Variety of storage

This OMNI VAN which is parked near a Street Hotel (Thattukada) is not a passenger vehicle now. It is being used to keep the hotel utensils, after removing the seats, by the hotel owner, near the Volkswagen Car showroom in Kannadikkadu Junction. As a street shop, it is difficult to store the utensils in an open space and it is also not safe. This may be the reason for choosing to keep the utensils inside this vehicle. 

Petrol Price Hike and Hartal

People in Kerala are enjoying another Hartal, today, which is the second in this month. Every time when prices of Petrol or Diesel are increased, political parties immediately call for a hartal as a way of protest. Street Rallies, Picketing and Road/Rail blockage are the other way of protests. But common people are not getting any relief from this protests and they are facing various difficulties and forced to remain in their homes. Loses in the industrial sector due to the non functioning of the units comes to crores of rupees. After the initial days of protests political parties are not bothered about the results of their protests. Every time protests starts when the announcement of increase in prices of petrol come and after that the protests ends after two or three days.  

As a common man, we are living on the basis of some calculations. There are some calculations to spend  money for our daily needs. If any increase in Petrol prices would definitely be reflected an increase in the monthly expenditure of a common man.

The responsible Governments and Political Parties are not considering the common man's issues. 

Next Friday the Government will consider whether to increase in diesel and LPG prices. If prices of the diesel and LPG are increase, prices of all items would be increased. If happens so we can expect another hartal on Saturday. Nothing will happen other than the hartal. If the responsible Governments and Political parties are not taking care of the common mans issues we are going to face tough days in future.     

Cruise Journey at GOA

In Goa, tourists can enjoy the Cruise Journey which is an inevitable part of Goa Visit. Apart from enjoying the beauty of nature, tourists can also enjoy various live stage programmes like dance, drama etc. inside the Cruise. Tourists can also participate in the programme if they wish to do so. Liquor, Coffee/Tea, Snacks etc. are available inside the cruise. The Cruise will run near the sea and return to the starting point which will take approximate one hour. They are charging an amount of Rs.200/- for one ticket for this journey. Night time is more attractive as all the lights in the surrounding area are on. Since there is no restriction for liquor and  getting very cheap when compared to Kerala, consumption of liquor among the tourist men and women. We can enjoy the beauty of the Sea as there are several beaches in and around Goa.     

Goa is a beautiful place and it looks like Kerala as there are so many paddy fields on the way to Goa. Here are some of the photos taken from Goa. 

A Picture of Cruise

Views from the Cruise

 Tourists watching programmes inside the Cruise

Beauty of a Beach

J-YES Farms, Kottayam

Last Sunday we had visited one of our relative's residence at Kottayam. When we reached we decided to visit J-Yes Farms, Neendur which is 20 kilometers away from their residence. The farm is situated in 50 acres of land in which several types of dogs, birds, cows, plants, fish etc. are available there.People who visited can see and purchase fish, Meat, various types of plants, egg, Milk, baby dog etc. There is no entrance fee  in the farm. The main revenue they are collecting by way of the sale of various items in the farm When we reached there there were several families. There is a separate place for children's playing area in the farm. A canteen is also functioning inside the farm for the visitors. It was interesting to see that the cows are standing under the fan. Anybody who got a chance to visit this farm, can really enjoy this place where there is no air pollution.  This farm is well maintained and people friendly.

Board placed in front of the Farm.

Some of the other pictures taken from the farm

Artificial paddy field in the front side of the Farm

Artificial boat in front of the farm

Crime among children

It was really shocking to hear that a 15 year school boy killed his classmate in Muttar, Alappuzha District. On hearing the news, my mind was gone to one incident which was later revealed by the parents by way of publishing the details in a local news paper. In that incident their children stolen the gold chain which wore by a baby in a nearby house and later purchased an old scooter, by using the money which he got by selling the gold chain, without the knowledge of his parents. After the school hours, the scooter was kept in a workshop near the school. The parents after getting a gold locket from his pocket knew that the gold chain was stolen by their child. During further inquiry, they came to know that a racket was functioning near the school. This group is used to transport drugs by utilizing the service of children, by giving money as wages.

Now lack of sufficient guidance, lack of proper attention to their children etc. led children to do this type of cruel activities. While observing the family background of the 15 year old boy, who killed his classmate, is due to lack of proper attention to this child.  

