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May 2003
Sadananthante Samayam
Friday, May 30, 2003
A week after the release of Sadananthante Samayam it has been confirmed that the film is all set to be Dileep’s first washout in 18 months! The film has failed even to take a decent initial, which is bad news for the superstar. The basic problem with Sadananthante Samayam was the absence of a good story and the directors Akbar-Jose have tried to cash on Dileep’s current image and worked and re-worked on his stale comedy once again. Dileep along with his usual team of Jagathy Sreekumar, Salim Kumar and Cochin Haneefa has done this comedy, which has fallen flat. There was no romance in the film and Dileep-Kavya Madhavan pair looks repetitive (it was only 35 days since Thilakkam was released) and she has sleep-walked through the film. But what is shocking is that the three men who produced the film have made their money leaving Shenoy Entertainments, who are the distributors to bleed. Unless Dileep does something drastic and become choosy he cannot continue to be the number one star for long.
Prithviraj positive about being negative
Friday, May 30, 2003
Prithviraj positive about being negative Dilip may be the most bankable star these days. But Prithviraj, son of former actor Sukumaran, is perhaps the most happening actor in Malayalam cinema these days. Even before his first film Nandanam was released, Prithviraj was a marked person. The man who was bound for Australia to pursue higher studies ended up, by happenstance, as an actor. But there has been no looking back since then. Prithviraj is at the vanguard of emerging trends in Malayalam cinema. In the event, you’d expect Prithviraj to be pretty positive about it all. As it happens, he is not. The dapper young man is talking about things negative these days. Surprised? Be not. For, the handsome actor’s negative approach is only for a role he is playing in the youth caper Koode (which film we are told may have a change of name). The Kamal-directed film that is fast nearing completion also has other youthful artistes like Kunchacko Boban, Jayasurya, Meera Jasmine and Bhavana. Despite the presence of these redoubtable performers, the focus is on Prithviraj. And that is primarily because Prithviraj’s role has some negative shades to it. I play the role of a hotel management student. Jayasurya and Boban are also hotel management students. But the difference is that my character is complicated and has plenty of negative shades to it, says Prithviraj. But is he not unhappy that there should be of villainy in his role? Far from it, I am thankful to Kamal for giving me such a character, he says and adds any serious actor will love to do such a role. Though the lanky actor does not go into the specifics of it all, Koode he says will signify his arrival as an actor as opposed to merely being a hero. On the whole, the film itself is good. It is a fun-oriented movie but there is an underlying seriousness to it all, Prithviraj says. It has also been a good experience for him to work with young stars like Boban, Meera and Jayasurya. We are all rich with the experience. Apart from Koode, Prithviraj has plenty of films in hand including Lohithadas’ Sreechakram. It also features, among others, Meera and Jayasurya. Things are rolling out smoothly for me now. But I have to be careful in choosing my roles. I love doing off-beat themes, says Prithviraj. But right now I am totally sold out on my character in Koode.In short, he is positive on being negative. (source: India Syndicate)
There are no language barriers in cinema: Mohanlal
Friday, May 30, 2003
The Kerala film industry had its moments of glory at the IIFA Awards when its very own Mohanlal, who grabbed the 'Best Supporting Actor' honour for his role in COMPANY, used the occasion to highlight the achievements of the regional cinema. "Indian film industry is huge and Malayalam film industry is just a small part of it," Mohanlal said of filmmaking in Kerala, adding, "It has produced some of the best movies in the country and has some of the best talent." The industry also has many firsts to its credit -- first 70mm film, first cinemascope film, first 3-D film and first co-produced film with France, which was showcased at the prestigious Cannes Festival, he noted. The film that won accolades at the French festival was VAANAPRASTHAM directed by Shaji N Karun, in which Lal played a troubled Kathakali dancer. "And today, I have the privilege to be the first actor from that Industry to win an IIFA Award," he said, "It shows there are no language barriers in cinema. Human emotions are the same everywhere." Lal ended his speech with a hope that there will come a truly international cinema, where all barriers or language and region and religion will go. In Ramgopal Varma's COMPANY, Mohanlal played a South Indian police chief in Mumbai who successfully wipes out the underworld.
Kerala proposes a new law to regulate construction labour
Friday, May 30, 2003
Labour Minister Babu Divakaran is in no mood to relent till the trade unions in the state are tamed. Having introduced and implemented a legislation to curb restrictive trade union practices among head load workers, his next bid is to discipline construction workers. This move is bound to be controversial. But Minister is determined. This bill, christened Construction Work site Labour Regulatory Bill, shall be introduced soon, come what may, the minister says. Draft bill is ready. A legislator from RSP and son of the late veteran trade unionist and RSP leader T.K.Divakaran, Babu Divakaran does not mince words in calling a spade as spade while discussing trade unionism in Kerala. Despite his working class background and left leanings, "taming" trade unions is no embarrassing task for him. On the contrary, he takes it a challenging job. "Some one has to bell the cat one day or the other. Why not we try now itself" he comments. Minister opines that state could no more afford to postpone attempts to improve investment climate. All efforts to attract investment will go futile if state's stigma of irresponsible trade unionism is not removed, he argues. About possible resistance from trade union and political circles to the proposed new bill, minister cites Head load Workers Bill as a classic example. "Everyone had thought that this would not be possible and that the government would be inviting trouble. Finally what happened.
Extremist elements infiltrating into politics: M V Raghavan
Friday, May 30, 2003
Extremist elements infiltrating into politics: Minister - - Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Cooperation Minister and Communist Marxist Party (CMP) leader M V Raghavan on Wednesday said extremist elements had infiltrated into mainstream political parties in the State. Participating in a meet-the-press programme organised by the Kesari Memorial Journalists Trust, he said ''Muslim extremism'' by groups like the National Development Front was a threat to the minority community itself. The NDF was operating in the State under the shade of mainstream political parties. Their activists were present in parties like the Indian Union Muslim League, CPI(M) and the Congress. This was evident from the fact that activists of the mainstream parties were also involved in the recent massacre of nine people at Marad in Kozhikode district. All the political parties should come forward to expel these elements from their parties, he added.
Official machinery is misused to protect culprits in Marad violence: VS
Friday, May 30, 2003
Kannur, May 30 - Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly V S Achuthanandan on Thursday accused a section of people in power in the State of misusing official machinery to protect the real culprits who perpetrated the May 2 Marad clashes which claimed nine lives. He maintained that the CPM always worked for the cause of secularism and communal amity. He alleged that some of the CPM cadres were falsely implicated in cases relating to communal violence in the guise of protecting secularism. Asked whether the Opposition was planning to bring in a no-trust motion against the A K Antony government in the coming monsoon session of the State Assembly, he said a decision to this effect would be made only after the outcome of the June 11 all party meet convened by the Chief Minister to discuss various issues confronting the State.
SFI not to honour HC order on campus politics
Friday, May 30, 2003
ALAPPUZHA: The SFI, the students' wing of the CPM, would continue its activities on college campuses despite the High Court order permitting the college managements to ban campus politics, SFI State president K K Ragesh said on Thursday. He told mediapersons here that as a mark of protest against the order, the SFI activists would hold a march in front of all the district courts in the State on June 15 by covering mouth with black cloth. Terming the order as anti-constitutional, Ragesh said the SFI would hold discussions with other student unions for launching a joint agitation against the verdict. Similarly, he said, the SFI was planning to launch a nation-wide agitation against the Supreme Court order permitting the private colleges to fix their own fee structure. Arguing that this would make higher education a commercial business, he demanded that the Centre and the State should amend the law to nullify the court order. SFI State president P K Biju and secretary T V Rajesh also attended the press conference.
Kerala Cong(J) on the verge of a split
Friday, May 30, 2003
KOTTAYAM May 29. The simmering strife in the LDF partner, the Kerala Congress(J), today came out in the open with the party chairman, P. J. Joseph, removing the rebel leader and MLA, P.C. George, from the post of general secretary in charge of office affairs. Meanwhile, Mr. George has refused to comply with the order on the ground that it is unconstitutional, thereby pushing the party to the verge of yet another split. When contacted, Mr. Jospeh told The Hindu that for some time now Mr. George had been issuing statements unbecoming of the post he held in the party. His comments regarding the alleged talks the KC(J) had on merger with the Kerala Congress(M) and later the comments on his own parleys with the Communist Marxist Party (CMP) leadership had put not only the party but also the LDF in a bad light. It was against this backdrop that he was removed from the post, Mr. Joseph said. On the other hand, it appears that the rebel leader is engaged in an effort to turn the situation into a show of strength as he has already mobilised support from both the working chairman, Eapen Varghese, and the vice-chairman, T. S. John. When contacted, Mr. George refused to comment on the issue saying he was not interested in further vitiating the situation, but entrusted the responsibility to Mr. John, who said the move by the chairman was `suicidal'. According to him, Mr. Joseph has no right to remove the general secretary since he is not a properly elected chairman. Mr. John alleged that the move was part of an effort to remove the bottlenecks in the ultimate merger with the KC(M). However, sources close to the party chairman said all posts other than those of the chairman, vice-chairman and treasurer were nominated posts and it was the prerogative of the chairman to nominate or remove an office-bearer. As such, the move was in order. The present developments appear to be the logical culmination of the style of functioning which Mr. George has followed all through his political life. A loner who has refused to be part of any larger political edifice all through his career, Mr. George had fell out with Mr. Mani much earlier in his career and every one knew that he chose to continue in the Joseph faction (in spite of the powerful friends he has in other factions like the one led by T.M. Jacob) only because it gave a safe haven to carry on his fight with the KC(M) supremo. However, it appears that the irrepressible Mr. George, who has never been an admirer of political correctness either with words or deeds, gave enough ammunition to his opponents within the party when he owned up his parleys with the CMP leader, M.V. Raghavan, during the height of the Rajya Sabha seat controversy. This had created a situation where even his friends in the CPI(M) could not help him in case of disciplinary action from the party leadership.
mammootty and Mohanlal to entertain Dubai, London
Thursday, May 29, 2003
Southern stars to entertain Dubai, London [ TUESDAY, MAY 27, 2003 04:48:25 PM ] CHENNAI: Top names in the southern Indian film industry are West-bound to entertain expatriates in Dubai and London. Leading stars decided to undertake the tour of Britain and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to end a funds crunch and raise money for the Producers' Welfare Association. Last year such mega fundraisers were arranged in Singapore and Kuala Lumpur. That was in keeping with the southern cinema industry's trend of travelling to the diaspora in the East. This time it is targeting the huge south Indian population working in the Gulf and the Tamils -- including a huge number of Sri Lankans, settled in London. While the show in Dubai is scheduled for Thursday, the London performance is due Saturday. Several teams of dancers, musicians, choreographers and film stars have already left for Dubai. Those performing at the shows include Mammooty and Mohanlal, MP and actor Sarath Kumar, Tamil superstar Kamal Haasan, and Vijaykanth. Others include Abbas, Mumtaz, Reema Sen, who has been doing Tamil films of late, Radhika Sarath Kumar, Roja, Vikram, Prabhu, Kiran, Napolean, comedian Vadivelu, Sathyraj and his son Sibiraj and dance master Kala.
Kerala police on high alert to tackle possible terrorist attacks
Thursday, May 29, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala police was kept on high alert, and intelligence sharing with neighbouring states and the Centre was strengthened in the wake of reports about Pakistan-based terror group Lashkar-e-Toiba intending to carry out a series of bomb blasts in the state. Talking to reporters here after a meeting of the state cabinet, Chief Minister A K Antony said in view of terrorist threats, police were keeping a high alert. The state police had got a report from their counterparts in Mumbai regarding terrorist groups' plans to carry out attacks in the state. Though the alleged conspiracy took place some time ago, the police was keeping maximum vigil to avert any such incident from taking place. He said the Kerala police was sharing information with their counterparts in neighbouring states and with the Central intelligence agencies in this regard.
