We have added another feather in our PALM TREE.

And YES:


 The Malayalam Classes have STARTED.

The 29th of July 2012 will be recorded as the day when the Malayalam classes restarted after decades. This writer had the privilege of learning Malayalam then. And hence, very proudly tells his relatives and friends that yes I can read and write Malayalam though when I speak, it may be heard as Malglish, more because of the English diction that one is used to over the years. But yes, I can bravely travel in Kerala - cos I can read all the destination sign boards, and at times, even the locals asks you for direction, thanks to the confidence personified, due to the knowledge of the language.


The classes was inaugurated by well known writer Dr. C N N Nair, and among the guests of honor were the Past President Mr. A K G Nair and the Past Sr. Vice - President - Mr. M Vijayaraghavan, both who have contributed immensely to the growth of the Borivli Malayali Samajam in general and for establishing the land and the school where it stands in particular.


They were accompanied by the current Managing Committee Members, with the introduction given by Mr. Shriraj Nair (President) Mr. Anil Kumar ( Secretary) and Mr. Damodaran. 


Oh Yes, and the classes were attended by Children, their Mothers and also some Fathers all learning the art of the Malayalam language in toto, with established teachers trained professionally as an initiative of the Kerala Government;  unlike when I learned, this time it promises to be a more dedicated affair and more complete with good amount of literature, too.


If any of you, out there, wants to join this momentum, please free to log onto www.borivlimalayalisamajam.com for further details.


Until then, ബെസ്റ്റ് രീഗാര്‍ദ്സ് .....പവിത്രന്‍ 

How to Avoid Cancer

Today thanks to the efforts of The Borivli Malayali Samajam, a whole lot of people had the privilege of understanding how the dreaded disease Cancer is caused and how it can be avoided.

The presentation on the subject was done by Dr. Nilesh Ingole, Preventive Oncologist at Tata Memorial Centre and with him was Dr. Kshama Vairagi, who is a Clinical Psychologist at Tata Memorial Centre. The challenge for her is to play the Breaking News.

How you break the news to a patient, so that they undergo the medication course and or come – back for the follow up, and or just be told that 6 Months from now…..!!!

Well Dr. Kshama – no doubt plays a very important role in handling the most important assignment of easing the patient, mentally.

Dr. Nilesh emphasizes that the best way to avoid succumbing to Cancer is to get TREATED EARLY. For most of us, our Vehicle is more important than oneself. The moment your vehicles mileage drops, or starts a little late during ignition, or has a little dry sound while driving, we are sure to take the vehicle to a Garage and get it completely checked up but at the same time we hesitate to take care of ourselves as much, even when we see the symptoms. Or is it that we don’t read the symptoms.

Cancer:

Growth of lump or tumor in your body. This means the combination of cells that grow abnormally in your body. These can be benign or cancerous, but needs to be checked immediately with a qualified doctor. The earlier it is checked, it is ensured that it does not spread in the body. This can be treated by Surgery, Radiotherapy or Chemotherapy, as may be suggested by the doctor.

Certain Cancers like Breast Cancer, Career of the Cervix and Oral Cancer is detected earlier and can be easily prevented from spreading in the body.

7 Warning Signals of Cancer:

1. Hoarseness of Voice

2. Difficult in swallowing solids and liquids

3. Change in Bowel / Bladder habits

4. Change in Wart size / Mole Size.

5.Unusual bleeding from the body outlets – while coughing (indicative of Lung Cancer), while Urinating ( indicative of Urinary Cancer) and Stools ( indicative of Stomach or internal bleeding). Irregular periods and Forced Menopause are also indicative of the need to be checked.

6. Non – healing ulcers in the mouth and Lump in the breast

7. Post – coital bleeding.

Risk Factors:

Þ    60% of detected Cancer is due to the use of Tobacco. It comes in various formats including Cigarette, Gutka, Hookah, Areca Nut, Lime, Bidis, Mashir, Khaini, etc.

Over 9lac people die every year due to tobacco related diseases every year – this       translates to 1 death every 40 seconds.

Þ    HPV (Human Papilova Virus) causes Cervix Cancer

Þ    Hepatitis B Virus Causes Liver Cancer

Þ    Continuous exposure to Chemicals and Dyes can cause Skin Cancer

Þ    Lack of Healthy Exercise / Junk food are also causes of Cancer

The important thing to note is EARLY DETECTION IS COMPLETE CURE.

Also ensuring good diet while undergoing treatment also helps you to recover soon.

Those having any queries and need to be answered can write to: kshamavairagi@gmail.com.

Remember healthy life style and early detection is the guard to a good happy life.

My 50th Birthday

It is not often that one gets a chance to be modest and wish one self a Happy Birthday. But life is such.

As a Samajam , I have been seeing myself grow over the years. It is just like yesterday, when the Honorable Defence Minister of India - Shri V K Krishna Menon untied the umbilical cord and gave me the first pinch to announce my arrival in this world and in Borivli.

Borivli, in the year 1961 was such a calm place, an extension of my Kerala with lots of Mango Trees and yes Horse Driven Tonga. The St. Francis School was very much there, and it has been there for 50 years then. Today the school is celebrating more than 101 years of existence. It was around this school that Borivli was built. There were cottages and cottages and Ludovic Mansion in and around I. C. Colony and there was no LIC Colony, there were only Mangroves. There were mangoes that could be plucked as you walked under the tree. And at the end of the Mangroves, was the New Colony, typical Kerala Style houses with Villas in the other end. In these lived most of my members. The good thing is that these houses still exist in this fast growing suburb and Metro of the country. Thanks to various kind of litigation in my Democratic Country.

The Mango Trees  some of them still exists, even now if you want to pluck the mangoes,do it but don't get caught by the Mali.

And it was in from this setting, that I grew to spread my wings across 2000+ families. And each one of them kept me busy with various events that happened during the eventful 50 years. We had Onam Celebrations, Inter- School Athletic competition, Inter - School Painting, Elocution, Folk Dance, March Past Competitions. There were various events for the members and their families too.

All these continued to happen for years. And then we had our eyes and vision on a plot, a plot where we wanted to start our own school. And with much, I say much and some very sincere follow - ups we did get the plot for the School. The school is now called V K Krishna Menon Academy School and is having students upto the 7th standard. Very soon it will be a complete educational institute with classes upto the college levels and more.

Today when I look back, I cannot hide my pride, the goose pimples in me, begin to show. My sense of achievement cannot hold back the tears of joy. And yet I cry, I cry because I now have a team of people - a combination of youngsters and seniors who are doing a great job. They have left no stone unturned to ensure that my birthday celebrations continue during the year. In spite of their tough work schedules and family commitments, almost every Sunday they show up at the Samajam office located in the school to chalk and plan out my celebratory events. How much I would like to hug them, appreciate them.

The big task is to get the current defense minister to Chair my birthday party. And I hope my dear              Mr. A K Anthony comes. What a co-incidence it is that I was given the first pinch by the then defense minister and now I await my 50th birthday celebration to be attended by the current defense minister.

Thank you each one of you for your encouraging wishes, Indeed I Love you all - do come for my birthday party when I announce it OK.

Till then Take care....

And to know that I share my birthday with a very Sweet Rakhee Sunil.... makes me even more happier.

Life is indeed Cho Chweet... what with all of you around me.