imagine • inspire • ignite
JULY 2021
VOL 16 | ALL COPYRIGHTS RESERVED TO AGAPPE DIAGNOSTICS LTD.
EDITORS DESK “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” Dear Agappeans! It brings me great joy as I am writing this, Insight has evolved so much over the years. It is your involvement and appreciation that we have been able to come so far. This time, in the new Avatar, Insight comes to you with a whole new look and feel. Designed to create high engagement for our readers, Insight comes up with a fresh logo, symbolizing a “Creative Mind” and footed on three pillars - Imagine, Inspire and Ignite. There are four new segments to foster higher participation from Agappeans and the extended family. “Yathra” where we have compiled travelogues, “Bhavna” includes poems and stories, “Rangoli” is a compilation of Hobbies & experiences, and “Nakshatra” a segment devoted to the children of Agappe with stories, puzzles, art & craft! The theme for this edition of Insight is “Hope” the ability to see light despite all the darkness. A painting competition on this theme was rolled out for the Insight cover page, the best painting was announced to be the cover page for Insight July 2021. The winner for the competition is the beautiful painting submitted to us by Ms. Lidiya Ann Binu daughter of Mr. Binu Mathew, GM Equipment Manufacturing Division. Special thanks to the young woman with a lot of talent. Many of our colleagues have shared a lot of personalized content. Agappeans have shared their unique and fun experiences while travelling, their favorite recipes and some lovely poems and photographs on hope. The fact that each content is self-made by Agappeans makes Insight exceptional. Don’t forget to share feedback of your favourite part of this edition to shamin.abraham@agappe.in. Presenting Insight July 2021 – Imagine, Inspire, Ignite!! Hope you enjoy reading it as much we enjoyed compiling it!
Shamin C Abraham, HR
Cover Page Courtesy
Lidiya Ann Binu, VII Std. D/o Binu Mathew
CONTENT MESSAGE FROM CHAIRMAN
05
MESSAGE FROM MANAGING DIRECTOR
06
ARTICLES
FACING THE THIRD WAVE OF COVID WITH HOPE
08
NATURE, THE GREAT EXPERIMENTER
10
HOPE - GUIDE US THROUGH TWISTS AND TURNS
11
YATHRA
VAITHIRI A TRAVELOGUE
12
A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED
14
BHAVANA HOPE
16
HOPEFULLY
16
RANGOLI
KAANCHI HOME GARDEN
17
AGAPPE WHERE EMPLOYEES LOVE TO WORK
18
MY BUTTERFLY GALLERY
20
SALKARA
YUMMY & FUDGY CHOCOLATE BROWNIE
23
PAAL KOLUKATTAI (SALKARA)
24
HEALTH TIPS FROM DIETICIAN
25
INTERVIEW - AMBILY C NAIR
26
EVENTS 27 NAKSHATRA 30
Message from Chairman
“The key is to meet today’s problem with today’s strength and leave tomorrow in God’s hands”
INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 4
Message from Chairman
MESSAGE FROM CHAIRMAN My Dear friends, I am very glad to meet you all with this message. First of all, I congratulate you all for your endeavor to lead our Agappe to the heights. Inestimable progress is being achieved this year even though the COVID has tremendously affected the entire community, entire world. During this disastrous period you have worked hard and achieved a lot. I am very happy to note that Agappe has grown to unexpected heights and inestimable progress. All credits go to you Agappeans. Let me quote an incident written in an American magazine. Philip Yancey says, “Trusting in advance what will only makes sense in reverse”. If you fear the future, look back and see how God worked, how God took care of you in the past. “This I call to mind and therefore I have hope”. Because of the Lords great love, we are not consumed, for his compassion never fails. They are new every morning, and great is your faithfulness. The Lord is good for those who seeks Him. You say I don’t know what I will do if my loved one dies, you will know when the time comes. You say I don’t know how I will pay these bills, Jehova Jireh the Lord provides. You say I am not qualified to handle this; this is too much I don’t know. Maybe you want to know everything too soon. God will give you wisdom when the time comes. The key is to meet today’s problem with today’s strength and leave tomorrow in God’s hands. During the 2nd World War, Arthur Sulkzberger, publisher of the New York times, found it hard to sleep, rid his mind of fear until he adopted these words from the hymn “Lead kindly light”. You might have read “Lead kindly light” written by Cardinal Newman. You can see these words in the hymn “I do not wish to see the distant scene, One step enough for me”. God is not going to let you see the distant scene either, no, he promises a lamp for your feet and not a crystal ball for your future. He leads me, that is enough for me today and tomorrow.
We will find the Grace to help us when we need it. See how Newman says, “Lead kindly light, I don’t want to see the distant scene, one step enough for me”. My dear friends, you can call the help of the Divine Providence whenever you are in trouble or in crisis. You will get a relief and solution for the problem and then you can praise Him. My best wishes for you all. Have a bright future. See, yesterday is a history, tomorrow is a mystery and today is a gift. Take the gift and run to the progressive future and may God bless you. Your affectionately, Prof. M.Y. Yohannan
INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 5
Message from Managing Director
2021, A YEAR BRIMMED WITH HOPE Thomas John, Managing Director, AGAPPE
We at Agappe are happy to say we were busy and engaged more than ever. The recent events of 2021 seem to be a repeat of what we have faced in 2020. The onset of the second wave has made us fall back to our lockdown days. Even as the intensity of this second wave was felt across the nation, we were better prepared to face this scenario that has trampled the community once again. While the nation went into lockdown in a phased manner, we at Agappe are happy to say we were busy and engaged more than ever. Each of us has risen to the challenge that was thrown at us and we have exceeded our expectation. Even as the restriction on movement and on working has affected us all, we strived to keep our process ongoing. The precautions taken by each employee has helped us not to lose a single day of work in the office or the factory and this has made us achieve remarkable heights in this year of 2021. We have crossed many milestones in both the Production, Operations and Sales and our achievements has made us one step closer to our vision. The year 2021 has started with us gradually adjusting to the new normal, making ourselves comfortable with all the changes required for this new pandemic era.
