VOL 3 ISSUE 6 TRADITION I CULTURE I FLAVOUR I BUSINESS I NEWS DEC 10, 2009

Rotary Governor visits:

Interview with Dr E K Sahadevan. p 11

A
eLocal
U N I Q U E P E R S P E C T I V E O F T H E N I L G I R I S

Celebrating age: Ms Marie Johnstone is a

delightful conversationist. The epitome of National survey
survey:: Meant to pro-
practical, simple living, the grandaughter tect the public against crime, po-
of Craig Johnstone obliges with a licemen in India have found them-
brief interview, p 10. selves in the list of those who
demanded the most bribes, ac-
cording to a survey earlier this
year by Trace International, a non-
profit membership association that
helps companies combat bribery.
The survey points that a majority
of bribe demands in India (91
per cent) came from government
officials. Policemen accounted for
30 per cent of the bribe demands
(second only to national-level gov-
ernment officials at 33 per cent).
theindianexpress.com: Jan 2009.
Sketch Rtn Dr S Suresh Babu

Local perception
perception:: A cross sec-
tion of locals, on being asked
their opinion on corruption in
various departments, particularly
indicated the sub registrar’s of-
fice, the regional transport office
and the municipal office as cor-
ruption-ridden.*
Nearly everyone felt that local
politicians were the biggest per-
petrators of bribery.
Few have heard of the RTI (Right
to Information) Act and fewer

Gagged. still have used this tool.

Thankfully there is, albeit mar-
ginal, a section of local society
The culture of corruption in the district who will not pay a bribe under
has silenced the vibrant, educated and any circumstance.
once vocal people of the Nilgiris... p 4 * Public opinion is not an accurate indicator of
the actual scenario and is hence inconclusive.

The forts of Nilgiris reflect its
chequered history. The Nilgiris formed
part of different kingdoms, at different
times. The Cheras and the Cholas lend
contending claims to it as far back as
the first millenium A.D. Much later it
was embroiled in the dynastic feuds of
the kingdoms of Southern Mysore and
Malabar. Various kings of the region
were titular possessers of the hills for a
long time.
The Hoysalas were the first to exploit
the hills for its resources. They held sway
over the Nilgiris between the 12th and
the 14th centuries, drawn by the gold
Photo, courtesy: A F Pereira
Forts in the
Nilgiris - what
remains.
mined at Wynad, Attapadi and Adathurai.
From the 15th to the early 17th centuries,
the Nilgiris came under the sway of the
Ummatur Rayas. These warrior kings
had control of the hills as independent
rulers and when they were defeated by
the Vijayanagar kings, they continued to
rule the hills as a feudatory of the
Vijayanagar kings. They ruled from
Sivasamudram fort and were extremely
influential over the region until their
defeat by the Wodeyars.
The hill forts of the upper plateau were
built by the Ummatur rulers between the
15th and 16th centuries, prompted by
2
local history
the military struggle for control of
tributes. Tributes were collected, mainly
from the Badagas in the form of grain.
Besides this, the forts were strategically
located to guard the passes into the hills.
Extraordinary visibility, as far as
Seringapatnam in the north west and
Coimbatore in the south east, allowed
military manoeuvers in the plains to be
easily detected from these hill garrisons.
Contd on pg 13
 the local viewpoint

It is time to form
an action committee
comprising members
of the public who will
jointly take up matters
like corruption at the
highest levels.
Indu K Mallah.
President, All India The anti-corruption campaign on national television
Women’s National jaago re is very inspiring. I have not been asked to
Conference, Nilgiris pay a bribe until now, but if I ever am faced with the
situation I think I will refuse to comply
Capt. (Retd) Pushpinder Singh.
Volunteer-Manager, Bee Museum.

What we must do
about corruption.

Each one of us has to look within I believe every individual must make a personal
and truly see what we require and choice to be uncorrupt... The Civil Services is still
what we don’t. The resources that one of the few institutions which has stayed free
we have are limited and austerity is of corruption R D Nazeem I.A.S Executive
the need of the hour. Corruption Director, Tea Board of India
usually lurks very close to
materialism. N Mohanraj
Environmentalist & WWF
Sketch Rtn Dr S Suresh Babu

representative.
We only require a petition from members of the
public and we will begin the necessary investigations
against the alleged offendors. The problem however,
is that even when people call over phone they do not
give their names. Dy Supdt. of Police Vigilance
&Anti-Corruption.

Corruption is deeply entrenched.

Even I have had to pay petty
amounts to get past demanding
clerical staff. As for the lawyer
fraternity, it is also, sadly, not
untouched by corruption
Advt. Latha Balasubramaniam
Senior lawyer

The story of corruption is not only one-sided.

What about those extending a bribe in order to
ensure that something illegal, such as a deviation
from the approved house plan, goes unnoticed? If
however, the public is being harassed by anybody
within the Municipality who may be demanding a
bribe, they may approach me directly. R Rajendran.
Chairman, Udhagamandalam Municipal Council
I am unhappy with the state of affairs. Inspite of being a
teacher, I really don’t know where we can start or how to go
about it. Corruption is everywhere. We adults seem to lack the
courage to tackle it. Hopefully our youth will make the change.
K J Raju Science Teacher, Cordite Factory School.

the local viewpoint

 4
local issue

How much will it take to move my file?

Pay some money and get the work done is the mantra that everyone
in the district goes by these days. Almost everyone.

