RIDE 2016

After taking charge as Principal of SH college, there was not much opportunity to get out and explore skills - of endurance, of bike riding etc.
This was kind of planned-unplanned thing. I enjoy long bus or train trips, as they give you (me!) leisure, sleep, sight-seeing opportunities, some reading time etc.  So as we planned the Bangalore alumni chapter launch of AASH (Alumni Association of Sacred Heart's), and then added Kannur chapter launch of our professional association (KAPS - Kerala Association of Professional Social Workers), I had a tentative plan to go on bike.  Visit my mom at Perinthalmanna, then to go to Mysore and Bengaluru and return via Kannur.

However, on Friday, all plans went chaupat, as there was an inaugural meeting of KOCHI BOOK FESTIVAL where I (??) too was invited to be one among the twenty (rest of them) dignitaries including Prof. M.K. Sanu, Prof. Leelavathi, Prof. K.S. Radhakrishnan, K.L. Mohanavarma, GPC Nair.... so on. to light one of the twenty lamps as a symbol of the twentieth year of the festival.  Dr. V.P. Joy IAS was the chief guest, and I recognized him, and introduced myself and reminded him that he was the government nominee in the interview panel that selected me as a faculty member at Rajagiri. The function started off around 4.45 pm and I could escape after lighting my lamp only around 5.20 pm.  I had to come back to college to sign salary papers, some other signatures for the students.

And then, my bike given for repair was not brought back as promised by Antappan (our local biker mechanic).  Finally he brought it around 6.30 pm. OK. Not yet long ride ready?  I planned to keep the bike either at Angamaly or Chalakkudy and then move on by bus(es).  However, reaching Angamaly, I found no sign of any Coimbatore buses, nor till Chalakkudy.  At Chalakudy, as a last resort tried to check in with Lischechi's place, and request Newton to drop me at bus stand.  But (fortunately) no one was found there!

Then called up Saju and said that I was coming to Perinthalmanna and started off,  accompanied by slight drizzle all through.  Without much trouble, though missing the route in between and thus adding some additional 3 kms, reached Perinthalmanna at 10.45 or 10.50 pm. Saju was waiting with 2 eggs and some such anadaaris ready for the omelette I had indicated, that I might have.  He promptly prepared a rather well-done omelette and then we retired for the night. Met ammachi.  She was not very sleepy, but as is the case, it didn't appear to make much difference to her.
I had planned to get up early and leave latest by 6 am.  However, when I finally woke up and got ready, it was 6.30. Got off from there after a mug of coffee at 6.40 am.

It was cool, as I travelled further towards Nilambur and Gudalore, it became cold.  There was mist in some areas.  At several points there was confusion regarding the route, and I had to stop and clarify. Nilambur - Chungathara - Vazhikadavu - Nadukani - Gudalore.  At Gudalore, stopped over at Morning Star CMI School (I had forgotten all about it. Then I found St. Thomas School, and presumed it might be the CMI school.  However, on reaching its precincts, I sensed it is less likely to the be the CMI school! and soon, I was proven right, as I found out Morning Star School, with a marked difference in appearance).  I was welcomed by Fr. Thakidiyel Sibi and he promptly gave me a room and also treated me to a breakfast by Thomas Chettan - excellent appam and Kadala curry, and black tea - most likely of the local brew.  I had reached there by 8.45 am, just about 2 hours from Perinthalmanna.

I left around 9.15 am. and was soon through the Muthumalai National Park.  The forest path was excellent, well maintained, but interspersed  at every 300 or 500 mts, with real rogue humps - the usual biker that I am, humps are generally jumped over non-stop, but these were such that if I were to do the same, I would and the vehicle would definitely have had trouble.  So they were effective! The speed had to be restricted.  No vehicle could go before me, especially on account of these speed breakers.  I counted exactly 50 in that section, and soon we entered Bandipur section where I counted another 23, but with lesser frequency.  The only animals of the wild I saw were monkeys and spotted deer.  Once I got out of the forest section close to Gundalpet, I had relief as it had become less cold and comfortably cool.

Then Nanjangode, Mysore - I took the by pass along the newly made Ring Road and set straight to Bengaluru.  Reached Kengeri around 1.30 and the rest of 20 odd kilometers was terrible and that made me realise the ruin the rapid urbanisation and its concomitant increase in vehicles, have done to the once beautiful garden city.  It has become a concrete garden or jungle! In spite of the better roads and many fly overs, it was a hell, moving forward inch by inch.  I was not able to find the link to Lalbagh or Dairy circle. Got the help of a fellow biker, whose question was 'Don't you use GPS?'.  Yes, I felt I could have done that with GPS giving direction.  However, Jio seemed to have developed some trouble - wonder whether 'Reliance' was becoming as unreliable as it had proven in earlier instances.

Somehow, managed to reach Dharmaram at around 2.30 pm. Managed to get a room thanks to Fr. Gregory being there at the entrance and Fr. Rector also being right there. (Unlike olden times, access to Dharmaram requires some planning and formal arrangement.  That cannot be avoided given the complexity of matters and the increasing demand for Dharmaram facilities).  Got ready in no time, and rushed to Christ, where there were just Saleem the chief organiser, Cyril - a smart volunteer and Fr. Jose.  We had to wait and wait, met Fr. Thomas the VC.  It was glad day as the news of new accreditation status of A from the contested B+ allegedly by a highly partisan team.

We had a simple inaugural with VC making very positive statements regarding his experience as a Heartian. We greeted him with a ponnada.  He invited us to the Christmas band being played in the auditorium which he was to inaugurate.  The gathering was about 30 in strength including the contingent from the college. Each had a brief allocation of time for self-intro and sharing suggestions. It was a mix of old time PDC to B. Com - B.A. and M. Sc batches.  I had to take leave to make sure that I was in Kannur the next day in time for the KAPS meeting.  I feared if I started next morning, that would be difficult.

Hence soon after a private mass at Dharmaram, without meeting anyone, I started off around 7.15 pm. Problems home (college) were besieging me over phone.  Some 'rioting' in the approved hostels.. I tried to have a look at the Kengeri campus - stopped over, but failed to locate even the CMI residence there. Hence after about 15 minutes of exploration continued on my trip to Mysore.  It was a long ride and a tiring one.  Ramanagara - Channapattana (Town of Toys?) - Srirangapatana - Mysore.  But thanks to instructions by Fr. Roy I could arrive at Carmel Provincial House without any hitch. Only that I had to wait for about 10 mts to get the house opened by the young superior Fr. Tito, who was at mass.  I had a light supper which was already available.

One good thing I find outside our narrow Kerala boundaries (geographical and of minds) is that access to wine and spirits is much easier and less of a problem.  In our pharisaical community, this is such a taboo. So, when I found  plenty of wine shops (around 9.30 pm) and many people still flocking around, I was tempted to try out.  I got down.  Got a bottle of chilled beer for Rs. 135.00 (I compare it with our good old Dharamaram days when it was just Rs. 18.00 when we tried our bits on One Day outing days) - Knock Out.  The place was very busy with locals consuming spirit in disposable plastic cups, getting some snacks to go with it.  As a stranger with baggage walked in, people were very cooperative as to how to help him have his need addressed to, somewhere directing that there could be a seat inside, others instructing on parcel, then on my instruction of no plastic, repeating the same instruction, thus being very helpful! I carried the weight in my computer bag.  (I had very limited baggage - but even that computer bag was unnecessary, for all through the trip, I didn't get time even to open the laptop.  However, both my bags served a great purpose. Having had very limited protection against cold, the backpack protected me from behind, and the lap top bag, kept standing on the petrol tank served to prevent the cold wind from directly hitting me!).  The guy didn't have Rs. 5.00 change.  He coolly handed over a packet of fryums. Not that I am so keen for a beer or drink, but on that occasion just felt a thrill to have a beer.  In fact, now a days, I don't even like the taste of beer.  But it was fun to have a beer in those odd circumstances!
I had travelled 599 kilometres from morning till then. Not bad!