Antony mum on campus politics, VHP's cow check post
Thursday, May 29, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala cabinet on Wednesday avoided discussing two controversial issues -- a court verdict empowering college principals to ban campus politics and a rightist group's bid to stop cows from entering this state. "The issue is a serious one but in today's cabinet meeting we did not take it up. I would consider all views," Chief Minister A.K. Antony, who rose to prominence as a student leader, told reporters after the meeting when asked about the verdict. On Monday, the Kerala High Court in a landmark judgment said it was the prerogative of college principals to ban campus politics. The court decided on this after disposing of a petition filed by a student leader in Kottayam district who was suspended by college authorities. Leader of Opposition V.S. Achuthanandan of the Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) said if the government fails to appeal the court verdict, he would do so. Most politicians feel the verdict would hurt the interests of students. Among those who have expressed their disappointment over the judgment are state Congress president K. Muraleedharan, CPI-M state secretary Pinnarayi Vijayan and student leaders. Kerala Students Union (KSU) president S. Vishnunath said his group would soon hold talks with leaders of the All India Students Federation (AISF) on the court verdict. Leaders of the Students Federation of India (SFI) are also studying the judgment. The Antony government also decided to play it safe on the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) move to erect a check post on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border to stop cattle ostensibly being brought into this state for slaughter. The VHP has apparently stopped 1,000 cows and bulls from entering Kerala. "We have decided nothing on this," Antony said. Incidentally, Antony had decided not to confront the VHP on its drive to distribute 'trishuls' or tridents, a Hindu religious symbol, despite pleas from senior leaders of his Congress party.
CM to examine complaints about counselling
Thursday, May 29, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister A.K.Antony on Thursday said that complaints regarding the Government-sponsored self-financing engineering colleges’ decision to conduct the counselling for admission to management quota before the commencement of the counselling to the merit seats would be examined. He was speaking to reporters after the Cabinet meeting. According to a joint notification of the Government self-financing colleges the other day, the counselling to management and NRI quota seats would be held from June 6 to 12 and the candidates who got ranks from 1 to 20,000 in the State entrance rank list would be considered for the counselling. The counselling for merit seats to be conducted by the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations has been scheduled to begin on June 9. The major complaints that have come up are whether the candidates who get admissions to management seats would be able to get back the money if they get admission to merit quota in Government engineering colleges later and the problem of attending several counselling sessions for management and merit seats. According to the office of the Education Minister Nalakath Soopy, the fees once paid in the Government self-financing colleges would be refunded to the candidates if they later get admission in the same or other Government colleges in the merit quota. But there was no provision to refund the fees or deposit for joining private self-financing colleges. The colleges that have decided to conduct a common counselling for management quota seats are the four colleges under the Cooperative Academy of Professional Education, two colleges under the LBS, three colleges under the IHRD, one college each under the KSRTC and the Centre for Continuing Education. LBS Centre for Science and Technology director Dr.Sukesh Kumar also shared the same view of the Minister’s office and said that their notification clearly pointed out that the norms set for the collection and refunding of fees would be subjected to the instructions of the Government. According to assistant registrar of IHRD Madhusoodhanan Nair, the decision to conduct the counselling before the counselling to merit seats was to check any possibility of the seats falling vacant. He said that there was no other option because of the possible danger of management seats falling vacant. Last year, around 1,000 engineering payment seats had fallen vacant in the State.
Tussle between Padmaja K V Thomas has taken centre stage
Thursday, May 29, 2003
NEW DELHI: In Kerala, after the controversy on the fielding of Rajya Sabha candidates by Karunakaran, it is now the tussle between his daughter Padmaja and Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony's protégé K V Thomas which has taken centre stage. Padmaja, who is the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) chairperson, is angry over the manner in which her boss, Kerala Tourism Minister Thomas, is treating her. In her complaint to Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, Padmaja has said that the Minister _ being from the Antony's camp _ is not allowing her to go on foreign jaunts. She has put in so many requests but neither she is allowed to travel on her own nor she is allowed to accompany the Tourism Minister on his visits abroad. As soon as Thomas came to know about the letter, he air dashed to Delhi to present his case. Talking to this website's newspaper, he said: "Padmaja has already been to Berlin, London and twice to Dubai." No other KTDC chairperson, except M P Gangadharan, has gone abroad. Thomas said he has been to several countries like Singapore, Colombo, London, Paris but he cannot take Padmaja along. "These aren't private visit after all," he said. His trips have to be cleared by Chief Minister A K Antony and the Central Government. It's not for the first time that Thomas and Padmaja have been engaged in a blame game. Padmaja has always complained that Thomas ignores her by not giving important assignments. However, Thomas is of the view that being the minister, it is his prerogative as to what work he assigns to her. Meanwhile, since the matter is too frivolous, Sonia Gandhi is unlikely to intervene.
Sleek rails lift beauty of floating bridge at Veli
Thursday, May 29, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: On the first sight, these rails on the floating bridge at Veli Tourist Village here look as if they are made of marble. Exposed to the fury of the elements, they owe its origin to a petrochemical product. Light weight and sleek, these are made of polypropylene, one of the components in thermoplastics. Thermoplastics, which have found its way into the industry replacing a number of metallic parts, has come of age in the State with K.P.S Warrier of Sagar Nylon Products introducing it into the tourism sector as part of the beautification of the Veli Tourist Village. Its friction and anti-corroding properties make it one of the best choices for using in the seaside where iron cannot be used due to the presence of salt in the air. ‘‘It is the first time that thermoplastics are put to such use. These have gained acceptance nowadays in the industry owing to the fact that they have an outstanding combination of properties including toughness, fatigue resistance, low friction, good shock-absorbing characteristics and excellent chemical resistance to oils,’’ Warrier said. Apart from the staircase and sit out rails, Warrier’s firm at the Kinfra International Apparel Park in Thumba manufactures components such as gear, bearing cage, roller, pulley, bolts, nuts and hammers.
Marad: 3 more ‘wanted men’ held
Thursday, May 29, 2003
KOZHIKODE: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Crime Branch probing the Marad violence has arrested three more persons, figured in the wanted list, from Mukhadar, a Muslim populated coastal area near Marad on Wednesday afternoon. The arrested persons include Vijili 22, son of Aboobacker who was killed in last year’s riots and nephew of key accused Muhammedali who was nabbed yesterday. T P Haris 30, s/o Hussain, Pareechintakathu, Marad and P T Rizal Babu, 22, alias Babu, s/o Ilias, Pallithody house, Marad are the other two arrested on Wednesday. With Wednesday’s arrests, the SIT has nabbed all accused, except Sakeer, 28, Erjuvintakathu, Marad, from the wanted list published by the SIT, said the Crime Branch officials. The police have so far arrested 83 persons in connection with the Marad carnage. Those arrested today would be produced before the court on Thursday.
Death anniversary of Binu on Monday; Police on high alert in Nadapuram
Thursday, May 29, 2003
KOZHIKODE: Police have strengthened deployment and are continuing raids for weapons and explosives in the Nadapuram area in view of the death anniversary of CPM worker Binu, who was murdered by NDF workers two years ago, on June 2. Police vigil has been intensified following intelligence reports that the RSS is planning to retaliate for Binu’s murder to outwit the CPM. It is said that a section in the CPM also wants to avenge the death to stop the exodus of its rank and file to the Sangh Parivar outfits. The vitiated relationship between the IUML and the CPM after the Marad carnage also adds to the worries of the police. Police have set up eight new pickets in Nadapuram and Valayam areas and have pressed into service the mobile patrol units. Strike forces are also stationed in Nadapuram to face any eventuality. Pickets have been erected at places like Kolavallur in the Kannur border to check smuggling in of bombs. Searches are being conducted in buses and private vehicles for weapons. Weapons and explosive materials were seized from near the compound of the mosque at Cherumoth, from where a large cache of arms was recovered years ago. Police are closely monitoring the movements of persons with criminal antecedents.
Thomas happy with FTCs, speedy justice
Thursday, May 29, 2003
NEW DELHI: Newly-appointed Minister of State for Law and Justice P.C. Thomas is candid when he says he met his senior Cabinet Minister Arun Jaitley for only two hours after he took over last weekend, but ‘‘he is happy with the progress of the new initiatives taken by his ministry to speed up delivery of justice.’’ Speaking to reporters in the capital, Thomas, founder of the Indian Federal Democratic Party (IFDP), outlined the achievements of the Law Ministry in setting up the fast track courts (FTCs), to speed up disposal of long pending cases. ‘‘The FTCs have decided on an average 40 cases per year and this should improve,’’ he said. Giving details, he said, ‘‘Today there are 1,025 FTCs across the country, and of the 2,14,220 cases transferred to them, 81,589 cases have been disposed of.’’ The Centre too has released Rs 359.36 crores of the promised Rs 500 crores for the establishment of 1,734 FTCs and he added, so far 1,334 such courts have been set up. He is equally optimistic about the urgently-needed reforms in the judiciary and said a comprehensive Bill on Judicial Reforms will soon be placed before Parliament. The press conference was arranged at the residence of party general-secretary and MP Pappu Yadav, which also serves as the IFDP office. On the IFDP agenda, Thomas said it wanted a constant interaction between the majority and minority communities to avoid any communal confrontation. ‘‘Our party will thrive to organise such interactions,’’ the Minister said.
Govt has no plan to change police policy: CM
Wednesday, May 28, 2003
ALAPPUZHA: Chief Minister A K Antony has said that the Government has no plan to change the police policy as it believes that the people have well accepted the policy. Inaugurating the valedictory function of the three-day State conference of the Kerala Police Association here on Tuesday, Antony said that using police for personal and political ends was totally counter-productive. According to him, the intention of the Government is to make Kerala police a people-friendly, best equipped and most modern police force in phases. ‘‘My dream about the police is that they should so change that a poor man could go alone to police station and file his complaint without any fear,’’ he said.
Fun ’n’ frolic over, kids to return to rigours of learning
Wednesday, May 28, 2003
KOCHI: It is time to say good bye at the summer camps around city as the holidays are coming to an end, so soon for many. Tiny tots who have enjoyed a great summer sprinkled with games, dance, songs and a bunch of whole new friends are now finding it difficult to switch back to the school routine. And the organisers of these camps are quite contented to see that the last two months gave something worthwhile for the kids. ‘Mazhavillu’ Children’s Theatre was one such camp which organised a week-long theatre workshop for children between the age group of 8-15 years at Changampuzha Park. The response was excellent. And we had to limit the number of children this year, said Prof Chandradas, director of Tripunithara based Lokadharmi Theatre Group which organised the camp. And Krishna, a class IX student of Vidhodaya School, says he felt at home during the camp and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was one of the best camps I have ever attended, he said. Sathyajith, a student of Bhavan’s also agrees. The camp was fun and very creative. I specially enjoyed the Thi-Thai excercise, a Chinese martial arts form and Chau, a north-Indian dance. By the end of this week, almost all the camps will be closing down and the participants will be trying out the new lessons and games they learned from these camps. Sudhi Santhosh, a chirpy six-year-old feels bad to see the camp coming to an end. But she is enthusiastic about the whole show. I learned to make models with palm leaves and clay. I am looking forward to the next summer holidays, she said. The scene is the same at Avishkar, the camp organised by Kottaram Sankunni Nair Smaraka Kala Kendram where 25 students between five and fifteen are getting ready for the concluding function on June 1, to stage performances of items taught during the course. Our aim is to detect the talents of students and to bring out their special qualities and at the same time impart the purity of classical arts, said S P Nair, manager. Meanwhile ’Kalikalayiram’ a folklore festival and training camp held at Sree Narayana Vidhyapeetam Public School, Tripunithara, had a total of 110 children participating in the camp which consisted of clay modelling, traditional songs and games, etc. They were also given a chance to interact with eminent personalities, said T S Natarajan, general convener of the programme. And ’Vacation 2003’ organised by the District Child Welfare Community at Indira Priyadarshini Children’s Traffic Training Park will come to a close by June 5. A programme with the theme ‘Back-to school’ is being held from May 25 to June 1. This will bring the children back to the school atmosphere, said A S Gopi, superintendent of the park. Not all the camps received a good response, though. Regional Sports Centre for one, felt that the participation last year was much better. It may be because lot of sports clubs and schools are coming up with summer coaching camps, said Anil, an official of the centre. But the participants are more than satisfied. While Sarah Kurian, a Class VII student of Toc H Public School, took a beginner’s course in swimming, Krishnan Nair, got lessons in table tennis. It was my first time here and I enjoyed it, though I cannot continue it due to my classes, he said. And they are all eagerly waiting for the next summer holidays.