A popular tourist location in the Nilgiris
was at the centre of an anti-corruption
raid recently. Foreign tourists were
apparently being charged an exorbitant
gate fee for entry without being tendered
a receipt. The extent of misappropriation,
according to the head of the Vigilance
and Anti Corruption wing - Nilgiris
district, ran up to the tune of Rs 20000/
in collections per day! On a tip off, a
raid was conducted and the offenders
were nabbed with the unaccounted
money of the day in their possession.
Excessive parking fee in Ooty town is
being collected, it is alleged, with fee
collectors cautioning that if the motor
vehicle is found damaged upon the
owner’s return they will not be
responsible. Irate locals say this amounts
to a veiled threat. Among the various
aspects that these incidents have thrown
up, extortionism is obviously one.
Submissive acceptance is another.
‘Nothing can get done these days
without a bribe,’ states a prominent
lawyer, who, notwithstanding her
professional status has had to part with
money on more than one occasion to
‘move a file’ concerning her own house
property. A local hotelier recounts, ‘I
have had the distasteful situation of local
body authorities who were refused a
‘packet’ earlier in the day, returning late
in the evening and knocking on doors of
our guests saying that they were
conducting random checks. Rather than
put up with this nuisance we decided to
part with the demanded money’, he
states, adding, ‘I feel that the present
environment is such that it is impossible
to stay untouched by corruption.
The local arm of DVAC (Directorate of
Vigilance and Anti Corruption) works
into the night with various files
containing pending cases found in its
small, nondescript office in a remote part
of Ooty town. Its officers are in plain
clothes and are unassuming but their
role in society cannot be understated.
‘There are different ways in which we
approach an alleged corruption
situation,’ says the present Deputy
Superintendent of Police heading the
wing. ‘One very effective method is by
way of a trap which we lay wherein pre-
identified notes are exchanged and the
person receiving the bribe, if found in
its possession, is immediately arrested.’
This, according to the official, is done
based on a complaint filed by the
aggrieved. ‘We also conduct our own
investigations apart f rom receiving
complaints’.
Complaints are specific, directing the
department’s resources meaningfully or
else, it is like searching for a needle in
the haystack. However, it seems the
ground reality is that hardly any
complaints are filed. For instance, all of
The Prevention of Corr uption Act (PCA) 1988
Corruption 1988,
defines public duty and public servant, amply.
Public Duty: It means a duty that is done for the
benefit of the State, the public or the community at a
large.
Public Servant: It is a unique term in Anti-corruption
law, being the deciding factor at the threshold of
one's liability, depending on his being public servant.
The term 'Public Servant' was not defined under the
PCA, 1947 and the Act adopted the definition of the
term under sec. 21 of the Indian Penal Code. The
PCA of 1988 provides a wider definition in the Act
itself under clause (c) of sec. 2 under which, the
emphasis is on public duty and not on the Authority
remunerating. The definition is enlarged so as to
also include the office-bearers of the registered co-
operative societies receiving any financial aid from
the Government, or from a Government corporation
or company, the employees of universities, public
service commissions and banks.
The following genres of persons fall within the
ambit of 'public servant':
a) Any person who is paid by the government or
local authority or remunerated by way of fees or
commission for the performance of or is in the
service of a corporation established by or under a
Central, Provincial or State Act, or an authority or
body owned or controlled or aided by the Government
company as defined in the Companies Act, 1956.
b) Any Judge or any person authorized by a court of
justice to perform any duty, in connection with the
administration of justice or any arbitrator to whom
any cause or matter has been referred for decision
or report by a court of justice or report by a court
of justice or by a competent public authority.
c) Any person who holds an office result to which he
is empowered to prepare, publish maintain or revise
an electoral roll or to conduct an election or part of
an election, or is authorized or required to perform
any public duty.
d) Any person who is the president, secretary or
other office bearer of a registered co-operative
society engaged in agriculture, industry, trade or
banking, receiving or having received any financial
aid from the Central or State Government or any
authority or body owned, controlled or aided by
Government or Government company as defined in
Sec. 617 of the Companies Act, 1956.
e) Any person who is a chairman, member or employee
of any service commission or Board or a member of
any selection committee appointed by such Commission
or Board for the conduct of any examination or
making any selection on their behalf.
f) Any person who is the Vice-Chancellor or member
of any governing body, professor, reader or lecturer
of any University and any person whose services
have been availed of by a University.
g) An office-bearer or employee of an educational,
scientific, social, cultural or other institution receiving
or having received financial assistance from the Central
or State government or local or other public authority.
last year only two were submitted! Corruption: ‘The misuse of
Several local business owners who were public office for private gain’
randomly asked to comment on the issue is the definition that serves
of corruption, chose not to respond. A the effective implementation
few declined to speak on telephone but
of the Prevention of
offered to talk about it under the
condition of anonomity and if they were Corruption Act, 1988.
met in person. A retailer talks specifically (See section, facing pg, on the
of harrassment by a food inspector of the definition of public servant and
municipality in whose limits the store public duty)
comes under, saying that cheese products
that they stocked were picked up in a
random manner and the official
unnecessarily threatened to declare the
stock unfit for consumption unless he
was ‘taken care of ’, this inspite of the
stocks being fresh. The enterprise now
makes a so called regular ‘payment’ - a
fixed amount each quarter. The system
of regular payments seems a norm across
various departments having not spared
even the healthcare sector. A medical hands of the service provider.’ He adds
store owner (who recently quit the that if, for example, there is a deviation
business after 40 years in industry) shared from the sanctioned housing plan and
his experiences with corruption within the concerned applicants want the
this strata: ‘The competent authority officials to look the other way, they will
overseeing Nilgiris’ 200 odd medical unhesitatingly bribe! As for the extent
stores operated out of Coimbatore.’ of corruption in the department, the
According to the erstwhile pharmacist, second time-elected representative
the Nilgiri region was considered an admits that some staff reportedly do
unattractive proposition for the official accept a bribe but reassures members of
to be based here. ‘He (the official) would the public that if anyone is being
come once a month to make ‘collections’. harrassed he will not hesitate to
‘Everything in this trade has a fee. A inter vene and help the affected
fresh licence cost anywhere between Rs individuals in his official capacity. He
5000/ to Rs 10000/. There are monthly however deliberately adds, ‘It is not up
payoffs too that one needs to make if to me to clean the system.’
certain regulations are not met, one of ‘To be corrupt or not is a personal
which is not adhering to the stipulation choice,’ says the present Executive
that a medical store must not be located Director, Tea Board of India.‘The
alongwith a general physician’s clinic in individual - both the giver and the
the same premises. How many stores receiver of bribe, are equally accountable
really follow that rule?’ for their actions’, states the experienced
The story of corruption, therefore, is IAS officer.
obviously not one-sided. Nevertheless, in the event of being
The Udhagamandalam Municipal harrassed or threatened with harrassment
Council chairman has a pointed business owners in particular, will resort
question: ‘What about those who give a to what they believe is a quick-fix - to
bribe to get things done?’ he counters bribe. ‘To however do business at any
when asked about alleged corruption in cost is incorrect,’ explains a senior
the municipality. ‘There are cases in auditor. ‘Some businesses do not stand
which passport applicants, on realising up to harrassment because they
that they require documents such as a themselves don’t have a clean slate having
ration card, in order to expedite this not declared all their sources of income.
process, will readily place money in the How can they possibly point a finger?’
Continued on next pg
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or anyone connected to TheLocal can be liable for any reproduction of the material.

