Whatsapp complaints service gains popularity in the state

By Sachin Jose

KOTTAYAM: The Whatsapp complaint registration service of Motor Vehicles Department (MVD) to receive information on traffic offences via Whatsapp Messenger has gained popularity in the state within a week of its launch.

     Whatsapp is a mobile application with largest number of users following Facebook. The new service is intended to exploit the popularity of this messenger app among youngsters.

     This was introduced as an addtition to the Third-eye project launched last August in which public may inform the MVD complaint cell via telephone, SMS or Facebook.

     Transport Commissioner Rishi Raj Singh explained: "I have directed Regional Transport Officers (RTOs) across the state to take necessary action on the complaints received through WhatsApp.

     "There are nearly 90 lakh registered vehicles in the state, making it difficult for MVD to bring them under surveillance with only about 550 enforcement officers in the department," he pointed out. "The programme will reduce checking vehicles by stopping them on the road."

      Earlier, the State Police had also launched "Whatsapp Commissioner" programme in the southern districts including Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Pathanamthitta under the jurisdiction of various SPs in Thiruvanathapuram Range.

      Whatsapp will enable two-way communication between complainants and officers, in which public can send information or upload related photos and videos of traffic violations to the RTOs of their respective districts.

      Kottayam Regional Transport Officer TJ Thomas said, "We have got a good response from the public. More than 60 complaints have been received within first week of the launch. Proper action will be taken for all cases according to priority." A person in Kottayam may send complaints to 9447706125, he added.

       BCM College Student S Akhila said, "I have sent some photos of vehicles parked on the footpath in front of the District Hospital, but not sure whether any action will be taken."

Linguists plead to preserve archaic Malayalam glyphs

By Sachin Jose

KOTTAYAM: The archaic Malayalam numerals should be preserved to protect the heritage of the language, pleaded linguistic experts.

    The Malayalam script was modified twice in the 1970s and '80s to make it computer-friendly. Of 900 glyphs, only about 90 are used now and the old letters and numbers are no longer in use.However, all the 900 glyphs including the numerals are available in unicode as part of digitisation.

     Linguist Ramachandran Nair said, “The young generation is unaware of the existence of Malayalam numerals. Malayalam has its own identity and we are obliged to protect it.”

     The Malayalam numerals were used in daily life until mid-20th century and was replaced by Indo-Arabic numeric system that is prevalent in the modern world.

     Malayalam uses separate glyphs for numbers like 10, 100 and 1,000. These numbers are now seen only in old books or inscripted on cornerstones of old edifices.

      Another linguist Scaria Zachariah agreed that it is important to preserve these scripts as it is part of the state's heritage.

      “But, if we include it in the school curriculum, it would confuse the students,” pointed out Mr Zachariah. “Four decades ago in school, we had to learn different glyphs making it difficult for us.”

       Also, Baselius College Malayalam Professor Sherly Kurian said, "The changing whims of the bureaucrats regarding the education system will only discourage students from learning their mother tongue."

       But, Mr Ramachandran countered that students can learn it within a few days, which dismisses the notion that it is difficult for teachers.

Russia reinstated

By Sachin Jose

    Ever since the tensions of the Cold War thawed in the 1990s, Russia seemed to be a Steppe Mammoth, hibernating in the Siberian permafrost. Unaware of the power it possessed, the former superpower remained subservient to the unipolar West.

    Though shattered with the fall of the Iron Curtain, Russia is still the largest country in the world by area and the eighth largest economy. It is one of the five recognised nuclear weapons states and also inherited the second largest stockpile of nuclear warheads from its predecessor Soviet Union, amounting to 1,800 behind 2,150 of USA.

    With its move against Ukraine, Russia has proved that it is no longer a regional hegemony, but a potential superpower recuperating from its ashes. This phenomenon started in 2008, when Russia annexed Abkhazia and South Ossetia from Georgia.

