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’)

Malayalee mind strengthened by sand dunes

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.

A personality of untiring activeness-

A personality of untiring activeness

Dr George Onakkur

Sunny Kulathakkal signifies heartfelt love. He is the symbol of relentless efforts and hard work. An optimism that never gets lost in the face of odds is success secret. This good friend has enough to be genuinely proud of when he attempts introspection in the noontime of his life.

I first got aquatinted with Sunny when he was a student and at a time when he was the President of the Malayala Manorama Balajana Sakhyam.He was the successor of Oommen chandy in that much celebrated post. He thus became the centre of attraction of the young. I also used to take note of his name and photos appearing in the Manorama daily and had rated him as a great promise of the future.

I naturally expected that Sunny would land in politics and reach the leadership front very fast. But he had opted for a broader spectrum of activity. Motivated by humane love Sunny became the head of YMCA. He presented noted performances in Ernakulam and Thiruvalla. Organised seminars and training programmes for the Youth. He became the guiding force of a generation of energetic and active youth.

The role played by Sunny in building a headquarters for Thiruvalla YMCA was historic.. Subsequently he was appointed as Assistant Development Director of the United Theological College in Bangalore. And very soon he became its Director.

It is only accidental that the earthquake of crisis occurs while stepping from one step to the other of progressive growth. It might also be the great calling of the destiny. Sunny who became a victim of personal animosity did not waver in the face of adversities. He faced it all alone. Shunning the cozy comforts of life he gained the strength for a test of fire.

Then it was as a free lance journalist Sunny Kulathakkal had appeared later. He was in the forefront of all the agitations of the Malayalees of Bangalore for their genuine rights. He could also easily become a significant force in political and administrative echelons. It was while venturing into preparing a series on the issues being faced by the Gulf Malayalees, the novel idea of compiling a Gulf Directory hit his mind. He also launched a publication titled “Gulf Asian Magazine”.

Sunny’s Gulf Directory is a commendable and distinctive contribution. This reference manual introduces rulers as well as politicians. This assumes more importance in the wake of Globalisation. Thus Sunny’s field of activity is growing and flourishing in both Gulf countries and Bangalore.

Sunny’s individuality is also bright as an author, especially in respect of three books-The World of Drugs, The World of Prostitutes and The Story of a Martyr. These books are testifmonials to his ability to closely observe and evaluate facts. Apart from this Sunny has published several articles of contemporary relevance both in English and Malayalam.

What makes Sunny dearer to me is his loving mind which always reacts to contemporary realities quite powerfully. More correct would be to say that he is one who runs around with love. He is least bothered about his status and comforts. Sunny is there to help any who requests for it. There he never takes into account one’s social or financial status. He may be a job seeker approaching with lot of expectations, a top person in the ruling hierarchy, a person from any part of India or even from abroad. Sunny is there for everyone, everywhere with his self less mind and energy.

Sunny might be entering into the latter half of his life. But the youthfulness of his mind is still blazing as a mid-day sun. I am optimistic of a bright future wherein Sunny’s personality of persistent activeness is recognized and honoured even more.

Note of blessing

Commendable

V R Krishna Iyer

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.

Birthday gift

P Govindapillai

I had the fortune to acquaint and earn the love of Sunny Kulathakkal who is entering his 60’s as a generous host, a dynamic organizer, a selfless person in the service of public, and a pot filled to the brim with knowledge gained through wide reading and true life experiences. But it was only through the touching life sketch written by my friend George Onakkur, I learnt that it was with clarity in ideology^th and hardwork as his only assets he has reached his 60^th birth day braving on the way many odds like “stone, dirt, thorn and fierce cobra” to borrow the language of Appan Thampuran. With this realisatrion, let me say that my love and respect towards him has doubled. This book, which is just going to be published, too was an added reason for my feelings towards him getting doubled. What takes Sunny closer to the readers is not just the fact that he writes in such a beautiful and simple style as if in an encyclopedia about a variety of subjects which apparently do not have any connection among them. Whether it is about Martin Luther King, life of prostitutes, the Christian shrine of Tirupathur, the Salar Jung Museum of Hyderabad, the menace of drugs, transcendental meditation or visit to the Himalayas, there is a red thread linking them. It is nothing but the humaneness in him. It is this very humaneness that made him a YMCA activist, a partner of movements which propagate liberation theology as well as attracted him to leftist politics. Even those who have met him at least for once might have felt the cool gentle breeze of humanness in him.

