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September 2001
Saturday, September 29, 2001
V P Singh, Medha Patkar back Adivasi agitation
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Former Prime Minister V P Singh and Narmada Bacho Andolan leader Medha Patkar have come out in support of the ongoing Adivasi protest in the state and urged the state government to withdraw the 1999 Adivasi Land Bill and give all Adivasis cultivable land, employment and food security. In a letter to Chief Minister A K Antony, Patkar and Singh said the starvation deaths of Adivasis in the State which boasts of very high levels of literacy and other social and human indices was a matter of shame. Further, it was shocking that various governments of the state have consistently played dirty tricks to deny restoration of lands to the Adivasi, even though Kerala was one of the States to have claimed to have implemented land reforms comprehensively, they said. ``We feel outraged that even after both the Parliament and the State Assembly had enacted laws earlier to restore such lands, the State has not quashed the Bill of 1999 and restored alienated lands,'' they said. They criticised the ``diversionary'' tactics used by the state government by including various ``vested interest and letterhead organisations'' and expressed distress that Kerala was no better in upholding, protecting and resorting the rights and resources of the tribal communities in tune with the Constitution. They demanded the Government disburse the Adivasi Welfare Fund exclusively to Adivasi communities; restore the rights of Adivais to engage in traditional Agriculture in the forest area and to collect forest produce; stop transfer of 25,000 acres of forest lands to private parties and stop evicting the Adivasis from the forest areas in the pretext of forest protection laws; end tribal hostels run by private racketeers and arrest the murders of Rajiv, a tribal hostel student. Other signatories to the letter include Devaram Kanera, National Convener, National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM), film maker Anand Patwardhan and Nagesh Hatkar of Shoshit Jan Andolan.
Saturday, September 29, 2001
War clouds worrying Gulf expats
MALAPPURAM: With the clouds of war hanging over Afghanistan, hundreds of families in the district who rely on the revenue received from the Gulf, are becoming increasingly worried over the fate of their kith and kin abroad. There are also instances of a few expatriates returning home from the Gulf, fearing a possible war in the region and also, haunted by memories of the 1992 Gulf war. What worries the families the most is the fact that the United States had already set up military bases in various crucial points in the Gulf, where over 12 lakh persons from Malappuram district are residing according to official records. During the invasion of Kuwait by Iraq in 1992, scores of people working in Kuwait had fled to their home towns here. ‘‘The situation is no different now,’’ says P K Abdul Wahid of Puthanpally near Ponnani, who reached his home the other day from Oman. ‘‘The Gulf countries are concerned about the threats by Osama bin Laden that he will not spare any country which supported the US,’’ said Wahid who is a software engineer in a private company in Oman. The same view was aired by K M Vasudevan of Manjeri, a sales manager of a reputed firm in Dhahran in Saudi Arabia who reached his home last Sunday. ‘‘It is very easy for Osama bin Laden and his clans to strike at Dhahran which is one of the military bases of America in Saudi Arabia,’’ said the 40-year-old Vasudevan who returned with his family. P A Majeed of Kondotty, who was near the World Trade Centre in New York at the time of its destruction, also did not reject the possibility of a war. The situation, according to sources, has led to a slump in the ‘tube money’ flow from Gulf. This happened due to the crash in the rate of Dollar soon after the terrorist strike on US, they say.
Saturday, September 29, 2001
Compensation to Kuwait War Malayalee returnees
KOCHI: Pravasi Malayali Council has moved a public interest writ petition seeking to direct the Union Government to take all steps, both legal as well as diplomatic, for getting compensation to Malayalis who were forced to return to Kerala empty-handed on account of Kuwait War during 1990-91. Admitting the petition, a Division Bench of the Kerala High Court today directed Union Bank of India, Central Bank of India, Indian Overseas Bank, Syndicate Bank and State Bank of India, to file detailed statements showing the cases where the compensation amounts received from Special Kuwait Cell have not been disbursed to the legitimate claimants, with particulars as to the name and address of the claimants. The statements should also indicate the number of cases in which compensation amount sanctioned by United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC) which was to be routed through the Special Kuwait Cell, has not reached the bank. According to the petitioner, the Government of India and the Reserve Bank of India had selected four nationalised banks to handle compensation disbursed. In Kerala, all the branches of the Union Bank had been nominated to handle the claims. According to the petitioner, the UNCC classified the claims into five categories. The Special Kuwait Cell of the Ministry of Finance, had forwarded more than 1.5 lakh claims during 1994. But the UNCC started disbursing compensation only from 1996. While some persons received the first instalments, a large number of claims were not even considered and the claimants are kept in the dark as to what has happened to their claims. Despite the initiatives of the Special Kuwait Cell, genuine claimants have not been officially intimated as to how much money was allocated for this purpose, when the second instalment would be disbursed and what were the reasons for rejecting the claims. Some of the claimants who had applied in more than one category got only instalments in one category. Some of the claimants whose claims had been sanctioned, died since. But the Union Bank failed to take appropriate steps to disburse the amount to the legal heirs. Advocate Sivan Madathil, the Counsel for the petitioner, argued that as per Article 9 of the Provisional Rules for Claims Procedure, the affected persons or claimants had no legal right to raise their complaints before the the UNCC except through their national Governments. Moreover Indian Courts have no jurisdiction over the UNCC. Hence, it is the moral and legal duty of the Government of India to take all steps both legal and diplomatic, to get appropriate compensation from the UNCC for the deserving victims. But the genuine grievances of the claimants are not considered by the authorities in the proper manner and the inaction and indifferent attitude of these authorities has resulted in various hardships and difficulties to the claimants. The petitioner, therefore, seeks to direct the Government to take steps to secure compensation to those whose claims were sanctioned but not disbursed by the UNCC.
Saturday, September 29, 2001
Kerala NRIs to set up super-speciality hospital
KOZHIKODE: With the aim of bringing some of the eminent hands in the medical field back to their native place, a group of NRIs have set up a super speciality hospital--Malabar Institute of Medical Sciences (MIMS)-- in the city. Investing about Rs 57 crore in its first phase, about 30 NRIs have joined together to bring back home some 25 eminent Keralite doctors working in other states and abroad. As many as 15 departments of the 300-bed hospital became operational on Friday and in two months, the entire hospital would be full-fledged, chairman Dr Azad Moopen told newsmen. The state-of-the-art super specialty referral medical institute would have 500 beds, with an investment of about Rs 75 crore once the expansion completed, Managing Director Dr Abdulla Cherayakkatt said. It-enabled facilities even to get online expertise from abroad, focus on research activities, health tourism, largest number of ICU beds in the country and free medical scheme for the deserving will be some of the highlights of the hospital. Dr Abdulla Cherayakkatt (Saudi Arabia), Dr Bejoy N Abraham (Middlesbrough, UK), Dr Rajan Kuruvilla (CMC, Vellore), Dr N K Geetha (Vellore), Dr Ajit Mathew (UK) and Dr B C Roy Award winner Dr Abraham Thomas (CMC, Ludhiana) would be among those who have come back to their home state after long years outside.
Saturday, September 29, 2001
I'll quit KTDC post if party asks, says Padmaja
THRISSUR: The daughter of senior Congress leader K Karunakaran, Padmaja Venugopal has said that she will resign the post of KTDC chairperson if the state unit of Congress asked her to do so. Padmaja, speaking to media persons in Thrissur on Friday, expressed her readiness to quit while reacting to a statement by the KPCC president that politicians with berths in corporations and other bodies run by the state govt without the approval of the UDF high-power committee will have to quit. Answering another query, Padmaja said that she was satisfied with the list of KPCC and DCC office-bearers. But when it was pointed out to her that Karunakaran, the leader of the `I' group, had said that he was not fully satisfied with the list of party office-bearers released by the AICC, Padmaja said that it was the view of Karunakaran, who being the leader of the group had the authority to express his own. Responding to another query, she said that P C Chacko claims to be in `I' group, but ``we have not seen him in `I' group meetings.'' The KTDC chairperson also said that the corporation will not undertake any new project in the coming six months. She said that during this period the corporation will concentrate on completing the projects under implementation and carry out proper maintenance of the establishments under it.
Saturday, September 29, 2001
Vengaboys turn Kochi into Ibiza
KOCHI: They didn’t throw wads of greenback into the frenzied crowd, nor did they burn furniture or jerrycans of Vaseline, but the Latino band turned Kochi into another dream party isle Ibiza, leaving the mad crowd craving for more. The 15,000 watts of ‘Ho Ho Vengaboys’ set the tone and the creamiest of the yuppie crowd lapped it all up with a poor clone of the poolside MTV Grind. What if the ‘boys’ did not hold the concert live, and moved their lips and supple bodies with the pre-recorded sound track. What if their gyrations did not have the fire of the Brazilian Samba. They didn’t care as long as Vengaboys were on their doorstep and it was a party time. Then came the earth-shaking Boom Boom Boom and the slow and meditative Sha la la la. As the nite progressed the Vengaflu spread and the ‘boys’ got bolder. ‘‘Do you love to kiss?,’’ shot a provocative Kim. The crowd screamed out, ‘‘Yes.’’ ‘‘I know you like to kiss,’’ she said, and followed it up with the chart topping single, ‘‘I wanna kiss kiss kiss.’’ ‘‘You guys are absolutely amazing. You guys are absolute party people. You girls look sexy tonight. You guys are so incredibly hot,’’ comments flowed from Roy, Yorick, Kim and Denise. The show managers, anticipating trouble, had made a special enclosure for the family audience, but the youth, separated by barricades of tin and cops, were raging to break the divide. There were several ‘‘ticketless souls’ who couldn’t have a peep into the Vengaboys world, but stayed outside, swaying to the magical beat.
Saturday, September 29, 2001
Jayalalitha's elephant doing well in Kerala
GURUVAYOOR: Jayaram Jayalalitha is no longer chief minister of Tamil Nadu, but the elephant she gifted to a temple in neighbouring Kerala to mark her return to power is doing just fine. She donated Krishna, the elephant, to the Sree Krishna temple at Guruvayoor in July after becoming chief minister. "The six-foot-tall tusker is in fine shape and behaving himself," K.M. Satheesan, Guruvayoor Temple administrator, told . Asked if the former chief minister had inquired about the elephant since gifting it, Satheesan said: "No. There is no need for her to contact us, because once we get an offering, the donor has no more rights and it becomes the property of the temple." Noted Kerala astrologer Unnikrishna Panicker had advised her to make the offering. The astrologer had predicted that her party would get a two-thirds majority and she would become chief minister despite her nomination being rejected. Jayalalitha purchased the elephant from M. Mohandas of Palakkad district for Rs.700,000, which is nearly Rs.200,000 more than the market price. Reports also indicate that Jayalalitha had summoned Panicker days before the historic Supreme Court verdict to her Poes Garden residence in Chennai and sought his opinion about her future. Panicker reportedly advised her not to resign until the verdict came. He, however, told her she would have to go for now, but would become chief minister again.
