Monday, December 19, 2016

Cycling from Puducherry to Kanyakumari

It was meant to be cycling in Northeast monsoon, but never was there any rain except two cyclones. Passed through following coastal districts (and UT) Puducherry, Cuddalore, Karaikal, Nagapattinam, Thiruvarur, Thanjavur, Pudukottai, Ramanathapuram, Thoothukudi, Tirunelveli, Kanyakumari…about 800kms. It was sponsored by TI Cycles and with help from WWF.
 About 30 educational institutions were covered and direct interactions with about 4700students. One hour talk session were conducted, 40minutes was put on a power point presentation (ppt) followed by 20minutes quiz. The need for educational institutions to be extension of nature was stressed. Frameworks for Nature Clubs/Eco Clubs and activities were suggested. The quiz focused mostly on TamilNadu, so as to create awareness on local biodiversity. Pens were distributed for appreciation.

 The main focus was to create awareness among younger generations on fragile coastal ecosystem as the region falls in the same
  •    Broader aspect of greenhouse gas (specifically CO2) initiated global warming and sea level rise
  •    The issue of ocean acidification and ocean warming (bleaching of corals)  
  •    Plastic pollution of ocean and its serious consequences were explained
The journey had some hiccups starting with constant liquidity crunch due to demonetization therefore depended on debit card payment or cheaper options, unfortunate passing away of CM Ms Jayalalitha, which delayed the event by about four days as also messed up the schedule. Cyclone Nada cost one day while I was not affected by cyclone Vardah. Add to it many institutions were having exams leading to last minute cancellations and festival holiday. Otherwise the event went smoothly and with sufficient accuracy, fulfilling the intentions that were set out.

Tuesday, December 06, 2016

Meanwhile....

..in the alley of a small town in Tamil Nadu

Monday, December 05, 2016

Amma canteen: Basic nutrition for all

There is a move towards basic income for all in some western countries. This blogger supports these initiatives, people should be assured for basic income rather than slaving for few money for some exploiters. This may not happen in India, being a poor country, as also the richer sections are habitual manipulators therefore will scuttle any moves that benefit the marginalised. In this context it is worth to study Tamil Nadu that has done amazingly well in social indices in recent times despite the persistent degradation from sanctum scums in the last many decades. It must be noted that low lives like CRajagopalachari was specifically sent by high end manipulators for these very purpose. The advantages of social justice movement and egalitarian ways suggested by amazing humans like Periyar is  significantly downplayed as the Dravidian movement is eaten from inside. Sanctum scum squatter camaraderie have placed themselves around all the vital points to scuttle and destroy any egalitarian ways or attempts. They spread thin along judiciary, media, art and sports. Common people’s aspirations through elected leaders were curtailed. Everything was reduced to its lowest competent denominator so as to make it convenient to showcase their bearings. Judiciary and media are known to be biased camaraderie driven feudal casteists, who have been reaping the benefit with minimum of effort and competence but high on ambition and scale sometimes even giving the vision of high ethical ways and attempt to supersede even international (mahatma being one such attempt, that is preciously nurtured and protected). Art is reduced to some stupid movies and is used to normalise the squatter narration and degraded ways. TV, a wonderful invention, is just another source of degradation as Indians dig deeper pit. While these so called artists (mostly intellectually limited) coming from the same frame are nothing but careers of these degradation. They also spread across other source of entertainment. It is no wonder in the international scene Indians figure nowhere, and rightly so. Excellence has no space for these manipulators. Sports is also reduced to game, a colonial left over elite promoted cricket (that like squatter temples have taken root in the zombie society) now an effective medium for money multiplication as youngsters ogle TV and waste their precious lives hooting for non-entities. Standards are so low that when it comes to sport they are forced to revert to mediocrities of this stupid game and feel good about themselves. Study the management, running and players from Tamil Nadu representing this stupid game and you know what forces are manipulating. Wherein, athletic and hardworking tamilians are effectively relegated by effete and ineffectual sanctum scums. It is ‘CR plan’ well executed that even sport symbols have sanctum reference, indeed the State symbol –that should be secular, too is degraded. There is a sinister degradation happening since the camaraderie took over the structures of power. India has been severely degraded since the so called independence. In recent times because of technology driven democratization (that surely didn’t, and really cannot, originate in India) the narration too is shifting its control.

It is in this context, that although the leaders in TN don’t carry the fervour of social justice movement and indeed have been severely compromised to squatter scums and the overwhelming degradations, despite these TN carries the remnants of enlightening social justice ambitions. Amma canteen is one such initiatives (it is unfortunate that everything has to be personality/ego driven) that should be appreciated and must be replicated across the nation. One rupee idli, five rupee lunch and ten rupee bottled water at bus stops, and around the state is an amazing initiative. It provides basic nutrition for marginalised people at minimum of cost. Delhi too had jan ahar but again the manipulative and morally corrupt elite spoiled it. I must add Amma canteens are well managed, hygienic and yes best part is it is run by women from impoverished sections. If every State in India emulated such initiatives it would really provide much needed nutritional needs of vast malnourished population as also gender empowerment. It will prevent needy people from exploitation by casteist feudals, pupating as they are in sanctum moral vacuum, and thus can be source for self-dignity. Tamil Nadu also has one of the cheapest transportation systems –bus fares, and excellent infrastructure. These surely are the product of visions and intents of great men like Periyar –who is deeply revered, despite the best effort of manipulative sanctum scums to degrade and displace. Casteist and racist Gandhi and Gandhian hooligans have no space wherein kindness and compassion are the narrative. They can do their truth seeking business in the sidelines, we aren’t much concerned. The mainstream narration must be wrenched from manipulator camaraderie and casteist feudals who are masquerading as liberals and trapping hapless people into vicious frames. The world community should take note, and yes African nations must immediately dismantle degrading references. These are demeaning for younger generations.