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August 2004
PKV's condition improves : AIIMS
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
New Delhi, Aug 30 CPI Parliamentary Party leader and former Kerala Chief Minister P K Vasudevan Nair, who suffered a heart attack on Saturday night while undergoing treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), continues to be serious but stable. ''His condition is serious but stable. There is definitely improvement,'' Dr D K Sharma, the doctor attending on Mr Nair, here today. He said Mr Nair had been put on ventilator at the Intensive Care Unit since Saturday night, but the support was removed this morning following improvement in his condition. ''We are investigating for deciding future course of treatment,'' Dr Sharma said. The condition of Mr Nair, a chronic diabetic who had undergone a bypass surgery three years ago, worsened on Saturday night after a heart attack. The 78-year-old CPI veteran, who represents Thiruvananthapuram in the Lok Sabha, was operated on the left leg at AIIMS on August 19. He was recuperating in the hospital after the operation when he complained of chest pain on Saturday. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called on Mr Nair on August 22.
Congress leadership wants Antony in Delhi
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
New Delhi, India: The ruling Congress is reportedly keen on giving former Kerala chief minister A.K. Antony a major role in the party's central leadership to cash in on his "clean" image. Antony got a bad press that described him as a "feeble and ineffective" chief minister, largely due to the Congress's poor performance in Kerala during the April-May general election, in which the party lost all 17 Lok Sabha seats it contested in the state. But Congress president Sonia Gandhi has expressed her desire to have Antony in the party's central leadership to give her a helping hand in organisational affairs, sources said. Though Manmohan Singh wants to use Antony's non-controversial personality to improve the image of his coalition government by inducting him as a central minister, sources said it would be difficult for Antony to meet the constitutional requirement of getting elected to either house of parliament within six months. The usual practice of a party MP resigning to make way for Antony is not viable, as Kerala does not have a single Congress member in the Lok Sabha. In the Rajya Sabha too, there is no vacancy until next year. Congress sources said Manmohan Singh could propose Antony's name for heading a commission that is likely to be formed soon to look into centre-state relations. However, sources close to Sonia Gandhi said she was in favour of offering a top post in the Congress organisation to Antony as she regarded him as an honest and trusted leader. "The Congress president is happy with Antony's clean image. Chief ministers who were defeated in elections have been given positions in the organisation. So Antony is also likely to be given a responsibility soon," said a senior Congress leader. Former chief ministers Digvijay Singh (Madhya Pradesh), Ashok Gehlot (Rajasthan) Ajit Jogi (Chhattisgarh) and S.M. Krishna (Karnataka) were given new responsibilities in the latest reshuffle of the All India Congress Committee (AICC). Interestingly, whenever Antony put in his papers or suffered a setback within the Congress, he has been able to find a better position. Soon after he lost to Vayalar Ravi in the elections for the post of president of the Kerala unit of the Congress, Antony was elected to the Congress Working Committee, the party's highest decision-making body, in 1992. Following his resignation as a minister from the government of former prime minister P.V. Narasimha Rao, Antony, then a Rajya Sabha member, was sent to Kerala to replace then chief minister K. Karunakaran. Indo-Asian News Service
One person killed as LPG tanker overruns bus shelter
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Kannur, Kerala, Aug 30 A person was killed when an LPG tanker over-ran the bus shelter in which he was sleeping at Kottaimukku in the district last night. The mishap occurred when the driver of the tanker, coming from Mangalore, lost control of the vehicle while negotiating a curve at Kottaimukku, police said. The tanker overturned after crashing on the bus shelter killing the man aged about 45 on the spot, police added. People residing in and around the area have been evacuated as fuel started leaking from the tanker after the crash.
Antony need not have resigned: Balakrishna Pillai
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Aluva, Aug 31 - The right to select the ministers of the UDF constituents is purely vested with the parties concerned, Transport Minister R Balakrishna Pillai told here on Monday. "Congress party has the right to choose its legislative party leader, who will become the Chief Minister. The resignation of A K Antony is an internal matter of the Congress. My party does not want to comment on the resignation," Pillai said. However, Pillai felt that there was no need for A K Antony to resign from the post of Chief Minister at this juncture. His resignation was quite unexpected, he added. In the event of a Cabinet reshuffle, the state committee of the Kerala Congress (B) will decide on its representative in the Council of Ministers, Pillai said. Balakrishna Pillai also said he would welcome any move on the part of the NSS and SNDP Yogam to join hands.
INL welcomes Antony's resignation
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Welcoming the resignation of Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony, the Indian National League (INL) today alleged that ''no Chief Minister of Kerala had ever done so much injustice to Muslims, backward class people and NRIs.'' In a release here, INL President Ebrahim Sulaiman Sait, ex-MP, he said '' I have been saying for more than a year that situation in Kerala will change for the better and all complicated issues can be solved if there is a change in leadership.'' It would have been graceful if Antony had resigned immediately after the Congress' defeat in the recent Lok Sabha elections, he said. ''I hope things will change for the better now and people of all communities will co-exist in Kerala,'' he added. The National Youth League also welcomed Antony's resignation and termed it as ''the most befitting Onam gift to the people of Kerala'' by the United Democratic Front (UDF). The UDF has got rid of ''the most communal'' and ''anti-minority Chief Minister that Kerala had ever seen, NYL President Mohammed Siraj Ebrahim said in a separate release here. The IUML ministers should also resign as they were also responsible for the ''anti-mninority'' policies of the Antony-led UDF government. Ebrahim also demanded the resignation of Karnataka Chief Minister N Dharam Singh over the Uma Bharti issue.
Champakkara boat race held
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
TRIPTHURA: Champakkara boat race, organised by Perikkad Boat Club, Eroor, was held here with a colourful Jalaghoshayathra and a breath-taking race of boats. In the grand finale, it was ‘Saravana’ of Arukutty Yuvasakthi Boat Club, ‘Hanuman’ of Eramalloor Boat Club, ‘Idakkadan’ of Thanthonni Thuruthu Boat Club and ‘Chakkalaparamban’ of Thykkoodam Boat Club that came out with flying colours in the major race category. In the small country boat group, ‘Rudramala’ of Thanthonni Thuruthu Boat Club and ‘Vaikkathappan’ of Brahmamangalam Boat Club won the first and second prizes, respectively. K.K. Mohanan, Tripunithura municipal chairman, inaugurated the competition.
IT firms queue up for Infopark space
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
KOCHI: The lack of pace in IT growth has now given way to lack of space. Infopark is finding it hard to accommodate companies that are now queuing up to enter the built-in facility, in a way making true the predictions by NASSCOM. ``On an average, we would have been able to sell 3000 to 5000 sq ft daily if we had the space,'' says Infopark CEO Girish Babu. Enquiries are pouring in from countries in West Asia and Europe, apart from the United States. ``There was even a company from Finland which wanted to set up a unit here,'' he said. Infopark authorities have accommodated some of the companies in the ITES Habitat Centre incubation facility at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium building promising to move them to Infopark when space is ready. The most interesting case is of Spanish company Ditro Advanced Technologies which has now set up a 20-seater work station at the ITES Habitat. Other firms accommodated at the ITES include Code Works UK, IO Socket and Cable Way Resource Management. Code Works UK started operations at the ITES Habitat on August 17. These companies will be moved to new the Smart Business Centre being developed on the first floor of the SDF-IT building of Infopark. The only company that will take some time to move out to Infopark is the California-based US IT giant Infovista. Almost all companies that have taken up space in the Smart Business Centre _ a plug and play incubation facility for startups _ have now asked for more space. ``Almost all of them have given us letters for expansion. Which means that the model of SBC is working very well. Most of the companies are getting good contracts,'' Girish Babu said. The new Smart Business Centre will have an area of 11,800 sq ft but will have six modules of 1000 to 1500 sq ft with higher seating capacity. The existing SDF building has a total area of 1,20,000 sq ft. The new building set to be commissioned in November will have 2,20,000 sq ft.
Rakhee sales hit a new high
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
KOCHI: A sure sign of the increasing cosmopolitanism of Kochi was evident on Monday, when the city celebrated ‘Raksha Bandhan’, a festival not traditionally observed in the southern part of India. In the run up to the festival, which reinforces the brother-sister bond, several city stores were seen bedecked with the silken strands that are tied on the brothers’ wrists. Somewhere in the excitement of Onam, ‘Raksha Bandhan’ too stood its ground. Sunita Parekh, a housewife, noted that not only were rakhees easily available in Kochi now but also that there was a big range to choose from; starting with the traditional gold and red skeins to trendy rakhees with cartoon motifs. Although with schools and colleges closed for Onam, the festival was not a campus occasion this time around as many Malayalis too joined in the festivities in their own way. Anitha R., for instance, posted a rakhee to Thomas Roy, her ‘rakhee brother’ in Delhi. Some exchanged cards, which were available at stores across town. Many others trooped in to the offices of Reliance Web World, which had launched a video conferencing scheme to cash in on the occasion. Under this scheme, sisters and brothers across the country could connect on this day by paying Rs 375. ‘‘The response in Kochi has been much better than in other cities of the South,’’ said Sumitra Menon of Reliance Web World. ‘‘Among those who availed of the offer were not just the North Indians, but several local people too, who have siblings living in other parts of India.’’
Additional flights to Gulf countries
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
NEDUMBASSERY: Air India will operate three additional flight services to Dubai apart from its daily services, in the wake of the remarkable increase in the number of passengers returning to Gulf countries. Two flights will leave for Dubai via Thiruvananthapuram from Kochi Airport at 5.10 p.m on Aug 31 and Sept 7. A flight from Mumbai will reach Kochi Airport at 11.15 a.m and leave for Dubai at 12 noon on Sept 1. Qatar Airways will also operate an additional service to Doha from Kochi on Sept 6. The flight, which will reach here at 8.15 a.m, will return to Doha at 9.30 a.m.
SMS alert: Virus on the prowl
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
KOCHI: The next time you hear the ubiquitous SMS beep on your mobile phone, beware! For that could well be the death knell of your handset. A variant of the dreaded mobile phone virus that had been detected in Paris on June 16 this year seems to have spread its tentacles here as well. Over the past one-month, mobile phone service centres in the city have registered a number of cases in which mobile phones were incapacitated after receiving an SMS. ‘‘We’ve been receiving at least two such complaints a week on an average,’’ said Arun, an executive with the Nokia Care Centre in Kochi. The virus comes in the form of an SMS. Once the message is opened, the virus spreads into the operating system of the phone damaging it and also the memory of the SIM card. Ajayan reported one of the first cases of mobile virus, a journalist based in Kottayam. He received a message on his cell phone on July 30, which had just the words ‘Unmark Topic’. No information regarding the sender of the message was available. ‘‘Nothing happened to the phone on the first day. But I began getting the same message over the next five days exactly at 10 in the morning and 5 in the evening. On opening the message on the fifth day, the phone got switched off and got defunct after that and all the numbers stored in the SIM card were also gone,’’ said Ajayan, who got his mobile replaced. ‘‘It was a new Nokia 3315, and I got the handset replaced under guarantee,’’ he said. Dinesh, an IT executive from Idukki had the same experience. ‘‘I’ve given my phone for service,’’ he said. According to cell phone service experts, in most of the cases the message can be erased and the SIM card cleared if the card is inserted into a different model handset. ‘‘The virus attack is handset specific. So a SIM card attacked can be restored by inserting it into another handset,’’ said Arun. ‘‘At present the handsets being targeted by the virus are the Nokia 3310, 3315, 1110 and 3350,’’ he added. If this does not work, the only other alternative is to repair or replace the operating system of the phone, which cost around Rs 750. On June 16, the BBC had reported detection of the first mobile phone virus called ‘Cabir’. The virus was reportedly designed to work in mobile phones running on Symbian and Series 60 software. This software is used to power millions of Nokia phones, such as the latest 6600 model. But experts do not think this is the same virus that is affecting cell phones in Kerala. ‘‘It could be a variant of this virus,’’ said Arun.
