27 July, 2014

Stories from medical history!


At a conference last week, I heard Sojan Iype talk about his neurosurgical training and the animal work which he did during the training years. He was the first one in India to explore if omentum can be used to re-vascularise a part of the brain which suffered ischaemia. The work was done in different animals. While referring to this experience, he mentioned how knowledge expansion was a passion for his teachers, Dr. K.V.Mathai and Dr. Jacob Abraham. The former advanced in trying newer approaches in neuro-surgery and the latter spent time for finding new treatment modalities through basic science research. Dr.Sojan at the end of his training came to central Kerala to establish the first neuroscience department with neuroimaging facility in the early nineteen eighties. 

Dr. Jeyaseelan referred to his contribution of creating a simple  statistical software to calculate the sample size of patients and controls required to be recruited for clinical research. This was in response to the requests of many students of research, who needed such a simple tool for initiating research.  

I was glad to have had an opportunity to photograph these two pioneers, when Dr. Sojan was handing over a memento to Dr. Jeyaseelan in acknowledgement of his contribution to the research methodology workshop. 

The hundreds of unspoken contributions of many women and men in the practice of medicine are too significant to be lost during the passage of time. We require to bring the professionals together to tell us stories, lest we forget the strands that weave the medical history in our country!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)       

An alarming trend!


I have a strong suspicion that the smart phones, computers, internet, video games, movies, etc would gradually displace our social and family times! The trends are in that direction. 

The marketing of this fast communication culture is cleverly done with no respect for the harm it causes to privacy, family times and personal space. 

The scientists are alert to warn us of the several health related risks and disadvantages due to the habitual use of mobile phones. But they escape the attention of the users as the advertising techniques are emotionally captivating.  

Let me suggest that we use the land phones whenever possible. Some international airports still have the same number of land line phones for common use  in spite of them being less commonly used as  people carry their own personal phones. This to me is a message that the land phones are risk free.

Human behaviour seems to be more and more controlled by conditioning influences. I wish we would counter it by restricting mobile phone use only when a land line is not accessible!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)    

A second visit after thirty years!


I recently returned to view this painting after thirty years. It was painted by a medical student portraying his friends who were surgically interested, watching an operation done in an archaic setting. This painting adorned different rooms at the Christian Medical College, Vellore in the past. Its present place is in the Director’s office. 

I was given the permission to be alone to observe this painting for most part of a morning, which gave me time to connect with some of the students in this painting, with whom I have maintained some contact over the years. 

I spent time meditating on the body language of the students which the painter captured with prophetic accuracy. Most of them have become temperamentally and behaviourally what the body language predicted about themselves. 

It is an amazing painting that reveals and instructs about human formation!

By the time we are adolescents we have already imbibed our inner orientation from the tapestry of our experiences!  

So childhood and adolescent years are formative years which need protection and promotion for integrative formation!

M.C.Mathew(texta and photo)  

Returning home!


This painting in one of the rooms of the Big Bunglow at CMC Vellore held my attention for its brilliance and theme. 

The colour of the painting suggests that it is the dusk when the clear sky is crimson with a radiant hue of lighter colour on the clouds. The Light before the darkness! The light is radiant and bright in a splendid fashion, easy for the eye to behold, in the background of darkness that is setting in  slowly. The darkness is stifling, threatening and restricting in nature in one way. Before the restraining impact of darkness can impact us, there is a glow of grace in abundance for humans to receive. This Light is the symbol of the eternal Light that Jesus of Nazareth brought to humanity through His earthly presence- the light which is hope generating amidst the darkness and gloom around. The barren trees in the painting remind us of the ‘desert’ climate which prevails. We too can have seasons of inner desert experiences sometimes in our lives! 

The theme of this painting is ,'returning home’! The two humans and a dog walking back after the day’s labour!. As it is often, the woman bears the burden of the load of firewood on her head and walks couched. It is an awakening call to humanity to recognise that women who opt to bear the burdens of the rest of the family, is the source of grace in our homes. The man with is work implement is less couched and walks freely. Men seem to opt to live their lives, less connected with the realities of the burdens of others in the family by self congratulating for for being the wage earner of the household. Much is expected from the one to whom much is given! Men can bear the burdens of others little more! The dog leads them in to their way home. The dog has become their companion tarrying with them through the day to take them back to their home ! The dog reminds of them of the home all through the demanding work load of the day and waits for them to return! The dog calls them back to their centre, the home,  lest the struggles of daily living tempt them to go on working! The dog seems to represent the mission of the Spirit God in human hearts calling us to return to God who is our home. 

