Individuals going astray

By Sunny Kulathakal

A priest, a doctor and a social worker were interacting on the subject, “Youth and narcotic drugs” with a packed crowd at a church in London. When the question & answer session came, the youths one by one without any hesitation stood up and started shooting questions. What is the proof for the contention that pep pills meant for stimulation is harmful to health? How much heroin can be consumed safely without the fear of addition? What can happen to us if we smoked dry plantain stem after burning it? The questions were interestingly vivid and strange at times.

On the back row of the audience there were a few reputed middle aged persons. Being residents of city suburbs they didn’t have much idea about these issues. How could that older generation know about the intricacies of drug abuse? According to one youngster in the gathering, what could be done in the issue of drugs was just to make it available in sufficient quantities to the needy. The problem of another was that his weight had come down a little due to usage of drugs and he has some anxiety about the same. A young lady claimed that she had taken 23 tablets that evening.

Youngsters who attended had only unsatisfactory remarks about the meeting. They complained that only the opinions of the elders were discussed and they were not allowed to come to the stage for presenting their arguments. “The old men could not understand all these. When we argue in favour of drugs they naturally adopt a negative attitude to it” they were saying.

There is at least some substance in this criticism. Narcotics are a subject on which the youngsters don’t have the right knowledge while the old generation has a strong prejudice. We could hear the clamour on the one side for counter measures by those who just brand “drug abuse as the bane of the youngsters” and despise the same. On the other side there is an undue hue and cry about drug abuse. But no one is really bothered about the dangerous side of drugs. Between these, the lack of communication and generation gap are creating more widespread problems.

There are at least a few among the older generation and younger generation who could think in a matter of fact manner. It is desirable if they could find answers for the questions cited below.

• What are the explanations of the medical science about narcotic drugs?
• Why some are self-experimenting with such drugs?
• What are the social and personal factors that make some get addicted to drugs and its consequences?
• What the society needs to do for solving the issues arising out of drug abuse?

There are people who think that intoxicating drugs are only those which are being used illegally. This is not correct. There are many other drugs being abused other than those which are illegal. Drugs which transform human mind and the sensible planes of man are catching the attention of the world of late. Each drug has its own harmful effects and lead to dangerous consequences. One common characteristic of drugs is that they create a kind of psychedelic dependence. “The mental temptation to use drugs from time to time or regularly as a means to get relief from discomfort or as a time-pass (Psychic drive)” this is how WHO has described such kind of psychedelic dependence. Heroin and sleeping pills contain in itself the power to create such kind of dependency. This is present in a minimal measure even in nicotine contained in cigarette and caffeine contained in coffee.

As already mentioned, some drugs can lead to psychedelic dependence. Since they cause some chemical change in the body, there will be serious physical problems when one discontinues using the same. Heroin, arrack, morphine and sleeping pills belong to this category. These also can be listed as some of the strongest narcotics. Once it was thought that only severe drugs can cause addiction while soft drugs are not that dangerous. What is caused by the former is described as addiction while that caused by the latter is known as habituation. There is a possibility of people depending to the maximum on drugs like cannabis which does not cause physical addiction. That’s why WHO is inclined to use the word “dependence” instead of “addiction”. The variance of this kind of dependence will be in accordance with the psychological characteristics of the individual users. Hence the categorization as heavy intoxication and lighter intoxication might not always be correct.

Apart from physical and mental dependence, narcotic drugs can also cause drug tolerance. This leads to progressive hiking the dose of the drugs to get the satisfaction, the users initially used to have. In the book “Confessions of an opium eater”, the author, De Quincy, an Englishman has described his own experience. He confesses that he had to increase the dose of opium manifold over the course of time to get the satisfaction he got when he used it initially. Those who are tolerant to a particular drug are likely to develop drug tolerance towards substances similar to that particular one. This is known as cross tolerance. For example are the tolerance to heroin and pethadine by users of opium.

The features observed in persons who attempt to discontinue using certain drugs are known as withdrawal symptoms. These are likely to create serious problems. It is safer to have such a withdrawal process take place under expert medical supervision. These withdrawal complications are because of the loss of equilibrium which, the user had attained due to regular usage of some particular drugs and his acclimatization with the same. The initial symptoms will be lethargy and weakness followed by restlessness and panic. Stomach ache and omitting also may occur. Sleeplessness and disruption in speech are also likely to happen. In short it will be a virtually pathetic condition. Withdrawal symptoms are most agonizing among the users of morphine, opium and heroin. To know the severity of physical dependence, the best thing is to stop the supply of opium to a regular user.

Manamanath Guptha, during his jail days happened to directly witness the experience of a political prisoner addicted to opium failed to get it. He describes the incident like this: “When opium was not available in the jail he was totally broken. By next morning he had almost become a dead man. He could not even move his body. Just like a deflated balloon, all his laughter and enthusiasm had departed from him. He was totally disinclined to move and talk. Even his responses to anxious and sympathetic enquiries were in an extremely feeble and tired tone. He lied down covering himself in a blanket. The fellow prisoners could not discern what his ailment was. When the barracks closed in the evening what we heard was that he had managed to get out after submitting a letter seeking pardon. Had he got opium according to his need, I am sure that he would not have written for pardon”.

Have a look into what is described in a Malayalam novel about the peculiar condition of the people who are regular users of opium. Kunjonachan, the central character of “Arnazhikaneram” the novel of Parappurathu is asking the doctor “is there any harm in eating opium?” The doctor’s reply was like this “opium is of course harmful, but stopping at this stage will do only more harm. Even if it is poison, if one takes it in a fixed measure over a long period, it will become a necessity for the body”.

One thing is clear from all these. Whatever is the drug it will have its adverse impact on the human body. In short, the physical and mental problems will be manifiold for those who take drugs for some temporary relief and pleasure.

Views on the occurrence of addiction of drugs are varied. At what stage it turns into addiction varies from individual to individual. The evaluation of the intensity of addiction varies depending on the difference in perspectives like medical, psychological or social. A doctor’s interest comes only when the health of the person who uses drugs is in danger. The social workers intervene when the productivity of the society gets affected. Psychologists turn their attention when the problem assumes psychic dimensions in individuals. It is also worth noting that not all the drugs create the same kind of addiction.

What contained in narcotic drugs are substances-either natural or synthetic- that create the temptation to enter an unusual state of deep sleep or hallucination. These drugs are generally called as narcotic drugs. Even a minor dose can affect mental sharpness. It helps to conduct painless surgeries and cause deep sleep. But overdose of these drugs might lead to unconsciousness, over sleep, emotional outburst, total collapse and even death. The best examples of narcotic drugs are opium and its extracts like heroin and morphine. Those who depend on them on a regular basis used to become slaves of the same and their life will be in doldrums. Apart from mental and moral degeneration it will also lead to physical ruin.

Drug dependence and drug abuse are two different things. Abuse of drugs tells on the value judgment of the society. While talking about the abuse of drugs in general, nobody thinks much about its medicinal values. Use of drugs other than for medicinal purposes can also be listed as abuse of drugs. Excessive and unnecessary administration drugs other than narcotic ones can also be categorized as drug abuse. The word abuse is generally used to highlight the harmful consequences of developing drug use as a habit and getting over- intoxicated with drugs.

There are many who ask the following questions: why should the society bothered about the harm occurring to an individual due to usage of drugs? If the behaviour of such an individual does not directly affect the society is there any need for the society to intervene? Those who ask such questions have not studied exactly what narcotic drugs are. They are also the ones who have not thought the least about its harmful impact. They are also not realising the fact that it is the totality of the individual activity of each person in the society that controls the pulse of the society as a whole. In this context an analytical study of the realities of drugs in the light of medical science is of great relevance.

Translation: Saj mathews

The grief of the red

By Sunny Kulathakal

This is not an attempt to either criticize or shed tears for the women who have fallen into immoral tracks. Here, attention of the readers is being invited to the historical background of prostitution which is one of the oldest professions in the world, its basic reasons and some of the social problems created by prostitution. Who are prostitutes? How do they live? How the society views them? A Humble attempt has also been made in this book to find answers to these questions. My aim is not to achieve the satisfaction of conducting an in-depth study on the subject.

