Asianet News
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
No vehicle chased Paul's Endeavour
In his statement Biju says that the vehicle that hit him was not followed by any other vehicle. Those who came to help him later went to the tempo traveller which was parked 20 metres away. To clarify this, Asianet News called Biju in his mobile, he repeated the same. He also said that he asked for help to the vehicles which were passing the area at that time.
KOCHI: In Biju's statement, after hitting his two wheeler by Paul Muthoot's Endeavour car it was not chased by any tempo traveller. Biju said to Asianet News that after the accident no heavy vehicle passed the road for around 20 minutes to Changanassery area.
In his statement Biju says that the vehicle that hit him was not followed by any other vehicle. Those who came to help him later went to the tempo traveller which was parked 20 metres away. To clarify this, Asianet News called Biju in his mobile, he repeated the same. He also said that he asked for help to the vehicles which were passing the area at that time.
The statement of Biju has vast difference with the statement that IG said in the press conference earlier. The IG said that the provoked youth in the tempo traveller chased the Endeavour car of Paul Muthoot after helping Biju to sit down. The quotation group followed the car and killed Paul Muthoot just after seven minutes of the said accident of the two wheeler.
Monday, September 7, 2009
187 marriages in a day at Guruvayoor temple
Sunday,6 September 2009
Guruvayoor, Sep 6: As many as 187 marriages were solemnised at Kerala's famed Sree Krishna Temple here from 5 a.m. till about noon Sunday, setting a record of sorts.
One of the main reasons for the large number of couples tying the knot is that the day is considered auspicious for conducting ceremonies, said Vijayan Nambiar, a senior temple official.
"All those interested in their marriage being conducted in the temple had to get their names registered the previous day or at least by 4 a.m. Sunday when the temple office opens. A fee of Rs.200 is charged and the approximate time of the marriage is given to them," Nambiar told IANS.
"At the appointed time, the marriage party is called and a maximum of five people apart from the bride and groom are allowed to go to the 'mandapam' where the marriage rites are conducted. The entire marriage ceremony gets over in about five minutes and soon the next couple is called out," Nambiar explained.
Last Sunday also saw a huge rush with 134 couples getting married. Sunday's figures beat the record set three years back when when 157 marriages were solemnised.
Guruvayoor, Sep 6: As many as 187 marriages were solemnised at Kerala's famed Sree Krishna Temple here from 5 a.m. till about noon Sunday, setting a record of sorts.
One of the main reasons for the large number of couples tying the knot is that the day is considered auspicious for conducting ceremonies, said Vijayan Nambiar, a senior temple official.
"All those interested in their marriage being conducted in the temple had to get their names registered the previous day or at least by 4 a.m. Sunday when the temple office opens. A fee of Rs.200 is charged and the approximate time of the marriage is given to them," Nambiar told IANS.
"At the appointed time, the marriage party is called and a maximum of five people apart from the bride and groom are allowed to go to the 'mandapam' where the marriage rites are conducted. The entire marriage ceremony gets over in about five minutes and soon the next couple is called out," Nambiar explained.
Last Sunday also saw a huge rush with 134 couples getting married. Sunday's figures beat the record set three years back when when 157 marriages were solemnised.
Sunday, September 6, 2009
Onam Music Concert by K.S.Chitra at Prasanthi Nilayam
K.S.Chitra, popularly known as the “Nightingale of South India” who lends her voice in the South Indian Film Industry, whose foray into the field of playback singing earned her a distinct name in the Indian Music Industry; The stage was the seat of the Lord in physical, the dais in Prasanthi Nilayam; The occasion was Uthradam, the day preceding to Thiruvonam, Kerala’s most important festivity.
…And the popular playback singer would never forget the day when she was abundantly blessed by Bhagawan. On the beautiful evening that preceded the auspicious Thiruvonam, K.S.Chitra was fortunate to share the stage with her Mighty Lord, who was onstage enjoying the programme, to sing a collection of selected devotionals.
top
Starting off with Ganesha Vandana she had a string of ten songs that included one bhajan, a fruitful mix of variety songs including carnatic pieces that exhibited her rare talent of weaving vocal magic.
