This Authentic Handbook is a unique synthesis of knowledge about Kerala. Comprising of more than 1250 topics along with more than 750 illustrative photographs, this handy reference book covers almost all traditional topics like culture, heritage, religion, polity, women, socio-economic condition, briefs on epoch making personalities, languages, art, music, literature, fairs ad festivals, folklore, etc. The book will serve for decades to come as the first point of reference for those interested in any aspect of our State.

` 300/-

When in Doubt…Look it up…

Revised and Updated

Available atDistrict Information Offices /State Information Centre,Thiruvananthapuram

2 May 2016

This Authentic Handbook is a unique synthesis of knowledge about Kerala. Comprising of more than 1250 topics along with more than 750 illustrative photographs, this handy reference book covers almost all traditional topics like culture, heritage, religion, polity, women, socio-economic condition, briefs on epoch making personalities, languages, art, music, literature, fairs ad festivals, folklore, etc. The book will serve for decades to come as the first point of reference for those interested in any aspect of our State.

` 300/-

When in Doubt…Look it up…

Revised and Updated

Available atDistrict Information Offices /State Information Centre,Thiruvananthapuram

The monsoon is here,Brace yourself against illness…Dr. Gayatri L K

May 2016Volume 36 | Number 7

Editor-in-ChiEf Mini Antony IASCo-ordinating Editor C Ramesh KumardEPUtY Editor - in- ChiEf Santhosh Kumar A SEditor K P Sarithaassistant Editor C RajeshsUb Editor Merlin J NCirCUlation R AnilkumardEsign V S PrakashdEsign & laYoUt R Ratheesh Kumar rash8590070404@gmail.comPrinting St. Joseph's Press, Thiruvananthapuram

The subscription amount also received at the State Information Centre, Press Club Building, Thiruvananthapuram. Ph: 2518471 andat all District Information Offices

to sUbsCribE send rs. 120 as money order to the director, information & Public Relations Department, First floor, secretariat annexe, thiruvananthapuram, Pin 695 001.

VIewS expressed in the articles published in Kerala Calling are not, necessarily, those of the government. Kerala Calling welcomes free expression of divergent views and exchange of ideas through its pages.edIToRIAl MATeRIAlS articles/features appearing in this magazine are either commissioned or assigned. nevertheless, other articles are also welcome. a maximum of 750 wordage is appreciated. such items should be addressed to The editor Kerala Calling first floor, secretariat annexe, thiruvananthapuram. Pin 695 001 these may also be e mailed to keralacalling@gmail.comResponses may be sent to Mail: keralacalling@gmail.comEnqUiriEsEditorial: 0471-2518648subscription: 0471-2517036

total no. of pages 48 + Covers

Cover STory6

128

16

20 24rain rain come again;Conserve water wherever it possibleDr. V Subhash Chandra Bose

WaT

er

ConS

erva

Tion

Hea

lTH

environmenTearth Day 2016Trees for the earthRenjan Mathew Varghese

28

lessons of Democracy Dr. Joseph Antony

Facets of assembly elections - Kerala Dr. K M Sajad Ibrahim

SveePing Kerala Dr. Divya S Iyer IAS

Thus say the youth Sunayna Sukumar

Editorial

More lessons for better tomorrow

Kerala is all set for another election. This time there is a significant initiative taken under Systamatic Voters Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP), a new concept to ensure 100% voting in the State. District administrations have taken every effort through novel schemes to make sure that all districts achieve 100% polling target.

Along with the heat generated by elections fever, the State is also facing unprecedented hot summers this time. Environmentalists have attributed the drastic changes in the climate to man made disasters and over exploitation of natural resources.

It is now becoming increasingly clear that the State which was known as rich in water resources, is now heading towards a situation where many parts are experiencing acute water shortage. Pollution of water sources is also posing fresh challenges. Experts say global warming and other related climatic phenomena have contributed to climatic variations in Kerala.

As against the national average, Kerala receives 2.78 times of copious rainfall. ie, 3000 mm per year. The picturesque State which lies between Sahyadri and Arabian sea is blessed with 44 rivers, thousands of ponds, backwaters, streams and number of lakes. It also considered as the State having highest well density with 100 to 400 wells per kilometre and 65 lakhs in total number. But most of the wells become dry during the summer season.

The water scarcity, contamination, ground water depletion, conversion and reclamation of wet lands and paddy fields are some of the challenges that the State is currently grappling with. We have to find out solutions to these problems. Proper and scientific waste management is a major component of water conservation. The tendency of people to litter garbage all around has led to contamination of water. Solid and liquid waste management are crucial and integral part of pure water conservation.

Another monsoon is at the doorsteps. Water conservation measures can be effectively implemented through scientific and watershed based development activities. Hope these measures will help the State to avoid drought and water scarcity in the coming years.

Editor in Chief

32 oBiTuary TomS The creator of Bobanum moliyum Sudheer Nath

34 liTeraTure Knut Hamsun a little Soul’s endless emotions Joytsna P

36 TouriSm medical Tourism a new face Dr. A Basheer

40 ClimaTe The Wetlands and Climate Change Rani Elizabeth Paul Christina Mary Georgy

42 agriCulTure Sagas of resurrection in Kerala agriculture Dr. Edackad Mohan

44 Travel The lifeline of india Abhin K I

48 garDening Purple Wreath the lovely climber Suresh Muthukulam

50 CommuniCaTion radio nermozhi newage broadcast

6

CovEr Story

very nation with a government likes to be known it as a democracy. The

form of government may be either a one party system, or led by a military

junta, or a despot; but they claim that they lead a democratic government. The

USSR, during its existence was vociferous that theirs was the real democracy. The

official name of China itself is “Peoples’ Republic of China” and claim that they are

practicing ‘new democracy.’ North Korea which is one of the most despotic and opaque

country in the world under a single party system is officially known as “Democratic

Peoples’ Republic of Korea.” This shows that ‘democracy’ has become the most wanted

administrative system in the world. People all over the world are ready to sacrifice

Dr. JoSEPh ANtoNy

Eanything for the establishment of a democratic system in their countries. The recent popular movement known as the ‘Arab Spring’ in North Africa and West Asia is the latest proof for this unending thirst for democracy. Democracy is so attractive because it is the only practicing governmental system in the world which offers ultimate freedom to the people. Hence, more and more nations are marching towards democracy and no despot can prevent this forward movement.

The world is rich with practicing democracies. Some international organisations have stated that at present, among the 193 UN members,

lessons of Democracy

7

123 are democracies. It shows the global acceptability and popularity of democracy. India has a unique position among democratic

countries. It is the largest democracy in the world. When India entered into free democratic experiments in 1947, so many

western leaders expressed their skepticism about the success of Indian democracy. But the very First Lok Sabha election

in 1952 proved they were wrong. About eight crore people participated in the electoral process spanning about four

months. The number of voters participated in the election was three crores more, than the entire population of the

United Kingdom. That itself shows the magnitude of the task performed by a fledgling democracy.

An analysis of the density of democracy will tell us that Asia is not a fertile land for democracy. In

lessons of Democracy

8 May 2016

CovEr StoryDr. K M SAJAD IBRAhIM

the case of South Asia, the record of democracy in Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Afghanistan are not promising. East and South East Asian democracies are popularly called as guided democracies because of its democracy deficit. China, the largest populous country in the world is ruled by a single party, Communist Party of China.

In this grim scenario, India stands as a beacon of democracy. By highlighting the virtues of Indian Constitution, Granville Austin has also explained how India became exceptional when its neighbours

failed in the democracy test. The peculiarity of Indian democracy is that it has an inbuilt system to redeem any attack on its institutions. Some scholars called this political quality as the “self-balancing eco-system.” It has a vibrant judiciary capable of protecting the basic structure of the Constitution. It also functions as a watch dog of the rights of the people. The most important element, of course, is the people of India. Although many of them are members, supporters or followers of political parties, no political party can consider their uncritical

support to them when they fail to do justice to the democratic values. As was stated by Rajni Kothari, “people’s commitment to and faith in democratic values have been rising simultaneous to the decline of these values among the elite.” Many a time the Indian voters proved their political acumen and ability to punish the erring political leaderships at the elections.

The civil society groups have been playing a crucial role to rectify and strengthen the political system. They have played a seminal role in establishing some crucial institutions

Facets of assembly electionsKerala

he Kerala Assembly election of 1957 was the first assembly election in Kerala. In this election, the Communist Party of India (CPI) won the election with 60 seats and E.M.S. Namboodiripad became the first Chief Minister. The election led to the formation of first democratically elected communist government in India and second in the world after San Marino. The three political parties contested in this election were Indian National Congress (INC), Communist Party of India (CPI) and Praja Socialist Party (PSP). However, in 1959, the Central Government

T

9May 2016

for strengthening Indian democracy. The Right to Information Act is a telling example. They are also active in the fields of human rights, environment, rights of dalits, women, etc.

India’s initiatives in grass roots democracy are unique in many ways. It now works as the breeding ground of democratic values as well as new leadership. In three lakh local bodies spread all over India, it elects about 3.2 million representatives and among them 1.8 million are women. 86,000 local bodies are led by women representatives. This will bring forth

huge social change in the days to come.

India is a civilizational State. So it can tide over many crisis through its inner strength which is absent in many other states. The foundations of Indian nation are the sum total of many cultures and traditions. No single leader or party can torpedo it with the stroke of a pen. This is discernible in the words of Sunil Khilnani who wrote the book “The Idea of India”. He stated, while explaining the rationale behind penning the book, “that the founding idea of India is anchored

as much in resisting certain powerful seductions – the temptations of a clear, singular definition of nationhood, of the apparent neatness of authoritarian politics, of the clarities of a statist or pure market economy, of unambiguous alliances with other states – as it was in realizing declaratory visions.” The march of Indian democracy has to pass many tests of democracy, but so far, it has succeeded in keeping its flag fly high.n

The writer is Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Kerala

dismissed the democratically elected government through the controversial Article 356 of the Indian Constitution.

In the second election in 1960, Indian National Congress, Praja Socialist Party and Indian Union Muslim League formed a pre-poll alliance to counter the Communist Party of India. Congress and Praja Socialist Party alliance got the majority in the election and Pattom A. Thanu Pillai became the Chief Minister on 22 February 1960.

In the the third Assembly elections in 1965, no parties got majority. All parties contested in the election

In the the third Assembly elections in 1965, no parties

got majority.

without any alliance. As a result of these phenomena, there were eight parties to contest the election. Since no party or alliance got majority, President's rule was imposed.

In the fourth election held in 1967, the CPI (M) formed a grand coalition with CPI,

10 May 2016

RSP, SSP, ML, KSP, KTP and secured majority. This seven-party combine was voted to power leading to the formation of a ministry headed by E.M.S.Namboodiripad. The Congress went down with just nine seats.