The existing trend is to treat prostitutes who are portrayed as safety valves of social life as social outcasts and criminals by labeling them as “sex vendors” and “distributors of contagious venereal diseases”. It could not be denied that the society has a role in creating the conditions conducive for many to fall in the trap of prostitution. The stories of some of them who had to succumb to prostitution due to broken human relationships, molested womanhood, life of starvation and poverty, the shock and insecurity following the death of those who were the pillars and shade of the family, the destiny to follow the traditional profession and the social and economic circumstances are described here in brief. What needed is to bring a change to the situation wherein the women who had once fallen into the pit of prostitution destined to continue to reel under the agony of it till the end of life. Along with the measures for the rehabilitation of such women, attention should also be given to the principle that “prevention is better than cure” It is also important to see that the crusade against prostitution should not turn into a war against the prostitutes.

Generous help and co operation of several individuals have been received for bringing out this book. The invaluable suggestions and encouragement from personalities like Dr S D Punnekkar of the Tata Institute of Social Science, Mumbai, Dr Panakkal, M T Vasudevan Nair, E M J Venniyoor and T. Chandy provided me necessary guidelines. The suggestions and co operation of several people including social workers, police officials and doctors proved to be of immense help in bringing out this book.

This attempt which began in 1973 had taken me only to the tip of this serious social issue. I would like to record my gratitude for my dear wife Lissy who not only pushed and encouraged me to complete the work but also co operated by accompanying me in the red streets of Mumbai for studying the life of the fallen women.

I have no words to express my gratitude towards D C Kizhkemuri of D C books for his assurance in the very beginning to undertake publication of this book. My heartfelt gratitude also goes to Joseph Puthenthara who prepared a forward for the book and D C Books which has done the printing so beautifully.

(From the preface of the book “The world of prostitutes”)

Translation: Saj Mathews

The agony and ecstasy of intoxication

By Sunny Kulathakal

The Chowpathy beach in Mumbai. Time 12 O’ clock in the night. A few youngsters have gathered in the sand dunes. In a deserted corner they are sitting in small groups. They are of different age. Their very behaviour makes it clear that they are a bunch of people who don’t have any moral perception about their life. They consider themselves as nightingales hovering on the horizons of ecstasy.

They are inhaling the pipes filled with Ganja in turns. This continued till after midnight. Then they got up. Their steps were not steady. Somehow they bid farewell to each other. Finally only one was left. He is a Takoor who is the custodian of the Ganja pipes and other paraphernalia. Want to know who this youngster is? He is a 17 year old Maharashtra student of the Robert Money School. He is the leader of a 10 member community (that’s how their druggist group is known). They invariably assemble in the same place every day.

“It’s since many years I have started smoking this. I felt this is very good for my health (his thin physique has all the symptoms of a sick person). I will never get sleep if I abstain from this even for a day” he said. He then showed me a picture which took from the pocket and said “This is the picture of God. I could see and understand God more clearly after smoking Ganja”.

He seems to be making a vain attempt to pose as a philosopher. There was explicit wavering in his uttering. His eyes could not get fixed on anything. We could see in Mumbai and other cities many such Takoors who are so much detached to the happenings around them and leading a life similar to that of the lazy “Lotus Eaters” of the Greek epics. What appear in the media are only isolated examples of the problems being created drug addicts in their hallucinated state of mind.

Usage of narcotic drugs among the student community in cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi and Hyderabad is undoubtedly rampant. This writer happened to stay in the students’ hostel of the Mumbai University for a month. It was during those days I came to know about the long list of narcotic drugs and the methods of using them. Only when I mingled with them freely, I came to know that many of them who have become slaves of drugs like Charas, Hashish, LSD, Mandrax and Licedene could not get sleep without keeping them ready under their pillow. Parents of most of the inmates of the hostel are in foreign countries like, Malaysia, Singapore, USA, Canada and England. They are sending money generously for their educational expenses. They spend a major chunk of this for buying drugs and other unsavory purposes. Sathar is such a student. It’s his fourth year in Mumbai. He is a regular user of drugs. Since it was summer time most of them used to sleep with their windows and doors open. Sathar and others would be in deep sleep when I go out most of the days. I happened to see some of them in the same condition even when I come back by noon. One day I got an opportunity to ask him the reason for it when he was exchanging pleasantries with me in the Guest room where I was staying. For this he replied “You don’t know the secret of it? Come I shall show you”. He didn’t have any reluctance to show me his stock of drugs. “This is mandrax” he said adding “if you drink a coca cola after taking this, then there is nothing like it. There will be fire sparks emanating from the eyes. Many of us sleep very late after taking this and we will not have the strength of get up in the morning even if the sky falls down”.

Thousands come to India seeking the pleasure of narcotic drugs. Some of our youngsters consider it as a fashion to emulate them blindly. There is also genuine reason to doubt as to whether there is a concerted attempt going on to lure the youngsters of countries where drugs are not that popular, into its dangerous trap. The hippies who land in India might invite the local youngsters in whom they have confidence for a “pot session”. They know very well that once these youngsters had a little taste of it, they are certain to fall in the trap.

In the heart of Bangalore city there is a place called Ekasthan” (The only place) which is a haven of the hippies. There are facilities for food and stay. This haven located a little away from the busy arteries of the city has a lot of specialties. It is a deserted corner safely aloof from public eyes and still very close to the city. This hippies’ haven which has easy access to shops that sell drugs and public transport, and has unassuming surroundings also offers facilities to dance to the tunes of western music whatever one wants to do.

I happened to meet Yan, a 25 year old Swedish youngster for the first time near the Lal Bagh gardens. Yan was convinced that I am a free lance Malayalam writer engaged in writing a few articles on foreigners who land in India. Yan who was only scantly covered with a soiled piece of cloth led me to “Ekasthasn”. He introduced his friends to me. Among them, I became very close to Peter Mogan, an Australian. On Peter’s invitation I and one of my friends reached the place one day at around 9 o clock in the night. We had a camera with us. In Peter’s room there were Raymond Paul of Harvard and Bob hailing from Canada seated in adjacent cots. Yan who had gone to Mysore had not yet come back. Peter introduced us and discussions on various issues followed. Cleverly hiding our curiosity to know more about the drugs we prolonged the conversation. By then Bob had already invited us to a small pot session. Only after gaining full confidence in us Bob dared to ask us “why don’t you have a few puffs of ganja?” It was just like the saying- what the doctor prescribed as well as what the patient wanted was milk”. We could not afford to lose the opportunity to see the magic box of drugs opened before us. Bob opened his bundle and took out a small piece of Charas. The job of scratching it was taken over by Peter. Raymond who was sitting next asked us whether we could speculate what that small piece of Charas would cost in the US. Our silence was indicative of our lack of knowledge about the same. So he himself volunteered to tell “You may not believe. If this is available for just 60 paise here, it costs as much as 60 dollars in the US. When my friend exclaimed “unbelievable”, what Peter attempted was to prove the same with some facts and figures and explaining the smuggling activity and related things. Meanwhile he scratched out a little volume of Charas, put it in a pipe and handed over to Bob telling “it would have burned better had there been some tobacco to add”. Bob didn’t like the suggestion and decided to smoke charas as such. Bob manifested a special skill to inhale it by pressing his fingers tightly pressed together. Peter repeated the same act and handed over the same to me. By the time I made a hard attempt to closely hold it with my pressed fingers, the flame in the pipe went off. Though I pretended as if taking the smoke, Peter understood it and said “Hey, you are not smoking, isn’t it?” Raymond took it and lighted it. Meanwhile realising our dramatic attempts to take a few shots of the happenings there, Peter and his friends were frantically trying to switchover to smoking beedies so as to avoid the pipe being photographed. The emotional change in Peter’s face at that moment was something really strange. Then they were trying to reach the pinnacles of ecstasy by smoking a cigarette after coating it with a black liquid (opium). We got out of the room only around midnight. Peter was telling as if to no one “what a pleasant moonlit night!” The he explained a few things about the lifestyle of hippies.

One thing Peter said while justifying the usage of drugs was thought provoking. “Don’t think that we are just growing hair and beard, dressed in shabby cloths and moving like nuts. We have reached here after spending our hard earned money. We could not enjoy ganja at this much cheaper in the US. We never smoke this beyond a limit. What’s wrong in walking on the road wearing shabby cloths? Outside it’s only dirt and dust. Come inside and see what we wear inside (In fact they were dressed in neat white cloths). It was difficult to believe that the persons sitting there were the shabbily dressed hippies who were walking on the road along with Yan, the other day.