The songs included, Madhura Mukhada Sai Natha…, Bhaavayami Gopala Baalam….. Jai Jai Jai Jai Sai Janani…, Aalarey Giridhara Gopal…, Pashupathi Thanaya Vighna Vinashaka…, Krishna Nee Begane Baaro, Koi Kahiyo Re Prabhu Awan Ki etc… followed by the popular Prasanthi Bhajan “…Chittha Chora Yasoda Ke Bal, Navaneeta Chora Gopal”…
During one of her earlier visits to Prasanthi Nilayam, in the mid nineties, she had an opportunity to sing in His Divine Presence, in an unscheduled programme held in the Poornachandra Auditorium. And along with many other popular devotionals she had sung the same bhajan, “Chittha Chora Yasoda Ke Bal…”
top
Hers was melody that sounded soothing, often touching lower tones, suddenly pitching up to ecstatic heights, a sign of devotional ecstasy, bringing the audience spellbound with what one could call the ‘Nightingale Special’ for The Lord. The packed audience gave the singer rounds of applause when, one after one, she came out with a variety mix sung with elan.
After the programme Bhagawan spent quite some time with the singer talking and blessing her. Her seven year old child, Nandana, was specially called on stage at the instance of Bhagawan. Bhagawan materialized a gold chain for the little one and presented sari to the singer and safari pieces to the accompanying artistes. Bhagawan most lovingly posed for photo session making the day a most memorable one in her life.
Watch Exclusive Slide show down this page
…And the popular playback singer would never forget the day when she was abundantly blessed by Bhagawan. On the beautiful evening that preceded the auspicious Thiruvonam, K.S.Chitra was fortunate to share the stage with her Mighty Lord, who was onstage enjoying the programme, to sing a collection of selected devotionals.
top
Starting off with Ganesha Vandana she had a string of ten songs that included one bhajan, a fruitful mix of variety songs including carnatic pieces that exhibited her rare talent of weaving vocal magic.
The songs included, Madhura Mukhada Sai Natha…, Bhaavayami Gopala Baalam….. Jai Jai Jai Jai Sai Janani…, Aalarey Giridhara Gopal…, Pashupathi Thanaya Vighna Vinashaka…, Krishna Nee Begane Baaro, Koi Kahiyo Re Prabhu Awan Ki etc… followed by the popular Prasanthi Bhajan “…Chittha Chora Yasoda Ke Bal, Navaneeta Chora Gopal”…
During one of her earlier visits to Prasanthi Nilayam, in the mid nineties, she had an opportunity to sing in His Divine Presence, in an unscheduled programme held in the Poornachandra Auditorium. And along with many other popular devotionals she had sung the same bhajan, “Chittha Chora Yasoda Ke Bal…”
top
Hers was melody that sounded soothing, often touching lower tones, suddenly pitching up to ecstatic heights, a sign of devotional ecstasy, bringing the audience spellbound with what one could call the ‘Nightingale Special’ for The Lord. The packed audience gave the singer rounds of applause when, one after one, she came out with a variety mix sung with elan.
After the programme Bhagawan spent quite some time with the singer talking and blessing her. Her seven year old child, Nandana, was specially called on stage at the instance of Bhagawan. Bhagawan materialized a gold chain for the little one and presented sari to the singer and safari pieces to the accompanying artistes. Bhagawan most lovingly posed for photo session making the day a most memorable one in her life.
Watch Exclusive Slide show down this page
Onam Divine Discourse by / Sri Satya Sai Baba at Puttaparthi
2nd Sept 2009
Dear devotees of Kerala!
Emperor Bali used to rule the state of Kerala in ancient times. He used to treat his subjects as his own family members and provide several conveniences for their happy and comfortable living. He used to develop sacred feelings among the people and create a proper environment to foster them.
In order that the people tread the right path and to set an example to them, he once started a yajna (ritual, sacrifice) by name ‘Viswajit’. Several people gathered to witness that event. Emperor Bali performed the yajna on a grand scale by donating land and money to several people and gave away gifts to a number of people on the occasion. During the Yajna, his family members were also seated on the Yajna Vedika along with him.
