Mrs. Annam Krishnan's Autobiography

OUR HOME

                                 
                             Some of the past memories of life

          Myself, my husband and my two small kids. Both (me and my husband) of our birth place is Kerala. We were born &and brought up there. Studied there. Hence Malayalam language became a very good memory.

After finishing his studies in Kerala, my husband graduated from "Tanjavur" Sanskrit College in Tamil Nadu for 2,3 years. Hence my husband has a very good knowledge of Sanskrit language. After 2,3 years he joined the army. But his parents were not very much satisfied in his continuity in the army. After leaving the army he reached Bombay in search of a job. Without much delay he got a job in a very well known American Company.

His elder brother arrived much earlier and he was already working in Bombay.

After getting the job my husband started gaining knowledge in variety of fields, started reading some good English, Malayalam & amp;and Sanskrit books. Also started going to the libraries for further reading. Likewise he came in contact with several good friends. From there he started getting knowledge of communism. If there was any party meeting he used to attend. Thus he came in contact with the innovators and big film personalities . Some of the film personalities names are given , for example: Majrooh Sultanpuri, Balraj Sahani, Kaifi Azmi, Shailendra, Salil Chaudhari, Hemant Kumar and many more were came in contact with my husband. In all these personalities with Shailendra had a good relationship. Thus he became a communist member and employer/innovator during certain period of time.

                                                   Then his families shifted to Bombay. The days were going on. Meanwhile his elder brother got married. After some days my husband's marriage was fixed. By that time all his family members have reached Bombay. To lead a homely life after the marriage with wife and children my husband purchased a newly constructed Government Plot (BMC) in Chembur. After our marriage and the arrival of kids we shifted to the newly constructed plot in Chembur.

                                                 The days were going on. We started thinking about the schooling of our kids. My husband was having an illussion for the children to get the knowledge of Malayalam. With this intention he with the help of his malayalee friends started "Chembur Malayalee Samajam". Thus the members have created a Committe and my husband became the member of that (CMS).

They found a land to start the Malayalam School. School started functioning. Our children as well as children of our malayalee friends got the opportunity to study Malayalam.

My husband and his colleagues who founded the Chembur Malayalee Samajam together with the school is completing 60 years now. Till today Malayalee colleagues are maintaining their duty towards this foundation like earlier days.

School construction has developed and reached a level of 12th Std. Several students were coming up after completing their higher level. My children also completed their 12th standard from this school.

Till primary they teach in Malayalam medium. Then it starts from English medium, hindi, marathi, sanskrit. They teach all the languages to the students.

When they celebrated their GOLDEN JUBILEE they informed and invited our family as well. Due to our old age they arranged a vehicle for us for the transportation and welcomed both of us graciously. With lots of love & amp; affection they presented us a "BRONZE LAMP" (Kuthu Vilakku), a Superfine looking Cloth generally made of Silk in Golden Colour used to put around the neck like garland for respecting the presence of the guest (Ponnadai) & a Felicitating Message (Mangala Patram) . These type of incidence are unforgettable in our life. He was engaged in lots of work similar to these types of occassions. He had a lot of enthusiasm in doing so. Thus my two children became educated with discipline and got their job and settled in their family life.

Besides this my husband was working as a General Secretary in the UNION OFFICE. Thus he was busy with himself for some years. He was always there for me and my children whenever we needed any help.

Along with that he had read so many books of famous authors in English, Malayalam and Sanskrit. He was interested in Philosophy, Literature and Politics. He has read so many books on all those topics. He read in Malayalam & in Sanskrit... the Bhagavat Gita, Devi Mahathmam, Mahabharatham, Ramayanam, Kalidasas work. Likewise so many other books were bought & read by him.

                                                        He had a wide knowledge about all the importante and political happenings. If I use to prepare any new dishes he is the one who was ready to help me. On Sundays or festive holidays he used to take me and my kids for outing and shopping.

When he was working he bought a Second Hand TypeWriter. Father and Children have used that typewriter for completing several work. Father and Son have learnt the typewriting all alone. Likewise the days were going on and the children completed their graduation and was searaching for a job. Meanwhile my daughter got married. Then she left for a foreign country. We then shifted to a spacious flat. Then my son got a job. Before the retirement of my husband my son also got married. After my son's marriage we 4 of us stayed together.

After 2 years my husband got retired from his job. Further to that he was enthusiastically involved in the Union activities and helping the workers in the period of retirement.