Kerala Congress needs a politician, not Mr Clean
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
NEW DELHI: Resigning as Kerala Chief Minister for the second time in his political career, A.K. Antony may have asserted his ``ascetic'' image once more, but his departure this time is not merely on account of owning ``moral responsibility'' for the rout in the elections. For the high command, more than the compulsion of finding a scapegoat, Antony's exit was necessary if the Congress hopes to be in fighting mode for the state elections in two years. Over the past three years, Antony's attempts at ``good governance'' _ his critics call it ``obstinate idealism'' _ had destroyed the network of patronage, spoils and administrative pressure that sustain parties in power. ``Antony had reduced it to a rule of policemen and bureaucrats. Even Congress MLAs and state level party functionaries have been snubbed by sub-inspectors under our government,'' says a member of the KPCC and an Antony loyalist. ``What is my motivation to be in this party if I cannot influence even a decision in my own panchayat,'' he says of the lethargy in the party organisation across the state, blamed for the election rout. The Congress did not win a single seat out of 20. One of the first announcements Antony made after taking over three years ago was ``non- interference in police matters''. The debate on its desirability or efficiency apart, Congressmen felt cheated. Even V.M. Sudheeran, Antony's alter-ego, came out openly against the Chief Minister's style of functioning after a policeman took bribe from a sitting Congress MP! ``On many occasions, the poor can access the police and legal system only through political workers. Antony's policy stopped that, without measures to make the administration more accessible,'' says Easow Manalil, lawyer and Congress district functionary. That besides, Antony's self-financing education policy also attracted criticism from within. Antony refused to pick and choose from hundreds of applications for starting self-financing professional colleges and permission was granted to whoever wanted to open a college, botching up the fledgeling self-financing policy. Observers believe any other politician would have used it to patronise social sections supporting the party. ``All parties, more so the Congress, have a system of rewarding grassroots workers while in power. Antony's style did not allow that and his obsession with the image led to bad administrative decisions,'' says Dr Mohan Varghese of the Mahatma Gandhi University. It was patronage that made Antony's rival, K. Karunakaran, such a formidable power. As he stepped down as CM, Antony said his experiments in governance had produced good results _ crime rate much lower than national average, rising indices of social development and resurgence in industry and tourism. ``It is there for all to see,'' he said. Maybe so but it takes much more than governance to keep the party together and win elections.
Chandy takes over as Kerala’s new CM
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug. 30: Gentle-man Congress leader Oommen Chandy, convenor of the ruling United Democratic Front, will succeed A K Antony as Chief Minister of Kerala. Chandy, a former finance minister, is considered Antony’s top lieutenant, and had led the 1995 revolt that unseated veteran K Karunakaran. A majority of the 62 Congress legislators proposed Chandy’s name to the AICC observers Ahmed Patel and Margaret Alva, who interacted with them from the afternoon at the Thycaud Government Guest House here. Patel also spoke to the leaders of the coalition parties. Chandy is a popular Congress leader and is known for his organisational skills. The high command expects to re-energise the party by bringing him to the helm. The Congress Legislature Party meeting held at 8.30 pm in the State Assembly building formally elected Chandy as the leader. He will be sworn in as Chief Minister on Tuesday afternoon. Karunakaran sided with the other contender for the Chief Minister’s post, Speaker Vakkom Purushothaman. A group of legislators owing allegiance to Karunakaran proposed Vakkom’s name to the AICC emissaries. However, with the majority siding with Chandy, his ascension to the post became certain by the evening. Though Chandy had distanced himself from Antony over the last year because of his opposition to Antony’s peace deal with Karunakaran, he never crossed swords with him publicly.
Oommen Chandy to be new Kerala CM
Tuesday, August 31, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 30 In a change of guard forced by factional feud in ruling Congress and its debacle in Lok Sabha elections, senior leader Oommen Chandy was tonight elected leader of the Congress Legislature Party in Kerala paving the way for his becoming the next Chief Minister succeeding A K Antony who resigned yesterday. Chandy, 61, who rose from the ranks to become the third most important Congress leader in the state, will be sworn in tomorrow as the Chief Minister, marking the first break from nearly three decades of Congress leadership alternating between K Karunakaran and Antony. Eight-time MLA from Puthuppally in Kottayam District, Chandy, Convener of Congress-led UDF, emerged as the unanimous choice at the CLP meeting held here in the presence of AICC observers led by Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee who later announced his election. Earlier, Mukherjee and AICC General Secretary Margaret Alva held one-to-one meetings with Congress MLAs, senior leaders, KPCC functionaries and leaders of UDF constituents eliciting their views on the new Chief Ministerial candidate. Though the name of Assembly Speaker Vakkom Purushothaman did the rounds in the initial stage as a contender for the top post, by evening the choice narrowed down to only Chandy. PTI
No role in choosing CM: Karunakaran
Monday, August 30, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 30: While expressing 'happiness' at A K Antony's resignation as Chief Minister, senior Congress leader K Karunakaran today said he did not have any role in choosing the new leader and it was upto the Congress Legislature Party to select their leader. Addressing reporters here, he said Antony had taken a delayed decision to quit his post. It would have been better for the UDF and the state had he stepped down earlier. Asked whether the group loyal to him would suggest a name for the Chief Minister's post, he said all the 62 Congress MLAs were competent to hold the post. "All of them are my own people," he said. To a query on the names of Oommen Chandy and Vakkom Purushothaman doing the rounds, he said, "nobody told me." Karunakaran said his only suggestion to the High Command was to select a proper person, who could manage all the interests in the party. "I will be giving my opinion if the High Command asks me for suggestions." To a question on whether it was proper for speaker Vakkom Purushothaman to meet AICC leaders, he said as a Congressman, there was nothing wrong in the Speaker meeting party leaders. He was only pushing his candidature for the post of Chief Minister, the senior leader said. On the representation of his group in the new ministry, Karunakaran said he had no intention of enquiring about ministry formation. "I had asked for a change of leadership. And I am happy that the demand could be met, fortunately without having to leave the party," he said, adding, no one could go to the extent of weakening the party. Asked whether the UDF would be able to recover the lost ground in the remaining 20 month-period of its term, he said, "We can give it a try. I will be extending my co-operation." (Agencies)
Kerala waits for new CM
Monday, August 30, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram: Congress Legislature Party will meet here later on Monday to choose the successor to A.K. Antony who has resigned as Chief Minister. UDF Convener Oommen Chandy and Assembly Speaker Vakkom Purushothaman have emerged as strong contenders for the post, amidst indications that the choice would probably be made from among the MLAs, Congress sources said. A showdown in the CLP is unlikely as Antony's announcement to quit has apparently come as a surprise even to his bitter critics owing allegiance to senior leader K. Karunakaran. Defence Minister Pranad Mukherjee and senior leader Margaret Alva will be arriving here by afternoon as central observers for the selection of the new leader. AICC General Secretary Ahmed Patel, already in the state capital, will interact with MLAs and senior party functionaries before the CLP meet.
PKV's condition critical
Monday, August 30, 2004
Kerala: INDIA : The condition of veteran CPI leader and former Kerala Chief Minister P K Vasudevan Nair, who has been under treatment at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) for the past two weeks, became critical after he suffered a heart attack last night. Hospital sources said here on Sundaythat Nair suffered a heart attack on Saturday night following which his condition deteriorated. He has been on ventilatory support ever since. The 78-year-old, who represents Thiruvananthapuram in the Lok Sabha, underwent a surgery on the left leg on August 19. He was recuperating in the hospital after the operation. The sources said Nair had undergone a bypass surgery a few years ago. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh called on Nair last Sunday.
Minister in tears as Antony, policemen praise him
Monday, August 30, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, India : At least one Congress politician in Kerala openly shed tears as A.K. Antony quit dramatically as chief minister, giving not the feeblest hint to anyone that he was on his way out. Tears welled in the eyes of veteran Congress leader K.C. Rosakutty as Antony signed his resignation letter typed by his staff, shortly after Congress president Sonia Gandhi ended a visit to the state and flew off to New Delhi. It was the last official document Antony signed as chief minister. It was the third time Antony has resigned from a top post. He gave up the office of chief minister for the first time in October 1978 when the Congress fielded Indira Gandhi from the Chickmagalur Lok Sabha constituency. Then in 1995 he quit as civil supplies minister in prime minister P.V. Narashima Rao's cabinet. Antony resigned because a ministerial colleague linked his name in a multi- crore sugar import deal. Apparently, no one in Kerala - not even his closest colleagues -- knew what Antony was up to until he announced Sunday that he was quitting. There was no dramatics in the manner he announced his resignation, even when he asked his private secretary to be in office at 5.30 p.m. When his announcement was made, top Congress leaders, including several cabinet ministers, were shocked. Many made a beeline to his office and pleaded with him to change his mind. He did not oblige anyone. At 7.50 p.m., while leaving his office on the third floor of the secretariat, just before entering the lift he turned back to see his name board for one last time. And after handing over his resignation letter to Kerala Governor R.L. Bhatia, he drove to his official residence. By then several top party leaders had trooped to his residence. Well past 11 p.m., silence descended on his house as the last visitor drove out. The few policemen on duty could not hide their love for Antony. "It is very difficult to see a politician like Antony. All these years when he stayed here he never had the airs of a politician. He was too simple and humble a person. It would be difficult to get a person like Antony," said a policeman. Indo-Asian News Service
UDF Govt should seek fresh mandate, says BJP
Monday, August 30, 2004
Press Trust of India The BJP's Kerala unit on Monday said that the resignation of Chief Minister, AK Antony is of no use in the present circumstances and that the Congress-led UDF Government should seek a fresh mandate, as `it has failed in all fronts during its three-year rule'. "The state is witnessing rampant corruption and communalisation, in spite of having a Government with an absolute majority. Therefore, the entire Cabinet should resign and seek a fresh mandate', BJP State President, PS Sreedharan Pillai said over phone from Kannur, where he is to inaugurate a party office at Taliparamba later in the day. "They (the UDF Government) have 100 MLAs (out of 140) and have also ruled for three full years now and the net result is rampant corruption and communalisation everywhere'. Antony's resignation at this juncture would therefore not help the state in any manner, he said. "A new Chief Minister replacing Antony will not better the performance of the Government, as the people's verdict has clearly gone against the ruling Front in the recent Lok Sabha polls in the state', Pillai added.
