Kerala – Terrorists Nexus and Implications

Kerala – the name once synonymous for its towering literary rate and contribution to all facets of human activity, of late has been the haven of terrorist suspects and insurgencies. The matter is not of a speculative nature rather a phenomenon to be debated and redressed from the root level. With the revealing of certain elements of fundamental outfits that the state has the potential to be used a rehearse home for insurgency, the fact to be noted is the deteriorating law and order conditions and intelligence measures, raises serious concerns on the peaceful atmosphere. Also suggestive is the policy of appeasement taken by successive governments in regard to curbing fundamental activities during the last decade. The State’s literacy has been tinkered and suited to terrorist activities, the result of an anti- check policy of the governments. Had the governments taken a stand, similar to that of curbing, the Naxal movement during the Emergency, the State of affairs would not have aggravated as of now. For now, it seems that only the media has the responsibility to solve the menace of extremism, for the political parties in the state are pone to their caste based entities and ethnic allegiances. So the hope is vested in the support of people to disseminate the factors that contribute to make Kerala a haven for terrorist outfits, which the media is carrying along positively.

Tribute to Leader

                              My father Vrindavanam Venugopalan, first Biographer with Leader

                  Presenting a copy of Leader's book to Kunjurama marar(Elder brother of Leader)

                 Unforgettable moments, seeking the blessings of Leader on Sep 19th 2010.

                                 The Word that didn't happen, He promised to release my book.

                                     Cover page of Leader's Biography written by my father.

                    No words to scribe here as I am an young man who was born when Hon Leader was 70 years, But I adore, Love and respect Great Leader Shri. Karunakaran, I bow with folded hands for your blessings.

My Obsession to Journalism

At the very outset, let me emphasize the point that my desire to opt for a career in journalism is not the derivative of the visual media attraction, but rather an obsession to print media viz. Newspaper. It has been a long cherished ambition of mine nurtured with the right manure at the right juncture. Proud to be having the legacy of a journalistic tradition, born to a renowned Malayalam writer and Journalist, Vrindavanam Venugopalan, I didn’t have to think twice on choosing an vocation. My nonchalant determination has in fact no ingeminity, for the decision comes in the wake of my generation after the lucrative BPO and IT industry. My choice has no negations for I am aware of the advantages and merits of Mass Media and its commitment in general. I had to undergo many paths, views finally landing the temperament what a journalist should possess. I am confident of my skills, aptitude and of course do realize my limitations, which for reasons opts me to choose a newspaper job. In these times, when the youth are mostly engaged in nepotic professionalism, hope to see that I can be part of a spectrum of   community aimed at the better aspects of the state, nation irrespective of ethnic diversities and unbiased on expressing views of the common man- Journalism is the only way to voice out.

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        1973þ DbÀ¶ amÀt¡msS Fw._n._n.Fkv ]co£ ]mÊmb ssh.Fkv.BÀ {]mIvSokv Bcw`n¨Xv P\§Ä¡v kuP\yNnInÕ e`n¡p¶  ssh.Fkv.cmPmsdÍnbpsS DSaØXbnepÅ ]pfnsh´ebnse ssh.Fkv.BÀ.BÀ.Bip]{Xnbnembncp¶p. 1977þhsc Bip]{XnbpsS apJy NpaXe hln¨ At±lw apgph³ kab cmjvv{Sob {]hÀ¯\¯n\mbn tUmIvSÀ tkh\w Dt]£n¨p. 1978þse s]mXp sXcsªSp¸n tIm¬{KÊv Sn¡än ]pfnsh´ebn \n¶pw aÕcn¨v At±lw h³ `qcn]£t¯msS \nbak`bnte¡v sXcsªSp¡s¸«p. ]n¶oSt§m«v Cu  bpht\Xmhnsâ \mfpIfmbncp¶p. B{Ôm\nbak`bn Hcp kwlKÀÖ\w apg§n tIÄ¡m³ Bcw`n¨p F¶p thWw ]dbm³. XpSÀ¨bmbn aq¶p XhW ]pfnsh´esb {]Xn\n[oIcn¨v \nbak`bnte¡v sXcsªSp¡s¸« At±lw, 1986þ kwØm\¯nsâ hnZym`ymkw, {KmahnIk\w, BtcmKyw FIvsskkv F¶o hIp¸pIfpsS a{´nbmbn Icp¯p sXfnbn¨p.

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Obama's visit, The Indian perspective

          The US Air force One which disembarked in Mumbai against the backdrop of awful images of the 26/11 attacks. The US President assertion that today US & India are working together cohesively  than before to counter terrorism is a suggestive proof of the recognition of India's determination and resilience to counter terrorism. Setting aside the bi-lateral trade and business deeds, A fact to be noted is the co-operation which is sought in future for US to be the key player in Asia - the Indian access is essential.

         

         The positive aspect of this diplomatic inclination of the US shows that it has never wained from Roosevelt's saying " Speak softly and carry a big stick". Ironically, Barack Obama has chosen to be less articulate in the Indian visit and by answering to the Indian's tact. It is evident that the US has recognized India as a partner whom they can trust to combat extremism and wipe out terrorism from the world and to give the people future of security and prosperity on which India and US stand united.

