|
|
October 2003
Kamukara award for M S Vishwanathan
Friday, October 31, 2003
Noted music director M S Vishwanathan has bagged this year's 'Kamukara award'. At a news conference held in Thiruvananthapuram on Thursday, the judging committee members and office-bearers of Kamukara Foundation said that Vishwanathan was selected for the award in recognition of his decade long contributions to the Malayalam cinema. The award carries a cash prize of Rs 25,000, a citation and a plaque designed by artist Bhattathiri. The award would be presented to MSV, at a function organised on December 14 at the Senate hall Thiruvananthapuram. The ministers and eminent personalities from film field would be participate in the function. The Judging committee for the award consisted of Perumbavoor G Raveendranath, Dr Leela Omcheri, Ezhacheri Ramachandran, Poovachal Khader, Saraswathi Amma and V K Narayanan.
Dhanalakshmi Q2 net jumps
Friday, October 31, 2003
MUMBAI: Kerala-based Dhanalakshmi Bank has posted a 84.4% rise in its net profit at Rs 3.2 crore for the second quarter ended September 30, ‘03 as against Rs 1.7 crore in same period last fiscal even as it plans to grow business over Rs 4,000-crore mark by this fiscal. The total income for the reporting quarter grew by 10.7% to Rs 69.5 crore from Rs 62.7 crore in the July-September ‘02, bank managing director B Muthuswamy told reporters here today. The total interest income for the quarter grew marginally to Rs 49.1 crore from Rs 48.1 crore in the corresponding period of the previous year, while the other income was up at Rs 20.3 crore (Rs 14.6 crore), Mr Muthuswamy said. The private sector bank’s net profit and total income for the six months ended September 30, stood at Rs 8.5 crore (Rs 6.9 crore) and Rs 91.8 crore (Rs 94 crore) respectively, he added.
NSS in support of the Antony
Friday, October 31, 2003
Nair Service Society (NSS) General Secretary P K Narayana Panicker and Assistant Secretary Sukumaran Nair today came out in support of the A K Antony government in Kerala. Talking to media persons at the NSS Headquarters at Perunna, the NSS leaders made it clear that without budging from the organisation's declared equidistant stance, the NSS would oppose any move to oust the Antony Government. There was no administrative crisis in the state, they said in reply to a question.
Peace programme to mark Kerala Day
Friday, October 31, 2003
An innovative, inter-religious peace and value education programme, in tune with the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi, will commence in Kerala tomorrow, the 47th anniversary of the birth of the state. Christened "The Kerala Regeneration Project" (KRP) against the backdrop of the recent Marad carnage and the increasing incidence of domestic, social and political violence, the pilot project is intended to combat the twin evils of communalism and consumerism stalking the state. Launched by the Hyderabad-based Dharma Bharathi Foundation, in cooperation with the Kottayam-based Mahatma Gandhi University and a number of concerned organizations and individuals, the KRP will train and develop a network of activists and peer groups to work amongst the people, especially the youth, to engender and promote a spirit of friendship and camaraderie. This action programme to promote peace and value education through a committed cadre of trained men and women is a "creative response" to the increasing negativism and violence in society, a release by the Dharma Bharathi Foundation said here today. Dharma Bharathi's Spiritual Home and Training Center to impart the required inter-religious leadership training is nearing completion at Mulanthuruthy in the state. Cardinal Varkey Vithayathil will bless and inaugurate the KRP at St Teresa's College in Ernakulam tomorrow. Justice VR Krishna Iyer and Prof. Sukumar Azhikode will be the Guests of Honour at the function in which Dr Cyriac Thomas, Vice-Chancellor, MG University, is to deliver the Keynote Address. Swami Satchidananda Bharathi, the Acharya Guru of Dharma Bharathi, will preside over the event. There will also be cultural programmes on national integration and communal harmony by the students of the St Teresa's College and the Viswa Vidya Matt.
Abortions in Kerala increase
Friday, October 31, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 30 A survey by a women's magazine in Kerala has revealed a substantial increase in the number of medical termination of pregnancies (MTP), 45 percent of which are done on women between 18 and 25. Reacting to the survey conducted by Vanitha magazine from the stables of the Malayala Manorama group, senior gynaecologist Leela Mathew said the availability of abortion inducing medicines have contributed to the trend. The medicine is taken within the first six weeks of pregnancy. Even after six weeks, MTPs are easy. They are done on the operating table with the patient being discharged the same evening in most cases. According to the state health department, induced abortions in government-run hospitals shot up from 16,339 in 1999 to 43,368 in 2001-02. The Vanitha survey has other revealing sidelights, pointing to societal changes and trends. Close to nine percent of MTPs are performed on women who get pregnant while their husbands are working abroad. Women who have been exploited at the workplace constitute eight percent of all MTPs in the state. Women who have been sexually exploited by relatives also figure significantly. As do women who live abroad but come home for MTPs. Discussing the trend of increasing MTPs, Mathew said: "This new medicine for MTP has been available in the market for the last two years and in Kerala recently." "In the government we do all the required paperwork, but I doubt whether this is being done in the private sector," Mathew told . According to the health department, there are 651 government and private hospitals in the state that have the required licence to perform MTPs. Of these, only 330 hospitals keep proper records. "It has come to our notice that MTPs are being done in hospitals where there is no gynaecologist. Doctors have to work against this if it has to be stopped," said state Health Minister P. Sankaran. "I understand that doctors charge anything between Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 25,000 for performing an abortion. It is lucrative business for them," Sankaran told .
U.S. foundation to spread computer education in Kerala schools
Friday, October 31, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 30 The American India Foundation (AIF), which has offices in the U.S. and India, has teamed up with the Kerala government to spread computer education in schools in the state. The foundation will draw up a strategy to roll out its Digital Equaliser Programme (DEP) in partnership with state's ongoing IT@School project. This was decided after Srimathi Prasad, director, DEP, held discussions with Aruna Sundararajan, IT secretary, and P. Mara Pandiyan, general education Secretary, here Thursday. IT@School is a project launched by the state education department that envisages computer training in over 2,400 across in Kerala. Similarly, the foundation's Digital Equalizer Programme provides computers, software, Internet access and training to children and teachers in underprivileged schools in India. Last month the Kerala State IT Mission that runs the IT@School project had an understanding with AIF. The foundation will commit to raise at least $100,000 to set up DEP centres in Kerala. The Kerala government will match the amount under its IT@School programme by supplying hardware to the DEP schools, an official release said.
Thalassery court completes 200 years
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
THALASSERY: "They put a thief to death for stealing a single nut or even a grain of seed of any fruit. Hence thieves are unknown among them," wrote Moroccan traveller Ibn Batuta who travelled through Malabar during the 14th century. Malabar's judicial system got transformed into the formal judicial administration with the arrival of the British. The Thalassery court they set up in Malabar has turned 200 now, a milestone in the country's judicial administration. It was in 1802 that the court was set up separating judicial powers from the executive administration. Significantly, Thalassery's links with the judicial system dates back even further. The British rule over Thalassery was established in 1792, and the Provincial court established by them was presided over by three judges, two of whom functioned as mobile circuit courts in turn. The North Malabar Zilla court came into being by the end of 1802. H Clephen was the first District Judge. After much chronological evolution the Zilla court became the District and Sessions court in 1875. The best visible sign of the court's pristine judicial tradition here is virtually the 'Seat of Justice' itself. The ceremonial chair on which the District judge sits at the main court hall made by the British is believed to be almost as old as the Zilla court. Interestingly, a good many of the District Judges who served at Thalassery were later known as authors of books on erstwhile Malabar. W Logan, the Collector of Malabar who also took charge as District judge in June 1873, wrote the Manual of Malabar, an authoritative document on the province. Malabar Laws and Customs was another work done by Lewis Moore, another District judge who took over in 1885. The book is an in-depth study on partition, adoption, marriage, role of elders and property rights in the Malabar region at the time. The library of the Thalassery Bar Association is named after J W Reid who served as District judge in 1869. Reid had a large collection of books which later became part of the library of the Bar Association. E N Overbury, another British man who served as District judge here in 1879, wanted to construct a picnic spot at the cliff near the Municipal stadium here. He couldn't complete it, but the spot later earned the name "Overbury's Folly". Perhaps, a much familiar name among the people here is W Holloway who worked as the District judge in 1859 because the road from the Thalassery courts to the Judge's residence and Bishop's House is now known as 'Holloway Road'. The most valuable treasure-house of the court here is its Record room where the judgments delivered right from 1802 are preserved. An original hand-written judgment delivered in 1802 is one of precious documents preserved at the record room. Noted Malayalam writer Chandu Menon was serving as a judge at the court here when he wrote Indulekha, the first Malayalam novel. As many as 12 courts including four District and Sessions courts are functioning at the Thalassery court complex now.
Traders, police clash at Palayam
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
KOZHIKODE: The vegetable vendors at the Palayam market here clashed with the police this morning after a policeman allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 10 from the driver of a goods carrier. The trouble started when the cop tried to assault the driver, Ashraf, for refusing to pay the amount. The head-load workers and traders in vicinity reportedly manhandled the policeman. Two vegetable vendors suffered minor injuries, when a large contingent of police, which reached the spot used force to disperse the crowd. A constable who was injured was admitted to Beach Hospital. The police also took some traders into custody for ‘inciting’ violence. Traders then along with the head-load workers marched to the City Commissioner Office. The tense situation was diffused after Police Assistant Commissioner Chakkeri Abubacker intervened. The protestors dispersed following the assurance that departmental action would be initiated against the policeman. All those who were taken into custody were released in the evening.
State’s first IT Technopolis to be ready by November next year
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
KOCHI: Technopolis, a nine-storey state-of-the-art IT park housing a roof-top restaurant, a full-fledged gymnasium, travel desks, ATMs, banks and a library-cum-information bureau, will be ready for occupation by November 2004. The IT park project is being established at a two-acre plot at the Cochin Special Economic Zone, Kakkanad, by the Muthoot Pappachan Group with a project cost of Rs 35 crore. Technopolis is expected to provide employment opportunities for at least 3000 IT/ITES professionals. Managing Director Thomas John Muthoot told reporters here on Tuesday that the group has engaged Jurong Infrastructure (India), part of JTC Corporation, Singapore, to provide the urban planning, architecture, engineering and construction services for the development of Kerala’s first IT Technopolis. ‘‘When completed, Technopolis 2004 will be an architectural landmark with a high-tech and user-friendly environment of international standards for its tenants,’’ he said. Construction work of the park will commence next week. ‘‘The Technopolis will provide a work-play-live-system.’’ he said. Jurong has the expertise and track record in design and development of high-tech parks and campuses in India, such as the International Tech Park (ITPL) and IT Corridor in Bangalore, Hitech City Phase 3 and the most recent iLabs Campus in Hyderabad. ‘‘We are confident that the Technopolis will be functional as well as aesthetic. This is a forward-looking partnership backed by the development foresight of the Muthoot Pappachan Group and Jurong (India)’s international experience,’’ said Rao Manukutla, chief executive officer of Jurong (India). While 60 percent of the space at the Technopolis will be offered for sale, the remaining space will be leased out, said Thomas Muthoot. Another feature of the Technopolis is the parking space for over 200 cars built into the IT complex. Technopolis will offer the lowest cost per square foot compared to other IT Parks and the operational costs will be less than 50 percent compared to the rest of the country. CLEARED IN A DAY: Rao Manukutla said the application for the Technopolis project was cleared by the CSEZ officials in a day a record that cannot be matched even by the US. It took Jurong 45 days to receive clearance for its designs of IT Parks at Bangalore and Hyderabad. ‘‘At CSEZ, we gave the designs in the morning and they were cleared by evening. It takes more time in the US,’’ he said.
