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February 2003
`Nitish neglected State totally'
Friday, February 28, 2003
The Railways have apparently shown little regard to Kerala with the introduction of just one train to the State out of the 50 new trains announced in the Railway budget today. The new train to Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram-Jodhpur Express via Madgaon, will be a weekly one. Except the extensions for three other trains, there is no major benefit for the State. The extended trains are the Hyderabad-Kochi Sabari Express to Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam-Kozhikode Express to Kannur and the Allappuzha-Bokaro Express to Dhanbad. Again, the Sabari Express will be running on three days a week. The budget proposes doubling of lines stretching 340 km. The proposal includes the Kayamkulam-Cheppad and Kayankulam-Mavelikara lines which are considered small in terms of the length of the lines. Unless the entire line from Kayamkulam to Ernakulam is doubled, it would not serve the purpose, said a Railway official. Regarding the funds allocated, the official said it was not known yet, but indications were that the ongoing works would have to be completed slowly owing to lack of funds. Reacting to the budget, the Kerala Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, E. S. Jose, said the Railway Minister, Nitish Kumar, had totally neglected the State. He agreed that the retaining of the freight and passenger fares without any hike was a positive step. The Railways would be able to meet the competition from the other modes of transport, especially through road, due to reduction in freight, he said. The graded concession for all traffic up to 90 km would encourage the use of the facility for short distance transport at a cheaper rate. He said that the reclassification of commodities from 32 to 27, bringing down the surcharge on coal and other commodities and reduction of freight for petroleum products were welcome steps. The president of the Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Bharat N. Khona, said the budget was disappointing as far as Kerala was concerned. Extension of the Sabari Express and the Ernakulam-Kozhikode Express was the only concession, he said. With regard to electrification and doubling of lines, there was nothing worth mentioning, he said. The proposals for ensuring safety of the network, security of passengers and punctuality of trains were welcome, he said. That there was no increase in the passenger fares and freight rates is a great relief to the public, especially to the business community, he said. The Cochin Chamber of Commerce & Industry vice-president, N. R. Pai, expressed disappointment that `Kerala does not figure in the scheme of things' while applauding the Minister for addressing certain core issues. The Kerala State Consumer Welfare Organisation, in a statement, expressed protest against the neglect meted out to Kerala.
Selection begins in Usha School of Athletics
Friday, February 28, 2003
KOZHIKODE: The selection to the Usha School of Athletics will begin on March1 and 2 at the Koyilandy Sports Council Stadium, announced secretary. The selected will be given the facility to continue their education at the nearby schools. Training, accommodation, food, sports kit will be given free. The students for the second batch will be selected through a panel comprising of O M Nambiar, J S Bhatiya, P T Usha, Balakrishnan (Army Sports Council Board), Nishad (Bangalore Sai). Almost 351 students from different parts of the state are expected to participate in the two-day trials. Those who have not received the selection card should reach the Koyilandy Stadium at 7 am on March 1.
Flight companion call for sick man
Friday, February 28, 2003
MANAMA PASSENGERS on a flight to Trivandrum are being asked to volunteer to accompany an ill Indian man. Raghu Das is booked on Sunday's Gulf Air flight, but will be unable to fly if no one agrees to help him during the journey, said Discover Islam volunteer hospital visitor and Malayalam co-ordinator M A Nessar. The trip will reunite Mr Das with his family after 13 years away. He sustained a head injury when he fell down some stairs last September and went into a coma. He did not come round until early January and had lost most of his memory. "According to his doctors Mr Das is fit to travel," said Mr Nessar. "However, he loses his short-term memory frequently so we can only send him home if someone volunteers to accompany him on the flight." Mr Das's relatives will be at Trivandrum airport to meet him. The free visa worker's family were traced by Discover Islam in Paravoor, Kerala. "We are grateful to the Health Ministry, Immigration and Passports Directorate, the Indian Community Relief Fund (ICRF) and the Indian Embassy for paving the way for his return," said Mr Nessar. The Immigration and Passports Directorate waived his fine for staying in Bahrain for over staying his visa for 12 years, while the ICRF paid for his ticket. Anyone interested in volunteering should contact Mr Nessar on 9891859 or 537373.
SC issues notices to Kerala private medical colleges
Friday, February 28, 2003
New Delhi, Feb 28 The Supreme Court today issued notices to certain private medical colleges in Kerala on a Special Leave Petition (SLP) filed by the State government against a judgment of the High Court quashing the 50 per cent merit reservation as well as reservations for SC/ST and other backward classes. A three judge bench comprising Mr Justice S Rajendra Babu, Mr Justice S B Sinha and Mr Justice A R Lakshman issued the notices to Pushpa Giri Medical Society and others returnable within two weeks. After an eleven-judge bench judgment of the apex court in the minority institutions case, the state government had issued a notification fixing 50 per cent quota to be filled up through common entrance test and counselling and the remaining 50 per cent were to be filled up by the medical colleges themselves. The HC, which struck down the notification, also restricted the percentage of seats to be filled up by the government to 25. The Kerala government filed a review petition before the HC. It was also rejected. Hence the present SLP. The state government contended that the HC had exceeded its jurisidiction by subscribing 25 per cent of the total fees to be filled up by the government without any supporting materials. The government said that in view of the fact that there was only one professional college in the state, the local needs could not be met by fixing only 25 per cent of the seats to be filled by the state. The state government, therefore, prayed for quashing of the impugned judgment dated January 20 and an interim stay of its operation in the meanwhile.
Kerala expands dance festival Nishagandhi
Friday, February 28, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 27 Kerala is expanding its annual dance festival Nishagandhi into an arts and craft extravaganza, with plenty of music and food thrown in to add to the festivities. State Tourism Minister K.V. Thomas said the scope of the festival is being broadened with the inclusion of arts, culture and more entertainment. "The government is spending Rs.2.5 million and also on the look out for sponsors." He said the festival was being redesigned to boost tourism in the state. "As of now, tourism activity is peaking with reports indicating that there is 90 percent occupancy in hotels and resorts, and with the redesigned Nishagandhi festival, we wish to sign off the current season on a high note," Thomas said. Adding colour to the event will be participation from Rajasthan. Tourism Secretary T. Balakrishnan said: "Every year we have a partner state and this time we felt it could be Rajasthan as we both could compliment the efforts of promoting tourism. While for us it is greenery and beaches, for them it is grey and deserts. A team from Rajasthan is expected for the week-long festival." The highlight of the festival would be the recreation of a Kerala craft village, which would exhibit all the state's exquisite craft products. Thomas added that tourism in the state is poised for a huge growth as was evident from the response at the Global Investors Meet in Kochi in January. "We expect an investment of Rs.5 billion to happen in this sector on account of the meet. And events like these festivals will give tourism an added boost."
Tourism Department to beautify two parks
Thursday, February 27, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram: The City Corporation Council today decided to hand over the Gandhi Park and the Pattom Thanu Pillai Park to the Department of Tourism for the ambitious Rs. 1.08-crore beautification project. The official resolution moved by the Mayor, J. Chandra, on the basis of a request from the department was passed by the council. The CPI(M) councillor, Sasthamangalam Sreekumar, expressed reservations whether the Gandhi Park and the Pattom Thanu Pillai Park will be returned to the corporation by the department after the beautification. The UDF Parliamentary party leader, K. Maheswaran Nair, supporting the resolution pointed out that the corporation had not been able to protect the parks in the capital compared to other cities in the country. Mr. Nair said the letter from the department had clearly stated the Gandhi Park would be handed over to the corporation for maintenance after the beautification. The CPI councillor, G.R. Anil, opposed the handing over the Gandhi Park and urged the Mayor to postpone the resolution. Intervening in the debate, the Works Committee chairman, V.S. Padmakumar, said there was no need for an agreement between the department and the corporation as the park was being handed over only for beautification. He demanded that the corporation pressurise the department for undertaking a project to beautify the adjoining Putharikandam Maidan by planting trees. The resolution was passed after the Mayor told the council that the department had no staff for carrying out the daily upkeep of the Gandhi Park. Prof. Chandra stated that she would ask the Tourism authorities to immediately chalk out a project to beautify the Putharikandam Maidan. Another resolution was moved by the Mayor to transfer the plot of land in Kalladimugham in Manacaud village for rehabilitating those who were being displaced due to the land acquisition for the proposed expansion of the international airport. The CPI councillor, Vazhuthacaud Narendran, said the land should be handed over only after alternative land was provided to the corporation.
Muthanga firing not justified, Arundhati
Thursday, February 27, 2003
Kozhikode: The Booker Prize winner, Arundhati Roy, today said the violence which rocked Muthanga following the Government action to evict volunteers of the Adivasi Gothra Maha Sabha from the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary would be a blot on the State's history. Speaking to journalists during her visit to the Bathery taluk hospital to see the tribals injured in the police firing and the wildlife sanctuary where the firing had taken place, Ms. Roy expressed the view that the firing at a crowd comprising women and children could not be justified even if it was done in the face of strong provocation. The writer hoped the Government would keep its promise to give land to landless tribals and made it clear that she was also against attempts to crush the Adivasi Gothra Maha Sabha and its struggles. In her opinion, such movements for just and humanitarian causes had to be encouraged. But she was not in favour of an armed struggle that would lead to violence and bloodshed. In answer to a question, Ms. Roy said she also would not demand the resignation of the Chief Minister owning responsibility for the tragic fate of the tribal activists. She felt by making such a demand, she would be politicising the tribal issue. Such a demand would also shift public attention from the main issue which was the need to give land to landless tribals, she said. Ms. Roy, who has donned the mantle of a social activist after winning the Booker Prize, had called on the Adivasi Gothra Maha Sabha leader, C. K. Janu in the Kozhikode district jail yesterday. After visiting the tribals under treatment at the Government taluk hospital in Bathery, she demanded that there should be action to trace the tribal people who were missing after the Muthanga operation. A battery of mediapersons followed Ms. Roy during her mission to Muthanga to declare solidarity with the tribals' struggle. Local social activists who have made no secret of their dislike for C. K. Janu and her agitation inside the wildlife sanctuary also met the writer.
Adivasis at jail would be set free: Kerala CM
Thursday, February 27, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister A K Antony said the government would not oppose the bail application of Adivasi women and children who are now at jail connecting with the Muthanga incident. Antony has said that his government is committed to giving adequate land to all Adivasis in the state. "We will overcome all hurdles to achieve this goal," Antony told the Assembly on Wednesday while replying to submission moved by Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan. Antony also criticised the Opposition leader for politicising the issue. He reminded the LDF that during their rule Adivasis were given no land and his government is embarking on such a hazardous task. He also criticised Achuthanandan for not playing a visit to the house of Vinod, the policeman killed by Adivasis. Antony said that this policeman also belonged to a backward community and accused the Opposition leader of shedding crocodile tears for the downtrodden.
'Dhanwanthari ayurvedic centre' in Kochi
Thursday, February 27, 2003
Kochi: With the objective of extending health service to the public with minimum cost, Dhanwanthari Vaidyasala, one of the pioneers of Indian ayurveda, is all set to inaugurate its ayurvedic centre here on Thursday. Addressing a press conference here on Tuesday night, Anoop, partner of Dhanwanthari Vaidyasala, based at Thodupuzha in Idukki district, said initially the centre in Kochi would have IP and OP facility. In another one year the centre would be made into a 25-bedded hospital, he said. Dhanwanthari has around 50 branches and over 100 agencies and runs full fledged treatment centres in Thodupuzha, Kannur and Thiruvananthapuram. They also have plans to open treatment centres across the country and abroad he said. Dhanwanthari Vaidyasala would be launching patented drugs for diabetics and joint pains, which were in clinical trial for the past three years, in another three months, he added. He said at the ayurvedic centre here would offer specialised treatment in Kayachikitsa (general medicine), Marmachikitsa (orthopedics), Salyam (surgery), Salakyam (ENT), Rasayanavajeekaranam (rejuvenation therapy) and Panchakarma, a system of treatment unique to Kerala. He said the raw material fluctuations was a serious concern faced by this sector.
