Rise and Shine, Kerala! (my thoughts on Kerala matters)

This flooding has been an unprecedented disaster in the history of my little home land. We have not experienced such a widespread, large scale suffering in Kerala, in this century. One that touched everyone one way or the other. Wars, the Partition, famines – none of those have touched us that hard on the whole. We are used to the Monsoon rains, and its accompanying frustrations, and joys. We are used to flooding in the sense that we read and hear about it with regards to certain areas. It was as if they did not affect us. Some areas, especially the coastal areas and also those around the  hill ranges suffer more, but again, shamefully I have to admit, it became an item in the news. Overall, the rains were soothing, and poetic, at times, dramatic with the powerful thunder and lightning show that set hearts pounding. All along, we know and see it all as the harbinger of the harvest season and the dazzling sunshine of the Onam season. I still remember the thunderous rain right when schools opened after the long summer vacation. And also when it stopped right before harvest season, in time for the  Onam vacation. The shining sun, smiling faces, smiling flowers, hovering dragonflies. Because the water that came up usually will drain away too. But this time, things were different, in fact, we are still in the early stages of the aftermath. This is the beginning of a major recovery effort , of an enormous rebuilding. For those who do not know, this becomes a massive undertaking because of the sheer number of people in that small piece of land. Albeit, a blessed land.

At first, it was disbelief that this could happen, that the rain was not going to stop, that the rain was so heavy and powerful that some described it as hissing and foaming. Even when the flooding started and even after warnings, there were people who stayed put in their homes assuming that it would get no higher. When two storey buildings started vanishing under water, of course people were convinced. The totally unprepared state rose to the occasion. The vast rescue and relief projects started with a few hiccups but gained momentum soon enough thanks to a great big hearted group that included fishermen, movie stars, politicians, the state Police, firemen, Electricity board, civil service officers, medics, lawyers, teachers, schools, colleges, businessmen, and a willing and able tech-savvy, social media active group of youngsters. Afar, in countries like the US, young people mobilized donations for their stricken homeland. Within a handful of days, they were able to garner the support of other NRI s who were yearning to pitch in. Hopefully, the older generation sat up and noticed how the much mocked “progress” and social media aided in this massive undertaking. They saw how the till then carefree youth jumped into the fray to help their fellow men and women with open hearts and willing hands. How differences in religion or caste or class was overlooked by everyone as much as how Mother Nature did the same! Those news items about disaster that changed lives in one sweep that we had previously taken in our strides, of which were aware but in which we were not involved at all, became the reality for all of us. The superficial sympathy became empathy.

And while all this is going on, of course I hear other stories, other sides to the story. How indiscriminate development, quarrying and mining in the Western Ghats, that natural protective fortress of ours, and in other areas, has led to these, especially the mudslides and landslides. How the rabid grabbing of farmlands, rice fields and even forest land for building homes and resorts have led to this. And how the lack of planning on the part of the government with regards to the amount of rainfall , the duration of the same, and the lack of calculation as to the amount  of  water that needed to be released from the dams at a certain time etc etc. Most of which makes sense, and the one about the rainfall and the dam needs to be looked into a little more, when we have the time.

I saw doubting folks with regard to the funds collected by well-meaning youth. People do not take the time to read, to listen, to take it in. I am always amazed when we show no hesitation in blaming someone without taking the time to know the facts. I heard and saw again how politicians used religion as their weapon to demoralize and segregate groups of people. Thus there are those who say that it is because we eat beef that this happened. Don’t know if anyone said that it is because we drink wine too. Again, these same people who say this do not mind living in such places and making money there. I had heard that some divisive  unIndian, unKeralite groups have been creating trouble in ours state, a little before this disaster.  Citing history and ownership of lands etc. Are they forgetting all the gains they reaped out of these other religions? Malayalis have always been tolerant and understanding . Unlike in the North, we have always been friendly with our fellow Malayalis, no matter what their religion is. We do not learn biased history in our schools. We do not need your hatred, greed, ignorance and divisive rhetoric in our land.

