Did you know that the gold you are wearing could cause cancer
Published July 15, 2011 | 
All that glitters is not gold; and going by the latest reports, this famous axiom could well be proven right! Next time when you buy gold, keep in mind that K.D.M.( cadmium) which is used as a joint in gold jewellery could cause cancer. The goldsmiths also face a high risk of contacting cancer or skin disease due to the continuous exposure to Cadmium vapours. It is ironical to note that though Cadmium is banned worldwide for manufacturing jewellery, it is used in many developing countries like India.
The Government has introduced hallmark system for gold jewellery to check the use of cadmium and while applying for a license the manufacturer has to give undertaking to the effect that he would not use cadmium in any way. However, the law remains only on paper as its implementation is not ensured. Many jewellers flout the rules openly, putting the lives of millions of goldsmiths working in the industry and the gold crazy population of India at risk. Wearing gold ornaments with KDM for a long time can cause ‘Contact Dermatities’ or skin allergies. However, as no research studies have been taken up on this subject, buyers remain oblivious to the risks involved.
This piece of startling information is particularly important in the context of Kerala that accounts for one third of 800-odd tonne annual consumption of gold in India. Buying ornaments as investment and as jewelery has been part of the culture of Keralites for generations. This tiny state of Kerala is one of the world’s hungriest gold markets thanks to the NRI remittances and on any given day, you could see swelling crowds in the jewelery shops of Kerala, which will increase manifold during special occasions like wedding seasons or Akshaya Thritiya. Check out this blog of Miss Malini, which makes an interesting read on the gold craze of Indians 
So, before lapping up the latest designs in gold, you should be well informed on the dangers of buying KDM gold. Never be a gullible buyer; insist on cadmium test while buying gold jewellery and be happy , healthy and prosperous. Recently, in a counter-affidavit submitted by director of the Bureau of Indian Standards ( BIS) before the Kerala high court, it was stated that highly carcinogenic elements such as iridium and ruthenium were being freely added to gold ornaments in India. So, before spending all your life time earnings on the lure of yellow metal, remember that the cancer scare could well be the cost that you are paying on every gold purchase!
Read more on the gold craze of India in the Wall Street Journal article here : India’s $600 Billion Hidden Treasure
India Shining at the Commonwealth Games – A first-hand Report
Published October 13, 2010 | 
A first-hand report of the final day of the Athletics events at the Commonwealth Games, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Delhi.
I was hoping to catch some Malayalee men and women do their best as Kerala has consistently sent women athletes for events. The stadium was packed except for a few stands kept reserved for probably the players and families. And those are the stands that come up empty on TV screen as they are right behind the medal-distribution podium.
Security was tight, only small purses allowed, no cameras, no bottles of perfumes, lotions, drinks , no food allowed in- not even water. All coins had to be put in a box for the Cancer patients. Next you get frisked and you had to show your ticket high to enter, and in the queue people come and ask you if you have extra tickets while you hold your much coveted ticket in fear! For a moment felt like Charlie with his golden ticket in the Roald Dahl book, I must admit.
On the field, it was action all around, on one side were the women Pole-vaulters and on the other the Javelin men. Two giant screens gave you the close-up look at all of them. The triple jumpers were practicing on the side and the overhead camera going to and fro. The thrown javelins were brought back by remote cars which kept all the kids in the crowd riveted with hopes of having a go at them.
Then the track events began – the 4×100 men and women’s event. Team India won the bronze, the women especially lost out the silver by a whisker. PT Usha was announced for the medal distribution and the crowd went into raptures clapping for her. She seemed serious when she handed the bronze medals, she touched the cheek of each athlete with what looked like a rap. We were discussing that she may have been unhappy with bronze and were giving the girls a tiny slap each. 
For Javelin, there were 4 Indian men and the crowd egged them on with chants and Kashinath Naik won bronze, again! Our triple jumper, Ranjit Maheshwari, was a crowd engager he asked the crowd to clap and we did each time, and he was in the running for silver throughout but finally had to settle for bronze, but with a new National Record!
The crowd was soon restless, all wanting to hear the National Anthem at least once and then the Women’s 4×400 began. It’s like the whole crowd wished together at the same time – and there it was, the Gold!!! The girls Sini Jose (Keralite), Ashwini Akkunji, Manjeet Kaur, and Mandeep Kaur were amazing they ran like there was no tomorrow. And the result… euphoria, screaming, jumping, all round exultation – Amazing experience!
