Faint heart, Dim sight, and renewal of days!- Biography-27

All these Rose buds are from the same rose bush. The first photo is sharp on the flower and has absent leaves on one side; the second is less sharp on the bud and leaves and the leaves are partially eaten by insects and the third is sharp on the damaged leaves. None of the three photos truly represents the whole rose bush. But all the three pictures show that the rose bush is under attack and its wellness is already compromised.

Let me summarise, how I felt the pressure of circumstances upon my life during the last three weeks.

1. Two conflict ready nations

The two Prime Ministers who did not exchange greetings at the United Nations last week were ours and Pakistan's. The prime minister of Pakistan in rage spoke about war between India and Pakistan. The Indian Prime Minister elaborated on the challenge of terrorism and without taking the name of  Pakistan classified that nation as a rogue nation.  The President of the USA and the Prime Minister of India behaved in public as old school boys holding hands and tapping shoulders as if they were catching up since they last met. The President of the USA at that time was being dragged into an impeachment inquiry. The Prime Minister of india who keeps boasting about the achievement of abrogating the article 370 on the autonomous status of Kashmir, cannot promise when the restrictions on normal life would be lifted even after 52 days. All the news tricking in raise serious concerns about the brewing trouble of resistance movement, by the Kashmiri people. 

I grew up experiencing four wars India fought, one with China and three with Pakistan. The former Prime Ministers did all they can to reduce tension and prevent war. The Home minister of India in the recent weeks has referred to likelihood of war and India's readiness to react. The Pakistan Prime Minister spoke about possibility of using nuclear weapons, if a war were to take place between the two countries. 

It looks like both countries are speaking a language which can precipitate war and it would be the common people who would lose out in the long run. The unwillingness of the Prime Ministers of both countries to keep personal contacts alive, although officially are not able to negotiate is a dangerous situation. The back channel communications is known to occur even during extreme hostility between nations. 

I became faint of heart sensing the escalation of tension taking place between two 'conflict' ready countries in the last three weeks. 

2. Dim in sight

Following a viral keratitis, I have a blurred vision for the last three weeks. I remember a similar experience about 35 years ago, which took six months or more for my vision to return fully and needed lubrication of eyes for at least one year. It is this awful reality that dawned on me when two Ophthalmologists confirmed that I needed intensive therapy for keratitis. Two friends, who themselves are Ophthalmologists kept telephoning me to keep encouraging me to be diligent with treatment. At the end of three weeks, although the keratitis is probably in the healing stage the blurring of vision continues.

Although I see therefore dimly, I feel good that I was able to do all the chores I was permitted to do.

When one has a physical limitation one normally becomes conscious of it and becoems a reason for anxiety. 

In the book, Self awareness, (Harvard Business Review), H James Wilson in his chapter referred to the Physical self, Thinking self and Emotional self. It is when the physical self is in stress the thinking self and emotional self suffer. I found reading that book helpful as all the articles are related to different dimensions of Emotional intelligence.

The experience of loss is a demanding state to be in. I have had to cope with a irregular heart about two months ago which has not fully resolved. I sense an apprehension about other health related challenges for which I am required to undergo tests. 

One can crowd all the losses and intensify the level of apprehension. Or one can receive the changes as part of the ageing of the body and travel beyond the physical to dwell in the plane of thinking and emotional self, engaging in logical thinking and spiritual awareness.

I was helped by reading the book of Lamentations in the Old Testament of the Bible. The prophet Jeremiah, known as the weeping prophet would have written this book in 586 B.C. The fifth chapter, the closing chapter, is the one who turns the lamentations of the earlier four chapters in to hope. His concluding statement in chapter five, 'Thou O Lord, dost rule forever..'(v.19) is a note of hope and trust.

I carry that in my consciousness while I wait ! 

3. Children's health survey

While engaged in the health survey of children in a local school I came across a frightening situation. Many children have Halux Vulgus probably due to wearing shoes that do not match the size of their feet. A significant percent of children are overweight. Many have the habit of nail biting which affect the pulp of of their fingers. There are some children who have neurological markers. 