While everyone was watching the grand spectacle, a handsome boy entered the sacrificial hall holding a small umbrella made of palmirah leaves. As He was approaching the altar, Emperor Bali’s daughter Ratnamala saw Him. She was captivated by the beauty and effulgence of that charming young boy. Immediately, she was lost in deep contemplation, thinking, “How fortunate it would be if I had a child like Him!” The boy went straight to the altar. While everyone present in the sacrificial hall was watching happily, Emperor Bali welcomed Him, washed His feet reverentially, offered a garland, and asked Him to sit on an ornate chair. He then asked the young boy, “Who are You? Where did You come from and why?”
The young boy replied, “I have heard that Emperor Bali is doing several acts of charity. I too have a desire to be fulfilled.”The Emperor then asked, “What is it?” The boy replied, “I don’t need much. I will be happy if small piece of land measuring three feet is given to Me in charity.”
Emperor Bali wondered, “What! Such a small request! I thought You would ask for some big things. I am surprised at your small request. Is that enough? You may ask for something more.”
The young boy replied that it would be enough if His request is fulfilled. He covered the entire earth with one step and the sky with the second and was waiting to take the third step. But there was no space left for the third step.
Emperor Bali then told the boy, “Dear one! You covered the entire Earth with one step and the sky with the second. Now there is no space to set the third step. Hence, put Your foot on my head, if You wish.” So saying, he bent his head before the boy, who was none other than Lord Vishnu come in the form of Vamana Avatar. The moment Lord Vamana set His foot on the head of Emperor Bali, Bali was pushed down under its weight to the nether world! That was how Lord Vishnu liberated Bali.
The people of Emperor Bali’s Kingdom were very sad at the developments. They expressed their feelings of forlornness thus: “Oh God! Our Emperor is no more with us. He used to rear us like his own children. He is our protector. How can you live without him?” Their helplessness and agony over the separation from their beloved King were very painful. The happy event of Yajna being celebrated on a grand scale came to an abrupt end. This is an example of the saying, “Pleasure is an interval between two pains.”
As the people were thus grieving, Emperor Bali declared from the nether world, “Oh my dear children! You are all very dear to me. I will always look after your welfare, wherever I am. I will see that you do not undergo any trouble. I will protect you. You need not feel that I am away from you in a different world. Every year on this day, I shall come and see you. Commemorate this day of my coming as a festival. Take a head bath, wear new clothes, and enjoy a feast with a variety of dishes on this day.”
Since then, the people of Kerala celebrate that day as ‘Onam festival’ in remembrance of their most beloved King and protector Bali.
Emperor Bali used to do a lot of good work for the benefit of people and make them happy. This is why the people could not bear separation from their beloved King. Even today, Kerala remains a land of plenty and prosperity. Nature showers its bounty on the people of Kerala. In fact, the rains start in Kerala and then spread to the entire country. There is no dearth of food grains and drinking water in Kerala, which is nature’s gift to the people of Kerala. It is customary to see people in other states worrying about the arrival of the monsoon saying, “Oh! The rains have not yet started in Kerala.” It is a land where the omnipresent God incarnated as Lord Vamana. He may incarnate in one place but is present everywhere.
God is omnipresent, though at times He incarnates in one form at one place. God is only one, not two, though people refer to Him by different names and forms. Ekam sath viprah bahudha vadanti (truth is one, but the wise refer to it by various names). It is only our illusion to ascribe different names to God like Rama, Krishna, Govinda, Allah, Jesus, etc. The sun is only one, and it appears in different parts of the world at different times. It is now 9.00 a.m.; but it is night in the U.S.A. Similarly, the one God dwells in different people in different forms.
Do not be under the impression that God has different forms. He is beyond names and forms. Ekoham bahusyam (God is one but manifests as several beings). Divinity is present everywhere and in every country and in every individual. It is omnipresent. Since your perceptions are different, you ascribe different names and forms to the one God.
The land of Kerala is the gift of God. The people of Kerala follow the commands of the noble Emperor Bali even today. That is why the state has developed in several ways. There is no dearth of food and amenities for a happy living in Kerala. Emperor Bali provided all comforts to the people before he left for his abode. It is a small state, and densely populated. Whatever may be the size of population, people enjoy a lot of comforts, peace, and happiness in Kerala.
