activities of mitranikethan

MITRANIKETHAN

1- Education: Vikas Bhavan High School

Nava Vidya Bhavan School for deaf and dumb, National Open School, Mitraniketan People's College

Centre for Education and Development

2- Agricultre:- Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Cattle Development Centre, Fruit Preservation Unit, Tissueculture unit

3- Appropriate Technology Development and Transfer:- Technology Resource Centre

Science & Technonology Centre, Craft Development Centre, Library and Documentation Centre

Rural Building Centre, Skill upgradation for Rural Centre, Electronics Labortary

                             Prof. John Kurakar

MITRANIKETAN- NON- POLITICAL ORGANISATION

Mitraniketan is an a non- political and secular organisation and is represented in various forums of the kerala State Government and the Government of India in rural development planning and allied areas. MITRA NIKETAN VELLANAD, TRIRU7VANANTHAPURAM, KERALA 695543 PHONE; 0472-2882045, FAX 04722882015

MITRANIKETHAN- AN EDUCATION BASED COMMUNITY

Mitraniketan has a resident community engaged in avariety of activities. It has an unmistakable international presence in a Kerala- setting and promotes a life style that is essentially spartan.

Miranikethan has an ctivity- pattern that is experimental and innovative as also close knit. It promotes sustainable agriculture and farming pratice that are enviornment and farmer friendly.

MITRANIKETAN, VELLANADU

Mitraniketan is well-known in India and abroad as a Keraka- based Voluntary Non- Governmental Organisation that has pioneered people- centered holistic rural development for improving the quality of life and living of village communities. It stives to promote rural development with human face. Mitraniketan's founder K. Viswathan was inspired by the precepts and pratices of Mahatma Gandhi, Rabindranath Tagore, Arther E Morgan of USA and NFS Grundtviq of Denmark- which motivated him to start an experiment in rural development of his birth- place Vellanad. 25 kms by road from Thiruvananthapuram, the Capital of Kerala State. The innovative organisation he started in 1956 was named Mitranikethan. It has since progressevely grown into the extensive development organisation that it is today. To evolve an alternative development paradign with a focus on sustainable rural development is the vision of this institution

PAKISTAN MUST STOP ENCOURAGING ANTI- INDIA FORCES

Pakistan must follow up on its promise of action agaist ' elements' which orchestrated the attacks in Mumbai. The future of bilateral ties depended on Pakistan sincerly investigating the incident. India expect good sense will prevail in the back drop of these assurances and a conductive atmosphere can be built up. That is possible only after words are followed by action'
The assurances were given by the former Pakistan president General Pervez Musharraf on january 6, 2000 and by the present president Asif Ali Zardari in a meeting with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on september 24 this year. Both had promised to dismantle the infrastructure of terrorism and vowed not to allow their soil to be used for launching terror strickes in India
The news reports provided ample evidence to conclude that outfits based in Pakistan were involved in the Mumbai terror attack. The Pakistan not to allow its land to be used by any outfit to engineer terror strikes against India. The popular Front of India (PFI) Condemned Pakistan for allowing its land to be used by such outfits to design and launch terror attacks against India. The Sovereignty, Integrity and Security of every nation had to be procted. As Indian, the security of our nation was of utmost concern to us.
The Centre was moving in the right direction by concentrating on diplomatic and international pressure and that was producing some welcome results. But a military option against Pakistan at this juncture would not be the right move. A war between neighbouring countries would not be in the interests of the people of both nations. Pakistan should ensure that anti- India elements did not use their territory.
Prof: John Kurakar

