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October 2001
Wednesday, October 31, 2001
VHP condemns attack on temples and Guru Deva Mandir
Kummanam Rajashekaran, Kerala State Organising secretary of Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), today demand for stern action against UDF leaders who were encouraging 'terrorism' in the state. In a statement in Kochi, Rajasekharan warned that the hindu organization would be forced to resort to agitation if the govt failed to give protection to hindu religious places. He alleged that peoples democratic party (PDP) volunteers had attacked hindu temples and Narayana gurudeva mandir in several places in Palakad, Kollam and Trissur districts on Oct 28 last. Stern action should be taken against the culprits, he said. He alleged that the support extended by some of the ruling UDF leaders to Madhani, prompted the PDP volunteers to let loose violence.
Wednesday, October 31, 2001
CPI criticizes CM of adopting a negative approach
The Kerala unit of the Communist Party of India (CPI) accused Chief Minister AK Antony of adopting a wholly negative approach to finding a solution to the impasse in the Assembly consequent on the suspension of three opposition members. State CPI secretary Veliyam Bhargavan said in a statement in Thiruvananthapuram that the opposition did not take recourse to agitational means during the question hour yesterday in the light of the statement by the Chief Minister that the issue could be resolved if the opposition extended cooperation. However, the Chief Minister had subsequently backtracked on that statement, adopting an unhelpful stand for the smooth conduct of business of the house. Describing this as a 'betrayal', he accused the Chief Minister of harbouring arrogant stand that the opposition should accept whatever the ruling side dictated. It was also possible the ruling front was doing this as a tactic to avoid discussion on inconvenient subjects in the house, he said. This was nothing but political cowardice, he added. Mr. Antony reiterated the government stand that the issue of reducing the suspension period of the three MLAs, action against whom was taken on October 18 following unruly scenes in the house, could be considered if the opposition came forward to cooperate with the conduct of business of the house. "Our readiness for a compromise should not be mistaken for our weakness." The opposition should attend the assembly proceedings and use that opportunity to criticize the government for its lapses and give guidance for efficient governance. Instead of doing this, the opposition sought to disrupt the proceedings of the house and deny chances of discussing the people's problems. Referring to the crisis in the agricultural sector, Mr. Antony said the government would announce relief measures to provide a helping hand to farmers and traditional industries. The passage of the proposed legislation to provide agricultural debt relief would be first step towards this direction.
Wednesday, October 31, 2001
CM rules out patch up with opposition unless they co-operate
The Kerala Chief minister A K Antony today ruled a patch up with opposition LDF to end the stalemate in the house over the suspension of three MLA unless the opposition first co-operative with the govt to conduct the proceedings of the house. Addressing press conference in Thiruvananthapuram Antony said CPI (M) should shed their false prestige and come forward a compromise, first by co-operating with the govt to conduct the proceeding peacefully. The govt would consider to reduce the suspension period of three MALs-MV Jayarajan, Raju Abrahan (CPI-M) and P S Supal (CPI) -once the opposition starts co-operating with the govt, Antony said. "The CPI (M) should not think that they can achieve the objective through intimidation and agitation", Antony said adding opposition was setting a bad precedent with their stir against the house and speaker.
Wednesday, October 31, 2001
Malayalam Day celebrations on Nov. 1
KOZHIKODE: The Public Relations Department along with Basha Samanwaya Vedi has drawn up a variety of cultural programmes to mark the Malayalam Day celebrations on November 1, the Kerala Formation Day. Seminars, musical performances and screening of documentary would be held as part of the functions to be held at the Town Hall. A poets’ meet titled ‘G Sangeetholsavam’, to commemorate the birth centenary celebrations of poet G Sankara Kurup, would be held at 5 pm. A recitation by artistes of the All India Radio (AIR) would also be held. A Sujanapal, MLA, would preside over the literary seminar to be held at 6.30 pm. The documentary Basheer the Man would also be screened.
Wednesday, October 31, 2001
Suspended Kerala legislators on hunger strike
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Three suspended opposition legislators in Kerala on Tuesday sat on an indefinite hunger protest outside the assembly building here. The assembly has been in turmoil since October 18 when the three legislators were suspended following the manhandling of film star-turned-Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar. Proceedings in the house were disrupted as soon as Speaker Vakkom Purushothaman took his chair on Tuesday. Immediately the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Koderi Balakrishnan of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M), said the suspended legislators have no option but to resort to a hunger strike. Realising that no business would be transacted when opposition legislators once again rushed to the well of the house, Purushothaman adjourned proceedings in a matter of three minutes. The three suspended legislators are M.V. Jayarajan and Raju Abraham of the CPI-M and P.S. Supal of the Communist Party of India (CPI). Incidentally, Jayarajan is believed to have recovered from a heart ailment only recently and that could be a cause for concern for the speaker, the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) and the Marxist-led Left Democratic Front (LDF). "Seeing no response from any responsible quarters to end the ongoing impasse, we are forced to take a new method of protest," Balakrishnan later told reporters. "This would continue till the government stops victimising the opposition." "They (the government) are doing this because of the brute majority they have in the house," he alleged. With the agitation taking yet another dramatic turn, all eyes are on Purushothaman, a no-nonsense speaker who goes by the book. But reports indicate that the speaker would not resort to any drastic step. Moreover, with Chief Minister A.K. Antony proceeding to New Delhi today and the opposition leader, V.S. Achuthanandan, already in the national capital, things are likely to remain unchanged till November 2, when Antony is slated to return. The only other time a hunger strike took place in the assembly premises was during the fag end of the previous government's term when Oomen Chandy of the then opposition UDF launched a protest along with four other legislators.
Tuesday, October 30, 2001
Kerala Speaker's clarification lands him in row
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Speaker Vakkom Purushothaman has landed in another controversy by making a clarification on which he has no jurisdiction. In an informal chat with mediapersons at his chamber on Monday, Vakkom clarified that the three suspended MLAs were not entitled to cast vote in the poll to elect the representatives of MLAs on the senate of Cochin University of Science And Technology (CUSAT). The poll was held on Monday and counting will be held tomorrow evening. The suspended MLAs, who received the ballots by post along with other MLAs, cast the vote. But the fact is that, like any other MLA, Vakkom Purushothaman is only a voter and he has no say in the conduct of the election. The Legislature Secretary is the returning officer and responsible for conducting the poll. Moreover, as per the CUSAT statute, unless the membership of an MLA in the Assembly is cancelled by a competent body like High Court or Supreme Court, the MLA can cast vote. When contacted, Legislature Secretary K R Udayabhanu told this paper that Speaker had no jurisdiction on the election and if there was any complaint regarding the election, the complaints should be filed to the Governor, who is the chancellor of CUSAT. He clarified that whether or not their (suspended MLAs) votes were valid, would be decided during counting. Meanwhile, the suspended MLAs and Opposition Deputy Leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan have given separate letters to the Legislature Secretary urging him to consider their votes as valid. In the letter, they said that the ballot paper of the election to select the representatives of the MLAs on the General Council (senate) of Kerala Agriculture University had not been issued to them. They appealed to the Legislature Secretary to issue the ballot paper to them at the earliest and allow them to cast vote.
Tuesday, October 30, 2001
Malayalam film actor Ummer dead
CHENNAI: Veteran Malayalam film actor K P Ummer died at a private hospital here on Monday following kidney failure, family sources said. He was 70 and is survived by wife, two sons and a daughter. Ummer had acted in over 500 films, mainly as villain.
Tuesday, October 30, 2001
Tearful adieu to Fr Abel
KOTTAYAM: An unending stream of mourners bid a tearful adieu to Father Abel, whose mortal remains were interred at the St Ann's Monastery church at Kurianad, near Kuravilangad, here on Monday. Fr Abel, the much revered priest who was the moving force behind the Kochi-based Kalabhavan and to whom many artists of the young generation in the state were indebted to, was laid to rest at the cemetery of the church in the presence of hundreds of admirers in the afternoon. The burial services began with a Holy Mass led by Mar James Pazhayattil. Later, the body was taken for the traditional `nagarikaanickal' ceremony. The last rites were performed under the leadership of Kottayam Bishop Mar Kuraikose Kunnaserry. Bishops Mar Thomas Chakyath, Mar Jacob Angadiath, CMI prior general Fr Alex Ooken and CMI Kottayam provincial Fr Mathew Cheerankuzhy assisted him in the services. The-two-and-half hour services ended at 4.30 pm. Earlier, the body was kept at the CMI Provincial House chapel here after it was brought from Kochi on Sunday night, to enable people to pay their last respects. Former minister P J Joseph, cine artists Siddique, M S Tripunithura and Nawaz, among others, were present for the funeral.
Tuesday, October 30, 2001
Another elephant gifted to Guruvayurappan
GURUVAYUR: The 56th member, Vishnu, joined the elephant family of Guruvayurappan at Punnathur Kota on Monday. Six elephants had already been dedicated to Guruvayur temple this year by devotees including former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalitha and five more will possibly be dedicated in the coming months of the year. One M C Lakshmanan from Thalassery was the devotee who presented the 12-year-old tusker Vishnu, whose former name was Bhola. After the morning `kazhcha siveli' in connection with the Ekadasi Vilakku, the "nadayiruthal" function was held at 9.30 am today. Melshanti Thekkiniyedath Kuthulli Kesavan Namboothiri accepted the tusker on behalf of the deity and named him Vishnu. Then he was brought to the `ana kota'. While the number of elephants is increasing one by one at Punnathur Kota, the Devaswom authorities are in the process of expanding the premises of the Kota to provide enough space for each elephants' comfortable living. According to them, the acquisition proceedings of above five acres of land lying adjacent to the present premises is progressing and it will be completed within two months.
Tuesday, October 30, 2001
Mohanlal to open two hotels in Gulf
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Mohanlal as business magnate? Well, things seem to be moving in that direction. After producing a host of films, some successful at the box office and the others fetching critical acclaim, and then venturing into the field of television software production, Mohanlal is now all set to open two hotels in the Gulf. The hotels, aptly called ‘Taste Buds’, will be in Dubai and Sharjah. The inauguration is set for October 31. The actor will have a friend in Kozhikode as his business partner, sources said. The design of the two hotels is by Sabu Cyril, one of the noted art directors in the country. Sabu, it may be recalled, has worked in many films produced by Lal, including ‘Kaalapani’. Mohanlal also has plans to set up an artists village on the outskirts of the State capital and is now hunting for land for the project.
Monday, October 29, 2001
Fr Abel to be laid to rest today
KOCHI: The mortal remains of Fr Abel, the founder-president of Kalabhavan, who died on Saturday evening at Thodupuzha, was taken to Kottayam on Sunday evening. The body will be interred at the Kurianadu CMI Monastery Church at 2 pm tomorrow. The body, which was brought here from Thodupuzha on Saturday night, was kept at the Lisie Hospital here, before being taken to the Kalabhavan Complex', where it was kept for more than an hour. Later, the body was shifted to the Town Hall, where it was kept till 4 pm, for facilitating the public to pay their last respects to the departed soul. People from all walks of life turned up at the Town Hall to pay homage to Fr Abel, who carved out a niche for himself in the Malayalees' cultural psyche. The Town Hall witnessed a steady flow of cine-television artistes. Cine stars, Jayaram, Kalabhavan Mani, and producer Sidhique were the first batch of Fr Abel's celebrated disciples to pay the last tributes. Labour Minister Babu Divakaran, DCC (I) president K P Dhanapalan, CPM district secretary A P Varkey, Mayor M Dinesh Mony, P C Thomas, MP, and KPCC (I) general secretary M I Shanawas, CPM State committee member E M Sreedharan and former district collector K R Viswambharan were among the prominent personalities who offered floral tributes to Fr Abel. The body was taken to Kottayam in a motorcade at 4 pm. On its way to Kottayam, the body will be kept for an hour at the ancestral home of Fr Abel, at Mulakkulam. Later, the body will be taken to the Kurianadu CMI Monastery Church for the last rites. Meanwhile, an emergency meeting of the Director Board of The Kalbhavan Studios Ltd and The Kalabhavan Educational Trust held here on Sunday unanimously elected Rev Dr James Erthayil, CMI, as the chairman of the Trust and the Studios. The new president of The Kalabhavan Academy will be elected at the Director Board meeting slated for Wednesday, said academy general secretary James Kulathinkal. Kalabhavan Talent Residential School, Kakkanad, will remain closed tomorrow as a respect to the departed soul, Principal said.