CPM to contest ban on campus politics
Wednesday, May 28, 2003
KANHANGAD: Reacting to the ruling of the Kerala High Court that college authorities can ban political activities on the campus, CPM State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said the verdict would be contested legally. Inaugurating the State conference of the Kerala Water Authority Employees' Union (CITU) here, Vijayan said the Court was ``speaking through the voice of feudal landlords.'' ``There are many in our land who have an antipathy towards politics and they want the politics which questions the deeds of those who destroy our country to fail,'' said Vijayan. He said such kind of people, who unleash a propaganda against politics, were serving the interests of world capitalism. Their main objective was to break the Left-oriented politics in Kerala society, he said. The CPM State secretary said no court had the power to say that an 18-year-old should say no to politics. ``Those who know that adult franchise at 18 years is a fundamental right of the citizens could not pass such a verdict,'' according to him. He said it was "politicians who made India what it is today". The political movement in the country had evolved in its present stage by surmounting so many critical phases, he said. The CPM leader said the UDF and Chief Minister A K Antony were ignoring the common interests of the State. ``Their policy is to destroy anything which is public. Selling the resources of the State would only help the capitalists,'' Vijayan said.
Ban on college politics awful: Murali
Wednesday, May 28, 2003
KPCC President K Muraleedharan said the High Court verdict that directs ban on college politics will adversely affect the state. He was talking to newspersons at Thiruvananthapuram. The ban on college politics will built up a student community with no knowledge in politics. College politics is the training centre of democracy, Murali said. College politics will see similar acts that are involved in normal politics. It will not hamper the democratic system. The deficiency should be rectified and college politics should be encouraged.
Thomas complaints against Padmaja to Sonia
Wednesday, May 28, 2003
Even before the fumes that arose between the groups during the Rajya Sabha polls are dying out, tourism minister K V Thomas and Padmaja Venugopal are coming out with a fight in the open. K V Thomas on Tuesday filed a complaint against Padmaja to AICC president Sonia Gandhi. Kerala State Tourism Department (KTDC) chairperson Padmaja Venugopal had blamed the tourism department of avoiding the Corporation. This comment was a reply to K V Thomas earlier stating that there is no 'I' group in the Congress. The situation has got worse as Thomas flew to Delhi and complained to Sonia that Padmaja was raising baseless allegation against him. If there arose any such complaints Padmaja should have either met the Chief Minister or me. A public statement was not according to the party rules, Thomas said. Anticipating such a move Padmaja had send a fax message to Sonia stating that the tourism department took hostile attitude towards KTDC. K V Thomas is expecting full support form the High Command.
session from June 16
Wednesday, May 28, 2003
The sixth session of the Assembly will be held from June 16 to August 21. It is mainly for discussing and passing the demands for grants in the budget for the current financial year. The first batch of supplementary demands for the year will also be discussed and passed. Some important Bills are also likely to be enacted.
Kalabhavan Mani's "Matsaram"
Wednesday, May 28, 2003
Debutante director Anil C Nair's Matsaram will have Kalabhavan Mani in the main role. Suchitra will be the heroine of the film. Also Vijayaraghavan, Thilakan, Jagadheesh, Suresh Krishna, Cochin Haneefa, Salim Kumar Srividya too casts in the film. Script by T A Shahid, songs penned by S Rameshan Nair will have music composed by M Jayachandran. The film is produced by Malavika Films.
Jayaram's two films due for Onam:
Wednesday, May 28, 2003
Two of Jayaram's films are getting ready to release during Onam. The first one will be Rajeev Kumar's Seethakalyanam with Jyothika and the other one is Anil Babu's Salpperu Ramankutty and the heroine of this film is Gayathri Reghuram.
Marad: 3 more arrested
Monday, May 26, 2003
KOZHIKODE: The Crime Branch team investigating the Marad carnage has arrested three more persons figured in the wanted list The team, led by Superintendent of Police T V Kamalakshan arrested Shihab, 22, s/o Mammad Koya, Marad; Harshad, 20, s/o Ahammed Koya, Thekkepurathu and Aru alias Haroon Rashid, s/o Majeed, Kuttichanttakathu, Marad. Police also recovered three swords, which were used by the assailants, near the sea wall at Marad beach. Muhammadali and Vijili, the brother and son respectively of Aboobacker Koya, one of the victims of last year’s violence, who are suspected to be the main accused, are still at large. But it is learnt that the Crime Branch has gathered definite clues about their hideouts.
Miscreants pelt stones at actor Dilip's house
Monday, May 26, 2003
ALUVA: Unidentified miscreants pelted stones at the house of noted film actor Dilip, yesterday night at 1 pm. Dilip was not at home situated in the Aluva Paravoor Kavala VIP Road when the incident happened. But when informed, the actor returned home and lodged a complaint to the police. A heavy posse of police had been deployed in the area. According to the police, a windowpane was damaged in the incident. Police said some previous enmity in the check case must be the reason behind this incident.
All party meeting will be called says Antony
Monday, May 26, 2003
KOCHI: Chief Minister A K Antony said the death of nine people at Maraad had created deep mistrust between the two religious groups, which made restoration of normalcy not an easy task. An all-party meeting would be called to heal the wounds, he added. CM said the state administration was making serious efforts to prevent any backlash to the May 2 Maraad incident, as had happened in the past in the state. Speaking to the media here, Antony said Maraad like incidents, if allowed to recur, would affect the State's future and its developments and it was the responsibility of the State administration to prevent recurrence of such incidents. He sought the cooperation of all sections of the society, including that of the media, to restore peace in Maraad. Asked whether he was happy at the outcome of the talks he had with IUML President Panakkad Mohammedali Shihab Thangal at Malappuram yesterday on the Maraad issue, he replied in the affirmative and declined to enter more questions on this matter. To a question, Antony said the issue of handing over the Maraad Juma Masjid to the Wakf Board, as demanded by the IUML, would be decided by the police and the district administration. Antony said the root cause of all problems in the society was due to the attitude of 'intolerance', which everyone was experiencing.
Rajagopal says more chances of possibilities for third front
Monday, May 26, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Induction of Indian Federal Democratic Party leader P C Thomas in the Vajpayee Ministry was a clear evidence of the Government's special care for Kerala and also a reply to its critics who propagated that the NDA set-up was "anti-minority", BJP leader and Union Minister of state for Defence O Rajagopal said on Sunday. Talking to reporters here, Rajagopal said Thomas's joining the ministry would prove a turning-point in Kerala politics by accentuating the emergence of a third alternative to the Congress-led UDF and CPI(M)-controlled LDF. "I hope the minorities and social organizations will understand and appreciate the message put across through Thomas's induction," he said. "People in Kerala are tired of the two fronts which alternately held power. They are eager to have a third alternative. Of course, there are sceptics. But now the prospects are brightening," he said. Thomas was made the minister of state for law and justice in the yesterday's Union ministry reshuffle. Rajagopal wanted the UDF Government to take a serious note of reports that militants arrested recently in Surankot had links with certain fundamentalist elements in Kerala. The BJP had repeatedly warned the government of the increasing presence of terrorist elements in the state and these were now being proved right, he added.
Degree of choice is a matter of chance
Monday, May 26, 2003
KOCHI: As the admission process for the fresh batch of degree courses begins in the city colleges, it is unlikely that all students will get their most-preferred courses, in both science and arts streams. The situation is leading to a big crisis. The trend indicates only 50 percent of the students in the city will actually end up obtaining their preferred subjects. In fact, authorities say the situation, which has worsened in the last few years, may force students to either drop their plan or join a college in a remote place. The self-financing colleges launched in every nook and corner of the state have also failed to resolve the prevailing crisis.
Temple row: HC wants status quo maintained
Sunday, May 25, 2003
A Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Friday expressed the hope that its order on status quo with respect to the construction of a temple by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) on the land of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) on the banks of the Periyar river in Ayyappankoyil village in Idukki district would be obeyed by the VHP. The Bench, comprising Justice S. Sankarasubban and Justice K.K. Dinesan, expressed the hope while extending the status quo order. The judges observed that if there was any violation of the court's order, the KSEB could approach the police or the High Court for further action. The court also granted the VHP 10 days to file a counter-affidavit in response to the petition.
Air Marshal visits Technopark
Sunday, May 25, 2003
Air Marshal A. K. Trikha, AVSM VSM, Air Officer Commanding-in-chief, Southern Air Command visited Technopark, in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday. Accompanied by his wife on this courtesy call, Air Marshal Trikha had extensive interaction with the Chief Executive Officer of Technopark, N. R. Mahalingam during the two- hour visit and discussed the various avenues for Technopark and Southern Air Command to work together. He was also escorted to the major multi-tenanted facilities in the campus, and to other facilities put in place by Technopark, including the Technopark Club and the Technopark Guesthouse. At the end of the visit, Air Marshal Trikha opined that there is tremendous scope for Technopark and Southern Air Command to work in tandem for the holistic benefit of the community. Air Marshal A. K Trikha took over as AOC-in-C, Southern Air Command in December last year. He was previously Commandant at the National Defense Academy, Khadakvasla. Air Marshal Trikha has been awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal and the Athi Vishisht Seva Medal by the Indian Air Force.
Hassan takes up visa issue with Centre
Sunday, May 25, 2003
Kerala Minister for Non-Resident Keralite Affairs M M Hassan met External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha on Friday and sought immediate action to correct the situation created by the recent changes in immigration rules which adversely affected job-seekers on individual visas to the Gulf countries. The extension of group visa restrictions to individual applicants, clauses of power of attorney, and insistence on demand letters and copies of employment agreements for obtaining individual visas have adversely affected the job seekers who are mostly from Kerala, Hassan told the Union Minister. There were complaints of job harassment and sexual harassment from cooks and house maids as they were not getting protection of the local laws in those countries, he said. Indian embassies in these countries should have a legal attache and atleast one Malayalam speaking official and the embassies should reduce the high charges for consular services, Hassan said. Hassan also drew the Minister's attention to the demand by Malayalees in Doha for constructing a temple there. He requested Finance minister Jaswant Singh to take action to put an end to the harassment of returning Keralites by Customs officials at the airports. He also met Revenue Secretary C S Rao in this regard. He said parcels coming from the UAE were inordinately delayed for various reasons. The UAE Government had proposed private participation in the postal clearance of such articles, he pointed out. A meeting of Keralites living elsewhere in India would be held in Kochi on July 12 and 13. Representatives of all Malayalee organisations would be invited to this meeting where prominent Malayalees making contributions to various areas would be honoured, Hassan said.
