Da Devils Workshop

Evolution

2016-03-29T11:35:00.000+05:30

2002

It was the first time that I'm traveling a long distance in a train, in a general compartment.. It was noisy, not the sound of the engine nor the one coming from elsewhere. It was the chatting, blabbering of my co-passengers. It was most annoying and disgusting for me. I stared out through the window, dint mind to look around me. Most of them were talking and some other were indulged in reading n a few like me was looking out wondering how technology has cut through this beautiful place. During the next travels, especially en-route to college, the noisy atmosphere slowly, but steadily became a routine. I made new friends.. Talked with many wise, funny people. Information and fun were never lacking. Met some great souls and there were some assholes as well, but that was the journey of life..

2016 - present

Again travelling in de same train, same general class after a long period. I was standing in the door for some 30 minutes. Engulfing the fresh morning breeze and the beautiful lakes of Murukkumpuzha and Paravoor and recollecting old college days where we traveled every week. Now seated, I looked around. Most of my fellow travelers were texting, probably using watsap or Facebook, some listening to music and trying to be in their own world. I had a book in my bag, films and music in my phone, but I was simply looking around for some one whom I can talk to. Yes I'm kinda reserved. But usually someone comes up. Yet nothing so far. There were not even single person who simply sat or stared out of the window nor had a book in their hands.. Everybody seems to be obsessed with technology. Never minding the life around them. Is this the new world order? New dimension for communication? New found humanity? Honestly, I don't know. Yesterday I listened to an audio from Mohan Lal's blog.. ദൈവത്തിൻറെ കത്ത്.. I was reliving that..

Well, all said.. Bt who am I? I'm still scribbling on my phone n checking on mails n Watsap msg.. The evolution continues..

A Cultural Monologue

2014-08-13T15:49:00.003+05:30

The dawn of 2012 September was cool and perfect for a road trip. Off we went from Trivandrum, me and 3 other colleagues to a couple of major locations like the Asia's largest arch dam and also to Munnar. We were on a safari in a ‘Tata Safari’. After covering the smooth MC road we blasted into the Sahyadri’s and into the beauty of Idukki. Full of mountains and hilly tops. Yes, she was splendid. Her curves were breath-taking and were seductively dangerous, which sometimes made me puke. Well, it was with me since my childhood and has now become a habit and hats off to my patient good friends who always tolerated but rather enjoyed the irregular breaks that I granted them.

The first stop we made was for breakfast and reached the Idukki dam by late afternoon, thanks to some careless driving by me, which helped the monster get a brand new front tyre. The Idukki dam is a humungous structure. As they say, an architectural masterpiece, which stood between two rocky hills which the locals calls – Kuravan and Kurathi. It is built across Periyar River which is the heartthrob of the Periyar tiger reserve, which accommodates a huge number of species. There are many check dams around the reservoir and has been the centre of attraction of many controversies in recent times, courtesy to some very dirty politics. We stood on the major powerhouse of the state run Electricity Board.

The dam was half filled due to scarce rain

After a few hours, after having some good food, we started for Munnar via Adimaly. We reached Munnar by night and everyone fell asleep almost instantly after a strenuous day, engulfing the chilling cold.

The next day greeted me with a pleasant morning sun, which was peeking between beautiful mountains of tea plantations and the gasp of fresh cool breeze was more than enough for starting the morning with bursting energy. After having breakfast, we finalized our destination to Vattavada, A place 31 km uphill of Munnar which the locals promised of some splendid fresh vegetables. We started our ascend to the abode of clouds, crossing the top station and the state boundaries couple of times. We could see the landscape changing from a chaotic Munnar town to eucalyptus plantation to forest and in the end, we reached a bursting village. Some inquiry with local people revealed that we need to go some more paces up and so did we, thanks to the supreme power of the four wheel drive. And stopped at a place where the road seems to have ended. We were told that, there was an old road which connects to Kodaikanal as well, which is closed due to unknown reasons. But one can walk to cross the border, unnoticed!

