Why were the recent Chinese intrusions across the LAC carried out?

The PLA had intruded into Indian territory to collect Cordyceps fungus : a report.

Numerous attempts of Chinese intrusion into Indian territory were to collect Cordyceps - an expensive herbal drug in China, Indo-Pacific Centre for Strategic Communications (IPCSC) said on 25 Dec.

Chinese soldiers have been accused of illegally entering Arunachal Pradesh in search of the fungus or the Himalayan Gold. Cordyceps is claimed to be costlier than gold in China.

Mainly found in the Indian Himalayas and at higher altitudes of the Qinghai-Tibetan plateau in southwestern China. Cordyceps has been valued at $1,072.50 million globally in 2022. China is the largest producer as well as exporter of Cordyceps.

In the last two years, the Cordyceps harvest has waned in Qinghai, the largest producing region in China as the fungus grew scarce. At the same time, demand for the highly prized Cordyceps has increased  sharply in the last decade as an emerging Chinese middle class seeks it to cure everything from kidney disorders to impotence, despite a lack of scientific evidence", according to IPCSC.

High demand and limited resources have led to the fungus' overharvesting, experts say.

'Output fell to 41,200 kg in 2018 from 43,500 kg a year earlier, a 5.2% slump, revealed data from the bureau. That's fraction of the 150,000 kg reported by provincial media for 2010 and 2011', according to the IPCSC.

In recent years, Chinese Cordyceps companies in Qinghai have been paying the locals millions of yuans to block off entire mountains for Cordyceps harvesting.

Surveys show that the annual Cordyceps harvest has declined. This according to the collectors, can be attributed to overharvesting.

"Some towns in the Himalayas rely on collecting and selling this fungus for a living. In fact, experts say that up to 80% of household income in the Tibetan Plateau and Himalayas can come from selling caterpillar fungus", according to IPCSC.

Courtesy. The Mint.

My take

Hope it isn't fake news! A bit difficult to digest!!

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, lit the lamp in the puja room, opened up the house and put on the music. The chores and was ready by 9.

Handed over 4 grand to the caretaker for the temple's special activities tomorrow.

Wrote out my mail for the selective audience and there were many responses; Anitha's was the best!

Watched the new year's program on Mazhavil Manorama.    

Ratan Tata..........In his own words (2).

.........contd.

"All in all, it was a big move. I remember after I was appointed Chairman, I walked with JRD to his office, where he told his secretary that he had to move out. I said, 'No, J, don't move out, this is your office for as long as you want'. He said, 'Where will you sit? I said, 'Where I'm sitting today - I have an office down the hall and that's fine'.

I was lucky to have him there. He was my greatest mentor and the years that he was alive, I used to go into his office and say, 'J, I wish this had happened 10 years ago, we have such a great relationship'. He was like a father and a brother to me and not enough has been said about that.

Ever since, my life has been for and about growing the company. When I was appointed Chairman, it was believed my surname got me the position but my focus was on creating something bigger than us all and on giving back, which has been in the TATA DNA since the start. With Jamshedpur for instance, while our workers were thriving, the surrounding villages were suffering. It became our goal to uplift their quality of life as well......things like these came naturally to us.

Even with the Nano - I remember seeing a family of 4 on a bike in the heavy Bombay rain - I wanted to do more for these families who were risking their lives for lack of an alternative. By the time we launched the Nano, our costs were higher but I'd made a promise and we delivered. Looking back, I'm proud of the ar and the decision to go ahead with it.  

That's what my life has been about - work became a lifestyle. I was always at Bombay House or travelling, that's why even though I came close to marriage with 2-3 different partners, I ouldn't go through with it because they'd have to adjust to my lifestyle and that didn't sit right with me.

Now that I'm retired, that lifestyle has changed again. People ask if I'm truly 'retired' and to that I say - there's no doubt about it. I'm enjoying the separation from the company - I don't look at newspapers and worry about the bad stuff anymore.

But let me tell you, retirement isn't about playing golf or reading on a beach whilst sipping on a coctail. In fat, never before has the urge to do more, been greater. From affordable aner treatment, to making the lives in rural India easier - I'm looking forward to making it happen at the Tata Trust. I'm trying to enjoy myself to be honest - I'm spending time with friends - old and new, across age groups, who I'm constantly learning from.

At 82, I'm still learning, so when you ask me to give advice, I feel like the 'right advice' changes over a period of time - but the one thing that remains unchanged is the desire to do the right thing.  

So I'll say this - leave the advice and do the right thing, even if it isn't the easiest thing to do. When you look back at your life, that's what's going to matter the most. Doing the right thing".

........concluded.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, lit the lamp at the puja room, opened up the house, put on the music. The chores and had breakfast before bath.

Washed down all the soiled clothes and completed my usual work.

Elsie, mom's friend from the LIC had dropped by to look us up. Damn sweet of her!

A quiet evening! 

   

Ratan Tata........In his own words (1).

Quite an interesting life story!

"I had a happy childhood but as my brother and I got older, we faced ragging because of our parents' divorce which in those days wasn't as common. My grand mom brought us up. 

Soon after, when my mother remarried, the boys at school started saying all kinds about us but our grandmother taught us to regain dignity at all costs, a value that's always stayed with me. It involved walking away from these situations instead of fighting back.

And if it weren't for grand mom, I wouldn't be half the person I am today.

"My father and I couldn't agree on the same thing - I wanted to go to a college in the US, he insisted, he insisted on UK. I wanted to be an architect, he insisted on me becoming an engineer. If it weren't for my grandmother, I wouldn't have ended up at the Cornell University in the US. It was because of her that even though I enrolled for mechanical engineering, I switched majors and graduated with a degree in architecture. My father was upset but I was finally my own, independent person in college and it was my grandmother who taught me that courage to speak up can also be soft.

After college, I landed a job at an architecture firm in LA, where I worked for 2 years. It was a great time - the weather was beautiful and I loved my job. It was in LA that I fell in love and almost got married. But at the same I'd made the decision to move back, at least temporarily, since grand mom wasn't keeping too well. So I came back to visit her and thought that the person I wanted to marry would come to India with me but because of the 1962 Sino-Indian conflict her parents weren't okay with her making the move anymore and the relationship fell apart.

After the move, I did spend some time with my grand mom. I'd run with my dog, catch up with her and we'd have long chats. I'm glad I got that time with her before she passed because right after I moved to Jamshedpur for an internship at what's known as Tata Motors now.

It was a waste of time - I was moved from one department to another and sine I was a family member, no one told me what to do - I spent 6 months trying to be 'useful'.

It was only after I moved to Tata Steel that I got specific work and my job got interesting.  I started from the floor and understood the plight of those working there. So years later, when we downsized Tata Steel from 78,000 to 40,000, we ensured to pay them their present day wages until retirement - it's been in our DNA to serve those who serve us.

Then, in 1991, JRD stepped down as the Chairman of Tata Industries and then from Tata Sons, there was vicious criticism. There were other aspirants, who were vocal of him having made the wrong decision. I had been through this before, so I did what I knew best - maintained silence and focused on proving myself. The criticism was personal - JRD got clubbed with nepotism and I, as the wrong choice. I was under scrutiny but the time I spent on the floor served as a big plus - I hadn't gotten there from nowhere.

.......to be continued.

Tailpiece.

We kept up our conversation till a quarter past 1 and then hit the sack. 

Got up at 6 and sent off the morning messages and turned off to catch up on some more sleep. Got up around a quarter to 8, the chores and cleaned up the Chevy.

Breakfast at 9, conversations galore and Ammu had helped me with pending work on the laptop.

We left Mini's by about a half past 2, dropped Padmakumar-Rema at Pidavoor and returned to Raj Nivas. Siesta.

The evening chores.

Year ending muse!

What is the best advice your mother ever gave you?

I was about 10. My mom had just finished creating one of her amazing meals and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Delicious.

Later as I was washing the dishes, my mom came up to me. "Sorry, dinner was so awful again", she said.

