{The contents of this article are obtained from various PRAVASI magazines issued by Kerala Social Center during the last decade. Any erroneous information is regretted}
The year 1997 is a turning point in history. As India celebrates 50 years of its independence and liberation from foreign intervention, the Malayalee society of Abu Dhabi tantamount to this event is celebrating 25 glorious years of the formation of Kerala Social Center.
Kerala Social Center has been a substantial element not only for the Malayalee society but for the entire Indian Community residing in the U.A.E. The contribution ranges from the impetus for the formation of an Indian School in the Middle East to inspiring the Indian government for the formation of separate foreign affairs cell to look into the conditions of Malayalee citizens residing outside the country. From a mere literary cultural organization, Kerala Social Center has ascended to a status of organization representing the entire malayalee civilization residing in U.A.E during its three decades of its existence.
The exodus of the Malayalee community into the Middle East began in the early 1960’s.
Hardworking, full of confidence and daring, the malayalees arriving in the Middle East were also culturally sophisticated. Working alone was not sufficient for the subsistence of life but entertainment and knowledge had its priority was recognized by a group of civilized individuals thereby nourishing and pampering this organization to move forward in spite of all the difficulties. Thus Kerala Social Center kept high the morals and standards of a magnificent socio-cultural organization becoming a symbol of the cultural evolution due to the dedication and contribution of its members. The proposal for a separate building for the organization to organize and schedule its work was thus born and its initial plans had already started being implemented.
The Center started building its new complex in 1994 during the month of June with an initial sum not even a quarter of the estimated proposal. But the realization of a much awaited dream, a separate complex for the Center, remained the sole motto for its hardcore sincere and dedicated members as a result of which a lot of external aid from various groups poured in thereby the fulfillment of this dream became a reality. Thus on 1995 November 19, a renovated KSC had started functioning days before the announced date. On November 22, 1996 the then Honorable Chief Minister Shri E.K Nayannar inaugurated the complex. Thus a new K.S.C was born.Kerala Social Center had played a pivotal role during the Gulf war in 1991, during the public pardon in 1996 and thereby establishing its diplomacy during the three decades of its establishment. Located in the centre of Abu Dhabi city with an estimated amount over one and a half crore Indian rupees ,with an auditorium that could accommodate more than 1500 people, a newspaper reading room, a library, a mini auditorium housing more than 500 people are some of the characteristics of this organization. Along with the religious festivals, Kerala Social Center has always been active throughout the year through various modes which includes arrival of political and cultural leaders form Kerala, music concerts, dance festivals and so on. Thus, Kerala Social Center has become a backbone for the political and culturally informed Malayalee community residing in Abu Dhabi
Monday, June 18, 2007
Thursday, May 17, 2007
THE MEMOIRS OF THE SKY: A Short Story
PART I
I am an orphan. The Almighty might had just a feasible intention when he created me, a house to the stars, the moon and the sun. But later he had given me a responsibility or a conscientiousness that gave me the privilege of being a domicile to his creations. Now I decide even their destiny. When I feel its enough with the sun’s ordeal, I shoo him away. I move the clouds to him, I ask them to rain. I sketch the path of the moon. I give the wind the command to bluster .I like to see the creatures down on the earth, another of the almighty’s pernickety creations that always look up on to me at times with folded hands too. Thus the entire circle is dictated by me. I always felt proud of my splendor when I notice my reflection in the sea below. I viewed the joy and excitation of the creatures as they welcome the rains with penury of emotions and sometimes I wonder why they never are happy when I bestow them with even bigger showers. But I always felt lonely. In fact loneliness had crippled me or rather deprived me of the senses to cheer up even being an impediment in my relation with the Moon, my lonesome companion. He was the only one who used to be merriment for me unlike the rest who had more interest in counseling me on my significance and on my writhing practices especially when I amuse others with the clouds. I linger heedlessly to his advice which really falls on my deaf ears. I am really a spoiled braggart. All these stars, who gossip and giggle throughout until they wear out, the sun, who was the most conceited affiliate of the almighty’s creations, and of course my dearest friend, the moon , the only one who took regular intervals to inquire me of my well being , remained my world, my countenance until the most auspicious moment I fell in love.
It was as usual. The sun had just left after his pompous performance and the moon was in his most jovial mood, exemplifying his entire smile. He was singing some old folk songs too exasperating for me. Human beings, birds animals, plants were all enjoying a sound sleep. I perceived them all on the planet. A tree that stood on a remote field had caught my attention. There was a nest on the tree. I saw the female feed its chicks. All of a sudden, the female bird had started to shriek and was alerting about something to its male counterpart .A snake had crawled on to the tree. The he-bird was now swiveling around the tree and had tried to attack the snake on its head but in vain. The she-bird had moved closer to her chicks and covered them all beneath her feather. The snake was ascending up. The He bird made some taunting attempts to shield its dear ones. The snake had kept its jaws wide open and was countering the he-bird’s trivial assault. But when the He bird found that the nest now remained in close proximity to the prowler it had made a cavernous aggression. But it met with little success. The prowler grasped the bird on its neck and had gulped it instantaneously. The he bird was dead. By then, the she bird had recognized the colossal task to protect her dear ones from the intruder lied solely on her; she made a scurrying attack on the reptile. But the reptile was too good for her. The reptile had then moved its head into the nest while the she bird was screaming and attacking on its rear. One by one it had begun regaling the chicks while the female bird moved around, vulnerably. This was nature’s law. The fittest of the fittest survives. The reptile who had been feasting on the chicks, now turned towards the she bird. One last attempt to impair the reptile had landed her into its jaws. The she bird’s endeavor to protect her dear ones had failed. She too became a prey for the giant reptile. After a hearty meal and the most triumphant sensation, the snake slowly and steadily descended the tree. It then went to its hole. I did not notice the snake’s alleyway because my mind had suddenly raised certain serious concerns to the almighty on his creations. Why were the stronger ones always victorious? If so would not that bring an end to the weaker ones? There would be a time when the brawny duels the brawnier ones. What would be the aftermath of that? The nature had a set governing aspects that distributes and formulates into various forms of life, the most important being the food chain; a definition to the subsistence of the living beings on Earth. The technique of production of the living beings on Earth is based on a pyramid that was devised from the food chain concept. Will this existing mechanism ever spin out of control? I looked at the tree. I had noticed something moving beneath the tree among the bushes. Another snake might be prowling around in the night desperate to quench its hunger. But it was something diminutive. It was a small chick. Oh my god, yes it was the very one among the set devoured by the reptile. But how did it manage to escape this healthy? I did not know what the almighty had in store for him.
