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October 2002
Thursday, October 31, 2002
2 new rice varieties released
THRISSUR: Changam and Dhanu, two high-yielding varieties of rice, have beenreleased by scientists of the Kerala Agricultural University's research station at Onattukara in Alappuzha district. A KAU press release here said the varieties were found appropriate for cultivation in the Onattukara tract over an area of 73,000 hectares in Kollam and Alappuzha districts. Changam is short duration dry sown rice variety evolved by combination breeding which is a semi-small variety in nature with a duration of only 98 days for maturity with a yield of 3838 kg grain per hectare and 4222 kg straw, the release said. Dhanu is a high-yielding photosensitive variety suitable for the Mundakan season. It has been developed by mutation breeding from the popular variety, PTE 20, with a yield potential of 3750 kg grain per hectare, it said.
Thursday, October 31, 2002
New collector for Wayanad
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: K Goplan was on Wednesday appointed as the new collector of Wayanad in place of R Prabakaran who was posted as additional commissioner, revenue. Talking to reporters after a cabinet meeting, Chief Minister A K Antony said Dinesh Sharma was posted as new excise commssioner and Sajan Peter, secretary, taxes.
Thursday, October 31, 2002
Viral meningitis outbreak suspected in Ernakulam
KOCHI: Health authorities here suspect an outbreak of viral meningitis in Ernakulam district, with 71 patients, mostly children, admitted to various hospitals with symptoms of the disease. The Director of Health Services, Dr V K Rajan, along with a five-member team from the Thiruvananthapuram medical college on Wednesday visited patients at various hospitals, as also areas in Paravur and Vaduvokkod, from where the maximum number of cases have been reported. Deputy District Medical Officer Dr Ramani said that blood samples of patients had been sent to the Pune virology laboratory for viral culture and for conformation of the airborne disease. The results were expected within two or three days, she said. Fever, headache and vomiting are the symptoms of the disease, which is caused by inflammation in the meninges, the membranes.
Thursday, October 31, 2002
Nursing college to be opened today
KOCHI: The Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre's (AIMS) College of Nursing will be inaugurated by Union Health minister Shatrughan Sinha on November 1. Union Minister of Human Resource Development Murli Manohar Joshi will preside over the function, AIMS said in a press release here. Union Minister of State for Urban Development O Rajagopal would also be present. A textbook on geriatric medicine will be released by State Health minister P Sankaran.
Thursday, October 31, 2002
PDP's secretariat march turns violent; vehicles and shops damaged
A protest march to secretariat organised by PDP seeking the release of its chairman Abdul Nasser Mauhdany turned violent. The police resorted to a lathi-charge after protestors set fire to vehicles parked along the road and attacked shops. About 100 vehicles have been damaged. Several people have been injured. Inaugurating the demonstration, Kerala Congress (B) leader R Balakrishna Pillai said the A K Antony government is protecting real terrorists while keeping genuine public workers like Mauhdany in jail. He deplored what he called the ingratitude on the part of the UDF government.
Thursday, October 31, 2002
Heavy rain likely in TN, Kerala, Lakshadweep
Pune, Oct 31 Heavy rainfall is likely at isolated places in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Lakshadweep during the next 48 hours. Rain or snow is likely at isolated places in Jammu and Kashmir. Rain or thundershowers are likely at many places in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Lakshadweep, at a few places in Rayalseema and coastal and south interior Karnataka and at isolated places in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Telengana and north interior Karnataka. Mainly dry weather will prevail over the rest of the country. Northeast monsoon has been vigorous in Tamil Nadu and active in Kerala. Rain or thundershowers have occurred at a few places in coastal and south interior Karnataka and at isolated places in Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Rayalseema. Mainly dry weather prevailed over the rest of the country. Day temperatures were appreciably to markedly above normal in east Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Saurashtra, Konkan and Chattisgarh and were above normal in Assam, Manipur, Orissa, Uttaranchal, Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir, Rajasthan, Gujarat, south Madhya Maharashtra, Vidarbha and Andhra Pradesh. They were appreciably below normal in south interior Karnataka and were below normal in Rayalseema and Tamil Nadu. They were normal over the rest of the country outside West Bengal and Sikkim from where data were sparse. Night temperatures were appreciably below normal in Jharkhand, Marathwada and Telengana and were below normal in Tripura, Orissa, Bihar, Gujarat, Madhya Maharashtra, Vidarbha, Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and south Kerala. They were above normal in Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Saurashtra and Kutch and were normal over the rest of the country outside West Bengal, Sikkim, Rajasthan and coastal Karnataka from where data were sparse.
Thursday, October 31, 2002
Kerala BJP fails to attract Ezhavas, Nairs
The Bharatiya Janata Party's attempt to end its electoral drought in Kerala by gaining acceptance among religious and social organisations has fizzled out with leaders of two influential communities refusing to go along with the Sangh Parivar. The BJP wanted to bring together scattered Hindu organisations, especially the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam, representing the backward Ezhava community, and the Nair Service Society, championing the interests of the upper caste Nair community. As per a plan mooted by BJP president Venkaiah Naidu at a party meeting in Thiruvananthapuram a couple of months ago, the party was to contest the next assembly election with their support. The Ezhavas were staunch supporters of the Communist Party of India-Marxist until the party sought to sideline their leader K R Gowri and targeted their institutions during the previous Left Democratic Front regime. However, rather than support the BJP, the SNDP is showing signs of returning to the CPI-M fold. SNDP president P K Vidyasagar and general secretary Vellappally Natesan had on Tuesday held a meeting with CPI-M politburo member V S Achutanandan in Thiruvananthapuram. Though neither has divulged the details of the discussions, the meeting resulted in the SNDP calling off its nearly month-long agitation against the CPI-M. The meeting came in the wake of a concerted attempt by the SNDP to wean away the Ezhava population from the CPI-M. The SNDP had succeeded in setting up several branches in CPI-M citadels in north Kerala fighting the money and muscle power of the party. The CPI-M had also given vent to its ire against the Ezhavas for breaking their traditional kinship with the party. At that time, the BJP and members of the Sangh Parivar had backed the SNDP against the CPI-M, which the latter viewed as an attempt to woo the Ezhavas. The ceasefire between the SNDP and the CPI-M has naturally dampened the spirits of the Sangh Parivar. With the NSS, the Sangh Parivar had a rather humbling experience. NSS general secretary P K Narayana Panicker cancelled his appointment with Vishwa Hindu Parishad all-India general secretary Mohan Joshi at the NSS headquarters at Changanacherry in Kottayam district early this week. The NSS leadership was apparently angry over the publicity the Sangh Parivar had given to the personal meeting. They felt the propaganda was aimed at exploiting the name of the NSS for political mileage. "We will not allow any political party to interfere in our affairs and exploit the goodwill we enjoy for political gains. We have no intention of aligning with any political party, including the BJP," said G Sukumaran Nair, assistant secretary of the NSS. Subsequently, VHP state organising secretary Kummanam Rajashekharan described the NSS as 'un-courteous'. "If Changanacherry Arch Bishop Joseph Powathil could warmly welcome the VHP leader, there was no reason for the NSS to deny him an audience," he said. "We only wanted to maintain our traditional friendship with the NSS," he added. BJP state president C K Padmanabhan believes the media focused on the Panicker-Joshi meeting at the behest of its political opponents who wanted to frustrate its plan to build bridges with the NSS. The NSS had been closely associated with the VHP since its formation in 1966. NSS founder Mannath Padmanabhan was the one to light the lamp at the inauguration of the VHP unit in Kerala at the Guruvayoor temple. The BJP had targeted the Hindu social and religious organisations after failing to elicit the support of smaller parties, which are firmly entrenched in either the ruling Congress-led United Democratic Front or the opposition LDF. Earlier, the party had unsuccessfully courted the Kerala Congress (M), a regional party championing the interest of Christians, during the last assembly election. Though the KC (M) remained elusive, the BJP succeeded in engineering a split in the party with one faction joining the National Democratic Alliance.
Thursday, October 31, 2002
Malaysia Top On Kerala's Tourism Promotion
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM (INDIA), Oct 31 (Bernama) -- Malaysia has been listed by the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation Ltd as its main Southeast Asian market and has lined up various programmes to attract more Malaysian tourists to the South Indian state. Kerala Tourism managing director, Dr K. Elangovan, said that while the state's focus all along had been on the Western market, the Sept 11 incident had brought about many changes. "Malaysia is a new market for us. All these years, it has been overlooked. Promoting two-way tourism between the two countries would bring mutual benefits," he told Bernama in an interview here recently. In line with the potential for two-way tourism, Kerala Tourism would be undertaking various promotional programmes and also participate in trade fairs and roadshows to promote the beauty of Kerala to Malaysian people, he said. Most foreigners who currently visit Kerala are from Britain, France, Germany, Japan and the United States. Elangovan said exploring the Malaysian market and other similar markets like Singapore was viable as these countries had centuries old historical, cultural and trade ties with India and also Kerala in particular. Looking at possible factors hampering better two-way tourism between Kerala and Malaysia, he said the non-existence of direct flights from Kuala Lumpur to Thiruvananthapuram could be one. "Once Malaysians start to come here in a big number then it will create more interactions and the Kerala people will also start to travel to Malaysia. "There will be better connectivity then," he said. Kerala, known for its rich greenery, heritage palaces, forts, famous historical buildings and beautiful beaches receives about 5.5 million domestic tourists and about 270,000 foreign tourists annually. This southern state is world known for five major tourist attractions -- namely its beaches, backwater cruise, heritage islands, hill resorts and wildlife sanctuaries -- usually all located within 200 km radious of one another. One growing interest with tourists is in ayurveda, the ancient medical treatment and massage. The backwaters of Kerala, popularly compared with Venice by tourists, meanwhile is another attraction with backwater cruises being popular with tourists and boat-races attracting a large number of people, especially during festivals like Onam. Kerala which has about 22 percent Muslims, 20 percent Christians and Hindus making up the rest of the population is also a popular destination for religious and pilgrimage based tourism. For example, the famous 12th century mosque at Madayi in the Kannur district, was built with white marble said to have been brought in from Arab. The Jamaat mosque in Malappuram is also another famed mosque. The St.Francis Church, in Cochin built by the Portugese in 1510 is believed to be the first church built by the Europeans in India while the seven-storey tower Sree Padmanabha Swamy Temple is another attractive landmark in the city. Kerala's buildings and forts have the architectural influence of the Romans, Arabs, Chinese, Portugese, Phoenicians and the British. On the other hand, Cochin known as the "Queen of the Arabian Sea" has one of the finest natural harbours in the world and known for its beautiful beaches and rivers, backwaters and its cultural mix.
Thursday, October 31, 2002
Andhra boys, Kerala girls emerge champions
Margao, Oct. 31. : Andhra Pradesh regained the boys' title after four years while Kerala girls emerged as the new champions of the 20th junior national softball championship organised by the Goa Softball Association, which concluded here at Nehru Stadium Fatorda today. Defending champions, Madhya Pradesh and Maharastra, had to be content with the third place in boys and girls events respectively. In the boys final today Andhra Pradesh scored a comfortable 14-6 homes win over Chandigarh. Sudarshan 3, Abhinav 3, Zakhiruddin 2 shone for AP, while Niraj 3, Diwan, Rajesh and Atul made one home each for Chandigarh. In the third place match, Madhya Pradesh blanked Rajasthan by 3-0 homes. Sarab, Sachin and Javed made one home each for winners. In the girls event Kerala were declared champions on better performance by the tehnical committee when the final tie against Madhya Pradesh was abandoned yesterday due to rain. Kerala were adjudged winners by one home difference then MP. Kerala were leading by 8-7 at the time of interruption of the play after completing six and half innings yesterday. Madhya Pradesh had played six innings while Kerala had played only five.
