Chit funds, my mother and the Saradha scam

My life centered around the word and world of Chits since my childhood. Whenever I asked my mother to buy any toy or ice cream, the answer would be, ‘No money, we need to pay for the chits’. Me and my sister hated chits so much, as most of my mother’s salary was drained as subscription to chits. But later we realized that it was a very good investment strategy. My mother bought every consumer durable of the house like TV, Refrigerator, Water pump, furniture etc. through her chit savings. She renovated the house and invested in jewellery through careful and calculated bidding at chit auctions. In fact, there used to be tacit understanding between her teacher colleagues at the time of chit auction. They would have discussed and decided who was in dire need for funds at that point of time so that others would never jack up the bid. Even today, after several decades, she continues to invest in chits. But she has been wise enough to invest only in the chits promoted by the government companies and co-operative banks. She forces me and my NRI sister to subscribe to the chits of the Kerala State Financial Enterprises. I agree, but boldly default on the monthly subscriptions. I know, my mum will pay on my behalf promptly!

Millions of people use chit funds, a rotating savings and credits association, as an avenue for savings, meeting expenses and for making investments. This is because the chit sector is less sophisticated, more transparent and easily accessible. This is one of the oldest financial sectors, unique to India. However, after the Saradha scam, there is a lot of hue and cry against chit fund companies. Thousands of people from the lower middle class invested their hard earned money in the group and shocked to hear the news that the company has been closed. Incidents of suicides were reported from various parts of West Bengal as many lost their entire life savings.

Why chit companies became cheat companies?

Blame it on our regulatory enforcement. We are very good at making rules. But fail in our enforcement. Apart from the Central Chit FundsAct (1982), most of the state governments have their own chit regulations. For example, Kerala state enacted the regulations as early as in 1914. Thus, there is no dearth of sector specific regulations. The rules and procedures of Registrar of Companies, though not fully equipped to curb proliferation of ‘paper’ companies, are not complied. This has resulted in having multiple companies registered from a single address with all possible permutations and combinations in the names of Directors. Thousands of companies vanish every year after collecting huge sums of money from millions of people.

(phooto source: PTI-New Indian Express)

Where were the auditors of these companies, who were supposed to be the watchdogs? Laugh with me! Most of these auditors are nothing but predators that suck the blood of their clients. None to regulate them, as they are ‘self-regulators’! (See my article). There are a few sincere and committed auditors and audit firms. But they are side-lined by the mighty audit firms, who never want to leave their large clients to whom they are more eager to offer consultations than audit. 

The need for stringent enforcement

In a greedy, unethical and lax environment that nurtures shameless competition to amass wealth adopting any means, the hapless and financially illiterate common people suffer the most. In India, though investigations were conducted on hundreds of fraudulent banking companies, only a microscopic minority of investors have got their money back. Then what is the use of such investigations, when the victims have not been compensated and the scams continue to happen at regular intervals across the country?

 Authorities need to enforce the rules stringently and ensure that every rupee invested by common man is repaid back with interest. No individual or agency should be allowed to engage in chit business without following the procedure. It is true that there are thousands of genuine chit funds, both in private and public sector catering to millions of people. These ventures need to be encouraged as they create the habit of saving and also provide financial security. 

                                                                                (c) Sibichen K Mathew

Views are personal. Comments are welcome. 

Click links below to read other articles in Cyber Diary on related subject

Satyam: A case of worst audit failure

Frauds, Scams and a Corporate Lokpal

Who trusts the Auditors?

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Indian Passport in 7 days

Though I have issued several tatkal recommendations in prescribed Form for known and deserving cases in the last several years, I was very apprehensive about  going to the passport office myself for getting my passport reissued.  Official passports always came without any hassle of visiting passport office and gave a lot privileges at International immigration desks. As the personal passport was due for expiry, I called up my travel agent for assistance. He said that the entire process is online and the passport office does not allow travel agents to do it for the applicants.  That was happy news! But I was still apprehensive. How easy that could be?

I logged into the website of Passport Office to find out the latest procedure. As there was no immediate necessity for the passport, I had decided to apply through ordinary procedure rather than tatkal or through official channels. I wanted to experience how fast a citizen can get a passport in the ordinary course.

The details are clearly given in the website: how to apply, what is the fee, what are the documents required etc.  After filling up a very simple Form online, an appointment should be taken for submission of original documents and finger printing. But my attempts to get a slot for appointment never materialized. No slots were vacant on any days I tried. One of my friends later told me that I should log in at 30 seconds past 6 pm on first few days of the month and that through using internet Explorer and not Chrome or Firefox.  Too complicated, I felt.

As suggested by my friend, I went around 9 am to Passport Seva Kendra with the online acknowledgment sheet, and original and photocopy of a) Proof of Residence, b) Proof of identity, c) No Objection Certificate from the employer in prescribed format, d) existing passport, e) Surrender certificate of the official passport possessed by me and f) Rs 1500/- in cash for the fee. I stood in the queue which was fast moving. In the first counter, they ensured that I have brought all documents along with the photocopies. In case, anyone has forgotten to take the photocopy, there is a Xerox provider at the same spot. From there I had to go to counter A, B and C for further verification of documents, photographing, finger printing etc. Though there are hundreds of applicants, entire process has been streamlined through network and proper business process flow system. There is no confusion at all. Within about 90 miinutes I got the acknowledgment with a marking that passport is granted. I had a very pleasant experience. To my surprise, the government officials in the office were more polite and quick than the outsourced personnel.

Within two days, the official from the jurisdictional police station contacted me for verification. I submitted the copies of the documents along with photograph to them. On the 7^th day of my application, the Passport Office despatched my passport!