I was shocked. "What? No, it was so great. I loved it".

"Really?" she said, with mock surprise. "You always eat so quietly, never saying anything. You've never told me you liked my cooking, so I thought you hated it".

"No, you're the best cook I know".

"Then you should tell me that", she said.

"Whenever someone does something nice for you, you should thank that person. If you don't, then she might think she's not appreciated and stop doing those nice things".

Something clicked right then.

From that day onward, I thanked everyone for literally everything.

If anyone did something that even vaguely helped me, I thanked that person profusely.

It became a habit, something I didn't even think about and that's when the magic started happening.

People liked me more. They talked to me more, shared with me, were more friendly.

In my first year of high school, during the final week, I came home and found a giant freezie (a kind of sweet frozen snack) waiting for me. "Thanks, mom!" I said instinctively. 

"This isn't from me, she said. "This is from your bus driver". He had been driving that bus for years and my siblings and I were the first people to ever thank him as we got dropped off.

Those two simple words made a huge difference, so much so that he went out of his way to tell our mom and give us a present.

My mom taught me many things but taking two seconds to say 'thank you' every time, in any situation, was the best.

Debriefing of this story

You would have met people who all themselves as good critics but have you ever met a person who says I am good at appreciating others?

Isn't that a something we an improve upon in our society?

Let's start appreciating people more frequently starting from people more frequently starting from people who are close to us.

"The sweetest of all sounds is praise".

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, opened up the house, put on the music. Went about our chores and was ready by 9. Had breakfast and finished our packing. 

We were off to Pidavoor, had a quick lunch and set off for Ayathil. We, first, dropped at Karthika's house, spent about half an hour and then went to Aarcha's house to look up Lekha's sister, Letha who has had her little toe of her left foot removed, being diabetis.

We reached Sanil's house at Ayur by a quarter to 5. It was a great evening as we bonded after a long time. The missing members of our group were Achu and Karthika.

 

It does take a rocket scientist!

From the Rolls-Royce Staff Magazine.

Scientists at Rolls Royce built a gun specifically to launch dead chicken at the windshields of airliners and military jets all travelling at maximum velocity.

The idea is to simulate the frequent incidents of collisions with airborne fowl to test the strength of the windshields.

American engineers heard about the gun and were eager to test it on the Windshields of their new high speed trains.

Arrangements were made and a gun was sent to the American engineers.

When the gun was fired, the engineers stood shocked as the chicken shot out of the barrel, crashed into the shatterproof shield, smashed it to smithereens, blasted through the control console, snapped the engineer’s back-rest in two and embedded itself in the back wall of the cabin like an arrow shot from a bow……

The horrified Yanks sent Rolls Toyce the disastrous results of the experiment, along with the designs of the windshield and begged the British scientists for suggestions.

Rolls Royce responded with a one-line memo :-

“Defrost the bloody chicken”.

Tailpiece.

Got up at a 10’ to 5, the chores and was ready by a quarter past 7. Boarded the bus to Kottarakkara at our gate.

Got a Fast Passenger bound for Tvpm around a quarter to 8. Reached the Foundation by a quarter past 10. 

Was at work till a 10’ past 5. Got my laptop repaired in the meantime.

Set off for Kottarakkara soon after and reached there by a quarter past 8. Last bus was missed and so, hired an autorickshaw.

A quiet but late evening.

Goodbye iPhone!

Goodbye iPhone. Samsung and any mobile phone will become a thing of the past within a short span of time as Tesla, the car manufacturer, will launch the first generation of its satellite phones and you can get high-speed internet with high-quality calls wherever you are on the globe, even if you are inside the earth or underwater at a depth of 100 mts, you will enjoy a high-quality service.

No one on the globe will be able to control your calls or stop you from the internet. In addition to that, you can control your car and use it as a remote. This phone does  not charge with electricity but it does so via fiber. The optical and its battery never die. The memory of the phone is between 1,000 to 2,000 gigabytes. 

The GA will be  announced once Tesla finalises the ORM licence. 

My take

Can’t predict as to what our lives will be in a couple of years. We’re passing through exciting times!

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, lit the lamp, opened up the house and had the music going. The chores, breakfast-before-bath and got ready soon after.

My laptop was erratic and so, didn’t browse my mail.

Lekha went to the Kottarakkara Mahaganapati kshetram by a quarter to 5 and also bought sundries. Kunjumon was her chauffeur.

A quiet evening, thereafter!

The latest Covid scare and India.

An interesting analysis!

China population 141 crore

Everyone was administered Made in China vaccine by force. The virus, today, is playing havoc and 8 million are already dead. People are locked up with no food, many reported burnt alive. City after city going for a lockdown, tanks patrolling cities.

US population 33 crore

Most were administered Made in US vaccines, Pfizer and Moderna. Even children below 15 were given and multiple boosters forced. Today Covid has suppressed 100 million people and counting, dead and many post vaccine complications as per research reports.

India population 140 crore 

Everyone was administered Made in India vaccines Covaxin and Covishield. Mostly free by the government with no pressure to take any boosters. After no death reported lately, no lockdown, at least till now. Yet we doubt our scientists, doctors and the Modi government.

My take

We have to come out of the colonial mindset that what comes from the West is the best. If not the best, we are at par with the world today. Start respecting our professionals in every field.

We may not be the best yet but we are not less than the best today.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, opened up the house and heard the music in fits and starts. The chores and was ready by a quarter past 9.

Washed down the soiled clothes.

The Thrikkonnamarkodu temple management committee members had fetched up around a half past 4. Handed over our contribution.

Omanakkuttan had come by with his second son, for a job.

Christmas.

Dateline 24 Dec

T'was the night before

Christmas,

He lived all alone,

In a one bedroom house, 

Made of plaster and 

stone.

I had come down the

chimney,

With friends to give

And to see just who,

In this home, I did live.

I looked all about,

A strange sight I did see,

No tinsel, no presents,

Not even a tree.

No stocking by mantle,

Just boots filled with

Sand,

On the wall hung pictures,

Of far distant lands.

With medals and badges,

Awards of all kinds,

A sober thought,

Came through my mind.

For this house was

Different,

It was dark and dreary,

I found the home of a

Soldier,

Once I could see clearly.

The soldier lay sleeping,

Silent, alone,

Curled up on the floor,

In this one bedroom home.

The face was so gentle,

The room in disorder,

Not how I pictured,

A true Indian soldier.

Was this the hero,

Of whom I'd just read?

Curled up on a poncho,

The floor for a bed?

I realised the families,

That I saw this night,

Owed  their lives to these

Soldiers,

Who were willing to fight.

A bright Christmas day.

They all enjoyed freedom,

Each month of the year,

Because of the soldiers,

Like the one lying here.

I couldn't help wonder,

How many lay alone,

On a cold Christmas eve,

In land far from home.

The very thought

Brought, 

A tear to my eye,

I dropped to my knees,

And started to cry.

The soldier awakened,

And I heard a rough voice,

Santa don't cry,

This life is my choice.

I fight for freedom,

I don't ask for more,

My life is my God,

My Country, my corps...."

The soldiers rolled over,

And drifted to sleep,

I couldn't control it,

I continued to weep.

I kept watch for hours,

So silent and still, 

And we both shivered,

From the cold night's

Chill.

I did not want to live,

On that cold, dark, night,

This guardian of honour,

So willing to fight.

Then the soldier rolled

Over,

With a soft voice and pure,

Whispered, "Carry on

Santa,

It's Christmas day, all is

Secure".

One look at my watch,

And I knew he was right.

"Merry Christmas my friend,

And to all a good night".

This poem was written by an

Indian Army soldier stationed overseas.

The following is his request and I think it is reasonable.

"Please

* Would you do me the kind favour of sending this to as many people as you can? 

* Christmas will be coming soon and some credit is due to all of the service men and women for our being able to celebrate these festivities.

