Biofuels, an alternative with its own concerns.

 

Biofuels are those fuels which are produced from biomass to meet the energy demand. It can be derived from plants, algae or animal wastes there by it not only considered for its superior environmental benefits but also is economically competitive with fossil fuels. India, as a country with great import dependence for fuel requirements, is looking forward to get expertise in this area to meet its energy needs along with an insight of pollution control.

Biodiesel and compressed biogas is also used in india for energy necessity in smaller scales. Biodiesel production was earlier from imported palm stearin oil, but the govt tries to substitute the raw material with domestic oil. CBG is also getting acceptance in india, in tandem with SATAT ( Sustainable Alternative  for affordable transportation ) scheme launched by the govt from 2018. Apart from such initiative Ethanol Blending Program ( EBP) is the most crucial one.

Ethanol blending is nothing but a process in which Petrol is blended with ethanol for the production of fuel so that our important dependence on crude oil can be minimised along with reduced pollution level. India had initiated ethanol blending program and launched so many steps in this field. It includes measures to increase indigenous production of ethanol from 2014. The govt has amended industries(developments and regulation )act, 1951 for assuring Govt's exclusive control over denatured ethanol. Reduction kf GST from 18% to 5% and Interest subvention scheme for enhancement and augmentation of ethanol production capacity by the department of food and public distribution system under Govt of India are also plays great role in the chain of ethanol blending.

When we look at the ethanol blending in India, we can find that it had rised from 38 crores litre in 2013-2014 to 188.6 crores of litres in 2018-2019. The average blend in these tenure was only 5% and it has risen upto 7% in the year 2019-2020. In the next year it was again increased to 10% and the country has kept its ethanol blending target upto 20% for the year 2030. To increase the production of ethanol, Govt has allowed cellulosic and lignocellulosic materials through petrochemical route. PM jai Indan Vatavaran Anukool Yojana was also launched for providing viability gap funding (VGF) for the stakeholders to have initial economic cushion.

Although the biofuel usage is great in so many aspects, it has its own concerns. New ethanol blending policy, as it includes food based livestocks, including straw rice, wheat and corn,it may effect the food security of the country. The production of biofuels need land to cultivate biofuel crops in large scale, this will definitely effect the pricing mechanism of food crops as well as cost of such biofuel also. As you may know, Rice, wheat and sugarcane absorb 80 % of irrigated water in india, the production is having severe impact on water resources. Other than all these huddles, people crave for petrol or diesel to enjoy the thrill of driving because of the engines efficiency and power. CBG, and electric vehicles are not reaching the way its expected because of the same reason. Biofuel also produce comparatively less energy than petrol.

Considering all these aspects, we can say that the production of biofuels is challenging in india despite if its positive outcomes. Our food crops and water intense crops are better to be kept away for the production of biofuels. If we prioritise and modify our cropping patterns, we can surely be one among the best in biofuel production with sound economic balance and environmental friendliness.

Indias Multilateralism and East world order.

 

Indian foreign policy has played a pivotal role in international affairs especially during the Nehruvian era. The concept of Non alignment (NAM) was the then considered the diplomatic need for India as a country which was dusting it off from the colonial atrocities during the cold war era. NAM was very significant from 1947 to 1964 during Nehruvian idealistic era, but it lost its glory during the realistic period of Indira Gandhi. As the geopolitics is highly complex in this globalised world order, the Shanghai corporation Organization summit starting fron 15th September is very important in so many domains. It will effect India's stand in Russia-ukrain conflict, upcoming Chinese party congress, flood reliefs for Pakistan etc.

Shanghai corporation organisation being the largest regional grouping that have 40% of the world population, including countries like China, india, Pakistan, Russia, Kazakistan, Kirghistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Belarus and mongolia have observer status in it and for the time being Armenia, Azerbaijan, Turkey and Turkmenistan were invited as guests to summit 2022. The significance of this grouping and indias role in this is huge and critical. India is the country who can bridge the gap between groupings like SCO, and BRICS with QUAD, I2U2, and Indo Pacific Economic frameworks.

