METRO RAIL PROJECT

                                                                         

                                                                     KMRL Vs DMRC

Foolish comments are coming from different sources. One such comment I have seen in the news reel of Asianet news today (12.11.2012). The comment from Mr. P C George chief whip of the ruling party is disgusting. In fact he has used his “WHIP” in an awkward manner without knowing the Importance of Dr. Sreedharan in the fast developments of the Railway System in India. Yes, anybody can do anything but the difference is in the style & use of technical knowledge in the most economical and efficient way to complete the task within the time frame. as Dr Sreedharan was doing throughout his life in the Indian Railway Service of Engineers.

But if Mr. P C George or somebody else takes over such difficult tasks, the period of completion will be 20 or more years, whereas Dr. Sreedharan will complete the project within 4 years!. That is the difference. So such silly comments like” If SREEDHARAN IS NOT THERE, NOBODY CAN DO THIS METRO” is irrelevant. We all know that one day we have to QUIT this earthly life. That does not mean that YOU will GO TO SLEEP as tomorrow is not ours, an Epicurean philosophy!. Dr. Sreedharan even in this old age he is prepared to render his services to the Nation, not with an “Axe to grind” but with the Zeal of patriotism to his motherland. If his willingness to render his services in the developments of the state of Kerala, is misconceived and misinterpreted, well I have to say after the great philosopher Dr JOHNSON  “IGNORANCE MADAM PURE IGNORANCE”.

 I have had close association with Dr. Sreedharan during the past 50 years and I at this moment of time can boldly say that “The Like him Comes Rare”. Therefore people in authority should control their language and vocabulary very CAREFULLY so that the words spoken must not INJURE anybody at any level. One should remember that “TONGUE IS MIGHTIER THAN THE SWORD”  

ABRAHAM MANGALATH PHILIP

DEMOCRACY IN INDIA

              DEMOCRACY – GOVERNMENT OF THE PEOPLE BY THE PEOPLE AND FOR THE PEOPLE  

Mutual respect and trust are the most essential qualities for a Democratic Government Machinery. But unfortunately we have a set of elected representatives in the Administrative and political cadre, who are devoid of the above qualities. They think and act in different directions and with introvert attitudes finally resulting in a diverted or aborted mission.

Rivalry amongst the ruling party & the opposition parties “Spoil the Broth”. They on their efforts to excel each other finally fight on the street and lead the common people on a suicidal pedestal! I have a feeling that we people in India, particularly in Kerala cannot maintain a Democratic Governance as we are still in the “primitive mind” with an attitude of “the Fittest to Survive”. Such situations are created by the politicians who wanted to become rich overnight by resorting to unholy methods and short-cuts. They even do not hesitate to destroy the life & property of those who are not in their line of action.

The “Common Balance”, which always tries to balance the +ve and –ve qualities, is now tilted towards the Negative side by the misdoings and improper management of the Government machinery. If the positive side of life does not overpower the negative or satanic tendencies by sustained efforts of the people in authority, we are destined for a disastrous end. Therefore we have to “strike other chords”. Patriotic people must sit down together and think in the same line of action to retrieve our Democracy on a mutually agreeable platform and to device ways & means to come out of the muddle we are in.  Definitely different ideas are prone to happen in a country like India with linguistic and cultural differences. But a common line of action, without injuring the feelings of people belonging to different areas and religious denominations, must be adhered to maintain a steady growth in our Economic and social conditions. Redundant or distorted views in the Policy & Implementation should not endanger the peaceful life of the people at any cost.

So it is high time for all   of us to get together without any Party politics and move forward with Unity in Action for the peaceful and fearless life of people of  our Mother India, if not the whole world. Let us pull the Rope Together so that the “Resultant Force” is within our Control..

Abraham Mangalath Philip.

DMRC versus KMRL

                                                       KMRC- VS- KMRL

Dr. E.Sreedhran, one of the topmost Engineering wizards after the great Engineer Statesman Sri Visweswaraiyya, has a long stretch of successful commissioning of many important Railway projects including restoration works of damaged railway bridges and tracks during his tenure as an Engineer of the IRSE cadre till he retired as the Member Engineering Railway Board in June 1990.

 I have had the privilege to work as a subordinate officer under him, and my association with him during the past 50 years proved to be a blessing for me to learn and apply the Engineering skill in the appropriate and right manner according to the site conditions of different projects in the construction department of the Indian Railways. The correct planning and timely execution with proper “ Ground to map” and “Map to Ground” application of engineering techniques were the “main stay” for the success of all the projects he undertook as an eminent Engineer. The greatest land marks or standing monuments highlighting his contributions to the Nation, are the Konkan Railway Projects and the DMRC.