'Budget disappointing for Kerala'
Thursday, February 27, 2003
KOCHI: The Railway budget, which has offered no major projects for the state, has come in for criticism from the industry chambers. ‘‘Except for Thiruvananthapuram-Jodhpur service, and extension of Hyderabad-Kochi to Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi-Kozhikode to Kannur, the Railway Minister has totally neglected Kerala,’’ said Kerala Chambers of Commerce and Industry president E S Jose. However, the retaining of the freight and passenger fares, without any hike, is a positive and constructive step, he added. Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Bharat N Khona said the proposals for ensuring safety of the network, security of passengers and punctuality of trains are welcome. As far as Kerala is concerned, the budget is disappointing, in that only one new train has been proposed for the State, even though 50 additional express trains are proposed to be introduced, he said. He said that as there is no hike in the passenger fares and freight rates, it will be a great relief to the public, especially the business community. Vice-president of Cochin Chamber of Commerce and Industry, N R Pai, said the chamber is greatly disappointed that ‘‘once again, Kerala does not figure in the scheme of things, despite the fact that the minister has announced the commencement of 51 new train services in the coming year. We had hoped for increased rail connectivity for and in Kerala in the coming year, especially considering the growing tourism sector and with the Vallarpadom container terminal in the offing.’’ The move to involve private participation in ‘operation cleanliness’ is also welcome, he added.
Media under fire for coverage of tribal episode
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony on Tuesday said he would lodge a complaint about the media coverage of a police firing at tribespersons, even as a former Minister began an indefinite fast to demand a probe into the episode. Former Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribes Minister K Radhakrishnan of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) began the fast in the Assembly to protest last week's police firing at tribals in the Muthanga forest in Wayanad. Antony told veteran journalist Kuldip Nayar that he would approach the Press Council of India with a complaint about the way the media reported on the episode. The state government said only one tribesperson had been killed when the police fired at the tribals in a bid to get the release of three people they were holding as hostage. Other reports put the toll at nearly 20. Addressing newsmen here, Nayar said that he was surprised at the manner in which a "liberal Antony" had turned into a tough customer. "Antony should have been more open and generous on this issue." Nayar added, "I will certainly take up the issue of the harassment meted out to these innocent tribals with the National Human Rights Commission." For the fourth successive day, the entire Opposition was up in arms at the manner in which speaker Vakkom Purushothaman handled the tribal issue. Unlike on other days, the speaker refused to even take up the issue on Tuesday. The Opposition walked out to protest the government handling of the incident. Opposition leader, Koderi Balakrishnan, said that the scared tribals have run away to the deep forests to escape police excesses. "With state Congress president K Muraleedharan publicly saying that the earlier agreement made between Antony and tribal leaders on giving them five acres of land is not going to happen, Antony has to come public on this," he said. Senior Opposition leader P C George told after visiting Muthanga that the condition of tribespersons in hospital and in Kannur jail was pathetic. "A one-and-a-half-year-old child is among those injured in the brutal police assault." The tribals led by Janu had encroached on forestland in Muthanga since January 4 to protest the government's not honouring its promise to give them land. George said there were reports that a minister had aided the encroachers. "Only a judicial probe will bring out the real truth on whether any minister or ministers have been party to the siege of the forest by these tribals."
T K Rajeev Kumar is the new Chalachitra Academy chairman
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 25 - Renowned film director T K Rajeev Kumar was elected as the new Chairman of the Kerala Chalachitra Academy. He was posted after Adoor Gopalakrishnan resigned from the post following a tiff with the Cultural Minister G Karthikeyan.
Opposition chief whip begins indefinite fast
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram - Opposition chief whip K Radhakrishnan, MLA began an indefinite fast in front of the assembly demanding a judicial probe into the police firing at Muthanga in Wayanad. The assembly was adjourned early today after the Marxist led opposition boycotted the assembly proceedings after staging a slogan shouting demonstration in the well of the house. During zero hour, the opposition had sought to move an adjournment motion on the police brutality in tribal colonies in Wayanad and Kannur. The opposition staged a walkout when the speaker refused to admit the adjournment motion moved by CPI (M) deputy legislature party leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan. Later, during the question hour, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan again raised the issue and demanded a judicial probe. He said that the government was reluctant to order a judicial probe since it was an issue of the tribal community. The government would have ordered a judicial probe by now, if the issue was in connection with the death of a person from a political party or a majority community, Kodiyeri added. He announced that the opposition chief whip K Radhakrishnan would begin an indefinite fast infront of the state assembly. Interfering into the issue, Speaker Vakkom Purushothaman said that it was against assembly rules to stage dharna or sathyagraha inside the assembly. He made it clear that he would take stringent action if the opposition went ahead with the decision to stage indefinite fast infront of the assembly. By then, an irate opposition stood on their feet and shouted slogans. Amid furore, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan inaugurated the fast. Amid the din, the speaker adjourned the house for the day after rushing through some of the legislative businesses.
UDF govt has failed to address people's issues: Pinarayi
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
PT KOZHIKODE: Claiming that UDF government in Kerala had 'miserably' failed to address the problems confronted by the people, CPI (M) State Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday alleged the government was trying to suppress agitations using force. "The police have been committing excesses and always want to put down agitations using force", he alleged while inaugurating a farmers' rally here. Accusing the Antony government of 'stage managing' the Muthanga issue, he said it was trying to suppress the fundamental rights of tribals by resorting to force during their recent agitation and by refusing to order a judicial probe into the incidents. "Even when the whole state has demanded a judicial enquiry, the Antony Government is reluctant to order the same, fearing that its lapses will be exposed", he said.
Rs 75 cr estimated cost of second terminal
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram - Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony said that the estimated cost of constructing a second terminal at Kochi international airport at Nedumbassery was Rs 75 crore. Replying to a submission of K Muhamadali (Congress) in the assembly on the need to speed up expansion of the airport and its approach roads, he said it would have to be developed in 10 years to accomodate the increasing number of passengers. The estimated cost for acquiring the required 800 acres of land was about Rs 40 crore, he said. The Information minister, M M Hassan said all steps would be taken to redress the grievances of Gulf passengers, who were allegedly being harassed by some Air India officials at Karipur airport. Replying to a submission on the matter, Hassan said senior airline officials had told him that they had not received any written complaint. However, efforts would be made to solve the difficulties of the Gulf passengers. A P Anilkumar alleged that some Air India officials were discriminating against Gulf passengers going through Karipur Airport. Revenue Minister K M Mani said that Rs 10 crore had been allotted to Kannur district to undertake flood relief works. Of this amount, Rs 4.11 crore would be to repair roads, he said, while replying to a submission in the matter.
CM for punishing guilty in Muthanga incident: Nayyar
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony has said he would initiate steps to find out whether police "excesses" were committed vis-a-vis recent Muthanga incident, eminent journalist and human rights activist Kuldip Nayyar said on Tuesday. Nayyar, who met the Chief Minister here last evening, told reporters "Antony said he would set up some kind of mechanism to find whether there were excesses and, if any, the guilty shall be punished. He did not, however, commit either way on holding a judicial inquiry". Nayyar said Antony had told him distribution of land to tribals would be speeded up, though it was impossible to provide five acre land to each family. The government would move the Supreme Court to remove hurdles in assigning forest land to them, Nayyar quoted the Chief Minister. Antony also gave an assurance that tribals would not be harassed by police, he said. Nayyar said he would take up the Muthanga incident with the National Human Rights Commission, since allegations of human rights violations had been made by various quarters. He said Antony was "very upset" over, what he described as, "exaggerated accounts" of the incident by the media and intended to write to the Editors' Guild and the Press Council in this regard. Antony, on the Ayodhya issue, said the matter could be resolved through negotiations or a court order, Nayyar said, adding the Chief Minister criticised the VHP for holding a Parliament march over temple construction. In last week's clashes and firing at Muthanga in Wayanad district an Adivasi and a constable were killed.
Alleged MNC land grab in Kerala to be probed
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A complaint about an MNC illegally occupying a huge tract of land in Kochi is to be probed by a committee of the Kerala legislature, it was announced on Tuesday. Hindustan Lever Limited (HLL), according to the complaint, is in illegal possession of 52 acres of land that once belonged to the Tata Oil Mills Company (TOMCO). When the company shut shop, the land should have been returned to the state government but was instead sold to HLL, which had permitted the Tata Housing Development Company (THDC) to develop it into a residential complex. HLL has denied any wrongdoing and said the Kerala High Court had stopped the government from taking any action in the matter. Mammen Mathai, chairman of the Kerala assembly's Petitions Committee, maintained that all three companies had violated rules and the construction of apartments and villas on the land was illegal. "We received a complaint saying (HLL) has committed a fraud by keeping under its possession land which was initially leased out to Tata Oil Mills Company under the category of industrial land. When the company closed down its operations, it was supposed to transfer this land to the government, instead they sold it to HLL," said Mathai. In a similar complaint last week, Congress legislator Shibhu Baby John alleged the three companies, along with the Greater Cochin Development Authority (GCDA), had connived to convert the land into residential property in violation of government rules.
Fresh Tenders May Be Invited For Kerala Island Project
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
Kochi, February 25: The Goshree Island Development Authority has decided to go in for fresh tenders for the sale of reclaimed land where it earlier received just two bids. The Goshree project was for building bridges linking all the islands off Kochi with the mainland. The GIDA steering committee also asked the district collector to initiate legal action for the speedy disposal of the case regarding seven acres of excess land in possession of Hindustan Lever Ltd (HLL). The company had earlier laid claim to some of the land that was put up for sale by GIDA. The meeting also decided to order a resurvey to ascertain whether there was another 11 cents of land in possession of HLL which included five boat landing centres. Regarding the sale of land, it was decided to reject on technical grounds the earlier tenders. However, no date has been fixed for the new tenders. Gida also decided to seek the state government’s guarantee for another Rs 60 crore in two installments. The state had already extended guarantee for Rs 29 crore. However, as the authority was in need of more funds to complete the project, there was the need for government help, the meeting felt. About the bid by HLL to sell the land, sources said the land board had already ordered surrender of the land which was later stayed by the high court. GIDA sources said that HLL had sought stay on surrender claiming that the land was being used for industrial purposes. However, the sources added that the land was being sold out for residential purposes. The committee wanted GIDA to initiate steps to have HLL surrender the land.
NHRC seeks report from Kerala on atrocities on tribals
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
New Delhi: National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to Kerala government seeking a report within two weeks on alleged police atrocities on 'Adivasis' in the state. The notice was issued to State Chief Secretary and Director General of Police following complaints that 16 adivasis had been killed in the confrontation with the police at Muthanga on February 19 contrary to state government claim that only two persons were killed. The complaint, made by social activists including noted Gandhian Nirmala Deshpande, alleged "brutal action by Kerala police on the Adivasis Resistance Movement going on in the Muthanga forest region of Wayanad district of the state." "The state machinery is using brutal force to contain the year long struggle by the adivasis for their genuine demands for land rights," the complaint alleged. It further said that "the unforgivable and cynical delay in delivering the land promised by the government of Kerala to these poor and most needy people, had resulted in an unfortunate yet needlessly brutal confrontation resulting in 16 deaths which included children and women." Praying for Commission's intervention, the activists claimed that apart from those killed in the police firing, scores had been injured and many arrested. "Many adivasis were still lying injured inside the forest without any medical aid".