I was appalled to discover all these which would need concerted action co-ordinating children, parents and teachers. 

Most of these clinical situations would escape the attention of paediatricians whom children visit for acute illnesses. Parents might not be aware of the implications of these clinical departures. The teachers might not have all the time needed to take a remedial step.

I felt disturbed because, many children go through their childhood without receiving help to make a change. 

This is compelling me to find a way forward to help children

4.  Conflict in church life

In the recent weeks, the two factions of the Malankara Syrian Church, orthodox and Jacobite,  have been in intense conflict on account of the ownership of the church properties. One faction is legally permitted by the Supreme Court of India to be the rightful owners of all property, which denies the other faction from using the churches for worship which they have been using for scores of years. This would mean that one faction would loose the property and the place of worship, even if that faction is the majority in that congregation. 

How it is playing out in public is causing immense embarrassment to the followers of Jesus of Nazareth. The church which advocates, love, forgiveness and peace is now unable to practise these foundational values in a conflict prone situation.  

Where are the Christian statesmen or women who can lead the church factions out of this impasse! The government of Kerala proposed a negotiated settlement, which was not agreeable to one section. Some church leaders of other denominations offered to help, which is yet to begin.

I remember that late Dr A.K.Tharien, a strong believer in reconciliation was involved in settling disputes between factions in the church. His approach was personal conversations with people concerned to upbuild their hope in negotiation. When a conflict arises, the emotional distance is the strongest resistance. His ability to persuade people to give peace yet one more chance helped on number of occasions. 

Never have I witnessed such a disregard for reconciliation among the ecclesiastical order and the laity as it is now. 

This reveals the marginalisation of the gospel and emergence of peripheral issues in the life of  the church! What will church gain, when grace, love, and peace do not bind us together anymore!

5. Displaced flat owners 

About 370 flats in three multi story buildings along the backwaters in Kochi occupied by people, were recently found out by the Supreme Court as illegally constructed, violating the coast line environmental regulations. Those buildings are due for demolition according to the courts ruling. 

Most of these occupants would have bought the flats by investing their savings or taking loan from banks. Now they are homeless and have lost their investment.   

I thought of them and wondered how they would cope with having to return to rented flats, having lost the flats they owned.

The senior citizens, working people and children alike would face serious physical loss and go through a traumatic experience emotionally. 

Some would need psychological counselling. 

Such a large number of flats would have not been constructed if the authorities were alert before the construction started. 

Now the blame game is on! How does it help when we have pushed 370 families to their edge of existence! A ownership of a flat is the aspiration of all people. Now that is shattered!

This summary of my lamentations on account of the events mentioned above help me to see the brighter side.

Beyond Lamentations

Anna is returning today having been away in Bihar for three weeks. I read press reporters advising the government of India about peace with our neighbouring country as the only solution and not war. I am able to write although not so much to read. To be able to write without strain on the eyes is a big relief. I already have an offer of help from someone who is close to the school to raise some of the issues related to the health of children studying in the school. Some church leaders have agreed to meet to discuss the way forward. The court has offered compensation of 25 lacs to the flat owners who have to vacate the flats.

So there are some signals of hope although they are still small steps.

What is resounding in my heart is the prayer of Jeremiah in Lamentations: 5. 21, 'Restore us to Thee, O Lord, that we may be restored. Renew our days as of old..'

There is an urge to return to God, the well spring  of our lives, when we are distressed. 

I sense that in my own life and I hear similar aspiration in others.

The three rose buds remain in a damaged environment. 

The restoration o four orientation is therefore the only hope!

He who watches over us 'does not slumber or sleep'! Thanks be to God who meets with us in our valleys and lifts our hearts to a higher plane of hope!

M.C.Mathew(text and poto)

The charm of the dusk!

I felt good to have had the camera ready with me to capture this unusual display of colours on the sky immediately after the sun went down in the horizon yesterday. It was a sight from our courtyard in the distant over the paddy fields. This brilliance on the sky after several weeks of cloudy evenings was spectacular. It lasted for just a few seconds. In fact the colours faded to some extent even when I was taking the second shot.

