Afghanistan turns the hottest job destination for Keralites
Published November 8, 2011 | 
The bleak images of the war torn country of Afghanistan where bomb blasts, air strikes and trails of destruction have become part of every day life wont make it the best place to look for a job for anyone for sure! However for the cheeky Malayalis, it has become the hottest job destination after the Middle East boom. There is a classic joke that even if someone lands in the moon, he will find a Malayali tea shop owner there! Many a time, it is not just a figment of imagination but hard truth as the overzealous labour force of Kerala are more than willing to take chances for a better future.
The hefty pay packets and the massive reconstruction activities in Afghanistan are tempting the employees from the distant land of Kerala to try out their luck here. Many international companies have already set up businesses there, which has opened up numerous openings for the semi skilled labour force comprising of electricians, plumbers, welders, mechanics, masons and carpenters among others. While the US companies prefer cheap labour from Kerala, the labourers too find the deals better than the packages offered in the Middle East.
Iraq is the other war-torn country, which has seen a large scale arrival of Kerala labourers thanks to one of the best salary packages on offer. Now that there is a change of guard at Libya where Colonel Gaddafi who had ruled Libya with an iron hand for many decades has been replaced, a total revamp of infrastructure and developmental activities are expected there.
It is estimated that over 50 lakh Keralites work outside India, of which Saudi Arabia alone employs over 20 lakh Malayalis. An accurate data of Malayalees working in Iraq and Afghanistan is not available as they are often hired from the Middle East, often flouting emigration rules and keeping the Indian Embassy at dark. Instances where labourers are duped by bogus recruiting agencies too are not uncommon,as there is not much awareness of the recruitment process to these countries. However , none of these incidents seem to dampen the spirit of the Malayalees who are more than willing to take a risk to get the biggest pie of the employment opportunities. Has the lure of material pleasure made us so gullible that a few wads of currencies can prompt us to take up any job at any corner of the world?
Diwali at Karmakerala
Published October 27, 2011 | We at Karmakerala had a nice time bursting crackers and lighting sparklers etc as part of Diwali, the festival of lights…would prefer not to waste words, let pictures tell it all…
Acts of selfless charity at its best
Published October 25, 2011 | 
Charity has become a short cut to publicity or a means to keep off from the tax department for many these days. However , it is heartening to note that everything is not lost yet as there are some charitable organizations and individuals who still strive for the welfare of the less privileged and the downtrodden of the society. This incident that happened in the heart of the city of Kochi was an eyeopener for me. It was a sultry Sunday afternoon and we were waiting at the signal in a busy inter junction near the famous St.Antony’s church, Kaloor. The road was surprisingly crowded because of the traffic diversions in the light of the construction of the North overbridge.
Suddenly an auto screeched to a halt and a few Muslim ladies in their traditional flowing gowns got out with a big shopping bag in hand . They hurried up to the foot path in front of the church where a few destitute people were seeking alms. They distributed the lunch packets to each and everyone on the pavement and I could see them waiting to make sure that they haven’t missed out anyone . When caste and religion have become obstacles in reaching out to humanity, the fact that they never bothered to check the religious credentials of the people before indulging in this task, made these simple acts of charity truly special and extraordinary. What amazed me was the selfless dedication these women displayed through these acts of charity. Away from the prying eyes of the media and the flashing publicity, they went about their task quietly and disappeared into the crowd in no time!
Men in Kerala ranks first in opting for cosmetic surgeries
Published October 21, 2011 | 
Though there is a misconception that it is just the women who are obsessed with perfect looks, this piece of information that the men who resort to cosmetic surgeries in Kerala far outnumber the women would come as a surprise! The number of men in Kerala who opt for cosmetic procedures is higher than the national average and that in other states of India!
