GENGHIS KHAN

I remember studying about Genghis Khan in primary school history. He was the founder of the Mongol Empire. He invaded and conquered most of Central Asia and China. His invasions often resulted in the whole scale massacre of the civilian population. Men, women and children were killed. Kingdoms would surrender to him without a fight, knowing that any resistance would be dealt with brutally. I liked him so much at that time. I thought that he was such a great person.

Today, when I look back, I cannot understand how I could have liked such a cruel person. Maybe young boys are attracted to violent conquerors. 

APPLE LADIES BOUTIQUE

Apple Ladies Boutique, Kadappakada, Kollam

ABC ANALYSIS

Long ago, I did a course in Materials Management. While studying Inventory Control, I had to learn about ABC Analysis. Materials are classified into three categories A, B and C. The most valuable are classified as A. Those that are less valuable are classified as B and the least valuable as C.

The A group materials are tightly controlled so that there is no pilfering and only sufficient amount is held in stock to avoid money being locked up as stock. There is less control for B group materials and least control for C group materials. Some loss due to pilfering can be tolerated for C group materials and the expense involved in control can be reduced for this category.

I think ABC Analysis is useful in daily life too. We keep expensive jewelry in a safe place. We focus on important issues and deal with them effectively. Less important issues do not receive the same attention. A salesman works hard to get a big order. He does not put as much effort on a small order. We are more careful in selecting when we purchase something expensive and may look for reviews. It is not necessary when we buy something cheap.

LANDMARK FURNITURE SHOWROOM

Landmark Furniture Showroom, Kadappakada, Kollam

SERMON IN ASMARA

St.Joseph's Cathedral, Asmara, Eritrea

I have been to church in many places but there is only one sermon that I can remember. It was at St. Joseph’s Cathedral, Asmara, Eritrea. The year was 2000 and there was a border conflict between Eritrea and Ethiopia. Many people were displaced. I think the priest was British. He sounded like one. He told us about his experience during the beginning of his priesthood.

One day, he had to conduct his first funeral service. He was afraid to go near the dead body. He was shivering. He was afraid to face the relatives. He did not know what to say to them. Somehow he managed to conduct the service. Later, after conducting a few more funeral services he became more confident. Now, he has conducted hundreds of funeral services and it has become so easy. If someone calls him to tell him that he has to conduct a funeral service he would think ‘oh, another funeral, so easy’. He said he got used to it and that when people get used to things they don’t care. He told us that we see a lot of injustice all around and nobody cares because people just get used to it.

HOW TO KILL A SNAKE

As a child, I have seen my mother try to kill a snake by pouring hot water on it from a thermos flask. I don’t think it was effective.

When I was working in Africa, I saw a snake near my residence. It was a local who alerted me. I got a stick and was about to beat it to death when my neighbour, a Tamilian, stopped me. He told me not to use the stick. He then got a large stone and used it to smash the snakes head.

Many years later, when I was working in the Maldives my neighbour called me one night to tell me that there was a snake near our residence. I had to use a torchlight to locate it. I knew what to do. I found a large stone and smashed its head.

I don’t think this method will work with a snake that raises its head, like the cobra.

S J BUILDING

S J Building, Kadappakada, kollam