MALAYALAM LITERARY CRITIC K.P APPAN PASSED AWAY

Malayalam Literary Critic K.P Appan passed away on 15 th December 2008. He was 72. He is survived by wife Omana, and sons, Rajith and sreejith. Political Kerala paid rich tributes to Litterateur K.P Appan drscribing him as wonderful human being and teacher who had blazed a unique and note worthy trail in the field of Literary Criticism in Malayalam. Prof Appan's death, kerala lost one of its finest Literary critics, cultural thinker and teacher.
A.P. Appan ( Karthikayil Padmanabhan Appan) was born to poonthopil in Alappuzha on August 25, 1936. He had his schooling at sanadana dharma Vidyalaya there graduation at S.D College , Alappuzha. He took his post-graduation from Maharaja's College, Ernakulam.
Prof Appan began his career as a high school teacher and then joind Union Christian College, Aluva, as a lecturer in Malayalam. Later he joined S. N College Cherthala, and then got tranferred to S.N College, Kollam. in 1972. He retired from there in 1992.
Prof Appan is seen as a man who gave a new dimension to malayalam Literary criticism. He had written over 20 books and most of them had turned out to be subjects of interesting debate. He is widely seen as the one who launched the trend of new criticism in malayalam Literature.. He introduced Modern European and Eastern Literary visions in Malayalam Literary criticism. Appan's book Charithrathe Agadhamakkiya Guru as a work on aspects of Sree Narayana Guru's life that has not received adequate attention. In this book Prof Appan attibutes the Guru's silence on the Gita to the profound influence of saivite thought" Appan makes a bold attempt through the book to rescue the Guru from the clutches of those who are using him for narrow ends." Prof Appan rejected the kerala Sahitya Akademi Award. He was a rare Literary Personality in Malayalam Literature with no political leanings.
Prof Appan had provided great insights in to christian philosophy through his works " Bible Velichathinte Kavacham" and Madhuram Ninte Jeevitham. Prof Appan's death was a major loss for Malayalam Literature and Literary criticism.
Prof John Kurakar

ENERGY CONSERVATION DAY(14th DECEMBER)

Energy Conservation is the means for the sruvival of the human race in the 21 st Century. Kerala Celebrte the Energy Conservation Day falling on December 14 of every year. The Energy Management Centre received National Energy Conservation Award in 2008. We must conserve our resources and make energy conservation a mission. Energy Management Centre is the only designated Agency which is fally devoted to the improvement of Energy efficiency in the state, promotion of energy conservation and encouraging development of technology related to energy through research and training.
Scientist and Experts predicted that oil and gas would last for only about another 60 years. Uses of fossil fuel had an adverse impact on the enviornment too. Biomass energy at present contributed to only 14 percent of the world's energy supply, In India its use was very negligible. India being a tropical country had tremendos scope for energy generation through biomass and its residues. Biomass energy could be used for power generation and thermal heating. The ash collected afterwards could be used as manure for agriculture. Biomass energy was also highly sustainable.
The use of biomass significantly reduced the need to import oil and other fossil fuels and the same time it increased the security of energy supplly. Reducationn in usage of diesel and furnace oil by adopting biomass- based heater resulted in accruing clean environment mechanism benefits. A target consisting of 500 mw of biomass power had been proposed during the eleventh plan period. Some industries in the country had already started using biomass energey.The southern states of Andrapradesh, TamilNadu and Karnataka had also commissioned biomass power generation projects. But Kerala had not been able to start such a project. It was high time Kerala too think about the biomass energy projects during this years energy Conservation day.
Conservation of energy should be corordinated effort of the entire country. The government should take initiative to balance the developmental activities and mConservation of energy sources. The state was not in a posstion to afford huge hydel projects. We should go for small power projects. We have think about decentralising the energy sources. Each panchayat shoulld be self- suffient in energy. We ignore the possibility of small and alternative energy sources. Government should encourage individuals and agencies working for promotong alternative energy souurces loke biomass energy,
Prof John Kurakar

Paksitan must do more to ensure its territory

Pakistan must do more to ensure its territory was not used for community violence in third countries. The german minister appreciated India's responese that did not include the option of miltary strikes and saw dialogu and cooperation with Pakistan as the only solution.
Our parliment responded in one voice showing the unity of politician. The parliment condemns mumbai terror attack with one voice. The Indian government has acted in the most responsible manner by invoking the provisions of the UN Security council and putting on notice the Pakistan government. The political parties showing exemplary solidarity during the debate on terrorism on December 12th 2008

