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April 2002
Tuesday, April 30, 2002
State to get part of $300 million ADB loan
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The first instalment of an Asian Development Bank (ADB) loan worth $300 million to Kerala is likely to come through in October after nearly five years of talks with two different governments in the state. After an hour-long meeting with Kerala Chief Minister A.K. Antony and senior cabinet ministers, Frank Polman, country director, ADB, India, said Monday: "If everything goes well, the first instalment of the $300 million would be released to the federal government, which would hand it over to the Kerala government." The loan is meant for the government's modernisation programme, including restructuring 112 state public enterprises. Polman said the ADB was not going to put any state public enterprise "on the chopping block". "The Kerala government has already prepared an approach paper in this regard," he said. The loan discussions between the ADB and the state started in 1997 under the then Left Democratic Front (LDF) government led by E.K. Nayanar. The bank is also expected to disburse another $200 million for reforms in the power sector in the next financial year, for which the Kerala government has to hold talks with the federal government and the power ministry. Antony said after a special cabinet meeting Monday that in 10 days, all the documents related to the loans would be made public. "We have decided to initiate a public discussion," he said. "We will circulate copies of the 'Modernisation of the Government' programme and take a final decision after hearing people's comments." The LDF, led by the Communist Party of India-Marxist, created an uproar on the loan both in the assembly and outside, alleging that the conditions were not in the state's interests. The ADB is also disbursing loans to Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh. Polman said the terms and conditions for all three states are broadly the same. "The only difference is that in Kerala we have given more importance to the modernisation programme," he said.
Tuesday, April 30, 2002
ADB loan in October
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM. The Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, said here on Wednesday that the agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on the Rs. 2,400-crore loan for fiscal and power sector reforms in the State would materialise by October. The Chief Minister told presspersons after a meeting with the Country Director (ADB, India), Frank Polman, the Director, Klaus Gerhaeusser, and the ADB team led by William McCarten that discussions were continuing for signing of the agreement. Major issues were to be discussed with the Central Government. The final Appraisal Mission from the ADB would reach Kerala in July. Mr. Antony said reforms were inevitable for the creation of a new Kerala. The State was not carrying out the reforms either on a directive from the Central Government or the ADB. He said the Government had launched the Modernising Government Programme (MGP) to draw up a broad based agenda for reforms in fiscal management, governance and decentralisation in the State. The Government intended to develop the MGP as a road map for change to help the State reverse its decline over the past in its fiscal and administrative performance and move forward along the path of sustainable development focused on poverty reduction and creating the enabling environment for growth. He reiterated that the people would be taken into confidence in all efforts for the reforms. Transparency would be ensured. The strategy document for the MGP drawn up by the workshop attended by Government officers and experts at Kovalam from April 21 to 23, was being released for wider discussions. It was expected that the first phase of this process could be completed in May. The Cabinet, which had only noted the document, would take decisions on it after the discussions. He said that the Government also proposed to release various other documents relating to the loan such as the concept paper and aide memoirs in ten days through the Public Relations Department. For the first time in five years, documents relating to the ADB loan were being released now.
Tuesday, April 30, 2002
Attack on houses: Six arrested
ALUVA: A group of antisocial elements unleashed terror and attacked two houses at Thuruthussery and Kuruppuneyam, near here, on Sunday night. Police led by Aluva Dy SP Jose Sebastian, Binanipuram CI V Radhakrishnan and Chengamanad SI K M Jijimon, have nabbed six persons in this connection. The accused are identified as Jobby, 20, a driver from Mekkad, Shibu, 25, a businessman from Kariyad, Vineendran, 21, an autorickshaw driver from Akaparambu, Biju, 27, a labourer from Cheriavappallassery, Reghu, 30, an autorickshaw driver from Angamaly and Kishore, 21, from Mekkad. According to CI Radhakrishnan, an autorickshaw driver named Kishore was allegedly attacked by two persons named Saheer and Binoy at Athani near here the other day. Kishore, in connivance with Shibu, hired some gundas from Angamaly. They attacked the houses of Rahim and Varkey at 11.30 p.m on Sunday night, snapped the telephone connections and caused damage to the street lights near the houses. The assailants who reached the houses in a car, two autorickshaws and a motorbike, with swords in hand, reportedly threatened the residents of the area before attacking the houses. On information, police led by SI Jijimon rushed to the spot, but the miscreants escaped. Police Superintendent Varghese George immediately alerted all stations in the district. Six of the accused were nabbed early this morning. The accused were remanded in judicial custody for 14 days when they were produced before the Judicial First Class Magistrate here this evening. It may be recalled that around 23 houses were destroyed in and around Aluva in separate incidents last week.
Tuesday, April 30, 2002
$500 million ADB loan for Kerala
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM APRIL 29. The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is committed to providing a loan of $500 million (about Rs. 2,400 crores) in two instalments in the next two years, said the Country Director of the ADB in India, Frank Polman, here on Wednesday. Addressing a brief press conference, the Director said the first instalment of the loan _ $300 million for fiscal reforms _ would be disbursed this year. The disbursement of $200 million for power sector reforms was slated for next year. Mr. Polman said the loan would be granted only against the achievement of specific milestones and actual construction of assets. "We don't talk of conditions, but of performance indicators. There is a strong internal mechanism to monitor the progress of programmes.'' He said that agreements would have to be reached with the Government of India, the Ministry of Power and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) before the loan is sanctioned. "Once the agreements are concluded, we will come back here to work out the details.''Restructuring of public sector units, he said, would be part and parcel of the fiscal reforms programme. However, the ADB team has not gone into any details of privatisation or closure of public sector units. He said that Kerala had a deeper and wider plan for reforms compared to that of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat that called for broad-based consultations. "We are very impressed by the way the Government of Kerala has carried the programme this far. It was the first time that an ADB loan for a reform-minded State necessitated such broad-based and wide-ranging consultations with all the people concerned. We had to subject ourselves to a heavy dose of criticism. All that was in right sense, which we appreciate,'' he said noting that this had delayed the implementation of the programme. The interest rate on the loan, he said, would be based on the London Inter Bank Offered Rate (LIBOR). The spread will be 60 basis points (0.6 per cent). At the current LIBOR for the dollar, this comes to nearly three per cent. There will also be a front-end fee of 0.5 per cent. He said the repayment of the loan is guaranteed by the Central Government. "We always get our money back.'' As the loan is routed through the Central Government, the State would be paying an interest of 12 per cent to the Centre in rupees on the loan."
Tuesday, April 30, 2002
Kochi to host TAAI meet
KOCHI: Kochi will host the 51st annual convention of the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) from September 20 to 23. This is the first time the TAAI convention is coming to Kerala. Briefing mediapersons about the convention, TAAI Convention 2002 chairman C V Prasad said they are hoping to get Domnique Lapiere for the keynote address and Chief Minister A K Antony to inaugurate the conference. There were other competitors like Malaysia for holding the convention. But finally it was decided to organise it in Kochi following the active support given by Tourism Minister K V Thomas. Around 2000 delegates are expected to participat in the convention to be held at Galfar International Convention Centre. TAAI has chosen the theme `Changing challenges' for the convention. The growth of technology and security challenges will be the focus of the discussions. The effects of September 11 terrorist attacks in the US and the December 13 attack in India, the commission cut of travel agents and capacity squeeze enforced by the airlines will be addressed at the meeting. The conference will also strive to promote regional tourism and improvement in railways and airways. Kerala is poorly connected with other countries and there is need to bring in more passengers to benefit the state's tourism. He said while many people are postponing their visits to other countries, India has emerged as a safe destination. Tourism Minister K V Thomas released the convention logo. He said a conclave of Chief Ministers and Tourism Ministers is planned in Kochi. K C Chandrahasan, chairman of TAAI, Kerala chapter welcomed the gathering. KTDC chairperson Padmaja Venugopal, Tourism Director Alkesh Kumar Sharma, Federation of Hotel and Restaurant Associations of India secretary Jose Domnic, Indian Air Travellers Organisation, South India chairman E M Najeeb and TAAI, Kerala chapter secretary Lancy George also spoke.
Tuesday, April 30, 2002
Religious parochialism leading to rift in society: Yesudas
KOTTAYAM: Singer K J Yesudas said that the root cause of communal rift in the society is the propaganda by different sections that salvation is possible only through their respective religions. At a civic reception accorded to him here on Monday, Yesudas said that he believes in one God. ‘‘Whatever greatness a man may have, it will not help if he is not able to understand the oneness of God,’’ he noted. He added that fanaticism spreads when communally parochial views get an upper hand in society. Yesudas said that the best compliment he is yearning for from the masses is an approach wherein all religions are considered to be one. ‘‘Don’t worship me. What I would like to have is blessings. Worship should be towards God alone. Treat all religions as one. This is my humble plea,’’ he said. Breaking down many a time during the course of his speech, remembering his late father Augustine Joseph, Yesudas said that he is indebted to him. He also expressed his gratitude towards the people of Kottayam. ‘‘This is the first place I conducted a ganamela. And it is from here that a write-up about me came first in print,’’ Yesudas recollected. Mahatma Gandhi University Vice-Chancellor Dr Cyriac Thomas inaugurated the meet. Municipal chairman Sunny Kaloor presided over. Thomas Chazhikkadan, MLA, district panchayat president Latika Subash, Balasahitya Institute director Pala K M Mathew and organising committee general convenor K R Aravindakshan spoke. Singer Ambilikuttan delivered the welcome song and Kavanalayam Ashokan proposed a vote of thanks. A nagaswara concert led by Thiruvizha Jayasankar was held prior to the meet.
Tuesday, April 30, 2002
Mathikettanmala eviction from this week
Mathikettanmala eviction from this week By George Jacob SANTHANPARA (idukki district) APRIL 29. Full-scale eviction from the shola forests at Mathikettan will commence this week itself, sources said. A three-member high-level commission headed by the Additional Chief Secretary, N. Chandrasekharan Nair, which visited the area today, directed completion of the eviction process before the onset of monsoon, they said. The Commission will have a day-long sitting at the Santhanpara Panchayat Community Hall on Tuesday. Those who have interests in Mathikettan should submit their documents for verification at Santhanpara. According to the commission, these documents would be compared with the original documents with the Revenue and Forest Departments. Documents from 1922 will be made available for the purpose, they said. The commission will declare a cut-off date for final verification of documents. Settlers should submit the valid documents to the District Collector before the specified date.
Tuesday, April 30, 2002
'Nammal Thammil' By Viji Thampi
'Nammal Thammil' Viji Thampi Film Actor brothers Indrajith And Prithvi Raj have come together in Nammal Tammil in lead roles with Navya Nair as heroine. Director Viji Thampi will start shooting Nammal Thammil in April last week at Trivandrum. Balachandra Menon, Siddique, Innocent, Jagathy Sreekumar, Harisree Asokan, Suhasini, Bhavani are the main actors in Nammal Tammil. Gireesh Puthancery has penned the Songs while Vidya Sagar has scored the music.
