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INDIA AND PAKISTAN

During the British rule both India & Pakistan were one unit under the bondage of the British people. The struggle for freedom was our combined efforts and the British had no other way except to leave "Lock Stock & Barrel". But while leaving the United India they planned to destroy the peaceful existence of India by splitting the country into two and our Leaders then fell in lin...e with their idea and the partition took place immediately after Independence in 1947. The intention of the British people was different. They wanted to see that India & Pakistan must not remain as " twin country" and sowed the seeds of hatred before they left the Indian soil. The line of demarcation was not a neat "Cake Cut" and it resulted in mutual hatred and misunderstanding in later years. Our leaders on both sides were not fully committed to settle the issue as they also developed introvert tendencies which resulted in continued problems between ( hither to friendly family unit) , India & Pakistan. Any amount of discussion and conferences could not find an amicable solution. Absolute commitment and genuine efforts from both sides only can settle this border issue in a peaceful manner. Otherwise this continued fight & killing of innocent people will be the daily news for all the Peace loving people of India & Pakistan. We have to be back as one JOINT FAMILY once more!. But I know it will be a WISHFUL THINKING!. Earnest political approach between the Leaders of both countries will definitely bring all of us in a Peaceful and harmonious life. Let us all pray for that DAY when the leaders will become sober enough to deal the issue with " Open Hearted" political Surgery with malice to none!

Abraham Mangalath Mariamma Philip

GAMES & SPORTS

GAMES & SPORTS- CRICKET MATCH FIXING!

In the context of the recent case about game fixing  I would like to pass on my views on the control over the games at the managerial level to check such malpractices if any in Indian Cricket teams.

The field games and sports were intended to create spirit of competition and sportsmanship amongst the youngsters and also for developing their character building process in the group games & sports. Now it seems that the entire system of games & sports and the management have become a source of manipulations for making  “Big Money”!. How could such sober activities of games fall into a den of people who deals with games & sports as a money making machinery and a commercial enterprise?

I feel that many of the people at the helm of affairs of the sports and games have not come to that position due to their performances in the field of sports. Such managers had their “ own axe to grind” in the management and control of international events. This tendency in making huge money has misled the youngsters who were attracted towards fabulous amount in the professional status of international cricket.

The recent incidents that followed on the issue of  “Cricket Fixing” are all due to this kind of diversion of sports & games towards a commercial set up leading to  such malpractices. Punishments like, life long detention from game of cricket is not the solution for correcting the youngsters if they have erred in the game. The issues forced on them directly or indirectly are the reasons for such actions from them. If such drastic steps are taken in similar cases in all the other departments,  many would have been jobless.

Even murderers are given benefit of doubt and released without serious punishment. Preconceived and preformed thoughts only lead to this kind of action from the organizers. In this particular case of the BCCI’s decision, the president himself is under observation for misdoings in the financial and administrative matters of Cricket.

I feel that the charges leveled against those youngsters must be withdrawn, giving them chance to correct themselves and allow them to play the game in future. The organizers should have taken a divine approach before imposing heavy punishments to the youngsters of promise, reported to have done malpractices in the conduct of the game of cricket.

Abraham Mangalath Philip

ROAD SAFETY

                                                                            ROAD SAFETY

Recent road accidents involving untimely death of innocent passengers show the ineffective control of the Bus drivers by the Bus owners and the Government officials. The accidents are prone to happen when a vehicle moves on the road, driven by a careless and inexperienced person. Holding of a License to drive a public transport, does not mean that the passengers are safe in the hands of the person driving the vehicle  with a valid license.

The reasons for the fatal accidents on the roads are not far to seek. Failure of the driver is mainly the cause for the accidents. Material failure is also a component factor but it is very rare.  I would suggest the following measures to prevent road accidents which have become a menace to the travelling public:-

A.       On the part of the driver.

        1.       The driver must be sufficiently experienced in driving heavy duty vehicles. At least the person who has 15 years driving experience only should handle the Bus or any other public transport.

2.       Minimum age for driver for public transport must be 35 years.

3.       The driver should not use alcoholic drinks during duty hours.

4.       The fitness of the vehicle (Road worthiness) must be checked before taking the Bus/Van.

5.       He should stop and start the vehicle very carefully after ensuring that all the passengers are in/out.

6.        Light signals must invariably used while driving in the night duly observing the traffic regulations during day & night.

      B.      On the part of the Transport Officials:-

1.       Frequent checks on the safety aspects during day & night to be ensured.  Surprised patrolling and checks necessary to bring awareness in the minds of the drivers   “regarding Safe Driving”.