                                                          During many years after the retirement we both together decided to go for a tour to see some places within India and outside India. We had been to our daughter's place in Europe and also travelled America. The trip we had together and the fun, pleasures and memories are unforgettable for me till today. Slowly slowly we were getting older. My husband had the difficulty in walking. Days were passing on and the computer season has started. He had a several good books in his hand so it was useful for him to go through all those in his retirement days. He used to write about its reviews, also good magazines and Newspapers were favourite items to read. He had a Life Membership in British Library. We both use to visit there occassionally. He was visiting other good libraries as well and used to select the favourite ones of his choice.

                                                         When we come across with some good Book Exhibition in the Newspaper we use to visit such places. Thus both of us together has visited some of the good places very enthusiastically. My husband started gaining knowledge in the Computer. Writing about the book reviews, reading newspapers and writing and sending the critics about the articles were some of his passion those days. So many articles were written in his Blog. Writing and sending e-mails to our near and dear ones also interested him a lot.

Our son-in-law has gifted this Computer. Our Son has got another Computer here in our house. After retiring & gaining the knowledge in all these fields has satisfied both of us a lot. We have Grand Children. Everybody has gained the degree and is working and leading their life happily. My darling Grand Children are very affectionate, Obedient, Sincere and Smart. We are the proud Grand Parents.

My husband was finding very difficult to walk. Due to his old age he started getting tired very soon.

Translated by daughter

Akhil Govind

Original manuscript in Malayalam by,

MRS. ANNAM KRISHNAN

A M M A'S   B R E A K   F A S T   W I T H  O A T S  N O O D L E S & B A N A N A

30.9.2020:   S M A L L   S T O R I E S  O F   M Y   A M M A:

Amma Writing small clips of the story when we were living in Subash Nagar 8 Nº Building: 22nd September 2020

                                                       

"S U B H A S H  N A G A R...8º BUILDING"

8º Purohit family ki 4 children. Mangala, Ragavendra, Yogendra, Jaylaxmi. Avan Orthodox Man. Premier Automobiles lai work pannikindirundan. Shift working man. Harmonium vachikindu leave nalakki " Anna Vastradhani " repeat panni paadikindiruppan. Wife nizalai paathu fear aayittu sheriya avalukku samadhanapedutharathukku venda treat kudukadakki jaasti aachi. Starting lai enkitte vandu palappozum bhayamayirukku cholluval. Naan kudai poyittu lightai pottu "kala aadmi" aarum illai cholli konjam neram ukkandiruppen. Nammathilai vandu ukkandukko konjam naazi cholluven. Husband ku mantrawadiya kuppittu baadhai ozippichaal maarum ennu vishwasam. Japichu japichu puja pannarom cholli adippal. Paavam anda treatil jaasti aayi End aayiduthu. Second oru kalyanam pannikindu 2 kuttigal. Simple living people kum ennallam thonaradu. Inge (Koparkhairne) namma 1st floor lai "Gogote" wife kum ekdesham idu maadiri tudangithu. Starting leye manassilakiyindu nalla Dr. kitte kaati treat panni etra azaga iruppal. Ippo saukyama santoshama irukkal. Andha vishwasam ellatheyum kedu varutharadu. 

S E C O N D   S M A L L   S T O R Y:- 30th september 2020

                                 

                                         

Naan, Appa, Ajay (Chinna Kuzandai), 3 peruma aadyam Bombay ki varathai namma appa romba azaga paathu kettu kuteendu vandaal. Aadyam Appavodu family Chembur Sindhi Society lai irunda. Ange nere poyi fresh up aayi , chappittitu pudiya veetukku vandom. Romba nanna irundudu. Amma naatumporathukari allava. Namma appa romba snehama cooperative panni molla oro saamanam vangi tandaal. Low income group thaane irundaal. Konjam naalakki appavodu grand mother kudai vandirundaal. Idakki idakki ellarum anweshikka varuvaal. Appavodu ammavum varuval. Appaku shift duty aanadinaal appa, periyavalum cholli tandaal romba jaagradaya irukanam. Aaravdu vandaal paathu venam kadavai turakarathukku ennu. Ippo expert aayachi life lai. Ennathukku ezudinen na anda sweet snehathukku Gold Value. Namma Appa Strong Gentlemanaa irundal. Enga appavum (Chinnappa) idakki idakki letter ezuduvar. Anda samayathil samanangalkum velai romba kuravu. Paathu thaan spend pannuvom.