The place had something about itself, a mysterious hidden aura and deadly peacefulness. It was part of the world where the people are yet to hear the words like ‘Current’ or Electricity. It made me feel like, they live in one of the farthest point on earth, making an income out by the oldest and the best known means of living – Agriculture. Vattavada is known as the agricultural capital of Kerala and the laborious farmers, feeding the crop the whole 365 days. We bargained for some vegetables, but we were surprised how humble they were and gave the vegetables at a rate, that is 1/5th the price that I get from the state capital, that too taking their profit out of it. We bought carrots and cabbage. We were told that strawberries just sold out and have to move to some other part of the town if we really need that. So we decided not to buy this time. The most interesting part was when we went to buy some garlic, which was cultivated by a particular person. We went into his storehouse, with the mindset of a bunch of rookie victorious guys who has just amassed some unwanted wealth. He was a seasoned farmer, who showed the wear and tear of continuous labor but never lacked the contagious spirit and compassion. We went through the fresh and pure garlic pieces. Indeed the room was filled with its fresh aroma and when asked about the price but surprisingly, he told us to tell the price. We were flabbergasted. The experienced, but yet a modest farmer, who did not even know how to bargain. His mannerism just made us feel humble and gave us a thought that he is not living for money and he does not give a damn about it. We somehow got him say the price, but was coming out of his home, rather a hut, which made us feel that the real pain and gain in life lies in giving without any crooked intentions but with all of your heart. His family consisted of his wife, two sons and their wives and grand-children. All living under a small shabby place but more importantly, they were happy. That is their mystery and their magic. We mingled with some guys and some elderly farmers there. Vattavada, although cultivates the highest amount of vegetables, the major share goes to Madurai market, rom where many sellers/wholesale dealers makes the purchase. Many multimillion retailers owns land there and we, the commoners get the same almost five times the price with added pesticides with other toxic materials sprayed onto it. The locals where feeling that they were never taken care of and neglected by the govt. of Kerala. Even though Vattavada is in Kerala, most of the people there, speaks Tamil and hence they are closely bounded to them.

We took some more photographs with them and bid adieu to a bunch of good hearted people. We wowed that we will come back some time
soon, a promise which still need to realize. When I sat on the car, my gaze fell into a nearby temple, which had a small architectural structure on top of it with many human like carvings. My gaze was attracted to one such structure, a demon, with a sprouting red tongue and a devilish look, staring at me. The clouds moving around it and the dull backdrop gave me the feeling that it is moving towards me with vicious instinct, asking some questions about our integrity and the purpose of life and making me feel nonetheless, hopeless human being, which made my dirty egos and my sufferings to melt away.

We started descending and took a different route, via Kambam-Theni-Tirunelveli and back home. The scenic beauty of Theni route was mesmerizing. That was a place where the western ghats merged with the eastern ghats, with huge mountains and all covered with mist and clouds. We made many stops to engulf in that beauty. The road was pathetic and we had to be more careful. After dropping off a friend in Tirunelveli, we reached home by late night. Although tired, my thoughts was full of the demon on the temple top. The next couple of days was busy distributing the vegetables and other items, that we bought from Vattavada to neighbors, friends and relatives.

The crew

Later next week, I went to shopping to a supermarket, run by a multimillion franchise. I saw the same things that we got from Vattavada. There I saw the price and the difference of our attitude. I was in a situation where I am not able bargain. It drew me one other question. Who is really in need of money and freedom? The poor farmers, who cultivate, their crops, give their heart out for the mother earth and the other living beings or these multimillion, money thirsty ogres? The contradiction is, it is all for a single cause-happy living. Is this because of the cultural differences? or the love for a white collar job? or the sheer willingness to help your countrymen and mother nature? I am still wandering

P.S:- My grandfather used to tell “You might need a doctor, a lawyer, a policeman once in your lifetime, but you will need a farmer at least five times a day”.

A Democratic Epilog

2011-08-18T16:48:00.001+05:30

The seven sins are “politics without principles, wealth without work, pleasure without conscience, knowledge without character, commerce without morality, science without humanity and worship without renunciation of ego.” – Mohandas Karam Chand Gandhi.

