Top Athletes treated like slaves

Top Athletes treated like slaves

OP Jaisha one of the leading athletes of the country made some startling revelations in an interview to Mathrubhumi Sports masika. She did not get even a humanitarian consideration during the Rio Olympics forcing her to run the grueling marathon without water and energy drinks. It is the duty of the coach to ensure that proper facilities are provided to the athletes. Rubbing salt on the wounds, a canard was spread that it was Jaisha who refused water and energy drinks, an allegation which cannot meet even common sense. Anybody having an elementary knowledge of athletics and marathon will be aware of the requirements of water and energy drinks during the arduous marathon. Further Jaisha was not allowed to talk to anybody including the athletic officials. At the finishing point of marathon, Jaisha collapsed. The coach after checking her pulse telephoned an AFI official that Jaisha has dead, as if he wanted her to die. The committee appointed by the Ministry of sports squarely blamed the coach Nikolai Snesarev for the fiasco.  The report said “Ms. Jaisha’s coach, Mr. Nikolai should have been more careful in anticipating the requirements of Ms Jaisha during the marathon and projecting the same to the organizers. He also could have given the required advice/guidance to Ms Jaisha,” During the national Open Athletic meet at Kolkata last year, Jaisha came first in 10000 meters beating the existing record but did not get a medal because she was not registered for the event. All these show the dereliction of duty on the part of the coach. 

When I contacted Jaisha and other athletes Lalita Babar and Sudha Singh at SAI camp at Bangalore, they unfolded their sorrowful story.  The behavior of the ‘renowned coach’ Mr. Nikolai Snesarev was worse to say the least. He used to snatch their mobile phones depriving them to even talk to their family members. There were instances when he snatched their food plates saying that the quantity of the food they took is in excess of the requirement. Jaisha told me that she lost 6-7 KG weight due to excessive training (More than 1000 Km per month) and inadequate food. It is advisable for a fatty person to shed weight but Jaisha and other two athletes are already lean and thin. On several occasions they had to secretly cook food in their room to satiate their hunger. The coach is habitual of using abusive, insulting and derogatory language like “You bloody Indian” You stupid Indian” etc. Jaisha used to object to this while the other two athletes suffer silently. Had it been in any other country, he should have shown the door but we Indians are habitual of swallowing insults, humiliation etc. Once he even said something about her aged and infirm father which resulted in a quarrel. Even a convict or prisoner will be having more freedom than these Olympian athletes.

At the instance of Nikolai, his wife was appointed as the masseur who seldom do massage to the athletes. All of them were primarily trained for Rio Olympics. India is having the advantage of variety of climate at different parts of the country. Hence depending on weather conditions of the country, it is possible to conduct camps having similar climate. Despite the fact that weather at Rio during Olympics will be hot and humid, these athletes were trained all along at Ootty a place having chilly weather. The coach wanted a cozy living at the cool comforts of Ootty and the requirements of athletes is only secondary for him.

Jaisha was a middle distance runner and she never wanted to do marathon. However, the coach forced her to do marathon against her wishes. Change of track can be done at the initial stage of an athlete and not after 30+.  Lalita and Sudha were steeplechasers were also forced to participate in marathon events. Jaisha was misguided that running marathon will help her in middle distance run, but she was not allowed to return to her pet event. I was told that the coach used to claim commission-nay, snatch his share from the prize money they earned from Marathon. It is nothing but looting from the begging bowl of the poor athletes. It is pertinent to point out that the coach was least interested in the welfare of the athletes and he never fought for their genuine needs. This is evident from the fact that for practicing marathon for representing the country, these athletes had to buy costly shoes spending from their feeble pockets. Moreover, one pair of shoe lasts less than one month considering the strenuous practice of more than 1000 KM per month. 

In a hypothetical case, if the coach had treated the athletes like his daughters and showered them with love, affection, compassion and excellent support and training in the field of their choice (Jaisha for middle distance and Lalita and Sudha in steeplechase) they would have created wonders, probably by making a podium finish. A coach should have excellent rapport with his wards which he was sadly lacking. A coach should command love and respect from his disciples and not fear and hatred. Many of his actions and reactions were highly demotivating and demoralizing. All these cannot be construed as a part of discipline but it is nothing but arrogance, dictatorship, autocracy, high handedness, etc. If the athletes have performed reasonably well even under such hostile conditions, it is a standing testimony of their dedication, commitment, sincerity and hard work.

If such type of coaches continue to rule the roost, our expectations of an Olympic athletic medal will remain a distant dream. It is a pity that such people are engaged on fabulous fees and facilities and they in turn insult the country and its people and spoils the career of promising and talented athletes thereby deprive the country of its genuine dues.

Chitran Namboodiripad

Chitran Namboodiripad

Meeting with a marvelous person.