Norka receives only 300 applications of illegal immigrants in two months
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
Kochi: A poor turnout of illegal immigrants in United Arab Emirates (UAE) from Kerala was reported even after passing the half-way mark of the grace period allowed by the UAE administration for general amnesty. Though there are no statistics to prove the number of illegal immigrants from Kerala in UAE, it is roughly estimated that 25,000 to 40,000 expatriates have been residing illegally in violation to the immigration law. As part of giving a second reprieve to the violators, a four-month general amnesty was enforced on January 1, 2003, as the second and the last pardon for illegal foreigners in UAE. According to sources in Non-Resident Keralites Affairs Department (Norka), the department had received around 300 applications during the last two months for the verification of the nationality and other details of those reported to the immigration authorities in UAE. It is seen that the majority of the people from Kerala who turned out for obtaining the permits to leave the country are from Kasargod and Malappuram districts. The Air India has already agreed to provide 20 percent concession for the passengers arriving on general amnesty. The State government is also negotiating with some other airline companies, who in turn have agreed to bring the illegal immigrants free of cost. There are reports that the illegal residents are waiting until the end of the amnesty period, April 30, so as to take full advantage of the illegal jobs before the expiry of the grace period allowed by the UAE and come back to their native places. This would put more pressure on the immigration officials as the majority of the illegal entrants from Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Iran and Philippines will remain there till the end of the amnesty period. In the present circumstances, Norka is expecting only 1,000 to 2,000 illegal immigrants from Kerala, who will leave the country without paying the fines during the grace period. Most of the immigrants are daily labourers and they are employed at the interior parts of the country and hence it is very difficult to identity them. The UAE authorities have intensified inspections and raids on suspected hideouts of the illegal residents to ensure they leave the country immediately without waiting for the expiry of deadline. Scores of immigrant offenders were arrested by the UAE police and according to the information received at Norka, no one from Kerala was in the list. Norka is groping in the dark on how to influence the other illegal immigrants to use the amnesty period to avoid punishment. The ministerial sub-committee constituted by the government in connection with the announcement of amnesty has consulted with the UAE administration to make sure that all the illegal residents are brought back to Kerala.
PopCorn [Tamil]
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
Cast: Mohanlal, Simran, Vivek, Jyothi Director: Naseer Nasser has a way of doing things differently. Cinema and popcorn go together all right, but only Nasser could have thought of launching his latest directorial project Pop Carn, a film that's not about Pop Corn but about music. The name of the film as it suggests is coined from the phrase Pop-Carnival. Nassar had made offbeat films like Devathai, Avatharam and Mayan in the past, but none of these films have clicked well in the box-office. In his latest film Pop Carn he has roped in Mohanlal, one of the top actors of the Malayalam film world along with the number one Tamil actress Simran to make another film based on Kagaz Ke Phool. But the director fails to impress the audience with this film. The screenplay is so weird that you wish Nasser had taken more care to make matters more simple, engaging and palatable. The story is about Vikramaditya (Mohanlal), a singer and his wife Jamuna (Simran), a fusion dancer. They were crazy about each other's career before marriage. But Jamuna's over ambitious nature and unexpected pregnancy lead to a small misunderstanding, and she walks out of Vikrama's life in a huff with her newborn baby. After 18 years their daughter Megha (Jyothi) comes to perform in a Pop carnival, a national talent contest in Chennai along with her team led by her mother. Megha and a group of other performers set in search of her father and find him as an alcoholic who runs a petrol bunk. How she brings her parents together forms the rest of the story. The flaws in the script and narration are far too many. Mohanlal with too much weight and Simran are the saving grace in this otherwise dragging film. The idea of Mohanlal dubbing in his own voice has fallen flat as it sounds neither like Tamil nor Malayalam. Jyothi, who is Simran's real life sister, lacks screen presence and looks very ordinary. Music director Yuvan Shankar Raja has let us down. Actor-director Nasser clearly seems to be out of his elements. The cast also includes Vivek, Alphonsa, and a Mumbai model Sakthi. The camera is by Sridhar and Vikram Dharma is the stunt master. Kameela Nassar produces the film.
Pet project of Dileep
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
It is a pet project of actor Dileep. He was an assistant to Kamal and has done some directorial assistance in few films. He has some friends whom he would like to help. So he is producing a film, a full-length comedy placing himself in the lead with Bhavana as the heroine. Jhony Antony will direct the film. Jhony associated with Kamal and Jose Thomas with whom Dileep also did work before becoming an actor. Dileep is bringing Ashish Vidyarthi and Sarath Saxena and the top stars in Malayalam in CID Moosa. Vijaya Raghavan, Jagathy, Cochin Haneefa, Harisree Asokan, Oduvil Unnikrishana are the other actors. Uday Krishana and Siby K Thomas are writing the script. Gireesh Puthanchery has written six songs in this film, which are tuned by Vidyasagar. We have seen Bhavana in 'NAMMAL' directed by Kamal and is a box office success in Kerala. Bhavana did a role of a girl in the slum, which was central to the film theme though the heroine was Renuka. However the role did by Bhavana attracted many and she is getting more roles than Renuka now. Presently she is acting with Mammootty in CHRONIC BACHELOR. She has been chosen while there was a rumor that Dileep is going into production. He went on denying it for some time. But last week he suddenly decided to invest money.
Vinayan - His business is to make people cry.
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
Muthu the hero in 'MEERAYUDE DHUKHAVUM MUTHUVINTE SWAPNAVUM' may not make his sister cry. But the director Vinayan is sure to make the audience shed tears. Vinayan has a knack of turning the sob stories into one of enjoyable movies while retaining the 'tear value'. His formula is simple. Make the character an invalid one. Then create the most dramatic situations that will squeeze the blood and tear out of the innocent central character. Make the character take all risks. Make the character submit to the irony of fate. He had tried this in his 'VASANTHIYUM LAKSHMIYUM PINNE NJANUM' and other films. Kalabhavan Mani is a blind man in this film. He has made Kavya Madhavan a dumb girl and hero the deaf in his next film . Now, What do you think the heroine in his forthcoming film 'MEERAYUDE DHUKHAVUM MUTHUVINTE SWAPNAVUM' Meera is short of? Well she is beautiful and sings well. But it is paralysis that strikes this girl. She is born like that. Her parents do not live to see her crawling all over the house. Her brother Muthu does some alterations so that Meera would not suffer much to move along. Muthu would sacrifice his life to make his sister happy. He decides not to marry for the sake of her sister's well being. But the villagers are not satisfied seeing Muthu looking after Meera fondly. They are determined to see them suffering. Including their uncle Suseelan. You can see innumerable dramatic situations in this film showing the brother and sister going through hellish life. Vinayan knows this sells. Meera has a little lamb. It is so dear to her that she never lets it go out of her sight. Imagine a scene her uncle Suseelan stealing the lamb under her very eyes! She is at the top of her voice and tears. The lamb also cries. Vinayan can stretch this sequence to the required length, which will make his audience sit through showering sympathy. Muthu is an ordinary laborer in a kiln. He and his sister live in the laborer colony. The kiln owner's daughter Aswathi loves Muthu. It gives the required twist for the story. And there is this incident in the village, which makes Muthu a scapegoat. He is jailed. Meera a beautiful young girl, who cannot move the way she would like to- stays in a hut alone, spends Sleepless and terrifying nights! The story too goes through a nightmare of events. This is Vinayan style. He will make you weep for his characters all your life. Vinayan is shooting the film in an enchanting location near Thodupuzha. He has all the facilities in the location. The shots are at the locations of a riverside, lake country boats, coconut farms and a lot that contribute to the story. Vinayan is preparing a concoction of human feelings.
Wanted Malayalam groom for Manya
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
Manya, who had acted in films like JOKER, RAKSHASA RAJAVU and VAKKALATHA NARAYANAN KUTTY, says she wants to settle down in life with a decent Malayalam guy. Speaking with Indiainfo correspondent in Hyderabad she said that Malayalam film industry has encouraged her a lot and she feels at home with the industry. When asked about whether she would marry male co-star like other heroines, she ruled out the possibility. "If I come across a good Mallu guy, I will go for him, " she confessed. And at the present she is doing a bilingual (Tamil and Malayalam) - CHANDRAMUKHI. The film is about a girl who takes revenge on the guy who had raped her mother. Abbas plays the hero. She claims that she has good relationships with all other heroines including Geethu Mohandas and Samyuktha Verma.
'Some chose to hit me hard'- Suresh gopi
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
Director Rajasenan may keep his mouth shut about what one of his actresses did to him recently. These are not uncommon. Artists may leave the sets unofficially for another film and rejoin later. Successful directors know what to do and what not in such days of deep crises. Keep quiet. Patience pays. An actress in 'SWAPNAM KONDORU THULABHARAM' rushed to Chennai when there was a call from a famous film production company. One cannot afford to lose such a banner. So she left for a brief period. Rajasenan had to wait. Never mind he has proved a successful director in the past. His immediate task is to prove his next film celebrates in the box office. He can yell to any damn boy or girl whether a celebrity or superstar if he does succeed. Well he did wait and what a relief! He managed to save some time to attend to a backlog of script reading and discussion. He should be really thankful to the actress. In the course of time ex super star Suresh Gopi also had to wait. No complaints. Wasn't he waiting for one year? He comes back with this film. But the super action hero who was yelling and shouting all the time on the screen for the last five years could not hide his emotions when he came to the sets. He has good reasons to explain it. The press had been harsh to him all the time writing rubbish things saying he carried weapons and in addition they say, it was not him who made his films hit! It was with much reluctance that the press crowned him the super star. And that too not at par with other two actors. He was at the fourth rank while nobody was there at the third position!). It did not stop when he had to sit home in 2002 either. They continued writing. 'Some chose to hit me hard' he wails openly. And that too on top of the head.' No, it is not a good thing for a super star to lament like this. It will be shameful to the characters he plays. One should learn from Mohanlal! Whatever happens, he never lets himself fall. A good stoic he is!
Sadanadante Samayam
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
One cannot see Sadanandan in any other attire than in his all white full sleeves shirt and a double layer dhoti. He walks clean and spotless. He has sandal and kumkum on his forehead. Sadanandan is a primary school teacher. Sadanadan is a character played by Dileep. This is his latest one. Dileep is setting a new trend by taking up very ordinary and 'full of life' characters in films of comparably done by new directors. After finishing 'THILAKKAM' by Jayaraj, Dileep joined the location of 'PATTANATHIL SUNDARAN' the first directorial venture of cinematographer Vipin Mohan. The first schedule of 'PS' lasted only one week. It pictures the scenes involving Dileeps' village life. Dileep then joined 'SADANANDANTE SAMAYAM' directed by Akbar Jose a director untiring and prolific in making low budget fast made cine dramas. Akbar Jose is now in a location near Palghat. Mankara an ancient agricultural settlement with big temples, old Keralite houses, vast paddy fields and a wide river Bharathapuzha provides a good backdrop for the story. The house utilized for shooting 'MEESA MADHAVAN' (by Lal Jose) has become a lucky one now that all the directors are arranging at least a few shots there. However in 'SADANADANTE SAMAYAM' it becomes the main visual, prop and background. Sadanadan is time conscious. He always consults the almanac for the auspicious time to begin any work. He is meticulous and strict in these matters. He is least bothered whether other people can adjust to his ways. They are amused by the characteristics shown by Sadanadan; Some times Sadanandan is a laughing matter to them. The character gives ample scope for the actor to prove his range. There are a number of major actors in the location. Kavya Madhavan, Sukumari, Siddique, Janardanan, and two new young actresses named Darsana and Maya Viswanath. The scene at that time involved all these artists. They all belong to Sadanadan's family. Just because Sadanadan was adamant about the time factor, a ceremony prior to the marriage in the family does not take place and all start accusing Sadanandan. A hurt Sadanadan decides to take up a separate house and stay there. All others object to this decision though they criticize Sadanadan for following superstitions blindly. But Sadanadan is firm about his decision. He quotes an astrologer saying, "Sadanadan has bad times ahead and according to the horoscope he has to change the residence". Sadanadan is a firm believer of such things right from his childhood days because of the elders who always talked about his good and bad effects of his horoscope. This makes an impact on the mind of Sadanadan and is not able to free himself from the clutches of the superstitions. Dileep has Kavya Madhavan as his leading lady. The film has Jagathy, Kochin Haneefa, Augustin, Sadique, and Beena in important roles. The story is by Sarathchandran Wayanadu and Script by J. Pallassery. Yusuf Ali has written the songs. Mohan Sithara has scored the music. Souparnika arts are producing this film and will be ready by the Vishu festival season.