All ecstatic experiences are momentary. It is meant to be that way as humans can take in such experiences only for a short time because we have limitations in beholding what is supernatural beyond ultra short periods. In fact the brilliance on the sky had a blinding effect on me.  I could have only a glance of it!

However there would be such special occasions of delight and insight that would come upon us. Rejoice when it takes place! Even capturing the memory of it would not give us even a semblance of the original experience.

M.C.Mathew (text and poto)

Three in three !

I have been keeping a watch on these flowers for three weeks since I noticed them. 

They have a similar look. 

On a closer look, each flower bunch has three separate sets of flowers, each separated from the other arising separately from the stalk. 

Once the flowers are in full bloom they appear to be just one as the stalks get covered the hood created by the flowers.

Each species of flower has its own design. 

Nature is a museum of differences, each making its unique presence to express its identity!

The differences create the panorama! 

If only we can regard this as the way we are created to be, there would be less harassment of the Dalits and women in India.

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)

From seed to sapling !

This is one of the mango saplings we planted three years ago in our front garden.

It carries a special story!

Three years ago, a friend form CMC Vellore Thomas Ram brought a box of mango fruits for us.It was probably the Desari variety. Anna and I found its aroma and flavour unusual and addictive!

Anna dried a few seeds by keeping by them by the fire side and planted them in a pot. Two of them sprouted after a month. When they were six months old Anna planted them in the garden. Both of them have grown to similar sizes and have multiple tender leaves now. The flowering season of the mango in our area is by January of every year. Now that there is a fresh sprouts of new leaves, there is hope of flowering in the coming season. 

From seed to sapling, it has gone through changes. 

Anna would be delighted to see this when she returns tonight after having been away for three weeks in Bihar.

I feel good that even the garden is awake to greet Anna! I have a vase of flowers on her table gathered from our garden!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)

Beak movements during a bird call!

I noticed a Magpie Robin perched on a coconut palm about 200 meters away at about fifty meters height and tunefully engaged in its bird call. It was a clear morning with good light for photography.

What I discovered was fascinating.

At the beginning of the bird call the beaks are minimally separate, which progressively widens when the call reaches its peek sound level.

As I noticed this happening in successive bird calls, I thought it is the usual way a Magpie Robin begins and ends its bird call. 

The way the bird call sounded tuneful and long, it might have been a male bird. So it was perhaps a mating call. 

What is in a call! A bird puts everything into it. It is its way of claiming the right over its geographical territory and announces the mating intent.  

I watched my colleagues decorate a partition screen with chart papers to give it a face lift and use it for displaying information. They measured and cut papers to give an equal space for pink and blue chart papers. In the midst of other engagements, I felt that they gave their full attention to what they set out to do. The screen looked spruced up and eye catching. 

I found a similar sense of giving full attention by two other colleagues who visit the school for health survey of children. From preparing the protocol, getting the list of children, doing all the anthropometric measurements or testing hearing and vision and entering the data on the computer, they do what they do with utmost devotion and diligence. 

I feel inspired by the emphasis on 'giving the best you have'!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Resting , hanging and upside down !

The three butterflies I watched this morning sucked nectar in three different ways.

The first one rested on the flower and received its nectar. The second butterfly appeared to be hanging with most of its wings below the plane of the lantana flowers. The third one was upside down on the flower. All the three chose its own method for their nectar.

The butterflies have an enormous repertoire of position sense because of which they approach the flowers from a vantage site.

The differences are not a matter of concern as butterflies are meant to adapt, which they do.

The recent conflict between the Jacobite and Orthodox divisions of the Malankara Syrian Church in Kerala, which is becoming a spectacle of shame and disgrace, owing to the compulsive attachment both factions have to their traditions is alarming.  One would be concessional if the conflict was on matters of faith. The Lord, whom both factions seek to follow revealed His loving and forgiving vocation, even when He was hanging on the Cross when a thief  hanging beside Him turned to Him in repentance.

