It seems like they are heading towards the north. Standing on the top of his present dwelling he watched them flocking towards the northern horizon.Waves of thoughts came roaring one after the other in his mind. “ Are these birds concerned about their family? Will they care about their elder people? Will they think about their offsprings ? About their siblings? “ A sweet lulluby which came floating in that evening breeze woke him up from his wild thinking. But again he slipped back into his thoughts. That lulluby has reminded him about his childhood days. His childhood memories were always accompanied with his mother’s melodious lullaby. Yeah melodious but he can’t remember the exact day from which he started to notice the flaws in that lullaby. Then onwards his memories about his mother had this sweet fragrance of agarbathies and jasmine flowers.

Allan was the seventh son of his parents and hence got patted up by all the elders in the house.There were a lot of care-takers for him. All his elder sisters and his elder brothers. But he never tasted the paternity of his father. Maybe that made him such a person, an easy going person- no sense of responsibility , no future planning, nothing to worry. His mother was in a rush to meet the two ends of the life. So she rarely got the time to teach him anything. But there was an ardent desire in his heart to learn things, to learn anything that instigates his thoughts. The atmosphere in his house also added fuel to his desire and he grew up into a handsome young man who cared about nothing but knowledge. His friends were trying to find a livelyhood and had became responsible young men who took care of their houses. But Allan never cared for those things, rather no one asked or reminded him about his responsibilities-he was the ‘pet’ of the family,who needs to eat, sleep, read and simply spent the time. His mother and elders were upset about his future. “What are you going to do in future? You need to find some earnings. We are happy to take care of you till our death, but after that what will happen? How will you live?” They showered numerous questions on him. But Allan never responded to any of these questions or any of their advices. But his family with the advise of other elderly people decided to do an experiment to change Allan.Experiment with the life of a beautiful girl. She was educated, smart and a hardworking girl. Allan’s mother and sisters found it as an additional quality for the girl. When the marriage was fixed they unburdened themselves fom the burning thoughts of Allan and made a garland with those thoughts and hung it around the neck of that innocent girl.

Bhagya ( Oh! I forgot to tell,the name of Allan’s bride is Bhagya. A very apt name for such an unlucky girl.) was a well educated girl. But her father never allowed her to find a job. So when Allan’s proposal was fixed, she was very happy. Because Allan was an educated person and she expected a better life with him and longed it from bottom of her heart. On that fateful day, Allan’s wedding day, it was raining profusely. The foolish mind of the new bride mistook it as the nature’s blessing. But it didn’t took her a long to understand that she was in a fool’s paradise.

In the beginning with the help of his mother she tried to change Allan. But in vain. Days, weeks, and months passed by, but there was no change in Allan. He remained as the same Allan. Slowly Bhagya became the target of abuses from the family. She was blamed for not bringing any changes in the attitude of her husband. “How can they expect me to change him within few months when they tried it for years and failed.” She kept on asking to herself. Her only solace was the new born in her laps. At first Allan was also curious about his son. Slowly that ember also died out in his heart. He never cared for his lovely son. He was very much in love with his habit of writing, reading and thinking that he forgot about his family. Nobody was given the permission to step into his world. He wanted to play with his boy but he wanted to read more.He wanted to spent time with his son but he didn’t want to keep his book aside. The boy, when he grew up he also learned to live without the support of his father. His mother was his world.

A cold touch on his shoulder awakened Allan from the journey of his mind through his past. “Didn’t you hear that bell. It’s prayer time now.” A man in white pyjamas explained to him. As it was his first day he didn’t know the rules and activities there. He noticed that the eastern sky was embellished with red and golden thread like rays of the setting sun. Holy rhymes were heard through the loud speakers from the nearby temples. His legs followed those legs in white pyjamas. But still his mind was wandering in some unknown forests . “Did I ever join my family for prayers in the evenings.” No. He can’t recollect any such occassions how hard he tried. “ Were I available for my family whenever they wanted me? What is the name of my son’s wife? His children? No, I can’t recollect any of those things.” His pricking conscience kept on haunting him. He didn’t know when he reached his room after the prayers. It was a small room with a table, a chair and a cupboard which was more than sufficient for him. He took a book from the shelf which was neatly arranged. But he couldn't constrain his mind in that book. It swifted through different thoughts and questions.

Someone called him for dinner.He didn't feel like eating anything.His mind and thoughts had filled his stomach too. He cannot blame his son for admitting him in this old age home.How can he? He was paid in the same coin. His son never got the love and affection from his father when he was in the atmost of need of it.Then how can he expect that back in his old age.No he doesn't has the right to complain. He vaguely looked at the calender that hung on that bare wall. It’s Friday, 13^th December. An auspicious day for someone to put his father in an old age home. Some of the inhabitants kept on knocking at his door to call him for dinner. He told them that he is not hungry anymore. He switched off the light to avoid more disturbances to the apogee of his thoughts. He saw the narrow lines of life through the crevices of his door. Slowly he slipped into the cold comfort of sleep.... a peaceful sleep. There outside that old building in the eternity some dogs were howling. Now Allan had no more piercing thoughts no more burden of responsibilities, he is free from the bonds of this world. Completely free. Like those migratory birds Allan also flew to a new world where he could find a suitable climate – not too cold, not too hard.

Renuka P S.

English Faculty

The Center for Science in the Public Interest is a nutritional lobbying group and they claim that sodium chloride, common table salt, can be very dangerous to eat. They are so concerned, they are working to get the status of salt changed so that it can go from its current unregulated status to a status which the FDA has authority to regulate.

Salt has the preservative characteristic of being a natural antibiotic. On a food item, it kills living bacteria and therefore impedes the decay process of that food. Salt causes excessive thirst because it pulls water from the bloodstream. These present the two most damaging effects on the digestive system.

Because salt is a natural antibiotic, it kills good bacteria in the body. As a substance that draws water, it interferes with the normal absorption of water which possibly leads to constipation and the accumulations of toxins in the intestinal tract. Most table salts are depleted of minerals the body needs and have additives that are harmful when ingested.

Salt is pervasive in American food products and people have begun to pay attention. Low-sodium diets have become so popular, many companies have paid attention and started offering reduced-salt options.

Natural salts, like "sea salt," are partially refined. But, they are becoming much more popular and are being sold as a table salt replacement. Other alternatives, Himalayan Salt and Celtic Salt are living substances which contain the vital minerals the body needs. Because your body fluids resemble sea salt, these salts are beneficial for balancing body fluids. Himalayan Crystal Salt, a favorite of Dr. Group's, contains the minerals the body needs without the toxins found in common table salt.

The Health Benefits of Himalayan Salt

·        Balances blood sugar and acid levels and helps the body's cells generate electrical energy.

·        Natural antihistamine which regulates phlegm and mucus in the sinuses and nasal cavity.

·        Helps prevent osteoporosis, muscle cramping, and irregular heartbeat.

·        Promotes healthy sleep and intimacy patterns

·

How to Eliminate Toxins of Table Salt

· Begin using Himalayan salt or Celtic Sea Salt, natural unprocessed salts.

·         Use alternative substances to flavor foods: Fresh herbs, lemon or lime juice, or Braggs Liquid Aminos (which contains essential and non-essential amino acids)

·         When dining out, try requesting NO SALT.



Smitha K.P

Science Department

Wednesday, 18 March 2015

Pencil Sketches by Neethu Rajesh (Staff Nurse, BIS)

FLIGHT OF A WINGLESS BIRD

Friday, 13 March 2015

The Harmful Effects of Table Salt

Wednesday, 11 March 2015

Poem- Social Being