Monday, October 29, 2001
VHP leaders protest Nayanar's outburst at Singhal's press meet
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala unit of Vishva Hindu Parishad on Sunday expressed strong protest against the "outburst" of CPM leader and former chief minister E K Nayanar against VHP chief Ashok Singhal on his arrival at the airport here on Saturday. In a protest statement read out at the press meet of Singhal, VHP state general secretary K V Madanan said "Nayanar crosssed the limits of decorum expected of a senior leader and former chief minister." Nayanar, who happened to be in the VIP lounge of the airport when Singhal arrived here on Saturday, fulminated against the VHP chief while he was talking to mediapersons, Madanan said.
Monday, October 29, 2001
Electricity Minister ridicules Achuthanandan's claims on KSEB
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: State Electricity Minister Kadavur Sivadasan on Sunday ridiculed the claim of V S Achuthanandan, CPM politburo member and leader of the opposition in the Kerala Assembly, that the previous LDF regime had spent Rs 4,333 crore to increase power generation, and improve transmission and distribution. Giving statistics in support of his contention, Sivadasan told newsmen here that mounting debts of the board were due to the LDF government's action in availing loans to repay loans taken by the board during the time of the previous UDF government. When the LDF came to power in 1996, there was a deficit of Rs 35 crore only, which could have been easily managed by increasing electricity charge by just five paise per unit. But even after hiking the charge to 187 paise, which was 76 per cent of the then existing rate of 99 paise per unit, the LDF government could not break even because of lack of foresight in planning and policy-making, he said. During the LDF regime, the board raised Rs 5,922 crore, including Rs 1,489 crore, from the increased tariff and Rs 4,433 crore from loans, but the capital expenditure was only half of the total amount, he said. Stating that he was not airing any allegation against the previous management, he said debt would naturally continue to mount unless some steps were taken to check it. The deficit of Rs 35 crore left by the previous UDF government was after paying salaries too, whereas the LDF government had to find funds for payment for the loans it availed. "One should shelve politics and cooperate when it comes to the matter of development of the state," he said adding that it was his personal opinion and not binding on anyone. Sivadasan said the LDF government had spent a sum of Rs 2,852 crore in the unproductive sectors in the board. They claimed that the assets of the KSEB rose to Rs 5,224 crore, while the capital investment was only Rs 3,070 crore, which was an explanation sufficient enough to give a clear view of the situation, he said. Only investments in reproductive sectors would enable the board to find funds to repay loans without burdening the people. The UDF had almost doubled the capital investment before it left in 1996, he claimed. It may be recalled that Sivadasan had, on October 23, alleged unaccounted spending of Rs 4,333 crore that the LDF government had borrowed. The charge was refuted by Achuthanandan the very next day. Admitting that "the administration of the board lacked efficiency," the Minister said some morale-boosting steps would be taken soon. As many as 80 petrol-run cars would be sold out, he said adding that the per km running expenditure shown was a whopping Rs 14 per km. During the LDF rule, Kerala was again burdened with an agreement to pay Rs 426 crore to the Centre towards fixed charges of thermal power, notwithstanding whether the state used it or not. The opposition leader was evading an answer to this, saying that this happened due to the policy of former prime minister Narasimha Rao and Union Finance Minister Manmohan Singh, Sivadasan pointed out.
Monday, October 29, 2001
Silk Air to touch down at Kochi airport on Sunday
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Silk Air, a subsidiary of Singapore Airlines, will become the third international carrier to operate out of Kochi international airport when its inaugural flight touches down on Sunday evening. Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, became the first foreign airline to begin operations from the country's only privately funded international airport at Nedumbassery in Kochi, 220 km from here, in the last week of August. Oman Air flies thrice a week into Kochi. Air-India also operates a number of flights from Kochi to destinations in the Gulf. Silk Air will operate two flights a week on Wednesdays and Sundays. The flights will depart Singapore at 8.15 pm and arrive at Kochi at 10 p.m. The return flight will depart Kochi at 11 p.m. and arrive at Singapore at 12.55 am the next morning. With this, one of the promises made by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee after his sojourn at the Kumarakom resort last December would have been fulfilled. Vajpayee had said that he would ensure that more international airlines operate out of the three international airports in the state. A Silk Air spokesperson told that the flight would be operated with an Airbus A-320 aircraft that has a capacity of 146. The inaugural flight will be carrying a full complement of passengers, as will be return flight from Kochi. "Top officials of Silk Air are also arriving on the inaugural flight," said the spokesperson. Silk Air had commenced operations from the Thiruvananthapuram international airport about two years ago and operates three a flights every week from here. A travel agent said that the Silk Air flight would prove to be popular with travellers. "One because Kochi is a business centre and with IT going to become a major employment avenue, more companies from Singapore and Far East could set up shop in Kochi." Hitherto, there are no flights between Kochi and Southeast Asian destinations. "Apart from this, passengers flying to Australia and certain parts of the U.S. would also immensely benefit from this new flight," the travel agent said. The new flight is also likely to provide the much-needed boost to the Rs. 2.1 billion debt-ridden Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), which has been finding it difficult to raise revenues ever since it began operations 28 months back. As of today, Air-India and Oman Air, as also domestic carriers Indian Airlines and Jet Airways operate 110 flights a week from the airport.
Sunday, October 28, 2001
Antony gets white powder mail from UAE
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A postal cover from the United Arab Emrites, addressed to Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony, was sent for testing on Saturday after white powder was found in it. Postal authorities said that the suspicious looking cover, with no address of the sender, was received at the General Post Office here. On preliminary examination, it was found that it contained some powder-like substance. The postal staff, who did not want to take any risks in the wake of reports of anthrax spreading in the United States in a similar fashion, immediately summoned the police. The cops handed over the postal cover to the microbiology lab in the Medical College Hospital here. The results of the test would be available only after two days, police said.
Saturday, October 27, 2001
Massive fraud unearthed from SBI's Cochin branch
KOCHI: A massive fraud involving raising of consumer loans worth over Rs 1 crore in the name of employees of non-existant firms has been unearthed in the Cochin branch of the State Bank of India. A prima facie report, submitted to the SBI top brass after preliminary inquiries by a bank official authorised by the bank management, has listed more than 250 incidents of such fraud under the `Big Buy'(BB) Consumer Loan Scheme of the SBI in its Cochin branch alone. Highly-placed sources told this website's newspaper that the loss to the bank was estimated at more than Rs 1 crore. The bank, sources said, would soon call for a vigilance inquiry to assess the damage caused by the fraud believed to be masterminded by an individual who was once arrested by the CBI in a similar case. The modus operandi of the fraud was to apply for consumer loans, each ranging from Rs 35,000 to Rs 40,000, in the names of employees of non-existent firms. The loans were availed by producing `salary certificates' of these `fake employees'. Persons masquerading as employees of fake firms were also taken to the bank along with invoices issued by a namesake firm and other `documents'. The bank sanctioned these loans accepting salary certificate as guarantee. The real story, however, begins from here. None of the applicants bought consumer durables with the loan. The entire amount is encashed by the `mastermind' who clears the cheques through the West Island branch of Vijaya Bank where his firm holds an account. He used to lure the applicants by promising large bank loans for 10 per cent commission. ``To muffle any suspicion, he used to remit the first few instalments regularly. Thereafter, the repayment dries up,'' sources said. The probe also revealed that many of the letterheads carried false telephone numbers. ``Two of these companies said to be located at different places had the same telephone and fax numbers,'' sources said. The probe report has cited the case of AS Combines (P) Ltd as an example. The bank officials could find only a closed shop on the Azad Road at the address furnished by the firm. "We also found that most of the applications carried invoices from two firms at Lisie Junction. While one of the shops is only as big as a telephone booth, we found to our utter dismay that a bakery was functioning from the other address,'' sources said. The fraud was also committed citing names of employees of existing firms by adding non-existent names to the rolls. The probe revealed that a small acid retail outlet at Binanipuram had claimed to have chief accountant, sales executive, computer programmer, development officer, development manager and area sales manager while joining the BB scheme. Another curious phenomena in all the applications, inferred from the handwriting and similar mistakes, is that they all were written by the same person. While acknowledging irregularities in the BB scheme, Deputy General Manager Ranganayaka Kulu said the SBI had noticed it only in the Cochin branch till now. ` `A detailed probe is on. We have informed the headoffice. The vigilance wing may be asked to probe,'' he said.
Saturday, October 27, 2001
Student sexually harassed in Medical College dorms
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a bizarre incident, a first year student and inmate of a men’s hostel at the Medical College here was sexually harassed by a senior during a ragging episode on Thursday night. The medical college police have registered a case against the accused who is absconding. The police said that the incident occurred last night when the accused, a third year student, assaulted the first year student. Apart from sexual harassment, the boy was also subjected to physical and mental torture by the senior. The fresher later narrated his harrowing experience before the medical college authorities who got him medically examined. A case was registered on the basis of the medical report with the medical college police station under sections 448,341,294 A, 506 (1) and 377 IPC. Meanwhile, the medical college authorities constituted a committee to go into the ragging incidents in the hostel. They also directed the hostel authorities to step up surveillance in the hostels to prevent harassment of newcomers.
Saturday, October 27, 2001
Islamic bodies upset over HC ban on loudspeakers
KOCHI:Various Islamic organisations are aggrieved by the recent Kerala High Court judgement that made the ban on horn-type loud speakers uniformly applicable to all religious institutions. The new directive modified an order passed by a single judge in 1992 that exempted mosques from a ban on the use of horn-type loud speakers, for performing "call for prayers". The community believes that the order infringes upon the fundamental right to practice of religion as guaranteed by the Constitution of India, and that the sound is for a short duration of time, and cannot be a possible cause for environment pollution. Muslim Educational and Cultural Association (MECA) general secretary N K Ali says that, "The (horn-type) speakers are used to invite believers to the mosque at the time of prayers. The call for prayers are of one minute duration, and are made five times a day. This is tantamount to curbing the muezzins call". The 1992 judgement had permitted the use of box type loud speakers in temples, churches and mosques, but ruled that the sound from these speakers should not go beyond the the boundary of their premises. This further complicates the situation, as the mosques would not be able to use even box type loud speakers to perform ‘call for prayers’. This defeats the very purpose of the ritual, says Ali. "Our conviction is that it infringes Article 26 of the constitution. We are thinking of approaching the Apex court, to find a way out", says M V Ibrahimkutty, general secretary of the Ernakulam District Muslim Jamaath Council. The council had met yesterday to discuss the situation arising out of the High Court verdict. "It is unlikely that anyone can feel the muezzins call to be a nuisance. After all it is for such a short duration. Another problem is that it varies from time to time, every day. We are now trying to contact other Muslim organisations and work out our strategy", says K K Aboobacker, president of the Muslim Education Society. MECA wants a status-quo to be maintained in the issue. "It is a time when minority communities are being subjected to various atrocities and restrictions are being imposed. Such developments are a cause of concern for the peace loving community", the association said in a statement on Friday. The Pollution Control Board should come out with clear cut laws and regulations that will not impede into religious rights of communities, it stated.