As the period of NAM got expired india is finding its own strategies of foreign policy, that comes up with the phrase Multilateralism. From Non alignment to All alignment india has made its position clear in so many recent diplomatic interventions. Infact prime minister had not participated in NAM meetings recently but going to meet at SCO summit is a clear expression of India's new way of diplomacy.

Some of India's recent polices are very commendable in this regard. Despite the US threat to import oil from Russia, india actually increased its import from 0.66 million tonnes in first quarters to 8.42 million tonnes in the second quarters. Despite the Doklam issues and ladakh stand off, india and china kept their trade intact. The president of iran, Ebrahim raisi was so favourable to India as they both restored indian oil purchase despite the threat of US sanctions. The development of chabahar port is also one of such key initiative by India.

Countries like china, pakistan, and Russia is now facing the international boycotts from western countries. China for covid 19 pandemic, Pakistan for terror financing and Russia for Ukrain invasion. Amidst all these crisis india is the only nation who can take a leading role in key decision makings in SCO platform that will be most sensible to the outside world.. In this regard, India's policy is perfect that she wont align with anybody specifically but will align with everybody equally. 

Freebies and Democracy in India.

 Freebie culture is very prevalent in indian politics, especially in states with regional political parties are at forefront. It may come to the people's hand in the form of TV, washing machines, cycles, Subsidies, free electricity, free water supply, loans, loan weavers etc. Some of such offers are fulfilled and some others not. The question is not about what all promises were hollow, and what all were realistic. The big question is whether this practice of freebie culture by itself is good or bad...These offers from the political parties could create great appeal among the public to win elections. Although it serves the purpose of people's welfare as its short term goal, it may get toxic to the roots of democracy in many ways in its long course. Recently, constitutional bodies like supreme court, and election commission have discussed this issue and RBI, Prime ministers office and some economists also criticised this practice, after considering its economic impact.

Infact, the reply given to the supreme court by Election commission of india in this regard is very interesting. EC says 'we cant clearly define freebies, so how can we take any actions against it..? This is exactly the reason why this practice can't be checked or regulated. One can say freebies as something given out for free without considering any particular merit. Its an irrational spending by the state, unfair to tax payers, and of course a financial burden on the state. But the concept of welfare can bypass all such arguments in a public domain.

Recently, a BJP leader named Aswini upadhyaya approached the Supreme court to check the legal validity of freebies and then the honorable court has called all stakeholders connected with it and asked for an amicable solution. While hearing the petition, supreme court opined that freebies are dangerous and it effects the spirit of democracy. At the same time,RBI's Report on state's finance, has disclosed the debt burdens of different states and it points out freebies as the main reason.

If we look at the statistics, we can see that in 2022 itself, there is such promises from the political parties worth one lakh crores rupees. This figures are well marked in the states like Andrapradesh, Punjab, Bihar, Tamilnadu etc.. When we look at debt to GDP ration state wise, its Punjab whose public debt is very alarming. In total, se freebies not just drain the public exchequer but also undermines the credit culture of our banking system. It distorts pricing mechanism if the freebies are given in the form of subsidies and also creates inflationary pressure when the money is pushed into circulation without any economic rationale. This populist practice is not actually a level playing field as the party in power can literally buy more voters and increase their vote bank. In that way, its boosting for the party in power, but donot make much leverage to the opposition parties. So, freebies are not so fair in tandem with the Democratic spirits.

If we can't strictly differentiate whats a freebies and what are welfare schemes, the best way to address this issue is by properly educating the public on how to exercise their rights to know from where all these money is coming. People must be enlightened to think that something is given without merit or not in the way of a targeted delivery, its simply drains the public wealth without creating anything in return except debt burden..

FIVE things that make you a Good liar.

We all lie on our day today life either to cover-up our mistakes or to project ourselves better. But what if it get caught..? You may loose your individuality, your trust and more over your credibility and confidence. Here we will consider five important things that you should keep in mind to become an expert liar who can never be caught..

1) Always remember your Lies.

Forgetting our lies, is one of the common mistake we all make. Once you forget your lies, you won't know what to hide and what to disclose, nor you can improvise it for convincing others. Its ok not to remember every truth you spoke because truths can never haunt you back, but lies can..So never forget your lies 

2) Have some Factual Keystones.

