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O J’s Corner
Plans aplenty,
execution tardy
Central and State governments wax eloquent on projects being launched to uplift the agriculture and rural sectors. Islands of prosperity have set in, following liberalisation and globalisation measures. But this scenario of growth and plenitude has not positively influenced large masses of people wriggling about in our society. I would say, not only the rural folk but also the urban low-class, have had a harrowing time. It is heartening to note that the governments have come to understand the problem. That is why certain programmes have been devised to improve the lot of the impoverished people. The hardest hit have been the farmers and those living in our hinterlands.
All talk about achievements in space technology, information technology, communication and allied spheres, business process outsourcing opportunities and high earnings of our youth in these realms have not helped the pathetic condition of agriculturists, cattle-rearers and multitudes of the rural habitations. We talk about inclusive growth. That is a pet term. How do you include these people among the jet-setting, BSE- and –Nifty-indices groping multi-millionaires? Even in copy-book capitalism-following countries, there are strict social security measures. There is one agency which monitors the condition of the jobless, the income-less citizens. Every individual and family members are accounted for. If they have nothing to fend for, the State provides them the sufficient funds and health facilities to live until they find a livelihood. There are no plethora of departments dealing with them like in India which can find and an alibi and blame each other. The state provides assistance to meritorious students to pursue their studies even in private institutions. Here what do we do? We don’t have an all-embracing social security scheme. Unemployment dole is given here and there, which is not a holistic programme, to take care of all the income-less people. We go on increasing administered prices, withdraw subsidy and gloat over gradually reducing the income-expenditure gap in the budgets, without taking adequate measures to meticulously take care of the income-less people. But then, that is a basic difference in perception. Is it that over-populated countries cannot adopt the social security schemes prevalent in developed countries? It seems the developed countries themselves are looking to our hotch-potch social security measures. The World Bank also devised the poverty ceiling as one dollar a day. Even that is not forthcoming in many under-developed countries.
All these things apart, we have a lot of Centrally-sponsored schemes which are meant to ensure development of the agriculturists, the rural folk and the jobless people. The Central Government plans to spend Rs 40,000 crore for the welfare of the farmers. Of these, a substantial chunk, amounting to Rs 25,000 crore goes to States which should implement various projects. In addition, as much as Rs 60,000 crore would be provided to States, particularly those which registered farmers’suicides, to write off agricultural debts. There are other schemes being implemented directly through local bodies. National Rural Health Mission envisages an expenditure of Rs 10,000 crore for rural uplift.
Provision of amounts in books of accounts would not wipe out the travails of the poor in rural and urban sectors. Ideological rigmarole would not provide succour to the poor.
Efficiency lies in meticulous execution and reaching out to the needy on time.
Friday, February 29, 2008
The President taking up the cause of the farmers
It is gratifying to note that our President Pratibha Patil has been highlighting the plight of the hapless farmers of our country. In her address to the nation on the eve of this year’s Republic Day, she took pains to draw the picture of the toiling sons of the soil producing foodgrains and other crops to feed the 130 crore people of the country. The farmers who are phenomenal to fill the tummies of the hungry masses are a despondent lot. But they are simple but proud people. They take loans from private financiers as well as from banks and co-operative institutions. When the crop fails, they cannot repay the money. Many of them, unable to stand the ignominy of the financiers attaching their house-buildings and land, have committed suicide. The President has called for a second green revolution that should bring prosperity for the farmers and the people.
In her address to the joint session of Parliament heralding the budget session also, the President has underscored the need for uplifting the farmers and the government’s resolve to address the issue. The Central Government plans to spend Rs 40,000 crore as special package for the ryots. Selected districts in the country, particularly those which have registered farmers’ suicides, would get Rs 25,000 crore for rehabilitation. Moreover, there is a food security mission to boost paddy production, where cultivation has been on the backburner.
Also, in States like Kerala, a special package should be devised to coax farmers and agricultural or neighbourhood groups to take up re-cultivation in paddy fields that were left fallow. Earlier, they were forced to give up paddy cultivation on account of heavy losses on account of hefty labour charge, increased prices of various inputs, and fall in prices of their agricultural produce. The procurement price, if at all announced once in a while, has not been sufficient to provide resources to the farmers for meeting their needs.
Now to prepare the uncultivated lands and paddy-fields require additional expenses. That is why Gandhiji Study Centre chairman P J Joseph has been insisting on a package for these farmers and groups. At least Rs 1,000 per hectare should be provided as assistance to re-launch paddy cultivation.
Kerala is a consumer State and its paddy production will never be sufficient to meet the rice requirements of the people. If the cultivable lands are profitably used, 20 per cent of the requirements can be met. The rest should be procured through the statutory rationing system as well as from the open market. The Central Government should not stand on ceremony and it should provide quantities of ration items as demanded by the State Government.----OJ
It is gratifying to note that our President Pratibha Patil has been highlighting the plight of the hapless farmers of our country. In her address to the nation on the eve of this year’s Republic Day, she took pains to draw the picture of the toiling sons of the soil producing foodgrains and other crops to feed the 130 crore people of the country. The farmers who are phenomenal to fill the tummies of the hungry masses are a despondent lot. But they are simple but proud people. They take loans from private financiers as well as from banks and co-operative institutions. When the crop fails, they cannot repay the money. Many of them, unable to stand the ignominy of the financiers attaching their house-buildings and land, have committed suicide. The President has called for a second green revolution that should bring prosperity for the farmers and the people.
In her address to the joint session of Parliament heralding the budget session also, the President has underscored the need for uplifting the farmers and the government’s resolve to address the issue. The Central Government plans to spend Rs 40,000 crore as special package for the ryots. Selected districts in the country, particularly those which have registered farmers’ suicides, would get Rs 25,000 crore for rehabilitation. Moreover, there is a food security mission to boost paddy production, where cultivation has been on the backburner.
Also, in States like Kerala, a special package should be devised to coax farmers and agricultural or neighbourhood groups to take up re-cultivation in paddy fields that were left fallow. Earlier, they were forced to give up paddy cultivation on account of heavy losses on account of hefty labour charge, increased prices of various inputs, and fall in prices of their agricultural produce. The procurement price, if at all announced once in a while, has not been sufficient to provide resources to the farmers for meeting their needs.
Now to prepare the uncultivated lands and paddy-fields require additional expenses. That is why Gandhiji Study Centre chairman P J Joseph has been insisting on a package for these farmers and groups. At least Rs 1,000 per hectare should be provided as assistance to re-launch paddy cultivation.
