Whiteline Journal English December 2010 by AMCHI MUMBAI

Whiteline JOURNAL

Vol. 4

Issue 10

December 2010

Price : Rs. 15

Ayurveda - The Life Science

Online Edition

www.whitelineworld.com Founder Editor

Suresh H. Kondeth Chairman Dr. Anil Raghavan Chief Editor Premlal Editor C. Vimal Kumar Sub Editor P.B. Radhakrishnan Consulting Editor K.R. Narayanan Associate Editor Nanappan Manjapra Consulting Editor (Business) Dr. Raja Roy Choudhury Consulting Editor (Health) Dr. Pranav Shimpi Media Consultant Thomas John Subscription Sindhu J. Mannadiar Pune Bureau M.V. Parameswaran Jayaprasad Thiruvananthapuram Bureau Monayi G.K. Baiju S. Pattathanam Kochi Bureau Dr. V.M.R. Nair Thrissur Bureau M.N. Rajendran Middle East Bureau Chief Preman Illath Layout & Designs Sudhi K. Jayaprakash

India has been the home for several thousand species of trees, plants, herbs and its products like roots, barks, flowers and seeds have been in abundance for the use of man. The ancient Indians had a fair knowledge of the medicinal value of these resources, which has been utilized to address diseases and health problems from time immemorial. It is said that even before the arrival of Aryans on the Indian soil, Dravidians especially in the southern regions – resorted to Siddha Vaidya, and other similar traditional measures to take care of human health problems. The Aryans, along with their scriptures, brought the Ayurveda System of medicine, based on their experience and observations. Our mythology mentions Dhanvantari as the first physician to use this system in the puranic age. The works of Charaka and Sushruta laid the foundation for Ayurvedic medicines and surgeries. Since then Ayurveda has been the mainstay of the health care of our people. It continues so even today, in spite of the great leaps and bounds achieved by the Allopathic System of Medicine. The Malayalees were fully aware of all these ancient health care systems. Not only that, through the ages they have also achieved great expertise in this field from the renowned Vaidyars and their successors. The range of human illnesses, on account of deteriorating living habits and the worsening environmental scenario, and the multiplicity of the reactions and after effects of today’s potent drugs, have made people to divert and depend more on Ayurveda these days. Many Ayurvedic health centers and innumerable tourist-friendly resorts have been mushrooming all around us. We are still striving to understand this age-old medical system in the proper perspective and resort to it in a scientific way. But the knowledge and information on this very ancient medical system is very much scattered and, often, passed from one generation to the next. With all these in mind, the Whiteline Journal has dedicated its December, 2010, issue to our most ancient indigenous medical system, which is fast emerging as a safe, effective and dependable “Science of Life,” true to its name.

Staff Photographers Dani K. Davis Lenin Joseph

December 2010

Chief Editor

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Inside Reflection

Cover Story

27 I NEED YOU ONLY O VAYALURA!

AYURVEDA Eshana literally means to long for. The word usually describes the hard work needed to achieve the goals in life one longs for. The important eshanas in life are the Pranaishana, Dhanaishana and Paralokaishana. The goals or the aims meant here are, attaining a long healthy life, earning great wealth and making sure of a great after life. Having a healthy long life without means to enjoy.........................................................................Dr.

Science / Medicine

K.D. CHANDRAN Story

C. K. RAVI

Service to Mankind is Home–made Remedies from Service to Herbs and VegGod etables

If timely precautions are taken to ward off diseases from its onset and a healthy regimen is maintained then a healthy long life can be enjoyed through out. Our living conditions or environments are not conducive to a healthy life and the main fault is that we do not take the required care even....................................... ..................................................................P.B.

RADHAKRISHNAN

Biography

THE FATHER OF

GOVINDAN PODUVAL Poem

INDIAN CARTOONING 39 Whiteline JOURNAL

“If newspapers are the sentinels of democracy, cartoonists are the torchbearers of freedom of speech and expression”, observed S.C. Jamir, former Govenor of Maharashtra, when he was releasing the biography of the great Indian Cartoonist Shri. R. K. Laxman, ................................................................... .................................K.

R. NARAYANAN 4

A BROKEN ARTIFACT NURANI HARIHARAN

Inside Biography

KESAVAN VAIDYAR

THE FRAGRANCE OF CHANDRIKA

Having learnt the Siddha Vaidyam and Ayurveda systems of medicine from Swami Ramananda, Kesavan Vaidyar established his “Siddha Vaidyashramam” in the Sri Narayana Bhakta Samudayoddharini Bhaktasamajam Building in Irinjalakuda on the 28th of June, 1940, and commenced..................

.................................................................................... K.

Biography

SISTER NIVEDITA A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL PERSONALITY

Sister Nivedita (1867-1911) was a disciple of Swami Vivekananda and her contribution to the promotion of national consciousness is immeasurable. She was a person of intense spirituality, ......................................

.....................................................................V.N.

Philosophy

R. NARAYANAN

GOPALAKRISHNAN

DANGEROUS LANDSCAPES R.S. PILLAI

Tunes of Heart RESHMA NAIR Poem

SABARIMALA 13 Lord Ayyappa seated at the Sabarimala Shrine, with a radiant smile on His graceful face, is the most popular universal God, visited and worshipped by millions of devotees all over the world. Sabarimala has, ....................................

Openion

K. SHANKAR

CHILDREN OF 34

A LESSER GOD

Driving along a crowded stretch in the city the other day, I was dismayed by a happening that would have been nothing more than a testing of patience that motorists are subjected to in busy thoroughfares in the normal course. I am still searching for that right word to describe my frame of mind then..............

...........................................................................................PACHU December 2010

LESSONS OF THE PILGRIMAGE TO

....................................................... THODUPUZHA

Psychology

Story

MENON

When any Form of New Technology is Invented or Becomes Popular GEETU SAJEEV Whiteline JOURNAL

Science

AYURVEDA Dr. C. K. RAVI

(Chandrika Group, Irinjalakuda)

yurveda is the Indian system of healthcare prevailing in most of the oriental countries since 2-3 millennia BC. The Sanskrit word Ayurveda is formed by two words - Ayur which means life and Veda which means knowledge. It is part of the Vedic literature and is considered as one of the Upavedas or minor Vedas. Charaka, one of the earliest authorities of Ayurveda has categorized human life into two: 1. happy and productive one contributing to the wellbeing of others and 2. A sorry and miserable one being a perpetual harassment to one self and others.

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Nobody wants to have a miserable life if they have choice. Ayurveda teaches how to avoid a life like that and to lead a long, healthy and productive life. Prevention of diseases is as much a part of Ayurveda as treatment. It is divided into two the Swasththavrutham dealing with the maintaining of good health and Aathuravrutham the treating of diseases. When talking about health Charaka means not just bodily health but that of body, mind and soul and the equilibrium among them. Eshana literally means to long for. The word usually describes the hard work needed to achieve the goals in life one longs for. The important eshanas in life are the Pranaishana, Dhanaishana and Paralokaishana. The goals or the aims meant here are, attaining a long healthy life, earning great wealth and making sure of a great after life. Having a healthy long life without means to enjoy is to be condemned and not commended. Enjoying a healthy long life, spending hard earned wealth for one’s own good and happiness as well as for others will lead to a happy after life. When most people lead such productive life the general standard of life in the society and state will automatically rise to great heights. Thus Ayurveda is not just a modality of treatment but a holistic concept towards a healthy productive community.

Ayurveda is credited to the Aryans. But before the arrival of Aryans there was an advanced system of health care in India as proved by the excavations in Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro and other places.

Origin Like most things Indian the origin of Ayurveda is also credited to Brahma, who taught it to Aswini Kumaras through Daksha Prajapathy and the Aswini twins taught it to Indra. Indra propagated the science among the sages. The Aswini Kumaras or the Aswini twins are said to be the physicians of the gods and Gods of the physicians. The genealogy differs from Indra onwards depending on the various schools. Charaka School: Indra –- Bharadwaja –- Atreya Punarvasu – Agnivesan – Bhelan - Juthukarnan – Parasaran Susrutha School: Indra ---Dhanwanthari ---Divodasan ---Susruthan ---Oupadhenavan ----ourabhran Kaasyapa School: Indra--Kasyapan -- Vasishtan -- Athibhugu All these sages have written, compiled or edited various scientific books and treatsease, many of which are lost for ever. Ayurveda is credited to the Aryans. But before the December 2010

Extensive sanitary works and drainage canals show the importance placed on cleanliness for prevention of diseases. The practice of yoga too was prevalent. arrival of Aryans there was an advanced system of health care in India as proved by the excavations in Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro and other places. Extensive sanitary works and drainage canals show the importance placed on cleanliness for prevention of diseases. The practice of yoga too was prevalent. The principal king/God was Siva. He is considered the author of eighteen branches of science including Ayurveda. Thus we have a Brahminic and Saivite sects of Ayurveda. 7

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The Great Acharyas/Teachers Pre-historic: Brahma is considered as the progenitor of Ayurveda. Siva is referred to as the Adi vaidya (first physician) in Rig Veda as well as in Atharva Veda. Daksha Prajapathy, who is the mind-born son of Brahma and a protector of all moving and unmoving life on earth, has nothing much to do with Ayurveda, except passing the books on to Indra from Brahma. Indra was recognized both as a physician and a teacher. Books and medicinal formulation attributed to Indra has been discovered. He is more respected as a teacher. His disciples included the gods Agni, Varuna, Maruth, Soman, and Bruhaspathy. But the most prominent among his disciples were the sages like Dhanwanthary, who is believed to be an incarnation of Vishnu. There are a number of texts attributed to him including a dictionary. King Nimi was a great ophthalmologist. The term ‘Nimisha’ which is the time taken by the human eye to blink once owes the name to Nimi. There are many sages who have contributed to the growth and perpetuation of Ayurveda. Among them the prominent were Bharadwaja, Vasishta, Agasthya, Gargyan, Vyasan, Chyavanan, Atreya Punarvasu and several others. Of these Atreya Punarvasu was respected as a great teacher. His disciple Agnivesa compiled the teachings as a text called Agnivesa Samhitha. Atreya Punarvasu is believed to have lived between 8th and 9th centaury BC. Drutabaalan lived in c 4th century AD He recompiled the partly lost Agnivesa Samhitha. Vagbhata (c 6th – 8th C AD) was a Budhist Monk and the author of Ashtamgahrudaya, which is widley followed in Kerala. Ravana, the king of Sri Lanka was said to be well versed in Ayurveda. He was an expert in Pediatrics and Naadeevijnanam (the method of diagnosis based on the pulse) Few texts including Kumarathantram, Nadeepareeksha, and Arkaprakaasa are attributed to him.

Most of the Ayurvedic medicines are made from herbs. But later, may be because they were moving from place to place, started using other materials like chemicals and minerals. Chemistry forms a great part of Ayurvedic pharmacology. Nagarjuna (4th Century AD) was a great chemist and evolved methods of purifying materials like Mercury, Silver, Gold and Arsenic to remove their harmful side effects and used in treatment of various ailments with great efficacy. The genealogy of Saivite sect is: Siva -- Parvathy -- Nandi --Dhanwanthari-- Agasthyan Pulasthyan --- Therayan --- Yuhimuni The Aryans absorbed and adopted the Dravidian system. But the system is still prevalent unpolluted among the natives (Adivasis) of the mountain regions of Southern India.