* Let's try in this small way to pay a tiny bit of what we owe.

* Make people stop and think of our heroes, living and dead, who sacrificed themselves for us.

* Do, your part to plant this small seed".

 Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, opened up the house. Had our morning cuppa tea soon after.

The caretaker bought us our breakfast. Murali came by a trifle after a half past 9, fixed up our Christmas star. 

We were off to Padmakumar's house, bit of yakkittiyak and had lunch. Off to Tvpm by 1. The roads were full of traffic; reached the Foundation by a quarter past 3.

Met everyone. The Aazhchakkoottam started at a half past 4. Left by 5.

At Kottarakkara, topped up the Chevy, pulled out some money from the ATM and collected our new set top box.

Dropped Rema back at Pidavoor and were back at the Raj Nivas by a quarter past 9.

At Raj Nivas.

Had got up at 11' past 3 to go round the corner and sleep was reluctant to get back, thereafter! Got up at 4 when Lekha's cellphone alarm had gone off.

We'd planned to kick off at a half past 6 but something or the other kept delaying us and we finally, got started at 14' past 7! The stretch from Guruvayur to Thrissur was okay and the Paliyekkara toll was crossed without any waiting. Had idlis, sambar and chutney for breakfast along with a cup of filter coffee. It was a quarter past 9 when we hit the highway as I took my time to send off my usual morning what'sapp messages to a gang of close friends.

Reached Satish Bhat's clinic by a quarter to 12 thanks to the traffic snarls galore that we'd come across all along the way. It was a quick meeting with the doctor as he was happy that my HbA1C was 6.6 and after wishing him and his staff a merry Christmas and a very happy new year, we were off for lunch at the nearby Aryaa's.

After a quick bite of our favourite dish, we'd steered course straight to Padmanabha Shenoy's clinic at a half past 1. Lekha's lab tests were carried out and we met Dr Aswathy, who was gonna monitor Lekha's progress, from now on. The doctor was quite happy with Lekha's overall medical condition and has slotted her for 23 Mar '23 for the next medical review. 

After a tea and snack at the clinic's canteen, we were off on our way to Raj Nivas at 4. Thanks to the heavy traffic that we came across all through, we reached Kottarakkara at a quarter past 8. Headed straight to our dish TV guy to activate the connection and we picked up our dinner from a new eatery which was just a month old.

We reached Raj Nivas by a quarter past 9 and the caretaker was there with the house opened and lit up. Incidentally, no amount of coaxing could get the TV on and the proprietor has said that the 'cardwala set top box' needed to be chucked away. And that will be done tomorrow.

The early morning get away, the long drive and the appointments that had to be met had taken their toll. Was drowsy with heavy eyelids and ready to drop on my bed once I finished writing this piece and my diary!       

We remember them everyday.

In the Cadets' Dining Hall of the NDA, Kharakvasla, at the entrance of the hall there is a table set for one, with the chair tilted forward. This table is set for the Prisoners of War who are forgotten but holding on the hope that they will return one day.

The placard on the table has the following written on it....The table set is small, for one, symbolizing the frailty of one prisoner against his oppressors.

The single rose displayed in a vase reminds us of the families and loved ones of our comrades-in-arms who keep their faith awaiting their return.

The Red Ribbon tied so prominently on the vase is reminiscent of the red ribbon worn upon the lapel and breasts of thousands who bear witness to their unyielding determination to demand a proper accounting of our missing.

The candle is unlit, symbolizing the upward reach of their unconquerable spirit.

The slice of Lemon is on the bread plate, to remind us of the bitter fate.

There is salt upon the bread plate - symbolic of the families' tears as they wait.

The glass is inverted, they cannot toast with us this night.

The chair - it is empty. They are not here.

Remember! All of you who served with them and called them comrades, who depended upon their might and aid and relied upon them, for surely, they have not forsaken you.

Remember until the day they come home.

Each day a fresh set is placed......How our forces treat the missing warriors despite knowing that most of them are no more......My salute to these brave hearts.

Tailpiece.

Got up at a half past 5, thanks to Lekha's cellphone alarm. The chores and was ready by a half past 7 for the medical duo who had come by to draw my blood samples to check the blood sugar level before food.

Had breakfast immediately after. Lekha, then, went to the Mammiyur temple for the 'darshan' of the good Lord.

The team had returned to draw the blood sample after food around a half past 9. 

Topped up the Chevy and checked tyre pressure. The maid didn't fetch up as promised and hence, resorted to Washing machinex.

Got the test results and bingo, the improvement has been great. Selvam had come by to press the clothes.

Shut down The Quarterdeck

 

The Economy Paradox.

1. (a) If interest rate goes up : "How the poor could afford a house, car for themselves?"

    (b) If interest rate comes down : "How will elders earn interest from the bank?"

2. (a) If foreigners invest in our country :  "They are taking away our wealth as profits/dividends".

    (b) If domestic companies invest outside : "Our wealth shifts for the development of outsiders".

3. (a) If tax rates are increased : "The government is robbing the people".

    (b) If tax rates are lowered : "The government is trying to help the rich".

4. (a) If GDP grows : "The government is working primarily for the big corporates".

    (b) If GDP contracts : "There is no job creation".

5. (a) If currency strengthens : "Our exports get impacted".

    (b) If currency weakens : "Our import bill has gone up".

6. (a) If food prices go up : "Masses are suffering".

    (b) If food prices come down : "Farmers are suffering".

7. (a) If stock market comes down : "The economy is in a mess".

    (a) If stock market goes up : "It's not a true measure of the economy, only corporates are being supported".

8. (a) If Corporate tax rates are increased : "Government is penalising private companies".

    (b) If Corporate tax rates are cut : "The government is only trying to boost the profitability of the corporates".

So, heads I win, tails you lose.

Courtesy . What'sApp

My take

The paradox is real! And we get enough reasons to criticise!

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores. Carried out the Wednesday 'arathi' of The Quarterdeck. Was ready by a quarter to 10.

To the Thampuranpadi market to buy fish.

Washed down the Chevy with help from Lekha.

China in Qatar FIFA World Cup 2022.

Someone just asked if the World Cup 2022 is riding on China's capabilities. 10 ways China was quietly working behind the scenes at the Qatar World Cup.

 1. World Cup buildings were getting green electricity from a next generation power station which harvests only solar energy, built by the Power Construction Corporation of China.

  2. People were taken where they needed to go in a fleet of 888 fully electric buses - made by Yutong Bus - a Chinese firm that has quietly become, the world's biggest bus maker.

  3. The main stadium was built by China railway Construction Corporation : that's the firm that pops up in Africa and Europe and around the planet, known for its extraordinary ability to create infrastructure in difficult environments.

  4. What's a sporting event without souvenir merchandise? It's estimated that almost 70 percent of the World Cup related goods - from footballs to flags to jerseys to whistles - came from a single location in China, a southeastern city called Yiwu.

  5. A purpose-built extra-large reservoir was providing clean drinking water for sports people and fans. It was constructed by Gezhouba Group from Wuhan.

  6. The stadium-building operations needed huge amounts of heavy equipment, from massive earth movers to cranes - nearly, 100 of these were supplied by China's Sany Heavy Industry, one of the world's biggest construction firms.

  7. The most innovative venue is Qatar's Stadium 974 which can be disassembled and reassembled anywhere. Designed by a Spanish architect, the 974 building blocks were made by China International Marine Containers.

  8. All the LED floodlights came from the Unilumin Group of China

  9. Most people say air conditioners are a must for survival in that environment and China's Midea Co supplied supplied 2,500 aircons for the event.

10. This is the most expensive sporting event in world history and needed a lot of support from businesses. Nineteen Chinese firms signed up to sponsor the event.

Courtesy. What'sApp

My take

Now we know better. We are nowhere in this league.

Tailpiece.

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

Jerry had come by at a quarter to 1 to install the gas stove and the chimney. Sreejith, of the PCI, fetched up around 3 to do the servicing.

