justice V R Krishna Iyer writes

Commendable


The propriety of publishing as a book, the different articles written by Sunny Kulathakkal at various occasions is quite commendable. The book is full of the recollections of how he had overcome a lot of tough experiences and negative situations through his hard and sincere efforts after his migration to Gulf through a little bit of political clout after his initial stint as a journalist in India. It is commendable that he found time to care for his family matters while struggling to build up his future. One of his distinctive contributions was the Gulf directory which he compiled for the benefit of Gulf Malayalees while he was in the Middle East.

I consider that this series written in beautiful and stylish language without a tinge of exaggeration on several subjects of interest to the ordinary people are highly informative. There is no doubt that this book will give an interesting and informative reading to the Malayalees in Gulf and especially their relatives back home. I would also like to particularly point out that the Keralites and Non resident Malayalees are equally obliged to him for this venture.

Malayalee mind strengthened by sand dunes

sunny kulathakal
profile by aravind

Sunny Kulathakkal has of course to say a lot about the distance from Maramon to the seat of success in Bahrain. Most of them are stories of his hurdles and setbacks. The biography of a journalist who changed crises into glistening pearls of success! Apart from being an excellent organizer, journalist, sincere social worker, humanist, Sunny Kulathakkal is hard work personified.


There are many who have achieved success in life by utilising the opportunities wisely. But, only those who are brilliant and talented can turn adversities into steps of success. That is what Sunny Kulathakkal is. The story of Sunny is that of rising to the position of an editor in Gulf from running a newspaper distribution firm in Bangalore. That too of a renowned publication in Gulf!

Sunny’s assets were his hard work and sincerity. Sunny didn’t waver even when purity of his intentions were questioned. Instead he tried to understand people better, cast the net by rightly reading the sea and got hold of an empire. “The Gulf Who is Who Directory- today that name is Sunny’s own.

Now at his 60, Sunny has no complaint against anyone. The reason for his influence in Karnataka politics is his Journalistic stint. His close relationship with leading political personalities like former Maharashtra Governor P C Alexander, Former Union Minister late A C George, Meghalaya Governor M M Jacob and Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy provided his enough opportunities to build friendships with many a key figure in Karnataka politics. What proved to be a break in his life was his coming to Bangalore after post graduation. For eight years he was the Development Director of the United Theological College (UTC) of Bangalore.

It was his Bangalore life which has opened up the doors to Gulf. Sunny who started as a distribution agent and later the correspondent of Malayala Manorama later became the correspondent of the Illustrated Weekly. Reaching Gulf to write a series about the problems of Gulf Malayalees, Sunny succeeded in hoisting the victory flag in his professional career. It was in 1977 that sunny reached Gulf. The mission was to study the life of Malayalees to write a feature. In those days several Indian publications had come out with Sunny’s stories about Gulf Malayalees who reached heights as well as those who had to sacrifice their life mid way through. It was his thinking of how to make use the information he had collected without returning to India that led to the publication of the “Gulf Who is Who Directory”. It was in 1978, the first edition came out. He is genuinely satisfied and proud of the fact that it has turned out to be an authentic reference book in Gulf.

It was through Malayala Manorama’s Balajana Sakhyam that Sunny made his debut into public life and journalism. While studying in S B College, Chenganacherry, he managed to get an opportunity for journalistic tranining through corresponding with Malayala Manorama Chief Editor K M Mathew. It was his five months’ training in Malayala Manorama that helped him to become an excellent freelancer.

Born to a priest of the Orthodox Church, it was at the age of eight sunny had become a member of the Balajana Sakhyam. For years he has served as the central committee member of the organisation. This paved the way for him to become a brilliant organizer. He was elected as the president of the Sakhyam succeeding Oommen Chandy who later became the Kerala Chief Minister. Manorama used to pay TA and DA when he used to come to Kottayam for work related to the Sakhyam. Later many used to stay in lodges outside and claim more money from Manorama. But Sunny used to spend his time in the daily’s editorial and library and return to Maramon in the newspaper van of Manorama at 3 0 clock in the morning. Palai K M Mathew who was the then representative of Sankarachettan had always been informed about the TA he was claiming this way.

From childhood itself Sunny had a special quality to change anybody whom he meets as a friend. This has helped him in several crucial moments. Malayala Manorama’s photographer John was a great help to him in several occasions. It was John who introduced Sunny to Mannathu Padmanabhan and his wife Thottakkattu Madhaviamma while they had come to attend a conference in Maramon. Instantly Sunny requested Madhaviamma to give an autograph. “I wish all the best for my son Sunny” she wrote. He then turned to Mannam to write in the next page. He refused saying that his wife had already given the autograph. But he came down following Sunny’s insistence and wrote his best wishes.
It was Sunny’s habit to collect the signature and message of prominent persons he happened to meet. Two of them written by senior journalists of Manorama-Varghese Kalathil, editor of Manorama Weekly and Babu Chenganoor-were something special. The former wrote “Do not give the key of your heart to anyone” and on the other side of the page was the latter’s advice “Give the key of your heart to only one”. And it so happened that finally he gave the key to Elizabeth, an employee of State Bank of India.


He fondly recollects that it was Elizabeth who stood as a pillar of support and shade of comfort behind all his success. Elizabeth at present is the Director of the Bahrain based Sunlis Publications.

When looking back Sunny has so much to be proud of. Mainly, he could give the best education for his children. Son Biju, an aeronautical engineer is running his own computer establishment in Chicago. The second son Binu and his wife Ranjini are doctors. Both of them are doing their post graduation in World renowned John Hopkin’s University in Baltimore. Youngest daughter Bindu is working in “World Education”, a Non Governmental Organisation based in Boston. A financial assistance programme is now undergoing under her leadership for the poor children of Raichur District in Karnataka.

It was while he was undergoing training in Ernakulam YMCA after his studies in 1966 that Sunny got the opportunity for secretarial training of YMCA at Bangalore. Since journalism was his dream he used to regularly send news reports and features to Malayala Manorama and used to write feature series in Mathrubhumi Weekly. Once, while visiting the Mathrubhumi office in Kozhikode to hand over a feature series, he also dropped into the Manorama office during which he was asked to submit an application for the post of a newspaper agent for the daily in Bangalore. Thus for this youth who aspired to become a journalist got an opportunity to learn a lot about the field of news distribution. But what attracted him was the permission given to file news reports and articles. For sunny journalism was never a breadwinner. On the other hand it was a part of his life. Those days Sunny, his brother and their two friends used to wait at Majestic waiting for the newspaper vehicle coming from Kozhikode. Then they rush in their scooters to newspaper stands.

