Here is a ruling of the US Federal Drug administration which will be of interest to doctors and others elsewhere too.
The FDA on Thursday urged parents and caregivers not to give over-the-counter (OTC) cough and cold medicines to children younger than two years because of dangerous side effects.
Charles Ganley, MD, director of FDA's Office of Non-prescription Products said at a news conference that serious and potentially life-threatening side effects could occur from the use of these products on children, according to a report published by WebMD.
The report by Miranda Hitti of WebMD Medical News, which was reviewed by Louise Chang, MD, can be seen at http://www.webmd.com/cold-and-flu/news/20080117/fda-no-cough-cold-drugs-for-tots?ecd=wnl_nal_011708
Friday, January 18, 2008
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Kerala society is trapped between feudalism and capitalism
True Marxists have proclaimed that this is the age of capitalism all over India, including West Bengal and Kerala. E. M. S. Namboodiripad, who analyzed the feudal system, which was in vogue in Kerala earlier, had found that it consisted of princely rule, landlordism and caste supremacy. Neither he nor any other theoretician is known to have made a similar analysis of Kerala capitalism.
Under the Congress, princely rule ended. The Communists abolished landlordism. Thus two elements of feudalism disappeared. All that remained of the feudal system was caste supremacy. We still have with us caste and religious supremacy. It can make even non-believers to trek to the mountain shrine and queue up for temple prasad. It can even lead them to a karayogam office for a courtesy call or to the bishop’s palace to kiss his hand. Religion has prospered under both feudalism and capitalism in all parts of the world. Capitalism does not appear to be a problem even for the caste system, which is an exclusive product of Indian feudalism. Note how Indian capitalism, which considers the United States as the model in all other matters, opposes the extension of reservation to the private sector. Leading US companies, while inviting applications for jobs, generally state that they are equal opportunity employers.
When we try to identify the other elements of Kerala capitalism, we find that things are not working out here the way Marx anticipated. He saw ownership and control of the means of production as the source of strength of capitalism. There is little point in asking who controls the means of production in a society where there is hardly any production. In Kerala, often, it is not the capitalist but the political party that controls the means of production. When a party said “no” to computers and tractors, they could not come. When the party gave the nod, they could come. Who then has the decisive role?
Marx and Engels envisaged Communism as the post-capitalist phase. But the Communist movement has not succeeded so far in any country with developed capitalism. It was only in countries which were in the initial phase of industrialization, or had not yet begun the process, that Communist parties could seize power. After the party gained power, the industrialization process was carried forward by the government. That was why critics said that there was state capitalism in the Communist countries.
Kerala came under Communist influence as it was moving from feudalism to capitalism. The leadership of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), which took to electoral politics and became a part of the power structure, did not recognize its historical mission. It may be said that they were like students who did not know anything more than what they had committed to heart from the textbook. Their actions obstructed the movement towards capitalism. Kerala society got frozen between dying feudalism and unborn capitalism.
The state of the society is reflected in reports that appear in the newspapers daily. Here are some examples from the last few days’ newspapers:
There was tension as traders of Ambalamukku (in Thiruvananthapuram) obstructed authorities’ efforts to demolish shops on land that the government had acquired for widening of the road.
Popular resentment over the proposed Nagampadam-Kodimatha flyover (in Kottayam).
It has not been possible to remove garbage from the beach or hotels at Kovalam (near Thiruvananthapuram) for four days because there is no place to dump the waste.
A special scheme to find a solution to the complex problem of traffic jams in Kochi has been approved in principle at the Central level.
No ideological issue is involved in these news reports. But they contain a message. Kerala cannot go forward carrying the corpse of feudalism.
Steps to widen the State’s roads must have been taken two or three decades ago. Not that no efforts were made. The CPI (M) was with those who attempted to defeat those steps. The party had opposed the schemes, raising issues like the interests of hawkers and small traders. Now it has changed its approach. In the process, it has invited the charge that it is upholding the interests of big traders and ignoring those of small traders.
One has only to study recent road widening activity in Thiruvananthapuram to understand how not to undertake developmental schemes. When the road between Pattom and Kesavadasapuram was widened, the small shops disappeared. In their place, big stores and showrooms appeared. The customers of the old shops were people who lived near by. They came on foot or on bicycles. The customers of the new shops come in automobiles. The absence of parking facilities creates chaos. The authorities do not seem to have learnt a lesson from this experience. The same kind of road widening is now going on elsewhere in the city.
