Margamkali no longer an integral tradition among Nazranis

By Sachin Jose
KOTTAYAM: Margamkali, a group dance performed by Nazrani community (Saint Thomas Christians) of Kerala, has now become a rarity due to westernisation.

     The word "Margam" or path refers to the Way of Cross, while the nilavilakku represents Jesus Christ and the performers his 12 disciples.

     In 1985, the art form was introduced as an item of competition in school festivals. Later, it was introduced at university level, where it became a subject of study, research and competition.

       Seventy-eight-year-old Chinnamma, a Margamkali Asatti (teacher), said, "Women are reluctant to wear the traditional chatta and mundu and they have forgotten the old traditions."

Revival of the Nehruvian Asian Axis

By Sachin Jose

     It was one of the Nehruvian dreams to create an Asian Axis after Second World War with India and China at its core. The Panchsheel principles were developed in the light of this vision. But it fell into disrepair owing to the 1962 Sino-Indian war.

    However, the two countries had peacefully co-existed as great civilisations for several millennia without having taken any belligerent move against each other. They were one of the leading centres of ancient culture and technology. Also, India and China were part of the ancient Silk Road and the colonial Spice Route.

    Likewise in the modern era, the two giants should hold hands together to retrieve the "lost riches of the East," which was plundered by colonial greed. Instead of considering each other as first-rate rivals, leading to border skirmishes and incursions, they must increase bilateral ties.

     A series of high-level meetings in the past five years has shown that China is keen to make an ally of India. But both countries need to refrain from provoking each other. China has to lessen their involvement in South Asia and the Indian Ocean littoral countries while India is obliged to refrain from interfering in the Pacific with Japan, the USA and the ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Nations).

     They have conducted strategic exercises together as part of counter-terrorism and maritime security. China must accept India’s hegemony in the Indian Ocean and the surrounding Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea, while India must leave the South China Sea and the western half of Pacific under the Chinese dominion.

      Both the nations have been working together in several organisations like G20 and BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa). Last year, the World Bank forecasted that the Sino-Indian bilateral trade would hit $100 billion (Rs 61,850 crore) by 2015 from $ 66.4 billion (Rs 41,068 crore) recorded in 2012.

     The two fast-growing economies need separate forums for themselves within the BRICS or G20. Also, there must be sharing of knowledge and culture so as to strengthen ties between people of both nations.

     Just because they are energy-hungry, they must not eat up each other. There are examples of historical enemies that have turned up as strong allies. Britain, France and Germany had fought each other for centuries, but European Union is now one of the peaceful regions in the world, which won them Nobel Peace Prize last year.

     Similarly, the two potential superpowers can mould Asia into a peaceful continent, which has the highest number of nuclear powers and thereby restore the Oriental hegemony. The governments of both nations must realize this fact so that their citizens shall once again chant the once popular mantra, “Hindi-Chini, bhai-bhai” – Indians and Chinese are brothers.

Vadavathoor to be shut down on Dec 31

By Sachin Jose

KOTTAYAM: The municipality is unsure of adhering to the Dec 31 deadline to stop dumping organic waste at Vadavathoor, while local residents insist on shutting it down the same day.

    According to the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) betweem Vijayapuram Panchayat and the municipality reached on July 6, all waste except organic shall be transported to the dumping yard from next year.

    However, Vijayapuram Panchayat President Baiju Cherukottayil said, "On New Year's Eve, the dumping yard will be shut down and even inorganic waste will not be allowed."

    A local resident, Raju Thomas, said, "We were betrayed by successive governments over years. We are ready to face the police and the court as we did six months ago, but no more garbage will be allowed here."

    But, Municipal Chairman MP Santhosh Kumar said that he is "not sure" of sticking to the deadline. "The municipality owns the plot of the dumping yard. However, we signed the MoU in the light of public interest."

    "The so-called Vadavathoor issue is fifty years old and we may not have a solution in six months," added Mr Kumar. "But, we have taken necessary measures, provided we receive support from the public." 

    However, District Collector Ajit Kumar, who chairs the Monitoring Committee to review the progress of waste management, said if either party fails to follow the MoU, the committee will take necessary action and the matter will be discussed Tuesday next.

Milma hoardings still carry banned 'fresh and pure' tag

...milk cooperatives across India allegedly use similar slogans

By Sachin Jose

KOTTAYAM: The hoardings set up by Milma here still display the banned “fresh and pure” tagline on their advertisements, which was to be removed on Oct 31 as per Kerala High Court order.

 The court had ruled that Milma (Kerala Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation Ltd.) was defrauding consumers by declaring the content as “fresh and pure” as it actually produced skimmed milk.

   However, Milma removed only the tags on the sachets, but not those on the hoardings. Apart from the flex boards at the Milma Dairy here at Vadavathoor, various outlets and booths of the cooperation still display the banned tagline.

   Minister for Dairy Development and Milk Co-operatives KC Joseph said that he will look into the issue and take necessary action, while Dairy Development Department Director KT Sarojini said that she will discuss the matter with Milma authorities.