This is a classic example of the success of e-governance projects in public service delivery. I really appreciate the way the Ministry of External Affairs in India and the team of officials have implemented the project with the technical support from the private sector. This has eradicated corruption and administrative bottlenecks.

My advice to all those who want to apply or renew the passport:

-Login to the website and fill the Form. Get an appointment online or reach early at the passport office for walk-in appointments

-Be clear about what original documents you should carry. It is clearly mentioned in the website. Carry photo copies of all documents with you.

-Have a good breakfast in the morning. Carry a few newspapers or magazines. Or carry your smartphone or tablet so that you won’t get bored inside. Be mentally prepared to spend a few hours in the office.

Go back home and track your application status online. They will send you sms and email once the passport is despatched.  You don’t have to wait too long for your passport to reach you! Trust the system. It is not always bad!

(Comments are welcome)

                                                                                    (c) Sibichen K Mathew

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A tax on unhealthy indulgences!

We hear about sin tax. Putting a heavy burden on the consumers of socially undesirable goods and services is an appropriate strategy to dissuade the addicts. At present we do have in many countries higher taxes for cigarettes, liquor etc. There may be two opinions on whether such fiscal tools have helped controlling excessive consumption of intoxicating and addictive products. However, governments emerged as gainers because of the substantial revenue earned from such exercises. It is time to extend such positive discrimination in tax rates to the segment of unhealthy foods. Not for garnering large revenue for the state, but to discourage the consumption and to make people opt for healthy substitutes. This can work, as junk and unhealthy food products are less addictive as compared to alcohol and tobacco.

(picture: healthmad.com)

There are thousands of medical and scientific reports about the unhealthy food stuff that are pumped in large scale in the market. Unfortunately, people like to indulge in such unhealthy stuff. Due to the mass appeal, there is bulk production of such goods, and consequently they are sold at cheaper rates. At the same time, the healthy food items are very costly as there is less demand in the market and therefore economies of scale won’t work. For example, in many big cities, soft drinks are available at cheaper rates than pure drinking water. The multinational junk food provider would give you a large glass of Pepsi packaged along with your burger or pizza, but he would grin when you ask for a glass of water.

To discourage consumption and to make the consumers pay for the social and health costs associated with this habit, governments may consider imposing an additional tax (with an appropriate name like ‘junk food tax’ to remind about the rationale) on retail junk food. Similarly, to encourage more people to consume healthy food products, it is necessary to give all such items tax relief to keep the prices low.

In this millennium, countries all over the world are thinking loud to bring in a society that is built on equity, welfare, sustainable lifestyle, and qualitative growth. In such an approach to life, there should be marked changes in tax policies as well. Taxation is not just an economic instrument, but also a sociological instrument. Fiscal tools should be applied to bring in the desired positive changes in the lifestyle of people.

The concept ‘Economic externalities’ by the Economist Arthur Pigou is relevant in this context. He said in his book ‘The Economics of Welfare’, the Net Private Product (benefit received by the business house) in certain businesses are relatively large as compared to the Net Social product (gains for the society and state). As illustrated by him, the alcohol business results in various social issues, enforcement challenges and crime. The producer needs to pay for the non-pecuniary externality he created. Therefore the business is taxed at higher rates. Pigou had argued that the high costs would definitely reduce the quantity of product produced.

If one analyses the above concept in the current social and economic context where people, particularly the younger generation are almost addicted to the junk foods, they would demand more of such goods and the producers in turn would produce more of such products. Due to large turnover, the cost of production would fall. The producer would also be smart enough to gain from the ‘Value Added Tax’ (VAT) regime by shifting much of his tax burden.

A high cost for the end users would definitely reduce the consumption of unhealthy food products (that result in negative externalities). In the current context, the negative externalities are as follows:

Personal level	State level	Society level
Diseases Cost of treatment Loss of productivity	Costs related to public health delivery Minor law and order issues Dent in overall productivity from human resources Decline in sustainable growth	Lack of initiatives to maintain and renew natural resources Creating a generation that considers junk food life style as normal and routine Affects a large cross section of people who survive on agriculture and allied activities

A separate tax with a unique label that conveys the intention and rationale behind the imposition, (rather than just higher rates) may be levied on all unhealthy items. For this purpose, food products may be categorized into different grades or levels after assessing their impact on health. Most unhealthy foods should be taxed at highest rates (eg. Aerated sugary drinks, junk foods, Processed food from red meat etc.) Medium unhealthy foods should be taxed at moderate rates (eg. Processed non-veg products). Similarly highly healthy foods should be given exemption from all existing taxes (eg. Organic foods, and unprocessed fresh fruits and vegetables) and tax rebates may be given to moderately healthy goods (fibre rich processed natural food products).

Now the confusion is what are healthy food products and what are not? This is a universal confusion! (See my article: ‘Tell me what should I eat?’) There are individuals and groups arguing in favour or against a particular food item. The decision should be left to a team of independent health professionals to recommend food products to be categorized under various levels similar to what mentioned above. That means , we need to have an exclusive Food Standards Authority for determining above classification.

The summary: Let the addicted pay more for his unhealthy indulgences. Let that money make the healthy food much cheaper so that more people go for it! 

                                                                                                                       (c)  Sibichen K Mathew

Also read related articles in cyber diary. Click below

Tell me what I should eat? 

Voluntary simplicity

10000 steps a day: Is it possible?

Low cost window dressing of life

Comments are welcome. Views are personal. 