Tuesday, April 30, 2002
Dileep
Dileep has no dates to spare in 2002. He is so busy that he could not present himself to receive the 'Mathrubhumi' popular actor of the year award at Kochi. He sent Manju Varier, his wife, who was not seen on stage for a long time to receive the award. His demand as a successful hero started with Parakkum Thalika and Ishtam. Mazhathullikkilukkam followed. His new film Kuberan with Samyuktha Varma and Uma as his heroines has just released and running well. The fact that there are only a fewer new films in the circuit and no superstar films came out during this period did contribute to the present status of Dileep. Excerpts from the interview. With the success of Parakkum Thalika and Ishtam You have become a prized actor in Malayalam films. How do you take this situation? This is just my lady luck. Luck and gift of Providence. I had a feeling that ParakkumThalika. would be a success when I was acting in it. But I never thought it would become a hit. Every hit brings a set of clones to the screen. That is the trend of the industry. Would you accept such monotonous roles? One can't say that definitely. But it is natural to make similar films, when a humorous film becomes a hit. Nobody would risk his or her money in a project, which would fail. So every body connected with the show business takes a path of sure success. Actors also have no choice. I believe that many films fail in box office due to dearth of good stories. Sometimes the stories of present films remind me of old films. You have acted along with superstars. What have you learned from them? An actor would automatically learn a lot of things from others. I consider myself as a student of acting. I don't consider myself as a complete actor. I try to learn from my seniors also. (Dileep acted in, Raakshasaraajan along with Mammootty and almost shot a couple of scenes with Mohan Lal in now abandoned Chakram) Why do you think the audience likes you? I think people like my looks and expressions. For sometime I was an assistant to director Kamal. This helped me to measure up the possibilities of a character and meet the expectations of a audience. We miss Manju Varier very much. She is an actress of unmatched talents. Nobody has replaced her so far. Audience is eager to see Manju Varier once again on screen. What is her reaction? Wouldn't you let her act? It is her decision not to act again. I am happy that every body likes her. It gives me immense pleasure to hear that she is adored as an actress by Keralites. But I don't think she will change her decision. She is a housewife now. We have a daughter Meenakshi. She is content with her present life.
Tuesday, April 30, 2002
Shaji, Ranji and Mohanlal!
Shaji Kailas and Ranji panikkar team again! Shaji Kailas started his victorious film career with Ranji Panikkar as his favourite scriptwriter, and Suresh Gopi as hero for his super action films. Shaji then for a short period worked on with other scriptwriters like Ranjith, just to get out of the monotony of working with Ranji Panikkar. His success made Mammootty and Mohanlal to accept roles in his films later. Now Shaji Kailas and Ranji Panikkar are once again coming together to make a film, which will go to shooting floor in September. Mohan Lal is the hero of this film. Antony Perumbavoor will be producing this film.
Monday, April 29, 2002
Karunakaran makes dynastic moves ahead of retirement
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress veteran and four time Kerala Chief Minister K Karunakaran appears to have succeeded in extracting a promise from party president Sonia Gandhi to field his daughter Padmaja Venugopal in the Lok Sabha polls before his rumoured impending retirement from electoral politics. Padmaja, who visited New Delhi last week following summons from her father, had an hour-long meeting with Gandhi, according to a close aide to the wily old man of Kerala politics. The aide said the plan was for Padmaja to swap places with her brother and Kerala's Congress unit president K Muraleedharan, who is also a member of the Lok Sabha, when the current term of the lower house of Parliament ends. Karunakaran wants Muraleedharan to play a more active role in state politics, the aide said. The veteran politician was piqued when the party leadership rejected his attempt to get party nomination for Padmaja for the state assembly elections last year. Karunakaran's dynastic moves come in the wake of speculation that the 85-year-old veteran is finally ready to retire from electoral politics. The speculation has gained strength following reports that a new house built by Padmaja, a stone's throw distance from the famous Sri Krishna Temple at Guruvayoor, was to enable her father to reside close to his favourite deity. In or out of office, Karunakaran has invariably visited the Guruvayoor temple on the first day of every month in the Malayalam calendar and special arrangements are made for him to pray when he visits the temple. Karunakaran, who represents Mukundapuram constituency in the Lok Sabha, is said to have made up his mind not to fight any more elections although he has no plans to retire from politics. "I don't think my father is going to retire from politics, which has always been his first love," Padmaja said. Karunakaran, along with his daughter and her husband, now lives in a rented house in the heart of the state capital. They may move into the Guruvayoor house after a housewarming ceremony fixed for May.
Monday, April 29, 2002
Former CPM leader KPS Menon is dead
KOCHI: Former Rajya Sabha member and CPM leader K P S Menon, 78, died here on Sunday. Funeral was held on the premises of his residence at Njarakkal, near here. The CITU leader has been ailing for some time. He is survived by wife, two sons and a daughter. Menon had worked as secretary of the parliamentary party office of the undivided communist party. When the party split, he continued in the CPM. In 1967, when EMS Namboothirippad became the Chief Minister of Kerala, Menon was appointed his private secretary. He also represented the party in the Rajya Sabha for six years from late 1960s. In the seventies, he shifted his activities to Kochi. He worked as district secretary and president of the CITU. He served as the trade union representative in the Cochin Port Trust board for several years. He was the president of the CITU-affiliated Cochin Port Employees Organisation. At the time of death, he was its secretary. He had also served as working president of the Water Transport Workers Federation of India. Menon began his career as a havildar clerk during the World War II. In 1947, he worked in the Pierce Leslie. He was then elected as secretary of the Cochin Commercial Employees Association. He then went to Mumbai. While working at the office of Joint Chief Controller of Import and Export, Menon was dismissed from service for being a communist. He worked in the office of united communist party in Mumbai and later in Delhi.
Monday, April 29, 2002
MCI sanction likely for 4 pvt Medical Colleges
KOZHIKODE: The Medical Council of India is likely to give sanction for four medical colleges in the private sector in the State, Health Minister P Sankaran said. None of these colleges will be in Malabar as the Calicut University has refused to give affiliation certificates. ‘‘There were six applications from Malabar region. But the University did not give affiliation certificates to any of them. The MCI will not consider the applications without the certificates,’’ he said. The Minister said efforts are on to complete the construction of the super specialty block at the Kozhikode Medical College. A sum of Rs 5.3 crore has been spent for the purpose. Another Rs 2.22 crore was sanctioned. A herpetology unit has been set up under Gastroenterology department. A critical care unit will be set up bringing together medicine, surgery and anaesthesia departments. The work on three-storied PG hostel will be completed this year itself. One more x-ray machine will procured for the hospital. A new cobalt therapy unit will be opened soon. Steps will be taken to set up blood banks at all taluk hospitals. A sum of Rs 45 lakh has been allotted for the construction of new building for the Thiruvangoor Primary Health Centre.
Monday, April 29, 2002
Heavy turnout for medical entrance exam
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM April 28. The All India Medical Entrance Examination held in the city on Sunday recorded a heavy turnout of aspirants. As many as 6,000 students from various parts of the State appeared for the entrance examination, held at various centres in the capital. The examination for admission to various medical colleges in the country was conducted by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) at 10 centres in the city. The examination centres were at the VSSC school, Pattom Kendriya Vidyalaya, St. Mary's High school, Pattom, Arya Central School, Government Model HS, Mar Ivanios College, Pangode Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sainik School, Sarvodaya Vidyalaya and NSS public school. All the centres witnessed huge crowds of students. Anxious parents were seen waiting outside the centres till their wards came out from the examination halls. At most venues, students and parents could be seen discussing the questions. Most of the lodges in the city were occupied. Many of the candidates appearing for the examination were accompanied by their parents and had started pouring into the city two or three days before the examination. As the examination concluded at 12-30 p.m, most restaurants were packed with parents and students. Heavy rush was also registered at the bus station and the railway station.
Saturday, April 27, 2002
AG’s office bares Rs 200-cr reoption scam
AG’s office bares Rs 200-cr reoption scam THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The pay fixation headquarters in the Accountant General’s office has unearthed irregularities to the tune of over Rs 200 crore in the reoptions allowed to Government employees and teachers after the pay equalisation in 1992 and the pay revision in 1997 under the UDF and the LDF Governments. However, making a mockery of the entire auditing process, the AG’s office has decided to put on hold the finalisation of the process and ordered the disbanding of the headquarters here which inquired into the fraud. The AG’s office has been under tremendous pressure to suspend the work as the next stage of detailed investigation by the pay fixation headquarters was into the aided school and the college sectors. The reoption fraud involves hundreds of drawing and disbursing officers and individual employees in the State service including aided teachers in schools and colleges. Reoption facilitates an employee to opt an increment date or promotion date of his choice to fix the pay scale after a pay revision. The reoptions allowed after March 1, 1992 pay equalisation orders in respect of 1992 pay revision alone have an impact of over Rs 400 crore by recurring expenditure to the exchequer every year. It was detected that half of the claims were fraudulent. Through various orders and circulars issued by the Finance Department, even the Cabinet was misled and kept in the dark about the fraud by top officials. The 1992 pay equalisation orders were issued on the basis of enhancement of pay by 7 per cent of the basic pay of the post held as on March 1, 1992 and fitment in the revised scale. The financial commitment on this account was estimated at nearly 15 per cent of the total salary bill of the State Government employees and aided college-school teachers. An amendment was brought in by a special order on December 8, 1993 by which permission was granted to opt the pay of the promoted post to which an employee was promoted on or after March 1, 1992. This benefit was extended to teachers with reference to their grades through an order on June 9, 1994 and to Government employees through an order on December 5, 1995. The Government specifically said that promotions and higher grades granted up to May 31, 1996 alone could be reopted. The impact of this order, with DA then prevailing at more than 100 per cent, was over Rs 100 crore a year, including pension benefits such as gratuity, commutation and enhanced pension. Then came the pay revision under the LDF Government with effect from March 1, 1997. While issuing the pay revision orders, the Cabinet said that reoption would not be allowed for the past pay revision except in cases involving court interventions and retrospective promotions. But, violating the Cabinet decision, orders were issued by the Finance Department on February 5, 1999 allowing reoption to those employees who could not exercise reoptions for 1992 pay revision with reference to higher grades on or after March 1, 1992 for a date beyond May 31, 1996. In the order, no cut-off date was mentioned for filing reoptions. Since the order on the revision for 1997 was in force, it created confusion over reoption in many departments. But without consulting the Government, a clarification was issued on behalf of an Under Secretary in the Finance Department on December 20, 1999 stating that higher grades granted between June 1, 1996 and January 5, 1998 could be reopted. It virtually made void the April 11, 1996 order restricting the reoption. Following this, many drawing-controlling officers, particularly in the Education Department, allowed reoptions up to increment dates in 1999 for 1992 pay revision and simultaneously 1997 pay revision. The Treasury payments came to a standstill in two months after the clarification order was issued by the Finance Department, violating the Cabinet decision to stop reoption to past pay revisions. Alarmed by the Treasury crisis, the order which violated the Cabinet decision was cancelled. Some of the affected parties moved the High Court, but the Government failed to argue its case and was forced to reverse the order and allowed that reoptions filed up to May 4, 1999 were valid. In another parallel development, on the strength of the Finance Department order violating the Cabinet decision (allowing reoption to those employees who could not exercise reoptions for 1992 pay revision), some retired officers floated private consultancies for pay fixation. They detected that if 1992 pay revision was brought to increment dates of 1997 or 1998, many employees will benefit to the tune of Rs 450 to Rs 800 in the basic pay on account of reoption. In each cases, these consultants prescribed suitable dates, finalised excess pay increments and drafted orders. The department officers being the subordinates of these consultants earlier or ignorant of the implications, approved pay fixation. Within days, arrears worth crores were claimed and disbursed. The only excuse offered by the drawing and disbursing officers for this fraud was administrative delay. A Government circular on June 28, 1995 specifically stated that arrears on account of revision of options are payable only from the date of actual exercise or the filing of option and not from the date of option. The circular also specified that the arrears of salary relating to periods prior to the date of exercising reoption will not be paid. This circular was misinterpreted by department officers and arrears from the date of effect of reoption were adjusted against excess payments and the balance were drawn and disbursed.
