#Mullaperiyar dam facing imminent destruction

A dam built 116 years back when  structural engineering was not developed to the level we have today cannot be expected to last for ever.This every one who can think without any bias can easily understand.

Tamil Nadu is getting water from this dam for a very little cost for years together from Kerala.They use it for irrigation and for producing Electricity through Hydro Electric power station which is the cheapest method of producing Electricity.Tamil Nadu politicians are  simply not bothered about weak structure of Mullaperiyar dam which has outlived its existence nearly 60 years back.

What if the dam collapses?Water stored in dam will flow to down stream Kerala at very high speed damaging property on banks of river Periyar and killing all living beings on its path.It is estimated that nearly 30 lakh Keralites will die within  very little time as the water breaking out from the dam will run down very fast damaging every thing on its way.

Engineer who built this dam 116 years back has predicted that it will last safely for 50 years.So for the balance years it is remaining in tact as a miracle.Such miracles do not go on for ever.Already cracks are developed on the storage walls of dam.Bonding used for building old Mullaperiyar dam is only lime.Both laterite and lime get deteriorated over a period of time and now it is at the most precarious condition.

A catastrophe can happen any moment killing millions of Keralites and Tamil Nadu which now enjoys cheap power and water for irrigation from Mullaperiyar can possibly watch death of millions of Keralites and their source of cheap power and water for irrigation can end for ever without any Malayalee doing anything.

So an alternate modern dam at the down stream of present Mullaperiyar dam is essential  to save lives and property of Keralites and to ensure continuous supply of water to Tamil Nadu.

While the dam is facing imminent destruction Tamil Nadu politicians are demanding loudly to raise water level in the dam to speed up destruction of the dam!Why should they shut their eyes and ears to reality? I simply cannot understand this.

Kerala Govt,Kerala politicians and People in general in Kerala are not aware of the death threat on nearly half of its population.Politicians are simply conducting all party meetings,pilgrimage To Delhi to chit chat with rulers there and waiting patiently for ever for court verdicts on cases going on in the matter for decades.

But an Engineering structure having outlived its date of safe existence will not wait for permission from Governments,courts to break down and cause havoc unheard of or unimagined by any one ever.An earth quake of even minor nature can push the destruction earlier.

Are we all waiting silently for the largest, deadliest catastrophe ever faced by Kerala and India coolly? Will at least ordinary people of Kerala rise  up and force these non moving rulers to act fast and ensure that an alternate latest technology dam replaces Mullaperiyar dam fast? Will they force rulers to take whatever precautions ,safeguards to avoid danger while the new dam work is in progress? I have practically no hope and I wait for the death threat like some one sentenced to death!

Onam and King Mahabali

Long long back
We had this King called Mahabali
When he was ruling,
there was no sins.
No looting, no cheating
No lies, no killings
No rapes, no beatings
No double standards,
No scheming treachery
No shortage of food
No rich and poor
No sorrows, no pain
No one was afraid of anyone
No one was doubtful about any one
No one was expecting trouble from any one
No locks and safe lockers
No jails and no police
Every one was loving and caring
Every one was helpful
Every one was there when you need help
Every one loved every one
In our land, every year
We still celebrate ten days of festival
remembering those old days of happiness
Dreaming with no reason,
those dreamy days will come back.
Dreaming that our old King Mahabali
Will come back from death
and rule us again
with no looting, cheating
with no lies and killings
with no rapes and beatings
with no shortage of food
with no rich and poor
with no sorrows and pain.
We call those ten days
Onam festival days
Onam days of King Mahabali

#Pranayam-an asset to Malayalam film

When I saw the posters of two old men chatting with a middle aged lady with Pranayam written in a circle style,all I could guess about the film were these:

1.It must be a story of old style Pranayam of these old style people.So,not worth watching

2.Mohan lal has done many remarkable films.But his recent films have him as Mohan Lal with very little to act but to do sort of posture to present himself as simply a super star.All his super star glories are good for him and actors who live in awe of him.Why a commoner like me go and see his super start”jada” paying ticket charges?

So naturally I was not keen on watching the film even though name of Blessy prompted me to try the film.

Pranayam in the old concept was practically foolish with neither of the partners bothering enough to know each other before tying the knot.So after marriage,when reality stares at them with heat of life  burning them differences crop up.A divorce and another marriage,two children in each marriage.Blessy tells all these story mile stones without bothering to convince us on why and what.

Then suddenly after 40 years all actors in the drama meet together and they act together a new drama.Pain of a mother when she finds that her son hate her too much,pain of the first lover when he knows that another man loves and claims his original love as precious in spite of understanding her previous life alien to him,all these are well picturised.

But the story has more lively scenes than that boring scene shown by posters.If only promoters of the film made people aware that this is not a boring film as is made out? But who cares for marketing of film? This film for the first time made me cry.Credit goes to both Anupam Kher and Jayapradha who lived as characters along with Director Blessy.Mohan Lal could not be that impressive and I could notice the superstar showing up disturbing mind of viewer off and on.

A film definitely worth watching and cannot be missed.Malayalam film industry can be proud of this film,# pranayam even though the film is more about relationships than about pranayam

After fasting by Anna Hazare

Fast of Anna came to an end after 13 days with Anna drinking coconut water and honey offered by two kids less than 5 year old on hearing about a resolution by parliament agreeing to consider framing Lok Pal bill in line with demands made by Anna Hazare.

But this is only a small step forward.The same Rulers have agreed to bring Lok pal bill to control and prevent corruption to end earlier fast of Anna and they in turn brought up a "joke pal bill" just to fool Anna and other fools living in the country excluding those few hundreds of Parliamentarians who it seems have all wisdom of the country concentrated in.

Both ruling and opposition politicians of the country want to have their right to loot in tact.They do not mind talking pro people during elections and win it by hook or crook.

After winning elections they think they are free to do anything for five years.They say during that five years"Parliament is supreme "and people have no right or business to demand anything from them.People have to meekly accept whatever supreme parliament benevolently gives them even if it is a Joke pal bill which can do nothing to catch looters or punish them.They think 120 crores people are like babies who can be happy if you give them some toy to play with when they earnestly do their sacred duty of looting the country and safely keep money looted abroad.

I do not think that this mere resolution of Parliament with thumping of desk will get converted in to an effective Lok Pal bill to put behind bars those who looted country for lakhs of crores of rupees

One senior central minister from Kerala is reported to have told in a meeting that people are agitated against corruption because of bribe they have to pay while trying to get anything done from govt offices.Yes.no body is happy about it.But this huge price rise and struggling to live with money earned by legitimate normal jobs is not caused by small bribes in govt offices.It is the large scale looting by rulers of country which make people agitated and he simply forget to notice it.This shows how foolish they think people are!