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The Texts There are innumerable texts and treatises written or compiled by various sages. Some of them has been found and restored and are available in various libraries around the country. The three most important text of Ayurveda are the 8

Charaka Samhitha of Charaka (Caraka), the great physician, the Samhitha of Susrutha which is predominantly a surgical text, and Ashatamgahrudaya of Vagbhata. The Caraka and Susrutha Samhitha are prehistoric i.e. around 3000 BC whereas the Ashatamgahrudaya was written between 4th and 6th centaury AD. The Samhitas or the compilation originally said to be authored by Brahma deva was huge â&#x20AC;&#x201C; containing one thousand chapters and hundred thousand slokas. Considering the short span of human life and the limitations of human brain and understanding the text was divided into eight, each dealing with a different modality of treatment. The Brahma Samhitha was taught by the sage Atreya to his disciples. Agnivesa compiled theem, as the Agnives Samhitha... The Agnivesa Samhitha was lost in course of time and rediscovered by Charaka in a partially destroyed state. Charaka completed, edited the text and added explanatory notes also. Drutabala (c 4th C AD) took great pains to complete some unfinished portions of the text. The Charaka Samhitha deal with keeping of good health, diagnosing, treating and preventing diseases. The Susrutha Samhitha was authored by the sage Susrutha who was the disciple of the great Dhanwanthari. Initially it was a purely surgical text. Later Sidha Nagarjuna added the other portions. The text was re-edited with explanatory notes by Dalhanan (c. 6th C AD) Vagbhata Acharya (c AD 7th & 8th C) is the author of Ashatamgahrudaya and Ashtamga Samgraham. This is the text commonly followed in Kerala. He was a Buddhist. These texts contain descriptions of many herbs available only in Kerala. It is believed that he wrote major part of his work staying in Cherthalai of Alappy district in Kerala. Kasyapa Samhitha in another important work which was lost for a long time and later reappeared in Kashmir and some versions of it is available now. Nimi thanthram is a text dealing with eye diseases by the king Nimi. Most of the Ayurvedic medicines are made from herbs. But later, may be because they were moving from place to place, started using other materials like chemicals and minerals. Chemistry forms a great part of Ayurvedic pharmacology. Nagarjuna (4th Century AD) was a great chemist and evolved methods of purifying materials like Mercury, Silver, Gold and Arsenic to remove their harmful side effects and used in treatment of various ailments with great efficacy. December 2010

The Ayurvedic treatment is divided into three: Daivikam, Manusham and Aasuram. Daivikam or godly treatment is done using powders and tablets, manusham with mixtures and liquids (not very pleasant) and Aasuram using surgical methods. Daivikam or godly treatment is the most popular. Aasuram which mainly consisted of surgical procedures was considered basest method and the practioners were looked down upon and slowly lost its place in Ayurveda. Most of the early works were done in Sanskrit. As the use of Sanskrit was waning the practice of Ayurveda was restricted to a few like the court physicians, But of the availability of the books in commonly used languages, thanks to the Budhist culture has revived it. To day its popularity is on the increase. The wertern books call it as a alternative medicine. But it inherently is a holistic system aimed at a healthy society. *** 99

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Medicine/Science

Home–made Remedies from Herbs and Vegetables P.B. RADHAKRISHNAN pbr30@hotmail.com

he wise advice goes like this: “Prevention is better than cure”. The general assumption is that human beings should be healthy to enjoy a pleasant and longlasting life. At birth the baby may have been found

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healthy, but during the years of growth it may be facing various situations and environments which may affect the wellbeing. If timely precautions are taken to ward off diseases from its onset and a healthy regimen is maintained then a healthy long life can be enjoyed through out. Our living conditions or environments are not conducive to a healthy life and the main fault is that we do not take the required care even if the bad effects are known to us. When ‘our resistance power’ is weak, we are bound to get illness and remedies are to be taken before it gets aggravated. If the remedial 10

measures are not effective, medical assistance has to be sought without any delay. Our ancestors had closely observed our life-pattern and have developed certain remedies from the herbs and vegetables and introduced in our daily diet system. It is also to be remembered that the age, constitution type and reciprocity of the person concerned may react differently to the remedies envisaged. But the main advantage is that it is not costly and it will not have any side effect in its application. Ayurveda is a unique health-care system whereby the treatment is less expensive and accessible to common man, effective and no side effects. It takes care to make remedies from locally available plants and herbs. Owing its existence for a quite log time and the formulae are a matter of common knowledge, the house-hold remedies can be prepared easily and used to maintain good health. It is a matter of selecting certain food items from our regular edibles for a particular period and increasing its intake till the defects get rectified. As Ayurveda takes care of the individual being as a blend of ‘soul, mind, sense- organs and body’, let us take its methods as having sound backing of ‘Spirituality’ as well. Why Ayurveda alone, but all other branches of medicine also have the belief in the blessings of spirituality in the treatment. It is a known experience that the best doctor also when asked about the fate of a critical patient, he would say that “I have given all possible medicines but ‘the other Doctor ‘ can only assure the patient’s recovery and survival”. Giving respect to the divine aspect of medicines, let us make remedies starting with a common herb available in most homes- that is Basil (Thulasi).. 1. Cough, Cold and Throat Irritation. These are common ailments that affect many people residing in the city at various times. a). Take 4,5 fresh Thulasi leaves and crush it to make juice out of that and mix it with 1 tea spoon full of honey and swallow it. 3 times in a day to do that but every time take fresh leaves of Thulasi for use. b). Boil a few Thulasi leaves in water along with a spoonful of powdered pepper and add sugar or jiggery to taste and drink it hot. Repeat this process after 6 hours. December 2010

c). Make hot barley water (say one cup), mix it with 1 table spoon of honey and drink it. Repeat the same after 6-8 hours. d). At the initial stage of a suspected throat irritation, fever or cold, take lemon juice in lukewarm water added with a pinch of salt to get relief. e.) To get relief from cough, a lemon’s juice has to be mixed with 2 gm. of powdered clove in half an ounce of water and taken half each at an interval of 8 hours. 2.Headache. a.) Mix ginger powder with lemon juice to make a paste and apply at the sides of the forehead. b.) A piece of ginger to be made paste after adding with water and apply over the forehead. c.) Same way take a pinch of mustard seeds and grind it into paste adding water to it and smear over forehead, but take care, some times it may cause skin burn around. 3. Toothache. a.) A tea spoonful of powdered clove to be mixed with lemon juice and the paste to be applied on the aching tooth. b.) A few drops of Cinnamon oil poured over

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a small bit of cotton and place it over the aching tooth, sudden relief will be obtained. 4. Gas trouble/ Stomach pain/ Vomiting. a.) Ginger is made into paste in lemon juice and to take it before meals will help to get rid of gastrouble. This is also good to reduce stomach pain and vomiting. b.) After meals, if 2 small pieces of Cinnamon bark is eaten by chewing, it will reduce gas and remove bad smell in the mouth. 5. Joint pain. a.) Apply by rubbing externally some lemon juice mixed with coconut oil on the affected area. b.) A handful of roasted fenugreek made into powder and added to the boiling rice(â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;Kanjiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;) and taken every morning for some days will reduce the pain at the joints. Elderly people with arthritis are not advised to follow this remedy. 6. Allergic breathing trouble. a.) A teaspoonful of Turmeric powder together with some curry leaf if grinded and taken early morning before meals for some days, will give relief. It is also good for reducing Oesnophelia. b.) Make juice of Carrot mixed with beet root and taken as a drink is good to reduce Asthma type diseases, but avoid when there is fever. 7. Diabetes. a.) If this disease is suspected in the youth, they

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should take the juice of bitter gourd (karela) every morning for some days. Fried fenugreek added to rice soup(kanji) can be taken in the morning but the use of rice to be limited if blood sugar in not under control. b.) Half an hour brisk walking daily will reduce the diabetes to a certain extent. In addition to taking selected nutritious food, doing regular exercises will increase the health and longevity. Now a days the practice of Yoga also is recommended to get rid of the life style diseases prevalent in our society. 8. Longevity and building resistance. Equal quantities of black sesame seeds (gingely) and goose berry (after removing its seeds) ground together and a table spoon full is consumed every day morning , it will give long life and can be free from the attack of normal diseases. 9. Growth for infants. Ripe tomatoâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s juice one tea spoonful 3 times a day (no tomato seeds) if given to infants of one year old and above, will promote growth. 10. Elimination of heart-diseases. Grownups if drank a cup of tomato juice every day, it will ward off heart-diseases. 11. Lean body to stout/well-built one. The fenugreek does the work. 30 gm. of fenugreek to be kept in water overnight and in the morning grind the same and drink along with that water to get the body fattened. This practice to continue for some months. The aged and people with arthritis to be cautious and consult family Doctor before starting the practice. 12. Memory enhancers. a.) Powdered cinnamon mixed with honey taken at bed time, continuously for some days removes forgetfulness and brighten up the brain. For the aged this usage will prevent Alzheimer and Dementia diseases. b.) Another remedy can be had from cardamom. 3 cluster(bud) of cardamom to be powdered and mixed with 15 ml. of honey and take every night before sleeping, will improve eye-sight and prevent dementia and Alzheimer. It is good for reducing glaucoma.

Poem

Tunes of Heart RESHMA NAIR

Thousands may born at a time Yet hundreds may survive, Many flowers bloom But few have fragnance, Trees are strong Yet a storm can bend its trunk. Many may sing melodiously, Yet few voice can touch us deeply So is our HEART Which Hates thousands and, Loves just one....... Who touch our Heart deeply

December 2010

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Biography

KESAVAN VAIDYAR

THE FRAGRANCE OF CHANDRIKA K. R. NARAYANAN

“Outwardly I exist as a human being, but I am aware of the divinity that illuminates me as well as all living creatures… That does not mean that I am greater or lesser than others… I firmly and positively hope that man will be able to rise above all divisions and fragmentations” has been the principle of late Vaidyaratnam C. R. Kesavan Vaidyar.

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The production of Chandrika Soap was initiated as a cottage-level activity. The soap used to be prepared by Vaidyar, his wife and a couple of their servants within his own premises. To start with, the production involved the conventional process, by boiling coconut oil and caustic soda, along with the prescribed Ayurvedic herbs and ingredients, and allowing it to cool and solidify.

t is said that Irinjalakuda is known for its Koodal Manikkyam Temple, Unnayi Varrier, and the Chandrika Soap. It is difficult to say if Chandrika’s founder – late Shri. C. R. Kesavan Vaidyar - adopted Irinjalakuda as his home or was it Irinjalakuda that adopted him as its son. It is immaterial as to who adopted whom, as long as both have become synonymous with each other. Though Ramapuram (Meenachil Taluk of the then Kottayam district in the east while Travancore State) was his Janmabhoomi, Irinjalakuda was the Karmabhoomi of Kesavan Vaidyar, ever since he moved here with his family in June, 1940. Through sheer hard work, honesty and sincerity, he grew to become a very successful and influential businessman. The wealth and fame he earned could not change him. To the people around, he continued to be the humble, kind and affectionate Vaidyar. This simple, Khadi clad, ever-smiling, and silent social revolutionary, went ahead with his mission to bring in substantial social and economic development in his Karmabhumi, till he succumbed to the inevitable at the ripe old age of 95.

Shri.Narayana Guru The Lodestar of the late Kesavan Vaidyar’s life It is a matter of surprise, and difficult to be ignored as mere coincidence, that Kesavan Vaidyar, a staunch December 2010

devotee of Shri. Narayana Guru of Varkala was born on Guru Narayana Jayanthi day, under the same stellar constellation of Chathayam on 11th Chingom of the Malayalam Year 1080 (26th August, 1904). Vaidyar followed the “Guru”’s footsteps scrupulously till he breathed his last. He loved and respected goodness and rationalism, irrespective of wherever they came from. He played an active role in and made substantial contribution to the social renaissance that was gradually taking place in the then Malayalam speaking world, during the pre-independent days. The Vaikkom Satyagraham, temple entry to backward castes, freedom struggle, etc. are only a few among them. Though a Gandhian to the core, Vaidyar never wanted to be a politician after Independence. He was destined to live as a true Gandhian, without any desire for importance or positions in political life. He chose to remain a true follower of the principles of Gandhiji and Sri Narayana Guru and kept away from active politics and such other areas, when many of his contemporaries and companions changed paths frequently and moved away in different polarized political directions and lucrative alliances. In spite of his limited academic education, Shri. Vaidyar could interact very well with the literary giants of his time and was also able to become a prolific writer and a powerful but polite speaker himself. His associations with the late Shri. K. P. Kesava Menon, Shri. Vallathol Narayana Menon, Smt. Lalithambika Antharjanam, Puthezhathu Raman Menon, and such other literary giants, and his devotion to the poetic works of Shri. Kumaran Asan and the like, prove his great interest in and inclination to the world of letters. He loved literature, wanted to learn from the lives of great men and philosophers. This desire made him read voraciously. He maintained a huge library in his house – the Chandrika Bhavan – in Irinjalakuda. The path he traveled to affluence and reputation was not smooth. It was rough and full of obstacles. His unshakable faith in the Supreme Power, his sin-

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cerity and love for the fellow beings and a tremendous will power took him to great heights socially and financially. When he breathed his last on the 6th of November, 1999, (at the age of 95), the people of Irinjalakuda paid this humble, great man such homage as the town had never seen before.

