Muraleedharan is becoming a comic figure in Kerala

With all sincerity, I must say I feel pity for the state of K Muraleedharan, son of the former Congress stalwart K Karunakaran. His life story is an example of how a father can spoil the fortunes of his son.

We cannot find fault with the feelings of a father for his son. K Karunakaran is like that. He helps all those who stand by him. So, his son cannot be an exception. He wanted to promote his son in the Congress party and aspired to see him becoming the chief minister of Kerala once.

To realize his dream, he was willing to go to any extent. He made him an MP, KPCC president, and finally he wanted to make him an MLA and bring him to the assembly. There, Karunakaran flopped. His son lost the by-election and become nothing literally in the Kerala politics.

As anyone can see, the defeat was the handiwork of his detractors. There were many groups in the party who chieftains want to settle in the Cliff House at anycost for five years.

So, Murali was ousted from Congress for his anti-party activities. Since he was left with no options, he joined NCP.

Now he is back on the battlefield. Not as victor, but as a prodigal son who realised his mistakes and coming back to the parent party. But his entry is not easy. There are many Congress leaders who want to block his entry into Congress again.

Murali is a comic character in Kerala politics now.

Mullaperiyar: should we approach the issue emotionally?

Mullaperiyar is going to hit headlines again this week. The division bench of the Supreme Court is going to hear arguments on the legality of Kerala government’s legislation to prevent raising of the controversial dam’s height as demanded by Tamil Nadu. Interestingly, any judgment of the apex court is going to have wider ramifications across the country.

The Tamil Nadu government is questioning the legality of the Kerala legislation preventing any increase in the height of the dam. Kerala’s fears have a geological backing. Since the dam is more than a century-old, there is pressure on the government to ensure the safety of the dam. People in Kerala believe that any increase in the height of the dam would endanger the safety of the dam. Moreover, there is an enormous pressure on the government of the day from the people of central Kerala, for they think they are going to be the recipients of causalities if the dam gives in.

Tamil Nadu’s arguments have an emotional backing. Many of the southern districts in TN depend on the waters from Mullaperiyar for their agricultural needs. To meet the increasing needs of the farmers in the region, Tamil Nadu government wants the dam height increased. If we understand the needs of farmers, we can understand the proportion of their fear.
Kerala government wants to build a new dam below the existing site, but Tamil Nadu fears that they would lose their present rights over the dam. Here comes the constitutional validity of Kerala’s legislation.
First thing is Periyar River is not an interstate river. The Supreme Court can hear only inter-state water dispute. Mullaperiyar case can then be heard only by a tribunal. Kerala’s argument is going to focus on this aspect.
Secondly, the treaty between then Madras Presidency and the Travancore King came into existence before independence. Any treaty signed before the independence of the country does not have any constitutional validity.

Anyway, this month’s action on Mullaperiyar will be worth watching. One side a state living in constant fear of dam burst, on the other side, a state whose farmers are in constant fear of losing water from the dam.
As a citizen, I suggest the people concerned to find a way to settle the issue harmoniously without damaging the interests of the two parties. I understand the fears of both the parties are well-founded. The best possible solution will be arriving at a treaty for building a new dam which respects the existing rights of Tamil Nadu. After all, we are not two nations fighting over a river. We are two constituents of Indian republic. So, let us hope the two states will reach an amicable solution without giving in to the sentiments unleashed by selfish politicians.

Who am I- Indian or Keralaite or Tamilian?

Please don’t see any racial undertone in this article. I am an Indian first, and for me everything comes next.

Finally, when I started writing a blog on my native state Kerala, I had decided I would use this forum primarily for criticizing our failings collectively as a society. However, I never meant to use this site for fault finding. After all, who is so perfect? But, it was my intention to use this blog to express my feelings as a Keralaite (I am not being chauvinistic.) within the larger framework of our Indian nationhood.

Unlike many who feel they are human beings first, I feel I am an Indian first. It gives me a special identity that can tell the world what kind of human being I am. Wait a minute, we shall discuss them in the next blogs.

I am currently staying in Chennai. The other day, my neighbour (an aunt whose family hails from Nagarcoil ) asked me a question. Are we Malayalis arrogant by nature? First, I did not understand what she meant. Also, I don’t know the reason for her sudden provocation. Being closer to Kerala, she might have experienced some bitterness in the hands of Malayalis. Nevertheless, I wonder if it is a sufficient reason to brand the entire population as arrogant. I voiced my difference.

I told her that Keralaites have created an aura of image about them. Yes, they are known for their cleanliness, neat dressing, literacy, political consciousness, women’s empowerment, female illiteracy (stressed this point because my opponent was an uneducated women in her 60’s.) and many other outstanding human development indices. I told her our development as a progressive society and our pride in being a part of it might have been viewed as arrogance.

