Observations during the journey.

My man, Friday could not get me a ticket for Thiruvananthapuram on any one of today's trains of my choice even on 'tatkal'! He'd sadly informed me about it last night and I'd told him that I'd my plan 'B', just in case of a similar situation. Had called up Hamid accordingly.

Lekha had woken me up at a half past 5, as she went down to the kitchen to rustle up my breakfast of dosas and chutney. Was ready well within time and Hamid, along with his auto rickshaw, was at our gate by a trifle past 7. Not only did he drop me at the road transport corporation bus stand but he also helped me with my overnighter, damn sweet of him!

The superfast to Kattakkada left the stand by a trifle after 0730 hrs and Saju, the driver - came to know his name when I'd conversed with him after I'd disembarked at the Vyttila Mobility Hub. Came to know that he used to drive the 'Minnal'( Means lightning) which are long distance buses that clock high speeds. I saw him exercising his restraint over errant motorists but what I wasn't quite happy about his driving was that he used the vehicle's horn a bit too frequently.

At the toll plaza in the outskirts of Thrissur town, there were a lot of drivers who maneuvered their vehicles and jumped the queue much to his chagrin. As he watched helplessly, he muttered under his breath that he'd teach them a lesson or two on the subsequent stretch. That was the time I realised that many of us do test this tribe's patience, quite often, completely forgetting the fact that they are at their difficult job of transferring passengers from one place to the other almost round the clock, barring the off days that they get from their duty! I, for one, give the RTC buses and the ambulances a wide berth while I'm behind the wheel. I congratulated Saju for his driving skills but advised him to show restraint on the use of the horn - he didn't seem to mind my observations and gave me a wide smile as he went away!

After easing my urinary bladder and having a snack at the bus stand, I'd boarded a low floor a/c bus to Thiruvananthapuram passing through Alappuzha, at a quarter past 11. It was again packed to capacity and I'd to stand during the entire stretch of about 60 km, till Alappuzha. Had Lekha's packed lunch of dosas and chutney, around a half past 1, at the Kayankulam bus stand. The bus fetched up at its destination by a half past 5. Since Maman was having a bout of pain in his legs, he was at home and I had to find my way to his house by the line bus. Since I'd never taken the bus route, I'd to don the role of 'Vasco-de-Gama' to board the right bus and reach the house.

Maman's pain had subsided by then as he'd taken the antidote and therefore, didn't require to be shifted to the hospital to meet up with his doctor. We ended up with firming up our programme for tomorrow as we go to KIMS Hospital for tests right in the morning to be followed by the doctor's review in the afternoon.

Saw the cricket match between India and England in the World Cup. Didn't like the way we played!


Tailpiece.

1. Mini, Mithun's mother and Achu had reached 'The Quarterdeck' around lunch time. They will return after the 'darshan' of the good Lord! Ammu is expecting a transfer, on promotion, to Bangalore and Mithun, too, has asked to be shifted there. It should materialise by mid-Jul....it was good that we'd made it to their place at Coimbatore last month!

2. Found to my utter horror that I'd forgotten the water and the bottle in the bus. Rajeev, it shows your carelessness. Sad and not acceptable!!       

Articles 35 A and 370.

1. Would it be right to call them the articles of seclusion? With a majority in the Lok Sabha and a
     near majority in the Rajya Sabha, the Modi government is better placed to correct the so called
     historical mistake, when the then PM Jawaharlal Nehru and the then PM of Jammu and Kashmir         Sheikh Abdullah signed the Delhi Pact of 1952.

2. Article 35 A of the Constitution protects any laws in Jammu and Kashmir relating to the definition
    and privileges of permanent residents from being challenged as discriminatory or unconstitutional.
    As an example of these privileges, Jammu and Kashmir restricts anyone except permanent
    residents from acquiring immovable property. Article 35 A grants the state legislative assembly
    the power to make such a restriction and prevents any challenge against this on the basis that this
    is inconsistent with the laws that apply to other citizens of India.

3. Political and defence analysts attribute the instability in Jammu and Kashmir to India's inability
    to fully integrate the state into the Union and the three factors that contribute are:-

    (a) Historical roots, dating to the circumstances under which the state, led by Maharaja Hari Singh,
          acceded to India, following Pakistan's attempts to annex the state through force.
    (b) Pakistan has also pursued the "bleeding cuts" theory, consistentlyproviding support to terrorist
          and separatist movements in Jammu and Kashmir and extending such support to promote
          terror in other parts of the country to further its own interests.
    (c) The imposition of Article 370 in the Indian Constitution and the addition of Article 35 A,
          through the provisions of Article 370.

4. Article 35 A was incorporated under Article 370 through a Constitutional order signed by former
    President Rajendra Prasad in 1954. A Constitutional order is essentially an expansion of an
    existing provision that does not need to be voted on or need the approval of the Parliament. Prior
    to accession, the ruler of the princely state of Jammu and Kashmir, Maharaja Hari Singh, was in
    total control of all matters of administration and governance except defence, foreign affairs and
    communication, which came under the British. At the time of independence, the Maharaja chose
    to accede to India but agreed to sign the Instrument of Accession as long as the same arrangement
    was allowed to continue.

5. In 1949, all princely states were requested to send their representatives to the Constituent
    Assembly to help draft the Constitution of India. The princely states were also encouraged to set
    up their own Constituent Assemblies. The Jammu and Kashmir Constituent Assembly's only
    representation was to incorporate only those provisions in the Indian Constitution that
    corresponded with the Instrument of Accession. This came to be known as Article 370.

6. There is a growing sentiment to have a relook at Article 370 and Article 35 A. There will be
    violence instigated in the Kashmir Valley when the nation takes recourse to such action but that
    cannot and must not deter the state from preserving the right to equality, enshrined in the
    Constitution. Narendra Modi and Amit Shah need to navigate through with caution, because
    Pakistan is bound to whip up trouble.


Tailpiece.

We had got up at our usual time, gone through the chores and were ready well in time. Annie had come at her appointed time and went about her work. Preetha, our actual maid, had called up to say that she'd be coming for work from Monday.   
    

News! News! News!

Trying to analyse some of the news headlines that have grabbed attention over the last 24 hours. The theme is 'Pettiness'. And here I go:-

  (a) The Demolition Drive.

        The new chief minister of Andhra Pradesh, Jagan Mohan Reddy, is being pretty serious with
        his demolition drives of massive buildings that have come up at Amaravati in Andhra Pradesh
        during the Chandrababu Naidu-regime. The bungalow in which the former chief minister was
        staying on rent is the next in line for demolition by the Andhra Pradesh Capital Region
        Development Authority after having demolished the conference hall adjacent to it. The
        bungalow-in-question is built on a six-acre land on the Krishna riverbed without legal
        permission.

        Doesn't it smack of vendetta politics? One can have whatever differences with one's predecessor
        in politics but to bring to nought the achievements of the previous regime shows pettiness.
        Jagan Mohan Reddy, must rise above the mundane and concentrate on good governance for
        which he has been elected by the people.

        Wonder what the people of Andhra Pradesh must be thinking about the whole tamasha? The
        buildings were, after all, built using the tax payers' money!

  (b) Dining Halls Only for Minorities?

        The Mamata Banerjee government was at the centre of a political  firestorm over its directive
        to build dining halls in state-run schools with more than 70% minority students. It came to light
        when a copy of an order, issued by the district officer of minority affairs of Cooch Behar dated
        25 Jun '19, was uploaded by a BJP MLA.

        Hope the discriminatory order will be withdrawn!

        Why is this selective treatment to the minority students? 

  

Tailpiece.

Had got up at our usual time, gone through our chores and were ready well in time. It was a rather quiet day. Spoke to the doctor who had shifted her clinic from our neighbourhood for the want of adequate parking space and expressed my sadness. She, too, admitted feeling bad about it and has left space to return if the new premises did not suit her plans!

  

What caused the recent deaths of children in Bihar?

Background.

1. 110 children died due to encephalitis in Muzaffarpur, Bihar. Encephalitis (Chamki fever) is a
    disease that causes inflammation of the brain that caused many children to die and this has caused
    a scare for the summer fruit 'litchi'. The reason behind this being the fact that the kids had eaten
    the fruit after which they couldn't survive. Most victims of encephalitis had very low sugar levels
    and had consumed litchis on empty stomach.

