Irresponsible action that cannot be condoned!

The Tamil blockbuster, 'Pathinaaru Vayathinile' was thoroughly enjoyed by me when I saw it during my teens. Later, felt very happy when he stole a quiet victory over Rishi Kapoor in the Hindi movie, 'Saagar' by his effortless acting. His 'Avvai Shanmughi' and 'Indian' were blockbusters and one was really 'fida' over his acting talent. 

Kamalahaasan has come a long way and is a superstar, who has an enormous fan following, especially in the Tamil film industry. 

Of late, he has been seen in quite a few movies but somehow, lacks spontaneity. Probably as an actor, he has realised it much before everyone of us and that's what bewilders me about his recent actions. Is it his way of remaining in the limelight, I wonder?

He was an ardent critic of the games politicians play and one thought he would be different from the average politician and would focus on the aspects of governance and tackle the scores of problems faced by the common man. However, what's being seen on the ground is that not only has he been crass in his political thinking but has also  been following the same mistakes of the hardcore politician, which he abhorred - at least that's what he used to say.

He has been consistently taking an anti-Hindu line and the latest delivery from his motor-mouth is that, and I quote, "There was no Hinduism during the reign of the Chola Dynasty! Hinduism was thrust into the Indian people by the British". This is his reaction to the latest magnum opus, Ponniyin Selvan, that delves into the succession upheavals during the Chola period. Directed by Mani Rathnam, the film is a money grosser and people in the field claim that it has already crossed Rs.100 crore, in collections, within a short time!

Kamalahaasan's is a mischievous statement when the truth - as everyone is aware - is otherwise. So, I've many queries to ask of him, which are :-

Mr Kamalahaasan,

     * How have you become a historian overnight and that too, a lousy one at that? 

     * How are you making wrong statements and it's pathetic to see you blabbering the same stuff in a never ending series of press statements?

     * What's your ulterior motive by doing such crass things?

     * Have you forgotten your responsibilities, as a celebrity, to be mature and factual in your utterances?

     * Do you hope to come to power after such a lousy political slugfest?

     * And why are you making a fool of yourselves? Is this your way of remaining in the limelight? Then, it's a sad, bloody joke! 

Your irresponsible actions and utterings cannot be condoned!

Tailpiece.

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

To the town to drop my credit card cheque, effect a couple of transfers and buy Kittu's fish.

Trimmed the plants and the palms in the balcony.

 

Kerala's anti-drug campaign begins.

From debates to parades! People's representatives, organisations, associations, representatives and artistic talents to participate....

Thankfully, a concerted effort at long last. 

* Classroom debates involving students on Thursdays. Discussions on drugs to be organised in every school, college and classroom.

* An awareness program for parents to be organised under the leadership of PTA/MPTA/development committees in all educational institutions on Thursdays and Fridays. The meeting to be n

held on 01 Nov for the planning of the human chain.

* From 08 to 12 Oct, clubs, hostels and residential associations a debate and take a pledge on the issue of drugs. The presence of prominent people from various fields will be ensured. Video of the CM's speech to be shown in the programs.

* Training of teachers going on as per the module prepared by SCERT to create awareness among the students. One lakh teachers and excise-police officers being trained which has entered the final stage.

* On 09 Oct, all neighbourhood groups under the leadership of Kudumbasree in the state to organise an anti-drug assembly.

* The anti-drug campaign to be included in the social solidarity parade under the leadership of the SC/ST department. The program that began on 02 Oct will end on 14 Oct. Anti-drug campaign specially under the leadership of the promoters shall focus on SC/ST sanctuaries.

* On 14 Oct, an anti-drug rally to be organised at bus stands, markets, towns and railway stations under the leadership of traders and industrialists.

* 'Janajaagrata sadas' to be organised in all wards from 1600 to 1900 hrs on 16 Oct.

* Enforcement activities of excise and police to be intensified.

* Extensive programs to be organised among guest workers (migrant labour) and enforcement action strengthened. This campaign runs from 15 to 22 Oct.