Antony upset with UPA arrangement
Monday, August 30, 2004
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A.K. Antony's decision to finally push for his resignation came from two factors: His increasing disenchantment with the UPA arrangement in Delhi and his unhappiness over the Centre's minority appeasement without taking into consideration the local realities. Ever since the UPA arrangement came into existence, Antony was slowly distancing himself from the Centre. He was unhappy over the political blackmailing by the Left parties and the CPM getting an upper hand in the decision-making in Delhi. He had conveyed his displeasure over this to the high command during his recent visit to Delhi. Antony was also concerned at the UPA policy on minorities and the role being played by the Left and other parties such as the League on important issues. He was especially unhappy over the recent decisions of Human Resources Minister Arjun Singh. The Vallarpadam project was a prestigious one for Antony. He wanted to clinch it before leaving office. The Union Cabinet decided to clear the project, as they did not want Antony to leave the office disappointed. To make things worse, Antony was also upset over the reaction of Ahmed Patel, who is the political secretary to Sonia Gandhi, at Thiruvananthapuram Airport on Sunday over the inclusion of the name of Madhani's father in the list of persons who were cleared by the Chief Minister's office to meet Sonia Gandhi. Patel reportedly questioned the propriety in clearing the name of Madhani's father. Patel made his comments openly in the presence of Antony, sources said. Source: newindpress.com
Antony never had full tenure as CM
Monday, August 30, 2004
Antony never had full tenure as CM 30-August-2004 THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A.K. Antony who forayed into politics through the students movement in the late 50s was the president of the Kerala Students Union and later the Youth Congress during the period between 1964 to 1969. He became the general secretary and then president of the KPCC twice (1973-77), (1978-82). He was then elected the general secretary of the AICC from 1984 to 1987. Antony was first elected as the Chief Minister in 1977 when K. Karunakaran resigned from the post following his alleged involvement in the Rajan case. But Antony's chief minister ship lasted for only one-and-a-half years then. Once again, K. Karunakaran gave way to Antony in 1995 when he was forced to resign following the ISRO spy controversy. Antony was the Chief Minister for one year (1995-1996). In between, Antony had left the Congress party in 1980 and aligned with the CPM-led coalition. He returned to the mother party in 1982. He was made the Union Civil Supplies Minister in the P.V. Narasimha Rao cabinet in 1995. However he resigned as a ministerial colleague had sought to link his name with the multi-crore-sugar import scandal. From 1996 to 2001, Antony was the leader of the Opposition. He came back to power with a thumping majority in 2001 with the UDF winning 100 out of the 140 Assembly seats. At present, he is a Congress Working Committee member from the State. Source: newindpress.com
Antony's resignation a service to Kerala: Karunakaran
Monday, August 30, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 30 - Former Chief Minister K Karunakaran who ran a spirited campaign against A K Antony on Sunday said his resignation was a "good thing" and a "service" to Kerala. "At least Antony has conceded. It is a good thing. It is a service he has done to the state. Antony has resigned taking the political situation in the state into account. "He could realise that people were not happy with his Government. Further he has taken the decision which will help the Congress and the Government in Kerala," he said. Asked as to who could be Antony's successor, the veteran leader said he was always of the view that leadership should be decided on the views of the MLAs. He hoped the Congress high command would consult MLAs and the party would decide later. The party would also stand by it. To a question whether his campaign was responsible for Antony's removal, Karunakaran said it was absolutely baseless.
Antony played it close to the chest
Monday, August 30, 2004
New Delhi, India : Barely five minutes before A. K. Antony quit as Kerala's chief minister, he had spoken to Tourism Minister K.V. Thomas but didn't as much as hint he was stepping down. Recalling the conversation, which took place at Thiruvananthapuram airport moments after Congress chief Sonia Gandhi departed after a brief visit to the state, Thomas Monday said Antony kept his resignation a closely guarded secret even from his close associates and cabinet colleagues. "I spoke to him at around 6.10 (p.m.) about a rescue operation after a fishing boat capsized near the city. He announced his resignation at 6.15 p.m.). In fact, he even spoke to a reporter standing just behind me but gave no hint he was quitting," Thomas told on the phone from Thiruvananthapuram. Thomas is just one among the many politicians Antony has stunned and stupefied by his dramatic resignation Sunday. Antony, who took the responsibility for the Congress rout in the April-May parliamentary elections, announced his resignation after seeing off Gandhi. "It was really shocking. The entire development seemed to be a well-scripted drama," another minister in Antony's cabinet said, terming the episode "completely improper". "He should have told at least his ministers, as his quitting would result in the resignation of all of them," he added. Though Antony presented himself as taking responsibility for the Congress' poor electoral performance, many party leaders refused to buy that argument. "He proved once again that he is the shrewdest politician and (archrival) K. Karunakaran is nothing before him," said a senior Congress leader in New Delhi. Karunakaran, who leads a rival faction in the state Congress, was recently snubbed by being removed from the Congress Working Committee, the party's highest decision-making body. According to the Congress leader, Antony's game plan was "well-planned and smartly scripted." Before quitting, Antony had done quite a bit to improve his image and standing in the state. During a visit to New Delhi last week, he persuaded Finance Minister P. Chidamabram to sanction the International Container Trans-shipment Terminal at Vallarpadam near Kochi, a project that had been waiting for clearance for decades. "Antony was sure he would not be able to lead the party to another victory in the next assembly elections (18 months away). Now, using his clean image, he can easily get a top post in the organisation and finally will become a cabinet minister (at the centre)," the Congress leader added. Indo-Asian News Service
Fight communalists: Sonia asks Eezhavas
Monday, August 30, 2004
Kollam, Aug 30 - Congress President Sonia Gandhi exhorted the SNDP Yogam to go for an all out fight against the communal forces which are threatening the unity and religious pluralism of the country. Without naming the Sangh Parivar and BJP, the Congress President asked the Eezhava community in Kerala to be more active and vigil against the forces trying to subvert the religious unity of the country. Sonia Gandhi was inaugurating the Guruvarsham -150, the year long celebration to mark the 150th birth anniversary of Sreenarayana Guru. The clarion call by the Congress President is in the backdrop of the reports that SNDP Yogam leadership is soft in their approach to the Sangh Parivar. Moreover the Yogam General Secretary Vellapalli Natesan's hobnobbing with the Sangh Parivar leaders is well known. To remind the thousands of Eezhavas who had gathered to hear her, Sonia pointed out that two former chief ministers of Kerala, R Shankar and C Kesavan maintained close relations with the SNDP Yogam. Narayana Panikker, who delivered the keynote address in the inaugural function did not find any mention in Sonia's speech. The agenda to Sonia Gandhi's speech was set by Swami Sooksmananda of Varkkala Sivagiri who in his feleicitation speech lashed out at the communal forces and asked the Congress President to take the lead from where Sreenarayana Guru left. Vakkom Purushothaman, A K Antony, Kadavoor Sivadasan, K R Gowri, Babu Divakaran,Vayalar Ravi MP, CPM leader P Rajendran MP, and a host of other leaders attended the inaugural function.
Mukherjee, Alva to oversee power transfer in Kerala
Monday, August 30, 2004
NEW DELHI: Senior Congress leaders Pranab Mukherjee and Margaret Alva will oversee the transfer of power in Kerala on Monday, in the wake of chief minister A.K. Antony's resignation on Sunday. There were indications that that Oomen Chandy, who heads the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) coalition, is likely to succeed Antony. The Congress leads the UDF. Mukherkee and Alva will leave for Thiruvananthapuram on Monday for the Congress Legislature Party meeting that will elect its new leader, who will be the chief minister-designate, Congress sources said here. The Congress' Kerala in-charge of Ahmed Patel and party secretary Anil Shastri are already in Kerala.
Decision on new Kerala CM today: AICC Gen Secy
Monday, August 30, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 30 - Kerala's new Chief Minister will be chosen by the Congress Legislature Party this evening from among the MLAs, AICC General Secretary Ahmed Patel said here. "The new Chief Minister will be decided today itself and choice will be from among the MLAs," he told. Patel said he would hold one-to-one talks with party MLAs and meet leaders of UDF constituents before the CLP meeting. Hinting that there would be changes of Congress nominees in the ministry, Patel said "it is for the new Chief Minister to choose a fresh team". Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and senior leader Margaret Alva would oversee the process of selection of the new leader. Almost all Congress MLAs were in the state capital by this morning with different camps being active in informal discussions on the issue. Congress has 62 members in the assembly, including the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker and a nominated Anglo Indian member. A K Antony had yesteday resigned from the chief minister's post owning moral responsibility for the party's debacle in Lok Sabha polls.
Marriage makes no difference to career: Ramya
Sunday, August 29, 2004
Marriage makes no difference to career: Ramya: [Cinema, South India] Bangalore, Aug 26 : From continuing to be the leading lady in south Indian films for over 15 years to accepting 'item numbers' even when she could have refused, Ramya Krishna has defied all notions in the film industry about heroines. And now, even after her marriage with director Krishna Vamshi, she is getting numerous film offers -- something that does not happen with others. "I have been the same person before or after marriage as far as my profession is concerned," Ramya told. Her latest release "Baa Baaro Rasika" has become a hit in the box office and she is happy that her faith in the film's director has paid dividends. In this film, Ramya plays the role of a middle-aged spinster, fatally attracted to a handsome youth. "I choose only a few of them (films) and work in projects where I can feel a level of comfort," says the actress, who is a fitness fanatic. And director Krishna Vamshi is an "elder brother" who is "a big director with his own ideas". Excerpts from the interview: Q: Did the success of "Baa Baaro Rasika" come as a surprise to you? A: On the contrary, I really felt the film would appeal to a substantial group of audience, those looking for some variety and novelty in films. When director Dayal narrated the script to me, I knew the film would appeal to such an audience. The roles of all the principal characters are well etched in the script. I would not have accepted this film even if my role was a good one and the story appeared weak. Q: Do you think the fact that you were playing a role with negative shades might have helped the film? It had worked in "Padeyappa" earlier. A: I don't think any successful film runs because of one factor only. The magic works at the box office because of many factors. Q: You have been busy even after marriage, while many actresses would like to settle for a peaceful life after marriage. How many films are you doing now? A: I am enjoying a perfectly peaceful life, even while I am acting in films after marriage. I pick my roles and there has been no intervention from anybody -- including my husband -- on that score. Life after marriage has nothing to do with my decision of continuing in the profession, which I enjoy most. I don't think other working women discontinue their professional activity after marriage. I have been the same person before or after marriage as far as my profession is concerned. To answer your second question, besides this film, I am doing a Tamil film to be directed by Thangar Bachchaan and two Telugu films. I have one Telugu film with NTR Junior in the lead, titled "Alludu", for which shooting has commenced. I am happy that I am in a position to say 'no' to many offers that come to me. Q: That includes your decision to do 'item numbers' even after your marriage? A: I am surprised why you are asking this question. I am doing 'item number songs' with three big heroes of the Telugu screen -- Mahesh Babu, NTR Junior and Prabhas. My 'item numbers' have become big hits with the Telugu audience -- like the one in "Simhadri" with NTR Junior. And what difference does it makes if I do an 'item number' now, as I was doing before my marriage? Q: Are you happy the trend started by you in accepting 'item numbers' has received wide acceptance now, and many leading heroines are also accepting similar roles in south Indian films? A: I am neither happy nor unhappy. I just did what I felt was acceptable at that time, and even now I would do things that are acceptable to me. In the first place, whatever I do in life in general, and the film industry in particular, has to appeal to me first.
Sonia arrives in Kerala
Sunday, August 29, 2004
PTI THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress President Sonia Gandhi arrived here on Sunday afternoon on a brief visit to Kerala. Immediately after the reception at the airport, she left for Kollam where she is inaugurating the 'Guruvarsham 150', organised by Sree Naryana Dharma Paripalana Yogam, marking the beginning of year-long 150th birth centenary celebrations of soical reformer Sree Narayana Guru. The AICC chief was received by Chief Minister A K Antony, KPCC president Thennala Balakrishna Pillai and senior leader K Karunakaran and other leaders. She is slated to have an interaction with a cross section of Congress leaders in Kerala here before flying back to Delhi this evening.
Kerala chief minister Antony quits
Sunday, August 29, 2004
Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony on Sunday announced his resignation after a meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi. He said the Congress chief had approved his resignation. Antony said he quit because of the drubbing that the Congress received in the state in the Lok Sabha election. He made the announcement after Gandhi left for Delhi after her brief visit to the state. Antony said he had waited so far due to "several reasons". This is the second time that Antony is resigning from the post. In the late 1970s, he had quit following differences with the central leadership.
