Warrier's Collage on Independence Day 2025

Welcome To Warrier's COLLAGE On Friday August 15, 2025 Friends Happy Independence Day 2025. Only a few days back I said "Collage in this format is taking a short break". Of late, planning doesn't work the way it worked a decade ago. If I ask my grandson Vihaan why things are not in control, he may tell me, "Thum boodha ho gaya... Pahale jaisa mat socho!" He is right. No, I am not going to translate for you. Just for clarity, the immediate reason for this edition of Collage is the 20th Anniversary Celebrations of the Kochi RBI Retirees Association. See Cover Story Nice Day M G Warrier A Cover Story : https://www.youtube.com/live/YBJ22Wmjk54?feature=shared 👍🙏 Great initiative. Remembering the "Elder's Village" and KGK Pillai Sir's Prathyasa, which started as a manuscript monthly magazine 🙏 My writeup on Elder's Village copied below : ELDER'S VILLAGE* By M G Warrier Elders Village which is a residential colony (for elders as the name indicates) is situated less than half an hour drive away from Kochi and within 1.5 km from Chottanikara temple, with 17 cottages and 8 single-room residential units with a common vegetarian kitchen providing mess facilities to the residents and their guests and shared amenities like guest-rooms, garden, library, reading room etc. The residents here include bachelors, couples, widows, widowers. Only about 80 per cent of the residential units are occupied on an ongoing basis. Started off in 1999 under the aegis of ‘Elders Village Trust (Registered) ER 499, Ernakulam’, by the founder-members, the ownership of individual residential units is now with the members of a registered society with right to transfer or bequeath. Membership is restricted to Indian citizens aged 55 or above (In case of couple one of the spouses should be above 55). The Tata Hospital with basic medical facilities is just a kilometer away from this colony. Besides, members jointly maintain an emergency fund by contribution which is available for medical emergencies. This group with most of the members needing continuous medical attention depends on mutual help and in a way re-live and enjoy the advantages of the erstwhile joint family system. Let us find out from Shri K G K Pillai, founder member and the guiding force responsible for the continued existence of this village for the last ten years what prompted him to think of establishing this ‘village’ and what way this is different from other retirement villages and residential arrangements for the aged. A talk with him brought out the advantages and disadvantages of such a community living and his final word should be an eye opener for all those concerned with social security of elders, elders themselves and the young who believe that old age can wait. Excerpts: MGW: Let me put it straight. What made you break away from the family and put together a much larger family with much more responsibility on your shoulders? Pillai: This is the misunderstanding most of the people carry with them and never try to get clarified. We, in the Elders Village have not left our children in the lurch or vice versa. It is a fact that our children, due to the changes in the employment pattern and other developments cannot by themselves take care of our day-to-day care. We on our part do not want to stay in isolation in our houses which are in localities where we are strangers because we too were away from those places due to job compulsions etc. This village has been conceived as a make-shift arrangement for several members with common problems in living alone without compromising essential features of family and social relationships. Your question prompted a longer introduction. MGW : Fine. The difference I find here is the absence of outside support and the spirit of cooperation amongst members. These two features, I am sure, must be having an impact on resources and resultant need for austerity. How do you manage the constraints arising from this peculiar situation? Pillai : Independent living was the guiding principle. Members were prepared for sacrifices in terms of fewer comforts and more efforts. The first challenge was convincing ourselves that the experiment was worth the trouble and the concept of an enlarged joint family with no legacy of property to be partitioned or other social responsibilities within the four walls of the ‘village’ could be realized. To that extent, we have tasted success. MGW : Even big business conglomerates like Tatas occasionally face succession and leadership issues. Do you foresee management issues cropping up, when the present team fades out? Pillai : Not really. At present it is a registered society and bylaws takes care of the arrangement for running the show. Leadership, individual or collective will always emerge, so long as there are no vested interests pulling in opposite directions. But, I concede that larger issues remain unresolved. They are absence of a social security network to ensure proper care to the aged and ailing. The present scenario is leaving it to the individual to take care. Without going into details, I would like to confess that we are not as enthusiastic and as confident now compared to the optimism with which we started this village. I won't like to elaborate. MGW : Any message for those who may be interested in following this model? Pillai : Every effort should be made to bring back the spirit of ‘family’ as it existed, say, some thirty years ago. Neighborhood relationships, extended joint family concept and more than anything else the need to respect and care for elders must be revived. Shelters like this should be temporary homes away from home and there should be a reassurance that someone in the family is in need of you. **** **** **** *Written on April 2, 2009 B Media Response* The Economic Times August 8, 2025 Chat Room Trump Threats This refers to the report "Brand India Roars Back at Trump Threats" (August 8). From the time he launched his campaign, till date, Trump's utterances have been vague and his body language unstable. But because of the position he holds, he is able to pass on sufficient damage to the US and that country's allies and friends. India's response to the threats and warnings from the US side from the very beginning of Trump 2.0 period have been measured and apt, despite the provocative language used. As India's business leaders have rightly signalled, the present challenge is a big opportunity for India to realign the the country's production and marketing strategies and manage the the internal resources including skilled labour to domestic advantage. Of course it is crucial not to spoil the relationship with US and at the same time avoid compromises on principles, because Trump Era is a passing phase. M G Warrier Mumbai *Not published C Travelogue Charukesi* Ramadurai Charukesi Ramadurai is a travel writer and blogger known for her travelogues, particularly those featured on her blog, "Itchy Feet". She has also written extensively for BBC Travel and Outlook Traveller. Her work often focuses on unique destinations and cultural experiences, with a strong emphasis on India and other parts of Asia. Key aspects of Charukesi's travel writing: ● Diverse Destinations: Her travelogues cover a wide range of locations, including Malaysia, Japan, Qatar, North America, and various parts of India, with a particular focus on Ladakh and Sri Lanka. ● Unique Experiences: She often explores offbeat destinations and experiences, such as the Silk Road city of Kashgar, a snow leopard expedition in Ladakh, and a hike through Sri Lanka's tea territories. ● Cultural Immersion: Her writing delves into local cultures, traditions, and celebrations, like the kimono in Japan, the mask maker of Malaysia, and the whirling dervishes of Turkey. ● Personal Touch: Charukesi's travelogues often incorporate personal reflections and observations, giving readers a glimpse into her own journey and experiences. ● Emphasis on Conservation and Community: Some of her work highlights ecolodges in Ladakh that prioritize conservation and community engagement. ● Food & Travel: She frequently writes about food experiences, like exploring vegan options in India, trying regional curries, and describing the culinary scene in various locations. AI responses may include mistakes. https://charukesi.com/itchyfeet/author/charukesi/ https://charukesi.com/travel/ https://indiachalk.com/10-travelogues-by-indian-writers-you-need-to-follow/ https://www.outlooktraveller.com/topic/travelogues https://www.bbc.com/travel/author/charukesi-ramadurai https://findcollab.com/blog/top-10-travel-bloggers-from-mumbai-who-will-inspire-your-next-tri p https://www.thrillophilia.com/blog/india-best-travel-bloggers/ https://www.facebook.com/travelswithcharu/ https://charukesi.com/itchyfeet/2009/12/03/outwhirling-the-dervish/ https://blog.blogadda.com/2011/07/07/charukesi-travel-writer-india-photography-journalist-in *Charukesi is daughter of Ramadurais (Both Ex-RBI) D Books & Blogs 1) Warrier's Blog : Read this post @ www.warriersblog.com 2) Books By M G Warrier : M G Warrier's Author Page - Notion Press | India's largest book publisher https://share.google/jTSziFInRqGrAgFC2