Mahatma Ayyankali Movement - Prof. Dr. Suresh Mane.

Prof. Dr. Suresh Mane.

Sreenarayana Guru was born in an Ezhava untouchable community, whereas Mahatma Ayyankali was born in pulaya community, another untouchable caste in Kerala.. He was born into a very poor and illeterate Pulaya family on august 28, 1863. Despite his major role in the uplift of his community and the socio-political reforms in Kerala, Ayyankali is hardly known to anybody outside Kerala. Mahatma Ayyankali was the contemporary of Sree Narayana Guru, Dr. Palpu and poet Kumaran Asan. In early days of his life he was terrified by the social oppression, discrimination and caste distinctions that his community and to put up with. During his time the untouchable were serfs and servants of the upper caste.

In the initial stage of his struggle, he organised his friends to oppose social injustices being meted out to their follow men and woman beside the practice of untouchability. The basic agenda of his struggle was civil liberties to the untouchables. In 1898 he took his cart onto the forbidden street by challenging the supremacy of high caste people. His followers were branded as 'Ayyankali Pada' (Ayyankali troops). His struggle was for social freedoms and self-respect. ayyankali was uneducated but had a very high practical wisdom to frame an agenda for the liberation of the Dalits. Like Phule in Maharashtra, he also realized the three-fold problems of the untouchables - education, government jobs and right to farmlands.His efforts for Dalit liberation were as follows.

1. To assert the right of education he started pre-primary school in 1904 for the touchables that was demolished and brunt by the upper caste. It resulted in clashes between the untouchables and upper castes. To secure the right for the into schools, in June 1913, Ayyankali organise a strike by agricultural laborers. The strike was called off in May, 1914. This was the first strike by the agricultural laborers in Kerala. In 1916 he established Theeyankara Pulaya School and in 1919 he set up one school for Christian converts too.

2. Ayyankali and his followers asserted their freedom through the public road from Venganoor to Trivandrum and they exercised it too. But during the return journey the upper asserted pounced upon them with weapons, but only to be beaten by the Ayyankali.

3. To organaise the untouchables and Dalit Christians, in 1907, Ayyankali founded an organisation called the Sadhu Jana Paripalana Sanfham (SJPS) patterned on the SNDP Yogam... The Prime objective of his organization was to safeguard the basic rights of the untouchables.

4. Ayyankali was the first man in Kerala to demand agricultural land for the untouchables.

5. Although Ayyankali was uneducated, he started a monthly called "Sadhujanaparipalini' in 1916 with the help of his colleagues. Probably it was the first magazine to be brought out by untouchable.

6. Ayyankali ordered the untouchable woman to give up their habit of wearing necklace of carved granite since it was the sign of slavery.

7. Ayyankali did not give much importance to the temple entry movement in Kerala.

8. ayyankali did not show any inclination towards the Congress, Gandhi, or the Independence movement. Like Mahatma Phuley, ayyankali also faced several attempts on his life The agitated upper caste landlords hired some grooms to kill him. But like Phuley he also won the battle with his enemies.

Ayyankali was also conscious about the political rights of his people. In Maharaja's Praja Sabha very section of society was given a representation but the Pulaya numbering 5,00,000 were represented by Karamana P K Govinda pillai, in high caste Hindu.Therefore in 1912, when the Maharaja as member of the Sree Moolam rajasabha Ayyankali, he requested the Maharaja to nominate one representative per 100,000  Pulayas.

In his First speech 1912, he strongly demanded the allotment of public land for the untouchables. On March 12, 1912 he demanded the entry of Pulaya children into schools and fee concession for them. He also asked for appointments for Pulayas in helth, medical and engineering departments. On February 29, 1916 in his speech at the Praja Sabha, he demanded 500 acres of land for the untouchables.

Ayyankaali started a system of parallel courts to settle the disputes between the untouchables. These community courts were held at the branch office of SJPS. These community courts followed all the regular practices of the court. Lawyers come to argue and judgments, orders and directives were sent to the branch offices of SJPS for implementation. Without coming the branch of law to save his people from brutal punishments in the hands of the upper caste, Ayyankali created parallel law and order machinery.

Ayyankali died on June 18, 1941. He was true leader of agricultural laborers, workers, untouchable and all the oppressed people of Kerala. The SJPS under his leadership, and the SNDP under the leadership of Narayana Guru, were primarily responsible for the social changes in Kerala.

The sad part of Kerala history is that Ayyankali come into contact with Gandhi but from the history records it appears that the never came into contact with Ambedkar. Had it been happened not only the history of the Dalit movement in Kerala would have been different but also today's face and shape of the backward movement in Kerala  would have been altogether different.

Along with Sreenarayana guru and Mahatma Ayyankali, the place of Sree Kumara Guru Devan (Poikayil Yohannan, 1879 - 1939) the founder of 'Prtyaksha Raksha Daiva Sbha' (PRDS-1908) is also a prime importance.

