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 to join the team to give more inputs. "I don't think I would have anymore role to play," said Satyanarayanan. He is a full time instructor at the institute where his 74-year-old father Govindankutty Nair is the chief instructor.
Host of film releases in Kerala to mark Onam
Monday, August 23, 2004
A host of star-studded films are due for release in Kerala in the last week of August to coincide with the beginning of the harvest festival of Onam. Among top stars whose films are slated to hit the marquees that time include Mammooty, Mohanlal, Dileep and Prithiviraj. Ace filmmaker Priyadarshan, who has been banking on the popularity of latest Malayalam superstar Dileep, is coming out with his mega film "Vettam". This appears to be an acid test for Priyadarshan because his last Malayalam film did not do well as expected. "Vettam" features actress Myithili in the lead role. Shaji Kailas' "Natturajavu" is also being awaited eagerly. The movie stars Mohanlal, who is not having a smooth run lately with two of his films bombing at the box office. "Natturajavu" is widely expected to resurrect the sagging fortunes of Mohanlal, who last year completed his silver jubilee in Malayalam films. Mammooty -- rated as the reigning number one in the Malayalam film industry -- who saw his last two films doing well at the box office, features in a new avatar in "Kazhcha" that has Bangalore-based model Padmapriya as the heroine. "Kazhcha" is being directed by Blessy. "Satyam", directed by popular director Vinayan, has upcoming superstar and college girls' heart-throb, Prithiviraj. Tamil film industry's Priyamani is the leading lady in the film. However, there is an exception. Jayaram, whose latest film "Mayilattom" is a roaring hit and is currently doing well in the state's marquees, does not have an Onam release. For others, the festival season here is expected to be happy times, but Priyadarshan and Mohanlal appear to be anxiously waiting to watch the box office reaction to their films.
Argentine team in Kerala discusses investment
Monday, August 23, 2004
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An Argentine team is visiting Kerala to study investment possibilities in the state's science and technology sector. The team held talks with Kerala Industrial Infrastructure Development Corporation (Kinfra) officials for possible investment opportunities in the agro-biotechnology sector. The discussion focused on the biotechnology and food processing sectors. The Kinfra team was led by state Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty and the visiting delegation comprised Lino Baranao, president of the Agencia Nacional de Promocion Cientifica Tecnologica (ANPCYT), and Eduardo H. Charreau from the Argentine ministry of education. A top Kinfra official said the team would now go back and discuss the proposed investments to be made in the agro and biotechnology sectors. "In return for their investment, they have asked for help in information technology in their country. This is basically a quid pro quo deal and the coming months would reveal what is in store," he said. There has been a spurt in foreign investors showing an interest in the state after an earlier period of lull. In the last two months, several high profile delegations from Germany and Italy have also held talks with officials here. Auto giants BMW appears to have triggered off a series of high profile investors' arrivals here since their first visit eight months ago. An Italian delegation also visited Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram early this month and expressed its desire to set up of an Italian fashion village and an international fashion school in the state.
Kerala market reaps riches ahead of harvest festival Onam
Monday, August 23, 2004
Kochi, Aug 22 Markets are witnessing a boom in Kerala with Onam celebrations picking up acorss the state. With people on a shopping spree ahead of the harvest festival, the whole of Kerala has turned into a customer-friendly market worth Rs 3000 crore. According to rough estimates, 10 per cent sales of the Rs 30,000-crore annual consumer market in the state happens during this festival season and, hence, offers are flooding the markets. The salaried section is richer by Rs 2,000 crore by way of two months' salary, bonus, festival allowance and advances. Between August 12 and 19 alone, the state-run Civil Supplies recorded 30 per cent increase in the sale of grocery items, Civil Supplies Minister G Karthikeyan said. In terms of sales, home appliances, like in previous years, are the pick of the season and their sales in the early stages of the season have recorded a 25 per cent increase compared to last year, according to dealers. About 27 per cent of the total sales of home appliances in the year happens during this season. ''Electronic appliances alone will fetch nearly Rs 400 crore during the season. This time, it is bound to be better than the previous year,'' said a spokesman of LG Systems. There is demand for all items in the market -- from textiles to gold, from appliances to vehicles. Textile dealers say the sale in the fortnight has been double their usual target. After home appliances, liquor has recorded the second highest sale in the season in the state, which has the highest per capita consumption of liquor in the country.
Govt. ignored Intelligence report: Pinarayi
Monday, August 23, 2004
KOZHIKODE: CPI(M) general secretary Pinarayi Vijayan stated before the Marad Commission that the carnage at Marad occurred because the government had ignored the intelligence report. Pinarayi said that Chief Minister A K Antony who did not pay heed to the intelligence report is responsible for the carnage. He further stated that he did not know whether any other minister shared responsibility for it. Pinarayi had come to the conclusion that extremists were behind the happening because of the suddenness of its occurance. Only those who were experienced in such slayings could carry it out with expertise, he pointed out.