Yesterday, I had an opportunity to meet Shri. Chitran Namboodiripad, 97 year young legendary personality. He was on a stopover in Delhi, enroute to Kerala after visiting Badrinath, Kedarnath and Amritsar. For the last 25 years he has been visiting the holy shrines of Uttarakhand without any break along with a big team. This year his team consists of 106 members.  Mr. Namboodiripad is a scholar, educationist, erudite reader, eloquent speaker, versatile writer, vivid conversationalist, a walking encyclopedia and above all an extra ordinary person, who can be considered as the embodiment of all human virtues.  He is the personification of love, affection, compassion, consideration, simplicity, sagacity etc and his mere presence will provide you inspiration, positive energy, motivation etc. He held very high positions in Government of Kerala.  About 70 years ago, he established a school in his native village as there was no facility for education in his remote village at that time.  10 years later, he handed over the school to The Government at a token price of one rupee.  After retirement, he was associated with various socio cultural and charitable organizations and presently he is the Director/Vice Chairman of the Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan School in Poochatty, Thrisssur.

During my brief talk with him, he shared his memory with my late father and other relatives. About 7 years ago, I had met him at the same venue and he vividly remembers about the meeting which is an eloquent testimony of his sharp memory. Even at this age, he has no problem in walking and climbing stairs and has no other health problem. It is extremely difficult to find a person with all virtues and without a single negative quality. I pay my humble regards to this legend and wish and pray for his continued health and happiness to enable him to serve the humanity for many more years. I also appeal to the almighty to create more exemplary and noble people like him to make this world a much better place to live in.

Comments

Actually the School with 5 acre land, buildings, furniture etc was gifted to the Government. However, since some amount has to be shown in the registry, a token amount of one rupee was indicated for record purpose only. Mr. Namboodiripad says that the handing over of the documents to his ex-teacher and the then Kerala Education Minister Prof. Joseph Mundassery was one of the proudest moments of his life. If more and more people learn and practice the “Art of giving”, the world will become much more beautiful place, not only visually but also socially, economically, culturally, morally and ethically. Unfortunately, many people are miser in giving even unlimited resources like love, affection, regards, compassion, recognition, appreciation etc, despite the fact that the more you give, the more you get in return.    

Mathrubhumi MPM dated 8th October 2015

Crime & Punishment

Crime & Punishment

About 3 decades ago I wrote an article under the title “Illusion & Reality” and the first paragraph of the article is reproduced below:

“The crime prevention, detection, prosecution and conviction process in India is abysmally slow. This coupled with half hearted approaches of the law enforcement authorities and innumerable loopholes in the legal system ensures that only a negligible percentage of the accused are convicted. It is paradoxical that in a country having the largest number of laws, degree of lawlessness is also the highest. According to agency reports only six percent of the accused are convicted in India. This percentage will further make a nosedive considering the fact that many crimes are not reported and many others, which are reported, are not recorded by the law enforcement agencies. There is a popular joke that while the American and Scotland Yard police catch the culprit within hours of committing the crime, Indian police is well aware of the impending crime hours before it is being committed. No wonder the crime rate whether it is robbery, dacoity, murder, bride burning, gang rape, scams, and scandals are all increasing at an alarming rate.”

During that period many people expressed surprise to the fact that only 1 out of 16 accused are convicted.   We have made phenomenal progress during the last 3 decades and rate of growth is spectacular. According to latest figures released by the Delhi Police, during this year up to September (9 months) only one person has been convicted out of 7124 FIRs registered for crime against women. There may be several cases where cases have not been reported and many more cases where FIRS have not been filed. National capital is expected to be a role model and trend setter for others to emulate. If this is the state of affairs of the National capital, what will be the situation in other parts of the country, especially those afflicted by poverty and illiteracy is beyond imagination. This shows the virtual lawlessness and anarchy prevailing in the country.  When there is no punishment for crime, crime rate is bound to increase. Fear of punishment which is a deterrent for a potential criminal has almost evaporated. Adding insult to injury, all mighty and powerful and human rights organizations fight for criminals and nobody seems to be worried about the helpless and hapless victims.   

Majority of crimes against women takes place within the confines of the homes and only 3.5 % of such offences are committed by strangers. Despite the fact that the identity of the criminals is known, such pathetic conviction rate shows the “efficiency” of the law enforcement authorities.  For all these evils, we conveniently blame the system, as if the system was designed, developed and supplied by the God. Unless something is drastically done to ameliorate the situation, we will become a land of criminals. The day may not be far off when we substitute the word criminal with citizen like “we the criminals of India….”

If the crime situation continue to make alarming progress like this, even GOD may not be able to save this country. 

Ee masathile paripadikal Page 2

Thayambaka

Food Festival

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Food Festival

E M Adithyan

Food is the weakness of the people of all ages. Health and happiness to a large extent depends on the quality of food. Moreover, food is perhaps the only item people above BPL can satisfy. Even billionaires will not be able to satisfy their passion for other items including clothes.

We make tall claims from terrace tops about our improvement in quality. However, we either ignore or are blissfully ignorant about a fundamental fact. ie; quality should begin from Kitchen. (Food) If quality food is served, other qualities like quality of work, quality of service, quality of product, quality of work culture, quality of life etc will automatically follow suit

It is proposed to conduct food festivals starting with state food festivals of each state in all other states culminating with Indian Food Festival at different parts of the globe. To begin with Kerala food festival will be held at all the other state capitals. In the event of popular demand from public, food festival can be conducted at other places of the state as well. Requests for conducting festivals at other places may be forwarded to the Central organising committee through the co-ordinators of the respective states committees.