Pallathu Raman (1891-1950)

Pallathu Raman

Mahakavi Pallathu Raman was born on 7 October 1891 at Trichur. His father was Plalthu Ikkoran and his mother lakshmi. He was a well-known social reformer and a staunch disciple of Sree Narayana Guru. By profession he was a teacher in a college.. In 1941 he started a publication, Purogami, from thiruvananthapuram. He has to his credit forty books on different branches of literature.

Pallathu Raman was deeply disturbed by caste discriminations, which had reached its zenith then. Mahakavi Kumaran Asan’s social vision influenced and inspired him and he took up poetry as a cudgel to fight social discriminations. Pallathu Raman belived thet inter-caste marriage would a positive force to eliminate casteism. This inspired him to write Misra Kanti, a poem that narrates the love story of Dharma Bhadan, an ezhava man and Suhasini, a fisher woman. The ardent love they cherished for each other was hipped in the bud, owing to the caste difference of their families. Dharma Bhadan was forced to enlist in the army, while Suhasini went to Madras (Chennai) to work as a nurse in the Sree Narayana Guru Hospital. By a stroke of luck, the lovers met again at Madras. Dharma Bhadan was admitted in Sree Narayana Hospital when he got wounded in the war. Suhasini nursed him there. Dharma Bhadan’s parents also began to grow found of Suhasini. The situation finally led to Dharma Bhadan and Suhasini being untied in wedlock.

I his later writings Pallathu Raman was inspired by socialism and wrote poems with a political flavour. The unstinted support of the Kerala Chintamani, a periodial of that time, helped him to get established as a reputed poet.

Books: Udayareshmi, Vanamala, Veerangana, Amritha Pulinam, Samboorna Kavithakal,

Spouses: Devakiyamma, Madamal Suguna, He expired on 29 July 1950

Taken from the book; Reinventing Identity An Anthology of Dalit Writers Kerala written by Dr. George K Alex, Elizabeth John.

Kallara Sukumaran - Dr. George K Alex, Elisabeth John

Kallara Sukumaran

Sukumaran was born at Kothavarakkunnu, near Kottayam on 4th August 1939. He was an ifluantal Dalit leader of his time and politically orgainezed the Dalit community. He was an ardent follower of Ambedkar. He published as many as seventeen books in Malayalam.

Kallara Sukumaran was a great reformist and contributed extensively to enrich the renaissances tradition of Kerala. His father Markose and mother Mammi ewre Christians, but realizing the caste discrimination which existed in the Christian churches, they abandoned the christian faith. They opted the name Choti and Kozhazhaki respectively. Sukumaran was born as their seventh son. He was educated at local village schools. During his school days he revealed sterling leadership qualities and became the school leader. Even as a student, he actively participated in the work of Dalit special movements. He formed the Peerimadu Takuk Harijans Federation in September 1957.

Sukumaran observed; "Today the Dalit are in the shade of many shelters. A few have attained distinction in society. They keep on the struggle for more opportunities. But forgetting the past, its memories and its message, in fact, hinders the total liberation of the Dalits". Sukumaran asserted, " the Datits should proud of themselves and proudly re-affirm their own culture". He was the most popular and influential leader after Ayyankali. He fought against the caste notions as a rationalist and his crusade, which been as a ripple, gradually extended nationwide. He had a contempt of Hinduism and its tenets on caste, His poem Indhanappura declares "it is shameful to praise the dump god who lives in a mansion.

Sukumaran used Marxian social analysis as a tool to understand caste issues, even though, he was not a hard - core Marxist. His most successful intervention was the struggle to have the dining hall of Guruvayoor temple opened to untouchables. He organised the Dalit workers and struggled to protect their rights. He made no discrimination between Christian and Hindus. Sukumaran assumed a major roll in the foundation of the Indian Federation. later he joined Bahujan (BSP)

Sukumaran Was a prolific writer, who contributed immensely to Dalit literature. He authored seventeen books, was a poet, orator and philosopher. His books are used as textbooks for Dalit activists. "Kerala Harijan Federation- What? Why?", a booklet by Sukumaran, involved the need for an organization and urged the spirit of unity among Dalits. "The Political Economy of Dalits  Liberation" (Vimochanathinte Ardhastram) is a guild for social activists.

Books: Vimochanathinte Ardhasastram, Daridra Vargavum Rashtriyavum, Ayithochadanam Annum Innum, Harijan Prastanangalil Oru AbhiVeekshanam, Kerala Harijan Federation- Enthu, Enthinu? Marditharude Mochanam Indial, Brahmanism- Dr. Ambedkarude Veekshanathil, Jathy Oru Abhicharam. (all are essays) Indhanappura (poems)

Spouse: C Thankamma. Sons: saratchandran, Saseendran. Kallara Sukumaran expired on 12 October 1996.

