4 4 KERALA CALLING October 2006 Decentralisation TowardsA Journey will India attain complete freedom?” complete attain India will struggle, a journalist asked Gandhi, “When and nation communities for future. societies, for model international boundaries shaping a novel wake of the new winds blowing across the the in system governance and strategies for restructuring its economy, development the threshold of a new journey, a journey on standing is nation this as particularly juncture this at him remember to independence. It is all the more important attained we after be, to India wanted R Ajith Venniyoor From Mahatma Gandhileaves hisSimlaresidenceforWardah, helpedby SusilaBenandSheilaNayyar R E A M t a critical stage in the freedom the in stage critical a t E M emembering Mahatma Gandhi B and writings as to how he how to as writings and thoughts his on reflect to one on his birthday this year makes R A N C E GramSwaraj destiny. He worked towards it relentlessly their of masters real the are they nation; that they constitute the real power of the power and dignity. He reminded the people instilling intothemassesasense oftheir by Swaraj- real the government- self up a democratic structure from below- the of a new Indian society. He wanted to build Empire for political power, Gandhi dreamt means to it. Even while fighting the British order. Gaining political power was only a social new a of creation the but British, the from freedom wrest to not was aim dimensions tothefreedomstruggle.His by their own effort”. they can change their destiny and situation replied: “when the people begin to feel that Without taking even a moment, Gandhi adi de foundational added Gandhi activate the people by cultivating in them are neither compassion nor charity, but to employment generation. Its end and means mere not is programme “Constructive warned: Gandhi institutions, into develop to began these When products. khadi of marketing and manufacturing to attention pay to formed were centres construction. Charka associations and khadi of economic planning, aimed at rural re- time, these became the foundation stones standard of freedom struggle. In course of constructive programmes and charka the Grassroots Democracy FromThe ‘Constructive famous Programmes’. the born and gave shape to a set of actions. Thus was Khadi became the focal point of point focal the became Khadi October 2006 KERALA CALLING 5 Satyagraha The socio-economic model Gandhi would unleash the forces that would such values, social cherished our endanger brotherhood. and freedom as Guidelines Of Development a was India independent the for proposed is It one. people-based and decentralised Mahatma Gandhi and Sarojini Naidu during Mahatma Gandhi and Sarojini Naidu Salt Protest

On sensing that ‘An Economic Plan for Plan Economic ‘An that sensing On re-structuring for was He

Mahatma Gandhi and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru during a exploitation, democracy has to be strengthened. The centralisation of The exploitation. to lead will democracy small the in begin must process democratic families. of fellowships the from – groups India’, a book Visweswarayya, written for guidelines by the becoming M. was the Planning Council, Gandhi presented public the his at views dissenting fora. Gandhi did not agree was what that view the with needed for the success of rapid was planning economic industrialisation. He had the in especially reservations, plan for setting up heavy industries. the plans in consonance with the village situations. What was required was the organised development of the rural economy. The innovation of an to lead would industries heavy exploitative social order. position Gandhi’s was that attempts at bringing about way this in revolution social ”. He

real Swaraj will Swaraj real Panchayati Raj Panchayati

His “Gram Swaraj” was not the True democracy can not be worked be not can democracy True

Democracy and exploitation cannot co- cannot exploitation and Democracy Gandhi conceived the village as the True Swaraj, for True Gandhi, means the Gandhi stressed that “ that stressed Gandhi

exist. If we want to create a society free from free society a create to want we If exist. own strength from it” from strength own give strength to all within and derive its power to crush the inner circle, but will outermost circumference will not wield they are integral units.. Therefore, the the majesty of the oceanic circle, of which of circle, oceanic the of majesty the in their arrogance, but ever humble, sharing humble, ever but arrogance, their in composed of individuals, never aggressive never individuals, of composed till at last the whole becomes one life, latter ready to perish for the circle of villages, of circle the for perish to ready latter always ready to perish for the village, the village, the for perish to ready always circle, whose centre will be the individual, the be will centre whose circle, by the bottom. But it will be an oceanic not be a pyramid with the apex, sustained apex, the with pyramid a be not widening, never ascending circles. Life will Life circles. ascending never widening, innumerable villages, there will be ever the base, “In this structure, composed of composed structure, this “In base, the down on and crush the people constituting people the crush and on down successive upper units should not weigh based polity and he cautioned that the elsewhere, poetically pictured his village- his pictured poetically elsewhere, higher or lower than the other. He has, same plane, so that there is none who is Not one on top of the other, but all on the on all but other, the of top on one Not centre of a series of ever-widening circles. ever-widening of series a of centre the millions will lead happy lives. happy lead will millions the poorer, there will be no Swaraj. In real Swaraj real In Swaraj. no be will there poorer, the poor remaining poor or becoming As long as one class dominates the other, the dominates class one as long As British to Indian rule does not mean Swaraj. mean not does rule Indian to British happiness of millions. Mere change from change Mere millions. of happiness

to resist authority when abused economy. self-sufficient a enjoying villages few, but by the acquisition of capacity by all by capacity of acquisition the by but few, village.” formation of fresh independent units of come, not by acquisition of authority by a added:” every of people the by below from worked be the but system, village old the of recreation by twenty men sitting at the centre. It has to has It centre. the at sitting men twenty by the centre of power and resist abuse”. resist and power of centre the The people should become strong to control to strong become should people The Their skills and abilities should develop. Their skills and abilities the spirit of self-reliance and willpower.

to

6 KERALA CALLING October 2006 the foundation. Primary units will units Primary foundation. the storey,by from storey rise, would polity leaving wider concerns for larger units. The life, human of necessities barest the and primarily attend to the basic needs of living self-sustained. These autonomous units will units will be self reliant, self-sufficient and government at the grass-roots, basic handy units have no independent existence. rule will be possible there. But these village non-violent people. Self-reliance and self- and enlightened of villages of federation its destined goal. enabling it to progress smoothly towards broad-based, be could whole a as nation another for mutual benefit, the life of the ‘republics’, peacefully cooperating with one foundation of f a such vast little network o needs of its inhabitants, so that on the solid and self-contained, as regards the essential went to make each village self-governing every department of rural activity, which comprehended Swaraj Grama a such of development of the country. His scheme the in part proper their play villages has no future worth the name unless these in its seven lakh odd villages and that India Swaraj. He believed that the real India lives Gram establish and Panchayats Village the revitalise to need the on emphasis greatest the laying been had he 1915, should be strengthened. governance institutions at the village level up self-reliant rural communities, the self- Village Gandhiji’s ConceptOfa communities in India. lies at the root of the sufferings of the rural Gandhi had foreseen this tragedy, which India. in happened subsequently what implementation is a futile exercise. This is and planning centralized the truth, the varied. being be This may situations demand different approaches, because the may villages different two in problem same the of varied.solution are The too each community are varied. The contexts for transparent and self-directive guidelines. solutions to problems. It provides the vision not an ideology that imposes pre-fabricated In the proposed structure of self- of structure proposed the In The India that Gandhi dreamt was a Ever since Gandhi returned to India in Gandhi suggested that in order to build The problems faced by each village and Gandhi andhisassociatesposeinfrontoflawofficeSouthAfrica. play ground for adults and children…The have a reserve for its cattle, recreation and should It cloth. its for cotton and crops first concern will be to grow its own food dependence is a necessity. Thus the village’s interdependent for many others, in which neighbours for its own vital wants, and yet its of independent republic, complete the Village Self-Government: functions and the working of the basic unit- educational and development. environment of living, namely full employment, healthy Every basic unit will satisfy the basic needs people. the among equality maintain to prejudice to the basic tenet of democracy wholes, again for common benefits, without progressively federate, tier by tier, into larger “My idea of Village Swaraj is that it is a the elaborates further Gandhi minimum prescribed qualifications. They possessing female, and male villagers, adult the by annually elected persons, five of Panchayat the by conducted the village”. rotation from the register maintained by of village guards, who will be selected by cooperation, will be the compulsory service non- and Satyagraha of technique its with Non-violence, untouchability. graded their with today have we as operative basis. There will be no castes, such co- on conducted be will activity every possible, as far As course. basic final the tanks. Education will be compulsory up to can be done through controlled wells and works, ensuring clean water supply. This and public hall. It will have its own water village will maintain a village theatre, school “The government of the village will be October 2006 KERALA CALLING 7 economic economic activities and undertake programmes. production successful Seva (Gram societies service village The Sangam) should programmes for ensuring the active implement participation of the people in the panchayats the by undertaken activities societies. cooperative the and us reminds perspective Gandhian The of resurgence the considered Gandhi While initiating development things: three to emphasis gave Gandhi 1. Identifying local leadership in the enable and groups people’s Organise 2. 3. Attempt to create production and doles the on depending Development not will process decentralisation The The criterion of growth The criterion of that the growth of a society is not determined solely by the gross national The citizen product. must participate in will then Only change. of movement each human of development the to contribute it being. for criterion the as society the in lowest the development. The development of all is of development the through only possible the lowest and the least- justice with development-development that ensures reflected was Gandhi of vision This justice. national our of objectives proclaimed the in years. initial the in planning The relevance of local leadership the making of aim the with programmes the considered Gandhi self-reliant, villages the and inspiration of centres as institutions motivators. its workers Gandhi work area and responsibilities to them transferring at the earliest, the paying special attention to bring to the weaker the to belong who those leadership sections. action. local from them marketing methods based on local become must beneficiaries The resources. creators. the of the state or rich nations is not social will the of results the be should It progress. beneficiaries The people. the of work and suffering are We creators. its be also should the consequences of forgetting this principle. of decentralisation the with completed be . . the for development least- justice with

considered ensures justice Gandhi resurgence of the lowest in the society as the criterion The development of all is possible only through the development of the lowest and the development-development that The responsibility of the multi-purpose the of responsibility The cooperatives is to regularise the *The village self-governance movement self-governance village *The managing for Panchayats Gram The 1. societies cooperative Multi-purpose 2. for societies service village Voluntary 3. elected be must Panchayat Gram *The mere a be never should panchayat The administrative council. It should programmes training learning/ organise and duties citizens of theme the around responsibilities and try to eradicate superstitions, wrong practices and crimes. The panchayat should also ensure prosperity of those suffering the on focus and injustices social from women. of development There should be a union of panchayats of union a be should There to co-ordinate and improve the audit to and panchayats the of activities over take can union This accounts. their higher education, basic of functions the education, woman and child care The on. so and hospitals large centres, union can make arrangements for out carrying and estimates out working works. public must have three types of institutions: of types three have must village, the of self-rule the activities, economic organising for and people the of support the mobilising the initiatives for the rural development programmes. basic the All population. village adult the by supply, water as such village, the of needs public sick, the of care education, primary roads, sanitation, public lighting, legal should limits) certain (within protection The panchayat. the of responsibility the be panchayat should have the authority to The services. these ensuring for taxes collect grants. supplementary give should state be plague nor plague be

Dr. Dr. J. C. Kumarappa, Gandhian He also suggested rural sanitation, rural sanitation, rural suggested also He Gandhi put forward the suggestion that suggestion the forward put Gandhi Gandhi qualified the centralised Gandhi worked out meticulously the meticulously out worked Gandhi

ideas can be summarised like this: like summarised be can ideas functioning of the Gram Panchayat. His Panchayat. Gram the of functioning a clear picture of the structure and the ‘The economy of subsistence’, has painted has subsistence’, of economy ‘The concepts of Gandhi in his famous work economist, who elaborated on the village the on elaborated who economist, reliance of the rural communities. rural the of reliance means of rebuilding the vitality and self- and vitality the rebuilding of means industries, cooperative cattle rearing etc. as etc. rearing cattle cooperative industries, aid, nature cure, the resurgence of rural economy, village peace, agriculture, medical agriculture, peace, village economy, resources for implementing plans. implementing for resources for practical solutions and mobilise the to identify the needs of the villages, look villages, the of needs the identify to the Gram panchayat should have authority have should panchayat Gram the Revolutionary ThinkingRevolutionary as violence done to the villages. the to done violence as projects planned by the rulers at the centre the at rulers the by planned projects government levying tax and using it for his quota of manual labour.” manual of quota his in luxury; everyone will have to contribute to have will everyone luxury; in added: ‘There will neither will ‘There added: wallow will one No pox. small nor cholera perspective on quality of life. Gandhi development, but on the post-modern anchored in the modern notion of life. His conception of a village was not which are vital to build a graceful village graceful a build to vital are which details of a wide variety of practical things, practical of variety wide a of details honour” death in the defence of his and his village’s his and his of defence the in death governing every villager is that he will suffer will he that is villager every governing defy the might of a world. For the law government. He and his village are able to able are village his and He government. law of non-violence rules him and the is the architect of his own government. The government. own his of architect the is upon individual freedom. The individual The freedom. individual upon any. Here there is perfect democracy, based democracy, perfect is there Here any. the neighbouring villages of the centre, if centre, the of villages neighbouring the examined here the question of relations with relations of question the here examined extraction of village revenue. I have not effective connection with the villagers is the is villagers the with connection effective from the present Government, whose sole whose Government, present the from a republic without much interference, even interference, much without republic a year of office. Any village can become such become can village Any office. of year and executive combined to operate for its for operate to combined executive and Panchayat will be the legislature, judiciary legislature, the be will Panchayat punishment punishment in the accepted sense, this required. Since there will be no system of system no be will there Since required. will have all the authority and jurisdiction and authority the all have will 8 KERALA CALLING October 2006 at the local level. The programme could programmelevel. The local the at bureaucracy without popular participation the by run programme a as remained it But development. rural of framework people’s movement within the Gandhian a into developing of potential the had It Development Programme, with Community much fanfare in 1952. the its first programme of rural reconstruction, the Nation, independent India launched centralised production and marketing. of bi-product the is which power, skills and the creativity of the workers. handicraft its country, our of pluralism a few more elements. be achieved. Decentralisation has the above mentioned objectives of production and marketing can only through decentralised modes resources, natural and human abundant and capital scarce decentralisation The advantagesof Gandhian economic planning. The basiccomponents Gandhian socio-political thinking. political will. Herein lies the relevance of enlightened for calls external This interference. without decisions these on their proper use and for implementing distribution of resources, for taking decisions the for created be to need Structures from the decentralisation of political power. development projects alone. It should start To realise the dreams of the Father of In a country like India, with existence in society. co- and peace maintaining Every activity should help in satisfied. c be must people ordinary of needs basic the Before arranging for luxuries, distribution of wealth. Should ensure the equitable endanger natural resources. not on does which production emphasise Should resource. human of development and promotion utilisation, Should ensure the maximum There are five basic components to the It abolishes the centralisation of centralisation the abolishes It It helps to promote the cultural ompletely initiative and in creating institutions to institutions creating in and initiative programme had succeeded in utilising the local which to extent the assess to and keeping in view “economy and efficiency” Programme Development Community the on report and study to 1957 in the Belwant Rai Committee was appointed Programme, Development Community to levels below the state. decentralisation of responsibility in and power lay remedy the that felt was it not generate the required enthusiasm and strains in PRIs were visible and the desired rural India was to be achieved. which socio-economic transformation of through apparatus, institutional basic into being in most of the states. PRIs became Thus by early 1960s PRI Institutions came them. to authority and power resources, necessary of devolution and bodies local elective statutory of establishment early an recommended team the that objective this community.for the was It to given being power and responsibility without progress not can development that felt committee The conditions. in the process of improving socio-economic ensure the involvement of the community olwn te alr o the of failure the Following But unfortunately,the But course due in report favoured two-tier model of PR. The Commiittee Mehta Ashok The decline. of 1969-77 and stagnation of phase 1956-64 it was ascendancy, 1965-69 was of PR in India after Independence. from recommendations. Committee was appointed to make suitable Mehta Ashok the 1977 In held. not were superseded and even elections were Panchayats Many paradigm. Gandhian of hue least the had itself, unfolded it as results were not forthcoming. The system, Administration. Local of Institute Kerala of Editor consultant 73 the drawbacks, several people. about fifty years to transfer power to the took It 1992. in enacted Amendments centered governance and development. people- of area the in actualisation and towards bridging the gap between vision India of rest the for models workable can take legitimate pride about providing vision of Mahatma Gandhi. Kerala certainly efforts of the nation to realize the sublime considered an important milestone in the a new era of local self-governance can be Constitutional Amendments, ushering in The committee drew up three phases h ato i Etnin aut and Faculty Extension is author The Though imperfect and suffering from 73 Panchayats which resulted in the to status constitutional confer to initiated were efforts 1980s we had a Gandhian Blue-print. In upliftment continued even though rural for model an appropriate for search The Swaraj. from the Gandhian model of Gram their models, which were distant incorporate Gandhian values into to tried only committees these Panchayat. 15 thousand and called it Mandal tier of PR for a population of 10- second the as panchayat present the than area bigger a suggested instead the theory, in Gandhian unit of fundamental unit a remains basic which development, as village Parishad. It didnotconsiderthe Jilla the of committee executive an as merely functioning block level to District Parishad level, with block the from shifted emphasis rd In fact to a large extent both extent large a to fact In and 74 and th Constitutional rd and 74 and th October 2006 KERALA CALLING 9 Prof. Sarabhai Prof. worked with Sir C.V. Raman in the area of experimental cosmic experimental of area the in Raman ray research at the Indian Institute of the established later Sarabhai Prof. Science. Physical Research Laboratory Ahmedabad in with space research as the of Director the became he 1962, In focus. Centre Technology and Science Space the (SSTC), which Trivandrum, started launching of sounding rockets for space atmospheric research. Prof. Vikram India for vision space the unfurled Sarabhai of missions major the of One 1960s. the in this vision was that we should build indigenous satellite launch vehicle capability to put our communication Indian Space Visionary establishment of Travancore University. I University. Travancore of establishment thinking, great the for Highness His admire which led to the abolition of capital punishment. He lived his divine life as a every to contributed He Padmanabhadasa. walk of life in Kerala like education, to also and spiritualism music, healthcare, democracy. I am glad that Sree Chitra an institute to decided has trust Thirunal award in memory of this great human being. I congratulate my friend Dr. G. Sree first the receiving for Nair, Madhavan the to services his for Award Tirunal Chitra nation in space science and technology. When I think of space science, I am reminded of the vision of my guru, Dr. Sarabhai. Vikram T N