Thursday, September 27, 2001
Arangil wants C K Janu made minister
KOZHIKODE: Former Union Minister and senior Janata Dal leader Arangil Sreedharan has said that the tribal leader C K Janu, who is spearheading the ongoing struggle by the tribals, should be inducted into the State cabinet and be handed over the portfolio of Social Justice. Speaking at the meeting of the Jayaprakash Narayan Janma Shadabdi Samithi here on Wednesday he said that the State was in the throes of a social revolution following the adamant attitude taken by the State Government against granting the long pending demands of the tribals. He said that the tribals of the State have been on a receiving end till date and all the government`s have begotten their suffering and misery, keeping the fruits of progress and development away from them. ``History has clearly shown us that no society could be put under shackles for long,'' he said. He said that only those who had undergone suffering along with the deprived and marginalised sections of the society will have a clear hindsight about the problems faced by them. Till now, unfortunately we had not given adequate representation to the tribals in the State cabinet, he said. Later, addressing mediapersons Arangil Sreedharan, who is the Chairman of the Samithi, said that the birth centenary celebrations of freedom fighter Jayaprakash Narayan will be inaugurated on October 11 at Kozhikode. He said that local level committees for centenary celebrations would be formed all over the State to organise the functions which would last till October 11 2002. He said that three major conferences would be held as part of the celebrations. The conference on Human Rights will be conducted at Balussery. A youth conference will be held in Vatakara and a State conference of farmers will be held in Koyilandy. Shanthi Sena, the youth movement for peace, founded by Jayaprakash Narayan will be revived as part of the celebrations. Vice Chairman of the Samithi Thayat Balan, P J Sebastian, and Adv M K Premnath were present at the meeting.
Thursday, September 27, 2001
Forest encroachers evicted amid high drama
KOCHI: Braving a stiff resistance, a joint team of Forest-Police officials on Wednesday evicted nearly 24 families who encroached upon 30 acres of forest land at Valara under the Neryamangalam Range near Adimali in Idukki district. Adimali police arrested two persons who tried to commit self-immolation in protest against the eviction and registered case against two others on the charge of intimidating the officials from discharging their duty. This is the second attempt made by the forest officials to evict the encroachers. A similar attempt made by them on August 6 last had turned abortive following strong resistance put up by the encroachers. The seven-hour long operation led by Devikulam Tahsildar V C Ramankutty was marked by dramatic scenes. Of the total evicted settlers, nearly ten are tribals. The 100-odd settlers, including a large number of women, were present when the forest-police team landed there in the morning. The officials, with the help of another section of tribal folk and natives, dismantled the hutments one by one. But the situation turned worse as the forest team began destroying the agricultural crops. Waving some papers, the settlers were seen pleading to the authorities not to destroy the crops and they possessed all valid documents to prove their claim on the land. But not heeding to their wailings, the officials went on with their destruction. Soon, two settlers rushed in to their huts and returned drenched in kerosene. With matches in their hands they threatened to set themselves on fire. The police stripped their drenched clothes and arrested them. Those arrested are Paranayil Elias (50) and Niravathu Varghese (35). The evicted families later told mediapersons that they had been settled in the land for the past several years. But they failed to produce any document to this effect and instead alleged that they purchased the land by paying hefty amounts to some forest officials. They vowed that there was no question of leaving their land. But Munnar DFO G Mohandas dismissed their claims as rubbish and said all the structures had sprung up after April last. The DFO attributed the undue delay in the eviction to the staff shortage in the department. But the local revenue-forest officials suspect the role of an influential lobby behind the mass encroachment. According to them, this lobby engaged in tourism industry was trying to grab the scenic forest land with the help of a handful of tribals. `In fact his land was encroached by another section of tribals in January last with the blessings of this local lobby. Later, they were evicted by this group and were replaced by the new group of settlers, they said. The forest officials planted over a thousand saplings in the reclaimed forest land, later. Cases were also registered against the wife and son of Paranayil Elias, who was held on charge of self-immolation, for preventing the officials from discharging their duties. The 50-strong forest team was led by Munnar DFO Mohandas., Flying Squad ACF Sethukumar, ACF M S Rajan and Range Officers of Neryamangalam, Devikulam, Adimali, Munnar and Marayoor ranges. The 25-strong police force was led by Adimali Circle Inspector Joy.
Thursday, September 27, 2001
16 Kairali TV channel employees shown the door
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPM) and the Kairali TV channel promoted by it are in the news again in Kerala, for reportedly sacking about 16 employees and the reasons for doing so. The party has come in for a lot criticism in the local media for alleged double standards towards the employees who have been reportedly served termination notices by the channel after a meeting of its board of directors last week. The director's meeting presided over by Mammooty, the southern superstar, decided to close down the bureaus at Kollam and Palakkad, as well as sack several producers and two directors, K R Mohanan and Sundaram, ostensibly due to financial difficulties. But media reports here have also attributed the downsizing to serious fighting between the two factions of the CPM, the north group led by state CPM secretary Pinnarayi Vijayan and the south lobby of opposition leader V S Achuthanandan. The other reason, according to reports, is to arrest the channel's mounting losses, which was estimated at more than Rs 70 million a few months back. Reports said factional feuds were directly responsible for the sacking of some of the six journalists who have been asked to go. Both the Kollam and Palaghat bureaus of the channel were reportedly close to Achuthanandan. But the overall control of the channel lay with the north lobby led by Vijayan. Most of the journalists who have been shown the door are from the Kochi office, where it is believed the chief newseditor was axed because he refused to cater to viewpoints of the two factions in the programmes. Last week's meeting also reshuffled directors heading major divisions like, news, audit, administration and marketing. Economist-turned-legislator Thomas Issac, one of the directors, was handed the charge of the news. Issac, who held a meeting with the sacked staff Monday, said most of the outgoing employees understood the reason they were being asked to leave. "We have told them we would try our best to do something for them and parting from the channel should not be seen as a punishment. I think most of them understood what I said," Issac told . Another director denied reports that the channel was in a crisis on account of the factional feuds. "There is nothing of that sort and one of the main reason for downsizing is that we have given a commitment to the shareholders to break even before the end of the third year," the director told . Asked why the party that vehemently fought retrenchment and privatisation in the state-run companies was now jettisoning its own staff, he said: "Ours is a new company and it cannot be compared to government enterprises. All the employees are on contract. Everyone who has been asked to leave would be given what we have stated in the contract. "We have to see that the cost is kept at the minimum and now that we are on the right track, we felt that only downsizing would help us." The Kairali TV channel was launched in August last year amid reports that large amount of money had been collected from the state's powerful liquor mafia. The channel has 2,35,546 shareholders - majority of whom are CPM workers - and a capital base of Rs. 584.5 million. The CPM had initially tried to disown the channel, but could not hide its ownership for long when letters written by state secretary Pinnarayi Vijayan asking the party cadres to contribute to the channel by taking shares were published in the local papers.
Sunday, September 23, 2001
Foreign experts whisk away rare `tiger spiders'
KOZHIKODE: A team of experts from Canada and Britain carried away a large number of tarantula (locally known as kaduvachilanthi _ tiger spider) and other rare faunal samples from Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary with tacit approval of the Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department officials despite strict rules on sample collection imposed on domestic researchers, including Government research centres. Forest Department sources told this website's newspaper similar cases of bio-piracy were reported last year too from Parambikulam area involving foreigners, despite the strict rules introduced in 1987 by the Kerala Forest Department to regulate sample collection. This time the faunal piracy was conducted through a `Hands on Training in Field Techniques, Identification and Taxonomy of Eastern Hemisphere Tarantula' held at Parambikulam from September 9 to 13 under the joint aegis of the Kerala Forest and Wildlife Department, United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Zoo Outreach Organisation (Coimbatore) and its Wildlife Information and Liaison Department. Nearly 35 persons from leading research organisations of the Government and voluntary agencies attended the programme. The local Divisional Forest Officer, Pukazhenthi had sternly warned all participants against carrying away samples collected during the field training. But, the foreign experts packed and parcelled off almost all the samples collected, either dead or alive, apparently with the knowledge of the forest officials. Rick West (Canadian Wildlife Service), Andrew Smith, Peter Kirk (both from British Museum), Sanjay Molur and Daniel (both from Zoo Outreach Organisation-ZOO, Coimbatore) were the leaders of the training programme. After the training programme, the foreign experts packed almost all the samples of fauna collected and left to Chennai along with the ZOO team. Sources said that one of the foreign experts had already left for Sri Lanka and others would leave the country soon. Interestingly, Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife), V K Sinha hurriedly informed Sanjay Molur (ZOO) by fax that they are not authorised to carry away the samples collected. But, in the same message, he added that as they have already taken it away, the department would regularise the collection in their name. Sources said that this was apparently to legitimise the piracy and to facilitate the foreigners to export the samples collected. According to Forest department sources, CCF-Wildlife's action appeared very strange. The Wildlife department continued to remain mum during the last many years regarding requests for research and collection of minimum samples made by many research organisations, including many government departments. A large number of domestic research projects on forest flora and fauna have come to a stand still due to the action or inaction of CCF-Wildlife during the last few years. Forest department sources said that the training programme was used as a facade for collection of faunal samples for the foreigners and their establishments. They said that initially the ZOO attempted to conduct the training programme at Siruvani in Tamil Nadu, but later shifted to Parambikulam. Sources said that tarantula command US $ 200 for one in the Western markets as a drawing room curio to be kept in glass cages. Other probable uses of tarantula, such as genetic research and toxicity research and even as an instrument for biological and ecological war, are yet to be known to the country's researchers. Threats of varied forms of bio-piracy loom large on the country in the wake of globalisation through the World Trade Organisation and there are varied efforts to control it, mainly by enacting new legislations. But, the forest officials facilitated biopiracy by violating laws and rules for the benefit of foreigners and their agencies. According to sources, a number of samples of fauna, including more than ten tarantula, reptiles and amphibians were collected by the foreign experts and probably carried away to their home country, literally violating all our forest laws and the provisions in the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).
Saturday, September 22, 2001
Condition of Nayanar stable
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The condition of former Chief Minister E K Nayanar who was admitted to the Medical College Hospital here yesterday, is stated to be stable. MCH cardiology chief Dr C G Bahuleyan said that Nayanar who was under observation at the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit (CICU), had complained of shortness of breath yesterday following which he was admitted to the hospital. He had been diagnosed of having left ventricular dysfunction. Nayanar underwent ECG, X-ray and routine investigations today. His blood sugar and blood pressure levels were under control.
Saturday, September 22, 2001
Woman kills three children
Kannur, September 22: A 28-year-old woman killed three of her children by throwing them into a deep well in her house and tried to commit suicide at Payyannur near here Friday morning. The incident came to light when the woman's eldest daughter, aged 10, found other members of the family missing in the house, police said. Later, the bodies of the children, aged eight, five and nine-month-old, were found floating in the well. The woman was rescued in an unconscious state from the well and admitted to a nearby hospital. The woman’s husband was working in the Gulf and the cause of the incident was yet to be ascertained, the police added.
Wednesday, September 19, 2001
Bodies of woman, child found buried
ALAPPUZHA: The bodies of a woman and her child were found buried in an isolated land near Karuvatta St James UP School near here. The bodies of the deceased were identified as Thamallakkal Mannamchira Kizhakkathil Saraswathi, 28, and her child, one-and-a-half year old Saji. The husband of Saraswathi, Harikrishnan, and father-in-law, Madhavan, were taken into custody by the police in connection with the incident. A complaint was registered at the Harippad police station by Harikrishnan stating that his wife and son were missing from September 8. Following the emission of foul smell from the isolated land, the people in the neighbouring areas made a search in the premises and found a part of the human skull. The matter was informed to the police and later the bodies were taken out in the presence of Chengannur RDO Ramdass. According to the brother of Saraswathi, Padmakaran, the parents of Harikrishnan had informed that Saraswathi and child were found missing on way to Chakkulathukavu. He alleged that the life of Saraswathi at her husband's house was not happy. Saraswathi had arrived at her house to participate in the marriage function of her sister and went back on September 5 to Harikrishnan's house. Harikrishnan had said that he was taking his wife and child to visit Chakkulathukavu, he said. The mother of Harikrishnan said that Saraswathi was at their house till September 7. The next day she had gone to Manarkadu church and came to the house and later found missing. Harippad police have registered a case in connection with the death of Saraswathi and her child. The investigation is in progress, informed police sources.