    Historically, these were parts of Russia as were Crimea and Sevastopol, both of which are being disputed by the West. The erstwhile Russian Empire fought the Ottoman Turks for the possession of the Crimean Peninsula and its bastion Sevastopol as early as in 1853. 

    Russians realise that it is was a folly on the part of Soviet leader Nikita Krushchev to transfer the peninsula to Ukraine as a friendly gesture in 1954.  All Russia did is take back something that belonged to it once. It was a battle unstained by blood unlike the gory wars of the NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organisation), which ravaged Vietnam, Afghanistan and Iraq.

   Moscow kept quiet when NATO stretched its arms towards Eastern Europe consisting of the Baltic (Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania), Balkan (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia) and Slavic (Belarus, Czech Republic, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia) states, until it reached Ukraine - the Russian threshold.

    Russian President Vladmir Putin intends to create a Russosphere where the Kremlin believes to have its sphere of influence. These include the Commonwealth Independent States (CIS) that were part of the Soviet Union.

   The recent sanctions by the West on Russia is seen as a boomerang assault, as much of Europe is dependent on Russian oil and natural gas. Expulsion from the G8 will bring Russia closer to BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa). 

   Moscow focuses on the Eurasian Economic Community consisting of major CIS nations, to counterbalance the economic influence of the European Union, while the Shanghai Corporation Organisation consisting China and Central Asia is a strategic deterrent to NATO threats.

   Kremlin can win allies globally by exploiting its energy resources rather than military might. It has the geopolitical advantage of being an indispensable part of Eurasia as well as the Asia-Pacific. Russia needs to pioneer in creating a new world order with multipolar dimensions.

Chatta and mundu on the verge of extinction

By Sachin Jose

KOTTAYAM: With a Bible in one hand and a rosary in the other, church-going women clad in white chatta and mundu (ചട്ടയും മുണ്ടും) were typical among Syrian (സുറിയാനി) Christians on Sundays. However, this traditional attire is fast disappearing as only the elderly in the community are wearing it.

       With V-shaped neck and half-sleeves, a chatta is a loose blouse, reaching down to the waist. Unlike dhoti, the mundu worn by Syrian Christian women are featured by a pleated fan-tail. Though it seems like an extra cloth tucked in, it is only the upper end of the mundu.

Thankamma Skaria
in her ചട്ടയും മുണ്ടും.

      It is pulled out to form an appendage to cover the back, accentuating the wearer's modesty and charm. In formal occasions, the attire is complete with a kavani (കവണി), which is pinned to the chatta with a brooch, being thrown over the bosom and left shoulder.

    Eighty-three-year-old Thankamma Skaria recalled, "My first pair of 'chattayum mundum' was presented by my grandmother on my coming of age. After marriage, I wanted to wear saree like other young girls of the time. But I had to forfeit in order to please my mother-in-law."

     Apparently, it is of West Asian origin, influenced by early Jewish and Christian settlers of medieval era. The garment was common till mid-20^th century. However, there are fewer takers for this traditional apparel at present as women started switching to modern outfits.

     Seventy-four-year-old Gracy Cherian has a different story. "As the white chatta and mundu are difficult to maintain, I started wearing saree about five years ago. I have also removed my kunukku (കുണുക്ക്) and replaced it with a smaller earring."

     Nowadays, youngsters wear this outfit only for school festivals to perform dance forms like Margamkali (മാര്ഗംകളി ), which is also exclusively part of the Syrian Christian culture.

     Baselius College student Stephy Ann John viewed that youngsters may wear chatta and mundu, if it is redesigned according to modern vogue.

Kottayam may get corporation status by next year

By Sachin Jose

KOTTAYAM: The Kottayam Municipality will be upgraded to municipal corporation status with an aim to improve the infrastructure and quality of life, said sources from the municipality.

As per Census 2011, Kottayam comes under Class I Urban Agglomerations/Towns with a population of 3,57,533. An urban agglomeration constitutes a central town and the adjoining outgrowths linked by continuous urban area.