Though the Government has made certain laws to control the usage of drugs, by banning the sale of certain items within a specific distance from school. But most of the shops near the school are selling this type of materials without any fear. This is due to the lapse on the part of the authorities. 

Now this incident should invite attention of all and should take initiative to give proper attention to the children who are spending time in the home or in the school. Also take necessary steps to conduct a study about the activities/attitudes of the children with the help of school authorities and if possible to conduct proper awareness campaign in the schools. Also to conduct a study on the selling of banned items in the shops near the schools.      

Who will stop this water wastage

This the condition of a pipe which carrying drinking water, erected by the Water Authority in front of the Mersedes Benz showroom near Kundannur Junction, for supplying drinking water to the people. Every day hundreds of litres of water are wasting from both ends of the canal and flowing to the canal, for the lst two years. The leaking portion is now covered by some body with a plastic sheet which helps to collect water to bottles. Nobody has taken inititative to stop the water leakage. People in varous parts of the Kochi are not able to get even a single bucket of water for their daily needs. But here drinking water is wasting for the last two years due to the lapse on the part of resposible authorities.   

Heare are some of the pictures taken by me, today.  

The authorities should immediately be taken necessary steps to stop this water wastage.

Cruel way of Worship

It is shameful to hear that about 5000 goats were slaughtered on friday as part of a temple festival at Poosariyur in Tamilnadu State. The priests, deevotees, and childless women were consumed the blood to invoke the blessings of the deity.   

In the morning devotees started gathering with baby goats and they were sacrificed at the temple altar and the priests drunk the blood of a few animals and handed over rest to the devotees. The meat was distributed free of cost to all on the belief that eating meat will protect them from cronic diseases. 

This type of cruel worship may be happening in other areas of various states without came to light. I didn't hear in my life about this type of cruel worship. This is happening due to the lack of proper education.

It is seriously be noted that this type of cruel activities are happening in a temple premises and the priest is also a part of this cruel activity. In Kerala, Temple and its premises should be maintained in a good manner and there are some limitation that people to be observed while entering in a temple and its premises.  

Last month, in Perumbavoor in Ernakulam district, a hartal was announced in connection with the disputes between devotees and some people about the killing of a cow in a temple premises. If this incident is happening in any part of Kerala, it would definitely become a national issue.
The serious thing is to be noted that there is no objection is seen from any section of the people/authorities about the killing of about 5000 goats as part of a temple festival, including Menaka Gandhi who always protests against this type of cruel activities against animals. It is really shameful. 
In my opinion the authorities should immediately impose a ban  on the killing of animals as part of temple festival or any other means of beliefs and to take necessary steps to educate people in the locality about this cruel way of worship.
Hope this will happening in future, if authorities should seriously think about this cruelty against poor animals.  

Sachin's Rajya Sabha Entry

It is happy to hear that Sachin Remesh Tendulkar has been nominated to the Rajyasabha. But it is the first time that a person from the active sports is being nominated to the Parliament. The nomination may be seen as a honour to this sportsperson on the basis of his great achievement in Cricket. But what extent Sachin can contribute to his new assignment. There is a presedence that persons from other sections like Latha Mankeshkar had been nominated to Rajya Sabha earlier, but she couldn't attend the session. Sachin is now be an integral part of our Indian Team and now he is playing in the Indian Premier League also. Being a person who is active in cricket, how can he attend the Rajya Sabha session. If he can't be able to attend the session, there is no meaning about his nomination. If the nomination came after his retiremement, there is no question.
Hope Sachin can attend the Rajya Sabha Session and he can perform well in his new assignement from a place where politicians have great command.
Wish all good wishes to Sachin. 

Goodness of Kovakkai

Kovakkai (Ivy Gourd) is having some medicinal value and hence used traditionally to control fever, asthma, bronchitis and jaundice. It also helps to regulate the blood sugar levels. Kovakkai is rich in Vitamin C, which helps to strengthen bones. The other vitamines B1 and B2 and traces of VitaminA in the Kovakkai are vital for the human body and helps to strengthen our immune system.

In our home, Kovakkai can be made available in every day, if we planted a small stem of the plant. We will get several gourds from one plant and hence it is available everyday. But we will have to provide sufficient facility to spread the branches of the plant. If we planted near a tree, the plant can be easily spread over the branches of the tree . But we will have to collect the gourds from the tree branches when it requires for making a poriyal or other special items which can be prepared with Kovakkai.