Kamal is Sticking to youngsters.
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
The chances of a Kamal film becoming a hit is not even fifty fifty though his films get enthusiastic approval from critics. After 'NIRAM', Kamal rarely had a box office hit. But he came out with good subjects in 'MADHURANOMBARAKKATTU' and 'GRAMOPHONE'. Now that his 'NAMMAL' a campus story has stayed 60 days and heading for diamond jubilee in movie halls across the state he is flooded with directorial offers. The popularity of the film is seen in the song 'Raakshasi Raakshasi' which is shown on channels several times a day. Though he is not taking up the offers he is neither wasting time. He has started working on his new film, which will go to location in March first week in Pondichery. The pooja and switch on, of the film yet to be named took place in Trichur. And this time he plans to stick on to the newly found formula of casting the new comers to woo the younger generation of viewers. Aptly he has cast Prithviraj, Kunchako Boban, Jayasoorya, Meera Jasmine, Bhavana and Vijeesh in his film. He is going to cash in on the youngsters wave. The pooja went well. It recorded the jubilant mood of the industry. Iqbal Kuttippuramand and Kamal write script jointly. Iqbal has already written the story for an earlier Kamal film. The film will be completed in one schedule and ready for release in July. Mean while his 'GRAMOPHONE' is still waiting for release. The controversy between the distributors and exhibitors regarding the share of revenue from theaters is not resolved. A number of films are waiting in cans.
PATTALAM- Mammootty ready for shooting
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
Mammootty has become busy again in Malayalam. He is currently shooting in Cochin for the Siddique film 'CHRONIC BACHELOR', and is getting ready for the much-awaited Lal Jose film 'PATTALAM'. The Pooja and recording of the film took place in Chennai Vidyasagar studios. PATTALAM begins its shooting schedule in Pollaachi by the second week of March. Mammootty has been discussing the script and other aspects of the film with Lal Jose. The heroine of the film is not yet decided. But Jyothirmayi is surely getting a big role in PATTALAM. She was there in the dance sequence in 'MEESA MADHAVAN, and was instrumental in the success of the film. Mammootty is trim in his uniform for the film, which tells the story of a village where a communal conflict took place and a unit of Rapid action force was deployed. Mammootty leads the RAF unit in the riot-ridden village. The incidents in three weeks followed by the communal violence are the core subject of the film. The role gives Mammootty a good chance of come back. The film has Biju Menon, Jagathy, Innocent, Kalabhavan Mani, Salim Kunmar, Mamukkoya, Captain Raju, Sukumari, and Abika Mohan in its cast. Reji Nair writes the script and cinematography is by S Kumar. The shooting will take place in two more locations in Kerala and in Masinagudi in Karnataka.
Sukumari
Wednesday, February 26, 2003
Sukumari, a record holder of 2500+ films in 50 years had been bestowed with 'Padmasree' this year. She travels through her unforgettable filmy past in a meeting with press people in Trivandrum. Incidentally that was her first meeting with a mob of presspersons. She acknowledged the thrill of meeting many mainstream reporters. She acknowledges the good will of Tamil Nadu Government in recommending the Central Government for the Padmasree award. Kerala Government did not do it. The Chairman of KSFDC Mr P V Gangadharan referred her name. Transport minister Ganesh kumar also referred. It should have been officially done by the culture department, which was not done at the right time. Q. Wasn't it a bit too late? The Honor of 'Padmasree'? Sukumari: So many who called me to congratulate told me about it. But Things come your way when it is really due. You need to wait for certain things in life. It cannot be bought or arranged as and when you desire. I am as I was before and after getting the Padmasree. I am happy as it is. My family and world is only the Cinema land. The honor goes to each and everyone in the film world. It is the production boy who gives me a glass of water when I am thirsty. Not anybody in my house. So the honor personally goes to him also. Q. Can you recall the beginning of your career? Sukumari: I started dancing when I was 10. Though I was born in Trivandrum I lived all my life in Madras except for a brief period with my own parents. My mother's sister took me to Madras where all her daughters were in films, acting and dancing. (Sukumari was referring to Saraswathy Amma and her daughters the renowned 'Travancore Sisters' Lalitha, Ragini, Padmini. It was Saraswathi Amma and Chandrakumar, father of actress Shobana who guided and helped Sukumari to get into films.) Q. When did you act first in a film? Sukumari: That was at the age of ten. It was a Tamil movie. 'ORU IRAVU'. It was a song sequence. (She has acted in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Kannada, Bengali, and Hindi films.) The first major role was in THASKARAVEERAN in '57. This was made in 6 languages. The same year I acted in 'KOODAPPIRAPPU'. She has completed 50 years of film career but she has not thought about quitting yet. (May be she thinks people do not retire at 63 unless they are bored or inefficient. Any way she is not) No body wanted me to quit. And I am not thinking of it either. I will go on acting till it comes to a natural end. Q. What do you think of acting in 'old age' roles? Sukumari: I have done all kinds of roles. I have acted with all the generation of actors. I have acted with Satyan, Thikkurissi, Premnazir, Madhu, Jayan, Mammootty, Mohanlal, Jayaram, Kunchako Boban, now with Krishna. He has my family blood. (Krishna is grandson of Lalitha). What more an actress wants other than acting with a whole lot of stars of many consecutive generations? Q. Is there any role that you wanted to do but could not? Sukumari: No. But could have done a role of a dumb girl. Q. You are acting in a mega serial now. There was a controversy about film artists acting in serials. What do you think about it? Sukumari: Only those who are not busy in films accept in TV serials. Acting is our profession. Films and TV are our medium. We act where we are wanted. Q. You were a part of mainstream film for a long period. How was then the ADOOR film? Sukumari: All are cinemas. It was like all other sets and location. I did not feel anything different. May be because the artists were known to me very well. Some people warned me about this film. But to me it was the most satisfying work and a real fast one. I finished my part of shooting first in the film. Q. Do you think Mammootty and Mohanlal times are over? Sukumari: No, KOTTARAKKARA was off the screen for a considerable period. But he came back with more powerful roles. These actors will also do good roles in the future. Q. Heard a lot about your activities in stage. Sukumari: Yes, I am a member of Chi Ramaswami's drama troupe. I do at least one stage acting even now. Q. Do you intend to direct films? Sukumari. I have a job now. That's what I am destined to do. 63 is not an age for filmy dancing, considering the discomforts of the body, location, whether. But to Sukumari it is a part of life. She updates herself in the changing world. That is the secret of her survival.
Adoor's resignation accepted
Monday, February 24, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram: The government has accepted the resignation of renowned filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan as the chairman of the Kerala Chalachithra Academy. Gopalakrishnan put in his papers to Chief Minister A K Antony on January 21 following his differences with Cultural Affairs Minister G Karthikeyan. The main grievance of Gopalakrishnan was that Karthikeyan and his personal staff were frequently interfering in the day to day functioning of the academy despite it being an autonomous charitable institution. Karthikeyan told reporters that the government had accepted the resignation of Gopalakrishnan. Refusing to be drawn into any more controversy, Karthikeyan evaded all questions on the issue. He said the government would like to thank Gopalakrishnan for his services and put on record his contributions as the chairman of the academy. Asked about the claim of Academy's vice chairman Soorya Krishnamoorthy that he had submitted his resignation to Karthikeyan, he said no such letter had been received so far. Gopalakrishnan has submitted his resignation on January 21 after meeting the chief minister at his official residence. But, Antony had wanted time to take a decision and asked the filmmaker to meet him after returning from his three weeklong foreign tour to premier his latest film Nizhalkoothu (Shadow Kill). Accordingly, Gopalakrishnan met the chief minister on February 21 and pressed his resignation after explaining to him the circumstances that led to the extreme decision. As promised, Antony forwarded the letter to Karthikeyan who accepted it today.
Express Highway ‘tipped’ for a ‘Golden’ future
Monday, February 24, 2003
Express Highway ‘tipped’ for a ‘Golden’ future KOCHI: The proposed Express Highway connecting Kasargod to Thiruvananthapuram will be linked to the Golden Quadrilateral, the four- and six-lane highway project of the Union Government, with the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) deciding to provide four-lane facility for National Highways 17 and 47 at the northern and southern tips of the State. The Rs 6,400-crore Express Highway project will extend from Chalingal near Kanhangad in Kasargod district to Kazhakoottam in Thiruvananthapuram. As part of linking the access-controlled Express Highway to the Golden Quadrilateral, NH-17, from Chalingal to Kasargod, Manjeshwaram on the Kerala border and up to Mangalore in Karnataka, will be made a four-lane road. This will ultimately be linked to the Golden Quadrilateral, on the Mumbai stretch. The proposed four-lane NH-47 from Kazhakoottam will pass through Kovalam to the south of Neyyattinkara and will be extended up to Kanyakumari. The Express Highway will facilitate long distance vehicles, even from Tamil Nadu, to enter the Golden Quadrilateral with minimum running time. Sources in the Roads and Bridges Development Corporation of Kerala (RBDCK) said that plans to link the Express Highway to other National Highways in the State will attract more investors for the ambitious super-corridor project. The development of NH-47 will also benefit commercial towns like Nagercoil, Tirunelveli and tourist spots in the south. It is pointed out that with new projects coming up, connecting the 507-kilometre Express Highway project, the State’s economic and urban face will undergo a sea change. Public Works Minister M K Munner during his visit to Kuwait and Dubai recently presented the Express Highway project to the Non-Resident Keralites there. The Government is mulling over various options for executing the project with the help of Keralites in the Gulf region.
Police keep Janu away from arrested tribals
Monday, February 24, 2003
KANNUR: It was a long wait for mediapersons here on Saturday night. More than a dozen reporters and photographers gathered on the premises of the Kannur Central Jail till early Sunday morning following reports that the Adivasi Gothra Maha Sabha (AGMS) leaders C K Janu and Geethanandan, arrested by the police at Sulthan Bathery on Saturday, would be brought to the prison here. For the waiting newspersons, there was also no reason to believe that Janu and Geethanandan would be taken to any other jail, as a majority of those arrested in connection with the Muthanga operation had been brought to the Kannur jail. But it seems the police weren't in favour of keeping the duo, who led the violent Muthanga stir and their followers in the same jail. The police report, according to sources here, was that bringing them here would cause further trouble as they would be getting an opportunity to interact with their followers, some of whom had started disowning their leaders. Meanwhile, as many as 82 Adivasis arrested in connection with the Muthanga incident were brought to the Kannur Jail early on Sunday morning.
