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March 2002
Sunday, March 31, 2002
Power Board to redeploy 20,000 staff
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The cash-strapped Kerala State Electricity Board is to redeploy and transfer 20,000 employees in May as part of a major reform process, Electricity Minister Kadavoor Sivadasan said here on Saturday. He told reporters here that the necessary formalities and the list of those who were to be redeployed had been completed. The unions had also agreed in principle to the process, he added.
Sunday, March 31, 2002
Bardhan re-elected CPI general secretary
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Ardhendu Bhushan Bardhan was re-elected general secretary of the CPI for a third consecutive term at the 18th congress of the party which concluded here on Sunday. Bardhan was first elected general secretary in 1996 and re-elected to the post at the 17th party congress in Chennai. The congress also elected 125-member national council. Former Deputy Speaker of Assembly C A Kurien, Meenakshi Thampan, Sathyan Mokeri and Kamala Sadanandan (candidate member) are the new faces in the national council from the State. The number of women members in the council has gone up from 8 to 15 including four permanent invitees. Former Minister E Chandrasekharan Nair is the lone representative from the State in the newly-elected Central Control Commission. The following have been elected to the 31-member national executive: J Chitharanjan, V V Raghavan, D Raja, Atul Kumar Anjaan, Gaya Singh, Amarjeet Kaur, Shameem Faizee, N R Dasari, P K Vasudevan Nair, Veliyam Bhargavan, Pramod Gogoi, R Nallakannu, Jalaluddin Ansari, Badri Narain Lal, Nand Gopal Bhattacharya, Manju Kumar Majumdar, D K Panda, Bhubaneshwar Prasad Mehta, Gurudas Dasgupta, K L Mahendra, Ashok Mishra, Ramendra Kumar, U N Mishra, Sudhakar Reddy, Gobind Pansare and Nagendra Nath Ojha. Three vacancies are left unfilled. L S Kharkhanis has been elected chairman of the nine-member Central Control Commission. The other members are Edupungati Nageswara Rao, E Chandrasekharan Nair, Nanda Dulal Shrimani, M S Dawood, Kulla Das Assam and Harnam Singh. Of the two vacancies, one would be filled by a woman member.
Sunday, March 31, 2002
No political alliance with Cong, can have electoral adjustments: CPI
No political alliance with Cong, can have electoral adjustments: CPI THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The 18th congress of the CPI concluded here on Sunday with a call for building a third alternative comprising the Left and democratic forces to fight the BJP and the Congress. The political resolution adopted at the congress identified BJP as the main enemy and called for a sustained fight against the onslaught of Hindutva forces on the secular fabric of the nation. Terming the threat posed by communal and fascist forces as grave, the party called for a collective effort from all like-minded parties to face the challenge. Briefing newsmen on the deliberations held on the concluding day, P K Vasudevan Nair ruled out any political alliance with the Congress. ``There is no change in our line. The party might consider electoral adjustments with the Cogress depending upon the situation to prevent the BJP from coming to power. In places where the BJP and the Congress were in direct fight the CPI's campaign would be directed against the BJP, which he branded as ``enemy number one.'' When asked whether the Manipur experiment where the CPI is sharing power with the Congress would be repeated in other States, he said, ``Manipur is an exceptional case. India is a vast country and situation differs from State to State. Appropriate decision will be taken by the State units in consultation with the national leadership and in accordance with our political tactical line whenever such a situation arises.'' The party has decided to launch nationwide struggles on issues like implementation of minimum wages, 33 per cent reservation for women in Parliament, attempts to abolish public distribution system, communalisation and commercialisation of education and rights of SC/ST communities and fisherfolk.
Sunday, March 31, 2002
Export curbs removed in agro-biased Exim policy
Giving a major thrust to exports, the government announced removal of all Quantitative Restrictions (QRs) on exports, continuation of the Duty Entitlement Pass Book (DEPB) scheme and transport subsidy for agro products in the five-year Export-Import (Exim) Policy. The 2002-2007 Policy announced by Commerce and Industry Minister Murasoli Maran contains transport assistance for export of agro products with a special focus on cottage sector and handicrafts. Several sector specific benefits have been announced for rough diamonds, jewellery, leather garments and textile. Placing a major emphasis on the Special Economic Zones, the Policy promised that several income tax benefits would be announced soon in Parliament for the SEZs. In an initiative to reduce the transaction costs, the Policy contains a series of procedural simplifications covering the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), customs and banks. Restrictions like registration requirement, minimum export price or the requirement of export through the state trading regime on whole and infant milk food, butter, wheat and wheat products, coarse grains, groundnut oil and on cashew exports to Russia under the Rupee Debt Repayment Scheme have been removed. Giving a boost to the hardware sector, the Electronic Hardware Technology Park scheme is being modified to enable the sector to face the zero duty regimes under the Information Technology Agreement of the World Trade Organisation.
Sunday, March 31, 2002
CPI sweeps under carpet Left unity, tie-up with Cong
The 18th Party Congress of the Communist Party of India concluded in Thiruvananthapuram, adding to the confusion of the party cadres on the contentious issues like the party's stand towards the Congress and forging Left unity. The two issues, projected as the major topics to be discussed in the six-day conference, were sought to be swept under carpet at a post-conference press briefing convened this afternoon. ''We have made our stand clear on many occasions and there is nothing more to add'' was the instant reply from party National Executive members P K Vasudevan Nair and Shameem Faizee. ''BJP is our number one enemy. For fighting the common enemy, we may join hands with the Congress,'' Mr Vasudevan Nair said, adding that that did not mean the CPI would enter into an electoral understanding with the Congress. Asked whether such a stand was not an opportunist one, he said it was only for fighting the common enemy. He also evaded several unpleasant questions relating to the CPI's stand towards the Congress. Contradictions and confusions prevailed among the delegates over the issue right from the beginning. During the discussion on draft political resolutions, certain members favoured a political alliance with the Congress in view of the grave threat posed by communal and fascist forces. However, delegates from West Bengal, Kerala and Andhra Pradesh were in the forefront in opposing any political alliance with the Congress.
Sunday, March 31, 2002
Preview: 'Nakshathrakkannulla Rajakumaran Avanundoru Rajakumari'
Rajesenan the popular Malayalam Director is trying his new venture with new faces in all possible aspects of his new movie 'Nakshathrakkannulla Rajakumaran Avanundoru Rajakumari'. This is certainly a love story with distinctive features compared to all his other movies; this movie will have four male leads and two female leads. Prithiraj, son of late actor Sukumaran and Ranju another new face introduced by Rajasenan are two among the four male leads. Gayathri Raghuram is one of the female lead and other one could be a new face. The story of the movie is said to be different compared to all the love stories that prevail in Malayalam movies. Narendra Prasad, K.R.Vijaya, Bindhu Panikkar, Jagathy Srikumar, Kalabhavan Mani, Salim Kumar, C.I.Paul and Shobha are the other cast for this movie. New comers, Benny and Kannan, who have worked with music directors Benny Ignatius and Mohan Sithara, are handling the music for the movie. This movie which is being produced by Khader Hassan will start its shooting on April 25th at Shasthamkotta.
Sunday, March 31, 2002
Quick Chat: Actress Aswathi Menon
Aswathi made her debut in Satyam Shivam Sundaram opposite Boban Kunchacko as the 'bubbly girl' who falls in love with the hero and soon floored the masses. After the film, was flooded with offers. Currently she is one of the top heroines in the Malayalam industry and is fast making her places secure. Currently she has three films in Malayalam and is now making her debut in Tamil with Thenkasipattanam. Here's Aswathi, in a quick chat with Hansazone... Q: Do you have an 'acting background' before entering films? A:No. We lived in the USA and the Gulf. When we came to Kochi, we received an offer from Rafi-Mercartin to act in Satyam Shivam Sundaram and that too opposite today's hot favourite Boban. The movie was a hit and the songs were a hit too. It got me lot of attention. Though I got a lot of offers, I could not accept them because I was doing my Master's in English Literature. Now that I have finished my MA and passed with a second class, I can devote my time to films. Q: What films are you doing now? A: I have Shambo Mahadeva and Onnaman in which I play sister to Mohanlal. It's not just a 'sister' role. The heroine does not have much to do in the film because she gets killed. The film is all about a brother's love for his sister. Savithiriku Or Arangkyanam the celluloid adaptation of Mukundan's novel has me in the title role. It's directed by Mohan Kupleri. It will be a very nice film for me. Q: How did the Thenkasippatinam offer come? A: In the original film, Kavya played the role and I liked it. A big banner, big stars and the directors who first introduced me, made me accept this film. In fact, I was called to do Kushi but I turned it down because of my studies. Q: If you had done Kushi, you might have been the top heroine in Tamil filmdom! A: Oh, is that so? Well, I hope something like Kushi comes up again. Now that I am free, I will be on the lookout.
Sunday, March 31, 2002
Singer S Janaki Felicitated
On the occasion of the Tenth Anniversary of Sadhana School of Music, the founder Smt.Manjula Gururaj, noted playback singer of Kannada cinema honoured top playback singer of South India S.Janaki with the title 'Swara Sadhaki'. Producer Rockline Venkatesh honoured the singer with a silver veena and Smt.Parvathamma Rajkumar also felicitated the singer for her contribution to film music so far. It was a trip down memory lane for the music directors who had come there and also for singer S.Janaki. The versatile singer expressed her ire at not receiving even one Karnataka State Award so far in her career. "I will not get the Karnataka State Award and I won't ask for it too. In fact I had sung some of my best songs only in Kannada," she said. "I sang for an Oriya film under great music director Upendrakumar and won an award. I miss Upendrakumarji and Nagendraji who are no longer with us. After that Award, I have won other state awards 20 times and 4 national awards. I have sung more than 15,000 songs in films but to this day I have not got a Karnataka State Award," she added. Even after years, the time-sense and rendering of songs by S.Janaki such as "Poojisalendhe Hoogala Thande", "Gaganavu Ello Bhoomiyu Ello", "Bharatha Bushira", "Kande Naa Yee Dhina" and a ghazal-cum-bhajan "Sab Kushu Koya" (P.B.Srinivas's lyrics) were perfect. At the Kohinoor Stadium in Hanumanthnagar, Bangalore, it was a feast of music for music lovers. S.Janaki sang bits from songs she had sung in a child's voice and even a male voice for 'Nanjathai Kiladhi'. She said that she had been surprised when music maestro Ilayaraja had told her to sing in a male voice in the recording room! Actor Ramesh Aravind who was present on the occasion called the genius singer and the music directors present on the dais "the 'roots' responsible for tuning wonderful music." Noted playback singer P.B.Srinivas compared the voice of S.Janaki to the 'flute of Lord Krishna'. Bangalore City Mayor Chandrasekhar made a timely speech and praised S.Janaki as the 'Bharathamatha Kala Saraswathi'. Also gracing the occasion were the Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce President Tallam N.Nanjunda Shetty, actress Jayamala, S.A.Chinne Gowda, noted music directors Vijayabhasker, Rajan, Manohar, K.Kalyan and innumerable music lovers from Basavanagudi, Hanumanthnagar and adjacent areas. The police had a tough time controlling the crowd and the traffic. Actress Vinayaprasad had prepared well to conduct the function. Her timely anecdotes and flawless Kannada were one of the many highlights of the evening.