E M P

O L E V

E

D

am happy to participate in the Sree the in participate to happy am Chitra Thirunal Trust Award think I When function. presentation Rama ThirunalBala Chitra Sree of

9 SreeChitra Thiruvananthapuram. at Award Tirunal Trust the President of India at the presentation ceremony of ceremony of India at the presentation the President Text of the address made by Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, of A.P.J. the addressText made by Dr. made great contributions in the importance of democracy. His Highness His importance of democracy. with nobility, who recognized the franchise. He was a visionary and a person a and visionary a was He franchise. first state Legislature based on universal and 1933 the Maharaja constituted India’s constituted Maharaja the 1933 and him quite often. During the years 1932 Maharaja. I used to ask my friends about friends my ask to used I Maharaja. respect respect for the Sree Chitra Thirunal of Kerala shower great admiration, love and love admiration, great shower Kerala of I people the how realized I when 1961, since stay at Thiruvananthapuram for 20 years 20 for Thiruvananthapuram at stay Verma Maharaja of Travancore, I recall my recall I Travancore, of Maharaja Verma

Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the President of India, presents first Sree Chitra Tirunal award to Dr. G. Madhavan Nair, G. Madhavan to Dr. Tirunal award President of India, presents first Sree Chitra the Abdul Kalam, A.P.J. Dr. Chairman, ISRO Missions ofMissions Vision 10 KERALA CALLING October 2006 3 team has become very famous. youthful SLV-3 the team. This SLV- of members leading the of one as me with was together for nearly 20 years. He Madhavan Nair and I worked G. Dr Centre. Research Atomic Bhabha the from came He (TERLS). Station Launching Rocket Equatorial Thumba the at engineer rocket a as working was Madhavan Nair began when G. I Dr. with My association orbit. into satellite Rohini the put SLV-3to and the vehicle, launch satellite India’sfirst of launch and the task of design, development assigned were I and team My be part of Prof. Sarabhai’s vision. technology. Many of us had the fortune space to and science of fields multiple in research intensive to led vision This India should be launched from Indian soil. He envisaged that launch vehicles built in remote sensing satellites into polar orbit. satellites into geo-synchronous orbit and vehicle map of the world. After the SLV-3 putting the country on the satellite launch in work pioneering did Nair Madhavan G. Dr. SLV-3team, the of member various national missions. All its members are contributing today to It is notable that as an important an as that notable is It hwn Po. .. a, Dr. Rao, U.R. Prof. Dhawan, Satish Prof. then and Sarabhai, Vikram Prof. from starting leaders technology space of guidance the With ISRO. VSSC and subsequently the Chairman of the Project Director for PSLV, Director - programme, Dr G. Madhavan Nair became 500 industry and academic and industry 500 about by supported centers, scientific, research space multiple in technological and support staff 14,000 and succeed. capability to defeat the problem have got a built-in strength and technologists space our but occur intheformoffailures, do problems certain times some and risky and complex highly is programme space became operational. Of course vehicles launch synchronous been fully realized when geo- dreamt by Prof. Sarabhai has vision space the that said be Madhavan Nair, indeed it can Kasturirangan and now Dr. G. Today, India with her with Today,India October 2006 KERALA CALLING 11 T.U. Kuruvilla T.U. [email protected] Address: Block North Floor, Second 140, No. Room 1 Thiruvananthapuram Secretariat, Govt. Ph: 0471 - 2333350, 2333670 e-mail: Shri T.U. Kuruvilla has sworn T.U. in Shri as Minister before Shri R.L. Bhatia, the the was He District. Ernakulam in Kothamangalam from hails Kuruvilla Shri Governor, in a function organised at the Raj Bhavan in Thiruvanathapuram. He Thiruvanathapuram. in Bhavan Raj the at organised function a in Governor, Works. Public of portfolio the with assigned been has award the received Board the when Board Housing State Kerala the of Chairman Kuruvilla Shri 1996. from years consecutive four for India in board Housing best for was the of he President Keerampara holds for Panchayat a 16 years. Presently, Organisations. various in responsibilities of number T.U. KuruvillaSworn in T.U. Shri T.U. Kuruvilla swears in as Minister before Governor Shri. R.L. swears in as Minister before Governor Kuruvilla Shri T.U. Achutanandan is also seen. Bhatia. Chief Minister Shri. V.S.

May God bless you. bless God May I once again congratulate I am very happy that the Sree Chitra Sree the that happy very am I In conclusion, we have seen how India has a unique operational

and nation. and excellence in the missions of the state the of missions the in excellence programme for success in promoting wishes to all the participants in this Dr. G. Dr. Madhavan Nair and my best

development. national development, particularly rural particularly development, national contributed in multiple areas to space science and technology, which has which technology, and science space distinguished service to the nation in Dr. Dr. G. Madhavan Nair for his Tirunal Tirunal Trust has selected establishment of a space industry. space a of establishment the Moon and Mars and the would be Manned Space Missions to Missions Space Manned be would the second Space Vision for the nation the for Vision Space second the another important mission as part of launchers and spacecrafts, I foresee that foresee I spacecrafts, and launchers by remote sensing, and marketing space marketing and sensing, remote by communication, enriching the nation the enriching communication, connecting the nation through space for space before 2030. While Nair the need to realize the second vision second the realize to need the Nair the ISRO Scientists and Dr. Madhavan Dr. and Scientists ISRO the complex. I have been discussing with discussing been have I complex. spacecrafts, launch vehicles and launch and vehicles launch spacecrafts, aspects of space in application, ensuring the country’s capability in all in capability country’s the ensuring 2005 has realized its first Vision ISRO during the period from 1970 to 1970 from period the during ISRO Assembly on 28 July 2005. July 28 on Assembly by me during my address to the Kerala the to address my during me by of possible collaboration were suggested were collaboration possible of state in the country. The specific areas specific The country. the in state Kerala for becoming the most developed most the becoming for Kerala can play a major role in the missions of missions the in role major a play can let me also add that space technology space that add also me let science and technology. Being in Kerala, in Being technology. and science pre eminent position in all areas of space of areas all in position eminent pre of ISRO that is to lead the country to a to country the lead to is that ISRO of to move forward on the second vision second the on forward move to Nair has put into action many initiatives many action into put has Nair particularly happy that Dr. Madhavan Dr. that happy particularly remote areas of the country. I am which is able to reach education to educational satellite named EDUSAT, named satellite educational part of our daily life. daily our of part orbits and space application has become has application space and orbits and meteorology satellites in different in satellites meteorology and place remote sensing, communication sensing, remote place any type of satellite launch vehicle to satellite launch vehicle any type of institutions, has the capability to build to capability the has institutions, 12 12 KERALA CALLING ! October 2006 Government iscommitted theDisease Beating momentum inpreventing C disease tootherpartsof by variousdepartments concerted effortsmade U R under theGovernment It wasnothingbutthe R that hascontributed E N T the spreadof the State. serologically positive. reported were cases five only these, of cases have been reported from this area. Out area in Thiruvananthapuram. 13,000fever disease was reported from Vizhinjam, the a coastal of out break Another area. this from cases have been reported serologically positive and also with the help of NGOs. Only two the help of various Government Departments control by the concerted effort put forth with under brought was epidemic The 2006. Nadu in Thiruvananthapuram district in July reported from Parassala, neighbouring Tamil people. affected the to solace provide to and state any extent to eradicate the disease from the State. The Government is committed to go to health care to the fever affected people in the better assure to united were They disease. the of spread the check to measures ample to alleviate the alarming situation by taking voluntary and organisations have joined their hands together Government the of stage. affected areas that the spread is in the declining fever the from received being are Reports possible steps to curb the spread of the disease. all taken has Government The situation. available enough funds to meet any hazardous made has Government The area. affected Officers and para medical staff in the fever Medical of number sufficient employed Government could rise up to the occasion and The Departments. other and Health the intervention of the Doctors and officials of timely the to slowly.Thanks declined being are persons infected fever of number the and control under now is Alappuzha, in especially State, the in Chikungunya Minister forHealth P.K. SreemathiTeacher Suspected cases of Chikungunya were Chikungunya of cases Suspected It can be seen that various Departments The spreadingofthesuspectedcases people about the new disease. with the Government agenices to educate the their and organisations are working shoulder to shoulder people that underscored be to is It cured. is disease the by affected to fight against the disease till the last person of Rs 20 lakhs have been sanctioned. machines and hand compressor sprayers, a sum activities. To enabling the purchase of fogging control and coordination level state the for sanctioned to the Director of Health Services disease control. Rupees five lakh have also been meet the emergency expenditure related to the steps to sanction Rs 97 lakhs as united fund to taken has Government assistance, financial and Medicine Homoeopathy of Departments. Further to this Systems Indian DMO, to each lakh five and rupees And Kozhikkode. to Kollam each Thiruvananthapuram, lakh two rupees Districtto MedicalOfficer, and Alappuzha Chikun gunya, rupees five lakh was sanctioned to relating measures preventive and relief control activities. As a special assistance for rupees five lakh to each district for epidemic measures. awareness programmes and to take preventive intervals to look into the matter and to organize regular at meeting convene committees the State level and in the district level. These formulated Monitoring Committees, both in has Government the measures, control in the Health sector and to supervise epidemic Medical Officers and para medical staff. and a team of well-experienced and committed been assisted by the District Medical Officer coordinate the preventive measures. They have affected areainAlappuzhatosuperviseand disease- the in camping are Department Service Health of Directors Additional The Government will continue its effort allotted has Services Health of Director In order to analyse the situation prevailing The Principal Secretary (Health) and two October 2006 KERALA CALLING 13 A comprehensive for control proposal of Chikungunya and Epidemic upgradation of Virology lab at Alapuzha for Rs.8.67 crores has been the submitted to Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India. and entomological studies of epidemic. untied as lakhs) (Rs.five Rs.5,00,000 funds for containment activities against the each for fever Chikungunya/Dengu immediate district. (PH), Consultant (Training) and attended officers programme other convened meeting inter-sectoral an by Vizhinjam Grama Panchayat, various local self Government institutions in Alapuzha and districts. Thiruvananthapuram grama all in classes awareness take to sabhas, kudumbashree and to community volunteers and MSS volunteers. under lakhs four rupees and scheme plan scheme were allotted to all district medical officers for 10.released have a Keral of Government 11. Addl. Director of Health Services 12.staff health depute to decided was It 13. Rs.2.75 lakhs under non plan Minister, Dr. P.L. Joshy, Director, Joshy, Dr. Minister, P.L. visited team his and Delhi NVBCP, Vizhinjam and other areas of Chikungunya epidemic and had the in meeting review a conducted with discussion had He Directorate. the Mayor, Thiruvananthapuram about source reduction and containment activities in the areas. corporation Cherthala, Thanneermukkom areas Alappuzha and in Vizhinjam in Thuravoor, They district. Thiruvananthapuram have collected serum samples and serological for mosquito and larvae of Chikungunya Epidemic and upgradation of Virology lab at been has crores Rs.8.67 for Alapuzha Health of Ministry the to submitted of Government Welfare, Family and India. 8. As per the request from Health 9.visited Bangalore NIV, from team A 7.control for proposal comprehensive A

Ministers for affected the visited also Finance Cooperation and Alappuzha. in areas the affected areas and the health Thiruvananthapuram in institutions and Alappuzha and supervises the containment activities and give the intensify to instructions necessary measures. control personnel from medical colleges and colleges medical from personnel deputed. was services health activities were conducted by Director by conducted were activities of Director Addl. Services, Health of basis regular on (PH) Services Health places. the all in Headquarters and Medical College Medical and Headquarters expert team were deputed to outbreak. epidemic investigate being done from Health Directorate. Health from done being