MYSORE TO KANNUR
It was way back in 2002 or so that we had travelled on bike along this route. We were a company of three and we went around and explored Talai Kavery and Kushal Nagar Tibetan settlement. So I was thrilled to re-explore the route - especially the Coorg region and Veerajpet track.  After initial confusion and I got into the right track. It was about 6.45 am already.  Hit the Hunsur road and Hunsur was not reaching.  It was about 50 kms away.  The road was good, but even strewn with humps - much more humane than the Muthumali stretch - all the same impeding free progress, serving the name of 'speed breakers' meaningfully. I lost count.

The Coorg region was beautiful.  I passed Gonikoppal, and took a slight detour to find out our CMI institution - St. Thomas School.  It was quite visible from the main road.  On reaching there, I surprised my confreres - Puthiadath my senior and Chirakkal my junior.  They appeared glad to receive me.  The parish Sunday mass was on.  Puthiadath shared his experiences of being accosted by the police and being in custody on account of some untoward incidents in the previous school.  He had also survived some major accidents.  Chirakkal was all praise for him, for having improved the infrastructure of the school. I had some breakfast with them, and then pushed off via Veerajpet (by passing it), Makkutta, the winding and beautiful pass.  After the stretch deciduous forests of Karnataka region, as we enter the boarder and then into Kerala, it was tropical evergreen stretch. However, I was not going in the leisure and comfort of sight seeing.

I had altogether forgotten this stretch.  Perhaps, last time, we had travelled at night. We did stay at Veerajpet and travelled to Thalassery - however, the stretch was altogether forgotten.
I passed through Makkutta, then the boarder river of Koottupuzha, then the beautiful Iritti puzha.

I stopped over at our house at Iritty. I never knew we had a house there! On the way I passed by a familiar building and I realised it was the fabulous provincial house of the adoration sisters, built by our former colleague Sr. Rosily. On reaching, I was met by Fr. .... who didn't seem to know me. I had a vague remembrance of having seen him.  Then from inside Fr. Augustine came out, recognising my voice.  He was my student at Rajagiri. Happy to meet him, I shared their bounty of bananas njalipoovan,  and the good coffee grown there.  The school is doing well.  Taking some inspiration from Rajagiri, Fr. Augustine has built up the new structure with a good ground (in the bargain, converting a piece of wetland into a land-fill!). However, being at the base of a green hill, they should have no problem with water. There is a rivulet flowing by the boundary! It was a good chance meeting.

I proceeded to Kannur, via Mattannur and reached there by 1200. Found out the social service cetnre CAIROS.  Met my colleague Dr. Ipe Varghese and making good use of the time remained, we decided to have a brief visit to Payyambalam beach which was just one km away.  It is a beautiful and clean beach, much attractive when compared to our Koch beach, which is more than often a litter land.
We were rather hungry..  However, Fr. Shiju who happened to be an MSW, offered us lunch.  We had lunch and then proceeded to the bus stand where the meeting was to be held. There was a fairly good gathering of around 30 people. I chaired the meeting, and gave the orientation and we launched the Kannur chapter of KAPS.

It was around 4.45 pm finally, when I could push off. At Mahe, I stopped over, filled the belly of my bike with abundant fuel without tax, procured a bottle of spirit for our future celebrations, and visited Mahe Church and prayed specially for those of us who were afflicted with various ailments. I also managed to have my confession in preparation for the advent season.

Then it was straight to Kozhikode, found the way to Mankavu via Pushpa theatre (wonder if the theatre is still there!). Vellyechi's place was all locked and packed under top security.  If we didn't have the phone, would have had to return without having met them.  Glad to have seen Daya who is doing well. Chettan was having his weekly quota, but having had to continue the ride, I regretfully refused him company.  Daya, to my surprise, asked what was my quota - as if I were dependent or indulgent in the 'matter of spirit'.   I had the omelette, egg cultlet and tea, and then I was all set to go.
8.50 pm.

The stretch seemed unending - though the terrain was familiar. at some point before Kuttipuram, a right turn had to be taken.   I was not clear, but followed the car which was speeding in front of me.  As I took the turn, a truck was there, and I had hardly any shoulder space.  Fortunately, the driver did a clever maneuver to leave me unhurt.  A slight shock.  I should have been more cautious.  It was a narrow escape! Thank God!  Further ahead, a bike came from behind and passed by quickly.  Felt it was bit too close a shave!  Again, I thought, it was I who should have been careful, paying attention to the rear view as well.

At Kuttippuram, I had a stop over to stretch.  The place was flocked by sabarimala pilgrims.  The policeman, covered with muffler and sweater, was very cordial and directed me that it was better to take the new route of NH 17 from there. This was the first time, I had seen that stretch open.  The initial phase was really wonderful.  But after some time, there was a detour, with a patch ridden with potholes, but it lasted just about 2 to 4 kilometers, then it rejoined the highway.  It was tedious, especially the sitting part.  However, I went on - Kodungalloor, Paravoor, Edappally, Kadavanhra, Pallimukku and Thevara! it was just 12.50!! Just four hours.

At two places, the bike rudely hit the earth on account of invisible potholes, and those hits seemed to have jerked the nut-bolts of my backbone joints, which seemed to have settled into a pattern for quite some time.  I am afraid whether some trouble is awaiting me!

I had no keys and all seemed asleep; so I went to college, woke up the security and got the new visitor's room open.  I completed my log entries and then when I turned around, I saw to my great perturbation, two eyes peering at me - a rat!! However, I decided to sleep having the enemy in the room! Nothing appeared to have happened overnight. Next day, I deployed my team to discover him and destroy him.  But no chance!! He seemed to have vanished into thin air!

Thus after almost 52 hours, 1247 kilometers - I still felt okay.  It was more to prove to myself that I am still a great survivor, and not really old.  I spent just Rs. 2000.00 for the fuel, and had half the tank full even after the trip.  My friend who travelled by bus to Bangalore the same day had to spend Rs. 1250.00 one way!!

P.S. The security reported to me with a sense of achievement that the rat was trapped.  He took me to the visitors' room, and found the poor chap crushed under the trap.

LOG
Dec 3 6.50 pm start reading 66761
10.50 pm Perinthalmanna.     66915
Dec 4, 6.35 am
Nilambur, vazhikkadavu, Edakkara, Nadikani, Gudallore. 8.40 am. Freezing. Warming up at Morning Star school.
Kusumalayam, Bandipur via 73 humps!!
Gundalpet, Mysore, Sreeramgapatanam, Channapatana, Ramanagara, Kengeri,
Last leg of 24 kms took over  an hour!! Managed to be well in time for alumni meet.
7.15 pm started off_ 18 kms took 1 hr. 13 kms in 45 mts. Reached Mysore Provl House by 10.45 pm. Fr Tito received me.
67369 - 67372
Mysore - 67514 Hunsur, Gonikoppal, Veerajpett, Makkootta, Iritty, Kannur via Mattannoor
Kannur -  67707-67719. 4.45 pm. Stop over Mahe.
Kozhikode - Mangavu  67819 7..15
8.50-12.50 Thevara via NH 17 68008.
Total 1247
Petrol 2000.00. Still half tank!

An nyeong ha se yo! Greetings from Korea! -1

My former colleague and Rajagiri Alumnus, and currently a Professor at TISS, Dr. Shajahan took the initiative to bring a few of us in the field of Social Work to prepare a symposium on Social Work Practice - emerging trends in India, for the global audience.  This is the biennial event jointly organised by ICSW (International Council on Social Welfare of which I am the India chapter joint secretary), IASSW (International Association of Schools of Social Work, of which I am a member) and IFSW (International Federation of Social Work). People from all over the world - academicians, practitioners, agency reps, funding agencies, publishers, welfare ministry reps etc. were the participants. . 

