Christmas message

Dear KACT Family members,

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

It is hard to believe that the year 2016 is ending. It was a tumultuous year with its share of joys and sorrows. We witnessed the glory and pompous of the Olympics in Rio, where over 200 nations assembled and participated. Then we heard the decision from Britain that they are exiting from the European Union. Public health experts were pinning their hopes to declare 2016 as the year that will eradicate polio, then we witnessed the outbreak of the Zika virus in Brazil. We are witnessing an incumbent US president handing over his power peacefully to the president-elect, whereas, in another part of the world, Turkey, a failed military coup.
The more we spend time in this world, we understand that we live in a strange and unpredictable place. A place where we have very little control over the events that are happening. Our life is like a roller coaster drive.

During this Christmas season, I would like to share my thoughts on the significance of Christmas and the purpose of Jesus Christ’s birth which I hope will help us overcome the challenges we encounter.

Significance of Christmas: 
Incarnation: Incarnation refers to the act of a pre-existent divine being, the son of God, in becoming a human being. The unique outcome was that this marked the beginning of a new creation, a possible rebirth of humanity.

Purpose of Jesus Christ’s birth: 
Redemption: Related to the Christian concept of redemption is the word ransom. Jesus paid the price for our release from sin and its consequences. His death was in exchange for our life.

Adoption: Adoption, in Christian theology, is the admission of a believer into the family of God.

By Incarnation, God has shown his love towards us; by redemption, God has relieved us from our sins; by Adoption, we can follow his rules and show our love and respect.

Let this Christmas season allow all of you to pause and reflect on the important things in your life. A time when you can look back on the year that has passed and prepare for the year ahead.

I request all of you to follow the spirit of Christmas. Share your joy and blessings. Refrain from extravagance, dissipation, and overindulgence. Understand and recognize God’s tremendous love towards you. Understand that your love for your fellow beings is the best way to show your love towards God.

Gifts of time and love are surely the basic ingredients of a truly merry Christmas. Spend it in abundance with your family and friends. Stay safe and stay blessed.

Thank You

Suresh Jayaprasad
President, KACT 

Global Warming

I am never a good debater, however, I sometimes fall prey in front of people who want to passionately debate and prove their views.  I had that unfortunate incident yesterday.

This friend of mine was sitting in front of a minute clinic in CVS pharmacy. I saw him reading Time magazine. I went there to buy a diet coke. As a courtesy, I asked him "what made you come here and what are you reading so attentively".

The next 15 minutes, he started lecturing me how paid media and environmentalists are spreading rumors about climate change, it is a myth, it is helping vested interests to make money and all. He said, “Tell me, Suresh, what difference it makes if the temperature goes up 1C. Tell me, Suresh, do you mind if millions get a job instead”. He got agitated and caught my hand. I somehow hid my diet coke and nodded my head affirmatively agreeing to what is saying.

To change the topic, I asked what made you come to this clinic. He turned his attention explaining how horrible he is feeling. "You know Suresh, I am having 100F temperature and this stupid system is keeping me waiting for the last 30 minutes". I responded “sorry for my ignorance, 100F seems too high”. I was not sure whether water boils at 100F or 100C. “What is the normal body temperature”. 

He said, “Suresh, our body is a wonderful machine. It works perfectly at 98.6F. However, if the body temperature goes up or down even 1C (2F) the entire system collapses. Look at me, my body is a wreck now”.

I should have stopped now. However, I innocently asked “Help me understand. If our body cannot adjust 1C change, how can this massive globe adjust to that change”.

He stared at me for a minute and murmured “Another stupid environmentalist”. 

-- Suresh Jayaprasad

10/9/2016

President Speech for Onam celebration 2016

പ്രിയപ്പെട്ട സുഹൃത്തുകളെ,

ആദ്യമായി എല്ലാവര്ക്കും എന്റെ ഓണാശംസകൾ. വളരെ അഭിമാനത്തോട് കുടി ആണ് ഇന്ന് ഞാൻ KACT യുടെ പ്രസിഡന്റ് ആയി നിങ്ങളെ അഭിസമ്പോധനാ ചെയ്യുന്നത്.  അതും കേരളത്തിന്റെ തനതായ ഉത്സവമായ ഓണംതിന്റെ ആഘോഷത്തിനിടെ ചടങ്ങിൽ.