Be cautious against CPM's 'evil designs': Antony
Wednesday, October 29, 2003
PATHANAMTHITTA: Chief Minister A K Antony has cautioned the people against the 'evil designs' of the CPM in the backdrop of the ensuing by-election in the Tiruvalla Assembly constituency. Inaugurating UDF candidate Elizabeth Mammen's election convention at St John's Cathedral auditorium in Tiruvalla on Tuesday, Antony said that the people of Chengannur-Tiruvalla-Kuttanad area would remember the anti-farmer attitude of the CPM which launched the "vettinirathal" campaign. Recalling the contributions of Mammen Mathai, Antony said that the development programmes initiated by him for the benefit of the constituency were immense. They covered all fields like agriculture, industry and service sectors, he added. Presiding over the function, KPCC president K Muraleedharan recalled Mammen Mathai's credible role as a people's representative by taking up public causes. He called upon democratic forces to work for the victory of Elizabeth. In a deliberate attempt to embarrass Antony, Muraleedharan remarked that the large chunk of NRI population in Tiruvalla should be a factor to be reckoned with in the byelection. Revenue Minister K M Mani said that the various development programmes undertaken by Mammen Mathai for the constituency should be continued. Mani called upon the people to repose their confidence in the UDF candidate to ensure this. Industry Minister P K Kunhalikutty said that the role played by the late MLA in taking up the problems of public sector undertakings like Traco Cables or Travancore Sugars was noteworthy.
Kakkakarumban, Walayar Check Post and Sethurammayar battle for Christmas
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Swargachitra Appachan is back with three Malayalam films. The films that he bought are Joshi's film starring Dilip and Kavya Madhavan, which has been named Walayar Check Post, K Madhu's Mammootty film Sethurammayar and Sidharthan's Kakkakarumban. All these films will be released during the coming Christmas season. Mohanlal's Hariharanpilla Happy Aaanu will be the first film to be released for Christmas. Viswanathan directs the film. Vipin Mohan's Pattanathil Sundaran for Liberty Thara starring Dilip and Navya Nair is another film, which will be released during the season. Shafi's Jayasurya, Kavya film will also be released for Christmas.
Satyan- Jayram- Sheela film
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
The shooting of Sathyan Anthikadu's film starring Jayaram and Sheela is in progress at Pattambi. The selection of the heroine has not been done yet.The film tells a story of the kindness and well being of innocent villagers. Chacko Mappila and son Reji work hard to make their end meet but still they do not hesitate to help any needy person in the village. Their neighbor Kochu Thresya a rich middle-aged woman stays alone with no relatives or kith and kin. Reji's family is very close to Kochu Thresya. Thresya seeing the financial sufferings of Reji decides to pave way to get them financially secured. This lands both the families in trouble. Sheela, after a 17-year sabbatical is making a comeback as Kochu Thresya in this untitled film. Her reentry film is Viral Thubil Aaro directed by Ismail Hassan. Innocent is Chacko and Jayaram is Reji. Nedumudi Venu, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, Siddique and KPAC Lalitha too act in this film. Subair produces this film under the banner of Varnnachitra. The story is by Ranjan Pramod of Meesha Madhavan fame. Lyrics by Girish Puthencherry and music by Ilayaraja are the credits. The film is expected to release in Christmas.
I.V. Sasi's daughter debuts in Malayalam
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Film director I V Sasi and actress Seema's daughter Anu is all set to debut in a film and that too in her father's film. She will be seen in I V Sasi's latest film Symphony opposite Siva, a newcomer. Anu wants to follow the footsteps of her mother. Altogether six songs have been recorded. Also include Jagathy, Sudheesh, Jagadhish etc. Famous Bollywood model Anjana Varma has also been signed as another heroine. Mahesh Mitra writes the script for the film, which is produced by Thankachan under the banner of Egna Films. The shooting of the film will start at the end of this month in Kottayam.
Old is Gold
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Sheela the yesteryear heroine had dominated the Malayalam screen during 70’s along with Prem Nazir. One of the greatest romantic pair in Indian cinema, they had done over 100 films and featured in Guinness Book of World Records! Sheela who had called it a day and took retirement more than a decade ago is back once again in front of the camera. She has signed two films and is staging a comeback in powerful character roles. She is currently shooting for Satyan Anthikkad’s untitled new film with Jayaram and Innocent near Pattambi. She plays Kochu Thresia, a 60 plus rich lonely lady who is jovial and talkative living in a huge farmhouse. She has everything in life except someone to love and care for her. Jayaram and Innocent are her neighbours and the heroine is a new face. Said Satyan: She has an amazing screen presence and her character dominates the film all along. This film has music by Ilayaraja, camera by Azhagappan and script by Ranjan Pramod. The cast also has Nedumudi Venu, Oduvil Unnikrshnan, Siddique and K.P.A.C.Lalitha. -Sify.com
Lal Jose and Dileep’s Albhuthavilakku
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Hitmaker Lal Jose and popular actor Dileep are to team again after their super hit Meesha Madhavan in Albhuthavilakku. It is to be scripted by Benny P Nayarambalam. To be produced by Rajagopal, the film would commence after Dileep completes his present assignments, namely the Rafi-Mecartin film and the Joshi film. Though more details regarding Albhuthavilakku are yet to be known, it is said that the film is likely to be released on July 4 next year, the date being considered Dileep’s lucky date.
7 killed in two seperate road accidents
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Seven killed in two seperate road accidents 27-October-2003 PALAKKAD: Five people, including two children were killed and ten injured, four of them critically, when the van in which the Christian pilgrims were travelling collided with a lorry at Kulavanmukku on the Palakkad-Thrissur section of NH 47, early today. Police said the victims, belonging to Kuttikkad at Chalakkudy in Thrissur, were returning home after offering prayers at the famous Velankanni shrine in Tamil Nadu when the accident occurred. The dead were identified as Rappai, 55, Sini, 25, Dally, 35, Ajay, 3 and Blessy, 13. The inured were hospitalised. In yet another accident, two persons were killed this morning at Karunagappally near Kollam. Those dead were identified as Dr Ramesh Kumar working in Shanthi Hospital and his daughter Sarada, a first year MBBS student of Alappuzha Medical College. Sources said the car in which they were travelling collided with a mini lorry. Sarada and her two friends were on their way back to the college with Dr Ramesh Kumar.
Glass powder found in two batches of Annapoorna iodised salt
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two batches of Annapoorna iodised salt was banned by the Health Department on Monday. Health Director Dr V.K. Rajan told that batch numbers 66 and 67 of Annapoorna iodised salt were banned following the report from the analytical lab that it contained glass powder. The salt was tested in the lab following a complaint filed by C. Mammooty MLA.
Vayalar Ramavarma award for noted playback singer P Leela
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
THRISSUR: Popular playback singer P.Leela has been selected for the first award instituted by the Vayalar Ramavarma Foundation Society. The award, consisting of Rs 10,001 and plaque, will be presented to the singer by actor Jagathi Srikumar at a here on November one, Society secretary P.V.Sunil announced at a press conference yesterday.
Kochi figure in cruise tourism project
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
MUMBAI: The Ministry of Shipping and the Department of Culture have joined hands to offer cruise tourism by setting up circuit ports along the East and West coast, bringing in the much-awaited "cruism" culture to the country. It is creating a cruise circuit of five ports -- Kochi ,Mumbai, Murmagoa, New Mangalore , on the West coast and the Tuticorin Port on the East coast, said Union Minister for Shipping Shatrughan Sinha. The Ministry has already constituted a committee headed by Mumbai Port Chairperson Rani Jadhav to look into the marketing and infrastructure facilities for promoting cruise tourism. Currently, cruise tourism in India is limited to the backwaters of Kerala despite the country having a coastline of 7,000 km. It is learnt that the Tourism Department will share the expenditure for building cruise infrastructure at the port premises. Tourism Joint Secretary Amitabh Kant, while addressing a cruise tourism seminar at Mumbai had announced the government scheme to fund projects for infrastructure creation to meet the viability gap. In November, the Port-Tourism team will also offer a variety of tourist packages to leisure travellers. India is the seventh most preferred tourist destination and the trend reveals that the number of Indians going in for leisure travel is shooting up. According to Rani Jadhav, 26,000 Indians opted for the international cruise major Star Cruise for liesure travel during the last year. The passenger base of India was around 30,000 in 2002 and it is expected to go up, she said. The global cruism industry is growing at 80 per cent annually, which is higher than world tourism. The worldwide revenue on this is calculated at 14 billion dollar. Cruise shipping, hit hard by September 11, 2001 attacks and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) saw a dramatical fall in booking, but is now poised for recovery with new destinations and routes. The fleet size and number of passengers are expected to double in ten years, she said. "Already eight cruise liners had called at Mumbai Port and more cruise liners are expected this fiscal,"said Jadhav. The Mumbai Port has a dedicated passenger berth and temporary facilities for immigration and other formalities, she added.
PCB member-secretary manhandled
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A group of Yuva Janata Dal activists barged into the office of State Pollution Control Board member-secretary K.V. Indulal here on Monday, manhandled him and forcibly poured Coca-Cola into his mouth accusing him of suppressing PCB reports against Cola companies. Police later arrested seven YJD workers in connection with the incident. The attack on SPCB member-secretary comes close on the heels of 'trial by people' of a doctor at Muvattupuzha on Saturday and gheraoing of the Health Director here on Monday. The workers, led by YJD district president Panjakuzhi Wilsakumar, entered the SPCB office by 12 noon and held talks with the Board chairman Paul Thachil. The chairman told them that he was not aware of any suppression of reports by any official, following which the agitators targeted Indulal. The workers barged into the office of Indulal and garlanded him with bottles of Coca-Cola and Pepsi and manhandled him. They also made him drink Coca-Cola and Pepsi and poured the soft drinks over his head. The other officials of the Board were prevented by YJD workers from entering Indulal’s room. The police arrested the agitators when the situation worsened. The arrested were later produced before the court and remanded. The YJD workers shouted slogans alleging that the Board officials had accepted bribe from the Cola companies to keep under wraps a study report by the Board that the Cola companies had been causing pollution. The activists also demanded action against the officials concerned. Interestingly, Health Minister P.Sankaran who is in charge of the Pollution Control Board has been spared by the YJD activists. A meeting of SPCB employees in the afternoon condemned the incident and urged the Government to take stern action against those behind the attack and to ensure safety at the office.
SBI plans to set up second offshore unit in Kerala
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
The State Bank of India (SBI) plans to open a second Offshore Banking Unit (OBU) in Kerala's commercial capital Kochi. SBI chairman AK Purwar told a news conference on Wednesday: "As a result of this operation, exporters and importers will be able to benefit hugely. This is meant for foreign exchange business operations. "Everything is ready and it will be opened any time." Currently the lone OBU of SBI is located in Mumbai. After Kochi, OBUs will open at Kandla and Surat as well. "The Kochi OBU will be located in the Cochin Export Processing Zone where we already have a branch," he said. He said SBI was doing "extremely well" in Kerala and the bank planned to start several new schemes to enhance the credit deposit ratio. SBI, along with its associate State Bank of Travancore, has a lion's share of the banking business in Kerala. SBI has 231 branches with a total deposit of Rs 65 billion.
Five killed in Kerala road mishap
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Five persons, including two children and a woman, were killed and 14 others injured when the van they were travelling in collided with a truck at Kuzhalmannam in the early hours on Monday , police said. The occupants of the van, all from Chalakkudi in Thrissur district, were returning from a pilgrimage to Velankanni in Tamil Nadu. The condition of the four injured was stated to be serious, they said. The injured were admitted to hospitals here and in Thrissur.