What I want to prove to her is the meaning of a very famous advertisement slogan “Owners pride, neighbours envy’. There is nothing uncommon if a Mallu wants to view others in the same footing. He expects others to be neat, clean, educated or else he might look down upon them with contempt. (He might do this even if it is a Mallu neighbour. Please don’t see any racial undertone in this blog.
Though the roots of a Mallu is firmly held in the Dravidian culture which he shares with his brothers in other states in the South, he is way ahead of them in his liberal thinking. To substitute my argument, I can say we are not controlled in our life by our heroes in the silver screen. We don’t commit suicide when our heroes or leaders say good bye to this world. Moreover, we are not swayed by petty emotions.
People of Kerala and Tamil Nadu have almost the same physical features. Yes, like any other Indian, there are differences dictated by geography, climate and living styles. If we go closer to the state borders, you will never differentiate a Malayali from a Tamilian. Even the language sounds the same.
Then, we do we have these chauvinistic feelings? Can’t we live under the umbrella of nationhood harmoniously? Yes, Malayalis are also to be blamed for their often heard notoriety. He believes he is a notch ahead of his other countrymen in a few areas. Interestingly, there are such divisions within the state.

I used to argue with my brother-in-law about the greatness of our districts. He used to say his state Ernakulam is the best and I would counter him elaborating the greatness of Kannur.

Let us take these in all competitive way when we march ahead as a nation. You might be a Keralaite or Tamilian or Telugu or Hindiwallah, but you are an Indian first. I am sure you will appreciate my article.

Hartals spoil the image of Kerala

Kerala is a state known as God's own country. I doubt the wisdom of the person who coined this name for Kerala. Probably, he or she might not have foreseen what actually is in store for a Mallu. I would call it land of strikes and hartals because I believe a place should be named after what it is famous (notorious) for.
Despite having all the resources, be it human or material, Kerala lags miles behind other states in terms of economic development. I mean industrial development. Many countries or firms hesitate to come to Kerala fearing the frequent shutdowns in the state at the drop of a hat. No one should tell us why? It is because of the poor industrial climate that we have created.
Those who exhort for strikes don't understand how badly they  damage the reputation of Kerala as a generation. Though we have set milestones in many areas for other states to follow, we are becoming a totally impatient society. For me, a mallu represents the proverbial fox in the sheep skin. He looks bright and clean only in his dress, but he is in fact in a world of illusion. He is becoming a human being with an arrogant attitude. His impatience and arrogance is collectively represented in the strikes, which is only a manifestation of his growing restlessness.
A prudent mallu should not be carried away by the mesmerism unleashed by petty politicians. The political class in the state is misleading a people proud of their culture and knowledge.
I think absence of an able leadership, free from the clutches of political hierarchy and religious and caste influences is the cause of all the maladies of Kerala. We can only hope for a better tomorrow because we haven't done anything to make it a reality.

Mallus have no choice over politics right now

A Mallu like me is in great dilemma. Our small state Kerala, which is abundant with natural and human resources, is devoid of a great leader to take the state forward to the path of development.
Yes, one is true if he or she says Kerala is a progressive state. Yes, I do agree with him or her.
But how many of us can say that the progress achieved by the state is consciously done by politicians?

Do we have a great leader right now in Kerala to take the state forward? I mean one who keeps his political affiliations or his ideological differences away to work for the common good of people.I am afraid there is none.

Every five years, we choose someone as our representative and send them to the assembly with a belief that they are going to do wonders for us. And when we finally see that nothing is done, the term is over. We ignore the candidate and choose someone else. And if he is not different from the former, what is the point of going to the voting booth and casting our legal right?

Political parties in Kerala, be it the Congress or the Communists, are no different. Yes, communists did proclaim that they are ideologically progressive and miles ahead of others, but people can clearly see the hollowness of their tall claims.

Does that mean the Congress or its allies are different? Not at all. They remain unified only for the sake of power. Once they grab it, they are busy maintaining their hold to the chair of their powers. Unfortunately, we mallus never resalise this.

Is there an alternative? No, there is in fact none. We need to choose the better of the two evils.
Political parties should be ideologically stronger and their leaders should be visionaries. However, Kerala leaders are not blessed with these virtues.

It is time one should think of a change. A drastic change. Kerala people should show their guts to throw away the rulers who work only for their personal benefits. In this regard, I can say even not casting your votes for not putting these power hungry men is right thing.

Think before you vote whether the candidate and the party deserve it or not.