Success of Anna should be starting point of greater changes needed including real implementation of Lok pal in it's true spirit and meaning.Govt will again try to fool us with another joke pal bill which is essential for them to continue looting.Unless we make it impossible to loot,these present set of looters will not leave their lucrative business of ruling us.As Anna said nearly 150 of present MPs are notorious criminals.These looters should go to Tihar jail and honest,young patriotic people will come to occupy the space left vacant by looters calling themselves as irreplaceable nethas of the country

Open letter of TOI Editor to PM

I found this letter of Times of India,Mumbai Editor to be of immense relevance in the light of continuing fast of Anna Hazare in Delhi.Hence reproducing below

QUOTE

 

LETTER OF THE EDITOR OF "THE TIMES OF INDIA " TO THE PRIME MINISTER OF INDIA

I am born and brought up in Mumbai for last fifty eight years. Believe me, corruption in Maharashtra is worse than that in Bihar . Look at all the politicians, Sharad Pawar, Chagan Bhujbal, Narayan Rane, Bal Thackray , Gopinath Munde, Raj Thackray, Vilasrao Deshmukh all are rolling in money. Vilasrao Deshmukh is one of the worst Chief ministers I have seen. His only business is to increase the FSI every other day, make money and send it to Delhi , so Congress can fight next election. Now the clown has found new way and will increase FSI for fishermen, so they can build concrete houses right on sea shore. Next time terrorists can comfortably live in those houses, enjoy the beauty of the sea and then attack our Mumbai at their will.

Recently, I had to purchase a house in Mumbai. I met about two dozen builders. Everybody wanted about 30% in black. A common person like me knows this and with all your intelligence agency & CBI, you and your finance ministers are not aware of it. Where all the black money goes? To the underworld, isn't it? Our politicians take help of these goondas to vacate people by force. I myself was victim of it. If you have time please come to me, I will tell you everything.

If this has been a land of fools, idiots, then I would not have ever cared to write to you this letter. Just see the tragedy. On one side we are reaching moon, people are so intelligent; and on the other side, you politicians have converted nectar into deadly poison.I am everything  - Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Scheduled Caste, OBC, Muslim OBC, Christian Scheduled Caste, and Creamy Scheduled Caste; only what I am not is INDIAN. You politicians have raped every part of Mother India by your policy of divide and rule.

Take example of our Former President Abdul Kalam. Such an intelligent person; such a fine human being. But you politician didn't even spare him and instead choose a worthless lady who had corruption charges and insignificant local politician of Jalgaon WHO'S NAME ENTIRE COUNTRY HAD NOT HEARD BEFORE. Its simple logic your party just wanted a rubber stamp in the name of president. Imagine SHE IS SUPREME COMMANDER OF INDIA 'S THREE DEFENCE FORCES. What morale you will expect from our defense forces? Your party along with opposition joined hands, because politicians feel they are supreme and there is no place for a good person.

Dear Mr Prime minister, you are one of the most intelligent person, a most learned person. Just wake up, be a real SARDAR. First and foremost, expose all selfish politicians. Ask Swiss banks to give names of all Indian account holders. Give reins of CBI to independent agency. Let them find wolves among us. There will be political upheaval, but that will be better than dance of death which we are witnessing every day. Just give us ambience where we can work honestly and without fear. Let there be rule of law. Everything else will be taken care of.

Choice is yours Mr. Prime Minister. Do you want to be lead by one person, or you want to lead the nation of 100 Crore people?

Prakash B. Bajaj
Editor Mumbai-Times of India

Elevation for 3000 sft 4 Bed house at Thoppumpady,Cochin

Three dimensional Elevation for Four bed attached house at Thoppumpady,Cochin for NRI

Those who are interested in getting plan and other details for the house,write to

vhthomas@viruvelil.com

Replies to queries-House construction

A PLAN FOR HOUSE

Query

Dear Thomas,

I have gone through some of your blogs and thought of sending u an email.

We are planning to build a one storey Kerala house with verandahs with 3 bedroom and 2 attached and 1 common bathroom kitchen and a hall  in 16 cent of land in our village,

our budget is around 12 to 15 lakhs. Please help me with your valuable suggestion

on its possibility. if u could just sketch a rough plan it will be more helpful.

Thanks a lot.

Meenu

My reply

You have not even told where you intend to construct house.16 cents of land simply gives an idea on area of land.For a house to be planned I need to know how much road frontage plot has,where is the road,directions,terrain of land and much more

Plan of the house is specifically designed to suit your requirements,budget,site measurements and site conditions.Any plan made for house for any one will not simply suit you.Three bed room house in single story may have an area of about 1300 to 1500 sft with usual common facilities.Even with present cost of construction,it will not be possible to complete such a house within Rs.15 lakhs.The more you delay construction,more will be the cost

I have sent detailed mail on what all you should know and do to start constructing a house to you

Wooden flooring

What is your opinion about laminate wood flooring?

(Through blog comment)

My reply

Wooden flooring is not costly compared to granite flooring.It is more environment friendly.You can comfortably sleep on the floor and walk without having to worry about negative effects of walking on artificial flooring material.But you will have to keep the floor neat without rubbing it with wet cloth.Wet cloth will damage wood in the long run

Licensee certifying for submission drawings to local authority

you said that architects, licensed engineers or super visors can approve a plan. can you please mention who all include in this category

(Through Blog comment)

My reply

For obtaining Building permit/approved plan from local authority in Kerala,you have to submit application  and submission drawings as per rules duly filled and counter signed by a Licensed Engineer/Architect/supervisor having registration of license with Dept. of Urban affairs,Kerala.State

Dream House for NRI at Kannur

Query

Hi I am Céline live in UK.planning to build a house back in Kerala in my home town.while I was going through the construction company my eyes got caught on yours.

hope you will be able to help me.

our place name is Pachani in Kannur.It is a small place ,the area we are planning to build is a flat plot about an acre  in between 2 small hills.its a lovely place.

I am looking to build a house within 2800sqft area.5 bed room house,2 bed room down stairs and 3 up.looking forward to see different models please.I am desperate so please do help me.thanks.

waiting to hear from u.

Céline Scaria

My reply

You do not have to be desperate

I can convert your dreams in to reality with professional care,guidance and assistance

I will have to first visit site where the house has to come up to study site conditions and to make myself familiar with site and surroundings so that I can dream your future house better and check Vasthu aspects for the plot so that a Vasthu compliant design can be developed

You will have to write to me in detail what all you hope to have in the house and your dreams for the house.

Construction of house using Ferro cement

Query

Dear Mr. Thomas,

I came across your website on Ferro cement construction. I retired as Chief Gen. Manager, Cochin Shipyard and now stay at Ernakulum.

I require an additional room on the first floor of my residence and having gone through your website came to the conclusion that a Ferro cement construction would be the right option. Could you be of assistance please.

T J Cherian

My reply

A Ferro cement construction will be good.But right now in and around Cochin there is only one some what reliable company doing just Ferro cement septic tanks and under ground water tanks.Due to lack of competition,they are not much customer friendly to do custom built Ferro cement building parts

So option before you will be to do the construction of one extra room with solid block concrete bricks.

Elevation for three bed house

Elevation for three bed room house designed by us  for an NRI given below

Any one like to get plan of this house mail me to vhthomas@viruvelil.com

Chappa Kurish-a film worth seeing

Before this film,I have never heard about these two words together,Chappa Kurish.Though I have heard of Chappa meaning a seal and Kurish ,our good old cross separately.

I do not understand how this  name Chappa Kurish relate to the film even after seeing this film.When I asked some one he said,Chappa Kurish means head or tails while tossing a coin.There was no coin tossing in this film.One reason I hesitated seeing this film was this not attractive or appealing name of the film.Then those big posters showing Vineeth Sreenivasan in filthy surroundings carrying a bucket.It also gave me an impression that the film is not worth seeing.Rima Kallingal was tweeting so emphatically saying that it is a film worth seeing.So I decided to try expecting a boring film.