What is Acute Encephalitis Syndrome?

2. AES tends to affect the central nervous system, mostly in children and young adults. It's a viral
    disease which causes mild flu-like symptoms such as high fever, convulsions and headache.

What Causes AES?

3. AES is complex and can be caused by:-

        * virus, bacteria, fungi and a range of agents.
        * scrub typhus, dengue, mumps, measles even Nipah or Zika virus.
        * a severe form of leptospirosis and toxoplasmosis.
        * the causative agents varies with season and geographical locations and predominantly affect
           those below 15 years of age.

     Thus, in several cases, the cause of AES remain clinically unidentified.

The Connection Between Litchi and Encephalitis.

4.  (a) Encephalitis had spread in the lichi-growing areas of Bihar.
     (b) Consumption of the fruit was among the factors for the spread of the disease.
     (c) Litchi is a good source of vitamin C, vitamin B 12(Riboflavin), Potassium and Copper. It is
          loaded with anti-oxidants, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial and anti-viral
          properties. Furthermore, it's anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, liver-protective and immune-boosting
          in nature. Also, it's rich in polyphenol (Plant-based anti-oxidants) including proanthocyanidins
          which may prevent heart problems and cancer.

5. During early morning, there is a normal tendency for blood sugar to dip after several hours of no
    food intake. Undernourished children who may have gone to sleep without a meal at night develop
    hypoglycaemia (A condition that occurs when a person's blood glucose levels - BGL - has
    dropped too low below 4 mmol/L). The brain needs normal levels of glucose in the blood and the
    liver is unable to supply the need. So the alternate pathway of glucose synthesis, which is known
    as fatty acid oxidation, is turned on.

6. That pathway is blocked by Methyl Carboxy Phenyl Glycine(MCPG). Thus litchi does not cause
    any harm to well nourished children but only in the case of undernourished children, who had
    eaten litchi fruit the previous day and had gone to bed on an empty stomach. When it comes to
    well nourished children, reserve glucose gets stored as glycogen (Glucose Polysaccharide) in their
    liver. When the glucose level goes down, the glycogen is broken down into glucose and circulated
    in the blood for use.

7. Hungry children, eating unripened litchi that fell on the ground, were susceptible to the
    disaster! Sad!!

8.  And the entire lot seemed to be heaping blame on Bihar's chief minister, Nitish Kumar, for the
     deaths having been caused by the pathetic condition of the hospital!


Tailpiece.

Had got up at our usual time, gone through our chores and were ready well in time. Annie went about her work systematically and was out of the house by 1700 hrs. Had 'happy hours' at our neighbour's in the evening. The AM was all by himself as his family is away in Thiruvananthapuram.   

The news worth listening to!

There are always the good news and the bad news. While we need to live with the bad ones, the good ones help us to look at the world positively, the warts and the moles notwithstanding! So, here I go:-

   (a) No Rain Scenes!

         Rain scenes have always been an integral part of Tamil cinema but Kollywood (As the Tamil
         film industry is called) is now avoiding them amid a severe drought. Few are travelling abroad
         for rain or snow, with almost all depending on computer graphics! From small production
         houses to big firms, all say they feel guilty about approaching Metrowater with requests for
         50-100 tankers to create a flood or a tsunami. The focus is on rainwater harvesting and
         uploading videos on YouTube for the common public to learn. The television industry is also
         working according to the grim situation.

         That's the way to go Kollywood! Novel methods are the need of the hour to tide over the crisis
         and who else but the film industry can give leadership?

    (b) The Amity Saga.

          The Hindus have donated their land to the Muslims for a burial ground in Belarikhan village
          under Gosaiganj assembly constituency in Faizabad. The land has been a bone of contention
          between the two communities for years until now. The registered deed was signed by a local
          seer for 1.25 bissas of land along with eight other shareholders on 20 Jun to bury the dispute
          forever. "The land belonged to the Hindus as per records. It is beside a graveyard and some
          times, Muslims buried their dead on the land. There were disputes and tension but now, we've
          settled the matter," the seer added.

          Long live religious amity and may it pave the way for a lasting solution at Ayodhya, too!

    (c)  India's Best Police Station.

           Kalu police station in Rajasthan's Bikaner district has been adjudged the best in the country.
           The following factors were considered while ranking the performance viz:-

                  (i) Crime prevention.
                 (ii) Investigation of cases.
                (iii) Their disposal.
                (iv)  Detection.
                 (v)  Community policing.
                (vi)  Maintenance of law and order.
               (vii) 20% weightage given to the police station's infrastructure and
              (viii) Citizen feedback on performance of personnel posted.

            Heartiest congratulations to the Officer-in-charge and personnel of Kalu Police Station!


Tailpiece.

Saw the Mammootty movie, 'Unda' (Meaning shells) revolving around a Kerala Police team sent to the Maoist insurgents-infested, Chattisgarh for election duties. A movie that could have been reduced to a documentary has a great story, taut screenplay with fantastic acting by Mammootty, Renjith and the rest of the gang.
          

     

The sad end of Sajan Parayil.

1. The Kerala High Court initiated, suo moto, a case 0n 21 Jun in connection with the suicide of expat
    industrialist, Sajan Parayil, who was denied permit for a convention center he built at Anthoor in
    Kannur. There is growing criticism that the government claim on 'ease of doing business' was
    hollow and instead, it is creating an unfavourable climate for industry.

2. The attempt by the CPM to shield the Anthoor municipality, led by the wife of a CPM central
    committee member and instead find four scapegoats in the form of the municipal staff who have
    been suspended, received a jolt when the party's Taliparamaba area committee, last Friday,
    demanded stern action against municipal chairperson, PK Shayamala.

3. Sajan, a Nigeria-returned expatriate, had built a convention centre spending Rs.15 crores at
    Bakkalam in Anthoor municipality. But municipal officials denied him or rather indefinitely
    delayed the building permit, forcing him to take the extreme step of taking his life.

4. A CPM sympathiser, Sajan Parayil, was made to run after the municipal officials who never gave
    him a reason for denying him the permit. At one stage, he contacted the CPM district leadership
    and they tried to take up the matter with Shayamala. That, according to Sajan's widow, was reason
    for Shayamala to get agitated and she allegedly told him that she would like to know how he
    would get the permit. Sajan is also said to have complained to chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan. But
    no action was taken.

5. In a related issue, scotching rumours that his influence on Kannur politics has been waning since
    the Lok Sabha elections - he'd contested in Vadakara and lost - P Jayarajan has emerged as a
    saviour at a time of crisis for his party. Moreover, he made it clear at a public meeting that the
    Anthoor municipal chairperson and the people's representatives cannot shrug off their
    responsibilities.

6. His boldness has increased his popularity and the CM's reference to 'manufacturing icons out of
    party leaders' prompted him to request his supporters to change the name of the social media
    named after him, "PJ Army".

With the party's state secretary, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, caught up with his son, Binoy's shenanigans the party has its hands full in the wake of the report on its miserable show at the elections! It's to be seen as to how it circumvents the present crises.


Tailpiece.

It was a quiet day. Dr Rani Menon's eye clinic has shifted from our neighbourhood and relocated near the Rajah hospital because of lack of parking space for her patients/attendants. If she and the Warriathu family had sorted out the issue among themselves, a win-win situation could have been worked out. Sad that she has moved away! Mom, Lekha and I were her patients and we were smug to have a facility at our backyard!!                              

Mischief with a malicious intent.

1. The Venue.                     Sree Kerala Varma College of the Cochin Devaswom Board, Thrissur.

2. The Occasion.                Welcome campaigns organised by the student unions for the freshers.

3. The Anatomy of a Row.  A poster depicting Lord Ayyappa in bad light was placed at the entrance 
                                             within the premises of the college. It depicted the Lord bent down, 
                                             looking through a menstruating woman's legs, defiled by rivulets of                                                       blood. It lauds the women who'd entered the Sabarimala shrine,                                                             recently.

