Kissan Krishdeepam

Episode: 522

Documentary feature on the scope of Zero Budget Farming in Kerala. Views of Sri. Subash Palekar and the success story of Sri. K.M. Khaled, a farmer practicing zero budget farming in Alappuzha District are highlighted. Preparations of Jeevamrutham, Beejamrutham etc are also showcased. 

Contact Details 
K.M. Khaled Keettodiyil Panavally Alappuzha (Mob: 9446192708) 

Episode: 525

Farming initiative by Film Star Sreenivasan in his homestead at Udayamperoor, Ernakulam. Sreenivasan shares his views on the scope of cultivating safe to eat fruits and vegetables including cool season vegetables in our homesteads. Aquaponics on fish-vegetable combination is also highlighted. 
Contact Details 
Agricultural Officer Krishibhavan, Udayamperror (Tel: 0484 2791261) 

Episode: 526

Malayalam Film Actor Sreenivasan promoting zero budget farming in rice in about 2 ha patasekharam adjacent to his home at Udayamperoor, Ernakulam. The great actor shares his views on the scope and need of cultivating paddy without the use of pesticides and even fertilizers. 

Contact Details 
Agricultural Officer Krishibhavan, Udayamperror (Tel: 0484 2791261) 

Episode: 527

Regional Agrl. Research Station, Ambalavayal, Wayanad is one of the major research stations under Kerala Agrl. University. Crops which grow well in cool climate are grown in the farm successfully. Litchy, rambuttan, avocado, cool season vegetables, pepper and ornamental plants such as rose, dahlia, gladioli etc. are grown extensively. Various activities of RARS and Krishi Vigyan Kendra functioning in the campus of research station also covered in the documentary. 

Associate Director of Research 
RARS, Ambalavayal 
Wayanad – 673593 
Ph: 04936-260421, 260777 
Email: adramb@kau.in, rarsamb@kau.in 

Episode: 528

Various value addition programmes being undertaken in RARS Ambalavayal is documented. Processing of pickles from vegetables and banana rhizome, banana pseudostem, fruit juices, jam, jelly etc. are covered in the episode. 
‘Pooppoli’ flowershow organized at RARS also documented. 

Associate Director of Research 
RARS, Ambalavayal 
Wayanad – 673593 
Ph: 04936-260421, 260777 
Email: adramb@kau.in, rarsamb@kau.in 

Episode: 530

Documentary on Safe to Eat Vegetable Production and Marketing. 
Various project components such as selection and training of farmers for producing safe to eat vegetables; sampling and pesticide residue analysis of vegetables at the pesticide testing laboratory at College of Agriculture, Vellayani; procurement of safe to eat vegetables from the select farmers associated with Pappanchani VFPCK swasraya samithy and cluster farming by Nedumangadu rural wholesale market; branding and selling of safe to eat vegetables as “Amruthu” by HORTICORP; measures to decontaminate vegetables at home etc are showcased. 

Episode: 532

Documentary of Shri.Shamsudeen who was at UAE for a period of more than 20 years and after reaching his native place at Karunagappally, Kollam started cultivation of fishes in an area of about 6 acres of pond. He is also growing papaya, mango, coconut etc. 

Shri.Shamsudeen 
Shamsia 
Puthiyakavu, K.S. Puram (P O) 
Karunagappally, Kollam 
(M) 9539869879 


Episode: 533

Documentary feature on the scope and scientific aspects of goat farming in Kerala. Dr. R. Venugopal Assnt Director, Dept of Animal Husbandry describes the salient features of goat farming. A number of successful goat farms are also oriented. 
Contact Details 
Dr. R. Venugopal Assistant Director Dept of Veterinary & Animal Husbandry (Mob: 9387830718) 