The return of the fisherman: The new Pope and a few hopes for a third Vatican Council

(picture: sermonsfromseattle.com

Jesus who declared himself to be one with God, chose the illiterate, poor, weak and meek men to be his disciples and messengers of his message. They were selected from a massive crowd who followed him that included wise men, religious leaders, rich businessmen, senior government officials, and royals. At the end of his powerful public presence and life, which lasted for just three years  in a remote part of the world, he chose the weakest of the 12 disciples to be the leader of his church. That was Peter, to whom Jesus said, ‘You are Peter, and on this rock I will build my Church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it’. (In Greek, Peter means rock). All popes who provided leadership to the largest Christian community in the world, are considered to be the successors of Peter. In other words, Saint Peter was the first Pope.

Church as an institution that has the largest membership base among all the Christian religious communities in the world has grown too big in material terms viz. infrastructure, multitude of congregations, institutions and scholars.  

In spite of a strong dogmatic structure, highly scholarly administration led by the Curia, and geographically wide and highly diversified church traditions, Popes can bring in radical transformation within the church, if they desire and are convinced. Pope is not a mere symbolic head of the Catholic Christian community; he could be a guide, motivator, and teacher for the entire humanity, by virtue of his widely acclaimed position.  It is not clear whether all popes could really bring in lasting spiritual revival within the church and could become an effective instrument in bringing peace and unity among fighting nations and communities beyond the encyclicals and public requests. History and related records show that most popes faced difficulties in providing spiritual leadership uncorrupted by the material world and accompanying profanity.

Two radical steps that happened in the recent history of Catholic Church are the Second Vatican Council and the Charismatic revival movement.

It was Pope John XXIII who gave notice for his intention to convene the assembly on 25^th January 1959 within three months of occupying his seat and was held between 1962 and 1964.  (The First Vatican Council was held in 1869 but could not complete its deliberations due to the events followed the unification of Italy.) Pope John XXIII who died in 1963 was replaced by Pope Paul VI who continued his predecessor’s mission. The Council revived the central role of Bible in the theological and devotional life of the Church and urged people to make Bible study a central part of their lives.

(Charismatic renewal movement within Catholic Church originated in 1967 and provided strong spiritual foundation to millions of Catholics. In 1998, Pope John Paul II said:  "The institutional and charismatic aspects are co-essential as it were to the Church’s constitution. They contribute, although differently, to the life, renewal and sanctification of God’s People. It is from this providential rediscovery of the Church’s charismatic dimension that, before and after the council, a remarkable pattern of growth has been established for ecclesial movements and new communities’)

New Pope and the hope for the Third Vatican Council

(photo: telegraph.co.uk)

Some of the news that circulated and shared in the public domain about the unique qualities and traits of Pope Francis cannot be rebuffed as mere media hype. They trigger fresh hopes. Pope can be a perfect role model to the clergy and laity of Catholic Church through his humility, simplicity and spirituality.  This year is in fact is the golden jubilee of second Vatican council. Is there any scope for a Third Vatican Council under the new Pope?

If at all there is a Third Vatican Council under Pope Francis, what would be the radical decisions?

Following are some ‘wild’ arguments people make! These are not necessarily my wish list!!

1   1.       Allowing priests to marry. (As a Jesuit he would know how many from his congregation left it for the sake of a loving partner to share the cross of life!). But they should be barred from episcopacy.
2.    Allowing women to be priests. (Number of women joining convents as nuns fast depleting. Of course, with a privilege of marriage, more women would love to celebrate the mass.)
3.       Allowing an order of dedicated Brothers/Deacons from the laity to assist the priests by giving them proper training.
4.     Strong message to those traditional Catholics who conceal the cross and the resurrected Jesus behind the huge statues of saints, and yet fail to consider them as role models to follow Jesus.
5.       Encouraging inter-denominational prayers and joint gospel projects led by the Catholic Church. Clearing the misunderstandings of certain non-Catholic denominations about Catholic faith.
6.        Requesting Bishops to be true spiritual leaders and devote less time to administer the institutions and funds.
7.       Making adoration, prayer groups, and Bible study extensively along with a liturgy that would give ample scope for self-reflection, sharing and reconciliation.
8.       Instead of allowing construction of huge church buildings investing millions of dollars, encouraging establishment of small church buildings in every locality of 100 catholic families.
9.    Discouraging Catholic congregations whose only mission is to setup educational institutions and health facilities exclusively for the rich. They should rather divert their manpower and resources to spread the gospel of peace and love and to help the poor and needy across the World.
10.    Radically revise the curriculum in seminaries in tune with the needs of the contemporary world, to face the fresh challenges in the technology driven materialistic world, by giving them a strong foundation in Biblical teaching, sociology, communication and management. Revise the catechism text books of children with innovative presentation and design so that there will be more interest to learn and more clarity in understanding the concepts.

I am not a strong advocate of all of the above, as some of them would be too radical and might not be appropriate in the contemporary times. But there can be a debate on the advantages and disadvantages of the above proposals. Let the new Pope ring the bell!

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Comments are welcome. 

Faceless libraries in a Facebook age: Read what is happening inside some of the libraries

Libraries have fascinated me since my school days. I still like the smell of books inside a library. I always cherish the days I spent in various libraries. The characteristic silence within a library is stimulating for readers, though staying in such silenced environment for longer period has made the face of most of the librarians and library staff grim. 

(Photo: DPS Allahabad)

Every library where I spent in the past has given me interesting experiences. I remember the Library Assistant of the college in Trivandrum who had the knack of concealing the most sought after text books at remote areas in the library and thus creating panic among the students. He would know precisely when the professor asks the students to refer a particular book from the library and prepare himself with his game.