Saturday, April 27, 2002
Mathikettan issue an eye-opener to govt: Antony
KOTTAYAM: Chief Minister A K Antony has admitted that the Mathikettan issue is an 'eye-opener' to the government since its 'zeal to provide land to the landless tribals has given room for land grabbers to manipulate things.' Antony told mediapersons here that the State Government is committed to take over all vested forests under the custody of private parties and also evict encroachers from government land. He said that the Forest Protection Bill piloted by the UDF Government in the place of the ordinance presented by the predecessor government will take care of the green concerns of the State in a comprehensive manner. The Bill will be enacted soon after the Select Committee gives its recommendations. "Henceforth, the government will take extreme care while identifying land to be given to the tribals. In no circumstance will dense forests be earmarked for this purpose. No land will be distributed in Mathikettan and all encroachers will be evicted from the area without fail. However, the decision will in no way affect the government's commitment to provide land to the landless tribals," he said. Responding to the demand made by Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan while addressing a news conference in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday that the Chief Minister should quit the post owning moral responsibility for the encroachment in the Mathikettan hills, Antony said he was wondering all these days why such a demand is not being made by the former. "The encroachment in the particular area has its genesis in 1958. During the last government's term, it reached its peak. Not even once was eviction carried out by the LDF Government. But the present government ordered eviction many times," he said. Antony reiterated that the CPM policy on encroachment is nothing but a classic case of adopting double standards. While the party raises allegations over Mathikettan, CPM leaders led encroachment drives in at least 12 places in the State in the past three months in the name of Adivasis. In effect, the CPM wants to torpedo the land distribution to the tribals, he said. On the charge that the government is hiding many things with regard to the proposed ADB loan, Antony said that everything will be disclosed at the appropriate time. "We've nothing to hide. Everything will be made public and even put on the Internet," he said. Antony said that there are no moves to close down profit-making PSUs in the State. The propaganda that 2,000 schools will be closed down in the coming academic year is also not true. Only 48 schools are being closed down. However, Antony made it clear that it is virtually impossible for the government to support the education sector as before. The decision to promote the unaided stream is the fallout of the financial crunch that the government faces, he said. Antony claimed that the lesser turnout of applicants to become licensees of toddy shops is the result of their realisation that they can't sell spurious liquor as in the past. He also disclosed that talks between the government and representatives of service organisations will be held on May 9 to discuss the administrative reforms and ways to check corruption in the civil service.
Saturday, April 27, 2002
Evidence against CPM councillor 'missing'
KOCHI: Even as the hearing on the disqualification case of Uma Antony, the CPM councillor in Kochi corporation, is to be held on April 30, a crucial file which may turn out to be a strong evidence against the councillor is reportedly ‘missing’ from the corporation office. The ‘untraceable file’ assumes considerable significance given the existing UDF-LDF equations in the corporation council as disqualification of Uma Antony simply means the end of LDF rule in Cochin corporation. In the 66-member council, the ruling LDF enjoys the support of only 33 members. Of this, CPM councillor and Dy Mayor A V George is continuing as a councillor on the support of a High Court stay, in another disqualification case. In response to a petition filed by Congress councillor David Parambithara, the State Election Commission had asked Uma Antony to answer the charges levelled against, her last month. The major allegation against Uma is that by way of accepting monetary benefits from a homoeo hospital under Kochi corporation, the Homoeo Medical Co-operative Society funded by the corporation, she had violated the State Municipalities Act. And thus she was not eligible to hold her post as the councillor. However, Uma’s argument was that her association with the Homoeo hospital had nothing do with the State Municipalities Act. It is pointed out that the corporation entered in to the agreement with the co-operative society while Uma Antony was the president of the society. It is this crucial file that has now disappeared from the corporation. According to David Parambithara, the ‘missing file’ is a crucial evidence to prove his case pending before the State Election Commission. ‘‘In her capacity as the president of the co-operative society, it was Uma Antony who signed the pact with the corporation. The ruling front fears that the file would seal the fate of Uma and thus the LDF in the corporation,’’ he claimed. The issue came to the fore when the Health Standing Committee met recently to renew the agreement between the Corporation and the Homoeo Co-operative Society. At the meeting Opposition leader N Venugopal demanded the tabling of the last agreement the corporation entered in to with the co-operative society. With the standing committee chairman failing to table this, the UDF member boycotted the meeting. Later, Venugopal formally wrote to the corporation secretary demanding a copy of the expired agreement. The secretary replied that the file was with the audit wing. However, the audit director, in response to a petition from the Opposition leader wrote that the file was not with his department. Mayor C M Dinesh Mani told this website's newspaper that he was not aware of the issue. A vigilance inquiry against the Kochi corporation Homoeo Medical Co-operative Society, including Uma Antony, is going on as per the direction of the joint registrar of the Ernakulam District Co-operative Society.
Saturday, April 27, 2002
Yesudas selected for M K K Nair award
KOCHI: Renowned playback singer K J Yesudas has been selected for this year's Fact-M K K Nair award, jointly instituted by Fact Laltakalakendra and the M K K Nair Foundation. Addressing a press conference here on Friday, C T Ramadas, its general secretary, said Yesudas had been selected for his immense contribution in the field of music and for social service. The award carries a prize money of Rs 25,000, a citation and a statuette designed by well-known artist C N Karunakaran. The award would be given away on May 15 during the anniversary celebrations of the Laltakalakendra at Udyogamandal.
Saturday, April 27, 2002
Gang overpowered, booty recovered
Gang overpowered, booty recovered KUTTIKANAM: Four youths of a six-member gang from Changanassery, who were speeding away in a van after attacking officials of Elappara Seminy Valley Tea Estate and snatching away Rs 3.25 lakh, were waylaid and caught by locals at Murinjapuzha near here. Two of the remaining members of the gang escaped from the overturned vehicle, from which the entire booty was recovered. The filmi style action began from Elappara town in the morning. The youths followed Seminy Valley Estate section officer K N Neelakandan Nampoothiri, who was travelling in a car with his driver after withdrawing cash from the bank. The money was meant for disbursal of salaries to workers in the estate. The youths in the van overtook the car and blocked it near Odichukuthi area. They attacked Nampoothiri and driver Kunjan with swords, when the latter remained unwilling to part with the cash chest. Later, the youths began a speedy course towards the Mundakkayam route with the booty. Meanwhile, passersby alerted the Peermade police station as well as contacts in places downstream. Alert locals also put roadblocks in the Murinjapuzha area. Though the youths in the van tried to jump the vehicle over the blocks, it turned turtle and fell into a wayside pit. Changanasery Kurisummood Kottavila Puthenveettil Liju Antony, 25, Kallukulam Jomon, 25, Puthuparampil Shine alias Shaju, 24, and Karukachal Palackal Rajiv, 30, were caught hold of by locals, even as gang leader Kurisummoodu Baiju, 22, and another member Jinson, 30, escaped. Jomon and Shine sustained serious injuries. People also recovered two swords from the vehicle, apart from the cash. Neelakandan Nampoothiri has been admitted to the Kottayam Medical College Hospital with grievous injuries. Driver Kunjan is under treatment at the Peermade government hospital. The Peermade police have registered a case.
Saturday, April 27, 2002
Six injured in communal clash
PALAKKAD: Tension mounted in Akkathethara on Friday when two sections of the Hindu community clashed over a trivial issue which resulted in stab wounds to six persons, including an additional sub-inspector. Eight persons were held in this connection. Nairs and Vadugas clashed over seating arrangements for a music concert in connection with the Karivela of the Chathankulangara Bhagavathy temple in Akkathethara . Mani who received knife injuries is in a serious condition and has been admitted to the Medical college, Thrissur. The other injured have been identified as additional sub-inspector P M Unnikrishnan, his brother Mohandas, Ramdas, Sudhakaran and Asokan. Unnikrishnan who hailed from the area had tried to arrange a reconciliation meet between the two communities. A shop and a house were set afire by some miscreants. Some locals, including women, said police beat them up and have got themselves admitted to the district hospital here.
Saturday, April 27, 2002
Sachin, Hrithik, Shah Rukh associated with company booked for 'fraud'
MUMBAI/NAGPUR: It hit the headlines last year with an innovative Rs 10-crore ad campaign featuring three of India’s top three youth icons _ Sachin Tendulkar, Shah Rukh Khan and Hrithik Roshan. It’s hit the headlines again; only this time, HomeTrade.com is being charged with fraud. The Nagpur Central Co-operative Bank has filed an FIR with the State CID (crime) alleging a Rs 94-crore government securities fraud and the website has already asked its employees to stay home till further instructions. Once associated with big names of the corporate world, including Pricewaterhouse Coopers (which ran its back office operations), AT Kearney and Andersen Consulting, HomeTrade has been booked under sections 420, 406 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code. In its FIR, the bank has alleged that HomeTrade defaulted on delivering government securities (Gilts) certificates worth Rs 94 crore, which it bought on behalf of the bank. The complaint says it has been trading in government securities since February 2001 with five broking firms, including HomeTrade Securities, which provided original Gilt certificates till January 25 this year. However, since then the brokers have failed to deliver the securities worth Rs 125.60 crore purchased from January onwards. Of this, HomeTrade is the biggest defaulter _ Gilts certificates worth Rs 94 crore haven’t been delivered to the bank, according to the complaint. HomeTrade’s public relations agency said that they have resigned from the account ‘just last week’ due to the prevailing uncertainty over the portal and directed queries to Home Trade promoter Sanjay Agarwal. His mobile was switched off and he couldn’t be contacted for his version by this website's newspaper despite repeated attempts. When contacted, RBI officials say that their probe is on and it has already alerted the top officials in the State government and the police about the fraud. A report would be sumbitted to state government so that they can take appropriate action against the bank and other defaulters. Under the prevailing laws, co-operative banks are governed by both the RBI and the registrar of cooperative societies which comes under the state government. The bank management is expected to face some tough questioning on why they did not take any action when HomeTrade started defaulting, say RBI sources. HomeTrade was promoted by Euro Discover Technology Ventures (EDTV), a global tech venture fund registered in Mauritius. EDTV, funded by a consortium of NRI investors, was set up by Sanjay Agarwal in 1997 with the objective of building sustainable and distinct businesses with a high value generating potential in the convergence economy.
Friday, April 26, 2002
All settlers at Mathikettanmala will be evicted: Antony
Chief Minister A K Antony categorically stated that the Mathikettanmala would be protected and all encroachers evicted. Talking to newspersons in Kottayam, he said those overtly or covertly helped encroaching would also be brought before the law. The Government would not protect any one in that case. Because of the Mathikettan controversy all future actions, including allocation of lands to adivasis, would be taken with utmost care. The government had acted with a little haste with regard to Mathikettan as it was a matter concerning the adivasis. Now steps were being taken to correct all omissions and commissions, he added. Referring to the opposition leader's demand for his resignation owning moral responsibility for the Mathikettan controversy, he said there was nothing extraordinary in that demand and it was part of the CPI (M)'s double standard. During the last three months it had helped adivasis to encroach at 12 centres in the state. When the CPI (M) was in power it had adopted an apathetic attitude towards the adivasis, he added. Referring to disinvestment, Mr Antony said no profit-making public sector unit would be closed. To a question, he said two self-financing institutions would be equal to one government institution vis-a-vis delivering the goods to common man.
Friday, April 26, 2002
Training in film-making imperative: jury
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM The Minister for Culture, G. Karthikeyan, who announced the awards at a press conference here with the Kerala Chalachitra Academy chairman, Adoor Gopalakrishnan, said that the awards would be presented at a function to be held in Kozhikode on May 16. The J. C. Daniel Award would be announced before that. It could not be announced now as the selection process was not over, Mr. Gopalakrishnan said. The awards carry a statuette and a citation each besides cash prizes of varying amounts. For the best film, the producers, Latha Kurien, Rajiv and K. Madhavan, will get Rs. 45,000 and the director Rs. 20,000. The producers of the second best film, M. V. Sreyaz Kumar, will receive Rs. 30,000 and its director, Rs. 15,000. The best director will get Rs. 20,000. Meanwhile, the State film awards jury headed by the noted director, Priyadarsan, said here today that the Kerala State Chalachitra Academy should evolve a mechanism to impart training in documentary and children's filmmaking, The jury expressed its unhappiness over the documentaries. Some of the films did not even have the desired format. The condition of children's film was pathetic. The stories were not meant for children. The older generation was trying to establish its thoughts and ideas on the children and make the children speak like them, the jury said. They observed that the debut films were a far cry from the basic aesthetics and fundamental grammar of cinema. Still, the entry of a number of new directors gave room for hope. There were 22 feature films, nine documentaries and four children's films. Some of the films became notable for selecting distinct stories and the use of latest technology. Certain popular formulae were repeated. The jury came down heavily on the evolution of a new concept of beauty, which detailed the mental and physical frailties of the mentally and physically challenged. Strong female characters were missing this year too, the jury said.
