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Station 
Footprints of St. Thomas (encircled) 
Station 
Station
Scenery from the hilltop 
Spring of Healing 
Mar-Thoma (St. Thomas) Memorial 
Old Church
The Golden Cross
Malayattoor St. Thomas Shrine at the hilltop Thursday, May 29, 2008
Friday, May 23, 2008
O J’s Corner
God is sold for a price
Satan quotes the bible more often than the evangelist, so goes the saying. Frauds thrive during kaliyug. Everything is out there for a price. Faith, salvation, healing, miracle all are offered for a price. In the bargain, fraudsters become millionaires overnight. They take advantage of the gullible, whose mounting problems, diseases, hardships and the like force them to grab any offer of a panacea.
Some people’s promise of the Lord showering a boon every time the mediator asks for it is simply unbelievable. Many healers profess and offer cure for any incurable malady. Naturally, people fall for it. Any kind word or deed showered on a hapless person is more valuable than millions of dollars offered in return for a cure.
The whole universe is the property of God Almighty. That super-power has the authority to do anything with the brahmandakadaaham. Why should that power receive a bribe from the mediator in the form of an offering?
Frauds are there in every religion. Hindu sanyasins are the best of the self-less. Likewise, the Christian, the Muslim and the Buddhist philosophies stand for the betterment of the human race. The black sheep among the leaders of these religions destroy the real philosophies.
The fraudsters are selling off the sanctified philosophies to fetch quick money. Numerous charities and institutions are springing up in the name of the worthy philosophies. These are times of the end of the world as revealed in various scriptures. False leaders would thrive during the times immediately before total destruction.
God is sold for a price
Satan quotes the bible more often than the evangelist, so goes the saying. Frauds thrive during kaliyug. Everything is out there for a price. Faith, salvation, healing, miracle all are offered for a price. In the bargain, fraudsters become millionaires overnight. They take advantage of the gullible, whose mounting problems, diseases, hardships and the like force them to grab any offer of a panacea.
Some people’s promise of the Lord showering a boon every time the mediator asks for it is simply unbelievable. Many healers profess and offer cure for any incurable malady. Naturally, people fall for it. Any kind word or deed showered on a hapless person is more valuable than millions of dollars offered in return for a cure.
The whole universe is the property of God Almighty. That super-power has the authority to do anything with the brahmandakadaaham. Why should that power receive a bribe from the mediator in the form of an offering?
Frauds are there in every religion. Hindu sanyasins are the best of the self-less. Likewise, the Christian, the Muslim and the Buddhist philosophies stand for the betterment of the human race. The black sheep among the leaders of these religions destroy the real philosophies.
The fraudsters are selling off the sanctified philosophies to fetch quick money. Numerous charities and institutions are springing up in the name of the worthy philosophies. These are times of the end of the world as revealed in various scriptures. False leaders would thrive during the times immediately before total destruction.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
O J’s Corner
Worst Minister findings
It is, indeed, deplorable that television channels and certain newspapers are on the look-out for the worst functioning Minister in the V S Achuthanandan Ministry of Kerala. We have heard of Gallup polls, exit polls and surveys. But this exercise, not with the best of interests, is to say the least cruel. Subjective interests are injected into the data given out to the viewers/readers, almost nudging them to choose certain individuals. Some newspapers/channels are pro-UDF, a few others pro-LDF and a small number of them pro-BJP.
Why can’t they prepare a platform to adjudge all the team members of the ministry as hogwash. They could have pinpointed the faults on the captain of the team and released the findings.
No one can claim that V S Achuthanandan’s ministry has been functioning in a salubrious manner. People are ignored while political points are scored. CPM is at loggerheads with the CPM and certain other leftists. The fringe parties are put in a corner. There are high-voltage fulminations regarding the achievements. But the people are not the beneficiaries in general terms. After completion of three more years to take it to the full-term, this ministry would be the worst one the state has seen.
Intellectuals and analysts were tormenting the A K Antony Ministry and the Oommen Chandy Ministry earlier. Many of the nit-pickers are silent now. The umpires should be honest and fair. Foul play would only vitiate the atmosphere and give a handle to the misrulers.