For the National Anthem we were all singing as one and the Jaya hai Jaya hai Jaye hai bit was sung loudly with hands throwing victory punches in the air.
The only drawback was that we wanted to see Milkha Singh (who was seen congratulating the girls on the screen) or PT Usha give away the medals but instead, we had to suffer Suresh Kalmadi who did the honours. A lot of us were seen ranting but then the girls and their smiles and the joy took over.
India also beat England to enter hockey finals – Truly, a great sporting day for India and a long wait has ended since Milkha Singh won the 440 yards gold in 1958, so long ago! I certainly lucked out witnessing one of the best days for Kerala and for India in the CWG 2010.
Akshaya Thritiya- A gold purchase scheme or an auspicious day for new ventures ?
Published May 17, 2010 | 
Akshaya Thritiya was celebrated in Kerala amidst reports of a substantially higher sales of gold in all its forms. While jewelers cashed in on the mass hysteria and off loaded a bulk of their shelf stock, the gold coin counters at the public sector banks reported three times their normal transactions where customers formed a beeline to buy gold on this auspicious day.
The word “Akshaya” means never diminishing in Sanskrit and the day is believed to bring good luck and success. It is one of the most important days for Hindus and Jains and it is believed that if you do a charity on this day you will be blessed and will receive blessings many fold. Originally, Akshaya Thritiya was considered an auspicious day to do pious deeds and to start new ventures. However , it is baffling to note that these days jewelers have turned the sanctity and purity of this auspicious day into a marketing gimmick!
Kerala, where Akshaya Thritiya was not heard of till a few years back, too has fallen prey to the jewelers concerted efforts of promoting the yellow metal. Gold is a good investment option and any time is ideal to buy it. However to link it with a particular day is nothing but utter foolishness. Are we so naive to believe that any piece of gold purchased on this day will increase manifold?
Read on to find how a couple was taken for a ride after falling for a misleading ad of small time jeweler in Kochi during last year’s Akshaya Thritiya festival. The said couple is running a garment shop in Cochin and was doing good business. It was when a jeweler’s advertisement on the likely windfalls that they may get if they buy gold on Akshaya Thritiya , caught their fancy. They decided to purchase gold with the money that they had set aside to source garments and cloth materials from Bangalore for their shop.
They were happy on a decision well made and counted each day in anticipation of the big fortune. Voila! It was then a friend of theirs approached them with a lucrative offer. Give her 1 lakh and in just 15 days , it will be returned as 2 lakhs. The offer was too good to let by. They gave her 1 lakh and as promised she returned it as double the amount in 2 weeks. Their happiness knew no bounds and the windfall was promptly attributed to akshaya thritiya. But the anticlimax is that the lady who gained their confidence vanished with all their money and ornaments in a matter of a few months! Now their shop is in ruins, and they are on the look out for ways and means for a decent living. It is high time that we put a stop on all these superstitions and gimmicks and celebrate akshaya thriitiya the way it was meant to be – by doing noble deeds and charity!
Jewellery- Kerala's own wealth!
Published November 16, 2009 | 
Kerala, one of the largest jewellery hubs in South India is known to have a penchant for gold since the days of the royal rule. It turns out to be one of the hottest destinations in the country for jewellery merchandise thanks to the ever increasing demand and total economic growth.
You can find, all malayalis decking themselves in gold whether it is a wedding or a party. From children to older married women, there is nothing much attractive than gold in Kerala. Consuming 20% of India’s gold, the Jewellery retail in Kerala has a major part in the retailing business. The state manufactures over 500kg of gold everyday. The market in Kerala is expanding and so does the sale of gold and diamonds that registered a positive growth in the last few years.
Over 175 exhibitors in India and abroad are awaiting the second edition of the Kerala Gem and Jewellery Show that begins from November 21st to showcase their products and exclusive designs. It is conceived to be an ideal platform for the artisans, exporters, manufactures and retailers to interact, source latest designs, network and enhance their knowledge. So let’s watch out for the new fashions of jewellery patterns that will top the markets in the coming days and wait for the results!