were back at Simla. After lunch we’d our stroll on the famous Mall Road. Bought a few knick knacks.

Returned to Ameera before sunset. Had Vijayakumar’s birthday bash. Gave Aabha’s child, Advik our birthday gift.

Tomorrow is gonna be a long day as we go to Kullu-Manali.

At Simla.

We were well in time at the airport for our flight. With the registration of wheelchair assistance for Lekha, the movements became quite easy. Worked on the computer and also sent off messages to people.

The boarding, take off and passing through the final security were smooth thanks to Gusain, Narayan and Vinay, who'd helped with the wheelchair at various places. The boarding at Kochi, the transit through Pune and the movement from T2 to T3 were carried out with elan. 

Met Suresh-Sindhu and Vijay-Anitha by a quarter to 10. The tempo traveler was boarded at Santoor parking. 

The drive through Karnal, Kurukshetra to Simla was nice with the sights of the countryside, the continuous banter between us made the long drive interesting.

Reached Ameera Hotel by 2130 hrs, a nice dinner and turned in for the night. And its proprietor, Aabha, became our friend! 

It's gonna be tight for Keralites!

New cess on fuel and liquor and rise in taxes are set to squeeze your household budget further from 01 Apr. A look at what gets dearer, what costs less.

* Rs.2/litre for petrol and diesel

* Rs.20/bottle for IMFL bottles priced between Rs.500/- and Rs.999/-

* Rs.40/bottle for IMFL bottles above Rs.1,000/-

* Rise in building tax     Late fee up from 1% to 2%.

* Rise in one-time tax on vehicles  

   - Up to Rs.5 lakhs                       1%

   - Rs.5 lakhs  to Rs.15 lakhs        2%

   - Rs.15 lakhs to Rs.20 lakhs       1%

   - Rs.20 lakhs to Rs.30 lakhs       1%

   - Above Rs.30 lakhs                   1%

   - Mobikes up to Rs.2 lakhs         2%

Property registration  

 

   - 20% rise in property registration charge 

   - stamp duty for transfer of flats/apartments within six months of registration up from 5% to 7%

   - 1% rise in court fees

Down

* e-vehicles tax now 5%

* Quarterly tax on vehicles owned by private schools for disabled down to Rs.1,000/-

* Building tax exempted for BPL families residing in houses with area less than 30 sq mts.

Withdrawn

2% stamp duty on resale of land within three months of purchase.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. 

Shut down The Quarterdeck progressively.

Wished Maman many happy returns, a trifle late though. 

Pushpaakaran, had plucked the coconuts and trimmed the tree.

Left for the airport a trifle early.

A quiet day!

Got up at 6, the chores and were ready well in time. 

Reported sick at Dr (Mrs) Sodhi's clinic, who cleared me for the 10-day 

program to go across to HP, gave me medicines and encouraged me to go. 

A quiet day, collected the necessary items and our air tickets.

The maid had come by and left, after her work, at 5. 

By evening my medical condition was much better.