The main canteen in the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) where I was a student could be the only canteen in any university which has an attached library. That is what people say about one of the largest university libraries in the world.  The most crowded place is not the library, but the canteen and an adjacent study hall in the library building. Students would reach as early as 8 am in the morning to get a seat in the study hall outside the library, though hundreds of chairs would be vacant inside the library. Study hall provides a perfect environment for one’s preparations to succeed in the country’s toughest Civil Services Examination. The library canteen provided pan-Indian dishes at very cheaper rates and was always packed full.

JNU Library

The library of National Institute of Public Finance and Policy in New Delhi contains a rich collection of books in the area of finance, economics, taxation and development. Any reader would like to have a quick glance at the books stacked in the racks under various topics before picking one for detailed reading. But the library staff won’t allow people to go and feel the book themselves. They would say, you select the book you want from the catalogue and give the lists to them and they would fetch them for you. I was not comfortable with this privilege. I don’t know whether they continue with the same procedure still.

There is a Law College library in Bangalore where you will not get most of the important books mentioned in the syllabus. You would be forced to buy Xeroxed copies of these books from the library staff.

Libraries of University of Kerala, Bangalore University, and University of Mumbai do not believe in investing so much for new books as they do not know how to get rid of the old books and very old shelves. Institutes like Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore, Centre for Development Studies, Trivandrum, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, etc. invest considerably in new books, though there are not many readers.

Some of the government training institutes also have excellent collections of books and journals. Some examples are National Police Academy and LBS NationalAcademy of Administration, Mussoorie.  Libraries attached to most of the ministries and departments are not professionally managed and many books are not returned to the library by readers who are government officials. No scholar of social sciences should miss a visit to the Nehru Memorial Museum and Library in New Delhi which is a reservoir of various archival material, books, journals and micro films. You can also see several well-known national and international scholars and writers in and around the library who would not mind to have a fruitful discussion over a cup of steaming coffee in the cafeteria inside the library campus.

Encouraging environment

Public libraries in many countries especially UK, US, Australia etc. provide yeoman service to the readers. They are professionally managed and provide excellent facilities for the readers. Anyone can walk into the public libraries and read from the rich collection of journals and books, surf the net, and also have access to leading newspapers from across the globe. The service is absolutely free and the librarians encourage people to come again for reading. If you are a resident of that area you could take large number of books at a time for home reading.

My visits to two University libraries in United Sates were academically enriching. One would be amazed to see the huge resources inside the libraries (of Syracuse University and Duke University) and absence of any rigid rules. Library personnel are friendly and helpful. The libraries are open to the public and most of the services are free.

At a time when everyone prefers e-readers, internet surfing and knowledge through social networking, libraries are increasingly becoming empty across the world. However books and libraries are here to stay for long as there is no reduction in the number of books published worldwide. In fact, annually more than 2 million new books enter the market. Libraries are the places where people can afford to read them at minimal cost.

Open Library and closed minds

It is very sad to find that the library of one of the heavily funded premier management institutes in India has very few users.  Students of this institute prefer to spend their time with their laptops in the wifi enabled campus rather than exploring various national and international journals procured at high costs in this 55500 sq ft library. There are just a few individuals, mostly the staff who come to read the newspapers, in the entire library. One would be surprised to hear the rates fixed by them for outsiders who have genuine identity proof with them. One has to pay Rs 7000 per library book ticket as refundable deposit and Rs 2000 every year as service charge and a maximum of only two books to be taken at a time. Even for an alumnus of that institution the deposit to be made is Rs 3000 per library book ticket and service charge of Rs 1000 annually. (These are as per the details given in the institution’s website as on the date of writing)  You pick up any book at random from the rack. You would find that most of these books have been borrowed by just one or two readers in its entire life in this library. There are many books in this library which are not read even by a single person in the last several years. What a national waste of infrastructure and resources?

I went to the room of one of the professors in a government funded institute. One could hardly see his face as the entire room is full of new books, most of them unopened by him. There are hundreds of such books, picked from the library, sent by publishers as complementary copies for recommendation and review, and also those bought by spending the liberal project grants. I was tempted to ask him to lend a book or two for reading. But didn't  after I heard from him that ‘books are treasured possessions; many who take won’t return them!’

The professor is right! The books are treasured possessions. Getting reminded of the biblical verses: ‘Your riches have rotted and your garments are moth-eaten’ (James 5:2). Same is the case of the rich collection of books in the libraries across the world! 

(my correction on Readers' Niche's photo)

(c) Sibichen K Mathew

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The institutional child abuse: What is the panacea?

There is so much written and talked about the abuse of children by individuals. But very less has been discussed about the institutional child abuses. It is worthwhile to mention about two types of abuses on innocent children by institutions: first, about the direct exploitation of children by the institutions and second, about how institutions nurture conditions and circumstances that are favourable for abusers.

Institutional abuses

Just like the misconception of many parents that, since they own their children they have every right to use and control their children as per their wishes, there are certain institutions too who justify their exercise of control over the children. These institutions claim absolute rights over the children enroll with them and rationalize their actions as necessary tools in shaping the personality of children.

                                                                                                                                                 (Image  bressington.net)

An ordeal called ‘Assembly’

In many countries including India, the only institution that holds the exclusive rights over the children during the entire period from dawn to dusk is the School. The abuse does not limit just with the extraordinary academic burden on the students. Starting from the ’school assembly’ under the hot sun to late evening practices for cultural programs, students are held captive by a handful of teaching staff.