A J A Y    S M A L L   B A B Y   W H E N   C A M E  T O  B'BAY

 

 T H I R D  S M A L L   S T O R Y  O F  M Y   A M M A:  5th October 2020

Short Memory:-  (Ajay sent on 6th October 2020).

A M M A'S   V I L L A G E  V A D A K A N T H A R A ,  P A L A K K A D

K O L A M  ( R A N G O L I)

A A T H A N G A R A I, (R I V E R), P A L A K K A D

A M M A'S  V I L L A G E

V A D A K A N T H A R A   G R A M A M

Kulichu varathaye kovilgalku poyi thozidittu varuva . (Vadakanthara temple)

Vadakanthara Temple. (Now Renovated)

F O U R T H : A M M A'S   C H I L D H O O D   S T O R Y   C O N T....

B A C K   S I D E  O F  T H E  V I L L A G E   W I T H   V E G E T A B L E S

F I F T H:   A M M A'S    S T O R Y  C O N T I N U E S.

S I X T H:  A M M A'S    C H I L D H O O D    M E M O R I E S

I N S I D E   T H E   V I L L A G E   H O U S E.

                                                              

                           S E V E N T H:   A M M A'S    V I L L A G E   S T O R Y     C O N T I N U E S....

                                                                             

                                                    

E I G H T H: A M M A' S     M O T H E R    C H I N N A M M A'S    N A V R A T R I

                                                                    

                                                                  

N I N T H :    A M M A'S    S T O R Y    D E S C R I B I N G   T H E   W A Y   T O    R I V E R

                                                                  

A R A S H A  M A R A M  ( P E E P A L   T R E E)

A A L A   M A R A M  (B A N Y A N   T R E E).

T E N T H:  A M M A'S   S T O R Y   C O N T..

Amma was pregnant of a daughter named Akhil. Chinnamma came to B'bay for the help & she was very much loving her grand son Ajay.

Ajay, Akhil grown up babies here.

S A M B H A R

R I C E

  

     

               

                                                  K A R U V A D A M

                                           

V A D A M

E L E V E N T H:   A M M A 'S    S T O R Y    O N   C H I N N A M M A'S   H E A L T H

T W E L T H:    A P P A'S   V I L L A G E   L I F E   I N   A M M A'S   W O R D S.

21.10.2020

Vadakkencherry Grama Brahmana Samooham

1st

2 nd.

3 rd

4 th

5 th.

Amma's Birthday celebrated thru Skype by Ajay, Kala, Binu, Ravi, Akhil & Govind. On the occassion she wrote a small letter addressing Govind & children beautifully on 25th May 2021. Please go thru below:

                                                           

Amma wrote to Ravishu for his Birthday 28.5.2021

Amma's Story about her aunt in her own words: 27.5.2021

                                   

                          

AMMA'S HAND WRITTEN STORY ON "MADHAVAN"  send to me on 5th June 2021

                                                     

                                                        

Amma's Photo taken on Appa's 7th Death Anniversary: 16th June 2021:

                                                       

Confident, bold & an understanding mother:

20th of June 2021 in India Celebrated "Fathers Day": At home they celebrated peacefully:
Some clips are attached here: Ajay cutting the cake:

                                                  

Amma watching:

                                                             

Amma wrote her some old memory story on 22nd June 2021:

Hello Akhil, Govind:

My another old memory same time; We are staying Palghat

District. Same village my childhood time. We are staying in

village cottage, very old. Narrow road. Nearby two three temple.

No tap water. Every house inside well; cattle managing space

also. No gas, no electric light. Kerosene lamp. 

                                                         

5.7.2021. Some memories of Chinnappa & Periamma with amma & family: Shared by Geeta

Jayshree Manni with Hema, Amma & Periamma.

                                          

Amma, Periamma with Jayraj anna & Sekar.

Periamma & Periappa.

Periamma, Periappa with their children.

Back Left: Sreeram, Periappa, Sekar & Jairaj

Front Left: Geeta, Periamma & Vijaya Akka.

Chinnappa with Anand in his Lap.

Chinnappa with a grand look of teacher

Umapathy Mama Performing some puja. Chinnappa sitting left side. Vijaya Akka standing near mama

Periamma, Periappa's sons, daughters, daughter in laws, son in laws, grand children

Sons & Daaughter in laws of Periamma, Periappa.

