24. Mayyanad Sangamam Meeting of May 6, 2018

Mayyanad Sangamam Vishu Meeting was held at Hotel regency on May 6, 2018. 

The Meeting began by remembering the sad and untimely demises of Secretary Er.N.Manilal, and Patron M.S. Ravi, Chief Editor of Kerala Kaumudi.  Er. Manilal has been the Secretary of Mayyanad Sangamam for the past ten years and played a crucial role in its growth and development. M.S.Ravi was a constant source of encouragement in the functioning of Mayyanad Sangamam. They will be missed for all time. A Condolence Resolution incorporating their contributions was passed at the meeting.

The chief guest of the day was Dr. Divya S. Iyer, IAS. In her inaugural address, she explained the reason for going over from the Medical profession to IAS as a shift from a ‘patient’ to a ‘petitioner’, as the method of diagnosing a treatment or solution, is the same in both. Her strategy is to give a truly ‘patient hearing’ to the human problem that confronts the sufferer. Instead of medical prescriptions she gives advice to take proper actions to alleviate their problems. “All unhappy families are unhappy, yet the unhappy ones are unhappy for different reasons. Just as diseases are different and require the appropriate medicines, human problems that confront each person are also different, and hence they have to be approached accordingly.”   In a sense, her experience as an MBBS doctor at Vellore Medical College and now as an IAS officer, has taught her that the guiding principle of life is the service of humanity. 

In appreciation of her graciously accepting our invitation, in spite of her busy schedule, to be the Chief Guest,  Dr Divya was presented a memento comprising  of three books, all authored by Mayyanadians: 

1. Jeevitha Samaram by C.Kesavan,

2. Bertrand Russell by Babu Senan and 3. Utharadhunika Sasthram by Dr. Gopimani. 

The guest of honor for the day was Dr. M.B. Sheya, a native of Mayyanad in the true sense, perhaps even indigenous, for he is known as “the peoples’ doctor”, for the past 32 years. As he said in his invigorating speech, his humble beginning was in a rented one room shop. He started with the basic necessities for practicing as a doctor.

Initially there were days when no patients came. Just a few people would hang around outside ‘the shop’ for a curious inspection. Slowly one or two   people from the lower strata of society started coming to him, of course, he collected no fees. Then it occurred to him that maybe he should update his graduate-only-degree. So he went away for two years to take his post graduate degree in Pediatrics. After retirement, with renewed confidence, he shifted to the present place, which is now known as Sheya’s Hospital. It was a gradual climb. The fact that the people of Mayyanad had full confidence in him, and their whole-hearted support, never made him give up.

  He says with great satisfaction that he is now the family doctor of the fifth generation of one such family. Likewise all the people, mostly elderly, whose children are serving in foreign countries, live in Mayyanad with the confidence that for any problem Dr. Sheya is there.  People even don’t hesitate to ring him up in the dead of night with some or other problem. The wonderful thing is that the doctor reciprocates with the same ease. He narrated an incident when a family in a jolly big car with stereo songs playing

loudly, stopped by at his gate at 3.00 am, and rang the

bell. When the doctor opened the door and invited them inside, they explained that they wanted him to attest a medical certificate! The doctor with his usual humility acquiesced. This is why he is treated as Mayyanad’s own doctor. 

This is the meaning of ‘service’, and Dr. Divya was only very happy to present him the Memento.

President D. Jayachandran honoured him with the Ponnaada. Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran enrolled Dr Sheya as an honorary member of Mayyanad Sangamam by presenting a Directory of Sangamam.

Earlier the new Secretary M. Balachandran welcomed the gathering. The President, in his address, gave a brief enumeration of the activities of Mayyanad Sangamam. Dr. Shaji Prabhakaran felicitated the guests. 

Dr. Shyam Prakash presented the vote of thanks. The function was very well compered by Sonia, our joint Secretary.

To make the solemn occasion lighter, Amina sang a couple of melodious songs. The song by Sunil from ‘Mera Nam Joker’ – Jaane kahaang gaye ho thum…” which he dedicated to the memory of his mentor Sri. Manilal, was a heart-rending one. The poem, "sooryakiranangal", composed and read by Dr. Seema was refreshing. The meeting ended with a buffet lunch.

