Tomichan Matheikal's blog

There is an umbilical relationship between language and culture.  Language is one of the most visible or tangible expressions of culture.  That’s why the language of the dominant culture gains ascendancy in the world.  English is the world’s lingua franca today because of two reasons primarily.  One, it was the language of the dominant coloniser.  Wherever the coloniser went, his language too went.  If the French had more colonies than Great Britain, French would have been today’s global language.  Two, the dominance of Western culture, particularly science and technology which revolutionised the 20 th century world. In 21 st century, people seem to be getting sated with technology.  Science was never a common man’s cup of tea, let alone a more invigorating drink.  The 21 st century is facing a vacuum because of the lack of that invigorating drink, the kind that spiritual gurus spoke about time and again.  India has a chance to fill the vacuum.  If India can fill t

Kundan Chandrawat Ten-second Hero The RSS has amused us once again with its unique variety of courage when one Kundan Chandrawat from the hinterland of Madhya Pradesh declared a price for the head of Kerala’s Chief Minister.  “Bring me the head of Pinarai Vijayan on a platter and I’ll give you one crore rupees,” said the RSS leader to all the desh bhakts gathered before him during a dharna in Ujjain.  “I’ll even sell my properties to get the amount.” It turned out to be mere Dutch courage even before Pinarai Vijayan scoffed at the threat.  Vijayan was in Mangalore the other day daring much more ferocious challenges from the RSS and its bhakts there.  “I have walked among you when your swords were drawn and guns were cocked,” said Vijayan in Mangalore with his characteristic composure.  Kodiyeri Balakrishnan, Secretary of CPI(M) in Kerala, scoffed at the latest RSS threat saying that the organisation wouldn’t even be able to touch a hair on Vijayan’s body.  Both Vijayan

A desire to run away from the oppressiveness of the world into the solace of solitude is mounting in me restlessly these days.  I’m no sage and the Himalayas don’t entice me with all their gods and nymphs.  In fact, it’s more important to escape from gods these days.  Gods have capitulated to the insanity of their devotees. My home and the little garden around it will do for me as long as priests and politicians stay away.  A priest was arrested yesterday from a place not too far from my home for impregnating a minor girl.  The girl must have been helpless before the suave exterior of the priest who is taken by the faithful flock as the representative of God on earth.  The priest is the one who listens to the confessions of the ordinary sinners and absolves their sins in the name of God.  It is easy for a 16-year old to fall prey to the devil that comes wearing a priest’s robe. It is easy for us to dismiss the issue labelling it a one-off affair.  Far from being singul