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 .. 

And the award goes to…………………India..

8 awards! That is no small feat is it? It sure is not an Indian movie but everything in it is Indian, so naturally the award goes to India.



"The essence of the film is about optimism and hope. The power of hope in our lives. All my life I had the choice between hate and love. I choose love and here I am," said the musician....

A R Rahman is not new to awards and he was humble as ever while he accepted his Oscars. God bless him.


But being a mallu, I just cannot but be euphoric about Resul Pookutty who is now recognized with an OSCAR! He was unknown to me and to the majority in Kerala, including the Malayalam film industry, until the Oscar fever. It was great to hear him say the following on stage:

I dedicate this award to my country. This is not just a sound award but a piece of history that has been handed over to me," a beaming and emotional Pookutty said while dedicating the trophy to a billion Indians.

"I come from a country and civilisation that gave the world the word that precedes silence and is followed by more silence. That word is Om. So I dedicate this award to my country," said Kerala-born sound technician.

Pookutty shared the honours with colleagues Ian Tapp and Richard Pryke.
"This is unbelievable. I share the stage with two magicians, who captured the noise and cacophony of Mumbai to create the soul stirring artful sound of Slumdog Millionaire," he said.

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1017076/

http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/articleshow/4174708.cms

I am sure there are many more unrecognized talents hidden away in our vast country. I guess these awards will be one more reason for them to forge ahead and continue to dream of unlimited possibilities. It was also great to see the shining faces of the children from the slum. And looking at their hopeful, dreamy faces, let me also believe that India is indeed going to shine.

Back in business

Sadly we are back into business in the shortest time.

I thought the issue with the “dog’ would die within the mallu world, but no, even the national mainstream newspapers seem to have forgotten the horrible days the country just left behind. I am not providing any links to the news papers since none has been fair. Keralites are not new to their CM and their own colloquial language. In my opinion the ‘dog’ word is the mildest word that the mallu uses in his day-to-day dealings. But like me there are many who respect the CM even for his quirks. Everyone accepts the Father’s feelings too and if the media is to be believed, he had no issues with the CM during the telephone talks. The same media and citizens who shouted foul when Major Unnikrishnan was identified as a Malayalee, in the same tone whined when there was no ministerial representation, except for the political secretary from the Kerala ministry.

We tolerated the electronic media during those dark moments with utmost patience although it was not easy at times, but I believe it is time the media stopped short and did a self study. We lost brave men and there is nothing the country can give their family in return except gratitude. Nothing will suffice since only those who have lost their loved ones can understand the feelings. But for the sake of their utmost sacrifice for the country, this not the time to lose focus on the main issue. This is not the time to aid the parties to take political mileage and knowing well our politicians, it is up to the citizens and the media to get them into running the nation. Sadly we need them all at this moment to govern the country and not to fill the roads with “protestors” for insignificant issues.

For once, India is not alone in her pursuit of terrorism. Pakistan, though reluctantly is ready to cooperate. War is not the answer for any issue and we have all learnt our lessons. We do not want history to give us a repeat. Even in the battle of Kurukshetra in Mahabharata, diplomacy was given a chance until the end even when there were mighty warriors ready to give up their lives. We need every resources and the help of the citizens to root out the menace the nation is facing. If the media is to be believed there were more terrorists and they might be still in the country aided by our own worthless citizens. These terrorists did not work alone and cannot work alone in the future. There needs to be meaningful discussions in the main stream media on this issue. So far I have seen none.

Aravind Adiga rides atop his Tiger

Aravind Adiga’s tiger brought mixed reaction from the Indian populace. Some say this is the true India while some are shocked and feel insulted.

How dare an Indian demean the 'ready to shine in a few years' India thus? Won’t the rest of the world (whom Indians look up to!) have more reasons to continue looking down?

I have not read the book as yet and I don’t look forward to reading it either. With the media beaming out similar stories daily and the rest left to our wildest (yet true?) imaginations, who needs a book to shed light?

Maybe mine is a pessimistic outlook and I should be joining the rest and give Aravind a good bashing on my blog at least! But I shall not.. the tone maybe crude as they say but we Indians need waking up.

Looking at the way most crimes get away and the nexus between criminals (including the police) and the politicians, should we expect anything better just because we haven’t experienced it ourselves?