Karunakaran group defies high command
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
PATHANAMTHITTA: Defying the directive of the Congress high command, Karunakaran group supporters held the district convention here on Monday. They pledged to go ahead with the proposed group meetings across the State. Inaugurating the convention, Electricity Minister Kadavoor Sivadasan said that the group leaders were ready to face any inquiry or action by the high command. However, such proceedings should be impartial. He said that the Ernakulam by-election verdict had proved that the Congress workers were alienated from Chief Minister A.K. Antony. He said that UDF convener Oommen Chandy had failed to coordinate the constituents of UDF and his activities would cause a split in the Congress. Health Minister P. Sankaran said the present critics of Karunakaran were opponents of Indira Gandhi when she contested from Chikamangalur. Sankaran vowed to remain with Karunakaran and said that for the Congress workers of the State, Karunakaran was their high command. Sankaran said that those who campaigned against Karunakaran and his supporters could not even win a panchayat election. P.C. Chacko said that conventions of the Karunakaran group would be held as scheduled in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Thrissur. P.P. Thankachan said that Oommen Chandy had no moral right to continue as the UDF convener. MLAs E.M. Augusthy, P.P. George, Malethu Saraladevi and Adoor Prakash, KPCC general secretaries Rajmohan Unnithan, N. Venugopal and K.P. Kunhikannan, secretaries K. Pratapan and Ajeeba M. Sahib, Pandalam Sudhakaran and Malayalappuzha Gopalakrishnan, Sadasiva Panicker, DCC general secretaries Shamsudeen and Bijilee Panaveli spoke.
Harvest of history from a paddy field
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
The Kerala government is inviting international marine, archaeological and conservation experts to examine a sailing vessel, believed to be around 920 years old, excavated from a paddy field owned by a physician in Thaikal, a coastal village in Alappuzha. The ship was first noticed when its wooden planks protruded as the field was being tilled. The government's archaeology department started excavations in April 2002 and by June 2003, a large part of the vessel, which is around 22 meters long and 5 meters wide, was pulled out. Sensing its historical significance, the government has now asked international experts to conduct research studies on it. Centre for Heritage Studies Registrar P K Gopi said the government would soon send invitations to experts across the world for a study conference, scheduled tentatively for January next year. "We want international experts to come here and study the ship. We are sure it would throw up many mysteries of history, especially of India's maritime history," Gopi told rediff.com The Kochi-based CHR is a government-funded heritage research institute. Gopi said a large portion of the vessel, including its hull, is intact. "We have arrived at its age after conducting carbon dating tests on its wood," he said. The vessel has been made of sturdy local wood variety, anjili, he said. "But the technique used in making this vessel is not Indian. We believe the ship was made either in China, Japan, Egypt or some Arab country. In the 12th century, lots of people from these countries used to come to the Kerala coast for trading," Gopi said. For centuries Roman, Chinese, Arab, Portuguese, French, Dutch, British and Jewish merchants came to Kerala in search of the state's fabled spices. The ship's discovery has elicited considerable international attention. In May, Professor Ralph Pederson, a marine archaeologist from the Nautical Archaeology Division of the Texas A&M University visited the excavation site. Prof Pederson and some other experts have agreed that the vessel is over 900 years old. The professor has, however, suggested that the remnants of the ship be put to 'thermo luminescent testing' for a more accurate estimate. A team of researchers from the Southampton University visited the excavation site early this year. The researchers working under Dr Lucy Blue, a specialist in maritime archaeology at the university's Centre for Marine Archaeology, spent several days at the site.
Showcause notices will not solve crisis: Muraleedharan
Monday, October 27, 2003
KOZHIKODE: KPCC president K Muraleedharan MP has said the party High Command's showcause notices would not help solve the present crisis faced by the State unit of the Congress. Accusing the High Command for being `selective' in issuing showcause notices, he said this was not the right prescription for the 'disease'. "What we need is a total solution," he said while addressing the mediapersons at his residence here on Sunday. The KPCC president said at present there was deep rift in the party, which has adversely affected the functioning of the Government. Muraleedharan said there was nothing wrong in the statements made by ministers P Sankaran and Kadavoor Sivadasan. "They had only demanded that the KPCC president should be taken into confidence and that senior leader K Karunakaran should be consulted before taking decisions concerning the party." "On the contrary, many other Congress leaders are crossing all limits while making allegations against Karunakaran," he added. On the secret parleys he had with IUML leaders on Saturday, Muraleedharan said discussions were based on the resolution adopted at the recently held IUML Working Committee meeting. "The leaders said an IUML delegation will convey the party decisions on the factional feud in the Congress to the High Command," he said. When asked about the reported statement made by Forest Minister K Sudhakaran on not revealing the details of funds mobilised by the KPCC for constructing new party building, Muraleedharan said he was ready to disclose the details about the utilisation of the funds. "If any body raises allegations that I misappropriated funds, I will file a defamation suit against him," he added.
State's lack of youth joints may hamper IT growth
Monday, October 27, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Even as Kerala woos technology firms, company officials and footloose and fancy free employees say one of the biggest problems of the state is the lack of discothèques, pubs and leisure facilities. The Kerala government is busy trying to get IT firms to set up shop in the state, particularly in the Technopark here. But the lack of hangout joints where busy employees, mostly youngsters, can let their hair down after a hard day's work, is seeing cities like Bangalore, Chennai and Hyderabad gain an edge. "It is difficult to get high profile IT professionals from elsewhere in the country to come to Kerala because what we lack is a cosmopolitan outlook and facilities. "The social infrastructure is lacking. Nor do we have the facilities at Technopark, even though there is a club that has come up recently," said V.K. Mathews, chairman of IBS, one of the biggest IT companies in Technopark. Thiruvananthapuram still does not have a discotheque, nor are there beer pubs or a club with these facilities near the Technopark campus. The nearest clubs the city provides are at least 17 km away and access is restricted to members. "Also, despite the government saying it is promoting IT in Kerala, politicians and the bureaucracy are found wanting." "Why talk only about here, I was really surprised and so were my Australian clients who were told at a hotel in Kovalam that beer couldn't be supplied.
AICC move unlikely to solve problems: 'I' faction
Monday, October 27, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sending a clear signal that the AICC move to seek explanation from four party leaders was not going to defuse the crisis in Congress in Kerala, KPCC President K Muraleedharan has said disciplinary action would 'only complicate problems further.' Unfazed by the move, two Karunakaran loyalists in the Antony cabinet strongly defended their arguing in favour of the senior leader. While the Antony camp chose to remain silent on the AICC decision, Karunakaran loyalist and Power Minister Kadavoor Sivadasan said he had only aired some "truths" about the state party affairs and wasn't worried about the consequences. Health Minister P Sankaran, another Karunakaran nominee in the A K Antony cabinet, said he had not criticised the chief minister but had only praised the services of Karunakaran. When contacted, the chief minister's office said Antony did not want to comment on the development. Reports had it that along with two "I" faction ministers, forest minister K Sudhakaran and P T Thomas, MLA, from anti-Karunakaran factions, were likely to be asked to explain their public comments on party affairs in the wake of the current bout of infighting in the party.
Sharp reactions to AICC disciplinary notice
Monday, October 27, 2003
The decision of the Congress leadership to serve 'show-cause notice to three state ministers and an MLA, for violating party discipline, has evoked mixed but sharp reactions from different leaders. No regret, says P Sankaran Meanwhile, State Health Minister P Sankaran, against whom the AICC has issued notice, said that he has no regrets over his comments. " I don't know why this notice was issued, If supporting Karunakaran and praising him is a mistake, I'll continue to commit the same mistake again," he said in Thrissur on Sunday. Karthikeyan says this won't serve he purpose In a related development, State Culture Minister G Karthikeyan said that while only a concerted effort could solve the issues within the party and not any disciplinary action. " Of course, disciplinary action is required against those who committed indiscipline. But here only a concerted effort would solve the issue," he said in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday. It is the responsibility of all, says K V Thomas State Tourism Minister K V Thomas, reacting to the AICC action, said that if there are problems in the party and the UDF, it should be solved within and not outside the set up. Speaking to reporters in Kochi, he said that those who allege that the government functioning has been affected due to the political crisis are also equally responsible for this stalemate.
Kerala fest logo released
Monday, October 27, 2003
CHENNAI: The UK Deputy High Commissioner to India, Stuart Innes, released the logo of third Global Kerala Festival 2003 to be held in London from November 7-10. The function was recently held at the residence of the Deputy High Commissioner here and attended by non-resident Keralites from Chennai and elsewhere. The festival, with the UK's House of Commons as one of its venues, will have close to 100 delegates from Chennai. According to the organisers, the festival would be a combination of seminars on areas of development in Kerala as well as an attempt to showcase the state's cultural traditions.
4 Christmas films
Monday, October 27, 2003
Four Malayalam films will be released during the coming Christmas season. Mohanlal's Hariharanpilla Happy Aaanu will be the first film to be released. Viswanathan directs the film. Just one more song sequence is left to be picturised. Siddharth's Kakkakarumban is the second Malayalam film. Swargachithra will release both these films. Vipin Mohan's Pattanathil Sundaran for Liberty Thara starring Dilip and Navya Nair is another film, which will be released during the season. Shafi's Jayasurya, Kavya film will also be released
Sethuramayyar in Thiruvananthapuram
Monday, October 27, 2003
Sethuramayyar in T'puram: The shooting of the third part of CBI Diary Kurup titled Sethuramayyar started on October 15 in Thiruvananthapuram. The film starring Mammootty and Mukesh is expected to finish in fifty days. The film is directed by K Madhu and will have script by S N Swamy.
Thangal's green signal to change Antony
Monday, October 27, 2003
Thangal's green signal to change Antony MALAPPURAM: Indian Union Muslim League state president Panakkad Shihab Ali Thangal gave green signal to the demand of many corners to change Antony from chief ministership. Muslim League is the second biggest party in the ruling United Democratic Front. The leaders took such a decision considering the emotion of the state working committee meeting on Friday. Till now the Muslim League was not taking part in the factional rift in the Congress party. But now they have forced to take such a step and decided to work to form a new government. As the first step in connection with forming new government, Muslim League leaders contacted Kerala Congress Mani group and held talks. One of the senior leaders told this correspondent that Mani has deserted Antony. IUML general secretary E AHammed and Industries Minister PK Kunhalikkutty would hold discussions with all allies in the UDF. IUML would not project any other congress leader for the chief ministership instead the party should find one other than Antony.
Four Minister's to get showcause notice
Monday, October 27, 2003
NEW DELHI: Congress High Command decided to issue show cause notice to four congress ministers for airing allegations against government and congress leaders after the Ernakulam by-election. Ministers Kadavoor Sivadasan, P Sankaran, Prof KV Thomas and K Sudhakaran would get the notice. Ministers Kadavoor and Sankaran are getting notice for criticizing Chief Minister AK Antony and Ministers Thomas and Sudhakaran have to answer for criticizing senior leader K Karunakaran and KPCC president K Muraleedharan. Though a decision in principle have been taken for issuing show cause notice, AICC general secretary Ahammed Patel denied to announce it yesterday. He added High Command cannot remain inert. This decision to issue show cause notice to both Karunkaran loyalists and others shows that congress party is not in favour of another split. The present decisions of High Command shows that they do not have full faith in AK Antony. Earlier Antony has the support of Muslim League and the by-election results prove it as wrong. IUML general secretary E Ahamed while met Sonia Gandhi said they prefer a leadership change in Kerala.
