നെറ്റിന്റെ ശക്തിയും കുതിപ്പും

Bhsha India- Malayalam

പാരമ്പര്യ മാധ്യമമായ അച്ചടിയില്‍ നിന്ന് ഓണ്‍‌ലൈന്‍ മാധ്യമ ലോകത്തേക്ക് കടന്നുവരാന്‍ പത്രപ്രവര്‍ത്തകര്‍ മടിച്ചിരുന്ന ഒരു കാലമുണ്ടായിരുന്നു. ഓണ്‍‌ലൈന്‍ മലയാള ലോകമെന്നാല്‍ പലര്‍ക്കും ഭയമായിരുന്നു. രണ്ട് പതിറ്റാണ്ടുകളോളം അച്ചടി മാധ്യമത്തില്‍ തുടര്‍ന്ന്, പുതിയ ലോകത്തിന്റെ തുടിപ്പ് പഠിച്ചും അനുഭവിച്ചും അറിഞ്ഞതിന്റെ വെളിച്ചത്തിലാണ് ഓണ്‍‌ലൈന്‍ മാധ്യമത്തിലേക്ക് ശശിമോഹന്‍ താമരപ്പള്ളി കടന്നുവന്നത്.

നെറ്റിന്റെ ശക്തിയെ പറ്റിയും അത് പകരുന്ന വ്യത്യസ്താനുഭവത്തെ പറ്റിയും വെബ്‌ലോകം ഡോട്ട് കോമിന്റെ എഡിറ്ററായി ജോലി നോക്കുന്ന ശശിമോഹന്‍ ഭാഷാ‌ഇന്ത്യയോട് സംസാരിച്ചപ്പോള്‍..

ചോദ്യം: ഇക്കഴിഞ്ഞ ഏഴുവര്‍ഷമായി വെബ്‌ലോകം എന്ന ഭാഷാ പോര്‍ട്ടലിന്റെ അമരത്താണല്ലോ. എങ്ങനെയാണ് പരമ്പരാഗത മാധ്യമങ്ങളില്‍ നിന്ന് ഓണ്‍‌ലൈന്‍ മാധ്യമം വ്യത്യസ്തമാവുന്നത്?

ശശിമോഹന്‍: ഏതാണ്ട് ഇരുപത് വര്‍ഷക്കാലം ഞാനും പരമ്പരാഗത മാധ്യമരംഗത്ത് ജോലി നോക്കിയിരുന്നയാളാണ്, മാതൃഭൂമിയില്‍. ഇന്ത്യന്‍ ഭാഷകളെ നെറ്റ് സ്വാധീനിക്കാന്‍ തുടങ്ങിയ കാലത്താണ് ഞാന്‍ ഓണ്‍‌ലൈന്‍ രീതിയിലേക്ക് തിരിയുന്നത്. നെറ്റ് ഒരു മാധ്യമം എന്നതിലുപരി, എല്ലാ മാധ്യമങ്ങളുടെയും പ്ലാറ്റ്‌ഫോമാണ്. മാധ്യമങ്ങളെല്ലാം നെറ്റില്‍ കൂടിച്ചേരുകയാണ്. റേഡിയോയും ടിവിയും പത്രവും നെറ്റിലുണ്ട്. ആവശ്യക്കാര്‍ക്ക് ഇഷ്ടമുള്ളത് തിരഞ്ഞെടുക്കാം. ‘കണ്‍‌വേര്‍ജന്‍സ് ഓഫ് മീഡിയാസ് ആണ് നെറ്റ്’ എന്ന് പറഞ്ഞാല്‍ കൂടുതല്‍ വ്യക്തമാവും. ഈ പ്രത്യേകതയാണ് നെറ്റിനെ മറ്റ് മാധ്യമങ്ങളില്‍ നിന്ന് വ്യത്യസ്തമാക്കുന്നത്.

ചോദ്യം: ഇന്ത്യന്‍ ഭാഷകളില്‍, പ്രത്യേകിച്ച് മലയാളത്തില്‍, നെറ്റ് എങ്ങനെ പുരോഗമിക്കുന്നു? വേണ്ടത്ര ഉപയോക്താക്കളെയും വേണ്ടത്ര വരുമാനവും നേടിയെടുക്കാന്‍ ഭാഷാ സംരംഭങ്ങള്‍ക്കാവുന്നുണ്ടോ?

ശശിമോഹന്‍: വെബ്‌ലോകവും ദാറ്റ്‌സ്മലയാളവും മറ്റും പോര്‍ട്ടലെന്ന ആശയവുമായി ഉപയോക്താക്കളെ സമീപിക്കുമ്പോള്‍ വിരലില്‍ എണ്ണാവുന്ന സൈറ്റുകളേ മലയാളത്തില്‍ ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നുള്ളൂ. ഇപ്പോള്‍ നെറ്റിലൊന്ന് പരതി നോക്കൂ. നൂറുകണക്കിന് സൈറ്റുകളാണ് ഇന്ന് മലയാളത്തില്‍. മലയാളത്തിലെ പ്രമുഖ പത്രങ്ങള്‍ പോര്‍ട്ടലും ആരംഭിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു. ഇവയ്ക്ക് പുറമെ, മൈക്രോസോഫ്റ്റ് സംരംഭമായ എം എസ് എന്‍ ഇതാ മലയാളമടക്കമുള്ള ഇന്ത്യന്‍ ഭാഷകളില്‍ പ്രവര്‍ത്തനം അരംഭിച്ചിരിക്കുന്നു. യാഹുവും ഇതേ പാതയിലാണ്.

ഇന്ത്യയില്‍ ഇംഗ്ലീഷ് അറിയുന്നവരേക്കാള്‍ കൂടുതലുള്ളത് പ്രാദേശിക ഭാഷകള്‍ ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്നവരാണ്. ഇംഗ്ലീഷ് ഉപയോഗിക്കുന്നവരില്‍ പലരും മാതൃഭാഷയെ ഇഷ്ടപ്പെടുന്നവരുമാണ്. വലിയൊരു വിപണിയാണിത്. ഈ വിപണിയിലേക്കാണ് ഭാഷാ പോര്‍ട്ടലുകള്‍ കണ്ണുനടുന്നത്. ഇംഗ്ലീഷ് നെറ്റില്‍ നിന്ന് ഭാഷാ നെറ്റിലേക്കുള്ള മാറ്റം വേണ്ടത്ര വരുമാനവും കൊണ്ടുവരുന്നുണ്ട്.