എന്താണ് ഓണം? എന്തുകൊണ്ട് മലയാളീ അത് ജാതി മതഭേദമന്യേ ആഘോഷിക്കുന്നു? ഓണംതിന്റെ കഥയോ, മാവേലിയൂടെ ആണ്ടു തോറും ഉള്ള സന്ദർശനവും മറ്റും ഞാൻ നിങ്ങൾക്ക് പറഞ്ഞു തരേണ്ടതില്ല. എങ്കിലും ഇന്ന് ഞാൻ ഓണം ത്തിന്റെ പ്രസക്തിയും അത് മലയാളീ യുടെ കാഴ്ച പാടിനെയും എങ്ങനെ സ്വാധിനിച്ചുവെന്നും പറയാം.

ആദ്യമായി ഒരു മലയാളീ എന്നാൽ എന്താന്ന്? അവന്റെ സവിശേഷത എന്താണ്? മലയാളീ എവിടെ ചെന്നാലും അവന്റെ സംസ്കാരം അവൻ കാത്തുസൂഷിക്കുന്നു. അവനു സങ്കുചിതമായ ചിന്താഗതി ഉണ്ടാവില്ല. അവൻ പാവപെട്ടവനോട് സഹതാപം കാണിക്കുന്നു. ഗൃഹാതുരമുള്ള പാട്ടു കേട്ടാൽ ഉടനെ അവന്റെ കണ്ണ് നിറയും. അവൻ അവന്റെ നാടിന്നെ സ്നേഹിക്കുന്നു. അവൻ അവന്റെ പരിസരം വൃത്തിയായി സൂക്ഷിക്കുന്നു.

ഈ സ്കൂളിന്റെ ഇട നാഴിയിൽ ഞാൻ കാണുക ഉണ്ടായി. If you see mean, intervene. മലയാളീ അത് എപ്പോഴും ചെയുന്നു. മലയാളിയുടെ ഈ പ്രതികരണ സ്വഭാവം പലപ്പോഴും അവനു പഴി കേൾക്കാനും വഴി ആകുന്നു.  

ചരിത്രം പറയുകയാണെങ്കിൽ, ഇന്ത്യയിൽ ആദ്യമായി അവർണ്ണർക്ക് ക്ഷേത്രത്തിൽ പ്രേവേശനം അനുവദിച്ചത് കേരളത്തിലാണ്. അതിനു എത്രയോ കാലം മുമ്പ് അവൻ പാശ്ചാത്യ മതങ്ങളെ സ്വാഗതം ചെയ്തു. അഭയാത്രികളായ ജൂധന്മാർക് അഭയം കൊടുത്തു. ഇന്ത്യയിൽ ആദ്യമായി ഭൂമി ഇല്ലത്തരവാർക്കു ഭൂമി പട്ടയമായി നൽകിയ സംസ്ഥാനവും കേരളമാണ്.

മലയാളീ എവിടെ ചെന്നാലും അധ്വാനിച്ചു ജീവിക്കുന്നു . അത് മലയോര കർഷകൻ ആയാലും ശെരി, ഗൾഫ് മലയാളീ ആയാലും ശെരി , അമേരിക്കൻ മലയാളീ ആയാലും ശെരി അവൻ കഠിന പ്രയത്നം കൊണ്ട് വിജയം കൈവരിക്കുന്നു.

മലയാളീയുടെ ഈ സവിശേഷമായ സ്വഭാവ രൂപീകരണത്തിന്  ഒരു പരിധി വരെ കാരണം ചെറു പ്രായത്തിൽ അവൻ മാവേലിയെ പറ്റിയും ഓണംത്തിന്റെ പറ്റിയും കേട്ട  കഥ ആവാം കാരണം.

മാവേലി നാട് വാണീടും കാലം മാനുഷരെല്ലാം ഒന്ന് പോലെ, കള്ളവും ഇല്ല ചതിയും ഇല്ല. ഇത് കേൾക്കാത്ത ഒരു മലയാളീയും കാണില്ല. മലയാളീ എന്നും അങ്ങനെ ഒരു ഭരണത്തിന് വേണ്ടി സ്വപ്നം കാണുന്നു.