It is a simple plant which gives us several gourds having more vitamin contents. In our home Kovakkai is a regular part of our lunch. My daughter and son likes it very much. 

Considering the medicinal value of the Kovakkai, it is adviced to plant at least one small stem in our premises which will help us to strenthen our immune system.  

Here are some pictures of Kovakkai

Akshaya Tritiya

Akshaya Tritiya, the festival of prosperity and good fortunes, which is being celebrated on 23rd and 24th April 2012. People faith that all good happenings are part of this most auspicious days of the Vedic Calender. 

Malayalees are always see that the gold is a precious one in any of the occassions and hence they believe that it is better to puchase gold on the day of Akshaya Tritiya days. By exploiting this faith of people, now jewellery owners are giving advertisements in the visual written media which ultimately rise the jewellery business and thereby increase in the price of gold in these days. 

Earlier, people were not considered that the gold is a better part of their investment. But due to the rising price of the gold, now it becoms part of thier investment in the form of gold fund or in the form of muthual fund etc. 

It is interesting to see that now some banks are also offering various schemes for the purchase of gold as part of the Akshaya Tritiya. 

Finally, the main focuss now only to consentrate to the gold business on the days of Akshaya
Tritiya, in every corner, by exploiting the faith of the people. 

Tree House in Madikeri

It is interesting to read a news which appeared in Times of India daily on 22nd April 2012 regarding peoples beloging to Jenu Kuruba tribe in Banavara village have made trees their home and living this way for the past 65 years. It is also very interesting to know that these people used to vote in the elections on the basis of the liquor offered by the politicians.
It is shameful to note that the changing Governments, local administration, and the authorities/politicians have failed to provide basic facilities to these people which results their living condition unchanged for the past 65 years. It is to be noted that this place is situated nearly 250KM from the IT hub, Bangalore.
At the time of elections, politicians want votes of these people and they are giving liquor instead of their votes. Hence the political parties are aware of the condition of this section of people. It is a serious lapse from the part of concerned authorities. It is not possible for us even to think about the stay in a wooden home which is about 50-60 feet high.
As result of the news, the authorities may be forced to do something to these people. We may be proud for the facilities which we are enjoying now while this type of people living in in a wooden tree house.
I wish to thank Mr.Rajendran, reporter of Times of India for highlighting this news to the public.

Container Freight Station and ICTT

Container Freight Station is set up with a facility for the transaction of cargo for import and export. It plays an important role in this trade. 

In a container Freight Station there are Export Warehouses, Import Warehouses, Public Bonded Warehouses, Container Yard for handling and storage of containers etc. Fully paved yard is to be needed for the free movement of trucks, Fork Lifts and Reach Stackers carrying containers etc. Empty Container maintenance works and washing the container also available in a subsidiary unit of CFS. 

After the commissioning of  Vallarpadam International Container Transshipment Terminal, there are much scope for container freight station in this area. At present there are only few container freight stations are functioning and construction works of some other CFSs are in progress. Due to the dredging related problems and Cabotash Rule, Vallarpadam ICTT has not become fully operational. At present mother ships are not coming to ICTT due to the above problems. If the Central Government can give some relief on the Cabotash rule, the container business through ICTT Vallarpadam will be going high. 

The importance of Container Freight Stations will be crucial when the container movement is increasing. This is the reason several institutions are now trying to start CFSs in this area.   

The investment for setting up a CFS will be more than 100 crore, when considering the land cost of this area. Nearly 20-25 acres of land is needed for setting up a full fledged container freight station. Equipments like Fork Lift, Reach Stacker, Hand Pallet Trucks, Pallets etc are important part of a Container Freight Station. There is much scope for employment in this field also.

Customs People, Shipping Liners, Importers, Exporters, Customs House Agents are directly of indirectly related to CFS business. The main income of the Government comes by way of collecting duty.      

Following are some pictures of Containers, Reach Stacker etc. 

Palakkadan Nongu

Palm Fruit (Nongu & Pananga) is now become a regular scene in our streets. Most of the Palm Fruits are coming from Palakkad district. Earlier the fruit was sold in Palakkad District only. But now it has become popular among people of other districts also. Most of the people who sell the fruit in Ernakulam/ Tripunithura areas belongs from Palakkad. 