The fifth Assembly Election was held in September 1970. The partners of the ruling front consist of Indian

1977. However, this ministry was short-lived. A.K.Antony became the next Chief Minister. Antony resigned his Chief Ministership on October 27, 1978 and P.K.Vasudevan Nair (CPI) took over as Chief Minister on October 29, 1978. But his ministry also resigned on October 7, 1979. C.H.Muhammad Koya was sworn-

introduced on 21 October 1981. An eight-member U.D.F. ministry was sworn in on 28 December 1981 with K.Karunakaran as the leader. It was the twelfth ministry in Kerala since the formation of the State. However, he resigned in March1982 led to the dissolution of the Assembly.

The mid-term election to the seventh Kerala Assembly was held on May 19, 1982. The U.D.F. won 77 seats. K.Karunakaran as its leader assumed office on 24th May 1982. The ninth election to the eighth Kerala Assembly was held on March 23, 1987, about two months in advance of the due date. In the elections, the LDF got majority by securing 78 seats, pushing the UDF to the opposition with 60 seats. An independent and one CMP candidate also won the elections. A five-member ministry under the Chief Ministership of E.K.Nayanar assumed charge of office on 26 March 1987.

The L.D.F. Ministry decided to go

Pattom A. thanu PillaiE.M.S. Namboodiripad

R Sankar C Achutha Menon K Karunakaran A K Antony P K Vasudevan Nair

National Congress, the CPI, the RSP, the Muslim League and the Praja Socialist Party won majority. C.Achutha Menon formed his second ministry on 4 October 1970. The normal term of the Assembly was extended up to 22 October 1976 on account of emergency period.

The sixth Assembly Election was held in March 1977. The Congress front, essentially a continuation of the previous alignment of forces, won a decisive majority and K.Karunakaran formed a ministry on March 25,

in as Chief Minister on October 12, 1979. However, the ministry resigned on December 1, 1979.

In 1980, the stage was set for the eventual emergence of two political combines - the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF). In the 1980 Assembly polls, out of the 140 elective seats in the Assembly, the LDF bagged 93 seats and E.K.Nayanar sworn in as the Chief Minister.

But E .K .Nayanar tendered resignation and President's rule was

for the assembly in May 1991, when it had tenure up to March 1992. Consequent to the assassination of Rajiv Gandhi, former Prime Minister, on 21 May, barely two days before the dates fixed for the polls, the elections were postponed to 12 June 1991. Elections were held as per the revised schedule in 139 constituencies as poll in the Eattumanoor constituency was countermanded, because of the death of one of the candidates there .In the elections, the U.D.F. emerged victors with 89 seats. The ninth Kerala

11May 2016

ministry under the chief ministership of Oommen Chandy assumed charge of office on 31 August 2004.

Election to the twelfth assembly was conducted in three phases on 22, 29 April 29 and 3 May 2006.The LDF won the election with 98 seats. The 19-member LDF ministry was sworn into power on 18th May 2006 with V.S.Achuthanandan as the Chief Minister.

The thir teenth leg islat ive assembly election was held on 13 April 2011. Election results were

The results proved to be one of the closest

elections in Kerala's history, with the UDF beating the LDF by a margin of four seats.

C h Mohammed Koya E K Nayanar V S Achuthanandan oommen Chandy

Assembly was sworn in to power on 24 June 1991, with K. Karunakaran as the Chief Minister.

In the tenth Kerala Assembly election, the LDF came to power on 20 May 1996 with E. K. Nayanar as Chief Minister. Election to the eleventh assembly was held on 10 May 2001 in which UDF got 99 seats and the new government came to power on 17 May 2001 with A.K.Antony as Chief Minister. However, he rendered the resignation of his cabinet on 29 August 2004. A five-member

released on 13 May 2011. The results proved to be one of the closest elections in Kerala's history, with the UDF beating the LDF by a margin of four seats. The 21st ministry headed by Oommen Chandy as Chief Minister was sworn in 23 May 2011.

The fourteenth Assembly election will be held on 16 May 2016, in which UDF, LDF and NDA alliances along with the independents contest.n

The writer is Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, University of Kerala

12

CovEr Story

s another issue of Kerala Calling reaches your hand, you would get the mellow whiff of the Kerala State Legislative Assembly Elections, whose fruits have ripened. One wouldn’t know if any of the major political parties or fronts, as the case may be, would be able to boast of a sweeping victory in the elections. But we, the personnel in the respective districts and State election machinery can definitely

narrate our SVEEPing tales across the State. Having been vested with the responsibility

of Systematic Voter Education

& Electoral Participation (SVEEP) in the district of K o t t aya m , i t wa s g re at opportunity for my team to reach out to those whose democratic conscience had been clouded by the cynicism of this age. Working as a team, SVEEP taught us many a thing about team-formation, volunteering, group dynamics, participatory management techniques, mob psychology, ‘convict ion to convince ’ principle, hand-holding with private players, religious leaders, other departments etc. which will come in handy, for the rest of our career, for sure.

Does Kerala actually require SVEEP activities? Hence the starting point was to get the facts right. Rounding up the average statistics, one finds that Kerala state has perched

Dr. DIVyA S IyER IAS

SveePing KeralaA

SVEEPing KeralaSVEEPing Kerala

SveePing KeralaSVEEPing KeralaSVEEPing Keralacomfortably at a spot around 70, as far as polling percentage goes, in any given recent election. It would be naive to think that the remaining 30% of population wouldn’t alter the outcome of the elections in a State where an instance of a thumbing victory of over 30% margin is near impossible. This conceptual understanding sparked a thought in most of the politically conscious Malayalees, whom we met and briefed on the field. The reality is that not exercising one’s right to vote does not equal itself to non-participation in the elections; instead it is misusing our participatory place in the democracy. W hen we do not vote, we still participate in the elections by not registering our resentment against a particular candidate who wins because of majority support in the first-post-past-system which is practised in India. When I vote, I am a responsible citizen. It is this

thought that gave rise to our motto, ‘My Vote, My Future’ for our SVEEP-2016 campaign.

With clear mandate from the Election Commission of India, and unfailing support from the Chief Electoral Office in Kerala, SVEEP teams were able to perform remarkably well. Detailed SVEEP strategies and

14 MaY 2016

action plans were prepared in order to achieve the twin objectives of improving new-voter enrolment amongst youngsters, and increasing the polling percentage in every district, with special focus on marginalised population. Some initiatives which captured the attention of the public and media, were implemented across the State, and won appreciation from the Election Commission of India and the Observers too.

The Kottayam SVEEP team implemented close to 50 activities in and around the district. A national record was born out of the Kerala Glows campaign when 700 Student Police Cadets pledged their allegiance to SVEEP by holding out candles to the State, lining up in the shape of the Kerala map. Four videos were produced and popularised through various modes of mass communication, from Kottayam alone. My First Vote campaign focussed on college students who had just turned 18, which started off with a single-day massive new- enrolment drive in 53 colleges in Kottayam, and was carried on with various enthusiasm generation activities organised by the students including flash-mobs, street plays, mono acts, marathon, workshops on ethical

voting etc. The Zumba trainers in the district stepped forward with the SVEEP team to organise a Fit to Vote campaign, where the young new voters were declared fit to vote as they turned 18, and the need to exercise to be fit for life were set to roaring applause.

Th e V o t e T u n e campaign was touted successful, as social m e d i a , F M r a d i o channels and Television c h a n n e l s t o o k o v e r the viral phenomenon in the State, and kept the tunes humming. Inspired, SVEEP songs were produced by Pathanamthitta and Palakkad SVEEP teams as well. Attention-grabbing short animation films and cartoon memes were created by districts including Kollam and Pathanamthitta which were received heartily by the citizens. A Vote Jingle incorporating the versatile faces of the working

class of Kottayam was created to drum the election beats. Action Vote—a video delivering instructions in sign language, on how-to-vote to the Speech and Hearing Impaired friends was made with the aid of government employees who shared the disadvantage. A differently-abled young man who overcame a tragic accident which took away

three out of his

f o u r limbs, was

chosen to be our District Ambassador for SVEEP, who would deliver words of motivation to the voter on the fence. A renowned singer from the district, Smt. Vaikkom Vijayalakshmi was chosen to be the District Icon, who won the audience hands down

The Vote Tune campaign was

touted successful, as social media, FM radio channels and Television channels took over the

viral phenomenon in the State, and kept the tunes humming.

15MaY 2016

a novel awareness programme for casting votes

The District Collector of Ernakulam has initiated a novel method for making aware the new electorates the importance of casting votes. The district Collector has already send letters signed by him to around 5000 new young voters detailing the importance of voting.

The idea by the Collector M G Rajamanickam has induced a fresh enthusiasm in the youngsters who are on their way to the polling station for casting their first vote. They are really surprised when they received the personal letter of the District Collector. The letters were posted at the post office at Marad in Eranakulam. Signing in 5000 letters is a tedious task but surprisingly, the Collector did it with a fully devoted heart without looking at the clock.

The letters detail the importance of casting vote in a democratic system. The collector himself drafted the letter in beautiful language. While detailing the importance, his sole aim was to make the promising buds the importance of democracy. In spite of being an IAS officer from the Tamil nadu Cadre, he proved himself that Malayalam is also fluent to him both in writing and in speaking.

The collector did this move as part of the activities (SVEEP) conducted by District Election Office for increasing the polling percentage in the coming Assembly election. It is a fact that Kerala lags behind other states while considering the polling percentage. Though we are highly educated and attained the status of a fully literate state, a section of the keralites is unwilling to cast their votes.

The collector feels that in giving full security to the people to cast their votes Kerala is far better than other states. The unwillingness to cast votes is found mostly in urban areas.This attitude must be changed. Only then do we claim that we are literally literate in all sense.

BIJu N B, AIO, Ernakulam

with her transcendental renditions. Vision to Vote campaign to enable the visually-challenged friends to effectively exercise their right to vote proved fruitful. Homes and institutions for differently-abled were given special emphasis in order to ensure that the respective polling booths were barrier-free. Transforming Votes targeted the Trans-gender population of the district. Vote 141 campaign was conducted on a mission mode in the 141 lowest 10% polling percentage constituencies in the district, with SVEEP teams visiting and interacting with the local populace in order to understand their viewpoints and nudge them to vote. This also included EVM and VVPATR demonstrations, apart from the Voting Van and Votorickshaw which carried similar messages to every nook and corner of the district. Marginalised groups of Scheduled caste, Scheduled tribe, minority religious groups, senior citizens, women voters (Nirbhaya- Vote Fearlessly) to bridge the gender gap in polling etc. were especially taken care of.