Kesavan to Vaidyar and Vaidya Ratnam It was at the Ashram of his Guru – Narasimha Swamikal – at Eloor that Sri Vaidyar learned about the reputed Siddha Vaidya, Shri. Ramananda Swami. Vaidyar gathered much information about this great Siddha from Sri. Narasimha Swami. Narasimha Swami gave him insight into the potentials of the Siddha Vaidyam as well. This information made Vaidyar interested in this branch of medicine. He reached Koorkkanchery, a suburb in Thrissur, after a strenuous and (in those days) expensive journey and met Sri. Dharma Thirtha Swami in the Koorkkanchery Ashramam. Dharma Tirtha too suggested that Vaidyar should learn Siddha Vaidyam from Sri. Ramananda Swami. It was not very easy to be a disciple of Sri. Ramananda, because there were no specific courses or training under him. But the pupil himself had to strain to learn from the day to day activities of the Swamiji. But the Swamiji’s treatment was very famous in those days and many patients used to approach him for treatment of many types of diseases from different parts of Kerala and Tamilnadu. Swamiji was an expert in handling patients with psychological problems. Vaidyar very carefully observed and studied the Swami’s handling of different illnesses and the treatments prescribed for them.

Sri.Ramananda Swami (Kesavan Vaidyar’s Guru)

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Vaidyar also learned about the preparation of “Bhasmas” of the metallic elements of mercury, sulphur, gold, silver and the like and their therapeutic values. He had opportunities to read many authentic books and documents on different aspects of Ayurveda and Siddha Vaidyam. Though strenuous, he could master the subject and earn the confidence of the Swamiji. The Swamiji also entrusted him with the managerial responsibilities of the Ashram and that too he did well and earned the goodwill of his teacher.

The soap used to be prepared by Vaidyar, his wife and a couple of their servants within his own premises. To start with, the production involved the conventional process, by boiling coconut oil and caustic soda, along with the prescribed Ayurvedic herbs and ingredients, and allowing it to cool and solidify. The solid material was cut into cakes, shaped and covered in butter paper and packed in boxes. Having learnt the Siddha Vaidyam and Ayurveda systems of medicine from Swami Ramananda, Kesavan Vaidyar established his “Siddha Vaidyashramam” in the Sri Narayana Bhakta Samudayoddharini Bhaktasamajam Building in Irinjalakuda on the 28th of June, 1940, and commenced his life as a registered medical practitioner in Irinjalakuda. Some medicines gifted by Ramananda Swami and an amount of Rs.50 were his investment to commence the new venture. (Out of the capital, about Rs.30 was already spent in connection with the inaugural function of the Siddha Vaidyashramam). Most of the local papers carried the news of this medical centre and the Siddha Vaidhyashramam attained great publicity and popularity on this account and brought him a good reputation among the people of Irinjalakuda. Kesavan Vaidyar was more of a friend than a physician to his patients. In view of this, he could very well expand his activities and the income therefrom. Subsequently, he hired another private building and

shifted his Siddha Vaidyashramam to the new premises. Within a year (1941), he was able open a small branch of his Siddha Vaidhyashramam in Varandarapilly (about 20 Km. east of Irinjalakuda). The then rationalist writer-editor and an old companion of the Vaidyar, late Shri. M. C. Joseph of Irinjalakuda has given a detailed account of the progress of Shri. Kesavan Vaidyar. According to him, (by 1953) Vaidyar had developed more than 72 churnas, about 33 medicinal powders, 92 varieties of pills and tablets, about 92 different types of medicated oils and about 14 types of Ayurvedic concoctions, about 33 types of medicinal pastes and 31 types of medicated ghee, etc. These were in addition to his own patented Chandrika brands – like soaps, laxatives, balms, eye drops, and the like. As the production of his medical preparations enhanced manifold and Vaidyar had to visit different places to attend to the patients personally, he had to retain the services of a couple of qualified physicians at a comparatively high remuneration. More or less at this time (17th March, 1953), Shri. Kesavan Vaidyar’s fame and reputation of the Sidha Vaidyashramam spread beyong the territories of Kerala and southern India. Inview of his expertise and great knowledge, Kesavan Vaidyar was honored with the title of Vaidya Rathnam by the Samoothiri – former ruler - of Calicut. During this period, Vaidyar had started taking interest in promoting and strengthening the organizations for indigenous medicines and also organized all the Ayurveda physicians and practitioners of the State to the form the “Kerala Ayurveda Mandalam”.

Chandrika As mentioned earlier, the brand name, “Chandrika”, has brought in much glory to Irinjalakuda. It has December 2010

a long history commencing from the day Vaidyar established his Siddha Vaidyashramam in Irinjalakuda (1940). In due course of time, Chandrika, (perhaps the fist Ayurvedic medicinal soap in India) evolved to become the brand name of Irinjalakuda town itself. After the establishment of his ‘Siddha Vaidyashramam’, Vaidyar had in fact started producing the Chandrika Soap, on a very small scale. (All the ayurvedic products of the Sidha Vaidyashramam like the soap, eye drops, laxatives and many other medicinal products were produced initially under the brand name Chandrika). Initially, Vaidyar produced Chandrika soap as a medicated ayurvedic soap, to address the skin diseases, as advised by Shri. Ramananda Swami. Subsequently, the soap’s demand as a preventive measure for skin diseases, and later as day to day toilet soap, soared high. The production of Chandrika Soap was initiated as a cottage-level activity. The soap used to be prepared by Vaidyar, his wife and a couple of their servants within his own premises. To start with, the production involved the conventional process, by boiling coconut oil and caustic soda, along with the prescribed Ayurvedic herbs and ingredients, and allowing it to cool and solidify. The solid material was cut into cakes, shaped and covered in butter paper and packed in boxes. As the demand for the soap went up, the production had to be automated with sophisticated machinery manned by technical work force. A lot of R & D work also has gone into the ayurvedic, medical and other ingredients used for the soap. Gradually, the Chandrika Soap became the prime product among the Ayurvedic products of Vaidyar and the other products became rather insignificant. Hence, a new corporate entity – the S.V.Products – came into being in Irinjalakuda for producing and marketing the Chandrika soap and other medicinal products. The production and marketing activities diversified and were covered by different units established in Ernakulam (Kochi), Coimbatore and Bangalore, in addition to Irinjalakuda. Today the activities of the Chandrika soap are concentrated in Bangalore, with corporate marketing tie ups. In spite of heavy competition, Chandrika is still considered a pure, deep cleansing soap from India made from vegetable oils and Ayurvedic herbal extracts, with no chemicals or animal fats. The market potential of the Chandrika Soap too soared high. Though initially marketed within the old

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Cochin and Travancore territories, its market widened to cover the entire Indian sub-continent. Also the soap attracted overseas markets like Srilanka, Singapore, Malaysia and other near-east and the middle-east countries as well. Today, Chandrika is a very potential consumer product, whose sales figures have gone up to many crores of Indian Rupees. Today, this product earns sizeable foreign exchange for the country. It is, therefore, little wonder that the commercial giants vied with one another to bag the marketing rights of this product. When he started marketing his Chandrika soap in the early stages by traveling the length and breadth of the TravancoreCochin area, Vaidyar could not have imagined that one day his soap would become a household name among the Indians within the country and abroad. One of the reasons for the popularity of the soap – other than its quality – was Vaidyar’s strategy of market promotion. He was probably the first person in Kerala, who gave wide publicity and propaganda for his product in all the local temple and social festivals of Kerala. Any organizer of any exhibition in Kerala could never afford to ignore or avoid a stall of Chandrika, as it was very attractive with novel ideas. Chandrika brought many laurels to Vaidyar and Irinjalakuda as well, winning many awards like the

(late) Smt. Karthyayani Amma Vaidyar’s wife Kerala Vyavasaya Jyothi Award (1993) and many export awards. It raised Vaidyar to the status of a major entrepreneur - industrialist of Kerala. And also, as said earlier, Kesavan Vaidyar, Chandrika Soap and the town of Irinjalakuda (in central Kerala) had become synomymous with each other.

Philanthropist Vaidyar Whiteline JOURNAL

Among the many philanthropists of Kerala, Sri. C. R. Kesavan Vaidyar occupies an important position mainly on account of his sincerity and sense of commitment to the people around him. Greatly inspired by Sri Narayana Guru’s philosophy of universal brotherhood, Vaidyar set out on the momentous tasks of social upliftment of the downtrodden and the poor. His modus operandi to reform the society and create awareness was based on the Guru’s principle“freedom through knowledge”. The Chandrika Educational Trust was one of Vaidyar’s tools to achieve this goal. The Trust subsequently diversified, imparting value based education for the layman and creating jobs, with the establishment of S.N. Lower Primary and upper Primary School at Kattungachira in the Irinjalakuda Municipality, under the chairmanship of Vaidyar’s wife - the late Smt. Karthyayani Amma. Realizing the need for capable teachers to mould the new generation, this trust initially established a Teachers’ Training Institute on 21st April, 1963, at Irinjalakuda. The foundation stone of this Teachers’ Training Institute was laid by Vaidyar’s wife, Smt. Karthyayani Amma. The Chandrika Educational Trust follows the lofty ideals of imparting value based education to the common man, awarding scholarships to the needy and deserving students and encouraging the overall development of an individual’s personality by conducting seminars, discourses and discussions on many issues. Realizing that a library is an integral unit of education, the S. N. Public Library was established by Vaidyar in 1972. The Library is a treasure house of innumerable reference books, journals, news papers related to all spheres of life and fields of knowledge. Free access to knowledge is ensured through this majestic portal of learning. A “Matha Maitree Nilayam”(House of communal harmony), established by Vaidyar is also situated in the precincts of the Library. Vaidyaratnam Kesavan Vaidyar is no more with us now. But the fragrance of the Chandrika he created is still wafting in the airs around us. (Here is an article on this late Sidha and Ayurvedic Vaidyar and founder of the reputed Chandrika Soap. This article is based on a book titled ‘The Humble Vaidyar” - by this author - which is being published in the current month in Irinjalakuda in Central Kerala.) ***

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Story

GOVINDAN PODUVAL

just remember a story narrated some time back by one Swamiji during his discourse on Sri Maha Bhagavatham to the devotees in the precincts of a Temple complex. As the temples are frequented by many devotees now a days in connection with the pilgrimage to Sabarimala and a majority of them are very conscious to follow the rituals and regulations, it is proper time to enlighten them with this spiritual knowledge. Once a zamindar went to seek the blessings of Swami Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa and told him that he wishes to offer a part of his wealth to God. “Swamiji please guide me”, he requested. Swamiji said “yes” and added “how can you offer God’s own things to Him” ? The zamindar did not understand the meaning. So Swamiji explained to him: “ See the whole world belongs to God. All of us are his children. The animals, birds water, air, minerals, forest and everything belongs to him and we are all just care takers. We will have to leave everything here and somebody else will take care of it after our death. Then how can you offer his own belongings to Him”. But you can share your things with the needy and poor. They are also your brothers and sisters. Some of them are starving. And that will be the best offering you submit to the God. Service to mankind is service to God. We read in

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9869349419 news papers that such and such person had offered a Diamond chain , Golden Crown, an elephant, golden chariot etc etc to God. I am not hurting their belief or best intentions . It is their own wish and they have every right to offer any thing in cash or kind. Swamiji was reminding such people to offer something to the needy and get blessings immediately rather than waiting to get the rewards or blessings direct from God. There is another story : A person who used to offer big donations to many political parties to get respects from the leaders and benefits in return also had heard Swamiji’s story. He wanted to test Swaiji’s words and at times while going to the temple he offered some alms to the beggars. He was pondering over the benefit he would get from God in return. He had a dream once. An angel appeared in his dream showing a list of people who loves God. His name was not there. He asked the angel why his name is not in the list and requested the angel to add his name also in the list. The next night the angel appeared again with the list but his name was not there. Remembering, Swamiji’s advice at the nick of the time he told the angel to write his name as a person who loves the mankind. Again the angel appeared on the third night with a list of people who loves God and his name was first in the list. At that moment he experienced such a happiness which he never had. He cherishes the words of Swamiji all the time now. That means the God loves those who loves the mankind. 20

Reflections

I NEED YOU ONLY O VAYALURA! K.D. CHANDRAN

hen I was born in this world, I came empty-handed. O Lord of Vayalur! being the munificent Lord, you benignly bestowed everything on me. You gave me life as a human being, a reward reserved for those who have done severe penance. You gave me parents who were real gems and who considered the well-being of their progeny as their sole pleasure and purpose. You gave me siblings who are affectionate beyond measure and are pillars of support to me. You honoured me by giving a good preceptor who was an exemplary model for the world to emulate. You gave me unselfish and affectionate friends who sought me thinking of nothing but good and general well-being. You gave me a life-partner of good character, who stood by me always sharing my joys and sorrows. O God Skanda! You gave me a daughter, the apple of my eye, who is so charming and talented December 2010

as to make those who behold her wonder “is this Saraswathi, the Goddess of Learning and Arts!”. O Lord seated on the peacock! to remove my anguish at not having a son, You gave me happily a son-in-law who is a gem of a boy. While many ran hither and thither, craving for a job, O God holding the Javelin! You gave me a good job and substantial wealth. When people without an abode were yearning for one, You gave me a house which they look upon as the ideal home. Even after Your giving me such bountiful gifts, I still stand before You as a mendicant with palms outstretched. Is it because I belong to human species possessed by the specter of greed? O Lord seated on the peacock! Don’t You know that all this poor self seeks is a simple gift, please confer it on me. All that I seek from You is only Your own self – O Vayalura! Your o wn self! Whiteline JOURNAL

ALL ABOUT LIFE R.V. RADHAKRISHNAN 9819587009.

