ഇപ്പോള്‍ വീട്ടിലിരുന്നു കമ്പനി മീറ്റിങ്ങുകളി ല്‍ വോട്ട് ചെയ്യാം!

ഓഹരി വിപണിയില്‍ ഉള്ള കമ്പനികളുടെ ഓഹരി ഉടമകള്‍ക്ക്  വീട്ടിലിരുന്നും കമ്പനി യോഗങ്ങളി ല്‍ വോട്ട് ചെയ്യാം.

[ഈ ലേഖനം CompanyCricket.blogspot.in -ലേക്ക് മാറ്റി]

[This post has been moved to CompanyCricket.blogspot.in]

Bud of Hope

Parijat:  Nyctanthes arbor-tristis (Night-flowering Jasmine)

[This post was originally shared on October 2009 on "gather' -the networking space which had a premature end. But similarly and unfortunately the plant also died. Last June 2013 I bought a sapling and today, May 15, 2014 we saw the first flower! 2022-July- up above the roof so high!]

It is exciting to have a tree of #Parijat (Pavizhamalli -local) in your garden.

 

We have been searching for a sapling since long time.

When we found one in the local temple, the old man there refused a branch saying one cannot take it from a temple garden!

But we found one unexpectedly at another place and cracked a small branch. 

It was so small. We put it for one night in water and next morning I planted it. Alas! That day the sun was so hot that the branch dried and by evening all the leaves were brown! 

We kept watering. After two days the rain began. Good rain for two weeks. 

At the top edge of the part above the ground, there was this bud!

The tree of hope!

Then alas! It died again..........!

The new sapling brought last year (June 2013) was good. It grew. Look how big the leaves are!

Then there was this flower bud yesterday (May 14, 2014)!!!!!

and today we saw the first flower at last!

Mythology

The scriptures tell us that the original Parijata tree was brought to earth by Lord Krishna from the heavenly abode of Indra. The presently known Parijata trees were named after this legendary tree due to their beautiful and sweet fragrance. Each morning the Parijat flowers must be gathered from the ground, as they fall from the tree daily as soon as opening.

(Ref: Krishnastore.com)

Reference: Wikepedia: (acknowledgement:snaps of flowers- from net with thanks)

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Parijata.jpg

[Krishna Uproots the Parijata Tree, Folio fromBhagavata Purana (Ancient Stories of the Lord), 1525-1550 Painting]

Parijat appears in several Hindu myths. In one myth, which appears in Bhagavata Purana, the Mahabharata and the Vishnu Purana, Parijat appeared as the result of the Samudra manthan (Churning of the Milky Ocean). In another myth, Parijat was brought to earth byKrishna from Indra's garden.

In Hindu mythology, there is a story involving Lord Krishna about a parijat and Krishna's two wives, Satyabhama and Rukmini. Satyabhama wanted this "Parijat" tree from the Heaven to be planted in her garden. Rukmini too, took a fancy to the flower. Krishna, wanting to keep both his wives happy, planted this tree so that the flowers fell in Rukmini’s garden while the tree remained in Satyabhama’s garden.

The tree was planted in the garden of Indra, the Lord of Heavens. Even as Krishna stole a branch of the tree he was spotted by Indra. However, Indra desisted from placing a curse on Krishna since he was an incarnation of Vishnu. Still, Indra put forth a curse on the stolen branch that it will never bear fruit even though the flowers may bloom on the tree. Since the day the tree was planted at Barabanki (the wives' garden), it flowers but does not reproduce, because it has no seeds and the branch cannot take root.

Not only the tree has high medicinal values in Ayurveda and is divine to Hindus, but also has it's share of stories of it's romantic origin. According to hindu mythology, Parijathaka a princess was in love with sun and failed to win his heart,even after trying a lot. So She comitted suicide and from her ashes rose the tree parijatha. Unable to stand the sight of her love, she blooms only during night and sheds all the flowers (resembling tears) before the sun rises or with the touch of very first sun rays. The highly fragrant flowers bloom during night spreading there essence all to the surroundings. The courtyards filled with these flowers in the very morning is a bliss to eyes and their aroma arises your spirit. These are apparently only flowers that Hindus offer to GOD picked from the ground instead of plucking from the tree.

Oh! Lord, Bless us, as we could see the first flower this auspicious morning!