When I saw the Indian hippies who were dancing and kissing in the mesmerizing intoxication of Ganja in front of “The Only Place”, I felt that they could manage to see only the outside world of the foreign hippies. In cities conditions are very much conducive for the students who are mad after drugs which only help them to become unproductive and lethargic with the loss of energy of both body and mind. Students are guided by the temptation to take the flight to the moon along the space track of ecstasy. The drugs they badly need are now available not only in the colleges and hostels but even in the petty shops outside. Imagine what it is if the pocket money to buy the same and the place and facilities to use them are also available! What lures many into the mesmerizing world of narcotic drugs might be the false notion that there is nothing for them to lose by taking trip through the space track of ecstasy but on the other hand they could gain an ecstatic empire which can be brought with nothing else but drugs.

The craze for drugs is existent in alrming levels among the school children of Delhi. It was when the single child of a Kerala minister met with a premature death after experimenting drugs on the compulsion of his friends that many have realised that even the small kids of public schools are slaves of narcotic drugs. Drug traffickers resort to many methods to lure the youngsters into their trap. If drug filled cigarettes are available for a try free of cost, students are certain to fall for it. The temptation to consume the forbidden fruit is instinctive to mankind. A survey has found out that as much as 56% of the University students in Delhi are using drugs. According to a report presented in the Lok Sabha on Dec 5, 1971, in Delhi alone there are 200 students who are using stronger narcotic drugs and 5000 using drugs of lesser strength. It is shocking to know that girls are in the forefront of this. The trend to use sleeping pills to get “Kick” is also growing among youngsters. The use of drugs have increased manifold in Delhi according to official circles.

Following is an opinion which the youngsters who are putting their trust in the magical power of drugs which provide them the much wanted energy, enthusiasm and “kick” might not have bothered to take notice of: “if you have put the petrol being used in airplanes in your motor bikes it might run with the speed of a bomb. Only thing is that within a short while the engine will burn out”. In a motorcycle, only the petrol specified for that vehicle should be used. The same applies to the case of human body which is also a machine in a technical sense. It was without realising this fact, many are going after drugs. If an automobile engine burns out, a new one could be bought. But what about human machine? Its is in total ignorance of this fact, those who are running after ecstasy provided by narcotic drugs repeats the statement of their idol, Timothy Leory who stated “what are the books your are reading in this molecular era. The problem is not about the symbols you use, but what type of chemicals which have become an integral part of your growth is important.

Giving a tit for tat reply to this a social worker of the US said like this pointing out its dangerous consequences: “the psychedelic death following the excessive use of narcotics is the most orphaned one. It will be more agonizing than the death of a seriously wounded soldier at the hospital. Whatever it might be, that solider might get the mental satisfaction of remembering the faces of his dear ones at the time of death. One who has become addicted to LSD can never hope for such a blessing. None of the faces familiar to him will come to his mind.

Those who try drugs in the beginning just as a pass time may better have a glance at a portion of the book “Nerampokku” (Pass-time) written by Puthezhathu Raman Menon.

“There is nothing like liquor which can kill time beyond limits. Once it reaches inside one will not be aware of the passage of time just as he forgets many other things. Then there is really some substance in describing liquor which has the capacity to even reduce one’s life span as “pass time” and the devotee of liquor as a comedian.”

The fate of those who depend on narcotics for just as a pass time is quite clear in the above statement. With a dead mind how long they can live? Even if they live, what they can do with a brain which has lost its entire prowess? It is here an attempt to analyze the virtual pros and cons of drug usage should commence. The end of those who become slaves of drugs in their desire to become unusually creative by expanding the mind through drugs will be pathetic. Those who run after drug induced ecstasy never realize that the hypnotizing world created by drugs will prove nightmarish for creative human life.

Translation: Saj Mathews

Dharma Veera’s Dharm

By Sunny Kulathakal

Sri Dharmaveera who is known for his brilliance, hardwork, diplomatic prowess has retired from the post of Mysore Governorship. The extraordinary skill and courage he has manifested in doing away with the existing red-tapism in administration as well as corruption and nepotism is commendable.

Once news started appearing in the media about the just concluded Indo-Pak war, hoarders and smugglers started raising their heads. One morning a short person appeared in the Bangalore city market to personally assess the stock of rice and kerosene in big shops. It was nobody else but Governor Dharmaveera.

He warned that the corrupt would be mercilessly dealt with. The dynamic administrator in Dharmaveera raised his voice for the upholding and up keeping righteousness.

Dharmaveera was known as a Governor who demonstrated unusual boldness to bluntly tell anybody what he felt wrong. In this respect he did not mind even politicians, ministers or central government. Dharmaveera has also proved that Governors are not puppets and the post of Governor is as well a platform to express one’s own views. Recently a central minister has remarked that the governor who embarked on a cut throat bargain to wrest what is due to Mysore Government from the Centre. Following this Dharmaveera was summoned to Delhi to explain his stand to the President. He did not hesitate to convey to the central government the real fact that he had the additional responsibility to argue for the interest of the people apart from his role as governor especially in the absence of an elected government in the state. However he also had the humility to write a letter to the president seeking pardon if at all there had been any impropriety on his part. It was on the day when he wrote that letter, I got the opportunity to interact with him.

Dharmaveera who was recalled the memories of the past delved on his allegiance to the government, his service to the nation and the future of civil service.

He recalled the opportunity he got to take care of a sick Gandhiji at the house of Sivaprasad Gupta in Norus in the year 1918.

He said that while he was the Joint Magistrate in Almora in the year 1938 leaders like Nehru and M N Roy had been in the local jail. When he was appointed the district judge of Barila, he became the first Indian to occupy that post. It was during those days many prominent youths like Ghan Abdul Gaffer Khan known as “Athirthi Gandhi” (Border Gandhi) was jailed. This provided him the opportunity to acquaint with many of them.

When he was employed in Aligarh, the possibility of a transfer top native place arose due to the efforts of his father. Dharmaveera came to know that his father influenced the Chief Secretary due to the illness of his wife. Refusing the transfer offer he told the Chief Secretary “I don’t like to create the impression that I am being brought up by a great father. Certainly I don’t want a transfer granted on the request of my father”.

There is a secret behind the Civil Service success of Dharmaveera, who used to openly express independent opinion and decision in the above manner. Listen to the advice given to him by a senior officer. You should always do two things. Take a decision irrespective of whether it is right or wrong because the gravity of the consequences will be lesser than that of not taking any decision. Secondly is the fact that your are an executive officer. As far as possible you should keep your mouth shut. Talking is the job of the politician. You will be judged by not by what you say but b y what you do. So talk less and work more. Dharmaveera believes that this advice had a great influence in his career.

It was since his joining the Government of India service that Dharmaveera could really make his personal mark in adminstation. “Bull weevil” (the machine that can collect more wool) this was how Akbar Hydari, the Industries secretary used to describe Dharmaveera. The practice was to entrust him if there was anything important to be done urgently. Later India Government also made of him in this manner on several occasions.

After the 1962 Chinese aggression, India needed to urgently build temporary airports in at least seven important centres. The Military engineering service informed that it would take at last two years. Nehru called summoned Dharmaveera who was secretary in the central public works department, the concerned ministers and others and asked “the work on these airports has to be completed in six months. Can you do it?”. “Certain we can” replied Dharmaveera. Under his leadership the work was completed in just five months. Likewise he could complete the work on Lodhi Harlour (meant for foreign diplomats) in a very short time.

It was while he was serving as Chief Commissioner in Delhi, the then Prime Minister Nehru died. Those days the sprawling area between Raj Ghat and Railway station was the heavily waterlogged and was the breeding ground for mosquitoes. Dharamveera’s role in making it to the present level had no been small. That was a low lying area and marshy. Lakhs of people were expected to converge there and there was no place for them to either stand or sit. Leaders like Mannarayanan and congress who could not even imagine cremating Punditji in such a place were really in fix. Acting Prime Minister Nanda was nervous. He rang up the Chief Commissioner in the early hours and said “Baba there is lot of noise about this issue what can do?” Without any wavering, Dharmaveera said “Okay. You all please visit the area by this evening”.