But it was not boring at all and it is definitely a great change from our usual superstar films with oft repeated unbelievable stories.Yes.this film brings Malayalam films closer to picturising life in its reality.

Lead man in the film,Fahad had acted so well.Vineeth could only try to do well.But did not succeed to the extent of expectation.Remya Nambisan did not have much to act.Rima did well by not taking up that role (as she tweeted) even though offered this role.

Coming from construction industry I can say that no construction company send a lady executive acting as secretary to Chief of operations to village offices or to any other offices  to get things done or bribe people.All these liaison works with govt offices are handled by separate agencies.COO  or his secretary has to simply monitor these through phone calls.So that part is a technical error.

Hero telling heroine that he never promised to marry her and heroine thinking otherwise also lack credibility.Fight at the end after all damages done  is highly exaggerated.No indication of family of heroine and her friends in spite of such damaging experiences in her life.That is surprising in the story line.

Camera work is noticeably good.I never ever thought that Malayalam films will deal with stories with touch and smell of realities of life. This film is a welcome change in that direction and a must see film in spite of it’s unattractive name.

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Alone, how long I can go?

Alone, how long I can go?
Do I need to hear your voice near me?
Do I need to feel your sweating hand inside my hand,
Making me feel you are with me?

Do I need to look at your clear sparkling eyes
Just to feel thrill of my heart
when it notices that widening of your eyes
when you look at me
as if seeing the most beautiful
being of this world?

Alone, how long I can go?
without feeling your smell close to me
without feeling your warm body near me
without feeling a part of me walking by my side
with my own legs
with my own hands
with my own mind
with my own dreams.

Alone, how long I can go?
without you calling the naughtiest of names
without you getting worried about
even sweat on my forehead
without you planning
our days coming
without you pushing me to move on
without you pushing me to face
whatever may come on our way?

Then you told me
I was with you even before you
came to earth
and even when you go from earth
I will be with you

We travel
to eternity
Our road never ends.
Our legs never get tired
We laugh, hug and walk
hand in hand
to the never reaching
end of the world.

Thomas Viruvelil

Salt and Pepper-a welcome change in Malayalam film

Feeling inferiority complex is so common among all of us.But nobody has thought of making it theme of a film and film Salt and Pepper has done exactly that.
Lal has acted so well that not even once while watching the film I thought of it being actor Lal even though there is hardly any make up for him.Feeling of being inadequate and not up to the expectation level of others especially those whom you want to really impress to get in to the heart of that person is picturised so well by Lal through his acting.Swetha Menon did try well but could not reach up to that level of Lal.
Asif Ali and the female counter part also tried to express same feeling and Asif Ali did comparatively much better with his acting talents.
I do not know  why that sub story with Vijayaraghavan and his failed love story is added.It does not serve any purpose and weakens credibility level of the film.Story of a cook hijacked from a house where Lal went for bride seeing can be passed off as an attempt to add humour even though it also lacks credibility.
Premikkumbol is the theme song of the film and the song is simply great with both Jayachandran And Neha singing so well.Voice of Neha while singing this song is almost heavenly and she sang so well making her entry in to film world real great.She has great future ahead in her singing career
Finally that presentation of Avial song at the end did not appear to be appropriate for me.It is just adding another program after completing the film and it protrudes out.I do not know why Neha is not included in that show.
Promotion for the film shows a caption-"Oru Dosa undikkiya katha".When I read it I thought that the film is not worth seeing.Why should I waste my time trying to see story of how Dosa is being made?.Again posters first appeared showed Swetha Menon and Lal with a land phone.That poster also did not persuade or encourage me to see the film.I saw the film only because of my twitter friends reccommendation  and definitely not by marketing efforts for the fim.That clearly shows that marketing efforts for the film are not up to the level expected .
Oru Dosa Undakkiya Katha can be translated in two ways:
1.Story of making of Dosa
2.Story made by a Dosa
Probably the promotion people of film, might have meant the latter
While on Dosa,the old round Dosa is fast disappearing and is being replaced by so called Ghee Roast which is simply a fried Dosa.This is not as tasty and good for health like old small round Dosa.

There is a small restaurant between Thuravoor and Cherthala at a place called Ponnamveli by the side of National high way where you still can get old type dosa with old type chuttney.Name of the restaurant is Lakshmi.Whenever I pass through this place,I make it a point to have that dosa.I have seen many filmi folks frequenting that place which is quite crowded.Try this old style Dosa

Queries and replies

HOUSE AT KANNUR

Quote

Myself Shameem, from Kannur, Kerala, presently residing in Saudi Arabia(NRI). thru website we happened to know your works and much interested   as I am presently looking forward to design house for my family

Presently we have a plot of 35 plus cents and wish to  utilize 22 cents of it for the residential building and landscape.

Kindly requested to support me. Please give your proposal& terms in two options

Option One : With initial drawing, elevation, work drawings,structural drawings, 3D, fabrication details, electrical, plumbing, wood works,finishing works, flooring, Landscape details, Centering layout, Bill of Quantities;

Option two : With initial drawing, elevation, work drawings,structural drawings, 3D, fabrication details, electrical, plumbing, wood works,finishing works, flooring, Landscape details, Centering layout, Bill of  Quantities; Selection of materials, Selection of contractor/s, periodic visits   or work check, progress, guidelines & support, check if building is as per  Architectural drawings, post construction including interior design,development of interior layouts

By July4, 2011 I will be Kannur and will meet you. Prior to this  need an indicative proposal from you in order to plan our  program initially.Thank you and look forward to your indicative proposal as  detailed

Shameem Mohammed

My reply

From beginning to end of construction of house we guide you,advise you provide you drawings,instructions,guide workers and take you slowly to your dream house

First step is design of the house.For this I will prefer to visit your site and study site conditions.Even without site conditions plan  of the house can be  prepared.But for better results,I need to visualise your future house in the plot.For this a site visit will help a lot.

Instead of going for all details initially itself let us go step by step.First and foremost is getting a good plan of the house.Once that is done more than half of your problem is solved

FALL OUT OF APPLE-CONSTRUCTING APARTMENT FOR SELF AND FRIENDS

Query

My name is Mani Kuttan currently working in Saudi Arabia. I have a piece of land measuring 11 Cents (to be on safe side take 10) near Trissur Swaraj Round. May I know whether I can build 6 apartments in three floors in that plot, with an average area of 1300/1400 SQFT each apartment

The idea is to own one flat and sell the remaining to my friends who are ready to take it. Initially my friends wanted to buy flats from some builders but after the “Apple A day” they changed their idea and pushing me to construct an apartment. My idea was to sell the land but with this in mind I am looking for an a

I am looking for a professional who can assist me to accomplish this dream as I do not have any one to help back in Kerala. I am coming for a one-month vacation from 28 July 2011 and would like to meet you in person. It all depends whether I can construct a G+2 building with 6 apartment within this 10 cents of land. The land is situated at 2.25 Km from Swaraj Round and falls within the Trissur Municipal Area, approach road has a width of 3meter. If it is possible, please let me know your charges and bank account details to pay the fee for your consultation.