അതി ശക്തനായ മഹാ വിഷ്ണു അന്യായമായി മാവേലി തമ്പുരാനെ പാതാളത്തിൽ ചവിട്ടി താഴ്ത്തുമ്പോഴും അഭിമാനം ഒട്ടും കൈവിടാതെ ആത്മധൈര്യമായി മാവേലി തമ്പുരാൻ ഒരു കാര്യം മാത്രമേ അവകാശപ്പെട്ടുള്ളു. എനിക്കു എല്ലാ കൊല്ലവും എന്റെ നാടിനെയും നാട്ടുകാരെയും കാണാൻ വരണം. ഈ കഥ കേട്ട് വളർന്ന ഒരാൾക്കും അവന്റെ നാടിനെയും നാട്ടുകാരേയും മറക്കാൻ സാധ്യമല്ല. മഹാബലി തമ്പുരാന്റെ സ്നേഹത്തെയും ആത്മ വിശ്വാസത്തെയും മറക്കാൻ സാധ്യമല്ല. മലയാളീയുടെ വീക്ഷണത്തിനും, വിജയത്തിനും മഹാബലി യും ഓണംവും ഒരു വല്യ പങ്ക് വഹിക്കുന്നു.

സുഹൃതുക്കളെ, 1985 ഈൽ  ഇത് പോലെ ഒരു ദിവസം 4 ഓ 5 ഓ മലയാളീ കുടുംബങ്ങൾ CT ഈൽ തുടങ്ങിയ ഒരു കുട്ടയിമ എന്ന് 31 കൊല്ലം താണ്ടി 450 ഈൽ പരം ആളുകൾ പങ്കെടുക്കുന്ന ഒരു മഹാ സംരംഭം ആയി മാറിയിരിക്കുന്നു വളരെ അഭിമാനകരമായ ഒരു മുഹൂർത്തം ആണിത്. ഈ വിജയത്തിന്റെ പ്രമുഖ അവകാശികൾ KACT യുടെ മെംബേർസ് ആയ നിങ്ങൾ ആക്കുന്നു. ഈ അവസരത്തിൽ ഞാൻ നിങ്ങൾക്കു നന്ദി പറയുന്നു.

ഇതൊരു നന്ദി പ്രസംഗം അല്ലെന്നു എന്നിക്കു അറിയാം. എങ്കിലും നമ്മുടെ സ്പോൺസർമാരെ കുറിച്ചൂള്ള നന്ദി ഇവിടെ ഞാൻ പ്രകടിപ്പിക്കുന്നു. KACT യുടെ സുഖകരമായ നടത്തിപ്പിനു സ്പോൺസർ മാർ ഒരു വലിയ പങ്കു തന്നെ വഹിക്കുന്നു. 7 പ്ലാറ്റിനം , 4 ഗോൾഡ് ഉം 5 സിൽവർ സ്പോൺസർ മറന്നു നമുക്ക് ഉള്ളത്. അതിൽ പലരും വളരെ വർഷമായി നമ്മുടെ അസോസിയേഷൻ നെ സഹായിച്ചു വരുന്നു.

ഈ  അവസരത്തിൽ എന്റെ ഒരു എളിയ അഭ്യർത്ഥന. നിങ്ങൾ   നമ്മുടെ സ്പോന്സര്മാരുടെ സേവനങ്ങൾ പരമാവധി  ഉപയോഗിക്കുക. സ്പോന്സര്മാരുടെ വിവരങ്ങൾ നമ്മുടെ വെബ് സൈറ്റിലും, ഇവിടെ സ്ലൈഡ് ഷോ വഴിയും നിങ്ങൾക്കു കാണാം.