I, for one, believe that Achuthanandan does not get the full support of the party. He has been chosen to contest the Assembly elections rather reluctantly, after heavy battering.He became the Chief Minister without the whole-hearted support of the party stalwarts in the state. He has, therefore, been going after the media for anything and everything. The media cannot be trusted for eternity. They are the greatest opportunists. Their lullabies and fanatical criticism arise not from total sincerity. They flow with the current and do not mind leaving their babies midstream.
V S Achuthanandan ministry, as a whole, does not have much to be jubilant about.
Worst Minister findings
It is, indeed, deplorable that television channels and certain newspapers are on the look-out for the worst functioning Minister in the V S Achuthanandan Ministry of Kerala. We have heard of Gallup polls, exit polls and surveys. But this exercise, not with the best of interests, is to say the least cruel. Subjective interests are injected into the data given out to the viewers/readers, almost nudging them to choose certain individuals. Some newspapers/channels are pro-UDF, a few others pro-LDF and a small number of them pro-BJP.
Why can’t they prepare a platform to adjudge all the team members of the ministry as hogwash. They could have pinpointed the faults on the captain of the team and released the findings.
No one can claim that V S Achuthanandan’s ministry has been functioning in a salubrious manner. People are ignored while political points are scored. CPM is at loggerheads with the CPM and certain other leftists. The fringe parties are put in a corner. There are high-voltage fulminations regarding the achievements. But the people are not the beneficiaries in general terms. After completion of three more years to take it to the full-term, this ministry would be the worst one the state has seen.
Intellectuals and analysts were tormenting the A K Antony Ministry and the Oommen Chandy Ministry earlier. Many of the nit-pickers are silent now. The umpires should be honest and fair. Foul play would only vitiate the atmosphere and give a handle to the misrulers.
I, for one, believe that Achuthanandan does not get the full support of the party. He has been chosen to contest the Assembly elections rather reluctantly, after heavy battering.He became the Chief Minister without the whole-hearted support of the party stalwarts in the state. He has, therefore, been going after the media for anything and everything. The media cannot be trusted for eternity. They are the greatest opportunists. Their lullabies and fanatical criticism arise not from total sincerity. They flow with the current and do not mind leaving their babies midstream.
V S Achuthanandan ministry, as a whole, does not have much to be jubilant about.
Monday, May 12, 2008
O J’s Corner
Man’s might puny before Nature’s fury
Man may have climbed heights of glory in the eyes of his brethren. His arrogance makes him and breaks him. One day the US might wax eloquent on destroying Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. The next day it may want to obliterate Iran. China may want to overawe the US. Since democracy is not the in-thing in China, and human resources are aplenty, it may ascend even greater heights. Materialists like the Chinese leaders care two hoots about spiritualists like the Dalai Lama. The curse of hundreds of thousands of Buddhists prevail. Like that in Myanmar, the military junta does not respect the Buddhists.
The Heavens and Nature would not stand the atrocities being committed on mankind. Man’s inhumanity to humanity was witnessed during the Holocaust. Afterwards, time to time, we witness worse persecutions. Nature will not allow cruelty being perpetrated eternally.
We have had worthy civilizations in the past. Materialistic developments were aplenty. Cultural accomplishments were perfect. But many civilizations vanished into thin air. Still spiritualism prevails.
Now-a-days man does not distinguish evil from good. Selfishness and extortion, one way or other, rules the roost.Unethical practices are aplenty. It does not require God Almighty to intervene. His creation, the Nature, is sufficient to unleash the fury of the elements. Man cannot escape the wrath of the vast expanse of Brahmandakadaaham.
Astronauts have not seen creatures of the other worlds. Still as time passes, the knowledgeable , the wise, come to the conclusion that there are other creations of God lurking somewhere in the Universe. These may be formless, shapeless or multi-dimensional.
St John’s Revelations from Patmos islands speak about societies, communities, armies, groups, Crobes, Seraphims, multi-eyed beings and the likes of Maudyanans, Maravasans, all creations of God.
The mighty scientists wait for a pleasant sky to launch their rockets, space shuttles etc. Man cannot stand one cyclone, tornado, earthquake, tsunami.
Amassing great wealth by foul means, to the detriment of fellow human beings, would not carry us anywhere. The rich may flourish for some time. Enjoyment would be ephemeral. I can see in my spiritual vision the travails and tribulations unleashed by Nature on those who have received incentives for eliminating subordinates. They will never be condoned by the elements.