After a short while, copies of Mathrubhumi daily started reach Bangalore in the early hours in a private bus named S K S. The bus owner refused the request to bring also the Manorama news paper because it was such an exclusive contract they had with Mathrubhumi.

But this was brought to the attention of M M Jacob and Union Mnister Henry Austin who came to participate in the AICC session in Bangalore as Kerala representatives of the party. Henry Austin conveyed this issue to Karnataka Transport Minister Asees Sait. It was under the threat of Sait the Bus owner started to bring Manorama too from Kozhikode. It was in the presence of Sunny, the minister talked to the bus owner in his office. The minister threatened to cancel the bus permit if Manorama copies were also not transported. Following this Manorama also started arriving in the morning.


It was in 1968, Sunny got appointment as the official secretary of the Thiruvalla YMCA. Sunny is happy that he could manage to construct an own building for the YMCA within a year. It was after this he got the letter appointing him as the Assistant Director in the Department of Development in the United Theological College in Bangalore. The help of R D Cooper a foreigner who was an all India office bearer of YMCA only had made it possible. Soon he was elevated as Director.

While working with the Ernakulam YMCA in 1966, he had taken initiatives to organize district/state level seminars for college students. A souvenir also was published in this connection. The then office bearers of YMCA might have felt that a new comer was overtaking them. It was when he was undergoing YMCA’s Secretarial training in Bangalore that he got a letter from the secretary of Ernakulam YMCA seeking explanation about the missing from the accounts of a sum of Rs 50 received from a Company in Ernakulam for the souvenir. A copy of the letter was sent to Cooper too. Since it was attempt to tarnish him, Sunny set off to Ernakulam with the permission of Cooper. It was proved that the amount in question was handed over to another person while Sunny was not in the office. Sunny still keeps the letter of apology from the secretary of Ernakulam YMCA.

Sunny had an eight year stint in UTC and had an unceremonious exit. Sunny attributes the same to personal animosity. The first allegation was that he created hurdles for the College principal’s Gulf visit. Following this the Principal Dr J R Chandran served a show cause notice to Sunny. The reason was that he did not attend the Governing Council meeting. The next notice was based on flimsy grounds. The Governing Council’s rejection of Dr Chandran’s request for an extension also was used as a weapon against Sunny. Shortly Sunny’s application for eight months leave was granted by the Governing Council. It was after this the dismissal notice was issued. Those who pulled the strings to get rid of Chandran from the post were making use of Sunny also. They used Sunny to trace the age certificate of Chandran from Thiruvananthapuram secretly. Coming to know of this the Principal influenced the Bangalore City Police Commissioner. Though an attempt was made by the police under the instructions of the Commissioner to block Sunny when he landed in Trivandrum to get the certificate he escaped with the help of Oommen Chandy. In the case filed by Sunny against his dismissal from UTC, the verdict of the Civil, High Court and the Supreme Court was to reinstate him. By that time Sunny had built up his empire in Bangalore and Gulf. He did not need the UTC job or its benefits anymore. But he considers as invaluable the judgment that states that he is not guilty. As a journalist Sunny used to accompany any political leaders who landed in Bangalore. Those who maintained close relationship with him included A C George, M M Thomas, M M Jacob, and Oommen Chandy.
Sunny recalls that A C George was a leader who gave extreme importance to personal relationships. Whenever he was in Bangalore Sunny used to be with him throughout.

Since his Balajana Sakhyam days Sunny had a personal relationship with P C Alexander This helped him a .lot in his life. Alexander used to rely on Sunny several times to get information relating Karnataka.

Sunny had the opportunity to closely watch the practical hurdles to implement the decision taken by Prime Minsiter Rajiv Gandhi to remove Veerendra Patil from Karnataka Chief Ministership. The proposal for P C Alexander’s intervention in the matter was Sunny’s. This was conveyed to Moopanar through Oscar Fernandes. Thus the party leaders could get out of the entanglement after having talks with Rajiv Gandhi at the latter’s house along with Moopanar.


Sunny was also a small star in the backstage of the drama enacted by Veerappa Moily to become the Karnataka Chief Minister. Veerappa Moily had used Sunny’s closeness with Alexander to his benefit. Sunny could arrange meetings between Alexander and Moily several times. Sunny was with them till the stage when Alexander gave an assurance on the lines of “may you been seen in a different position next time”.


It was Sunny who went to Mumbai with the congratulatory message of Moily when Alexander was appointed as Maharashtra Governor. But when Moily turned against former Chief Secretary J Alexander, a Malayalee, Sunny was in the forefront fighting against the move. The article written by Sunny in Kalakaumudi in 1994 against the step motherly attitude being adopted by Moily towards the people of other states proved to be an excellent example of daring journalism. (The correspondences between Sunny and Moily on this issue were also noteworthy). Exposed in the article was Moily’s growth from nothingness to a millionaire, the gap between his preaching and practice and his thanklessness.


What made Sunny to be out of the good books of Moily was the former’s move to organize Malayalees and other communities against the denial of justice to Alexander. For years Sunny had been a frontline fighter of all the struggles for the cause of the Malayalee community in Bangalore.

Sunny also was in the forefront of the prolonged agitations organised on the issue of the missing of two Malayalee girls-Lilly and Lissy- in Bangalore. Those days he was pillion rider on the scooter of Fr Mani Gayles, the then Christ college principal and later the Mananthawadi Bishop for several of his trips to submit representations on the issue. He could manage to bring this issue to the attention of the then Karnataka Chief Minister Mr Devaraj Urs and later Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, through A C George and Oommen Chandy. Sunny’s name is quite familiar to the early Malayalee community of Bangalore.

As a freelance journalist he could undoubtedly draw the attention of the authorities to many pressing issues of the Malayalee community through his features in many a publication.


The feature titled “The World of Drugs” by Sunny serialized in Mathrubhumi those days was highly appreaciated. It was NBS which distributed the same as a book. The series titled “The World of Prostitutes” was probe into the World’s oldest profession. It was published by NBS. It was Vidhyarthi Mithram which published another serial titled “The Story of a Martyr”


Sunny also was the local guardian of many who have landed in Bangalore for higher studies and other purposes. Sunny says that crises and hurdles had turned only to be blessings to him. It was with an excellent idea that Sunny who went to Gulf to write a serial on the problems of the Malayalee Community came back. This he implemented successfully.