ചോദ്യം: നെറ്റില്‍ പ്രാദേശികഭാഷകള്‍ സ്ഥാനമുറപ്പിച്ചു കഴിഞ്ഞിരിക്കയാണല്ലോ. എന്നാല്‍ നെറ്റില്‍ മാത്രം ഭാഷകള്‍ വന്നതു കൊണ്ടായോ? പ്രയോഗങ്ങളും പ്രോഗ്രാമുകളും പ്രാദേശികവല്‍ക്കരിക്കപ്പെട്ടാലല്ലേ കൂടുതല്‍ ഭാഷാ ഉപയോക്താക്കള്‍ കമ്പ്യൂട്ടറിനെ ആശ്രയിച്ചു തുടങ്ങുക?

ശശിമോഹന്‍: തീര്‍ച്ചയായും. ഇംഗ്ലീഷ് അറിയുന്നവര്‍ക്കായാണ് കമ്പ്യൂട്ടര്‍ രൂപകല്‍‌പന ചെയ്യപ്പെട്ടതെങ്കിലും സ്ഥിതിഗതികള്‍ ഇപ്പോള്‍ വളരെ മെച്ചപ്പെട്ടിട്ടുണ്ട്. മൈക്രോസോഫ്റ്റിന്റെ ഓപ്പറേറ്റിംഗ് സിസ്റ്റം ഇപ്പോള്‍ മലയാളത്തില്‍ ലഭ്യമാണ്. അതുപോലെ മറ്റനവധി പ്രയോഗങ്ങളും പ്രോഗ്രാമുകളും ഇപ്പോള്‍ തന്നെ ഇന്ത്യന്‍ ഭാഷകളില്‍ ലഭ്യമാണ്. കമ്പ്യൂട്ടര്‍ മൊത്തം മലയാളമാവുന്ന ഒരവസ്ഥ ഒന്ന് ചിന്തിച്ചു നോക്കൂ. മലയാളത്തില്‍ ഉപയോഗിക്കാവുന്ന കമ്പ്യൂട്ടര്‍ നിലവില്‍ വന്നാല്‍ നെറ്റിലെ മലയാളി സാന്നിധ്യം നൂറിരട്ടിയാവും എന്നതിന് സംശയമില്ല.

ചോദ്യം: പ്രാദേശികവല്‍ക്കരണ (ലോക്കലൈസേഷന്‍) രംഗത്ത് മാത്രമല്ല, പ്രാദേശിക ഭാഷകളുടെ നെറ്റിലെ സാന്നിധ്യത്തിലും യൂണീകോഡ് ഒരു വലിയ പങ്ക് വഹിക്കുന്നുണ്ട്. മലയാളഭാഷയുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ട് നടക്കുന്ന യൂണീകോഡ് പ്രവര്‍ത്തനങ്ങളെ പറ്റി?

ശശിമോഹന്‍: നെറ്റിലെ ഉള്ളടക്കത്തിന്റെ (കണ്ടന്റ്) കാര്യത്തിലാണെങ്കില്‍, ഇതുവരെ മിക്കയാളുകളും ഫോണ്ടുകളാണ് ഉപയോഗിച്ചുകൊണ്ടിരുന്നത്. ഓരോ സൈറ്റും കാണണമെങ്കില്‍ അതാതിന്റെ ഫോണ്ട് ഡൌണ്‍‌ലോഡ് ചെയ്യണം എന്നത് എത്ര ശ്രമകരമായ കാര്യമാണെന്ന് ചിന്തിക്കാവുന്നതേയുള്ളൂ. ഇതിനൊരു പരിഹാരമായി ഡൈനാമിക് ഫോണ്ട് നിലവില്‍ വന്നു. ഡൈനാമിക് ഫോണ്ട് സംവിധാനത്തില്‍ പ്രവര്‍ത്തിക്കുന്ന സൈറ്റുകളിലെ ഉള്ളടക്കം കാണാന്‍ ഫോണ്ട് ഡൌണ്‍‌ലോഡ് ചെയ്യേണ്ടതില്ല. എന്നാല്‍ ഈ ഉള്ളടക്കം കമ്പ്യൂട്ടറിലേക്ക് സംരക്ഷിക്കണമെങ്കില്‍ ഫോണ്ട് ഡൌണ്‍‌ലോഡ് ചെയ്യണം.

യൂണീകോഡിന്റെ വരവോടെ ഇപ്പോള്‍ കാര്യങ്ങള്‍ ഒരുപാട് മുന്നോട്ടുപോയിട്ടുണ്ട്. പ്ലാറ്റ്‌ഫോം, പ്രോഗ്രാം, പ്രയോഗം എന്നിവയ്ക്കുപരിയായി, ഭാഷകളിലെ ഓരോ കാരക്ടറിനും ഒരു സവിശേഷ സംഖ്യ എന്നാണല്ലോ യൂണീകോഡിന്റെ തത്വം. പുതിയ മലയാള സൈറ്റുകള്‍ എല്ലാം തന്നെ യൂണീകോഡിനെ ആശ്രയിക്കുന്നവയാണ്. പഴയവയാകട്ടെ, പരമ്പരാഗത ഫോണ്ട് ശൈലിയില്‍ നിന്ന് യൂണീകോഡിലേക്കുള്ള മാറ്റത്തിലുമാണ്.