Friday, October 26, 2001
Dandia nights bring colour, gaiety
KOCHI: Once again, it’s dandya nights in west Kochi. It also is a surfeit of tradition and nostalgia in this Gujarati neighbourhood. Children dressed in designer ethnicity, speeding from one pandal to another as they prepare to twirl and swirl for the dandya night; not just to dance but to see their mothers in chaniya cholis and fathers in kedias, keeping steps to the latest tunes. No one bothers about a step missed or a wrong tune, after all it’s Navarathri; not just for Gujaratis but for Marwaris, Punjabis and for all Fort Kochiites. ‘‘It doesn’t matter even if you are in a State far away from your home town. The spirit is very high,’’ says Suja Shah, a housewife, who is a member of the Gujarati Mandal. Kochi Mahila Mandal, Lohana Mahila Community, Kochi Gujarati Mandal are all geared up for the dandya night. Traditions are fast changing. ‘‘‘Gone are the days when the Navarathri day celebrations were a family or a community affair in which a group of women sang the ‘garba’ and danced around the picture of Goddess Durga. Big bands have replaced the traditional dholi and the Shehnai play,’’ opines Jitendra Thejpal. ‘‘But back home you will still find a small population of like-minded people who are hell-bent on stemming the rot and preserving the cultural heritage,’’ he adds. The day’s celebrations start with a prayer in the temple. ‘‘We all get together at the Gujarati Samajam or in some hotels or houses. To start with we have ‘garba’ dedicated to the goddesses followed by dandya. Everybody look forward to dandya because it is sheer entertainment with lot of competitions,’’ says Mrs Tejpal. ‘‘In dandya there are varieties like four dandyas and five dandyas. The differentiation is according to the steps,’’ said Anju Bahul Shah, vice-president, Kochi Gujarati Mahila Mandal. ‘‘We all dress in our traditional attire. It is a time we look forward to as we get to meet a lot of people. There is a joke which goes around that many romances bloom during Navarathri and hence the popularity of the dandya dance among the younger generation,’’ says Sneha, a college student. The Gujarati Mahila Mandal has chosen a particular colour for each day. On wednesday it is red garchola. Both men and women will dress in their best attire. Women wear bright coloured ‘‘chaniya cholis’’ and men wear ‘‘kedias’’ (high waist with a decorative feel) which looks great when dancing in circles. Chaniya cholis are embroidered and embedded with mirrors, shells and anything that goes with it. Women go to great extents experimenting on decorative accessories and jewellery with a mix of traditional Gujarati and modern fashion. Chudla bangles are also worn to give a traditional look. To accommodate the whole gamut of festivity, nights are stretched to the maximum possible. Celebrations starting from 5 in the evening will go on till 7 in the morning with various competitions like Matuki and Nav Thali.
Friday, October 26, 2001
Kerala Assembly turmoil continues
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Kerala speaker M Vijayakumar is appealing for a quick end to the paralysis of the house following the suspension of three opposition members, but most people have their fingers crossed. Vijayakumar of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) told that the impasse would lead nowhere and it was in the best interest of both the treasury and opposition benches to reach an amicable solution. "It is best that everyone remembers the huge sum of money that is being spent for the conduct of the assembly. Actually if one calculates the amount of money, I don't think we could quantify the amount because calculating each and every aspect is not possible," said the former speaker, who is believed to have been liberal when he presided over the house from 1996 to May this year. On October 18 three opposition MLA's were suspended for the rest of the session for roughing up film star-turned-Transport Minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar. Since then the opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) has organised protests that have paralysed the house. Both the CPM-led LDF and the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) led by the Congress party are blaming each other. Since the assembly began its session on October 12, it has witnessed only 12 hours of healthy discussion. Both UDF and LDF are desperate to see the light at the end of the tunnel but the million-dollar-question is who will set the ball rolling. "One of the two groups will have to retreat for an amicable settlement," said a senior Congress MLA. "But a public retreat will be seen by both fronts as a defeat." Kerala Chief Minister A.K. Antony Wednesday evening informed the LDF that his government was prepared for a discussion on the subject if the opposition agreed to conduct the house proceedings smoothly from Monday. "The agitation launched by them is unprecedented in the history of parliamentary democracy and none can terrorize the assembly," he said. "The opposition's case is weak and some of them have realised their folly." But opposition leader V.S. Achuthanandan said while the opposition was prepared for a settlement, it should not damage the prestige of the opposition. "It seems Antony does not want this impasse to end because he wants to escape being further exposed by us in the house," he said. The opposition has accused the chief minister of corruption. The UDF had earlier said it would reconsider the suspension only if the three opposition MLA's apologised, but this was not acceptable to the LDF. There are indications that the suspension could be reduced to three weeks if the LDF allows the house to transact business. With Antony already playing his card, the ball is in the court of the LDF.
Friday, October 26, 2001
TV cameraman dies in road mishap
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Girish Omalloor, senior cameraman of Kerala's private television channel Surya TV, was killed when the TV channel's vehicle in which he was travelling to Pathanamthitta to cover the visit of opposition leader V S Achuthanandan to the Achankovil Dam, was involved in an accident at Enath, near Kottarakkara. The dam is now under dispute between Kerala and neighbouring Tamil Nadu. Girish, who was admitted to the Medical College Hospital here with injuries, died at the hospital. Four others in the vehicle, reporter Prasanth, cameraman Manikandan, camera assistant Rajesh Thavalode and driver Vinod, who were injured, were being treated at the hospital. Girish was 28 and is survived by his father and a sister. His cremation will take place at his ancestral home at Omalloor on Thursday evening. The survivors of the accident said that the mishap occurred at 2:15 pm on Thursday when the driver lost control of the vehicle during his attempt to avoid a divider, which he suddenly noticed. The vehicle went off the road, hit a tree and fell into a gorge. The crew members of Kairali TV and Asianet, who were following the Surya TV vehicle in separate cars, crossed the accident site without being aware of it. Local people, who also came to know about the accident only half an hour after its occurrence, later rushed Girish and the injured to the Thiruvanthapuram Medical College Hospital, where Girish succumbed to injuries. The Surya news team left early on Thursday, along with the teams of other private television channels, as per per Achuthanandan's invitation to visit the dam in the light of reports that neighbouring Tamil Nadu was allegedly making a move to illegally draw water from the Achankovilar and Pamba Dams. State Public Relations Minister M M Hassan, Public Works Minister M K Muneer, Cooperation Minister M V Raghavan, Food Minister G Karthikeyan and Kerala Union of Working Journalists' general secretary S Jayasankar placed wreaths on Girish's body, which was kept at the Surya TV office for nearly an hour. The body was later taken to his native town of Omalloor.
Thursday, October 25, 2001
Admission to engineering/medical/agricultural courses
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Controller of Entrance Examinations has published the second re-allotment list for admission to the engineering/medical/agricultural courses in various colleges for the year 2001. After admission to the various colleges on the basis of the list for the first phase of allotment that was published on September 27, allotment was later made to vacancies reported from various colleges. Relevant details of students who have got transfer of course and college will be sent to the institution where they are now studying. Students who have opted to change colleges should get their TC and join the new college before October 31. Selection memo (green memo) have been sent to the students who have opted for a change. The students should join the new college on or before the date shown in the memo.
Thursday, October 25, 2001
BPL grounds Mohanlal, faces the music
KOCHI: Cellular major BPL has delivered to Malayalam megastar and its brand ambassador Mohanlal his own popular dialogue po mone Dinesha. Mohanlal's mobile connection was disconnected the other day after the non-receipt of arrears of about Rs 11,000. Sources close to the megastar told this website's newspaper that the amount was supposed to be waived off as a quid pro quo for endorsing the brand. But the BPL officials snapped the connection after the due date. When an irritated Mohanlal called up the BPL's Kochi office, he reportedly didn't get a proper reply. His request for the mobile numbers of the BPL top brass was also turned down citing official instructions. An annoyed Mohanlal lodged a strong protest with BPL chief Rajeev Chandrasekhar and threatened to cancel the contract. Smelling trouble, BPL is now chasing Mohanlal to settle the issue. Reliable sources also said that the star refused to give an appointment to the BPL delegation. The BPL chief operating officer is learnt to have met Mohanlal on Wednesday to hammer out a solution. ``It's all a communication gap...we couldn't give him cell numbers of top customer care officers as specific instructions have been given to the operators not to do so,'' BPL sources said.
Thursday, October 25, 2001
Durga Pooja in city
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: For the 80-odd Bengali families in the city, Durga Pooja is reason enough to come together, have fun and frolic. Trivandrum Bengali Association celebrates pooja at Hassan Marikkar Hall, near AKG Centre, every year. Though registered only in 1994, the roots of the organisation can be traced back to 1971 when a few Bengali bachelors working at Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre and some 20 families got together to form a body that would represent the Bengali community of Thiruvananthapuram. Under its umbrella, the Bengali ‘babus’ celebrate Durga Pooja, Lakshmi Pooja, Saraswati Pooja and Nazarul Jayanti every year in a modest manner. Though nowhere as extravagant as the pooja in Kolkata, the Bengalis here are, nevertheless, just as proud of it. The idols of Goddess Durga are made by artisans specially summoned from Kolkata. This year’s cultural programmes, which began today and will be on till October 26, will be inaugurated by poetess Sugathakumari. However, they celebrate Onam and Vishu also with equal fervour. Says B R Ghosh, who has been living here for the past 29 years, ‘‘We set up Vishukkani every year. And never have we eaten at home during Onam. We are always invited for lunch by one Malayali family or the other.’’ The similarities between Bengal and Kerala are seemingly endless. Says Association president S R Ghosh, "It’s difficult to give expression to them. The people, topography, climate, richness of culture - there’s a lot of similarity." He adds, "Malayalis are very warm-hearted and hospitable." His wife Rita exudes confidence that if she stays here for another two years, she would become fluent in Malayalam. But, what makes them somewhat uneasy is what they call the Malayalis’ tendency to keep to themselves. Srirupa Mukherjee has been here for the past 25 years. "I love Kerala. I can read and write Malayalam, though I’d rather not speak as I can’t get the accent right.’" Her family never misses an Onasadya, but they do miss the Bengali mishti - the rasagollas, the sandesh. Food at home is always a mixture of Bengali and Malayali recipes, be it thoran or aviyal. While the family watches entertainers like Harikrishnans together, it catches up on movies by Adoor Gopalakrishnan and M T Vasudevan Nair on TV. "Vaastuhara was a film I really liked," says Srirupa. Though first generation Bengalis retain their separate identity, the second-generation is more integrated with the Malayali culture. Srirupa’s son Saumyajit, currently doing his MCA at TKM College of Engineering, Kollam, is more a Malayali than a Bengali. Fluent in Malayalam, he cannot say the same for Bengali. "My circle of friends comprises both Malayalis and Bengalis." Like all youngsters, he’s fond of Malayalam movies. "There’s a tinge of comedy in them, which draws me to them." B R Ghosh, who built his own house here last year, says, "I feel like a fish out of water when I go to Kolkata." Of his son Deepanjan, he says, "He used to score the highest in Malayalam." Ghosh, a bit of a singer himself, has rendered a Bengali song at Kerala Day celebrations at Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium. He was there with Adoor Gopalakrishnan to welcome Satyajit Ray in 1982 and has even travelled with the famed director twice. Ghosh was also one of the oldest members of the Soorya Festival. "Rice and fish are our favourite delicacies and we too wear the dhoti, though not in the same manner." And as far as politics goes, both States have a strong Leftist tilt. "Probably, both think on the same lines - resolving all social and economic inequalities, removing all exploitations," adds Ghosh. Of the society he says, "It’s a well-knit one. When my wife was down with brain tumour, people poured in to share our grief and be with us in difficult times." "At Deepavali - the festival of lights - Hindu, Muslim and Christian families come to our house for the celebrations." This statement of Ghosh is proof enough of the adage, ‘At home far away from home’.