2.       Over speeding to be controlled by surprised inspections by the Traffic officials.

3.       Frequent refresher courses to be arranged to instill good and safe driving sense in the mind set of the drivers.

4.       Installation of Speed governor only will not avoid accidents. Even at slow speed accidents can happen, if driven by a careless/rash driver!.

5.       Like Railway locomotive, a Second driver (Navigator) may be thought of to assist the main driver to alert him from “Moments of Inaction” which often seen in drivers due to mental aberration/diversion..

6.       Repeated offenders to be punished and incorrigible drivers to dismissed from  service.

        C.    On the part of the PWD Officials:-

         1.     The engineers concerned must ensure safe roads by maintaining the road structure on the fixed schedule according to the terrain. If on the hill slopes, the road must be protected with breast walls with weep holes and with flatter side slopes.

               2.   Catch water drain must be constructed at appropriate levels to prevent

                       over flowing of the rain water thereby damaging the hill slopes causing landslides.

 3.     Proper super elevation/cant to be provided on curves without any compromise.

   A " Stitch in Time Saves Nine” must be the motto of the engineers in maintaining the roads.

       I am sure if we are careful in the above items in maintaining the transport vehicles and the roads we may be able to prevent fatal accidents on the roads, duly taking into confidence the drivers for their safe performance.

Abraham Mangalath Philip

 

TRAITORS IN POLITICS

                                                        “Mirjaffers “ in the political parties

We fought for freedom from the British rule through concerted efforts without any rivalry in between. But soon after the Freedom we dissolved our unity and started thinking in different terms to excel each other in the making of an independent nation. Different parties took shape with different ideologies resulting in mutual hatred and distrust amongst the parties. This type of attitudes grew up in geometrical proportions and the parties started in- fights which shook the very foundation of our independence.

The rivalry in the party politics created strained relation amongst the politicians. The “Black Sheep” also infiltrated in the party playing their dual role. These “ MIRJAFFERS” played the role of secret informers and tilted the political equilibrium even without the knowledge of the Leaders.  It is true that some of the branded party leaders/followers   turn hostile and work as agencies of the other parties and create incorrigible damage to loyal politicians and their attempts to build up strong Governance in the country.

This type of infiltration of truant politicians, interfere in the administration and also vitiate the criminal and civil cases pending against mischief mongers and criminals. They play the role of the LEGENDARY BAT in the day to day affairs of the State. A vigilant and impartial investigation and follow up action only can isolate such unwanted elements from the politics.  Unless we weed out these MIRJAFFERS we will hit on the “Rock of Gibralter”, as I may call it, and perish soon. 

Therefore a “Flame testing” is necessary before we induct people in any party for that matter, to identify the genuineness of the persons to serve the country as a public servant/ politician in the true sense of the word. The party leadership must be very alert to sort out the “misfits” before it is too late. ..

 

Abraham Mangalath Philip

MONSOON HAVOCS IN KERALA

MONSOON HAVOCS IN KERALA Unlike the previous years kerala has very heavy rainfall during this monsoon. Heavy damages to life and property are caused due to landslides. The recent one at Adimali is one of the worst such slope failures in the eastern region of Kerala. The roads while they are formed on the hill slopes are not given proper technical attention at the time of design of the roads on hill slopes. Detailed studies of the area, type of soil in the hill slopes and the natural streams and faulting of rocks etc , are to be ascertained by expert engineers and the slope protection done accordingly. The natural slope for cutting surface must be given after confirming the “Angle of repose” of the soil in that particular area. The slope may be 1:1 or even flatter to avoid slippage of the top soil due to earth pressure during monsoon. More over catch water drains & berms of adequate width must be provided on the hill slopes to avoid sliding of the earth on the road. Similar action to be taken on the down side of the road with retaining walls of adequate depth & parapet wall and cross drainage. The engineers are responsible to maintain such technical provisions during construction and scheduled maintenance of roads on hill slopes before and after monsoon season. Pre monsoon precautionary measures in the maintenance of roads in hilly areas in cuttings are neglected by the engineers. These engineers from top level to bottom must inspect the condition of the roads through the forests and preventive actions taken in time to prevent disaster. Pre monsoon activities like cleaning of surface drains/ catch water drains repairs to breast walls and retaining walls etc are to be done at top priority by the engineers concerned. Unless and otherwise the departmental engineers wake up in time with earnest action in Protecting the roads in hill slopes, we will have more of such calamities in future also. The natural flow of the subsoil water should in no way obstructed. If the natural cleavages are blocked the flow will get obstructed causing landslides. In this connection I had earlier written in my face book about “ Urulpottal”. The politicians who have taken oath to serve the nation with absolute commitment should observe things around when they travel on these roads in hill slopes. We cannot shake off our responsibilities and name all these calamities as “Natural Calamities”. No they are all “ Man made” calamities for which all of us are responsible for the loss of human lives of the innocent people who depend on our Technical knowledge in public service in safe guarding their safety. So let us be ALERT! Abraham Philip

RESHUFFLING OF THE STATES INTO SMALLER UNITS..?

