www.pkthampan.com
P K THAMPAN
70 Years of Honorable Service to Humanity
Celebrating 90th Birthday on
10th April 2022.
After the graduation in Agriculture from the Banaras Hindu University, I joined the Kerala Agriculture Department as an Agriculture Inspector in July 1954. In 1957-’58, I was selected to serve as the first Agricultural Extension Officer in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on deputation basis. Initially I was located at the Secretariat in Port Blair and later shifted to the permanent office at Wimberleigunj, a distant village. It was a newly formed office known as National Extension Service (NES) Block, the jurisdiction of which covered the entire Island group. During my service period, I stayed in a nearby village, Mannarghat, where majority of the population was Malayalee’s, who were descendants of those convicted and sent on exile following the Mappila rebellion of Malabar.
During my stay at Mannarghat, the local people used to meet me and present many of their local needs. One such expressed desire was providing irrigation facilities for paddy, the major crop cultivated in the village. They further informed that there is a rivulet running through the midst of paddy area, but the water does not become available for irrigating the crop during rainless period. They also informed that their frequent requests to the Administration for the construction of a weir across the rivulet, locally known as Bhagavan Nally, were not heeded to. I inspected the site and was convinced that the construction of a weir could divert water for irrigation during summer months facilitating double cropping of paddy instead of the then single cropping.
After a closer understanding of the benefits linked to the
construction of a weir, I organized a series of farmer’s meets in my residence
do discuss the feasibility of undertaking the construction under the farmer’s
leadership. The final decision was that I will organize the purchase and
transport of construction materials including engaging skilled workers and the
farmer’s groups will attend to the manual work on voluntary basis. I have also
volunteered to serve food to needy farmers engaged in manual work. Accordingly,
the work started earnestly and in six weeks’ time the construction work could
be completed successfully. One of the consequences was I was indebted heavily
on account of outstanding payments towards the cost of materials, lorry rent,
payment to skilled workers etc.
Unexpectedly, one or two weeks later, the Union Home Secretary
visited Port Blair. He was taken by the senior officials of the Administration
for local visits and the newly constructed weir was also included in the list
of places finalized for the visit. The Home Secretary visited the construction
site and was very much impressed on the efforts put in for accomplishing a
common cause. He publicly announced before the assembled senior officials of
the Administration and the local people that during his official career, this
was the first time he was seeing the fruits of efforts put in by the people
themselves for their own welfare, a model that could be emulated at different
places in the Country.
Immediately after the Home Secretary left Port Blair, I was asked by the Administration to provide a statement of expenditure incurred on the construction. I submitted the details and the outstanding payments limited to Rs. 15,000 were reimbursed directly by the Administration. To that extent I was relieved of my financial strain. After these developments, I decided to go back to Kerala and by end 1958, I left Andamans.
THAMPAN BUND, Andaman:
After I left, the farmers of Mannarghat took the decision to name the newly constructed structure as ‘Thampan Bund’. In 1971, when I was working in the Directorate of Coconut Development under the Government of India, I had the occasion to revisit Andamans. I made use of the opportunity to pay a visit to Mannarghat and see again the weir I got constructed. I was extremely happy to know that the local farmers continued to be benefited. I was also moved by the love and respect showered on me by the farmers and the news conveyed to me that the weir is known as Thampan Bund. I do not know whether the weir is still functioning or not.
The concept of democratic decentralization is based on the
fundamental principle of democracy that ultimate sovereignty resides in the
people. The sovereignty of people has meaning only when the people are allowed
to plan and execute their own programs through their own elected institutions,
which are responsible for their welfare and are answerable to them. But real
decentralization does not mean the simple transfer of developmental functions
to the various institutions elected by the people. It means the complete
transfer of power and authority so far exercised by the agents of centralized
administration to the elected representatives of the people at different
levels. Against this background I seek the views of the FB friends on the
following:
1· In the Panchayati Raj Administrative System what shall be the
role of the District Panchayat President in the district level administration?
2· In the event of transferring the administrative powers
hitherto exercised by the District Collector to the District
Panchayat/President, will the position of District Collector become redundant?
3· In case the position of District Collector is to be
continued, what shall be his functional responsibilities and position in the
District Panchayat hierarchy?
4· Can the District Panchayat President be deemed as the direct representative of the State Government?
