The Stray Dog Problem of Kerala and it's immature handling

I am really fond of Animals and believe that animals needs to be treated with respect. Be it livestock or otherwise. There is growing unrest after a number of people were attacked by dogs in Kerala. People are going to extreme measures like culling and massacre of dogs, Which I feel is very immature and uncalled for. Everybody wants a hasty remedy for the stray dog menace. It is disturbing to see educated people like Kochaouseph Chitilappally of V-guard and Veegaland promoting violence against animals. 

The tolerance point for me was when a group of school students in Kochi was made to take a pledge which encouraged the culling of strays. A message wrong on many different levels, It is equal to telling/reassuring a child that hurting animals is fine. I would want my children to learn compassion at school and not violence. I feel immense hatred towards the school authorities who allowed ignorant people like Jose K Maveli to speak to the children on the issue.  Children should decide for themselves how they want to treat animals. Let them come to their conclusions on the subject when they grow up. 

We have had countless discussions in our bachelor flat on the topic, as usual me on the side of finding a humane and viable solution and them on the other side that killing is the only solution. My points were the following, 

• It is important to have the maturity to understand that the stray dog issue is not a standalone problem that Kerala faces. The number of stray dogs have increased proportionally with poor waste management strategies.  
• Kerala needs to immediately address and come up with better waste management solutions before we can talk on the stray dog issue. 
• I agree that there are vicious dogs, which is a minority again. Dogs are animals that are dependent on human beings. Instead of killing the vicious dogs, all dogs are being killed in Kerala. It is equivalent as killing all people in a place just because one person has committed a crime.
• I suggest we go towards more humane solutions rather than mass culling of animals. It poorly reflects on us and sets out a bad example for the generations to come. Sterilization and widespread awareness of programs like ABC(Animal Birth Control) by government would go a long way. 
• More adoption drives and fund raising activities towards rehabilitation of animals.

I also questioned the genuineness of Chitilappally on the issue, which they couldn't digest. Chitilappally to them is a saint, and it is wrong to criticize him unless I myself has donated a Kidney( Which I then have to report to all news dailies ). The really sad part is the mentality that culling of dogs is fine, not a big deal. 

The points they have raised and my replies are as follows, 

• What if you had lost a dear one ? Would you still support the stray dog menace ?

Gladly I haven't and I have never seen such dogs in my area. This might sound immature to you but I definitely don't feel an eye for an eye does any good in the world. 

• Dogs have bitten children while inside their homes. 

It is really unfortunate that this has happened. There is no justifying this. Still it was children who were left unattended that were attacked by dogs. Parents do have to be more responsible.

• If you like dogs then why don't you adopt one ? 

I already have a dog at home and at present me not being home, I don't want my parents to look after another dog just because I want them to. Once I am back home I am considering adopting one from Street dog watch Trivandrum. However I have made small contributions to groups like People for Animals Trivandrum who have been working towards betterment and rehabilitation of animals. Something that I can do as of now. 

• If Killing of Animals is not right ? Why do you eat meat ?

The animals I eat are livestock, they are animals raised for our food needs. They are not like dogs. Dogs are not raised for food at least in India. However my take on livestock is that the way these animals are treated also has to change. These animals also have to be treated with more space. I have read somewhere that it is illegal in India even to kill an animal in view of other animals. But government doesn't have people to check if these animal regulations are in place for livestock. 

• If you can kill mosquitoes you can kill dogs too. 

This is baseless. Mosquitoes do no good to the world or us. 

Coming back to topic, I happened to see a documentary by Asianet News today, which talks in detail of these issues. This could easily be one of the best TV programs made on the issue with an open mind. 

  Street Dog lovers | Anweshanam 26 Oct 2016

I really wish that people and government takes inspiration from the video and work towards a humane solution to the problem. Let us not heed to people who propose for hasty solutions.  We all share this world and their lives are as important. 

The Three Feet from Gold - Inspirational Story

A lesson learned while reading the book 'Think and Grow Rich'. It was a lazy Saturday night back home when I grabbed the copy that I had bought online almost an year back. The book by Napoleon Hill is a self help book and I should say that I am totally into it just after two chapters. 