Periamma and Periappa with their little grand children 

Periamma with her daughters & daughter in laws.

Govind's trip to India when baby binu was born.

Amma, Appa, Ajay, Kala with baby bina

Old is Gold

Amma with her sister's sons and Ajay

Amma's Birthday 23rd May 2021

Amma having her cake 23rd May 2021 

On her birthday 23rd May 2021

2020 Birthday of Amma, cutting cake

Jay Raquel's Wedding anniversary wishes from amma on 2nd October 2021

Amma's Photo of 13th October 2021 ...Memories.

DIWALI CAKE CUTTING 4.11.2021

KARTHIKAI DEEPAM 19.11.2021 PHOTOS: 

                                                                     

                                                                               

14TH JANUARY 2022 AFTER COVID CURE.

Amma written wishing Ravi for a happy journey
18.01.2022

SOME OF AMMA'S IMPORTANT QUOTES & MEMORABLE  LETTERS

SUBASH NAGAR 8 Nº BUILDING 25.1.2022 
SATYANARAYANA POOJA

CHEF KUNAL KAPOOR'S RECIPE SEND BY
AMMA

13th March 2022 Geeta's daughter in law's Seemantham Photos.

My Amma, my inspiration 15th 2022

This above photo is of 14th March 2022

The Video is Periamma's Birthday taken on 9th April 2022 by Ajay/Kala in a senior citizen centre.

Amma's Birthday celebrated on 9th June 2022 according to IST time at 12.00 A.M
Here it was 19.30 P.M & in US it was morning time.

31st July 2022 Photo. Amma was taken to MGM for 2D Echo. BP fluctuates. Photo taken on the same day.

Manni's latest photo send on 11.8.2022

weighing 59 kg

Amma hospitalised for BP fluctuations 2  days before we spoke. Spoke with us on 16.8.2022

A letter from Amma on 23rd august 2022 after the recovery and coming back home in her own hand writing to her children and grand children. 

Ajay on 31st August 2022 for Ganesh Chathurthi festival

SHOBHA, AMMA'S FMLY FRIEND VISIT ON 31ST AUGUST 2022 FOR GANESH CHATHURTHI, WITH HER GRAND SON. AMMA HOLDING THE BABY BOY

30th August 2022 visited Periamma by Kala Lakshmi & Ajay. Periamma eating suji ka halwa made by Lakshmi

5th October 2022 before going to the Mumbai airport
Travelled amma and manni to chennai

'Down'👇 Amma with Anand Abhita's children Hermb Haridhraa with Anna sent by Vijaya akka from chennai when amma was there on 9th October 2022

AMMA WITH UMAPATHY MAMA IN CHENNAI 
SEND BY VIJAYA AKKA ON 28TH & 29TH OCTOBER 2022👇

AMMA, VIJAYA AKKA, UMAPATHY MAMA WITH Abhita & her mother & children. "25.10.2022"

SEKAR Visited Chennai on 2nd November 2022 at Vijaya akka's place.
Visited sekar's daughter Preeti and children as well to
see Amma along with sekar to-day.👇

AMMA'S BREAKFAST IN CHENNAI 2022 NOVEMBER

AMMA WITH FAMILY MEMBERS IN CHENNAI NOVEMBER 21. 2022 WITH A VIDEO CLIP

Amma with Guruvayurappan Mama, Kalavati chithi & her husband

VIJAYA AKKA DID KARTHIKAI PUJA ON 6TH DICEMBER 2022 

Amma in the Hospital in chennai 19.12.2022 👇👇

From Chennai Hospital 22.12.2022👇👇

Kala, Ajay & Umapathy Mama visited Lalita in chennai on 29th december 2022👇👇

Amma returned home in chennai from Madha Hospital on 6.1.2023👇👇

Amma's Hospital Report according to cardiologist👇👇

AMMA'S 2ND DAY IN BALAJI HEALTH CARE CENTRE 12.1.2023👇👇👇

Amma's video in Balaji Healthcare centre taken on 14th Jan 2023 👇👇

Amma in Balaji Health care centre. Taken on 18th february 2023

Amma's dina charya in Balaji Health Care Centre

                                                                               25.7.2023

                                                 10.8.2023

                                                                 

29.8.2023

Amma on Raksha Bandhan Day in BALAJI HEALTH CARE CENTRE
30.8.2023

                                                                                  

AJAY & PRIYA ON ONAM DAY 29TH AUGUST 2023

12.11.2023 Amma with Vrushali.

Amma talking with SARAS on 27th November 2023
Periamma's 13th day after her death. So arranged
in Balaji a lunch on behalf of Saras.