Kerala is a consumer State and its paddy production will never be sufficient to meet the rice requirements of the people. If the cultivable lands are profitably used, 20 per cent of the requirements can be met. The rest should be procured through the statutory rationing system as well as from the open market. The Central Government should not stand on ceremony and it should provide quantities of ration items as demanded by the State Government.----OJ
Friday, February 22, 2008
Assist additional paddy cultivation in 2 lakh hectares
of paddy-fields lying uncultivated
The government should set apart Rs 300 crore for paddy cultivation in uncultivated paddy fields and for animal husbandry. Rs 200 crore should be for providing a subsidy of Rs 1000 per hectare to undertake additional paddy cultivation in two lakh hectares of paddy-fields lying fallow, according to Gandhiji Study Centre chairman P J Joseph.
If assistance of Rs 1000 per hectare is made available, agricultural operations in two lakh hectares more can be undertaken in the organic way, he said.
As animal husbandry goes hand-in-hand with agricultural operations, an allocation of Rs 100 crore should be made for animal husbandry, including rearing of milch-cows. Assistance should also be provided for inland fisheries.
Joseph was inaugurating a seminar organised by CHASS (Changanasserry Social Service Society) in connection with the Farmfest 08, conducted jointly by AIR’s Vayalum Veedum programme and Changanasserry municipality the other day.
Development is impossible, alienating the farmers who form 60 per cent of the people. The paralysis of the farming sector has adversely affected the production sector. Rice, milk, vegetables, eggs etc are not available in Kerala in sufficient quantity.
In 1991, agriculture formed 31 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product. Now it has come down to 18 per cent. Which means the income of the agricultural and rural sector has been reduced to 18 per cent. The per capita income of the farmers and rural folks has come down drastically. Industry forms 26 per cent and the Services sector 56 per cent of the GDP. When economic growth registered 9-10 per cent, the agricultural growth is a mere 2.2 per cent.
The indebtedness of the farmers and rural folks should be cleared. A national debt relief legislation should be brought forward. Sufficient farm loans are not available at 7 per cent. Commercial banks should also be got involved in the farmers’ debt relief operations. Electricity subsidy is not available for farmers. The inputs of the farmers are thus going up, but farm products are not fetching fair returns. The stifling situation leads farmers to suicides.
In Kerala, there used to be paddy cultivation in nine lakh hectares, which got reduced to seven lakh hectares, five lakh hectares and the like. At present paddy cultivation is confined to 2.75 lakh hectares. Paddy cultivation has turned unremunerative. Therefore paddy-fields are left uncultivated.
Joseph said he had also participated in the farm operations undertaken by a few agriculturists in three acres left fallow all these eight years. The organic farming done there was beneficial.
This way, each village should have new cultivations in about 100 acres of fields left fallow, for which assistance should be provided. It is not fair to insist on the 60 per cent farmers to sell their milk and rice suffering losses to the 40 per cent people who are comparatively well off. Also, when production decreases, prices would again go up.
Agriculture and animal husbandry are inter-mingled. Lack of nutrition can be tackled by milk and milk products. The per capita consumption of milk in Kerala is a mere 173 gm, when it is 300 gm in AP and 600 gm in Punjab.
Milk production in Kerala should increase substantially for which embryos of high-yielding varieties of cows from Israel should be imported. An Israeli cow provides 12,000 litres of milk per lactation, whereas the output in other countries is 8,000 litres and in Kerala it is 1,200 litres per lactation. Buffaloes from other States should be brought to Kerala.
Dr K G Padmakumar, Sivakumaran Thampi, Dr R Vijayakumar, Nimi George, Dr R Sivaprasad, Dr P V Mohan, Divakaran Nambiar, Joseph Kora, Jims Joseph Pothen, Surendran Pillai Kulathoormoozhy, Dr N Sudhodanan. Dominic and others shared their experiences in various fields.
of paddy-fields lying uncultivated
The government should set apart Rs 300 crore for paddy cultivation in uncultivated paddy fields and for animal husbandry. Rs 200 crore should be for providing a subsidy of Rs 1000 per hectare to undertake additional paddy cultivation in two lakh hectares of paddy-fields lying fallow, according to Gandhiji Study Centre chairman P J Joseph.
If assistance of Rs 1000 per hectare is made available, agricultural operations in two lakh hectares more can be undertaken in the organic way, he said.
As animal husbandry goes hand-in-hand with agricultural operations, an allocation of Rs 100 crore should be made for animal husbandry, including rearing of milch-cows. Assistance should also be provided for inland fisheries.
Joseph was inaugurating a seminar organised by CHASS (Changanasserry Social Service Society) in connection with the Farmfest 08, conducted jointly by AIR’s Vayalum Veedum programme and Changanasserry municipality the other day.
Development is impossible, alienating the farmers who form 60 per cent of the people. The paralysis of the farming sector has adversely affected the production sector. Rice, milk, vegetables, eggs etc are not available in Kerala in sufficient quantity.
In 1991, agriculture formed 31 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product. Now it has come down to 18 per cent. Which means the income of the agricultural and rural sector has been reduced to 18 per cent. The per capita income of the farmers and rural folks has come down drastically. Industry forms 26 per cent and the Services sector 56 per cent of the GDP. When economic growth registered 9-10 per cent, the agricultural growth is a mere 2.2 per cent.
The indebtedness of the farmers and rural folks should be cleared. A national debt relief legislation should be brought forward. Sufficient farm loans are not available at 7 per cent. Commercial banks should also be got involved in the farmers’ debt relief operations. Electricity subsidy is not available for farmers. The inputs of the farmers are thus going up, but farm products are not fetching fair returns. The stifling situation leads farmers to suicides.
In Kerala, there used to be paddy cultivation in nine lakh hectares, which got reduced to seven lakh hectares, five lakh hectares and the like. At present paddy cultivation is confined to 2.75 lakh hectares. Paddy cultivation has turned unremunerative. Therefore paddy-fields are left uncultivated.
Joseph said he had also participated in the farm operations undertaken by a few agriculturists in three acres left fallow all these eight years. The organic farming done there was beneficial.
This way, each village should have new cultivations in about 100 acres of fields left fallow, for which assistance should be provided. It is not fair to insist on the 60 per cent farmers to sell their milk and rice suffering losses to the 40 per cent people who are comparatively well off. Also, when production decreases, prices would again go up.
Agriculture and animal husbandry are inter-mingled. Lack of nutrition can be tackled by milk and milk products. The per capita consumption of milk in Kerala is a mere 173 gm, when it is 300 gm in AP and 600 gm in Punjab.
