The New Education Policy 2020.

The Salient Aspects

  1. 10+2 board structure is dropped.

  2. New school structure will be 5+3+3+4

  3. Up to 5 Pre-school, 6 to 8 Mid School, 8 to 11 High School, 12 onward Graduation.

  4. Any Degree will be 4 years.

  5. 6th std onward vocational courses available.

  6. From classes 8 to 11, students can choose subjects.

  7. All graduation courses will have major and minor.

     Eg. A science student can have Physics as Major and Music as Minor. He can choose any

           combination.

  8. All higher education will be governed by only one authority.

  9. UGC, AICTE will be merged.

10. All University, government, private, Open, Deemed, Vocational etc will have same grading and

      other rules.

11. New Teacher's Training Board will be set up for all kinds of teachers in the country, no state can 

      change.

12. Same level of Accreditation to any college. Based on its rating, college will get autonomous rights

      and funds.

13. New basic learning programme will be created by the government for parents to teach children up 

      to 3 years in home and for pre-school 3 to 6.

14. Multiple entry and exit to and from any course.

15. Credit system for graduation for students of each year will get some credits which he/she can utilise

      if he/she takes a break in course and come back again to complete the the course.

16. All schools' exams will be semester wise, twice a year.

17. The syllabus will be reduced to the core knowledge of any subject.

18. More focus on student's practical and application knowledge.

19. For any graduation course, if a student completes only one year, he/she will get a basic certificate, 

      if he/she completes two years then he/she will get a Diploma certificate and if he/she completes

      full course then he/she will get degree certificate. So. no year of any student will be wasted if he/

      she breaks the course in between.

20. All graduation course feeds of all Universities will be governed by a single authority with capping

      on each course. 

Highlights of the NEP 2020

  1. What's 5+3+3+4?

      * 5 represents the foundational stage (in two parts - 3 years of Anganwadi or pre-school + 2 years 

         primary school in Class I-II, together covering ages 3-8. It will have flexible, multilevel play or

         activity-based learning and the curriculum and pedagogy of national early childhood care and

         education.

      * The first 3 stands for the preparatory stage (Class III-V, covering ages 8-11). It will have

         experimental learning across the sciences, mathematics, arts, social sciences and humanities.

      * The second 3 is the middle stage (Class VI-VIII, covering ages 11-14) with subject-oriented 

         pedagogical and curricular style.

      * 4 is the secondary stage (Class IX-XII in two phases - IX and X in the first and XI and XII in the

         second, covering ages 14-18). It will have more emphasis on depth, critical thinking. Flexibility

         in choice of subjects enhanced.

   2. No rigid separation between academic streams, extracurricular, vocational streams in schools;

       vocational education to start from Class VI with Internships.

   3. Teaching up to at least Class V in mother tongue or regional language.

   4. Report cards will be a comprehensive report on skills and capabilities instead of just marks and

       statements.

My take.

A comprehensive plan and should be able to streamline the education system of our country.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Today, the rain was on hold despite the forecast of heavy rains. A quiet day otherwise! 

        

    

Why is Kerala called "God's Own Country"?

Younger generation will not know and older generations might have forgotten the history behind this. Here, below is the history.

When India got independence on 15 Aug 1947, the Travancore Kingdom didn't join the Indian Union Government. The Diwan of Travancore Kingdom announced in Ju 1947 that the Travancore kingdomwill be a separate country by itself.

During that period, the Travancore Kingdom was well developed with Public Transport, Telephone Network and Heavy Engineering Industries. The King took over all the expenses of the University. Above all, all Hindus were allowed to enter into all the temples, without any bias on the caste, which was prevalent throughout India at that point of time.

When the talks were on between the Indian representatives and the King Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, to make Travancore kingdom as part of the Indian Union, the King said, "This land doesn't belong to me but belongs to Lord Padmanabha Swamy and I am only the Custodian. If the Lord Ananthan asks me to do, I will oblige". The Indian authorities didn't believe this and considered King's statement was just to dodge the issue.

But the Travancore authorities showed a Palm Leaf written on 20 Jan 1750, signed by the then Travancore King Anizham Thirunal Marthanda Varma in favour of the Lord Padmanabha Swamy that the entire Travancore kingdom, which extended from today's Kanyakumari and Paravoor, belongs to the Lord.

This is the reason why Kerala is called "God's Own Country".  

* Note. The area north of Paravoor (Adjacent to the Ernakulam district) short of Palakkad district came

             under the King of Kochi. Palakkad and the north of it, the Malabar region came under the 

             Madras Presidency during the British Raj.

   *                     *                        *

                                 Adieu Tirur Amma

Lekha's younger sister's mother-in-law, Padmavathy Amma aka as Tirur Amma, passed into the mist of time this afternoon, around 12 o'clock. She had been bed-ridden for the past three months due to age-related illnesses and she suffered from diabetes. She was 85 years of age.

I remember her pleasant countenance, her eagerness to be with Lekha and me and the many conversations between us. She used to look forward to our visits to Tirur, which were quite frequent earlier. She was a simple and uncomplicated lady and I remember the enthusiasm with which she took us to her sisters - one at Tirur and the other at Vaniyankulam. 

I still cannot forget her last visit to 'The Quarterdeck' when she spoke about a lot of things to my mom and me. Her simplicity was very evident and all pervading. 

RIP Tirur Amme. My tears and prayers! You shall always remain in our hearts.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. It was a sunny day, all through, with no sight of rain.  

Rafaels have arrived and other stories.

Just going through the day's stories that have hogged the headlines. Interesting happenings, I must say. So, without much ado, here I go.

 (a) The Arrival of the Rafael Aircraft.

       The first five Rafael aircraft - of the total 36 on order - landed at Ambala and were traditionally 

       welcomed into the IAF's fold with the ceremonial water salute. They will form the 17th Squadron,

       known as the "Air Arrows". As the full batch fetches up in installments, it has given us a reason to

       celebrate but let's not go overboard.

       I heard absurd claims in the media that India will, now, teach China a lesson. It has definitely been

       uttered out of total ignorance about new acquisitions, their induction and bringing them to stream.

       While it, definitely, is a step in the right direction, we have to go a long way!

       

       Everyone seems to have become a military expert, overnight!

 (b) The Sushant Singh Rajput case is Getting Murkier.

       While the Bombay Police had already come to the conclusion that Hindi movie actor, Sushant

       Singh Rajput's death was a case of suicide, details are now surfacing that there is a mafia in the

       movie industry who unabashedly promote nepotism while strangulating the career of a rank

       outsider. 

       Doubts were raised after Kangana Ranaut's interview on Arnab Goswami's Republic, where she

       brought out inconsistencies in the investigation into the case by the Bombay Police. It's said that

       certain evidences that would have shed a clear idea about the case have been deliberately ignored

       or not taken into consideration. Now, that's a serious charge!

       Though reluctant at present, the Maharashtra Government will ultimately have to concede to a

       CBI investigation as the clamour for it is steadily growing.

  (c) The Deluge.

        The Meteorological Experts had said that there would be a deluge, in Kerala, during the monsoon

        but two months have elapsed after the onset of the rains, no such thing had occurred and everyone

        had thought it to be another case of a met forecast gone awry! 

        However, over the last 48 hrs, continuous rain has resulted in water logging at many places and

        communications have been hampered. The forecast has said that the worst can be expected next

        week when a cyclone would form up over the Bay of Bengal and hit the east coast of India.

        The people need to exercise caution and the worst thing is that the rise in Covid-19 cases has seen

        a dangerous spike in the state during this wet time!

Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Washed down the Chevy and Selvam, the pressman had fetched up. Didn't want him to go empty handed and therefore, got all our casual wear pressed.          

       

Adieu Varadamma appachi!

Varadamma appachi, all of 85 yrs, passed into the mist of time this morning at a half past 6, owing to a cardiac arrest. She was admitted into the ICU of the Nair's Hospital, at Kollam, last Friday when she suffered a mild heart attack consequent to her blood pressure and sugar levels going below normal. Jayan, her third son with whom she was staying all this while, was in attendance. Her two elder sons, Omanakkuttan and Aniyan reached her bedside yesterday. Her youngest son, Sandip and his family have settled down in Japan and are Japanese citizens. Hence, they were absent.....her funeral was at a half past 3, this afternoon, at the crematorium near her house. Her husband, Janardanan Pillai, had passed away almost a decade ago. He was an ayurveda physician by profession.

     *                     *                       *

My paternal grandparents, N Krishna Panicker and K Kalyani Amma, had sired eight children - four sons and four daughters. Varadamma appachi was the youngest of the daughters and the only person that is left of the siblings, now, is Ramadasan kochachhan, settled in Nasik.