The jaago re campaign (a social message relate with everything around us with
on anti-corruption created by a large sensitivity and to critically introspect on
Indian corporation) and aired frequently our own needs will have marked an
on popular television, has inspired some. important first step in change,’ he states.
A former lady officer in the Indian army On a related note, as a developing nation,
who settled recently in the Nilgiris, India does not have a respectable record
believes she will stand up to corruption with regard to the worldwide corruption
if faced by it. ‘I value my rights. The index put together by Transparency
advertisement campaign is also very International. In 2008, the country was
thought provoking.’ ranked 74 among 180 countries of the
But what does it really require to stand world. If it be cause for less
up to corruption? Desperation perhaps. disappointment, neighbouring countries
‘I needed a chitta extract f rom the ranked worse: Pakistan, 140. Sri Lanka,
revenue department and the VAO’s 96. Maldives, 90. The top performer in
(Village Administrative Officer) desk the region was Bhutan placed at 41.
had demanded Rs 3000/ for the effort,’ China, equally beset by corruption,
says a local resident, himself a bettered India by one position. From an
government employee. ‘It was my first environment standpoint, how a country
brush with bribery; I offered Rs 1000/ like India can implement its end of the
but they refused to oblige. I couldn’t soon-to-be-signed climate change
afford to pay more. In a fit of anger I management pact at its grassroots level,
considering the embedded culture of
wrote to the then Collector’ (the incident
happened some years ago). It seems the corruption, is ponderable.
District administration responded Coming back to local society, are we at
instantly and the concerned Tahsildar the point of no return or already past it?
was asked to conduct an inquiry in the Many believe it is too late. Which is a
presence of the aggrieved. ‘ The pity since the powerful tool that the
administrative officer, when hauled up, world’s largest democracy has given its
feigned surprise at the complaint telling people - the Right to Information lies
me that my papers were already unused or under utilised.
ready!’He also tauntingly added, “Why
The Right to Information Act is a law
didn’t you come to me directly?” enacted by the Parliament of India giving
While there are numerous locals who citizens of India access to records of the
have put money at least once in the hands Central Government and State
of a public servant (directly or through Governments. This law came into force
intermediaries) there are a considerable in October 2005. Information disclosure
number of potential first-timers who in India was hitherto restricted by the
think they will bribe if they have to as Official Secrets Act 1923 and various
in the case of the above example where other special laws which the RTI Act
the primary reaction of the applicant was now relaxes. The Act specifies that
to comply with the demand. citizens have a right to request any
The culture of corruption is linked to information (except as stipulated
fear or the lack of conviction to oppose alongside), take copies of documents,
the malaise. It is also linked to inspect documents, works and records,
impropriety, for enhancing personal gain take certified samples of materials of
notwithstanding illegality or the work, obtain information in the form of
unauthorised nature of the gain. printouts, diskettes, floppies, tapes, video
A noted environmentalist feels that as cassettes or in any other electronic mode.
long as people continue to further self The information may be expected by the
interest at the cost of everything else (the applicant within 30 working days. In the
environment included), the cycle of Nilgiris, requests can be filed with the
corruption will automatically be fed. ‘To Public Information Officer (PIO at the
You mamayy repor
reportt corr uption to the Depar
corruption tment of Vigilance & Anti-corr
Department uption (D
Anti-corruption
Complaints may be submitted in writing mentioning the relevant details such as when the complainant has made an application (eg,. housing plan
sanction, application of licence, chitta extract request etc,.) and to which department alongwith specific information of the bribe demanded and by
whom. This facilitates the process of a trap set-up. All complaints will be treated with utmost confidentiality by the dept of vigilance & anti-
corruption. General petitions may also be submitted to the above mentioned authorities who will thereafter commence independent investigations.
In case complainants wish to contact the vigilance departments by telephone, they may speak to the following: Dy Superintendent of Police, Dept
of Vigilance & Anti-corruption 94450 48883, Inspector of Police, Dept of Vigilance & Anti-corruption 94450 48943 or Office of the Dy Superintendent
of Police, Vigilance & Anti-corruption, Nilgiris District (0423) 244 3962.
6
What is not covered under RTI
Information, disclosure of which would prejudicially
affect the sovereignty and integrity of India, the
security, strategic, scientific or economic interests of
the State, relation with foreign State or lead to
incitement of an offence;
Information which has been expressly forbidden to
be published by any court of law or tribunal or
the disclosure of which may constitute contempt of
court;
Information, the disclosure of which would cause a
breach of privilege of Parliament or the State
Legislature;
Information including commercial confidence, trade
secrets or intellectual property, the disclosure of
which would harm the competitive position of a
third party, unless the competent authority is satisfied
that larger public interest warrants the disclosure
of such information;
Information available to a person in his fiduciary
relationship, unless the competent authority is satisfied
that the larger public interest warrants the disclosure
of such information;
Information received in confidence from foreign
Government;
Information, the disclosure of which would endanger
the life or physical safety of any person or identify
the source of information or assistance given in
confidence for law enforcement or security purposes;
Information which would impede the process of
investigation or apprehension or prosecution of
offenders;
Cabinet papers including records of deliberations
of the Council of Ministers, Secretaries and other
officers;
Information which relates to personal information-
the disclosure of which has no relationship to any
public activity or interest, or which would cause
unwarranted invasion of the privacy of the individual
(but it is also provided that the information which
cannot be denied to the Parliament or a State
Legislature shall not be denied by this exemption);
Notwithstanding any of the exemptions listed above,
a public authority may allow access to information,
if public interest in disclosure outweighs the harm
to the protected interests.
Collectorate. The application will be
forwarded to the concerned PIOs in the
various departments. Exercising one’s
Concluded on pg 13
(DVVAC).
7
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 new year recipe
Ingredients
2 eggs
1 1/4 cupwater
1 3/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 1/4 teaspoon soda bicarbonate
1 teaspoon vanilla essence
2 1/4 cup refined flour
3/4 cup cocoa powder
3/4 cup refined oil