Skewed faith un ravelled I santhakumar.

Skewed faith in ravelled This is an article published in Secular Humanist in 2003 about Dr.Dharam veer I A S The arthodox Hindu obscurantists,level their arguments to establish the ardent faith in mythology,with stories in epic narrations.Our great revolutionaries,political philosophers and heretics were mystified and deified with fables and divine haloing.They don't have the least hesitation to proclaim such rationalists as the avatars of Vishnu and to subsume their ideologies to Hinduism.This centuries old unique peculiarity of the Indologists have now been questioned and a new rational dimention has been propounded. The uncrowned king of Hindi literature,a social revolutionary and a thinker philosopher,Kabir has now been re defined,reclaimed and re established from mystification and deification.Dr. DharamVeer a Hindi laureate from Meerat in UP is the pilot of subversing the century old deep rooted history,culture,literature and sociology of Hindi literature.Dr.Hasariprasad dewedi became an authority on Kabir through his famous book "Kabir"published on 1942,which is supposed to be a classic criticism and research in Hindi literature.Dr.Dharam veer through his book"Critiques of Kabir"published in 1977 found out a new geoneology to Kabir demolishing the Brahminical content of Hasariprasad Dwedi's book Kabir.He,through his meticulous analysis sifted Kabir from the Brahminical canons.Dharam veer re establishes that Guru Rama and was never be a guru of Kabir ashe was a young a young rebel who hit so hard at Brahminical hypocracy and himself a sufferur.Ramanand's philosophical beliefs and practices had allowed in touchability which was repelled by Kabir. Dr. Dharam Veer renounced the theological base of Kabir as he himself proclaimed that the God is neither at Kailas nor at Ka-abba.Kabir was neither a Hindu nor a Muslim.But it is ironical that both the Hindus and the Muslims are worshiping Kabir as their messiah. Dr. Dharam Veer has written six books on Kabir in Hindi creating a turning point on contemporary Hindi literature which sprouted heated discourses.The spark which Dr.DharamVeer sets in the Hindi literature has now turned a flame through India and abroad which not only re established the century old cannons but also put forth a new thinking in Indian philosophy.

Buddha and His Teachings - Dr Kingsley Heendeniya

"Buddha and His Teachings is a unique presentation of the doctrine of not-self, the doctrine upon which the Dhamma was set rolling for more than 2,500 years ago. The author identifies misinterpretations of the Dhamma, that have lasted for 2000 years, to continue the work begun by his mentor Venerable Nanavira Thera, who became a cult figure after he wrote Clearing the Path. This book provides the percipient reader an insight of the teachings of the Buddha, composed from Suttas and related texts, along with copious annotations for further study, and a glossary of Pali words used in the Dhamma – all written in a lucid style." 

"Dr Kingsley Heendeniya is well known for his regular writings on Dhamma. He devotes his time entirely to the study of the discourses of the Buddha. Presently retired from the ministry of Health and Postgraduate Institute of Medicine, Sri Lanka, he was also a consultant in Health Services and Research to agencies such as WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA and World Bank. He has travelled widely often leading international study groups. He lives with his wife in Sri Lanka." 

The book is written to the invitation of the publisher to complement their series of titles on the great religious that the extent today. My aim is to give an overview of the life and times of the Buddha - who does not need any introduction - and his teachings, in a planned collection of essays, to indicate particularly, as another book is in this genre do not why we taught it. The book will be sold worldwide and therefore, I shall limit esoteric words, omitting also diacritical marks, used scholarly for correct enunciation of Pali. The Buddha spoke Prakrit, a spoken dialect in northern India, now extinct. His teaching was written down in Sri lanka in Pali, a precise language developed from it, used exclusively in the Dhamma. (The Dhamma is written also in Sanskrit, Chinese, Tibetan, Burmese, Thai, Korean, English, German, French etc.) I have included a list of useful Pali words with their diacritical marks.

The Buddhist Way of Life - Christmas Humphreys

The book was planned some years ago on the lines of my Studies in the Middle Way which had been in print already for some twenty years. The content were drafted , a number of chapters written, and considerable notes prepared for many more. Then for some reason the folder was laid aside and its materials became, as is the fate of many unfinished works, a quarry for later articles and lectures.

I the result, When I returned to the subject I had to collect a number of articles from journals in all part of the world., and to extract from the tape-recordings of the lectures the substance of what I had left as notes for chapters. A few independent articles and talks have also been included as further contributions to the same theme of Buddhism applied to daily life. For Buddhism, though usually referred to as a religion, and replete with a magnificent range of philosophy, metaphysics, mysticism, psychology, ritual, morality and culture, is basically, it seem to me, a way of life. Up on this Way all aspects of the human mind have relevance, but the dedicated Buddhist is ever concerned with the Way itself which deal, so he find from experience, to Enlightenmnt for himself and all mankind.