Into this first chapter of the book I came across the story of R.U. Darby. The story struck me real hard. I could very well relate to it. I pondered over it for almost a day. It is said that this story is famously known among insurance sellers around the globe. The story of an entrepreneur who  stopped 3 feet from Gold. 

Three feet from Gold inspired Cartoon.

The story stresses on the point how people are broken down by temporary defeat. I could relate to it easily and have been there umpteen times. The story goes like this, Darby and his uncle buys a mining field and tries luck at  digging for a fortune, few weeks after they strike Gold. Excited, they put all their life savings and money borrowed from relatives to buying gold mining equipment. As they expected they did find more gold and by the looks of it, It looked like the biggest gold mine in the Colorado region. Soon disaster struck and they couldn't find any more gold. They dug deeper with hope until it reached a point of desperation. They decided it was time to give up, decided there was no point in going further. At this point came a man who willingly bought the mining land at a cheap price. 

The new property owner however decided he will give it a shot and so he did. He sought expert advice and they found Gold 3 feet from where RU Darby and his uncle had stopped digging. If only they had gone 3 more feet deeper. 

Often many of us, I know one for myself have many times stopped 3 feet from gold. We give up easily. We are often desperate and give up easily, who knows if you push 3 more feet and end up striking a fortune. This lesson is embedded to me right now, I will not easily give up from now. I will push myself a little more. 

I have always had entrepreneurship dreams, this is one lesson every wanna be entrepreneur should read about. The striking part of the story is that Darby learned from his mistakes and later founded one of the biggest insurance companies in the US.  

Who better than Leonardo DiCaprio - 'Before the Flood' !

   Before the Flood Documentary

More than a documentary, 'Before the Flood' is a message to the world from Leonardo Dicaprio. A message that if we don't act now, we are doomed before we know it. Before the Flood is Leo's journey around the globe in the past two years and the shocking revelations that he came across.

The documentary is very bold and there are some very strong allegations and criticism made against corporations and politicians in the US. Even Barack Obama is not spared. Leo takes a lot of criticism heads on as well, like the conversation with Sunita Narain, who heavily criticized US and it's lifestyle for global warming. There are also bits and parts of media clippings that criticize UN for selecting him as an ambassador.

A few scenes from the documentary

The positive note about the documentary is that it doesn't stop at highlighting global warming issues, it goes a step ahead and provides solutions. Solutions that are viable. Loved the Elon Musk entry and him suggesting that 100 Tesla model Giga factories would solve the energy issues with the world.

Media and some might call him and 'Before the Flood' a publicity stunt. Stunt or not, Leo has done something very few people have done. He is doing his part and creating awareness. This documentary again is not about Leonardo Dicaprio, it is about each and everyone of us. How we can make a contribution even if small to decrease global warming. 20-25 years from now when it's too late, there will be Leo with a wry smile on his face that reads 'I told ya losers'. Let us hope we doesn't get to that point. 

Guppy - The film that deserves more due

I write this with the extreme guilt of having watched the pirated copy of this beautiful film. This guilt I feel is a testimony to the film itself. When I watched Guppy's trailer for the first time I knew something different was on offer. I was to watch the film in cinemas, work and laziness had the best of me.

The DVD released a couple of days back and my Facebook wall is full of Guppy posts now. People saying how good it is and regretting not having watched it. I checked if the film is available to rent out on YouTube, sadly it wasn't.  Hence the urge to grab a pirated copy. So I managed to get a 480p version of the film and started watching it. 

The film is starts off with the start of day in Guppy's life, a boy in his teens living with his handicapped mother. Then starts the 'Thira Thira' song, which I liked a lot. The song takes you through the life of the seashore village. Few beautiful aerial shots are the highlight of the song. Guppy earns his livelihood from selling Guppy fishes to people in town, He saves money to buy his mother a new wheel chair. All is well for Guppy when Thejas Varky played by Tovino comes to start the construction of a new railway over-bridge. Guppy and Varky gets into a rift and what follows forms the story of Guppy.