I had purchased the fruit from a road side seller for Rs.20/- and I got only 4 pieces of Nongu, which is available in one fruit (Rs.5 per piece). The taste is almost similar as of tender coconut.  It helps our body keep cool and thereby gets some relief from the rising heat of the sun. 

When I raised doubts about the availability of the same in Ernakulam, the street seller told me that the Palm Fruits are supplying from Palakkad. There are so many people from Palakkad are now selling this fruit in various parts of Ernakulam District.     

Palm Fruits are placed in a road side for sale. 

A street seller removing the Nongu and keeps in the palm leaves, which is placed on the pot. 

When you see the sale of Palm Fruit in road side for sale, stop your vehicle and have the fruit pieces and feel the difference.

Accidental death of an Ex-Service men

Manu Sanker, who is an Ex-Service men aged 40 years, died following a bike accident near Mararikulam in Alappuzha, district. The container lorry which involved in the accident has left away from the place soon after the accident.

The important thing is to be noted in this incident that nearly one hour he was lying in the accident site with a pool of blood. The local people and the passengers passing through the spot have failed to take him to the nearby hospital, soon after the accident. 

The matter was communicated by some body to the Mararikulam Police station, but they didn't respond by saying that the accident spot is not within their limit. In their response the accident happened within the jurisdiction of Mannamcherry Police Station. 

Mr.Sumesh had taken initiative to take him to the General hospital and from there to Medical College hospital. As advised by the doctors, it was decided to shift the patient to a private hospital in Ernakulam District. But the employees of the ambulance "108" had informed them that they have not obtained necessary permission to move the ambulance vehicle to other districts. Finally, they had arranged another ambulance from Thiruvalla and shifted him to the private hospital in Ernakulam District, from where Manu Sankar was died. 

If Manu Sankar gets timely medical aid immediately after the accident, the death could not be happened. This type of attitude from the police and other responsible persons towards a person who had served for our country could have been avoided. 

Now a days, the number of accidents and number of accidental deaths have been increased drastically. 

The people always fearing about the procedures they have to be faced after taking an injured person to a hospital. Hence this type of procedures should be liberalized immediately and to conduct proper awareness campaign about this.   

Police Officials who didn't give timely attention to Manu should be punished and to inquire about the nonavailability of permission to the ambulance driver to move the vehicle to other districts. The authorities should look into the above facts for reducing the accidental death in future.      

Vishukkani and Vishu Kaineettam

Vishu Kani is the most important event of Vishu. Vishu Kani literally means "the first thing to be seen on Vishu day". Vishu Kani is a traditional ritual of arranging several auspicious things to be seen on the Vishu dau in the early morning. Some of the important things which are arranged include an idol of Lord Krishna, Nilavilakku, Kanikonna flowers (Classia fistula), raw rice, golden cacumber, betel leaves, areacaunut, metal mirror, coins and coconut. The custom is that every member of the family has to wake up at dawn and go the puja room or the place where Vishukkani is arranged and open the eyes and see the Vishu Kani as the first sight for a better year ahead. 

We have celebrated the Vishu at Thakazhy, my native place, along with our family. All the family members were present on the Vishu day and seen the Vishu Kani which was arranged in our pooja room. Children were enjoyed this event with fire crackers. On the day of Vishu they got vishu kaineettam from the elder members of our family.

 Vishu Kaineettam is a ritual of giving money (earlier it was gold and silver coins) by elder members of the family to children, tenants and servants.

Beauty of GAVI

There are so many tourist spots in Kerala. But I was not aware of a place in the name of  "GAVI" which is a small beautiful tourist spot, in Pathanamthitta District in Kerala. But after watching the recently released malayalam film "Ordinary" alongwith my family, on last Sunday, I got a chance to watch the beauty of this place from the screen.

Now on the basis of  the information from this film,  Gavi has become a major attraction of Malayali tourists, across the country. The film, Ordinary,which has captured  the essence of Gavi's beautiful landscape, has conveyed a message to the people to visit this beautiful place and to enjoy the beauty of this place.

I have visited Munnar, twice, alongwith my family and enjoyed the beauty of that place. Now I am planning to visit GAVI, during this vacation.

Following pictures shows the beauty of this place.