Don’t we happen to see Christ who walked to Calvary bleeding from the wounds inflicted on the crown of thorns hammered down on his head and meekly suffering the spitting, lashing and frown is now being given the colour of the white man and lead in procession with golden crown and golden cross and in glittering attire? But the real Christ was the saviour and liberator of all those who were sidelined like lepers, the downtrodden, the oppressed and debtors in the society. Even amidst this festive clout attached to Christ in modern times, sincere efforts to rediscover the real Christ who tirelessly traveled through the length and breadth of his country giving solace and good advises to the oppressed, discarded and the suffering lot was a distinctive feature of the dawn of the Socialistic era. For these reasons it is not surprising that Sunny in his high voltage ideological passion of the youthful days was lured into services and organizations having a basic Christian approach. His subsequent swing towards the much broader leftist ideology can be described only as a continuation of his Christian social service legacy of the earlier days. This compilation of articles as a whole is true mirror of his ideological transformation.

For example take the case of his touching and highly meaningful article titled “a few tears for the hapless women” itself. The question whether Mary Magdalene was a prostitute which surfaced with the discovery of the “Gospel of Maria” in 1896 assumed the nature of fierce controversy debated across the globe after Dan Brown’s novel “Da Vinci Code was published. Whatever it is, the social and philosophical connotation of Christ the Lord washing away the sins of the deer eyed Maria who pleaded “Though I have done what I should not have, please don’t despise me” during the supper at Simons beautiful chamber cannot be ignored. All priests and leading reformers had always been compassionate to harassed women. Sunny was also influenced by this great humanitarian bend of mind. His wonderful book on prostitutes is an excellent reflection of this fact. Let me quote a few lines from chapter 8 of the book.

“Oh World, shed tears for the prostitutes who die due to venereal ailments in the stinking drainages of the society after dispensing pleasure to man. Prostitutes are angels, they are sages, and they are goddesses, shed tears for them” this plea is from the pen of M Mukundan. Those who have directly heard and read prostitutes’ “confessional secrets” which have the “dampness and taste of tears” would never hesitate to shed tears for them. Whether just tears are enough for those thousands of young women who are spending their days and nights within the confines of bird like nests behind iron railings with stories that have the sour taste of tears is a different question. Many of those hapless women who had to lead an immoral life after being cheated by bogus romance might deserve respectful sympathy. What they could tell are not just the heart rending stories of a sinful life and the pathetic condition of the dirty drains on which they had been drifting. Also they need not consider the offensive things they had commited in their cursed life are all wrong. To them the border line between right and wrong will be very thin. (Page 60)

Many of the articles in the book reflect Sunny’s intense passion towards the great Indian traditions and his boundless respect for the legacy of the motherland’s struggle for freedom. The attempt made during the 1563 Udayamperoor Synod by the Portuguese imperialists along with their representative Bishop, Menesis to uproot the ancient Christian church moored in the Indian soil and the scent and transform it into a foreign faith as well as the later attempt to replant and nurture the Christian Church back in the soil of the Mother land through the resistance movement of Hunchback cross oath (Koonan Kurisu Sathyam) of 1653 are two indelible chapters of History. In the article titled “The Christian Shrine of Tirupathur” one could feel the reverberations of the nationalism and national pride reflected in the oath of “Hunchback cross”. In the same way, Tippu Sultan was a freedom fighter who made a strong offensive against the British imperialist occupation of India. After Tippu’s killing in the Battle at Srirangam, The British annexed Mysore to their empire and shifted Tippu’s family members to Calcutta and settled them under the British supervision. After Indian independence they did not have any problem to return to their native place of Mysore. Sunny’s National pride is quite eloquent in his article telling the story of the return of Tippu’s grandson who finally returned to Mysore.

If I attempt to analyse and quote in this manner this note will become as lengthy as this book itself. Therefore I am concluding. I let the leaders to have the opportunity to read and feel for themselves the rest of the things. It is quite appropriate that Sunny Kulathakkal’s 60^th birthday celebrations were clubbed with the releasing of this book which I should say is a true mirror of his life of sacrifice and unstinted service as well as the honest declaration of his humaneness. 60 is not a big old age. If I use the language of northern ballads (Vadakkan Pattu) there is enough adolescence left in Sunny Kulathakkal for one more battle. Let Sunny be able to continue his life full of love, incessant service and thoughtfulness with a long and healthy life. Once again I wish all the best to my dear friend.

Translation: Saj Mathews