If that is the way of Jesus, how is that differences in traditions ought to separate them with such an intense resolve to fight each other!

Humans are endowed with an instinct of relational spirituality that is collective and corporate. Our humanity springs from foundational values of regard and space for others. 

In this conflict between two factions of the Malankara Syrian Church, what seems to preoccupy the ecclesiastical order and the laity alike is about differences that divide them leading to insistence beyond tolerance and compromise.  

Butterflies find nectar by occupying different positions on a flower. All of us find communion with God in the way we are used to. Why then be in rage towards those who practice rituals and traditions differently in their church life!

This ugly quarrelsome and acquisitive attitude by displacing followers of another church tradition is a disservice to the cause of Christian calling!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

The three Choristers at the Pulpit !

A wood pecker, Magpie Robin and a Barbet were at the dry upper portion of the nutmeg tree, which I refer to as Pulpit (as many birds find this place in the morning hours a good flight station and make their bird calls), engaged in their birdsongs sometimes in tandem and other times alone.

Usually Magpie Robins are not found along with bigger birds. Wood peckers are mostly alone or are in a pair. Barbets stick to its own species during flights. 

The twenty minutes when they were together created not just a cacophony, but some tuneful singing. There was a concordance in the notes when they sang together most of the times. It looked as if they were singing to each other.

Most of my photography is centred around flowers, birds, butterflies, and dragon flies in the recent times. It is the bird call that alerts me about the presence of a bird in the garden. 

While many small birds do not give a chance for a decent photo, as they do not settle down in  a spot for good enough time between their flight stations, the bigger birds are not shutter shy! Some birds, the residents in the garden or regular visitors actually engage and oblige during photography  

I have recently begun to talk to students and children about birds, butterflies and dragonflies  and show them some pictures. In a conversation to a batch of medical students, I found that there were twenty of them who had some interest in them. Although that is a small number, it is a significant number to build on when one wants to form a group of nature friends. 

The bird bath and grain bowl in the garden, which we keep for birds, do not seem to attract except house crows.

It is an effort to let birds free and homely in a garden!

M.CMathew (text an photo)

Lost the way !

Some  followers of Jesus of Nazareth are now after property, edifices, bank accounts, cemeteries, etc. so much so the the court and police are involved to bring resolution to conflict between two groups!

It grieves all of us that this internal matter of a church ought to come to this state where we do not see each others as fellow pilgrims and followers of Jesus of Nazareth! 

It is a time for those who belong to the faith journey as followers of Jesus of Nazareth to consider how we can live without being possessive. Jesus of Nazareth spoke of 'loving our neighbour as ourselves'! For the sake of property can we hate each other!

Jesus of Nazareth once spoke, 'birds have nest, foxes have holes, but the son of man has no place to lay his head'! 

The message from this ugly ongoing tussle is: how do we revive our mission of the church of being a community of people witnessing to the love with which we are called to live! 

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Children speak

At the earth summit in Rio in 1992 a 12 year old Severn Cullis-Suzuki (Photo on the left) pleaded with the world leaders to save the planet earth. She had the following to say about Greta Thunberg, who spoke the same message at the UN world summit on Monday, this week.

This Swedish teenager, Greta spoke from her heart about saving the planet earth. This gives us new understanding about children with Asperger syndrome. They too can be leaders, when nurtured to see what others do not feel convinced about to see or pursue! 

This experience of the United Nations honouring the voice of a child with Asperger syndrome is a call for more investment to foster and give greater attention to children with special needs. Will our educational institutions consider that those whom we label as 'disabled' might be carrying with them a profound level of understanding that the world needs to see and hear! 

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

A fall that follows failure!

The Thomas Cook has fallen from its leadership in travel tourism!

It is following the company engaging in unwise merger, paying huge package of bonus to its leaders and following unsustainable trade practices.

You falter ethically once and the slide starts.  

If integrity and service get displaced by greed and control, the journey is in the wrong direction. 