Tens of thousands from Kerala and other Indian states are working in top position in various companies in Gulf. It was a time when there were no means for them to know each other. The idea of a Gulf Directory dawned while thinking about a solution for this issue. Sunny also had a feeling that such a venture would make it known to the world that

Malayalees are not that inferior.
After coming back from Gulf, he had detailed discussions with D C Kizhakemuri about bringing out such a directory. The initial thinking was to bring out the same in Malayalam. Then it was decided to publish the same in English since it was felt that then it would benefit more people. The first edition came out in 1978. It contained the details of the prominent Indians in Gulf. It was at that time the idea of launching an English magazine from Gulf sprang up. In 1983, “Gulf Asian Magazine” came with sunny as the editor. The Magazine which was uniquely different from many other contemporary magazines turned out to be an instant hit. However its publication had to be discontinued following the government decision to ban English Publications as solution to increase the circulation of Arabic publications.

His return to Bangalore in 1984 helped him to provide better education for his children. According to Sunny he was reeling under severe financial difficulties during the educational period of the children. Understanding the difficulties at home the children also took care to minimize the expenses and reached higher positions.

According to laws in vogue in Karnataka at that time if a student has to get admission to Medical College under merit quota he or she had to be resident of the state for at least 15 years. Since he had come back in 1984 this stipulation could be met. He returned again to Gulf only after the education of the children was over. This paved the way for bringing out the second edition of the “Gulf Who is Who directory”. The second edition which was published after a gap of 23 years today is an authentic reference guide on the business/industrial establishments and prominent personalities.
Sunny who first reached Gulf on the invitation of a friend, could realize the existing limitations of personal relationships. The idea of Directory was a small attempt to help overcome this limitation. But with the dawn of the days of globalization, the relevance of such kind of a publication has increased. Personal acquaintances, the savings from his journalistic career, when processed in the workshop of the directory, it resulted in the formulation of one of the best reference book.

This book which presents prominent personalities at governmental level and major businessmen/industrialists and companies with photos also contain details like their phone numbers, E mail, and postal address.

This is one of the ideal contributions a person could give to the business world. A portion of the income from this publication has been set part for scholarship for the students from Gulf coming for higher studies in Bangalore.


Sunny who is currently in the workshop of bringing out a Global Indian Directory has also plans to revive his Gulf Asia Magazine. Last year Sunny was selected for the best social worker award of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin. It was from Prime Minsiter I K Gujral, he received the award in Delhi.
The success secret of Sunny who gives extreme importance to human relationship is his friendships. He says that even those who had worked against him also used to come to

Gulf and Bangalore seeking his help and hospitality. What makes Sunny distinct as a person is his good will to extend a helping hand to even such persons.

Though there are many Malayalees who have mined Gold in Gulf, Sunny Kulathakkal is a different Non Resident Malayalee. He also has plans to bring out separate directories containing the listings of Malayalees in different gulf countries. In next November work on Dubai Malayalee Directory is scheduled to commence.

The culture of education

Yohannan Metropolitan has said that the control of education should be vested with educational experts and representatives of education be consulted when drastic changes are attempted in the educational policy. He has made these remarks during an interview with him in Bangalore just before his return to Kerala after the last two months rest. Excerpts from the interview:

sunny kulathakal


As you were also a teacher, what are your comments about the educational system in Kerala?
It is very clear that the educational policy of Kerala is not at all helpful for good of the students or the mental and ideological development of the upcoming generation. The representative character of those who comprise the senate or syndicate constituted as per law is a witness to this fact. Earlier there was over-representation for college principals. The number of public representatives was meager. Now things have turned upside down.


Another thing is the appointment of college teachers. In high schools, only those who have the required training are being appointed. But no such training is required in the case of college teachers. One can teach in a college immediately after post graduation. In fact the first two years should be a training period. The principal and department are the right persons to judge whether the new appointee is well suited for teaching and interacting with the students. In the present state of affairs, it is the vice chancellor who has the ultimate say in that. Is just a single year of teaching make one eligible or earn one the right to be confirmed as a teacher? Just think whether this will help raise the standard of education. At the same time it has to be admitted that many principals and college councils have not done enough justice to the junior lecturers working in their institutions.


Apart from this, it is evident from many experiences that it was by throwing to the wind the norm that the control of education should be the responsibility of educational experts that the University Act is being implemented.


Hope your grace will not mind expressing your personal opinion about the incidents occurred in Mahatma Gandhi College?


I have read about the confrontation between the principal and the University in the newspapers. It was an unnecessary incursion into the power and authority of the principal. It is the principal who should take decision on the attendance of students and their disciplinary behaviour. But the present attitude of the University is that it is the responsibility of the Vice-Chancellor. This will only make things difficult for running a college for the good of the students. There might be principals who behave highhandedly and in selfish manner. The authorities have the power to take penal action against them. But the present day trend of hurting the dignity of the teacher and destroying the responsibility and discipline of the students is wrong.

Strike


What is your comment on the recent teachers strike in Kerala?
I should say that the teachers strike was very shameful. It can be said that it was caused by the education department of the state. The representatives of the teachers organizations should have been consulted and their view points been given due weight when drastic changes were being brought about in high school education.


Making changes in educational policy according to the whims and fancies of the concerned minister has become a common practice these days in Kerala. The standard of education has also come down accordingly. For raising the standard of education what needed is to provide the required facilities and necessary encouragement to the teachers to make use of the prescribed periods and teaching days properly and sincerely instead of raising the working days and teaching periods. What needed is to fix the working hours of teachers as six hours without increasing the working days from the existing 200 days. Teachers also should agree to spare at least three periods in a week for co curricular activities. I sincerely expect the newly constituted problem solving committee will take into account this humble suggestion.

Is there anything wrong in teachers resorting to strike for genuine causes?


I am of the strong view that it is wrong on the part of teachers to go on strike for whatever be the cause. During the strike of the college teachers some of them had stated that this opinion of the metropolitan was an outdated coin which had lost its value. The same will be the criticism of some school teachers. But I am not at all ashamed to introduce in the market the same coin to draw the attention of teachers.