Highlights:

1 The best of cuisine of the state will be arranged

2 Many of the items in the festival will not be available in Hotels because either it is uneconomical or/and the production process is cumbersome/time consuming

3 To the extent possible natural cereals and vegetables produced without using organic chemicals and pesticides will be used

4 Traditional utencils like Kalchatti ( Utensil carved out of Stone/rock),Charakku (Bronze vessel) ,Pathi (Wooden vessel used for mixing),Kathan chembu (Copper vessel), uruli (Bronze vessel mainly used for frying), Paya (Mat made of grass/leaves) Marakkayil (Wooden serving spoon), Cheena Bharani (China clay utencil) etc will be used

5 Cooking will be done in traditional way with bare minimum use of mechanical and electrical appliances

7 Food will be served in Vazhayila (plantain leaves) instead of plates

6 Traditional beverages like cocunut water, Jal Jeera, Lassi, Butter Milk (the name is a misnomer. It contains neither butter nor milk), Chukku Vellam (Dry Ginger water), Jeeraka Vellam (Jeera hot water), Chukku Kappi (Herbal coffee), Rasam etc will be served. Cold drinks (Nay, cooled drinks) like Pepsi, coca cola etc will not be served.

Objectives

1 To promote regional, national and international integration

2 To develop friendship and fraternity among people of different castes, creed, region, religion and language

3 Create awareness about our rich and varied food

4 To explore the possibility of creating new food items by judicious mixing of items/ingredients from various regions

5 To promote research, innovation and invention in cooking technology

6 To create great cooks (Crooks please excuse. We are already having great crooks)

7 To discourage the use of junk food, fast food and superfast food.

8 To promote health, happiness, productivity, profitability etc through good food culture

9 To use Food Festival as an effective tool for National and International understanding

10 To promote National and International Tourism

11 Food for thought. Better food better thoughts

12 Encourage use of food with medical value to improve immunity and reduce use of slow poison (Allopathic Medicines)

13 Enhance capacity of body and mind by judicious mix of various items. (Eg:Using Spectacles/lens is not the panacea for weak vision. Remedy lies in improving the eye sight or at least prevent it from further deterioration. This is possible by intake of some special food items)

Ayurveda elaborately explains medicinal value of various food items. For more details, please read Ashtanha Hridayam, Ashtanga Samgraham Charaka Samhita, Susruta Samhita etc. For better understanding learn Sanskrit, our Grand Mother tongue

14 To achieve the ultimate objective of making this world a much etter place to live in.

Applications are invited from general public for inclusion in the organising committee Criteria for selection as committee members is as follows.

1. Members will be admitted after proper screening only

2. Admission will be based on the recommendation of Screening Committee

3. Persons having knowledge/interest in cooking will be given preference

4. Members should have pride in Indian culture, civilization and Indian food

5. Sycophants, flatters, leg pullers, back baiters, liars, puppets and people with crab mentality, ego etc will be automatically disqualified from membership

They will be required to travel extensively by all means of transport ie; Bicycle, Moped, Scooter, Bike, Rickshaw, Auto Rickshaw, Car, Tempo, Bus, Train, Helicopter, Plane, Boat, ship etc except by post

Committee members will have a rare opportunity to meet and interact with celebrities from all walks of life. Organisers guarantee that (No Bank Guarantee will be given) not a single category of people will fail to visit the festival.

Festival will be a real mouth opener (not applicable to those whose mouths are always open) to all those who enjoy tasty and nutritious food.

Organisers are expecting unprecedented rush for the food festivals. In view of this admission will be restricted to invitees/pass holders only during the first three days of the festival. Food fans can do advance booking from 4 am to 8 am and 5pm to 9 pm to avoid disappointment. If anybody misses the chance they can visit other state capitals

Subsequent to the successful completion of one round of food festival, even the staunchest supporters of subversive, suffocating, self deceptive, self defeating, scandalous, surreptitious, scurrilous, sulky, sullen and sacrilegious slogans like "Sons of the Soil" will slowly and steadily submerge into more subtle and sober slogans like "Sons of the other soil"

After the conclusion of the state Food Festivals, Indian Food Festival will be held at different parts of the globe. An Indian Food festival can be organised at least for a month without repeating a single item.

Can any other country in the world boast of such a incredible feat?

Be a proud Indian

Food Festival

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Food Festival

E M Adithyan

Food is the weakness of the people of all ages. Health and happiness to a large extent depends on the quality of food. Moreover, food is perhaps the only item people above BPL can satisfy. Even billionaires will not be able to satisfy their passion for other items including clothes.

We make tall claims from terrace tops about our improvement in quality. However, we either ignore or are blissfully ignorant about a fundamental fact. ie; quality should begin from Kitchen. (Food) If quality food is served, other qualities like quality of work, quality of service, quality of product, quality of work culture, quality of life etc will automatically follow suit

It is proposed to conduct food festivals starting with state food festivals of each state in all other states culminating with Indian Food Festival at different parts of the globe. To begin with Kerala food festival will be held at all the other state capitals. In the event of popular demand from public, food festival can be conducted at other places of the state as well. Requests for conducting festivals at other places may be forwarded to the Central organising committee through the co-ordinators of the respective states committees.

