KERALA

CALLING

April 2013 | Volume 33 | Number 6

www.kerala.gov.in/publications.htm

CURRENT
6

The Festival of Yellows

Sugathakumaris
Crowning glory

Ezhumavil Raveendranath

Dr. Puthusseri
Ramachandran

18

A Budget for
Sustainable
Development
Dr. Thomas Thoomkuzhy

26

International
Archives Week
J Rejikumar

HEALTH
30

World Health Day and

Kerala Scenario
Dr. Bipin K Gopal

34

Tobacco Free
Initiatives
Domi John Morais

OBSERVANCES

COVER STORY
12

A Day for Books

36

Indian Dance...
Unending Enthralment!

Khyrunnisa A

Dr. Neena Prasad

Healing touch for

Endosulfan victims

44

P K Sudheerbabu

14

32

Manava
Karunya Yathra
Fr. Davis Chiramel

The Rehabilitation Package

Dr.

T P Ashraf

28

INTERVIEW
Health for all is
our aim
Kiran Ram

40

FEATURE
Prospects of
Rice Bioparks
in Kerala

Dr. N Anil Kumar,

Dr. Smitha K P

NEWSCAN
PHOTO FEATURE
HORIZON
S

Radhakrishnan

GARDENING

Suresh Muthukulam

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KERALACALLING
Mail: keralacalling@gmail.com
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Fax: 0471-2331793

RESPONSE

EDITORIAL MATERIALS
Articles/features appearing in this magazine are
either commissioned or
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articles published in Kerala
Calling are not, necessarily,
those of the Government.
Kerala Calling welcomes
free expression of divergent
views and exchange of
ideas through its pages.
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Tour in China
The Kerala Calling March issue contains the
travelogue article changing China fading
communism, authored by K.C Joseph, Minister
for Cultural Affairs, who was the leader of
the group consisting of the members of the
Kerala Legislative Assembly, conducted a tour
in China recently. Though the article is brief in
nature, it contains great deal of information
ranging from village life to the international
scenario of china. India and China are the
two Asian countries, as such they have long
standing relationship and cultural bond.
Travelers like Fahien and Huen -Tsang visited
India in the past. So also Budhist missioneries
visited China for the propagation of Budhism
during the reign of Asoka, the great. In mid
twentieth century Indian premier Jawaharlal
Nehru and Chinese premier Chow-en-Lai
signed a mutual agreement on five principles
which was called the panch sheel. Although
the border dispute and other issues created
minor setback to the friendship between the
countries in the second half of the twentieth
century strengthening of which is found in
the recent speech of the present leadership
of China. The idea to continue discussion
based on the guidelines suggested for several
problems of the nations is a new development
in this regard. Chinas emergence as a world
economic power is imminent, but none can
predict whether its communist ideology will
persist or not as indicated in the article. The
political trouble brewing in China will finally
determine its future.
Viswanathan Nambiar
P.O Kaiparamba, Thrissur

Land and Land bank

The write up by Dr. Sajith Babu about the
Land bank was informative. The fore fathers
of this innovative idea is to be heartfully
congratulated. In a state like Kerala where
people are thickly populated, land is a valuable
resource. The steps by the government to
measure and protect the land is admirable. As
stated in the article, if the monitoring of
protective activities and checking of
encroachment is done accordingly it would
protect the land. Every citizen should take it
as his duty to protect govt. land.
I congratulate the team of the magazine for
including such articles.
Lijo Joseph
Kaduthuruthy PO, Ernakulam

Log on to
http://www.facebook.com/
keralainfoatnewdelhi

EDITORIAL
Humane efforts
The sprays of killer Endosulphan has no
dissimilarities in its effects. We see the
harms of it in Kasargod district. The
pesticide sprayed to protect the crops,
reverse its octopus hands and tighten its
grip on human beings . So many had lost
their life , so many live in a pathetic
condition for sin of not their own.
Kasargod is a pointer to the future
generation in the use of harmful pesticide.
No action can bring back the victims of
endosulfan to their normal life. But the
government machinery has been working
smoothly with a humane approach to
provide maximum assistance to the
victims.
A special cell is functioning at collectorate,
Kasargod especially to monitor the
rehabilitation of the victims. Social activists
and leaders have pointed out some
aspects to make the rehabilitation more
effective. Chief minister Oommen Chandy
announced a package, after discussions
with leaders and social activists. This
could melt the ice of anxieties existed
among the victims, regarding the
assistance to be received. The orders
came out with in round the clock, from
the Secretariat, for the implementation of

the package. The government once again

did the best possible measures, when the
defects were pointed out, in the
implementation of rehabilitation process.
This proves that the government is
committed to serve the victims of
endosulphan with a humane approach.
A six-month moratorium was announced
on the payback of loans the endosulfan
victims had availed of from co-operative
banks. It was announced that there is no
scope for any doubts about continuance
of the pension and other benefits enjoyed
by the victims, beyond 5 years. And more
hospitals have been included in the list
of institutions selected for medical
assistance. More persons were included
in the list for free medical assistance, on
the recommendation of the medical
board.
It is true that no action can bring back the
victims to normal life, but it is also true
that the timely interference of the
Government could help the victims to
survive and exist.
A Firoz
Editor in- Chief

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF A. Firoz Director, I&PRD

CO-ORDINATING EDITOR Jacob Samson Additional Director DEPUTY EDITOR-IN-CHIEF K C Anil Kumar Deputy Director
EDITOR K.M. Aiyyappan ASST. EDITOR Kiran Ram