PAKISTAN'S ASSURANCE TO U.N

Under extreme international pressure pakistan has given an undertaking to the united nation security council that it would proscrib the Jamat-Ud-Dawah, the front organisation of the Lashkar-E-Taiba, the suspected to have carried out the mumbai terror attacks, if the council declares it a terrorist outfit. Islamabad has also assured the world body that all traming camps of the Lashkar-E-Taiba entity of this nature would not allowed on its territory. Indaia hoped that the international community would respond positiveky to its request to ban the Jamat-Ud-Dawah. The union minister Mr.Ahammed pointed out that the terrorist were indoctrinated with ruthlessness and barbarity. Innocent passangers including women and children were indiscimrntely sparyed with bullets at railway station and the public places. Hostages taken in the hotels were subsiquently massacred. It is significan that this was the first terriorist attack in India were foriegners were specifically segrated and targeted.

Though pakistan president Asif-Ali sardarei sounded sincerer, why he is not cracking down on such elements? why did he take so long to launch the miltary striukes on traninig camps of the these non state actors? Was the killing of Banazeer and the bombing in Islamambad not proof enough to crack down on them? Did a mumbai have to happen for him to intrespate more than to the world he is answarable to the people of his country. In paklistan religious groups were responsible for the establishment of terriorist units. Ilitracy, superstiotion and proverty which are rampant in pakistan is th main rreasonm for every terror activity.

HUMAN RIGHT DAY (DECEMBER 10)

December 10 th, the world celebrates the universal Declaration of Human Rights, proclaimed and adopted by the U.N General Assembly 60 years ago. The memories of the horrors of the second world war gave an impetus to the human rights movement, In 1948 this resulted in the proclamation of the universal Declaration of Human Rights. The Universal Declaration translated in to nearly 350 national and local Languages.

To day it is more important than ever before to realise that promoting and respecting human rights is linked to the goal of guaranteeing human security, democracy and prosperity can only be achieved in societies where fundamental freedoms are respected. As former U.N Secretary General Kofi Annan said" Humanity will not enjoy Security with out development, It will not enjoy development with out security, and it will not enjoy either with out respect for human rights."

The fight for security must go hand in hand with policies aimed at reinforcing democratisation, social and economic development, empowering people and strengthening international dialogue. And when civilisation and human dignity are at stake, we must share the burden of the necessary fight against terror and international criminality

Prof John Kurakar

THE TERRORISTS WANT TO DESTROY PAKISTAN ,TOO

'' The Terrorists want to Destroy Pakistan, too" Article published inthe newyork times, president Asif Ali Zardari confirms the reality which resulted in the arrest of militants. Sri Asif Ali Zardari said that" The recent death and destruction in Mumbai brought to my mind the death and destruction in Karachi on october 18, 2007, when terrorists attacked a festive home coming rally for my wife, Benazir Bhutto, nearly 150 pakistanis were killed and more than 450 were injured. The terrorist attacks in Mumbai may be a be news story for most of the world. For me it is a painful reality of shared experience. Having seen my wife escape death by a hair breadth on that day in Karachi, I lost her in a second, unfortunately successful, attempt two months later"
He again told that the Mumbai attacks were directed not only at India but also at Pakistan's new democratic government and the peace process with India that we have initiated. The Two Great nations of Pakistan and India, born together from the same revolution and mandate in 1947, must continue to move forward with the peace process. The Pakistan president Narrated that" we have 150000 soldiers fighting Al- Qaeda, the Tabliban and their extremist allies along the border with Afghanistan nearly 2000 Pakistanis have lost their lives to terrorism in this year alone, including 1400 civilians and 600 security personel 600 terrorism re- lated incidents in Pakistan this year. Six hundred militants have been killed in recent attacks.
Prof John Kurakar

WELCOME MOVE

The International pressure on Islambad to act against the terrorist infrastructure in their country. The Pakistan people's party decided to take one step forward raids on a camp of the Lashkar-e- Taiba a banned organisation working behind a charitable front, Jamaat-ud- Dawa and the arrest of Zaki-ur- Rehman Lakhvi, the organisation's military Commander and the alleged mastermind behind the Mumbai terror, and several other Lashkar operatives must be welcomed. The raid and the arrest of militants are only a concrete expression of Pakistan's response to intense International pressure. It had been really interested in curbing terrorism on its soil, Pakistan would have not taken so long to launch such an operation. any way better late than never. Pakistan should use their opportunity to hand over Davood Ibrahim, TigerMemonand Masood Azar to India

