GANDHI DIED

I once saw a statue of Gandhi near a school in Andhra Pradesh, India. I went near it and realised that it was a person dressed as Gandhi. Though he was standing still, his eyes were blinking. He was wearing a dhoti and holding a walking stick.  He was fully covered in silver paint. Even the dhoti and walking stick were painted silver. It was a hot summer day. Some students gave him a small amount of money.  A few days later, I heard that he died. I think the silver paint caused some problems. Was it toxic or did it block his pores? I don’t know. 

AMARJYOTHI SILKS

Amarjyothi Silks, Kadappakada, Kollam

SIDE EFFECTS

Most medicines have side effects. Side effects produced by medicines taken for long durations should be of more concern. Doctors generally do not discuss the side effects when they prescribe a medicine. Some patients may be affected, others may not.

Once, I was prescribed a steroid inhaler for asthma. After using it I started feeling uneasy and had palpitations but I did not connect it with the new inhaler. I consulted another doctor and told him I was feeling uneasy. He told me to continue with the same inhaler and changed my medicine for hypertension. Only later, after searching the net for information did I come to know that it was the new inhaler that was making me feel uneasy. 

DHANYA & REMYA MOVIE THEATERS

Dhanya & Remya Movie Theaters, Kadappakada, Kollam. It used to be called Priya Theater.

THREE WRONG GUESSES

I was working in Madras (now Chennai) in 1983. It was my first job. I had to travel a lot. So, I had almost all my food from restaurants in different cities. Some were hygienic, most were not. One day, while I was waiting for a train at a station, I felt so tired that I lay down on a bench. Someone woke me later and told me that the train was arriving. I got on the train and reached Madras that night. Next day, I had a fever.

My roommate, who was also my colleague at work, suggested I see a doctor. We went to a nearby clinic and consulted a doctor. He told me it must be the Flu and gave me some tablets. A few days later, I still had a fever. My friend told me to meet the doctor once again. We went to the clinic and the doctor said it must be Malaria. He gave me some tablets for Malaria and told me that if the fever does not go away in a few days then it must be Pneumonia.

A few days later, I still had a fever. I decided to book my ticket and return to Kerala. After reaching home, I went to a Hospital and consulted a doctor. He told me to get myself admitted there. He continued giving me the Malaria tablets for a few days and then conducted a blood test. The blood test revealed that I had Typhoid. Now, I was given medicine for Typhoid and also told to have only a liquid diet. I was hospitalized for one month, after which I was discharged. I returned home cured but weak. It took some time to regain my strength.

The doctor at Madras thought it was the Flu or Malaria or Pneumonia. He made three wrong guesses.

SREE DHARMASASTHA TEMPLE

Sree Dharmasastha Temple, Kadappakada, Kollam

TOUCHING THE FEET

I first saw it while travelling on a train through North India. At one station, a young man touched the feet of his father who was about to board the train. At another station, a wife touched the feet of her husband before he got on the train. I think it happens less in South India. I have never seen it in Kerala.

It is obvious that the person who touches the feet of another is showing that he or she has a lot of respect for that person. Sometimes we can see people touching the feet of political or religious leaders.

When people shake hands, they seem equal. One person does not appear superior to the other. When a person touches the feet of another it is demeaning.