My reply

Six apartments in land of 11 cents do not look workable.I can visit site and then we can start working on it.I think one apartment each at each floor along with common facilities including car parking can be done

Any way it is a good idea to have your own apartments specially designed and built for you by a professional agency like us instead of booking for an apartment through apartment builders and finally loosing entire money paid as advance,without getting anything in return

House design and construction-Queries and replies

VILLA PROJECT

Query

Hello  Thomas,

   I am NRI having some land near Kaduthuruthy,Kerala. I like to make 3 to 4 small to medium size houses in that land. if you are available for a consultation please send me a replay.

Regards,

Joseph C.K

New York, USA.

My reply

Basically such a project require careful planning and professional involvement from beginning to end.

I will have to first visit site and study site conditions.You will have to send me copies of land sketch and also what all you plan to have in a typical Villa.Also you have to tell me type of budget you plan to have for each Villa

BUILDER ATTEMPTING TO CHEAT?

Query

Hi Thomas,

I am about to start constructing a home on 21 cents land. The builder I consulted let me know that car porch, sit out and balcony will be calculated as full built up area. I am not so convinced and would to get your opinion on it. Now my plan was to build a 2000 sq. feet home. He says as per his calculation it would come to around 2350 sq. ft. Is he trying to cheat me? Kindly let me know.

I would like to use your service for landscaping too.

Regards,

Shaji

My reply

First of all do not simply rely on whatever a builder says.Before starting construction of your house get a professional design from a qualified and experienced Architect

Once you have a professional design finalised you can also get a detailed Engineering Estimate from the Architect which will give you a fair idea on cost of construction expected.With these basic data you can negotiate with a builder for better terms with the assistance and guidance of the Architect

In case you are interested in having our services we can help you from design to  completion of building

SANCTION FOR VILLA PROJECT AND DEVELOPMENT OF PLOT

Query

Dear sir,

I visit your site Kerala architecture.com and I try to post a comment and I couldn't. That is why I am sending
this mail to you. I am Sajikumar working in Kuwait. I am going to purchase a seven cents house plot in panchayath
area TVM district. Total 25 house plots are included (almost 200 cents) in that land.This land is 150 meter far from MC road.
4 meter width road is connected to all plots. But I heard 8 meter width road and  waste dumping area should required, if more
than 5 house plots in one land. Otherwise panchayath will not give sanction for build a house in that area. Is it right? please advice me?
or from where I can get the right answer. I will expect your valuable reply.

Thanks & best regards
Sajikumar.

My reply

Before starting development of plot and division of land in to plots for construction of villas,developer has to obtain sanction from Regional Town planning authority who will have to approve division of plots with all mandatory facilities and common facilities.Check with your builder whether he has got such a sanction for plot development and obtain a copy of the sanction and verify it  with the help of a professional Architect

At present there is no need for obtaining prior Building permit from Panchayath except in special grade Panchayaths.However Building rule provisions will have to be strictly adhered to.

Get professional assistance before you make any financial commitments.WE can assist you if you require our services

Queries and reply-House Construction

Extension to existing house

QUOTE

I am having a one storage house and I would like to add one more storage.My house is of 1200 sq feet and I would like to add the staircase from inside the house.I like to have two bedrooms and a hall.Is it possible for you to give me details about the maximum expenditure that I have to put on

I do not have the plan with me now as i am in Pune.Is it possible for me to know how much will be the maximum expenditure that i have to put according to the market today.I will see whether i could get the plan.

Anul Ramesh

My reply

Lack of awareness on House construction related matters make you think that some one qualified and experienced may be able to give cost indication with the information provided by you.House construction or extension is not that simple

In fact it will be very difficult to assess or estimate expenses that can be expected for a modification/extension work as defects in construction of the original building will be known only when we attempt to do extension work.

A site visit,preparation of drawings of existing and proposed modification and preparation of Engineering Estimate will give you some idea on expected cost.Basically you have to first decide whether the extension planned is essential.Get expert advice on feasibility and usefulness of extension you are thinking of.May be an expert can guide you better on this.If you feel that the extension work is essential and viable after consulting a professional,you should not delay the work.Tomorrow cost can only go up making your plans un reachable

Building House in farm land  at Mala

QUOTE

Have plot in mala. Interested in building house of 1500-2000 sq. ft. Can
you give me ideas as to cost and designs.  For 2 people, no children,
to be used on part time basis. Large rooms desired and small 2 bedrooms
for guest. Even a small plunge pool, 10-12 ft. on back deck. Live in us
in architect designed house and love it.  Can you help? Await your
reply. 

Everette Crotts,

johns island, .
USA

UNQUOTE

I have visited this plot in an interior location away from Mala.There is no proper road reaching the plot even from a small panchayath road.About 30 cents of land with lot of Jathi trees reaching high yield condition.USA based Mr.Crotts has spent money and purchased this land about an year in the name of a school teacher  staying nearby.For all practical purposes the local teacher is using and having land as his own.According to neighbour he will get about Rs.80,000/- per year from Jathi trees.
Mr.Crotts who spent for purchase of land has no legal right on the land as per records.So I advised him not to spent any more money in the land.Place is not ideal for use to put up a vacation house.Cutting down Jathi trees in plot for construction now will be foolishness

So I advised him to sell the property at higher market value prevailing if his local teacher associate is willing to co operate and hand over proceeds of sale to him

Changing Flooring of the house

QUOTE

We have been living in our twenty year old house and its flooring is done with red oxide. Now I am planning to put tiles on the floor and the total area comes around 1000 sq.ft. I am looking for a medium budget plan. Can you give me the cost of ceramic tiles and granite tiles separately for my house? According to your opinion which one is best suitable for my house.

  Also can you give me the cost per square feet for chipping the floor, cost for laying tiles and the material cost(means cement, sand etc.) separately?

Waiting for your reply.

Regards,

Harikumar

My reply

There is no need to chip off existing floor.You can use tile adhesive instead of cement sand mix(mortar) to fix tiles.It is better to use anti skid tiles with better  strength,elegant colour and finish costing about Rs.70 per sft.Both NITCO and Johnson are manufacturing these tiles now.NITCO is calling it as Naturoc tiles