Kerala to develop 'tourism zones'
Sunday, October 26, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala will soon have Special Tourism Zones (STZs) and Kovalam, Kumarakom, Kochi and Munnar are likely to be among the proposed areas. "The government will shortly promulgate the Kerala Tourism Conservation, Preservation and Trade Ordinance notifying the STZs and constituting a Tourism Conservation and Preservation Panel (TCPP),"said a senior official of the Department of Tourism. He said only areas with high tourism potential would be declared as STZs. In many of the destinations like Kovalam and Kumarakom, it was high time that the authorities intervened and regulated developmental activities. The Town Planning Department in association with the Centre for Earth Science Studies has conducted a study on the carrying capacity of Kovalam, Kochi, Kumarakom and Munnar and submitted its report to the state tourism department, he added. Under the proposed plan, each destination is to be divided into three zones--prohibitive, restrictive and facilitative. All developmental activities at these destinations will be monitored and controlled. Unauthorised ventures will be curbed and any violation of rules checked. With this end in view, the TCPP will be constituted with adequate powers to suggest developmental activities in the special zones and renovation or modification of existing assets and utilisation of resources in the area. Besides, the panel will also have the power to clear new projects in the area. The State Tourism Secretary will be the Chairman of the proposed TCPP while the Tourism Director will be the convener. Chairpersons of local bodies, a member each from the local panchayat or municipal council will also be
Murali confers with Muneer, Ahmed
Sunday, October 26, 2003
Murali confers with Muneer, Ahmed KOZHIKODE: KPCC President K Muraleedharan held an hour long meeting with Kerala Minister for PWD MK Muneer and Muslim League all-India General Secretary E Ahmed at Kozhikode. It is understood that the discussion centred around change of leadership in Kerala. Both the Muslim League leaders assured Murali that they will get back to him after confabulating with party supremo Shihab Ali Thangal who is at Panakkadu. Though Muneer and Ahmed asked Murali not to do anything to topple the UDF arrangement, the later is understood to have told the duo that it is not possible to carry on with the present leadership. The League leaders told Murali that they too favour a leadership change in Kerala. It is noteworthy that Murali chose to talk it over with Ahmed and Muneer instead of the League legislature party leader PK Kunhalikkutty who is the second-in-command to Shihab Thangal.
Murali at it again: this time against KM Mani
Sunday, October 26, 2003
Murali at it again: this time against KM Mani KOZHIKODE:As if to give a parting kick to his detractors in UDF, KPCC president K Muraleedharan came down strongly against the manner in which KM Mani declared the name of the Kerala Congress (Mani) candidate for the bypoll from Thiruvalla Assembly constituency. "The basic courtesy of discussing the name of the candidate with the allies was thrown to the winds by the Kerala Congress (Mani) leadership which announced the name unilaterally. It seems they have not learnt any lesson from the Ernakulam Lok Sabha bypoll," said Muraleedharan who is actively engaged in parleys with the Muslim League leaders san Kunhalikkutty for toppling the Antony-led ministry. Muraleedharan reminded the KC(M) leaders that in a state like Kerala it is a merer one per cent voters which tilt the balance and under such circumstances, it is one's responsibility to take all concerned into confidence.
LDF to go all out to topple Antony
Sunday, October 26, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Leader of the Opposition VS Achuthanandan made it clear beyond all doubt that the CPM led LDF will collaborate with 'anybody' interested in toppling the Antony ministry. "There are no restrictions on with whom we can have discussions about the toppling move. All those who are opposed to the Antony asministration are welcome to join us,"said the Opposition leader while speaking to mediapersons at Thiruvananthapuram. VS justified the actions of Kadavoor Sivadasn and P Sankaran, ministers in the Antony cabinet who is on an Antony bashing mission across the state. "When ministers belonging to the Antony faction criticise and blame Karunakaran at each and every opportunity, how can they remain silent? Otherwise the High Command should come forward to sort out the problems in the state unit of the Congress,"said Achuthanandan.
LDF to field Varghese George
Sunday, October 26, 2003
KOTTAYAM: The Opposition LDF will field Varghese george of Janata Dal (Secular) for the December 1 Assembly bypoll from Thiruvalla. The byelection was necessitated due to the sudden demise of the sitting MLA Mammen Mathai of the Kerala Congress (Mani). The Janata Dal (Secular) parliamentary board which met at Kottayam on Friday decided to field Varghese George as the party candidate for the bypoll. Varghese George had contested from Thiruvalla twice in the past and was defeated on both the occassions.
Thiruvalla: Mani to field Elizabeth Mammen Mathai
Sunday, October 26, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Elizabeth Mammen Mathai, widow of the deceased MLA Mammen Mathai will be the UDF candidate for the Thiruvalla Assembly bypoll scheduled for December 1. This was announced by the Kerala Congress (Mani) supremo and Revenue Minister KM mani at a press meet here. The bypoll was necessitated by the death of Mammen Mathai who has been representing the Thiruvalla constituency for the last three terms.
Kochi to acquire retired warship
Sunday, October 26, 2003
An Indian ship that wrought havoc on the Pakistan Navy during the 1971 war will soon be a tourist attraction in God's Own Country. The Kerala government and navy plan to station INS Chatak, decommissioned this year, off Marine Drive in Kochi. INS Chatak was part of the Osa-II Class missile boats, which were called 'killers'. "We have inspected the ship and we are very impressed by it. We believe it will be a great tourist attraction if we station it here, either in the backwaters or on land. The deal will be finalised soon," Greater Cochin Development Authority chairman Antony Isaac told rediff.com "Many domestic tourists who visit Kochi will be eager to see the ship because it was involved in several heroic battles, especially with Pakistan," he added. The navy has offered the battleship for free. But since it will require money to take it to its new berthing site and maintain it, the GCDA plans to invite private participation in the venture. Initially, the Southern Naval Command wanted to put up INS Chatak on display at its base itself. But since that meant dealing with tourists on its premises, the command decided to gift it. "We are happy the GCDA has come forward to acquire it," a navy spokesperson said. Several decommissioned navy ships have already proved to be good tourist attractions. Mumbai hosts aircraft carrier INS Vikrant and missile boat INS Prabal (at Esselworld). INS Kursura, another retired battleship, is a major attraction at Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.
Cusat once again in the eye of a storm
Saturday, October 25, 2003
KOCHI: The Cochin University of Science and Technology (Cusat) is once again in the eye of a storm with Wednesday’s KSU-SFI clashes leaving several students seriously injured, property worth lakhs of rupees destroyed and suspension slapped on 22 students. No activities were held on the campus on Thursday. According to Cusat authorities, Post-Graduate level classes are to be resumed on Monday, but nothing has been decided on the B Tech classes. While Cusat has etched an enviable position for itself in the academic scenario nationally, several campus-related incidents in the last two years have left a black mark on the achievements of this centre of excellence. From the sex scandal which rocked the campus in 2001, the death of a fifth semester Fire and Safety Engineering student Vishnu Gopal in Goa, occasional KSU-SFI clashes on the campus, a slew of allegations of dubious appointments at various levels of office and probes into irregularities, down the line Cusat has seen it all. Cusat officials squarely blame rivalry at the under-graduate level between student organisations for Wednesday’s fracas. ‘‘Recent clashes on the campus have been confined to under-graduate levels,’’ vice-chancellor N Unnikrishnan Nair said. According to him, overcrowded under-graduate courses have proved to be a problem in maintaining peace on the campus. At present, 2000 students are undergoing classes in seven under-graduate level courses all self-financing. The matter will also be a point of discussion at the Cusat syndicate meeting on November 1, he said. Measures to prevent similar incidents can be taken only after the judicial inquiry, he added. The involvement of several outsiders has also been a cause of major concern for the Cusat authorities. But considering the geographical proportions of the sprawling campus it would be difficult to prevent unwanted elements entering on the campus, they point out.
Ganesh lashes out at Sivadasan and Shankaran
Saturday, October 25, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Leader of the Kerala Congress (B) and former Minister of Transport KB Ganesh Kumar has called for a stock taking of the UDF rule in Kerala. Speakingto mediapersons at Thiruvananthapuram, Ganesh Kumar said that the administration in the state has come to a standstill and it needs a thorough overhauling. "There is no governance in Kerala. The entire leadership is engaged in petti squabbles over the fake fax issue and no-confidence motion against the Speaker. In addition to this some members of the cabinet are crying from the rooftop for the blood of the Chief Minister," thundered Ganesh who represents the changing face of the Kerala politics. "I am also sorry that people like MP Gangadharan has become self-appointed advisors to the chief minister AK Antony and it is quite saddening. People remember MP Gangadharan only when they see the big pipes lying all over the state,"said Ganesh. Ganesh also wanted the leadership to convene the UDF meeting at the earliest so that all outstanding issues could be sorted out through discussions and negotiations. "It is not proper for ministers to go to the town and cry for the blood of the chief minister. If they have any difference of opinion with the Chief Minister either they can talk it out or resign from the cabinet,"explained the former Transport Minister who got himself endeared to the people of Kerala with his distinct style of functioning and a no-nonsense approach.
Kerala to develop 'tourism zones'
Saturday, October 25, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala will soon have Special Tourism Zones (STZs) and Kovalam, Kumarakom, Kochi and Munnar are likely to be among the proposed areas. "The government will shortly promulgate the Kerala Tourism Conservation, Preservation and Trade Ordinance notifying the STZs and constituting a Tourism Conservation and Preservation Panel (TCPP),"said a senior official of the Department of Tourism. He said only areas with high tourism potential would be declared as STZs. In many of the destinations like Kovalam and Kumarakom, it was high time that the authorities intervened and regulated developmental activities. The Town Planning Department in association with the Centre for Earth Science Studies has conducted a study on the carrying capacity of Kovalam, Kochi, Kumarakom and Munnar and submitted its report to the state tourism department, he added. Under the proposed plan, each destination is to be divided into three zones--prohibitive, restrictive and facilitative. All developmental activities at these destinations will be monitored and controlled. Unauthorised ventures will be curbed and any violation of rules checked. With this end in view, the TCPP will be constituted with adequate powers to suggest developmental activities in the special zones and renovation or modification of existing assets and utilisation of resources in the area. Besides, the panel will also have the power to clear new projects in the area. The State Tourism Secretary will be the Chairman of the proposed TCPP while the Tourism Director will be the convener. Chairpersons of local bodies, a member each from the local panchayat or municipal council will also be on the panel, besides a town-planning official.
Antony calls on Governor
Saturday, October 25, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Chief Minister AK Antony called on Governor Sikander Bhakt on Thursday evening. The meeting lasted for 30 minutes and have set the grapevine in motion. It was at 1750 hrs the Chief Ministers motorcade went inside the Raj Bhavan premises. Antony did not speak to the waiting mediapersons outside the Raj Bhavan gate. The meeting assumes significance in the background of K Karunakaran calling on the Governor a couple of days back. Political circles attach importance to the CM's meeting with the Governor because of the anti-Antony campaign being carried out by two of his ministerial colleagues P Shankaran and Kadavoor Sivadasan.
Sivadasan, Sankaran on Antony bashing spree
Saturday, October 25, 2003
PALAKKAD/ ERNAKULAM: Kadavoor Sivadasan and P Sankaran, two of the Karunakaran faction ministers in the Antony cabinet are on a mission to demolish the Chief Minister. Both the ministers are attending the Karunakaran faction conventions being organised across the state and speaking against the style of functioning of the Chief Minister. The speeches have been scripted in such a way that the theme is same; Antony has to go.
Leader
Saturday, October 25, 2003
Director : Deepan Cast :Vijaykumar, Aishwarya,Jayaram, Producer : Sidhartha Cine Creations Rating : What happens when the real life of politicians is made into a reel masala with a title Leader? It is nothing but a political caper which could have been aptly titled Congress Politics in Kerala starring K.Karunakaran, A.K.Antony, K.Muralidharan, Umman Chandy, Padmaja Venugopal, Sobhana George and other members of Congress (A) and (I) group! Debutant director Deepan, a former assistant of Shaji Kailas has made this political potboiler with look-alikes of top congress leaders in the state. The censors had butchered the film, as the story is based on newspaper reports about the power struggle between the Congress groups and the naked ambitions of Karunakaran to anoint his son and daughter as his political heirs. The film starts with Thulasidharan (Vijaykumar) promising to bring back his father’s (Leader) regime back. The leader (Jayaram) and his group are dead against the chief minister Thambichan (Rajiv). However Thampichan and his right hand man Eapen Varghese (Sai Kumar) are able to win over Thulasidharan. The rest of the story is all about what has been happening in Kerala politics for the past one year. Why did the censors refuse to give a certificate to this film, which faithfully records the happenings in Kerala politics? Malayalam channels in Kerala have been more aggressive in showing programmes like Cinemala etc where spitting images of Karunakaran and A.K.Antony have been depicted in poor light. So it makes no sense in censoring this regressive piece of political ‘kitchidi’, which is just caricaturing Kerala politics. Any day watching Cinemala on television is better than sitting through this offensively trite and silly caricature of congress culture and caucus politics in Kerala.