Celebrity cine artist-Unni Mukundan-joined hands with us by enrolling himself as a new voter, and exhorting all the college students in the district to enroll themselves, and cast their votes. Kerala’s own bank, State Bank of Travancore fostered the spirit of democracy by launching the Vote-Bank campaign across the State by displaying posters with ‘My Vote, My Future’ reminders on each one of the 1000 ATMs and 800 bank branches. In collaboration with the Lalit Kala Academy, and Kerala Cartoon Academy, Votoons exhibition wooed the voters into amusing lessons on voting. Gas cylinders, milk vans, auto ricksahaws, KSRTC buses, railway stations, government office premises, Akshaya Centres have all turned into voter reminders and facilitation centres in this festive season of elections. As the special postal letters from the Ernakulam District Collector inviting youngsters to reach their hands, as the new voters plant two trees for every vote casted in Wayanad, as the SVEEP hot-air balloon scales greater heights in the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram, let us set higher standards for ourselves in the upcoming elections, by exercising our right to vote - ‘Viralthumbil Nammude Bhaavi’ - Elections: the quintessential festival of Indian democracy. Together, we can fulfil its purpose. Let us go out and vote, on May 16, 2016. My Vote, My Future - Our Future, indeed! n

The Author is Assistant Collector (U/T), Nodal Officer, SVEEP, Kottayam

16

CovEr Story

e alone, who owns the youth, gains the future” – Adolf Hitler. This must be the exact thought running through the minds of all the political parties in the fray to win the 2016 Kerala Elections. With a huge percentage of first time voters being added to the voters’ list this year, the decisions of these elections will be in the hands of the youth in a big way. Youth plays an important role in shaping a society with dignity and prosperity. Meanwhile we can experience dramatic changes in the upcoming Kerala Elections. There is a massive influence of youth. The youth constitutes of almost 34% of the Indian population and is India’s precious human resource. It is said that the upcoming elections will witness the POWER of the youth to bring about a change in the nation.

Thus say the youthH

SuNAyNA SuKuMAR

17MaY 2016

Today, youth has the power to transform our nation, and it will. The responsibility of transformation, progress and innovation lies on their young shoulders. Various parties in the country are stressing upon youth as a critical part of their preparations for the 2016 Kerala Elections. Social media has helped a lot to boost the functioning of the Kerala Elections. Quite a few leaders and political parties have introduced their official pages on

Facebook, describing their power and duties to the public. There are many followers as well. Social media really helps to raise the bar of gaining votes over a particular political party. The leaders use this as a major tool to absorb in all the support from the public. Some politicians have nailed the art of social media engagement, with an amazing mix of personal feelings, nationalist pride and smart positioning.

Undoubtedly, we all believe that

Thus say the youth

this is one of the primary goals that every politician aims to achieve. In any case, they cannot afford to tamper with the party identity and defame their current status. However, it seems some of their social media accounts are filled with such posts and tweets. There is a huge difference between the aged and the youth, it is obvious. In my honest opinion, Youth knows how to play the cards well. They are the pillars of a society and with their ultimate presence

Social media has helped a lot to boost the functioning of the Kerala Elections.

OrmaMaram

18 May 2016

anything is possible. That’s one major reason on why there is such an intense relationship between the Youth and Politics. Everyone need not agree with this statement. That is ought to happen. People disagree and agree with what they believe is right or wrong.

Democracy is the buzz word for our political

Wayanad district will be implementing a splendid initiative, ORMA MARAM. The initiative is to make aware the the

voters the importance of voting as well as to make the district much greener. This will commence on 16 May, the day Kerala goes to polling booths. The idea has already created a wave of enthusiasm in new media as well as in traditional ones. As we know, the election is conducted in scorching heat and in order to prevent hotter summers in the long run, we have to take precautions right now. Hence, between 16 May and June 5 (World Environment Day) the project will be implemented. The idea initiated by Kesavendra Kumar, District Collector gained wide momentum from all walks of life. 10 lakh saplings will be planted across Wayanad making it lush green. It is an effort to regain the lost glory of the district which is part of the Western Ghats noted for its forest rivers and captivating mist. When a fresh voter plants a sapling in his courtyard in the memory of his first vote, it will be the beginning of a great dream.

In Polling booths, which records polling below 40%, all voters will be given the saplings. For the first time in its history, Wayanad witnesses this kind of

environmental protection with the aid of public support. The sapling are made available with the help of Forest Department and the Agircultural Research Center at Ambala vayal.

It is heartening to see that Wayanad is

19May 2016

undergoing climate change nowadays. Once it was a paradise even in summer but now it is suffering from suffocating heat. Hence, social forestry activities are mandatory. The Facebook page of the district Collector is overloaded with support for the initiative. The district collector of Kozhikode, N. Prasanth has also lent support to the initiative. The district Collector, Kesavendra Kumar has requested the participation of all people of Wayanad for making the initiative a huge success. facebook.com/collectorwaynad is the official facebook page of the Collector.

P RAShEED BABu Assistnat Editor, Wayanad

system. But is it really so? Is it democracy that a nation where a majority of population is below 40 elects a majority of people above 60 to power? Are we really satisfied with the way our country is being governed? Should it not bother us that at the age people generally take retirement and rest, our politicians actually become eligible to be at the helm of affairs? Why is it so that people below 50 years are considered as political ‘kids’? We desperately need some

young leaders who personify energy, enthusiasm, morality, and diligence. No doubt we have progressed a lot in the last years but the development pace would have been completely different, if we had some young torchbearers to lead this process of development.

The youth of modern India are aware of the problems facing our country and the world at large. Given a chance they would be ready to change the political condition

of the country for better. I believe that they can bring a change which will do great wonders. There are few things which need to be clarified. One is that, youngsters do not mean people who are 20 years old with no experience at all. Youth in this context is meant to refer people in their 30’s or early 40’s with a good mix of energy and experience. Two, it is not intended to mean that old people should leave the political scene and rest. What is wanted is that they should be there but for guidance because they are treasures of invaluable experience.

As for the youth of our country, they can contribute in more ways than just contesting elections. Much can be done in areas like educating people, raising awareness about various social ills, and many other areas. Youngsters can make the world a better place to live in. Influence of Youth on the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections is worth-waiting. We can stand together and support our Youth to grow wiser and do their duties punctually. n

The writer is a freelance journalist

The youth of modern India are aware of the problems facing our country and the world at large.

20 MaY 2016

WatEr ConSErvation

erala the natures own land blessed with greenery, rivers, water bodies and other natural resources facing the acute drought and water shortage in these days. Dry water bodies and land areas are only seen everywhere in the god’s own country. Studies and experiences reveals that Kerala is considered as the wet drought State which means six months flooding due to heavy rain following with relief camps and another six months tanker lorry water supply in relation by severe drought. Drought and thirsty in the rain land and monsoon entrance

State is a common phenomena in the last several decades.

As against the national average, Kerala receives 2.78 times of copious rainfall. ie, 3000mm per year. The small beauty land which lies in between sahyadri and Arabian sea is blessed with 44 rivers, thousands of ponds, backwaters, streams and number of lakes. The people of Kerala especially in rural areas is mostly depends upon well for their water needs including drinking purpose. The State is also considered highest well density with 100 to 400 wells

Conserve water wherever it possible

Dr. V SuBhASh ChANDRA BoSE

“Rain rain come again

Drop to drop, Day by day

Our people wants live

Rain rain come again

Our Earth lives with you “

K

Rain rain come again;Kerala is considered as the wet drought State which means six months flooding due to heavy rain following with relief camps and another six months tanker lorry water supply in relation by severe drought.

21

per kilometre and 65 lakhs in total number. But most of the wells are dried up in summer season.

As per the national norms, rivers which covers drainage areas of 20,000 to 2000 per sq. Kilometre are called major and medium rivers. Considering this criterion the total catchment area of all rivers only 28,739 sq. Km and an annual discharge of 72873 MCM. Kerala rivers are only minor rivers compared to the national norms.

However, the State which is supposed to be water rich is now a myth and the people of Kerala is

facing acute water shortage and water pollution challenges. Global warming and other related climatic phenomena’s also affects the climatic variation of Kerala.

The water scarcity, contamination, ground water level depletion, conversion and declamation of wet lands and paddy fields and other problems are dampened in the State. We have to find out solutions to these problems. The water related issues and challenges faced by the State are due to various reasons such as;

-Lack of serious and concerted effort of preservation of natural resources especially forest, water bodies, wet lands etc.

-Absence and lack of proper and scientific water conservation.

- I n c r e a s i n g r a t e o f w a t e r contamination.

Conserve water wherever it possibleRain rain come again;

22

-Improper usage of pure water.One hectare forest land holds

32 million and one hectare paddy field contains 3 lakh litre of rainfall. The dynamic land use changes, deforestation, unscientific construction methods, lack of ground water recharge which leads to water scarcity in the state. About 92 percentage of rain water Kerala receives flows into the sea within 44 hours due to the geographical setting of Kerala, the surface run of a drop of water is 3m/sec. Whereas the underground run of water is very slow and takes as many as 3 days.

natural Setting

K e ra l a ’s t o p o g ra p hy i s n o t homogeneous in micro level. Which influence the high surface run of and it resist the incite infiltration. The record indicative topography and variations in slopes restricts the natural infiltration and water conservation. An average 110-120 number of annual rain days and high force of rain drops are unique to the state. The sloping terrain and forceful raindrop accelerated speedy run of the rainfall to the sea.

Human interventions

Destruction of forestland and

vegetation cover in the name of development is the major reason of water resources loss and depletion. The unscientific construction methods are not allowed to natural penetration of rainfall to the ground water. Lack of proper and scientific waste management which includes solid and liquid is also an added reason to the water contamination. Dampening with the inherent unique wealth of the State like destruction of sacred grooves, demolision of hill and hillocks, conversion of ponds have also resulted in damage to the water resources. The changing lifestyles and construction boom is also affected the natural resources especially water sector.

Rain is the primary form of pure water which is the gift of nature. Fortunately, Kerala receives abundant rainfall which is larger than national average. Considering the various water stress and recent drought needs large scale water conservation measures for the betterment of human being and life. Proper and scientific water conservation with the participation of people not only the all walks of life is need of the hour, but also the actions from this moment.

Strength and theopportunitiesNatural ResourcesNearness to the seaPresence of western GhatsHigh RainfallRivers, Ponds, Open wells, Streams, Lakes etcSacred grooves, Wet lands, Paddy fieldsHigh LiteracyAvailability of TechnologyDifferent ModelsTraditional Practices

Strength and theChallengesPhysical setting and stopive terrainRainfall patternConstruction patternLack of waste managementLand use changesBehavioural issuesPaddy and wet land reclamation

23MaY 2016

Conserve every drop of Water

Catch the rain where it possible is considered as the mantra or slogan of water conservation. Rain water harvesting, protection of existing water resources without contamination proper and scientific n a t u ra l a n d a r t i fi c i a l w a t e r conservation are the major areas of water security and water prosperity.