Kerala to boost infrastructure to woo IT companies
Sunday, August 29, 2004
Kerala plans to set up a new tech park and improve IT connectivity across the state with a view to attracting a slew of Indian as well as overseas software and outsourcing firms. Enthused by the recent foray of marquee IT companies like Infosys Technologies and Wipro into the state, the government plans to emerge as one of the major technology hubs in southern India. "We already have two state-of-the-art IT parks in the state, one each in Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi," said Aruna Sundararajan, secretary in the Kerala government's IT ministry. "With more and more companies showing interest in starting their operations in the state, we are planning to set up one more IT park at Calicut very soon," Sundararajan told in an interview here. The official was in Malappuram, some 400 km away from the state capital Thiruvananthapuram, to unveil a slew of e-governance initiatives covering a wide spectrum of services. "While we have not yet finalised the total area that the new park at Calicut would cover, we expect the investment in the project to range between Rs.200 million and Rs.500 million," said Sundararajan. She said the government had also decided to expand the existing parks at Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi in the months ahead. "While we will add 100 acres more in the 200-acre Thiruvananthapuram park, the technology park at Kochi will also be expanded to accommodate new companies and enable existing firms to expand their operation." Sundararajan said private parties were also constructing two new IT parks in Kochi. "We have been trying to project Kerala as a major destination for IT and IT- enabled services companies. Many big companies have set up their operations here in the last two years," she said. "We are expecting more big names to come here in the months ahead," the official said, adding the state's IT exports was poised for a "quantum jump" with the entry of blue-chip companies. Software exports from Kerala touched Rs.4.20 billion in the fiscal year 2003-04. While Infosys forayed into Kerala earlier this year by setting up a facility in Thiruvananthapuram's Technopark, Wipro announced the launch of its operations in Kochi's Infopark last month. Sundararajan said Kerala's competitive advantages in IT and ITES included robust infrastructure, low operational cost, a vast pool of skilled IT professionals and policy support.
72-year-old priest murdered in Chalakudy
Sunday, August 29, 2004
A 72-year-old Catholic priest was brutally murdered in Kerala Saturday but police ruled out robbery as the motive. Father Job Chittilapaly of the Varaprasadam Matha Church at Chalakudy, 250 km from here, was found dead soon after 6 a.m., Thrissur police chief Suresh Raj Purohit said. The priest was last seen taking a walk in the church compound around 5.30 a.m. "At 6 in the morning, the priest was to conduct a special mass and the people who had asked for the mass had arrived in the church," Purohit told. "Not finding him in the church, they searched for him and found him lying in a pool of blood in his room," he added. According to Purohit, robbery was not the motive as the priests' gold chain and cash was found intact. "The post mortem has been conducted and his body has been handed over to the church. There were three stab wounds on his body. Two stab wounds were found in the upper abdomen and another above the navel," said Purohit. Police were reluctant to disclose any more information on the ground it could hamper investigations.
Changanacherry in tears as Anju fails
Sunday, August 29, 2004
Excitement turned to tears in this sleepy village in Kerala as India's Olympic medal hope Anju Bobby George was outclassed by her rivals in the long jump event. Friday began with a special mass at the St. Adais Church at nearby Nalumnakkal. By afternoon, Anju's home near Changanacherry in Kottayam district was filled with relatives, neighbours and friends who gathered to watch the event on TV. From 5 p.m. Friday, till the event was held in Athens, there were intermittent prayers led by several priests. Anju's mother Gracy Markose came back home at 6.30 p.m. from her favourite church at Puthupally after spending over four hours praying for her daughter's success. Her father K.T. Markose was subdued but always willing to talk about Anju to the milling media that had taken over the newly constructed house. Anju's brother Ajith was tense, continually chewing on his nails as he remained glued to the TV. By 10 p.m., Anju's house had close to 300 people, including the media and the moment she appeared on screen, she was greeted with non-stop applause. Then the house turned silent as the event began and the first jump by a Russian competitor, declared a foul, was greeted with clapping. But elders intervened and asked the gathering not to clap when Anju's rivals failed. State Rural Development Minister C.F. Thomas joined the gathering just before Anju's name was announced for the jump. The excitement mounted and cries of "Praise the Lord", "Hallelujah" and "Jesus help our Anju" were heard. When she began her run up, the intensity of the prayers increased and the house erupted when she appeared to have cleared the seven-metre mark. When it was announced that her first jump was 6.83 metres, a new Indian record, many were in tears. But when Anju was pushed from the third to the fourth place, her mother went into her bedroom, refusing to watch any more of the event. Soon after, many in the crowd began to leave and Anju's final jump was watched only by her close relatives. Ajith too went to his bedroom and was heard crying, and only Anju's father remained to talk to the media, though it took him a few hours to regain his composure. Accompanied by the minister, Markose came of the home and said: "Even though we expected that she would win a medal, we are extremely happy that she has created a new national record. "Irrespective of the result I am really thankful to god for all that he has given to my daughter. For certain, my daughter has brought laurels to the country," said Markose, tears streaming down his cheeks.
All set for Guruvarsham 150
Sunday, August 29, 2004
All arrangements are ready at the Lal Bahadur Stadium here to celebrate the year-long Guruvarsham 150 being organised by the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of Sree Narayana Guru. The All India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary, Anil Shastri, accompanied by the Speaker, Vakkom Purushothaman, inspected the arrangements on Saturday. The District Collector, B. Sreenivas, after holding a meeting with all concerned this evening, gave clearance certificate to the Special Protection Group for Mrs. Gandhi's visit. Gandhi will be back at the Thiruvananthapuram airport at 5.45 p.m. She will be at the VIP lounge of the airport for an hour and will be holding talks with Congress leaders on the problems in the State unit of the party. She will be leaving for Delhi by a special flight at 6.45 p.m. On security reasons, all carrying mobile phones will have to keep the phones switched off till she leaves the venue in Kollam.
Gloom in Anju's home
Sunday, August 29, 2004
PTI CHANGANASSERY, Kerala: The natives of star athlete Anju Bobby Geroge's hometown were a disappointed lot after the Indian's best effort failed to fetch her a medal in the long jump final at the Athens Olympics. Anju's residence on was agog with expectations last night as her friends, relatives and well-wishers along with her parents gathered to catch the action live on television. The Paris World Championship bronze medallist's first jump, a new national record, of 6.83 metres, was greeted with loud applause, with her father K J Markose and brother Ajit being the cheerleaders. Anju's mother Gracy, meanwhile, fervently continued her private prayers. A large number of journalists, both from the print and electronic media, were also present at Anju's house at Cheeranchira in Kottayam district. But the elation soon turned to bitter disappointment with Anju finishing sixth in the final, shattering the high expectations of millions of sports lovers across the country. However, Markose said Anju's feat of improving on her national record was something to be proud of, though lady luck did not smile on her. But her mother could not control her emotions and wept on hearing the disappointing news. Anju's in-laws' house at Peravoor in Kannur district also wore a gloomy look after the Indian's Olympic dream was over.
Governor, CM greet Malayalees on the eve of Onam
Saturday, August 28, 2004
Kerala Governor R L Bhatia and Chief Minister A K Antony have greeted the people of the state and Malayalees all over the world on the occasion of Onam, the festival of Kerala. ''Springing from a golden past and flowing to a glorious future, Onam flourishes in an ideal ambience of plenty, amity and equality. It combines the fond memories of a bygone period with sweet dreams of a better morrow in a magnificent spirit of celebration,'' the Governor said in a message. In his message, Antony wished all Malayalees a happy and prosperous Onam. Ministers M M Hassan, Kadavoor Sivadasan and M V Raghavan have also greeted the people on the occasion.
Sonia sends onam greetings
Saturday, August 28, 2004
Congress President Sonia Gandhi tonight sent her good wishes to the people of Kerala and Malayalees the world over on the eve of ''Thiru Onam''. ''May this year's Onam usher in happiness, peace and progress and inspire all of us with the great ideals of universal brotherhood and prosperity'', Ms Gandhi said in a message here. She said that Onam is a festival of goodwill and rejoicing which every Keralite celebrates with great enthusiasm and fervour. This is an occasion to honour the noble values of the legenedary King Mahabali.
Usha Krishna Kumar quits BJP
Saturday, August 28, 2004
Usha Krishna Kumar, wife of former Union Minister S Krishna Kumar, resigned on Friday from the primary membership of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) after a brief tenure, citing ideological differences over the Uma Bharti episode. She joined the BJP from the Congress early this year and worked for her husband who contested on the BJP ticket from Mavelikkara Lok Sabha constitutency in the May General Elections. Usha joined the BJP a few months after her husband left the Congress and joined the BJP. In her of resignation letter to BJP President M Venkaiah Naidu, she said she had been thoroughly disillusioned by the 'hyprocrisy of the Party which was now focussing on the Hindutva of the RSS variety.' She took serious exception to the former Madhya Pradesh Chief MInister Uma Bharti and BJP leaders ''unnecessarily dragging the name of Congress President Sonia Gandhi" and questioned the allegation that Gandhi had instigated the reopening of the criminal case against Bharti in Hubli. "This is blatantly untrue and unjust politics far removed from the lofty ideals that leaders of the party preach." Usha said Bharti had violated the law ten years ago and the law had caught up with her. When contacted, Usha said she had not decided her future political career. However, there are indications that she would return to the Congress fold.
Kerala celebrates Onam today
Saturday, August 28, 2004
All over the Malayalees today celebrating Onam festival with traditional religious fervour and gaiety. A heavy rush of devotees was reported from various famous temples including Sree Padmanabaswamy, Sreekanteswara and Attukal Baghavati here, as well as the Sree Krishna temple at Guruvayur and Baghavati temple at Chottanikara. Traditional sports like "Ona Pathukali", small boat races, organised by various cultural organisations, were held in different parts of the state. Houses were decorated with flower carpets and "Onathappan" to welcome King Mahabali, who is supposed to visit the people of his erstwhile kingdom during the Onam day. The week-long Onam celebrations organised by the State Tourism and Cultural departments were also held at all important cities of the state.
Kerala will secure demands from Centre through joint efforts: CM
Friday, August 27, 2004
Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony today said the state will try to secure its needs from the Centre through joint efforts. Inaugurating the state-level 'Onam week' celebrations at the Nisagandhi open air auditorium here, he said by sinking all other differences the State would work hard to getting its demands fulfilled by the Centre. Expressing gratitude for the clearance of the Rs 2,118 crore International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) at Vallarpadam, near Kochi, he hoped the Centre would soon clear 12 more projects submitted by the state. Cultural programmes would be staged at seven venues as part of the 'Onam week' celebration. [Agency]
Southern Railway to introduce mobile reservation units
Friday, August 27, 2004
Southern Railway (SR) will soon introduce mobile reservation units for the benefit of passengers, Divisional Railway Manager, Trivandrum, G Narayanan said today. In his welcome address at a workshop on telemedicine organised by Southern Railway here, he said the Railway was focusing on the use of hi-tech for providing better service to customers. In this regard, it had taken up the cause of telemedicine in a big way. Apart from providing healthcare services in rural and remote areas, telemedicine could also be used for disaster management, he added. Inaugurating the workshop, the scion of the erstwhile ruling family of Travancore, Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma, said Eastern healthcare systems, such as Ayurveda, had adopted a holistic approach to treatment. ''Thus, while the Western medicine cured the cause, the Eastern medicine removed the cause (of illness),'' he said. Chief Medical Director, Southern Railway, G C Raju said though it was not a much-publicised fact, the Railways, in fact, had achieved a high degree of excellence in medical care. The Railways, the single largest employer in the country, was providing free healthcare facilities to one-hundredth of the population, he said. Stating that Southern Railway was being developed as a model zone for telemedicine facilities, Dr Raju said the entire division would be covered by telemedicine within the next two months. In a presentation made through video-conferencing from Chennai, Dr Ganapathi, Director, Department of Telemedicine, Apollo Hospitals, described telemedicine as a tool that would revolutionise the healthcare system in India. Declaring that the changes in telecommunication technology had made distances redundant, Dr Ganapathi said patients even in the remote and most interior areas could avail of the best specialist treatment, thanks to telemedicine. Stating that setting up a good telemedicine centre needed capital investment of only Rs 500,000 to 600,000, Dr Ganapathi said the last two years had seen a rapid growth in telemedicine. The Apollo Hospitals were now connected to 43 telemedicine centres at different parts of the country. A new centre would be opened in Kottayam in Kerala next week, he said. Apart from enabling specialist healthcare to reach the remotest areas, telemedicine also helped in continuing the medical education of doctors in small towns and villages, who would have an opportunity to interact with and learn from senior specialists working in big city hospitals, he added. Stating that the Railways, with its nation-wide fibre optic network, could play a crucial role in promoting telemedicine, Dr Ganapathi said the challenge faced by telemedicine was not one of technology or cost, but of changing human mindsets. [Agency]
ICTT likely to attract huge investments in Kerala
Friday, August 27, 2004
The Rs 2,118-crore Vallarpadam International Container Trans-shipment Terminal (ICTT) project, cleared by the Centre yesterday, is all set to alter the development map of Kerala by ushering in huge investment in the next five years. The project, being awarded to Dubai Port International (DPI) for development on a build-operate-transfer basis, will set the ball rolling for a Rs 7,500 crore investment in Vallarpadam and Puthuvypeen Islands, turning the city into a gateway of India. After decades of wait, the dream project was cleared yesterday by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, giving approval to award the contract to the DPI. It is the beginning of a great phase of development and impetus to the national economy, said Cochin Port Trust (CPT) Chairman Jacob Thomas. Being awarded for a 30-year period, the DPI has offered a 33.30 per cent revenue share to the CPT. Ending the apprehensions, the project is set to launch a series of ventures, including the Rs 1,600 crore LNG terminal, the port-based Special Economic Zone, an international bunkering terminal, cruise terminal and a ship repair yard. As part of the infrastructure development for the project, the Centre would be investing about Rs 965 crore for road and railway links as agreed in the contract with the DPI. The shipping channel would also be deepened in view of the project. [Agency]
I had offered to quit: Antony
Friday, August 27, 2004
For the first time since the May 2004 Lok Sabha election debacle, Kerala Chief Minister A.K. Antony has spoken his mind and said he had offered to step down. Antony said this to an interview to a leading TV channel here that would be telecast on the occasion of the Onam festival that begins Friday. "There was some pitfalls in the selection of certain candidates who stood for the Lok Sabha polls. I take this as a failure on my part and taking responsibility for that I had informed the High Command that I would step down. But they have not taken any decision on that", said Antony. With regard to the impending cabinet reshuffle, Antony said it would not take any more time. "A lot has been said about this and I now say that it would happen shortly", said Antony. With the arrival of Ahmed Patel, general secretary of the party, on Aug 28, he would have talks with all sections of party leaders and also leaders of the Congress allies to finalize the cabinet reshuffle. On his style of functioning, Antony said that he was prepared to change it. "But that style will not be in tune with what some people want", said Antony, alluding to his arch factional rival K. Karunakaran, former chief minister.