After watching this picture, I am sure that you will definitely take a decision to visit Gavi, with your family and enjoy the beauty of this small tourist spot in our State.

Imported X-ray/Scan machines posing Health hazards

I am writing this blog on the basis of a news which I got about the serious health hazards due to the usage of imported X-ray machines having expired tubes.

People who go in for a CT scan or X-ray at hospitals and diagnostic centres are at serious radiation risk as most medical institutions in Kerala use junk X-ray tubes and CT scan machines discarded by Europe and the US.

People should aware that the Radiation devices, mainly X-ray tubes, whose five year life term has expired, are being imported to Kerala from United States and Europe in large number. Such devices cause serious health hazards.  It is said that the preliminary probes have revealed that the majority of imported devices are banned in the US and Europe due to high radiation risk. Some of the serious health hazards are:-

*Over exposure to X-ray radiation will cause swelling that turns into blisters.

*In the extreme cases, skin grafts or amputation may be required.

*Radiation will cause sterility in both men and women.

*Exposure of pregnant women to radiation will cause congenital deformity to foetus.

*Exposure to X-ray radiation increases risk of cancer.

The above informations were shocking to me. People who got prescriptions for X-ray or Scan from a doctor are not aware that they are going to get another serious health problems in addition to the existing disease, after the completion of X-ray/Scan. 

The hospital owners and owners of various other X-ray/Scan diagnostic institutions are concentrating only to their profits which they are getting by way of providing cheap quality machines imported from European Countries and US. These type of machines may be cheaper in the above countries. This may be the reason for purchasing these cheap quality products. 

Some institutions in Kerala are being offered various types of commissions by way of cash or other gifts to the Doctors who refer the patients to a particular institution. This offers some times may led some doctors to prescribe X-ray/Scan, even there is no actual requirement to the patients. They are not bothered about various health hazards which can be affected to the people due to X-ray/Scan. 

My humble request to all the doctors, not to prescribe X-ray/Scan, if the patient don't need to do the same. The authorities should also ensure to control import of this type of cheap quality machines, people in Kerala will face more health hazards, in future.   

Story of Easter

It is believed that on Good Friday, Jesus Christ was executed by crucifixion. After that his body was taken down from the cross, and buried in a cave. The tomb was guarded and an enormous stone was put over the entrance, so that no one could steal the body. On the following sunday, some women visited the grave and found that the stone had been moved, and that the tomb was empty. Jesus himself was seen that day, and for days afterwards by many people. His followers realised that God had raised Jesus from the dead.

Easter is the important Christian festival, and celebrated with great joy. Churches are filled with flowers, and there are some special hymns and songs for the occasion.

The other important this is to be noted that the date of Easter changes each year, and several other Christian festivals fix their dates by reference to Easter.

Increasing road accidents in Kerala

As per the recent study conducted by the Kerala Police, there were 698 deaths in connection with various accidents in different parts of Kerala, during January and February 2012. Hence more than 10 accidental deaths happened in a single day. The important thing is to be noted that, out of the 698 deaths, 309 were two wheeler riders and 241 were pedestrians.  

The above report should be analysed seriously by the concerned authorities and try to find out the exact cause of the accidents.

In my opinion, most of the accidents are being happened due to the consumption of liquor by the drivers. Now, due to the recent court order and the steps taken by the Police to check the drivers whether they consumed liquor while driving,  the number of accidents may be reduced at least in Ernakulam District, now. When compared to other districts, police authorities are taking more care for checking the vehicles in Ernakulam District. Hence if the authorities should take necessary steps to conduct state wide awareness campaigns and to take necessary steps to check the vehicles throughly and to punish the drivers who violates traffic rules, the road accidents can be reduced, to a certain extent, in future.    

The Government should also ensure the quality of the roads and the maintenance, in the state.

Cyber Fraud

I am writing this after reading a news with regard to a cyber fraud  case which involed in to the missing of cash Rs.11.14 lakh from a bank account of Dr.Shabeer Khan, who works at the Lakeshore Hospital, in Ernakulam, on March 30.

Three level of procedures are carried out to complete an online transaction. The fraudster first managed to access the unique customer ID and Password of Dr.Shabeer Khan. He then took a duplicate sim card in the name of Dr.Shabeer to get the pin number that will be sent by the bank to transfer the money from the account. After completing the first two steps, the bank sends the pin number as SMS to the registered mobile number of the account. This pin is required to complete the online transaction.  As per the preliminary probe, it was revealed that the money has been transferred to 20 various bank accounts spread across the branches of three private sector banks in different states.  