MGOCSM CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS 2004-2008

Mar Gregorios Orthodox Christian Student Movement of India, the student wing of the Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church had its beginning in 1908, as the Syrian Student Conference. The High ideals behind the founding of the movement included the bringing together Christian Students of different educational institutions in to one body in order to get them rooted in Orthodox faith and traditions, and the other to strengthen them in their spiritual life and Christian fellowship.
The next milestone came in 1960, when it was restructured and renamed as MGOCSM after Mar Gregorios of Parumala, its Patron Saint. The founding fathers also decided that "Worship-Study- Service" should be the motto of the movement on order to underscore the basic values that were to be formed in the students. With a view to fulfil this motto, units of the MGOCSM have been set up at various educational centres not only in Kerala, but also on other States and out side India. The Movement has as its sub units the Higher
secondary and High School Sudents wing, University/ Higher Secondary Teachers Association, Medical Auxiliary, Technical Auxiliary, Missionary Forum and Literary Forum. A number of publications, to help the students in their spiritual growth, are available through the publications wing. Student Centres and Hostels are functioning at various educational centres.
MGOCSM has enriched the church by nurturing great leaders in all walks of life. Many of our Church leaders both lay and clergy have had their spiritual qualities developed by their close association with the Movement and it has also inspired generations of youngsters inour Church in their formative years.
PROF JOHN KURAKAR

GOOD NEWS FROM PAKISTAN

PAKISTAN LAUNCHES OPERATION AGAINST BANNED OUTFIT
The Pakistan Military had mounted an 'intelligence- led operation against a banned militant organisation in pakistan- Administered Kashmir and made several arrests. The raid came massive international pressure, led by the united states, to act' urgently' against terrorists operating from its territory. India has done well to avoid a military conflict with pakistan. Pakistan has taken a step in the right direction. We welcome pakistans effort and promise.
It is very much encouraging to see internal pressure, particularly from America. mounting on pakistan to act against the perpetractors of mumbai attacks. Terrorism is no longer a local issue, but a globel one. It should be ensured that collaboration of whole country. If the Mumbai terror attacks can get the nations of the world to join together to fight terrorism. Inda alone should deal with our neighbour country pakistan on our own way.
Prof John Kurakar

Kala Mela- Elocution Competition

Elocution
U.P Section:- I- Binto Ales & Sanu Koshy II-Biji Babu
H. S Section I- Bincy Alex II- Rincy Raju III- Sinu Koshy
Light Music
L.P Section I- Sheena M. Thomas II- Nidhun Philip III Sini Sam & Roji Roy
U.P Section- I- Neethu Johnson II- Sanu Koshy III- Binto Alex
H.S Recitation:- I- Bincy Alex IIRincy Raju & Sinu Koshy
Painting
L.P Section IRojo Roy II- Sini Sam III- Tom Biju
H.S- I- Alexander Jacob & Rincy Raju II- Binto Alex Sanu Koshy
Senior Section ( Association Members)
LIght Music I- Lissy Varghese II Thankamma Alex III Sherly Johnson & Molly Jacob
Elocution- I- Thankamma Alex & Lizy Varghese II-Jolly Roy
Quiz I- Thankamma Alex II- Benny Samuel Jacob III-Jolly Roy

Director of Kala Mela: Prof Molly Jacob

KURAKAR CULTURAL FORUM KALAMELA

KALA MELA ON 8TH DECEMBER 2008
AT KURAKAR CITY CENTRE.
Results:- Quiz Competition--L.P. Section Ist- Sini Sam II Roji Roy& bijitha Thomas
U.P Section:
I- Binto Alex & Bijo Thomas IIFebin Mathew III- Sinil Sam, Biji Babu & Sanu Koshy
H.S Section
I- Liji Thomas II- Vipin Babu, Tom C.J, & Ajo Alex III- Paul C.J