Meanwhile the rain stopped. And now the next important phase is here. Recovery, rebuilding. I hope and pray that we do not take this chance lightly and throw it away for immediate gains. Plan, listen to the experts, environmental especially. Take the time to do it well. For instance, please refrain from throwing that garbage the river brought back to us, back in the river! Protect our land for future generations, for us, so that disasters like this do not happen again. And if Nature does act up again, for some things are beyond our control, let us be better prepared. Effective storm water management has to be a priority. I see and admire the watershed drainage improvement projects in this town where I live now. It is amazing how beautiful and pleasing such projects can look. Rain gardens, water detention basins, storm sewer pipes along with erosion control with vegetation covers, rock ditches and so on become part of that.

Progress is here to stay, and it would be good if we could do it sensibly. For those who live in big cities with all their amenities, cities that were built on one such “natural” part of earth, you can’t expect these bucolic places to stay bucolic with no modern conveniences. Striking the right balance between preservation and progress is the key, obviously. So many options, resources, so much expertise, examples from all over the world, including the Dutch hydraulic project. A little caution, a little less corruption, a little  goodwill, and patience, we could do so much!

Now, in relation to the flooding, is  another glaring lack in our State. The lack of an efficient garbage disposal system, as many have pointed out. Pickup, disposal, recycling garbage is as important as a good sewer system. New guidelines are needed in the construction of homes. Our ancient vaasthu  shasthra was made and evolved for our climes but we have to take it further than just good luck and/or good life for us, but to our fellow human beings too. For the good of those who live around us, for those who come after us. One simple instance – the ubiquitous tiling of  yards. Very convenient, clean and comfortable, but do it so that the water can seep through, drain off. Permeable material should be used.

Another very important factor that I learned is the need for easy effective water purification systems. When I saw the Aqua tabs, which are pills that you can just drop in the water, cost more than double on amazon India, I wished we made our own. I am sure someone will think of the advantages of having fire drills and flood drills. I hear of talks about flood line mapping, digitalizing documents, calls for an international conference as to how to go forward from here. All sounds great. I know there are already small groups and organizations that work towards these goals. Let them into the mainstream. Garner the power of our youth, our students, our reasearchers, our universities, technoparks, and colleges. Encourage and support them to discover and invent new and better ways to do things, to live well , live healthy and smart in our own land. I know we can make things happen in spite of the red tape, the corruption, the political or gender intrigues. I remember the time when we brought a water tank to our university hostel a long time ago. That is another story again.

In spite of having so much water around us, we are not using it.I am more aware of missed opportunities in that area. My parents’ generation, especially those who grew up in the countryside, learned how to swim. But with the advent of towns and a few other elements, which believe and perpetuate the idea that all are equal, but some are more equal,  of which I have written elsewhere profusely, ours is not a water culture anymore. We don’t swim, we don’t fish, we don’t lie on the beach counting the stars. In fact we don’t dare to play.

Finally, A word to the wise – believe in your gods/God. But do not push him or her down others’ throats thinking yours is the only one way to Heaven. Do not fall for anyone who preaches anything in the name of their particular god or religion. Here is an idea -- why don't we make fun of , find fault with our own religion? Don't do that to another's religion. Because in many things, it is when someone else say bad things about something or someone we care about, that we get mad. Like a mother or father with her child. She or he can scold him as much as they like, but beware if someone else does it! Same with cultures. So I think we should make a pact about religions too.There was a time, not that long ago, when we could laugh at our religions. Joke about our gods. Now everyone seem to be taking it all so dead seriously! Guys and gals, tone it down! We all die, no matter what. Be kind to one another, as much as you can. We are on this earth together. We the people and also we and our gods. They are here because we are here. And vice versa. Now if that is blasphemy, just stop and think about it. Don't get mad.  We have heard it all said a million times, I know. But now a days apparently people find it hard to distinguish between faith and fanaticism. My fellow Malayalis, Indians, may you always use your commonsense! Unite and prosper! And may the sun shine on you, warm and bright!

For more info re other stories mentioned above, please read the fine print.