Pinarayi, PKV, Murali hold closed door talks
Saturday, October 25, 2003
KOCHI: CPI(M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan, CPI leader PK Vasudevan Nair and KPCC president K Muraleedharan held closed door talks for nearly an hour here yesterday. The meeting was held at Eloor Fact Guest House and the three leaders were only present and they refuted to comment the details of the discussion The leaders united here to attend the anti-communal seminar organized in connection with CITU district conference. Murali who came earlier went directly to Fact guest house where Pinarayi Vijayan was waiting. After that PKV also reached there. The leaders even posed to the press photographers after their discussions. While asked whether they discussed about the present political situations, Murali said if we three are together what else would be discussion point?
US company to invest $4 million
Saturday, October 25, 2003
DUBAI : Infovista Technology Solutions (ITS), a top-end US IT firm, will invest $4 million in the Infopark Technology park at Kakkanadu near Kochi over a period of five years. ITS, a 100 per cent owned subsidiary of the California-based Infovista Technology, a leading Software Development and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) solutions provider, concluded the agreement on the sidelines of the Gitex 2004 here, K G Girish Babu, Inforpark CEO said. The company intends to make an initial investment of $200,000 for the next quarter (of this year) towards their centre to be located at Infopark, the largest information technology park in India , Samir Rahman, president, Infovista Technology said. Infovista's planned global delivery centre at Kochi will have the capability to serve businesses and offices in the United States and also in the Middle East and Australia .
Discipline needed for development of State: Gouri Amma
Saturday, October 25, 2003
KOLLAM: Minister for Agriculture KR Gouri Amma stated that lack of discipline and truthfulness among the people and the political parties the State is not heading for a development. To become a prosperous state discipline and truthfulness is must she added while inaugurating the Sree Narayana College of Technology here yesterday. She remembered her stay at Gulf countries and added that the Malayalees there are working from morning seven to night nine. And gulf countries, the so called sand hills, have achieved tremendous growth. Here in our state the officials are working according to the timings of train. The state secretariat is also not an exception. In 1957 Kerala placed four developed state in India, and now our position is 14, she said. The undisciplined culture at every filed have lead us to such a bad position, Gouri Amma added.
Kerala firm buys Avient from Honeywell
Saturday, October 25, 2003
The Thiruvanathapuram-based IBS Software Servizces, an IBS Group information technology company, and a provider of software solutions to the global travel, transportation and logistics (TTL) sector, announced at a press conference on Thursday that it has acquired Avient Technologies (Avient), a business unit within Honeywell International, through its UK-based subsidiary Avient Solutions Ltd. This transaction, which involves a transfer of customers, products and employees, was completed on September 26. Headquartered in London, Avient Technologies was conceived by Honeywell as its Global Centre of Excellence for flight operations when launching a new strategic initiative to address airline delays and cancellations. Avient specialises in providing airline and airport operations systems and solutions, and includes world leading airlines and airports such as Air Canada, Emirates Airlines, and BAA (Heathrow and Gatwick ) amongst its customers. IBS Group chairman V K Mathews said, Avient will become our global centre of excellence. This acquisition creates a stronger European presence for the IBS group, promoting the group’s entire portfolio of software and services. IBS already has an operation based in Zurich, Switzerland, and this will allow the group to rationalise its European operations. Peter Cefai, managing director of Avient Solutions said, I am delighted that IBS has decided to select Avient for its centre of excellence for airline operations systems and solutions, Avient products are state-of-the-art and its customers are opinion leaders. The combination of our industry specialisation and access to the complete portfolio of IBS services which includes a CMM level 5 offshore software production capability, will enable Avient to become a world class supplier, providing its customers cost effective and high quality solutions, Cefai added.
Split in UDF will help CPM return to power: Antony
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister A.K.Antony on Tuesday warned that any split in the ruling UDF would lead to the return of CPM to power and this would not be good for the development of the State. Antony told newsmen on his return from New Delhi at the airport here that the CPM's violent politics would not go hand-in-hand with a development agenda. ``The UDF may have differences within it. But the coalition partners can solve them through talks,'' he replied to questions about the reported unhappiness on the part of the IUML over the performance of the UDF Government. According to Antony, the UDF was formed about 35 years ago as a platform of anti-CPM forces after it was found that single party rule was not possible in the State. ``The UDF is still relevant in the State as a political entity against the CPM,'' he said. The Chief Minister also said he believed that as a human being there was scope for him to improve himself and that was the basis for his statement in New Delhi on Monday regarding his willingness to change. Antony said, for example, that an earlier statement of him regarding the Malayalees working abroad (that the money the members of minority communities working abroad send home is the reason for social tension) had caused considerable unhappiness among both the resident and non-resident Malayalees. ``Even some of my friends told me that they had not expected that from me. I said so at a particular situation but I had no intention to hurt anyone. But later I found the statement was unnecessary and I have regret about it,'' he said. According to Antony, no one could forget the contributions of Malayalees working abroad. It was also an acknowledged fact that their support was crucial for the industrial development of the State. ``If mistakes like this are pointed out, I am ready to correct them,'' the Chief Minister clarified. Antony who refused to confirm reports that he had asked for disciplinary action against the `I' faction in the Congress during his talks with party president Sonia Gandhi and AICC general secretary Ahmed Patel, said that he had given them his opinion about the defeat of the party candidate in the Ernakulam Lok Sabha bypoll.
Marad development draft ready
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
KOZHIKODE: Job creation, infrastructure expansion, medical aid and water and power supply are the thrust areas in the massive Marad development package of which a draft was prepared on Tuesday. The draft, evolved at a meeting of senior officers of various government departments convened by Principal Secretary (general administration) K K Vijayakumar, will be finalised after getting approval from the Cabinet. Vijayakumar told mediapersons here on Tuesday that the entire proposals in the package will be implemented by the end of December. ``Financial control will not affect the implementation of these projects,'' he said. The package, once implemented, will change the face of the trouble-torn coastal village. Water supply and electrification has been identified as the most important areas. An amount of Rs 28 lakh has already been sanctioned for the purpose. The Naduvattom scheme will be augmented to meet the shortage of drinking water. More water tanks will be installed and deepening of wells will be undertaken as part of the project. Maximum number of water taps will be installed to avoid arguments over collecting potable water. Works on giving electricity connection to houses has already begun. The entire stretch of the beach and the by-lanes will be lit up. All the four approach roads to Marad will be kept well-maintained to make access to the beach easier. Efforts are on to identify the location for a police station in Marad. Vijayakumar said sanction has been given to provide land to Coast Guard station in Beypore. ``Two-and-a-half acres of land which is now with the Fisheries Department will be handed over to Coast Guard any time they ask. No further orders are needed in this regard,'' he said. Fisheries Department will assess the damage caused to fishing tools and compensation will be sanctioned through Matsyafed. As many as 30 Kudumbasree units will be started which will create job opportunities to around 300 women. Preliminary works on this have already begun. To address the health problems in the area, five medical camps will be organised with the help of voluntary organisations. The DMO will lead the camps, the first of which will be held on October 26. An amount of Rs 76 lakh will be sanctioned for construction of the sea-wall to prevent erosion. The work will begin in November. All the top officials of the government departments including PWD, KSEB, Health, Fisheries, DRDA, Water Authority attended the meeting. Vijayakumar held first round of meeting of these officials at Marad. After this, the officials went around the area to appraise the situation and a wrap-up meeting was held at the Government Guest House where the draft was finalised.
Death of kids in MC: Govt pleader asked to file report
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on day directed the Government pleader to file a report regarding the alleged negligence of the doctors and staff of Alappuzha Medical College, on account of which a woman happened give birth to twins in the hospital bathroom, resulting in the fall of one child into the closet and subsequent death of both the children. According to Thekkevila Raju of Kuthirappanthi, Alappuzha, the husband of Suma, the ill-fated woman, the incident occurred on September 25, 1999, on account of the negligence of the hospital authorities. Suma, who was on the verge of delivery, had been sent to the bathroom without any aide, the petitioner said. Raju has prayed, in his petition to the court, for an inquiry into the incident and a direction to the Government to pay compensation to him for the death of the children.
Antony surrounded by ‘kandan poochas’: Vellappally
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
KOLLAM: SNDP Yogam general secretary Velappalli Natesan has said that both Antony and Karunakaran should try to patch up their differences. Inaugurating the State-level programme of the Mahila Suraksha Kshema Padhathi launched by the Yogam in association with the New India Assurance company at Karunagappally on Tuesday, Vellappally said that some vested interests were trying to intensify the rivalry between the two leaders. He said that though Antony was a man of integrity personally, he was surrounded by ‘kandan poochas’ (greedy cats). Welcoming the statement of Antony on changing his style of functioning, the Yogam general secretary said that Antony should identify such people and avoid them. ‘‘It is a matter of shame that Antony understood the necessity of changing his style of functioning only after meeting Sonia Gandhi,’’ he said. On the Yogam affairs, Vellappalli said that there was no crisis in the organisation as propagated by certain quarters. He urged the community members to isolate those who were making false allegations against the Yogam leadership. Karunagappally SNDP Union acting president K.Suseelan presided over the function and secretary A.Somarajan welcomed the gathering.
Devotional songs flooding audio cassette market
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
KOCHI: The audio cassette industry in Kerala has received a financial boost on account of the glut of devotional song cassettes. Any number of such audio cassettes and audio CDs, with songs praising deities or idols of any faith, is available now. But what really suffers at the cost of the proliferation of such stuff is the real charm and grandeur of the good old devotional songs which are being ``renovated'' and re-orchestrated in tune with the modern trends. On top among the popular Hindu devotional songs are those praising Lord Ayyappa. There are titles like Pampa, Swamy Sopanam, Swamy, and Vrischikapulari among the currently popular ones. Well-known names like M G Sreekumar, Madhu Balakrishnan, Jaya (of Jaya-Vijaya) and Chovvallur Krishnankutty are associated with these cassettes. Among the rechristened ones in this category are Thedivarum Kannukalil, which includes old classics like Hairvarasanam and Vishnumayayil, and Thiruvabharanam, which has in it the evergreen song Sreekovil nadathurannu, penned by poet P Kunhiraman Nair. Other Hindu devotional songs in praise of deities like Lord Krishna and Lord Shiva, some of them renovated versions of old ones, are also popular. The recent additions to this category are a few cassettes containing songs which praise Mata Amritanandamayi. Manorama Musics brought out a special collection of songs titled Amma, in connection with the Amritavarsham 2003 celebrations. Most of the Islamic songs come in the form of Mappila songs. Leading names like M G Sreekumar, Chithra, K G Markos, O M Karuvarakundu, Sayan Anwar and Baby Nasrin are there among the credit lines. Collections titled Islam, Pattu, Mylanchi, Madid, Mehbooba, Surur, and Mehbin have many takers. Most of these songs are tailor-made, in tune with the current trends in the popular and western music and also the innovations which have come about in the electronically regulated orchestra. Even some popular mimicry artistes have come out with their own brands of devotional songs. Though the numbers in such cassettes become instantly popular, they often end up only as seasonal favourites.
