June 25, 2008

Flowers








The pictures above are from the Y Town. The flowers look very beautiful.
What do you call this flower ?

The trap



This is the bus-stop at Vellayambalam (towards EastFort). There's a big tree right in the middle of the foot path, providing a comfortable waiting.




p



The second picture : As you come closer to the stop (tree), and immediately next to the tree, ther's a trap. A slab is removed and a deep hole receives you.
The third picture shows the trap !

June 20, 2008

Blooming.. all seasons

The summer is gone, and the rains have come.



So, Kanikonna days are over. But Teak is here.
Here is a full blooming Teak ! A scene from Y town.




How's that ??
 

Bus-stop OR Dead-stop !




See, how's the bus-stop at Vellayambalam (Trivandrum).
The trap is really tricky..  And the tree helps that... You won't see it till you are in it ..
It could be a dead-stop !   Be careful .
Hozzat !!

June 18, 2008

Success and Failure

Failure and Success – two sides of the same coin. Is there anyone out there who hasn’t had any failure. Certainly not. Everyone must have had failures !
Everyone talks of success. Only a few talk about failures.
I happened to see a few motivational posters on this subject. They are highly meaningful and motivating. I suggest everyone understand it… and tell others. Failure is NOT the end of the road !  My students would remember that I a keep telling them :

Failure means there’s something better awaiting you.



June 17, 2008

Roads in Y Town






Roads in Trivandrum City are getting better ?  However, roads in its Y town is getting worse.
Please see the canals running through a road in the Y town !

June 11, 2008

The repair - part I

The repair.
We all, usually, don’t think about the complexity of our own body and mind. But we become very aware and concerned, when a problem occurs, however minor it may be. Problems may occur anytime to one’s body or mind. And the problems may be due to internal or external factors.
There’s a saying in Malayalam : “When you have your vision (when you are able to see) , you don’t recognize (or are aware of ) the existence of your eyes”. That’s very true, not only regarding the eyes, but for every part and function of our body and mind. When there’s something wrong with some part of your system, then you feel about it, and worry about it.
When something is wrong with any of your gadgets, what do you do ? You take it to a service centre for repair. That’s what exactly we all do. When some part of our body (or mind) is not functioning right, we take ourselves (or by someone) to a service centre, the hospital.
That’s what exactly happened to me a few weeks back. I had some physical problem, which got developed over a period of time (may be months). My consultant doctor advised me to go to a surgeon, for repairs.
Since I am covered under a Health care scheme ( Thanks to my previous employer, the President of India), I had approached an approved hospital in the city ( Oh Lord ). The surgeon (M), in that hospital, even without an examination, recommended a surgery. Though not an emergency, the surgery must be done at the earliest, to cure the problem. No other technique can resolve it. The surgeon, even before any examination, started :
“Your medical scheme doesnot cover all our charges. So, you have to pay me an extra Rs. 20,000/-, by cash in advance. And I will not give you any receipt for this advance payment. “ I was shocked to hear this. Even before examining a patient, he dictates money ! I said I’ll talk to the Medical Officer who directed me here. Subsequently, the surgeon had a very quick and brief examination, and confirmed the need for surgery.
On reporting the matter to my consultant doctor, on his suggestion, I approached another hospital (J). Here, I was told that the surgeon (AL) is well experienced, but his surgical methods are conventional.
There at this hospital, the surgeon, (without any money matters or payment), examined me and carried out all preliminary investigations. He then asked me to choose my own timing (date) for the operation. When I asked him about the payment, he said : “You need the treatment. You are covered in the medical scheme. The scheme will take care of payments. If at all we charge you anything extra, it will be a very small amount.”. I was impressed. The doctor gave importance to the patient, his illness, and its treatment. Money was the last item to be talked about.
I chose 24 May 2008 for the event (switching over my live !!). So, I was admitted in the evening on 23 May (in Room No. 238, Second floor). The staff (nursing and other support services) made necessary preparations on me, on that day evening. A needle and its valve were planted on my arm, for all necessary medications during the treatment. Oh God, the fitting of this needle was a painful affair. Not that it was something unusual, the staff nurse who attempted the planting was probably inexperienced. She attempted thrice to insert the needle.. only to make an injury and pain. Finally (for the fourth attempt), a senior nurse came in, and did it without any difficulty or pain for me.
Later in the evening, I was directed to visit the Anesthetist (S) for his examination. He, on examination, declared my fitness for the operation. Everything was Ok. However, I was tensed ( though I’ve been telling myself not to ). Thank God.

