"To be, or not to be a Mallu"

I have always been proud of being a Malayali. Why are we known for our petty tea shops? The joke goes this way that even if one goes to the moon, he can see a Malayali tea shop there. There is reason to be happy in this statement – insult too. Outside the borders of God's own country, we are prepared to do anything, any time, for any duration and that is why we are recognized as good workers wherever we are. Are we the same in our Homeland? No, we are just the exact opposite.

Our chauvinism and white collar attitude can sell only in our home land. While in our homeland, we do not like to soil our clothes and wet our hands. It is said, to be a true Malayali, a.k.a Mallu, one has to pass the Valayar check post multiple times and work somewhere else.That is when one transforms from a Malayali to a Mallu. Mallu in Malayalam means ‘Mallan’ (Wrestler). He is reborn as a Mallu to fight.

The life of a Mallu is always filled with struggles. A struggle not only to make both ends meet, but also to meet the demands of our culture. We usually go abroad or move to other states to make a living. We work and live like a sparrow and save like a squirrel for the rainy day. A closer look into our lives will give us an insight of what we really are.

A visit to the home land, the expenses associated with it, the struggles and sufferings to fulfil to maintain the ‘image’ brings us back to square one! And we have to start all over. Having stayed away for decades, most of the old connections are severed or weakened, the life styles have changed, and there are hardly a handful of relatives and friends now to count upon. We are not fully accepted back into the system and are looked upon as outsiders. Adding to this is the discrimination we have to suffer, even in India.

We are regarded as Madrasi's if we work in North India. Tamilians, Kannadiga’s, Malayali’s all are Madrasi's for the North Indians. Are they not aware that the three states have their own culture, traditions and sovereignty?

My previous workplace projects itself as an equal opportunity employer. This implies that there would not be any discrimination based on the language, skin colour or gender. Contrary to this, I was a victim of regional biasing many-a-times.

There is a scene in Roman Polanski's "The Pianist". A Jew tries to get away from an apartment where he's been holed up for months but unfortunately is spotted by a neighbour. As he scrambles down the stairs as fast as he can, she screams with utter contempt and hate: "Catch him! He's a JEW!!!”

That is exactly the way I felt, while working with them - Like a Jew in Hitler's Nazi Germany.

I remember my Ex V.P Vinay who himself is a keralite mockingly say - You should first kill a Mallu, if you happen to meet a Mallu and a poisonous snake together. Well, he meant it as a joke, but there are others who do so from the heart. I was never able to understand others motivation in cornering the Mallu’s. Some regard Mallu as a derogatory term, but most use it just as an acronym.

Kerala is known as the God's own country. Some say Keralites are narrow minded. Is it narrow mindedness? I do not agree. Social restrictions are very high in Kerala and it exists even now. May be these restrictions form the basis to what others see as narrow mindedness? Or may be its just that outside the borders of the God's own country, the Mallus are hard workers and rise to higher positions and this is not an acceptable factor for others.

A country that's divided by itself cannot stand... I believe it was Washington who said that... I used to take a pledge in my school assembly - "I am an Indian. All Indian's are my brothers and sisters". I guess people who create regional bias forget this pledge they have made to our great nation. It is because of this attitude that we are still branded a poor nation.

Please read the following story on a Mallu. I received it as a forwarded mail many years ago.

Kuttappan is a malayalee !

Kuttappan was bragging to his boss one day, "You know, I know everyone there is to know. Just name someone, anyone, and I know them."

Tired of his boasting, his boss called his bluff, "OK, Kuttappan how about Tom Cruise?" "Sure, yes, Tom and I are old friends, and I can prove it."

So Kuttappan and his boss fly out to Hollywood and knock on Tom Cruise's door, and sure enough,

Tom Cruise shouts, "Kuttapa! Great to see you! You and your friend come right in and join me for lunch!"

Although impressed, Kuttappan's boss is still sceptical. After they leave Cruise's house, he tells Kuttappan that he thinks Kuttappan's knowing Cruise was just lucky.

"No, no, just name anyone else", Kuttappan says.

"President Bush," his boss quickly retorts.

"Yes," Kuttappan says, "I know him, let's fly out to Washington."