An update on August 05, 2016 The plant is up as a tree! 

Got this article link today 2022-07-10 from the second url. 
1 https://pharmeasy.in/blog/health-benefits-of-parijat-leaves-and-flowers/

2 https://www.thebetterindia.com/290377/how-to-grow-parijat-tree-at-home-harsingar-flower-night-jasmine/

Me Forever ….a Spectacular Prospect!

Me Forever ….a Spectacular Prospect!

Now I know who I shall become. Literally.

Move over Mr. James Bond. This is not another joke. I have just made that final decision. Mr. Bond should be interested, as I am going to glitter forever. Yes, I have found my passion. I was wondering about my future, ever since I was a child. While I was lying on my mother’s lap, I was told numerous stories about those twinkling stars in the sky. I was told, if I behaved as a good boy, I could become one, like Dhruva, some day. I do not know if I could keep that promise. Just note down, I might even be more famous than Barrack Obama. Stars are anyway so high up there that common men like me ended up loving their parallels in so many carats.

I knew my parents who knew their parents who knew their parents and that were perhaps the limit. At least for us common folks! This is all going to change, Oh! My dear champions of change, and soon we will all know who our great grandfathers were, if ‘Algordanza’ has its way. Do not confuse with Al Gore, though it certainly has an environmental connotation. I shall speak about that towards the end.

I am planning to become a Diamond. A Diamond! And believe me; its value will depend upon the carat and NOT on my value in this world. Even there, some inequality will be there, but I do not care. This is the epitome of ego I can think of (but cannot wear) and I am happy that E M Forster could not have imagined this. He could think of only ego from all possessions. This one will be transferred to up coming generations and I can sparkle as an adornment on my successor’s necks for years on without wearing and worrying, and letting them worrying about me, for a change.

I am told Algordanza is in the eastern Swiss Canton of Graubuenden, but I do not care as they are expanding and moreover they wouldn’t mind picking up my ashes as it will cost nothing compared to the 4500 to 17000 odd Swiss francs, that my successors will have to shell out to the Company. Successors will not worry as they will get something which adds value every year without any continuous outgo! Definitely maintenance costs, but a trifle I hope they might bear willingly for wearing me.

“Oh! This is just wild imagination”, did you say? No. The Company means business, if we can believe AFP. Potassium (K) and Calcium (Ca) which makes up about 85% of the ashes are first separated from Carbon. It is then subjected to high pressure and heat @1700 degrees C. The process compresses it into graphite, a carbon allotrope which is structurally a different form of carbon. More pressure and heat are applied on graphite to turn it into the hardest allotrope of carbon. It takes just eight weeks!

Well, can I have a unique one made on that precious soul; is that what you are asking? No way. You can get it documented. All this sounds interesting? Yes, by this way mankind can have numerous collections of diamonds in a few centuries! Is the technology invented now? AFP does not say anything. I do not know.

Just imagine, Poor Prince Myshkin could have avoided the embarrassment on the train to St. Petersburg, had he worn a diamond of those Late Myshkins. Oliver could have saved the trip to London had he just flashed that little lozenge around his neck. Poor Huckle, Petite……..now I am sad. You are telling me that these books and many like them, which are said to be the Gems of world literature, could not have been written as they lose face in front of diamonds, as the new documented ancestry evidence.

But we cannot resist change. Change is forever.

Environmentalists over the world, unite fast, you have nothing to lose except your bones! Diamonds are forever! So what are you waiting for? And mind me; this one is not for those who prefer that long sound sleep in cramped spaces. It rewards those who are willing to go off in ashes and smoke literally after that strenuous journey called Life.

(Indebted to The Hindu for news on July 11, 2008 and in turn AFP)

(July 2008)

Women of the Weak Topic

Fyodor Dostoevsky refers to a gruesome murder on the opening chapters of ‘The Idiot’. He was referring to ‘Crime and Punishment’, but he being Dostoevsky, was without doubt reacting to the deterioration in contemporary social life in Russia at that time.

We are presently reading about a similar dreadful event in an ‘advanced’ world where a much educated married female colluded with her lover to finish off her current family. So much for ‘harmony at work’! It is a long journey from the Ape to the Man and many are there who could not finish it yet.

