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This Authentic Handbook is a unique synthesis of knowledge about Kerala. Comprising
of more than 1250 topics along with more than 750 illustrative photographs, this handy
reference book covers almost all traditional topics like culture, heritage, religion, polity,
women, socio-economic condition, briefs on epoch making personalities, languages, art,
music, literature, fairs ad festivals, folklore, etc. The book will serve for decades to come
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` 300/-
2
April 2016
Revised and Updated
Available at
District Information Offices /
State Information Centre,
Thiruvananthapuram
April 2016
Volume 36 | Number 6
Editor-in-Chief
Mini Antony IAS
Co-ordinating Editor
C Ramesh Kumar
DEPUTY Editor - in- Chief
Santhosh Kumar A S
Editor
K P Saritha
Assistant Editor
C Rajesh
Sub Editor
Merlin J N
Circulation
R Anilkumar
DESIGN
V S Prakash
Design & Layout
R Ratheesh Kumar
[email protected]
Printing
St. Joseph's Press, Thiruvananthapuram
Cover Story
10
Is Reading
on the Decline?
the Newest
20 For
Generation
14
16
Reading in e-Mode
Sobhana P K
Vaikkom Murali
VK Adarsh
stuff that
24 The
dreams are made on
Rajesh C
Relevance of
Book Fairs
Ravi Deecee
Bibliophile
29
Views expressed in the articles
published in Kerala Calling are not,
necessarily, those of the Government.
Kerala Calling welcomes free expression
of divergent views and exchange of ideas
through its pages.
Vishnu Darshan Soorandadu
30
Editorial Materials
Articles/features appearing in this magazine
are either commissioned or assigned.
Nevertheless, other articles are also
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is appreciated. Such items should be
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Kerala Calling
First Floor, Secretariat Annexe,
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Total no. of pages 48 + Covers
An extraordinary
love affair with Books...
Guru Nitya Chaitanya Yati
The Sainthood in Reading
Swami Bodhi Theertha
31
Once upon a time,
there lived a...
Hans Christian Anderson
Health
36
World Health Day
Beat Diabetes
Dr Sreejith N Kumar
40
Health
It is high time we intervened...
Dr. Zinia T Nujum
44
Mental Health
Kerala Scene
Dr. D Raju
Editorial
The month of merriment
Vishu
Golden Showers
6 The
of Laburnum
Dr. Suja Kurup P L
GARDENING
Golden
48 The
showers for Vishu
Suresh Muthukulam
32 Children's
Book Day
Read books
feel like in heaven...
Prof. S Sivadas
34 Democracy
Democracy, People’s Attitude
and 14th Kerala Assembly
Elections
Dr. Josukutty C A
B.R. Ambedkar
8 Dr.
the Messiah of
the Downtrodden
K C Venu
Mani
46 Kalabhavan
Man of Many Roles
Remembrance
Dr. C S Venkiteswaran
Every April brings happy moments around the world.
In Europe it marks the advent of the spring season. For
the Malayaless, Vishu is celebrated with much merriment
and gaiety. For every Malayalee, in every nook and corner
of the world, Vishu brings happiness unlimited and
memories never ending.
April is the sweetest month for the bibliophiles as
well; not the “cruelest” as T. S Eliot said in his magnum
opus, “The Waste Land”. In April we observe two Book
Days: World Book Day on 23 April and World Children’s
Book Day on 2 April. English playwright and poet William
Shakespeare’s birthday is celebrated as World Book Day
and that of the Danish writer Hans Christian Anderson’s
is observed as World Children’s Book Day. So, two book
days fall in April. Hence, the cover story is on Books
and Reading. Eminent personalities from literature and
publication discuss the various changes and challenges
in reading.
Technology has invaded in every sphere of life.
Reading and Publication are not exceptions. We celebrate
the Book Days in this context. The reading media have
been undergoing revolutionary changes. Though interest
in books has not declined, the society uses varied
technological devices such as E- readers and apps. The
Publishers and writers share common concern about
the change. They are doubtful whether this change will
re-write the concepts of the literary form and structure
themselves. In this context, debates and discussions
are going on issues such as the extinction of big novels.
World health Day is observed in April. This year,
the slogan for World Health Day is “Beat Diabetes”. It
is assumed that India might become the world capital
of diabetes. And, among the states in India, Kerala tops
in sale of drugs related to Diabetes. This points out the
dangerous zone in which Kerala has slipped into in the
case of Diabetes. So, a whole effort is needed to make
people aware of the deadly consequences of the dreaded
disease. In this issue, a detailed article is given on this
grave problem.
April also witnesses the birthday of B. R Ambedkar,
the architect of Indian constitution. Ambedkar's efforts
to eradicate the social evils like untouchablity and caste
restrictions were remarkable. The leader, throughout his
life, fought for the rights of the down trodden and other
socially backward classes.
Happy Vishu to all readers
Mini Antony I A S
Editor in Chief
Vishu
Dr. Suja Kurup P L
The Golden
Showers of
Laburnum
Manasillundavettegramathinvellichavum,
mannavum, mamathayum
ithiri konnapoovu - VylopalliSreedharaMenon - "Vishukkani"
I
n Kerala,the start of the Zodiac New Year - when
the sun enters the Sideral Aries - AswiniNakshatrais
celebrated as Vishu. It signifies the Hindu New Year
and falls in the month of Medam in the Malayalam
calendar. The word 'Vishu' or 'Vishuvat' means
equal and signifies one of the equinoxes, in this
case,the spring equinox. On this day, the Sun is
positioned vertically above the point of equator
and there are equal number of hours of light as well
as darkness. There are many legends connected
with the festival of Vishu. Historical records point
to the fact that Vishu is the agricultural festival
of Kerala. The most ancient document which tells
us about Vishu is ThrikkodithanamShasanamof
BhaskaraRavivarman in A.D. 1010.
Festivals celebrated all around India during
the same time - Ugadhi inAndra Pradesh and
Karnataka, GudiPadwa in Maharashtra, Bihu in
Assam and Baisakhi in Punjab - share the same
spirit. Indian culture has always given emphasis
on the significance of beginning things in a proper
manner. This common spirit is the hallmark of
such harvest festivals celebrated all over India.
Vishu as a harvest festival not only signifies the
beginning of things in an auspicious manner but
6
April 2016
also a reaffirmation of our
bond with nature and the
land which sustains us. It
marks the beginning of the
agricultural activities such
as, sowing, application
of fertilisers, irrigation,
har vest ing and o ther
activities related to it.
Being the festival of
Kaineetam, light, colorful
fireworks (vishupadakkam)
and new clothes for
the occasion, Vishu is
indubitably the favourite
festival among children.
The highlight of the festival
is arranging the vishukkani.
The Malayalam word 'kani'
literally means 'that which
is seen first'. Vishukkani
signifies 'that which is
seen first on Vishu. The
kani may be perceived as a
symbolic representation of
the union of Prakrutiand
Purusha. The Uruli, the
open-mouthed shallow
circular vessel made of bell
metal represents Prakruti.
The Vishukkani has a wide
range of items signifying
prosperity and that too in
rich, vibrant golden hues,
including images of Lord
Vishnu, flowers, fruits and
vegetables, clothes and gold
coins. Lord Vishnu is seen as
the head of Kaala Purusha,
the God of Time. Vishu
is therefore considered
an appropriate occasion
to offer prayers to Lord
Vishnu. All the constituents
i n t h e K a n i re p re s e n t
KaalaPurusha, Maha
V i s h n u o r L o rd S r e e
Krishna. Kani Konna is His
crown, kanivellari(Golden
Cucumber) is His face,
coconut lamps His
eyes,Valkannadi,the Mind
and the Grandham, the
Word.
There is a strong link
between KaniKonna
(Cassia Fistula, the Indian
Laburnum) and Vishu.
The mass flowering of the
KaniKonna is the floral
reminder of Vishu. The
flower is associated with
Sree Krishna and used
liberally in Vishukkani.
It represents the Sun
itself, thus signifying the
prowess of Lord Vishnu.
After viewing the kani,
children rush to receive
the Vishukkaineettam
(a customary offering of
money) from the elders of
the family. It is believed
that Vishukkaineettam
should be given freely and
accepted with reverence.
The principle behind it is
the symbolic sharing of
prosperity and wishing
happiness for all.
Each then par takes
the Vishukanji, a special
dish made of rice, coconut,
ja g ger y and milk and
Vishukatta, a traditional
delicacy prepared from
freshly har vested rice
powder and coconut milk
served with jaggery. This
is usually followed by an
elaborate feast or sadya.
In the nor thern par ts
of Kerala, festivals such
as Vela and Pooram are
celebrated during the same
time.
Vishu in Poetry
Vishu and the vibrant
golden blossoms of the
KaniKonna have inspired
many creative writers
i n M a l aya l a m to r i s e
to lyrical heights, from
the early times. In the
Va d a k k a n P a t t u , t h e
folklore of northern Kerala,
the poets had equated
women of incredible beauty
with the KaniKonna in
full bloom. The emotional
link between the flower
and Vishu has been
elaborated upon by the
late poet AyyappaPaniker:
"Ennikkavathile
pookkathir ikkan. Enn
ikkavathillekanikonnay
alle... vishukkalamalle...
e n n i k k v a t h i l e
pookkathirikkan". (from
t h e p o e m " Po o k k a t h i
rikkanennikkavathile").
Puthusseri has written
"V ishup pak shi" a b out
environmental degradation
in the backdrop of
Vishu. Lalitha Lenin has
thus mused over the
KaniKonna : "Orutharip
onninaayichuttukonnat
hinallokonnayennuninn
aamamvannu," K akkad
in his celebrated poem
"SaphalameeYathra" says,
"Kaalaminniyumurulum,
Vishu
varrum,
Varshamvarum,
Th i r u v o n a m v a r u m ,
Pinneorothalirillum poo
varum kaaivarum, pinnea
arennumenthennumaarku
ariyaam."
Vishu would always
revive golden memories of
the bounty of nature, our
connection with the land
and the spiritual aspects
behind the traditions
followed.n
The writer is Associate
Professor, Institute of English,
University of Kerala
April 2016
7
Remembrance
K C Venu
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
the Messiah of
the Downtrodden
B
himrao Ramji Ambedkar popularly
known as ‘Babasaheb’ was born
on April 14, 1891 at Mhow near
Indore in the present Madhya
Pradesh in an untouchable ‘Mahar’
family. And it made him undergo
a lot of humiliating experiences.
At school like every untouchable
child, Ambedkar was a victim
of caste discrimination. He was
asked to sit away from the high
caste boys and was forbidden from
mixing with them. His teachers
did not touch the notebooks
8
April 2016
of their untouchable pupils;
refused to entertain even an oral
interaction for fear of getting
polluted. Ambedkar and his elder
brother had to sit on a piece of
gunny bag outside the door of the
class room.
The caste discrimination and
humiliation had been faced by
Ambedkar throughout his life.
He came back from America after
completing his higher studies.
When he took up the post of
Military Secretary to the Maharaja
of Baroda, he found himself
catapulted in the midst of upper
caste humiliations – even the
peons used to throw the files at
him; he could not get drinking
water in the office. He was thrown
out of the Parsi Inn where he was
staying when its owner came to
know that he was an untouchable.
In that dreadful night, this low
caste man, who acquired MA
PhD, MSc (Econ) DSC (Econ) and
Barrister-at-Law from the premier
Universities and Collages of the
World, screamed sitting under
a banyan tree without getting a
place to sleep in that night.
At Sydenham College, Bombay
Ambedkar was an excellent
professor of Political Economy.
But he was never allowed by his
caste colleagues to drink water
from pot in the staff room. In
the Bombay High Court this
lawyer graduated from Grey’s Inn,
London was forced to confine to
mofussil work as the high caste
solicitors refused to have any
working relationship with him.
As the result of these traumatic
experiences in his life, he decided
to dedicate the rest of his life to
fight against caste system and
its wretched untouchability. In
his struggle of liberation of dalits
from social slavery he considered
education as the most powerful
weapon. He established a chain of
educational institutions under the
shield of Peoples Education Society
founded in 1944. In order to educate
dalits he published four periodicals
– Mooknayak (1920) Bahishkrit
Bharath (1927) Samatha (1929)
Janatha (1930).
Ambedkar’s ideological strife
with the social order and casteism
developed into direct action in
1924. He convened a meeting of
untouchables at Damodar Hall,
Bombay. The foundation of Bahishkrit
Karini Sabha set a concrete platform
to represent the grievances of the
depressed classes.