Episode: 536

A seventy year old nutmeg farmer having a 5 acre farm near Chalakkudy, Thrissur district. About 300 nutmeg trees are maintained in his plantation. Processing of nutmeg is being done, in a very scientific way and hence fetching high price in the market. Fruit plants such as mango, rambuttan, pulasan, banana, mango steen etc. are grown in his farm. He also maintaining a nursery of nutmeg grafts and budded plants. 
P. V. Jose 
Pullan House, Potta (P O) 
Chalakkudy, Thrissur 
Ph: 0480-2704842, 9447227717 

Episode: 537

A feature on International Year of Family Farming. The successful family entrepreneurship in integrated farming by the Kera Kesari & Best Organic Farmer Award winner, Biju Joseph is highlighted. Apart from cultivation of crops such as coconut, arecanut, cocoa, nutmeg, pepper and banana; other farming activities such as dairying, poultry, mushroom farming etc are also narrated. 
Contact Details 
Biju Joseph Edattukunnel Palakkayam P O , Mannarkkadu Palakkad (Mob: 9747214413) 

Episode: 540

Farm Information Bureau, is the nodal agency under department of agriculture providing various service in the field of agricultural extension to provide active support to accelerate the developmental activities of Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development. 
Various activities of FIB is explained is explained in the documentary. 

Principal Information Officer 
Farm Information Bureau 
Kowdiar (P O), Trivandrum – 695003 
www.fibkera.gov.in 
email: fibtvm@gmail.com 
Ph: 0471-2318186 
0471-2314358 
0471-2317314 

Episode: 541

A feature on natural handicrafts made from Screwpine (Thazha) and Water Hyacinth (Kulavazha). The production processes are documented on the backdrop of the various activities of Kottappuram Integrated Development Society (KIDS) Kodungallur. Importance of preserving our own Thazha products which got recognition in the GI Registry; and making use of Kulavazha which has become a menace in our water bodies for handicraft products of daily use are highlighted. 
Contact Details 
Kottappuram Integrated Development Society (KIDS) Kottappuram PO Kodungallur, Trissur (Tel: 0480 2803165; Mob: 9497276067) 

Episode: 542

Agricultural Technology Management Agency (ATMA) is a programme of Department of Agriculture to convey the new practices to the farmers. There is a mechanism to discuss the field problems in a body contain technical experts in the field of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry, Dairy Development, Fisheries etc. Monthly technological advisories are prepared based on the discussions and remedies are printed and handed over to the farmers of concerned area. Success of Trivandrum ATMA is included in this episode. 

ATMA, Project Director 
o/o Principal Agrl. Office 
Civil Station, Kudappanakunnu 
Trivandrum 
Ph: 0471-2733334 

Episode: 543

Episode: 544

Documentary featuring the procurement, processing and value addition of Jack fruit in Kerala for round the year use in our daily diet. Jack fruit is highlighted as the miracle food for futures food security. The various activities are narrated in the backdrop of NGOs like GRAMA, Jack Up Plavu Sangham, Sanghamitra, Naturala, Jack fruit 365 and the Government Agency SFAC. Preparations of some of the star dishes using frozen jack fruit are also showcased. 


Contact Details: 
Antony Mathew “Naturala” Kuzhalmandam (Mob: 9446271655) 
Joseph Lukose “GRAMA” Bharananganam (Mob: 9446274691) 
Secretary “Jack Up Plavu Sangham” Poonjar (Mob: 9744747508) 
Denny Thengumpally “Sanghamitra” Elavankad (Mob: 9446876309) 
James Joseph “Jack fruit 365”(email: info@jackfruit365.com) 
Managing Director Small Farmers Agri Busines Consortium(Tel: 0471 2322109) 

Episode: 545

Success story of farmers who have processed banana tissue culture plants from Biotechnology & Model Floriculture Centre, Kazhakkuttom an organization functioning under Department of Agriculture, Kerala. Various steps involved in tissue culture plant production and the cultural practices of TC banana are included in the programme. 