On 24 May (Thursday), early morning, further preparations, like washing off the stomach, and other monitorings, were in place. A bottle of ‘drips’ was on, and I continued to be mentally stressed. However, I was careful not to show off my tension. I hope I was successful.
At 1040 AM, a stretcher, pulled by an attendant, came to my room. I was put on the stretcher, and the person pulled (or pushed) the stretcher on its way to the operation theatre. The travel was irritating. Lying with a green cloth covered (only face seen out) and looking to the ceiling, the noisy trolley and “kilu-kilu” chat of the attendant and nurses following me …. Through the corridor, one floor down through the lift, and again the corridor, all the way to the operation theatre. Enroute, I could see many people, bystanders and visitors of other patients, looking at me. That was an irritating journey.
I was (the trolley) pushed inside the operation theatre (but not really the exact theatre), through a door marked “Operation Theatre”. I could see my relatives too looking at me, while being pushed in. The trolley was parked in a corridor. Another trolley from inside the theatre came in…. with all its clang noise. I was physically pushed, by the attendants, on to the new trolley (stretcher). A theatre assistant (wearing green dress) came close to me. He looked at me, smiled, and went away. The other trolley (in which I came ) and its accompaniments was about to leave. Two nurses (one nurse and a trainee nurse, I believe) came to me, smled and asked “Uncle, we are going back to the ward.” I said “OK, fine”. The trainee nurse ( a girl from Valiathura, holding my right arm said. “Uncle, if you open your eyes by the time we go, we shall meet” { my translation of what exactly she said in Malayalam may not be precise. ...however !). They, with the trolley went out, leaving a trail of clangs and the kilu-kilu chat, through the narrow corridor. Lying on the new trolley/stretcher, that too in the narrow corridor, I could not see much around me. Only the side walls and the ceiling only. I could hear the chat of people (nurses and assistants) around in the end of the corridor. After sometime, a young man, in his green theatre dress, came to me. ( I met him last day eveving, while the Anethetist examined me). Smiling, he asked me : “How are you ?”. “Fine” I said.
“Are you afraid ?”, he asked me again. “No.. “ I replied. He pulled a metal stand from somewhere near and started (hanging) fitting a bottle with a tube, syringe and its fittings. I already had an attachment on my left arm, for injections and liquid drips. I could see the drops of that liquid (‘drip’) falling into the tubes.. its on its way to my veins.
By this time, I was lying almost dead-like. However, my mind was roaming allover (There are no roaming charges for your mind-roaming ! ).
After a few minutes, some doctor ( I believe Dr. S) came, and standing at my head end , he made my BP check. He ended it with a “OK”. That was an instruction to the assistants. They (2 or 3 persons) pulled my trolley through the sloping (down) long corridor, to the theatre at its end. The trolley was pushed in to the “cold” theatre. The trolley hit the door many times. Then the trolley was placed beside another trolley (the operation table). Once again, I, with my attachments, was pushed onto the trolley (of the table). The other one was pushed out, making much noise.
On he table, I made a survey of what I could see. The room was very chill. Theatre lights, many equipments (??) on the left and right ,… and clock on the right side wall. If I turn my head alittle to the right, I could see the clock. Yeah.. atleast I could know the time.. Its 11 45 Hrs now !
Three theatre assistants – they were chatting loudly on their personal matters, and no consideration of the human being lying in front of them – started preparations on me. One asked me to lie by my side. He started applying some cream (very cold !) on all over my back. He asked me to fold my arms, keeping on my head, and folded my legs butting on to the abdomen. Two of them helped me take this posture. Suddenly, it clicked to me that it’s the baby’s posture in his mother’s womb ! I know its time for my next live ( a sort of rebirth ! ). They are about to inject on my spine. That’s how they are doing “Anesthesia” for me. Someone, behind me, (I think it was Dr.S) started massaging on by back (behind the abdomen). It was chilling and freezing.. Two of the assistants held me very firm and tight in that posture, my face touching the knees. I could feel a thin pain ( or no pain ! ) , when the needle went through. It didn’t make any discomfort. Immediately, they straightened me, pushed me to lie flat, kept my legs spread out, and my hands on to the supports, and strapped down. It was a very fast action.. I knew, I’m going to lose all my sensations on my lower half. Half dead ! Dead down my chest !!
I tried to move my legs.. No 1 …Do I have legs now ? … No.. I tried to move my fingers on the legs.. No..No.. I tried to lift my waist.. No..I made sure for myself, I am half dead, half down. Both my arms were strapped on to the arm-rests on the table. Dr.S mounted a BP apparatus, and some other clips (?) on to my fingers / arms. I could not raise my head to look at those. However, I could see the clock. Its 11 55+ now. I could Dr.S put a mask on my face (just above my nose). It was more cold in the mask. He then put a green cloth on my face (above the mask). Now, I have only a small opening to see through.. rest all covered.
I knew they removed all the cloths I had on my body earlier. I must be naked now !
Through the slit I could see the theatre lights (not on now ) up and some part (hands of the people near me. It must be 1200 now !
Suddenly, I heard a the door opening, and a familiar voice coming in. It was Dr. AL, the surgeon.

To continue…



Many lives in life

How many lives a man lives in his life ?
What a question, isn’t it ? But that’s the question.
The Chinese say that there are 9 lives for a cat. How many for a man ? I don’t know.
I am not talking about the virtual “Second life”, or anything like that.
But I know that we all human beings live many lives in our biological life. Moreover, I now know that I am living my fourth.