The important thing is to be noted in this case is the fraudster managed to get a duplicate sim to get the pin number. While issuing the duplicate sim card, the telecom operator did not verify the difference in the signature. This is a serious offence on the part of a telecom operator.

The enquiry may reveal the whereabouts of the account holders in which the amount was transferred and the police authorities may be managed to catch and punish the main person behind the incident.

The concerned employee of the telecom department who had issued the duplicate sim, with out verifying the signature, also should be punished. For preventing this type of fraud activities in the online banking sector, the present system should be strngthened. Then only people can avail online banking facility without any fear, in future.  

How we use water for our daily use

The National Institute of Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (NIIST) confirmed the dangerous percentage of Endosulfan, Benzene Hexachloride (BHC) and DDT in morethan 60 samples of water collected from the 64 spots of Periyar. The analysis conducted by the NIIST based on a High Court directive to study samples. The report filed by the NIIST also said that the water from Periyar is not suitable for use without treatment given the presence of pesticides.

The water from the Periyar is now using for drinking purposes by the majority of people in Ernakulam District. The water is said to be supplied to the people after conducting various purification methods. But there were several allegations about the supply of drinking water to various flats without conducting proper pruification. The percentage of chlorine in the drinking water is also high. 

In our home when we boil the water we feel a separate taste which is happened due to the high percentage of chlorine. We can't be able to drink the boiled water due to the bad taste.Hence we are using the water after purifying with the help of a water purifier.

The recent report of the NIIST revealed that the water is having dangerous percentage of Endosulfan, BHC and DDT which led to a feel that the people may affect various diseases by way of using the water from Periyar. By hearing the name of Endosulfan itself, our mind may immediately be led to various suffering of people in Kasargod District due to the spraying of this chemical in the cashew plantations and its subsequent ban. 

Hair falling and hair whitening in the age group of 25-38 may be due the long usage of  polluted periyar water, which is being supplied to our home. The authoritites should give more attention to inspect all the water treatment plants in Ernakulam District and to confirm whether these plants are taking more care for treating the water before supplying the water to the public.  

If well water is available in our compound, it is better use the water from the well for our daily use.

My daughter's memories in AAAM Chinmaya Vidyalaya

My daughter SRUTHI.S has recently completed her UKG in Ambady Ammu Amma Memorial Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Poonithura. In this school there are only LKG and UKG classes, in which 90 students in UKG and LKG are studying. The management and teachers in the school were concentrated each and every childrens activities and tried their level best to improve childrens abilities. They have taken more care about the students various activities/skills and conducted various stage programmes in school campus.

After completion of UKG, a convocation ceremony was conducted by the management on 24th March. Certificates were distributed to the students during this ceremony. The convocation ceremony was a big success with the full participation of parents. The teachers and management staff were expressed their feelings when the children moving out from the scool. Students and the parents left the scool premises with a lot of good memories.

From 1st standard to 4th they are going to study in the Junior chinmaya School, at Layam Road, and from 5th standard onwards they are going to study at Senior School, at Kannankulangara.

Following are some photos of various programmes conducted in school campus in which my daughter was participated. 

What is happening in our Indian Army?

The controversy started from the retirement age of Army chief General V.K.Sing now ended in a leakage of confidential letter that was written by him to the Prime Minister of India. Now the political parties demanded the resignation  of Defence Minister Sri.A.K.Antony, citing new disclosure about his "inaction" 

The retirement age controversy ended  with the direction of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India. Now  things have changed to bribe charge, Army Chief letter leak, Trucks deal, Tatra BEML deal, Defence procurement scam etc. 

Due to the recent controversies, some section of the people are raising doubts about the innocence of V.K.Singh and some others saying that the present incidents for preventing somebody's promotion to the post of  next Army Chief. The overall incidents have created a mood that there is some misunderstanding between the government and the Army Chief.  

Now it is heard that the Health Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad wrote to Mr.Antony on October 5, 2009, asking him to investigate the Tatra Trucks scam. But nothing was done at that time. This is the reason for raising the resignation of  Defence Minister, by the political parties. 