Sunday, March 31, 2002
Sri Lanka dials S for Shakeela
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: La'ffaire Shakeela has crossed the seas and is now giving sleepless nights to film-makers in Sri Lanka. The siren, on whose oomph the crisis-ridden Malayalam film industry managed to just about survive last year, may be losing out on the popularity stakes to the Marias and the Reshmas in Kerala but in Sri Lanka, she is hot. In fact, too hot to handle for an already shaky industry that has had to face an onslaught from both Hollywood and Bollywood. It is the serious film lovers in the island country that have been most rattled by the recent almost alien `encounter of the third kind' - sex movies from Kerala dubbed in Tamil. ``They are everywhere. There is no escape,'' says Linton Semage with an air of resignation on his face. Linton's film Pickpocket is figuring in the international competition section of IFFK 2002. ``Shakeela. The youngsters in our part of the country are crazy about her,'' says Udayakant Varnasoorya, a mainstream film director and a friend accompanying Linton. The duo feels that the `third rate' movies are not only destroying Sri Lankan film culture, but also cultivating bad taste. ``I really can't understand the phenomenon. We love good Malayalam films. But they never find their way to our country. Instead we find this trash,'' says Udayakant, known for his quality mainstream movies. ``Women in Sri Lanka and Kerala are almost identical. They share the ethnic looks. May be this is what hooks them on,'' Linton tries to rationalise. ``There are some Shakeela films playing in Sri Lanka, but I don't know if there are other such movies coming in,'' says noted Sri Lankan director Tissa Abhayasekhara, who is a member of the jury for the comeptition section of the festival. While he has no problems with films from Kerala coming in, Tissa feels the Sri Lankan National Film Corporation should step in and ensure that good quality Malayalam films are also screened in the country. Linton and Udayakant are admirers of the films by Adoor Gopalakrishnan and Shaji N Karun and would love to see good Malayalam films. Mani Ratnam's Kannathil Muthamittal may have made it big commercially but both Linton and Udayakant have their reservations. ``It has been well received in Sri Lanka. But the film is very biased in the portrayal of Sri Lankan Army. Mani Ratnam portrays them as ruthless, in black and white. It is unfair,'' says Udayakant.
Sunday, March 31, 2002
Christians observe Good Friday
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Christians in Kerala on Friday observed Good Friday as a day of prayer and penance, commemorating crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Day-long prayers were held in churches across the state where a large number of devotees, priests and nuns took part, renouncing comforts, recalling the great sacrifice of Jesus. "Way of the cross" processions were taken out in the evening recalling the various phases of Jesus's progress to crucifixion.
Sunday, March 31, 2002
CPI plans campaign to reactivate party
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. Faced with severe erosion in its mass base and cadre quality, the 18th Congress of the CPI has begun discussing ways to reactivate the party and to rectify the shortcomings evident now. The draft `Report on Organisation', taken up for discussion by the Party Congress today, says that the party suffers seriously from the disease of `non-implementation of decisions taken' and that in general there is a `low level of political party'. This, the report says, has resulted in the quality and capacity of the party suffering a major setback. With the effective cadres drifting away, there has been a loosening of contact with the party's rural bases and there is failure to extend work among new unorganised sections. The report notes that `there is a feeling among sections of the party that prolonged association with bourgeois, petty bourgeois and regional parties has proved harmful for the Party. This is especially so in the context of elections. Party activists are also dragged into adopting means -- fair and foul -- of such parties. Such means are considered to be normal and necessary for contesting elections in the present set-up. Eventually we lose our character as simple, honest and pro-poor party activists. Sections of our bases move away from us. Of course, one cannot defend one's virginity by keeping aloof, but ethical standards as Communists have to be maintained,'' the report says. Briefing reporters about the deliberations of the Party Congress, the CPI national council secretary, Shameem Faizee, said the party national council has suggested launch of a `Campaign for Reactivisation and Rectification of the Party'. He said only the membership of cadres who take part in an active role in mass and class actions decided by the party would be renewed from now on. The delegates pointed out that the effectiveness of the party depends not only on numbers, but also on quality of the membership. As part of the rectification campaign, a six-month long education programme would be organised all over the country. The delegates, he said, also emphasised on the need to seriously take up the slogan of `turn towards the villages' and pay special attention on building rural mass organisations, particularly of farmers and farm workers. The delegates who took part in the deliberations today were Kamal Deo (Jammu), Samar Bhandari (Uttaranchal), Manohar Deshkar (Maharashtra), Munier Mahant (Assam), Christopher Fonseca (Goa), Patil (Karnataka), Khagundra Thakur (Jharkhand), Bhupendra Sambal (Punjab), Pandey (Madhya Pradesh), Sita Ram Sharma (AIYF), Nagendra Nath Ojha (BKMU), Amarjeet Kaur (NFIW), M. N. V. G. Adiyodi (Kerala) and Vijendra Kesari (AISF).
Sunday, March 31, 2002
Woman and child run over by train
KOLLAM A 26-year-old woman and her one-and-a-half-year-old child were fatally run over by the Kurla bound Netravathi Express this morning near the SP Office Junction level crossing. Two others from the same family escaped by a hair's breadth. The woman, identified as Nadira, residing at Ramankulangara in the city, was returning with her two children and mother-in-law from an Ayurvedic clinic. It was while crossing the railway tracks that the mishap occurred. While the family waited by the tracks as the Thiruvananthapuram bound Chennai Mail passed by, Nadira and her son, Binaz, were run over by the Netravathi Express which came rushing immediately in the opposite direction while they were about to cross the second track. Her daughter, Benziya (8), and mother-in-law, Sainaba, who were following her, managed to escape. The Railway Police registered a case. The bodies were handed over to the relatives after a post-mortem at the district hospital.
Sunday, March 31, 2002
Film festival gets off to a grand start
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. In a simple but elegant function, the Seventh International Film Festival of Kerala-2002 (IFFK 2002) was inaugurated by the veteran film actress, Aranmula Ponnamma, here this evening. For the next seven days, the city will host the festival, which is a window to world cinema. The organisers are adding new dimensions to financial management by hosting the festival with a budget, which was cut by 40 per cent. The cream of world cinema, including the Hungarian film-maker, Martha Mezaros, the German director, Reinhart Hauff, the Sri Lankan director, Tissa Abeysekhara, the critic, Derek Malcolm, and a host of others have responded to the invitation of the Chalachitra Academy chairman, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, to make the festival a prestigious event. According to Mr. Gopalakrishnan, he had to face a lot of deterrents, including the "stigma of Third World Country". Established distributors turned a deaf ear to his request to send prints. Some of them charged high rentals and some even scoffed at his pleas, he said. Had these distributors been present here today, they would have been compelled to change their opinion about the festival, he added. The Culture Minister, G. Karthikeyan, in his presidential address, traced the evolution of cinema in Kerala. If drama was once the vehicle of political change in the State, now cinema has taken over the position. He said there was considerable technological advancement too. But for the giant strides made by some directors like Mr. Gopalakrishnan, Malayalam cinema had a lot to learn from Tamil Nadu which has a more professional film-making culture, Mr.Karthikeyan said. He said cinema should be a weapon for change. Tamil cinema could boast of a `Roja', `Bombay' and `Kannathil Muthamittal'.
Thursday, March 28, 2002
Govt reduces flow of liquor: Number of toddy shops to reduced, no new bar licences
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Introduction of individual licensing of toddy shops and consequent disbanding of existing toddy cooperatives formed by the previous Marxist-led regime, substantial reduction in the number of toddy shops and sanctioning of no new bars are the major highlights of the Kerala's abkari policy for 2002-03. Announcing the new policy after a meeting of the state cabinet, Chief Minister A K Antony told newspersons here that the number of toddy shops would be reduced to 4000 from 5975, in keeping with the government's policy of introducing prohibition in stages. He said the government, after much deliberation, decided to introduce individual licensing system for toddy shops under which experienced Abkari contractors with good track record would be selected to run toddy shops. One contractor could run only one shop. Antony said the licensing fee of toddy shops would not be enhanced and it would be fixed for the 4000 shops in such a way as to ensure that the government got Rs 24 crore from this account as in the previous year. The fee would differ for each shop in accordance with their projected sale. It was decided not to enhance the licensing fee in order to ward off the possibility of sale of spurious liquor, thus sacrificing huge revenue for the government. To a question, Antony said the toddy cooperatives would go automatically with the introduction of the individual toddy shop licensing system from April 1. Disbanding of toddy cooperatives was one of the poll promises of the ruling Congress(I)-led United Democratic Front (udf). Giving details of the selection of individual contractors for running toddy shops, he said those with experience would be given weightage and if there were more such experienced contactors for a particular shop, the selection would be based on draw of lots. Employment should be given to workers of those shops which would be closed down and those rendered jobless after the ban on arrack shops in 1995, he added. Antony said the contactors, accused in grave cases and those convicted in a criminal case for more than three years, would not be able to take part in the selection process. Stating that no new bars selling Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) would be sanctioned, he, however, said an exception had been made in respect of hotels with three star status. The licences of existing bars would be renewed as a follow up of the recent verdict of the high court. He said a committee would be constituted to go into the possibilities of production and sale of neera (sweet toddy). The previous Marxist-led government, towards the end of its term last year, had implemented a new policy, eliminating the Abkari contractors in the wake of the Kalluvathukkal-Pallickal liquor tragedy, which claimed 35 lives. Though the present government decided to disband the toddy cooperatives in fulfilment of its poll promise, it took almost 10 months for it to finalise an alternative. The government initially decided to auction the toddy shops to Abkari contractors, but it was met with stiff resistance from the powerful Christian community and a few Congress (I) leaders. The individual licensing system was innovated after the government had held discussions with all groups concerned as also the partners of the ruling coalition.
Thursday, March 28, 2002
Spirit claims one life, four ill
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Obe person died and four were admitted to hospital after they consumed illicit spirit here late on Tuesday night, police said. While 26-year-old Ajeen died at the Medical College Hospital, others undergoing treatment at the hospital were stated to be out of danger, police said.
Thursday, March 28, 2002
Sahitya Akademi fellowship for Kamala Suraiyya
THRISSUR: Renowned Indo-Anglian writer Kamala Suraiyya has been selected for the fellowship of Kerala Sahitya Akademi for the year 2001, announced Akademi president N P Mohammed at a press conference here on Wednesday. The fellowship consists of Rs 25,000 in cash, a-two sovereign gold pendent, ponnada and citation. Announcing the fellowships and awards, the Akademi president said that Kunjunni Master, short story writer Prof M Achuthan and writer and Kathakali scholar Dr Aimanam Krishna Kaimal have been selected for the Akademi's Puraskaram for their total contributions to Malayalam literature. The Puraskaram consists of Rs 10,000 in cash, citation and a ponnada each. The novel authored by Sara Joseph _ Aalahayude Penmakkal _ has been selected for the award for best novel and the award for poetry has gone to Balachandran Chullikkad for his work Balachandran Chullikadinte Kavithakal. Satish K Satish bagged the award for drama for his book Padaprashnagalkedayil Avalum Ayalum while Subash Chandran's book Gadikarangal Nilakkunna Samayam was selected for the award for best short story. Atmavinde Murivukal by Prof M Thomas Mathew was selected for the award for literary criticism while the award for informatics has gone to Devaspandanam written by M V Devan. The award for biography/autobiography has gone to A Radhakrishnan's work A K Pillai - Adarsagalude Rakthasakshi while Punathil Kunhabudulla has bagged the award for travelogue for his book Volgayil manjupeyumbol. Dharmapadham written by Madhavan Aiyyappath was selected for the award for translation while Kozhikodan's work Padachoniku Salaam was selected for the award in humour in literature. The awards carries Rs 10,000 in cash, citation and an artefact each. The Akademi president said that they received nearly 300 works in each section for consideration. The award winning works were selected by the general council of the Akademi on the basis of the recommendations of the judges who evaluated the works.
Thursday, March 28, 2002
6 movies for Vishu
After a long gap Malayalam movies are set to create a flicker, especially towards the Vishu fiesta six movies are due to be released. This year the festival of Vishu comes with a lot of hopes to the Malayalam cinema industry, which did not witness any remarkable movies in the year of 2001. Movies of most of the Malayalam superstars are making their release this Vishu. Phantom Paili of Mammootty, Onnaman of Mohanlal, Jameendar of Suresh Gopi and Kuberan of Dileep are the other movies that are expected to be released for Vishu. As the name implies all these movies give importance to the masculine superiority. Anticipated much more are the two movies with totally new faces being directed by Ranjith and Vinayan namely 'Nandhanam' and 'Oomappenninu Uriyadappayyan'. If the audience accept these two movies, it would be a reason for a origin of a new background in Malayalam Cinema. These two movies with new faces give importance to love and romance compared to the other movies. If the movies with new faces succeed over the other superstar movies, then it will be a starting point to a new genre of Malayalam Cinema.