4. The Row Brews.              The following factors are discernible:-

                                             (a) The mischief has been attributed to the SFI, the students' wing of the
                                                   CPM.
                                             (b) The SFI had got into trouble last year, too, when its protagonists had
                                                   hurled stones at a lady teacher, injuring her in the bargain.
                                             (c) The girl students, involved in sports, were threatened and forced to
                                                   move out of the college hostel. They couldn't attend classes, too.
                                             (d) During the recent general elections, the college that comes within the
                                                   ambit of the Thrissur Parliamentary constituency saw the party come
                                                   third in the assembly segment because of the shenanigans.
                                             (e)  Prior to that, the administration of the Vadakkunnatha kshetram was
                                                    taken over by the CITU to have a partyman installed.
                                              (f)  The consequent resentment must have been the cause of their
                                                    candidate's loss in the parliamentary elections, feel the party higher
                                                    ups who want strict disciplinary measures to be enforced on its
                                                    errant student leaders.

That there is a strong evidence of a malicious intent in this poster issue, cannot be wished away. What was the reason? Was it to incite disharmony between religious groups? And no, this is not, artistic freedom!

Sad that we can't enjoy and behave, showing maturity with the tremendous freedom that we have in our country.

The culprits need to be brought to book forthwith and exemplary punishment be meted out to them, to send out a strong message!


Tailpiece.

Had got up at our usual time, gone through the chores and we were ready well within time. Mini had served us steaming hot idlis and sambar and soon after, we had kicked off for Guruvayur by a 10' past 8. Mithun and Ammu go to their banks at a half past 8 and we didn't want to foul their departure.

Since there's a flyover coming up at Ukkadam, the vehicles towards Kerala, are being diverted east by almost 20 km before hitting the national highway! We reached 'The Quarterdeck' by a quarter past 12. Enroute I'd got the new 'pollution under control' certificate for our Chevy and Lekha had picked up vegetables and fruits from a roadside vendor at Kunnamkulam.

It was a quiet day subsequently.   

Observations!

1. Lifestyle Changing Body.

    As we work longer, walk less and stare at our phones more, it's not just our lives that are changing
    but also our bodies.....

       (a) Crooked Teeth.

             Instead of tough and chewy food, much of our intake today is soft and processed. Since we
             don't have to work our jaws as hard, we're much more likely to suffer from dental problems
             such as dental crowding, crooked teeth, etc, say experts.

             The way out. Give children unprocessed food while they are growing up!

       (b) Spiky Skull Growth.

             Alarmingly, spiky growth up to 3 cm long are beginning to appear on people's heads. These
             lumps, which were extremely rare 100 years ago, are now found in one in four people aged
             18 - 30. The lump is a build-up of bone where the neck muscles meet the head. It grows to
             help our neck and support the weight of our neck as we ogle our gadgets.

             The way out. Cut phone use!

        (c) Narrow Elbows.

              In Germany, scientists at the University of Potsdam uncovered an unusual consequence
              of our lazy lifestyles. They found that our elbows are shrinking at a rapid rate.....largely
              because we don't walk enough. The change is due to the shrinkage of our skeletons as a
              whole because we are sitting down far too much.

              The way out. Move around more!

         (d) Sensitive Fingers.

               Experts at the University of Zurich in Switzerland tracked the brain activity of 37 phone
               addicts. Twenty six volunteers had a touchscreen gizmo, such as an iPhone, while 11
               preferred retro keyboard - based cellphones. Those who used touchscreens showed more
               brain activity when their fingertips were touched than those who didn't, suggesting their
               digits were more sensitive.

               The way out. Do not bother. Sensitive fingers don't seem that big a deal.

Courtesy, The Times Of India.


Tailpiece.

The train was late by half an hour. By the time I'd tucked into bed, it was a quarter to 2.

Got up by a quarter to 5. Dropped Achu at the railway station and saw him off by the Guruvayur - Edamon Fast Passenger train. Put the entire lot of soiled clothes in the washing machine and had them put on the line despite the numerous power interruptions. At breakfast, we decided to make a quick flit to Coimbatore to spend the evening with Mini, Ammu and Mithun; we hadn't seen their new house that they had hired.

There were rains enroute and we passed through blinding rain closer to Palakkad. Coimbatore was dry though, the left over of a rain last night was visible. Mithun and Ammu, along with Mini were hosts exemplar! I and Lekha ate ourselves silly!!   
       

To Guruvayur.

It was a leisurely morning. We fetched up at the Foundation by 1000 hrs. After doing up a few letters to invite people for the forthcoming activities related to the Reading Month activities, give the status report of the activities that have been completed thus far and after a round of discussions, I had a few errands to perform.

The first was the BSNL office at Statue, where Chambu's cellphone's sim card needed to be changed. It had been non ops for three days and I'd asked him to confirm where the fault was - the instrument or the sim card - but the youngster had taken it lightly. Anyways, the duplicate sim was acquired. We, then, sped to the KIMS Hospital to meet up with Dr. Rajesh, the Rheumatologist to ask for the antidote to sort out the severe pain that Maman was going through, almost continuously. On hearing that he was poised to travel to New Delhi next week, the doctor said that he'd treat him with new medicines only after his return. He was of the opinion that maman should get admitted for focused treatment, but doing so during the Reading Month celebrations, would bring many of the activities to a disarray as he has everything on his fingertips and his presence was of paramount importance! Finally, the doctor gave us an ointment to be applied when pain persists!

The third stop was at the Maruti Indus Motors where the work was on. Two pistons needed to be replaced, further requirements would be tabulated and orders placed on the appropriate storehouses and Raghupathy, the Works Manager, has assured me that he'd personally be monitoring the repair work.

On return, certain urgent letters that had to be dispatched were taken care off. A quick bite of lunch and Kuttu and I sat with the questionnaire for the forthcoming Quiz Competition. We've been able to formulate about 75 questions and all that is needed is that the Quiz Master will have to rehearse his lines! Soon, it was time for the weekend 'Aazhchakkoottam' and the subject of today's discussions was 'Poetry and Society Building'.

I'd to head for the railway station at 5, as the train that I was reserved on was scheduled to depart at 1730 hrs, the train chugged out of the platform, 10' late, ultimately. Got a nice seat at the center of the coach and I'd bought reading material to spend travelling time fruitfully!

We did encounter rain enroute.


Tailpiece.

It was a fairly okay journey. Paulson had got me a nice window side seat at the center. That was kind of you and thanks!      

Remembering Mom and Dad.

Had got up at 5, gone through the chores and was ready in time. Manu had come in by a quarter past 6 and I took a ride on his mobike to the nearest bus stand where the red, line buses of the RTC passed through to the bus stand. Without much wait, I could clamber on to a bus and withing the first few meters of the journey I realised that both, the driver and the conductor, were awful guys - the driver made me and another would-be-passenger run for the bus as he'd stopped the vehicle quite a few meters ahead!

I didn't have the change and the conductor told me very clearly that he was unable to return the balance, amounting to Rs.7/- and I told him that he could keep it! But before I could disembark, he returned Rs.5/- with a look as if to say, "Boy, you can forget about the remaining Rs.2/-". The KSRTC can never hope to improve with such obnoxious staff. Period!

I did miss a bus, when I went to ease my bladder which was a matter of requirement, prior to a journey. I sat at the aisle end of a 3-seater and was getting wedged against the seat's hand rest and the huge guy sitting in the middle. I'd to finally shift to a 2-seater which was comfortable and reached Kottarakkara by a quarter past 9. During the journey, I could recite my prayer but had to repeat the 'Vishnu sahasranama sthothram' six times as I tended to drift off to sleep in between!

My initial plans were to travel by the Saranya private bus that passed through the road in front of the house but the need to freshen up, perhaps, change the vest and the shirt and to be prepared for a sudden rain, made me take an auto rickshaw and the caretaker was in attendance. Meanwhile, Rema had reached the Thalavoor UPS with two lunches for us, packed by my brother-in-law, Padmakumar!

The meeting started off at a half past 10 and the following were in attendance:-

      (a) Mr. Somanatha Sarma              - Head Master.
      (b) Mr. Bhargavan                          - President, PTA.
      (c) Mr. Thazhvara Gopi                 -  Poet and a diehard PN Panicker fan.
      (d) Mr. Aravindan                          -  Library activist and my friend.
      (e) Rema and I.

It was nice to interact with the children from classes 1st to the 7th. The highlight was when I'd made the children tell aloud with me the magical PN Panicker slogan coupled with our promise - thrice - to him,

    "Vaayichu Valaruka, Chinthichu Vivekam Neduka" (The translation would be "Read and Grow. Think and Attain Wisdom!") and our promise, "Njangal Vaayichu Valarum, Chinthichu Vivekam
Nedum". That electrified the children and brought them out of their daze. Interacted with many of them and they wanted to shake hands, click 'selfies' with me!