Look at God’s Own Country when it discovered that the terrorists killed in Kashmir were Malayalees. We are now told (by the media) that they existed since 15 years! Every other day, we hear of mass swindling and the political connections. We wait hopelessly to see at least one behind the bars but the media soon replaces one swindler with another and the show continues. We heard of Human God’s and the amount of wealth they accumulated (source maybe foreign or domestic) but they still continue to reign as Gods. There is one Sister Abhaya still haunting the court premises.

Well… being Diwali I shouldn’t be a spoil sport but my pessimistic mind fell into the trap and here are some articles which can further shed light.

Indian judges must clean up their courts

Justice R. Basant of the Kerala High Court, in his speech to the concluding session of the annual conference of the Kerala Criminal Judicial Staff Association, said, “The judiciary is the last ray of hope for Indians. The failure of the judiciary will have devastating results.”

This observation by Justice Basant carries considerable weight, as he knows, inside and out, the legal and illegal procedures commonly adopted by the courts.

For example, in order to file an application for bail in a criminal case, a person needs to pay a stamp duty of 2 rupees (US 4 cents). But by the time the application reaches the magistrate for a hearing, a client will usually have paid 700 to 1,000 rupees (US$14-$21) in bribes. Most of it is demanded and paid within the registry of the court where the application is filed.


40 lakh cases before HCs and 40 K cases before SC are pending

Over 40 K Cases Pending in Supreme Court of India (March 02 , 2007 - PIB Release)

OVER 40 THOUSAND CASES PENDING IN SUPREME COURT AND ABOUT 40 LAKH CASES IN HIGH COURTS - A total of 40,243 cases (including civil and criminal matters) are reported to be pending in the Supreme Court of India as on 31st January, 2007. In 21 High Courts in the country 39,91,251 cases were pending as on December 31, 2006. These include 32,87,037 civil cases and 7,04,214 criminal cases.

The corrective measures being taken for speedy disposal of court cases are:

Mallu Interview.. too good!

Bill Gates organized an enormous session to recruit a new Chairman for Microsoft Europe. 5000 candidates assembled in a large room. One candidate is Kunju Abdullah, an Indian guy.

Bill Gates thanked all the candidates for coming and asking those who do not know JAVA program to leave.2000 people leave the room. Kunju says to himself, "I do not know JAVA but I have nothing to lose if I stay. I'll give it a try"

Bill Gates asked the candidates who never had experience of managing more than 100 people to leave. 2000 people leave the room. Kunju says to himself " I never managed anybody by myself but I have nothing to lose if I stay. What can happen to me?" So he stays.

Then Bill Gates asked candidates who do not have management diplomas to leave. 500 people leave the room. Kunju says to himself, "I left school at 15 but what have I got to lose?" So he stays in the room.

Lastly, Bill Gates asked the candidates who do not speak Serbo - Croat to leave. 498 people leave the room.
Kunju says to himself, "I do not speak one word of Serbo - Croat but what do I have to lose?" So he stays and finds himself with one other candidate. Everyone else has gone.

Bill Gates joined them and said "Apparently you are the only two candidates who speak Serbo - Croat, so I'd now like to hear you have a conversation together in that language."

Calmly, Kunj turns to the other candidate and says "Entha Sugham alle" (How are you?)

The other candidate answers " Nee Poda Pulle" (Get lost you a*****le!)

Mallus yet again!

The in-famous mallu

A mallu is the short form provided to the in-famous Malayalee by a non-mallu. If there is one species that has been to every corner of the world then it has to be a “Mallu”.. “Ayyo, ellada spacil ehtiyittilla” That is true. The mallu is yet to reach the space but even that is going to be invaded by the mallu. Santhosh Jacob is all set to fly the Virgin Galactic, the space tourism enterprise under the stewardship of Richard Bronson, who controls the Virgin brand for a mid-2008 journey. I heard there has been a snag in this trip but if it takes off it, yes the mallu has been on space too. Now the Mallu has many distinctive characteristics,
1- He works diligently only when he is out of Kerala (aka malluland, GOC). He can easily adjust to any work environment so different from his own idyllic settings.
2- But in mallu land one can find him under the tamarind tree, or in the daily rally organized by the various political parties or he could be in one of the tea shops devouring the daily newspaper along with his cup of tea.
2- He is well versed with all the current happenings in his state and all over the world, after all he comes from a 100% literacy state.
3- But the 100% literacy comes with a price – this has been the reason for the lazy, critical and no care attitude of the majority of the mallus in the state. An investor in mallu land should have all the Gods behind him if he is ever to succeed. A mallu will find ways and means to strangle him.

