Chennai Marathon - 2010

The name Marathon comes from the legend of Pheidippides, a Greek messenger. The legend states that he was sent from the battlefield of Marathon to Athens to announce that the Persians had been defeated in the Battle of Marathon (in which he had just fought), which took place in August or September, 490 BC. It is said that he ran the entire distance without stopping and burst into the assembly, exclaiming “Νενικήκαμεν” (Nenikékamen, ‘We have won.’) before collapsing and dying. The marathon is a long-distance foot race with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres (26 miles and 385 yards), that is usually run as a road race.

With this historic back ground running behind my mind, Supervalu Project Manager Murali invited me to join the Chennai Marathon 2010. The word Marathon brought butterflies in me as I can never imagine running a 42.195 KM. Murali gave me a peace mind stating that we are participating in the 5Km Corporate Run. Now I could relax!

Woke up at 4am Sunday morning and reached the Marina Beach. My first impression was; Wow! Chennai’s spirit is here!! From kids to elders, one could find people from all walks of life and all parts of the Tamil Nadu state were there. For me, standing in the middle of the beach road in itself was a joy to hold. Otherwise who will allow me to run free in this VIP road.

Supervalu team associates had a festive time, I should say. Around 30 associates participated. Each posing against one another for photographs and yelling with joy. One could witness the joy and josh bubbling out. This team seem to be a crowd puller!! Their DGM Samir went on for a half marathon. He is a regular runner and seem to be a fitness freak.

The Sports authority of Tamil Nadu had organized it in a nice manner with NCC, Police and Medical fraternity giving the supporting hand. So, how was my run? I rather walked and occasionally ran. Still I completed my 5Km run. Good right??

Kenya’s Augustine Ronoh claimed the top honours clocking 2 hours 14 minutes and 5 seconds.

Thanks to Murali and SPORTS DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF TAMIL NADU for giving this opportunity to run and get awed by the spirit of humanity!!

Sure, I’m going to be participating in much more events of this nature!

Thirunelveli

A lunch conversation in the office prompted me to ink this article. The question from my colleague was, “How people from Thirunelveli District are very brilliant, hard working and occupying very high position in government and private sector?” This was a surprise for me as I had known my district only for the wrong reasons. To top it up I’m neither Intelligent nor occupying any high position!!   Having born and brought up in this district during my formative days, I have witnessed, Racism (Casteism), religious fanaticism, abject poverty, Music, Literature, Festivals, Kabbadi, Silambaattam, world class sculptures, Falls, largest temples, Tiger Reserve, World class Educational institutions  etc.,

 

It is a mixed feeling! I don’t know whether I should feel proud or ashamed for having born in this district. Thirunevli is most civilized on one side and the most barbaric on the other. The food and festivals on one side makes this place a heaven but unemployment and racism gives it a low score. My music classes with Mani Bhagwathar in the serene atmosphere are still a nostalgic feeling. Coconut palms and paddy fields surround the house while the quite Thamiraparani flows on the west. Tambura and harmonium giving the right scale, I fondly sang “Vilayaada Ithu Neerama” on lord Murugan! On the other side, because we as students were educating the peasants in the nearby village, we were warned not to bath at the other side of Thamiraparani where mostly the land lords and racists lived.  Untouchability  was evidenced.

 

The Iron Age settlements in and around the district tells us how historic this place is and how Tamil Language and Shivaism developed in this area.  Nellaiappar and Kaanthimathi amman temple in this historic town is a beauty to adore. Muthu Swamy Dixithar’s Sri Kanthimathim in “Hemavathi” Pann pays tribute to this temple deity.  For all those “Falls Lovers” Thirunelveli has the “Kuttraalam” falls which is thoroughly appreciated across the country.  Lush green Paddy fields in and around the perennial Thamaraparani river is a treat to the eyes. I need not even metion the Thirunelveli Halwa which is the Queen of Sweets!

 

Apart from Hinduism, Christianity and Islam have a considerable presence for several centuries in this district. One beauty about Christians and Muslims from these areas is that except for the change in name of the God they live and flourish as every other Thirunelveli Tamil is. Culturally there is hardly any differentiator unlike the city based folks.