Thomas Cook was earlier seen as an infallible company known as a bench mark for good business practices.  

This is the end result of lure of money. It is an addiction. It is as enslaving as alcoholism. 

In a world of the rich and poor, let me suggest that it is the rich who creates the poor. The rich cannot be so filthy rich unless they have an unfair practice denying the poor of their share of benefits. 

In my younger days, at least some business firms existed to provide services. But profit is the dominating drive and accepted as the way in business. The not-for-profit organisations too have changed their character !

It is a time to grieve for our loss of values in public life.

But a correction long needed, would it come!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

A helping hand and a support!

It was the helping hand of his father and the support of the furniture which made this child stand up!

As a professional involved with children who have different needs, I have pondered over this recently. 

Even in the place where I work, the environment is not designed to include the needs of children who have different needs.

I come across parents who have limited perspectives on the needs of their children and rest of us not familiar with the change we can offer to children with more mindfulness to plan the environment. 

I notice how children long to sit in low chairs behind a table suited to their height. This in itself is  a contribution to make them use their residual abilities to sit, use hands for midline activities and create a space of child friendliness.

The sight of this falling child protected by a helping hand and chairs to support him is actually a mission statement for all of us. 

We are to be here for them and we engineer the environment to make it safe for them!

In an ongoing exercise at a school, I realise how much children suffer silently because of the insults they suffered before they were born or at the time of their birth! Most of us view their difficulties in learning as laziness, in attention, carelessness, etc. They are given feed back which highlight these! Instead, I wish our mind set would change to see them through their unspoken needs and offer them the  encouragement they would need to lift their spirit and enthusiasm to perform at their level of ability!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Before a meal

I was fascinated by the sight of a bird ritual-pausing before a meal! It was a long pause before this bird pecked on the ripe papaya. 

Most of us pause before taking the first mouth of food served, to have a moment of silence in gratefulness. 

Both Daphny and Dulcie  would lie prostrate for a moment before they reach out to the feeding bowl. 

Food is more than a physical nutrient for our body. Food is cooked by someone. The ingredients of the food came from different sources prepared by others. Someone has served the food. There is a coming together of people and experiences at a meal time.

Every meal time is a celebration time. It therefore transcends the dimension of taste, calories, and appearance.

Food is a time to remember the gift of givenness. 

Every time a baby cries with hunger a baby is provided for! We grew up receiving all the time. 

Every meal time is therefore a reminder of all the occasions when we have received because of others. This gives us a new orientation to receive food as a symbol of the abundance of all that we are given.

Yesterday, I was served tea by a colleague, unasked for, at a time when I was thirsty.  It is that which awakened me to meditate on the theme of givenness.

What is that we have except what is given !

We can live our lives only in an orientation of gratefulness. 

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)

Book of the week-4

All of us are between years behind and ahead. The years behind are memories and years ahead carry a sense of suspense.

Joan Chittister, an author of 40 books, a benedictine spiritualist in her recent book, The gift of years  takes us through her spiritual wisdom in facing up the changes taking place in our lives in multiple dimensions on account of advancing years in our lives.

"The world glorifies youth and degrades old age. The Gift of years flies in the face of this conventional wisdom. It is a wonderful celebration of the blessings of growing older, clear-eyed, ad unsentimental about the reality of the ageing process but showing us that our later years area a gift and not burden. It is time for us, Joan Chittister, to let go of both our fantasise of eternal youth and our fears about getting older." This is from its cover page.

It is a book that captures all the experiences of older age in  a vivid and descriptive way with anecdotes and personal insights. It is an easy to read book and inspirational and instructional. The short chapters The forty three chapters are well laid out making connections and cohesive reading.

She is familiar with the windstorms most of us face in our lives. I remembered to reread this book recently as I was facing the challenge of relationships. One statement, the author makes, 'At its core, life is not about things, it is about relationships'. 