Need for systematic information systems auditing stressed
Monday, February 24, 2003
KOCHI: There is every need to introduce a systematic information systems auditing in the State to ensure maximum utilisation of investments in the Information Technology (IT) sector, State IT Secretary Aruna Sunderarajan said here. She was inaugurating the Kochi chapter of Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA) on Saturday. The State has made remarkable progress in the IT sector within a span of two years and has become a force to reckon with in the country. The State Government has earmarked eight departments, including revenue, police, registration, motor vehicles and civil supplies, for computerisation. In this context, the Government needs the help of IT professionals and system auditors. Aruna Sunder Raj sought the assistance of ISACA in this regard. The Government has placed importance the development of IT and tourism in the development plans for the State. Favourable factors such as educated manpower and a modern and progressive population would help the State achieve faster growth in the sector, she said. Pointing out that the Government will forge a close association with the ISACA, Aruna Sunderarajan stressed the need for certified information system auditors in the State. ISACA international vice-president Abdul Hamid Bin Abdulla, of Singapore, delivered the keynote address on the occasion. He said development in the IT sector was imperative for preventing brain drain. Kerala, with its high literacy rate, has potential to emerge as a major power in the IT industry. The necessary infrastructure should be put in place to achieve this goal, he said. IT has emerged as a key factor in achieving corporate excellence. ‘‘Corporate governance has become inevitably linked linked to IT governance,’’ Abdulla said. To successfully implement IT governance, best practices should be adopted at the board of directors-level and at the executive management-level. The responsibilities of IT governance include aligning an IT strategic plan, giving direction to the processes and ensuring maximum results. ISACA Kochi chapter president Rejive Joseph presided over the function. The website of the Kochi chapter www.isacacochin.org was launched on the occasion by Federal Bank executive director P R Sankaranarayanan. Joseph Martin C F welcomed the gathering and secretary Minu Abraham proposed a vote of thanks.
MGU youth fest: Maharaja’s gets crown
Monday, February 24, 2003
VAIKOM: In a keenly-fought contest, Maharaja’s College with 108 points bagged the overall championship at the 18th Mahatma Gandhi University Youth Festival which concluded here on Sunday, beating arch rival St Teresa’s College, which finished with 91 points. Sacred Heart College, Thevara, came third with 51 points, closely followed by RLV College, Tripunithura, which bagged 49 points. Maharaja’s College won the trophy for the best performance in the literary section while RLV College, Tripunithura, bagged the trophy for the best performance in Fine Arts. Razak P K, better known to art lovers as Razi Rozario, was adjudged ‘Kalaprathibha.’ Razak had won the first prize in the collage event and the second prize in painting. A self-made artiste, Razak is a second year LLB student at Government Law College, Ernakulam. The fight for the top slot was almost always between arch rivals Maharaja’s and St Teresa’s. While Maharaja’s led the tally on all the five days, St Teresa’s was in the second position on all the days except the second day when Sacred Heart College snatched the position away from it. RLV College also gave a tough competition to Teresians at times, so much so that the chairperson of St Teresa’s, Anupama Menon, felt that RLV would notch one of the top two positions in a couple of years. Maharaja’s fought a brave battle to the top as the college struggled to support their participants for lack of funds. When the top Union leaders of most of the participating colleges were at the venue throughout, Ron Bastian, the chairman of Maharaja’s, was busy with his team in Ernakulam trying to pool money from local traders, sympathisers and enthusiasts. ‘‘The Union has not been able to collect enough money to pay the professionals who were hired to prepare the teams that participated in the group events. We need another Rs 45,000,’’ Ron says. The story of St Albert’s College is no different. The College was not able to seek the help of professionals from outside for want of money. Maharaja’s, as has always been the case, banked a lot on the participants in the literary events, on their way to the championship. Among the prizes they bagged are the second prizes in Malayalam short story writing and poetry - Rajeev P R and English short story and film review- Deepesh.
We’ll intensify struggle, says Janu
Monday, February 24, 2003
KOZHIKODE: Though isolated and alienated from the general public following the aborted land grabbing agitation in Muthanga, the Adivasi Gothra Maha Sabha president C K Janu said on Sunday that the struggle would be intensified. ‘‘It will continue, we will intensify the struggle,’’ she said while being taken to the District jail here on Sunday morning, barely able to speak with a swollen and bruised cheek following her surrender and arrest in Sulthan Bathery the day before. AGMS convenor M Geethanandan, who was also arrested along with Janu on Saturday, also was brought to the Kozhikode jail. Chosing to remain silent, Geethanandan also looked tired and was staggering. Guarded by around 30 police personnel including women constables, the van carrying the AGMS leaders had reached the district jail from Bathery by 9.35 am. The police did not give the mediapersons an opportunity to make more queries and hurried the leaders into the jail. Earlier in the morning, the Judicial First Class Magistrate in Sulthan Bathery remanded Janu and Geethanandan in judicial custody for 15 days. Investigating officials, accompanied by a large contingent of police force, had produced Janu and Geethanandan, who were arrested from a spot close to Nambikolly in Noolpuzha Grama Panchayat here on Saturday morning, before the Judicial First Class Magistrate Hafiz Mohammed at his residence located close to Mariamman Temple here at around 7.20 am. The formalities were completed within 15 minutes. As per the documents submitted before the magistrate, Janu and Geethanandan had committed various crimes including attempt to murder and criminal conspiracy. The police also informed the Magistrate that Janu and Geethanandan had committed crimes
Film academy was a waste of time: Adoor
Monday, February 24, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: After stepping down as head of a film academy in this Kerala capital, renowned Malayalam movie director Adoor Gopalakrishnan said the short stint had been a waste of his time. "Looking back now I feel it was a waste of my time heading the academy for the past one and a half years. I will never ever again accept any similar posting," Gopalakrishnan told reporters here Saturday. A row had broken out between Gopalakrishnan and state Cultural Affairs Minister G. Karthikeyan over the functioning of the Kerala Chalachithra Academy. Upset with frequent interference from the minister's office, the director met Chief Minister A K Antony and submitted his resignation as chairman on January 21. But he held back his resignation on the chief minister's advice. "I again met Antony (Friday) and asked him to accept my resignation and he did it," said Gopalakrishnan. "The chapter is closed. Please do not call me up for any more clarifications, even if the minister holds a press meeting on this issue," the director said. Gopalakrishnan charged Karthikeyan with making personal slurs at a press conference on January 22. "Instead of making an attempt to find out exactly why I met the chief minister and submitted my resignation, he went ahead making silly remarks on my ego and the manner in which I functioned," fumed the critically acclaimed and award-winning director. Gopalakrishnan also came down heavily on the minister for insisting that it was his right and duty to oversee the functioning of the academy. "The minister has got it all wrong. The academy is an autonomous body and as chairman I am responsible for the entire functioning. If there are any lapses, I am accountable for it," he said. Gopalakrishnan also asked the minister to have faith on people appointed to such posts and respect their judgements and views. He said one good thing that emerged from his experience was that it could help future chairpersons of the academy. "One could possibly learn from mistakes. In that respect my resignation will help the next chairman, whosoever it is. And we would be happy if he is from the film fraternity."
Adoor quits Chalachitra Academy
Monday, February 24, 2003
Renowned filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan on Saturday announced his irrevocable decision to quit as Chairman of the Kerala Chalachithra Academy after a last-ditch effort by Chief Minister A K Antony failed to make him withdraw his resignation. Gopalakrishnan had put in his papers on January 21 following differences with Cultural Affairs Minister G Karthikeyan. Meanwhile, Academy's Vice-Chairman 'Soorya' Krishnamurthy on Saturday met Karthikeyan and submitted his resignation. This was confirmed by Krishnamurthy. Gopalakrishnan told newspersons here that he met Antony on Friday and pressed his resignation after explaining the circumstances that led to his resignation. Gopalakrishnan had submitted his resignation on January 21 after meeting the Chief Minister at his official residence. But, Antony had wanted time to take a decision and asked the filmmaker to meet him after returning from his three-week-long foreign tour to premier his latest film Nizhalkkuthu(Shadow Kill). The director said that Antony did not compel him to withdraw the resignation and assured him that the letter would be forwarded to the Cultural affairs minister for further action. "It seems that Mr Antony understood what I had told him".
Kerala's tallest tribal leader ends up as `most wanted'
Monday, February 24, 2003
The fiery tribal woman C K Janu, who shot to fame symbolising the grit of a suppressed and exploited class, had once been greeted by Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony as ''my beloved sister.'' The glamour associated with the young, firebrand leader also made her a much-sought after personality by the media. However, in a curious turn of events, the Adivasi Gothra Maha Sabha leader has fallen from the good books of Antony and has ended behind the bars as `a most wanted criminal', after being arrested along with her aide M Geethanandan. In custody, she faces the possibility of being charged for leading cesession, which ultimately ended in the bloody battle at Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary at Muthanga on Wednesday last. The unorganised tribals had found in Janu their tallest saviour as she and her associates pitched their tents in front of the State Secretariat and forced the Government to hammer out a deal on October 16, 2001, for distributing upto five acres of land to the landless adivasis. After the Government went slow on its word, Janu alongwith Geethanandan led about 1000 families to the Sanctuary to set up huts and declare ''autonomy'' during the 45-day stir. The opposition CPI(M), with which she worked initially, even accused Antony of playing `conspiracy' with Janu in a political game. But things did not go as per plan and the forcible occupation of the Sanctuary by hundreds of tribals, including women and children, climaxed in a fierce battle on Wednesday, when the tribals armed with sickles and arrows clashed with a nearly 1000-police force. Two people -- one police constable and one tribal -- died in the episode before the tribals were cleared out from the Wayanad forest.
Janu, Geethanandan remanded to judicial custody; torture by police alleged
Monday, February 24, 2003
Adivasi Gothra Maha Sabha leader C K Janu has said the land stir at Muthanga will continue. She told media persons at Sulthan Bathery that herself and her aide, Geethanandan, arrested at Nambikolli on Friday, were tortured in police custody. She was responding to questions while being moved to the district jail. The police prevented newspersons from talking to Geethanandan. Both had tell-tale signs of man-handling on their body. Janu had a swollen face and looked like she had been slapped. Janu said they had reached the open at Nambikolli with the intention of surrendering to the police. They wanted this to happen in public and that was why they chose an open place. The Sulthan Bathery judicial first class magistrate remaned them to judicial custody. The two were produced before the magistrate at his residence. Geethanandan is the first accused and Janu second accused in the case registered over the death of a police constable Vinod who died from hack injuries during police action in Muthanga. There are five other cases including waging war against state in all of which Janu figures as first accused and her aide Gethanandan as second accused.
Serial Asianet: Swapnam
Monday, February 24, 2003
Time: 8 p.m. IST, Monday to Friday on Asianet Cast: Praveena, Sreevidya, Prem Prakash, T P Madhavan, Santhosh, Sudhasini, Valsala Menon and Bindu Ramakrishnan. Viswanathan resigns his job in Hyderabad and returns to live in his ancestral home in Kerala with his family. Apart from his wife Vasumathi and daughter Mythili, he has with him the one-month old child of Mythili who is an unwed mother. The child is the souvenir of a love affair that Mythili had with Edward D'Zousa, a handsome youngster who was living next door to the family. Viswanthan also had tacitly approved of the affair because of his tenderness to his daughter. However, Edward did not return from a visit to seek his mother's permission to marry Mythili. Once in the ancestral village, the family had a hard time convincing the relatives and neighbours that the child was found 'abandoned' in a train. Only Viswanthan's mother developed a tender feeling towards the infant. Mythili sets out to find Edward in his native Mattancherry. Edward's mother, Margaret D'Zousa is also having her share of worries as she had lost his husband and other children at sea. Edward has also not come back from Hyderabad for a long time. She willingly accepts Mythili and her grandchild. Margaret's relatives are not willing to take Mythili into the family and Mythili leaves them because of their intolerance. Back home, Mythili agrees to a marriage as her family was eager to see her pick up the threads of her life. But worse are the times ahead.