Of course, changes in people’s aspirations and lifestyle are taking place in recent times due to the impact of Kali Yuga, but the core of their hearts and feelings remains the same. They still follow the Vedic injunctions Sathyam vada, dharmam chara (speak truth and follow righteousness). They respect the elders and serve them with love and affection.
What could be the reason for this? Love for God. It is a land where love for God exists even today. They have fear of sin. Those who have love for God naturally develop fear of sin. Consequently, such people will have a high degree of morality in society, which is very important for its orderly functioning. Thus, the people of Kerala scrupulously observe the three principles of Daiva preethi; papa bheethi, and sangha neethi (love for God, fear of sin, and morality in society). They respect elders and give due recognition to them.
One should have morality and integrity. The same principles have been enshrined in the Vedic injunction, Sathyam vada, dharmam chara (speak truth and follow righteousness). The people of Kerala follow these two principles scrupulously in their daily lives.
It is not enough to celebrate the Onam festival with a lot of religious fervour and devotion. You have to live up to the expectations of the noble emperor Bali. It is said Matru devo bhava, pitru devo bhava, acharya devo bhava, atithi devo bhava (revere your mother, father, preceptor, and guest as God). (Mother is God, father is God, teacher is God, and guest is God). First comes the mother in that order. She gives birth to you, brings you up, and teaches you good things in your formative years. Then begins the role of father. He is your second guru. Then the teacher (guru) teaches you education to enable you to make a living in the world. And finally God takes command. Thus, your life in this physical world begins with your mother and culminates in God.
Hence, do not under any circumstances forget your mother. Love your mother more than anyone else and show her due respect. You will find that the people of Kerala respect the elders very much, particularly their mothers. They lend a helping hand and take good care of them. They keep them happy always. How fortunate are the people of Kerala to have an Emperor like Bali, whom God Himself accompanied to Vaikuntha (heaven)!
What is Onam? It is a day in which people take a good bath, wear new clothes, and pray to God with a pure heart. The people of Kerala prepare a variety of tasty dishes, particularly with banana. In fact, they prepare twelve varieties of dishes with the banana fruit. It is a unique celebration. They prepare these dishes with a pure and loving heart. Hence, they will be very tasty.
They offer these preparations first to God wholeheartedly and with a lot of devotion and then partake of it along with their family members and relations. They serve these dishes one after the other. Both the cooking and serving of the dishes is done with a pure and loving heart in the true spirit of Onam celebrations. They keep their houses clean and maintain a sacred atmosphere for God to manifest. They consider them not merely as houses, but temples of God. It is only in Kerala that such a sacred atmosphere prevails.
Even if some people have some misgivings about the festival of Onam, they get them cleared and celebrate the festival in its true spirit as a day on which Emperor Bali conferred blessings on his people from Vaikuntha (the abode of Lord Vishnu), which he ultimately reached.
It is a tapas (penance) for the people of Kerala to remember the words of Emperor Bali on this day and lead their lives accordingly in a spirit of love and service. “Love all and serve all”! There can be no greater penance for anyone.
Whomsoever you come across, offer your salutations. Even if you encounter your enemy, offer your salutations to him first. Surely, he will reciprocate your noble gesture. Thus, people have to conduct themselves with mutual love and unity. It is only such people that deserve to be called human beings. They are, in fact, the people with morality.
You have to develop such morality today. Love for God enjoins one to develop morality in society. Hence, you have to develop Daiva preethi, papa bheethi, and sangha neethi (love for God, fear of sin, and morality in society). Do not ever forget these three principles.
Those who have no morality are not human beings at all! Can a nation or race exist without morality? No! You have also to develop the qualities of humility and obedience, besides morality. This was, in fact, the message of emperor Bali to his people. If you can cultivate and develop these qualities, your life will be sanctified. - Source- sssbpt.org
KCBC Women’s Commission releases gender policy
06 Sep 2009
KOCHI: The Women’s Commission of the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) on Saturday released its gender policy, which includes an action plan for ensuring gender equality and the uplift of women within the Church as well as in society.