2nd December 2023 Amma in Balaji Health Care Centre

Amma 7th December 2023 in Balaji Health Care Centre with one of the service provider

  

Amma in Balaji Health Care Centre of 17.12.2023

Amma wrote about her old memories of Periappa, Periamma & Saras

Old age lady's memories 17.12.2023

Amma having lunch in Balaji Health Care on 1st January 2024

Amma coming with a walking stick & with the helper at the Balaji Health Care Centre
on 6th January 2024

ORAL WRITING BY AMMA:
AMMA'S STORY IN BALAJI HEALTH CARE WRITTEN BY HER 9.1.2024

2 Photographs of Amma, Geeta & Kala manni photo taken on 22nd January 2024

Amma with Vrushali in Balaji Health Care Centre on 26th Jan Republic Day 2024

        Also arranged some Musical Programme in BHC Centre

26.1.2024 Republic Day Breakfast of Amma in B H C Centre.👇

Kala Manni visited Balaji Health Care Centre on 4th February 2024. Did a video call with us

14.2.2024 Amma eating Millets with Roti in Balaji Health Care Centre send by Vrushali

13th March 2024 Amma having Pao-Bhaji in Balaji Health Care Centre

17.3.2024 Manni & Ajay visited Amma in Balaji Health Care Centre

HOLI DAY SPECIAL 25th March 2024 Amma's Breakfast

                                    Medu vada & Chutney👇

Amma send a Small Note of her Old Age Stay in Balaji on 31st March 2024 thru Vrushali. 👇👇👇

Manni's visit to Balaji on sunday 31st March 2024👇👇

16th April 2024 amma plucked Mullapu from the compound of Balaji centre 👇

                                                                               

15th April 2024 Ajay Kala Priya and her mother visited Balaji centre 👇

1st May 2024 Ajay Manni visited Amma 👇

12th May 2024 Mothers Day India. Balaji Health Centre Programme of Amma

97 Year Old Lady Playing Lagori in Balaji Health Care Centre on 19.5.2024 👇

Here 👇Kala was having high fever

SOME QUOTES SEND BY AMMA ON 26TH JULY 2024 👇

  

15th August 2024 Amma's Flag Hoisting in Balaji Health Care

Amma's Performance in Balaji centre of not getting in musical chair competition, amma has to dance.  send by Vrushali on 30th August 2024 👇

Amma Manni in Balaji centre 8th september 2024👇👇

Amma in Balaji Centre 15th September 2024. Onam.👇👇

Amma with Uma Manni, Ramani Anna and Kala manni on 21st sept 2024👇👇👇

Amma's Stick send on 23rd September 2024👇👇👇

                                           

             

 

                                                          

                                                                            

Rang Rasiya by Ketan Mehta.

Watched the movie "Rang Rasiya" depicted on the famouse painter "Raja Ravi Varma" from Travancore. He is considered among the greatest painters in the history of Indian Art. Once
Ravi Varma saw the beautiful lady Sugandha Bai in a temple worshipping hindu Goddess felt inspired by her beauty. Varma often painted charecters from Indian mythology, literature and religious texts - shakkuntala, urvashi, draupadi, Maneka among others. Varma saw in Sugandha the face and soul of a goddess . For him she is passionate, possessive and hungry for love.

A masterpiece by any reckoning, "Rang Rasiya" has a dazzling display of colour, desire, erotica, drama and emotions. Among the many ideas that emerge from Ketan Mehta's exploration of religion, art, sex and the male ego is the one suggesting that Dada Saheb Phalke's dream of making a film was funded by "Raja Ravi Varma". Thanks to Varma for the birth of Indian Cinema and thanks to Ketan Mehta who lives to tell the tale. If you love art and cinema, and cinema as art, then don't miss this one.

I Knew Sunanda. But I Can't Say If She Killed Herself by SUHEL SETH.

(Suhel Seth is Managing Partner of Counselage: India's only strategic brand advisory.)
With due apologies to Shakespeare, there is obviously something rotten in the state of India. 

We have invented the art of public trials with allegations which are hurtful and insensitive and made a mockery out of every institution that is supposed to be righteous and moral.