When it comes to long morning assemblies, government schools are the most ‘patriotic’ institutions. These schools want their children to stand for a lengthy assembly almost every morning, without even realizing that there are many children among them who are not privileged to get a proper breakfast at their homes. You can watch a large gathering of school children in front of the government schools on most of the mornings. You could keep counting the number of children who faint during such long assemblies. Why can’t these institutions limit their public assembly to once a week and have their prayer, national anthem, and announcements done through public address system in the respective class rooms? Not only morning assembly, many other public functions are done under hot sun, allowing only the teachers and guests to sit under a specially erected shamiana (a temporary ceremonial tent typical in India). Once, I abruptly cut-short my inaugural speech on one of such public functions in an educational institution feeling sympathy towards the hapless children.

Receiving the dignitaries

Children are tortured the most when there is a visit by dignitaries. They are asked to stand in line to receive the dignitary, hours before their actual arrival. Most of these dignitaries are known for their belief that the later one arrives, the more important one would become! In the state of Kerala in Southern India, and also wherever there are Keralites in the world, it is customary for them to parade the children to do ‘thaalapoli’ in honour of the guests (Thaalapoli is a practice of making girls stand in line in traditional attire, carrying a plate containing flowers, sometimes with a lighted lamp, and they are expected to pour flowers on the dignitaries and on the entire stretch they walk from their car to the meeting hall). It is sad to see how the dignitaries, including those religious leaders relish such reception.

 

 Plays and Carnivals to make money through children

I was told about a private school in the capital city of India that literally uses their students for commercial activities. Every year the children are made to showcase plays for the public to whom tickets are sold at very high prices. The intention is not to develop the cultural talents of the students, but to make maximum profits from the venture. The school also conducts what they call a carnival for about three days in a year, where any hooligan from anywhere can get inside paying the entry fee and enjoy the fun showcased by the staff, including the principal. Most of these stalls are put up with the support of unscrupulous elements from outside and they teach the children the arts and science of gambling and cheating. Children are let out freely within the campus amidst criminals giving an opportunity to the latter to abuse them.  The parents report that not a single penny received from these activities is utilized for improving the infrastructure of the school.

At the service of teachers

In village schools, especially in the government run schools, the tall and hefty children among the generally impoverished students are made to do all menial jobs for the teachers. Some class teachers and head masters ask the students to help them in their domestic chores and also make them work in their farms. I know a boy whose attendance is marked in school based on attendance every day at the Headmaster’s house. If he doesn’t finish the cleaning work in the master’s house he won’t get attendance even if he has attended all the periods in the school. He has to stand in queue during the class hours in the fair price shop to get the kerosene, sugar, and wheat for the master’s house.

Child sex abuse by School van drivers

There are several instances of child sex abuse by school van drivers reported from various parts of the world. The primary responsibility for this heinous act is on the institutions. School drivers are selected either on contract or on permanent basis, without any proper verification of their past. There is no proper supervision over the staff in these buses. I know about a convent school run by a Christian congregation of nuns where even the principal is scared to control the drunken driver of the school van who happens to be a relative of a former mother superior!

Religious institutions and other agencies

Apart from schools, other institutions that abuse the children by exercising excessive control over them and by infringing their rights are some of the religious institutions, government agencies and public service institutions. Some religious institutions claim absolute responsibility for the entire behavioural conduct of children who belong to that particular community, and criticize, threaten and reprimand the innocent children without giving any convincing reason for their judgments. However the harm is minor and largely inconsequential as compared to the emotional and physical injuries meted out by the schools.

Indirect partners in child abuse

Schools are also indirect partners in child abuse by various other institutions. There are hundreds of commercial ventures vying to get a share of the funds pumped by the anxious parents to make their children globally competitive. They partner with reputed schools and notices and brochures are sent by the school teachers. Parents are lured by the seal of approval of the institution and send the children to those courses, ventures, and competitions. Most of the children are emotionally harassed due to over exploitation of their energy and time, in the name of ensuring a bright future for them.

Is regulation a panacea?

If I mention the word ‘regulation’ or ‘regulatory authority’, there will be many eyebrows raised. Once I was mentioning this idea to a principal of a private school and he instantly protested with anger. ‘No authority should interfere in the affairs of a private school’. Of course, we have too many rules and laws to curb abuses. As we have so many different categories of educational institutions and curriculums, we have so many departments and agencies working crisscross in the area of education. But institutional abuses like those I have mentioned can be tackled only through a proper, independent, and transparent institution which can prepare appropriate uniform guidelines for all educational institutions. A statutory body with representatives of all stake holders (educationists, doctors, social workers, lawyers, and representatives from the government) can be formed where the children, parents and public can report their grievances. Representatives from this body can be involved with the institutions or can be consulted while decisions which are likely to affect the rights of the children are taken. Informality, easy accessibility (by creating cells in every town) and credibility of such regulatory body would certainly ensure fairness and justice for both institutions and children. 

                                                                                               Sibichen K Mathew

(I received a feedback from Joshua Gordon about his interview with Maia Szalavitz. There is a discussion on the shocking incidents of institutional child abuses. Those who would like to see the interview can click the link) 

Click the links below to read articles in cyber diary on related topics. Comments are welcome. 