State Urban Affairs Minister Manjalamkuzhi Ali said the new municipal corporation will be officially declared by next month and the corporation status will be bestowed just before the panchayat elections next year.

Town Planning Officer Shiji Chandran explained, "The regions with 75 per cent of the male working population engaged in non-agricultural pursuits will be eligible to join the urban agglomeration."

The proposed municipal corporation will assimilate 12 neighbouring panchayats including Thiruvarppu, Panachikkad, Vijayapuram, Manarcad, Ayarkunnam, Athirampuzha and Ettumanoor with the existing municipal limits.

Also eastern fringes of Ayimanam and Arpookkara Panchayats and northern parts of Puthuppally, Meenadom and Pampadi will also be included. Nattakom and Kumaranelloor panchayats were added last year.

But, Vijayapuram Panchayat President Baiju Cherukottayil alleged, "The move is aimed at to annexing the panchayat to control the Vadavathoor dumping yard as municipality wishes."

Kottayam municipal waste was being dumped at Vadavathoor in Vijayapuram Panchayat until Dec 31 last year, when the local people shut down the yard. However, the panchayat officials doubt the town representatives may colonise their locality and open the dumping yard.

However, Municipal Chairman MP Santhosh Kumar dismissed the allegations and clarified, "The corporation status will provide us with central funds under Urban Infrastructure Development Scheme for Small and Medium Towns for solid-waste management, which will be used for the improvement of the dumping yard." 

Also, Kottayam Medical College and Mahatma Gandhi University will be under the jurisdiction of the corporation, he added.

Eco-friendly Vegetable Market yields less profit

By Sachin Jose

IN VAIN: The Eco-friendly Vegetable Market has only a few takers.

KOTTAYAM: The municipality's decision to move the vendors at the Old Market to the Kodimatha Eco-friendly Vegetable Market has proved to be a gaffe as they claim to be running on loss.

     The building at Old Market was demolished two years ago and the shopkeepers were shifted in order to build a parking space to reduce the traffic snarls in the town. However, there are fewer takers at Kodimatha as it is situated at the outskirts compared to the old one in the heart of the town.

    CH Enterprises owner C Habeeb said, "We were making profit at the Old Market, but here people hardly come as it is at one remote corner of the town. Three of our fellow shopkeepers has left as they couldn't afford the rent."

     Also, MAB Vegetables employee Joby Joseph pointed out, "Two wholesale shops are still running at Old Market and customers go there due to proximity. Unless and until they come here, we shall not benefit."

     But, NN Khaleel, one of the remaining wholesalers at the Old Market, retorted those at the Kodimatha market are unwilling to let him along with another one to join them as they fear of losing business further. "We are ready to shift if the municipality is able to provide us with the same facilties we have now."

     However, Municipal Chairman MP Santhosh Kumar clarified that some of them have falsely claimed to be running on loss as an excuse of not paying the rent. "At present, the business is idle as the bus services are terminated along the road linking Kodimatha and Market Junction due to construction. Once the bus services are rescheduled, the dip in the influx of customers will be levelled."

     PWD Executive Engineer Vincent George the road construction will be completed "soon," but refused to go into further details.

Police officers transferred in view of elections

By Sachin Jose

KOTTAYAM: In view of general elections on April 10, the State Election Commission has issued certain norms including transfer of police officers, posted in their respective districts, to other districts.

     Of 15 Circle Inspectors in the district, 13 have been transferred. And of 42 Station House Officers of Sub-Inspector rank, 28 have been transferred.

     State Election Commissioner K Sasidharan Nair said, "The officers posted in their own district are being transferred to other stations or departments in order to hold a free and fair election.

     "According to norms, all public servants including police officers are not supposed to attend public meetings during election period."

     Superintendent of Police MP Dinesh said, "Though polling booths in the district does not come under vulnerable or inaccessible category, more forces will be recruited from other states and Central Reserve Police Force to maintain security."