Thazhvara Gopi sir's (70) poem was nice to hear and what I felt nice about him was his insistence of being part of the programme to meet me as it gives him the feeling of having met PN Panicker all over again - he insists that I resemble my grandfather! We were taken around the library where the books, bought with my contribution, were on display. The drill master, Ajith dropped us back.

Rema and I'd a quiet lunch at Raj Nivas and we caught up from where we'd left last. By 2, Sreekumar and his auto rickshaw had reached the gate and we set off for the Kura Girls' Lower Primary School. At this meeting, Ragesh, the Panchayat President, Vinod, the PTA President, Ambili Dasappan, Panchayat member, Mr. Benson, former HM and Anandu, from the local media were in attendance. It was, again, an exhilarating experience where the children wanted to bond with us......Malavika of class III got very attached that she, literally, stationed herself around me. It was truly a humbling experience! The interaction was interesting, here too.

Around 4, Rema left for Pidavoor and I, to the RTC bus stand from where I could board a fast passenger to Thiruvananthapuram. Reached by about a quarter to 7 and Manu had come by to pick me up. We were at home comparatively early.


Tailpiece.

A day of interactions that I enjoyed thoroughly! Missed Lissy teacher and Prasanna at the Thalavoor UPS and the Kura LPS, respectively!!

       

Back with the Janamaitry Police team.

Had got up a trifle late as we needed to go to the Foundation only by 9. Went about the morning chores and was ready well on time. I was the chauffeur and drove the Eco to work, with Maman and Chambu as our driver was given permission to reach late by two hours as he'd a personal work to do. The morning traffic was hopeless because of heavy congestion enroute, especially at Vazhuthacaud! Anyways, managed to reach the destination without any mishap!!

Panniyan sakhavu, maman and I went to the Carmel Convent School for the official inauguration of the 'street play' put up by the Janamaitry Police team - it was nice to be back with Nuzzumuddin and his team and the feelings are mutual! Sister Rinita, the Director of the school and Anjana teacher, its Principal, looked after and conducted us through the entire set of proceedings.

The street play was staged in the auditorium on the 2nd floor. The play was of an hour's duration (It will be edited in due course) and received a standing ovation. The audience lapped up the thoughtfully rolled out script and the Director and the Principal of the school said quite a few nice things!

The play began around a half past 12, after the inaugural function and naturally, wound up around a 20' to 2. The poor children gamefully played along with us and appreciated the efforts of the police team by periodic clapping at the punch dialogues but we knew that we'd delayed their lunch by almost an hour!

We'd lunch at a nice restaurant at the Bakery junction before getting back to the Foundation. Was sent to the Maruti service station, to do trouble shooting, the rectification of the damages to the car was estimated @ Rs.1 Lakh as it required a major work on the engine. Spoke to the Works Manager, who gave us a reality check. He will call me up tomorrow morning to give me a feedback, before commencing the work.

The evening was, otherwise, quiet and we returned by about 9 when the power was interrupted for almost an hour. Was the chauffeur, yet again, taking an extraordinary long time to put the Eco into the small porch. Meanwhile, maman's feet were giving him a lot of discomfort because of severe pain and it subsided only after a light massage by ammayi.


Tailpiece.

Will be off tomorrow morning, by 7, to be at Thalavoor for the book-handing-over ceremony in two schools. Hope to meet up with Rema and Padmakumar out there.

   

The 24th Reading day - Reading Month Celebrations begin.

Yesterday's errand was successful in that the newspapers had published the material that we'd given!

Had got up around a half past 3, eased my bladder, washed my face and said my prayers before turning off to sleep yet again. Was up at 6, went through my chores and was ready on time. We were at the Foundation 10' later, collected important pieces of items and made my first visit to the Kanakakkunnu Palace. The rest of the staff had to be ferried and so, made yet another trip to the Foundation and back.

The school children were a trifle late to arrive but once they turned up, it was a continuous flow and we'd about 400 students drawn from six different schools! Meanwhile, Rema-Padmakumar, Indira kunjamma, Reshmi, Kripa-shankar, Madhavan, Suma kunjamma, Parameswaran-Kala, Santhi and Aniyan had arrived, representing the family; Pappi kunjamma fetched up late.

The minister came in at the allotted time and the programme went off like clockwork. The highlight of the day - a masterstroke by Maman - was Advocate Appukkuttan, Secretary of the State Library Council reading out the Reading Day pledge to the audience! The Foundation and the State Library Council have had a bitter sweet relationship till now!

Chunakkara Janardanan Nair sir and EK Krishnan Nair sir were felicitated during the occasion - the former's son collected the trophy while the latter (He's 90 now) - accompanied by his daughter - collected his award. And wasn't he thrilled?

50 students did not get the light refreshments and a vehicle with one of our guys was dispatched to collect additional ones. It was an Indira ma'am initiative and I did give her a high five! We, maman, I and Chambu made a dash to the SMV school to attend the event organised by the State Library Council where the chief minister was the chief guest. The time was a half past 12.

Skipped lunch and went to St John's School - within the premises of the Mar Ivanios College - for the Reading day celebrations there. Our car had a breakdown and the Headmaster, Mr. Wilson George came and picked us up! Damn sweet of him!! The programme was very nicely organised!!!

Had lunch at 4!

Meanwhile, the press releases were ready and I, along with Sudha ma'am went to hand them over to the news bureaus of four newspapers. Dropped Sudha ma'am and I was just back in time for accompanying maman to the Doordarshan Kendra for panel discussions that lasted an hour - Chambu, Aji and I'd the privilege of sitting as spectators within the studio. Met quite a few more people who have become friends for life, I think!

At 13' past 7, I remembered Muthachhan because that was the time he'd passed into the mist of time, 24 years back. I can never forget the unrestricted love and affection that he'd showered upon me, during his lifetime! We were racing towards the Doordarshan kendra at that time!!

It was comparatively an early return to home...... I didn't realise the speed with which the day passed!


Tailpiece.

Had asked the ever-efficient Subha of the bank, where I've my account, to transfer my contributions to two schools - the Thalavoor UPS and the Kura GLPS - in my parents' names where the functions are being organised on 21 Jun!      

It saddened me!

Had got up around 3, to ease my bladder and quickly washed up to say my prayers. After that I'd floated back to sleep and got up on the dot, at 6. Went through the chores and was ready well in time. Maman and I set off to meet the minister who'd be the chief guest for tomorrow's programme. He was pleasant and exchanged pleasantries with us and said that he'd arrive at the venue, on the dot, despite the fact that the Assembly was in session.

Had breakfast with Manu, our sa'arthi, at a nearby hotel. Many people had dropped by at the Foundation and it was nice to meet each of them; many of them expressed their happiness to see me back. Today's errands included giving paper and matter for printing at the nearby press, giving the two trophies for inscribing the names of the would-be-recipients and the Corporation Office, to book the Gandhi Park, at East Fort as venue for the street play - Aksharajwala - being put up by the Janamaitry Police.

It was nice meeting Anil, the director and SI Nuzumuddin, the lead player of the show and I look forward to their attachment with the Foundation for the next one month, commencing tomorrow.

The next errand, around lunchtime, was to the Corporation Office to book the Gandhi Park for tomorrow. The dirty corridors and the unhelpful staff had put me off right at the beginning as I entered the dull, grey building. Aji, my sa'arthi, had to park the vehicle outside the premises and remained on call. I had gone straight to the section concerned and had met the lady clerk, Dhanya, who was dealing with the subject. She'd asked me to deposit Rs.3,717/- in the nearby bank along with a security deposit of Rs.500/-

It was then that I'd said that it's a government sponsored programme and therefore, couldn't I get the facility free because it was a noble programme - encouraging reading/digital reading among the masses where the people, especially the poor, would be provided the assistance free of cost? She told me that I'd have to meet the Mayor and I dashed off to his office. There was a very helpful staff member in his Secretariat - Gireesh and thanks to him, I could meet the Mayor without delay despite the fact that there were many who were awaiting their turn.

He sounded genuine and scribbled "Give them the facility free. See the possibility of giving it free". Armed with this after the letter's in and out movements were recorded in the secretariat register, I'd rushed back to Dhanya to complete the formalities because I thought that such remarks are put down, which barely have any significance, just to complement the language used between the staff within the secretariat!