The normal fees is 840 USD, for members of the bodies concerned, it is reduced to 720 or so.  However, for those from developing countries it is just about half – 420 USD. And for students, still less, 200 dollars.

However, these cover only registration, kit which includes badge which also contains perfectly planned entry pass for specific lunch/dinner sessions, field trip (if already booked and paid), conference dinner (an additional 100 USD – it is kind of fund raiser) etc. I was given a part scholarship of registration waiver.

The waiver is thanks to the efforts by the local organizer who tries to generate funds for the same. It was reported that there were a good number of people, especially from India and Africa, who had enjoyed part of full waiver.

Then, as the abstract was approved, participation almost ensured, there arrived a Korean group at the college, inviting to a mega programme in Korea – World Education Leaders’ Forum - an assembly of education leaders from the world over! They would take care of the hospitality, and the programme was to be a grand one! They also requested to make a brief presentation on ‘character education’.  It appeared good, and there was only a gap of 2 days.  They promised accommodation for the days between the two as well.  Once permissions obtained from the monastery and a nod from DD, the organizers were after me to get the talk written and submitted. 

Finally, on the first night of the trip, at Chennai, sitting late into the night at 2 am, I had the draft speech ready, which had four pages!!

The Korean visa was creating much trouble – they wanted invites, then the authentication certificates of the inviting organizations – with their register numbers etc.  All these were obtained over email, and finally, just two days before the actual proposed departure, the VISA arrived, the night before that, I came to know that it was stamped.

As this was a secular function, I had to have some dress!  And after almost one and a half decades, I treated myself to some luxuries with 3 trousers stitched! In just 24 hours, the tailor had them stitched, and I found almost an hour at night to select and purchase  or obtain 3 pant-pieces.  Some good friends are there, in spite of being in very different and secluded situations – who insist on helping, and going out of the way doing that! This part of the preparation was thanks to a friend like that! Helpful to the point of being aggressive!

Two things – we all ought to remember while travelling abroad in this era – 1) an international plug which could help us connect to power our Indian devices any where. 2) a mobile charger.  I had both these – but forgot to carry them. However, thanks to my ‘protocol’ (officer) – read, volunteer, I managed to get a connector free-of-cost!  A third item, especially, while going on such missions – visiting cards.  I did get them printed in one day, thanks to the efficiency of our press (SH School of Printing).  However, didn’t carry many, they got exhausted, and I managed to get them printed on plain paper with the help of my protocol, and got them cut into card size paper slips. A fourth desirable would be some handy mementos, which would give you access to many, at least by way of presenting a memento!  I noted that basically, none of the Asians presented such things, but the Europeans and the Africans did.  A last among this wish list would be some empty space in your bag, or a bag big enough to store things you get (and for most of the people, things you purchase)!

The venue COEX  - is COnvention Centres and EXhibition Halls is a centrally located fabulous event centre in the Southern region of Seoul. It is in the heart of the (new) Seoul, the southern part of the city which is more planned.  The Northern part, beyond the Han river, is the old city with early settlements and the state institutions.

Where COEX is situated, is the Gangnam (Ghannam) area, which is famous after the song ‘Ghannam Style’!  On the East side of COEX is a very large installation of two crossed hands in golden colour, on which it is carved ‘Gangnam Style’.  The music is played there all through.

The venue appeared like a spacious mall – it has a HUGE mall in the basement (which I could never visit), but once you entered, you are struck by its vastness!  It took 4 minutes of brisk walk from some of the conference halls (usually on the 3^rd Floor) to reach the gate on the ground floor – using either escalator or elevator!! Big halls could seat 1500 people, with a huge stage.  There were at least 20 small halls, each of them which could accommodate 50 to 100 people. 

BEXCO where the second conference was held in Busan, too was really big.  We had to go across the road to reach there, and there were our protocol officers like guardian angels accompanying us gently, but firmly insisting on traffic rules.

Throughout the two big programmes that I attended there was only once, some foul sound in the entire sound management system.  Otherwise, the acoustics seemed to be in perfect order in all the halls, including those sessions and halls having translations in multiple languages like French, English and Spanish.

Food

Breakfast, normally, you are supposed to have it on your own – usually provided at the hotels. (However, staying as I was, with a young Keralite, who was not even cooking for himself, though still willing to provide me with cornflakes etc., I gladly skipped that, as that is not something I am unused to).  But you wait for the coffee break, with intelligent planning, you can very well manage, break-fast or brunch with the various juice choices, snacks etc. Coffee breaks are repeated – coffee break at 10.00; next 12.00.  Lunch usually at 1 pm. Next session 2 to 4; and 4 to 6.

A working lunch box is served during the conference days, on producing your lunch slip which comes with the registration with the specific pass and name on it. In between there is coffee (and tea, including green tea).  They tried to influence all of us the Korean way, black strong coffee with no sugar, no milk.  But due to some ‘social work intervention’, now sugar and milk have begun to be provided.  I tried to get trained the other way. Then there were the stalls by Korean government – tourism, health, welfare etc. who keep ready some coffee and snacks for any visitor. There would also be some informal sessions with publishers like SAGE or ROUTLEDGE when they have some chat regarding publications over a cup of wine/coffee and snacks. Interesting. I was thrilled to see the Routledge Book on Social Justice, with an article of mine!

Dinner is not usually part of the package – on the opening day, there is some grub offered – choice varieties – Korean and western, vegetarian and non-vegetarian.  Though not a full meal, sumptuous enough. All were waiting from noon through various formalities of registration and some sessions going side by side, ravenously hungry – it was amusing to observe the big and great delegates from all over, waiting eagerly to hear that the conference is open, and then wait for the welfare minister to say the toast.  It was declared open by three presidents – all women – of ICSW, IFSW and IASSW.

Korean Welfare.

The second day, there was a grand dinner, including a smattering of wine, hosted by the Mayor.  It was really stupendous. Wine could be further bought for $10.00 per glass.  So too beer.  I bought one glass of red wine, and shared it among the 10 of us sitting around, from all parts of the world, and they all accepted the same with grace.  There was some professional performance and ending with

The third day, there was grand dinner, which had to be paid – only a small amount of USD 100.00.  As we considered ourselves too rich to afford it, I gladly skipped it.  Not only that, this had to be done in advance.  That was the only free time, I got during the conference.  We 3 Rajagiri (old students) Malayalees stepped out; had some simple Korean food costing some 30000 Korean Won (equivalent to USD 30) in all.

But food at World Education Leaders Forum was a different scene all together.

We were picked up from a centre of Gospel Mission Church on 3^rd afternoon, by very good buses.  Were brought to the railway station and we boarded without delay. The rail travel which was supposed to have taken four hours, took almost six hours.  (A similar trip was done to Seoul on another day for a University visit.  It was said to be almost 500 kms one way.  And it took 5 and half hours in either  direction.  I thought it was fantastic even at that rate.  However, when I finally browsed the net and found out, it was just 330 kms.  So I wondered, in spite of the apparent good speed, most of the stretch with permitted speed of 100-110, why such delay?).  As soon as we entered we were given packed lunch of vegetables (fresh), salads, sandwiches etc.  Then we were served snacks and beverages, then coffee and snacks, and when we thought it was all over, there comes a typical Korean ice-cream or ice-fruit – with grated ice and a lot of ingredients in that.  Oh boy! We were full to the neck.

Then in heavy rain we arrived at Busan, we were solemnly escorted by a bunch of ‘volunteers’ with badge ‘PROTOCOL’ – boys and girls – college going or completed, all primly and smartly dressed in a uniform manner.  The escort was all through – whenever we turn around at our beck and hall, all ready to help, and also not letting us go around on our own. (Each of us was given a paper carry bag – which I opened only when I was packing for the return trip, in the last night of the stay only did I find that there was a picture of the ‘volunteer’ with some other valuable details, besides an attractive IYF T-shirt, in that!! The volunteer was pretty Zoey, with an English name Ann! - Many of the Korean youth, while introducing themselves, said that my name is A, but my American name is B).  Perhaps, Korea is highly Americanized that they think it safer to have an American name for their future benefit.