Milk production in Kerala should increase substantially for which embryos of high-yielding varieties of cows from Israel should be imported. An Israeli cow provides 12,000 litres of milk per lactation, whereas the output in other countries is 8,000 litres and in Kerala it is 1,200 litres per lactation. Buffaloes from other States should be brought to Kerala.
Dr K G Padmakumar, Sivakumaran Thampi, Dr R Vijayakumar, Nimi George, Dr R Sivaprasad, Dr P V Mohan, Divakaran Nambiar, Joseph Kora, Jims Joseph Pothen, Surendran Pillai Kulathoormoozhy, Dr N Sudhodanan. Dominic and others shared their experiences in various fields.
O J’s Corner
Eviction need not be this harsh
“Saarammare, ellaam poyi” (“Sirs, everything is lost”). This was the most pathetic cry of an 80-year-old goitre-plagued grandma that was shown in a television channel the other day about the demolition of her house and houses of 23 other families in Moolampally in Kochi.
These were not illegal structures, but houses built brick by brick by ordinary mortals by years of toil. What was their fault? These houses were in the line of the road being constructed for Vallarpadam container terminal.
No one can oppose the mega project that should bring benefits to Kerala, its industry and commerce. It goes without saying that those being evicted from the land being acquired should have been properly resettled. From what is appearing in media reports, four cents of land far away from their homes and a sum of Rs 15,000 formed part of the compensation package. Now-a-days, a dog-bunker cannot be built with Rs 15,000.
Mega projects are being undertaken spending lakhs of crores of rupees. There can be no legitimate objection to evictees being given a fair deal. If there is any technical objection, like antediluvian acquisition procedures, it is high time that should be corrected. There cannot be one universal hard-and-fast rule for assessing compensation amounts. These should be regulated in accordance with varying market forces operating in particular areas.
Demolition by brute force, locking the people in a building and razing their houses
Children’s text-books and notebooks being snatched away by authorities do not augur well in a welfare society.
Human beings are like cats in matters of domicile attachment. Cats stick on to the house-buildings, even if the masters change residences. They do not naturally follow the masters wherever they go. The feline allegiance is to its place of habitation. Unlike dogs, whose fidelity is to their masters and not their quarters. They have no difficulty to vacate the house, if the master so decides.
It is painful for human beings to get themselves uprooted from their moorings. It is impossible for them to move out of their dwellings, if they don’t find proper alternatives.
The authorities abandoning people in hapless situation would only force the victims to accept extreme positions.
Moolampally evictees are sitting in dharna in Kochi city. The family members have found the veranda of a school, belonging to a church, their resting place. They have no roof to shelter them.
Social activists have been descending on the people sitting in dharna. Justice V R Krishna Iyer, Dr Sukumar Azhicode and numerous other human rights supporters have offered their solidarity.
Actually, this sort of demolition would only act as anti-development catatlyst. Development is the need of the hour. Don’t give anti-development forces a stick to beat with, in the form of brutal demolitions.
Eviction need not be this harsh
“Saarammare, ellaam poyi” (“Sirs, everything is lost”). This was the most pathetic cry of an 80-year-old goitre-plagued grandma that was shown in a television channel the other day about the demolition of her house and houses of 23 other families in Moolampally in Kochi.
These were not illegal structures, but houses built brick by brick by ordinary mortals by years of toil. What was their fault? These houses were in the line of the road being constructed for Vallarpadam container terminal.
No one can oppose the mega project that should bring benefits to Kerala, its industry and commerce. It goes without saying that those being evicted from the land being acquired should have been properly resettled. From what is appearing in media reports, four cents of land far away from their homes and a sum of Rs 15,000 formed part of the compensation package. Now-a-days, a dog-bunker cannot be built with Rs 15,000.
Mega projects are being undertaken spending lakhs of crores of rupees. There can be no legitimate objection to evictees being given a fair deal. If there is any technical objection, like antediluvian acquisition procedures, it is high time that should be corrected. There cannot be one universal hard-and-fast rule for assessing compensation amounts. These should be regulated in accordance with varying market forces operating in particular areas.
Demolition by brute force, locking the people in a building and razing their houses
Children’s text-books and notebooks being snatched away by authorities do not augur well in a welfare society.
Human beings are like cats in matters of domicile attachment. Cats stick on to the house-buildings, even if the masters change residences. They do not naturally follow the masters wherever they go. The feline allegiance is to its place of habitation. Unlike dogs, whose fidelity is to their masters and not their quarters. They have no difficulty to vacate the house, if the master so decides.
It is painful for human beings to get themselves uprooted from their moorings. It is impossible for them to move out of their dwellings, if they don’t find proper alternatives.
The authorities abandoning people in hapless situation would only force the victims to accept extreme positions.
Moolampally evictees are sitting in dharna in Kochi city. The family members have found the veranda of a school, belonging to a church, their resting place. They have no roof to shelter them.
Social activists have been descending on the people sitting in dharna. Justice V R Krishna Iyer, Dr Sukumar Azhicode and numerous other human rights supporters have offered their solidarity.
Actually, this sort of demolition would only act as anti-development catatlyst. Development is the need of the hour. Don’t give anti-development forces a stick to beat with, in the form of brutal demolitions.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Ensure integration of ancient practices, conservation of resources incorporation of technology
International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture in C M S College, Kottayam
Held on February 6 and 7, 2008
Prof George V Kallarackal, general convener, International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture
The international conference was an offshoot of the international conference organised by the Ecological Society of CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese. As part of the conference, a few associated programmes were organised. These were: 1. one-day workshop on organic and integrated farming for selected representatives of 12 panchayats in Kottayam and Alappuzha districts (January 18), 2.essay writing competition on sustainable agriculture for higher secondary students (Jan 25), 3. inter-collegiate quiz competition based on “Environment” ( Jan 29, with Dr C R Soman as quiz master), 4. an exhibition on sustainable innovative agricultural models on February 6 and 7.
The following stalls were put up, substantiating the theme of the discussions in the technical sessions:
Gandhiji Study Centre, Thodupuzha, 2.Krishi Vijnan Kendra, Kumarakom
3..Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council, Kochi, 4.K V Dayal, Alappuzha
5. Plant Rich, Kottayam, 6. Agro-Biotech, Kottayam, 7. Fibre Food Products,Kottayam, 8. ‘Srishti’, Botany Department of CMS College
9.Maya Mushroom, Kottayam, 10.Artec Publishers
11.Zoology Museum of CMS College, 12.Film show on “Endo Sulfan” in MG University Off-Campus Centre of CMS College
The international conference was inaugurated by Smt D Purandareswari, Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development. Technical session ! was on “Emerging trends in Agricultural Practices”.The focal theme was presented by P J Joseph, former Minister for Education, Public Works and Revenue and Home.He was assisted and supported by Dr K G Padmakumar, professor and head, Department of Aquaculture, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Kumarakom and by Dr P V Balachandran, associate director of research, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Pattambi, Palakkad. This was followed by presentation of research papers.