Friday, April 26, 2002
VS questions move on income limit
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM APRIL 25. The Leader of the Opposition, V. S. Achuthanandan, has expressed suspicions about the Government's intentions in raising the income limit for eligibility to the reservation quota in professional college admissions in the State. In a statement here today, he noted that the Government had raised the family's annual income limit from Rs. 1.5 lakhs to Rs. 2.5 lakhs for a candidate to be eligible for the reservation benefits. "The court itself had clarified that the benefits of reservation should be extended to the people not on the basis of caste alone. The financial status of the candidate too should be taken into consideration,'' he said. Mr. Achuthanandan said such a principle would ensure that the students who came from the more backward families among the backward communities received admissions to professional colleges. The children of the less-privileged would be deprived of the opportunity to come up in life because of the Government's new decision. The reservation quotas for backward communities used to be filled every year even when the annual family income limit had remained at Rs. 1.5 lakhs. There had been no report about the backward communities being denied of their full quota because of this. Mr. Achuthanandan asked whether it was on the basis of any study that this new decision to raise the income limit was taken. He said people would have understood it if the Government had appointed a commission to study the issue and the decision was on the basis of the commission's report.Instead, the Government had suddenly come up with an executive order intended to upset the very principle of reservation. The High Court was presently looking into a case accusing the Education Minister of having tried to manipulate the income certificate of a candidate to help him win the reservation benefits. Mr. Achuthanandan asked whether it was to wriggle out of this case that the Education Minister had issued the order raising the income limit.
Friday, April 26, 2002
To hit the screens this season
This is the final list of all the films that were mean to hit the screens this season. One never knows how many would materialize, but if you see them in theatres nearby, you'll know if you'd want to see them or not. Phantom - Biju Varkee is known to bring in unexpected subjects in his films. This is the first time that he is working with Superstar Mammootty. Mammootty had gone to Bollywood to become a film star but ends up becoming the stunt double of another famous star. He returns to his village to attend his brother's wedding. All the chaos he causes there is what the story is about. Onnaman - This film is an out and out Mohanlal film. The film tries to capitalize on his star value and his image. But then, this is on top of the list of Vishu releases this year. Under the banner of GK Internationals, the film has been directed by Thambi Kannanthaanam. This film is expected to be another milestone in the star-studded career of Mohanlal. The film also stars Biju Menon, Ramya Krishnan and others. Story of this film has been around on this site for quiet some time now. Kuberan - This is Dileep at his comic best. Under the banner of Revathi Kalamandir, the film has been directed by Sundardas. Dileep is 'Siddhartan'… we had its story last time. Two sentences- this is the story of a poor man who dreams of being rich someday. How he does that thanks to his neighbor Puja, that's the rest of the story. Pagalpuram - Another comedy this season. This time it is from Mukesh. He plays the role of a powerful tantrik, Gowridaasan of Sooryamangalam mania. The film stars Jagadi, C.A. Paul, Harishri Ashokan, Geethu Mohandas and others. Kanmashi - After his "Aakashathile Paravagal", this is VM Vinu's next directorial venture. Child star Vineeth Kumar is a group up star and this is his first film as an adult star. Nithya Das is the heroine. This is a clean romantic love story set in the backdrop of a close-knit family, says the director. 'Saavithriyude Aranyaanam' - this film is based on a short novel of M.Mukundan. This is a comedy that revolves around a waistlet that a beautiful woman's husband pawns for money. The troubles that this waistlet brings in the lives of the pawn broker and the one who pawned it is depicted humorously. Nandanam - the film launches Prithviraj, a hunk in the making. Son of late actor Sukumaaran, he debuts in this film in a romantic role. Navya Nair, Revathy, Jagadi, Jagadeesh and others star with him. Shivam - This film too is made under the banner of Revathi Kalamandir and has been directed by Shaaji Kailash. The film has Biju Menon in the role of a Police Officer. A very impressive performance this one is.
Friday, April 26, 2002
Discuss problems, they will vanish: Matha
PALAKKAD: Thousands of people braving scorching heat congregated to have darshan of, and listen to the lecture of, Matha Amrithanandamayi at the ashram at Puthur, on THursday, the first day of the visit to mark the first anniversary of the Brahmasthanam. The Matha ascended the stage at 11 in the morning and performed bhajans and had satsang. She also gave darshan to devotees. Among those who visited the Amma was Union Minister of State for Railways O Rajagopal. Speaking on the occasion, Matha Amrithanandamayi said that people should learn to face life irrespective of whether it offered joy or sorrow. Though one cannot control destiny an individual had the freedom to choose the act needed to counter it. The Amma said that if one sulks for not getting what he or she wished the result would always be sorrow. One should learn to be thankful to what life has given and through perseverance could attain what we had lost. Our problems are due to our egoistic attitude and one should learn to be patient and not to loose our cool even in tragic times. The Matha said that it was lack of faith in one another which is the root cause of most of our problems. Most of the squabbles in households could be solved if they are discussed across the table – between husband and wife, parents and children and other members of the family. It is when confidence among the members of the family is lost that troubles erupt. On Friday morning, the souvenir in connection with the visit of Matha Amrithanandamayi to Palakkad will be released by Finance Minister K Sankaranarayanan.
Friday, April 26, 2002
ADB assistance by October
ADB assistance by October THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister A K Antony said onThursday that departments should obtain the technical and administrative sanction for all projects proposed to be implemented this year before August 31. Addressing a meeting of Secretaries and department heads at the Thycaud Guest House in the presence of his cabinet colleagues, Antony said that the trend of spending a major chunk of the Plan funds in the last few days of the financial year should be stopped. Projects should be implemented on time with the objective of improving administrative efficiency and the State’s financial position, he added. Seeking a change in the mindset, right from the level of Ministers to that of lower-level staff, the Chief Minister said, ‘‘A large number of people are coming forward to invest in the State in the light of the changed situation. The State is slowly coming out of its financial crisis due to the Government’s belt-tightening measures. World Bank assistance has become a reality. We will receive ADB assistance by October. Last year, we received the maximum financial assistance from the Centre. This year too, viable projects have to be submitted for Central assistance. All Secretaries and department heads should study the recommendations in the Central budget,’’ he added. ‘‘The trend of even trivial matters being brought to the consideration of the Cabinet should stop. There should be a system in place by which officials should spend a minimum of three years and a maximum of five years in a post. Ministers and Secretaries should hold talks with service organisations to decide on the transfer norms for the department concerned. The Finance Department should inform each department of the maximum amount it can spend each month. Redeployment of staff to local bodies should be completed by May 31,’’ he said.
Friday, April 26, 2002
Director Priyadarshan's house stoned after awards announcement
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Hours after he heaved a sigh of relief at the controversy-free passing of the Kerala film award announcements on Thursday, acclaimed director and jury chairman Priyadarshan learnt his home here had come under attack. The filmmaker's elderly mother Rajamma was alone at the house in the heart of Thiruvananthapuram at about 9.15 p.m. when a barrage of stones landed in the compound, some shattering windowpanes. The attack reportedly lasted a few minutes. A shaken Rajamma told Priyadarshan that she had earlier received several mysterious telephone calls, with the callers expressing anger that her son had not given superstar Mammooty any Kerala State Film Award. "Now I realise that heading the jury is not a safe proposition," said Priyadarshan, who suspects that upset Mammooty fans were responsible for the attack. "My mother received several threatening telephone calls. She ignored them, but soon after that this incident happened," he told . Added Priyadarshan, who has been staying at a hotel since he arrived here to chair the jury: "When I came to take charge as chairman, there could have been issues. But till this incident happened, I felt everything went off well. Said Rajamma, who is yet to recover from the shock: "Initially I thought it was thunder because the lights in the house went off for a minute. When I peeped out of the window I saw lights in the nearby houses and I was scared. Since I was alone I was afraid to go out. "After my husband came, I told him about the incident and called up Priyan (Priyadarshan) too. It was only in the morning that I saw huge stones in my compound. We have lodged a complaint with the police." The Priyadarshan-led jury had adjudged Murali the best actor for his role in "Neythukaran." The jury chairman had earlier remarked that "Danny," which starred Mammooty and fetched the best director award for T.V. Chandran, was more of a director's film than an actor's. Priyadarshan said Mammooty was never in the running for the best actor's award this year as Murali and Jayaram, who played the lead role in "Sesham," were the top contenders.
Friday, April 26, 2002
Award for Kamal may kick up a row
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The selection of Kamal as the best scriptwriter for the film ‘Megh Malhar’, after he had informed the Chalchitra Academy in writing that he need not be considered for any individual award as he was an executive committee member of the Academy, seems set to kick off a controversy. Kamal has said that he would go by the Academy decision on the issue. Priyadarshan, the jury chairman, said in reply to a question that the jury only looked into the merit of the works that came up before it. ‘‘We are not bothered by the Academy decision. Kamal deserved the award. It is as simple as that,’’ he added. Academy officials said that the jury knew that Kamal had decided to stay away from the race for individual awards. ‘‘We got Kamal’s letter and that was given to the jury before it got down to work,’’ they said. A few of the jury members, when contacted, however said that they were unaware of Kamal’s decision. ‘‘We had seen reports in the media but there was no communication from the Academy,’’ some said. According to sources, the jury found the standard of films so poor that only four films–– Sesham , Danny , Megh Malhar , Neythukaran and Theerthadanam –– figured in the their deliberations. ‘‘Both Sesham and Danny cannot be called great films. Both the films start excellently but fall away soon. But they were undoubtedly the best among the films we go to see. Some of the films were so crude and loud that it was a torture to sit through them,’’ said a member. The jury thought Neythukaran was a ‘‘sincere attempt’’ although the creeping in of some elements of theatre did not do the film any good. Despite Megh Malhar ’s screenplay impressed the jury but the film lost out due to its technical flaws. Theerthadanam also came in for scrutiny but the majority of the members were of the opinion that the film did not do justice to the literary play on which it is based.
Friday, April 26, 2002
Samooha archana begins at Malayalappuzha
PATHANAMTHITTA: Hundreds of devotees participated in the Samooha archana which began at the Malayalappuzha Devi Temple on Thursday. Devotees from the various parts of the State took part in the archana which was conducted at a specified location in the Yagnamandapam. The devotees, mostly women, brought flowers for the archana. The Devaswom authorities had made arrangements for providing food to the devotees. Special Commissioner D Sreevallabhan who was at the Malayalappuzha temple, toldòf132ó The New Indian Express òf131óthat the arrangements for providing accommodation to more than 300 priests had been completed at a nearby school. With this, more priests were expected to participate in the archana and keep the time schedule, he said. KADUM PAYASAM: Arrangements have been made for the distribution of the "Sathakodi Kadum Payasam" at the Malayalappuzha devi temple. Panchami Packs which prepares the 'Aravana' at the Sabarimala Ayyappa Temple will undertake the task here also. The company has been provided with the necessary infra-structure for the same. The sources said that the 'prasadam', in 250-gm containers, would be priced at Rs 35 a container.