Shall jot down a few of my observations about my appachi on this sad occasion.

     *                      *                       *

I'd first heard about her in a conversation between my dad and his father. He used to send a sum of money to his dad, every month, for the construction of his house (Raj Nivas) and dad and I had gone during his leave and this conversation had ensued, "Son, the bulk of the money that you'd sent me last month has been used for Varadamma's education" - she was doing her BEd and was staying with the PN Panicker joint family at Thiruvananthapuram. And I can never forget my dad's cryptic reply, "Dad, I don't ever want to know about the breakdown of expenses". And soon after, I'd seen my appachi in a full flowing skirt and blouse! Incidentally, as was the prevalent custom those days, she never came in front of her elder brother, instead, always stood at the door, covering herself partially with the curtain while in conversation. And I must tell you that she followed this habit till my father's passing away; when I'd made fun of her about this, she told me that she did it out of deep respect and love towards her elder brother. And my dad was very fond of his kid sister!   

      *                     *                        *

She got posted into the aided school at Kottavattom - a bit far from the house - soon after she had passed the BEd course.

My mom and she got along like a house on fire. To let you into a secret, she was the mediator between my appachi and her love - my future chittappan, who was posted in the village Ayurveda Dispensary then - passing letters between them, while she was the Branch Post Mistress of the local post office.

       *                     *                          *

And as my parents and appachi-chittappan went about their lives, we got to meet each other during leave and vacations with the progress of each other being noted constantly.

        *                     *                     *

I'd seen her at my parents' funerals but can never forget the sadness writ large on her face, seeing my mom's lifeless body, lying in state. She'd not expected her to pass away that early and she had told me that in one unguarded moment!

         *                     *                      *

She used to insist on my calling her up, as often as I could and would talk on and on - the longest was when we talked for about an hour and a half: mind you, it was not callous talk but one that had an abundance of anecdotes, humour and knowledge. The last I'd spoken to her was during the month of Jun and whenever we used to be at Raj Nivas, a visit, at least once to her place, was a must. She used to go out of her way to feed me with what I was fond of and was full of conversation, frequently punctuated with her peals of girlish laughter!

         *                      *                      *

I have this feeling that my grandparents, dad, mom, my aunts and appachi must be laughing their guts out, in flowing conversation right now, wherever they are!

RIP Varadamma appachi! My salute to a great person with my tears and prayers. Will miss you till my very end.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Melancholia had set in, hearing about appachi's passing away. Incidentally, today also happens to be Suresh's Remembrance Day as per the English calendar!

Lekha and I'd watered the plants this evening and sure enough, now the time is 2320 hrs and it's raining cats and dogs!   

        

A fairly long migration!

Background

'Out of Africa' theory for America's crocodiles

The several species of crocodiles plying rivers and brackish byways in the Americas - from Florida to Peru - all came from Africa, according to a new study published in the journal 'Scientific Reports'.

1. How did the crocodiles reach America?

Prior to this discovery it was unclear whether the crocodiles reached the Americas from Africa, via a hypothesised  transatlantic voyage or vice versa.

Researchers speculate that they may have descended from a single pregnant specimen that bobbed along Atlantic Ocean currents to the New World at least five million years ago, probably longer.

"This is a really exciting discovery. It supports the results of molecular biologists that proposed the origin of American crocodiles had to be found in Africa".  

 - Massimo Delfino from the University of Turin and Dawid Iurino from Sapienza University, lead authors.

2. Is such a journey possible?

Such a voyage is possible. It has been demonstrated by a present-day cousin, Australia's saltwater crocodile. Satellite tracking has shown that it can travel 500 km in about a month while passively transported by ocean current.

In 1939, a 10 centimetre skull fragment of Crocodylus checchiai - an ancient crocodile species - was unearthed from the Libyan desert.

3. CT Imaging

Researchers used CT-scans and 3D-modelling to re-examine the skull fragment stored at the Earth Sciences museum in Rome.

4. Close Relationship

This shared skeletal structure indicates a close evolutionary relationship Crocodylus checchiai and American crocodiles.

5. Important Findings

Crocodylus checchiai rewrites the story of how crocodiles spread across the planet in at least two ways:-

     * It lays to rest the already fading hypothesis that the giant, flesh-ripping reptiles - which first

        emerged from Asia - arrived in the Americas before moving on to Africa and not the other way

        around.

     * The long-neglected fossil also supplants another contender from Africa - Crocodylus niloticus,

        aka the Nile crocodile - as the closest forebear of the American species.

6. Comparisons With Living Species

They identified several new skull structures, including a protrusion in the middle of the snout that has not been identified on any other African crocodile species but that is present on the skulls of the four living American crocodile species : Crocodile intermedius, Crocodile moreleti, Crocodile acutus and Crocodile rhombifer.

My take.

I remember my visit to the Bhitarkanika Sanctuary in Orissa - the confluence of the Rivers Bhitarkanika and Brahminy - in '89 while I was posted in INS Chilka, as I punch in these thoughts!

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. The monthly provisions were ordered from the department store close by.

Kargil Vijay Diwas!

Today's the 21st anniversary of the Kargil war. It was the Indian Army's finest hour and each one of our men gave a sterling account of themselves. The stories of their valour, love for their country and the willingness to sacrifice their lives beyond the call of duty shall be written in golden letters for the years to come.

I reproduce Maj Gen Ian Cardozo's poem remembering our fallen heroes.

                         The Marigold, In Remembrance

Our Marigold, this simple flower

In many ways it meets the hour

Of valiant soldiers who in combat die

And to their Maker skywards fly.

From ancient times, the favourite bloom

Has commemorated 'womb to tomb'

Of life and death in equal measure

And other moments we all treasure.

But in time of war, this flower has shed

Her fragrant petals to mourn her dead

For those who fought for you and me

And sacrificed their destiny.

So pause a moment all that care

And offer up in silent prayer

This sacred flower for a soldier's death

To remember lest we soon forget. 

    *                   *                   *

Remembering Suresh, my brother-in-law

Today happens to be Suresh's third remembrance day(As per the Malayalam calendar), my brother-in-law and the husband of my cousin, Reshmi - the younger daughter of Indira kunjamma. Suresh was a Chief Engineer in the merchant marine who was known among his seniors, colleagues and subordinates as a hard nosed, no nonsense engineer who was enormously fond of his profession.

He was extremely fond of their son, Kripa-shankar and used to gift him with presents that the youngster asked for, every time he returned from a sortie. 

Have spent some great times with him, going out for movies and having food from outside. He used to mirthfully laugh at my PJs and was fond of me. He had felt sad that he wasn't available to perform the last rites of his parents, by some quirk of fate, because he was out sailing and was not in a position to return in time. He was closer to his mother than his dad.

Just like his mom - she'd a cancerous growth on her tongue he, too, was diagnosed with oral cancer - his gums were affected. I can never forget the trip that he, Reshmi and I undertook to meet up with the Plastic Surgeon-cum-Encologist, Dr Subrahmaniam at the Amritha Hospital about, eight months before his passing away. Before reaching the hospital, we'd made a halt at the Edappalli church where he'd lit candles and prayed. He was - in fact, we all were - confident that everything would go all right because Subbu was well known for his professional acumen and he happened to be a good friend of mine.

At the meeting, he'd painstakingly explained as to how he was going to conduct the surgery and my only request to him was, "I want my handsome brother-in-law back, fully fit, so that he can go out to sea again". Subbu had promised me that but then, doctors aren't gods and fate cannot be thwarted. The malignant growth had penetrated deeper, causing Suresh great pain towards his last days and he had an unwieldy swelling on the cheek.

This morning, Kripa-shankar had offered the 'Bali Tharpanam' for his dad while his mom had driven her two-wheeler all the way to the Parasurama Temple at Thiruvallam, to offer the 'Thil Homam' for her husband.

Suresh, we all miss you......feel sad by your life shortened by the deadly illness.

Tailpiece.

Got up half an hour late, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. It was a quiet Sunday.

We'd a family get together on Google meet, between 4 and 5 in the evening. The complete family could not be mustered because of the short notice but it, definitely, is a step in the right direction! 

,

  

 

Remembering Mrs PN Panicker, my Ammachi.

Around 2115 hrs, 29 years ago on this wretched day, my maternal grandmother, G Chempakakutty Amma aka as Mrs PN Panicker passed into the mist of time, plunging the entire family in immense grief. She breathed her last at the SUT Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram.