Opposition leader visits Marad
Sunday, May 25, 2003
Opposition VS Achutanadan has said that allowing the real culprits of the last year's riot to escape and the delay in chargesheeting the cases against them led to the latest violence in Marad beach. Speaking to newsmen at Kozhikkode Guest house on Saturday after visiting Marad beach and the injured at the hospitals, Achutanandan alleged that Antony government covert dealings with Hindu and Muslim radical elements led to such a situation. He added that the inaction on the part of the administration fanned the feelings of hatred and widened the divide between the two sections of people. The Opposition leader was accompanied by leaders of the Left democratic Front including Neelalohitadasa Nadar, AC Shanmughadas, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and Kadannapally Ramachandran. The leaders visited the Araya Samajam office also. The community leaders told the Opposition leaders that they were not satisfied with the on-going probe into the Marad violence and asked Achutanandan to demand a CBI investigation into the carnage.
It is neither late nor early: PC Thomas
Sunday, May 25, 2003
IFDP leader PC Thomas has said that he doesn't consider his entry into the Union cabinet as a delayed one. " It is a fact that this was expected early. But in politics, there is nothing such as early or delayed," Thomas said, while speaking to a Malayalam television channel in New Delhi on Saturday. Thomas said that he will utilise his ministership to bring maximum advantage to the farmers and other downtrodden sections of people in Kerala. He also hoped that his entry into the Union Cabinet would help to forge unity between different religions of the state, at a time when communal divide is at its worst in Kerala. Thomas is the first person with a Kerala Congress background to be inducted into any Union cabinet. Son of PT Chacko, the legendary Home Minister and strongman of Kerala politics, Thomas became part of the ruling National Democratic front, after he was expelled by the Kerala Congress (Mani group) more than a year ago. P C Thomas, a non-controversial and gentleman politician was elected to the Parliament for the first time in 1989. Thomas won the Muvattupuzha Lok Sabha seat in the last general election as a UDF candidate. The IFDP, led by him, has the support of seven MPs in the parliament. His elevation to the Vajpayee ministry is expected to have far-reaching consequences in Kerala politics and is likely to rewrite the equations within the Kerala Congress groups in the state.
Antony in a fix over Marad, Trishul issues
Sunday, May 25, 2003
Indian Union Muslim League's reservation over the continued control of the Marad Juma Masjid by the district administration, and the government's decision not to ban the trident distribution launched by the Vishwa Hindu Parishad have landed Chief Minister A K Antony in a tight spot. Political observers feel that statements made by IUML leaders make it clear that Chief Minister A K Antony's meeting with IUML chief Panakkad Thangal has failed to placate the League. Shihab Thangal, during the meeting made it clear that Antony's reluctance to hand over the Masjid to the Wakf board and his reluctance to ban Trishul distribution in the state have affected the secular image of the government. Thangal complained that the police and the administration 'by and large' took anti-minority stand in Marad after the massacre of May 2. He said that the whole community was being targeted for the crime committed by a few. Antony reportedly tried to convince Thangal about his stand on the issues. However, even after the meeting, the IUML has stood firm on both the demands. To add to the pressure Opposition Leader VS Achutanandan on Saturday during his visit to Marad, asked the government to hand over the mosque to Wakf Board. It is in this backdrop that Antony decided to call on senior Congress leader K Karunakaran at latter's residence on Saturday. The two had a one-to-one meeting for about one-and-a-half hours. It was the first personal meeting between the two Congress leaders after the Rajya Sabha election row. Significantly, Karunakaran also asked Antony to ban the VHP distribution of tridents in the state. The senior Congress leader pointed out that such an action would restore the confidence of minorities. The senior leader also reportedly indicated his desire to see Tourism Minister K V Thomas dropped from the Antony government. Thomas, a one-time confidant of Karunakaran had left the Karunakaran camp during the Rajya Sabha elections.
Mining: Sudheeran targets Kunhalikutty
Sunday, May 25, 2003
Congress leader V M Sudheeran has alleged that Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty has taken the people for a ride in the ilmenite mining issue. Inaugurating a people's convention organised by the All-party Coordination Committee on Ilmenite mining issue in Alappuzha , Sudheeran said Kunhalikutty had arbitrarily appointed the environmental committee of the project, though had had assured the coordination committee that the panel would be appointed only after consulting it. Sudheeran said that when the panel had submitted its report, he had written to Chief Minister A K Antony and Kunhalikutty urging them to reject it as the report had been written to ``safeguard the interests'' of the company. "But, ignoring my request, they accepted the report and, based on it, the project was cleared,'' he said. The sitting of the panel had been held without giving due publicity and the venues were the most inconvenient places for the people of Thrikkunnappuzha and Arattupuzha panchayys where the proposed project would be located. To cap it all, Sudheeran said, the members of the panel behaved like the PROs of the company and throughout the sitting they were trying to teach the people how the project would be beneficial for them. Sudheeran said money power was playing a crucial role in the issue and the company was literally buying everybody opposing the project. In a veiled attack on his opponents in the Congress over the issue, he said, "as a result, several political leaders and social activists who opposed the project initially are now missing in our camp. But the company should understand that there are people who cannot be bought.'' Sudheeran cautioned the Government that the agitation would continue till it revoked the decision.
Kerala a target of terrorists: BJP
Sunday, May 25, 2003
The BJP State president-designate, P S Sreedharan Pillai, on Saturday said that the revelation of the military officials, that INMARSAT (satellite phone) numbers from the smashed transit camp of militants in Jammu and Kashmir showed that they were in constant contact with persons in Malappuram, was disturbing. Addressing a press conference in Kozhikkode, Pillai said that these revelations also gave credence to the BJP's claims that Kerala was the target of terrorist activities and that the UDF Government was helping those activities. "The attack at Marad was a sudden attack akin to Kashmir model of attack by militants.'' He alleged that the Chief Minister A K Antony was a prisoner of the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML). "We had thought that Antony had sensed the real situation. But this turned false as Antony met (the IUML supremo, Panakkad Syed Mohammedali Shihab) Thangal to sort out the problem.'' He accused the Government of not being serious in investigating into the revelations of the Mumbai police chief of thwarting bomb explosion series planned in Kerala. He reiterated the demand for a CBI inquiry into Marad attack and wondered why the IUML was opposing it. "If the IUML had 100 per cent surety of its innocence in the matter, why should it oppose a CBI inquiry'' He welcomed the Prime Minister's decision to include the Indian Federal Democratic Party (IFDP) leader, P C Thomas, MP into the Union Cabinet. He said that the foundations of a strong third front in the State had been laid out and it was the forces that support the third front that had recommended the induction of . Thomas into the Union Cabinet. He said that any body was welcome to join the third front and that the front had talks with many political parties. However, he refused to name any political party or politician. To a query, he said that even the IUML was welcome to join the third front provided it expressed its faith in the NDA Government led by Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Vajpayee expands cabinet; P C Thomas sworn in
Sunday, May 25, 2003
New Delhi: In a much awaited Cabinet expansion cum reshuffle, Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee included three new cabinet ministers and five Ministers of State to the Union Council of Ministers. The new ministers were sworn in by President APJ Abdul Kalam late Saturday evening at a glittering function in the Ashoka Hall of Rashtrapati Bhawan. The Cabinet Ministers are Maj Gen (Retd) B.C. Khandoori, Rajnath Singh and Subodh Mohite, while the Ministers of State are P.C. Thomas, Prahlad Patel, Kailash Meghwal, Swamy Chinmayanand, and Nagmani. While Khandoori has been elevated to Cabinet rank from the Minister of State with Independent charge, Rajnath Singh makes a comeback to the Vajpayee cabinet after a gap of two years. Mohite comes in place of Balasaheb Vikhe Patil who resigned earlier in the day. Patil's replacement with Mohite was sought by Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray.
Reliance out of Kerala transport project
Saturday, May 24, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Citing unfavourable terms, the Kerala government has rejected a proposal by diversified conglomerate Reliance to develop state-of-the-art bus stations in the state. Kerala Transport Minister R. Balakrishna Pillai said Thursday other groups would be involved in the project, to be executed on a build-operate-transfer basis. "Their (Reliance's) terms were too cumbersome and unfavourable for the government, so we decided that we will shelve this project with them. Instead, there are a few others who are interested and we are studying their proposals," Pillai told reporters here. Former transport minister K.B. Ganesh Kumar had announced just before the Global Investors Meet (GIM) at Kochi in January that the Reliance group had evinced interest in developing bus stations in the state. Ganesh Kumar is Pillai's son. He had quit the cabinet two months ago to facilitate his father's induction after the Supreme Court exonerated Pillai in a corruption case. Pillai said the Rs.8.2 billion Skybus project that had been proposed for Kochi was yet to get technical clearance from the centre. "The Konkan Railway Corporation is building a one km Skybus project in Goa (on a trial basis). Once that is completed, the centre is likely to clear the Kochi project. We expect work on the project to commence this year itself," said Pillai. Pillai said the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) had broken even after two years. "When this government took over, the corporation had a Rs. 516 crore (Rs.5.16 billion) cash loss. We have reduced this to Rs. 281 crore (Rs.2.81 billion). Major outstanding payments due for a long time have been cleared," said Pillai. He said the KSRTC planned to put an additional 1,000 buses on the road this year. The corporation would ensure that its buses were not more than nine years old and also employ electronic means to prevent speeding by drivers.
"Culture comes first for the French"-Adoor
Saturday, May 24, 2003
Adoor: Culture comes first for the French ... THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Responding to the latest honour, Adoor Gopalakrishnan recounts the lasting love the French had for his work. "It is 30 years since I made my first feature film, 'Swayamvaram.' And eight more films followed. Strangely, without exception, all my films have been featured in one festival or the other in France - Cannes, Nantes, La Rochelle, Amiens, Paris, Manosque, Vesoul, Montpelliers, Aubervilliers. I have been to all these festivals with my films." I had made just four films - 'Swayamvaram,' 'Kodiyettam', 'Elippathayam and 'Mukhamukham' - when the La Rochelle film festival decided to `do a homage' to my work in 1987. I wondered aloud to Jean Loup Passek, the Director of the festival, if my output was sizeable enough for such an honour." ``What you have done is important enough'' was the response. In La Rochelle I was in the good company of such great masters as Jerzy Kawalarovitez. The complete retrospective of my films at the French Cinematheque in Paris in 1998 ably curated by Dominique Paini was a major landmark in my filmmaking career. The special tributes received at Nantes, Amiens and Manosque festivals I cherish heartily. My new film, 'Nizhalkkuthu,' is a co-production with the French production company, Artcam International, represented by Joel Farges. The ambience sound recording and mixing of the tracks were done by the reputed sound editor and recordist Dominique Vieillard. The technical collaboration did well to the film. Last January, after watching 'Mathilukal' and 'Nizhalkkuthu' at the Manosque festival, master filmmaker Jean Rouge announced, `` I am going to recommend to the National Centre for Cinematography that these films be made compulsory viewing for every aspiring filmmaker in France. It was again the revered French publication, 'Cahiers du Cinema', that was quick to see the merit of 'Nizhalkkuthu' and qualify it as the `Most masterful film' shown in the Venice festival. Nizhalkkuthu is scheduled to be released in France in July. Culture comes first for the French while we give it the last priority!
French honour for Adoor
Saturday, May 24, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Film-maker Adoor Gopalakrishnan has been honoured by the French Government with 'Commander of the Order of Arts and Letters', the second highest award given to a civilian by the Government. The highest French award to a civilian, 'Legion of honour', had been conferred on Satyajit Ray earlier. A communication to this effect was received from French Minister of Culture Jean-Jacque Aillagon and was forwarded to Adoor Gopalakrishnan by the Ambassador of France in India Dominique Girard on Wednesday. According to the message from the French Minister, "This award honours those who have distinguished themselves in the field of art and have contributed to the spread of culture in France and abroad. It is a tribute to your great talent and to the long relationship you have established with France. "For many Indian artistes, you are an example to follow and you testify to the fruitfulness of crucial dialogue between different artistic traditions." The award would be presented to the director at a special ceremony, the ambassador's letter said. Adoor's latest film Nizhalkkuthu (Shadow Kill) was a co-production with a French company Artcam International.