Friday, April 26, 2002
Kerala State Awards 2001-Complete List
Best Movie - Shesham directed by T.K.Rajeev Kumar Best actor - Murali for his role as Appamesthri in Movie Neythukaran Best actress- Suhasini for her performance in the movie Theerthadanam Best Director- T.V.Chandran for the movie Danny. Best Playback singer-K.J.Jeshudas and Chithra Other Awards: Second Best Movie: Meghamalahar Best supporting actor-Kochin Haneefa (In Movie Soothradaran) Best supporting actress-Sona Nair (In Movie Neythukaran) Best Child artiste-Krishna (Sari) Best story-T.K.Rajeevkumar (Shesham) Best Lyricist-Girish Puthenjeril Best Music Director- M.G.Radhakrishnan (For Movie Achhaneyanikkishttam) Best Background Music -Kaithapram Vishwanath (For movie Kannaki) Best Photographer-K.G.Jayan Best Screen Play-Kamal Best Editor-Sreekar Prasad (Shesham) Best Sound Recordist-Simon Selvaraj Best processing Laboratory-Chithranjali Studio (For movie Dani) Best Costume Designer-Sabitha Jayaraj and Thankamani (Kannaki) Best Children Film-Pularum Vettam Director of Best children film-Harikumar Best book on cinema-Anukalpanathintey Attaprakaram written by Dr Sudha Warrier.
Friday, April 26, 2002
State Film Awards Announced
The Kerala Film State Awards were announced in Thiruvananthapuram by state minister G Karthikeyan. Murali bagged the best actor award for the film Neythukaran and Suhasini was voted Best Actress for 'Theerthadanam'. This is Murali's fourth award, his having won the Kerala state award on three previopus occasions, and Suhasini's second. She had won once before for 'Vanaprastham'. Shesham was judged the best film and T V Chandran the best director for Dany. The chairman of the deciding jury was Priyadarshan, Kavitha Lankesh and Rajiv Menon were members of the panel. Jayaram walked away with the special jury award for his performances in 'Shesham' and 'Theerthadanam'. Cochin Hanifa was adjudged the second best actor for his role in 'Suthradharan' and Sona Nair received second place for her role in 'Neythukaran'. The second ranking film was 'Meghamalahar'. The screenplay for this film was written by Kamal who bagged the best screenplay award. K G Jayan was adjudged best cameraman for his work in 'Dany'. Most popular film was understandably 'Ravana Prabhu'. Sreekar Prasad received the best editor award for 'Shesham'. Priyanandan was considered the best debut director for 'Neythukaran', and the best children's film prize went to 'Pularavattom' directed by Harikumar. Best music director M G Radhakrishnan was appreciated for 'Achanaishtam' and the best background score award went to Kaithapram for 'Kannagi'. Best lyricist this year is Girish Puthencheri for 'Ravana Prabhu' and Yesudas received the best singer prize for his song in the same film, while best female singer was Chitra for her song in 'Theerthadanam'. Screen writer Kamal who is a member of the Chalchitra academy, which is in charge of the awards selection, said that he had not decided whether to accept the award or not. There is a view that academy members should not put their films for judgement before the jury, and this was the reason for his hesitation. 'Shesham's' director Rajiv Kumar who was also an academy member had resigned from the body when this criticism came up.
Friday, April 26, 2002
Antony condoning police excesses: Padmanabhan
Antony condoning police excesses: Padmanabhan KANNUR: BJP state president C K Padmanabhan today said instances of police excesses were on the rise in the state and that Chief Minister A K Antony was condoning ‘‘unbridled exercise of power’’ by the police. Talking to mediapersons here, Padmanabhan said the police were not acting impartially while dealing with the criminal offences and this had already caused much discontent among the people. Taking strong exception to the police action of listing BJP district president O K Vasu as one of the accused in a country-bomb explosion case, Padmanabhan said this was part of a bid to harass and silence political leaders. He said the district office of his party here was raided by the police without any valid reason and added, the police hadn’t resorted to such an action even during the LDF rule in the state. on the encroachment of land in Mathikettan Mala, he said the Government was trying to hush up the whole issue by transferring officials. Seeking an investigation by a ‘special agency’ into the issue of encroachment, he said the Government was bound to protect forest land and added, this was why the Central Government had sought a detailed report on the issue.
Friday, April 26, 2002
Another channel for Malayalam entertainment: Jeevan TV to start from July 14
KOCHI: With Jeevan Telecasting Corporation Ltd (JTCL) deciding to start telecasting from July 14, Kerala has got another Malayalam channel. The public limited company with an initial investment of Rs 25 crore will beam a 24-hour satellite TV channel from its two studios set up at Palarivattam in Kochi for news and for other programmes including discussions, debates, musicals and talkshows. The company chairman, Archbishop of Thrissur Mar Jacob Thoomkuzhi, and managing director P C Cyriac said at a press conference here on Wednesday that the studios would be inaugurated by Revenue Minister K M Mani and filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan at 6 pm on Friday. Former Chief Minister P K Vasudevan Nair will inaugurate 'Jeevan Clubs', which are grassroots level societies with television viewers of Jeevan TV as members. Already there are 6000 shareholders and more will be added through private placement of shares. The face value of a share is Rs 1000 and the ordinary investors can become shareholders through Jeevan Clubs by investing as a group. The channel is expected to break even in two years. Jeevan TV will focus on information and education without ignoring entertainment. The channel will show films on Saturdays and Sundays. The new programmes will be objective and the entertainment programmes will not compromise on moral values. "The programmes will be such that they can be watched by the whole family sitting together," Cyriac said. It will be run as a commercial channel and will not be under the control of the Church. Programmes worth Rs 4 crore are available with the company while more programmes are under production. The channel will be using digital technology. A part of the equipment has been purchased and is in use. Another batch of equipment will be installed and commissioned within six weeks. The channel's main income will be from advertisements. It has banned ads of liquor. News bureaus will be set up at Kochi, Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram and Delhi. Paul Alukka, a director of the channel, was also present. The studios were blessed at a function on Thursday by Major Archbishop Cardinal Mar Varkey Vithayathil. He said at a time when the TV programmes are ruled by violence and excess of sex, a channel like Jeevan TV, which will uphold moral values, has much relevance. JTCL chairman Jacob Mar Thoomkuzhi, working chairman Fr Andrews Thazhath, vice-chairman Fr Augustine Vallooran, Jeevan Club co-ordinator P J Antony, managing director P C Cyriac, Bishop Thomas Chakyath and Rashtra Deepika resident manager Edison G Varghese were present.
Friday, April 26, 2002
Sesham adjudged best feature film; Top honours for T V Chandran, Murali, Suhasini
Sesham adjudged best feature film; Top honours for T V Chandran, Murali, Suhasini Special jury award for Jayaram THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sesham, directed by T K Rajeev Kumar, edged out T V Chandran's Danny in the contest for the best film while Murali bagged the best actor award for his role of an old communist in Neythukaran and Suhasini walked away with the best actress award for Theerthadanam as the State film awards for 2001 were announced here on Thursday. T V Chandran was chosen the best director for his film Danny. Krishna is the best child artiste for her role in Saree. Kanavumalayilaekku, directed by M G Sasi is the best documentary film while Pularvettom, directed by Harikumar, was adjudged the best children's film. Jayaram, who was the only actor who provided competition for Murali, has been given a special jury award for the strikingly different roles that he played in three of his films that came up for consideration. The award for the best directorial debut went to Priyanandanan for Neythukaran. The awards were announced by Cultural Affairs Minister G Karthikeyan at a news conference here on Thursday, in the presence of jury chairman Priyadarshan, jury members and Chalchitra Academy chairman Adoor Gopalakrishnan. K J Yesudas and K S Chithra won the best playback singer awards in the male and female categories, for the songs Akashadeepangal Sakshi and Mooli Mooli respectively. "Most of the decisions were unanimous. We had a tough time only in picking the best actor. Murali and Jayaram were equally good but then, the rather bad make-up took much away from Jayaram's performance in Theerthadanam. There was no other actor in the race," said Priyadarshan, who was impressive while fielding questions from the media. Asked about Mammootty's performance in Danny, the jury chairman said, "Danny is a director's film and there was not much of a scope for Mammootty to display his acting skills." The winner of the prestigious annual `K C Daniel award' for lifetime contribution to Malayalam cinema would be announced before May 16 when the State awards would be presented at a function here. The award is usually announced along with the State film awards. "We could not choose the award winner because we were busy with the conduct of the International Film Festival of Kerala. A decision will be made soon ," Adoor Gopalakrishnan said. It was Suhasini's totally natural style of acting as well as her capacity for restraint that won her the best actress award. Cochin Haneefa was picked as the second best actor for his role in Soothradharan while Sona Nair's performance in Neythukaran won her the second best actress award. The film Changathikuttom, which deals with the socially relevant theme of AIDS and the society's response to it, won a special jury mention. Ravanaprabhu, the Mohanlal film directed by Ranjith, was adjudged the best film with aesthetic and popular appeal. Meghamalhar, directed by Kamal, was selected as the second best feature film. Kamal won the award for the script of Meghamalhar. Harikumar was also chosen the best director of the children's film. Dr Sudha Warrier got the award for the best book on cinema for her work Anukalpanathinte Attaprakaram. O K Johny won a special jury award for his work Cinemayude Varthamanam. Although 19 works came up for the best article on cinema award, none was found good enough for an award. The following are the other awards: Story writer - T K Rajeev Kumar (Sesham), cinematographer: K G Jayan (Danny), lyricist: Girish Puthencherri (Ravanaprabhu), editor - Sreekar Prasad (Sesham), music director - M G Radhakrishnan (Achaneyanenikkishtan), background score - Kaithapram Viswanath (Kannaki), sound recordist - Simon Selvaraj (Sesham), costume - Sabitha Jayaraj (Kannaki), dubbing artiste - Thankamani (Theerthadanam). As many as 22 feature films, nine documentaries and four children's films were in the fray for the awards. The jury, in its report, appreciated the fact that as many as 10 films were by newcomers. It however expressed concern at the fact that strong female characters are missing in Malayalam cinema. The poor quality of children's films as well as documentaries also came up for mention. The feature film/non-feature film jury headed by Priyadarshan comprised U A Khader, Dr Rajendrababu, Kavitha Lankesh, Rajeev Menon, S Basurachandran and Sivaprasad with Academy secretary K V Mohankumar as member secretary. The panel for writing on cinema, headed by Gracy, included Sahadevan and Pavithran as members.
Thursday, April 25, 2002
State to have two more forensic labs
KOCHI: Kerala will soon have two more forensic laboratories to ensure speedy disposal of crime cases awaiting expert scientific opinion at the lone speciality centre at Thiruvananthapuram. The new laboratories will be set up in Kannur and Thrissur and will take care of medico-legal aspects of cases originating from northern and central districts respectively. The Government is according high priority to the Kannur facility, given the heavy demand on the forensic laboratory at Thiruvananthapuram, sources said. About Rs 75 lakh has been sanctioned for the Kannur regional laboratory. It will also receive a matching Central grant. ``There are several cases awaiting forensic opinion at Thiruvananthapuram. We are still working on incidents that took place in late 1999 and early 2000. This lab alone cannot cope with the pressure,'' sources said. Though the State Government was also aware about the need for more forensic facilities, nothing materialised due to financial problems. But with the delay in obtaining expert opinion affecting smooth investigation into many cases, the Home Department decided to expand the network. ``We are also going ahead with the proposal to set up another lab at Thrissur. Both projects are being assisted by the Central Government. While Kannur lab will come up this year itself, the Thrissur facility will be commissioned next year,'' sources said. The setting up of new labs alone will not help speedy disposal of cases. ``An acute shortage of manpower, including experts and personnel at all levels, is plaguing the forensic system. The State Government has to ensure timely recruitment to fill up all vacancies,'' sources said. There are more than 10 vacancies at the Thiruvananthapuram lab. Kannur will need another additional 25 hands. If the vacancies are not filled up, we will again fail to achieve envisaged goals, an official said. The Kerala Police are heavily dependent on expert forensic opinion for proceeding with their probe into sensational cases. ``We have been demanding modernisation of the forensic network for long. At present, a forensic expert has to travel all the way to Kannur for carrying out any specialised study. This not only caused considerable delay in probe but also reflected on its result,'' an official said. All three labs will be linked when the police plan to build an exclusive computer backbone connecting all stations is completed. ``The network should be in place within four to five months. This will also mean faster communication between Police HQ and various districts,'' sources said.