Unfortunately, Lekha and I were at Coonoor as I was doing the 47th Staff Course. We couldn't join the family-in-mourning because my folks at home decided not to disturb me as I was doing an important(?) course. Secondly, getting a phone call through to that hill station during those days was a Herculean task. It was only when we'd fetched up, at Thiruvananthapuram, during the first tutorial break that I could shed tears for my dear Ammachi.

We, both, were more of friends rather than maintaining the familiar grandmother-grandson relationship. My going away to the Sainik School, at Kazhakootam in Jan '67 was taken very badly by her. Subsequently, she used to look forward to my vacations to do things that she was always fond of doing. We used to go for the matinee shows, she used to insist on my accompanying her to the family doctor, K Narayana Pai or the Aryavaidyan at the Kottakkal Arya Vaidyasala for her medical problems. Muthachhan would fix up the appointment and once we returned from the visit, would insist on hearing from me as to what the doctor had advised!

        *                  *                   *

I stood in front of her photograph at 2115 hrs this evening - among the collage, it depicts my offering the 'dakshina' to her and ironically, her last photograph with me at the time of my marriage on 16 May '91. Her words that she'd spoken to me soon after the ceremony before we had moved in for the ceremonial lunch, "I've seen your marriage; now I don't mind going away", echoed in my ears with a distinct clarity. And I remember chiding her, saying that "You've a long way to go because you and Muthachhan have to come and stay with us, at Ooty". 

And I can never forget her telling me thus, "You tell me when we should come and I shall get your Muthachhan, along with me, but will the cold be okay for me?" I didn't know then that it was never destined to be! 

Exactly 70 days later, she was on her journey to Valhalla. And her words were eerily prophetic! 

         *                   *                   *

I can still remember the taste of the different kinds of food, sweets and other dishes that she made for me because I used to be fond of them, so much so, that Maman used to grudgingly say, "Amma makes only what Rajeev likes", and she just smiled and didn't seem to care!

Ours was a special relationship.......I would like to believe that it hasn't ended; this is just a temporary break before we meet up again! 

I miss you all the time, Ammachi. 

My Ammachi, bestest!       

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6 with the thoughts about Ammachi, the chores and then, came in Subin to clean up the overhead fresh water filter tank without my calling him up, though I'd noted in my mind to call him one of these days! As he was leaving, he showed me his brand new mobike that cost him Rs.84 grand. 

It was a quiet day otherwise.

Participated in the evening's 'Aazhchakkootam' on the web. Retired Customs Commissioner, Sugathan touched upon a lot of interesting aspects on the subject, 'Gold Smuggling and its Interception'. 

Vitamin Cheat Sheet.

Information on Vitamins or 'Vital Amines'!

Vitamin A

What we use it for? For healthy vision, skin, bones, teeth and reproduction.

Good Sources          Liver, Eggs, Fish, Milk, Carrots, Sweet Potato, Pumpkin, Spinach.

Vitamin B1 (Thiamin)

What we use it for? Helps convert food into energy and is critical for nerve function.

Good Sources          Pork, Soy, Watermelon, Tomato, Spinach.

Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)

What we use it for? Helps convert food into energy and supports healthy skin, hair, blood and brain.

Good Sources          Dairy, Meat, Green Leafy Vegetables, Enriched Wheat, Oysters.

Vitamin B3 (Niacin)

What we use it for? Helps convert food into energy and is essential for healthy nervous system.

Good Sources          Beef, Chicken, Shrimp, Avocado, Peanuts, Tomato, Spinach.

Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)

What we use it for? Helps make red blood cells and improves sleep, appetite and mood.

Good Sources          Chicken, Tofu, Banana, Watermelon, Fish, Legumes.

Vitamin B7 (Biotin)

What we use it for? Helps convert food to energy and break down glucose.

Good Sources          Whole Grains, Eggs, Almonds, Soybeans, Fish.

Vitamin B9 (Folate)

What we use it for? Vital for new cell creation and DNA synthesis.

Good Sources          Legumes, Spinach, Leafy Greens, Chickenpeas, Tomato, Asparagus.

Vitamin B12

What we use it for? Breaks down fatty acids and amino acids, helps make red blood cells.

Good Sources          Dairy, Beef, Pork, Poultry, Fish, Eggs.

Vitamin C

What we use it for? Acts as an antioxidant, helps make new cells and improves immune system.

Good Sources          Fruit and Fruit juices, Pepper, Broccoli, Tomato, Spinach.

Vitamin D

What we use it for? Strengthens and helps form bones and teeth via Calcium and Phosphorous.

Good Sources          Egg Yolk, Fatty Fish, Liver, Sunlight.

Vitamin E

What we use it for? Acts as an antioxidant, helps stabilize cell membranes.

Good Sources         Nuts, Avocado, Tofu, Whole Grains, Seeds.

Vitamin K

What we use it for? Essential for blood clotting and helping to regulate blood Calcium.

Good Sources          Broccoli, Brussels Sprouts, Liver, Leafy Greens.

Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by about 9. Suma had come early for work as she had to take part in the 16th day ceremony of her ma'asi. 

Rajapalayam Amma passed into the mist of time in the wee hours of this morning. She was in her early 80s and was bed ridden for some time. She loved me in her own way and I can never forget her ever smiling face and the short, stout persona. RIP Amme. My tears and prayers. (She's Lekha's elder sister's mother-in-law). 

News from Antarctica.

Fact file

 (a) Area  14.2 million square km.

 (b) 5th largest continent and nearly twice the size of Australia.

 (c) Population density 0.00008 people per square km.

 (d) 98% Antarctica is covered by ice.

Human impact on Antarctica only increasing

Antarctica is considered one of the Earth's largest, most pristine remaining wilderness. Yet since its formal discovery 200 years ago, the continent has been accelerating and potentially impactful human activity. The continent has been more widely impacted by humans than previously thought, claims a study in the journal Nature. We take a look

Human Footprints on the Largest Desert

The human footprint across the continent has never been quantified before. Antarctica has no cities, agriculture or industry with much of it remaining largely unimpacted.

In a region often thought of as remote, we showed that in fact human human activity has been extensive, especially in ice-free and coastal areas where most of its biodiversity is found. This means that 'wilderness' areas do not capture many of the continent's important biodiversity sites, but that an opportunity exists to conserve the last of the wild.

                                      - Dr Bernard Coetzee, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

2.7 million

A team of researchers led by Monash University used a data set of 2.7 million human activity records.

They were able to show how extensive human use of Antarctica happened between the years 1819 and 2018.

With the exception of some large areas mostly in the central parts of the continent, humans have set foot almost everywhere.

Although many of these visited areas have only been negligibly affected by people, biodiversity is not as well represented within them as it should be.

Biodiversity Overlap

High human impact areas, like those where people build research stations or visit for tourism, often overlap with areas important for biodiversity.

16% of the continent's Important Bird Areas, areas identified internationally as critical for bird conservation, are located within negligibly impacted areas.

Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Went out of the house to the nearby ATM and was back within ten minutes. 

A jumbled collection!

Deliverance is not for me in renunciation. I feel the embrace of freedom in a thousand bonds of delight.

Thou ever pourest for me the fresh draught of thy wine of various colours and fragrance, filling this earthen vessel to the brim.

My world will light its hundred different lamps with thy flame and place them before the altar of thy temple.

No, I will never shut the doors of my senses. The delights of sight and hearing and touch will bear thy delight.

Yes, all my illusions will burn into illumination of joy and all my desires ripen into fruits of love.

Rabindranath Tagore
Gitanjali, verse 73

  *                   *                     *

The best people possess a feeling for beauty, the courage to take risks, the discipline to tell the truth, the capacity for sacrifice. Ironically, their virtues make them vulnerable; they are often wounded, sometimes destroyed.

Ernest Hemingway

  *                   *                     *

Remorse - is Memory - awake -
Her Parties all astir -
A Presence of Departed Acts -
At window - and at Door -

It's Past - set down before the Soul
And lighted with a Match -
Perusal - to facilitate -
And help Belief to stretch -

Remorse is cureless - the Disease
Not even God - can heal -
For 'tis His institution - and
The Adequate of Hell -

Emily Dickinson
Remorse

     *                   *                    *

Mutton curry and mutton biryani in Calcutta always feature aloo in them.

The origin of this culinary practice is interesting.

Wajid Ali Shah, the last Nawab of Avadh was exiled to Calcutta where he lived with his royal retinue and harem (or what was left of them) on a pension from the British. Over time, the pension contracted somewhat, when keeping the entire royal household fed proved challenging for the cooks. The head cook after much consideration decreed that the 'water, air and climate of Calcutta' were such that 'taste and digestion were best benefited' when mutton was cooked with an equal portion of aloo.

From that day to this, a deposed King's izzat has been respected.