Speed up rehabilitation in Marad, Thangal tells CM
Saturday, May 24, 2003
MALAPPURAM: Chief Minister A K Antony on Thursday held hour-long talks over lunch with IUML chief Panakkad Syed Muhammedali Shihab Thangal at the latter's residence on the political developments in the State following the communal carnage in Marad. Thangal asked the Chief Minister to initiate steps to rehabilitate the residents of Marad who had fled the area following the gruesome killings. Raising the issue, Thangal said that the incident had raised threats to peace and security in the area and added that effective steps should be taken to remove the threats for the restoration of peace. The Government should also take speedy steps on the issue of the takeover of the Juma Masjid at Marad, Thangal said. Ministers Dr. M K Muneer and Nalakath Soopy were present during the talks. Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty and KPCC President K Muraleedharan, who were present with him, said that the allegations that the Chief Minister had deliberately kept away the IUML Ministers during his visit to Marad was part of a false propaganda. Kunhalikutty said that the UDF meeting had unanimously decided that the Chief Minister alone should visit the area in the light of the difficulties encountered by CPM State Secretary Pinarayi Vijayan when he visited the spot earlier. Antony said the main agenda of his visit to Panakkad was to seek the ``help and advice'' of Thangal to restore lasting peace in the State. He said that the greatest challenge before the Government was to bridge the mental divide that had taken shape among the people following the Marad incident. Antony said he viewed Thangal not just as a political leader and said that Thangal should make an active effort in establishing peace and harmony in the State. In reply to a question on allegations that the actions taken by the Government on the Marad issue were aimed at appeasing Sangh Parivar forces, Antony said that he stood solely for religious harmony. On the question of handing over the Juma Masjid to Wakf Board, the Chief Minister said that the first priority was to arrest and bring the culprits responsible for the unfortunate incident before the law. He said that the Government was sincerely working to file charge-sheets in all the cases in connection with the previous bouts of violence at Marad. All the other issues will be discussed later, Antony said. He said the Marad incident had delivered a blow to the developmental initiatives of the Government and urged for the cooperation of all concerned to put the State's developmental agenda back on rail.
State will be made e-literate in 3 years, says Antony
Saturday, May 24, 2003
MALAPPURAM: Chief Minister A K Antony on Thursday said that the Government was determined to make Kerala the first total computer literate State in the country within the next three years. The Chief Minister made the announcement after inaugurating the Akshaya Kendras (multi-purpose community technology centres) set up in the district, as part of the ongoing Akshaya total e-literacy campaign, at a function held at Kadampuzha near here. He said that the State will be able to achieve the unique honour once the Akshaya programme in extended to cover all the districts. Terming the occasion as a historic moment, he said that the State will be able to chart out a new trajectory in development through the Akshaya programme and added that the entrepreneurship-oriented project will provide the much needed fillip to the employment scenario of the State. Antony said that the goal of achieving total computer literacy was a formidable challenge and called upon all political parties, organisations, voluntary agencies and panchayats to lend their sincere support to the endeavor. State Information Technology Minister, P K Kunhalikutty said that the Akshaya project was the most extensive programme aimed at bridging the digital divide, ever attempted in the world. Education Minister Nalakath Soopy said that the 4,000 odd literacy centres in the State will be linked to the Akshaya kendras.
Three die in road mishap
Saturday, May 24, 2003
KOZHIKODE: Three persons were killed and four seriously injured when the car in which they were travelling in collided with a truck on the National highway at Puthiyangadi, near here Friday. The deceased were identified as Sajitha, Razak and Abbas.They were on their way to Karippur airport, police said.
Escotel announces new airtime rates
Saturday, May 24, 2003
Escotel announces new airtime rates KOCHI: In a bid to combine the DoT and airtime charges, cellular major Escotel has announced new, composite rates, which provides customers with significant savings up to 66 percent on Let’s Talk prepaid cards and 80 percent on Escotel postpaid tariff. The new rates are free of DoT charges which means the customer has to pay just the call charge. The pulse rates have also been reduced from the one-minute pulse rate to 30 seconds. As per the new rates on Let’s Talk prepaid, a call made to any phone in Kerala (local calls) now costs Rs 1.20 per 30 seconds, within India (STD calls) Rs 1.80 and outside India (ISD calls) Rs 9 for a 30-second call. In addition to this, rates have also been slashed on Swagatham and Success plans. On Swagatham plan, rates on a 30-second pulse vary from 50 paise for mobile-to-mobile calls to Re 1 for mobile-to-landline/WLL calls within Kerala. The rates for Success plan are 20 paise for mobile-to-mobile calls and 60 paise for mobile-to-landline/WLL calls within Kerala. On both the plans, mobile-to-mobile calls outside Kerala cost Re 1 per 30 seconds whereas calls to fixed/WLL phones outside Kerala are charged at Rs 1.50 within 200 km distance and Rs 1.80 for 200 km and above. Announcing the new tariffs at a press conference here, V G Somasekhar, chief operating officer, Escotel, Kerala, said that the new rates were a major step towards bringing stable and simpler prices for the benefit of the customers. He said that it will bring considerable savings to customers and encourage more people to go mobile.
Kochi does its part and Wal-Mart rules the hearts
Saturday, May 24, 2003
Kochi does its part and Wal-Mart rules the hearts KOCHI: When Wal-Mart, the world’s largest retail chain, was chosen the most admired company by the Fortune 500 magazine recently, it was also an indirect pat for Kochi, which supplies over 3 lakh to 4 lakh garment pieces per month to the US-based firm. Two firms viz, Leela Lace International and Kitex Garments Ltd, have been supplying the garments as per the requirements of Wal-Mart, which sells these in brand names like ‘Faded Glory’ and ‘Puritan’ through a large network of stores in the US and other developed markets. Leela Lace International, now operating in the Cochin Special Economic Zone, is selling over 1 lakh pieces of ladies tops to the retail major per month, while Kitex Garments, based at Kizhakkambalam near Kochi, supplies 2.5 lakh pieces of children’s garments and men’s jackets per month. Now, buoyed by Wal-Mart’s target to increase its total revenue to $500 billion (from the present over $200 billion) by the year 2010, both Leela Lace International and Kitex are planning a huge increase in capacities, to meet the increased demands. Expected to come up at Kinfra Industrial Park, Kakkanad, Leela Lace’s new facility will have the capacity to produce over 3-4 lakh pieces per month. This, of course, is in addition to the recently set up venture at the Kinfra Apparel Park, Thiruvananthapurm, for producing 1 lakh pieces per month. ‘‘The new facility has been planned to meet the additional demand from Wal-Mart,’’ said a Leela Lace Venture official. The Leela Lace International currently employs over 600 people and the proposed expansion will see over 2000 additional staff being recruited. However, the major hurdle is the lack of trained tailors. ‘‘Our plan involves a major recruitment drive. But, we find it extremely difficult to get the required hands,’’ said the official. As far as Kitex Garments is concerned, the expansion will be at the same location and will be completed in two phases by March 2005. ‘‘The first phase will be completed by March 2004 and involves production of 2 million pieces per month,’’ said Sabu M Jacob, managing director, Kitex Garments. Going a step further, Kitex Garments hopes to cater to other leading multinational chains like Walt Disney, Gerber, among others. ‘‘We have been asked to supply the ready-to-wear garments to these multinational chains,’’ Sabu adds. Kitex Garments’ expansion will also see additional employment for over 7,500 girls, from the present 2,500, according to him. Wal-Mart, with over 218 billion sales in 2001, is also considered the largest US company in terms of revenue. However, it is interesting to note that the company does not produce anything but sources the goods from destinations such as India. The company sells a wide range of goods like fruits, televisions, VCDs and garments through its retail chains. ‘‘We have to adhere to strict norms on environment, sexual harassment, work ethics, better pay scales for employees, among other things, to get the approval from Wal-Mart,’’ points out Sabu.
Govt's top priority is to preserve communal harmony: CM
Saturday, May 24, 2003
KOCHI: Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony on Friday appealed to people to co-operate with government's efforts to bring in permanent peace at Marad and communal harmony in the state. UDF government attached top priority in preserving harmony in the society with the cooperation of all sections including political parties, Antony told reporters here. Pointing out that the Marad incident was most inhuman, he said all the culprits involved in the killings would be arrested soon and none would be allowed to escape from punishment. Antony said hatred, revenge and retaliation would destroy the developmental works undertaken by the government and it would adversely affect the state. Asked why his cabinet colleagues had not accompanied him durng his visit to Marad, Antony said it was udf's unanimous decision that the Chief Minister alone visit the violence-torn area. On the IUML reported demand to handover a place of worship at Marad to the Wakf Board, Antony said the district administration and the police had to take the decision. To a question, he said there was nothing unusual in his meeting IUML president Syed Mohammedali Shihab Thangal at Malappuram on Thursday. Thangal was a respected leader and IUML was a partner of UDF, he said. Government was examining the demand for an all-party meeting to discuss about the Marad incidents.
Kerala tourism to hold centrestage at Dubai Shopping Festival 2004
Saturday, May 24, 2003
Kerala tourism to hold centrestage at Dubai Shopping Festival 2004 KOCHI: Kerala tourism will hold centrestage in the coming Dubai Shopping Festival (DSF) 2004. Tourism Minister K V Thomas signed an agreement recently in Dubai as a partner state of India Fair, to be held as a part of DSF. The biggest event in this part of the hemisphere, the festival has been drawing crowds from all over the world and has in recent times upstaged similar events in Hong Kong and Thailand. Among the planned events are a snake boat race and a mini Thrissur Pooram, with elephants to be taken from the State. This is for the first time the State is participating and promoting tourism in an international event in a big way. "The Dubai Shopping Festival is one of the largest marketing events of the world. We will be showcasing our tourism, culture and handicrafts with the active cooperation of non-resident Keralites in the region," the Minister said. The promotion will cost the State Government around Rs 1 crore. ``Thirty percent will be provided by the Government, while the rest will be raised from sponsors," said T Balakrishnan, secretary, Department of Tourism. The department, which sent a fact-finding mission to the DSF this year, is currently looking for sponsors. According to Balakrishnan, the response from businesses from both the State and abroad have been very good. Plans are also being chalked out to transport snake boats and elephants to Dubai. The festival, which till 2003 was for a month, is also being extended to three months from next year because of the huge response it has evoked internationally. An estimated 4.5 million visited Dubai this year during the festival, which is double the 2.6 million of 2002. "The inflow of tourists into the State from Arab nations have increased in recent times. Moreover, with the people thronging DSF from all over the world, the event gives us a chance to interact with tourists on a one-to-one basis," Balakrishnan said. Around two lakh visitors come from abroad to the State every year, of whom the Gulf region accounts for around 30,000. Post September 11, the figure has increased drastically and is expected to double in the coming year. At the DSF 2003, Rajasthan was the state in focus and the year before it was Andhra Pradesh. The state Department of Tourism's efforts at DSF will be supported by the Centre, the Indian Embassy and the Dubai Indian Association.
Renovated Maharajas College inaugurated
Saturday, May 24, 2003
KOCHI: Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony inaugurated the projects completed during the first phase of the renovation of the 125-year-old Maharajas College here on Friday. Speaking on the occasion, Antony lauded the College Development Committee for the renovation work and said such initiatives should come in other government institutions in the state. Government alone will not be able to do everything, he said. On the demands from students to allot new courses, the Chief Minister said though he was not making an announcement now, he would keep their request in mind and would take necessary action later. Nalakath Soopy, education Minister, presided.
