Sunday, December 11, 2011

Is Tamilnadu in Pakistan?

An exasperated voice came from the TV in the living room while I was in the bedroom all warm and cozy since it is now winter here in Kuwait.

It must be from a participant in one of discussions held by a Malayalam TV channel and the subject being Mullaperiyar dam, I continued listening from the bedroom.

This Keralite’s frustration came from the fact that the government at the center has failed so far to bring TN and Kerala together for a discussion. He continued to tell the audience that if this is the state of affairs within two states in India, then how in world they are sorting affairs between India and Pakistan!

Yesterday, Kerala felt more tremors and so far within the last 9 months there have been more than 20 such tremors. Since they have been within Richter scale 4, one may just listen to the expert and conclude that nothing will happen. But these frequent tremors are a source of concern for the Keralites since it is something new. Is it pointing to a bigger earth quake in the future? Can the 100 year old dam withstand the frequent temors? How long should one wait in fear?

Do take a look at the SEISMICITY MAP given by the the Indian Meteorological Department:


Over the years, panic has spread among people of four districts of Kerala around the dam following cracks in the structure and repeated earthquakes in the region recently.

Instead of heeding to this genuine cry from the Keralites, the TN government has decided to play down this fear and is more interested in distributing pamphlets (in Kerala too) and giving speeches saying that Kerala is unnecessarily whipping up fear and is going to deprive water to the farmers in TN. Of course this can create panic in TN since many villages depend upon this water for their sustenance and it is very easy for them to turn hostile. And hostile they have turned and have wrecked shops, hotels and business establishments in TN owned by Keralites. Yesterday more than 4000 villagers marched to the Kumily border to avenge the killers of Tamil Workers in Kerala. But no such workers have been killed and shall be killed and this I know for sure. I grew up around this place; a beautiful place called Peerumade which continues to me the most beautiful place on earth.  The tea estate that I grew up has many from TN and they have been working there since many years. The Tamilians living in this area own land, shops and are present in all walks of the society and have assimilated well. The Keralites find no reason to harm them since they very well know that they are equally concerned about the state of the dam.

The entire state has only one slogan "Safety for Kerala and Water for Tamil Nadu".

It is time the TN government reigned in the villagers and explain them the fact that if this dam breaks, then there will no water for them for many years to come.

Instead, the CM of TN has written to the center that if Mullaperiyar dam breaks, Idukki dam will hold the water!


Referring to Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa’s contention in her letter to the Prime Minister that Idukki dam could contain the waters if the Mullaperiyar dam broke, Mr. Chandy said this was a virtual admission by Tamil Nadu that the dam was weak.

How callous and inhuman can she be?

By this letter she is willing to brush away the life and property of those living in the vicinity of this dam.

Don’t they have any value?

And what if Iddukki dam fails to hold this water and everything that will come rushing into it?

I think only God can save a few Indians living in the south of India...

Edited to add the following:

Have seen many appealing passionately for those in the animal kingdom, if not for the humans. They must have their reasons especially after living in this world managed by humans… the following is for such activists.


The Periyar National Park in Thekkady, a Protected area of Kerala, is located around the dam’s reservoir, the 26 km2 (10 sq mi) Periyar lake. 62 different kinds of mammals have been recorded in Periyar, including many threatened ones. Periyar is a highly protected tiger reserve and elephant reserve. There are an estimated 53 tigers (2010) in the reserve. Tourists come here to view the Indian elephants in their natural habitat. The elephant number around 900 to 1000 individuals. Other mammals found here include gaur, Bison, sambar (horse deer), barking deer, mouse deer, Dholes (Indian wild dogs), mongoose,foxesand leopards. Also inhabiting the park, though rarely seen, are the elusive Nilgiri tahr. Four species of primates are found at Periyar – the rare lion-tailed macaque, the Nilgiri Langur, the commonlangur, and the Bonnet Macaque. According to a report by the Kerala Forest Research Institute, the protected area surrounding the dam and reservoir is classified as a biodiversity hot spot.

The above was taken from a site petitioning to save the dam….Yes.. please save the dam before it breaks by reducing the water level, while taking steps to construct a new dam which will continue to provide water to Tamilandu.


http://calicutnet.com/articles/gopinath/mullaperiyar/mullaperiyar.htm

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn!


What is wrong with these people? Why can't they talk about something else?

Dam, dam , dam, dam dam.. damn!

The above lines may go through the minds of anyone else, but not a single Keralite, even if he now resides in the North Pole.

Frankly speaking, I have never seen Kerala united in such a manner!

The unity is such that it has even scared the wits out of the various political parties in the state. What relevance will they have now? It might have been quite a revelation too, to know that the Keralites can unite, without prodding, prompting, feeding (Biriyani & Toddy) and to hold placards either to march or go hungry.

In Kerala, one will find a bunch of supporters for any Tom, Dick or Harry… be it a dictator, a lousy world leader, a pop star, etc. etc. There will always be a few Keralites/Mallus ready to disagree on any damn subject on this earth. And mind you, they do come up with their own reasons for the same; you can either take it or leave it. [If this author (of the blog!) too comes up in your mind, you are right on spot :) ]

But never ever in the history of Kerala, has one seen such a strong unity.

Even if the mallu stopped sowing, he lost no sleep while spending more money to tuck into his favourite rice and veggies. Even if he stopped keeping a hen’s coop in his own house, he had no problem getting his chicken at a higher price from elsewhere. All he wanted was some peace (and a few more hartals too), while he let his otherwise lousy patience be tested to the utmost, when waiting for his turn of his favourite brand.

What made the complacent Malayalee wake up from his/her slumber and unite with one voice?


Well, the matter of fact is that Keralites were literally jolted. Although the Richter scale thankfully did not move up far enough to throw him out of his comfortable bed, it was enough to make him lose his sleep. The latest one was at 13 kms East of Erattupetta (Kottayam) - richter scale 3.2 on 25th Nov 11, while the earlier one was at Kallar near Idukki (3.1) on 18th Nov 11.

http://www.asc-india.org/recent.htm
http://earthquake.itgo.com/today.htm

If a statement like the following in “Incredible Kerala” website was earlier read with pride, it is now read with nothing but pure horror in his mind.

“The Mullaperiyar Dam built across the river Periyar with Surki mix before 121 years, still exist as a wonder to the tourists.”

Surkhi is a mix of lime, sand, clay(or brick powder) and jaggery (sarkara) used as cement for joining building blocks.


And there is not just one dam, but many that has the destructive potential to change the entire history of Kerala and even Tamilnadu.

And now, when a few from the state of Tamil Nadu says that this dam should not be built or the water level not reduced, then it is not the same Malayalee who is now turning his head to respond.

He may have said nothing when they asked for water earlier; for he very well knew that it was for the vegetable and rice that may appear in own table. But now you are asking him to give up his very existence! Do you think he shall ?

P.S. Let me also add that there are many from the state of Tamil Nadu too, who have joined the Keralites in support.




The above is the combined effort of a Tamilian and a Keralite and I have taken in from Facebook

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTkk7LGXypg  A documentary by C-Dit on the issue of Mullaperiyar Dam. A "must see" for keralites and tamilians.

 
http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-11-29/kochi/30454339_1_mullaperiyar-dam-bursts-dam-flood
 
http://www.indiansinkuwait.com/iikForum/threadView.aspx?ID=80149


http://geofizika-journal.gfz.hr/Vol_09/Singh.pdf

There is also a news that Tamil Nadu has allocated in their budget almost 100 crores and this is being used over the years to shut the mouths of the Kerala politicians...http://marunadanmalayalee.com/mminnerpage.aspx?newsid=63454 .. 

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