But my hopes were dashed when Dhanya, refused to do the booking with a cryptic reply, "I can't do the booking because, he has written to ascertain the feasibility and he might turn around tomorrow to ask me as to why I'd given you the approval when all he'd said was to ascertain the feasibility". Realising that the young lady had a point, I quickly retrieved the letter and walked off from the desk, feeling utterly dejected at the failed errand.

This was after she'd made me wait as she went about her lunch break, from about 1305 to 1400 hrs. She'd finished her lunch by about 1320 hrs and was chatting with two other colleagues of her's while registering the fact that I was waiting all the while!

I suppose, for many of us, the lunch time is sacrosanct and the wretched 'ordinary citizen' had all the time in the world to wait and experience the government servant's idiosyncrasy.

And finally, why did the mayor write such a remark?

We - Maman, ammayi, Chambu and me, along with Aji - went to the KIMS Hospital for maman's medical review. The meticulous doctor has changed a couple of medicines and changed the dosages.
We, then, returned to the Foundation to join the others and complete the remaining work. Posters and important mail were sent by speed post to the district headquarters.

We were back home by 10 and brought packed dinner enroute!


Tailpiece.

The day was hot and humid. The rain seems to have taken a break and the heat will only go away once the monsoon resumes.

To Thiruvananthapuram.

Had got up at 4, gone through my chores while Lekha had gone about making my packed breakfast. Was ready well in time and I'd a bit of time to talk to the ladies before I left the house to board the early morning train. Hamid had arrived on time and dropped me at the station. The queue was just beginning to get long, while I collected my ticket to Thrissur, bought the day's newspapers - Deccan Chronicle and Malayala Manorama - and embarked on the long trudge to my train, waiting on platform no.3.

Saw a decently empty compartment towards the centre of the train and hoisted myself on to a window side single seat when a pretty-young-lady smilingly told me that it was a ladies compartment. Hiding my embarrassment and muttering my apology, I quickly changed carriages when an uncouth youngster came and occupied the seat opposite the one that I'd selected, with his backpack resting by his feet making it difficult to sit comfortably. I'd to correct the guy to set things right and after that he didn't make eye contact with me throughout the short transit to Thrissur! He was hurt because I'd corrected him!!

Spent the next two hours at the new waiting room at Thrissur because the Kannur - Thiruvananthapuram Shatabdi was late by over 20'. Had got a nice seat at the centre of the chair car and the journey was peaceful. The packed breakfast of puries and potatoes tasted heavenly and Lekha had really done it well. Lunch was at the refreshment hall and Manu had come to pick me up from the railway station.

I'd quickly joined up with the others at the Foundation, to finish the pending work. In between, I'd gone to select two mementos to be awarded on the Reading day and subsequently, to two newspaper offices to tell them that the matter regarding the Reading Day, given to them yesterday, didn't find a mention in the day's editions and the editors have promised me that I'd be able to read it in their editions tomorrow! Well, I shall keep my fingers crossed till I see that tomorrow!!

Had a light dinner of dosas, sambar and chutney with the boys and made our way home a trifle earlier than our usual time. Was dog tired doing nothing, I must admit!

It was a long day indeed!


Tailpiece.

The two schools have got in touch with me and I should be able to fix the dates of the handing over of books on my mom and dad's names by tomorrow, after taking stock of the programmes that we've fixed during the Reading Month celebrations.
   

India vs Pakistan.

1. India vs Pakistan Yet Again.

    It has been a long time but we're back to witnessing an India - Pakistan one day match at the
    Cricket World Cup in England. Why didn't it give me any more heebee-jeebees like the days of
    old? Is it because we, as a country, have become fully aware of the shenanigans of that country
    in fomenting terror in Jammu and Kashmir, especially?

    Coming to the match itself, Pakistan was of no match to ours. We were far ahead in every
    department of the game and we'd to win it. The rain did play a spoilsport but it was overcome.
    Great. India goes on ahead in this World Cup.

    It's sad that many games have been washed out in this World Cup. Probably, a well thought
    out venue, taking into account the weather around this time of the year, would have been right.
    For the viewers, the football matches of Coppa America in Brazil and FIFA Women's World Cup
    in France are bonuses! 

2. Jilted Lover Kills the Object of His Love.

    A woman civil police officer, Soumya Pushpakaran(32) was hacked with a knife and set ablaze
    by Ajaz(33) - also a civilian police officer from the Aluva traffic police team - last Saturday at            Vallikkunnam, near Mavelikkara town of Alappuzha district in Kerala. Soumya died on the spot.        She's survived by her husband, working in Libya, and three children.

    They were friendly during training but when he wanted to get closer and consummate it into
    marriage, Soumya had backed off, enraging the jilted lover! The dastardly attack was consequent
    to it. Sad!

    Does killing a human being solve the problem? If one's love is not reciprocated, the gentlemanly
    thing to do is to back off accepting the fact that the person isn't for you!

3. Deaths in Bihar Due to Encephalitis.

    Over 70 children have died in Muzaffarpur, Bihar due to encephalitis. Dehydration consequent to
    the hot weather conditions is the cause, say the doctors.

    Pointing fingers at the Nitish Kumar government about inaction is playing politics at the most
    inopportune moment. Sad!


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, went through our chores but were late and had breakfast by a half past 9. It was another quiet day.

There seems to be a break in the rain and it was suddenly humid and hot.


     

Increased resistance to Federalism.

From my observation of the center - state relations, ever since Narendra Modi has become the Prime Minister, there has been a lack of co-operation between them which jumps manifold when the state is governed by the opposition parties. Let me cite a few examples:-

    (a) Kerala saying that the central government did not assist the state, post-floods.
          Everyone knows the procedure, in that, the state government makes an overall assessment of
          the effect of the catastrophe and sends it to the central government which, in turn, sends a
          team of specialists to confirm the report on the ground to give a realistic appreciation. The
          central government, then, takes a final decision.

          There was another controversy that was afloat then, that one of the Gulf countries had
          assured monetary assistance of about Rs.700 crores to the state, which was turned down by
          the central government saying that India could look after herself. The facts were mired in the
          fog of the charges and counter charges between the two and continue to be a mystery even
          today!

    (b) The chief minister of West Bengal refusing to meet the Prime Minister and his team that was
          supposed to take stock of the situation post cyclone while Orissa, though ruled by one of the
          opposition parties, went the whole hog and got the assistance too.
          It was purely a political stunt in the course of the general elections. Wonder whether West
          Bengal has got any assistance subsequent to it?

    (c) Much earlier, there was a mismatch of ideas between  Punjab and the central governments
         over the opening of the Kartarpur corridor.
         Again, it had more to do with politics and nothing else!

    (d) Many of the chief ministers of the opposition-ruled states kept away from the swearing in
          ceremony of Narendra Modi as the PM.
          It was politics, politics and nothing but politics!

    (e) And now, Kerala's CM Pinarayi Vijayan - he'd also skipped the swearing in ceremony - meets
         the PM to voice his disagreement on two issues which were:-

              (i) The Niti Aayog has failed to perform its role of a facilitator and not been able to
                   substitute the erstwhile Planning Commission. He'd stated this at the governing council
                   of the Niti Aayog, though.
             (ii) The management and future development of the Thiruvananthapuram airport must be
                   handed over to the state because the state will not hand it over to the Adani group, which
                   incidentally has won the contract through an auction, earlier.
                   Since when have states said a 'nyet' to a central government's decision?

My take.

In the national interest, it's important that the centre and the states work together despite differing political ideologies. Silly differences must not deter good governance and overall development!


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, went through our chores and were ready well in time. Annie came by and went about her work, taking her own time. The Geeyem Motors had called up to say that our Chevy was ready after repairs and I'd gone, around 1500 hrs, to Puzhakkal to collect the car.

The dents have been straightened out and the Chevy looked good after the new slap of paint and polish but the rain, during the return trip, was a spoiler. There were some events that caused the skipping of my heartbeats :-

           (a) The fuel in the tank was so low, that, I drove with bated breath all through the 30 km
                 back to Guruvayur and headed for the Rajah Petrol bunk to top up fuel.
           (b) After checking tyre pressure, as I was backing, I just missed hitting a mobike parked on
                 my way by an idiotic motorist.
           (c) As I was backing from the supermarket, again missed by a whisker, a pick up truck and
                 a car that sped past despite seeing me maneuvre!

