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."