We have honored Mrs. Ambily Nair on completing 25 years with Agappe, a true testament of her passion for her work and we are proud to say that she is an ambassador of the corporate culture that we follow here at Agappe. She is our earliest employee and is the first person to complete 25 years in Agappe. We have also conducted various interactive programs for the awareness of all our employees, such as the interactive POSH session by Adv Mintu Cherian. The interactive session with the Dietician “Eat Right” for all INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 6
our employees is being conducted on regular basis. Keeping in with the celebrations, The HR dept has also been able to bring color and vibrancy to the celebrate Twin Day, a first time event in Agappe, Women’s day celebration with a difference. In the month of March 2021, Agappe Cricket team has participated in the Corporate league and has attained the semi-final position. This was indeed a great achievement for Agappe. We have also achieved to vaccinate all our employees in the Corporate office with the 1st doze of Vaccination and it’s a remarkable achievement to say that 100% employees in the Corporate Office has been vaccinated. The sudden demise of Mr. Shibu Paul, Deputy Manager EMD Kinfra, was a indeed a sudden blow to us all.
AN ACHIEVEMENT OF 110 Cr. WAS MADE POSSIBLE IN 2 MONTHS The achievements in Sales and Operations for the year 2021 is remarkable and surpassed many milestones. We broken our sales record of highest sales billing in March and this record was again surpassed in April. An achievement of
Message from Managing Director
state and the level of dedication of each employee in all these departments is a gesture of our corporate culture and unity. In line with the market demand, we have been able to procure the manufacturing license for Rapid Antigen tests and the Automated Pre-Filled cartridges for the RNA extractions. This is a major achievement for the R&D reagents teams and the possibilities with these products are bound to open up many more possibilities in the future.
11-04-2021
110 Cr. was made possible in 2 months and a lot of planning in the sales and operations was done to achieve this task. The role played by the back office Team from the Purchase Dept, QA/QC Dept, Regulatory and the Operations team in supporting each and every procedure to ensure the smooth delivery of the products in line with the demand to the market cannot be left unnoticed. We were able to mobilize our resources in best possible way to fulfil these demand. The reagent and equipment production has made every possible efforts to supply these products. Both the reagents and equipment team has ensured to deliver these products and has not taken a single holiday to support this demand. As a result, we have crossed the highest output of 2.45 Lakh kits for reagents and 1044 equipment in a month. Their efforts was continuous and this has ensured the availability of the products in line with the market demand. All these products was made to reach their destination in the right time with the help of the Logistics Department. The Logistics has also ensured their availability from 07:00 AM till mid night in supporting with the shipments. All these activities were done in the time when the second wave was rampant in the
The changing world has prompted us to establish our brand image with more vigor in the digital and print media. We have initiated our campaign on various social media such as LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and is showing growth. The new and improved Agappe website that was launched this year has its interactive features that ensures more customer connect. The everyday blogs in the website is both informative and is gathering audience for our new avatar. The visibility in the print media is yet another stepping stone to our new phase. We are now present in 3 major publishers for the IVD field. We are regular in Medical Buyer, BioSpectrum and Express Healthcare in every month. In this changing time, we have been able to change for the good. The extra-ordinary effort that was put in by each employee has made us attain these heights even in this troubled times. This resilient spirit displayed has exalted our concept of Divine Love to be imparted more into our organizational culture. Wishing you a safe year ahead.
WE HAVE CROSSED THE HIGHEST OUTPUT OF 2.45 LAKH KITS FOR REAGENTS AND 1044 EQUIPMENT IN A MONTH. INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 7
Articles
FACING THE THIRD WAVE OF COVID WITH HOPE Dr. D.M. Vasudevan, Technical Director, R&D Reagent We are in the middle of the second wave of the Covid pandemic and the whole country is experiencing a lock down. Further, we are expecting the third wave at any time. While the second wave has crumbled our healthcare system, the third wave will be a still bigger challenge. Covid-19 virus attacks people who are not immune. Immunity is either through infection or vaccination. In India, during the first and second waves, mostly adults were infected. About 4% children got infected in the first wave while 15% in second wave, thereby leaving 80% children vulnerable for infection. The Third Wave It is reported that the third wave started in Europe, reached the US via the UK. At present the third wave has reached the peak in Sweden and Canada. It is expected that the third wave will reach India within another few months, and it will mostly affect children. Many countries already initiated vaccination of children from 12 yrs, and also thinking of vaccinating children from 4 yrs onwards. Scientists have predicted that the present second peak will reach maximum in the first week of June 2021 in India, and then the number of positive cases will begin to decrease. They also predicted that India may face the third wave of Covid-19 infections by September or October 2021. In India, INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 8
as on 1st June 2021, less than 4% people are fully vaccinated & 13% partially vaccinated. Covid can only be fought by immunisation at a faster mode. Though India has two vaccines, neither of them have any data about trials on children. But such trials are ongoing. India is nowhere near achieving herd immunity and as such people should continue to wear masks and maintain social distancing and hand hygiene to stay away from getting infected by the virus. The Ray of Hope In the brighter side, India boosts vaccination drive to fight third wave of Covid-19 infections: Our vaccination roll out has been scaled up enormously. More than 2 billion doses of coronavirus vaccines will be available in India between August to December this year, which will be sufficient to vaccinate the entire adult population. By end of the year, we hope to have a majority of Indians vaccinated. Moreover, the country is scaling up beds and critical care in hospitals, including ventilators and oxygen supply. Karnataka and Maharashtra are planning to build paediatric Covid care centres, ICUs, and special ambulances It is the advice of experts that we should treat this lock down as Boon rather than Bane. This is a golden opportunity for people to spend time with family. It is an opportunity for
Articles kids to have a great time with parents. It is an opportunity to learn new skills. It is an opportunity to cultivate hobbies like gardening, drawing etc. It is an opportunity to chat with friends online. Life has too much to offer provided we have the right mindset. In this grim fight against coronavirus, there are many stories of hope, and extraordinary kindness. There were remarkable stories of human resilience, ingenuity, and creativity. A few examples are given below.
Moral vaccines is available for all of us. Avoid spreading rumours or panic in conversation or in social platforms, which can cause mental instabilities in yourself and others. A moral vaccine also means that if we have symptoms of COVID-19, not to hide them, but rather, get screened to avoid spreading the virus to others.