Thursday, October 25, 2001
HC bars loud speakers
HC bars all religious bodies from using loud speakers KOCHI: The ban imposed by a single judge of the Kerala High Court on use of loud speakers earlier was made uniformly applicable to all religious institutions by a division bench of the HC on Wednesday. An order passed by the single judge in 1992 had exempted mosques with horn type loud speakers from the ban, for performing `call for prayers', on the grounds that the duration of use was just one minute. The order was passed on a petition filed by Sreekumar Varma Raja of Cherukol Palace, Mavelikkara. The division bench comprising Justice P K Balasubrahmanyam and Justice C N Ramachandran Nair issued the fresh directions on Wednesday on a writ appeal filed in 1993 seeking modifications. "Until the various (silent) zones are identified by the Government pursuant to our judgment..., we think it would be proper and just to direct that the direction issued by the single judge should be implemented uniformly and without discrimination in respect to all religious institutions irrespective of whether they are Hindu, Muslim or Christian. The direction issued by the single judge to that extent stands modified", the order said. While permitting the use of box type loud speakers in temples, churches and mosques, the court in 1992 had ruled that the sound from the speakers should not go beyond the boundary. For religious discourses, playing of devotional songs, Friday sermons in mosques and for other functions and ceremonies in churches the above rule should be strictly enforced, the court had ruled.
Thursday, October 25, 2001
Bharathan Award to TV Chandran
Film director T V Chandran bags Bharathan Award KOZHIKODE: Noted film director T V Chandran has bagged this year's Bharathan Award for the best director for his venture ``Susanna,'' while Malayalam's latest heart-throb Dileep has been selected for a special award. The awards were instituted by the Thrissur-based Bharathan Cinema Akademi in memory of the late celluloid romantic, Bharathan, who had left a unique ``Bharathan touch'' in the film firmament. Cinemotographer S Kumar has won the prize for best cinemotograhy for his work in ``Mazha'' (rain) of Lenin Rajendran. Bava was selected as the best art director for the film, ``Madhuranombarakkattu.'' O V Usha bagged the best lyricist award for her touching song ``Aaradyam Parayum...'' in ``Mazha'' while the melodious scores in ``Devadoodhan'' and ``Madhuranombarakkattu'' won the best music director award for Vidhyasagar. The awards, finalised by the jury headed by script-writer-turned director Ranjith, were announced by organising committee chairman P V Gangadharan and the akademy office-bearers here on Wednesday. The awards would be presented at a function here on November 13. The best director award carries Rs 20,000 besides a citation, while all other awards consist of a gold medal each. Last year, the first Bharathan Award went to award-winning director Jayaraj for his ``Karunam.'' ``Suanna'', with Vani Viswanath in the lead, had won rave reviews for the maverick director for his portrayal of a call girl. Dileep, who has of late emerged as the latest hit-maker, was selected for the special award for his performances in ``Joker'' and ``Thenkasipattanam.''
Tuesday, October 23, 2001
Malayali jawan killed in Kashmir
ALAPPUZHA: Anoop Kumar, 22, a jawan of Thaivaippil, Charamangalam, S L Puram, was killed in an encounter at Jammu and Kashmir, according to an information received here. The body of the deceased will arrive at the Thiruvananthapuram airport around 1.30 pm on Tuesday and the cremation will be held at the ancestral house here.
Tuesday, October 23, 2001
UDF have extremist links
KOZHIKODE: Union Minister for State for Railways O Rajagopal publicly alleged here on Tuesday that ``many among the top leaders'' of the ruling front in the state have links with extremist organisations. Inaugurating an anti-terrorism meeting organised by the Bharatiya Yuva Morcha, Rajagopal also said that many leaders of the UDF had openely solicited support of religious extremist organisations in the run-up to the last Assembly elections. According to him, the ``mysterious silence'' of the government on the issue of growing terrorist menace in Kerala has confirmed suspicions that the leaders were maintaining links with extremist groups. In his no-holds-barred speech, Rajagopal took the cue from Yuva Morcha leader Gireesh Thevalli who had castigated UDF ministers _ particularly singling out Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty _ for participating in meetings conducted by religious extremist organisations. Rajagopal said many of the ruling front leaders were either actively supporting extremist organisations, or were turning a blind eye to their activities in the state. Rajagopal also charged the Opposition with failing in its responsibility to correct the government by pointing out its failures in the issue. Taking time off to lambast the Left parties, Rajagopal said that instead of correcting the government, they (the Left parties) were keen only on winning the support of minorities, by portraying the fight against terrorism undertaken by the Central Government as an attack against the minorities. Rajagopal also came down heavily on the Left parties for their `new-found love for peace'. Obliquely referring to the CPM, he said that the party which endorsed violence as its credo, and which had no qualms about attacking hapless children, had no moral right to take out peace marches and anti- war protests. ``The political parties in the State have been trying to capitalise on the religious feelings of the naive among the Muslim community, who cannot differentiate between the black and the white once they hear the term jihad. The Minister lamented that the state government was not acting on many national issues with the attention they deserved. "When the whole of the nation is rallying around it in the fight against terrorism, Kerala has been getting bogged down in trivial issues like unseemly political skirmishes within the Assembly and forking out various Government Corporations among the ruling front constituents ", he said. He warned political parties in Kerala not to repeat their age-old folly of supporting the Khilafat movement in the state. It had bought misery to thousands of innocent people belonging to both the religions involved as it spinned off into a bloody communal riot, Rajagopal reminded. Political parties in the State, he said, might be able to gain short term political mileage by unleashing a propaganda din against the Vajpayee Government. But, he underscored, any move to dilute the nation's fight against terrorism would be extremely dangerous for India in the long run. He also said it was regrettable that the ruling front and the Opposition in Kerala were vying with each other to fuel religious feeelings, even as none of these parties had cared even to denounce the gruesome strikes made by terrorists in Kashmir after the September 11 incidents. He said the Central Government was under no pressure to support the US in its war against Afghanistan. The stand taken by the Government in offering support to the emerging world- wide coalition against terrorism was made with the supreme national interest in mind, the Minister claimed.
Tuesday, October 23, 2001
Assembly adjourns in 4 min
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Continued protests and unruly behaviour by the Kerala opposition over the suspension of three of its members led the speaker to adjourn the assembly four minutes after it assembled Tuesday. The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) has disrupted house proceedings since Thursday to protest the suspension of Raju Abraham, M.V. Jayarajan and P.S. Supal by Speaker Vakkom Pursushothaman. The three legislators were suspended for the entire session after they tried to manhandle state Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar in the house during debate on a calling attention motion Thursday. The speaker quickly adjourned the assembly Tuesday at 8.34 a.m. after opposition leader V.S. Achuthanandan disrupted question hour by demanding revocation of the suspension of the three legislators and his members trooped into the well of the house. The house had assembled at 8.30 a.m. Tuesday's adjournment was the fourth in a row. Before adjourning the house for the day, the speaker had the supplementary demands for grants passed without any discussion. Achuthanandan told reporters their protests would continue until the suspensions of the three members were revoked. State's Parliamentary Affairs Minister M.M. Hassan said there would not be any change in the offer made to the opposition unless they had other alternates in their mind to resolve the crisis. "The government stands where it stands and a reduction in the term of the suspension could happen if the three MLAs express regret," said Hassan. M Vijayakumar, who was speaker during the last Kerala assembly as an LDF member, told he could not recall any other occasion when the day's session had ended in four minutes. "This could be a record. If better sense prevails among all concerned, then the present impasse could be solved. The opposition always has certain privileges," said Vijayakumar. "During my tenure there were occasions when the entire opposition barged into my sitting area and even though I could have opted for suspension, I did not do it as I did not want to ruin the proceedings of the house. "Then there was the unprecedented hunger strike by five legislators inside the assembly premises. I could have got them arrested and suspended but did not do it. I hope that better sense prevails among all," said the former speaker.
Tuesday, October 23, 2001
Anthrax: govt issues norms
Anthrax: Kerala govt issues norms Search for More News Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 23: The Kerala government has issued several guidelines to be followed by people as a precaution to detect and prevent Anthrax, even as it said the chances of occurrence of the disease was minimal in the state. The government plans to launch a massive campaign about Anthrax as the scare about the disease was increasing day by day, Health Minister P Sankaran told a press meet here. Six cases of anthrax scares had been reported in the past week. Yesterday, a letter received by a person in Kollam from Germany was sent to the Medical College Hospital here for examination. All such letters and a magazine purchased by a person during a train journey, were under examination, he said. Health department officials said there was no chance of the disease spreading through cattle. The government had issued several instructions to be followed by persons handling mail when they come across any suspicious letter or cover. The government had set up a ‘special response force’ in all 14 districts to tackle the disease, he said, adding preliminary examination facility to diagnose the bacteria was available in three regional public health laboratories and medical colleges in the state. Medicines needed to treat the disease were also available in all government hospitals, he added.
Tuesday, October 23, 2001
Focus on hydel power
THE Kerala Government, which is faced with a situation where its electricity board is sitting on huge liabilities, has decided to shift the emphasis back on to hydel generation. This was one of the ways to reduce the debt burden of the board which was now paying an average rate of Rs. 5.70 per unit of power bought from the thermal projects in the State, the Electricity Minister, Mr. Kadavoor Sivadasan, told newspersons here on Monday. He said the total debt of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) as of now stood at Rs. 4,386 crore. The annual repayment liability towards this debt, including interest, worked out to Rs. 1,027 crore. This apart, the Board has to pay Rs. 426 crore a year towards the fixed costs of Kayamkulam, BSES and Kasargod thermal projects. The Minister said till 1995, the State was depending on domestic hydel projects and power from the Central pool to meet its requirements. However, the thermal component in the supply mix has gone up to 49 per cent in recent years. He said as per the Power Survey for the Tenth Plan, the demand for power in Kerala would go up by an annual growth rate of nearly 10 per cent to reach 4,304 m.w. by 2006-07. Going by the present trend, the thermal component in the supply mix then would be around 63 per cent, pushing up the unit price of power still higher, the Minister pointed out. He said the revenue deficit of KSEB would come down to Rs. 1,686 crore by the end of the current fiscal from Rs. 1,926 crore as at present. This was made possible through a 25 per cent increase in power tariff as also through other reforms. Even at that level of revenue deficit, the going would be very tough for the board and the focus had necessarily to be shifted to the establishment of more hydel projects in the State, he said. And that it had been estimated that about 5,000 m.w. could be generated from eight out of the 44 rivers flowing through the State. But only 1,825 m.w. has so far been tapped, leaving tremendous potential for further exploitation of the hydel sources. In the immediate future, a total of 997 m.w. could be generated from three proposals, namely, Pooyamkutty (750 m.w.), Athirapilly (163 m.w.) and Karappara-Kuriarkutty (84 m.w.). But there had attempts to derail the projects on grounds of environmental protection, the Minister said. He said in the case of Pooyamkutty project, the Tropical Botanical Garden and Research Institute (TBGRI) had been entrusted with a study into the environmental impact of the project. The TBGRI report was expected to be submitted within three months after which the proposal would be taken to the Centre for clearance, he added. In any case, the gestation period of hydel projects was four-five years and, therefore, the implementation should be taken up immediately, he said.