By the time the work was completed, it was a quarter to 5.

A nice evening.  

Oppenheimer's image cleared!

Oppenheimer, who died in 1967, led the Manhattan Project which developed the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. The physicist was later accused of having communist sympathies and his security clearance was revoked following a four-week, closed-door hearing.

In stripping Oppenheimer of his clearance, the Atomic Energy Commission did not allege that he had revealed or mishandled classified information nor was his loyalty to the country questioned, according to Granholm's order. The commission concluded there were "fundamental defects" in his character.

Years later, an Atomic Energy Commission lawyer concluded after an internal review that the system failed and a substantial injustice was done to a loyal American, according to the secretary's order. Granholm said the decision was driven by a desire among its political leadership to discredit Oppenheimer in public debates over nuclear weapons policy.

The Biden administration has reversed the decades-old decision to revoke the security clearance of Robert Oppenheimer, the physicist called the father of the atomic bomb for his leading role in the second World War's Manhattan Project. 

US Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm said the 1954 decision by the Atomic Energy Commission was made using a flawed process that violated the commission's own regulations.

"As time has passed, more evidence has come to light of the bias and unfairness of the process that Dr Oppenheimer was subjected to while the evidence of his loyalty and love of country have only been further affirmed", Granholm said.

My take

Does such a posthumous pardon really mean anything to the victim? I've never understood as to what is achieved in the process that must have provided untold suffering and angst to the individual!

Tailpiece.

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

Akhil was our sa'arthi and we'd set off for Rani Menon's Eye Hospital at Ayyanthole for the appointment with the ophthalmologist at 10.

The entire exercise took up the whole of the forenoon. Visual fields and OCT Macula were carried out on Lekha's eyes and the results are good. 

After lunch, we'd picked up a cooking range and its associated chimney. The shop's rep had followed us to dismantle the existing contraptions and the installation team will fetch up tomorrow.

The River and the Ocean.

Once the River became very proud of the tremendous flow of its water.

The River felt that I am so powerful that I can wash away everything with me - the mountains, houses, trees, animals, humans etc.

One day the River proudly asked the Ocean, "Tell me, what should I bring for you? Houses, animals, humans, trees, whatever you want, I can uproot and bring with me".

The Ocean understood that the River has become egoistic.

He said to the River, "If you want to bring something for me, Uproot some Grass and bring it".

The River said, "Is that all, I'll bring it right away".

While passing through the field, the River exerted its full force on the grass but the Grass did not get uprooted.

The river tried several times but failed.

Eventually the River gave up and reached the Ocean and said, "I can uproot trees, houses, mountains etc

But whenever I apply force to uproot the grass, it bends down and I have to pass from above, empty-handed".

The Ocean listened carefully to the River and said with a smile,

"Those who are hard and rigid like mountains and trees are easily uprooted.

But the one who has learned the humility of Grass, cannot be disturbed even by the fiercest of winds or violent storms".

Happiness in life, does not mean fighting battles but avoiding them.

To retreat skillfully is also a victory in itself because arrogance turns even angels into devils.

And humility turns even an ordinary person into an angel.

The journey of the seed is up to the tree, the journey of the River is up to the Ocean and the journey of Man is to the Divine.

Whatever is happening in the world is the law of nature......you and I are just instruments.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6 but being a Sunday, lazed on bed for another half an hour working on the cellphone. The chores and was ready by a half past 10.

A quiet Sunday. 

'Just leave it'.

It's a wonderful sentence. If we know the value of it, we won't be suffering  as much as we do in our lives. The principle that's worth practicing.

* Try convincing a person once or twice. If he or she refuses to get convinced, Just leave it!

* When the children grow up and take their own decisions, do not impose, Just leave it!

* Your frequency doesn't match with everyone in life. If you can't connect with someone, Just leave it!

* After a certain age, if someone criticises you, don't get upset, Just leave it!

* When you realise that nothing is in your hands, stop worrying about others and the future. Just leave it!

* When the gap between your wish list and your capabilities increases, stop self expectations. Just leave it!

* Everyone's path of life, duration of life, quality of life is different, so stop comparing. Just leave it!

* Life has given you such a wonderful treasure of experience, stop counting what you don't have. Just leave it!

And finally, If this does not appeal to you or apply to you, Just leave it!

My take

A simple, sane advice which will avoid unwanted heartburns!

Tailpiece.

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

To the fruit shop to buy our fruit basket. 

The evening chores. Helped Lekha water the plants. Had an interesting chat with Allan, my classmate, currently at Pune.

Trials of nuclear-capable Agni 5.

Night trials of Agni 5, nuclear-capable-ballistic missile were successfully carried out by India on Thursday. It can hit targets at 5,000 km and was successfully launched from the APJ Abdul Kalam Island in Orissa.

The test was to validate new technologies and equipment on the missile which is now lighter than before. It has also proved the capability to enhance the range of the missile, if required. 

The missile, which uses a three-stage solid-fuelled engine, is capable of hitting targets at 5,000 kms with a great amount of accuracy.

The successful test is in line with India's policy to have 'credible minimum deterrence' that underscores the commitment to 'No First Use'.

Falling into the category of the Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile category, it can carry a payload of 1.5 tons and weighs around 50 tons. India is the eighth country to have intercontinental ballistic missiles after the US, UK, Russia, China, France, Israel and North Korea.

The other missiles of the Agni series, along with their ranges are given below :-

      * Agni - 1              700 kms.

      * Agni - 2           2,000 kms.

      * Agni - 3 & 4    2,500 to > 3,500 kms.

My take

A moment of immense pride!

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10. Today, incidentally, is the first of the Malayalam month, Dhanu.

Lekha's beautician, Seena had fetched up around 10. Changed the bed linen and carried out washing machinex.

Vibi and Ajeesh, of the Asian Paints, came in by a half past 12 to take stock of the entire house for carrying out paint work. Their quote should reach me by early next week.

And not to forget, today is the 51st anniversary of the successful India-Pakistan war of 1971.

     

At long last!

Op Saral Rasta : Road samples fail quality test; cases registered. 

The blacklisting and similar punitive actions should come from the government department concerned. We on our part have registered cases against the contractors for failing to adhere to the stipulated standards. 

- VACB officer

Kerala's Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau has registered nearly two dozen cases after detecting irregularities during the multiple episodes of Operation Saral Rasta, a special drive intended to unearth malpractices in road construction in the state. The vigilance sources said samples from 200 roads were collected during the three legs of the drive. The samples were subjected to a quality test, of which 24 were found either using substandard construction materials or lacking the requisite thickness of bitumen.

The number of roads that failed the lab tests could go up further as more results are awaited. The lab reports, along with recommendations of the anti-graft body have been forwarded to the state government for further action.

The special drives had laid bare the reality that many of the roads were being built without following the directives of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the Indian Road Congress.

The samples of the roads were taken by the Vigilance sleuths on the basis of the information collatedby its intelligence wing and through tip offs from the public.

If a contractor fails quality test in case of multiple samples, the vigilance will suggest blacklisting him and prevent him from associating with the government works in future.

Adapted from. The NIE

Tailpiece.

Got up at 5, the chores and set off for the Aspire Residential Public School, Perumbavoor for delivering my second motivational lecture.

After breakfast enroute, reached the school by a half past 9. Conversation with Fairuz Rehim, the MD and Anitha George, the Principal before beginning my interaction at a half past 10 was informative. I enjoyed the session thoroughly and there were many questions from the children.

Returned home by a half past 3. Siesta and the evening chores! 

The Zeigarnik Effect on Short time Memory.

You pull out the key to open your house. You unlock the door and get inside. Then several hours later you're looking for the key and wondering where it is. And you discover that you have left it behind on the door. Has this happened to you?

To understand why it happens, let's flashback to Bluma Zeigarnik, a Russian psychologist.

One evening, Zeigarnik and her friends went out for dinner to a restaurant. They had a lovely meal. Guess what the highlight was? It was the service.