Strike is a weapon of the workers. A factory worker will not find any difficulty in resuming his normal work once he gets reinstated after a few months of strike. He is dealing with inanimate objects only. This is not the case of teachers. They are interacting with students who have thinking power and who expect discipline and guidance from the teachers. Once a teacher loses his credibility with the students, he loses a part of his job.


Don’t you think that the teachers strike could have been avoided if the government had made some advance efforts?


The government which takes the stand that it will open its eyes only if the employees resort to strike is equally responsible for strikes. I had tried to probe into state of mind of the students who block buses and cars in the name of strike. That is the one and only language which the government understands, they reply. I wonder whether the striking method of Japanese workers, about which there was an editorial in Malayala Manorama will ever become a model for our teachers. But many of the strikes could be avoided if the government takes a proper decision before things getting worse.

Give Respect for Work

interview with sunny kulathakal



[Born in 1944. Native of Marammon. After completing journalistic training in Malayala Manorama, became a dynamic activist in YMCA. Travelled widely in India and abroad, he had served as Development Director of Bangalore U T College for eight years. Settled in Bahrain at present, he is running an own publication house named Sunlis Publications. He has made commendable marks in the fields of public relations, media consultancy and advertising. He is Managing Editor of Gulf “Who’s Who directory and Gulf Asian Magazine. He had served as feature editor of the Anglo-Arab Magazine named “Nazreth Al Khaleej” and worked as correspondent in different newspapers being published from Dubai. His books: “Story of a martyr”, “The world of Drugs” and “The World of prostitutes.
Wife S K Elizabeth is Project Manager, “Gulf Who’s Who”directory.]



Shailesh Thrikkalathur

What is your notion about labour?

You should be ready to do any work. False ego is not good at all. The important thing is our capability and sincerity. What is important is how we perform.
In Kerala, there is a tradition of farmers dating back to ancient times. Malayalees who go abroad will not mind farming jobs even in the worst of the conditions. They will not do it Kerala. This attitude has to change.


What is the lesson you have learnt as a non resident Keralite?


In fact I lived a non resident life with my mind rooted in my homesoil. I had never remained without contact with my native land for a long time. I have never lived in air conditioned atmosphere only. There are people who imposed a particular diet and culture on their children without giving them the freedom of choice. I have seen people who lived a life of luxury here. There is no use in living without coming into terms with the realities. There are people who try to command respect which they never used to get in Gulf when they come home. This is enough to tempt others to migrate to Gulf. I have seen people who build houses worth 1.5 crore and struggle when they lose job. This is nothing but thoughlessless.


What happens when one comes back?


You should realize that you will not get any thing exclusively for yourself. You should understand that others also have a claim for whatever you earn. It we have such a perception of things life will be easy.


Only if you have this kind of an attitude you will be able to behave normally without any head weight when you meet your old friends on coming back.


What about personal friendships?


I forget everything, put myself in others position and do a lot. I always think what it would have been had I been in their position.


I have an experience related to M M Jacob who was the Governor of Meghalaya. He once landed at the Railway station in Bangalore. Congressmen have already reached there to receive him. He asked me how I came. I said that I came in my scooter. He opted to travel on the pillion of my scooter. He also stayed at my home. The same love is still there.


Of the people you got acquainted who gave you the best message?


When A C George visit Bangalore, I used to provide him with a collection of Malayalam Newspapers. Once he came as the Union minister to inaugurate the tiles factory of his sister’s son at a place called Hoondskar. I too went there. When he went back, I bought some chilled water and food from a nearby restaurant and gave to him in the train. When I told him that I have brought food he hugged and kissed me. He said that he would have starved if I had not brought the food. He used to help me a lot without asking. I also remember A M Thomas.


Any memorable incident while staying in a foreign city?


I remember one youth named Lawrence. He started a printing press in Bahrain. A Policeman who was his sponsor tried to take him to police station by framing him in a false case. Coming to know about this I called him to the the Indian Embassy. Got in touch with the police station. Fixed a time for talks with him at the embassy. The youth who arrived at the embassy premises was hijacked to the police station by the policeman who came without uniform. I complained to the embassy. It was due to the intervention of the ambassador, he was released from the police station. I was the one who took initiative for the same.

Please tell something about your world of writing


The feature series I wrote in the Illustrated weekly about the world of drugs in 1978 was discussed a lot. I had come to know that Mrs Gnadhi had made a reference about this article to A C George. I had written that if a job is assured in Dubai, the Malayalees would not mind reaching there by swimming across the sea and they could even bag an Olympics gold medal in swimming. I was the first to write in the media about the Indians in Gulf. I had written it on the request from the then editor, Kushawant Singh.


What about yours in interest in literature?


It was not selective reading that I had. I used to read anything that I could get hold of. I had read the books of E M Kovoor and Parappurathu at a very young age itself. Parapuurathu’s “Aranazhikaneram” was a favourite of mine. I used to read again and again the books of MT and Uroob. I also used to visit Thakazhichettan at his house. I have visited his house with family and taken photos of the visit.


Your trips?




I have visited all the European countries and traveled widely in the US. While meeting more and more people I used to think that I should have known their languages too. Their language is needed for them to understand us. What I am referring here is the situations wherein English is not enough.


What helped me was my adherence to the concept of “World as my home’. The people are the same everywhere and they are different only in their outside appearance.


I had the occasion to acquaint with Edamaruku since my early days of youth. This helped to have a change in my attitudes. My stint as Balajanasakhyam president I had the opportunity to closely mingle with a lot of people. This helped me to develop a world outlook.


How was your entry into the publishing?


It was in the 80s that the English magazine “Gulf Asian” started publication with Dubai as its base. The publication of Gulf Directory in 1978 proved to be of immense help to this venture. I had a somewhat good idea about the Malayalees with my first visit itself to the Gulf. It was through the discussions with D C Kizhakkemuri, I developed the idea of the Gulf Directory. It was at the Oriental Rissing press that the Directory was first printed. KC Varghese was the founder of that press. T K A Nair who is presently the principal secretary of the Prime Minister had extended his help from Punjab for bringing out the Asian Magazine.


Which is the best population in the world?
There is good and bad everywhere. What I liked most in the US was the absence of walls between houses. Since we had grown by seeing houses with compound walls, the absence of the same in the US are certain to amuse us. This indicates mutual confidence and love.


Any new projects?
I have plans to set up a village for the aged. Most probably it will be in Bangalore. India is the best place to take care of the aged persons. The quality of care is the best in India. One also can be assured of quality healthcare in Bangalore.