Mass murder accused in judicial custody
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
KOCHI: Asokan and Lekha, who were arrested in connection with the unnatural death of the six members of a family in Chottanikkara, were on Tuesday produced before the Magistrate and were remanded in judicial custody till November 2. Asokan, 30, of Charuvila Puthenveettil, Nemom, Thiruvananthapuram, and Lekha, 23, daughter of Syamala, one of the six dead, have been accused of plotting the murder, abetting suicide, murdering and destroying evidence. The dead are Syamala, 60, her children Sudha, 28, Latha, 25, Lathika, 16, Suresh, 20, and grandchild Sujith, 6. The body of Syamala was found lying in bed and the body of Sudha was found hanging in the rented house. The bodies of Latha, Lathika, Suresh and Sujith were recovered from the nearby well, where the accused were found alive.
Innovative cleaning operation by NGOs at Kovalam
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a unique initiative to clean up the popular Kovalam beach near here, activists, students and local people collected over 2000 soft drink bottles and sent them back to Coca Cola and Pepsi demanding that the multinationals "stop trashing the planet". The clean-up drive was led by activists of international environment protection group Greenpeace and a local NGO 'Thanal'. College students, Coast Guards and representatives of the local community also took part in the action. Greenpeace media officer Priya Nayar told here on Tuesday that the plastic bottles would be deposited at the Coca Cola and Pepsi bottling plants at Plachimada in Kerala on Thursday. The clean-up drive was initiated by Greenpeace and Thanal as part of their three-year-long campaign to take Kovalam towards zero waste. "The extended producer responsibility drives home the message that what cannot be reused, recylced or composted, should not be produced in the first place. It is not the community, local government or the environment that should pay the heavy price for the gains of corporates," he added. Executive Director of Greenpeace India G Ananthpadmanabhan said "zero waste begins when we realise that there is no 'away' into which we can throw what we call our waste. This centre is a visible demonstration of the economic and aesthetic potential of what we discard."
JPC decides to visit Coke's Kerala plant
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
Coca-Cola's recent commercials to allay consumer apprehensions on the presence of pesticides in soft drinks may have come too soon. Not only will the Joint Parliamentary Commission (JPC) on soft drinks and water-based beverages ``look into'' the Cola-company's recent advertisements, the JPC on Tuesday decided that its members would visit the Coca-Cola's Palchimada plant in Kerala to get a first-hand report on the sludge contamination controversy that had surfaced around the same time. Sharad Pawar, Chairman of the JPC, told newspersons today that the JPC would visit the company's plant following requests from farmers in the region. The Coke plant had been mired in controversy, following reports on the alleged presence of cadmium in its sludge, which was being given to farmers in the region as fertiliser. An MP from Kerala, Ramesh Chennithala, told Business Line that, "The Kerala Chief Minister felt that banning the company would be an extreme step. Action will be taken after the JPC visits the site, possibly in December," he said. On the company's recent advertisements indicating that their products were safe, Pawar said: "We have received complaints from members and we have to see whether we have the authority to take action against it." Coca-Cola had put out advertisements featuring its staff endorsing its quality. But more recently, hi-decibel Fanta commercials featuring actress Rani Mukherjee sought to play down the controversy. The JPC members had complained on the commercials depicting certain soft drinks as safe for consumption, even as the JPC was looking into the matter. Meanwhile, the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and the Associated Chambers of Commerce and Industry (Assocham) today deposed before the JPC. They pointed out that implementing the European Union norms would go "against the interest of the country", Pawar said. The chambers' underlined the need for norms that are "implementable" in India. India was a signatory to the WHO and Codex Alimentarius and their guidelines were being implemented in 150 countries, they said. On Monday, the JPC had heard the Mysore-based Central Food Technological Research Institute (CFTRI) and the Kolkata-based Central Food Laboratory (CFL), appointed by the Centre earlier to test the beverage samples. Pawar pointed out that these laboratories had carried out routine tests on the soft drink brands, before the Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) alleged the presence of pesticides in them. "Interestingly, though the same methodology was used, the CFTRI had found no pesticides when it tested the brands before the CSE report. However, it found pesticides in all brands when it tested the soft drinks after the CSE. Also, the CFL had said that their tests were done on an emergency basis," Pawar said. The JPC will meet next on October 29 and 30 and will talk to a clutch of authorities in ground water, environment and food processing, besides the Indian Bottled Water Association. `Worm' chocolates FOOD-SAFETY being the mandate of the JPC, the issue of Cadbury's worm-infested chocolates was raised at the commission by the members. Pawar said that there was a possibility that the commission could look into it, given that it also puts the consumer at risk. "We will take a collective view," he added.
Oppn notice on Kerala Speaker's removal returned
Wednesday, October 22, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram: The Opposition notice, seeking the convening of the Kerala Assembly to discuss the removal of Vakkom Purushothaman from the post of Assembly Speaker, was today returned by the Legislature Secretary, stating that the Presiding Officer had no powers to convene the House when it was prorogued by the Governor. Returning the notice, the Secretary said it was for the Government to recommend when the Assembly should be convened and not the Speaker. The notice, served by CPI(M) Legislature Party Deputy Leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan on October 17, alleging that the Speaker had failed to act in an impartial manner, could be considered as a non-official resolution and taken up for discussion only when the House is in session. Meanwhile, Balakrishnan told a media conference that the decision of the Secretary went against the Constitutional provisions and Rules of Procedure of the House. He said the notice was served under Article 179 of the Constitution and in accordance with the rules and procedure of the House. It was improper on the part of the Secretary to bracket the notice as non-official resolution. It should be considered as a statutory resolution and a special bulletin issued, a copy of which should be served on the Government, he added. Balakrishnan said it was unfortunate that the Legislature Secretary acted as the ''Secretary of the Speaker'' on the issue. As the Speaker and the Government had lost the confidence of majority in the House, they had declined to convene the Assembly, he alleged, stating that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) State Committee would decide on its future course of action after knowing the Government's stand on the issue.
Karunakaran’s demand for Antony’s removal genuine: Vellappalli
Tuesday, October 21, 2003
PATHNAMTHITTA: SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellappalli Natesan on Sunday said that Congress leader K.Karunakaran’s demand for removal of A.K.Antony from chief ministership was genuine. Vellappalli, who came here to attend the 10th anniversary function of the SN Public School, told newsmen that the State was witnessing a ‘mukthiar’ rule in which a coterie around the Chief Minister was calling the shots. Make keralanext your Home Recommend this page to your friend MOVIE CHANNEL MOVIE NEWS LEADER What happens when the real life of politicians is ... more Sethurama Iyer is back Lal Jose turns to Dileep again SEND GREETINGS Send Diwali Greetings to your dearest... Click Go to Greetings Channel WallPapers Vellappalli said that the SNDP leadership was going ahead with the move to forge Hindu unity and it had already held talks with the NSS, the Vellala Mahasabha and the Brahmana Sabha in this regard. Finance Minister K.Sankaranarayanan laid the foundation stone for the new school building. Film actor Suresh Gopi was the chief guest. SNDP devaswom secretary M.B. Sreekumar presided over the meeting. Kodikunnil Suresh MP and Adoor Prakash MLA spoke on the occasion.
11 year-old deaf and dumb on way to Guinness Book
Tuesday, October 21, 2003
His skill to operate all types of motor vehicles from motorbikes to the earth-moving Machine and a flair for arts and sports, is expected to fetch the eleven-year-old deaf and dumb boy from Kerala a place in the Guinness Book of World Records. Krishnanunni Sivan, a sixth standard boy who is also into painting, miming, photography, roller-skating and chess, was presented to mediapersons in Kochi on Monday ahead of his public demonstration of the multi-faceted skills on October 23. Krishnanunni's father E Sivan, a brick contractor residing in Chengamanad near Kochi, said the boy had started exhibiting extraordinary talents in handling motor vehicles at the age of seven. Soon he learnt driving all types of motor vehicles, including heavy ones like trucks and buses by merely watching the drivers. Described as the 'Child Prodigy of the Century' by the Kerala Citizens Forum, Krishnanunni, a student of the nearby Manikamangalam St Clair Deaf and Dumb school, is now being projected by the All Kerala Parents Association of the Hearing Impaired. Its president K M George was also present at the media conference. Krishnanunni's name has already been recommended to the Guinness Book of World Records, which is in the process watching his performances for a final decision to give him a place in the coveted book, George said. Krishnanunni had earned the praise of President A P J Abdul Kalam, who met the boy during his recent Kochi visit.
Kerala bans sale of Cadbury, Nestle chocolates
Tuesday, October 21, 2003
The Kerala State Health Department has banned the sale of two batches each of Cadbury and Nestle chocolates, after worms were detected in them. Food inspectors searching shops in Parassala, near the capital Thiruvananthapuram, and Pattom in the city, found that chocloate bars of batch 'INRORAS W-6' of Nestle and '245313' of Cadbury's, both manufactured in June 2003, were infested with worms. State Health Director Dr V K Rajan said food inspectors across the state have been instructed to search for and seize chocolates of these two branches, and to intensify the examination of other products of confectionary majors. Shop owners have been instructed to store chocolates and confectionaries in hygenic conditions to prevent contamination, Rajan said. Complaints of live worms crawling in bars of chocolates were reported from Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi last week.
Five more families rehabilitated in Marad
Monday, October 20, 2003
KOZHIKODE: Five more Muslim families were rehabilitated at the violence-hit Marad on Sunday, taking the total number of rehabilitated families so far to 235. The families rehabilitated on Sunday included that of Kinattinkalakathu Aboobacker, Puthiyapurayil Thitheebi, Seemamuntakathu Hamsa, Kuttichantakathu Aboobacker and Thalakkalakathu Bava, comprising a total of 18 members. As many as 27 families are still staying at the refugee camps at the Payyanakkal GVHSS, Kappakkal and Chaliyam. The district administration is trying to contact the other displaced families scattered to the neighbouring areas following the May 2 massacre. "The rehabilitation would be completed only at a slow pace as we have to consider the ground realities," said RDO P Balan.
New Bill to recognise ayurveda practitioners
Monday, October 20, 2003
KANNUR: The Kerala government is proposing to bring in a new legislation to give recognition to services of senior practitioners in the ayurveda and siddha medicines as the existing laws were inadequate to protect them, State Health Minister P Shankaran said on Sunday. "Kerala government is proposing to introduce a new Bill in the state Assembly to give recognition to the traditional ayurveda and siddha medical practitioners having minimum of ten years in service and the details are being worked out by the state Cabinet," Shankaran said after inaugurating a seminar on 'Management of Anorectal Ailments' here. Highlighting the need to issue patents to the ayurvedic and siddha medicine manufacturing units, the minister called upon the Central government to initiate steps in this line to popularise the Indian ayurveda system across the globe. "It is quite unfortunate that the country has failed to encourage ayurveda and siddha medicine system despite gaining lot of popularity and we should pay greater attention to research and development wing to manufacture effective medicines to get deserving global recognition," he said. The minister reiterated that the government would provide assistance upto Rs 30 lakh to those who came forward to start herbal gardens and claimed the project had received good response with the setting up over 20 herbal plantations in the state.
Police fail to make breakthrough in 'mass suicide' case
Monday, October 20, 2003
CHOTTKKARA: The police team led by Moovattupuzha DySP N C Chacko and Piravom Circle Inspector Pushkaran investigating the alleged 'mass suicide' at Chottanikkara took fresh evidence on Sunday from the house where the bodies of six members of the family were found on Friday morning. The police team continued questioning of Asokan and Lekha, the two survivors in the alleged suicide attempt. The team could know from the locals that Ashokan had borrowed huge sums from different persons residing in and around Chottanikkara. He had pledged the documents of land purchased by the deceased Shyamala at Kanayannoor Co-operative Society and had borrowed Rs 30,000. The mystery surrounding the 'suicide note', believed to be written by the members of the family, still lingers and the police investigation could not throw any light on the letter. According to the reports from hospital authorities, symptioms of poisoning were not found in both Ashokan and Lekha. Meanwhile the case took an interesting turn on Sunday with the arrival of Shaji, the eldest son of the deceased Shyamala, from the Gulf. Shyamala, alongwith the other family members and Ashokan, came to Chottanikkara and settled there in a rented house owned by Thomas.