More specifically, their waiter. He had an amazing memory. So as everybody placed their orders, he remembered every little detail, without writing anything down. He remembered who ordered what and how they wanted it. Zeigarnik and her friends were all amazed by the waiter's memory.

After the meal, they were driving back when Zeigarnik discovered that she had left her jacket behind in the restaurant. So she turned around, drove back to the restaurant and sought out that friendly waiter who she knew would be happy to locate her jacket. Imagine her horror though when she found the waiter but the waiter didn't even recognise her.

What happened?

It got Zeigarnik thinking. And her research then showed how our brain tends to work. When a task is completed, our brain hits the delete button and our memory gets wiped clean. 

Our short term memory struggles with space to retain information. So it keeps only the unfinished tasks alive. And the minute a task is completed it hits the delete button.

And that's why waiters at restaurants will remember every little detail of your order but only until the bill is made. That's why when we photocopy a document, we pick up the copy and walk away, leaving the original behind. This has come to be known as the Zeigarnik effect, a short-term memory deletes completed tasks. Fascinating, isn't it?

The Zeigarnik effect might explain why at a bank's ATM, you are now required to pull your card out before collecting the cash. They know Zeigarnik will be at play and once you collect the cash, the task is finished and good chance you will forget to take your card back.

It's something we can all put to good use. Look at what Netflix does. You will find through all their serials, every episode ends tantalisingly. That 30-minute episode ends at a point where you will say, "wow, what happens next?" You want to know, you want to come back. There is no closure at the end of that episode and that's what brings us all the time. Had there been closure, chances are we'd quickly forget about it.

Maybe a powerful idea for all of us. If there is something you want to make sure remains alive, keep it just a bit unfinished. Writing a book? Make sure you end every writing session at a point of suspense or tension. Don't resolve it. Don't finish it. That will bring you back next day to writing again.

The Zeigarnik effect might also explain my favourite piece of communication advice. It's this. Someone said that there are really two golden rules of communication :-

* never tell everything at once.

* people remember unfinished tasks more than the completed one.

That's it. Ah, the Zeigarnik effect!

Tailpiece.

Got up at a trifle past 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 10. Telephone calls got me later than usual.

Mr Ramachandran, the Manager of the ICICI Bank, whom I'd befriended yesterday had called on around a quarter past 12 and he was accompanied by Vinay, a member of his staff, who was of a great help to me, yesterday. They were with us for over an hour!

Lekha had gone to the ration stand to collect our dues and Hameed had taken her and the maid, up and down, in his auto rickshaw.

It was raining by evening. 

Chinese perfidy yet again; this time in Tawang!

Indian and Chinese troops clashed in Arunachal Pradesh, on 09 Dec, near the LAC at the Yangtse in the Tawang sector, resulting in injuries to soldiers on both sides. The injured Indian soldiers have been shifted to Guwahati for treatment.

And here's the blow-by-blow description of what happened on the ground, that has sent shivers up the spines of every Chinese soldier who happened to be there. And rightly so!

* Mago marks the southern entrance of the valley and Chuna, the northern end of it, bordering the LAC. Steep mountainous terrain which needs hours of trekking to reach posts.

* Peak XXX sits to the west of this area and has a commanding view of the ridges and tracks across the LAC deep into Cona County. The PLA sent in roughly 300 troops with melee weapons with a clear intention to kill/maim the Indian Army troops holding the area.

* Closely placed echelons on the lower ridges and the river valley were quickly able to reinforce the 50 troops firmly facing the PLA onslaught and reinforcements poured in from multiple directions, immediately, after being radioed.

* What started with abuses and stone pelting gradually progressed to fisticuffs and then fierce hand-to-hand combat where the PLA troops were overpowered and in some cases, their weapons were used against them.

* This free for all went on until the PLA found itself losing ground with many of their troops overpowered and battered while Indian Army troops kept pouring in with their own melee weapons. Things went south from there and the PLA troops started falling back.

* The Indian Army troops were in no mood to relent and went after the retreating PLA troops who were running for their lives after having borne the brunt of the counter attack. Gunshots were heard from the PLA's rear as they attempted to deter further assault.

* The area of the face off has been reinforced and the units in the vicinity are on a high state of alert. All in all a very comprehensive drubbing for the PLA with a dozen plus of their troops dead or extremely critical (skulls opened/crushed).

Courtesy. What'sApp

My take

Serves the Chinese good for their misadventure. How many times do we have to reinforce the fact that the 1962 syndrome of the Indian Army is long since, dead and gone!

The way G 20 leadership will be used to sideline China by PM Narendra Modi's clear and lofty thinking will be his defining moment. The stress on 'Vasudeva kutumbakam' is the step in that direction.

Tailpiece.

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

Off to the ICICI bank to sort out the issue of my cheque not having been cleared despite handing it over on 09 itself. Sure enough, there was a glitch during the scanning. Made alternate arrangements and cleared the payment. Also, met the Branch Manager, Mr Ramachandran and initiated the request for an add-on credit card!

A quiet evening.

Karna vs Yudhishthira!

Arjuna once asked Krishna, Lord, why do people consider Karna more generous than Yudhishthira? Neither has my elder brother ever refused whatever he has been asked for nor whoever has asked. So why is Karna considered greater than Yudhishthira?"

The Lord said with a smile, "Come, I'll show you why".

Disguised as Brahmins, they first went to Yudhishthira's court and asked for sandalwood sticks to conduct a 'yagna'.

The king immediately sent his soldiers to all parts of his kingdom in search of sandalwood sticks. It was monsoon, the trees were all drenched and the soldiers returned with wet sandalwood pieces. The yagna was not possible with the wet sticks.

Krishna and Arjuna proceeded to Karna's court next and asked for the same sticks. Karna thought for a while and said, "As it's raining for several days now, it will be impossible to collect dry sandalwood sticks but there is a way. Please wait for while".

Saying this, Karna proceeded to chop and cut down the doors and windows of the court which were made of sandalwood and after making them into pieces, gifted the dry sandalwood sticks to the Brahmins to conduct the yagna.

They accepted the offerings and went back.

On their way back, Krishna asked Arjuna, "Do you realise the difference between the two, Arjuna? Had we asked Yudhishthira to give his doors and windows for us to conduct the yagna, he would have given without a second thought but he did not think of it himself".

"We did not ask Karna either. Yudhishthira gave because that was dharma. Karna gave us because he loves to give. This is the difference between the two and that is why Karna is considered greater. Whatever work you do, it becomes nobler when you do it with love".

We can work with different attitudes because :-

* someone asked you to;

* or as a duty;

* or as your dharma;

* or as Karna did, out of love for the job.

The last is, however, the best. Whatever work you do, love it, enjoy the work. That is what brings fulfillment to you as well as the task you undertake.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6 to a real wet day, yet again. The chores and was ready by a quarter past 10.

Went about our work systematically, as usual.

Navneet from the National Supermarket came by to deliver the grocery that Lekha had ordered.  

India abstains at the UN Security Council.

India abstained in the UN Security Council on a resolution providing humanitarian exemptions across all UN sanction regimes, asserting that blacklisted terror groups - including in its neighbourhood - have taken advantage of such relaxations and have been able to raise funds and recruit fighters.

The 15-nation council, currently being presided over by India, voted on the resolution on Friday that was tabled by the US and Ireland to create a sanctions relaxation that exempted humanitarian efforts, with Washington asserting that the resolution "will save countless lives" after being adopted.

India was the sole abstention on the resolution that said processing or payment of funds, other financial assets, economic resources and provision of goods and services necessary to ensure delivery of humanitarian assistance are not a violation of the asset freezes imposed by the council or its Sanctions Committee.

The Council president and India's permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador Ruchira Kamboj, speaking in her national capacity as she delivered the explanation of the vote, said, "our concerns emanate from proven instances of terrorist groups taking full advantage of such humanitarian assistance and making a mockery of sanction regimes, including that of the 1267 Sanctions Committee".