It might have been aroused from self respect or a pity on that creatures destiny to survive when all of its siblings and its parents had met such an ill fated end or a mutual affiliation, a synonymous feeling towards ones own kind (the bird too is an orphan), a specific interest grew in me for him. I asked the moon to leave and was waiting for the sun, seeing the helpless situation he had to endure; I made arrangements in accordance with his stipulation. I made sure not a single leaf moved. I calmed the winds down and had ensured warmth for him to survive until the arrival of the sun. That remained the only ray of hope for his survival. I decided to recite one of my all time favorite that would add a gratification to the tenderness.
"The sky would give you the due
That you always held for cue
The sky would be there for you
In your heart always for no rue"
The sun had come .I looked at my bird. He was safe and sound. He was in his slumber .I glanced around his vicinity. To my dismay, I saw a cat that was heading towards him. On the other side I saw a human being. He was carrying a big black sort of stick with feathers directed towards the sun, as a sort of shield for protection. Human beings or as such man, according to me was the Almighty’s most vivacious creations. The concept of free will symbolizing radicalism and the ambiguity in the thoughts contemporizing the endowment, God had bestowed man with. Compassion and brutality both are the perpendicular aspects of man which was in connivance to the hypothesis that materializes the survival of God’s creations. I wondered what feeling would stimulate in the man once I was able to dictate him to the bird. On the other end, the cat was approaching closer. I decided to make my move. I blew. The stick lost control from the man’s hand. It fell near my bird. The man ran back of it. The cat which was drawing nearer to my bird stood still at the sight of man .It then diverted its path. The man regained his stick. All of a sudden he stood still. Now there was the prevaricating situation engulfed by the virtue of human notion. Will he be kind enough to take my bird? He did not keep me guessing. Rather after a brief pause, went closer to my bird. He had picked it up in his hand and walked by. He kept the black stick like thing over his head. I moved the clouds around the sun.
PART II
He looked sullen and gloomy in the cage; the only moments of contentment was when the man used to feed him. When the sun was up he used to remain morose. Moon always brought him siesta sort of attitude. Sometimes he used to stare at his look-alikes who were having a wonderful time outside. He might also have the longing and interest to fly around, sing aloud like them and rummage around for his near and dear ones. Loneliness according to me was not a feeling but a curse, or a blatant numbness sort of attitude that recklessly slaughters your personality and attitude. It always would play with your inner sense succumbed to malevolence. Probably, Loneliness remained the most ferocious of all the abhorrent emotions that had been cultivated in the Almighty’s creations. I really could grasp the mentality of him, the horrendous situation he was engulfed in. I watched him as the sun and the moon came and went. He was growing big. He was learning fast the modes of survival too. He now knew the songs like his mates. He was all set to scavenge the wilderness. I decided to give him his freedom, his prerogative for existence.
The sun was going down. The moon was already on his way. I moved the clouds and I moved the wind. The cage which was adjoined to the man’s house started shaking. The cage busted away. It was caught in between two trees that stood in front of the house. Now I had to tear apart the trees. With all my might I blew the wind. The trees swept away; the force that was developed by the trees broke the cage and had split it apart. The bird was free. The trees went and hit the house sturdily and had demolished a part of it. I never cared; neither did I care about its dwellers for I saw my bird had already started flying in the direction of the wind. I slowed the winds .This made his flight more comfortable. The scent of fresh air and the spirit of freedom had preoccupied him and he scurried into the wilderness.
The sun and moon came and went, I never bothered. I forgot to shoo the winds at times, for my mind was transfixed on him. He was lovely and flew with paramount confidence. His songs enlightened all and sundry around him and at certain times I had felt myself being carried away by his songs.
"It’s a beautiful world, the sun and the moon
The presence of them makes me goon
I like to fly around with all the might
So that I don’t want to be like him to miss the sight
These are my dreams, these are my hope
For I find this wonderland at the top
This is the world I wanna shower my love
As I wish to keep my hum always on the move"
His songs had gripped me. It reverberated in my heart. His songs breathed a new life in me. They were not just songs for me, but my dreams, my aspirations. His songs occupied the cornerstone of my heart and had started to juggle my emotions. I made the winds lighter for him, covered the sun unnecessarily. I made the sun stay longer for him to fly around. I followed him as he flew from one tree to another. By that time I had realized that I loved him more than any other Almighty’s creations.
I wished to be the tree on which he used to sit and sing verses with the intention of brightening others and dusting off the prevailing tedium. I wished to be the flower from which he used to quench his hunger incessantly. I wished to be the wind so that I could feel and experience the warmth of his wings. I wished to be a bird for accompanying him throughout his life. I loved him very much. But there was the much conceited seed of doubt in me. Did he reciprocate that feeling? He had the answer for me.
Once when the sun was up, I saw him sitting on a tree top singing quite emotionally. After a few nodes, suddenly there was another humming. A bird of his same statuette came and sat alongside him. She had started singing too but with a romantic comportment.
"Love is all that I can feel
When you come beside me and kneel.
Deep in my heart I give you a place
From where you can set it in pace
Never say my love is for hire
For that will pull me into the fire
Wherever you go I will follow
Even if u grip my hand into the jungles of hollow"
This was not foreordained. It was indeed the most customary episode of life. I knew that they were in love. Their eyes refused to take leave even for a moment. Their songs were divine and their frequencies matched gorgeously. They began to roam around and bore a big resemblance to the birds that had attained their much awaited sovereignty. Their intimacy grew on a meticulous scale and when it had reached a point of no return they decided to get married. Although I had a thumping in my heart, I felt very happy. At least he was not lonely anymore.
The tree stood tall in the scorching sun and had inscribed the insignia of love and bliss on it. All the birds nearby, far and away had gathered there. Everyone was chirping, singing and laughing with such contentment and glee that it had spread an aroma of peace and happiness throughout the premises. I took a quick look at all of them and had spotted him amidst thousands who had assembled on the tree to be a part of the most significant event of his life. He along with his fiancé had garnered accolades as the most perfect host for the guests as they sang throughout with a few occasional breaks to accommodate everyone’s’ laughter. I was happy too for I had acquaintance with loneliness much more than anyone could even imagine about.