When you are saying something, there will be always a chance among your listeners to take your words for granted. But if your lies have a base of facts, it could be easier for you to convince others. For example, if you say you have watched someone somewhere, it seems more realistic if you could come up with a fact that you had already visited that "somewhere". If you don't have such facts, create it intentionally to support your lies. Nobody can deny you have seen Taj mahal if you could establish that you were in Agra days ago.

3) Connect your lies with other lies to make it more stable.

This is pretty risky but it can be tried. You can club lots of facts and lies together so that your lies will be very strong. But when you relate one with the other, and clubbing it together , you have to handle it very carefully without any self-contradictions.

4)Be confident and emotionally involved.

Confidence is the fundamental quality that makes you a good liar. And you have to be emotionally connected to each and every word you are saying. If you can connect to your listener with an emotional thread, its easy for you to make them beleive whatever you are saying.

5) Always have an exit door.

When you are lying something, it would be always a question of trust, your morality, individuality and ethics. So, you have to tell a lie with an predestined escape plan if you get caught. In some cases , you can fulfil or achieve the content of your lie after sometime based on your convenience so that you can make your lie a truth. In that case, the only issue will be your timing. If your are morally obliged to a person to whom you may have to lie for instance, better tell your lie as a joke so that the listener may be confused or less serious. This laxity of your lie can become your flexibility to manipulate the same if needed.

Note: There is no doubt to say that lying is ofcourse a bad habit. But in a situation where you are in an ethical dilemma ,like a hamster in wheel, if the only thing that can empower you to get the situation better is to tell a lie, you can definitely opt this way..

Gandhism vrs Castism

മഹാത്മാവായി വാഴ്ത്തപ്പെടുമ്പോഴും രാഷ്ട്ര പിതാവായി അംഗീകരിക്കപ്പെടുമ്പോഴും ഒരുപാട് വിമർശനങ്ങളെ നേരിടേണ്ടി വന്നിട്ടുള്ള ഒരു വ്യക്തിയാണ് ഗാന്ധിജി. അത്തരത്തിലുള്ള ഒരു പ്രധാന വിമർശനമാണ് അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ ദളിതരോടുള്ള സമീപനം. ഗാന്ധിയും അംബേത്കറും രണ്ടുതട്ടിൽ നിൽക്കുന്നതും ഈ സംവാദത്തിലാണ്. വരേണ്യ വിഭാഗത്തിലുള്ള ഹിന്ദുക്കളുടെ പെറ്റി ഏജന്റായും ബ്രാഹ്മണിക്കൽ ദേശീയതയുടെ പതാകവാഹകനായുമെല്ലാം അദ്ദേഹത്തെ നിശിതമായി വ്യക്തിഹത്യ നടത്തുന്നവർ ധാരാളമുണ്ട്. ജാതിയതയിലൂന്നിയ രാഷ്ട്രീയ നിലപാടുകൾ തെരഞ്ഞെടുപ്പ് രാഷ്ട്രീയത്തെ ഇത്രയുമധികം സ്വാധീനിക്കുന്ന ഈ കാലഘട്ടത്തിലാണ് ഗാന്ധിയൻ ആശയങ്ങളിലെ ജതീയതയെക്കുറിച്ചുള്ള പരാമർശങ്ങൾ വീണ്ടും ചർച്ചചെയ്യപ്പെടുന്നത്.

അന്ന് പോർബന്ധറിലെ പ്രധാനമന്ത്രിയായിരുന്ന കരം ചന്ത് ഗാന്ധിയുടെ മകനായി പ്രിവിലേജുകളുടെ നടുവിലാണ് മോഹൻദാസ് കരംചന്ത്ഗാന്ധി എന്ന ഗാന്ധിജി ജനിക്കുന്നത്. ജാതീയതയുടെ യാതൊരു വിവേചനവും നേരിട്ടറിയാതെ വളർന്നതുകൊണ്ടാവാം ഒരു പക്ഷേ, അദ്ദേഹം “ ജാതിക്ക് മതവുമായി യാതൊരു ബന്ധവുമില്ലെന്നും, ജാതി ഒരാചാരമാണെന്നും” വിശ്വസിച്ചിരുന്നത്.