The focal theme of Technical Session II was “Bio-diversity conservation and practices”. The main presentation was by Dr A R R Menon, scientist and head, Ecology Division, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Thrissur. He was supported by Dr Jacob John, assistant professor (agronomy), Cropping Systems Research Centre, Thiruvananthapuram. This was followed by reseach paper presentation.
Technical Session III was held on February 7. The focal theme was “Bio-technological interventions for sustainable agriculture”. The main presentation was by Dr John B Sale, vice-president of John Ray Institute, UK. He was supported by Dr T R Gopalakrishnan, CEO, Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council, Kochi and Dr Joshi Cherian, chairman, Indian Organic Farmers Producers Co.Ltd, Aluva. This was followed by research paper presentation.
The chief guest of the valedictory function was Dr K K Yunuskutty, pro-vice-chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University.
The agricultural package, which emerged out of the deliberations of the conference was handed over to PWD Minister Mons Joseph by Rev Shajan Idiculla, clergy secretary, CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese.
The package contains the following essential observations:
Like in the ancient past, an active participation of women should be ensured at all levels for the promotion of sustainable agriculture.
There is an urgent need to exercise regulatory measures for the responsible management of available natural resources. Both short-term and long-term goals need to be perfectly blended into each other while preparing an agricultural policy.
Most important of all, agriculture today requires an ever-green revolution, which can be achieved only through scientific integration of ancient practices, like organic farming, and conservation of presently available resources and safe incorporation of modern technology.
The feedback at the end of the conference revealed that the talk by P J Joseph, chairman Gandhiji Study Centre, was the most informative and substantiating on the relevant topic.
International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture in C M S College, Kottayam
Held on February 6 and 7, 2008
Prof George V Kallarackal, general convener, International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture
The international conference was an offshoot of the international conference organised by the Ecological Society of CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese. As part of the conference, a few associated programmes were organised. These were: 1. one-day workshop on organic and integrated farming for selected representatives of 12 panchayats in Kottayam and Alappuzha districts (January 18), 2.essay writing competition on sustainable agriculture for higher secondary students (Jan 25), 3. inter-collegiate quiz competition based on “Environment” ( Jan 29, with Dr C R Soman as quiz master), 4. an exhibition on sustainable innovative agricultural models on February 6 and 7.
The following stalls were put up, substantiating the theme of the discussions in the technical sessions:
Gandhiji Study Centre, Thodupuzha, 2.Krishi Vijnan Kendra, Kumarakom
3..Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council, Kochi, 4.K V Dayal, Alappuzha
5. Plant Rich, Kottayam, 6. Agro-Biotech, Kottayam, 7. Fibre Food Products,Kottayam, 8. ‘Srishti’, Botany Department of CMS College
9.Maya Mushroom, Kottayam, 10.Artec Publishers
11.Zoology Museum of CMS College, 12.Film show on “Endo Sulfan” in MG University Off-Campus Centre of CMS College
The international conference was inaugurated by Smt D Purandareswari, Union Minister of State for Human Resources Development. Technical session ! was on “Emerging trends in Agricultural Practices”.The focal theme was presented by P J Joseph, former Minister for Education, Public Works and Revenue and Home.He was assisted and supported by Dr K G Padmakumar, professor and head, Department of Aquaculture, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Kumarakom and by Dr P V Balachandran, associate director of research, Regional Agricultural Research Station, Pattambi, Palakkad. This was followed by presentation of research papers.
The focal theme of Technical Session II was “Bio-diversity conservation and practices”. The main presentation was by Dr A R R Menon, scientist and head, Ecology Division, Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, Thrissur. He was supported by Dr Jacob John, assistant professor (agronomy), Cropping Systems Research Centre, Thiruvananthapuram. This was followed by reseach paper presentation.
Technical Session III was held on February 7. The focal theme was “Bio-technological interventions for sustainable agriculture”. The main presentation was by Dr John B Sale, vice-president of John Ray Institute, UK. He was supported by Dr T R Gopalakrishnan, CEO, Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council, Kochi and Dr Joshi Cherian, chairman, Indian Organic Farmers Producers Co.Ltd, Aluva. This was followed by research paper presentation.
The chief guest of the valedictory function was Dr K K Yunuskutty, pro-vice-chancellor of Mahatma Gandhi University.
The agricultural package, which emerged out of the deliberations of the conference was handed over to PWD Minister Mons Joseph by Rev Shajan Idiculla, clergy secretary, CSI Madhya Kerala Diocese.
The package contains the following essential observations:
Like in the ancient past, an active participation of women should be ensured at all levels for the promotion of sustainable agriculture.
There is an urgent need to exercise regulatory measures for the responsible management of available natural resources. Both short-term and long-term goals need to be perfectly blended into each other while preparing an agricultural policy.
Most important of all, agriculture today requires an ever-green revolution, which can be achieved only through scientific integration of ancient practices, like organic farming, and conservation of presently available resources and safe incorporation of modern technology.
The feedback at the end of the conference revealed that the talk by P J Joseph, chairman Gandhiji Study Centre, was the most informative and substantiating on the relevant topic.
O J’s Corner
High-speed rail-road corridor:
No trivialisation please!
It was amusing exercise to watch performances on television and go through certain writings in the print media regarding the high-speed rail-road corridor mooted by P J Joseph, who has made it clear that it could better be implemented in whatever nomenclature the Government pleases,, like Jammu-Kanyakumari corridor.
One should not trivialise this project as something the Railway Ministry should announce forthwith. Alas, the railway ministry does not have funds to undertake this multi-crore project. This should not be the refrain. There was over-enthusiasm on the part of very few analysts to browbeat this project as something dreamy and unachievable. Such people are living in the 19th century. They should understand the world is developing fast. We have to demand our share of the mega-bucks being spent elsewhere in the country for the same type of projects.
First of all, the Government of India has already taken a policy decision to go in for high-speed trains. Please read reports about the Union Cabinet having decided to go in for Mumbai-Delhi, Delhi-Kolkota stretches of freight and industrial corridors. It is estimated that the per km expenditure would be Rs 50 crore. Money is no problem for this. There are reports that the Delhi-Bangalore stretch is also on the anvil. Such projects are announced and implemented in the form of decisions by the Union Cabinet. Not more a moment, please think that the high-speed passenger corridor is to be a child of the railway ministry.