In this belief I have concentrated my own study and writing on the actual practice of Buddhist principles, making use the criterion of value. To this and I write Walk On!, The Buddhist Way of Action, Zen, a Way of Life and other works, and have made the same emphasis in count less articles and talks.

But the application of a set of principles and daily life is not a matter of straightforward thinking, as the exposition of the principle may be. The conditioning of the individual, his education, mental make-up and cultural environment, the balance of his mind’s development in terms of intellect an feeling and intuitive development, all these are relevant, and his approach to what Marcus Aurelius called ‘the ambit of one’s moral purpose’ will be all time multiple. I will include digression and even retraction, and the same point may be studied  from many point of view before intellectual acceptance is matured into spiritual growth.

Mo apology, therefore, is made for overlapping and reputation in the chapters which follow. When a western mind attempts to understand, deeply and thoroughly, the basic principles of an Eastern way of life, there much to do, and a wide field of literature, scripture, text-books, and articles representing a hundred points of view, must be absorbed and digested. From such synthesis of doctrine and methods the enquirer’s mind move never to spiritual experience and logical path from accumulated facts to responsible inference therefrom; the East moves differently, and I have a mind which prefers the Eastern point of view.

In nearly 50 year’s study of Buddhism I have used all means of approach to understanding. To intellect I have added a blend of feeling, intuition and applied psychology, and happily use tradition, analogy, and also consistency with that ‘accumulated Wisdom of the ages’ which I believe to be the common heritage of the great Teachers of mankind. And using, as may go let me, the wise addition of patience and humility, I read again and again, from a dozen point of view, the doctrines which I wish to understand, until the hard walls of preconception begin waver and fall before the repeated battering of a new idea.

I repeat, therefore, that I do not apologize for saying the same times, for thus have I learned what little I know. May the following chapters help the reader to tread that Middle Way proclaimed by Gautama the Buddha which leads, as I have found, as far as one has strength to tread towards that light of wisdom-love which is ever here and now, and waits but our unveiling.

I have added a few poems. If firmly believe that at times I say more in a sonnet than in any essay, and ‘Beyond’ is a sense, though highly compressed and at times elliptical in expression, the distillation of a lifetime’s study.

I am grateful to editors of the following journals in which some of this material has appeared: the American Theosophist, the Aryan Path, the Buddhist Annual of Ceylon, the Journal of the Maha Bodhi Society and the Middle Way, the journal of the Buddhist Society, London.

I am equally grateful to all those ladies who have retyped material for me. If at times, in attempting to read my written improvements, they have produced remarks and doctrines utterly new to me, the fault was ever mine, and I have at times adopted their exciting regardings

From preface by the author, CHRISTMAS HUMPHREYS.

Christmas Humphreys was the founder of the Buddhist Society, London. Stephen Hodge has published 12 books on Buddhism, philosophy and oriental languages.

My visit to America - I Santhakumar

 I Santhakumar

America had become one of my dream lands even during my boyhood. A lot of stories were heard through my school mates whose relatives were in America. Adventpuram near my native place had the credit of having sent a lot of people to America through Seventh Day Adventist Mission. But in later periods due to active involvement in politics, I had some sort of hesitation for the imperialist attitudes. The war in Vietnam enticed me to have an inimical attitude towards them. But a lot of other things such as the philanthropic attitudes, disciplined life, cleanliness, civic mentality, credibility and cosmopolitan outlook of the people in general fascinated me much. The immigration policy of America is also a welcoming one as it is without considering the caste and creed of the people. A lot of poor people could go there which in turn had a tremendous development of their families in Kerala.

My interest on America has widened when one of my very close friends Vijay Kumar Moses had gone there, which made me to have a clear picture about America. He took much interest to take me to America in 1980 when the immigration policy was liberal. But I didn't like to leave India. Late Julious was another friend, giving full details about America. His death was really a loss to me.

I never even dreamt to visit America in my life. But my beloved daughter Akhila's marriage with Bobby paved the way to visit the country. I am indebted to my loving son-in-law Bobby for arranging everything to get Visa in connection with Akhila's delivery. Thanks to Rejath, my cute grandson whose birth necessitated me and Jaya over there. It was a unique experience right from my journey from Trivandrum to Mumbai, to Paris, to Cincinnati and to Raleigh in North Carolina.

The interview in the Council at Chennai was also a new experience. They actually wanted to know whether we would be returning after our visit. I showed my identity card issued by Govt. for the post of MD and said that I am having two unmarried daughters here in Kerala for that I have to return after my visit. The lady interviewed us, asked us to remit the fee in the next counter. Thus we got visa for ten years. Jaya and I started our journey at 3pm on 6th September 2005. T.P.Chellappan, Rtd.MD father of Bobby along with my brother-in-laws, and my close friends has come to the Airport to bid us bonvoyage. We reached Raleigh Airport at 5.20 pm on 7th.