Years ago, a leading publication in India came out with a cover story on the Women of epics wherein bloodshed was the order. It was with great enthusiasm that one started reading this rather disappointing compilation by different authors. The editors in this case obviously presupposed ‘epic’ to be ‘Indian’. Even among those Indian, they chose only Ramayana and Mahabharatha. They chose ten females without any hint of the syllogism in choosing the names or them in any ratiocinative order. Who were they? Sita, Draupadi, Tara, Kunti, Kaikeyi, Gandhari, Satyavati, Mandodari, Ganga and Ahalya.  

There were no authentic names on the subject. Writers spread their self-indulgence throughout the blurb, without giving a new slant to any story. The story failed to suggest what is parallel for the modern woman. Is it feminism? Is it life and times of women post 2000? It did not give any direction to the reader, apart from the usual rhetoric. Except one, nobody visualized the psychological perspective of the characters in the epics, with suggestions to the modern woman. However, she too escaped by quoting instead of sharing her views.

Two of the selected characters, Kaikeyi and Gandhari, did not have multiple spouse (or were not so accused) and may stand apart as unique role models for the new woman. It is not explained why they are among the others.  ‘Little known facts’ are sometimes misleading as in the cases of Tara and Kaikeyi. Tara is a well-respected figure in Ramayana. Sugreeva protects her by taking her as ‘wife’ and not as outrageously suggested by sexual relationship. One should doubt Sugreeva’s capability for that! Kaikeyi of course went with Bharatha, among others to meet Lord Rama, immediately after Dasaratha’s death.

Let us take one by one,

 Sita

Sita was the reason for the epic ‘Ramayana’. The sole purpose of Avatar of Lord Rama was to kill Ravana. He fails in life afterwards. The situation involving disappearance of Sita is to be further researched as it is close to self abdication by sinking into an abyss. Why the bard refused Sita ‘Swargarohana’ or ‘Moksha’ like others? Is Lord Krishna making up the folly of Lord Rama by protecting 16008 women as wives and caring for numerous Gopikas? Is Radha, a repetition of Sita?

 Draupadi

Draupadi’s relationship with Lord Krishna is not examined. Lord Krishna however, saw her as the life partner of Arjuna, Krishna’s cousin and close friend.

All the same let us not forget that Krishna also perceived his sister Subhadra as the chariot of Arjuna! During the time just before the War, was Lord Krishna remorseful about Draupadi? Krishna blesses her that all her wishes would come true. If she could not keep her karma, by loving Arjuna more than others, how could this failed character be a role model?

Tara

We should not miss the advice of Lord Rama to Tara after Bali’s death. She has to live to make Angada, the King. Here, everybody understands Sugreeva as a frivolous character. He is survived because of his intelligent ministers. Sugreeva sends Tara to pacify an angry Lakshmana when Sugreeva fails to deliver help in finding Sita. After Ravana’s death, Sita insists on meeting and bringing Tara to Ayodhya. Tara did command respect.

 Kunti

Kunti had the most troublesome life. That she is adopted explains many things? This must be why she looked beyond to seek happiness. Only Lord Krishna could foresee that she couldn’t feel comfortable in Hastinapura after the death of King Pandu. This is why he sends a messenger. She was of Yadu clan and was among wily Kshatriya Kuru kings and ministers.
 If a female child was unwelcome in those days, how come a king adopts her? If Dharmaputra carried the image of sage Vidura, then whose image Karna carries to be called, ‘Suryaputra’? In the light of stories of child abuse, she is a role model in stark contrast.

 Kaikeyi

She was the most beautiful queen among the wives of Lord Dasaratha. She helped Dasaratha in war, sitting beside him! We understand that on the occasion of the name giving ceremony of all young princes, Guru named Bharatha so because he is to be an expert in ruling the country. So, he is rightfully the King. Here, it was the tradition, which necessitated in his abdication of throne. (The same tradition, later do not help Prince Duryodhana in Hastinapura!) Once her role is over, Kaikeyi is forgotten in Ramayana. Only Lord Rama understood and continued to support her, despite once losing patience over the suffering of Sita.