Measures Taken by Government by Taken Measures Chikungunya

6. The Chief Minister and the 5.visits frequently Health for Minister

4. An expert medical team with 3. Review meetings of field level

2. Entomological Team from 1.is supervision and monitoring Daily 14 KERALA CALLING October 2006 29. CD on Chikungunya prepared and given wide given and prepared Chikungunya on CD 29. Health squads are formed under peripheral level and 28. Five medical camps conducted in the area. Seven more 27. Every Sunday is observed as dry day throughout the 26. school to assembly school through given Message 25. Fogging and spraying activities conducted at Vaikom 24. Mass source reduction activities have already conducted 23. Sensitised all supervisors and junior health inspectors 22. Inter-sectoral co-ordination meeting was conducted in 21. IEC activities like press release, CD preparation and 20. District Medical Officers are intimated to undertake 19. ensure to instructed are officers Medical District 18. All health institutions and health staff are alerted and 17. Instructed to maintain adequate 24 hrs. Medical service 16. Instructions were given to intensify control activities 15. level field for deputed were 30) (Nos. trainers IC 14. transmitted through electronic media. regularly being is It staff. health through publicity in the area. intensified source reduction activities are being done and Chittattukara panchayats. camps are plannedtoconductunder Vadakkekkara district and monitored weekly. activities. children to participate effectively in source reduction Municipal area. at Alapuzha. Vaikom, Kumarakom and going on in all panchayats at Thalayazham, TV Puram, Edayazham panchayat, Kudumbasree members and other NGOs. LSGs, of help the with activities reduction source regarding chikungunya and the importance of mass panchayat and other representative , NGOs. block panchayat, grama of president panthayat Presidents of district panchayath, district collectors, areas. panchayats the in and areas epidemic the all going on. awareness workshop for doctors, media persons etc. are pamphlets, health talk on TV, health education classes, of printing media, electronic through presentation Professional bodies like IMA, Nehru Yuva Kendra etc. association with LSGIs, the other departments, NGOs, comprehensive coordinated containment activities in institutions. health the all in powder bleaching insecticides, essential medicines, diagnostic kits, lab equipments, diseases. communicable these of containment the for action instructions are given to initiate immediate and prompt in the health institutions in the affected areas. footing manner. war co-ordinated a in etc. applications insecticides like spraying, fogging, source reduction, chlorination, activities at Vizhinjam. containment of communicable diseases. Mosquito breeding Control of Mosquito breeding Control of )Removeoremptywaterinoldtyres,tincans, 2) Allwatertanks,barrels,containersetc..needtobe 1) )To adultmosquitoesspray control DDT, Pyrethrum etc.. 7) Pourdieselorkeroseneoverwatercollectionsinthe 6) Weedsandtallgrassshouldbecutshot,adult 5) Watercollectionsintheterraceandparapetshouldbe 4) Thepremisesof housesshouldbefreeofneglected 3) mosquitoes breed. buckets, drums,bottlesorfromotherplaceswhere covered tightlywithalid. frequently. premises sothatthemosquitolarvaewilldie. the hotday. mosquitoes lookfortheseshadyplacestorestduring removed. mosquitoes. and providegoodbreedingplacesfortheaedes bottles, buckets,potsetc..whichmaycollectwater October 2006 KERALA CALLING 15 The author is Assistant Professor, Department Professor, Assistant is author The Chikun Gunya is diagnosed by blood by diagnosed is Gunya Chikun ELISA by detection. antibody There is no specific treatment for virus Gunya Chikun known only The of Medicine, Medical College, Alappuzha Diagnosis of Chikun Gunya of Diagnosis occurs epidemic an when But examination. with symptoms of fever, rash and joint pains, Chikun Gunya can be suspected. includes: examination Blood 1)detection antibodies IgM specific Virus 2) Haemagglutination Inhibition (HI) 3)PCR RT- and virus the of Isolation ofTreatment Chikun Gunya self- usually is illness The Gunya. Chikun limiting and will resolve with time. Supportive Therapy that reduces the symptoms such as administration of analgesics like Paracetamol and getting Movement beneficial. be may rest of plenty stiffness improve to tend exercise mild and not should Aspirin arthralgia. morning and be given. In arthritis not responding to recommended. is chloroquine analgesics, from isolated be should persons Infected order in possible as much as in mosquitoes other to infection of transmission avoid to people. Prevention of Chikun Gunya and produced being longer no is vaccine has very Prevention, limited availability. therefore, centers on avoiding mosquito Chikun where areas to travelling when bites Gunya occurs. Eliminating mosquito- breeding sites is another key prevention measure. The Health Department has started a Call Center to register complaints about complaints register to Center Call a started has Department Health The ChikunGunya is a virus disease caused disease virus a is ChikunGunya commonly most is virus ChikunGunya suddenly starts usually Gunya Chikun Fever? Call 0484 4099888 Fever? any type of fever. Just call over 0484 4099888. Your complaint will be registered be will complaint Your 4099888. 0484 over call Just fever. of type any and handed over to the Health Department instantly for further follow up. It various adopting by fever of spread sporadic the arrest to department the enables pm. 8.00 to am 8.00 from functions Center Call The measures. preventive by Alpha virus, which belongs to the family the to belongs which virus, Alpha by reported first was disease The Togaviridae. of from Tanzania in 1953.Between 1960s and 1980s the virus was isolated from numerous countries in Africa and many first was disease the India, In Asia. of areas reported from Calcutta in Following 1963. that the disease occurred in 1973) and Madras(1964), Maharashtra( Karnataka(2005) Pradesh, Andhra Transmission the through beings human to transmitted Aedes primarily mosquito, Aedes an of bite aegypti. Mosquito usually transmits the disease by biting an infected person and then biting someone else. An infected directly infection the spread cannot person to other persons. Aedes mosquitoes bite day. the during Symptoms of Chikun Gunya with fever, chills, headache, nausea, Swahili In rash. and pain joint vomiting, ‘Chikun Language), African language(an This up”. bends which “that means Gunya’ refers to the stooped posture of patients who are afflicted with severe joint pain. the is Gunya Chikun from recovery While may pain joint rarely come, out expected Infection more. or year a to up prolonged be The immunity. long life confer to appears and mosquito a of bite the between time the start of symptoms ranges from 1-12 fatal become disease the rarely Very days. by producing complications etc. encephalitis meningitis, like Chikungunya Fever Chikungunya Kumar Dr. B.Padma

During daytime, wear long sleeved shirts and long pants. The windows and ventilations should be covered with nets. Use mosquito nets

! ! !

bites do the following To prevent mosquito prevent To 16 16 KERALA CALLING October 2006 C O aspects. highlighting itsdifferent Calling celebrations. Here the goldenjubilee commitments ontheeveof The KPSCreaffirmsthe observing socialjustice. said qualities,strictly apt candidateshavingthe responsibility ofselecting is entrustedwiththe Public ServiceCommission as aconstitutionalbody, the servants. Needless tosay, integrity ofthecivil trustworthiness and linked toefficiency, governance isdirectly However, thequalityof maintained atanycost. social justiceshouldbe governance. Soequityand I V E R S

T O n ademocratic opportunity in get itsdueshareand in thesocietyshould system eachquarter R picturisesKPSC Y Kerala office of the Commission. years have witnessed this path breaking change in the functioning of the few past possible. The extent maximum the to transparent functioning the selection procedure being followed in the office of the Commission. the naive candidates and create misunderstanding among public regarding This situation was exploited by certain unscrupulous elements to mislead confidentiality naturally paved way for lack of transparency to a great extent. confidential because of the peculiarity of the system. The maintenance of strictly kept were process selection of stages various The Commission. deserve special importance in confidence-building process. O Easwaran PottyK.G. peculiarity ofthesystem. strictly confidentialbecauseofthe kept were selectionprocess of stages various Commission.The Service withPublic function entrusted isthemostimportant Recruitment Kerala Public Kerala Public The cut-off mark relating to selection, which was kept secret earlier is the make to decision bold a took Commission the context this In Recruitment is the most important function entrusted with Public Service pen, clearandeasyaccesstoallinformationrelatingthe act o tasaec wl la t suspicion, to lead misunderstanding and apprehension. will Transparency measures transparency of Paucity functions of an organisation is vital in making it transparent. October 2006 KERALA CALLING 17 “PSC: Functions and , brought out by the All these measures aimed at greater The booklet, The writer is the Public Relations Officer, transparency have enhanced trustworthiness of the Commission and the society the of confidence the strengthened particular. in candidates the and general in Procedures” Jubilee Golden the of part as Commission Celebrations has immensely helped in general the and candidates the enlightening public on the nature and work of the Commission. the of wings various seniority position after working out the rotation, the turn (whether open or available made being also are reservation) public. the to Kerala Public Service Commission Question paper packets are opened at opened are packets paper Question The practice of collecting back the The details regarding advice for the examination halls only after two not are packets the that certify candidates with. tampered question paper from the candidates has now are keys answer the and stopped been after Bulletin PSC the in published being the examination. The candidates get sufficient time to submit suggestions or complaints, regarding the if answer any, after only valued are sheets answer The key. the scrutiny of any such complaints by experts. subject confidential. kept also were appointment, Now the detailed Appointment Chart showing the name of candidate, rank,

Earlier, Earlier, question paper packets were The marks secured by the candidates the by secured marks The

paper and to avoid any other malpractice. other any avoid to and paper to prevent any chance of leakage of question of leakage of chance any prevent to official. This procedure has been initiated been has procedure This official. conducted under strict supervision of that of supervision strict under conducted examination and the examination is packets to the centre on the date of Commission carries the question paper Now an official from the office of the three days prior to the date of examination. of date the to prior days three issued to the examination centres two or two centres examination the to issued post is published. is post Commission when the Rank List for the for List Rank the when Commission tests can be had from the website of the who appeared for objective (OMR) type (OMR) objective for appeared who

of the examination. the of now made available along with the result the with along available made now

Greater Trustworthiness

Transparency for Transparency

Service Commission Service Commission 18 18 KERALA CALLING ! October 2006 T Chief Minister V.S.Achuthanandan Appointments No Banon vacancies, reception of application forms, complex and busy works; notification of examinations. last three years. There might be much more of number examinations were conducted same during the the that shows rank lists exist in the Commission now. It walks of life. I know that more than 1100 credible institution among people from all a is candidates, of millions entertaining examinations of hundreds conducts and Commission. Shri. V.S.Achuthanandan, theChiefMinisterinaugurates theGoldenJubileeCelebrations ofKerala PublicService C O The KPSC has been dealing with dealing been has KPSC The V E R S

T O he Kerala Public Service Public Kerala he thousands of youths of every year tens to employment renders which Commission, R Y and theemployees. members the Chairman, of efforts and efficient outcome oftheeffective achievement wasthe yield resultsandthis last afewyearswhich Commission duringthe inthe reformations There weresomemajor process is the only complaint for it takes the Commission. The delay in the selection by done being work the of complexities much less compared to the seriousness and complaints raised against the functions are publication of rank lists etc. Even then, the conduction of examinations, valuation and of rank list within six months from the date golden jubilee celebrations. The publication venue of the inauguration ceremony of the declared some major reformations at the and the employees. efficient efforts of the Chairman, members and effective the of outcome the was which yield results and this achievement in the Commission during the last few years of application. the candidates forgot about the submission after the interview. There were cases even short list, and then years for the rank list the of publication the and valuation the after the notification, two or three years for one or two years to conduct examination The chairman of the Commission the of chairman The But, there were some major reformations October 2006 KERALA CALLING 19 The KPSC cannot turn the pages of its history its of pages the turn chart without witnessing path and revolutionary the adopted changes breaking timely for alleviating the procedural complexities and enhancing trustworthiness of the the institution during the tenure as Kurup M.Gangadhara of chairman. its Shri. Complaint redressal cell at the headquarters for timely action and action timely for headquarters the at cell redressal Complaint candidates. the hear to quaters head district at sittings special notification of date the from year one within list rank of Publication More Objective type examinations type Objective More Valuation of Objective type examinations with the help of computer list short the in marks off cut of Publication list rank publishing after website the on Marks Question papers made available after the check examination to order and in valuation the before keys answer of publication be would it and any, if mistakes, out point can one Any mistakes. consideration into taken The wind of transparency and efficiency now blows at the reformations major witnessed unequivocally have years few last The heartedly whole Chairman, new the Salahudeen, K.V. Shri. Now are: Kurup Shri. of credit the in reformations Some The leader of leader The path breaking innovations Commission entered into it when Shri. Kurup opened the window of window the opened Kurup Shri. when it into entered Commission strengthen to order in transparency of lamp the lit He network. computer public. whole the and candidates the of confidence the in the Commission. These changes can efficiency be and Speed seen procedures. recruitment in the in the and examinations field of the in Commission the lead could He KPSC. the of symbol the became lakhs 39 to reduced number the and application arrear of clearance combined the through done task Herculean a was It lakhs. 92 from staff. entire the of effort the as tenure the terms he and predecessor his of leadership the glorifies Commission. the of era golden ! ! ! ! ! ! ! M.Gangadhara Kurup

The state government will never interfere into interfere never will government state The I hope the functions and procedures of the KPSC the of procedures and functions the hope I But, the LDF government was keen in the very the in keen was government LDF the But, A ban on appointments had been imposed by imposed been had appointments on ban A Everyone should remember that the KPSC is

staff shortage. staff effective functions of the Commission and to clear to and Commission the of functions effective lists. The government assures all help for speedy and speedy for help all assures government The lists. its statutes for the extension of the period of rank in time. And the government will not be officious to officious be not will government the And time. in it will extend all help in completing selection process selection completing in help all extend will it the autonomy of the Commission. On the other hand other the On Commission. the of autonomy the

and fair. and government services and other establishments free establishments other and services government the Commission to undertake recruitments to of the Constitution of India. This article empowers article This India. of Constitution the of body established under the sub section 315, Part 14 Part 315, section sub the under established body and corruptionless. The and KPSC corruptionless.is an autonomous may improve far better and it becomes foolproof appointments. government will not impose any ban on when vacancies arise. And I assure that the LDF committed to take appropriate steps for recruitments for steps appropriate take to committed not completed even though my government is vacancies were reported in that period. But it was it But period. that in reported were vacancies all vacancies within two weeks. Then thousands of thousands Then weeks. two within vacancies all properly by giving order to the concerned to report to concerned the to order giving by properly beginning of its function in order to fill the vacancies the fill to order in function its of beginning bribe for that. for bribe engaged casual employees on their behest and took and behest their on employees casual engaged a job. On the other hand the heads of departments of heads the hand other the On job. a thousands of aspirants who were eagerly waiting for waiting eagerly were who aspirants of thousands vacancies in time. It was a big blow to the tens of vacancies in time. It was a big blow to the ban in the appointments by rebuffing to report the report to rebuffing by appointments the in ban Moreover, the heads of departments put their own their put departments of heads the Moreover, ban undertaken by the previous government. was in addition to this. It was an overt and covert and overt an was It this. to addition in was Development Bank. The ban on the appointments the on ban The Bank. Development modernisation and conditions imposed by the Asian the by imposed conditions and modernisation were barred from filling it on the account of the previous government. Thousands of vacancies of Thousands government. previous the jubilee celebrations of the Commission. the of celebrations jubilee determination for this cause on the eve of the golden the of eve the on cause this for determination must be foolproof in every stage. So there must be a be must there So stage. every in foolproof be must candidates can be appointed. The selection procedure selection The appointed. be can candidates imaginative affair so that the dynamic and creative and dynamic the that so affair imaginative development. Thus the selection is an important and important an is selection the Thus development. And they are the catalysts for progress and scientists for appointments who are to lead our State. our lead to are who appointments for scientists Commission selects teachers, doctors, engineers, clerks, engineers, doctors, teachers, selects Commission country, country, its progress and development. The dealing with the present and the future of the in this regard. this in I wish all of them in the PSC would be determined be would PSC the in them of all wish I dream can be realised through combined effort and effort combined through realised be can dream of notification was a notable one in his remark. This remark. his in one notable a was notification of 20 20 KERALA CALLING October 2006 reformation Fast track C rotation. in thecasesof takenspecial care stages andthe inall served confidentiality ob- cause ofthestrict and ranklists,be- question papers preparation of dates onthe candi- of the part from for concern isnoneed There Interview O V E R S

T O R Y witnessed some major reformations in the this constitutional body. projects during the golden jubilee year of dream his are website on sheets answer (OMR) Reader Mark Optical valued application through online and giving of of submission months, six within officiated chairman. Publication of rank lists efficiency, says K.V. Salahudeen, the newly moving towards much transparency and been has Commission the procedures, system and simplifying the time consuming saving time a of introduction the With reformation. T Sunil Hassan For the last few years, the PSC has PSC the years, few last the For he Kerala Public Service Public Kerala he ahead on a fast track of track fast a on ahead surging ofcourse is kind, Commission, the biggest of its K.V. Salahudeen,Chairman,Kerala PublicServiceCommission for selection. Now the situation has been candidates had to wait for five or six years the and consuming time and laborious notification to publication of rank lists were of stage the from done works manual stage, to complete the selection process. by The valuation maintaining strict confidentiality at each and examinations conducting cards, admit of sending scrutiny, its and forms application of Here are the excerpts from the interview: elaborately on PSC and all about his dream. Kurup. Salahudeen speaks to the suit of his predecessor, M. Gangadhara of functioning of the PSC and he follows the Commission, is of fully aware of the system way is elevated from the post of a member of by computerisation. The new chairman who process, selection It was really a Herculean task of sorting Kerala Calling October 2006 KERALA CALLING 21 February nd March 2006. March th The PSC has already There are some procedural 2006 and the relevant rules were 8 on amended difficulties in adopting common selection for common posts for various institutions in order to reduce the work load of the has cell special a Now Commission. been formed in the Government matter. this into look to Secretariat implemented the new package adopted by government the on the basis of previous for Report Commission Narendran the selection from minority communities. The new package was adopted on 2 many fold and there is no the Hence job. getting of guarantee Commission envisages such a of number the short cut to reform candidates in the rank list to the done being is it as vacancy actual by the UPSC. Laxity on the part of the departments in reporting vacancies in time is the main It goal. the attaining in hindrance take should that government the is necessary steps to take action against the erring officials. If the each in foreseen are vacancies arising we PSC, the to reported and year can reduce the distress of the youths. unemployed There is no regulation in the number the in regulation no is There In the case of complaints on copying on complaints of case the In questions from guides the Commission is Commission the guides from questions such then even and responsible actually not seriously account into taken are complaints timely. taken are actions proper and of candidates to be included in the rank of candidates includes list rank the So list. been done by separate sections in the a baseless If any one raises Commission. allegation of corruption in the selection process such person is wilfully trying to create panic among the candidates and Every them. cheating for chances seeking one should remember that even a single complaint was not lodged pointing any Commission. the of side the on malpractice beyond is PSC the of trustworthiness The each why reason the is that and suspecion and every quarter wants the undertakings. public PSC all in recruitment There is no need for concern from the from concern for need no is There any, and any, that would be considered after perusal and scrutiny by an expert panel. the of interest the safeguards process This foolproof a conduct to helps and candidates of marks off cut The system. examination The published. being also are list rank each proposed online facility for submitting application through online will open apply to expatriates Malayali all to chance notification the when and as delay without appear can They website. the on published dates tentative when examination the for advance. in declared is examination the for Conventional method of submitting continue. also will application part of candidates on the preparation of of because lists, rank and papers question the strict confidentiality observed in all cases the in taken care special the and stages has process selection whole The rotation. of