There is no relevance for questions like “what is your priority for this project?”, No project is a substitute for another. One cannot replace it with doubling, electrification, survey for new lines etc.
M N Prasad, former member of the Railway Board, was heard on a television channel as saying the high-speed passenger corridor would not be cost-effective. Who wants this as a passenger corridor? Let there be passenger trains and goods trains being operated on the proposed corridor. His opinion is not the last word, like those who want to travel fast should take to flights. Why not take the opinion of experts like E Sreedharan, who is a doer and not a cynic. He showed it to the world that projects depicted as impossible could be executed and operated. Let people probe the mind of this sparkling expert and technocrat. One should have seen the way he undertook construction work on the Delhi metro in busy roads and thoroughfares without inconveniencing anyone. Prasad could not have dreamt of undertaking this project by himself.
Golden Quadrilateral was not built on the premise of profit and loss. Nationally, 15,000 kms of four-lane roads were laid, spending nearly one lakh crore rupees. Kerala did not get even one km.
For the high-speed corridor, 15 metre-wide stretches are enough. Already the Railways have 60 per cent of the land with it. The rest can be acquired within one year, on fast-track basis, which has been underscored by P J Joseph.
High-speed rail-road corridor:
No trivialisation please!
It was amusing exercise to watch performances on television and go through certain writings in the print media regarding the high-speed rail-road corridor mooted by P J Joseph, who has made it clear that it could better be implemented in whatever nomenclature the Government pleases,, like Jammu-Kanyakumari corridor.
One should not trivialise this project as something the Railway Ministry should announce forthwith. Alas, the railway ministry does not have funds to undertake this multi-crore project. This should not be the refrain. There was over-enthusiasm on the part of very few analysts to browbeat this project as something dreamy and unachievable. Such people are living in the 19th century. They should understand the world is developing fast. We have to demand our share of the mega-bucks being spent elsewhere in the country for the same type of projects.
First of all, the Government of India has already taken a policy decision to go in for high-speed trains. Please read reports about the Union Cabinet having decided to go in for Mumbai-Delhi, Delhi-Kolkota stretches of freight and industrial corridors. It is estimated that the per km expenditure would be Rs 50 crore. Money is no problem for this. There are reports that the Delhi-Bangalore stretch is also on the anvil. Such projects are announced and implemented in the form of decisions by the Union Cabinet. Not more a moment, please think that the high-speed passenger corridor is to be a child of the railway ministry.
There is no relevance for questions like “what is your priority for this project?”, No project is a substitute for another. One cannot replace it with doubling, electrification, survey for new lines etc.
M N Prasad, former member of the Railway Board, was heard on a television channel as saying the high-speed passenger corridor would not be cost-effective. Who wants this as a passenger corridor? Let there be passenger trains and goods trains being operated on the proposed corridor. His opinion is not the last word, like those who want to travel fast should take to flights. Why not take the opinion of experts like E Sreedharan, who is a doer and not a cynic. He showed it to the world that projects depicted as impossible could be executed and operated. Let people probe the mind of this sparkling expert and technocrat. One should have seen the way he undertook construction work on the Delhi metro in busy roads and thoroughfares without inconveniencing anyone. Prasad could not have dreamt of undertaking this project by himself.
Golden Quadrilateral was not built on the premise of profit and loss. Nationally, 15,000 kms of four-lane roads were laid, spending nearly one lakh crore rupees. Kerala did not get even one km.
For the high-speed corridor, 15 metre-wide stretches are enough. Already the Railways have 60 per cent of the land with it. The rest can be acquired within one year, on fast-track basis, which has been underscored by P J Joseph.
Friday, February 08, 2008
Centre should bestow special attention
on Kerala’s unique issues: P J Joseph
The Government of India should pay special attention to Kerala’s unique developmental issues and sanction projects to uplift the people, according to P J Joseph, chairman of Kerala Congress as well as Gandhiji Study Centre.
He made this plea at a “Walk-the-Talk” programme with John Mary for a television channel the other day, on completion of his road show from Mumbai to Kanyakumari, campaigning for a high-speed rail-road corridor from Mumbai to Kanyakumari covering the States of Maharashtra, Goa, Karntaka, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Kerala. We should live up to the concept of a “strong Centre and satisfied States” .
Food security should be ensured for Kerala. Large areas of paddy fields are lying uncultivated. There is shortage of food materials. Prices of good grains are skyrocketing. Steps should be taken for self-sufficiency in food materials. Kerala is lacking in rice, milk, eggs, vegetables etc. Let us not think that everything can be purchased from elsewhere. Forty per cent of the people do not have nutritious food, a large number of people do not have houses of their own.
Rivers are withering away, streams and other water sources are drying up. Large-scale sand-mining has caused depletion of the water table and water storage.
He said the mind-block about high-speed trains should be removed. Japan introduced bullet trains in 1964. Most of the European countries, Korea, China and others have high-speed trains.
Joseph recalled that his train journey from Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur 25 years ago. The speed remains almost the same even now. There may be one and a half hours’ reduction in the journey time now.
The Government of India has already sanctioned Mumbai-Delhi and Delhi-Kolkata high-speed freight corridors. The concept has already been introduced in the country. Therefore, we must have the facility through the west coast as well.
Joseph said when he was PWD Minister in the E K Nayanar Government, the Union Government was approached for four-laning of the National Highways in Kerala and inclusion of Kerala stretches in the Golden Quadrilateral.
Later RITES was entrusted with the task of preparing a strategic project for road development of 2,800 kms. The Planning Board, and the Finance Department had objected to the proposal. But Nayanar stood firm and the project was submitted to the Centre. Ultimately, the Rs 1,600 crore KSTP project came into being with World Bank assistance. The work should have been completed in 2005. If Pati-Bel Company, which undertook the work was paid Rs 17 crore earlier, the present expenditure of could have been saved by Rs 200 crore. Moreover, Pati Bel could not take up the rest of the work on time. Consequently, escalation of expenditure would cause a further loss of Rs 500 crore.
Joseph maintained that the power of the Finance Department to veto projects of various departments should be taken away. Once the amount is included in the budget, the respective departments should be allowed to spend the money. Saving the allotted money without spending would hit the developmental projects adversely. That is any way bad financial practice.
The practice prevailing in various States such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu etc should be followed in Kerala. The Chief Minister should seriously look into the issue.
Regarding the Golden Quadrilateral, Joseph asked why the mega project stopped at Chennai, after Mumbai-Delhi, Delhi-Kolkata and Kolkata-Chennai stretches were completed.
Now with regard to rail developments, a comparative study should be made. As per populatation figures, Kerala should get at least 3000 km of railway line. Equality can be claimed to some extent after adding at least 1,000 km of double line.