The following area assures are to be practiced for effective water management and conservation.

roof water harvesting

R o o f w a t e r h a r v e s t i n g i s considered as one of the major water security measure across the world. Rain water is collected and used for various purposes are seen in the history of human civilisation. 1000 sq.ft roof area holds 3 lakh litres of rainfall per year in Kerala is considered as a golden opportunity in the water security sector. Roof water harvesting is possible with small holds and rainfalls in the roof areas can be collected with purification system into different types of collection tanks. The tanks constructed with ferro cement technology, fibre tank,

RCC tanks etc may be used for the rain water collection tanks. The tanks can be constructed fully above the ground, underground, semi underground. Roof tops are considered as catchment area. Various gutters or a channel to collect water from tiled and thatched houses is a component of roof water harvesting. First flushed and pipe system is also needed. The rain water collected from roof areas is directed to filter system which includes metals, sand and charcoal and collected in various types of tanks.

open well recharge

Open well recharge is practised all over Kerala and it is considered as eco friendly, cost effective, simple technology and can be implemented in various locations of Kerala. Rainwater from terrace and flat roof building can be directly collected to the filter unit and recharged into the open well. Gutters may be included in the sloping roofs. The well recharge is benefited in two ways such as increase in water level which helps water for summer season, and also helps to improve the water quality. Salinity and iron contamination, fluoride etc can be diluted by more rainwater. Dilution is considered as one of the solution for pollution control.

Artificial ground water recharge

Artificial ground water recharge is one of the major areas in the water conservation and water security. Construction of check dams, sub surface dykes etc will allow the penetration of water into the earth and enrichment of ground water. One hectare land receives 12000000 litres of rainwater per year, proper and scientific location, specific land and water management is a crucial and major area in water conservation. Percolation, it’s in the soil near wells may be enrich the water level in the well water. Rain pits, trenches, terrace cultivation, earthen bunds, stone bunds etc will restrict the surface

runoff and water is in filtered to ground water. Mulching, vegetative fencing, cultivation of vetiver home shed afforestation etc will also help the water and moisture conservation of soil and it conserves water for summer season.

The mantra of water conservation is as follows:

“Making Running water as walking : Walking water as Standing:

Standing water as Sitting: ,Sitting water as lying : Lying water as Sleeping “

Proper and scientific waste management is a major area in the water conservation. Throwing culture is a major practice of Keralites is heavily influence the water contamination. Solid and liquid waste management is an integral part of pure water conservation. Water conservation measures can be made more scientific with watershed based development. Homestead watershed based land and water measures are highly essential at present.

Look outside, lands are dry, Plants are gloomy, birds, animals and human beings are thirsty. Hot is occurring in its high elevation. At this moment, one thing is more relevant and eye opening that the chemistry teacher explains to the students that water is a compound of Hydrogen and Oxygen. But unfortunately we never learn human beings cannot produce large volume of water from the lab. Water is a component of nature and it will reach the earth by the phenomenon of water cycle and water exists in the earth with the natural resources action, interactions and the evolvement of various natural factors. The only solution for the moment is to identify the charms and peculiarity of nature and its showers and live with them. Existence is the subject, life also. Count every drop, conserve everywhere, always.n

The writer is Director, CCDU Water Resources Department. subashchandraboss@yahoo.com

The pre monsoon phase is the apt time for

gearing up our health care systems to tackle the diseases that can occur

at the wake of the monsoons.

24 May 2016

HEaltH

e ce nt ye a rs h ave s e e n a n alteration in global temperatures making summers hotter and winters colder. These changes are attributable to global warming. Industrialization and urbanization have brought in its wake a horde of problems affecting the climatic fluctuations that occur normally in a year. Increased temperature in summers leads to heating up of the Asian subcontinent (Tibetan plateau) and warm oceanic winds cause an increase in humidity too. Hotter summers portend a likelihood of heavy showers that occur normally in the months of the monsoons- June to September.

Indian monsoons have been fairly stable over the years with a variation in the range of 10%. Though the variation seems miniscule, an increase in rainfall

in the form of sudden bouts over a short period can cause flooding, whereas a shortage of rains can lead to severe droughts.

Invariably, droughts and floods are not new to the Indian sub continent; the change in the occurrence of the monsoons over the years is a matter of concern. The fact remains that India is ill equipped to deal with vast changes in climate. Vagaries of the monsoon can have

serious consequences on the human, financial, infrastructure and food security of the region. It also in turn can have an adverse effect on the health of people.

The monsoons are forecasted to commence in the month of May. We are now in the pre monsoon period. The pre monsoon phase is the apt time for gearing up our health care systems to tackle the diseases that can occur at the wake of the monsoons.

monsoon related diseases

Diseases that can occur in monsoon are common cold, viral

fevers, water borne diseases. Monsoon related diseases are spread by rats and mosquitoes, which thrive in plenty in unclean surroundings. Clogged

drains and piles of garbage can serve as breeding grounds for these disease vectors. The diseases

Dr. GAyAtRI L K

The monsoon is here,

R

Brace yourself against

illness…

25May 2016

spread by mosquitoes are mostly viral fevers like Chikungunya, Dengue fever, common cold. Most of the urban areas, have high population density and poor sanitation. Several sites serve as artificial containers for breeding of Aedes mosquitoes that spread Dengue.

Diseases related to monsoon are of various types:

Water BorneDiarrhoea results from viral

infections, bacterial infections, or parasitic infestations. Inadequate boiling of water can also lead to growth of microbes. The pathogens reach the large intestine after entering orally, through ingestion of contaminated food or water, oral contact with contaminated objects or hands, and so on. The symptoms are vomiting, loose stools and dysentery. Dehydration can result

in loss of skin turgor, sunken eyes, fatigue and irritability. Viral diarrhoeas are managed with supportive treatment while bacterial dysenteries require antibiotic treatment. Severe illness may require hospitalization and treatment with IV fluids, while mild illnesses can be managed with oral rehydration therapy with ORS or home available fluids. Severe cases of diarrhoea can lead to shock (low blood pressure), kidney failure.

The monsoon is here,Vector-borne Most of the vector borne diseases are spread by mosquito .

Malaria is a mosquito-borne disease spread by the Anopheles sps of mosquito. The disease is caused due to plasmodium parasite. People with malaria often experience bouts of fever with chills, profuse sweating and flu-like illness. Disease occurs in three stages hot stage, cold stage and sweating stage. Malaria is prevalent

26 May 2016

in endemic areas (North eastern states, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh). Increase in migrant labourers and migration patterns of Keralites have lead to an increase of cases reported in Kerala. Early detection and treatment can lead to complete cure. Untreated cases can develop severe complications and die. Diagnosis is reached by examination of blood smears and effective treatment regimens are in place. Rapid diagnostic kits are available at present for malaria.

Dengue fever is a viral disease transmitted by Aedes aeg ypti mosquitoes. The mosquito breeds in artificial collections of water seen in abundance in urban areas. Some of them are coconut shells, discarded tins, tyres, bottles, flower vases, construction sites, overhead tanks, discarded buckets, utensils etc. Dengue fever is characterized by fever (high, about 104 F-105 F), skin rash and headaches. The disease has also been termed "breakbone" or "dandy fever" because the unusually severe muscle and

joint pains can make people a s s u m e d i s t o r t e d b o d y positions or exaggerated walking movements in an effort to reduce their pain. Dengue fever can lower the plate let count in affected persons leading to bleeding tendencies. It requires hospitalization for meticulous fluid management and close observation to monitor d e v e l o p m e n t o f complications.

Chikungunya i s t r a n s m i t t e d , similarly to dengue fever and causes an illness with an acute febrile phase lasting two to five days, followed by a longer period of joint pains in the extremities .The pain may

be a long lasting sequelae of the disease and lead to compromise on the locomotor abilities of the patient.

Leptospirosis is an infectious disease, caused by a bacterium (Spirochaetes) that can occur in

Personal hygiene, use of protective equipment like gloves and boots and sanitary conditions can help keep the diseases at bay.

27May 2016

Prevention of diseases of themonsoon

Ensure safety of drinking water safe by boiling, filtering and by using ultraviolet purifiers to ensure its purity. Wash your hands before handling food, after eating food and after visiting the toilet.

Prevent stagnation of water near your house, in flower pots, coolers etc. Cover all sources of water such as wells and storage tanks. They should be periodically cleaned to avert breeding of mosquitoes and prevent mosquito borne diseases. Use insect repellents, disinfectants and take precautions to stay away from mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches and termites. Dried neem leaves, camphor or cloves can be used for their mosquito repellant properties.

Green leafy vegetables should be cleaned under running water. Soaking the greens in salt water for about 10 minutes can help remove germ and pesticides. Avoid indulging in street food such as cut fruits, chaat, ‘pani puris' or salads due to the doubtful sanitary conditions of their preparation. Eat only freshly cooked food.

During monsoon, special attention is required to prevent fungal feet. Keep them dry. Opt for open shoes during hot and humid days to prevent fungal feet. Do not wear wet clothes for long to prevent fungal infections of the skin or nails. Diabetics should not walk bare foot since the soil on which they walk is a reservoir of all types of germs.

humans. The bacterium is excreted in the urine of infected rodents. It can affect farmers working in paddy fields or sewer workers or any individual who comes to contact with water contaminated with urine of infected rodents. Severe headache, myalgia, liver and kidney involvement and congestion of eyes are features that characterize leptospirosis. Early detection and treatment can effect complete cure. But involvement of l iver and kidney envisages hospitalized care. Prophylactic treatment is available for people working in risky conditions. Personal hygiene, use of protective equipment like gloves and boots and sanitary conditions can help keep the diseases at bay.

respiratory illnesses

Allergies and common cold: Sudden drop in temperature can exacerbate conditions like asthma and allergies in prone individuals. Viral respiratory tract infections may arise and be complicated with bacterial infection.