Thursday, March 28, 2002
Divya Unni: By demand
Divya Unni the charming beauty in Malayalam film world is currently under the stress of her B.A final exam and a project in Telugu called as 'Snehabandha' directed by Bhanu. She is playing the role of a lover, wife as well as a mother in this movie, a hatrick there for Divya. She is supposed to leave for Hyderabad again to resume with her project, moreover a lot of offers from other languages films are also knocking on the doors of Divya Unni. She also has a Kannada box office hit 'Vanalu Nee Bhumilu Nee' to her credit. Divya who made her doorway into movies through Kalyana Sougandhikam has done about thirty-eight movies in four years, thirty movies in Malayalam, six movies in Tamil, one in Telugu and one in Kannada till date. Divya is a classical dancer who is anticipating doing her Doctorate in dance. She also has her eyes set on Bollywood but prefers to be known as the Malayalam actress from down south.
Wednesday, March 27, 2002
KSEB crisis to be solved: CM
The Centre’s suggestion of one time settlement of arrears due to the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and the plan to issue the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) bonds to tide over the crisis would be discussed and a way worked out at the next cabinet meeting, Chief Minister A K Antony said today. Antony said, The government will not allow the state to go into darkness. The NTPC has threatened that it would regulate the supply of power to the state from its generating stations due to mounting payment arrears to the tune of Rs 1,100 crore. Talking to reporters after a cabinet meeting, Antony admitted that the KSEB was in deep financial crisis due to mounting losses. It would be forced to increase the period of power cut from the present half-an-hour cyclical power cut throughout the state except in cities like Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode if the NTPC implemented its decision, he said. However, the government wanted to avoid the half-an-hour power cut, now imposed in the state, during the SSLC examination scheduled for next month, he added.
Wednesday, March 27, 2002
POTO not required: Antony
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony today said the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance (POTO) was not required in the state. Answering questions at a press conference after a cabinet meeting, Antony said 'Our position towards POTO is clear and we are against it".
Wednesday, March 27, 2002
Mohanlal's novel ways
Mohan Lal takes an effort to bring in the field of Visual Animation Media into the Malayalam film industry. His motive synchronized with the aim of Kerala government to develop and maintain Malayalam Movies within Kerala. As an outcome, he is now busy with the construction of a Studio in Kinfra's Film and Video Park; his aim is to bring the graphic technologies that prevail in Mumbai and Hyderabad to the Malayalam Film industry also. Majority of the graphic technicians & designers in Mumbai and Hyderabad are Keralites and keeping in mind if they are given opportunities in Kerala itself then the proposal for doing graphic work outside the state will save on the expense, the whole plan has been initiated. The construction of the indoor shooting floor and studio for special effects is supposed to start first, for each section people who are specialized in the field will be given responsibility. Director Priyadarshan will be taking care of the indoor shooting floor as well as special effects studio.
Wednesday, March 27, 2002
IFFK to feature 146 films
The competition section of the seventh International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK) will have 12 works from Asia and Latin America, vying for the prize of Rs 10 lakh. The festival, beginning here on March 29, will feature 146 works spread over different sections, including ‘Indian Cinema Today’, ‘Orsen Welles Retrospective’, ‘K G George Retrospective’, French and Italian packages and ‘shorts’ and documentary, festival director and Kerala Chalachitra Academy chairman Adoor Gopalakrishnan told a press conference here. The event would be inaugurated by veteran artiste Aranmula Ponnamma, the ‘mother igure’ of Malayalam cinema. Majid Majidi’s ‘Baran’, a love story in the backdrop of strife-torn Afghanistan, would be the opening film. The international jury comprises Hungarian film-maker Marta Meszaros, Kohei Oguri (Japan), Reinhard Huff (Germany), Tissa Abhayasekhara (Sri Lanka) and Santwana Bardoloi. The FIPRESCI jury for critics award would comprise British critic Derek Malcolm, Andre Martini and Prabodh Maitra. For the first time, about 5,000 delegates turning up for the festival would get a chance to select their choice of the best film through electronic voting machine to be arranged at the festival venue on the final day. The festival is designed as an opportunity to see a rich fare of films for serious viewers, Gopalakrishnan said. The prints of most films to be screened had already arrived, he added.
Wednesday, March 27, 2002
Adoor Bhavani selected for Chalachitra Sapariya award
KOCHI: Adoor Bhavani, a character actress of yesteryears who essayed memorable roles in Chemmeen, Mudiyanaya Puthran and Thulabharam, has been selected for the Mathrubhoomi-Medimix Chalachitra Sapariya award (Lifetime Achievement) for 2001. Announcing the award at a press conference here, Mathrubhumi director, M V Sreyams Kumar said the award carries a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and a statuette sculpted up Kanayi Kunhiraman. The 75-year-old former actress, has donned roles in nearly 300 films, including Sheriyo Thetto, her first film. The award would be presented to her on mar 31 at a function at the Kaloor International stadium along with the other Mathrubhoomi-Medimix awards announced earlier at Chennai. Among other award winners are: Best Film: Theerthadanam Best Director: Kamal (Meghamalhar) Best Script: M T Vasudevan Nair (Theerthadanam) Best Actor: Jayaram (Theerthadanam) Best Actress: Samyukta Varma (Meghamalhar) Actor Kamalhassan will be chief guest at the glittering function.
Wednesday, March 27, 2002
She represents Communist Party USA
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Terrie Albano is the lone representative of the Communist Party USA attending the 18th congress of the Communist Party of India which began here on Tuesday. An associate editor with the ‘People’s Weekly World’, a party organ mostly popular among a section of the youth and labour, she joined the party in 1984 and is actively engaged in the party campaign against US President George Bush’s policies and the US discrimination against immigrant minorities like Muslims and Arabs. The Communist Party USA has a regular membership of over 10,000. The working class, particularly the youth, are very keen to work with the party. The fight against globalisation and imperialism is very much an important agenda for this small communist outfit in the US as it is for communist parties in any other country. ‘‘There are other Marxist groups in the country, but this is the only communist party. We work in close association with other democratic forces and various civil rights groups. There is an increased interest for workers and youth in the party activities,’’ she told this website's newspaper. Terrie Albano said the party had currently been campaigning against detaining immigrant Muslims and Arabs following the September 11 attacks. ‘‘When the Attorney-General decided to interview thousands of such people, we reacted strongly and campaigned for their basic rights.’’ But still, at least 100 such people were in jail, she added. She said globalisation was bound to happen. ‘‘But the question is whether it is being implemented by the imperialists to make profit. In that case, it should be fought against as it happened in Seattle and other places. Globalisation can improve matters if it happens in a socialist set-up.’’ Though not that informed about problems being faced by communist parties in this part of the world, she had no doubt that communist parties had a significant role to play in shaping the future of developing countries and the Third World.
Wednesday, March 27, 2002
CPI sets removal of BJP rule as urgent task
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPI's 18th Congress, which began here on Tuesday, accorded top priority to removal of BJP rule at the Centre and states while ruling out a general alliance with Congress barring exceptional and specific cases. Addressing the opening session of six-day party meet, CPI General Secretary A B Bardhan squarely blamed the BJP rule for the turmoil in different parts of the country and called upon the secular allies in the NDA to reconsider their position. Singling out the BJP and the Sangh Parivar as the prime target of the party's ideological and political fight, Bardhan wanted all the secular forces, including the masses behind the Congress, to rally for a combined assault. Stating that the country could not be saved from the present plight by restoration of Congress rule, Bardhan said, "What is necessary and what we stand for is an alternative both to BJP and Congress rule, based on an alternative programme." Lashing out at the economic and foreign policies pursued by the NDA government, he came down heavily on government decision of holding a joint sitting of Parliament to push through the "draconian" POTO Bill. CPI-M General Secretary Harkishen Singh Surjeet and RSP General Secretary K Pankajakshan also addressed the session.
Monday, March 25, 2002
Yesudas receive honour
Padma Bhushan is an indication that he has to improve, noted vocalist K J Yesudas said humbly after receiving the high honour today. Yesudas, who is a classical Carnatic vocalist and leading playback singer in several languages, felt that it was a recognition of his efforts towards national integration. Manorama, a popular Tamil film comedian of over 700 films, said she was thrilled to receive the Padma Shri award among so many eminent personalities but regretted the absence of her mother. (Agencies)
Monday, March 25, 2002
Mohanlal in Shaji Kailas's "Thandavam"
Mohanlal turns political activist Mohanlal plays Kasinath a political activist in Shaji Kailas's Thandavam. With his track record of brilliant performances over the year's one can surly expect another well handled character portrayal by Mohanlal. The movie is about Kasinath's brother Swamynathana [played by Nedumudi Venu] an agriculturist who practices unconventional methods of cultivation. After years of trials & errors he finally yields a bumper crop; but his victory is not shared by many as most of the villagers commit suicide due to poverty. The story plot revolves around the dependence of agriculture and politics.
Monday, March 25, 2002
I.V.Sasi: Back in action
After a long gap I.V.Sasi is back again with the new movie Anuvadamillathey; a promising love story. Vimal, a child artist turned hero [son of actress Radhamani] has been signed up as the hero for this new venture. As a child artiste Vimal has the distinction of acting in many of I.V.Sasi's blockbusters like Aaroodam and Anubandham. Co-starring Vimal will be Abhinay, Sindhu Menon, Rajan .P. Dev, Kalabhavan Navas, Santosh, Kochupreman, Kukkusingh, Geetha Vijayan, Shobana and Ambika Nair. We wish I.V.Sasi the very best & like many of his previous movies one can keenly foresee a quality entertainment from the versatile director.
Monday, March 25, 2002
Samyuktha to lead in Sathyan's new venture
Samyuktha Verma who intended to refrain from acting after her marriage with Biju Menon, has now started signing for new movies in view of the fact that her marriage may perhaps be conducted later. She will be the leading actress in the new movie by Sathyan Anthikkadu for which the shooting is supposed to start from the month of April in which Innoccent and K.P.S.E Lalitha are acting. The name of the movie is not yet decided; moreover she leads in movie 'Kuberan' by Sunderdas, and also in remake of 'One Man Show' in Tamil by Rafi Mecartin. This is the third time Samyuktha performing in Sathyan's Movie. She started with Sathyan's 'Veendum Chila Veettukaryangal', then in ' Narendran Makan Jayakanthan Vaka'. Jayaram will be the hero for this new movie.
Sunday, March 24, 2002
Priyadarshan yet again with his new attempt in Hindi
Priyadarshan who has the credit of completing nearly nine movies in Bollywood is trying his next attempt with the movie 'Chandrasekhar Azad'. Abhishek Bachhan does the leading role in this movie and this is certainly a big budget movie with those distinct attractions and features compared to all other movies he has done in past. Priyadarshan's pervious movie 'Ye Thera Ghar Ye Mera Ghar' messed up at the eighth stage, which was indeed the remake of the Malayalam movie 'Sanmanassullavarkku Samadhanam' by Sathyan Anthikkadu. Sunil Shetty and Mahima Choudry replaced merely the leading role of Mohanlal and Karthika in that movie. Among his nine movies only Heraferi and Virasat found success in Bollywood that was boosted by the tremendous performance of Tabu in both movies. Priyadarshan remade many of the Malayalam and Tamil hit, movies to Hindi but nothing much to say other than the fact that the taste of south Indian movies did not get accustomed to the community of north. Let's wish this attempt to be a triumph for Priyadarshan as well as Junior Bachan.
Sunday, March 24, 2002
The New Macho
Good News!Malayalam Cinema has at last found a great looking macho hunk. We are talking about late Sukumaran’s son, Prithviraj who is the hero of Ranjit’s new film Nandanam. Those who saw the rushes of the film are saying that this six foot handsome hunk can not only act, but has an amazing screen presence.The 20 something Prithviraj has already created a flutter among teenyboppers in Kerala and is sure to be the new pin up boy. When director Ranjit saw Prithviraj in a home video shot by director Fazil, he decided to launch him. Said Ranjit, Pritvi has the looks, height, baritone voice and a smashing screen presence. But now what the hunk needs is oodles of luck to make Nandanam a hit. Already the producers are queuing outside his house in Trivandrum, but our guy is not signing any new contracts. It is wait and watch policy till Nandanam is released on Vishu day (April 14).
Sunday, March 24, 2002
Quick Chat: Director Vinayan @ Hollywood!