The protocol seemed quite fitting – these volunteers, very smart boys and girls, who have undergone some good training & international exposure by IYF – ensured that the participants followed the protocol of the programme to the letter!  They were very helpful, quickly and promptly responding to any of our needs, at the same time ensuring that we are kept in constant track lest we miss on any sessions, unless we called ourselves sick!

Back to food – once we arrived at the seashore hotel of Glory Conda, we were escorted to the 18^th floor for a grand dinner! There were ample choices for both vegans and others, though the former, especially some from North India, were very doubtful as to whether there was something they could ‘safely’ eat! I indulged rather merrily, to the extend my abdomen could stretch – though I have become very minimally dexterous in such matters, over these years!

The hotel where we were put up, Bexco Centum Hotel, opposite to the huge BEXCO convention centre in Busan, served excellent breakfast with all sorts of food to fill you! (But your protocol officer will not let you relish your breakfast in peace, as you always had busy schedule from 8.30 am itself!).  Usually, for every meal – lunch and dinner, we were taken out to some very special joints – to a Chinese, to a Korean, to the best buffet in Busan, to a bakery to snatch a pack of your choice 3 items for dinner, to a typical food court, where you could pick up your choice item from the 50 odd choices on the display! But, to be frank, there was hardly ever, time to relish such fabulous treats!  In two such centres, there was unlimited wine and beer also as part of the deal; but the organization appeared a strict ‘no, no’ – very unKorean like - regarding even such innocent inebriants like that of wine and beer (which were promoted by our avid UDF ‘ban’ners of alcohol!).  So I kept my rebel and explorer within me under check!

Gam sa ham nida!

Each of the participant had an IYF promoter to take care of him/her, who happens to be working in the region from where the participant comes.  They would introduce the participants to various higher ups of the organizers. The bunch of Korean Pastors from India, showed their concern by unwarranted preparation of Indian food (which they had learned to prepare while in India – rice, dal, aloo-baigan, pappad etc.) and supplied us with the same for two nights, over and above the regular food! Baba, in spite of refusing, they would not agree, finally, we had to receive that, and keep that in the refrigerator, but never getting the relief to eat that, in spite of having refused dinner one night to avoid wasting food.

At night, the last session of the day, usually starting with some felicitation by some participating state representatives (usually a minister), there would be some announcements, and a final exhortation of about 10 mts by Pastor Ok Suk Park, the founder of Gospel Mission Church (a Korean edition of Baptist church).  However, this session would have a rather grand snack, more like a mini repast, with soft drinks, cakes, fruits and cookies!! To this, I did justice without fail!

The Opening Ceremony:

The former conference had a very matter of fact kind of opening ceremony – with some Korean traditional music ready to play, but with very less of ceremoniousness. There were two comperes – English & Korean, man & woman.  They crisply introduced.  There was a speech – recorded – by Ban qi Moon, the UN Secretary General, again a recorded message by Prime Minister of Korea, an address by the welfare minister, opening addresses by the Presidents of the three organizations – viz., ICSW, IFSW and IASSW.  Then the vote of thanks.  Then we had to wait (impatiently, and eagerly and hungrily, after the looong wait from registration at 2 pm till 7 pm!) for the toast and declaring the dinner open!

Korea is a beautiful land – especially, the South where I had the opportunity to travel from North (Seoul and Paju) to the South (Busan).  It is a Peninsula, thrice as big as Kealam, and with just about 5.05 crore population. It appears very green with hills all over the country – green hills, not really big mountains. It has a rather pleasant summer – not very hot; and a rather sever winter (for Indian Standards).  During the winter it snows!

Bordering it on the North, with some area separated by two Rivers and their confluence, the North Korea – same people – now separated and almost antagonized on the basis of divergent political ideology (Capitalism and Communist Socialism – read, Communist dictatorship!).  People whom I met, didn’t seem to regret it! I was at one border point, where they have a (propaganda) centre cum observatory – from where you can have a view through fixed powerful binoculars, which are for free!  I can’t be sure as to which ideology has benefitted the people better! Externally, technologically, amenities wise, even ecologically,  the capitalist country! The socialist country seem to get deprived even of its natural resources, by mismanagement and over exploitation of their natural resources – including forests! However, no clue as to ‘happiness index’! God knows – the entire North country is behind the iron curtains, even now.

Democratic Korea appeared an amazing land with an amazing people! In just about 40 years, it had a dramatic turn around, from rural poverty, it has gone to urban affluence – definitely, with American support – but also on account of the culture of the people.

On the one hand they are very American – the dress, the discipline, the professionalism in work, the way in which their cities are built, and technology is used. On the other hand,they try to be Korean – on solemn occasions, they have token representation of their traditional attire, they still have Korean food – but almost everywhere, you get the Euro-American food! All their research and development happens in Korean! They are well trained in Korean obsequiousness! I would rather say they are Americans in Korean skin and language.

The giants like Samsung, Hyundai, LG, Daewoo etc. are all Korean.

The youth interacting with me said that in Korean culture there is much stress laid on good education, to the point of making the youngsters toil hard to get into a good college.  So from grade 1 to pre-college times, they are made to toil, finally to have a respectable grade in the college entrance test! They said that they were put to work upto 12 to 16 hours a day.   The academic stress and suicides which used to be frequent in Kerala and in some Indian cities, a decade ago, still persists on a larger scale in Korea. They also observed that as the training up to 12^th is very rigorous, once you enter the college through the tough competition, then the rest becomes easier.  So stress is more at the pre-college level.

One of the youth empowerment strategies being employed, especially by IYF is the youth internship across the world, especially in the poorer countries – for service. That is helping them to shape their character.  There is also compulsory military service – could not make sure if it was so for both men and women.  

It’s the cleanest land I have ever seen, with the least minimum of waste or litter!! I tried to have a look at the various areas the travel took me, affluent urban, poor or old urban, rural – all areas appeared rather well kept, with hardly any waste to be seen strewn anywhere.

The only exception I found to the cleanliness and discipline was in the habit of smoking in public places, and stamping the cigarette-butts by foot, and leaving it on the roads and pathways, wherever they smoked! Regarding the road discipline, both the vehicle users and the pedestrians, seemed to be one step ahead of the Americans.

SKKU – Sung Kwan Kung University – we visited in Seoul, is a 630 year old university.  Once a centre of learning under royal patronage, and the state, it was taken over by Samsung a few years ago, and since then its growth has been phenomenal.  It has over 25000 students, Around 3000 international students. A very high rate of producing patents and more than 600 plus MoUs with various institutions!!

The President of SKKU hosted a fabulous lunch for us, with wine being served! All the dignitaries (education leaders – like VCs, Presidents, Rectors) wanted to have picture with the host president, and they didn’t feel shy for doing that!  I did not venture for the same, as announcement was being made repeatedly to get seated so as to start the lunch.  It was a rather rainy day, however, as we were boarding our buses, the President was out there in the rain (of course, with his assistant holding umbrella for him) to see us off!

There was some protest by a group of people with disabilities on wheel chair, against government welfare policy for them. The first one took almost all by surprise; however, the President of IFSW, took it sportively, as should by a Social Worker, and showed solidarity with their concern.  This was to make their point utilizing the opportunity of the minister being present.  There was a second protest on the second day, when the Mayor was hosting a grand dinner for all the participants. But this was informed, and the Mayor spoke to them and gave a listening to their appeal, so that the programme went off without any fuss.