In the Old Testament the prophet Isaiah suggests that ‘..in return and rest you shall be saved..’(Isiah.30.15)

Let me thank the painter, who conveyed such a meditative theme in his painting. 




26 July, 2014

Sow a seed and harvest a fruit!

This is the first pine apple we gathered from our cultivation in our front lawn. Anna served it for our guests, who thought it was fresh and tasteful!

What was it like, waiting for about six months, to see the fruit grow from what it was, when it first appeared in the plant! A season of anticipation and watching over it! The squirrels and rats are fond of pine apple. It escaped their attention.

There is a metaphor to life from this experience.

When we came to live in the cottage in this property twenty months back, we had no idea of how we can make the environment eco-freindly. Anna and I had no farming experience. We could not even guess about the fertility of the land. We began with no foreknowledge or skills. 

Now since we started seeing plants and trees grow in the property, we realise that earth shall produce a yield, when it is cultivated and cared for. 

So beginnings and growth are directly linked to the efforts we make.

I come across many people who hesitate to start on an entrepreneurial journey because of fear or uncertainty of the future. We should not be like what Jesus of Nazareth spoke about- a man who having received a small portion of money decided to store it under the earth rather than invest it to get interest!

The little things we do as acts of kindness shall bear fruit. Every small good deed shall sprout to it fullness!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo) 


What lies within us!


We make external journey to discover nature, sights, scenes, monuments, etc. We discover what we set out to find!

There is  an  inner journey one ought take to discover meaning of experiences, life-events, relationships, achievements, etc!

Yesterday, while talking to someone whom I know for about twenty years, I came across a new dimension of his personal inner journey to grow in the art of being mindful of others. One of his colleagues looked distraught at work. He initially ignored it. But he felt compelled to enquire from him if all was well! That led to a disclosure which needed attention and action. He was prompt in helping him because of which his disappointment could be resolved!

While sharing the details of this event, he mentioned about the inner consciousness of the need which he felt while observing his colleague. He responded to it promptly.

It is a consciousness  all of us can cultivate by practice. All meaningful inner journey would be possible only if we cultivate a sensitive spirit to discern the inner movements that take place in response to what we see, hear, or read! That inner vigilance can guide us to revisit experiences to draw meaning and insight which can bless our lives. Our inner alertness is the flash light that reveals the truth submerged in the inner recess of our lives!

The treasures hidden within us can be more valuable than the pursuit of 'things' we desperately seek after!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)



A marginalised fruit!

Papaya used to be a popular fruit as a valuable nutrient addition because of its rich content in vitamin A and minerals. It was the commonest fruit in fruit shops when I was young. Now other fruits have almost replaced papaya. One has to go searching for this fruit in the place where Anna and I now live.

It is is easy to cultivate; yields fruits in a year or two if a good variety is planted and fruit can be used in variety of ways in fresh and cooked form. It is still the cheapest among other fruits.

I remember late Professor Malathi Jadhav, while working at CMC Vellore bringing papaya fruit cut in slices to share with the post graduate students during morning coffee time to impress on the nutrient value of this fruit. She wanted them to be advocates for planting papaya saplings in the kitchen garden, while talking to parents of the children coming to the hospital.

I find something strange and disturbing. As this fruit is still the cheapest, some people associate it to be 'not so good fruit’. We assess the value of a cloth, car, house, kitchenware, etc in terms of its cost. The good ones are costlier. The cheaper ones are of poor quality. They apply the  same logic to papaya fruit, which is one of the reasons for its declining popularity, according one of the fruit vendors that I talked to recently.

What a paradox! Good quality food can be cheap and affordable.  Another reason against being driven by the market driven ethos of value linked to cost!

Anna has planted at least five varieties of papaya saplings in our garden.

M.C.Mathew(text an photo)




24 July, 2014

A visit with a difference!