Thursday, October 31, 2002
PDP march turns violent
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct. 31. : Several persons were injured in heavy stone-pelting and a few vehicles damaged as a march, organised by the People's Democratic Party, turned violent in front of the Government Secretariat today, police said. Police chased away the protesters after some of them allegedly barged into the secretariat and pelted stones protesting denial of loud speaker facility to party leaders to address about 7000 marchers who had converged before the secretariat by the afternoon. The marchers pelted stones at the sign boards of shops and vehicles, including those of mediapersons, parked in the area. Police said no arrests have been made so far. Tension prevailed in the area for some time but the situation was now under control. The march was organised in pursuance of the PDP demand that the UDF Government intervene to secure the release of party leader, Nasser Madani, detained in a Tamil Nadu jail in connection with the Coimbatore bomb blasts case. The PDP had claimed that the UDF had promised on the eve of the 2001 Assembly polls that it would help secure Madani's release if voted to power.
Wednesday, October 30, 2002
Ayurveda Congress; 2500 delegates attend
About 2500 delegates, including a large number of representatives from both developing and developed countries, will attend the four-day World Ayurveda Congress being inaugurated by Union Health Minister Shatrughan Sinha in Kochi on November 1. The international conclave spread over nearly 30 sessions would discuss the need for developing the traditional system of medicine in view of its immense and even infinite potential for exports. Disclosing this at a news conference here today, prof K I Vasu, Working Chairman, Swadeshi Science Congress, which is organising the Congress, said the meet would aim at enhancing India's share in the prevailing estimated global herbal market of a whopping Rs 530 billion of which India's present share was only a paltry Rs 3.5 billion. Integration of various systems of medcine in the light of the belated recognition of the importance of ayurveda by World Health Organisation(WHO) and enhancing the confidence level of the practitioners of Ayurveda would be among the purpose of the congress which was also expected to come out with a 'Kochi declaration', Dr Vasu said. A six-day exhibition of Ayurveda Medicinal Plants and a Herbal Trade Fair would also be organised in connection with the congress to be addressed by prominent leaders ncluding Union Ministers Nithish Kumar and O Rajagopal besides Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony, he added.
Wednesday, October 30, 2002
Cochin University to host three-day Asia-Pacific Seminar
Cochin University to host three-day Asia-Pacific Seminar on intellectual property rights Protection of Intellectual property in genetic resources, traditional knowledge and folklore of the developing countries will be the topic of discussions at the three-day Asia-Pacific Seminar being held in Kochi from November 11. Organised by the School of Legal Studies of the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) and sponsored jointly by the Geneva-based Wolrd Intellectual Property Organisation (WIPO) under the United Nations and the Union Ministry of Human Resources Development, the seminar will be attended by a large number of delegates including representatives from nearly 40 countries, CUSAT Vice Chancellor N Unnikirhsnan Nair told mediapersons in Kochi on Tuesday. The seminar would aim at preparation of the specifications of a database for traditional knowledge relating to Intellectual Property and Genetic Resources and Traditional Folklore and extending legal protection to it. The initiative for this process was set in motion by WIPO in 1999 in the wake of increased incidences of piracy of traditional knowledge possessed so far by the developing countries, he said. Technical aspects of documentation of Traditional Knowledge and Alternative Dispute settlement on Intellectual property issues would be among the topics for discussion at the seminar to be inaugurated by Union Higher Education Secretary S K Tripaty, Dr Unnikrishnan Nair added.
Wednesday, October 30, 2002
Gang goes on rampage, 4 hurt
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A four-member gang went on the rampage, attacking people and shops, at Melarannoor and Karamana this evening creating a scare in the area. There was a deliberate attempt from certain quarters to give communal colour to the incident. According to police, the gang came in an ambassador car, KET 9999. They attacked a few shops and vehicles before uprooting flag posts of the RSS and the BJP in the area. The gang later attacked a group of boys who had come to attend a function. Four persons were injured in the incident. They have been admitted to a local hospital. On receiving the information about the attack, a police party chased the car and managed to intercept it near Bangladesh colony. While three of the gang members managed to escape the police net, Zakir, who is also the owner of the car, was taken into custody. Meanwhile, a group of persons believed to be RSS supporters attacked a few shops near Killipalam. The police have intensified patrolling in the area.
Wednesday, October 30, 2002
Mammootty sets up shop at Video Park
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After Mohanlal and Suresh Gopi, the Kinfra Film and Video Park may soon have another big star setting up shop – Mammootty. According to reliable sources, Mammootty has evinced interest in setting up a unit at the park which would use high-definition television (HDTV) technology for making feature films. HDTV is a burgeoning digital technology which is now much in demand among filmmakers in the West because it cuts down production costs drastically. The technology has only just arrived in India. Mammootty, according to sources, had visited the Park premises recently and was impressed by what he saw. The formalities for purchase of land and setting up of the unit will begin in the near future. The project is likely to cost more than Rs 10 crore. The ace actor, the sources added, had come close to investing in Kinfra’s IT park more than a year ago, but his proposal for call centres did not materialise. High-definition video system (HDVS), experts say, can be described as a wide-screen video medium that offers an image compatible to 35 mm film. It generates flicker-free images even on the largest of screens. High definition cameras record images on a cassette-type tape, which can be re-used for more than five films without any quality deterioration, and after completion of the post production process, the finished work (final edited form) is transferred to film, shot by shot. There is, therefore, no wastage of raw stock. Steven Spielberg is among the high-profile directors who have experimented successfully with this technology. In the West, HDTV started becoming popular after the economy soured following the September 11 attack. The jury is still out on whether the crossover of HDVS to film for theatrical purposes is a revolutionary development or just a passing fantasy, but more and more independent filmmakers are taking to the technology because it ensures lower costs. Industry watchers say that judicious use of the technology would help shore up the struggling Malayalam film industry. Experts are of the view that high-definition video will not totally supplant film, at least in the near future, for the old motion picture film still has a razor thin edge when it comes to quality. However, there is a general view that the HDTV camera offers more creative freedom for cinematographers and that makers of films with special effects would do better using it for their works. Meanwhile, Mammootty has also expressed his desire to invest in a project to set up a chain of multiplexes at the three major cities in the State. The actor is understood to be looking for partners to invest in the project and had recently held discussions with Industry Minister P K Kunhalikutty and KSIDC MD Jiji Thomson on the subject. The proposal for multiplexes is to be presented at the coming Global Investors’ Meet (GIM). Sources said that a Haryana-based firm has evinced interest in the project.
Wednesday, October 30, 2002
Call for IMC probe into kidney racket
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 29: The Opposition leader in the Kerala Assembly V S Achuthanandan today said he would ask the Centre to conduct a probe by the Indian Medical Council (IMC) into the kidney transplantation scandal in two hospitals in Kerala’s Kozhikode District involving tribals from Idukki district. Addressing a press conference here, he said the inquiry report exonerating doctors and hospitals from the allegations was an attempt to save the doctors and hospitals. He said only an inquiry by the IMC would bring out the facts. He also asked the state government to take action against the hospitals and doctors who indulged in kidney trade. It was reported that tribals of Idukki district were exploited by kidney agents promising huge amounts for their organs. (Agencies)
Wednesday, October 30, 2002
Heavy rush for BSNL mobile cards
KOZHIKODE: Heavy rush was witnessed at the BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) Customer Service Centre at Mananchira here even as the BSNL started the distribution of application forms for its pre-paid cellular mobile connections. BSNL deputy general manager S Bose said that more than 3,000 application forms were distributed from the centre on Monday. ‘‘The number of applicants would be much higher as one can use the photostat copies or can download the forms from the BSNL website,’’ he said. The Customer Service Centres at Kozhikode, Vatakara and Kalpetta will function exclusively for the cellular mobile service for the coming two weeks. Other routine works have been shifted to the GM’s office, according to official sources. The Kozhikode SSA has been sanctioned 10,000 Excel SIM cards in the first phase. ‘‘It would be supplied on first come, first served basis. And it would take almost another month to begin the second phase,’’ official sources said. The network in Kozhikode and Wayanad covers major towns including Kozhikode, Feroke, REC - Chathamangalam, Koyilandy, Vatakara, Chombala, Kalpetta, Mananthavadi, Sulthan Bathery, Meenangadi, Puduppadi, Thamarassery, Koduvally, Payyoli and Elathur. The network is connected mostly through the optical fibre systems to ensure high quality speech. The services provided for pre-paid connections include voicemail, digital and data messaging services, internet access through wireless application protocol (WAP) apart from the roaming facility in southern states. The nation-wide roaming will be available for post-paid subscribers from the beginning.
Wednesday, October 30, 2002
CM should give up Home portfolio: Padmanabhan
THRISSUR: BJP State president C K Padmanabhan on Monday said that Chief Minister A K Antony should give up the Home portfolio as he had failed to effectively handle the State police department. He told mediapersons that in the past 17 months of UDF rule, the State had become a haven for anti-social elements. There is clear evidence about the increasing nexus between the police and underworld in the State, he said. He said the police policy of the Chief Minister had come in for open criticism from within the Congress and the UDF. Padmanabhan alleged that the Chief Minister was using the DGP and police force for enforcing his hidden agenda. The BJP leader, however, declined to elaborate. Answering a query, he said that political non-interference in the functioning of police does not mean a totally free hand to the police. He alleged that the DGP is acting as the Home Minister in the state at present, which is objectionable. Padmanabhan warned that the ineffective handling of police and non compliance of promises made by the UDF government to the people are leading to serious social tension in the State. The promise to allocate land to the tribals is yet to be fulfilled by the government resulting in forcing the tribals to take law into their own hands. The state capital has become a garbage bin as the waste generated in the city has not been cleared for the past several days. Answering another query, Padmanabhan said that VHP all-India secretary Mohan Joshi had decided to meet NSS general secretary P K Narayana Panicker at Changanassery without consulting the BJP. ‘‘NSS is a good host and VHP should introspect on why the NSS leader avoided meeting with the VHP leader, ’’he said.
Wednesday, October 30, 2002
Backlash in Panangad
Flames of backlash in Panangad; irate mob burns down 17 huts KOCHI: Seventeen huts along the Anjuthaikkal bund, from where the Gopalakrishnan murder case accused hail, were set afire by an irate mob on Tuesday afternoon. With this the brutal murder case has taken a serious turn. Though the police had nabbed three of the alleged culprits, presumably with the help of local people, they could not stop the people from giving vent to their anger and frustration over the criminal and anti-social activities sponsored by the dwellers of these hutments on encroached land. What irked the people most was the callousness with which the local police station treated the complaint filed by Gopalakrishnan minutes before his death. (He was killed while returning from the station). ``We had given innumerable complaints to the police about these people, but all of them fell on deaf ears. Had they sent at least two constables to the area after the complaint was filed by Gopalakrishnan, he would not have been killed,'' said Xavier, a resident of the area. Local people, though silently, approved of the burning of the huts as the gang had been harassing and terrorising the area for a long time making it even difficult for women and children to walk along the way. ``They did not even allow women to draw water. Some of them even hid under the small bridge and made filthy comments,'' pointed out another person. The gang, after committing the murder, had damaged a number of houses on the way. ``They broke the doors and windows, threatened and abused us. We even heard some female voices. We were afraid to come out,'' said Venu, pointing at the damaged house of his neighbours. The families which had to bear the brunt of the people's anger included those who had nothing to do with the episode. "We pleaded with them to spare our huts. Now we don't know what to do", said Mary Poulose, who rushed from her working-place only to find her house burning. "A group of people came in the morning and asked us to take away all our belongings and said they were going to burn down our huts. We took whatever we could,'' said Gopi, who lost his hut. Meanwhile, DIG B S Mohammed Yasin has announced that a special investigation team will be constituted for the probe. Patrolling will be intensified and the department will keep a strict vigil over the area. He, however, ruled out setting up of a permanent picket in Panangad. ``Panangad is not a problematic area. We don't foresee any further trouble. The police will intensify monitoring,'' he said. Promises apart, Panangad has not been getting the adequate khaki cover to insulate itself from acts of rowdyism. The area had been witnessing several people's initiatives to leash the menace. ``We had conducted an adalat on September 27 in the presence of top police officials to deliberate on the issue,'' point out K V Shanmayi, president of the Maradu panchayat, and ward member Kunjamma Augustine. ``The adalat was held under the banner `We want a peaceful life'. But the support from the police was always found wanting,'' she complained. ``We can only blame the police for yesterday's murder. They should have acted on time,'' said Thomas, a local resident. The residents have even prepared a list of hot-spots for easy policing. Central Godown of Water Authority, Land owned by Irrigation Department, S.N Junction, SVUP School, Railway tunnel and the either sides of Kundannoor bridge figure in the list, pointed out P J Johny, convener of Janakeeya Goonda Virudha Samithy. The need for immediate redressal of local peoples' grievances was underscored once again today when the local residents convened a public meeting at Panangad. Earlier, a 12-hour hartal was observed to protest against the killing.
