KERALA - LAND OF ENGINEERS AND DOCTORS

Ever since our son turned twenty seven we have been on a perpetual hunt to find a suitable partner for him. He has assigned the job to us.

In the good old days marriages in Kerala took place through the intervention of the elders in the family. The elders used to take notice of young men and women of marriageable age. They would reach out to the two families with their suggestions.  Once the preliminaries are over the boy would meet the girl and if they are in agreement the families would go ahead with the marriage.

The advent of the nuclear families has eliminated the role of the elders. The Gulf boom and the IT invasion have loaded a large number of our compatriots with hard cash. It is a situation where people believe they can buy anything with the money they have. They buy seats in the professional colleges. They throw their money around to find a placement for their children. Marriage is no exception.

We have been going through the matrimonial advertisements in the newspapers. We search the web. It is a routine. Once we have the advertisements we would contact the advertisers that in almost all the cases happen to be the parents of the girl. Our son has a degree in Commerce and masters in Business Administration. He is employed  for marketing by a software company. He is tall, athletic and dark. The moment we introduce ourselves the parents of the girl reveal to us proudly that their daughter is an engineer and that she is employed by one of the leading IT companies. According to them an engineer should marry an engineer only. They convey a message that marriages are between careers , qualifications and packages only. It seems no one is interested in quality or character. The boy is odd if he is a tee-totaller. The package and the perks compensate all the negatives.  Obviously the package drawn by the boy has to exceed Rupees Fifty thousand per month. They would tell us that the qualifications of our son  has no value at all in the world.  They would probe how we have a son who is dark. They act as if all is lost if you are not an engineer.  We would go on to the next advertisement. The effort has exceeded two years and we feel it would go on till infinity. We have now conveyed to our son in all seriousness that he would have to drop his job and start his student days all over again to come out blazing with an engineering degree if he wishes to get married. He would hit the jackpot if it is in medicine.

We have observed that most of the boys and girls in Kerala are going into the engineering colleges these days. They would try to become Doctors at first. As admission to medical colleges is limited and prohibitive they would deviate to the engineering colleges. Not many go for a Masters in Humanities or  Education as the package is not attractive. Even if some  dare to swim against the current and  acquire qualifications of their choice  in areas that differ from engineering or medicine they too are particular that their match is qualified in engineering or medicine alone. The refrain is  engineering or medicine are on a much higher level and all  other qualifications are second class.     We are afraid a time will come when we will have no one except engineers or doctors in Kerala. God’s own country would become the land of engineers and doctors where all the tasks are handled by engineers and doctors alone and where no one else has a right to exist.

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.