Don't leave anything for later...

Later, the coffee gets cold.

Later, you lose interest.

Later, the day turns into

night.

Later, people grow up.

Later, people grow old.

Later, life goes by.

Later, you regret not

doing something

when you had the

chance. 

Growth of core sectors.

Production in key infrastructure industries rose to 7.9% in September, the fastest pace under the new series, official data showed yesterday.

Among segments, iron ore output rose by 18.4%, electricity by 11.4%, coal by 10.7% and refinery products by 10.3%, the data showed. Cement production rose 9.8% and steel by 4.9% in September compared with the same period last year.

However, fertilisers (-11.7%), natural gas (-4.6%) and crude oil (-1.4%) output fell during the month under review.

The core sector expanded by 3.19% in September last year and 5.9% in Aug '26, according to the government data.

My take

A good show when compared with the prevalent uncertainties, within the country and without!

Back @ The Quarterdeck.

Our day began at 4, this morning, we went through the chores and were ready by a quarter past 6. Monish, our sa'arathi came in by a half past 6 and we set off soon after. Were helped in loading the car by our caretaker.

Stopped at the Nagaraja kshetram at Randalummoodu as is our normal custom.

His younger son, Aniyan had fetched up from Saudi Arabia earlier in the morning and he, too, had dropped by to meet us and take our blessings. He should be with his folks over the next 45 days! He has got much of the family's debt cleared with his earnings and looks after his parents.

We'd shaped our course toward the Sri Parthasarathy temple at Aranmula, where Lekha wanted to do the "matha thekoing" and we'd a wonderful darshan by about 8. Had breakfast soon after.

The drive was fine and we passed Ponkunnam, Perumbavoor, Muvattupuzha vis Thrissur.

Lunch was had at the Gokula Nandana, 9 km north of Angamali.

Reached The Quarterdeck by 4 and the opening up of the house, unpacking and seeing off our sa'arathi were quickly done without delay.

It was a quiet evening when we watched our favourite serials on television.

Tailpiece.

It rained at Guruvayur around 7.

Dussehra.

Dasha Hara is a Sanskrit word which means removal of ten bad qualities within you :-

* Ahankara                                       Ego

* Amanavta                                      Cruelty

* Anyaaya                                        Injustice

* Kaama vaasana                             Lust

* Krodha                                          Anger

* Lobha                                           Greed

* Mada                                            Over Pride

* Matsara                                         Jealousy

* Moha                                            Attachment

* Swartha                                        Selfishness

Hence, also known as "Vijayadashami" signifying "Vijaya" over these ten bed qualities.

Happy Vijayadashami!

Happy Dussehra!

Forget it.....

Forget the Bucket List. That's for people who want to swim with the dolphins, climb mountains and find themselves in Nepal.

I've been to Nepal, seen a bit of the world and spent half my life wondering what the bloody hell I'm supposed to be looking for.

Turns out, I ain't trying to find myself anymore. I'm trying to find my glasses, remember why I walked into the kitchen and work out why everything hurts when I get up.

So, here's my Forget it list.

1. Impressing people I don't like

    Years of wearing the right suit, saying the right things and nodding at people talking absolute 

     bollocks.     

    Forget it.

    If you're talking bollocks, I'll probably tell you.

2. Going places because I feel obliged.

    Weddings, parties, dinners with people I barely know.

    Forget it.

    I've got a sofa, a television and a cat who thinks I'm an employee.

3. Understanding modern technology

    Apparently my fridge connects to the internet. Why? Is it lonely? Does it want to meet other

    fridges?

   Forget it.

   Just keep the milk cold.

4. Worrying what people think.

    At 20, I wanted everyone to like me.

    At 40, I wanted everyone to respect me.

    At 60, I've realised half of them weren't thinking about me anyway.

    Forget it.

    That's 40 years of unnecessary administration.

5. Saving things for special occasions.

    The expensive whisky. The good shoes. The nice plates.

    Forget it.

    What's the special occasion? My funeral?

6. Winning every argument.

    Once I'd spend hours proving someone. Now, if someone tells me the Earth is flat, which side

    Australia is on.

    Forget it.

    Life is too short to argue with idiots.

7. Acting my age.

    Apparently, I'm supposed to enjoy gardening, sensible shoes and discussing cholesterol.

   Forget it.

   I still laugh at inappropriate jokes and behave like a teenager.

   Only difference is, now I need two days to recover.

8. Waiting until retirement.

    Work hard. Save money, enjoy life when you retire.