Wednesday, October 30, 2002
Finnish firm to make $ 10 m investment
KOCHI: Finland-based Lockepole Technologies Inc., today announced a 10 million dollar (approx. Rs 50 crore) investment near Kochi to establish a Product Development Centre (PDC), which will conceptualise, design and develop software for the company's embedded systems. This will be Lockepole Technologies' second development centre in the country, the first being at Airoli in Navi Mumbai. The Finnish company has reported a worldwide turnover of 18 billion dollars in 2001 and employs about 11,000 people. The company's product range comprises innovative and highly sophisticated equipment such as convergence box, cellular signal booster and convergence phone. The investment is being made through its Indian subsidiary Lockepole Technologies India Ltd and the Kochi development centre is expected to come up by November 2003. The PDC, which is coming up at Vapalassery, near Cochin International Airport, Nedumbassery, will also provide employment for about 180 persons. ``We employ about 180 persons at our Airoli centre and we expect the same at our proposed centre at Kochi,'' said an official. Addressing a news conference here, Prince John Periapurath, country manager of Lockepole Technologies India Ltd., said the company will also soon launch its products, known under the brand name Mobile Cartel, through exclusive outlets across the country. To begin with, three products _ the Mobile Cartel convergence box (Cbox), Mobile Cartel convergence phone (Cphone) and Mobile Cartel convergence signal booster _ will be made available through the outlets. The product range has the approval of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI). The Cbox is a device that enables the convergence of internet, e-mail, television, telephone and fax and is priced at Rs 6,800. The Cphone employs the Satellite Data Packet Switching technology that enables the user to switch between various carriers and networks. The embedded device in the Cphone can access the satellite enabled worldwide data network and carry voice over internet protocol (VoIP). ``Cphone gateways allow the user to speak for unlimited hours and stay connected,'' John Periapurath, who is a native of Pala in Kottayam district, said. The convergence signal booster as the name suggests is used to improve weak cellular signals and to enhance the range of a cellphone. ``The Mobile Cartel convergence signal booster is ideal for use in vehicles, marine vessels and remote project management,'' he said. The product pricing starts from Rs 2000.
Wednesday, October 30, 2002
Work-to-rule stir hits communication backbone
KOCHI: The ‘work-to-rule’ strike by the BSNL and MTNL employees that will turn one-week old on Tuesday has hit the communication backbone with almost all areas, except local dialing, experiencing intermittent snags. The strike has affected all sectors that utilise online leased circuits, including the cellular phone operators, rail and air travel reservations and new-age banking, which are experiencing occasional snapping of links. Sources in BSNL said the strike has now started affecting the inter-district nodes, which will have a negative impact on group dialling. Districts like Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta, Kannur and Kozhikode have been the worst hit. The long distance STD and ISD calls have already been affected and the impact will spread in the coming days, union representatives said. Private cellular operators BPL and Escotel, along with the newly-launched BSNL pre-paid ex-cel, is feeling the heat of the strike by the Telecom Engineering Officers Association (TEOA) who are demanding payscales on par with other Public Sector Units. ‘‘Customers with roaming facility have called up to say they have been affected. Minor snags have been experienced by other users in districts like Alappuzha and some smaller towns,’’ said V G Somasekhar, chief operating officer, Escotel Mobile Communications. Roaming facility gets affected as the network uses the BSNL communication link while in the State, he added. Banking service of major players has not been affected in any significant way because of the availability of backups. ‘‘There have been intermittent snags. But we have the capability to switch over to a different communication system,’’ says Hari Vellore, regional head, HDFC. Meanwhile TEOA all-India vice-president, K O Alias, in a statement said, the authorities should not view the fact that the employees are taking maximum care to minimise hardships to the general public and commercial consumers as weakness on their part.
Wednesday, October 30, 2002
KSU chief, 11 others hurt in police action
KOLLAM: KSU State president P.C.Vishnunath and 11 others were injured when a group of KSU activists clashed with the police here on Monday. The injured have been admitted to the district hospital here. Three policemen were also injured in the clashes. The KSU has called an education bandh in the State tomorrow in protest against the police action. A tense situation prevailed at the SN College following recounting of votes in the election to the posts of chairman and magazine editor of the college union. Both these posts were won by KSU candidates in the elections held last Friday. However, the results were withheld as the SFI demanded recounting of votes. According to the SFI, the total votes polled had not tallied with the number of votes for the winning candidates of these two posts. The college authorities had declared a holiday for the college today. The KSU workers led by Vishnunath held a protest march to the college against the recounting of votes which ended in a showdown with the police. KSU district president P.Jermias alleged that the SFI activists supported by the CITU workers provoked violence after the KSU candidates won in the recounting also. He alleged that both the police and the SFI-led anti-social elements attacked the KSU workers. Vishnunath said that he was beaten up by the police even after disclosing his identity. The police sources said that the KSU activists tried to prevent the police from removing an INTUC worker from the spot. The SFI leaders alleged that the INTUC worker carried lethal weapons and had come to the college campus for attacking them. A group of KSU activists held a march in protest against the police action in the city and blocked the vehicular traffic this evening. The results of the college union elections in the SN College have not yet been announced. KPCC DEMAND: KPCC general secretaries Thalekkunnil Basheer, Rajmohan Unnithan and M.K.Raghavan who were in Kollam in connection with the DCC leadership camp visited the injured KSU activists at the District Hospital. They urged the government to take stringent action against the policemen who attacked the students. he KPCC has taken the issue very seriously, they said. Earlier, UDF convener Oommen Chandy also visited the students at the hospital.
Wednesday, October 30, 2002
Govt inviting serious consequences on Mahdani issue: PDP
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 29 The People's Democratic Party (PDP) today warned that the Kerala Government was ''inviting serious consequences'' by taking an ''adamant'' stand against the release of ailing party chief Abdul Nasser Mahdani, lodged in a Tamil Nadu jail for the last four-and-a-half years without being chargesheeted. PDP General Secretary Poonthura Siraj told newspersons here that his party would not be responible for any consequences that might arise out of the denial of conditional bail during the Ramadan month to Mr Mahdani, imprisoned as the 15th accused in the 1998 Coimbatore bomb blasts case. He said the PDP was not demanding the withdrawal of cases against Mr Mahdani, but was only requesting for a conditional bail so as to enable him to seek medical aid. ''He has not been arrested under POTA, TADA or NSA. There is only a criminal case pending against him. It is not fair on the part of the authorities to put him behind the bars for the past four-and-a-half years without trial.'' Stating that the A K Antony government had betrayed them on the issue, he said the PDP activists would stage a Secretariat march on October 31, urging the UDF government to fulfil its pre-election promise to them. ''Had Mr Antony spent ten minutes on the issue, Mr Mahdani would have been released from jail by now,'' he added.
Wednesday, October 30, 2002
Isolated heavy rain in Kerala
Isolated rains occurred in Kerala on Tuesday, while light rain occured at a few places in Lakshadweep. According to an observatory report, the chief amounts of rainfall reported in cms are: Kollam 3, Ottapalam 2 and Punalur one. Alappuzha recorded the highest maximum temperature of 34 degree celsius while Punalur recorded the lowest minimum temperature of 22 degree celsius. Forecast valid until the morning of October 31: Rain or thudershowers will occur at few places in Kerala and isolated places in Lakshadweep, the report said.
Wednesday, October 30, 2002
Fed up Kerala University VC may call it a day
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala University Vice-Chancellor B Ekbal may call it a day as he is reportedly fed up with the ``unethical and mafia model operations'' of a group of Syndicate members which violates the very sanctity of higher education. Dr Ekbal, an eminent neurosurgeon and public health activist, was handpicked by the last CPM-led LDF government for the post. Ironically, among his detractors within the university establishment are leading CPM men. It all started with the Senate passing a regulation for conducting entrance examinations for admitting students with 40 percent marks to the Law Academy Law College in accordance with the provisions of the Bar Council. The Law Academy went against the University decision and by the end of the episode, a section of the Syndicate members, including Koliyakode Krishnan Nair, the brother of Law Academy manager Narayanan Nair and a CPM nominee in the Syndicate were gunning for the Vice-Chancellor. According to the regulations passed by the Senate, the entrance examinations were to be conducted by the university. The Law Academy had however entrusted an outside agency with the job of conducting the examinations. The university opposed this move and informed the Academy that it would conduct the entrance exam. The Law Academy refused to budge and finally cancelled the examinations, choosing to admit students to the college on the basis of marks and interviews. Soon after the Law Academy controversy ended, another one cropped up, giving the anti-VC camp an opportunity to defame him. The Syndicate sub-committee report on the transfer of students from other states to the medical colleges in the State created a hue and cry and the Vice-Chancellor was in the line of fire. The sub-committee's report was scheduled to come up for discussion at the Syndicate meeting last Friday but it was not placed as UDF members, including K Mohankumar MLA, did not attend the meeting. Mohankumar was on an official tour to Chattisgarh as part of an Assembly committee. The sub-committee had been appointed following reports of irregularities in the issuance of a no-objection certificate for transfer of a student from a medical college in Bihar to the Thiruvananthapuram medical college this year. The controversy was that the registrar had issued the NOC without the knowledge of the Vice-Chancellor or the Pro-Vice-Chancellor. Those who opposed the NOC was of the view that only the Vice-Chancellor could issue the NOC for inter-state transfer. Vice-Chancellor B Ekbal had earlier sent back the report pointing out some factual errors in the report. The sub-committee report said that the Vice-Chancellor had not ordered an inquiry into the controversy before the issue came up at the Syndicate meeting. However, sources close to the Vice-Chancellor said that he had, while sending back the sub-committee report, stated in it that he had asked the Pro-Vice-Chancellor to inquire into the incident even before it came up before the Syndicate. The PVC had placed the report at the Syndicate meeting held on the following day itself, he pointed out in the report. Koliyakode Krishnan Nair had strongly criticised the Vice-Chancellor at the Syndicate meeting for sending back the report. The Syndicate, in the absence of the Vice-Chancellor who could not attend the meeting owing to personal commitments, decided to place the report at the next Syndicate meeting scheduled for November 7, without referring it to the Vice-Chancellor. The sub-committee comprising P A Hilal Babu, K Mohankumar, MLA, and Koliyakode Krishnan Nair was appointed as the earlier sub-committee, comprising V Thankamani, Madhu S Nair, Rani, Bhaskaran, K Prasad and Thoppil Gopalakrishnan, could not evolve a consensus on the issue. According to sources in the university, the issuance of the NOC was actually a non-issue and the registrar had issued the NOC as the Medical Council had granted migration to the student. There was nothing in the university statute against granting NOC to students from other universities, they pointed out. The medical council had granted the transfer to the student on compassionate grounds following the death of her parent. The allegations raised by a section in the university was that the student was the daughter of a classmate of the Vice-Chancellor. But sources in the university pointed out that while Dr Ekbal had studied at the Thiruvananthapuram medical college, the father of the student was an alumnus of the Alappuzha Medical College.