With the operationalisation of LNG terminal, there would be daily transportation of 2000 50-60 tonne trucks from Mangalore, Salem etc to Kochi. There should be a separate road for taking care of the huge volume of high-voltage traffic.
Joseph pointed out that there would be no problem of securing funds for the high-speed rail-road corridor.
Joseph, who is the pioneer in introducing organic farming in Kerala, undertakes bio farming in 10-15 acres. He rears 60 cows. Through the efforts of Gandhiji Study Centre, 20,000 families of farmers have converted themselves into organic farming in Idukki .district. Kerala should be transformed into an organic farming State. It is possible to infuse food security, increase milk production and ensure nutritious food for all. Each family should have a cow, which would be useful for organic farming operations.
Gandhiji Study Centre has adopted Mullankolli and Aralam villages. The attempt is to double the income of the households within a period of three years.
Joseph is not worried about his being out of the Cabinet. This is a blessing in disguise. He is now able to concentrate his attention on organic farming, development and positive culture.
on Kerala’s unique issues: P J Joseph
The Government of India should pay special attention to Kerala’s unique developmental issues and sanction projects to uplift the people, according to P J Joseph, chairman of Kerala Congress as well as Gandhiji Study Centre.
He made this plea at a “Walk-the-Talk” programme with John Mary for a television channel the other day, on completion of his road show from Mumbai to Kanyakumari, campaigning for a high-speed rail-road corridor from Mumbai to Kanyakumari covering the States of Maharashtra, Goa, Karntaka, Tamil Nadu, Pondicherry and Kerala. We should live up to the concept of a “strong Centre and satisfied States” .
Food security should be ensured for Kerala. Large areas of paddy fields are lying uncultivated. There is shortage of food materials. Prices of good grains are skyrocketing. Steps should be taken for self-sufficiency in food materials. Kerala is lacking in rice, milk, eggs, vegetables etc. Let us not think that everything can be purchased from elsewhere. Forty per cent of the people do not have nutritious food, a large number of people do not have houses of their own.
Rivers are withering away, streams and other water sources are drying up. Large-scale sand-mining has caused depletion of the water table and water storage.
He said the mind-block about high-speed trains should be removed. Japan introduced bullet trains in 1964. Most of the European countries, Korea, China and others have high-speed trains.
Joseph recalled that his train journey from Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur 25 years ago. The speed remains almost the same even now. There may be one and a half hours’ reduction in the journey time now.
The Government of India has already sanctioned Mumbai-Delhi and Delhi-Kolkata high-speed freight corridors. The concept has already been introduced in the country. Therefore, we must have the facility through the west coast as well.
Joseph said when he was PWD Minister in the E K Nayanar Government, the Union Government was approached for four-laning of the National Highways in Kerala and inclusion of Kerala stretches in the Golden Quadrilateral.
Later RITES was entrusted with the task of preparing a strategic project for road development of 2,800 kms. The Planning Board, and the Finance Department had objected to the proposal. But Nayanar stood firm and the project was submitted to the Centre. Ultimately, the Rs 1,600 crore KSTP project came into being with World Bank assistance. The work should have been completed in 2005. If Pati-Bel Company, which undertook the work was paid Rs 17 crore earlier, the present expenditure of could have been saved by Rs 200 crore. Moreover, Pati Bel could not take up the rest of the work on time. Consequently, escalation of expenditure would cause a further loss of Rs 500 crore.
Joseph maintained that the power of the Finance Department to veto projects of various departments should be taken away. Once the amount is included in the budget, the respective departments should be allowed to spend the money. Saving the allotted money without spending would hit the developmental projects adversely. That is any way bad financial practice.
The practice prevailing in various States such as Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu etc should be followed in Kerala. The Chief Minister should seriously look into the issue.
Regarding the Golden Quadrilateral, Joseph asked why the mega project stopped at Chennai, after Mumbai-Delhi, Delhi-Kolkata and Kolkata-Chennai stretches were completed.
Now with regard to rail developments, a comparative study should be made. As per populatation figures, Kerala should get at least 3000 km of railway line. Equality can be claimed to some extent after adding at least 1,000 km of double line.
With the operationalisation of LNG terminal, there would be daily transportation of 2000 50-60 tonne trucks from Mangalore, Salem etc to Kochi. There should be a separate road for taking care of the huge volume of high-voltage traffic.
Joseph pointed out that there would be no problem of securing funds for the high-speed rail-road corridor.
Joseph, who is the pioneer in introducing organic farming in Kerala, undertakes bio farming in 10-15 acres. He rears 60 cows. Through the efforts of Gandhiji Study Centre, 20,000 families of farmers have converted themselves into organic farming in Idukki .district. Kerala should be transformed into an organic farming State. It is possible to infuse food security, increase milk production and ensure nutritious food for all. Each family should have a cow, which would be useful for organic farming operations.
Gandhiji Study Centre has adopted Mullankolli and Aralam villages. The attempt is to double the income of the households within a period of three years.
Joseph is not worried about his being out of the Cabinet. This is a blessing in disguise. He is now able to concentrate his attention on organic farming, development and positive culture.
O J’s Corner
Think big for high-speed
rail-road corridor
India is a big country and its people are not weaklings. Let us not think for a moment that mega rail-road projects are beyond our capacity. Our forefathers were a bit reticent to acknowledge modern technology and development. But that attitude reflected only initial fear. Later they were quick to come to terms with modern developments like railway facilities.
Ernakulam-Kottayam and Kottayam-Kollam railway stretches were “terrains criss-crossed by perennial streams, hills and dales and backwater creeks”,according to T A Joseph, who was then the General Manager of Southern Railway. One can imagine the amount of cynicism expressed by various people those days to dream about materialisation of the metre-gauge line. None other than the-then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundation stone for the line on December 24, 1952. Traffic between Kottayam and Ernakulam was opened in October 1956 and that between Kottayam and Kollam two years later. The line strengthened the physical, mental and moral integration of Travancore, Cochin and Malabar. The rail line ensured state integration more than half a century ago.
Now we have to look for national integration through railways. High-speed bullet trains have come to stay in various parts of the world. We cannot look askance at the fast developments overtaking the world. We have to be part of the larger global picture emblazoned before us. China has fly-over road length than the US now. We have not started devising multi-deck fly-overs for uninterrupted high-speed road traffic, which developed nations have made available for their people.
We don’t have to be cynical about launching a high-speed rail-road corridor worth more than Rs one lakh crore. The daily loss or gain in the Bombay Stock Exchange or the National Stock Exchange amounts to far greater figures than this estimate. Don’t we recognise our own financial strength? What is the harm in availing long-term loans from international funding agencies like Japanese Bank for International Co-operation at negligible rates of interest?