When the nationwide lock down started in early 2020, the whole textile industry in India had to close. But from the total collapse, they found an alternate way to success. Within 60 days, the Indian industry started to produce PPE kits necessary for Covid prevention. Now we are producing 450,000 kits per day, and India became the 2nd largest manufacturer in the world. This is now 10,000 crores worth industry. It was known from time immemorial, that the Mahua flower contains alcohol. As the Covid lock down became effective, and the need for alcohol based sanitizer was increased, there was scarcity for pure alcohol. In Chattisgarh, the tribal women started to collect the Mahua flower and used it as an ingredient of alternate sanitizer. In Mumbai, 2,000 packages of food are being sent out every day by the Ek Saath Earth Foundation. In Hyderabad, Kaligotla Technologies is serving over 5,000 meals daily to the poor through their NGO outfit, No Food Waste. In Chennai, Bibhuddatta Panda, a software executive, sets out on his bike every noon to distribute food packets to the poor on the road. He feeds about 50-100 persons per day. In Kenya, when the government implemented lockdown measures, the economic side effects were felt especially by poor communities. Finding opportunity in crisis, the government created the National Hygiene Program, known colloquially as Kazi Mtaani, which finds meaningful employment for the youth, in jobs that improve their environments. These programs include bush clearance, fumigation, disinfection, street cleaning, garbage collection, and drainage clearance. Given the project’s success and popularity, the Kenyan government is working to expand it Stress Management The COVID-19 outbreak has caused immense stress and undermined psychological well-being, as fears are rising around the globe as we now live in extremely uncertain times. We have seen disruption not just in global health and safety, but also in trade, the economy, and even how we connect with our own families. Hopelessness gets us nowhere. Fear should not turn into panic, any form of panic, whether it is through rumours, perceived threats, or our imagination. We must be realistic and face our challenges with courage, confidence, and the collective consciousness of humanity.
A spiritual vaccine is when all of us believe that through prayer, God will continue to guide humanity through times of turbulence. Pandemics are not new to humanity. Hundreds of years ago, when such pandemics came, thousands died when we did not have the medical knowledge or the equipment we have today. Yet despite such limitations, humanity collectively overcame the fear and the disease. Despite our progress and our powers, we are humbled by a sub-microscopic virus. It is time to reflect that God created the world as interconnected and interdependent. As the ancient Hindu sages often said, nature is a part of us, and we are a part of nature that God created. It is time, not just to worship, but to strengthen faith and preserve and cherish everything around us, together. Hope for total eradication of the pandemic Humanity can eradicate the Covid when 80% of population get vaccination. This is achievable within one year. At present the mortality is mainly because there is no effective antiviral agent available. However, things are rapidly changing. Health authorities have authorised the use of Sotrovimab, an antibody medication to help high-risk Covid patients. Sotrovimab is a monoclonal antibody which is directed against the spike protein of Covid-19 virus. Sotrovimab attaches to the spike protein and neutralises the virus by preventing the entry of virus into the host cell. The drug has been developed by GlaxoSmithKline and VIR Biotechnology Inc. Ivermectin is another drug which has been used against Covid with some limited success. Similarly Indian scientists have developed 2-deoxy-glucose as an effective anti-Covid drug. With these developments, the hope is raised that we are nearing the end of the pandemic. INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 9
Articles
NATURE, THE GREAT EXPERIMENTER. Look for the Silver Lining in the Horizon… Dr. Satheesh Kumar C. S., Senior Vice President - Supply Chain Management Nature is a great experimenter; it destroys all the species which do not support others in the long run. Nature discarded dinosaurs, neanderthal species & so on. Are we sure whether human beings will survive for ever unless we are beneficial for other species around our globe? This is a very intricate question of the day in post corona environs. If we are not beneficial for the whole around us, what can be the reaction of the nature? If we are not beneficial to the whole, nature shall discard us too. So, what is the remedy, what is the panacea? Are we more damaging than the deadliest virus Nipah or Plague, which are not rampant now to this nature? Are we not committing calamities to mother earth, are we damaging the earth with only pollutants, are we too cruel to the wild animals by slaying them for fun and flimsy possessions? No animals on earth kill other species unless it’s for their own survival, is it not? Is this all for our superiority over this planet? Is this Corona virus trying to eliminate the other virus called homo-sapiens? Is this right time to think, are we beneficial to other species around us, as a whole? If we are not, history will be repeated, mother earth will discard us too, at length. Is this the problem of our own consciousness? Are we not living a life of separation from everything in nature, from every other species, from the very nature embracing us? Does this separative-driven-consciousness have far reaching consequences? Yes, dear friends, we do need to change. Catastrophes like disasters, natural calamities, cancer, flood, cyclones; landslides, famines & droughts, what not come as anathema to us? Is this Corona an aftermath of our own boastfulness? Is it high time we should go back to nature & discontinue the disconnected-state-of-consciousness as INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 10
once suggested by many wise souls? If we do want to be in a realm of peacefulness & joyfulness for all, is it time to be in unison with the nature without challenging it? Are we late to save this earth with sheer exploitation of all her resources without second thoughts? Can’t we think of a transformation at this late hour to be sympathetic to other species in our mother nature, where we live in? Yes, my friends, let us involve in continuum of harmony with our nature, let us not encroach the animal territories further. Let us preserve our forest for more oxygen and ocean to maintain healthier eco systems. Let us stop our relentless experimenting with Nature. Now it’s time to turn tables in her favour. It’s her experiments that we are witnessing in the form of various catastrophes, including this Corona and other natural disasters, in a way. Leonardo da Vinci has told once, ‘Nature is the source of all true knowledge; She has her own logic, her own laws; She has no effect without cause; nor invention without discovery’. Let’s be in conformity with nature, not invite further catastrophe with our own exploitations. Everybody goes through ever-tough times, but it is those who push through these difficult times who will eventually come out with flying colours in life. We should never give up, because this too shall pass by shortly, as the history teaches us till date. Let’s work in total unanimity to get over the pandemic with lots of hopefulness and optimism. Let’s preserve our nature and fellow species without trespassing their territories, harming their integrity and jeopardising their existence. Let’s all live-in consistency & kinship with the nature for a better tomorrow for the health of our children.
Articles
HOPE
Guide Us Through Twists and Turns
Vincent Ronald Miranda, Head-Domestic Business
The whole world is reeling under the aftereffects of COVID and to make the matter worse the second wave hit the country throwing the life out of gears. Lets see how it impacted Indian subcontinent. Here is a statistic.
Effects of the Covid 19 Pandemic LIFE IMPACT
(Affected “a lot”)
49%
LOST PAY
55%
WORKED FEWER HOURS
51%
TEMPORARILY STOPPED WORKING
66%
LOST A JOB OR BUSINESS
50%
This is what the statistics of Famous Management consultant Gallup says.