     Mr Dinesh added that they the election has also ordered arrest of those on warrant in order to maintain peaceful election, but they may get out on bail and retain their eligibility to vote.

    Kottayam East CI Rejo P Joseph was transferred to Crime Branch and was replaced by Perumbavoor Rural CI V Roy. Kottayam West CI AJ Thomas has been transferred to Vigilance Department replaced by Panthalam CI Zachariah Mathew.

    Mr Thomas said, "I have been here from Jan 2010, it's difficult to leave my colleagues with whom I have achieved many milestones in career including the successful Operation Gurukulam."

    Mr Mathew said, "It will take him about two weeks to acquaint with the town as he is new here. When I came here to take charge Saturday last, I was confused between Central and Aida Junctions."

    Also, Pampadi SI U Sreejith was posted at Kottayam East replacing SI KP Thomson, who has been stationed at Pala. And West SI Anoop Jose has been transferred to Chengannur in Alappuzha District, replaced by Gandhinagar SI Jiju TR.

Nutimix allegedly unhealthy for infants

By Sachin Jose

KOTTAYAM: The Amrutham Nutrimix powder, advertised as a complete balanced nutritive food for children, is unhealthy for those below two years as it lacks antibiotics recommended for standard baby foods, said Paediatrician Dr Thomas Kurien.

    The powder is produced by Kudumbashree Mission under Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS) under State Social Welfare Department.

     It is distributed to the beneficiaries through anganwadi and ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activists) workers in the locality. It is a powder mix of ragi, wheat, sugar and soyabean.

     Dr Kurien said, "Amrutham powder is susceptible to fungal contamination and may result in indigestion and diarrhoea. Nevertheless, in order to contain fungal growth, adding preservatives is not advisable as it can cause long-term illness including asthma and allergy."

   However, Kudumbashree Vice-chairperson Indulekha Appukuttan said, "Amrutham has undergone scientific test and was approved by doctors." She mentioned that Institute of Child Health Neonatologist Dr C Jayakumar as one of the doctors who recommend Amrutham Nutrimix for children.

     But when contacted, Dr Jayakumar replied otherwise."It's an utter lie, I had always spoken against the use of supplementary food including Cerelac, Lactogen and Farex. Apart from mother's milk, children under two years should be given only boiled food cooked at home."

    However, Kudumbashree District Vice-Coordinator Ramesh P said, "Amruthum products have undergone quality monitoring and formulation as prescribed by a statutory medical board formed under the Kudumbashree Mission.

ISRO to speed up future projects

By Sachin Jose

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Indian Space Research Organisation has 15 missions on its list this year including Reusable Launch Vehicle, GSLV Mk III and Astrosat.

     The allocation for India's space mission has been hiked from Rs 5172 crores to Rs 7238 crores during last week's Union interim budget, which shall boost ISRO's proposed projects.

      Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre scientist Dr K Sasikumar said, "First among these would be the test flight of Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) to be launched within the next two months." According to ISRO, the reusable launch vehicle is the unanimous solution to achieve low cost, reliable and on-demand space access.

     Also, the country's first astronomy satellite, Astrosat, is scheduled to be launched on board the PSLV later this year.

     Mr Sasikumar said, "This will be followed by the experimental mission of GSLV Mk III missile, which can carry a payload of 4 tons within May this year. An additional Rs 170 crore has been sanctioned to the Rs 10 crore allocated earlier."

      Subsequently, India will become self reliant in launching heavier communication satellites of INSAT-4 class and a competitive player in the multimillion dollar commercial launch market.

      Another official said that these projects are not extravagant, but has rather unleashed vast potential for applications in telecommunications, television broadcasting including education and meteorology.

Maramon Convention to be held from Feb 9 to 16

By Sachin Jose

PATHANAMTHITTA: The Mar Thoma Evangelical Association (MTEA) has made preparations for the 119th Maramon Convention to be held here in Kozhencherry from Feb 9 to 16.