Man’s might puny before Nature’s fury
Man may have climbed heights of glory in the eyes of his brethren. His arrogance makes him and breaks him. One day the US might wax eloquent on destroying Saddam Hussein’s Iraq. The next day it may want to obliterate Iran. China may want to overawe the US. Since democracy is not the in-thing in China, and human resources are aplenty, it may ascend even greater heights. Materialists like the Chinese leaders care two hoots about spiritualists like the Dalai Lama. The curse of hundreds of thousands of Buddhists prevail. Like that in Myanmar, the military junta does not respect the Buddhists.
The Heavens and Nature would not stand the atrocities being committed on mankind. Man’s inhumanity to humanity was witnessed during the Holocaust. Afterwards, time to time, we witness worse persecutions. Nature will not allow cruelty being perpetrated eternally.
We have had worthy civilizations in the past. Materialistic developments were aplenty. Cultural accomplishments were perfect. But many civilizations vanished into thin air. Still spiritualism prevails.
Now-a-days man does not distinguish evil from good. Selfishness and extortion, one way or other, rules the roost.Unethical practices are aplenty. It does not require God Almighty to intervene. His creation, the Nature, is sufficient to unleash the fury of the elements. Man cannot escape the wrath of the vast expanse of Brahmandakadaaham.
Astronauts have not seen creatures of the other worlds. Still as time passes, the knowledgeable , the wise, come to the conclusion that there are other creations of God lurking somewhere in the Universe. These may be formless, shapeless or multi-dimensional.
St John’s Revelations from Patmos islands speak about societies, communities, armies, groups, Crobes, Seraphims, multi-eyed beings and the likes of Maudyanans, Maravasans, all creations of God.
The mighty scientists wait for a pleasant sky to launch their rockets, space shuttles etc. Man cannot stand one cyclone, tornado, earthquake, tsunami.
Amassing great wealth by foul means, to the detriment of fellow human beings, would not carry us anywhere. The rich may flourish for some time. Enjoyment would be ephemeral. I can see in my spiritual vision the travails and tribulations unleashed by Nature on those who have received incentives for eliminating subordinates. They will never be condoned by the elements.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
O J’s Corner
Prime Minister aspirants too many
Can we afford too many aspirants for Prime Ministership of India? Perhaps some people get inspiration from the episodes under which Deve Gowda, I K Gujral and the like became Prime Ministers. Perhaps Jyoti Basu would have been a PM, had it not been a case of the historical blunder committed by his own party leaders. The party would not even think about a greater leader than E M S Namboodiripad !
Now the latest wishful thinker appears to be Sharad Pawar. His party has decided to probe all avenues to see him through as PM. Arjun Singh, wielding his walking stick, is creating ripples of all sorts, dropping names like Rahul Gandhi etc. Lalu Prasad Yadav would also try to mount the bigger gaddi. His whims have already been proved right for the common man. He says the railways have come out of the red and are thriving.
Nobody knows what happened to the safety fund comprising thousands of crores of rupees. He has mixed up this amount with the general budget of the railways and has the temerity to tell the people that he is a wizard on whom encomiums have been paid by Harvard.
I don’t think Dr Manmohan Singh, P Chidambaram, Montek Singh Ahluwalia and the like are not aware of the predicament. They are paying a price for cobbling together a coalition government.
Think about the Leftists, particularly the CPM leaders. They would not allow the coalition to move smoothly. When outfits are part of a coalition, rendering support either from within or without, they should take the responsibility for everything. They are forgetting the fundamental duties of the coalition partners.
Mayawati would not stop short of becoming the PM. Everyone is fulminating on price rise, inflation, nuclear issue and what not. They should, in fact, sit together and take measures that would alleviate the hardship of the common man.
Prime Minister aspirants too many
Can we afford too many aspirants for Prime Ministership of India? Perhaps some people get inspiration from the episodes under which Deve Gowda, I K Gujral and the like became Prime Ministers. Perhaps Jyoti Basu would have been a PM, had it not been a case of the historical blunder committed by his own party leaders. The party would not even think about a greater leader than E M S Namboodiripad !
Now the latest wishful thinker appears to be Sharad Pawar. His party has decided to probe all avenues to see him through as PM. Arjun Singh, wielding his walking stick, is creating ripples of all sorts, dropping names like Rahul Gandhi etc. Lalu Prasad Yadav would also try to mount the bigger gaddi. His whims have already been proved right for the common man. He says the railways have come out of the red and are thriving.