തുടക്കത്തില്‍ മലയാളം യൂണീകോഡിന് ബാലാരിഷ്ടതകള്‍ ഉണ്ടായിരുന്നു. ഇപ്പോള്‍ ഇല്ലെന്നല്ല. എങ്കിലും അവസ്ഥ മെച്ചപ്പെട്ടിട്ടുണ്ട്. ഏറ്റവും പുതിയ ഓപ്പറേറ്റിംഗ് സിസ്റ്റമുണ്ടായാലേ ഇപ്പോള്‍ യൂണീകോഡ് ഉപയോഗിക്കാനാവൂ. നാട്ടിലെ ഭൂരിഭാഗം കമ്പ്യൂട്ടറുകളും പുതിയ ഓപ്പറേറ്റിംഗ് സിസ്റ്റത്തിലേക്ക് മാറുന്നതോടെ ഈ സ്ഥിതിക്ക് പരിഹാരമുണ്ടാവും. ചില കാരക്ടറുകള്‍ കാണുന്ന രീതിക്ക് ഇനിയും യൂണീകോഡില്‍ മാറ്റമുണ്ടാവാനുണ്ട് എന്നതാണ് മറ്റൊരു പ്രശ്നം. അതുകൂടി ശരിയാക്കിയെടുക്കാന്‍ നമുക്കായാല്‍ കൂടുതല്‍ പ്രയോഗങ്ങളും പ്രോഗ്രാമുകളും മലയാളത്തില്‍ വരുമെന്ന് പ്രതീക്ഷിക്കാം.

ചോദ്യം: ഭാഷാ‌ഇന്ത്യ, മലയാളത്തിലൊരു വിഭാഗം ആരംഭിച്ചത് കണ്ടുകാണുമല്ലോ. ഇന്ത്യന്‍ ഭാഷാ കമ്പ്യൂട്ടിംഗുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ട് ഭാഷാ‌ഇന്ത്യ നടത്തുന്ന പ്രവര്‍ത്തങ്ങളെ എങ്ങനെ വിലയിരുത്തുന്നു?

ശശിമോഹന്‍: ഭാഷാ‌ഇന്ത്യയുടെ നിത്യസന്ദര്‍ശകനാണ് ഞാന്‍. ഭാഷാ‌ഇന്ത്യയിലെ ചര്‍ച്ചവേദികള്‍ പലപ്പോഴും എന്നെ സഹായിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ട്. ഭാഷാ‌ഇന്ത്യ പുതുവര്‍ഷ സമ്മാനമായി മലയാളികള്‍ക്ക് ഒരുക്കിയ വിഭാഗം കണ്ടു. തീര്‍ച്ചയായും ഇത്തരം സംരംഭങ്ങള്‍ പ്രശംസിക്കപ്പെടേണ്ടവ തന്നെ. ഇന്ത്യന്‍ ഭാഷകളെ കൈപിടിച്ച് കമ്പ്യൂട്ടറിന്റെ ലോകത്തിലേക്ക് ആനയിക്കുന്ന ഭാഷാ‌ഇന്ത്യക്കെന്റെ അഭിനന്ദനങ്ങള്‍!

A symbol of pure spirituality,without the rigidities of religion,

A Lotus of Love Transcendent

A symbol of pure spirituality, without the rigidities of religion, encompassing the universality of mankind rooted in compassion and tolerance, is slowly blooming in the form of a huge lotus, one of the biggest of its kind built in marble. It is the marvelous Parnasala of Navajyoti Sri Karunakara Guru, which is dedicated to humanity on 12^th September, 2010. It is described as ‘The Day of The Emergence of the New Light’ by Santhigiri Ashram, founded by the Guru, whose physical body is interred in the inner sanctum of the Parnasala, making it a sacred place for prayer and devotion.

The Parnasala is the eternal icon of Guru’s life of silent sacrifice and godly love for opening the eyes of humanity for their spiritual and social uplift. Guru’s boundless grace and peace is experienced here by truth seekers and devotees. Some of them experience transcendental visions. For millions of devotees, Santhigiri Ashram has become an abode of spiritual guidance and refuge.

Parnasala Concept has Transcendental Origin

The Parnasala has been built under the guidance of Revered Sishyapoojita Amrita Jnana Tapaswini, the present spiritual head of the Ashram. Santhigiri follows a tradition of revelations, of supernatural interactions, a grace experienced from the Light of Guru. The concept of Parnasala originated from this transcendental vision, conveyed through the Sishyapoojita to the devotees. The Parnasala is therefore the divine conception and its fulfillment in the physical signifies a Divine Will. A team of experts, according to the guidance emanating from the Divine Light of Guru through Sishyapoojita has been tirelessly working for the completion of this magnificent structure.

The foundation stone for the monument was laid by the Revered Sishyapoojita in the year 2001 and since then hundreds of self-motivated devotes and workers have ceaselessly worked for it. The selfless surrender and contributions of the devotees by way of voluntary work, money, material and prayers cannot find any parallel in the recent times.

Unique Building Features

The Parnasala has been built with a height of 91 feet and a diameter of 81 feet. The inner circle has a width of 64 feet. There is a parikrama, the passage for the movement of devotees. The lotus shaped structure has 12 upward petals with a length of 41 feet and 9 downward petals with a length of 31 feet.

There is a lotus shaped ‘Sarakootam’, an inner cubicle made of wood with a height of 27 feet and 21 feet diameter, whose innards is riveted with brass plates. The 11 steps inside the sarakootam signify Guru’s spiritual status. On the small square platform above the steps will be installed the golden form of Guru. A lamp lit by Guru many years ago, when He built the Ashram here, still burns inside, whose flame will be kept burning forever. A wooden parasol with a diameter of 36 feet shades over the Sarakootam. Next to that is the inner circle with a ‘balalayam’ – a portico with ten steps and nine pillars. The elephant models and other wooden carvings on the Sarakootam and the pillars will add aesthetics to the hallowed structure. The memorabilia of Guru – the sacred articles used by the Guru will be kept in the 12 chambers built above.

The four doors and entrance to the Parnasala are built based on the new Magnetic Reversal Technique, which allows opening and closing of the doors and windows without human handling. For lighting, the ultra modern Light Emitting Diode (LED) system is used. This system, which is available only in foreign countries, does not require any inner fixtures and emits light from external points to illuminate the magnificent structure. There are special elevators for maintenance and soon a foolproof security system will be in place.

