Story of Endosulphan

Endosulphan is one of the hundreds of pesticides used by farmers everywhere.Pesticides are basically sort of poison to kill weeds and pests sprayed regularly to crops of all nature.

Cardamom which is one among high profit yielding cash crops of high ranges of Kerala require heavy dosage of pesticides to grow as it is susceptible to pests and weeds.

I had a client at Nedumgandom for whom I designed and built a house near his cardamom plantations.At least once in a fortnight I used to visit the site during construction travelling by car from Cochin returning on same day.I could enjoy beauty of  high ranges of Kerala moving through hair pin turns one after another.

Once when my client  at Nedumgandom came to my office at Cochin for a visit,we gave him tea with cardamom in it.After taking a sip,he rushed to wash basin and spit out entire sip of tea.He was real angry.

“Why are you giving this poison for me to drink? If you do not know I know the amount of poison being sprayed to cardamom from beginning to end”

Similarly when I was doing a project at Kothanalloor where lot of pineapple are being cultivated,when I was about to buy pineapple my local client told me not to  eat it.
”It is really dangerous.Amount of poison going in to it is too much.We will only sell it.We will never eat it”

All pesticides including endosulphan are dangerous.But without using these pesticides you cannot get crops in good quantity.If not endosulphan some other pesticide of equal poisonous content has to be used and will be used.

As Kerala has banned endosulphan ,farmers in high ranges and other places go to Tamil Nadu to buy it.They say no other pesticide is as effective as endosulphan especially for cardamom.

Trouble in the case of Kasargode has come because large scale planters there has sprayed endosulphan continuously all over the area where cashew crops are planted.People have used water mixed with endosulphan for drinking.So all problems have happened.Will any one ban poison simply because drinking it will cause death?Nobody is making any hue and cry about taking that company spraying endosulphan by air in Kasargode area to task.They might have managed these politicians well.

Endosulphan is a pesticide manufactured in a government company called Hindustan Insecticides Limited at Eloor,Cochin.No one working in the company handling endosulphan during production has not reported any adverse effect during these years.So it is not the product but the way it is used is the problem creator.Nobody is bothered to enquire about it.Public sector HIL cannot do lobbying spending lots of money for the product.If the product was manufactured by private sector companies like Ambanis no body would have fought against the product.They would have managed it well.

Politicians and film stars want political and publicity mileage out of endosulphan.They are getting it enough.Incidentally I asked a politician friend why he is against endosulphan.He replied:”Every  one opposes.So I also oppose it.If I support it I will be treated as a bad guy”

Unless a better and less poisonous product is developed instead of endosulphan,farmers will find ways to get the product for use.For them their rich cash crops are important.

Queries and replies -House construction

ROOF CRACKING AFTER TWO YEARS

QUOTE

Dear Mr Thomas,
 
I am Col.Ganapathy retired from the Indian Army and recently got a old house in a village called Aylur next to Nemmara. I got the roof done and this is my second year and it has developed two cracks. Can you suggest the best method by which I can seal this leakage. This is a independent house, not attached with any village houses.
 
Thanking you
 
Col.A.R.Ganapathy

My reply

Concreted roof developing crack after two year  can only be due to improper reinforcement work and improper laying of  reinforcement and concrete.Nothing much can be done to improve structural stability of concrete roof at this stage.As a temporary solution,injecting of chemicals to seal gap can be tried.Check whether agencies doing similar work available near your place

To comment on exact nature of the problem,I will have to visit site.What I have written above is based on my assumptions on problem faced by you and it cannot be a proper professional reply to your problem

CHECKING UP PLAN PREPARED BY LOCAL MAN

QUOTE

  I will introduce myself and my dreams. I am a computer hardware and software business man in UAE, having very nominal profits. I believe the concept of Nalukettu and the landscape will always provide positive energy. Because of that reason I finalized with this concept.

I am staying in a village known as Karikodu around 30 km away from Ernakulum town and I have 1.5 acre property lying in 4 cuts.  From the main road, one panchayath road towards down. If we come through that my plot is on our right side along with the panchayath road. This road is from north to south. I am planning to built my home facing towards the road (east) and it should be little far away from the road.

There is a local designer done the site visit and made a plan according to that. But its much expensive and not come up to my  views.

I like one economic plan similar to below mentioned which I am sending just  for your reference.

Checkout below mentioned plan, which I created with my ideas. According to this plan there is 2 car Porch. And in the upstairs I need 2 bedroom and balcony on top of the side car porch. 