Wednesday, October 30, 2002
Kerala, Services enter semi-finals
IMPHAL, OCT 29 Defending champions Kerala and Services entered the semi-finals of the 58th National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy, winning their respective quarterfinal encounters at the Khumen Lampak stadium here today. While Kerala prevailed over a spirited Assam 3-1, thus pipping strong contenders Bengal to the second spot from Group-A, Services won 2-0 against Railways and qualified for semi final by better goal average at the cost of Maharashtra from group B. The young Assam side forged ahead in the 37th minute when Saran Sonar gave a brilliant pass to the fast moving Sanjiba Rongpi who netted in from close range. The goal was a result of defensive lapse from Vinu Jose who was also guilty of several other blunders in the box during the match. The defending champions picked up the momentum in the second half and maintained constant pressure on the rival citadel. T Asif Saheer came close to scoring in the 50th minute but the brilliant Assam custodian Jitu Chetri made a valiant save. Kerala's equaliser finally came in the 70th minute when referee S M Balu pointed to the penalty spot after Chetri brought down K Ajayan inside the box. K Bineesh kept his cool to convert the penalty. Seven minutes later Kerala's T Usman sent a measured cross to S Ignatious who made no mistake to make it 2-1 for Kerala. With seconds to go for the hooter, Abdul Naushad got a clear ball inside the box and scored to make it 3-1. Kerala topped Group-A with six points with Bengal placed second with three, followed by Assam who had no points. In the second match, Services scored a goal in each half against Railways to top group B. Services shot into lead in the 13th minute when Raghu Kumar sent in a measured pass to Preetam Bahadur who netted in. The Railways, for whom the match was inseconsequential as they were already out of the reckoning, however made some smart moves, particularly through striker Janak Basumatary but failed due to poor finishing on every occasion. On the hour, Preetam Bahadur scored his second goal of the match when he headed in a measured cross from the left flank that beat the Railways goalkeeper all ends up. Services who ended up with equal four points alongwith Maharashtra qualified for the last four stage by better goal average. Kerala would now lock horns with Services in the first semifinal on November 1 while tomorrow's Group-C and Group-D matches would decide the other two semifinalists. The final is slated for November 5.
Tuesday, October 29, 2002
Kochi to have academy for modelling
KOCHI: Kerala's fashion capital is all set to add one more gem to its crown. A modelling academy and talent search institute, where budding and aspirant models and compeers will be trained and exposed to the nuances of the arts, will come up in Kochi in a couple of months. Training for the first batch of students is expected to begin latest by January next year. The academy will offer two-months course in modelling and related fields for both males and females between 18 and 25 years of age. Thirty students will be taken in at a time after a screening test. Classes will be conducted on Saturdays and Sundays and will be handled by experts. The students will be exposed to a two-day workshop, handled by Prasad Bidappa and David Whitbread, well-known figures in the modelling industry. Experts will be brought in from Mumbai also. Sessions on self-grooming, image building, ramp walking, communication skills, general knowledge, dietary, aerobics, physical development and similar topics will be conducted by experts in the respective fields. The students will also be given their portfolios prepared during the conduct of the course. The school is being set up by Prime Time Unlimited (PTU), a Kochi-based event management group, and will operate from its upcoming premises on Emmy Square on Kadavanthra-Vyttila road. It will have facilities for workout, a stage and a ramp. ``The interiors of the school premises is getting ready and the school will be launched once that is over,'' said PTU Operations and Design director Ayyubi M. Apart from the theoretical lessons and interactive workshops, the students will also be exposed to several shows and other programmes during the course. They will be counselled individually on the opportunities available in modelling and related industries so that they choose the most appropriate career. ``A good percentage of models in Bangalore or Mumabi are Keralites, who are forced to pursue their passion in alien lands as there aren't many openings in Kerala,'' said PTU Marketing director Haseena, narrating the story behind the academy. The course has been designed in such a way that even college-going students can attend it. ``The Kerala society being conservative still, we have made it mandatory for the students to obtain their parents' permission to join the course,'' she added. ``Modelling is not just walking on the ramp. There are options to take up advertising, compeering for television programmes and other shows and a host of other careers. Our course is to help aspirants take the first step,'' said Arabind C, business development officer, PTU.
Tuesday, October 29, 2002
Kerala down Bengal 3-2
Imphal, Oct 27: Defending champions Kerala remained on course for another triumph after pipping a strong Bengal side 3-2 while Maharashtra got past last year`s semi finalists Railways 1-0 in the quarter-finals of the 58th National football championship for the LG Santosh trophy at the Khuman Lampak main stadium in Imphal on Sunday. The game was level, 1-1, at half time. Bengal took the lead first when Surya Bikash Chakravorty delivered a perfect cross to Chandan Das, who made no mistake to put his side ahead in the 20th minute. However, 11 minutes later, Kerela returned the favour with S. Ignatious who heading home a cros from Abdul Hakim. Kerala, then, went into the lead in the 59th minute when Ignatious scored the second goal off a good ball from Ashis Saheeer. Bengal drew parity in the 79th minute. Chandan Das started the move, lobbing the ball to Dipendu Biswas who headed it down to Sandip Das who scored from close range. With the scores tied 2-2, both teams went all out for a win. It was Kerala who scored in the 87th minute with Ignatious delivering a cross to Usman who scored off a header to give his side the win. In a Group B encounter, Maharashtra notched up a solitary goal in the first half through Nausad Moosa (37th minute) and that was good enough to see them to victory. The match began on a dull note with the defences of both sides holding strong. Railways wasted a close chance when Subhash Chakravarty shot wide from an advantageous position in the 20th minute. The winning goal came soon after with Moosa, waiting in the opponents` box to receive the corner kick, headed home past the Railways custodian.
Tuesday, October 29, 2002
Sinha to open world ayurved meet
Vadodara, Oct. 28. : Union Health Minister, Shatrughan Sinha, will inaugurate the All-World Ayurved Conference at Kochi in Kerala on November 1. Sinha said here that he would be present at the opening of the Ayurveda confrence instead of the Deputy Prime Minister, L K Advani, who was earlier scheduled to inaugurate the meet. During its four days' deliberations, the conference would discuss ways to promote Ayurvedic medicines in the country and the world, Sinha said, adding experts from various countries would be attending the conference. There are many medicinal plants in the country and in the years to come India will be in a position to beat China in the business of Ayurvedic medicines, the Minister said. He said during his recent visit to Germany in connection with a seminar, he advocated the use of Ayurvedic medicines that had no side effects. "Nobody talks about the death of 50,000 persons per year due to side effects of allopathy drugs in America. If one person dies due to side effect of Ayurvedic medicine, they make it a big issue," he said.
Tuesday, October 29, 2002
Kerala athletes complain of bias
Kerala's leading athletes are complaining that they are being discriminated against. They say certain Amateur Athletic Federation of India officials from north India are showing bias towards them. The athletes, who won medals the just-concluded Asian Games at Busan, were participating in an interactive session with reporters at the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club on Monday. Bobby Aloysius, who won a silver medal in high jump, alleged that some influential officials from north India often sideline talent from the south. Also present at the session were were K M Beenamol, her brother Binu, Anju Bobby George, Jincy Phillip, Manjima Kuriakose and hockey player Dinesh Nayak. Aloysious charged that "Manjima was sidelined for the (women's) 400 metres relay" at the Asian Games in Busan. "At the last moment, another athlete ran the race. This happened because there is no one to protect the interests of athletes from the south," she said. Ten of the 42-member Indian athletics team at the Busan Games were from Kerala. Nine of them won medals. Double gold medal winner Beenamol complained that trials for various events are held outside the state as there is no one to take up the case of athletes from Kerala. "Most of the time when the trials occur outside the state, the inclement weather is a detrimental factor," she observed, hastening to add that it was also because of lack of facilities in the state. But most of the athletes agreed that things could have been better had they been based in Kerala itself and not left home to take up jobs in other states. "I left Kerala for a good job with the Customs. I don't think I would have got such a good job if I had to work in Kerala," said the 24-year-old Kerala-born Tamil Nadu-based Anju, who won a gold medal in the women's long jump at the Games. The Kerala government honoured the Asian Games medal winners by taking them in a convoy through the capital's main street on Monday. Each gold medallist was given a cash prize of Rs 300,000, while the silver medal winners got Rs 200,000 and bronze awardees received Rs 100,000. ADVERTISEMENT
Monday, October 28, 2002
Mohan Lal in Coimbatore.
Exit Satyan Anthikad and enters Thulasidas. Coimbatore becomes the location for a second Malayalam film in four weeks time. Satyan Anthikad finished his shooting with Jayaram and Soundarya in Coimbatore and Thulasi das moved in for the location test in this second major city in TN. Thulasidas has scheduled 30 days of shooting of his film BRAMHACHARI with Mohanlal in the lead. Another film, which has Coimbatore as its location, is CHRONIC BACHELOR with Mammootty in the main role. Siddique who earlier had cast Mammootty in HITLER is directing this film. Siddique has scheduled his shooting from December 15.
Monday, October 28, 2002
Mammootty in 'Pattalam'.
Lal Jose at his zenith of film career with MEESAMADHAVAN, which completed 100 days, is ready with his next script. He has selected picturesque Vagamon in high ranges valley in Kottayam district as his location and he has named the film PATTALAM. Lal Jose who did a film with Mammootty earlier- ORU MARAVATHUR KANAVU- has selected him for the lead role in this semi humor film. PATTALAM is a story of a village burnt in a communal conflict where a company of armed force came to maintain peace. Even after the clash is contained the company stays back in the village and an entirely different behavior is seen in the village. Lal Jose has identified the narrative style to entertain people and his PATTALAM will be a fast moving rustic film. Subair and Sudheesh who produced MEESAMADHAVAN produce this. Lal Jose and Regi have written the script.
Monday, October 28, 2002
Kavya Madhavan in MIZHI RANDILUM
Time and tide is in favor of Kavya Madhavan for she gets a lifetime role in 'MIZHI RANDILUM' written and directed by Ranjith. With Samyuktha Varma now quitting the world of films for a family life, it is Kavya Madhavan to whom the directors are entrusting good roles. She has a consistent record of moderate commercial success. The super hit MEESA MADHAVAN helped her to consolidate her position as number one heroine in Malayalam. Kavya Madhavan has got the lead role in 'MIZHI RANDILUM' and there is no hero though Dileep has a guest role appearing here and there. The cast has Jagathy, Indrajith, Innocent, Narendraprasad, Kunchan, Kalpana, and all senior artists except Indrajith. SaratchandraVarma writes the lyrics.