Control on Marad mosque extended to seven more days
Saturday, May 24, 2003
Control on Marad mosque extended to seven more days KOZHIKODE: The District Collector has extended the restriction imposed on offering prayers at Marad Juma Masjid for seven more days. The district administration had taken over the control of the mosque on May 7, after the killings on Marad Beach on May 2 and the seizure of weapons from the masjid premises, invoking Section 27 of the Kerala Police Act. The Collector's decision to extend the restrictions is based on the request made by the police in this regard. Members of the Marad Mahal can offer prayers at the mosque after getting the prior permission from the Kozhikode Tahasildar who is the custodian of the masjid. Meanwhile, the Judicial First Class Magistrate (V) on Friday released four - Mujeeb, Majeed, Akbar and Haneefa, who were under judicial custody in the Kannur Central Jail.
M M Hassan seeks justice for job-seekers in the Gulf
Saturday, May 24, 2003
NEW DELHI: Kerala Minister for Non-Resident Keralite Affairs M M Hassan met External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha on Friday and sought immediate action to correct the situation created by the recent changes in immigration rules which adversely affected job-seekers on individual visas to the Gulf countries. The extension of group visa restrictions to individual applicants, clauses of power of attorney, and insistence on demand letters and copies of employment agreements for obtaining individual visas have adversely affected the job seekers who are mostly from Kerala, Hassan told the Union Minister.Æ There were complaints of job harassment and sexual harassment from cooks and house maids as they were not getting protection of the local laws in those countries, he said. Indian embassies in these countries should have a legal attache and atleast one Malayalam speaking official and the embassies should reduce the high charges for consular services, Hassan said. Hassan also drew the Minister's attention to the demand by Malayalees in Doha for constructing a temple there. He requested Finance minister Jaswant Singh to take action to put an end to the harassment of returning Keralites by Customs officials at the airports. He also met Revenue Secretary C S Rao in this regard. He said parcels coming from the UAE were inordinately delayed for various reasons. The UAE Government had proposed private participation in the postal clearance of such articles, he pointed out. A meeting of Keralites living elsewhere in India would be held in Kochi on July 12 and 13. Representatives of all Malayalee organisations would be invited to this meeting where prominent Malayalees making contributions to various areas would be honoured, Hassan said.
Antony following BJP govt's policy, says Vijayan
Saturday, May 24, 2003
KOZHIKODE: CPI-M Kerala state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday alleged that the UDF government was following the `privatisation policy' of the BJP-led NDA government at the centre. Inaugurating the 36th state convention of the Kerala Municipal and Corporation Staff Union (KMCSU) here, he said the UDF was `cheating' the public in the name of development using ADB loan. The previous LDF government had allocated Rs 1200 crore to local bodies whereas the present government could give only Rs 750 crore, he said. Vijayan also charged that the Antony government was trying to take away the facilities and benefits enjoyed by employees over the years.
Root cause of all problems is `intolerance'
Saturday, May 24, 2003
KOCHI: Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony said on Friday that the root cause of all problems in society was the attitude of 'intolerance' which everyone was experiencing. Speaking at the valedictory function of the episcopal golden jubilee function of Malankara Syrian Marthoma Church Metropolican Dr. Philiose Mar Chrysostom Mar Thoma, he said the whole world was in the grip of tension. Unity and brotherhood had weakened while hatred and enmity in the society was on the increase, he said. In a lighter vein, Antony said the metropolitan faced all sorts of problems with a smiling face and if we could also follow that it would have helped us. Dr. Philipose Mar Chrysostoma Mar Thoma replied to the felicitation.
Bahadur award presented to Jagathy
Saturday, May 24, 2003
KODUNGALLOOR: Actor Bahadur was instrumental in the growth of Malayalam cinema, said Minister for Public Works, M K Muneer here on Thursday evening. He was inaugurating the Bahadur Commemmorial meeting at Municipal Town Hall, here. Bahadur acted in the first colour Malayalam film Kandamvecha Kottu when the humour and comedy was in the infant stage. But Malayalam films has grown to great heights, with his twenty years of continuous contribution, Muneer recalled. Delivering the commemmorial speech, film director Lohithadas said that Bahadur was a great artiste who represented the unique culture of Kodungalloor. Film actress Padmasree Sukumari has presented the Bahadur Puraskar to noted actor Jagathy. Actor Dileep presented the memento to him. Dr P A Mohammed Sayeed honoured Padmasree Sukumari. Cochin Haneefa has presented the cash award to top-ranking students. Bahadur Trust president Dr A K Siddique presided over the meeting. Kaithapram has released the Bahadru Memorial Souvenir, by handing over the first copy to Sibi Malayil.
IT-based info system for Kerala farmers
Thursday, May 22, 2003
The Agriculture Department in Kerala is launching an IT-based information system for the benefit of farmers. Christened `Kissan' (Karshaka Information System And Service Networking), the system would become operational by July end. The project would be implemented jointly by the Indian Institute of Information Technology, Kerala, and the Farm Information Bureau. The project would link the farmers with research institutions, Krishi Bhavans and distribution and marketing centres though cable TV, satellite transmission and Internet portal, the Agriculture Minister, K. R. Gouri, told a `Meet the Minister' programme organised by the Press Club in Trivandrum on Tuesday. The Agriculture Minister said the Government had also begun steps to set up a Virtual University and a Herbal Valley as suggested by the M. S. Swaminathan Commission on WTO concerns in agriculture in Kerala. The virtual university has been mooted to provide timely information to farmers on marketing of agricultural produces and the Herbal Valley to take up cultivation and preservation of medicinal herbs. An Empowered Committee with the Chief Secretary as its chairman had been constituted to look after implications of the commission's recommendations, she said. The minister also announced that an Agriculture Technology Information Centre (ATIC) would be set up under the Kerala Agricultural University.
Janu issue: NCW protests, CM pleads ignorance
Thursday, May 22, 2003
The National Commission for Women has strongly protested to the Kerala government over the incident in which Adivasi leader CK Janu and other tribal activists were prevented by the police from participating in a symposium in the state capital on Tuesday. Dr Purnima Advani, the chairperson of the Commission said that it was a deliberate stoppage form the police on clear instructions from the higher-ups. "it appears that there was clear instruction to stop the particular individuals from entering the venue. Hearing this I rushed out and told the police not to stop any one. The Minister present and the authorities present had also given me an assurance in this regard," she added. Meanwhile, Kerala Chief Minister AK Antony told newsmen that he was unaware about the incident and only read it newspapers. "I will look into it," Antony said when it was pointed out that one of his ministers was present at the venue and the incident took place in full public view.
Antony to meet Panakkad Thangal today
Thursday, May 22, 2003
Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony will hold parleys with Indian Union Muslim League president Panakkad Sayeed Ali Shihab Thangal at the latter's residence in Panakkad, Malappuram district on Thursday. The meeting takes place in the backdrop of Muslim League's displeasure over certain measures taken by the Chief Minister in the aftermath of Marad carnage. The state committee of the IUML that met ion Kozhikkode had criticised the Antony government for taking 'one-sided measures' in Marad after the violence. The IUML leaders had alleged that Muslim families in Marad were not being rehabilitated by the administration and said that the taking over of the Masjid was not a step in the right direction. Antony is expected to clarify the government position on the issue and clear the misgivings expressed by IUML which is the second largest partner in the UDF. Hand over mosque to Wakf Board: Ravi Vayalar Ravi, AICC general secretary and Rajya Sabha member, has asked the state government to hand over the Marad mosque to the Wakf Board at the earliest. The Marad Juma Masjid was taken over by the administration after a large cache of arms used for the May2 killings were recovered from its premises. Talking to reporters in New Delhi on Wednesday, Ravi criticised the BJP for trying to use the Marad violence as an excuse to brand Kerala a "terrorist State''. However, he defended Chief Minister AK Antony's decision not to take the trident distribution launched by the VHP in the state.
Book Marad assailants under POTA: Hindu meet
Wednesday, May 21, 2003
A state convention of various Hindu outfits, organised by the Marad Hindu Raksha Samithi, in Kozhikkode on Tuesday demanded the government to book the culprits behind the May 2 carnage, under the provisions of POTA. A resolution adopted at the meeting wanted a CBI inquiry into the murders and invocation of POTA against the accused. The meeting felt that the Crime Branch probe or judicial inquiry cannot bring out the whole truth behind the killings, " as it was masterminded by terrorist organisations having inter-state ties." The meeting, organised to discuss the developments after the Marad carnage, also sought the resignation of State Industries Minister P K Kunhalikutty, taking moral responsibility for the killings. The meeting accused the Minister ``for failing to protect the lives and properties of the Hindus'' and demanded his apology. The meeting felt that outfits like al-Umma, SIMI and NDF are involved in the carnage. and the IUML may use its influence to divert the process of police investigation. Earlier, addressing the convention, Bharatiya Vichara Kendram director P Parameswaran said that given the conditions it is to be believed that the IUML, which claims that it is a secular party, does not want communal amity in Kerala. If the IUML was sincere it would not have spurned the initiative of the National Minority Commission member John Joseph six months ago to bring the RSS and the Muslim League to a discussion. "An IUML leader and Member of Parliament said a firm `no' to the talks. Had the party shown some tolerance and wisdom, the atmosphere prevailing now could have avoided. The dialogue between the RSS and the Christian organisations has created an atmosphere of consensus,'' he said. Jama'at team holds talks with Araya Samajam In another related development, a group of Jama'at-e-Islami leaders, led by Kerala Ameer Prof K A Sidique Hassan, visited the trouble-torn Marad Beach on Monday evening and consoled members of the affected families. The team, which reached the office of Araya Samajam at around 4 pm, held discussions on the possibility of restoring normalcy and bringing back those who fled the area fearing counter attacks. Araya Samajam secretary Suresh narrated the plight of affected families to the visiting team. Condemning the unilateral attack on poor Hindu families, Jama'at-e-Islami Ameer appealed to Araya Samajam office-bearers to cooperate with the authorities in creating an atmosphere conducive to restore normalcy. Jama'at-e-Islami assistant secretary T K Hussein, Sura member Sheikh Mohammed Karakunnu and community leaders M K Mohammedali, M Abdul Hameed, Hameed Vanimel, T K Farooq and V M Ibrahim were the other members of the team.
Janu prevented from attending Women's meet
Wednesday, May 21, 2003
Adivasi Gothra Sabha leader C K Janu was prevented from attending a seminar on Women's empowerment organised in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday. Janu, who came to the Kanakakkunnu palace where the programme was on, was stopped at the main gate by the police. Janu tried to plead with the police and clarified that she had come on a personal invitation from Purnima Advani, chairperson of the National Women's Commission. However, the police stood firm on their stand and Janu was asked to leave the place. Meanwhile, in another development, National Women's Commission chairperson Purnima Advani said that sexual harassment of Adivasi women took place in Muthanga and its aftermath. Speaking to reporters in Thiruvananthapuram guesthouse on Tuesday, after meeting CK Janu and the tribal women, allegedly harassed by the police, the chairperson informed that the NWC would set up two special adalats in Kozhikkode and Thiruvananthapuram to try the cases.