Fungal infections

Damp and unclean surroundings can promote growth of moulds and other disease causing fungi. Fungal infection of the webs of fingers and

toes and skin folds can occur. It can result in severe itching and rashes. Exacerbations can occur in Diabetic individuals. Keeping the surroundings and clothing clean and free from dampness can help in countering infections. Diabetic individuals should take special care of skin and skin folds by keeping skin dry and clean. Blood sugar levels also should be kept within normal limits.n

The writer is Junior Resident , Depar tment o f C o m m u n i t y Medicine, Government M e d i c a l C o l l e g e , Thiruvananthapuram

28 May 2016

EnvironmEntRENJAN MAthEw VARGhESE

earth Day 2016

Trees for the earth

pril 22 – another Earth Day. The theme for this year was ‘Trees for the Earth’ – a very relevant, need of the hour and impactful theme. We all know and understand that ‘Trees’ play a major role in the environment around us, mainly from what we have learned from our textbooks right from our primary school classes. They provide us with a wide range of values, functions and services like:

AVALUES

l Creates a peaceful, a e s t h e t i c a l l y p l e a s i n g

environment l Increases our quality of life by bringing natural elements

and wildlife together even in the urban environment l We enjoy the cool shade during picnics with friends and families and also during parking our vehicles l Many trees alongside our roads and in temple premises stands as landmarks being

witness to many historical events l Well maintained green and wooded

landscapes have really high economic values in real

estate

FUnCTIOnSl Provides us with two of

life’s essential items – oxygen and food l Provides additional necessities like shelter, medicine, chemicals and tools l Provides wood for construction and

furniture l Provides fuel for cooking and heating

SERVICESl I m p r o v e s a i r

quality by absorption of air pollutants l Regulates the

microclimate by regulating sun, rain and wind l Conserves soil and water l Habitat to wide range of wildlife, both flora and fauna l Sequesters carbon and

regulates climate change

29May 2016

We have trees both in forests as well as in our rural and urban ecosystems. India follows a policy of keeping one-third of the country's total land area under forest and tree cover. As per the State of Forest Report 2015, the forest cover of India has increased to 21.34 percent in the last two years out of which very dense forests in India cover 2.61 percent of the total forest area, moderately dense forests account for 9.59 percent while open forests stand at 9.14 percent. Among all the States and Union Territories, Mizoram has the highest forest cover with 88.93 percent of the total area, followed by Lakshadweep. However, northeastern States have experienced a decline in forest cover except Manipur. Although the total forest cover has seen an increase, around 2,510 square km of very dense and mid-dense forests have been wiped out since 2013. States of Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Kerala, Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana have suffered huge loss of forest cover. Development of religious tourism, new hydro-electric projects and their reservoirs, laying of new road and railway lines etc. are the main causes of forest loss in Kerala. Not just in forests, but in our urban environment also, we are losing our green cover as we cut down trees for our various development activities like widening of existing roads, setting up airports, building new stadiums and playgrounds, commercial establishments like malls, shopping complexes etc. As per ‘The Climate Reality Project’, there are 8953 trees for each person in Canada,

4461 in Russia, 716 in the United States, 102 in China and just a bare 28 for India. We definitely need more trees.

In the era of global warming and climate change, trees and green cover finds most relevance as they steadily sequester carbon and helps to mitigate global warming. Realising this, the Kerala Forests & Wildlife Department has come up with the slogan “Global Warming & Climate Change: Tree is the Answer”. As the hoardings put up by the Kerala Forests & Wildlife Department says, forests stands for:

F – FoodO – OxygenR – RainE – Eco-balanceS – Soil ConservationT – TimberIn spite of this knowledge and

awareness, we are not able to protect the forest and urban trees as we are supposed to. Over the past few years, the Social Forestry Division has been able to launch so many afforestation and tree planting schemes under this banner, mainly:

- EnteMaramPadhadhi (through high school students)in 2007

- HarithaTheeramPadhadhi (coastal afforestation) in 2007

- VazhiyoraThanalPadhadhi (through head load and Union workers) in 2007

- Nammude Maram Padhadhi (through higher secondary school students) in 2008

- HarithaKeralamPadhadhi (through Panchayats) in 2009

- NakshathraVanamPadhadhi (Planting

not just in forests, but in our urban environment also, we are losing our green

cover as we cut down trees for our various development activities like widening of existing roads, setting up airports, building new stadiums

and playgrounds, commercial establishments like malls, shopping complexes etc.

30 May 2016

of trees connected to our birth star) in 2010

- KuttiVanamPadhadhi (nature appreciation centres) in 2014

With the aim to protect the avenue trees within the City, the Tree Committee was constituted some years back with representation from the civil society groups also. But many a times, the Tree Committee is not at all informed or not informed well in advance to do the due diligent checks and verifications at the field level to check whether the tree cutting is absolutely necessary or the development activity can proceed by saving the tree and providing some alternate solutions. On the other

hand, when taking approval for cutting of trees as part of development projects, the assurance is given that compensatory planting, i.e. 10 new saplings will be planted for 1 tree cut, will be carried out. But many a times, this is also not implemented siting various administrative, technical and financial reasons.

There is need for a drastic change in our mindsets and that can start only from the very young age. The beginning should be right from our primary class school curriculum. We should teach our students the systems, resources and issues right around us. As the saying goes,

“What you know, you love; what

you love, you will protect;What you do not know, you fear;

what you fear, you tend to destroy”We should build the capacity

of our children to know the trees around them and understand their values, functions and services to Mother Earth and to the Society and thereby realize the need to nurture and protect them.

The per capita holding of private vehicles and the number of vehicles plying on the roads are increasing steadily in Kerala. The daily usage of private vehicles have also gone up as per our flashy lifestyles. And majority of our vehicles are running on fossil fuels i.e. petrol and diesel. This

31May 2016

obviously m e a n s t h at t h e c a r b o n e m i s s i o n s a r e a l s o proportionately increasing. On the other hand, in ideal situation, to combat these increasing emissions, we should have protected our existing green cover and also taken all possible measure to improve and increase it as they sequester carbon. But in reality, we are losing out on our trees and green cover. The recent reports being repeatedly covered in

most dailies in Kerala with regard to the aspect of increasing temperatures across the State should make us think, not just about installing air-conditioners at home because we have the purchasing power to, why this change is happening, what is the human contribution to this undesirable change, and if it is human induced, what can we do to reverse it.

Tree Walk in Thiruvananthapuram is such a great initiative whereby a group of nature lovers organizes t h e m s e l v e s t o w a l k c e r t a i n designated stretches of the road in the Capital City, usually on Sunday early mornings, look around, observe and identify the prominent trees standing alongside the roads and in public and private lands and understand more about them and the dependent life forms. We should have more Tree Walks coming up across Kerala encouraging the general public, especially children and youth,

to participate.A d o p t a T r e e c a m p a i g n o f

W W F - I n d i a r o l l e d o u t

across the c o u n t r y is a great initiative. In many S t a t e s , t h i s i s

b e i n g conducted

in association with the Social

Forestr y Wing of the State Forest

Depar tment . Throug h this scheme, saplings of native plants are provided to individuals and institutions who are genuinely interested in tree planting and nurturing programmes. Just planting a sapling someday somewhere as part of some programme is not enough. As a child needs nurturing and protection, so does a sapling. The

sapling can be planted in your home, neighbourhood park or in your office. But you should take the pledge to nurture and protect it and take small efforts in this regard like watering during summer, putting up a tree guard, mulching etc. to ensure that the tree grows up steadily.

Sunday Bird Walk, organized by WWF once in every month on any selected Sunday, is another such great initiative for anyone with love and concern for nature and environment, to go to some natural setting like a forest or wetland, or even within the City itself,to walk around, look and observe the living world around us. As the name depicts, the primary emphasis on this activity is towards conservation of birds and it helps budding bird watchers,accompanied by experts, to develop their skills and also it caters to those interested in bird photography.

There are many small initiatives in life that we can adopt as individuals, families and as a society that can really make a turnaround for the good, like:

- Consume less electr icity. Electricity saved is electricity produced.

- Be a responsible user of your private vehicles. Use less.

- Plant more trees. Nurture and protect them

- Avoid wastage of paper. Use both sides of a sheet of paper. Reduce, reuse and recycle

- Use wood free pencils- Go digital and be paper free- Adopt a eco-friendly design for

your house using less wood- Use modern wood free furniture

for your home and office - Av o i d b i g p a c k a g i n g o f

equipments like television sets, refrigerators, air-conditioners etc. If possible, the packaging can be returned to the dealer itself.

Small things are beautiful and yes, they do make a difference. If not you, who? If not now, when? n

The writer is State Director, WWF-India

In spite of knowledge and

awareness, we are not able to protect the forest and urban trees as we

are supposed to.

32 May 2016

obituary

oms has no parallel. He needs no introduction. It might have been the Malayalees who were tempted to read the last page of a popular magazine first in the history of reading when they used to get it every week. The reason was also well-known. The comic strip BOBNUM MOLIYUM used to appear in the last page of the Malayala Manorama weekly. I was also not an exception. I was amazed to see his brilliance in portraying everyday characters and even animals with a few strokes of his gifted pencil.

Gender equality is an issue of heated debate in Kerala for a long time. But, even before the word gender equality is echoed in Malayali Psyche, Toms portrayed it in his BOBANUM MOLIYUM

in a silent but revolutionary manner. He gave equal status to Boban and Moli in his comic strip. In the history of all literature and in film, the hero has been given an edge over the heroine. But, Moli never allowed Boban to get an edge over her! A generation was devouring the comic strip every week. They used to wait for the arrival of the weekly! Tom’s subject matter ranged from political, cultural and social degeneration and he reacted to it effectively through strong satire.

Toms was a common man. Though well known in Kerala, he used to travel in general compartments of trains and buses. He would sit in common cafes and chat with commoners for long time. I saw it in person.

SuDhEER NAth

TOMST

The creator of BOBANUMMOLIYUM

He would tell me that the basic elements for subject got it from these conversations with ordinary people. The events happened in his personal life were also became subjects for BOBANUM MOLIYUM. P.O Mohanan, who was his colleague in Malalayala Manorama once, told me a fact. Toms would reach Malayala Manorama office everyday on foot from his residence at Kanjikuzhi at Kottayam. While walking, he was immersed in his thoughts forgetting the surroundings! Sometimes, he would walk past the Malalayala Manorama Office and reach Thirunakkarara. Then he realised his folly and return to Manorama office! These events also appeared in BOBANUM MOLIYUM.

33May 2016

E v e r y d a y s u b j e c t s like electricity bill, daily expenses, avoiding guests etc were made themes for his comic strip. The advocate in the comic strip, his wife and their kids Boban and Moli were portrayed as spending their vacation in their relatives’ houses based on these subjects.

W h e n I w a s t h e secretary of the Cartoon A c a d e m y i n 2 0 0 7 , I curiously asked him about the age of Boban and Moli. With a smile he replied that he never wanted them to grow up. He always wanted to see Boban and Moli as children! At that time, the comic strip had entered the 53rd year. Later, I came to know that, Boban and Moli were real children who were the neighbours of Toms.

I and Toon Arts India jointly took initiative of celebrating the golden jubi lee of BOB A NUM

MOLIYUM. The function was held at Kerala House in Delhi. The real Boban and Moli participated in that function. The chief guest was the then Chief Justice of India K. G Balakrishnan. Many eminent personalities from different walks of life, including Minister Vayalar Ravi, Dr. Sebastian Paul, attended the function. During this function, I personally appealed to Toms to take back the “ D i s t i n g u i s h e d Membership” offered by

the Car toon Academy and was rejected by him. At once, he made up his mind and agreed to my appeal. The next month he received the membership at a function held at Thekkadi.

W hen I reached in Kerala in 2015, I came to know about the illness of Toms. He was hospitalised. Though tired, he started talking to me when I visited him. Most of his talk was about the autobiography he was writing. He finished the draft the proceeding to

make it in book were on the way. He suggested that Mammooty was the right person to release the book.

As per his decision, I informed Mammootty about the wish of Toms. He at once agreed to my idea. The function was held at Press Club, Kottayam. When Mammootty was releasing the book, Toms was lying in his house in the grip of oblivion.