The Mahad Sathyagraha (1927)
started with a view to protect
rights of untouchables to take
water from tank was a milestone in
Ambedkar movement. The burning
of Manu Smrithi on 25 December
1927 shocked the world of Hindu
orthodoxy. The sathyagraha organized
for temple entry at Ambadevi temple,
Amaravathi, Parvathy temple at
Pune, Kalaram temple at Nasik
demanded untouchable’s accession
to the temple.
Ambedkar was fighting against
all these odds .While the congress
boycotted the Simon Commission he
did not hesitate to tender evidence
before it on behalf of Dalits. He had
also given memorandum to South
borough commission for separate
electorates for Dalit people. On this
matter of separate electorate he had
to confront with Gandhiji in Second
Round Table Conference. When
the British Government headed by
Ramsey Mac Donald proclaimed the
Communal Award which considered
the demand for Separate Electorates
in 1932, Gandhiji opposed it on
the ground that it would break the
‘unity’ of the Hindu Community
and declared his fast unto death to
withdraw the scheme. Gandhiji’s
fast forced Ambedkar to accept a
compromise on 24 September 1932,
by the Poona Pact. This guaranteed
reserved seats for dalits instead of
separate electorates.
As a member of the Constituent
Assembly and as Chairman of
the Draft Committee of Indian
Constitution, Ambedkar did his
best to safeguard the interest of
the depressed classes. It outlawed
the stigma of untouchablity and
prohibited discrimination on the
ground of religion, caste, race and
sex. There are provisions in the
constitution for protecting the
political rights of the depressed
sections of the society.
Besides drafting the Indian
Constitution, Ambedkar had revised
and submitted Hindu Code Bill to
codify the Hindu personal law. The bill
had aroused widespread controversy,
and due to the opposition of the
orthodox members of the constituent
Assembly it could not be adopted.
This ended up in Ambedker ’s
resignation from Nehru Ministry on
27 September 1951.
I t wa s D r. A m b e d k a r w h o
struggled single – handedly for
rights of untouchables and other
downtrodden masses in India. It was
a saga of relentless crusade for social
justice for dalits. Ambedkar focused
the world attention on the civil, social
and political rights of Dalits. He
awakened in them a sense of human
dignity, feeling of self respect and
burning hatred for untouchability
that was worse than slavery.
The Democratic India is preparing
to ce l e b rate h i s 1 2 5 t h b i r t h
anniversary. Ambedkar emphasized
equal rights for women for economic
development. He laid the foundation
of industrial relations after Indian
independence. n
The writer is Former Director, I&PRD
April 2016
9
Cover Story
Sobhana P K
Is Reading
on the Decline?
I
The enjoyment
you get from
reading cannot
be replaced by
anything.
10
April 2016
n his famous novel, “If On a Winter
Night’s Traveller ”, Italo Calvino
introduces a character, who is a
university student tend to rebel against
an age old practice humans acquired
‘Reading’. He puts his logic as “I’ve
accustomed to not to reading
that I don’t even read
what appears before
my eyes. It is not
easy, they teach
us to read as
children,
and for
t h e
rest
of our lives we remain the slaves of
all written stuff they fling in front of
us. I may have to make some effort
myself, at first, to learn not to read,
but now it comes quite naturally to
me. The secret is not refusing to look
at the written words. On the contrary,
you must look at them, intensely, until
they disappear “. Though, this is an anti
reading statement, it shows the power of
reading. It is a fact, If you learn to read
, you can’t resist reading throughout
your life .Whatever comes before your
eyes, even if you did not want to read,
you will read .Yes , you are become a
slave of the words.
Is reading simply a natural choice?
The enjoyment you get from reading
cannot be replaced by anything. Still,
we are seriously concerned about
Reading. Actual concern is
about serious type of reading.
The roots of reading in Kerala have a
great history. It was a tedious process of
democratization of literature. And reading
became a vehicle of democratic action.
Someone immersed in books are less
visible now. The process of reading
is much more complicated. If there
is 'serious reading’, there is 'light
reading' also. In Kerala, thirty years
before the main discussion on book
reading was circling around a fear,
“Will reading become a vanishing
habit? The publishers, librarians,
writers, social activists all actively
participated in the debate on the
sad state of the reading mainly
Malayalam literary works.
Considering the rich tradition
of Malayalam literature, it was a
g rav e co n ce r n . D e c a d e s a g o ,
Changampuzha Krishna Pillai’s
famous poem, “Ramanan” broke
all history in publishing industry,
printing new editions each year and
sometimes two editions in a year. In
those times, the reading trend was
not as simple as you can imagine. But,
lots of people used to recite the whole
poem. And, the most important thing
is that a number of illiterate people
learned to read and write just for the
sake of reading Ramanan. It instilled
in them a bliss that even saints could
not achieve. Hence, Malayalees
become literate to read one single
poem.
The roots of reading in Kerala
have a great histor y. It was a
tedious process of democratization
of literature. And reading became
a vehicle of democratic action.
Malayalees passionately participated
in it. Different social movements
also joined. Lots of oraganisers
participated in this movement.
Progressive forces worked against
the religious/ castiest divisions,
women’s emancipation, all together
encouraged the reading movement.
Later, the libraries become the
cultural centre of each village in
Kerala. Under the leadership of PN
Panicker, the Kerala Grantha Shala
Sangham too participated in this
movement. But village libraries, at
the advent of new technologies and
modern entertainment possibilities,
are now in a deserted condition.
When television invaded the drawing
rooms, village libraries became
monument of past cultural activities.
But in the cities, public libraries
remained as a refreshing point where
reading is the major activity. State
Central Library previously known
as Trivandrum Public Library, which
is the one of the oldest ones in the
country proves this. Even in the
huge flood of Ipad, Kindle, E reader
,the number of people coming and
April 2016
11
taking membership is getting more
and more increased . In the Public
Library, for the last five years around
40,000 new memberships have been
issued. The active membership of the
library is 70,000.
The Reading trend
Trivandrum. Most of these readers
tend to be passive later. But, some of
these members who find enjoyment
in reading will continue this habit of
visiting the library.
Trend among children
In 2011, I conducted a survey
All these members solely use the on the reading habits of the school
library for reading despite the lack of children in Trivandrum city. The
authentic data about their reading questionnaire was basically focusing
on whether they
trends. But, from our professional
experience, we can clearly make
out who constitute the
In the
majority of the readers,
Public Library,
their preferences, and
we are able to plan
for the last five years
things to improve
around 40,000 new
reading. Majority of the
memberships have
members are students.
been issued. The active
A Recent trend is that
membership of the
those who are interested
library is 70,000.
in reading are not only
continue as active members
but they are the regular visitors
to the library as well. Others
take membership for a purpose,
like writing for civil service other
competitive exams, like PSC coaching
etc. Some are temporary settlers
who come for a short period to
12
April 2016
get encouragement to read books.
It is found that while the parents
are less interested in reading, their
grandparents are good readers. This
explains how children become less
interested in reading. Also, the
children do not get any remarkable
support from schools or any other
institutions.
The major objectives of the survey
were to analyze the following things.
Are enough books available for
Children? If So, from where? Does
anyone give instructions about
reading? While reading books,
whether they assess the writers?
Are there enough opportunities
to share reading experiences? Is
there any hindrance in reading for
the students who do not study in
Malayalam medium? How parents,
Schools, different libraries intervene
the reading of Children?
70% of Children like to read
books. Of the children who have no
affinity for reading, 17% pointed out
lack of time is the reason. Most of the
Children (54%) depend school library
for books . 34 % children take books
from the State Central Library . 45%
Children’s parents buy books for
them . 60% children get books in their
birthdays or other special occasions.
18.3 % Children get gift from their
mother while only 16.6 % get books
The information technology has a great impact in reading habits.
Its influence has no limitations.
Mostly the effect is on the format of reading.
from father and 8% Children get
books from their close relatives or
family friends. 56% Children are
interested to read English books only.
46% Children interested in reading
Malayalam books. 7% Children do
not read Malayalam books since
they did not know the language.
43% Children do not read Malayalam
books as they do not want to. 54%
Children interested in reading fiction.
Only 10% Children interested to read
History and Political books. 65%
children read news paper every day.
But only 27% Children only read
more than 100 books.
Most of the children say Wings
of Fire by APJ Abdul Kalam is their
favourite book. Second favourite
is Sherlock Holmes. Then come
Harry Porter, Gums Bumps, Famous
Five Chronicle of Narnia, etc. 40%
Children discuss it with their friends.
36% talk to parents about the book,
24 % Children do not have interest
in talking about books. 88% Children
get instruction to what to read. The
most influencing person behind
reading at home is none other than,
the Mother.
Most of the children do not show
special affinity to any author. But,
any way, Enid Blyton is the most
favourite author, Children identify
with Enid Blyton as their favourite
author. Then J K Rowling, Vaikom
Mohammed Basheer, Shakespeare,
Pottekatt, R L Stevenson, ONV
Kurup etc. Finally, I have come to
the conclusion that the real problem
lies with recognition. A reader is
not respected as a reader. Children
and their parents need recognition
and respect. Other activities like
singing and dancing get encouraged
and recognised. But in this era of
sophistication an avid reader is just
like the marginalised.
Reading activities of other
organizations are valuable in this
context. The celebration of Vayana
Dinam (Kerala State Library Council)
and National Library week have
really accelerated the reading habits.
The new advanced technology is
not threat to reading. But, the life
of printed books is on the verge of
extinction. Printing and Publishing
industr y faces serious sur vival
problems. Small publishers which
were prominent in Kerala, has
vanished. The writers find it is more
difficult to get their books published.
The writers themselves have to
bear the expenditure incurred for
publishing using the well known
publisher’s label. With the advent
of Digital Printing, new options are
also emerged. It is possible to print
single copy instead of Bulk quantities,
known as Print on Demand. In this
process, copies of a book (or other
document) are not printed until an
order has been received, allowing
books to be printed singly, or in small
quantities.
The information technology has
a great impact in reading habits. Its
influence has no limitations. Mostly
the effect is on the format of reading.
The unpredictable revolution changed
radically the reading scenario.n
The writer is State Librarian, State
Central Library
April 2016
13
Cover Story
VK Adarsh
E
To th
worlde
e-rea new,
opne ding
word s a
world erful
14
April 2016
Reading
Readi
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n
.
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ar
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Continued on Page 23
April 2016
15
Cover Story
Ravi Deecee
Relevance of
Book
Fairs
World
Book
Day
23rd April is the World Book
Day. It is celebrated across
the world. April 23, 2016 is
celebrated as the 400th year
of William Shakespeare’s
death. Shakespeare is
believed to have born on the
23rd April as well. This is the
key reason for making April
23rd as World Book and
Copyright Day. Across the
globe, Publishing Fraternity
celebrates April 23rd, and
many events are coordinated
to celebrate it as the day
of books. India started
celebrating World Book
Day in a big way from the
year 2000. In Kerala also,
World Book Day is given
importance by the readers,
publishers and the media.
16
April 2016
B
ook Fairs play a pivotal role
in inculcating reading and
spreading the knowledge in
the society. For many of us
book fairs are the best avenue
for browsing through tens of
thousands of books.
In many parts of India
book fairs are the only
option to buy books. Book
fairs function as the vehicle
to introduce many to the
world of knowledge and
creativity. National Book
Trust India and many other
organizations take active
role in conducting book fairs
in rural and urban India, and
thus introducing them to a
new world.
In Kerala, the case is
different, but still lot of
people wait and keep aside
a sizeable amount of money
to buy books from some of
the major book fairs. Unlike
other parts of India Kerala
has strong network of over
6000 rural libraries and
bookstores in every nook
and corner. But book
fairs still attract a
lot of people due
to the activities
they organize and it is a
window to get introduced
to many authors and to
interact with them. Darsana
Book Fair, Kottayam, DC
International Book Fair at
Trivandrun & Cochin and
Book Fairs organized by
Kerala Sahitya Akademy at
Thrissur are the major book
fairs of Kerala
International Book Fairs
Book Fairs across the
globe, are mainly of two
types.
Book Fairs related to trade
Book Fairs for consumers
Most people refer to
Frankfur t Book Fair as
the largest book fair in
the world. It is true and
the scale of the book fair
is something beyond the
imagination of many of us.
It will take at least 7-10 days
to just have a glimpse of the
entire book fair. Publishers/
Industr y personnel take
their appointment months
in advance to meet their
industry counterparts, for
the trade book fairs. It is
purely a trade book fair. It
is the place where publishers, book
sellers and literary agents meet from
all over the world.