Landscaping and Lotus Pool

On completion, the Parnasala will have a lotus pond and the entry to the Parnasala will be over this, with beautiful lotus flowers floating in the serene pool.

The Parnasala complex will be landscaped with beautiful gardens, pathways and lawns with growths of shrubs, bushes, creepers and trees of different variety and will be maintained as a zone of peace for spiritual contemplation and prayers.

White Marble from Makhrana

Truck loads of white marble were transported through the heartland of India from Makhrana in Rajasthan in a pious way receiving welcomes and prayers of the devotees, en-route. According to the supplier in Makhrana, the marble used for the construction of Parnasala was mined from a depth of 250 to 300 feet; therefore, it will have more luster and smoothness, than the marble used for the Taj Mahal and other monuments built by the Moguls.

Parnasala Development Master Plan

To develop the Parnasala complex into a well planned spiritual township, Santhigiri Ashram has begun zoning an area of 25 acres around the Parnasala. There will be a Spiritual Zone, Healthcare Zone, Agricultural Zone, Educational Zone, Trade and Industries zone etc.

Spiritual Zone

The Spiritual Zone is the heart of the Ashram, consisting of the Parnasala where Guru’s sacred body is laid to rest, Guru’s Hut, Prayer Hall, Sahakarana Mandiram, the hut of Sishyapoojita and quarters for Sanyasis and Sanyasinis.

The spiritual zone will be open to all people for prayers without any discrimination of caste, religious, class, color and gender differences. It will be maintained as an area of peace for people to come and experience peace and spiritual joy and to relieve their sufferings and worries through self purification. It will be a sacred spot for truth seekers for calm contemplation. The spiritually charged Ashram atmosphere will be fortified and protected from all types of pollution, use of mobile phone and vehicular traffic. The aim is to develop Parnasala into a ‘must visit’ place in Kerala and an important landmark in the spiritual map of the world.

Healthcare Zone

Like the soul of man, his body too should experience wellness. The Healthcare Zone of Santhigiri Ashram will have facilities for all types of treatment and body care, based on Nava Arogya Dharma Siddhantam, the new dharma of healthcare concept of Guru, which focuses on integrated method of treatment and medicines. Ayurveda and Siddha occupy an important role in this. The Healthcare Zone will also be developed as an environmental friendly area with herbal gardens and groves.

Agricultural Zone

Agricultural Zone of the Ashram aims to develop agriculture through natural bio-farming methods. It would be developed to meet the increasing in-house requirement as well as for sales of quality agricultural products through reasonable price counters. Diary farming, tropical botanical gardens, bio-waste, and rainwater harvesting are some of the other activities taking place in the Agricultural Zone.

Educational Zone

Educational Zone of the Ashram consists of a Siddha Medical College, Secondary and Higher Secondary Schools, Institute for Para Medical Sciences, Coaching Centers, Professional Training Centre and a baby crèche.

Blooming Lotus Shaped Parnasala

Monument of Peace- The Lotus shaped Parnasala in Kerala

Rastrapathi Smt. Pratibha Patil dedicated the blooming lotus shaped Monument, symbolizing,universal peace spirituality and fraternity. to the mankind on 13^th August 2010.at Santhigiri ashram .

Made in pristine Makrana marble,the Parnasala is visual wonder which has attracted thousands of people .The structural marvel is located 21 km away from the state capital Thiruvananthapuram, at Santhigiri Ashram, Pothancode.

The Ashram which began in a humble way in the 1960s is open to all irrespective of religion caste class region or gender. Annadanam (freefood to all), Athurasevanam( treatment of thre trailing) and Atmabobhabnam( self realization) are the threefold mission of the Ashram. The devotees firmly believe that the ” Word is Truth ,Truth is Guru and Guru is God”- said Swami Gururetnam Jnana tapaswi The organizing Secretary of Ashram.

This lotus shaped structure, which has been under construction for almost 10 years now is the Parnasala or the final resting place of the ashram's founder Navajyothisee Karunakara Guru who passed away in May 1999.

The lotus motif has been used throughout the Parnasala, and serves the dual purpose of a spiritual abode and a functional monument. The imposing structure, rising to a height of 91 ft, is fast nearing completion.

The lotus shaped superstructure with a radius of 84 ft has 21 lotus petals with 12 facing upward and 9 downwards. The current structure of Parnasala, stands at a height of 91 ft, radius of 84 ft, 64 ft inner diameter and 21 petals. The structure contains 12 upward facing petals of 41 ft and nine downward facing petals of 31 ft each. Constructed in pristine white marble brought from Rajasthan and a special black granite mined in Karnataka, the Parnasala is a visual wonder.

Almost 100,000 sq ft of marble, transported from Makrana in Rajasthan, was painstakingly cut into even-sized tiles by workers at the Ashram before being cemented onto the RCC petals.

The entire edifice is supported on 21 carved pillars. The Baalalayam or the elevated platform meant for conducting ceremonies is noteworthy for beautiful and intricate wood carving. On the first floor of the Parnasala, in 12 rooms, the articles used by the Guru will be preserved.

At the heart of the structure is the Sarakoodam, a 27 ft-high teak wooden enclosure in the shape of a lotus bud with a marble cask inside. Atop the cask, 11 steps lead to a pedestal where a life-size gold sculpture of the Guru will be installed.

According to Sreekumaran Nair, the structural consultant for the project, the shaping of the lotus petals took immense effort and skill as the curves had to be executed perfectly and evenly. The construction of each petal took almost six months and the fixing of the marble tiles claimed another three years.

Outside the Parnasala, eventually colourful floodlights will reflect different colours on the white lotus superstructure during night time.

The project is estimated to cost Rs 30 crore. Landscaping, library, lecture hall and other infrastructure will cost another Rs 20 crore.