As for me she redefines the cross over moments in life. I have been used to viewing experiences through the optic of transitions, but from the insights from this book, I now sense that it is a tentative perspective. What is more helpful is to regard life going through crossover experiences. We change and so our circumstances. We are regularly involved from movement from one journey station to another, which in itself is a change over process.

In the dimension of relationships, three experiences take place. We change or may not, others we are involved with change or may not, circumstances change or may not. So any human relationship is managing the confluences of these combinations, which is why most of us do not interpret our relationships well enough to make them as growing experiences. The tensions or strains in relationships weigh heavily on us and freeze us into a cold orientation towards those with whom we felt comfortable at one stage.

There is life in every relationships. There is a death of relationships when the two are separated by conflict or physical death. What Joan presents is to live in between. In life face relationships accepting the vulnerability it carries. In death live with memories which have life giving influence. 

I find each chapter captivating and refreshing. I felt honoured by the prospects of noble thoughts and experiences one can have in the older age, which is why Joan in the title refers to 'growing older gracefully'!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)

Seeing at dusk !

This is the view of our cottage at dusk yesterday. Its visibility is reduced and what is left in the fading light is the outline of the structure with some distant view of the inside. Its inside and outside are only  a speculation without light. It is strange to look for the details of the house in fading light and superfluous to attempt to describe the cottage! 

President Trump made a statement that Prime Minister Mr Modi is the 'father of India' because he is bringing all people of India together like what a father would do! Does Mr Trump know that people in Kashmir live stripped of their usual rights for over a month now; two religious communities have distanced themselves from each other with growing tension between them; people of one community are forced to live in designated areas only in his home state of Gujarat; there is denial of freedom to the press to report on national events, which have political overtones; there is arrogance and aggression in rhetoric and practice even denigrating the former prime ministers of India; disgraceful and impolite comments about people who do not subscribe to the political ideology of the party that the Prime Minister belongs to!

Mr Trump is on impeachment enquiry as of now. He seems to have asked a central republican nation president, to falsely implicate charges against the company that a democratic party prospective for the US presidency in 2020, if that country would desire the US government to release a large grant. It was Mr Trump who said this week that 'the future is not globalists but patriots'! Almost every day there is a statement from Mr Trump which is distasteful and parochial. 

I get a sense that the Indian Prime Minister and Mr Trump have a huge following. They need to keep the tempo high by statements that provide fanfare to their followers.  They are amazingly gifted people, who have mastered the art of innovation in promoting self image. They are popular and resourceful with ideas. They are likely to stay on in their roles because they win people as their followers because of  the 'daring' thoughts and actions they communicate. Some of the policy decisions of the Prime Minister of India are 'out of box' thoughts which might be beneficial. To me the Prime Minster of India need to have a heart for the 70 percent of people outside the corporate world. I do not get a feel of his inclination to do so.

However, I wonder if these world leaders see dimly and subjectively and make a story of the larger picture based on their restricted view! Their view of the larger picture and that of other tall leaders do not seem to match! In that sense are they 'prophets' because they see what we cannot see!   

In any case, to attribute the title of 'father of india' to the Prime Minister of India is the height of travesty of truth!

The frequency of strange things happening is on the increase. The real things are in disguise!

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Butterflies and dragonflies !

The butterflies and dragonflies are far less in number as they might have been adversely affected by recent floods and incessant rains. 

In fact environmentalists suggest that when tier population decline, it is a pointer to ecological imbalance. 

They grow and multiply in clear environment. 

I looked for butterflies and dragonflies all along the flower beds on the roadside yesterday and found only one each. Even honey bees were only few in number. 

It would take a while when these little creatures return to our environment. 

I have a suspicion that the bird population too have been affected by the climatic changes. I do not notice waterbirds around the water bodies !

I wish there was a deliberate effort in every garden or farm to have a corner where dragon flies and butterflies can make their home!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo) 

A family!

As I looked at the flower beds on the road side yesterday, I was fascinated by the colourful look these families of flowers provide to the roadside.

Human families are too similar in purpose. Each family is a light and salt !