Frankfurt Book Fair usually
happens in the second Wednesday of
every year till the Sunday. Frankfurt
Book Fair, attracted over 269,000
people from 132 countries last year
and among the people attended,
170,000 are from the trade and the
rest in the last two days of the Fair
are from Frankfurt and around to
witness the book fair. Most of these
local visitors browse through the
German books only. Book Industry
from the entire world meets there to:
l Discuss on publishing rights
l Translations
l To buy books for distribution &
selling
l On e-Book rights and other new
media
l To u n d e r s t a n d t h e l a t e s t
technology in publishing
l Rights for Cinema, animation,
graphic novel & other areas
l To meet literar y agents to
introduce and to promote the
rights through them
l To attend seminars, workshops
etc. on publishing and book selling
related areas and to understand
emerging trends
London Book Fair, Paris Book
Fair, Book Expo America are some
of the other major trade book fairs
of the world where the trade meets.
Bologna Book Fair in Bologna, Italy, is
the largest Children’s Book Fair in the
world for trade. The composition of
the book fair is different from other
trade book fairs where emphasis is
given for other areas like illustrators,
animation experts to new technology
in introducing books to children etc.
takes prominent place along with
the regular prescriptions of a trade
book fair.
Book Fairs in developing nations
Book Fairs have a totally different
definition to countries like India,
China, South East Asia, L atin
America, Africa, Middle East and
many other parts of the world. It
functions as a part of the festival
calendar of many places. It is a part
of the annual calendar of millions
of people to be with books and with
authors and a whole lot of activities.
Some of the largest consumer
Book Fairs in the world are:
l World Book Fair, Kolkata and New
Delhi
l Guadalajara International Book
Fair, Guadalajara, Mexico
l Sharjah International Book Fair,
Sharjah, UAE
l Havana Book Fair, Havana, Cuba
But at least a few dozen of the
similar book fairs have not been
mentioned in this article. These book
fairs are probably more important
to the general public than the trade
book fairs. Millions of people attend
these book fairs every year. Regional,
national and international authors
of repute are also brought in, to
interact and to have dialogue with
the readers. These authors are also
the part reason for the huge success
of these book fairs.
Regional, national
and international
authors of repute
are also brought
in, to interact and
to have dialogue
with the readers.
These authors
are also the part
reason for the
huge success of
these book fairs.
April 2016
17
The public and the media
celebrate these literature
festivals by attending in
huge numbers and providing
excellent coverage in the media,
respectively. Corporate houses and
governments promote these literature
festivals on a grand scale.
World Book Fair, Kolkata/New
Delhi draws 100’s of thousands of
people every day, and it is quite
fascinating to see the kind of rush
and the enthusiasm it generates.
Youth as well as others spend almost
a day with their friends and relatives
sharing information on books of
their interest and buying books from
various stalls. They also attend many
of the author interaction sessions,
seminars etc. to get themselves
updated.
Sharjah International Book Fair,
under the patronage of the ruler of
Sharjah, is the largest Book Fair in
the Middle East and emerging as one
among the top consumer book fairs
of the world.
Literature Festivals
Literature festivals across the
18
April 2016
world form a part of the cultural
calendar of any nation. In recent
t i m e s , n a t i o n s h av e s t a r t e d
competing to have more art and
literature festivals, each vying for
the top spot. India has succeeded in
having almost 20 literary festivals
from Delhi to Chennai.
Internationally, Hay Festival, on
the banks of Hay-on-Wye, Wales, UK
is the most popular festival. The Hayon-Wye model has been replicated
across the globe with Hay Literature
Festivals in Colombia, USA, Africa,
Australia, Sri Lanka to many other
places.
JLF, which started in a small way,
is one of world’s biggest literary
events with more than 200,000
people attending the Festival.
Mumbai International Literar y
Festival, Goa Arts & Literary Festival,
Kolkata Literature Festival, Lucknow
Literary Festival, Hyderabad Literary
Festival, Chennai Literature Festival,
Bangalore Literature Festival are
some of the major festivals in India.
The public and the media celebrate
these literature festivals by attending
in huge numbers and providing
excellent coverage in the media,
respectively. Corporate houses
and governments promote these
literature festivals on a grand scale.
Kerala Literature Festival
Kerala Literature Festival (KLF)
was conducted for the first time in
the state, from 4th to 7th February
2016 at the Kerala Ports Ground,
at the beach in Kozhikode. The
event which was heralded as a grand
success and had the participation of
over 6000 accredited
libraries. Don’t be
surprised if you
come across a
library even
in a small
hamlet.
Recent
over 200 writers of both national
and international repute. Acclaimed
writers such as Taslima Nasrin,
Ashok Vajepyi, M T Vasudevan Nair,
Prathibha Ray, Jaishree Misra and
many more graced this mega literary
event. A participation of over one lakh
attendees made this event a unique
celebration of literature, culture
and art. A wonderful participation
of youth was also extraordinary
feature of the festival; in fact there
was an active participation of over
200 college students as volunteers
for the festival. Many renowned
artistes such as T M Krishna,
Mattanoor Sankarankutty Marar,
Rajashree Warrier gave scintillating
performances in the cultural evening
planned across all days of the event.
KLF, as it is conceived, will be a
major platform for readers, writers
and the general public to interact on
areas ranging from literature, culture,
art and lifestyle. KLF was conducted
on the lines of the Hay Festival
and the Jaipur Literature Festival
(JLF), which are among the leading
literature festivals internationally.
KLF had ushered in the mood similar
to Thrissur Pooram, a highlight in
Kerala’s cultural calendar.
The unique litercy climate of Kerala
Kerala has one of the most
vibrant publishing programmes in
the country, on par with and many
a time ahead of English, Bengali
and Marathi. Kerala is not just
a literate state but a state where
literature, reading, writing and book
buying thrive. The literary climate is
nurtured by the visible presence of
forum for people to meet, interact
and deliberate on contemporary
issues. Kerala Literature Festival
will continue this tradition and the
programme has been designed with
these ideas in mind.
In the backdrop of the great
success of the debut event, the
D C K i z h a ke m u r i Fo u n d at i o n
in collaboration with various
surveys have shown that every
household has more than one
reader and books are bought
regularly. Trivandrum
is considere d the
reading capital of
India, and Kerala
is considered
the reading
territory of India with over
6 0 0 0 r u ra l l i b ra r i e s ,
highest number of
circulated magazines,
most books and
dictionaries
sold.
What
makes
Kerala’s reading culture unique is
the ease with which it straddles
both Malayalam and English books.
The publishing industry in Kerala is
vibrant with books being published
in all genres: fiction, non-fiction,
Puranas and classics, self-help,
health, lifestyle, children’s books,
illustrated comics and new genres
being added by the day
Literature festivals across
India and the world have become a
organizations and writers propose
to conduct the second edition of
Kerala Literature Festival (KLF
2017) from the 2nd February to 5th
February, 2017 at the Beach Grounds
in Kozhikode. The grand success of
the first ever Literature Festival of
Kerala, has strengthened its resolve
to organize and deliver a festival on
a much larger scale for the second
edition. n
The writer is CEO, DC Books
April 2016
19
Books for a Lifetime
Vaikkom Murali
For the
Newest
Generation
R
20
eading is regarded as one of
the yardsticks for determining
the cultural benchmark of the
people of a country. Despite
the sophistication attained on
material grounds, no civilization
is deserved to be called “cultured”
unless it takes serious reading
on par with material fulfilment.
Therefore, time demands the
evaluation on the importance
of being a well –read people.
Reading has been retained by
generations; it has nurtured
civilizations and above all created
a fertile soil for novel ideas and
social changes.
April 23 is observed across
the world as World Book Day.
This day is the birthday as well as
the death day of the Great Bard
of England, William Shakespeare.
And, the year1616 is observed
as the 400 th death anniversary
of Shakespeare (1616-2016).
Shakespeare re- wrote the
reading habit of the world.
In this context, it is very
important to think about
the reading of the Newest
Generation and suggest
April 2016
10 important books for life
time (at least 10) so as to
retain their humaneness
and compassion to the
society at large. To me,
reading is my soul and
life and it transcended me
to extreme and sublime
meditational level. When
I think on these lines, I
can suggest many a book
irrespective of cultural and
terrestrial boundaries. So, I
think selection of 10 books
might involve a risk but a
necessity. When I make this
selection, I’m extremely sad
for not mentioning many
books worth reading from
World Literature.
In my list here, I place
the novel Don Quixote by
Miguel de Cervantes as
the first one. Cervantes
is the Valmiki of Spanish
Literature. Classics
are timeless. Apart
from being one of the
masterpieces in Spanish
Literature, it transcends
language barriers and it
has been translated into
English many times. It
was originally written
in Spanish of which the
first part in 1605 and the
second one in 1615. I invite
the attention of the new
generation to the English
Translation done by Edith
Grossman in 2004. Start
your journey from here
and enjoy the adventures
of Don Quixote along with
his friend Sancho Panza.
The touch of the refined
modern English makes
reading more enjoyable
and exciting. This novel is
the first of its kind among
modern novels in World
Literature. The novel is
set on the 11th century
Spain. It tells silently
the free mindedness and
unending inquisitiveness
of the entire human race.
The sorrows and sufferings
in Don Q uixote ’s life
are transformed as the
unending free spirit of Cervantes.
Secondly, I take you to Russia. Yes,
the greatest of all novelists, Count
Leo Tolstoy’s War Peace. All
works of Tolstoy are deserved
Read
to be called classics. But, I took
has b ing
this particular one from the
retain een
writing table of Tolstoy. This
is a monumental work set
gene ed by
on the Russian life during
it has rations;
the attacks of Napoleon
nurtu
Bonaparte. Tolstoy had
civiliz red
the extra ordinary talent
and aations
to tread through the
all cre bove
minds of his characters
fertile ated a
and this novel is not
nove soil for
an exception. A lot of
l
and s ideas
characters play their
life parts and an
chan ocial
ges.
objective historical
background and is
set as the stage
fo r t h e n o v e l .
The complexities
o f t h e c h a rac te rs
are presented
with incredible
brevity through a
novel structure.
Th e t u r b u l e n t
April 2016
21
ambience of that particular
time is woven around the
novel with insinuating
fingers. Literary critics
agree with one another that
this is one of the best in
Western Novel history both
in plot and in structure.
Young readers, take your
tour to find out the real soul
of Russia!
Again I point to Russia!
Look... there stands a man
looks like a farmer. His
name is Fyodor Dostoevsky
and the bibliophiles cannot
spare his works especially
Crime and Punishment.
You can have a mysterious
journey along the darkest
paths of the human mind
through this novel. The
novel has been read and
reread by readers over
decades. The characters will
haunt you and you may get
disturbed by the face to face
22
April 2016
encounter with you own
conscience. Rascolnikov,
the protagonist, is the
symbol of an
ordinary human
being met with
tragic incidents.
Crime and
Punishment and
its Characters
instils in us hatred
to ourselves as it
is the story o our
own mind. So, I
place it in the shelf
of immortality.
The fourth one
is none other than
Les Miserables,
the French novel. It
needs no introduction
as it is widely read in
Malayalam through the
translation of Nalappatt
Narayana Menon. The
novelist Victor Hugo, the
leading light of French
Romantic
Movement, was mainly a
p o e t
and novel writing was only
his vocational interlude.
The French wine flowed in
his veins and the French
spirit flowed from his pen.
Yet, Les Miserables
withstands time
with its political
philosophy of the
nineteenth century
and the presentation
of the marginalised.
It represents the true
French spirit to the
oppressed.
No w we t u r n to
our ow n countr y. I
recommend you to read,
My Experiments with
Truth, the autobiography
of Mahatma Gandhi.
When u read this book, u
will be amazed and become
a refined individual. The
New Generation can stand
only with an ‘Awe” before
the eventful life this extra
ordinary legendary man!
No w, l e t ’s t u r n to
German literature. The
Magic Mountain, by
Th o m a s M a n n
Stands as
the 6th one in my list. It
is widely praised as the
legendary novel of the 20th
century. This is his second
novel. The first one was
Buddenbrooks. It was written
before the advent of Nazism and
has prophetic tone in it.
The seventh one is a volume of
poems, Cantos General, written
by the Chilean Poet Pablo Neruda.
This is a sublime work that portrays
the history and political incidents
of Latin America. It shows how
a writer reacts to the present
uncomfortable and turbulent
situations of his own time. One of
the poem, The Heights of Machu
Picchu, deserves much more praise.
Once again Latin America.
Now, it’s the Columbian novelist
Gabriel Garcia Marquez , the
Nobel Laureate, and his much
acclaimed novel One Hundred years
of Solitude. Marquez also needs
no introduction as the Keralites
considers him as their own writer.
Marquez, his fictional world Macon
do, his characters such as Ursula
Buendia, Col. Aurileano Buendia
are household names in Kerala
just like Koomen Kavu and Ravi in
Khazakkinte Ithihasam.
The nineth one is from Greece.