She made a thin-veiled reference to Pakistan and the terror outfits there. "There have also been several cases of terrorist groups in our neighbourhood, including those listed by this Council, re-incarnating themselves as humanitarian organisations and civil society groups precisely to evade these sanctions", she said.

Courtesy. PTI

My take

Bravo Zulu! A principled and correct stand!

Tailpiece.

A thoroughly wet day as the rain, since last evening, carried on all through the day.

Got up around 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter past 10.

A quiet Sunday.   

 

Xi Jinping in Saudi Arabia.

During his three day visit to Saudi Arabia, Xi attended summits of the six-member Gulf Co-operation Council and a broader China-Arab leaders' meeting.

It came a day after bilateral talks with Saudi royals and yielded a joint statement harping on "the importance of stability" in oil markets - a point of friction with the United States. Washington has urged the Saudis to raise production.

"China will continue to firmly support the GCC countries in maintaining their own security and build a collective security framework for the Gulf".

China will import large quantities of crude oil from GCC countries on an ongoing basis. It also promises to expand other areas of energy co-operation including liquefied natural gas imports. Oil from Saudi Arabia alone accounted for 17% of China's imports last year and last month Qatar announced a 27-year natural gas deal with China.

Both sides are seeking economic and strategic benefits by deepening co-operation.

My take

India has established a good partnership with the GCC countries. We need to increase our footprint in the African continent.

Tailpiece.

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

The maid came towards lunchtime. I was furious when she told us that she'd tried to commit suicide by consuming an overdose of sleeping pills but was saved as she was taken to the hospital on time. I told her that I'd spank her if she repeated such stupidities.

It was raining all through the evening. 

The Immortal Captain Mahendra Nath Mulla, MVC

Exactly 51 years ago, on this date, the Commanding Officer of INS Khukri, Captain MN Mulla made the supreme sacrifice and went down with his beloved ship while egging everyone to escape till the last moment!

Right at the start of the war on 03 Dec 1971, the navy's communications department detected the presence of a Pakistani submarine a few miles off the city of Diu, on the western seaboard. After coming to know of this threat, two of the three Indian combat vessels were deployed to ensure that the threat from the submarine was effectively neutralised.

The Pakistani submarine, Hangor was equipped with state-of-the-art sensory systems and weapons. In contrast, the sensory equipment on board the Indian vessels were just being upgraded which reduced the ship's speed in water. 

On account of the disparity between the capabilities of the sensory equipment and the consequent navigational route followed by INS Khukri, PNS Hangor was able to fire torpedoes at both the Khukri and the Kirpan. While the Kirpan eluded the torpedo attack and was able to get into an advantageous position, the Khukri was unable to do so.

The attack was devastating as there were two explosions and the ship lost electric power and went dark. As the ship started sinking on the starboard side, Captain Mahendra Nath Mulla issued orders to his officers and men to abandon ship. He personally supervised the rescue operations and tried to save as many of his officers and men, as possible.

Along with the ship, 18 officers and 178 sailors made the supreme sacrifice.

Captain Mulla chose to go down with ship like a true military leader and in the highest of naval traditions! 

Epilogue. The nation honoured him by awarding him the Maha Vir Chakra, posthumously.

My take

Captain Mulla sir, you shall ever remain an inspiration for the generations of mariners who follow your footsteps!

Tailpiece.

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

To the ICICI bank to clear the anomalies of my credit card.  

Let mischief mongers not exploit this fragile situation.

The situation is gradually limping back to normalcy on the Karnataka-Maharashtra border after the recent violent incidents. The transport corporations of both states halted the movements of their respective vehicles to each other's states, as a precautionary measure in the wake of attacks on buses on both sides of the border.

However the movement of private vehicles remained unaffected. A large number of passengers from both the states were struggling catch private vehicles to cross the borders throughout the day. 

Activists from pro-Maharashtra groups blackened signboards of Karnataka government buses and wrote pro-Marathi slogans on Karnataka buses in Solapur, Sindhudurg, Nashik, Aurangabad, Kolhapur, Chandgad, Baramati and Pune over the past one week.

The Maharashtra government has issued notices to the heads of 11 gram panchayats in Akkalkot taluk, Solapur district for submitting a memorandum to Solapur DC, seeking merger with Karnataka if their villages were not given the basic amenities by the Maharashtra government.

My take

The problem needs to be dealt with swiftly and firmly before potential trouble makers jump into the fray and flare up things. Discussions with the concerned parties to find a lasting solution is the need of the hour!

Tailpiece.

Got up at a trifle past 6 and opened up the house. Sajish came in by a half past 7 and gave me a haircut and massage.

Saw the Assembly election results in Gujarat and Himachal Pradesh. 

A quiet Thursday.

Is it a victory?

'Unsatisfied', the church calls off the 138-day-old anti-Vizhinjam port stir after its meeting with the chief minister. The LDF and the media are celebrating it as a major political victory for the former. The church was quick to add that the truce was only temporary! Consequently, the Adani group has announced its decision to resume the construction work without delay, so as to meet the deadline of Dec 2023.

Seven Demands By The Protestors And Assurances

* A permanent rehabilitation program for coastal people

Government. Rs.2,450 crore Punargeham project is meant for rehabilitation. Project to be completed within 18 months.

Protest council. Acceptable.

* Subsidy for kerosene used in fishing boats

Government. Kerosene subsidy of Rs.25 per litre will continue. Will provide a one-time subsidy to shift to diesel. Subsidy for the diesel also offered. Govt spent 252.68 crore on subsidies since 2016.

Protest council. Acceptable.

* Compensation for work hit due to adverse weather warnings

Government. Already providing aid for fishermen during adverse weather. Steps taken to ensure work under Ayyankali and Mahatma Gandhi job guarantee schemes.

Protest council. Acceptable.

* Resolving issues at Muthalapozhi

Government. Appointed Central Water and Power Research Station, Pune to study the issue. Further action based on report.

Protest council. Acceptable.

* Solution to sea erosion issue

Government. Measures being implemented to protect the coast. Expert panel appointed to study the issue. A monitoring committee under the chief secretary will study coastal protection measures.

Protest council. Acceptable.

* Rented accommodation for people living in camps

Government. Started distributing rent to 284 families. Rent for two months to be given as advance. Adani group will provide the extra Rs.2,500 to increase the rent amount to Rs.8,000 for each family.

Protest council. Refused funds from Adani group.

* Stop construction of Vizhinjam port

Government. Work shall not be stopped. An expert committee has been appointed to study the impact by communicating with the coastal people. Necessary action will be taken based on the report.

Protest council. The Janakeeya committee constituted by them will also study the issue.

My take

I think it's a hastily cobbled up truce where two points put forth by the protesters have been wished away which will have subsequent ramifications. The LDF must stop calling it a victory because it seems to be fragile. Truly an uneasy truce, especially, because the fisher folk feel let down by the church. 

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores, the Wednesday 'aarathi' was carried out and was ready by a quarter past 9. 

Met up with Dr(Mrs) Sodhi for Lekha's cough and cold and she has been put on medicines. Went to Thampuranpadi junction, bought fish for the cats and returned. The Akshaya kendra work was a non-starter! Washing machinex of soiled clothes of the last four days as the maid is in hospital.

As part of the 'Veer Gaadha' program, I'd interacted with about 60 class VIII students - of Assissi Vidyaniketan Public School, Kaakkanaad - for an hour, from 1300 hrs. I spoke for about a half an hour and took questions from the audience; was invigorated by the interaction.

Today is Thrikkarthika vilakku. Lit up the house with the traditional earthenware lamps.  

Protogoras' Paradox!

Many years ago, a Law teacher came across a student who was willing to learn but was unable to pay the fees.

The student struck a deal saying, "I will pay your fee the day I win my first case in the court".

The teacher agreed and proceeded with the law course. When the course was finished, the teacher started pestering the student to pay up the fee but the student reminded him of the deal and pushed on evasively.

