Dr. Mohandas of VV Clinic Passes Away

Dr. Mohandas, the founder of VV Clinic hospital in Attingal, and easily the most reputable physician in the town, died yesterday in his house. He was 81 years old. It is learnt that the death is from natural causes. He is survived by a son, Dr. Vinod, and  a daughter, Dr. Veena. His wife, Dr. Molly Mohandas, who herself was an eminent doctor in her time, had passed away some years ago. The cremation is scheduled at his house near the hospital at 10.30 am today.

Dr. Mohandas was both a pioneer and a traditionalist in the medical profession. It was thanks largely to his vision that Attingal got a top hospital when such hospitals had been a rarity even in the cities of Kerala. The buildings of VV Clinic, said to have been built in 1969 with the remnants of a fallen gothic church, stood out in those times for its architectural elegance.

The medical treatment in the hospital is quick and effective, however, less pleasing to the eye than its architecture. Dr. Mohandas was incredibly quick in diagnosis and decision making. It would not take more than a couple of minutes for him to listen to the patient’s woes, make diagnosis, and scribble down the prescription. He was a man of few words, but never minced the words that had to be said. RIP Dr. Mohandas.

General Strike Fails to Rouse People, but Paralyzes Normal Life in Attingal

The general strike announced by all the trade unions in India against the pro-rich policies of the Indian government went like just another Harthal in Attingal, perhaps in most other parts of Kerala as well. This was the first time that the ruling-class trade unions (mainly INTUC of Congress(I) and BMS of BJP) joined hands with the left-leaning trade unions like CITU and AITUC. But people of the town converted it into just another holiday. 

 

Shops remained closed and public service vehicles remained in the garage. The town had a 1960s or 1970s look and feel to it, with occasional vehicles plying and some pedestrians passing by. Only a handful of people, around a hundred, gathered even for the protest march held in connection with the strike.

The march started from Attingal Kacheri Nada, in front of Mandoor Building, which once housed the now defunct SR Theater. Prominent local leaders of CITU, INTUC, BMS, and of any other trade union worth its salt were present. CPI(M) cadre and the Congress workers (who are now active again in Attingal after five long years of hibernation) were marked by their absence. Some banks and private financial institutions started the daily operations. But they were forced to close down soon. It all took only a couple of phone calls to force them though.

The march proceeded to KSRTC bus station in Attingal, which also had an empty look. The only person visible was Mr. Sundar Wilfred (a familiar figure for most people in Attingal – shown in the photo below). 

 

The strike had been billed by some people as India's answer to Tahrir Square. Judging by the mood in Attingal, it did not even reach the level of Anna Hazare's agitation.

Photo of the Day

Where else can you find Karl Marx and the Lord Parama Sivan, an unlikely pair of comrades, together? This snap was taken from Poovanpara near the bridge.

Attingal Remembers A. Ayyappan

A group of poets and poetry lovers in Attingal remembered A. Ayyappan, the most bohemian of all the wayward clouds that hovered in the horizon of Kerala poetry, a year after his anonymous, roadside demise. ABHIDA, an organization of poets in the town, conducted the function at Town UPS, Attingal, on the Deepavali day. It was an informal function - more like an amalgam of remembrance speeches and poetry recitals.

Noted playwright and dramatist, P.M. Antony, no less an iconoclast himself, was the chief speaker of the function. He lived up to his bill with a scathing criticism on the poetic ways of the man whom he remembered. He summed up that Ayyappan the poet took no social responsibilities and had no political direction. He compared Ayyappan unfavorably with the more politically conscious poets of his era and earlier eras, like Vayalar, Sachithanandan, Kadammanitta, and even Balachandran Chullikkad. In his brutally frank speech, he also found time to criticize the methods of the communist parties for the present state of Kerala society, which by his reckoning is almost deaf to the cultural movements and initiatives.

P.M. Antony's speech was in stark contrast to the earlier eulogizing of A Ayyappan by the young and less known poets. Most of the speakers had had some personal memoirs to share about Ayyappan. Some of them recited their own poems, while some others chose to recite some well-known poems of Ayyappan.

The function was reasonably well attended for a poetry function. The young poets enthralled the crowd their fresh, yet raw imagery.

“On the blood of George Bush's,

Obama's shaving blades,

Lies the hapless map of my nation”, lamented a young poet.

Another poet paid tributes to Ayyappan through sarcasm, “Why my son should not be like Ayyappan”. Judging by the present state of Kerala society, nobody's son is likely to become another Ayyappan. But it is certainly worthwhile to remember the poet whose poetry is yet to be properly appreciated in our literature.