It is Report to Greco, by the Greek
novelist Nikos Kazantzakis. This is
almost autobiographical in nature
and also serves a window to the
other great works of Kazantzakis.
The tenth, to me not the last,
one is The Bridge over Drina by
the Bosnian man of letters, Ivo
Andric. It is undoubtedly a great
masterpiece. The bridge witnessed
many wars and civil wars at
Visegrad in Bosnia. It details the
war between Ottoman Force and
Austro Hungarian forces. This novel
underscores the futility of war.
Again I say with emphasis that
this is only a selection. Those who
are not mentioned here are as great
as these writers. It is a humble
attempt to open a door to World
Literature to the New Generation.
Get ready! Get into the wonderful
world of Literature and become true
human beings! n
The author is a leading literacy critic
in Kerala
Continued from Page 15
from one page to the next page.
When more clarity is required in
essays and articles, a method is
followed that an indication with a
sign or number is given above the
word concerned or sentence and
the explanation will be given at the
end of the page or the book. But in
E-Reading, hyperlinks are provided
instead of such indications in order
to obtain extra information. When
the mouse or pointer is clicked above
the words or sentences, a new page
will appear with more information
connected with them. When a person
reads the article about the Nobel
Peace Prize, if he clicks on the name
of Al Gore, he can go to the web site
of Al Gore. Thus he could enter easily
from the book which he was reading
to the personal web site of Al Gore.
While the ordinary book confines the
reader in a particular book, E-Book
takes the reader from one book
to another one even without the
knowledge of him. The experience
of reading with hyperlinks is known
as non-linear reading.
It is a fact that writings became
popular because of the introduction
of printing machines and the
handwritten documents became
irrelevant. Information reached
the people more easily. But the
possibilities of electronic media have
changed the printing media into a
vast canvas. The very application
of the technology is not to transfer
a medium to another medium,
but to reproduce a new medium
after absorbing all the possibilities
of the former one. Application of
technology is to transform the
existing system and not to translate
the existing system.
It can be said that certain other
limitations of ordinary book reading
have been overcome by E-Reading.
The experience of the symphony
of Beethoven cannot be explained
as it is heard. You will never get
the information that how he had
overcome the disabilities of his
body and how he had created such
magnificent works! These are the
limitations of two of our previous
technologies (Printing and Audio).
But E-Reading is the appropriate
merging of these technologies. You
can hear the symphony of Beethoven,
you can understand the backgrounds
of the creation of it and you can
understand Beethoven. You can
utilize all these three possibilities in
E-Reading according to the interest
of the reader.
Another possibility of E-Book
is its capacity of searching. If you
type a word in the search box,
you can easily understand how
many times that word is repeated
in the article and wherever they are
used and you can reach at the spot
immediately. Search engines and
this kind of search are to be seen
from two different perspectives.
While such a search in an article
provides the required information,
a search engine provides a flood
of hyperlinks. Such a flood may
not give you the real and required
information. You can understand
the real headache of this flood when
you receive millions of indications of
information on your desktop.
A toon to the disabled
It may not be practical to convert
the books always into Braille letters
for blind readers. But if you use ‘text
to speech’ facility of E-Reading, it
would be helpful for anybody as well
as the disables to hear and enjoy
the book. No extra equipment is
required for this facility other than
an addition of an extra software.
Another new facility is also there
which will be activated by receiving
our own voice.
Hence, E-Reading is a wonderful
blessing for the new world. n
Th e w r i t e r i s S e n i o r M a n a g e r
(Technical) Union Bank of India
April 2016
23
Cover Story
Rajesh C
The stuff that
dreams are made on
William Shakespeare (1564-1616)
This year is observed as the
400th death anniversary of William Shakespeare.
Even after all the greatest writers of all time.
W
hen Akbar ruled Delhi, it was one
of the golden periods of Mughal
rule. At this time, England was also
illuminated with the rule of Queen
Elizabeth I, under whose patronage
the literary luminaries of England
shone much more brightly than ever
before. A number of literary figures
emerged out from the ancient but
classy Universities such as Oxford
and Cambridge. These well educated
university wits included Christopher
Marlow whose life was cut short at
the tender age of 29 by the tip of
sharpened knife. Though brief was
his career, he produced everlasting
works such as Dr. Faustus. Another of
these University products was Robert
Greene.
And, these fresh, University wits
had something common in their
blood. It is none other than envy. Envy
towards an uneducated man, never
even attended high school or middle
school but an elementary school. His
name was William Shakespeare and
his brilliance has been unattainable
by the educated even today itself.
Without Shakespeare, English
24
April 2016
language and literature might have
been existed but it would have been
much poorer!
A lot of has been written about
William Shakespeare so I don’t
dare for a repetition Context is
everything, because no one knows
who Shakespeare really was. Hence
I would like to summarise his life in
this way.
He was born at Stratford-upon
Avon on April 23 1564 to John
Shakespeare and Mary Arden
He attended the Grammar school
at Stratford
He married Anne Hathaway, a girl
at least seven years older than him,
from his hometown Stratford; they
had three children.
He died on April 23, 1616.
He is buried at Stratford –uponAvon.
Q ue e n E l i z a b e t h h ad b e e n
reigning nearly six years when William
Shakespeare was born.
Since William Shakespeare lived
more than 400 years ago, and many
records from that time are lost or
never existed in the first place, we
Shakespeare
did not
create his
own stories
except for
The Tempest
and Love’s
Labour’s
Lost. He
mainly
rewrote
stories
that had
been told
elsewhere.
Some
famous
words and
phrases
years (1588-1612). And, these
Addiction
24 years re wrote the entire
Othello, Act
II, Scene II
literar y preconceptions
Archand contributed tragedies,
villain
comedies and poetry which
Timon of
are unique, timeless, and
Athens,
still marvel and baffle critics
invented by
Act V,
and writers of all eras.
Scene I
Shakespeare
Th e g r e a t n e s s o f
Shakespeare lies in two aspects
Assassination
Macbeth, Act I, Scene
1. The emotional impact of the
VII
stories he tells
Belongings
2. The use of language to convey
Measure for Measure, Act
character
I, Scene I
Shakespeare did not create his
Cold-blooded
own stories except for The Tempest
King John, Act III, Scene I
and Love’s Labour’s Lost. He mainly
The greatness of
Dishearten
rewrote stories that had been told
William Shakespeare
Henry V, Act IV, Scene I
elsewhere. But what differentiates
Fashionable
The period of Shakespeare’s literary
those stories from what Shakespeare
Troilus and Cressida, Act
activity extends over twenty four
wrote is his interest in the complexities
III, Scene III
don't know everything about his life.
For example, we know that he was
baptized in Stratford-upon-Avon,
100 miles northwest of London, on
April 26, 1564. But we don't know
his exact birth date, which must have
been April 23.
We do know that Shakespeare's
life revolved around two locations:
Stratford and London. He grew up,
had a family, and bought property in
Stratford, but he worked in London,
the centre of English theatre. As an
actor, a playwright, and a partner in
a leading acting company, he became
both prosperous and well-known.
Multitudinous
Macbeth, Act II, Scene II
Half-blooded/
hot-blooded
King Lear, Act V, Scene III/
Act III, Scene III
Pageantry
Pericles, Prince of Tyre,
Act V, Scene II
April 2016
25
The Five
Greatest
Shakespearian
Characters
HAMLET
The Prince of Denmark, the title character,
and the protagonist. About thirty years old
at the start of the play, Hamlet is the son of
Queen Gertrude and the late King Hamlet,
and the nephew of the present king, Claudius.
Hamlet is melancholy, bitter, and cynical,
full of hatred for his uncle’s
scheming and disgust
f o r h i s m o t h e r ’s
sexuality. A reflective
an d t h ou g h t fu l
young man who
has studied at
the University
of Wittenberg,
Hamlet is often
Hamlet
26
indecisive and hesitant,
but at other times
prone to rash and
impulsive acts.
FALSTAFF
O l d , f a t , l a z y,
selfish, dishonest,
corrupt, thieving,
manipulative, boastful,
and lecherous, Falstaff
is, despite his many negative
qualities, perhaps the most popular of all of
Shakespeare’s comic characters. Though he is
technically a knight, Falstaff’s lifestyle clearly
renders him incompatible with the ideals of
courtly chivalry that one typically associates
with knighthood.
of the poetic spark in him.
of character and
A Riddle Wrapped
The first period (1590motivation and
In Mystery Inside An
1595) saw his dramatic
is able to make these
Enigma
apprenticeship and
emotions of these characters
If Milton’s Paradise Lost is a mighty pyramid of
experimentation.
seem real. He adapted stories
English literature, Shakespeare’s hamlet is the Mona
Plays of this
from history books about
Lisa. Hamlet can be well described as ‘a riddle wrapped
in
mystery
inside
an
enigma”.
Criticism
and
the
stage
stand
period are marked
English Kings, tragedies
before it baffled though not muted. If Lady Macbeth is the
by their youthful
by the Roman playwright
ambition and despair of all Shakespearian actresses, the play
exuberance
Seneca, biographies of
Hamlet is the ambition and despair of all critics and actors.
of fancy and
ancient Romans written
Hamlet remains the most challenging to the stage. Even
amorousness
by Plutarch.
though supernatural powers play a significant role in his
and by the use of
Shakespeare was open
plays such as Macbeth and Hamlet, his vision about
rhymed couplet.
life after death is crystal clear in the play Hamlet
to outward influences.
itself. Hamlet dies without a vision of paradise,
Venus and Adonis,
Every side of his nature
without beckoning towards a better life. “The
R ape of Lucrece,
and every impression awoke
rest”, he says, “is silence”. For Hamlet and
T
i
t u s A nd ro n i c u s ,
an echo within him. Nothing
Shakespeare, there is nothing after
HenryV1,
Love’s labour’s
escaped his senses and nothing
death: it is a void, an absence of
Lost,
Comedy
of Errors,
was indifferent to him. He sought to
meaning.
Two Gentlemen of Verona,
comprehend everything; everything
Richard 11, and King John were
aroused in him pleasure or aversion,
S e l f
penned by him.
and when more deeply stirred, joy
reliance was the characteristic of the
In the second period (1595or sorrow.
age. Self expression was another. It
1600), mirthful, joyous comedies
Th e S h a k e s p e a r i a n a g e
was an age of intense curiosity, and
and historical plays were flowed out.
Shakespeare lived during the reign of
exuberant joy of life.
Thought and language seem perfectly
Queen Elizabeth and it was the age in
balanced at this stage. Romeo and
which England was fully illuminated The Works
Shakespeare
altogether
wrote
37
Juliet, Midsummer Night’s Dream,
with the radiance of Renaissance.
Merchant of Venice,Henryv1 parts 1
Renaissance made a hundred flowers plays and 154 sonnets
In Shakespearean drama, almost and 2, Merry wives of Windsor,Much
bloom across Europe and in England
it found the most fertile soil. Queen every phase of the life of the age is ado about Nothing, As You Like It
Elizabeth entertained literary figures mirrored, from the particular fashion and Henry V.
Shakespeare was at his exciting
and her favourite among them was of the moment to the broad general
William Shakespeare. So the climate characteristics of the national life. best in the third stage (1601-1608).
was ready for the birth of a genius. Professor Dowden, 90 years ago This was the period of gloom and
divided Shakespeare’s dramatic depression and in Dowden’s words
In other words,
“Bliss was to be born in that age career into four periods. These the poet wrote out of the depths and
periods reflect the gradual growth is marked by the full maturity of his
To be young was too heaven!”
April 2016
RICHARD 111
LADY MACBETH
Also called the duke of Gloucester, and
eventually crowned King Richard III.
Deformed in body and twisted in mind,
Richard is both the central character
and the villain of the play. He is evil,
corrupt, sadistic, and manipulative,
and he will stop at nothing to become
king.
His intelligence, political
brilliance, and
dazzling use of
language keep
the audience
fascinated—
and his subjects
and rivals under
his thumb.
Lady Macbeth is one
of Shakespeare’s most
famous and frightening
female characters. When
we first see her, she is
already plotting Duncan’s
murder, and she is stronger,
more ruthless, and more
ambitious than her husband. She
seems fully aware of this and knows
that she will have to push Macbeth into
committing murder.
powers. The mighty Tragedies the
fruits of this depression. Hamlet,
King Lear, Macbeth, Othello sounded
the utmost depths of human nature
and considered the mystery of pain
and evil in life.
In the fourth period (1608-1612),
Shakespeare was fairly serene and
beautiful, witty Romances captivated
the hearts of the Elizabethean
audience. Pericles, Cymbeline, The
Tempest, The Winter’s Tale were
at once grave and grand, serene
and beautiful.