Wednesday, September 19, 2001
Bomb hoax in school
KOLLAM: Kundara MGD Boys HS authorities were forced to declare a holiday for the school today following a bomb threat which turned out to be a hoax. On the compound walls of the school posters appeared this morning stating that bombs would explode in the school and the nearby LPS building at 12.30 pm. However, nothing was found in the search by the police team with the help of the dog squad and other experts. It is learnt that today was the last date for returning the progress cards of the students signed by their guardians.
Wednesday, September 19, 2001
Thatched huts set up in front of Secretariat
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A mini tribal hamlet has come-up in front of the Secretariat with the members of Adivasi Action council setting up thatched huts using bamboos, as part of their second phase of ongoing agitation today. A large number of council activists assembled in front of the Secretariat late tonight to set up the huts. As per council plans, the entire pavement from Secretariat main entry gate to the exit gate will be occupied by the agitators for setting up the huts. The council activists have made arrangements to bring in truck loads of bamboosticks and other material for setting up makeshift hutments. Meanwhile, the city police have made elaborate security arrangements in the area to prevent any untoward incident. According to City Police Commissioner Rajan Singh, the police personnel have been asked to keep a tight vigil in the area. ‘‘We will not interfere if the Adivasi Council limits itself to ‘samara panthal’ area for setting up the huts. But none would be permitted to block the passage to the Secretariat,’’ he said.
Tuesday, September 18, 2001
23 hostel children in hospital
Kottayam: Twenty-three inmates of a government SC/ST residential school hostel at Pinnakkanadu, near Ponkunnam, were admitted to a private hospital at Kanjirapally Monday with symptoms of food poisoning. Hostel authorities said the students, including girls, had taken ill after their Sunday night meal. They could not be admitted to the nearby taluk hospital because the government doctors there had gone on a lightning strike in protest against the arrest of a lady doctor, working at the Changanacherry taluk hospital, on a bribery charge.
Tuesday, September 18, 2001
Church ransacked in Kannur
Kannur: Unidentified miscreants had ransacked a church at Kolayad, near here, and damaged several ecclesiastical materials and holy relics inside it, vicar general of the Thalassery archdiocese Fr Mathew Chalil said today. “The incident that took place on Saturday came to the notice of the authorities of the blessed Alphonsa church only yesterday”, Chalil told . The holy relic of Alphonsamma, a beatified nun after whom the church is christened, was found displaced. The holy ciborium in which the consecrated elements of the eucharist were kept was also damaged. The special outer robes of church vicar, kept inside the altar, were destroyed in the attack. Police were conducting a thorough probe to nab the culprits, he said. Protest meetings, special gatherings and processions were held at Kolayad, Kannur and several other places in the district yesterday, Chalil added.
Monday, September 17, 2001
Dispute with Corpn hinders revolving restaurant opening
KOCHI: The inauguration of the much-publicised revolving restaurant, Chicago Plaza, here, claimed to be the first of its kind in South India, has been held up owing to a dispute with the Cochin Corporation over alleged violation of building rules. The Rs 3 crore, 4,500 square feet restaurant with Italian technology was scheduled to be inaugurated today by Tourism Minister K V Thomas. ‘‘We thought it would be better not to go for a confrontation with the Corporation and hence the postponement,’’ C Najib, architect and promoter of Chicago Plaza, told this paper here yesterday. Mayor C M Dinesh Mani had earlier requested Tourism Minister not to attend the function and had also given a representation to Chief Minister A K Antony in this regard. Corporation officials, who went to carry out the order for dismantling of the motor used for restaurant atop the seventh floor, had to return as the promoters obtained a stay order from the local bodies secretary. The Corporation, which threatened to demolish the illegal structure, however, held discussions with its promoters today. Talks were aimed at bringing about an amicable settlement to the issue, but nothing could be worked out so far, sources said. Tourism Minister K V Thomas when contacted said he was for an early and amicable settlement of the issue. The main argument of the Corporation against the structure is that it had deviated from the original plan. Moreover, no prior permission was obtained for the motor installed. No Fire No Objection Certificate and clearance from the health standing committee that are mandatory for a restaurant were obtained. The Corporation had given permission to construct the building on an area of 3,335 square feet, but it has taken up nearly 4,618 square feet, it is pointed out. Opposition leader N Venugopal alleged in a press conference earlier today that Chicago Plaza exceeded the exemption allotted by the State Government by 10,200 square feet. ‘‘This is not an isolated incident. Nearly 1,042 illegal commercial buildings have sprung up in the city in the last five years. The administration has miserably failed to check this illegal activity,’’ he said Mayor C M Dinesh Mani maintains that strict action will be taken against all illegal constructions. ‘‘We have nothing against any particular building. But laws have been violated. There is also an urgent need of conceptual shift in thinking of the Town Planning Department from an arm that issues licences to buildings to a comprehensive urban development body,’’ he said. Promoters of the complex say that the objections raised by the corporation are technical. While admitting that a deviation was made from the original plan and additional floor space taken up, an application for legalising the same is pending before the corporation since July 2000. The revolving restaurant has obtained a Fire NOC, they claimed. The Corporation’s claim that they had no knowledge about the revolving restaurant does not hold water as four years have elapsed since the work on the complex started. The date for inauguration will be fixed at the earliest, the promoters said.
Monday, September 17, 2001
Tension over fumes from Merchem
KOCHI: The premises of Merchem company at Eloor witnessed scenes of tension around 9 p.m. today with a mob gathering at the gate complaining of physical discomfort from the noxious fumes emanating from the factory producing rubber chemicals. The agitators sat in front of the gate and refused to go. Police forces from Eloor and Kalamassery police stations reached the scene to prevent any untoward incident. The company officials also arrived at the site in an effort to persuade people to go away. The factory stopped production with the tension building up. Police sources said the agitation by the public against alleged pollution by the factory has been going on for some time.
Monday, September 17, 2001
Vinod still missing
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Vinod of Palakkad, an employee of Cantor.com in New York, is actually missing and earlier reports that he was admitted to a hospital in US were wrong, according to the NORKA control room here today. Besides Vinod, there is no trace yet of Vlasamma Raju of Ranni. Another person, Joseph Mathai of Thiruvananthapuram is also reportedly missing, besides one Ms Philip, whose nativity in Kerala is still not known. Of the 174 enquiries received by the control room till today, 130 persons were confirmed as safe. The control room in New Delhi which received enquiries about 60 persons confirmed 40 as safe. Both the control rooms are still trying to establish contact with others. In the case of Vinod, reports are that his brother-in-law has already left Ootty for New Delhi on the way to New York. Vinod’s wife Jayasree reportedly told Indian Consulate that he was still missing. Meanwhile, the control room is here expecting that the US Government might release the names of missing persons tomorrow. A more clear picture about missing Malayalees would be available then.
Monday, September 17, 2001
Adoor calls for change in attitude towards Adivasis
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Noted film maker and Chalachitra Academy Chairman Adoor Gopalakrishanan today called for a change in society’s attitude towards Adivasis. Inaugurating a film show to express solidarity with the Adivasis at Kalabhavan Theatre here, he said that Adivasis should not be looked down upon as inferior beings. They have a distinctive cultural tradition which ought to be respected, he added. Two documentaries on the Adivasis of Wayanad, Silent Screams directed by O K Johnny and When Gods Depart, directed by Pradeep Kumar, were screened on the occasion. Film Directors K P Kumaran and Ravindran, writer Zacharia and Human Rights activist B R P Bhaskar were among those who attended the film screening session. Those assembled for the film show also passed a resolution urging the Government to find an amicable solution to the land issue of Adivasis. The resolution said that just one sixth of the surplus land in Government’s possession was required for distributing five acres of land to each landless Adivasi family.
Sunday, September 16, 2001
Mohanlal enters miniscreen production
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Close on the heels of superstar Mammootty, another superstar, Mohanlal too has jumped on the bandwagon of TV programme producers. Mohanlal, producer of several big-screen mega hits, has launched his own visual media company called Visual Magic Private Ltd, to make his presence felt in the miniscreen production. Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Lal clarified that there was a dearth of programme for children and ‘‘my company will strive to cater to the needs of children providing them infotainment with major thrust on culture and tradition.’’ Mohanlal said that late Kottarathil Shankunni’s famous Iythihyamaala would be the first project of his company. He said that his company would jointly produce a feature film with Asianet channel. He would do the lead role in the proposed film, written by Kalavoor Ravi Kumar and to be directed by T K Rajeev Kumar. He said that his company would soon enter into Internet by launching websites with video streaming facilities. The company was holding discussions with numtv.com, which had a very strong presence in the US and European markets. His company would also produce DVD versions of classic plays like Karnabharam, directed by Kavalam Narayana Panikkar in which he played the title role, he added.
Sunday, September 16, 2001
Sabarimala temple opens
PATHANAMTHITTA: The hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala will open for pooja for the Malayalam month of Kanni tomorrow evening. The sanctum sanctorum will remain open till September 21. The Kalabhabhishekam and Laksharchana will be held on Spetember 15. Padipooja and Udayasthamana pooja will be performed on all days except tomorrow.
Sunday, September 16, 2001
Hoax call creates panic among railway passengers
KANHANGAD: An anonymous call informing the Railway authorities that two passengers travelling by the Kannur-Mangalore passenger train were carrying highly-explosive materials created panic among the passengers this morning. The message turned out to be a hoax designed by an unidentified man to land the authorities and the passengers in trouble. The No.623 Kannur-Mangalore passenger train had left the Kannur station this morning when the Railway control room received a message stating that two persons who boarded the train from Kannur were carrying explosives and that they were on their way to leave the country. The Railway authorities immediately alerted the police, and the passengers were asked to alight from the train when it reached Kanhangad at around 8.45 a.m. All the compartments of the train were thoroughly examined by a police party, but there were no signs of anyone travelling with explosives. The train had to be detained for about two-and-a-half hours forcing the passengers to wait at the Railway platform while the train was being checked by the police. The train was allowed to leave the station at 11.15 a.m. In an obvious bid to cause mischief, the anonymous caller had given certain clues to identify the passengers who boarded the train from Kannur with explosives. This too was found to be a ploy to cause embarrassment to a particular family travelling by the train. The hoax played by the unidentified caller prevented many from attending their offices on time.
Sunday, September 16, 2001
Revolving 'Chicago' gets going in Kochi
A REVOLVING `Chicago' restaurant has come into existence here to adorn the cap of Queen of Arabian Sea. With the inauguration of this venture, a modern concept in the hospitality industry constructed by a city-based architect, Kochi has become the first city to have such a restaurant in Kerala. Built in a 4,500-sq. ft. area and at a height of 100 metres, the restaurant has been constructed with Italian knowhow at a total cost of Rs 3 crore. This is for the first time such a new concept is being introduced in the State. With this, Kochi emerges as an important destination for foreign tourists, Mr C. Najeeb, chief architect and promoter of the hotel, told presspersons. Christened as Chicago, the restaurant revolves under Gear Down system and completes its rotation in an hour by providing a panoramic view of the Kochi city including the backwaters and the greenery. All the chairs and tables are being imported from Malaysia to give the customers a feeling of international standards. The hotel with a seating capacity of 110 would provide all kinds of food including Chinese, Tandoori, Kerala and North Indian dishes at moderate rates. Most of the kitchen equipments were imported and would be prepared in a separate room below the restaurant. Negotiations were already on with various clubs in India and abroad for tie-ups, he added.