Gandhari

Gandhari had to marry Dhritrashtra, who was the eldest of the two Kuru Princes. Remember that all other kings were afraid of Prince Bheeshma. Gandhari blindfolded and sacrificed her life. Duryodhana is their eldest son and Hastinapura should naturally belong to him. When Akroora reached Hastinapura at the behest of Lord Krishna, the knowledgeable King sends him back, saying, will of the God prevails. Why should Gandhari curse Lord Krishna after the war? Lord Krishna does not give any detailed teaching of Dharma to her at this stage, so unlike him, but bows to destiny. Gandhari stands in contrast to Kaikeyi.

Satyavati

She has little to offer to any woman. She has not made any decision, all by herself which could affect the epic Mahabharata. Even if it was she, who demanded her sons to inherit the throne, she might only have learned from past ‘mistakes,’ and to look beyond. She was however not in a position to prevent any alternative outcome.

 Mandodari

Her resemblance to Sita must be peripheral. It is said that she survived a lost daughter to the Sea. Mandodari knew that her husband’s actions would land him in trouble. When Ravana managed to get all around him including his son killed, this was so intolerable that she looses her patience and aids Angada in a certain way to disrupt Ravana’s ‘Homa’. Ravana, is one who was destined to be killed only by Lord Rama. Mandodari is a role model in endless patience and tolerance and not as suggested to be an early (helpless) acolyte of Ravana.

 Ganga

When analyzing Ganga’s actions, we should think why the eight vasus did not wish to live on earth after their birth. Is it OK if a sage curses somebody to be ‘born’ on earth? The eight vasus were taking refuge in a slip of tongue by the sage Vasistha. Vasistha meant that they should experience the agony of life on earth. Ganga obliges to save them. Now, this is a most precious thought as unlike any other occasion, we come close to the biblical belief that if born on earth, one suffers and might do evil. Traditional Hindu thought follows that, through birth as ‘man’, one can lead life to Moksha (Purushartha), whereas no other form of life has this benefit. One gets this special form, after being born in several other forms. What do we learn, then, from Ganga?

 Ahalya

Versions on her story differ. One view is that Indra took the guise of sage Gautama to sate his selfish lust. Gautama on his return from bathe sees Indra’s semblance and questions him, upon which, he curses Indra. We don’t know the truth except that she was to await Moksha by the touch of another man!

 Victims of a virtuous world

 Many women characters in Epics like Ramayana and Mahabharatha, are made victims of the circumstances. They were as confused as we are when they had to make important decisions. The result was war, destruction, agony and suffering. Lord Krishna stands apart.  He was the ultimate teacher and protector. Yet, he could not prevent the end. He could not influence everybody.

Despite the above examples and most modern psychological help, we are seeing that Men and Women lack ability for logical reasoning and analysis, in expressing emotions. It is a long way to a satisfactory emotional quotient for everybody! We are seeing the end result, all around us.

In the Ahalya’s case for example, can we say that, if both were aware of the attraction for each other (as suggested in one version) and if they analyzed the alternatives, results could have been different!

We all should learn on our ‘response’ to emotions. We need learning and not role models and this is unfortunately continuous throughout life. We can become better individuals. It is a choice.

----------------------

Hope, Audacity and a Hijack

(Foreword: One of my first( July 2008); it was well received saying ‘powerful’! India is going to Polls this week after 6 years and US in two years. It would be interesting to look back after reading this! Good Luck!)

I confess ignorance about the American mind!

I am aware that a lot of Indians and among them, so many 'Mallus' have settled there and some are its respected citizens. All I know is that it has cosmopolitan culture with a strong democracy and fundamental citizen rights including free speech. Its currency is still the most accepted international legal tender. Though it is criticised for playing the world police, there is no credible alternative to its present policies.

Back in India, another democracy, some of us are pelting stones at everything American. We torch Mr. Bush's effigy. We can't accept the nuke deal and therefore get uranium for our reactors. We prefer darkness to globalization. State of Kerala in India has the most number of rivers. Yet, we cannot have another hydro electric station because that will kill our environment and endanger rare species of animals and plants. Atomic stations are a no no due to dense population and high costs, while thermo power stations face no objections, whether they are polluting or not. We should have something, right? We have to sit in darkness for half an hour every night between 6~10 p m. Day times it is usually the other way round. We have electricity as a guest. We have accepted power cuts as natural and socialistic like rations in the good old days! We amaze at the development happening in other States in India. We like to live in paucity. We are slowly becoming cynical. Everything American has to be despised, even if it is good, because it comes from imperialism and capitalism. Not so about Barack Obama.