Monday, October 22, 2001
Assembly Deadlock
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The suspension of three Opposition MLAs for ``misconduct'' had its ramifications on the Assembly business for the third consecutive day on Monday today with the Opposition making it clear that it would not cooperate with the House till the suspension is lifted unconditionally and the Government insisting on an apology from the MLAs for reduction of the suspension period. As soon as the House met, Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan was up, urging the Government to revoke the suspension, ``which was based on baseless charges'', against the three members, for the smooth conduct of the House. The Speaker said that such issues were normally raised only after question hour and invited Chief Minister A K Antony to reply to the first question scheduled for the day. The enraged Opposition members rushed to the well of the House and shouted slogans against the Speaker and the Government. The Opposition party leaders did not enter the well but stood up to raise slogans. Finding that it was well-nigh impossible to carry on with business, the Speaker adjourned the House till 10.30 am. Though he held separate meetings with the leaders of the ruling and Opposition coalition partners, no settlement could be reached. When the House reassembled, the Opposition members continued to demonstrate and shout slogans, disrupting the proceedings. The House thus rushed through the proceedings within five minutes and adjourned for the day. Later, Achuthanandan told mediapersons that there was no question of the three members offering an apology as the suspended members had not assaulted Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar as was being alleged. The Opposition had the right, and the responsibility, to raise issues concerning the public but the Government was trying to gag it. Achuthanandan also made it clear that they would continue with their ``peaceful protest'' within the Assembly till the suspension was revoked. ``The Government wanted to take revenge on the Opposition which has managed to expose the mask of the Chief Minister and his colleagues in connection with the Japanese-aided drinking water scheme. Corruption worth crores of rupees was involved in the deal,'' he alleged. Meanwhile, Parliamentary Affairs Minister M M Hassan said the Government was ready to reduce the period of suspension of the MLAs to two weeks if the MLAs tendered an apology. ``The decision to suspend the MLAs was taken by the House and not the Speaker. It is unfortunate that the Opposition has targeted the Speaker unnecessarily. In 1983, M V Raghavan, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and Koliyakode N Krishnan Nair were suspended and in 1987, M V Raghavan was suspended. There is nothing extraordinary about the latest suspension,'' Hassan said. Meanwhile, the Speaker imposed fresh curbs on the electronic media in connection with coverage of news developments within the Assembly building. This forced the Opposition Leader as well as the Parliamentary Affairs Minister to hold their press conferences at the Assembly entrance. As per the latest decision, the electronic media is allowed into the Assembly building only for covering the question hour.
Monday, October 22, 2001
Cusat conduct judicial probe to students tour
KOCHI: A Syndicate meeting of the Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat), held on Saturday against the backdrop of the controversy over the death of an engineering student in Goa, decided to conduct a judicial probe into the ‘unofficial’ excursion undertaken by B Tech students of Centre for Engineering Studies. The commission will also be asked to find out whether any sort of departmental support was extended to the students by the CES Director or any other faculty. Even as the CES authorities are claiming that students went on the Goa-tour without informing the CES Director or anyone else, sources told The New Indian Express that the students had visited a few industrial units during their trip. It would not have been possible for the students to enter industrial units without producing a letter of authorisation from the department concerned. That means somebody knew about the journey, but hadn’t informed the varsity authorities. The judicial probe will alone bring out the truth, a Syndicate member said. The Cusat will solicit the service of a retired judge for the probe. The commission will also be asked to frame guidelines to prevent repeat of such incidents. The commission will submit its report before the next Syndicate meeting. Several speakers at the Syndicate meeting pointed out that the reputation of the University had suffered a great deal in the past couple of years following many an untoward incident. It was also pointed out that students of the CES are mostly responsible for the overall deterioration of discipline on the campus. The general decline of academic standards has sparked off great concern among the faculty, the Syndicate was told. Acknowledging the concern, the meeting authorised principals of the School of Engineering and Pulinkunnu Engineering College to take any action they deem right to enforce discipline on the respective campuses. VISHNU CREMATED: The body of Vishnu Venugopal was cremated at the Ravipuram cemetery on Saturday. Vishnu’s body reached in Kochi this morning from Goa. Other students in the custody of Goan Police have not been let off. The bail plea will be moved on Monday only.
Monday, October 22, 2001
Secretariat a toilet complex: Nayanar
KOCHI: Former Chief Minister E K Nayanar was at his sarcastic best when referring to the recently concluded Adivasi stir led by C K Janu, which he described as a media sponsored one. ‘‘She (C K Janu) is a leader without any mass base. The total votes she polled in Thirunelli grama panchayat election was only seven. ‘‘In the name of the stir the Adivasis converted the Secretariat premises into a toilet complex. Now the agitation is over. Will Antony and Janu come to clean this premises?’’ paused the sarcastic Nayanar at the State meeting of the local bodies’ representatives owing allegiance to the LDF in Kochi on Saturday . ‘‘When the UDF-sponsored rally marched into my official residence when I was the Chief Minister, within no time I sent them to prison,’’ he said. Nayanar also alleged that the agitation was an offshoot of a conspiracy between Antony and Janu. The conspiracy would be exposed in the coming days, he hoped. In his 40-minute speech, Nayanar often deviated from the focus of the meeting. Senior LDF leaders who were on the dias were seen expressing their discomfiture over Nayanar’s vitriol against the Adivasi stir.
Monday, October 22, 2001
LDF to agitate against UDF move to torpedo its policies
KOCHI: The opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) in Kerala on Saturday decided to strongly oppose the ruling United Democratic Front's alleged move to 'torpedo' the decentrialisation of power and the people's plan programme, started by the previous government. This was decided at an LDF state convention and meeting of the people's representatives in the local bodies here. The meeting decided that the people, irrespective of their political affiliations, would be mobilised to oppose any such move by the UDF. The meeting also decided to organise conventions in all districts by November 7. On November 8, the people's representatives of the local bodies would stage a dharna before all the 14 district collectorates. Inaugurating the meeting, former Chief Minister E K Nayanar said the Congress had always opposed decentralisation of powers and it was not something new. Opposition leader in the state assembly, V S Achutanandan, said that even though the Congress was against decentralisation of power, some of its members were for it. CPI leader P K Vasudevan Nair, was among those who spoke.
Sunday, October 21, 2001
Ravi Varma's descendant drowns off Pallavakkam coast
CHENNAI: Mathangi Varma, a member of the Kilimanoor Royal family and manager of Raja Ravivarma Higher Secondary School, was found dead on the Palavakkam sea shore, about 25 km from here, on Thursday evening. Mathangi (20), a final year student of a private college here, was staying at Palavakkam along with her mother and grandfather. She went to the beach for a stroll, when a huge wave is believed to have sucked her into the sea. Her body was found washed ashore at Palavakkam by local residents, who informed the police. Initially, police registered it as a case of ``unknown body'', but it was later identified by her grandfather K K Varma. The body was sent to the Government Royapettah Hospital for post mortem. It was found that the death was caused by drowning. Family members reportedly told police that they did not suspect any foul play in the death of Mathangi. The body was later handed over to the family by the police. Mathangi had gone to Kerala and got back to Chennai recently, her family members said. She missed the degree final exams in April this year due to jaundice and was now preparing for the exams. Mathangi was the youngest manager of a higher secondary school in the country after K K Varma entrusted the management of the Raja Ravivarma Educational Institutions to her in December last. Her father, Godavarma, was staying at Kilimanoor to look after the school management since Mathangi was studying in Chennai. R M Parameswaran, general secretary of All Kerala Private School Managers' Association, in a telegraphic message to Union Home Minister L K Advani demanded a probe into the death of the Mathangi.
Saturday, October 20, 2001
Parcel containing 'powder' creates panic
Parcel containing 'powder' creates panic KANNUR:A parcel suspected to contain some "powder" was received at a post office at Thalassery on Friday morning, triggering anthrax panic among the public. The parcel, sent from Palakkad, was received at the Charakkra post office and was found partly opened by the postman who collected it for distribution, police said. After the postal staff grew suspicious, police were summoned and the postman was sent to a nearby hospital for a thorough check-up, police said, adding a large number of public who had gathered in front of the post office on hearing the news were kept at a distance. Police were conducting a probe to ascertain the contents of the parcel and its addressee.
Saturday, October 20, 2001
Antony turns aggressive, CPI-M feels the heat
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a dramatic reversal of his usual self, the normally cool Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony is going hammer and tongs at the main opposition Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M). The violence in the Assembly Thursday that led to the suspension of three Left Democratic Front (LDF) legislators is widely seen here as a "strike back" by an aggressive Antony. Antony's offensive started since the 48-day-long protest campaign by Adivasis concluded Tuesday, with Antony taking the credit for seeing that the strike that had assumed dangerous proportions concluded on a tame note. Antony, on more than one occasion, has highlighted that the Adivasis would not have taken to the streets had the CPI-M kept its words when it promised "heaven and earth" for them in 1997. CPI-M state secretary Pinnarayi Vijayan has in the meantime set tongues wagging by alleging that the whole affair had been sponsored by the ruling Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF). The normally reticent Antony blew his top at the CPI-M in the Assembly this week, coming down heavily on opposition leader V.S. Achuthanandan and the CPI-M, which heads the LDF. He even named family members of senior CPI-M leaders and attacked them, after Achuthanandan blasted Antony over the way a Japanese aided drinking water project mooted by the previous LDF government got stalled over corruption charges thrown by the opposition. The opposition leader then was Antony, and the objections were over the choice of a consultant to the project. When Antony became chief minister in May, his government chose the very same consultant company, raising the CPI-M's hackles. The opposition alleged that the company was picked because it had allegedly bribed Congress party leaders. On Wednesday, after a marathon cabinet meeting, Antony decided that enough was enough. Despite objections from his cabinet, he decided to shelve the controversial water project and declared that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) should be launched into the scheme. Simultaneously Antony again launched a vicious attack on the CPI-M, saying it had played dirty over the drinking water project. While lashing out at the state CPI-M, he gave a clean chit to the party's national leaders. He also said that he would inform Congress president Sonia Gandhi "the dirty games the CPI-M is playing here and tell her that they are a bunch of people who will twist things." Speaking to , a Congress leader said the CPI-M was no less guilty and that it had masterminded a drama in the Assembly that led to the suspension of three opposition MLAs for assaulting Transport Minister KB Ganesh Kumar. "All that drama appears to have been a stage managed affair by LDF to take away the credit in the manner Antony handled the Adivasi issue and the way he shelved the drinking water project," he said. With the Assembly session in progress, the situation could worsen because the government is determined to issue path-breaking policies that may not be to the liking of the opposition.