സുഹൃത്തുകളെ, ഒരു നോൺ പ്രോഫിറ് അസോസിയേഷനിൽ പ്രവർത്തിക്കുമ്പോൾ വളരെ  അധികം പ്രതിസന്ധികൾ നേരിടേണ്ടിവരും. അപ്പോഴല്ലാം നമ്മുക്ക് ശക്‌തിയും പ്രചോദനവും നൽകുന്നത് നമ്മളെ നിർലോഭമായി സഹായിക്കുന്ന നമ്മുടെ സഹ പ്രവർത്തകരാണ്. ഞാൻ എത്രെ ആവര്ത്തി പറഞ്ഞാലും അവരോടുള്ള കടപ്പാട് എനിക്ക് പറഞ്ഞു അറിയിക്കാൻ കയില്ല. Maveli and Binu

അത് പോലെ നമ്മുടെ പ്രോഗ്രാം പാർട്ടിസിപ്പന്റ്സ്‌. നമ്മുടെ അസോസിയേഷന്റെ ഏറ്റവും വലിയ ശക്തി നമ്മുടെ സഹോദര സഹോദിരിമാരാണ് പ്രേതെകിച്ചു  നമ്മുടെ സഹോദിരിമാരാണ്. അവരുടെ ജോലി തെരക്കിന്ടയിൽ അവർ പല പ്രോഗ്രാംസ്ചെയ്യുന്നു, അവരുടെ കുട്ടികളെ പങ്കടിപ്പിക്കുന്നു. ഇന്നത്തെ  25 ഇത് പരം പ്രോഗ്രാംസിന്റെ ഗുണനിലവാരം  കണ്ടാൽ അറിയാം അവർ എത്ര എഫ്ഫോട് എടിത്തിട്ടുണ്ടന്നു.  അവർക്കു ഈ അവസരത്തിൽ ഞാൻ നന്ദി പറയുന്നു.

അവസാനമായി നമ്മുടെ EMCEES. KACT il കുഞ്ഞു നാള് മുതൽ പങ്കടുക്കുന്ന കുട്ടികൾ ആണ്.  ഇവരുടെ കൈയിൽ നമ്മുടെ ഇന്നത്തെ പ്രോഗ്രം സുരക്ഷിതമെന്നാണ് എന്നിക്കു ഉറപ്പുണ്ടെ.

സുന്ദര സുരക്ഷിതമായ ഒരു നല്ല നാള് നേർന്നു കൊണ്ട് ഞാൻ നിറുത്തുന്നു. Enjoy the show.

Suresh Jayaprasad

Dated: Sep 24. 2016

What you whispered !

What you whispered
Will the day tell its secret,

before it disappears
Will my night burn in its curiosity

Tucked away in the folds of my life
Through its sorrows and sufferings

Toils and tribulations
Treasures are those memories with you

What you whispered

Until I know …

You and your thoughts
will keep me alive

- Suresh Jayaprasad

Dated 9/14/2016

Wolf - My Story

Wolf - My Story

                     

Chapter 1

The Sad Night

“Where is Fast?” Asked Wise. They were playing hide and seek. “Is he hiding in the snow?” Sure enough, a little gray wolf was there in the snow. “You are the best cub in all of Alaska, no… in the world,” claimed Wise. “YOU are the best dad in the world,” answered back Fast, shaking snow off of his nose. Come on!” interrupted Strong. He is the leader of the pack along with his wife Flexible. “It’s time to eat dinner! “ Announced Strong.

After dinner (they had a small moose) it was time for Fast to go to bed. He was kind of nervous because tomorrow was his first day of Wolf Elementary School (also it would be his 6th birthday) and his dad wouldn’t be protecting him anymore.

The next morning, Fast saw a baby deer and he wanted to show everyone at Wolf Elementary school that he was a good hunter so he leaped at the deer and started to chase it around, but he lost it.

Suddenly he realized he was outside of his den. He was not old enough to be out of his den! Oh wait, he thought. Today is my 6th birthday, I am old enough. He ran back into the hole but peeked his head out. He heard Strong hunting a big elk or something else big because he heard him grunting, struggling to kill it.

Fast couldn’t believe that he was finally old enough to come out of his den! He went over to his dad to wake him up. When he got to his dad he saw that the pack put some red paint on his neck, back, and leg. He laughed…the pack was so funny! He started shaking his dad awake. But he didn't move. He started to yell in his ear, “wake up!” But he didn't wake up. He howled to get the pack. They came over. “Is that red paint on his body? “Asked Fast. ”No it's blood! “Answered Strong. “Who did this? “Asked Fast. “I don’t know,” answered Strong. Fast started running to Wolf Elementary School not knowing exactly what happened to his dad.