Black Forest Cake

Directions: Put all the ingredients in a
blender and mix well. Pour into greased
and powdered tin. Bake in 180 degrees
for 45 to 50 minutes. When cake is
warm, slice midway from the base of
the cake. Remove the upper layer. Take
the white of an egg mix with required
amount of icing sugar and a little lime
juice. Spread this over the lower
section and place the upper section
back.The easy to prepare black forest
cake is now ready!
Recipe sent in by subscriber of
TheLocal, Dr R Shantha, Ooty.
new year recipe
In troubled times, hope is what the human
spirit has rested upon. The photograph
of the little girl from the indigenous Kota
tribe of the Nilgiris (pic courtesy, Deepak
Bhojaraj - see interview on p 15) signifies
just that. Her laughter, in complete
innocence and gay abandon, even
hopeful aspiration of her future is
inspiration enough for us to work towards
a corruption-free society by the time she
evolves into one of its responsible
members. May we resolve to make
January 2010 a corruption-free month,
marking this semblance of hope!

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 10
personality

Meet Ms Johnstone
(Marie Missy)
The Local Correspondent

‘I think the secret to a happy life is

unstinting faith in God,’ says a cheerful
Ms Elizabeth Marie Ivey - Johnstone.
Grand daughter of Craig Johnstone,
after whom Johnstone Square in
Kotagiri is named, Marie Missy (as she
is affectionately called) is a happy
person!
She wakes up at 7. What time do you
get to bed? ‘I don’t know how, but it
gets around ten thirty or eleven at night,
by the time I get into bed,’ says Marie
Missy, who, busy body that she is, won’t
be ruled by the clock!
Capt Craig, her great-great grandfather,
a Scotsman, was the first to visit the
hills. His son, says Ms Johnstone, was
a highly accomplished officer in the
Telegraph services. Missy’s grandfather,
Craig Johnstone, was an entrepreneur
who made hand-rolled tea. ‘I remember
the men rolling the leaf with their hands
on an intricately designed wooden
block,’ says the cheerful lady pointing
to her left to indicate the area where
the work would take place. ‘Grandfather
died when I was 3 but I remember
vividly how he once held me from
falling while I was playing about with
a wooden chair. I was fascinated by his
white flowing beard and kind eyes.’
There was also a cow barn alongside
the tea making area, she reminisces. The
Busy bee: Ms Marie Johnstone obliges for a picture on a sofa that her ancestors sat on. Her
home-schooled Marie Missy apparently favourite flowers are in the background. Her daily routine is simple and full of activity.
learnt all that she knows, at the knee of
her grandmother. Marie Missy has the gracefulness, grit and simplicity that
An erstwhile dairy farmer, Missy is an inspires young and old. She is, in fact, the epitome of how
avid gardener too. She didn’t want to one would like to be when one gets older!
play favourites when asked which
flowers she liked the most, but
reluctantly obliged saying bird-of-
paradise and pansies.
What is the happiest moment of your
life? ‘Ah! When little Ricky came to
stay with me of course!’ (The Johnstone
family always had close ties with the
indigenous Badaga community and had
nurtured this relationship over decades.
It was Ms Johnstone’s wish to bring up
one of the children of the Bellie family
of Aravenu (a neighbouring Badaga
 interview
village). Her Badugu, obviously, is
flawless! Son Ricky Raj is today When TheLocal met with Dr. E.K normally within the pur view of
regarded in business circles for his Sahadevan, the Rotary Governor of schools. The training that is provided
success in floriculture; he is also an avid District 3202, it was indeed a at the grassroot level will go a long
nature enthusiast. ‘He was always memorable occasion. The doctor who way in shaping the future leaders of
bright as a young lad. We put him in has been a dedicated Rotarian for nearly our country and future global citizens.
KPS (Kotagiri Public School). You twenty years was vocal about bringing How can the youth avail of this
know, my grandson is equally smart. about a change at various levels. Below opportunity?
He said, before taking off for a short is an excerpt of the conversation with
him: First I will tell you how the Rotary
holiday recently. “Grandma, look after intends to go about implementing the
yourself and also please look after Sir, Rotary Clubs are involved in many programme. We have two methods of
Rover”(their dog)!’ projects that aim at social upliftment. approach, one designed for the
‘What I don’t like about the times is But what are the issues that claim the Government schools and one for
the television. Its a curse,’ says the lady greatest attention? private schools. Local schools that
when asked of the way things have Well, as you know, the main focus of need aid are adopted by the Rotary
changed over the years. But didn’t you the Rotary is to improve health and Club. Special staff are appointed,
listen to radio as a little girl? ‘We never sanitation and also to eradicate illiteracy stationery, school furniture and
had one. As for news, I never cared and hunger. In 1985, a worldwide uniforms are provided. A library is
much about it.’ On a question related project was launched for the eradication started and computers are provided.
to corruption, the answer is candid - of polio which I can proudly say, has Provision is also made for the
‘Anything you need these days demands been very successful. Rotary District maintenance of the school building.
a bribe.’ 3202 project called the ‘Rotary Private institutions do not require such
What do you eat to stay this fit?
‘Anything and everything. I don’t touch
milk though(this inspite of having
been a dairy farmer). ‘But yes, Grandma
used to give me goat’s milk in a little
blue cup,’ recalls Missy, cupping her
hands with a broad smile!
Memories of the past don’t seem so
distant when you are spending time
with Ms Marie Johnstone - her
thoughts are sharp and her
explanations are so descriptive that one
is transported to that day and age,
instantly and effortlessly. Most likeable
of all, Missy is simple in her ways.
Anyone can tell that she is a living
example of how happiness can never