Thursday, October 18, 2001
Antony comes out a winner as Kerala tribals end stir
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The end of the tribal protest in front of the Kerala government's office here is seen as another feather in the cap of Chief Minister A K Antony. The protesting tribals, called Adivasis, called off their 48-day-old strike on Tuesday after the government agreed to their demand that Adivasi land be declared "Scheduled Areas," where land cannot be bought by non-tribals. This was decided after a meeting late Tuesday evening between the leaders of the striking Adivasi Joint Action Council and a government team led by Antony himself. "We decided to call off the strike after Antony assured us that soon a cabinet proposal regarding the declaration of Adivasi lands as Scheduled Areas would be sent to the Union government for their consideration," firebrand tribal woman leader C K Janu told . The breakthrough came after three rounds of failed talks. Antony appears to have won the battle because all through he said the landless Adivasi families would be given a minimum of one acre of land and in certain areas up to five acres. But Janu was adamant that all the families should get five acres of land. In the final settlement, Janu agreed to Antony's proposal. Asked why she had yielded, Janu said she was aware of the difficulties in finding surplus land immediately to provide five acres to each family. "But we will return if things do not happen as promised," she said. Throughout the agitation, Antony refrained from taking any extreme step against the protesters. After initially announcing that the shacks the protesters had built outside his residence and the government headquarters would be pulled down, he changed his mind fearing backlash from the Adivasis. He even reprimanded a senior bureaucrat for going ahead with demolishing the shacks without consulting the government. When the shacks came up, there were close to 450 Adivasis, mostly from Wayanad district, staying in them. But as the days went by and the talks remained deadlocked, Adivasis started leaving. Reports indicate that in the last few days there were no more than 100 of them living in the shacks. Antony also took a dig at the opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) over the issue in the assembly on Tuesday, saying had it been sincere about its 1997 commitment that landless Adivasis would be given land, matters would not have come to such a pass. The LDF was voted out of office in May this year. "The LDF deliberately did not raise this issue because of its guilt. There is more to the LDF's silence than meets the eye," Antony charged. Immediately after the meeting when Janu announced the strike's withdrawal, Antony and some of his senior ministers went to meet the Adivasis residing in shacks outside the government headquarters. "Which political leader would have done this after the strike was called off?" asked a touched Adivasi. The government has already initiated measures to see that close to 42,000 hectares of land in 14 districts is identified for distribution. Reports indicate that the government would be able to give five acres of land or close to that in several districts, expect in Alapuzha and parts of central Travancore, where the landless tribals would get just one acre or less. Antony has announced that distribution of land would begin from January 1, 2002, and end on December 31 the same year. According to official statistics, Kerala has a total of 320,000 Adivasis, of whom the hill district of Wayanad accounts for 114,000. Next comes Idukki with 50,000,followed by Palakkad with 30,000 and Kasaragod with 29,000. Thiruvananthapuram district has just 16,181 Adivasis and Alapuzha the lowest with just 2,801. Meanwhile, to prevent the Adivasi strike from becoming a precedent, the Antony government has banned the building of shacks in front of the government offices here as a form of protest.
Thursday, October 18, 2001
Mohanlal’s day at UC college
ALUVA: Noted cinema actor padmashree Bharath Mohanlal had a very busy day at UC college here when he had to officiate several functions in the college today. Mohanlal has inscribed the first letter on the "Millennium monument", which was erected in front of the college, to mark the beginning of inscribing letters of all languages in the world, on the monument. The monument was constructed with floor tiles of historical Kacherimalika, the first building in the college compound where a zilla court of the erstwhile State was functioning a century ago. It was proposed to inscribe letters of all languages in the world on the millennium monument. Principal Raju K John spoke on the occasion. College union chairman Diljith presided over the meet and staff advisor P Markose felicitated. Mohanlal also inaugurated the housing scheme for poor, under the auspices of National Service Scheme (NSS) UC college unit. NSS officers K S Narayanan, M I Punnoose and V P Sheela were present. The centre for film studies and proposed resource centre of English Department, was also inaugurated by the actor. Head of the English department Prof V M Johnappa presided.
Thursday, October 18, 2001
Free for all in Kerala assembly
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Assembly on Thursday witnessed uproarious scenes leading to scuffles between the ruling UDF and opposition LDF members followed by an attempt to manhandle Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar during zero hour. The trouble began when speaker Vakkom Purushothaman disallowed an LDF adjournment motion and asked Ganesh Kumar to go ahead with his reply to a calling attention disregarding vociferous protest by the opposition. Irate opposition members charged into the well of the house, two of them climbed up a table below the podium and started gesitculating at the speaker demanding that opposition leader V S Achuthanandan be allowed to speak. As Kumar went ahead with his reply unheeding the uproar, several opposition members rushed towards the minister and snatched papers. Seeing this, the UDF members charged into the well and stood face to face with their rivals. A free for all prevailed in the house for a while with each side trying to outshout the other. The speaker then adjourned the house and it took nearly three hours for the proceedings to resume.
Wednesday, October 17, 2001
Janu accepts 7-point Govt proposal; 48-day Adivasi strike ends
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 48-day Adivasi agitation in front of the Secretariat ended on a peaceful note here on Tuesday with the leaders of Adivasi-Dalit Action Council accepting the seven-point proposal put forward by the Government. Adivasis jubilant, hail outcome THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Adivais-Dalit Action Council activists welcomed the decision to call off the agitation with trumpeting of the drums, dance, and folk songs. When the news of succeeful end of the strike came, hundreds of the Adivasis, who were anxiously waiting at the huts in front of Secretariat, for the result of the discussions held by their leaders with Chief Minister Antony, heaved a sigh of relief and made shrikes of joy like children. When Janu reached back at the huts after the discussion, they took her on their shoulders and held a victory rally in front the Secretariat. They have decided to dismantle the controversial huts pitched in front of the Secretariat and Cliff House, the official residence of the Chief Minister, as part of the agitation, after a public meeting - Samaraghosha Sangahama - on Wednesday. They will offer payasam to the cultural leaders, who offered them unblemished supprot all along the the agitation Chief Minister A K Antony, Revenue Minister K M Mani, Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty and Agriculture Minister K R Gowri later visited the huts. This agitation would be a milestone in the Adivasi struggle in the State. This successful end of bloodless Adivasi struggle is likely to give a new sense of direction to the future Adivasi struggle. Perhaps, no other agitation in the state might not have won the support of the intellectuals, media and common man alike as that of the Adivasi agitation. LDF silence on Adivasi stir borne out of guilt: Antony THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister A K Antony said on Tuesday that the LDF "deliberately did not raise" the Adivasi agitation in the Assembly and this was out of its guilt feeling. While replying to the discussions on the vote on account, Antony said that if the LDF claim in 1997 that it would provide land to 72,000 landless Adivasis had materialised the present agitation would not have taken place. Referring to Adivasi leader C K Janu's allegation that the previous LDF Government cheated Adivasis by trying to thrust 400 acres of "barren land full of rock" on them in Palakkad district, Antony said that "There is more to the LDF's silence in the Assembly on Adivasi agitation than meets the eye." Calling the CPM to change its stand on developmental issues, the Chief Minister said that there was no point in "hanging on to time-old slogans." In the emerging economic scenario, all political parties and Governments were changing. Even in CPM-ruled West Bengal this changes were visible. The Chief Minister, who said the UDF Government was trying to give a thrust to development of the State through private participation, invited the Opposition leaders to the Global Investors meet, scheduled to be held in Kochi early next year. Referring to the Central Government's apathy to the demand of the State for flood relief fund, Antony said he was not hiding his disappointment. "The Centre's action is highly deplorable and the ruling and Opposition parties should stand together to condemn this," the Chief Minister suggested. Referring to Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan's allegation that the names of 16 lakh people were deleted from the voters' list during the last Assembly polls, Antony said his Government was not at fault as LDF was in power during the time. He, however, added that he was ready to take up the matter. PILLAI DEMAND: While participating in the discussion, Kerala Congress (B) leader and former Minister R Balakrishna Pillai urged the UDF Government not to raise the pension age of employees. Claiming that organised labour was gaining at the cost of unorganised labourers and farmers, Pillai pointed out that in five years the salary of KSEB employees had increased by four-fold. The number of chief engineers in KSEB in the 80's was only three. Now it had risen to 22. Likewise, in all other departments, top posts were being created without any logic. "It is no secert that engineers of Kallada Irrigation project are drawing salary without any work," Pillai said. Any raise in pension age would mean that these people would get an extension at the cost of lakhs of jobless youth, the Kerala Congress leader said.
Tuesday, October 16, 2001
Two-year-old Gopika and father recuperate in hospital after brutal attacks
KOCHI: A young man and his infant daughter, both victims of mindless political violence, simultaneously underwent long hours of successful micro-vascular replantation surgeries at a private hospital here on Sunday evening. While one-and-a-half-year-old Gopika needed a six-hour-long surgery to restore her severed right foot, her 30 year-old father Santhosh Kumar, a BJP worker, required an ten hours to get three of his fingers on the left hand restiched. Separate teams of surgeons had to be detailed to untertake the surgeries, according to hospital director K R Rajappan. The two victims were brutally attacked in their Neyyatinkara residence in Thiruvananthapuram district in the early hours of Saturday, allegedly by Marxist supporters. They were rushed to the Thrivananthapuram Medical College Hospital from where they were referred to the hosptial here for replantation surgery. Minister of State for Railways O Rajagopal, accompanied by BJP Kerala President C K Padmanabhan, visited the injured in the hospital on the former's way back to New Delhi. Dr Rajappan said the patients, now recuperating at the intensive care unit of the hospital, would have to be in the hosptial for at least two weeks and, after discharge, both would require phyiotheraphy treatment, especially for the girl to make her walk.
Tuesday, October 16, 2001
Anthrax scare near Kanjirappally
KOTTAYAM: Panic gripped residents of Vizhikkathode, near Chenappadi, off Kanjirappally, on Monday, after the word spread that a greeting card handled by the local post office contained anthrax bacteria and a few persons felt irritation and dizziness after the incident. The letter that arrived at the Vizhikkathode post office was addressed to Melvin Roy, 3, of Paayankal House, Vizhikkathode, Chenappadi. The letter, which had the sender's address as Giji Jacob, who is the maternal uncle of the boy, from Cyprus, reportedly gave off a pungent smell. The four post office personnel, including postmistress Kamala Bhai, also found some 'powder' pouring from the torn edges of the cover. Shanavaz, the post man, became tired all of a sudden and felt irritation all over the body. On inspection, it was found that the article inside the damaged cover was a music card for Melvin. The post office staff panicked as they were not familiar with the addressee. Melvin's father, Roy, has been residing in the locality for just eight months. After some enquiries, the house was located and Roy was called in. Without hesitation, the father, along with the young boy reached the post office and received the article. But the local people began to pour into the post office and created panic. The Kanjirappally police also rushed to the scene. Ajith Kumar, scientific assistant of the Police Department, who incidentally came to Kottayam on some official work, was also brought in by CI Tojan Cyriac and SI Subhash to the scene. Finding nothing unusual, he smelt the card in front of the public and assured that there was nothing extraordinary. Some local people said that things shouldn't be taken for granted and it was wrong on the part of the police and post office personnel to hand over the article. The cops, who were frightened at the outset and even demanded masks to touch the article, regained confidence and advised people to remain calm. While the boy started with the card before everybody, fear and rumour didn't leave the localfolks. Incidentally, the post office personnel didn't go in for medical aid till the evening. It may be recalled that anthrax scares have begun doing the rounds in places like Mallappally in neighbouring Pathanamthitta district, after livestock succumbed to diseases of unknown nature recently.
Tuesday, October 16, 2001
Cowardly and sadistic: Rajagopal flays little Gopika's attackers
KOCHI: The cowardly attack on two-year old Gopika is a sadistic revenge that even the most heartless of men should not have been able to do, said O Rajagopal, Union Minister of State for Railways, here today. He was visiting Gopika and her father Santhosh Kumar, who were injured in an attack in Thiruvananthapuram two days ago, at the Specialists hospital. It is tragic that violence like that we have witnessed in Kannur is spreading to the State capital, he said. BJP State president C K Padmanabhan, who accompanied the Minister, said that the Government should seriously take up this matter as further incidents suc as this may take place in future. The minister also held talks with the hospital authorities on the condition of the duo. Gopika and her father are recuperating, the hospital sources said. Swami Saswatheekananda also visited the hospital today.