My first live (starting with my biological life) started in December 1950. That’s when I was born.
I got into my second live in 1987, when my biological life was paused for a moment, and was born again into my second live. And the third happened during 1990, but that was a planned switchover of live. That was at a hospital in this City.
A few weeks ago, on 24 May 2008 precisely, I had to cross over to my fourth live. This too happened in a local hospital, ofcourse a planned one again.
Thank God, I am sailing my fourth live now. I believe, I have three more lives to live in my life. Does that make any sense to you ? I hope Yes. If not, I shall explain that later, if you desire so.

What's a Hospital ?

What’s a hospital ?






A place for birth.
A place for maintenance.
A place for repairs.
A place for death.
 

Is that all ??  But its a place no one wish to go !!

Right to know

Even in this age of ‘Right to know’, I wonder, why the doctors are reluctant (not inclined to atall ) to give necessary information and convince their patients. The attitude taken by most of the doctors, I have experienced with, is something I can’t digest. They feel ( and express ) that you as a patient, sitting in front of him, is a piece of junk ! some idiot !! They look at you, and say, that “I am the best doctor you can find out. I am doing the right and the best thing possible in this world. Don’t ask me such silly and stupid questions”.
But how do I know that I am getting the right treatment ? NO WAY !!

The culture of a “second opinion from a doctor” just doesn’t exist here. If I tell you a doctor that I have come to you for a second opinion, then that’s the end of it.
The net result is that, if you are sick, throw yourself to the ego of the doctor you happened to consult. Be happy with what you get, and nothing more. And believe that it’s the best, what you get. Pray God and be happy. Don’t dare to ask the doctor, whether you are at the right place, or whether the diagnosis is right .
With all these, you are compelled to take an uninformed and blind decision. May God bless all of us.

About a second opinion !
Some time ago, a relative of mine was under treatment (by a Nephrologist) in a local hospital. As I could feel many mismatches (I am not a doctor, but I believe I have the commonsense to understand ) I decided to consult another Nephrologist (who is well known in this City) . That’s the greatest mistake I did. This doctor, who said that he is the only qualified Nephrologist in this City, abused every other doctor for wrong practices. On reviewing the medical records, he was kind enough to tell me that my patient is very serious and requires immediate hospitalization in another hospital (where he is the consultant). The patient’s father, who was also with me, was totally scared. I told him that we’ll take a third opinion.
We went to a retired, old, local doctor (He is a general physician ). On discussions (not the experience with the Nephrologist) and review of records, he said : “This patient is not suffering from any Nephrological problems. Stop all those medicines immediately. Get discharged from the hospital right now. She requires no medication now “.
We were again confused. We frankly told the doctor about our situation. He asked more about the patient. And, he said : “What I said is right. That’s the best thing you can do. Don’t allow those experts to create a non-recoverable problem for your patient. The symptoms shown are nothing to do with nephrology”.
And that’s exactly what we did. This doctor was right ! The patient was perfectly normal in three days.
Thank God.

June 10, 2008

Guruvayoor Kalyanam : Marriage at Guruvayoor

11 April, 2008. Morning . Guruvayoor temple.
Marriages take place in the heaven. Certainly. But I thought the heaven is a crowded place (with relatives, guests, friends, and all... ). But see, how this couple made their heaven !
Please see the video.
Apologies to this couple, for posting the video without their permission. If they don't like this video to be posted here, I request them to mail me so.

I made an attempt to meet the couple after the heavenly event, but I could not ( on reasons of my hurried programme).

I wish them ALL THE BEST. Dear youngeeeeees, I wish you a happy married life.


{I am sorry that the video couldnot be uploaded... My 'VSNL BroadBand' connection is not really broad, it's too narrow and is "snail band'. I shall try again.. and again.. until I succeed ! 1/9/08 }

Panicker, Panikar, PANIC

I've a friend, a very top official (he sends Rockets up.. and up !!) in ISRO. His name is "Panicker".
Panicker doesn't mean 'one who panic'. But means 'one who makes you panic' !
Panicker, I won't get your firing for this interpretation; I am sure you are not listening.
Hi..Hi...Hi...

Sorry for the loooooong gap....

Good day, dear friends...
I am sorry that I didnot post my RAMs and RATs for over a month.
I shall tell you about this looooong gap ! That's not to impress you on my lapses, But to tell you a lot of RAMs and RATs.

The Chinese say, there are nine lives for a cat. (Remember the Eveready ad, with a cat and the number 9 ! ).  We Indians believe that we all have multiple lives. (How many ? Do you know ?)
Any how, I had a change of my 'live' recently (last month ! ). I shall tell you those interesting and exciting experiences. They are, I am sure, won't be just RATs.

I had already written a few pages on all these RATs (on paper). They'll be shortly in this blog. I hope, my girl assisting me to type out my heavier tasks join back .. at the earliest.

In the meanwhile, remember, I told you about the inordinate price rises in the city ? Now that there is absolutely NO control over the price rises, I don't know how we manage our both ends meet !

The Thattukada I've referred earlier is CLOSED FOR EVER, it seems.. The are not openeing it !!

And the Rains are here. But the Rain God is not inclined to bless the Rain predictors ! the MET department !!  I pity them. Won't you ?