Chapter 2

First Day of School

Fast left a trail of ice so he wouldn’t get lost on the way back. On the way, he saw a big grandfather clock. It showed that it was 8:00. Wolf elementary starts at 10:00 and he didn’t know he was too early. So, he went back home. When he set off, he followed the trail of ice back home. After he walked by, he threw pieces of ice to the side so no one would follow him home.

When he got home he asked Strong to take him back to Wolf Elementary school. “Yes, “he answered. So they took off. Why did you run off?” Asked Strong.  “Because….,” mumbled Fast.  RING RING!!! rang the school bell. “Bye!” Fast yelled. Running to the school door.   

He saw his friend from Pee Wee Pawball. His name was Loud because he is very Loud. Like how Fast name is Fast because he is Fast. The wise name was Wise because he was Wise (and so on).

“Loud!” Fast exclaimed. He ran and knocked over a wet floor sign. He didn’t even notice.“ AHHHH!!!” Roared Loud as he jumped out of the way. Fast slammed into the wall. “Dude let me help you up,” insisted Loud (loudly.) Fast grabbed Loud’s paw and when he was about halfway up Loud let go. Fast fell on the floor. “Sorry! That was an accident. Try again” announced Loud. So Fast grabbed Loud’s paw when he was about halfway up, Loud let it go again. “That was-”, started Loud. “You know what? I will just get up by myself,” interrupted Fast.

By the way, my name was Loud but now.. it is Mean!  And this is my gang. We go around causing mischief. “Do you wanna join us?” Asked Mean.

Chapter 3

Recess

It was time for recess. During recess Mean and his gang circled around a small wolf. Seeing this Fast quickly climbed up a tree and jumped down right before Mean was about to attack the small wolf.

“Bet you can’t catch me!” Challenged Fast as he started running. So the “gang “started chasing Fast all around the snow. Then Fast had a plan. He lost them, then he took two branches and tied them together with a rope. Then he found a piece of the ice ball. He had made a slingshot. He pulled back the rope and when Mean came he let go of the ice ball.

It had hit Mean in the face and he fell down. He was still breathing, he just passed out. He did the same to the rest of the gang then, he felt... good. He ran back to the place where Mean and his gang had circled the small wolf. “Are you alright?” Asked Fast. But the small wolf didn’t move. But after an hour he got up. Although he was bleeding he was still alive. “My name is Nerd,” confessed Nerd. “Thanks for saving me,” murmured Nerd. “You are welcome,” replied Fast. He felt awesome! He had just saved the life of another wolf.

“I AM THE ONE WHO KILLED YOUR FATHER!!!!!” yelled a familiar voice. “It was you!”  Fast asked furiously!!!!!!

                          

Chapter 4 
The Murderer

       

Fast turned his head to see who the murderer was. He was shocked. It was STRONG, the pack leader.

“How could you? Fast whimpered. “He is my dad and the best hunter in the pack !”

“I didn’t have a choice” mumbled STRONG

“I had to …” Started STRONG

“Shut up I don’t want to hear it!” Interrupted Fast.

“My dad loved you as a brother. Why did you kill my dad?” asked FAST. FAST got so mad and he wanted to kill STRONG immediately. But how?  Finally, he had a plan, he was gonna use the exact same plan as he used to take down Mean. He took two branches of a tree, then he started looking for a rope.

It was very hard to find a rope. Last time, he just used a jump rope that nobody was using. But he wasn’t at school, so he decided to look for a rope in the forest. He looked up in trees, down on the snowy floor, and on the rocks. Finally, he saw something shiny and brown in the bushes. “Perfect, a rope” he thought. He tried to grab it but then it moved. Then he realized it was a tail! He hid in the snow like he did while playing hide and seek with father Wise.

He peeked over and he saw another wolf pack! He also saw Nerd there! “ Hahaha!” yelled a very fat wolf. “We forced that dumb STRONG to kill WISE. WISE was the only one who could outsmart the trap we are going to set.

“More elk…” offered The nerd in a quiet voice. “Say it louder, or else I will spank you,” roared the really fat wolf. Fast understood that NERD was made a slave. Anyways, NERD is smart and he wouldn’t get himself into any more trouble, so decided to leave the place.

Chapter 5
The Ending

Fast found STRONG talking to his wife. “STRONG!” Fast yelled.