1. Asst. Director of Agriculture 
Biotechnology & Model Floriculture Centre 
Kazhakkuttom, Thiruvananthapuram - 695582 
Ph: 0471-2413739 
Email: bmfctvm@yahoo.com 


2. Afsal Labah 
Dilkush Manzil 
Vadayil Mukku, Kaniyapuram ( P O), Trivandrum 
(M) 9846937863 


3. Secretary 
Karunya Purushasahaya Sangam 
Korani, Trivandrum 
(M) 8547321678 


4. Prasenan G 
Jaji Nivas 
Parappil, Trivandrum – 695610 
(M) 9497018072 

Episode: 547

Documentary featuring the scope and the current status of Neera Production in the State. Neera is presented as the new health drink for Kerala. Various initiatives in the state for commercializing Neera production emphasizing the efforts by Coconut Development Board and Coconut Producer Companies are highlighted. 

Contact Details: 
Shajahan Kanjiravilayi Chairman Kaippuzha Coconut Producer Company Kollam (Mob: 9847295360) 
CDB Institute of Technology South Vazhakkulam, Aluva (Tel: 0484 2679680; Mob: 9895816291) 
Coconut Development Board (CDB) SRVHS Road, Kerabhavan, Kochi (Tel: 0484- 2377267; 2376265) 

Some additional uses for food that you use everyday!

Popcorn garland

Traditionally, Christmas trees around the world have been decorated with different foods. So why not make a popcorn garland for your tree? Once you have your bucket of popcorn, get a thread and a needle, and start stringing by piercing the center of each piece until you have a long garland. In the end, cut the thread from the spool and tie the ends. Hang it on the tree for a snowy look.

Kool-Aid

Kool-Aid is more than just a sweet drink. Use the unsweetened version of Kool-Aid powder as temporary hair dye. Empty the powder in a bowl and add conditioner to it. Mix water to make a paste and then apply on the hair. Next, wrap the hair in plastic and let it sit for at least six hours. Rinse off with without shampooing. The colour will last a couple of days and you would be saved from any chemical damage to hair as well. 

Chocolate

Combine half a cup of boiling milk, half a cup of melted 35 percent cocoa (it contains antioxidants) and one cup of unscented bubble bath together for a relaxing and rejuvenating bath spa experience.

Pickle Juice

The briny juice of pickles can melt ice or snow because the liquid acts like salt. So next time there is snow on your doorstep, eat up your pickles and dump its juice outside.

Citrus Peel

Citrus peel can be used as a deodoriser. If your dustbin stinks, just throw some citrus peels in it and the odour will fade off. Dried orange peels can also be used in fireplace flames. The peel's oil fuels the flames, and can even keep your chimney cleaner.

Oatmeal

Oatmeal is a favored remedy to cure acne and soothe irritated skin. Cook up oatmeal, let it cool down and then apply as a mask over the affected area. It works by drying out the pimple pores. Also, you can use it to neutralise odour by placing an open container of oatmeal in the refrigerator.

Rice

Rice grains are good alternatives to pie weights and keep the crust of the pie from bubbling up on the bottom. Another alternate use for rice is to dry out water from electronics. If your phone has accidentally fallen in the sink or toilet, dry it out by placing it in a ziploc bag filled with rice for about five hours. The rice will soak up all the moisture in the phone.

Cola

Did you know that your favourite cold drink has enough chemicals in it to clean stains on porcelain bowls or a toilet seat? It can also be used to remove gum from hair. It works by dissolving the chemicals that keep gum from dissolving in your mouth, thus releasing the gum from hair strands after a brief soak.

Eggs

Yolks have high protein content and can be used as a fantastic hair deep-conditioner. Separate egg yolk from the white and massage it into your scalp and hair. Wrap the hair in a shower cap and a warm towel, and wait 30 minutes. Rinse with cool water and shampoo as usual. Your locks will be super sleek and shiny afterward!