SUB EDITOR Binu B

DESIGNER V.S. Prakash CIRCULATION OFFICER Shaila Beegam DESIGN & LAYOUT Ratheesh Kumar R

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Sugatha
kumaris
Crowning
glory

NEWSCAN

Discipline Key to Nations

Growth: Governor
The Kerala Raj Bhavan was
witness to a special event, as
Nikhil Kumar, Governor of
Kerala, hosted an interaction
event for over 150 student
police cadets. Cadets attending
the ongoing 3rd Annual State
Summer Camp of the SPC
project had the once-in-alifetime opportunity to meet the
first citizen of the State.
Meant to familiarize students
with various aspects of
democratic governance and
Constitutional practices, the
cadets were encouraged to
ask relevant questions to the
constitutional head of Kerala.
A former police officer himself,
the Governor was pleasantly
surprised to see the disciplined
behavior of the uniformed
cadets, comprising boys and
girls from school all over the
state. In response to a
question, the Governor told the
students that he had been
inspired to take up policing as
a career, after he realized that
Government servants, too,
could serve the country
selflessly and with conviction.
Sharing some experiences of
his professional life with his
student guests, the former IPS
officer said that, in many
difficult situations during his

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KERALA
KERALA CALLING
CALLING

April
April 2013
2013

career, it was personal

discipline that helped him tide
over the crises. The Governor
was impressed by the quality
of the queries raised by the
students and expressed
appreciation of the police for
their innovative youth
development project.
The Governor, who took
charge just a few days ago,
said that he had always
admired the capacity of
Keralites to demonstrate
capability in various walks of
life, and said that persons such
as P T Usha in recent times,
and Sree Sankaracharya in
ancient times, were prime
examples of what Kerala
could offer to the country, and
the world as well. He spent
over ninety minutes with the
student police cadets, and
expressed the hope that the
innovative project would be
taken up by other Governments
across the country as well. The
cadets were accompanied by
State Nodal Officer of the SPC
Project and Trivandrum Police
Commissioner Sri Vijayan IPS,
Sri Abdul Karim, Additional
State Nodal Officer, and Sri K
G Babu, Asst. State Nodal
Officer SPC Project.

Nikhil Kumar sworn in

as Governor of Kerala
Nikhil Kumar sworn in as the 20th Governor of Kerala.
Kerala Chief Justice Manjula Chellur administered the oath
of office. The 72-year-old Nikhil Kumar, a retired IPS officer,
had served as the head of the National Security Guard.
He succeeds Karnataka Governor H.R. Bhardwaj, who
was holding additional charge of the State after the
demise of M.O.H Farooq.

E-district programme:
Kerala notches up first
Kerala becomes the first state in the country to have all the
districts linked into the network of e-districts. With the statewide roll-out of the e-district programme, the government aims
at bring in transparency and efficiency in the delivery of
government services. this made Kerala the first Indian state to

OBITUARY

PKS Raja

Sukumari

P K Sreemanavedan Raja, Zamorin of Kozhikode, passed

away due to age-related ailments. The 100 year- old
Raja, fondly known as Kunhaniyan, assumed the royal
throne on August 7,
2003. The body was
cremated with full state
honours. He was married
to the late Bharathi Raja
of Nilambur Kovilakom.
He is survived by his
daughters Sudha and
Sarala and sons-in-law
Krishnanunni Raja and R
Vasu.

Sukumari one of the most

colourful personalities in the
Malayalam film industry for
nearly six decades passed
away. She was 74. She had
acted in Malayalam, Tamil,
Kannada, Telugu and Hindi
films, using her own voice
in all languages instead of
dubbing artists.

Zamorins were the rulers

of the erstwhile Malabar
region of Kerala. After
passing intermediate from
the Zamorins College, he
completed Honours in
Mathematics at Loyola
College in Madras. In 1937, he joined the Indian Telegraph
Department as a junior engineer. Unlike the earlier Zamorins,
Raja evolved as a symbol of Kozhikode with his simplicity
and knowledge of traditional as well as modern affairs.
Defying the existing notions about the royal family, he joined
govt service and succeeded in showcasing a meritorious
service.

Born in Nagercoil in
Travancore in 1938, she
was a cousin of the
legendary Travancore
sisters Lalitha, Padmini and
Ragini. It was their influence
that helped Sukumari into the
tinsel world and in 1951 in the film "Orarivu".
Known for her versatile acting, Sukumari excelled in various
roles till the end. In her long and eventful career, she acted in
over 2,500 films in various languages and won numerous awards,
including the national award for the best supporting actress in
2011 in the film "Nanma Grammam". She also won four state film
awards. In 2003, she was awarded the Padma Shree.
Sukumari's husband passed away when she was quite young.
She is survived by her doctor son Suresh Bhimsingh.

have all districts covered under

e-district programme said Chief
Minister Oommen Chandy.
He said that the government
was keen to ensure benefits of
e-governance reaching the
masses. Projects like e-district
and Aadhaar should strive to
bring in benefits to the citizens.
Referring to the tremendous
response
to
Aadhaar
registrations in Kerala, the CM
said that the state will explore
possibilities with the Central
Government to cover NonResident Keralites also under
Aadhaar scheme. With regard
to IT, he said, though the state
could come top in the IT sector,
we could not achieve
commendable
progress
because of the ineptitude
attitude.
Industries and IT Minister P K
Kunhalikkutty said, the
successful implementation of
the e-district programme is a
major step towards establishing
a digital society and would help
eliminate red-tapism.