Bodies

There were three main bodies, and many sub-bodies in the operation. The world joint conference, as the name indicates, is a biennial programme, usually anchored jointly by ICSW (International Council on Social Welfare), IFSW (International Federation of Social Work) and IASSW (International Association of Schools of Social Work).  Of the former, I happen to be a National Joint Secretary. I am a member of the third one. The second one is a federation. I am a member of one of the federation members. Currently, all the three are headed by women, European! This is also a venue when some of these hold their general body, and some hold election.  To get elected, you have to follow those intricate line, and be attentive to when the announcement comes etc. Also, as is the case with any elections, pull some chain, here and there.  So hardly any of us from India, except my former teacher Dr. Vimla was in the fray.  However, she also was not elected this time.

Though the forums are global, the thinking is predominantly, European-American.  Even the methods of practice in other countries are more or less same, though they may make some adaptations according to the culture.

When we try to present altogether different perspectives, especially from the Indian context, people keenly listen to, however, due to lack of quantifiable research, and publications in those lines, they do not get carried to the mainstream thinking.

SUSTAINABILITY

In the past two conferences 2 items of global (development) agenda were discussed – poverty and worth and dignity of human beings respectively.  Though sustainability is cropping up in the discussions much more than it used to be – green, spiritual, sustainable etc being heard much often – they are yet to get mainstreamed. Next conference in Dublin, Ireland (dates are already fixed – July 4-7, 2018) is on sustainability.

I pointed out that the very organizing of such conference should be re-examined from a sustainability angle.

The organizers were presenting (what was meant to be) humorous data on the conference :

Ate up almost 6 cows (!!), Drank equivalent of what 30 elephants would drink in 6 days, used 300000 sheets of paper!!

I thought these data had to be drastically relooked at on such conferences. No mention of plastic bottle and packaging generated, and consequent waste.

From an organization point of view, both the conferences can be said to impeccable – what they did were perfect (may be, not to our satisfaction).  There was thorough planning, and meticulous execution. I believe the monetary and human resource parts had much to do with that. The former taking care of the latter as well.

We found ample young men and women, ready to guide and facilitate every session – as prescribed.  Flexibility regarding any arrangement was very minimum.  Once, fixed, then to implement it to perfection is the norm. So the ppt, if any, had to be sent in advance.  The sessions would start at 8.30 am and go on till 6 pm (in the latter conference, at 8.40 am ending in a major Mind Education Session – mostly Gospel Preaching by Pastor Park – till 9.30 pm, followed by an interaction with world education leaders and the founder over sumptuous snacks going up to 10.30 pm) – most of them as planned,  If some presenters were absent, then there would be deeper discussion, some very superficial, some really insightful.

The World Education Leaders Forum is organized parallel to World Youth Workshop, both are run by Gospel Mission Church.  This is a Korean Baptist version, founded by the Ok Sung Park, who is still going strong at 72, preaching world wide his own version of Gospel salvation, apparently very powerfully, but all in Korean.  From my explorations, it was found that there were over 300 churches/worship centres for them in Korea.  They seem to have ‘missions’ all over the world – US, Africa, Asia and so on.  In India itself, there are at least five centres – Delhi, NE, Pune, Hyderabad, Chennai.  However, if pastor Park’s claim is true, it is remarkable.  When Korean average regarding divorce is 30%, in Gospel Mission Church it is 0.5% = 5 per thousand compared to 300 per thousand.

And in spite of my getting bored and irritated, the youth, almost 3000 in number, seemed rather happy and enthusiastic.

Music is a major strength and strategy. It was my first encounter with Gracias Choir – but it was indeed a graceful one.  Except a few Europeans and one black person, all others were Koreans, most of them women, who sang and played the western music so well. The four or five white people were all lead players of violin or flute or conductors!  It was announced that they were all of world reknown. The powerful western classical music seems to have a positive and cathartic effect.  They have a music school. The performance of the school kids, nearly moved me to tears.  There were four excellent theatre shows – musicals – two of Biblical Classic – Easter Cantata and Christmas Cantata; two popular ones – Don Quixote & Gift of the Magi (adapted).  The musicians themselves are the actors and the stage setters.  The stage setting was remarkable, and there was no delay or any hitch whatsoever, in spite of the music being sung live, with phenomenal music support of the instrumentalists.

For the Social Work conference, the concurrent sessions in 8 venues begin at 8.30 am and end by 6 pm. 

Our proposal was accepted, and we were given ample time to apply for scholarships, prepare full paper etc. However, it was only last night (2 am) that I could manage my final full paper (almost 9 pages) for a presentation of 10 mts. 

For plenary sessions, with the hall of 1000 seating capacity overflowing, I find that the majority attending, unlike our conferences. 

There were choice of field trips in the afternoon, while concurrent sessions are on.  I had not registered earlier, and they would not permit.  However, with our Indian persuasiveness, I managed to get a last minute inclusion with due payment of USD 10.

We had four major meetings and one small meeting. The General Body of ICSW, of IFSW, of IASSW and COSWA (Common Wealth Social Work Association).  We had an informal meeting among the Indian group, and all seemed very enthusiastic to build up the network. I don’t know how far that will be retained. It may all fizzle out, after some years.

At the WELF, it was a stimulating experience on account of three counts: 1) It was a company of education leaders, most of them from bigger centres of learning than ours – affiliating universities or unitary campus universities.  I was sharing the room with the VC of Alagappa university.  There were VCs from J & K, Punjab and Rajasthan and a few ministers from the North East.  2) Alongside there was a forum of government representatives, most of them ministers or bureaucrats, chiefly from African, central America and Asia. They were there alongside, and we could interact with them.  The representatives from Africa seemed much more articulate and erudite than the educational leaders and administrators we come across in India. 3) I had the opportunity to make a 10 mt presentation on Character Education – Which I termed, ‘Character Education for learning to live together on the planet’.  There were quite a few of the VCs eager to get my ppt (prepared overnight) and one or two of them making reference to it in their ensuing discussions. However, I was unhappy that there was no questions raised by anyone, though two minutes were given.

MoUs – A major happening at the WELF was building up international relations.  Some had come all prepared and were signing MoUs with many other universities.  Though gone rather unprepared, we had an official MoU with IYF for youth development, and with a couple other universities.  There is job for International Office.

My return trip was to be on 8^th morning (11 am) from Seoul.  I was asking the organizers and our Protocol regarding arrangements, however, nothing was coming through.  So in the evening, I skipped the last part of talk by the Pastor and the interesting Christmas Cantata and came off. Packed the stuff.  I had gone with just one old small trolley bag – Now I had stuff – mementos, photos, brochures etc etc and could not manage with that.  The conference bag of ICSW and a small satchel I had brought in the bag came handy. 

However, as I reported that I was to leave that night, our Indian contact told not to panic and that first class ticket from Busan to Seoul (Incheon Airport) had been booked for me, and somebody would drop me at 5.10 am in the morning. That was bit scary.  We bade good bye, and somehow, I managed to wake up at 4 am, got ready by sharp 5.10 am.  There was no body there.  A taxi came and stopped asking if I wanted to go – English was of no much help.  I tried our local contact and the protocol officer – no use!! Finally, very unkorean like, a young volunteer came with a big taxi.  We move to the railway station.  Then I asked about the ticket – he was not very sure.  However, he managed to ring up my contact person, and got the message of the ticket.  However, that had to be shown in the train.  He said he would message it.  Then he asked why not take a picture of the same.  He enlarged it on his android, I took a picture, and kept it safe for examination.  The train reached the airport  just about 5 mts late – after almost 370 kms in just 3 and half hours. There was another smart protocol waiting there for me, who guided me to the right gate.  Got the immigration procedure done, and relaxed in the luxury of the business class lounge.  I had the good fortune of having got my ticket as a business class one for almost the same price as that of the economy class – an offer through the agency! That was really a luxury! Especially the lounges and the  section of the trip from Seoul to Kualalampur.   The section to India, though it was business class, definitely, the treatment was different, so too the flight comfort!! The lounge provides unlimited food and drink, facilities for relaxation, wake up call, shower, and on payment (40 to 50 USD!!) even a massage!

From luxury to subsistence – on the run!