Kerala travel agents warn Air-India, Indian Airlines
Monday, October 20, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala's travel agents have cautioned Air-India and Indian Airlines with "extreme measures" for their alleged "unfavourable attitude" towards travellers to the Middle East. "Both airlines charge exorbitant fares compared to Middle East airlines. The difference on some routes is as high as Rs.2,000," K. Muraleedharan, president of the Kerala Association of Travel Agents (KATA), told newsmen here Sunday. He also charged the two carriers with deliberately showing a reduced load factor as a ploy to withdraw services from the Thiruvananthapuram airport. This would be to the benefit of Kochi airport, he held, charging certain politicians with playing a "dirty game" to abet the two airlines. "There is a dubious collusion of politicians and airline officials to thwart the development of the airport here," said Muraleedharan. KATA officials are finalising their agitation programme and have threatened to stage demonstrations outside the offices of the two airlines here. From an all-time high of 924 flights from the airport here in January as against 1,281 flights from Kochi, the figure has come down to 840 here, while rising to 1,260 at Kochi. But figures indicate that while the two airlines started 19 new flights from Kozhikode and 15 from Kochi, the number of new flights from here is just four.
Antony meets Sahi; Chandy summoned
Monday, October 20, 2003
NEW DELHI: Chief Minister A K Antony appeared before the three-member L P Sahi committee, appointed by the AICC(I) to look into charges of anti-party activities during last month's Ernakulam Lok Sabha by-poll, and reportedly avoided demanding disciplinary action against any individual, including his bete noire in the state Congress politics K Karunakaran. Antony, who arrived Delhi last night, appeared before the committee and narrated his version for nearly one hour from 1030 hrs this morning at the sitting held at the residence of R K Dhawan, one of the three members.
KPCC chief for quit pro quit
Sunday, October 19, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram, Oct 18: Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president K Muraleedharan today said he was ready to quit his post if Chief Minister A K Antony also relinquished office to resolve the present crisis in the party. Reacting to the reported statements of 'A' faction leaders that appointment of Muraleedharan as KPCC president was a package deal when Antony was made the Chief Minister, Muraleedharan said, "I am ready to discuss this." "I am ready to quit the post if Antony also resigns the post of Chief Minister." But it is not "possible for me alone to quit", he told reporters here today. To a question, he said disciplinary action was not a cure to the present crisis in the party in the state. "That would only worsen the situation," he added. To another question, he said he was not recommending any action against UDF convener Oommen Chandy for his alleged remarks against him as he was a senior leader. Muraleedharan said the reported adverse remarks made by Chandy against disciplinary committee chairman L P Sahi has been brought to the notice of the party high command. (Agencies)
Oriya film, cultural festival inaugurated
Sunday, October 19, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Films and traditional dance forms of Orissa will be the highlights of the Oriya Film and Cultural Festival organised by the Information and Public Relations Departments of Kerala and Orissa. Organised for the first time in the state, it will present 50 young talents from Orissa and five popular Oriya films, one of which had bagged an international award. `Lakshmi ra abhisara' directed by Rajagopal Misra, `A aakare aa' by Subash Das, `Nila mastarani'' by Chakradhar Sahu, `Ahalya' by Bijay Ketan Mishra and `Bhukha' of Sabyasachi Mohapatra, which won the special jury award at the Gijon International Film Festival this year, will be screened at the Tagore Theatre.
Kottayam medical centre inaugurated
Sunday, October 19, 2003
Kottayam medical centre inaugurated KOTTAYAM: The Rs one crore Kottayam medical centre multi-speciality and emergency hospital started functioning at Vadavathoor here on Saturday. After inaugurating the hospital, Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences Chairman M I Sahadulla said the 30-bed KMC hospital having tie-up with KIMS has all type of treatment facilities. About 3000 health privilege cards were also distributed on the occasion. These patients would get treatment at minimum cost. Facility for free blood Sugar and BP check up is also available in the hospital, he said. KMC hospital in association with United India Insurance company would provide to its members, after paying a premium of Rs 99 or Rs 129 per year, Rs 25000 to Rs 50,000 worth of treatment facility.
No need for Antony to quit, says Chandy
Sunday, October 19, 2003
KANNUR: Rejecting the demand of the Karunakaran faction in the Pradesh Congress and Opposition parties for a change of guard in Government, ruling United Democratic Front Convener, Oommen Chandy, said Chief Minister A K Antony, need not have to quit until he loses majority in the State Assembly. "Why should the Chief Minister resign as long as he enjoys the majority support in the Assembly and Congress', Chandy asked. The setback in the Ernakulam Lok Sabha polls does not make enough ground for taking such a step, Chandy told reporters. "No Congress leader should ever nurse the dream of removing Antony as Chief Minister", he said. Expressing anquish over the heightened factional fued in the Congress, Chandy said the Karunakaran-led Congress faction's moves, particularly after the Rajya Sabha elections from the State, to 'take the party to the CPI-M camp' was against the party interests and could not be tolerated. The Karunakaran led faction's 'tacit support' to the LDF nominee during the Ernakulam Lok Sabha bypoll and its open criticism of Antony for the "wrong" way of handling the Marad issue clearly indicated that Karunakaran was trying to take the Congress to the CPI-M camp for his own 'vested interest', Chandy said.
Governor to be approached: Pinarayi
Sunday, October 19, 2003
Governor to be approached if assembly is not convened: Pinarayi THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan stated that the Speaker and government should convene the Assembly to discuss the notice given by the Opposition for removal of Vakkom Purushothaman from the speaker's post. "If the Speaker or the government fail to call the session, the Opposition will approach the Governor," said Vijayan while addressing a press conference here. Vijayan said that the LDF was forced to move the motion only because of the behaviour of Purushothaman who is a blot on the Legislative history of Kerala.
Murali for convening of the Assembly
Sunday, October 19, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Internal rivalry in the ruling Congress in Kerala today continued to be on the boil with its state president K Muraleedharan virutally backing Opposition demand for convening a special session of the Assembly to discuss a resolution to remove the Speaker. The KPCC chief also hinted that there was some merit in the allegation that Speaker Vakkom Purushothaman has given up his political neutrality. He said the privilege notice given by the Congress Legislature Party Secretary and three others against some Opposition leaders for criticising the Speaker did not have the approval of the KPCC. The remarks of Muraleedharan, son of senior Congress leader K Karunakaran who is up in arms against Chief Minister A K Antony, whose faction has rallied behind Purushothaman, came a day after Parliamentary Affairs Minister M M Hassan said the government had no intention to request the Governor to convene a special session of the Assembly. Meanwhile, CPI(M) said it would approach the Governor if the Speaker and the Chief Minister refused to take early steps to convene a special session to discuss its notice. "Discussing the matter in the House will provide an opportunity for the ruling party members to express their sentiments and Opposition to explain their position. The House can then take a decision on the notice," Muraleedharan told reporters here. On the merits of the allegations against the Speaker, he said Purushothaman should have refrained from making certain statements like the Congress candidate in Ernakulam by-poll M O John was his candidate. Asked about the KPCC stand on the notice, Muraleedharan said let it come up for discussion. However, it was for the Chief Minister, who is the leader of the House, to take a decision. On the privilege notice given by CLP Secretary and Antony loyalist Thiruvanchur Radhakrishnan and three others against Opposition leaders for criticising the speaker, he said "the notice was given without consulting KPCC leadership and me. The party has no official responsibility on the notice." He said he did not know whether the notice was given after consulting the CLP leader. On a solution to resolve the crisis in the party, he said KPCC had informed the high command about the matter and ways to solve it. "An immediate surgery is needed....The problems would only be complicated if immediate steps are not taken."
Antony meets Sahi committee
Sunday, October 19, 2003
NEW DELHI: Chief Minister A K Antony appeared before the three-member L P Sahi committee, appointed by the AICC(I) to look into charges of anti-party activities during last month's Ernakulam Lok Sabha by-poll, and reportedly avoided demanding disciplinary action against any individual, including his bete noire in the state Congress politics K Karunakaran. It is learned that Antony did not advice to take any disciplinary action against I faction leaders. Antony, who arrived Delhi last night, appeared before the committee and narrated his version for nearly one hour from 1030 hrs this morning at the sitting held at the residence of R K Dhawan, one of the three members. Antony informed the committee that as his actions would also come in purview of the enquiry he is not suggesting any disciplinary action against the dissenter group. Sahi told newspersons here after the meeting that ruling coalition convener Oommen Chandy, defeated candidate M O John and Leno Jacob, who was denied the ticket, would also be summoned for knowing their version with regard to the party's debacle in the poll. It may be recalled that Antony appeared before the committee a few days after KPCC(I) President K Muraleedharan, who is the son of Karunakaran, gave his version on the reasons for the party's debacle in Ernakulam which was wrested from the Congress by the rival Marxist-led Left Democratic Front. Sahi told newspersons that Antony did not ask for disciplinary action against any individual leader. He said Antony expressed regret for the defeat of the party's candidate in the by-election, and attributed "deflection of minority votes" and the groupism in the state unit of the party to the dismal performance of the party. "Though Antony had alleged that some of the partymen had worked against the interests of the party, he did not mention any name, including that of Karunakaran." Sahi indicated that there would be a delay in the committee submitting its report. The next meeting of the committee would be held only after Deepavali festival. He also indicated that the committee would not be able to meet before the exercises connected with the forthcoming assembly elections in five states were completed. RK Dhawan said no decision had been taken as to whether to summon senior leader Karunakaran. He said if necessary, Antony would be summoned again. Meanwhile, party sources here said Antony would hold discussion with AICC(I) President Sonia Gandhi on Monday.
Two hacked to death in Kazhakootam
Friday, October 17, 2003
KAZHAKOOTAM: In another instance of violent inter-gang rivalry, two persons were hacked to death at Menamkulam Kalpana Shed Harijan Colony in Kazhakootam yesterday night. Those dead were identified as Shyam Kumar, 25 and Vinod, 26. According to police, the rival gang consisting of eight persons attacked them and later the gang themselves took them to the hospital. At the time of admitting them in the hospital itself, the duty doctor confirmed their death.
Six of a family commit suicide, two rescued
Friday, October 17, 2003
KOCHI: In a gruesome incident, six members of a family, including a five year old boy, allegedly committed suicide by resorting to different methods, while two others escaped from the jaws of death at Chottanikkara, near here, today. The incident came to light when neighbours alerted the police. Four bodies were retrieved from the well in the compound of the rented house in which they were living for the past four years while one person was found hanging inside the house. One person, whose body was found inside the house, is suspected to have consumed poison. The family hailed from Nemon in Thiruvanathapuram district, police said. Two other members, who had also jumped into the well were reportedly rescued and admitted to hospital, report said. Senior civil and police officials had rushed to the spot. A suicide note reportedly found inside the house indicated that financial problems had forced the family members to resort to the extreme step. The names of the victims were given as Syamala, 50, Suresh, 22, Lekha, 27, Lathika, 25, Sudha, 40 and her son Sujith, 5. Rekha and Asokan who were rescued from the well, had been hospitalised. The Mulanthuruthy police is investigating the incident.