Kerala gears up for Onam
Friday, August 27, 2004
Kerala is in threshold of welcoming another New Year- Year 11--, according to the Malayalam calendar, also known as "Kollavarsham". Chingam or Bhadrapada, the first month of the calendar also ushers in ONAM, the national fiesta of Kerala. After the rain drenched Karkidakam with its privations, Chingam is a welcome month of plenty. The sky becomes blue, the deep forest becomes greener and it is time to reap the harvest, time to celebrate and to rejoice along with the Nature. . And Onam epitomizes the newfound vigour and enthusiasm about everything around. It is celebrated with traditional Malayalee fervour with visit to temples, family get-togethers, gifting each other clothes, called Ona-kkodi and lots of merry making. This picturesque ten-day harvest festival has been part of Malayalee psyche for centuries now. There are records of Onam being celebrated during the Sangam Age. Onam festivities have been recorded during the time of Kulasekhara Perumals around A.D 800. It is believed that during those days the whole of Chingam was celebrated as Onam season. However the myths and beliefs connected with Onam travels back to the times of King Mahabali, the mythical ruler of Kerala and undoubtedly the most loved ruler. The origin of Onam can be traced to the puranas, like the Bhagavata Purana, Vamana Purana and so on. Bali or Mahabali was the king of Kerala. During his regime the kingdom enjoyed peace and prosperity. This Asura or demon - king defeated Indra and conquered the heavens. Bali was a devout worshipper of Vishnu. The gods went to Vishnu for help. To help Indra, Vishnu was born to Aditi the mother of Indra with Prajapati Kashyapa as his father. Vamana was the sixth incarnation of Lord Vishnu. Mahabali, though a benevolent king loved by his people, was extremely proud and conscious of his generosity. He held a yajna (sacrifical ceremony) and proclaimed that request for alms of any kind will be fulfilled at the end of the ritual and no request will be turn downed. Vishnu in the guise of Vamana, approached Emperor Bali's yajna, the Emperor received him reverentially and asked him what he wanted. Sukracharya, the guru or spiritual guide of the Asuras already knew that Vamana was none other than Vishnu. He personally wanted Bali not to fulfill even the least request of Vamana. Bali however elcomed Vamana to his yajnasala and requested him to ask anything from him as a sacrificial gift. Thus Bali ignored the warning of Sukracharya. Vamana asked for a piece of land, which he could cover with his three steps. Bali generously agreed. As soon as Bali poured the sacrificial water into hands of Vamana, the dwarf turned into a colossus. His first step covered the heavens. The second step covered the whole earth and his body the intervening space. There was no space left for the third step. Thrivikrama (Lord of Three strides) placed his third step on Bali's head and sent him to the Pataloka (the nether regions). This interesting legend is depicted at the Suchindram temple in Kerala in the most artistic manner. It is said that at Bali's request Vamana gave him the permission to come once a year to meet his people. Emperor Bali stands forth as the great upholder of the plighted word. That is why the people of Kerala worship him to this day and celebrate the festival of Onam in his memory. The celebration of Onam is a tribute to Mahabali's sacrifice. The celebrations begin with a colourful reception to King Mahabali. Mahabali is supposed to visit his kingdom on the 2nd day, which is the most important day ofthe festival. Earthen mounds, which look somewhat like square pyramids, representing Mahabali and Vishnu are placed in the dung-plastered courtyards and beautifully decorated with flowers. On the eve of Thiruvonam, the 2nd and most important day of Onam, Bali comes to meet his people. On this occasion the picturesque state of Kerala gives a symbolic welcome to their king, Bali. Houses are cleaned and decorated with flowers and lights. A fabulous display of fireworks turns the capital Thiruvananthapuram into a veritable fairyland. Sumptuous feasts are prepared. The eldest member of each family presents clothes to all the members of the household. The image of Vamana or Vairochana is installed in each house. Vamana is worshipped in the temple of Tiruvellikkara. He is shown here with his foot on Bali's head. This temple is the center of the Onam celebrations. It is at Onam that the formal boat races are held in Kerala. One can find boats in different shapes. The most popular boat races are held in Kottayam, Champakulam and Aranmula. Huge, graceful boats are rowed by about a hundred oarsmen. The songs sung are typical in character as the rhythm of drums and the clash of cymbals vibrate from each boat. The boats are adorned with scarlet and green silk umbrellas. The number of umbrellas shows the affluence of the family. Gold tassels and coins can be seen hanging from the umbrellas. People come from far and near to watch the boat race. It is a also major tourist attraction. The festival of Onam is celebrated with special emphasis in different places. At Shoranur, Kathakali dancers in gorgeous costumes enact the legends. A strikingly impressive procession of caparisoned elephants is taken out at Thrissur. In Aranmula and Allapuzha, it is the snake boat races that are the the focal points of festivities. Who was Mahabali? It is presumed that Mahabali was probably a Dravidian king, cherished by his people. It may be that he was conquered by the Indo - Aryans. Legend of assam, Aryan theory, connection with bali islands shaivite vaishanvite tussle exiled to bali Then they gave the non - Aryan king permission to come to meet his own people. Mahabalipuram, also known as Mamallapuram was in all probability, his capital or the main port of his kingdom. Mahabalikkara or Mavelikkara and Thrikkakkara are two places in Kerala, which have mythical connections with the legend of MahabaliOnam generates income as it is a major tourist attraction and thus helps the economy of the state. The chief decoration, onapookallam, consists of a carpet made out of the gathered blossoms. The large flowers, and one or two varieties of foliage of differing tints are pinched up into little pieces to serve the decorator's purpose. This flower carpet is invariably made in the centre of the clean strip of the yard in front of the house. It is a beautiful work of art accomplished with a delicate touch and a highly artistic sense of tone and blending. When the carpet is completed, a miniature pandal, hung with little festoons used to be erected over it. The important part of the festival opens in some localities on Thiruvonam day and in others on the day previous known as Utradam, 9th day from the Atham day. The houses are well cleaned and made to look nice and spruce and food-stuffs for a sumptuous feast are arranged. Even the poorest of the poor manage to find something for himself to celebrate the national festival in his own humble way.
Olympics: Bobby Aloysius eliminated in first round
Friday, August 27, 2004
Athens, Aug 26 Bobby Aloysius crashed out of the women's high jump when she failed to attain the automatic qualification mark to reach the final at the Olympic Games here today. The 30-year-old Bobby, silver medal winner at the Busan Asian Games two years ago, failed in all three attempts when the bar was raised to 1.89m and got eliminated from the event. The Kerala-born athlete was successful in her first attempt at 1.75m and 1.80m, cleared 1.85m on her second before making her exit. She, thus, failed to achieve her personal and national best mark, 1.91m, with which she qualified for the Games at Chennai last month. Earlier, the eminently forgettable show of Indian sailors Malav Shroff and Sumeet Patel finally came to an end. The duo earned the dubious distinction of finishing a distant 19th in a fleet containing as many boats. The voyage to nowhere of the US-based wild card entrants right through the 16-race regatta showed the folly of sending the pair to fight in the 49er (Double handed dinghy open) class despite their poor world ranking of 129. The duo gathered an overall penalty tally of 292 gross and 253 net after two discards to end up as many as 63 points behind their closest rivals, Poles Krzysztof Kierkowski and Marcin Czajkowski. The tally was also 86 adrift of gold medallists, Spanish Spaniards Iker Martinez and Xavier Fernandez. PTI
Olympics: Bobby Aloysius eliminated in first round
Friday, August 27, 2004
Olympics: Bobby Aloysius eliminated in first round Aug 26, 2004 00:30:00 .ATHENS FGN56 By M R Mishra Athens, Aug 26 Bobby Aloysius crashed out of the women's high jump when she failed to attain the automatic qualification mark to reach the final at the Olympic Games here today. The 30-year-old Bobby, silver medal winner at the Busan Asian Games two years ago, failed in all three attempts when the bar was raised to 1.89m and got eliminated from the event. The Kerala-born athlete was successful in her first attempt at 1.75m and 1.80m, cleared 1.85m on her second before making her exit. She, thus, failed to achieve her personal and national best mark, 1.91m, with which she qualified for the Games at Chennai last month. Earlier, the eminently forgettable show of Indian sailors Malav Shroff and Sumeet Patel finally came to an end. The duo earned the dubious distinction of finishing a distant 19th in a fleet containing as many boats. The voyage to nowhere of the US-based wild card entrants right through the 16-race regatta showed the folly of sending the pair to fight in the 49er (Double handed dinghy open) class despite their poor world ranking of 129. The duo gathered an overall penalty tally of 292 gross and 253 net after two discards to end up as many as 63 points behind their closest rivals, Poles Krzysztof Kierkowski and Marcin Czajkowski. The tally was also 86 adrift of gold medallists, Spanish Spaniards Iker Martinez and Xavier Fernandez. PTI
My dream project is finally happening: Priyadarshan :
Friday, August 27, 2004
Mumbai: Prolific filmmaker Priyadarshan can barely contain his excitement about his new project starring the untried pair of Salman Khan and Kareena Kapoor and inspired by the intense drama "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest". "It's my dream project, and it's finally happening," says the versatile maker of films like "Hungama". He will launch his new, untitled film that will be shot in Spain on Sep 10. Inspired by the Milos Forman classic and the film of the same name that starred Jack Nicholson, Priyadarshan was supposed to make the film with Shah Rukh Khan in the lead. Later, when Shah Rukh had health problems he narrated the script to Hrithik Roshan. "But now I'm so glad Salman is doing it. He not only agreed readily but also gave me bulk dates. I hope to complete the film by November-end," says the director who is also affectionately known as Priyan. "Unlike my other Hindi films, this one isn't a remake. With Salman in the film I don't need to worry about an attentive market. He'll ensure that. The untitled film is being produced by Sunil Manchanda the people who produced Salman's 'Tere Naam'," Priyan told. Interestingly, Salman plays a mentally disturbed person in both "Tere Naam" and Priyan's untitled film. Priyan is also thrilled about working with Kareena again. He has just wrapped up "Hulchal" with her. "She and Akshaye were a joy to work with. Though I had worked with others in the cast, Jackie Shroff, Suniel Shetty and, of course, Paresh Rawal, those two were first-timers for me. 'Hulchal' is a lot of fun, but it isn't a comedy. It's a love story set amidst two warring families. I'd say it's mixture of my 'Viraasat' and 'Hungama'." Hulchal opens on Nov 11 for Diwali. After the Salman-Kareena drama, Priyan will go straight into another Hindi film, this time another comedy called "Garam Masala" with Akshay Kumar. "That would be a remake of my 1985 Malayalam comedy 'Boeing Boeing' featuring Mohanlal. It was inspired by the 1960s' Tony Curtis comedy about a man who keeps various airhostesses dangling in his life. I have acknowledged my source material in 'Boeing Boeing', very unlike the attitude to adaptations in Bollywood." He's looking forward to teaming up with Akshay Kumar again. "We worked wonders in 'Hera Pheri'. But I refused to do the sequel ('Phir Hera Pheri') when it was offered to me. I don't think an idea should be stretched beyond one film. 'Garam Masala' will be shot at a stretch in March 2005." Isn't this quite a handful for the director? "It is. Earlier I believed in doing one film at a time. But what if that one film doesn't take off? Then you're stuck with no work on hand. I now believe in signing on a couple of films simultaneously, though I won't shoot them together. I'll go into 'Garam Masala' with Akshay only after I complete my Salman-Kareena drama."