Food folklore


Tailpiece.

Had slept much after midnight because we were engrossed in a new episode of Crime Patrol. Despite that we got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Made an unsuccessful trip to the ATM nearby as it had gone off line.

It was a quiet day. 

The evolution of the 'Kathi Kabab Roll'.

The Royal Court of Avadh was famed for excellence in every sphere. The Nawab himself a gifted musician, was a discerning connoisseur of the performing arts, poetry, sword craft and a great patron of culinary excellence. Princes from kingdoms as far away as Persia were sent to Avadh for tutelage in 'nazaqat' - the acquisition of fine taste.

Avadhi cooking is very evolved and very intricate. The making of a certain kind of kebab (there are over a 100 varieties made in Lucknow even as of today) would demand a certain cut of mutton from a said variety of lamb, marinaded thus, spiced so, smoked for hours over a slow fire of a specified wood, all by a team of cooks under the eagle eye of the Royal Cook. The dish, of course, would be served (as is done to date) with an appropriate roti/paratha/naan/sheermal accompanied by the chutney or pickle thought best for the purpose.

The event is said to have occurred in the 18th century. The annual festival of the Royal Court was under way and artistes, performers and poets from across lands were gathered, displaying their talents and collecting their reward. The Royal kitchen was of course bustling with activity and the aroma of the epicurean delights they were cooking up was wafting into the Royal Court, increasingly distracting the young princes from the cultural feast they were being treated to. Finally, one of the princes (doubtless from some barbaric land) could take no more and he ran from the court and broke into the kitchen. This started a riot with the other princes following suit rushing to the kitchen, grabbing food from the vessels and gorging themselves while the Royal retinue watched, aghast.

The chief cook was the first to recover his wits; he ordered his cooks quickly into a line to hand out rotis/parathas with kebabs wrapped in them with a splash of chutney.

When the king entered the kitchen he found the riot well controlled and the cooks hard at work quickly dishing out meals 'to go'.

Legend has it that the king was so overcome by gratitude for the deft handling of the situation that he took off all the jewellery he was wearing and ordered it distributed among the kitchen staff for 'saving Avadh's izzat'.

And thus was born what is known as the Kathi Kabab Roll.

Source. Food folklore.


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Lekha is into the 'Ayodhya Kaandham', where King Dasaratha has passed away and Bharatha is preparing to inform Sri Ram about the mishap.

Bibin of the PCI had come by, to carry out the quarterly servicing of the house with sprays and pastes. Have also renewed the AMC.

PS.
51 years back, it was on this day that American astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Aldrin had landed on the Moon, at the Sea of Tranquility. The third astronaut, Michael Collins was circling the moon in the Command Module all the while! And I was in class IX at the Sainik School, Kazhakootam.      

The Parable of the Coffee Bottle.

A young couple had neighbours who were senior citizens, the husband 80 years old and the wife about 5 years younger. The young couple were very fond of the elderly couple and made it a point to visit them and have coffee with them every Sunday.

They observed that the old lady would bring the coffee bottle to her husband to be opened every time. The thoughtful young man gifted the lady a gadget, without her husband's knowledge, to easily open the bottle and showed her how to use it.

On their next visit, the old lady once again brought the bottle for her husband to open! The young couple was amazed. Had she forgotten about the gadget?1

When the opportunity arose to be alone with the old lady, they quizzed her about this. Her reply made them speechless.......

She said, "Oh, I can open the bottle myself, even without your gadget! But I get him to open it so he feels he is still stronger than I am and thus the man of our home.......that he remains useful to me as always; that I still depend on him; that togetherness is the main ingredient of any marriage........we don't have many more years of life in us and togetherness is of utmost importance........"

Never underestimate the wisdom of the elderly. Their presence should be looked upon as a blessing.

Source. What'sApp.

    *                      *                       *

Convert to Islam or get ready to die and face Allah's wrath : ISIS threatens nationalist Janam
TV

As per reports, Janam TV has seen a drastic rise in TRP ratings and now features in top five Malayalam news channels in the state. The said channel provides a nationalist perspective in Kerala which is dominated by the far-left media.

The Islamic State (ISIS) has reportedly threatened to deface the offices of the nationalist Kerala-based channel, Janam TV. Besides, it threatened to kill all employees working at the said channel. In light of the threats given by the terrorist outfit, state police chief Loknath Behra has ordered the police department to enhance the security at the offices of Janam TV.

The Kerala unit of the ISIS has reportedly sent threats to the channel over Instagram. The terror outfit intimidated the employees of the channel to convert to Islam or get exterminated. "Mujahideen's message to Janam TV! We invite you to convert to Islam or else get ready to say goodbye to the world and face Allah's wrath and punishment".

Source. OpIndia.


Tailpiece.

Got up a trifle later than the usual time, though Lekha had kept the alarm for a half past 5. The chores and we were ready by a half past 7. Today is the first New Moon day of the month of Karkkidakam when Malayalis offer the 'Bali Tharpanam' to all the departed of the family.

Lekha had prepared the rice and we'd placed the four balls of rice, as offering, on a banana leaf and clapped our wet hands to attract the crows. However, there wasn't any sign of even a single crow in the vicinity and after waiting for a couple of hours, the offering was shifted to the base of the coconut tree at the north west corner of the courtyard. Wonder whether the souls weren't happy with our offering? 

The game of "Snakes and Ladders".

The 13th century poet saint, Gyandev created a children's game called 'Moksha Patam'. The British later named it Snakes and Ladders and diluted the entire knowledge - instead of the original Moksha Patam.

In the original one hundred square game board, the 12th square was faith, the 51st square was reliability, the 57th square was generosity, the 76th square was knowledge and the 78th square was asceticism. These were the squares where the ladders were found and one could move ahead faster.

The 41st square was for disobedience, the 44th square for arrogance, the 49th square for vulgarity, the 52nd square for theft, the 58th square for lying, the 62nd square for drunkenness, the 69th square for debt, the 73rd square for murder, the 84th square for anger, the 92nd square for greed, the 95th  square for pride and the 99th square for lust. These were the squares where the snake waited with its mouth open.

The 100th square represented Nirvana or Moksha.

   *                       *                          *

Born to Fly : The Heroic Story of Downed US Navy Pilot Lt Shane Osborne

From the age of three, Shane Osborne dreamed of being a pilot. He began learning the skills he would need to fly as a member of the Civil Air Patrol, a branch of the US Air Force, when he was just twelve years old. But it wasn't until he graduated from the naval ROTC program at the University of Nebraska and joined the navy that his dream became a reality. For five years, Osborne practiced rigorous training exercises, working tirelessly day in and day out until he advanced from navy pilot to mission commander.

All his flying skills were put to test when a Chinese F-8 II fighter jet collided with his EP-3E ARIES II plane during a US surveillance mission through international airspace. The impact severely damaged Osborne's aircraft, sending it plummeting toward the ocean. With almost certain disaster looming, Osborne managed to gain control of the crippled plane and land it safely on the Chinese island of Hainan saving the lives of his twenty three crew members.

He survived interrogation and imprisonment by the Chinese. He inspired his crew to get through their ordeal and came out a hero to all.

   *                         *                          8

An interesting question

Who wins a girl's heart easily?

* Funny Guy.
* Rich Guy.
* Handsome Guy.
* Romantic Guy.


Tailpiece.

Got up as usual, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Since it was bright and sunny, carried out washing machinex of the bed linen. Spoke to the entire KK Nair-Chandramathykutty Amma family over a con call, in the evening.

The Grand Finale of the 25th PN Panicker Reading Month Activities.

Prologue 

Maman and I'd discussed elaborate plans for the commemoration of the 25th Remembrance Day/Year of PN Panicker. Accordingly, a yatra by us was planned, this time, from Manjeswaram (the north) to Parassala (the south), timed to finish by 01 Mar, Muthachhan's 111th birthday. The unveiling of Muthachhan's statue followed by the Reading Day/Reading Month activities commencing 19 Jun was also carefully put down.

And then came the pandemic, upsetting our entire plan like a pack of cards. Maman was distraught and we used to speak many-a-time in a day, sharing our apprehensions. I used to tell Maman - I normally do this when things don't move as planned - that Muthachhan would, surely, show us the way at the appropriate time. And he did! We, for the first time, discussed about going in for a digital format to conform to the requirement of social distancing and the inevitability of not having a huge audience - the tell tale aspect of the Reading Day/Reading Month activities having become a people's movement!

And Maman went about in a meticulous manner through the Foundation's contacts, all over India, to put our thoughts into a workable format!