Story of Endosulphan

Endosulphan is one of the hundreds of pesticides used by farmers everywhere.Pesticides are basically sort of poison to kill weeds and pests sprayed regularly to crops of all nature.
Cardamom which is one among high profit yielding cash crops of high ranges of Kerala require heavy dosage of pesticides to grow as it is  highly susceptible to pests and weeds.
I had a client at Nedumgandom for whom I designed and built a house near his cardamom plantations.At least once in a fortnight I used to visit the site during construction travelling by car from Cochin returning on same day.I could enjoy beauty of  high ranges of Kerala moving through hair pin turns one after another.
Once when my client  at Nedumgandom came to my office at Cochin for a visit,we gave him tea with cardamom in it.After taking a sip,he rushed to wash basin and spit out entire sip of tea.He was real angry.
“Why are you giving this poison for me to drink? If you do not know I know the amount of poison being sprayed to cardamom from beginning to end”
Similarly when I was doing a project at Kothanalloor where lot of pineapple are being cultivated,when I was about to buy pineapple my local client told me not to  eat it.
”It is really dangerous.Amount of poison going in to it is too much.We will only sell it.We will never eat it”
All pesticides including endosulphan are dangerous.But without using these pesticides you cannot get crops in good quantity.If not endosulphan some other pesticide of equal poisonous content has to be used and will be used.
As Kerala has banned endosulphan ,farmers in high ranges and other places go to Tamil Nadu to buy it.They say no other pesticide is as effective as endosulphan especially for cardamom.
Trouble in the case of Kasargode has come because large scale planters there has sprayed endosulphan continuously all over the area where cashew crops are planted.People have used water mixed with endosulphan for drinking.So all problems have happened.Will any one ban poison simply because drinking it will cause death?Nobody is making any hue and cry about taking that company spraying endosulphan by air in Kasargode area to task.They might have managed these politicians well.
Endosulphan is a pesticide manufactured in a government company called Hindustan Insecticides Limited at Eloor,Cochin.No one working in the company handling endosulphan during production has  reported any adverse effect during these years.So it is not the product but the way it is used is the problem creator.Nobody is bothered to enquire about it.Public sector HIL cannot do lobbying spending lots of money for the product.If the product was manufactured by private sector companies like Ambanis no body would have fought against the product.They would have managed it well.
Politicians and film stars want political and publicity mileage out of endosulphan.They are getting it enough.Incidentally I asked a politician friend why he is against endosulphan.He replied:”Every  one opposes.So I also oppose it.If I support it I will be treated as a bad guy”
Unless a better and less poisonous product is developed instead of endosulphan,farmers will find ways to get the product for use.For them their rich cash crops are important.

Throw out corrupt politician looters

Anna Hazare has come forward to express strongly felt contempt of all non political people of India who forms 98% of helpless patriotic people of India

These looters looting our country without any fear of ever being caught and treating us common man as nothing worth considering should be thrown out of this country

They are never caught by laws of land .They loot lakhs of crores of rupees without ever being made to answer to any one for the loot.

Let people of India chase them out of endless comforts and privileges they enjoy and throw them out of this country.

I know nothing much will come out of these hunger strike by Hazare and candle lighting by people all over India.But young Indians who form more than 60% of Indian population has got fire building up in their bellies to throw away these looters of the country.Look at funny rules existing to protect their looting.Special sanction is required even to initiate cases against these privileged.When it comes to looting,enjoying sex  using money power,these politicians help each other.They belong to a class.So they help each other to escape getting caught.All those ruling party/opposition labeling are for the eyes of us fools.They help each other by destroying evidences.

Look at stories of all scams right from Bofors.All of those guilty escaped.Even in the case of former Kerala Minister, now in Jail opposition camp when in power not even appealed against High court verdict acquitting him for want of evidences.Mr.V.S.Achuthanandan personally fought the case at Supreme Court and got him jail he deserves.

So this Hazare protest is just the beginning.Government agreed to forming a panel as demanded by Hazare simply to avoid adverse publicity pointing to their unabated looting due to elections impending in five states.Otherwise Hazare could have slept without food for days and finally begged rulers for a decent face saving escape route.

Let this fire kindled by Hazare wake up Indian people always suffering helplessly ,watching with disgust  extra ordinary privileges and comforts enjoyed by the greatest looters of the country when petty thieves are beaten up in police lock ups and made to serve jail terms.In this country if you can loot in lakhs of crores,you can be the unquestioned  ruler of the country!

Anna Hazare and his fight

QUOTE

10 things to know about Anna Hazare and Jan Lok Pal Bill
 
1. Who is Anna Hazare?
An ex-army man. Fought 1965 Indo-Pak War
 
2. What's so special about him?
He built a village Ralegaon Siddhi in Ahamad Nagar district, Maharashtra
 
3. So what?
This village is a self-sustained model village. Energy is produced in the village itself from solar power, biofuel and wind mills.
In 1975, it used to be a poverty clad village. Now it is one of the richest village in India. It has become a model for self-sustained, eco-friendly & harmonic village.
 
4. Ok,...?
This guy, Anna Hazare was awarded Padma Bhushan and is a known figure for his social activities.
 
5. Really, what is he fighting for?
He is supporting a cause, the amendment of a law to curb corruption in India.
 
6. How that can be possible?
He is advocating for a Bill, The Jan Lokpal Bill (The Citizen Ombudsman Bill), that will form an autonomous authority who will make politicians (ministers), burocrats (IAS/IPS) accountable for their deeds.
 
8. It's an entirely new thing right..?
In 1972, the bill was proposed by then Law minister Mr. Shanti Bhushan. Since then it has been neglected by the politicians and some are trying to change the bill to suit their theft (corruption).
 
7. Oh.. He is going on a hunger strike for that whole thing of passing a Bill ! How can that be possible in such a short span of time?
The first thing he is asking for is: the government should come forward and announce that the bill is going to be passed.
Next, they make a joint committee to DRAFT the JAN LOKPAL BILL. 50% government participation and 50% public participation. Because you cant trust the government entirely for making such a bill which does not suit them.
 
8. Fine, What will happen when this bill is passed?
A LokPal will be appointed at the centre. He will have an autonomous charge, say like the Election Commission of India. In each and every state, Lokayukta will be appointed. The job is to bring all alleged party to trial in case of corruptions within 1 year. Within 2 years, the guilty will be punished. Not like, Bofors scam or Bhopal Gas Tragedy case, that has been going for last 25 years without any result.
 
9. Is he alone? Who else is there in the fight with Anna Hazare?
Baba Ramdev, Ex. IPS Kiran Bedi, Social Activist Swami Agnivesh, RTI activist Arvind Kejriwal and many more.
Prominent personalities like Aamir Khan is supporting his cause.
 
10. Ok, got it. What can I do?
At least we can spread the message. How?
Putting status message, links, video, changing profile pics.
 
At least we can support Anna Hazare and the cause for uprooting corruption from India.
At least we can hope that his Hunger Strike does not go in vain.
At least we can pray for his good health.

So, Do something to be proud on our selves.

UNQUOTE

I got this in my mail box.Thought of sharing this

One man can make great difference

While watching Cricket world cup final between India and Sree Lanka,I could not help noticing the fact that one man made all the difference and made the win possible

Dhoni was   considered to be out of form not hitting well with bat in almost all matches before final even though he was quite good as Captain of the team taking right decisions at right time.

Sewag was expected to give initial push for Indian team by his capability to score high especially for such a critical game.He went out without scoring anything by facing very few balls.With all those capability,years of experience,determination,Sachin was expected to lead Indian batting in such a critical game especially after Sewag went fast without contributing anything.But he went out  with a score of 18,leaving Indian win against Sree Lanka an almost impossibility.

Gambhir did well in in remaining at crease though with slow run rate and was tottering when he reached century looking more for his century than saving the game  for India.In that hesitation finally he went out without scoring that century.Indian run rate was low and it needed herculean effort from some one to win the game for India.

Dhoni decided to promote himself in the batting order.He did not bother to leave the tough task of winning to Yuvraj with much better form.He took some time to settle loosing few balls without runs.But when Yuvraj was hesitant in striking at right time,Dhoni did all right strikes at the right time and magnificently led India to victory.He was not tensed or worried ,unable to act like all other 121 crores of Indians.He contained his tension,anxiety and acted appropriately at  the right manner winning the world cup for India.It is a thrilling story of one man making all the difference.