Toms remained in loss of memory for ten months. I visited him last on April 22 2016. On April 27, he breathed his last.

Toms was a man who was unwilling to come to limelight. He wished to stay behind the curtain. He never wanted to celebrate the 50th year of his comic strip or his 84th birthday. He celebrated these two in his mind only. n

The writer is Secretary Kerala Cartoon Academy

34 May 2016

litEraturE

nd the g reat spir i t of darkness spread a shroud over me...everything was silent-everything. But upon the heights soughed the everlasting song, the voice of the air, the distant, toneless humming which is never silent.”

Whether we like the man or not, doesn’t matter when it comes to the significance of a great piece of literary work. Of course it is an important part of our literary evolution and ignoring it is foolish. Thus it is justified that apart from his politics, Knut Hamsun's writing , free from any definable literary tradition, or any evident impacts, is another matter, as who ever read his lines got spellbound by him. He is a favourite writer for a good majority, perhaps for his subtle ways of storytelling, in an artful, anarchical voice.

The Norwegian author, Knut Hamsun’s ‘Hunger’ truly marked a dramatic shift in the notion of the novel by the end of the nineteenth century. Hamsun predicted that literature was prepared for a change and he spurned the humdrum and outdated, in search

of generating something fresh and innovative. Hamsun’s work was for a long time belittled by critics in England and America, influenced perhaps by his political inclinations and contentious life, but Hunger is irrefutably an incredible, tormenting novel that holds an important place in the development of modern literature.

Knut Hamsun, is reflected as the "leader of the Neo-Romantic revolt at the turn of the 20th century", with works such as Hunger (1890), Mysteries (1892), Pan (1894), and Victoria (1898) was born as Knud Pedersen in L om in the Gudbrandsdal valley of Norway on 4th of August, in 1952. Growth of the Soil (1917) earned Hamsun a Nobel Prize in Literature in 1920, thus paving the way for his work to be translated into other languages, a n d b e c o m i n g accessible to larger a u d i e n c e s . H i s works were known for their disparity vis-à-vis theme, perception and setting and extent more than seventy

Knut Hamsun

“Ayears. Hamsun, as a budding wr iter, in his youth had always challenged realism and naturalism. For him the entity of modernist literature should be the complexities of the human mind, that writers should describe the "whisper of blood, and the pleading of bone marrow". He stormed against conventional novel writing that was controlled by arduously planned volumes filled with

A Little Soul’sEndless Emotions

JoytSNA P

35May 2016

PHiloSoPHyparlour talk and unnatural prose that contained little psychological or emotional perception. Retaining a style that was both uncompromising and amazingly lyrical, he wrote small stories, often in the first person, based on the complex, self-contradictory, and intrigues of the human mind and heart. Known for his subjectivisms, and use of flashbacks, Hamsunhosted a series of enchanting “psychological literature” with techniques of stream of consciousness,interior monologue, rebellious, and generational voice, that left both critics and readers speechless.

His notable work “Hunger”, is considered to be a discovery novel about a young writer struggling to sustain his self-esteem while trying to survive in an isolated and lonesome world.

Extremely autobiographical, the novel strongly draws on Hamsun's years of distress.Divided into four parts that are very similar in form, content, and style, the book shadows an anonymous narrator as he attempts to find food, housing, and work while dreaming of making it as a writer. But, he finds himself alone, with nowhere to live, and nothing to eat. Alone in the big city, the protagonist grasps misfortune in each section of the book, saved finally by casual events, such as the sale of an article, help from an old friend, et c.Ultimately, as the book ends, a job on a ship takes him away from the sadness of the city.The novel breaks all grammatical rules, with missing tenses and the narrator appears ever more irrational. In the end, when the narrator boards a ship, it is as if the author himself had parted with the nineteenth century and were gazing into the irrationalities of the twentieth. Unlike his other works “Hunger”, focuses its attention exclusively on one single character, who is sick, suffering from physical depravity that forces him to have hallucinations and paranormal ideas and on the effects of an extreme physical condition, hunger, on the psyche of a human.

His later works like "Nordland novels" were influenced by the Norwegian new realism, exposing everyday life in rustic Norway and often using local tongue, sarcasm, and humour. Hamsun considered to be "one of the most influential and innovative literary stylists of the past hundred years" has influenced authors like Thomas Mann, Franz Kafka, Maxim Gorky, Stefan Zweig, Henry Miller, Hermann Hesse, and Ernest Hemingway. He has published more than 20 novels, a collection of poetry, some short stories and plays, a travelogue, and some essays in his lifetime. Many of his works have been adapted into movies too. n

The writer is a leading literary critic and writer

SocratesAn examined life

Certitude in life will bring peace and happiness to people .Socrates tried to find certitude through epistemological questions. He is the first philosopher, as we know ,who taught the world how to ask a question. Zen says if you could ask a question properly the answer will spontaneously zoom in in your mind. In Indian philosophical context we could see dialectical situations of master and disciple where discussions were on.

Young people of Athens were lead to a maze of discussions by Socratic mind . And Socrates skillfully showed them the exit of the labyrinth of ignorance.

He enabled them to acquaint with their personalities .Know thyself , Gnothi seauton, Socrates reminded them in refrain.

But all his philosophy failed in front of his nagging wife, Xanthippe who never esteemed his greatness .He could have stayed at home had he got enough peace there. So he lightened the young minds in the streets of Athens.

Socrates sacrificed his precious life for righteousness and knowledge. Anytus, a leather merchant accused him of corrupting his son. It was the problem of leather against learning. Leather succeeded in bestowing death penalty to the wisest man then living in Athens.

Had he wished Socrates would have escaped the death penalty .But he subdued himself to destiny and death.

His face shone brighter even when the lethal liquid slowly numbed his limbs.

At last when he closed his eyelids Astrea was fast asleep.Socrates effectively introduced a new method in

philosophical education. It was the method of quiz by which he exposed the ignorance of the questioner. One afternoon he was sitting in a place of Athens. Some young and intelligent people surrounded him and they talked about the topic of love. They put forward their opinion of love and the 'foolish wiseman' was listening with rapt attention .At last Socrates broke the ice and he spoke of love. Love in his opinion is the hunger of the human soul for divine beauty. It is an ever-growing process to find beauty, to create beauty ,to perpetuate beauty in an aging body. Two people love each other to make them immortal in reproduction. It is the eternal beauty that we seek through love. Beauty is nothing but truth that leads to God.

One of the youngsters among the listeners was Plato who immortalized his visions.

SwAMI BoDhI thEERthA

36 May 2016

touriSm

n the tourist system, the socio demographic shift-and specifically the advancing ageing of society-will result in far reaching changes, particularly on the demand side. By 2050 only 16.1% will be below 20, compared to 36.7% aged 60 and above. This excessive ageing of the society will drive up the cost of health care and nursing care. After retirement, the time available also increases substantially. Senior citizens appreciate travel as a way to keep physically and mentally fit and participate in social life. Hence, health tourism becomes a thrust area in the countries where cost of health care is comparatively low.

Indian medical tourism industry, growing at an annual rate of 30 percent, caters to patients chiefly from the US, Europe, West Asia and Africa. Foreign patients throng Indian hospitals to pass up the long waiting lists and queues in their native countries Due to cutting-edge technology, instant treatment and quality services in the healthcare industry at reduced prices, combined with an opportunity for traditional rejuvenation therapies, India is fast becoming the medical hub for foreign countries. According to estimates, India

Dr. A BAShEER

MedicalTourisma new face

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37May 2016

could earn more than $1 billion annually and create 40 million jobs by subcontracting work from the British NHS.

The main driving force behind the interest in and growth of healthcare tourism is the cost difference between developed nations and India. For example, the cost of a coronary bypass surgery is estimated at US$ 28,000 plus ancillary expenses in the United States. The same procedure can be performed in India for US$ 18,000 and this figure includes the cost of recuperative stay and a holiday for the patient’s family with all five star facilities. Another factor that drives the demand for healthcare tourism is the long waiting times experienced by patients who need to see a doctor. For example, the waiting time to see a doctor in the National Health Service of the UK is anything between 3 weeks and 1 year.

Indian tourism is growing at a faster rate than World tourism and Kerala tourism is growing in a faster rate than World tourism and Indian tourism. Of the foreign tourists who visited India, more than 10% visited Kerala also. However it is to be noted that the State of Kerala has only 1.18 % of total land mass of India. Hence its can be said that the density of foreign tourists is about ten times higher than that of other States of India. Kerala is a tourist’s paradise and is no exception for the tourists coming for medical tourism. Patients get the golden opportunity to enjoy the beauty of scintillating backwaters and participate in other adventure a c t i v i t i e s d u r i n g t h e i r recuperation. An extensive tour to Kerala not just works as an ameliorate experience but also actively contributes

to the patients recovery. Many international patients place their confidence in Kerala’s World class healthcare system, and suggests others for the same.

The State of Kerala is maintaining international standard of health care and medical facilities. It is also known to have India’s highest life expectancy and lowest infant mortality rate. Today our State is gaining much attention among the World, in the area of Ayurvedic medical treatment r e l a t e d t o r e j u v e n a t i o n and treatment related to neurological disorders. Health tourism or Medical tourism is also getting much attention here now. It is a highly potential tourism product of the State in the coming years even if the present volume is very small. The comparative cost reduction and highly experienced medical staff, using of most modern equipments and very short waiting time are the core strength of this product in the State.

K e r a l a o ff e r s h i g h l y s p e c i a l i s e d de p a r t me nt s and expert surgeons. Dental treatments are also a priority of tourists to Kerala as even the most complex jaw replacement surgeries cost 50% lesser than international rates. Access to state-of –the-art technology and specialised orthodontic clinics are also easier in Kerala. While a hip replacement surgery cost up to US $ 12,000 outside India, the procedure would be completed in less than one third of the cost here in Kerala. Generally, estimates show that most surgeries in India cost just 1/10th of the costs in Western countries.

Kerala, with its unique t o u r i s t e x p e r i e n c e a n d

Due to cutting-edge technology, instant treatment and quality services in the healthcare industry at reduced prices, combined with an opportunity for traditional rejuvenation therapies, India is fast becoming the medical hub for foreign countries.

38 May 2016

quality healthcare facilities will be a significant beneficiary of this growth in healthcare tourism. Kerala is already a renowned destination for Ayurvedic healthcare tourism. The challenge is to build on this reputation, improve infrastructure, connectivity, service levels, and to aggressively market destination for healthcare tourism in Western medicine as well. In the public sector, Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala has identified healthcare tourism as a thrust area and is in the process of preparing to aggressively market Kerala as a healthcare tourism destination at international tourism

marts. In the private sector, the Great India Tour Company and the Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences Hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, have teamed up to provide healthcare tourism packages to the international market.7

No w, K e ra l a i s a n o t a b l e destination in the area of Medical tourism. The State is equipped with expert doctors and para-medical staff with international standard and most modern equipments.