Epilogue   

The closing ceremony of the 25th Reading Month Activities - 2020 was presided over by Sri Arif Mohammed Khan, the Honourable Governor of Kerala, at a digital function held in the Raj Bhavan, at Thiruvananthapuram, today, between 1700 and 1800 hrs.

The ceremony also saw the end of our apprehensions that we had - just prior to the commencement of the activities on 19 Jun, about making the Reading Month a success - in these times of severe lock down and restrictions in the movement/assembling of people. Since the Reading Day/Month activities is a people's movement, our efforts to configure the entire programme into a digital format bore fruition and it enhanced the footprints of the PN Panicker Foundation pan-India, as we had access into the remotest corners of India. The Niti Aayog and the National Digital Library of India(NDLI) gave us

The chief minister had kick started the activities through a digital function, at his office in Thiruvananthapuram, on 19 Jun at 1500 hrs.

A total of 24 webinars were organised during the month long period, the details of which are appended below :-

(a) Democracy and Peaceful Life                           
      Prof PJ Kurien, Former Deputy Chairman, Rajya Sabha.
(b) Problems and Prospects of Online Education   
      Sri MA Baby, Former Education Minister, Government of Kerala.
(c) New Education Policy of India                         
      Sri. Kummanam Rajasekharan, Former Governor of Mizoram.
(d) Higher Education : A Different Thought           
      Dr KT Jaleel, Minister for Higher Education, Government of Kerala.
(e) Evolution and Growth of National Reading Month Celebrations     
      Sri K Jayakumar, IAS, Director, Institute of        Management.
(f) Creation of Learning Materials Using The NDLI       
     Dr PP Chakraborty, Principal Investigator NDLI
(g) Policy Approach for Environmental Protection and Management
      Dr Afroz Ahmad, Advisor, Government of Maharashtra.               
(h) Competency based Education System to Build Citizens for 21st Century.           
      Sri Manoj Ahuja, IAS, Chairman, CBSE.
(j)  Universalization of Education                           
      Sri N Balagopal, Vice Chairman, PN Panicker Foundation.
(k) Impact of Covid-19 on School Education         
      Dr Prem Singh, IAS, Advisor, NITI Aayog.
(l)  Covid-19 and Digital Libraries                         
      Prof Parta Pratim Das, Joint Principal Investigator NDLI.
(m)The Role of Academic Libraries in the Promotion of Reading Habits           
      Dr Basheerhamad Shadrach, Advisor , Skills, Commonwealth of Learning.
(n) Copyrights Law and Digital Libraries             
      Prof Prabuddha Ganguli, Co-Principal Investigator, NDLI.
(p) Digital Reconstruction of Temples                   
      Prof Sambit Datta, Visiting Professor, Curtin University, Australia
(q) NDLI in Indian Languages                               
      Dr PK Bhowmick, Co-Principal Investigator, NDLI.
(r) Importance of Reading for the Nation's Children During Pandemic
     Dr Geeta Malhotra, Country Director, Read India, New Delhi.
(s) Hygiene and Health of School Going Children             
     Dr Pankaj Kumar Srivastava, Founder, Janus Initiatives.
(t)  Financial Education for Children
      Dr KP Vijaya Kumar, Former Professor of Library Science, Kerala University.
(u) NDLI User Awareness Session                     
      Dr Vignesh Sornamohan, Chief Strategic and Outreach Officer, NDLI.
(v) Library Enhances Reading Habits                     
      Dr V Padmavathy, HoD, Hindi, PSGR Krishnammal College for Women.
(w)Stories from India                                             
      Sri Vikram Sridhar, Story Teller.
(x) New Dimensions in Education                         
      Sri BS Bhasi, Chairman, Universal Edutec Campus, Tvpm.
(y) Lock down and Its Implications on Mental Health     
      Dr KR Priya, Consultant, Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare.
(z) Preservation of Manuscripts and Books Post Covid-19           
      Dr P Perumal, State Co-ordinator, Tamilnadu Manuscripts Mission.

The results of a number of online competitions and activities which were organised for children across different age groups, during the period, were announced on the occasion and the comprehensive list will be published on the Foundation's website by Monday, the 20th.


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Suma did a fantastic job of clearing up the backyard of all coconut husk and shells. She's a hard worker, all right and God bless her!

Participated in the evening's webinar.

A fact or fiction?

Why China withdrew from Ladakh?

The day of 05 Jul was very important because the coalition of China, Pakistan and Iran had made full preparations to attack India. The date was fixed that under the policy of simultaneous attack, the Pakistani Army was to attack Kashmir. Chinese soldiers had reached Pakistan to help the Pak army.

But the Indian Intelligence Agency (RAW), the CIA and the Mossad were also fully aware of this plan. Consequently, the entire preparation of the Indian Army was also complete. Therefore, before 05 Jul, Modi reached Ladakh and gave a free hand to the Army to tackle situations and also warned China against expansionism.

Before any action could have taken place, Israel launched a blitzkrieg on Iran early in the morning of 05 Jul and destroyed all of that country's weapons that were a threat to it. This attack was brought about by Modi's diplomacy.

On the other hand, Pak military officers refused to attack Kashmir because the fleet of Indian submarines had reached close to Karachi and the message was conveyed to Pakistan that if attacked, India will attack from several sides simultaneously, which was not factored by Pakistan at all.

Modi had already taken the US, Japan, Australia, France and Russia into confidence. The US warships were already deployed in the South China Sea.

In a hurry, China tried to negotiate.

Ajit Doval (NSA to the PM) took charge of the talks this time.

Xi Jinping wanted to talk to Modi, but the latter refused to talk, that is why China's foreign minister was forced to talk to Doval. While Doval's status is below that of the foreign minister, China was forced to drink this ghoul of insult.

Doval presented the foreign minister of China a blue print of 05 Jul of China, Iran and Pakistan's collective attack, which embarrassed China to come to the point of "Hindi Chini Bhai Bhai" and agreed to withdraw their army, with a promise nit to attack in future.

Pak military was angry with China because it was leaving Pakistan alone and the opposition in India was angry as to why we had reduced tensions with China, why did we not go to war?

The latest situation on the ground.

A Chinese build up at the Hotan airfield in Tibet?


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. It was yet another wet day! Attended the webinar between 1100 and 1200 hrs on "The New Education Policy of India", by Sri Kummanam Rajasekharan, former Governor of Mizoram.

Also took part in the webinar between 1700 and 1800 hrs on "Preservation of Manuscripts and Books post COVID-19", by Dr P Perumal, State Co-ordinator, Tamilnadu Manuscripts Mission.

Karkkidakam Onnu.

Today is the first day of the Malayalam month of Karkkidakam. It's also known as the 'Ramayana maasam' as the epic would be recited in all the Hindu households, across the state. The monsoon would be passing on its fury and most of the folks tend to remain within their homes. The patriarch ensures that everyone is at hand to hear the 'lady of the house' recite the sacred book. It was from there that the tradition was set!

Lekha had got up at a half past 5 to ensure that she would not be delayed in carrying out her chores. The book, enclosed in a special jacket, was brought out yesterday and as custom dictates, Lekha had read a few lines from the start (One doesn't begin the recital on the first day of Karkkidakam). It was a thoroughly wet day - as the rain had continued through the night - and Lekha had commenced her recital around a quarter past 7. And the hymns of Rama and Sita wafted from the home theatre..

   *                   *                  *

Went about my usual chores and when I was at it, the replacement LPG cylinder was brought in. Am impressed by two things regarding the delivery process :-

     (a) The replenishment reaches the consumer within 24 hrs of the booking.
     (b) The delivery boys collect the cost of the gas cylinder and do not insist on tips. That's optional
           for the consumer to give.

It has taken a while for the system to stabilise and become reasonable and efficient.

   *                   *                   *

I, almost, got swindled today. Around a half past 12, there was a call, for me, on our landline - how did they get this number, I wonder - from the provident fund office. A lady, by the name of Mahira Sharma, told me that I was entitled to a sum of Rs.3,50,500/- being the arrears of my provident fund. I was taken aback because I was fairly sure that I wasn't entitled to any such thing as it was settled a long while back. She passed me my 'file number and a PIN' but wouldn't answer to my query as to why I wasn't being sent an official mail/e-mail on the subject. And then said that she'd dump it if I wasn't interested because all that she was doing was to try and help me out!

I made a mistake of passing on my cellphone number, upon her insistence, that messages were required to be sent to me. She, then, said that she was clearing my file and her superior would be calling me up. And sure enough, about half an hour later, another lady in the form of Sanjana Singh called up to say that she was approving my payment.

My insistence for their telephone number and address seemed to discourage them and I'd put the receiver back on the cradle to cut the call.