 

This district also has the fame of housing all the four types of land as per Tamil grammar. Kurinchi, Mullai, Neythal and Paalai. Tamil Language has its rich heritage in this district, with foreigners like Caldwell, Fr. Beschi, Bartholomaeus, Miron, Julian, Hilko to name a few, devoted their life time studying and the contributing towards the classical language.

 

Historically, no foreign ruler reached this part of the country. Even the Mughals could not reach Thiruneveli which is in the extreme south. It is the British during 1800 took control over this area as a foreign government. Prior to that Nayaks(Telugu) ruled this part of the country.   Along with the British came world class educational institutions and their governance. Palayamcottai which is in the other side of Thamiraparani is fondly called as “The Oxford of Southern India” with its numerous schools and colleges.  After a troubled rule by the Nayaks, the natives had a relatively calm environment during the British rule. During the Nayaks rule, Tamil language and literature took a back seat. Till then Thirunelveli was the epitome of Tamil literature and culture with very less outside influence.  As a matter of policy British never interfered in the local customs and religion. (I confirmed this with the Thirukurungudi Temple priest who has met the British during his childhood days). This encouraged casteism and it thrived thoroughly in this area.  British never wanted to bring social reforms as their vested interest was to make quick money rather than to see any progress in the colonial country.  One could see violence around caste and creed still happening in this district. This is highly deplorable.

 

Due to the official negligence since the Indian Independence Thirunelveli is one of the back ward districts as per the “India Development Indicators”.  There is no airport; no port, no manufacturing plants apart from agriculture. As majority of the district lies in the rain shadow region of the Western Ghats, the local peasants are at the mercy of the monsoon. To escape the cruelty of unemployment and caste oppression, many have migrated to cities. That is one reason we may find a lot of Thirunelveli Tamils in the slums of Mumbai and in the shops of Chennai.  To escape poverty and give a decent life for their children Thirunelveli Tamils have gone places and established themselves in various fields. Even those who live in that district are gradually selling off their land to Malayalis from the neighboring state. Malayalam Actress Radha and Ambhika have acres of land between Eruvadi and Thirukurungudi both come under the Thirunelveli District just to name a few.

 

May be my colleague refers to those who escaped poverty and reached the cities and work hard and looks intelligent for her!! Those left there in the villages are still facing government negligence and racist oppression in one form or the other.  This story may look familiar for most districts across Asia.  

Let us preserve it!

For a person living in a hot country, cool breeze, cool water and every thing cool is simply fresh. Trees play a vital role in beating the heat. This may be contrary for a person living in the western hemisphere. For the cold weather one might not need a tree to rest under and sooth the heat waves. Still I was surprised by the sheer number of trees and the awareness people have for trees in the northern hemisphere.  Forests are very well protected and even collecting fire-wood is near impossible in most western countries.  

The high ways in US and Europe mostly have fences on either side of the road. No one is allowed to park their vehicle and venture into the near by woods. This is quite contrary to what you will see in India, where any one can park their vehicle, clean them in the water bodies, venture into the woods near by; dump the waste and whatever one can do.

 The lack of awareness on “Tree conservation” is cancerous to our civil society as we have created a polluted and UN-inhabitable world for our future generation. Every parent wants to give the best to their wards. Even if they did not have access to a lot of things during their childhood days, they strive hard to give the best possible for their kids. In contrast, Parents give the worst of climatic disaster to their kids.  Lack of awareness is the key here. Adults today do not understand the importance of climatic change and the impact its going to have on every one.

During my visit to a Tsunami hit village, the fishermen around the coast were not aware of climatic changes affecting and changing their lives. The changing coast line, the tidal waves hitting them hard, lost landscape, lesser fish are all “God's act” in their opinion. It is really difficult to help them understand that there is so much man has done which is affecting them.  

 The real estate market has driven the trees completely out of our cities. Every rule is floated by the builders and there is no space for green in apartment complexes. They are merely concrete jungles with hardly any green around.  Government can do a lot in encouraging green space in cities with tighter norms. When corruption is wide visible in every table of government offices, the builders are forced to shell out money in every table and hence compromise on building quality, green space and building lay-out plan.