Stop this harassment: A cry for deschooling India

An ordeal called school admission

My midday break with the pearls from the slum

Aleph, Paulo Coelho and my Friend: A journey within

My son! Don't watch the news

ഒരു പത്തുവയസുകാരന്‍റെ വിശുദ്ധവാര ഓർമ്മകൾ

  (Read the English version: A ten year old’s Holy Week memoirs)

ഒരു പെസഹ വ്യാഴാഴ്ച

അമ്മവീട്ടിലെ അടുക്കളയിൽ തേങ്ങ ചുരണ്ടിക്കൊണ്ടിരുന്ന അമ്മായിയുടെ അടുത്ത് തേങ്ങ തിന്നാൻ ഞാനും എന്‍റെ പെങ്ങളും ഞങ്ങളെക്കാൾ രണ്ടു വയസു മൂത്ത അമ്മയുടെ അനിയത്തി അനിലചേച്ചിയും ഇരിക്കുമ്പോഴാണ് ഏതോ വാർത്തയുമായി അമ്മാവൻ എത്തിയത്. പതിവുള്ള കുശലങ്ങളൊന്നും ഞങ്ങളോടു ചോദിക്കാതെ അമ്മായിയെ അകത്തേക്ക് വിളിച്ച് എന്തോ സ്വകാര്യമായി പറയുന്നതുകണ്ടപ്പോൾ എന്തോ പന്തികേട് തോന്നി. കാരണം അമ്മാവൻ പറഞ്ഞു തീരും മുമ്പേ അമ്മായി കൈ തലയിലിടിച്ച് കരയുന്നതാണ് കണ്ടത് . എന്താണു കാര്യമെന്നറിയാതെ പകച്ചു നിന്ന ഞങ്ങൾ മൂന്നു പേരിൽ എന്നെയും പെങ്ങളെയും അടുത്ത് വിളിച്ച് രണ്ടു കൈകളും ഞങ്ങളുടെ തോളിൽ ഇട്ട് അമ്മാവൻ പറഞ്ഞു :

‘മക്കളേ , അളിയൻ പോയി!’

അമ്മാവൻ പറഞ്ഞതെന്താണെന്ന് ഞങ്ങൾക്ക് മനസില്ലായില്ല. അളിയൻ എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞത് ഞങ്ങളുടെ ചാച്ചനെ കുറിച്ചാണെന്ന് മാത്രം അറിയാം . എന്താണ് ചാച്ചൻ പോയെന്നു പറഞ്ഞത്? ചാച്ചൻ മെഡിക്കൽ കോളേജിൽ തലവേദനയായി കിടക്കുകയാണല്ലോ. ഇന്നലെ ഞാനും പെങ്ങളും ചാച്ചനെ കാണാൻ കോട്ടയത്തെ ഹോസ്പിറ്റലിൽ പോയതും ചാച്ചന്‍റെ കൂടെ മോഡേണ്‍ ബ്രെഡ് നല്ല ചൂടുള്ള പാലിൽ മുക്കി കഴിച്ചതുമല്ലേ.

ചാച്ചനെ കണ്ടപ്പോൾ പള്ളിയിൽ ഓശാന ഞായറാഴ്ച കണ്ട യേശുവിന്‍റെ ചിത്രമാണ് ഓർമയിൽ വന്നത്. ചാച്ചന്‍റെ മുഖത്തും താടിയിലും അതുപോലെ രോമങ്ങൾ നിറഞ്ഞിരിക്കുന്നു. കട്ടിലിന്‍റെ തലയ്ക്കൽ തലയിണ പൊക്കി വച്ചിരുന്നപ്പോൾ ദൃശ്യമായത് യേശുരാജാവിന്‍റെ സൌമ്യതയും ചെറു പുഞ്ചിരിയും. പക്ഷെ എന്തോ വേദന കടിച്ചമർത്തുന്നതുപോലെ തോന്നി. ചാച്ചന്‍റെ നെറ്റിയിലെ വിയർപ്പുതുള്ളികൾക്ക് ചുവപ്പു നിറമായിരുന്നു. മുറിയിൽ നിന്നിറങ്ങിയ സമയത്ത് ചാച്ചൻ എന്‍റെ തലയിൽ തലോടി. ഉയിർപ്പുതിരുനാളു കഴിഞ്ഞ് അവരെ വീണ്ടും കൊണ്ടുവരാമെന്നു അമ്മച്ചി ചാച്ചനോടു പറയുന്നത് ഞങ്ങൾ കേട്ടതുമാണല്ലോ. പിന്നെന്തിന്, എവിടെ ചാച്ചൻ പോയി? എന്തിനാണ് അമ്മാവന്‍റെ കണ്ണുകൾ നിറഞ്ഞതും അമ്മായി തേങ്ങ ചുരണ്ടൽ എല്ലാം നിർത്തി കട്ടിലിലേക്ക് ചാഞ്ഞതും? എനിക്കൊന്നും മനസില്ലായില്ല. എനിക്കും പെങ്ങൾക്കും എന്ത് സംശയമുണ്ടെങ്കിലും അത് പരിഹരിച്ചു തരുന്ന അനിലചേച്ചിയുടെ അടുത്തേക്ക് ഞങ്ങൾ നീങ്ങി. എനിക്ക് അന്ന് അഞ്ചു വയസ്സ്. എന്‍റെ പെങ്ങൾക്ക് ആറും, അനിലചേച്ചിക്ക് ഏഴും വയസ്സ്. പക്ഷെ അനിലചേച്ചിക്ക് അറിയാത്ത ഒരു കാര്യവും ലോകത്തിലില്ല എന്ന് ഞങ്ങൾ വിശ്വസിച്ചിരുന്നു. ചാച്ചൻ മരിച്ചു പോയി എന്ന് അനിലചേച്ചി എന്നോടും പെങ്ങളോടും പറഞ്ഞു. എന്നിട്ട്, അമ്മാവനും അമ്മായിയും ചെയ്തതുപോലെ കരയുവാൻ തുടങ്ങി. ഞങ്ങളും കരയുവാൻ തുടങ്ങി. മരണത്തിന്‍റെയും വേർപാടിന്‍റെയും പൊരുളും നഷ്ടവും ലേശവും മനസിലാകാതെ.