I'd received messages, earlier, from friends in New Delhi about a racket where the callers take the personal bank account details and connected information, to swindle the hapless individual off his/her precious and hard earned money. Anyways, I shall have a check on this incident so that I can give some positive leads to the police for tracking down the swindlers!

     *                    *                    *

Today's webinar was on "NDLI in Indian Languages" by Dr Plaban Kumar Bhowmick, Co-principal investigator, NDLI between 1500 and 1600 hrs. It was a nicely constructed lecture, supported by informative slides, as the professor harped on the three pillars on which the system is based viz., Interface, Search and Content!

      *                    *                    *

Lekha went through the evening recital of the Ramayana. It was pouring outside; I've heard of the first of Karkkidakam being a wet day, usually....today I witnessed it after a long while!

      *                    *                    *

I'd called up Salini teacher - of the government school at Neelamperoor - and congratulated her for the beautiful documentary she has made on my grandfather on What'sApp. Tautly edited, without losing its essence, the visual experience was great.


Tailpiece.

A quiet day, otherwise!   

Mars, we are coming!

Three nations are launching separate spacecraft to Mars, this week.

Three countries viz. the United States, China and the UAE are sending unmanned spacecraft to the red planet in quick succession, beginning this week. The effort is to seek signs of ancient microscopic life while scouting out the place for future astronauts or should I say, spacemen? China and the UAE are looking to join the elite club.

The US is dispatching a six-wheeled rover the size of a car, named Perseverance, to collect rock samples that will be brought back to Earth, for analysis, in about a decade.

The UAE spacecraft is named Amal, which is Arabic for 'hope'.

China readies Tianwen-1 Mars rover to blast off from Hainan island, off China's south coast.

Each spacecraft will travel 483 million kilometers before reaching Mars next February. It takes six to seven months, at the minimum, for a spacecraft to loop out beyond Earth's orbit and sync up with Mars' more distant orbit around the sun.

Scientists want to know what Mars was like billions of years ago when it had rivers, lakes and oceans that may have allowed simple, tiny organisms to flourish before the planet morphed into the barren, wintry desert world it is today.

The three nearly simultaneous launches are no coincidence : The timing is dictated by the opening of a one-month window in which Mars and Earth are in ideal alignment on the same side of the sun, which minimizes travel time and fuel use. Such a window opens only once every 26 months.

Mars has long exerted a powerful hold on the imagination but has proved to be the graveyard for numerous missions. Spacecraft have blown up, burned up or crash-landed, with the casualty rateover the decades exceeding 50%. China's last attempt in collaboration with Russia in 2011, ended in failure.

Only the US has successfully put a spacecraft on Mars, doing it eight times, beginning with the twin Vikings in 1976. Two NASA landers - InSight and Curiosity - are operating there. Six other spacecraft are exploring the planet from orbit : three US, two European and one from India.



Tailpiece.

Got up almost half an hour late, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Went about my usual activities for the day.

Participated in the webinar "Creation of Learning Materials Using the NDLI", between 1800 and 1900 hrs and the guest was Prof Partha Pratim Chakrabarti, former Director of IIT, Kharagpur. It was quite informative.  

Ranchoddas Rabari.

In 2008, Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw was admitted in the Military Hospital, Wellington. He often kept taking a name Pagi - Pagi - in his ill-health and semi conscious state. The doctors asked one day, "Sir, who is this Pagi?"

This is based on what Sam Manekshaw had himself narrated........

In 1971, India had won the war. Then, General Manekshaw was in Dhaka and ordered that Pagi be invited for dinner that day. A chopper was sent. While boarding the chopper, a bag belonging to Pagi remained left on the ground and the chopper was turned back to pick it up. The officers opened the bag before placing it in the helicopter as per the rules and were stunned because it had two rotis, onions and a dish of gram flour (Gathiya). One half of the meal was eaten by Sam Sahab and the other by Pagi, for dinner.

A border post of Suigaon at the International Border region of North Gujarat was named Ranchoddas post. This was the first time that an army post was named after a common man as well as a statue of his installed.

Pagi means 'guide', the person who shows the way in the desert. Ranchoddas Rabari was affectionately called Pagi by General Sam Manekshaw.

Ranchoddas of Pathapur Gathras, a village bordering Pakistan in Banaskantha district of Gujarat was where he used to rear sheep, goat and camel. Life changed at the age of 58, he was appointed the police guide by the Banaskantha Superintendent of Police, Vanraj Singh Jhala.

The guide's skill was such that after seeing the footprints of the camel, he used to tell how many men are riding on it. By looking at the footprints of humans, he used to guess their weight, their age and how far they must have gone. His estimations had the exactness of a computer analysis.

In the beginning of 1965 war, Pakistan Army captured Vidhkot in Kutch border in Gujarat. In this encounter, about 100 Indian soldiers were killed. A 10,000 man Indian Army contingent was mobilised and had to reach Chharkot in three days. The need for Ranchoddas Pagi was felt for the first time by the army. Due to his grip on the desert paths, he guided the army to the destination 12 hours before the scheduled time. He was personally chosen by Sam Sahab  to guide the army and a special post was created in the army 'Pagi' ie. the person with the knowledge of feet.

The location and approximate number of 1,200 Pakistani soldiers hiding at the Indian border was revealed based only by their footprints and that was enough for the Indian Army to win that front.

Along with the guidance of the army in the 1971 war, getting ammunition to the front was also part of Pagi's work. Pagi's role was important in the victory of the Indian tricolour on the Palinagar city of Pakistan. Sam Sahab himself gave a cash prize of Rs.300/- from his own pocket.

Pagi also received three honours for his contribution in the '65 and '71 wars - Sangram Medal, Police Medal and Summer Service Medal!

Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw died on 27 Jun 2008 and in 2009 Pagi also took 'voluntary retirement' from the army. Pagi was 108 years old then! Yes, you read it right.....'voluntary retirement' at the age of 108! Pagi died in 2013 at the age of 112.

Even today, his exploits are a part of Gujarati folk songs. His gallant saga will be sung for ages. Ranchoddas Rabari ie. our 'Pagi' has become immortalized forever in Indian military history due to his patriotism, valour, bravery, sacrifice, dedication and decency.


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Went about my normal work schedule these days and attended the webinar by the Foundation's friend, the Lucknow-based-cardiologist, Dr Pankaj Srivastava, on "Health of School Going Children", between 1600 and 1700 hrs.  

Leadership must exhibit a firm spine (2).

.........contd

The horrific privations of the families of fallen heroes.

My little child's eyes watch as army officers, state government representatives all descend on the villages and homes of these warriors. 'Wow, isn't that army truck looking lovely with flowers?' Such is how children caught in the moment think. They do not have any idea of what lies ahead. They know nothing about white clothes their mothers will be made to wear; maybe cut her hair, as mine had done; or the smiles and joy that had forever been burnt in those flames that I see now, mercilessly licking away at their dad's remains.

I never saw my dad again. We never saw his body. I never saw any of those uniformed people or the sympathetic hordes at our doorstep. Yes, it is now a long-forgotten debacle. Nothing was what it is like today. We live in a replaced generation to whom only Kargil smells of war.

While I am deeply grateful that mothers, wives, sisters and children now are well cared for and looked after, I often find myself wonder what wrong we did. Did my mother make a mistake in marrying a soldier who was being led by the nose by faulty political promises and the policies of Nehru, Krishna Menon and BM Kaul? My father went to battle in cotton shirts and tarpaulin boots. He fought on frozen heights, under clothed, underfed and under provided for. Today, I am glad to see our boys are well-kitted to withstand cold and are adequately looked after. If god forbid, they fall in battle, their families are well provided for. It was not so when I was a child. I do have faint recollections of growing up wearing only 2 dresses and torn shoes, as the government of the word 'widows' for them.

Those were times when men joined the army for 'izzat and namak' and to serve their nation. As a continuing tradition from the Raj, the profession of soldiering had an innate grace, pride and meaning attached to it. It was not a meal ticket. But India was just finding its feet and there were no policies or budgetary provisions for calamities like the Sino-Indian war. That is my reading. Today we have a policy for the 'veer naris', their children and veterans. I feel contended that at least they will not have to beg for their meals, like we did.