The state and the people often approach problems in a feudal way. This results in delays in acquisition of land. As project gets delayed, cost escalates. Many of the obstacles will disappear if the government takes the people who are likely to be affected adversely and try to find solutions to their legitimate grievances.
Based on “Nerkkazhcha” column appearing in Kerala Kaumudi dated January 17, 2008
Under the Congress, princely rule ended. The Communists abolished landlordism. Thus two elements of feudalism disappeared. All that remained of the feudal system was caste supremacy. We still have with us caste and religious supremacy. It can make even non-believers to trek to the mountain shrine and queue up for temple prasad. It can even lead them to a karayogam office for a courtesy call or to the bishop’s palace to kiss his hand. Religion has prospered under both feudalism and capitalism in all parts of the world. Capitalism does not appear to be a problem even for the caste system, which is an exclusive product of Indian feudalism. Note how Indian capitalism, which considers the United States as the model in all other matters, opposes the extension of reservation to the private sector. Leading US companies, while inviting applications for jobs, generally state that they are equal opportunity employers.
When we try to identify the other elements of Kerala capitalism, we find that things are not working out here the way Marx anticipated. He saw ownership and control of the means of production as the source of strength of capitalism. There is little point in asking who controls the means of production in a society where there is hardly any production. In Kerala, often, it is not the capitalist but the political party that controls the means of production. When a party said “no” to computers and tractors, they could not come. When the party gave the nod, they could come. Who then has the decisive role?
Marx and Engels envisaged Communism as the post-capitalist phase. But the Communist movement has not succeeded so far in any country with developed capitalism. It was only in countries which were in the initial phase of industrialization, or had not yet begun the process, that Communist parties could seize power. After the party gained power, the industrialization process was carried forward by the government. That was why critics said that there was state capitalism in the Communist countries.
Kerala came under Communist influence as it was moving from feudalism to capitalism. The leadership of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), which took to electoral politics and became a part of the power structure, did not recognize its historical mission. It may be said that they were like students who did not know anything more than what they had committed to heart from the textbook. Their actions obstructed the movement towards capitalism. Kerala society got frozen between dying feudalism and unborn capitalism.
The state of the society is reflected in reports that appear in the newspapers daily. Here are some examples from the last few days’ newspapers:
There was tension as traders of Ambalamukku (in Thiruvananthapuram) obstructed authorities’ efforts to demolish shops on land that the government had acquired for widening of the road.
Popular resentment over the proposed Nagampadam-Kodimatha flyover (in Kottayam).
It has not been possible to remove garbage from the beach or hotels at Kovalam (near Thiruvananthapuram) for four days because there is no place to dump the waste.
A special scheme to find a solution to the complex problem of traffic jams in Kochi has been approved in principle at the Central level.
No ideological issue is involved in these news reports. But they contain a message. Kerala cannot go forward carrying the corpse of feudalism.
Steps to widen the State’s roads must have been taken two or three decades ago. Not that no efforts were made. The CPI (M) was with those who attempted to defeat those steps. The party had opposed the schemes, raising issues like the interests of hawkers and small traders. Now it has changed its approach. In the process, it has invited the charge that it is upholding the interests of big traders and ignoring those of small traders.
One has only to study recent road widening activity in Thiruvananthapuram to understand how not to undertake developmental schemes. When the road between Pattom and Kesavadasapuram was widened, the small shops disappeared. In their place, big stores and showrooms appeared. The customers of the old shops were people who lived near by. They came on foot or on bicycles. The customers of the new shops come in automobiles. The absence of parking facilities creates chaos. The authorities do not seem to have learnt a lesson from this experience. The same kind of road widening is now going on elsewhere in the city.
The state and the people often approach problems in a feudal way. This results in delays in acquisition of land. As project gets delayed, cost escalates. Many of the obstacles will disappear if the government takes the people who are likely to be affected adversely and try to find solutions to their legitimate grievances.
Based on “Nerkkazhcha” column appearing in Kerala Kaumudi dated January 17, 2008
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Anti-Conversion laws pose challenge to religious freedom
Several States in India have adopted laws against religious conversion. The South Asian Human Rights Documentation Centre, which has analyzed the laws, has found that the language is often broad and vague, posing serious challenges to religious freedom guaranteed by the Constitution and enshrined in international human rights instruments.