Sunday, September 16, 2001
Kerala House gets 53 enquiries: All but 3 persons are safe
NEW DELHI: Information has reached the control room set up at Kerala House here that all persons about whom enquiries have come, except three, are safe in the US. Altogether, 53 enquiries have been received at the control room here till now. The whereabouts of Parakkat Vinodkumar, Valsa Raju and John working in the World Trade Centre have not been known. Stephen of Indian American Kerala Cultural and Civic Centre, New York, has been in touch with the Control room here, giving all available details. Cartoonist Kutty who has been staying with his daughter in the US is safe. Joseph Antony hailing from Cheranalloor, Ernakulam, has told the control room that the 50-storeyed number one plaza near the World Trade Centre has been rendered unsafe. The remains of the razed buildings have been remaining in a 30-40-feet-high heap. Relief and salvage operations would come to clear results only by Monday. Paul C Thottakkad, having medical practice in New York, also confirmed the situation. Dr Amanulla working in New York (hailing from Adoor near Kasargod), Francis of Thrissur, his wife Elsy from Thodupuzha, Joykutty and Usha Joykutty working in Long Island (of Adoor), C H P Ibrahim of Kasargod, Sangeeta Nair who had earlier worked in BHEL, Delhi, and James Kurian are safe. Dr P G S Prabha of Dallas, Jessy Pappachen of Staten Island, Tijo Mathew of Dallas, John V Vadakkoth family of New York, Soman K Varghese of Illinois, Philip K Samkutty of Washington, Samuel M Scariah of Texas, Anna John and Laji Varghese of New York are also safe. Kerala House Resident Commissioner C Chandran has been expecting more information from the Indian Embassy
Saturday, September 15, 2001
WTC attack: 83 Malayalis safe
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The fate of at least six missing Malayalis in New York continues to be unknown even as the Control Room here on Friday confirmed 83 of 143 persons about whom it received enquiries from relatives as safe. The information has been passed on to the relatives. Indian embassy in the US has confirmed five persons as safe. They are P M Paulose, Blauvelt, Mathew John, Station Island, New York, M K Nair, New York, Jacob John, New York, Y Abraham, New Earlton. The Embassy has also released a list of 51 Indians who were admitted to various hospitals in New York. This included the Malayali name Rajeev Nair, who, it said, was admitted to St Vincent’s Hospital, New York. Meanwhile, Indian software firms, Wipro Technologies, Marsh & Mcleahman and E-Speed have released at their web sites the names of their Indian employees who are safe in New York. Wipro list has 46 names, Marsh & Mcleahman nine names and E-Speed eight names. The NORKA Control Room at the State capital which received 37 more enquiries on Friday is trying to locate more persons at the telephone numbers given by the relatives. When contacted, a spokesman at the Control Room said in several cases, answering machines of telephones had recorded messages and at least in a few cases, the persons had contacted their relatives back in Kerala. Meanwhile, there is no trace yet of Valsamma Raju, 36, a native of Ranni, Mandamaruthi, Puliyiladathu, who was at the 92nd floor in the World Trade Centre when the plane crashed into it. There is also no information about five other unidentified Malayalis who were believed to be working at a financial institution at the WTC when the attack took place.
Saturday, September 15, 2001
Red alert at airports
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Union Government has sounded a red alert in all airports in the country in the wake of the extremist attack in Washington and New York. According to highly-placed sources, Civil Aviation Minister Shahanawaz Hussain has asked authorities at all airports to further tighten the security measures. They said that the passengers were now being subjected to security check on the ramp by the security personnel of the respective airline in addition to the routine security check by the police at the security lounge. They said that passengers would not be allowed to carry even a nail-cutter with them. Similarly, they said, cell phone or any other electronic gadgets would not be permitted on board. Nobody, except the ticket-bearing passengers, would be allowed to enter the lounge. Even the airport employees who do not bear identity cards would not be permitted to enter the lounge. ound-the-clock patrolling by the police or airport security staff had been implemented at all airports. More staff had been deployed for the airport security. Movement of vehicles and people, especially foreigners, in and around the airports would be closely monitored, they said.
Saturday, September 15, 2001
Fazal sworn in Kerala Governor
Thiruvananthapuram, September 15: Mohammed Fazal was today sworn-in as Governor of Kerala (additional charge) at a simple function at the Raj Bhavan here. The Chief Justice of the Kerala Hight Court, B M Srikrishana, administered the oath of office. Fazal, currently Governor of Goa, will hold additional charge of Kerala, till the state Governor, Sukdev Singh Kang, returns from leave by the end of this month. Chief Minister A K Antony and his cabinet colleagues were present on the occasion.
Friday, September 14, 2001
Row over Vellappalli's remarks on Guru's preachings
KOLLAM: The speech of SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappalli Natesan allegedly questioning the contemporary relevance of Sree Narayana Guru's preachings has stirred up a controversy. While speaking at a function held by the SNDP branch the other day at Sasthamcotta, Vellappalli said that Guru had preached against the caste system long ago and added that it would be impossible to create a casteless society in India. It was long time ago that the Guru said: ``Don't ask, speak and think about the caste'', Vellappalli remarked. ``None can create a castless society in India. Don't waste time by thinking over impractical ideologies," he added at the meeting. Former Yogam general secretary K Gopinathan, in a statement here on Thursday, said that Vellappalli, in his capacity as the Yogam general secretary, had done sacrilege to the Guru. He felt that Vellappalli had placed himself in the place of the Guru through his remarks. Gopinadhan appealed to all those who respected the Guru to react strongly to the Yogam general secretary's remarks. It would be a pity to give licence to Vellappalli to utter anything to challenge the Guru's preachings. The Guru had insisted on the eradication of the caste system to wipe out the bad customs associated with it, he added. However, Vellappalli, when contacted, stuck to his point. He told this paper that castes and sub-castes were the realities of the time and it would last till the end of this world. He said that none could ignore realities and added that Ezhavas and Dalits were still being subjected to social oppression. According to him, Ezhavas who are inclined towards forward communities are making a hue and cry over Yogam's stand on various issues. He also claimed the support of his community for the stand taken by him.
Friday, September 14, 2001
Missing software engineer found to be safe
PALAKKAD: Vinod Kumar, 34, a software engineer employed with a dotcom firm at the World Trade Centre, New York, who was reported missing, has been found to be safe. Jayasree, Vinod’s wife, is said to have telephoned her father Radhakrishnan, who resides in Chembukavu near Thrissur, from the US on Thursday, and said that her husband is safe, though he has not been able to rejoin his family. Jayasree reportedly told her father that efforts are on to locate Vinod. However, till 8.30 pm, Radhakrishnan has not received any further information from the US, whether Vinod has been located or not. Though Vinod Kumar’s father, the late Unni Menon, belonged to Palakkad, his family had been settled in Ooty for the past five decades. Jayasree, who is pregnant, has shifted to the house of one of their family friends nearby, after the tragic events in the US. Vinod has been in the US for the last four years and he took along his wife after their marriage last year. The residential address of Vinod is Winding Wood Apartments, 19/2B, Siere Villa, New Jersey.
Friday, September 14, 2001
US Terror strikes cast omnious shadow on IT industries
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Anxiety and apprehension versus cautious optimism. This is the mood among the leaders of the info-tech industry in the State, more than 48 hours after the horrendous terror strikes on the world trade centre and the pentagon in the US. Leading players of the info-tech industries here put up a brave front and claim that the terrorist attacks have not had a direct bearing on their day today functioning. But, the air is thick with anxiety. It is no secret that a large chunk of the software business here is generated by the US based financial and insurance companies which were out-sourcing their requirements from India. These companies in turn were generating business basing on the needs of other players in the US economy. Now, the terror strikes have turned the clock back on revival of the US economy, IT sources apprehend, by a more than a year and a half. This has a direct impact on those in the IT sector here, they confess and add that in the scenario prior to the terrorist strike, the economy was expected to bounce back over the next Seven to Eight months. Naturally therefore, the developments in the US are being watched keenly here with sources not ruling out the possibility of the recent events putting many IT professionals on the streets with delays in business deals forcing companies to downscale operations. Nearly all the IT establishments have US interests though the major players have not put all their eggs in a single basket and have branched off to the Europe and the far east too in search of new avenues of business. ``No doubt, there is a general apprehension in the air. The road map for the future is now muddled. What is the US stand going to be in the days to come ? They have described the terrorist attacks as war. If the country decides even on a proxy war, it could be a protracted one. This is bad for the software industry. All the players in the industry are concerned. ``A clear picture will emerge over the course of the next few days. Teams from Technopark which are currently in US are expected back later this week. We will get a better picture then. So far, there is no information about day today business being affected owing to these attacks. We have to wait and see. Clearly, these are anxious times for the industry'', Rajeev Vasudevan, Chief Executive Officer of Technopark and Director, IT Mission, told this website's newspaper Ajit Nambissan, President of Group of Technopark Industries (GTECH) and Managing Director of Case Consult (India) Pvt Ltd agrees:``These attacks could not have a come at a worst time. As it is the software business was suffering owing to the slowdown in the US economy. The terrorist strikes have deepened the recession and the business has reduced further. The strikes could lead to less spending on IT with the US Government shifting its priorities to other areas for its war efforts. However, I do not think companies from sub-continent in general will be ostracized by the US in the wake of the distrust created by the terrorist attack.'' But, Chairman and Managing Director of IBS V K Mathews has little doubts that the US would have strict control over the movement of people from this part of the world following the attack and this would limit the opportunites for IT professionals. More immediately, Mathews says that with the US companies planning by the fortnight, the business of the next two and a half months is a washout with everything suspended and decisions on projects being put off. This has a direct negative impact on IT companies particularly in Kerala and generally in India. But, with aviation solutions being an area of IBS expertise, Mathews is keeping his fingers crossed and hoping that there would be an increased spending on process orientation in aviation in the wake of the hijacks. Sunil Gupta of IVL India do not see any such glimmer of hoe. ``Real tough times ahead'', he does not mince any words. ``Many business houses have suspended business in the US and the slowdown has been accelerated. Companies here will be affected as there will be a reduction in business. I would also expect to see some IT professionals on the streets with companies downsizing to suit the new requirements''.
Thursday, September 13, 2001
Exporters affected by US attack
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 13 Tuesday's terrorist attacks in the U.S. may adversely affect Kerala's exports of cashew, seafood and spices, businessmen here have warned. This could further affect Kerala's sagging economy. The terrorist attacks in New York and Washington have sparked worldwide fears of a global economic recession. Kerala is a major player in the world cashew trade. It has a 16 percent share in total cashew production, and a 48 percent share of total cashew exports. Fifty percent of Kerala's cashew exports head for the U.S., and prices there were recently at their lowest in 20 years. Cashew trader J. Raj Mohan Pillai told here that the present situation in the U.S. could further depress cashew prices. Reports indicate that cashew prices have fallen slightly in the U.S. Thursday. "During recession periods cashew consumption in the U.S. increases as people cut down on other luxuries and eat more of cashew," he said. "But we have not experienced anything like this before and are keeping our fingers crossed." How Kerala's other substantial foreign exchange earner -- the seafood industry - will be affected is not yet clear. Sandu Joseph, secretary of the Seafood Exporters Association of India, told that "at the moment I don't think there is going to be any impact, but if the situation continues to be tense, then things could turn out differently." Last year Kerala had an 18 percent share in India's Rs. 13.86 billion worth of seafood exports to the U.S, which amounted to Rs. 2.49 billion. Leading seafood exporter Anwar Hashim however said "I do not think our industry is going to be affected, but we are still keenly watching developments." Kerala is the leading producer of pepper in India. Prices of pepper in the international market have fallen following the attacks, and Jojee Maliyil, a pepper exporter, said that he feared the next crop of pepper in Kerala might be badly hit if prices continued to fall.