Ban on enrollment of expat children in UAE govt schools to continue.
Monday, February 24, 2003
The UAE's Ministry of Education and Youth's will not reconsider its decision to stop registration of expatriates at government schools. The Ministry has said in a letter to the Federal National Council which had urged the government to reconsider the decision, that it did not see any reason to reconsider its decision take three years ago. The letter from Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Saeed Al Ghaith claimed that the decision was taken as part of its drive for nationalisation and austerity. The decision had forced many expatriates to leave the country as they could not afford private school fees or discotinue the education of their children. The children of expatriates already in school are, however, allowed to complete while new ernollments have been stopped. For remote areas where there are no private schools, the Ministry has deacided to bear the tuition fees in private schools for two children of each employee. Some educational zones have seen the setting up of schools called ‘Expatriates' Children's schools as an alternative. The tuition fees of these schools, which offer only evening classes, are lower than that of private schools. It has been pointed out that while private schools charge between Dh 4000-7000 for elementary level, Dh 6000-9000 for primary level, these schools charge only Dh 2100, Dh 2500 and Dh 3000 respectively. The ministry has targetted 80 per cent nationalisation of education sector by 2005.
UAE allows private schools to raise fees without limit.
Monday, February 24, 2003
UAE authorities have decided to allow private schools to raise fees annually without ceiling. Ali Meihad Al Suweidi, assistant under-secretary in the Ministry of Education and Youth has said the rule will come into effect soon. He said the Ministry will examine requests for fee hike against the upgradation of facilities as well as the infrastructure of the school and decide if it is justified. ''If the ministry is convinced of the fee hike request and believes it is for the betterment of the institution to impart quality education, we will have no objection to approve the fee hike,' Al Suweidi told the annual conference of the heads of Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) schools in Dubai. He also confirmed that private schools will no longer have to abide by any ceiling for fee hike, which was previously imposed by the ministry. The raise can be even up to 100 per cent, he disclosed, adding that the fee hike should correspond with the expenses incurred by the school in offering better facilities to its students. 'I don't see why we should not allow schools to raise their fees, if they are delivering the goods in conformity with the ministry's regulations and specifications,' he said. The decision, he pointed out, will increase competition among private schools in the country, which will constantly make efforts to upgrade their facilities and provide quality education to students of different nationalities. This decision may also lead to a situation where schools may strive to keep their fee levels low to attract more students. Referring to the recent decision of schools to impose fee hike retrospectively from September 2002, he said that the ministry could not intervene and request the schools to hike the fees only from the date of receipt of approval of a fee hike."This is between the schools and the parents," he said, pointing out that if these schools had informed the parents of an anticipated fee hike, the decision of the schools to implement it either retrospectively, or from the new semester, is legitimate. However, the ministry would be prepared to look at complaints from parents in the matter, he added.
Nandanam best film; Dileep best actor -Lux-Asianet Award
Monday, February 24, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram: Nandanam, directed by Renjith and produced by Siddique, bagged the Lux-Asianet Award for the best Malayalam film in 2002 while Jayaraj was adjudged the best director for the film Kannaki. Dileep was adjudged the best actor for his role in Kunjikoonan. The award for the best actress was shared by Kavya Madhavan and Navya Nair for Oomapennine Uriyada Payyan and Nandanam respectively. Actor-director Madhu was selected for the special award for overall contribution to the Malayalam cinema. The best film will get Rs 1.25 lakh as prize money while the best director Rs 75,000. The best actor and actress will get Rs 50,000 each. The winner of the special award for overall contribution will also get Rs 50,000. The awards will be given at a function at Chandrasekharan Nair Stadium here on March 2. The award jury, headed by director K.S.Sethumadhavan, picked the best film from the five films nominated by viewers through a gallop poll. The other jury members were Pukazhenthi, Vidhubala, C.V.Balakrishnan, Lenin Rajendran and member secretary Shobhana Parameswaran Nair. Jagathi Sreekumar is the best supporting actor (Meesa Madhavan) and Bhavana best supporting actress (Nammal). The award for the best scriptwriter went to T.K.Rajeev Kumar (Sesham) while the best lyricist award was bagged by O.N.V.Kurup (Ente Hridayathinte Udama) for the song Ekakinee. The best music director award went to Kaithapram Viswanathan (Kannaki). Vidhu Pratap and Jyotsna who sang the number ‘Enthu Sukhamanu...’ for the film Nammal, have been adjudged the best male playback singer and best female playback singer respectively. Jyothirmayi bagged the Lux Award for best debut performance for her role in Meesa Madhavan. Jayaram and Soundarya (Yathrakarude Sradhakku) have won the award for the best opposite roles by an actor and actress. The other award winners are Rajeev Ravi - best cinematographer (Sesham), K Rajagopal - best editor (Nammal), Nemom Pushparaj - best art director (Kannaki), Harikumar - best sound recordist (Kannaki) and Pattanam Rasheed - best make-up artiste (Kunjikoonan). 2003 Lux-Asianet Film Awards Best movie Nandanam (Director: Ranjith, Producer: Siddique) Best director Jayaraj (Kannagi) Best actor Dilip (Kunjikkoonan) Best actress Kaya Madhavan (Oomapenninu Uriyadapayyan) Navya Nair (Nandanam) Best supporting actor Jagathy Sreekumar (Meesa Madhavan) Best supporting actress Bhavana (Nammal) Best script Sesham (T K Rajeevkumar) Best lyricist O N V Kurup (Ente Hridayathinte Udama) Lyric: 'Ekakinee...' Best music director Kaithapram Viswanathan (Kannagi) Best male playback singer Vidhu Pratap (Nammal) Song: 'Enthu Sukhamanee...) Best female playback singer Jyothsna (Nammal) Song: 'Enthu Sukhamanee... ) Best Lux New Face Jyothirmayi (Meesa Madhavan) Star Pair Jayaram-Soundarya (Yathrakkarude Sradhakku) Best cinematographer Rajiv Ravi (Sesham) Best editing K Rajagopal (Nammal) Best art director Nemam Pushparaj (Kannagi) Best sound recordist Harikumar (Kannagi) Best make-up artiste Pattanam Rashid (Kunjikkoonan) Life-time achievement award Madhu
JV company to promote Korean investment in Kerala
Monday, February 24, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 23 The Small and Medium Industries Association of Korea will tie up with the Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation to promote a joint venture company to provide backup support to Korean ventures in the State. Announcing this decision, Kerala Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty and Association Director General Park Chan Dong told a new conference here that the new company would function as a service provider to the Korean ventures. Stating that a large number of Korean companies had envisaged keen interest to invest in Kerala, Mr Dong said the Korea-based Chang-Woo Engineering Company Ltd would finalise an agreement with the Cochin Port Trust tomorrow to set up a ship repairing unit at Kochi. Once the project was cleared, it would be implemented as early as possible. ''The company is also looking into the option of setting up a power plant for their own purpose,'' he added. He said there was a proposal to set up a Korean Village in Kerala which would act as a production unit for export in this area. Mr Kunhalikutty said the eight-member Korean team, which was on a visit to the State, was on the process of identifying 100 acreas of land for the purpose. He said the Government would convene an all-party meeting on March six to discuss various projects that came up before the recently-held Global Investor Meet. The State Assembly would also discuss the matter on March eleven.
VAT Waiver To Farmer In Pipeline In Kerala
Monday, February 24, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram, February 23: Waiver to non-corporate farm producers will be the key value addition of Kerala VAT (value added tax) Bill to the National Institute of Public Finance (NIPF) model-bill prescribed to the states by Centre. In a distinct take-off from the VAT Bills published by eight states so far, the thrust of the Kerala Bill is on insulating the crisis-ravaged farmer. As the Bill returns to Kerala Assembly for discussion next Wednesday, the House's Subject Committee on Economic Affairs has this week clamped a VAT-exemption amendment to farmers and producers of farm products. This, however, will not cover the corporate establishments in the agricultural sector. "Till now, farmer has not been subjected to sales tax. But if the exemption had not been insisted, VAT would have added to the farmer's cup of WTO woes from April," Dr T M Thomas Isaac, Left Economist and member of the Subject Commitee on Economic Affairs told FE. Madhya Pradesh Assembly has already passed its VAT legislation. Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal have published their VAT Bills. These are yet to add the farmer-waiver amendment. After, the first vetting of the Assembly, the rate on rice has been trimmed from the prescribed four per cent to one per cent. This makes it on par with the other southern states, which have also preferred the one per cent rate. K Sankaranarayanan, Kerala finance minister pointed out that long before the Bill came before the Subject Committee, Kerala government had brought up the issue of `high rate on south's staple food' before the Empowered Committee of finance ministers, chaired by Dr Ashim Dasgupta. Paddy has also been spared from the tax net, he said. The Subject Committee, which met on Thursday, has also eased the turnover-threshold of traders allowed to pay presumptive tax from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 20 lakh. This is almost on par with the neighbouring states of Tamil Nadu (Rs 15 lakh) and Andhra Pradesh (Rs 20 lakh). The stretching of the turnover threshold means that traders in Rs 2 lakh - Rs 20 lakh category can opt for the presumptive tax or VAT. Instead of the present Rs 5000, the presumptive tax will be two per cent of the turnover. While VAT payees are to make monthly returns, presumptive tax payees need make returns only once in three months. The bone of contention between the opposition and the government during the VAT discussions next week in the state assembly is likely to be on the loss-projections due to VAT, which the Centre has promised to compensate. Where three per cent tax is collected on industrial inputs (raw material, component parts and packing materials), after April, tax on inputs including consumables has been reduced to zero. Under the VAT system, the entire local tax suffered will get refund when the goods move out of the country. CST revenue may fall radically. Even when the goods had suffered local tax, CST at the rate of four per cent is being charged on interstate sale. Under the VAT system, the entire tax paid at earlier stages will be set off against CST liability. While Mr Sankaranarayanan claims VAT-triggered losses of at least Rs 350 crore to the state exchequer, the opposition feels that this has been highly exaggerated. The hardest pinch, according to Dr Thomas Issac, is going to be on none but the consumer.
"Govt. committed to assign lands to tribals"
Monday, February 24, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb. 23. : The Government today asserted that there would not be any let-up in implementing its promise of assigning land to all landless tribals and said another 1,840 acres of land would be distributed within two months. Formalities were underway to distribute 1,840 acres in Alleppey, Wayanad, Kollam, Thrissur, Kozhikode and Idukki districts, Minister for Welfare of Backward and Scheduled Communities, M A Kuttappan, said here. Land identified in these districts has been approved for distribution and concerned district collectors were taking urgent action for survey of land selection of beneficiaries, he said. Apart from this, it was also decided to distribute lands comprising of 1,615.63 acres also to landless tribals. These lands formed part of Alakode estate in Kannuar district, Perambra estate in Kozhikode, Chettachal farm here and Kuriottumala buffalo farm in Kollam, he said. Government have also decided to take over Aralam farm situated in Kannur district from the Centre and 7,612 acres of the farm would be given to tribals for resettlement. It has also resolved to distribute assignable land falling within Sugandhagiri (3705 acres) and Pookode (1037 acres) projects to landless tribals, he said. A proposal under the Forest Conservation Act for diversion of 30,124.57 acres of forest land for distribution among tribals has been submitted to the Union Government, he said.