Monday, October 28, 2002
Kunchako Boban and Meera Jasmine in KASTHURIMAN
When Lohita Das announces a film one can expect a literary touch even in it. He does not give a hint of the story on the contrary it is an abstract idea that he gives us. The first P R copy of KASTHURIMAN, his new film, which begins shooting in TRICHUR, soon, informs us that we humans are like Kasturiman -Antelopes. Antelopes are always after the deer musk, so are we humans ever in search of love. We do not identify love that comes our way, or the love offered to us. Nor will we give it others. Still we are yearning for love. Lohita Das the scriptwriter and director of films with literary quality is attempting this idea of love in KASTURIMAN. Lohita Das says love is that touches and wakes up one's soul. It is the unification of two entities. Lohita Das extracts the essence of this idea and injects it into a story of a young man and girl. He sets the illusory city life and simple rustic life as background for the film. Kunchako boban and Meera Jasmine are in the lead. They are Sajan Joseph and Priyamvada in this story. The other actors are Cochin haneefa, Salim kumar, Sreehari and new artists.
Monday, October 28, 2002
Ranjith shelves MohanLal film
Ranjith put Mohanlal film on hold and is immediately doing a low budget film. Mohanlal was interested in Ranjith film MARAM PEYYUMPOL but some hitch has delayed this project. It was to be produced by actor Augustine. Mohanlal is presently doing the K Madhu film and next he will join the Thulasidas film.
Monday, October 28, 2002
Vinayan casts Mohanlal!
Nobody thought Vinayan would make a film with Mohanlal in the lead. If we need an explanation here we have one. Years back Vinayan made his first film with a new comer named Madanlal. Madanlal was a look alike of super star Mohanlal. The names sounded similar as well. Madanlal was shown as a barber in some scenes. Obviously Mohanlal fans were offended. Madanlal never did appear on screen after that. Vinayan also had a share of the criticism for making such a film. We have no idea if he had a design to tarnish Mohanlal's image. However everybody thought it was in bad taste. Vinayan has a chance to erase the old image now. He directs a film with Mohanlal, which is produced by Mani of Sunitha productions. It is their 50th film. The heroine is to be decided soon.
Monday, October 28, 2002
Mizhi Randilum
It would appear that director scriptwriter Ranjith is going through a bad time. But he disproves it by launching his third film MIZHI RANDILUM. ('In those both eyes'). What he announced immediately after he finished 'NADANAM' was a simple film 'MARAM PEYYUMPOL' with Mohanlal but as the talk in tinsel town goes Ranjith could not bring down the remuneration of the actor for that one. The date of Mohanlal got diverted away for a bigger project. Ranjith and Augustine with a vengeance immediately embarked upon a simpler project that would be definitely welcomed by the viewers of Kerala. He handles a woman oriented subject this time. He was all for super star action movies mixed with high sentimental drama like DEVASURAM and its sequel. It was believed that he is not capable of thinking small budget films. His characters were all huge and super humans. But what we see now is Ranjith thinking and doing small and beautiful subjects. MIZHI RANDILUM is a production of actor Augustine under the banner of St Jude's films, which has started in Ottappalam. Actually Ranjith is going through a bad time with 'NANDANAM' his co production with actor Siddique is still not able to get into commercial circuit. Distributors could neither release it on the agreed date nor gave the rights back. Ranjith has high hopes on the film and his clout could not alter the fate of the film lying presently in tin boxes. Further he announced that NANDANAM would be remade in Tamil and Telugu. It did not happen. He announced another film but suddenly kept silent there after. But it is happy to see him immersed in work undeterred by all these.
Monday, October 28, 2002
'I never expected a backlash' -Shaji Kailas
The title of the most precious director in Malayalam belongs to Shaji Kailas. He entered the Malayalam film scene 13 years ago with a thriller named 'NEWS'. It was a low budget film. Right from the beginning he was a domineering and hard working director. He continued his experiments with SUNDAY 7 PM, SOUHRUDAM, NEELAKURIKKAN, DR PASUPATHI, but Shaji Kailas could not achieve the position he wanted. He had to wait till 'TALASTHANAM', which catapulted to him into an ace director. He proved a firebrand director in no time. It was hits and hits all the way till the latest 'THANDAVAM'. It only earned bad name for him. "I never expected such a backlash", Shaji admits. He is still not recovered from the shock. As a result he has not even started planning his next film. What do you think the reason for the failure of 'THANDAVAM'? It could be that it followed 'PRAJA' and 'ONNAMAN' which presented Mohanlal as the action hero. A third film in succession with Mohanlal as action hero failed to entertain the masses. If 'THANDAVAM' was released after a couple of films with Mohanlal in light roles, it could have become a super hit. What do you say about the complaint that the dialogues came with double meaning and certain dance sequences crossed the limits? There are certain formulae for the commercial films. The dance sequences were included as a part of it. Nobody pointed out the dances were of bad taste while in the planning stage or at shooting stage. It was not evident either at the preview. Further it was consulted upon before picturisation. But from the first day of release some quarters with vested interests had started spreading that 'THANDAVAM' was a sleazy film. What was the necessity to cast an expensive dancer like Mumtaj in this film? It did not do well to the success of the film, did it? It was not my option. It was a suggestion from the producer. He has publicized from the start that Mumtaj was acting in TANDAVAM. I had no other choice on this account. If I had avoided her that would only have affected badly the prospects of the film. You always select heroism as the central theme. Why? People dream of heroes who react and act in hard situations. They at least want these sorts of characters in films. I believe these types of themes are popular with the masses. But don't you think the villains outsmarted the heroes in 'SIVAM' And 'THANDAVAM'? Hero becomes relevant at the cost of villain. It happened the villains in those films became strong. In our times the villain s are the ones more glorified. See the importance Bin Laden gets internationally. Veerappan gets more footage and space in media. In earlier films you executed the villains by the most violent methods you can think. Of late you let them free. Why this change? Since the political murders in the state especially in Kannur district grew in numbers I thought I would not do anything that may fan the vengeance even though it is fictional. I decided that my films should not brew more of that and influence the political murders. This was a policy I accepted in those days. SIVAM depicted the contemporary political scene. But you had dropped this kind of theme years before. The curious thing is that you chose these themes only when United Democratic front was ruling. Five years before and now. You never did this kind of films when Left front was in power. Why? I did such films when working with Ranji Panikkar. It changed when Ranjith came as my scriptwriter. His subjects were different. When B Unnikrishnan came with this subject 'SIVAM'. The fact that filmmakers get more material during the rule of UDF is also a reason for such political thrillers. Do you feel that the failure of THANDAVAM is mainly due to the changing of your favorite scriptwriters like Ranji and Ranjith? To a certain extent, yes. I could communicate with them more effectively. One can see the result was achieved in those films. In SIVAM you tried to establish Biju Menon as an action hero. But it did not happen. Where did you think you have gone wrong? Biju has the capacity of an action super hero. It is just unlucky that he could not reach there. Babu Antony was specially offered a role in 'THANDAVAM' but it was completely edited out. What happened? That role appeared excessive and not contributing to the totality of the film. Further it made the film lengthier than it was required after shooting. You announce a lot of films but only a few are finished. Why? I never announce these films myself. When we discuss projects those associated with the projects inform the media just out of enthusiasm. I have no control over it. I shall see to it that no film of mine is announced before it is sure to launch. You have directed some humor films earlier. Will you direct comedy films in the future? No. Viewers are expecting a particular genre of films from me. Action films. They may not accept comedy from me. Further producers approach me to direct action films only. You did a number of films with Suresh Gopi. He is not seen in your projects these days. Why? Yes we did a few films together. We will be doing more in the future. What happened to 'DIAL 100' with new artists? We did not get the right kind of youngsters for the subject. Meanwhile a film with the subject had just come. I am not interested in DIAL 100 any more. What are your new films? Earlier VYAGRAM with Mohanlal in the lead was thought of. Ranji Panikkar is writing this. But it may not come as expected now. Another project is a Mammootty film for which Ranji panikkar writes. Another one is a film on script written by director Vinayan. But I shall wait till Annie gives birth to our second child. It will be two months from now.
Monday, October 28, 2002
Pop-carn
Director Nassar Producer Kameela Nassar The Tamil actor and director Nassar had made offbeat films like Devathai, Avatharam and a commercial crass like Mayan in the past. But none of these films have done well in the box-office. So now Nassar is all set to woo the box-office Gods once again with Pop-carn, a short form for pop carnival. In a casting coup of sorts he has managed to rope in the Malayalam superstar Mohanlal and Simran as husband and wife with Simran’s real life sister Jyothi playing their daughter in the film. In a nutshell the story is about Mohanlal, a musician falling in love with a fusion dancer, Simran. They marry but due to artistic ego fall out which is told as a flashback. The film starts with Mohanlal as a big time music director whose music is a craze among the youth. Even his own daughter played by Jyothi likes his music and tries to bring her father and her mother together but in vain. The film has shades of the classic Guru Dutt film Kagaz Ke Phool. Said Nassar, I admire the films of Raj Kapoor, Bimal Roy and Guru Dutt who had their own distinct character. But Pop-carn is a modern family drama about relationships. Nassar and his music director Yuvan Shanker Raja have created a new fusion music that’s elevated and uplifting. One of the songs was recently picturised on the beaches of Goa. The cast also includes Vivek, Alphonsa, and a Mumbai model Sakthi. The camera is by Sridhar and Vikram Dharma is the stunt master. Kameela Nassar produces the film.
Monday, October 28, 2002
The Bamboo Boys
Remember the English comedy film The Gods Must Be Crazy in which African Bushman discover modernity? It was a hilarious comedy where an African Bushman encounters technology for the first time – in the shape of Coco-Cola bottle. Even at that time it was considered a racist film that went all out to eulogise the white man. Now one of our directors Ali Akbar who specialises in low budget comedy films seems to have been inspired by the Hollywood flick and his latest film Bamboo Boys tells the story of four adivasis- Kalabhavan Mani, Harisi Asokan, Cochin Haneefa and Salim Kumar. They live in isolation in a jungle and later come to a big city in search of a doctor to treat their chief’s wife. These Bushmen will entertain you as they encounter modern technology for the first time like ceiling fan, lift and a telephone. These characters would be communicating in sign and grunts for a major part of the film, which would be ‘action comedy’ for the masses. Bamboo Boys may lack social conscience as far as the way we treat the adivasis, but in comedy crazy Malayalam films anything is possible.
Monday, October 28, 2002
Plan to open up engineering colleges to non-Keralites
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With a large number of engineering seats falling vacant, the State Government is planning to allow students from other States to participate in the entrance examination from 2003. However, students from outside the State will be considered only for payment seats. A quota will be fixed for them. Higher Education Principal Secretary K Mohandas told this website's newspaper that the proposal was under active consideration. This followed a demand by managements of private engineering colleges as well. The private college managements are finding it difficult to fill the payment and NRI quota seats now. Students from the State are allowed to participate in the engineering entrance examinations in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and they are considered for a fixed quota in payment seats in these states. Opening up the entrance examination in Kerala will be a natural reciprocation. Kerala has not been allowing students from other States in its engineering colleges as it had only limited number of seats till recently. But the number of engineering colleges went up to 71 and total seats to 16,000 from 17 engineering colleges and 6,000 seats in 1999. Commissioner for Entrance Examinations C K Viswanathan told this paper that the final picture of the vacant engineering seats would emerge only after the publication of the third reallocation list which is being prepared now. The third reallocation list is likely to be published on October 31. He said that more than 300 candidates had not joined the colleges after the second reallocation list. The third list would cover these seats and also that of some new engineering colleges. Last year, with lesser number of engineering seats (around 10,000), over 300 seats had fallen vacant in the State on the completion of admission.
