Tuesday, January 10, 2017

പുതിയ ബ്ലോഗ് (My Notes)

ഇനിയുള്ള കുറിപ്പുകൾ എന്റെ പുതിയ ബ്ലോഗ് ആയ My Notes - ൽ നിന്നും ആയിരിക്കും. എല്ലാവരുടേയും പ്രോത്സാഹനം തുടർന്നും പതീക്ഷിക്കുന്നു.


പുതിയ ബ്ലോഗിന്റെ വിലാസം https://maneeznotes.blogspot.in/ 

പുതിയ ബ്ലൊഗിന്റെ വെബ് വെർഷനിൽ Follow option ലഭ്യമാണ്. ബ്ലൊഗുകൾ മൊബൈലിൽ വായിക്കാനും ഷെയർ ചെയ്യാനുമുള്ള എളുപ്പത്തിനായി Dynamic Views എന്ന Blogger Template ആണ് ഉപയോഗിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നത്. പുതിയ ബ്ലോഗ് പോസ്റ്റുകൾ ഇ-മെയിൽ ആയി സബ്സ്ക്രൈബ് ചെയ്യാവുന്നതാണ്. കൂടാതെ ഫേസ് ബുക്ക് പേജ് വഴിയും ഗൂഗിൾ പ്ലസ്സിലെ My Blogs എന്ന കളക്ഷൻ വഴിയും പുതിയ പോസ്റ്റുകൾ അറിയാൻ സാധിക്കുന്നതാണ്. 

തുടർന്നും എല്ലാവരുടേയും സഹകരണങ്ങളും പ്രോത്സാഹനവും പ്രതീക്ഷിച്ചുകൊണ്ട്. 

മണികണ്ഠൻ.

Friday, August 19, 2016

കച്ചവടവൽക്കരിക്കപ്പെടുന്ന ശബരിമല

ശബരിമല അവലോകനയോഗത്തിൽ മുഖ്യമന്ത്രി പിണറായി വിജയനും തിരുവിതാംകൂർ ദേവസ്വംബോർഡ് പ്രസിഡന്റ് പ്രയാർ ഗോപാലകൃഷ്ണനും തമ്മിൽ ഉണ്ടായ അഭിപ്രായവ്യത്യാസം ഇന്ന് വളരെ വാർത്താപ്രാധാന്യം നേടിയ സംഭവം ആയിരുന്നു. ശബരിമലയിൽ തീർത്ഥാടകർക്ക് കൂടുതൽ സൗകര്യം ഏർപ്പെടുത്തുന്നതു സംബന്ധിച്ച എന്റെ അഭിപ്രായം ഇവിടെയും രേഖപ്പെടുത്തുന്നു.

എന്റെ വിശ്വാസപ്രകാരം ശബരിമലയിലെ ധർമശാസ്താ പ്രതിഷ്ഠനടത്തിയതും അവിടെ ക്ഷേത്രം നിർമ്മിച്ചതും അതിനുള്ള ആചാരാനുഷ്ഠാനങ്ങൾ നിശ്ചയിച്ചതും പരശുരാമൻ ആണ്. പരശുരാമൻ നിരവധി ക്ഷേത്രങ്ങൾ കേരളത്തിൽ പ്രതിഷ്ഠിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്. പക്ഷെ പ്രതിഷ്ഠയിലെയും ആചാരങ്ങളിലേയും വൈശിഷ്ട്യം കൊണ്ട് ശബരിമല ഇന്നും മറ്റ് അയ്യപ്പെക്ഷേത്രങ്ങളിൽ നിന്നും വിട്ടുനിൽക്കുന്നു.  അതുകൊണ്ടു തന്നെ അതിന്റെ ആചാരങ്ങളും അനുഷ്ഠാനങ്ങളും തുടർന്നും പാലിക്കപ്പെടണം എന്നതാണ് എന്റെ ആഗ്രഹം. ഭക്തർക്കുള്ള സൗകര്യങ്ങൾ ഒരുക്കുന്നു എന്ന പേരിൽ ശബരിമല കഴിഞ്ഞ ഏതാനും ദശാബ്ദബ്ദങ്ങൾകൊണ്ട് ഏറെ കച്ചവടവൽക്കരിക്കപ്പെട്ടിരിക്കുന്നു. ഓരോ വർഷവും കൂടുതൽ ഭക്തരെ ആകർഷിക്കുക എന്നതാണ് കാലാകാലങ്ങളിലെ സർക്കാരുകളും ദേവസ്വം ബോർഡും ചെയ്തുവരുന്നത്. ഈ ജനബാഹുല്യം ശബരിമലയുടെ പരിസ്ഥിതിയെ തീർച്ചയായും പ്രതികൂലമായി ബാധിക്കുന്നുണ്ട്. അത് ഇല്ലാതാക്കാനുള്ള മാർഗ്ഗങ്ങൾ ആണ് തീർച്ചയായും ഉണ്ടാകേണ്ടത്. അതിനു ഉതകുന്ന നടപടികൾ ആണ് സ്വീകരിക്കേണ്ടത്. 