    But nobody guarantees you'll get there. Or that your knees will still work.

    Forget it.

    I'm enjoying mine now.

A tryst with the goddess.

Our day began at 4 AM thanks to our religious foray this morning. Went through our chores, lit up the puja room lamp, recited my prayers, bath and were ready by a quarter past 6. However, Monish, our sa'arthi fetched up by 7; he'd washed down the car with four buckets of water and we set off on our journey.

Picked up Lekha's sister, Letha from her home and resumed our journey.

Reached the Kattil Mekkanath temple at the coast off Karunagappally. Despite the fact that today was "pooja veyppu", the crowd was much less and manageable. Had a quick bite of breakfast of dosas, sambar washed down with a good cup of coffee.

Had a very good 'darshan' of the Goddess and we were on our return trip soon after.

Reached Kottarakkara, picked up our lunch and were at home by 1. 

Lunch, watched television for a while followed by siesta.

The evening chores and did Lekha's monthly 'aarathi' with the silver coin.

Tomorrow morning, we shall be off to toothy Mallan's clinic at Muhamma to fix my right dental bridge and for Lekha's review.

On completion, we shall return to Raj Nivas and proceed to Guruvayur on Wednesday morning.

Take time to think....

Take time to think...

it is the source of power..

Take time to read....

it is the foundation of wisdom...

Take time to play....

it is the secret of staying young...

Take time to be quiet...

it is the opportunity to see God...

Take time to be aware....

it is the opportunity to help others...

Take time to love and be loved...

it is God's greatest gift...

Take time to laugh...

it is the music of the soul...

Take time to be friendly...

it is the road to happiness....

Take time dream....

it is what the future is made of...

Take time to pray....

it is the greatest power on earth...

At Raj Nivas.

Our day had begun at 4, this morning. We went through our chores and were ready by a quarter past 6. Earlier, our chauffeur, Monish had arrived by a quarter past 4 from Kottarakkara. He came by a KSRTC bus.

We kicked off at a quarter past 6, had a darshan of 'Thiruvambadi Krishnan' - Lekha had always been wanting to visit the temple after I'd told her about my morning visits to the temple during her surgery. We pulled it off today, phew!

We'd breakfast at the Aryaas Hotel, after the turn to the airport, at around a quarter to 9 and reached Satish Bhat's clinic by a quarter past 10. He was very happy with my overall medical condition with HBA1C hovering at 5.4! After Lekha's and my interaction with him, we set off for Shenoy Care. 

The formalities of registration, tests, meeting with Dr Aswathy by a half past 12 but had to wait till a half past 3 to meet Dr Padmanabha Shenoy. He, too, was happy with Lekha's medical condition and has reduced the HQCS regime.

We left for Raj Nivas, soon after and reached home by 8 PM. Expressed my unhappiness with the tall, wild grass at the courtyard; Monish left soon after.

The television did not come on stream for the evening.

Hit the sack at our usual time of 11. Nice to be back at home!

India joins international fishing pact.

India will join the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement (SIOFA), gaining a greater role in managing high-seas resources and opening fishing opportunities for Indian vessels in the southern Indian Ocean while adhering to international regulations.

Deep water advantage

India will be upgraded from non-contracting party to contracting party under Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement.

 

India's share in global economy 8%

Indian vessels to fish for 

   * Squids

   * Toothfish

   * Alfonsino

   * Other non-migratory fish

India will have greater access to

   * Scientific data

   * Research programs

   * Stock assessments

Our fishing sector

2nd largest fish-producing country in the world

India's fish production in 2024-'25 195 lakh tons

30 million livelihoods supported by the fishing sector

Rs.60,523 cr is the amount India earned in fishery product exports in 2023-'24

120 countries consume fish exports from India

Exploration : 2036.

Thiruvananthapuram-based space-tech firm HEX20 is all set to hand over its satellite EMA Probe to the UAE Space Agency this month. The satellite, developed in the firm's facility at UAE's Masdar city, will explore asteroid 269 Justitia by 2036.

Developed to meet the requirements of the UAE Space Agency, the satellite took over two years to build. HEX20 was selected by the Technology Innovation Institute (TII) and the UAE Space Agency in Nov 2024, becoming the first private Indian company to be on board for a deep-space mission by the Gulf nation.

After the satellite is taken over by the UAE, it will be sent to the US for integration with a larger spacecraft. After testing, the integrated unit will be launched through Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) by 2028. It is scheduled to travel nearly five billion kilometres to reach the asteroid belt. 