I was very closely watching each and every thing throughout my travel with comparison to our country. A lot of things are to be absorbed to our country. I wonder why our leaders could not try to implement at least some of them in our country .I recollect the old saying that India is rich but the people are poor. Thus my first stay in a foreign country began. I continued my regular morning walk in the nearby trail made by a tobacco company. The starting point was just behind the house where certain directions are given to the walkers. It is mandatory that whenever they come across with others, one should say Hi, good morning, good evening etc. They can also inform the difficulties if any they come across. The walk through the trail felt like walking in the jungle, which is very common in America. They are very committed in keeping environmental balances. Where ever I went I could see the picture of deer on the road side to take care of while driving. I also read that every year nearly 15000 deer are dying in road accident .I got two Black friends by name Solomon from Erithria, migrated to USA and James, Rtd.Air Force. One day some other friends asked me when I introduced that I am from India that in India cook's son will become cooks only. This is the impression of foreigners based on the Chathurvarnia ie the caste system. They also reminded me, when I told them that the Blacks are safe in America, that what all the things seen outwardly are not the real things and there are a lot of hidden things also. I got their mail id so as to get more about it. I sent many mails but no reply received from them. Bobby and Akhila took us to many places in NC.I used to get news paper in the morning from the nearby shop. It is a bundle of papers which carry full of advertisements. What made me wonder is that even the small coins are in use there. In right top of the paper named 'the Herald sun' there was a table showing the air quality and air pollution in Durham city. The quality of air was 41.It reads 0-50 good,51-100 moderate,101-150 un healthy for sensitive person,151-200 un healthy,201-300 very un healthy,301 and above hazardous. I was thinking, what a hazardous place where I live, because the quality and pollution of air is in thousands.

Akhila was admitted in the hospital for delivery. The room was just like an operation theater. The very curious thing is that husbands should be in the room and render all assistance for normal delivery. Thus my first grandson Kannan was born on 26th September 2005 at 9.30 pm.

When he was only four days old I took him in my hands with an inherent familial affection. It was incredible that he began to produce sounds as if talking with me. I am extremely happy that I am having a grandson to grow up in a richest country in the world enjoying all modern facilities for developing his faculties. My aspirations and assumptions have now been gradually come true when I hear Akhila and Kannan about his interests. Now Kannan is above six year’s old, he shows deep interests in celestial bodies and the space which I also had. I remember my father who instilled such subjects even in my childhood. The rockets sent to space, Laika-the dog, gone to space, and the first man went to space- Yurigagarin etc. are in my memory as an indelible imprint. Such news appeared in news paper would be cut and pasted in a book; this would be watched by my father. We had to depend only on news paper as there were no other means such as radio, television and phone etc. Two days back when Kannan talked with me, very enthusiastically describing his visit to Planatorium. A boy who shows eager in having seen the Black hole in the planatorium, is definitely having deep incites .I am sure, he will be a scientist.

Vijayakumar Moses invited us to visit them at Maryland. As I was very much interested to see the rural places I planned to have train journey. Tickets booked from Durham to Washington. The places to be passed are, Durham, Raleigh, Wilson NC, Rechy mount, Petersburgh, Richmond, Alexandria, Washington DC (Union station).It took eight hours to reach. The vast rural areas, farm lands etc. could be seen. Agricultural laborers were also seen harvesting in the paddy fields wearing full shirts. The platforms of railway stations were spotless clean, the compartments were also very clean, and we felt as if sitting in a plane. At about five in the evening we reached Washington. V Moses was waiting for us and he took us to his home. He showed us a hostel exclusively for Black students near Capitol building just like our Cosmopolitan hostel in Trivandrum. Blacks after occupying the rooms would let out to others on rent to get money, very often. He is of the opinion that Blacks are very often found lazy, but there are so many millionaires and outstanding personalities belonging to them. It is generally found that where ever Black dominance are there, the presence of Whites are less and vice-versa. I heard one discussion on issues facing African Americans in C-Span channel where in it was said that 20% of the prisoners in Federal Prisons were Blacks, out of 11% of the population and 42 % of the crimes were committed by Blacks. Bruce Gordon the President of NAACP founded by Martin Luther King Junior, in a TV speech said he had painful experiences being a Black and there were many instances in which the color discriminations still exist. One of my friends James told not to believe the media. There is one Black TV which can be relied upon. But being an Indian I afraid whether I am competent to comment on it, where human being are denied even the freedom of cattle. However I felt no discrimination being an Indian Black, but where I born the same stigma pervade. Years back Dr.Ambedkar had the same feeling. I joined the NAACP through net and sent comments. One thing is very clear that the Blacks are in far higher positions there. One question is required to be answered, what would be the condition of the Blacks, had they not been ferried to America years back? What is going on there in Africa is horrible now. The time lines of African American History quotes some signs and evidences of Black renaissance, Books by black writers are on the best seller lists and working their way into the literary cannons. Black music has become American music and is fast becoming music of the world. Black style, dress, and speech more and more define international popular culture. The black heritage with its African roots is a badge of pride and an incentive to action. The lost, strayed, or stolen history of people of color in this country is becoming part of the school curriculum at all levels. The dream of Martin Luther King Jr. has now come true that an Afro American became the President of America.