Director Vinayan has many reasons to be happy. After many Malayalam hits like, Vaasanthiyum Lekshmiyum Pinne Njaanum, Aakaashaganga, Karumaadikuttan,and Dadasahib , Vinayan directed the Tamil film Kaasi, the re-make of his Malayalam film Vaasanthiyum, Lekshmiyum Pinne Njaanum. Kaasi's tremendous success at the box-office has made Vinayan one of the most sought after directors of South India. At present he is busy giving final touches to his latest 'Oomapenninu Uriyaada Payyan' which has created history by becoming a hit as it has been pre sold for a profit. Vinayan has started work on one of his most ambitious multi-starrers War and Love. He is getting ready to start his second Tamil film 'Theruvil Oru Geetham' and is planning to make his entry into Bollywood by re-making in Hindi his Vaasanthiyum. Now, adding a new feather to his cap, Vinayan is getting ready to make his entry into Hollywood. Four NRIs (one of them reportedly Vijay Amritraj) are to join hands to make a film, to be directed by Vinayan. To be scripted by Vinayan, based on a story of his own, the film will have as the backdrop the attack on the World Trade Centre in September last year. Vinayan's Malayalam script will be translated into English by a Hollywood scenarist. While some Hollywood stars will be there in the cast, a prominent Malayalam star, probably Mammootty or Suresh Gopi will do a key role. Tamil actress Laila is likely to be in the cast. Although Vinayan is busy with his projects at home he is finding time to visit the U.S shortly to make final decisions and to finalize locations. Excerpts from the interview... Q: How did the Hollywood venture happen? A: After the attack on the World Trade Centre, I had written a story with the attack as the backdrop with some elements of our traditional astrology. The story is about a young girl working in New York, who is missing after the attack and is supposed to be dead. But a very eminent Indian astrologer predicts that she is not dead. And then begins a search for the young girl. This is the plot. Since I have found good producers and things are materializing in a positive way, I have decided to go on with the film. Q: When do you plan to start shooting? A: I'll be going to the U.S in the first week of April to finalize locations and other details. And most probably I will start shooting by the year end. I am planning fifty days shoot in New York and the remaining fifteen days in Kerala. Q: Is Mammootty playing the lead role? A:It's not exactly the lead role, though of course it is a key role- that of an astrologer who is also an engineer. His approach towards astrology is scientific. Most probably Mammootty or Suresh Gopi will be doing the role. Q: Tell us more. A: Most of the dialogues will be in English,and about thirty percent in Malayalam, with English sub-titles. I am also thinking of introducing Mohan Sithara to Hollywood as the music-director of the film. Though there won't be songs in the usual sense, there will be one song, half Malayalam and half English.A lot of importance will be given to the background score, which will be a fusion of Western and Indian music. Q: What about your next Tamil film, Theruvil Oru Geetham? And what about War and Love? A: I'll commence the shoot of the Tamil film by end of April . The main location is Pollachi. And War and Love would be resumed by June in the border areas. At present I am busy with the re-recording of Oomapenninu Uriyaadapayyan, to be released during this Vishu. After the release I will proceed to the U.S. So Vinayan who is making waves nationally is now ready to conquer the West.
Sunday, March 24, 2002
Kanmani Babu is back!
Remember Kanmani Babu? Lovers of Malayalam Cinema can perhaps never forget that name so easily. Yes, the very same Kanmani Babu who produced the immortal 'Chemmeen' on celluloid. And now, after a very long sabbatical, Kanmani Babu is back. He is to produce a film based on Kamala Surraiyya's novelette 'Aattukattil', to be directed by debutante Devarajan. The film will be scripted by Shatrughnan and the cast is yet to be finalised. We hear there are more films on the anvil... stay tuned!
Sunday, March 24, 2002
Biju's 'Vasanthamaalika'
Director Suresh Krishnan, who had earlier made 'Bharatheeyam' and 'Achchaneyaanenikkishtam', is to make his new film 'Vasanthamaalika', with Biju Menon in the lead. The film will also have in its cast, Jagathy Sreekumar, Kalabhavan Mani, Harisri Ashokan, Vijayakumar, KPAC Lalitha, etc. and will be produced by K. Radhakrishnan under the banner of Jayalekshmi Films. To be scripted by Mahesh Mitra, 'Vasanthamaalika' will have lyrics by Gireesh Puthencherry, music by Perumbavoor G. Raveendranath and cinematography by K.P. Nambiathiri. The film is to be shot in Palakkad.
Sunday, March 24, 2002
Kalabhavan Mani and Sibi with 'Aayirathiloruvan'
Kalabhavan Mani is to play the lead role in director Sibi Malayil's new film 'Aayirathiloruvan', to be shot in and around Ottapaalam. Produced by Siyad Kokker under the banner of Kokker's Films, the film will have in its cast, Thilakan, Suchitha, Cochin Haneefa, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, Sudheesh, Madhupal, Janardhanan, Shammi Thilakan, Kochupreman, KPAC Lalitha etc. 'Aayirathiloruvan' will have script by T.A. Razak, lyrics by Yusuf Ali Kechery, music by Mohan Sithara, cinematography by Venu Gopal and editing by L. Bhoominathan.
Sunday, March 24, 2002
Renjith and Mohan Lal with 'Akbar Chandrasekharan'
Scenarist-turned-director Renjith, who made 'Ravanaprabhu' and is now busy filming his latest 'Nandanam', is to make another film 'Akbar Chandrashekaran' after the completion of 'Nandanam'. 'Akbar Chandrasekharan', with Mohanlal in the lead, will be an attempt to bring together current issues and historical moments on a big canvas. More details are awaited.
Sunday, March 24, 2002
Vigilance nod for corruption case against Nayanar
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala's vigilance department as cleared the way for a corruption case to be filed against former chief minister E.K. Nayanar. The legal advisor of the vigilance department gave the nod for the registration of a criminal case against Nayanar and three others on charges of corruption, conspiracy and causing financial loss to the state exchequer in the construction of the Independence Golden Jubilee monument in front of the state Secretariat foyer. The other three cited are former chief secretary M. Mohankumar, former general administration secretary K.K. Vijayakumar and K.P. Soman, a Delhi-based sculptor. Now Chief Minister A.K. Antony will have to decide whether a case should be registered. The Nayanar government had in 1997 approved the construction of the monument. Initially renowned Kerala sculptor Kannayi Kunjiraman was to supervise the project. But eventually Soman was roped in. Soman was asked to finish the work well before the independence golden jubilee in August 1997, but the work got delayed and the monument was inaugurated early 2001. Built at two levels with a major portion being underground, the monument cost Rs.3 million and featured various models tracing the evolution of mankind. Soon after Antony took office in May 2001, water seeped into the underground area of the monument on account of the heavy monsoon rains lashing the state, and it collapsed. Shocked legislators immediately demanded an inquiry. "Now that the inquiry report has come and it indicates corruption, conspiracy and financial loss to the government, the law should take its course," said T.M. Jacob, a senior leader of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF). With the preliminary findings going against Nayanar, the Antony government will come under tremendous pressure to proceed against the former chief minister, especially since top UDF leaders like Jacob, M.V. Raghavan, K.M. Mani and R. Balakrishna Pillai were charged with corruption under the previous government.
Sunday, March 24, 2002
Couple commits suicide
KOTTAYAM: Arackal Unnikrishnan Nair, 42, an employee with Mariyapally Cooperative Bank, and his wife Subha, 35, were found dead on Saturday at their house near here. The couple committed suicide owing to financial problems, said the police. Unnikrishnan Nair was under suspension for alleged financial misappropriation in the bank. Police said that Subha, a mahila pradhan agent, was also under pressure for not remitting the money collected from account holders for some time. The couple had sent their only son Kannan, a Plus-One student, to a relative’s house on Friday. Chingavanam police have registered a case.
Sunday, March 24, 2002
Astrologer accused of sexual harassment in Austria
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Museum police here have registered a case against the city-based astrologer, K Kumaradas, on a complaint of an Austrian couple that he had sexually harassed some of their close relatives in Vienna. The couple, Waltraud Dogan and Kasim Dogan, along with the Confederation of Human Rights Organisation (Kerala) secretary-general Mukundan C Menon addressed a news conference here on Saturday in this connection. They told mediapersons that they had met Kumaradas at Kovalam early in 2001 when they were on a tour to this State. They got friendly with Kumaradas and developed respect for him when he claimed that he was a ‘research scholar, an astro-numero palmist and expert in gem therapy and graphology’ and they invited him to Austria. They said that Kumaradas visited Austria from July 8 to August 18 last year and they introduced him to several people in Vienna, including Kasim Dogan’s brother, his 23-year-old fiancee and her 21-year-old sister. After Kumaradas left Austria for home the Dogans came to learn that he had sexually abused the young Austrian women who had been introduced to him. The Austrians had sent an e-mail to Mukundan Menon regarding the sexual abuse. On the advice of Mukundan Menon, the couple came here and submitted a petition. Astrologer Kumaradas said that the Austrian woman had met him in his house in March last year. While he was in England in June, she contacted him on phone and invited him to Austria. He alleged that in Austria, they exploited his astrological knowledge to make money and swore that he was innocent of the charges the couple had levelled against him at the news conference and in the police complaint.
Sunday, March 24, 2002
Luxury liner’s date with Kochi
One of the biggest luxury cruise liners in the world, the Queen Elizabeth II, with nearly 1,500 passengers, arrived at the port city of Kochi, known as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’. The passengers, most of them Americans, were accorded a traditional Kerala welcome at the port. They were later taken for a visit to tourist destinations around the city and for a backwater cruise from Kochi to Alapuzha. The ship, with a complement of 954 crew, arrived from Singapore and would leave for Mumbai later in the evening, Kochi port sources said. This is the 19th luxury liner to touch Kochi this season. Three other luxury liners -- Seven Seas Navigator, Albatross and Silver Shadow, are expected to touch Kochi later this month.
Sunday, March 24, 2002
Govt to give job to Archana
The Kerala government had plans to provide a job to Archana Gupta, an upcoming athlete whose career had been cut short following a train mishap in which she lost a leg, State Sports Minister K Sudhakaran said today. The mishap occurred while Archana was boarding a train at Palakkad. At present she is recuperating at the Specialist Hospital after a series of surgeries following amputation of her left leg. Sudakaran, who visited Archana, later told reporters that it was the government’s duty to give a job to the young athlete, who had done the state proud. He presented a cheque of Rs 25,000 to Archana, the first installment of the financial help being given by the State Sports Council. Archana has won several medals in the university and junior athletic meets.
Sunday, March 24, 2002
Govt. reduces hospital fees
Thiruvananthapuram, March 22: The Kerala government has decided to reduce the fees introduced in October last for various services in government hospitals. Health Minister P Sankaran told reporters here that the revised rates would come into effect from today in all hospitals, including medical colleges. The fee for obtaining a certificate for the handicapped has been scrapped as also the fee for ‘wound certificates’ to be submitted to police and courts. The fee for post-mortem certificates had been reduced from Rs 150 to Rs 100. Those below the poverty line and belonging to Scheduled Caste and Tribes would be exempted from payment of treatment fee. The charges for laboratory tests at hospitals have also been reduced. The rate for blood test would come down from Rs 42 to Rs 25, while scanning fee would come down from Rs 120 to Rs 100 and dialysis fee from Rs 600 to Rs 500. Sankaran said the decision was taken after examining the complaints regarding the hike in the fee structure.
Sunday, March 24, 2002
Manorama, Deepika scribes win awards
Mangalore Rani George, a sub-editor with Malayalam Manorama, has been selected for this year’s national award for journalism for her outstanding contribution to human rights, instituted by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL). The special mention award was secured by Reji Joseph, sub-editor, Deepika (also from Kerala), Dr Y P Chhibbar, national general secretary of the PUCL told reporters here today. The awards, carrying Rs 20,000 and Rs 5,000 respectively, would be presented to them on March 23.