I married a soldier and saw the life of a defence services wife from very close quarters. I experienced the chaos and the fear yet again during the '71, '87 and '99 conflicts. I was afraid of sitting on black trunks again on some roadside kerb, in some cantonment, not knowing where to go or how to get the next meal  for my kids. I had seen my mother go through all this. One day saw my mother, me and my sister sitting on black trunks in the pouring rain, having been ousted from homes of relatives. A generous man, passing by, took us home and I still remember Mr and Mrs Khanna in my prayers. They were strangers, but perhaps god some plan in his mind. In those days, post the 1962 war, the army was small and there was nothing called a 'field area' or family accommodation, or any accommodation to speak of. One lived in relics of the British Raj. We lived in soldiers' barracks in Mhow and cantonments were not at all well equipped. The three of us were persona non grata to the government of India. If it had not been for the Indian Army, friends of my father and my father's regiment, the Rajput Regiment, who took care of our small material needs, we would not have been better off than, metaphorically speaking, the torn survivors of the Holocaust.

Since my mother was educated, she got a job and brought us up with as much dignity and grace she could manage. Money was scarce. I remember once living in a room of an under-construction building generously offered by the contractor. It had no doors or windows. He gave us door planks to sleep on. We put some bricks , placed the doors on it and slept on it. Mercifully, such is not the case anymore and I am happy for it. The ladies are looked after from day one. Pensions are adequate and children, too, are looked after. This having been said, by no means can lives of our men be given away cheaply.

Yet, why is there war at all? Armchair strategists keep teaching everyone on social platforms as to how to fight the war. There is frenzied rhetoric and media build up on how, where and why the blood of our boys, my godsons, must be spilt. People whip themselves into a frenzyably assisted by the media and misguided missiles of the political and military fraternity. Most of them have either no knowledge of the ground situation  because they are politicians and not strategists; the rest are long retired and are way behind times regarding actual ground situations. I ask them, when you were able, in uniform and in power, why did you not do something to repair situation? There are only a handful of people who give their considered opinion, derived from knowledge and good sense.

To people like me, who have seen too much bloodshed and too much pain, we hate the thought of war. I am a patriot and I love my country. I will give my life, too, for my country if the right reasons arise. All I ask is for the protection of the backs of our soldiers. I ask the nation to unite and care for the morale of our soldiers. I ask for material, financial and moral support for our soldiers and families and I ask for the political and military leadership to display a firm spine.....so that families like mine have better stories to tell. Is it asking for too much?

                                            Concluded.

- Neeharika Naidu. (Her husband, Lt Gen Milan Naidu, PVSM, AVSM, YSM retired as the Vice
  Chief of the Indian Army. I was a member of the apex body that took decisions on training - the
  JTC - in respect of the defence forces, while he was heading it, during the early '90s!).



Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. Suma came late as there was a death in her family.

Participated in the webinar on "Copyrights Law and Digital Libraries" by Prof Prabuddha Ganguli from Bombay. It was enlightening.     

Leadership must exhibit a firm spine (1).

The horrific privations of the families of fallen heroes.

Time stood still for me on 24 Nov 1962. My father, Lt Col Brahmanand Avasthy, commanding officer of 4 Rajput, was leading a part of his battalion back to base after the ceasefire in the Sino-Indian war was announced. The Chinese, devious as always, laid an ambush and massacred the column of approximately 200 men. The Indians fought bravely to the last man and last round. Hand-to-hand fighting followed and grossly outnumbered, they lay down their lives. Their bravery in battle has gone down in the annals of history. The Chinese dug a common grave and threw the bodies there. They gave my father the dignity of rolling him in a blanket and put a mess tin with an inscription : "Commanding Officer. He fought like a TIGER". from his pocket was found a blood-soaked letter to my mother. Most of his letters written to us arrived home months after he died, with his sparse material objects......uniforms, the last civvies he wore and his medals. He had kept letters written by us in his pocket. Maybe his last thoughts were of his wife and his two little girls. Who knows? But I do know that as a soldier he must have wanted to achieve victory for his nation till his last desperate breath.

The local Lamas of a nearby monastery were witness to the battle. Another witness, a young villager then, still lives there. He tells us stories of the valiant fight my father and his unit put up against the Chinese, who lay in ambush. Till today, there is an annual fair held at the site. People come and pray to the "Tiger" of La Gyala Gompa, Morshing village, Arunachal Pradesh, as he began to be called. Later, the army built a memorial at the spot and I could visit it. No doubt, the memory of my father makes us proud daughters. But children like us want an answer to the question : Why?

I must make it clear that amidst this cacophony of varying views, some provocative, some middle-line, some openly aggressive, I speak just as a wife, mother or a godmother. I do not speak for the thousands of those in uniform who I feel are also my family-members. They are promised to this country, for war or peace. But I and thousands of mothers, daughters and sisters like me will agree that all we want is the safety of our men. If a drop of their blood spills, it kills something inside us. There are perhaps no answers to the question : What will we gain by war. If war is inevitable, the forces should be made capable of victory, like in 1971. The soldiers are ready for everything in war or peace, but their hands should be fortified by powers that be. Their sacrifice should not go in vain.

Maybe I will get a lot of flak from armchair patriots. But has anyone given a thought to the families of the Pulwama casualties after a month of their deaths? After the initial hysteria dies down, all those men are forgotten. The women and children are forgotten and consigned to the lives of loneliness and struggle. This is a bitter truth. Every other day, our boys die in various sectors. Does anyone even try to reach out to their families? A bit of cluck-clucking on social media and their job is done. My mother was looked after by the army and our friends, not the government. It pains me to say this, but it is the truth. Every country fights for its sovereignty. I proudly subscribe to that, but I don't condone sacrifices in vain.

I do hear and read on social media and from some heartless politicians that soldiers are paid to die. I throw the gauntlet to all here. Take what you want, but go stay a few months on Bana Post on Siachen Glacier and protect India. The soldiers who do their duty uncomplainingly need a united heart of this country that beats for them.

Post 1962, people playing tambola would say, "6 and 2 - 62, Chinese aggression". For me, it was not only an invasion, it was the annihilation of my life, the life of my mother and that of my little kid sister, who was all of 5. A few days ago, I saw the picture of Col Santosh Babu's young son salute fis father's lifeless body, draped in the tricolour and memories flooded my mind's eye. China remains the perpetrator and young children are still thrown into trauma. Their fathers will always stay in their veins, alive in the tales of valour. But what is going to happen to those lonely days, those nights filled with fear? This feeling of cold dread grips my heart when I see video grabs of the Galwan battle casualties - young Satnam Singh, newly married Sepoy Ankur, Havildar Palani's bodies arriving to weeping, wailing mothers, wives and sisters. I see myself standing, a little lost child, not really understanding what's going on. "Where is my dad? This can't be my dad who I sent to war, waving and smiling, telling me that next month he shall be back and buy me my new frock and the doll I wanted so much!"

.......to be continued.



Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. The day was sunny most of the time punctuated with a few spells of rain. Participated in the webinar between 4 and 5, in the evening, about 'Policy for Environment Protection' by Afroz Ahmad saab.      

For all the abandoned dogs.......

Guest at the gate : Bruno

It was monsoon night, around eight
I heard a 'Ddhap' sound on the gate
Was a bit unusual,
Can't be man,
May be some animal
Scared inside, made myself to find
Saw a hungry and sickly dog,
behind
Opened the gate and got him to shed
Offered some milk and bread.

He wagged his tail and done with
the meal
Expression in his eyes were easy to
feel
He sneaked to the corner, slept for
night
Next few weeks, he was out of sight

One winter day, he rushed into my
garage
Scared to death and deprived of
courage
Chased and attacked, by a pack of
mongrels
Was also beaten-up by some idiot
scoundrels

He had bite wounds, skin torn and
bleeding
Looked at me shivering, limping
and pleading
We gave him shelter and some food
Put one blanket, to make him feel
good

He was skimpy and eyes were
sunken
Scared out of wits and terror
stricken
Someone told me,
He was abandoned by his master
For poor fellow,
My garage became his shelter

Dogs were not allowed in our home,
but nevertheless,
My wife reserved an ear for
needy and helpless
We bathe him next day, dressed his
cuts,
Nursed his wounds and filled his
guts.
In few days,
He regained his confidence
Retrieved his prudence
Looking healthy and happy
Playful and Naughty
Became centre of our attention
A topic for family to have everyday
discussion
We started missing him,
when he use to go out of sight
Quite often he became
a cause of our fight
No one realised,
when we started loving him
No one realised,
When he became a comrade of our
team

Once, a Guest at the gate,
Now, Mr Bruno is Host at the door

- Col Vasant Ballewar.

My Take

Was reminded of our own Bruno, a chestnut-brown Dobermann, who was with us from 1992, when he was brought in as a pup from Lekha's uncle at Bangalore, till his passing away in 2003.


Tailpiece

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. The Pure Flames reps had come in to service the stove but since a burner requires to be changed, they'd taken its photos to return with a new one, sometime next week. So, that work has also been taken up and should get to its logical conclusion soon.