Tell me about your philosophy of life?




My family has a priestly tradition. My father was the 44th priest in our family. My father never compelled me to become a priest. What he did was to make me more independent. While going through the books authored by Rev Martin Luther King, I was convinced about the impossibility of me becoming a priest. The husbands of both my daughters are not Christians. If Christians only could go to heaven, then my relatives could not be there. I don’t want a heaven where they don’t have a place. Each one thinks that only his religion is great. This thinking should be broadened somewhat more. You should be able to imbibe the virtues of all religion. God is there in everyone and everything. I am always guided by the philosophy that everything is one and the same.



I recall the statement of Dr Kaj Bonda that the religions and religious concepts that we see today were never been there even in the dreams of Jesus. When I wrote this in one of my books, the members of my church disagreed with me. I believe that there is a beam of light in my mind. This very beam of light is leading me through my difficulties. The great thing is that this light will never burn off. In the marriage of my children what I considered important was the mental parity. I allowed this because I have witnessed the marriage between individuals belonging to the same religion ending in a wreck. I have always taken care to point out wrong things whenever I find them.


It is always good to do your job without caring for the reward. Reward will never fail to come through some other way.

GOPIO APPEALS FOR REVIEW

GOPIO APPEALS FOR REVIEW OF UNITED ARAB EMIRATES SENTENCING ON HUMANTARIAN BASIS

The Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO International) strenuously objects to the recent judicial sentencing of 17 Indians in Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and considers the sentencing as extreme and unusually harsh punishment contrary to Article 5 and Article 7 of the United Nations Human Rights Charter (United Nations “Universal Declaration of Human Rights, December 10, 1948). GOPIO voices its deep concern over the severity of the sentencing which is viewed as contrary to universally accepted norms of any progressive society.

GOPIO International urges the Government of United Arab Emirates to promptly take all necessary actions to remedy this situation for substantial reduction of the sentences imposed on the basis of humanitarian consideration and to facilitate and accommodate all legal efforts by others to seek redress in the courts and appropriate agencies of the United Arab Emirates.

GOPIO International urges the Government of India to continue vigilant efforts and seek all means necessary towards reduced sentencing on behalf of those Indians being punished with this unusually harsh sentencing and to provide confidence and reassurance to their respective families in India.

GOPIO International solicits the assistance and cooperation of the United Nations (UN) and international agencies of Human Rights Watch (HRW) and Amnesty International (AI) to use their respective international positions and offices of influence to be engaged in efforts to seek substantial reduction in the unusually extreme sentencing imposed on the 17 Indians in the United Arab Emirates.

“We view the sentencing imposed on the 17 Indians in United Arab Emirates as extremely harsh and call on the Government of UAE to take all necessary steps to bring about an equitable reduction as soon as possible”, said Lord Diljit Rana, President of GOPIO International.

“Remedial actions by the government of United Arab Emirates would be tremendously helpful to reducing the undue pain and distress of those sentenced and their respective families in India”, stated Inder Singh, Chairman of GOPIO International.

GOPIO Middle East International Coordinator Sunny Kulathakal observes that “it is crucial that the legal appeal process lead to reduced sentencing that would further enhance peaceful co-existence among all ethnic groups in the United Arab Emirates”.

GOPIO International’s Executive Vice President General Ashook Ramsaran requests that “due consideration must be given to the fact that Indians working and living in the United Arab Emirates are generally a peaceful, law abiding ethnic group and have contributed tremendously to the economic development of the UAE”.

GOPIO International fully supports and encourages all efforts for fair and equitable treatment of all citizens, visitors and workers in any country, especially a country with a significant population of people of Indian origin. GOPIO International urges the Government of United Arab Emirates to promptly take all necessary actions to remedy this situation so that the rights of everyone in United Arab Emirates can be guaranteed and protected on an equitable and humanitarian basis. We also urge the people of United Arab Emirates to voice their collective concerns and objections to actions that can adversely affect their entire society.

GOPIO is a non-partisan, non-sectarian global organization with chapters in several countries, actively promoting the interests of people of Indian origin worldwide by monitoring and addressing current critical issues of concern, and by enhancing cooperation and communication between groups of Indians living in various countries.

Reference:

United Nations “Universal Declaration of Human Rights”, December 10, 1948

Article 5. No one shall be subjected to torture or to cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.

Article 7. All are equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law. All are entitled to equal protection against any discrimination in violation of this Declaration and against any incitement to such discrimination.

For more information, please contact Inder Singh, Chairman of GOPIO International at +1-818-708-3885, Email: GOPIO-Intl@sbcglobal.net

The Philosophy of Paulo Freire

by sunny kulathakal

Renowned educationist Paulo Freire has said that for the creation of a new world order, it was necessary to remove many of the handcuffs of mankind adding that this is possible only through practical education.


Freire made this remark during an interview he gave during his visit to Bangalore to speak on “Whether Education is torture or liberation” at an All India seminar organised by the Ecumenical Christian Centre.


Paulo Freire hailing from Brazil is a renowned educational activist, working at international level to bring in a revolutionary change in the educational front by mooting a new educational system helpful for lakhs of people to overcome their problems in life and convince the mankind of the realities of life.


There were emotions of a truthful approach and sincere commitment explicit in the words of Freire who had to gone through a series of bitter experiences of agony and starvation ever since his birth in 52 years ago in utter poverty. He put those who have caused the degeneration of education as an instrument to safeguard vested interests in the stand of the accused during his talk. He became very much emotional while presenting his educational concepts and philosophy which got evolved from his own experiences.


The Silence

Freire was of the opinion that it was due to the ignorance and lethargy of the have-nots that the social and political dominance existing in several parts of the world is growing uncontrollably. He termed this phenomenon which he came to discern through his close mingling with the poor as the “culture of silence”. He says that education is acting as a medium in the perpetuation of this culture.


Even those who do not cent percent agree the effort of Paulo Freire to introduce educational system in a new perspective in the nation building process by synthesizing the different aspects of the philosophies of Sartre, Monshear, Eric Frome, Louis Althusier, Mao, Martin Luther King and others as correct or practical will not say that there is no relevance at all in bringing in changes in the existing educational system.


His revolutionary ideas relating to educational system happened to become popular beyond the boundaries of Brazil. His educational agenda awakened many in Latin America and acted as a motivating force to engage in meaningful nation building process.


