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The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
CPI district conference makes an unvarnished stock taking of the party, government and LDF
CPI's Thiruvananthapuram district conference, which concluded here on Saturday, was reportedly a venue for an unvarnished stock taking of the party's performance in government and also as the second most powerful entity in the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government. According to some accounts, party delegates at the conference called for increased assertiveness as a transformative force within the LDF. They also emphasised the importance of countering the Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) propaganda, which claimed that the CPI frequently acquiesced to the Communist Party of India (Marxist) 's [CPI(M)] line on various issues. According to sources privy to the closed-door conference, some delegates reportedly cautioned against being publicly critical of those at the apex of the LDF government, given the ruling front's no-holds-barred political bid to retain power for a third term in the 2026 Assembly elections. They said the conference was also a critical appraisal of the performance and positions of LDF Ministers, including Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. Some supposedly cautioned against the electoral perils of the top political executive appearing absolutist. 'Some criticisms were deemed subjective and dismissed. However, a spirit of evaluation dominated the process, intending to identify and rectify mistakes to improve performance rather than apportioning blame to individual leaders and Ministers', he said. CPI delegates reportedly lauded Agriculture Minister P Prasad's 'informed opposition' to commandeering ecologically sensitive wetlands for the Aranmula project and not the scheme per se. According to an insider, delegates criticised Animal Husbandry Minister and CPI leader, J. Chinchurani, for making an overhasty statement, which gave room to the UDF and BJP to misconstrue it as an attempt to blame the victim of the accidental electrocution of a 13-year-old student, Midhun, at the Thevalakkara Higher Secondary Boys High School in Kollam. Moreover, the conference reportedly lauded Food and Civil Supplies G. R. Anil's market interventions to control inflation, given the constraint of funds and 'hostile media scrutiny'. It demanded that the department exercise more vigilance to ensure price regulation of groceries and their availability at Supplyco stores during the upcoming Onam shopping season. Some delegates noted that the CPI had opposed the CPI(M)'s alleged attempt to infer malfeasance in Dr Haris Chirackal's social media admissions about the non-availability of critical surgical devices at the Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College Hospital's Department of Urology. They also noted that CPI Ministers routinely raised the party's view at cabinet meetings, including airing reservations about the liquor policy, specific components of which party members felt jeopardised the toddy sector. The CPI had also made its stance clear on the controversy centred around former Additional Director General of Police, Law and Order, M. R. Ajith Kumar and cautioned that any bid to defend the officer accused of 'disrupting the Thrissur Pooram to aid the BJP in the 2024 Thrissur Lok Sabha elections would not augur well for the LDF government's public image.
India.com
23-07-2025
- India.com
Dive Deep Into South Indian History With These Destination Close To Kumarakom
As an embodiment of several historical artefacts, Kumarakom in the heart of Kerala's backwaters is a place to be reckoned with. The destination is replete with history and cultural heritage that allow time travel in its full sense. This divine location has a mix of ancient temples and colonial vestiges that will make your visit unforgettable. Let us now look into those landmark historical places which are found on the land map of Kumarakom – India. 1. Thazhathangady Juma Masjid Thazhathangady Juma Masjid is one of the oldest mosques in Kerala testifying the existence of a thriving Islamic culture here. For over 1000 years, this architectural marvel comprises wooden carving designs displayed artistically as well as intricate handiwork. Its quietness and historical importance makes any devoted students of history or spiritual seekers feel an urge to visit. 2. Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple Built for Lord Shiva, Ettumanoor Mahadeva Temple is famous all over for its beautiful architecture and religious emotions associated with it. Constructed around the 16th century, this temple features artistic murals adorning the walls as well as Dravidian style structure. It is at this site where visitors shall witness 'Ezharaponnana' festival marked by covering up temple idols using seven and half elephants made up from gold while at this point they understand how Kumarakom culture has become rich. 3. Church Cheriapally History comes alive when you set foot in church due to its ancient age that dates back to Portuguese era in 16th Century; hence it has got Gothic style built form along with ornamental interiors too. Thus this church can sensitively remember what went wrong in its own colonial past thus affecting the region's entire culture. 4. Aranmula Parthasarathy Temple Located at the riverbank of Pamba, this temple is shrouded in mythical history and architectural grandeur. A place of worship dedicated to Lord Krishna, this temple hosts an annual snake boat race that dates back many centuries. With its myriad wooden carvings and colorful festivals, Kumarakom's deep religious faith is exemplified here. 5. Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary Primarily known for being a birders' paradise, Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary also carries within it a rich historical background. Originally a British rubber plantation, the area was later transformed into a sanctuary for migratory birds; thus presenting an interesting tale of conservation and preservation from ecological point of view. It has got well-manicured gardens of immense beauty and calm lakes that have kept remnants for ages. Wrapping Up Kumarakom invites tourists with an ageless appeal and a wealth of history. The cultural patchwork that embellishes this beautiful location will surely captivate anyone who visits either the old shrines, walks along the colonial era churches or gazes at the sculptures made of driftwood. By unearthing Kumarakom's historical sites both recent as well as past one gets to unravel the secrets of antiquity thereby establishing a firmer link with its colourful heritage.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Wetlands shrinking rapidly in Kerala, fallout can be terrible
1 2 Kochi: Wetlands in Kerala shrank from 2.35 lakh hectares in 1990 to 1.6 lakh ha by 2011, notes S Girija Kumari, head of the University Institute of Technology, Kayamkulam, in the Feb edition of forest department's magazine Aaranyam. She cited unchecked urbanisation, relentless consumerism and an ever-growing appetite for luxury as the reasons for its rapid depletion. With paddy giving way to commercial crops, wetlands' fabric also altered significantly, the report notes. Scientists say, as with the new Aranmula project, wetlands will shrink further, sometimes with the dilution of laws. "Paddy is supposed to be a wetland crop controlling hydrology in an area," said State Wetland Authority (SWA) former member K K Ramachandran. "Unfortunately, Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules was reissued in 2017 which changed its definition in effect excluding paddy fields from that purview. We don't have a database to gauge the extent of wetlands reclaimed in each timeline. Kerala govt initially decided to classify wetlands of 2.5ha and above. However, it was found that a large number fall under that classification. But I understand that the govt asked to identify only the largest 40 wetlands. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esse novo alarme com câmera é quase gratuito em São Paulo (consulte o preço) Alarmes Undo The govt is delaying the process of notifying the wetlands' inventory. It seems they are set to notify 20 wetlands first. However, I'm doubtful since SWA is not serious about enforcement of powers," he said. National Centre for Earth Science Studies ex-scientist K V Thomas said Kerala Conservation of Paddy Land and Wetland Act was largely diluted, benefiting both politicians and businessmen mutually. "Earlier, the act allowed reclaiming wetland and paddy fields by a poor family to construct a house. With the extent of area increased, anyone can reclaim the land. The Act's dilution happened twice in the last eight years. Similar dilutions happened in the CRZ Act too, where Pokkali fields' definition was removed from it. It resulted in a large wetland network being excluded from the protection of CRZ notification. Wetlands and paddy fields are flood plains. When an ecosystem's continuity is lost through reclamation, flooding — whether downstream/upstream — will be a threat. Groundwater recharge will be affected and temperature will rise due to construction," warned Thomas. State Biodiversity Board chairman N Anil Kumar said. "Reclamation of ecologically important places will affect fish breeding grounds. Wetlands attract migratory birds which fly thousands of kilometres for breeding. If there is no healthy system for its breeding, it will further impact their population. The local conversion has a global impact. Ramsar sites are declared for that purpose. It's important to declare more wetlands as Ramsar sites," he said.