Thala Mahostavam conducted

Thala Mahotsavam, a heady
mix of rhythms soaked the
Capital city for three days. The
event, organised by the State
Department of Culture,
conducted at Vyloppilli
Samskrithi Bhavan brought
together a variety of percussion
instruments and different forms

of instrumental music. The event

was inaugurated by Cultural
Affairs Minister K.C. Joseph in
the presence of Tourism
Minister A.P. Anil Kumar, after a
Sopanasangeetham
performance by Ambalapuzha
Vijayakumar.
The festival was part of the

governments efforts to
conserve and protect the
cultural heritage of the State,
said Minister K C Joseph in his
inaugural address. The Minister
also emphasised the need of
getting the new generation
acquainted with the States
musical heritage as well.
April
April 2013
2013

KERALA
KERALA CALLING
CALLING

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CURRENT
ThewordVishumeans
two equal parts. Vishu
divides day and night
equally.This
phenomenonoccurs
twice in a year.They are
calledMedavishu
(ChaithramVishu)and
Thulavishu
(MargaseershaVishu).
Thulam is the third
month of our own
calendar.

KERALA CALLING

April 2013

EZHUMAVIL RAVEENDRANATH

nce the burning sun

with anxiety asked
the dry land at the
bottom why those
rural folks were not concerned
about his flames amidst the
summer. With a smile she
answered They are living in the
world of reality. Though in the
boiling heat, their minds are cool
because they are dreaming a
glorious tomorrow. Behold the
dangling bunches of golden
flowers, rhythmic steps of golden
fruits among the green, chirping
birds in the blue and cheering
kids in the brown. They are the

driving forces of those stern but

innocent
minds.
This
conversation might have been
occurred in the middle of April
when Keralites are in the mood
of Vishu, our ancient new year.
Before the year of Kolllavarsha( Kerala era or Malayalam
Calender AD 824-25) our ancestors had been following Kalivarsha which starts from BC 76.
Udayamarthandavarma, the then
ruler of Venad decided to prepare our own chronological pattern. He summoned a conglomeration of scholars, astrologers
and multifaceted personalities

at Kollam to discuss the matter.

The introduction of Kollavarsha
was the powerful outcome of
those deliberations. Till then,
Chaithram the first month of
Kalivarsha was considered as the
new year Simha or Chingam was
newly introduced by the Kollam
summit as the first month of Malayalam calendar. Though the
idea of a new era had been
materialised, no royal power
could not alter the seasons, the
pets of the nature. However, Chaithra Vishu was renamed as Mesha or Meda vishu( Medam is
the nineth month of Kollavar-

The Festival
of Yellows

sha). In Kalivarsha, one century

is called as Aavruthy. After each
Aavruthy the year counts from
one. Kollavarsha was put in practice on the eve of the tenth
Aavruthy or cycle of Kalivarsha.
It was in Chaithra Vishu, the day
of good hope and grace. In Bengal, Telugudesa, Goa, Karnataka,
Tamilnadu and Assam, Chaithra
Vishu is still celebrating with
pomp and pleasure as their New
Year Day.
The word Vishu means two
equal parts. Vishu divides day and
night equally. This phenomenon
occurs twice in a year. They are
called Meda vishu (Chaithram
Vishu) and Thula vishu
(Margaseersha Vishu). Thulam is
the third month of our own
calendar. Both these days have
certain astrological importance.
However, the colour, warmth and
glory of Chaithra Vishu are more
magnetic and enchanting.
It is doubtless to say that
Vishu is the festival of unpolished
agrarian community. It comes

Goldencucumberisthe
centre of the attention
in the vegetable world.
It is called Kanivellari
because golden
cucumber is the first
and foremost item in
Vishukkani(Thefirst
prosperous scene at the
dawnofVishu).
Cucumberisthesymbol
of goddess earth.
Therefore the villagers
are very keen in
selecting the ideal one
forpereparingKani.

between the eve of harvesting

and sowing of main crops. Wellfilled granaries, pleasant climate,
excess leisure time show or
positive energy among the folk.
Dont think that they are utilizing
their whole leisure time for
festivity. After the last harvest of
the season, they commence
preparation for interim crops
(vegetables). Every dawn and
dusk they are with the growing
plants so that they can adorn the
summer markets with their green
pets.
Golden cucumber is the
centre of the attention in the
vegetable world. It is called
Kanivellari because golden
cucumber is the first and
foremost item in Vishukkani
(The first prosperous scene at
the dawn of Vishu). Cucumber is
the symbol of goddess earth.
Therefore the villagers are very
keen in selecting the ideal one blackspots etc. are the terms)
At the beginning, Vishukkani
for pereparing Kani.(Not so
long, not so short, without were arranged not in houses, but
scratches, without curves and in the centre of farmlands. The

temporary idol of Kottavai (the

goddess of agriculture) was
moulded in clay and placed at
the open space. It was painted
with natural colours and
decorated with the flowers of
Kanikkonna(Cassia fistula).
Gradually temples were sprung
up in place of open Kottavais
and permanent idols in stone
and metal were consecrated.
During
the
reign
of
Kulasekharas(AD 800-1102) a lot
of temples were constructed all
over the land.
Similaraly, tremendous
reformations were somehow
taken place in the customs of
Vishukkani. The image of Lord
Krishna was placed instead of
the goddess Kottavai. It is
assumed that the spread of
Vaishnava cult and the influence
of the writing of Poonthanam (
AD 1547 -1648) and Cherussery
(AD 1466 -1475) might have been
the reasons.
The writer is Director of
Copfed, Tvm

April 2013

KERALA CALLING

CURRENT

Dr. PUTHUSSERI RAMACHANDRAN

Sugathakumaris
Crowningglory
Renowned linguist, poet and scholar Dr. Puthusseri Ramachandran
writes about the Malayalam poetess and activist Sugathakumari in the
wake of she bagging the prestigious Saraswathi Samman.