Shakespeare turned to
tragedies after mastering the crafts of
comedies. In tragedy, the impression
is dark whereas in comedy the
impression is light. Tragedy deals
with adversity while comedy deals
with happiness. The function of
comedy is amusement and correction.
But rather surprisingly, the famous
Dr. Samuel Johnson says that the
tragedies of Shakespeare seem to be
skilled whereas his comedies to be
instinct. But, a well balanced view is
that Shakespeare is a great writer of
tragedy as well as comedy. William
Basse, a famous English poet, writes
who Shakespeare really was in two
noted lines. This is a sonnet about
the final resting place of the Bard at
Stratford
“Under this carved marble of
thine own,
MERCUTIO
With a lightning-quick wit and a
clever mind, Mercutio is a scene
stealer and one of the most
m e m o r a b l e c h a r a c te r s
in all of Shakespeare’s
works. Though he
constantly puns, jokes,
and teases-sometimes
in fun, sometimes with
bitterness-Mercutio is not a
mere jester or prankster. With
his wild words,
Mercutio punctures
the romantic
sentiments and
blind self-love
that exist within
the plot
Sleep,Brave Tragedian,
Shakespeare,sleep alone”
The language of Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s plays and his
sonnets are crammed with puns.
Many of them are among the most
quoted phrases in the English
language: for example, the
opening lines of Richard III
– ‘Now is the winter of
our discontent made
glorious summer
by this sun of York,’
where the speaker,
Richard, is referring
to himself, a son of
the house of York. By
using that pun Shakespeare
transforms the seasons of
winter and summer into
the idea of bleak and good
times.
The density and beauty
of his language is precisely
what’s made his works stand
the test of time. Shakespeare used
language to create a rich experience
for his audience ,rather than simply
conveying a story. The Elizabethan
audience, however, was accustomed
to fluctuations in meaning and
pronunciation, so they would have
had a much easier time processing
his constant word play.
Th e l a n g u a g e u s e d b y
Shakespearean characters reveals
April 2016
27
en
T
op
T
e
Th
28
April 2016
achieve greatness, and some have
greatness thrust upon them.
(Twelfth Night)
Cowards die many times
before their deaths; the valiant
never taste of death but once.
(Julius Caesar)
Full fathom five thy father
lies, of his bones are coral made.
Those are pearls that were his
eyes. Nothing of him that doth
fade, but doth suffer a sea-change
into something rich and strange.
(The Tempest)
A man can die but once.
The sonnets of Shakespeare
(Henry IV, Part 2)
The Sonnets are Shakespeare's
How sharper than a serpent’s
most popular works,
tooth it is to have a
and a few of them,
thankless child!
such as Sonnet
(King Lear)
The
18 (Shall I
By heaven,
Shakespearian
compare
methinks
thee to a
age Shakespeare lived
it were an
summer's
during the reign of Queen
easy leap to
d a y ) ,
Elizabeth and it was the
pluck bright
Sonnet
age
in
which
England
honour
116 (Let
from the
was fully illuminated
me not
p
ale-faced
with the radiance of
to
the
moon, or dive
Renaissance.
marriage of
into the bottom
tr ue minds),
of the deep, where
and S onne t 73
fathom-line could never
(That time of year thou
touch the ground, and pluck up
mayst in me behold), have become
drowned honour by the locks.
the most widely-read poems in all
(Henry IV Part 1)
of English literature.
If you prick us, do we not
Here are Shakespeare’s most
bleed? If you tickle us, do we not
famous 20 quotes
laugh? If you poison us, do we not
To be, or not to be: that is the die? And if you wrong us, shall
question. (Hamlet)
we not revenge? (The Merchant
All the world‘s a stage, and of Venice)
all the men and women merely
I am one who loved not wisely
players. They have their exits and but too well. (Othello)
their entrances; and one man in
If to do were as easy as to know
his time plays many parts. (As
what were good to do, chapels had
You Like it)
been churches, and poor men’s
Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art
cottage princes’ palaces. (The
thou Romeo? (Romeo and Juliet)
Merchant of Venice)
Now is the winter of our
We are such stuff as dreams
discontent. (Richard III)
are made on, and our little life
Is this a dagger which I see
is rounded with a sleep. (The
before me, the handle toward my
Tempest) n
hand? (Macbeth)
The writer is Assistant Editor,
Some are born great, some I&PRD
their social class, personality,
mood and current situation. He
used prose and poetry as a means
of communications in his plays.
Gentlemen and Kings tend to
speak in rhymed/unrhymed verse
than that of the commoners.
Comic characters generally
speak in prose. For heightened
emotional experiences he uses
sublime poetr y. One finest
example we find in Romeo and
Juliet. The first meeting turns to
be a perfect fourteen line sonnet.
Bibliophile
Vishnu Darshan Soorandadu
Y
es, Babu Ragalayam has been in
Love since his childhood. And,
it was a platonic and everlasting
one. Without his love, he cannot
even breathe. To be precise, it is
his breath itself. He always wants
to spend his time in the company
of his love. And, the name of his
love is” Reading “.
Babu is a noted bibliophile in
Trivandrum. According to him,
it is his great boon in life. He has
read thousands of books and he
is proud of having a home library
which gives life to his beautiful
house. He has been a member of
the State Central Library since
70’s. Every day, it is his routine to
visit the library and read journals
and books. His parents, especially
his mother, were good readers.
They had immense influence on
his for encouraging his reading
habit.
According to Babu, reading
is not in the death bed. To him,
the new generation shows much
more interest in book reading. He
has hope in the new generation
writing as well. He notices
even the slightest changes in
Malayalam literary scenario and
says that the new writers are very
much talented and novel writing
techniques. “It is a misconception
that students and young people
go to the library only to take
competitive examination books
only. I have come across many
youngsters in the library and see
their taking literary books”. Babu
is optimistic. Babu is of the view
that writing should always be
experimental and new techniques
must be introduced in literature.
Babu says that for the growth
of any language, reading is
essential. "In our childhood days
reading was an enjoyment. But,
today enjoyment is replaced by
information. In the literary style
of the past generation, there was
prophetic tone of the future.
Today’s writing is realistic but it
lacks the prophetic tone is lost."
According to Babu, Vaikaom
Mohammed basher is such a
writer and he has started feminist
oriented literature in Malayalam.
Babu finds the future of
Malayalam literature in K .R
Meera, E santhoshKumar B.
Murali,Unni R and Subhash
Chandran. The book that has
had influence on him throughout
his life is Les Miserable by Victor
Hugo.
Babu Ragalayam is a retired
govt. Servant. His wife Sajini is
also a voracious reader and writer.
She got the Thakazhi award in
2015. He has got two sons. He
lives at Kudappanakkunnu in
Trivandrm.
Tel no.9495074450. n
The writer is an Information
Assistant, I&PRD
An
extraordinary
love affair
with Books...
April 2016
29
Bibliophile
Swami Bodhi Theertha
Guru Nitya Chaitanya Yati
The Sainthood
in Reading
Guru Nitya Chaithanya
was one of the
greatest readers
Kerala has ever seen.
I
30
April 2016
World
Children’s
Book Day
ntellectuals
and insig htful
personalities make a society
vibrant and lively. They create positive
and progressive waves in multitude and they
transform them in to pragmatic life. Now our
intellectual and imaginative horizon is void. We don't
see any streak of light in the distant silver line. That
may be the play of time or fate of society.
That was not the story of Kerala two decades
ago. Great litterateurs, poets critiques, artists
and political leaders could create new patterns of
thoughts and imaginations. Guru Nitya Chaitanya
Yati was one of such gleaming personalities that
influenced both the literate and the illiterate.
He was a paragon of practical wisdom and
compassion. Guru Nitya was a bibliophile and of
course he might have thought that books are souls
of great masters. When we read a magnum opus,
we really touch the heart of master. We were in fact
lifted to the peak of wisdom and drifted into the
Heliconian current .Such is the experience as we read
a work of Guru Nitya.
No field of knowledge was alien to Guru Nitya. His finger tip touched on
philosophy, psychology, mysticism ....oh wonderful that each emitted fresh notes
of beauty .His writing method was as sweet and beautiful as a musical concert. He
used to dictate from very depth of his inner life .He delves deep into the subject
in meditation and brings pearls and diamonds to readers. So we enjoy reading the
words of this contemplative.
This age is an age of destruction and division. To live here with composure and
compassion to all is very difficult.
But Nitya became triumphant in leading an unbiased life. No wonder in it that
he tread the path of Sree Narayana Guru who is the fresh voice humanity.
In Ooty Narayana Gurukula he used to sit in a chair surrounded by
beautiful books. He was happy to part with money y but not
with books. Books from the heart of immortal
writers was dear to Nitya. His
creative mind flutters
u p o n
n
o
p
u
e
c
On
M
.
.
.
a
d
e
v
i
l
erson
e
r
nd
e A
h
t
,
e Christian
m
i
t
a
writers
for Children
across the world, the
most famous is Hans Christian
Anderson who wrote many
fairy tales and other wonderful
stories. His birthday is observed
as World Children’s Book Day by
International Board on Books
for Young People (IBBY). The
day has been observed since
1967 and this is 5o th year of
observance. The day is observed
to increase the reading habit
among children. The sponsor for
International Children's Book
Day for 2016 is Brazil.
Hans Christian Andersen
was a product of two towns.
The two towns which had such
a decisive influence on him were
his native town of Odense, and
Copenhagen, where he lived and
worked for the greater part
of his adult life. He
was born
Hans
ay be this is the most exciting
and dear phrases appealing to
all especially children. In Every
man and every woman there lies
a child and it is our basic nature.
Once we say good bye to our
childhood, then only we come to
understand the loss of the lost
spring, the childhood.
C h i l d re n l o v e t o h e a r
stories. Their world is filled with
fantastic dreams and innocence.
And, a lot of books have been
written for children.
Among the
philosophy,
ar t, literature,
psychology...No doubt he
got inspiration and insight from the
works of Sree Narayana Guru .Kumaranasan's
poems were his favourite love and hope. He wrote
precious books on great writers of the east and the west. No need
of mentioning the works of NatarajaGuru ,Nitya's master and mentor.
NatarajaGuru affectionately allowed him only to ask questions while he was
writing his masterpiece, An Integrated Science of The Absolute .That is a unique
commentary on Sree Narayan Guru's Darsanamala..
Reading maketh a full man is the observation of Francis Bacon. Nitya is a full
man by all sense and means. We are aware of his fullness and tallness when puny
dwarfs are strutting on this soil. n
on
April 2
1805. Both as a
man and as a writer he
thus continually developed
and changed, but was also in
constant dialogue with himself
and even at times at war with
himself. Thus his social rise
provides the direct and indirect
motif in many of his tales, novels
and plays, both as a productive
source in his search for a new and
more comprehensive identity
and as a source of perpetual and
unresolved traumas.
No collection of fairy tales
would be complete without
the works of Hans Christian
Andersen. In fact, Andersen's
life was like a fairy tale in
many ways. Out of the poverty,
hardship, and loneliness of his
youth, he came to be one of the
most honoured men of his time.
Many of the more than 160 fairy
tales he wrote, including "The
Ugly Duckling," "The Princess
and the Pea," and "The Little
Mermaid," have become literary
classics enjoyed by children and
adults alike. n
The writer is the disciple of Guru Nitya Chaitanya Yati
April 2016
31
Children's Book Day
Prof. S Sivadas
Read books
feel like in heaven...
“S
ir, is there an alternative for reading?
I know reading is vital for my proper
upbringing, but find it difficult to
cultivate the habit. If some alternative
be, I could opt for it. “This was a querry
from a boy eager to come up in life but
unable to enjoy reading.
I smiled and said. “Dear one, there
exists one substitute! And that also is
reading! But believe me, once you tame
books, books will tame you and you will
feel like in heaven”. Taming? What is it? How can one tame
reading?”
Then I said: “Once long ago a ‘Little
Prince’ asked the same question to a
There is no
alternative for
reading.
And that
is also is
reading
32
April 2016
fox. You may read that story in “Little
Prince” a world famous novel.
The prince was full of love. He was on
a voyage and had landed on the earth. It
was a desert. He was all alone. He wanted
love. He wished for fun. He longed for
friends. So he approached a wild fox and
asked him to come and play. The fox was
perplexed, he pleaded not to come closer
to him since he was not tamed.
Taming! What is it? The Little
Prince asked. Then the fox said that was
something long forgotten by humans on
the earth. I am only one fox for you now
among the millions roaming here. But
once you tame me you see me as ‘YOUR
Yes. The one
and only way
to make your
life, your home,
the society and
your nation, and
this world in toto
into a heaven
is by dreaming
great dreams,
cherishing
great wishes
and acquiring
path breaking
knowledge
and heavenly
wisdom. Books
render all these
to all at all times.