Thursday, September 13, 2001
Terrorists vow to hit Indian nuclear installations
NEW DELHI: Terrorist groups based in Pakistan have threatened to target nuclear and military installations all over India in their bid to escalate their separatist campaign, reports reaching here from across the border say. Some half-a-dozen groups have dramatically stepped up their jingoistic campaign since the failure of the India-Pakistan summit at Agra in July. In the past fortnight, the threats have taken an ominous turn. While some of the threats to hit "sensitive installations" in India have been made publicly in Pakistan, some warnings have been reported by Pakistan's Online news agency monitored here. Sheikh Jamilur Rehman, leader of Tehrukul Mujahideen that is active in Jammu and Kashmir, has vowed to attack Indian political leaders as well as the country's nuclear and military installations. He said the attacks would be carried out if India "does not cease atrocities on Kashmiris immediately." He said his group would attack these installations to avenge Indian military operations in the Himalayan state. "We have a very effective network throughout India and nothing is out of our reach," he told Online. Lashker-e-Taiba chief Hafiz Saeed said jehad would not be limited to Jammu and Kashmir. "There is no limit to it. If someone is going to stop us from carrying our mission, we will declare jehad against him as well. "We plan major operations against the Indian military installations in Kashmir and would continue to carry such actions until liberation." At a seminar organised by Al Bader Mujahideen, separatist groups pledged to launch large-scale attacks against "sensitive" Indian military installations and target important personalities. Al Bader Mujahideen deputy head Amir Hamza has also been quoted as saying that jehadi activities will continue till Kashmir was liberated. The United Jehad Council, a Pakistan-based grouping of Kashmir separatist groups, has threatened to target "sensitive installations" in India if New Delhi did not halt its "repression" in Kashmir. Its vice-chairman Muhammad Usman said his group might open "another war front like Kargil." He was referring to the large-scale intrusion into Kargil sector of Jammu and Kashmir in 1999 by Pakistan-backed Islamic guerrillas that led to a virtual war between New Delhi and Islamabad. He said the Kashmiri separatist campaign, which has claimed more than 25,000 lives since 1989, "has entered a decisive phase. We are weighing the option of an open war with India by capturing a part of Kashmir." Hizbul Mujahideen deputy supreme commander Maulana Muhammad Javed Qasoori has similarly threatened to extend military attacks throughout India. Al Badar Mujahideen chief Bakht Zameen has urged Islamabad to concentrate on strengthening the separatist campaign instead of "wasting time seeking a negotiated settlement". Hizbul Mujahideen supreme commander Syed Salahuddin said the armed struggle in Kashmir was gaining momentum. He warned that if big powers did not realize their responsibilities, South Asia could plunge into a nuclear war. Indian officials have blamed terrorist groups linked to Pakistan and some of which are active in Kashmir for a string of deadly bombings and suicide missions in the country.
Thursday, September 13, 2001
Anxious moments for families in state with US links
KOCHI: When TV screens flashed pictures of America burning down, Malyalis watched them dumb-struck, not sure of what must have happened to their relatives in that far-away land. As communication links were mostly cut off after the attack, many families in Kerala could not get through to their friends and relatives staying in the US. And many spent the day with their eyes glued to the computer monitor, trying desperately to make contact and to know the latest on the terrorist attack. The Internet cafes were also busy as people spent hours getting connected to the net. Some succeeded in getting their relatives' number while many had to wait for hours to get connection as lines were busy and jammed. While TV channels poured out the graphic details of the attack yesterday, a couple sat with bated breath near the phone at their home at Sreekariyam in Thiruvananthapuram, expecting a call from their son, Prashanth, a software engineer in California. ``When our son rang me up at 2 am today informing that he was safe and nothing to worry, we felt that we have got a second life,'' said his father Revinder, a retired engineer. His mother Radha said that her son told her that though all people there were in panic, nothing untoward has happened and California was far off from Washington and New York. The family of K P Hassan Haji, former secretary of the JDT Islam Orphanage in Kozhikode who had left for the US last week to attend a conference there, was relieved only when he called to inform that he was safe. He called twice, said his son Hilal. Haji who is staying with a Malayali family said they were not able to venture outside. And U A Nazeer, son of the late INL leader U A Beeran, who had his office at the ill-fated tower, was more than fortunate. Nazeer who was working as PRO at the XE Technology Centre informed his relatives in Kozhikode that he was going to his office but was late by five minutes. Otherwise he would have been in the building at the time of the attack. Nazeer said he was stranded in a tunnel following the blast but was saved by a motorist who gave him a lift in his car. But Hema was totally tense. Her only brother, Joseph, is working in a leading software company in Washington. ``Finally, praying to God, I decided to send an e-mail to him. When I opened my web page, I saw his letter. He is safe.'' Anita, a software engineer with a firm in Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram, was to leave for the US on Wednesday to do the project her company had taken up. ``It as my maiden foreign trip. Now God alone knows when I can go. I have been preparing for the last three months for the journey,'' she said. Daniel, working in a private firm in Thiruvananthapuram, said that two of his brothers working in Pennsylvania were safe. ``They heard a loud sound outside their residence and immediately the roads were blocked. They switched on the television set and saw live the attack on the World Trade Centre.'' In Kakkanad, Sissy got calls from her sisters staying in Long Island, who saw the streets of the city being covered in dust after the attack. Her cousin Ronny, who has his office in the WTC, had reached the first floor when the attack took place, and he rushed out on the advice of police. Kuttiyamma, who hails from Kothamangalam, managed to call her relatives only on Wednesday. More than four lakh Keralites are working in different parts of America, majority of them in New York, Texas and Pennsylvania. Most of the expatriate are from Central Travancore, which is now gripped with sorrow and suspense. Thiruvalla district has the distinction of sending the highest number of people to the US, especially to New York city. Kumbanad in Thiruvalla taluk itself accounted for 100 families living in America. The headquarters of Indian Pentecostal Church is in Kumbanad, resulting in the massive exodus to US. The relatives left behind in palatial buildings are frantically trying to establish contact with their dear and near ones. Malankara Mar Thoma Syrian Church secretary Rev P J Philip has said 750 members of the church in New York are reportedly safe. The family members of Thomas Varghese who is in Yorkers managed to reach him today after trying the phone repeatedly yesterday as the area code 914 was inaccessible. Some Keralites who were to return to America after holidays this week are in a dilemma as air services are closed. Many have postponed their journey, hoping of a return soon.
Thursday, September 13, 2001
High security alert in state
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The police have sounded a ``high alert'' in the State particularly at the international airports in Thiruvananthapuram, Nedumbassery and Kozhikode and other vital installations in view of the terrorist attacks in the United States. Chief Minister A K Antony held meetings with police top brass here today and directed DGP R Padmanabhan to make elaborate security arrangements in the wake of the attacks. With the State being a transit point and also having a coastline of several hundred kilometers, the Government is according top priority to the security aspect. The State Government has set up a monitoring cell under KSIDC Managing Director Jiji Thompson, who is also the in-charge of NORKA, to collect and pass on information on Keralities residing in the United States. A special cell had also been set up at the Resident Commissioner's office in New Delhi to co-ordinate with the Centre. Antony has also urged the Centre to make immediate arrangements for making available information on thousands of Keralites in the United States. The Chief Minister would personally speak to the Prime Minister, Union Home Minister and External Affairs Minister in this regard as the State Government was being flooded with calls of anxious relatives to know about the well being of their kith and kin in the United States. In order to ensure effective coordination between the Central and State agencies, the Chief Minister also asked the DGP to remain in touch with officials in the Union Ministry of Internal Security. At the State police level, ADGP (intelligence) Hormese Tharakan has been entrusted with the security arrangements. He has also been asked to coordinate with local police, intelligence, special branch, airport security and defence agencies. Meanwhile, senior police officers held informal meetings with officials of various wings today. Besides deployment of additional security personnel, it was also decided to tighten the general vigil by intensifying patrolling in and around airports. The police have also decided to erect special security pickets at important places and intensify checking of vehicles in major cities and towns. Several other decisions on enhancing security measures were also taken at the meeting. Police officials feel that since the dimension and magnitude of the attacks presented a more dangerous scenario, there cannot be any room for complacency. City Police Commissioner Rajan Singh told this website's newspaper that security measures have been further tightened at high-risk targets like airports and other vital installations. ``There is no specific threat at the moment. But we are not leaving anything to chance in view of the general threat perception,'' he said. Airport security officials here said that if required an additional cordon would be thrown around the terminal buildings at the three international airports in the State. Specific directions have been given to intensify the checking of vehicles bound for the airports. Instructions have also been issued to the officials to strictly adhere to the parking norms in the airports. Meanwhile, the authorities of different airlines are likely to issue specific instructions to their pilots to be extra vigilant while flying aircraft. Security has been tightened at Kochi Naval base, the headquarters of the Southern Naval Command and the Nedumbassery International Airport as a precautionary measure following the terrorist attack in the United States. Naval sources said that security had been enhanced at the Naval base besides a general alert has been sounded along the coast. Security has also been strengthened at the armament depot near Aluva.