“I know you got threatened to kill my dad, and I am not mad about that, but we need to take down the rest of the traps so no more wolves get hurt!”

“Finally, I was trying to tell you that.” STRONG was relieved.  “How did you figure that out?” Flexible asked.

“I eavesdropped on them talking while I was looking for a rope in the woods,” Fast answered.

“Why were you looking for rope?”

“Uh.I was just bored,” lied Fast.

“Let's talk, STRONG,” Fast suggested.

They began walking, discussing how to disarm the traps, then out of nowhere, a spear came flying towards Fast.

“Watch out!!” STRONG screamed. He quickly grabbed Fast’s shoulders and moved him out of the way. The spear twisted, then hit a tree.

“Should I thank him?” Fast thought. “No, he killed my father!”

“Oh my god!!” screamed STRONG

STRONG stood in front of a ditch with sharp spikes pointing up from the bottom. There was a small yellow peg of wood sticking out of the snow in front of it.

“STRONG! I understand the trap now!” Fast squealed

“We learned about this in ‘Trap science’ last week. You dig a hole and cover it up with fallen tree branches and grass, which they haven’t done yet. Then you put a small peg as a sign in front of the hidden trap to make sure none of your own pack falls into the ditch. Idiots! That one is a classic” Fast claimed

“You’re right Fast!” STRONG said with a shivering voice. Our pack is in grave danger. We have to do something now before it gets out of hand”

“We should immediately let our pack members know that the yellow pegs of wood mean it is a trap,” STRONG suggested.

“No STRONG! I have a better idea! We should move the pegs around so our enemies fall into them and perish! We’ll put our own secret signs in front of the actual traps.” FAST suggested.

“Fast you’re a genius!” said STRONG. So they started working on their trap. It worked! One by one the opponents fell into their own ditches and perished. The only Nerd survived as he was at the den cleaning the dishes. Nerd heard about his pack member’s fate. He heard it live on Fox news.

Suddenly Fast realized that Nerd doesn’t have a pack now.  “What should we do with NERD? He left our pack but he has never hurt any of us” asked FAST.

“We should kill him” roared STRONG

“No, in that case, I should have killed you first. My dad once said, sometimes, family members may go away from us and they may even try to harm you. But, we should always keep the doors open. Without them, we are not a complete family” FAST sounded mature

“You are like your dad. Always wise. I am sorry, I killed him. You are now our leader” roared STRONG

They both went to NERD’s cave

           

“Hi Nerd, sorry about killing your new friends. They were bad”. Fast comforted Nerd. Silence filled the area.

“Would you like to be back in our pack?” Asked STRONG.

“Yes please!” Answered Nerd.

They took NERD home and offered him an Elk.

               

               

                                 

Written by Sreeram Suresh

Dated: November 25, 2016

               

 

From my son Sreeram's view how earth was formed and how people inhabited it. funny!!!

Legend 1

How Earth Exists?

Once there was a star named Sun. He lived in space with his wife Moon. He had two really good friends Land and Water. One day they had a get-together at Sun’s house. Sun’s house was really big, it was bigger than some planets! It was about a quarter of the size of him.

Water and Land were standing outside the house. “What is your house's name?” Asked Land. “Every house has a name,” continued Water. Self-Conscious Sun was thinking of a name. “Earth!” Yelled Sun. So water went inside. Water was tremendously humongous. He took up more than half of the house. “Can I come in?” Asked Land. “Of course,” answered Sun. So Land went in and took up the whole entire house! Land knew that he would take up the whole house because he was smarter than Sun. “I knew Water and I would take up your whole house, so nah nah nah boo boo on you!” Land roared.

This made Sun very angry. Sun got so mad that he didn’t give light to his old house. He gave it to his wife Moon. But Moon didn’t know how mean Land was to Sun. She felt bad for the Land and water and so she reflected the light to the house so they could see. Because Sun’s house was taken over by Land and Water, the King of Space invited Sun and Moon to live with him which is in space. He also named Sun’s old house Earth. That is how Earth exists.

Legend 2
Why people are on earth?