   An employee at a Milma drive-in parlour here in Changanassery, Stilin Edward, said, “These hoardings are provided by Milma and even the walls are also painted by them. They are responsible for replacing the flex boards.”

   Vadavathoor Dairy Manager Tom Thomas said that the law is discriminating Milma by not taking action against other milk co-operatives that liberally use similar taglines.

   “Many milk unions across India including Reliance Dairy Foods still use tags like “fresh and wholesome” as authorized by the National Dairy Development Board,” said Mr Thomas.

  Another official said that it is a step-by-step procedure and would take a month or two to replace the existing hoardings. “We have to ensure that all the hoardings are uniform and that the print matches with the colour code prescribed by the marketing department," he said.

Major projects of Sabarimala Master Plan still pending

By Sachin Jose

KOTTAYAM: Though three-fourth of Sabarimala Master Plan projects have been completed prior to this Mandalam season, some of the major projects are yet to become real owing to red-tape and disagreement among government departments.

   Sabarimala Master Plan consists of projects for the development of Sannidhanam encompassing religious, infrastructural and environmental aspects.

   However, authorities in the High Power Committee for implementing Sabarimala Master Plan assured the remaining projects will be completed within next Mandalam-Makaravilakku pilgrim season.

   Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) President MP Govindan Nair said, “We expect to complete the three annadana Halls worth Rs 3 crore within this Mandalakalam while the Rs 26-crore Valiyanadapanthal to regulate queue system by the next. However, the cost of these projects has not overrun."

    "Also, tender has been called for a rope-way meant to ease cargo movement for temple needs and construction purposes," Mr Nair said. "Meanwhile, the floor of Nilakkal parking yard, which has a capacity for 1,000 vehicles, has been levelled and will be paved soon."

    However, some of the projects were inaugurated last week like the 45-metre-long, 7-metre-wide underpass here at Marakkoottom, which is constructed to control crowd at the junction of Swamy Ayyappan Road and Chandranandan Road. Ostensibly, the construction of the underpass was lagging due to conflict of interest between the Devaswom and Forest Departments.

    According to the Sabarimala Master Plan, there is limited space to accommodate the surge of pilgrims as the temple is located within the Periyar Tiger Reserve.

    However, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy had reportedly said that projects under Sabarimala Master Plan would not be interrupted and insisted that any appeal against these projects would be redressed only through the Chief Minister's Office.

   The project envisages infrastructure development as well as ecological sustainability. “Our aim is to develop this region into a plastic-free township,” he added.

    Sabarimala Ayyappa Seva Sangam President Swamy Ayyappadas said, “The preparations by Travancore Devaswom Board and the High Power Committee are satisfactory this year compared to those before. We also expect them to finish the remaining projects as soon as possible.”

Stagnant Conolly Canal project finally starts flowing

By Sachin Jose
KOZHIKODE: The Conolly Canal was stagnant for the last two years, so was the project to clean it, owing to lack of funds.

However, the cleaning project has finally gained momentum after Rs 2.41 crore was allotted by NABARD (National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development).

   The 165-year-old canal, built in 1848, was named after HV Conolly, Collector of erstwhile Malabar District. The canal, which is 11.4 km long, connects Kallai and Korapuzha rivers here.

  There was lack of follow-up programmes after a cleaning project conducted in this canal four years ago owing to red-tapism and dearth of funds.

   The local MLA, Pradeep Kumar, said, "Though the Revenue Department allotted Rs five crore four months ago, it was not utilized as there was delay in filing tenders."

   Meanwhile, Irrigation Department Assistant Engineer Ajayan C said, "We have begun measuring water volume at different areas of the canal. The dredging and de-silting projects will be completed by the end of March next year."

   According to a study by Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM), the canal water stagnated because of silting at the confluence of the Conolly Canal and the Kallayi River, allowing rampant growth of weeds and water hyacinths in the canal.

   In order to contain the growth of these vegetation, there must be flow of water between the canal and the river, which can be achieved through dredging and de-silting. This makes the canal water saline, making the growth of weeds impossible.

   However, Kozhikode Mayor AK Premajam said, "The present project does not include treatment of sewage water before being released into the canal, but instead unnecessary beautification of side-projections and walkway along the canal is carried out."

   But, A Viswanathan, Secretary of Conolly Canal Development Committee said that the beautification is done to refurbish the canal premises and can be exploited to create awareness among people so that they will not litter the canal.

   Officials of Irrigation Department assure that once the canal is dredged and de-silted, it can be used for irrigation, fishing and transportation. 

Success of Nalumanikattu inspires similar ventures

By Sachin Jose

KOTTAYAM: Wayside leissure spots like “Nalumanikattu” (evening breeze) has gained popularity among the people of this district who prefer such open spaces to enclosed urban parks.

   Jitin Das, a frequent visitor at Nalumanikattu, said, “We need not pay any entry fee and may stay as long as we wish unlike urban parks where the visit is time-bound.”

   The success of Nalumanikattu on Manarcad-Ettumanoor Bypass has inspired similar ventures in other parts of this district, which are maintained by environmental organisations like Voice of Nature and Tropical Institute of Ecological Science (TIES).