The feelings of supremacy being world power are very vivid in the attitudes of America. In a discussion in TV about the nuclear bomb and its protection, where one Indian Scientist named Arunachalam was also present, it was asked why the third world countries are making bombs spending huge amounts while they could not give drinking water to the people and they don't have the money to keep the bombs safely. Why don’t they stop producing Plutonium and Thorium? India claimed that it is used as fuel. The video clippings were also shown regarding the sale of nuclear weapons by Russian soldiers due to poverty. It is also said that extremism is developed due to this. In another clipping the relief operation of earth quake in Pakistan was shown in which a lady commentator said, thousands of people were stranded inside the concrete slabs. The problem was that they did not have lifting machines. The TV commentator replied, yes they do have nuclear bombs. In a discussion with an American lady, I said the zero was first discovered in India. She immediately corrected me that it was discovered in Brazil. When I enquired in detail I found that she is correct.

In Washington we visited a Botonical garden,Smithsonian museum,NASA,Greenbelt MD,Baltimore etc. In front of the museum I saw a lady distributing pamplets against the dictatorship in China.I also saw a vedeo clipping that shows that  the origin of Chickengunea was from China.It showed the spread of putrit chicken wastes on the streets making atmospheric pollution. It alleged that the virus germinated out of this,had caused the killer desease through out the world.But it is also a fact that Chinese goods are having very good market there.

I visited the school of Mrs. Moses, Brothers of Moses, Ravikumar, Suresh, John were all there to receive us. Mrs. Suresh, Mrs. Ravikumar and all their children were help full. John was the chief cook of a vegetarian hotel. Suresh was running a Bakery. Prasanth son of Suresh an intelligent boy studying Criminology also engaged in Police force had given me full sketch of American life. He told me that his intention was to become a Police Officer. He also said that all the facilities right from bottom to top are made available to all irrespective of any caste creed or color. After three days stay, we returned to Durham by car driven by Ravikumar. It was another pleasant trip through road.

I visited Libraries and Bookstalls in search of new books. In book stalls we can take any book read it and return. I purchased several books on slavery and history. The very important book was the slave narratives by Oluodh Equiano. He was the first slave who wrote autobiography immediately after slavery was abolished. The slaves in America were touchable and they were living together. They also had education. That is why they could start writing when liberated. The book is a collection of four autobiographies which is very rare. Book on Rosa Parks-mother of civil rights was worth reading. Thanks to my son-in- law, Bobby who is also a lover of books

The American natural beauty reaches its pinnacle during November when the trees getting new colors. The leaves would be in assorted colors which is fantastic scenery throughout the country. I had a chance to attend the Deepavali programmes conducted by Indians. There was a mammoth crowd with musical concerts, dance etc. It was a lesson for me as to how a programme was arranged systematically keeping the surroundings clean and tidy. Cleaners with equipments were roaming in search of dirt and trash. Food was arranged separately. Temporary toilets were also there. I found in several places the words Rest room, instead of toilets. Even the words itself have a clean image. They are determined and committed to keep America clean. It is inborn in every citizen. Their civic mentality is laudable.

The North Carolina 2005 Indian Heritage Month Celebration held at Raleigh was a new experience. As an Indian one may think that it is a celebration of Indians. But it is the celebration of the Red Indians ie. the ab origins of America or the Native Americans. It is a misnomer of Columbus believing he had reached East India. We call the native Indians as Scheduled Tribes. There are four million Native Americans and they are having reserved areas as permanent tribal home land. Altogether 314 reservations located in 48 States. But 60% of them live away from reservations in urban and rural areas. It was a very colorful function. They are in fantastic red color. I also took part in their programmes. It is estimated that they migrated to North America between 40000-15000BC.Their culture and traditions are preserved. The exhibition of their art, architecture, herbal medicines and skills were arranged. I collected booklets and others from them.

There are incidences of poverty in some areas. In Kentekky out of 10, 4 are in poverty. Some Blacks are residing in cars for want of houses. Some Whites are also in poor condition. But one thing is sure that the poverty in India and America are thoroughly different.