* A special campaign to be organised in the coastal region with the cooperation of various organisations, fisheries department and coastal police from 16 to 24 Oct.

* At 1800 hrs on 24 Oct, anti-drug lamp will be lit in all homes and public places.

* Prior to this, a lamp-lighting ceremony to be held on 22 Oct under the leadership of MPs and MLAs. On 23 and 24 Oct, under the leadership of the Library Council, all libraries will light candles against alcoholism.

* A program to be organised in business establishments on 25 Oct under the leadership of traders.

* Cycle rallies under the leadership of NCC, NSS, SPC and voluntary organisations and mass gatherings in which celebrities will participate and sports competitions under the leadership of clubs to be organised.

* Under the leadership of Scouts and Guides, a cycle rally to be organised from 25 Oct to 01 Nov, starting from Kasaragod and ending in Thiruvananthapuram, passing through 78 educational districts. NSS units to conduct extensive quiz for college students.

* People's representatives and celebrities will participate at each centre. For the promotion of the project, a procession with extensive participation will be organised on 30, 31 Oct.

Tailpiece.

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

Wished Achu and Sanil many happy returns.

A quiet day otherwise.

The days thus far.

Today is one of the major Hindu festivals that marks the end of Navaratri. It is observed on the tenth day in the calendar month of Ashwin or Kartik. The day marks Lord Rama's victory over the evil king Ravana. The nine forms of goddesses, Durga, Shakti and Saraswati, remembered during the Dussehra.....

Day 1       Pratipada/Ghatasthapana

The first day is the day Shailaputri Devi. Shailaputri literally means the daughter (putri) of the mountains (shaila). Variously known as Sati Bhavani, Parvati or Hemavati, the daughter of Hemavana - the king of the Himalayas, she is the first among Navadurgas.

Day 2       Brahmacharini

Brahmacharini means one who practices devout austerity. She enlightens us in the magnificent embodiment of Durgs with great powers and divine grace. She is blissful and endows happiness, peace, prosperity and grace upon all devotees who worship her. Filled with bliss and happiness, she is the way to emancipation - Moksha.

Day 3        Chandraghanta

Chandraghanta is worshipped for peace, tranquility and prosperity in life. She has a 'chandra' or half moon in her forehead in the shape of a 'ghanta' or bell. She is charming, has a golden bright complexion and rides a lion. She has ten hands, three eyes and holds weapons in her hands. She is the apostle of bravery and possesses great strength to fight in the battle against demons.

Day 4         Kushmanda

The meaning of the name 'Ku-shm-anda' is as follows; 'Ku' - a little, 'ushma' - warmth. 'anda' - the cosmic egg. So, she is considered the creator of the universe. The universe was no more than a void full of darkness, until her light spreads in all directions like rays from the sun. Often, she is depicted as having eight or ten hands. She holds weapons, glitter, rosary, etc in her hands and she rides a lion. 

Day 5          Skandamata

Skanda Mata - the mother of Skanda or Lord Kartikeya, who was chosen by gods as their commander-in-chief in the war against the demons. She is accompanied by Lord Skanda in his infant form. Devi Skandamata is a symbol of the mother-son relationship. She is also called as Padmasani since She is often depicted seated on a lotus flower. She is also worshipped in the form of Parvati, Maheshwari or Mata Gauri. 

Day 6           Katyayani

The legend behind the name goes thus : Once upon a time there was a great sage called Kata, who had a son named Katya. He underwent long austerities and penancein order to receive the grace of the Mother Goddess. He wished to have a daughter in the form of a goddess. According to his wish and desire, the Mother Goddess granted his request. Katyayani was born to Kata as an avatar of Durga. 

Day 7           Kalaratri

She has a dark complexion and a fearless posture. Her large red eyes, open red tongue and sabre in hand violently demolish devils and monsters. She is also glorified with the name 'Kali Maa'. Devi Kalaratri has three round eyes and scattered long black hair. She wears a bead that gleams like fire of electric power. Durga manifests herself and completely destroys dirt and demons from existence. She is revered with the name, Kalaratri because she represents herself as the death of Kaal and appears like a dark night for demons.