Reading is the
golden gateway
to the magical
heaven of books.
FOX’, different from others. Your heart thumps
up as you see me. Same will be the case with
me. Now you are just some boy among the
millions for me. Taming is reciprocal. So once
you tame me, you become mine, I love you and
understand that you are unique.
Thus goes the story.
Now let me reveal the secret. If you want
to read, you have to love books. Love words.
Love the magic of combining words to make
sentences which render beautiful ideas, dreams,
imaginations, concepts and wisdom.
Taming requires patience. Taming requires
constant intimate interaction, acquaintance,
touch, caressing, communication all. For all
this you should have love. Remember, once
you tame your dear and near ones
you have transformed your life to
a worthy one. Now here is the rare
privilege of taming words, taming
the hundreds of books eagerly
waiting for your caressing. Take
them to your bosom, open them
tenderly like opening the petals
of a flower, begin reading , begin
engaging the rhythm of words,
the music of sentences and the
mesmerizing effect of imagination,
ideas and knowledge. Slowly you
are going to change, change from
the animal called ‘humans’ to
wonderful angels with heavenly
dreams and thoughts: You are
going to make your life into heaven.
Yes. The one and only way to
make your life, your home, the
society and your nation, and this
world in toto into a heaven is by
dreaming great dreams, cherishing
great wishes and acquiring path
breaking knowledge and heavenly
wisdom. Books render all these
to all at all times. Reading is the
golden gateway to the magical
heaven of books. Let us become
good readers and thus create a
beautiful world so that our future
generations too could inherit a
healthy globe. n
The writer is Chief Editor, Labour
India Publications
April 2016
33
Democracy
Dr. Josukutty C A
Democracy, People’s
Attitude and 14th Kerala
Assembly Elections
D
emocracy is the most preferred,
popular and best of form of
government in modern times.
Ever y government, even
totalitarian and authoritarian
systems, want to be known for
their democratic credentials.
The credibility of a democratic
government is based on the
attitude, perception and the
belief of the people in the values
and principles of democracy as a
form of government and way of
life. This is particularly true during
times of election, especially in a
politically conscious and charged
state like Kerala.
Elections play an important
role in democracy. There is real
tangible connection between
election and people and the
various process and activities
involved in it. Elections have the
capacity to effect internal reforms
34
April 2016
in a democracy. Casting vote is
not merely a symbolic, expressive
gesture but a communicative act,
signaling to the governments and
political parties the attitudes and
approaches of the people. Elections
give people the self-confidence
and the much needed social space
for political participation. During
elections people are empowered
a n d o rd i n a r y fo l k b e co m e
part of government. Elections
are occasions to evaluate the
performance of government and
ensure that the system adheres
to the professed values and
principles of democracy. Elections
make rulers accountable to the
people. Popular sovereignty, one
of the fundamental principles of
democracy, is ascertained and
renewed in elections. People
get an opportunity to ventilate
their grievances –express their
anger and fr ustration and
also satisfaction in elections.
Accordingly, people support,
oppose or remain indifferent
or neutral to the polices and
programmers of the government.
The vibranc y of democrac y
is experienced by the people
in an election. Elections are
celebration time for democracy.
According to Arend Lijphart
elections are the dance of
democracy. And in this process
elections have transformed the
self-understandings of people,
the very manner in which they
imagine themselves and respond
to the society and that is reflected
in exercise of their right to vote.
In other words, elections are
occasion in which people behave
on the basis of their perception
and attitude to democrac y
responding issues in the polity
and society.
Kerala is one the most lively
political spaces in the democratic
landscape of India. It is the most
s u b s t a n t i ve a nd d e l i b e rat i ve
democratic polity in the country.
Civil society organizations and
social movements in Kerala are well
known for their vibrancy and variety.
Kerala’s coalition practices and
decentralized governance
is a model for the entire
country. The level of
political
conscious and
participation in political activities
is higher than any other state in
India both in quantity and quality.
According to the study conducted
by the Survey Research Centre (SRC),
Department of Political Science,
University of Kerala, in 2015, people
in Kerala, generally have a very high
level of appreciation for democracy as
a form of government and way of life.
At the same subjecting government
and its performance to castigating
evaluation is an art perfected in
Kerala. This cross examination
of democrac y and it essential
ing redients like gover nment ,
political parties and politicians reach
its peak during elections. Kerala is
known to catch ’election fever’ at
the height of election campaigns.
This is to bring home the point that
as a democratic society with strong
credentials, people in Kerala form
opinions, perceptions and attitude
towards the polity and government,
which play a critical role in elections
reflecting upon the electoral fortunes
of various political and fronts.
It is pertinent to have a look at
the factors and issues that would be
communicated, discussed analyzed
by political parties, civil society and
the public at large in the upcoming
assembly elections in Kerala. These
factors and issues set the agenda
for the election. There are three
main set of issues and factors that
directly or indirectly influence the
attitude of the people in this
election. One,
t h e
development record
of the UDF; two, the allegation
that the government is corrupt as
propounded by the LDF; and three
the argument raised by the BJP that
both the UDF and LDF are corrupt
and inefficient and the only salvation
for the people is to elect the front led
by the BJP. The UDF has succeeded
in setting development as one of
the major agendas of this election
by highlighting the implementation
of mega projects such as Smart City,
Metro Rail, Vizhinjam Port, Kannur
airport etc. The perception that they
are trying to create is that the LDF
is unable to plan and implement
developmental activities for the
state. In addition, the welfare
activities carried out by the UDF
government including closure of
bars would also be widely discussed
in the election. The LDF is trying
to project corruption as the major
issue of this election by highlighting
allegations of the solar scandal and
bar bribery cases. The issues of rise
in the prices of essential commodities
and fall in the prices of agricultural
products like rubber would also be
used by the LDF to influence the
voters. The BJP and its partners
are trying to convey to the voters
the futility of both the UDF and the
LDF. According to them only they can
provide corruption free-development
driven government in Kerala. They
try to present both the LDF and the
UDF as corrupt and inefficient. In
raising these
issues, the
three
alliance
fronts in Kerala
politics are trying to win
the voters to their side.
Unlike the previous
elections, there are certain
new means through which the
perception and attitude of the
people would be influenced in this
election. The new social media like
the face book and twitter are already
a major campaign tools particularly
among the young people. Leaders
of various political parties are
increasingly using this medium to
influence people. This does not in
any way undermine the significance
of print and electronic media
and constituency based campaign
techniques by candidates and
political parties to influence the
voters.
Elections are won on the basis of
what attitude the political parties
and alliance fronts are able to create
in the minds of the people. The
battle for winning the perception
of the people is already on in Kerala.
The beauty of the whole exercise is
that people celebrate democracy
through election by communicating
their attitudes and approaches on
various issues confronting their
daily lives. These attitudes and
approaches converted into votes
would decide which front would rule
the state of Kerala for the next five
years.n
The writer is Assistant Professor,
Department of Political Science
University of Kerala
April 2016
35
World Health Day
Beat
Dr Sreejith N Kumar
O
nce upon a time it was considered
as a status symbol by the
aristocratic families. Few still
consider it as nothing more than
a state which deprives them sugar
of in tea. Well, Diabetes isn’t as
simple as that. On the contrary
it’s quite devastating, not just for
415 million (that
is one in eleven
adults) are
considered to have
Diabetes globally,
the figure for our
country being
estimated at 69
million.
36
April 2016
the individual, family or society
but for the whole globe itself.
That’s precisely why the World
Health Organisation (WHO) has
declared “Beat Diabetes” as the
theme for World health day this
year.
415 million (that is one in
eleven adults) are considered to
have Diabetes globally, the figure
for our country being estimated
at 69 million. The prediction
for 2040, is that 642 million
people (one in ten adults) are
going to be affected by Diabetes
globally. Every six-seconds a life
chance of loosing limbs nearly forty
times and is the leading cause for
failure of kidneys world wide and
in India. The economic burden it
produces to the family and society
also is quite big.
Challenge is huge
Though the challenge is huge, we
but the solution is here
do have solutions. We need to equip
Had it been one of those benign
ourselves to know the disease, its
problems we could have ignored.
math after and effectively intervene
Considering that, it is the sixth
to prevent the deadly consequences.
leading state causing loss of life
Diabetes, to put it simply, is
and the huge burden it produces
increased
glucose levels in blood.
on various vital organs, the threat
The
normal
level of blood glucose is
can never be ignored. Diabetes
increase risk of heart disease, stroke, less than 100 mg/dl before food and
blindness and nerve diseases. It less than 140 within two hours after
accelerates all infections, increases a meal. When these levels go beyond
126 and 200 mg/dl respectively the
is lost somewhere due to Diabetes,
accounting for five million deaths.
One in seven pregnancies, also gets
affected by Diabetes. These figures are
huge and the situation is alarming.
person is said to have Diabetes.
The values between the normal
and diabetes range qualify for ‘Pre
diabetes’.
With increasing blood glucose
there occurs various manifestations
in the body. Some people may have
the classic symptoms of Diabetes,
namely increased thirst, hunger,
urination and unexplained weight
loss. Many people, however, may not
have the symptoms, yet have high
glucose level in blood. Symptoms
might help to identify the disease,
but their absence in no way point to
a benign course. As the blood glucose
level raises so do the complications
too. Diabetes increases chances
April 2016
37
for infections and often plays a
big role in accelerating many. Even
trivial wounds might flareup, skin
infections become more common
and host of other infections affecting
urinary and respiratory systems too
occur with increasing frequency and
severity. Many people however may
not have any of these. What makes
Diabetes really dreaded are the
host of complications setting in after
some years.
As mentioned earlier it does
affect many organs in the body.
Damage is primarily caused to the
blood vessels. Affection of the small
blood vessels is called ‘micro vascular’
and the large ones ‘macro vascular’.
Disease of the eye (retinopathy),
kidney (nephropathy) and nerves
(neuropathy) are the predominant
micro vascular complications of
Diabetes. Heart attack, Stroke and
foot disease are the major macro
vascular complications. The burden
these complications produce to the
individual and community is indeed
quite huge.
It is possible to prevent Diabetes
The single most important step in the treatment of
Diabetes is to diagnose early and treat promptly.
This not only help in avoiding complications but
also will enable control with relatively simple and
cheap drugs for a longer time.
in the vast majority through simple
measures. We have to be aware
of this and effectively implement
these measures in the society.
Occurrence of Diabetes do have a
genetic component. But what has
changed in the last few years leading
to such an alarming rate of the
disease is not the genes, but lifestyle.
We have become more sedentary and
food has become abundant. Family
history of diabetes, sedentary habit,
lack of exercise, unhealthy food and
obesity are all known risk factors
for Diabetes. The disease can be
prevented to the tune of nearly sixty
percent by proper diet and exercise.
We have to strive to keep the waist
circumference (measure around the
belly at the point of umbilicus) less
than 90cm in males and 80 cm in
females. This will not only reduce
the chance for Diabetes but also for
heart disease.
38
April 2016
One has to exercise for half an
hour a day for at least five days a
week. All forms of aerobic exercise like
brisk walking, swimming, cycling and
dancing are good.
A healthy diet
While choosing food try to keep it
healthy by eating more of vegetables,
fruits and fibre and less of carbohydrate
and fat. An ideal food plate will consist
of two halves, one filled with veggies
and fruits and other with proteins and
cereals. One can lavish on vegetables,
low calorie drinks like butter milk,
lemon juice, black tea / coffee but cut
down heavily on rice, wheat, cereals, oil
and red meat. Sugar and sweets are not
good ,not just for people with Diabetes
but for every one in the society and
hence is strongly discouraged. Salt
content of the food also should be kept
minimum by avoiding extra salt on
table, salted chips, nuts and pickles. Its
always wise to eat healthy food and do
regular exercise.
Diet and exercise help not only in
preventing Diabetes in many, but also
to control the disease in those who
have already developed it. Though
it helps very much in control
of blood glucose in all stages of
the disease, most patients would
require drugs too. Some people
are scared to take drugs fearing
side effects. This is like walking to
Delhi, fearing that the train might
be unsafe. Few believe that taking
anti diabetic drugs for many years
can cause complications to organs.
Actually it is just the reverse. Not
taking proper medications and
keeping blood glucose high is the
reason for complications. Patients
with diabetes should aim to keep
blood glucose close to 100 mg/
dl before and around 150 mg/dl
after food. Regular checking of
blood glucose and judicious use of
drugs as guided by a Doctor really
helps in achieve these targets. It
is also important to keep blood
pressure, cholesterol and weight
also under check. A comprehensive
evaluation done at least once a year
will help in identifying associated
diseases and early complications
and will facilitate prompt and
proper treatment.