Rural Institute,
Tavanur, Kerala (renamed as Kelappaji College of Agricultural Engineering and Technology):
Rural Institutes for Rural Higher Education were established in the early sixties in some States including Kerala. Those who gave shape to the concept were conscious of the widening gulf between culture and work and practical and ideal. The Institute in Kerala was located at Tavanur and was operated under the patronage of late K. Kelappan Ji and E. Ikkanda Warrier, the renowned Gandhians, freedom fighters and Sarvodaya leaders. I had the opportunity of having close association with them in my capacity as the Principal of Agriculture Faculty.
The Rural Institute in Kerala gave due regard to the occupational needs of the rural community with a view to retaining the cream of the rural youth in the rural setting itself. When trained rural youth go back to their respective villages and organize their own enterprises, not only will they be inspiring others to follow suit but also will be providing the required leadership in rural reconstruction. One essential prerequisite to stimulate the interest of the trained youth to return to their villages is unrestricted access to sources of finance to support their venture.
KELAPPAJI AND IKKANDA
WARRIER:
While perusing some of my published articles and booklets, Kelappaji once suggested that I venture into writing books on topics related to agriculture and rural development. I took up this suggestion seriously and my first book 'Coconut Culture in India' was released in 1972, one year after the demise of Kelappaji. Following this, I have authored/edited over 15 books and of which "Organic Agriculture' released in 1996 was dedicated to Kelappaji and Ikkanda Warrier. I recollect with gratitude the advice and guidance rendered by both which benefited immensely in shaping my professional career in subsequent periods.
Vivekananda:
Swami Vivekananda in an interview he gave to The Hindu on February 6, 1897, observed that " Indian masses are awfully poor and very ignorant about secular things. Our masses are very good because poverty here is not a crime. ------We have to give them secular education. We must follow the plan laid down by our ancestors, that is, to bring all the ideals slowly down among the masses. Raise them slowly up, raise them to equality. Impart even secular knowledge through religions". It is now appropriate to examine the changes that have taken place in our society over the last 115 years since Swamiji gave his interview.
In this context I wish to highlight some
of the strengths and weaknesses that prevail in our present-day socioeconomic
fabric. (a) Despite our efforts in imparting secular knowledge to our masses,
religious fanaticism has surfaced with such force as could relegate our secular
values to comparatively insignificant position. (b) Although many rural
development initiatives were taken in the past, the dream of a prosperous rural
life is still elusive and is now confronted with the problem of exodus of
educated rural youth to urban centers in anticipation of a better life. (c) In
the absence of rational thinking among the masses superstition in the form of
religious rituals is spreading in all walks of life. (d) In our
social life women do not enjoy half the space they are eligible for, and they are presently subjugated by men both in public and private. (d) Although the country has made substantial progress in the national economy, the benefits so far have favored the elite and already affluent sections leaving the poor and downtrodden to wait for the crumbs of economic progress to percolate down to their level.
LESSONS I LEARNT IN LIFE:
In my long life of over 89 years, I had the opportunities of getting exposed to useful books and to different living conditions including socio-cultural and political systems. From all these, I could imbibe valuable lessons in life which I have summarized below:
1. Have faith and confidence in self rather than in any imaginary or fictitious super power; 2. Suppress the tendency to indulge in vices in life and, instead, nurture virtues; 3. Cultivate the traits of empathy and compassion towards the poorest of the poor in the society; 4. Evince amiable nature and temperamental compatibility both in private and social life; 5. Humility is a noble trait and the more one prospers in life more shall be its manifestation; 6. Respect and care parents in their old age without being neglected or abandoned; 7. Overcome jealousy and vindictiveness in life; 8. Learn to live within means and curb temptations for deriving mental happiness; 9. Treat women with love and respect rather than viewing them as objects of physical pleasure; 10. Extricate those entangled in the shackles of caste discrimination and strive for their social emancipation and rehabilitation; 11. Indulge in charity by earmarking a portion of one’s income without resorting to publicity and expecting any form of recognition in return; 12. Develop social consciousness and get involved in such activities as are oriented towards empowering women as well as the deprived, disadvantaged, marginalized and subjugated sections of society; 13. Develop the traits of ambition but not over-ambition, determination, dedication, spirit of service, punctuality and discipline in life; and 14. Be aware of one’s own strength and weakness and derive mental happiness by giving and not by receiving.
Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC) and COCOTECH:
I had the opportunity of establishing close contact with many scientists and development professionals from India and other countries. Among these, one individual stands out in my mind as a role model in development administration. This is Mr. Godofredo P. Reyes, Jr., a Philippine citizen, who was the Executive Director of the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC), Jakarta, Indonesia during the 1970s. My first contact with him was in 1971 in India and, subsequently, in Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand etc. as an official nominee from India on the Technical Panel of the APCC (COCOTECH). I had observed in him the spirit and determination to perform his diverse tasks as efficiently as possible without even seeking support from his colleagues in office. After every half-yearly meeting of the COCOTECH he himself typed out the proceedings and other meeting documents on manual typewriter and made available to the participants. His devotion to work and the efficiency displayed by him attracted me so much that I became an ardent admirer of him.
Mr. Reyes was very good to me. Whenever I visited Indonesia, he used to take me to different places of interest and treated me well. On one occasion in the Philippines when I told him that I am planning to write a book on coconut he volunteered to write the foreword. In 1975 my book 'The Coconut Palm and its Products' carrying his foreword was released. Mr. Godofredo P. Reyes, Jr. is no more. I remember him with the greatest admiration and respect in my mind.
TREES:
If trees are to function as effective sinks of carbon, they are to be harvested when they reach full maturity and reestablished in optimal rotation in order to maintain a healthy and vigorously growing stand of trees continuously. Otherwise, over mature trees probably become net emitters of Carbon dioxide as their absorption in photosynthesis is less than the quantity emitted in respiration.
Government of India Awards:
In Government Service, selected few
are occasionally honored in recognition of the meritorious service rendered by
them in their respective functional areas. This shows that excellence in work
does not go unnoticed or unrecognized even in Government service. The honor won
by few public servants will have a far-reaching impact on the future service prospects
of the individuals concerned. On many instances, such individuals were found
receiving preferential treatment in selections to higher positions and in
remuneration by granting advance increments. All these reveal that any deed
performed with utmost dedication and sincerity will bring back highly favorable
and encouraging results, even beyond one’s expectations. This has been my
experience in my service period spanning over 36 years.
AWARDS from India, USA, and Japan:
At different stages during my service and afterwards, I received the following Awards and Recognitions:
1. Dr. C.S. Venkata Ram Memorial Award for Distinguished
Scientist in 1999 from Indian Society for Plantation Crops
2. Best Global Coconut Community Coordinator Award from
ADB/IPGRI/COGENT in 2004
3. Honorary appointment to the Research Board of Directors of
American Biographical Institute in 2005
4. Ryutaro Hashimoto APFED Award, Japan, for Good Practices in
2009
5. A four-minute film was made by CNN on the projects being executed and telecast internationally in the media in 2008.
THE MOST REWARDING EXPERIENCES IN MY OFFICIAL LIFE,
Indian Coconut Development Council:
Sometime in 1969 I joined the erstwhile Directorate of Coconut Development, which was under the Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India, as the Deputy Director (Development). The office was located at Ernakulam. There was also another post of deputy director, which was for marketing. The functions I was expected to perform were different from those I was exposed to till then. Because the post of Director was lying vacant then, I am being the senior most deputy director was acting as the Convener of the Indian Coconut Development Council (ICDC), an advisory body attached to the Directorate, comprising a non-official Chairman, representatives of major coconut growing States, Research Institutions, and State and Central Government Departments concerned with coconut development. The ICDC was to be convened once or twice a year to formulate activities and to guide the Directorate.
Coconut
Development Board:
By 1982, the Directorate of Coconut Development was merged with the Coconut Development Board, a new organization promoted for the integrated development of coconut industry in the Country. I was absorbed in the Board as the Chief Coconut Development Officer (CCDO), to serve as the technical head of the Board. At that time, there was a proposal to open two Regional Offices, one at Bengaluru and the other at Patna in Bihar. I had taken the initiative to select appropriate locations in each State for establishing the proposed Regional Offices. Following this, I proposed a project for establishing Demonstration cum Seed Production Farms (DSP Farms) in the major coconut growing States to serve as demonstration units in scientific farming and dependable sources of quality planting material. This proposal received approval of the Board and the Ministry, and I could successfully open two DSP farms, one in Mandya district in Karnataka and the other in Madhepura in Bihar.
I experienced practical difficulties in getting suitable Government lands, which I could surmount consequent on the favorable attitude evinced by the respective departments in both the States. After starting these two farms, two more farms were established during my tenure, one in Kondagaon in Chhattisgarh and the other in Tripura. Also, I could open State Centers in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and also in West Bengal. During my tenure as the CCDO, I could establish excellent working relationship with the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI) and the State Departments of Agriculture/Horticulture concerned with coconut development. My focus was on expanding area under coconut in the traditional coconut growing States and also in potential belts in the non-traditional States, augmenting the availability of quality planting material in all the States through the establishment of nurseries and opening demonstration cum seed production farms, promoting technology development for value addition in coconut through research initiatives and entrepreneurial development, and extending technical and financial support for the integrated development of coconut industry. This strategy has yielded positive results in the following years.