“ഐത്തം ഇല്ലാതെയായാൽ ജാതീയതയും തനിയെ ഇല്ലാതെയാവുമെന്ന” അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ പ്രതീക്ഷ പല അവസരങ്ങളിലും അദ്ദേഹം പറയുന്നുണ്ട്. എന്നാൽ കാലം തെളിയിച്ചുകൊണ്ടിരിക്കുന്ന സത്യം മറ്റൊന്നാണ്. ഐത്തോച്ഛാടനം എന്നേ നടന്നിട്ടും ജാതീയത ഇന്നും നിലനിൽക്കുന്നത് ഗാന്ധിജിയുടെ പ്രതീക്ഷയെ തകർത്തുകളയുന്നു. ഇന്ത്യൻ ഹിന്ദുയിസത്തിൽ അന്തർലീനമായ , ജാതിയതയുടെ അടിസ്ഥാനമായ ചാതുർവർണ്ണ്യ വ്യവസ്ഥയെ അദ്ദേഹം ഒരിക്കൽ പോലും എതിർത്തിട്ടില്ല. എല്ലാ തൊഴിലിനും അതിന്റേതായ അന്തസ്സുണ്ടെന്ന അപ്രായോഗിക യുക്തിയെ കൂട്ടുപിടിച്ച് ചാതുർവർണ്ണ്യത്തെ ന്യായികരിക്കുകയാണ് ഗാന്ധിജി ചെയ്തിട്ടുള്ളത്. അഥ സ്ഥിതി ക ജനവിഭാഗത്തിന്റെ അക്കാലത്തെ ശബ്ദമായിരുന്ന ഡോ.ബി.ആർ. അംബേദ്കർ ഹിന്ദുമതത്തിനൊരു വെല്ലുവിളിയാണെന്ന് ഗാന്ധിജി എഴുതിയിട്ടുണ്ട്. 1931-ലെ രണ്ടാം വട്ടമേശ സമ്മേളനത്തിൽ അദ്ദേഹം പറയുന്നത് “ ഇന്ത്യക്ക് സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യം ലഭിക്കാൻ വേണ്ടിയാണെങ്കിൽ പോലും ഐത്ത ജാതിക്കാരുടെ പ്രത്യേക താൽപര്യങ്ങളെ സംരക്ഷിക്കാനാവില്ലെന്നും അങ്ങനെയുള്ള പ്രത്യേക പരിഗണനകൾ ഹിന്ദു മതത്തിന്റെ ആഭിജാത്യത്തിന് അപമാനമാണെന്നുമാണ്”.