39May 2016

There are a number of medical colleges and hospitals competitive with international level. Some of them are KIMS, MIMS, Medical Trust, Amrita Medical College, Sree Chithra Institute of Medical Science, Lakeshore Hospital etc. Nonresident Keralites from all parts of the World are coming to Kerala for treatment of chronic deceases. All modern equipments for diagnosis at a cheaper rate are also available here. Best medical treatment at very low rate in comparison of international cost is available here related to the chronic ailment like heart deceases, kidney, neurological and such other complicated deceases. So many patients are coming from Mali deep, Sri Lenka, South Africa, and Middle East and even from European countries and U S for such treatment. The Govt. has to frame proper legislation to protect

the interest of local patients and international patients to tap revenue from health tourism. n

The writer is Associate Professor & Head, Post Graduate Dept. of Commerce, M.S.M.Colllege, Kayamkulam

40 May 2016

ClimatE

etlands are the transitional zones between permanently aquatic and dry terrestrial ecosystems in which the soil is often saturated with moisture either permanently or seasonally. Such areas may also be covered partially or completely by shallow pools of water. The natural wetlands like ponds, marshes, reservoirs, and the coastal wetlands like estuary, lagoon, backwater, bay, mangrove forest and salt marsh form the various varieties of wetlands. The largest wetlands in the world include the swamp forests of the Amazon and the peat lands of Siberia.

Wetlands are vital ecosystems that are integral to a healthy environment. They aid to retain water during dry periods, thus keeping the water table high and relatively stable. During the season of floods, not only do wetlands reduce the flood levels but also trap the suspended solids and nutrients without flowing directly into the lakes. Wetlands are often considered to be more productive than

adjacent areas because of the periodic inflow of nutrients. Hence paudologists (one who studies about wetlands) assert that these areas are the most diverse of all ecosystems. Plant life found in wetlands include water lilies, cattails, black spruce, mangroves, cypress etc and the animal life in these land areas include many different types of amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals.

Wetland and Climate Change

The destr uction of the wetlands results in the release of some of the widespread green house gases like carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxides. These gases in turn direct to the menace of global warming. Carbon dioxide emissions are primarily from anthropogenic (human) fossil fuel combustion a n d l a n d m a n a g e m e n t practices such as wetland drainage and deforestation. W e t l a n d s a r e n a t u r a l sources of methane, which results from methanogenesis occurring in the sediments. Methanogenesis takes place in

anaerobic environments when other inorganic substances that typically fuel microbial processes are depleted. Wetlands receiving excessive amounts of nitrate as a result of anthropogenic activities have increased the rates of denitrification and therefore may perhaps be a significant source of nitrous oxides to the atmosphere.

Wetlands for mitigation of climatic change

Preservation of wetland is indispensable for the lessening of climatic changes. Peat land, a vital variety of wetland, stores the largest terrestrial reservoir of carbon on earth. When peat swamp forests and soils are being drained, the organic carbon that is normally under water, gets suddenly exposed to the air. It decomposes and turns into carbon dioxide, which is released into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide, one of the main components of green house gases further contributes to global climatic changes.

Global warming is easily confused as it is due to natural

RANI ELIzABEth PAuL, ChRIStINA MARy GEoRGy

The Wetlands and Climate Change

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41May 2016

fluctuation and over changing global climate. But today, it is clear that although there are natural fluctuations in climate, the human induced changes are predominantly driving the current global warming trend.

Wetlands for climatic change adaptation

Mangroves, floodplains, highland and other wetlands can lessen the impact of increased precipitation, storms, glacier melting and even sea level rise. The water regulating and storage functions of these wetlands are crucial in adapting to a changing climate. Therefore, in order to protect people living close or even far downstream from wetlands and

their source of livelihoods, we must conserve and restore wetlands.

Destruction of wetland

Now-a-days wetland destruction is a major issue. The chief cause for the destruction of wetlands can be attributed to the unscientific conversion of these areas of land for building construction purposes. Urban development is yet another slayer of wetlands. Human activities too undoubtedly cause drastic wetland degradation by changing water quality, quantity, and flow rates, increasing pollutant inputs; and changing species composition as a result of disturbance and the introduction of non-native species. This also

The Wetlands and Climate Change

leads to environmental impacts such as algal blooms on some of our lakes and reservoirs which are a symptom of increased nutrients being delivered from areas of wetland drainage. Wetland destruction can also produce immense economic loss.

The devastation of wetlands leads to a broad variety of environmental and climatic changes which have an adverse effect on our health, quality of life as well as on the economy. Climate change is indeed a severe threat that has negative impacts on human life. It also adversely affects t h e entire eco system. n

l Wetlands form the habitat for hundreds of species of flora and fauna. Migratory bird species are the most benefitted ones.

l Wetlands recharge the ground water and provide perennial source of water on the coast.

l Wetlands can effectively trap nearly 70 per cent of sediments found in runoff. This is important to purify the water, to reduce the environmental impacts of erosion as well as to provide shore stabilization.

l They act as breeding, feeding and nursery ground for a variety of species including commercially significant shrimps and fishes.

lWetlands purify water by cleaning out excess nutrition like phosphorus and nitrogen. Huge traces of phosphorus and nitrogen from surrounding water shed can be capably removed from water by passing through wetlands

lThey provide environmental and societal value by moderating the effect of flood and drought.

l Wetlands act as carbon storage units or ‘carbon sinks’. In fact, wetlands which account for six percent of earth’s terrestrial area, contain as much as carbon as the earth’s atmosphere stores.

Ecological Functions of Wetlands

42 May 2016

agriCulturE

overnment of Kerala has published its Agricultural D e v e l o p m e n t Po l i c y. Th e d o c u m e n t i s a s comprehensive as possible by covering as many as 41 areas of agriculture and has made 323 policy s t a t e m e n t s . O n e o f the main thrust areas envisaged in the policy document is the ways of attracting people to the real practice of agriculture. The farmers, especially their younger generations who are disenchanted with agriculture should be brought back to it, declares the document as one of its avowed tasks. Prepared in a mission mode approach, the document laments that the number of farmers is alarmingly dwindling in Kerala. To examine and comment on each of these policies is not the intent of this short article. At the same time, it takes notice of the hopeful indications predictive of a spring of agriculture in the state. Let’s be optimistic: every cloud has a silver lining.

W h y d i d p e o p l e g e t d i s t a n c e d f r o m agriculture, one of the most ancient enterprises of mankind? Many factors can be attributed in this re s p e c t- e conom ic a l , historical, political, social and so on. It became unattractive because it was not lucrative. It was not a choice because uncertainty of return owing to weather vagaries. The eventualities in marketing also made it

unattractive. Also, there has been pressure on wet and garden land to covert it other purposes ranging from housing to transport, tourism and entertainment. The foremost causative factor is the negative attitude towards agriculture they formed due to certain socio-cultural impacts. The psychology of shame has definitely played a villainous role there. Farming began to be viewed as something inferior. It was considered as something that is incompatible with urban life style. Look, rampant urbanization has been the hallmark of all developmental moves in Kerala. Such is the development paradigm internalised by people at large. Thus, development has become synonymous with urbanization. These socio-cultural factors cannot be undermined at any rate. It is in effect psychological to the core. As long as this mindset is in operation, people will never get motivated to cultivation, which is mundane and down to earth.

Kerala has many innings to its

credit, indeed. They enable the State to enjoy an indelible identity in the socio-cultural map of India. This aside, Kerala has been endowed with several geographic and climatic features that favour its physical uniqueness. A land of monsoons, it is, in fact, agrarian in culture as well as in economy. But, due to adverse influence from many sources both domestic and foreign, it happened to undermine its very defining agrarian nature. A people’s identity is historically evolved and is compatible with its own existential needs. That is why it is stated that all human enterprises are closely connected to a geographical matrix in which those enterprises take place. All addendums that have been imposed on the basic culture will become contradictory. Because, it will neither get dissolved nor tamed as long as it has no purpose to serve in the target culture. This is what happened in Kerala.

The complacency over the much acclaimed ‘Kerala Model’ of socio-

Dr. EDACKAD MohAN

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economic development resulted in disparagement of its necessary evils. A society which insufficiently cultivate cannot but become a consumerist one. The marketing forces encouraged this tendency as they found it a chance to loot maximum from Keralites. They dumped commodities, food items to luxury goods, in the State. Trading became a sure area of development. In addition to the national and international trading tycoons, the whole sale and retail merchants in the State have also tasted the fruits of this situation. Even transnational companies vied with one another to launch their products in Kerala while the skilled and the professionals were making a bee line to go abroad in search of El Dorado.

Nowadays, most of the feel good news items appeared in various media carry some common theme: the success in organic farming. The media reports tell us that people from all walks of social life have

zealously got engaged in homestead farming that include not only paddy, plantain and vegetables but live stock, back yard poultry and inland fishing. One can be sure that homestead farming will come out with flying colours. Agricultural scientists and agronomists are of opinion that homestead farming is

Sagas of resurrection in Keralaagriculture

very unique to Kerala agriculture. It is interesting to look behind this brand new dynamism. Life has taught them some very valuable lessons which are results of a sort of negative learning as advised by Rousseau centuries back. People of Kerala are getting disillusioned with the life style once they thought modern and prestigious. The way they eat, the way they dress, the way they build houses, the way use leisure and so on are being identified unwholesome. They began to understand the stark reality that it was their life style and consumerist moorings that caused the alarmingly high incidence of several life style ailments like cancer, diabetics and cardio-vascular problems.

In short, it can be seen that the greed for urbanization, consumerism and undermining the indigenous

culture and nature together have brought Kerala to this plight. However, it is enthusiastic to witness the resurrection of Kerala from that pyre as a phoenix to a dynamic agrarian entity. In order to succeed in its efforts, it has to reassert its vitality in all other field of agriculture, not in homestead farming alone. n

44 May 2016

travEl

ailways are known as the life line of India because it facilitates movement of people and goods from one place to another. Long wait for nearly seven years is over when the passenger train runs through the newly opened single broad gauge line from Palakkad town station to Pollachi Junction on 16th November 2015.This new fifty four kilometre broad gauge rail route was laid at a cost of rupees 350 cr after the metre gauge was closed down for

conversion seven years ago. Out of the total 54km stretch 22km is in Tamil Nadu and the rest is in Kerala spreading between the Meenkara dam and Palakkad Town railway station .

linking Kerala with Tamilnadu through a new route

The metre gauge rail line between Pollachi junction and Palakkad town was closed on 11th December 2008 and thereafter the rail connectivity between Kerala and Tamilnadu through

this route was disrupted. Earlier the vegetables from Pollachi market were transported in trains daily to Palakkad town. The newly built broad gauge route connects tourist spots in northern and central regions of Kerala with the major pilgrim and cultural centres in southern Tamil Nadu. Thiruvananthapuram – Palakkad Amrita express is extended up to Pollachi junction station which provides ease of access to those who are travelling to

ABhIN K I

The lifelineof India

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45May 2016

Pollachi from Kerala. Palakkad Town - Tiruchendur passenger train via Pollachi and Palani became the first passenger train to run in this route.The other trains currently operating in this route and passing through are the Palakkad-Pollachi passenger, Pollachi-Tiruchirappilli passenger. As a result of opening this new rail line passengers from both the States can access the places in between very easily by saving lot of time and money.