Vaalkannadi
Sunday, February 23, 2003
Cast - Kalabhavan Mani, Geetu Mohandas, Anil Murali Director - Anil Babu This is going to be another memorable film for 'Kalabavan' Mani. His role easily transforms from a comic character to a very serious and sentimental one as the film progresses. Melurkunnu is a very tiny village. The first people to settle there were Velayuthan, Raghavan (Thilakan) and Kunhiraman (Babu Namboodri). Appunni ('Kalabhavan' Mani) is the son of the dead Velayuthan. Appunni divides his time between sanity and insanity. When he is sane, he is the most compatible person to live with. When he is insane, he doesn't have a clue what he is up to. During one such spells of insanity, he unleashes his anger upon Raghavan. When his temper tantrum subsides, he regrets. Devutti (Geethu Mohandas) is Raghavan's daughter. Appuni is in love with her. Her mother (Meena Ganesh) tries her best to separate the two. Appunni's mother (KPAC Lalitha) understands her son and tries to get them married. Soon, the burden of looking after Raghavan's family falls on Appunni's shoulder. The hard working Appunni manages to look after the two families. Trouble arrives in the form of Thamba (Anil Murali). He is a native of the village. He, Appunni and Devutti were childhood friends. He returns to the village after making loads of money outside. Appunni is fascinated by the tales of luxury and comforts he hears from Thamba. He begins to think that Devutti deserves a better man than himself and decides to get her married to Thamba instead. But, Devutti has her heart only for Appunni and her opposition prevents the marriage from happening. Thamba is very offended. He plans revenge. He gets Appunni branded as a madman. In front of Appunni's eyes, he gets Devutti killed and puts the blame on Appunni. The villagers and his own family members throw Appunni out. That's when Kunhiraman's daughter arrives to tell Appunni the truth behind Devutti's murder. She is the only one who knows the real facts. Appunni decides to wreck vengeance. The film's seed is a very simple love story. Directors Anil-Babu have spun a magical and intriguing story around it. The film's actors have given a very realistic performance. Girish Menon is the art director. Over Exposure technique has been used to perfection in the film. Another film that has good talents, great screenplay and excellent direction coming together.
Mammootty, Suresh Gopi star in Shaji Kailash's film
Sunday, February 23, 2003
Mammooty & Suresh Gopi star together in Shaji Kailash's new film. Soundarya plays the female lead. The film portrays the incidents that follow a brutal murder. 'Meerayude Dhukkavam Muthuvinde Swapnavam' Renuka is the heroine of this film which has Vinayan as the director and creator. Shooting had begun in Thottupuzha.
Mammootty, Suresh Gopi star in Shaji Kailash's film
Sunday, February 23, 2003
Mammooty & Suresh Gopi star together in Shaji Kailash's new film. Soundarya plays the female lead. The film portrays the incidents that follow a brutal murder. 'Meerayude Dhukkavam Muthuvinde Swapnavam' Renuka is the heroine of this film which has Vinayan as the director and creator. Shooting had begun in Thottupuzha.
'Chronic Bachelor'- Chronic Crawler
Sunday, February 23, 2003
When Siddhique announced this film, long, long time ago, he had Samyuktha Verma in his mind as the film's heroine. The film began to drag. Drag. And drag a little bit more. Then, names of Gouthami and Kaveri began making its rounds. Samyuktha got married. As her replacement, Rambha was brought in. As Gouthami's replacement, Aishwarya stepped in. Initially, Laila wasgoing to replace Samyuktha. She was busy. So, a Telugu girl, Laya, was rumored to be the heroine. Turns out, she isn't. It's Rambha as of now.
'Meerayude Dhukkavum Maniyude Swapnavum'
Sunday, February 23, 2003
Director Vinayan's new film revolves around the lead pair of Navya Nair and Prithviraj. The film's shooting begins on the 26th January at Thodupuzha.
Bhagyaraj switches on Taha's next film
Sunday, February 23, 2003
After the sensational success of 'Parakkum Thaliga', Taha is going to begin shooting his next film 'Kerala House Vilpannaikku' at Pollachi. Director Bhagyaraj did the switching on ritual for the film. The story happens on the Tamilnadu - Kerala border. The film has Tamil stars like Radha Ravi & Kovai Sarala.
"There's love in everybody"- Lohitadas
Sunday, February 23, 2003
Lohitadas is unique when it comes to mixing love and emotions in films. He doesn't hurry to recite his story. He waits for the story to move along its natural pace. Only then does he start revealing his characters onscreen. The way he writes his screenplay is unique too. He doesn't commence shooting until he has the scene set in his mind's frame. He doesn't mind violating the script when it doesn't match the picture that his mind had drawn. When one runs into him on the sets, one wonders if he is a chain smoker. Maybe he is trying to get the scene to perfection in his mind. This is exactly the way we found him when we met him on the sets of 'Kasturimaan'. You really have to appreciate the nerve of this craftsman when he declares that he is 'solely responsible for all the mistakes' in his films. Here, he talks to us about love in its different dimensions. "These days, love I losing its purity in the hearts of the people. But, undeniably, there is love in everybody." "Love is the most intense emotion that could ever grip a man. Love can make him do anything. Love at first sight is not a myth. It is very much possible, but it is not what they show in the media. About 'Kasturimaan', his new film: "My new film 'Kasturimaan' shows this kind of love between two young people with nothing cinematic added to it. " 'Kasturimaan' tries to make you look within yourself to find out the person you are and tries to make you fall in love with the person you really are. Only if you are happy with who you are you begin to fall in love with another person. "There's philosophy in every love story. My film has philosophy too. Love is subdued these days by suspicion, distrust and pride. If a man could get rid of all these undesirable elements, love begins to shine. "Everybody is after money. Even mothers love only those children who have financially succeeded in their lives. About 'Suthradhaaran's failure: 'Suthradhaaran' didn't turn out to be a hit. I don't want to run away from accepting the blame for its failure. There is a shortage of minds that could come up with stories that get transformed into beautiful movies. The situation is not limited to movies. The condition prevails in literary circles too. About Meera Jasmine: "New talents are not coming forward in the cine industry. This is greatly affecting its progress. Younger generation doesn't have enough experience. Meera Jasmine, the actress whom I launched in 'Suthradhaaran' is a very talented girl. She knows how to understand a character and reproduce it onscreen. She has the ability to switch from one mood to another within seconds. His forthcoming project, 'Bhishma': I have this script ready for years. I want to make this film with newcomers in the leading roles. I haven't found the right stars to play the roles. I know I will find them. I want to begin shooting the film in February.
Geethu Mohandas
Sunday, February 23, 2003
In the 80's, a girl of five was launched in the films. She then disappeared only to re-enter as a young woman later. That's Geethu Mohandas for you. She talks here about her growing up in Canada, her ambitions and her life in general. We met her on the day she got her driver's license. She was jubilant about it- getting her Driver's License. Why didn't you get your Driver's License when you were in Canada? I did drive there. I had my license too. But, driving on the Indian roads is a totally different experience. You never know when a cow will spring up before you. Traffic rules are different too. That's why I thought I might as well learn it again. You are making giant progress in movies too. How does your second year feel? I only remember two films that I did as a child star- 'Onnu Muthal Poojiyam Vare' and 'Bommukutti Ammavukku'. Those days, I did whatever the directors told me. These days, it is not so. I know what is expected from me. I have that responsibility. In 'Fifty-Fifty', I play a model. In 'Seetha Kalyanam', its right opposite. In the morning, I wear jeans, by evening I shift to saree and jasmine flowers. In between, there is also the dubbing for 'Vaal Kannadi'. You aren't selective about your roles, are you? My policy is to give equal importance to both commercial and offbeat films. Commercial films get me the recognition that I need. Offbeat films are reflections of reality. Doing such films is a big relief. Actresses who get into films normally end up gaining lot of weight. How did you manage to stay in shape? (Laughs). I eat atleast five times a day. But, nobody believes me when I say so. My mother is pretty lean too. I guess it is genetical. You have played a variety of roles. How are you in real life? Mood has a great influence on me. If my mood is good, I'm the best person to be with. Your costumes look lovely… Credit goes to my designers. I give them my opinion occasionally. If I don't feel comfortable wearing something, I don't. What do you do when you find some free time? I do some surfing. I reply to emails, check out some film scripts on the net. These days my craze is to watch the films o the 80's. How comfortable are you when it comes to baring your skin onscreen? I have some principles. Only if the character needs it, the director asks to reveal some skin. As a performer, your choices are very limited. I know that most of the stars right now would do it if the role demands. And, frankly, nobody has remarked that what I do onscreen is vulgar. Would you feel okay about watching those scenes with your family and friends? You don't have any problem acting in front of the whole unit. Why have problems watching it with your family? Aren't you afraid that this would affect your name after you get married? I really don't care. Nobody's perfect. I'm young now. Acting is the only thing on my mind these days
Pattanathuil Sundharan
Sunday, February 23, 2003
Pattanathil Sundharan is the next movie in which Super star Dileep and Navya stars . This venture is will be directed by debut director Vipin Mohan. Vipin tells the story of a shop keeper Sudareshan who has problem in his horoscope. Dileep takes the role of Sundrashan who is basically a tenth standard student and happens to marry a girl Radhamani who is a post graduate and face similar problem in her horoscope. The difference of attitude that happens in their life and the serious situations that takes place in their life is depicted in this movie. All Dileep - Navya combination were a grand success and the director expect this one also to be a hit. Other cast members are Jagathy, Innocent, Kochin Haneefa, Kaviyoor Ponnamma, Poornima Mohan.
New film releases have been postponed indefinitely
Sunday, February 23, 2003
After the new set of rules and regulations imposed by the Film Distributors Association, new film releases have been postponed indefinitely. For a long time, the association had been putting forth its demands to the Theatre Owners Association, but the latter had simply ignored these demands. That's why the stand-off. Their main demand is- the distributors should be given 60% of the box office collections in Trishur, Palakkad and Kozhikode districts like they do in other districts too. The share from these districts is only 55% now. Theatre owners have the right to stop screening a film if its collections fall below a certain level. The distributors want this level to be fixed based on the average collections per week. Just when Malayalam cine industry was recovering from a very sluggish period, it's not a good idea to have such disputes arising. The first new release of the year, 'Kaalavarkee' has bombed. The Jagadi starrer hasn't managed to survive for more than a week.
International awards for Kerala tourism
Sunday, February 23, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram: The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has honoured Kerala tourism with an award for effective campaign to attract tourists. Tourism Minister K V Thomas would receive the PATA award at a convention at the Bali Convention Centre, Indonesia, between April 13 and 17, an official press release here said. The Pacific Asia Travel Writers Association (PATWA) award for activities in the tourism sector would also be presented to Kerala. The Tourism Minister will accept this award at a function in Berlin March 9. The state had also received three national awards for its tourism programmes this year.
FACT shuts down plants
Sunday, February 23, 2003
Kochi: The public sector fertiliser major, Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore (FACT) has shout down all its plants in its Udyogamandal and Cochin divisions due to funds crisis. Due to 'non-availability of adequate working capital' FACT had decided to advance the annual shutdown for maintenance, which is normally carried out during April-May, a company release said. The adverse seasonal condition in South India had affected the sales of fertilizers and around Rs.350 crore worth of fertilizers had been piled up. Besides, 'credit squeeze' by the major hydrocarbon raw material suppliers, including Kochi Refineries Ltd (KRL) had forced the management to shut down the operations in the plants. With the Naptha price touching at Rs.18,000 per tonne, FACT was under a severe financial strain. The loss making ammonia plant of FACT has already been shut down.