Even after retirement from regular service, his Engineering mind worked in synchronization with the demands of the public for better transport system to provide better conditions of Rail and road traffic. His principle was “Late Start & Early Finish”. This policy he maintained throughout with “Clockwise Precision”. It was a pleasure to work under his leadership. His timely decision created confidence in the minds of the people on the field engaged in risky and critical operations in different stages of phase works. The Karbude Tunnel ( 7 KM long) and the Aroor Railway Bridges are monuments of his expertise and Engineering Skill. Dr. E. Sreedharan is an officer of exceptional administrative and managerial skill with malice to none.

The recent happenings in the Cochin metro Project have given rise to a feeling that “Something is rotten in the State of Denmark” as the Poet puts it! Instead of pulling the rope in the same direction to complete the great TASK before us, we are harping on controversial matters of denouncing dedicated and committed Engineers. The reported comments written in his letter by Mr. Tom Jose IAS is unbecoming for an officer of his calibre. How could a renowned Engineer Dr. Sreedharan was treated in this manner?

 Dr.Sreedharn by virtue of his dedication to public oriented projects took initiative in this Metro Rail construction. There is no “Axe to grind “in his efforts to see that the projects move on progressively to the targeted completion. The time overrun will cause financial loss to the State in geometrical progression. Therefore Dr. Sreedharan was taking extra precautionary measures to see that the project kicks off as early as possible. But if this enthusiasm is misinterpreted as ill conceived and commented upon by an IAS officer, then what else can be done except saying in the words of Dr. JOHNSON “IGNORANCE MADAM PUR IGNORANCE”.

Unless we all jointly put our shoulders together without any Party feelings or Bureaucratic egoism, we may suffer heavy loss to the state Exchequer. Also the congested traffic in the city will miserably affect the normal life of the people of Cochin and the public in general.  Synchronized thinking and working in resonance with people at different levels of operation is the prime requisite for an early completion of this Dream project of the people of KERALA

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Abraham Mangalath Philip IRSE (Retd)

ELECTRICITY A RARE COMMODITY?

                                   ELECTRICAL ENERGY – IN AN ALARMING STATE?

The State of Kerala was experiencing heavy shortage of Electric Power recently, for want of sufficient rainfall in the catchment areas. Irregular rains during the South West & North east monsoon have caused this havoc. Tampering of the adjacent area in the rain forest also contributed towards less runoff water to the catchment area resulting in inadequate water to produce the required Electricity. Wastage factor during distribution and supply and also during consumption both for domestic and industrial use must be controlled to come out of this grave situation.

The recent report by the media regarding power consumption in the residence complex of the Ministers and higher officials is really disturbing the minds of all those who are in the for-front to reduce electrical consumption so that the state may not go in DARK!. The KSEB was struggling to regulate the use of power very carefully to preserve the power for the “RAINY DAYS”!!  But it seems the top echelons are not bothered in controlling the electrical energy in their residences and offices meticulously to avoid wastage of this “Life Line” in the modern world.

Normally a big family staying in luxury can consume maximum 300 to 500 units of electrical energy in one month.But how come, the Ministers who are the body guards of the State, afford to use 4000 or more units/month for domestic use? Definitely this heavy use of electricity will tell upon the administrative control of our democratic set up. We have to set our own house in order before we exercise control on others to follow in the matter of consumption of Electricity for both domestic & industrial use. Unless we wake up in time we may suffer badly for our day to day living…

Abraham Mangalath Philip

HARTHAL-A POLITICAL WEAPON ?

                              HARTHAL – CAN WE AFFORD TO LOSE TIME & MONEY & LIFE-

Mr. J B Koshy the Chairman of the Human Rights Commission has rightly commented on the occurrence of HARTHAL in our life almost on a chartered fashion.  Of late, we have seen that the political leaders are not concerned with the heavy damages it causes to the State’s Exchequer. We have elected representatives both in the Parliament and in the State assembly to look after the problems of the people living in their respective districts or areas they represent. But instead of bringing these issues to the assembly/parliament and sorting out the problems on priority basis and arriving at an amicable solution , it is observed that they enter into arguments and counter arguments and finally disperse without any fruitful result. These MLAs/MPs are unable to decide the issues in a democratic approach, but resort to violent methods resulting in chaos during the Assembly/Parliament sessions.

Unable to discuss and come out with an agreed solution, these MLAs/MPs resort to HARTHAL by forcing the public to agitate and destroy public properties and even endangering life of the people. Definitely the Harthal is a damaging factor in the life of the people and has to be called off from the Political “Vedanda”. All our 140 MLAS and 20 MPs must be able to sort out the State’s problem in a sober way than this direct action outside the Assembly/Parliament houses. The inefficiency of the elected person in suggesting proper solutions by mutual discussion is proved in this type of uncontrolled public agitations. The leaders are unable to LEAD ?. Such situations are disastrous for any nation in its progress towards better economy and financial security of the country/state. Offensive methods of rectification are not the intended mission of a Democratic Governance.

Let us all be sober in our thoughts, attitudes and action for the benefit of the larger sections of the society, so that they may live in peace without fear of the unexpected and untimely end of their lives & belongings….

Abraham Mangalath Philip