Nobody knows what happened to the safety fund comprising thousands of crores of rupees. He has mixed up this amount with the general budget of the railways and has the temerity to tell the people that he is a wizard on whom encomiums have been paid by Harvard.
I don’t think Dr Manmohan Singh, P Chidambaram, Montek Singh Ahluwalia and the like are not aware of the predicament. They are paying a price for cobbling together a coalition government.
Think about the Leftists, particularly the CPM leaders. They would not allow the coalition to move smoothly. When outfits are part of a coalition, rendering support either from within or without, they should take the responsibility for everything. They are forgetting the fundamental duties of the coalition partners.
Mayawati would not stop short of becoming the PM. Everyone is fulminating on price rise, inflation, nuclear issue and what not. They should, in fact, sit together and take measures that would alleviate the hardship of the common man.
Friday, May 09, 2008
O J’s Corner
Religious cheats and frauds
Only because the Interpol has alerted the authorities in India, could the fraudster Santhosh Madhav alias Swami Amrithachaitanya could be identified to have set up market in Cochin, it seems. Running a luxurious guest house, remaining real estate wizard and predicting the future of the all-powerful in filmdom. These are some of the known areas of the Godman. There may be deeper meanings to his intercourses. With powerful police people, politicians and priests supporting him, the Chaitanya would have been roaming around in all “sanctity”, if the Interpol had not stepped in. Where there is money and power, all the worthies make beeline to. That is the way of the world.And the people are gullible, credulous where religion and faith are concerned. The present-day world is steeped in religious perversities. In the garb of doing some social service like feeding the people, tending to the sick and helping others, certain unscrupulous elements take advantage. As there would be collections of people venerating them, politicians also revere them.
In the protestant church history of Kerala, there was an instance of our forefathers accepting as their leader an expelled bishop from Antioch. The moment the faithful saw him in bishop’s robes he was led to a majority of the protestant churches as the anointed one. Luckily, the fraud was detected later.
How many “religious” people are doing roaring business in masquerading acts? They are taking advantage of the really religious people. That some of them are doing “anti-national” activities is a cause for concern.
Religious cheats and frauds
Only because the Interpol has alerted the authorities in India, could the fraudster Santhosh Madhav alias Swami Amrithachaitanya could be identified to have set up market in Cochin, it seems. Running a luxurious guest house, remaining real estate wizard and predicting the future of the all-powerful in filmdom. These are some of the known areas of the Godman. There may be deeper meanings to his intercourses. With powerful police people, politicians and priests supporting him, the Chaitanya would have been roaming around in all “sanctity”, if the Interpol had not stepped in. Where there is money and power, all the worthies make beeline to. That is the way of the world.And the people are gullible, credulous where religion and faith are concerned. The present-day world is steeped in religious perversities. In the garb of doing some social service like feeding the people, tending to the sick and helping others, certain unscrupulous elements take advantage. As there would be collections of people venerating them, politicians also revere them.
In the protestant church history of Kerala, there was an instance of our forefathers accepting as their leader an expelled bishop from Antioch. The moment the faithful saw him in bishop’s robes he was led to a majority of the protestant churches as the anointed one. Luckily, the fraud was detected later.
How many “religious” people are doing roaring business in masquerading acts? They are taking advantage of the really religious people. That some of them are doing “anti-national” activities is a cause for concern.
Thursday, May 08, 2008
O J’s Corner
Do we have sufficient buffer stock?
A nation should be able to tide over the problem of shortage, provided it thinks about it in advance and builds up proper buffer stock. The prices of rice, wheat etc are soaring at the international level. With the price of crude oil poised to rise further, petroleum products would cost us dearly. This would have a cascading effect on commodity prices as well.
A thinking people, in other words a concerned government, should have acted prudently and created extra buffer stock of grain. There were international reports last year that production of grain was going down. India, it seems, had plans to import rice and wheat. The Leftists were against import from the United States. Then they should have argued for import from China. But China has been creating bumper buffer stocks. Now its National Development and Reform Commission has made it clear that there would be no problem of grain shortage as it has comfortable buffer stocks. The price of rice in the international market has risen to heights never seen before.Moreover, its grain production has also been on the rise.
It has a grain reserve at least 17 to 18 per cent more than what is required for consumption any time. The buffer stock quantity would be anything in the line of 150 million tonnes to 200 million tonnes.