With the help of bulldozer they reached the site near Raj Ghat. Mannarayanan pointed out that this was not the place he saw earlier. Dharmaveera asserted that it is the same place. “then it must have been changed drastically”, Manarayanan replied in a defensive tone. “Yes certainly there is change and that too significant change. Such a change was inevitable for this site. You thought that Punditiji will be created in a marshy plot”.

It was at a time when agitation led by Santhafitha Singh and his followers for Pujabhi Sabha was in its full vigour, Dharmaveera was appointed as Punjab Governor in 1966 June. Due to his brilliant interference many of the troubles could be avoided in thiose days. In a letter to the Prime Minister Indira Gandhi later he expressed his desire to have a posting other than that of the Governor so that he could do something more creative. Some excerpts: “I would like to be relieved from the post of Governor. Otherwise please provide be a posting in which I could do something substantial. The constitutional post of governorship is one of boredom and could not be carried on with composure in the long run”.

During that period, the Bengal situation was turbulent. The Prime Minister told Dharmaveera “what you have asked was for a posting in which you could do something substantial. What do you say about moving to Bengal?’ That is how he happened to accept the Bengal Governorship and do many things which were historical. He might be recalling with pride how he had faced many of the trying situations like dismissal of the Ajoy Mukherjee ministry and difficult situation in the aftermath of his refusal to read the portions which were intended to tarnish the governor in the governor’s policy address to the assembly.

Realising that the role and influence of the Governor will be limited once a stable government comes to power, Dharmaveera said “Since I feel that I still has a few moré years of active life, I would like to be relieved of Governorship once the Bengal polls are over and if possible entrust me with another job. I informed the Prime Minister that I otherwise I would like to quit on my own. But when the United Front Government demanded his recall, the Central Government did not succumb to that. This led to my continuation as Bengal Governor for some more time”.

It was after this he was posted as Mysore Governor. DharmaVeera succeeded in presenting a better rule for the progress of the state when a ministry was in existence as well as when it was not there.

It may of relevance to mention some of the incidents he recalled from the period he was working with Nehru.

Due to paucity of space the role played by Dharmaveera for the development of Bhandakarunyam and rehabilitating refuges are not being explained here. While serviing as Cabinet Secretary during Nehru’s time, he had helped Nehru for taking many an important decision. It was a time when complaints about leakage many important cabinet decisions including those related to Kashmir were widespread. Nehru who was too much worried about the same was told by Dharmaveera “Sir I regret that the leakage was not from the secretariat, but it was through your ministerial colleagues Nehru who could not believe it shouted in anger “what kind of a non sense your are talking?” A cool Dharmaveera said “Sir I am not talking non sense. In fact I could convince you about it”.

“how could you?” asked Nehru. Dharmaveera said “there is a cabinet meeting tomorrow itself. I shall keep the report of the meeting myself without giving it for typing. I shall collect all the relevant papers and keep them in the locker in my home. Let us what happens tomorrow morning” Nehru agreed. When many of the important decisions appeared in the newspapers next morning he asked Nehru whether he is convinced at least now. “How did this happen” Nehru asked with curiosity. He said that he could even name the ministers responsible but dot not want to create problems by revealing their names. But he suggested that it will be better to issue a circular pointing out that it is not right to leak out the cabinet decisions. It seemed acceptable to him. Even after the warning not to leak out cabinet decisions, many have repeated it. Nehru who came to know this through other means removed such persons from the ministry quite conveniently at appropriate time, recalled Dharmaveera.

He also narrated an incident that caused his posting in India instead of being posted in Foreign Service. After India became independent there was need for representatives in many Indian missions abroad. The dialogue following Dhrmaveera’s refusal to accept such a posting is interesting. Through the foreign secretary Nehru came to know about his refusal to go to Australia. “I want to know immediately why you don’t want to go to Australia” Nehru demanded. For this Dharmaveera replied like this:………….

Translation: saj mathjews

Dr E.C.G Sudarshan’s relativity dimesions

by Sunny Kulathakal

Dr Ennakkal Chandy George Sudarshan hailing from Kottayam is an eminent Malayalee scientist who dared to correct Albert Einstein, the exponent of the relativity theory.

The following is what Dr Sudarhsn who landed in Bangalore from the Boston University told me about how he challenged the ‘Bheeshmacharya’ of physics.

“Suppose if you gave me change for a ten rupee note, I might put it my pocket believing you. You will know whether it is more or less only if you count it. I attempted to count the coins given by Einstein and said that it is a little less. Many took it as fun. That’s all”.

When Dr Sudarshan told me in such a humble manner that he had done nothing great but only some thing so small, what I recalled was the fact that the contributions of this unassuming but great scientist had already gone to various levels of physics. Though he had done even greater researches, he is better known as a scientist who challenged Einstein.

Scientists are mainly two categories. While one section gets themselves engaged in experiments within the confines of laboratories, the other section perform their mission by using their pen and paper. Dr Sudarshan who does not hesitate to use his imagination and formulate novel ideas from information available to him belongs to the second category.

Any one will be spell bound when Dr Sudarshan who possesses an independent and lively imaginative spirit unravels the mysteries of the magical box of physics in the most logical way through the help of simple examples. When Einstein proved that Newton’s law which says that the mutual attraction of physical objects are behind their mobility and immobility was applicable only to objects which are subjectively mobile or static was a turning point in the history of physics. Einstein’s theory that motion was relative was built upon his perception that nothing has the speed of light (Three Lakh Km in a second). But Sudarshan proved the possibility of some objects traveling at a speed surpassing that of light. They are known as Tachyons having more speed than that of light. If it can be fully proved, then information from distant stars will reach earth much faster.

It was in a paper presented at the Rochester University in 1958 Dr Sudharshan introduced the theory for the first time. With the assistance of Dr Bilanik, it was published in 1960 with certain modifications. It was also published in the American Journal of Physics Vol 30, Page 718.

But an American physicist named Gerald Fainburg has exploited the theory and now claims it as his own. Dr Sudarshan is a true copy of Einstein who commented that the world had gone nuts when he came to know that the bigwigs of Hollywood were planning to make a movie on him at a time when he wanted to retire to some corner of the world to lead a peaceful life. Einstein was at the pinnacle of fame those days. Like Einstein Sudarshan too is not vulnerable to publicity. In my mind I praised his aversion to publicity when stood helpless when I requested him to pose for a photograph at the end of my interview with him at the Guest house of the Indian Institute of Science at Bangalore.

I also don’t want to hide the fact that the photo of this accomplished scientist who does not give the least importance to publicity was finally taken by a press photographer at the airport on the day of his departure to the US.

It might seem ironical especially in view of the fact that scientists, sages and artistes who run after media with photographs in different poses and their biographical notes are not less in number these days.

Dr Arthur Michel Ramsey’s religion

The Arch Bishop of Canterbury, Dr Arthur Michel Ramsay has stated that it is because of the wrong perception about Christian goal of life that makes people to strive only for the salvation of the soul ignoring the social problems of mankind.

He called for the united and dedicated efforts on the part of Christians from all parts of the world to achieve social justice, fight against poverty and starvation and ensure human rights.

It was during an interview, supreme head of the Anglican Church and the 100^th Arch Bishop of Canterbury stated these things.

A brilliant orator, theological scientist, author and scholar, this religious head is the Pope of the Anglican Church. He is a source of hope and true friend of the depressed as well as the fountain of grace.

Dr Ramsay was not an Anglican by birth. Dr Ramsay born On November 14, 1904 to Arthur Ramsay, member of the Congregationalist Church and Mathematics professor at Cambridge was studying law to become an advocate. Later he decided to study theology. Subsequently he joined the Anglican Church and brought his father also to the fold.

Anybody who mingles with him even for a short while will realize that Dr Ramsay is great person in all respects. Wherever he goes there will be long queue of church members to have a glimpse of him and if possible to have a few words with him. He is extremely cordial in his interaction with anyone. Also he talks with full attention and not with half mind.

This is what the Arch Bishop has to say about himself; “Let me say two things about me. Firstly I claim myself to be a humble Christian. Secondly I am a humanist having strong awareness about human dignity and freedom”. The Arch Bishop has clear views on any subject whether it be ecumenical movement, Hippie culture, family planning, divorce or homosexuality.