Wednesday, September 12, 2001
A wounded America readies for strike
WASHINGTON: US President George W. Bush on Wednesday condemned terrorist attacks in New York and said they were "acts of war". Bush said he would ask Congress for money for recovery and to protect country's security. "This will be a monumental struggle of good versus evil. But good will prevail," the president said. He said the United States was prepared to spend "whatever it takes." Bush spoke as Congress returned to the Capitol and federal agencies reopened their doors for the first time since Tuesday's parallel attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon across the Potomac River from the capital. Administration officials have said evidence in Tuesday's fearsome attacks pointed to suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden. Earlier, Secretary of State Colin Powell vowed the terrorist assault will be answered. "We will go after them, we will not let up", said Powell. President George W. Bush was in his White House office early, preparing to meet congressional leaders and helping to set up a Red Cross blood drive at the White House. Military and civilian employees of the Pentagon filed into work even as smoke from the stricken section of the building wafted over the nearby Virginia hillsides and highways. A dozen FBI agents searched the grass as military convoys passed by. "It's a war not just against the United States, it's a war against civilization," Powell said. Powell, making the rounds of morning television talk shows, said the administration was "far from selecting any particular military targets" for retaliation against the attacks that brought down the towers of the World Trade Center in New York and four hijacked U.S. jetliners, and breached the Pentagon. "I would not remove any of the options available to the president," he said. But "we have to build the case first." Powell said Americans have made the judgment: "We are at war and they want a comprehensive response. They want us to act as if we are at war and we're going to do that - diplomatically and militarily." The State Department, which closed after the attacks, opened again. Powell said one-quarter of US Embassies were still closed as a precaution. US air space, closed to commercial traffic for the first time, was expected to reopen midday, said Les Dorr, speaking for the Federal Aviation Administration. Dorr said it would take time for airlines to get back to normal schedules, with so many planes diverted to wrong locations. At the White House, Bush and his wife, Laura, were asking Americans to donate blood Wednesday, spokesman Gordon Johndroe said. Bush was also meeting his national security team. Pentagon workers were able to enter sections of their building but nearly half the structure had no power and some employees were asked not to show up. Among those at their desks were Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld and Army Gen. Henry H. Shelton, chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Bush, addressing the nation Tuesday night, condemned the "acts of mass murder." The death toll in New York was unknown but thought to be surely in the thousands; the regional fire department estimated 100 to 800 people died in the Pentagon attack. "Our military is powerful, and it's prepared," a somber Bush said in his White House address. Administration officials said early evidence pointed toward suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden, harbored in Afghanistan. They said the FBI was preparing to search locations in Florida. The locations had links to a suspected bin Laden supporter whose name was on the manifest of one of the hijacked jetliners. A U.S. senator said American intelligence intercepted communications between bin Laden supporters discussing the attacks. The suspected fugitive terrorist has been sheltered in Afghanistan, but that nation's hardline Taliban rulers rejected suggestions he was to blame. Bush said in his televised address, "We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them." Streets around the White House were reopened overnight, but the capital city remained under close watch as Wednesday dawned with more police on patrol than usual. Powell said he knew of no indications that terrorists would immediately follow up on their assault. There was "nothing to suggest that there is something waiting to happen today." And he said it was realistic to expect that Americans could track down the terrorists. "Sometimes it takes a few weeks, sometimes it takes years. But we won't give up. We will find them and they will be dealt with." Lawmakers also arranged to convene to condemn the terrorism - a day after the Capitol was evacuated and congressional leaders were hastily ferried to an underground bunker 75 miles (120 kilometers) away. "The Pentagon is functioning," a defiant Rumsfeld said Tuesday night, despite the crash that sent a bright orange fireball skyward, caused the collapse of a section of one of the massive building's five sides. Officials declined repeatedly Tuesday night to estimate the number of injured or dead in the attacks. Amid the devastation, Bush offered reassuring words. "These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed," he said. Our country is strong. A great people has been moved to defend a great nation." ( AP )
Wednesday, September 12, 2001
Aiwa group launches portal
KOCHI: Catering to the needs of Malayalees and to bridge the gap between them and their near and dear ones abroad, Aiwa technologies has launched a portal, Netkeralam.com. The services provided include e-mail, online shopping, courier service, photo and document delivery and video conferencing at nominal service charges. Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Mathew Thomas, human resources manager of Aiwa Technologies, said that even those who do not have a computer and internet facility will be able to correspond with their friends and relatives, as the channel partners are authorised to provide e-mail address. The Netkeralam centres, which will be started in every nook and corner of the State, will also provide the customers the facility to purchase products through www.keralaonlineshopping.com, which will be launched shortly. The portal also has the facility to receive photographs and documents, which will then be delivered to the addressee. Though Aiwa has been in the software development field for long this is their maiden attempt at creating a web portal.
Wednesday, September 12, 2001
Milma launches two more products
KOCHI: Faced with tough competition on home turf, Ernakulam Regional Union of Milma on Monday launched a fat-rich milk СMilma-JerseyТ and protein-rich paneer -СMilma-PaneerТ. Milma-Jersey, priced at Rs 13.50 a litre, is the third milk variety from Milma. The existing varieties are Milma Tonned (Rs 13) and Milma Gold (Rs 12). Speakers at the launch function said Milma was facing unhealthy competition in the market, sending the company into losses for the last few years. P S Sebastian, chairman of the union, said Milma, which procures around 1.85 lakh litres of milk per day from 750 milk co-operatives, offers an average Rs 10.50 per litre to societies. But the inflow of milk from Tamil Nadu allows many private dairies to offer higher margin to the retailers since they procure milk at Rs 8.50 a litre. ССThe functioning of the private dairies does not benefit the producers of this State,ТТ he said. On the launch of СpaneerТ, which is very popular in North India, he said the trend of consuming paneer is fast catching up in Kerala. ССFor vegetarians, this is a very rich source of protein,ТТ he said. Sebastian said the diversification of milk products will increase the consumption and it is expected to alleviate the problem of surplus milk in the coming years. Justice M Ramachandran launched the new products and later distributed the prizes of Milma Samrudhi Scheme. First prize of five sovereign gold was won by Muneer A and Joy Joseph. The second prize (a 165-litre refrigerator) was given to Fazil while the third prize (a 4.5 kg washing machine) went to Francis.
Wednesday, September 12, 2001
`I' group toughens stand on Alappuzha DCC
ALAPPUZHA: The Congress `I' group leaders who have held discussions with senior Congress leader K Karunakaran on Tuesday claimed that Karunakaran has assured them not to give the Alappuzha District Congress Committee to any other other group. Congress `I' leaders Sajeev Janardhanan, T T Kuruvila, V K Baiju, K K Prakashan and Abraham Mathew said that Karunakaran informed them that Alappuzha DCC was always with the `I' group. Any move of the `A' group to capture the Alappuzha and Ernakulam DCC from the `I' group would result in forming a parallel DCC in both these districts, they said. The `I' group leaders said that they have met A K Antony in this regard and he was not positive in this matter. They reminded that A K Antony, who was elected with the support of the Congress workers, have to face many repercussions in the future.
Wednesday, September 12, 2001
Minister denies offering bribe to Lok Ayukt petitioner
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Education Minister Nalakath Soopy on Tuesday refuted reports in a section of the press that he had offered 'a big sum' as bribe to a petitioner to the Lok Ayukt for withdrawing a complaint lodged with it. In a statement here, Soopy said "the charge is totally baseless and absurd. This is part of a deliberate plan to malign me." The minister said he had neither met the petitioner, one Jomon Puthanpurackal, nor did he contact him through other means, as alleged by the reports. A petitioner could withdraw the complaint lodged by him with the Lok Ayukt. But the Lok Ayukt could proceed on the matter on its own. Besides, any other person could re-lodge the same complaint. No one, who was aware of this legal position, would make a vain attempt to influence a petitioner to get the complaint withdrawn, Soopy said.
Tuesday, September 11, 2001
World Trade Center Collapses
NEW YORK (AP) - In a horrific sequence of destruction, terrorists crashed two planes into the World Trade Center and the twin 110-story towers collapsed Tuesday morning. Explosions also rocked the Pentagon (news - web sites) and the State Department and spread fear across the nation. The fate of those in the twin skyscrapers was not immediately known. Authorities had been trying to evacuate the 50,000 people who work in the twin towers, but many were thought to be trapped. President Bush (news - web sites) ordered a full-scale investigation to ``hunt down the folks who committed this act.'' One of the planes that crashed into the Trade Center was American Airlines Flight 11, hijacked after takeoff from Boston en route to Los Angeles, American Airlines said. The planes blasted fiery, gaping holes in the upper floors of the twin towers. A witness said he saw bodies falling from the twin towers and people jumping out. About an hour later, the southern tower collapsed with a roar a huge cloud of smoke; the other tower fell about a half-hour after that. ``This is perhaps the most audacious terrorist attack that's ever taken place in the world,'' said Chris Yates, an aviation expert at Jane's Transport in London. ``It takes a logistics operation from the terror group involved that is second to none. Only a very small handful of terror groups is on that list. ... I would name at the top of the list Osama Bin Laden.'' All planes were grounded across the country by the Federal Aviation Administration (news - web sites). All bridges and tunnels into Manhattan were closed down. The twin disaster at the World Trade Center happened shortly before 9 a.m. and then right around 9 a.m. Heavy black smoke billowed into the sky above the gaping holes in the side of the twin towers, one of New York City's most famous landmarks, and debris rained down upon the street, one of the city's busiest work areas. When the second plane hit, a fireball of flame and smoke erupted, leaving a huge hole in the glass and steel tower. John Axisa, who was getting off a PATH train to the World Trade Center, said he saw ``bodies falling out'' of the building. He said he ran outside, and watched people jump out of the first building, and then there was a second explosion, and he felt heat on the back of neck. WCBS-TV, citing an FBI (news - web sites) agent, said five or six people jumped out of the windows. People screamed every time another person leaped. David Reck was handing out literature for a candidate for public advocate a few blocks away when he saw a jet come in ``very low, and then it made a slight twist and dove into the building.'' People ran down the stairs in panic and fled the building. Thousands of pieces of what appeared to be office paper came drifting over Brooklyn, about three miles away. Within the hour, an aircraft crashed on a helicopter landing pad near the Pentagon, a car bomb exploded outside the State Department, and the West Wing of the White House was evacuated amid threats of terrorism. And another explosion rocked New York about an hour after the crash. ``Today we've had a national tragedy,'' Bush said in Sarasota, Fla. ``Two airplanes have crashed into the World Trade Center in an apparent terrorist attack on our country.'' He said he would be returning immediately to Washington. Terrorist bombers struck the World Trade Center in February 1993, killing six people and injuring more than 1,000 others. ``A second occurrence is just beyond belief,'' said Ira Furber, former National Transportation Safety Board (news - web sites) spokesman. Several subway lines were immediately shut down Tuesday. Trading on Wall Street was suspended. ``We heard a large boom and then we saw all this debris just falling,'' said Harriet Grimm, who was inside a bookstore on the World Trade Center's first floor when the first explosion rocked the building. ``The plane was coming in low and ... it looked like it hit at a slight angle,'' said Sean Murtagh, a CNN vice president, the network reported. In 1945, an Army Air Corps B-25, a twin-engine bomber, crashed into the 79th floor of the Empire State Building in dense fog. In Florida, Bush was reading to children in a classroom at 9:05 a.m. when his chief of staff, Andrew Card, whispered into his ear. The president briefly turned somber before he resumed reading. He addressed the tragedy about a half-hour later.