India should also be able to provide figures about what it has as buffer stock. Markets should be scanned years in advance and stocks replenished. India, it seems, is entertaining pipe dreams about having good crops next time.
Do we have sufficient buffer stock?
A nation should be able to tide over the problem of shortage, provided it thinks about it in advance and builds up proper buffer stock. The prices of rice, wheat etc are soaring at the international level. With the price of crude oil poised to rise further, petroleum products would cost us dearly. This would have a cascading effect on commodity prices as well.
A thinking people, in other words a concerned government, should have acted prudently and created extra buffer stock of grain. There were international reports last year that production of grain was going down. India, it seems, had plans to import rice and wheat. The Leftists were against import from the United States. Then they should have argued for import from China. But China has been creating bumper buffer stocks. Now its National Development and Reform Commission has made it clear that there would be no problem of grain shortage as it has comfortable buffer stocks. The price of rice in the international market has risen to heights never seen before.Moreover, its grain production has also been on the rise.
It has a grain reserve at least 17 to 18 per cent more than what is required for consumption any time. The buffer stock quantity would be anything in the line of 150 million tonnes to 200 million tonnes.
India should also be able to provide figures about what it has as buffer stock. Markets should be scanned years in advance and stocks replenished. India, it seems, is entertaining pipe dreams about having good crops next time.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
O J’s Corner
Inferiority complex
All parties seem to have got a reprieve as US President George Bush, in his inimitable style, blamed the rising prices of rice, wheat and the like for the prosperity of the middle class in India and China. Later, American officialdom did not mince words in blaming the increased consumption by the people of India and China for the hike in petroleum prices.
Indians apparently took it as an affront. It seems the whole of China ignored it. That country is seriously preparing for the Olympics. At the same time, it has been building nuclear arsenal on an increased momentum. A large number of nuclear submarines can be hidden in their newly dug-out joint. They don’t care a hoot about what the Americans say about better eating habits.
I think Indians are suffering from some sort of inferiority complex. Otherwise, why should they make so much tantrums about the observation of the US? India is a vast country. It has great potentialities. Since it is a democratic country, it cannot proceed with doing constructive activities so easily. Everything would be questioned by all and sundry in Assembles and Parliament. Nothing can be done without opposition. That is the beauty of democracy.
I consider the comment made by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about the observation of President Bush as reflecting high standards. There is no point in making comments on statements made by high dignitaries of foreign countries. Let us work for the prosperity of India. What would happen if the 1120-million people of India eat well? According to Bush only 350 million people forming the upper middle class eat well. Let us work for the betterment of all the 1120 million people, whatever other people may say.
Inferiority complex
All parties seem to have got a reprieve as US President George Bush, in his inimitable style, blamed the rising prices of rice, wheat and the like for the prosperity of the middle class in India and China. Later, American officialdom did not mince words in blaming the increased consumption by the people of India and China for the hike in petroleum prices.
Indians apparently took it as an affront. It seems the whole of China ignored it. That country is seriously preparing for the Olympics. At the same time, it has been building nuclear arsenal on an increased momentum. A large number of nuclear submarines can be hidden in their newly dug-out joint. They don’t care a hoot about what the Americans say about better eating habits.
I think Indians are suffering from some sort of inferiority complex. Otherwise, why should they make so much tantrums about the observation of the US? India is a vast country. It has great potentialities. Since it is a democratic country, it cannot proceed with doing constructive activities so easily. Everything would be questioned by all and sundry in Assembles and Parliament. Nothing can be done without opposition. That is the beauty of democracy.
I consider the comment made by Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh about the observation of President Bush as reflecting high standards. There is no point in making comments on statements made by high dignitaries of foreign countries. Let us work for the prosperity of India. What would happen if the 1120-million people of India eat well? According to Bush only 350 million people forming the upper middle class eat well. Let us work for the betterment of all the 1120 million people, whatever other people may say.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
O J’s Corner
Bad advice about unemployment dole
Film actor Mammootty was seen the other day on TV advising the government to stop issuing unemployment dole. The youth have vigour, vitality, adventure. Let them work and find gainful employment, so goes his advice. People sitting in ivory towers can go on dispensing pieces of advice. The state should endeavour to furnish employment to the youth. Why do we raise the age ceiling for securing employment? Because they don’t get a job at reasonable youthfulness. It is one thing to say that manual workers and menial employees cannot be found. It is also quite another thing to emphasise that the youth cannot sustain themselves or a family doing menial work. True, when they don’t find regular employment, there should be no hesitation in taking up whatever work that comes by. Do we have any industry of consequence in the manufacturing sector which offers good employment opportunities?