Look at our Kerala Chief Minister Achuthanandan.He may be old at 86 years.But unlike all other corrupt looters calling themselves as politicians who consider any act by them whether womanising,looting public money without any restrictions,trying to be in politics simply for all vices you can imagine,he is the only man in Kerala politics with honesty and principles.

Even his own party leaders are dead against him.Those leaders are willing to co operate with opposition leaders to save them from any sort of punishment for looting ,killing or  flesh hunting.They form an inner group of looters and vice doers helping each other with glee.

But VS stands out as one man army without any support against all odds and abuses from both sides of politics.Because of this he has become only admirable politician in Kerala by common man who do not belong to any of these looter gangs called political parties.

We need such persons with integrity in politics.But I doubt whether even a single person will come up from any of the political combinations willing to face any adversity for holding tight honesty and principles.VS can be considered as the last man of honesty and integrity in politics making a valiant one man fight against all adversity when politicians  of all hue and cry try hard to destroy  this one odd man out.I am sure these vultures will have the last laugh even though VS will fight as one man army till end.

Queries on wild life resort in Kerala,house construction

QUOTE

Dear Mr Thomas,

My name is Nada Bouchta and I am currently a student in Les Roches, international school of hotel management, located in Bluche (Switzerland).

For our diploma, we have to realize a project on a wildlife resort and our group choose the location of Kerala in India. Therefore we need many information on costs wages and general policies. I found one of your posts on internet about architecture in Kerala. Would you help us on defining more or less the building cost if I provide you with all the material and facilities used?

Thank you for your understanding and time,
Best regards,

Nada BOUCHTA.

My reply

Do you think a visit to Kerala is necessary for undertaking such a project? If  you are planning a visit I can assist and guide you

You can send your queries by email or you can chat with me at Facebook by adding me in your Facebook account.Here is the link:

http://www.facebook.com/#!/profile.php?id=531348963&sk=photos

QUOTE

Hi Thomas,
Thank you so much for your offer to visit our site and we are excited to work with you. . We have the plan to build a house having around 2500 sq. ft in area. Can you give us a rough idea of your final plan preparation fee and also elevations both two dimensional and three dimensional. How much a detailed architectural drawing will cost.I would like to have an idea of these costs because all these expenses will add with our budget.

with regards
Sojan Alex

My reply

First of all you have to understand that involvement of a qualified and experienced professional in your house building project will give you at least following benefits in addition to many more advantages.
1.A design which is appropriate for your site and requirements without wasting even a bit of built up space
2.Maximum utilisation of space
3.Vasthu compliance
4.Cost reduction due to use of structural engineering inputs
5.Traditional Kerala architecture features  combined with modern architecture features
6.Better appearance
7.Cost reduction due to continuous  professional guidance and involvement
8.Use of modern technology,trends and  materials.
All these and more will actually reduce your cost and will give you added value for your building and fees payable for professional involvement are never additional burden for you

Values and honesty are outdated

Look at recent news in Kerala.When we talk of news it naturally boils down to Politics.People get interested in political news mainly because we common people still have a wrong impression that two opposing camps of politicians try hard to serve us, common people and each of these opposing groups and politicians would have made our life simply a bliss of comfort and happiness had it not been for the villainous actions of the opposing camp.

Some how people among us common people who normally do not get chance to pile up Swiss bank deposits,foreign investments,huge investment in real estate while pretending to be simple servants of people think that the side of politicians for whom we feel sympathetic and aligned are doing right things for us.But other group is trying hard to wreck their good deeds.Naturally we feel angry and irritated towards other side.Some times a few innocents among us even go for street fight and killings due to this extreme attachment to that political group to which one feel attached.

Behind the curtain look at what these rival groups and ever fighting each other people do.

When one leader of political party who achieved records by amassing wealth in all forms plenty became over confident and careless in dangling in sexual hobbies,accidently the news came to public view.At that time the opposing political group was in power.Naturally we fools thought that this man will be caught red handed and will be put behind bars.But look at what really happened.Behind the curtains away from views of idiots like you and me called common people opposing group in power did everything in its power and capability to destroy all evidence and judicial proceedings . Opposing political leader escaped unhurt and we common people were forced to believe that all that we heard against him are wrong and could not be proved in any court of law.So this “innocent” man is still laughing madly for continuing to get opportunity to “serve “common  people.

Incidentally another disgraced politician was trying hard to some how get back into his “rightful” place to “serve “we common people even though his erstwhile autocratic ruler father made enough Gandhi picture papers to survive comfortably for generations.Finally his maneuvers are reaching success and we can  hear his  verbal insults and silently watch “without any proof” his efforts to do what politicians always do-amassing wealth.

When recently one of the close associates of the earlier story “great leader” had rubbed with him on wrong side we could hear from media how he did all that we naturally assumed him to do with help from every one that mattered in all forms of powerful positions.

One former Judge simply rubbished the case as” just a case involving  women”(meaning women has no value in this society) and “involving a highly placed person”.On what basis this politician is highly placed? Is it due to wealth illegally acquired by him like all other politicians?Is it due to help and assistance for cover up of his misdeeds received from every politician , officials and even people involved with judicial process?If that is so what will we call almost vanishing tribe of rare species called honest human beings who cannot be purchased,bribed or influenced?May be we can call them fools unfit for living in this earth?

Query on Elevation for house under construction

QUOTE

Dear  Mr.  Thomas,

I have seen your blogs in the internet.

I am constructing a house and the construction has reached up to the lintel level near Ettumanoor.  I did not finalise the Elevation of my house.

Can you please design an elevation and 3D view if I send to you the Plans. You can charge me for the above. If you would like to visit the site I can arrange.

Awaiting your valuable reply.

Best Regards,

Lal.

My reply

Lot of people have a mistaken notion that Elevation of the house is something independent of Plan of the house.If you need a good Elevation ,Architect who prepare plan of the house will have to prepare plan of the house in a manner by which a good Elevation is possible.

Having finalised plan of the house and construction reaching lintel level,there are of course constraints in designing a better Elevation.With a site visit I can study the matter,comment on work so far done,check Vasthu compliance and suggest changes that can improve on external appearance of the building.You will have to send me plan of the house before site visit so that I can  come prepared during site visit

Queries on Kerala Style house in Chennai,Modular Kitchen and square feet cost

QUOTE

Dear Sir, We have a G+1 floor house at Chennai, we wish to construct one more floor using wooden structure of Kerala Heritage house. Is it possible to relocate? we can discuss all details, in case you see a possibility. regards,

Chidamber PL

My reply

There are people in Kerala who buy old houses with lot of traditional wood work,knock it down and recreate it anywhere.Even though they buy at lower cost,they charge very high.

So It will be better to do the work using new material keeping all good features of traditional  Kerala work.If interested we can work out details.

QUOTE

Dear Thomas,
 
Surfing through the NET in search of someone to provide technical advise on Kitchen designing , came across your web site and felt you can help me to get my Kitchen designed and arranged in a proper manner. Based in Vypin, my house is now under construction and wish to get your professional advise for my upcoming house's kitchen. My kitchen's plan would be as per the attached photo (it is from your own site) as its entrance from West and the window side is East and the out door is towards South as it is opening out to a work area room .
Hope to hear from you soon to discuss more details.
Thank you for your time.
Sebastian

I can visit your house under construction and give my suggestions on pending works and comments on work already done.I can also do a Vasthu evaluation of the house
After the visit,I can give you offer for design and construction of modular Kitchen and other interior work.I can get the work done with professional care and quality with my workers and professional team.