Vodka

Now you have more than one reason for stocking up vodka at home. The liquor can calm rashes and stings, help remove mould and ease a toothache. Flowers can be kept fresh for longer if you add a few drops of vodka and a teaspoon of sugar to the water in the flower vase. 

Peanut Butter

It can be used to remove glue or a stubborn price tag from any surface. Apply peanut butter over the area and rub off gently with a cloth and watch the glue come off easily.

Cooking Spray

When sprayed on wasps, flies or other winged insects, it impedes their ability to fly. So next time you go out for a picnic or eat outside on the deck, you can spray it around without having to worry about chemical hazards. In other uses, florists use cooking spray to help their tropical flowers last. A light spray on petals prevents them from drying out.

Canola Oil

It can be used to clean grease of any object. The 'oil cuts through other oil’ concept applies here.

Bread

Since bread sticks to things, it can be used to clean up shattered glass. Sliced bread is also ideal for keeping things fresh or re-softening items that have hardened. For example, put bread in a bag of hardened marshmallows or place slices on the edges of a cut cake to prevent it from drying out.

Bay leaves

These act as a bug repellent. You can keep them in the flour canister or spread around the floor to ward off insects. A safe option to use in homes with kids and pets! 

Cornstarch

If a shoelace or jewelry knot has become too tight to open, rub the knot in cornstarch before trying again. The knot will open easily.

Sugar

If you accidently munch on a hot bit of pizza or sip hot tea, a quick fix for a burnt tongue is easily available in the kitchen. Reach out for sugar and sprinkle it on the affected area. The pain will subside almost instantly.

Potato

Did you know that raw potato juice can make your shoes shiny? Simply rub a fresh cut potato slice on the shoe surface to see the effect. If you rub a potato slice on the inside of a windshield or car mirror, the juice will prevent fog from setting on the mirror.

Coconut oil

Applying coconut oil inside nostrils can help you with runny nose, allergies and sore nostrils. If men apply it to their face prior to shaving, it will reduce the skin damage caused by shaving. Apart from this, coconut oil can also be used to lubricate guitar strings.

Brown sugar

Brown sugar can be a good substitute for your costly face scrubs. The granules in brown sugar clear away dead skin effectively when mixed with olive oil and some water, then rubbed on the skin .

Onion

If you wish to thicken or grow eyebrow hair, onion is the solution. The sulphur in onion juice aids in speedy regrowth of eyebrow hair. So grind an onion and apply the juice on eyebrows using a cotton ball.

Walnut

Walnut can be used as a scratch filler. Hardwood floors can be repaired by rubbing shelled nuts into the shallow scratches. The natural oil from walnut helps mask the flaws.

Eggshells

Crushed eggshells can be scattered around vegetables and flowers in your garden to fend off hungry herbivores, such as slugs, snails, and cutworms, without using toxic pesticides. An added benefit: eggshells are rich in calcium and will also enrich your soil.

Cucumber

A cucumber slice can work as a magic shoe polish. Rub a slice on your shoe, it will not only shine but also repel water.

Butter

Increase the shelf life of hard cheese by applying a light coat of butter to it. This will keep them fresh and free of mold for a longer period. In other uses, you can use butter to stop a door from squeaking by rubbing it on the hinges.

Tea bags

Tea bags contain anti-inflammatory caffeine and tannins that can bring relief to puffy under-eye areas. Dip your tea bag in boiling water for five minutes, then cool them in the refrigerator before dabbing them softly on puffy areas. Your tired eyes will be instantly refreshed.

Banana

Is your DVD skipping or freezing while playing? You can rub a banana over its surface to seal the cracks. The inside of banana peel can also be used to polish silver.

Yogurt

Cold plain yogurt provides quick and temporary relief to mild sunburn pain. While coldness soothes the skin, yogurt moistures the skin. Rinse with cool water.

Gatorade

Next time you have a headache, think twice before popping a pill. Instead you can drink two glasses of Gatorade! It can cure your headache almost instantly.