    It is Asia's largest Christian convention, traditionally held near Kozhecherry Bridge in Maramon on the Pampa riverbed, which dries up at the beginning of every year.

    Organiser Fr Sam T Mathew said, "To commemorate the 125th anniversary of MTEA this year, we are setting up separate stalls and exhibitions to illustrate the history of Mar Thoma Church."

    The first convention was held in 1895, following the revival movement pioneered by priest Abraham Malpan, leading to a schism in the traditional church establishment.

    Regarding preparations, MTEA General Secretary Fr Abraham P Oommen said, "The local parishes under the Mar Thoma Syrian Church contribute to the materials including coconut fronds to construct the panthal (large thatched tent). It can accommodate one lakh people."

     "Also, separate stalls have been built for various organisations under the Church," added Fr Oommen, "The work on three temporary bridges linking the convention venue with the western bank of the river has also been completed."

     Moreover, evangelists including Anglican Church Bishop Peter Maiden from UK, Methodist Church Bishop Viani Nybola from South Africa, Church of Ceylon Bishop Dilip D Chikkera from Sri Lanka are invited to deliver speech.

     A makeshift dispensary and two police aid posts will be set up near the convention centre. The KSRTC will provide buses from Pathanamthitta depot and operate special services from Thiruvalla, Mallappally, Pandalam, Chengannur, Adoor and Ranni during the week-long convention.

Solo-circumnavigator Abhilash Tomy

By Sachin Jose

KOTTAYAM: Son of a naval officer, Lieutenant CommanderAbhilash Tomy lived close to the sea all his life and knew he would be sailing across the oceans one day. Mr Tomy has realised his dream, circumnavigating the globe in a solo, non-stop and unassisted voyage in 151 days, becoming the first Indian to do so.

    As a boy, Mr Tomy grew up reading books about ocean adventures. "Also, I had been schooled in six Kendriya Vidyalaya Schools," he recalled, "which moulded me to adjust to an ever-changing environment like the sea."

    Mr Tomy considers the turning point in his life that he enrolled in naval aviation instead of engineering or medicine. Aged 34, he is still a bachelor and undecided about marriage. He was inspired by pioneer sailors including the first circumnavigator Bernard Moitissiere and considers India's first solo circumnavigator Commander Dilip Donde his role model.

     Mr Tomy is the winner of Kirti Chakra as well as Tenzing Norgay National Award. Regarding the Rs 5 lakh award announced by the Kerala Government last week, he commented it is too late and driven by coming elections.

      Passionate about the sailboat INSV Mhadei, Mr Tomy said, "During the voyage she became so much an extension of myself that I would feel worse, if the boat got damaged than if I got hurt."

     Apart from sailing, his passion lies in cycling and palmistry. "My only regret is," he said, "that I couldn't master classical guitar as I kept travelling." Being pilot of Dornier recce airplane, Mr Tomy also harbours a desire to circumnavigate the globe by air.

Ocean explorer in God's Own Country

By Sachin Jose

KOTTAYAM: One would be surprised if they find a 58-year-old American tourist, John Racanelli, picking up littered bottles and plastic sachets at Kovalam Beach in Thiruvananthapuram.

     However, Mr Racanelli, Chief Executive Officer at Baltimore National Aquarium in the USA, remarked, "It is a simple commonsense thing to do... and if every beach-goer were to follow it, our shorelines would be devoid of trash. So let's!"

     He regards it as a mission to conserve the world oceans and its marine life. The ocean explorer, who belives he has "saltwater running through his veins," developed passion for "the briny" from childhood.

     "One of my earliest memories was of diving in the Pacific as a six-year-old," he recalled. "And I used to skip college to go on escapades including a 6,000-mile voyage from California to New York via the Panama Canal."

     At 17, Mr Racanelli became an aquarist at a marine park, when he started enjoying water sports including sailing, surfing, scuba diving and open-water swimming.