The goals of the gender policy are violence-free homes and workplaces, equal participation of women in all social activities as well as change in the mindsets of men and women to promote gender justice within families, society and in the Church.
The primary areas identified for the implementation of the action plan include education, church activities, politics, health, financial independence, science and technology and the tribal communities.
The policy suggests that March 8 could be observed as the International Women’s Day, September 8 as the Girl Child Day and November 25 as the Anti-Violence Day.
The policy also include suggestions to ensure just wages for women employees and proper allowances for the women employed in Church-run institutions as well as equal pay for equal work and land and property rights for women.
The policy also calls for the disqualification of men who engage in domestic violence, extra-marital relationships and those who are confirmed alcoholics from positions of authority in Church bodies.
The policy suggests that there should be a forum to address violence against women and the girl children in households, work places and the Church-run organisations.
The Church should also design an integrated development programme for dalit women to eradicate poverty by making budgetary allocations for its social service centres. The gender policy was released at the valedictory function of the three-day regional assembly of the KCBC Women’s Commission held at the Pastoral Orientation Centre here.
Kannur Bishop Varghese Chakkalakkal, who is also vice-chairman of the Women’s Commission, released the policy by giving a copy to Sr Lilly Francis Poovelil, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India(CBCI) Women’s Commission.
KCBC Women’s Commission chairman Mar Mathew Anikkuzhikkattil inaugurated the function. KCMS vice-president Sr Styne, KCBC executive secretary Fr Stephen Alathara, Institute of Management in Government professor Neena Joseph, KCBC Women’s Commission secretary Beena Sebastian and Rosakkutty Abraham spoke.
Express New Service
KOCHI: The Women’s Commission of the Kerala Catholic Bishops Council (KCBC) on Saturday released its gender policy, which includes an action plan for ensuring gender equality and the uplift of women within the Church as well as in society.
The goals of the gender policy are violence-free homes and workplaces, equal participation of women in all social activities as well as change in the mindsets of men and women to promote gender justice within families, society and in the Church.
The primary areas identified for the implementation of the action plan include education, church activities, politics, health, financial independence, science and technology and the tribal communities.
The policy suggests that March 8 could be observed as the International Women’s Day, September 8 as the Girl Child Day and November 25 as the Anti-Violence Day.
The policy also include suggestions to ensure just wages for women employees and proper allowances for the women employed in Church-run institutions as well as equal pay for equal work and land and property rights for women.
The policy also calls for the disqualification of men who engage in domestic violence, extra-marital relationships and those who are confirmed alcoholics from positions of authority in Church bodies.
The policy suggests that there should be a forum to address violence against women and the girl children in households, work places and the Church-run organisations.
The Church should also design an integrated development programme for dalit women to eradicate poverty by making budgetary allocations for its social service centres. The gender policy was released at the valedictory function of the three-day regional assembly of the KCBC Women’s Commission held at the Pastoral Orientation Centre here.
Kannur Bishop Varghese Chakkalakkal, who is also vice-chairman of the Women’s Commission, released the policy by giving a copy to Sr Lilly Francis Poovelil, executive secretary of the Catholic Bishops Conference of India(CBCI) Women’s Commission.
KCBC Women’s Commission chairman Mar Mathew Anikkuzhikkattil inaugurated the function. KCMS vice-president Sr Styne, KCBC executive secretary Fr Stephen Alathara, Institute of Management in Government professor Neena Joseph, KCBC Women’s Commission secretary Beena Sebastian and Rosakkutty Abraham spoke.
Express New Service
A long political love story
K.P. NAYAR ,The Telegraph Calcutta
Washington, Sept. 5: Theirs was an eight-year romance that led to a sensational marriage, the contradictions of which posed a huge dilemma in the 1960s for boys and girls in Kerala, like this writer, who were at a very impressionable age.
It was impossible for many starry-eyed idealists in schools and colleges to identify with the politics of Vayalar Ravi and Mercy who died today in Chennai after a prolonged illness. She was 63.