For details, please see article in the Economic and Political Weekly.
Ravi Nair, Executive Director, SAHRDC, has invited comments on the study, which can be sent to
South Asian Human Rights Documentation Centre,
B-6/6, Safdarjung Enclave Extension,
New Delhi 110 029, India
Tel/Fax: +91-11-2619 2717, 2619 2706, 2619 1120
Email: secretariat@aphrn.org
For details, please see article in the Economic and Political Weekly.
Ravi Nair, Executive Director, SAHRDC, has invited comments on the study, which can be sent to
South Asian Human Rights Documentation Centre,
B-6/6, Safdarjung Enclave Extension,
New Delhi 110 029, India
Tel/Fax: +91-11-2619 2717, 2619 2706, 2619 1120
Email: secretariat@aphrn.org
Monday, January 14, 2008
Literary establishment consecrates a new patriarch
LEADING Malayalam writers gathered at the Kerala Sahitya Akademi's headquarters in Thrissur last Thursday to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the publication of MT Vasudevan Nair's popular novel Nalukettu.
his was the first time the Sahitya Akademi organised a programme to mark the golden anniversary of a book. Some wondered what prompted the government-funded literary agency to so honour "Nalukettu", or rather its author.
The writer and the work, of course, have impeccable credentials. Vasudevan Nair, known widely by his initials, MT, is one of the seniormost members of the literary establishment. He will be 75 in July.
He started writing at the age of 14. Today he is the State's tallest literary figure. In 1996, he received the Jnanapeeth Award, one of the country's highest literary honours, and an honourary degree of doctor of literature from the Calicut University.
MT was editor of the Mathrubhumi weekly for many years. He is also a noted film-maker and screenplay writer, with many successful movies to his credit.
Nalukettu, which appeared when he was 25, established his reputation as a writer. A novel with pronounced autobiographical elements, it depicts the agony of a boy growing up in a Nair household as feudalism was declining and the joint family breaking up. It is now in its eighteenth edition and has sold about 700,000 copies.
The book has been translated into 14 languages.
An English translation by Gita Krishnankutty, The House around the Courtyard, appeared last year.
N. Sasidharan and N. Prabhakaran, two novelists of a later generation, in articles published last week recalled how they were moved by Nalukettu when they first read it as schoolboys. They had identified themselves with its protagonist, Appunni.
Giving public expression to the feelings of those who took a cynical view of the Thrissur event, MV Devan, artist and writer, said the Akademi was showing signs of sickness when it celebrated the golden jubilee of "a feudal Nair novel" and ignored the birth centenary of Vaikom Mohammad Basheer, which also falls this year.
Basheer, author of several popular novels, was the doyen of Malayalam writers until his death in 1994, at the age of 86. The media crowned him the Sultan of Beypore, where he had settled after his marriage.
Even as the Akademi was celebrating 50 years of Nalukettu, Malayalee institutions in Chennai were marking Basheer's birth centenary with a month-long programme. This added a pungent note to Devan's criticism.
Devan came under sharp attack from Kakkanadan, who inaugurated Nalukettu celebration, and several other writers. However, the Akademi announced a few programmes to blunt the edge of his criticism. Accordingly, the Akademi will celebrate Basheer's centenary in March.
Also, it will mark the 50th anniversary of the appearance of the first novel of some other writers.
The literary establishment has its likes and dislikes. These are reflected in the Sahitya Akademi's decisions from time to time. The Akademi had looked the other way when OV Vijayan took the literary world by storm with his first novel, Khasakinte ithihasam, in 1969.
Critics consider it as his most significant work, but it was his second novel "Gurusagaram" that fetched him Central and State Akademi awards.
When the Akademi picked MP Narayana Pillai's novel Parinamam for an award, he refused to accept the cash prize, since he was opposed to use of taxpayers' money for such purposes.
He offered to go to Thrissur at his own expense and accept the citation. This annoyed the establishment so much that it announced withdrawal of the award.
Akademi president M. Mukundan said the "Nalukettu" celebration was organised in the hope that it would help the candidature of MT, who is seeking the presidentship of the Central Akademi.
Steering clear of claims and criticism, it may be said that with the golden anniversary celebrations of Nalukettu, the Malayalam literary establishment has formally installed MT Vasudevan Nair as the Patriarch of Malayalam literature. The throne had been vacant since Basheer's death.