KURAKAR CULTURAL FORUM- A UNIT OF KURAKARAN VALIYA VEETIL KUDUMBA YOGAM

Kurakar Cultural Forum ia an Unit of Kurakar Valiya veetil Kudumba yogam. It Conducted an Arts Competition on 8-12-2008 at Kurakar Aaramam Agricultural Centre, Kottarakara. The Cultural Function was inaugrated by Rev. Fr P. Thomas, Vicar of St. George Orthodox Church Padinjaretheruve, The well known Artist Sri Neelaswram Sadasivan gave the keynote address. Prof John Kurakar presided at the function, Smt Chinnamma John, president, Kurakar Women's Association, Sri Simson John, secretary Comrade Info system spoke on the occasion. Competitions were conducted in 4 groups Light Music, Elocution, Quiz, Recitation & Painting were the item

AT THE CEMETRY, WE TOLD THE CHILD YOUR PARENTS ARE HERE.

Five year Firoz sensed that some thing wrong. The relatives took the little Firoz to a cemetry and told him' your mother and father are here' He was crying. The Ansari family received a cruel blow in Bombay terror attack. It lost six family members in the massacre at the chhatrapati shivaji terminus on 26 th november 2008. At 9 30 am , the Ansaries were waiting near platform 13, at that time terror attack took place.
The Mumbai terror attack was not an attack on India alone. Many foreign nationals were killed in the terror strike. India should the proof it has of Pakistans involvement. with all the countries whose citizens died or were injured. Terrorists are not born but made. Poverty, victimisation , inequality and illiteracy are some factors that contribute to the making of terrorist.
India has some internal terrorism also. The Babrimasjid demolition, the 1993 Mumbai riots, 2002 Gujarat Carnage, 2008 attack on Christians in Orissa. Internal terrorism has more harm ful than external terrorism.
Prof: John Kurakar

NINE SCHOOL CHILDREN KILLED,12 INJURED IN ROAD ACCIDENT

Nine Children studying in a lower Primary School at Peruman in Kannur District were killed when a vehicle rammed them on thursday December 2008 Eight of the victims are girls. The Children were comming out of Sree Narayana Vilasam Lower Primary School at 4 p.m. When the utility vehicle registered in Malappuram, hit them. Twelve seriously injured children were rushed to the Pariyaram Medical College & AKG Hospitals. The Driver told the police that accident occured when he was trying to save a child who was crossing the road. Police said that the accident was apparently caused by rash driving and negligence on the part of the Driver.
The Ministers and leaders expressed shock and grief at the demise of nine children in an accident that occured at Irikkur in Kannur district. The government would order an immediate probe in to the tragic accident and initiate punishment measures against all who were responsible for the accident. Announcing a solatium of Rs 5 Lakh to the familes of the deceased children and Rs 50000 to the injured. Thousands of people also visited the hospital and Medical College to the injured. All Schools in Kannur District remained closed on friday 5 th December 2008) The Education Department declared holiday as a show of respect to the deceased Students and teachers in various Schools condoled the death of the nine children. A Hartal was observed in the Irikkur Assembly Constituency
Prof: John Kurakar

MUMBAI TERROR ATTACK(2008 November 26)

Mumbai Tragedy coming to an end. Ministers cannot escape responsibility by offering to resign. Valuable lives and properties worth crores have been lost. The central governments failure was held up to world's view during 60 hours of unprecedented 'trauma ' featuring ten heavily armed terrorists who sailed in to Mumbai from Pakistan. We had lost some elite Commandos . The terrorists came from Pakistan and that we have evidence their nationalities. All the indications point to the Lashkar- e- Taiba being the organization behind the terror in Mumbai. The investigators have the testimony of Ajmal Amir Kamaal, the sole survivihg terrorist, that he acted on the orders of Lashkar- e- Taiba Commander' what is more, the research and analysis wing says it has tapes of phoe calls made by the terrorists from the high seas to their Commanders in pakistan. more hard evidence of the pakistan connections also exists in the form of call data stored on a satellite phone used by the killers. confronted such evidence the pakistan governmment should eliminate the Lashkar- e- Taiba's infrastructure, training centres and other resources in their country. The new home Minister Mr P. Chidambaram has the challenging job of showing some tangible progress in capability development inthe internal security. The government must enhance Coastal security and setup expert persons with modern equipment. Even if state police forces begin up grading their technilogical skills.