be sought after but lived each moment.
The devout lady finishes her day by
reading from 11 little books, every
night, books that have a spiritual
message for her before she turns off
the lights. Its a routine that she has
followed for years. Rotary Governor keen on youth development
It is polite not to ask a lady her age J Pillai
and I don’t, but we have a hint -
Grandfather Johnstone died in 1917.
Valikaati’ launched recently, has its main assistance so instead we concentrate on
focus on the youth. setting up of clubs that cater to students
What is the Project all about? of all age groups. For students who are
in the 1st-5th standards there is the
Letters to the Editor The word “Valikaati” in Tamil literally
“Rotakid”; students of the 6th-8th can
denotes a signpost that shows the way.
Readers who wish to send letters to the Through this programme we intend to join the “Kinderact” and students of the
Editor may do so by post to the following show our young the right way. Our aim 9th-12th can be a part of the “Interact”
address 10/363-Y-1, Indiranagar, AVK Post, is to motivate and educate youngsters. club. For college going students we
Nilgiris - 643 202. Alternatively, you may It is imperative that the youth cultivate have the “Rotaract” club.
also email your correspondence to not only academic excellence but These clubs have also been set up in
thelocaleditor@gmail.com. In case of excellence in other fields that are not Government schools.
any queries or clarifications please feel
free to call: (0) 97905 90570. Contd on pg 14
You are not an accident; you are an Nithyananda teachings
incident. You are a conscious miracle
of Existence. Life is not a forced
happening you have to go through. Life
is a living vibrant partner, playing an
exciting game, a mysterious adventure
that opens out new vistas in front of
you every second…
The possibilities are endless. Every
moment, the choices are infinite. Every
moment, Existence holds out for you
infinite choices in Her hand, waiting for
you to run into Her arms. Existence is
like the mother who waits expectantly,
longingly for her little child just learning
to take the first steps in this world. She
is waiting for you to learn to live life in
the best way – live enlightenment. She
is waiting eagerly for you to open her
gift of life. She wants to see that joy
and surprise on your face when you
discover your gift and enjoy it – by living
enlightenment.
God designed this world with only one
purpose – to make you experience His
love. Just like a lover wants to bring
the moon and the stars for his beloved,
the Divine not only wants to but
actually gets for you the moon, stars,
the whole sky and beyond.All He wants
to see is a smile on your face, a blissful
overflowing in your being, as you enjoy
these wonderful gifts He has made just
for you. There is no other purpose to
life. It is a straight and simple universe
inviting you to play with It, flirt with It,
and experience the joy of pure
romance with It.
Understand, whenever you think life is
throwing surprises at you, life wants to
understand you. It is curious to know
about you, just like a mischievous,
naughty little kid constantly playing with
you and teasing you. It just says, ‘If I talk
like this, what will you do? If I ask like Relate with Life – Live Enlightenment
this, what will you do? If I do this, what
will you do?’ What you call difficult moment yet the very next moment it be intensely alive in this moment, to live
situations or people are just the naughty may not even be alive. Life is just like enlightenment. The expression of living
yet innocent pranks of the little child. that – intensely alive and bubbling this enlightenment is experiencing complete
Just join the game and enjoy the moment, unaffected by what can fulfillment. You are just overflowing
absolutely unpredictable ways of the happen the very next moment. By within yourself, so you don’t need
little child called life – sometimes nature, each of us has energy inside us anything, you don’t ask for anything.You
running into your arms and kissing you like a nuclear reactor. There is so much are so full unto yourself.This is the state
on your cheek, sometimes pinching bliss, so much energy bubbling inside us in which all enlightened masters live.This
your cheek and running away laughing right from the time we landed on is the natural state in which every single
at everything, sometimes angry and sad planet Earth to experience the unique human being is.
with you because you did not appreciate happening of life as a human being. All
its innocent act… that is needed is for us to allow that
Life is your partner. It is asking you, ‘If I energy to flow beautifully through the
present myself like this in front of you, body-mind. Just remove the dead blocks To watch video clips of
what will you do?’ Just enjoy this pure of ego that are now in the way of the Paramahamsa Nithyananda’s
romance, delicate as a rose yet strong. laughing, gurgling river of bliss flowing talks, log on to http://youtube.com/
This is not the dead strength of a rock, through your being. Every moment is lifeblissfoundation. You may also log
it is the vibrant strength of life – it can a gift from the Divine – the only way on to www.nithyananda.org for
express in infinite dimensions this to pay your gratitude for the gift is to meditation program details.
13
How much will it take
to move my file? Contd from pg 6
right to information can throw light
on the status of the file. If encountered
by corrupt elements, a tip off to the
anti-corruption agency will be in order
but this is where the buck stops - for
fear of victimisation, the average local
will rather keep quiet than risk any
repercussions. This is particularly true,
many state, if having to deal with the
local politician. There are allegations
of extortions doing the rounds as much
as there are those regarding payments
made in order to secure a government
job (Only two months ago, an entry
level post in a government office
allegedly cost a local aspirant, a stiff
Rs 150000/ for the ‘recommendation’).
Prosecution of corrupt politicians was
enabled through a landmark Supreme
Court ruling in 2006 not requiring
permission for prosecutors to begin