 Preserving green must be a collective effort. Public and government must co-operate with each other.  In todays world no one can shrivel his responsibility towards improving the green space around us. Even if a country fails to improve the green space it will be a disaster for the entire humanity.  We have just one planet and we have to preserve it like never before.

Patent for Thirupathi Laddu; Unbelievable!!

It was surprising and unbelievable for the IPR community members like me to hear the news that Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanams, a trust that administers the Venkateswara Temple in the Tirumala hills has been awarded geographical copyright that bars others from naming or marketing the sweet preparation under the same name. All the products like Darjeeling tea, Nilgri tea, Champagne etc, has been protected by the GI simply because the special character the geography influences distinguishes the food products from others. The soil, the climate, the altitude, water etc, plays a vital role in deciding the GI.

All the ingredients which go into the Laddu are sourced from all parts of the country and are not just sourced from Thirupathi, the land of “Seven Hills”. No special geographic character of Thirupathi influences the Laddu. Even if Chappathi, Puliyotharai or Vadai is served as a prasadam in Thirupathi, sure they would have been as popular as “Laddu”

Today if millions love the "Thirupathi Laddu" it is not for the taste, sweetness or the aroma. Purely for the divinity it carries. It is sacred and invaluable for the believers. So what is the Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanams achieved by patenting is nothing but comercializing the laddu which othewise is holy for millions. Does the trust have the right to make the laddu a commodity. This patent says "Yes!"

Hence the GI is primarily because of the clout enjoyed by the Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanams rather than any special geographical influences. As a saying goes in Tamil "Saami Varam Koduthaalum Poosaari Vidamaataaru", the Tirumala-Tirupati Devasthanams has grown over and above the Lord himself.

The only Victory that counts is the one over yourself

The legendary coach Charles Riley uttered these words to ever famous Jesse Owens, who broke Hitler’s theory of Aryan Supremacy. Jesse Owens, grandson of a slave imported to US for the benefit of the white man, disproved the racists that merit eliminates everything and anything. Owens won an unprecedented four gold medals in the 100m, 200m, 4X100m relay and long jump. His stunning achievement came when the New world (US) was reeling under the racist discrimination and India fighting for the rights of the untouchables.
69 years have passed since and much has changed in the United States. An Afro-American has been selected as a President whereas India is still to find a PM from the socially deprived Dalit Community. Parts of India are still reeling under racist discrimination in the name of caste. Both India and US were colonies of Britain and faced discrimination by the crown. One country rose to be the “world super power” and the other to be “poorest of the poor”.
Today whether the Afro Americans or the backward castes in India lack is nothing but the will to win over oneself. The burgeoning middle class in India does not seem to understand that there is so much of poverty and discrimination in their streets but have to compete for whatever is available to grab.
Owens humiliation under the Americans was much worse than what Hitler did to him. Though he created history in the Olympics, he was neither appreciated nor invited to the White House by the then US president Franklin D Roosevelt or Harry S Truman. The worst came when he was asked to use the freight elevator to attend his own reception at the Waldorf-Astoria. On the other hand one lakh Germans cheered him and sought his autograph. He was also allowed to stay in the same hotels as any other white man.

May his light shine forever as a symbol
for all who run for the freedom of sport,
for the spirit of humanity,
for the memory of Jesse Owens. – Charles Ghigna.

Stop Selling MS Word in U.S.

This is what US District Judge Leonard Davis told Microsoft on 11th August 2008. In his two page judgment the judge says “Defendant Microsoft Corporation (“Microsoft”) is found to have unlawfully infringed U.S. Patent No. 5,787,449 (the “‘449 patent”). Defendant Microsoft is found to haveinfringed the ‘449 patent willfully.Damages, post verdict damages, enhanced damages is worth $277,241,092 and $21,102 per day thereafter until the date of this Final Judgment”. iei, the owner of U.S. Patent No. 5,787,449 is very happy about the out come.

This is a significant judgment having in mind the millions of users all over the world. This could affect Microsoft’s applications like word, excel and powerpoint. The fight is not over as there is another 60 days for Microsoft to appeal the judgment.