From hair transplant to tummy tuck and nose job, men seem to have no qualms in paying through their nose to get that perfect look that they wish to have. The cost of the cosmetic correction might vary depending on the time and other parameters. On an average, a botox shot to smooth the wrinkles might leave you poorer by 14000 Rs whereas major procedures like rhinoplasty is priced at 30,000 Rs and a hair fixing session comes with a cost of 50,000 Rs or more.
Many hospitals in Kochi like Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences, Lake shore hospital and Specialist hospital see a steady stream of men who die for a perfect look. Hospitals register an average of seven new patients every month, which is a proof of the growing popularity of cosmetic procedures in Kerala. The best part is that in Kochi, not only the well heeled and the affluent opt for these surgical corrections but men from all social strata approach the hospitals. It is startling to note that the number of men who do cosmetic surgeries in Kerala is even higher than in metro cities like Mumbai, which is considered as a hub of fashion and glamour!
A good percentage of men who opt for cosmetic surgeries fall under the age group of 20-35. The increasing acceptability and awareness of these procedures among men could be one of the reasons for the boom in demand. Most men are quite eager to avail these quick fix procedures and to have a perfect look. The best thing is that these options are available right at their door steps now unlike the earlier days when it was not popular in Kerala. No matter whether beauty is skin deep or not, the men in Kerala are leaving nothing to chance as they feel that they are judged by the way they look and not by what they are!
Kerala to host the global Ayurveda festival
Published October 14, 2011 | 
Kerala is to play host to a global Ayurveda Festival that will be held from February 9 to 14 next year, which would showcase the oldest system of medicine in the world. It would go a long way in creating awareness on this time tested Indian system of medicine that ensures wholesome wellness using natural cures. The proposed ayurveda festival might also be helpful in working out marketing strategies for these well acclaimed Indian products.
Centre for Innovation in Science and Social Action (CISSA) is organising the event in association with the state Ayurveda Department. The six day event will have various events including presentation of papers and deliberations by Ayurveda experts and clinics run by renowned practitioners among others. In addition an exhibition on various ayurveda products, medicinal plants and a food festival are the other attractions of this Ayurveda Festival that will be conducted at the Kanakakunnu Palace grounds in the capital city of Thiruvananthapuram.
Evidences prove that Ayurvedic classical texts written in India between 3,500 and 5,000 years are of relevance even today. Efforts should be taken to preserve and propagate this traditional Indian system of medicine, which were passed down the generations since eons of years and global events like these would impart a greater momentum in propagating and promoting this natural system of medicine.
Gender bias – Kerala shows the way with its preference for the girl child
Published October 11, 2011 | 
Kerala model development has always been a topic of discussion even in various international forums and in developing countries. Many India states emulate the developmental plans of Kerala that ensure the overall development in important segments like health , education and life care facilities along with the other developmental factors. Kerala boasts of a very high human development index, HDI (a developmental parameter set by the UN), which is at par with some of the developed countries in the world even though the state’s per capita income is only a fraction of these countries, which makes it all the more illustrious.
Kerala has made noteworthy progress in the living standards of its populace and social development. This tiny state has a well balanced formula for progress with low levels of infant mortality and population growth against high levels of literacy and life expectancy.
Now Kerala shows the way yet again in removing the ill effects of gender bias by showing a clear preference for the girl child unlike the rest of India where the women are obsessed with sons. The latest report of the Central Statistics Office (CSO) on Gender Issues suggest that in the last few years there has been an overall preference for girl children among the Indian women. Kerala trends in this list of women preferring girl child whereas Bihar occupies the last slot. In the year 1992 41.4 per cent Indian women preferred sons whereas in 1998 it dropped to 33% and in 2010 it has hit an all time low of just 25%.
While only 14% of women in cities prefer to have sons, the preference for a male child is significantly higher in rural areas. The latest statistics has indeed brought cheers and hope in the otherwise gloomy gender equality scenario. However all is not well for the girls in India as yet as much more needs to be done in improving their education, decision making and earning potential among others. Check out this interesting blog How few Keralite women are changing the future Indian social landscape, which tells you about the Haryanvi men who are forced to marry from Kerala as there aren’t enough women in their state!
