Kuttimama

 Back to the Future – A Day in Thrissur It was truly a “Back to the Future” day for me in Thrissur. Unfortunately, the audio of my videos didn’t come through. Maybe that was a blessing in disguise—because when you’re alone, the mind starts speaking louder anyway. To escape the heat (and perhaps my own thoughts), I followed my better half’s advice. I landed at Sobha City Mall and watched Bharathanatyam—a proper slapstick comedy. Light, silly, and exactly what the doctor ordered. Post-movie hunger kicked in, so I walked into the iconic Indian Coffee House—probably one of the oldest and most character-filled places in the country. Ordered a dosa and a beef cutlet. Simple joys. Then came the real story. A father and son joined my table. The boy ordered an omelette, the father stuck to a dosa. As always, the “Maharaja-style” service came with knife and fork—an idiosyncrasy that refuses to die. Founded by the great A. K. Gopalan to generate employment, this cooperative still carries trac...

England is no ordinary battlefield for Test cricket. The ball swings like a pendulum, the skies shift moods without warning, and every blade of grass carries a challenge. Legends have stumbled here, giants have fallen. Yet, in the summer of this series, a young Indian side walked into this cauldron and walked out with heads held high— 2–2 in England! A scoreline that is worth far more than its numbers. This wasn’t just cricket. This was a statement. A roar. A proclamation that Indian cricket’s next generation is ready to conquer the world. The lineup wasn’t star-studded with the usual veterans. It was a brigade of fearless youngsters —untamed, unafraid, and unapologetically aggressive. And amidst them, like a calm elder brother, stood K.L. Rahul . He didn’t impose his seniority; he dissolved into the team’s rhythm. He lent quiet confidence when storms brewed and showed that leadership sometimes means blending in, not standing apart . But if Rahul was the calm, then Mohammed Siraj was ...

There was a time in Malayalam cinema when most of the female voices that ruled our hearts were not from Kerala. The golden era began with the legendary P. Leela, followed by the magical voices of P. Susheela, S. Janaki, Vani Jayaram, Madhuri and many others. Their songs carried timeless charm, etched into our memories forever. But interestingly, in those years, while the Gana Gandharvan Yesudas and the ever-melodious Jayachandran stood as strict guardians of perfect diction and pronunciation, audiences were more forgiving towards the female singers. Whether in solos or duets, we let the sweetness of their voices overshadow the slight slips in Malayalam diction. Then came a new dawn — the arrival of K.S. Chithra and Sujatha. With them, the “Malayalee touch” finally came into full bloom. Their clarity, flawless diction, and emotional depth made every song resonate with authenticity. They set new benchmarks and made us realize that perfection could also be wrapped in tenderness. And yet, ...

118 years of Alembic journey in India is not just a milestone—it’s a story of perseverance, trust, and relationships. For me, Alembic is not just another pharmaceutical company—it is an emotion, a legacy, and a family name I grew up hearing every single day. My father dedicated 42 years of his life to Alembic . Normally, employees would retire after 40 years of service, but he was given a special 2-year extension —because the company simply could not find a replacement for his experience, his deep market understanding, and above all, the trust he commanded among doctors and stockists . 35 years as a Medical Representative , where he built Alembic’s name brick by brick, prescription by prescription, handshake by handshake. 7 years as a Sales Manager in Kerala , where he didn’t just “manage a team”—he inspired them, guided them, and often carried the burden of sales targets himself. What made him different? It wasn’t just product knowledge or numbers—it was his relationships . ...

I have always admired the optimism of Indian CEOs when they talk about welcoming global companies for partnerships in Research & Development. It sounds glamorous—India as the next big hub for innovation, collaborating with giants to create life‑saving molecules. But let’s pause for a reality check. What these leaders often fail to recognize—or perhaps conveniently ignore—is how Indian laws can be misinterpreted, bent, and squeezed to accommodate such partnerships. And when it comes to bending rules, Indians are masters of jugaad . The global players know this all too well. India: A Heaven for Global Giants In developed countries, five phases of clinical trials are a regulatory mountain. Strict ethical standards, strong patient rights, and government oversight make it nearly impossible to push a drug through without immense scrutiny. India, on the other hand, has long been a paradise for them. Easy recruitment, weaker regulatory checks, and a healthcare system desperate for access ...

