HIDDEN TREASURES OF KERALA

THE HIDDEN TREASURE
It is a blessing in disguise that we could open out the Treasures kept by our predecessors – the kings of Travancore. In the olden days our kings of the state of Travancore were very prudent and shrewd in administrative skills and they could foresee bad times ahead. Therefore they preserved the wealth in the form of gold & silver in secret and sacred places (Temple sites) so as to be safe from the robbers and miscreants.
The ancient rulers of the State of Travancore always wanted to keep their Subjects happy and they did everything for the benefit of the people of the State. These Rajas amassed wealth –Gold & Silver and other precious items from far & near and preserved them in secured places, lest it may be robbed off by the Foreign rulers or kings of the neighboring states. These treasures were brought to the exchequer by forcefully from other rulers using the tactics of “Beg, Borrow or Steal”. Donations and offerings from the devotees also were collected and preserved in the vaults of the Temple.
The monetary value of the Gold & Silver might have been negligible at that time of procurement, but the Kings had the insight to Estimate the value of these treasures in the future years to come and therefore realized the importance of the safety of these valuables. The best place of security was found to be the Temple away from the public view of the hidden treasure. In olden days entry to this Temple also was restricted or banned for the common man to avoid any possible theft.
Now that we have traced out our resources, our Destiny towards a better tomorrow is certain. Therefore we should diligently act upon the utilization of the “Unknown Wealth hitherto and make use of the treasure with utmost care & sanctity. First step is to get rid of all our DEBTS and restore our financial status, utilizing part of the asset duly capitalizing for urgent purposes. The lion’s share must always be kept as reserve for the RAINY DAYS.

Abraham Mangalath

LOKPAL

LOKPAL
From the day one of man’s life on this earth began, he was experimenting with the surroundings for better means of living for his security and comforts. In this long race he has formulated many gadgets to set right his life style in harmony with nature and the other living and non living species. This background was kept as our “anchor block” to sort out the issues that confront us in our modern life ensuring security to our life and property and goodwill of our neighbors.Now as it is, we have almost all the elements to run our life’s business much better than ever before. The most important being our TEXT of Administration- the Constitution of India- Our sacred GEETHA/BIBLE/KHURAN and this Holy Book as I may call it, propels the line of action of all of us. The three formations, The Legislature/The judiciary/The Executive are the three “Moorthies” to handle the Sacred Book.
Of late, we on our struggle to attain greater heights in our position amongst the nations of the world, took shortcuts and plunged ourselves in an irreversible “Muddle” and lost sight of our “guiding star”- the provisions of the Constitution. If the constitutional provisions are meticulously followed in style & use with absolute involvement, we would have been in an enviable position in Social/Economical and technical fields.But what happens! We are trying to be over sensitive and suddenly burst into abstract ideas of improvements in the Administrative machinery resulting in an awkward situation. As we know, corrupt mind begets corrupt thoughts and corrupt thoughts beget corrupt actions leading to all types of evil doings. Though we have inbuilt provisions/remedies in our administrative system we always run on slipping gear and resort to counter arguments and try to find out shortcut solutions. We continue endless discussions on one subject without any End result!
Such situations only have given rise to the idea of forming LOKPAL. I feel that such formation of a separate body of Experts to set right our evildoings will not cure our “ailments”. It will only be a “Pillar to post” journey only to bounce back to “square one”. We do not expect any Angels or Archangels to run or administer the LOKPAL. It has to be manned by the same human beings as in the case of all other Institutions! They are also of the same flesh & blood and will not have any Supernatural powers to outlive human weakness. By introducing such system we will be forced to continue to live in Chaos & Misery without any remedial measure to come back to normal and peaceful existence in our country with people of different tastes and social environments.
Therefore what can be the ultimate solution? May I suggest that we should continue to apply corrections in our thoughts & actions concentrating in the provisions of the “Constitution of India” and set right things by the correct application of mind with a WILL without fear or favour.
I am sure that our present administrators will put their shoulders together and pull us out from the fathomless pits we are falling into! William Shakespeare said “ FRAILTY is thy name woman..Now we can correct it as “CRUELTY & CORRUPTION is thy name…