Yes HOPE: That takes me back to an article I read in Harvard Business Review in 2012 which says HOPE is Strategy. How true it is in Agappe ‘s context. Hope is a critical part of achieving a strategy when based on what is possible; perhaps not highly probable, but possible. Hope is the belief that something is possible and probable, and the recognition that the degree of each is not necessarily equal. When HOPE is based on real-world experience, knowledge and tangible and intangible data, it results in trust, which is necessary to implementing any strategy. Without faith in the people, processes and technologies involved, how can we achieve anything? Hope recognizes the reality that failure happens, success is not assured, the laws of physics don’t change ,HOPE guide us through twists and turns. Hope views the glass as half full, not half empty. HOPE supports realistic optimism, a necessary component of success. Our management was committed to challenge all the odds infront of us and convert them to opportunities, so we went on to radically reinvent the business model, the product mix and selling process and we succeeded.
Why did we succeed?
And it is true it has really affected people and organization.
The Management had HOPE that their people would understand, embrace and achieve the new direction.
Lets see how did it impact Agappeans :
Why?
Life Impact - Yes it did impact every one so as Agappeans Lost Pay. --- We can say confidently a NO IMPACT. Worked fewer hours – Big NO Temporarily stopped working – Again a NO Lost a Job Or Business - NO WHY ? Because Agappe adopted a strategy called HOPE !
Because the Employees had HOPE that whatever Management suggests is for their Good. Because their people were dedicated, creative, loyal and tight knit. The employees were treated as a part of the family; and because management had enough “evidence” to hope that they could pull this off if they all pulled the same direction. World lives on HOPE and believe me HOPE is the only strategy to Success. INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 11
Yathra
VAITHIRI
A Travelogue Rita Elizabeth Thomas, D/o Thomas John & Meena Thomas 2011 – Dubai 2013 – Europe 2016 – China 2019 – London, Switzerland . . 2020 – Kadayiruppu? 2021 - Kadayiruppu? Going for vacations was our thing. Packing bags, hotel check ins and checkouts, airport run, window seat fights, trying different food, night street strolls, documenting it all etc. etc.. etc. was our thing. It’s safe to say Corona ruined our thing. As Rufus says, “after kochechy’s (Rhema) 10th boards we went to Europe. After Kunjechy’s (Me) 10th boards we went to China. After mine… well we didn’t even go past Pattimattom bus stop”. This travelogue is different from my previous ones which was all about our international trips. This one is short and simple but holds a special place because of a reason which you’ll get to know along the way. After more than 10 months of rotting at home we got our much needed break. 1 week before my finals, 1 week before Rufus leaves to hostel and 2 months before Chechy gets a promotion from our home… off to Vaithiri! We left home on 2nd April 2021, 6:00 a.m. It was a long drive and a beautiful one. Vaithiri is a forest area which INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 12
made the drive even more refreshing and sightfull. We reached the hotel at noon. We had a full 2 storeyed house for ourselves. We did a lil house tour. It had 2 rooms, one in each floor connected with a spiral staircase. And here’s the most amazing part. There was a swimming pool with a sitting area and a fireplace inside the house!!! We’ve never before stayed in a hotel having a private pool for ourselves. Well that was the good news. The bad news was that we didn’t bring our swimsuits with us. Since it was COVID we decided it’s safe not to swim in a public hotel pool which was also used by the others guests in there… little did we know we’d end up having a private pool. We ended up borrowing Rufus’s clothes for a swim. Soon after that we went for the lunch. went back to our house. Mamma and Me went for a quick stroll outdoors while the rest took a nap. Now let me give a small picture of this hotel. First of all it’s more a forest and less a hotel. The entire hotel was sitting in the middle of a forest. It was filled with wild trees and plants. The whole compound was closed with electric wires due to the danger of wild animals. We had to walk through a long rope bridge to reach the restaurant . Below the rope bridge was a pretty big natural stream with huge rocks and crystal clear and cold water running along. Oh and there were monkeys, a lot of them. It was basically their home. They walk with us, sit with us. The restaurant was covered in grills to stop the monkeys from getting inside. They would hang on the grills and watch us eating. The guests was restricted from feeding the monkeys because it was harmful for them. So we just let them gather around us
Yathra watching us have our meal. That’s pretty much about the hotel. The walk was really peaceful. Mamma and me, we both discovered things. We went to the forest stream and played in the crystal cold water. Once getting back to the hotel I went for a swim while others napped. By evening we woke up and went for the evening tea after which all of us together went for a walk. The whole hotel was filled with numerous small routes and paths one connecting to the other. So whichever path we took we’ll end up back at the starting point. When it became dark we went for dinner. There was a singing concert of a daddy-daughter duo. After having dinner and vibing with the concert we headed back to our house. The next day soon after breakfast all of us together went to the stream. Spent hours over there. We decided to return from there once we saw that our phone gallery was getting overloaded. It was super fun. For people who has never been to a stream or any kind of a natural water body should relate with us. Halfway drenched we went back to our house, changed and went for lunch. After lunch we again took a long walk throughout the hotel compound, went back to our house and just lazed around. Daddy, Mamma and me scrolled through our phones, Rufus went for a swim, and chechy… well she was engaged so you should guess by now that she remains busy for the majority part of the day. Mamma , Chechy and I was upstairs and Daddy and Rufus was downstairs. After a while a guest barged into our house - a huge monkey!! Poor Daddy had to deal with the monkey all by himself since we were upstairs and didn’t have a clue about the intruder for awhile. It climbed over the table and chair and finally Daddy managed to shoo it off. We heard a few screams and noise and by the time we came running downstairs the monkey was gone. We just sat and laughed about it for the next 10 minutes. At evening after having coffee and snacks we went to the game centre where we just ran around and played all sorts of games, also discussed the planning of chechy’s bridal shower with mamma… the bridal shower which never happened! At 7 there was a classical dance concert after which we had our dinner and went to bed.
The next day soon after our breakfast we packed out bags, clicked pics, purchased a few stuff and checked out. We had plans to visit my mom’s cousins and family at Wayanad. We reached there in about 45 minutes. It was a few fun hours filled with chilling around and catching up on family stuff and wedding talks. And later we stepped out from there it was with a tummy about to burst, literally! Then it was a straight long drive home without any stops. We just enjoyed the rare chances of getting to be in road these days. We reached back home by 8 just in time for dinner which we never had because of the overloaded yummy lunch. We went straight to bed soon after our prayer… and that’s pretty much about our short special trip.