Highlights:

1 The best of cuisine of the state will be arranged

2 Many of the items in the festival will not be available in Hotels because either it is uneconomical or/and the production process is cumbersome/time consuming

3 To the extent possible natural cereals and vegetables produced without using organic chemicals and pesticides will be used

4 Traditional utencils like Kalchatti ( Utensil carved out of Stone/rock),Charakku (Bronze vessel) ,Pathi (Wooden vessel used for mixing),Kathan chembu (Copper vessel), uruli (Bronze vessel mainly used for frying), Paya (Mat made of grass/leaves) Marakkayil (Wooden serving spoon), Cheena Bharani (China clay utencil) etc will be used

5 Cooking will be done in traditional way with bare minimum use of mechanical and electrical appliances

7 Food will be served in Vazhayila (plantain leaves) instead of plates

6 Traditional beverages like cocunut water, Jal Jeera, Lassi, Butter Milk (the name is a misnomer. It contains neither butter nor milk), Chukku Vellam (Dry Ginger water), Jeeraka Vellam (Jeera hot water), Chukku Kappi (Herbal coffee), Rasam etc will be served. Cold drinks (Nay, cooled drinks) like Pepsi, coca cola etc will not be served.

Objectives

1 To promote regional, national and international integration

2 To develop friendship and fraternity among people of different castes, creed, region, religion and language

3 Create awareness about our rich and varied food

4 To explore the possibility of creating new food items by judicious mixing of items/ingredients from various regions

5 To promote research, innovation and invention in cooking technology

6 To create great cooks (Crooks please excuse. We are already having great crooks)

7 To discourage the use of junk food, fast food and superfast food.

8 To promote health, happiness, productivity, profitability etc through good food culture

9 To use Food Festival as an effective tool for National and International understanding

10 To promote National and International Tourism

11 Food for thought. Better food better thoughts

12 Encourage use of food with medical value to improve immunity and reduce use of slow poison (Allopathic Medicines)

13 Enhance capacity of body and mind by judicious mix of various items. (Eg:Using Spectacles/lens is not the panacea for weak vision. Remedy lies in improving the eye sight or at least prevent it from further deterioration. This is possible by intake of some special food items)

Ayurveda elaborately explains medicinal value of various food items. For more details, please read Ashtanha Hridayam, Ashtanga Samgraham Charaka Samhita, Susruta Samhita etc. For better understanding learn Sanskrit, our Grand Mother tongue

14 To achieve the ultimate objective of making this world a much etter place to live in.

Applications are invited from general public for inclusion in the organising committee Criteria for selection as committee members is as follows.

1. Members will be admitted after proper screening only

2. Admission will be based on the recommendation of Screening Committee

3. Persons having knowledge/interest in cooking will be given preference

4. Members should have pride in Indian culture, civilization and Indian food

5. Sycophants, flatters, leg pullers, back baiters, liars, puppets and people with crab mentality, ego etc will be automatically disqualified from membership

They will be required to travel extensively by all means of transport ie; Bicycle, Moped, Scooter, Bike, Rickshaw, Auto Rickshaw, Car, Tempo, Bus, Train, Helicopter, Plane, Boat, ship etc except by post

Committee members will have a rare opportunity to meet and interact with celebrities from all walks of life. Organisers guarantee that (No Bank Guarantee will be given) not a single category of people will fail to visit the festival.

Festival will be a real mouth opener (not applicable to those whose mouths are always open) to all those who enjoy tasty and nutritious food.

Organisers are expecting unprecedented rush for the food festivals. In view of this admission will be restricted to invitees/pass holders only during the first three days of the festival. Food fans can do advance booking from 4 am to 8 am and 5pm to 9 pm to avoid disappointment. If anybody misses the chance they can visit other state capitals

Subsequent to the successful completion of one round of food festival, even the staunchest supporters of subversive, suffocating, self deceptive, self defeating, scandalous, surreptitious, scurrilous, sulky, sullen and sacrilegious slogans like "Sons of the Soil" will slowly and steadily submerge into more subtle and sober slogans like "Sons of the other soil"

After the conclusion of the state Food Festivals, Indian Food Festival will be held at different parts of the globe. An Indian Food festival can be organised at least for a month without repeating a single item.

Can any other country in the world boast of such a incredible feat?

Be a proud Indian

NAFED

Nafed

I joined a big company (Big by name only) during May 1974. It took me 2-3 days, to memorize the name.  The first day of joining, when I was returning from office, I met a friend on the way. He heard from someone that I left my previous job and joined a new organization. He asked me as to where I have joined. I asked him to wait for a while and opened the Dairy and read the name “National Agricultural Co operative Marketing Federation of India Ltd” popularly known as NAFED. My office was at Sapna building and I was staying at Sriniwaspuri which is roughly 700 meters from the office. I used to start around 9.45 and during summer it looks like noon time. 

I was posted in Marketing Department and my boss was Mr. Sanyal a man of around 55 years old. At that time his assistant was one Mr. Gulati who was both mentally and physically sick. Almost daily, Mr. Sanyal used to get firing from his boss as neither he was able to get work from his subordinate nor was he able to do it himself.  Mr. Sanyal was also upset   with the tragic death of his teenage son (Only son) few months ago. Few days after my joining the scenario were changed. Firing totally stopped because there was no work related complaint. When his boss calls him, he asked me also to come along with him. While the boss asks questions/clarifications to Mr. Sanyal, he directs me to give replies.  Subsequently, Mr. Sanyal’s boss stopped calling him and instead used to call me directly. Mr. Sanyal was very fond of me and he used to bring Bengali sweets and other delicacies for me from home. I used to cut jokes, create instant jokes during conversation and used to keep him in good humour.