And off they go. At the White House, Bush spots Kuttappan on the tour and motions him and his boss over, saying, "Kutts, what a surprise, I was just on my way to a meeting, but you and your friend come on in and let's have a cup of coffee first and catch up."

Well, the boss is very much shaken by now, but still not totally convinced.

After they leave the White House grounds, he expresses his doubts to Kuttappan who again implores him to name anyone else.

"Micahel jackson," his boss replies.

"Sure!" says Kuttappan. "I have a lot of friends in Los Angeles, and I've known the Michael a long time."

So off they fly to Los Angeles.

Kuttappan and his boss are assembled with the crowd near L.A Square when Kuttappan says, "This will never work. I can't catch Michael’s eye among all these people. Tell you what, I know all the guards, so let me just go upstairs and I'll come out on the balcony with Michael

So he disappears into the crowd, headed toward the building.

Sure enough, half an hour later Kuttappan emerges with the Michael on the balcony.

But by the time Kuttappan returns, he finds that his boss has had a minor heart attack and is surrounded by paramedics.

Working his way to his boss' side, Kuttappan asks him, "What happened?"

His boss looks up and says, "I was doing fine until you and Michael came out on the balcony and the man next to me said, "Who's that on the balcony with Kuttappan?

Moral of the story- Don't ever underestimate a Malayalee again.

Mallus are hard workers, Not smart workers. But learn to be smart enough. Or you will be beaten to the ground. It is competition everywhere. “The glory of a man lies not in never falling, but in rising every time he falls”. And the Mallus rise like Phoenix. A coin has two sides. Be prepared to meet the challenges.

Onam : History & Significance

Late August or early September marks some high-spirited celebrations in God's own country. People in the state go crazy over the state festival of Onam, with ten days of feasting, boat races, songs, dance and merriment. All mallus long to be home at this time. It marks the homecoming of mythological King Mahabali.

Onam has two specific significances. First it is the communal memory and celebration of past history as enunciated in the Mahabali legend – a story of how paradise was lost. Second it is the celebration of the harvest, tied with the memory of the golden age of prosperity. It is believed that during those days the whole of Chingam was celebrated as Onam season. After the rain-drenched month of Karkidakam, with its privations, Chingam is a welcome month for people in the state of Kerala. The festival is the harbinger of spring — signalling the start of the harvest season. Onam epitomises the newfound vigour and enthusiasm of the season, and is celebrated with traditional fervour with visits to temples, family get-togethers, gifting of clothes called Onakkodi and lots of merrymaking.Even the poorest of the poor manage to find something for himself to celebrate the national festival in his own humble way.

Although this festival has its origin in Hindu mythology, Onam is for all people of all class and creed. Hindus, Muslims and Christians, the wealthy and the downtrodden, all celebrate Onam with equal fervor. The secular character of Onam is peculiar to this land where unity had always coexisted with diversity, especially during festivals, when people come together to celebrate life's unlimited joys.

A flower carpet called 'Pookalam' is laid in front of most of the houses (starting on the atham day - ten days prior to thiruvonam) to welcome the advent of the vanquished king, and earthen mounds representing Mahabali and Vishnu are placed in the dung-plastered courtyards. Traditional rituals are performed followed by a lavish feast called 'Sadhya'. Onam also means new clothes for the whole family, sumptuous home-cooked delicacies on plantain leaf and the lingering aroma of the sweet Payasam.

The Story Behind Onam

Kashyapa had two wives, Diti and Aditi, who were the parents of demons and demigods (Asuras and Devas) respectively. Indra, the king of demigods, went to war with the king of Asuras. Mahabali, the King of Asuras, defeated Indra and proceeded to occupy Indra's territory. Kashyapa, who had gone to the Himalayas to do penance, on his return found Aditi weeping over the defeat of her son, Indra. By divine insight, Kashyapa recognised the cause of grief. Kashyapa tried to console Aditi who was wailing in grief, saying that nothing happens in the world without God's will and people should go on doing their duties. Kashyapa asked Aditi to pray to Lord Narayana and taught her Payovrata, a ritual that has to be observed from the 12th day of the bright half of Karthika (Sukla-paksha Dwaadasi). Since Aditi carried out the Vrata with a pious heart, Lord Narayana appeared before her and informed her that he would himself place a child in her womb and help Indra. Later, on the 12th day of the bright half of the month of Bhadrapada, Aditi gave birth to a son of uncommon effulgence. That child, "Vamana-murti", demonstrated his divine powers by doing marvellous deeds even when he was a child.

