|
At a time when journalism was deemed glamorous, Dr. P K Muhasin stood out from the crowd by writing for the marginal farming community utilising his experience in animal husbandry. A veterinary doctor turned farm journalist, Dr. Muhasin has been writing on domestic animals and various areas of animal rearing since 1971.
In recognition of his passion, Dr. Muhassin was honoured by the Government of Kerala with “Karshaka Bharathi.”
Born to K P Hassan and K Pathumma in Muttanchery, Calicut, Muhasin completed his Bachelor’s degree in Veterinary Science from Mannuthy. His passion was always to help the ignorant farmers. So he shifted base to Wayanad in 1973.
“I worked with the farmers there. Being with them gave me a clear picture on myths prevalent in animal husbandry,” recollected Muhasin. This inspired him to write on animal farming.
“I had an instinct to write since my schooldays. When I discussed about writing on our work, colleagues laughed at me. Then I realised nobody in my department was ready to write on what they know,” said Muhasin.
This animal lover started writing with an intention to wipe off the blind beliefs prevailing in the society about animals. He also wanted to educate the farmers on livestock management. “My first article was on rabies which was published in ‘Chandrika’, a Malayalam daily.”
Since then he has written more than thousand stories in various magazines including ‘Kerala Karshakan’, a Government of Kerala publication. “Apart from writing, I also like to do radio programs. I do give lectures in ‘Vayalum Veedum’ program in All India Radio.”
|
Muhasin retired as Registrar of Kerala Veterinary Council in 2003 after 31 years of service. After his retirement, he devoted his time to educate the common man on animal nutrition and veterinary medicines.
“Animals are an important component of our ecosystem. We should use animal resources in a sustainable manner. Now I am a member of the District Panchayat Technical Advisory Group. I give the farmers veterinary training and help them to farm better.”
“For the marginal farmers, dairying is an important source of income. The manure from cows is a good source of organic matter for improving crop yields. The gober gas from the dung is used as fuel for domestic purposes,” Muhasin opines adding that cows are the best domestic animals as they bring economic stability even to small-scale farmers.
“It is seen that most of the dairy farmers are not aware of the economics of what they do. They do it because it has been a traditional business that is carried over from generation to generation. There are many fallacies on feeding and drinking habits of cattle.”
According to Muhasin there are many techniques to farm cattle. “Farmers should have a minimum knowledge on different breeds before starting a farm. Buying a good set of cattle will help them to have quality cattle in the future. The cattle should be provided sufficient supply of food every day. On the average, each cow needs about 12 gallons of water per day.”
Along with his passion for awakening the uninformed farmers, Muhasin also has a wide collection of newspaper supplements on important events in Indian and Kerala politics, literature, cinema and animals.
“I love to collect the supplements of newspapers which have carried interesting news. I have papers of the past 40 years. I have been conducting an exhibition titled 'Orma Cheppu' for the past few years to display these newspapers. I want youngsters to get exposed to our history.”
This sexagenarian is very happy to be busy and to spend his fruitful time in empowering the marginal farmers on the minute aspects of breeding, rearing and caring of farm animals.
|
| News | Features | Columns |
Top Stories
- Books: New Arrivals In Trivandrum - May 21
- Public Outlook On Road Widening In Vanchiyoor - Upplamoodu Stretch
- Mohanlal: Big FM's Tête-à-Tête With The Grandmaster
- Air India Strike 2012
- Taste Of Trivandrum: NookuKooli Free Crunchy Pappada Vada
- Nature's Treat: A Society To Encourage And Support ‘Greening’
- Yentha Travel: Wayanad : Transcend To Magical Freshness
- Statues Of Trivandrum: Mahakavi Ulloor S Parameswara Iyer
- Hurdles In Development
- Photos: ‘Hues Of Silence’
- Temple Pond And The Dolphin Club
- Books: New Arrivals In Trivandrum - May 15
- Interview Of The Week: Mother’s Day Special - Gayathri Govindan: My Mother, My Children And Me
- Tourism- Is The Young Generation Becoming Victims?
- Campus Talk: Building Animated Careers
- Students’ Rocket Soars Into History
- Mother’s Day Special: Dear Mom, With Love
- Food Corner: Kozhi Mulagu Idichathu
- Modern Swimming Pool - Why Pirappancode?
- Statues Of Trivandrum: C Kesavan
- Photos: Trivandrum Zoo - III
- Photos: Trivandrum Zoo - II
- Photos: Trivandrum Zoo - I
- Movie Review: Mallu Singh (Malayalam)
- Books: New Arrivals In Trivandrum - May 07