Sun came to know that Moon was reflecting light to Earth and it made him mad. He wanted to teach Land and Water a lesson. So he sent his nieces and nephews to Earth. He had so much anger that he still sends some today. Those things are called people. He told them to swim in the water and step on land. The boys are called males because he is sending them like mail. But all the boys were doing was fighting. So girls are female because they were like males except he didn’t want them to be called the same thing. He took the word fe from space language which means nice. He thought the girls were gonna be nicer so he added fe to Male and made girls be called female. The girls were sent to stop the boys from fighting. That is how we have people in Earth.

Written and illustrated by Sreeram Suresh

Father and Son - Q&A

Nowadays, it is a challenge to watch television with your kids.

I would like to share my conversation with my son in the backdrop of the presidential primary elections.

Son: Acha(means Daddy). I don’t want Trump to win

Me: what makes you say so?

Son: If he wins, my friend Aman has to leave America.

Me: Who said that to him?

Son: His mom. Acha, are we also Muslims? I heard all brown skin people are Muslims

Even though we never talk about religion at home, I was surprised to hear that.

Son: Acha, why did that beautiful lady marry Trump. He is always angry and shouting at people

Me: Maybe, it is because he is very successful and rich

Son: Acha, didn’t you say if I study well and become successful, I would be always happy. Why is Trump not happy even though he is successful and rich?

Me: he says, he is unhappy with what is going on in this country

Son: does that mean even if one is successful, he may not be happy

Me: I don’t know son.

Son: Acha, Trump, and Hillary are good friends

Me: How do you know?

Son: Arjun told me. They both live in New York and their daughters are good friends

Me: Maybe

Son: In that case, why are they both fighting each other?

Me: It is for the Presidential post

Son: No Acha, they are calling each other names. Didn’t you say that friends should not call each other names?

Me: I don’t know son

Son: Acha, will Trump really throw Aman and our family out

Me: No son. He is just saying for winning elections. It is politics

Son: Acha, Are politics and telling lies the same?

Me: I don’t know son

Son: Are the people opposing Trump nice?

Me: They are good and bad people in both sides

Son: Acha, The people opposing Trump are throwing punches. Are they bad people?

Me: I don’t know son

My daughter Ammu joined the conversation

Ammu: Acha, I love Obama

Me: What made you say so?

Ammu: He smiles all the time

Son: Acha, didn’t Trump say Obama is a socialist. Does that make him bad?

 Me: I don’t know son

Son: Acha, I am confused.  What you said about being successful, having friends, being honest, being nice. Will it all change when one grows up?

Me: I don’t know son

Charlie

The movie Charlie is centered on a vagabond/drifter character ‘Charlie’ who wants to be free as a bird and bring smiles to people’s faces. The discovery of wacky and strange stories of Charlie prompts the heroine (Tessa) to start a wild goose chase after him. Along the way, the movie introduces us to several intriguing characters and events.

I see cinema as a scripted dream. A dream conceived by a writer and then materialized by a team of artists and technicians. It is an orchestration of visuals and sounds illustrating a story. This visual treat resonates with the viewer in many ways. A seminal thought or spark that originates in the mind of a scribe thus metamorphosis into thousands of interpretations to its viewers in its journey.

To my mind as a viewer, the movie Charlie recalls one's desire to be free and set others free. However impractical it sounds, we all long to be free; free of our responsibilities, free of other’s expectations, free of the anxieties and uncertainties about the future. Charlie lives our dream and hence resonates well with the viewers.

The one scene in the movie that I particularly liked is towards the end. After repeated attempts, the heroine was finally successful to meet the man of her dreams and all she has to do is to reveal her identity. At that moment, she hesitates (my interpretation). She will try to step back and prefer to continue in her dreams. I am sure some of us have been in those situations. We preferred to stay in our dreams, rather, face the reality. We feared whether the reality of our dreams would disappoint us. We own our dreams and we have control over it.

Coming back to Charlie and the freedom he enjoys. I doubt whether freedom without discipline would liberate you. Like Rabindranath Tagore, Nobel Laureate poet once said: “I have on my table a violin string. It is free. But it is not free to do what a violin string is supposed to do – to produce music. So I take it, fix it in my violin and tighten it until it is taut. Only then is it free to be a violin string.”

Great thought-provoking movie. It brought some of my old memories back. Hoping more of these genres of movies to follow.