When Sunanda Tharoor was declared dead on the night of January 17, 2014, even she wouldn't have imagined how her death would spark indignation and rage, conjecture and mystique, but rarely empathy and grief. The fact that the investigations into her death were more of a public spectacle rather than getting down to the truth is what saddens me. 

Let me make full disclosure: Sunanda was a very dear friend of mine and I knew her long before either she met Shashi Tharoor or before I knew Shashi. I became a friend of Shashi's because I knew Sunanda. Did I know Sunanda so well that I could jump to conclusions about her vivacity or her joi-de-vivre? I guess not. And no one does. I am amazed at the utterances of her so-called 'friends' who are near certain that she could have never taken her own life. I, for one, will not jump to such conclusions. 

All three possibilities are up in the air. She could have knowingly taken her own life; she could have accidentally overdosed on whatever she is supposed to have been taking; or someone could have killed her. 

The fact that on the afternoon of January 6, 2015, almost a year after Sunanda's passing on, the Delhi Police Commissioner, a fine cop at that, says in a press statement that hers was an unnatural death should suffice. The Commissioner went on to add that samples would be sent abroad perhaps for better results and I guess neutrality is something we should consider responsibly. But then what erupted on social media and then in the evening on national television is distressing. Many on both platforms were vultures and nothing less. People forgot that in the wake of her death she left behind a crestfallen husband, an orphaned son and a family immersed in grief. 

But then do we care about all of this? We don't. Because we have become a nation that lives in the moment. We live to make other people fall. The alacrity with which Shashi Tharoor was condemned was initially amusing but later very anguishing; add to that the grand-standing by the two national political parties  and this whole trial-by-media comes across as sordid and pernicious.

We cannot hope to be a civilized society if such is the brand of our behaviour. We cannot hope for the rule of law to prevail if television anchors become cops and judge every evening. We cannot hope for fairness in justice if investigations take so long that they lose both steam and credibility and this is what happened with Sunanda's death.

It is not my place to conjecture how she died. That is for the police and the courts to rule. But it is my place to sound an alarm at our societal norms. We did that more recently in the Aarushi Talwar murder case and we are doing it now. We are slowly morphing into a country that operates on intolerance coupled with unbridled rage, both of which have no grounds to exist in a society that wants to progress on the back of dignity and equality. Something will give way.

In many ways, just as when she lived, in her death, Sunanda Tharoor is teaching us one vital lesson. Being human is far more important than being judgmental. And I wish for her sake and for the sake of this fine country, we learn the lesson and learn it well.

Sometimes the dead teach us how to live. And I hope we learn this lesson with equanimity and humility.

The Naked Ape by DESMOND MORRIS.

Naked Ape was published in 1967. The book has shocked many people. It became a controversy. Every word desmond wrote became the subject of heated debate. In some parts Naked Ape book was banned, confiscated & burned by the church.

Desmond Morris reminds us that man is relative to apes. He highlights some surprising facts
that are raising quite a few eyebrows in the scientific and non-scientific world.

• Homo sapiens not only has the biggest brain of all primates but also the largest penis, and is "the sexiest primate alive"
• our fleshy ear-lobes, unique to humans, are erogenous zones (any area of the body especially sensitive to sexual stimulation) that have been known to provoke orgasm in both males and females,
• the more rounded shape of human breasts means they are primarily a sexual signalling device rather than simply a milk machine

He sheds new light on our own behaviour and society, describing our ways of " feeding, sleeping, fighting, mating and rearing young".

Morris explains each male, as the head of a family, became involved in defending his own individual home base inside the general colony base. So for us there are three forms of aggression, instead of the usual one or two says morris in his book in the chapter of "Fighting" ' page 101'. 

How does the aggression work? What are the patterns of behaviour  involved? How do we intimidate one another? We must look again at the other animals. When a mammal becomes aggressively aroused a number of basic physiological changes occur within its body. The whole machine has to gear itself up for action, by means of the autonomic nervous system. This system consists of two opposing and counter-balancing sub-systems - the sympathetic and the parasympathetic. The former is the one that is concerned with preparing the body for violent activity. The latter has the task of preserving and restoring bodily reserves. The former says, ' You are stripped for action, get moving'; 'Take it easy, relax and conserve your strength.' Under normal circumstances the body listens to both these voices and maintains a happy balance between them, but when strong aggression is aroused it listens only to the sympathetic system. When this is activated, adrenalin pours into the blood and the whole circulatory system is profoundly affected. The heart beats faster and blood is transferred from the skin and viscera to the muscles and brain. There is an increase in the blood pressure. The rate of production of red blood corpuscles is rapidly stepped up. There is a reduction of time taken for blood to coagulate. In addition there is a cessation in the processes of digesting and storing food. Salivation is restrained. Movements of the stomach, the secretion of gastric juices, and the peristaltic movements of the intestines are all inhibited. Also, the rectum and bladder do not empty as esily as under normal conditons. Stored carbohydrate is rushed out of the liver and floods the blood with sugar. There is a massive increase in respiratory activity. Breathing becomes quicker and deeper. The temperature regulating mechanisms are activated. The hair stands on end and there is profuse sweating. All these changes assist in preparing the animal for battle.  

