Conserving the 'Mighty Little' Beings

 

For one usually attending evening meetings 

on corporate HR topics this was new, so farther away

 yet interesting, gripping, informative, enlightening! 

The speaker, Dr Chandish Ballal, passionate entomologist

former Director, NBAIR* enlightened us, among many things

that all insects are not pests, that the majority

the beneficial insects are most essential 

for ecological balance and well being of humans as well! 

As against the only 0.5% pests, the beneficial insects 

provide many services without charging a penny 

these include being providers- food for fish, wild life 

good protein source, honey from honey bees

big source of revenue in Mexico, silk worms give silk 

contribute to dyes, cosmetics, medical & industrial products

its larvae serves as balm for wounds.. 

Its regulatory role include keeping in check

harmful pests, weeds, naturally sans harmful chemicals

assisting in decomposing dung of livestock

 so essential for controlling population of flies 

The supporting role of  the "Mighty little beings' also crucial 

2/3rd of land eco system depends on them for its pollination 

the bees, beetles, butterflies, moths and the like 

the beneficial beings release essential nutrients** back into the soil 

the frass (feces) of some, excellent soil fertility enhancers 

they create nutrient rich patches benefiting plant growth 

Then the speaker also spoke about cultural significance 

of insects in art and symbolism, in language, literature

Haven't we heard  expressions like "Busy as a bee"

the ant-grasshopper story in Aesop's fables

insect inspired music compositions***, movies?

This dear readers, is only a layman's account 

of what he could catch about these "Unsung heroes"

who continue to be ' undervalued until lost' 

for a detailed account, you will have to hear it

from the horse's mouth when she chooses to speak next 

be it in Bangalore or on an online platform!

* National bureau of agricultural insect resources : Dr Ballal also outlined during talk the (1) conservation/protecting, (2) classical ( managing invasive pest) and (3) augmentation (releasing additional natural enemies of pests) services of NBAIR

** like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium

*** Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's "Flight of the Bumblebee"


NB: I am thankful to Dr Ballal and the Bangalore Room for the invitation that culminated into a rewarding evening.

Toe that was not sewn together

In this blog I am writing a brief English review of the Malayalam book "തുന്നി ചേർക്കാത്ത വിരൽ  " ( Toe that was not sewn together) penned as a memoir by the author Kaavalloore Muraleedharan who lives and works in Saudi Arabia. The book traces his early life  in Kerala,  three years of work in the then Bombay and life in the Gulf. It also includes account of short travels undertaken by the author in Kerala,  to places like Rameshwaram, Tamil Nādu and Chirapunji, Assam.

In the initial part of the book the author reminisces about his father, K.R. Velayudhan who left for Sri Lanka at the tender age of fourteen in search of a better life only to return to India on a call given by India's first PM, Nehru to come back and serve one's country. He therefore came back and worked at the Bhilai Steel Plant till retirement. Thoughts of his father floods the mind of the author even as he travels from gulf to meet his ailing father. The journey is tough as it is undertaken during the Covid pandemic when a lot of protocols were required to be followed while travelling. 

The author is proud of his father whom he calls an "Institution" who gained  knowledge from a vociferous reading habit and down to earth experience from day to day living . Although, he laments that he could not spend sufficient time to get transferred the deep learning from his father, the author was able to be by the side of his father and do all the ceremonies on his passing away , in spite of working in a far off country .  

One thing that comes through clearly from the book is that Mr Muraleedharan makes friends easily and also cherishes relationships. He has a big heart to help others when ever and which ever way he can, be it those coming for the first time for job to Gulf or an old sickly man he meets at Farooke railway station in Kerala, India.  

We have generally known that those migrating to the deserts of Gulf do so initially with an intent of a short stint of two years. Unlike those going to the Western countries, people travelling to Gulf for employment  almost invariably daydream of returning to their village and savoring the greenery and calm, quiet lifestyle they left behind. That they are not able to do so because of the various compulsions to earn money for the welfare of loved ones back home is the big tragedy that many experience. This melancholic tone and mood can be be seen whole through the book whether the author is discussing his own circumstances or that of friends seemingly trapped in a vicious circle. 