When I saw the things that the relief camps needed the most , urgently, the realization of the need to bring some changes to our lifestyle hit me,  many of us. We Malayalis or Keralites have always prided ourselves in our ancestry, heritage and above all, tolerance. Tolerance of other cultures, other religions. And our educated leaders and citizens have tried to remedy inequalities on every level. But sometimes we Malayalis tend to look down on customs and ways of living of other cultures. We are tolerant of those people, but if some of us adopt those ways, we are ridiculed or crucified. That is why some of us Malayalis laugh at someone wearing a slip on rubber shoes or a maternity pinafore dress. Progress doesn’t mean talking back or badmouthing something or someone you don’t understand.

They forget that the Marxism that brought about many changes to Kerala society is Western. Anyway, what I wanted to point out is not that highbrow or noble. I am talking of just plain old rain boots. Wish we Malayalis used those, had access to those. We are the ones who need those boots the most,with our yearly monsoon rains. Not our usual hawai chappal. These boots protect our feet from all sorts of things. Same with work boots that both men and women should use. I see women laborers now wearing shirts and lungees as opposed to the earlier more exposed mundu and blouse. Long trousers or pajama pants will be better of course along with boots. Same with gloves, and masks. And utensils  to eat with- spoons and/or forks, instead of fingers and hands. I know I will be booed for this. And in the grand scheme of things, these are not important or necessary. We all live, we all die! But while we live, we could live well. Quality of life is an important matter. Using spoons, of course clean ones, means less chance of germs. We did have those old bio-degradable spoons made of jack fruit tree leaves  and banana leaf dinner plates long before the West touted green living. Again, ignorance and lack of exposure to other ways of living tends to make people embarrassed to change, to take up new ways of doing things. Same with the use of diapers. The convenience, the hygiene. Do not take worm infestation in children and adults as a given! As natural! You don’t have to live with it. It has its bad effects on your health, and since it usually affects children, it  Most of us have learned the merits of modern latrines as opposed to outdoor defecation. Which wasn’t the case a few years back. I remember one scene in an old movie, Eeenadu, I believe, which shows this. But again, washing one’s hands with soap and water after using the toilet is still an unknown to many. Education in the use of toilets is needed too. This flood saw many clever uses of the new technologies to disseminate information. Let us not stop there. Use similar platforms to teach, to inform the public about basic cleanliness. I know we take great pride in our baths and our oil massages and daily rituals.  But obviously that is not enough.

Above all, we need to have a better knowledge and understanding of cleanliness in public areas. Lack of  clean public restrooms, especially for women, is another sore point in our sublime culture.

Yet another of our sides: 

Read my essays How dare they be naked under their underwear! How green wasmy valley

Still a ways to go in regard to women, but that is another story. That is why I wasn’t surprised to hear about that issue with the one guy mocking the need for sanitary napkins for women at the camps. That equating of sanitary napkins with condoms, sadly, is expected -- the result of over-sexualizing, romanticizing, vulgarizing menstruation.  Along with other traditional, Victorian perspectives and institutions, such as the arranged marriage,  which is the weave and warp of our tradition, our culture, all of which works well towards  its main goal -- putting women in their place and/or relegating the marginal to the periphery. But then that is just one guy, and I hear that he got fired from his job. Ignorance and that need to make a joke in awkward moments are other reasons, of course. Which is to be pitied, and remedied through, along with that other affliction that involves peeping and groping.

Murder on the Orient Express (2017)

Kenneth Branagh's adaptation. Not bad. big name stars. Not bad. Somehow the Orient Express, that opulently cozy romantic train is less so in this version. That was all part of the wonderful package of Agatha Christie's book and later the David Suchet movies. Glad that Branagh did not reduce Poirot to the lecherous old goat level of Ustinov. Or make him a buffoon. But what is with that mustache? I will overlook that, considering the fact that he did an overall good job. Except when he giggled like some idiot  while reading his book. And when he grew inordinately pensive and yearning looking at the picture of a lost love. Needless to say Poirot was not like that. He was dignified in every way. Those things irked me as did the pervasive grays. Realistic maybe, but why not be realistic when it comes to the character too? nd the unnecessary twists and turns in the end! And the nominal black guy! Granted this book does have an American connection. Unlike some others where they simply add one to pander to the American viewer, and the most sacrilegious of all - making Poirot a religious fanatic. Thankfully not so much of that in this one. Actually I dont remember.