Ritual slaughters thousands of animals

Death and the goddess: The world's biggest ritual slaughter

Kathmandu, Nepal (CNN) -- Motilal Kushwaha had promised the Hindu goddess Gadhimai that he would offer her a male goat if one of his children found a job.

Last year his son was successful -- and on Saturday he was one of tens of thousands of people killing the animals at the temple of Gadhimai in southern Nepal as part of the biggest religious mass slaughter in the world.

Ritual slaughters thousands of animals

"From my village everyone has made a vow [to offer animals]," says Kushwaha from Bariyarpur, a community in Bara district about 60 miles south of Kathmandu. Some, he explains, are glad they have got a son or a daughter, others that a different form of good fortune has befallen them.

The ritual sacrifice of goats, buffaloes and roosters in temples and at home is widespread in Nepal where 80 percent of the population are Hindu.

Some five million people from adjoining districts -- and also from the bordering Indian states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh -- will attend the festival, according to local authorities, although only two days are dedicated to the sacrificial ritual itself.

The slaughter follows a set pattern: on Friday male water buffalo calves are killed while on Saturday attentions switches to goats.

Officials estimate that up to 10,000 buffalo calves and 150,000 goats will be offered to Gadhimai -- the goddess of power -- during the ritual. Watch a CNNi report on the ritual

But these numbers will be much lower than those of 2009, the last time the five-yearly Gadhimai festival took place, thanks to advocacy efforts by animal rights activists. In that year nearly 20,000 buffalo calves were killed, according to temple officials and more than 200,000 goats were slaughtered.

"We object to the cruelty with which animals are treated," says Pramada Shah of Animal Welfare Network Nepal. "There is random hacking of animals in open space. Not all animals have their heads chopped off. Some take up to 40 minutes to die."

The participants -- who hack the animals in an enclosed arena with large knives -- are licensed by the Gadhimai Festival Management and Development Committee. This year about 400 people will kill animals, according to Kushwaha, who is also the committee's secretary.

The animals not only suffer while they are being killed: they are also transported over long distances on foot. "By the time they get to the festival venue they are half dead," says Shah. "They are kept two or three days without food after they are brought here."

Activists have gone to the courts in Nepal and India to halt the sacrifices. Last month Nepal's Supreme Court did not stop the animal sacrifices but ruled that existing laws have to be followed.

"If the existing laws are implemented there would be no ritual sacrifices," says Shambhu Thapa, the lawyer who filed the case, explaining that only animals killed in a slaughterhouse are fit to be eaten. (The meat of the sacrificed animal is usually eaten, or given away to meat-eaters for their consumption.)

Courts in India also directed the Indian government not to control the unnecessary export of animals to Nepal. The Indian authorities, for their part, had directed security agencies and state governments to check the flow of livestock to the neighboring country. In a letter to the Uttar Pradesh government seen by CNN, India's Home Ministry estimated in September as many as 90,000 buffaloes would be "illegally" transported to Nepal for the festival.

But animals continue to flow into Nepal through the porous and open border. "The border cannot be controlled and corruption is endemic," says Shah.

Nepalese authorities are also reluctant to stop the ritual sacrifice. "We cannot do this," explains chief district officer Dulal. "We cannot speak against it. This is something to do with culture."

Kushwaha adds: "If we tell the people to stop the sacrifices, they will come to kill us. This is something related to people's religion and faith." Hindu religion does not support the ritual sacrifice of animals, says Shah. "We consulted religious priests on the matter," she says.

Activists in Gadhimai, meanwhile, are confident that there will be changes in people's attitudes.

Uttimlal Chaurasiya, from Bariyarpur, claims that some 40 percent of the women in the village have said that they will not sacrifice animals. Three years ago he started a campaign showing videos of cruelty to animals at the festival to villagers. While awareness is being raised at a local level, he believes binding laws are still needed to stop the sacrifices.