Thursday, April 25, 2002
Mavoor march turns violent
KOZHIKODE: Over 20 persons, including two police personnel, sustained injuries this morning when a march organised by casual and contract workers attached to the Grasim Gwalior Rayons at Mavoor near here turned violent. They were demanding proper compensation for their termination from service following the lockout of the factory. Trouble began at around 11.30 am when the agitators, numbering around 100, tried to barge into the company compound raising slogans against the Government and factory management. A few among them, who succeeded to sneak into the 400-acre factory compound disregarding the presence of a heavy posse of police, also started attempts to take away various movable commodities from the factory compound. Yet another group climbed coconut trees in the compound to collect coconuts. The agitators, including women, pelted stones at the police party led by Assistant Commissioner Viswanatha Kurup when the force tried to prevent them from destroying valuable assets of the factory. Constables K Venu and E Unnikrishnan suffered injuries in the attack. As many as 18 agitators received injuries when the police resorted to lathicharge at around 12 noon. Keezhvanchery Ranjith, N V Bhaskaran and V Narayanan, who suffered serious injuries in the lathicharge, were taken to the Medical College hospital later. Injuries sustained by all others were reportedly of minor nature. Police have registered a case against 10 people including trade union leaders C N Vidhyadharan, V Aravindan, M
Thursday, April 25, 2002
Sudhakaran, Mani stick to their guns
THIRUVANATAHPURAM: The Mathikettanmala issue generated heat, yet again, at the Cabinet meeting this morning with both Forest Minister K Sudhakaran and Revenue Minister K M Mani sticking to their conflicting stands on the controversial issue. When the meeting started, Mani expressed disgust at the way information on what transpired at Cabinet meetings was being leaked out to the media. Industry Minister P K Kunhalikutty and Chief Minister A K Antony also said that it was a trend that should be arrested immediately. It was also decided at the meeting that none of the Ministers would issue public statements on the Mathikettanmala issue. Sudhakaran, who arrived with a specially prepared note on the issue, quoted relevant portions of the 1980 Forest Conservation Act to support his argument that the Forest Department should be given full control of the Mathikettan forest land. Mani however stuck to his stand that it was revenue land and that the dual ownership should continue. He added that while the Revenue Department had acted immediately after the controversy broke out, the response from the Forest Department was comparatively lukewarm. Sudhakaran, on his part, said that the department was not empowered to act strongly against tree-fellers.
Thursday, April 25, 2002
BSNL withdraws facility
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: BSNL is withdrawing from Thiruvananthapuram Telecom District the facility to make telephone calls using codes 91 and 92 to places up to 50 km from April 27 this year. A BSNL statement said here on Wednesday that the withdrawal was due to technical reasons. However calls could be made to such areas using the numbers of the STD code omitting the zero from the code and using the number 95 in its place. For example, if a subscriber has to make a call to Kollam number, 740800, he should dial 95-474-740800. These calls will be treated as local calls. The telephones without the STD facility could also be used for such calls, the statement added.
Thursday, April 25, 2002
Chilling stories from killing fields
KANNUR : A trickled droplet of blood makes its voyage from the killing fields of Kannur or Gujarat. Very often its a very long journey to Ashraf’s work places, where he tames concrete and mortar into houses or shopping complexes. And when the droplet reaches him, the heap of mortar before him suddenly smells of blood and death. He freezes even in the mid-summer heat. Ashraf Adoor, a construction worker and author of a collection of short stories titled ‘Maranam Manakkunna Veedu’ (The house that smells of blood), has had this eerie experience since his childhood which gets reflected in his writings in a unique way. The book has has fetched him as many as 25 awards, including the prestigious AKG memorial award. Containing 35 stories, the book was first published by the Zero Publications Kadachira in August 2000. A few months ago the Papion brought out the second edition by adding three more stories. It was his father’s death that shocked and chilled his senses first. (Ashraf wrote the story ‘Maranam Manakkunna Veedu’ based on the death of his father. In this story, his father gets killed in the aftermath of the demolition of Babri masjid, though his father’s death had nothing to do with the Babri masjid issue as such. Besides, he was already dead anyway, in Ashraf’s own mind). Ashraf was seven when a friend of his father’s brought the bad news. Ashraf has only a faint memory of his father, who had abandoned his wife and four little children years ago. In Ashraf’s own words, his memory of his father does not go beyond a familiar name written on a hundred page note book. Still, the news shocked him. ‘‘All deaths make me cry, no matter who died. I weep for hours,’’ says the young writer who firmly believes that death and death alone is the ultimate reality. Life has always been an excruciatingly painful experience for Ashraf. His family lived in grinding poverty since his father Muhammed abandoned them. Since then, Hajira, his mother, had to take up various odd jobs to feed her four children. ‘‘Umma would hold us to her at night, tears rolling down her eyes as she told us how she felt when father abandoned us and how much she was struggling to feed us. Umma’s face was always pale and wet. In fact, I am merely penning whatever she had told me time and again, while trying to lull us to sleep,’’ says Ashraf. The shirt Ashraf wore on the first day in the local school was that of a sixteen year old boy, which his mother had borrowed from a neighbour. He looked like a clown in that oversized shirt. His mother washed and dried it every night so that he could wear it again the next day. Ashraf had to discontinue his studies after SSLC to support his hapless mother who had been struggling to make both ends meet. He worked as a shop assistant, and then salesman in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, before becoming a construction worker in his own home town. Mother was everything to Ashraf. Father, mother, teacher and God rolled into one. Though married with a child, this 31-year-old construction worker still feels the warmth of his mother’s tears on his cheek. Rather, it is omnipresent in his short but penetrating stories that smell of love, tears, blood and death. One of the reasons why Ashraf’s stories smell of blood and death is that he hails from Adoor, a nondescript village in the blood-spattered Kannur district. The young construction worker, who lives with his wife Hajira and son Athil at Muzhappilangad near Thalassery, still finds time to write after his tedious routine work, which he is doing to feed his wife and kid, as the haunting images that burn in his mind keep on hitting his conscience like a sledge hammer.
Thursday, April 25, 2002
Father, son stabbed to death over dispute
KODAKRA: Varghese, 45, proprietor of a bakery, and his son Raigon, 20, were stabbed to death allegedly by Shiju, 28, hailing from Chellanam in Ernakulam district, late on Tuesday night. Police said that, according to reports, Shiju had stabbed both the father and the son following a dispute between him and Varghese over change after buying a matchbox from the shop. Shiju, who had bought a matchbox from the shop, presented a ten-rupee note to Varghese. Varghese insisted on change as the cost of the matchbox and Shiju left the shop after a quarrel. About half an hour later, Shiju attacked the shopkeeper with a knife. Raigon and Thressiamma, wife of Varghese, who intervened, also got injured. Varghese and Raigon succumbed to their injuries early this morning. Police said a case has been registered and search for Shiji is on. The injuries suffered by Threasiamma are not serious, police said.
Thursday, April 25, 2002
Thrissur Pooram concludes
THRISSUR: Thrissur Pooram, the 30-hour-long display of colourful pageantry and unique orchestra and pyrotechnics, ended here this noon with the deities of Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady paying obeisance to Sri Vadakkunnathan and farewell to each other after the pakalppooram. The two Devaswoms lined up their array of 15 elephants each on either side of the Sreemoolasthanam at 7 am. As the celebrated kudamattam yesterday had been disrupted by an unexpected downpour, the multi-coloured parasols were presented during the pakalppooram on Wednesday. The pageants moved to the Sreemoolasthanam by about 12 noon when the orchestra stopped for the farewell ceremony. Bidding farewell to each other, the deities of Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady paid their respects to Sri Vadakkunnathan and left for their respective abodes.
Wednesday, April 24, 2002
Neythukaran
Category : Drama Year of Release : 2002 Rating / Certification : U Review 'Neythukaran' ('The Weaver'), the first film of director Priyanandanan, is a film that deserves special mention. Produced by Sri. Balaji Films, it is a real experience for film lovers. Murali essays the role of Appamestri with characteristic ease. His performance no doubt is superb. Vijayaraghavan as Joshi and M.R.Gopakumar as Bahuleyan have done their roles perfectly well. Sona Nair as Appamestri's loving and caring daughter-in-law is also well cast. Cinematography by Jayan Joseph, editing by Venugopal and music by John.P.Varkey are the highlights of 'Neythukaran'. The script is by N. Sasidharan. A main feature of 'Neythukaran' is that the film does not attempt a deliberate glorification of EMS - the man, but attempts to depict EMS just as part of the communist movement. And it is this very fact that saves the film from being a mere biographical film or a political propaganda. It makes 'Neythukaran' a brilliant documentation of our times. Story Line 'Neythukaran' tells the story of Appamestri, an old weaver, who is almost bedridden due to old age. Appamestri, a true activist, was very much associated with the communist movement in Kerala. The film begins with the death of EMS Namboothiripad, popularly called EMS, the most renowned leader of the communist movement in Kerala and the head of the first democratically elected communist government in the world. When old Appamestri hears on the radio the news of the leader's death, he drifts into a flash-back of his role during the formative years of the communist movement in Kerala. All along, the presence of EMS is very strong. Along with etching the role of EMS in promoting the communist movement in Kerala, the film also attempts to depict the political and cultural history of Kerala and also suggests the degeneration and decay of the communist movement over time. As part of this, is shown Joshi, Appamestri's son, who was once a revolutionary, but has now become a successful businessman and conveniently overlooks his political past. Also shown in the film is a character Bahuleyan, a friend of Joshi, who too, though a revolutionary once, is rather indifferent to such things now. The third generation, represented by the grandchildren, are representatives of a totally different culture. They are busy in their own world - cricket, pop-songs et al and are not a whit bothered about revolution, communism etc. Anyhow, in the two days following the death of EMS, Appamestri drifts in and out of the past, and then on the third day, when the body of the deceased leader is consigned to flames, Appamestri too collapses.
Wednesday, April 24, 2002
Pattiyude Divasam
Category : Drama Year of Release : 2002 Rating / Certification : U Review Murali Nair, who shot to fame with 'Marana Simhasanam', is back with another film - 'Pattiyude Divasam' ('A Dog's Day'), a brilliant political satire. The film, shot in a totally rural background in Kuttanad, represents on a microscopic scale the state of affairs all over the world in the present day. Political developments, coup attempts, meaningless peace-talks and accords, third-party mediation - everything is taken up for discussion, of course on a miniature level. And the film becomes a really thought-provoking, brilliant social and political satire. A highlight of the film is that it has got very good quality spot recording that renders it an air of naturality. Story Line A local ruler bows down to pressure from democratic forces and is forced to hand over a part of his province to a democratically elected leader. He also presents his pet dog to a poor peasant and his wife. For the poor peasant and his wife, the dog is not a mere dog, but a symbol of the Royalty which had always inspired in them feelings of respect, admiration and blind worship. They bathe the dog in a very ceremonious manner and take great care of it. They even desist from tying it up somewhere. But when the dog bites and kills a duck and then a boy, it leads to problems. The democratic leader orders the arrest of the dog, followed by the arrest of the poor peasant. Then follow protests, talks and negotiations leading to more interesting developments.