Along the way, it will fly past six asteroids before reaching its final target, 269 Justitia. Once it enters orbit around around the asteroid, the probe developed by HEX20 will separate and descend autonomously and descend toward the surface, capturing images and transmitting them for scientific study. It will have a hard landing!

Justitia's unusual reddish target has always drawn scientific interest. Studying its surface could provide clues about organic material and the distribution of water and other volatile substances during the formation of the Solar System.  

Inflation.

Retail inflation rises to 5.54% in September on high onion price 

Retail inflation rose sharply on the back of high onion price and other food prices, government data showed.

Just within the RBI's tolerance band

The consumer price index (CPI) based headline inflation was 4.83% in August. The latest figure is just within the RBI's tolerance band of 6%. Food inflation rose to 7.74% from 5.97% the previous month. The top items with high inflation were onion (108.09%), silver jewellery (87.8%) and ginger (62.85%).

Rural inflation crosses 6%

* The top five states with high inflation were Tamilnadu, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana and Andhra

   Pradesh. The figures for rural and urban areas were 6.08% and 4.88%, respectively.

* Commenting on the data, CRISIL, said food inflation is likely to remain firm as weak rainfall weighs 

   on agri output.

5.2% is the projected retail inflation for 2026-'27. 

Today's news headlines that amused me.

 1. The Kerala Assembly has passed a resolution asking for the resignation of the CEC.

     Both the UDF and the LDF voted for it.

     Now see the flipside :-

     * The CEC is a constitutional authority

     * Doesn't come under the purview of the state Assemblies.

     So, why was the tamasha resorted to? CM VD Satheesan, is this the way you show your loyalty to

     your party leader?

 2. RaGa has announced that the protests will continue on the streets of New Delhi till the CEC,

     the CJI, the PM and the HM are removed.

     He has finally uttered what the US 'deep state' wants him to do. They're funding him and his cohorts

     liberally.

     Is this the manner in which a responsible Leader of Opposition behaves?

 3. Energy truce between Russia and Ukraine announced by US President Trump. 

     Now see the related activities .

     He has announced that Ukraine's President Zelensky must go; to be replaced by someone else.

     Zelensky has suggested to the US to ask Putin for a two-month ceasefire to carry out elections!

My take

The Media doesn't know as to what they're telling us!

 

 

  

The nine forms of Goddess Durga.

Sharadiya Navratri begins today with nine nights of worship devoted to the nine manifestations of Goddess Durga, known as the Navadurga.

Day 1. Shailaputri

The daughter of the mountain king Himavan and a manifestation of Sati, Shailaputri represents strength, stability and auspicious beginnings.

Day 2. Brahmacharini

The ascetic form of the Goddess embodies tapas, devotion, perseverance and steadfastness on the spiritual 

path.

Day 3. Chandraghanta

Wearing a crescent moon on her forehead, Chandraghanta represents courage, protection, and the power to overcome adversity.

Day 4. Kushmanda

Associated with the cosmic egg, Kushmanda embodies the creative energy of the universe and the radiance that sustains life.

Day 5. Skandamata

The mother of Skanda, or Karthikeya, Skandamata represents nurturing, compassion and the protective power of motherhood.

Day 6. Katyayani

The warrior form of the Goddess symbolises courage and the fierce power of shakti to destroy evil.

Day 7. Kalaratri

Dark and formidable, Kalaratri represents the Goddess's power to destroy fear, ignorance and destructive forces.

Day 8. Mahagauri

Radiant and serene, Mahagauri symbolises purity, peace and spiritual purification.

Day 9. Siddhidatri

This form is the bestower of siddhis or spiritual attainments, representing the culmination of the Navaratri journey.

A quiet day!

It was indeed a quiet Saturday. There were heavy rains, for about an hour, in the evening at 1900 hrs! 

Respect every moment.

1. The sound of an ambulance is just noise......until it stops at your door.

2. Sorry is just a word......until it comes from a doctor.

3. Funeral food tastes normal......until it's cooked in your own house.

4. A hospital is just a building.......until someone you love is inside it.

5. Parents seem permanent.......until age starts catching up with them.

6. Life looks simple.......until it decides to teach you lessons.

Because nothing changes faster than the meaning of things when life makes them personal.

Wake up call for all Indians!

Is a full-scale Regime Change operation under way in India?