Day 8            Maha Gauri

Goddess Maha Gauri is eighth form of Devi Durga and one of the graceful goddesses among the navadurgas. Her beauty glows like the gleam of a white pearl. She denotes peace and endurance. she is represented with four arms seated on a Vrishabha (bull). Her upper left hand holds Trishul (Trident), lower right hand carries Damru (hand drum) and other two hands are in different Mudras (positions). She cleans dregs from the hearts of her worshippers.

Day 9              Siddhidatri

Siddhidatri has supernatural healing powers. She has four arms and she is always in a blissful happy enchanting pose. She rides on the lion as her vehicle.. She blesses all Gods, saints, yogis, tantrics and all devotees as a manifestation of the Mother Goddess. She is the possessor of 26 different wishes (siddhis) which She grants her worshippers. The legend is that Lord Shiva got all those Siddhis by worshipping Ma Shakti.

Tailpiece.

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

A quiet day to begin with.

Leela chittamma, Saji, Salini and Lekshmi dropped by for dinner from Edappalli. A nice get together but they left by 10.

A businessman of a different genre.

Atlas Ramachandran's life is a 'riches-to-rags story'.

He had started his gold jewellery business in 1981 when he bought 2 kg of gold with whatever money he had in his hand. From then on, there was no looking back. Atlas Jewellery group's turnover during the year ending 2014 was $1 billion (Rs.7,912.82 crores).

He caught the public eye when he started appearing himself in the advertisements of his jewellery store chain delivering the tagline, "Janakodikalude viswastha sthaapanam" (the trusted establishment of crores of people).

His downfall in business, however, started in August 2015 and the banker-turned-businessman was arrested for the delay in the repayment of borrowings from banks. Two months later, he was sentenced to three years in prison by a Dubai court. The Atlas group had taken loans up to 550 million dirhams (approx Rs.1,000 crores) and thesentence came in a case of two dishonoured cheques issued by the company. What he'd to say about it was as follows :-

He had recalled in an interview as to how his former managers had duped him which led to his arrest and prison term. A whopping 3,000 plus kilograms of gold worth 740 million dirhams (Rs.1,583.77 crores) went missing from 44 jewellery shops in the six Gulf Cooperation Council countries by the time he was released from prison, pushing him to penury.

Everyday he used to get dressed in his flashy kurta by 0830 hrs, as if going to his office and attend online meetings with his lawyers. He was eagerly awaiting to start afresh from the scratch.

Despite the UAE governmentlifting his travel ban, he wanted to be free from all legal hassles before returning home in Thrissur which, however, was not fulfilled.

Atlas Ramachandran (MM Ramachandran), 80, passed into the mist of time following a heart attack, in Dubai late on Sunday night. Since he was confirmed with Covid infection, there was no public viewing. He is survived by his wife, daughter and son. His death happened at a time when he was gearing up to restart the defunct Atlas Jewellery chain.

Adieu Mr Ramachandran. Salute to a gutsy businessman; my tears and prayers. May your near and dear ones have the strength to pass through these stressful times.

Courtesy. Adapted from an article in the NIE

Tailpiece.

Got up at a quarter past 6, the chores and was ready by a quarter past 9. Reported to the pulmonologist, Dr (Mrs) Sodhi for our medical review.

The maid had come by and left by 5, in the evening.

Live-streaming of Supreme Court's proceedings.

Live-streaming of judicial proceedings will increase people's faith and accountability to the institution. At the same time, the judges must be prepared for debate and criticism relating to their approach, observations, views, attitude, etc not only by the legal experts and academicians but also by novice, amateurish and biased viewers and critics. 

                                                                           - Govind Mathur, Former Chief Justice of Allahabad HC.

27 Sep marked the beginning towards this historic move as it enabled people from every nook and corner to view on their screens, the ongoing proceedings of the top court. Around eight lakh viewers were tuned into the first-ever live session to watch the live proceedings that were going on before the three constitutional benches. 