Major political parties may not find it easy to moot a project like this from Mumbai to Kanyakumari passing through Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, for fear of negative thinking from their own cadres elsewhere. But they can offer their weight behind the proposal put forward by P J Joseph. Or they can rechristen this as Jammu-Kanyakumari high-speed rail-road corridor. With the North-South Express Highways and the Golden Quadrilateral and link roads together, there would be a network covering the entire country.
Now Minister of State for Railways R. Velu has remarked that high cost and safety aspects may come in the way of setting up the corridor. P J Joseph has meaningfully repudiated this view. First of all, the concept of high-speed rail line has already been cleared by the Union Cabinet by way of Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Kolkata infrastructure and freight corridors. The cost factor, of Rs 50 crore per km, has not come in the way of sanctioning these mega projects. Mr Velu himself is clamouring for a high-speed line between Chennai and Coimbatore. As many as 40 MPs from various States have signed the request for the Western corridor. The Prime Minister has already ordered for a techno-economic survey. The architect of Konkan Railway, Delhi Metro and proposed Kochi Metro, E.Sreedharan, is optimistic about this corridor.
Let us lend our weight to P J Joseph’s effort to fulfil the dream project, which would provide all-round development for the entire country.
Think big for high-speed
rail-road corridor
India is a big country and its people are not weaklings. Let us not think for a moment that mega rail-road projects are beyond our capacity. Our forefathers were a bit reticent to acknowledge modern technology and development. But that attitude reflected only initial fear. Later they were quick to come to terms with modern developments like railway facilities.
Ernakulam-Kottayam and Kottayam-Kollam railway stretches were “terrains criss-crossed by perennial streams, hills and dales and backwater creeks”,according to T A Joseph, who was then the General Manager of Southern Railway. One can imagine the amount of cynicism expressed by various people those days to dream about materialisation of the metre-gauge line. None other than the-then Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru laid the foundation stone for the line on December 24, 1952. Traffic between Kottayam and Ernakulam was opened in October 1956 and that between Kottayam and Kollam two years later. The line strengthened the physical, mental and moral integration of Travancore, Cochin and Malabar. The rail line ensured state integration more than half a century ago.
Now we have to look for national integration through railways. High-speed bullet trains have come to stay in various parts of the world. We cannot look askance at the fast developments overtaking the world. We have to be part of the larger global picture emblazoned before us. China has fly-over road length than the US now. We have not started devising multi-deck fly-overs for uninterrupted high-speed road traffic, which developed nations have made available for their people.
We don’t have to be cynical about launching a high-speed rail-road corridor worth more than Rs one lakh crore. The daily loss or gain in the Bombay Stock Exchange or the National Stock Exchange amounts to far greater figures than this estimate. Don’t we recognise our own financial strength? What is the harm in availing long-term loans from international funding agencies like Japanese Bank for International Co-operation at negligible rates of interest?
Major political parties may not find it easy to moot a project like this from Mumbai to Kanyakumari passing through Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Pondicherry, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, for fear of negative thinking from their own cadres elsewhere. But they can offer their weight behind the proposal put forward by P J Joseph. Or they can rechristen this as Jammu-Kanyakumari high-speed rail-road corridor. With the North-South Express Highways and the Golden Quadrilateral and link roads together, there would be a network covering the entire country.
Now Minister of State for Railways R. Velu has remarked that high cost and safety aspects may come in the way of setting up the corridor. P J Joseph has meaningfully repudiated this view. First of all, the concept of high-speed rail line has already been cleared by the Union Cabinet by way of Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Kolkata infrastructure and freight corridors. The cost factor, of Rs 50 crore per km, has not come in the way of sanctioning these mega projects. Mr Velu himself is clamouring for a high-speed line between Chennai and Coimbatore. As many as 40 MPs from various States have signed the request for the Western corridor. The Prime Minister has already ordered for a techno-economic survey. The architect of Konkan Railway, Delhi Metro and proposed Kochi Metro, E.Sreedharan, is optimistic about this corridor.
Let us lend our weight to P J Joseph’s effort to fulfil the dream project, which would provide all-round development for the entire country.
Sunday, February 03, 2008
O J’s Corner
The rich doesn’t know how to spend,
the poor has nothing to live for
I was thinking about the assertions made by President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, and Bill Gates last week on what can be said as the state of the economy.
There are concerns for the rich and the poor, for the haves do not know how to spend accumulated wealth, and the have-nots are bereft of resources to make both ends meet. It would appear as though there is no meaning for either of these conditions, unless some sort of synergy is brought in for the survival of all.
President Pratibha Patil has, on the eve of the Republic Day, called for taking care of the disadvantaged sections. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at a press conference with French President Nicolas Sarkozy at New Delhi that the country’s economic foundation was strong to tide over the global fall-out of US recession. Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange had gone into a tail-spin and then recovered partially. Sarkozy had also spoken about the resilience of the banking system in his country to remain unaffected in spite of $ 7.5 billion fraud at one bank.
Fair enough, the economies are strong. But how will the concerns of the very poor and the downtrodden, who find it difficult to muster Rs 20 for a kilogramme of rice for a day, be addressed?
In the times when we are launching out into outer space, the moon, the planets, the solar system and the universe, let there be a mechanism to offer minimum survival resources to the lesser mortals.
That there is no meaning in life for even the super-rich has been stated by Warren Buffet, the second richest person in the world. “It is easier to create money than spend it”, he had said before parting with 85 per cent of his $ 44 billion wealth to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2006. It seems Bill Gates himself had been convinced about the futility of ultra-richness. At least he and his wife Melinda were on the vanguard of acts of philanthropy. They were giving money back to the society by focusing on world health in fighting diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and taking measures to reduce extreme poverty.
Let us go through the observations made by Bill Gates at the World Economic Forum at Davos. The world is getting better, but it is not getting better fast enough, and it is not getting better for evenyone. He has urged business enterprises to work with governments and non-profit groups in a new kind of capitalism to stem global poverty and stir up more technological innovations to rope in those who were left behind.
True, the government of India has proposed a scheme to take care of farmers’ debts to the tune of Rs 65,000 crore. Will action follow forthwith? Farmers’ suicides, people’s inability to find livelihood, healthcare scenario remaining bleak, to name a few worries, do not go well with a flourishing and over-rich system. Deliberate steps to liberate the extremely poor would balance the economy, without which there would be no solace for anyone.