Prof John Kurakar

THE SACRIFICE OF OUR N.S.G COMMANDOS WILL BE REMEMBERED BY ALL INDIANS

The Mumbai attack was an attack on India . Over 200 people have been killed in the three nights and two days of ordeal brave and able officers and security men have died defending the nation, One of the terrorists has been arrested. Earlier, terrorists strikes were limited to Kashmir. The terror network later spread to many cities. In Mumbai however, the terrorists were so andacious and daring that they attacked high- visibility targets and engaged the army, the navy and the N.S.G Commando for three days..The entire nation was held hostage by a handful of gunmen.

Terror has no heart, But we have to live with it. We need to make have some changes in our way of life. We must over come difference of religion, caste, region etc. We should co-operate with the authorities in maintaing tight security and inform the police of suspicious characters and activites.

The army, the N.S.G Commandos, the police deserve our gratitude for ending the terrorist siege in mumbai, three day of terror in Mumbai broght the entire country to a stand still. The national tragedy has infused a feeling of oneness among indian's. It has exposed our ineffective leadership. The Mumbai attack signifies a real threat to our country's sovereignty. We should revamp our security system to tackle a new face of terror.

terrorism which started in Mumbai in 1993, has come full cirele after 15 years. many terrorist training centres in India & pakistan Government should be destroyed the training centres. If this is not done,India will continue to face terror attacks. We should adopt the polices of America and Isrel which dealing terrorism effectively. They had succeeded in fighting terror. Every individual should help the authorities to eliminate terrorism. Every patriotic Citizen should salute the N.S.G Commandos and the security personel who died fighting the terrorists

Prof: John Kurakar

TERROR ATTACKS IN MUMBAI

26 th Wednesday, november 2008. The multiple terrorist attack in Mumbai at once a grievous tragedy and an attack on the spirt of India. In its method and scale, the shooting down of innicent people and courgeous police officers in 11 differenet places across the city represents an affront to the indian state of a type not seen in the recent past. Among the dead is the head of the maharashtra police anti-terrorisam squad Hemanth Karkare. The terriorist used sophictiicated arms and the mannor of attack point to a well funded, well trained group. They targetting of well know landmarks and high profile places including the Chhatrapathi sivaji terminus, the Taj mahal and Trident hotel and nariman's house etc. Mumbai Taj mahal palace and Tower hotel is a symbol of national pride for Indians, which errupted in thursday's (27/11/2008) terroist attack. 105 year old taj mahal hotel is sender of foreign occupiers and touristers. The Taj mahal has 565 rooms including 46 suits. It is decorated in Moorish oriental and florentile styles.

The entire country to stay united and calm to face the challenge. This is an hour for all sections to the society to sink their differences, so that the nation stands up as one body. A malayalie Mr. Vargheese Thomas the executive of Taj hotel also died in the terror attack at the hotel Taj on Thursday(28/11/2008) morning. The terror attacks in mumbai were well planned and executed to have the maxium impact. It was shocking to learn that a group of terroist came by boat undetected by the coast gaurd and go to the business capital of our nation that is constantly in the shadow of terror attacks. We have to admit that we have failed to put in place a vibrant intelligent mechanisam by which we can tackle terriorism. We should learn form Americe after september 11 2001 attacks on the world trade center US woke up to teh ground realities of terriorism and curbed it effecitvely. But in India after every terror attack the governments deploys force in large numbers, issues prohibitory orders, and closers schools and colleges for a day or two, the media do their part, publish pictures to aggravate situations, an dpoliticians condemn th attacks and government annonce exgratia. after few days the situation is back square on. We have no idea abou about the seriousness of the attack. We think all attacks were mearly communal issues. It's not only hindu muslim attack, the terrorist choose mumbai because their target was foreigners.