Life is an Life is a Life is a Life is a Life is an Life is a Life is a Life is a Life is an Life is a Life is a Life is a Life is a Life is a Life is an Life is a Life is a Life is a Life is a Life is a Life is an Life is a Life is a Life is a Life is a Life is a Whiteline JOURNAL

Adventure Beauty Challenge Duty Elegance Fact Gift Harmony Idea Joy Kite Love Mystery Noose Opportunity Problem Question Recurrence Struggle Torch Universe Vision Wonder Xylophone Yacht Zeal

Dare it. Praise it. Meet it. Perform it. Grace it. Understand it. Accept it. Accord it. Apply it. Expand it. Fly it. Enjoy it. Unfold it. Untangle it. Grab it. Solve it. Answer it. Repeat it. Fight it. Wave it. Realise it. Follow it. Admire it. Play it. Glide it. Personalise it.

Biography

SISTER NIVEDITA A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL PERSONALITY V.N. GOPALAKRISHNAN

ister Nivedita (1867-1911) was a disciple of Swami Vivekananda and her contribution to the promotion of national consciousness is immeasurable. She was a person of intense spirituality, strength of mind and intellectual power. Yet she led a simple and austere life dedicated to the cause of India and Hinduism. She was an image of purity and austerity in her simple white gown and with a rosary of Rudraksha around her neck. As her birthday falls on October 28, the nation pays tribute to a champion of Indian Freedom and emancipation of Indian women. Sister Niveditaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s life and works are of great importance to the people of India. She has left behind a lasting impression and

December 2010

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her multi-dimensional personality has helped in inspiring some of the progressive movements that led to India’s freedom. Sister Nivedita was described as `a real lioness’ by Swami Vivekananda, Lokmata (the mother of the people) by Rabindranath Tagore and Agnisikha (the flame of fire) by Aurobindo Ghose. In England, she was known as The Champion for India, but she was a ‘Sister’ to the people of India. Her entire thought and consciousness was focussed on India alone. Margaret Elizabeth Noble alias Sister Nivedita was born on October 28, 1867 at Dunganon in Ireland as the daughter of Mary Isabel and Samuel Richmond Noble. Her father taught her that service

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to mankind was the true service to God and his words made an impression on her mind. At an early age, she had the realization that, religion is not about having belief in the doctrines, but is about searching for the divine light that will bring enlightenment. After completing her education, she took up teaching and worked for ten years from 1884 to 1894. She also started taking interest in Buddhist principles. Swami Vivekananda had risen to fame through his performance at the World Parliament of Religions in 1895. A disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, he was one of the first Indian Gurus to travel to the West and spread the ancient teachings of Vedanta. Though

Christian religious doctrines were instilled into Miss Margaret Noble from childhood, the search for ‘Truth’ led her to Swami Vivekananda’s teachings. She came across Swami Vivekananda in London and in response to his call, she came to Kolkata on January 28, 1898 and was initiated into the monastic order of Ramakrishna Mission in the same year. It was Swami Vivekananda, who called her by the name ‘Nivedita’ which refers to someone who is highly dedicated to the Almighty God. Sister Nivedita opened a kindergarten school for Hindu girls in November 1989; joined plague relief works of the Ramakrishna Mission from March 1899; left for the West in July to collect funds for her school; formed ‘The Ramakrishna Guild of Help’ in America; went to Paris in July 1900, where Swami Vivekananda attended the Congress of the History of Religions; left for England in September 1900; and returned to India in February 1902. Sister Nivedita’s interest in the Indian struggle for Independence prompted her to resign from the purely spiritual Ramakrishna Order after Vivekananda’s death in July 1902, although she maintained close relations with the Order and Sri Sarada Devi, the Holy Mother. Later she adored and worshipped Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Goddess Kali and Lord Shiva. Swami Vivekanand’s principles and teachings had an indelible imprint on her mind and this brought about a major change in her. She left all the things that she could have boasted of and decided to lead a very simplistic life. Seeing the passion in her to transform the society, Swamiji could foresee her futuristic role as Mother India. She had good relations with many

intellectuals of the time including Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore, eminent scientist Jagadish Chandra Bose and Abanindranath Tagore. She also came into contact with some of the influential figures in the independence movement including Gopal Krishna Gokhale, Sri Aurobindo Ghosh, Bepin Chandra Pal, Mahatma Gandhi and young revolutionaries like Taraknath Das. She was admired for her work by distinguished persons like Lady Minto and Ramsay Macdonald. After the demise of Vivekananda, Sister Nivedita became increasingly committed to work for Indian independence and in the process risked arrest frequently. Her home became a meeting place for writers, intellectuals and politicians. She also worked tirelessly for the amelioration of the plight of Indian women. She sought to improve women’s education, es-

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pecially for Hindu widows who were often condemned to a life of poverty. When the plague struck Kolkatta in March 1898, she joined plague relief works of the Ramakrishna Mission and formed ‘The Ramakrishna Guild of Help’ in America. During the devastating floods in East Bengal resulting in famine, she organized relief funds for the affected villages. Sister Nivedita wrote profusely on many facets of Indian culture, philosophy, art and history in journals like the Review of Reviews, thePrabuddha Bharata, the Modern Review, etc. under the byline `Nivedita of Ramakrishna-Vivekananda’. She promoted pan-Indian nationalist views both in her writings and in public meetings. From 1902 onwards, she spoke and wrote against the British policy in India. She attacked Lord Curzon for the Universities Act of 1904, for his insulting the Indi-

ans by calling them untruthful in his Convocation Address in 1905, and for the Partition of Bengal in 1905. Her literary works include: Kali the Mother, The Web of Indian Life, Cradle Tales of Hinduism, An Indian study of love and death, Select Essays of Sister Nivedita, Studies from an Eastern Home, Myths of Hindus and Buddhists, Footfalls of Indian history, Religion and Dharma, Civic & National ideals and Complete Works of Sister Nivedita. On October 13, 1911 at the young age of 44 years, Nivedita attained eternal rest amidst the snowy peaks of Darjeeling. In a sylvan shrine ensconced in the lap of the Himalayas where silence reigns supreme, stands a memorial which proclaims, “Here reposes Sister Nivedita who gave her all to India”.

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Philosophy

LESSONS OF THE PILGRIMAGE TO

SABARIMALA THODUPUZHA K. SHANKAR

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Lord Ayyappa seated at the Sabarimala Shrine, with a radiant smile on His graceful face, is the most popular universal God, visited and worshipped by millions of devotees all over the world. Sabarimala has, therefore, become the most favourite pilgrimage centre where multitude of devotees throng to have a glimpse of the yogic- postured deity of Kaliyuga who upholds the divine philosophy of TAT-TVAM-ASI, inscribed in every pilgrim’s heart. While every devotee is searching to behold the invisible, invincible force that controls all the cosmic activities, in the temple and every where, dawn to dusk, the tenet TAT-TVAM-ASI enlightens us on the manifest truth that “God is within” or who you are searching for is you only and therefore, the Brahman and the Atman are purely identical in nature and equally important in all respects. 26

It is with this spirit and thought that the devotees scale the mountain top at regular intervals. There is no wonder that the pilgrimage with all its democratic nature comprises the whole mankind without any religious discrimination. Every devotee observes all the customary doâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s and donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ts conditions before undertaking the pilgrimage. In other words, it can be considered a spiritual trekking . Every devotee becomes an Ayyappa himself and considers others too on equal footing which is synonymous, spontaneous with the Lord of Kaliyuga. Wearing of a Tulsimala or Rudrakshamala, donning of black or ochre clothes, abstinence from meat, wine and women or strict observance of celibacy and regimen or regulated course of diet etc. are some of the most important pre-requirements for a pilgrim to sabarimala. The ideology behind all these ethos or mandatory restrictions is to practice the art of disciplining the mind and body. In short, by practicing these entire austere measures, one is seasoning his mind and physique in perfect consonance with the implied code of conduct of the customary restrictions and practices carried over generations. During the period of penance and austerity, every devotee is expected to shed his mountain high ego, arrogance and selfishness and adhere to the code of conduct to discipline him both physically and metaphysically. One learns how to apply absolute restraint

Principally, the seriousness about the sanctity absorbed through the austere disciplining process should not evaporate or dissipate and the spiritual values acquired simply wither away. The mind which has assimilated the potential to resist or withstand those temptations should not be allowed again to yield to the mounting pressures of the senses. Then only the pilgrimage is worth while and the saga of purely metaphysical endeavour to identify with the Almighty will consummate in the formation of a disciplined mind. Verily, there is no rationality in just becoming a seasonal gentleman, or feeling Ayyappa personified but, the devotees should continue those virtuous qualities for life. December 2010

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over his senses which he is galloping upon. By the time one reaches the sanctum sanctorum, he should have become the humblest soul, with down to earth politeness and respect for others. While breaking the coconut at the eighteen steps, it is supposed that he is breaking the coconut of his ego, arrogance, etc. Even at the Pampa river also, while bathing, during every dip, he is supposed to flow away his ego, arrogance, etc. One cannot please or propitiate the Lord through transient exercises, unless he surrenders uncondition-

ally. Even to attain heaven, the aspirant has to die first. Similarly, if one wants to learn swimming, he has to first get into the water. Merely standing on the bank of a river or a lake does not help at all. One should essentially perceive the truth that God cannot be pleased with such short term measures or through some transitory gimmicks, but certainly with greater amount of sacrifice and absolute unconditional surrender,voluntarily .The devotee should understand that what all he does in the name of penance is for the sake of his own physical and mental health which in turn gives him maximum mental strength, adaptability and tolerance to handle his day to day problems. Ultimately the devotee is the beneficiary. Though we prepare many sweet items (Prasad) for propitiating God, ultimately it is consumed by us only. Everything culminates in the beholding of the

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propitious Makaravilakku and the devotees return to their respective habitats or abodes, with a deep sigh of relief and self content. But, unfortunately, the whole scenario, in several cases, turns topsy- turvy once they are back at their habitats, after the glorious pilgrimage. Many who had circumstantially put a total restraint on meat, alcohol, smoking and other forbidden habits or vices and also abandoned their ego, arrogance and selfishness, bounce back to their previous style of living quickly with their resilient attitude. Actually the penance, restraints and constraints imposed on the self should be considered a golden, God given opportunity to become more righteous and continue with those satvic qualities in place of the inherent satanic attributes. Many are seen to unleash all their pent up vices with added enthusiasm. Principally, the seriousness about the sanctity absorbed through the austere disciplining process should not evaporate or dissipate and the spiritual values acquired simply wither away. The mind which has assimilated the potential to resist or withstand those temptations should not be allowed again to yield to the mounting pressures of the senses. Then only the pilgrimage is worth while and the saga of purely metaphysical endeavour to identify with the Almighty will consummate in the formation of a disciplined mind. Verily, there is no rationality in just becoming a seasonal gentleman, or feeling Ayyappa personified but, the devotees should continue those virtuous qualities for life. So everyone should put himself through an introspection process once in a while to assess his own merits and demerits. By virtue of this hazardous pilgrimage, Lord Ayyappa is giving us an opportunity to test our will power vis-Ă -vis He is conveying the most powerful holistic message through His radiant smile: â&#x20AC;&#x153;Devotees, Maintain this hard acquired discipline and continue your pursuit of the ultimate truth! The one who you are searching for is none other than you! All your pains, sufferings, agonies and difficulties are your own creations! The Brahman and the Atman are not different from each other. Continue your spiritual voyage. My only message to you is TAT-TVAM-ASI.â&#x20AC;? 28