Their politics then relied on the strength of the Christian church and the powerful Nair Service Society to oust Kerala’s first communist government and then checkmate legendary Marxist leaders like E.M.S Namboodiripad and A.K. Gopalan who were deified in the state almost like North Korea’s “great leader”.
At the same time, in their personal lives, Ravi, a Hindu of the “backward” Ezhava caste and Mercy, a Christian, were challenging deep-rooted prejudices and obscurantism of the kind that prompted Swami Vivekananda to exclaim in 1892 on a visit to what is now Kerala that “I have wandered into a lunatic asylum”.
Of course, Ravi came from a family, in which, both his parents were freedom fighters and committed Congress workers.
Theirs was love at first sight on the very first day that Mercy enrolled at one of the few co-ed colleges in Kerala, the Maharaja’s College in Ernakulam. In the Kerala of the 1960s, though, love at first sight meant just that: there was little more to love than mere sight.
Mercy, who belonged to a very prominent, but conservative Christian family in Ernakulam, used to marvel in later life that Ravi showed the same daring in their budding romance that he showed as a student leader in taking on the communists.
After watching her from a distance for many months, Ravi -- who had already acquired state-wide recognition as a founder of the Congress Party’s student wing, the Kerala Students’ Union -- broke taboos in college and got some girl students on campus to get himself introduced to Mercy.
Kerala was in utter turmoil during those years. In the college that this writer went to in Thiruvananthapuram, just half a dozen students could make sure that classes were suspended for an entire day and violence was rampant. A favourite target of students was the American Cultural Center in the state capital.
Mercy used to say that Ravi won her heart by ensuring that every time there was a strike or violence in college, which meant several times a month, he sent one of his sidekicks -- who were in plenty -- to escort her safely home.
In later life, long after Ravi had become a national-level Congress leader, parliamentarian and Union minister, he would still be as protective about his wife. She was drawn to Congress politics as a student and later into public life because of her husband.
Once, Mercy ran out of legislative funds for a development project in her constituency when she was a member of the Kerala legislature. Ravi helped complete the project by transferring money from his MP’s development fund, which he could do as a Rajya Sabha member.
As a couple, they always thought big. Mercy’s debut in Kerala’s electoral politics was from Mala, a constituency vacated in 1996 after 30 years by the tallest Congress leader in the state, former chief minister K. Karunakaran.
Outsiders think of Kerala as a pioneering Indian state on social issues like literacy and equality for women. But even at the turn of this millennium, Mercy proved that she could do another “first” as a woman in Kerala.
Eight years ago, she became the first woman to win election to the Assembly from the conservative Christian stronghold of Kottayam.
It is ironic that 36 years after Ravi and Mercy fell in love with each other, married and had three children, their inter-religious alliance should have become controversial in Kerala’s famous Guruvayur temple.
After Ravi’s son, Ravi Krishna and his bride went to Guruvayur to seek the deity’s blessings for their Hindu marriage, temple authorities performed a ritual purifying the temple premises because Ravi Krishna’s mother, Mercy, was a Christian. The committee regretted it after Ravi kicked up a fuss.
The lasting memory of Kerala’s longest political love story will be a huge photograph that prominently hangs on a wall in Ravi’s ministerial bungalow in New Delhi. It shows Ravi affectionately leaning over Mercy’s hospital bed in her last days and kissing her on her cheek, something the couple could not have dreamt of doing in the days when they were secretly in love in Maharaja’s College.
Washington, Sept. 5: Theirs was an eight-year romance that led to a sensational marriage, the contradictions of which posed a huge dilemma in the 1960s for boys and girls in Kerala, like this writer, who were at a very impressionable age.
It was impossible for many starry-eyed idealists in schools and colleges to identify with the politics of Vayalar Ravi and Mercy who died today in Chennai after a prolonged illness. She was 63.
Their politics then relied on the strength of the Christian church and the powerful Nair Service Society to oust Kerala’s first communist government and then checkmate legendary Marxist leaders like E.M.S Namboodiripad and A.K. Gopalan who were deified in the state almost like North Korea’s “great leader”.