Sugathakumaris Poetry which is a happy blend of romanticism and

mysticism covers a vast and varied thematic landscape. Love in its
many forms and moods from its sparkling simplicity to visionary
splendor-the plight of women and children in distress, the woes of
marginalized sections of society, the crisis in moral values, the
ruthless march of commercialism leading to dehumanization and
debunking of tradition, deforestation and the consequent
disruption of the rhythm of human life and of nature, all these and
many more are there amazingly against a vast back drop of mans
eternal quest for lasting values.

t is indeed a matter of
immense joy and pride that
Sugathakumari has been
awarded
Saraswathi
Samman, the most prestigious

KERALA CALLING

April 2013

literary prize in India.

Sugathakumari is a rare
phenomenon
in
modern
Malayalam Literature. Humanist,
Social activist, nature-lover and

above all a Poet, she has touched

nothing that she did not adorn.
Her poetry is a faithful chronicle
of the predicament of man
destined to live in our tragic

times.
Sugathakumari, daughter of
Bodheswaran, poet and freedom
fighter, and Professor Karthyayini
Amma, Sanskrit scholar, is a post
graduate in Philosophy. She
entered Malayalam poetrys
realms of gold at a time when it
had been enriched by the works
of major writers like Asan, Ulloor,
Vallathol and Changampuzha.
Her development as a poet has
been steady and phenomenal.
From the promising peripheral
figure of the 60s, she has over
the years moved into the very
centre
of
contemporary
Malayalam Poetry. A philosophic
vision that transcends time and
space, coupled with a whole
hearted commitment to the
cause of human welfare, makes
her a star that dwells apart.
Her Poetry which is a happy
blend of romanticism and
mysticism covers a vast and
varied thematic landscape. Love
in its many forms and moods
from its sparkling simplicity to
visionary splendor-the plight of
women and children in distress,
the woes of marginalized
sections of society, the crisis in
moral values, the ruthless march
of commercialism leading to
dehumanization and debunking
of tradition, deforestation and the
consequent disruption of the
rhythm of human life and of
nature, all these and many more
are there amazingly against a
vast back drop of mans eternal
quest for lasting values. Though
she is a writer of a regional

language, her themes are the

concerns of our age. The
alchemy of her art is such that
by a dexterous centrifugal drive
she lifts her poem beyond the
region to a horizon less world; in
them our age reads its
horoscope.
Lyricism is her forte. She
speaks to our conscience. A vast
spectrum of human emotions

hopes and fears, aches and

wounds she recreates with
ease in lines that ring like temple
bells or reverberate like the
mantras of old.
The core of her work is
rooted in Indian folklore. So
many are her poems on Radha
and Krishna that, this legend
becomes the central metaphor
of her poetry. She uses this

paradigm as a symbolic structure

capable of universal extensions
of meanings. She makes Radha
represent many things at many
levels. At a personal level hers
is the traditional tale of pristine
love. At a social level
Sugathakumaris Radha speaks
for all those women forsaken by
society whose cause the poet
has espoused in her life. At the

mystical level Radha is the

human soul waiting for the
Cosmic Soul, Krishna in the
phenomenal world which is
Brindhavan. At the philosophical
level the search for Krishna
becomes mans never ending
search for those eternal values
which alone can lend beauty
and meaning to human life.
Sugathakumaris life has

The core of her work is rooted in Indian

folklore. So many are her poems on Radha
and Krishna that, this legend becomes the
central metaphor of her poetry. She uses this
paradigm as a symbolic structure capable of
universal extensions of meanings. She makes
Radha represent many things at many
levels.At a personal level hers is the
traditional tale of pristine love. At a
social level Sugathakumaris Radha
speaks for all those women
forsaken by society whose cause
the poet has espoused in her
life.
been an exemplum of her poetry.
Her social philosophy is a
remarkable extension of her
RadhaKrishan poetry. Her love
for Yemuna and Brindavan
inspires her environmental
campaign to save rivers, trees
and natural terrain. As in her
recent book Paccha Green)
nature is always a living
presence. Her passion for the
forsaken
Gopikas
manifests as her concern
for women and children
abandoned by society. The
poets exploration of
Radhas
psychic
geography is an attempt to
study the mind of the
modern women caught in
the travails of her destiny.
She writes lectures and
campaigns for causes
that uphold the dignity
of man.
April 2013

KERALA CALLING

Kollam District bags National Award

Social
Justice
and
Empowerment has constituted
Local Level Committees (LLCs)
in all the 657 districts of India
for
the
effective
implementation of the
provisions of the National Trust
Act, 1999. The Best LLC Award
was received by the District
Collector P J Thomas, who is
also the Chairman of the LLC,
from Pranab Mukherjee, the
Hon. President of India.