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Story

DANGEROUS LANDSCAPES R.S. PILLAI

When engine driver Lobo came to senses, he was lying on his back on a hospital bed. A sanitized metal bed with rexin mattress filled with some fiber, most probably coir. It was neither soft nor hard. The only good thing was the pure white bedspread reeking of some disinfectant and reasonably unruffled, as he could not turn or move. As was his habit, he tried to look around hoping to catch a glimpse of a stretch of sky or treetops trying in vain to kiss the blue sky. From where he lay he could only see the white ceiling of the room from which hung an ancient ceiling fan in slow motion. He looked sideways for an open

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window. Again disappointment. Though there was a window with a shining aluminium frame, it had frosted glass panes firmly shut. It was covered with a green cotton curtain, which was dancing to the rhythm of the fan. The bright naked fluorescent light in the room made it difficult to guess the hour of the day or night. Lobo had no sense of time or date, as there was no calendar on the bedside. There was a chart at his bedside showing clinical details. Before the accident, Lobo was a person who had an uncanny sense of time even in a dark night as he seldom had his forty winks while on duty. Now, he has become just a number con30

stantly asleep, probably given up as a hopeless case. Lobo looked around for someone who could be attending him. But for an upholstered bench and a plastic chair, the room was empty. He couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t move his left hand as there was an intravenous tube dispensing glucose and medicine to his body. Mercifully, he could locate a button beside his bed, which could be of a call bell. Hopefully, he pressed the button, which produced a buzz barely audible to him. Reinforcing his belief in God, there was an immediate response to his call. A middle-aged nurse

in spotless white uniform entered the room noiselessly beaming a smile like the sun coming out of a clouded sky. Obviously, she was overjoyed at the progress made by her patient who was in deep coma for several weeks. She couldn’t control her joy. She burst out: “Oh! My Rip Van Winkle! So, my baby is out of his deep sleep? Any idea how long you were holidaying from this world? Though it was well meaning, the outburst of the nurse irritated him. He was not out -anywhere on his own volition. Perhaps the doctors put him out, out of pain and suffering. Or maybe, the accident knocked him out of his senses, with irreparable spinal injuries. He desperately wanted to know where he was and how long he was in this condition. He was also surprised that none of his relatives was near him. Well, he was always running away from them, in a high-speed train only to return once a week. He looked toward the curtained window, which annoyed him. A person who was always in the middle of nature during his duty time, he longed to have a glimpse of nature in raw. He motioned to the nurse to open the window. In anticipation he imagined as seeing some greenery and the blue and white canopy of sky above. The nurse chided him saying that there is a strong draught, which is bad for him. She addressed him as dearie. As a concession she opened the window half way. It was as well that she did not open it. For, he could see only the white expanse of emptiness. On scanning the sky he could spot a couple of black water storage tanks. As Engine Driver in the Indian Railways, he has been driving super fast passenger trains along December 2010

trunk routes. He was one of the best drivers and enjoyed a clean reputation for safety and punctuality without a fault. At times he quarreled with Guards and Station Masters for delaying trains without any purpose. Despite his eccentricity, he was popular. Though he did not hide his liking for unwinding with a couple of drinks, he was not counted as a drunk. He never touched the stuff

He was in blissful coma with worried family members spending day and night outside the intensive care room in the hospital far away from their home. After the wounds were healed and the only problem was not gaining consciousness, they were persuaded to leave for home as the hospital had excellent arrangement for care of the patient. And, back home things were to be attended to. on duty. He was a jolly good fellow who liked to enjoy life if it did not interfere with his duties and inconvenience others. Actually it was in his blood. His father too was an engine driver who had a good reputation. When he was not manipulating the dashboard in the engine room, he always looked out at the scenery rushing past. He loved what he saw, thick forests, towering 31

hills, gurgling streams, undulating farms and the cattle grazing in the meadows. They fascinated him even during his umpteenth trip. It was God’s gift to a person engaged in a monotonous work. He made discoveries about vegetation, animals and people whom no outsider may have set eyes on. He recognised the topography with its minutest details and observed the changes made by nature and man, which included vandals. He knew when a tree was cut from beside the track or a hill dugout leaving a scar like a tooth extracted from the front row. He could even identify the places by their peculiar smells. Like the fresh smell of agricultural crops, the unpleasant smell of a paper factory, or the smell of factories producing sugar and liquor from molasses. The only smell, nay stench, he hated was the one near important stations having shanties all around; the smell of human excreta! He knew all the signal points, bridges culverts and level crossings. His fingers controlled the speed of the train by instinct and practice. When he was at the controls, his assistants had an easy time. Alas! All these qualities did not spare him from the ghastly accident when his train jumped into a shallow river from an ancient bridge, which was waiting to collapse. The accident happened at the last few hours of his duty when he was looking forward to a day of rest and relaxation. He did not remember anything of the accident other than applying brakes, which saved at least a few bogies behind. The impact of the accident threw him out and he passed out like a light. The next morning’s newspapers all over the country carried headlines about the ghastly accident,

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which killed more than a hundred passengers and injured as many. There were gory photographs of mutilated bodies and smashed up passenger cars. Railway officials and local leaders anxious to appear on camera gave expert and, lay opinions as to the cause of the accident which varied from terrorist activities to technical failures. Some even opined that the accident happened due to inauspicious celestial reasons. It was evident that they all had their own interests and viewpoints to project. While the media activities were on a fast pace, rescue work dragged on with groaning passengers crying out for help and local residents trying their best to cope up with the emergency. The Railway minister who air-dashed to the place with a retinue of top officials and cronies ruled out the possibility of any lapse on the part of the Railways and blamed the political extremists for sabotage activities. There were whispers about the fondness of drivers for drinks. As the driver himself was seriously injured and was battling for his life nobody openly suggested it as a respect to

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the dying. After rendering first aid treatment to Lobo he was quietly removed to a far away specialty hospital in order to make him unavailable to the media. After a week, almost everybody forgot about the accident. An inquiry ordered put a full stop to all hypothetical ideas about the cause of the accident. But the trauma continued for the kin of the dead and seriously injured. Engine driver Lobo was unaware of everything. He was in blissful coma with worried family members spending day and night outside the intensive care room in the hospital far away from their home. After the wounds were healed and the only problem was not gaining consciousness, they were persuaded to leave for home as the hospital had excellent arrangement for care of the patient. And, back home things were to be attended to. Pining for a glimpse of the world outside, Lobo tried to get up. He couldnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t. He felt heaviness in his left leg, which was heavily bandaged, and in braces. 32

The nurse motioned to him to lie quiet. â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well, a couple of weeks more and you can go home, walkingâ&#x20AC;?, she said. She, then, left the room saying she would bring the doctor. Lobo tried to feel his broken leg. It was almost as if he did not have that limb. Try as he might, he could not move it a fraction. He then tried his right leg. Surprisingly, it was responding. He could wriggle his toes, move the leg sideways and lo, he could even fold it! With some effort, he sat upright and moved his hand over his left leg. To his horror, his hand touched only the blanket below the knee. His leg was amputated at the knee. He made sure by passing his hand over the tip of the stump of a leg. The thought of being a cripple for life dumped him to the depth of despair. Even after getting out of the hospital, perhaps with an artificial leg, he would no more be standing in the engine room of a passenger train. They may offer him a stationary job. But, that is not the life of an engine driver who loved his work. He had a wife and two, lovely kids

whom he may not be able to take on his motorbike whenever he is at home. A good dancer, he could no more waltz around on Christmas and New Year, or whenever there was a celebration. He wondered how he would make love to his wife on one leg. And football? He was crazy about the game and didn’t miss any when he was at home. His only comfort and relief was that God had spared his life and his family would not become destitute. He was also thankful to God for sparing the agony after the accident by knocking him unconscious. Despite the warning of the nurse, Lobo sat up and tried to set foot on the floor in order to go to the window and peek out. It was no problem for him to walk on one foot. He used to play hopscotch with the girls when he was a small boy. But it used to be on his left leg that he used to hop around. With left foot firm on the ground he used to kick the football for a long shot.

No more football, he regretted. It was amusing to imagine him moving around on artificial foot. Lobo the Langda? At last, he said ‘my foot’ and dismissed his thoughts. His thoughts went to the casualties –dead and injured- of the illfated train. Probably because of him or his employer. Hundreds of families may have become destitute. And several others condemned to a life of physically handicapped and unable to lead a normal life. Lobo felt extremely sad and guilty. It is also bad that people lose faith in the system despite dedicated drivers like him! Injured or not, Lobo was not the one to be tied to a bed. He was used to perpetual motion. Who said life was a perpetual motion? Some poet who liked trains! It was his life; it was his bread and butter and the occasional ‘small one’. Motion was a sign of life, even locomotion. Even on rest, drivers were in Railway’s ‘Running Rooms’, how the rest houses

are called. So he decided to move to the window and look around. He got down from the bed on his good leg and moved towards the window using his hands on the wall for support. It hurt badly. He wanted to look out and return to the bed before the nurse came back with the doctor. Finally, he reached the window. Standing straight he could see only more water tanks on roofs. So he bent down hoping to see a park or garden. He stood on tiptoe and bent low. He suddenly lost his balance and fell several floors below to the concrete driveway. Next day’s papers carried the news of the suicide of the engine driver of an ill-fated train who may have felt guilty. Railway’s Inquiry report showed human failure for the cause of the train accident. Well, it takes all sorts of humans to make this world! Accidents won’t be called ‘accidents’ unless they are accidental.

ATTENTION PLEASE SUBSCRIBERS Subscribers’ copies are mailed on the third day of every month. If your subscription is in force and you did not receive your subscriber copy, please write to us immediately with your subscription reference number so that we can investigate the matter at our end and to take appropriate action quickly. Please ensure your postal address printed on the wrapper is complete and with correct pin code number. If found any discrepancy and pin code number is not written or incorrect, please point out the same to us immediately to rectify it. CHANGE OF ADDRESS Subscribers are advised to intimate any change of address at least six December 2010

weeks in advance to record the change. However, though we can not guarantee, we will endeavour all efforts to incorporate the change of address intimation with less than six weeks notice. RENEWAL OF SUBSCRIPTION Please check the expiry date of your subscription period mentioned in the wrapper and renew the subscription at least six weeks before the expiry to receive the copies regularly without any break. NEW SUBSCRIPTION/GIFT SUBSCRIPTION For new subscription/gift subscription please watch out Special Offer. SUBSCRIPTION/RENEWAL MODE OF PAYMENT 33

Now it is very easy and no need to send Demand Draft/Cheque for subscription or renewal of subscription. You may make subscription/ renewal payments with credit/debit cards or direct transfer from your bank account to our bank account through internet banking. It is safe, convenient and time saving. For more information and help in this regard, please write to us. Email. The Circulation Manager Whiteline Journal English Sar Multimedia Pvt. Ltd. Office 5, Sarvoday Garden Pandurangawadi, DombivliEast-421201. Maharashtsra Email: whitelinejournal@gmail.