A Sojourn with Gurudev

A day of happiness in every sense, though a holiday due to Mahanavami. I came to Trivandrum to explore Sanskrithi Yathra, A mobile museum comprising of 5 coaches to commemorate the 150^th Birth Anniversary of Great Poet and Proud Son of India Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore.

The Musuem was on Platform no 1 in Trivandrum Central Rly Stn. I asked the Reception desk, whether there is any pass or ticket and he replied that the entry is absolutely free. I thanked in my heart to Indian Railways.

I boarded the train with curiosity. The coach was Air conditioned. There were students, men, women who all have come with the same curiosity I have, I hope so. My frnd Devu who has gone through Tagore’s works and knows the poet more than me as she is a Post Graduate in English and has commendable knowledge in Litt. She was explaining some facts which were new to me. I was happy that there were rare photographs which made me closer to the Poet. As we say ‘A photograph is worth thousand words’ It was interesting in every sense. I was speechless many a times.

I am not a person to make a study on Tagore, but a student I would say that I know him as a Great poet, Painter, Playwright novelist, Musician, and so on. A versatile person who can’t be described in my words which are inadequate.

The first coach goes through Tagore’s life, his life at Shanthinekthan, Sreeniketan. The rarest family pictures with description in English, Bengali and Hindi gives a vivid picture of Gurudev. It shows that he comes a family of wealth and knowledge.

The second coach is dedicated to Geethanjali . It was marvelous.

Coach 3 shows that he was not only a Poet, a short story writer, Novelist, Play wright, Essayist, and as a whole a performer. I bowed with folded hands in respect in my mind when I left the coach to enter the next.

The fourth coach made me horripilated by seeing the paintings which made me speechless and I was amazed to see the portraits and sketches other than Paintings.

Coach 5, the final one has gone through the final journey of the Great Son of India, and there is a stall at the end of that coach where we can buy handicrafts made at Shanthinekthan. I didn’t wait there to browse as my purse was not healthy.

It was a great experience. And I would take this opportunity to thank the Ministry of Railways and Indian Railways for arranging such an exhibition in a befitting manner

Touching Untouchable

           Travel is a part of  learning. I had always traveled out of inquisitiveness to study different cultures. Proud to say that at least i could step in at least 10 states of India.  

                    Today, Prof . Nagappan Nair who was gave us a lecture on Media Law in Institute of Journalism gave me an apt answer. He says, India and China are strong developing countries. But we cannot compare China with India or India with China, there are lot differences between these two nations.In China 90 % of the population speak Mandarin Chinese and people in china are similar, but when we take India, there is a lot of difference, for eg, ,me being a keralite, when i visit Tamil Nadu or any other state i feel i am an alien, its 100% right, we are not accustomed with the culture of another state in our nation itself. First of all the Language itself makes the barrier among Indians. and to be more clear we people find free are more related with  a person from Britain or America than a Brother from Assam who also has the same nationality of ours.

             In Erode Dist, there is place by name Kasipalayam enroute Sathyamangalam, once famous for Forest Brigand Veerappan. I had been there once to one of my friend's home in 2000 who comes from a Zamindar family ( there its Gounder). Gounders are known as landlords. His father is a known Gounder from the above mentioned place, One fine morning, we had a morning walk, and to be more clear, I had been  in his home for about 7 days and all these days we had a morning walk. The walk was not for an exercise but for excretion( Nature's call) as there was no paraphernalia for the same. But I have a habit, I need a cup of hot tea before this act. Hence we walked about a mile and found a tea shop. As we were approaching the shop, the man came out with folded hands seeing my friend as i have already mentioned he comes from a Zamindar family. Anyhow we were offered seats in the bench which was in the shop. I saw the shopkeeper cleaning the Glasses with soap as it is not often done. In the mean time, i could see a man with mud allover his body approaching the shop and took a Steel Glass which was kept outside the shop and went to a bore well nearby and cleaned the same and waited 10 mts away from the shop. and i could also find 3 or more glasses of the same. I asked my friend what does this mean. He in this 21st Century without any shame cleared my doubt, Its nothing but, Untouchability. I was ashamed to say that I was a human being, The very next second my mind said that i must act something now. I took a Steel Glass from where the man had took it and pour my tea in the same and had my first sip. Then came the Problem,The Shopkeeper told me to keep away from the shop and he wont allow me to sit inside with the Steel Glass.I told him if you feel the person who is here comes from a lower caste then I too represent them. I could see my friend was in a trouble as he was not able to take a decision where to support. Any how i made a hue and cry there and shouted at the shopkeeper that he will be arrested soon. That was a rare experience for me as I had studied Untoucability only in text books, but i could see and  feel in my life. when we reached home his parents were waiting for us as the news had reached them in Speed Post.

                We learn many things while we travel. I learned a lot from Traveling. Still I am in search of knowledge from Traveling. I would advise to any one especially young men and women to travel .... travel... travel.... and explore India... not the whitish India but the darkish India....... Jai Hind.