On Weblokam and Web Journalism ( 2003)

keralamonitor.com

Weblokam Challenges Century Old Monopoly of Newspaper Houses in Kerala

Thiruvananthapuram - June 11, 2003 -Welcome to weblokam, the premier Internet portal in Malayalam which is revolutionising the average Keralites use of Information technology and the Internet to read and communicate in their own mother tongue. As in other parts of the world, the Internet is slowly becoming a powerful medium in Kerala, the most literate state in India, with large number of newspapers, weeklies, magazines, TV channels, radio, and other means of information dissemination. In a special interview with KM editor, T.Sashi Mohan, senior journalist and founder editor of weblokam.com speaks about various aspects of web portals and the new media.

A special Place in the Media Easy to Update News to global audience

No portals to compete Source for Newspapers, Discouraging Attitude towards Cyber Journalists Rank Holding Actress Wife, Happy Family Portal News, Not an Easy TaskCyber Journalism after 20 years in Print Media Font Convertibility is Essential

Secret Number of Visitors and Hits Advertisers Neglect Cyber Journalists - Technicians/Writers Government Uses Weblokam Strength Government encourages IT, discourages Portals Mainstream Media Neglect Circulation through Cyber Space

A special Place in the Media

"All the inherent and innate features of Internet make weblokam to assume a small place in Kerala's media arena, infested by a large number of newspapers and TV channels," Sashi Mohan, said in response to KM Questions. "Big newspapers cannot give real time coverage of detailed news everyday. Their online edition now is a stale copy of the day's newspaper with yesterday's news. But Internet portals like weblokam can upload news as and when they occur," he says. Of course, newspapers with huge circulation figures have been worried and confused about the penetration of Internet media.

Leading publishing houses have been facing a dilemma because providing free access to their internet editions would definitely affect their circulation figures. Internet editions will not be successful if entry is restricted through subscription charges. Advertising revenue from the net editions is still negligible compared to the cash flow from the print editions.

Easy to Update News to global audience

"TV channels do the same job. But they do it periodically - say once in two hours or so. Even if they Telecast news, they cannot provide any connected story or back grounder in detail. But Internet can do this. The story can be linked to related stories. if necessary, to any news source in the world for detailed reading or information," reasoned Sashi Mohan, a senior journalist with rich experience of nearly two decades.

Internet is a global media more powerful than the other media segments like newspapers or television. It can reach any Malaya lee reader who stays any where in the world. No other media brings Malayali folks in the world under one umbrella like the Internet, says the first journalist to take up a challenging and risky assignment in the cyber media. "Internet, at this early stage too, has an important place in Kerala. Weblokam assumes a great importance by virtue of being the first integrated Malayalam web portal from Kerala. It is one of the widely visited Malayalam portals in the world. Weblokam.com is positioned just below Malayala Manorama and Deepika if only the online editions of newspapers are taken into account. It is great achievement for a small media organisation to become close to giants like big newspapers," Sashi Mohan added.

No portals to compete Source for Newspapers,

"I know that many leading newspapers including Manorama and Mathrubhumi depend on weblokam for news tips. I can site any number of instances where a small story which appeared in weblokam is carried by news papers even with byline (of course with some investigative inputs from their side) While major Kerala based Internet portals' news coverage is very poor, weblokam.com out competes even other professionally run portals. However, Sashi Mohan does not face any competition from the mushrooming website and portals from Kerala, more so in Malayalam.

" In fact, there are only a few portals from Kerala. In strict sense most of them are not portals at all. All of them are in English. There are some portals in English, which are not based in Kerala. They all survive because they cater to the Kerala interests of a specific group of Malayalees in a specific geographic region," Sashi Mohan reasons. " Otherwise they would have gone by this time. The main drawback of these portals is that they are known to only a minority of people who can read and understand English. Those who follow English have got large variety of news sources on the net. But Kerala specific or Gulf Malayali specific news and features are the main attraction of these portals,"he says in response to KM questions about the competition in the cyber place for the Malayali viewers.

"There are some Malayalam portals from other parts of India, which are not doing as good as weblokam. Most of them lack the taste or punch of Kerala. They are not updating as vibrantly and regularly as weblokam. I believe that weblokam needs smarter reporting. Now we are not doing it because we have no competition," he added .It is true that weblokam has set a new trend in vernacular Internet media.

Portal News, Not an Easy Task

"Running a News portal is not easy. It needs lot of money , investment, people and support - if it should last long and carry out the job sincerely. Internet is a fascination and many are attracted impulsively. They think it is an easy job," he says. "But after few months they will start realising the hardships and eventually they perish without anybody's notice. This has happened in many cases of big dot com companies like Indiya.com," he added.

Cyber Journalism after 20 years in Print Media

No Gains without Pains

Sashi entered cyber journalism equipped with two decades of rich experience in the print media -both as a desk person and reporter. "I am most experienced in managing the news desk. I was the principal correspondent of a newspaper in Hyderabad, staff reporter in Wynad, chief reporter and chief sub editor in Calicut. This is in addition to my assignments in Trivandrum where I was put in most of the time of my career," Sashi says.

"I had been working in Mathrubhumi as Deputy News Editor at Trivandrum. I was asked to make a move to Kottakkal and assume the News Editor post of Malappuram edition. I was very comfortable in Mathrubhumi, but for the uncertain and frequent transfers," he said about his move to a new and risky cyber media. "I was not in a position to leave Trivandrum. If I accepted the News Editor's job I had to shift from Trivandrum. So with a paining heart I had to resign from Mathrubhumi, one of the prestigious dailies in Kerala," he added.

"By that time I got an offer from webdunia, to be the editor of their Malayalam portal weblokam.com," he added. Webdunia is the company which started vernacular Internet portals in three Indian languages. "I knew very well that I was taking a big risk. But nobody has gained anything without taking risk. More than that I thought I am going to get acquainted with a new media, new ideas and a current or contemporary journalism," he added.

Rank Holder for B.A., MA

Sashi has entered journalism with an excellent academic background too. He has to his credit a first class post graduate degree in Sociology. During his college days, Sashi was in the news when he got second rank in M A from Kerala university in 1979 . When he took his graduation from Zamorin's Guruvayoorappan college Calicut, he passed the Bachelor of Arts- Malayalam & Sociology double main course in first Class and First Rank! No wonder, he got a prestigious job in Mathrubhumi in 1981. Then he was also doing a PhD. course in the University campus, Karyavattam. Sashi hails from Govindapuram, Calicut district. "My schooling was in Govindapuram UP school and Zamorins' college High School," he recollects.