23. Mayyanad Sangamam trip to Wayanad in November 2017

Mayyanad to Wayanad

Mayyanad Sangamam organized a trip to Wayanad during November 10-12, 2017. The journey was by train and by bus. So we took the 6 am Sathabdi Express from TVM, which reached Kannur at noon. From there a hired travel agency bus picked us from the station and went to our place of stay arranged at Hotel Horizon Avenue at Ambalavayal.

After refreshment we  visited Banasura Sagar Dam. The Dam is considered to be India's largest and Asia's second largest Earth dam. An earth dam is a dam built with highly compacted earth. The weight of the dam as a whole creates a tight seal which secures the bottom and sides of the dam, and the pressure of the water behind the dam can also act to seal the dam in place. The Banasura dam is a kilometer long mud structure.

Banasura Sagar dam – Image courtesy Wiki-

In addition to the Hydro electricity project, the floating solar panels platform raised on the waters of the reservoir by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) is said to generate 500 KW at its peak.

The solar panels floating on the waters of the reservoir-Image courtesy wiki-

Apart from this the KSEB has erected Solar panels at Padinjarethara near the reservoir in the eastern part of the dam. The goal of the project is to support the Kakkayam Hydro electric power project and satisfy the demand for irrigation and drinking water in a region known to have water shortages in seasonal dry periods.

 Our members walking out of solar panel construction

Due to the tight schedule of the trip our members could not go on a boat trip on the  waters of the reservoir and explore the surrounding hills and small islands formed on the lake. Spread over 1700 hectares, 19 islands dot the reservoir.

Members had to be content with surveying the area from the main banks.

Next we went to see Pazhassi tomb,  a memorial for Veera Pazhassi Rajah, who organized guerrilla warfare against the British East India Company. 

It was getting dark and we decided to go back to the hotel and relax for the next day. Early next morning we went to Tirunelli. It is 32 km away from Manathavadi at an altitude of about 900 m in north Wayanad on the side of Brahmagiri Hill surrounded by dense jungle. Tirunelli Temple is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Maha Vishnu.  Considered as the Dakshina Kashi, devotees come here especially for performing ancestral rites on the holy waters flowing from Brahmatheertham.

From here we went back to the hotel for a quick rest and lunch. After a sumptuous Kozhikodan biriyani, we headed to Lakkidi view point from where one can see panoramic views of the valley. While moving from Adivaram (downhill) to Lakkidi through steep mountains and a serpentine Thammarassery Ghat pass, one can see visuals beyond imagination and words. The lush greenery of the hills, gorges and the streams seen on both sides of the passage of the hill are unforgettable. 

Lakkidi views

The ride through Soochipara, Kanthenpara and Meenmutty waterfalls... and trekking through the path to Neelimala View point...were an awesome experience. 
Nature walks are the best way to explore the place and see deer and other wild animals near the waterfalls.  Kanthenpara is easily accessible by road with the waterfalls a mere 100 m away from the car park. Both the falls and the greenery are at their scenic best in the monsoon season. And we made the trip when the monsoon was gaining strength. Meenmutty Falls can be reached thorough a 2 km trek through the jungle.  The trekking can be strenuous, but our members seem to have taken in their stride to get the maximum fun.

It was time to wind up the journey as on the next day there was the train to catch and reach home. 

Back to Ambalavayal Hotel and time to say goodbye to a journey that went smooth, thanks to the organizer, our very own Vice President Prof. Rajan K. Ramesh, who took all the initiative to make it a success. In fact, Wayanad District is a very familiar place to the Professor, as he had been a lecturer in Botany at the MES College in the area for over 30 years. His knowledge of the geography of the area in fact helped to make the journey safe and enjoyable.

In this journey from Mayyanad to Wayanad there is an interesting information that needs to be shared.  

Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, in its page on the topic relating to Wayanad District writes thus: 

“The region was known as Mayakshetra (Maya's land) in the earliest records. Mayakshetra evolved into Mayanad and finally to Mayyanad.” 

According to archaeological evidences the Wayanad forests have been inhabited for more than 3,000 years. So who are Mayyanad inhabitants? Check out.