In India, cricket is a religion and Sachin is its God. 'The Lord @ The Lords':- this was a placard a fan was holding when the Sachin Tendulkar walked into bat the Lords Cricket stadium, hoping to get his 100^th 100 in the games 2000^th test. But the master blaster disappointed and so did the other outstanding performers like Dravid, Laxman and Zaheer. But none of them were able to prevent The British from humiliating the worlds no.1 team, in the first three tests in their soil. The defeats were massive and India was falling apart. All of these came at the eve of India’s 65^th Independence Day celebration. While we were celebrating the freedom from the British, the cricket team was still struggling at their hands. But far bigger freedom struggle was taking place in the main land of the biggest democratic republic. This time it was not from the British, but from their fellow Indians; the corrupted politicians and the corporates but the cause remains the same, the struggle of the common man, money flowing into wrong hands but this time without a Gandhi, but a true Gandhi in making- Mr. Anna Hazare. He along with Arvind Kejriwal and other famous people came forward with a bill called Jan Lokpal Bill.

Jan Lokpal Bill otherwise known as citizens' ombudsman bill which was originally proposed in 1968 by Mr Shanti Bhooshan which was passed once and rejected countless number of times. Renewed calls for the bill arose over resentment of the major differences between the draft 2010 Lokpal Bill prepared by the government and that prepared by the members of the associated activists movement - mainly comprising of N. Santosh Hegde a former justice of the Supreme Court of India and Lokayukta of Karnataka, Shanti Bhushan, Arvind Kejriwal and Prashant Bhushan a senior lawyer in the Supreme Court along with the members of the India Against Corruption movement. The bill's supporters consider existing laws too weak and insufficiently enforced to stop corruption. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_Lokpal_Bill)

In april 2011 Anna Hazare’s hunger strike moved the govt and forced them to think and enact the bill, which resulted with their own bill supporting the politicians or the corporates more than the grievances of common peoples. It even had the power to protect the prime minister if he had done the crime. A nation wide protest began and Hazare was ready to get arrested and so did his fellow men, all over India and it was called Jail Bharo Andolan. Anna went to fast on 16^th August but he was arrested by the police stating silly reasons but he continued fasting even in jail. Another irony is that Anna was put to Tihar jail was sharing the cell with the people he stood against. The nation is now facing a complete anarchy. Even the British gave the freedom to have satyagraha while this government is not even allowing the common mans right. Some political parties are supporting Anna and the movement but their target is not the passing of the bill, but to pull the UPA government down. The real motto is to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill and Annaji is just a cause.

The people in India, every common man, knows all these things but they simply (pretend to) ignore everything. Each of them knows the system should change. But most of them feel the lack of inertia. They pay taxes just to make these filthy politicians rich and in-turn by making themselves poorer. India is a country with abundant natural resources and boast of the second biggest human resource. Once the Europeans looted and now the fellow contrymen are doing the same, but this time fooling around with the common people and the money they earned by pure hardship. We need to end this, atleast for our next generation. It’s really hard to change the 60+ year old constitution and pass this bill, because, it should be passed by the people (politicians) who knows they will be digging their own grave. The fear of being toppled out is the only reason why the government came out with a pure foolish, idiotic bill-a pure mockery. Compared to the people 65 years ago, we all are very well educated and most of us are professionals with dignity. We need to be united atleast this time; for a common cause.

Cricket is a religion and it’s a gentleman game with just 11 guys/team. The ruthless British can be beaten, if moved with a well planned attack. Same is the case of this freedom struggle but with over 1 million people. The situation can be worse as the world, at the brim of another recession. Coming days are so significant in Indias future. True Indians always dreams of a completely independent, developed, corruption free India and the only first step towards that is to pass the Jan Lokpal Bill. So my friends, stop being inactive and get into the streets with your fellow countrymen. We need action, an action to free the country from all the democratic blasphemy.

" Mera bharath mahan "

P.S:- "It takes 9 months for the govt to arrest Suresh Kalmadi, 4 years to arrest Raja,but 3minuts to arrest Anna, This govt has made mockery of the very essence of independence,seriously , INCREDIBLE INDIA". -courtesy status of my friends in fb.