Now, those who have keenly read this must’ve remembered, in the beginning of this travelogue I mentioned that this trip was different from the usual long adventurous ones. It was short and simple but holds a special place. Why is this trip special!? This was our last trip as a family of Five. My sister was getting married in a few days and Vaithiri trip was a trip marking our last moments of being together as a family of Five. Chechy is now happily married to her Georgekutty. So, See you for our next trip. This time as a family of Six. With the blessed addition to our family – Kochettan. INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 13
Yathra
A FRIEND IN NEED IS A FRIEND INDEED A PILOT COMRADE Vargheese George, Head - International Business
2 nd June 2016. I was on my return trip from Mexico city to Kochi via Houston and Dubai. Travel from Mexico city to Houston was in Aeromexico flight which was in codesharing with Emirates. The departure procedures went normal at Mexico city airport and my bags were tagged till Kochi for a flying time of 19 hours in three aircrafts. There was an additional transit time of 11 hours at Houston and Dubai. Aeromexico flight departed on time from Benito Juárez International Airport, Mexico city. There was some inflight announcements after one hour, which captain made in Spanish language and I couldn’t follow it. He was informing passengers that climate in Houston was very bad and the flight was getting diverted to San Antonio airport in USA, which is around 350kms west of Houston. We landed there and waited in the flight for almost one hour to get the clearance from Houston. Since the weather was not getting better, as per US regulations we had to clear the emigration and customs at San Antonio airport and collect the bags. If the weather would not get better again, captain could decline to continue the onward trip to Houston and the aircraft would go back to its origin airport. In that scenario, we should fetch a cab and reach Houston airport for onward connection. Only four passengers in that aircraft were having onward connection to Dubai and all others were going to US. We were almost sure that we would miss the connection. When I was waiting for my bags at the luggage belt after emigration, I was fascinated with a tall white man at his late 50’s, talking to the captain of the aircraft. They were sharing jokes in loud voice. Even though the conversation was a Spanish English mix, I could make out that this person is also an INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 14
airline pilot. Since aircrafts and aviation was a bit of interesting subject for me, I went to him later to have a chat. He was a Mexican by the name Mr. Jorge. He served in Aeromexico for long time as a pilot and resigned to join Emirates. Currently he was working as a pilot in senior captain rank in Emirates who had 2 more years for retirement. He was going back to join his duty in Dubai after his holidays in Mexico. We conversed a lot about his job at Emirates and other current matters in aviation industry. He suggested that we could go together to Houston in the cab. Since he was communicating with the pilot of Aeromexico through mobile, we were getting the latest weather updates. Finally, after 2 hours, weather in Houston was ok and our aircraft was ready to continue its journey to Houston. Bags were checked in again and we boarded the aircraft. We were very sure that we would not get the connection as the original transit time at Houston was only 3 hours and we already passed it. The only hope was the word by Mr. Jorge that the incoming Emirates also might have diverted to some other airport due to harsh weather. We finally landed at Houston 4 hours delayed and while our aircraft was taxiing to the parking bay, we could see the huge Emirates Airbus A380 almost getting ready for departure at a distant gate. Mr. Jorge told me that if we rush we could have a small chance to catch it. He asked me whether I am following him. Without any hesitation, I agreed, as I was eager to reach home after a month-long tour. Since our emigration and customs was already over at San Antonio, we were arriving there as domestic passengers. We requested the cabin crew to have a priority disembarking and we rushed to the next gate. It
Yathra was almost a marathon run for both of us, as Houston airport is too big. We finally reached Emirates gate and they were already getting ready to move the aerobridge after closing the aircraft doors. Mr. Jorge had flew many times to Houston in Emirates as part of his duty and the staff at the gate was familiar for him. They greeted him and told him that flight is already closed. He told staff at the gate to call the pilot in command immediately as he need to reach Dubai in that flight to join duty the very next day. He told them to add me also, pointing his fingers to me. That was the time I felt grateful to him. Had I not interacted with him, I was sure that I would have not allowed to enter that aircraft. Probably I might be one of the rarest passengers to enter a scheduled passenger flight after the entire flight plan was done and the aircraft doors were closed. He talked to the pilot in command and the crew agreed to add both of us. They opened the doors and allowed us to board. I thanked Mr. Jorge for the timely help he offered me. The doors were closed, and the push back started immediately. We were on the wing in next 15 minutes or so. Thereby I continued my trip as EK212 departs from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport almost five hours delayed. I could
get the onward connection at Dubai, as there was 8 hours transit time. Obviously my Checked in bags did not arrive and it was delivered on the next day at Agappe’s gate by Emirates.
Photograph taken with Mr. Jorge at San Antonio Airport
Unfortunately, I could not get Mr. Jorge’s mail ID or phone number to contact him again. But I am having one snap which we took together at San Antonio airport for preserving the memories of a friend who helped to rejoin my family one day earlier. Interestingly “Jorge” is the Spanish name for “George” – A friend in need is a friend indeed.
A wonderful Mandala Art drawn by Dr. Maries P Simpson, W/o Sharon C Abraham, CMD INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 15
Bhavana
Susan Cherian, QC
Harsha K Anil , Sister of Varsha K Anil, IT I gaze upon the sky, and see many dreams and desires Many run to and fro for their dreams Hope without fears and tantrums Like a craft that desires for the shoreline. When the storm of despair blows swiftly, Hope for another verge When my soul get shake with fear And my breath get stuck with pain Oh its you my sweet loving hope That makes me stand without tear. Agony, strain, pain or distress Which is suit for todays life Amidst those massive strokes received You give me wings to all my dreams When loving faces get masked with fear And friendly hands hold back in horror Oh its you my sweet loving hope You told me that all is getting fair When dusky nights approaches me You told me clear that the dawn is near When the darkest clouds cover the sky You told me loud that the spring is near Hope is the light that makes us walk Through the thorny paths of the sharpest pain Hope gives the wings that makes us fly On top of the valleys of deepest despair..
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Birdie amidst the storm still Sings as sweet of hope in solace. The rushing hustles and whistles All around became hush. The daylight got stucked in of darkness. And all wish to stay home and hide; When everything around you seeps wrong It’s hope, hold, makes you strong No darkness will survive forever All will be back as usual however!!