Beat diabetes
The aim is simple. Those without
Diabetes should not develop it and
those with the disease shouldn't go
in for complications. What needs
to be done is periodic checking for
blood glucose values (at least once
in three years after thirty to forty
years) and thorough attention to
diet, exercise and maintaining ideal
body weight (waist). The single most
important step in the treatment of
Diabetes is to diagnose early and
treat promptly. This not only help in
avoiding complications but also will
enable control with relatively simple
and cheap drugs for a longer time.
Effective community intervention
programmes have to be planned
and implemented to ensure the
measures suggested above. With
collective effort, we will be definitely
able to overcome the devastating
c o n s e q u e n c e s o f t h i s ‘s w e e t
catastrophe’. Let this World health
day herald such attempts and enable
us to overcome the challenge posed
by Diabetes. n
The author is Consultant in Diabetes
and Former State President, IMA
April 2016
39
Health
Dr. Zinia T Nujum
It is high time
A
40
April 2016
Human Development Index and improved
life expectancy rates. But, the state is now
undergoing a rapid transition in disease
profile with a gross shift in burden to NCDs.
More than 20% of the population have
at least one NCD. More than 50% deaths
are due to non communicable diseases,
worldwide and in India and in Kerala.Of
thisfour major NCDs namely, cardiovascular
disease, diabetes, hypertension andChronic
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease(COPD),
contribute to 80% of the deaths.
Cardio vascular deaths account for
30% of deaths in India. The age adjusted
cardiovascular mortality of Kerala is twice
that of the United States. Kerala is the
diabetic capital of India with a prevalence of
15% in the age group of 15-64 yr. Prevalence
was found to be higher in women, 19.4%
versus 15.6% in men.1The prevalence of
NCD burden
hypertension in 15- 64 years is 32.7%.1The
Kerala had acquired a laudable status of
ratio of acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
health with lowest Infant Mortality Rate
admissions in Kerala in men to women
and Maternal Mortality Rate in India and a
decreased from 23:1 in 1967 to 4:1 in 2007
commendable level of living, with its highest
t a time when developed nations have
finally managed to bring the ambit of
communicable diseases under their control
with efficient health systems in place, the
ongoing epidemiological transition has
witnessed a new threat in the form of
NCDs. These diseases are difficult to control
because they have a long latent period,
have a prolonged duration of illness and
have high treatment costs. They include
cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer,
chronic respiratory illnesses and mental
illnesses. Though cardio vascular diseases
and stroke were the major cause of death
among NCDs, in recent decades death rates
from some cancers have risen. Diabetes
cases in adults are set to double given the
steady increase in the disease incidence over
the years.
we intervened...
indicating an increase of ACS among
women.(2,3)Hypercholesterolemia was
found to have a high prevalence of 56.8%.
The crude incidence and mortality rates
from cancers(per 105) are 149.6 and 62.3
in males and 143 and 42.7 in females
respectively.4COPD prevalence among
adults in Kerala is 5.9% among men and
4.0 % among women in.5Kerala also has
the highest prevalence of overweight
and obese women in the reproductive
age group in India.6 High prevalence
of cardio-metabolic risk factors in
women in the reproductive age group
is detrimental to their future health as
well as to their children because of the
in utero programming of adult onset
diseases.7Kerala reported 16.1 per cent
low birth weight babies and 26.5 per cent
childhood stunting below the age of three
years in 2005-2006.6The LBW babies are
exposed to an obesogenic environment.
This is because of over protection by
their educated parents who feed them
more energy rich foods. There is also
limited opportunity for physical activity.
LBW babies, at birth are known to have
less beta cell potential, muscle mass,
nephron numbers, and more endothelial
dysfunction and higher proportion of
body fat making them more susceptible
to NCD risk factors.
Risk factors of NCDs
NCDs have both modifiable and
non modifiable risk factors. The non
modifiable risk factors include age,
sex, hereditary factors etc; and have
little scope for intervention. Modifiable
risk factors include unhealthy dietary
habits, inadequate physical activity,
increased stress and habits like smoking
and alcoholism. Prevalence of smoking
in men (42%) was double that observed
in the United States (21%), whereas that
in women was quite low. The prevalences
of a diet low in fruits and vegetables
(40%) and physical inactivity (7%) were
Kerala had
acquired a
laudable status
of health with
lowest Infant
Mortality Rate
and Maternal
Mortality Rate
in India and a
commendable
level of living,
with its highest
Human
Development
Index and
improved life
expectancy
rates.
April 2016
41
considerably lower than in the United
States where the prevalence of these
behavioural habits are 60-70 per
cent and 11-23 per cent, respectively.
Prevalence of overweight (25%) and
abdominal obesity (34%) are high.(1)
For primary prevention of NCDs a
focus on a balanced diet is pertinent.
(Refer figure:1)
The features of risk factors of
NCDs are that they occur together,
operate in a continuum and have
an additive effect. Diabetes and
Hypertension apart from being
considered as diseases in itself
are also independent risk
factors for cardiovascular
diseaseslike stroke.
succeed by individual efforts alone.
Let us take the example of dietary
changes. Food is cooked for the
family not for individuals. With our
changing lifestyle requirements,
eating from outside and social
eating are norms of the day. Changes
should also happen here, where
the individual has little control. So
also is the case of unhealthy habits
like smoking and alcoholism. An
environment free of smoke and
alcoholism should be a collective
responsibility of the community.
opportunity for primary prevention.
For example if the family of diabetic
patient change their diet to a healthier
one, this change becomes primary
prevention for the rest of the family
members who are at a higher risk
of NCD, genetics being a risk factor.
At the same time it is secondary
prevention for the individual. Beside
this, initiative gives the much needed
family support and the resulting
happiness to the affected individual,
who would otherwise
be
Challenges faced in
countering NCDs
NCDs need life-long
medication, cause reduced
earning potential and result
in high levels of out of pocket
expenditure from patients
and their families. They
adversely affect the quality
of life of affected individual
in all socio economic strata
but the lower strata is more
vulnerable. They are prone
to develop complications and
premature death.Premature NCD
mortality(nearly 40%) affects the
most productive age groups and
thus hampers the development of
society.
The increased health care costs
result in high per capita health
expenditure. Though there have
been great achievements in the
diagnosis and treatment of NCDs,
these diseases continue to grow
beyond the reach of the public health
sector.Therefore, the focus has to
shift from diagnosis and treatment
to prevention of NCD. It is evident
that the investing in prevention
is much more cost effective than
investing in treatment of NCD.
Our efforts continue to be focused
on the individual. Health promotion
and risk factor intervention cannot
42
April 2016
Opportunities
NCDs share certain common
features which can be potential
areas for intervention. The disease
changes starts at a young age and it
takes several years for the disease to
become fully established. The long
latent period provides a window of
opportunity if we detect the disease
early by screening programmes.
Majority of NCDs can be traced
back to the common risk factors,
which on control or elimination will
reduce the burden of disease. Small
shift in the average population levels
of several risk factors can lead to
a large reduction of the burden of
chronic diseases.
Shifting the focus from the
individual to the community is an
stressed by the changes the
disease condition demands.
Interventions
Prevention and control of
NCDs requires a combination of
population-wide and individual
health-care interventions. There is
a need to develop or strengthen,
preventive, promotive and curative
programmes to address NCDs.
Healthy public policies that promote
NCD prevention and control are
needed.
L ow - cost and hig h impact
interventions like screening camps
and health check-ups can be
delivered through a primary healthcare approach for early detection
and timely treatment. Primordial
interventions like health education
activities at schools, community
level and occupational settings
can increase the awareness levels
of the public. Health Education
should aim at reducing the common
modifiable risk factors (mainly
tobacco use, unhealthy diet and
physical inactivity, and the harmful
use of alcohol).At all levels of health
care, evidence-based guidelines on
diagnostic, treatment and referral
procedures should be developed and
practiced. Rehabilitation services
and palliative care services should
be given importance. Such services
are relevant especially in the Kerala
context where due to many social
factors, the elderly are left alone.
The Community will need
more of rehabilitation and
care centres to take over
the damage that NCD has
Majority of
already done in the form
NCDs can
of disabled stroke patients
be traced
and the like.
back to the
An intersectoral
common
coordinated approach
risk factors,
including health,
education, agriculture,
which on
social welfare and other
control or
sectors/depar tments,
elimination
is required to work
will reduce
together to control
the burden
NCDs. Sustainable NCD
of disease.
s ur ve ill ance systems
need to be made a
Small
key component of the
shift in the
state ’s p ublic health
average
infrastructure. The health
population
management information
levels of
system should be
several
strengthened for tracking
risk factors
and planning of patient
care and scheduling of
can lead
patient follow-up.
to a large
NCD control programmes
in Kerala
reduction of
the burden
of chronic
diseases.
NCD
control
programme in the state
w a s i n i t i a te d i n t h e
year2011as a pilot project
in the Pathanamthitta
district based on studies
that showed a high prevalence of
NCD in the district. The programme
aimed at inter ventions
from pr imar y health
care level. Screening for
NCDs was begun at sub
centre level by the health
workers. Newly detected
patients are referred to
the primary health centre
for treatment initiation.
NCD clinics are organized
on a weekly basis. Health
Education activities are
carried out to educate
the public re garding
the importance of early
detection in NCDs and
the lifestyle changes that
can bring about a great
reduction in the burden
of the disease.
Conclusion
of NCDs as reduction in risk
factors can have a massive
reduction in the disease
burden. The Illness clinic
concept is prevalent in the
state with focus on ‘ I’ or the
individual. Time is due for
the onus to be put on ‘We’ or
the community and Wellness
clinics should be doled out.
Health consciousness at an
individual level especially
among the lower socio
economic strata is poor
because their priority is on
bread winning activities.
O ur community is not
empowered to take up
health promotion activities
on their own. Besides, the
sheer nature of such health
promotion activities is such
that it cannot happen by
individual level efforts alone.
So the baton of improving
health consciousness and
thereby NCD control should
be taken up pro actively by
the policy makers and health
providers. Strengthening
preventive health promotion
efforts from the community
level is the rallying call of the
moment. n
NCDs now assume an
undeniable importance
in the present health
situation in Kerala, with
the alarming increase
in their morbidity and
mortality over the
years. An NCD control
programme is now in
track in the state, but
undue focus is given to
secondary prevention or
curative services. More focus
Department of Community
is to be given to primordial and Medicine, Medical College,
primary prevention in control Thiruvananthapuram
April 2016
43
Mental Health
Dr. D Raju
Mental
Health
Kerala Scene
44
April 2016
T
here is an observation that Mental
Health problems are increasing in
the State. But there are no studies
to support this. It is true that
number of persons with mental
health problems reporting to
the treatment centres are on
the rise. This can be due to the
increased awareness about the
mental health problems among
the public and enhanced
t re at m e n t fa c i l i t i e s
Kerala
available. But there are
is a state with
indirect evidences to
high suicide rate.
suggest increasing
Psychological
Number of suicides
problems. Hig h
in the state during
rate
of s uicide,
2013 & 2014 were
increasing rate
8646 and 8446
of alcoholism,
respectively.
inc rea sing rate o f
aggression and violence
and increasing rate of divorce
are all pointing to high prevalence
of mental health problems in the
state.
Available statistics shows that
about 10% of the population
s u ffe r f ro m s o m e fo r m o f
psychological problems which
need professional help. Out
of this, about 1% is having
major mental illness including
Schizophrenia, Bipolar Affective
Disorder, Delusional Disorder and
other Psychotic Disorders. Other
conditions include Depression,
A l c o h o l re l a t e d p ro b l e m s ,
Personality Disorders, Mental
Retardation, Epilepsy, minor
mental ailments like Anxiety
Challenges
1 Shortage of trained
mental health
professionals
including
Psychiatrists.
Govt. is taking measures to
solve this issue by setting
up centres for starting new
courses and increasing the
seats for the existing courses.
2 Full integration of
mental health care
with primary health
care.
For this, all the General
physicians have to be
trained in delivery of Mental
Health care. Till date, only
a small fragment of this
section could be trained.
Thiruvananthapuram is
the single district where
integration of Mental Health
Care with primary health care
could be implemented.
3 Reduction of
Stigma attached to
mental illness
The General Public is still in
darkness about the causes
and various manifestations of
mental health problems and
treatment facilities available.
Several myths are existing
in the society about mental
illness leading to stigma.
Hence, the general public are
reluctant to accept even the
available treatment facilities.
Public awareness programmes
have to be organized at large
for reducing this stigma.