Monday, October 28, 2002
Adoor's new film set for commercial release in France
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Renowned filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan's latest venture 'Nizhalkkuthu' (shadow kill) will be commercially released in France in January and later in many other foreign countries. The commercial release has been finalised and ten prints with French sub-titles would be used forbefore doing so in India. French company Arcam Internation, the co-producer of the film, would have the rights for the film in France. 'Nizhalkkuthu', which comes six years after Adoor's last feature film 'Kathapurushan', is set in the 1940s in the princely state for Travancore and centres round the life of a hangman. Popular character actor Oduvil Unnikrishnan plays the lead. Known to be a perfectionist, Adoor has chosen his favourite Mankada Ravi Varma as the cinematographer. The film was well accepted by the international audience when it was screened at venice and Toronto film festivals. There were three screenings each at Venice and Toronto and each one of them was packed. ''the film will be screened in at least half-a-dozen international film festivals in the coming months,'' Adoor said. First, it will be screened at the London festival next month, then followed by Rome festival, competition section of the Nantes festival, the Rotterdam festival and at Pusan. Negotiations were being held with distributors for the commercial release of the film in Switzerland, Germany and a number of other countries. He is eager to release the film in India as well.
Monday, October 28, 2002
Janu springs a surprise on cops; enters Aralam Farm
KANNUR: Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha leader C K Janu has said that the land at the Aralam Farm rightfully belonged to the Adivasis and that they will establish their right over this land despite the government move to scuttle the earlier proposal for distribution of vacant land at the farm to landless Adivasis. Janu, who entered the Aralam Farm on Saturday night and held a meeting of Adivasi families even as the police made an abortive move to prevent her from entering the farm, disclosed that she and her followers had no plan to take over the land using force, on Saturday, as made out by a section of the newspapers. She said her only intention was to hold a meeting at the farm and she had succeeded in doing so inspite of the elaborate preparations made by the police and the farm workers to block her. Janu had gained entry into the farm avoiding the main gate and taking a different route, virtually taking the police and the workers by surprise. She clarified later that her intention was to avoid a confrontation with the police and the workers. Janu's meeting at the farm was held in the light of kerosene lamps and she was not ready to meet the police or the farm officials. She said the Adivasis would enter the land at Aralam and build settlements there only after making adequate preparations. A six-day-long Gothra pooja would be held in the second week of December and the steps to take over the land would be initiated only after the pooja, she said. Adivasi leaders M Geethanandan, K K Gopalan, Sreeraman Koyyon and V Balan also were with Janu as she entered the farm and held the meeting. She returned from Aralam early on Sunday morning.
Monday, October 28, 2002
Suicide rate on the rise in Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Faced with the problems of a 'transitional society', suicide rate in 'consumerist' Kerala is on the rise touching a high 31.5 per lakh a year against the National average around 10 per lakh. Mental health experts and social scientists attribute growing incompatability between income and needs, break-up of joint families, unchecked alcoholism and drug abuse and spread of media as major factors contributing to the death wish gripping the country's most literate state. "Disparity between income and needs is the main factor that drives people to kill themselves in most cases," said Dr Suraraj mony, secretary, State Mental Health Authority. Figures with the State Mental Health Authority show that in the 1990s, suicide rate in Kerala stood at 27.1 per lakh a year against the National average of 9.2. Besides, cases of family suicide are also on the rise with 59 cases reported in 2000 alone. Though the progress Kerala made in health education and service sectors are remarkable, its reflection is missing on the economic front. Steadily dwindling industrial investment and an ever-shrinking agricultural base over the last three decades had a telling impact on the income profile of the state, where educated unemployment is one of country's highest. Being an educated society, minimum needs of even a working class family in Kerala is much more than its counterpart in any other state, according to experts. According to the Mental Health Authority (SMH), 'bankruptcy' was found to be cause 991 cases of suicide reported in 1999. As many as 239 cases were attributed to unemployment, 398 to insanity, 1365 to diseases. As many as 24 cases of suicide due to 'exam failure' were reported the same year, throwing light into the sense of insecurity gripping the middle-class children destined to grow up in a highly competitive milieu. According to Dr Mani consumerism alone could not be faulted. Weakening family system was found to be eating into the vitals of the state's mental health. Problems like drug abuse and alcoholism, often leading to suicide, could be tackled more effectively by adoption of 'moral policy' at the family level, as it used to be the case in the past. Spread of media in the wake of satellite and IT revolution had contributed no less to the growing death wish. "Death and violence become an entertainment on the small Screen," observed Dr Mani. "People are yet to acquire social and mental skills to cope with realities. Keralites are fortunate enough to live in an evironment marked by absence of climatic extremes, devastating natural calamities or major wars. Suddenly they are caught in the vortex of fast-pace social change." Challenge before the mental health planners was how to create social and health support systems to help people face the situation. The state mental health policy formulated couple of years had its thrust on this aspect, Dr Mani added.
Monday, October 28, 2002
Antony warns Cong activists against becoming power brokers
KOLLAM: Chief Minister A K Antony has warned Congress activists against becoming power brokers under the UDF Government. Inaugurating the leadership camp organised by the District Congress Committee in Kollam on Sunday, Antony said that his Government would not hesitate to order probe if allegations of corruption were levelled against party workers. He said that he was against all sorts of recommendations and stood for maintaining transparency in the administration. He also emphasised the need for maintaining transparency in fund collection for the party. The Chief Minister said that since the Government maintained transparency in the sanctioning of engineering, medical and nursing colleges, not a single allegation of corruption could be levelled against the Government in this regard. ‘‘Criticisms give me strength in public life and I don’t like flattery’’, he said. However, he called upon the party workers to raise criticisms against the Government only in party forums. Levelling criticisms outside party fora was not fair, he said. He reminded the Congress workers that the UDF could win the confidence of the people and return to power only by not repeating the mistakes of the previous LDF government. Though the CPM had amassed enormous wealth and started a TV channel during its regime, the people rejected the party in the elections, he said. He said that though there were criticisms that the UDF was weak while in the Opposition, it could win more number of seats than in the 1960 elections held after the liberation struggle. Antony said that things had been changing for the better under the UDF rule. The prices of agricultural products including coconut and rubber had improved. The law and order situation had also improved and there were no incidents of violence in the Malabar region. He said that steps would be taken to improve the situation in the traditional industries soon. DCC president Sooranadu Rajasekharan presided over the function. KPCC disciplinary committee chief C.V.Padmarajan was among those who spoke.
Monday, October 28, 2002
Southern Railway to run special trains to tackle winter rush
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Southern Railway will run several special trains from November two to February three to clear the rush during winter season. Railway sources said on Sunday that special trains would run from Ernakulam to Rajkot, from Bangalore to Kollam and from Chennai to Kayamkulam and Thiruvananthapuram Central. Advance reservation for the above special trains have already commenced. The 651/652 Ernakulam-Rajkot special will run every week. The 651 will depart from Ernakulam at 1820 hrs on Sunday to reach Rajkot at 2125 hrs on Tuesday. In the return direction, the 652 will depart from Rajkot at 1700 hrs on Wednesday to arrive at Ernakulam at 0630 hrs on Friday. The 617/618 Bangalore-Kollam special will run every week. The 617 will depart from Bangalore at 2015 hrs on Sunday to reach Kollam the next day at 1115 hrs. In the return direction, the 618 will depart from Kollam at 1915 hrs on Monday to reach Bangalore at 1015 hrs the next day. The 635/636 Chennai Central-Thiruvananthapuram Central will be bi-weekly. The 635 Chennai Central-Thiruvananthapuram Central bi-weekly special will depart from Chennai Central at 2115 hrs on Monday and Friday to arrive at Thiruvananthapuram Central on Tuesday and Saturday at 1600 hrs, according to the Railways. In the return direction, the 636 will depart from Thiruvananthapuram Central at 2000 hrs on Tuesday and Saturday to arrive at Chennai Central at 1400 hrs on Wednesday and Sunday. The 605/606 Chennai Central to Kayamkulam will run as a weekly special train. The 605 special train will depart from Chennai Central on Wednesday at 2115 hrs and will arrive at Kayamkulam at 1330 hrs, the next day. In the return direction, the 606 will depart from Thiruvananthapuram Central at 1430 hrs on Thursday to arrive at Chennai Central the next day at 0645 hrs.
Monday, October 28, 2002
Unusual Monsoon Spells Disaster For Crops In Kerala
Kochi/Thiruvananthapuram, October 27: The recent rains, which lashed Kerala after a dry spell, following scanty monsoon, have spelt disaster for several crops except rubber and cardamom. The loss, which the unprecedented rain caused to crops, is yet to be estimated, though farmers and agriculture department officials confirm that the rain spread havoc, especially among the banana and paddy fields in the state. The unusual monsoon, which meteorological department officials said, was a continuation of the below normal South-West monsoon and a precursor to the North-East monsoon which is due sometime next week. The Directorate of Arecanut and Spices Development in Kozhikode has just begun a survey of the havoc caused and it would take another week before the work is completed, director Tamilselvan told FE. According to Spices Board sources, the sudden monsoon outburst would help farmers have one more pick as there would be yet another flowering. The scanty monsoon earlier did not affect the crop much as the frequent drizzle proved beneficial then though it would have affected irrigation during the early part of next year. The below normal monsoon had hit the pepper plantations hard as rain induces spikes usually around July/August. But this time the spikes induced were much less and the continuous downpour over the last three weeks would see the sprouts wither away. According to rough estimates, there would be around 40 to 50 per cent fall in pepper production this year. The recent rain would only add to bringing this further down, board official said. Former Coconut Development Board chairman Joseph Alappat said the unprecedented rain would affect most of the crops. Pepper and banana plantations were the worst hit, he said, adding it was too early to estimate the loss and given the trend, there was little the government would do to compensate for the loss. However, the domestic rubber demand has not turned its face from Kerala rubber bourses yet. This time, it is the monsoon pattern that sustained the uninterrupted farm-to-market supplyline of rubber stocks in a price-buoyant period. Despite the initial panic stirred by the monsoon truancy, tapping without using the rain guards was possible in this period. And just as the heat climbed beyond the rubber crop optimum, the downpour had started. It was as if the rains were all for rubber, Kerala Agriculturalists Association president KK Joseph (Palai) told FE. During the peak demand time, the erratic farm-market movements often letdown the farmers from making fair price-realisations. Even when the margin between the Rs 45.02 per kilo international price and Rs 38.78 per kilo is an import-inviting situation, the threat has been less because of the unwavering supply line this time. There has been forecast of a heavy North-East monsoon, but the farmers are not too apprehensive. The November rains, however fierce, tends to be in the evenings, leaving the mornings sunny, dry and ready for rubber tappers, said Dr Mathew Mathew, who heads Kanjirapuzha Planters Association. Rubber Board has been making a survey on the increase in production during this season which is to be completed only next month. About 15 per cent of the small-holding farmers had left their plantations untapped during last season due to poor price realisations, Mr Krishankutty, market expert, Rubber Board pointed out. These farms might have given better yield this year supported by the rain pattern. This could also have have played a role in the increased production, he said.
Monday, October 28, 2002
Priest held for molesting girl
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct. 27. : Police have arrested a priest on the charge of sexual abuse of a 20-year-old girl, who became pregnant. Vellarada police said 30-year-old K Varghese, who was arrested from Pathanamthitta yesterday, was produced before the court today. The priest of the Kappiyode Church at Chemboor, near here, had befriended the girl at a prayer meeting held at the church and later molested her. The priest, who is married and has three children, went into hiding after the girl became pregnant. He had initially offered to marry her, but later backtracked. Fr Varghese was arrested by a special team after the girl's family lodged a complaint with the police.