For me, the caricatures Mr Muraleedharan has drawn  of the many people met at various points of his life journey  was very engaging and heart touching. As for example there is Bhuyyan, a young bright Bangladeshi who left his home town due to frequent riots and an ardent desire to build a pucca house for his mother in place of the one made of wooden planks. One day a letter arrives informing that his mother died when rioters set fire to their house. Bhuyyan quickly decides to return as his very purpose of coming was defeated with the death of his mother. This was a story however with a happy ending in the sense, on return he started doing cloth business with an Indian company and later moved to Shillong in India where his business flourished. Now, he runs a home for women in his mother's name and has the satisfaction of giving solace to not just one mother but 50 mothers. 

There is another narration of a muscleman labourer who as the lift was not working carried fridge and other heavy furniture to the author's  office located on the 7th floor. He was called "Pathan" by everyone on account of his huge size. When the work was completed, the man revealed that he was in fact a malayali and that he opted to do this heavy work since he wanted to fulfill  his son's wish (back home) for a toy JCB . 

Another story that touched my heart was that of Abdu Bhai with whom the author has a chance meeting at the multi storied building housing many offices. Abdu had worked for decades in Saudi , made money and returned to his native Palakkad in Kerala. There he did business, incurred losses and was back to the desert in 5 years time, starting afresh as a driver in his old age with many ailments. "Sometimes I wonder, why did I even come here in the first place. If I had bought an autorickshaw and drove it there, I could at least have spent  my peak years with family." Abdu Bhai sighed. 

There are many more touching narratives in the book including a hint of a romantic interest of the author from his youth. It is clear that Covid 19 pandemic was a big blow with thousands of employees returning to their native land. Those who got the opportunity to continue were under pressure and tension as service was extended on a month to month basis. This uncertainty was a psychologically crippling experience for everyone including the author.   

Finally, a couple of lines on the title of the book: "Toe that was not sewn together". In the initial part of the book,  Mr Muraleedharan relates an incident of his father  being accidently hurt while untying a cow that sped away fast. During the fall the little toe of the left leg of father got dismembered. Although crying out in pain and seeing  the toe lying around, father just got up and came home not listening to a neighbour's offer to go with him to hospital and get the toe sewed back. 

To my mind, the title is not derived only from this incident, it appears also to be a metaphor for the pain, loneliness and dismembered feel of a Gulf Malayali who yearns for his native place but is forced to live elsewhere by force of circumstances. In the chapter "Those Returning", there is a scene at the airport where the author is seeing off a junior colleague Rana  returning to his native, Nepal for good. While waving final good bye, the thought that ran in his mind was " I also came here like Rana to spend 2 years. The 2 years then became 10. then 20 and  is still continuing. Rana has escaped. When will my turn come?".

Gratitude Thoughts

The law of attraction, a concept 

enjoying high currency these days 

places "Gratitude" as the bedrock for attracting 

all good things we want, into our lives 

Looked at this way, we have so many things 

to be thankful, grateful for...

a roof above our head, a source of income

loving family, opportunity to write, recite poem

pursue our hobbies, irrespective of age 

Our lovely blue planet with its greenery 

sun, moon, stars, mountains, lakes 

 Our country with her rich tradition 

and great philosophy of one global family...

Now friends, for the solid, huge tip 

put all these and more of 

your special , personal gratitude points,

 down on paper, to read them twice 

in the morning on waking 

and in the night while retiring 

You first have to be grateful for the many

lovely things you already have in life 

to be able to attract more of what you want! 

Grateful people are blessed with positive emotions

better health, stronger relations and more satisfying lives ! 

NB: This poem was composed for and  recited during the Seniors Today online poetry meet on 19th September 2025

Secret Unravelled

Photo Courtesy by Andre Hunter on Unsplash  

Used to wonder how in a democracy 

the Government couldn't care less  of 

what the people thought or felt

how it  could ill treat, its citizens- After all it had to go

back to the people for validation periodically 

Was surprising and shocking to see violence 

directed at farmers,  job seekers 

at Olympic medalists, at peacefully protesting citizens

Well, now we know why

It's no longer a secret!