OUR MOTHER EARTH

The Satellite Earth is moving arround the SUN in its Diurnal Rotation. By nature there cannot be any variation in its movement causing Day & Night. But man's thirst for probing into the mistery of creation has given rise to unbearable climatic changes in the Atmosphere resulting in the unnatural behaviour of the Sea. The balanced system of the Universe is tilted due to uneven errosion of the Strathoshere due to disintegration of the ozone layer caused by the relentless experiments for space travel and other investigations by the Scientists.

The Creater GOD has done all that required for the living species to survive. The man has even forgotten the Creater and started exploring the nature there by imbalancing the ecological equilibrium. The Sea raging & surging is caused only due to this torture to the Earth and so we have to suffer loss of life & belongings during such natural calamities like SUNAMI.

Men predict on such ill effects of the nature but cannot find a solution as the whole Universe is controlled by the Creater of Heaven& Earth.

Chapter 46 of the Psalms read-

1 God is our refuge and strength,
an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way
and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,
3 though its waters roar and foam
and the mountains quake with their surging.[c]

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar, kingdoms fall;
he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 Come and see what the LORD has done,
the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
he burns the shields[d] with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The LORD Almighty is with us;
the God of Jacob is our fortress

The recent happenings on the shores of JAPAN and earlier disasters will definitely open our eyes and we may adore and worship the GOD ALMIGHTY to protect us and keep us out of all the Perils and dangers of this life on Earth

MULLAPERIYAR DAM

MULLAPERIYAR DAM-TO BE OR NOT TO BE-
Lot of hue & cry was raised on the stability of the Dam and also the dispute on the sharing of water between the neighboring states. A purely technical matter should not have been taken to that level of thinking by the Politicians who may not be aware of the damage it can cause if not remedial action is taken in rebuilding the fatigued structure adopting latest Engineering methods to avoid further damage to the dam. The Dam built more than a century back has lived its designed life. This structure is fatigued and if allowed to continue in such condition it may cause disastrous situation to the people of the neighboring areas.
Now to safe guard against this dangerous situation we have to take immediate steps to construct a new dam at the same site or elsewhere. The construction of the new dam, at a new site downstream will necessitate evacuation of the people from the catchment area and other attended difficulties.
To avoid this difficulty, it is suggested that we build the new dam at the existing site butting against the old dam with the same configuration but of latest design. Also the design must consider the pressure of the impounding water as if the exiting dam is not THERE. The top level of the new dam may be slightly proud of the existing road level. The old dam will not be demolished or disturbed during or after the construction of the new one.
In case the new dam is constructed on the downstream side, in addition to the inundation of the areas on the downstream side, free flow of water will be obstructed by the old dam..
Therefore the authorities may think it over and decide on this burning issue early to avoid any calamity …

Abraham Mangalath IRSE. (Retd)