 The South african Gandhi –“ Structure Bearer of an Empire”- എന്ന പുസ്തകത്തിൽ അശ്വിൻ ദേശായിയും ഗുലാബ് വഹിദും പറയുന്നത് ഗാന്ധിജിക്ക് കറുത്ത വർഗ്ഗക്കാരെ ഇഷ്ട്ടമല്ലായിരുന്നു എന്നാണ്. അവരെ അദ്ദേഹം “ കാഫിർ” എന്ന് വിളിച്ചിരുന്നതായും ഈ പുസ്തകത്തിൽ രേഖപ്പെടുത്തുന്നുണ്ട്. ഗാന്ധിജി ദക്ഷിണാഫ്രിക്കയിൽ നടത്തിയ സമരങ്ങളിൽ ഒരെണ്ണം പോസ്റ്റ് ഓഫീസുകളിൽ കറുത്ത വർഗ്ഗക്കാരനും വെളുത്തവർഗ്ഗക്കാരനും പ്രത്യേക വാതിലുകൾ ഉണ്ടായിരുന്ന പോലെ ഇന്ത്യക്കാർക്ക് മൂന്നാമതൊരു വാതിൽ വേണമെന്ന മുദ്രാവാക്യമുയർത്തിക്കൊണ്ടായിരുന്നു എന്നുമെല്ലാം ഈ പുസ്തകത്തിൽ സൂചിപ്പിക്കുന്നുണ്ട്. പോസ്റ്റ് ഓഫീസുകളിലെ ഈ മാറ്റം അന്നത്തെ ധനിക വ്യവസായികളായിട്ടുള്ള ഇന്ത്യക്കാരുടെ മാത്രം തൽപ്പര്യത്തിന്റെ അടിസ്ഥാനത്തിലായിരുന്നെന്നുമെല്ലാം ഇതേ പുസ്തകം വിമർശിക്കുന്നുണ്ട്. ഇത്തരം ചരിത്ര വസ്തുതകൾ ഉയർത്തിക്കാണിക്കുന്നത് ഗാന്ധിജി ദളിത് വിഭാഗത്തിനെ ഹിന്ദുമതത്തോടടുപ്പിച്ച് നിർത്തുവാൻ ശ്രമിച്ചു എങ്കിലും മതത്തിനുള്ളിലെ മേൽക്കോയ്മകളേയും വർഗ്ഗീകരണത്തേയും അംഗീകരിച്ചിരുന്നു എന്നു തന്നെയാണ്. എന്നാൽ ഈ പരാമർശങ്ങളിലെല്ലാം ഗാന്ധിജിയെ ഡോ. അബേത്കർ അതിസമർത്ഥമായി ഖണ്ഡിക്കുന്നുമുണ്ട്. 1931 ലെ രണ്ടാം വട്ടമേശസമ്മേളനത്തിനു ശേഷം അംബേത്കറെ വീട്ടിലേക്ക് വിളിച്ചു വരുത്തി “ താങ്കളൊരു തികഞ്ഞ ദേശസ്നേഹിയാണെന്ന്” പറയുന്ന ഗാന്ധിയോട് അ അംബേത്കർ പറയുന്ന വാക്കുകൾ വളരെ പ്രസക്തമാണ്- “ മഹാത്മൻ,,, എനിക്കായി ഒരു രാജ്യവുമില്ല. ഈ രാജ്യം എന്റേതുകൂടി ആയിരുന്നെങ്കിൽ എനിക്കും എന്റെ വർഗ്ഗത്തിനും പൊതുവഴിയിൽ സഞ്ചരിക്കുന്നതിനോ, പൊതു ജലാശയങ്ങളിൽ നിന്നും വെള്ളം കുടിക്കുന്നതിനോ ആരും തടസ്സം നിൽക്കില്ലായിരുന്നു..”

  സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യലഭ്ദിക്ക് കൂടുതൽ ഊന്നൽ നൽകുന്നതിനിടയിൽ സാമൂഹിക പരിഷ്കരണത്തിലൂടെ ഉണ്ടായേക്കാവുന്ന വിഘടനവാദത്തെ ഇല്ലാതെയാക്കാനായിരിക്കണം ഗാന്ധിജി ഇത്തരത്തിലുള്ള നിലപാട് ഈ ദളിത് വിഷയങ്ങളിൽ സ്വീകരിച്ചത്.