Tuesday, October 16, 2001
One killed in heavy rains
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: One person was killed while a house was totally destroyed as heavy rains partially damaged more than 30 houses in the neighbouring Kollam district on Monday. Bhaskaran (57) was swept away by strong currents while he was fishing in a river in Karunagappilly. His body was fished out later. He is survived by wife and three children. Meanwhile, the met office said here that conditions were favourable for the north-east monsoon to set in within next 48 hours, meteorological office here said. Rain or thundershowers might occur all over Kerala during the period. Heavy to very heavy rains might occur at a few places.
Sunday, October 14, 2001
Air traffic plummets at Thiruvananthapuram Airport
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A month after the terrorist attacks in the US, the immediate fallout in Kerala has been a drop in passenger volumes to the US, Europe and the Middle East. The drop in the number of passengers has touched such uneconomic levels that airlines are plying with half the capacity and, to woo more passengers, are offering heavy discounts, sometimes 50 percent and even more, aviation officials said. If this trend continues, most of the airlines will be in the red, except perhaps Air-India and Silk Air, officials said. Air-India has the competitive advantage of operating all the seven flights non-stop, saving precious time for busy passengers. AI flights take less than four hours to reach the destination. Silk Air's advantage is that its passengers are mostly Singapore-bound or bound for the Far East and Down Under. There are 43 weekly flights of seven international carriers operating from this international airport. Kerala Association of Travel Agents president K V Muraleedharan said if the war continued, several airlines would be deep in the red. "The drop has been gradual but since the war broke out, the situation has became worse," Muraleedharan told . Kuwait Airways, for instance, has found the going tough. On Saturday's flight, of the 220 seats just 70 were booked. A Kuwait airline official told that normally during this period "We have almost 85 to 90 per cent occupancy, and now it has fallen sharply." Kuwait Airways operates four flights a week. Qatar Airways, which operates a daily flight from here, reported that on Saturday of the 140 seats 40 were vacant. Several of its passengers are going to Dubai for shopping. "Until last week our flights were full and since the war broke out, it has come down drastically. Last year this time, we had close to 85 per cent occupancy," said an airline official. With no sign of the end of the US bombings on Afghanistan, several airlines are expected to cut down their flights.
Sunday, October 14, 2001
Two-year-old's foot chopped off, father attacked
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Miscreants chopped off the foot of an 18-month-old female child during a raid on a house at Neyyatinkara, in this district of Kerala early on Saturday. The state committee of the BJP, in a statement here, alleged that the gruesome crime was committed by a group of marxist workers who raided the house in a bid to kill the child's father, Omanakkuttan, a BJP activist. The child, Gopika, who was in the cradle, lost one foot and received hack wounds on her waist. Omanakuttan allegedly lost a few fingers and sustained other serious wounds. His wife and aged mother were also attacked, the statement claimed. Gopika and Omanakkuttan were rushed to the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital from where they were referred to the specialist hospital at Ernakulam. While Gopika was undergoing protracted operation for suturing the severed foot, doctors at the hospital had said that it was not possible to suture the severed fingers of Omanakkuttan, the statement said. It said there were about ten people in the group that broke into Omanakkuttan's house at about 0130 hrs. The police have taken into custody three people in connection with the incident.
Saturday, October 13, 2001
Jalamarmaram selected for Cornell film fete
Jalamarmaram selected for Cornell film fete THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Jalamarmaram (The Whisper of the Waters), directed by T K Rajeev Kumar, has been selected for the Cornell environmental film festival, Ithaca. The festival, which started on Friday and will last till October 18, will screen the best films on environment from around the world. The film is to be screened twice at the festival. Jalamarmaram, which is part of the Indian panorama, has already been part of the Milan international film festival, Cairo international film festival, Euroshorts film festival in Poland, the Toronto environmental film festival and the Hazel Wolf environmental film festival in Seattle.
Saturday, October 13, 2001
Attempt to rob bank foiled
THRISSUR: An attempt, by a 35-year old man, to loot the Kurapppam Road branch of the State Bank of Travancore at gun point was spoiled by the bank staff and public, after the man was overpowered and handed over to the police, at about 12 noon today. Police identified the man as Murali, hailing from Valkulumbu village near Vadakkuncherry in Palakkad district. He was admitted to the district hospital with injuries sustained during his escape attempt. Police said that at about 11.45 a.m., Murali, after parking his white Maruti car made his way into the bank, on the second floor, carrying a revolver. He had his face masked. On entering the bank he asked the officials in the bank to hand over the cash while pointing the revolver at them. The frightened bank staff and customers present in the bank however started shouting and some even tried to overpower him. When he realised that the situation was unsafe he ran out of the branch and tried to escape in his car parked near the entrance to the bank branch. However, the bank staff and public blockaded his vehicle. He however tried to scare the public by firing a shot from his revolver at the front glass of the car. However the public attacked him by smashing the rear side glass of the vehicle and overpowered him. A loaded 12-bore gun was also found concealed in the car. Police said that initial interrogation revealed that his wife is an employee of the I-T department in Bangalore and his brother is a police constable at the Kollamkode police station.
Thursday, October 11, 2001
Head post offices to have e-post from this week
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Postal Department has decided to introduce e-post, a new service that combines e-mail and traditional post, at all the 51 head post offices in the State this week. Vimala Kumar, Chief Postmaster General of the Kerala Postal Circle, told mediapersons here today that e-post messages sent from anywhere in the world would be downloaded at the e-post centre, printed and then delivered through postmen. She said that the service gives the facility of e-mail to those who did not have access to a computer or internet. According to her, the service was launched on an experimental basis at select post offices of five States - Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Goa and Gujarat - on October 2. The services was now being expanded to all the major centres of the State in connection with the National Postal Week Celebrations. By using the service, she said, messages could be sent from computers using e-post card or credit card. e-post cards were available at all head post offices. Under a new service called ‘‘International Money Transfer Service,’’ money can be transferred electronically in seconds from locations in about 178 countries to 55 post offices in the State. Customers on getting information from the remitter can approach the postmaster and take payment after proving their identity. The amount would be paid in cash or cheque. Speednet, an internet-based track and trace system for speed post article, was now under test at all the eight national speed post centres in the State. It would be upgraded to ensure customer service through online tracking of delivery and movement of speed post articles within the country, she added. Vimala Kumar said that postal operations were being computerised in a phased manner. The head post offices at Neyyattinkara, Pathanamthitta, Kottayam, Thrissur, Palakkad and Thalasseri would be computerised in the current year.
Wednesday, October 10, 2001
Intense international naval activity off Kerala coast
KOCHI: India has activated the Agathi airfield in Lakshadweep in view of the American strikes on Afghanistan. This was to step up surveillance in the area with the Arabian Sea witnessing intense international naval activity. A Dornier aircraft has been moved to Agathi for aerial reconnaissance. The aircraft, sources said, will report on the presence of foreign vessels and its proximity to Indian and Lakshadweep’s coasts. With US Tomahawks and bombers beginning to deliver payback-for-September 11 on Afghanistan, the Indian guns have also been half-cocked. Apart from assuming the general alert-posture, the triservices have also buckled up for facing any possible backlash in the form of surprise terrorist attacks. With even the Centre hinting at the possibility of the backlash beyond Kashmir borders, the defence personnel have taken up security positions at key spots in all major installations across the country. The Southern Naval Command, here, and the Southern Air Command, Thiruvananthapuram, have also been placed under high alert. ‘‘We are not doing anything special. The forces are on the wait-and-watch mode,’’ top sources said. That the main theatre of activity is in the Arabian Sea the Navy has been closely monitoring ship movements in international waters off Indian coast. ‘‘We just want to know who all are entering and moving in our area; the Indian Ocean Region in general and Arabian Sea in particular. There are about 30 ships in Northern Arabian Sea taking part in ‘Enduring Freedom’. This includes two carriers, submarines and several ships including amphibious ships,’’ a top official said. Indian authorities had, of late, noticed intense flying activity off our coast. Several US fighters were seen off Kanyakumari. The Navy also spotted a fighter just 12 miles off Kochi. ‘‘But none of them entered our air space,’’ a top official of the Southern Air Command said. Reconnaissance sorties are on. This will continue till the action ends. We don’t want to be caught by surprise, sources said. The Navy has also stepped up its surveillance off Kerala coast. Surveillance aircraft and patrol vessels are screening the area to map all movements. At least two sorties are flown every day. ‘‘It has been a great learning experience for all of us,’’ a Naval officer said. ‘‘We are watching how America moved her ships within weeks to the Arabian Sea area. There is a lot to learn from the pattern of movement. Any American movement would be of interest to us as long as they are there in Diego Garcia and other places around the Indian Ocean Region. Sources in the Air Force also hinted at the possibility of huge US aircraft landing in India for refuelling. ‘‘It all depends of how the action unfurls in the coming weeks. If it goes beyond a month, then the US may have to use our ports for recharging’’, sources pointed out. Defence experts said they were expecting some movement from US bases in Butter Worth, Malaysia, and from Australia if the war changes its character from a sea-based offensive.
Wednesday, October 10, 2001
Sankaradi cremated, glamour mourners attract crowds
Sankaradi cremated, glamour mourners attract crowds KOCHI: The inquisitive eyes with a perpetual twinkle, the trademark shaking of the head or a mere twitching of the eyebrows that brought bursts of pure laughter into cinema halls: Emotion-tinged reel memories must have choked the people who thronged Sankaradi's funeral held here on Tuesday. The crowd started pouring in from from morning, residents of Cherai and nearby Vypeen, schoolchildren in uniforms, workers, bureaucrats, politicians and colleagues _ people whom Sankaradi enthralled through roles he etched on the silver screen. But there were also mourners of a differant kind. The type celebrity-deaths bring in, especially if the deceased is from the film field. The glamour-tourists, fans of the glitteratti struggled to catch a glimpse of their favourite stars, vitiating the sombre mood. Who wants dead men when there are living gods. So whem Mohanlal arrived, the crowd cheered, much to the embarrassment of the actor. The comic excitement was enacted with variations as Jagadish, Innocent, Siddique, Janardhanan, M S Tripunithura and Captain Raju came to pay tributes to their old colleague. And all of them had something very personal to share. Says KPAC Lalitha who once shared the stage with him. "I've known him from a very young age. It was Sankaradi Chettan who introduced me to the stage. S L Puram and Sankaradi wanted me in the lead role of Kakkaponnu. He was like a relative to me". Playwright S L Puram Sadanandan used to write in the magazine edited by Sankaradi. "But we really started knowing each other when he donned the role of Velichappadu in Kakkaponnu. Fame came to him naturally, but he never had the air of someone who had conquered something. His mind was always clear and I am sure he carried his political conviction to the end. Sankaradi and I used to joke what K Balakrishnan, Vayalar and Ramu Karyat. Now they have Sankaradi in their midst", said an emotional Sadanandan. To others like Janardhanan the feeling was akin to that of having lost a brother. "He had close contacts with my father and always used to come to our house. There was a time when there was no cinema without Sankaradi", Janardhanan said. Sathyan Anthikkad tried to speak from a director's viewpoint. "If you want to know the man's worth you should understand the way he acted in films, at a time when the histrionic parameters were almost the same in theatre and cinema. The control and subtlety with which he acted was remarkable. The man never cared for money. He held it as a right to act in my films", he said. Mohanlal spoke from an actor's perspective. "He was a great character actor. More than an actor he was a good friend. There was something I got to learn from every conversation we had", he said. From the film field, old time producer Sobhana Parameswaran Nair, director Rajeevnath and actor N F Verghese also paid their tributes. Minister for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes M A Kuttappan, District Congress President K P Dhanapalan, Paravur MLA V D Satheesan, T K Ramakrishnan and S Sarma were among the politicians who attended the function. Sankaradi's body was taken to the funeral pyre around 11.15 am. It was lit by his nephew Mohan.