The Commission has taken several

Technology does matter: A view of the PSC office does matter: Technology

question paper and in if the answer key, Anyone is free to point out mistakes in the in mistakes out point to free is Anyone the candidates to assess their performance. their assess to candidates the bulletin after the examination. It enables It examination. the after bulletin answer keys are being published in the PSC the in published being are keys answer question papers are made available and the and available made are papers question measures to enhance its transparency. The transparency. its enhance to measures online examinations - said Salahudeen. said - examinations online thinking about the scope of conducting examinations. In this context we are faces many hazards in conducting available only on holidays, the Commission the holidays, on only available are schools and colleges and they are of candidates. Since the examination centres examination the Since candidates. of examinations in a year entertaining millions entertaining year a in examinations completed. The KPSC conducts about 400 about conducts KPSC The completed. post. All the pending works are also year from the date of notification of the capable of publishing rank lists within a changed and the Commission is now 22 22 KERALA CALLING October 2006 Public Service Commission Public Service Kerala Evolution of The Kerala PublicServiceCommission. Commission wastransformedintothe the Travancore-CochinPublicService With theformationofStateKerala, C O V E R S

T O R Y Special Officer as 1934 October 30th on appointed who was a Judge of the High Court, was report and based on that Dr. G.D. Knox, Council made detailed discussion on the State and Sabha Praja the 1934, May in and published was report The 1933. September 16th on report its submitted wise representation in Government service. constituted to study about the community Government of officials and non committee officials was A 1929. August in during budget discussion in the Praja Sabha and thisissuewasraisedasacutmotion in appointments to Government services opportunity for all sections in the society of equality for demand growing a was Public Service Commission in the State. the commencement of the functioning of Commission and that can be considered as Service Public Madras of purview the part of Kerala, was brought under the of officials in Malabar region, which is now Presidency in 1935. Thus the appointment Madras in formed was Commission Service Public provincial first The of Public Service Commissions in India. T V GSuresh as the Public Service Commissioner. service and Dr. G.D. Knox was appointed Government to appointments making Service Commissioner was constituted for contained in the report the office of Public recommendations the on based and formation of a Public Service Commission. based on their population and also for the service Government to appointments in representation of all sections of the society The Committee after a detailed study In the erstwhile Travancore state there In Cochin there was a two member two a was there Cochin In Dr. Knox submitted a detailed report he Government of India Acts India of Government he paved way for the establishment which reforms administrative the were 1935 and 1919 of to to frame rules for ensuring October 2006 KERALA CALLING 23 July th The writer is Section Officer, Kerala Public District Recruitment Boards were The number of the Members of the the of Celebrations Jubilee Golden The 2006 in a function chaired by Shri. Oommen Chandy, the Leader of the Opposition and attended by Shri. M. Youth and Law for Minister Vijayakumar, of Mayor Babu, Jayan V. Shri. and Affairs Thiruvananthapuram. Service Commission constituted as per G.O. (MS) No.631/ Public (Rules) Department dated 26.6.1959. The Board consisted of a Chairman, as Commission the of Member non- a and concerned Collector District the as Commission the by nominated official members of the Board. The District Recruitment Boards were abolished on simultaneously were they and 26.9.1972 KPSC the of Offices District as redesignated done work the and district respective the of were Boards Recruitment District the by Offices. District the to transferred 1959, in five to increased was Commission nine to 1981, in eight to 1971, in seven to to 1984, in 14 to 1983, in 13 to 1982, in of strength present the to and 1984 in 15 18 in 2004. Minister Chief by inaugurated was KPSC Shri. V.S. Achuthanandan on 26 there raised as a the society during budget August 1929. and the Kerala Public Service Public Kerala the and In exercise of the powers conferred by conferred powers the of exercise In In the erstwhile Travancore state was a growing demand for equality of opportunity for all sections in in appointments to Government services and this issue was cut motion discussion in the Praja Sabha in District of the then composite Madras State. Madras composite then the of District Kerala, of State the of formation the With the Public Travancore-Cochin Service Commission was transformed into the Commission. Service Public Kerala Articles 318 and Constitution 320(3) of India, the Governor of of the Kerala made the Kerala Public Service Conditions and (Composition Commission of Service of Members and Staff) Regulations Regulations (Consultation) Commission 1957. in respectively

The State of Kerala was formed on 1st on formed was Kerala of State The The office of the Public Service

and the Kasargod taluk of South Kanara South of taluk Kasargod the and Shenkottah taluk) and the Malabar district Malabar the and taluk) Shenkottah present Kanyakumari district and former Travancore-Cochin State (except the (except State Travancore-Cochin former reorganisation of States. It comprised of the of comprised It States. of reorganisation November 1956 consequent to the Constitutional Provisions. Constitutional continued to function under the Cochin Public Service Commission the 26th January, 1950 the Travancore- Constitution of India came into force on force into came India of Constitution of India Act, 1935. Later, when the same as those laid down in the Government the in down laid those as same Service Commission were generally the functions of the Travancore -Cochin Public -Cochin Travancore the of functions Commission including the Chairman. The Chairman. the including Commission There were three members in the State was constituted by an Ordinance. a Public Service Commission for the new the for Commission Service Public a integration of the two Princely States and States Princely two the of integration State was formed on 1st July 1949 by the by 1949 July 1st on formed was State and Cochin States. The Travancore-Cochin The States. Cochin and function till the integration of Travancore of integration the till function Commissioner, Travancore continued to Travancore Commissioner, State Legislature. State Staff Selection Board under an Act of the of Act an under Board Selection Staff Commission was constituted replacing the replacing constituted was Commission member Cochin Public Service recruitment to lower posts. In 1947 a three a 1947 In posts. lower to recruitment Staff Selection Board constituted for initial for constituted Board Selection Staff 24 KERALA CALLING October 2006 kodungallore Kodungallore Bharany

Padanilam Kettukazcha Elamkulam Too k October 2006 KERALA CALLING E 25 R U T A E

F O T O H P 25 Asokan Pallikathodu Festivals A Travel Through Photos: Machadu

Chinakathoor Pooram Chettikulangara Kettukazcha

am k 26 26 KERALA CALLING ! October 2006 website. available onthe Commisssion are followed bythe procedure being relating tothe asked questions answers forfrequently reservation etc.and of recruitmentand important orders information regarding general conditions, Details relatingtothe W W Accurate Interface Accurate Speedy and W in question and answer format and format answer and question in being followed by the Commisssion, both asked questions relating to the procedure reservation etc. and answers for frequently important orders, rules of recruitment and regarding information conditions, list are also being displayed on the website. rank lists. Details of advice made from each schedule, probability lists, short lists and table, instructions to candidates, interview time- examination applying, of method inviting applications to various selections, notification followed, being selection of function and responsibilities, the procedure history, organisation, the regarding the clock. clear and comprehensive manner round all the necessary information in a complete, Commission to make available to everybody T Rajesh KrishnanR. W W C O eal rltn t te general the to relating Details The portal is packed with information V E R S e e e e e

T outcome of the decision of the ( Commission Service Public he web portal of the Kerala the of portal web he O www.keralapsc.org) R b P b P b P b P b P Y , rules or or or or or was the was tal f tal f tal f tal f tal f and complaints so received are transferred anyone can make use of it. The suggestions id e-mail an without Even complaints. and grievances suggestions, sending for 2003 onwards are available on the website. December from conducted tests the all become a matter of the past. The result of candidates and heads of departments has by experienced delay long the Thus the date of publication of the result itself. the 92 papers are being made available on for the Departmental Tests, the result of all addition to the notification and timetable displayed separately. are offices district and regional different Appointment relating to the head office, for Advice of details and lists rank delay. To facilitate easy navigation without short lists, website the in displayed being help of computers. All the details are now and rank lists are being prepared with the all the offices of the Commission, short lists website. dictionary format are made available in the E-mail facility is available in the website In the page for Departmental Tests, in Since the completion of networking of or or or or or Commission and millions of candidates. the between interface accurate and functions as an effective, affordable, speedy Commission Service Public Kerala website has a daily hit rate of over one lakh. others back home. It is amazing that the examination result without relying upon and schedule interview table, time employment opportunities, examination Non- world. the resident candidates are being able to know of corner any Commission could now be accessed from the to relating information necessary all also available. being published in the site. Back issues are Commission, the the of publication official available. The also are PSCs state other and UPSC of seen in the website. And links to websites the Commission and photo gallery can be available. made being also are advised are they which in reservation) or open (whether after working out the rotation and the turn name of candidate, rank, seniority position detailed Appointment Chart showing the with the details of advice for appointment, published. the rank list for the respective selection is tests are made available in the website when who appeared for objective (OMR) type could be downloaded and used. purposes is available in the website, which via e-mail. action and in all possible cases reply is sent necessary for concerned sections the to Public Service Commission Service Public Thus the official web portal of the of portal web official the Thus With the launching of the web portal, Announcements and news relating to Another notable feature is that along candidates all by secured marks The various for applications of Format The Writer is Senior Grade Assistant, Kerala Assistant, Grade Senior Writeris The PSC BULLETTIN is also October 2006 KERALA CALLING 27 Preparation of admission tickets of Majority of the examinations now within no time with the introduction of form application every As system. new the number, barcode unique a with assigned is very become has application any of tracing to as candidates of queries Hence simple. the status of their application are being delay. without answered candidates admitted for examinations, which was highly time consuming and help the with done being now is laborious print could which printers speed high of up to 1000 admission tickets per hour. Address lists of candidates admitted for the with generated also are examinations the All printers. high-speed these of help offices of the Commission are now printers. speed high such with equipped It was in this context that the As the first step, the processing of quarters to modernise the entire selection entire the modernise to quarters process. state-of- employ to decided Commission process selection the in technologies -art the accurate speedy, efficient, more it make to in objectives these With accountable. and were automation and computerisation mind initiated in the year The 2001. first two phases of computerisation have been completed and the last phase is nearing completion. reader mark optical by forms application was introduced. The duly filled up is format recognisable OMR in application scanned and the data is captured. Alphabetical and talukwise/districtwise several took which applications of sorting done be could earlier, complete to weeks

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S R E Commission is undoubtedly agency recruiting biggest the in the country. Perhaps the he Kerala Public Service V

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The number of posts, to which the

27 and there arose demand from many finalisation of selection became widespread became selection of finalisation Complaints regarding the delay in efficiency of the entire civil service. selection, which eventually affects the applications naturally slows down the lakhs. Manual processing of these received for selection is not less than 25 the average number of applications being applications of number average the Commission in a year, is about 2000 and 2000 about is year, a in Commission T the of purview the under comes selection the total work of all the PSCs in the country. the in PSCs the all of work total the total workload of the KPSC is more than more is KPSC the of workload total Manoj R. Speed and Efficiency and Speed Changing to Changing OMR valuation system 28 KERALA CALLING October 2006 procedure took several months to whole complete. the that wonder no is it and to eligible candidates, was done manually and ranking it after awarding grace-marks marks entering numbers, false decoding valued, scripts the getting dispatching, packing, scripts, answer of numbering false and shuffling checking, including answer scripts to preparation of short lists, of processing the from right procedure, element is involved in the process. subjective no as ensured is valuation valued has been avoided and accuracy in experienced in getting the answer scripts delay the scanners, OMR using sheets answer of valuation the of introduction Head Office of the Commission. With the 20,000 per hour have been installed at the could process answer sheets at the rate of computers. Four high speed scanners which of help the with done be can valuation that is test type reader) mark (optical of objective type. The advantage of OMR being conducted by the Commission are Earlier the entire post examination post entire the Earlier notification inviting applications has been of publishing of date the from year one reduced to 39 lakhs in 2005-06. was this and pending were applications lakh 92 as many as 2000-01, year pendency was reduced substantially. In the and effort. time in saving substantial with accuracy enhanced skill, competency, efficiency and the with work to staff the empowered in has system training new of implementation of Imparting result. maximum achieving in ensured is power machine and resource human be done fully or partially at any other office. processing work attached to one office can decision making. Moreover, the application speedy and information of exchange WAN (wide area network) facilitates quick by Commission the of Offices District of the Head Office, Regional Offices and The target to publish rank lists within computerisation, of result a As both of utilization optimum Thus The completion of connecting together Productivity Council. National the and India of Government Technology,Information of Ministry the and Grievances Public and Reforms instituted by the Ministry of Administrative Leadership and ICT Achievement jointly, Exemplary for Award Governance E- National the with honoured was functioning of the organisation, the KPSC being applied in the modernisation of the information communication technology is which in manner planned and efficient accurate and transparent. for making the entire selection process more notification. of publication of date the from months selection is now being finalised within six earlier.years 5 to 4 took For posts many commendable considering the fact that it departments in all districts and it is highly various in Clerk Division Lower of achieved in the case of selection to the post Service Commission Service In appreciation of appreciation In Office automation is also being utilised The writer is System Analyst, Kerala Public Kerala Analyst, System is writer The the effective, the October 2006 KERALA CALLING 29 The provisions concerning the Union the concerning provisions The the Central and State Governments. These Governments. State and Central the constitutional as to referred are bodies three bodies as they have been created as per by not and Constitution the of provisions legislature. the of statute any Centre the at Commission Service Public Commissions Service Public State other and 323 to 315 Article in down laid been have under Chapter II of Part XIV of the Constitution of India. Article 315(1) Service Public a be shall there that stipulates Public a and Union the for Commission Service Commission for each State. more or two if 315(2) Article to According Public one be shall there that agree States Service Commission for that group of An efficient civil service is very vital and vital very is service civil efficient An John Kurian nation a of administration the in essential state. welfare of values the to committed India of Constitution the of framers The were very particular that important the to personnel of recruiting like function and just a in done be should service civil fair manner by an institution which is of interference the from free and impartial Service Public Thus executive. political the Constitutional a as created was Commission which Commission Election the like body elections of conducting for responsible is and Legislatures State and Parliament the to is which General Auditor and Comptroller of accounts the scrutinising for responsible by

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29 The ensures independence and fairness of the Service Commissions

incorporating provisions enabling them to discharge their duties in an impartial manner free from influence from any quarter

