From defeat to victory: VS's uncompromising Malappuram tale

Malappuram district and VS Achuthanandan have strong political connections, stretching from the Malappuram party conference to the big victory in the next niyamasabha election in 2006. When Pinarayi took the party under his wing at the Malappuram party state conference in 2005, many thought that the VS era was over. But the following year, VS ascended to the Chief Minister's chair, turning the same Malappuram district into a 'red fort'. 

LDF and CPM had their ever-best performance in Malappuram in 2006, when VS himself led from the front. The LDF won 5 out of 12 seats, and he proved to the official fraction of the party that the League was not necessary in the Front to win Malappuram. 

There is only one answer to the question of who was the crowd puller in Malappuram in that election, and that was VS Achuthanandan. VS ended the League's infallibility in Malappuram by winning the Ponnani, Mankada, Kuttipuram, Tirur and Perinthalmanna seats. Amongst those who fell in VS's battle were the prominent League leaders like PK Kunhalikutty, ET Muhammed Basheer and Dr MK Muneer. VS was also the kingmaker who made KT Jaleel win in Kuttippuram and Manjalamkuzhi Ali win in Mankada.

"Thousands of people gathered for all the public meetings he attended in Malappuram. VS created a level of acceptance in Malappuram that perhaps no other leader had ever received. That was a result of the issues he championed, especially women's safety. He also paid special attention to Jaleel's election in Kuttippuram", said CPM Malappuram's former district secretary E N Mohandas to TNIE.

He strongly disagreed with the candidacy of Hussain Randathani from the Ponnani Lok Sabha constituency in 2009 and the party's collaboration with the PDP. Despite losing that Lok Sabha election and knowing that the people would judge his administration, he burst out laughing at the defeat of that alliance in Ponnani.

"VS has always been against contesting elections on temporary political lines.  He has adopted a style of openly rejecting such alliances. In the case of the PDP, even though there was unconditional support, he openly questioned it. VS's stance was that people should vote after being convinced of the issues raised by the Communist Party", said former MP and political observer Sebastian Paul to TNIE.

Even though he was constantly engaged in heated verbal arguments with the League leadership, he did not personally take it. When Panakkad Shihab Ali Thangal passed away, VS had come to pay his last respects in person.

VS also played an important role in preserving the Mamangam's relics in Tirunavaya. His government also played a crucial role in the development of Malappuram district. It was during his tenure as Chief Minister that the construction of the Chamravattom Regulator-cum-Bridge, which was thought to never be completed, was completed. Many projects, including the much-anticipated Biyam Regulator-cum-Bridge, the Civil Service Academy and minority coaching centre that gave Ponnani a place in the educational boom, the fishing harbour project, and a package worth a billion for the development of kole fields, were implemented in the district during the VS government's tenure.

Ephemeral !!

Ephemeral is not just a word, 

It's a situation !

A bleeding wound gifted by one forever. 

An emotion more does it mean.

Once you were everything,

Then, you are none

Only a good woodcutter knows 

When and how to chop the trunk...!!!

(170325)

Empower women, empower the nation

We are living in a “global village” era where women are more empowered than ever before. They are independent, both socially and economically. The ‘new normal’ period after the pandemic, COVID-19, also increased the use of digital technology, opened the scope of e-commerce, which was beyond their imagination.

UNDP’s projects in Haryana and Telangana are the greatest example of the digital empowerment of our women. Through different programs in these states, UNDP invested in training programs among women that increased their digital literacy and familiarity with technology tools and platforms. This helped a women's collective group from Haryana to list their bangle-making business on an e-commerce site and expand their market. Likewise, in Telangana, 2000 handloom weavers and artisans received training and were able to expand their business through online sites.

 

It’s not just UN, digital media academies are also focussing and providing a lot of opportunities for digitally empowering women. 80% of students, even if it’s for coding or design studies, are girls. They are really dedicated and committed. What attracts girls more attracted into this? The answer is they can learn and earn from anywhere, no need to worry about their household chaos. Apart from that, no degree is needed, no career gap is a headache, and nothing stops them from learning.