Wednesday, April 24, 2002
Geethu Mohandas: The Ghost in "Pakalppooram"
The ghosts in Indian films are invariably female ones. They are always draped in white sari. Do ghosts wear saris? Nobody has asked this question to any director but the tradition continues. They have long hair, which is spread out on their back. They never tie their hair. They always sing songs, conceived as enchanting ones but screaming scary when appearing on screen. Geethu Mohandas who did a good role in Sesham, as a freelance press photographer and won the critics award is appearing in tantalizing poses in Pakalpooram. It is in the pretext of a ghost that Geethu Mohandas is portrayed in this attire. She is made to take bath in a river in some scenes in Pakalpooram a scene, which mainstream directors, had forgotten for some time. Geethu is in the river in white. The black thick hair is spread all over. She is catching fish with a basket like utility. Her name is Mandakini. A black, village beauty. No sooner she springs up from the depths of the river a young man like a slippery fish falls flat on her. He is out of his senses. Mandakini helps the bundle of unconscious male body to the riverbank. When he comes back to senses he reveals everything to her. He is there to exorcist a ghost from the village. He did not succeed and is in trouble. Yes he is really in trouble now for Mandakini wants to accompany him to the village. Who is she? There is something enigmatic about her. The young man is not able to decide. A sequence prior to the ghost scene conceived by Anil Babu is beautifully picturised in Pakalppooram. Geethu Mohandas of Tenkasippattanam is bringing all the spirit and mirth out of her in this scene
Wednesday, April 24, 2002
Tusker injured in road accident
A tusker and its mahout were seriously injured when a speeding KSRTC bus hit them on the National Highway at Chathannur in Kollam district. The tusker, Vanarajan(45), sustained serious injuries and would be able to move for at least three months, veterinary doctors said. The mahout was admitted to a local hospital. Police said the tusker was being taken to Kundara in connection with a temple festival when the accident took place. A crane was used to shift the elephant from the roadside for providing treatment.
Wednesday, April 24, 2002
Thousands witness Pooram Festival
The splendorous spectacles of 'Thekkottirakkam' (southward march) and 'Kudamattam"(change of parasols on elephants in competition), the highlights of the Thrissur Pooram, the annual national festival at the cultural capital of Kerala, were witnessed by hundreds of thousands of people, in the backdrop of the glittering setting sun, at the Thekkinkad Maidan in Thrissur in the evening. As the caparisoned elephants, fifteen each from the 'rival sides', Thiruvambadi and Paramekkavu, stood in rows facing each other and the 'kudamattam' started, the milling crowed cheered either side and the traditional Chendamelam and Panchavadyam gave added glamour to the extravaganza. The festival would conclude tomorrow with the usual bidding farewell by the rival sides promising to meet again next year. The other major highlight of the festival, the pyrotechnics competition between the two would be held early tomorrow morning. The authorities had made elaborate arrangements for the convenience of the people from far and near converging at the Thekkinkad Maidan, the outer compound of the 'Vadakkunathan temple' of Siva.
Wednesday, April 24, 2002
All revenue officials in Udumbanchola to be shifted: Mani
Kerala Revenue Minister K M Mani ordered the transfer of all officials in the Revenue, Survey and Cardamom Settlement in Udumbanchola taluk in connection with the large-scale encroachment of the Mathikettanmala in Idukki district. Talking to newspersons in Thiruvananthapuram, he said the Land Revenue Commissioner had been issued directions to replace the existing officials in the taluk with new ones. Stating that 90 per cent of the encroachments occurred during the regime of the previous Marxist-led Left Democratic Front government, Mr Mani said all illegal encroachers would be evicted from the Mathikettanmala Shola. During his visit to the area, he found that the Marxist-ruled Santhanpara panchayat tried to legalise the illegal settlement in the area. However, no action was taken by the previous government. The new district collector had been issued necessary directions for the eviction of all the encroachers in the area. An action plan would be prepared in coordination with all the departments concerned, he added. He reiterated that the Mathikettanmala would not come under the Forest Conservation acts as it was under the Revenue Department.
Wednesday, April 24, 2002
Youngster held for splashing web with morphed porn
In what is claimed to be the first cyber sex crime in Kerala, police Tuesday arrested a youth on charges of sending through e-mail obscene pictures of women fabricated by computer-morphing. Pathanamthitta Superintendent of Police K Radhakrishnan Nair told newsmen here that Aneesh(20), a B.Com student, was taken into custody at the end of a two-month long investigation into the complaint lodged by T S Abraham, President of the Indian Pentecostal Church. The modus operandi of Aneesh was to send nude pictures of known girls in the area, created through morphing, to various e-mail addresses. The availability of such pictures was given wide publicity through the periodical Defender, edited and published by his father T S Balan. Police seized the computer used for morphing, hard disk and photos from the rented house of Aneesh at Perumbavoor. Police suspected the involvement of Balan in his son's secret operation. The SP said Balan had been using his magazine for the purpose of blackmailing. Aneesh was arrested under the relevant provisions of the Information Technology Act. He was produced before the Pathanamthitta Judicial First Class Magistrate who remanded him to 14 days judicial custody.
Tuesday, April 23, 2002
eBill Pay and eShopping comes to Kerala
KOCHI: The ePost – the bridge across the digital divide service of the Postal Department – has failed to make any headway in the State, but the postal authorities are gearing up to launch two additional services shortly: the eBill Pay and the eShopping. The eBill Pay has already been launched in Bangalore and Kolkata and found to be a success. ‘‘The eBill Pay will enable a customer to pay bills through our website either using credit cards or Post Office Pre-paid Cards. A customer can pay any bill from that of a cell phone company to electricity and corporation taxes,’’ says Shibu M Job, Director of Postal Services. The Postal Department has already held talks with cellphone companies in the State in this regard. The advantage is that the customer can make the payments either using credit cards or the Post Office Pre-paid Cards. The cards are available in the denominations of Rs 250, 500, 2,000, 5,000 and 10,000. While the eBill Pay is being launched as the second phase of the pilot project, the eShopping will be the icing in the third phase. ‘‘The customer will be able to place order on any product displayed in our website. He can pay using credit card or the pre-paid card. The Nettlinx, which does the web management for the Postal Department, will forward it to the local post office which in turn will deliver the goods if possible on the same day,’’ says Shibu. The ePost was introduced as a pilot project in five States – Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Goa, Maharashtra and Gujarat – a few months ago. Officials in the Postal Department say the service would have found users if marketed in a better way. The USP of the ePost was that even people without internet connection and PCs could use it to send emails across and have it delivered to a postal address. Delivery post offices would have generic email IDs based on the PIN code and the domain name indianpostoffice.net CAT forms The tie-up between the Postal Department and the Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) for sale of Common Admission Test (CAT) applications has fetched the latter Rs 1.39 crore. CUSAT could sell around 40,000 application forms through the Postal Department. The last date of receiving application forms in post offices across the country was the same as that in CUSAT, according to the agreement Mails sent to the address would be downloaded at the nearest ePost office, printed, enveloped and delivered at the premises through dedicated delivery staff. To avail the facility, one has to become an ePost account holder by paying Rs 250 and use the facility either by using credit cards or ePost pre-paid cards. Kerala has 40 ePost centres and people from around the globe can send emails to addresses in the State using the facility. ‘‘The computer screens will not display the message and the strict supervision structure ensures privacy,’’ says another official. You can also know whether your mail has been downloaded at the ePost centre, through a reply mail in your message box.
Tuesday, April 23, 2002
20 houses destroyed in attacks by gangs
ALUVA: Two groups of people, in separate incidents of attacks, destroyed about 20 houses and injured 11 people including five women, in Thiruvaloor, Alangad, Mambra and Kottapuram areas near here last night. Police immediately introduced pickets and intensified patrolling bringing the situation back to normalcy. Police team led by SP Varghese George and DySP Jose Sebastine visited the areas. According to police, a group of RSS activists allegedly threw country bombs at one Vazhely Anilkumar who was returning home in his car at Thiruvaloor last night. In a bid to escape, his vehicle hit at an electric post. The activists allegedly attacked him and his friend Libin with swords. They got admitted in hospitals at Aluva and Palarivattom. The RSS activists then attacked the houses of Anilkumar and his associates Sainudeen, Robin Elsy, Appukuttan and Salam, police said. The gang of Anilkumar retaliated by attacking the RSS activists and destroying at least 14 houses which belonged to Karshaka Morcha district general secretary V B Jawaharlal, RSS mukya sikshak Anilkumar, physical instructor Babu, Biju, Sathyan, Shaji, Peethambaran, Rajesh, Kannan, Sajeev, Manjesh, Suni, Velayudhan and Suresh Babu. Syamala,32, Suresh Babu,39, Kurumban,60, Sarasan,60, Ammini,45, Omana,30, Rugmani,40, Thankamma,49, and Babu,40, were admitted to government hospital here. RSS district secretary R V Babu alleged that Anilkumar was a notorious criminal getting protection from some police officials. Anilkumar had fired a shot at Jawaharlal and the cartridge had been recovered by the police, Babu said. Anilkumar was arrested in the evening and the police said that the situation was under control. The RSS activists also held a protest march and public meeting demanding the arrest of the culprits. Police are in search of a pistol and a country-made gun allegedly used by Anilkumar to shoot at Jawaharlal.
Tuesday, April 23, 2002
Mauritius couple rescued from kidnappers
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a swoop, police rescued a Mauritius couple, who had been abducted and confined to a house at Kottarakara near Kollam district, after being abducted from Chennai recently. Kollam Superintendent of Police, P Sreenivasan, said on Monday that the couple - Mahendraraj Radhakishen and his wife Fathimabeevi - had come to Chennai in connection with ready-made cloth business on April 8. They were be-friended by one Shaji, who has some business connection in Mauritius. Shaji, later took them to a place on the pretext of showing a godown, he said. Unfortunately, for the couple, they were forced into a vehicle and were then taken to farm house in Palakkad on April 13 and were confined till April 18, when they were once again taken and lodged at Kottarakara. Shaji, the brain behind the abduction, along with six others threatened the couple and demanded a ransom of US $1 lakh and forced the couple to telephone their relatives in Mauritius for the ransom money, he said. However, the couple managed to convey to the relatives about their abduction. The relatives immediately informed the Indian embassy, who alerted the police in Tamil Nadu and Kerala, he said. Sreenivasan, said the couple were presently staying at the police club at Kollam and will leave for Mauritius as soon as their travel documents were ready. Shaji and another person have been taken into custody, he added.
Tuesday, April 23, 2002
Janu threatens indefinite fast
PALAKKAD: Adivasi-Dalit Samrakshana Samithy leader C K Janu on Monday threatened to go on an indefinite fast before the Secretariat from May 15 in protest against the delay on the part of the Government in honouring the settlement regarding providing land to the Adivasis. Addressing mediapersons here, C K Janu said the encroachment of the Mathikettan forests was an old issue and it was being raked up now in order to deflect the issue of providing land to the Adivasis. She called on the Government to remove Revenue Minister K M Mani and Forest Minister Sudhakaran from the Ministry since they were responsible for the encroachment of land in the Mathikettan forests.