 

STATES REORGANISATION

India was internationally known for its unity in diversity. But the States reorganization in the initial spell in the formation of 16 states gave rise to bitterness between the states in the social and cultural attitudes of the people. The second reorganization again damaged the peaceful coexistence of the people in the neighboring states. The intended mission of economic growth of the states and their social status in the national growth could not be achieved even after 67 years of independence.

Such fragmentation of the country into smaller areas based on linguistic and social and cultural status will not give the desired results. It will on the contrary beget enmity and hatred amongst the states and also uninvited competition among the people, affecting peace and tranquility of life.

For a better relation of people belonging to different states, I had earlier suggested to resort to Zonal Division of the country irrespective of language or culture. In this connection I would request all of you to go through my article in my site http://divinityinaction.blogspot.com dated 24rth November 2007.

Abraham Mangalath Philip  

PARLIAMENT & ASSEMBLY

                                OVER DOZE of POLITICS & OVER DOINGS OF POLITICIANS

Our elected representatives both in the Parliament and Assembly are considered to be responsible and committed to their role in the Governance of the country. But very often it is seen that most of these representatives forget their sober role inside the Parliament house or assembly hall and behave very erratically and emotionally forgetting all norms of gentleman’s behavior. These MPs & MLAs are not keeping the decorum of the house and react in an unmannerly and unbecoming manner and thereby belittle the dignity of the house.

The recent assembly sittings in the kERALA State Assembly, revealed the irresponsibility of the MLAs in maintaining the status of the house and to deal with grave situations faced by the State in restoring normalcy in the flood damage and other daily problems confronting the general public. They are least concerned, it seems, when we see the agitations of the angry MLAs on the screen and the commotion and mutual accusations in the most undisciplined manner. The discussions must be on important issues related to public administration and not on issues pertaining to crimes or other public nuisances for which appropriate authoririties are in position to take care of such unsocial elements.  The judiciary and concerned departments will take prompt actions according to the merit of each case. The MLAs and Media need not  go in details of such happenings and spend their time in the thread bear analysis of the heard stories and interrogate  and run a parallel judiciary  and trials!. 

I have earlier mentioned about the unchecked news of the media and their “going beyond LIMITS”. Certain restriction has to be observed in dealing with the news that is reported from different sources. Do not overestimate or anticipate the outcome and expose with added explanations. Very often the Video chat between the Channels and individuals or groups” goes at a tangent” and ends up with mutual hatred and accusation.

It is high time that we should change the style of expression both in the TV Channels and other means of communications. Unless we all exercise control  & restraint on our own democratic rule, we will end up in a miserable state of affairs. King’s Rule or President ruling the country may not be as dangerous as a Democratic set up, if everyone does not realizes his/her duties to the Nation. Certain amount of self-sacrifice and extrovert thinking is necessary to get over the day to day difficulties we encounter in life. Of late the election and followed procedures are all heading towards a disastrous end due to our strained relation with political groups and individuals. We are driven to a point of no return and almost reached the CLIFF from where we fall into the FATHEMLESS PIT!. Political parties do not respect each other!

When I recall my life in the Indian Railway Service,  covering almost all the states of the Indian Union( 16 states then), I am happy that life spent in different areas  was worthy as it afforded opportunities to serve the country amongst  people of different temperaments and  speaking different Languages. A peaceful existence without jeopardizing the fundamental duty entrusted. Mutual respect and recognition amongst people at all levels was the “main stay” in maintaining balanced views for the betterment of the people at large.

Unlike other States of India, we people of kerala have a special feature of introvert attitude whenever we are called upon to perform, whether it is in office or elsewhere . "An Axe to Grind" feelings develop in the minds of public servants. Exposure to different places and culture only will give us the spirit of oneness to discharge our responsibilities in an acceptable level. The present situation in KERALA, demands that we all must act together to see that the progress in all the works towards a better tomorrow, is ensured in every Thought & Action.            

Let us put our shoulders together and pull in the same direction so that resultant force is in the desired direction.

Abraham Mangalath Philip