 

The Indian government has been at the forefront of making our country a more digital-ready nation. Right from bank accounts to booking LPG, everything is digitalized, where women are the major beneficiaries. However, the complete usage of these platforms fully depends on how digitally literate the people are. In data released by the centre in 2021 (National Sample Survey 2020-21), it showed that digital literacy was very low among Indians. The multiple-indicator survey measured nine indicators of digital literacy and found that only 22% of men and 21% of all women above the age of 15 have some form of digital literacy. But the latest study published in 2023 by NASSCOM shows that 59 % of men and 29% of women are digitally literate in our country. The number of internet users is also increasing at a great pace. It has increased from 481 million in 2019 to 743 million in 2023, according to the Internet and Mobile Association of India’s data.  

 

At a glance, we may feel embarrassed to see the results. But the same data throws light on some very interesting findings too, that India has a huge potential to increase her digital literacy. An increase in digital literacy will not only improve the usage of digital platforms, but will also help to reduce the dangers associated with them, especially during the time of digital frauds.

 

A woman could take up any role; a mother, a wife, daughter, sister, doctor, banker… An empowered woman contributes not just to her family, but to the entire community.  As the proverb goes, ‘you educate a man, you educate an individual, you educate a woman, you educate an entire nation’. So, empowering a woman is essential to securing the future of our nation.  

Happy Women's Day

 

Betrayal over love

 It was a war

Between two loving minds

One fought with love

Other one with assumption 

One kept on trusting

While the other one buried honesty

Who will won the war?

Assumption or Love?

Yeah...,like you, I too wish to say it was love

But betrayal always had the edge

Only in stories, good wins over evil 

(161224)

Call of Eternity

 I could hear the bell ringing at far

Somewhere far

I could hear the chanting at far

Somewhere far

I could hear the howling of the owl at far

Somewhere far

I could hear echoing my name at far

Somewhere far

That's the call from the farthest 

Call of eternity  

The call for eternity 

(091224)

What did you get?

 What did you get from the relationship?

Love

Care

Trust

Hugs

Understanding

Betrayal

Depression

Or all the above?

..................

(300624)

End Result

Tranquility 

is what i wished

Transparency 

is what i wanted

Trust 

is what I asked

Finally

Everything got

Thwarted

(020724)

Existence

Do you exist?

Brain asked !!!

Did you exist?

Heart asked me !!!

I said,

Yes, I do !

Perhaps, as a clown !!!

.....

(180224)

One more feather is down...!

22nd Jan 2024

It was not a good day to remember and a bad day to forget.

The day on which my country lost her glittering identity of secularism, unfortunately, it fell on my birthday.

The religion in which I was born (which is actually a civilization), always respected and accepted every other beliefs.

But now, it's Hindutva, not Hinduism is ruling the minds of people.

From this year onwards, the majority of Indians will mark this day as the beginning of a new era of Ramrajya !!!

What a horrible way to celebrate my day!!

This year, people are bombarded with wishes. A few surprised with wishes and love. Inboxes were flooded with love.

With those books, the plants, the cakes... You people watered my day with happiness.

The day ended with another big surprise. As she always did, Chattambi Manjappan came with a cake. (14 years back, she only made me cut a cake for the first time on my birthday)

But this one wasn't an ordinary birthday for me. Even though my inboxes were filled with wishes from others, one chat window remained empty, which always used to make me smile in the morning.

Mema, I missed your message and call.

I know I'll miss it forever, and, I have to accept and live with that reality.

But it's really tough...

The day was incomplete without your wish mema... 

SEA IS THE REAL HERO..... Interview with Cdr Abhilash Tomy

For Commander Abhilash Tomy, the first Indian to finish Golden Globe Race, the journey has been one rife with challenges. In September 2018, Commander Abhilash Tomy lay half dead in the middle of the southern Indian Ocean after his boat was struck with a storm. Five years later, the retired Indian Navy officer completed the same race. Cdr Abhilash Tomy spoke to this blogger from Paris, immediately after he touched the shore after an 8 months  long, solo expedition 

?. What was the first emotion that came into your mind when you saw shore after 236 days?

I felt an immense sense of relief having completed the race. Both the boat and I were very tired after 8 months of sailing. I also had achieved what I had set out to, which was to finish an unfinished business. 

?. What makes you happier, that you finished or that you finished second behind a strong woman? 

Finishing!