Chethanlal in Guppy

The casting of the film is really good, from Chethanlal, Tovino, Alencier Ley, Sreenivasan, Rohini, Sudheer Karamana. The child actors who played Guppy's friends deserves a mention here. They all were really natural in their scenes. Chetanlal is someone Malayalam Cinema can look forward too in the future. Tovino again through this film reminds us of his presence. I hope he does more such films in the future and finds his rightful place in the industry.

The film has some of the most beautiful frames in recent times. The art team has put in a lot of blood and sweat and it really adds to the beauty of the film. The music is something I really really really loved, from peppy tracks like 'Thira Thira' and 'Gabrielinite' to the soulful and my personal favorite 'Mizhikal Thulumbiyo' sung by Masala Coffee's very own Sooraj Santhosh. The songs have found a place in my favorite track list already. The music director is Vishnu Vijay, who I feel is a debutant. Man what a debut if it is one ! You will go places Vishnu. All the very best brother. 

  Mizhikal Thulumbiyo - Guppy Song
John Paul George, You are an extremely talented director. Guppy is a testimony to this fact. Wishing you the very best for future films. I am sure people will flock in for your movies to come. 

Next time this team is back with a film, I will be in theater. I have already ordered the DVD version from Amazon. I suggest everyone who feels bad about not watching this film in theatre should buy a copy for themselves. The DVD would just cost you around Rs 130, half of what a 1GB internet pack costs you. Trust me 'Guppy' is a film that deserves to be watched in High Definition.  But if somebody from the team is reading this, next time please have a rental release on Youtube as well.

Nivin Pauly in 'Premam' Kodaikanal breakup scene

Premam is a beautiful film, no doubt. Even more beautiful is the chemistry between Nivin Pauly and Sai Pallavi, adding to it's greatness is the recently released trailer of Telugu 'Premam'.  I happened to watch Premam again on a lazy friday night today. 

Kodaikanal Scene - Premam

Premam has some beautifully shot scenes, but my favorite is definitely the breakup(heartbreak perhaps) scene between George and Malar at Kodaikanal. The beauty of the scene is that it shatters the masculine image of George shown in the first scene of college. The macho George we see in college breaks down into tears when you least expect him to. The long walk back to his bike after Malar fails to remember him along with the soulful background music by Rajesh Murugesan adds to the beauty of this scene. What stands out in the scene is definitely Nivin Pauly, who without a word express his grief.  The same George who has the balls to take on a mob weeps in front of you like a child. The scene is so well acted out that you will feel it's very genuine. 

  The beautiful BGM of the scene by Rajesh Murugesan
No matter how many times this film is remade, this scene will stand out. I wonder how Naga Chaitanya handles this scene after what we see in the song teaser.

Character Sketches: Shankar Das - Mammootty in Azhakiya Ravanan

Mammootty as Shankardas in Azhakiya Ravanan

I stumbled across this climax scene on Youtube and instantly thought of writing a note. 'Azhakiya Ravanan' is one of my all time favorite Mammootty films. I am a hardcore Mohanlal fan from the time I remember, but there are some roles that could only be essayed to perfection by Mammootty. Shankardas aka Kutty Shankaran is one such role. The gimmicks of a poor turned rich person coming back to his native is hilarious. The situational comedy scenes and Mammootty's acting makes you fall in love with this film. But the strength of this beautiful film is in it's climax. Mammootty gives out a performance that can't be matched and with ease and grace.

  The climax scene of Azhakiya Ravanan

Shankardas would make it to the top of the list of humor oriented characters he has done ever. This climax scene would also make it to the list of the most emotional scenes he has ever portrayed.

Don't Demand Respect ! Earn it

What is respect ?. This is what Google defines respect as

a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities, or achievements. 

As a child growing up, I was always told to respect elders. Respect your seniors at school, relatives, and basically anyone born a nano second older than you. This is embedded into every child by parents and relatives. No matter how rude/insensitive someone is, you still have to respect them for they were born elder than you and has more life experience than you. 