Anyway let me stop here. Though a proud mallu, I cannot help but relate to most of these facts forwarded by my mangi friend Danny. Hubby had a great time reading it out to all of us. Thank you Danny! We did have a good laugh.

I am sure the same was compiled by a mallu and not a non-mallu.

If you can fit four passengers in the front seat of an Ambassador taxi, while in the back there are eight passengers and two children with their heads stuck out of the window, chances are, you are a Mallu going to attend your cousin's wedding.



If you can run, ride a 100 cc motorbike without wearing a helmet, and play football all while wearing a lungi tied halfmast, Malayali status!


If your late father left you a part of an old house as your inheritance, and you turned it into a "chaya kada" (tea shop),yes.... you're a Malayali !


If you have more than 5 relatives working in the Gelf, you are a Big Time Malayali !


If you have the words "Chinchu Mol + Jinchu Mon" written on the rear window of your Omni car, yes...... you are a Malaayli.


If you refer to your husband as kettiyon; ithiyan, pillerude appan, guess what? You're a Central Travancore Syrian Christian Malayali.


If you have a Tamilian parked in front of your house every Sunday, ironing your clothes, chances are a you are a Middle Class Malayali. If you have more than three trade unions at your place of work, then ask no further...... you are indeed a Malayali.


If you have voted into power a Chief Minister who has not passed the 4th grade then ask no further, YOU ARE A MALAYALI.

If you have at least two relatives working in the US in the health servises sector , Yes.... Malayali!


If you religiously buy a lottery ticket every week, then you're in the Malayali Zone!


If you constantly refer to banana as "benana" or pizza as "pissa" you are a Malayali..


If you use coconut oil instead of refined vegetable oil and can't figure out why people in your family have congenital heart problems, you could be a Malayali. (THIS WILL NOT STOP ME FROM USING THE COCONUT OIL!)

If you are going out to see a movie at the local theatre with your wifey wearing all the gold jewellry gifted to her by her parents, you are a newly married Malayali..


If you and your wife and three children dress up in your Sunday best and go out to have biriyani at Kayikka's on a 100 cc Bajaj mobike, you are an upwardly mobile Malayali from Cochin.


If your idea of haute cuisine is kappa and meen curry (tapioca & fish curry), then yes.... you are a Malayali..


If you have beef puttu for breakfast, beef olathiathu for lunch, and beef curry with "porotta" for dinner, yeah, definitely Malalyali.


If your name is Wilson, and your wife's name is Baby, and you name your daughter Wilby, have no doubts at all, you are a standard Syrian Christian Malayali from Chengannur !


If most of the houses on your block are painted puke yellow, fluorescent green, and bright pink, definitely Malappuram Malayali working in the Gelf.


If you tie a towel around your head and burst into a raucous rendition of the song "Kuttanadn Punjayile" (the traditional boat race jingle) after having three glasses of toddy, then you are a hardcore Malayali.

If you call appetizers served with alcoholic beverages as "touchings", then you are one helluva Malayali.

If the local toddy shop owner knows you by your pet name and you call him "Porinju Chetta" then you are true Malayali.



If you're sick and your wifey rubs "Bicks" into your nostrils and gives you "kurumulaku rasam" (pepper rasam) with chakkara (jaggery) -grandma's recipe- to help relieve your 'symbtoms',damn!! You are a Malayali.


IF YOU DON'T NEED ANY EXPLANATIONS FOR ANY OF THE ABOVE, YOU KNOW THAT YOU
ARE THE REAL McCOY, A BLUE BLOOD MALAYALI. LAAL SALAAM RED SALUTE) !


All meant in fun - don't get "SIMBLY AGITATED" ! Just pass it on, so yet another Malayali can have a laugh too!!!