Remembering Muthachhan.

The Reading Month activities are on in full swing. This afternoon I'd participated in the webinar, chaired by the head of the CBSE, which was nice.

Today also happens to be Muthachhan's Remembrance Day as per the Malayalam calendar. He'd passed into the mist of time, 25 years ago, on the Malayalam star of 'Poorooruttaathi'. Since crows are very scarce in this part of Guruvayur, I had refrained from placing the offering of cooked rice. This was because, last year when I'd done it, no crow fetched up and I felt bad that my offering had remained untouched. Probably, the departed soul was not amused for some reason or the other and it had manifested in a situation where the crows studiously stayed away!

Thought about Muthachhan intensely soon after lighting the lamp, early in the morning. Again paused for a while at 1913 hrs, the exact time at which he'd breathed his last. It was a quick rewind of those halcyon days with Muthachhan and Ammachi in that ever happy joint family!

     *                   *                      *

Lekha had gone to the ration shop to collect the rations available on her card, today, just before lunchtime. Suma had accompanied her and Suraaj, with his auto rickshaw, was in attendance. It was for the first time that she has used her card, after its issue and we thanked Suma, yet again, for having made it possible. The government's 'one India - one ration card' programme needs to be lauded and the porosity, long associated with the ration issue and the public distribution system seem to have been effectively plugged by the introduction of biometric identification! And mind you, the quality of the rations is good and that, too, at quite low costs!!

     *                    *                      *

Ramesh, the gardener and his assistant, the shy youngster, Appu had come in to trim the grass and clear the weeds. The potted plants were individually trimmed and treated with the 'slurry' got from our compost waste dispenser. It has been done, midway through the monsoon.

      *                   *                      *

Some time, late in the afternoon, one of the women executives of the ICICI bank had called up to say that I hadn't cleared my credit card dues for Jun. I was incensed because I'd cleared it through my niece's account in that bank and had got the acknowledgement receipt in my mail, 9 days back. I hate people who do not do their homework and the young lady was conveyed my annoyance in no uncertain terms. She must have realised her mistake because she quickly hung up.

      *                    *                     *

Today's new cases of Covid, in the state, have crossed 400, for the first time and the spread seems to be crossing limits. The cynic in me believes that we've already reached the point of community spread, though the government is yet to announce it. Restrictions in movement have been clamped by the police; consequently, my next visit to the dentist has become the biggest casualty!

      *                    *                      *

The overnight rain carried on for most part of the forenoon but by afternoon, it was bright and sunny. I was worried that it would play spoilsport during my news viewing time at 2100 hrs but thankfully, it had held around that time. Phew!



Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. A quiet day otherwise.


    

Round 2 of Ajit Doval's Talks with China.

Government sources said army patrolling in the contested Finger Area near Ladakh's Pangong Tso will resume once tensions subside. NSA Ajit Doval last held a telephonic conversation with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi on Sunday.

With a mutual withdrawal in three flash point areas of Ladakh complete, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval will be leading talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi for the second time in a week in efforts to scale down the tension between the two neighbours over the Line of Actual Control.

The first round of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination or WMCC on 05 Jul had triggered the disengagement which has been completed on mutually agreed on terms and now India will focus on dismantling structures, restoring ridge lines and restoring status quo ante, sources said.

With cautious optimism, we would be moving forward and would be reviewing the overall progress made on ground", a senior officer said.

According to the latest reports with the central government, the initial disengagement has been completed at Galwan, Gogra and Hot Springs areas.

Thinning out is currently in progress at the Pangong Tso Lake area.

"It was a difficult situation as we did not have anything to counter bargain. But India defended its stance and good news is China seems to have relented", a senior bureaucrat said.

The thinning out of Chinese soldiers is, however, the slowest around the fourth stand off point - the Finger Area on the north bank of Ladakh's Pangong Tso, the salt water glacial lake spread across 700 sq km, where the Chinese had reportedly set up bunkers and observation posts.

According to the government official, with no fixed border near Pangong Tso, Indian troops used to go till Finger 8 to patrol. "Patrolling has been stopped for the time being but would be restored as things cool off. We will physically verify each of our points", he added.

The Finger Area - a set of eight cliffs overlooking the lake - was one of the areas where Chinese intrusions were reported since April, dramatically raising tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours.

In the worst clash between the two countries in nearly half a century, troops fought for hours with rods and clubs on 15 Jun, leading to casualties on both sides, including the martyrdom of 20 Indian soldiers. 

- Neeta Sharma.


Tailpiece.

Got up on the dot, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. It was a quiet day though wet. Attended the webinar and the guest was Sri MA Baby, the member of the politburo of the CPM.

India, Kerala and Covid.

India and China begin disengaging

Two things bear heavily on my mind which are:-

    (a) 97 days after the Chinese troops had pulled out from the Galwan Valley in Ladakh did it
          embark on the Sino-Indian conflict of 1962.
    (b) Are the Chinese following the 'two steps forward and a step backward' policy in their
          withdrawals from their offensive positions taken in the months of May, June? 

The Chinese should never be believed and the fundamental aspect in the context of international
relationships between countries, it's permanent interests that matter. Make no mistake on that!

The nations around the world - as I'd stated earlier on this forum - seem to have acquired a sudden strength - the timidity has been shed off - to take actions against China and pronounce them loudly. The Tibetans, the world over, has attained an energy as they sense that something positive could come about, in the form of recognition of their long standing aspirations of an independent Tibet as their permanent home and a free and fair government under the benevolent directions of the Dalai Lama is soon gonna be a reality.

India should continue with the sanctions taken against China and be the rallying point for the rest of the world to turn hostile international opinion against that country, to bring it down to its knees and defang its aspirations to become a superpower. It has to implode with the weight of its own inconsistencies and the nastiness to subdue another country, by being a bully.

Kerala government struggling with an illegal gold haul

The Kerala chief minister's office came under the scanner this Monday, after it came to light that Swapna Suresh, the prime suspect in the attempt to smuggle 30 kg gold in a diplomatic consignment addressed to the Consulate General through the Thiruvananthapuram airport. The following facts are discernible :-

   (a) The Customs Department is pretty sure that this activity was not the first incident.
   (b) Swapna Suresh is a XII class pass and was employed with the Space Park that comes under the
         IT department, headed by none other than the chief minister.
   (c) The IT secretary, M Sivasankar, a close associate of the chief minister had appointed her as the
         Liaison Officer of the park. He has since been sacked!
   (d) She'd faced a Crime Branch probe in a fake sexual harassment case that she'd lodged against
         an Air India superior - where she was working before joining the UAE consulate. From the
         consulate she had wormed her way to the Space park and seems to have been in close
         proximity with many bigwigs of the government.

The chief minister had turned up at his usual press conference yesterday evening and decried the opposition and the media in raking up a case that's not there. He'd said that he doesn't know Swapna Suresh and advised the media that they must ascertain the truth of the matter before embarking on any allegations against his government.

My take.

Five years back, when Saritha and the solar case was swamping the previous chief minister, Oommen Chandy, one of the first politicians to embark on tarnishing his predecessor's image was the present chief minister even before ascertaining the veracity of the allegations! His appeal, yesterday evening, has brought him a full circle to face the music. Incidentally, the solar case had finally turned out to be a non starter, clearing the former chief minister!

Every other politician has been quick to embark on hurling allegations at Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and the only one, who is conspicuous by his absence in the mudslinging is Oommen Chandy
himself. He could have easily joined in the melee but being the thorough gentleman that he is, has refrained from it.

Incidentally, Swapna Suresh has gone underground and is not traceable! She is rumoured to have connections with the higher ups in the Kerala Police hierarchy. In the meantime, juicy stories keep surfacing every passing day.

The alarming spread of Covid

Meanwhile, there has been an alarming increase in the number of new Covid cases in the state as well as in the country. In many places, community spread seems to have set in though the government is yet to confirm it. As predicted earlier, the month of July will see an abnormal spike which will begin its downward trend towards the last weeks of the month.

The positive thing is that the number of recoveries has been quite high and is a heartening bit of news! Let us continue to stay safe and take care by taking all the necessary precautions that have been laid down.


Tailpiece.

Got up at our usual time, the chores which were :-

    * Offering my blood samples to ascertain FBS and PPBS; results were passed on to my doctor.
    * Change of bed linen and washing machinex.
    * The Wednesday 'aarti' of the house.

Selvam had dropped by for pressing clothes after the lapse of a fortnight.

The evening webinar on the 'National Digital Library India and Covid' by Prof Das of IIT, Kharagpur and a friend of mine, was absorbing.