A warning note

Listen to the warning note he gives against the dangers that could happen during the course of man’s frantic run for social progress. For just selfish benefits man is at present installing himself in the place of God and ruthlessly exploiting the entire resources of the world. But the developed urbanization will be in a for a great disappointment, one it is realised that the tides and trends of the world are not under the control of man, but on the other hand they are controlling him.

Without loosing optimism he said “Today we are living in a problematic world. Each of us is a problem both for ourselves as well as others around us. I have full confidence that Christian faith can solve the problems of the world. The Arch Bishop stated that Christians should become active in political and social spheres by being witnesses to Christian principles. He said it was deplorable that the Church leaders were satisfied with making mere public statements on social and political issues. Christians are entrusted with the responsibility of morality and justice. He stressed that Christians have the moral responsibility to see that the gap between the halves and have-nots is bridged.

Relationships

The relationship with God could be sustained only by giving paramount importance to justice, brotherhood and human love. He said there was a need to link the agitations for freedom and justice with the struggle to get redeemed from sin and selfishness. Incidentally he pointed out that several immoral relationships are acting as hurdles in the way of some affluent countries to gain freedom despite the fact that they have already gained relief from starvation and poverty.

“Our wealth and status are just transient. Finally we have to approach Christ without any garb. Then we would have nothing else but ourselves to present before him” he pointed out.

On those who opt for the path of agitation to secure their rights this is what Dr Ramsay has to tell; “if your conscience compels there is nothing wrong in agitating for your own rights. But you should never enter the battlefield to deny the rights of others. He said the Christian duty was to bring a transformation to the total human conditions. He also said that the perception that the Holy Ghost is the monopoly of any (including bishops) was wrong.

Countering the contention that invisible Church was more important than the visible Church, he said that it was inevitable to manifest the union with Christ through fellowships like Church.

As a spokesman of the unity of Christian Churches, he doesn’t have the false notion that it can be achieved in one fine morning. He also pointed out that there is no meaning in having unity just for sake of unity.

When asked about the delay occurred in recognizing the CSI Church by the synod of the Anglican Curch he said “ever since its inception in 1948, the CSI Church has been informally recognized by the Anglican Church. Even Holy Communion with the CSI Church was allowed. However there also existed certain problems as well. Not all the priests of CSI were appointed by Episcopas. The Anglican Church believes that only Episcopas are empowered to implement the heredity of apostles. Now most of the CSI bishops are ordained by Episcopas. “While it took 25 years for the Anglican Church to formally recognize the CSI Church it took centuries for the churches in North India to forge a unity” the Arch Bishop remarked with his typical humor.

One of the foremost scholars in theology, Dr Ramsay has contributed significantly to the English youth’s character development through his orations, writings and other activities.

The suggestions of the Arch Bishop to involve the youth more in the activities of the Church by understanding their needs are interesting. The youth might raise their voice against traditions and conventions. They may not like negative prohibitions. Present the adventure of leading a sacrificial Christian life and loving the God as a challenge before them. Never cherish the false hope that they could be made active in Church affairs by instilling fear and by using authority.

Hippism

The Arch Bishop pointed out that it was as a mark of protest against the growing urbanization and modern culture, people are turning to Hippism. He also pointed out that the organisation called “Jesus Hippes” is in fact is a group of those who are striving to bring religious revival. The group is a challenge to those who enact fraudulent life drama under the guise of religion.

He said that there is not even an iota of truth in the accusation that England is a permissive society. Just because a few are leading a permissive life, the entire society could not be blamed.

The Bishop who is a married person believes in family planning. Dr Ramsay who is of the view that divorces need to be discouraged believes in the principle of one husband, one wife and that too for the whole life.

A committee was constituted a few years ago in England to submit a report on issue of bringing homosexuality under the purview of criminal offense. The report which did not favour the same was discussed in the parliament. Asked about his speech supporting the report , the Arch Bishop said that homosexuality is wrong and is a sin. But we do not consider all sins as criminal offense. Moreover if homosexuality was included in the list of criminal offenses, it would become impossible to give advice or extend help to such offenders.

The Arch Bishop who believes that social issues are essentially moral issues use to take active interest in such matters.

Translation: saj mathews

ESSAYS: BY SUNNY KULATHAKAL

The philosophy of Frank C Brown

Frank C Brown, who has been making significant contributions for the last 35 years in the character development of children, their education and building their future, is a dynamic, hardworking, extremely humble, far sighted and brilliant Scottish citizen. Those who travel by rail from Jolarpetta to Tirupathur could not miss the YMCA premises including the playground on the left quit near the Jolarpet station. The premises which had cost lakh is the result of Brown’s efforts for several years. About 130 students belonging to different religions and castes are staying and studying there. Nearby is a Boys’ Home where there are 26 inmates and a 15 acre farm owned by the YMCA.

This six feet tall healthy westerner wearing a half sleeve shirt and bordered dhoti has a typical Keralaite look. As in the case of his dress, the diet of Frank is also equally simple. He takes his three times daily food along with children who he considers and takes care as part of his life. This engineer has a typical skill, better than a doctor of psychology to directly understand the problems of each child and solve them. Even with a little stammering he could easily handle Tamil language.

Brown who reaches the office at 6.30 am every day works till 8 M. He does not have either a stenographer or a typist despite the fact that he has a lot of correspondence to handle. Most of the important letters he types himself with a single finger. He himself handles the accounts relating to thousands of rupees.

Coming to India

Brown who got acquainted with Dr Earnest Forester Paton, the founder of the Christukalasharam of Tirupattur soon after his training at Albian Motor Works in Glasgow, came to India as an engineer at the age of 21 along with him. At the age of 12 itself Brown was aware his mother’s desire to see him as a priest. This might have been a reason why he accepted the invitation of Dr Paton.

While staying in the Ashram he was concerned about creating an atmosphere conducive for the character development of the children of Indian villages. Brown who witnessed the plight of the children who did not have a place to stay and reeling under starvation and poverty decided to commit his entire life to them.

Sacrificing whatever he had, Brown focused on the character development of the children in and around Tirupattur. It was only a small beginning. He strived tirelessly to make the Tirupattur YMCA’s boys’ division great and unique in many ways. It was from nothingness that he had built up that institution. Brown’s effort resulted in getting funds from as many as 27 countries.

A big boy

What Brown says about the way of handling problems of children is really noteworthy. There are certainly rays of hope if you take the child into confidence and act accordingly irrespective of how many times he had disappointed you and belittled you through his words. He will improve. There will be changes in him as years go by. It might be your confidence in him and advises that act as guiding factors on him. Many of the problematic children have reached high position in the later years of their life. It was by taking into account this fact that he had chalked out several programmes for the Children. Sports and games are the major focus of the children’s programmes of Brown who believes in Plato’s contention that he could know more of a person from a hour’s play time than from a year long conversation. He makes the children to work in the farms to make them understand the value of labour. They only are cleaning the premises. The usual discussions and other programmes are all meant to impart them the necessary training in the democratic arena.

Boys’ Home

Brown himself took me around the Boys’ Home which has 26 inmates, the farm and the Ashram where he was initially staying in Tirupattur. The Boys home can now stand on its own legs with the income from the farm even if the assistance coming from abroad comes to a halt. Moreover a workshop has been set up with a cost of Rs 43,000 for giving technical training to the children. Also there is a poultry unit. Important among other social services led by Brown are a first aid class and a type writing institute.

It was in a rented premises without any special facilities that Brown had started the Boys’ division of the Tirupattur YMCA which is now world famous. Till 1945 the cots and chairs were wooden boxes. The present building took 10 years to complete. Brown himself was the architect, contractor and labourer of the building. The funds for the institution which did not get any funds from the government were met through the generous contributions from abroad.

The strength of love

“Appa’s letter has come from London”; both hope and enthusiasm was writ large on his face when that young man said these words with tears of joy. This is about the letter Bishop Njanadasan who was undergoing treatment for brain tumor had written to his son from the Royal Marsdon Hospital in London last week. Even expert doctors were afraid whether he would escape from the clutches of death. I watched tears dropping from his eyes. The ailing CSI moderator and the bishop of the Kanayakumari diocese is now undergoing specialsied treatment in London. He has written a letter each to his son Jonathan who was working at the Ecumenical center in Bangalore and his daughter who was doing house surgency at the CSI hospital in Bangalore.