INDIA OUR MOTHER LAND

Independence and Thereafter

We fought for freedom from the foreign rulers and after Independence we conveniently forgot our Goal for which we struggled for becoming a free nation without any foreign domination.
Now what is happening after 63 years of freedom? We are daily plunging ourselves into deep and incorrigible misdoings on account of political rivalry culminating in destructive activities. When we have our own elected representatives to manage the day to day affairs of the Government machinery, why such in- fight and disharmony amongst our political stalwarts? Now it is seen that our Security is worse than before when we were depending on the foreign powers .Our own leaders are digging our graves for an unceremonious Burial. Unless this type of rivalry and party leadership goes off, we will be destined to DIE untimely very soon. God Almighty is watching this nasty GAME being played by these self made Leaders who come into power by threatening the poor people OR even killing them who go against their will.
The state of freedom as now - FREEDOM TO KILL- and - FREEDOM TO DIE, unheard-unhonoured and unsung !
The recent Budget and the followed discussions and arguments on the supply of FOOD GRAINS are an interesting study on our attitude and indifferent approach to the realities. The FCI go -downs in our state are filled with food grains for fair distribution amongst the public. But timely action is not taken at the appropriate level and the Grains remain in stock for long and get rotten in due course of time. The rodents and mice have their fill daily without any interference from outside.
I have visited most of the FCI go downs in Kerala during my active service in the Indian Railways. I have seen that the food grains are stacked in the go downs without proper cover to prevent damage. Also First Come First Serve principle is not followed in the distribution and the grains & stacks remain for longer period and become unfit for human consumption.
The people in authority have either overlooked this state of affairs OR did not want a fair distribution of food grains to the people in time. This caused the long storage of grains resulting in damage .I request the Ministers/officials to visit these go downs and take measures to prevent further loss to this essential commodity.
Can anybody think of such inaction by the officials to continue in a free country like INDIA? I feel that we should revamp the whole System of Administration by electing only committed and dedicated men/women to be our Leaders .Unless this change over takes place in the near future we may not exist. All must strive to protect the Life from ruination.
We have to “Strike other Chords “and play a different tune so that we all work in resonance and provide better conditions for the common man to live peacefully without the fear of being Captived by External forces. Our freedom must remain with us and should not be aT STAKE.

ABRAHAM MANGALATH

BUDGET 2010 AND BEYOND

BUDGETING FOR YEAR 2010

We have been budgeting our Income & Expenditure since long. Nowhere could we strike a balance and the result was- debt in many ways. Taking loan from the World Bank or any other agency will not cure our inborn disease of “Over spending”. The saying “ Cut the cloth according to the size is important in our context.

A clear picture of what we intend to do from the resources we have, is an essential component in our forecast in the Budgeting Process. The Projected Income from different sources will only be a speculation which may or may not materialize in actual practice. But our projected expenses must be clear and calculated with utmost surveillance. The Income & Expenses must match each other with a view to keep the expenditure low to achieve Profit for THE RAINY DAYS. The timely completion of the projects will always lower the cost of construction. The targeted projects are delayed due to indifferent attitude of the executives & and the corrupt practices all around.

I have a few suggestions to make in this matter of balancing the Income & Expenses, whether at Government level or at private individual level in managing the house hold expenditure etc.

wasteful expenditure in any manner, in the areas of:-

Living habits-dressing

Living space-House & Flats

Food habits-

Luxury items

Time management

If all the above items of daily requirements are kept in control and precisely checked we may even save to an extent of 50% of the present expenditure we incur in our day to day life. Think about the FANCY items and other artistic items we possess which in other words will not have any productive value except the momentary pleasure of receiving from VIPs or from any other Institutions. Once the purchasing power is increased naturally we are tempted to purchase items, which on second thought we may hesitate.

To have an effective control over the money transaction, I would go to that extent of suggesting to impose ban on the use of MONEY through personal transaction between one person to another. All transaction must be through authorized Electronic media, Debiting /Crediting as the case may be through PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION CODE.

This will not only prevent corruption but also enable the authorities to find out the exact asset of each individual. That means the Taxation will be easy and the transfer of the dues from each person can be credited in the General Exchequer directly by the finance ministry.

Also the different slabs system to be abolished and a straight line formula to be adopted in the Taxing method. A flat rate of:-

Those earning up to 2 lakhs - No Tax

Those earning from 2 to 10 lakhs - 10% Tax

Those earning more than 10 lakhs - 25% Tax

The Cannons of financial Propriety must be held high in practice and the amount we spent on any PROJECT must be remunerative to an extent of 6 to 7% of the cost of project per annum. There should not be a case of desertion or closure of any project on the half way, resulting in a SINKING ASSET, which will ruin the whole finance ministry and the Country in general.

FATAL BOAT TRAGEDY AT THEKKADY- KERALA