എന്നാൽ, ഒരു ജനതയുടെ സ്വാതന്ത്ര സ്വപ്നങ്ങൾക്കു കാതലായ ഐക്യബോധത്തെ തകർക്കാത്ത രീതിയിലുള്ള സാമൂഹിക പരിവർത്തനങ്ങൾക്ക് അദ്ദേഹം തീർച്ചയായും ശ്രമിച്ചിരുന്നു. അഥസ്ഥിതിക വിഭാഗത്തെ ദളിതർ / ഹരിജനെന്നുമെല്ലാം ഏറ്റവും കൂടുതൽ വിശേഷിപ്പിച്ചിട്ടുള്ള വ്യക്തി ഗാന്ധിജി തന്നെയാണ്. “ഹിന്ദുയിസത്തിനു മേലുള്ള മായാത്ത കളങ്കം”- എന്നു തന്നെയാണ് ജാതീയതയെ അദ്ദേഹം നിർവചിച്ചിട്ടുള്ളത്. അന്നത്തെ സാമൂഹിക അന്തരീക്ഷത്തിൽ ദളിതർ മാത്രം ചെയ്തിരുന്ന ജോലികൾ സ്വയം ഏറ്റെടുത്തും മറ്റുള്ളവരെ അതിനായി നിരന്തരം പ്രേരിപ്പിക്കുകയും ചെയ്തിരുന്ന അദ്ദേഹം “ ഇനിയൊരു ജന്മമുണ്ടെങ്കിൽ ഐത്തക്കാരനായി ജനിക്കണമെന്നാണ് ആഗ്രഹം പ്രകടിപ്പിച്ചിരുന്നതെന്ന്” “The Good Boat man” എന്ന പുസ്തകത്തിൽ രാജ്മോഹൻ ഗാന്ധി എടുത്തു പറയുന്നു. “ ഞാൻ വിചാരിക്കുന്ന പോലെ സംഭവിച്ചാൽ, സ്വതന്ത്ര ഇന്ത്യയുടെ ആദ്യത്തെ പ്രസിഡന്റ് ഒരു ദളിത് യുവതിയായിരിക്കുമെന്നും” – അദ്ദേഹം പറഞ്ഞിട്ടുള്ളതായി ചരിത്രരേഖകൾ സാക്ഷ്യപ്പെടുത്തുന്നു..

ഗാന്ധിജി എന്ന വ്യക്തിയെ മനസ്സിലാക്കാൻ ശ്രമിക്കുന്ന ഒരു ചിരിത്ര വിദ്യാർത്ഥി തീർച്ചയായും കടന്നുപോകുന്ന വിഷമഘട്ടങ്ങൾ ഒരുപാടുണ്ട്. അതിന്റെയർത്ഥം ഏറ്റവും ലളിതമായി പറഞ്ഞാൽ മോഹൻദാസ് കരംചന്ത് ഗാന്ധി എന്നത് ഒരു മനുഷ്യനായിരുന്നു എന്നതാണ്. തന്റെ തീരുമാനങ്ങൾ മാത്രമാണ് ശരി എന്ന് അദ്ദേഹം ശാഠ്യം പിടിച്ചിട്ടില്ല. തന്റെ അബന്ധങ്ങൾ അബന്ധങ്ങളെന്ന് ബോധ്യപ്പെടുമ്പോൾ യാതൊരു മടിയും കൂടാതെ അത് ഏറ്റുപറയുകയും തിരുത്താൻ ശ്രമിക്കുകയും ചെയ്തിരുന്ന ഒരാളായിരുന്നു അദ്ദേഹം എന്നത് നമുക്ക് ചരിത്രം പരിശോധിച്ചാൽ മനസ്സിലാകും . ഇന്ന് നമ്മളുപയോഗിക്കുന്ന “ഹിമാലയൻ വിണ്ഡിത്തം” എന്ന പ്രയോഗം പോലും ഗാന്ധി സ്വയം കണ്ടെത്തിയ തെറ്റിന് കൊടുത്ത വിശേഷണമാണ്.. ഒരു നിശ്ചിത പ്രത്യയ ശാസ്ത്രത്തിലടിയുറച്ച് അതിൽ നിന്നുകൊണ്ട് മാത്രം പ്രവർത്തിച്ച ആളല്ല ഗാന്ധിജി. അദ്ദേഹം എപ്പോഴും സ്വയം നവീകരിച്ചുകൊണ്ടിരിക്കുകയായിരുന്നു. ഗാന്ധിയിലെ വൈരുദ്ധ്യത്തെ ആ രീതിയിൽ സന്ദർഭോജിതമായി മനസ്സിലാക്കാൻ ശ്രമിക്കുന്നതാണ് നല്ലത്. ഒരു തെറ്റുകളും വരുത്താത്ത പുണ്യാത്മാവായി കാണാതെ തെറ്റുകൾ സംഭവിച്ചാൽ തിരുത്തുവാൻ മടികാണിക്കാത്ത അസാധാരണമായ ജനാധിപത്യബോധമുള്ള ഒരു സാധാരണ മനുഷ്യനായി അദ്ദേഹത്തെ കാണുകയാണ് വേണ്ടത്. അപ്പോഴാണ് “ എന്റെ സത്യാന്വേഷണ പരീക്ഷണ കഥ” എന്നതിനേക്കാൾ അനുയോജ്യമായ മറ്റൊരു ശീർഷകവും ഗാന്ധിജി എന്ന വ്യക്തയുടെ ജീവിതകഥക്ക് കൊടുക്കാനില്ലെന്ന് തോന്നുക.