Indian Constitution Indian KPSC Under the Under KPSC 30 KERALA CALLING October 2006 UPSC or as the Chairman of a State PSC. for appointmentastheChairman ofthe the Chairman of the UPSC shall be eligible any other State PSC . A member other than member of the UPSC or as Chairman of or Chairman the as appointment for Chairman of a State PSC shall be eligible Central or the State Government. But the member from re-appointment under the Constitution debars Chairman or any other the authority, in persons to favours members of the PSC do not show undue office Prohibition fromholding whichever is earlier. years, 62 of age the Commission Joint and in the case of State Commission or a Union Commission, the age of 65 years, the of case the in attains, she he/ until which he/she enters upon his/her office or on date the from years six of term a for Public Service Commission shall hold office According to Article 316(2) a member of a Constitution. the by secure made of the Public Service Commission have been office Term of Government of the State. the under or India of Government the held office for at least ten years either under dates of their respective appointments have Commission shall be persons who on the Service Public every of members the of provided that as nearly as may be, one-half Commission by the Governor of the State, State of case the in and President, Commission or a Joint Commission, by the shall be appointed, in the case of the Union members of a Public Service Commission other and Chairman the Constitution, and Members Chairman of Appointment influence from any quarter. from free manner impartial an in duties provisions enabling them to discharge their incorporating by Commissions Service Public the of fairness and independence their own Public Service Commissions. having are India in States the All States. those of needs the serve to Commission appointment of a Joint State Public Service the for provide may Parliament States, To ensure that the Chairman and other The tenure and service of the members the of 316(1) Article per As the ensures Constitution The body. in office by reason of infirmity of mind or opinion of the President, unfit to continue outside the duties of his office or is, in the his term of office in any paid employment is adjudged an insolvent or engages during PSC if the Chairman or such other member of the Chairman or any other member of a President may order the removal of office reported that the charges are correct. The investigation on has Court Supreme the referred the case to the Supreme Court and has he after misbehaviour of ground the on President the of order by office of a PSC shall only be removed from his Removal fromoffice or as the Chairman of any other State PSC. as the Chairman or member of the UPSC State PSC shall be eligible for appointment The member other than the Chairman of a Central ortheStateGovernment. from re-appointmentunderthe Chairman oranyothermember authority, theConstitutiondebars show unduefavours other membersofthePSCdonot To ensurethat The Chairman or any other member the Chairman topersonsin and to conduct examinations and recommend the duty of the Union and the State PSCs 320 of the Constitution. Commission have been laid down in Article Functions ofthePSC their advantage during their term of office. to conditions service their change to bar However,appointment. legal no thereis the Commission to their of disadvantage after their members the of service of of salary, allowances and other conditions 1957. in Regulations Staff) and Members of (Composition and Conditions of Service Commission Service Public Kerala Article, the Governor of Kerala made the In exercise of the powers conferred by this Commission and their conditions of service. the of staff the of members of number the to respect with provision make and Commission and their conditions of service determine the number of members of the Governor of the State may by regulation President and in the case of a State PSC the the UPSC, of case the in that stipulates Service Conditions of Administrative Functions the of functions and duties The Proviso to this Article prohibits varying Constitution the of 318 Article : It shall be October 2006 KERALA CALLING 31 The writer is Selection Grade Assistant, Kerala Assistant, Grade Selection is writer The It shall be duty of the UPSC to present to UPSC the of duty be shall It Thus the Government are made The position of Public Service As per Article 323 of the Constitution the of 323 Article per As Public Service Commission the expenses of the Union or a State PSC, State a or Union the of expenses the including any salaries, allowances and pensions payable to or in respect of the shall Commission, the of staff or members of Fund Consolidated the on charged be India or, as the case are They may State. the be, of Fund the Consolidated Parliament the of vote annual to subject not be may they However . Legislature State or discussed. ReportAnnual the to as report a President the to annually work done by the Commission and on cause shall President the report the of receipt the same together with a memorandum explaining, as respects the cases, if any, was Commission the of advice the where not accepted, the reasons for such non of House each before laid be to acceptance of duty the be shall it Likewise Parliament. to annually present to Commission State a the to as report a State the of Governor the work done by the Commission and on receipt of the report the Governor shall cause the copy of the report with a the respects as explaining, memorandum cases, if any, where the advice of the reasons the accepted, not was Commission before laid be to acceptance non such for State. the of Legislature the deviation any for public the to accountable Commission. the of advice the from Constitutional Protection absolutely is country our in Commissions safe as they have been created by the Constitution and as such any change in PSC the of nature and structure basic the to amendment an by only effected be can difficult. rather is which Constitution the The framers of the Constitution have and impartiality independence, the ensured Commission Service Public the of fairness by incorporating the above provisions discharge to Commission the enable which standard highest maintaining duties their cherished the upholding and integrity of justice. social of principle Expenses of the PSC Expenses as the re-appointment

State PSC shall be eligible Acts empowering the Kerala PSC to State; pension of award the for claim any on in respect of injuries sustained by a person while serving under the Government of capacity, civil a India in State, of Government or the of amount the to as question any and a of duty the be shall it and such, any referred so matter any on advise to PSC to them, and any matter which the be, the as the case may or, President, Governor of the State may refer to them: respects as President the that Provided the by made Act an 321, Article per As for appointment Chairman or any other. member from under the Central or the State Government. But the Chairman of a Services of the Union or the State and also and State the or Union the of Services as respects all the services of any by local constituted corporate other or authority institution. Public any of or law regard with functions additional exercise to services under the KSEB, KSRTC, Various Companies, Corporations and Boards, Local Authorities, Apex Co- operative Societies and District Co- the by passed been have Banks operative Legislature. Kerala ! and services other and Services India All the the of affairs the with connection in posts other respects as Governor, the and Union the with connection in posts, and services regulations make may State, the of affairs specifying the matters in which either case of class particular any in or generally, shall it circumstances, particular any in or consulted. be to PSC a for necessary be not Kerala of Governor the proviso this Under has made the KPSC (Consultation) matters the specifying 1957 Regulations, in which it shall not be necessary for the consulted. be to Commission Power to extend functions of the PSC Parliament or, as the case may be, the the for provide may State a of Legislature ‘exercise of additional functions by the the respect as PSC State the or IT UPSC : The UPSC or the or UPSC The :

on any claim by or in respect of a person a of respect in or by claim any on the under served has or serving is who Government of capacity, civil a in India State a of Government or the that,any costs incurred by him in to purporting or done acts of respect be done in the execution of his duty Consolidated the of out paid be should be, may case the as or, India, of Fund out of the Consolidated Fund of the on all disciplinary matters affecting a affecting matters disciplinary all on Government the under serving person memorials including capacity civil in matter; such to relating petitions or on the principles to be followed in services civil to appointments making promotions making in and posts and and transfers from one service to another and on the stability of candidates for such appointments, transfers promotions, Advisory Functions Advisory on all matters relating to methods of civil for and services civil to recruitment posts

! !

consulted ! State PSC as the case may be, shall be ! respectively. of the Union and the services of the State the of services the and Union the of candidates for appointments to the Services the to appointments for candidates 32 32 KERALA CALLING October 2006 being of the humanity. In appreciation of ready even to sacrifice his life for the well was Dr.Heimpressed Beasant. qualities moral courage, patriotism and leadership goodness, self dedication, sincerity, strong His movement. Scout the of organizer an as worked also He worker. political Annie Beasant, he became a full time socio Dr.by headed movement Theosophical many a struggles. Closely connected to the in participated actively and movement freedom the to attracted was he that Madras in days college his during was It intelligence, discipline and strict morality. showed extra ordinary qualities such as keen he youth a As talent. debating excellent an exhibited he Also him. in interest much evoked nations and men of History habit. reading childhood he cultivated a good early his from Even Madras. degree from Presidency College, College, Kozhikode. He took his Intermediate examination from Samoothiri’s his passed Thalassery andKozhikode at days school his spent He 1896. May 3rd on Kozhikode future. none may challenge in the near occupies a place which perhaps Menon repute international of Keralite outstanding an As to him in international politics. and there are only a few parallels diplomat of exceptional qualities a was He century. last the of a deep mark in the world affairs V Sam Chekkad Sonof Immortal The V.K. KrishnaMenon R E Krishna Menon was born at M N I S I C .K. Krishna Menon Krishna .K. statesmen who made distinguished Indian was one of the most E N C E V.K. KrishnaMenon science, he devoted his full time in political political in graduation post and Law in graduation After life.). public in him an and was the patron, guide and inspiration for rationalist uncompromising Socialist. (Harold Laski ardent an ideals of Prof. Laski, Menon also became the by influenced Deeply Menon’slife. in point turning a was Laski J. Harold Prof. economist and scholar renowned by headed was which Economics of School London illustrious the reached England. His entry as a student at for further studies and leadership training. England to him send to decided Society Theosophical the qualities, great these In 1924, at the age of 28, Menon 28, of age the at 1924, In important spokesman of India in England. the Indian people. British the Government’s cruelty and injustice exposed against he speeches and articles pamphlets, the Through to enlist support for our freedom struggle. seminars in every nook and corner of U.K. and meetings public many organized also He him. by published and written regularly. Hundreds of pamphlets were also British - American dailies and periodicals in India about articles several wrote he Newspaper named “Indian News”. Besides English an started he struggle, freedom Indian of message the propagateTo to mobilize public opinion in this direction. In 1930s itself Menon became the most mind he planned various activities quite necessary. Keeping this fact in sympathy of the British people was transfer of power, the support and Menon realised that, for a peaceful only as a far distant dream. However Independence Indian considered and problems Indian the about of the British people were ignorant his public life in England, majority the League. were also in the Leadership line of Dutt me Pal and Cripps Stafford Sir Webb,Sydney like stalwarts other and Laski, Harold Besides of India League was well established. in 1932, the prestige and authority as the President of the organization celebrated philosopher, took charge the Russell, Bertrand When India. in rule colonial British the formed in England to fight against of the India League, an organization he was elected as the Hon. Secretary activemember. year same Onthe an as Congress National Indian and social work. In 1931 he joined While Krishna Menon began Menon Krishna While October 2006 KERALA CALLING 33 Continued on Page- 45 Page- on Continued The historical debate in the UN From 1952-57 Menon was an active participant of almost all U.N. the of activities and discussions shrewd and talented highly a was He were UN the of gallery Visitors debater. fully packed and delegates were also present in full quorum whenever Krishna Menon was a speaker. His many so created eloquence penetrating fans and foes for him in India and abroad. But within a short time, he became the friend, philosopher and spokesman of all newly independent countries, American Afro-Asian-Latin anti-apartheid movements and all national liberation struggles. His crusader intense an as role revolutionary for human freedom, democracy, great him earned justice and equality politics. international in respect took Kashmir about Council Security he was flying from one capital to with issues various discussing another, leaders. world Krishna Menon was closely associated closely was Menon Krishna place in 1957. Analyzing all aspects of the of aspects all Analyzing 1957. in place Menon issue, Kashmir complicated highly Pakistan of arguments the all bombarded over all from appreciation high earned and the world. His seven and half hour long a as remains still day that on UN in speech record. world idea the evolving in Nehru Jawaharlal with popular. it making and alignment non of as alignment non made vision great Their the foundation stone of foreign India’s the around honoured was Menon policy. world as the champion of non- India’s stringent the as and policy foreign aligned outstanding diplomats U.N. has ever seen. ever has U.N. diplomats outstanding As becoming the part and parcel of the body world the make to hard tried he U.N., He peace. world for instrument effective an cease Korean the of architect chief the was acclaim international got and agreement, fire for credit full deserves also He same. the for the of out developed disaster the averting seasoned a as glamour His crisis. Canal Suez statesman rose to its pinnacle, when the Geneva settlement of 1954, ending the eight year long war in Indo-China was shrewd a As mediation. his under signed he mind, alert and quick a with diplomat had solutions for all days complicated busy those In conflicts. international Krishna Menon with Nehru The most colourful period of Menon’s of period colourful most The After independence, Menon was appointed as the first Indian High Commissioner to Britain. During his diplomatic career from 1947-52 he held all availed have could He life. austerious an the facilities and benefits of the a of room Cabinet small a in lived he but Minister one only received and buildings Embassy dawn the From salary. as month per rupee During hard. worked he midnight the to some only was menu daily his days those biscuits. and tea of cups the of leader the as 1953-57 from was life Nations. United the to delegation Indian No doubt, he was one of the most Laski helped India’s cause to a great extend. great a to cause India’s helped Laski the of member active an also was (Menon within Fortunately Party). Labour British power into came party Labour months some earlier reality a became freedom India’s and for discussion the During expected. than transfer of power held both in England negotiator chief the was Menon India, and British Later Congress. National Indian of said’ Batten Mount Lord India to Viceroy me for help great a was Menon “Krishna the Under months”. difficult those during was Menon Nehru, Jawaharlal of direction Independence the drafted who person the party. Congress the for resolution round table nd

The strong position taken by the MPs the by taken position strong The Challenging the heaviest odds,

party and the Pro-Indian attitude of Prof. of attitude Pro-Indian the and party Menon’s close relationship with the Labour the with relationship close Menon’s President of the Labour Party at that time) that at Party Labour the of President significant that Prof. Harold Laski was the was Laski Harold Prof. that significant favour of Indian Independence. (It was resolution by the British Labour party in party Labour British the by resolution Menon became victorious in adopting a It was in 1944 December that Krishna Winston Churchill vehemently opposed it. opposed vehemently Churchill Winston the leadership of Prime Minister Sir while the ruling Conservative party under party Conservative ruling the while party’s party’s open support to freedom India’s was the main reason behind the Labour

independence in British Parliament. British in independence meetings and strongly argued for India’s They regularly attended India League party as a separate forum of the League. the of forum separate a as party Parliament members of British Labour British of members Parliament He also organized more than hundred intelligentsia, media and general public. general and media intelligentsia, progressive sections of the British earning the sympathy and support of all of support and sympathy the earning all these activities helped Menon in its mass base was broadened. Meanwhile broadened. was base mass its and women wings of the India League, India the of wings women and India League. Organizing student, labour student, Organizing League. India large number began to co-operate with co-operate to began number large dramatically transformed and people in people and transformed dramatically efforts, he made the situation Menon struggled hard. By his ceaseless his By hard. struggled Menon