Sunday, March 24, 2002
Concern over closure of `uneconomic' schools
PATHANAMTHITTA The Malayalam poet and academician, V. Madhusoodhanan Nair, has alleged that the UDF Government was denying the right to schooling with its decision to close down all `uneconomic' schools in the State. Inaugurating a State-level education convention organised by the Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad here today, Prof. Nair has alleged that a democratically elected Government that denies the ordinary citizen's right to free primary education has no moral right to continue in office. He alleged that the Government's capitalistic approach towards primary education had been exposed with its decision to close down certain schools by branding them as uneconomic. The Government decision is sure to adversely affect the future of a generation, said he. According to Prof Nair, "It is unfortunate to see that the Government has taken the running of a primary school as uneconomic and simply sideline these institutions, which have been playing a crucial role in the development of the State.'' He alleged that the Antony Government's "undemocratic thoughts'' had accelerated the pace of commercialisation of education, leading to value erosion in all walks of life. Prof. Nair alleged that the ongoing trend of commercialisation of education would only lead to many inequalities in society. Closing many aided as well as Government schools by stamping them as `uneconomic' and opening of more schools in the unaided sector means more `scope' for `commission' for certain ruling party leaders as well as the school authorities at the expense of the ordinary people, alleged Prof. Nair. The commission received by the school authorities and politicians by way of sale of text books brought from outside the State alone would run into lakhs of rupees, he alleged. Prof. Nair expressed deep concern and said that by closing down the `uneconomic' schools, the Government was also trying to destabilise the existing social equality. The KSSP State president, T. Radhamony, presided over the inaugural function. T.P. Kaladharan, Noorunissa Beegum, Varghese George, members of the All-Kerala Private College Teachers' Association and the KSSP State education committee convener, P. Madhusoodhanan, addressed the convention. An `education protection march' was also held, later in the afternoon.
Thursday, March 21, 2002
Kerala's gets Rs 4025 cr for 02-03
New Delhi,Wednesday, March 20, 2002: Kerala today secured the highest ever annual plan size of Rs 4,025 crore for 2002-03, an almost 50 per cent increase over last year's size. The plan size based on the state's projected resources was finalised at a meeting between the Deputy Chairman of the Planning Commission K C Pant and the Kerala's Chief Minister A K Antony. Speaking to reporters after a five hour meeting with Pant, the Chief Minister said, "the plan size of 4,025 crores is the highest ever for the Kerala and will go a long way in helping to bail out the state from the present precarious financial condition". In addition to the annual plan, the commission also approved Rs 24,000 crore as the plan size for the Tenth Five year plan period (2002-07). The annual plan funding for 2002-03 would include a normal central assistance of Rs 508.15 crore, other central assistance of Rs 296.56 crores and external assistance of over 960 crores. The external assistance includes a loan sanctioned by the Asian Development Bank. It would be passed by the Centre as additional central assistance to the state with 70 per cent as loan component and remaining 30 per cent as grant.
Thursday, March 21, 2002
Malankara Orthodox Church faces vertical split
Baselios elected Metropolitan, Patriarch faction holds election illegal PATHANAMTHITTA/KOCHI: Setting the stage for a vertical split in the Orthodox Church, the Malankara Syrian Christian Association at its meeting in Parumala on Wednesday declared elected Baselios Mar Thoma Mathews II as the supreme head of the Malankara Orthodox Church even as the rival Patriarch faction at a ''faith declaration meet'' held in Puthencruz near Kochi on Wednesday held the election as illegal. Justice V S Malimath, the Supreme Court emissary who supervised the proceedings, announced the results of the election of Baselios Mar Thoma Mathew II as the Catholicos in which 3,464 voted for and 10 against it. Malimath said that of the total voters of 3818, 3,528 persons registered their names as voters of which, 3,483 took part in the voting and nine votes were declared invalid. As per the Supreme Court directive, the court would officially declare the results later. The association, the apex body of the Malankara Orthodox Church, also elected 111 managing committee members, including 37 priests and 74 laity, representing 1,244 churches. The election to the managing committee, representing 23 Malankara Orthodox dioceses, including the one in America and the other in Canada-the UK, were made on the basis of voice vote. Presiding over the meeting of the association, the Catholicos said for the unity, peace and amity in the Malankara Orthodox Church, several sacrifices were made. However, the efforts did not yield any positive results on account of the negative attitude of the Patriarch faction. Even the latest attempt under the directive of the Supreme Court too were sabotaged by the dissident faction. The Catholicos pointed out henceforth there would be no question of looking back and the Malankara Church and the laity were one now. The Malankara Church still respected the Patriarch and the Malankara Church would not go for any fight with the other faction for any church in future. ±Meanwhile, the Puthencruz meet of the Patriarch faction has declared that the outcome of the Malankara Syrian Christian Association meet at Parumala today would not be acceptable to the Patriarch faction led by the Catholicos- designate Dr Thomas Mar Dionosius Metropolitan. ``The Parumala meet is a naked violation of Supreme Court verdict. Those concerned have failed to come out with a `genuine' voters' list before convening the meet. The Parumala meet cannot be considered as an official meet,'' declared Mar Dionosius at the `Declaration of Faith' meet organised by the Patriarch faction at Puthencruz here on Wednesday. ``On the one hand they demand the strict implementation of the Church constitution. On the other, they nakedly violate the constitution'', he alleged. Reacting sharply to the reported statement of UDF Convener Oommen Chandy that it was Mar Dionosius who was standing in the way of the settlement of the issue, the Metropolitan challenged Oommen Chandy and the Antony Government to come out with the written assurance he had given to the Government on the issue. Mar Dianosius alleged that the Government and its nominees who appeared as mediators in the earlier days were soon seen identifying with the Orthodox faction. The Government had also played a dirty role in the Kanyattu Church issue by replacing the existing RDO. ``The Government should not be under the impression that we would remain as mute spectators to all these injustices'', he warned. In a fervent call to the laity, Mar Dionosius, along with other spiritual heads of the faction made a call to get ready to lay down their lives for protecting their faith and their churches. The function was also marked by the anti-Government outpourings. Holding their hands together, the massive crowd took the `Declaration of Faith' read out by Yuhanon Mar Phelixinos Metropolitan. The declaration which described the `Puthencruz' oath as the second `Coonan Cross' Oath (1653) said: ``We affirm our faith with the Patriarch of Antioch and his Regional Representative Catholicos Dr Thomas Mar Dionosius and the Metropolitans associated with him. We and our progeny herewith declare that we sever all ties with the Catholicos Mathews II and his followers who propagate infamy against Catholicos Dionosius'', the declaration said. Presiding over the meet, Markose Mar Curilose Metropolitan called upon the laity not to permit anyone who is loyal to the opposite faction to enter the churches controlled by the Patriarch faction. Nor we should visit theirs. He also stressed the need for strengthening the `Sathya Viswasa Samrakshana Samiti Committee' to resist the threat posed by the Orthodox faction. Addressing the meet, KPCC vice-president and the Patriarch faction leader P P Thankachan warned the Government of serious repercussions against its alleged biased stand adopted on the issue. Earlier, the Catholicos and the metropolitans were given a ceremonial welcome at Parumala under the auspices of the association secreatry, A K Thomas and the present managing committee members. The metropolitans who were given a warm welcome included Zacharias Mar Nichalavos, Yakoob Mar Irrenios, Paulos Mar Coorilos, Job Mar Sevarios, Kuriakos Mar Clemis, Yuhonnon Mar Milithios, Thomas Mar Ivanios, Thomas Mar Athanasios, Paulose Mar Milithios, Geevarghese Mar Athanasios, Philipose Mar Eusebius, Mathews Mar Ephipanios, Abraham Mar Sevarios, Mathews Mar Bernnabas, Thomas Mar Makarios, Stephanios Mar Thevodoasius, Geevarghese Mar Osthathios and Thomas Mar Thimothios.
Thursday, March 21, 2002
Kerala villages to cruise on to information superhighway
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Villages across Kerala will soon cruise on to the information superhighway with the government announcing plans to open Internet cafes. The Kerala Village Industries Board has said it would set up a cyber café in each of the state's 991 grassroots council areas. And the state's department for non-resident Keralites (NRKs) has plans to set up 100 more such Internet cafes. Rural Development Minister C.F. Thomas said the government would give people selected to run these cafes up to 30 percent of the required funds. "We expect the total expenditure of each café to be in the range of Rs.250,000 and each café is expected to employ at least two people," he said. The village industries department has allocated Rs.40 million for the cafes. An IT expert said the scheme could change the face of Kerala. "The immediate gains would be the dependants of close to 1.5 million NRKs," the expert said. "These cafes should act as post offices so that all mails sent by the NRKs to their kin could be delivered, or at least these cafés should see that they intimate the recipients. This could speed up communication and also reduce its cost." Malappuram district in north Kerala, which has sent out the highest number of emigrants, especially to the Gulf countries, is expected to benefit most. Malappuram alone has 100 grassroots council areas, followed by Thrissur -- which has the second largest NRK population -- with 92. Palaghat district would come next with 90 and the hill district of Wayanad would have just 25 cyber cafes. NRK Minister M.M. Hassan told : "We are confident that this would not only save time but also money for the people. In the next financial year's budget there is a sum of Rs.2.5 million set aside just for this." He added: "What we have in mind is to set aside 500 of these (cafes) for the Middle East returnees." Thousands of Keralites returned from the Gulf as the countries in the region began tightening their labour norms. Many of them are in financial dire straits and the government has long been planning employment schemes for them
Thursday, March 21, 2002
Proposal to replace .303 rifles with automatic SLRs submitted
KOCHI: The worn-out .303 rifles of the Kerala Police will soon be replaced with automatic self-loading rifles (SLRs). A proposal to replace the obsolete rifles, now in use only in a few States including Kerala, with SLRs has been submitted to the State Government. Highly-placed sources in the police department told this website's newspaper that a clearance, at least for the first phase of the project, was expected by the end of this month. The police top brass have mooted a phase-by-phase introduction of SLRs as part of a major project to modernise the police force given the present security scenario. The weapon will be first given to the Kerala Armed Police (KAP) and the Armed Reserve Police. The local constabulary will be armed with SLRs only at a later stage. ``This is likely to happen only when the present batch of KAP and KRP is absorbed into the local police. It is going to be a continuous process,'' sources said. Moreover, the guns cannot be changed in one go. They are manufactured only in the ordnance factory and there is likelihood of delay as the same company is supplying them to the Services and other paramilitary forces. Economics of the project apart, this is another reason why we thought of introducing SLRs in a phased manner, sources said. Once the Government gives clearance to the proposal, the police department would also frame a training module for acquainting the cops with the new weapon. ``It will be easy for anyone, trained in the basic weapon, to handle SLR. But we are planning an elaborate module considering the sophistication of the weapon,'' top officials said. While the .303 is a manual rifle with a magazine capacity of 10 bullets, SLRs can hold 20 bullets. The magazine capacity can also be enhanced. The SLR can be fired in automatic and semi-automatic modes and it weighs less than the conventional rifle. ``So it will take a few weeks for the personnel to get its feel,'' officials said. Top sources also said they don't want the SLR conversion to be a fiasco as it happened in the case of AK-47s. Though the State Police have about 250 AK 47s in its possession, not many personnel are trained to handle them. In many district headquarters, these guns are remaining locked in the boxes for the last several years. The introduction of the SLR will open a new chapter in the history of Kerala Police as it will even change the police drill. ``The drill will have to be revamped as there is a marked difference in the way an ordinary rifle and an SLR are held. Many paramilitary forces have changed their drill after they adopted the SLR,'' sources said.