Though I had to retire from service in 1990, I continued with vigor coconut and rural development initiatives with the assistance and support of Coconut Development Board; APCC, Jakarta, Indonesia; International Coconut Genetic Resources Institute (COGENT), Malaysia; International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD); the erstwhile International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI); CAPART, Government of India; and UNDP-GEF-SGP, New Delhi. The projects executed were
(1) APCC sponsored ‘Assessment of the Performance of High Yielding Varieties/Hybrids and Varietal Preference of Coconut Farmers in India’,
(2) IFAD-funded
and IPGRI/COGENT sponsored ‘Enhancing the Income and Employment in the Coconut
Sector through Conservation and Use of Special Coconut Ecotypes in India’,
(3) CDB sponsored
‘Increasing Income and Employment in the Coconut Sector in India through
Integrated Farming and Product Utilization’,
(4) CDB sponsored
‘Cutting and Removal of 10,000 Diseased and Unproductive Palms from Farmer’s
Holdings in Kerala’,
(5) ADB-funded
and IPGRI/COGENT sponsored ‘Developing Sustainable Coconut-Based Income
Generating Technologies in Vayalar Community, Kerala’,
(6) CAPART
sponsored ‘Promoting Vermi-composting for Soil Fertility Management’,
(7) UNDP-GEF-SGP
sponsored ‘Promoting Coconut Based Agro-Ecosystem and Efficient Product
Utilization for Augmenting On-Farm Income, Improving Quality of Environment and
(8) Conserving
Natural Resources’ CAPART sponsored ‘Increasing Income and Employment for Rural
Women engaged in Coir Spinning by Popularizing Efficient Spinning Wheels and
Creating Better Working Conditions’,
(9) IPGRI/COGENT sponsored ‘Enhancing CBO activities and Microcredit Systems in Coconut Growing Communities’
PEEKAY TREE:
Investment in social infrastructure is conducive to attaining a high literacy rate. But a high literacy rate need not make the people conscious of their social responsibilities. A system of social education at different levels of society must be organized and sustained to help create a change in the outlook of the people. The ruling class must set an example by leading an austere life and enforcing regulatory measures for curbing pomp and lavishness in public life. The endeavor shall be to provide opportunities for the younger generation to apply the skills and knowledge gained by them for the overall benefit of the society. The most essential requirements for the purpose are appropriate changes in the system of education, infrastructure facilities to extend preferential support to educated youth for self-employment, organizational arrangement for sustained social education and political will to promote austerity in public life.
BOOKS:
During the
period, I could author/edit many books, the most popular of which are:
1, Coconut
Culture in India,
2. The Coconut
Palm and Its Products,
3. Handbook on
Coconut Palm,
4. Coconut
Industry in India,
5. Farmer’s
Assessment of Coconut Varieties in Kerala,
6. Facts and
Fallacies About Coconut Oil,
7. Organics in
Soil Health and Crop Production,
8. Cassava,
9. Coconut
Recipes Around the World,
10. Trees and
Tree Farming,
11. Organic
Agriculture,
12. Coconut for
Prosperity,
13. Management in
Agriculture and Rural Development,
14. Coconut for
Rural Prosperity,
15. Coconut for
Rural Welfare, and
16. The Coconut
Palm (Cocos nucifera L.)-Research and Development Perspectives.
FAMILY:
The first
grandson, a doctorate degree holder in Aeronautics Engineering, is now working
in Australia. The second one, an engineering degree holder, is working in New
Zealand. The third one, who is a doctorate degree holder in Structural Biology,
is presently working in the University of Liverpool in UK . The elder
granddaughter, who was a practicing lawyer, is presently engaged in business,
in association with her husband. The youngest granddaughter is already a
postgraduate in three different disciplines. She is now in Paris.
Mrs.
Ambika Thampan: The 5th of August, is the birthday (Rohini) of
my wife Ambika Devi. On that day she completes 87 years. She is the daughter of
late Palakasseril P. Raghavan, who was Municipal Chairman of Quilon and the
first President of Kollam District Congress Committee.
Contact Info:
Mr. P K Thampan, MIG 141 Gandhi Nagar, Kadavanthra, Ernakulam.
https://www.thampanpk.blogspot.com
www.pkthampan.com