 Here comes somebody who talks about change. Someone who says values and virtues are indispensable for a country much like its growth of GDP. He says as a country, America has empathy deficit to understand 'feelings' of other countries. Who else can say this credibly than Obama Jr.? But I still think he is 4 years younger for the top job. What he should have done is to become the vice president nominee and then later become the President. But why not? Americans ask us. With all the support, will he make it to the top job, nobody can say. What happened to Al Gore?

 It is difficult to predict America. Anybody can hope to make a fortune there, but to enter the minds and get through the primaries should be tougher than going through the eye of the needle!

I must confess I was with Hillary. I do not know what happened. It is not just the phenomenon; it is a little bit of impatience or lack of understanding and perseverance. The undercurrent was very high. We heard a lot about a New York Mayor. Nothing happened. Are Americans averse to accept a woman on top?

Now as everything is over, we have to look forward to the 'Phenomenon'. Of course he is! Only I am late in accepting him. Or, like Americans, I did not take him seriously from the very beginning. Here is the story.

In Nairobi, Kenya, Hussain Onyanko Obama was a cook to Christian missionaries during World War I. He has visited Europe and India when he served in the British Royal Army. He accepted Islam at Zanzibar and added Hussain to his name. He had three wives. Obama Senior was born to Akuma but was brought up by Onyanko's third wife Sarah. Though born in Kenya, Barack Obama Sr. was a brilliant young man who got scholarship to study in America. At age 23, he joined Hawaii University to study Economics. In Manama, he met Ms Ann Dunham, a fair and beautiful young lady. Against all odds, they got married on February 2, 1961. Those days it was difficult for a white lady to marry an African. But Ann was a liberal like her parents and who could think above sectarian beliefs. Barack Obama Jr. was born to this couple on August 4, 1961.

It is amazing to read how Ann brought up our Obama. Obama Sr. and Ann separated as fast as their union. Obama Sr. received an opportunity to study in Harvard. He wanted to leave Hawaii.
Ann was a feminist and was a liberal when (in those days) there were no liberals and feminists. Much unlike them, who throw the wedding ring in river or to auctioneers with bitterness, Ann, infact kept the relationships and whenever she could, allowed Obama Sr. to communicate with our Obama.  Obama was very happy to meet his father when he was 10 years old, and when Obama Sr. came to Hawaii.

Ann was married to Lolo Soetero, an Indonesian and young Obama settled with them in Djakarta along with his sister Maya who was by then born to the couple. Ann was an agnostic and she read a lot of religious books and encouraged Obama and her sister to read the Bible, Hindu Upanishads, Buddhist and Taoist teachings etc. She brought home cassettes of Martin Luther King Jr. Obama remembers his mother as the greatest influence in his life.

Obama liked to be back in Hawaii for his High School. Like any child, he wanted to be close to Grandpa and Grandma. At the age of ten, he studied in Honolulu in the renowned Punahau School. Madeleine Dunham was then Vice President of Bank of Hawaii.

Ann's second marriage was by now facing rupture. In 1980, they separated. Ann was still doing field work in Djakarta as part of her studies about Japanese handicraft in Indonesia. Hawaii University gave a Doctorate to her in Anthropology. She worked for United States Agency for International Development, Ford Foundation, and Women's World Bank. By now a Cancer Patient, she was back in Hawaii in 1994.

 Obama studied in Occidental College for 2 years and then did his Graduation at Columbia University in Politics and International Relations. Came 1988 and he joined Harvard Law School. He was the first black president in the history of Harvard Law Review in its history of 104 years!

In 1991, he took the Law degree and taught constitutional law at Chicago University as part time lecturer from 1993 to 2004. He worked as a summer associate in Sydney and Austin, where he met his wife Michelle Robinson. Their first date, a movie -Spike Lee's "Do the right thing" -was indeed helpful! They got married in 1992 and have two daughters Malia and Sasha.

Ann always told Obama and Maya stories about how Negroes in South America became Scientists, Doctors and Advocates by studying donated books. She always told them that to be a Black is to be the owner of a great inheritance. In 1995, she died. Her body was cremated in Hawaii. Obama remembers her agility, her bountiful happiness and her ability to astound.