'Rain, Rain...'
Friday, August 27, 2004
'Rain, Rain...' leaves viewers high and dry Film: 'Rain, Rain Come Again'. Director: Jayaraaj. Cast: Ajay Jose, Asif Khan, Renji V. Nair and Divya Lakshmi. Music: Jassie Gift. Lyrics: Kaithapram. English lyrics: Boban Abraham, Thara Thomas. "Rain, Rain Come Again" is a lesson on what overconfidence can lead to. Carried away by the phenomenal success of "4 the People", director Jayaraaj comes out with yet another youth-oriented caper that is no match to its predecessor. There is no denying that innovative music contributed heavily to the success of "4 the People", but there was a semblance of a storyline with well-etched characters to back it up. In "Rain, Rain...." the story and characterization are sacrificed at the altar of technical gimmickry and intoxicating music. Jayaraaj, also credited with the story, makes a hotchpotch of it. He takes inspiration from every possible source, be it Karan Johar's "Kuch, Kuch Hota Hai" for yuppieness and M. Night Shyamalan's "Unbreakable" for eeriness. It seems that screenplay-writer Sarath Sivadas was just assigned to fit in a few scenes between songs. The story begins with two neighbouring colleges, always at loggerheads for some unstated reason. Half of the reel time is taken up by the game of one-upmanship between the two colleges. The other thread of the story is about the fight between the good and the evil - the evil represented by none other than the followers of Satan himself. And, there is no symbolic representation of the evil like drugs or anything evil. The evil is only presented in religious terms. The entirely new cast gets no opportunity to display their histrionic capabilities. The actors have to either look stiff or start dancing when the music starts. Except for Renji V. Nair, who plays the sinister professor following the satanic path, nobody makes an impact. "Rain, Rain..." is inconsistent in the technical department, too. The camerawork by Gopinath is jerky, as in MTV Grind. It looks okay in song sequences but otherwise it makes tiresome viewing. The only saving grace Jassie Gift's music. The dusky composer also appears in almost every song as if to leverage his brand equity. All seen and said, you can watch this movie if you feel that you have still not grown beyond the college-going age, and if you do not mind dancing in the aisles when the song sequences are on.
Kerala to be destination point for professional education: CM
Thursday, August 26, 2004
Kochi, Aug 25 Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony today claimed that the state would emerge as the destination point for higher education in the country, notwithstanding the initial problems in the sector at present. Dedicating the building complex of the Co-operative Medical College at Kalamassery near here, the Chief Minister admitted that there were allegations, apprehensions and problems existing in the professional education sector. ''It is the destiny of Kerala to emerge as the destination point. All those critics will be proved wrong. Time will prove that the present apprehensions are baseless,'' he said while seeking the support of all to tide over the current afflictions. Calling upon the medical fraternity not to neglect the rural masses, he said the Government had made one-year rural service mandatory for all those passing out from the Government Medical Colleges. ''We are planning to extend the same to the medical colleges in the private sector too,'' he added. The complex was set up at a cost of Rs 53 crore for the college run by the Co-operative Academy of Professional Education with the Chief Minister as its chairman. The Academy plans to complete all the facilities with another Rs 30 crore in the coming years, Cooperation Minister M V Raghavan said while presiding over the function.
Malayala Manorama to open bureau in Dubai
Thursday, August 26, 2004
Kerala's Malayala Manorama will open a full fledged bureau in Dubai for its readers in the Middle East during the festival of Onam next week. The newspaper said this would be the first full-fledged bureau of any newspaper from Kerala in the Middle East. It will be headed by Pradeep Pillai. "The official launch of the bureau would take place during Onam. The bureau would act as the gateway to all our Middle East readers," said an official from the group.
Antony happy at 'Onam gift' for Kerala
Thursday, August 26, 2004
Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony today expressed satisfaction that the long-pending Vallarpadam International Container Transhipment Terminal (ICTT) in Kochi had been cleared by the Union Cabinet. The Chief Minister described the ICTT as an 'Onam gift' for the people of Kerala, official sources said. According to the sources, Antony had spoken to Shipping Minister T R Baalu in this regard earlier today. Baalu himself called up the Chief Minister in the evening to convey that the Union Cabinet had cleared the Vallarpadam project, the sources added. The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) gave its approval to the award of contract to Dubai Ports International (DPI) for the construction of the Rs 2,118 crore Vallarpadam ICCT at Kochi. The DPI had been awarded the contract for development and operation of the ICTT on a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) basis. [Agency]
Sonia cancels most programmes in Kerala
Thursday, August 26, 2004
In what appears to be a fallout of the infighting among Congress leaders in Kerala, party president Sonia Gandhi has cancelled most of her engagements during her two-day visit to the state beginning Sunday. Gandhi was earlier scheduled to inaugurate the Rs.30 million five-storey party headquarters here and then leave for Varkala to attend the 150th birth centenary of social reformer and Ezhava leader Sree Narayana Guru. She was then slated to visit Kottayam to dedicate a new block at an engineering college in the memory of her late husband Rajiv Gandhi. However, two of these engagements have now been cancelled. According to a senior Congress leader: "She would arrive here in a special aircraft and immediately leave for Varkala in a helicopter. Once the function is over, she would return here and fly out to Delhi." From the time her programme was being finalised, her office started getting a series of faxes asking her to cancel one event or the other. The first programme to be removed from her engagement list was Kottayam because those opposed to senior Congress leader and United Democratic Front (UDF) convener Oommen Chandy did not like her to visit the college. The college is in Chandy's constituency. As soon as it became known that Gandhi was not visiting Kottayam, there was a surfeit of faxes requesting her not to inaugurate the new party office because there were several allegations of corruption regarding the construction of the building. As a result, the inauguration was struck off her list of engagements. She was then scheduled to spend a few hours at the Raj Bhavan here meeting senior Congress leaders. That too has been dropped.
Anju leaps into long jump final
Thursday, August 26, 2004
Athens: One of India's top medal hopes at the 28th Olympic Games, Anju Bobby George, leapt into the final of the long jump event with her first attempt of 6.69, finishing overall seventh, here on Wednesday night. Initially, she finished second behind Irina Simagina of Russia, who cleared 6.75, but Marion Jones, who had fouled her first attempt cleared 6.70 in her second, pushing the Indian to third position in group A. Overall, Anju finished behind six jumpers in the two groups. Russian Tatyana Lebedeva topped group B with 6.95 in her first attempt, followed by Australian Bronwyn Thompson (6.80 - third attempt), Tatyana Kotova of Russia (6.79) and Carolina Kluft (6.73). The qualification mark for the event was 6.65. When asked why she did not make any further attempts, Anju said, "Reaching the final was my target and once I achieved that, I did not want to give it another attempt."
Wireless Internet revolution sweeps through Kerala villages
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Kerala, India > Kizhissery (Kerala) For 71-one-year-old Velukutty Master, a computer linked with wireless Internet is nothing short of a magic box that helps him keep in touch with his sons and grandchildren in Dubai. A retired government schoolteacher, Master dutifully walks into one of the many cyber kiosks cum training centres, which have sprung up in recent months in India's most literate state, to take lessons on computer and Internet from people less than half his age. "For the first time when I saw the live picture of my eight-year-old grandson on the computer and chatted with him with the help of trainers here, I was absolutely speechless," he said, clutching the mouse in his trembling hands. "Initially, I was not so enthused by the all the talks of Internet coming to our village and all, but after using it for couple of times I can't imagine a life without it now," Master told, a big smile fixed on his face. For the people of Kizhissery, a small village in one of Kerala's most backward districts of Malappuram, the Akshaya cyber kiosks have become an integral part of their life. Malappuram, which has still not seen much of the telephone boom that the other parts of the country is witnessing, is being touted as India's first wired district - thanks to wireless Internet connectivity. Whether it's staying in touch with near ones in faraway locations, getting birth or death certificates, registering farmlands, and checking prices of farm produce in nearby markets - Internet has revolutionised many a lives. "The project Akshaya was launched in 2002 with a view to helping the people living in so-called backward places like the Malappuram district," said IT and Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty. "Today, the whole district has been wired using wireless Internet connectivity and it has changed the lives of the people here in a major way," he said. According to Kunhalikutty, one member each from the 750,000 families in the Malappuram district in north Kerala have been trained in IT applications through the 600 Akshaya centres in the last two years. The Akshaya centres, run by local entrepreneurs with infrastructure support from private and government bodies, act as computer-usage training hubs for people from all walks of life and belonging to different age groups. The centres also double up as cyber cafes and are the focal point for availing a wide range of e-governance services, including payment of utility bills, registration of land records and redressing grievances. All the centres have support facilities like web cams, scanners, printers, fax machines, and Internet telephony. "Initially, people were diffident especially when they were told it would cost them Rs.20 to learn the basic Internet operations," said Mujmir Hassen, a trainer in one of the many Akshaya centres in Kizhissery. "But once they realised the benefits of IT on their own, they just kept coming in to the kiosk. And it is not just school and college student who are interested in using Internet," he said. Little wonder then, 40 percent of Hassen's students are housewives, some of whose husbands live in the Gulf countries. H.S. Bedi, managing director of New Delhi-based Tulip IT Services, which has set up the wireless backbone network for the Akshaya project in the Malappuram district, swears by the power of wireless Internet in India. "Wireless technology can bring the Internet to some of the most remote places in the world as it has done in Malappuram. People here were completely cut off from the rest of the world," said the retired army man. "The number of telephones are few and far between and postal mail takes weeks to get to its destination. The entry of wireless Internet has catapulted this backward district in altogether a new sphere." And who else would know this better than Jumaila, who could show the newly born baby to her husband away in the Middle East through the computer last month. "It was a great experience for me. First I thought it was plain magic but when I was told about other usages of Internet I was completely awestruck. Now I become a pure computer addict."