Working atmosphere at Nafed was excellent. It was like a family ambiance. Though I was posted in marketing department, I used to have lunch with my finance colleagues. The Finance Head, FA & CAO along with all other staff used to take lunch together, an unusual scene. Once my top boss fired me for a strange reason. I was in dire need of money and I asked some colleagues but they were not in a position to help me. When my super boss came to know about this, he scolded me and asked me as why I did not tell him and said “what for I am here, if I am not able help you in dire need?”  Once when I was on leave for 2 days, due to sickness he sent an employee to enquire about my welfare.   

I had decided to leave Nafed primarily because I was interviewed for the post of Accounts Assistant but was offered the post of accounts clerk though my rank was very high in test and interview and another candidate with higher qualification but lesser rank was given the post of Accounts Assistant. Logically, when test and interview is conducted for a post, overall rank is the main consideration and higher qualification should not be of any consequence. Secondly I was posted in Marketing Department and I thought that it will jeopardize my career.

At the time I left Nafed, Mr. Sanyal was on leave as he had gone to Calcutta. When he came to office after the leave he was carrying items on both hands. He reached office at about 10.30 AM and immediately asked “Where is Adithyan?” Somebody told him that I left Nafed.  He was in a shock and whatever items he was holding fell on the floor.  For a while he stood like a statue with tears rolling down his eyes. When I heard this story, I thought of visiting Nafed to meet him. After about 10-15 days, I took a day’s leave (It was very difficult to reach BEL by public transport) to visit Nafed, but before that he had taken voluntary retirement and left for his home town. 

Manorama Dated 23.9.15

Writing and Running. Adithyan Excels in both

Edapal:-  Adithyan is going ahead in writing and running without looking back.  Adithyan who hails from Elangalloor Mana Edapal Thuyyam and a resident of Delhi is reaping achievements in both.  While moving ahead with a variety of writings, Adithyan is making his presence felt in sports world also. In the recently concluded Airtel Hyderabad half Marathon, he secured second position in the super veteran category by completing 21.097 KM in 2 hours 28 minutes at the age of 65.

Retired as Finance Manager from Bharat Electronics Ltd Mumbai 5 years ago, (It is wrongly written. It should be BEL Ghaziabad) he is in the forefront of raising social issues whether at the local level or at the Prime Minister’s level. He is having a collection of letters from a galaxy of eminent personalities including Dr. Manmohan Singh Prime Minister, Sepp Blatter President FIFA etc. However, he cannot be treated as a mere letter writer. His write ups have appeared in several leading publications of India in 8 languages including English, Hindi and Malayalam.

About 4 decades ago he reached Delhi in search of job. His first letter appeared in The Hindustan Times in the year 1973 about removing the time period for railway reservation. His writings include a variety of topics like social issues, criticism, sports, culture, science & technology, current affairs, humorous write ups, satire etc which has appeared in leading English News papers and other language papers.  Writing letters to people who have excelled in various fields is a passion for Adithyan. Barring few exceptions, he got replies from all celebrities. He is preserving these letters as a great treasure.

Basically a lover of all sports, Adithyan got interest in Half Marathon and began practicing for that. He made his debut by participating in the Auroville Half Marathon at Pondicherry during February 2014. Subsequently he participated in Hyderabad and other marathons. He is currently preparing for the forthcoming marathons. His wife is Anitha and two daughters are Anupama and Ambily. 

Running on the Road

Running on Road

On 2^nd October I went to Poorv Delhi Khel Parisar for a trial run.  It was closed on that day due to Gandhi Jayanthi.  At the time when I reached there, I was the only “out” standing person at the gate.  Since the Security Guard is my friend and fan, I thought that he will allow the runners and walkers in as is being done on Monday, the weekly holiday.  In the meantime two more members came.  Security Guard informed us that they were having strict instructions not to allow entry of anyone. However, they allowed me to keep my carry bag inside and I put the water bottle containing energy drinks inside the Iron Gate so that I can take it from outside whenever I required. I started sunning on the main road connecting GTB hospital to Tahirpur. It is a wide straight road. Running on the straight road has a psychological advantage because since the road is visible for a long distance, you will feel that the destination is near, though it is far. I did nonstop run of 12 KM (except drink break).

Due to a weekly bazaar on the previous day, the road was dirty and filthy as waste items were strewn all around. We Indians are masters in polluting and making dirty of public places, whether it is roads, rivers, lakes, parks or any other public place. They lack the courtesy and civic sense to keep a bag or container to put the waste and even in places where dust bins are provided, many people including the educated people throw the waste hay-wire.  When a park is rented out for marriage or some other function, next day it will be difficult to walk on the footpath as food particles were being thrown all around. It requires some special skill to make it so dirty as even animals will have better civic sense. The same peoples becomes civilized, law abiding, obedient, disciplined etc when they visit a foreign soil because there the punishment is heavy.  It is a pity that majority of the people will be disciplined under pressure or fear only. DMRC is able to maintain cleanliness and they are able to maintain a separate culture since beginning because of constant counseling and also due tom the fact that penalty is heavy. What is the difference between an illiterate person and an educated person so far as the civilization is concerned when both will do or undo something only under pressure or fear only? Unfortunately, our education system failed to inculcate couture, ethics, manners, civic sense, honesty, integrity, morality etc and its primary duty is to produce money making machine only. .  

