CHEATS HOLD SWAY

“Hi, Lissy Ammamma! It has been a long time”, Sam embraced Lissy, his mother’s cousin. Sam knew very well that Lissy had never met him though he knew all about Lissy’s family  from his mother Susy. Susy and Lissy were second cousins. But as Susy and her family were staying at Ullala near Kasargod there had been no contact between the two families.  Lissy wondered who this youth could be as she could not place him.

“I know you could not place me as we have not met earlier. I am Mohan, son of Gracy Ammamma and Johnychayan of Kaithapurathu Veedu, Mundakayam.” said Sam. “Amma had always asked me to visit you, but unfortunately I could not carry out her wish till now. As you know she is now no more. I have an interview for a Lecturer’s post at the St.Gregorios College tomorrow. I am taking up a room in a Hotel at Kottarakkara”. Sam knew that Gracy and Lissy were cousins and that they had a special relationship when they were young. As Johny was an employee of  TISCO, Jamshedpur  and Gracy was a nurse in the TATA Hospital there , the family had been staying at  Jamshedpur. Mohan and his sister Maya grew up there. They were Post Graduates and were looking for an opening somewhere in Kerala as their parents had settled at Mundakayam after retirement.   Sam knew the connections. He had also known that the distance kept the families of Gracy and Lissy apart. They were unable to keep in touch.

Lissy was convinced by the smooth conversation of Sam that he was Mohan, the son of her dear cousin Gracy who had passed away suddenly. Lissy could not attend the funeral as she had been at Raipur looking after her grand daughter. Lissy’s husband was at Jorhat  serving the Indian Army. There was no accommodation for the family at Jorhat. Lissy and Suja, her younger daughter had to return to their own house at Valakom. Suja was doing her third year at Kottarakkara for a nursing degree.

“Mohan, I am very sad that Gracy Ammamma had passed away. I blame myself for not even attending her funeral. Since you have to attend the interview tomorrow I’ll be happy if you would stay with us tonight instead of spending your time in a Hotel. Kottarakkara is not far from here. Take the guest room and prepare well for the interview.” Sam concurred reluctantly.

Suja was happy to meet a close relative when she returned from the College in the evening. She did not spend much time with Sam as her mother had told her not to disturb Mohan who was preparing for the interview.

Sam was pouring over a number of books during the night. Lissy was happy she could be of assistance to Mohan, her dear Gracy Ammamma’s son. Sam freshened up early in the morning and left for the interview. Lissy and Suja wished Mohan best of luck. Sam assured that he would write to them from Mundakayam.

Johny was shell shocked when Lissy and Suja called on him. They were crying. They said Mohan had come and stayed with them for a night to attend an interview at Kottarakkara. But soon after Mohan had left for Kottarakkara,  Suja was to leave for her College. She found to her horror that her ornaments – a gold chain of two sovereigns and two bangles of one sovereign each – were missing. She had left them on her table when she was taking her bath. As there was no one else at the house they were certain  Mohan had lifted them.

“But, Mohan is at Kollam, attending coaching classes for Bank exams. That is the photograph of Mohan.”

 Lissy and Suja  were aghast.. The photo had no resemblance. 

DR. TINY NAIR - A WONDERFUL EXPOSITION

Dr. Tiny Nair is a well known Cardiologist in Thiruvananthapuram. He looks after his patients very well. He is quietly efficient. Many owe their survival  to his timely intervention.

But the eminent Doctor has a talent that is little known. He writes beautifully. He has imagination. He conveys.  He knows how to be creative. There is an article ' All depends on which side of the counter you are in' in the newspaper 'The Hindu' on Sunday, December 18, 2011. The theme has been developed from a few  incidents in his life.   The individual who undergoes such incidents  ignores them . He finds them insignificant. Here is an exception.

The article narrates the frustration when one approaches   public utilities that offer services to citizens. Though it is the right of the citizen to receive the best of services he is looked upon as an enemy. The worst is delivered by those who are placed there to deliver the best. The paradox is that the individuals who ill treat people are the vociferous complainants when they look for services elsewhere.

The ability to create  value from  vacuum is the hallmark of genius. Dr. Tiny Nair is a genius of the highest order.