C AJOY

he LLC (Local Level

Committee) of Kollam
distict has been selected as
the best LLC in the Country

Sugathakumaris poetry is a
many-splendoured thing. It has a
solidity that can withstand the
tests of time for it is deeply rooted
in the mysterious depths of Indian
thought and metaphysics. And it
is all enveloped by a soothing
Gandhian aura which gives it a
lasting dimension and lends it a
peace
that
passeth
understanding.

10

KERALA CALLING

April 2013

for its meritorious services in

protecting the rights and
looking after the welfare of the
persons coming under the

purview of the National Trust

Act. The National Trust, a
statutory body constituted
under the Union Ministry of

It may be an accidental coincidence that I

have had an almost similar occasion around
sixty years ago when as the Malayalam Editor
of the University College Magazine, I was
instrumental in selecting Sugathakumari for
the Poetry Award. If I remember correct, she
was then a final year P.G Degree student in
Philosophy.

The Local Level Committee,

Kollam was successful in
mobilising the services of the
NGO's in sensitising the official
classes including Village
Officers, Tahsildars, Police
Officers, Sub Registrars, Bank
Officers for discharging their
functions and to achieve best
results to the persons with
Neuro-Developmental
disorders, the weakest section
of the society. The services of

It may be an accidental
coincidence that I have had an
almost similar occasion around
sixty years ago when as the
Malayalam Editor of the
University College Magazine, I
was instrumental in selecting
Sugathakumari for the Poetry
Award. If I remember correct,
she was then a final year P.G
Degree student in Philosophy.
Another interesting incident that
evokes nostalgia memory was
the miserable defeat of our
footballers by the Soviet team
which scored more than a dozen
goals much to the dismay of
thousands that thronged the
University
Stadium,
Thiruvananthapuram. Shamed
and Shattered, I penned a poem
bringing out my frustration and
fury at the deplorable show of
the Indian team. It was published
prominently on the last page of
Kerala Kaumudi. The very next
day Sugathakumari wrote me a
piece protesting against my
unwarranted outburst. In those
days, poets, young and old, were
prone to exchange sweet/bitter
nothings through tell-tale epistles

Kollam Local Level Committee

were well examined and
appreciated by the officials of
the National Trust.
The LLC, Kollam was selected
for the National Award for the
outstanding contributions in
the following areas.

Appointment of Legal
Guardians
A person with Neuro
Developmental Disorders
(Mental Retardation, Autism,
Cerebral Palsy, and Multiple
Disabilities.) will require the
assistance and support of a
legal guardian as he is treated
as a minor even if the individual
attains the age of eighteen.
Natural parents can act as
guardians only upto the age of
eighteen. Under the National
Trust Act, the LLCs have been
entrusted with the statutory
role of appointment of legal
guardians for such persons.
The LLC of Kollam has been
successful in providing legal

guardians to 150 such

persons. Apart from the
appointment, the committee
periodically monitors the
functioning of the legal
guardians so appointed.
Further, the committee is
interacting with the families
and is taking all possible steps
to help such families and the
individuals concerned through
a dedicated NGO, Ashraya,
Kollam.

banks in favour of the disabled

and the amount is utilized for
the benefit of the disabled
only.

Strict guidelines were issued

to the officials of Revenue,
Registration and Police
Departments to see that no
disabled person is cheated.
Certain illegal transactions
were cancelled and properties
of the persons were restored
with the timely interference of
the District Collector. Bank
Protection of Property
officers were also made aware
Rights
of the issues so that they
The committee was very protect the bank deposits of
successful in protecting the the disabled persons from
property rights of the persons misappropriations. As far as
with disability. Special Kollam District is concerned,
attention was made to see the property rights of all such
that the landed properties of persons are well protected and
such persons are not is well appreciated by the
transacted by their parents or Ministry of Social Justice,
siblings without the permission Government of India.
of the District Collector. In
case of permitted transactions Assistance in Medical
the Collector ensures that the Treatment
sale proceeds are deposited in The LLC of Kollam was also very

She is at once a sensitive poet, social activist, diehard environmentalist,

insightful editor and above all, a relentless crusader for womens rights.
Perhaps, no other person in the socio-cultural scenario in Kerala is a
vibrantly and devoutly involved as Sugathakumari. Little wonder, she
enjoys a phenomenal following among Malayalees, almost worldwide.
of every sort.
I have always felt that there
is a magnificent streak of multifaceted
ness
about
Sugathakumaris
creative

persona. She is at once a

sensitive poet, social activist,
diehard
environmentalist,
insightful editor and above all, a
relentless crusader for womens

rights. Perhaps, no other person

in the socio-cultural scenario in
Kerala is a vibrantly and
devoutly
involved
as
Sugathakumari. Little wonder,

effective in helping the

disabled persons to get the
benefits of the Niramaya
Health Insurance Scheme.
The beneficiaries under this
scheme are eligible for
reimbursement of medical
expenses up to Rs 1,00,000/per year. The committee was
able to enroll about 2900
beneficiaries under this
scheme so far. The committee
helps the individuals in
preparing the applications,
forwarding them to the
Insurance Companies and
pursuing it till the benefit is
received by the individuals.
The activities of the
Committee were found unique
and was accepted as the best
and termed as Kollam Model
by the National Trust. It has
been decided to replicate the
Kollam Model in other
districts of the Country also.
The writer is Assistant Editor,
I&PRD, Kollam

she enjoys a phenomenal

following among Malayalees,
almost worldwide.
The fact that I was fortunate
enough to associate myself with
the judging committee in the
capacity of its convener adds to
my pleasure. (Dr.K.M Venugopal
and Dr.N.Gopinathan Nair were
the members of the committee).
All said and done , Saraswathi
Samman marks the crowning
glory of Sugathakumaris
celebrated career.