"All living creatures are equal in the eyes of god," he says. "Instead of animals we can offer gourds, pumpkins, coconuts and sweets to the goddess."

The festival management committee cannot stop the animal sacrifices, but if the government asks the committee can discuss the issue, says Kushwaha.

Shah and other activists had been working with the government since the last festival in 2009 to stop the sacrifices but although there was some progress, a government decision was not reached.

Meanwhile, on Friday morning tens of thousands of people gathered around the temple in Bara district, southern Nepal, waiting for the sacrificial ritual to begin. "People seem to be in a merry mood and look like they have been waiting for this moment for ages," says Niraj Gautam, an animal welfare activist, from Bariyarpur. "But it is a sad day for us."

He estimates 6,000 to 8,000 water buffaloes will be randomly hacked, not necessarily by having their heads chopped off.

"Any part of the body can be cut," he says. "Last time round we saw buffalo walking with their head hanging."

Myths made reality, bizarre claims made for ancient India's achievements

India conducted a nuclear test centuries ago; cow urine can cure diabetes and ancient India was adept at genetics and plastic surgery. These and more such incredible achievements datelined ancient India have come from votaries of Hindu culture.

If people with scientific temper are reaching boiling point, in the absence of technology to go back in time to ancient India for verification trips, little noise is being heard from their quarters.

Here is a sample of what is being claimed as 'Indian science'.

Nuking reason

File photo of Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. (AFP Photo)

The world acknowledges India has conducted two sets nuclear tests: in 1974 and 1998. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, BJP MP from Haridwar and former Uttarakhand chief minister, disagrees. "Today we are talking about nuclear tests. Lakhs of years ago, Sage Kanad had conducted a nuclear test. Our knowledge and science do not lack anything," Nishank told Parliament. Nishank also batted for astrology, saying it is the topmost science in the world. He said our ancient astrologers dwarfed all other sciences.

Cow urine therapy

Promoting cow urine is a priority for the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), seen as the BJP's spiritual and ideological guide. It was reported in May that Madhya Pradesh-based promoters of medicines produced using cow urine or 'gau-mutra' hope that a BJP government at the Centre will help their business.

The RSS is keen on promoting a soft drink made from cow's urine, mixed with products such as aloe vera and gooseberry to fight diseases. "Cow urine offers a cure for around 70 to 80 incurable diseases like diabetes. All are curable by cow urine," said Om Prakash, head of the RSS's cow protection department, in 2009.

Faith in astrology

File photo of Smriti Irani. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo)

Union HRD Minister Smriti Irani will one day be the country's president: that prediction came from the BJP politician's astrologer in Bhilwara, Rajasthan. "She will become president... in five years," the astrologer told reporters last month after Irani's visit. Irani was asked about her faith in astrology when she is in charge of education. "What I am doing in my personal life is not the responsibility of media to report until and unless it affects my duties," she replied.

Karna a product of genetic engineering

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, speaking at the inauguration of a hospital in Mumbai in October, equated birth of Mahabharata's Karna to genetic engineering. He said, "We can feel proud of what our country achieved in medical science at one point of time. We all read about Karna in Mahabharata. If we think a little more, we realise that Mahabharata says Karna was not born from his mother's womb. This means that genetic science was present at that time. That is why Karna could be born outside his mother's womb."

Ganesha plastic surgery

At the same event, Modi also said, "We worship Lord Ganesha. There must have been some plastic surgeon at that time who got an elephant's head on the body of a human being and began the practice of plastic surgery."

Dinanath Batra claims stem cell research invented by an Indian

In his book Tejomay Bharat, Dinanath Batra, convenor of Shiksha Bachao Andolan Samiti, claimed stem cell research was invented by an Indian, Dr Ganpat Matapurkar, who was inspired by the Mahabharata.

Sanal Edamaruku, president of Indian Rationalist Association, said people need to differentiate between "myth and reality. "Myths are there in all parts of the world and in all cultures; if we can't differentiate myth and reality, something is seriously wrong," said Edamaruku in an e-mail from Helsinki.

Article 51A of the Constitution says Indian citizens have the duty to 'develop the scientific temper, humanism and the spirit of inquiry and reform'. It's an article that our elected representatives must remember--they are sworn to uphold the Constitution.     

File photo of Dinanath Batra. (LiveMint Photo)