The hijack is nothing but the seizing of our attention to this new phenomenon. But when I read about Ann, I do understand. The image I am getting from what Obama says is that the new American is a soul searching and responsible individual. Obama seems to be a responsible Individual. He is brought up to be so. Being spiritual is not being a victim to false beliefs.

To read and understand Indian Upanishads with a critical mind is not easy. It is the distance between today's Rasputin like Swamis and our Nithya Chaithanya Yati. After all it is the ability of mind and imagination which equates 'Narayana' with cosmic body. It is the same ability of the Good Samaritan. It is very easy to dub all Asian religions obscure. It takes about the same effort Ann took to understand them. It needs the same tolerance level she had for keeping relationships for her children with their respective fathers. To learn one has to read and should be listening to learned Gurus. Spending days in Himalayas with some narcotic addicts will not make any body a learned one.

Sadly Ann's tolerance and passion for knowledge is what we are missing today. May be due to MCPs, may be due to FCPs. What we need are more Anns for more Obamas. Not Madonnas. Ms Rice might make it, Ms Hillary may have to wait or let us have hopes on Ms Chelsea for instance. For the American Woman, the trip to the top is long. Let us hope Ann's dreams will come true.

The new found acceptance of Obama in India is coming from the hypocrisy of Indians. Is it because it rings like Osama? Obama equals Obama and America equals only America. Be it Rice among the Republicans or Obama for the Democrats, I do not think change will happen that fast. It is a long long road.

  (Story of Obama is adapted from K Balakrishnan Nair's 'Obama equals Obama' in Malayalam Weekly June 27, 2008.Views expressed here are strictly personal views of the author.)

(July 2008; Gather)

Rice and Our Culture

 “On each rice corn, the name of the person entitled to eat the same is engraved”¹

Do you know what the words, ‘Honda’ and ‘Toyota’ mean? I am told they mean Paddy fields! When I was in Hong Kong and China, I was surprised to find that, like us Malayalees, they drink 'Congee' and call it so.

There is no need to emphasize the relation we Keralites have with rice. It is the staple food of Keralites along with Coconut. We cannot live without these two, though recently due to globalization of tastes, our food habits are changing. When we travel back from New Delhi, in ‘Kerala Express’, we eagerly wait for the Train to cross the border of State of Andhra Pradesh, so we get rice and curd! That is how we are attached to rice. Our Govt is forced to sell rice at Rs 1/- a Kg to obviate poverty, when a Kg of branded ‘Matta’ rice costs up to Rs 42/- (1USD = Rs 60)

 Recently I had a chance to go through the history of rice. The prompt was a small article written by V Mithran in Malayala Manorama Daily, particularly “Metro Manorama –Rasagula” on September 22, 2012.

According to Irfan Habeeb, historian, who wrote “Farmers in Indian History”, India first cultivated rice during 2000 B C. It is believed that China raised paddy 6500 years ago. In England, the word ‘rice’ was used for the first time probably in the 13^th Century. Science called it ‘Oriza Sativa’. The word came from the Latin word, ‘Orisi’. According to Historians, this came from ‘Arisi’ in Tamil! The legend has it that, in the Kurukshetra War, the Chera King of Kerala participated and he was in charge of supplying food to both sides, Kauravas and Pandavas.

We know that we had our “Nellaras” or three large rice sources in Palghat, Kuttanad and Nachinad.

In Kuttanad, It was late Joseph Muricken of Kavalam who acted as ‘Lord Parasurama’ to retrieve the 2150 acres of paddy fields, 3 Metres below sea level, from Vembanad lake.

According to V Sankaran Nair, who wrote the book, “Nellum Samskrithiyum” (Rice and Culture), ‘Nanchinad’ came from the word, ‘Nanchil’, which means ‘Njengol’ or ‘Langalam’ in Sanskrit, or ‘Kalappa’ in Malayalam -used to plough rice fields. He tries to establish that in human history, rice was first cultivated in Nanchinad. It is supported by the view of Lou Vevanchun, a Soviet scholar. The birth day of rice is celebrated in the day Makam in Kanni Rasi in Kollavarsham, the Malayalam Calendar. According to him, it is also related to our Goddess ‘Kanya Kumari’ at the southern tip of India.