Arrived in Chennai after mid night and the next flight – economy & domestic – was to be at 6 am! They let me in, and after check in – long wait in the chair! Gone is the business lounge and all luxuries – back in India, back to being aam aadmi! And on reaching Kochi airport, a comfortable ride back in our JNRUM bus.  College visit – hello at the various camps, then off to Kottayam by my old pal UNICORN for Social Work General Body, then to Vechoor for a visit and finally to Aluva to Rajagiri Hospital for Doctors’ Day celebration!!  That was a mad rush! But thoroughly enjoyable!

Gam sa ham nida!  Thank you!

LAUNCH OF BBA - BCA PROGRAMME June 17, 2016 Friday 2 pm

The first question that I pose before this audience is regarding the nature of this programme - is it a regular programme or something else? You answer in positive and say that this is regular.  This is indeed regular, and that means your being here on a regular basis. 

However, this is REGULAR with a difference. This is an age of innovation.  The whole nation is going ga-ga after the 'innovation mantra'.  This programme is innovative in some manner - in the sense, we are making some 'improvisation' to circumvent the constraints of 'space' through a manipulation of time - say, 'timing'. 

This has been launched after a prolonged preparation of about two years.  I recall with gratitude the efforts taken by Dr. Krishnakumar who is sitting so silently behind. The way he presents himself gives me some recollection for our inspiration today. 

There are four terms that are dangling before my vision as we launch these programmes today:

1. Business

2. Administration

3. Computer

4. Applications

We spell 'business' with an 'i', but the 'I' is silent, it's 'biznes', where the 'U' is pronounced as 'I'.  This is the spirit of a true and successful 'business'.  It puts 'I' in the place of 'U', and keep 'I' silent - unobtrusively, putting the U as if it were I. 

Administration is about ad + ministrare --> to minister to.  It's all about service - to render service to whom you are supposed to be administering. 

So let's say that a HEARTIAN business administration would look out to serve the clientele in such a manner that the client feels s/he is being treated as if the business person is treating oneself, caring for oneself. 

We speak about this as a computer age! From our childhood and school days, when computers were said to be huge machines quite unreachable, inaccessible and unaffordable, they have become so common, and encompassing every aspect of life.  Over the years, its scope has only widened. 

It is more about application of computer technology that you are going to learn.  How to apply what (whatever) you learn to life for enriching life.  As Gandhiji put it:'Learn for life', so that we become disseminators of 'abundance of life' (Jn 10:10). 

Today, we began this function with the prayer led by Yadu: "നല്ലതേ തോന്നാവു, നല്ലതേ ചൊല്ലാവൂ, നല്ലതേ ചെയ്യാവൂ നിൻ കൃപയാൽ" May we, by your grace, think good, speak good, and do good!

May this journey be an ongoing and neverending  discovery of good ideas, good interactions  and many good and great accomplishments together.  

ॐ सह नौववतु  सह नौ भुनक्तु सह वीर्यं करवावहै 

तेजस्वी नावधीतमस्तु मा  विद्विषावहै  

ॐ शांतिः शांतिः शान्तिः !!

SH is a rather free and liberal space - hence no uniform is proposed; however, for your grooming, some dress code would be prescribed, at least for a few restricted days. 

You are being given two guardian angels, dressed in the white robe - Fr. Tomy Palatty CMI and Fr. Nijo CMI. 

May the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in whom is the treasures of all wisdom, bless us!

Sacred Heart - How to be?

As we gather together, once again, to celebrate the feast of Sacred Heart - the second Friday after the feast of the Holy Trinity (which is the next Sunday after the Pentecost) - we are presented with two texts Jn 6:1-15 and I Cor 10:1-11.

It's about food - bread; drink - wine. Pleasant topic - great meditation.

I searched and assessed that against a social situation of apparent affluence (people, in general, can afford??? many things, which they couldn't imagine even to use once in a life time!), there are about 1000 people in Kochi, being fed daily - about 300 lunch packs by Love & Care; about 200 lunch at General Hospital, About a 100 odd by Vincent de Paul (Society), perhaps, another 500 with all the care homes for the destitute put together.  They are being fed.  This is the miracle of multiplication of bread - it's actually not the multiplication of bread, rather, multiplication of 'plates', multiplication of sharers! Miracle is that of shattering of mind (heart walls) and extending of hearts - making the hearts sacred!

It is glad news that our state earlier led by UPA and now by NDA, and in Keralam, now with LDF which promises to 'set everything right' (എല്ലാം ശരിയാക്കിത്തരാം), has taken on itself the 'divine' task of feeding the citizens through 'right to food'! We have an act, a right, and can force the state to grant its citizens food! That is politics of rights, a right politics; also a polity getting divinized - without, perhaps, intending to do so!

Having been a rather busy person for the past 19 years of my professional life, I had 'work' for my lunch, and found lunch time a waste.  However, when my colleagues travel with me, and I press on getting work done, and not attending to their basic need for food, they feel, I am 'heartless'!  the point is, even those who are affluent, and have enough to eat, feel cared for and good, when they are offered food in time, are shown a concern that they should have their food in time.  Giving food is a divine act, a sacred act, and a sacred duty humans share with the humanity, as they go about seeking their own food.

Food is fundamental in sustaining life; for maintaining health - it is even stated, that right food itself is the medicine; it is also something which provides pleasure - but we are cautioned to 'eat for a fuller life' not to be the slaves of food. Finally, it for fellow ship - those dine together are more likely to stay together.  Eating together builds up fellowship.  .

The miracle no. 1 lies in the fact that 'earth produces enough for everyone's need; and not enough for anyone's greed' (Mahatma Gandhi).  However, the miracle is not effective as human mind gets covetous and greedy and accumulates for oneself much more than what one requires, and names that 'enterprise' and in the process deprives many.

The miracle no. 2 is the more vital one - touching the human mind and transforms it into 'sacred heart' which is willing to share, leading to enough for everyone, and even more!

The third aspect of the miracle is a dimension of sacred heart - it does not waste resources.  It is responsible, and not wasteful.  The miracle of transforming hearts leads to 'abundance', but that does not make one casual towards earth's resources. What was left over - again, it was abundant - was gathered and stored.

And it reveals a vital dimension of the Sacred Heart - while it establishes fellowship with humans in sharing ideas, experience and resources; it finds time for fellowship with the Transcendent by being away from the crowd, in the company of the Mother Earth, in communion with the Father in heaven. That is what Jesus did after the very impressive intervention - being away and alone with the Alone!

Jesus, as the Sacred Heart of the 'heartless, formless, transcendent God' realised the 'god-particle' in food from the very beginning.  In India, we used to call 'annam' as 'daivam'.  As Gandhiji pointed out, to the poor man, God appears in the form of bread.  Hence anna danam is 'God giving', it is god begetting process!

The fundamental nature of food was recognized very well by Jesus, when he taught the disciples the prayer 'Our Father'.  Evidently, there is a prayer for the 'daily bread'.  Starting with physical needs?  Yes and no! While Jesus is realistic about the bodily needs of survival for performing dharma, His priorities are set clearly in the prayer.  It is God's glory, God's rule and above all, God's will that have to be achieved.  The second part of bread, forgiveness etc. is  a natural fall out of the first set of prayers.  That is why he said about himself, 'My food is to do the will of my father' (Jn. 4:34).  If God's will is sought, the other needs are taken care of, sooner or later.  That was St. Chavara's experience as well. Hence he could proclaim: എന്നുടെ ഭോജനം നീയെ പാനിയം എനിക്ക് നീ.
In today's world, the Christian challenge is not merely of gathering and sharing; rather of producing - safe and enough food.  Today, producing food has to become a spiritual exercise for all, especially for Christian.
Finally, a call to extend our habits of sharing food - it has to go beyond the realm of humans - it has to reach out to those other beings - not necessarily by directly feeding them; rather, at least by not exhausting their food resources by greedy and limitless exploitation. This thought was so well expressed about 50 years ago, by Basheer in his thought provoking work: The Inheritors of Earth (ഭൂമിയുടെ അവകാശികൾ)
Greetings of the feast of Sacred Heart - June 3, 2016 

THIRD CURVE - Qayamat se qayamat tak?