Beer

Beer is an easy solution for thickening fine hair. After shampooing, rinse hair with a can of flat beer. The yeast in it plumps up the hair shaft, giving volume to hair. Remember to rinse off the beer after some time with plenty of water!

Cayenne Pepper

It can be used as an ant deterrent: Just make a trail around the areas you want to cordon off from these insects.

Apple juice

Apple juice is a natural toner and astringent. When applied to the face, it can tighten pores and restore skin’s pH balance. Use it to moisturise the skin whenever needed.

Cinnamon

Use a cinnamon trail to keep insects, especially ants, at bay from unwanted territory! 

Wasabi

Who needs filler for thin lips when you can use wasabi to get a pout? Apply wasabi paste to your lips for a fuller look. 

Ketchup

This tomato-based concoction is effective in cleaning copper-bottomed pans because of it high citric acid content.

Turmeric

Turmeric has great therapeutic properties. It can be used to treat cuts, wounds, burns, psoriasis and other inflammatory skin conditions. When mixed with gram flour in a face scrub, it can help you get rid of facial hair over a period of time.

Mayonnaise

If you have a problem removing price tags and stickers on household items or clothes, ust dab that sticker with mayo and let it sit. Gently wipe off after a few minutes and it’ll peel out smoothly. 

Vinegar

Some interesting properties of vinegar include dissolving rust, cleaning stiff paint brushes and glass surface, and prolonging the life of cut flowers. Vinegar can also cure sore muscles: Mix a few tablespoons of vinegar into a cup of water, dip a cloth in the mixture and apply it to the affected areas for 20 minutes for relief.

Milk

There is no need to spend on expensive makeup removal products. Just mix 3 tablespoons of powdered milk in warm water to make a cream. Use this to wipe off your makeup with cotton or facecloth.

Coffee

If your fridge is smelling of foul odours, place a bowl of fresh, unused coffee grounds inside it and leave it for a day. The coffee will absorb the odour. You can also get rid of the smell of onion, garlic or cilantro from hands after cooking by rubbing coffee powder on hands and then washing off with warm water!

Coffee

If your fridge is smelling of foul odours, place a bowl of fresh, unused coffee grounds inside it and leave it for a day. The coffee will absorb the odour. You can also get rid of the smell of onion, garlic or cilantro from hands after cooking by rubbing coffee powder on hands and then washing off with warm water!

Lemon juice

Lemon juice is an effective stain remover and shower cleaner. It can brighten your dull fingernails too: Just pour lemon juice in warm water and for dip your fingertips for a few minutes to see the results.

Olive oil

If your hands or feet are covered in paint, sap or any other sticky substance that’s not coming off, scrub them with olive oil and a little salt or sugar. The paint will come right off. Similarly, olive oil can be used to clean heavy make up smoothly.

Garlic

Try applying to an acne breakout. Garlic is also a potent natural antifungal. Add a few cloves of crushed garlic to warm water in a foot bath and soak the affected foot for half an hour to get relief from athletes foot.

Salt

When mixed in hot water, a saltwater gargle will reduce toothache and provide relief from sore throats. In other uses, add a pinch of salt to a carton of milk and it will not go sour. You can also check the freshness of an egg by dropping them in salt water. If the egg floats, it’s too old to use.

Wine

According to a study at Oregon State University in 2005, wine can be used to clean fruits and vegetables. The alcohol in wine dissolves impurities on the surface, and some of its components kill pathogens like salmonella and E. coli. Wine may also heal bruises: An old folk remedy suggests soaking a piece of bread in wine and then applying it to a bruise to help it heal quicker.

Baking soda

A paste of baking soda and water will bring relief to itching caused by insect bites or stings. Baking soda also helps to remove stubborn stains on utensils. Add a little lemon juice to it and you can brighten brass with this solution.

Late Khushwant Singh take on "How To Live & Die"

I’ve often thought about what it is that makes people happy—what one has to do in order to achieve happiness.