?.Tell us more about those days in the sea. How did you spend your time? Did you get enough sleep? Is there any particularly interesting or scary incident to share?

During those days in the sea, my time was primarily spent sailing and managing the various aspects of my boat. I did try to stick to a routine, starting with breakfast and ending in dinner, and in between focussing on sunsights for navigation, trimming sails, looking out for weather information etc.The race demanded immense focus and dedication, so my days were occupied with navigating, monitoring the weather conditions, and making necessary adjustments to ensure the smooth progress of my voyage. It was a constant balancing act to optimize speed while conserving energy and supplies.

Getting enough sleep was indeed a challenge. With the demanding nature of the race, I had to adopt a polyphasic sleep pattern, which involved taking short naps of around 20 minutes throughout the day and night. This allowed me to rest and recharge while maintaining vigilance over my boat's performance and safety.

One particular sight I enjoyed a lot and wont forget is the sight of the moon rising behind the Table Mountain at night.

However, there was also a scary incident that I faced during the race. At one point, I encountered a violent storm with powerful winds and towering waves. The intense weather conditions tested my skills as a sailor and pushed my boat to its limits.I had a few failures, the most critical of which was damage to the self steering. This happened close to Cape Horn.

Overall, my time in the sea during the Golden Globe Race was a mix of awe-inspiring moments, challenging circumstances, and personal triumphs. It was an incredible adventure that pushed me to my limits and taught me valuable lessons about resilience, self-reliance, and the indomitable spirit of human exploration.

?.It is tough to stay mentally alone for a long time, especially in a rough sea. How did you manage the fight of your mind and brain on that long trip?

Staying mentally strong during the long and solitary journey at sea was challenging. To manage the fight of my mind and brain, I followed a disciplined routine, practiced meditation, and engaged in mental stimulation like reading and creative activities. The support from loved ones and fellow racers, along with maintaining a positive mindset, helped me overcome loneliness and find strength in the beauty of the journey.

?.It was a ‘rationed’ life at sea. The food, water, communication, everything was limited. Of course, you are from a Navy background. Tell us about your food habit during your voyage. 

My overall requirement for food was calculated to be 60,000 calories over 8 months. To achieve this I carried food in various forms. I had various types of meat in tins, rice which I cooked daily, freeze-dried food and food packets gifted by DFRL. To supplement, I had soups, snacks such as peanuts and cashewnuts etc. 

 

?. Cdr. Abhilash, the willpower you showed in your life is remarkable. You met with an accident in the 2018 race, fractured your spine, and returned strongly this year. How did you manage it?

I think that’s all a part of our naval training and anyone else in my shoes would have done the same. 

?. What was your thought immediately after that accident? Were you disappointed or shattered?

I just saw it as another incident in my life. I tried to cry but I ended up laughing about the whole affair. As soon as I realised there was nothing else for me to do, I started planning my next race.

?. Who supported you the most for this comeback? 

I will not attribute it to one person or organisation. It took a lot of people and a lot of time to get me back here.

-The credit definitely goes to the rescuers who managed it so well that my spinal chord remained intact. 

- The doctors who operated my spine and did a fantastic job

- my family,ie, my dad and mom, brother, wife, son, uncle and aunt who not only looked after me but also gave me the moral courage to recover quickly and go back to sea

- The Navy, which was not only involved with the rescue but also gave me time off to recover

- A long list of physiotherapists who helped with the recovery post surgery

?.How did Abhilash Tomy have attracted to the sea and sailing? 

This happened in childhood when I watched a documentary on the voyage of the Trishna. Besides this, while growing up I read many books on sailing adventures.

?. Did you ever worry about your family back home, and did you miss your kids while sailing?

This was one of my biggest worries. GGR rules do not permit contact with family through satellite phone. HF radio stations which existed in 1968 do not work anymore and that was not a viable option to contact families. It was frustrating to sail for so many months without knowing what is happening at home and how kids and family were faring. Yes, I did miss my kids!

?. What do you want to do after reaching back to India? Is it going for a trip with family or planning your next solo sail? 

At the moment the mind is a blank. I need to spend some time with my family and there are a lot of people I need to thank, and these are people that helped me come back to the race. 

?. Who is the real protagonist in the race? Is it you or the Bayanat?

It is the sea

?. Now you are back on shore. Do you miss your boat?