Secret Number of Visitors and Hits

Sashi is however, hesitant to disclose the actual number of visitors to weblokam.com or the total hits or page views. "It is a secret. No dot com company is willing to disclose it. We are getting around fifty thousand page views on an average. As you know hits per day will be in lakhs .Web performance analysing agencies like Alexa.com rates weblokam very high. It is third among the online Malayalam portals. Just below Manorama and Deepika," he disclosed. Not a mean achievement for a news portal without anything like a legacy of 120 years journalism experience as claimed by leading newspaper houses in Kerala.

Within two years, weblokam.com has become a force to reckon with in the media sector of Kerala. However, the Internet is yet to attract even a small percentage of the multi crore advertisement budget of multinationals and marketing companies.

Advertisers Neglect Cyber Media

"Yes, In India, especially in Kerala web advertising is at infant stage. Nobody recognise the potential of web advertisements, especially the medium's interactive nature. Advertisers must get themselves educated on the vast possibilities of web advertising, a medium that will help them reach the targeted customers easily, without spending much," he added in response to questions about the advertisement support to weblokam.com.

"We get ad support from certain companies, which operate, on an all India basis. Banks, financial institutions, matrimonial groups, liquor companies, food and beverages companies.etc do advertisement with weblokam. But that is not enough to support our expenses," Sashi concedes.

What type of advertisement support, the Internet media in general and weblokam in particular get? Is it possible to sustain a news organization without much capital investment?" It required lot of capital investment to start a newspaper, television or even radio. This has been a major reason for the control of media by big business houses and politicians. However, the Internet may changing the traditional pattern of media ownership and control..

"Web is a compiling media. There are great news sources on the world wide web itself. Therefore operating expenses can be considerably brought down," he reveals. "Moreover, one can feed news globally from any corner of the world . No other media can do this so easily," he adds. "But I don't think this has changed the ownership and control pattern now . But eventually this may happen."

Discouraging Attitude towards Cyber Journalists

Being an experienced journalist, Sashi feels that there should be a change in the public attitude towards web journalism. "All are against web journalism. It is a worldwide trend. Nobody recognises them," he complaints. Most of the sensitive news breaks recently in Indian media have come from news portals like Tehelka.com and rediff.com. Tehelka.com has created a national debate about dot.com and investigative portals. However, the current situation facing tehelka.com is self revealing. Web portals are yet to attract the right and talented journalists like Tarun Tejpal of Tehelka or Sashi Mohan of weblokam to the cyber media.

Changes are required in training cyber journalists. There are many negative aspects of working in web journalism, he added. " But I am an accredited web journalist. I don't think there is no web journalist in India, perhaps in the whole world, recognised or accredited by any Government. This is coincidence. Even Kerala Government which has been talking at the top of its voice to encourage Information Technology (IT) and the use of Internet, has not recognised weblokam as listed recognised media. However, they release some advertisements to weblokam on important occasions," he added.

Web Journalists - Technicians/Writers

"Yes there is a need for training web journalists. A web journalist is a technical person as well. It is a media, which demands tight writing more than any other media. Now most of the web journalism courses in Kerala are not doing justice to students. There should be proper syllabus, practical training and technical training. Sashi Mohan has been associated with the Press Club training courses for journalism students

Weblokam has been conducting a number of special web based campaigns and programmes like the online model SSLC examination and Sallapam' discussion. " To be frank, most of our web campaigns have not evoked the kind of response as we expected. But when the reality that not many people in Kerala are net savvy is considered, ours was a great success," Sashi added. Use of the Internet and computer is still limited in Kerala. With lot of government services, examinations, application forms etc are going to be received online in the near future, what is the prospects for Internet portals like weblokam.com?

Government Uses Weblokam Strength

"Our Speciality is a powerful Malayalam (medium) on the net. Government and its agencies are making use of this potential. We are giving support to the akshaya project of the IT Department, Government of of Kerala in a big way. When C Dit, a government IT entity developed a Malayalam CD called webDarshini, they depended on weblokam content for the browsers to see. In fact, they bundled weblokam URLs of different sections and subsections to demonstrate the ready Malayalam content on the web. It was a great recognition for us," Sashi says proudly.

"IT @ school project is going to work with us in a big way.Similarly, we we are selected by the IT mission for developing CDs for the Akshya project," he revealed. "However, the Kerala government is yet to develop a positive attitude towards portals. Instead of recognising our services, most of the Government departments are doubtful about our capabilities and (relative) technical supremacy," he added.

Government encourages IT, discourages Portals

"This time Kerala Government denied portals like weblokam the CD chanting mark list of SSLC exams. But somehow we managed to get it unofficially and put it on our site at 10 am on the result day. Though the Government announced that result will be available in 8 Government site only two were functioning that too results were uploaded only by 5 pm. This is the government's attitude. Government is trying to keep the information monopoly. The simple reason for this is the ignorance of the Government officials about IT, he lashes out at the Antony Government's perverted IT policy.

Mainstream Media Neglect

A section of the Kerala media, dominated by a few big families, especially the Malayala Manorama, follow a negative attitude towards portals like weblokam. While there are many clippings about weblokam from various newspapers, the leading papers have apparently not given any coverage about weblokam.com. Of course, the dominant media organizations have been concerned about the emergence and growth of Internet portals like weblokam.com and would not encourage any small organizations to come up in the state. The newspaper does not publish even a classified advertisement given by small start up portals. Complaints of this nature are many. (This is our experience at Keralamonitor.com)

"You are absolutely right. Media especially the print media is dead against portals like weblokam. The largest circulated daily places us as a competitor .We have no other complement bigger than this. If in three years we have grown enough to place a threat for the online editions of the largest daily it is a fabulous achievement. TV channels are more accommodative and helpful.