I looked at the tree. Suddenly, in the most casual manner, I caught hold of a lightning I flashed it into the tree. It did set ablaze the tree instantly. With all my might I blew the winds. I did not look at the sun. I had caught hold of another lightning and then one by one by I hurled it at the tree. The chirping had stopped and the shrieks filled the air that sounded more musical to me. The fire extended to the surrounding regions vigorously. I covered the sun with the clouds. I did not want to see him for I was waiting for the moon .I had a lot to tell him this time.
Shereen Vijayan Kottikkal
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Indian Budget 2007
- INDIAN BUDGET 2007
Some points suggested by our finance minister during the budget presentation in February
Tax rate of foreign companies may be lower in order to bring them on par with India Inc. (15.02.07)
The import duty on cut and polished diamonds (CPDs) and gemstones may be abolished. (13.02.07)
Corporate tax may come down in this budget by 3% either through abolition of 10% surcharge or by reduction of corporate tax from the existing level of 30%.
Finance Minister may scrap 120 central sector schemes in the 11th Five Year Plan
Some Valuable suggestions in the budget
Custom duty on machinery imports for the sectors such as leather, footwear, textiles & clothing and sports goods will be reduced
• Short-term capital gains tax on stocks may go up to 15%.Finance Minister has also put additional burden on taxpayers investing in stock markets by raising dividend distribution tax from 12.5 per cent to 15 per cent( he ought to have introduced the securities tax so as to avoid the sudden ups and downs of the stock market)
Chidambaram added that additional irrigation potential of 24 lakh hectares to be implemented, including nine lakh hectares under Accelerated Irrigation Benefit Programme
• There is a possibility of the minimum alternate tax (MAT) to come in for some structural change in the Budget. This is to expand the scope of tax that is currently applicable on certain zero-tax companies( mainly IT). It will cover units taking benefits of the STPI( special tax exemption scheme) scheme in order to bring big IT companies into the tax net. Although NASCOMM has recommended chidambaram to give another 10 yrs for the IT comps (not in SEZ) to move around without tax concerns as they pointed out the rising power of China in this industry, FM was adamant that there should be a halt to this.
Features
No proposal for strengthening the public distribution system. As the price rises continue to go up, chidambaram says all these recent developments indirectly leads to price rise which is running away from the basic facets of economics.
In spite of the petrol and diesel price coming down on the world market, but India market is unable to absorb the global scenario as there are no provisions for steadying the price of petrol and diesel. The government should also take steps to control these sudden fluctuations in the world market by proposing a price system that would last for these fuels throughout the year.
There is no mention about the food corporation of India (FCI) which should be strengthened to meet the demands of the population. The food grains are being imported at cheaper prices, leaving the farmers in penury and the produced food grains are accumulating in the hands of corporates leading t high prices of these essential commodities.
The rules and regulations related to special economic zones are to be modified. The occupants of the region set aside for the special economic zones should be either guaranteed an employment in that zone or they should be a share holder of the particular zone along with the government suggestion of an alternative habitat. Moreover the companies will come under the tax rules in 5 years and not 10 years as suggested by the government for being tax free.
The prevaricating minds of the investors as sudden withdrawal and investment of the national bonds can be dealt seriously by the government by issuing a specific security tax for these stock market bonds.
Corporate tax should be raised and this should be converted to grama and panchayat developmental projects.
The government should give room to alternate loan facilitators especially certain banks associated with countries like Canada or latin American oil rich countries willing to invest in India. ADB, Japan bank and others should not be the only solution for infrastructure or sewage projects.
The price stabilisation of certain basic crops should be a matter of concern for the government as subsidies should not only be awarded to cash crops and the farmers belong to crash crop cultivation community should not alone be promoted.
The finance minister should have firmly taken a stance against the NASCOMM proposal for the IT companies remain zero tax companies for another 10 yrs rather than the introduction of a minimum alternate tax proposal suggested by him.
The proposal and the drawbacks of the employment guarantee scheme is to be submitted so as to include modifications for a full scale effective launching of the scheme.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Surfing Love
Jen: Hi it’s me…How r u?
Sam: I am fine….Where were u all this HOURS?
Jen: Had something to do…
Sam: I wish to say u something..
Jen: What!!
Sam: I wish to be with u throughout.. would like to always be with uuuuuu..
Jen: Why???
Sam: Bcoz I lov u..
Jen: me too..when do we meet??
The romance behind the screen, the proposal through the pixels. The 21st century is ravishing with a hallucination of vivacious ideas the most prominent among it is the pixel romance. A few love notes( shakespeares or Austen’s) a few nodes is more than enough to eclipse one’s heart with this emotion that has an origin even before the very concept of civilization had its subsistence..Love.
Philosophers have often quoted love as the subject that pursues the highest capacity of mans thinking. Rationalism, idealism all had its derivation in love. Love is above all the gift of oneself. Love has it patience and kindness, simplicity and authenticity but never pride and prejudice. The words that pour out from your heart when you express your love carries with it a subjugation and later a liberation of the very soul that has pampered this emotion right when the cry for your recognition is delivered from the cradle. This era has rewritten the entire concept of love or are we becoming blind with a string of illusions to lead the way through the darkness makes us feel is more than sufficient??
Words do convey, smiles do perpetuate, Talks do resonate but the credibility of that emotion its sanctity and divinity lies solely in ones eyes. Scientifically we see a lightning before the sound of the thunder. Well as philosophy puts it lets take it the other way round. Before our ears or our mouth reacts to the thunder our eyes would have already responded. The concept of vision or predominance of eyes can be quiet useful even to detect the last moments of your life. The conformity of ones death would be announced only after ones eyes comes to rest. Thus naturally a doubt arises ; Without reading ones eyes , without acknowledging ones gaze how does our brain instigate or open the doors of Love.