.......പ്രണവ് കുമാർ.

Lionel Messi's farewell Speech at Campnou.

" Hello.... 

Truth is that I don't know what to say.. In this recent days, I have been thinking ,giving lots of thoughts to... Well I could say, and the truth is that I can't think  of anything. This is really difficult for me. After so many years been here, my entire life, am not ready for this. And honestly, last year with all the nonsense with the board,  and everything i was convinced and i knew that what I have to say , but this year is not the same... This year, my family and I were convinced that we are not gonna stay here.. We thought, we all will be staying here in Barcelona, the time we had in this city were so amazing... Well.. Today is... I have to say good bye to all of these. My entire life was in here since I was 13 , and now after 21 years , am leaving with my wife and three little Catalan Argentine kids.. I cant say that in few years we won't come back, because this is our home and I promised my children the same. 

Am just really grateful to all my teamates ,my former teammates , and to the club that has been always by my side . There are so many people out there, so many I only met few times.... This club had always been so humble and so many respect.. and I wanna say to everyone at this house , for the love that I have had with so many good experiences with the club , so many beautiful  things had happened and also some bad things. But all of these help me to grow and improve and made me the person I am today. I have given everything to this club right there from the first day I arrived to the very last day and the truth is that am leaving .. 

Am so grateful for the care the people have shown me. Having saying goodbye,,,,,I never thought of it. But I would be happy if my farewell is with those lovely people in the pitch with cheers..But I never imagined it this way..     

Due to the pandemic, since the last one year, I couldn't be able to play in public and it's very difficult not to see people nearby shouting my name.Now Am leaving the club without playing a final for an year and half ..

If I could have imagined my Farwell, I would have imagined it with lots of people at campnou, So that I can atleast say my goodbye properly.. 

I wanna say again that am so grateful for the love everyone have showed me during these years.. Although I had some eccentric moments and ofcourse some bad moments But the love people had shown me was always been the same.. I recognise their affection to me and the club. And I hope that I can comeback to the club at some point of time and to be with it to make another try to be the best in world..

Honestly , am forgetting lots of things to say but this is all I can say right now as the words seems to be very difficult to dribble.. So it's better to answer some questions. Thanks you.."

Dr.Sashi Tharoor on Future of Ayurveda

( Courtesy: This is actually a summary of Dr.Sashi Tharoor’s Speech that he delivered on the Commemorating Ceremony of Ashtavaidyan Shri.E.T.Narayanan Mooss, organised by Vaidyaratnam Group on 5th August,2021.))

The number of Ayurvedic users continue to grow daily in India and across the world. There is an unparallel popularity and mainstream acceptance for our traditional healing system, that should not come as a surprise to anyone. In 2019, Global market for Ayurveda products amounts to 4.5 billion US dollars and that number is expected to be raised upto 14.9 Billion US dollars in 2026. Its also estimated that in upcoming years, 77% of Indian households regularly consume Ayurvedic products in one way or the other way. Similarly the Export of Ayurvedic products from India on an average of 718 million US dollars a year and that’s expected to rise 20% annually. So,,,,, which state has been the engine for all such a remarkable role of expansion???? None other than Kerala..

Our state harbours 1400 Ayurvedic industries that amounts to total 10% of the whole herbal based products and treatments of the entire country. Vagbhata, the great sage who is believed to have visited kerala around 6th to 7th century BC had planted the seeds of Ayurveda and that subsequently fell on to Ashtavaidyas that today has become popular across the world. The subsequent editions and omissions has happened to this science and vernacular knowledge has also blended to it. Eg, The story of Velandi vaidyan and Muttikulangara oil. And now this science has reached onto a level that Ayuveda, Yoga and Bollywood has become the integral part of the cultural legacy that India export across the world.