QUOTE

I have 7 cents in an housing plot.Again the reliability, management style of your company, man and material active reference from your list, all are important  factors for my decision making process. Also the budgeting part for a medium house 2500 sq. feet is very essential. I will be visiting Kochi, during the month of March. I can make a deal,  Why don't give me a figure, which you have already constructed from your list.

.Again I am well aware no body can pin point the right figure with respect to material handling of house constructions.. But as a marketing point of view, there is a figure. 1+ is always two ?  
Regards,
Mathew,

My reply

Unlike non professional contractors who try to get contract by telling lies ,I do not have to tell lies to get business.As a qualified and experienced professional in the field,after directly constructing more than 200 houses in Kerala,I can tell that if some one talk of a square feet cost of construction without studying site conditions and without a design of the house,it can only be a lie
If you are  going to give work related to your house only if I tell a lie,I do not want that work.

Loading unloading menace in Kerala

Recently  Mr.Kochouseph Chittilappilly  of V Guard who is perhaps the only successful entrepreneur in Kerala who made it from rags to riches mainly operating in Kerala  has shown courage to get in side a truck to unload materials to his godown.All TV channels and newspapers carried the story.

But this menace of loading unloading goondaism is  silently suffered by helpless people of Kerala for years together.There are people sitting in almost all junctions of even villages in Kerala chit chatting sometimes wearing a particular colour shirt calling themselves as loading unloading people.They are the most lazy people who are protected by political parties in Kerala to do very little work and demand and threaten helpless unorganized people to pay them  whatever they demand  naturally very high amounts in comparison to what they do.

There are workers employed by commercial establishments,manufacturing units to carry out normal work.But if some material will have to be loaded or unloaded to a vehicle these workers working in that commercial activity unit cannot or should not do such loading or unloading.That particular portion of work is the birth right of those uniformed people simply chit chatting in junctions.Even if the skilled workers in the unit of production/trade do the loading/unloading due to extra care required or easiness of operation ,these bunch of lazy people will have to be paid whatever they demand, however high or unreasonable their demand.Such money extracted forcefully is given a name in Kerala called,”Nokku Kooly”(meaning wages for watching the work).Sometimes they collect exorbitant money even without watching!

Like others I also pay such unreasonable money to these people wherever we construct houses in Kerala.In southern areas like Ranny,Chengannur these people are some how absent .In Alleppey  district of Kerala they create havoc and ensure that no economic activity survives for long.They would prefer no business,no manufacturing or construction rather than scale down their unreasonable demands.Funniest part of the story is that almost all political leaders in Kerala declare quite often that there is no Nokku kooly in Kerala!Even in cases where they really do the loading unloading there is in fact no need for their services as workers paid for the day must be working in that establishment and they can do the work  as part of their work without demanding such exorbitant wages.

Once I asked one of these chaps why they are collecting Nokku Kooly when their leaders are saying that no Nokku kooly should be collected.He replied like this-“Those leaders loot in crores and they never give us even a share of that.Then what right they have for telling us not to collect Nokku Kooly?”

Mr.Chittilappilly has  at least made an attempt to raise his voice against this injustice done to people of Kerala by organized goondas protected by political parties.But people like you and me are not willing to raise our voice against such barbarian injustice done to us by these lazy fellows who do not want to work like others and earn money by threatening ,protected by politicians of Kerala

Farm House in Andhra Pradesh-Query and reply

QUOTE

I am totally impressed with your designs and I need a farm house design from your side for which I need your commercial terms...The design need to be mediocre in a south facing plot of 146 ft. x 150ft..

On hearing from you we will proceed further
warm regards
Ravisankar Ch.
VIJAYAWADA 520002
Andhra Pradesh INDIA

My reply

I require more details like what exactly do you require in the house and your dreams for the house.So,write in detail.

I can design the Basic Plan of the house and all detailed drawings required to complete the design and required during progress of construction work

Construction labour contract-Query and reply

QUOTE

I am resident of Thodupuzha.  I have purchased a plot in , Mattoor, Kalady. This plot is a sloping land and to avoid filling it up with mud to the road level we have decided on having half the plot , i.e. the front portion of the plot filled up with mud, and the other part we have decided to construct a basement and hence avoid filling the whole land and also we can use this land. our plan is for a 3 story ie, basement, ground and first floor with only two rooms. I am attaching the plan of the basement and the ground.

Now my question, the house is total of 2200 sq. ft.  The constructor has given us a rate of 275 /sq. ft. for labor with us providing the material and him building the structure.  There are rates of 180 to 200 /Sq. Ft. in Kalady area for structure building on flat land.  This rate is so as there is work in the foundation part.

I am not sure if this rate is too high or if we are being taken for a ride in this case. I kindly request you to provide me with your valuable input.

Waiting for your reply anxiously.

Kind regards
Asha Suresh
Thodupuzha.

My reply

For a three story building construction you should not simply leave the work to be done as he pleases  to a  mere contractor.There has to be a professional Engineer to design structure work.
When you build a three storey building it will have to be a column beam construction if the soil is stable.If the soil is not stable,you may even require  concrete piling.
Nature of foundation,column , beam and roof steel reinforcements will have to be properly designed by a Structural Engineer and before concreting it has to be ensured that the contractor has done steel work as per drawing and as per instructions of the Engineer.
Any contractor taking up work on square feet basis without involvement of a professional Engineer will try to do the work with as little labour input as possible.You may not be knowing about right practices of construction and he will make you believe that whatever he does is the right way of doing.
I do not know whether you have got the plan prepared by a  qualified experienced professional .I could not open your attachments.Can you send these plans in pdf form?
In any case it will not be good if you do the filling before doing foundation work.Land filling and leveling  can be done after completing foundation work for the building
Labour rate of 200 per sft is more reasonable for the type of work you are talking about.If you tell the contractor that he will have to do the work as per drawings and instructions of an Engineer,he may not be willing to do the work even at  Rs.275.
Every non professional contractor wants to make more  profit .Proper Engineering standards and correct construction practices  will increase his labour cost and he will  talk and convince you that it is not required
When you build ,you should have professional guidance from beginning to end.No Engineer can rectify  or suggest ways to correct mistakes done during construction, after the work.

Letter by President Abraham Lincoln to his son’s teacher

Some body forwarded this to me.I found it quite interesting and thought provoking.So I am just quoting it here

QUOTE

He will have to learn, I know,
that all men are not just,
all men are not true.
But teach him also that
for every scoundrel there is a hero;
that for every selfish Politician,
there is a dedicated leader…
Teach him for every enemy there is a friend,
Steer him away from envy,
if you can,
teach him the secret of
quiet laughter.
Let him learn early that
the bullies are the easiest to lick…
Teach him, if you can,
the wonder of books…
But also give him quiet time
to ponder the eternal mystery of birds in the sky,
bees in the sun,
and the flowers on a green hillside.
In the school teach him
it is far honourable to fail
than to cheat…
Teach him to have faith
in his own ideas,
even if everyone tells him
they are wrong…
Teach him to be gentle
with gentle people,
and tough with the tough.
 
