At Thaliparamba!

Got up at a half past 3, went through our chores, recited my prayers and was ready by a half past 4. Earlier, had my morning cuppa from an outside shop and bought one for Lekha too.

We set off for the Mookambika temple by a half past 4, got into the queue and had a good ‘darshan’ of the Devi; were out of the temple by a quarter past 6. Kicked off from the Shwetha Hotel by 7.

Saw the following temples enroute:-

      * the Sri Krishna Math at Udupi

      * Kadri Manjunath temple at Mangalore 

      * Mangaladevi temple at Mangalore 

      * Sri Anandapadmanabha temple at Kasaragod

Breakfast was at Udupi and the “annaprashnam” at the Sri Anandapadmanabha temple at Kasaragod was our lunch.

Visited the PN Panicker Sauhrida Ayurveda Medical College and Hospital, Parkalai at Kasaragod. The Principal and the staff had arranged a rousing reception for us, at the shortest possible time. It was a nostalgic walk down memory lane!

Had a quick evening wash and change at the VA Tourist Residency. Darshan of the good Lord at the Raja Rajeswara temple at Thaliparamba with help from Rema’s friend, Valsala. Later, had dinner with Balan and Valsala at their residence!

Tucked into bed by a half past 11.

At the Mookambika temple.

Our day had begun at 4, with Lekha’s cellphone alarm. We went through the chores, had our morning cuppa with Rema and Padmakumar.

Went through the chores and was ready by a quarter to 7 and kicked off by 10’ to 7. Had breakfast at Ramanaattukara and Pradeep’s had served us cheerfully. We’d complimented her for her pleasant demeanour.

The day was fine and the weather was good. We saw the Maadaayi Kavi and the surroundings. Got to know the import of the saying, “Maadaayikku poyathu poley”. We talked about a number of things and had fun. 

Lunch was at Udupi Garden and it was nice and light

Tea and a snack were at Coondapoor. Reached the Mookambika temple premises by a half past 5. Rema-Padmakumar met Shri Adiga, a tantri and fixed our darshan at a half past 7.

A quick wash and change and we were at the temple by a quarter to 8. Waited for our turn and the Goddess came out at about a half past 8 for the three ceremonial chukkers around the temple 

We were the final devotees at the sanctum Santorum and had a good darshan of the Mookambika Devi. Had the Prasadam of “kasha Syam” too.

Dinner at the Sri Venkateswara Restaurant close by. Hit the sack by a half past 11.

Managing periods.

Menstrual health education has yet to find a consistent place in Indian schools. While some institutions organise awareness programs and workshops, others give the subject little attention. Students and experts say schools need to devote more classroom time to menstruation, menstrual hygiene and the support available to them. 

The real impact of a comprehensive menstrual health education is when a girl can manage her period safely, confidently and without shame; boys understand it without embarrassment; teachers respond without judgement and schools have systems to support everyone.

What schools should provide

Schools should provide sanitary  pad supply counters or vending machines, incinerators or other proper disposal facilities and clean functional toilets. Emergency kits should contain sanitary pads, spare underwear, soap and basic pain-relief medication for students who may need them.

Am proud to say that the PN Panicker Foundation has been contributing toward this end by providing free sanitary napkins, along with vending machines, to schools!

5 Pillars of Menstrual Health Education

* Knowledge. Explaining puberty, menstrual cycles and bodily changes

* Dignity. Challenging stigma, myths and discrimination surrounding menstruation

* Health. Teaching hygiene, nutrition and healthy pain-management practices

* Equity. Ensuring access to products, clean toilets and disposal facilities

* Agency. Developing body autonomy, consent and self-advocacy skills 

Missing nutrients?

16 silent signs you're missing a nutrient.

  1. Numb hands                         -        Vitamin B12

  2. No appetite                           -        Zinc

  3. Short of breath                      -         Iron

  4. Irritability                             -         Magnesium

  5. Dry eyes                               -         Vitamin A

  6. Cold hands                           -          Iron

  7. Dry mouth                            -         Vitamin A

  8. Forgetfulness                        -         Omega-3

  9. Leg cramps                           -         Magnesium

10. Foggy mind                          -         Vitamin B12

11. Dry/Itchy skin                      -          Vitamin E

12. Bleeding gums                     -          Vitamin C

13. Hair falling out                    -           Iron

14. Tired all day                         -          Vitamin D

15. Feeling low                          -          Vitamin B6

16. Sugar cravings                     -           Magnesium

Government mandates rice, paddy stock declaration.

....as prices surge!

The Centre, yesterday, had directed all traders, retailers, wholesalers and millers to declare their rice and paddy stocks to prevent hoarding.

Stocks of 6 rice categories to be declared

Stocks must be declared under six categories - Basmati rice, non-Basmati rice, parboiled rice, broken rice and paddy. Every unit holding stocks will have to update details on the Food Stock Portal (foodstock.dfpd.gov.in) every Friday. Units not registered on the portal or violating stock limits will face action.

5 southern states to impose stock limits

 * The centre has also allowed Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Keralam, Tamilnadu and Telangana to impose      stock limits on paddy and rice through control orders to prevent hoarding till 31 Jan. 

 * Trade and industry experts said deficient and uneven rainfall has contributed to rice inflation, partic-

    ulalarly in premium varieties.

8.25% year-on-year rise in retail rice inflation in Sep!

Straight from the heart.

A poem by a soldier!

                            If I die in a war zone,

                    Box me up and send me home

                        Put my medals on my chest, 

                        Tell my mom I did my best,

                            Tell my dad to bow,

                     He won't get tension from me now,

                     Tell my brother to study perfectly,

                 Keys of my bike will be his permanently,

                          Tell my sis not to be upset,

                    Her bro will not rise after this sunset,

                          Tell my love not to cry......

                     "Because I Am a soldier born 

                                    To die.......!!!

Critical minerals push.

The Union cabinet approved a series of major policy initiatives aimed at strengthening India's strategic mineral supply chains, accelerating renewable energy integration.

Focus on research minerals

Capex support scheme to promote critical mineral processing

   * Lithium demand : From Kt in 2025 to 100 Kt by 2030

   * Nickel demand : From 50 Kt in 2025 to 100 Kt in 2030

   * Total outlay : 2,814 cr capital expenditure support

   * Lithium plant : Rs. 1,000 cr

   * Nickel plants : Rs.1,800 cr

VGF (Viability Gap Fund) scheme for grid scale energy storage systems

   * Total central assistance : 14,500 cr

   * Capacity : 92GWH of grid-scale storage

   * Pumped storage plant : 60 GWH

   * Battery storage system : 30 GWH

   * Alternate technology : 2 GWH