Bishop Njanadasan was elected as moderator of the church by the CSI synod held in Bangalore in 1972. But the very next month he was admitted the Velloor Medical College Hospital due to brain tumor. It was in Early March, the Bishop who was intermittently unconscious and in coma was taken to London. In a surgery conducted on sixth March a major portion of the tumor was removed from the brain. The Bishop is expected to return to India in June first week after undergoing six and a half week’s radiation therapy.

On April 20 his wife Jay Njanadasan has written a thanksgiving letter to all those who have expressed their love and concern to them through letters, telegrams and personal visits while her husband was bedridden.

In her letter this is how the Kanyakumari diocese which put a lot of pressure on him to proceed to England for treatment was referred- the most heartening expression of a diocese’s love and concern for its bishop! It’s historical! (Several lakhs have already been spent by the diocese for his treatment in London). Dr Sayed Ali, Director of the International Cancer Centre at Neyoor had also accompanied the Bishop to London. About him the letter says: “we cannot forget the wonderful love of Dr Sayed towards us. What else can a human being do other than dedicating his time, energy, influence and contacts for his friend. Our family’s obligation to him is beyond words”.

The bishop who was admitted to the Royal Marsdon hospital for treatment was later admitted to another hospital in Wimbledon for surgery on March 26 after Dr Bloom, a specialist at Marsdon had conducted some tests. About the surgery Mrs Njanadasan has written like this- A specialist in brain surgery Dr Walsh conducted the surgery in the afternoon of April. Prior to the surgery the Doctor had appraised me about the seriousness of the surgery and told me that he himself did not know what would happen when the skull was cut. By God’s grace he was able to remove the tumor. We were again sent back to the Marsdon hospital for further treatment. Here the Bishop has undergone radiation therapy and is convalescing slowly. But it will take still more time for complete recovery. Our self confidence has strengthened because of your prayers and love as well as prayers of the entire church for the continued touch of the almighty on him. Bishop seems to be extremely courageous and calm. There has been never any complaint from him. Both his courage as well as that of our children is making me more courageous. Because of your faith and love I too learned to be confident and optimistic. The missionary societies in England, friends and even strangers shared their love to us. The news of the Bishop’s ailment was spreading like wild fire. The Indians in England were expressing their love through telephonic enquiries, personal visits and offers for any assistance. This kind of unique linkage among the Indians in England was a subject of talk among the friends in England.

TRANSLATION:
SAJ MATHEWS

The need for awareness

P M MATHEW , VELLOOR

History testifies the fact that since the early days man has been making use of the leaves, seeds, extracts and serum of plants to bring changes in his behaviour, feelings and expressions. In 4^th century B C Sumerians were using opium extracted from poppy plant. There is reference in the Bible that Noah had behaved indecently under the influence of liquor. Even some kind of divinity was attached to the Ganja used by the sages and rich of ancient India. Today the use of drugs is on the increase beyond any proportion. In recent times drugs are creating a notable “psychedelic revolution” itself.

Apart from coffee (caffeine), tobacco (nicotin), liquor and the like a variety of narcotic drugs like cocaine, amphetamine and their byproducts like mescaline, LSD., DET., Marijuana, ethanol, barbiturates opium, morphine, codeine and heroin are now available. Morphine and codeine were first extracted from poppy plant in 1806 and 1832. Heroin was invented in 1898. (Heroin which was invented to salvage a person who was addicted to morphine is today the most dangerous of all narcotic drugs. Amphetamine and LSD were invented in 1927 and 1938 respectively. Information about dioaxiaphitami is only very recent. Certainly there is possibility of inventing more of such narcotic drugs. The attempts of scientists to categorise narcotics as stimulants and depressants turned out to be futile. The reasons were many. The volume difference of a single narcotic content in a person is liable to cause different reactions. For example a simple dose of morphine will make one sleepy. If taken more it will act as a stimulant. A small dose of marijuana will create a feeling of ecstasy while an overdose will lead to mental hallucination. Liquor will impart vigor to a depressed mind and a controlling effect on the over-smart mind. The experience of those who take drugs occasionally will be entirely different from those who use it regularly. If one takes it regularly the urge to increase the dosage gradually is only natural and eventually a stage will come wherein he could not live without it. This state is called Psychic dependence. Caffeine, nicotine etc will cause this dependence only slightly. But sudden stoppage of the use of marijuana, cocaine, LSD, mescaline and amphetamine will lead to severe depression and restlessness. Psychedelic depression associated with codeine, opium, morphine and heroin will be very serious. When they become unavailable, it may lead to anxiety, emotional disorder, anger and even uncontrollable violence. In order to have the same initial effect one may have to gradually increase the dose also.

Just like psychedelic dependence some may experience physical dependence. The usual physical symptoms following stoppage of the drug will be body pain, sleeplessness, yawning, nausea, omitting, diarrhea and blurring of vision. Such a prolonged physical condition can be described as physical dependence. Apart from this, the use of cocaine, amphetamine, mescaline and the like may lead to mental disorders in some cases. It is also a fact that those who are prone to mental disorders used to manifest an urge to use drugs. It is also seen that the intellect will gradually come down due to the continuous usage of ethanol, barbiturate, opium, morphine and heroin. Some will gradually lose the sense of surroundings and even reach a stage of not remembering their own name. In many studies it is pointed out that most of the narcotic drugs would damage the brain and other vital organs of the body. Particularly liquor affects the liver first. Morphine invites fatal diseases. LSD is capable of even destroying the chromosomes which bear within them one’s genetic traits.

The eagerness to enhance creativity and intellect some times compels a person to try drugs. Some resort to drugs to minimize the shocks caused by problems of life. Some use the drugs as a protest against the social set up which failed to give them the comforts of their expectation. Some who start using it as a medicine to get relief from severe physical pain continue using it, lured by the pleasure it has been giving. These and many others are the reasons that lead one to the world of drugs. But at the moment they seem to be not conscious about the long term consequences of the same. Twenty years ago narcotic drugs were being used widely only as a medicine in western countries. But in later years the number of persons using these drugs as tranquilizers started increasing beyond any proportion due to a variety of reasons. In England use of drugs has been legally banned on the lines of the ban on marriage between homosexuals. Timothy Leory who leads the movement in favour drug usage was a teacher at the Harvard University. Ousted from the University he has now become a prophet of narcotic drugs. To an extent he is responsible for this trend.

The craze towards drugs is spreading as a contagious disease among the youth of India. The need of the hour is more scientific studies on this menace which has already been taken up as a subject matter for study by social scientists and psychologists. Alcoholic Anonymous is an organisation which helps people to stop drinking and lead a normal life. Another organisation called Synanon also works on the same lines. This is an organisation which helps one to bring his personal self and character under control so as to lead a better and decent life. The members are mostly those who have escaped from the clutches of drugs. Such organizations could be launched in India too.

In Malayalam, books dealing with this vital issue of contemporary importance are very rare. The only ones available are: Translation of L G Mukherji’s “Enemies of Health” (liquor, tobacco, opium etc) published in 1923 (page 67), “The harmful Effects of Liquor, Tobacco etc published in 1930 (Author: Superintendent, Government Press, Madras- page 50), a scientific study on Gnaja published in Vinjana Kairali and a few essays by Aranmula Hariharaputhran. These are not books which contain updated advanced information. In this backdrop, “the World of Drugs” by Sunny Kulathakkal is really a blessing to the Malayalam language and readers. In the first chapter titled “In search of bliss”, the writer while referring to the increasing craze for drugs among the University students in Mumbai, is attempting to explain the growing influence of liquor among the young generation through the interviews he had with foreign Hippies at Ekasthanan, the headquarters of the Hippies in Bangalore. He introduces those foreign Hippies who are in search of new experiences after earning a lot of money through handwork as well as those irresponsible Indian youths who are losing their physical and mental health by going after drugs just due to the craze for imitation. The second chapter discusses the world wide repercussions of the psychedelic revolution which started followign the experiment of Aldus Huxley in 1954. In the next eight chapters the writer deals with the variety of narcotic drugs, the physical and mental addiction it creates, drug usage in different countries and the modus operandi of smugglers which is more amazing than what we come across in detective stories. The book also deals with the mental and social reasons behind the modern man being lured into the enchanting trap of drugs. The story of Peter Mark, an artist who had a premature death at the age of 35 after being trapped in the mesmerizing world of drugs is certain to create shock waves in the readers’ mind.