Meera Jasmine
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Shobha Warrier, Rediff.com Meera Jasmine's voice is hoarse. She has not stopped talking ever since the National Awards were announced on August 14. The 22-year-old actress won a National Award for Best Actress for her moving portrayal as 15-year-old Shahina in T V Chandran's Paatham onnu oru vilapam. She received the news when she was in her native Kerala. The next day she was in Hyderabad, shooting for a song in a Telugu film. When contacted for a telephone interview, she found it difficult to talk from the location, as the song was being played loudly. But she promised an exclusive interview to rediff.com at 6 am the next day! She had to catch a 7.30 am flight from Hyderabad on her way to Kolloor where she was going to pray at the Mookambika temple. The next day, she spoke to Contributing Special Correspondent Shobha Warrier as she got ready for the flight, and continued as she drove to the airport. How did you prepare yourself to play Shahina on screen? Generally, I do not do any preparation or rehearsal. I think about the character a lot so that I become the character in my mind. Then, I start thinking like her. Even my body language changes. I try to think how I would have reacted if I were in that position. I believe that human emotions are the same for everyone, whether she is a Hindu, a Christian or a Muslim. I tried to relate to what Shahina faced in her life. This is what my guru [director Ambazhathil Karanakuran] Lohitadas taught me when I did my first film (Soothradharan, 2001). I feel I could achieve this only because of the blessings of God. How long do you carry the characters in your mind? Do you find it difficult to come out of them? Yes, I do find it difficult to come out of the characters. I carry them with me even after the shooting is over. This hangover makes it difficult for me to start another film. So I prefer shooting one film at a time. I can't change characters at the drop of a hat. For example, Shahina's pain was so real and so strong that it took me a very long time to adjust to my next film, which was a Tamil one. Till then, I was living as Shahina and suddenly, I felt I was in an artificial world. After the shooting, did anyone tell you that it could fetch you an award? You have won state and national awards for Paatham onnu oru vilapam. Yes, many talked about me winning a National Award. It was nice to hear such words. But I did not think too much about it because only if you expect something would you be disappointed. I felt very happy when I won the state award. Honestly, I did not even think of winning a National Award. I felt I would be too ambitious if I started dreaming about it. God saw to it that I got that too. It seems you did not show any inclination towards being an actress while in school until Lohitadas asked you to be Shivani in Soothradharan. What made you accept the offer? I do not know what he saw in me. He is responsible for moulding me into an actress. I am what I am only because of him. There is no background of art in my family. Nobody encouraged me to dance or act in plays when I was in school. I did not know I had this talent. Like all girls, I wanted to learn dancing when I was young but since that was not done in my family, I did not. I belong to a very orthodox family and dancing is total anathema there. How did such a family allow you to act in films? My father was dead against me acting but my mother, sister and brother were with me. In fact, I returned the advance thrice before finally saying yes! Today, my father is a proud and happy man! Were you reluctant to accept the offer? I was under tremendous tension. I didn't know how I would do something that I didn't know. You were attacked by the yellow press in Kerala when you just started your career. I thought my life would come apart. I was a girl from a very orthodox family and it was not on my volition that I had come to the film industry. I was dragged [into it]. It was against the wishes of my father that I accepted the film offer, and then the bad press… It was something I had not bargained for. I asked myself, do I deserve this? I thought my life was over. I was very, very hurt. Why do you think you were attacked like that? I wish I knew. I look at it as destiny. After the bad press, many bigwigs in the Malayalam film industry insulted me. They used to ridicule me and my ability. I am glad I came out of the bad phase successfully. Now that you have won a National Award, do you feel the same people would look at you with more respect? What can I say? (laughs) Hope they change their opinion! I also hope that those who doubted and ridiculed my ability will have the courage to give me good roles now! Unlike some other heroines, you dub your lines. You dubbed for Mani Ratnam's Aayutha Ezhuthu though you were not fluent in Tamil. And you dub in Telugu also. Yes. I feel acting will be complete only if I dub in my own voice. I never felt dubbing in different languages was difficult. Once I get into the character, acting becomes easy. Once you get the emotions right, you have to only master the language. Above all, I do not like others dubbing for me. I feel incomplete then. I have dubbed for all my films. That is what Lohitadas Sir taught me. I enjoy dubbing, even in Telugu though I do not know the language. Actually, for my first Telugu film, someone else dubbed for me. When I heard it, I was very unhappy. I thought she did not get the emotions right. So I begged to the filmmaker to let me dub in Telugu. They were not very confident, but they let me try. I did one scene, and [actor] Pawan liked what I did. He said, 'only Jasmine should do the dubbing. I don't want anyone to dub for her. I need her voice in my film.' I felt so happy when I heard him say that. After that, I dubbed the entire film. You are going to the Mookambika temple. The Mookambika temple [dedicated to Goddess Saraswati] is a favourite of all artistes. I am very, very attached to Mookambika Amma. I get good vibrations when I go there. I feel so peaceful and happy. My mind becomes clear. So many small, small miracles are happening in my life after that. Like the National Award. You are a Christian. Do you feel odd praying at a Hindu temple? No, no. I don't feel any different. If they would let me, I will go to a mosque too. I will go to any place that is divine, that gives me mental peace. Is this journey to Mookambika a thanksgiving? Definitely, it is a thanksgiving trip to Mookambika. I feel I have Amma's blessings with me.
KSRTC buses being used for transporting essential items: CM
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister A.K. Antony has said that the State Government in view of the lorry strike is utilising the services of KSRTC buses and Government vehicles to transport essential items from Tamil Nadu to ensure their adequate supply during the Onam festival. Antony told reporters here on Tuesday that the Government would take stern action against those who create artificial scarcity of essential commodities in the name of the lorry strike. Earlier, participating in a high-level meeting to discuss the situation in the wake of the lorry strike, the Chief Minister directed the District Collectors to convene a meeting of traders to check artificial scarcity of essential commodities as well as price rise. Addressing the meeting, he said that all restrictions imposed on the transportation of goods would be temporarily withdrawn. The Government had given directions against blocking goods lorries at check posts, he said. Officials at the meeting said that there were no problems in the movement of goods from Tamil Nadu and Karnataka to the State. Finance Minister K. Sankaranarayan, Transport Minister R. Balakrishna Pillai, Civil Supplies Minister G. Karthikeyan, Chief Secretary Babu Jacob and officials attended the meeting `ONAM FAIRS HELPED CHECK PRICE RISE': Civil Supplies Minister G. Karthikeyan said at a separate press conference that the opening of metro and Onam fair markets in the State had succeeded to a great extent in controlling the price rise of essential commodities in the open market. There was a 17 percent increase in the total turnover at these outlets managed by the Civil Supplies Department. This remarkable increase was due to the low prices, he said. The total turnover at the Onam markets this year until on Monday crossed Rs 125 lakh as against a total turnover of Rs 106 lakh at these markets during the same period last year, he added. The Civil Supplies Department was facing some problems in distributing free sugar to the ration cardholders due to the lorry strike. However, efforts were being made for alternative methods to distribute sugar to ration shops, he said. Source: newindpress.com
Showcasing Kerala cinema, writings in US festival
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Sanu George (Indo-Asian News Service) A casual chat between a US-based attorney, an award winning director and a few leading actors in the US last month has morphed into the first festival of Malayalam films, TV programmes and literary work in that country next year. The man behind the three-day event in May 2005 is attorney Ajay Raju, who is visiting this Kerala capital to follow up on the chat he had with National Award winning director Rajeevnath and others in Philadelphia, US. He has also met directors like Syamaprasad and Harikumar. "Second generation Keralites in the US learn their mother tongue by watching the films of Mammootty and Mohanlal. The biggest drawback of Malayalam films and other art and cultural forms of Kerala is that there is no one to promote them and it is here that we are going to step in. We plan to hold it every year and it would move from one city to another in the US," Raju told. "We would like this festival to match events like the Oscar Awards and the Cannes Festival. We have planned the three day event in Philadelphia in May 2005," he said. Director Rajeevnath said the idea gathered momentum when the troupe led by Kavalam Narayana Panicker went to Philadelphia. "Raju immediately got interested and said he would use his links in the American corporate world for funds," he said. The selection of the films, programmes and writings would be done by a jury from Kerala. The award winners would be declared at the festival. Eminent personalities like Adoor Gopalakrishnan and M T Vasudevan Nair have been asked to recommend names for the festival.
For CPM, Microsoft is partner in Bengal, untouchable in Kerala
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The CPM, which is fighting Microsoft in Kerala, has accepted the software giant as a partner in West Bengal for the State’s entire IT initiatives. According to the documents available with this website’s paper, the West Bengal Government had entered into an agreement with Microsoft in areas and projects which are similar to the Friends project (the first e-governance initiative), panchayat computerisation programme and ‘Project Siksha’ in Kerala. All these projects have been under attack from the CPM here. The West Bengal Government had even agreed to consult Microsoft Consulting Services in drawing up a roadmap for dissemination, adoption and application of IT in West Bengal. It had agreed to ‘‘assist, educate and ensure that user organisations are aware of their obligations under any end-user licence agreement of Microsoft.’’ It was the CPM ideologue P. Govinda Pillai who took the initiative for entering into an agreement with Microsoft in 1999 for the Friends project on behalf of C-Dit when the LDF was in power. Owing to the CPM opposition, the State may lose the Rs 100-crore ‘Project Siksha’ and Rs 10 crore world-class IT Academy proposed by the company. According to the CPM in the State, ‘Project Siksha’ which is aimed at imparting IT education to schoolchildren in Microsoft platform is a conspiracy being hatched by Microsoft in connivance with their supporters in the Government.
A village lost in prayers for Anju
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
(Kerala, India) Changanacherry (Kerala), Aug 24 : When Anju Bobby George begins her run up to the board jump pitch Tuesday at Athens, there will be a village in her home state with a prayer on every lip. Nalumnakkal, her village near this town, about 150 km north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram, has been seeing special prayer sessions for Anju's success at the Olympics for the past several weeks in churches and temples. At St. Adais Jacobite Church, Anju's parish church, the vicar conducted special prayers during the Sunday mass for her success and has urged the entire church to remember her in their daily prayers. Anju, 27, jumped to glory by finishing third in broad jump at the World Athletics Championship in Paris in Aug 2003. Since then she has turned up a string of creditable performances. "Almost all churches of various denominations in an around Anju's home are engaged in prayers. Even in our Church last Sunday our parish vicar prayed for the success of Anju in Wednesday's event at Athens," Vincy, a housewife near Anju's home, told. "The special prayers were held during the time when the vicar prays individually for all parishioners whose birthday falls in that week," she said. Meanwhile, Anju's mother Gracy Markose, Sunday offered special prayers at the famous St. George Orthodox Church at Puthupally near Kottayam, the district headquarters. "Gracy has lot of faith in the Puthupally church and she often goes there to pray," a neighbour of Anju said. There was also special mention for the success of Anju at Athens during the prayers at the Puthupally church. Several devotees have been offering special prayers for Anju in temples and around her village. Anju's athletic career began at the Koruthodu C.K.M. High School and she announced her arrival by winning the state school all-round athletics in 1991. The next year, she won a bronze medal at the National Circuit Meet in Delhi in the hurdles event. Her next major jump was in 1999 at the South Asian Federation Games in Nepal, where she jumped 6.29 metres to qualify for the 1999 Sydney Olympics, but she failed to make an appearance there due to an injury. In 2002 she jumped 6.49 metres at the Manchester Commonwealth Games. Anju's career got a boost when she decided to train under legendary Mike Powell, world men's long jump record holder, in June 2003. Throughout her career, it has been the unstinting support of her husband-cum-coach Bobby George that has been her driving force.