ഭഗവാനും ഭക്തനും ഒന്നാവുന്ന തീർത്ഥാടനകേന്ദ്രങ്ങളിൽ ഒന്നാണ് ശബരിമല. തൊഴാൻ പോകുന്നതും കൂടെ വരുന്നതും എല്ലാം അയ്യൻ. ഭഗവാനും ഭക്തനും ഒന്നാകുന്ന തത്വമസിയിൽ അധിഷ്ഠിതമായ ശബരിമലയിൽ എന്തിനാണ് ചിലർക്ക് മാത്രം വേറെ ക്യൂ? പൈസകൊടുത്ത് എളുപ്പത്തിൽ കാണാൻ സാധിക്കുന്ന സംവിധാനം എന്തിനാണ്? നടുത്തുന്ന വഴിപാടുകളെ അടിസ്ഥാനപ്പെടുത്തി ഭക്തരെ തട്ടാക്കി തിരിക്കുന്ന സമ്പ്രദായം എന്തിന്? എല്ലാവരും അയ്യനാകുമ്പോൾ ഒരു അയ്യനെക്കാൾ മറ്റൊരു അയ്യൻ കേമനാകുന്നത് എങ്ങനെ? ശബരിമലയിൽ രണ്ട് തരം ക്യൂ മാത്രം മതി എന്നതാണ് എന്റെ അഭിപ്രായം. ഇരുമുടിക്കെട്ടുമേന്തി അയ്യനെ തൊഴാൻ എത്തുന്നവർക്ക് പതിനെട്ട് പടികൾ കയറാനുള്ള ഒരു ക്യു. ഇരുമുടി ഇല്ലാതെ വരുന്നവർക്ക് അയ്യനെ 
തൊഴാൻ മറ്റൊരു ക്യു. ഈ രണ്ട് ക്യൂവിൽ നിന്ന് അയ്യനെ തൊഴാൻ തയ്യാറുള്ളവർ മാത്രം മല ചവിട്ടിയാൽ മതി. അല്ലാത്തവരും വരണം എന്ന് ആർക്കാണ് ആഗ്രഹം? എന്തായാലും അയ്യപ്പസ്വാമിക്ക് അങ്ങനെ ഒരു ആഗ്രഹം ഉണ്ടാകും എന്ന് കരുതുന്നില്ല. കൂടുതൽ ആളുകൾ വരണം എന്ന കച്ചവടതന്ത്രത്തിന്റെ ഭാഗമാണ് പ്രത്യേക ക്യൂവും കൂടുതൽ പണം നൽകുന്നവർക്ക് കൂടുതൽ സൗകര്യം എന്ന ആശയവും. 
"കൈക്കലർത്ഥമൊനന്നുമില്ലാഞ്ഞെന്റെ ഭക്തന്മാരർപ്പിച്ചാൽ
കൈയ്ക്കും കാഞ്ഞിരക്കുരുവുമെനിക്കമൃതം
ഭക്തിഹീനന്മാരായ ഭക്തന്മാരമൃതം തന്നെന്നാലും
തിക്തകാരസ്കരഫലമായിട്ടു തീരും"
എന്ന ഭഗവാൻ  കൃഷ്ണന്റെ വാക്കുകൾ ആണ് ഓർമ്മവരുന്നത്. ശബരിമലയിൽ ഉള്ളത് പരിമിതങ്ങളായ സൗകര്യങ്ങൾ ആണ്. അതനുസരിച്ച് ആ കഷ്ടതകൾ സഹിച്ച് ഭഗവാനെ കാണാൻ തയ്യാറുള്ളവർ മാത്രം വന്നാൽ മതി. ഇത് തീർത്ഥാടനം ആണ്. തീർത്ഥാടനം അല്പം ദുഷ്കരം ആകുന്നതാണ് നല്ലത്. അതുകൊണ്ട് മലചവിട്ടി, കാനനപാതകൾ താണ്ടി, നിലത്ത് കിടന്നുറങ്ങി ദുർഘടങ്ങൾ കടന്ന് വരുന്നവർ മാത്രം ഇവിടെ എത്തിയാൽ മതി എന്ന് സർക്കാരും ദേവസവും തീരുമാനിക്കണം. അതുകൊണ്ട് കൂടുതൽ സൗകര്യങ്ങൾ റോപ്പ് വേയും, വിമാനത്താവളവും, ഹെലിപ്പാടും ഒന്നും ശബരിമലയിൽ ഒരുക്കേണ്ടതില്ല.ഇത് ഈ വിഷയത്തിൽ എന്റെ അഭിപ്രായം.