People say Kerala has no resources. Why can’t we convert the rich resources lying embedded in the coastal sand. The coastal sand is full of rare elements. Titanium dioxide is being used for ultra-modern gadgets. Instead of selling the sand, why not link up with some foreign companies with knowhow to manufacture items from our coastal sand which is rich in rare elements.
US President George Bush has spoken about 350 million middle class people in India consuming more now on account of economic growth. But no one highlights the plight of the rest of the population which lives below the poverty line. Povertyline is determined something like this in India. If one gets a monthly income of Rs 356.31 in rural India and Rs 538.61 in urban India, he is considered living above the poverty line. Planning Commission figures are Rs 356.30 and Rs 538.60 monthly income for rural people and urban people respectively to say they are living below the poverty line. At Rs 20 per kilogramme, how much rice can a family procure? Food Minister Divakaran had spoken about the need for people to eat meat, eggs and drink milk. N doubt he has understood this to be a foolish statement.
A lot of the powerful people thrive on black money earned through illegal means. Poor people have nothing. Many of the youth are also turning to illegal ways of finding income, like by selling arrack, extortion, burglary and the like. Things are not rosy.
Bad advice about unemployment dole
Film actor Mammootty was seen the other day on TV advising the government to stop issuing unemployment dole. The youth have vigour, vitality, adventure. Let them work and find gainful employment, so goes his advice. People sitting in ivory towers can go on dispensing pieces of advice. The state should endeavour to furnish employment to the youth. Why do we raise the age ceiling for securing employment? Because they don’t get a job at reasonable youthfulness. It is one thing to say that manual workers and menial employees cannot be found. It is also quite another thing to emphasise that the youth cannot sustain themselves or a family doing menial work. True, when they don’t find regular employment, there should be no hesitation in taking up whatever work that comes by. Do we have any industry of consequence in the manufacturing sector which offers good employment opportunities?
People say Kerala has no resources. Why can’t we convert the rich resources lying embedded in the coastal sand. The coastal sand is full of rare elements. Titanium dioxide is being used for ultra-modern gadgets. Instead of selling the sand, why not link up with some foreign companies with knowhow to manufacture items from our coastal sand which is rich in rare elements.
US President George Bush has spoken about 350 million middle class people in India consuming more now on account of economic growth. But no one highlights the plight of the rest of the population which lives below the poverty line. Povertyline is determined something like this in India. If one gets a monthly income of Rs 356.31 in rural India and Rs 538.61 in urban India, he is considered living above the poverty line. Planning Commission figures are Rs 356.30 and Rs 538.60 monthly income for rural people and urban people respectively to say they are living below the poverty line. At Rs 20 per kilogramme, how much rice can a family procure? Food Minister Divakaran had spoken about the need for people to eat meat, eggs and drink milk. N doubt he has understood this to be a foolish statement.
A lot of the powerful people thrive on black money earned through illegal means. Poor people have nothing. Many of the youth are also turning to illegal ways of finding income, like by selling arrack, extortion, burglary and the like. Things are not rosy.
Saturday, May 03, 2008
O J’s Corner
No right to take away life
Man is the crown and glory of all creatures. Whether one believes in the biblical theory of creation or in evolution, there can be no two opinions that human beings are the best of the lot physically, mentally, intellectually and artistically. Can any human being give life to a dead person? Therefore, no human being has the right to snap out the life of another person.
No authority, no government, no institution can order execution of a human being. God forgives all fallible human beings. If he reckons the sins and crimes committed by each and every human being, there would have been only punishments. No human being would have been spared. The Creator knows that we are gullible.
Can someone sit in judgement and pronounce the death penalty for another human being? Many of the criminals are there in confinement because they have been caught. There are thousands of people who have committed wrongs and roaming around the society like sinless people only because they have not been caught.
I shudder at the thought of people being hanged, shot to death, electrocuted, given the lethal injection like that. Why can’t we spare them? Let them be segregated and allowed to live, if they are a menace to society. Why should we kill them? An aye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth theory does not hold good in the modern-day world. Human beings are frail. They cannot be wiped out.