Mohanlal wins heart of many
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
It was a unique feast for lovers of culture and Malayalam literature here last night when select characters created by ten legendary novelists appeared before them in a unique stage-screen show. The show, called "Kathayattam", was staged by popular Malayalam actor Mohanlal, who won the Bharat award twice. He has also been honoured with the Padmashri. During the hour-long extravaganza, the characters who have become legends through letters, staged a comeback in a fusion of stage acting, movie expression, sound and lighting techniques and music. The outstanding acting skills of Mohanlal made the show a wonderful one in every sense. Switching roles with protean ease, Mohanlal brought to life the unforgettable characters chosen from the 100 years of Malayalam fiction. The superstar's histrionics were played out against the screening of clippings from movie adaptation of the novels. The programme, organised to mark the launching of ''Malayala Manorama'' Delhi edition, brought together the cream of Delhi Malayalees including former President K R Narayanan and Power Minister P M Sayeed at the Siri Fort auditorium. ''Pala Malayalam'', a humourous caricature show on the different dialects of Malayalam, presented by well-known mimic artiste Jayaraj Warrier, was a real treat to the august gathering. Many Malayalees could realise the differences in their accent, only when they listened to him. The Malayalam accent varies from district to district, and the gathering from almost all the districts, had a hearty laugh. [Agency]
Santosh Sivan to do film for Kerala tourism:
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
(Cinema India, Kerala) Thiruvananthapuram, : Renowned cinematographer and director Santosh Sivan will be doing a series of promotional films for Kerala tourism. Said Kerala tourism director T.O. Sooraj: "The entire budget for the project is Rs. 9.2 million. Santosh Sivan has been asked to finish the work and hand the final version in a month's time. This would be aired on international TV channels and also on Indian TV channels." Sivan has been asked to do six separate one-minute films depicting all the myriad facets of tourism in Kerala. This would be the second time that the maker of "The Terrorist" and "Asoka" would be doing a film on Kerala's tourism. His last film was shown extensively on national and international TV channels.
Sonia not to inaugurate Kerala party office
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
In what is being seen as a rebuff to the Kerala unit of the Congress, party chief Sonia Gandhi has cancelled her plans to inaugurate its sprawling office here during her one-day visit to the state on Aug 29. Reports indicated that Gandhi's office in New Delhi had been flooded with complaints about corruption in the building of the five-storeyed 28,000 sq ft Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee office built at an estimated cost of Rs. 30 million. The money was raised with each of the 14 district Congress committees being asked to collect Rs. 1.5 million each. An aide in Kerala Chief Minister A.K. Antony's office said: "We do not know what has led to a change from the original programme." The foundation stone of the building was laid while veteran leader K. Karunakaran's son K. Muraleedharan was party president in 2002. Gandhi has instructed party officials not to organise any extravagant functions during her daylong visit. She has also asked political secretary Ahmed Patel to reach a day earler. She will arrive in a special aircraft around noon on Aug 29 and spend some time at Raj Bhavan, the residence of the state governor, where she will meet party leaders. The Congress chief will then leave for Varkala, 40 km from here, to attend the Guruvarsham celebrations to commemorate the 150th birth anniversary of social reformer Sree Narayana Guru. She will return to New Delhi that evening.
Special prayers for Anju's victory
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Kottayam, Aug 24 Special prayers are being held at different churches and other places of worship in Kerala for the victory of Anju Bobby George in the Athens Olympics. Nalumnakkal, her village near Changanassery in Kottayam has been witnessing special prayers for her success for the past several weeks. Anju's relative Fr Joseph Kilirooparambil that churches, convents and other well-wishers of Anju had been conducting special prayers for the past few days for her victory. Similar prayers were conducted at Peravoor in Kannur district from where Anju's husband Bobby George hails. Special prayers would be conducted at St Adais Jacobite church at Nalumnakkal when Anju, India's medal hope in athletics, enters the long jump pit tomorrow. Anju's brother, Ajith, said their family members, including parents Markose and Gracy, were also attending prayers at different centres.
Kerala transporting vegetables from TN through KSRTC
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 24 Warning that the government will take stern action against those creating artificial scarcity of essential commodities due to the ongoing nation-wide lorry strike, Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony today said steps were being taken to transport vegetables from Tamil Nadu by buses. Talking to newspersons, he said said all necessary steps had been taken to tackle the strike. Vegetables were being brought by State Road Transport Corporation buses in view of the Onam festival beginning this weekend. At a separate press conference, State Civil Supplies Minister G Karthikeyan said the government had, to a great extent, succeeded in controlling the prices of essential commodities by opening metro and onam fair markets throughout the state. The department outlets had recorded a 17 per cent increase in turnover and the business was over Rs 1.25 crore compared to Rs 1.06 crore last year. The department had some problems in the distribution of sugar to the ration card owners because of the strike, but efforts were being made to redress their grievances, he added.
Banking operations hit in Kerala
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
PTI THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Operations of public sector and scheduled banks in Kerala came to a halt with their employees joining the day-long nationwide strike on Tuesday, called by major unions demanding early decision on wage revision. The employees held demonstrations in major towns to highlight their demands. Union sources claimed the strike has also affected the regional office of the Reserve Bank here and is successful.
Literacy highest in Kerala, lowest in Bihar
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
New Delhi, Aug 23 The government today said Kerala has the highest literacy rate and Bihar the lowest in the country with a national average of 64.8 per cent. In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Human resource Develeopment M A A Fatmi said universalisation of elementary education and eradication of adult illiteracy form the two-pronged strategy for improving literacy rate of the country. He said in the elementary education sector, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) has been launched with a holistic and convergent approach to implement universalisation of elementary education in a mssion mode with the district. On female literacy, Mr Fatmi said that according to 2001 census, the female literacy rate was 53.7 per cent. The reasons for low female literacy include gender-based inequality, social discrimination, child labour, poor economic status and occupation of girl child in domestic chores.
Truckers' stir: CM to convene meet to discuss situation
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
PTI THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony on Monday said a high level official meeting would be held on Tuesday to take steps to ensure that the ongoing truckers' strike would not lead to price spiral during the Onam festival. The assessment was that so far the truckers' strike had not halted inflow of goods from the neighbouring states or caused price spiral in the state, he told reporters here. However, chances of a price rise in the pretext of truckers' strike could not be ruled out. Tuesday's meeting would review the situation and work out steps to check price rise, he told reporters here. He said all Adivasi families in the state would get free ration during the Onam week, he said. "All the Adivasi families, whether they possess ration cards or not, would get free ration during the Onam, he added.
Antony confident of central aid
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala Chief Minister A.K. Antony expressed confidence Monday the central government would provide aid to help tackle drought and floods that have caused havoc to the state's economy. "I am much more confident after this visit and I expect the package from the centre for Kerala would be announced before September 10th," a beaming Antony told reporters here on his return from New Delhi. "Never before has the centre decided to send a multi-disciplinary team of top officials to assess Kerala's needs after the drought and floods caused a lot of damage," Antony added. As for the long delayed Vallarpadom Container Terminal, Antony said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had taken special interest in the matter and that the green signal for the project would come soon. Antony has, in the last six months submitted two memoranda demanding a Rs.37.50 billion aid package. The first was to the previous National Democratic Alliance government and the other to the Congress-led government that came to power in May.
41.2 million jobless in India; Kerala tops list
Monday, August 23, 2004
Employment exchanges around the country have some 41.2 million job seekers registered with them and around 42 per cent of these are in the urban areas. Giving this information in the Rajya Sabha on Thursday, Labour Minister Sis Ram Ola said the number of job seekers with at least Class Twelve Pass qualification at 2002-end (latest available figures) was around 12.8 million. The top ten states with the highest number of job seekers (on April 30 last) were Kerala, Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Assam and Jharkhand, said Ola. Incidentally, Kerala has the highest suicide rate in the country. Minister Ola said work had begun on drafting a Bill for National Employment Guarantee Act to provide 100 days of employment to one member of every poor household. The requirement of funds and the number of households to be covered was yet to be finalised. The Centre would provide necessary funds for the purpose Ola said adding that Food for Work Programme in 150 most backward districts had, meanwhile, been announced in the current year's Budget.
Dileep on way to superstardom
Monday, August 23, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, : It has been a slow and steady rise to superstardom for Malayalam actor Dileep who entered the industry as a mimicry artist. From bit roles Dileep graduated to substantial roles as people began to enjoy his brand of slapstick comedy. He soon started assisting directors like Kamal. His first big hit as a hero was "Sallapam" opposite 15-year-old Manju Warrier, whom he later married. He soon became the most hated man in Kerala as Manju stopped acting after her marriage. Malayalis loved Manju as she was one of the most talented actresses in Kerala in recent times. However, it seems Dileep's bad times ended with the birth of his daughter, Lakshmi. She brought good fortune to her father. Dileep became the most 'loved' actor in Kerala with every comedy film of his hitting the jackpot at the box office. When he decided to produce a film he would ensure it showcased his special talent. "CID Moosa", a slapstick comedy, was a huge hit commercially. Perhaps he is fed up with being described as one who apes Mohanlal in comedies (after all, he initially survived as a mimicry artist aping Mohanlal). He now wants a change of image. After "CID Moosa", he has roped in national award-winning director T.V. Chandran (who has directed films like "Ponthanmada", "Susanna", "Danny", etc) to direct his next production "Kathavasesham". He hopes Chandran would give him an award-winning role as he did for Mammootty, who won a national award for his performance in "Ponthanmada" (Naseeruddin Shah was Mammootty's co star in "Ponthanmada"). "Kathavasesham" has Jyothirmayee starring opposite Dileep. She is the only young actress among the new lot to win a national award. She has won a commendation for her performance in Satish Menon's "Bhavam". Dileep looks at Mohanlal as his 'guru' in producing off-beat films. "The money he (Mohnalal) made from cinema was given back to cinema by producing films like 'Kaala Pani', 'Bharatam', 'His Highness Abdullah' and 'Vaanaprastham'. I am following what he has done: giving something back to the industry," said Dileep. He also repeats a favourite line of Mohanlal, in defense of making a film like "CID Moosa". "If I had not made money by producing a film like 'CID Moosa', I would not have been able to make a 'Kathavasesham'." This is exactly what Mohanlal said of his hit film, "Harikrishnans".
Satyanarayanan figures in Jackie Chan film
Monday, August 23, 2004
Kerala martial art exponent figures in Chan film: Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 14 : A 43-year-old Kerala martial arts expert will be seen matching deft steps and moves with Jackie Chan during a fight sequence in a forthcoming English film. G.Satyanarayanan, an exponent of 'kalarippayttu' - a vigorous and exacting form of martial arts perfected in Kerala - was in China recently to shoot for Chan's latest film tentatively titled "Project So4". The film is being produced for Chan's company Wonder World Corporation. Speaking, Satyanarayanan said that the director of the film, Stanley Tong, along with its producer, Barbie Thung, came calling at his family martial arts institute CVN Kalari in the heart of the capital city. "They were basically looking for inputs on martial arts from India because the film is set in an imaginary country called 'Sadai', which lies in between China and India. They have already identified 'Hampi' village in Karnataka, which has lots of archaeological ruins, as the location for shooting in October," said Satyanarayanan. The CVN Kalari institute students demonstrated various martial art forms of Kerala to the two visitors. "Along with me there were five other people, trained in kalarippayttu, selected from our centres and we reached China on June 24th. We were there till July 21st. I play the role of the Prince of Sadai and a one-to-one fight sequence with Chan which goes on for nearly five minutes was shot," said Satyanarayanan. Satyanarayanan recalls that his experience was really exhilarating because Chan is an extremely skilled person and unbelievably fast. "He is of a special breed. Despite differences in our style, I found him to be a very serious student of martial arts wanting to improvise on any technique. He is extremely friendly and has no airs at all and is keen to learn more about our martial arts", said Satyanarayanan. Though his fight sequence with Chan would last around five minutes, it took one week for the scene to be canned. "That is how I got a lot of time to interact with Chan," recalled Satyanarayanan. The five others who went with Satyanarayanan acted as temple warriors. "Remuneration was never on my mind at all. We are really happy because our form of martial arts has got an excellent exposure and what more remuneration do I need to have for our institute set up way back in 1958," said Satyanarayanan. He said that when the film unit lands in Hampi in October, he has been asked |