The last chapter refers to the efforts of a few experts to suggest remedies to the menace of the growing usage of drugs and it turning intothreat to the very culture of modern man.

Purpose of the writer is not to attempt a serious scientific analysis of drugs. But the book is enough to give a somewhat a basic knowledge about the same. Sunny’s simple and straight writing style is commendable. The writer is only presenting before the readers the drugs which are fast influencing the young generation and their harmful effects. His propriety of not attempting a moral discourse on the stage is also commendable.

I am pleased to introduce this book to the readers with the optimism they will appreciate the noble attempt made by Sunny Kulathakkal.

(Preface written for “The World of Drugs”)

P.M.Mathew, Velloor

History testifies the fact that since the early days man has been making use of the leaves, seeds, extracts and serum of plants to bring changes in his behaviour, feelings and expressions. In 4^th century B C Sumerians were using opium extracted from poppy plant. There is reference in the Bible that Noah had behaved indecently under the influence of liquor. Even some kind of divinity was attached to the Ganja used by the sages and rich of ancient India. Today the use of drugs is on the increase beyond any proportion. In recent times drugs are creating a notable “psychedelic revolution” itself.

Apart from coffee (caffeine), tobacco (nicotin), liquor and the like a variety of narcotic drugs like cocaine, amphetamine and their byproducts like mescaline, LSD., DET., Marijuana, ethanol, barbiturates opium, morphine, codeine and heroin are now available. Morphine and codeine were first extracted from poppy plant in 1806 and 1832. Heroin was invented in 1898. (Heroin which was invented to salvage a person who was addicted to morphine is today the most dangerous of all narcotic drugs. Amphetamine and LSD were invented in 1927 and 1938 respectively. Information about dioaxiaphitami is only very recent. Certainly there is possibility of inventing more of such narcotic drugs. The attempts of scientists to categorise narcotics as stimulants and depressants turned out to be futile. The reasons were many. The volume difference of a single narcotic content in a person is liable to cause different reactions. For example a simple dose of morphine will make one sleepy. If taken more it will act as a stimulant. A small dose of marijuana will create a feeling of ecstasy while an overdose will lead to mental hallucination. Liquor will impart vigor to a depressed mind and a controlling effect on the over-smart mind. The experience of those who take drugs occasionally will be entirely different from those who use it regularly. If one takes it regularly the urge to increase the dosage gradually is only natural and eventually a stage will come wherein he could not live without it. This state is called Psychic dependence. Caffeine, nicotine etc will cause this dependence only slightly. But sudden stoppage of the use of marijuana, cocaine, LSD, mescaline and amphetamine will lead to severe depression and restlessness. Psychedelic depression associated with codeine, opium, morphine and heroin will be very serious. When they become unavailable, it may lead to anxiety, emotional disorder, anger and even uncontrollable violence. In order to have the same initial effect one may have to gradually increase the dose also.

Just like psychedelic dependence some may experience physical dependence. The usual physical symptoms following stoppage of the drug will be body pain, sleeplessness, yawning, nausea, omitting, diarrhea and blurring of vision. Such a prolonged physical condition can be described as physical dependence. Apart from this, the use of cocaine, amphetamine, mescaline and the like may lead to mental disorders in some cases. It is also a fact that those who are prone to mental disorders used to manifest an urge to use drugs. It is also seen that the intellect will gradually come down due to the continuous usage of ethanol, barbiturate, opium, morphine and heroin. Some will gradually lose the sense of surroundings and even reach a stage of not remembering their own name. In many studies it is pointed out that most of the narcotic drugs would damage the brain and other vital organs of the body. Particularly liquor affects the liver first. Morphine invites fatal diseases. LSD is capable of even destroying the chromosomes which bear within them one’s genetic traits.

The eagerness to enhance creativity and intellect some times compels a person to try drugs. Some resort to drugs to minimize the shocks caused by problems of life. Some use the drugs as a protest against the social set up which failed to give them the comforts of their expectation. Some who start using it as a medicine to get relief from severe physical pain continue using it, lured by the pleasure it has been giving. These and many others are the reasons that lead one to the world of drugs. But at the moment they seem to be not conscious about the long term consequences of the same. Twenty years ago narcotic drugs were being used widely only as a medicine in western countries. But in later years the number of persons using these drugs as tranquilizers started increasing beyond any proportion due to a variety of reasons. In England use of drugs has been legally banned on the lines of the ban on marriage between homosexuals. Timothy Leory who leads the movement in favour drug usage was a teacher at the Harvard University. Ousted from the University he has now become a prophet of narcotic drugs. To an extent he is responsible for this trend.

The craze towards drugs is spreading as a contagious disease among the youth of India. The need of the hour is more scientific studies on this menace which has already been taken up as a subject matter for study by social scientists and psychologists. Alcoholic Anonymous is an organisation which helps people to stop drinking and lead a normal life. Another organisation called Synanon also works on the same lines. This is an organisation which helps one to bring his personal self and character under control so as to lead a better and decent life. The members are mostly those who have escaped from the clutches of drugs. Such organizations could be launched in India too.

In Malayalam, books dealing with this vital issue of contemporary importance are very rare. The only ones available are: Translation of L G Mukherji’s “Enemies of Health” (liquor, tobacco, opium etc) published in 1923 (page 67), “The harmful Effects of Liquor, Tobacco etc published in 1930 (Author: Superintendent, Government Press, Madras- page 50), a scientific study on Gnaja published in Vinjana Kairali and a few essays by Aranmula Hariharaputhran. These are not books which contain updated advanced information. In this backdrop, “the World of Drugs” by Sunny Kulathakkal is really a blessing to the Malayalam language and readers. In the first chapter titled “In search of bliss”, the writer while referring to the increasing craze for drugs among the University students in Mumbai, is attempting to explain the growing influence of liquor among the young generation through the interviews he had with foreign Hippies at Ekasthanan, the headquarters of the Hippies in Bangalore. He introduces those foreign Hippies who are in search of new experiences after earning a lot of money through handwork as well as those irresponsible Indian youths who are losing their physical and mental health by going after drugs just due to the craze for imitation. The second chapter discusses the world wide repercussions of the psychedelic revolution which started followign the experiment of Aldus Huxley in 1954. In the next eight chapters the writer deals with the variety of narcotic drugs, the physical and mental addiction it creates, drug usage in different countries and the modus operandi of smugglers which is more amazing than what we come across in detective stories. The book also deals with the mental and social reasons behind the modern man being lured into the enchanting trap of drugs. The story of Peter Mark, an artist who had a premature death at the age of 35 after being trapped in the mesmerizing world of drugs is certain to create shock waves in the readers’ mind.

The last chapter refers to the efforts of a few experts to suggest remedies to the menace of the growing usage of drugs and it turning intothreat to the very culture of modern man.

Purpose of the writer is not to attempt a serious scientific analysis of drugs. But the book is enough to give a somewhat a basic knowledge about the same. Sunny’s simple and straight writing style is commendable. The writer is only presenting before the readers the drugs which are fast influencing the young generation and their harmful effects. His propriety of not attempting a moral discourse on the stage is also commendable.

I am pleased to introduce this book to the readers with the optimism they will appreciate the noble attempt made by Sunny Kulathakkal.

(Preface written for “The World of Drugs”)

The redeemer of animal instincts

Shivering with fear she ran to the police station and knelt on the feet of the police officer on duty pleading:

“Master please save me; please help me to live like any other human being. Please don’t allow me to become a prostitute”.

She has somehow escaped from a prominent brothel. She could not go back. Her lover, a factory worker has come forward to marry her. She wants to get married and live as a housewife. The police inspector presented her in the court. It was to the wedding stage that she went from the court. Several prostitutes of the red street and the rich later made vain attempts to bring back the dancing queen who ran away. When bidding farewell to the red street, her main concern was about her younger sister who was undergoing learning dance in those streets.

Both anthropologists and historians opine that prostitution is a profession dating back to the very dawn of mankind. Though prostitution is not a guilt that could be unilaterally attributed just to one of the two parties, the first human being, Adam himself had manifested the character of passing the responsibility of the guilt to the woman. The Marxian explanation that poverty is the reason for prostitution doesn’t match with the developmental history of mankind. It might be a little relief from poverty, the reason for a woman selling her body to a man temporarily. But the fact is that the man who uses her is guided only by sexual urge.