Vamana approached Mahabali while he was performing a yajna and asked for alms. Pleased with the dwarf brahmin's wisdom, Mahabali granted him a wish. The Emperor's preceptor, Sukracharya warned him against making the gift, for he realized that the seeker was no ordinary person. But the Emperor's kingly ego was boosted to think that God had asked him for a favor. So he firmly declared that there is no greater sin than going back on one's promise. He kept his word.

The Vamana asked for a simple gift — three paces of land — and the king agreed to it. Vishnu in the guise of Vamana then increased his stature and with the first step covered the sky, blotting out the stars, and with the second, straddled the netherworld. Realising that Vamana's third step will destroy the earth, Mahabali offered his head as the last step.

Vishnu's fatal third step pushed him to the netherworld, but before banishing him to the underworld Vishnu granted him a boon. Since he was attached to his kingdom and his people, he was allowed to return once a year from exile. Onam is the celebration that marks the homecoming of King Mahabali. It is the day when a grateful Kerala pays a glorious tribute to the memory of this benign king who gave his all for his subjects.

Mahabali's rule was considered as the golden era of Kerala. The celebration of Onam resounds and chants the following song all over Kerala:

“ When Maveli, our King, ruled the land,

All the people had equality.And people were joyful and merry;

They were all free from harm.

There was neither anxiety nor sickness,

Death of the children was never even heard of,

There were no lies,There was neither theft nor deceit,

And no one was false in speech either.

Measures and weights were right;

No one cheated or wronged his neighbor.

When Maveli, our King, ruled the land, All the people formed one casteless race. ”

During Onam, the feast and festive mood of the people, dressed in their best, is considered reminiscent of the prosperous and truthful life of the subjects during Bali's flawless reign. People wear new clothes (Vastra) during Onam. The 'Vastra' also stands for heart. Thus the significance of wearing new clothes is about making the heart new by removing all bad thoughts and feelings. People forgetting their sectarian outlooks, join together to welcome the auspicious 'Thiruvonam' day.

In an alternate legend, it is believed by many Malayalees that during the Onam Parasurama visits Kerala.Dr. Gundert defines in his Malayalam Dictionary, Onam, as the day that Parasurama recovered Kerala from the sea.

Whatever the legends be, Onam is the National festival of Keralites. The way Onam is being celebrated has changed a lot in the past years. I remember trips to my dad's home town where Onam was celebrated as a festival in the temple. Re-visiting the same place today, I find that many are glued to the TV sets watching the Onam celebration on the Channels, and that makes me sad.

Wishing all my readers a Happy Onam.

The Human Liver, Jaundice & Hepatitis

I have been down with Jaundice since July and thought it would be better to share what I learned about the disease. It started with back-ache and then developed into high fever. Me, being the kind of person who does not visit a doctor so often, was hesitant to consult the doctor thinking that the fever would go off in a couple of days.

However, things started to change when I started to vomit and with each vomit, I was more tired. I realized that I had never been so sick in my life and decided to consult the doctor. As I feared, the doctors confirmed Jaundice and I have been advised to take rest and maintain a diet.

Ironically, even with the vast developments in Aloppathy, the Modern Medicine has no cure for the disease. All they do is give you some intravenal fluids, flush out the excess billirubin, give you tablets so that the billirubin does not mix with blood and reach the brain causing death. In some very rare cases, where nothing else can be done, the doctors advise a liver transplant. Well, here's what I learned about it. whoooo!!!!!

What is Jaundice?

Jaundice means the yellow appearance of the skin and whites of the eyes that occurs when the blood contains an excess of the pigment called bilirubin. Bilirubin is a natural product arising from the normal breakdown of red blood cells in the body and is excreted in the bile, through the actions of the liver.