Cabinet approves unified university bill
Wednesday, May 21, 2003
The state cabinet on Tuesday approved the unified university bill, which proposes to dismantle the post of VCs and PVCs and to ban private tuition classes conducted by college teachers. The bill has provisions to fine self-financing colleges, which demand capitation fee, and to disqualify them if the offence is repeated. This will be applicable to Kerala, Mahatma Gandhi, Calicut and Kannur Universities. The cabinet has also decided to pass the bill in the assembly instead of issuing an ordinance. University committees including the Senate and the Syndicate will be abolished. A General Council will be constituted to perform the duties of Senate. Fifty per cent of seats to the General Council will be filled by ballot and the rest by nomination. A recommendation in the draft to nominate all members to the General Council was discarded. However, all members to the Executive Council, which will replace the Syndicate will be selected by nomination. Even if existing VCs and PVCs are removed from their post, the government can reappoint them. The retirement age of VCs are fixed at 60. An official appointed by the government will perform the duty of the VC till fresh appointment is made. The Executive Council will not have a student's representative. The government will execute the staff fixation of those including private college teachers, instead of respective universities. The government will also have the power to transfer surplus teachers to other universities. For example, surplus number of teachers at Kerala University can be transferred to fill vacancies at MG University. Private college teachers, who hold position like President, Chairman or Mayor at local bodies should take wage-less leave. This will also be applicable to those elected to the assembly or parliament.
Joint Trade Union strike hits normal life
Wednesday, May 21, 2003
The 24- hour countrywide strike called by the trade unions began on Tuesday midnight, is near total and peaceful, reports from various parts of Kerala said. Most of the shops and establishments in urban centres remained closed, KSRTC has suspended its services all over the state from Tuesday midnight. Private buses in Kochi and Kozhikkode have also remained off road. Some autorickshaw were on road in Ernakulam, while only two-wheelers came out in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikkode. The strike is reported to be total in ,Malabar region. Inc\indents of violence have not been reported from anywhere in the state so far. Policemen have been deployed in sensitive areas and before important government buildings and other establishments. The strike has been called against the economic and labour policies pursued by the Central and State governments, the state Sources at state sponsoring committee of the strike said. The Congress-linked INTUC and BJP's labour wing the BMS are not participating in the strike. INTUC leaders said in Thiruvananthapuram that the Leftists trade unions have called the strike for political reasons. Trade unions and various organisations of state employees, bank staffs are also participating in the strike. The government has denied leave to gazetted officers and made it clear that dies-non would be applicable in case of striking employees. Temporary employees who do not turn up for work would face dismissal, official sources said. Emergency services like hospitals, supply of drinking water, milk and newspapers etc have not been affected by the strike.
Poor show by students who wrote SSLC re-exam
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Out of the 195 students who wrote the SSLC re-examination held on April 3 following the LDF hartal, only 77 managed to get a mere pass. The performance of those who had won was generally bad with marks varying between 18-22. Only 195 had turned up for the re-examination The re-examination was held in 13 centres. The Government had stated that 456 students could not write the examination on March 18 due to the hartal sponsored by the Left Democratic Front on that day.
Antony to launch Akshaya e-literacy programme
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
MALAPPURAM: The Akshaya total e-literacy programme, aimed at making Malappuram the first total computer literate district in the country, will be formally inaugurated by Chief Minister, A K Antony at a function to be held at Kadampuzha at 10 am on May 22. The Chief Minister will dedicate 552 Akshaya Kendras to the nation at the function which will be presided over by State IT Minister, P K Kunhalikutty. State IT Mission authorities said in a release that the remaining 100 centres will be commissioned within the next two months. The release said that the Areacode Block, with 60 centres, had the maximum number of Akshaya Kendras in the district. Around 317 entrepreneurs, of the total 450, applied for bank loans and received the loans. The implementation of the project is being carried out jointly by the District Panchayat, District Administration, Public Relation Department, C-DIT, Information Kerala Mission and STED Project.
Cellular majors to make life easier for subscribers
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
KOCHI: Learning Greek, Latin, Hebrew or deciphering the Indus scripts may not be as difficult as figuring out your cellphone bills. But post Telecom Regulatory Authority of India’s (TRAI) Interconnect User Charge (IUC) regime, things are about to change forever. Or that’s what cellular majors, including Bharat Sanchar Nigam Ltd, promise as they move into a composite and simplified tariff structure. The IUC regime has other than slashing mobile rates simplified tariffs with no separate airtime, DoT or PSTN charges, providing for composite rates, making life easier for the subscriber. With BPL Mobile leading the way in State, Bharti’s AirTel and BSNL have followed suit, leaving the rest with no choice. ‘‘Complex tariff structure along with the weekly announcement of new plans by companies have put subscribers in a fix. The IUC regime will make tariffs simpler and easier, and more importantly cheaper, and customers will now only have to pay for what they use,’’ says R Suresh Kumar, marketing head, BPL Mobile Cellular Ltd. BPL Mobile which recently announced four new tariff plans for different usage needs, is promising the subscribers a reduction of 25 to 50 percent in mobile bills the month end. As per the new plans, the subscriber who earlier paid Rs 3.20 per minute to calls to a landline, WLL and other mobiles will now have to pay only Rs 2, which includes airtime and PSTN charges, and for STD calls within 50 to 200 km, the earlier Rs 4.40 per minute will come down to Rs 3.49. And for calls made to a distance exceeding 200 km, the charge will come down from Rs 6.80 to Rs 4.49 per minute. Not to be left behind, AirTel is offering the ‘AirTel Freedom 012’ plan for new customers. It offers local mobile-to-mobile calls at Re 1 and STD calls from mobile-to-mobile anywhere at Rs 1.99 for a monthly rental of Rs 299. But BSNL has come with a late rear guard action and is all set to upstage the rest of the competition. BSNL’s Plan 525, to be announced this week in the State, is providing a mobile-to-mobile call at 40 paise per minute, which comes down to 10 paise for short duration calls below the 15-second pulse. And for the Plan 325, the subscriber can make a mobile-to-mobile call for Rs 1.40 per minute. The mobile-to-fixed will be Rs 1.20 for Plan 325 and Rs 1.80 for Plan 325 other than SMS for all plans at 60 paise. ‘‘Subscribers should be charged uniformly. And the new IUC regime has simplified tariffs for customers with no separate airtime or DoT charges. Currently, we are providing the lowest rates,’’ a BSNL official said. This, of course, augurs well for the cellular majors, who in the last year have been bedevilled by a host of issues. ‘‘There will be huge jump in subscribers, especially with free incoming calls provided by all cellular majors. For BSNL, the initial investment for a landline comes to Rs 18,000, while that for a mobile is only Rs 7000, enabling us to provide cheaper cellular service,’’ says the BSNL official. If all goes well and promises are kept, the subscriber can go back to learning Hebrew.
Six held in connection with Marad massacre
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
KOZHIKODE: The Crime Branch team, probing into the Marad massacre, on Monday arrested six persons, including five in the wanted list released by the police. Those arrested are P T Marzooq, 28, Kuttichanttakathu, Marad; Delhath, 24, Thalakkalakathu, Marad; Akbar, 22, Kinattinkalakathu, Arakkinar; Manaf, 27, Puthanpurayil Marad; and Hussaian Koya alias Noushad, Kinattinkalakathu, Marad. The team also arrested Mammad, 47, who made and supplied weapons to the assailants. He was picked up from the Mukhdar Beach.
Jagathy Sreekumar selected for Bahadur award
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
Kochi: Malayalam actor Jagathy Sreekumar has been selected for this year's 'Bahadur award', for his contribution to Malayalam cinema. The award, which includes a cash prize of Rs 50,000, a citation and a plaque, would be presented to him by actress Sukumari at a function on May 22, the secretary of the Bahadur Memorial Trust, Kamal, told reporters here on Monday. The award is being given on the occassion of the third death anniversary of late malayalam actor Bahadur. The award distribution ceremony will be held at Kodungallur in Thrissur district on May 22. Malayalam actor Thilakan had won this award last year. Kamal said that the trust would also distribute awards to students from Kodungallur taluk, who had secured high marks in the SSLC examinations held in 2002. 'Ningalude Bahadur, Nhangalude Kunhikka', written by Bahadur's sister, Arifa Mohammed, would be released on the occasion, he addded.
Bus overturns near Uppala in Kasaragod district killing one person
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
A bus passenger was killed and 13 others were injured when a private luxury bus turned turtle at Uppala, about 30 km from Kasaragod, the police said. The incident occurred when the bus proceeding from Mumbai to Thalassery skidded off the road possibly due to a drizzle while giving way to a truck coming from the opposite direction, police said. The dead, identified as M K Abdul Rahman (55) belonged to Panur near Thalassery and his body has been shifted to Kumbala government hospital for postmortem, police said.
Antony a BJP spy in Congress ,says VS
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
Antony a BJP spy in Congress ,says VS 20-May-2003 Opposition leader in the Kerala assembly V S Achuthanandan has alleged that chief minister A K Antony is a `spy of the BJP' in the Congress and said the UDF government led by him had destroyed the foundation of secularism and communal harmony in the state. "Antony, who grabbed power by allying with fundamentalist forces, is now pampering Muslim fundamentalists and the RSS. His government's policies are not different from that of the BJP. Sangh Parivar's national leaders now want Antony to lead the Congress," Achuthanandan said, addressing a meet-the-press programme at Thiruvananthapuram. He said it would not be surprising if Antony established relationship with the BJP in future just as he and his colleagues allied with the CPI-M when Indira Gandhi was out of power. The opposition leader alleged that the two-year old UDF government had either destroyed or sold public sector enterprises in the state and was using the recently-held Global Investor Meet (GIM) as a cover for indulging in corruption. Referring to the speech of deputy prime minister L K Advani at the centenary celebrations of Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam here yesterday, Achuthanandan said the emerging links between the SNDP Yogam and the BJP could bring about dangerous consequences. To a question, Achuthanandan said the CPI-M had never tried to form an alternative government in the state exploiting the troubles in the Congress over the recent Rajya Sabha polls. He, however, did not rule out the possibility of bringing a no-confidence motion against the Antony government in the next assembly session.
Muslim leaders meet Antony
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
Thiruvananthapuram: A delegation of leaders of various Muslim organisations met Chief Minister A K Antony and urged him to institute an inquiry by a sitting judge into the May 2 Marad carnage that claimed nine lives. Leaders of the Jamaat-e-Islami, Muslim Educational Society, Muslim Service Society, Muslim Sauhrida Vedi, two groups of the Mujahid and two Sunni factions, who called on Antony at his residence, also requested him to take steps to bring back the Muslim families who had fled Marad after the violence. The leaders later told reporters that they would support the government’s action against the culprits. Muslim bodies, which met May 12 at Panakkad, had decided to isolate the fundamentalist forces, they said. They expressed concern over the Centre’s attempt to interfere in the issue, with the BJP demanding a CBI probe into the Marad incident. A judicial probe was the proper way to bring out the truth, they said, adding that the Chief Minister had agreed to consider seriously the demand for assigning the probe to a sitting judge.
Private investment of Rs 1,000 crore for Kerala's educational sector
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
Private investment of Rs 1,000 crore for Kerala's educational sector Thiruvananthapuram, May 19 Kerala Education Minister Nalakathu Soopy said today private investment to the tune of Rs 1,000 crore had been made in the educational sector in the State over the past two years. Participating in the 'Meet-the-Minister' programme organised by the Thiruvananthapuram Press Club in connection with the second anniversary of the Antony Government, he said 40,000 job opportunities had been created following the Government's decision to open up the higher education sector for private investment. Many colleges had begun operations in the past two years, thus stemming the flow of crores of rupees as capitation fee to neighbouring States, the Minister said. There was a shortage of 50,000 to 75,000 seats for those passing out the higher secondary at present, Mr Soopy said, adding that the Government would take immediate steps to arrange facilities for higher education to all those who had passed the SSLC examination.