Thursday, March 21, 2002
Visa card popularity programme launched
KOCHI: HDFC Bank and Visa International have jointly launched a payment card acceptance programme in Kerala intended to increase the popularity of Visa cards among the merchants in the State. The programme, which runs from March to July of this year, will involve the deployment of an acceptance framework that will increase the number of Visa cards issued and the number of merchant acceptance locations in tier-II cities including Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Kottayam and Kollam. Santanu Mukherjee, country manager of South Asia of Visa International, and Uma Krishnan, country head of retail branch banking and credit cards of HDFC Bank said at a press conference here today that under the programme, HDFC Bank will sign up new merchants and provide them with electronic terminals to accept Visa cards. They are expecting the number of Visa card accepting merchants to increase by 50 per cent from 1,000 to 1,500 after the programme. Visa will also conduct several promotions and provide exclusive benefits and rewards to the card holders. HDFC Bank will be the lead acquirer for the project and all Visa card issuing banks will jointly run usage programme to offer additional value to the card holders. The HDFC Bank along with Visa will sign on new merchants, provide modern electronic acceptance terminals to them and open up new categories of payment including basic telephony, hospitals, clinics and petrol stations. HDFC debit card has 35 per cent share in Kerala, Uma Krishnan said. The bank is in the process of launching credit cards in major cities. The bank is planning to launch credit card in Kerala in May. Santanu Mukherjee said there is huge potential for payment cards in Kerala. Of the 6 million credit cards in circulation in the country, only 1.25 lakh is in Kerala and of the 12 lakh debit cards, the State accounts for only 25,000. Visa will play lead role in acceptance programme which is expected to increase the card users in the State. The first pilot project of acceptance programme for Visa conducted in Vadodara in June 2001 was a success, he said.
Thursday, March 21, 2002
Schoolgirl killed in road mishap
KURAVILANGAD: A school kid was killed while seven of her classmates and the driver sustained injuries when the jeep, in which they were travelling, collided with a private bus, near here, on Wednesday afternoon. The deceased Tesna was a first standard student of De Paul English Medium school, Nazraeth Hill. The mishap occurred around 12.15 p.m. The jeep was taking the kids to their homes after examinations. It lost control on hitting the private bus, St Maria, at Kaniyodickal and fell into a ten-feet-deep gorge nearby. Tesna was killed on the spot. The vehicle was badly damaged. Tesna is the eldest daughter of Muthirakkalayil Tomy, of Kalathoor, a businessman. Her mother Jessy is a nurse in Saudi Arabia. Tesna is also survived by a younger sister. Kuravilangad police has registered a case.
Thursday, March 21, 2002
This time, winner will go home with cash
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: This year, the men behind the film that gets the Suvarna Chakoram in the coming International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK-2002) will walk away with cash prize. Last time, the winner got words of praise, a certificate and a memento. No cash was given then. According to sources, the External Affairs Ministry had received a complaint a few months after last year’s IFFK. The complaint, from Moroccan filmmaker Nabil Ayouch, director of ‘Ali Zaoua’, said that though it had been announced that the best film in the competition section would get a cash prize of Rs 6 lakh, the amount was yet to reach him. For a fledgling festival that is just about finding its feet, there would not have been a worse advertisement. The issue was settled, with the filmmaker being given the prize money, along with a million apologies, after the present executive committee met and discussed the issue. The cash prize, it is learnt, was given from the Plan fund of the Academy. This would have to be recouped as the money was taken from funds set aside for administrative expenses. K P Kumaran and Subramaniam Santhakumar, who shared the international film critics award for their films ‘Thottam’ and ‘Mankolangal’, were however given their cash prizes - Rs 50,000 each - on time. Sources said that it was technical problems that resulted in the Moroccan filmmaker having to wait for the cash prize. If the filmmaker had chosen to go to town on the issue, the image of the festival would have been damaged, and the FIAPF, the international body that decides on the worth of each festival, would have even considered withdrawing its recognition, sources said. The total expense for the conduct of last year’s festival was Rs 86 lakh but payment worth Rs 20 lakh to various parties was pending when the former committee bowed out. ‘‘When the current body took over, we realised that the cash prize for Suvarna Chakoram had not been given. Amount was also due to travel agents. Money had to to be paid for theatre rent and freightage. All the dues were cleared recently and that affected the financial position of the academy. That is why substantial financial help from the Government is of dire importance now. Last year, the Government had allowed Rs 56 lakh as non- Plan assistance,’’ said a source. The Academy has this time received sanction from the RBI to provide the cash prize, in dollars, without any delay. ‘‘This time, the award winner will be given a draft during the concluding ceremony of the festival itself. The festival cannot afford another slip up,’’ said one of the executive committee members.
Wednesday, March 20, 2002
Movie Preview: Onnaman -Vishu release!
Mohanlal and his hit director Thambi Kannanthanam are coming together once again in Onnaman, due for release on Vishu Day (April 14). It is a typical formula film, with a lot of action, songs, sentiments and larger than life Mohanlal. Ravishankar(Mohanlal) is an underworld don who controls the activities at the Kochi port. He is a man with a heart of gold and is a sort of Robinhood for the local slum people. He grew up in the slums (Mohanlal’s son Pranav plays the childhood days of Ravishankar) and has a loving mother Parvathy (Jayabharathy), a neighbour Salim Bhai, his daughter Suhara (Kavya Madhavan), a Gujarathi neighbour Kamala and her family. Ravishankar is forced to become an underworld don by the machinations of the local politicians who are hand in glove with the bad elements. Kamala (Ramya Krishnan) falls in love with Ravishankar and soon she gets IAS and is posted where her lover operates. The villains gang up to finish Ravishankar but our man fights against all odds. Will he be able to save the slum from demolition? The answer to this, lies in the climax of this family entertainer. The others in the cast are Biju Menon, Jagadhish, Lalu Alex, Jagathy, and Aswathy. Lyrics of Gireesh Puthanchery are set to tune by S.P.Venkatesh. Salu George is the cameraman and Sreekar Prasad is the editor. Story, screenplay and direction are by Thampi Kannanthanam. Govindan Kutty produces the film.
Wednesday, March 20, 2002
Movie Preview: Pakal Pooram
The director duo Anil-Babu, known for their comedy films, is now directing Pakal Pooram, a horror film. This film is produced by Santhosh Damodaran under the banner of Damor Films. The story is set in the Suryamangalam mana, an ancient Brahmin house. Once upon a time Brahmadattan Namboothiripad, a famous astrologer, magician and faith healer used to live there. The local temple was closed for sometime due to nocturnal activities of a female ghost. Brahmadattan, through his magical power is able to find a solution to this by chaining the ghost. The Namboothiri has two wives, one a Brahmin and the other a lower caste weaver. The two women who deliver at the same time accidentally have their babies exchanged. The Brahmin son Gowridasan (Mukesh) who is treated as a low caste becomes a temple pujari, while the son born out of the lower caste woman, Manickan (Salim Kumar) becomes a no good loafer and a drunkard. One day Manickan gets into the temple where the ghost was chained and sets it free. This leads to chaos and confusion and how Gowridasan tries to solve the problem forms the rest of the story. The others in the cast are Geetu Mohandas and Kalpana. The film has music by Raveendran.
Wednesday, March 20, 2002
Movie Review: Danny
Director T.V.Chandran Producer T.V.Chandran Cast Mammootty,Mallika Sarabhai T.V.Chandran, is one of the last surviving arty directors in India who keeps the flag of uncompromised cinema flying. And when superstar Mammootty supports him by acting without any remuneration for Danny, the intentions are noble. Spanning several decades from 1930s-on when Danny is born and ends in the year 2000, with his death, Chandran has showcased Kerala’s political history from Gandhiji’s freedom struggle to the present day Vajpayee government. Whatever happens in Danny’s life is closely linked to real life political happenings, which are shown interspersed in black and white. Daniel Thompson (Mammootty) looses his parents at a very young age and he strives hard to make a living. Danny’s best friend Freddy (Siddique) helps him to open a small cycle repair shop, and the priest of the local church gives him a saxophone, which later becomes an inseparable part of Danny. Freddy finds a girl Clara for Danny and thus they get married. But the marriage is short lived as one day Clara elopes with her lover taking Danny’s small daughter. Danny finds solace in his saxophone and with Freddy he goes to a near by village for a programme. They meet a rich landlord who forces Danny to marry his only daughter and lecturer Margaret (Vani Viswanath) who is pregnant. Freddy advices Danny to get married to Maggi and get settled in life. Margaret accepts Danny for the sake of her child, and is forced to tolerate him as her father leaves all the wealth in Danny’s name. Maggi can never accept him, as he is illiterate and not polished. Years pass by and Margaret and Danny live with their son (Vijayaraghavan) and his wife (Sona Nair). One day Danny gets a letter from Clara that their daughter is getting married in Bangalore, but Maggi does not let Danny meet them. The family finds Danny and his saxophone irritating and they shift him to a sanatorium for convenience. He is happy there in the company of the doctor (Ratheesh) and the other inmates. One day another lady (Mallika Sarabhai) is brought there by her children and in no time Danny strikes a rapport with her. They share their miseries and become friends, much to the dislike of their relatives. But the society including Danny’s daughter misunderstands their relationship and they are left high and dry. Mammootty in the eponymous role of Danny is excellent. Stripping himself of his entire superstar image, he inhabits his role with a searing intensity. The effect is of an actor who has grasped the complex nuances of screen acting. Mallika Sarabhai, Vani Viswanath and Siddique have also excelled in their roles. The background score of Johnson adds to the flow of the film. On the whole Danny leaves you feeling quite high about Malayalam films Verdict: Good
Wednesday, March 20, 2002
Movie Review: Danny
Director T.V.Chandran Producer T.V.Chandran Cast Mammootty,Mallika Sarabhai T.V.Chandran, is one of the last surviving arty directors in India who keeps the flag of uncompromised cinema flying. And when superstar Mammootty supports him by acting without any remuneration for Danny, the intentions are noble. Spanning several decades from 1930s-on when Danny is born and ends in the year 2000, with his death, Chandran has showcased Kerala’s political history from Gandhiji’s freedom struggle to the present day Vajpayee government. Whatever happens in Danny’s life is closely linked to real life political happenings, which are shown interspersed in black and white. Daniel Thompson (Mammootty) looses his parents at a very young age and he strives hard to make a living. Danny’s best friend Freddy (Siddique) helps him to open a small cycle repair shop, and the priest of the local church gives him a saxophone, which later becomes an inseparable part of Danny. Freddy finds a girl Clara for Danny and thus they get married. But the marriage is short lived as one day Clara elopes with her lover taking Danny’s small daughter. Danny finds solace in his saxophone and with Freddy he goes to a near by village for a programme. They meet a rich landlord who forces Danny to marry his only daughter and lecturer Margaret (Vani Viswanath) who is pregnant. Freddy advices Danny to get married to Maggi and get settled in life. Margaret accepts Danny for the sake of her child, and is forced to tolerate him as her father leaves all the wealth in Danny’s name. Maggi can never accept him, as he is illiterate and not polished. Years pass by and Margaret and Danny live with their son (Vijayaraghavan) and his wife (Sona Nair). One day Danny gets a letter from Clara that their daughter is getting married in Bangalore, but Maggi does not let Danny meet them. The family finds Danny and his saxophone irritating and they shift him to a sanatorium for convenience. He is happy there in the company of the doctor (Ratheesh) and the other inmates. One day another lady (Mallika Sarabhai) is brought there by her children and in no time Danny strikes a rapport with her. They share their miseries and become friends, much to the dislike of their relatives. But the society including Danny’s daughter misunderstands their relationship and they are left high and dry. Mammootty in the eponymous role of Danny is excellent. Stripping himself of his entire superstar image, he inhabits his role with a searing intensity. The effect is of an actor who has grasped the complex nuances of screen acting. Mallika Sarabhai, Vani Viswanath and Siddique have also excelled in their roles. The background score of Johnson adds to the flow of the film. On the whole Danny leaves you feeling quite high about Malayalam films Verdict: Good
Wednesday, March 20, 2002
Kuberan: The most wanted!
Guess which film is red hot in the trade? It is Kuberan, the Dileep-Samyuktha comedy caper due for a Vishu release. Most of the theatre owners are willing to offer fancy advance amount for this film. The Menaka Suresh Kumar produced and Sundar Das directed film is said to be a clean comedy. All post-production work of Kuberan including printing of copies will take place at the newly inaugurated Prasad Film Lab in Trivandrum. This is a branch office of the Prasad Lab in Chennai. So for the first time all post production work and censoring can be done in Trivandrum. There is a mad scramble to get Dileep’s dates as distributors are offering good advance for his films, following the success of Mazhathulli Kilukkam. The latest box office report on Mazhathulli Kilukkam is that, the film has got a distributor's share of Rs 1.07 crore from 30 stations in 21 days, which is very good considering the film’s cost of production. The film is heading to be a big hit.
Wednesday, March 20, 2002
Aishwarya to get married again on March 24!