The Thanks Giving day in the last week of November is a retrospect through sweet memories to the Native Americans. When the Europeans reached there in 17th century, they were the protectors. During the festival all Americans cook the same foods which were given to them when their ancestors reached there. In America four days consecutive leave comes only in thanks giving day ie. from Thursday to Sunday. During the festival there were medical advices for reducing weight, through TV, because half of the Americans are overweight. There is no such flow of liquor as we have here. The legal age to purchase any alcoholic beverage in NC is 21.37 million people were on roads and 22 million were in the air during thanks giving day. One can just imagine, how enormously they celebrate their bounden duty to offer thanks to the Native Americans.              

The relief operation made during Katrina was commendable. The exact time of Katrina was announced in advance and mandatory evacuation was ordered. Miles long queues of cars were seen 28 lacks of people were evacuated. There was live telecast on the day smashing see water on coast of Texas and breaking levees. Live telecast from Cuba was also there. Cubans are not afraid of. They were cycling in the midst of cyclone. When the evacuees returned there were piles of reapers and wooden bars being the remaining of their houses. There was a lot of allegation about the discriminatory approaches towards the blacks in relief operation as in the case of Dalits in Tamilnadu while Tsunami.

I think of the holidays we enjoy in Kerala. Out of 365 days in a year, 84 days are declared holidays except the days in which hartal, local festivals in temples and such other unexpected riots and strikes. This is the reason why our development is still on the run way only. Though they are God fearing people they are not mad after religion as in the case of Indians. They give first preference to patriotism. They are also law abiding. There are regular shows in channels for counseling to families in which even the spontaneous fights of husbands and wives are shown. Results of DNA test and lie detector are openly declared and the serious issues solved. I felt that they live peacefully without making any harm to the nature. No smoke could be seen from the cars though it is lavishly used. During travel, we saw small placards on the lawns aside the roads, ''Elect Brown'' etc. I was told, it was the electioneering process of the local bodies. No holiday for casting votes as it is their duty. No hue and cry also. As a Keralite it was really a wonder. We cannot even imagine such an election.

There are a lot of things left unnarrated because the space here is insufficient. So I conclude. 30th Nov 2005, thus became the last day of our stay in America, because we were compelled to return due to a proposal alliance for Nikhila, though our period of stay was up to March 2006. That was a rainy day, we reached Raleigh AirPort with Bobby, Akhila and little Kannan. They left us and we remained in the Air Port till 5pm. A small plane took us to New York at 6.30 Pm. It was a glittering scene to look downwards .Next was a continuous journey ie. NewYork to Paris 5839 km, 7hrs. journey, Paris to Mumbai-7000km, 8hrs. journey and Mumbai to Trivandrum. We reached Trivandrum at 1pm on 1st December 2005. It was an eventful journey and a wonderful stay, reverberating me with glorious memories of a richest country in the world.

Thanks to Bobby Mohan Chellappan, Akhila, Rajet and Rohit. This write up is dedicated to Rajet(Kannan).

NARRATIVE OF THE LIFE OF - FREDERICK DOUGLASS, AN AMERICAN SLAVE.

IN the month of August, 1841, I attended an anti-slavery

convention in Nantucket, at which it was my happiness to

become acquainted with FREDERICK DOUGLASS, the writer of

the following Narrative. He was a stranger to nearly every

member of that body; but, having recently made his escape from

the southern prison-house of bondage, and feeling his curiosity

excited to ascertain the principles and measures of the

abolitionists,—of whom he had heard a somewhat vague

description while he was a slave,—he was induced to give his

attendance, on the occasion alluded to, though at that time a

resident in New Bedford.

Fortunate, most fortunate occurrence!—fortunate for the

millions of his manacled brethren, yet panting for deliverance

from their awful thraldom!—fortunate for the cause of negro

emancipation, and of universal liberty!—fortunate for the land

of his birth, which he has already done so much to save and

bless!—fortunate for a large circle of friends and acquaintances,

whose sympathy and affection he has strongly secured by the

many sufferings he has endured, by his virtuous traits of

character, by his ever-abiding remembrance of those who are in

bonds, as being bound with them!—fortunate for the multitudes,

in various parts of our republic, whose minds he has enlightened

on the subject of slavery, and who have been melted to tears by

his pathos, or roused to virtuous indignation by his stirring

eloquence against the enslavers of men!—fortunate for himself,

as it at once brought him into the field of public usefulness,

“gave the world assurance of a MAN,” quickened the slumbering

energies of his soul, and consecrated him to the great work of

breaking the rod of the oppressor, and letting the oppressed go

free!