With cams revolutionizing internet, the pixel romance has also transfigured from mere words through pixels to expressing advertently with actions. But does it really inspires or immunizes your inner self to tally love without catching his/her sparkling gaze that really sends you tingles as one said might be love or might be confined to chicken pox for you cannot hide your eyes in search of the truth that you wish to decipher. Eyes definitely lies but only after presenting the certainty. Your eyes will point out your devotion, your anger, your admiration, your friendliness, your happiness and most conspicuously your Love for love stands completely odd and should not be compared in par with the rest of emotions.
The next time you are in a party or a crowd, keep moving your eyes when definitely you will strike a gaze which will have an impact you might have dreamed of, or which might have a force to pull you or which might have a feeling in that all these years you were waiting for this moment of your life …Believe me then you are love at first sight……..
Shereen Vijayan Kottikkal
Sam: I am fine….Where were u all this HOURS?
Jen: Had something to do…
Sam: I wish to say u something..
Jen: What!!
Sam: I wish to be with u throughout.. would like to always be with uuuuuu..
Jen: Why???
Sam: Bcoz I lov u..
Jen: me too..when do we meet??
The romance behind the screen, the proposal through the pixels. The 21st century is ravishing with a hallucination of vivacious ideas the most prominent among it is the pixel romance. A few love notes( shakespeares or Austen’s) a few nodes is more than enough to eclipse one’s heart with this emotion that has an origin even before the very concept of civilization had its subsistence..Love.
Philosophers have often quoted love as the subject that pursues the highest capacity of mans thinking. Rationalism, idealism all had its derivation in love. Love is above all the gift of oneself. Love has it patience and kindness, simplicity and authenticity but never pride and prejudice. The words that pour out from your heart when you express your love carries with it a subjugation and later a liberation of the very soul that has pampered this emotion right when the cry for your recognition is delivered from the cradle. This era has rewritten the entire concept of love or are we becoming blind with a string of illusions to lead the way through the darkness makes us feel is more than sufficient??
Words do convey, smiles do perpetuate, Talks do resonate but the credibility of that emotion its sanctity and divinity lies solely in ones eyes. Scientifically we see a lightning before the sound of the thunder. Well as philosophy puts it lets take it the other way round. Before our ears or our mouth reacts to the thunder our eyes would have already responded. The concept of vision or predominance of eyes can be quiet useful even to detect the last moments of your life. The conformity of ones death would be announced only after ones eyes comes to rest. Thus naturally a doubt arises ; Without reading ones eyes , without acknowledging ones gaze how does our brain instigate or open the doors of Love.
With cams revolutionizing internet, the pixel romance has also transfigured from mere words through pixels to expressing advertently with actions. But does it really inspires or immunizes your inner self to tally love without catching his/her sparkling gaze that really sends you tingles as one said might be love or might be confined to chicken pox for you cannot hide your eyes in search of the truth that you wish to decipher. Eyes definitely lies but only after presenting the certainty. Your eyes will point out your devotion, your anger, your admiration, your friendliness, your happiness and most conspicuously your Love for love stands completely odd and should not be compared in par with the rest of emotions.
The next time you are in a party or a crowd, keep moving your eyes when definitely you will strike a gaze which will have an impact you might have dreamed of, or which might have a force to pull you or which might have a feeling in that all these years you were waiting for this moment of your life …Believe me then you are love at first sight……..
Shereen Vijayan Kottikkal
Dear Diary
Dear Diary,
It was evening 4:30 pm. As usual my mother had begun her garden hobnobbing and my sis her routine law embalming (being a law student, she had the practice of reading out Indian penal codes and revising it all over again). I decided to go to the temple, a little bit of prayers i believe would yield good result.........I was there .Temple resembled an archaeological monument with it’s astute workmanship, dazzling in the setting sun .The Temple had its virtue embedded in political History. Kerala’s cultural Historians enlighten the tale of a lady who in spite years of her marriage was unable to conceive. On a saints advice she had come to oorakkam (the place where this particular temple stands) from her remote habitation and went fasting here for months, solemnizing Lord Shiva. On due course, karkiddaka masam (a month associated with the monsoons in Kerala) a karim pooyam naal (the 8th star according to the astrological calendars) she gave birth to a baby boy who later was a very predominant king in Kerala’s political anecdote. The awesome, fiery Shaktan Thampuran was thus born (taking a lenient look in Kerala’s History, this particular king was acknowledged as the Father of Thrissur Pooram, a festival marked by the display of 30 elephants in their most resplendent attire and a gala of events preceding it symbolizing a cultural feud between the deities).
I parked my vehicle outside.
Well i checked out the premises to spot out any familiar faces. Well i did find thirumeni (the temple priest) moving around quite fast with a small pot of water, carrying it inside. Prayers and religious rites definitely need a real definition at least a precision on the format they are undergone, according to me. I moved closer to the temple .I stood with my hands folded in devotion my eyes drooping but transfixed on to the roof of the temple and uttered a few religious doggerels .This sacrosanct performance was not propelled out from sheer devotion but it was an obligatory call to the Lord to acknowledge him my presence there ,a practice which i had followed since childhood.
i decided to get inside when a familiar face slowed my pace Being my dads good friend ,i enjoyed a good rapport with Valsan uncle. Either he had completed his religious rituals and came from the temple or i was unaware of his presence there .My consciousness brightened at my concentrating aptitude .Usually my prayers used to be carried away by trivial matters especially about my exams or the people present around but this time a fief of devotion did grip me .i gave him a warm smile. He reciprocated; inquired about my dad and told me to proceed on .I went inside.
I had the usual procedure of a chitchat conversation with thirumeni before i had begun with my normal customary prayers. But he was not inside the inviolable room where the idol depicting lord was kept. I did feel a little uneasy as this had been my usual practice.
Thirumeni was an incomparable, vivacious personality .Not just succumbed to ordinary religious doctrines like the common temple priests,
Thirumeni had his miscellaneous outlook on every day to day (polemical or non) events .A short man with a shrewd smile, his chest bending over every time a smile pops out , camouflaging a sundry and perceptive knowledge base promulgated often to certain signified worshippers, me being one among them . i personally adored him .We used to talk on vivid range of matters which included even politics. Just imagine politics being a bone of contention in the temple premises. It was he enjoyed that conversation too .A uneasiness did grip me, a sort of anomaly.
I looked around for him. Not in sight. Some where inside.. i was looking around when two amiable smiles greeted me..Anju, Valsan uncle’s daughter and her sister Ammu .i knew them from childhood.