Aishwarya, the lucky heroine turned television artiste has decided to tie the knot with Rajkumar, son of the Tamil character actor Karate Mani. For Aishwarya this is her third marriage. Eight years back she broke off with her mother and veteran actress Lakshmi to get married to a Chennai businessman Tanvir Ahmed that ended in a messy divorce. Aishwarya took to drugs as Tanvir was a wife beater. After the divorce she made up with her mother and tried for a comeback into films. Then there were rumours that she was married to her Computer Teacher, but Lakshmi once again helped her to come out of it. Very soon she became busy in Malayalam when superstar Mohanlal gave her a big break in his super hit Narasimham. This was followed by a few television serials and Suresh Gopi’s Satyameva Jayathe. She was once again paired opposite Mohanlal in Praja. We hope her marriage on March 24 to Rajkumar will bring her luck for a long and happy married life. Said Aishwarya, "I was confused about my marriage to Rajkumar. But my daughter convinced me that she has no problems in me getting married."
Wednesday, March 20, 2002
Movie Preview: Aayirathil Oruvan
Sibi Malayil hits back with Aayirathil Oruvan Ottappalam and Shornur have once again become busy with film shooting. Currently three films are being shot here, the major film being Aayirathil Oruvan directed by Sibi Malayil. Sibi Malayil who made films like Kireedam, Bharatham, Thaniyavarthanam, Kamaladalam, has recently started directing less expensive films. A director who cast only Mohanlal and Mammootty in his films has opted out to cast younger artists like Dileep. In Aayirathil Oruvan it is Kalabhavan Mani in the lead role. Mani unlike his emotionally overdone roles in Vinayan films is doing a well-defined and controlled character of a middle class young man Aravindan. The story reflects the plights of middle class families in the present Kerala society. Aravindan has two sisters and the elder one is not married. This naturally disturbs him, as he is the only bread earner of the family. In between his personal and family problems he gets married. Siby Malayil is discussing certain issues that are relevant in the present Kerala society, as he has done in most of his films. T A Razhak a committed scriptwriter who penned a number of good films is reentering the film scene with Sibi Malayil. Thilakan is handling an important role in Aayirathil Oruvan. Janardhanan, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, K P A C Lalitha, Shammi Thilakan, Madhupal, Sachitha, Nimisha, Anu Joseph are the other artists in this film. Senthil the ace comedian of Tamil film has a good role in Aayirathil Oruvan. Lyrics are by Yusuf Ali Kechery and Music by Mohan Sithara.
Wednesday, March 20, 2002
Movie Review: Desam
After seeing S.K.Film Art's 'Desam', one begins to wonder why Bharath Gopi, one of the most versatile actors of our time, consented to act in such a film! Of course, Gopi has put in an excellent performance and his character does stand out, but it rather obvious that it is impossible for a single character or an actor to carry a film entirely on his shoulders. 'Desam', directed by Biju.V.Nair is a complete let-down, save the excellent performance by Bharath Gopi. Prem Kumar as Jayakrishnan and Madhupal as Vijayakrishnan seem rather unimpressive. Among the others in the cast, the only performances worth mentioning are those of Bindu Panickar as Nalini, the aunt of Vijayakrishnan and Jayakrishnan, and Maala Aravindan as the crooked Marthandan. Devan, who puts in a cameo as Unni, Ammu's brother, is also impressive. As for the technical stuff, there is nothing worth mentioning. The highlight of the film is a weak plot, a weaker script and still weaker direction. Produced by S.Komal and P.Vijay Raj, the film is better missed. Story Line It is the story of two brothers Jayakrishnan and Vijayakrishnan, who quarrel over trivial matters like football matches, activities of local clubs etc.,. Vijayakrishnan works in the town and so, once he takes Jayakrishnan with him lest he should create certain problems at home. Earlier Vijayakrishnan had saved and given shelter to a girl Ammu. But that leads to problems. When the villainous Uppa comes in search of Ammu, things take a new turn and Vijayakrishnan is killed. Jayakrishnan's love for his brother makes him take on matters from where his brother left off.
Wednesday, March 20, 2002
Are wedding bells still ringing?
Are wedding bells still ringing? Biju Menon and Samyuktha Verma. They were like Siamese twins, forever together. But of late they seem to be more apart than together. After several rounds of 'will they' or 'won't they', the duo has postponed their proposed wedding again. Samyuktha Verma, who had hurriedly completed her assignments keeping in mind the wedding, has now signed the new film of Sathyan Anthikad opposite Jeyaram. Industry hands say that this is a definite sign that they have postponed their wedding. Biju Menon’s stuttering film career seems to be most likely reason as to why they have not fixed wedding plans yet. The son of a police officer, who started his career on a good note, does not seem to be going anywhere now. He is still not recognized as a solo hero. To be sure, Meghamalhar was his show. But nobody gives him the success to him. "It was Kamal and Samyuktha's movie all the way," says a distributor. Biju's next release is Onnaman for Vishu. Then again, it will be known only as ‘Mohan Lal’ film. "That is his problem. He has to have consistent hits on his own to be recognized as a star," says Hari Prasad, a film historian. In a sense, Biju does tremendously well as part of big team but is not so potent when alone. The likes of Mukesh and Manoj are a typical case in point. Apart from Mohanlal, Mammooty, Jeyaram and Dileep, there are not many in Malluwood who can carry a film on their own. So, why single out Biju, asks Ravi Menon, a leading distributor. Anyway, Biju himself has not lost hope. He is still trying his best. His next serious test will be his friend and mentor Shaji Kailas' film, titled Shivam, Biju plays a firebrand police officer in the film. Obviously, it is a writer-backed role. There are plenty of powerful dialogues in it for him. In a way, it is his make or break film. Will he join the elite hero club or will he have to be satisfied with something less?
Wednesday, March 20, 2002
Urvashi : Proud Mamma
In her better days , Urvashi played the most difficult roles with ease and skill. Then she took a sabbatical to play the mother of all roles in real life of mother itself. (She is married to Malayalam actor Manoj K Jeyan). Now that her daughter Teja Lakshmi is over 3 years old, Urvashi is making a comeback in films. She is cast in Kamal Hassan's Panchatantram in Tamil. She has also been pencilled to do a couple of films in Malayalam. But in her second coming, Urvashi is in no hurry. "My first priority is my family now. As it is my daughter is taking up much of my time," she says happily. Before returning to films, Urvashi has had a fling at the small screen, both as an actress as well as a producer. "I was just testing the waters. The good thing about TV serials is that the shooting schedules were such that it allowed scope for carrying on your work after 6 in the evening". Urvashi has done a couple of serials in Tamil and one in Telugu. But it is her role as a producer that is very different from her other ventures. "Actually, I produced the serial (Panchami) even before my marriage. It was quite a different experience". How does Urvashi manage her multiple role of being a doting mother, caring wife and a responsible actress? "It is all about time management. If you can work out a schedule and stick to it, things are actually very easy," she says confidently. Urvashi is equally excited about the film Panchatantram in Tamil. "It is a comedy role. It is my kind of a role," she says. Kamal Hassan has long been a great admirer of Urvashi and her acting talent. "It is always a great pleasure to act with him," she says of him. Urvashi recently also did a Kannada film opposite the talented Ramesh Aravind. But it is in her native Malayalam that she now wants to focus her attention. "Nothing like your mother tongue," she says. "I have got a couple of offers which are pretty interesting. The only thing that has to be worked out is to fit the film schedule around my personal schedule". Wife. Mother. Actress. Producer. Urvashi sure packs quite a punch.
Wednesday, March 20, 2002
Asianet Film Award 2002 Nite!
Lux Asianet Film Award 2002 function was held in the Rajiv Gandhi Indoor stadium in Kochi, recently. The stadium was jam-packed on the awards nite although the VHP had called for a nationawide bandh on that day and what followed was a five-hour long grand event! Here is a first-hand report of the Awards Nite. The fourth year of the awards this had something special. For the first time in Kerala, the final verdict of the jury, which was from the three nominations selected by a gallup poll, was not announced beforehand but right on the stage. So there was an element of thrill and suspense. The main attraction of the awards nite was the impressive turnout of the Malayalam Industry... right from superstar Mammootty, Mohanlal, Jayaram, Dileep, Kunchacko Boban, Sreenivsan, Biju Menon, Jagathy Sreekumar, Siddique, Kalabhavan Mani, Mukesh, Lal, Manoj.K.Jayan, Saikumar, Innocent to leading ladies like Samyuktha Verma, Divya Unni, Joemol, Navya Nair, Nitya Das, Suja Karthika, Meera Jasmine, Mallika Sukumaran, Sukumari. In a nutshell, the audience list read literally like the who's who of the Malayalam film industry! Fabulous dance numbers by Divya Unni, Joemol, Navya Nair, Nitya Das, songs by Mohanlal, Siddique, Manoj.K.Jayan, Biju Menon, Saikumar, Nadirsha, Kalabhavan Mani were the highlight of the awards nite. Noted singer Sreenivasan won over the audience singing the popular Tamil song "Minsaara Poove..." (Padayappa) and the Hindi song "Mitwa..." (Lagaan). K J Yesudas was honoured specially by Asianet and he treated the audience to a soulful rendering of the very meaningful and popular song of yester years-"Manushyan mathangale shrishtichchu...". Teenage sensation Kunchacko Boban and Divya Unni danced to the tune of "Madhuban mein Jo Kanhaiya...". Usha Uthup regaled the audience with some popular Hindi numbers which served as a fitting finale! The awards were given amidst performances by stars who enthralled the audience with dance, songs and skits set against the backdrop of Egypt, the land of pyramids and sphinx! Hosted by AMMA, the Association for Malayalam Movie Artists in association with Asianet Channel, the awards nite was compered by the upcoming film star Prithviraaj and popular TV anchor Savitha. Truly, the awards nite was a star-studded and memorable affair!
Wednesday, March 20, 2002
Peace rally on Thursday at Thykkal
ALAPPUZHA: An all-party peace meet was held here on Monday to maintain peace and communal harmony at Thykkal where clashes between the activists of Theera Sangh and RSS claimed three lives and injured many on last Saturday. Agriculture Minister K R Gowri presided over the meeting. A peace committee, comprising members of all political parties and religious organisations, was also formed. Navy’s help will be sought for searching a BJP worker, Peethambaran, who was found missing from Thykkal. The meeting decided to provide Rs 5,000 each as compensation to the nearest relatives of those who were killed and Rs 3,000 each to the injured and to those who lost their houses. As part of efforts to bring life back to Thykkal, a peace rally will be conducted on Thursday. A committee with Minister K R Gowri as patron, District Collector M N Gunavardhan as chairman and RDO V Balakrishna Panicker as convener, has been constituted for this. The meeting urged the male members in this coastal region, who have reportedly fled to safe places following the violence, to return to their houses. The Minister said stringent action would be taken against those who indulge in violence. She urged the people to strive to maintain religious amity in tact. Many persons who participated in the peace meet said it was police inaction that led to the untoward incidents. They said police were informed about the possibility of violence, however, they did not initiate any step to prevent the outbreak of violence. RSS district karyavahak Rudran demanded that local police be withdrawn from the area and Rapid Action Force be deployed. Swathantra Matsya Thozilali Federation leader Lal Koyiparambil said a peaceful atmosphere should be created at the coastal region for enabling the return of the fishermen who had fled the area following the violence. CPI leader C K Chandrappan alleged that the Government was responsible for the violence. BJP district president K S Rajan, District Congress Committee president C R Jayaprakash, CPI district secretary T Purushothaman, RSP (B) state secretary A V Thamarakshan, Devadath G Purakkad, Velliyamkulam Parameshwaram, A M Arif and M K Abdul Gafoor participated in the meet.