Kerala Women’s Code Bill- How big is an ideal family
Published October 4, 2011 | 
India is all set to have the dubious distinction of being the most populous country in the world ‘s in a matter of few years. Population explosion in developing countries like India could break the back of the economy where resources available per person are reduced further, leading to increased poverty, malnutrition, and other large population-related problems.
As the surging population puts a tremendous pressure on the living space and other natural resources, it is high time that a concrete population policy should be brought out to ensure better quality of life. The proposed Kerala Women’s code bill envisages strict measures for enforcing a population regulation policy, including penalisation of parents having more than two children and encouraging free-of-cost legal abortion. The bill also recommends that the parents with more than two children to be considered as ‘legally disqualified persons’ for any state benefits. Another recommendation of the bill is that religious and political outfits cannot discourage family planning. There is also provision to have a 10-member commission of eminent personalities to monitor population growth.
The report made by the State-appointed Commission on Rights and Welfare of Women and Children has raised a few eyebrows though many feel that a tougher legislation is the need of the hour to stem the population explosion. Though many feel that Kerala has a successful population policy in place, the figures of the 2011 Census show that Kerala is one of the densest States in the country with a population of 3,33,87,677 persons. Although Kerala accounts for only 1 per cent of the total area of India, it contains about 3 per cent of the country’s population with a staggering population density of 859 people per square kilometres, which is three times the national average!
However, the bill that is already mired in controversy is not likely to be passed by the government in the present form. Various Muslim and women’s rights organisations and the Catholic Church have already warned the Kerala Government of intense agitations if the recommendations of the bill formulated by the 12-member panel, headed by Justice (retired) VR Krishna Iyer.
It is paradoxical that when the state government appointed commission recommends stringent punishment and penalty for parents opting for more than 2 children,churches like the St. Vincent de paul church in Kalpetta has come up with a reward of 10,000 for couples opting for a 5th child! These controversial reward schemes might not only water down the provisions of the bill but could also derail this bill, which was brought out to ensure a healthy and affluent society. This practice of religious priorities being pursued at the cost of administrative policies could have disastrous consequences for any developing country like India, which takes the pride of being the largest democracy in the world! Do check out this First post article’ Watch: Kerala’s take on China’s population policy faces resistance’ , which makes an interesting read on this topic.
The lost world of visa rejection…
Published September 20, 2011 | It was some years back that an actor from Kerala, M.R.Gopakumar, was chosen to play a key role in Steven Spielberg’s ‘The Lost World’. But the actor, who had proved his calibre with Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s ‘Vidheyan‘ couldn’t make it and join Spielberg’s unit in Los Angeles as the American Consulate in Chennai denied him a ‘work visa’. The reason quoted was that Gopakumar had no documents to prove that Spielberg had actually hired him. For the actor, who is definitely a real talented person (‘Vidheyan’ alone is proof enough), this was big loss indeed. (Gopakumar continues to act, but in totally unexceptional kind of roles and television soaps, thus being one of the most under-utilised actors in a star-oriented film industry).
M.R.Gopakumar is just an example of how visa rejection could cause irreparable loss to people. People from all walks of life have had to face this at all times. The world of visa rejection is indeed a lost world, wherein you suffer the losses and the authorities in question too can’t help it maybe. There are complexities, official and diplomatic ones. The reasons may sound just and you can’t blame the blatant indifference shown by authorities at an embassy or consulate. But there are instances where this could be avoided, perhaps. One such instance, where it can be and should be overcome relates to the forthcoming Formula One Indian Grand Prix, slated to take place on October 30th at the Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, so near our National Capital. Visa related issues are causing much trouble for drivers, journalists and others who plan to make it to Delhi for the grand event, as per recent reports.
Kochi- the most preferred Indian city to live
Published September 20, 2011 | It seems that the clichéd statement of India being a land of paradox never goes out of fashion! The exponential growth of its rapid economic development hasn’t done much in managing the contradictions.