Thank you Thambu, Abey and Jeyaseelan for your visit to MOSC to conduct the research methodology course. You taught, inspired and encouraged and made research, a prospects for some faculty. You communicated your enthusiasm and experience effectively to help the faculty to overcome the initial resistance to take initiatives for research.

I like the way, these three Master trainers upheld the values of camaraderie, collaboration, and consultation required in research through their complementary presentations and joint appraisals to quires raised by the participants. They communicated seamlessly in a coherent voice complementing each other’s skills and experience.  

Anna and I felt most encouraged to have had these friends inaugurate the research initiatives at MOSC medical college. They gave confidence even to the faint hearted to trust the prospects in research.

They were not just work shop leaders, but built capacity, confidence and skills. They made the participants feel enabled. 

We felt that they were ambassadors of CMC Vellore in spirit and action and left an example of high values in personal conduct and leadership.

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)  

23 July, 2014

Humour is therapeutic!


I used some of Dr. Jeyabalan’s jokes, which he faithfully compiles from different sources and circulates to some on the mail regularly, for the post lunch session on the first day of a workshop. For lack of time, I refrained from doing the same on the second day. At the end of the day, some remarked, ‘we missed the jokes’. 

During the in between times at lunch and tea breaks, I noticed how the participants laughed and made others laugh. 

One of the participants mentioned to me that, ‘laughter builds easy relationship’. One of the comments I have often heard from those who have a flair of being humorous even in the thick of serious discussions is: ‘If one can laugh at oneself, then he or she is sure to have more friends’.

For me, it is a learning lesson. I am not naturally  humorous. I still have to learn to laugh at myself! 

The interior stiffness we carry within ourselves would dissolve, when we can let lightheartedness set in gradually. A joke is all about looking at a situation from a leisurely perspective! 

Many of us can begin on this journey easily! Soon humour in conversation would become a habit! At least, it brings down the blood pressure by a few millimetres!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Making medical research easy for the commoner!


Drs. Thambu David, Jeyaseelan and Abraham Peedikayil from the Christian Medial college, Vellore wee the resource persons for the Research Methodology workshop for eh faculty at MOSC medical College during this week.

Most doctors think that research is in the domain of an elite group of doctors and not for the commoners. This is an hindrance for many to consider converting observations into investigations. 

These three professors broke that code through their simple and effective communication of the essentials that can  equip one for research.  There was ease and confidence in their presentation. The monotony usually attached to such scholarly discussions was no where noticeable during the three day deliberations. 

The ‘mind set' we refer to can be reset. I remember late professor A.M. Sur introducing the post graduates in Paediatrics to the concepts in research forty years back, by saying: 'research is recording and interpreting your day to day observations for the benefit of others’. So there is an altruism in research as well. We think of others in the medical fraternity who do not have opportunities for observation or facility for methodical recording and interpretation and make our experiences available to them for their capacity building.

Well done, Thambu, Jeyaseelan and Abey ! You came and captured our minds to change our mind set. 

M.C.Mathew(text an photo)

22 July, 2014

Living the MIssion!

I find Dr. C.K. Eapen, consultant Physician at MOSC Medical College, a charismatic person who inspires younger people by his insight, wit and wisdom. 

At the inauguration of the research Methodology conference yesterday, he talked about his journey into research about 25 years back. When patients with acute febrile illness came during a post monsoon season in large numbers, he became suspicious of Leptospiral infection as the causative factor. He with the help of the Microbiologist, late Dr. Grace Koshy went to demonstrate Leprosipral pathogen in culture for the first time in India. Some of the original work on Leptospiral epidemiology and clinical presentation came frOm him and his colleagues. 

But his challenge to the faculty was beyond sharing his own personal experience. While visiting some medical schools in the USA he seems to have noticed plaques of eminent scientists in different places- laboratories, library, office, etc., mentioning, that ‘it was here so and so sat and worked’. He found it inspirational and revelational. He wondered whether, there will few eminent scientists, whose plaques would be placed in different places in the MOSC Medical College in the next thirty years!

As I heard him speak, I felt that I was listening to a statesman in research! He is the advocate for funding students for research projects at the MOSC Medical College. He knows that the way to foster research is to start working with students and equipping them!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Another beginning!