Paulo Freire who pointed out that the people of Brazil were still reeling under the exploitation of the ruling class despite the fact that it was now 150 years since the country managed to free itself from the yoke of Portuguese colonial rule added that the source of his wealth of experience was the exploited lot of his country.


“My knowledge of education was not gained just by reading. It is the sum total of my direct taste of a variety of agonies”, he said. Recalling the agonizing memories, he continued his exciting story:


“I was born in a middle class family in the most difficult area of my country. This gave me the opportunity to face many a tough challenge. I used to closely watch each and every movement of my fellow countrymen. The economic recession of 1929 virtually ravaged my family. I was so young at that time. We could only helplessly watch poverty and starvation playing havoc with our family. I have closely come to know what hunger really means and what the emotional upsurges at the height of hunger are. We all feel hunger through knowing whether we need to eat or not to eat. I could understand more about those experiences today than what I could in those days. Though I could understand the “geography” of my hunger and the flora and fauna around me during those days, I was not much unaware of the geography of the text books. I was more inclined to truly know the existing realities. I didn’t have the craze to secure a degree. I was studying in a secondary school at the age of 16-17. I never used to waste a single moment. Even when I was outside the school I was engaged in directly learning about the existence of myself and my fellow beings. I still continue to be the same boy having a practical and probing mind”.


How much the agony of others influences him could be understood from his narration of what he saw when he landed in Mumbai for the first time. A humanist to the core, Freire who felt sympathy for the condition of the people he saw sleeping on the pavements said:

“What I saw there were not human beings, but their shadows. Is it because of being lazy their condition has become like this? Never; it was the existing social set up that has landed them in such a situation. Since I have dedicated myself to such people, I feel that I could identify myself with them more than anybody else.


Freire who was well aware of the possibility of using education either to enslave people or emancipate them has devised an unusual literacy scheme meant for the illiterate. As a result of this, many who have become literate enough to read and write started to view their social situations in a critical angle. It was in a thesis prepared for his PhD, Freire introduced his educational philosophy for the first time. He gave final touches to the philosophy while he was working as a professor in a Brazilian University and working among the illiterates later. The authorities were in panic at his revolutionary philosophy. It also led to his imprisonment in 1964. Fryer who was let out after 70 days went to Chile. There he was engaged in some UNESCO activities for five years. Thereafter he worked as consultant of the Harvard University’s School of Education. He is at present working as the advisor to the World Council of Churches.


Freire has authored several books and essays in Portuguese and Spanish. His books titled “Pedagogy of the oppressed” and “Cultural action for freedom” have been translated into English.


In the educational philosophy of Freire who believes that people teach each other through the society as medium, there is no distinction between teacher and student. A person is both a student and teacher at the same time. “If some one claims that he is a professor or a scholar, I will definitely disagree with it. Knowledge is not a package which one could distribute to anyone and anywhere without difficulty”, he said and went on to quote Socretes who said “the one and only thing I know is that I don’t know anything”. He is fully aware of the fact that he is engaged in the process of learning through teaching and teaching through learning.


Learning is not just blurting words nor reproducing some words and phrases after by-hearting the same. According to him what needed over and above just reading and writing is critical reflective thought.


Banking Education

The viability of his educational scheme will be clearer if one listens to what he has pointed out about the existing teacher-student relationship.


The teacher is just conducting a narrative process while the student is just acting the role of a listener. Even if the summary of the narration might be about values or life experiences within the framework of realities, it usually will be a frozen and lifeless style. Freire who established that this kind of education suffers from “Narration sickness” describes the same as “banking education”. What guides the teachers is the notion that they are entrusted with the responsibility to fill the students with the summary of the narrative relating to various subjects.


In fact such summaries will have the least relationship to the realities. It will be a gush of words that are empty. Those hollow words will not be capable to hold in it the solid realities in its fullest sense so as to help the students to make use of it in their practical life. One major handicap of narrative teaching is that the focus given to the pronunciation of words is not given to the transformation power of the words. Because of this the students engage themselves in the process of just by-hearting the information they scribble while hearing the narration. The students are liable to reproduce in whatever manner as demanded by the teacher who has deposited the same in the “never drying” vessel which is the student. Viewed in this angle education has come down to just a depositing system. The students are just submissively accepting what all the teachers deposit in them without any reciporcal understanding, synergy of ideas or mutual Communication.


Freire who opined that education has lost its direction due to its inability to bring in creative transformation has mooted the idea of “Problem posing education” as an alternative to the present “Banking education”. He believes that this alternative system of education will help a person to critically analyse things beyond the mask of apparent realities, become creatively active and effectively face the challenges of day to day life.


When problems affecting students come up one by one in the world the students will inevitably have to take them as challenges. When each challenge becomes integrally linked to the total life situation, it would be impossible for the students to view them just philosophically. The very awareness that the knowledge they have imbibed has a bearing on their daily life will motivate them to accept new challenges and form new ideas. In turn this will make them work with more dedication.



Sunny 46-the culture of education

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.

In the land of oil

by summy kulathakal

You may not know Khader, who has a shadows lurking face. He belongs to Kannur. Current occupation: selling oranges to earn a living in the heart of Dubai city. He is just one among the thousands of youngsters who ventured into the sweltering sands in search of the oasis of earning a living.

Standing on single foot, his eyes were roaming around. He seemed to be ready to flee at slightest signal of danger. There was a clear trace of panic in his eyes

An array of motorized canoes will always be there at the busy Creek region of Dubai for ferrying people. He is standing there as if he is unaware of anything around. But, at times he was glancing at the orange basket placed next to him. There were some ripe ones in the basket. These oranges come from Lebanon.

I approached Khader with the excitement of meeting yet another character. I bought an orange for one and half rupee. While trying to peel, the pulp resisted to part with the skin. After handing over the orange, Khader moved away as if loathing my presence. But I went close to him. It seemed that he is under the spell of some fear. I enquired the reason. The fact is that those who don’t have license to sell on the roadside or elsewhere will be instantly caught and sent behind bars. That is the law. If he is an outsider, deportation is for sure. There is no leniency. It is the strict rule of the Dubai Municipality.

Then I recalled the situation in some of the Indian cities. I have seen police chasing away the pavement vendors near the premises of Flora Fountain in Mumbai and Majestic in Bangalore. Most often these are lightning raids, but always they get a tip off from a police itself. Within seconds all the vendors along at least a 2Km stretch of the pavement will vanish. Their merchandise will be safely deposited in some hideouts in the city itself. Once the police leave, the vendors will instantly be back in the same place.