Mohanlal magic at IIFA
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
Mohanlal has done Malayalees and the Kerala Film Industry proud by his five minutes acceptance speech at the IIFA Awards at the Sun City, Johannesburg. The versatile actor was a nominee in the Best Supporting Actor category for his role in Ram Gopal Varma’s Company. After winning the award, Mohanlal used the occasion to give an excellent speech to highlight the achievements of Malayalam cinema. Dressed in a white suit, Lal said: I represent Malayalam cinema industry which is a small part of the huge Indian film industry. It has made the first cinemascope film, 70 mm film and 3D film other than producing some of the best movies and stars in the country. Vanaprastham was the first film to be co-produced with France, which was showcased at the Cannes Film Festival. He also thanked the huge audience for accepting him as he is. Mohanlal is the first actor from Malayalam to receive an award from IIFA and it came as a surprise to millions of Malayalees all over the world to hear the actor speak with the correct diction, impeccable style and élan. It was a revelation of sorts as Lal is basically a shy person by nature and he was always comfortable speaking in his mother tongue.
Vinayan is in search of a leading lady.
Tuesday, May 20, 2003
Vinayan is in search of a leading lady. Vinayan is searching for a leading lady for his forth coming film and the girl should be between the age group of 17 to 21 years to act as a ghost. Vinayan who came into scene with the film, 'CHANDRANUDIKKUNNA DIKKIL' is again repeating his pet theme of horror in his new film. 'CHANDRANUDIKKUNNA DIKKIL' was an instant success then. Infact the producer withdrew from the project fearing loss and Vinayan organized funds to release it and had become a prestige issue for him to release it. So he had secured the rights and invested money. The movie was a big hit and Vinayan has never looked back after that. He is presently occupied with the post shooting works of MEERAYUDE DHUKAHVUM MUTHUVINTE SWAPANVUM''. After that he will straight away start the horror movie. For some time the Malayalam films were dominated by the horror cum soft porn scenes. 'INDRIYAM' in DTS collected well and the trend had been set in three years ago. In 2002 Anil Babu did a horror film with Gheethu Mohan Das and Mani, which collected good money. Now it is the turn of the director of the poor man to bring out a horror film. Vinayan is on the look out for a teenage girl for the film. Though he had earlier announced a film with Mohan Lal, it is the horror film that will go to the sets first.
Missing girl: case of kidnapping registered
Monday, May 19, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM May 18. The city police have registered a case of kidnapping in connection with the disappearance of a 16-year-old minor girl from the Thumba police station limits on May 12. The girl, who had enlisted as a Plus Two student at a private tutorial in Kazhakkoottam, had been reported missing by her mother. The girl, who had gone to attend classes at the tutorial, had failed to return home. Her father is employed in the Gulf. Police said recently the girl's family received a telephone call from one Lalu (27) stating that the missing girl was in his custody. Lalu is an accused in two murder cases and the worker of a national political party, police said. He is the first accused in the case relating to the murder of one Lali Kumar at Nehru Junction early this year. Lalu, who is suspected of having kidnapped the minor girl, also figured among the list of accused in a murder case registered by the Kazhakkoottam police in 2001. There were several other cases, including assault and intimidation, pending against the suspect at the Kazhakkoottam and Thumba police stations, police said. The girl's family denied having knowledge of any liaison between their ward and the suspect, Lalu, according to the police. The girl's family members had stated that Lalu and his gang members used to hang around the area where the private tutorial is situated. The Thumba police have constituted a special team to track down the girl and arrest the accused. Investigations are on.
Cong. open to poll alliances: Vayalar Ravi
Monday, May 19, 2003
VISAKHAPATNAM MAY 18. The Congress-I is open to political alliances for the forthcoming Assembly elections in the State, the AICC general secretary, Vayalar Ravi, has said. Talking to reporters before emplaning for Delhi at the airport here on Sunday, he said there was a compelling need for unity among the secular parties to defeat the communal forces. Asked if the party had initiated any serious attempts at forging an alliance, he said "The dialogue would start when the time comes.'' Mr. Ravi charged the Telugu Desam Pary (TDP) with `abetting' communalism and underscored the significance of the unity of secular parties in the context of defeating the `communal combination' of the TDP and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The Congress-I leader said he was not aware of any intention of the NDA Government at the Centre in going in for early general elections "but the Congress-I is ready for elections whenever they are held.'' The Congress-I, he added, is confident of retaining power in Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan. On the offer of free power supply by the CLP leader, Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, in the State, Mr. Ravi said "I have studied the documents shown to me on this. I am convinced that offering free power is feasible.'' He, however, added that free power supply could only be to a certain category of the population as in the case of the public distribution system, which applied only to people below the poverty line. He did not agree with a questioner that the offer of free power supply had failed to cut any ice with the people in the last elections. It was not a question of people being impressed by the offer but the honesty with which it would be implemented, he said. On the ongoing padayatra by Dr.Reddy, Mr. Ravi said it had evoked tremendous response from the people and described it as "an expression of resentment and disillusionment of the people of the State against the misrule of the TDP Government.'' He found the party's prospects in the State improving "beyond my expectations.''
Four persons killed in road accident at Kozhikode
Monday, May 19, 2003
Kozhikode, May 18 - Four people, including two children, were killed and six others injured when two private buses collided at Thadampattuthazham on the outskirts of Kozhikode city. The accident occured when a mini-bus proceeding to Kunnamangalam from Kozhikode collided with a private bus coming from Balussery, after overtaking a motorbike, according to eyewitnesses. The deceased were identified as Bindu (25), Saithya (5) and Anjith (eight months), police said and added that the body of one woman was yet to be identified. Two of the victims were killed on the spot. Besides the deceased, most of the injured were also traveling in the mini-bus. The condition of two were stated to be very critical, hospital sources said.
Mattancherry bridge to be made heritage monument
Monday, May 19, 2003
Kochi: The State Tourism Department is to construct a bus stand and facilitation centre at Fort Kochi in the second phase of the Fort Kochi heritage zone development programme. Announcing the programme, the Fisheries and Tourism Minister, K. V. Thomas, said that the Rs. 3 crore project would be handed over to the Kochi Corporation after completion. The Government decided to start the work on the second phase as 90 per cent of the first phase had been completed, he said. The State Archaeology Department has been asked to submit project reports for the conservation of the Old Fort Wall and Kalvathy canals in Fort Kochi. The proposal for the Rs. 100-crore Fort Kochi coastal road submitted by the GCDA is under the active consideration of the State Government, he said. The project for converting the Mattancherry bridge into a heritage monument will be implemented on B-O-T basis. However, the Tourism Department will be the nodal agency in running the project and agencies such as the Cochin Port Trust, the GCDA and the Kochi Corporation will have roles in its implementation, he said. The Cochin Port Trust has agreed to part with two to three acres of land for developing the required facilities at the site. A meeting of the officials concerned convened by the Minister also formed an expert committee and decided to stop two-wheeler and three-wheeler traffic through the bridge. Though the two-wheelers and three-wheelers will be diverted through the new bridge, no toll will be levied from them. An expert committee with the Kochi Mayor, C. M. Dinesh Mani, as chairperson, will look into the aspect of providing compensation to Gammon India, which is managing the new Mattancherry bridge, for accommodating the additional traffic. The committee, with representatives of GCDA and Cochin Port Trust as its members, will submit its report within 30 days, he said. The State Tourism department will prepare the project for converting the bridge into a heritage monument, Mr. Thomas said. It has also been decided to take over the management of the Kerala Institute of Hospitality Management Studies (KHIMS) from the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation. The KHIMS will be run from the Malayattoor Centre of the Kerala Institute of Tourism and Travel Studies (KIITS). Orientation programmes for the DTPC staff, tourist police and taxi and autorickshaw drivers will be introduced and the strength of tourism police will be increased to 300 from 180. A meeting of the officials of the Tourism department has also decided to reconstitute the executive committee of KIITS for quality improvement. A monthly magazine, Tourism in Media, will also be brought out, Mr. Thomas said. The Tourism Department will appeal to all major political parties and organisations to exclude tourists from bandhs and hartals as in the case with hospitals, newspapers and milk supply. This decision was taken as bandhs and hartals disrupted the tour programmes of tourists opting for package tourism. The Department has plans to organise cleanliness drives in the State with the aid of residential associations, he said. The Tourism department is to institute three tourism awards for the best tourism club and teacher and student coordinators of the tourism clubs that have been formed. The award winners and their family members will be given an opportunity to visit tourist destinations outside the State with their families. The Department is to screen short films for tourism promotion on satellite channels and cinema theatres from July and September 27 will be celebrated in the State as Tourism day.
Advani :'Saffronisation' no disgrace
Monday, May 19, 2003
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Deputy Prime Minister L.K.Advani on Sunday found nothing wrong in a possible tie-up between the SNDP Yogam and the BJP in the State and asked the Yogam leaders not to be upset by the criticism that it was being saffronised. Addressing a public meeting in connection with the centenary celebrations of the SNDP Yogam and the unveiling of the statue of Pathradhipar K.Sukumaran at the University Stadium here, Advani said: ``There is this question by some people whether the SNDP is being saffronised or whether it is coming closer to the viewpoints I share.'' ``But I would like to say that all people will have to work together to make India a better and developed country,'' he said. Advani said that he was happy to see Thiruvananthapuram `draped' in yellow today with the Yogam flags and the decorative material. ``Some people may now say that I am being `yellowised.' But I have no objection,'' he said. He recalled the criticism against him by the late CPM ideologue E.M.S. Namboodiripad for his visit to Aruvippuram in 1988 to commemorate the 100 years of the consecration of a temple there by Sree Narayana Guru. According to the Deputy Prime Minister, while the early part of the 20th century belonged to the United Kingdom which expanded like anything, the latter half belonged to the US, Russia and Japan. ``The 21st century should be the one for India,'' he said while stressing for greater unity of thought in the country. For achieving this unity, social justice and social harmony should go together, Advani said. Recalling the contributions of Sree Narayana Guru for the reformation of Kerala society, he said that great religious leaders were great social reformers as well. Advani clubbed Jesus Christ, Prophet Mohammed and Sree Narayana Guru together as great souls who could bring about social changes. ``The Guru's fame is not confined to Kerala or to the community he belonged. He was brave enough to say that he consecrated an Ezhava Siva when he was challenged about his right to consecrate a temple,'' the Deputy Prime Minister said. Union Minister of State for Defence O.Rajagopal said that some people would not believe it now that Pathradhipar K.Sukumaran had forcefully argued for Hindu unity. Rajagopal quoted from Sukumaran's speech in December 1952 at the NSS College, Pandalam, on the occasion of the 77th birth anniversary of the late NSS leader Mannathu Padmanabhan in which he had called for the unity of Ezhavas and Nairs. Sukumaran had believed that only such a unity could bring an end to communal rivalries and turn Kerala into a welfare community, Rajagopal said. Chief Minister A.K.Antony, who presided over the function, remembered that Sukumaran was a champion of the causes of the backward classes. Recalling the encouragement he received from the Pathradhipar as a student leader, Antony said that Sukumaran was instrumental in bringing people like him to the fore. SNDP Yogam general secretary Vellapally Natesan said that the Chief Minister was sympathetic to the problems of the backward classes. ``We only hope that he will have more speed to bring about solutions to our problems,'' he said.
Mattancherry bridge to be made heritage monument
Monday, May 19, 2003
Mattancherry bridge to be made heritage monument 17-May-2003 Kochi: The State Tourism Department is to construct a bus stand and facilitation centre at Fort Kochi in the second phase of the Fort Kochi heritage zone development programme. Announcing the programme, the Fisheries and Tourism Minister, K. V. Thomas, said that the Rs. 3 crore project would be handed over to the Kochi Corporation after completion. The Government decided to start the work on the second phase as 90 per cent of the first phase had been completed, he said. The State Archaeology Department has been asked to submit project reports for the conservation of the Old Fort Wall and Kalvathy canals in Fort Kochi. The proposal for the Rs. 100 |