Tuesday, April 23, 2002
Kochi brothers build indigenous airborne antennas
KOCHI: In a dingy workshop in Konthuruthy, city's fringe landscape, two brothers are moulding the history of aviation communication in the country. Winners of the Excellence in Aerospace Indigenisation Award, Louis J George and Kuruvila J George have carved a niche for themselves in the ancillary defence industry scenario by successfully building indigenous airborne antennas for the first time in the country. The ambience of their workstation belies their achievement. Tucked away under the green canopy of huge trees and bamboos, the Verdant Telemetry is today approached by public sector giants like the Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and the National Physical Oceanographic Laboratory (NPOL) for building antennas that can be mounted on aircraft. The brothers, both science graduates, have built antennas for the Jaguar fighters, Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) and Dorniers. All their innovations have been tested under strenuous circumstances and have been cleared for use, paving way for the indigenisation of complicated airborne communication and allied areas. "Airborne communication is a totally different ball game. The parameters are stringent. We have succeeded in meeting international standards with locally available technology and materials," said Louis. The Verdant Telemetry produced antennas at a fraction of the amount that would have incurred in procuring them from foreign sources. "India has talent that can produce any stuff at minimum cost. What we need is only Government support," pointed out Kuruvila. We managed to keep the cost low by inventing techniques for prototyping and innovating the composite used for manufacturing antennas. "Any technology available to convert a design into a model would cost upward Rs 50 lakh. And the amount we had to start off was Rs 1 lakh. So we had to invent our own method to perform the task," said Kuruvila. But what put us off was the attitude of the banks. None was ready to finance a hope. We were even advised to produce screws and bolts and to forget antennas. But we persisted. Thanks to the family who financed our dream, they said. The brothers began their experiments in telemetry with dish antennas. "But we were bad in marketing and soon lost out to inferior equipment. Later, we produced radio collars for the Karnataka Forest Department. That too was not found feasible," said Kuruvila. It was at this juncture that they came across an HAL enquiry for a partner to indigenise the production of antenna for the ALH. That was the starting point. The latest equipment that the brothers produced is the Automatic Direction Finding (ADF) antenna for the Jaguar fighter. "Our antennas are useful for different applications. They are used for anti-submarine warfare in Kamov helos. We're also working on surveillance antennas," Louis said. They are of the opinion that the Government should promote tie-up between various units for creating a market atmosphere conducive for indigensation. "During post-Pokharan sanction, there was a glimpse of it. Indigenisation was the buzz word. With sanctions being lifted, the focus once again is on buying off the shelf from the West," they pointed out. But now we've started getting enquiries from the West. A US-based civil aviation firm has contacted us. We're hopeful of some collaboration, they said. The George brothers will receive the Excellence in Aerospace Indigenisation Award, instituted by the Society of Indian Aerospace Technology and Indigenisation, Bangalore, later this month.
Tuesday, April 23, 2002
Forest Dept to take over encroached land
PATHANMTHITTA: Forest Minister K Sudhakaran has said that the entire stretch of more than 3000 acres of encroached forest land at Mathikettan, excluding those having revenue records, would be brought under the Forest Department for conservation. Sudhakaran told newsmen at Konni on Monday that the eviction of encroachers from the forest land was in full swing and the entire families would be evicted in a short period. The Supreme Court verdict on forest conservation and the laws enacted by the State from time to time would be the guiding factor in evicting the encroachers from Mathikettan, he said All those who had encroached upon the land at Mathikettan were from outside the Udumbanchola taluk and the encroachment had been taking place for the past few years, he said. The duplicity in the present Forest rules and the lack of adequate powers for the Revenue and the Forest Departments were causing hardships for implementing various forest rules, he said. Sudhakaran, who launched the Forest Rapid Action Force southern region, with a strength of 30 men, at Konni this evening, said that the first batch of the force was deployed at Mathikettanmala. The northern region force would be launched at Nilambur soon. The function in this connection was presided over by Adoor Prakash, MLA. Chief Conservator of Forests R Rajaraja Varma, District Panchayat president Mathew Kulathunkal, Forest Conservator R Shukla and grama panchayat president Syam Lal spoke.
Tuesday, April 23, 2002
Toonz to woo kids with animation workshop; 8-year-old's film to be shown at fete
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Close on the heels of last year's highly successful, Children's Animation Workshop (CAW) in Kerala, Toonz Animation has decided to go nation-wide with the even this year. Teaming up with Cartoon Network, Toonz will be conducting the event in May. Details of the contest are being aired on Cartoon Network throughout the month of April. "We expect to receive more than 50,000 entries from which 200 will be selected for final consideration. A team of top writers, story tellers, animators and artists will then make the selection of ten stories, which will be made into short animated films.", said Jayakumar, Operations Manager of Toonz. The ten finalists, along with their parents will be invited to the Toonz studios here for a two-week workshop. Working alongside the animators at Toonz, they will be involved in further developing their stories and characters and getting their stories ready for actual production. According to Jayakumar, even after they've returned to school, the children will continue to serve as consultants on their film as production progresses. In some cases, they will lend their own voices to the films. The completed films will be aired on Cartoon Network in an exclusive telecast on Children's Day in November. CITY KID'S FILM FOR INTERNATIONAL FETE: 'Torty's Day Out', one of the films produced by Toonz Animation India as part of the Children's Animation Workshop 2001 has been selected for the Italian Animation Festival, 'Cartoon on the Bay', being held late this month in Positano, Italy. The film has also been chosen for competition in the Nashville Animation Festival (USA). This film, created by 8 year old Srisankaran of the City, tells the story of how a little tortoise finds happiness in being himself. TOONZ-DIGITAL TIE UP: Technopark based Toonz Animation India has entered the arena of 3D by joining hands with Digital Fantasy Pvt Ltd, based in the City. According to the agreement reached between the animation companies, Digital Fantasy's 3D animators and modelers will work for the Toonz premises using the latest 3D hardware and software. "For the past year, Toonz has been focusing on enhancing its skills and capabilities in the digital arena. With this new addition, we have quadrupled our 3D capacity and we are now poised to take on longer format projects. It also further enhances our capabilities in providing special effects for live action films and commercials", said Toonz CEO Bill Dennis commenting on the agreement reached between the two studios.
Tuesday, April 23, 2002
Blow to Karunakaran; Murali demand rebuffed
THIRUVANANATHAPURAM: Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s decision to bring back former KPCC president and leader of the fourth group Vayalar Ravi to the Central leadership has come as a severe blow to senior leader K Karunakaran who has never missed a chance to lock horns with Ravi ever since he started moving closer towards the Antony camp. By reinducting Ravi into the Congress Working Committee, Sonia has also rebuffed KPCC president K Muraleedharan’s demand that action may be taken against leaders, including Ravi, for criticising Karunakaran and the State leadership. The decision by the party president came as a shot in the arm of Chief Minister A K Antony as Ravi had stood by him whenever the UDF Government was under attack by Karunakaran. It is all the more embarrassing to Muraleedharan who had met Sonia Gandhi recently with the demand that Ravi and V M Sudheeran may be issued a warning for making public statements affecting party unity and image of the UDF Government. By increasing the representation of Kerala in the CWC to three with the inclusion of Ravi, Sonia has also recast the power equations in the State leadership in favour of Antony. The latest provocation was Ravi’s open comments against Karunakaran for his reported tirade against Sonia Gandhi at the last KPCC executive committee. The anti-Karunakaran factions had decided to bring to the attention of Sonia Gandhi the comments made by Karunakaran criticising the performance of the party at the national-level. Following the controversy, Karunakaran had reaffirmed his loyalty to the Nehru family while denying that he had spoken against the leadership of Sonia Gandhi at the KPCC executive committee meeting. He even wrote a letter to Sonia clarifying his position. Muraleedharan also backed him claiming that Karunakaran had never spoken anything against the party leadership. It may be recalled that Sonia was also unhappy with the position taken by Karunakaran on the indefinite strike by Government teachers and employees. She had to send Ghulam Nabi Azad with an ultimatum to Karunakaran, urging the latter to create an atmosphere to settle the strike. Vayalar Ravi, one of the founder leaders of the KSU, went up in the party ladder following the split in the Congress over the candidature of Neelam Sanjeeva Reddy as the President during the late 60s. When almost all senior leaders of the party supported the Nijalingappa faction, a group of young Congress leaders including Vayalar Ravi and Antony stood by Indira Gandhi. Ravi was rewarded by Indira Gandhi with Chirayankeezh Lok Sabaha seat which he won in style. He was later elevated to the Congress Working Committee at the age of 33. Ravi was the Home Minister in the Karunakaran Ministry during 1982-86 period. Following a stand-off with Antony, he crossed over to the Karunakaran camp and became the KPCC chief as the ‘I’ group nominee defeating Antony in 1992. Later, he fell apart with Karunakaran and was identified with the fourth group in the State unit. For the last few years he was virtually in political wilderness. Mercy Ravi, his wife, was elected from Kottayam in the last Assembly elections. I can serve party better: Ravi ‘‘I hope that I can serve the party in a better way following the new assignment,’’ Vayalar Ravi told this website's newspaper on Monday. Sonia Gandhi sent me to several States as party observer during the past several months and I hope that she is satisfied with my work,’’ Vayalar Ravi said. However, he pooh-poohed reports that he had been appointed to clip the wings of senior Congress leader K Karunakaran and his son and KPCC president K Muraleedharan.
Tuesday, April 23, 2002
Thrissur Pooram Today
THRISSUR: Thrissur Pooram, the 30-hour-long splendour of traditions and ceremonies and the magnificent parade of magnificently decorated elephants will be staged at the Thekkinkad Maidan on Tuesday. The Pooram will begin in the morning at about 6 a.m. with the minor participant Kanimangalam Shasta moving gracefully to the Vadakkunathan Temple followed by other minor temples participating in the Pooram. At the conclusion of the ezhunnellippu of the minors, the two majors – Thiruvambady and Paramekkavu – will begin their show of 15 tuskers each. The show of the two majors will culminate in the hour-long highlight of the Pooram – the Kudamattam – at 5.30 p.m. After an interval, the night pooram of both the devaswoms begin at 10 p.m. The conclusion of the night pooram will be marked by fireworks around 3 am. Meanwhile, thousands of people from different parts of the district visited the halls in the town where the articles used for decorating the tuskers participating in the pooram and the multi-coloured parasols and other items are displayed.
Monday, April 22, 2002
I don't need a future in Bollywood: Mohanlal
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Superstar Mohanlal, whose debut Hindi film "Company" has received an enthusiastic audience response, says he isn't looking for a career in Bollywood. On his first visit to Kerala after the release of "Company" April 12, Mohanlal said: "I don't need a future in Hindi films and I don't have to prove anything about myself. I am quite happy with Malayalam films. But that doesn't mean I would not act in Bollywood any more." On the sets of his latest Malayalam film "Thaandavam," Mohanlal told : "The Bollywood experience was like acting in any other film. There was absolutely no difference and my acclimatisation was perfect." "Company," directed by Ram Gopal Varma, also stars Ajay Devgan, Manisha Koirala and debutant Vivek Oberoi. "My future in Bollywood depends on the roles I get, but I am in no hurry," said Mohanlal. "Only if a project suits me will I go ahead." Mohanlal forayed into Bollywood on the heels of many other southern superstars who turned to the Mumbai-based Hindi film industry but failed to leave a deep impression. Mammooty, the other superstar of Malayalam cinema, flopped with his debut Hindi venture a few years ago. Rajnikanth and Kamal Haasan, superstars of Tamil cinema, have fared better, but never soared to the top in Hindi films. Mohanlal said there wasn't much difference between the way southern films and Hindi movies were made. "There is no north-south divide as perceived by many. Tastes do differ and Bollywood is more extravagant. Apart from that, I find no difference." Mohanlal was thrilled by the congratulatory calls he received from several big guns of Bollywood like Amrish Puri, Abhishek Bachchan and Aamir Khan as soon as "Company" was released. The superstar will be busy with "Thaandavam" for about 40 days and then has a Tamil film in hand, besides another Malayalam movie directed by K. Madhu.
Monday, April 22, 2002
Second entry at TVM station inaugurated
Thiruvananthapuram: The second entry at the Thiruvananthapuram Central Station was inaugurated today by Union Minister of State for Railways O Rajagopal in connection with the commemoration of 150 years of Indian Railways. At a function organised at the railway station, the Minister also released "Bholu," the Indian Railway mascot. Kerala Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar presided over the functio |