It is now six months since Anna was asked to co-ordinate the research activities at MOSC Medical College. The three day workshop to equip the faculty in research methodology was inaugurated yesterday with Dr. Jayaseelan, Thambu David and Abraham Peedikayil from CMC Vellore leading the workshop. 

The fifty or so faculty attending the workshop while introducing themselves talked about their research interests and projects, which was an eye opener to the faculty of the diverse research activities already taking place in the hospital. 

I sensed that camaraderie between people is a pre-requisite for research as most creative and productive research takes place through collaboration and interdisciplinary participation. It is only as much as we listen and attend to other’s opinions and insights we can facilitate genuine pursuit of enquiry. 

I remember Dr. Kanakasabapathy, former professor of clinical Biochemistry at CMC Vellore mentioning to me that  five clinical biochemists used to meet once at Kodaikanal during summer holidays for fellowship and information sharing about  their work in the seventies, which subsequently after about five years led to the formation of the association of the clinical Biochemists. 

It was fascinating to  know that friendship is primary and foundational to even scientific pursuit!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

   

21 July, 2014

Only just a drive way!



Is the drive way only for an access or more than that!

Ever since we began lining the driveway in our cottage with plants, it has a new look. This is the first monsoon season since we planted them. They have grown and give a colourful look. A visitor who cam after six months mentioned that, 'there is a look of welcome. Plants and flowers make a difference’.

Since them we have been thinking about it. What is the difference between an overgrowth and a garden!

A garden communicates a message or a theme! It is planned and developed according to a design. 

We happened to visit a friend in a three storied building last week and noticed how some residents in the flats transformed the front of their homes with plants in the pots arranged neatly and aesthetically!   

Human eyes behold beauty and colour to take in a message or an inspiration! That is why we need to keep the environment communicative! 

We are in a hurry and stress prone by habit. So create spaces within our homes and outside which invite us to pause and reflect!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)  

20 July, 2014

Nature’s bounty is not limitless!


During a week end cruise Anna and I  had on the Cochin harbour, we noticed ships unloading sand at the port. Both ships had come from Calcutta. Recently sand was even imported from Thailand and Indonesia for construction industry. There is severe scarcity of river bed sand and the cost is prohibitively high. In fact the construction of buildings is sometimes delayed due to the unavailability of sand. 

This change in the scarcity of the sand has happened in my life time. A truck load of sand was available for 200 rupees fifty years back and now the same is  costing around 50000 rupees.

This is the consequence of the consumption culture! The M-sand which is a substitute for river bed sand is made from granite which is now mined from every source in different parts of this state. Soon that source too would get exhausted. 

I wonder whether humans pause to think of the prospects of exhaustion of natural resources! When a family can live comfortably in two or three bed room house or flat, the tendency is to buy a larger house. This craze for ‘big’ is at the cost of consuming more and exhausting the resources!

We might be good at evolving technology to harvest the resources of nature! But nature would get even more depleted! 

I remember, what Jesus of Nazareth referred said in anguish, 'Beware and be on guard against every form of greed; for not even when one has an abundance does his life consist of his possessions’ (Luk.12:15). 

If I can reduce consuming, I preserve the resources for others and tomorrow!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo) 

Candles for a birthday!



It was touching to receive a birthday greeting card form my colleagues in the department, where each  of them painted a candle on the card with a one word wish! The colours given to the candle made me feel that they captured the themes in my life and offered to portray it as vividly as possible. It is a delight when one’s colleagues can speak into one’s life gently and creatively! 

A candle has a life. Similarly life itself has a chronology of years. 

The years which get added to our lives bring the richness of experiences. Those experiences weave the inner fabric of our being. 

As I continue meditating on the mosaic of the colours given to the candles, I am reminded of the major events of the year that has gone by.

One event of significance was my illness, operation and recovery. I now live a life given to me as an extension! 

I have a growing consciousness of the quality of life that I experience now since the surgery. There is physical and inner well being which give a new outlook and perspective to life! I wish this sense of gratefulness has been my attitude in the past as well !

The candles speak to me- life is for giving light!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo) 

19 July, 2014

Teach Fishing!