Try to give my son
the strength not to follow the crowd
when everyone is getting on the band wagon…
Teach him to listen to all men…
but teach him also to filter
all he hears on a screen of truth,
and take only the good
that comes through.
Teach him if you can,
how to laugh when he is sad…
Teach him there is no shame in tears,
Teach him to scoff at cynics
and to beware of too much sweetness…
Teach him to sell his brawn
and brain to the highest bidders
but never to put a price-tag
on his heart and soul.
 
Teach him to close his ears
to a howling mob
and to stand and fight
if he thinks he's right.
Treat him gently,
but do not cuddle him,
because only the test
of fire makes fine steel.

Let him have the courage
to be impatient…
let him have the patience to be brave.
Teach him always
to have sublime faith in himself,
because then he will have
sublime faith in mankind.

This is a big order,
but see what you can do…
He is such a fine little fellow,
my son!
Abraham Lincoln
UNQUOTE

Naturally Abraham Lincon is extremely old fashioned.We have conquered value system and  thrown away every trace of it to waste bins. Still it is amusing to read these words of old fashioned ruler of erstwhile world.

We have smarter people like Rajas,Balakrishnans,Vijayans .The numbers go to infinity.On the other side is there still one human being?

Commencement of house construction at Kainakary,Alleppey.Query and reply

QUOTE

Dear Mr. Thomas
 
I am planning to start the construction of my House. Its in Kainakary village - Alappuzha. The plot is beside a small branch river of Pampa.
 
Can you tell me is there any issues for using M-sand for concreting also for brisk wall ?
If I send you the plot diagram, can u tell me the aspects of Vasthu and location of the house should be etc. ?
Which will be the cost effective and strong foundation - with Black stone ( Karinkallu) or concreting belt and pillar from the bottom of the ground ?
 
I hope you will have little bit time to answer my queries.
 
Regards
Cleetus Antony
From Afghanistan.

My reply

1.Manufactured sand is better than river sand if made to correct size.It can be used for concrete and brick work.River sand available in Kerala in many places have many impurities in it  which may be harmful in the long run for the building.For plastering you may have to use river sand with appropriate size.

2.It will be better if I can visit your site to study site conditions,Vasthu aspects etc.If you send me the plot sketch I can tell Vasthu aspects related and applicable to the plot

3.After studying site conditions,soil nature and architectural design for the house,a structural consultant will suggest  appropriate foundation design for your house.Type of foundation cannot simply be selected or decided by you.Leave such decisions to the experts..

House for middle class-Query and reply

QUOTE

hello sir
i have seen your projects pictures and articles in internet.very excellent. congrats.
but i did not see a project which is suitable for middle class who is looking for low coast house.i want to construct a low coast house.so i hope you will and can advise me.
my name is Rajesh and my place is Adoor.
my plan is a 3 bed room hall kitchen pooja bathroom and toilet.single story with interlock bricks.and as per vasthu.area required 1000 plus and a verandah. flat roof above that sheet roof.(this can do latter)bed room to be accommodated a double bed almira and a computer table.after that room should be little spacious.how much is the minimum size required.
in kitchen tables for gas can be constructed with highly polished kadappa or kota stones.
to reduce coast floor of hall kitchen and bath room with  tiles and other place with red oxide or clay tiles.external electrical wiring preferred.exterior and interior with water proof paints.what are the advantages and disadvantages of interlock bricks.my plan is to start after 6 - 8 months.for this project how much will be the approximate coast.
please advise
My reply

An architect or professional experienced in design and construction of house need not necessarily work only for large houses with high budget.

I have designed and built houses with plinth area as low as 300 sft to 6000 sft.Most of the people with lower budget some how has a wrong impression that it is not worth taking professional guidance and assistance for designing and building their house.It is due to this reluctance of clients with lower strata of funds  that Architects tend to do more of high budget houses.

We can only work work for those who approach us and cannot go in search of those who think that we are costly and avoid us.Charges for professional services naturally will be less for low budget houses and hence more and more people should come forward to have professional services for design and construction of their houses.

It will be better to leave finding out ways and means of reducing cost to the professional rather than you own your own decide what all you should do to reduce cost of construction.Your part knowledge and wrong impressions may land you in trouble without professional guidance and assistance.You can always tell frankly to your Architect about your funds availability so that he can work out a house for you within your funds restrictions, if any.

Purchase of land at Cochin and house construction.Query and reply

QUOTE

hi, I am Tintu, an NRI. i read all the information about u from your site. i like to entrust u a project.. Find min 5 cents of house plot in Ernakulum district(can be in outskirts of the city) and construct a house for me. we will give u the basic plan of the house.if u r interested please inform me. i will give u further information so that and i can get the quotation from u

My reply

For buying land in and around Cochin, there will be several options available at any point of time and plots available keep on changing depending upon transactions taking place
So for purchase of plot,you have to visit Cochin
Without knowing outer dimensions of the plot,directions,roads near plot you cannot simply use a plan prepared by you/obtained by you  without considering any of these factors and Vasthu factors if you require Vasthu compliance.
Without any of these preliminary design details available,we cannot simply give a quotation.
So first step will have to be your visit to Cochin

Traffic-Malayalam movie with a difference

I cannot say that “traffic” recently released Malayalam film without those arrogant irritating presence of superstars who care a damn about value of art and giving respect to those who deserve it,is great.

There are so many imperfections even in the story line.But still that film gave me a hope that Malayalam film industry will survive and grow if only those super stars can be shown the door to leave this form of art.They do not care for the future of this form of art which can act as an entertainer,thought generator and reformer of common man.All they want is that Malayalam film goers should only see their foolish films which have only one story with different names.

There is a limit to which film enthusiasts in Kerala can be continuously fooled by meaningless films without any proper story or difference.

A story is one which has something different,special, interesting to hear.Most of the films in Malayalam which simply drains pockets of producer fools of those films ,simply do not have a story.

Some songs in regular intervals which of late has more of music and less of even meaningful verses come one after another.Viewer of the film has to believe that unhealthy looking super star will demolish simply by waving of his hand any number of able bodied men! Then those old men in their sixties will do some gimmicks in the name of love with teen aged girls.Finally that superman will destroy all “evil men “single handedly and make a roar of triumph!

This same story line we have been seeing and finally after getting irritated ,Keralites have started boycotting these endless films coming one after another.In this scenario, film “Traffic” is different and it prompts viewer to sit with interest and eagerness in the theatre chair instead of getting bored by antics of actors like Suraj Venjaranmood which  can only produce contempt instead of expected laugher.

I only hope that success of this film will lead to such films or better films with credible story line,believable performance by actors  and sensible presentation of story.

Even in this film there was an unnecessary song as if song is essential for films.Normally people who watch Malayalam films relax and talk with those who sit with them during those rest time given by these unwanted songs.But in “traffic “this unwanted song was in the beginning disturbing mind of the viewer and make him wonder whether this is one of those foolish films to be proven otherwise ,after escaping that song.

Generally film viewers make their first impression on film and decide whether to see the film or not by observing posters of the film which gave them some inkling on the content of film.The posters of this film ,traffic was designed by a fool capable of driving away any one who may consider going for the film.Luckily the film will get word of mouth reputation and will attract more viewers in spite of the poor posters.