At the same time, in their personal lives, Ravi, a Hindu of the “backward” Ezhava caste and Mercy, a Christian, were challenging deep-rooted prejudices and obscurantism of the kind that prompted Swami Vivekananda to exclaim in 1892 on a visit to what is now Kerala that “I have wandered into a lunatic asylum”.
Of course, Ravi came from a family, in which, both his parents were freedom fighters and committed Congress workers.
Theirs was love at first sight on the very first day that Mercy enrolled at one of the few co-ed colleges in Kerala, the Maharaja’s College in Ernakulam. In the Kerala of the 1960s, though, love at first sight meant just that: there was little more to love than mere sight.
Mercy, who belonged to a very prominent, but conservative Christian family in Ernakulam, used to marvel in later life that Ravi showed the same daring in their budding romance that he showed as a student leader in taking on the communists.
After watching her from a distance for many months, Ravi -- who had already acquired state-wide recognition as a founder of the Congress Party’s student wing, the Kerala Students’ Union -- broke taboos in college and got some girl students on campus to get himself introduced to Mercy.
Kerala was in utter turmoil during those years. In the college that this writer went to in Thiruvananthapuram, just half a dozen students could make sure that classes were suspended for an entire day and violence was rampant. A favourite target of students was the American Cultural Center in the state capital.
Mercy used to say that Ravi won her heart by ensuring that every time there was a strike or violence in college, which meant several times a month, he sent one of his sidekicks -- who were in plenty -- to escort her safely home.
In later life, long after Ravi had become a national-level Congress leader, parliamentarian and Union minister, he would still be as protective about his wife. She was drawn to Congress politics as a student and later into public life because of her husband.
Once, Mercy ran out of legislative funds for a development project in her constituency when she was a member of the Kerala legislature. Ravi helped complete the project by transferring money from his MP’s development fund, which he could do as a Rajya Sabha member.
As a couple, they always thought big. Mercy’s debut in Kerala’s electoral politics was from Mala, a constituency vacated in 1996 after 30 years by the tallest Congress leader in the state, former chief minister K. Karunakaran.
Outsiders think of Kerala as a pioneering Indian state on social issues like literacy and equality for women. But even at the turn of this millennium, Mercy proved that she could do another “first” as a woman in Kerala.
Eight years ago, she became the first woman to win election to the Assembly from the conservative Christian stronghold of Kottayam.
It is ironic that 36 years after Ravi and Mercy fell in love with each other, married and had three children, their inter-religious alliance should have become controversial in Kerala’s famous Guruvayur temple.
After Ravi’s son, Ravi Krishna and his bride went to Guruvayur to seek the deity’s blessings for their Hindu marriage, temple authorities performed a ritual purifying the temple premises because Ravi Krishna’s mother, Mercy, was a Christian. The committee regretted it after Ravi kicked up a fuss.
The lasting memory of Kerala’s longest political love story will be a huge photograph that prominently hangs on a wall in Ravi’s ministerial bungalow in New Delhi. It shows Ravi affectionately leaning over Mercy’s hospital bed in her last days and kissing her on her cheek, something the couple could not have dreamt of doing in the days when they were secretly in love in Maharaja’s College.
Feasts & flowers motifs mark Onam
3 September 2009
NEW DELHI: The Krishnans, who live in a modest two-room quarter in the Travancore House, meant for the staff of Kerala House, eagerly look forward to Onam every year. The malayalee family which has been living in Delhi for the past 30 years makes sure the festival is celebrated with a grand feast and prepares the traditional `pookalam' (flower rangoli) at the doorstep of their house.
Those who visit them for Onam greetings are offered a sumptuous vegetarian meal with a variety of dishes laid out on a plantain leaf. The traditional favourites are avial (semi-dry mixed vegetable), sambhar, rasam, kalaan (yam and plantains in a buttermilk preparation), olan (pumpkin in coconut milk), payasam (kheer), papad, inchi puli (tamarind pickle), inchi thair (ginger curd) and rice, without which a meal is incomplete.
On Wednesday, Raji Krishnan woke up at 5am to prepare around 10-12 exotic dishes. "One is actually supposed to make 32 varieties, but I didn't have help or the energy. We still try to stick to tradition as much as we can.''