Tuesday, September 11, 2001
'Sahayatrika', a support group for lesbians formed
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: AIDS prevention campaign brought together sex workers and gays who formed their own organisations to fight for their rights. But, Lesbians have been deprived of any such forum to raise their grievances thus leading to increasing oppression by the family and society. Considering the dire need for providing support to this section of society, a group of people recently constituted `Sahayatrika', a support group, in city. It's objective is to provide a forum for sexual minorities to come together and put an end to familial and social isolation. Sahayatrika also aims at rendering emotional care and support to the distressed women through counselling. Says Devaki, one of its founding members, ``It is the first of its kind in Kerala and is sure to bear fruit. We have already received letters from women extending their support. The group has met thrice till now and is working on strategies to sensitize doctors, psychologists, social workers, mediapersons and the general public. According to forum members, the overriding philosophy of heterosexism had driven the society into homophobia. The acceptance of heterosexuality as the `norm' of the society should not undermine homosexuality. Denying the existence of homosexuals will not amount to any solution, they say. Fearing familial and social ostracism, the homosexuals, bisexuals and transgender, suppress their sexual identity. To top it all, they are eventually dragged into unhappy heterosexual marriages which is the height of oppression they face from the society. The discrimination against sexual minorities lies even in the legal system where all practices of unnatural sex are punishable offences. When the law itself runs against them, where would they go for natural justice for their natural orientation, which the society calls unnatural? Ask Sahayatrika members. In spite of high literacy and social awareness, the problem in Kerala is no less compared to other States. The issue came into sharp focus recently when two young girls Manju and Ragini of Moolamattam, who wanted to live together, committed suicide. Prior to taking the extreme step, the girls had spoken to their parents who rejected outright the idea. The duo sought police help only to be reprimanded and sent back. They were subjected to psychiatric treatment. Unable to withstand the continued oppression from family and society, the duo took the extreme step. Despite the fact that the existence of varied sexual orientation due to biological, social and cultural reasons have been scientifically proved and accepted, our society prefers to be in the dark over the issue. In Kerala alone, over 20 cases of lesbian suicides have been reported during the past six years. There is no information on unreported cases. All these cases refer to the tragic plight of young girls, all below 25, who resorted to the extreme step owing to lack of support system, either in the family or in the society. Had there been a support system, some of these suicides could have been averted. Fraught with the dual oppression as women and as lesbian, they highly safeguard their anonymity. And to ensure anonymity, all correspondence with Sahayatrika is to be made at PB No 2461, Thiruvananthapuram - 11. E-mail address: sahayatrika@rediffmail.com. Sangama, a Bangalore-based organisation also works for the rights of sexual minorities (lesbians, bisexuals, homosexuals, gays, hijras, transgender people and others who are discriminated due to their sexuality). The organisation conducts sensitization workshops, organise public lectures and film screenings on issus related to sexual minorities and sexual rights. ``We work to help sexual minorities come to terms with their sexuality and live with self acceptance, self respect and dignity. Our aim is to provide information, action and support for sexual minorities, their families and friends and help enlarge social, cultural and political space for sexual minorities,'' says a Sangama activist. The contact number of Sangama is; Ist floor, No 7, 8th Main, 3rd Phase, Domlur 2nd Stage,Bangalore - 560 071. Phone 5359591. Sangama is open from 10 am to 5 pm from Tuesday to Saturday. Email: sangama@sangamaonline.org, website: www.sangamaonline.org.
Tuesday, September 11, 2001
Govt. meet on Adivasis today
Kerala chief Minister A.K Antony will chair a meeting of district collectors in the state today to discuss the Adivasi issue. The conference will discuss the identification of 1000 acres of cultivable land for the tribals as promised by the government during the talks held last week with Adivasi leaders. The meeting has also the implementation of the proposed master plan for Adivasi welfare in its agenda. Meanwhile C.K Janu, the leader of agitating Adivasis, has warned the government of serious consequences if the promised land is not identified immediately. She told in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday that from the 20th of this month Adivasis will erect tribal huts in front of the state secretariat and hold indefinite dharna there. Meanwhile, Arundhati Roy, novelist and social activist, in a message to C.K.Janu, has expressed her support for the Adivasi agitation. According to reports she may arrive in Thiruvananthapuram this week to participate in the agitation. Arundhati Roy shot into international prominence with her first novel, "God of Small Things" which won the prestigious Booker Prize in 1997. Arundhati's involvement in the movement would definitely attract international attention towards the plight of Adivasis in the state. She has been actively participating in the Narmada Bachao Andolan also.
Tuesday, September 11, 2001
60-year-old woman commits sati
Thiruvananthapuram: In a suspected case of self-immolation, a middle-aged woman ended her life near the funeral pyre of her husband at Nettayam, near here, on Friday, police said today. Grieved by the death of her husband, 60--year-old Krishnamma doused herself with kerosene and set ablaze near the pyre of her husband, Krishnan, who died of cancer on Thursday last. Krishnamma’s body was later cremated after post-mortem and the police had registered a case. The couples did not have children.
Tuesday, September 11, 2001
1,030 gms of hashish seized
Thiruvananthapuram, September 10: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) seized 1,030 gms of high quality hashish oil, valued at Rs 25 lakh, in an operation at Kuttikkanam in Idukki district, an NCB press release said here today. The stuff, seized from one Purushan, was meant for the international illicit drug market. Purushan was arrested and remanded to judicial custody, the release said.
Tuesday, September 11, 2001
Colourful fete marks Krishna Jayanthi
Thiruvananthapuram, September 11: Colourful 'shobha yatras' with a large number of children decked up as Krishna was the highlight of Krishna Jayanthi celebrations across Kerala yesterday. People turned out in large numbers to witness the re-enactment of the Krishna legend ranging from 'Geetopadesam' to 'Kaliya mardhanam' as hundreds of tableaux and floats moved along the streets in towns and cities in the evening. Caparisoned elephants and glittering parasols added to the pomp of the processions, which moved to the accompaniment of drums and percussion instruments. In most places, the pageantries were organized by Balagokulam, a pro-Sangh Parivar cultural body. There was heavy rush of devotees at the famous Lord Sri Krishna temple at Guruvayur where about 12,000 people partook in the special feast. Special poojas and feasts were organised in all major Krishna temples in different parts of the state.
Monday, September 10, 2001
Kerala releases draft tourism policy
Thiruvananthapuram, Sep 10 The Kerala government Monday released the draft of a tourism policy that will be discussed over the next three months and whose motto would be "Conserve Culture and Promote Tourism". Tourism Minister K.V. Thomas said the "Tourism Vision 2025" would come into place when it is placed before the state legislature after three months by when tour operators, the media and others would have debated it. The highlight of the document is that it has identified a 13-point objective under which the new tourism policy would be based and which would help take the broken down Kerala economy to new heights. Tourism, he said, would be considered the most important socio-economic activity of the state. It would be expected to generate employment and enhance the state's productivity. "The government would only act as a facilitator and would see that proper infrastructure was developed to allow the unbridled growth of the private sector in this area," said Thomas. Tourism Secretary T. Balakrishnan said the thrust of the policy would be to develop Kerala into an upmarket high quality tourist destination through optimal utilisation of resources while focussing on conserving and preserving heritage. "We have analysed the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats faced by this sector," he said. "With this as the backdrop we have identified our strategy and an action plan with long, medium and short-term policies." Kerala's share in the Indian tourist market soared from 5.61 percent in 1991 to 8.15 percent in 1999. But the percentage variation in domestic tourist arrival fell from 9.52 percent in 1991 to 2.51 percent in 2000. Likewise, earnings from foreign tourists showed a dramatic increase from Rs 282 million in 1991 to Rs 5 billion in 2000. Total investment in the sector in the last five years in the state crossed Rs 10 billion and the direct revenue generated in the state's economy on account of tourism was Rs 20 billion during last year, or 3 per cent of GDP. Balakrishnan told that the government's plan was to increase the earnings from tourism at the rate of 10 percent every year. "We hope the new policy generates 10,000 jobs every year. We want to add 200 new hotel rooms in the star categories every year, and we are committed to promote at least one new tourism destination every year. "We are planning things in such a way that we do not become an also ran state in attracting tourists. We are serious and we would be successful." Leading tour operator Babu Thomas, who is credited with launching pioneering products like house boats, tree houses, marine sports and bullock cart tours for tourists, however criticised the government for not consulting the industry before releasing the draft document. "What they should have done is talk to people like us who have invested money, time and energy," said Thomas. But Balakrsihnan said until now there was nothing to talk about. "Now that we have a draft, we would have detailed talks with each and every operator and also with associations involved in the industry. "Please understand that we are transparent and our aim is to see that this industry prospers and in that process no one would be left out," he said.
Monday, September 10, 2001
More Adivasi outfits support strike
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kani Girivarga Sanghatana, Adivasi Mahasabha and Bharathiar Mahasabha has expressed support for the ongoing Adivasi strike. In a statement here on Sunday, Adivasi-Dalit Action Council leader Sadasivan Kani said that 25 more Adivasis from Pathanamthitta had joined the camp on Sunday. The discussion on the new master plan for Adivasis, which was scheduled for tomorrow, has been postponed. The discussion will be now held on September 16 at Sree Sankara University Centre in Vanchiyoor, he added.
Monday, September 10, 2001
K M Mani should quit: Farmers’ front
ALAPPUZHA: National Farmers Front said that Revenue Minister K M Mani should resign from his post taking the moral responsibility for not submitting the flood report to the Union Government for the Central aid. Front State president Jose K Uthuppu and organising secretary R Gopinathan Pillai said here today that the Union Government had rejected the Central aid for flood relief to the State in view of not submitting the report on time. They alleged that the Minister had spent time in New Delhi for his personnel interest. The CM should demand an explanation from Mani for the loss incurred by the farmers without getting compensation.
Monday, September 10, 2001
Villagers trap killer crocodile alive
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : A crocodile which struck terror in the Neyyar Dam reservoir, was trapped alive and handed over to forest authorities by villagers at Mayam, about 30 km from here on Sunday, police said. The 10-foot long creature, weighing about 250 kg, was made to slip into net laid by the villagers. The people had been trying to trap it for the last several days after it became a menace to those taking bath or collecting water from the reservoir. The forest authorities later released the scaly creature into the crocodile farm at the Neyyar Dam premises. Last month, a crocodile was shot dead by police after it fatally mauled a middle aged man, who went to perform morning ablutions in the reservoir. Of late, quite a few cases of crocodile attack on people who depend on the reservoir for their drinking water needs, have been reported from the area. People said the crocodile trapped on Sunday had bullet marks on its belly and it could be the one that escaped sharpshooters after it bruised a man a couple of months back.
Monday, September 10, 2001
SNDP Yogam plans a comeback to politics
PATHANAMTHITTA: The SNDP Yogam leadership has decided to make a comeback to the political scene of the State. The final decision in this regard will be taken by the 11-member SNDP Council. The Yogam’s decision on the entry into politics was taken today at the concluding session of the two-day leadership camp held in Adoor. The foray into the political scene, either by launching a political party on its own or through JSS, was discussed at the meeting of 300 delegates comprising presidents, vice-presidents and secretaries of the 77 SNDP unions and affiliated organisations. The meet discussed the possibilities of a direct entry into politics and also entry through JSS. Majority of the delegates were against SNDP’s direct entry in the light of the failure of its earlier avatar and now defunct SRP. In the case JSS also, there are hitches like the presence of leaders belonging to other religious communities in the party. According to sources, union and branch-level discussions will be held to ascertain the views of cadres.
Monday, September 10, 2001
Four held for blocking Mayor
Four held for blocking Mayor ADVERTISEMENT THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. Four employees of the City Corporation office owing allegiance to the Congress-led Kerala Municipal and Corporation Staff Association have been arrested by the city police for blocking the Mayor, Prof. J. Chandra, on Thursday. According to Museum Police, the arrested employees include Mr. V. Sreekumaran Nair (42), Upper Division Clerk, Mr. V. Muralidharan (39), Mr. P. A. Pradeepkumar (31) and Mr. B. Sunil (42), all Lower Division Clerks. The arrests were made on the basis of the suo motto case filed by the Museum Sub-Inspector on September 6 against the employees for blocking the Mayor. All the four arrested were later produced before the Judicial First Class Magistrate I and released on bail.
Monday, September 10, 2001
Denial of Central aid unjust: Mani
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, SEPT. 9. The Revenue Minister, Mr. K. M. Mani, has denied the charge that the State Government was responsible for Kerala missing out on Central relief for natural calamities. In a statement here today, he said there was no substance in the charge that Kerala had failed to submit to the Centre the accounts relating to the State's own Relief Fund and that this was why the Centre had denied further assistance to the State. Mr. Mani said the State's liabilities towards expenses already incurred for relief operations were much more than the amount now available in its Relief Fund. It was impossible to address the relief requirements with a meagre sum of Rs. 52 crores which the State was receiving annually as its entitlement under the recommendations of the Tenth Finance Commission for meeting the losses due to natural calamities. Kerala's demand was for an additional assistance of Rs. 552 crores from the Central Relief Fund, he said.