April 2013

KERALA CALLING

11

COVER STORY

P K SUDHEERBABU

Healing touch for

Endosulfanvictims
T

he paralyzing effects of
killer Endosulfan has
damaged many lives in
Kasargod district. The
effects of the chemical still
cause anxiety among the people
and this make them express
their anxiety through agitations
and protest. It is in such a
situation, the committed
government led by Chief Minister
Oommen Chandy intervened by
giving a healing touch to the
endosulfan victims. The

12

KERALA CALLING

April 2013

Government of Kerala with all

possible efforts extends its
helping hands with a humane
approach.
A comprehensive package
of services and benefits to the
Endosulfan victims in Kasargod
district has been announced by
the Chief Minister in the meeting
of peoples representatives and
leaders of political parties,
including the members of the
district
level
Cell
for
Rehabilitation of Endosulfan

Victims. The meeting discussed

elaborately all the problems
related with the rehabilitation of
Endosulfan victims. All those
participated in the meeting,
irrespective of party affiliations,
were unanimous in seeking best
rehabilitation package for the
unfortunate victims of aerial
spraying of Endosulfan, in
cashew plantations in Kasargod
District . The victims, the activists
and the society as a whole have
received the announcement of

the Chief Minister with great

relief and hope.
The sincerity and interest
shown by the Honble Chief
Minister in solving the problem,
percolated down the corridors
of the Secretariat, which was
manifested by the fact that
important Government Orders
required for implementation of
the decisions taken in the
meeting have been issued within
24 hours. 9 Government Orders,
with relevance to the decisions

taken in the meeting were issued

before
02.04.2013.
The
implementing officers have been
given specific direction to keep
the time limit, mentioned in the
Orders. The Special Cell for
Rehabilitation of Endosulfan
Victims, functioning in the
Collectorate, will monitor the
progress of the implementation
of the package.
The package consists of the
following:
1. During August 2011 and
December, 2011, several medical
camps were conducted in the
affected area and the Specialist
Doctors from Medical Colleges,
acting as a Medical Board, had
April 2013

KERALA CALLING

13

COVER STORY

Dr. T P ASHRAF

TheRehabilitationPackage
he Kerala Social
Security Mission has
been implementing
various schemes to
give relief to endosulfan victims
and their families at Kasargod
District. An amount of Rs. 50
Lakhs has been released as first
instalment to the District
Collector, Kasargod to meet the
emergency medical expense
likely to incur for the treatment
of Endosulfan victims.
As a part of rehabilitation
package for Endosulfan victims,
the Health Department has
conducted a Survey as well as
Medical camps and identified
the Endosulfan victims. This list

was approved by District

Collector, Kasargod and
subsequently furnished to Kerala
Social Security Mission for
providing monthly financial
assistance as per Government
direction. Kerala Social Security
Mission is now providing
assistance @ Rs. 1700/- to
endosulfan bed-ridden victims
who are getting disability
pension, @ Rs. 2000/- to those
who are not getting disability
pension and@ Rs. 1000/- to other
endosulfan affected patients.
4182 victims were given
assistance under the scheme
and out of this 202 were reported
dead and now we are disbursing

monthly assistance to 3980

endosulfan victims under
Snehasanthwanam scheme. An
amount of Rs. 7,51,59,555/- is
needed
for one year for
implementing the scheme.
Mission has distributed
educational assistance to the
children belong to Endosulfan
affected families @ Rs. 2000/- for
those who are studying in classes
I to VII, @ Rs. 3000/- for the
children who are studying in
classes VIII to X and @ Rs. 4000/for children who are studying in
classes XI and XII as per
Government orders for the
academic year 2011-2012 and
2012- 2013. Kerala Social Security

Mission has released assistance

to 2563 eligible children during
the year 2011-2012 and spend an
amount of Rs. 65,50,025/- and
2521 children during 2012-2013
and spent an amount of Rs.
66,86,450/- for this purpose.
Kerala Social Security
Mission is providing special funds
through Thalolam scheme also
to District Hospital and General
Hospital, Kasargod for providing
free treatment to children
suffering from life threatening
diseases and are below 18 years.
The scheme covers children
belong to endosulfan affected
families as well.
As per the decision of

recommended inclusion of 1318

patients. It was announced in
the meeting that the list of 1318
patients, as recommended by the
Specialist Doctors, is approved.
They will get all the benefits
enjoyed by the patients included
in the earlier list of 4182.
2. The
NHRC
had
recommended payment of
compensation to the completely
bed-ridden, mentally retarded
and other disabled among the
victims and accepting the
recommendation,
the

Government has already issued

orders to pay compensation to
the above categories. The
cancer patients, if not bedridden, would not have received
compensation. Now, the Chief
Minister announced that all the
cancer patients included in both
the lists ( 366 patients) , will be
eligible for compensation at the
rate recommended by the
NHRC for other disabled
patients.
3. BPL Cards will be issued to
all the families included in both

the lists (4182+1328 = 5500).