I used to come across Ammu often either cuddled up back on her fathers' kinetic or at the bus stop with her school bag which weighs almost as her. I had always remained bewildered by the quantity of books children used to carry which almost resembled hard earning potters...but its been years since i have seen Anju ,the last time during one of my semester vacation ...Time had changed her too .She now
possessed a full fledged smile unlike the past and kept to herself an aroma of the eldest in the family. Her spectacle enveloped eyes refused to sideline itself from her perpetual smile. The way she guided her sister
a clearly personified the leverage and pragmatism proliferated in her during the times . Well i did gracefully acknowledge their smile.
I stood in front of the Lord. I kept my eyes closed but my mind was wandering. Clouds, isn’t the one we see today the one we see tomorrow? or is it different ...that’s why we use the synonym passing clouds....Not a
single cloud would emancipate itself from its allotted natural duration to emboss, relieve the world once its done with it's chore .periodic action .if I am the world and then the clouds are the faces that move in
and out intermittently then the wind of course would be the scales of fate ardent enough to orchestrate the clouds to new a destination thereby tantalizing the world ,a mere spectator to these sequence of events. ......
all these thoughts ran in my mind ..
.i looked at Anju ...she gave me a warm smile again. .i reciprocated.. i prayed .. bowed came outside the temple...i looked up into the sky...
it was a clear sky getting dark...the sun had just set. Far in the dim light, i spotted a solitary cloud ...it had just greeted the world and was waiting for the winds to guide it never to turn back.... ......
Shereen Vijayan Kottikkal
It was evening 4:30 pm. As usual my mother had begun her garden hobnobbing and my sis her routine law embalming (being a law student, she had the practice of reading out Indian penal codes and revising it all over again). I decided to go to the temple, a little bit of prayers i believe would yield good result.........I was there .Temple resembled an archaeological monument with it’s astute workmanship, dazzling in the setting sun .The Temple had its virtue embedded in political History. Kerala’s cultural Historians enlighten the tale of a lady who in spite years of her marriage was unable to conceive. On a saints advice she had come to oorakkam (the place where this particular temple stands) from her remote habitation and went fasting here for months, solemnizing Lord Shiva. On due course, karkiddaka masam (a month associated with the monsoons in Kerala) a karim pooyam naal (the 8th star according to the astrological calendars) she gave birth to a baby boy who later was a very predominant king in Kerala’s political anecdote. The awesome, fiery Shaktan Thampuran was thus born (taking a lenient look in Kerala’s History, this particular king was acknowledged as the Father of Thrissur Pooram, a festival marked by the display of 30 elephants in their most resplendent attire and a gala of events preceding it symbolizing a cultural feud between the deities).
I parked my vehicle outside.
Well i checked out the premises to spot out any familiar faces. Well i did find thirumeni (the temple priest) moving around quite fast with a small pot of water, carrying it inside. Prayers and religious rites definitely need a real definition at least a precision on the format they are undergone, according to me. I moved closer to the temple .I stood with my hands folded in devotion my eyes drooping but transfixed on to the roof of the temple and uttered a few religious doggerels .This sacrosanct performance was not propelled out from sheer devotion but it was an obligatory call to the Lord to acknowledge him my presence there ,a practice which i had followed since childhood.
i decided to get inside when a familiar face slowed my pace Being my dads good friend ,i enjoyed a good rapport with Valsan uncle. Either he had completed his religious rituals and came from the temple or i was unaware of his presence there .My consciousness brightened at my concentrating aptitude .Usually my prayers used to be carried away by trivial matters especially about my exams or the people present around but this time a fief of devotion did grip me .i gave him a warm smile. He reciprocated; inquired about my dad and told me to proceed on .I went inside.
I had the usual procedure of a chitchat conversation with thirumeni before i had begun with my normal customary prayers. But he was not inside the inviolable room where the idol depicting lord was kept. I did feel a little uneasy as this had been my usual practice.
Thirumeni was an incomparable, vivacious personality .Not just succumbed to ordinary religious doctrines like the common temple priests,
Thirumeni had his miscellaneous outlook on every day to day (polemical or non) events .A short man with a shrewd smile, his chest bending over every time a smile pops out , camouflaging a sundry and perceptive knowledge base promulgated often to certain signified worshippers, me being one among them . i personally adored him .We used to talk on vivid range of matters which included even politics. Just imagine politics being a bone of contention in the temple premises. It was he enjoyed that conversation too .A uneasiness did grip me, a sort of anomaly.
I looked around for him. Not in sight. Some where inside.. i was looking around when two amiable smiles greeted me..Anju, Valsan uncle’s daughter and her sister Ammu .i knew them from childhood.
I used to come across Ammu often either cuddled up back on her fathers' kinetic or at the bus stop with her school bag which weighs almost as her. I had always remained bewildered by the quantity of books children used to carry which almost resembled hard earning potters...but its been years since i have seen Anju ,the last time during one of my semester vacation ...Time had changed her too .She now
possessed a full fledged smile unlike the past and kept to herself an aroma of the eldest in the family. Her spectacle enveloped eyes refused to sideline itself from her perpetual smile. The way she guided her sister
a clearly personified the leverage and pragmatism proliferated in her during the times . Well i did gracefully acknowledge their smile.
I stood in front of the Lord. I kept my eyes closed but my mind was wandering. Clouds, isn’t the one we see today the one we see tomorrow? or is it different ...that’s why we use the synonym passing clouds....Not a
single cloud would emancipate itself from its allotted natural duration to emboss, relieve the world once its done with it's chore .periodic action .if I am the world and then the clouds are the faces that move in
and out intermittently then the wind of course would be the scales of fate ardent enough to orchestrate the clouds to new a destination thereby tantalizing the world ,a mere spectator to these sequence of events. ......
all these thoughts ran in my mind ..
.i looked at Anju ...she gave me a warm smile again. .i reciprocated.. i prayed .. bowed came outside the temple...i looked up into the sky...
it was a clear sky getting dark...the sun had just set. Far in the dim light, i spotted a solitary cloud ...it had just greeted the world and was waiting for the winds to guide it never to turn back.... ......