Not much, but I do miss the sea and the sense of freedom it gives.

?. It’s a time of climate change. You have crossed the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean. You have crossed these oceans even many times before. How did you experience climate change during your sail? Have you found any changes in the sea in these years?

I have noticed a lot of changes in the sea compared to 2012-13 when I did my first circumnavigation. The temperatures have been warmer, high and low-pressure systems have been more intense and the storms are getting worse. I have seen flying fish at 40-41 South, sargasso weed all over the north Atlantic, and I even got sunburnt at 40 deg South

?. What’s your advice for others who wish to take challenges?

It took me about 25 years to reach where I am. It is a long process. Anyone wants to do something like this needs a lot of patience and hard work. 

................

 

Wavy water

They threw pebbles into the flowing river.

It penetrated into the deep blue.

The surface was broken.

Circular waves disturbed the top.

They were happy to see the waves. 

Without knowing the pain of being broken.

.....

(261022)

FIGHT MODE IS ON

I'm in a duel now. My opponent is as old as I am, but stronger. It's none other than my mind, which is filled with memories - the great hunter of all time.

Depression is a mental illness. Now I'm depressed to the core, struggling to find stability. This note is for you dear friend, those who repeatedly text and call me which were went unanswered. Also to those who mock at my WhatsApp status or blog posts (I’m sure that was not your fault). 

I don't know how many of you will understand my present state. I always considered myself strong and determined, even though I'm very vulnerable and impulsive in real life. You know me as a rude, stubborn, and arrogant person only.

I never knew the differences between even simple things like reactions and responses. I always reacted (which were based on emotions), but never responded. I spit out whatever comes into my mind. never gave a second thought to hold or hide. But I successfully hid myself.

I understand I used my arrogant nature as a weapon to hide the real me. I realise, knowingly or unknowingly, my behaviour hurt many.

I didn't know how toxic I were. I never wished to hurt anyone, but it happened. I regret it. My apologies.

After months of struggling and consultations with psychologists and psychiatrists, I'm trying hard to stabilise me. Earlier, as I said, I went through many tough days, but I managed to hold, boost, charge, motivate, uplift myself... I never said I'd give up. I was a fighter then.  

I hugged myself during my loneliness, even now while sleeping, I hug myself as if I were in a defensive mode.

I wish to come back. I wish to be more energetic. I wish to be a strong, rude man (not to hurt anymore). I want to be the same old fighter, friend, journalist, reader, painter, writer, traveller, listener, teller,...

I’m not sure when and whether it would be.  It may take time, as the doctor said. Maybe more than I could imagine. I may or may not come back. I know a few are worried and tensed about me. I know you people have lost your sleep for the last couple of weeks, lost your peace. I'm not saying any big thanks to you dears.

I may not be updating anymore. I will quit or suspend my social media accounts. Perhaps even WhatsApp. Otherwise, I'll post something that will upset some. I may continue blogging (I'm not sure at all). If I do, both my blogs might blossom with some depressing sentences. Since I cant suspend my memories and thoughts.

So, dears, let this folk sleep for a while. I hope not the final!

I'll try and fight for another innings. Remember, I’m not an optimist or a pessimist. Ultimately, it is

Xpect tHe unXpected

'R's of life

Ten 'R' exercises in life one must do with others !

Reciprocate
Review
Redefine
Realise
Rejoice
Regret
Reborn
Retract
Ramble
Rest in peace !!!

(141022)

Face off with life

Doctor told
You are allergic to drugs.
A minute quantity can stop your heart.
I trusted him.

I swallowed four tablets.
To have and to allow peace.
Breathing was heavy.
My head was whirling 
Words were broken.
The eyes were half-closed.
I was happy.

Then, I vomited.
Fuck !
Death didn't kiss my heart.
Pain left.
Don't trust the doctor.
Sometimes they, too, are brutes.
.....
(091022)

Hoping the tree would rain even after the storm...

Mental conditions always influenced writings. The emotions, feelings, thoughts, or anxieties experienced have been translated into words. It can be depression, despair, sadness, loss, guilt, or even a death wish.

The thought of failure in life makes one feel hopeless, and plunges one into the colourless valley of depression and later into the black gorge of death. When all attempts to survive are futile, and there is not even a stretching hand to save, then where is the recourse?