Microsoft is obviously unhappy about the judgment and wants to fight the case.
Microsoft spokesperson Kevin Kutz says that “the evidence clearly demonstrated that we do not infringe and that the i4i patent is invalid. We will appeal the verdict."XML is part of the open consortium. i4i in its patent petition says, “The invention does not use embedded metacoding to differentiate the content of the document but rather, the metacodes of the document are separated from the content and held in distinct storage in a structure called a metacode map,
whereas document content is held in a mapped content area”

If this order should be applied to other applications and parties who are using it, for sure this will have a wider range of application. So what about ODF? Though the open document format (ODF) and custom approach yield the same result, ODF method is different hence it is not affected by this judgment. The XML form came into existence primarily because of the monopoly the software companies had over the older binary file formats. They were their proprietary.

Amgen, Merck and Bayer use XML to drug label data. Interestingly US patent office also uses iei’s XML. Ironically microsoft got a patent through Patent # 7,571,169 for word processors who use XML format. The judgment affects
this patent.

Let us wait and watch the appeal for the final outcome. Industry players
feel that Microsoft may win the legal battle but time will answer for sure.

சுடலை மாடன்

The lone deity Sudalai Maadan standing tall beneath a Palm tree is a
common scene in and around the southern districts of Tamil Nadu.
He is the guardian and protector for the farmers and peasants
cutting across caste, creed and status. Every village has a
Sudalai Madan temple and sometimes more than one, though without any building around him.

Sudalai Maadan hates a building around him. He stands with his
younger brother all alone in the woods. He is offered Kodai(Festival)
every year during the month of Aadi (July-August).
Depending on the popularity of the Sudalai, the number of animal offering can
vary. Near Vijayanarayanam, as a boy I have seen hundreds of Goats, pigs
chicken, cocks etc., slaughtered to appease the Sudalai. The Chaamiyaadi soaks the banana in the bubbling blood and eats it just like that. One should have guts to watch that! Watching this as a small boy I did not get sleep for several days along with the fever. Thanks to my elder brother who took me with him. Too much of violence seems to be occupying these festivals but that was how the life was in those days. Little primitive though!

Sudalai Maadan enjoys a two days festival with grand Kaniyaan Koothu. Men draped in saris dance to the drum beat in a very unique style. Drums are accompanied with age old Kombu, Parai, Melam etc., My mom says that the Kaniyaan is not an Eunuch but a perfect male who works in the farms during the monsoon and does these stuff during the festival alone. He has a tough task as well. He has to observe some rituals for months and prepare for the festival. His blood is dropped in 21 banana leaves for the Chaamiyaadi to lick them before his dance.

The best part is his journey to the Graveyard where he has to pick up some bones and display it to the crowd on his return. I have heard among the crowd a disbelief on the credibility of the Chaamiyaadi if he fails to bring some buried remnants from the graveyard. He also offers solution to the mass’s
problems and give them hope. He acts as an astrologer. His attire is the best. A
black shorts kind of waist cloth rolls till the knees and has several bells hung around the waist and legs. With a torch in the hand his looks invite fear and reverence. Chinnathaayi movie in Tamil language has done a decent job in portraying Sudalai character.

Post the graveyard visit starts entertainment for the young men and elderly by the Karakaattakari and Kattiyakaaran. Karakaattakaari is a woman who balances a decorated pot on the head and dances for the fast beat. Kattiyakaaran is the modern day compere. With a sexy make-up and sexually
inviting gestures the Karakaattakaari receives rupee notes pinned on her jacket by even the old and young alike. The Kattiyakaaran, delivers double meaning
dialogues to kick-up the men's mind.

Due to the conversion of Dravidians to Brahminical Hinduism and Christianity, Sudalaimadan is not attractive to many southern Tamils as he used to be. Moreover Sudalai madan in most places was a family diety rather than a village one. Along with the families Sudalai's fortune also comes down in many cases. Above all the Real Estate hype has forced the locals to desecrate the Sudalai, Ooiykaatu Sami, Isaki etc., Still I could see some temples conducting the festival on an yearly basis with some foreign aid or those migrated to cities coming back to cherish their nostalgia on their birth places.