Shereen Vijayan Kottikkal
Monday, May 7, 2007
The importance of knowing bacteria
What we see is only what we should believe? Or is there something surreptitious, the existence of which surmounts certain conventional presumptions, human race had always adhered to. My primitive knowledge base alleviates spontaneity to absorb certain sporadic discoveries, a reminiscence and then a bitter comparison or a reality check with would always plunge me more into wilderness rather than understanding the revolutionized concepts ( I term it revolutionized cause certain truths instilled in me are now down in the dumps) . I was running through the morning papers when all of a sudden my eyes stumbled on an article which I found sturdy but too hard to digest. Once again I found myself cornered and soporific as my mind shrugged “Oh No. Here we go again not another one of those distinctive discoveries.”
I never knew about Robert Folk neither did I ever try to. The name neither his activities least could have impressed me until the very day when I had to accommodate his feature in my prevailing database and thereby had to rectify my pampered assumptions nourished since my childhood. Robert Folk ‘s career graph did enunciate an illustrious one including a medal for his contribution in Geological Science. He established the naming systems of Limestones, as well as doing important groundwork in describing sediments and classifying sedimentary rocks. Then in due course of time he developed a penchant for electron microscope and got himself involved in paranormal bustles. Thus a geologist who had mesmerized the geological arena substantially pursued biological science.
I always believed that bacteria did remain the smallest living being and even we always interpret bacterial in liguistics to the smallest thus emphasizing its significance. But now the theory is vandalized. Robert Folk found out extremely small objects in various rocks which resembled fossilized bacteria , but grotesquely a fraction of micron only in size. Indeed a few biologists( Folk was not a biologist rather a geologist ) have found few signs of living bacteria this tiny. Folk named his sighting nanobacteria ( the usage of nano is synonymous to geologists but a derision to biologists) . He began thus a wider research into this thereby metamorphosing his parenthesis with signs of ancient life equating the presence of nannobacteria in the Martian meteorite. This cultivated an ideological feud as his opponents strongly criticized his recent unearthing sarcastically. But Folk did not simmer down. He published journals citing his claim and even made tele appearances as a surrogate to biologists. This propelled an international debate the vitality reflecting in every scientific corners of the world as the biologists around the globe lined up decided to pursue a rancorous approach to Folk as a question percolated in them “ How come a geologist pursue biology or are they tantamount to each other” .
Finally, a research team consisting of World renowned geologist Jurigen Scheiber and equally talented biologist Howard Arnott decided to break the jinx. On their experimentation with fossilized bacteria in the lab they concluded that the alleged nannobacterial structures in sedimentary rocks are probably by-products of bacterial degradation of organic matter and not evidence for minute life forms called nannobacteria. If this conclusion holds up, then Robert folk would find his theory slashed and discarded. But a few renowned geologists has not supported this theory. Thus Robert Folk’s penchant for electron microscope landed him amidst an international scientific debate highlighting the ideological battle between the geologists and the biologists.
Well, so far with the Robert Folk’s Folktale. But believe me neither I got interested in Robert Folk nor his Endeavour to link geology with Biology and thereby a fusion between these sciences. Be the waging war between the biologists and the geologists for this issue followed by the stigmatizing of a valuable discovery did not quite reasonably garner any proclivity to either of the two sciences although I firmly notch up the criteria that I am just a passerby in this scientifically resplendent world of today. But I have a sturdy Question to Robert Folk which I believe is aptly meritorious to all the common people who differentiate geology and Biology as two heads with the same tail. My question is just to Robert Folk not to the scientific warriors prolifically tarnishing their self sustained reputation through what they claim as an authentication of their existence. Mr. Robert Folk ,please explain to me should I use bacterial or nannobacterial to define smallest . This is a significant qualm for me but for others it might be of bacterial/nannobacterial importance.
Shereen Vijayan Kottikkal
I never knew about Robert Folk neither did I ever try to. The name neither his activities least could have impressed me until the very day when I had to accommodate his feature in my prevailing database and thereby had to rectify my pampered assumptions nourished since my childhood. Robert Folk ‘s career graph did enunciate an illustrious one including a medal for his contribution in Geological Science. He established the naming systems of Limestones, as well as doing important groundwork in describing sediments and classifying sedimentary rocks. Then in due course of time he developed a penchant for electron microscope and got himself involved in paranormal bustles. Thus a geologist who had mesmerized the geological arena substantially pursued biological science.
I always believed that bacteria did remain the smallest living being and even we always interpret bacterial in liguistics to the smallest thus emphasizing its significance. But now the theory is vandalized. Robert Folk found out extremely small objects in various rocks which resembled fossilized bacteria , but grotesquely a fraction of micron only in size. Indeed a few biologists( Folk was not a biologist rather a geologist ) have found few signs of living bacteria this tiny. Folk named his sighting nanobacteria ( the usage of nano is synonymous to geologists but a derision to biologists) . He began thus a wider research into this thereby metamorphosing his parenthesis with signs of ancient life equating the presence of nannobacteria in the Martian meteorite. This cultivated an ideological feud as his opponents strongly criticized his recent unearthing sarcastically. But Folk did not simmer down. He published journals citing his claim and even made tele appearances as a surrogate to biologists. This propelled an international debate the vitality reflecting in every scientific corners of the world as the biologists around the globe lined up decided to pursue a rancorous approach to Folk as a question percolated in them “ How come a geologist pursue biology or are they tantamount to each other” .
Finally, a research team consisting of World renowned geologist Jurigen Scheiber and equally talented biologist Howard Arnott decided to break the jinx. On their experimentation with fossilized bacteria in the lab they concluded that the alleged nannobacterial structures in sedimentary rocks are probably by-products of bacterial degradation of organic matter and not evidence for minute life forms called nannobacteria. If this conclusion holds up, then Robert folk would find his theory slashed and discarded. But a few renowned geologists has not supported this theory. Thus Robert Folk’s penchant for electron microscope landed him amidst an international scientific debate highlighting the ideological battle between the geologists and the biologists.
Well, so far with the Robert Folk’s Folktale. But believe me neither I got interested in Robert Folk nor his Endeavour to link geology with Biology and thereby a fusion between these sciences. Be the waging war between the biologists and the geologists for this issue followed by the stigmatizing of a valuable discovery did not quite reasonably garner any proclivity to either of the two sciences although I firmly notch up the criteria that I am just a passerby in this scientifically resplendent world of today. But I have a sturdy Question to Robert Folk which I believe is aptly meritorious to all the common people who differentiate geology and Biology as two heads with the same tail. My question is just to Robert Folk not to the scientific warriors prolifically tarnishing their self sustained reputation through what they claim as an authentication of their existence. Mr. Robert Folk ,please explain to me should I use bacterial or nannobacterial to define smallest . This is a significant qualm for me but for others it might be of bacterial/nannobacterial importance.