Government spends crores of rupees on cleaning of rivers and other public places. Half of the amount can be saved, if people show little civic sense. Heavy penalty should be imposed from those who pollute public places so that this amount should be sufficient to do the cleaning operation. But the million (or billion) dollar question is who will bell the cat. Let us not try to be on the top of the world only on negative aspects  like Road accidents, robbery, dacoity, murder, gang rape, scams, scandals,  pollution, adulteration and last but not least corruption. 

Salad Ramachandran

 I stayed in Sriniwaspuri a South Delhi Government colony for 10 years from 1974 to 1984. We had a friend called Ramachandran who was staying about 100 meters away. Unlike many other bachelors’ rooms, Ramachandran’s room was always neat and clean. Rooms of many bachelors look like a big astray with hundreds of cigarette buds strewn around.  Ramachandran was a non drinker and non smoker and a very polished person with always smiling face and pleasant look. Every item in the room is kept neat and tidy. Many people could not believe that it is a bachelor’s room. His door always remains open and friends can freely enter his room. He treats friends and guests very well with coffee/tea and snacks. Once when I went to his room, I found the charpoy (Cot made of bamboo stick and coir) dancing. Anybody who believes in ghosts, devils etc (During old days, people used to see Devils in dreams only. However, in these days you can see devils everywhere. In some places devils are in majority. This is a classical example of the popular perception that dreams will become reality one day.  Hence friends are requested not to stop dreaming as your dreams will become reality sooner or later. Whether you want to see good dreams or bad dreams is up to you). would have got frightened. When I looked closely, Ramachandran was dusting under the cot with wet cloth. On another occasion, we found two bed sheets neatly packed and kept on the bed. When one of the friends asked him as to whether he washed it himself or got it dry-cleaned, he replied that he has kept them outside for cleaning. That was the height of his cleaning sense.

He was good in cooking and expert in making salads. People may be wondering as to what expertise is required to prepare salad. This has to be experienced and cannot be explained. Some people when they prepare something will have special taste and the reason can neither be explained nor proved scientifically. (Rationalists may or may not believe it, but if they experience it, they will definitely believe it, at least privately).   I lost in touch with him more than 3 decades ago. He hails from vavanur near Kootanad, Palakkad district Kerala. I shall be grateful, if somebody can help me to me in touch with him. He will be around 63-65 now

Spoilers of Sports

Spoilers of Sports

Last National Games were held in Kerala at different venues. For conducting   the game a new Greenfield stadium was constructed at Karyavattom near Trivandrum with a capacity of 50000 spectators spending Rs 240 crores. The stadium was made in such a way that both cricket and soccer can be played there. After creating lot of infrastructural facilities most of them remain underutilized for a long time and spending huge amount on maintenance.  There was an opportunity to stage an international soccer match in this new stadium. The world cup qualifying match between Guam and India was supposed to play at this stadium. However, the proposal was indirectly scuttled and strangulated by the stadium authorities by demanding an exorbitant rent of Rs 34 lacs for one day. The magnitude of this inflated rent can be gauged from the fact that daily rent of Salt Lake Stadium Kolkata which is having a higher capacity is Rs 8 Lacs only and rent of Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium Kochi which is having similar capacity is Rs 5 lacs. It appears that the stadium authorities wanted to indirectly deny the facility to host the match.

The stadium was built on the land allotted by the Government of Kerala at a nominal cost. Hence they are duty bound to give the stadium for national sports activities. However, who will enforce discipline on these “Sports lovers” who built such gigantic stadiums for the development of sports in the country is a million dollar question. In this connection I quote from a letter I wrote to the Prime Minister few days ago

“Government spends crores of rupees in the name of sports, repeat in the name of sports, but only negligible percentage reaches the sports persons. No wonder we return from international sports meets with peanuts and become a laughing stock in the eyes of the world.”

Some people and organizations are having such negative mentality that whether they get some benefit or not, they will ensure that others should not be benefited by their action or inaction even inadvertently. This type of negative attitude coupled with crab mentality is largely responsible for retarding the progress of our country in many fields.

Let the God save God’s own country and our own country.

Skeleton staff

Skelton Staff

During my early period in BEL, late Shri B Ramachandra Rao was my boss for a long time. Initially I was posted in Audit and he was the Head of Audit Department. I heard that in those days, posting of an employee was influenced by his/her name also, like Kashmirilal in Cash Section, Adithyan in Audit etc.  During those days, there was both pre audit and post audit. Important financial proposals, payments beyond some limits, final payment of contractors’ bill etc were done only after concurrence from Audit. Now a day’s audit is confined to post audit only.  Many auditors will sit on the fence, watch all the wrong doings and will subsequently come out with big audit reports. Some auditors are of opinion that they should at least raise one question, even if the proposal is in order. In one Purchase proposal for purchase of shoes as a part of uniform, one auditor has raised a question “if 8” shoes and 9” shoes are available at the same rates, why should we go for 8” shoes?” There are several definitions for audit but one definition given by a BEL employee is “Audit is a necessary nuisance”.