* PM Modi's X account allegedly shadow-banned and

   reach throttled.

* Elon Musk publicly vibing with Rahul Gandhi over 

   Starlink and targeting Indian industry.

* CJP and foreign funded handles getting sudden Algorithmic

   amplification.

* FIIs relentlessly dumping Indian equities.

* External geopolitical squeeze via West Asia energy fallout.

* Crores pumped in via Western influence networks and NGOs.

* Trump administration strikes Indian IT : TCS, Infosys, Wipro,

   HCL and Cognizant suspended from US PERM (Green Card)

   program.

Time to stay united for all Indians!

My take

And the FCRA bill is coming up for discussions on 12 Oct at the JPC

constituted for it.

Military-grade underwater ROV for the Indian Navy!

Underwater robotics is becoming increasingly critical across Indian Navy's operations, maritime security, underwater infrastructure protection, port and harbour security, search and recovery, inspection and maritime domain awareness. The indigenous development and deployment of TROUT supports the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, strengthening strategic autonomy.

EyeROV Trout, is the underwater remotely operated vehicle. 

In a country-first milestone, Keralam-based marine robotics and AI deep-tech company EyeROV has developed and delivered two TROUTs - underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) systems for the Indian Navy.

TROUT has also completed type testing, verifying that the product design platforms to specifications under defined test conditions.

My take

Simply fantastic!

What the hell is happening?

There has been protests (?) on the streets of New Delhi for the past few days with the narrative, "Gyanesh Kumar, the CEC must resign".  

Currently, the visible trouble makers are the Congress and the CJP, with a few parties of the entire opposition staying behind and offering moral support because, deep within their hearts, each one of the parties knows that the narrative is false; has no substance and is a RaGa fabricated falsehood! You're trying to cover the bitter truth that you can't win an election because of your lacklustre leadership! And not to forget the wicked and sick Arvind Kejriwal! Heard a venomous audio clip of his saying that this time he'll beat Modi to pulp......we all know as to what he did as the chief minister of Delhi.

Moreover, these guys on the streets are being funded by the Oslo Peace Foundation and Sorros' funding agency, it's said. The plot has been hatched eons ago with the sole aim of pulling down PM Narendra Modi and the elected government by hook or by crook. 

What these protesting guys seem to forget is that they can only survive if India is fine and strong. Addressing them directly - RaGa, Abhijit Dipke, Saurav Das and the other anti-national guys - you must stand for a united nation. Don't hitch your bandwagon with the guys that are funding you from outside; you'll pay a heavy price and mind you even your so-called mentors have a poor opinion of you because you've the gumption to tear apart your motherland for your narrow gains and play up to their fallacies!

Nothing has happened, hold your horses for a moment, ponder about the imponderables/uncertainties in the aftermath of your destructive actions if they were to fructify.

Heard another irresponsible guy, RaGa's sidekick, KC Venugopal saying that Delhi will burn. Doesn't it give him nightmares if such a thing were to really happen? He's the same guy who has kept an eye on Kerala CM's chair and is putting all sorts of obstacles to prevent the present incumbent, VD Satheesan, from functioning efficiently.

The weaklings and the losers are trying to make a mark - Yogendra Yadav, are you listening?

The Indian Express and the Malayala Manorama have gone overboard in their one-sided coverage of the protests. Talk of the press being neutral and being exemplary in their coverage!

Must remind you that the nation and the people will never forgive you, ever!

My take

My prayers for the well being of India and her bright future!

Coffee trails to village walks, Keralam proposes...

New experience

Districts where Kerala Tourism has introduced experimental trails :-

   * Thiruvananthapuram

   * Kollam

   * Alappuzha

   * Idukki

   * Ernakulam

   * Malappuram

   * Kozhikode

   * Kasaragod

What does it offer?

   * Agriculture : Coffee and Tea plantation walks, farming activities and fruit cultivation.

   * Food and culture : Traditional cuisine, sweet-making, local performing arts, customs and festivals.

   * Community life : Village tours, indigenous lifestyles and engagement with local occupations.

   * Traditional crafts : Pottery making, handloom, sari weaving and traditional handicrafts.

   * Nature and eco-experiences : Guided nature walks, biodiversity tracking, birdwatching and forest 

      trails.

   * Water experiences : Kayaking, country boat rides and canal navigation across backwaters.

   * Accommodations : Farm stays, rural homestays and immersive lodging.

Keralam's tourism is taking shape imaginatively!

The Math puns.