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KAANCHI HOME GARDEN My Garden of Hope Asisha Paul, EMD-IQC First Lockdown has affected a lot of my Husband’s shop business where we were struggling to ensure the ends meet. Once the lockdown is over, we were able to regain 50% of the business hoping to increase in due time. But the announcements of the second lockdown dimnished the possibility of regaining the business. My hubby was seriously thinking on the alternatives and I also wanted to contribute to his thought process. The only thing came into my mind was how could I support him during my free time. Being a mother of two kids and responsible position in EMD IQC, I could help him only in the late evening hours and holidays. Since both of our working fields are different, I was thinking on the option which can be common to us. That time one of my friend suggested a great idea called “Home Garden”. We could start selling various types of plants and home gardening is now a trend due to pandemic. I discussed with my hubby and first response from his side was “YES”. Lot of challenges were there since even we have a very small garden at our home. Everything had to start from Scratch. But I was excited since I was going to be a part of it, during my free time. Procuring plants and utensils was not so easy during this restricted movement period. We went to Mannuthy Agricultural University and spend a half day taking their guidance and buying some plants. Once we started the work, it seemed easy. But when it came to SALES we do not know where to sell since our garden is at home and my hubby’s shop does not have the permission to sell plants. One of my Colleagues suggested starting whatsapp group with known circle as well as searching in facebook for interested groups. We were not well versed on this type of online business, but we tried. Finally, we got several facebook relevant groups and the enquiries started coming. We needed a name and we got several suggestions. Finally we took a name suggested by my colleague “KAANCHI” which means ‘Cute and Sweet’.
Everyday evening from 7 to 9, me & my mom started watering the plants, making potting mix and planting. Packing process were completed in the early morning for daily courier. At the initial stage I did not know even the names and variants of most of the plants other than Rose, Jasmine, lilly and so on. But now the names Aglonema , Calathea , peperomia, begonia and so on became a part of my day today life. The first month itself the sales crossed 10k which was really unexpected. My mother-in-law is the pillar of strength behind the smooth running of this venture. She treats each and every plant as her own kid. Without her and family support, it couldn’t have been a success. We take so much effort behind this venture. Many of my relatives had contributed some variety plants which I didn’t have in my collections. Now ‘KAANCHI HOME GARDEN’ has grown to more than 250 varieties of plants and we started selling more than 100 varieties including medicinal plants. Enquiries started flowing and we are having complete hope on this venture since has worked well even in pandemic. From frustration to Hopefulness, it took creative thinking, friend’s guidance and consistent actions for reaching the destination. Homely Plant Care Tips: Tea dust & black tea (diluted with water) & vegetable wastewater are good fertilizers for plants. • Spread used tea dust under the plant or mix the tea dust with potting mix before you plant in the pot. •
For Vegetable wastewater, keep your kitchen wastes in half bucket water (only vegetable waste). Keep this closed for 5-6 days. Then mix it with one full bucket water. Use this mix for watering your plant.
• Boiled rice water is another good fertilizer. Keep it closed for 3-4 days then mix with water and use it. • Big onion skin is a good fertilizer. Keep it in a closed jar of water for 4-5 days. Then mix with water and use it. • Use Banana skin & egg shells for orchids. INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 17
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AGAPPE Where employees love to work Emy Mary Alias, EMD-IQC
It was my second day at Agappe-Kinfra in March 2021. I was quite excited to start my hands-on job since the first day was an introductory day in EMD-IQC. I came little early and moved to my work location. My colleagues explained me about the job and I started learning new things. After the morning session, when we were in the pantry one of my colleague asked about my earring. I just touched my ear and realized that one of my gold earrings is missing. ‘ My Goodness’, it was the gift from my Husband who is abroad. I felt so sad and ran back to the office, two-wheeler parking area searching for the lost earring. I searched the complete area but not able to find since it is quite small. Once I started looking, other colleagues also started searching for it. Immediately the news spread, and my superiors came and enquired about the route I travelled. All started looking for it and more persons from other departments joined for the search and my hope in getting back the ring was quite high. After some time, I realized that starting from plant head to security, all are concerned about me and looking for it so that I can be happy. Everyone was pacifying me guaranteeing that we will get it. Even after 30 minutes of combined search, we were unable to find it. Now everyone else were sad and I started telling them that it is okay. Even though I lost one earring, I realize the divine love amongst Agappe Employees for taking care of each other. It was gone and I’d almost forgotten about it. My sadness became gladness on understanding the presence and feeling of Work environment with a family atmosphere. Some loses gives you valuable returns with great hope for a prospering future. INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 18
A beautifully Handcrafted Elephant Caparison (Nettypattam) by Ms. Neethu Rajesh, W/o Rajesh K V Mispacare
Rangoli
Urdhva Dhanurasana
Upavistha Konasana
Vrikshasana
Dhanurasana
Yoga Postures performed by Ms. Blesseetta Joby, D/o Sweety Joby, EMD - Calibration
Bhujangasana
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MY BUTTERFLY GALLERY! by Shine CR, CMD It all started back in 2019, when I was working in the Middle East. Every time I came for holidays which were usually a month, I used to spend most of the time at my hometown in Eriyad a small town in Kodungaloor, Kerala. Photography has always been my passion, and this helped me kill time whenever I got bored on my long vacations. I used to take random photographs of the lovely garden my mother has maintained, it is once as I was taking photographs my camera lenses got stuck with the beautiful fluttering wings of Butterflies in all sorts of colour. Soon I was behind each of these beautiful creatures with my Canon 60D, little did I know I was building my new hobby – yes, a butterfly gallery. I came across 30 plus varieties of beautiful butterflies starting from the most seen Papilio Clytia (Araly Shalabam-01) and the rarest I’ve seen (08). My favourite from the photographs I’ve taken is the Southern Bluebottle INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 20
(Neelakudukka-03). I have also been able to capture the largest butterfly of India Southern Birdwing (Garuda Shalabham-10), Blue Mormon (Krishna Salabham-15), Dark Blue Tiger (Karineela Kaduva-18), Monkey Puzzle (Iruthalachi-11), Plains Cupid (Maran Salabham-23), Tailed Jay (Viravaalan-09), Common Mime (Vazhana Poompatta-20), Common Rose (Natturose-06), Common Mormon (Narakakkali (Male)-05), Common Sailor (Ponthachuttan-14), Moduza Procris Commander (Vellila Thozhi-19) and many more. Well, it started for fun but now it has become something to cherish, I have planted Lantana (Kongini Poov) and Jungle Geranium (Chetthi Poov) and different types of Pentas Lanceolata in my Garden to attract butterflies. It brings me great joy as my daughter runs to me whenever she sees a butterfly and shouts “Acha!! Theres a new butterfly in the garden!! Come, take a photo...”