District Mental Health
Programmes are organizing
such programmes
4 Inadequate facilities
for rehabilitation of
the treated mentally
ill persons
Available statistics shows that about 10%
of the population suffer from some form
of psychological problems which need
professional help.
disorders, Adjustment disorders,
Stress disorders etc. In addition
20-30% of patients reporting with
medical and surgical problems are
having additional psychological
problems in addition to their physical
ailments.
Kerala is a state with high suicide
rate. Number of suicides in the state
during 2013 & 2014 were 8646
and 8446 respectively. The rate of
suicide in the State during these
two years are 25.6/lakh and 24.9/
lakh respectively. The national rate
of suicide during these two years are
11/lakh and 10.6/lakh respectively.
Kerala is 5th in position compared
to the rate of suicide in other States
and Union Territories. Suicide rate
in Kerala is nearly 2.5 times of the
National rate. Suicide in majority of
cases are due to undetected mental
illness. Depression is the commonest
cause. Suicide rate is increasing
among adolescents and young adults.
Abuse of alcohol and other drugs
of abuse are also on the rise in the
state. Obser vation that alcohol abuse
is increasing among adolescents and
young adults is alarming. First dose
Continued on Page 50
April 2016
45
Remembrance
Dr. C S Venkiteswaran
KALABHAVAN MANI
Man of
Many Roles
T
46
here has never been such an
over whelming reaction to
the demise of a film actor in
Kerala. Kalabhavan Mani’s
unfortunate death triggered
spontaneous responses from
mourners across the state:
commemoration meetings
were held in almost all cities
and towns, posters were put up
in every town square, several
pages of newspaper and special
issues of magazines were
dedicated to him, accompanied
by endless programmes on
television repeatedly showed
clips from his films, songs,
T V programmes, public
performances and interviews.
It seemed as if we didn’t
fully realize how much he
meant to us when he was
alive. Definitely, there was
something in his speech,
action, gestures, voice and
words that instantly endeared
people to him. Though one
couldn’t say Malayalam cinema
did full justice to his talent and
potential, he was able to create
a niche for himself in cinema,
music and most importantly,
peoples’ minds.
April 2016
Born into a ver y poor
family in Chalakudy in 1971,
Mani’s childhood was steeped
in poverty; but those years of
struggle provided him a lot of
lessons on life and art. The real
break came to him when he
joined Kalabhavan as a mimicry
artist. He was a wizard as far as
imitating various sounds were
concerned, whether it be the
sounds of nature, machines,
animals, birds or the body
language and speaking styles
of any film actor or politician.
As part of the many mimicry
and stage shows the troupe
performed all over the state,
Mani gradually honed his
skills and built his confidence.
Entering film world in 1995
with films like Aksharam,
Samudayam etc, it was the
role in Sallapam (1996) that
brought him to limelight. The
role of toddy tapper Rajappan
he played in it had a certain
verve and energy that caught
the attention of viewers, and
many comic roles – mostly
that of sidekick to the hero
etc came to him. Even though
the roles he played in early
films were small and
marginal, Mani was
able to bring into it a
raw energy and power,
which caught the attention
of the audience as well as the
industry. In the coming years
he played several roles, mainly
that of villain and of comedian,
and later in many films as
hero. The state and national
recognition for his acting in
the role of Ramu, the blind
man in Vinayan’s Vasanthiyum
Lakshmiyum Pinne Njaanum
(1998) wasa testimony to his
acting talents and potential.
S o m e o f h i s s i g n i fi c a n t
performances include those in
Bhoothakannadi, Summer in
Bethlehem, The Guard, Kissan,
Chakko Randaman, Kerala
Police, Ben Johnson, Andavan,
Svarnam, Nagaram, Malsaram,
Lokanathan IPS, Thalamelam,
Pramukhan, Malayali,
Keralolsavam, Black Stallion,
Chekavan, A zhakkadal,
MLA Mani, Patham Classum
Gusthiyum, Bachelor Party
Prabhuvinte Makkal, Olipporu
etc. Most of these roles were
that of exceptional fighters,
revengers, and rebels fighting the
establishment, or victims of an
unjust system. His characters were
always a little high-pitched and
out of the ordinary, always exuding
excessive energy or power, untamable
and unpredictable. The central roles
he played in Karumadikkuttan,
Akasathile Paravakal, Valkannadi
were very striking and memorable.
His spontaneous ability to sing and
dance, and to literally ‘embody’ any
state of emotion were the hallmarks
of his performance. Obviously, it
was such talent that prompted Tamil
and Telugu film industry to welcome
him with a lot of striking roles, a
glaring instance being his role in
Shankar’s Yenthiran.
Significantly, the rise and
popularity of Mani also
coincides with the rise of dalit politics
and narratives in Kerala. Dalit writing
was becoming more vibrant, and at
the helm of many land struggles and
protests were dalits and adivasis. It
maybe this broader picture of change
in socio-political atmosphere that
gave Mani’s cinematic presence an
added dimension. But Malayalam
cinema, given its thematic concerns
and notions about stardom/hero
figure etc, could not give many
challenging roles to Mani, and always
pushed him into stereotypical roles
of marginality, abnormality, excess
or lack of some kind or other.
His acting persona onscreen
was supplemented by his offscreen
performances and songs. A born
singer, gifted with
a clear voice,
instinctively perfect sruthi and
pronunciation, his songs were a
huge hit. He gave folk songs in
Kerala a new vigour and reach.
Starting with songs from his own
milieu and surrounding, he expanded
his repertoire to include different
kinds of songs, including Ayyappa
songs and mappila pattu. Songs like
‘Kannimanga prayathil..’ ‘Minna
minunge..’, ‘Chalakudy chanthayil..’
etc were instant hits and became
popular among all.
As a person, he never considered
himself a ‘star’ or distanced himself
from the people, and he always
proudly affirmed and was proud
of his class, caste, past, location
and professional backgrounds.
His rise from ver y challenging
circumstances through sheer
talent and hard work
was an inspiration
to the youth
and will remain
so for future
generations.n
Th e w r i t e r i s
Assistant Professor,
Gulathi Institute of
Finance and Taxation
47
GARDENING
Suresh Muthukulam
The
Golden
showers
for Vishu
“P
48
ookkathirikkan enikkavathille...
v i s h u k k a l a m a l l e
kanikkonnayalle...” wrote the
late poet Shri.Ayyappa Panicker
expressing the helplessness of the
Kanikonna which has to flower
profusely during Vishu which
comes in the month of Medam
in the Malayalam calendar; it is
a rule of nature that Kanikonna
should flower if there is Vishu
.The natural coincidence of
Vishu as well as the blooming of
Kanikonna is really interesting.
The flowering of the Golden
shower tree usually highlights
the arrival of the harvest season
.It is during the summer months
the long, drooping sprays of clear
yellow flowers clothe the tree in a
mantle of gold which is indeed a
glorious sight. Each spray is more
than 30 cm in length and bears
long, slim stalks with numerous
large deliciously scented flowers
and rounded buds; this is also the
State flower of Kerala.
Golden showers of the Indian
laburnum (Kanikonna) which
April 2016
heralds the arrival of Vishu
also marks the beginning of
Agricultural year in Kerala. The
fully bloomed yellow flower
is an integral component of
the Malayalam New Years day
ritual witnessing the Vishu
kani.The golden rush of flowers
has inspired a large number of
creative minds in Malayalam
literature like Shri.Vylopalli
Sreedhara Menon who wrote
“Ethu yantravalkrita lokathil
pularnnalum Manassilundavatte
gramathin vishudhiyum
manavum,mamatayum ithiri
konnappoovum..”
Scientifically christened
Cassia fistula is native to
South Asia and is one of the
most beautiful of all tropical
ornamental trees. Cassia is a
vast genus with various species
consisting of yellow coloured
flowers. Cassia fistula is a large
shrub or medium sized tree
which is evergreen and suntolerant tree growing to 10 to
15 metre in height. The well
spaced branches are covered with
compound leaves and numerous
leaflets. The tender leaves are of
rich copper colour which remains
pendulous until fully grown.
Leaves fall in March-April and
the first half of May. Then it
produces long golden yellow
pendent flowers which appear in
April-May. It is nearly leafless at
the time of flowering. The tree
also produces dark brown bean
pod 30 to 60 cm long filled with
a sticky pulp and hard brown
seeds. Since the pods hang down
like pipes the tree is also called
Pudding pipe tree. Unlike in
other leguminous plants when
mature pods of Golden shower
fall on the ground they do not
open to release the seeds. So in
nature the seeds get dispersed by
birds, jackals, civets etc who feed
on the pulp and ingest the seeds.
The tree grows well in a
fertile well-draining soil .Once
established this has great
drought tolerant nature. Cassia
is usually propagated from seeds
sown when ripe. But the
germination percentage
is considerably poor.
Now Cassia grafts are
also available in almost
all agricultural farms and
plant nurseries which
make planting easier.
While planting grafts
or layers use organic
manures as basal dose
and mulch the plant base
with dried leaves or bark
pieces so as to conserve
moisture and prevent
weed growth. To prevent
strag gly grow th and
remove damaged or dead
branches do pruning in a
moderate manner as the
plant grows. Even if the
tree is of slow growth
under favourable climatic
conditions it may flower
in five years.
Besides being an
ornamental plant Golden
shower is economically
useful in several ways. The
wood is useful for making
fuel and agricultural
implements. The bark
yields an orange dye. In
Ayurveda, the fruit pulp
has been employed as
a gentle laxative and is
also used in treating skin
diseases like scabies, boils
and glandular swellings.
Antioxidant properties
have also been reported
in the stem bark, leaves,
flowers and fruit pulp.
The tree is very useful
in apiculture. It is also
utilised as a shade tree or
wind break. The leaves can
be used as green manure.
This makes an excellent
show when planted along
the roads. n
The author is Principal
Information Officer, Farm
Information Bureau
49
Continued from Page 45
of alcohol is by the age of 13-14
years. Drug rackets are now getting
concentrated around schools. This
indicate the increasing desire among
children and adolescents to abuse
these drugs.
Divorce cases are on the rise in
the state and are more among young
couples. Poor coping skills of the
youngsters is an important reason
for this.
Mind being a function of the
brain, mental illness are disorders
of the brain and are having a multi
factorial etiology. Stress diathesis
model postulated to explain the
etiology of mental illness states that
when stress act on a person with
biological vulnerability to develop
a particular mental illness, he may
develop the illness. Genetic factors,
antenatal, natal and postnatal
factors etc. can lead to biological
vulnerability. Changing social
situations, rapid industrialisation,
changing attitudes of the public,
personal losses, physical illness,
stressful life events etc act as stress.
Lack of positive mental health is
another factor.
50
April 2016
be treated in the Primary Health
Centre/Community Health Centre
by the trained Medical Officers
along with the physical illness.
This will improve the acceptance of
treatment for mental illness and help
to avoid the situation of travelling
long distances to treatment centres
concentrated in the urban areas.
District Mental Health
Programme was implemented by
Govt. of India with this purpose.
Kerala is the first state in the country
to introduce this programme in all the
districts. State Govt. is supporting
DMHP in four districts, Govt. of
India in three districts and National
Health Mission in seven districts.
DMHP have 3 components
which include setting
up Outreach Mental
Community
Health Clinics in
based rehabilitation
the rural areas,
programmes have
training of
to be implemented for
Medical and
Treatment
rehabilitating the treated
Para Medical
facilities
staff in Mental
mentally ill persons in
Available
He
a l t h C a re
their
own
back
grounds.
treatment
d
e
l
i
ve r y a n d
This facility is quite
methods
public
awareness
include drug
inadequate.
programmes on
treatment, non
mental
health.
pharmacological
Community
based
interventions, physical
rehabilitation
programmes
methods of treatment and
rehabilitation. With the introduction h ave to b e i m p l e m e n te d fo r
of effective newer drugs majority rehabilitating the treated mentally
of the psychological problems are ill persons in their own back grounds.
now treatable and many of them This facility is quite inadequate. The
are curable. Now drugs are supplied initiatives of the State Government
free of cost through Govt. hospitals in setting set up Psychiatric Day Care
in the State. Because of shortage of Centres as part of Comprehensive
trained Mental Health Professionals, Mental Health Programme is an
non pharmacological interventions innovative step. Care Homes for
could be introduced in the major the homeless mentally ill persons
established in Thiruvananthapuram
hospitals only.
district as a pilot project is another
Community treatment facilities
encouraging step. This joint venture
The need of the day is making of LSGD, Social Justice Department,
available the treatment facilities in the Health Department and NGO is
community itself by decentralising a mo del o f the inters e c toral
the treatment facilities. This can collaboration in mental health care
be achieved by integrating mental delivery. Similar centres have to be
health care with general health care. set up in other districts n
By this, mental health problems can
The writer is a well known Psychiatrist