ദു:ഖവെള്ളി

എറണാകുളത്തുള്ള വലിയ അമ്മായിയുടെ കറുത്ത അംബാസഡർ കാറിന്‍റെ പിൻസീറ്റിൽ അമ്മച്ചി അർത്ഥബോധാവസ്ഥയിൽ കിടക്കുമ്പോൾ ,ചാച്ചന്റെ മൃതദേഹം സെമിത്തേരിയിലേക്ക് കൊണ്ടുപോവുകയായിരുന്നു. വെളുത്ത ഷൂസും, മനോഹരമായി തയ്യാറാക്കിയ വെളുത്ത 'മുൾമുടിയും' വെള്ള ഷർട്ടും എല്ലാമിട്ടു കൈയിൽ കുരിശും കൊന്തയും പിടിച്ചുള്ള ചാച്ചന്‍റെ കിടപ്പ് എന്ത് സുന്ദരമായിരുന്നു. (പിന്നീട് എത്രയോ തവണ ഞാൻ അങ്ങനെയൊരു കിടപ്പ് മനസ്സിൽ ആഗ്രഹിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്! എല്ലാവരും എന്നെ പെട്ടിയിലാക്കി എടുത്തുകൊണ്ടു പോകുന്നതും ഞാനും ചാച്ചനെ പോലെ നല്ല സുന്ദരനായി അതിൽ കിടക്കുന്നതും!) മുപ്പത്തിമൂന്നു വർഷത്തെ രഹസ്യ ജീവിതവും പരസ്യ ജീവിതവും പീഡാസഹനവും പൂർത്തിയാക്കിയ ശേഷം ചാച്ചൻ എങ്ങോട്ടു പോയി?

അമ്മാവന്മാർ എന്നെ മാറി മാറി തോളിൽ എടുത്തുനിന്നു. അവിടെ കൂടിയ എല്ലാവരും എന്നെ നോക്കി എന്തിന്നാണ് കരയുന്നത്? അവർ ചാച്ചനെ നോക്കിയല്ലേ കരയേണ്ടത്? എല്ലായിടത്തും സാംബ്രാണി തിരികളുടെ മണം. അഗർബത്തികളുടെ മണം അന്നുമുതൽ ഞാനും പെങ്ങളും അമ്മയും പൂർണമായും വെറുത്തു. അതിന്‍റെ മണത്തിൽനിന്ന് ഓടിയകലുവാൻ ഞങ്ങൾ വെമ്പി. ദു:ഖവേള്ളിയാഴ്ചകളിലെ കുർബാനകളിൽനിന്നും!

ഉയിർപ്പുഞായറാഴ്ച

ദു:ഖവേള്ളിയാഴ്ചകളെ വെറുത്ത ഞാനും പെങ്ങളും അമ്മയും ഉയിർപ്പുഞായറാഴ്ചകളെ ഒരിക്കലും വെറുത്തില്ല. കുരിശിൽ മരിച്ച യേശുവിന്‍റെ രൂപത്തിന് മുമ്പിൽ ഞങ്ങളും പ്രത്യാശയോടെ നിന്നു.

‘പുനരുദ്ധാനവും ജീവനും ഞാനാകുന്നു. എന്നിൽ വിശ്വസിക്കുന്നവൻ മരിച്ചാലും ജീവിക്കും’ അച്ചൻ വചനം ഉറക്കെ വായിച്ചു. അപ്പോൾ മുതൽ ഞാൻ ആ പ്രതീക്ഷയിലാണ്. എന്നാണ് ചാച്ചന്‍റെ ഉയിത്തെഴുന്നേൽപ്പ്?

ചാച്ചൻ പോയിട്ട് ദിവസങ്ങളായി. പെങ്ങളുടെ വേദപാഠ പുസ്തകത്തിലെ യേശു ഉയിർപ്പിച്ച ലാസറിന്‍റെ ചിത്രത്തിലേക്ക് ഞാൻ കൌതുകത്തോടെ നോക്കി. ലാസറിനെ ഉയിർപ്പിച്ച യേശുവിനു തീർച്ചയായും ചാച്ചനെയും തിരികെ കൊണ്ടുവരാൻ പറ്റും.

ഉയിർപ്പുകാലം

ചാച്ചനെ കല്ലറയിലേക്ക് വെച്ച അതേ അച്ചൻ വീണ്ടും വായിക്കുന്നു. ‘എമ്മാവൂസിലേക്കു പോയ ശിഷ്യന്മാരുടെ മദ്ധ്യേ അവിടുന്ന് പ്രത്യക്ഷനായി ’. എന്നെങ്കിലുമൊരു ദിവസം തീർച്ചയായും ചാച്ചനും വരും. ഞങ്ങളെ കാണാതിരിക്കാൻ ചാച്ചനു സാധിക്കുമോ?