Recently we have been forced to quit rice farming. Large tracts of rice fields are left idle or are being converted for commercial purposes. Illegal or reckless sand mining has transformed paddy fields into water logged deep pools. In Aranmula and Idukky, Airports are proposed threatening the extinction of rice cultivation. Those who raised the slogan “the rice fields we harvest will be ours one day” have moved onto blue and white collar jobs and today we are unable to do manual jobs. Labour comes from Bihar, Bengal or even Bangladesh!
In India, the State of West Bengal stands top with 15.80% and State of Andhra Pradesh comes second with 12.71% in rice production. Today Rice comes for us from the State of Andhra Pradesh! We are not in the first 10 rice producing States.²

The State of Kerala ranks Seventeenth in area of cultivation among the states of India. Kerala is a deficient state in rice production. While the estimated requirement of rice for the state is 35-40 lakhs t/year, it produces less than one-fifth of its requirement.³ (Lakh = 1/10 million)

Years	Area (Lakh ha)	Production (Lakh tonnes)	Productivity (Kg)
1960-61	7.90	10.68	1,371.00
2001-02	3.22	7.03	2,182.00
2009-10	2.34	6.25	2,671.00

The share of rice in the total cropped area also showed a steep decline ie, from 33.2 percent in 1960-61 to 12.01 percent in 2003-04. Productivity is high because of the increase in cycles and not because of any increase in yield!

This is a matter of great concern. What shall happen if there is a famine? We must do a lot of introspection.

[Adapted from a Speech in 2012 prepared for Project VII- Competent Communication Manual- Toastmasters International and published in ‘gather’- November 2012]

References:

1. A saying –Kahlil Gibran? Quran?

2. (Source: Maps of India/06.01.2012)

3. (Source: Rice Knowledge Management Portal RKMP)/ [S. Leena Kumari, Professor & Head, Rice Research Station, Monkompu, Thekkekkara P.O.Alleppey District. Kerala 688 503]

4. Nellum Samskrithiyum- V Sankaran Nair- Bhasha Institute, Kerala

Tree of a different species

(February 2013- initially shared on 'gather')

One of the blessings of our native language is that we have a name for every tree around us. And I am sad why the English man has to add the suffix ‘tree’ to every flora that grows above me, has roots, and branches or grand foliage of its own. 

For him, it is Mango Tree, Apple Tree, Jackfruit Tree, Redwood Tree and what not tree. The logic is upside down. For us a Mavu gives Manga whereas for him, Mango is from a Mango Tree and so on.

.

We thought of sharing this different tree we found in the orchard.

The fruit is called ‘Kulamanga’. I leave it to you then to find out what the tree is called.

 I only request to pronounce it this way: ‘Kula’ as an ‘a is added to the last ‘l in ‘Call’ similar to the one before its first ‘l and ‘u same as in ‘put’! (Cull’a). Now Manga as such an ‘a is added to ‘pang’ while substituting P with M (Mang’a). Clear?

Not to be confused with ‘Mangakula’ this is same as a bunch of mangoes. And not to be again confused with ‘Kula Manga’ when ’l is as in love and ‘ng is as in Mango which means a lady of a family of repute!

I could not find anything on Google or elsewhere but something which raised doubts about an African origin. No clues. Perhaps there is another name. I am no student of Botany.

Let us look at the beans inside the nut which is the edible part. They feel very tasty like almonds or its native varieties. The birds eat the small cover of flesh (fruit) and leave the nuts to us so there is no cause for a row except with squirrels.

A harvest of enough magnitude so the tree is even commercially viable I feel, if we make an arrangement with these birds and squirrels so we can mechanize extracting the beans from the nuts.

This is a young. The leaves are long and large but not as hard as of a Mango Tree, they resemble Malabar Nut.  The tree can grow as big as a Mango Tree. The bark also looks similar to a Mango Tree.

I am not sure if it is African or Asian or even South American. No idea of any medicinal properties or the content of these beans.

But I am sure many such species have been extinct in our State by the invasion of human habitats. We lost many native varieties of mango trees, rice and other local flora to commercial crops like rubber, cashew etc. I still remember the taste of a fruit from a shrub found in hilly terrain around our primary school which my friend called ‘Kara’ fruit. Not to be seen anymore as rubber invaded.

This one I have never seen or tasted before, so it looks nice and worthy of a share!