Generics: India’s Copycats That Saved the World There’s a wrong notion doing the rounds: “Generics are bad, substandard, third-rate pills.” Absolute rubbish. Here’s the truth bomb: Every so-called ‘branded’ Indian medicine is a branded generic. Cipla, Sun, Ranbaxy (now Sun), Torrent—none of them have their own billion-dollar “research molecule.” They are all copycats. And you know what? Thank God for these copycats—because without them, the world couldn’t afford medicines. In fact, only one original, homegrown R&D molecule exists in India: Lipaglyn (Saroglitazar) from Zydus. That’s it. One candle in a forest of generics. Now, about the quality drama. Our pharma plants are GMP- and WHO-certified, FDA-audited, and EU-approved. The same pills Indians suspect as “low-grade” are shipped by the ton to America, Europe, and Africa. If they’re good enough for the U.S. FDA, why suddenly “bad” in Bengaluru or Bhopal? The real circus isn’t quality—it’s pricing politics . Inside pharma com...

There was a time when Malayalam cinema was shot almost entirely within the confines of studios. But with the advancement of camera and lighting technology, the industry slowly stepped out into the open. Even then, filmmaking largely remained concentrated in the southern parts of Kerala—Trivandrum, Kollam, Alleppey, and later Ernakulam (now Kochi). A few films, however, broke this mould. Classics like Olavum Theeravum , Asuravithu , and later Fazil’s Ennenum Kannettande were early exceptions. Soon, filmmakers began to discover the charm of Kerala’s lush landscapes, traditional tharavads (ancestral homes), and illams (Brahmin households). This shift truly gained momentum with Kamal’s Peruvannapurathe Visheshangal . What followed was a wave of films rooted in natural settings, driven by two simple reasons—low production costs, and the remarkable efficiency of the Malayalam industry. Back then, a film could be completed, including post-production, within just 20–25 days—a feat unmatched...

When You Say Amul, You Must Say “Palu” Kurien. “Palu” in Malayalam means milk. And that’s what Mr.Verghese Kurien – lovingly called “Palu Kurien” by many – stood for. He was not just the Father of the White Revolution, but a visionary much like your own father, Dr. Prathap Reddy. Dr. Kurien believed in people. More importantly, he believed in the power of bringing people together. A cooperative movement born in a small town in Gujarat — not even his native land — driven by women. Yes, it was women who stood at the heart of the Amul story. A quiet revolution in women’s entrepreneurship and empowerment, much before it became a buzzword. Like you rightly said in a recent post, the brand-building was iconic. But it wasn’t just the product or even the vision. It was trust. The ad gurus brought the charm, but the soul was in the simplicity, the inclusiveness. Look around — certain brands became household nouns. Dalda (for vanaspati), Maggi (for noodles), Xerox (for photocopy). And Amul, for ...

India’s Silent Epidemic: The Unethical Use of Antibiotics In the race to treat infections quickly, India finds itself in the dangerous lane of antibiotic misuse—both in hospitals and in the community. While antibiotics were once hailed as miracle drugs, today their indiscriminate use has become one of the country’s gravest healthcare threats. Ethics on Ventilator Antibiotics are meant to be prescribed with caution, but in India, they are often handed out like candies. Be it a viral sore throat or a minor fever, antibiotics are given without confirming bacterial cause. Worse still, pharmacists continue to dispense them over-the-counter, bypassing the need for a prescription altogether. In hospitals, especially in ICUs, broad-spectrum antibiotics are used as a knee-jerk reaction—often before any culture is taken. This “shoot-first-ask-later” policy creates resistant superbugs and kills off beneficial bacteria, making future infections harder to treat. From Miracle to Mayhem The ethical p...

Money Is for Living, Not for Legacy In today’s fast-paced, hyper-materialistic world, we often forget a simple truth: Money is not everything. It is essential, yes — to live, to meet needs, to offer some comfort. But beyond a certain point, it’s not about survival. It becomes about status. It becomes about showcasing. But let’s pause and reflect — no matter how much you accumulate, you leave this world empty-handed. Whether you're a millionaire or a humble worker, the final destination is the same. The Rolls Royce, the designer watches, the sprawling villas — none accompany you beyond this life. There’s a dangerous trend growing, especially in India, where the younger generation seems to treat their parents not with reverence but with expectation. How much did they save? What will I inherit? They forget the lakhs (or even crores) their parents spent on raising them — with no expectation of return. The food, the education, the sacrifices — none of it was billed or recorded, but e...

Be fungible and amenable — not just in tech, but in thought. There was a time when certain Indian states strongly resisted Hindi, even though it was the official language. The pluralism was so intense that the common ground became English — ironically, a foreign language. The twist? Even those who rejected Hindi often struggled with English too. But they adapted — because survival in a diverse system demands flexibility. Same applies to your skills. Languages (spoken or coded) are just tools. Don’t get emotionally attached to one. The real skill is your willingness to shift gears. “Blow your own trumpet” — it's not vanity, it's visibility. In most corporate cultures, if you don’t speak up about your work (and your team’s achievements), no one else will. I’ve said it before: if you can’t communicate and showcase the value you bring, your silence becomes your invisibility. It’s not enough to just do the work — you must demonstrate it. Through words, action, and presence. Let the ...