SHIJU

My reply

Your local person may not be quite qualified and experienced.Preparing best plan of the house is the most critical part of house building

Builders prepare plan of the house mainly considering profitability and such a plan also may not be suitable or the best possible for you

In the plan sent by you there is a bed room at South East.As per Vasthu it is not good.Stair case is provided with old fashioned arrangement of U shape which creates wastage of space and it also avoid stair case becoming a show piece in the house.Positioning of stair inside also will cause darkness in the area, As per Vasthu there cannot be toilet at south West.Considering all these a revised plan is required for you.

PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE FOR AFTER STRUCTURE WORK

QUOTE

I am a NRI, working in Saudi Arabia.

Currently I am constructing a 2500 Square Feet, two storied residential house at Changanacherry Town near Railway Station. I had given a contract to construct the structure only, and the work is progressing well and is expected to be completed by the 1st week of March 2011.

I am looking for a professional (architect/designer) who can assist me to accomplish the remaining work which are listed below.

How can you help me? are you interested? please let me know by return email as soon as possible explaining clearly your terms and conditions.

Shaji Rawother

Saudi Arabia

My reply

I can act as consultant for the works indicated by you and also provide our workmen if you require our direct involvement for the work

It will be good if I can visit the site and assess work already done and suggest improvements/modifications possible at this stage.
I will guide you on work to be done and will give you options based on latest trends and technology at minimum cost

House renovation in Kerala for US based NRI

QUOTE

Hi Mr.Thomas, accidentally saw your website and was impressed. I  have a question for you. I have a house in Mavelikara that belonged to my father and the house is  in good condition. However there is some work needed on the house. We are settled in U.S. and do not have reliable relatives in Kerala to guide us. So your website seemed like a Godsend. If we proceed with you are you able to see and estimate the amount of work and budget needed to upgrade the house. This house sits on a very small plot and my only goal is to make it livable for vacations without much upkeep. Do you have regional subcontractors or branches that can help you complete the work  in Mavelikara? Hoping for a reply,

Elizabeth

My reply

I cater to mostly NRIs who have practically no one to take care of their building related affairs and I keep them posted with info and pictures through blogs specifically created for a particular client and site

I will have to visit your house at Mavelikkara, take measurements,study in detail.Then I will advise you how we can go about it.I can send workers and experts from Cochin if required for doing the work

Throw out corrupt politician looters

Anna Hazare has come forward to express strongly felt contempt of all non political people of India who forms 98% of helpless patriotic people of India

These looters looting our country without any fear of ever being caught and treating us common man as nothing worth considering should be thrown out of this country

They are never caught by laws of land .They loot lakhs of crores of rupees without ever being made to answer to any one for the loot.

Let people of India chase them out of endless comforts and privileges they enjoy and throw them out of this country.

I know nothing much will come out of these hunger strike by Hazare and candle lighting by people all over India.But young Indians who form more than 60% of Indian population has got fire building up in their bellies to throw away these looters of the country.Look at funny rules existing to protect their looting.Special sanction is required even to initiate cases against these privileged.When it comes to looting,enjoying sex  using money power,these politicians help each other.They belong to a class.So they help each other to escape getting caught.All those ruling party/opposition labeling are for the eyes of us fools.They help each other by destroying evidences.

Look at stories of all scams right from Bofors.All of those guilty escaped.Even in the case of former Kerala Minister, now in Jail opposition camp when in power not even appealed against High court verdict acquitting him for want of evidences.Mr.V.S.Achuthanandan personally fought the case at Supreme Court and got him jail he deserves.

So this Hazare protest is just the beginning.Government agreed to forming a panel as demanded by Hazare simply to avoid adverse publicity pointing to their unabated looting due to elections impending in five states.Otherwise Hazare could have slept without food for days and finally begged rulers for a decent face saving escape route.

Let this fire kindled by Hazare wake up Indian people always suffering helplessly ,watching with disgust  extra ordinary privileges and comforts enjoyed by the greatest looters of the country when petty thieves are beaten up in police lock ups and made to serve jail terms.In this country if you can loot in lakhs of crores,you can be the unquestioned  ruler of the country!

Anna Hazare and his fight

QUOTE

10 things to know about Anna Hazare and Jan Lok Pal Bill
 
1. Who is Anna Hazare?
An ex-army man. Fought 1965 Indo-Pak War
 
2. What's so special about him?
He built a village Ralegaon Siddhi in Ahamad Nagar district, Maharashtra
 
3. So what?
This village is a self-sustained model village. Energy is produced in the village itself from solar power, biofuel and wind mills.
In 1975, it used to be a poverty clad village. Now it is one of the richest village in India. It has become a model for self-sustained, eco-friendly & harmonic village.
 