Although jaundice is most often the result of a disorder affecting the liver it can be caused by a variety of other conditions affecting for example the blood or spleen. It should be thoroughly investigated so that the underlying cause can be identified and treated.

The liver is an organ in vertebrates, including humans. It plays a major role in metabolism and has a number of functions in the body including glycogen storage, plasma protein synthesis, and drug detoxification. It also produces bile, which is important in digestion. It performs and regulates a wide variety of high-volume biochemical reactions requiring specialized tissues.

The adult human liver normally weighs between 1.3 - 3.0 kilograms, and is a soft, pinkish-brown “boomerang shaped” organ. It is the second largest organ (the largest organ being the skin) and the largest gland within the human body. Its anatomical position in the body is immediately under the diaphragm on the right side of the upper abdomen. The liver lies on the right of the stomach and makes a kind of bed for the gallbladder (which stores bile).

The liver is among the few internal human organs capable of natural regeneration of lost tissue; as little as 25% of remaining liver can regenerate into a whole liver again.

Many diseases of the liver are accompanied by jaundice caused by increased levels of bilirubin in the system. The bilirubin results from the breakup of the hemoglobin of dead red blood cells; normally, the liver removes bilirubin from the blood and excretes it through bile.

Some functions of liver relating to Hepatitis:

The liver breaks down hemoglobin, creating metabolites that are added to bile as pigment. The liver produces and excretes bile required for dissolving fats. Some of the bile drains directly into the duodenum, and some is stored in the gallbladder. The liver breaks down toxic substances and most medicinal products in a process called drug metabolism. This sometimes results in toxication, when the metabolite is more toxic than its precursor. The liver converts ammonia to urea.

How does a person get jaundice?

The red blood cells in our circulation carry oxygen to all parts of the body and have a life span of about 120 days. At the end of their life they are broken down and removed from the circulation by special cells called phagocytes, which are found within the bone marrow, spleen and liver. New red cells are of course continually manufactured and this also takes place within the bone marrow.

Following breakdown of the red cells some of their component parts such as amino acids and iron can be re-used by the body. Other components such as bilirubin need to be removed. Knowing how this removal pathway works is the key to understanding how jaundice occurs.

Most waste products of the body are excreted in the urine via the kidneys but the liver and bile system is the other main physical route out of the body for these substances. 'Waste products' refers to the many compounds that arise in the course of the body's metabolism but almost all forms of drugs must also be eliminated either via the urine or bile routes.

In the case of bilirubin released from old red cells, it passes through the bloodstream to the liver, where the liver cells process it. These cells carry out many complex chemical functions and also produce the liquid bile, which is the 'vehicle' by which the cells discharge their output to the bile duct system. This is a branching network of tiny tubes throughout the liver, which merge in the same way as the branches of a tree. Ultimately a single main bile duct comes out of the liver and joins the first part of the small intestine (duodenum). Bile (and therefore bilirubin) then passes out through the small and large intestines and is excreted in the stool (faeces).

Bile is green in colour, but bacteria in the large bowel act to change the bilirubin to substances that are brown, which gives stool its characteristic colour. Some of the bilirubin is reabsorbed back into the body through the bowel wall, eventually appearing in the urine as a substance called urobilinogen (although the typical yellow/orange colour of urine is in fact due a different pigment called urochrome). Therefore, any failure of the bilirubin removal pathway will lead to a build-up of bilirubin in the blood. When this happens the individual's skin turns yellow, causing jaundice.

What are the symptoms?

The symptoms, other than that of the jaundice itself, will relate to the underlying cause. For example someone with haemolysis might also be anaemic and tired. If a gallstone were responsible there would probably have been a preceding history of pain in the abdomen. Weight loss, lack of apetite, heavy back pain, Nausea, Stomach Ache, Vomiting, Itchinng all over the body, Colored Urine, Fatigue, coloration of the eyes, Mild fever are the common symptoms of Jaundice.

When jaundice is due to obstruction of the bile duct the person will often notice that their urine becomes dark and stools become pale, as the excess bilirubin 'spills over' into the urine and no longer colours the stool. Obstructive jaundice is also often accompanied by intense itching.

How is jaundice diagnosed?