This will never happen in Gulf countries where the police will not collude with unauthorized vendors on the sidewalks. Guys like Khader also lack the tactics to dupe them. Another handicap is their poor skill in communicative Arabic. However pavement vending like what we witness in Indian cities is possible in gulf region also provided if you have an Arab as your partner.

My days in the land of Oil

During my travel across the length and breadth of the Gulf region both by air and road for nearly one and half years, I had personally come to know the variety of problems being encountered by our people mainly the Keralaites who struggle for a living in this alien land amid numerous adversities. What I recount here are not the stories of those who landed here in search of fortunes and managed to reach top positions.

Many of the early birds have managed to reach top positions. But I had occasions to hear many a pathetic story of those who arrived in later years and landed in troubles in the wake of new legislations. There are several Malayalees who are yet to gain a foothold in Gulf region with their fate hanging in mid air. Also there are many who are for years on job hunt in the scorching desert sands braving both the extreme heat and chilling cold. And who is there to heed their woes?

Many of these stories could not be openly shared with the relatives and close ones when they reach the homeland. There are many who come home on just two or three weeks leave after a gap of two or three years. They are compelled to opt for a kind of indiscernible mask over their face when they come home. During the few days at home they try their level best to make happy their parents and relatives who struggled hard to sent them to the heavenly land of Gulf with great expectations

Typical is the story of this youth hailing from Chenganasserry. (Not disclosing the name) He came home on a three weeks leave for his marriage. I happened to meet him when he came to a local press to print his marriage invitation. He was wearing an electronic wrist watch in the hand, a Rolex camera hanging on the shoulders, a costly filter cigarette between the fingers and he was wearing a turlin shirt and bell bottom trousers, apparently of foreign origin. He was washed in the fragrance of French perfume, foreign talcum powder, hair cream, and snow. His behaviour could impress anyone and his conversation was interesting. All made it quite plain that he has come home from Gulf. He introduced himself as a supervisor in a Dubai construction company. I made it a point to write down his address.

I reached Dubai in 1976 December. I wrote a letter to him in the address and waited. But he did not respond or turned up. One day I was just strolling down the Creek next to the Dubai Petroleum Company, where I was working. Then I saw a few young men engaged in the job of filling the gutters on the road with the soil from a heap in front of a famous hotel. I looked back when I heard two of them wearing trousers and shirt talking in Malayalam. It was getting dark and the faces were not clear.

There is a saying that “the leopard will eat even grass when pushed to the edge”. There are a lot of graduates and technically qualified among those who reach gulf. There are literates and illiterates as well. Once they fail to get an employment to their choice they will be ready to do any job. This pitiable state of affairs is prevalent in most of the Gulf countries. I felt that it was time to correct the misconceptions about the “Promised Land” when I heard the real life stories of doctors working as nurses, and engineering graduates employed as clerks and higher graduates labouring in the gardens of Arab households. The condition of some of the educated youth is more than pathetic.

It was getting late. Those who were working near the Creek have stopped work and were returning to their tent. I wanted to talk to them, but they were trying to evade me. Among them I found a familiar face. He was that guy hailing from Chenganassery. ‘Don’t you remember me?” I asked. Suddenly he blushed. Then he sincerely narrated the whole story. We can find a lot of such self-proclaimed “supervisors” and others categories here.

U.A.E today

United Arab Emirates was among the destinations which attracted Malayalees the most. Though there are seven states in U.A.E which was formed as a federation in 1971, major chunk of Malayalees are in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The Arabs who have come for trade in Mumbai and Kozhikode had a special corner for the Malayalees. However this special concern and respect is on the decline of late.

Growing anxieties

The recent legislations of U.A.E are not that much favourable to the Indians generally. It is anticipated that sooner or later similar laws would be enacted in other Gulf countries also. Those who are going to be the worst affected by this move which is aimed at making the laws uniform in the Gulf countries will no doubt be the Malayalees.

The crux of the labour law enacted in U.A.E in 1977 is that those who are not directly sponsored by the respective employer should not be appointed in any establishment. Moreover, immigration authorities are vested with the power to immediately deport any foreigner who is found to be working in any establishment without a valid visa. Both the employer and the employee who violate this are liable to be punished.

The ultimate result is that it will not be any more that much easy to get a job here. Earlier, one could manage to get an NOC either by falling at the feet of somebody or even by paying some money. The situation is different now. Equally difficult will be switching from one employer to another. One can enter a job only after “arresting” the appointment order detailing the wages and service conditions issued directly by the employer with the Indian embassy. Ever since these rules were made strict, getting a job in U.A.E has become all the more difficult.

What led to the enactment of these laws also needs to be noted. A large number of people from neighbouring Oman illegally crossed over to U.A.E in the wake of labour problems in that country. The stories of such people who have entered U.A.E duping the border security force are more pathetic than those who have reached here from Mumbai by illegal means. It is said that people from Oman were smuggled into U.A.E by stacking them in freezer trucks meant for carrying fish and vegetables. Once the truck crosses the border they will be let out of the freezer. Once it so happened that the freezer could not be opened since a police vehicle was following close behind. When the freezer was opened after the vehicle met with an accident en-route, what the police could find were a number of frozen dead bodies. Recently a number of workers were rendered jobless following the slowdown in construction industry. Needless to say, this also had its adverse impact on the labour.

Yet another vexed issue the U.A.E Government had to face was the problem of largescale fake NOCs a few years ago. It is said that some Malayalees were also involved in the racket. There were many who have earned millions through this fraud. Finally at least some of the culprits were nabbed by the police.

On the whole, the strict steps now being taken by the U.A.E Government are justifiable. They cannot remain insensitive to the situation wherein their populace is turning into a minority. The influx of job seekers into U.A.E was only below five lakh in 1975. This went up to as much as eight lakh the very next year.

Responding to persistent pleas from the business community issuance of visiting visas has been resumed of late subject to certain conditions.

There is the likelihood of massive shortage of job opportunities in U.A.E in the near future says, M John, former President of the Indian Association, Dubai. There are thousands of Indians working in construction firms. Once the ongoing projects of these companies are completed several workers will find themselves out of job.