4. Ok,...?
This guy, Anna Hazare was awarded Padma Bhushan and is a known figure for his social activities.
 
5. Really, what is he fighting for?
He is supporting a cause, the amendment of a law to curb corruption in India.
 
6. How that can be possible?
He is advocating for a Bill, The Jan Lokpal Bill (The Citizen Ombudsman Bill), that will form an autonomous authority who will make politicians (ministers), burocrats (IAS/IPS) accountable for their deeds.
 
8. It's an entirely new thing right..?
In 1972, the bill was proposed by then Law minister Mr. Shanti Bhushan. Since then it has been neglected by the politicians and some are trying to change the bill to suit their theft (corruption).
 
7. Oh.. He is going on a hunger strike for that whole thing of passing a Bill ! How can that be possible in such a short span of time?
The first thing he is asking for is: the government should come forward and announce that the bill is going to be passed.
Next, they make a joint committee to DRAFT the JAN LOKPAL BILL. 50% government participation and 50% public participation. Because you cant trust the government entirely for making such a bill which does not suit them.
 
8. Fine, What will happen when this bill is passed?
A LokPal will be appointed at the centre. He will have an autonomous charge, say like the Election Commission of India. In each and every state, Lokayukta will be appointed. The job is to bring all alleged party to trial in case of corruptions within 1 year. Within 2 years, the guilty will be punished. Not like, Bofors scam or Bhopal Gas Tragedy case, that has been going for last 25 years without any result.
 
9. Is he alone? Who else is there in the fight with Anna Hazare?
Baba Ramdev, Ex. IPS Kiran Bedi, Social Activist Swami Agnivesh, RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal and many more.
Prominent personalities like Aamir Khan is supporting his cause.
 
10. Ok, got it. What can I do?
At least we can spread the message. How?
Putting status message, links, video, changing profile pics.
 
At least we can support Anna Hazare and the cause for uprooting corruption from India.
At least we can hope that his Hunger Strike does not go in vain.
At least we can pray for his good health.

So, Do something to be proud on our selves.

UNQUOTE

I got this in my mail box.Thought of sharing this

One man can make great difference

While watching Cricket world cup final between India and Sree Lanka,I could not help noticing the fact that one man made all the difference and made the win possible

Dhoni was   considered to be out of form not hitting well with bat in almost all matches before final even though he was quite good as Captain of the team taking right decisions at right time.

Sewag was expected to give initial push for Indian team by his capability to score high especially for such a critical game.He went out without scoring anything by facing very few balls.With all those capability,years of experience,determination,Sachin was expected to lead Indian batting in such a critical game especially after Sewag went fast without contributing anything.But he went out  with a score of 18,leaving Indian win against Sree Lanka an almost impossibility.

Gambhir did well in in remaining at crease though with slow run rate and was tottering when he reached century looking more for his century than saving the game  for India.In that hesitation finally he went out without scoring that century.Indian run rate was low and it needed herculean effort from some one to win the game for India.

Dhoni decided to promote himself in the batting order.He did not bother to leave the tough task of winning to Yuvraj with much better form.He took some time to settle loosing few balls without runs.But when Yuvraj was hesitant in striking at right time,Dhoni did all right strikes at the right time and magnificently led India to victory.He was not tensed or worried ,unable to act like all other 121 crores of Indians.He contained his tension,anxiety and acted appropriately at  the right manner winning the world cup for India.It is a thrilling story of one man making all the difference.

Look at our Kerala Chief Minister Achuthanandan.He may be old at 86 years.But unlike all other corrupt looters calling themselves as politicians who consider any act by them whether womanising,looting public money without any restrictions,trying to be in politics simply for all vices you can imagine,he is the only man in Kerala politics with honesty and principles.

Even his own party leaders are dead against him.Those leaders are willing to co operate with opposition leaders to save them from any sort of punishment for looting ,killing or  flesh hunting.They form an inner group of looters and vice doers helping each other with glee.

But VS stands out as one man army without any support against all odds and abuses from both sides of politics.Because of this he has become only admirable politician in Kerala by common man who do not belong to any of these looter gangs called political parties.

We need such persons with integrity in politics.But I doubt whether even a single person will come up from any of the political combinations willing to face any adversity for holding tight honesty and principles.VS can be considered as the last man of honesty and integrity in politics making a valiant one man fight against all adversity when politicians  of all hue and cry try hard to destroy  this one odd man out.I am sure these vultures will have the last laugh even though VS will fight as one man army till end.