From Boardrooms to Paddy Fields: A Journey of Purpose My life — both personal and professional — has been nothing short of a roller coaster ride. When you face the harsh realities of life at a young age, you either break or rebel. I chose the latter. With no guide, mentor, or compass, I stumbled into the world of sales — not by choice, but by necessity. And yet, what began as a compulsion became my calling. I climbed the ladder steadily, with grit and sweat, reaching the position of Vice President. I lived the so-called "dream life" — flying across four regions of India every month for over two decades, staying in every luxury hotel you can name — Taj, Oberoi, Hyatt… the works. But life, in its own unpredictable way, gave me a jolt that no luxury could soften. I lost my son in a tragic accident. That single moment redefined everything I believed in. It stripped me down to the core. But even in that deep pain, I chose to hold on to my humility, my dignity, and the belief that ...

കഴിവ് മാത്രം പോരാ, അത് പ്രകടിപ്പിക്കാനും അത് ജനങ്ങളിലേക്കു എത്തിക്കാനും പ്രാപ്തിയുള്ള ആളുകളാണ് സിനിമാക്കാർ. അടുത്തിടെ ലാൽ (സിദ്ദിഖ്  ലാൽ) പറയുന്നത് കേട്ട്, ജഗതി ശ്രീകുമാർi impromptu അല്ലെങ്കിൽ മുൻകൂട്ടി ആസൂത്രണം ചെയ്യാതെ ഡയലോഗ് മാറ്റുന്നതും അഭിനയിക്കുന്നതും ശരിയല്ല എന്നും. ലാലിന് എന്ത് അറിയാം. ജഗതിയെ പോലെ ഒരു അതുല്യ പ്രതിഭയ്ക്കു എവിടെ മീറ്റർ കൂടാനും എന്നും എവിടെ കുറിക്കാനും എന്നും ലാൽ സിനിമയിൽ വരുന്നതിനു മുൻപേ, പൂരപ്പറമ്പിൽ മിമിക്രി കളിച്ചു നടന്ന കാലങ്ങൾക്കു മുൻപേ ചെയ്ത ആളാണ്. ക്ലാസിക് എടുത്ത സത്യചൈത റേ,രവിധിക് ഘടക, അരവിന്ദൻ, അടൂർ ഗോപാലകൃഷ്ണൻ എന്നിവർ സിനിമ ചെയുമ്പോൾ സ്ക്രിപ്റ്റ് പറഞ്ഞു കൊടുക്കയും ഡയലോഗ്സ് ഏകദേശം ഇങ്ങേനെവരാനും പറയും. ബാക്കി ആക്ടർടെ മനോധര്മമാണ് . സിനിമ ഒരു കൂട്ടായ്മയാണ്, അതിൽ പ്രൊഡ്യൂസർ മുതൽ, ലൈറ്റ് ബോയ് അല്ലെങ്കിൽ ചായ കൊടുക്കുന്ന പയ്യൻ അടക്കം ഒരു റോളുണ്ട്.  മലയാള സിനിമ ഇന്ന് ഒരു പ്രതിസന്ധിയിലാണ്. സിനിമയുടെ ഗുണനിലവാരം കൊണ്ടല്ല, സംഘടകളുടെ ഉൾകുത്തിലും ചില ആളുകളുടെ അഹംഭാവത്തിലുമാണ് കാരണം. ഇതിൽ ബലിയാടാവുന്നതു നല്ല സിനിമയും പ്രൊഡക്ഷൻ കുറവുള്ള സിനിമകളും. സൂപ്പർസ്റ്റാർ...

Nestled in the tranquil surroundings of Chalakudy, just opposite the serene Pota Ashram, Palace Hospital has been a trusted name in healthcare for the past 16 years. The peaceful and picturesque location, where nature flourishes in its purest form, offers a healing atmosphere that naturally helps ease psychological stress — a leading cause of many health conditions. Palace Hospital is currently staffed by a dedicated team of medical professionals, including: Two senior Gynecologists A Pediatrician A General Physician A Surgeon A network of Visiting Specialists We also house Sanvivo Wellness, a specialized clinic focusing on the developmental and therapeutic care of children with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, and other neurological and behavioral conditions. A trained therapist provides individualized care and support tailored to each child’s unique needs. Moving Towards Holistic Healing In our ongoing effort to serve the community better, we are expanding Palace Hospital into a Holistic Heal...