Monday, October 28, 2002
Chartered European flights boost Kerala tourism
The tourism industry in Kerala, hit by the September 11 attack on the United States, is to get a major boost with chartered flights from Europe arriving from next month. The first chartered flight of the tourist season from the United Kingdom is scheduled to land here on November two with 300-odd tourists. Sources in the State Tourism department said the chartered flight would be from Gatwick in Britain. The 16-hour flight to Thiruvananthapuram would have a brief stopover in Bahrain. A wide-bodied aircraft, with a seating capacity of 330, is to be operated jointly by JMC, Manos and Air Tours. The chartered flights are to be operated every Saturday, till April end. The local handling of the tourists who land by these chartered flights would be by Thomas Cook and Trans Orient. The tourists are expected to undertake a 16-day excursion to the hillstation at Ponmudi, near the state capital, to Kanniyakumari in the adjacent district of Tamil Nadu, besides covering destinations like Kumarakom, Munnar, Thekkady and Kochi. They will stay at the Kovalam beach resort for a day, on arrival, before moving to other destinations. Tourism department sources said that the chartered tourists from UK were expected to spend one to four weeks in the state. After visiting destinations in the neigbouring states of Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, they will have to return to Thiruvananthapuram for the return flight.
Monday, October 28, 2002
One dead in cholera outbreak
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct. 27. : The outbreak of cholera in parts of the coastal belt claimed its first victim when a three- day-old infant died in a government hospital here last night. District health authorities have confirmed that the new-born died due to cholera at the SAT hospital in the city. The mother of the baby is a resident of Vizinjam from where suspected cholera cases were first reported. Meanwhile, the State Government stepped up measures to contain the spread of the disease in the district, where nine cases of cholera have been confirmed so far.
Monday, October 28, 2002
Bankers bristle at charge over low credit-deposit ratio
THE banking community in Kerala, which has come under a fresh bout of attack by the political establishment holding it responsible for the persisting low credit-deposit ratio in the State, has denied that deposit monies are being diverted for lending outside. "This is not true, and falls flat on its face if only because the prevailing dull investment climate is generic to all States' and hardly compels diversion of deposit funds for onlending,'' according to Mr G. Umesh Shenoy, General Manager, Kerala circle of Canara Bank. The bank is also convenor of the State Level Banker's Committee (SLBC), the common platform for all nationalised banks operating in the State. According to Mr Shenoy, all banks are faced with a problem of plenty, vis-a-vis deposits. Only, the CD ratio may be slightly better in some States barring Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and a couple of others which are very backward. "Even in those States which have traditionally enjoyed better CD ratios, we find there are hardly any avenues available for fresh lending,'' he said. According to Mr Shenoy, this tussle between the political establishment and bankers has been going for a long time. The political class maintains that public sector banks have not been doing anything more than raising deposits and siphoning off the monies for lending elsewhere. According to Mr Shenoy, they may have a valid case in that banks that have been mobilising large deposits from funds available with the NRI population; generally, 60 per cent of the deposits have come to be sourced from NRIs. Another 10 to 20 per cent could well be traced to ex-NRIs. This practice of lending outside may have been true till a few years back when banks here found it extremely profitable to lend wherever the investment climate was exceptionally good. But not any more, with credit off-take being badly affected in the wake of globalisation and the consequential problems attributable to economic liberalisation. The CD ratio cannot be improved by merely providing money to Government-sponsored schemes like PMRY, SGSRY etc. "There are hardly any new industries coming up in the State. Probably, the Government can help us by pointing out to us which are the industries that have come up here and which we have refused to lend to,'' Mr Shenoy said. On a different plane, banks are actually incurring a loss carrying these deposits. Some of them, Canara Bank included, have found it expedient to cut deposit rates. But they still have to contend with deposits acquired at higher rates of 12 per cent and more. Because of lack of avenues for lending, banks are being forced to put their money in Government papers and call money where the rates are below six per cent. "Even while we are incurring losses, we can't just stop accepting deposits. We can only hope to regulate it to some extent by tinkering with interest rates. But, we would like to view the current slump as a temporary phenomenon and therefore we would continue to accept deposits even while risking loss. If we stop taking deposits altogether now, we would well be made to run after depositors in a prospective scenario where credit off-take begins to look up,'' Mr Shenoy added. Wanted: Level-playing field THE main grouse of the nationalised banks in Kerala is that they have bore the brunt of the long-drawn CD ratio controversy while private banks, some of them headquartered in the State, have been spared much of the barbs despite posting comparatively poorer individual CD ratios themselves. According to the State-Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC), nationalised banks, with average CD ratio of 43 per cent, have for some reason become the favourite whipping boy for all, while private banks are quietly enjoying the scene from the sidelines. This when these banks have fared none the better in the CD ratio sweepstakes. Quoting statistics, SLBC sources said as on June 2002, Federal Bank, the largest private bank and with the home base advantage, posted a CD ratio of 46.44. Dhanalakshmi Bank based in Ernakulam returned 41.41. But, the Thrissur-based Catholic Syrian at 26.71 and Ernakulam-based Lord Krishna at 23.56 fared way below expectations. Kozhikode-based Nedungadi Bank posted a somewhat respectable 44.02, while Thrissur-based South Indian Bank registered a modest 36.55.
Monday, October 28, 2002
Santosh Trophy: Kerala beat Bengal
Imphal, Oct 27. : Defending champions Kerala pipped strong contenders Bengal 3-2 while Maharashtra got past last year's semi finalists Railways 1-0 in the quarter-final matches of the 58th National Football championship for LG Santosh Trophy here today. Poor defence cost Bengal dearly as they surrendered their early lead through Chandan Das in the opening session and failed to hold on after Sandip Das drew parity in the second half of the Group A match played at the Khuman Lampak Main stadium. Kerala rode on a double strike by S Ignatius and a winner by Usman minutes before the long whistle to earn full points against their formidable opponents. The match was also marred by frayed tempers. Two Bengal players, Das and Anupam Sarkar were shown yellow cards for arguing with the referee. In a Group B encounter, Maharashtra notched up a solitary goal victory through Nausad Moosa in the 37th minute. The match began on a dull note with neither team being able to penetrate the rivals' defence. Railways wasted a close chance when Subhash Chakravarty shot wide from an advantageous position in the 20th minute. The winning goal came soon after with Moosa, waiting in the opponents' box to receive the corner kick, headed home past the Railways custodian.
Saturday, October 26, 2002
Kerala to honour Busan medal winners
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 25 Busan Asian Games medal winners from Kerala will be honoured by the State Government and the Kerala Sports council at a function here on October 28. Chief Minister A K Antony would give away the cash awards for the medal winners. The government had announced a cash award of Rs three lakh for each gold medal, Rs two lakh for each silver and Rs one lakh for each bronze. The coaches the medal winners would be given Rs one lakh each.
Saturday, October 26, 2002
IA flight makes emergency landing
IA flight makes emergency landing Kochi, Oct. 25. : An Indian Airlines plane to Mumbai from Thiruvananthapuram made an emergency landing at the Nedumbassery International Airport here after its windshield developed a crack, airport sources said today. Forty-one passengers were on board the plane which landed about 2.30 p.m. yesterday and immediately all of them were off-loaded. Fire engines and ambulances were kept ready at the airport to meet any emergency situation. The Mumbai-bound passengers were later sent by a Jet Airways flight. The damaged aircraft was flown to Mumbai for repair, the sources added.
Saturday, October 26, 2002
‘Kerala Sayahnam’ a big hit
MUSCAT ‘Kerala Sayahnam’, organised by Majan Hotel in association with the Oman and UAE Exchange, at the hotel pool lawns late on Friday was a great success. The tickets for the show were all sold out a day before the event. We had around 1,000 spectators for the event and all of them enjoyed the show, said the organisers. They also relished the buffet of authentic Kerala foods which included kappa, meenkari, idiyappam, chatni, etc. Singer Markose and cine artiste Chanchal were highly appreciated by the crowd for their sterling performance. Markose sang famous songs like Idayakanyake, Pooparikkan, Salaathullah, etc. His delivery of the latest hit Ente Ellam from the film Meesa Madhavan was well appreciated. Chanchal performed bharathanatyam, classical and cinematic dances. The show and artiste coordination was done by Melody Music Centre and coverage and telecast was done by Asianet Malayalam Channel. The event was sponsored by Air-India, Oman United Agencies and Muscat Apollo
Saturday, October 26, 2002
Justice Gupta CJ of Kerala High Court
Punjab and Haryana High Court Judge Mr Justice Jawahar Lal Gupta has been appointed Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court by the President of India. A notification to this effect was issued by the Central Government today. He will be administered the oath of office sometimes next week. Enrolled as a lawyer on February 28, 1963, Mr Justice Gupta was designated senior advocate on December 10, 1982. As a practising advocate, he was a part time member of the teaching faculty at the Law College, member of Panjab University’s law faculty, besides member Board of Studies in Law. Mr Justice Gupta was elevated as Punjab and Haryana High Court Judge on March 15, 1991. During his tenure, Mr Justice Gupta has delivered several landmark judgements both on criminal, civil and taxation side, besides on constitutional issues. As many as 29 notifications issued by the Punjab government to acquire over 10,000 acres for setting up a new town of Anandgarh were annulled. This is not all. In the first ever judgement of its kind in the country on a petition challenging the constitutional validity of Prevention of Terrorism Act, Mr Justice Gupta’s Division Bench had significantly held that the Act rightly aimed at reducing the procedural tangles. Mr Justice Gupta had also delivered verdicts on petitions against the film industry, including one against Gadar. He also remained in the news for his judgement in the Mansa recruitment case. Mr Justice Gupta was always appreciated by the Bar as a bold Judge always performing his duties without fear or favour. Known for his quotable quotes, he was also praised for his humane approach in handling sensitive issues.
Thursday, October 24, 2002
Pension scheme for non-resident Keralites approved
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After years of deliberations, Kerala's cabinet has finally approved an insurance-linked contributory pension scheme for non-resident Keralites (NRKs), returnees and Keralites settled outside the state. The scheme is to cover about 15 lakh NRKs, 10 lakh Middle East returnees to the state and Keralites settled in other parts of India. "Yes, we have given approval for this scheme and it would be ready shortly", Chief Minister A.K. Antony said at the post-cabinet briefing to mediapersons here on Wednesday. The minimum premium payable would be Rs 20,000 a year, which could be paid in monthly, quarterly or annual instalments. The scheme will provide a slew of benefits to the policyholders who may opt for five-year, 10-year and 15-year covers. As per plans the maximum age of entry would be 55 years and there would be a provision for a lumpsum premium payment for those above 50. Pension would be paid out from the period chosen by the policyholder and would continue till his/her death. Speaking to M.M. Hassan, Minister for NRKs, said that the approval of the scheme is a major achievement for his department. "The scheme would be there in a month's time. We need to print the brochures and finish other paper work before we start it." The newly formed ROOTS Corporation has been entrusted with managing it after the previous fund manager, Non- Resident Keralites' Welfare Agency, wound up. The entire fund collected through premiums would be used solely for welfare activities for NRKs, who have always been the backbone of the state's economy, said the minister. He said that this was the first time a scheme on these lines has been implemented in India. The scheme has been built with the support of the Life Insurance Corporation, United India Assurance and the Kerala government, he added.
Thursday, October 24, 2002
Kerala mulls tapping wind energy
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala is beginning to seriously consider tapping its huge wind energy potential. With big players in the sector saying at a meeting in Kochi that they would invest if the government created the infrastructure to tap Kerala's potential of generating 1,000 megawatts (MW) of wind energy, the authorities said they were giving the matter serious thought. "We are looking into how we could incorporate their ideas in projects and showcase them during the forthcoming Global Investors' Meet," Tourism minister K.V. Thomas, who inaugurated the meet organised by the Agency for Non-Conventional Energy and Rural Technology, told . Kerala generates only two MW of wind energy now. In contrast, neighbouring Tamil Nadu generates 50,000 units of wind energy every year. Said Thomas John Muthoot, a Kerala-based businessman who has set up eight windmills at Muppanthal in Tamil Nadu: "The best place in Kerala is in Ramakalmedu in Idukki district, but a lot of infrastructure like roads and other facilities have to come up. "If the government is ready to take this up, we would be glad to invest in a few windmills in Kerala," the entrepreneur said. The cost of setting up one windmill is Rs.1 crore. While the major players are willing to invest that kind of money in Ramakalmedu, they say one big problem is that there is no provision at present to transfer electricity generated into the Kerala State Electricity Board grid. Among those who took part in the Kochi meeting were NEG Micon, Vestas RRB India, Suzion Energy and the Indian Wind Turbine Manufacturers Association, the apex body of wind turbine makers. Eight potential investors also participated.