inconveniences. small room braving against ill health and health ill against braving room small agony and miseries. He lived in a very During all these years his life was full of full was life his years these all During people about the need of India’s freedom. India’s of need the about people proper food or rest to convince the British the convince to rest or food proper connection with the 2 without hard worked he years 23 about When Gandhiji visited Britain in 1931 in 1931 in Britain visited Gandhiji When the British Parliament members. For and arranged an open discussion with organized several public meetings for him for meetings public several organized conference, it was Menon who had Kerala 34 KERALA CALLING October 2006 programmes. also undergonevarioustraining Development Economics.Hehas He hasalsoobtainedaDiplomain Engineering College,Kozhikode. (Engg) graduatefromtheRegional Collector, Kollam etc. Public Instructions,District Board ofRevenue,Director (Industries Department),Member, Excise, PrincipalSecretary ssioner ofCommercialtaxesand Secretary (Revenue),Commi- positions likeAdditionalChief Chief Secretary, heheldimportant Before assumingtheOfficeof Asst CollectoratThalassery. Officer. Hestartedhiscareeras Kerala. Heisa1971batchIAS Secretary totheGovernmentof Instructuions. is thenewDirectorofPublic Mission. new Director, Kerala StateIT Appointments Government Shri JohnMathaiisaB.Sc Shri Sri. Shri K.R. JyothilalIAS M. SivasankarIAS new Chief charge asthe over the has taken Mathai IAS Shi isthe John State Agricultural DevelopmentBank. the newManagingDirector, Kerala Development Department. new Director, ScheduledCaste vananthapuram. Management inGovernment,Thiru is postedasDirector, Institute of the newCollectorforAlappuzha. Shri Shri Shri Shri P.C. SanalKumarIAS Mohammad RiazuddinIAS K.R. MuraleedharanIAS K.R. ViswambharanIAS isthe is is calories (411 cal/100 gm.). It contains It gm.). cal/100 (411 calories and (4.2%) ash (0.3%), fibre (23.2%), protein (58.4%), fat (9.3%), carbohydrate amount of chlorophyll found in alfalfa. the times 10 nearly with chlorophyll, of source known highest the is chlorella ranging from 3 to 5% chlorophyll. In short, studied so far, chlorella is the highest, often the plant world; and, of all the green algae in chlorophyll of sources highest the are plants highest in chlorophyll. Green algae the of one is alfalfa and extracted, when only 8or9poundsperton,about0.2% chlorophylls commercially extracted, has which from Alfalfa, chlorophyll. cent that food greens contains less than one per green leafy vegetables. The problem here is found in all green vegetables, especially the commonly is This blood. the and liver bowel and other elimination systems, the the greatest food substance for cleaning the greatest cleanser is ‘chlorophyll.’ It is one of Nutritional Analysis his study on photosynthesis in chlorella. the Nobel Prize in Physiology in 1931 for biochemist Otto Heinrich Warburg received organism (true nucleus plant). The German eukaryotic of form known first the is on earth for at least 540 million years, and recent study shows that chlorella has been “ella” which means a small thing in Latin. A “Chlor” which means green in Greek, and from comes Chlorella’s name minerals. of amount small a and sunlight water, dioxide, carbon only requiring rapidly, photosynthesis for growth and multiplies ‘a’ and ‘b’ in its chloroplant. It depends on green photosynthetic pigments chlorophyll diameter.the in Itcontains mm 10 to 2 chlorophyta. It is spherical in shape, about phylum to belonging algae, green support life. rich, wholefoodwithallthemineralsto totally natural, organically pure, nutrient a is Chlorella foods. green as to referred wheat grass, barley grass and spirulina, are with along Chlorella, supplement. food C S. SureshKumar 34 The macronutrients in chlorella include nature’sthat fact known well a is It single-celled of genus a is Chlorella H E A popularity recently as a nutritive much gained has benefits health amazing with plant, hlorella, the fresh water-grown L T H October 2006 KERALA CALLING 35 Chlorella’s cleansing action helps keep helps action cleansing Chlorella’s Japanese doctors found that ulcers bowel clean. It also assists in detoxifying in assists also It clean. bowel damaged of repair stimulates and bowel the tissue. shown have Experiments clean. blood the sugar blood normalise to tends chlorella that supports also It hypoglycemia. of case in functions. pancreatic balances and chlorella. with treated when rapidly healed Chlorella has been known to normalise cancer to chlorella Giving pressure. blood therapy radiation through going patients Chlorella has the amazing property as to protect the liver. It liver. the protect to as property amazing the has Chlorella It bowel. under-active an normalises and stimulates Chlorella chlorella, properties, enhancing health wonderful its with Thus Chlorella is widely grown on a commercial scale in Japan and Japan in scale commercial a on grown widely is Chlorella 24-27 18-29 Taiwan. It is grown in a liquid nutrient medium made from purified from made medium nutrient liquid a in grown is It Taiwan. elements. trace including chemicals, nutrient toxin-free and water centres main the of one are Japan Okinawa, in pools culture The diameter. in feet 175 over of pools large are They culture. chlorella of density, particular a to multiplies them in culture chlorella the When they are harvested for processing. It is then spray dried at low the in available chlorella of forms various are There temperature. Chlorella granules. and softgels tablets, capsules, including market, other with combined or supplement stand-alone a as marketed is spirulina. and grass barley grass, wheat as such foods green Medicinal properties of chlorella are which of levels the triglycerides, and cholesterol blood lowers intake. fat as well as metabolism liver with associated that bacteria the of one lactobacillus, of growth the promotes also the keep helps chlorella in chlorophyll The health. colon provides in drop sudden the ‘leucopenia’, prevent helped chemotherapy or count. cell blood white with so supplement’ the tiny algae become has the now ‘super many other substance, that nutritional science even hasn’t yet. discovered foods are often grown in depleted soils, using toxic pesticides and pesticides toxic using soils, depleted in grown often are foods nutrient the have not does food our Consequently, herbicides. healthy balanced a maintain to require bodies our that content pure total naturally a is hand, other the on chlorella, But state. plant algae cell single simple coloured, dark-green a from food water. fresh from coming Production of chlorella

Food materialFood gms) 100 (per Protein ChlorellaBeef ChickenFish 58 WheatRice 24 EggPotatoes 13 3 3 13

To get an idea about the protein rich protein the about idea an get To has chlorella value nutritional natural and high this of Because

of chlorella is that, as we all know in today’s world, most of our of most world, today’s in know all we as that, is chlorella of than the foods we normally eat. Another reason for the popularity the for reason Another eat. normally we foods the than emerged as the new ‘super food’, which is more nutritionally dense nutritionally more is which food’, ‘super new the as emerged iron, magnesium, phosphorus and zinc. and phosphorus magnesium, iron, table. the in given as also contains minerals like calcium, iodine, calcium, like minerals contains also materials food other some with it compare us let chlorella of nature Apart from Vitamin C and B Complex it Complex B and C Vitamin from Apart serine, threaonine, tryptophan, valine etc. valine tryptophan, threaonine, serine, histidine, leucine, methionine, proline, aspartic acid, glycine, glutamic acid, various amino acids like alanine, arginine, alanine, like acids amino various

The ‘green Amazing food’ Chlorella 36 36 KERALA CALLING October 2006 decades between the last decade of the three the in shape took Malayalam vision of his own. fictional a has he that fact the in lies than anything else, the success of his art expression in his narration. But more or word right the for gift remarkable a with mind imaginative richly creations the deep mark of an original, his on bear to brought He fiction. Malayalam of world musty largely then the in air fresh of whiff a scene the on arrival his with brought who Sahitya Academy award is a story teller Kendra prestigious the won who writer popularly known as Zachariah therefore meaningless aspects of life. dissatisfaction with the superficial and deep a from comes ideas refreshing convey and reality into insights fresh new and tell it in a new way, to provide language. The urge to seek something conventional themes, techniques and the with disgusted are they as paths lonely prefer They writing. creative populated easytotravelhighwaysof are not willing to travel along the well- profit or immediate acclaim. Still they with always not terrain hilly through writers who chart their own paths often travelled. There are some adventurous frequently so not others trodden, landscape now. Some of these are well- its crisscross bewilderingly ways I N.A. Karim fact andfantasy reality bymixing creates hyper geniusthat The L Zachariah’s Magic ToucZachariah’s Magic T I E h fcinl rdto of tradition fictional The Malayalam the Zachariah, Paul R n Malayalam, perhaps as in all in as perhaps Malayalam, n track. Several broad and narrow single a not is today fiction of languages of the world, the path A T U R E the rightwordorexpression in original He broughttobearonhis creationsthe has anything else,the a fictionalvision , richlyimaginativemind witharemarkablegiftfor success ofhisartlies ofhisown.

his narration

deep markofan inthefactthathe . Butmorethan h October 2006 KERALA CALLING 37 Annamma Teacher: Oru Teacher: Annamma , was an example of Zacharia’s of example an was , The focus in the stories of Zachariah is Zachariah of stories the in focus The If this is Modernism and Post have come into prominence in literature in prominence into come have everywhere. on the language with which the small realities. own their construct communities the and local the for in goes he Therefore specific instead of the universal and the some of pretences intellectual The abstract. and Zachariah, in absent are Modernists A reading. enjoyable always therefore is he on are they as things accept to willingness delve to eagerness an than rather surface the deeper for Freudian or Marxian or Darwinian meanings is the secret of the Zacharias of reading enjoyable extremely story, The stories. Ormakurippu simple, straight forward narration that unravels greater truth than convoluted techniques of narration of some of our a storyis The such as writers. Modernist who woman a of story the one: well-worn and family the by cattle milch as used was her death. Several writers in Malayalam serious different in theme this treated have and sentimental manner. But Zacharia sentimentalities its all of story the empities and fills it with ironies and paradoxes to give the story an amazing new look and reveal multiple layers of hitherto unseen is reality Here meanings. their and realities be. to used it what not Modernism, even its inveterate enemies society In it. with quarrel any have wouldn’t the development of technology, in opened has media electronic the particular exposure the to possibilities increased up to a multiplicity of perspectives, undermining any belief in one objective the media of world our in also, So reality. fades fantasy and fact between line dividing fantasy and reality of mixture This away. reality. hyper called is what to credence gives such creates art artless easy an with Zachcria hyper realities out of simple ordinary the indeed is This situations. and incidents art. his of magic . , a had than Oridathu thattiyeduppu of our

, was an , is truly representative truly is , Zacharia’s simple, , the place of action of which of action of place the , Annamma Teacher: greater truth pathram Zachariayude Kathakal . What we have to take note of and ending with ending and Most of the stories are woven around woven are stories the of Most From the award winning collection of collection winning award the From established Zachariah as a writer of remarkable originality whose creations sensibilities literary the changed decisively much as not is It readers. story Malayam of stories his of themes the of newness the as ordinary of treatment fresh utterly his but situations familiar or incidents well-worn touch This magic. Zachariah the create that is there in almost all the stories of this collection beginning with the story, pathram daily their people, class middle of life the and quarrels anxieties, concerns, routines, is also stories the of locale The fulfilment. of area particular a to confined generally this in story first The Travancore. Central collection, of the stock class and place of Zachariah familiar most is he people whose of life the he area which of topography the and with is most at home. So also the last story thattiyeduppu is Kuravilangadu, is a place not far away from Cherpunkel of the opening story, pathram the of collapse the with that fact the is here narrative local the meta-narratives, universal convoluted techniques of convoluted techniques narration of some Modernist writers. The story as such is a well-worn one them. into stories the stories, his of selection representative in art his of range wide fairly a gets reader all its thematic varieties and narrative techniques. Stories like The story, Oru Ormakurippu example of narration that straight forward unravels

Great creative writings take their origin their take writings creative Great

integrated vision capable of delving deep delving of capable vision integrated generally missed by people without an multiple layers of meanings that are special way in order to give the visible reality visible the give to order in way special around him to his imaginative mind in a in mind imaginative his to him around vision. Zachariah relates the rough reality rough the relates Zachariah vision. materials from which he distils his fictional his distils he which from materials His non-fictional writings are the raw that is the hallmark of his literary genius. literary his of hallmark the is that becomes a visionary with a satirical twist satirical a with visionary a becomes when it comes to creative writings Zachariah writings creative to comes it when and culture is illustrative of these gifts. But gifts. these of illustrative is culture and contemporary problems of society, polity society, of problems contemporary His quick and original response to advantage of Zachariah is that he has both. has he that is Zachariah of advantage alert intellect and a sensitive mind. The trends in the area of art a writer needs an needs writer a art of area the in trends ideas and the subtle manifestations of new of manifestations subtle the and ideas developments in the realm of thought and thought of realm the in developments meanings of not so epoch-making in our time. In order to capture the stirrings both of which are generally absent generally are which of both stirrings intellectual upheavals and deep literary in an environment where there are great of Modernism and its transcendence. its and Modernism of immediate past; it is both the continuation the both is it past; immediate mixture of any tradition with that of the of that with tradition any of mixture Modernism is fundamentally the eclectic the fundamentally is Modernism Modern Modern and the Post Modern. Post demarcated nebulous area between the space is somewhere in the not clearly giants including Zachariah whose literary whose Zachariah including giants four generations that followed the two this is true of all Malayalam writers of the of writers Malayalam all of true is this an equal measure. Perhaps in the last analysis last the in Perhaps measure. equal an strength from both these streams almost in almost streams these both from strength speaking, the art of Zachariah draws its vision of Chandu Menon. Broadly the visionary genius of CV and the realistic the and CV of genius visionary the The two core streams are represented by The two core streams of the two mainstreams of Malayalam novel. Malayalam of mainstreams two the of between which falls the formative period formative the falls which between Ramaraja Bahadur (1918) as the two points two the as (1918) Bahadur Ramaraja Indulekha (1889) and C.V. Raman Pillai’s Raman C.V. and (1889) Indulekha publication of O. Chandu Menon’s of the twentieth century if we mark the nineteenth century and the second decade second the and century nineteenth

ofArt of StoryTelling h 38 38 KERALA CALLING October 2006 opposite sex, he (she) has to put a ‘tilak’a put to has (she) he sex, opposite the of person particular a likes (woman) only to those tribals. They believe, if a man combination of some wild plants, known This paste is prepared from the juice of a herbal paste for attracting the opposite sex. a use Attappadi of tribals Kurumpa and remark wonderfully that the Muduga, Irula to gone also has scholar anthropological an Choondal, Chummar Dr. jungles. in growing plants herbal with ailments are also found traditionally healing various Mala arayan, Muthuvan, Uraly of Idukki Kurumba in Attappadi, Mannan, Ulladan, by Kani Tribals. there is some relevance to the claims made scientists of the TBGRI have shown that the by conducted tests pharmacological peptic ulcer and cancer like afflictions. The Tribal Medicine World of use Amritapala too as effective remedy for immunity against diseases. The Kani Tribals provides and body the rejuvenates stem, preparation of a potion from its leaves and the and ‘arogyapacha’ of fruits tender the of kernels fresh the of eating regular Kani Tribals. These tribals behave that the Arayalpatra) – hitherto known only to the (Janakia Amrithapala and Zeylanicus) medicinal plants – Arogyapacha (Trichopus in Palode Thiruvananthapuram discovered two rare at (TBGRI) Institute Research Garden TropicalBotanical Nehru Jawaharlal the from scientists Recently world. the to known seldom the centuries, their healing practices were wild plants for curing various diseases over healers to various ailments with wild herbs. T P.K. Devan M The tribals like Muduga, Irula and Irula Muduga, like tribals The Though the adivasis have been using E D C I N I he mist clad hills and valleys of E tribes, who are the traditional above sea level, are the abode of feet 3000 situated Wayanad, below: application, practised by the tribals are listed and effective too. methods of curing have been found rational healers are still unknown to the world, their tribal the of practices therapeutic and ulcer etc. Though the method of diagnosis jaundice, urinal stone, itching, diarrhoea, rheumatism, ache, stomach toothache, cough, like ailments common for cures healers. The healers claim to have efficacious tribal by prescribed medicines taking are reportedly getting permanent relief after contraceptive. his tribe use the leaves of a wild plant as a at Thirunelli, revealed that the women of likes. Nettara Chundeli an old Adiya tribal paste soon after calling the name he (she) mark on his (her) forehead with this herbal with some guava leaves. When the mixture plants are to be heated first in water along Toothache Athickal Rajan Vaidyar, aKurichia tribalhealerexaminesapatient. Some of the ailments and the herbal the and ailments the of Some Persons suffering form various diseases

– Some roots of pepper of roots Some – applied on the affected parts. and mouth. is boiled,inhaleitsvapourthroughnose daily for eight days. Consume half a glass of this mixture twice ‘Aryaveppila’. and ‘Iruverithandu’ with this hot stone. and then touch the corn affected skin area coconut is to be ground well with four or Ulcer thrice daily. roots. Consume half a glass of this mixture pepper, garlic, cumin seed and lemongrass Cough Itching and cuminseed in their powder form. after adding to it the mixture of amalpori Stomach-ache Corn use, should be applied to the affected parts. which can be stored in a container for long mixture dried sunlight. This in dried be five arecanuts. This mixture should then Wounds andburns – Heat a white stone with firewood