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
Keralites worry over war in Afghanistan
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: People across Kerala are worried about the possible fallout the US war against Afghanistan may have on the Middle East, where hundreds of thousands of Keralites live. The situation in the state is similar to what prevailed when the US-led coalition launched a military offensive to roll back Iraqi troops from Kuwait - a conflict that caused several thousands of Keralites to flee the region. Kerala has some 1.5 million of its people in the Middle East. Throughout Sunday night, thousands across the state remained glued to televisions to follow the progress of the war. Many wonder if terrorists aligned to Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden - the prime suspect in last month's terror attacks in the US who is sheltering in Afghanistan - could launch attacks in the Middle East. The fears have been compounded by a bomb blast Saturday in Saudi Arabia that killed two expatriates and injured four, said K T Thomas, whose two children are in the Middle East. Gigi Thomson, secretary of the Non Resident Keralite Affairs Department, is another worried man. "Even though nothing has happened, we have already discussed what should be done if there is going to be attacks in the Middle East," he told . "Definitely people here are worried." T K Chacko said he got frantic telephone calls from his two daughters in Saudi Arabia after the US bombings on Afghanistan. "I am still worried because one of my daughters lives close to where the bombing took place," said Chacko, a resident of Kottayam. Saudi Arabia has close to 600,000 people from Kerala, followed by 400,000 in the United Arab Emirates, 150,000 in Oman and close to 80,000 each in Bahrain, Kuwait and Oatar. The number of people who returned from the Middle East to Kerala shot up from 17,688 in 1989 to 37,206 in 1990, mainly due to the after effects of the Gulf war. Any possible violence in the Middle East as a result of the Afghan war could ruin the Kerala economy, which has been surviving on foreign remittances since the early 1980s. Kerala gets close to Rs 35 billion every year due to remittances from expatriates in the Middle East. This is close to 2.55 times more than what the state receives from the federal government as budgetary support.
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
Oman Air cancels its flights to India after US strikes
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Oman Air on Monday cancelled all its flights to the Indian sub-continent, including Thiruvananthapuram, as a measure of safety and security to its passengers in the wake of the US attack on Afghanistan. Airport sources said here that Oman Air's morning flight did not come from muscat as part of cancellation of its flights to the two other destinations- Kochi and Mumbai-in the Indian sub-continent. All flights of other airlines arrived and left the international airport here as per schedule, sources added. Sources said though it was not officially communicated if Oman Air would operate its flights to Indian destinations tomorrow, it was learnt that the official airlines of the sultanate of Oman would, in all probability, resume its services on Tuesday.
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
FACT is paralysed, bogged down by problems
KOCHI: FACT has been hit by a barrage of problems. The manufacture of several major products of the loss-making fertiliser monolith has been paralysed. As of now, the only significant production in the factory is that of Factamfos, or Ammonium Phosphate Sulphate, a complex fertiliser. But if the stir by the casual employees of Kerala State Inland Navigation Corporation (KSINC) continues, Factamfos production at the Kochi division of FACT may have to be stopped, say sources. Production of caprolactam, the raw material for Nylon-6, at its petrochemicals division, which came to a standstill last Friday onwards due to a fire in its captive power unit, is yet to start resume. The officers from BHEL, which had supplied the equipment, have inspected the plant and are assessing the damage. It may take some time for the power supply to resume from the captive unit. But FACT was hoping to continue production with power from the State grid, though it fluctuates badly. This hope was dashed with ammonia production at Udyogamandal grinding to a halt. The raw material needed for caprolactam production comes from the ammonia plant. The ammonia plant at Udyogamandal had to be stopped as the transport of ammonia to Kochi division has been crippled with KSINC casual workers agitating for job protection after the transport contract was awarded to a Mumbai-based company. The Udyogamandal division has limited space for the storing ammonia. The general manager of the FACT, Kochi division, is negotiating with the State Transport Minister to settle the problems of KSINC casual workers, who have declared a strike on October 9. The KSINC employees have created a blockade in the Champakkara canal by tying the barges together. They have also questioned the river-worthiness of the barges of the new contractor. As these workers are engaged in the KSINC ferry services and transport of water, these sectors could also be hit by the strike. The problems for FACT started with a rupture in the boiler of its urea plant at the Kochi division in July. The factory has been carrying on without its bread and butter product ever since. This is expected to tell on the bottomline of the company. The signing of the long term wage agreement in July also had created problems for the company with workers going on strike to protest against the changes made by the Centre on the terms of the agreement. On top of all this came the slashing of the retirement age limit from 60 to 58 years recently. The decision has robbed the company of experience at the top level with the exit of around 280 officers. The company, which has different sections including FEDO and FEW, is being managed at present by the chairman with two or three general managers under him with no directors or executive directors to share the responsibility. The company is confronting these problems at a time when it is struggling to come out of the red. The loss had mounted to Rs 152 crore last year and this year it is projected to increase substantially with stoppage of production of key products. It is fervently hoping for the financial package it has requested from the Centre reducing the interest burden on the new ammonia plant to cut down the loss. However, it is pointed out that the package may not be a panacea for all the problem, especially the ones which developed recently.
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
Veteran actor Sankaradi is dead
KOCHI: Thespian Malayalam actor Sankaradi died late on Monday night following a prolonged illness at his ancestral home in Cherayi, about 30 km from here. He was 77. The cremation will be held on the Tharavadu (Thoppil parambil) premises at 10.00 am on Tuesday. Hailed as a multifaceted artiste, Sankaradi has acted in more than 700 films. He became synonymous with character roles on Malayalam screen. He donned many a mantle in real life too. Part marine engineer, trade unionist, freedom fighter, journalist, stage artiste, cine artiste...he left a Sankaradi touch in all realms of activity. There are very few who really knew this man. Some even do not know that his real name was Cherayi Memana Sankaradi Chandrasekhara Menon. And many others would not believe that he would have been an engineer but for a quirk of fate. Sankaradi began his political activity at the age of 6. As a schoolboy he collected funds for the Congress party by selling Swathanthra Bharatha, a publication edited by Mahatma Gandhi that was published in 13 languages. He also sold the 'do-or-die' posters of Subhash Chandra Bose. When the school authorities objected to the little politician's activities, Sankradi shifted his schooling to Kandasankadavu. After Intermediate at Maharaja's, he joined for marine engineering at Baroda; but priority still was for politics. Soon Baroda saw him in the forefront of trade unionism in the Gaekwad's Baroda Railways. (Baroda and Naizam's Hyderabad were the only pre-Independent places in India that had railway network). Trade unionism affected the studies which he left half-way to jump into the cauldron of national politics and independent struggle. He left Baroda for Mumbai and was active with the Bombay Malayali Samajam for sometime. He had his first stint in journalism in Mumbai when he joined 'The Literary Review' for a monthly salary of Rs 100. During this time Sankaradi received a letter from his party bosses in Kerala to return to the motherland for strengthening the party. He was an active member of Communist Party till it split in 1962. The Split was too much for him to bear. He returned the party card to led a politics-free life. But politics had won him friends like P J Antony. They together started the Prathibha Arts Club which staged political plays like Inquilabinte Makkal and Mooladhanam. His lead roles in the plays brought him to the attention of ace-film maker Kunchacko who was searching for a rebel face to portray the character of Thurayilarayan in Kadalamma; and Sankaradi was the natural choice. The first shot was taken on the Kappadu beach with Sathyan who played his son in the film. From then on there was no looking back. He holds the record of acting in most number of movies after Prem Nazir. Sankaradi had also tried his hand in other language movies. He acted in two Tamil films and one Hindi - Thriyatri, produced by the Government of India featuring many regional artistes. Mammootty was the other actor selected from Kerala. Sankaradi has scored a hat-trick by bagging State awards for best character role in 1969, 70 and 71. Not many know that Sankaradi had tried his hands at film journalism too - Film Star, the first Malayalam film magazine was his brainchild. He was the district president of the Indian People's Theatre Association. He got married at his autumn of his life to Elamkulam Cheruparambath Sharada. The couple have no children. Chief Minister A K Antony has condoled the death of veteran cine actor Sankaradi.
Tuesday, October 9, 2001
Bomb panic at Thiruvananthapuram railway station
Bomb panic at Thiruvananthapuram railway station Agencies THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala police's bomb squad has been rushed to the Thiruvananthapuram central railway station fearing a bomb threat after a sound was heard emanating from one of the parcels piled up in the platform on Monday, police said. A thorough search revealed that the parcel contained an anaesthetic instrument despatched here from delhi on order from a local medical equipment agency, police commissioner Rajan Singh told reporters. The securitymen went on alert when a sniffer dog of the railways barked when a beeping sound came out of the parcel while it was being off-loaded from the Kerala Express which arrived here around 6.00 pm. Police said the sound came when a switch of the equipment got turned on while it was being off-loaded. Police bomb squad rushed to the area, blocked the roads for some time before the parcel was opened and confirmed that it did not contain any explosives. A large number of mediapersons had gathered at the railway station as the news spread. Train traffic was not affected.
Sunday, October 7, 2001
Forest mafia behind government move: tribal leader
Forest mafia behind government move: tribal leader THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Leader of the agitating tribals in Kerala, C K Janu on Saturday alleged that forest mafia was behind the governemnt move to sabtoage the on-going adivasis struggle demanidng five acres of land for each landless tribal family. The statments of LDF leaders and Congress that radical groups were behind the agitation was a ploy to fool the people and an attempt to crush the stir, she told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram. The adivasi-dalit action council would continue the stir and its activists would not leave the city if the huts put up by the council before the Secretariat as part of the agitation were removed by using force, she said. "We will erect new camps if the existing huts are removed", she added. Meanwhile, the government issued an order prohibiting putting up of huts as part of agitation before the Secretariat and ministers' residences. About 200 tribals, including women were camping in huts to highlights their problems.
Sunday, October 7, 2001
Govt gears up for confrontation with Adivasis
Govt gears up for confrontation with Adivasis THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Government on Saturday geared up for a major confrontation with the agitating Adivasis by ordering the removal of the huts erected by the agitators including Adivasis, in front of the Secretariat and Chief Minister A K Antony's residence. An emergency meeting of the top officers of the city police and armed police battalions took place at the Armed Reserve Camp, Nandavanam, to chalk out the plan for executing Government order. Undeterred by the impending police action, Adivasi Dalit Action Council leader C K Janu said that if the Government went ahead with its plan to remove the huts, the council would retaliate by erecting them again at the same places. She said that the council had sought an appointment with President K R Narayanan to apprise him of the "repressive" measures of Antony Government to deal with the peaceful agitation of Adivasis. Even after one month, there is no end in sight for the Adivasi agitation because of the adamant stand of Janu, who spearheads the struggle under the banner of Adivasi-Dalit Action Council and also that of Chief Minister A K Antony. While Janu sticks to her stand that each landless Adivasi family be given five acres of land, the Government is not ready to go beyond one acre. Antony was under the impression that by holding discussions with Adivasi leaders in a warm and cordial atmosphere and offering a package which includes a piece of land, the agitation could be brought under control. But, his calculations went awry as Adivasis, especially the younger generation, did not respond to his offer positively. Moreover, the younger lot among the Adivasis strongly believe that they have been betrayed by all major political parties, who had supported Kerala Restr |