1- First and foremost is good health. If you do not enjoy good health, you can never be happy. Any ailment, however trivial, will deduct something from your happiness.

2- Second, a healthy bank balance. It need not run into crores, but it should be enough to provide for comforts, and there should be something to spare for recreation—eating out, going to the movies, travel and holidays in the hills or by the sea. Shortage of money can be demoralising. Living on credit or borrowing is demeaning and lowers one in one’s own eyes.

3- Third, your own home. Rented places can never give you the comfort or security of a home that is yours for keeps. If it has garden space, all the better. Plant your own trees and flowers, see them grow and blossom, and cultivate a sense of kinship with them.

4- Fourth, an understanding companion, be it your spouse or a friend. If you have too many misunderstandings, it robs you of your peace of mind. It is better to be divorced than to be quarrelling all the time.

5- Fifth, stop envying those who have done better than you in life—risen higher, made more money, or earned more fame. Envy can be corroding; avoid comparing yourself with others.

6- Sixth, do not allow people to descend on you for gossip. By the time you get rid of them, you will feel exhausted and poisoned by their gossip-mongering.

7- Seventh, cultivate a hobby or two that will fulfill you—gardening, reading, writing, painting, playing or listening to music. Going to clubs or parties to get free drinks, or to meet celebrities, is a criminal waste of time. It’s important to concentrate on something that keeps you occupied meaningfully.

8- Eighth, every morning and evening devote 15 minutes to introspection. In the mornings, 10 minutes should be spent in keeping the mind absolutely still, and five listing the things you have to do that day. In the evenings, five minutes should be set aside to keep the mind still and 10 to go over the tasks you had intended to do.

9- Ninth, don’t lose your temper. Try not to be short-tempered, or vengeful. Even when a friend has been rude, just move on.

10- Above all, when the time comes to go, one should go like a Person without any regret or grievance against anyone.

Katherine Abraham's letter to Dr.Shashi Tharoor

A Letter to My Inspiration, Dr. Shashi Tharoor

Mar9

Dear Sir,

Every once in a while God sends a miracle as a part of His Divine plan. These miracles may be in the form of an event, a thing or sometimes even a person. Three years ago something akin happened. A gentleman by a chance meeting entered my little world and with his alacrity and subtle advice he made a difference to my life and filled it with positivity towards my career and my country. I am proud to say that I respect and admire this gentleman: ‘you’ and that too only after my own father.

 Now I do realise that there are a lot of people in the Real and Virtual world who admire you for your charm and easy grace but I must confess that I have been an admirer of your thoughts, your principles and your firm conviction that India as a country can be a success and you’ve said this without discounting her failures or shortcomings.

Having had the opportunity to hear some wonderful orators who leave you spell- bound with their beautiful and well – articulated speeches, I have observed that very few have the ability to make you think about what has been spoken much after they have parted ways. Still fewer are those whose message radiates positivity at the end of every speech.  You quite swiftly and skilfully implant your thoughts in our young minds and make us re- think over issues oft- neglected or unnoticed. I still remember your self- description of being my Virtual Mentor at the BDB book club where I had the privilege of meeting you the first time. I’d be forthright in saying this, believe me, you’ve done a better job than anyone in the real world.

An earnest detailed account of what I’ve learnt from you will take a couple of pages so I’ll just highlight some of the important lessons.

To begin with the very first of my lessons was the art of self- restraint. I must confess I found (and still find) it rather difficult to deal with people  on Twitter who not only possess contrariant views but end up dropping to levels I couldn’t fathom. I can’t recall the exact day or date but I do remember you were thoughtful enough to point out to an otherwise over- sensitive young person that it was sometimes better to allow people to say what they wanted because after a while seeing no response the brouhaha would eventually die down. Now you weren’t obligated to say something but it is no wonder that the greatness of a man lies in his small gestures. And that is how I learned to restrain from reacting to trivia even in the real world. I realised that you also practised what you preached; the Quality of a Dignified Silence and the Art of a subtle rebuttal. While most people could quite easily lose their cool, you prefer to give people the proverbial ‘long rope to hang’ and then hand them a more palatable reply, one even your critics and the Opposition can’t help but admire. Initially I simply wondered what the bar of your tolerance level was and it is then that I realised that it is easy to pay back in the same coin but it takes a lot of courage to just stay silent.  