              

The Parsi Battalion.

Wonder why our military history never mentioned this aspect. I, for one, have heard it for the first time........the little known Parsi Battalion in World War I.

Parsis, many hailing from Bombay, served as soldiers in Europe during World War I. A stone cenotaph at Hughes Road at Kharegat Parsi Colony commemorates the 46 known Parsi soldiers killed in action in that war in Europe.

During WW I, the Parsi Battalion was accorded distinct honour and privileges over any of the other regiments hailing from India. All Battalions from India had a sanctioned strength of 1,021 0fficers and men, while only a few Indian regiments which had the status of Pioneer Battalions, had a sanctioned strength of 1,034 officers and men.

Since the Parsi Battalion was the only fighting force in British India that was granted the same status as the British Army units, it had a sanctioned strength of 1,051 officers and men. For all the other Indian Battalions, the Commanding Officer was of the rank of Lieutenant Colonel but the Parsi Battalion was headed by a Commanding Officer with the full rank of Colonel. Parsis comprised the entire range of the Commanding Officer, officers and general infantry ranks, with no British officers holding commanding oversight over the Battalion.

The Parsi Battalion also had a reserve force of 551 officers and men that did not go overseas but were trained and stationed at strategic locations at Bombay for guard duty lest the War reach Indian shores. 11 Privates acted as drivers for the horse-drawn transport. Battle experience also led to orders to ensure that battalions would always leave behind a number of men when going into action, to form a nucleus for rebuilding, in the event of heavy casualties being suffered. A total of 108 all ranks, consisting of a mix of instructors, trained signalers and other specialists, were to be left out. The number of men acting as stretcher-bearers was increased from 16 to 32, when battle action was at its peak.

The first two Indians ever to be awarded the DSO (Distinguished Service Order) were Parsis in World War I (1914 - '18). Capt(Later Maj Gen) Cursetjee and Capt (Later Col) Bharucha, both of the medical services unit of the Battalion.

The reason why not much is written or remembered about the Parsi Battalion formed in India, like the history of the other regiments from India that also took part in WW I, is due to the fact that the Parsi Battalion was the only fighting force in British India that was granted the same status as the British Army and were always counted as a British Force rather than a British Indian Army unit and all the records were kept in England.

Unfortunately too, about 60% of the Battalion's soldiers' Service Records were irretrievably damaged or lost completely as a result of enemy bombings in London in 1940 during the Second World War. The exact number of serving Parsi Battalion soldiers is not known because of the loss of those records.

The Parsi Battalion was fortunate enough to be equipped with high power weapons, machine guns, extra ammo, rations and supplies including woolen blankets, woolen uniforms which were far superior in both, quality and quantity. The heavy fire power they carried made a difference on the battle field. The Parsi Battalion was the only fighting force from India that was given more motorised units, were served English Whisky and they were also given additional pay as they were considered a British Force.

Battalion transport consisted of 13 riding and 43 draught and pack horses. They provided the power for drawing the six ammunition carts, two water carts, three General Service Wagons (For tools and machine guns) and the Medical Officer's Cart. The signals men had 9 bicycles.

Most men in the Parsi Battalion carried a Lee-Enfield rifle. Staff Sergeants were also armed with the sword-bayonet. Machine guns though were in short supply at the time but the Parsi Battalion never felt the shortage and was well equipped.

Other battalion equipment over and above that carried by the men, included 120 shovels, 73 pickaxes, 20 felling axes, 8 hand axes, 46 billhooks, 20 reaping hooks, a hand saw, 32 folding saws and 8 crowbars. There was also a plethora of minor stores and spares.

The battalion also carried a certain fixed amount of ammunition, which was replenished with re-supply, if needed. The supply per rifle came to 550 rounds per man. The battalion transport carried 32 boxes of 1,000 rounds and each man could carry up to 120 rounds at a time. The machine guns were each supplied with a total of 45,000 rounds of which 3,500 were carried with the gun and 8,000 in Battalion reserve. Food, water and rations had to be used very sparingly, until the supply was replenished.

The Parsi Battalion was the first among British forces to get THE LITTLE WILLIE which was a "Mobile Fortress", an early version of a battle tank.

The first tank was named "Little Willie" and it had a top speed of 3 mph. Tanks received their name because the British tried to conceal their identity by calling them water storage tanks, hence the name tank. They originally were called "Landships".

Among the many inventions was the metal helmet. It was introduced by the French in 1915. All sides soon wore a metal helmet and once again, The Parsi Battalion was the first to be given the metal helmet by The British.

The Western Front, which ran from the English Channel to Switzerland, had over 25,000 miles of trenches of which many battle front forward trenches were occupied and held by the Parsi Battalion.

To join The Parsi Battalion one had to be 18 years old, but some Parsi boys lied about their true ages and some were known to be as young as 16 years old when they joined the force.


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, went through the chores and were ready well in time. It was, once again, another quiet day.    

News views.

1. Adieu Friends.

    All the 13 Air Force personnel have perished in the crash of the An-32 aircraft crash in Arunachal
    Pradesh. This has been confirmed by the rescue team that was landed at the crash site. A Court of
    Inquiry has been ordered by the IAF which is as per SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) and the
    'Black Box' that has since been retrieved from the crash site will reveal the moments prior to the
    crash to the investigating team.

    RIP comrades-at-arms! My prayers and tears. May your near and dear ones have the strength to
    tide over these stressful times.

    The vintage of the aircraft and the periodic upgrades should come under close scrutiny. I still
    remember my trip by an AN-32 to Mechuka - as part of our FAT (Forward Area Tour), in Sep '91,
    while doing the staff course at the DSSC, Wellington. Sturdy machines, fondly viewed by both the
    Army and the Air Force for all sorts of logistic support at the ALGs (Advance Landing Grounds).
    The airstrips at great heights amid mountainous terrain need tremendous skills on the part of the
    pilots who take off and land on very short runways! My salute to the fine men and their flying
    machines!!

2. It Hurts.

    As the import of oil, from Iran, has come to a stop due to US diktats India faces difficulties which
    are:-

         (a) Alternate sources yet to be identified.
         (b) Consequent shortage will be discernible soon.
         (c) Could affect bilateral relations with Iran.
         (d) The Iranian port Chabahar's expansion being done with Indian assistance comes to a
               standstill. The cascading effect can affect other joint ventures too!

    The sad fact was that not only was the quality of the Iranian oil good but also the agreement
    regarding the imports were on favourable terms for India which was not passed on to any other
    country.

    Trump is an irrepressible bully! And he can go to any extent to make good his threat!!

3. What a Shame?

    The police has informed a Bombay Court that they have no evidence to prosecute him in the
    molestation case filed against him by the Bollywood actress Tanushree Dutta. Her complaint
    in October last year had sparked off a nationwide '#Me-Too' movement on social media bringing
    quite a few big names from various fields down to their knees. (Former union minister, MJ Akbar
    was one among the many casualties).

    Tanushree Dutta has said that she's neither shocked nor surprised because "being a woman in India
    this is something that we, all, have got used to".

    What a shame? When a woman says that she has been wronged, it has to be taken seriously and
    the cause needs to be identified and dealt with promptly because no woman would denigrate
    herself to gain publicity. Period!


Tailpiece.

Had got up at our usual time, gone through the chores and were ready on time. Annie had come by and got on with her work without ado. It was a quiet day, otherwise.

         

My take......

1. The Right Mid-Course Correction!

    Was aghast to read the news, the other day, that India had requested for permission for the Prime
    Minister's flight to transit through Pakistani airspace during his journey to Bishkek, Kyrgizstan
    and back for participating in the Shanghai Co-operation Organisation (SCO) summit scheduled on
    13 - 14 Jun. Pakistan had taken an in-principle decision to allow Modi's flight over its airspace as
    an exception. My arguments against it were simple:-

       (a) All commercial flights to and from India are not permitted overhead flights through the Paki
             airspace as it has shut its eastern border with India, post-Balakot. Since then, it has opened
             only two routes, of the total eleven, both of them passing through southern Pakistan.
       (b) If that be so, why should the PM request for a waiver? He should follow the others.