There are many Indians who have reached eminent positions in various fields here. But many more are those who are still fighting burning issues. The efforts being made by the Indian Association to solve the problems of Indians especially Malayalees are commendable. John who had served as the Association’s President is the General Manager of a major firm employing about 700 workers. He continues to be a source of solace to many Indians reeling under a variety of problems.

Give Respect for Work

interview with Sunny Kulathkkal
by sailesh thrikkalathur


What is your notion about labour?


You should be ready to do any work. False ego is not good at all. The important thing is our capability and sincerity. What is important is how we perform.


In Kerala, there is a tradition of farmers dating back to ancient times. Malayalees who go abroad will not mind farming jobs even in the worst of the conditions. They will not do it Kerala. This attitude has to change.


What is the lesson you have learnt as a non resident Keralite?


In fact I lived a non resident life with my mind rooted in my homesoil. I had never remained without contact with my native land for a long time. I have never lived in air conditioned atmosphere only. There are people who imposed a particular diet and culture on their children without giving them the freedom of choice. I have seen people who lived a life of luxury here. There is no use in living without coming into terms with the realities. There are people who try to command respect which they never used to get in Gulf when they come home. This is enough to tempt others to migrate to Gulf. I have seen people who build houses worth 1.5 crore and struggle when they lose job. This is nothing but thoughlessless.


What happens when one comes back?


You should realize that you will not get any thing exclusively for yourself. You should understand that others also have a claim for whatever you earn. It we have such a perception of things life will be easy.


Only if you have this kind of an attitude you will be able to behave normally without any head weight when you meet your old friends on coming back.


What about personal friendships?


I forget everything, put myself in others position and do a lot. I always think what it would have been had I been in their position.


I have an experience related to M M Jacob who was the Governor of Meghalaya. He once landed at the Railway station in Bangalore. Congressmen have already reached there to receive him. He asked me how I came. I said that I came in my scooter. He opted to travel on the pillion of my scooter. He also stayed at my home. The same love is still there.


Of the people you got acquainted who gave you the best message?


When A C George visit Bangalore, I used to provide him with a collection of Malayalam Newspapers. Once he came as the Union minister to inaugurate the tiles factory of his sister’s son at a place called Hoondskar. I too went there. When he went back, I bought some chilled water and food from a nearby restaurant and gave to him in the train. When I told him that I have brought food he hugged and kissed me. He said that he would have starved if I had not brought the food. He used to help me a lot without asking. I also remember A M Thomas.


Any memorable incident while staying in a foreign city?


I remember one youth named Lawrence. He started a printing press in Bahrain. A Policeman who was his sponsor tried to take him to police station by framing him in a false case. Coming to know about this I called him to the the Indian Embassy. Got in touch with the police station. Fixed a time for talks with him at the embassy. The youth who arrived at the embassy premises was hijacked to the police station by the policeman who came without uniform. I complained to the embassy. It was due to the intervention of the ambassador, he was released from the police station. I was the one who took initiative for the same.

Please tell something about your world of writing


The feature series I wrote in the Illustrated weekly about the world of drugs in 1978 was discussed a lot. I had come to know that Mrs Gnadhi had made a reference about this article to A C George. I had written that if a job is assured in Dubai, the Malayalees would not mind reaching there by swimming across the sea and they could even bag an Olympics gold medal in swimming. I was the first to write in the media about the Indians in Gulf. I had written it on the request from the then editor, Kushawant Singh.


What about yours in interest in literature?


It was not selective reading that I had. I used to read anything that I could get hold of. I had read the books of E M Kovoor and Parappurathu at a very young age itself. Parapuurathu’s “Aranazhikaneram” was a favourite of mine. I used to read again and again the books of MT and Uroob. I also used to visit Thakazhichettan at his house. I have visited his house with family and taken photos of the visit.


Your trips?




I have visited all the European countries and traveled widely in the US. While meeting more and more people I used to think that I should have known their languages too. Their language is needed for them to understand us. What I am referring here is the situations wherein English is not enough.


What helped me was my adherence to the concept of “World as my home’. The people are the same everywhere and they are different only in their outside appearance.


I had the occasion to acquaint with Edamaruku since my early days of youth. This helped to have a change in my attitudes. My stint as Balajanasakhyam president I had the opportunity to closely mingle with a lot of people. This helped me to develop a world outlook.


How was your entry into the publishing?


It was in the 80s that the English magazine “Gulf Asian” started publication with Dubai as its base. The publication of Gulf Directory in 1978 proved to be of immense help to this venture. I had a somewhat good idea about the Malayalees with my first visit itself to the Gulf. It was through the discussions with D C Kizhakkemuri, I developed the idea of the Gulf Directory. It was at the Oriental Rissing press that the Directory was first printed. KC Varghese was the founder of that press. T K A Nair who is presently the principal secretary of the Prime Minister had extended his help from Punjab for bringing out the Asian Magazine.


Which is the best population in the world?
There is good and bad everywhere. What I liked most in the US was the absence of walls between houses. Since we had grown by seeing houses with compound walls, the absence of the same in the US are certain to amuse us. This indicates mutual confidence and love.


Any new projects?
I have plans to set up a village for the aged. Most probably it will be in Bangalore. India is the best place to take care of the aged persons. The quality of care is the best in India. One also can be assured of quality healthcare in Bangalore.


Tell me about your philosophy of life?


My family has a priestly tradition. My father was the 44th priest in our family. My father never compelled me to become a priest. What he did was to make me more independent. While going through the books authored by Rev Martin Luther King, I was convinced about the impossibility of me becoming a priest. The husbands of both my daughters are not Christians. If Christians only could go to heaven, then my relatives could not be there. I don’t want a heaven where they don’t have a place. Each one thinks that only his religion is great. This thinking should be broadened somewhat more. You should be able to imbibe the virtues of all religion. God is there in everyone and everything. I am always guided by the philosophy that everything is one and the same.



I recall the statement of Dr Kaj Bonda that the religions and religious concepts that we see today were never been there even in the dreams of Jesus. When I wrote this in one of my books, the members of my church disagreed with me. I believe that there is a beam of light in my mind. This very beam of light is leading me through my difficulties. The great thing is that this light will never burn off. In the marriage of my children what I considered important was the mental parity. I allowed this because I have witnessed the marriage between individuals belonging to the same religion ending in a wreck. I have always taken care to point out wrong things whenever I find them.


It is always good to do your job without caring for the reward. Reward will never fail to come through some other way.