Friday, June 10, 2016

പ്രധാനമന്ത്രി ശ്രീ നരേന്ദ്ര മോദി അമേരിക്കൻ പാർലമെന്റിൽ നടത്തിയ പ്രസംഗം


Am deeply honoured by the invitation to address this joint meeting of the US Congress. Thank you Mr Speaker for opening the doors of this magnificent capital. This temple of democracy has encouraged and empowered other democracies the world over. It manifests the spirit of this great nation which is in Abraham Lincoln's words was conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. In granting me this opportunity, you have honoured the world's largest democracy and its 1.25 billion people. As a representative of the world's largest democracy, it is indeed a privilege to speak to the leaders of its oldest.

HONORING DEMOCRACY

Mr Speaker, two days ago I began my visit by going to Arlington National Cemetery, the final resting place of many brave soldiers of this great land. I honour their courage and sacrifice for the ideals of freedom and democracy. It was also the 72nd  anniversary of the D-Day. On that day, thousands from this great country fought to protect the torch of liberty. They sacrificed their lives so that the world lives in freedom. I applaud, India applauds the great sacrifices of the men and women from the land of the free and the home of the brave in service of mankind. [PM Modi applauds the Congress with claps]
India knows what this means, because our soldiers have fallen in distant battlefields for the same ideals. That is why the threads of freedom and liberty form a strong bond between our two democracies.
Mr Speaker, our nations may have been shaped by diverse histories, cultures and faiths, yet our belief in democracy for our nations and our liberty for our countrymen is common. The idea that all citizens are created equal is the central pillar of the American constitution. Our founding fathers too shared the same belief and sought individual liberty for every citizen of India. There were many who doubted India as a newly independent nation. We reposed our faith in democracy.
DEMOCRACY AS ESSENCE OF SOUL
Indeed, wagers were made on our future. But the people of India did not waiver. Our founders created a modern nation with freedom, democracy and equality  as the essence of its soul, and in doing so we they assured that we continue to celebrate our age old diversity. Today, across its individuals and institutions, and in its villages and cities, in streets and states,  are anchored in equal respect for all faiths. And in the melody of hundreds of its languages and dialects, India lives as one, India grows as one, India celebrates as one.
Mr Speaker, modern India is in its 70th year. For my government, the constitution is its real holy book. And in that holy book, freedom of faith, speech and franchise, and equality of all citizens, regardless of background are enshrined as fundamental rights.
Eight hundred million of my countrymen may exercise the freedom of franchise once every five years, but all the 1.25 billion of our citizens have freedom from fear - a freedom they exercise every moment of their lives.
Distinguished members, engagement between our two democracies has been visible in the manner in which our thinkers impacted one another and shaped the course of our societies. Thoreau's idea of civil disobedience influenced our political thoughts and similarly the call by the great sage of India Swami Vivekanand to embrace humanity, was most famously delivered in Chicago. Gandhi's non-violence inspired the heroism of Martin Luther King.
Today, a mere distance of three miles separates Martin Luther King Memorial at Tidal Basin from the statue of Gandhi at Massachusetts Avenue. This proximity of memorials in Washington mirrors the closeness of the ideas and values they believed in. The genius of Dr Bhimrao Babasaheb Ambedkar was nurtured in the years he spent at the Columbia University a century ago. The impact of US constitution on him was reflected in his drafting of the Indian constitution some three decades later.
SIMILAR IDEALISM