Sunday, September 9, 2001
Women injured
At least six workers of the Democratic Mahila Association (DMA) was injured and admitted to hospital in Thiruvananthapuram, when their march to the city police commissioner's office was blocked by the police. The activists of DMA were protesting against the alleged failure of the state police in providing security to the city mayor Prof J.Chandra, despite her request. Prof.Chandra was gheraoed in the Corporation office on Thursday by employees belonging to the congress union. Today, the protest march was lead by DMA state President M.C.Josephine and Secretary P.K.Sreemathy. The association also demanded the removal of City Police Commissioner, Rajan Singh from his present post.
Sunday, September 9, 2001
Chandran Pillai murder case: Life-term for first accused
KOTTAYAM: The Additional Sessions Court here on Friday sentenced the first accused in the sensational Chandran Pillai murder case to rigorous life imprisonment and the second accused to five- year rigorous imprisonment and Rs 10,000 as fine. While the murder charge against Noushad alias Motta Noushad, the first accused in the case, was accepted by the court, the prosecution couldn’t establish beyond doubt the same charge against the second accused, Kalathilkombil Mookan Sabu alias John Varghese. The case was based on the murder of Chandran Pillai, of Edakkara, Melottuthakidi, Kanjirapally on December 14, 1999. The first accused Noushad had allegedly taken a sum of Rs 1 lakh from Chandran Pillai forcefully to clear some dues of the former in a vehicle transaction. On the fateful day, which was incidentally the final day assured by Noushad to return the amount to Pillai, they got together for drinks at the former’s room. When the money matter cropped up, it ended in a quarrel. In a rage, Noushad stabbed Chandran Pillai. The prosecution case was that the second accused Sabu got hold of Pillai which eventually helped Noushad to commit the crime easily. Later, the two accused took the body of Pillai in an auto and dumped it at lllikone on Paika-Chengalam road. They also attempted to disfigure the body by burning it after pouring petrol. But they had to leave in panic before it was completely burnt as they noticed someone walking. The court handed out a lower punishment to the second accused, as it felt that he was found to have colluded in trying to erase material evidence. Noushad is noted by the police as a hardened criminal and is accused in many other crimes based in and around Kanjirappally. The case was investigated by CI James Joseph and SI N C Rajmohan of the Ponkunnam police force. Thomas Antony Nalpathamkulam led the prosecution side in the case.
Sunday, September 9, 2001
Karunakaran, son call truce
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The standoff between K Karunankaran and his son K Muraleedharan, who is Kerala Congress Party chief, appears to have blown over with the latter reportedly promising to respect the views of the party patriarch. The two were at loggerheads over the nomination of P C Chacko as the party's vice president by Muraleedharan, who ignored his father's choice of P P Thankachan. The fortnight-old feud between the two worsened on Thursday when Muraleedharan said his sister Padmaja Venugopal would have to step down as chairperson of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation if the ruling eight-party United Democratic Front (UDF) so wished. He himself raised the issue of her ouster at a UDF meeting later the same day. The Congress chief was apparently peeved with Padmaja and Tourism Minister K V Thomas, who he thought had pressured Karunakaran to oppose Chacko's candidature for vice-president's post. Padmaja is said to be very close to her father. Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar, the star-turned-politician who brokered the peace, told : "The issue is now over. Karunakaran has been given an assurance by Muraleedharan that he would not go against the wishes of his father. Muraleedharan has been told that Chacko would be considered for an important post and Karunakaran has agreed to that." "I held separate talks with both of them. I found out that both of them were being cross-talked by some people who appeared to be on both sides. They were in fact trying to curry favour with both Karunakaran and Muraleedharan. They have now understood it", said Kumar, who has been a friend of the Karunakaran family. Karunakaran and his son reportedly held long talks Friday and agreed that both should have shown more restraint in their attacks. Padmaja also talked to both over telephone from China, where she is touring currently. "I decided to intervene as I have nothing to gain from the feud because I belong to a different party. Several top Congress leaders were insisting that I intervene because they knew my relationship with the three of them," said Kumar. Muraleedharan has been keen to cultivate his image as well as clout in the faction-ridden state party ever since he became president of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee in a trade-off for A.K. Antony being made chief minister. While the father-son duo fought, the group led by Antony maintained a studied silence. Asked about the feud, the chief minister dismissed the bickering as a minor problem. "We appreciate the stand taken by the Antony group and never did they go public on this issue," said a senior leader close to Karunakaran. But sources close to the veteran leader's family feel that there could be more feuds in the near future because now there are three clear power centres in the Congress patriarch's house.
Sunday, September 9, 2001
Antony draws more flak for his remarks
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan Saturday said Chief Minister A.K. Antony had betrayed a soft corner for the BJP by staying away from a chief ministers' meeting to protest the alleged bid to give education a Hindu tinge. The meeting had been called by West Bengal Chief Minister Buddadeb Bhattacharya to thwart the alleged attempts by the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition at the Centre to "saffronise" education or giving it a Hindu colour. Achuthanandan's outbursts are the latest against Antony who has drawn flak for his remark at a news briefing that he did not like the use of the word "saffronisation" to describe everything connected with the BJP and the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS). Achuthanandan told reporters the federal government had literally no business tampering with the education system. The Indian Constitution had given states full powers in matters of education. "It is rather unfortunate that Antony not only skipped the meeting but also passed remarks in favour of 'saffronisation.' This is big blow to the culture of Kerala. "It should be noted that only two people have taken Antony's side and they are Sushma Swaraj and O. Rajagopal (both federal ministers). Even the Congress spokesperson Anand Sharma has strongly criticised Antony's statement," the opposition leader said. Achuthanandan accused the chief minister of blindly following the economic policies of the BJP, which, he said, had already proved to be detrimental to the country's interests. On Friday, Cardinal Varkey Vithyathil flayed Antony's remarks on the use of the word "saffronisation." "It is unfortunate that the head of the government here which stands for secularism made such an interpretation. This is deviating from its secular credentials. "Even though saffron is the colour worn by Hindu and Christian priests and hence not an object of contention, the word 'saffronisation' is now being used in the country and in Parliament to convey the attempt to propagate Hindu fundamentalism," said the cardinal. Antony, however, had explained at the same briefing that his remarks should not be construed to mean he supported all the programmes and policies of the BJP. He said he had spoken to Congress Party's national chief Sonia Gandhi about the use of the word "saffron." Veliyam Bharghavan, state secretary of the Communist Party of India, in a statement, said: "Antony's statement was nothing but a ploy to cement his links with the BJP and this is not accidental. When Babri mosque was demolished Antony, had contended that the minorities should subscribe to the views of the majority communities. It has always been his strategy to keep the BJP in good humour for political gains." Bhargahavan asked the coalition partners of the Congress-led United Democratic Party (UDF) government to clarify their stand on the issue.
Sunday, September 9, 2001
VHP comes down on Cardinal Vithayathil
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Viswa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on Saturday came down heavily on Christian bishops and Leftist intellectuals for raising a hue a cry in the name of saffronisation, and said that the reforms being introduced by the BJP-led government at the Centre in the field of education were only intended to correct the ''distortions that had crept in during 50 years of Congress rule.'' Reacting to the statement of Cardinal Varkey Vidthayathil, Major Archbishop of Ernakulam-Angamaly, accusing Chief Minister A K Antony of deviating from secular credentials by eulogising saffronisation, VHP Kerala secretary D Manikantan said here that the Christian Bishops and their agencies had, in a period of time, developed in India, an attitude of ''haughtiness.'' It seemed they felt they could threaten even the government or its Prime Minister. ''Even good reforms introduced by governemnt are misinterpreted and attacked in the name of secularism. We wish to humbly warn such agencies that the Hindus who are very tolerant, may not perpetually submit themselves to continued onslaughts on their culture,'' he said. Manikantan alleged that the products coming out of those educational institutions run by Christian priests lacked a deep sense of patriotism or a warm attachment to one's motherland. He appreciated Antony for his ''gentle'' warning to those who sought to portray the reforms of the BJP-led government in the education sector as an attempt for ''saffronisation.''
Saturday, September 8, 2001
Culprits behind BJP worker’s murder identified
KASARGOD: The district was free of any major incidents of violence on Friday even as police launched a massive search operation to nab the culprits involved in the murder of BJP worker Dayanandha. Police sources disclosed that the culprits had already been identified and that the murder of Dayanandha was a well-planned one. Cases have already been filed against eight persons in connection with the murder. A number of houses and buildings in the border villages of Puthige, Kattathaduka, Mali, Bedaduka, Bandhaduka and Kundumkuzhi were raided by the police. The raids which began yesterday continued till this morning. The police also questioned nine persons who were suspected to have links with the culprits. Meanwhile, a peace conference convened by the District Collector Raju Narayana Swamy here on Friday called upon the people and the political leadership to co-operate with the efforts being made by the district administration to restore peace. The BJP leaders who participated in the conference squarely put the blame on the CPM for the murder of Dayanandha. In a clear bid to put the CPM men in the dock, BJP zonal secretary V Ravindran asked CPM leaders to explain the motive or provocation for the brutal murder of the BJP man, especially when the Kumbla region was free of any political violence or clashes for the last several months. The CPM leaders, who clarified that their party had nothing to do with the murder, stated that making their party men responsible for the murder even before the police identified the miscreants would only help the real culprits to escape. C T Ahammedali, MLA, K V Kunhiraman, MLA, BJP State vice-president Madikai Kammaran, zonal secretary V Ravindran, District Congress Committee president I Rama Rai, general secretary P Gangadharan Nair, Indian National League district general secretary N A Nellikkunnu, Janata Dal district president Haji M A Mogral were among those who took part in the conference along with the district officials. Several political leaders sought to know the reason for the absence of the District Superintendent of Police A R Ajithkumar at the peace conference. Instead of Ajithkumar, it was a Deputy Superintendent of police (Special Branch) who attended the peace meet. When asked about the failure of the DSP to turn up at the conference, the District Collector explained that he had personally asked the Superintendent of Police to attend the conference but his response was that he would send the DySP to represent him at the meet.
Saturday, September 8, 2001
Car catches fire, man charred to death
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A 47-year-old man was charred to death when the Maruti car he was driving, suddenly caught fire between Muttapalam and Kodanmukku within the Chirayinkeezh police station limits. He was alone at the time of the incident. The police identified the deceased as Pushpangadhan of Valiyakada. The incident took place at around 4.30 pm when the car which was on its way to Kodanmukku from Muttapalam, caught fire. According to eyewitnesses, there was a minor explosion on the rear of the car following which the vehicle lost balance and hit the parapet on the road side. Though the local residents tried to put off the fire, their effort went in vain as the fire had engulfed the interior portion of the vehicle killing Pushpangadhan on the spot. The body was removed after breaking open the windscreen and side windows of the AC fitted car. It was later sent to the Medical College mortuary for postmortem examination. Meanwhile, the police said that preliminary investigations had ruled out the possibility of a blast. ‘‘The windows of vehicle were intact and there was no major damage,’’ said a police officer while stating that the fire could have started from the AC. A team of forensic experts from the Central Forensic Science Laboratory (CFSL) are expected to examine the vehicle tomorrow. Pushpangadhan who was running a chitti fund business in Chirayinkeezh, is survived by wife Sarala and three daughters.
Saturday, September 8, 2001
Slammed for slow start, Antony changes gear
THIRUVANANT |