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Photograph by Arun Eldhose, EMD - Kinfra
Photograph by Ghaby Mathew, EMD - Kinfra
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Ajaysingh Rajput TAM
Athira Raj Customer Connect
Jiby Kuriakose Sales Head-TAM
Welcome to Agappe Family
Mr. Suryakanta Nanda General Manager - KAM
Varsha K Anil IT
INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 22
Salkara
YUMMY & FUDGY
CHOCOLATE BROWNIE by Smitha Paul, SFE Step 1
IngredientsEggs
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4 no’s (large)
All-purpose flour
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2/3 cup
Choco chips
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2 cups (1.5 cup to melt and rest for garnish)
Butter cube
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200 grams (unsalted)
Powdered sugar
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1 1/4 cup
Coffee powder
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1 tbs
Coco powder
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½ cup
Vegetable oil
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Vanilla extract
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Baking powder
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11/2 tsp
Salt
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½ tsp
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Add 1 1/5 cup of coco chip & butter in a pan & melt (on low flame, making sure not to burn the mix)
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Make sure the melted mix is smooth and well combined and maintained in warm temperature, before mixing with egg mix
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Add 4 eggs in a mixing bowl and beat them together.
Beat the egg mix together with the coffee powder + vanilla extract + Sugar powder+ oil.
Pre preparations • Grease the baking pan with butter on all sides • Place the butter paper making sure little extra sheet is available on all sides • Pre-heat the oven for 10 minutes at 350 -degree F (make sure the oven is hot while placing the pan for baking
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Mix the melted chocolate mix (step 2) with the egg mix, make sure they are well combined & mixed smoothly. Keep it aside.
Step 7
Sieve together – Flour powder, Choco powder, Salt & baking powder.
Step 8
Mix completely (in same direction) until all the dry ingredients has completely combined with the wet mix
Step 9
Pour the mixed contents into the baking pan
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Add extra Choco chips as toppings. You can also add, nuts of your choice
Place the pan inside the preheated oven (middle rack) and bake for 40 minutes. Make sure that the brownie is not over cooked to ensure fudgy brownies
INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 23
Salkara
PAAL KOLUKATTAI by Thirunavukkarasu S, Mispacare Ingredients: Rice flour, jaggery, cardamom, milk and water Preparation: 1. Take rice flour, add water and salt to make a soft dough. 2. Make the dough into small balls 3. Grate jaggery and keep. 4. In a pan, boil water and add small pieces of jaggery. Once the jaggery is dissolved in hot water, add the rice balls, and let it boil. Add few pods of cardamom. 5. Add 200 ml milk and boil to finish.
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Tips from the Dietician
A GUIDE TO MINDFUL EATING
Ms. Neetha Pratheep, Dietician
ANATOMY OF HEALTHY DIET Do you find it hard to figure out what to eat and how to create meals and snacks that balances taste, nutrition and convenience? Well read on... Anatomy of a well balanced breakfast: People generally do well if they eat three meals a day, with one or two snacks. For ensuring that your diet is simple and nutritious, Breakfast and lunch should be a combination of Carbohydrates, Protein, Fat and fibres. For example puttu with egg or Bengal gram(kadala) curry. Cereal and pulse combination is better that puttu with banana. As you can see in the picture, Carbohydrate and Protein with a good source of Fat and Fibre is recommended. This is the Mediterranean eating style, a type of eating that has the most scientific evidence supporting overall optimal health.
Vitamin C from lime juice with salads can increase the absorption of iron. Anatomy of a well balanced lunch: The type of carbohydrate in the diet is more important than the amount of carbohydrate in the diet, because some sources of carbohydrate like Ragi, Jowar, Wheat or Rice with Bran is more nutritious than refined carbohydrates like Maida. Healthy Eating Plate as a guide for creating healthy, balanced meals consist of a carbohydrate source like rice or chapathi and a protein sources like fish or paneer or pulses and vegetable in the form salads or vegetable curry. Adding super food curd / butter milk is highly advisable. Butter milk acts as a probiotic which contains healthy bacteria that promote a healthy gut.
Anatomy of a healthy snack: I endorse snacks because people feel better if they don’t go longer than 5 waking hours without eating a meal or snack. So if you eat breakfast at 7:30 am and lunch at 2 pm, that’s more than 6 hours between food intake !!
Importance of adequate water intake cannot be overemphasized. Water helps flushes our systems of waste products and toxins, yet many of us go through life dehydrated—causing tiredness, low energy, and headaches. It’s common to mistake thirst for hunger, so staying well hydrated will also help you make healthier food choices. Drink at least 2.5 liters of water per day.
Consider eating a snack at mid morning time. This will help you to arrive at lunch with gentle appetite instead of an overwhelming hunger.
Timing of food intake is also important. Have an early breakfast preferably before 8.30 am and dinner should get over by 8 pm. In between you can take healthy snacks.
Making the right choice for snack is very important. Rather than biscuits you can opt for nuts as snack. Nuts are rich in micro elements like Chromium & Zinc. A combination of fruit and nuts is highly recommended as snack.
Eating a healthy diet is not about strict limitations, staying unrealistically thin, or depriving yourself of the foods you love. Rather, it’s about feeling great, having more energy, improving your health, and boosting your mood. INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 25
Interview
Celebrating
25
years!