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Openion

When any Form of New Technology is Invented or Becomes Popular

W GEETU SAJEEV

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hen any form of new technology is invented or becomes popular, speculation abounds about the fate of previous â&#x20AC;&#x153;old-fashionedâ&#x20AC;? versions. With the advent of the internet 20 years ago and its popular use for news, it was professed that printed newspapers would die a horrible death. There is no doubt that the internet did have some impact on the newspaper industry but many newspapers are still being printed quite suc-

cessfully today. When the global financial crisis hit, however, advertising revenue dried up and some newspapers found themselves in trouble. So what threat does the advent of e-books pose? Will printed books simply go out of fashion? The latter, at least, are not as much at threat from financial crises, considering they don’t rely heavily on advertising revenue (as media does). On October 28, Sotheby’s in London held an auction of a collection of 149 rare books, sold by an unknown 75-year-old collector. A signed first edition of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol fetched £181,250 (Dh1 million), while an early copy of Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte was sold for £163,250 (Dh962,000). Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice brought in £139,250 (Dh820,000), while a first-edition copy of Bram Stoker’s classic vampire novel Dracula sold for £10,000 (Dh58,900). In the United States, a 1938 firstedition Superman comic book sold for $1 million (Dh3.6 million), while a more recently published signed first edition of Harry Potter sold for $23,900 (Dh87,800). The books are valuable and that is not only due to their age, as these examples show. The smell of old books as described, by one is “a combination of grassy notes with a tang of acids and a hint of vanilla over an underlying mustiness — this unmistakable smell is as much a part of the book as its contents”. The UCL department designed a “sniff” test to preserve the books without damaging them. Take a printed book in your December 2010

hands and you will feel its paper, smell its odour, read its words from different printed textures. Take an electronic reader in your hands, however, and the experience is very different — somewhat akin to reading from a thin computer screen. Recently two separate studies released by the National Association of College Stores and the Student Public Interest Research Groups found that three-quarters of the students they surveyed preferred print/bound books to the electronic versions. “Now you can finally enjoy reading e-books without giving up the smell you love so much. With Smell of Books you can have the best of both worlds, the convenience of an e-book and the smell of your favourite paper book,” an unbelievable tweet reads. The student Tweets raise some valid points: You can make notes on paper textbooks; it is difficult to flip pages quickly in classes with an e-reader; hardbacks demand focus; and you can take printed texts into open-book examinations. Cristina Shepherd is a frequent traveller, who lives and works for an NGO in Afghanistan. For her, printed books are simply impractical. Shepherd has been using the eReader since January but does alternate the electronic device with printed books. Her comments: “I do miss the interaction with physical books and I always travel with a select few. But, when you move around as much as I do, the convenience of having 50 books in something smaller and lighter than a laptop is priceless. I try to alternate when I can because I miss having the actual book in my hands,”

Generally, she has found that e-books are less expensive, plus public domain e-books are free of charge, meaning “I’ve got Jane Austen’s entire collection at the press of a button,” she said. In 1935, Allen Lane stood on a train platform in Exeter, England, having spent a weekend visiting crime novelist Agatha Christie. Looking for something to read on his journey back to London, he was appalled at the selection of magazines and Victorian novels. “I would be the first to admit that there is no fortune in this series for anyone concerned but if my premises are correct and these Penguins are the means of converting book-borrowers into bookbuyers, I shall feel that I have perhaps added some small quota to the sum of those who during the last few years have worked for the popularisation of the bookshop and the increased sale of books,” He decided that good-quality, contemporary fiction should be made affordable and available at railway stations, tobacconists and shops (not just at bookshops). Before the rise of Penguin books, cheap paperbacks were generally poor in quality and most used to borrow books from their nearest library. Veteran British journalist Kate Adie attended university in the 1960s and was the generation after the first generation of Penguin book-buyers. “Owning books became a mark of, well, it was pride, because nearly all of us came from homes where there were very few books that were bought; you went to the library instead. I went to the library as a child and borrowed hundreds of books,” Adie said. Her generation, she continued, has “houses full of books and

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we cannot get rid of them. ... We learnt to acquire books, so it was thrilling and new for our generation and the idea of getting rid of them is incredibly difficult.” Adie is a self-confessed “book person”, who has piles of books “blocking out light in the windows”. As for an electronic book reader, Adie hasn’t been “seduced yet” but hasn’t ruled it out completely in the future. Al Khamissi has just bought an iPad. When Weekend Review spoke to him, he hadn’t tried reading a book on it but was looking forward to trying it out. “I love to read, not to read paper. I am not interested at all about paper. I don’t love paper as a matter of fact,” he said. So how popular are e-books? According to the Association of American Publishers (AAP), e-book sales for January to last August were worth $263 million (Dh966 million) — representing a 193 per cent increase for the same period in 2009 ($89.8 million or Dh329.8 million). In August 2010, compared to August 2009 alone, there was a 172.4 per cent increase. This July, online bookseller Amazon released figures that showed it was selling more e-books than hardcovers. Publishers confirmed the numbers, with one reporting figures higher than the 143 e-books to 100 hardcovers Amazon had quoted for its second quarter. Publishers, however, explained this apparent growth in interest — Amazon is now selling the (cheaper) e-book version of hardcovers at the time of its publication, rather than three months afterwards. Another publisher

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simply pointed out that Amazon has a huge e-book market share, compared to its lower share of the hardcover market. Therefore, although the e-book market might be becoming increasingly popular, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the printed book market is dwindling. Far from it in fact. AAP statistics for publishers’ book sales last August alone were $1.6 billion (Dh5.8 billion), an increase of 3.4 per cent on August 2009 and up a total of 6.9 per cent for the year. Catastrophic period The Earth is currently experiencing a catastrophic period of animal loss that will continue to worsen. world’s top biodiversity experts signed a joint declaration that ran in Nature to try and encourage would cooperation to save animal and plant life here on Earth. Earth is losing species faster than at any time for at least 65 million years, when it was hit by an enormous asteroid that wiped out thousands of animals and plants, including the dinosaurs. Scientists say the rate at which species are going extinct is between 100 and 1000 times greater than the normal “background” extinction rate - and it’s all because of human activity. “For the sake of the planet, the biodiversity science community had to create a way to get organised ... and together with one clear voice advise governments on steps to halt the potentially catastrophic loss of species already occurring,” The plea in Nature said that 12% of all birds, 23% of mammals, 25% of conifer trees, 32 % of amphibians and 52% of ancient tropical plants face imminent ex36

tinction. Among all of the supplies I got for my apartment was a small laundry basket that I purchased from the 99 Cents store and I recycle all my water bottles in there. Being college students, we live on bottled waters. Even when I finish a bottle, I never throw that empty bottle into a trash can. There are recycling cans stationed campus that I use when I walk by or if I don’t see one, I bring the bottle home and toss it in my recycling basket. Plus, emptying out a basket once a week to the recycling bin is really no big deal and it helps the environment. I also put a paper bag on the side of the basket for paper recycling. Whatever junk mail I get instead of tossing them into the trash, I put it into the paper bag until it is full and then I take it out along with the accumulated water bottles. 2. Save Resources that you don’t really need! – When eating “ForHere” meals at fast foods restaurants, I skip caps and straws for my drink cup. Whatever excess napkins I have left over, I always take it with me to store in the car or in my purse instead of throwing it away unused. You never know when you might need something to blow your nose or wipe your face with and those extra napkins are always handy. This concept can really be apply to other things. For example, asking for the exact amount of ketchup packages (for instance, 2 or 3 bags) that you will need so you don’t have to throw a bunch of excess ones away. We all know fast food clerks like to tosses 15 ketchups on the trays or into the To-Go bags and a lot of them go into the trash unopened. 3. When buying things that you don’t really need a plastic bag for, take a moment and tell the store clerk that you don’t need a bag.

I figured, if I limit my use on some of the things I find unnecessary or that I don’t really need, I am creating less trash for the environment to consume. 4. Don’t Litter! – If you see smokers throwing their cigarette butts on the floor, be brave and give them a dirty look! HA Just kidding! But yea, don’t litter! This is it for now! More to come when my brain is working. Coral reefs are among the oldest ecosystems on Earth. Coral reefs are the largest living structure on the planet. Although coral reefs cover less than 1% of the Earth’s surface, they are home to 25% of all marine fish species. Coral reefs form natural barriers that protect nearby shorelines from the eroding forces of the sea, thereby protecting coastal dwellings, agricultural land and beaches. Coral reefs have been used in the treatment of cancer, HIV, cardiovascular diseases and ulcers. It is estimated that coral reefs provide $375 billion per year around the world in goods and services. Many also think that individuals cannot really do anything about it. Personally, I think the problem is serious and if everyone can make a little environment friendly change in the way they consume and go about their everyday business, these little changes will accumulate into something big. At the rate global warming and pollution is going right now, it will affect my children, your children, your children’s children, and so on. How many animals does it take to extinct before we realize that we will be next? It is not about survival of the fittest when the process is huDecember 2010

manly caused. This blog hopes to inspire some changes in how we occupy our planet.information. In America one-in-six children born every year have been exposed to mercury levels so high that they are potentially at risk for learning disabilities and motor skill impairment and short-term memory loss. That type of mercury exposure is caused by eating certain kinds of fish, which contain high levels of the toxin from both natural and man-made sources such as emissions from coal-fired power plants. One government analysis shows that 630,000 children each year are exposed to potentially unsafe mercury levels in the womb. If the government and its scientists know about the mercury problem, why do so many people continue to be poisoned? Some favorite edible fish species, including swordfish and fresh tuna, are becoming too hazardous to eat. These large, long-lived fish can accumulate mercury levels approaching or exceeding the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limit of one part per million. The agency based this limit on the lowest level of mercury associated with adverse effects in adults involved in accidental poisoning incidents, and incorporated a 10fold margin of safety to ensure that children and fetuses would also be adequately protected. In 2000, FDA draft advisories presented to focus groups warned women not to eat a lot of canned tuna during pregnancy because it contains levels of mercury that can harm developing fetuses and nursing babies. supermarkets, restaurants and tuna companies to warn customers that tuna (fresh, frozen and canned), swordfish and shark sold in their markets contain mercury. 37

The suit was based on the state’s Proposition 65 which requires consumer warnings for substances on a toxics list. The state also provided special warnings advising women and children to “Limit their consumption of other fish, including tuna. students, especially those who live in circumstances that limit their interaction with nature, must have the opportunity to observe a variety of animals and plants in the classrooms, on the school grounds, in the neighborhood, at home, in parks, etc. In these settings, students should be encouraged to ask questions about organisms for which they can find answers by looking carefully at the organisms (using hand lenses when needed), and checking their observations and answers with one another. In grades 3-5, students should have the opportunity to learn about an increasing variety of living organisms, both the familiar and the exotic, should become more precise in identifying similarities and differences among them. Students should explore how various organisms satisfy their needs in the environments in which they are typically found. They can examine the survival needs of different organisms and consider how the conditions in particular habitats can limit what kinds of things survive. Their studies of interactions among organisms within an environment should start with relationships they can directly observe. By viewing nature films, students should see a great diversity of live in different habitats. (Benchmarks for Science Literacy) This unit should be taught in the fall when students can observe animals and habitats outdoors, and it should also be taught prior to the 4th grade science

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Biography

THE FATHER OF

INDIAN CARTOONING K. R. NARAYANAN

Here is a document on the renowned Cartoonist Shankar (The late Shri. K. Sankara Pillai), compiled from various sources from within India and abroad “If newspapers are the sentinels of democracy, cartoonists are the torchbearers of freedom of speech and expression”, observed S.C. Jamir, former Govenor of Maharashtra, when he was releasing the biography of the great Indian Cartoonist Shri. R. K. Laxman, (titled “R.K.Laxman - The Uncommon Man”) written by Dr. Dharmendra Bandari. Leave alone the democratic Governments, even the dictators feared/fear the political cartoonists and their strokes. It is often said that the freedom in a country could be measured from the freedom its cartoonists enjoy. Such is the power of these apparently innocent small sketches on the news papers and magazines that are adored by the public and abhorred by those in power. December 2010

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“A cartoon may appear funny but the message it delivers is hardly that. When satire and wit blend with comic strokes, what emerges is a potent combination – at times a deadly potion - that could hit Governments much harder than a thousand worded editorial. But, even the non-political cartoonists, no matter what genre they belong to, also enjoy the same power and popularity. Under the guise of tickling the funny bone of the reader, what a cartoonist does is to mould a public opinion, drawing his attention gently to the follies of our leaders, of the people around us, or -in short - of ourselves” observes a renowned cartoonist.