In my opinion whole incidents came up have created a bad impression about the country's defense system among people of India and at the international level. Also there is an impression that the scam in various deals is a general issue in the Army even the same is considering as the country's prestigious defense system. Hence proper attention should be given by the concerned authorities for changing this bad impression about the Indian Army. 

Wasteful claim of an additional Ministers post

Soon after the declaration of Piravom Assembly bye election results, the Indian Union Muslim League which is the second highest coalition partner, raised claim for getting an additional cabinet berth to them, and now the media is projecting the news related to this, citing various explanations of the leaders. 

Some section of the people are discussing about the percentage of minority, if an additional minister comes from IUML. Another section of the people are discussing about the total number of Ministers will rise to 21 and hence avoided. The leaders of the IUML claimed that they have 17 MLAs and hence should get an additional minister.

It is shameful to note that nobody is seen discussing about whether there is any actual requirement of an additional minister in the state cabinet. Now 19 ministers are holding charge of various portfolios in which 4 from IUML. Sri.Anoop Jacob, newly elected MLA may get cabinet berth soon, in place of his father late T.M.Jacob.

In this regard I wish to point out some serious issues related to this, if an additional minister is sanctioned which are noted as follows:-

1.The common man is paying various kinds of taxes and it holds a major share for the functioning of Government.

2. When a new minister took charge, he or she will immediately be appointed some people which are very close to the Minister to the post of driver, personal staff etc. 

3. These appointments are exclusively set apart for the people who are selected by the concerned Minister considering his political advise. 

4. Several other direct and indirect appointments in his office and in his official residents would also be made by the Minister. 

5. Travelling ,Telephone expenses are some of the other expenditures of a minister.     

All the above expenditures are going to meet from the public money contributed by the common man without getting any additional benefit to them. The benefits are going only to the concerned minister and his party.    

Nobody is bothered about this huge expenditures that are going to come from if an additional post of a Minister  is sanctioned without providing any additional benefits to common man. 

In my opinion, at present there is no requirement of an additional Minister in the State Cabinet. The Chief Minister and his party should take a strong stand on this issue for preventing the misuse of public money from state exchequer which are being contributed from the common man's pocket by way of various taxes.   

Canal Cleaning Move by Kochi Corpn.

It is interesting to see that the Cochin Corporation has started the canal cleaning drive before the rainy season, this year. The cleaning move started in the Warehousing Corporation Road, near South Railway Station. During rainy season water logging is a general problem in several part of the city especially in this area.

When rain continues from 30-45 minutes, waste water from the canal is entering in the western side of the road where several buildings of hotels and office of the Kerala State Warehousing Corporation are situated.  The hotel owners have already spent lakhs of rupees for constructing additionsl facilities to prevent the water from the canal entering in their premises, but in vain.

The main reason for the water logging in this area is the canal is filled with mud, plastic bottles, plastic carry bags etc. and even the human wastes coming from the nearby residential areas through pipes. The shop owners in the eastern side of the road are not caring about the wastes filled in the canal and even the wastes from their shops are flowing to this canal. The Corporation authorities are not able to clean the canal properly in this area since the shops are situated on the concrete slabs of the canals. This results the waste in the canal has accumulated in the absence of proper cleaning and hence waste could not be removed for the past nine years. This is the main reason for the waste water in the canal is overflowing to the surrounding areas during rainy season. The people coming to their offices and several tourists have been faced various diseases like rat fever when they were walking through the waste water. 

Now with the strong leadership of Deputy Mayor Bhadra with the support of local residents removed all the shops which was functioning on the concrete slabs for several years overcoming the strong protest from the shop owners. Wastes from the canal is now removing with the help of JCB. 

If the wastes now removed from the canal can be removed from the surrounding area, we can expect this area will be free from water logging, this year.

I am really appreciating all the local people who participated in the move and the Deputy Mayor who led the people, for taking this initiative to a successful manner for the betterment of the people.

Following are some of the pictures taken by me from this area.  

Waste from the canal kept in the road side. Concrete slabs are also seen. 

 A shop is now placed near side of the road which was earlier situated on the concrete slab crossing the canal

 The view of the place where several shops were situated.

 Cleaning move is going on with the help of JCB

Two shocking death incidents in East Delhi

I am writing this after reading a paper news about two incidents in East Delhi which led to the death of a one and half year old child and seven year old girl.