    His aircraft will, now, fly via Oman, Iran and Central Asian Countries enroute.

    A sensible and a good mid-course decision!

2. The First Terrorist Strike During PM Modi's Second Term!

    In a daylight strike, two terrorists of the Jaish-e-Mohammed group struck on a busy road in
    Anantnag district killing five CRPF men. The incident took place in the afternoon when mobike-
    borne terrorists fired at a CRPF Patrol on the Khanabal-Pahalgam stretch killing one personnel on
    the spot and injuring a few others.

    A joint team of the Bravo Company, CRPF and the state police were deployed for the picket duty.
    The party had battled it out with the terrorists and lost five personnel in the skirmish.

    Though the defunct Al-Umar Mujahideen has taken responsibility for the strike, officials are sure
    that it's the handiwork of the Jaish-e-Mohammed.

    A retaliation is, thus, called for. All eyes are on Amit Shah, the Home Minister!

3. Now What's Happening?

     The release of the scribe, Prashant Kanojia was possible consequent to the Supreme Court's ruling.
     Meanwhile, Ishika Singh, head of the Nation Live Channel and editor, Anuj Shukla were
     arrested in NOIDA on 08 Jun, two days after the telecast of the controversial content given by
     Kanojia of a woman repeatedly expressing desire to marry the chief minister!

     The Bangalore police have arrested two persons for allegedly abusing the Karnataka chief
     minister and his son, Nikhil in a video shared on the social media. Siddaraju(26) and Chamaraju
     (28) were arrested on 08 Jun and remanded to judicial custody for 15 days.

     Wonder why the politicians of today are unable to take jokes on themselves. A bit of fun, based on
     their antics, is called for and they cannot afford to be the colourless guys that they seem to be!

4. Row Over The Award-Winning Cartoon!

    "Vishwasamrakshathi", a cartoon by KK Subhash on the Bishop Franco Mulakkal case, was
    selected as the best cartoon by the Kerala Lalithakala Academy. In the cartoon - a man bearing a
    resemblance to the priest who was recently in the news for all the wrong reasons - is depicted as
    a rooster. The rooster is seen holding a stick - apparently, a crosier - with a panty at its end and is
    shown standing on a police cap with nuns weeping by the side.

    The Kerala Catholic Bishop Council (KCBC) wasn't too happy followed by similar sentiments
    being expressed by the Syro Malabar Church.

    The Minister for Culture, AK Balan, has asked the Academy to re-examine the award, consequent
     to the reactions of the church.

     Whither artistic freedom?



Tailpiece.

Got up around 6, went through our chores and were ready at our usual time.

Lekha had gone to Harisree and National supermarkets to buy grocery and vegetables.

Bijeesh, the plumber, had come in the afternoon to fix the geyser. He showed me the coil that was replaced by Xavier - a guy not professionally toned as I'd observed then - implying that he'd cheated me. It was just three months old but had a lot of scaling on it! Anyways, I'd already decided that Xavier will never be called for repairs.

     
   
   

   

    

From here and there......

News from here and there.....

1. Wow, finally!

    The wreckage of the Antonov-32 that went missing eight days back has finally been located
    around 16 km north of Lipo in the West Siang district of Arunachal Pradesh, after being spotted
    by a Mi-17 helicopter. The wreckage is in a dense forest close to a hilltop at an elevation of about
    12,000 ft.

    The IAF plans to 'heli-drop' some Garud commandos, mountaineers and and other personnel near
    the crash site. The following officers and men were in the aircraft which was on its way to the
    Advance Landing Ground (ALG), Mechuka from Jorhat on 03 Jun:-

         (a) Wing Commander GM Charles
         (b) Squadron Leader H Vinod
         (c)  Flight Lieutenant Mohit Garg
         (d) Flight Lieutenant Sumit Mohanty
         (e)  Flight Lieutenant Ashish Tanwar
         (f)  Flight Lieutenant Rajesh Thapa
         (g) Warrant Officer KK Mishra
         (h) Sergeant Anoop
         (j) Corporal Sharin
         (k) Airman Pankaj Sangwan
         (l) Airman SK Singh
         (m) Non Combatant Rajesh Kumar
         (n) Non Combatant Putali.

    It will bring about some closure to the families of the deceased personnel. RIP dear comrades-at
    -arms. My tears and prayers! Here's wishing that your families have the strength to pass through
    these stressful times.

2. Was That Required?

    The former Chief Economic Adviser to the GoI has deduced that India's economic growth rate
    has been overestimated by around 2.5% points between 2011-'12 and 2016-'17 due to a change
    in methodology for calculating GDP. India's GDP growth rate should have been about 4.5%
    instead of the official estimate of 7%, Arvind Subramanian says. The government has, however,
    said that the projections are in line with the estimates of national and international agencies.

    Has fudging taken place? If yes, was the fudging required as is being claimed by the former
    economic adviser?

3. Hong Kong's Dilemma.

    Thousands of people assembled around Hong Kong's government complex as lawmakers
    prepared to debate a controversial amendment to the city's extradition law that would make it
    possible to send suspects to mainland China for trial.

    The following factors are discernible:-

        * the government of the semi-autonomous Chinese city has vowed to press ahead and enact
           the bill.
        * the people call this an evil law.
        * today's meeting of the Legislative Council was postponed.


Tailpiece.

Had got up at our usual time, gone through our chores and were ready well in time. Having waited for our part time chauffeur for the past two days to hand it over to a nearby garage at lesser rates, went and handed over our Chevy to the Geeyem Motors for the long pending body work. It was a rather quiet day, subsequently.
 
       
    

The anatomy of the Kathua gang-rape and murder case.

A court in Pathankot gave the following sentences to the 'beasts' involved in the case, after finding them guilty at the end of a year long in-camera trial:-

    (a) Sanji Ram            -  the mastermind and the caretaker of the temple where the ghastly crime
                                           took place. Life imprisonment.
    (b) Deepak Khajuria -  a Special Police Officer. Life imprisonment.
    (c) Parwesh Kumar   -  a civilian. Life imprisonment.
    (d) Anand Dutta        -  SI. 5 yr jail term and Rs.50,000/- fine.
    (e) Tilak Raj              -   Head Constable. 5 yr jail term and Rs.50,000/- fine.
    (f)  Surender Verma  -   Special Police Officer. 5 yr jail term and Rs.50,000/- fine.   
    (g) Vishal Jangotra   -   15 yr old son of Sanji Ram, acquitted, giving him the benefit of doubt.

Background.

An 8 year old girl belonging to the Bakharwal nomadic tribe, who was grazing the horses in the outskirts of the Rasana village, lost track of the animals. A teenager offered to show her the horses and as she followed him, she was abducted and kept in captivity in the temple (Exclusively manned by Sanji Ram) for four days. She was sedated, gang raped repeatedly and later, bludgeoned to death.

The anatomy of the case.

10 Jan '18                The 8 year old was abducted.
12 Jan                      The Hiranagar police station registers an FIR based on the father's complaint.
17 Jan                      (a) The lifeless body of the little girl, brutally gang raped was retrieved from the
                                       forest, nearby.
                                 (b) An adolescent picked up, by the police, from the area.

22 Jun                      Rumours about higher ups being involved pushed the case to the Crime Branch.
                                 Sanji Ram and the police personnel - the seven accused - surrendered to the SIT.
16 Feb                      The Hindu Ekta Manch comes in support of one of the accused.
01 Mar                     The Hindu Ekta Manch protests against the arrest of the accused by the Crime
                                 Branch. The BJP ministers in the Mehbooba Mufti government Lal Singh and
                                 Chander Prakash Ganga join the protests.
09 Apr                      A section of the advocates tries to stop the police from submitting the charge
                                 sheet.
14 Apr                      The two BJP ministers who took part in the rally, supporting the accused,
                                 resign.
16 Apr                      The case proceedings begin in the Kathua District Court. The proceedings
                                 needed to be carried out in utmost secrecy, it said.
07 May                     The Supreme Court transfers the case to the Pathankot District Sessions Court.
                                 Highlights the need for secrecy and a quick dispensation of justice.
31 May                     Trial begins at the Pathankot court.
05 Oct '18                The affidavit submitted by the accused to start a new investigation thrown out
                                 by the Supreme Court.
09 Jun '19                The trial ends.