The Evolution Cartoons are probably the best and the first read part of any newspaper. It is so for most of the publications. But the very first glance often brings a smile on our face and a thought to our minds. Over a period of time, we instinctively know the style of a cartoonist and his/her favorite characters, some of whom may be from real life, while others may be a representation of others. It took about sixteen centuries for the humanity to arrive at this exalted form of art. But, cartoons being highly sophisticated, symbolic and subtle, their creation would definitely have required an enlightened and creative mind to bring them out. It is also equally necessary to have some enlightenment to understand, decipher and appreciate the creations of a cartoonist. As far as India is concerned, the Late K Shankar Pillai (Shankar) is considered the Father of Cartooning, just as the legendary David Low is of the World Cartooning. Today, cartoon transcends the boundaries of region, language and time and, and in this sense, Shanker stands as the first and classic milestone. The ancient cavemen of Greece, who drew pictorial representations on cave-walls, are believed to be the earliest cartoonists. But the first ever documented evidence seems to point to the Italian brothers Annibale and Agostini Carrcci (1590), who produced a series of drawings called Ritratini carichi (the loaded portraits). It is from this term that the word ‘caricature’ was born. Thereafter, cartooning flourished in Europe in the next hundred years and traveled to neighboring continents too. Cartoons stayed back with us, as the highest popular and powerful form of

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artistic expression and an indelible part of the media, print and the like. In India, however, the cartoons entered the scene only with the British. But, over the years, came into its own in a more popular newer styles and independent versions. As far as India is concerned, the Late K Shankar Pillai (Shankar) is considered the Father of Cartooning, just as the legendary David Low is of the World Cartooning. Today, cartoon transcends the boundaries of region, language and time and, and in this sense, Shanker stands as the first and classic milestone. Different regions in India have their own breed of cartoonists, who have become cult figures among their readers. Newspapers just can’t do without these witty warriors, who use the weapon of humor to tackle grim problems. Other than this pioneer–Shankar-India can very well boast of many renowned cartoonists like R.K.Laxman, Bal Thakre, Abu Abraham, Mario Miranda, Ranga, Dhar, O.V.Vijayan, Unny, and the like.

The Cartoonist’s Story Keshavan Shankara Pillai – more popular as Shankar - was India’s most celebrated cartoonist before and after India’s independence. Shankar was born on July 31, 1902, in Kayamkulam, in Kerala. Even from his childhood Shankar has started caricaturing. It is said that while studying in the school, in Mavelikkara, the sleeping posture of one of his teachers fascinated him and he made a cartoon of this. It was perhaps his first cartoon. He drew it in his classroom. This made the headmaster angry. But he was encouraged by his uncle, who saw in him great potential as a cartoonist. After schooling, he studied painting at Raja Ravi Varma School of Arts at Mavelikara. After graduating from the Maharajah’s College of Science, Trivandrum (1927), Shankar went to Bombay to join the Law College. But soon he quit the studies and started working. Even as a student in Bombay, Shankar took to cartooning as a hobby, and his drawings on political personalities and the national events attracted the attention of the newspapers and the public. He joined ‘The Hindustan Times’ in 1932 and continued as its staff cartoonist till 1946. His contributions to the paper, during the formative years of Indian independence, were a memorable phase in Indian

journalism. Shankar’s cartoons were published in the Free Press Journal and Bombay Chronicle.

Shankar’s cartoons of the pre-independent times

Shankar’s cartoons attracted even Viceroys like Lord Willington and Lord Linlithgow. During this time, Shankar had a chance of training in London for about 14 months. He spent the period in various Art schools, utilizing the opportunity to study the advanced techniques in cartooning. He also visited Berlin, Rome, Vienna, Geneva and Paris. When he returned to India, the country was in the thick of freedom struggle.

cartoons. In fact, Shankar’s Weekly produced and nourished great cartoonists like Abu Abraham, Ranga, Kutty, E.P.Unny, etc. But, Shankar’s cartoons in the Weekly always remained neutral. Shankar was a great admirer of Nehru. But, as one

critic wrote, “Shankar’s Nehru is typically childish, often looking lost in the jungle. Shankar ridiculed him for his indecision and the lack of direction, for his split personality. Little wonder that one cartoon shows him as many Nehrus –each acting against the other”. Once Nehru took a much-needed vacation and went to Thekkady for a week of relaxation. At that time, Shankar drew a cartoon in his weekly which said that there could be no rest for the PM. As Nehru drifted along in a boat, all the wild animals in Thekkady were depicted as the various agitations and political dilemmas that Nehru had to face. Nehru liked this cartoon so much that he asked for the original and had it preserved. “I am always drawn towards Shankar’s Weekly’s criticism, because I get an opportunity of self analysis through it” Nehru is said to have remarked very often. Shankar’s notable cartoon - published on May 17, 1964 - just 10 days before Pandit Nehru’s demise, showed an exhausted Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, with a torch in hand, running the final leg of a race, with party leaders Gulzari Lal Nanda, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Morarji Desai, Krishna Menon and Indira Gandhi in tow. Nehru is reported to have remarked, “Don’t spare me, Shankar”

Shankar’s Weekly The dawn of independence also favored Shankar’s dreams for a separate periodical. The idea came true when Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru released Shankar’s Weekly, edited by Shankar himself (1948). This was much appreciated by many top leaders of those days. Considered The Punch of India, the Weekly abounded in healthy, sparkling humor. The highly placed and the mighty ones came to the focus in Shankar’s December 2010

“Don’t spare me, Shankar”- Nehru

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After Indira Gandhi declared Emergency in India, many cartoonists were in peril. When government told Shankar that some cartoonists in his magazine will be proceeded against, Shankar talked to Mrs Gandhi personally and assured her that he would close down the magazine and requested her not to harm any cartoonist. They were let off the hook. This was only because of the respect Shankar commanded in the Nehru family. Shankar closed down the magazine in 1975 in view of the declaration of Emergency (1975) and took to writing.

Children’s Friend Thereafter he turned his focus exclusively on children. The children of his time are it in India or elsewhere in the world, see him as their uncle who did much to make them laugh and enjoy life. Shankar loved kids and organized the Shankar’s International Children’s Competition in 1949, and as a part of it, conducted the Shankar’s On-the-Spot Painting Competition for Children in 1952. Today, children from 135 countries participate in this competition. Beginning with English, this competition is now held in Hindi too. He instituted an annual Competition for Writers of Children’s Books in 1978. Awards from Shankar’s Weekly were presented by prime ministers. He also founded the Children’s Book Trust in the Nehru House on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg in New Delhi in 1957. Later in 1965, the International Dolls Museum too came to be located here. Thus Nehru House became a ‘must visit’ item for kids going to New Delhi. It has now a children’s library and reading room, known as Dr. B.C. Roy Memorial Children’s Library and Reading Room and a Doll development and production centre. He published an autobiographical work, ‘Life with my Grandfather’, in 1953, which was a Children’s Book Trust publication. His other works, published in 1965 include: Mahagiri, Sujata and the Wild Elephant, a Woman’s Wit and the King and the Beggar. These works reflect the noble thoughts of this great man and his pride in India’s cultural heritage.

The Most Decorated Indian Shankar was the recipient of several awards, like: Padma Shri (1956), Padma Bhushan (1966), and Padma Vibhushan (1976). He was awarded the Order of Smile (1977) - an honor from a committee of Polish children. The Hamilton branch of the United Nations

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Association in Canada conferred on him a citation and a pin for his dedicated service to the children of the world (1979) and The Hungarian Institute of Cultural Relations awarded him a Commemorative Medal in appreciation of his activities and contribution to children (1980). Other awards were: Order de Saint Fortunat from the Federal Republic of Germany in recognition of his dedication to children’s cause; a gold medal from the Government of Czechoslovakia for the promotion of Indo-Czech friendship, etc. Also he was conferred with the D. Litt (Honoris Causa) by the University of Delhi. The Government of India released two postal stamps in 1991, depicting two of his cartoons.

Commemorative Stamps on Shankar Shankar breathed his last on26th December, 1989 at the age of 89. Yet continues to live in the hearts of the children of the world, his colleagues, his disciples, and admirers and close associates. His last wish was to build an International Centre for Children. The Centre could have been the meeting ground for the children across the world. Shankar viewed this Centre as a way to foster in the children the feeling that “We all belong to one World” *** 42

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Notes for Contributors Here are some guidelines for authors who may wish to make submissions to the Whiteline Journal. Contributors are requested to follow WLJ’s style while preparing their articles. It will help immensely for faster processing and error-free editing if writers follow the recommended style. Special Articles WLJ welcomes original articles and research papers in any of the topics related to art, culture, literature, spirituality and life style. • Articles must be no more than 2,500 words, including notes and references. Longer articles will not be processed. • Contributions should be sent preferably by email attachment in MS Word format. Images welcomed in jpeg or other formats. Reference sources must be acknowledged properly. • Contributions should not have been simultaneously submitted for publication to another journal or newspaper. If the contribution has appeared earlier in a different version, we would appreciate a copy of this along with the submitted paper. • Graphs and charts need to be prepared in MS Office (Word/Excel) and are preferable to material prepared in jpeg or other formats. • For a short period, WLJ will discontinue publishing poems. Therefore contributors are requested not to send in poems till December, 2010. • Receipt of articles will be immediately acknowledged by email/post. • Every effort will be taken to complete early processing of the contributions we receive. We receive more than 20 articles every week and adequate time has to be provided for internal reading and external refereeing. It can therefore take up to two months for a final decision on whether the paper is accepted for publication. No telephonic or email enquires will be entertained in connection with the contributions submitted. Any recommendation or pressurisation from any corner whether directly or indirectly to publish your contribution will eventually spoil your chances to get published your contributions in the WLJ. It might be caused to permanently exclude you. • Articles accepted for publication can take up to three to six months from date of acceptance to appear in the WLJ. Every effort will, however, be made to ensure December 2010

early publication. Articles with immediate relevance for policy would be considered for early publication. Please note that this is a matter of editorial judgment. Commentary WLJ invites short contributions to the Opinion/View section on topical social, economic and political developments. These should ideally be between 400 and 1,000 words and exclusive to the WLJ. Book Reviews WLJ sends out books for review. It does not normally accept unsolicited reviews. However, all reviews that are received are read with interest and where a book has not been sent out for review, the unsolicited review is on occasion considered for publication. Project Notes MBA, PMP and other professional students are encouraged to send in their comments and initial products of their research for the Project Notes section, which will be introduced soon. Articles should be no more than 1,500-2,000 words (all inclusive). Discussion WLJ encourages scholars, researchers and general readers to comment on articles published in WLJ. Submissions should not exceed 1500 words. Letters Readers of WLJ are encouraged to comment (300-400 words) on published articles to the Letters column. All letters should have the writer’s full name and postal address. General Guidelines • Writers are requested to provide full details for correspondence: postal address, day-time phone numbers and email address. (The email address of writers in the Special Article, Commentary and Discussion sections will be published at the end of the article.) • Authors are requested to prepare their soft copy versions in text formats. Pdf versions are not accepted by the WLJ. Authors are encouraged to use UK English spellings. (Writers using MS Word or similar software could change the appropriate settings in the Language menu of the application). • Copyright of all articles published in the Whiteline Journal belongs to the author or to the organisation where the author is employed as determined by the author’s terms of employment. • No published article or part thereof should be reproduced in any form without prior written permission of the author(s). A soft/hard copy of the author(s)’s approval should be sent to WLJ. In cases where the email address of the author has not been published, WLJ can be contacted for help in this regard. • Readers or contributors are requested not to suggest or recommend republishing in WLJ any article published in any publication in any form without obtaining prior written permission of that publication, author(s) and copyright holder(s) by the reader or contributor. Address for communication: Whiteline Journal English

Office 5, Sarvodaya Garden, Off. Gaodevi Mandir, Pandurangawadi, Dombivli East -421201, Maharashtra. Email: whitelinejournal@gmail.com

Whiteline Whiteline JJOOUURRNNAALL

Astrology The astro forecast prepared for every Rasi, right from the adventurous and dynamic Aries to the calm and intuitive Pisceans. All you need is your zodiac sign (moon rasi or lagna rasi, whichever is stronger at birth) and we will tell you what you can expect out of your future, to be prepared for the likely adversities as well as the potential opportunities. Wish you a very great month. SUBHASH NAIR subhashnair@live.com 9920745450

YOUR PREDICTIONS FOR THE MONTH OF

DECEMBER - 2010

Major planetary movements - Jupiter moves back in to meena rasi on 4th December . Sun moves into Dhanu rasi on 16th December. Mercury turns retrograde , on 11th December in Dhanu and in transit moves back into vrischika rasi (Scorpio) on 23rd December. Your stars for the month – Wishing all readers a very merry Christmas and a great and prosperous 2011. All you need is your zodiac sign (moon rasi or lagna rasi, whichever is stronger at birth) and we will tell you what you can expect out this December.

ARIES (Mesha) Care should be taken in legal commitments, entering into legal contracts. Avoid jumping in job. Transfer in jobs can materialize with the blessing of Jupiter’s transit in to Meena rasi. However Saturn’s positioning will need you to put strong efforts to prove your might. Investments to save taxes will materialize. Marriage and proposal will shape for the unmarried. Some of you will take up spiritual practices for peace and prosperity. Performing Sani archanas will help ease the pressure and difficulties with work and health.