Was it ittefaak that it was Mansoor Khan, the director of the box-office hit 'Qayamat se qayaamat tak' was speaking about the impending 'doomsday' despite his avowal that he was there not to make any doomsday prophecies.
But what a fabulous piece of Economic analysis - from Economics to Energetics, with energy supplied from fossil fuels (read, from SUN through a drastic evolutionary process of around 500 million years - initially coal -1750; and later, oil - 1850s). He assesses it as having reached its peak in 2013, and after which as per the bell (normal) curve, there could only be a decline.

The mind-body parallel was really a hit - the mind is willing to go supersonic, and it can be done very systematically - just by a gradual increase of 7% every week, and with 40th week, it is possible to systematically get beyond the speed of sound!! Vow!  But howsoever, the imagination works, can human body do that? 10 - 20 - 30 - perhaps, 100 kms/hour, can it ever get beyond? It is neither possible, nor desirable for the human body as it is in the present structure.  (Can the structure be drastically altered??).

The planet earth is the body, with human mind-imagination dreaming and scheming GROWTH! We have to keep on growing every year - every domain - wealth has to grow, say at 7% p.a.  Is it possible? The body can't stand after a limit. Is there a limit to growth?

Long ago, by 1972 Club of Rome had declared this through 'Limits to Growth'.  By 1992 Rio Earth Summit, this had become a matter of global discussion. However, all that awareness and the continuing and periodical global summits and agreements, have not made any drastic change in the human thought pattern of 'growth' on earth.

Mansur asks two fundamental questions - whether such growth is possible and whether such growth is desirable. He shows the multi-level myth on which the theory of growth is built.

I observe two things:
1. The tremendous growth of service sector around us - especially in Keralam.  How can this happen, when there is hardly any corresponding 'real' economics of production, specifically, in the primary sector not happening? That's not just a matter of Keralam - it's spreading to Tamil Nadu, to Andhra Pradesh... and productive land is diminishing.  And the pattern is one - we are increasingly becoming global and everyone is being led into that single pattern of growth.

When some typical examples are given, no body has doubts - e.g., a typical (cliched) sign of growth is to be owning a car.  Suppose all Indians - 1.3 billion or families - say 250 crores - were to own a four wheeler, could that be affordable? Could that be 'carried'?

2. The other question is that of the why of all our efforts. Why do we desire growth - to be more comfortable? Or in the ultimate analysis 'to be happy'.  So now instead of GDP, people have started speaking about (not really thinking about) Gross National Happiness.  Again, that we can measure it and compare it, itself is a weird thought pattern that everything can be, and needs to be quantified, measured and 'monetized'.  However, has the pattern of life (focus on growth, development) increased happiness?

To increase our happiness, we focus on our health, to increase our health we look upto having more hospitals - more hospital beds!! But on account of a major health care centre, where medical practitioners are being groomed, there was an onset of jaundice in the community.  That is just one example of happiness being lost unawares, when we think our happiness is increasing.

We are increasingly being fed on ideas and goods which show us how deprived and unhappy we are, unless we possess them.  And in our frantic search for them, we end up restless, breathless (our pulse rate is increasing 72 is gone. It's GROWING, so too our sugar levels, our pressure levels! It is mysterious that in spite of being part of that culture, my heart beat rate is between 54 and 62!!), and some what proudly 24/7!!

Mansoor quotes Edward Abbey who said 'growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of cancer'. Would we choose that?
But as someone said: Who will bell the cat? Or can anyone bell the cat? Or is technology the solution or the only solution?

But someone else also said: Who cares? It all began with a bang! And whether we like it or not, it will all end with a bang, some time or other! So, let's eat and drink, for tomorrow we die. 33Do not be deceived: "Bad company corrupts good morals." (I Cor 15:32-33).  But, that is Bible, and we are now treading moral grounds! That's perhaps, 'no, no, area' in a secular debate. Or will finally, the spiritual will add to happiness?  Would that be devoid of planet, water, air, relationship or inclusive of all that?

Even if we are resigned to the final bang with which we ought to go, unless that adds to our happiness, why bother? 

JOYCHETTAN - JOY CV, Assistant Librarian, Sacred Heart College

What can be said about Joy chettan - സുമുഖൻ, സുസ്മേരവദനൻ, ജരാനരകൾകതീതൻ - that was the impression I had about him. I asked him how he was managing to keep his hair still black in spite of having passed retirement age. He said it was natural, and he had no help from Godrej family of products! But when I see Joy chettan now in the coffin, I observe the drastic transformation that has taken place - in the process of illness, his smart appearance had turned into what was a ghost of his former self.  The section of hymn in the funeral rites goes thus: ക്ഷയമുള്ളോനക്ഷയനാകും മർത്യതയേവം സകലേശൻ നിതരാം നൂതനമാക്കുന്നു.  We have witnessed the ക്ഷയം of the physical presence of Joy chettan.  We believe and hope that we will witness God's power that makes our beings അക്ഷയം.

Joy chettan brings to me the memory of three trips: The first was when last year, he decided to go to Holy Land.  He was cheerful and matter of fact. He spoke about the trip and its organizers – Chavara Cultural Centre (of which he had been a part earlier). On his arrival, he came to the office, shared his enriching experience in the Holy Land, saying that it was worth the while going there, and in spite of some bad experience regarding arrangements, it was indeed a good experience.  He had brought some memento for me – perhaps, it was a rosary, and it remains on my desk even now!

The second trip that comes to my mind was his trip last October to Vellore.  That was when I realized that he had some problem.  He came to the office –serene, but concerned; matter of fact, but hopeful.  He said that there was a big growth and it needs to be removed.  We don’t know what is in store.  However, let us try on our part.  Please remember in prayers.  He went off hopeful and rather cheerful.  However, after reaching Vellore, it was not much of an enthusiastic voice that could be heard over phone - a voice sounding tired, but still eager to share. Perhaps the long wait for actual treatment and lack of appetite and consequent reduction in food intake, might have made him already very weak.  On his return, which I came to know much later, I visited him, and was shocked to see his healthy frame wilting into what could have been his ghost.

Though I had a few other visits with him at his residence and at Cherthala, always he sounded hopeful – even amidst excruciating pain that made his nights sleepless.  I believe he was hopeful beyond hope, for he realized that there is no return.  While describing his status he was asking, achchanu manassilakunnuntallo,?

The third of his trips, we are now witnessing – he is to go from here to Kaduthuruthy, and from there to ‘the Ever Ever Land’ a trip that would take him beyond us for now, but will enable us to meet again as  part of that great spread of love. In the last two months, he had undergone severe sufferings, and I hope that will make him all set and purified for this great pilgrimage to the realm of lasting happiness.

Joy chettan was a man who celebrated his life with contentment – never being a complaint box, never bickering about his rights and the compensations he would deserve, rather working meticulously, doing his duty, he built good and lasting relationships. It was never his way to haggle or complain regarding the pay pack.  With what was given, he tried to live – a life of contentment.  Perhaps it was his weakness, perhaps it was his merit as well. All the same, with those limited resources, Joy chettan and wife Josephine built a little neat nest for them in the presently attractive residential area of Maradu. His two boys – Jijo and Joel have fared well – the former with an M. Com from S.H. currently as faculty in Bharata Mata College, and Joel pursuing M. Tech in Kanjirappally. The entire family has been an active unit in the Church related activities. The resignation and the serenity with which the family had accepted the reality of the illness was commendable.

  

He was keen on maintaining relationships – and the various echelons of authority was not a barrier for him – he had ‘friends’ among all of them – management, faculty members, admin staff, students, former students – a host of friends nurtured on good will.  He also saw to it that when an alumnus got a recognition, it was brought to the attention of the authorities and was in turn, contacted and appreciated by the authorities. Joy chettan prided himself to have been brought up by the CMI fold – initially at Chavara, and later on at Sacred Heart’s. 