Another succession struggle is also on in the world of Malayalam literature. This is for the throne vacated by the late M. Krishnan Nair, whose long-running column Sahityavaraphalam had made him the czar of literary criticism. Those in the run include MK Harikumar, S. Jayachandran Nair and Vaikom Murali.
Harikumar, whose column Aksharajalakam appears in Kalakaumudi (he also has a blog under that name) appears to be the frontrunner at this time.--Gulf Today, Sharjah, Januaty 14, 2008.
his was the first time the Sahitya Akademi organised a programme to mark the golden anniversary of a book. Some wondered what prompted the government-funded literary agency to so honour "Nalukettu", or rather its author.
The writer and the work, of course, have impeccable credentials. Vasudevan Nair, known widely by his initials, MT, is one of the seniormost members of the literary establishment. He will be 75 in July.
He started writing at the age of 14. Today he is the State's tallest literary figure. In 1996, he received the Jnanapeeth Award, one of the country's highest literary honours, and an honourary degree of doctor of literature from the Calicut University.
MT was editor of the Mathrubhumi weekly for many years. He is also a noted film-maker and screenplay writer, with many successful movies to his credit.
Nalukettu, which appeared when he was 25, established his reputation as a writer. A novel with pronounced autobiographical elements, it depicts the agony of a boy growing up in a Nair household as feudalism was declining and the joint family breaking up. It is now in its eighteenth edition and has sold about 700,000 copies.
The book has been translated into 14 languages.
An English translation by Gita Krishnankutty, The House around the Courtyard, appeared last year.
N. Sasidharan and N. Prabhakaran, two novelists of a later generation, in articles published last week recalled how they were moved by Nalukettu when they first read it as schoolboys. They had identified themselves with its protagonist, Appunni.
Giving public expression to the feelings of those who took a cynical view of the Thrissur event, MV Devan, artist and writer, said the Akademi was showing signs of sickness when it celebrated the golden jubilee of "a feudal Nair novel" and ignored the birth centenary of Vaikom Mohammad Basheer, which also falls this year.
Basheer, author of several popular novels, was the doyen of Malayalam writers until his death in 1994, at the age of 86. The media crowned him the Sultan of Beypore, where he had settled after his marriage.
Even as the Akademi was celebrating 50 years of Nalukettu, Malayalee institutions in Chennai were marking Basheer's birth centenary with a month-long programme. This added a pungent note to Devan's criticism.
Devan came under sharp attack from Kakkanadan, who inaugurated Nalukettu celebration, and several other writers. However, the Akademi announced a few programmes to blunt the edge of his criticism. Accordingly, the Akademi will celebrate Basheer's centenary in March.
Also, it will mark the 50th anniversary of the appearance of the first novel of some other writers.
The literary establishment has its likes and dislikes. These are reflected in the Sahitya Akademi's decisions from time to time. The Akademi had looked the other way when OV Vijayan took the literary world by storm with his first novel, Khasakinte ithihasam, in 1969.
Critics consider it as his most significant work, but it was his second novel "Gurusagaram" that fetched him Central and State Akademi awards.
When the Akademi picked MP Narayana Pillai's novel Parinamam for an award, he refused to accept the cash prize, since he was opposed to use of taxpayers' money for such purposes.
He offered to go to Thrissur at his own expense and accept the citation. This annoyed the establishment so much that it announced withdrawal of the award.
Akademi president M. Mukundan said the "Nalukettu" celebration was organised in the hope that it would help the candidature of MT, who is seeking the presidentship of the Central Akademi.
Steering clear of claims and criticism, it may be said that with the golden anniversary celebrations of Nalukettu, the Malayalam literary establishment has formally installed MT Vasudevan Nair as the Patriarch of Malayalam literature. The throne had been vacant since Basheer's death.
Another succession struggle is also on in the world of Malayalam literature. This is for the throne vacated by the late M. Krishnan Nair, whose long-running column Sahityavaraphalam had made him the czar of literary criticism. Those in the run include MK Harikumar, S. Jayachandran Nair and Vaikom Murali.
Harikumar, whose column Aksharajalakam appears in Kalakaumudi (he also has a blog under that name) appears to be the frontrunner at this time.--Gulf Today, Sharjah, Januaty 14, 2008.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Responses to Tata’s low-priced car reveal confusion
Tata’s Nano has evoked a mixed response. A confused response, one may say.