I shall never forget his first speech at the convention—the

extraordinary emotion it excited in my own mind—the powerful

impression it created upon a crowded auditory, completely

taken by surprise—the applause which followed from the

beginning to the end of his felicitous remarks. I think I never

hated slavery so intensely as at that moment; certainly, my

perception of the enormous outrage which is inflicted by it, on

the godlike nature of its victims, was rendered far more clear

than ever. There stood one, in physical proportion and stature

commanding and exact—in intellect richly endowed—in natural

eloquence a prodigy—in soul manifestly “created but a little

lower than the angels”—yet a slave, ay, a fugitive slave,—

trembling for his safety, hardly daring to believe that on the

American soil, a single white person could be found who would

befriend him at all hazards, for the love of God and humanity!

Capable of high attainments as an intellectual and moral

being—needing nothing but a comparatively small amount of

cultivation to make him an ornament to society and a blessing to

his race—by the law of the land, by the voice of the people, by

the terms of the slave code, he was only a piece of property, a

beast of burden, a chattel personal, nevertheless!

A beloved friend from New Bedford prevailed on Mr.

DOUGLASS to address the convention. He came forward to the

platform with a hesitancy and embarrassment, necessarily the

attendants of a sensitive mind in such a novel position. After

apologizing for his ignorance, and reminding the audience that

slavery was a poor school for the human intellect and heart, he

proceeded to narrate some of the facts in his own history as a

slave, and in the course of his speech gave utterance to manynoble thoughts and thrilling reflections. As soon as he had taken

his seat, filled with hope and admiration, I rose, and declared

that PATRICK HENRY, of revolutionary fame, never made a

speech more eloquent in the cause of liberty, than the one we

had just listened to from the lips of that hunted fugitive. So I

believed at that time—such is my belief now. I reminded the

audience of the peril which surrounded this self-emancipated

young man at the North,—even in Massachusetts, on the soil of

the Pilgrim Fathers, among the descendants of revolutionary

sires; and I appealed to them, whether they would ever allow

him to be carried back into slavery,—law or no law,

constitution or no constitution. The response was unanimous

and in thunder-tones—“NO!” “Will you succor and protect him

as a brother-man—a resident of the old Bay State?” “YES!”

shouted the whole mass, with an energy so startling, that the

ruthless tyrants south of Mason and Dixon’s line might almost

have heard the mighty burst of feeling, and recognized it as the

pledge of an invincible determination, on the part of those who

gave it, never to betray him that wanders, but to hide the

outcast, and firmly to abide the consequences.

Frompreface of the book, by WM. LLOYD GARRISON.

NELSON MANDELA – Mary Benson

‘During the lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of democratic and free society… It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if need be it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die’ – Nelson Mandela.

Imprisoned since 1962, Nelson Mandela has become a legend in his own lifetime; the embodiment of the struggle for liberation in South Africa and a vital symbol of a new society. As the international campaign for his release grows, he and his wife Winnie, continue to triumph over unremitting persecution.

In this timely and absorbing biography, Mary Benson describes Mandela’s life, work and ideas from his childhood in the royal family of the Thembu people to his membership and eventual leadership of the African National Congress. Her book sheds important light on the man whose release is widely regarded as the essential first step towards averting catastrophe in that tragic land.

The book is based on interviews with Nelson Mandela before he was imprisoned, on information gleaned from his family, close friends and comrades, and on his writings and statements in court published in two collections: No Easy Walk to Freedom (Heinemann) and The Struggle is My Life (IDAF). Part of the material used was published in Nelson Mandela (Panaf Books, 1980). The descriptions of life on Robban Island came partly from interviews with men who had served sentences there.  

Author Mary Benson  was born and educated in Pretoria, South Africa. During the second World War she served in the South African Women’s Army and was seconded to the British Army to become personal assistant to British Generals in the Middle East, Algeria, Italy, Greece and Vienna. From there she went to work among displaced persons in the Ruhr. Some time later she became secretary to David Lean.

EVERY TIME I WAKE UP : Poems by V P SINGH

Every time I wake up

It is night.

The world is just beyond

My hospital window

My only company

And distant window light.

That too goes off…

The poems in this collection reveal some surprising facts of V P Singh, known primarily as one of India’s roughest politicians, as he examines the complexities of attachment and love. Interspersed with these deeply personal reflections are mordent observation of a more prosaic word – of power and being out of it, the ‘business’ of news, and the plight of the homeless.

The poems are striking for their honesty, as when he writes about his illness, and immediate in their impact, at times possessing a spare beauty that has the same mesmerizing effect as does looking down into a clear, crystalline pool.

Complementing some of the poems is a series of striking image drawn by the author.

V.P. Singh was born in Allahabad in 1931, and graduated from Allahabad and Pune universities. He became an MLA in the Uttar Pradesh Assembly in 1969, and two years later a member of the Lok Sabha. He has held ministerial positions at the Center including the defense and finance portfolios, and was chief minister of Uttar Pradesh from 1980 to 1982. He was Prime Minister of India from 1989 to 1990. While V.P. Singh remains active in politics and social work, his special interests include painting - he has held several solo shows - and poetry.