Two Dead and Several Injured in Accident in Poovanpara, Attingal

Two people were killed instantly and 20 other people were seriously injured in an accident took place between a KSRTC local bus and a public carrier lorry, near Poovanpara bridge, Attingal. The incident occurred at the wee hours of today morning. The bus, carrying a decent number of passengers, was going to Attingal from Kilimanoor depot. It was the first service of the day from Kilimanoor to Attingal.

Suresh Babu (53), a native of Koduvazhanoor, Chambramkodu, and Sasi (65), a native of Pulimoodu, Chirayinkeezhu, died on the spot. The injured people were rushed to various hospitals in the region.

Eye witnesses said that some people were getting into the bus at Poovanpara bus stop when the lorry, coming from Kollam to Attingal, rammed into the backside of the bus. The rescue workers had to break open the bus body to remove injured people from the bus. Some people said that that lorry driver may have fallen asleep while driving.

Visit this page for a detailed report.

DHRM vs Rest of the World in Attingal

Madavoor, a typical idyllic village about 20 kms away from Attingal, is the newest venue of the violent skirmishes between DHRM and its opponents, which can only be labeled as DHRM vs the rest of the world. The village has been tense for the past one week, as reported by the Hindu, despite the Onam festivities. DHRM has been organizing functions and study classes in the village for the past two years. Their latest rally triggered the present bout of violence. A heavy contingent of police has been camped in Madavoor to prevent further violence.

The problems started on the Uthradam day. The rally was organized near a house where a person had died just before. The family members demanded a shift of venue for the rally. The DHRM workers refused to do so. This resulted in arguments between both parties. On the night, the house was attacked and rubber trees and banana plants were destroyed. The family members and the president of the Madavoor Panchayath and a Congress(I) leader, Sri. Rajendran Unnithan, alleged that DHRM activists were behind the attack. Two people, owing allegiance to DHRM, were arrested. This led to further violence in the region with armed gangs attacking people and crops. Two Dalit houses, allegedly of DHRM sympathizers, were attacked too.

Yesterday, DHRM conducted a march to Pallickal police station to protest against the false cases filed against its activists and the atrocities against the Daliths by the upper cast people. The march was led by its state secretary, Sri. V. Selvaraj, and another prominent leader of the organization Sri. Varkala Das. The march started from Thumpode. Then a group of local people, representing 'the rest of the world', comprising people of all major political parties and religious organization, tried to block the march at Thumpode junction. They started throwing stones at DHRM rally. The DHRM workers too started throwing stones back. It was the agile action of the police, on red alert, prevented further problems. The police charged at the anti-DHRM group and provided escort to the DHRM rally. It was a curious scene: the police escorting agitators who are going to lay siege to the police station.Watch a video of the DHRM march here.

The rally reached Pallickal police station and blocked the station for some time. The traffic through Pallickal to Kilimanoor too was disrupted. Later, more police forces came in and arrested the people blocking the station. DHRM has urged for more protest marches today. About 20 people, including police personnel, DHRM workers, and the people belonging to the anti-DHRM group, were injured in the happenings. Read a detailed report of the incidents here. The anti-DHRM group has also declared a harthal in Pallickal and nearby areas today.

A press release from DHRM alleges that DYFI workers attacked the rally. The left leaders declined to comment. Sri. Rajendran Unnithan put the blame on the militant functioning style of DHRM. He claimed that people of only two Dalit families in Madavoor supported DHRM and even the other Dalit people were against DHRM. Many observers agree that there were only very few local people in the DHRM rally organized yesterday.

The DHRM issue has certainly created a division among the people in Attingal and neighboring villages. The membership of DHRM is certainly on the rise in various Dalit colonies in the region. The DHRM leaders claim that its swelling rank and file is what irritates the political parties such as CPI(M), Congress (I), and BJP. They say that the intolerance of the upper cast people is the root of all the issues.

But if the recent performance of the DHRM candidates is any indication, their increase in membership should not worry any political parties. Sri. Selvaraj himself contested in Attingal assembly constituency. But he got only 1713 votes from more than one lakh votes polled. Sajimon Chelayam, another DHRM leader, who contested in Chirayinkeezhu assembly constituency, got only 1277 votes from more than 1.1 lakhs votes polled. Same is the case for Saleena Prakkanam who got only only 1613 votes in Vamanapuram constituency, where nearly 1.2 lakhs votes were polled. These are hardly an evidence of a staggering popularity.