The first employee at Agappe to complete 25 years, Ms. Ambily C Nair. Here is snippets of an interview Team HR had with her as she celebrated this fantastic milestone. How did you come to know of the job opportunity in Agappe? I was born into a very ordinary family in Kozhenchery, Kerala where each member in the household had to earn to keep things move forward. This strong desire helped me dream bigger and better. As I completed my studies, my sister who then was already working in Mumbai advised me to come to Mumbai to seek job. I started my 3-day journey to Mumbai. My sister on her way in shared Rikshaw met with Thomas Sir and overheard the company’s requirement for a female candidate who have completed DMLT. My sister saw this as an opportunity and suggested me into this opening with the help of the Rikshaw driver. On 19th January I attended my first interview, Thomas Sir had asked me about the products I used in the laboratory I was working back in my hometown – I discussed of the colorimetry methods and mouth pipetting techniques I used, by then Agappe had grown to a company that used semi automated machines and technology. There was a lot to learn and explore I was quite excited. I was soon asked to join the very next week after getting to know of the big Mumbai city. How was it to work in the corporate in 1996? It was perhaps a new beginning in my life, I was living in a totally new city I didn’t know the places there, knew very few people – mostly Malayali’s and knew nothing of Hindi. A totally new beginning I was scared and excited at the same time. I am a bit proud as I say this, I was the first female employee in the production department, back then there were 3 male employee – a person from UP, a Maharashtrian and a Bihari who worked with me – they all had one thing in common that I did not, yes, they all knew Hindi and I didn’t know a word. Often when one of my co-workers asked me to take an INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 26
item – naming it in Hindi, I would carry at least three items looking into the situation as I did not know what they were asking me. It took me at least 6 months to get my broken Hindi ready. But I had very supportive coworkers who helped me with the new work, technology and even the language. Please tell us about your Career Path at Agappe? I joined with Agappe as a QC , I’ve evolved from an executive at QC to AGM QAQC. I have grown along with the company all these years. I have also been able to attend various training in the field where I’ve got opportunity to go abroad. How would you explain your 25 Year relationship with Agappe? Tell us about elements that stand out in this long relationship. Well, there is a lot of emotions attached to it. Perhaps, it was the Need factor in the beginning that made me join Agappe in Mumbai away from my home and my comfort place. But as I examine, Agappe has given me plenty of chances to explore in my career. I was assigned with plenty of responsibilities and opportunities. Another important factor that excites me is the freedom to work in my own style. The company have trusted my work and facilitated to enhance my skills with lots of training. Yet another element is that I have always felt safe working here. The most important factor that makes me continue my relationship here at Agappe is that I love my job and I am very passionate about my job – for I serve the mankind helping in the process of right diagnosis. Ensuring quality products are released to the society. Today I’m being recognized in the society as an Agappean, my family respects me for my job and the passion that I have for it. I am proud that I chose Agappe and even more proud that I chose to stay here for 25 years. Looking forward to many more milestones.
Events
CSR Activities
CSR contribution to Twenty 20 CSR activities -Food Kit & Sanitizer Total 9.5Lakh contributed
Contribution of PPE Kit & Sanitizer (Covid Preventive Kits) to Seva Bharati Kunnathunadu Mandalam authorities
CSR activity contribution in Labour office, Perumbavoor for their activity among “Migrant guest workers’’
Given Mobile to students in Pattimattom area supported to CPIM Pattimattom branch
Twin Day
INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 27
Events
Agappe Cricket Team
Women’s Day Celebration
INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 28
Events
Environment Day
Vaccination Drive
INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 29
Nakshatra
Dona David, XII Std. D/o David Issac, Administration
Niranjana VII Std. D/o Vimitha Aji, EMD - Calibration
Rufus Jaison, III Std. S/o Jaison Jacob T, Finance
Rita Jaison, LKG D/o Jaison Jacob T, Finance
INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 30
Nethanya Elizabeth Paul, V Std. D/o Smitha Paul & Paul M Abraham
Nakshatra
Diya Elizabeth Lijo, VIII Std. D/o Bintu Lijo, CTS
Ruth Jaison, III Std. S/o Jaison Jacob T, Finance
Ethen Jiby, UKG S/o Jiby Kuriakose, TAM
Donat David, VII Std. S/o David Issac, Administration
Jessica Job, III Std. D/o Job C, Distribution
INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 31
Nakshatra
Joel Jibi Alias, X Std. S/o Jibi Alias, EMD Angeline Elza Jiby, VI Std. D/o Jiby Kuriakose, TAM
Saatvik K Unnikrishnan, III Std. S/o Sreevidya PM, CMD
Parvathy Santhosh, V Std. D/o Sajitha S S, HR
Juana Mary Selvin, UKG D/o Sony Selvin, CMD
Neil Neerad Shine, V Std. S/o Shine CR, CMD
INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 32
Nakshatra
THE GOLDEN TOUCH
Once there lived a greedy man in a small town. He was very rich, and he loved gold and all things fancy. But he loved his daughter more than anything. One day, he chanced upon a fairy. The fairy’s hair was caught in a few tree branches. He helped her out, but as his greediness took over, he realised that he had an opportunity to become richer by asking for a wish in return (by helping her out). The fairy granted him a wish. He said, “All that I touch should turn to gold.” And his wish was granted by the grateful fairy. The greedy man rushed home to tell his wife and daughter and watching them convert into gold. Once he got home,
his daughter rushed to greet him. As soon as he bent down to scoop her up in his arms, she turned into a gold statue. He was devastated and started crying and trying to bring his daughter back to life. He realised his folly and spent the rest of his days searching for the fairy to take away his wish. Dear children, Greed will always lead to downfall. It is important to know that a person controlled by greed will often ignore the harm their actions can cause others. Hope you enjoyed this story!
Colour Me! Strawberry is the only fruit that bears seeds on the outside.
Broccoli is a flower
A snail can sleep for three years. Slugs have four noses.
Orchids do not need soil to grow-they get all their nutrients from the air.
An ostrich’s eye is bigger than its brain.
The banana is actually classified as berry INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 33
Nakshatra
DIY PLANTER
Hello !! today we are going to make a Planter using the following ingredients (Img-1) White Cement (d) Ice cream container(c) oil (b) and bottle & water (a). First you need to mix the white cement using water (Img -2&3) bring it to a smooth consistency. Now oil the ice cream container (Img–4) – this will help easy detaching. Pour the mixture into the ice cream container (Img–5). Oil a bottle and immerse it into the mixture to create a space to grow your plant (Img -6&7). Now you must be really patient and wait for at least 24 hours!! After which you can detach the immersed bottle and our Planter from the ice cream container. Now let’s add some colour! Use a sponge to colour the pot I’m using a bright red colour (Img 8&9), here we are trying to bring an ombre effect! Now you have to wait again for about 1 hour until the paint dries off and Voila our Planter is ready!
Using White Cement by Jasmine Francis, HR
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Nakshatra
FIND THE FOREST ANIMALS & COLOUR THEM!
INSIGHT • JULY - DECEMBER 2021 • 35
Fastest Growing IVD Company in India
AGAPPE DIAGNOSTICS LTD. “Agappe Hills”, Pattimattom (PO), Dist. Ernakulam, Kerala - 683 562, India. TEL: + 91 484 2867000 | agappe@agappe.in | www.agappe.com