4. Facility for free and
comprehensive treatment for
the victims will be made
available at the following
premier medical institutions, in
addition to the 12 hospitals
already empanelled for their
treatment.
a. Kasturba Medical College
Hospital at Mangalore and
Manipal.
b. Little Flower Eye Hospital,
Angamaly.
c. Ayurveda Medical College,

Pariyaram.
d. Homoeo Medical College,
Kozhikode.
5. A Committee of 5 eminent
doctors will be constituted to
verify and re-categorise the
patients included in the lists, but
are not getting the compensation
as recommended by the NHRC.
The Committee will submit its
report within four months.
6. Fresh Medical Camp
utilizing the services of Specialist
Doctors will be organized for
identification of victims.

14

KERALA CALLING

April 2013

meeting held on 25.03.2013 with

Honble Chief Minister of Kerala,
Kerala Social Security Mission is on
the process of implementing the
following as a part of endosulfan
package.
Monthly pension scheme to the
caregivers of endosulfan victims
who are fully bedridden or mentally retarded @ Rs. 700/- per
month. The scheme is named as
Special Aswasakiranam scheme.
Increase of wages @ Rs. 1500/- per
month to the buds school employees of the Panchayaths of endosulfan affected areas of Kasargod
district.
Providing an ambulance to the
11 Panchayaths of endosulfan
affected areas of Kasargod
district.
Monthly pension to 1318 victims
in addition to existing 3980
beneficiaries.
The writer is Executive Director,
Kerala Social Security Mission

Aaswasa Kiran scheme will be

made available to the caretakers
of bed-ridden as well as mentally
retarded patients included in the
victims list. Though the pension

7. A Committee under the

Chairmanship of the District
Collector, with Lead District
Manager, Joint Registrar of CoOperative Societies and the
Deputy Collector( Special Cell
for Rehabilitation of Endosulfan
Victims) as members, will be
constituted to study the matters
related to debt relief to the
victims. The Committee will
submit its report within three
months.
8. A Committee for sanctioning
free and comprehensive

treatment for patients who are

not included in the victims list,
but have a history of exposure
to Endosulfan and are in need
of urgent medical treatment, will
be constituted under the
chairmanship of District
Collector. TheDeputy Collector
(Special Cell for Rehabilitation
of Endosulfan Victims), District
Medical Officer and the District
Programme Manager, N.R.H.M.
will be the members of the
Committee.
9. Monthly pension under

The sincerity and

interest shown by the
HonbleChiefMinister
in solving the
problem, percolated
down the corridors of
the Secretariat, which
was manifested by
the fact that
important
GovernmentOrders
required for
implementation of
the decisions taken in
the meeting have
been issued within
24 hours.

under Aaswasa Kiran Scheme

is Rs.400/- per month, it has been
decided to increase the amount
in the case of caretakers of
Endosulfan victims, to Rs.700/- per
month.
10. The
teachers
and
employees of Buds School will
get an increase of Rs.1500/- in
their wages, for which the Social
Welfare Department will
provide additional funds to the
Grama Panchayats.
11. One Ambulance each to the
11 affected Grama Panchayats
will be made available, by the
Social Security Mission, on
condition that the concerned
Panchayats should meet the
running costs.
12. The efforts for detoxification
of obsolete stock of Endosulfan,
kept in safe containers at the
godowns
of
Plantation
Corporation, will be expedited
with the technical assistance of
Hindustan Insecticides Ltd.
The writer is Deputy
Collector (Special Cell for
Rehabilitation of Endosulfan
Victims) Kasargod
April 2013

KERALA CALLING

15

COVER STORY

The activities carried out by

various Departments

Special Cell for

Rehabilitation of
Endosulfan Victims
has
been
functioning in the Collectorate,
Kasargod. The Government have
created a post of Deputy
Collector (Special Cell for
Rehabilitation of Endosulfan
Victims) for co-coordinating and
monitoring the activities in the
District for rehabilitation
Endosulfan victims. Relief and
Rehabilitation measures meant
for the victims are carried out
through different departments
like Health, Social Welfare, Civil
Supplies, Education and
Revenue Departments. The
important
schemes
implemented through the
departments are:

Health Department
Identification and
categorization of the
victims
Medical camps were
organized for identification and
categorization of the Endosulfan
victims in the District. Medical
Boards were constituted with
Specialist doctors from the
Medical Colleges in the State.
They visited the camps
organized by the NRHM/Health
Department to diagnose and
recommend the patients for
inclusion in the victims list. 4,182
patients had been identified and
included in the victims list, from
the medical camps organized
before July, 2011. After that 9 more
medical camps were organized
and 1,318 patients have also

16

KERALA CALLING

April 2013

considered as badly affected by

Endosulfan,
for
free
transportation of the patients to
Free treatment
the hospitals for treatment. If the
Free medical treatment vehicle could not be made
through Smart Card under available, travel expenses for
Snehasanthwanam scheme is transportation to the hospitals,
being provided to all the patients, will be re-imbursed.
who are included in the
Endosulfan Victims List. Free Home based Palliative
expert medical treatment in 12 Care
Two staff nurses trained in
notified hospitals, including
Yenapoya Medical College Palliative Care is provided in
Hospital - Mangalore, Calicut each of the 11 Grama
Medical College, Pariyaram Panchayaths for home-based
Medical College, Sree Chithra
Institute of Medical Sciences &
Technology Trivandrum,
Regional Cancer Centre
Trivandrum, Malabar Cancer
Centre and ICCONS Shornur
are being provided to the victims.
Besides, the Govt. have also
ordered for including Kasthruba
Medical College - Mangalore and
Manipal, Little Flower Eye
Hospital Angamali, Govt.
Ayurveda Medical College
Pariyaram and Govt. Homeo
Medical College - Kozhikode in
the list of notified hospital for the
free expert medical treatment.
The patient can produce the
smart card or the Certificate
issued by the Deputy Collector/
DMO for admission and
treatment in any of the
empanelled hospitals, without Palliative Care for bedridden
payment and the bills will be patients.
been identified and included in
the victims list.

paid direct to the hospital.