Thank God, the guilty have met their nemesis. The question that has risen now is as to whether the 'beasts' require to be hung rather than being let off (?) with a life imprisonment?

Li'l one, I grieve for you even now as I feel that we've collectively let you down in not ensuring your safety from the violent death that you'd to undergo. My prayers and tears! Hope your near and dear ones have been able to come out of their shock!! 


Tailpiece.

Had got up with the alarm, gone through our chores and we were ready well in time. had gone to town to finish quite a bit of pending jobs like collecting the dry cleaned clothes, updating the pass books, carrying out a neft to Paulson and dropping the cheque at the bank. Missed Sheena's smiling face and who was a great help during my visits, called her up and thanked her later at her new bank at Thrissur. Wasn't she thrilled?

Annie was in and finished up her job well before 5. Meanwhile, Bijeesh had come by to sort out the existing plumbing/electrical defects.  
   
                                 

The Southwest Monsoon has reached Kerala.

After a rather long sizzlingly hot summer, it was a welcome change to see the onset of the familiar monsoon - we, Malayalees call it the 'Edavapathi', as its arrival coincides with the beginning of the latter half of the Malayalm calendar month of 'Edavom'! The rain, though welcome in the initial days becomes a pain as one is unable to get out of one's shelter without adequate protection like fanciful umbrellas or a swanky rain cape.

What happens is that many a time seeing bright sunny weather, one ventures out, only to be stranded somewhere because the outlook has changed to heavy rain and one has not carried the necessary stuff to walk through the rains!

This time, however, the outbreak of the illness through the 'Nipah' virus is prevalent in many parts of the state. It's hoped that the virus gets to be naturally extinct - albeit, for the immediate while - thanks to the abundance of rain as, I understand, it thrives only in dry climate!The government, however, is coy about calling it the 'Nipah virus effect' due to some unknown reason!!

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had arrived last Friday, to offer his prayers to Sree Guruvayoorappan and said at a public meeting in its aftermath, that his government will work towards the welfare of the people who'd voted for him as well as for those who didn't! Diametrically opposite to this manner of thinking, Rahul Gandhi was on a visit to his constituency, Wayanad, and said that Modi will not do anything for Kerala - like he does for the BJP - ruled states - and he shall project his constituency's and Kerala's requirements on the floor of the Parliament. He continues to be on the Modi-bashing mode despite the fact that he'd wrung this aspect dry, during electioneering!

Has someone told him that he needs to only criticise Modi, to be in the limelight and for being the sole(?) aspirant for the Prime Ministerial chair? Why doesn't someone close to him advise that he needs to come out with his vision for India? And of course, be an efficient opposition member in the Lok Sabha to criticise and prevent the government from making wrong decisions, while supporting the good ones.

The CPM and the LDF are still grappling with the disarray caused among its rank and file, consequent to the recent electoral catastrophe. It beats me as to why they shy to put the finger on the right reasons because it's only then that they can initiate remedial measures. In addition to its woes, the release of the video grabs showing certain party elements carrying out the murderous assault on COT Naseer, will further alienate many others away from it.

And having said all this, it needs to be seen as to what havoc is gonna be wreaked by the monsoon, in its wake as a cyclone is headed this way, this coming week!


Tailpiece.

Today's Lekha's birthday by the Malayalam calendar. As desired by her, we'd got up at 4, gone through our chores and were off to the Kottarakkara Maha Ganapathi kshetram by a half past 5. Gifted her with a small statuette of Ganapathi as I do, on all her birthdays - bought from the stall within the precincts of the temple. Our next stop was at Pidavoor, to call on Padmakumar's mother and to have breakfast. The truss work on that house looks nice and the leaks in the roofing have, consequently, been taken care of! Rema and Padmakumar, along with Aji, were there and it was nice interacting with them.

We took off soon after, with the rains following us on the highway. The bottlenecks enroute never gave us any problems. We'd lunch at the Angamalai wayside restaurant but it was so so. We were at 'The Quarterdeck' by a half past 2. The house was opened up and we got into our usual routine. The clothes were washed and put on the line, things kept back at their respective places and it was only then that we noted that it was yet another trip that was completed!

The power interruptions were frequent and the last one, at around a half past 10, made us call it a day a trifle earlier than usual.     

   

The Eunuch Syndrome and the IAS.

Historically, all Chinese and Muslim courts had eunuchs to guard the Emperor's harem.

After all, who else could be trusted to guard voluptuous damsels all primed for sex.

No. not even the emperor's brother. Most of the eunuchs were those who had been castrated forcibly.
'Surely, none would ever volunteer for this. But once done, they soon realised the benefits. There are numerous stories of how some of them became the emperor's favourites. Most of them were loyal but large numbers were known to have drawn power to themselves.

At least wealth, if not power. The emperor and his family, now so used to being pampered by subservient eunuchs, closed their eyes or were blissfully unaware of how these eunuchs treated their subordinates or lessers.

Probably, they couldn't have cared less.

This was the norm and was accepted as such in all oriental courts. Meekly servile to their lords, they mastered palace politics, played king makers and dispensed favours by misuse of powers and the trust of the masters.

The Indian Civil Service was supposed to be the iron frame on which the largest democracy was supposed to be built. Most of the old guard were scrupulously honest and defended their role, no matter what. But it was only a matter of time when all these principles fell by the wayside. Surrounded by illiterates was and in most cases greedy politicians, the inheritor IAS, soon learned the benefits of mimicking the classical eunuchs.

They learnt that while remainingmeekly submissive to the ignorant politicos and facilitating their greed, they could not only line their own pockets but also indulge in unbridled power play. In a short while, they established themselves in places of power in all ministries and departments. They created myths of how generalist administrators are essential in running enterprises and undertakings that they had no idea how to manage.

One by one, all plum jobs were cornered and appropriated. Damn the organisation, who is in its well being anyway. Air India, SAIL, Coal India and the vast array of PSUs.

A simple logic of shouldn't a specialised PSU be headed by a subject expert or by an engineer was suppressed and confounded.

Soon all the other cadres who had the same entrance exams were downgraded and made subordinate. The ministers and politicians, busy wallowing in the luxury being pampered on them by the new age eunuchs, didn't know, didn't care. They quickly obtained suppliant brothers in arms in this organised plunder, the IPS and the most unlikely of all, the Indian Forest Service.

Fed upon an inbred haughtiness, they presumed and became convinced of their superiority. No promotion exams, no culling of the inefficient and assured career progression. They are now omniscient, omnipotent. Legends in their own minds, as the dialogue from the western, "Dirty Harry". In order to benefit them, they turned their district administration upside down.

The earlier ICS practice of sending experienced officers as District Magistrates or Collectors was soon discarded. District administration, their principal responsibility was farmed off to new recruits or promotees. The new Lords of the Land, after their initial three years, spent their time between state capitals or Delhi. Sprinkled with cushy deputations, theirs became a life of plenty.

The bigger and better eunuchs ended up as CAGs and other fabulous appointments.

Take the recent case of the CAG who previously was the DG Acquisition, indicting his own erstwhile department for laggardly procurement.

All perks, all privileges, zero accountability.

Having deflated the other services, they have brazenly taken on the Armed Forces.

This penis envy of their ICS past, aggravated and encouraged by the politicians jealousy of the uniformed brown sahibs. Now comfortably ensconced as the harem keepers of the ignorant politicians, they have safely struck out at their arch rivals. The last remaining Service which enjoys the admiration and adulation of the suffering masses.

And lo.

Struggling for years under the mind numbing incompetence and opportunist upper hierarchy, the Armed Forces seem to have succumbed.

Propelled by a defective promotion policy, the upper echelons are riddled with incompetence and the inability to even contest even unjust orders emanating from the bureaucracy.

The story continues......let's watch and wait.

Received on What'sApp and I fully endorse the articulation, which incidentally, is a sad reality!  


Tailpiece.

Got up as usual, went through my chores and was ready well in time. Had finished my packing and carried my baggage to the Foundation. The remainder of the correspondence linked to the Reading Day - Reading Month celebrations was rounded off and consequently, we'd a late lunch.

Mr. TKA Nair was the Guest of Honour at our weekly discussion, "Aazhchakkoottam". I'd taken off for Kottarakkara soon after his lively speech by the first Fast passenger that left the bus bay and reached my destination by a half past 8. Lekha had fetched up by 6 and she'd brought with her our supper from her sister's place!