When I stumbled into an academic roadblock while applying for my UN Studies, you were gracious enough to refer me to someone who could help immediately only because you were travelling that day. Somehow there was always a knowing that yes I could ask you a question without being turned down or ignored. It’s important to say this because this does happen to young people more than often in the real world. So again you are a class apart even though a national leader you are in the habit of helping people with unparalleled humility, a rarity in the Indian leadership. That was a lesson in itself.  

Heartfelt thanks for the change in perception that you have brought with you. Now even though some continue to question your choice of politics over the la dolce vita life of an author, I say thank you for joining Indian Politics. The game may not always be fair but for a fair player there are no losses, initial speed breakers but definitely no dead ends.

In the Pre- Shashi Tharoor era my views on politics looked something like this:

“Politics is a gamble in which rookies try manipulating the microscopic economics and the professionals succeed in manipulating the macroscopic economics such that their luck is never hit. In politics there are no trustworthy, honest and/or good people. There is never a loser.”

The Post – Shashi Tharoor era was a more refined understanding of the field:

“Politics is like a game of chess. The number of permutations and combinations are different and each strategist has a different way of dealing with it. Not all maybe straightforward but not all are crooked either.”

An idea is the offspring of a well- formed mind, the reason why the Ministry of Education has you as one of its heads. The idea of India and Indianness is a doctrine that you quite successfully imbibed into this once cynical young Indian. I now believe that India can with a concerted effort live up to the expectations of its citizens. Undoubtedly all The Tharoor writings have contributed to this thought. Your writings are my window to your alternative world, the world where Shashi Tharoor the pragmatic philosopher resides. From the earliest, India: From Midnight to the Millennium to The Elephant the Tiger and the Cellphone (which I read atleast once everytime my vacations begin) I have realised that the commitment to one’s country is the only way to realise the dream of a Progressive India.

I learnt the importance of maintaining your individuality even if it means displeasing your own. Individuality by itself is celebrated quite often but in politics it becomes difficult with most of the party workers going to any extent to support their party, I am glad that you belong to that class of politicians who believe that one can maintain a dissenting opinion without damaging party allegiances. Yours has never been a commitment of convenience to politics a pertinent principle that a young person like me could cherish.

Now my interactions with you may have reduced considerably (Not counting Retweets which are reactions more than interactions; the last I spoke to you was sometime in October!)  thanks to your welcome elevation to the Ministry but I have still gained some wisdom by simply reading up on your tweets and articles about your work at Thiruvananthapuram and Delhi.

Of course I cannot but help ponder who the greater loser was. Was it India for not having you for the 30 odd years you spent relentlessly working away in the United Nations or was the UN a greater loser to have lost a person who would have been perhaps the world’s most loved and cherished leader as the Secretary General? For what it’s worth I am glad that India has you now.

I don’t know what the future holds for you, as I can safely assume you don’t either but of one thing I am certain, I will always take pride in saying this without inhibitions, fear or favour that I have had the privilege of interacting and getting to know the man whom History will record as a world leader who left his footprints where he went, one who represented India, lead India and one who never gave up on the Idea of India!

As the world celebrates your birthday, this is my way of saying Thank you to the person I have for the past three years looked up to  as a Mentor, Teacher and Guide.

Sir, Wish you a very Happy birthday and may all the coming birthdays find you motivating and encouraging young Indians to surge ahead and never give up on their country.

Look forward to some interactions on Twitter!

Warm Regards and Best wishes,

Katie

 https://candidkatie.wordpress.com/