A survey has now revealed that cities such as Gurgaon, which are the most preferred places to earn a living are not the best places to live! This interesting data surfaced during the research conducted by the economics research firm Indicus Analytics on residences, earnings and investments. Paradoxically none of the top ten cities that offer the greatest career opportunities feature in the list of top ten Indian cities to live! Six vital parameters including health, education, environment, safety, public facilities and entertainment were taken into account while preparing the index of cities that are conducive for living. Whereas the list of cities that offered the maximum earning potential was based on growth rate of employment, per capita income and listings on popular job websites.
Interestingly the four metros of Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata and Chennai did not fall in either of the two lists as these failed to feature in the list of ten best cities to reside, earn or invest! Nonetheless, these bustling metros were listed among the cities preferred by the deep pocketed elite class to spend their life.
The top 10 places, which offer the best employment opportunities include Gurgaon, followed by Silvaasa, Noida, Faridabad, Rupnagar, Chandigarh, Surat, Bangalore, Gandhinagar and Pune. The best cities to live are Kochi, Kozhikode, Shimla, Thiruvananthapuram, Mysore, Goa, Thrissur, Pondicherry, Kannur and Thiruvalur. The fact that five of these cities are in Kerala, should be a matter of pride for any Malayalee though it could have come as a rude shock for many considering the pathetic state of affairs.
Let’s admit it! The ground reality that exist in all these cities in Kerala are far from rosy. From pot holed roads to garbage ridden pathways and ill planned cities and the infrastructure facilities that clearly fall short of the needs of the swelling population, the city life is nothing short of a struggle for any ordinary citizen! The local administration and the public should brace up their acts atleast now to make these cities truly the most preferred cities in India and to live up to the celebrity status bestowed upon them!
Onam sadya being replaced by chicken delicacies
Published September 13, 2011 | 
It appears that Malayalees have decided to let go the flavour and richness of the conventional onam sadya this year if the record sales of Chicken during Onam season is any indication! This year the trend has been to include non vegetarian dishes, which not only has snuffed out the carnival flavour and richness of this festival but also has made onam sadya into an ordinary non vegetarian meal on a plantain leaf, which is nothing short of a mockery of our culture!
Gone are the days when elaborate onasadya used to be made at home, which will include many exceptional onam specialities like banana chips, pickles of various varieties, payasam and other sweetmeats apart from a long list of mouth watering curries and side dishes. From ready made Onam kits to handy take away Onam specials and Onam luncheon offers in hotels, there is a lot of options for Malayalees these days, however, it is astonishing that Malayalees preferred to stick to meat dishes for Onam.
The onam sales of chicken in many KEPCO ( Kerala State Poultry Development Corporation) stalls all over the State hit an all time high during Onam. In the capital city alone around 45 tonnes of chicken was sold in just 4 days from Uthradom to Chatayam days, creating an all time high record. The shockingly high chicken sales in Trivandrum city alone raked in a total turnover of a whopping Rs.35 lakhs, in these four days, which clearly points to the changing cultural pattern and food habits of Kerala society.
The eating habits of Malayalees have indeed undergone a sea change in the last few years and many people prefer non vegetarian dishes and fast food instead of the traditional and healthy menu of Kerala. It is paradoxical that Kerala , which was once famous for its healthy life styles and health care rituals has plunged into the whirl pool of fast food culture and is heading for a point of no return. The unhealthy food habits coupled with boozing of Kerala has triggered a spate of serious health issues and has reduced the life span of its populace alarmingly. Figures show that Kerala consumes 5,000 tonnes of meat every day and 80% of its population are non vegetarians, making it the largest meat eating population in the country . Not to forget the dubious distinction of having the highest per capita liquor consumption in the country, which makes it a really unhealthy combo by any standards.At least during the festival season of Onam and Vishu, let us abstain from non vegetarian dishes to make sure that the unique culinary richness of our State is not lost forever!