You are frequently unaware of your mind's rhythm. Even if you know, you may not be able to agree. Medicines or chants are often not able to bring those rhythms back.

It is impossible to heal the wounds of the mind without realising why and when they happened. Hundreds of scratches can also result in large lesions, like a hundred thousand single trees standing together to form a big forest.

No medicine can heal such wounds. Instead, it can just be a chemical mixture that makes them forget. Many wounds could be of years old. Each one has a moving story to tell. It can be the dark scars of neglect, pent-up grief, and pain.

No matter how dry the wound is, it will not go away. It always wanted someone's attention, a strong belief that they will not give up on you. Only such a hand can be a pain reliever.

Every time I lay down and writhed in that burn that went deep to the bottom of my mind, I looked for coldness. Knowingly and unknowingly, I often hurt the shade trees. But, deep inside, I longed for a cool shower, hoping the tree would rain even after the storm...

Without knowing, expectations are the heaviest coffin...

A bliss by choice...

No race is infinite

Many pit stops in between.

No road is straight.

Numerous diversions in between.

No journey is long.

Because life is so brief,

Only a shot away.

Death is not always a curse, 

But bliss. 

A bliss by choice, not by option...!!! 

.....

(041022)

 

The pain

Which is the biggest pain on earth?
Chest pain? Back pain?
No.
It's the pain you feel when you are ignored.
Ignored by those whom you love.
There would be no medicine to heal.
No drink, no smoke, no drug can help you.
It will certainly kill you.
Have you ever experienced it?
Yes, I did hundred times. 
And, I died for thousands of days..!

(And even killed hundreds)

.....

(021022)

The journey so far..

I walked through the beautiful streets

The roads were paved with granites 

I walked as if I'm the master.

I ignored those who beautified my way.

Insulted some, scolded many.

But I enjoyed my walk. 

Desperate people ran away from me.

I didn't care though.

I walked for kilometers. 

The road was empty and dark.

I was alone.

And it scared me a bit.

A kind fear began to engulf,

Which I never experienced before

I felt drained and exhausted.

I realised my foolishness 

I repelled those who stood with me, 

Those who cared, those who loved...

I showered all my anger at them.

They hanged on, in vain. 

Finally, but not late, 

I realise my mistakes

The damage is irrevocable. 

I admit.   

But the road is still halfway. 

Let the journey continue.

Not alone, but together.

Not as master and slaves,

But as equals.

The road is still halfway...

.................

(011022)

SCARY SCARS

Some days in life will remain as a scar forever. Days filled with anxiety, uncertainty, and insecurity. Everyone on this mother earth might have gone through a few such days. Those days started with happiness and ended up in a heartbreak.

We can speak very elaborately on each such day for hours. We can talk and weep. Those days were those which made us feel unwanted. Life is then hell. 

These were some really horrible days which could be translated into a good story. Perhaps not in detail, but self-explained..

Day 1:

At a faraway place, they gathered with a 'big plan'.  A group of friends wrote and nicely executed a conspiracy story 

Day 2:

That day, received an apology letter from  a 'non existed' man asking for another chance 

Day 3:

That was the day of silence, before the blast... 

Day 4:

Amid all busy schedule , walked into a public telephone booth to ring an imaginary character... 

Day 5:

Bearing an anxious heart, travelled back with a smiling masked face.. 

Day 6:

The day was filled with silence packed melodrama... 

Day 7: 

The day was more of turbulent in nature without any calls or sms... 

Day 8: 

Unlike the drink, the news was hot. But the reaction was cold... 

Day 9: 

Wetted receiver listened to the weeping story... 

Day 10:

Indefinite silence...

Day 11:

An abrupt end with a short message... 

The rest were the days of suffering and struggling to survive... 

But, nothing could ever change the way that I feel about you... 

🙂

Memories are like a cobweb

Haven’t you seen the spider waiting with his web for its prey?

What about the insects caught in it?

That is how the time entangles us in the cobwebs of memories.

Some memories are like a cobweb. 

It’s difficult to escape from them. 

They will be immersed in those memories like a half-stopped clock hands.

A few may escape. 

But those who couldn’t…, they will shrink and disappear in those moments of memories forever.

By then, the time would be swallowed them… !