– A potion is to be prepared with

– A potion is to be prepared with – The fat of a wild boar is to be

– Drink a glass of water

– A tender A – October 2006 KERALA CALLING 39 The writer is lecturer in Sociology, NSS ‘KIRTADS’, the tribal research institute research tribal the ‘KIRTADS’, It is high time dig into our medical College, Pandalam (Kattarvazha) is to be powdered well and well powdered be to is (Kattarvazha) one Consume milk. of glass a into it added morning. every mixture this of glass for tribal medicine Centres State the under functioning Kozhikode at Government had made a proposal to preserve the knowledge and practice of new the to it propagate and medicine tribal healers tribal traditional the by generation themselves. As a tribal result for centre first started Government the state medicine on September 15, 1993. This Valat, of village tiny the at located is centre Mananthavady from kilometres 15 about government The Wayanad. north in town elderly an Achappan, Kolichal appointed healer tribal chief the as man, tribal Kurichia to treatment providing is Achappan here. come who everyday patients of hundreds centre This far and wide of Kerala. from course certificate year one a conducts also tribal ten batch, each For medicine. tribal in youths, educated upto SSLC and aged The selected. are years 30 and 18 between healers tribal the are centre this at teachers belong to Paniya, Adiya, Kurichia, Kattunaikka and medicine tribal other Kuruma Two communities. tribal (12 kilometres Vadom located at centres Vaidyar Rajan Athikkal by Kalpetta) from and Rajan Vaidyar with the support of ‘KIRTADS’. treasures rich the unearth to and traditions of tribal healing practices. Earlier, the Department of Botany of Rajastan about study a through gone had University like plants wild some of use therapeutic the for karmada morpankhi, ‘Ronj’, or ‘Rejua’ curing diarrhoea. Studies have also conducted by some other universities about the healing practices of Santhal, Mundas and Oraons, Banjaras, Pawaras, tribes in the states of Madhya Pradesh, Bangalore- The Maharashtra. and Orissa based Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions has recently discovered over 7000 species of plants, basis the as ecosystems different in found of traditional medicine in India. This foundation sadly points out that there is still no comprehensive inventory of tribal and ethnic by used plants medicinal India. in communities functioning – Seeds of aloes plant

themselves. – Some pieces of Madar

– Pappaya roots with jaggery with roots Pappaya – – Some flower buds of a cestor a of buds flower Some –

and propagate it to the Kozhikode

healers

are to be boiled in water and this boiled a with pregnant the to given be to is water seven for daily twice glass a half of dosage days. along well ground be to is (Avanakku) plant to is milk and seed cumin and garlic with be added to this mixture. Consume one cured. until daily thrice each glass Abortion Jaundice Urinary stone Mygraine tied and crushed be to are stems (Erukku) forehead. covering completely around A view of the Steam Bathroom. institute at tribal medicine the traditional tribal - Inflorescence of the

– The patient should chew should patient The –

– The laurels The of laurels the arutha– , the tribal research

Wild Medicinal Plants. knowledge and practice of under the State Government had made a proposal to preserve the under the State Government had new generation by ‘KIRTADS’ paste all over his body. his over all paste form, the patient is advised to apply the this boiled mixture transforms into a paste a into transforms mixture boiled this adding some drops of castor oil to it. When it. to oil castor of drops some adding well and this mixture is to be boiled in water, in boiled be to is mixture this and well Rheumatism should be ground plantain and turmeric Mouth Ulcer out. it spit and minutes the forehead is completely covered. completely is forehead the some for mouth in it keep and leaves betel Headache as so head the around tied be should plant tender and leaves tulsi black of mixture a Herbs are being sliced to prepare herbal medicines. 40

KERALA CALLING October 2006 40 N A T U R E The south wind searches for the flowers whose fragrance late he bore B. Harikumar And sighs to find them in the wood and by the streams no more. the ages become synonymous in several ways, once again once ways, several in synonymous become ages the Kurinji – the wonder flower with which the Nilgiris has over blossoming with a message of hope: Not much harm has yet happened to the delicate eco-system in the mountain, with the sprouting grasslands, the water spots dwelling on dwelling spots water the grasslands, sprouting the them... And later gathering themselves into brooklets, - William C. Bryant ( streams, rivers and water bodies. Because, only such a sophisticated eco-system can offer us this us offer can eco-system sophisticated a magnificent flowering bonanza. Kunthianum, Botanically termed as The Death of the Flowers intertwined with the Nilgiri the with intertwined mountains. Manyspecies Kurinji is inextricably Strobilanthus )

HARI PEYAD HARI October 2006 KERALAPEYAD CALLINGHARI 41 In the Sangha literature of BC 300 that 300 BC of literature Sangha the In The modern world came to know Neelakurinji stands as an excellent example for the ethno-botany culture hoary the with links Its studies. of the natives of Neelgiri area are has time itself region mountain The honoured. in Tamil in the name Kurinji been given geographical terms. In some temples in to offered are flowers Kurinji Nadu, Tamil Lord Muruka. According to the legend, Muruka married Valli, daughter of a was used garland the and king, Muthuva influence great has Kurinji Kurinji. of that tribes. Thoda and Muthuvan of lives the in include Akanannooru, Puranannooru, Kuruntokai Kanchi, Maduhari Nattinai, etc., there are references abundant on Neelakurinji. Might be because of these has Kurinji the connections, ethnic strong conservation. its for out cry to fan strong a British the when flower wonder this about scientists Robert White and Captain Palani the on journies conducted Bedome The respectively. 1857 and 1837 in Hills are flowers Kurinji on documents cut clear available since 1856. A migrator named Well, Well, then, how can Kurinji seeds maintained by maintained it between flowering two seasons. Why does the Kurinji plant flower only once in 12 years? Latest studies other of number a and Kurinji that reveal plant species have this wonderful in once massively flowering of mechanism 12 years to save a substantial portion of their seeds. In this mechanism termed ‘predator satiation’, synchronisation of to leads population large by reproduction that such seed) (i.e. ‘prey’ of abundance an the seed/flower predators are simply outnumbered. Thus the percentage of and fowl jungle by destroyed population reduced. significantly is mammals small since past have years twelve that understand they that is answer The bloomed? last they recognises which calendar, internal an have calendar The length. day in difference the is usually well buffered for changes in due damages and conditions environmental Each burning. as such activities human to length of periods different for waits species before they flower so that they can accumulate enough nutrient reserves to seeds. of number large a produce . The flowers every flowers Strobilanthus Strobilanthes (nilgiriantes) yawning gap well massive blossoming and the ) flowered in 2002. in flowered ) What makes Kurinji the star is its is star the Kurinji makes What Strobilanthes sessilis Strobilanthes

Phlebophyllum Phlebophyllum kunthianum

Neelakurinji has been referred in the in referred been has Neelakurinji The plant is usually 30 to 60 cms high cms 60 to 30 usually is plant The Kurinji flowers in some places near year.

species

Strobilanthus nilgirianthus and

Kuntianum, Nilgirianthus kunthianum, past by names such as blue colour later. colour blue the earlier stage of blooming. It has purplish has It blooming. of stage earlier the branches. The branches. flower looks light blue in conditions. It is a bush with several beyond 180 cms under longerial on the hills. They can, however, grow well grow however, can, They hills. the on species called Kalkurinji ( Kemericas Mattupetty and Top Station region, another region, Station Top and Mattupetty Nadu and Koviloor in Kerala. In the on the hills between Klavarai in Tamil Rajamalai. Kurinji also blooms gregariously blooms also Kurinji Rajamalai. This include the public access area at where there are several areas Kurinji blooms. Kurinji areas several are there where flowering is at the Eravikulam National Park National Eravikulam the at is flowering Kodaikanal in Tamil Nadu. But the bigger the But Nadu. Tamil in Kodaikanal of 1,500 to 2,400 metres. 2,400 to 1,500 of the Eastern Ghats. It flowers at an altitude an at flowers It Ghats. Eastern the (anglicized as Shevaroys) range of hills in hills of range Shevaroys) as (anglicized Neelakurinji is seen in the Selvarayan Besides the Western Ghats, which at least 46 occur in India. in occur 46 least at which has around 300 species of of Acanthaceae. The genus of Acanthaceae. Kurinji belongs to the family the to belongs Kurinji blooming blooming occured in 1994. once in twelve years. Last of the genus that has flowering cycle flowering has that genus the of feet. Neelakurinji is the best known best the is Neelakurinji feet. the Nilgiris between 6,000 and 7,000 and 6,000 between Nilgiris the of which grow wild in various parts of 42 KERALA CALLING October 2006 HARI PEYAD once again blanket the slopes in radiant whiteness under the sun: protected sanctuary for Kurinji. help protect the Kurinji. Because, what we need is not a protected specimen but a first of its kind in India and that the environmentalists and nature lovers believe, will of Rs.15 on 29 Department of India issued eight lakh Kurinji depicted stamps in the denomination offer, both in terms of diversity and aesthetic value. of this habitat would be a great loss to science and to mankind for it has much to the few remaining areas can be protected, if measures are taken immediately. The loss found only in a few areas in the Western Ghats. Most of it has already been lost, but this silent area too is a little brighter. poacher of yesterday is the tracker today. And the future of some of the animals also in changed very much; the hunter of yesterday is the conservationist today, the hard to save the Kurinjis and the mountain ecosystems in particular. Attitudes have there are several NGOs, individuals and even the Government that are working very damage. Nadu raised pine forests on the Eastern slopes of Palani Hills. Fire caused further Forest Department raised wattle in large areas to feed the tanning industry. Tamil encroachers, many have converted the habitat of Kurinji into plantations. The Kerala under threat. From the British planters of the nineteenth century to the present day then, in 1978, upgraded to a national park. Kerala state government, the area was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1975, and of the High Range Wildlife Preservation Association, and to the foresight of the the to representations on thanks However,behalf of preserving the area uses. by J.C. agricultural Gouldsbury, to then chairman converted be would Plateau programme. This caused some concern that the unspoiled land of the Eravikulam not actually under cultivation be vested with the government as part of a land reform there are documents available on Neelakurinji for about three generations. grand parents also collected as much informatin from Thoda and Koda tribes. Thus Cock Burn who lived in Kottagiri near Nilgiri had collected details about this. His to whom long affection binds me? with the even set of teeth and the peacock nature, as the hair of the woman be as full of fragrance Could even the flowers that you know - - but tell me what you really saw: don’t speak to me of desire whose life is passed in search of honey Beautiful-winged bee Now let’s expect the lover’s song even after 12 years when the Kurinji flowers Anyhow, to commemorate this period’s massive flowering of Kurinji, the Postal The shola grassland is indeed a very unusual and special ecosystem in that it is Having painted a bleak picture, we should not overlook the rays of hope that Nevertheless, the Kurinji habitats in Munnar, Kodaikanal and the Nilgiri are In 1971, the Kanan Devan Hills (Resumption of Lands) Act ruled that all land th May 2006. The present decision to make a Kurinji sanctuary, the Kurinji (Kuruntokai - 2) The writer is Secretary, GREENS, Thiruvananthapuram. GREENS, Secretary, is writer The 42 in the past. to be reality which no one has envisioned perhaps endeavours to accomplish an ought Cinema’, Malayalam‘Adhunika book V.K. manifestation. Ramankutty, his in which, in turn, ostensibly needs a literary is complete without an aesthetic outlook safely be elucidated that no visual medium question than ever before. However,greater it a must be to seems exposition and film require a literary approach in its analysis number of people. The question whether medium, the one that attracts the largest changed a lot, it still remains to be a visual the years. Though the language of film has Brothers has undergone total change over May betrue,butcinemaoftheLumiere O V.C. Jose historical epochs, which these films have without an ardent endeavour to dissect the writing on these films cannot be complete in its form, content and attire. Naturally, the years, have undergone dramatic changes past. the old mindset is changing averse to the for the literary approach of cinema and that edition, elicits the fact that there are readers second its is present at which Cinema’ ‘AdhunikaMalayalam book This alike. accepted by readers of literature and cinema widely was Panchali’ Pather Rayyute ‘Sathyajit book first His Ramankutty. V.K.is writer such One Malayalam. in cinema on solely write who writers as impact inthislanguagefilm, Wave movementhasitsown Neo-realism under theinfluenceofItalian Menon, whichwasverymuch Theeravum’, directedbyP.N. expression was‘Olavum many ofthefilms the sixtiesisveryobviousin on Malayalamfilmrightfrom The impactofworldclassic B elsewhere intheworld The Malayalam language films, over films, language Malayalam The It must be said that there are only a few O O K R

E ne of the acclaimed film critics essentially the art of reality.of art the essentially is cinema remarked Bazin of the world cinema Andrew V E I . TheFrenchNew W . Itsdirect . October 2006 KERALA CALLING 43 achieved

to this land. Writing the history of Malayalam films Malayalam of history the Writing The writer’s conviction to appendix the appendix to conviction writer’s The It is another reality that Malayalam films greater heights due to the rare affinity that existed between cinema and literature during the sixties. No doubt, the love affair between literature and films has cooked up some of the ever- memorable films of this language and brought out national and international laurels straight away from J.C. Daniel’s ‘Vigatha Daniel’s J.C. from away straight to Kumaran’ till date in 62 pages seems here, But task. insurmountable an quite subject the approached Ramankutty V.K. from a different perspective. Instead of to cut has he proliferating, chronologically size the intricacies in the evolution of Malayalam films in limited words the readers the making thereby analytically, feeling that they have got something extraordinary from the usual treaties on is it this, with Along cinema. Malayalam sufficient found has writer the that amazing have who directors the recording in space one last the in own their of mark a made decades. half a and which films, Malayalam 12 of study detailed Malayalam the lifted other the or way one in a certainly is audience, global the to films breakaway from other writers on the Malayalam ‘Adhunika the fact, In subject. Institute State the by published Cinema’, of some to readers the takes Languages of the unseen scenery of this miniscule intellectual making still is which language, reverberation to the whole of Indian cinema. director’s film dared to unveil. to dared film director’s company- is still there in Malayalam film, Malayalam in there still is The impact of world classic on writer, the that informative highly is It and literature during the sixties. No doubt, No sixties. the during literature and films and literature between affair love the ever-memorable the of some up cooked has films of this language and brought out laurels to this national and international men literary of association Symmetric land. echelons new up drawn has cinema with in faith full rest to generations later the for a make two the Though them. combination for due Kariyat Ramu – Bhasi Thoppil the Vincent Basheer–A. ‘Mudiyanayaputhran’, A. and M.T. Bhargavinilayam, for affinity can’t ‘Murappennu’ for combine Vincent In film. language this in ever sidelined be of basic the down laid stalwarts these fact, film. language our very is sixties the from right film Malayalam obvious in many of the films. Its direct expression was ‘Olavum Theeravum’, very was which Menon, P.N. by directed Neo- Italian of influence the under much movement Wave New French The realism. as film, language this in impact own its has elsewhere in the world. Then our films society film of onslaught an witnessed had upshot the consequently, and movement of talented directors like Gopalakrishnan, Aravindan, Adoor John with directors These on. so and Abraham their very debut films placed Malayalam films to the pinnacle of national and attention. international peeps book, the of chapters the of one in like directors of world inner the closely very and Aravindan G. Gopalakrishnan, Adoor world Adoor’s In Nair. Vasudevan M.T. cinematic the open wide splits writer the images, energy, static episodical, like jargons cinematic, techniques, hermetic, craft, etc schematic tense, conditional minimalist, films, Adoor’s in dormant laying were which which perhaps no other writer on this Kerala Bhasha Institute K.V. Ramankutty K.V.