TAURUS (Vrishabha) Instant loss of money, theft or

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forgery can reduce your bank balance. Children will make you more stressed. Professional and those in service will be benefited. Business partnership can face trouble indicating a poor phase into expanding or entering into any new legal agreements. Stay away from speculations. Health complaints should not be ignored. Reciting Vishnu Sahasranamam will benefit you immensely.

GEMINI (Mithuna) speculatory gains are indicated. Interviews or appointment letter can be expected in the first half of the month. Health of spouse will keep you worried. Guru in karmasthana will benefit you professionally to attain better recognition and mass appeal. Performing Ayyappa poojas at home will benefit the domestic ambience. Donate old clothes or old iron utensils to your domestic help 44

or servants.

CANCER (Karka) A time to correlate your psychic thoughts and get your dreams interpreted, it could lead you to Gyana (wisdom). Your younger brother or sister can bring in accidental expences. A virtually good month to invest in properties or gain vehicles. Health disorders and tensions in the office will worry you, beware of backbiting. Changes in job are well indicated. Attain the grace of lord Narayana by reciting Om Namo Bhagavathe Narayana Namah! 108 times daily .

LEO (Simha) Benefit from in-laws and insurance

are indicated. Business will be favorable. However bank balance will be effected and so care to be taken. Speculations can be risky but tempting. People in search of job will have ample opportunities for correspondence but only to the extent of interviews. Any transactions in real estates should be postponed for the time being. Pray to Lord Karthikeyan to mitigate the harmful effects.

VIRGO (Kanya) Luck factor seems to be shining on you this month. Make hay while the sun shines. Saturn, the stern teacher wants you to learn from your past mistakes so things will be harsh on you. Respect to elders will workout as Guruthva lakshanas earning you a blessed fortunes. However things at home will be messed up so you are adviced to play a constructive role. Performing Sani archanas on Saturday at Ayyappa temples after sunset will reduce the effects of Sade-sati.

LIBRA (Thulam) Willingness to spend will be mind set. Investments with long term vision will benefit. natives will get relief from the malefic effects of sade-sati from 4th Dec when Jupiter turns in to oppose Saturn. Professionals will gain in service and sole trading concerns. Spiritual journeys will be undertaken. Yogic involvements will bring in the blessings of the lord. Fasting on 24 dec , sankashta chaturthi will invite the grace of Lord Ganesha as ketu is in a spiritual transit.

December 2010

SCORPIO (Vrischika) A very careful handling of cash is to be made with the transit of sun in to Dhanu rasi on 16 December and as it moves into conjunction with the 8th lord mercury. Care against health and accidents should be taken. Childless couples will be blessed with positive results as planetary positions are favorable for conception. Pray to Lord Karthikeyan to mitigate the harmful effects of mars. Care should be taken travelling on Tuesdays and on Magiram, Chitra and Avittam nakshatra days.

SAGITTARIUS (Dhanu) Desire to earn a house or vehicle is closer to your thoughts. Overseas offers will move into your professional chambers. Relationship with partners will be strained. Saturn will slow down your process of a getting a job or you may lack job satisfaction or appreciation of your efforts and hardwork. Avoid major decisions in life after 16 December. Perform Sani archanas on Saturday at Ayyappa temples donate til oil at Ayyappa shrines.

CAPRICORN (Makara) Engagements will ring in the marriage bells. Interviews and legal talks will turn out in your favour. Loss of job and attaining a new one is difficult. Insurance and other claims will be settled amicably in the first fortnight. Reciting Mahalaxmi Ashtothram will benefit you immensely. Short 45

business trips, vacations or spiritual journeys are indications of the month. Professionals will do well and be blessed with attractive new ideas. Rahu archanas on Fridays and amavasya nights will ward of evil effects.

AQUARIUS (Kumbha) Guru in own house, Meena rasi from 4th Dec brings in luck positively. It indicates success in competitive exams and fulfillment of desires. Those expecting childbirth need to excessively cautious with Ketu transiting the 5th bhava and aspected by the malefic mars. Literary skills will be lighted by spiritual thoughts. Students will have a very positive mind towards studies. Health disorders such as Rheumatic disorder or muscular discomforts will keep you worried. Sani archanas or lighting of til deepas in navgraha or Ayyappa temple will support healing.

PISCES (Meena) Your children will do well in studies especially in connection to higher education. Birth of male child or positives connected to childbirth is indicated. speculation will give better returns. Aspect of Venus on Dhana bhava will boost your income. Professionals connected to construction, engineering and IT sectors will do well. Care should be taken that health disorders of spouse donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t turn chronic. Romantic liaisons will stand the test of time. Perform Guru Archanas on Thursday at Navagraha temples. Recite Om Namo Bhagavathe Narayana Namah! 108 times daily.

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Letters

Thank you for bringing me to a favourite of mine Tat-vam Asi It took me several years after I started going to Sabarimala, to notice the phrase displayed prominently and think about it. It took

several years after that to understand what it meant. I had to go through books written about it and search several articles before I got the gist. And then it was as if “ Oh! This is it! I knew it all the time…!”. The ego would never leave me. That in essence is Sabari mala. ‘You are not you. So why do brood about you?’. As a corollary, the message also is ‘search for me ends in you’. It compels one to look around. ‘I am in everyone and everything around you’ and in a sense ‘there-

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fore I am non existent and so are you’. I think the phrase ‘that’ leads to this beautiful suggestion. A pilgrim addresses everything and everyone as Swami. Kallu swami is the stone that pains you under the feet; and Kazhutha swami is the donkey which carries the goods up the hill and blocks the way of the pilgrims while doing Swami’s work. In a disappearing tradition, Swamis greet when they meet aquantences by touching each others’ feet acknowledging the divine presence in each other. The universality of the dress code is another factor that demonstrates the intented non-differentiation. Perhaps the other location where such a universal brotherhood symbolism exists is Mecca.( Ref: UA Khader’s small but beautifully written touching travelogue) I must admit I am still to go through a couple of eminent interpretations by Chaitanya Yati and Sukumar Azhikode. Perhas they have similar views or may be I get different illuminatons through them. To sum up, Sabarimala is not so much about the rituals (which I am sure has tantric significance of their own) to me. It is about the search for oneself, or to put it still further, the search for whatever is the ultimate truth. One can go on and on about the symbolic nature of various practices and the journey itslef. When an atom explodes the energy released is vast;when Tatvamasi is explored something similar happens. Unnikrishnan Edathatta <unnikrishnane@hotmail.com>

TIPS FOR HAIR CARE

The principle of rinsing out immediately applies when you swim in the sea. The brine can cause your hair colour to fade. At the very least, you should rinse with fresh water. Opt for a hot oil hair treatment followed by a clarifying shampoo about three times a month. The oil treatment offers a moisture surge and adds lustre while the shampoo removes any residue from chlorine, salt, sunscreen and styling products. Coconut oil by far is the best for your hair - in any season. You could also experiment with a mixture of olive and coconut oils with a few teaspoons of lime juice. Lime is a cleansing agent and helps clean grime and sweat.

eev

Mrs Geetu Saj

Value Systems for Success

Your Most Valuable Asset M K Angajan

f I were to ask you to exchange some of your abilities like seeing and speaking for a million dollars, would you part with them? I am sure the answer would be an emphatic “no”. The fact that you are not prepared to exchange even your two faculties for a million dollars reveals a lot. It proves that those two abilities are worth substantially more. That is why you are not prepared to exchange. Now calculate, how many

December 2010

other faculties and functions you are enjoying right now? Beyond the body you have three invaluable assets: your Mind, Intellect and the Ego. These assets are priceless. Success arises when you are able to translate and apply these inner powers for a constructive and worthy purpose. Successful people have no supernatural powers. They simply know the technique of converting the inner assets into external wealth. To transform the inner

assets, you need to master the technique of self-management. This inner asset is something that can be transformed into any achievement in the world. Bill Gates transformed into a business success, Mahatma Gandhi transformed the same into a political success. Budha transformed the same into a spiritual success. Henry Ford converted the same inner asset into industrial success. ..to be continued…

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Psychology

CHILDREN OF

A LESSER GOD PACHU MENON

riving along a crowded stretch in the city the other day, I was dismayed by a happening that would have been nothing more than a testing of patience that motorists are subjected to in busy thoroughfares in the normal course. I am still searching for that right word to describe my frame of mind then; for I was shocked by the arrogance of a physically handicapped individual!

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He was maneuvering one of those specially modified tricycles used by the disabled right in the middle of the road; I was behind him, gently imploring him to move aside with an occasional horn. I however could not educe any response from him. This prompted me to honk incessantly, yet he appeared unmoved; he in fact was moving more towards the centre. By then, I was forming a trail of impatient drivers behind me. Quite ruefully I decided to resign myself to the inanity of the situation. When I finally passed him at the crossroads, he was glaring and smirking at me, as if chiding me for my helplessness at his physical disability. When reminded to give the right of way, it is sensible to accede to the request. Some cyclists and two-wheeler drivers are impetuous and this can be discerned from their uncivilized road sense. But physically challenged people are given preferential treatment in every walk of life. That is why I said I was aghast! Why was he peeved at me? What had I done to warrant this ‘attitudinal disenchantment’? Was this arrogance a superficial camouflage of the deep-rooted complexes that one would generally associate with such individuals? I dare not proffer some psychoanalytical explanation for the ‘feelings, ideas and impulses that may be repressed but continues to influence thoughts and behavior’. Disability, according to WHO, is “an umbrella term covering impairments, activity limitations and participation restrictions.” This has inadvertently led to those struck down by such handicaps to suffer from an advanced state of discouragement, often reflecting in one’s lifestyle. Whilst a few put December 2010

on a show of aggression at their vulnerability, others turn into virtual recluses. Persons with disabilities have shown a strong disinclination for sympathetic approaches when dealing with them. It would indeed be a grave injustice not to treat them at par with normal human beings. Deformation or having a physical or mental disability does not confine an individual to the abysmal depths of social ostracism. Rather it is a self inculcated influence on behavior that has been afflicting such people. Nevertheless, narrations about the extreme valour and courage shown by some of these unfortunates in the face of extreme conditions, when their will has overcome all odds, have sounded more stranger than fictions. A surging flow of energy flowing from deep within them, though unconsciously, appears to compensate their debilities, resulting in spectacular achievements. The ‘Paralympics’ Games which include athletes with a wide range of physical disabilities have been amazing in the true sense of the word, showcasing the determination of the participants more than their talent. According to the last Census, 21.9 million people in India suffer from some form of disability - that is an approximate 2.13% of the population! The government of India has enacted appropriate legislations to ensure equal opportunities, protection of rights and full participation for such individuals. Offering concessions and other perks, the handicapped have been encouraged to lead a normal life. Extending financial assistance, conveyance allowance and rehabilitation schemes, as also job reservations for persons with disabilities, the government has ensured 49

that under no considerations are they the less fortunate, the underprivileged, so to say! But at times, these allowances and entitlements have seemingly had an adverse effect on some individuals troubled by such ‘developmental differences’. Playing the ‘compassionate card’ to the hilt, some have very grossly violated all limits of decency, to the point of being rude and insensitive to others feelings. Maybe the incident with me was an upshot of a schizotypal behavior, the insolence born out of frustration of a person with conditions that impede the performance of some of the basic tasks of daily life; one who feels let down by circumstances and wants to vent his ire on the whole world. Whatever, it was quite disconcerting!

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Poem

I had a glass artifact That I held very dear To myself and my one And only lonely heart

A BROKEN ARTIFACT NURANI HARIHARAN

It occupied a prominent Place in my lovely home And I found pleasure in Keeping it safe and clean It was my routine to daily Wipe off the dust from it And I kept on changing The focus lightâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s colour When it looked empty or Lonely like I myself I ordained it with garlands Specially made by me It is in my possession since Very many years now And gives a real feast to My tired and sad eyes But alas, one night a fat rat Became more passionate and Pushed it to the mosaic floor Shattering my joy into pieces

Published by C. Vimal Kumar for Sar Multimedia Pvt. Ltd., 7 Prem Bhavan, 2nd Floor, 234/236, Narshi Natha Street, Masjid Bunder, Mumbai - 400009, printed by him at Meenakshi Printers & Designers, 5, Sarvodaya Garden, Off. Manpada Road, Dombivli East - 421201. Editor : C. Vimal Kumar

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December 2010

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