Shereen Vijayan Kottikkal
Global warming and the Revenge of Gaia
Global Warming and “The Revenge of Gaia”
We may truly be in grave danger... few of the present inhabitants of the earth are likely to survive beyond the 21st Century
James Lovelock
The words are not an aberration but quotations from one of the most enlightening, but controversial scientific journal “The Revenge of Gaia” . The Gaia hypothesis developed and proposed by Dr James Lovelock, an independent scientist, author , researcher and environmentalist , changes our view on Earth from a barren rock covered with thin coating of life to a self organizing system that in many ways resembles a single organism . A staunch supporter of nuclear science, Lovelock believes that nuclear energy is the only alternative to fossil fuels that has the capacity to fulfill large scale energy needs of mankind thereby reducing greenhouse gases and halting global warming.
Global warming is the observed increase in the average temperature of the Earths atmosphere and oceans in recent decades. The prevailing scientific option on climate change is that most of the warming observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities. The increased amount of carbon Di oxide and other greenhouse gases released by the burning of fossil fuels and other related activities lead to an increase in the greenhouse effect thereby being the primary causes of human induced component of warming. An increase in the global temperatures can in turn cause other changes, including a rising sea level and changes in the amount of pattern and precipitation. These changes may increase the frequency and intensify of extreme weather events such as floods, heat waves and hurricanes etc. Other consequences also include glacier retreat, extinction of species, lower agricultural yields and increase in the range of disease vectors. The rise in sea level is also major concern and one of the aftermaths of global warming. According to a survey if the sea level were to rise in excess 14 meters almost every coastal city in the world would be affected, with the potential for major impacts on world trade and economy. An example is the island nation of Tuvalu. Tuvalu, an island located near to New Zealand is a naturally gifted location but it has an average elevation of approximately one meter above sea level. As a result, Tuvalu had already an agreement with New Zealand to allow phased relocation as many inhabitants have already started leaving the island. According to the reports there, it is far from clear that the rising sea levels as a result of global warming are a substantial factor, with the sea level rising 1-2 millimeters per year.
Dr. James Lovelock’s “The Revenge of Gaia” is a wake up call to the entire human race. He mentions on the global warming scenario as real and deadly. He also believes that nuclear power remains the only short term way to provide enough energy without causing climatic harm. The Gaia theory takes its name from the goddess of Earth .or the earth mother according to Greek mythology. The concept formulates that the segment of earth from the bottom of its crust to the top of its atmosphere acts self regulating being , keeping conditions suitable for life .He also cites the chemically unstable composition of the atmosphere maintained by life as evidence that Gaia-the world organism – is self regulating for the benefit of life. His argument that if this atmospheric balance was not maintained life would die out, therefore Gaia must have life’s best interests at heart and work for the benefit and propagation of life. Lovelock also discusses on the history of life on earth and the impact that all living creatures, from micro-organisms to humans had on this ever changing planet, the ability of the Earth to maintain relatively constant conditions in temperature, atmosphere, salinity and pH of the oceans and reduction in pollutants defining the concept of organism. He also draws attention to one aspect of warming threat in particular , which is that the expected temperature rise is currently being held back by artificially by a global aerosol ( a layer of dust in the atmosphere right around the planets northern hemisphere ) which is the product of the world’s industry. This shields us from some of the sun’s radiation in a phenomenon which is global dimming and is thought to be holding the temperature down by several degrees. But with a severe industrial downturn the aerosol could fall out of the atmosphere in a very short time and the global temperature could take a sudden leap upwards.
“The Revenge of Gaia” has been nicknamed by many as the Book of Revelation. Lovelock’s vision of the planet’s revenge does not evaluate a spiteful attack against the homo sapiens as such but comprehensible collapse of the system that have kept earth habitable for billions of years. If Gaia means the interdependence of all organisms on earth, then the system collapse implicates to all the organisms, though he focuses it exclusively as our fault. His linking of forests and oceanic algae to the formation of clouds and thus attaining the capability to counter the earth’s warming from man made carbon dioxide. But he firmly believes that as a result of the relentless creeping of global temperature higher and climatic disasters will proliferate thereby the human race has moved beyond a point of recovery. He believes that at the current rate the global temperature will rise by nearly three degrees in the next 50 years. Then the rainforests begins to die and thereby the content of carbon dioxide increases. Algae fail in the ocean and stop generating cooling clouds and absorbing carbon. This results in glacier melting flooding some of the most commercial and economy propellant cities thereby paving way for human migrations, crop failures and emergence of warlords.
Lovelock also proposes a solution for all these impending dilapidation. He advocates the idea of rapid expansion of nuclear fuel to cut fossil fuel emissions, Giant reflectors in space, the solidification and burying of smoke emissions, availability of synthetic foods to give the planet a chance to recover. He dismisses wind power and bio-fuels as inefficient and has not mentioned much about solar power. He also proposes the utilization of higher levels of technology to reduce humanity’s impact on the environment.
Lovelock’s campaign against human abuse of the environment can be justified but certain presumptions of the Gaia hypothesis lacks credibility. In making such a statement, far gloomier than yet made by any other scientist of such international standing, he has sidelined the orthodox Darwinian concept. He can be acknowledged as the man who conceived the first wholly new way of looking life since Charles Darwin. The idea of a self regulatory planet to keep itself fit for life and being synonymous to an organism cannot be digested which is crystal clear when the research scientists virtually ignored his theory. Orthodox Darwinism did not consider that evolving organisms are part of each other’s environment and that diminishing the habitability reduce their chances of survival thereby Gaia being the sum of mutually dependent network. But his visualization of the imminent danger is a pre emptive admonition to the entire human race.
Lovelock is fierce in his insistence on the need to embrace nuclear energy: “Renewable energy sounds good, but so far it is inefficient and expensive. It has a future, but we have no time now to experiment with visionary energy sources: civilization is in imminent danger and has to use nuclear energy now, or suffer the pain soon to be inflicted by our outraged planet”. But nuclear fuel still remains a major bone of contention in the international arena and how safe will the human race be when there is a scuttle to obtain this energy.