THE ASCENT OF INDIAN RUPEE

                           

It was in the year 2006 that we had first transited through Bhandaranaike International Airport, Colombo. We were astounded by the notice displayed at the Duty Free shops that stated vehemently ‘Indian Rupee not accepted’. We had to pay in US Dollars for our purchases. We had to shell out one US Dollar for a coffee. Though we  tried to talk them into accepting our currency they had declined our request with disdain.

While we were at Dubai and Abu Dhabi, the payments had to be in UAE Dirhams. Indian Rupee was not accepted in the shops or hotels there.  However at the shops or hotels run by Indians the price or cost expressed in Rupees had to be paid in UAE Dirhams. For example if we were demanded ten Rupees it meant we had to pay 10 UAE Dirhams.

We passed through Colombo Airport a second time in the year 2009 on our travel to Hong Kong and Beijing. 2006 was replicated everywhere.

It was with a pang we learned that Indian Rupee did not command respect anywhere else in the world.

There was a ray of sunshine in 2010. We were at Cairo. The hawkers at the pyramids  were shouting  that they were accepting Indian Rupees for purchases. We were happy times were changing. 

It was a refreshing frame in September 2011. Duty free shops accepted Indian Rupees at Colombo. Coffee was available at IRs.50.00. We were pleasantly surprised when shops and hotels beyond the Airport accepted Indian Rupees for services rendered, security deposits and for purchases.  We could pay in Indian Rupees at diverse locations on our visit to Pattaya and Bangkok  

We were proud  Indian Rupee had gained strength. It was an image make over. It showed India and Indians could no longer be taken lightly.

The current dip in the value of Indian Rupee against US Dollar is transient. We have experienced first hand the respect India and the Indian Rupee command abroad. Indians are travelling abroad in droves. . They are everywhere. Their purchasing power is unlimited.   The hosts welcome them. Indian Rupee can never be denied its place in the financial markets of the world. 

RARE COLLECTION OF BOOKS AND MAGAZINES

Mrs. Susan Thomas, Karimpil, TC 17/2037, Poojapura, Trivandrum - 695012, Kerala, India holds several copies of THE ILLUSTRATED LONDON NEWS that describe Second World War in poignant pictures. The issues date back to the period 1940 - 1945. As she has to shift her residence soon she intends to sell the antique issues reluctantly.  Since what is on sale is priceless she proposes to part with her rare collection at Rs. 10000.00 per single issue.

In addition to the magazine she holds a rare collection of books on different topics. She  proposes to sell them on a first come first serve basis at reasonable rates. It is requested that those interested may contact Mrs. Susan Thomas at her address.

VIRENDER SEHWAG

What makes Virender Sehwag click?

1. Never rue missed chances, create more opportunities.
2. Never play to the galleries.
3. Common sense is instinct. Plenty of it is genius.
4. Immense self belief makes one patient.
5. What is madness is method for genius.
6. When Sehwag bats, even the opposition enjoys it.

What is good for Virender Sehwag is good for every one. 

BACKBENCH PHILOSOPHY

I grew up in a society that believed in backbench philosophy. In plain terms it means one has to remain at the back benches all the time. It has its own advantages. You are not noticed in any gathering. It lets you slip away at the earliest. It ensures that you do not have to open your mouth or express your views at all. It guarantees that you do not have to take any decision or take any kind of decisive action that may ensnare you in controversies, setbacks or failures. You will always remain a non achiever; but you will somehow survive. You are content to be the number two.

The philosophy has become a way of life for the larger society in Kerala. Wherever we are we can observe that a few rows of seats at the front remain unoccupied.  The prodding of the organizers of the meet falls into deaf ears. People stay rooted to the backbenches. They know very well that they would be noticed if they are closer to the podium and if they are noticed some unsolicited responsibilities may be thrust upon them. It implies that you may have to volunteer and exert yourselves for tasks that shower no visible benefits upon you.

While I had been in the Schools and Colleges it was imperative to fall in line with the majority and practice the art of staying at the backbenches to perfection.  The moment teachers came into the class vacant seats at the front rows welcomed them.  It required much coercion and a lot of tact by teachers to make at least a few students leave the comforts of backbenches to proceed to the front. The fortunate ones avoided eye contact with the teachers and managed to stay back. They   pitied the few who were forcibly led up. They knew it would be eventual slaughter as the teachers would direct all questions and obviously their ire at the front benchers.  Those who could not fathom the answers were vehemently and summarily dealt with.   To be precise there were very few students who satisfied the queries of the teachers.   There was safety at the backbenches and those at the back virtually remained oblivious of the close scrutiny up ahead.