Published by It is another reality that Malayalam It is indeed interesting to explore how explore to interesting indeed is It

Aadhunika Malayala Cinema the artthe of film

Catching rare affinity that existed between cinema between existed that affinity rare films achieved greater heights due to the films. stark and real life of people, like the Bangali the like people, of life real and stark tinsel world, Malayalam films dealt with dealt films Malayalam world, tinsel engulfed in the puranic adaptations on the on adaptations puranic the in engulfed other south Indian language films were Hindi film culture. When the Hindi and Hindi the When culture. film Hindi the melodramatic overtones of Tamil and Tamil of overtones melodramatic the the Malayalam film redeemed itself from itself redeemed film Malayalam the for a ride. a for have taken the Malayalam film to the world the to film Malayalam the taken have is not the chronology of films but that which that but films of chronology the not is inspire with the feeling that history of films of history that feeling the with inspire Adhunika Malayalam Cinema, one would one Cinema, Malayalam Adhunika that have stood the test of time. On reading On time. of test the stood have that conclusion that there are only a few films few a only are there that conclusion circumstance, you would arrive at a criteria for such an analysis? In such a or entertainment? How do you fix the writer is whether cinema is an art, industry art, an is cinema whether is writer question that often entangled with such a such with entangled often that question of view is not that an easy affair. The basic The affair. easy an that not is view of of any language film from a writer’s point writer’s a from film language any of witnessed in the past. Analysing the history the Analysing past. the in witnessed 44 44 KERALA CALLING October 2006 “ and her lover, bringing to life a virtual a life to bringing lover, her and Sivaji Ganesan, the Nagaswaram exponent she plays the role of a dancer, she vies with instance in Thillana Mohanambal, where and chemistry to the roles she played. For showpiece. She brought an intense charm generation never was she reduced to a mere into it. But like many other actresses of her of celluloid, something that eased her way dancer even before she entered the world acknowledged an was She generation. that of filmgoers the of imagination the capture to on went who Padmini was it excellence, par dancers classical all Ragini), Padminiand Lalitha, of trio powerful roles. and Vastuhara, where she plays aging but like Nokketha Doorathu Kannum Nattu heroines were a thing of the past, in films glimpse it even decades later when dancing to her art and her passion for it. One could mem Ganga Behti Hai etc are testimonies Hindi films like Mera Nam Joker, Gis Desh Umminithanka, Pareeksha, Adhyapika, Snehaseeema, like films Malayalam , Veedu Vietanam and Sampath Thillana Mohanambal, Mana Magal, Mr Kattabomman, PandyaVeera like films ‘star’ as their male counterparts. The Tamil when female actresses were as important a belongs to a period in South Indian cinema Padmini also exudes similar feelings. She of Greta Garbo in cinema. The presence of Roland Barthes of the mercurial presence be neither reached nor renounced.”, said of absolute state of the flesh, which could a philtre, when the face represented a kind oneself in a human image as one would in lost literally one when ecstacy, deepest G C. S.Venkiteswaran O A member of the Travancore sisters (the B T I U A R Y plunged audiences into the into audiences plunged capturing the human face still when cinema in moment arbo still belongs to that to belongs still arbo Padmini romantic duo went on to play several roles The Ganesan. Sivaji against paired was followed by Panam in 1952, in which she (1950), Pattu Paadum Eazhai with felt glory.to way her presence her Shemade languages and Hindi, dancing and acting decades, she acted in all the South Indian spectacle Kalpana in 1948. In the following dance his in role small a in her cast who spotted by none other than Uday Shankar, talents of an actor like Sivaji Ganesan. Only she could have matched the histrionic jugalbandi of emotions, romance and arts. Remembering It was not a coincidence that she was charge here that is inescapable. Apart from metaphorical a carries narrative, the of The generational shift, that forms the core witness to the disintegration of the family. of Padmini and Sivaji being made passive of Vietnam Veedu (1970) the aging couple the nation, one finds in the family drama beginning of another in cinema the as well and as era an of end the marking if As nation-building. independence the romantic and familial conflicts of post- the minds of the filmgoers embodying all decades, carving a niche for themselves in following the in parents and lovers as October 2006 KERALA CALLING 45 Continued from page- 33 page- from Continued Menon approached every problem with the sanity of a dispassionate yogi. He yogi. dispassionate a of sanity the with problem every approached Menon rationalism dynamism, sacrifice, self work, hard broadmindness, Menon’s Krishna fundamental and peaceful a for stood always Menon as 1962) and (1957 Bombay from Sabha Lok the to elected was Menon Twice international the solving in visions and contributions his that undoubtful is It crusader of the third world countries. According to him the prime motto of our of motto prime the him to According countries. world third the of crusader peaceful and freedom national of protection peace, world be should policy foreign the played he ideology, fundamental this on Based nations. among co-existence movement. non-aligned the of formation the in role important most for stood always who power will ordinary extra and conviction strong of man a was was Menon stand. principled his from him deviate could force No justice. and truth populist against totally was He leaders. political other many from different basically personality. distinct very a was he course Of life. public in gimmicks and slogans features of his constraint and firmness were the basic Fearlessness, decisiveness, was he tempered, short and behaviour his in rough was he though Even character. mind. his in lovely and kind very the from Nehru Jawaharlal attracted humanism and as early as began which comradeship their of beginning Nehru, In mutual. was attraction The England. in 1927 leader idealist and socialist progressive, a speculated Menon great have “I wrote Nehru 1935 In future. in India for one as him consider and Menon Krishna for appreciation deeply was he last very the To personalities”. best our of identical were they Always Nehru. to devoted and loyal On in their social, political and economic philosophy. them of both matters international and national several internationalists were They ideology. and vision same had dreamed they secularists and socialist true As approach. in an egalitarian society free from poverty, exploitation, fully oppression, superstitions Nehru trustedand war. subjects. important all on advice his sought and Menon the in role historical a played Menon Krishna doubt, No external and internal independent post India’s of formation policies. our of system political and socio-economic the in change and society in values democratic for fought He country. against was He politics. in democracy party inner for also personality cult and dynastic rule in politics and of Minister Defence as tenure his During government. decisions important many so took he 1957-62 from India to make India self reliant and ministry modern the from in resigned had defence he Although productions. to indebted really are we China, with war our of result a as 1962 November 7th on making epoch Another Pakistan. over victories war 1971 and 1965 the for Menon After rule. colonial Portuguese the from Goa of liberation the was regime his of event job”. unfinished an of finishing the was “It said Menon liberation its to Assembly Legislative Madras from elected was he (Earlier candidate. congress a (W. Midnapur from member independent an was he 1968 In Sabha) Rajya the on Delhi New at last his breathed he When parties. left the by supported Bengal) 6th October 1974, he was representing Thiruvananthapuram Lok member. Sabha independent an as constituency be will colonialism and racism proliferation, nuclear against battle his and problems who Menon K.P.S. diplomat seasoned’ The time. long a for history in remembered Menon’s than voice strong a such heard not have “I said once U.N. in him with was African and Asian resurrecting of voice the was It India. of voice the was It U.N. in injustice”. and slavery against voice the was It countries. V.K. Krishna Menon... Menon... Krishna V.K.

Padmini embodies a period in south in period a embodies Padmini Like many south Indian dancers In Malayalam, her image follows a

body and mind?”) and body ullavum nalam thana..? (“Are you fine, in fine, you (“Are thana..? nalam ullavum Nalam thana, nalam thana, udalum poignancy to the current generation: Mohanambal still resonate in all its of her famous song in Thillana the following decades. Hence the words the Hence decades. following the never reduced to one or the other like in like other the or one to reduced never they were both body and mind, and were and mind, and body both were they Indian cinema, when actresses were whole, were actresses when cinema, Indian

enthralling audiences far and wide. and far audiences enthralling dance dramas like Ramayana and Valli Ambika have orchestrated and performed and orchestrated have Ambika sisters and dancers like Sukumari and US to teach the art. She along with her and founded and ran an academy in the in academy an ran and founded and other. She performed all over the world, the over all performed She other. dancing careers seemed to catalyse each till the end. In her case, the acting and pursued her dancing career with passion with career dancing her pursued turned actresses of that time, she also charm to the role. the to charm by it. Padmini brings in a sort of disarming of sort a in brings Padmini it. by and nostalgia, she is never lost or dissolved or lost never is she nostalgia, and memories about her) are tinged with guilt with tinged are her) about memories dignity. dignity. Though her memories (and holds on to her memories with great erstwhile aristocrat, who still steadfastly still who aristocrat, erstwhile plays the aging and lonely woman, an a very poignant presence. Here again, she again, Here presence. poignant very a In Aravindan’s Vastuhara (1990), she has she (1990), Vastuhara Aravindan’s In forces her way into the fortress of her life. her of fortress the into way her forces whose heart is won by the young girl who girl young the by won is heart whose matriarch living alone in a mansion, and mansion, a in alone living matriarch Nattu (1984), she is again a self-centred a again is she (1984), Nattu instance, in Nokketha Doorathu Kannum Doorathu Nokketha in instance, in the films she did much later. For in the process. The same image continues image same The process. the in whole family, sacrificing her life and love and life her sacrificing family, whole she is the sacrificing sister, who brings up a up brings who sister, sacrificing the is she against her wishes. In Adhyapika (1967), Adhyapika In wishes. her against estranged lover, who estranged is lover, forced to marry In Snehaseema, she plays the role of the of role the plays she Snehaseema, In continued to her last films in Malayalam. in films last her to continued feminine presence, something that drama, and hers was the image of a bold a of image the was hers and drama, different trajectory. It was a period of social of period a was It trajectory. different Hindi, and dubbed herself for her films! her for herself dubbed and Hindi, spoke all the south Indian languages and languages Indian south the all spoke and SS Rajendran. A true polyglot, she Prem Nazir, Raj Kapoor, Gemini Ganesan Gemini Kapoor, Raj Nazir, Prem Ramachandran, NT Rama Rao, Sathyan, Rao, Rama NT Ramachandran, the titans of the period like MG Sivaji Ganesan, she acted with almost all almost with acted she Ganesan, Sivaji 46 KERALA CALLING October 2006 In aDifferentRole hospital. Two of his personal staff members also joined him in front the to victim accident road a rush to police traffic the helped connection. this in produced Investigation’films Case other the were ‘PoliceDuty’,Station’‘Beat ‘Murder public. and the and personnel police the both among awareness bring to Police Kerala effort an in Keralabythe Police. This isoneofthefilmsbeingproduced bythe successfully for a film documentary named ‘Traffic Police’ produced role his completed has Balakrishnan Kodiyeri Shri screen. DON’T BE Honoured Sena Vasantha Therefore, they turned their eyes towards eyes their turned they Therefore, wealth. forest of protection the to limited be not should mission their that realised they late, Of region. entire the patrol themselves around10ameverydayandto collect members poachers. The of power Periyarmuscle the from areaTiger Reserve the guard to was intention their formed, Government of India for their achievement. the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Amrita Devi Bishnoi Award instituted by the for selected been now has organisation honour to them. The voluntary an such bring effort relentless their that thought never Reserve. have would They PeriyarTigerthe protect to responsibility the themselves shoulder who brigade ‘Vasanthabrigade Sena’, women all the JUBILANT Shri Balakrishnan has acted the role of a Good Samaritan who Samaritan Good a of role the acted has Balakrishnan Shri In 2002, when the organisation was organisation the when 2002, In surprisedifonefindourHomeMinisteronthesilver arethemembersofforest award for forest protection as early as in as early as protection forest for award enough tobagtheP.V. Thampi endowment zone. free plastic a now is region entire the that ensure they measures, these By one. made paper a with bag his replace will and sena the of members the by stopped be will he bag, carry plastic a Periyarwith the Reserve Tiger visits one If plastics. of use the discouraging by environment of protection the The Vasantha Sena was fortunate VasanthaThe was Sena directed byShriNandan Pillai. are themainactorsindocumentary. is The documentary Shri Manoj Abraham, Commissioner of Police, Thiruvanathapuram Police,of GeneralInspectorPolice, Deputy Aggarwal, NitinShri Police,Kumar,of DirectorGeneralAnil Shri of General Inspector Additional Punnoose,JacobPolice, Shri of General Director Police.Kerala the by pipeline the in also are documentaries Police Training College, Thiruvananthapuram. A few other the near road busy recordeda was on scene spotlight. The the of Apart from the HomeMinister, the from Apart Srivastava,Raman Shri selfless service to the society.the to service selfless they getsuchahugeamountfortheir because joyful arecitation. members The and medal plus lakh 1 Rs of prize cash a carries it because force the of members the etc. coats rain caps, like force the to requirements basic provided has Department Forest the fauna, and flora the protecting in members the 2004. Acknowledging the spirit shown by The award,The financially, to blessing a is October 2006 KERALA CALLING 47 Eldose Bose . He says this channel will be useful to , a student Moviplus The software, which he can Movies be seen enlarged in TV computers set or Eldose Bose has planned to start a mobile channel in Eldose Bose is Bose, the who son is of a Mr. movie Movie on Mobile ELDOSE BOSE into getting is Kochi, from the limelight as he develops a technology to see cinema on mobile phones at full length. It is the first time in the world of technology that hours long cinema zipped on mobile phone. And the student says he got patent for this. developed for this purpose can be downloaded from the website www.moviplus.net This free of software can cost be soon. installed in mobile or EDGE and can movies be phones, which have P.R.S downloaded to it. The technology video out. from mobile phones, which have now exists, facilitates only to download cinema scenes which lengths up to two or three minutes. the name cinema producers also. A nominal fee can be imposed for seeing cinema and a small percent from the profit will go to The student to dreams work hand producers. in hand to launch a website with the organisation of cinema producers. Vidya BCA student of Bharatiya is a first year He producer. Bhavan. “The rainbow slowly vanishes – Back into the unknown Never does it deprive heart human Any Of the joy it incites, Nor the beauty while it lasts The rainbow always strikes roots mind!” my in down Deep These are the closing lines of her poem. Her experiences with nature make her ‘The Rainbow.’ philosophical. She can handle divergent emotions with equal The skill. collections of poems came out in black and white when Fousia was a high school student. Now she is Two. at Plus Yoonus and Dr. A. Faseela Yoonus. A. Faseela and Dr. Yoonus of wit from an artistic piece may

Puzhayude

is aware of the ‘Dra Cola’ trigger a tough thought of struggle. That is the idea That trigger a tough thought of struggle. in sand made by a sculpture Cola’, behind ‘Dra a part of M.Deepak at Shangumugham Beach. It was A SINGLE SPARK is her collection of poems in A blooming bud A blooming Malayalam. She is the daughter of Er. A. is the daughter of Er. She Malayalam. FOUSIA YOONUS transient nature of beauty in the world. Her heart is in the right place and what her imagination perceives as beautiful is the great K. Ayyappa Paniker, Dr. truth” poet wrote these lines, in his foreword to the book, ‘Buds into Blossoms’, a collection of poems, written by Fousia Thomas a student of St. Yoonus, Residential School, an is Fousia Thiruvananthapuram. Malayalam in both writer, upcoming younger the became She English. and by English poetess from Kerala ‘Through book, maiden her publishing the She bagged Open Window.’ several in awards her favour. Sangeetham M.Deepak Shangumugham beach every Sunday with a variety. a with Sunday every beach Shangumugham with the help of his friends Janson and Joshi. Deepak reaches at District. The sculpture, which shows District. cola bottle in a coffin, was made anti cola movement, says Deepak who hails from Payyannur of Kannur of Payyannur from hails who Deepak says movement, cola anti 48 KERALA CALLING ! October 2006 basic facilities in preventive cardiology to comprehensive cardiac care spanning from providing of distinction the have Kerala in Kerala. Many of the modern hospitals in and hill resorts in Kerala. having a grand holiday in the backwaters dental treatments into one, ending up by people have started to club their tours difference with this of Because state. our in approximately 7-10 times more than that is countries western the in treatment Medical Tourism. for way paved has This also. treatment their for Kerala chosen have world the competitive service charges, tourists all over most the with accompanied facilities, Medical possible best the infrastructure, and well qualified doctors. With the best own country has state of the art hospitals western countries. So also Kerala. The God’s the of any with comparable Facilities, newpotential The Medical Tourism Life & Line & Life Cardiac care has also become a speciality It isestimatedthatthecostofdental Medical Class World offers India less in Kerala than they do in Europe. things like ordinary medical check-ups cost hospitals in UK, France or Germany. Even less when compared to the multi speciality hospitals for all these treatments is much these in charge The benchmarks. global match handled volumes the and class The technology is contemporary and world the most sophisticated curative technology. this projected estimate. significant chunk - at least 20 per cent of alone. Kerala is looking forward to grab a earn Rs 10,000 crore from Medical Tourism tourist places in Kerala. easily spend these in-between period in any from four days to four weeks. A tourist can period in between these phases may vary The phase. next the start to treatment the of phase first the after hospital the treatment requires a patient to remain in of branch This also. field Ayurveda Maldives and, of course, from Europe. countries, Gulf the from are Majority year.a in Stateour visit tourists medical 15000 average an on that estimated Europe and in countries in West Asia. It is promotional events in Sri Lanka, Maldives, are anvil the On destination. tourism campaign to promote the State as a medical marketing a arranging by scenario the By 2010, India will be in a position to Medical Tourism has rejuvenated the The Kerala Tourism is all set to exploit P.V.Krishnan - Pramod