Karunakaran calls on governor, terms it 'courtesy call'
Friday, October 17, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior Congress leader K Karunakaran on Thursday called on Kerala governor Sikander Bakht at Raj Bhavan here. He was with the governor for about 30 munites and described the meeting as a 'courtesy call.' Make keralanext your Home Recommend this page to your friend MOVIE CHANNEL MOVIE NEWS EVAR With Evar, director Rajiv Kumar has tried to make ... more Sethurama Iyer is back Lal Jose turns to Dileep again SEND GREETINGS Send Diwali Greetings to your dearest... Click Go to Greetings Channel WallPapers However, speculation was rife in the capital that the senior leader called on the governor to convince him that he enjoyed the support of 23 Congress MLAs in the state. "It is just a friendly call. He (Bakht) was the leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha when I was a Union Minister," Karunakaran told reporters outside the Raj Bhavan. Asked whether his meeting with the governor had any political significance in the context of dissidence in the state Congress deepening, Karunakaran's he said "I have to catch a train to Thrissur."
Dilip's Kochi Rajavu
Friday, October 17, 2003
There is a very interesting story behind the announcement that Shogun films has signed Dilip to act in their project Kochi Rajavu directed Johny Anthony of CID Moosa. Bhadran the director of films like Iyer the Great and Spadikam planned a subject for Mohanlal and Shogun Mohan had agreed to produce. A few of shooting too took place. Mohanlal felt the subject was just not right decided to back out. Bhadran then made a few changes and titled it Ettadi George and got Dilip instead. Dilip wanted a few changes and by that time Dilip left for another film. Bhadran did not want to sit idle. He told Mohan that he would produce a film for Rs 75 lakhs with Prithiviraj as hero. When Velithira’s first print came out the total cost was Rs 2 crores. Mohan sat in a daze. But Bhadran consoled him saying that Ettadi George with Dilip would bring back all the money lost. To Bahdran’s surprise he found Dilip backing out saying a subject for Mohanlal would not suit him. The reason was that Bhadran in TV interviews to promote Velithira stated that Prithiviraj was the next Mohanlal and so what was Dilip? Undaunted Bhadran told Mohan to produce Ettadi George with Prithiviraj. The next thing Bhadran knew was that Mohan and Dilip together are producing Kochi Rajavu
Anjana Varma in I V Sasi’s film
Friday, October 17, 2003
Anjana Varma in I V Sasi’s film Famous Bollywood model Anjana Varma makes her debut on big screen with I V Sasi’s Symphony. Acting opposite to her is new face Siva whose is a six-footer.Siva, a native of Kasargod is at present residing in Bangalore. After his graduation, he was working in a software company. I V Sasi who was in search of a fresh face for quite some time was impressed by the looks and cast him as Jijo Samsun in Symphony. Jijo, a music composer unexpectedly meets a girl Sandra and falls in love with her. The problems that the lovers face form the rest of the story. The film has given importance to music. Deepak Dev of Chronic Bachelor fame scores music for the songs penned by Kaithapram. Jagathy, Sudheesh, Jagadhish are the other artistes. Mahesh Mitra writes the script for the film, which is produced by Thankachan under the banner of Egna Films. The shooting of the film will start in Kottayam.
Jayaram in Chettayi
Friday, October 17, 2003
Eby Jose next film is Chettayi with Jayaram in the lead role. Biju Menon has also an important role in this film. The film has Janardhanan, KPAC Lalitha, Sajan. Reji Nair who wrote the script for Pattalam is the scriptwriter for this film and P Sukumar wields the camera. The shooting of the film will start on November 10 in Kottayam. Jayaram will join the sets of Chettayi once the shooting of Sathyan Anthicaud's latest film is over in Ottappalam. Jolly Stephen produces the film under the banner of Konathappally Films.
Ammakilikoodu
Friday, October 17, 2003
Ammakilikoodu (2003) Sneak Preview The shooting of Ammakilikoodu is fast progressing in the trouble borne areas of Kozhikode. An old age home is set up besides the Sea named ‘Karunalayam’, a centre mainly for mothers deserted by their children. Ammakilikoodu has script by Renjith and is directed by Padma Kumar. An ancient bungalow near the sea is turned into a Karunalayam. A kind of tranquility is witnessed when you enter this bungalow. The uproarious sound of the waves is not heard and it is also isolated from the busy city life. Sukumari, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, KPAC Lalitha, Mallika Sukumaran, Saritha and Vijaya Kukmari are those who play mothers. Prithviraj does the role of a representative working for a multi national company. Navya Nair acts as Akila, an activist of a student organisation. Karunalayam is placed in the land of a multi national company. The problems start when Vivek (Prithiviraj) appears as a representative of the company. His main aim was to put into practice the secret agenda of the company. Sai Kumar who is very busy in Telugu films does the role of an advocate.
Choonda
Friday, October 17, 2003
After a gap of many years, Devan comes back to his village with an aim for revenge. He wished to remain incognito and has Chandranettan and Mahesh for company. Gopalettan knows that Devan son of his intimate friend Vasudevan comes to meet him. Gopalettan tries to dissuade Devan from his present aim and tells him to forget the past. Hearing this Devan blasts Gopalettan and says, "I am not the old Devan, I am a different man and I don't want to hear anybody's advise". Devan's anger is towards Varghese and the only person who knows about this is Gopalettan. Directed by Venuopan the film has Jishnu in Devan's role, T P Madhavan as Gopalettan and Siddique as Varghese.Its a family story and has three heroines Geethu Mohandas, Suchita and Nitya Das. Also in the cast are Oduvil, Subair, Mahesh and many others. Script is by Kalavoor Ravikumar. Songs penned by Yousafali has music composed by Mohan Sithara. The film produced by Sarish under the banner of Mahadeva Cinemas is currently being shot in Ottappalam and surrounding areas.
Chakram
Friday, October 17, 2003
Chakram (2003) Sneak Preview Lohithadas' latest film Chakram starring Prithivraj started shooting. Earlier Lohithadas was to direct this film with Mohanlal and Dilip but differences with Mohanlal led to the film being stalled. Lohithadas tells the story of lorry drivers and their life on the highways with Prithviraj, Jayasurya and his favorite heroine Meera Jasmine in the lead. Chandran at the age of fourteen was the only breadwinner of a big family consisting of his mother and sisters. Doing odd jobs and traveling a lot led him to meet Giri and they became thick friends. Chandran considered him as his guru since Giri taught him driving. However their friendship did not last and they get separated. Chandran now a bitter man is in search of Giri. Lorry cleaner’s role initially to be done by Dilip is now enacted by Vijeesh who plays the role of a troublemaker and driver Chandran bailing him out. Prithviraj plays Chandran. The film also has Cochin Haneefa, Shree Hari, Kalabhavan Shajon and Mahesh While lyrics are by Girish Puthencherry, Ravindran scores the film’s music. Krishna Raj produces the film. Shooting is in full progress in Pollachi.
Vallothottu Thirinjal Nalamathe Veedu
Friday, October 17, 2003
Vallothottu Thirinjal Nalamathe Veedu (2003) Sneak Preview Aji’s job is to buy old houses and demolishing it and selling the materials. Aji draws up an agreement to demolish ‘Nalackal Tharavadu’, which belonged to Prabha Varma. He was promised an amount of Rs 200,000, which would go to towards his sister’s marriage. Prabha Varma‘s daughter Sangeetha dissuades Aji and the latter realizing the poor family background refrains from demolishing. But Sangeetha changes her mind and forces Aji to demolish it. The reason for the change of heart forms the climax. Directed by Ansar Kalabhavan the film has Jishnu as Aji and Bhavana as Sangeetha. Also Jagathy, Cochin Haneefa, Harishree Ashokan, Janardhanan, Rajan P Dev, Nivedita play important roles. Script by Ansar Kalabhavan, lyrics by Girish Puthencherry , music by Shakeer and M D Sukumaran wields the camera. The film is produced by Cine Flag.
Oru CBI Diary Kurippu Part III
Friday, October 17, 2003
The famous S.N.Swamy-K.Madhu writer-director combination is dusting up the old files and bringing back Sethurama Iyer, that brilliant CBI officer. This sequel will be the part-3 of Oru CBI Diary Kurippu where Mammootty will once again entice the viewers with his deep, intense, investigative and shrewd ways of solving murder mysteries along with his power packed dialogue delivery. The 80’s super hit Oru CBI Diary Kurippu catapulted the actor to superstardom. The movie featured Mammootty as Sethurama Iyer, the Palghat Brahmin CBI officer on the trail of a murder, which was passed off as suicide. The second part Jagratha in mid 90’s was also an average hit. Remember Oru CBI Diary Kurippu was a sensational hit even in Chennai at the old Safire theatre (Now defunct) where it ran for 150 days and created a market for Mammootty and Malayalam films.
Mohanlal
Friday, October 17, 2003
KOCHI: For him life is a celebration. Destiny has made him what he is. Philosophy strengthens him. And those who love him find an echo in his warm response. Twenty-five years is nothing to destiny and only a stepping stone for versatile actor Mohanlal. Time buzzes past him. It seems like that he stumbled from the bicycle - to Malayalam tinseldom but not yet to fame - just yesterday in the unreleased movie Thiranottam. His portrayal of the baddie in Fazil’s Manjil Virinja Pookal saw him getting more offers, and in his own words, "there was no looking back". Priyadarshan’s Poochakkoru Mookuthi (recently remade into Hungama) gave him a break from villain to hero. Mohanlal is relaxed as he recounts his 25 years in Malayalam film world. We start with an apology for having to ask some clichéd questions. He smiles as he had been through it all. It has been 25 years since you have been in the movies. What are the changes in Malayalam movies and in Mohanlal the actor? For Malayalam movies, the changes are mainly technical. And for Mohanlal the actor, I feel age has brought maturity. I have learned to take things as they come. I work, or spend much of my time with the same friends who were with me right from my first movie. What made you come into the movies? Destiny. Destiny plays a very important role in my life. Destiny made my friends put in my application when Navodaya (a production house) had called for fresh faces in their new movie, destiny made director Fazil like me; destiny made people enjoy my roles. If you had not made it big in movie what would you have become? I did not have time to think that way. I was into movies before my graduation results got out. In fact, I was on location of a movie when they came. Usually people thought about there careers after graduation. Destiny made me an actor. How much do you think filtration of character is important to an actor? I have not found it very difficult. I live as that particular character between the 'take and cut'. The realisation that I am before the camera never leaves me. From reel to real and real to reel, the transformation happens in seconds. There are some roles when something stirs deep in you. And it comes out on the screen too. Some directors have the ability to catch it on screen. It's a matter of acting and reacting; of passion. You have worked with most of the directors in Malayalam movies. Who are your favourites? (He strikes a how can I answer that attitude and goes on) Fazil who directed me in my first movie, I like the way he treats a character. Priyadarshan had been my college mate and friend, Sathyan Anthikad, Lohithadas, Padmarajan, Siby Malayil, I V Sasi, Shaji Kailas, Bhadran Bharatan... the list goes on. I did just one movie with G Aravindan, but that was a different experience altogether. How come you never did a role for Adoor Gopalakrishnan? He has never asked me. If he asks me, if the character suits me, I ll definitely do it. How was it to work with Ram Gopal Varma? Do you feel that the Hindi film industry is not as disciplined as South Indian cinema? 'Click- Camera -Action' It’s the same in both places. Only the language differs. As for discipline, I was there for just one movie. You did a play in Sanskrit Karnabhaaram directed by Kavalam Narayana Panikkar. I did not know Sanskrit. I was apprehensive, but I studied it in just 8 days. I play the epical hero Karna, there are other characters but Karna is the lead character. The play opened to an audience who were well versed in Sanskrit. But they said I did well. We did four stages. And then I had other engagements and had to bow out, for want of time. Most people go from theatre to cinema... I was into stage performances and small-time theatre in college. And went in to cinema early in my career. But definitely theatre is more challenging for an actor. It's like condensing everything into |