The Church I attend has a strange feature. The pews in front are left alone for the late comers. Early birds take the seats at the back. Naturally there is a big commotion when late comers move up to the front in search of seats even as the worship progresses. It upsets the serenity It violates the sanctity. 

People learn quite a lot from childhood, Schools, Colleges and work stations. It stays with them throughout their lives.  If we take a look at the visuals of meetings on television or still photographs in magazines and newspapers it is obvious that the front rows are vacant on most occasions. It beats me why as a race we are diffident. Perhaps backbenches offer unmatched security to the hesitant.  Raise a question; you get no reply let alone an acknowledgement. People act as if they are stone deaf. It has been grounded into our psyche that we hold back all the time and furnish space to others.

Backbench philosophy has cost us dearly. We have an embedded feeling that we are not good enough to take the front seats. Faced with serious competition we are never able to move up to the top. Our self consciousness makes us wait for someone else to initiate the proceedings. We define that modesty calls for a subdued presence. We are subdued in the bargain.  We do float. We do make money. But very few of us are outstanding achievers.  Despite the high literacy rate of Kerala, we are unable to establish ourselves effectively in the competitive environment. It indeed is a paradox.

CANCER FAILS TO SUBDUE TENACIOUS MAMTA MOHANDAS, ACTOR - AS SHE TALKS TO P ANIMA AND AS SHEVLIN SEBASTIAN WRITES ON HER INTENSE FIGHTBACK

The post is based on  two articles ‘SUNSHINE once again’ in The Hindu Metroplus Weekend from Thiruvananthapuram on 10.12.2011 and 'BIG BOSS of Malayalam Cinema' in The New Sunday Express Magazine  from Thiruvananthapuram on 25.11.2012. Quotes are from the articles.

Mamta Mohandas, successful Malayalam Cine Actor  speaks candidly on her battle with lymphoma. She was 26 when the diagnosis shattered her placid life. She admitted it was tough to pull herself together once she knew what had hit her. “ Initially, like anyone ranting about a so- called terminal disease, I felt, ‘Why me?’” Later, the way I battled it, I said to myself," Thank God, it was me.”

“The grueling days of treatment, radiation etc, are still a fresh memory.  If I am relapsing, I will be scared. I want to live happily. But when there is no other choice, one fights to survive.”

“When you go through a “Is this going to be it?” moment, you learn to enjoy everything – food, sunlight and each shot you give”

The actor moves on with tenacity. She looks forward to her wedding on 28.12.2011 with Prajith, a Bahrain based businessman.

Shevlin Sebastian writes on 25.11.2012.

There was a time when Mamta was screaming, but it was in shock and sadness. On June 21, 2010, she was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, a cancer of the lymph nodes. Fortunately, for her, it was at stage 2B. "When I initially heard it, I cried and cried," she says, " I asked God, 'Why me?' Because I am an only child, my mother was going mad with sorrow."

Mamta grew up in Bahrain. She is feisty, intelligent and charming.

The good news for Mamta was when the doctors said the cancer was curable. She began chemotherapy at Apollo Speciality Hospital at Chennai and it lasted for seven months. "Today my cancer is not in complete remission," she says. So Mamta has to do check-ups often. But,at the same time, she has been having an intense film career. It was a scintillating performance in the Malayalam movie 'Katha Thudarunnu.' There are several others as well.

Her attitude has changed because of her cancer. "Life is precious," says Mamta. "It makes you realise that relationships, time, the air you breathe, the sun that you see in the morning, all things in nature, everything has to be deeply appreciated. The illness has ignited a hunger for life and to act my best."

Cancer is an ailment that stuns the patient and relatives alike. There is no escape. The afflicted undergoes  trauma with trepidation. It is despondency for any normal person. We have to admire Mamta Mohandas for her courage.

We wish her the very best in the life ahead. May the Almighty shower choicest blessings upon her.