Fed up with this, the teacher decided to sue the student in the Court of Law and they both decided to argue for themselves.

The teacher put forward his argument saying : "If I win this case, as per the law, the student has to pay me as the case is about his non-payment of dues. And if I lose the case, the student has still to pay me since he would have won his first case......So, either way I will get the money".

Equally brilliant, the student argued back saying : "If I win the case, as per the court of law, I don't have to pay anything to the teacher as the case is about my non-payment of dues. And if I lose the case, I don't have to pay him because I haven't won my first case yet.....So either way, I am not going to pay the teacher anything".

This is one of the greatest paradoxes ever recorded.

Who is right and who is the winner? This is part of ancient Greek history. The law teacher was Protagoras (c.485 - 415 BCE) and the student was Euthalos.

This is known as Protagoras's Paradox. This case was not solved.

The most interesting part - this is still debated (even today) in law schools as a logic problem.

Tailpiece.

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

Off to the SBI, to give our particulars for the card.

Went see the matinee show of the Prithviraj - Nayantara Malayalam flick "Gold" that was quite unbearable.

Earlier in the day, I'd given clearance to Captain Jaison Paul, SO (Welfare), HQSNC to ask schools to interact with me being a gallantry award winner. Two schools of Ernakulam had contacted.   

The Iranian leadership does a climb down!

Protest-hit Iran abolishes morality police. The country's attorney general says force responsible for death of Mahsa Amini!

After months of trying to suppress widespread anti-government protests triggered by the brutal killing of 22 year-old Mahsa Amini by the Islamic religious police for not wearing a headscarf, Iran has reportedly scrapped its controversial morality police. The interior ministry - which is in charge of the morality police - is yet to confirm, though the attorney general has said, "Morality police has nothing to do with the judiciary and has been abolished".

Also, there's no indication as to whether the law mandating every woman to wear a headscarf /hijab would

be changed. Women protests - labelled 'riots' by the authorities, have swept Iran since the young Iranian woman died in custody on 16 Sep, three days after she was publicly assaulted and picked up by the morality police in Teheran.

Angered by her death, a growing number of women have been openly defying the hijab mandate and burning the headscarves to mark their protest against the brutal enforcement of the law.

The ban of the morality police marks a major concession to the protesters by the Islamic regime.

Though hijab became mandatory in Iran in 1983, it was years later, in 2006, that the morality police began strictly enforcing the Islamic dress code.

Courtesy. ENS

My take

When will the 'hijab lovers' of India take the cue from their brethren in Iran?

Tailpiece.

Got up at a quarter past 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to10.

Did my usual work.

Subjected to frequent power interruptions.

Wistfully.......on the occasion of Navy Day.

04 Dec is Indian Navy Day to commemorate its attack on Karachi harbour on the same day in 1971! It's ten years since I shed my uniform but the yearning to be amid it all, in spotless whites, is very much there. Here are a few thoughts......

English is a rather strange, punny language, many a time what you mean is different from what you say,

So difficult to comprehend as it is; becomes even much more, when you use terms, much the Navy way.

"Both Watches", certainly does not refer to a 'His/Her' set normally given in marriages, as a present,

The morning starts, with this big assembly of personnel; neat, well groomed; ensure you are not absent.

In civil life, you make a mistake, summoned by boss, tensed, realise fault not yours, then you 'stand easy'

In the ship, they pipe 'stand easy'; you relax, smile, think happily about sweet tea and hot samosas, greasy.

Even now, in many towns, villages, get good proposals, Government jobs considered so very 'Secure',

Say 'Secure' to a sea dog, he will smile nicely, go away bit quickly, looking for bottled amber liquid, pure.

'Trunk of Tree' to the average man, vision of vintage wood, good for furniture, or at least, even to hang on,

Say that to the grizzled, salty face; eyes would crinkle, a warm smile, what a dessert, really to splurge on.

Now, what am I doing this morning, waxing rather in-eloquently, the distortions of Naval English, I say,

Hey, today is the Day of the Whites, the men who sail the seven seas, my dear brethren, Today is Navy Day.

Jai Bharathi

Shan Nau Varuna!

4 AM, I wrote these words, went up first floor, opened my cupboard, my uniform still hanging on the rack.

Shiver me timbers, still an old salt, Awww!! Come on mateys, bend the rule a wee bit, please take me back.

Courtesy. From a fellow traveller who'd dorned the whites once upon a time.

Tailpiece.

Got up around a quarter past 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10.

Today's the Guruvayur Ekadasi and the Indian Navy Day.

A quiet day but could connect with many friends.

Author vs Director!

'Higuita' plot thickens. Confusion prevails over the use of the title 'Higuita' with its author NS Madhavan claiming that the Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) has told him that the film will not be named thus, while its director, Hemant Nair says that the KFCC is yet to take decision.

According to the author, he was informed of the matter by the film chamber. "I am not accusing the film maker. I am just pointing out the injustice being meted out to me. If the name is not registered in my name then I won't be able to make the movie based on my story titled Higuita. This is my grievance!"

"The talks regarding the making of the film based on my short story are going on and at this juncture, if they use the title, I wouldn't be able to use the same"

The president of the KFCC, Suresh Kumar says, "We have not said that the title won't be used. What we've done is hold the approval for the title. If the director of the film gets a no-objection letter from the author, then it won't be a problem to approve the title".

According to the director, the film is a political thriller. "The plan was to release the film on 22 Dec. All the work associated with the film has been completed".

My take

Hope the two sides reach a consensus at the earliest without rancour.

Tailpiece.

Got up at a half past 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter to 10.

The maid had fetched up by lunch time and left after finishing her work by a half past 5.

The evening chores were completed in good time.

India and the G 20 Presidency.

With PM Modi's imaginative foreign policy initiatives thus far, his acceptance as a leader of stature among the world leaders and his foreign minister, S Jaishankar who has articulated India's position on various issues, the G20 Presidency is gonna be proactive and worth observing!

Our External Affairs Minister has gone on record to say that "it will be consultative, it will be collaborative and it will be decisive".

At a G20 University Connect event that drew students of 75 universities in an interactive session , he said, "Our G20 Presidency is taking place at a very critical moment in international affairs. It is particularly vital that the world leaders focus on the right issues, especially those that effect the more vulnerable sections of the world".

He highlighted eight points saying India's example is of increasing relevance to the others which are :-

* Last mile delivery using digital platforms .

* Our way of responding to Covid.

* The transformation in green and clean energy

* Spotlight life with its associated sustainable and responsible choice at the level of individual lifestyles as well as national development.

* Will be consultative.

* Will be collaborative.

* Will be decisive as the country is the mother of democracy.

* The world will get to know India better and our citizens will develop a sharper appreciation of it.

Adapted from Yeshi Seli's article.

My take

We are, indeed, passing through exciting times as India takes centre stage in world affairs!

Tailpiece.

Got up at a half past 5 as Lekha wanted to go for another 'darshan' of Guruvayurappan. She wasn't happy with her foray yesterday. Hameed had come by a 5' to 7.

A quiet day.

Work has commenced at the Puthuvayil House. Phew!

Vizhinjam port must be saved!

It was touted as a 'dream project' that could take Kerala's economy to another level but seven years after the then UDF government signed an agreement with Adani Ports Ltd to construct an international deep water multipurpose seaport at Vizhinjam, the Rs.7,500 cr project seems to be stuck. The Latin church, the dominant religious group in the coastal belt, is up in arms  against it as they feel the construction has affected the coastal ecosystem, thereby affecting their lives and livelihood.

The church demands that the project be stopped immediately. The issue has taken a deeper communal colour with the Hindu Aikyavedi supporting a section of fishermen favouring the project. Certain communal remarks by the priests against a Muslim state minister also opened many wounds. The agitation turned violent on Sunday, with the protestors attacking a police station and injuring many, including policemen, while demanding the release of those who arrested earlier in the day.

