Realisations of 2011

This year, I found out a lot of things, like many others did.

Hate can be a result of love.
Trying to look at moments behind you causes a squint.
My mind is far dirtier than before, but I have to make do with the innocence I have left.
Working hard reaps rewards, however small.
Rewards aren't always material.
People are stupid. Trust yourself.
You still don't know how to forgive.
If you keep working hard, you won't get lazy.
Listening to awesome songs motivates you.
Bathing refreshes you.
The future is just a stranger on the street. It exists, but you shouldn't care too much about it, or you might get hurt.
People are awesome. Listen to them, and learn from them.
Complaining is stupid. Endure.
Angels exist, but they won't speak to you unless you speak to them.

Mullaperiyar- Hope for a better tomorrow

The latest controversy on the 116 year old Mullaperiyar dam has hit us had and harder perhaps ,the T.N government.From historical records we can see that the Mullaperiyar dam treaty was no longer existent after India won her freedom.The T.N government had forced the Kerala government since then to revive the treaty and continue to provide water and electricity to Tamil Nadu at highly subsidized rates.The government of Kerala accepted this demand in 1970's and the former treaty came into being.The dam has outlived its expected lifespan of 50 years and can break and cause a pandemonium at any moment.The presently minor yet frequent earthquakes too have contributed to the anxiety of Keralites.

Looking Back....

Most of the Madras Presidency at the time of Britishers was arid, devoid of moisture during summers. Even the great rivers like Vaiga were drying up and the farmers and the commoners were suffering greatly. Plans for an alternative source of water began from 1850's. But it was only in 1882 that the construction of the dam was approved by State sec

retary of Madras state J.C Hannington. Thus the Mullaperiyar dam was completed by 1895. The government then had taken the right over the Mullaperiyar and surrounding 1500 hectares of land from Vishakam Thirunnal, Maharaja of Travancore.

Why is T.N so stubborn?

The answer for this is simple. Who would want to kill the gold laying duck?

Tamil Nadu uses the water from Periyar to cultivate sunflower gardens,grape farms etc in Theni, Madurai etc. The loss of treaty would mean a huge blow for the Tamilian economy. Tamil Nadu pays Andhra Pradesh Rs. 3 crores per TMC of water and Rs.40000 for 70 TMC of water to the Kerala government. So the renewal of the dam would mean a change in the treaty thereby reducing Tamil Nadu's profits. But placing the life of thousands of Kerala at stake is not the way to solve this problem. Despite all these pleas from Kerala T.N has asked the central government to raise the height of the dam to 142 feet !!

Twin face of our politicians

The latest controversy related to the dam was the remark of P Chidambaram, honorary minister of Home Affairs on the dam. He said that the political parties were inflating the issue and that they were taking up the issue due to the fear of losing in elections. Though such a remark was not appreciable he has a point.Our political parties and leaders all have unitedly stood for this issue.But this is just another form of campaigning for votes.Naturally if one party was to take up the issue and the other neglect it it would result in the defeat of the latter party in the next elections.So this seems as another big drama set up by the government.

Kerala has innumerable ways of pressurizing T.N government.As I mentioned earlier the water from Periyar is crucial for them.Kerala can temporarily freeze the treaty to force T.N government to agree. But T.N has recently announced that it will announce the name of some Keralites who have illegally bought land in Tamil Nadu.Thus the Kerala government seems to be protecting the interest of few and forgetting millions whose lives are at stake.

All we can hope is that the country realizes our pitiful condition and help to save lives of million...