One version of the Chinese proverb says: ‘stop giving fish, but teach fishing’ is a challenging call for all of us in positions of responsibilities at the Medical colleges! 

This group of students at the MOSC Medical College, is an example of how they can rise to an academic challenge. They have their own individual student research projects; got themselves organised to participate in the medical quiz at CMC Vellore and four of them made maiden presentation of their research at a conference.  Dr. C. Radhakrishan, the dean of the college, while greeting them just before their departure for the mediquizz at CMC Vellore, said, ‘I am happy that we too now join the knowledge club’.

A few months back, they were like anybody else, going through the routine of medical learning. On invitation, they were ready to make an extra effort to equip themselves for conducting research and stretching their knowledge base for a competitive performance. 

It is a question to all the medical teachers, ‘do we affirm passive class room learning or liberate students to go on a knowledge journey by opening the doors of enquiry’! Yes, when we free them to be adult learners, they need equipping which teachers have to provide! I wonder whether the medical teachers would offer at least one fourth of their time during the working hours to enlarge the scope of active learning in which the students can participate to learn some skills beyond the usual academic requirements. 

We ought to do this, because at least one third of the students are knowledge searchers and surfers of the internet.  Why not guide their learning instinct and formulate it to converge on making them to be their own managers of advanced learning!

M.C.Mathew. 

A Student receives his encouragement!

I have been most encouraged by the enthusiasm of 21 medical students at the MOSC Medical College, who got involved for short student research projects. During the last three  months all of them have been pursuing to gather the data for their project.

Four of them having completed their projects presented their research findings at a student conference on research methodology held at the Christian Medical College, Vellore during this week. 

Thomas who did a study on sleep behaviour of adolescent children and its impact on their academic performance received the third prize at the poster presentation. I heard from colleagues at CMC that the students from MOSC maintained a high standard in their presentation.

I remember Thomas having had to change his research topic after an enthusiastic start and pursuing another project with an equal or more enthusiasm.  I was glad when he was rewarded.

It is the first time, students were initiated into doing a research project at the MOSC Medical College, for which Anna took considerable interest and spent hours with the students and their guides in getting the ideas formulated and evolving appropriate research methodologies. 

It is a sign to all of us that when we discern the time and opportunity, it has a transforming impact!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Sharing between two institutions!

The Christian Fellowship hospital, Oddanchatram is  in its sixth decade of  service. 

It has had the distinction of offering a vocation for young health care professionals and offering them formal postgraduate training in five medical specialities and undergraduate training in nursing. I have a feeling that its alumni is in responsible positions of leadership in health care in the is country. 

One  most encouraging discovery I made recently was that the department of Family Medicine which was recently started at the Christian Medical College, Vellore has drawn its faculty from the alumni of the Christian Fellowship Hospital. Talking about it, Dr. Kuruvella Varkey at the inaugural function of the family Medicine department mentioned that it was their privilege to receive from CMC and give back to CMC. It is a mutuality between the two institutions, that is reflected through this. Dr. Sunil Chandy, the Director of CMC, in his response at this meeting mentioned that CMC is keen to be an enabler for mission hospitals to become training centres for human resource development. 

Let me compliment the faculty at the Christian Fellowship Hospital for having become a resource for other hospitals by preparing health care professionals with an orientation for self giving service!

When the hospital organises its sixtieth anniversary celebrations later this year, the staff at the hospital has every reason to rejoice for the blessings of God, in transforming the small beginnings made by late Drs, A.K.Tharein, Jacob Cheriyan, Sr. Kunjamma, Mr. Cheriyan, etc. to a national resource in health care and training!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

A partnership in formation!

The recently inaugurated department of the Family Medicine of the Christian Medical College, Vellore is located in a renovated hostel building located at the Church of South India, Vellore Diocesan office.  

The Bishop of Vellore Diocese, Rt. Rev. Dr. Rajavelu referred to this as a partnership in healing between the church and hospital. 

I am reminded of what Rev, A.C.Oommen used to say, when he was the chaplain of CMC, Vellore that both the church and hospitals are involved in healing- the church through its pastoral ministry and hospitals through its health care.