  1. Why was the fraction apprehensive about marrying the decimal?

      Because she would have to convert.

  2. Why do plants avoid Maths?

      It gives them square roots.

  3. Why did the student get upset when his teacher called him average?

      It was a mean thing to say.

  4. Why was the math book depressed?

      It had a lot of problems.

  5. Why is the obtuse triangle always so frustrated?

      Because it is never right.

  6. Why can you never trust a maths teacher holding graph paper?

      She must be plotting something.

  7. Why was the equal sign so humble?

      Because she knew she wasn't greater than or less than anyone else.

  8. Did you hear the one about the statistician?

      Probably.

  9. What do you call students who love maths?

      Algebros.

10. I'll do algebra, I'll do trig. I'll even do statistics.

      But graphing is where I draw the line!

11. Why are parallel lines so tragic if they have so much in common?

      It's a shame they'll never meet.

12. How do you stay warm in any room?

      Just huddle in the corner, where it's always 90 degrees.

13. Why is six afraid of seven?

      Because seven eight ("ate") nine!

14. Why does nobody talk to a circle?

      Because there is no point.

The wisdom of enough.

We live in a culture that rarely lets us feel we have enough. There is always something more to acquire, achieve or experience - a better phone, a bigger home, another promotion, more recognition. Even after getting what he wanted, the satisfaction can be brief before the mind begins reaching for the next thing.

Indian wisdom offers a different approach through santosha, or contentment in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras. It is one of the five niyamas or personal observances. The Yoga Sutra 2.42 says : santosad anuttamah sukha-labhah - from contentment comes unsurpassed happiness.

The Bhagvad Gita points to a deeper meaning. Describing one who is established in the Self, Krishna speaks of being atmani eva cha santustah - satisfied in the Self (3.17). Contentment, therefore, is not simply being pleased with what we possess. It is learning not to make our inner wellbeing dependent on acquiring more.

This does not mean abandoning ambition. We can strive, improve and pursue meaningful goals while remaining inwardly at ease with the present. So, the next time you catch yourself thinking, "I'll be happy when I have this", pause. Ask : "What if my happiness does not have to wait?"

28 strategic Ladakh sites on official map.

The centre, yesterday, formally identified 28 strategic places and geographical features in Ladakh on the official map of India.

LAC friction points among sites identified

The government said in a statement that formally identifying them on the Survey map of Ladakh will help streamline official cartography, facilitate accurate recognition and promote greater public awareness. Gogra and Hot Spring, key friction points during the 2020 India-China military stand off, are among the strategic locations identified on the map.

Comes after similar action in Arunachal

* The list includes :-

   - Alisha Giri

   - Brangsa

   - Chapchingal Pass

   - Kanishka Peak

   - Karun Pir Mountain

   - Kuksei

   - Martand Giri

   - Parpik Glacier

   - Skamri Glacier

   - Shachmirik Pass

   - Shkorga Valley and

   - Zorawar Peak. 

* It comes nearly two months after the government identified a total of 27 places and features located 

   in Arunachal Pradesh.

10 peaks and three mountains among the 28 places/features identified.

Viva Captain Smit Machchhar!

                      Keralam pays its respectful salute to Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar

                      for his extraordinary courage and resilience. The world will, forever reme-

                      mber his bravery in protecting the lives of passengers aboard Flydubai flig-

                      ht FZ1073. Despite sustaining injuries in a grave and challenging situation

                      Captain Machchhar displayed remarkable valour, composure and unwave-

                      ring devotion to duty. Our thoughts and prayers are with Captain Machch-

                      har for a swift and full recovery.

                                                                                          @ VD Satheesan, Chief Minister

16 Mahajanapadas (Capitals) of Ancient India.

  1. Gandhara

      Taxila

  2. Kamboja

      Rajapura

  3. Surasena

      Mathura

  4. Matsya

      Viratnagara

  5. Vatsa

      Kaushambi

  6. Avanti

      North : Ujjain

      South : Mahishmati

  7. Chedi (or Chetiya)

      Shuktimati

  8. Asmaka

      Potana/Potali

  9. Magadha

      Rajagriha (Pataliputra)

10. Kashi

      Varanasi

11. Anga

     Champa

12. Vajji

      Vaishali

13. Malla

      Kushinagar and Pava

14. Kosala

      Northern : Shravasti

      Southern : Kushavati

15. Panchala

      Northern : Ahichhatra

      Southern : Kampilya

16. Kuru

      Indraprastha