This does not mean that all criminals should be let loose. There are ways of treating them for their crimes other than the death penalty.
Jesus Christ prayed for those who sent him to the Cross. There is no room for human beings to lead a life of hate, crime and ill-will.
No right to take away life
Man is the crown and glory of all creatures. Whether one believes in the biblical theory of creation or in evolution, there can be no two opinions that human beings are the best of the lot physically, mentally, intellectually and artistically. Can any human being give life to a dead person? Therefore, no human being has the right to snap out the life of another person.
No authority, no government, no institution can order execution of a human being. God forgives all fallible human beings. If he reckons the sins and crimes committed by each and every human being, there would have been only punishments. No human being would have been spared. The Creator knows that we are gullible.
Can someone sit in judgement and pronounce the death penalty for another human being? Many of the criminals are there in confinement because they have been caught. There are thousands of people who have committed wrongs and roaming around the society like sinless people only because they have not been caught.
I shudder at the thought of people being hanged, shot to death, electrocuted, given the lethal injection like that. Why can’t we spare them? Let them be segregated and allowed to live, if they are a menace to society. Why should we kill them? An aye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth theory does not hold good in the modern-day world. Human beings are frail. They cannot be wiped out.
This does not mean that all criminals should be let loose. There are ways of treating them for their crimes other than the death penalty.
Jesus Christ prayed for those who sent him to the Cross. There is no room for human beings to lead a life of hate, crime and ill-will.
Friday, May 02, 2008
O J’s Corner
Call to youth
These days the Communist Party of India (Marxist) leaders are speaking common sense. CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan has criticized trade union workers levying looking charges, without doing any work. His remarks have been welcomed by all. Wonders may not come about all on a sudden. The system may not cease forthwith. At least there is awareness that the workers have been behaving unruly. Kerala’s development has been in the doldrums mainly because of this problem. No sane industrialist would set foot in Kerala under the circumstances.
Now Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, speaking at a May Day rally, has cautioned against the youth becoming lazy. They are after quick money selling liquor, legal or illegal. Youth are not happy about doing manual work. They want to earn money by crooked means.
An honest overview of the situation prevailing in the State would drive the point home that a lot of people, particularly the youth, are engaged in brewing and selling illicit liquor. Go to any place, countryside or cityside, there are joints aplenty selling the illicit brew. Youth carry arrack packets in pants pockets and undergarments and are selling them, earning a quick buck.
Also, almost all places in the state are porous and conducive for illegitimate activities. House-breaks and burglaries are the order of the day. Many of the youth are hands-in-glove with anti-social elements. This would not take them to a bright future. Personal achievements and professional glory, which could have been materialized otherwise, are being denied by themselves on account of their undesirable habits.
Things are not rosy for our youth. Role models are lacking. Wherever they go, they witness activities of vested interests. There should be an intellectual reawakening.
Call to youth
These days the Communist Party of India (Marxist) leaders are speaking common sense. CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan has criticized trade union workers levying looking charges, without doing any work. His remarks have been welcomed by all. Wonders may not come about all on a sudden. The system may not cease forthwith. At least there is awareness that the workers have been behaving unruly. Kerala’s development has been in the doldrums mainly because of this problem. No sane industrialist would set foot in Kerala under the circumstances.
Now Chief Minister V S Achuthanandan, speaking at a May Day rally, has cautioned against the youth becoming lazy. They are after quick money selling liquor, legal or illegal. Youth are not happy about doing manual work. They want to earn money by crooked means.
An honest overview of the situation prevailing in the State would drive the point home that a lot of people, particularly the youth, are engaged in brewing and selling illicit liquor. Go to any place, countryside or cityside, there are joints aplenty selling the illicit brew. Youth carry arrack packets in pants pockets and undergarments and are selling them, earning a quick buck.
Also, almost all places in the state are porous and conducive for illegitimate activities. House-breaks and burglaries are the order of the day. Many of the youth are hands-in-glove with anti-social elements. This would not take them to a bright future. Personal achievements and professional glory, which could have been materialized otherwise, are being denied by themselves on account of their undesirable habits.
Things are not rosy for our youth. Role models are lacking. Wherever they go, they witness activities of vested interests. There should be an intellectual reawakening.
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