 Stop the Scam: India Must Act Against AI-Generated Fraud and Easy-Money Traps In the past few months, my social media feeds have been flooded with seem ingly credible videos — featuring the likes of Elon Musk, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Infosys founder Narayana Murthy, and Reliance’s Mukesh Ambani — all claiming one bizarre thing: Deposit ₹21,000 into a “special” link, and earn ₹21 lakh per month. "AI QUANTUM" is the name given.  As a responsible citizen, I want to make this loud and clear — this is a scam. A deepfake, AI-generated hoax. And it’s not just an annoyance. It’s a digital epidemic that’s threatening the very fabric of our working-class economy and confusing the already struggling Indian youth.  When AI Meets Greed: The Rise of Deepfake Frauds Using AI tools and deepfake technology, scammers have started impersonating trusted public figures — from global tech giants to Indian policymakers — to promote fake investment schemes. With hyper-realistic voi...

  Why I Am a Hindu — And Why That Matters Today By: Inspired by Shashi Tharoor’s views In an age when shouting matches are mistaken for spiritual debates and hashtags pass off as modern scriptures, it’s become urgent—almost sacred—to pause and ask: What does it really mean to be a Hindu? Shashi Tharoor did just that. Not with the aggression of a televangelist or the smugness of a YouTube guru, but with the introspection of someone who grew up with the faith, absorbed it, and now wants to rescue it—from its own self-proclaimed saviors. 🌼 The Hinduism of Home and Heart Tharoor’s Hinduism wasn’t something he picked up from a WhatsApp forward. It was the murmur of mantras at home, the stories of gods who were flawed yet divine, the quiet reverence at a temple without knowing all the rituals. His was the Hinduism of experience, not enforcement. In his widely acclaimed book “Why I Am a Hindu”, Tharoor walks readers through the texture of his faith: richly layered, intellectually vibrant...

 "There is nothing called as Death. It's Life, Life and Life. It's only different dimensions of life, that death comes in"—reflects a profound philosophical perspective that views death not as an end, but as a transition to another state of existence. This concept resonates with various spiritual and philosophical traditions that perceive life and death as interconnected phases of a continuous journey. Philosophical and Spiritual Perspectives Sadhguru, a contemporary spiritual teacher, articulates this view by stating that death is not non-existence but rather life moving from one dimension of existence to another . Buddhist philosophy introduces the concept of Bardo, an intermediate state between death and rebirth, suggesting that consciousness continues its journey beyond physical demise . Islamic teachings also perceive death as a transition, where the soul moves from the worldly life to an eternal afterlife, emphasizing that death marks the continuation of life in...

There was a time, not too long ago — till the 1990s — when the Indian pharmaceutical industry took pride in grooming its leaders from within. A Medical Representative could aspire to become a Zonal Manager, a General Manager, even the Managing Director, through sheer dedication, field knowledge, and long-term association with the company. Back then, leadership wasn’t imported — it was grown. Today, that reality has drastically changed. Every leadership position — be it in Marketing, Sales, HR, Production, or Logistics — is filled by lateral hiring from other companies, often those with identical product portfolios. The same faces rotate across companies every couple of years, bringing with them templated strategies, the same customer lists, and unfortunately, very little emotional investment in the teams they inherit. Is it because organizations no longer believe the same shepherd can lead the goats he has nurtured for 25–30 years? Or is it simply cheaper to bring in someone from outs...

THE INDIAN PHARMA PARADOX: GENERIC VS BRANDED GENERIC  Background India has over 60,000+ branded generic drugs. These are essentially off-patent molecules sold under brand names (e.g., Paracetamol as Crocin, Calpol, P-650, etc.). The active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) is the same, but the branding creates a perception of trust, quality, or superiority. When the Supreme Court or government regulators push for prescriptions by salt/generic name only, the stated objective is:     • Reduce drug prices     • Eliminate unethical promotions     • Ensure wider access But the ground reality paints a more complicated picture.  CORE ISSUES WITH GENERIC-ONLY PRESCRIPTIONS IN INDIA 1. Quality Variability     • Anyone with a license and a basic facility can manufacture generics.     • WHO GMP compliance is not uniform across the industry.     • Substandard or bio-inequivalent drugs may enter the market, especially at low prices...

Neutraceutical- The Next Generation of Medicine Medicine is evolving — not just in labs and hospitals, but on our plates and in our daily routines. In a world where chronic diseases are rising and people are searching for safer, sustainable alternatives to conventional drugs, a quiet revolution is taking place. It’s called  Nutraceuticals  — and it’s redefining the future of healthcare. What Exactly Are Nutraceuticals? Nutraceuticals are natural bioactive compounds — often derived from food sources — that provide  medicinal or health benefits . These aren't just vitamins or dietary supplements. Nutraceuticals are  science-backed substances  that can help  prevent, manage, or even reverse diseases . You’ve probably heard of many already: Curcumin  from turmeric – anti-inflammatory and cancer-preventive Omega-3 fatty acids  from fish oil – heart and brain health Probiotics  – gut health and immunity Resveratrol  from grapes – anti-aging a...