My Musings

Musings....... Lynching is a word that I learnt over the past few years, specifically around the time this present dispensation came to power. Mob lynching has become synonymous with killing in the name of religion. We have heard of cases mob lynching over fake news ranging from possession of Beef from Uttar Pradesh ( Akhlak lynching case ); to the lynching of the poor young Dalit man Madhu in Kerala over fake news of his stealing food. In all these cases the perpetrators were the powerful entitled part of society and the victims happened to be the poor minority - both religious and social. It was hence with surprise that I heard the news on 16th April 2020 of the lynching of two Hindu Sadhus and their driver in Ghadchinchale Village in Palghar District of Maharashtra, apparently by a vigilante group over fake WhatsApp rumours of theives operating in the area during the countrywide Coronavirus lockdown. The two sadhus belonged to the Juna Akhara, who were travelling at night t

Musings....... Kerala Model -Lest we forget The famed Kerala model of development is characterised by achievements in social indicators such as education, healthcare, high life expectancy, low infant mortality and low birth rate. Kerala has achieved social development comparable to those of developed countries even though the states per capita income is moderate. Kerala has a 631 km narrow coast in southwest India supporting 4.5% of the country’s population. With its natural beauty it is rightly called the “ Gods own country” further enhancing tourism opportunities. Kerala enjoys a high literacy rate only slightly higher among males than females. Kerala has the lowest population growth rate in India, comparable to China’s near zero population growth rate. However, population pressure on the meagre land is very high. The low level of infant mortality is testimony to excellent health standards of the population both among males and females. The social status of Kerala women is

Musings....... There is so much of information floating around us.  In the time of an epidemic, such as now, the only thing that floats around is the word Covid19 and frankly I have become wary of it. In my opinion the WHO ( International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses ) should grow a sense of humour. I mean why did they chose such a bland name for something that has turned the world upside down! The truth is the whole world has been affected by the virus (180 countries). Life as we know existed, do not exist anymore and may not exist so in future. Remember I am writing this in the 10th day of the 21 day lockdown in my country ! Corona virus has taken a toll on all our lives and as I said we are surrounded by information on it - both true and false. I do not intend to add to the misery of my readers by instilling more useless information on the virus, or our lackadaisical response to it. The writing on the wall is crystal clear- give some respect to the unseen enemy and obe