Our independence was ignited by the same idealism that fuelled your struggle for freedom. No wonder then, the former prime minister of India Atal Bihari Vajapyee called India and US natural allies. No wonder that the shared ideals and common philosophy of freedom shaped the bedrock of our ties. No wonder that President Obama has called our partnership - the defining partnership of 21st century.
Mr Speaker, more than 15 years ago Prime Minister Vajapayee stood here and gave a call to step out of the shadow of hesitation of the past. The pages of our friendship since then tell a remarkable story. Today, our relationship has overcome the hesitations of history. Comfort, candour and convergence define our conversations. Through the cycle of elections and transition of administrations, the intensity of engagements has only grown, and in this exciting journey the US Congress has acted as it compass. You have helped us turn barriers into bridges of partnership.
In the Fall of 2008, when the Congress passed the India-US Civil Nuclear Cooperation Agreement, it changed the very colours of leaves of our relationship. We thank you for being there when the partnership needed you the most. You have also stood by us in times of sorrow. India will never forget the solidarity shown by the US Congress when terrorists from across our border attacked Mumbai in November of 2008. And for this, we are grateful.
Mr Speaker, I am informed that the working of the US Congress is harmonious. Am also told that you are well known for your bipartisanship. Well, you are not alone. Time and again, I have also witnessed a similar spirit in the Indian Parliament, especially in Upper House. So, as you can see, we have many shared practices.
EMBRACING PARTNERSHIP
Mr Speaker, this country knows well that every journey has its pioneers. The genius of Norman Borlaug brought the Green Revolution and food security to my country. The excellence of American universities nurtured institutions of technology and management in India. And I could go on, but fast forward to the present.
The embrace of our partnership extend to the totality of human endeavour. From the depths of the oceans to the vastness of space, our science and technology collaboration continues to help us in cracking the age old problems in the fields of education, public health, food and agriculture. Ties of commerce and investment are flourishing. We trade more with the US than with any other nation.
The flow of good services and capital between us generates jobs in both our societies. As in trade, so in defence. Indian army performs exercises with the US more than any other partner. Defence purchases have moved from almost zero to $10 billion in less than a decade. Out cooperation also secures our cities and citizens from terrorists and protects our critical infrastructure from cyber threats. Civil nuclear cooperation, as I told President Obama yesterday, is a reality.
Mr Speaker, our people to people links are strong and there is a close personal connect between our societies. Siri, you are familiar with the Siri, tells us that India's ancient heritage of Yoga has over 30 million practitioners in the US. It is estimated that more Americans bend for Yoga than to throw a curve ball. No Mr Speaker, we have not yet claimed intellectual property right on Yoga.
Connecting our two nations is also a unique and dynamic bridge of 3 million Indian Americans. Today, they are among your best CEOs, academics, astronauts, scientists, economists, doctors and even spelling bee champions.
They are your strength. They are also the pride of India. They symbolise the best of both of our societies. Mr Speaker, my understanding of  great country began long before I entered public office. Long before assuming office, I travelled coast to coast covering more than 25 states of America. I realised then that the real strength of the US was in the dreams of its people and the boldness of their ambitions. Today, Mr Speaker, a similar spirit animates India. Over 800 million youth are especially impatient (sic). 