Shri Ramachandra Rao was having full faith and confidence on me. He unofficially used to seek my opinion on various matters. He used to ask me to examine the draft letters and very often he used to tell his PA “Show to Adithyan”.  During those days there were 4 Sr. Accountants in Audit Department.  Mr. Sablok (It is the name of a person and not all people), Mr. Malhotra, Mr. Unnikrishnan and myself. The former two were 90+ (weight, and not age) and latter two were 60-.  During that period Mr. Malhotra changed from B to C i.e.; he left BEL and joined CEL, another public sector undertaking and Mr. Sablok was ‘temporarily” transferred to Regional Office New Delhi.  (Mr. Sablok retired from Regional Office after serving about 35 years there)  Our workload increased tremendously. If it was only post mortem (post audit) we could have avoided doing something, but pre audit cannot be avoided, and since Audit is the final clearance authority, their responsibility was tremendous.  One day Shri. Rao called me and asked me to go through a draft proposal. The proposal was about posting additional staff to Internal Audit Department. The note went like this “Audit is working with skeleton staff at the supervisory level…..” After some time I went to his cabin. He asked my comments about the proposal. I told him. “Sir, what you have written is hundred percent literally correct. If Sablok and Malhotra were there, perhaps you would not have made such a note”. He could not resist the temptation of laughing.

Fish as Friend

Fish as a friend

There is a small temple of Lord Ayyappa in our house compound along with other Gods like Ganapati (Lord Ganesh) and Dakshinamurthy (Lord Siva). During my school days, I used to do Pooja at this temple. After the Pooja, I go to the nearby pond to wash the utensils. One big fish along with several tiny fishes comes to eat the rice particles in the utensils and on my hand. When this continued for few days, I used to give all the Nivedyam (Items offered to God during Pooja) whether it is rice or Payasam (Sweet dish) to the fish for eating. Gradually the big fish became my friend. I used to touch him, pamper him and cajole him.  When I show the food items from above the water level, it jumps and picks it. It was an unusual spectacle  as 99% Keralites are non vegetarians, mostly fish eaters and the moment the shadow of a human being is sighted, fishes especially big ones go under the water. However, on the mere sight of my shadow, it comes above the water level. Though it had two trunks, it never used it against me. It stands silently when I touch its body and it appeared that the fish enjoyed my love, affection and care.  

I believe that there is no barrier for friendship. However, many people are under the illusion that they should make friendship with people of same status only. They will befriend with only those people who are of their standard, who occupies similar houses, who hold similar positions, who earns similar salary, who owns similar car, who belong to the same sect etc. Even though they may have friends in other categories just to show off, their friendship may not be sincere. They are nothing but narrow minded and immature people who think that they live in ivory towers. These people are constantly under stress, strain and tension as they are worried about their material things and their personal relation often converts into commercial relation. There are some materialistic people who even give loan to their parents by charging interest. As a token of ‘love and respect’ to their parents and mark of generosity, the interest rate charged by them will be slightly lower than the rate charged from others. When will these people make real friends cutting across all barriers is a million dollar question.  

Having friendship and interaction with wide range of people, will increase information base, knowledge and wisdom of both. Our late President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam was a classic example of this. Many artists who performed at Rashtrapati Bhavan told me that he attends the programme with rapt attention. Unlike many other Rashtrapatis, he talks to the artists and try to understand the intricacies and nuances of the art and musical instruments.   No wonder he was a walking encyclopedia. Other categories of people who are reluctant to mingle with people will remain like a frog in the well.

Auto/Taxi Charges

Auto/Taxi Charges

Barring few exceptions, most of the Auto/Taxi drivers overcharge the commuters. If you argue with them, many of them will misbehave also. However, most of them avoid quarrelling with rough and tough people, and such people will not be overcharged also. Concerned with this problem, I devised a method.  Whenever I travel, I used to carry formats both in English and Hindi and will politely ask the driver to fill up it and sign. Alternatively, I suggest that I will fill up the form and he has to mention the amount and put his signature. The form contains details like date, time, from, to, distance covered and fare etc in addition to vehicle particulars like registration number, name of driver, badge number of the driver etc. A person who overcharges, never give these particulars in writing. Once an auto driver who demanded a hefty sum asked me as to why I want this form to be filled up. I told him that I have to submit this in the office to claim reimbursement. To his question as to which office I am working, I told a lie “I am working in CBI”. He asked “CBI kya hota hai?” (What is CBI?) I told him “CBI Policewalom ka baap hota hai”. (CBI is much higher than police.) When I told this he came down and told me “Aap Jo marji dena chahte to dedo”. (Give whatever you want). However, I never misused such situation and paid less than normal.  

Winner without Medal

Winner without Medal

On 19^th September O P Jaisha sent me an SMS informing that she came first in the 10000 meters race clocking a time of 33:03 (Thirty three minutes and three seconds) at the National Open Athletic Meet being held at Kolkata. Incidentally this is an improvement over her own record, created at the last National Games by more than 5 seconds. Next day when I searched the news paper, there was no news on the subject including in the Malayalam news papers.  I checked back with Jaisha who told me that she was not registered for the 10000 meters race and on request she was allowed to participate unofficially.   In the last National Games at Trivandrum, Jaisha gave a sterling performance and won the 10000 meters beating her nearest rival by more than one lap (400 Meters) behind.  It is unfortunate that such a talented athlete, who created history in winning margin, was deprived to participate officially in the 10K race.  There appears to be a serious dereliction of duty on the part of the concerned authorities in this goof up.   It is regrettable that our talented top class athletes are treated in this cavalier manner. Let us hope that such gross irregularities will not happen in future.