Hindustan Times
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Eliot Stein: 'We're becoming a more homogenous species'
Eliot Stein grew up outside of Washington, DC in Silver Spring, Maryland, 'a progressive, multicultural bubble that looks a lot like what the rest of the US will one day become'. 'I was raised Quaker, a religion that encourages meditation, espouses non-violence and maintains that everyone has a light within and a story to share. I suppose these two factors led me towards a life of listening, empathy, and interest in those from other cultures,' he says. Stein studied journalism and Italian at university, and moved to Italy the day after he graduated. Currently a senior journalist and editor at the BBC, his new book, Custodians of Wonder, is inspired by Custom Made, a column for which he travelled around the globe profiling those preserving extraordinary cultural rites across the world. How did you choose these 10 stories to tell? I tried to cast a wide geographic and thematic net so these 10 stories weren't only set in one continent or were only about one type of tradition. But more than anything, I focused on remarkable rites that have shaped a place's unique culture and identity in profound ways. Each of the 10 customs I focus on in this book is a reflection of a community's unique world view. This book isn't just about an astonishingly rare pasta in Sardinia you may never taste or a grass-braided bridge in Peru you may never cross; it's about the gorgeous, gentle, irrational things humans do that make the world so wondrously diverse and what it means when these quiet customs, that remind us where we came from, what we believe in, and who we are, fade away. What was the most amazing thing that you learnt while writing this book? The most fascinating part of this project was discovering how each of these age-old wonders reveals an even more extraordinary truth about a place and its people. Tell us about the India story in Custodians of Wonder? For hundreds of years, an extended family of alchemists in Kerala has been tightly guarding the recipe for a mysterious metal mirror that is believed to reveal your truest self. It's called the Aranmula kannadi, and because it's front-reflecting and therefore more accurate than a standard plane mirror. It's said that you've never truly seen yourself until you've gazed into it. For Keralites, keeping an Aranmula kannadi in your home is believed to bring prosperity and luck. It is often given as a gift at weddings, births, and housewarming ceremonies. It's also one of the eight auspicious items included in the ashtamangalyam set used in Hindu holy rites. And while most mirrors around the world today are simply used to gauge physical appearance, in Kerala and throughout much of the Malabar Coast, they also serve as instruments of introspection to examine one's body as well as one's soul. Today, it is believed that only 26 people alive know the mirror's exact proportions of copper, tin, and trace elements, and I had the honour of getting to meet many of these individuals. One of the great heroes of this book is Sudhammal J. Her father revealed the mirror's secret formula to Sudhammal just before he passed, and his dying wish was that she maintained this family tradition. Sudhammal is now one of the only women in history to have ever made the Aranmula kannadi. But after a recent once-in-a-lifetime flood, the future of these sacred mirrors and the unsung alchemists who cast them remains in doubt. What do you think these stories tell us about the world in the past and the world we live in today? Each of these customs developed in an isolation that's virtually impossible to replicate today in our ever-connected world. When localism gives way to internationalism, we often lose the distinct vestiges that make our world so wonderfully diverse, and this global homogenisation is happening before our eyes. Nine languages disappear every year, and if we don't do anything to halt this linguistic loss, more than half of the world's languages will be extinct in the next 100 years. More than 6,000 foods and culinary practices are on the brink of disappearance. Nearly 3,000 villages in Spain are at risk of becoming ghost towns; 2,500 in Italy are perilously depopulated; and 896 towns and villages across Japan are estimated to disappear by 2040 as better-paying jobs lure young people to cities – a phenomenon the country's former minister for internal affairs described as 'local extinction'. As people increasingly speak the same languages, live in the same cities, eat the same foods, and adhere to the same customs, we're becoming a more homogenous species. None of this bodes well for those who travel to be stirred by the unfamiliar and enthralled by the boundless depths of how the natural world affects human expression. Nor does it for the endangered artisans and final custodians preserving knowledge that would otherwise fade away. In many ways, these guardians are the closest thing we have to humanity's wise men and women. What do you think we are likely to lose if these custodians prove to be the last? While culture is an ever-evolving force, what's at risk of being lost with these custodians' disappearance is nothing less than the world's local, whimsical soul. When these threads that have bound generations together begin to unravel, a certain mastery disappears with it. We, collectively, lose something. From a 15th-generation Inca bridge builder to a 27th-generation West African griot to an unbroken line of women whose needle-thin pasta has united an island for centuries, these custodians and their families have given something special to a place – a certain knowledge, a skill – and in doing so, helped shape its identity. But because the specific thing that each custodian embodies is often a reflection of a larger community's unique worldview, this makes these quiet deaths doubly tragic: not only do we lose someone who has dedicated their whole life to mastering a specific artistry, we also lose a different way of understanding the world. As the distances and differences between us continue to diminish, I can't help but feel that we can learn something by looking toward these customs and custodians. Together, they remind us that culture is born slowly through a million tiny, personal moments; when one seemingly insignificant wonder fades, an irretrievable part of our humanity vanishes with it. Teja Lele is an independent editor and writes on books, travel and lifestyle.