Summer holidays

Hostelers in a residential school

all excited on the approaching summer

"We are going for the summer holidays"

"We are going for the summer holidays"

they sang in unison, visualizing their own holiday


The common thread in each mind was

Back to “Home sweet home!"

some would go to the city, regale in its charm

others to ancestral home in a village

engage with parents, cousins, other relatives


Summer time, a warm and vibrant time

when the birds, the bees, all of creation

come out of hibernation to regale

in the warmth, the vibrancy of the season


Parents of each child came to fetch the children

who rushed into their arms in excitement

after all, it was summer time, holiday time

time to rejoice, fun, frolic


Everyone was thrilled and elated, except

for one puny boy who remained in his room

knowing no one was coming for him this day

may be the next day or the day after that

a servant would come to fetch him


Then it happened- best friend entered room with parents

they hugged him, gave him chocolates

and home-made goodies to eat

Dazzling Summer had arrived

a time to say good bye to misery, sad thoughts

 

The best friends danced with abandon

to the tune of the warm scintillating season

 
to the encouragement and delight of the adults!

NB: This Poem was written for the "Summer Sashay's - Breeze In " Anthology published by Soul Scribers society Salem and released on 11th July during the poetry fest at Panchgani, Maharashtra, India.

Summer Breeze has arrived

Losing one's job can be painful 

particularly when everything was looking good

Five years of work, a good designation, salary 

the girl friend eager and ready for the tying of knot 

he only had to say, give the green signal   

The tragedy came from out of the blue 

had him devastated, to the extent he stopped

talking, interacting with parents, friends 

even to sweetheart, one who mattered the most 

one who'd wowed to spend rest of life with him 

It was as if all energy, drive had deserted him 

all confidence had flown away , felt it wasn't right

to jeopardize the life of beloved 

ask her to wait for many more years 

"Move on" he messaged, "build your nest 

sans me a loser!" 

She was stunned, flabbergasted by behaviour

of one she knew like the back of her hand 

and now, this rejection, this avoidance

proved the most painful, unbearable 

From the last days of autumn and the whole of winter 

he spent days thus- beaten, drained

shorn of all confidence! 

mind had become blank, unable to take 

next step to beat the odds     

One day from his bedroom he heard

sounds of birds chirping happily 

he looked out and saw flowering trees 

squirrels running about, the sun shining in all glory 

Suddenly, it struck him that winter had left 

 and summer was back! was reminded of past summers 

when they had taken carefree strolls under smiling sun 

suddenly he longed to meet his girl, apologize 

beg her forgiveness for the cold period ! 

Before noon, there he was bouquet in hand 

surprising. shocking, yet enthusing his beloved

she rubbed her eyes slipped into a half belief smile 

Then stared and stared before falling into his arms!

Together they made plans for hunting and securing 

means of living- He was back to the old guy she knew

full of confidence and drive to meet all of life's challenges 

Yes, the summer breeze had arrived to bring along 

bright opportunities and self confidence to boot! 

NB: This Poem was written for the "Summer Sashay's - Breeze In " Anthology published by Soul Scribers society Salem and released on 11th July during the poetry fest at Panchgani, Maharashtra, India. 

Long Wait

For some, the long wait is never over

they are always in anticipation

hoping that the tide would change

perhaps, if this happens or that happens




Yet nothing ever does if you are

at the lower echelons, bottom of the pyramid

only the power wielders change- from kings

to white skinned sahibs to brown skinned ones




The powers that be, would like to keep them yoked

to use, manipulate, use as oxen to do their bidding

would like them to be unread, not be able to use head

ask questions, compare their lot with the chosen few

 

Therefore, close all doors of a possibility of higher education

is the sweet mantra used by manipulators, passed on

from generation to generation- ensuring the weak remain weak..




So, there they remain in eternal wait

for better days- economically, socially, spiritually

yes, a mirage, but they know not; Poor things can't

give up 'Hope', the only thing that they can cling to

during all seasons, at all times!