"Still news papers like Mathrubhumi and Deshabhimani have helped us. Our online SSLC exams got content support from mathrubhumi's successline and vidhyaaramgam edu . So is magazines. We have provided link from online editions of Mathrubhumi and Deshabhimani, the second and third largest news papers from Kerala. We are now giving technical support to Deshabhimani Daily to run a daily online Poll. The poll result is published in the front page of the daily.

Circulation through Cyber Space

The biggest adavantage of portals is that there is no circulation and money collection on the basis of circulation. Even if there are only ten visitors, no body can stop one portal from functioning. But on a later stage, when the question of Ads come, the role and control of big groups will be detrimental.

"Still I hold positive approach, that the effective entry and maintenance of big groups in Internet is not harmful to small groups In turn it will help the growth of small companies, by attracting more viewers/visitors to Malayalam content on the web. Gradually these visitors will come to know about small but efficient companies like weblokam," says Sashi.

Font Convertibility is Essential

Maintaining a portal in Malayalam is a difficult task especially due to the lack of a common Malayalam font. There are talks for a commonly useful Malayalam font for all Internet portals. Many journalists complaint about the colonial mentality of certain media organizations to monopolise and control everything including fonts?

"A common Malayalam font is not the answer. It is not practical also. There should be convertibility or compatibility of fonts as we see in English. Arial can be converted to Tahoma just by a mouse click. Just like that shreelipi should be able to be converted to matweb of Mathrubhumi or to any ISM fonts or CDAC fonts. For this a vast understanding is necessary. Only if the problem of font convertibility is solved , the Malayalam content on web will grow.

Rank Holding Actress Wife, Happy Family

His family life too is a mixture of merit, media and entertainment." My wife Vinodini is postgraduate in Sociology with first class and First Rank. She is youngest daughter of the illustrious Indian Dancer Dr Guru Gopinath. She was a child artist in Malayalam Movies like Kannum karalum, Ammaye kaanaan ,Bhakta kuchela, Manavaatti , Karuththakai sneehadeepam etc. Her last film was Devi kanyakumari. Popular actor Kamala Hasan has acted with her in kannum karalum."

His son Gopimadhav is a IV th semester Mechanical Engineering student of Anjuman Engineering college Bhatkal, Karnataka Daughter Mathangi is a 6th standard student of Bharatheya vidya bhavan Kodungannoor Trivandrum.

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T. Sashi Mohan, who hails from Calicut, is the son of U Madhavan Nair (retired. MSP) and T.Janu (retired Teacher KCMAUP school Calicut). Brother Raja Mohan is in Kuwait and another brother Jayamohan is Manager Oriental Insurance Kochi -keralamonitor.com

Santhigiri Experience

Secular Spirituality of santhigiri ashram

The secular spiritual movement initiated by Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru is a concept and practice most suitable in the present age. It is independent of all existing religious beliefs. The Guru is able to evaluate cosmic time and enforce epochal changes in the practice and understanding of spirituality. The secular spirituality of Santhigiri Ashram can address the societal, familial, moral, environmental and health problems of the people. The Guru taught that the spirituality of Santhigiri Ashram is not a formal religious function but a corrective spiritual exercise.

y In the beginning of time there was original divine law, governing human thoughts and actions. Man and Nature were in perfect harmony, enjoying the abundance and bliss of the Supreme. Wrong spiritual perceptions and free will of mankind caused the beginning of spiritual fall. The great spiritual debacle in the Manu Parampara was marked by a deviation in Yuga Dharma and the establishment of ritualistic religions based on the appeasement of gods and goddesses. In 1973, during his spiritual ascendency, Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru got the following revelation regarding the spiritual debacle that had happened:

‘In the 3rd chaturyuga of this manvantara a great preceptor in the tradition of Manu perceived that there is no action in this world that is not Manu’s. He saw this in all planes - the subtle, corporeal, the cause and effect. Out of this experience came the chaturvakyas, the four great enunciations. The very first one is, ‘Aham Brahmasmi’— I am the Brahman, the Absolute. He proved it to the people with the power of logic. He was full of his oneness with the Brahman, which he went on to mistake for himself being the Brahman…. Thus was blurred his awareness of the Will of the Absolute”

The earliest spiritual reformers were the Upanishadic seers who condemned ritualism. They spoke of the metaphysical Truth through a Guru-Disciple culture. However this highly philosophical discourse was inaccessible to the common folk, who formed the majority. In this milieu, the priestly class gained the upper hand in society. This situation led to the social and spiritual degeneration, marked by slavery, priestly excesses, polytheistic beliefs and superstitions. Counter spiritual movements took birth in India and elsewhere in the world. The religious movements of Buddhism, Sikhism and Jainism in India and Christianity and Islam in other parts of the world marked the emergence of the 3rd Era of Redemptive Spiritualism.

The 3rd Era of Spiritual Awakening marked the beginning of an egalitarian society propagating social changes. Scientific discoveries and technology flourished in those parts of the world where the egalitarian concept of God spread, i.e. Christianity in Europe and Buddhism in South-East Asia. Unlike the West, India could not benefit from the 3rd Era of Spiritual Awakening due to the prevailing divisive social customs and traditions. Centuries after the 3rd Era of Spiritual Awakening, the theory of God, as promulgated by various religions, has come under increasing scrutiny. Dissatisfied with mechanical religiosity and scarce spiritual experience, people all over the world are seeking ways to peace and spiritual fulfillment. Thousands of cults and groups have emerged to promote alternative spirituality, yoga, meditation, healing and so on in the West

The West looks to the East for spiritual guidance. The metaphysical explorations of the Upanishads, the yogic practices, Buddhist and Sufi methods of meditation and innumerable other alternative spiritual practices developed with a freedom of choice and rational belief. This new change in the spiritual outlook of man, which has come about after centuries of industrialization and mechanization, is ushering in the 4th Era of Spiritual Awakening, reducing the relevance of institutionalized religions.

The life mission of Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru was to establish the foundation for a workable counter-civilization. The teachings of Guru inspired thousands of people to find ‘Meaning’ and ‘Structure’ in life in a fundamental way. Guru taught that society can be improved only by the self-development of individuals, spiritual emancipation of women and uplift of households.