One of the death incident, Alima, who was a one half year old child, while playing hide and sleek with her mother fell to from the 4th floor of thier apartment building at Mandanwali. It is reported that inspite of their repeated requests to put a mesh or cover the gaps, nothing has been done by the RWA authorities.

Another death incident, Sheeba, seven year old girl, while on her way to a park, fell in to an underground water tank through the man hole which had left open. It is reported that the water tank is being used by the Delhi Fire Service. But they are saying that the water tank is now being used by the Delhi Jal Board  and the Delhi Municipal Corporation was responsible for the maintenance of the tank. While the Delhi Jal Board officials said that it was a Delhi Fire Service tank and the Municipal Corporation of Delhi was constructing a foot path there and they pointed the finger to Delhi Fire Service. 

While reading this news, I got a feel that the above two incidents were occured due to the lapse on the part of authorities. The responsible persons are blaming each other for covering their lapse. In my opinion, this type of incidents should open the eyes of the authorities for preventing such incidents in future.       

Bribe offer to Army Chief

It is shameful to hear that the confession of Chief of the Army Staff General V.K. Singh's that he was offered the bribe for clearing a file with regard to the purchase of tranche of 600 vehicles. The interesting thing to be noticed is that he had informed this issue to the Defence Minister A.K. Antony and the involvement of a retired officer who now works as a mediator. Finally the country's Defence department is now under the scanner and led to the CBI inquiry. 

It is further heard that there is no written complaint was made about this by the Army Chief. 

If the CBI inquiry proves any illegal involvement from any part in this deal, it would adversely be affected the reputation of our Defence service. 

News Paper Agents Strike

A glass of tea with newspaper in the morning. This was the habit of 90% malayalees upto last sunday. But from the morning of 19th March 2012 we are not getting news paper and hence this habit is now changed. During further enquiry, it was learnt that the news paper agent's have been started strike by demanding to increase their commission.  Being a regular news paper reader in the morning, I was also in search of newspaper in the morning of last monday. Several times I came out from my residence in the morning for searching newspaper. Then it was noticed that some of the paper boys were carrying news papers and sending in some near by residences. Immediately I contacted our agent and enquired the reason for not getting the news paper. He then informed me that they are joined in strike and some agents are not participating in the strike. The non striking agents may be supplying paper in our areas. Due to my habit in the morning to get a news paper at the time of bed coffee, it was informed to my agent that I am going to ask another agent who is not in strike to supply news paper to me also. Next day I got the same on 21st. But from the next day morning I have not received the paper and after some time I came to know that all the agents are now stopped the news paper supply due to the pressure of striking agents.

Now the strike has entered on the 5th day and now I have been able to have coffee in the morning without reading news paper. For getting news in the morning now I have started to read e-paper in the morning by spending at least 45 minutes in the morning. 

The Labour Minister has already taken intitatives and decided to invite the striking agents and news paper owners for a discussion on 26th. But now we are getting reports that the news paper owners will not be participating in the discussion. Hence there is no chance for ending this strike. In my opinion, if the present commission is low, it should be enhanced to some extent. 

If the strike continues, the malayalees will be soon shifted to e- news paper or to watch TV channels. This may be adversely affected the news paper business, which is a highly profitable one.      

Sugarcane Juice

Now it is a regular scene in our road side some people are engaged in operating a machine (as shown in the picture) for making sugarcane juice and served to the needy people. They are removing the first layer part of the sugarcane and the sugar cane stick is directly being passed through the centre part of the machine while it rotating. When passing through between the two iron rods, the juice came out from the stick and it collected in a separate pan. Some times ginger with lemon also being added for getting extra taste. This is good for health also.  I have purchased one glass of sugarcane juice from a road side seller on the way to North Parur and they had charged Rs.20 per glass of juice. It was a good taste. Now due to the heat during the day time is very high, there are so many people were waiting to have juice. Usually, this kind of juice is not available in other shop which sells other type of juice. The reason for this, for making sugar cane juice, a separte machine is required and it is not possible to make the juice in a shope which have less space.

Since the juice is preparing mostly near the road side or near the temple festival premises, there is more chance for getting the stick covered with dust from the air due to the frequent plying of vehicles, especially during this hot climate.     

A man is preparing the Sugarcane Juice with the help of machine and sugarcane sticks are kept on his left side   

Extract of sugarcane kept near the machine after taking juice from the stick.