      After graduating in strategic management, he joined Monterey Bay Aquarium in California in 1984. After a decade, he left for a "risky" project to rejuvenate the bankrupt Florida Aquarium, which he successfully did.   Eventually, in 2011, he was invited to join the Baltimore National Aquarium in Maryland, where he engages 1.5 lakh students annually in the fields of marine biology, conservation and education.

     He resides at Canton Historic Waterfront District in Baltimore City with his wife and son who support him in his ventures. His wife Susan Backstrom Racanelli serves as National Development Officer at Seacology, a non-governmental organisation aimed at protecting the unique species, habitats and cultures of islands worldwide.

     Mr Racanelli regards underwater pioneer Captain Jacques Cousteau as his role model from whom he learned of the marine world and scientist Dr Sylvia Earle as his mentor, who at the age of 80 remains a tireless advocate for the preservation of aquatic life. Also, he was motivated by his father, John T. Racanelli, who served as a Judge in the USA for 30 years, inspired by his integrity, belief in service and commitment to social justice.

     Mr Racanelli is fond of dolphins and wishes to pilot a mini-submarine to the ocean's depths. His ambition is to travel around the world, making people aware of the importance of global marine wealth.

    Admiring Kerala, Mr Racanelli said, "I enjoy exotic food," disclosing that Malayali cuisine is one of his  favourites. "I enjoyed the backwaters and the shore, which I think, need more maintenance."

Municipality indifferent to disposal of toilet waste

By Sachin Jose

KOTTAYAM: The municipality is indifferent despite receiving complaints on toilet waste being frequently dumped into the sewage on Kurian Uthup Road here at Nagampadom.

    Shopkeeper Shameer Nizam, who resides nearby, said, "The waste is being brought in a Tata 407 water-truck daily between 3am and 5am and dumped into the sewage near the Municipal Park."

    Shahan Ali, an employee in the same shop, said they had complained to the municipality, but in vain. "And recently, we had tried to catch them by ourselves, but they drove off and dumped the waste by the transformer (which is 500 metre away from the sewage)."

    Also, KSEB Assistant Executive Engineer James George said they could not repair the transformer as waste was dumped around it. "I have complained to several officials including the municipal chairman, but they have not responded yet."

    However, Municipal Chairman MP Santhosh Kumar confirmed that he received complaints from KSEB as well as local people.

    "Though we send someone to check the dumping, we can't take any action by ourselves," Mr Kumar clarified. "Also, we don't know who the culprits are." He said that he had discussed the matter with the police and will take action soon.

    In contradiction, Kottayam East Sub-Inspector KP Thomson said he was neither aware of this incident nor did the municipality discuss it with him. "But, we will deploy our personnel and catch the culprits as soon as possible," he added.

70-year-old siren in Kottayam still functions

By Sachin Jose
KOTTAYAM: The siren here at the municipal building has been functioning ceaselessly ever since it was installed 70 years ago.

   During the Second World War, Dewan of erstwhile Travancore Sir CP Ramaswamy Aiyar ordered to install civil-defense sirens in the major towns of the princely state to warn of bombings by Japan.

    As a result, the siren was set up in 1943, the same year the first municipal chairman, AV George assumed office.

    However, municipality electrician TC Mathew said, "The siren has hardly encountered any repairs, the last being nine years ago when it started producing noises.However, it has been working well after the bearings and rotors were cleaned "

    It is a horizontal double mounting siren with a power of 5 horsepower (3728.5 W) and its rotors rotate with 2,800 revolutions per minute. Mr Mathew said that the siren costs Rs 70,800 at present market value.

  The air-raid siren was manufactured by British Company Carter Gents, which is equivalent to contemporary Kheraj HDT-800 model produced in India.

     Used as a time alarm by the municipality, the siren blares at 1am, 5am, 8am,1pm, 5pm and 8pm every day. It is also used to communicate situations like the death of national or state leaders and calamities like fire breakouts, each with three sirens

      Auto-rickshaw driver M Asokan, who hails from Thiruvanchoor said, "The siren is audible as far as my home, which is 12 km away from here."