proceedings against the accused.
Earlier, assent was needed from the
Parliament Speaker or State Governor
to charge an MP or a legislator.
But what of the fear factor?
e
Whistle blower protection came to the
fore after the murder of Satyendra
Dubey (2003) who had exposed
corruption in the Highways
Department. The Central Vigilance
Commission (CVC) was authorised by
a Public Interest Disclosure Resolution
(PIDR), passed shortly after by the
Government, to be the ‘designated
agency’ to receive written complaints
on any allegation of corruption or
misuse of office and to recommend
action. The CVC can also take action
against anyone who leaks names of
whistleblowers and witnesses and
request the police to assist
investigations. Global Integrity Report
2007 recorded that 1300 complaints
were logged due this resolution, in just
a span of 3 years. However, even this
is not foolproof. CVC reported that
over 30 whistleblowers had been
harassed inspite of the resolution.
Inspite of all the checks and balances [and
imbalances], the time now like never
before is for the human spirit, subdued
though it might be, to provide us with
resilience. Perhaps defiance. The
Mahatma had said, ‘If co-operation be a
duty, I hold that non co-operation also
under certain conditions is equally a duty.’
Forts in the Nilgiris Badaga history is closely woven with the
- what remains. Contd from pg 2 forts. According to Badaga tradition,
Ketti was founded by the son of an
In all probability, the earliest fort to be Ummatur chieftain to collect his annual
built on the upper plateau is Pakkasuram tribute. Kota legends talk of Umat Arc
Kottai. It is situated on Droog hill and and Udu Arc who built houses and lived
commands the Coonoor Pass. The in Ketti with their wives and children.
ramparts of this garrison still exist. Malai Badaga tax collectors were rewarded
Kottai, on the northern side, near Ekoni, with gifts and the title ‘parpate’ or
was built to command the Sigur Pass revenue officer. The Badagas of
and Hatre Kottai or Udaya Raya Kottai Achanagal claim descent f rom the
(of which nothing remains today), was Lingayats of Ummatur. The Lingayats
built 7 kms away f rom Kotagiri on around Malai Kottai and Hatre Kottai
present day Burnside Estate. The oldest were probably brought there by
of the forts however was further down chieftains of the forts. Kannakas or
near Satyamangalam - Danayankottai is accountants came to maintain garrison
“the fort of the commander Dana”. accounts. Bedas (hunters) were brought
It was established by Madappa from Hullungur, they and Kumbaaras
Dananayaka who ruled over Nilgiris and (both Badaga phratrics) were brought
Wynad. The remains of this fort today to serve the chieftains and they settled
lies submerged under the Bhavani around Malai Kottai. Wodeas were
lake.According to tradition the brought in as priests. Malai Kottai was
Ummatur kings built nine forts in all, renamed as Hussainabad and Hatre
the ruins of some could be seen on the Kottai as Sayudabad by Tipu Sultan.
slopes above Mavanahalla, till recently. After his defeat by the British, the
In the mid eighteenth century, Hyder Ali importance of the forts declined.
is supposed to have attacked Dananayaka Today, its only the ruins of Pakkasura
Kottai. The commander then sent an Kottai that exist. It is worthwhile
army to attack Hyder Ali’s hill forts in preserving these ruins, perhaps the
turn resulting in a battle at Tuduru in Archaeological Survey of India should
which Hyder Ali defeated the take over and preserve for posterity, this
commander of Dananayaka Kottai. aspect of Nilgiri heritage. Rose Pereira
Photo, courtesy: A F Pereira
Strategic position: A view from the fort ramparts at Droog.
Local
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Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
The Santa sketch above was a swift
ten-minute reproduction of the
actual picture of Santa on the cover
page,by young Dhananjay Sivaji.
His pencil strokes are steady and
flawless. His concentration is
intense. His little sister Keertana
was the typical water boy, giving
him the paper and the pencil and
most importantly, telling us all to
keep quiet and not disturb her
brother!
Merry Christmas and a Happy New
Year 2010 to all the little children
of readers of TheLocal.
Contd from p 11
Rotary Governor interview (contd)
How do the clubs provide the
required impetus?
While the schools promote academics
the clubs seek to provide the values
that go to make up a good citizen and
leader. Classes and workshops are
regularly conducted. Competitions and
quizzes are also held. Book learning
is eschewed for practical hands on
training. This could take the form of
taking club members to spend time
with those who are disabled or
homeless. Through service, valuable
lessons are imbibed. By developing a
compassionate service-minded attitude
at a young age we hope to wean the
next generation away f rom
alcoholism, drug addiction and other
social evils.
And what has been the response?
A: We have nearly 20 Interact clubs
under the aegis of the Rotary Club of
Ootacamund alone. The response has
been very enthusiastic from students
of all ages. Government and private
institutions have realised the
significance of our contribution and
have shown tremendous interest in
setting up of the clubs.
14
tribute
‘He never owed anyone a favour or a fiver.’
Ruth N Davidar
Edwin Samuel Jeyasekaran Davidar
(14 May, 1925 – 10 December, 2009)
My father, Eddy Davidar, died of Master’s degree in Dietetics, I fostered
septicaemic shock on 10 December, 2009. ambitions of going abroad. I sought
He was 84. Dad survived his wife, Sushila employment with one of the Dietetic
(Sue or Susie to those who knew her), by 13 Associations abroad and chose New Zealand’s,
years. When my mother died in July 1996, simply because its headquarters was in
Dad chose to stay on in Flo-Iris, the home Wellington. The idea of having an address
they established together in Wellington similar to my parents appealed to me. I applied
since 1977. Dad lived his life right up to the for a position with them, and received a
very end on his own terms. I can honestly
prompt reply. As part of the recruitment