As the psalmist says, “My heart and soul rejoiced, when they told – let us go to God’s house”. (Ps 122).  This may be very true with Joy chettan, who had really been suffering in the past few months.  As St. Paul say in his letter to Thesselonians, ‘let us comfort one another’ with the hope that we shall all be with HIM – as this trip he takes would take him away from this limited world to that unlimited space of peace, where we shall all join and shall be ONE WITH HIM.

Dear Joy chettan, REST IN PEACE!

P.S. April 14, 2017.  Day before yesterday was the first anniversary.  Jijo, his son had come and invited me to come home for lunch.  I had noted it down, but had forgotten all about it.  However, around 1 pm, I was feeling hungry, but was resigned to sit aright and be in the office.  Then, office superintendent asked if I weren't going for the lunch.  After a moment, it registered with me, and I said 'oh yes'! And we went together.  
There was a pretty good crowd.  Fr. Provincial was there (as usual, in time!) and some token prayers were already done.  Also Fr. Jimmy the parish priest.  And then, I too joined for lunch. Avoided the plastic coated banana leaf, and got my lunch served in a washable plastic plate.  Joy chettan's wife was telling the guests - father had come all the way up to Cherthala to visit Joy.  We will never forget etc.
Now Jijo is trying his luck with civil service.  I hope he gets through - He had a bank job, which he left, then he had some effort at teaching at Bharthamatha College.  Now it's the PSC! I wish him the very best!

SCHOOL FESTS & THEIR NAMES

There is some creativity - not some, a lot of creativity, and grooming - happening through the school fests.
The very titling itself is an act of creativity.  At least someone applies mind - either from his/her (most likely her) repertoire of knowledge, or by meditating, deliberating and choosing. More than often, it's just a fancy name, and not really a meaning-making effort. Regret to say, that neither the organisers (including the comperes), nor the audience or participants are really bothered or inquisitive about them.
One of them was named AEVUS - I was curious to know what it was - but, there was hardly any mention of it by the compere. However, I feel happy about myself that I am curious enough to look around and seek meaning of such titles. AEVUS - A word that came across me for the first time - as I can recall! It is tickling my curiosity.  Now these new gadgets come really handy.  When I noticed it, I felt like consulting my friends sitting around, but sensed that it would be of no avail. In all likelihood, 'it was all greek & latin.  Then the dictionary app in the android is there! However, it could reach only up to 'm'.  Then, that was better! Yes, it was latin ( I should have guessed). In Scholastic philosophy, the aevum (also called aeviternity) is the mode of existence experienced by angels and by the saints in heaven. In some ways, it is a state that logically lies between the eternity (timelessness) of God and the temporal experience of material beings.  Back at the desk, (google se bachke kahan jayega?) discovered aevus-i (masculine) means time of life, age, old age, generation etc. I think the school should rename it aevum, as that appear more suited for the occasion they claim or try to create.  In all the compering that sense of the word was not heard coming out. It would have made at least some people richer by a word!
Another was, Jahres Tag  (CKC, Ponnurunny).  This appeared more like German to me.  Most likely it means 'Annual Day'.  Yeah, as I guessed, it means anniversary.  Jahrestag is the way in which the e-resources showed it.  Again there was hardly any mention by the organisers about this title.  I am also curious as to why they had to use a mere German translation for that.
Elysium - was another title - The place at the ends of the earth to which certain favoured heroes were conveyed by the gods after death.  It meant something like a desirable place - a paradise? Again, here, I didn't listen to any mention or reference to the title or its inspiration. 

They, usually at schools, take great trouble to have the invitations and the programme chart prepared. At times, they are handwritten, with the invitation specially designed, in a particular shape or colour, also showing forth some artistic or symbolic aspects - like care for the environment etc. through these media. 

An important aspect of such organising is that of 'mementos' (often mis-spelt  and mispronounced as momentos/momentum) for the guests. Even if we make clear that we don't require it, they feel embarrassed without giving some such tokens.  Usually, for a person like me, they are burdensome, unnecessary and only adding to generation of waste. Sometimes, there is no point in refusing as it has been customized for you. I would rather have the money as it could be put to good use or personal need. In such cases, as far as I am concerned, for the outreach or extension activity.  But this is a very difficult principle to drive home with the typical organiser.

For me, the typical organiser becomes a villain when s/he is adding flex annoncements, providing bouquets which are often wrapped or held together with (avoidable) plastic, which are dumped else where. As our celebrations become more sophisticated, as it is bound to happen after every year, there is greater amount of waste being generated - flex banners, arch(es) with thermocol for lettering, disposable plates and cups for tea and snacks, plastic wrapped gifts/mementos and plastic carry bags for carrying the gifts/mementos.  In addition, celebrations of this sort adds to environmental pollution by the plastic decorations (toranam), plastic water bottles for the individuals etc.  The last item has been a newer addition, and it is indicative of an affluent institution, if not society, and it's doing immense harm, and is a thoughtless act of unfriendliness for the planet, our Mother Earth.

Often they have only my being Principal of SH College, former HoD of Rajagiri, and a person instrumental to bring harita award for Rajagiri to introduce me. That is from the wikipedia, probably posted by my nephew Rahul Payyappilly-Palakkappilly.  [Thanks to him, in at least one place, I have been introduced as Fr. Payyappilly-Palakkappilly, a distinction in identity, we Palakkappilly try to make to distinguish ourselves from other Palakkappilly in our small world of Thevara - we have, Kiliyaatan (which, at least some of the more tharavaadis among us would allege - because they were the people employed to drive away the birds - kili aattaan - from paddy fields or paddy laid for drying!!)].  That may be because I am not in the habit providing some vital information which would make it impressive for the audience. That also makes me realise that there isn't much I can speak about, let alone boast about - as a good person, an administrator or an academician.  When the welcome or introduction stresses a bit too much of my environmental engagements, I tend to critically look at what and how the organisers violate this value and how they can better it.

Just taking a rough count of the past five years: KRL, St. Thomas, Rajagiri High School, Canosa School, St. Mary's (EM) - Ernakulam, St. Antony's School - Kizhakkambalam, Christ Thiruvalla, CKC Ponnurunny, Delta Public School, Campion School, Al Ameen Public School - Aroor, Kristu Jayanti Public School, Global Public School, Bhavan's Vidya Mandir - Kadavanthra, Bhavan's Eroor - these have been the schools I have been invited to, to address either school day or awards day or something of that sort.

As the CMIs have been very reluctant to call me, I should compliment them for the same - for their level is much higher, or they stick on to congregational hierarchy.

In some places they do with great sensitivity and sensibility - like a green plant or leaf as a welcome gesture or a thank you gesture.  In some places they add to our liabilities by dumping on us unnecessary and wasteful baggage. In one school, I was presented with a big pack which I had to carry home and on reaching, I was pained to see 6 statuettes of Our Lady - Now my next concern would be how to get rid of them.

As a principled stand on reducing pollution, I have tried to reach such venues by bicycle or motor cycle avoiding a car and reducing carbon footprint - usually the pattern is that a vehicle is sent for you - which implies four trips (back and forth two each!).

The quality of report presentation in schools has drastically improved with complete reliance on audio-visual materials, sometimes, with actual acting out of scenes, or sometimes presenting a thematic progression in events.  Very often they are recorded with student and staff involvement and with adequate video footage.

I make an effort to appreciate the efforts and persons, highlight some of the activities that stand out, link the meaning words of the school, if found relevant, and share some insights to inspire. To my regret, I find that more than often the school authorities seem blissfully ignorant of their motto and the possibility of a common meaning for inspiration from that. While the rest of the programmes would be in English, I make a choice from what the parents need - after asking their preferred medium - except in three places, it has always been Malayalam.