* The general public, on the first day, witnessed a bench headed by the CJI UU Lalit, reserving verdict on the pleas challenging the 10% reservation for the economic weaker sections (EWS) in admissions and jobs.

* The five-judge bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud allowed the ECI to go ahead with Maharashtra CM Eknath Shinde's plea to be recognised as the "real Shiv Sena" and claim the party's symbol "bow and arrow.

* The bench headed by the third senior most SC Judge, Justice SK Kaul, hearing pleas on the validity of the All India Bar Exam.

Is this move a game changer?

Yes, if executed with absolute maturity and perfection, it would be a game changer says a legal expert.

- Adapted from the article by Shruti Kakkar in the NIE.

My take

Definitely a game changer and a step in the right direction. Will make the judiciary transparent and accountable.

Tailpiece.

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

Selvam comes by and the backlog of clothes were pressed.

Indore, the cleanest city for the 6th year in a row!

Cleanest Indian cities and states :-

Cities

* First         Indore

* Second     Surat

* Third        Navi Mumbai

States

* First         Madhya Pradesh

* Second     Chhattisgarh

* Third        Maharashtra

Swachh Abhiyaan emphasised by Prime Minister is yielding results. It willbe completely successful when one no more sees mounds of waste lying by the wayside and a proper waste disposal management system is firmly in place.

At an event organised by the Union Housing and Urban Affairs Ministry, India's President Draupadi Murmu distributed the awards to the winners.

The pan-India Swachh Sarvekshan (Survey) is conducted across the country's mega cities since 2016. Indore has maintained the first position ever since. It has, therefore, become the most preferred destination for travellers.

How has Indore achieved it?

Indore has its own waste management system and the volume of garbage in the city is disposed off through well established door-to-door garbage collection system. The door-to-door service was started in Jan '16 as a pilot project in 2 out of its 84 wards, which later spread across all wards. After a year, it succeeded in achieving 100% door-to-door garbage collection with the wider participation of the citizens in keeping the city clean.

Bijnor was ranked the first among Ganga towns with fewer than 1 lakh population, followed by Kannauj and Garhmukteshwar.

No 1 rank held by Tripura among stats having fewer than 100 urban local bodies.

No 1 rank held by Panchgani among cities with less than 1 lakh population.

Tailpiece.

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

It was a quiet Sunday.

From Gandhinagar to Bombay.

The country's Vande Bharat Express train was rolled out by the Prime Minister yesterday. A game changer in the country's internal communications and connectivity. Let's look into the fact file of the Vande Bharat Express. Train no.20901 was flagged of from Gandhinagar.

Fact file

* 6 days a week

* 16 coaches

* Reaches 160 kmph in just 140 seconds

* Its commercial run began from today, 01 Oct

Indigenously Built Marvel

* Is indigenously designed semi-high speed self propelled train set

* Kavach technology - the indigenously developed train collision avoidance system is part of this train.

Flood Proof

The train has better flood proofing for under-slung electrical equipment that will withstand floods up to a height of 650 mm.

On Deck Services

* Coach Control Management system for monitoring air-conditioning, communication and feedback to control center/maintenance staff through GSM/GPRS.

* Passenger information and infotainment systems in every coach.

Aircraft-like Amenities

* Advanced safety features.

* Automatic entry and exit doors.

* Reclining facility and comfortable seats.

* Attendant call buttons

* Emergency talk-back units.

* Bio-toilets.

Fares

Executive chair car          Rs.2,505/-

Chair car                          Rs. 1,385/-

Timings

Departure Bombay Central                   0600 hrs.

Arrive Gandhinagar                              1230 hrs.

Departure Gandhinagar                         1405 hrs.

Arrive Bombay                                      2035 hrs.

Tailpiece.

Got up around a quarter past 6, the chores and was ready by a half past 9. 

The maid went about her work as usual.

Participated in the 588th episode of Aazhchakkoottam : "The Global Relevance of Gandhian Economic Thoughts" by PJ Antony, Executive Editor, Jeevan TV. An absorbing interaction and I'd to wind up as Maman was not available due to a tardy connection.

A quiet Saturday.