   “Aattutheeram” (river shore) on the Ettumanoor-Pala Highway in Mutholy and “Puzhayora Sahyanam” (riverside evening) at Kalathilkadavu on the Devalokam-Kolladu Road are the two projects inspired by Nalumanikattu.

   TIES Director Punnen Kurian, who pioneered the Nalumanikattu project, said these wayside leisure corners, which are located at major roads of the district, have the potential of turning into “tourist” spots.

   Moreover, Babu Cherian, a coconut vendor at Aattutheeram, said, “The river bank was used as a dumping yard by commuters. It had been revived into a local tourist spot, which has become a source of income for me."

    “Visitors are usually long-distance travellers who stop for a break from their tiresome journey,” he added. “It is a place of rendezvous for the local residents who come here for an evening chat daily.”

     Another non-governmental organisation, revealed that similar projects are planned near Vembanad Lake in Kumarakom.

Kottayam loses its literacy record

By Sachin Jose
KOTTAYAM: The district is lagging in literacy rate as the municipality and the Kerala State Literacy Mission Authority (KSLMA) are reportedly lackadaisical in conducting follow-up programmes to upgrade the level of education of neo-literates here.

   A resident of Nagampadom Colony, Amina (uses only one name), who underwent literacy classes in the late 1980s, said, "I was taught for three months, but now I don't remember much of what I had learned."

   Former District Collector Alphons Kannanthanam said, "In the late eighties, we achieved 90 per cent literacy which made Kottayam, the first fully literate town in India."

   "But now Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha have surpassed the district in literacy. The State Government has lost its enthusiasm and the incumbent Collector is responsible for taking initiatives for follow-up programmes," he added.

   According to Mr Kannanthanam, Tripura's recent surge above Kerala in literacy is the result of this lackadaisical attitude across the State.

   Meanwhile, writer Rosemary said, "Anyone who can read, write and count cannot be considered as literates or numerates. They must be given proper education rather than merely taught to sign their own name."

   "But, the 'so-called literacy mission' lacks sincere efforts and rather concentrates on excelling in statistics," she added.

   However, the KSLMA blamed lack of financial assistance from the Central Government for the lagging "Akshara Laksham" project meant to provide basic literacy to people across the state.

     The funds were withdrawn as women in all districts of Kerala achieved more than 90 per cent literacy.

Bottle milk replaces breastfeeding

By Sachin Jose

KOTTAYAM: One in three children in Kerala has developed asthma and allergy as the intake of breast milk has come down, said a study of Indian Academy of Pediatricians (IAP).

   According to the study, the use of powder milk and cow's milk is highest in Kerala compared to other states.

   "Each mammal should feed its own baby," said Kottayam Institute of Child Health Neonatologist Dr C Jayakumar. "Humans are the only mammals who suffer from asthma and allergy, which is due to lack of breastfeeding."

   The Infant Milk Substitute Act 2004 prohibits baby-food companies from marketing their products as a single feed of animal or powder milk or even water can result in diarrhoea or pneumonia.

  Nevertheless, Jessy Kunjumon, a working mother, disclosed that she was advised by a nurse to give powder milk to the child as I spend the whole day at office.

   However, another Paediatrician, Dr George F Moolayil, warned, "Working mothers shall store expressed breast milk in bottles for as long as six hours to be fed later. However, There could be chances of being misled by nurses or even gynaecologists as their expertise is different."

   "After IAP began the Baby Friendly Initiative in 1992, the use of baby-food products came down to 17 per cent," he added. "However, there is a reversal of trend in the recent years, which is due to lack of awareness."

Kottayam Development Corridor delayed even after floodwater recedes

By Sachin Jose

KOTTAYAM: The construction of the Kottayam Development Corridor, which was suspended due to flood in June, has not resumed even after the rain stopped in August this year as authorities blame monsoon.

   The work at Manippuzha-Erayilkadavu Road has been suspended at the land-filling phase and the Erayilkiadavu Bridge at the piling stage. Remaining area of the road needs to be filled with gravel before the next phase of tarring.

   In March, Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, while inaugurating the construction work said the road will be completed within three months.

   "Orders were given to complete the road by May," said Mr Radhakrishnan, "But early monsoon and unavailability of gravel had prolonged the work."

   "The work will resume soon and the cost won't overrun. Once the work begins, the road will be completed within three months as told earlier. The bridge may need six more months as 18 months is the total time span," he added.

   The Rs 20.75-crore bypass involves the construction of 2-km-long, 40-metre-wide ring road from Manippuzha to Erayilkadavu. This also includes an approach road and the Erayilkadavu Bridge across Kodoor River at an outlay of 5.9 crore.

   The Corridor allows motorists to bypass this town from MC Road at Manippuzha through Erayilkadavu and join KK Road at Manorama Junction, therby mitigating the traffic woes.

   Since the stretch from Kodimatha to Central Junction falls under NH 220, the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP) has found this alternate route to connect MC Road and KK Road without entering the town limits.

   However, the only person who is relieved by the delay in construction is Salim (uses only one name) who ferries people across the river. "Once the road and the bridge come," he said, "I will lose my income."