Most of us get occupied by our domestic responsibilities and chores. Children and grandchildren occupy a lot of attention and bring immense return of fulfilment.

I come across some families who go beyond the functions of togetherness, procreation and existential responsibilities.

This family I know well has its neighbourhood in its mind. On the occasions of birthdays, anniversaries, and festive seasons they include the neighbours in their celebrations. This is their way of connecting with others. This move towards others beyond the confines of their own family has been going on for several years now. As I hear from their neighbours how it has impacted them, it opens my eyes to see another role of families.

If families can find companion families, we become a community.

I recently discovered that, three families jointly supported a boy to complete his engineering education. He was the son of their domestic helper.

Families are lights and salt in a community!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)

Fly home..!

It was getting dark yesterday. The sky was overcast. This bird was flying high in the sky to reach its home!

To reach its home it has a distance to travel, face the countercurrent in the air and depend on its navigational instinct to arrive home. 

All human beings start the journey from their mother's womb to their physical home first and continue their journey to come to their inner home. The inner home is a sanctuary, where the eternal God and earthly humans meet.

To come to this sanctuary, all of us have a long journey from our worldly pursuit to intimacy with God. 

When a child of five years gave me a bar of chocolate, saying, 'I do not need it. Please give to one who might need it'! 

I knew that this child was already on a journey to free himself of his baggages and prepare himself to move inward to meet with God, who are seeking for those who are 'poor in spirit' or 'humble of heart'! 

Our home is in our inner sanctuary!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)

Me, Mine and Myself!

A squirrel who had an exclusive access to a pile of rice resists another squirrel from sharing the meal. The second photograph  of the squirrel with its tail lifted up tells us how possessive it was of its meal.

Finally the squirrel eats its meal alone with no concession for a fellow squirrel!

This is human story in its most vivid form. It is selfishness at its worst form! 

What surprised me was that the squirrel who was possessive of its food abandoned it after while when it longer could eat anymore.

This instinct, 'What is mine is mine alone even if I do not need it' is creeping in to our social fabric. 

The contribution that came into the Chief Minister's flood relief fund is less than what Keralites spend on alcohol in a year! 

True freedom is when we can see each other as neighbours worthy of our attention!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)

Dazzlings sights !

I have gathered together here some pictures of rose plants during winter in 2018. The leaves during the twilight of the morning have this amazing look of dew adorning the leaves. 

What nature provides sometimes surpass human designs and art forms! 

This is what the teen activist, Greta Thunberg a climate affairs was asking at the climate summit was saying to the global leaders, 'Where is your resolve to respect nature and keep it for generations of people to come'!

There is something awesome about nature and its ways, which goes beyond our ability to reproduce them!

M.C.Mathew (text and photo)

Banana with and without flower

Most banana bunches would have a flower at the tip. At least one variety I know does not have the flower.

I find banana without flower having an exquisite flavour and is a delicacy to me. Its market value is less than that of the bunch with flower. Many do not choose this variety. But some like me have a fancy for it. 

Most garden would have at least one bunch of this variety. So it is protected from being extinct although tis market value is not decent.

Certain things in life are to be within the purview of the freedom of the individual, but the leaning of the government in Delhi is to make most things acceptable to the majority common to all!

What a sorry state of affairs! We are being made to feel and behave like the prototype of the majority and not as an individual law abiding citizen !

 M.C.Mathew(text and photo)

Roadside flowers during the monsoon

All these flowers make the public road look bright and colourful. These evenig shots give the flowers an elegant and colour rich look!

All these flowers are seen in front of houses. One of the house owners who came to enquire about my interest in flowers while I was taking their pictures, told me that they plant the flowering plants in the pavement in front of the house during the late summer, so that the seeds would sprout during the monsoon and enhance the look of the roadside.  

Some of the flowers are exotic and uncommon! Excepting that the twenty minutes drive took 90 minutes today, this experience of meeting some of the owners of the house was refreshing. They looked fascinated by me noticing the flowers and taking pictures. They felt acknowledged.

M.C.Mathew(text and photo)