The Historic Pollachi Junction Station

Th e Po l l a c h i s t a t i o n w a s inaugurated on October 15th 1915 when the nearly 40 km long Podanur to Pollachi meter gauge rail line was inaugurated. The line was later extended to Dindigul on November 19th 1928. The Pollachi to Palakkad line became operational from April 1st 1932. The Palakkad division of southern railway celebrated the centenary year of the Pollachi junction railway station during October 2015. The station and the metre gauge rail that served the link for over 75 years in between Pollachi junction and Palakkad made a significant impact on the socio cultural and economic life of the people living in the region. The importance of this junction station increased with the extended routes and this route was extensively used by pilgrims going to Palani, Madurai and Rameswaram. Besides this it is also used for trade purposes too. The work of the broad gauge rail line from Pollachi junction to Podanur is progressing.

offering Scenic vistas

This scenic rail route is best for experiencing the beauty of rural Palakkad and Tamilnadu in particular. Cultivated lands are the hallmark attractions of this scenic rail route. Numerous tourist spots are located in and around the route which includes Agraharams in Kollengode, Meenkara dam, Muthalamada mango farms, Pollachi market, Aliyar dam etc. The

46 May 2016

view of palmyras in clusters in the mid of paddy fields are other stunning attraction to spectate from the train. Palmyras can be seen throughout the journey during frequent intervals. The train chugs through three minor bridges built across Kalpathipuzha, Kannadipuzha and Aliyar on the way to Pollachi. The view of Meenkara dam can be seen in close quarters from the train. It is a common sight to see villagers in the farm lands busy with their farming activities from early mornings to evenings. Villagers are engaged in the domestication of cows, goats, ducks and buffaloes in the fields. Tiny houses of the rural folk and shrub forest can be seen on both sides of the rail line. Small hills, ponds and streams can also be

spotted during the journey.

Small green Stations

Train travel has become part and parcel of the life of the villagers because of the comfort level and reasonable rates it offer. Railway stations in this route are small having one or two platforms. Most of the stations in this route are truly eco-friendly covered with shady trees having lengthy prop roots which make them truly striking. The main stations along the route are Palakkad Town, Pudunagaram, Vadakannikapuram, Kollengode, Muthalamada, Meenakshipuram, Anamalai Road and Pollachi Junction. Among them the most picturesque station is the Muthalamada station having very old and massive banyan

trees lined up in the second platform with long branches which offers shade, breeze and oxygen. The hanging prop roots make the banyan trees look extremely beautiful. Children swing in the prop roots in order to play and amuse. Birds are resting and nesting in the trees and one can hear the melodious sounds produced by them. Passengers waiting for trains in the stations along this route don’t get bored because all of them are clean and green. Those who want to experience the greenery in and around the stations can also break the journey.

rail line of movie Shoots

Stations in this route are a much sought after location for a number of south Indian movies, especially Tamil and Malayalam. The stations and its vicinity are the hub of movie shootings because of its eco-friendly ambience and greenery. Muthalamada station in this route is rated as the best eco-friendly railway station from south India. The visuals and songs in the Malayalam movies namely Megham and Vettam were shot at Muthalamada station which exhibited the beauty of the moving metre gauge train. The climax scenes of the movie Megham was also shot at Muthalamada station. Pudunagaram and Meenakshipuram railway stations are also good in terms of its greenery and scenic ambience.

abode of Peacocks

Numerous varieties of winged visitors including migratory and indigenous ones can be seen in flocks in the paddy fields located nearby the rail tracks. Peacock the national bird is seen in plenty in and around the rail route during the journey. Peacocks and peahens are spotted in large numbers in the paddy fields and coconut groves especially in between Muthalamada and Meenakshipuram stations. It is a spectacular sight to watch the peacocks elegantly moving along the ridges of paddy fields.

47May 2016

Trains second arrival celebrated as a festival

Trains are part and parcel of the life of people residing near to this rail route. Trains second arrival after a long gap was received warmly and celebrated by the railway passengers association and by other various social organisations.The passenger patronage increased as the train commenced its operations and stopped at various stations. The inaugural run of the trains was celebrated as a festival by the people of the region. The villagers are waiting nearby the tracks with curiosity and excitement to see the movement of trains and they are wishing happy and safe journey to the passengers. They are affectionate towards train and are treating it as a member of their family.

rail route having massive tourism prospects

With the inauguration of this broad gauge rail line north and central Kerala iswell connectedwith western and southern Tamil Nadu.Tourist movements from Pollachi junction to Palakkad town and

v i c e v e r s a b e c o m e easier as a result of introduction of trains. There is tremendous scope for launching attractive pilgrimage cum tourism circuits connecting the temples of the region and tourist spots located adjacent to the railway stations. Rail based pilgrim and other tour packages can be introduced by linking prominent and non-prominent attractions located in and around the route. The route also has the potentials to accommodate a tourist train by linking the prominent pilgrimage and tourism destinations in Tamilnadu and Kerala. This rail route is an ideal one to develop and promote rural tourism.

More over pilgrimage destinations like Dindigul, Palani, Madurai, Tiruchendur and Rameswaram can be accessed easily from Pollachi junction. Tourist spots like Nelliyampathy,

Parambikulam and Aliyar are also easy to access from this rail route. All of us can

expect that a new train linking the temple towns of Guruvayur

and Rameswaram via Palakkad, Pollachi, Palani and Madurai or an intercity express between Ernakulam and Madurai will be launched through this route at the earliest.

Those who travelled through this charming route during the past will again get an opportunity to feel nostalgic moments and memories of the good old days of metre gauge era. The uniquely designed small station buildings, lush green surroundings near the stations, giant shady trees in the platforms and picturesque landscapes are sustained without too many changes. Travel through this rail route at a negligible fare enables one to closely observe the village folk living nearby the rail track and the surrounding greenery in its true colour and bucolic charm. Vibrant memories will remain within you forever once the journey is over.n

The writer is Lecturer in Tourism, School of Tourism Studies Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam.

The newly built broad gauge route

connects tourist spots in northern and central

regions of Kerala with the major pilgrim and cultural

centres in southern Tamil nadu.

48 May 2016

he very lovely small climber with drooping long flower bunches of delicate violet-purple star-like flowers is a spectacular flowering plant suited for any tropical garden. The plant botanically named Petrea volubilis is a native of Mexico. The name “Petrea” which is the genus name was given to commemorate the efforts of Lord Petre, a patron of botany and who in the 18th centur y became famous for his exotic collection of garden plants.”Volubilis” means twining. The plant is now a popular garden plant throughout the tropics. This is one of the most distinct and beautiful of the cultivated

climbing plants and a gorgeous tropical vine when in full bloom. Purple wreath has rough green stiff and papery leaves along with the spectacular cluster of flowers. In each flower bunch there will be 15 to 30 flowers which remain as such for many days. There is a sharp contrast between the delicate flowers and harsh crisp leaves. Since the leaves are rough textured, stiff and papery the plant is also called Sandpaper Vine. Other names include Queen’s wreath, Bluebird Vine etc.

The five petalled flowers have one petal with a white splash in the middle. The drooping flower

bunches are gracefully arched and they spring from the axils of leaves. Actual flowers are small surrounded by large blue sepals .After the flower dies the sepals retain their colour for many weeks, slowly fading before falling off the vine. Since the flowers are purple the plant is always in demand to add a beautiful touch to any landscape. In India this flowers in the month of March/April. This is suitable for a classic landscaping style also. The leaves are oval shaped. If the vine is not supported well during its growth phase it will grow into a rounded shrub. The vine is fast growing with a grey bark and if

gardEningSuRESh MuthuKuLAM

Purple Wreaththe lovely climber

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49May 2016

left unpruned it can attain great height. This grows best in full sun to part shade. The plant prefers moist soils but withstands drought when once established. When planting in open space amend the soil with top soil or organic peat humus as well as composted cow manure as basal dose before planting.

Purple wreath prefers well drained loam or sandy soil .The plant is propagated by way of seeds, cuttings, air layers or division of root suckers. Purple wreath also sends up several suckers that can be removed to form new plants .There is also the possibility where a branch can bend down and anchor to the ground where it can quickly root. Trim for size and shape in mid-summer, when blooming is less frequent. Pruning is essential to keep the shape and size of the plant. Otherwise it will attain a great height and cover a considerable area. Water on a regular basis. Fertilise twice a year with a quality fertiliser mixture properly diluted in water. Supplement feeding with bone meal or leaf manure always results in heavier blooming. There is a peculiar variety for Purple wreath named “Albiflora” with soft lime-green foliage and white flowers. The plant can be grown in pergolas, pillars, trellis, topiary, patios, hanging basket, mixed border, rock garden and also as informal screen in garden. The flower is also charming when used as a cut flower, but it is found that the blooms will rapidly droop and fade if the woody stem is also cut along with it; but if the flower-sprays are only cut and arranged in a shallow vase it will remain fresh for several days.n

The writer is Principal Information Officer, Farm Information Bureau

50 MaY 2016

CommuniCation

The e- radio project launched by Ernakulam District Information office has received wide applause. The e- radio programme t i t l e d “ Ne r m oz h i ” i s available on Whatsapp groups, Facebook, Twitter and Google Plus.

The District information office has reached an agreement with a start up company for launching an App. The normal broadcast is in the mornings, noon and night. In the event of important developments there would be breaking

radio nermozhinewage broadcast

broadcast was listened by lakhs of people on their mobile phones. Since then, it has become a habit for many to listen to PRD LIVE every day. Other news items such as general news of the day, sports, weather, and employment opportunities are also broadcast. Now, it has become a worldwide wave within a few days.

N e w s i t e m s a r e categorised in the app so that the listener can opt out the news he needs. In the

PRD LIVE!The lively app goes viral

short run, news bulletins in the form of video will also be made available. Various exam results can be accessed through the app. Both S.S.L.C and Plus Two results were made available through PRD LIVE. Information Kerala Mission decide the app and it can be available in android platform. It can be downloaded it in android smart phones. It has been downloaded in 28 countries so far.

Infor mation and P u b l i c R e l a t i o n s D e p a r t m e n t h a s introduced a new app in order to broadcast Government News on time. The app came into existence on 2 March 2016. The news is broadcast everyday a t 6 P M . Th e fi r s t

news uploading. There is a project to telecast news with visuals through the social networking sites. Brief news items, Government information, development news, local information and agri news are the core of Nermozhi.

Ernakulam Collector M G Rajamanickam releasing the logo of Nermozhi e-Radio