Thursday, October 24, 2002
Kochi reporter gets Gulf award
KOCHI: M K Harikumar, staff reporter of the Kochi unit of Kerala Kaumudi, a leading Malayalam daily, has been selected for the Gulf Prathibha Excellent Award 2002, instituted by the Kala Sahithya Vedi, Dubai. The award carries a certificate and a cash award of Rs 20,000. "This award is being given to outstanding writers in Malayalam under the age of 45 years," a Vedi press release said. The award would be given at a function in Dubai in the last week of this month
Thursday, October 24, 2002
Ayyappa `abhisheka' tickets to be sold through info centres
SABARIMALA: The Travancore Devaswom Board (TDB) which administers the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa here has made arrangements for the sale of 'abhisheka' tickets through its information centres started in various states and through the counters of Dhanalakshmi Bank functioning outside the State, TDB president N Babu said. The 'abhisheka' tickets would also be sold at the major temples of the Devaswom elsewhere in the State. He said about a dozen oxygen parlours would be opened between Pampa and Sabarimala for the convenience of pilgrims visiting Sabarimala during the two-month season starting from November 16. Steps had also been taken for opening a modern cardiology centre at Pampa in cooperation with the Mata Amritanandamayi Centre of Health, Kochi, during the coming season. He said free food would be distributed to a minimum of 2,000 pilgrims every day at Sabarimala during the coming season. Photo identity cards would be distributed to all special duty staff, businessmen and volunteers stationed at Pampa and Sabarimala, he said. Two new ambulance vehicles would be deployed at Pampa. He said about 1,000 permanent staff of TDB and 1,500 daily wages workers appointed by it would be on duty at Sabarimala during the season.
Thursday, October 24, 2002
Malayalam channel to air Karunakaran's Gulf tour
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A Malayalam satellite television channel will air a serialised documentary on former chief minister K. Karunakaran's just concluded visit to the Gulf. Titled "Leader in Arabia", the five-episode documentary will be broadcast on Asianet Television from the first week of next month. Karunakaran visited the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar on his six-day tour, during which he attended a slew of programmes arranged by expatriate Keralites in the region. Thiruvallom Bhasi, director of "Leader in Arabia", said the documentary consists of interviews with various personalities, including Karunakaran's daughter Padmaja Venugopal and her husband. "This was the first time Padmaja's husband shared his thoughts with the media," said Bhasi. Padmaja reportedly speaks in the interview about the trials and tribulations through her father's long political career. "There were close to 50 meetings which he (Karunakaran) took part in during the six-day trip and the most touching was the reception he got in the labour camps," said the director. Salim Mankuzhi, who has scripted and hosted several TV programmes, has written the script for the documentary.
Thursday, October 24, 2002
'God's own country' plagued by suicide
Mental health authorities say growing consumerism and declining family ties are leading people to end their lives in India's best-educated state, Kerala, where there are 25 suicides every day. Kerala, known as "God's own country" for its vast backwaters, beaches and forests, is also hit by India's highest suicide rate, with 31 out of every 100,000 people killing themselves every year, according to the state-run National Crime Records Bureau. And it is estimated that the number of unsuccessful suicide attempts is 10 times more than the number of people committing suicide. Kerala also has India's highest literacy rate, at more than 90 percent. But the education has not always been a blessing. "Suicide in Kerala seems to be the culmination of a chain reaction triggered by a voracious appetite for consumer items, the debt trap and alcoholism," said Suraraj Mani, secretary of the state-owned Kerala State Mental Health Authority. "It is also due to a high rate of literacy and the accompanying dose of a high degree of unemployment with over half a million youths without jobs," Mani told AFP. "The aspirations of the people of Kerala are high but their pockets are empty." Kerala is biggest market for psychiatric drugs in southern India and the per capita consumption of alcohol in Kerala is the highest in the country at 8.3 litres a year. "So, when the basic parameters of a society are abnormal, it is not very difficult to assume why people have a tendency to commit suicide," Mani said. T S Arun Kumar, a clinical psychologist in Thiruvananthapuram, said as the family structure changes, so do means for emotional support. "In Kerala the family life still upholds traditional value systems to a great extent while the society is changing rapidly in socio-cultural and economic dimensions towards a more competitive and consumerist value system," Kumar said. "Changing family structure and social dynamics result in a lack of emotional support within the family set up. Every member of the family becomes vulnerable amidst these changes," he said. Psychiatrists said the most disturbing trend was a recent increase in suicides by whole families. "Over the past five years they (family suicides) have been on the increase," said psychiatrist Elizabeth Vadakekara, who runs a suicide prevention counselling center. "The first of this kind was reported in the early 90s. Since then, there has been a steady flow of such reports from all over Kerala," she said. Health minister P Sankaran, said the state was in the process of implementing a mental health policy. Mani said Kerala's high suicide rate may even be partially the result of its spell-binding scenery. "The land is beautiful, the rains abundant and the climate does not touch extremes. In such a situation, the people tend to turn inwards and concentrate even on the minutest problems in their lives." "The geographical parameters which make Kerala 'Gods own country', may itself be one of the reasons for the high rate of suicide."
Thursday, October 24, 2002
Beenamol to get Rs 8 lakh reward from Kerala Govt
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ace athlete Beenamol will receive the highest cash prize of Rs eight lakh from the Kerala Government, which on Wednesday announced the special rewards for the 11 medal winners from the State at the Busan Asian Games. Chief minister A K Antony told newsmen after a meeting of the State Cabinet here on Wednesday that a reward of Rs three lakhs would be given for each gold medal, Rs two lakhs for each silver and rs one lakh for each bronze. The coaches of each of the medal winners would be given Rs one lakh each. Accordingly, Beenamol, who won gold medals in 800 m and 4x400 m relay and silver in 400m, would get the highest of eight lakhs as reward. Her brother K M Binu would get rs two lakhs for clinching silver medal in 800 m.
Thursday, October 24, 2002
BSNL launches mobile service in Kerala
Offering a competitive tariff package and wide coverage, the Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited(BSNL) on Wednesday launched its cellular service in Kerala. With the launch, BSNL became the fourth mobile service provider in the state after Escotel, BPL and Airtel. Chief Minister A K Antony made the first call from the BSNL mobile network by talking to Cooperation Minister M V Raghavan at a function organised here. Actor Mammootty received the first starter kit from the Chief Minister. The BSNL had set up the network by spending Rs 144 crore, envisaging a customer base of 3,26,000 in two phases. It had set up 247 towers to ensure coverage in 119 cities and towns across the state. The network would serve more than 2,000 km of National and State higways. The charges for the outgoing calls from BSNL mobile would be Rs 2.40 per minute during peak hours(0800 hrs to 2200 hrs) and Rs two per minute during off-peak hours(2200 hrs to 0800 hrs). Incoming calls would be charged at Rs 1.20 per minute during peak hours and no airtime charge during the off-peak hours.
Thursday, October 24, 2002
Dismissed CRPF recruits remanded
Kochi, Oct. 23. : Sixteen CRPF recruits, who were arrested and dismissed from service for allegedly misbehaving with some school girls in a train were today produced before a court here which remanded them to judicial custody till November 5. They were produced before the judicial first class magistrate Leelamani. The recruits, who had been subjected to an identification parade at the Police Training College, Thycaud in the state capital yesterday, had been identified by the students and staff of the Beersheba Higher secondary school at Pirpra in Madhya Pradesh as their 'tormentors'. They were subsequently arrested. Action against the CRPF recruits was initiated following a complaint to the railway police here by the school principal, who was travelling in the train along with his students on a study tour of Kerala, on October 18. About 50 CRPF recruits, all hailing from Uttar Pradesh were on their way to the CRPF camp at Pallipuram from the Rampur training camp in the Thiruvananthapuram-bound Kerala Express. The accused, all in their early twenties, had been brought to Kochi this morning for being produced in the court.
Thursday, October 24, 2002
Air Sahara to cover south India, induct more jets
With the phased induction of eight jets starting next month, Air Sahara has decided to expand its network across the country with a focus on south India. "We hope to induct the first two jets by November 15, and get two each every month. We will use these aircraft to expand our network in every region, starting from south India," CEO Uttam Kumar Bose said in New Delhi today. With Chennai as its regional base in the south, Air Sahara plans to connect major south Indian cities like Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Calicut, Tirupati and Coimbatore as soon as the first two jets arrive next month, Bose said, adding that the two aircraft would be based in Chennai. The carrier has already announced the introduction of two daily flights between Delhi and Chennai from October 27.
Wednesday, October 23, 2002
K G George takes charge as MACTA chairman
KOCHI: Malayalam film director K G George on Tuesday took charge as chairman of the Malayalam Cine Technicians Association (MACTA). The following are the other elected office-bearers who took charge on Tuesday: P G Vishwambaran (vice-chairman), Sibi Malyalil (general secretary) Shibu Chakravarthy (secretary). V C Ashok and B Ashok took charge as executive committee members. The members on Tuesday took charge after a lower court here dismissed a petition by a rival faction headed by Sreekumaran Thampy challenging their election. The court had earlier restrained them from taking charge.
Wednesday, October 23, 2002
Couple hurt as bus hits car
KOCHI: An old couple was injured when the car in which they were travelling was hit by a private bus at Vyttila junction on Tuesday. Joseph, 65, former general manager, Hindustan Organic Chemicals Ltd, and his wife Susamma, 61, retired professor from Maharaja's College, were on their way to Aroor when the accident took place. Both of them suffered head injuries and have been admitted to the intensive care unit of the Ernakulam Medical Trust. The private bus was negotiating a U-turn at the junction when it hit the car. This is the third accident involving private buses within the last two weeks.
Wednesday, October 23, 2002
BSNL cellular service launch on Wednesday
KOCHI: The State-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is foraying into the cellular telephony market on Wednesday in the State with an aggressive ``inaugural price offer.'' The BSNL officials have now informed that the launch in Kochi will also be held on Wednesday. With the attractive inaugural package, which is valid for 90 days, BSNL hopes to garner a good number of subscribers. Earlier, the launch of BSNL cellular service in the city was slated for Thursday.
Wednesday, October 23, 2002
Private bus operators plan stir
KANNUR: The Kerala State Private Bus Operators’ Federation has decided to launch an agitation demanding immediate measures to resolve the crisis facing the private bus industry in the State. Announcing the decision here on Tuesday, M Khalid Mundappilly and M S Premkumar, office-bearers of the Federation, said private bus operators would take out a march to the Secretariat as part of the agitation. The other demands raised by the Federation were, declaration of the private bus sector as an industry, formation of a regulatory committee as a permanent system to resolve the difficulties caused by the frequent hike of diesel price and withdrawal of unlawful travel concessions to students.
Wednesday, October 23, 2002
Quality improvement programme at engineering college
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Teachers opposing the World Bank-supported Technical Education Quality Improvement Programme at the College of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram (CET), are to be offered transfer or deputation to other Government engineering colleges. They will be replaced with teachers from other colleges who are interested in the programme. This will be part of the proposal to be placed before the Education Minister by the Higher Education Department for effective implementation of the programme. When contacted, Higher Education Pr |