Significant amid the imbroglio is the government handling the protesters and the situation with unusual mildness. Despite the High Court's instructions to provide adequate security for port construction, the government has yet to effectively clamp down on the protests. This is in contrast to how the same government took strong action to bring the GAIL pipeline and NH construction projects, stuck for years, back on track but in the case of Vizhinjam port, the government seems to have gone unusually soft. Whether it is due to the fear of antagonising the Latin church, which holds a monopoly of votes in the coastal belt or whether there are other extraneous reasons, is yet to be clear.

Whatever the reasons, the government should not allow the Vizhinjam port, which has immense economic possibilities, to sink into the muddy waters of politics and religion. The Congress, which brought the project to the Kerala shores, must not try to fish in muddy waters by opposing its own project for electoral benefits. There is no doubt that the fisher folk's concerns are genuine and must be addressed but whether their issues are due to the port construction or are connected to larger climate change issues need to be verified. The government must also take measures to speed up the rehabilitation of the affected fisher folk. No matter how beneficial it is, any project will stand on its feet only if it has the support of the local community.

Courtesy. Editorial of the NIE, 01 Dec.

My take

Fully endorse the views expressed above.

Tailpiece.

Got up at 6, the chores and was ready by 10. Lekha was ready earlier as she had gone to the Guruvayur temple. Hameed had come by with his auto rickshaw by a half past 7.

Had gone to town to complete pending work.

Ramesh and Amal had come to clip the grass short, dispose of the waste - both dry and wet - remove weeds and spruce up the potted plants. 

How do guests become audacious?

Israeli filmmaker, Nadav Lapid was invited by India to chair the panel of judges at the International Film Festival of India 2022 that had just concluded at Goa. 

Lapid had the audacity to call the movie, "Kashmir Files" a propaganda film that did not have an iota of truth in its contents. Can't understand his gumption to trash another creative filmmaker's efforts. Seems to be downright ill mannered. The sad fact is that a few Indian film personalities - who, incidentally look for limelight to fall on them, albeit, even for a short while - have tomtommed his remarks.

He is an acclaimed filmmaker and has also expressed his opinions on issues that he feels strongly about. His beliefs and values have illuminated, his films, highlighting inner conflicts, the idea of nationalism and the complicated issue of his Jewish identity. Moreover, he has been one of the 250 signatories to a letter by the Israeli filmmaking community opposing their government's white washing the Palestinian occupation by giving grants to Jewish settlers in the West Bank.

What is audacious about his comments is that he doesn't believe that the brutality meted out to the Kashmiri Pundits by the Muslim population of Jammu and Kashmir had taken place. The Kashmir Files gives the authentic version of what had happened. 

How dare he call it propaganda? He definitely has no credentials to sit in the jury if he was so biased and hadn't cared to study and understand the facts.

How do dubious, uncouth guys get invitations to participate in such events, I wonder?

Tailpiece.

Got up around a half past 6, the chores and was ready by 10.

Carried out the Wednesday aarathi of the house and washing machinex of the bed linen.

 

Kochi port - unaffordable?

In a setback for Kochi port, a section of Kerala-based exporters has decided to shift to major ports like Thoothukudi and Nhava Sheva in Navi Mumbai, citing unaffordable ocean freight charges, long transit time and hostile attitude of central agencies here. The 180-member Kerala Exporters Forum (KEF) claims a majority of exporters have decided to shift.

The Vegetable and Fruit Exporters Association stopped sending shipments from the port since 25 Nov, claiming that high freight charges and GST had made exports unaffordable. The volume of exports from Kochi port stood at 1,29,437.05 tons in August and 1,04,557.6 tons in September. 

Kerala exports 250 tons of fruits and vegetables by air per day and 375 containers of vegetables by sea per month. The freight charge for a 40 ft container from Kochi to Jebel Ali (Dubai) is $1,545 against $533 from Nhava Sheva port. The VKC group which ships around 120 to 150 containers of footwear a month, has already shifted to Navi Mumbai.

Exporters also complained that the delay in transit of cargo from Kochi was causing loss of business. 

"A container shipped from Kochi takes 14 days to reach Jebel Ali (Dubai), 18 days to reach Doha (Qatar) and 22 days to reach Jeddah (Saudi Arabia). The same consignment from Navi Mumbai reaches the GCC countries in five days. Containers from Kochi are first taken to Colombo port where they are transshipped and sent to their destinations. This delays delivery.

Agricultural products sent by ocean freight from Kerala include tapioca, banana, drumstick, ginger, purple yam, yam, coconut and colocasia.

The high freight charges and GST have made vegetable exports unaffordable. Sri Lanka, Pakistan and Bangladesh are delivering the same products at cheaper rates.

My take

Is the Mallu arrogance and reticence that are the root cause? The work culture definitely needs to improve.

Tailpiece.

Got up at a quarter past 6, the chores and was ready by 10. Subin fetches up in the morning itself to clean the overhead fresh water tank.

Off to the bank and the supermarket for sundry purchases.

Selvam comes and presses the backlog of clothes.

The Arunachal Frontier Highway - India's toughest project!

The Modi government moves with Arunachal Frontier Highway, among India's 'toughest' projects yet, China in mind. There was a time when China did not allow the then PM Manmohan Singh's chopper to land in Arunachal Pradesh.

The 2,000 km-long highway will be of strategic importance to the Indian military. Same equipment used on the other side of LAC being deployed to carry out work on tough terrain.

Covering the entire Line of Actual Control (LAC) adjacent to Arunachal Pradesh, this project will cost at least Rs.40,000 crores. "One of India's biggest and toughest " road building projects.

* After seven decades of dithering on establishing border connectivity in the Northeast, India has initiated a massive infrastructure building, the showpiece of which is the Arunachal Frontier Highway, one of the country's biggest and toughest projects.

* Work on the project has already started in certain sections with state-of-the-art equipment deployed to fast track the whole process.

* The project, which was objected to by China in the past, is a 2,000-km long road that follows the McMahon Line.

* The road will begin from Mago in Arunachal Pradesh, adjacent to Bhutan and pass through Tawang, Upper Subansiri, Tuting, Mechuka, Upper Siang, Debang Valley, Desali, Chaglagam, Kibithu, Dong before ending at Vijayanagar near the Myanmar border.

* With this project, Arunachal Pradesh will get three national highways - the Frontier Highway, the Trans-Arunachal Highway and the East-West Industrial Corridor Highway.

* Six vertical and diagonal inter highway corridors totalling 2,178 km will be built to provide missing inter-connectivity between the three highways as well as to provide faster access to border areas.

* The corridors include the 402 km-long Thelamara-Tawang-Nelia Highway, the 391 km-long Itakhola-Pakke-Kessang-Seppa-Parsi Parlo Highway, the 285 km-long Gogamukh-Taliha-Tato Highway, the 398 km-long Akajan-Jorging-Pango Highway, the 298 km-long Pasighat-Bishing Highway and the 404 km-long Kanubari-Longding Highway.

* The Arunachal Frontier Highway will be a huge capability jump for the military since it will allow seamless and faster movement of both men and equipment to the border as and when needed for induction and de-induction.

* China had raised objections to the project in 2014 itself after it came across reports that the proposal got preliminary nod from the Prime Minister's Office.

* The project is being implemented by multiple agencies in close co-ordination with each including the Border Roads Organisation, the MoRTH and other agencies.

Faced with an assertive China, India has been carrying out a massive infrastructure push in the Northeast with a major focus on Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim, fast tracking work on a number of bridges that can transport heavy equipment to tunnels, highways and feeder roads right up to the LAC.

My take

A much needed thrust in the beefing up of the border infrastructure!

Tailpiece.

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

Rejith comes to collect clothes for dry cleaning, Trijo comes and collects the cheque for his work, the waterman comes and gives me the water bill for the month and I recharged the FASTag.

The IFB guy comes to service the washing machine and renew the AMC.

The evening chores.