say he is the only person I know who owed procedure, I was required to become a member
nobody a favour or a fiver. One incident of their association by paying a registration
comes to mind. fee of twenty New Zealand dollars. My father
approached the Reserve Bank of India (RBI)
Back in the 1980s, when I graduated with
(through the State Bank of India in Coonoor),
seeking permission to make the remittance. It
was disallowed. Not even the earnest
persuasion of the then branch manager who
saw me as a potential foreign exchange
earner made a favourable impression.
Apparently, our request did not meet the RBI’s
criteria for making payments in foreign
exchange.
My father never expressed his regret. Both
of us knew that several of his friends and
relatives abroad would have gladly made the
payment on my behalf. In fact, when some of
them got to hear of our approach to the
problem, they thought us naïve. But Dad was
not going to compromise himself. Not even for
the sake of his daughter.
Dad’s is going to be a tough act to follow. But
we’ve got to keep the faith. May his soul rest
in peace.
At home: Eddy Davidar with Flossie at
Wellington (pic 2005)
Mr E S J Davidar, was the second son of a District & Sessions Judge. After completion of
a degree in Botany from the Madras Christian College, he joined the Indian Army in 1948 as
a gunner in a Sikh Artillery Regiment. Affectionately called Kala Saab by the jawans, Capt.
Davidar served the Regiment for 5 years before moving on.
He then joined the plantations, being recruited to the prestigious Sterling company, the
Southern India Tea Estates Company Ltd,. in 1953 and had the distinction of becoming its first
Indian General Manager. After his retirement in 1977, Mr Davidar and his wife settled in
Wellington, Nilgiris. An avid gardener and a voracious reader, he learnt to use a computer at
the age of 80. Two years later, he published his memoirs, Tea & me (2007) which is regarded
by many as a gripping first hand account of life on the plantations.
Mr Davidar is survived by his son David Davidar and his daughter Ruth Davidar.
15
enterprise
enterprise
Deepak Bhojaraj will not tell you much
about his achievements until you persist.
In fact, he won’t term his creative streak
in the ad film industry and more recently,
in the advertising and design sphere as
remarkable. ‘There is always the next
big idea or story that you can hit upon,’
he smiles, while explaining the nature
of his work.
His ideas are interesting and logical.
‘ We’re helping with the packaging
design and the logo of a large tea
manufacturing entity. The old pack
looked like this,’ he explains, holding it
up and turning it around for me to see
all sides of the box so that I may better
understand the changes that he has now
incorporated. ‘Colours are the primary
attraction for any prospective customer
and you can’t use just any colour. It must
relate to the product. The green that is
on the old pack has a chemical or Culture conscious: Filmmaker-advertsing professional, Deepak Bhojaraj always gets a first hand
chemistry-lab kind of perception which experience of the subject of his storyline-photography. Seen here with Kota musicians, recently.
might work against the identity of what
is contained inside it. All ‘greens’ don’t
signify organic or natural character.’ The story so far... The Local Correspondent
Visuals, placement, the logo itself, usage
related information require great care ideal card in mind when at a store and dream of pursuing a career in
when putting together the final output. usually the card we buy is a compromise. photography and film making - he even
The new pack is indeed beautifully You end up buying what is available bunked college to f reelance with a
designed! We see it in multidimensional though you may not be satisfied entirely.’ professional photographer! The rest, as
form on his large screen Mac at the True to his creative bent, the cards are they say, is history. In fact, the story so
[obviously] tastefully appointed office of called ‘Happyness’ cards! far runs like a dream script. Deepak has
Nuidea, situated near the Transport office To give readers a hint of the emotions worked alongside greats in the film
at the periphery of Ooty town. that his pictures (now with very high- industry like Mani Ratnam. His shoot
Deepak started off as an amateur end camera) can capture, the centrespread on the popular cellular advertisement
photographer with a point-and-shoot in this issue of TheLocal is one, shot featuring Tamil cinema hero Surya,
camera that someone had gifted him while he was on a visit to the Kota changed the fortunes of the company
when he was a young boy studying in settlement Kokaal. (Give us one of your that was faced with stiff competition
Breeks school, Ooty. ‘I was always pictures that will best represent hope in from several new players in industry
interested in everything that had to do these troubled times, especially with including the popular one that had
with photo and films’, he recalls. regard to corruption was our request.) chosen to use a ‘cute little dog’ in its
‘Funnily, when as youngsters, we would Technically speaking, Deepak is commercial.
go to watch film shooting at the gardens unschooled. He almost got into the What next? ‘Let’s see...’, he says, while
or the Ooty lake, while my friends would coveted Film Institute in Chennai but I know he actually means ‘wait and see!’
be interested in getting autographs from even with a highly placed reference didn’t For the moment, a ‘Happyness’-filled
the actors I will be eager to have a word get the seat. Not one to be disappointed New Year 2010, to him and his team.
with the technical people!’ the young lad then persisted with his May this year be a Nuidea of hope!
Some of the photography expert ’s
pictures are on display at the studio-
office. Some are finding their way into
an exciting coffee table book on the
culture and traditions of the Nilgiris and
yet some more are finding their way into
exciting greeting cards as well! That’s
his favourite project at the moment while
on his ‘self-awarded holiday’ from the
ad film industry.
‘These cards must fully reflect the
emotion that the sender and the receiver
must experience. One rarely finds the