Wednesday, March 20, 2002
ADB was invited by LDF Govt: P T Thomas
ALAPPUZHA: P T Thomas, MLA, on Tuesday said that the Asian Development Bank (ADB) was invited to Kerala by the then LDF Government and the concept paper in connection with the reforms to be introduced in the State was also signed by them. Thomas told mediapersons here that the then Chief Minister E K Nayanar and Finance Minister Sivadasa Menon had sent several reminders to the Prime Minister and Union Finance Minister to get the financial aid of ADB. The Finance Principal Secretary was even sent to Gujarat, to study the reforms being implemented there. The LDF Government had assured the ADB of certain economic reforms to receive the loan. Voluntary retirement scheme, employees redeployment, changes in power and industrial sectors and amendments in law were also included in the assurances given to the ADB by the LDF, he alleged. The LDF ministers Susheela Gopalan, Sivadasa Menon, Pinarayi Vijayan, Paloli Muhammed Kutty and P J Joseph had held discussions with the representatives of the ADB at Thiruvananthapuram on August 30, 1998. The then LDF convener V S Achuthanandan too had given the green signal for availing the loan, he said.
Wednesday, March 20, 2002
More engg colleges
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Education Minister Nalakath Soopy has appealed to Union Minister for Human Resources Murli Manohar Joshi to allow 28 institutions that have come forward to start engineering colleges in the State to start the colleges this year itself. Soopy who met Joshi in New Delhi on Tuesday said, in a statement, that of the various applications in this regard for which the State Government had given NOC, the All-India Council for Technical Education had considered 28 but gave the final nod to only five to start engineering colleges. He said that the Union Minister had promised to consider the demand. Finance Minister K Sankaranarayanan, KPCC president K Muraleedharan, E Ahammed, V S Sivakumar, George Eden and Ramesh Chennithala, MPs, UDF convener Oommen Chandy, P J Kurien, Vayalar Ravi and Federation of Self-Financing Institutions chairman C N Anto were with Soopy when he met the Union Minister. The high-level delegation impressed upon Joshi the dire need to start more engineering colleges in the State. It informed him that the UDF Government had taken the policy decision of attracting private investment in the education sector.
Wednesday, March 20, 2002
Trains rescheduled
KOCHI: Due to the ongoing doubling work in the Mangalore-Shornur section, the Southern Railway has rescheduled some of its services as follows. Train No 6601 Chennai-Mangalore Mail, scheduled to leave Chennai on March 24, will be terminated at Kanhangad and will return as Train No 6602 from Kanhangad on March 25 However, the following trains will cater to the needs of the commuters between March 20 and March 27. Train No 6347/6348 Trivandrum-Cannanore Express will stop at all stations between Calicut and Cannanore where the Passenger Train No 619/622(Cannannoor-Calicut) has stops. Train No 6868 Mangalore-Tiruchi Express will stop at all stations between Kasargod and Cannanore where Passenger Train No 624 has stops. Train No 6349 Trivandrum-Mangalore Parasuram Express will stop at all stations between Cannanore and Charavattur where Passenger Train No 627 has stops. Send this Story to your friend
Wednesday, March 20, 2002
Parole to Killer Jaimi: Produce files, Govt told
KOCHI: A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Monday flayed the Government for granting parole without proper verification of records to Killer Jaimi, who according to police records is one of the most dreaded criminals in Kochi city. The Bench consisting of Justice J B Koshy and Justice K Padmanabhan Nair, directed the Government to produce the files relating to the grant of parole to him before April 2, 2002. On February, 19, based on newspaper reports that Killer Jaimi, who was on parole, had been found in suspicious circumstances along with three others, armed with deadly weapons, and was arrested by police, the Bench had directed the Government Pleader to inform the court regarding the number of cases pending against Jaimi, number of cases in which he was convicted, and number of cases pending trial, the circumstances under which he was granted parole, the name of the officer who recommended parole etc. Accordingly, an affidavit was filed in which it is said that the Stephen S/o Mathew alias Jaimi alias Killer Jaimi is one of the most dreaded criminals of Kochi city and that a rowdy history sheet was till maintained against him at Eanakulan Town North police station. He is accused in two murder cases, four dacoity cases and eight other cases. It was submitted by the Public Prosecutor that he was granted seven days emergency leave for attending to his ailing mother on the basis of a medical certificate. Whether the correctness of the certificate issued by Dr Anil Narayanan was verified while extending the leave is not known from the affidavit. When a person in prison is accused in several cases, why such facts were not noticed in the jail records is a serious matter to be looked into, the court said while calling for the files.
Wednesday, March 20, 2002
Cabinet changes: Antony's options limited
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Will the Chief Minister, A K Antony, reduce the size of his Ministry or go in for a Cabinet reshuffle as is being speculated by the media? The list of believers that this would happen is quite long. But current political reality is such that Antony's options for downsizing or reshuffling his team are limited. The belief that Mr. Antony would agree to downsizing his Cabinet has come about because of his acute discomfiture with the question about its size. He was posed with this question repeatedly when he launched his administrative reforms measures including cutting privileges of government employees and teachers. The pro-changers swear that the size would be reduced if only to give credibility to the reforms. The AICC general secretary, Ghulam Nabi Azad's visit also gave the impression that the party high command was concerned about the UDF Government's functioning. Mr Antony's own ardent supporters triggered the reshuffle speculation by complaining to Mr. Azad about the quality of Congress Ministers. Besides, the senior Congress leader, K. Karunakaran, has been doing his best to prove that all was not well with the Chief Minister's style of functioning. And there could be no better time for downsizing or reshuffling than on the eve of the UDF's first anniversary. But the Chief Minister cannot downsize his Cabinet for the very same reasons which prompted him to increase its upper limit to 20. The size of the Cabinet was fixed at 20 owing to compulsions of coalition politics. Mr. Antony has not been able to capitalise on the strength of his party's improved majority in the Assembly to reign in the runaway expectations of some of his coalition partners, mainly because of factional feuds. In fact, the Congress feuds, it appears, have made Mr. Antony increasingly dependent on his coalition partners, particularly the Muslim League and the Kerala Congress(M), not to mention smaller ones like the JSS and the CMP. Mr. Antony has made it clear enough that he would rather maintain the status quo when it comes to handling his coalition partners. Therefore, the League got its pre-determined four Cabinet berths and a bonus Information Technology portfolio, while all other coalition partners secured their berths, while the veteran KC(M) leader, K.M. Mani, stretched his luck further for an additional berth and succeeded in getting it. And what's more, the status quo theory was extended even to the allocation of portfolios, with same portfolios being distributed to the same parties that held them in earlier UDF Ministries. No change has taken place as far as this political variable is concerned. If anything, the 32-day-old strike by employees and teachers has made it quite clear that Mr Antony cannot fully rely on his partymen, finding staunch supporters in ministerial colleagues such as P.K. Kunhalikutty of the League and Mr.d Mani for his reforms programme. Mr. Antony's options to change Congress Ministers are also limited, because the nominations were made on the basis of factional, communal and caste equations. It is difficult to expect Mr. Antony to do what he could not do at the head of his term, unless he decides to change the rules of the games. This would mean a major shift in the kind of equations he has been assiduously trying to build up in Congress and the UDF. So far, he has succeeded in covering this latent weakness by projecting the UDF as a united force, without indicating that he was as much willing to break the status quo.
Monday, March 18, 2002
62 UDF MLAs submit memorandum to CM
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Close on the heels of the scathing attack by MLAs against Agriculture Minister K R Gowri at the UDF legislature party meeting held here, memorandum signed by as many as 62 UDF MLAs has been submitted to Chief Minister A K Antony appealing that the recently announced package for the farmers be made more transparent. They have urged the Chief Minister to initiate steps to ensure that only the deserving people benefited from the package and the schemes to provide financial assistance under the package are flawless, scientific and viable. They also suggested that the financial assistance under the package be provided based on the area of landholdings, and farmers holding up to five acres of land be benefited from it. The financial assistance schemes be implemented through the village offices. They said that the farmers would benefit from the scheme only if the entire fund allotted for a year was paid as a single payment, instead of instalments. The names of farmers who were eligible for financial assistance under the package and the amount allotted should be exhibited on the notice board of the village offices, they said. It may be recalled that many MLAs have hit out at Gowri at the legislative party meeting for her style of functioning. They have complained that she was not taking them into confidence even on issues like copra procurement under the Nafed scheme.
Monday, March 18, 2002
Controversy hits Kerala film festival before it begins
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Controversy has hit the Kerala international film festival once again, this time over the selection of Malayalam films in the competitive and contemporary sections. Less than two weeks are left for the Seventh International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), which is to be inaugurated March 29. Last time the event had drawn controversy due to shoddy organisation and handling by the government's public relations department. This time there are allegations of bias in the selection of Malayalam films. Of the two Malayalam films in the competitive section, "Sesham" has been directed by T.K. Rajeev Kumar, vice-chairman of the Chalachitra Film Academy that oversees the functioning of IFFK. Among the four films in the contemporary section, "Meghamalar" has been directed by Kamal, also an executive member of the academy. Already top directors have expressed displeasure at the selection. T. Rajeevnath, a former state and national award-winning director, said Friday evening he submitted a memorandum to Kerala Chief Minister A.K. Antony in this regard. "I do not think such a thing happens elsewhere that directors who are committee members select their own films. This practice has to end and that is why I decided to meet the chief minister. The best example for this has been set by Adoor Gopalakrishnan, chairman of the academy," said Rajeevnath. But Gopalakrishnan said there were no rules preventing members of the academy from participating in competitions. "Many are in the committee because of their outstanding contribution to Malayalam films, so it isn't proper to ask them to keep their films away," he said. Balachandra Menon, ace director and producer of several films who began the controversy, however, said the basic selection process had been thrown to the wind. "It is for the academy to see that such things do not happen because it is run on the tax payer's money,". Menon said that all the noise he was making had nothing to do with the non-selection of his latest film "Krishna Gopalakrishna." "Time would prove the worth of my film," he said. Ace Hungarian director Martha Mezarus is the jury chairman for IFFK 2002 and others in the jury are Rainadd Huff, Kohei Hoguri, Jaya Bacchan and Tissa Abhayasekhara. This time the best feature film in the festival will receive an award of Rs.1 million, and the best director Rs.300,000. Several films by internationally acclaimed directors are also competing.
Monday, March 18, 2002
Applications invited for NRI quota admissions
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Applications have been invited for admission to the NRI quota in Kochi and Pariyaram cooperative medical colleges to the first-year MBBS course. There will be seven seats in NRI quota in Kochi Medical College and 15 in Pariyaram Medical College. A demand draft worth Indian currency equivalent to 60,000 (sixty thousand) US dollars drawn in favour of the Entrance Commissioner from a nationalised bank and payable at Thiruvananthapuram should be submitted by candidates at the time of admission.
Monday, March 18, 2002
VSNL prepares Kochi for grand e-liftoff
KOCHI: The integration of South Africa Far East (SAFE) cable system with the West Africa Submarine Cable (WASC), also known as South Africa Telephony - 3 (SAT-3), has entered a significant phase. Experts at the Videsh Sanchar Nigam Limited (VSNL) are working against a deadline of March 31 to complete the integration. "We are hopeful of completing the work by this month-end. The data will be put through by April 15," said A S Menon, senior general manager of the VSNL. Termed as a link that would help tap the e-prospects of the growing markets of Southeast Asia and West Africa, from Kochi, the VSNL sources said with the completion of the integration, SAFE will become a global connectivity, linking Kochi to almost all important destinations around the world. "Once the integration is complete, we will be able to offload a good number of transmissions from satellite channels. These channels will be routed through the cable link. All types of data can be transferred through this link," Menon said. The SAFE in itself is considered a major boon for IT scenario in the country. That its only landing point in India is in Kochi, the link is seen as a shot in the arm for the blooming IT industry in Kerala. It links Kochi with Melkbosstrand and Durban in South Africa, Reunion island, Mauritius and Malaysia. The WASC cable system originates from Portugal and passes through Sapin and Canary Islands, Senegal, Cote d'lvoire, Ghana, Benin, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Angola to reach Melkbosstrand. Apart from being integrated with WASC, sources said the SAFE would be also linked with the SEA-ME-WE system, which also lands in Kochi. "This will help cover more destinations as the combined network will be offering a global connectivity in all respects," Menon said. The link will be a boon for small users. A wide bandwidth, between 10 and 40 GPB, will be available. The SAFE system, working on Ebrium doped fibre amplifier with wave length division multiplexing, has a capacity of 80 GB/s (Max) and can handle 5 million voice circuits. It can han |