------------------- Be a part in the IAC movement -------------------

to be the part of IAC-Trivandrum just send mail-to :- iac.trivandrum@gmail.com

To recieve sms regarding the news in IAC-Trivandrum -sms - JANLOKPAL to 776319702

National Treasure(s)

2011-08-08T12:30:00.000+05:30

Something came out of the idle mind, generating words in co-ordination with the current scenarios. There may be many trivial or non-trivial things, meant to hurt any one, but all sorts of comments are welcome. Frankly, I dont know why I am writing this. Is it because, I am so proud of my self to live in a country with a big cultural heritage, mixing well with the modern amenities of life or is it because I am too pathetic to live in this era which is flooded with selfishness and a country drowning with corruption and high standard of living caused by the greedy people who is ruling/ruining the country, where every one is after their own stuff and going only for money? I am baffled, I dont have an answer..!!! Fact:- Last couple of years, many scams have rocked India. From the common wealth games to the 2g scam to the unrevealed names of the swiss bank account holders, mainly comprising of politicians and corporates, holding the wealth of the nation, the money of the common people. This is India, the largest democratic country in the world. Are you proud? Definitely not me... ;)

Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, the place they call 'Gods Own Country' is witnessing a treasure hunt; no a huge known treasure 'put to light'. A massive amount of wealth which includes loads of gold and silver in different forms like golden statues, rarest of diamonds, crowns studded with diamonds, sapphires and emeralds... you name it.. it is there.. After a week of the so called excavation going on under the direct orders from the Honorable Supreme court, the value roughly calculated goes over 1 lakh crores and still has 2 more chambers to open and the value always expecting to go up. This has turned the temple to be most valuable Monument and the place with the highest amount of treasure ever found in India. The myth is broken and put to light. These are the legacy, left behind by the people who ruled Trivandrum (then Travancore), the royal family of Travancore, who ruled the majority land of Kerala, which they got just by their sheer hard-work and also the huge amount of gifts from the neighboring countries. The treasure is found in no other place but inside, Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, one of the Biggest, elegant, historic temple in the history of India. The main god worshiped by the Travancore royal family.

Now a bit of history; Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple is renovated by King Marthanda Varma, known as the 'maker of modern Travancore', who ruled Travancore from 1729[1] till his death in 1758, conquered many lands and formed a small country called 'Venad', stretching from Kanyakumary in the south to Shoranur in the north. He was the one who renovated the Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple to the modern form. After many battles, he placed his kingdom and its wealth under lord Sree Padmanabha and called himself and his predecessors as 'padmanabha dasa'. All the wealth they acquired for the name of their land was given to the lord himself, they proclaimed they wont touch anything from that.

The treasure was intact for centuries. It was a legend that there was a huge treasure but no one dared to open it or wanted to open the treasure of the lord and unlike every-other big temples, there is no history of even a single theft. Even the rulers or their descendants did not even take anything from them. Their principle was simple. What belonged to the lord of Travancore is never theirs. Even then they ruled the land with utmost command and leadership and satisfaction till 1950. They were the pioneers of many renovations and many things that we see around the capital and made Kerala to be the most industrial state till 1970's, from where the politicians took control and spoiled everything their ancestor rulers had made and drowning deep into the state of corruption. The biggest democratic country in the world has the biggest number of people owning a huge amount money in different banks all over the world. After 64 years of independence, what they have achieved? Do they have anything for the common people other than themselves? Now they are 'putting light' into the centuries old treasure. The treasure is worth more than anything, saved by the kings, so that it could be benefited at the time of disaster or at the time they need them the most.

I am not trying to make a statement that nobody has touched it. The whole petition filed for opening of these chambers and verifying what lies beneath, was due to the fact that some items are missing and some1 doubted some else for stealing the valuable things of the Lord but still no one expected this much of wealth. Is it going to be in the wrong hands? Who is the owner of it? or the people who excavated it?or the greedy politicians? The government? or the Royal Family? or the common people? or the Lord itself? Trivandrum and the holy temple is going to the center of attraction of some greedy thieves (in various forms) now. One of the most peaceful, calm place in the city is going to be filled with military personnel's and CCTV's and in short pure chaos. Another reason for some people for not sleeping.

My question:- The honorable Supreme court who has ordered for such an excavation of treasure which is under the Holy Lord is fearing the filthy, greedy politicians who is holding a treasure bigger than what we found in the temple in the form of money of the common people and spending them just for their pleasure. Why cant nobody unearth the treasure which is by all means are for the common people from the hands of these politicians and corporates and save India? Is this what you call constitution? Is this democracy?

P.S:- The safest place in the universe to hide a treasure is the place where the lord of Travancore lies.

errr.. no, not exactly... even god can never find a place where to keep wealth, that is not found by humans...