The Red Ribbon campaign: AIDS
is certainly not something that we
can be complacent about. We can do
our bit by contributing towards
raising awareness by wearing the
red ribbon to express solidarity with
those living with HIV.
Sketch Rtn Dr S Suresh Babu
I will not turn away any longer but
resolve to make this new decade
Published on behalf of The Local Media Publishing Co,. by Edwin David from 10/363-Y-1, Indiranagar; Avk Post, The Nilgiris. Printed at Satya Press, no. 50 Kariappa Street; Purasaiwalkam, Chennai - 7. Editor: Edwin David
The AIDS problem in India is particularly acute. According to UNAIDS, a staggering 5.7 million Indians were HIV-positive,
and the country has the second-largest number of HIV infections in the world after South Africa. This is hitting the most
productive sections of the population – 5.2 million people in the 15-49 age group are living with HIV, taking the
percentage of adults with HIV to 0.91%. The huge costs involved in treating AIDS patients and the damage to productive
human capital it brings about can set back the Indian dream of ending poverty by many years. Despite being so
widespread, misconceptions about AIDS and how it is spread are still rampant. Most people have no idea about how they
can get AIDS, and this acts as an obstacle to its effective prevention. Making matters worse is the stigma attached to it,
with entire families being ostracized just because they happen to have AIDS. World AIDS Day is observed on 1 December
each year to create global awareness about HIV/AIDS. It presents an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight
against HIV and AIDS. Since it was started, World AIDS Day has progressively become one of the most successful
international days for raising awareness on a global issue. The first year-long World AIDS Campaign was launched by
UNAIDS in 1997. The objective was to extend the impact of World AIDS Day by involving more partners and translate
increased global awareness of AIDS into a more sustainable response.
Resolution: If I, the local, can
commit not to bribe anyone,
under any circumstance, all
through the first month of the
new year, it will mark the
beginning of a fresh resolve. It
might also be the forerunner of
change not only for the entire
year but the start of a new
decade. I must resolve also, to be
keenly aware of my rights by
exercising my right to
information, wherever
permissible, and to secure details
on the status of my application or
file that may be pending sanction
from respective departments.
I must resolve to report demands
of bribe or unwarranted favour,
to the concerned authorities in a
fearless and forthright manner.
I must encourage fellow locals to
follow a similar example and to
support them unconditionally so
that we, as a society, might
together be able to eradicate this
evil from our midst in a peaceful
and proper method like the one
that secured this great land its
freedom
Issued in public interest by:
Local
corruption-free.