The diagnosis is made by recognition of the patient's appearance and accompanying symptoms. A blood test will confirm the raised bilirubin level and other tests such as those for hepatitis and haemolysis are also done on the blood. Ultrasound is a good way to inspect the liver and bile ducts for signs of obstruction, and often can give useful information on the pancreas gland. CT scanning also helps diagnose obstructive jaundice accurately.

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is a gastroenterological disease (inflammation of the liver). It is caused mainly by various viruses but also by some poisons, autoimmunity or hereditary conditions. A number of liver function tests are available to test the proper function of the liver. These test for the presence of enzymes in blood that are normally most abundant in liver tissue, metabolites or products.

Some chronic forms of hepatitis show very few of symptoms and only present when the longstanding inflammation has led to the replacement of liver cells by connective tissue; the result is cirrhosis. Certain liver function tests can also indicate hepatitis.

Hepatitis A

Hepatitis A or infectious jaundice is an enterovirus transmitted by the orofecal route, transmitted to humans through methods such as contaminated food. It causes an acute form of hepatitis and does not have a chronic stage.

The patient’s immune system makes antibodies against hepatitis A that confer immunity against future infection. Normally, it can be spread through personal contact, consumption of raw sea food or drinking contaminated water.

Hepatitis A is transmitted fecal-orally, generally by ingesting contaminated water or food. Strict personal hygiene and the avoidance of raw and unpeeled foods can help prevent an infection.Infected persons already begin excreting the hepatitis A virus with their stool two weeks after the appearance of the first symptoms.

The time between the infection and the start of the illness can run from 15 to 45 days, and approximately 15% of sufferers may experience relapsing symptoms from six months to a year following initial diagnosis. Hepatitis A is caused by the Hepatitis A Virus (abbreviated HAV). Only 3 out of 4 people with Hepatitis A have symptoms.

Ways to prevent hepatitis A include the following:

Wash hands with soap and warm water before preparing or eating food, and after sexual activity. Keep bathrooms clean and disinfected after every use. Cook shellfish thoroughly before eating. Drink water from approved sources only.

Recovery

There is no specific treatment for Hepatitis A. Sufferers are advised to rest, avoid alcohol, eat a well-balanced diet, and stay hydrated. Approximately 15% of people diagnosed with Hepatitis A may experience a symptomatic relapse for up to nine months after contracting the disease.

Fatigue would be high for the first three weeks, then it will start to recede. However, this should not be taken as a symptom of being well. More rest is advised at this time.

There are traditional systems for treating the Jaundice in India which at times are to take herbs known as 'ottamoolis'. Some of them are highly effective also. However, before taking home medicines such as 'kizhutharnelli (am not sure of the plant's english / scientific name)' run tests to confirm which variety of Hepatitis infection has affected you. Kizhutharnelli is very good in treating Hepatitis A, whereas it does not have any effect on Hepatitis B or E.

Young children who catch hepatitis A often have a milder form of the disease, usually lasting from 1-3 weeks, whereas adults tend to experience a much more severe form of the disease.
They are often confined to bed and minimal activity for about 4 weeks and have to stop their work for one to three months or longer. Many adults take up to 6-12 months and occasionally longer to recover entirely. Symptoms that may be experienced after the first month or two are low immunity: It is much easier to catch minor infections and for these infections to linger longer than they normally would.

Many people experience a slow but sure improvement, over this later period. They are generally able to function fairly normally, still needing more sleep and reduced athletic activity. It is common for recovering patients to experience occasional “off” days, during which they need to rest more.

WARNING:

I am not a doctor, hence I can't guarantee that the symptoms or causes are limited to this. If you or one of your friends or relatives suspect that you may have jaundice, it is essential that you arrange to see your doctor in order that the underlying cause is identified and any possible treatment initiated as soon as possible. Treatment will depend upon the diagnosis behind the symptom of jaundice.

The best thing to do is to get vaccinated. Vaccination would cost you approximately around Rs.4,500/- (against Hep A n Hep B). But that would save you months. Please make sure that you do vaccination in consultation with your doctor only.

Seek immediate medical attention if you have the symptoms. Jaundice is actually a state, not a disease, but can cause you life, if you do not attend to it properly. Act in Time, Save Life.