AMBITIOUS TO-DO LIST

India is undergoing a profound social and economic change. A billion of its citizens are politically empowered. My dream is to economically empower them through many social and economical transformations. And do so by 2022 - the 75th anniversary of India's independence. My to-do list is long and ambitious. But you will understand it includes a vibrant and rural economy with a robust farming sector.
A roof over each head and electricity for all households. To train and make millions of our youth skilled, build 100 smart cities, have broadband for a billion and connect our villages to the digital world. And create a 21st century rail, road and port infrastructure. These are not just aspirations but goals to be reached in a finite time frame, and to be achieved with light carbon footprint and greater emphasis on renewables.
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Mr Speaker, in every sector of India's forward march, I see the US as an indispensible partner. Many of you also believe that a stronger and prosperous India is in America's strategic interest.  Let us work together to convert shared ideals into practical cooperation. There can be no doubt that in advancing this relationship, both nations stand to gain. As  US businesses search for new areas of economic growth, markets for their goods, a pool of skilled resources and a global location to produce and manufacture, India could be their ideal partner.
India's strong economy and growth rate of 7.6 per cent per annum is creating new opportunities for our mutual prosperity. Transformative American technologies in India, and growing investment by Indian companies in the United States, both have a positive impact on the lives of our citizens. Today, for the global research and development centres India is the destination of choice for the US companies. Looking eastward from India, across the Pacific, the innovation strength of our two countries comes together in California.
WE CAN MAKE DIFFERENCE 
Here the innovative genius of America and India's intellectual creativity are working to shape new industries of the future. Mr. Speaker, the 21st century has brought with it great opportunities, but it has also come with its own set of challenges. While some parts of the world are islands of growing economic prosperity, others are mad in conflicts.
In Asia, the absence of an agreed security architecture creates uncertainty. Threads of terror are expanding and new challenges are emerging in cyber and outer space.. and global institutions conceived in 20th century seem unable to cope with new challenges or take on new responsibilities.
It is war of multiple transitions and economic opportunities, growing  uncertainties and political complexities, existing threats and new challenges. our engagements can make a difference by promoting, cooperation not dominance, connectivity not isolation, including not excluding mechanisms, respect for global commons and above all for international rules and norms.
India is  already assuming her responsibilities in securing the Indian ocean region,. a strong India-US partnership can anchor peace, prosperity , and stability from Asia  to Africa and from Indian ocean to the Pacific. It can also help ensure security of the sea-links of commerce and freedom of navigation on seas.
But the effectiveness of our co-operation would increase if international institutions frame with the mindset of the 21st century where they reflect the reality of today. Mr. speaker, before arriving in Washington D.C., I had visited Herat in western Afghanistan to inaugurate Afghan-India friendship dam built with Indian assistance. I was also there on the Christmas day last year  to dedicate to that proud nation its parliament , a testimony to our democratic ties.
Afghans naturally recognise that the sacrifices of America have helped create a better life. But your contribution in keeping the region safe and secure is deeply appreciated by even beyond and India too has made an enormous contribution and sacrifices to support our friendship with afghan people. A commitment to re-build a peaceful and stable and prosperous Afghanistan is our sad objective.
LET'S FIGHT TERRORISM
It distinguished members not just in Afghanistan but elsewhere in south Asian and, globally terrorism remains the biggest threat. In the territory stretching from the west of India's border to Africa form different names from Lashkar-e-Taiba to Taliban to ISIS but its philosophy is common of hate, murder and violence.
Although, it is a shadow spreading across the world, it is intimated in India's neighbourhood. I commend the members of US congress for sending a clear message to those who preach and practice terrorism for political gains. Refusing the war is the first step to our holding them accountable for their actions.
The fight against terrorism has to be fought at many levels and the traditional tools of military intelligence or diplomacy alone would not be able to win this fight. Mr. speaker, we have both lost civilians and soldiers in combating terrorism. The need of the hour is for us to deepen our security cooperation and base it on a policy that isolates those who harbour and support and sponsor terrorist. 
That does not distinguish between good and bad terrorist and that de-links religion from terrorism. Also for us to succeed, those who believe in humanity must come together to fight for each and one and speak against this menace in one voice.
Terrorism must be delegitimized. Mr. Speaker, the benefits of our partnership extend not just to the nation and regions that need it the most. On our own, and by combating our capacities we are also responding to other global challenges today when disaster strikes and when humanitarian relief is  needed. Far from our shores, we have evacuated thousands from Yemen, Americans, Indians and others.
Near our homes, we have the first responders during Nepal earthquake, Maldives water crisis and most recently during the landslide in Sri Lanka. We are also one of the largest contributors of tools to the UN peacekeeping operations. Often India and the US have combined their strengths in science and technology and innovation to help fight hunger, poverty, disease and literacy in different parts of the world. The success of our partnerships has also opened up new opportunities for lowering (39:42) security and developing from Asia to Africa.
BALANCING RESPONSIBILITIES FOR GREENER TOMORROW
And the protection of environment and caring for the planet in central for our shared vision of a just world. For us in India, to live in harmony with mother earth is a part of our ancient belief and to take from nature only what is most essential is a part of our Indian culture. Our partnership therefore aims to balance responsibilities with capability and it also focuses on the new ways to increase the availability and use of renewable energy.
A strong US support for our initiative to form an international solar alliance is one such effort. We are working together not just for better future for ourselves, but for the whole world. This has also been the goal of our efforts in G20, east-Asia summits and climate change summits.
Mr. speaker, as we deepen our partnership, there will be times when we will have differing perspectives. But since our interests and concerns converge, the autonomy in decision making and diversity in our perspectives can only add values to our partnership.
So as we embark on a new journey and set new goals, let us focus not just on routine matters but also transform all areas. Ideas which can focus not just on creating waves but also creating values for our societies. Not just on immediate gains but also long term benefits.
Not just on solving best practices but also shaping partnerships and not just on building a bright future of our people but in being a bridge to a more united human and prosperous world and important for the success of this journey would be a need to view it with new eyes with new sensitivities.
When we do this, we will realise the full promise of this extraordinary relations. Mr. speaker, in my final words and thoughts, let me emphasize that our relationship is prime for a momentous future. The constraints of the past are behind us and the foundations of the future are in place.
In the lines of Walt Whitman, the orchestra has sufficiently tuned their instruments, the baton has given the signal and to that, if I might add, there is a new symphony in play.