The reactions of Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee and social activist Medha Patkar appear to have been influenced by the Singrur issue. It was acquisition of land for the Tata project that precipitated the agitation at Singrur.
Quite naturally, energy and environmental considerations have influenced the responses of many groups and individuals. Some are opposed to the Nano because it comes as oil supplies are running out. If the motor car becomes more affordable than at present, the demand for oil is bound to go up and the available supplies may be exhausted sooner.
The other side of the picture is that switch to vehicles with greater fuel efficiency may delay that event. The makers of big, oil-guzzling automobiles are not known to be slowing down. As oil wells start drying up, the search for alternatives will intensify.
The worry that the arrival of a cheaper car will clog the already congested roads is real. But then it is not wise to demand that the entrepreneur must wait until the authorities have built enough roads for all the vehicles they hope to sell.
When Henry Ford began mass production of cars, there were no motorable roads and no automobile garages. They came later and filled the need that had arisen.
Alexander Graham Bell linked two small US towns by wire and demonstrated that it was possible for people in one place to talk to those in the other. Mark Twain is said to have asked what did they have to tell each other.
The reactions of Trinamool Congress leader Mamata Banerjee and social activist Medha Patkar appear to have been influenced by the Singrur issue. It was acquisition of land for the Tata project that precipitated the agitation at Singrur.
Quite naturally, energy and environmental considerations have influenced the responses of many groups and individuals. Some are opposed to the Nano because it comes as oil supplies are running out. If the motor car becomes more affordable than at present, the demand for oil is bound to go up and the available supplies may be exhausted sooner.
The other side of the picture is that switch to vehicles with greater fuel efficiency may delay that event. The makers of big, oil-guzzling automobiles are not known to be slowing down. As oil wells start drying up, the search for alternatives will intensify.
The worry that the arrival of a cheaper car will clog the already congested roads is real. But then it is not wise to demand that the entrepreneur must wait until the authorities have built enough roads for all the vehicles they hope to sell.
When Henry Ford began mass production of cars, there were no motorable roads and no automobile garages. They came later and filled the need that had arisen.
Alexander Graham Bell linked two small US towns by wire and demonstrated that it was possible for people in one place to talk to those in the other. Mark Twain is said to have asked what did they have to tell each other.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
A Panchayat model from Karnataka
Nandana Reddy, the social activist, organized a children’s panchayat in a Karnataka village several years ago. It worked very well. Children learnt to use the panchayat to take up matters of interest to them. Elders started listening to them.
Now the Karnataka government has stepped in to provide children a platform all over the State.
By an order, it has made it mandatory for every panchayat to hold children’s gram sabhas, providing children a platform where they can voice their concerns and problems.
For more information, please read "Children Speak Up" by Monideepa Sahu athttp://www.countercurrents.org/sahu110108.htm
Now the Karnataka government has stepped in to provide children a platform all over the State.
By an order, it has made it mandatory for every panchayat to hold children’s gram sabhas, providing children a platform where they can voice their concerns and problems.
For more information, please read "Children Speak Up" by Monideepa Sahu athttp://www.countercurrents.org/sahu110108.htm
Friday, January 11, 2008
How will Tata's Nano affect Kerala?
Ratan Tata with the NanoKerala already leads in the sale of motor vehicles in India. A Maruti dealer in the State regularly advertises to convey his gratitude to the people for keeping him in the No. 1 spot in automobile sales in the country.
Tata's Nano, which will sell at Rs.100,000, is labelled as the cheapest motor car in the world. The cheapest cars made in China cost twice as much or more.
How will the arrival of Nano affect Kerala, which is already experiencing serious problems due to poor infrastructure?
Ratan Tata revealed at the unveiling of the Nano that it was the plight of a small family moving in a two-wheeler that prompted him to develop a cheap motor car.
Of the motor vehicles on Kerala's roads, more than half are two-wheelers. Maruti has been trying for several years to persuade the two-wheeler riders to switch to car by offering loans with low instalments. The arrival of Nano will certainly increase the pressure on scooter and motor cycle owners to go in for a car. This will worsen the traffic stiuation. Work is in progress to widen roads and to improve their condition. But there is reason to believe that the government cannot keep pace with the automobile companies.
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