Shereen Vijayan Kottikkal
We may truly be in grave danger... few of the present inhabitants of the earth are likely to survive beyond the 21st Century
James Lovelock
The words are not an aberration but quotations from one of the most enlightening, but controversial scientific journal “The Revenge of Gaia” . The Gaia hypothesis developed and proposed by Dr James Lovelock, an independent scientist, author , researcher and environmentalist , changes our view on Earth from a barren rock covered with thin coating of life to a self organizing system that in many ways resembles a single organism . A staunch supporter of nuclear science, Lovelock believes that nuclear energy is the only alternative to fossil fuels that has the capacity to fulfill large scale energy needs of mankind thereby reducing greenhouse gases and halting global warming.
Global warming is the observed increase in the average temperature of the Earths atmosphere and oceans in recent decades. The prevailing scientific option on climate change is that most of the warming observed over the last 50 years is attributable to human activities. The increased amount of carbon Di oxide and other greenhouse gases released by the burning of fossil fuels and other related activities lead to an increase in the greenhouse effect thereby being the primary causes of human induced component of warming. An increase in the global temperatures can in turn cause other changes, including a rising sea level and changes in the amount of pattern and precipitation. These changes may increase the frequency and intensify of extreme weather events such as floods, heat waves and hurricanes etc. Other consequences also include glacier retreat, extinction of species, lower agricultural yields and increase in the range of disease vectors. The rise in sea level is also major concern and one of the aftermaths of global warming. According to a survey if the sea level were to rise in excess 14 meters almost every coastal city in the world would be affected, with the potential for major impacts on world trade and economy. An example is the island nation of Tuvalu. Tuvalu, an island located near to New Zealand is a naturally gifted location but it has an average elevation of approximately one meter above sea level. As a result, Tuvalu had already an agreement with New Zealand to allow phased relocation as many inhabitants have already started leaving the island. According to the reports there, it is far from clear that the rising sea levels as a result of global warming are a substantial factor, with the sea level rising 1-2 millimeters per year.
Dr. James Lovelock’s “The Revenge of Gaia” is a wake up call to the entire human race. He mentions on the global warming scenario as real and deadly. He also believes that nuclear power remains the only short term way to provide enough energy without causing climatic harm. The Gaia theory takes its name from the goddess of Earth .or the earth mother according to Greek mythology. The concept formulates that the segment of earth from the bottom of its crust to the top of its atmosphere acts self regulating being , keeping conditions suitable for life .He also cites the chemically unstable composition of the atmosphere maintained by life as evidence that Gaia-the world organism – is self regulating for the benefit of life. His argument that if this atmospheric balance was not maintained life would die out, therefore Gaia must have life’s best interests at heart and work for the benefit and propagation of life. Lovelock also discusses on the history of life on earth and the impact that all living creatures, from micro-organisms to humans had on this ever changing planet, the ability of the Earth to maintain relatively constant conditions in temperature, atmosphere, salinity and pH of the oceans and reduction in pollutants defining the concept of organism. He also draws attention to one aspect of warming threat in particular , which is that the expected temperature rise is currently being held back by artificially by a global aerosol ( a layer of dust in the atmosphere right around the planets northern hemisphere ) which is the product of the world’s industry. This shields us from some of the sun’s radiation in a phenomenon which is global dimming and is thought to be holding the temperature down by several degrees. But with a severe industrial downturn the aerosol could fall out of the atmosphere in a very short time and the global temperature could take a sudden leap upwards.
“The Revenge of Gaia” has been nicknamed by many as the Book of Revelation. Lovelock’s vision of the planet’s revenge does not evaluate a spiteful attack against the homo sapiens as such but comprehensible collapse of the system that have kept earth habitable for billions of years. If Gaia means the interdependence of all organisms on earth, then the system collapse implicates to all the organisms, though he focuses it exclusively as our fault. His linking of forests and oceanic algae to the formation of clouds and thus attaining the capability to counter the earth’s warming from man made carbon dioxide. But he firmly believes that as a result of the relentless creeping of global temperature higher and climatic disasters will proliferate thereby the human race has moved beyond a point of recovery. He believes that at the current rate the global temperature will rise by nearly three degrees in the next 50 years. Then the rainforests begins to die and thereby the content of carbon dioxide increases. Algae fail in the ocean and stop generating cooling clouds and absorbing carbon. This results in glacier melting flooding some of the most commercial and economy propellant cities thereby paving way for human migrations, crop failures and emergence of warlords.
Lovelock also proposes a solution for all these impending dilapidation. He advocates the idea of rapid expansion of nuclear fuel to cut fossil fuel emissions, Giant reflectors in space, the solidification and burying of smoke emissions, availability of synthetic foods to give the planet a chance to recover. He dismisses wind power and bio-fuels as inefficient and has not mentioned much about solar power. He also proposes the utilization of higher levels of technology to reduce humanity’s impact on the environment.
Lovelock’s campaign against human abuse of the environment can be justified but certain presumptions of the Gaia hypothesis lacks credibility. In making such a statement, far gloomier than yet made by any other scientist of such international standing, he has sidelined the orthodox Darwinian concept. He can be acknowledged as the man who conceived the first wholly new way of looking life since Charles Darwin. The idea of a self regulatory planet to keep itself fit for life and being synonymous to an organism cannot be digested which is crystal clear when the research scientists virtually ignored his theory. Orthodox Darwinism did not consider that evolving organisms are part of each other’s environment and that diminishing the habitability reduce their chances of survival thereby Gaia being the sum of mutually dependent network. But his visualization of the imminent danger is a pre emptive admonition to the entire human race.
Lovelock is fierce in his insistence on the need to embrace nuclear energy: “Renewable energy sounds good, but so far it is inefficient and expensive. It has a future, but we have no time now to experiment with visionary energy sources: civilization is in imminent danger and has to use nuclear energy now, or suffer the pain soon to be inflicted by our outraged planet”. But nuclear fuel still remains a major bone of contention in the international arena and how safe will the human race be when there is a scuttle to obtain this energy.
Shereen Vijayan Kottikkal
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