I felt most excited about this new initiative which has an immense prospects to have new dimension to the ministries of the Church and hospitals.  

Let me present this as an illustration of how new linkages need to be established between the mission hospitals and the congregation of the local church to make healing as a means for human transformation!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Informal Meetings during formal meeting!


I was invited to be present at  the recently held annual meeting of the Emmanuel Hospital Association, which is an occasion for the officers of all the hospitals under its federation to come together to look back and look forward. I was present for such a meeting after five years and it was a learning experience for me. 

I observed generational transition in leadership, exercise of appropriate good governance practices, contextualisation of the mission of the organisation to include the aspiration of the local communities the hospitals serve, etc. 

When over 100 people gathered for the meeting, I wondered how such a meeting makes an individual impact on the formative thinking of the mission of the organisation. One illustration helped me to understand the the critical role of mini meetings taking place between people outside the main meetings.    

One participant mentioned to me that during the meal times he heard about the way a hospital has reorganised its out-patient services to expedite the delivery of service to those who come. The patients wait patiently to be called. It occurred to the management team to use this waiting time to have group interactions for health education, participatory appraisal of the needs of the community, enquiry into the state of health and economic status of the community, etc. It was during such an interaction, the hospital team discovered the debt trap the patients fall into to, to pay for hospital stay and purchase of medicines. It was this which made the hospital to offer an insurance package suitable to the needs of the rural community.

I was encouraged to hear this story of how informal personal sharing between people is an important gain from formal meetings!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

17 July, 2014

A statue that speaks the mission!

Of all the several statues of Don Bosco, the founder of the catholic order of Selasians, this one at the Don Bosco Institute at Gawauhti located on a hill, at the banks of river Bramhaputra, is most telling! It is different in appeal because the sculptor seems to have encrypted the mission of Don Bosco in his art work.

The student is held firmly by the hand of Don Bosco, which is a symbol of drawing him close to himself. That is what a genuine teacher does to communicate love and affection to a student, similar to Jesus of nazareth said, ‘come and see’, to those who came enquire of him. Don Bosco looks intently at the face of the student whose gaze is fixed on him. This visual engagement is symbolic of acceptance, affirmation and belonging. There is a deep sense of engagement in a beholding look.  Don Bosco is drawing his attention to the future by lifting his other hand. There is a endearing smile on Don Bosco’s face. 

Don Bosco was known to be a friend of young people, who came from disadvantaged situations. His mission was to transform young lives by caring for them,  educating them and opening opportunities for their future! He lived close to them emotionally and socially. In fact, there are legendary stories of how he used games and sports to attract children for leading them to a formative journey in  life! 

I sometimes wonder whether some of the art forms are vague and diffuse! Some people use art forms to convey anger, confusion and uncertainty. But when we come across art forms which are powerful even more than words, they stand part in character and value. 

I wonder whether we can use wall pictures, inscriptions, etc in common places that can hold people’s attention because they say something unique that resonates with the truth of life and living!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

  

16 July, 2014

A reminder lest we forget!



One memorial for Dr. Ida Scudder, which to me, is most appropriate is this arch to the entrance to the first hospital which she established, which is preserved at the current site of the eye hospital.

It is prominently placed at the entrance that it calls for attention of any visitor!

Memorials can be imposing or contemplative. I like this inscription on the granite arch because it brings  a contemplative dimension to the viewers. The inscription of 'Mary Tabel Schell' is in tribute to the wife of the main donor for the building the first hospital in 1902.

This is all about the small beginnings. It is a few who would have contributed to let this happen! They were goodwill offerings for a worthy cause. The arch was only a symbolic statement of a significant event.

Let me suggest that in our attempt to perpetuate the memory of people who are dear to us, we make simple memorials, which are reflective of their contribution, and yet, communicative of the simplicity with such men and women lived their lives. 

The culture prevalent now, is its opposite. The government of India is going to spend 500 crores of rupees or more to erect a larger than life size statue of Sardar Vallabhai Patel, the  first home minister of independent India. The reason- we must have a statue larger in size than the statue of liberty and eclipse the prominence Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, the first Prime minister of India, from our post-independent India n history!  

Are we honouring someone or competing! 