National Open Athletic Championship

National Open Athletic Championship

O P Jaisha again created history by beating the meet record of Preeja Sreedharan in 5000 meters race in the National Open Athletic Meet being held at Kolkata.  Just two weeks ago she participated in the grueling marathon event at the world athletic championship at Beijing and beat her own record. She came in the top twenty where 74 world class athletics participated and also qualified for the Olympics.  Her compatriot Lalita Babar gave a hot pursuit till half way stage and if Lalita would have given a tough competition, Jaisha could have further improved her timings.  This is her 4^th record breaking performance in the year 2015. In the month of January she broke 20 year old marathon record held by Satyabhama, in the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon.  Subsequently she broke the 5000 and 10000 meters record in the national games held at Trivandrum.  The exhaustive marathon training programme of running more than one thousand kilometers per month, took a heavy toll from her, losing 7 KG weight in the process. Weight loss may be good for fatty/bulky people but not for a person already lean and thin.  Credit for this goes to the “nutritional” food provided to her in “adequate” quantity during the training camp. She is confident of improving the 5000 Meters record.  Considering the fact that she competed in 5000 meters race without any training, she is competent to improve upon her timings. She will be participating in the Bangalore Marathon and I am sure that she will emerge victorious.  The prize money she will get will enable her to buy few pair of shoes without draining her depleted pocket.  I am planning to write her biography or help her to write her auto biography which will unravel many stark realities hitherto unknown to the sports world.  Like Priyanka Chopra, who became multi millionaire at the cost of Mary Kom, I will not rob a poor girl and will give 50 % of the proceeds of the book to Jaisha and the balance amount will also be used for the development of sports in the country.

If an athlete can produce scintillating performance without any training and competitive exposure, what wonder she can create with nutritional food, proper training and adequate international exposure is anybody’s guess. All the athletes who have qualified for the Olympics should be provided with much needed international exposure by allowing them to participate in various meets across the world. We have committed the biggest blunder in the case of P T Usha by not sending her any for international meets before the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, whereas her competitors had participated in several meets across the globe. Still, whatever she had achieved is purely due to her grit, will power, dedication, determination and killer instinct. We lost a golden opportunity to win an athletic Olympic medal in 1984. We should not repeat that blunder again.

 Let us fervently hope that Jaisha and her companions will make 2016 Rio Olympics as the most memorable Olympics for them and the country. 

Bank Fraud Case

Bank Fraud Case

About 35 years I had a chance to deal with a fraud case. Husband of an illiterate/semi literate lady was working in Kuwait. Gulf boom was at its peak during those days.  He used to remit money regularly through Punjab National bank.  Whenever she gets a letter from her husband, (Phones were few and far between those days) she used to go to bank to find out whether the remittance has come.  Every time she gets a reply that the amount has not been received.  After several visits to the bank, she will be informed that one amount has come, though by that time 3-4 remittances should have been credited to her account.  Foreign exchange was very precious in those days.  Many items were easily available by giving payment in FE. Advance booking was prevalent for scooters (Motor cycles were not popular at that time) and one has to wait 7-8 years to mature his booking.  Many people used to book in the names of all members of the family thinking that if the allotment comes, they can sell it in black market.   Bank Manager was manipulating her account by swindling the poor illiterate lady. However, the lady was sure that something was going wrong.

Her neighbour and my colleague brought the case to me one day. She had some correspondence with higher offices of the bank but there was no reply.  After studying the case, I was sure that there was a big fraud.  I made a strong letter in her name addressed to The Secretary Banking, (by name) Ministry of Finance. I am fortunate that when I fight for justice or fight against gross injustice and write letters to high profile people, Goddess Saraswathi provides me the choicest words.  I have to check the meaning of many words, but in the ultimate analysis I found them perfectly matching.

Within 3 days of my letter, a special messenger was sent to bank with a direction to Manager that he should hand over the charge to the next person and proceed on leave. After 2 days, he was placed under suspension.  Within 2 weeks time she got a huge amount being the pending credits of several remittances.   Perhaps due to the fact that case was taken up at the highest level, she got all the arrears even before recovering the same from the accused.

My friend told her that all these happened due to the help of his friend. She expressed a desire to meet me.  I told my friend to bring her outside the factory. One day he brought her and I went to the reception area to meet her.  I could see the excitement, ecstasy, happiness and gratitude etc on her partially covered face.  She wanted to touch my feet but since she was much elder to me, I did not allow that. I don’t mind if people who are 15-20 years or more younger to me touching my feet as it is a mark of respect. (There may be people who want to pull my leg under the guise of touching my feet).It is pathetic to see politicians allowing or encouraging people who are of their father’s or even grandfather’s age to touch their feet.  I am not a stupid politician (I am not a politician at all) to encourage such slavery mentality.

I was happy and thrilled that I could use the God gift (writing power) to help a poor illiterate unknown women. The satisfaction one derives by such humble services cannot be measured in money terms.