എല്ലാ ഞായറാഴ്ചകളിലും എന്‍റെ ദൃഷ്ടികൾ പള്ളിയുടെ അൾത്താരയുടെ മുകളിൽ ആയിരിന്നു. അവിടെ ഇങ്ങനെ എഴുതിയിരുന്നു . 'ഇത് ദൈവത്തിന്‍റെ ഭവനവും സ്വർഗത്തിലേക്കുള്ള വാതിലുമാകുന്നു’. ഇതെഴുതിയിരിക്കുന്ന സ്ഥലത്തിന്‍റെ ഇരുവശങ്ങളിലും രണ്ടു വാതിൽ ഉണ്ട്. എന്‍റെ നോട്ടം അങ്ങോട്ടായിരുന്നു . അത് സ്വർഗത്തിലേക്കുള്ള വാതിലാണെങ്കിൽ തീർച്ചയായും ചാച്ചൻ അതിന്‍റെ അകത്തുണ്ടായിരിക്കും. എപ്പോഴെങ്കിലും ഒരിക്കൽ വാതിൽക്കൽ വന്നു താഴേക്ക് നോക്കാതിരിക്കില്ല. പക്ഷെ ഒരിക്കൽപോലും ചാച്ചൻ വാതിൽക്കൽ വന്നു താഴോട്ട് എത്തിനോക്കിയില്ല. മാലാഖമാരോടും ഈശോയോടുമോത്തു നല്ല സന്തോഷത്തിൽ കഴിയുന്ന ചാച്ചൻ ഞങ്ങളെയൊക്കെ മറന്നോ? വെള്ളക്കടലാസിൽ വൃത്തിയായി എഴുതി മണ്ണിൽ കുഴിച്ചിട്ട ഒരു കത്തുപോലും ചാച്ചനു കിട്ടിയില്ലേ?

ഞാൻ കാത്തിരിന്നു, ആ കാഹള നാദത്തിനായി! ഉറങ്ങുന്ന ചാച്ചൻ ഉണരാൻ വേണ്ടി.

Sibichen K Mathew

(Read English version: A ten year old’s Holy Week memoirs)
(Malayalam version was originally published in  Manorama Online)


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A ten year old’s Holy Week memoirs

(This is the English translation of Malayalam article:

'ഒരു പത്തുവയസുകാരന്‍റെ വിശുദ്ധവാര ഓർമ്മകൾ')

                                                                                          

A Maundy Thursday 

We three; my sister, my mother's younger sister (who was just two years elder to us) and myself were in our grandma's kitchen, with our aunt who was scraping coconut, waiting to get our share to taste. It is then that my uncle arrived with some news. We felt something weird as he called my aunt and whispered something to her, without the usual exchange of pleasantries to us. Before uncle could finish, we saw aunt hitting her head and crying. Out of the three children who were standing in bewilderment, without understanding the head or tail of what has happened, uncle called my sister and me and  put his hands around us and said, "Children, brother (in law) is gone"

We didn't understand his words. We understood that 'brother' who he mentioned is our Dad. But why did he say that Dad is gone? Dad is admitted in the Medical College hospital. Yesterday my sister and I went to the hospital to meet him and we ate modern bread dipped in hot milk with him! 

When I met Dad I was reminded of the picture of Jesus which I saw in the church on Palm Sunday. His beard and moustache had grown long. With his head raised on the pillow on the frame of the bed, his face radiated the gentle and sweet smile of Jesus.

But it seemed as if he was swallowing some pain. The sweat on Dad's forehead had a reddish tint. As we were leaving the room, Dad caressed my head. I even heard Mom telling him that she will bring us again after Easter. Then why and where did Dad leave? Why did uncle have tears in his eyes and aunt stop scrapping coconut and lean on to the bed? I didn't comprehend a thing. We went to Anilachechi who would always clear any doubt that my sister or I have. I was five years old then, my sister six, and Anilachechi, seven. But we believed that Anilachechi knew everything on Earth. She told us 'Dad is dead', and cried just as uncle and aunt did. We too started crying; without knowing even the meaning or loss of death and separation.

Good Friday

As Mom lay down at the back seat of the Ambassador car which belonged to my aunt at Ernakulam, Dad's mortal remains were on the way to the cemetery. Dad, in his white shoes, beautifully made white crown, white shirt, holding cross and rosary looked so handsome. (Later, how many times I wished to lie down like that! Everyone carrying me in a coffin and me, lying there, handsome like Dad!) After 33 years of personal life and public life and Passion, where did Dad go?

                                                                                                   (noeling)

Uncles carried me one after the other. Why everyone who have gathered here looking at me and weeping? They should've looked at Dad and cried! Everywhere there was smell of incense and agarbathis. From that day my Mom, my sister and I hated that smell completely. We wished to run away from its stench. Also from the Good Friday mass!

Easter Sunday

Though my Mom, sister and I hated Good Fridays, we never hated Easter Sundays. We stood in front of the crucified Christ, in hope.

"I am the resurrection and the life; he who believes in Me will live even if he dies.” The priest read the Gospel loudly. From that time onwards, I am in that hope. When is Dad's resurrection? It has been days since Dad has left. I looked curiously at the picture of Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. Jesus who raised Lazarus can surely raise Dad too.

Season of Easter

The same priest, who buried Dad, reads. “ He appeared to the disciples who were going to Emmaus”. Surely Dad too will appear one day. Could he stay without seeing us?

Every Sunday my eyes went to the top of the altar of the church. It was written there; 'This is the House of God and the Doorway to Heaven.' There were two doors on either side of these words. My eyes were fixed there. If this door opens to Heaven, certainly Dad would be inside. He will definitely look down at least once. But he didn’t come, not even once to look down. Did Dad forget us as he is enjoying in the midst of Jesus and angels? Didn't he get any of the letters that was neatly written on white sheets of papers and buried under the earth?

I waited, for the blow of that trumpet! For my sleeping Dad to wake up!

Link to Malayalam version 

ഒരു പത്തുവയസുകാരന്‍റെ വിശുദ്ധവാര ഓർമ്മകൾ 

(Originally published in Manorama online)

Sibichen K Mathew