Tribal hartal evokes partial response in state
Sunday, February 23, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram: A dawn to dusk state wide hartal jointly called by dalit-adivasi groups against the police action on tribal encroachers in Muthanga evoked little response in the state capital today while having a partial impact in some other areas. Business establishments and offices functioned as usual and public transport plied normally on Thiruvananthapuram roads as the 'hartal' call elicited little response in the absence of support from any major political party. A report from Kottayam however said that the 'hartal' call partially affected normal life in the district as shops and other commercial establishments remained closed. The state owned KSRTC buses operated as usual. Stray incidents of stone pelting were reported in Kottayam district even as police took some 50 persons into preventive custody from different centres. The hartal was jointly called by the Kerala State Dalit Leaders Council, the Adivasi-Dalit action samithy and some other dalit-tribal organisations to demand the resignation of Chief Minister A K Antony for Wednesday's police firing on tribals, who had forcibly occupied a part of the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary for the past 45 days.
Two tribal leaders arrested
Sunday, February 23, 2003
Two tribal leaders of the Adivasi Gothra Maha Sabha which organised the Muthanga adivasi agitation, were arrested this morning at Nambikkolli in Wayanad district, police sources here said. C K Janu and M Geethanandan, who led the one-and-a-half-month- long adivasi agitation by putting up settlements in the forest land at Muthanga, were in hiding after the police operation to clear the tribal encroachers on Wednesday. A tribal and a policeman were killed in the Muthanga clashes and several AGMS activists were taken into custody. The tribals had encroached the Muthanga wildlife sanctuary to press their demand for distribution of land to adivasis
Govt rules out judicial inquiry in Muthanga incident
Sunday, February 23, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala government today ruled out a judicial inquiry into the "police operation" during the tribal agitation led by the Adivasi Gotrha Sabha at Muthanga on February 19. Addressing a press meet here after submitting a report to the Centre on the incident, Forest Minister K Sudhakaran said there was no need for such an inquiry as hundreds of local people were witness to the 'police operation'. He said several documents recovered from huts, which were put up by encroachers at Muthanga forest had clearly indicated that the 'armed struggle' by Gothar Sabha leader CK Janu had received the support of 'some external forces". The government would conduct a detailed investigation to find out who these forces were, he said, adding that the Sabha had been running a parallel administration in that area. Materials recovered included passbooks, passports, circulars and minutes of various meetings held by the Sabha and also an administration manual, he said. To a question, he said it was yet to be established if the agitation had the support of any extremist groups. He said the delay in taking action against the agitators clearly indicated the government's 'soft approach' towards them. He asserted that only one tribal was killed in the firing and challenged the opposition to furnish evidence, to prove that more had died. He also alleged that the Sabha had organised the stir with an ulterior motive, as they had chosen to encroach protected forest land.
Defiant tribals to erect new huts
Saturday, February 22, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb. 21. : The tribals, who had fled the protected forests at Muthanga in Wayanad district following Wednesday's police operation, would go back to the site and erect new huts when the police team leaves the area, leaders of the Adivasi-Dalit Samara Samiti, heading the agitation, said today. The Samiti convener, Spencer Marcus and Samara Sahaya Samiti co- ordinator Sarath Chandran, alleged that more than 20 tribals had lost their lives in the police operation, according to information received by them. The tribals killed at Muthanga were being identified and the list would be published soon. The families of those killed would then stage a hunger-strike before the secretariat asking the Government to hand over the `bodies' to Adivasi Gothra Mahasabha spearheading the agitation, they told reporters here. The tribal leaders said the Government had not attempted to hold formal or informal talks with them at any stage during the agitation.
Kerala sends Muthanga report to Centre
Saturday, February 22, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb.21. : Kerala Minister for Welfare of Backward Classes M A Kuttappan today said the state government had submitted a report to the Centre on the developments at Muthanga in Wayanad district following the agitation for land rights by tribals, which claimed two lives. The government had given all the details sought by the Union Environment Ministry on the encroachment of tribals in the Muthanga wildlife sanctuary, he told reporters here. He said procedures had been completed to distribute 6000 to 7000 acres of land to tribals in the coming months. On reports of `outside support' to tribals, he said it was doubtful whether the tribals could have turned to a violent agitation on their own. On his recent remark that tribals should see their leader C K Janu as a role model, the Minister said he made the remark in a positive sense. Nobody could turn a blind eye to her growth as a leader of adivasis, he said. Information Minister M M Hassan, who was also present, charged the Opposition parties with politicising the tribal issue. He also criticised those who were spreading rumours on the toll in Wednesday's police firing at Muthanga.
Police firing led to 16 deaths: Kerala NGO
Saturday, February 22, 2003
Indo-Asian News Service The police firing on agitating tribespersons in Kerala had resulted in 16 deaths even as the government claimed there was only one casualty, an NGO working among them charged Thursday. The Adivasi Dalit Samithi (ADS) said three children and an equal number of women had been killed in the firing Wednesday as police attempted to rescue three people taken hostage by the tribespersons. Some 400 tribespersons have forcibly occupied forest land at Muthanga in Wayanad district since early December to protest against the government reneging on its promise to give them land. Initial reports indicated four tribespersons were killed in Wednesday's firing but police would confirm only one death. "This is the most brutal attack ever launched by the state police on these hapless adivasis (tribespersons)," said R.Prasad of the ADS. "Currently several stories terming them and their leaders as extremists and being supported by (Maoist) People's War Group are doing the rounds. These are nothing but blatant lies," Prasad maintained. "They can never be linked to any extremist activities," he added. ADS leaders urged the government to immediately begin negotiations with the tribespersons. They also asked the government to initiate a judicial inquiry into the entire episode.
Kerala makes arrangement for NRI students in case of war
Saturday, February 22, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 21 The Centre had agreed to allow the Indian CBSE students in Kuwait to appear for the examination in centres in Kerala if there was a US war on Iraq at the time of the exam. Non-Resident Keralites Affairs Minister M M Hassan told the Assembly today that the state government had been in constant touch with the External Affairs Ministry regarding steps to be taken in the event of a war. Replying to a submission on the subject, moved by Mr T N Prathan (Congress-I), Mr Hassan said that he has also talked to Air India chairman and Indian Airlines authorities with regard to operation of more flights in case of need. Public Works Minister M K Muneer, during his recent tour of Gulf countries, had held discussions on the subject with the Indian Ambassador in Kuwait. Meanwhile, Chief Minister A K Antony said the general feeling in the state was against the US war on Iraq as any conflict would badly hit the economy of the state, whose huge population is working in Kuwait and other Gulf countries. ''Kerala's feelings will be conveyed to the Centre,'' he said. Mr Antony said India had always been against war and it had taken a strong stand against aggression during the times of Jawaharlal Nehru, Indira Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi. ''The present government will also follow the same policy,'' he hoped. The chief minister said it was regrettable that the US was still continuing with its threat to attack Iraq though some of its allies and a majority of the UN Security Council members had expressed themselves against any military action against Iraq.
Antony should quit: Kerala Opposition Leader
Saturday, February 22, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram: Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan said chief minister A K Antony has lost the right to continue in power. He was briefing newspersons after the Opposition held an Assembly boycott. He said after visiting Muthanga where the police and the Adivasis clashed on Wednesday, the government's handling of the Adivasi land stir was a fiasco. He led a team of opposition leaders to Muthanga where police resorted to using force in evicting the encroached Adivasis. They visited the land on which the tribals had put up their huts in the Muthanga Wildlife Sanctuary and examined the weapons and other materials that the police had confiscated from the tribals. Achuthanandan was accompanied by K P Rajendran and M P Veerendra Kumar. He said that instead of handling the stir as a democratic means to protest, the government has used force in a provocative manner. He remarked that the police officer sent to head the operations had a history of fomenting trouble. He criticised Dr Kuttappan, saying that his sole aim was to eliminate the movement headed by C K Janu. Achuthanandan pointed out that the Minister was not even present in the House when the discussion about the land stir came up. Forest Minister K Sudhakaran also visited Muthanga.
Kerala Tourism gets PATA award
Saturday, February 22, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 21 The Kerala Tourism Department will receive the International Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) award for attracting tourists to ''God's Own Country''. PATA will give this year's award to Kerala for successfully projecting the tourism potential of the State. Tourism Minister K V Thomas would receive the award at a function to be organised at Bali in Indonesia from April 15 to 17, an official release said here today. The Tourism Minister was also the recipient of this year's best performance award in the tourism sector by the Pacific Asia Travel Writers Association. He would receive the award at a function to be organised at Berlin in Germany on March nine. The Kerala Tourism had also won three national awards this year.
War against Iraq will hit state badly: Kerala CM
Saturday, February 22, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister A K Antony toady said the general feeling in the state was against the move of US to declare war on Iraq as any conflict would badly hit the economy of the state, whose huge population is working in Kuwait and other Gulf countries. "Kerala's feelings will be conveyed to the Centre," he said in the Assembly while replying to a submission on the subject, moved by T N Prathan (Cong-I). Antony said he hoped that the present Indian government would follow the policy previous governments have been following against war and aggression. NRK affairs minister M M Hassan said the state government had been in constant touch with the External affairs ministry with regard to the steps to be taken in event of a war. The Centre had agreed to allow the CBSE students in Kuwait to appear for the examination in centres in Kerala if there was a war at the time of the exam. He had also talked to the Chairman of the Air India and the authorities of the Indian Airlines with regard to operations of more flights in case of need.
No justification for war, says CM
Saturday, February 22, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb. 21. : Anti-war sentiments had its echo in the Kerala Assembly today where Chief Minister A K Antony said there was no justification for American moves against Iraq and asked India to take a strong stand for peace. The possibility of a conflict in West Asia had sent shockwaves across the state where lakhs of people relied on remittances from the Gulf countries, Antony said in reply to a submission on problems confronting the non-resident Keralites in the wake of war clouds gathering over West Asia. "Reports from West Asia have created sleepless nights for thousands of families here. The adverse fallout of the last West Asian war was felt more in Kerala than any other Indian state," he said. America's aggressive posture towards Iraq had no justification. The UN arms inspection team did not come across any evidence against Iraq. America's European allies and a majority in the Security Council were opposed to war, he said, responding to submission by T N Prathapan (Cong).
Strike in Kerala on Saturday over shooting of tribals
Saturday, February 22, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Several tribal and Dalit groups in Kerala have decided to hold a state-wide strike on Saturday to protest against the police firing at a group of tribals who had kidnapped government officials. Protest organiser Spencer Marcus told a press conference on Friday that around 20 tribals had died in the clash in the forests of Muthanga in Wayanad district. The state government, however, said one tribal and one police person was killed. The police action on Wednesday took place after protesting tribal people took two policemen and a forest guard hostage that morning. Police said they opened fire after the tribespersons ignored their pleas to release the hostages. Marcus added that if the government did not hand over the bodies of the tribals, their relatives would indefinitely strike in front of the state secretariat. Some 400 tribals led by Janu had forcibly occupied Muthanga forests in December to protest against the government reneging on its promise to give them land. At Friday's press conference, rumours had surfaced that Janu and her aide Geethanandan would address it. This brought the police in large numbers to the conference to arrest the two. However, they failed to show up. The assembly also witnessed opposition protests on Friday over the clashes. Opposition parties wanted an adjournment motion to discuss the deaths. But when the speaker denied them that, the entire opposition walked out of the house. A high-level team of opposition leaders led by the leader of the opposition V.S. Achuthanandan has arrived in Muthanga to assess the situation. Forest Minister K. Sudhakaran, State Secretary Pinnarayi Vijayan and state Director General of Police K.J. Joseph are also visiting the area. State Minister for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes M.A. Kuttapan told newsmen Friday that schemes drafted for tribals would go ahead as per schedule, but under no circumstance would the government yield to any armed rebellion.
Appachen Sues Antony!
Friday, February 21, 2003
Swargachitra Appachen, the |