The rich doesn’t know how to spend,
the poor has nothing to live for
I was thinking about the assertions made by President Pratibha Patil, Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh, and Bill Gates last week on what can be said as the state of the economy.
There are concerns for the rich and the poor, for the haves do not know how to spend accumulated wealth, and the have-nots are bereft of resources to make both ends meet. It would appear as though there is no meaning for either of these conditions, unless some sort of synergy is brought in for the survival of all.
President Pratibha Patil has, on the eve of the Republic Day, called for taking care of the disadvantaged sections. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at a press conference with French President Nicolas Sarkozy at New Delhi that the country’s economic foundation was strong to tide over the global fall-out of US recession. Bombay Stock Exchange and National Stock Exchange had gone into a tail-spin and then recovered partially. Sarkozy had also spoken about the resilience of the banking system in his country to remain unaffected in spite of $ 7.5 billion fraud at one bank.
Fair enough, the economies are strong. But how will the concerns of the very poor and the downtrodden, who find it difficult to muster Rs 20 for a kilogramme of rice for a day, be addressed?
In the times when we are launching out into outer space, the moon, the planets, the solar system and the universe, let there be a mechanism to offer minimum survival resources to the lesser mortals.
That there is no meaning in life for even the super-rich has been stated by Warren Buffet, the second richest person in the world. “It is easier to create money than spend it”, he had said before parting with 85 per cent of his $ 44 billion wealth to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2006. It seems Bill Gates himself had been convinced about the futility of ultra-richness. At least he and his wife Melinda were on the vanguard of acts of philanthropy. They were giving money back to the society by focusing on world health in fighting diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and taking measures to reduce extreme poverty.
Let us go through the observations made by Bill Gates at the World Economic Forum at Davos. The world is getting better, but it is not getting better fast enough, and it is not getting better for evenyone. He has urged business enterprises to work with governments and non-profit groups in a new kind of capitalism to stem global poverty and stir up more technological innovations to rope in those who were left behind.
True, the government of India has proposed a scheme to take care of farmers’ debts to the tune of Rs 65,000 crore. Will action follow forthwith? Farmers’ suicides, people’s inability to find livelihood, healthcare scenario remaining bleak, to name a few worries, do not go well with a flourishing and over-rich system. Deliberate steps to liberate the extremely poor would balance the economy, without which there would be no solace for anyone.
War against mosquitoes a must
Kerala has become the repository of mosquito-generated diseases. In 2007, chikungunya, proved to be fast escalating. Even units of the Armed Forces were called in to contain the disease. In 2006, Alappuzha district was hit hard. Last year, nearby Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts were paralysed by this disease. Of course, other districts such as Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Ernakulam and Idukki were also noted for the attack of chikungunya. The normal life of a majority of people living in the affected districts was virtually crippled.
Dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, malaria and filarial have all been fatally troubling the people of Kerala for quite a long time. But the onslaught of chikungunya has had a debilitating effect. The affected people were not able to move around, let alone report for work in fields or offices. It has been a life double bent, by way of physical disability and denial of income as the victims were not able to work. The disease affects the victims for months together.
Alas, the disease has escaped remedial treatment. The patients were being given paracetamol and allied medicines to alleviate their pain. There is no system of vaccination or inoculation to prevent or contain the disease.
Chikungunya permeates human bodies as it pleases, untrammeled by the ferocity of any medicine. Of course, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology in Thiruvananthapuram, has been attempting to develop a vaccine against the disease.
The only plausible solution lies in eradicating mosquitoes which carry the virus. Decades ago, when malaria became widespread, DDT was widely used to destroy mosquitoes. Now DDT appears to be harmful for human beings. Various countries are experimenting with methods to develop organic insecticides and disinfectants. Many such products are available also. Therefore a gigantic and all-encompassing project should be evolved and executed meticulously, covering all the districts of the state for destroying mosquitoes. Now is the proper time to evolve strategies as mosquito-generated diseases envelop the state during June-November period.
In fact, the problem of wastes, impurities and rubbish lying heaped at almost all places in the state is a revolting experience for all of us. We have only tinkered with this gargantuan issue. There should be meticulous programmes to take care of every inch of land and water spaces in the matter of managing wastes and impurities. Impurities-free Kerala should be the target, which should be achieved without delay.
The government, the local bodies, educational institutions and non-governmental organisations, should be able to drive out the mosquito menace. We have been successful in implementing the total literacy programme. Therefore, it should be possible to eradicate mosquitoes, provided we have the compendious will to do it.
Kerala has become the repository of mosquito-generated diseases. In 2007, chikungunya, proved to be fast escalating. Even units of the Armed Forces were called in to contain the disease. In 2006, Alappuzha district was hit hard. Last year, nearby Pathanamthitta and Kottayam districts were paralysed by this disease. Of course, other districts such as Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Ernakulam and Idukki were also noted for the attack of chikungunya. The normal life of a majority of people living in the affected districts was virtually crippled.
Dengue fever, Japanese encephalitis, malaria and filarial have all been fatally troubling the people of Kerala for quite a long time. But the onslaught of chikungunya has had a debilitating effect. The affected people were not able to move around, let alone report for work in fields or offices. It has been a life double bent, by way of physical disability and denial of income as the victims were not able to work. The disease affects the victims for months together.
Alas, the disease has escaped remedial treatment. The patients were being given paracetamol and allied medicines to alleviate their pain. There is no system of vaccination or inoculation to prevent or contain the disease.
Chikungunya permeates human bodies as it pleases, untrammeled by the ferocity of any medicine. Of course, Rajiv Gandhi Centre for Biotechnology in Thiruvananthapuram, has been attempting to develop a vaccine against the disease.
The only plausible solution lies in eradicating mosquitoes which carry the virus. Decades ago, when malaria became widespread, DDT was widely used to destroy mosquitoes. Now DDT appears to be harmful for human beings. Various countries are experimenting with methods to develop organic insecticides and disinfectants. Many such products are available also. Therefore a gigantic and all-encompassing project should be evolved and executed meticulously, covering all the districts of the state for destroying mosquitoes. Now is the proper time to evolve strategies as mosquito-generated diseases envelop the state during June-November period.
In fact, the problem of wastes, impurities and rubbish lying heaped at almost all places in the state is a revolting experience for all of us. We have only tinkered with this gargantuan issue. There should be meticulous programmes to take care of every inch of land and water spaces in the matter of managing wastes and impurities. Impurities-free Kerala should be the target, which should be achieved without delay.
The government, the local bodies, educational institutions and non-governmental organisations, should be able to drive out the mosquito menace. We have been successful in implementing the total literacy programme. Therefore, it should be possible to eradicate mosquitoes, provided we have the compendious will to do it.
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