Mobile Medical Units

Free Transportation for

Treatment

Services of the Mobile

Medical Units consisting of
Doctors from Allopathy,
Ayurveda & Homeopathy
streams, Physio-Therapist,

Vehicle facility is provided

in each of the 11 Grama
Panchayats,
which
are

Speech-Therapist and Special

Educator for mentally retarded
are being provided in the
affected area.

Physiotherapy Unit
As part of the project wellequipped physiotherapy units
are functioning in General
Hospital Kasaragod and District
Hospital, Kanhangad. One
Physiotherapist is provided in
each of the 11 severely affected
Panchayats.

Civil Supplies
Department
Free ration is being provided
to all the Endosulfan affected
families in the district. The list of
victims with their ration card
details is provided to the District
Supply Officer and monthly
review of complaints is

undertaken. The Government has

also ordered to include all the
Endosulfan victims in the BPL
list.

LSGD/Education
Department
Buds School facility is being
provided to the Mentally
Retarded children. 6 Buds
Schools are functioning in the
Endosulfan affected Panchayats,
with assistance from the Grama
Panchayat and the Education
Department.

Revenue Department
At District level, the activities
for rehabilitation of Endosulfan
victims undertaken by different
departments are co-ordinated
and monitored by the Special
Cell for Rehabilitation of
Endosulfan Victims in the
Collectorate, Kasaragod. The
compensation recommended by
the NHRC is being disbursed

through the Special Cell. The

Govt have ordered payment of
Rs 5 lakhs each to the completely
bed-ridden, Mentally retarded
patients and to the next of kin of
those who died and Rs. 3 lakhs
to the Physically Disabled
patients. An amount of Rs. 1.5
lakhs each has already been
paid to 180 bed ridden patients
and 792 MR patients and Rs. 1
lakh each has been paid to 629
Physically Disabled patients as
first installment of the
compensation amount. Rs. 1.5
lakhs each has been deposited
in the name of next of kin of 600
deceased victims. Action has
been initiated for payment of
compensation to remaining
persons. Besides, the Govt. have
also
ordered
to
give
compensation of Rs. 3 lakhs to
the Cancer patients.
Complaints of the victims are
redressed through the Special

Cell. Application for inclusion in

the victims list and for change
in the category, application for
treatment
outside
the
empanelled
hospitals,
application for preference in
allotment of land/house/other
facilities, application for loan
waiver/time for repayment and
all other petitions by the
Endosulfan
victims
are
processed by the Special Cell
created in the Collectorate.
Monthly review meeting of
the Endosulfan Victims Relief
and Remediation Cell is
convened by the District
Collector. The presidents of the
11 affected grama panchayats,
District level Officers of Social
Welfare, Health, Education and
other
line
departments,
representatives of the N.G.Os
etc. are members of the Cell.

NABARD-RIDF Package
Apart from the individual

welfare schemes, special

projects for infrastructural
development of the Endosulfan
affected area have been
implemented.
A special
package
for Endosulfan
affected area which includes
water
supply
schemes,
construction of buildings for
Buds Schools, Anganwadi
Centres, schools, health centres
etc. has been approved by the
government, under the NABARDRIDF scheme. 231 projects with
a total estimate of more than 200
crores have been approved.

State Level Monitoring

The Principal Secretary,
Health & Family Welfare, is the
Special
Officer
for
Rehabilitation of Endosulfan
Victims and Balakiran IAS,
Deputy Secretary, Information
Technology, has been designated
as the Nodal Officer for the
purpose at state level.
April 2013

KERALA CALLING

17

CURRENT

Dr. THOMAS THOOMKUZHY

ABudgetfor
SustainableDevelopment

hrough the Kerala

Budget 2011-12 and
2012-13, the Finance
Minister has made a
footing for the growth and
investment oriented economy in
the State. Coming against the
backdrop of challenging global
and domestic macro-economic
conditions, the Budget makes

18

KERALA CALLING

April 2013

laudable efforts to optimise

growth drivers while addressing
imperatives of inclusion. While
addressing fiscal consolidation,
it focuses on inclusive and
sustainable human development.
Commendable initiatives have
been taken in critical sectors
such as agriculture, investment
in
manufacturing
and

infrastructure, MSME growth and

capital market development
among others. Plan expenditure
has been raised by almost 30 per
cent, and inflationary pressures
due to supply-side measures are
sought to be dampened. The
expenditure on education and
health-care has been increased
substantially, while skill

development has received a big

attention. The measures to
encourage micro, small and
medium enterprises should go a
long way in helping new
employment generations as well
as to scale up and invest in
technology. The need to move
away from services-led growth
to a more sustainable and viable