Challenges to Ayurveda.

Attacks on Ayurveda persists internationally and doing greater damage, that we cannot afford to be complacent. Three years ago a paper authored by Dr.Cyriac Abby Philip in American journal of gastroenterology pointed out that the Dasamoolaarishttam caused severe stress to the liver of his patients. This article was widely circulated in India and abroad, leading to a question on Ayurvedic medicine’s effectiveness and safety. There was a universal criticism on Ayurvedic science from many corners of the world at that point of time.

In such instances, Whether we agree with that doctors findings or not , is not the problem to be addressed. The actual problem is nothing but the absence of credible information. In 2010, high level, British committee on science and technology headed by John Watson declared that Ayurveda is a system without any scientific evidence. He lowered Ayurveda than the hypnosis and crystal therapy. But it took outrageous involvement of the Indian Government and we provided valuable evidence to prove the effectiveness of Ayurveda , even showed its benefits our soldiers reap during high altitude sickness in Siachin glaciers.

Both these instances offer the same lesson that the Absence of credible documentation and case studies for the proven benefits ,is making Ayurveda dismissable at the international level. Documentation that complies with Global standards for reporting, and evidence based Research is vital for ensuring the continued success and universal acceptance of Ayurvedic treatments, so that No skeptical foreigner can discredit this science of life.

Traditional knowledge in modern times.

Although India has rich and diverse traditional knowledge , lack of comprehensive system to safeguard those who have over generations practiced, protected and owned these resources ,puts us at a disadvantage in a modern world. Ayurveda nearly caters 65% of our population in rural India But not enough has been done to protect its practitioners , and their knowledge. In the age of Biopiracy, the safety of India’s traditional Ayurvedic knowledge is no longer a question we can leave later to address. Understanding the economic aspect of such knowledge , there is a overwhelming trend to patent common Indian herbs in America, that gave us a wake-up-call, few years ago.

Infact, the concept of Intellectual property rights cannot be applied to a traditional knowledge, as no single person can claim the same which is perennial, evolving and flexible. What has done so far through Biological diversity act 2002, is inadequate. So it’s time to do further legislations to protect our traditional knowledge or else , misappropriation by others will lead us to a belated collective regret..

India has distinctive Traditional knowledge digital library which contains 34 million pages of formulated information, and over 2 million medical formulations, in multiple languages. In such a step, we need to classify and codify these knowledge so that it can be offered as a prior art to prevent granting of erroneous patency under the foreign IPM regime.

Need for Adaptation.

Its true to say that Ayurveda also has effected by disruptive market forces. Clinics professing to offer Ayurvedic treatments are sprouting like herbs in places as far fields as London’s and Italian dolomites. Although, Ayurvedic tourism is really a significant money earner, Kerala in particular, But what actually they are selling?? Spas and tourist homes, offer massages by a lady in traditional redbordered Kerala sarees, Jazmine in her hairs, is exactly just a package exotica, not Ayurveda as a remedy for diseases, rather an upmarket beauty treatment, a relaxation theatre for a jaded. Likewise, a five thousand year old science has become a diversion of choice of the era of 15 seconds soundbites. Pure practitioners regret this transient nature of AyurvedaLite as an abomination and they are naturally compelled towards the principles that are originally inspired the clinical practice. But , a midpoint can be found between such purers and AyurvedaLite rather than leaving the people towards such a non-genuine approaches. Traditional Ayurvedic practitioners also has to adopt to the time demand of the modern world.

Conclusion.

We can all reach a general consensus that we are living in a time of unprecedented popularity of Ayurveda, both domestically and globally as from Maimi Campbell to Madonna. We have to attract investments not just for developing treatment centres but also for Research and development. By Establishing the National Ayurveda University and National institute of medicinal plants , such resources will definitely set a goal of Olympic proportion. There is an extraordinary momentum across the globe , pushing Ayurveda to sanctify mainstream popularity. Now it’s upto all of us to guard the complacency and leverage it’s momentum, to improve the research and documentation , and streamline our offerings that really takes India’s Ayurvedic practices far forward….

Pranaam..