FLYOVERS ARE NOT FOR KERALA

Rapid industrialization of nations across the world has sowed the seeds of traffic blocks everywhere. Precious time of citizens is robbed by the halts at road intersections for signals.  Traffic planners have closely analyzed the issue. They have come up with ‘FLYOVERS,’ the wonderful innovation of our times. The flyover lets uninterrupted traffic at intersections. There are no signals to hinder the flow of traffic.

When we had visited Singapore, Hong Kong, Beijing, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Bangkok we had discovered that the planners in those places were highly imaginative quite unlike their counterparts in the state of Kerala in India. The cities have flyovers at almost all intersections. Traffic is smooth. Accidents or collisions are rare. They do not while away their time waiting for signals. The impact in economic terms is terrific. Productivity is never hampered.
FLYOVERS IN DUBAI

Taking a cue from these metropolises Hyderabad and Chennai have gone on a spree to build flyovers.  Though they are a long way off to catch up with their imaginative peers abroad they have at least made a beginning. The little that has happened in these cities has made an impact in the lives of the people who reside there.

Kerala which boasts of a high literacy rate and a high density of population has refused to see the obvious. Archaic views prevail in the minds of the planners and the people. They rue the fact that roads are narrow everywhere in the state. They clamor for widening the roads. Widening the roads means displacement of people. The space is limited and no one knows where the displaced are to be relocated. Traffic is clogged at all intersections. Travel between Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi, a distance of 200 km take a minimum of four to five hours for most on the road that is called National Highway 47. The experience is worse for travel up to Kannur through Thrissur and Kozhikode.

Roads certainly require widening. But if only the planners had thought of building flyovers across the length and breadth of Kerala much earlier it would have drastically impacted the lives of  Keralites for the better. Perhaps we have to clamor for sending the experts and the decision makers of Kerala on a study tour to the metropolises of the world and force them replicate the wonderful innovation called ‘flyovers’ in Kerala within a short span of time.

SELIN WOKE UP INTO A PITCHED BATTLE

Selin woke up one day with a running nose. She tried herbal remedies initially. It did not work. She knew she needed medical attention. The family doctor prescribed a few tablets. Though it worked for some time the ailment hit her with renewed vigour. She consulted a leading hospital in the locality. She was put through lab tests and an X-ray. More medicines were prescribed. The ailment persisted through day and night. She could not attend to her teaching job at the school.

Exasperated, she consulted another Physician. He understood Selin faced a critical ailment.He referred her to the Sree Chithra Thirunal Institute of Medical Sciences at Thiruvananthapuram.

Selin is the wife of Rev. Abraham C Prakash, Pastor at CSI Church, Nedungadappally, (near  Mallappally) Pathanamthitta District, Kerala, India.

The referral to the premium institute told them that Selin was critically ill. The doctors put her through tests again. It was painful. They could not detect what was wrong in the initial phase. The tests were repeated. Finally the doctors found out that the fluid coming out of the nose was the fluid from the brain. She was in need of nasal endoscopy  at once. The doctors did not rule out surgery either. 

The rider was that a hospital at Bangalore was the sole place in South India where such procedures are carried out.

Selin accompanied by her husband has proceeded to Bangalore in the available flight to seek treatment.

While doctors do their job with commitment and dedication what really works is God’s touch. Selin needs support from all those who know her and those who do not know her. Financial support can definitely purchase many things. But she does not require it. Selin is in need of your prayers. The unseen hands of God work miracles when a whole community prays for her.

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Selin is available at 09497664302 and Rev. Abraham C Prakash at 09446203323

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URAEOTYPHLUS OOMMENI

Dr. Oommen V Oommen strolled by at CSI Christ Church, Palayam, Thiruvananthapuram. We were there to attend a wedding. At home as I scanned ‘The Hindu’ newspaper of 12th July, 2012 I was startled to hit upon the smiling face of  Dr. Oommen V Oommen. The caption read ‘Biodiversity Board gets a new chief’.

The Special Correspondent from Thiruvananthapuram wrote on, “ Emeritus Scientist of the CSIR 

Oommen V Ooommen has been appointed chairman of the Kerala State Biodiversity Board. He is scheduled to assume office on Thursday. Already a member of the Board, he succeeds R V Varma as chairman. 

Dr. Oommen retired as the head of the Department of Zoology, University of Kerala in 2009 with 35 years of teaching experience.

He has since served as an Adjunct Professor at the Central University, Kasaragod, and as a visiting professor at the IISER here.

In recognition of his research work, scientists at the Natural History Museum London have named a legless amphibian - Uraeotyphlus Oommeni – after Dr. Oommen.”

Dr. Oommen V Oommen is unassuming.  He never craves for fame and recognition.  Passionate in his research humility makes him   an all time great. He sets himself as an example for all of us.