Now that I am older and have seen quite a bit of life and people, this forced outlook has changed. Respect is something you earn when you interact with people and doesn't depend on who and what you are. If you read the definition again, you will notice that there is no 'age' criteria there. It is something you earn because of your qualities, the way you interact with people more than your abilities and achievements. 

I have seen two types of respect in people, respect for the sake of respect and the genuine respect. 'Respect for the sake of respect' is the kind of respect you give to people because it is the 'right' thing to do. The other one comes from within, it is genuine and priceless. The way they talk and behaves around you shows it. 

There are people who think they deserve respect because they have done something for you, Be thankful and respectful for that. The point they quote ' I have done so much for you and you should listen to me ' is the point they lose it. They are doing nothing but making you forever in debt to them, just because they helped you. This is not how respect works people !. The choices you make in life are your own, their consequences too.   

You respect everyone you meet new in your life, the way they treat you decides whether respect takes the ladder or takes the plunge. Anyone can earn your respect, a random smile, a random act of kindness. Respect doesn't discriminate, neither rich nor poor, and definitely not racist. Respect should be earned, Not something to be demanded. Treat people right and respect comes to you. 

p.s: Author doesn't claim responsibility for your deeds here after. :)  

Aalayal Thara Venam - Beautiful song from Masala Coffee

Being an admirer of Sooraj Santhosh and Masala Coffee, I couldn't help but fall in love with this beautiful song penned by Kavalam Narayana Panicker and tuned by Masala Coffee. A feeling of nostalgia sweeps you a few seconds into the video, beautifully shot and directed. Visuals do justice to the music and the vocals. Kudos to the whole team behind this one.

This is what they wrote down on the video,

This is for girls who travel the Universe, looking for themselves.
This is for girls who're married to their dreams.
This is for girls who dress up for themselves.
This is for girls whose feet are little wings.
This is for Snow Whites with a tan.
This is for the she-roes.
Above all, this is for you, Kavalam Sir.

Well said Masala Coffee, Repeat ! :)

Virat Kohli - Nothing short of Legendary

Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli is in a class of his own.  He is unparalleled in the world of limited overs cricket at the moment. Virat's 81 not out made sure that India qualified for the World T20 semi final. The way he thrives under pressure, even ABD falls short of him.

I have been a big admirer of Kohli since the time he debuted for India. He was always key in India's success over some of the biggest ICC tournaments. Take the 2011 world Cup final for example,  If it weren't for the partnership between Gambhir and Kohli India would have ended up in a lot of pressure.

Love the way Virat composes his game, he starts slow, builds up his innings steady and at the right moment he shifts to fifth gear. India's chase was going no where till the 17th over as India still needed 39 of 3 overs to cross the line. Virat decided to take on James Faulkner who is a very cunning bowler with his slow cutters. India took 19 runs of the over thanks to Virat's sudden boost of adrenaline. India now needed 20 from 12 balls, This 19th over was classy as Virat punished Coulter-Nile with 4 fours. The Australian fielders were mere spectators and could only stand and watch in admiration. 

The sweetest thing about the win against Australia was that it came exactly an year after Australia mercilessly beat India at the World Cup semi final in Australia, where Virat couldn't step up his game. He scored a mediocre 1 run from 13 balls, which considering Virat standards were quite low. A lot of criticism came through and this was one sweet revenge. It always gives me a sadistic pleasure seeing Australia beaten. 

I might be going overboard here but I have to say this, Virat Kohli is the greatest limited overs cricketer from India. He has proved time and again that he is a champion, because playing and excelling under pressure is a different ball game altogether. Nothing short of legend. Respect.

The Price of Shame - Ted Talk on Cyber Bullying and Online Shaming

I have recently made a new habit of watching Ted videos everyday on YouTube, Today I came across a Ted Talk by Monica Lewinsky on ' The Price of Shame'. I have to agree that this is one of the best Ted Talks I've seen and highlights a very serious issue of social embarrassment.

  The Price of Shame

This is something I've given a lot of thought to, Online shaming is a very serious and unjust form of bullying and it's really brave of Monica to step out and talk of it. More power to you Monica.

Here is the full script of Monica's Ted Talk.