There is no doubt that the numerous articles found in English newspapers such as the "Western Star" and many Malayalam newspapers, concerning the printing press of the Travancore Government in the city of Thiruvananthapuram over an extended period, must have conveyed to even casual readers that serious issues exist within this government department's administration. The fact that such a perception, whether mistaken or deliberate, is not unwarranted is confirmed by a deception that has been committed within this press. It appears that the current superintendent has been in power for nearly three years. While corruption may have been occurring covertly among the workers of this press during his tenure and that of his predecessors, it seems that such activities have become more evident under his leadership. Mr. C. V. Raman Pilla is a seasoned graduate, who, having taken a pledge at the university to uphold virtues such as truth, dharma*, and decency as guiding principles in his life, stands as a distinguished individual. Consequently, the blatant corruption within a department under his charge cannot be overlooked, as the public perceives him as a highly capable individual proficient in both English and Malayalam prose. Unfortunately, we must express regret that public curiosity about him has plummeted, and the ongoing work in the press has continued for so long without addressing the situation. There is no dispute that appointing individuals who lack understanding of printing knowledge, experience in printing press work, or having specialised skills in that field as administrators of the printing press, as seen in other professions, will inevitably result in deficiencies and potential job losses within the printing press administration.

If Mr. Raman Pilla had acquired the principles of the printing profession and undergone the necessary training to manage a printing press at the outset of his tenure as press superintendent, it is undeniable that the condition of this press would have been far superior to its current state. It is reasonable to consider that the current incidents of book theft or fraudulent printing and sales may indeed be attributed to the mismanagement of the superintendent. Given that certain printing presses within the Travancore area engage in fraudulent practices, abandoning integrity by printing counterfeit books, it is undeniable that workers trained in such forgery may attempt to perpetuate their habits in any press. If all the workers in a department are honest and punctual, it stands to reason that there would be no need for a supervisory officer to oversee and guide them. The purpose of appointing individuals believed to be worthy and competent as superiors in each department is to mitigate any corruption that may exist among subordinates and ensure strict adherence to work standards. This is essential for upholding the department's reputation and facilitating efficient administration by motivating employees to perform their duties more effectively. Otherwise, a mere wooden puppet would suffice. Some time ago, a writer mentioned in this newspaper that when workers depart from the government press upon completing their tasks, they often take items such as printing paper for their personal use. At that time, it was also suggested that the administration of the press should be structured in a manner that prevents such corrupt practices from occurring. There is also a doubt regarding whether all the goods purchased from the establishment's inception until now are still present in the government store. The extent of these corruptions is significant, making it uncertain how many of the items still remain there. We cannot ascertain if any individual occupying a responsible position in this press possesses comprehensive knowledge of press-related tasks. These scandals reinforce the rumours that suggest a disproportionate workload falls on employees within this department. Even when they are promised increased compensation, it frequently goes undelivered, leading to conflicts among workers and writers (overseers). One of the most objectionable incidents during Mr. Raman Pilla's administration was his decision to award a printing contract for a form at an exorbitant rate to a printing press in Madras. Initially, he asserted that the work could be handled by local workers, only to later inexplicably award the contract to the Madras printing press. Despite previously championing the slogan "Thiruvithamcore for the people of Travancore," Mr. Raman Pillai has forced the displacement of numerous native workers due to this contract and has left an enduring mark of shame on his administration. If the workers are made to work properly at the press, there will be no chance for trouble and corruption. It is disheartening, if accurate, to learn that during Mr. Raman Pilla's tenure, the crucial task of organising and maintaining typefaces for use in the press seemed to have been neglected, with typefaces left scattered in large disarray. If the "pi"* typefaces are not properly selected and stored in their designated compartments, it raises questions about whether each employee's daily tasks are adequately monitored and accounted for, especially upon leaving the premises.

If such an arrangement existed, it would raise concerns about the integrity of the process, potentially allowing government books to leave the premises before being officially issued. We have received reports indicating that certain students obtained printed copies of question papers for exams such as the recent "Middle School Exam" before the official examination date, allegedly facilitated by workers at the press. Why did this situation occur? It raises doubts about whether a thorough examination of the materials within the press would uncover the deficiencies contributing to these corrupt practices. There is no necessity for us to separately inform Mr. Raman Pilla that the administration of a department should not condone practices that promote corruption. We have been informed that the Madras Government had a system in place to inspect the workers at their press and at various other printing houses when they left the premises after completing their work. A similar system could have been implemented here as well. If the head of this department had visited model centres and comprehended their work procedures, it would instil confidence that the reputation of his department would not deteriorate like a flower garland in the hands of a monkey. Despite Mr. Raman Pillai's competence and abilities in other areas, it appears that he fell short in the role of Press Superintendent. Whether his expertise lay in writing new novels or submitting dissertations to journals, based on the information provided, it seems that he struggled in this particular role, akin to a fish out of water. In the light of these circumstances, it might be prudent to transfer Mr. Raman Pilla to another department where he can better utilise his abilities. We believe it would be beneficial for both him and the government to appoint an individual with experience in printing as the head of the department.

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Translator’s note:

Dharma refers to moral duty, righteousness, law, truth, etc.

*Pi*: A pi font emerges as a sublime typeface in typography, encasing the sacred glyphs of the mathematical constant π. These fonts proved to be invaluable in typesetting scientific and mathematical texts, particularly those that are abound in profound symbology invoking the hallowed π.