The present situation is like this: DHRM leaders say that they are organizing study classes and functions in various Dalit colonies in order to spread awareness against liquor and to improve the overall cultural and financial situation of the Dalits. But the rest of the world, for want of a better phrase as this group includes virtually everybody excluding DHRM workers, say that the DHRM cadre resort to violence to intimidate people. They site the example of fights involving DHRM in Varkala, Kaipatti Mukku near Attingal, and Kadakkal over the last two years.

There are many conspiracy theories going around, with each group blaming the other for the problems. But whatever be the truth, one thing is clear: the calm and peaceful fabric that surrounded the social life of Madavoor and neighboring villages like Ponganadu and Pallikkal has been destroyed.

Onam in a Village near Attingal

Onam celebrations in Attingal, as in other parts of Kerala, are continuously evolving. While pookkalams and traditional feast still manage to retain their charm, some other modes of celebrations have faded into oblivion. But it's refreshing to find new games and avenues of mirth-making coming along. Innovation is the mother of all celebrations – that is what some teenagers in a local arts and sports club in a village near Attingal trying to say. This is an overview of onam celebrations held in Mevarkal, a village of paddy fields and temples, near Attingal.

The festivities started in the afternoon. Morning had gone well with Atha Pookkalams, an idli-sambar breakfast, and a sumptuous meal. The pookkalams were eye-catching. Here are some of the samples:

The first action-packed event was what is now come to known aquatic pillow fighting – or pillow fighting in a temple pond. It was held last year too. It was exciting stuff, laced with occasional hilarious moments. The young lads showed great spirit. Sadly, the final of the event witnessed some acrimony. But it ended well with both the contestants accepting the judges' verdict. Here are a few photos and videos of the event.

The temple pond was also the venue for the next item. The organizers clumsily titled it as 'water and rope'. A long rope was put across the pond – one end of the rope was tied on the window of a small room near the pond that once housed a now-defunct pump-set and the other side of the rope was tied in a tree on the opposite bank of the pond. The contestants had to cross the pond and come back holding on to the rope. It was a bit like mountain climbing. None of the contestants completed the two-way journey. The guy who covered the longest distance was adjusted the winner. Some pics and videos.

Next item was Vadam Vali or tug of war, between the eternal enemies of Onam celebrations: the married and the unmarried. The unmarried guys easily outnumbered the married men. At one stage, the married men even struggled to fill up all the team vacancies. But they somehow found enough people to constitute a team. And guess what, they won easily. In boxing parlance, it was a knock-out. It was clear that the married men know the nuances of tug of war – familial or otherwise.

The final item of the day was Uriyadi. It is usually held during Sreekrishna jayanthi. But here it was borrowed for Onam festivities. The sun had almost set when the event began. But spectators remained there till the end. We managed to get some photos and videos of the item in the fading daylight.

There was no Mulayil Kayattam (Climbing on Bamboo Pole) this time around. So we rushed to another place where we learned it was being held. But when we reached there the event had almost finished. It was impossible to take any worthwhile photos or videos in the darkness. Hopefully we can witness it tomorrow, the third day of Onam, or the next year in Attingal or somewhere nearby.

Attingal All Set for Onam

Uthradam day in Attingal was marked by bright sunshine in the air and brisk sales on the street. People thronged the town with the usual Uthradam rush and bought whatever they deemed fit to greet Mahabali, who is almost forgotten amidst all these pandemonium. Everything was available by the side of NH 47 in the stretch between Kacheri Nada and KSRTC bus stand in Attingal: clothes of all kind, toys of all shapes, bangles of all colors, and most importantly, flowers of all varieties.

The town has been decorated with lights as part of the Onam celebrations of Attingal Municipality (Click here for photos of the lighting arrangement). The main attraction is a giant tiger prototype erected in front of Thrissur Manjali Jewelry.

And there was traffic paralysis too, though that is not any more a news in Attingal these days. Impatient drivers caused a great deal of headache to fellow drivers and to the traffic controllers alike. As one passerby puts it, a drive through the town during the afternoon is akin to attending dozens of mind control classes. You will take your patience to a higher level.

In the neighboring villages, party has already started. Local clubs started their preparations for various events planned for tomorrow. Drunken men and boys, with red hot eyes and unsteady legs,  have already given a glimpse of what is in store for the next three days. Beverages Corporation and bars are always the winners - whether it is Onam or no Onam.

So, we are ready, Mahabali. Grace Attingal tomorrow. I wish a super Onam to all the readers.