.practical aspects of secular spirituality

Social harmony can be brought about only when there is unity of human hearts and actions. Human unity cannot be built upon an unequal social system based on mutually conflicting ideologies. An apolitical and supra-religious ideology irrespective of racial, religious, linguistic, class, caste and regional differences, only can meet the challenges of this age. The 4th Era of Spiritual Evolution is about this new secular, experiential spiritual ideology.

The experiential, secular spiritual movement initiated by Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru has brought about a silent renaissance, putting people back on the soul-nourishing track marked by the wisdom of the rishis (sages with direct spiritual experience). They have become the first inheritors of this 4th Era of Spiritual Awakening. The main characteristics of the Spiritual Awakening and Secular Spiritualism propounded by Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru are the following:

Concept of God and Humanity

Buddhism, Christianity and Islam marked quest for a new spiritual platform. Mankind is now looking beyond mere religious discourse for rational theories on God, Life and Existence which could also be subjected to one’s experience. There are conflicts and internal splits in all religions based on different perceptions of God. The idea of Oneness of God and Oneness of Humanity is an unrealized dream. The aspiration of the human soul to experience the oneness of Man with God, Nature and its creations is the essence of Secular Spiritualism propounded by Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru

3.2.Faith in the Divine Preceptor - Guru

Since the Supreme Power is abstract, unknown and indefinable, it can interact with human beings only through a human medium, the Guru. The Will of the Supreme is conveyed through the Guru by way of spiritual revelations and visions. A Guru is like a mirror that reflects the power, wisdom and joy of the Supreme. The manifestation of such a human medium takes place according to epochal evolutionary principles as ordained by God through the concept of Yugadharma in the Manvantara order. The secular spiritualism of Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru is based on a divinely ordained Guru-Sishya (Guru-Disciple) order.

Experiential Interactive Spirituality

Experiential Interactive Spirituality is a comprehension of spiritual truths under the guidance of Guru, either through one’s practical life-experiences or through mystical visions. The reasons behind one’s life-situations can be “seen” by Guru through His astral powers.The instructions of Guru are aimed at unwinding or undoing the karmic, spiritual and ancestral bindings and enhancing the deposit of inner virtue (punya) in the seeker. It is the depletion or absence of this deposit of inner virtue or ‘positive soul essence’ that causes internal and external problems in the life of man. Virtues nourish life with positivity whereas vices produce afflictions and tragedies.

.Spiritual Empowerment of Women

Guru emphasized the fundamental need for the spiritual emancipation of women for building a model home and society. Guru gave women opportunities for skill development and self-development. Guru chose Janani Amritha Jnana Thapaswini, as His first successor. The elevation of Janani Amritha Jnana Thapaswini as the first Sishyapoojitha (venerated among the disciples) emphasising the spiritual advancement of women.

.Family Reorientation

The family is the basic unit of the society. Happy and Healthy families can make good society and a prosperous nation. The strong base of Santhigiri Ashram is the large community of householders living and working together with the Guru’s inspiration. Women have an important status in the households of Santhigiri. It is through the householders, and their lifestyles enshrining the Guru’s teachings, that Guru is spreading the 4th Era of Spiritual Awakening. An important aspect of this reconstruction is the spiritual deliverance of families from the bindings of negative astral, ancestral and genetic influences through ‘Gurupooja’ – a unique spiritual intercession of Guru being performed at Santhigiri.

.Sustainable Development

A simple lifestyle in harmony with Nature is the core of sustainable development principles followed by Santhigiri Ashram. Protection of environment and a sustainable use of natural resources constituted an important concern of Guru. More than a decade ago, Guru implemented a rain water harvesting project in the Ashram, which has become an inspiring model for many environmentalists and affiliated institutions. Guru initiated various eco-friendly projects such as bio-farming, dairy unit, agriculture, weaving as well as coconut, spices and coir products units in the Ashram.The concern that Guru showed for the protection of trees is unparalleled. Guru treated trees and plants like living beings and taught that sinful actions and lifestyles of mankind can adversely affect nature and cause natural disasters and environmental problems.

Secular Spirituality

The soul of man has no religion, caste, class, colour or gender. All souls can approach Guru and accept His guidance without any formal rites and rituals. All have the freedom to retain their beliefs, traditions and customs. Secular Spiritualism is established on three fundamental aspects, viz. spiritual omniscience, its secular nature and experience. Therefore, the Guru should be the authority of omniscience. Second is the secular nature of this spiritual interaction, in which one’s religion does not become a limitation. The individual is initiated into the noumenal experience of omniscience. Third is the rational underpinning which should take the individual to an understanding of the concepts of spiritual hierarchies.

The Experiential Secular Spirituality of Santhigiri never negates any religion.The truthful spiritual theory and practice of Santhigiri Ashram that attracts people from all faiths to this spiritual movement, proving that the age of spiritual amalgamation of humanity is not very far off.

Health in secular Spirituality

Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru said: “This body is the layers (physical encasement) of a soul’s evolution formed through thousands of births. The lack of virtue (punya) in the soul manifests in the form of different diseases in the objective body. Such karmic diseases are eradicated by the dharmic path that earns virtue through right action.” Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru propounded the New Dharma of Health (Nava Arogya Dharma Siddhantham) which emphasized that the soul and its inherent virtue are the fulcrum on which the state of one’s health, happiness and prosperity is established.

Guru infused a new awareness and insight on the spiritual basis of ailments and causation of diseases. The most fundamental contribution of Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru to the science of Psychoanalysis is the identification of the soul’s pathology to the lack of punya (merit) in the jeeva and other factors and entities in the backyard of the Self that are at present imperceptible to modern scientific method. For example, genetic disorders are caused by karmic and spiritual impurities in the ancestral tree as well in one’s accumulated baggage of karma. Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru has proved the controllability and cure of such psychic and physical disorders through the medium of spiritual intercession and integrative therapy. This method of therapy includes elements of omniscience and clairvoyance, which at present are unavailable to the analytical method of science. However, it is hoped that the time is not far when science puts its conclusive seal on the science of consciousness and its all- encompassing capacity for providing durable peace and health to mankind.