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

The PARADESI synagogue


Anna and I had an occasion to visit this historical site when Aswathy and Anandit were with us for a weekend recently.

This synagogue built in 1558 by the Spanish, Dutch and some other European Jews who migrated to Cochin in Kerala, remains in its original form and structure even today. The clock tower was added to it in 1760 and is under renovation through the support of of the World Monument Fund. The clock still works and keeps time. 

There are some jews resident in the Jew town, who use this synagogue for their Sabbath worship and other religious functions. There is a police check post opposite the synagogue for obvious reason- it is a historical monument and a world heritage centre of some significance. 

The road leading to the synagogue accessible only by foot, is lined by shops which sell handicrafts and artefacts from different parts of India. There are Kashmiri stalls, set up by those displaced from the valley in the late sixties during the political turmoil.

The visit brought back to memory of the displacement of the jewish community and their fortune to return to their homeland. 

This place is a tribute to human endeavour to redeem life-transforming opportunities however difficult or challenging they are! 

We are people of destiny and purpose! The happenings in our lives are purposeful experiences to prepare us for our pilgrim journey in life!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)   

14 July, 2014

Confused and concerned!

This advertisement which appeared in a national news paper made me think about the reliability of this claim.

The offer is for 95% discount on some products . I am not able to comprehend that a shop would sell any product for 5% of its cost !

Is it not common us to see such enticing offers! I have sometimes gone to clarify the authenticity of the offer and product. I was appalled at the ‘small print’ in these advertisements which do not usually appear in the initial release, except a statement that, ‘conditions apply’. Only when you meet the sale person personally one recognises how distorted is this claim of such a huge discount. 

We are a generation of consumers. The consumers are seeking for products and the shops are developing newer techniques to entice buyers. 

Although we have an advertising council in India that checks on false and tall claims made by the sale outlets, there is no action for falsified claims. So this habit now become a routine affair in the advertisement culture!

What disturbs me is how we lower our standards of morality and good practices and legitimise it! We live and relate in a culture, where crafty behaviour is acceptable for achieving success! 

I wish, we make an effort to upscale standards of good practices in trade and merchandise!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Post-traumatic stress!

I have been closely following the unfortunate episode of 46 nurses from India working in Iraq, held captives for almost week. The photographs in the news papers of the happy return of all of them brought much relief to all of us.

I listened to the story of an immediate member of the family who was affected by this terrifying experience. Even after two weeks, the fear has not  left them. The conversation is still centred on these things. There are sudden outbursts of crying, screaming and sleeplessness.

Today a family who came to visit for consultation, spoke about the fear that has gripped their seven year old child to go by an auto rickshaw to school, since his friend got thrown off while riding back from the school.

Another mother mentioned about her nine year old daughter refusing to go to the stream for a bath following another girl accidentally falling into the water and needing rescue measures. 

These are examples of acute stress, which sometimes can become a post traumatic stress if the symptoms last for weeks. Usually if the symptoms last for beyond six months, it would call for specific treatment protocol. 

Let me suggest that we audit our stress state by going through the events that have disturbed us. A weekly audit and debriefing with the help of someone is one way of preventing the ill effects of stress upon us! 

Avoid burying our feelings! Our feelings tell the story of our psychologic well being!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)      

A dog becomes an instructor!


A domesticated dog can do many creative things. I have some previous experiences of dogs being a companion for senior citizens, visually impaired people, children with autism, and functioning as watch dogs. The police, rescue team, crime detectives, etc.  use the dogs for many other purposes.

When I read this report of a family using a dog to help an infant crawl, I was even more interested to recognise the potential of the canines that we are yet to use.

When Anna and I returned after five days of holidays, Daffney, our dog needed a long time to be consoled. She held on to us with both her forelimbs and insisted on being stroked and staying near to us for a long time.

It is important to use the emotional link a dog naturally develops for the further advantages.

Many children are fearful of dogs, which is unfortunate. Most domestic dogs can be trained to develop skills we want them to develop. It is a good practice for children to have contacts with dogs from early in childhood to develop a friendly disposition because dogs offer affection and companionship. I usually encourage families with young children to consider having dogs as a pet!

M.C.Mathew(text and poto)