Onam celebrates the arrival of demon king Mahabali. Legend has that when Mahabali, the Asura (demon) king, ruled the state of Kerala nobody was poor or rich. He was so fair and judicious that even the gods felt jealous and insecure of him. To teach him a lesson, he was pushed to pathala the nether world. But it's believed that once a year during Onam, Mahabali comes and meets his people. Families prepare traditional dishes and offer floral tributes in his welcome.
And while good food certainly makes Onam special, floral tributes are another significant aspect of the 10-day harvest festival. Raji's 20-year-old daughter Jiji, along with some neighbours, participated in a floral rangoli-making competition at Kerala House on Wednesday and won the second prize.
"Today is Thiruvonam, an extremely auspicious day. The family elders gift new dresses to the younger members. Women drape traditional sarees and kids wear a blouse and lehenga called `pattuvaada'. I have been taking part in the rangoli-making competition for the past 10 years and eagerly wait for Onam. We made a small rangoli outside the house and will change it every day for 10 days. Today is the last day for floral tributes,'' said Jiji.
M Krishnan, the head of the family who works in housekeeping in Kerala House, planted a banana tree right outside the house for Onam. "Banana is a key ingredient in all our preparations. This time when I visited Kerala I got the Keral bananas specially for Onam. It's only during weddings and festivities that we eat on the banana leaf,'' he said.
He added that every malayalee strongly believes in the famous saying "kaanam vittum Onam unaam'' (I will devour even if I have to sell off all my property). "No matter whether you are rich or poor, Onam is celebrated by all with equal pomp and show,'' he said.
NEW DELHI: The Krishnans, who live in a modest two-room quarter in the Travancore House, meant for the staff of Kerala House, eagerly look forward to Onam every year. The malayalee family which has been living in Delhi for the past 30 years makes sure the festival is celebrated with a grand feast and prepares the traditional `pookalam' (flower rangoli) at the doorstep of their house.
Those who visit them for Onam greetings are offered a sumptuous vegetarian meal with a variety of dishes laid out on a plantain leaf. The traditional favourites are avial (semi-dry mixed vegetable), sambhar, rasam, kalaan (yam and plantains in a buttermilk preparation), olan (pumpkin in coconut milk), payasam (kheer), papad, inchi puli (tamarind pickle), inchi thair (ginger curd) and rice, without which a meal is incomplete.
On Wednesday, Raji Krishnan woke up at 5am to prepare around 10-12 exotic dishes. "One is actually supposed to make 32 varieties, but I didn't have help or the energy. We still try to stick to tradition as much as we can.''
Onam celebrates the arrival of demon king Mahabali. Legend has that when Mahabali, the Asura (demon) king, ruled the state of Kerala nobody was poor or rich. He was so fair and judicious that even the gods felt jealous and insecure of him. To teach him a lesson, he was pushed to pathala the nether world. But it's believed that once a year during Onam, Mahabali comes and meets his people. Families prepare traditional dishes and offer floral tributes in his welcome.
And while good food certainly makes Onam special, floral tributes are another significant aspect of the 10-day harvest festival. Raji's 20-year-old daughter Jiji, along with some neighbours, participated in a floral rangoli-making competition at Kerala House on Wednesday and won the second prize.
"Today is Thiruvonam, an extremely auspicious day. The family elders gift new dresses to the younger members. Women drape traditional sarees and kids wear a blouse and lehenga called `pattuvaada'. I have been taking part in the rangoli-making competition for the past 10 years and eagerly wait for Onam. We made a small rangoli outside the house and will change it every day for 10 days. Today is the last day for floral tributes,'' said Jiji.
M Krishnan, the head of the family who works in housekeeping in Kerala House, planted a banana tree right outside the house for Onam. "Banana is a key ingredient in all our preparations. This time when I visited Kerala I got the Keral bananas specially for Onam. It's only during weddings and festivities that we eat on the banana leaf,'' he said.
He added that every malayalee strongly believes in the famous saying "kaanam vittum Onam unaam'' (I will devour even if I have to sell off all my property). "No matter whether you are rich or poor, Onam is celebrated by all with equal pomp and show,'' he said.
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