The writers Isaac quoted lavishly in his speech ranged from a class 10 student to several veterans. Keeping in tune with his love for literature and the commitment to the cause of woman empowerment, Kerala finance minister T M Thomas Isaac on Thursday laced his Budget speech with lines from a number of women writers in Malayalam.
The writers Isaac quoted lavishly in his speech ranged from a class 10 student to several veterans.
Isaac began his quoting spree with a mention of Sarah Thomas's 'Valakkar' in which the sad plight of fisher women is vividly portrayed. 'Valakkar' found space in the Budget speech while the minister was announcing the allocations for coastal areas, especially in the aftermath of Cyclone Ockhi.
He also recited a couple of lines by Sugathakumari in this context.
Isaac went on to recite a few lines from 'Adukkala', a poem by N P Sneha, a class 10 student of a school in Pulappatta to make a point that women don't get the esteem they deserve despite their toiling for families. He quoted a portion from P Valsala's masterpiece novel 'Nellu' to point out the consumerist cultrure of Kerala.
While announcing the proposals for elderly care and social security of destitute, the minister relied on Lalithambika Antharjanam's celebrated play “Savithri athava Vidhava Vivaham”. Narrating the extreme hard plight of those who dwell in the streets, the minister said a project will be implemented to alleviate hunger.
When it's about women and literature in Malayalam, it's a crime to miss on Sarah Joseph; and Isaac knows it well. He mentioned a character in Sarah Joseph's 'Mattathi' while announcing a hosuing scheme for the poor. Invoking the father in the novel who keeps a diary of his dreams, Isaac said a house is one of the biggest dreams of a Keralite and the government was committed to make it a reality.
B M Suhara's short story “Prakasathinumel Prakasam” was mentioned while announcing a project for health care. As a prelude to announcing a package for expanding palliative care schemes, the minister invoked the novel titled 'Devangana' by Gracy. He recollected a woman character in the novel who wishes for her mother's death when the latter shows symptoms of cancer on a second time.
Indu Menon's novel “Kappaline kurichoru vichitra pustakam” was used to set the stage for announcing modernization of village schools while a poem by Savitri Rajeevan was recited before announcing achievements in distribution of social welfare pensions.
When announcing the scheme for expatriates, Isaac relied on Khadeeja Mumthas' novel 'Barza'.
Keralite writer Jayashree Mishra, who writes in English, also featured in the speech. Isaac recollected how the novel “Ancient Promises” portrays the dire straits of schools and rehabilitation homes for children with special.
“Thozhil kendrathilekk”, a play written and staged by a group of Namboothiri women in 20th century and the poem titled “Pacha” by celebrated writer Vijayalakshmi were the other prominent works the minister mentioned.
A portion from K R Meera's award winning novel 'Arachar' was read out to highlight the power of women collectives before announcing schemes for self-help groups under Kudumbashree. Writers such as K A Beena, Dona Mayoora, M D Dhanya, and Rajalakshmi were also mentioned. cluded with a few lines from Balamaniyamma's poem 'Nava Keralam'.
Isaac's previous Budget speech was literally a tribute to master writer M T Vasudevan Nair. Characters and situations were quoted in abundance in the speech. Over the years, it has emerged a usual practice to include literary quotes in the lengthy Budgetary speeches. However, it is also criticized by those who argue that the finance ministers should stick to maths and policies and learn to limit the speech.
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