Extramarital relationships were not considered a sin during the primitive days when there were no restrictions on sexual indulgence. Gradually it became impossible for man to go on living unsystematically by eating whatever he gets, stay at wherever he likes and mate with anyone. Faith in God, religion and priests, social inequalities based on race and caste differences became an integral part of human life. Marriage became an inevitable custom in men-women relationships in society. Each one, according to his strength started to have any number of women as possible for his sexual needs. Polygamy became so widespread. The system of private ownership of property, dynastic rule and upper class supremacy helped a few to establish their dominance in society. Opulent religious heads liberally added manure to this evil. The priestly rank which encouraged prostitution as a profession under the shade of religion cultivated the same which was booming around temples as a money spinning art. Those days it was not at all a crime to trade virginity for earning money for dowry. The only condition was that it should be within the temple premises that the pet goddesses be pleased by indulging in prostitution. They handover the income earned through this way to a man and later get married to him.

It is well known that the main income of the Babylonian, Greek and Indian temples were the revenue earned by Devadasis and dancers through selling their body.

According to Herodotus woman who find shelter in the premises of the temple of Isthar in Babylonia were obliged to have sexual intercourse with anybody who throws money into her lap. The same was the situation in Cyprus and Greece. The woman who was just a slave to man in earlier days didn’t have any voice or individuality of her own. Even St Paul had not allowed women to appear in public places and address public gatherings. She was obliged to be mutely subservient to the husband.

Jesus Christ who publicly stated that it was not fair to accuse women alone in cases of adultery argued for a compassionate attitude towards prostitutes even as he despised adultery quite strongly. However St Paul, who came to the centre stage as the disciple of Christ condemned prostitutes and taught that celibacy was the greatest virtue. What he advised was to have a woman as wife only as a last resort to refrain from adultery.

Though Moses had prohibited Jewish women from prostitution during the Old Testament days, there was no law during those days for him to ban men from approaching outside women for sexual needs. Though prostitutes were not allowed inside temples, there were huge settlements of prostitutes on both sides of the entrances of temples. In the bible it is said that the priests who indulged in sex with these women were punished by God. Even in developed countries what we could invariably find is a religious set up which encouraged prostitution in one form or other.

The situation in India had been somewhat different. Prostitutes were given a higher status in society while there were special rules and a social security system in place exclusively for them as prescribed by Kautilyan’s “Arthasasthra”. Divine prostitution which sprouted under the shade of Buddhist enclaves and Hindu temples spread throughout the country by the 6^th and 7^th centuries. By the 11^th century, in South India comprising of Kerala, Devadasis and court dancers had become just the means of sexual entertainments of the ruling class. Since they were given as offerings to Gods and were to liberally mingle with those who were at the higher levels of the society, they enjoyed a reputed status in the society. These beautiful women who were excelled in fine arts like music and dance used to earn accolades in royal durbars and cultural forums.

According to historians, In the Vijayanagar King Krishnadevarayan’s royal chamber of women there were over 10000 beautiful women and the most prominent among being Devadasis. Of the two prominent queens of Krishandevarayan, the top status was for a Devadasi named Chinnadevi. The statues of Krishnadevarayan and Chinnadevi can still be seen in Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. For the masses, she was a goddess.

Elamkulam Kunjan PIllai, a researcher of history says that Cherukuttathi, the beloved wife of 14^th century Odanadu King, was a Devadasi.

Marco Polo who visited Kerala during the later years of 13^th century describes about a topless King who were adorned with jewellery all over his body. He had about 100 women as wives and concubines. He also had won over the wife of his own brother and the latter had not taken it serious at all!

The legal wives of these rulers could in no way dissuade their husbands who were bent on encouraging these beautiful and highly educated women. The priestly class and native rulers used to perpetuate their own rules and superstitions to justify their wrong activities and secure blessings from landlords and Brahmin chiefs. Since sighting a prostitute was considered a good omen, the Indian women who were the symbols of faithfulness did not dare to bring bad luck in their family life by dissuading their husbands who set out every morning to “have a look at prostitutes”.

Brahmin widows were once exempted from committing “Sathi” on the condition that they will learn the techniques of sexual enticing and give their bodies only to Brahmins and upper class for sexual pleasure. Since there was no other alternative other than opting for divine prostitution as a way of life or else jumping into the funeral pyre of their husbands, young widows of those days had to spend the rest of their lives as prostitutes in the premises of temples! What turned these women as Devadasis was neither the religious faith nor relief from poverty, but natural instinct for survival and their sexually dissatisfied past. The priestly class and the rich were cleverly exploiting the hapless condition of these women for their sexual pleasure. It was on the basis of certain doctrines approved under the label of God and religion that women were subjected to sexual exploitation in Europe too. Though celibacy advocated by St Paul was well recognized, the religious heads who were bound to follow the same were leading a diametrically opposite personal life. The ashrams and convents of these pious communities of unmarried persons who were expected to lead a dedicated life immersed in divine worship eventually became notorious for sexual anarchy. In England, France, Spain and Portugal, the convents and parsonage attached to churches turned into houses of sin. Pope Gregory the 8^th was prominent among the very few Popes who fought this social evil. But in the pretension of complying with his commands and restrictions, the clergy were leading a fraudulent life. In the book titled “History of Inquisition” the innumerable shocking and shameful pictures of the sinful life of the bishops and priests of those days can be seen. The archbishops who took their daughters as concubines and took youths of their infatuation as partners after ordaining them as priests acted as the spokespersons of the celibacy of the clergy. It was the gulf between their preaching and practice that led to religious reformation and the advent Protestantism. The Book titled “The History of European Morals says that many of the medieval convents were nothing but brothels. The feticides and infanticides taken place within the walls of these convents were said to be innumerable!

The Canterbury (England) Abbot had as many as 17 illegal offsprings while another in Spain had over 70 concubines. The Bishop of Lig had 65 children through numerous wives. In Italy, young women who approach a priest for confession could get salvation from her sins only if they shared bed with him.

Given below is how one 15^th century Dominican monk named Savanarola publicly accused the degenerated way of life of the European religious heads. “When the night comes, one finds a seat near the table of gamblers. Another one leaves to the house of his concubine. They are deeply immersed in shamefully wrong acts. They neither have faith or goodness. All the priests have concubines. In Rome this poison is brimming. And it has now spread to France, Germany and other parts of the World.

The sentries of Christian Church managed to protect morality by charring to death Savnarola after conducting a trial in the presence of papal representative! But by the 17^th century the rulers of Europe and England were compelled to change their policy. They hanged to death adulterers and imprisoned prostitutes after torturing them with lashes. Brothels were razed to the ground. But the “guardians of morality” set up night clubs for “society ladies and women artistes”.

In Spain and Portugal, the protectors and ultimate authority of religion was the Kings. When they set out in search of lovers in the suburbs of the city, the priests and Knights slept in the royal chambers of women. Those who were not willing to submit to their wishes were branded as devil’s children and even burned alive. They indulged in sexual excesses with the least botheration as to whether the victims were daughters, mothers or sisters. According to historians, there were more than a lakh prostitutes staying just for the sexual needs of the clergy. Today in big Indian cities only such a huge number of women engaged in prostitution can be fund if a correct statistics is taken.

What described in the beginning of this article was an incident occurred recently occurred in the North Indian city of Ujjain. Thousands of women who took to prostitution for a living in the major cities of India certainly have a lot of shameful stories of their life to tell the world. But nobody is ready to heed with compassion.

Where is the beginning of this evil? How prostitutes are born? Where did prostitution first start? We are yet to find out correct answers to these questions. This age old profession continues to be encouraged everywhere under the garb suited to the changing social and political climates. What needed is to approach the basic reasons of prostitution through a humanitarian and social view point accepting that from the beginning of the world man’s centre of attraction has always been women and man has always been the refuge of woman. Providing better disease prevention methods and better treatment centers are not enough. Before despising those who have gone astray what needed to be done is to eradicate the circumstances that caused their steps to falter.

In this respect, the service taken up by Sunny Kulathakkal through the book “The World of Prostitutes” is invaluable and moreover highly commendable.

(The preface written for the book “The World of Prostitution’)