Navya: Smashing debut in Tamil
Monday, August 23, 2004
She was the scene-stealer in the recent Tamil flick Azhagiye Theeye holding her own in a daringly different concept. Though she could not steal the thunder with no heavyweights around, her efforts came in for praise from the director and the ones which count - the masses. Navya Nair is a proven name in Malayalam films, with three smashing hits from around 15 films. Awards have chased her literally, recipient of many, including the prestigious State award. She could not believe her lucky stars when no less a person than Prakashraj along with director Radhamohan came all the way to her hometown (Alappuzha) to narrate the script. 'I fell in love with the story. Instincts told me that it will be no run-of-the-mill stuff. Though I had not been short of variations in Malayalam, the theme arrested my attention. Language was no deal which I found out once you get into the skin of the character.' How comfortable was she in a subject which called for lot of subtlety and underplaying the character. 'Things fell in place from the start. There were no room for emotions and getting carried away in the character of Nandini. She could explode only when the character warmed up sufficiently.' Navya was not exactly flooded with offers but still undecided to take the ones coming from Balu Mahendra and Hari. 'A little wary of glamour in Tamil films,' she said as if reading the mind. 'So much of grandeur and richness in songs unnerve me. Back home, there is no such scary thought. The script is the winner there. Will not be comfortable in subjects alien to my liking.' Navya, busy-as-bee in Malayalam, is spoken of in the same breath as Manju Warrier, who called the shots, not long ago. Her debut flick Ishtham with Dileep did enough business to bring in the appreciative nods from many quarters. Then followed films like Mazhathullikilukam, Kunjikoonan and Kalyanaraman,' sustaining her forget-me-not start. Aware of the dent she had made, Navya said, 'It is that much difficult to keep good the progress. Happy to be compared with Manju but have a long way to go.' Not long ago she was bestowed the title of Kala Thilakam in the youth festival of Alleppey district. Her better moments was when Chadikatha Chadhu ran over 200 days paired with Jayasuriya. Having made a strong dent in Tamil, Navya could do with roles doing justice to her potential. Though happy in the world of her, she will not turn her back when meaningful roles land in her lap.
Philosophy sans service is dry as dust: Kerala Governor
Monday, August 23, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 22 ''All philosophy is dry as dust unless it is immediately translated into an act of service,'' Kerala Governor R L Bhatia recalled these words of Mahatma Gandhi today. Inaugurating the 78th 'Janmadina Poojitha Samarpana' (birthday) function of Navajyothisree Karunkara Guru, the founder of the renowned Santhigiri Ashram near here, Mr Bhatia said this strand of thought was echoed in Indian philosophy time and again. Thus, while Lord Krishna gave the gospel of 'karma', Lord Buddha put himself to a life of hardship to attain 'nirvana'. ''Veda Vyasa, that poet of poets, pointed out the conflict between good and evil, fair and foul, that a human being has to fight out within oneself to lead a good life,'' the Governor added. Expressing happiness that Santhigiri Ashram was following the sacred memory and words of Navajyothisree Karunakara Guru, whose life exemplified austerity and sacrifice, Mr Bhatia said the institution was well ahead in this path of service to the needy. The holistic concept of healthcare promoted by the Santhigiri group of hospitals was a pointer to this. While reviving the traditional healthcare system of ayurveda and siddha, the Santhigiri Hospitals gave due recognition to allopathy also. Talking of the immense contribution of Indian saints towards explaining the ''enigma of existence'', the Governor said everything was taken into consideration from the smallest to the largest. This perhaps had contributed to the continuing relevance of Indian philosophy. ''Where are the Greek and Roman civilisations today. But Indian civilisation has survived till date. This is the result of the living tradition of saints and gurus, whose words have embellished Indian thought and philosophy,'' he added.
Rs.150 mn to boost tourism in Kerala
Monday, August 23, 2004
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Union government has provided Rs.150 million to develop beaches and several destinations in Kerala as part of efforts to boost the state's tourism sector. Tourism Minister P. Sankaran said the allocation marked the first phase of a move to promote tourism in Kerala. "We submitted proposals to the tune of Rs.2 billion under various projects. In the first phase we have got Rs.150 million. Of this Rs.50 million would go for the Vizhinjam project near Kovalam," Sankaran told here. "Rs.35 million has been earmarked for the Athirapally project and the balance for development of tourism in Malabar in north Kerala." The funds have been sanctioned and work would soon start on the projects so that they could be completed before the forthcoming tourist season. Sankaran said the Vizhinjam beautification project was crucial because the Kovalam beach and nearby areas would be spruced up to give them a new look. North Kerala, which has huge potential for tourism, would benefit the most on account of the fresh injection of funds. "Malabar is virtually untapped and it is a gold mine for tourism. Earlier, tourism in Kerala was lopsided with development taking place in the southern and central parts of the state. This time we aim to develop Malabar in a huge way," said Sankaran, who hails from Malabar.
Karunakaran keeps away from AICC meet
Monday, August 23, 2004
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior Congress leader K Karunakaran returned here from New Delhi after skipping the AICC meet. He declined to comment reporters asked him on why he had stayed away from the coudave. It was for the first time in his long political career that Karunakaran did not attended an AICC session. Karunakaran was keeping a low profile since he was dropped from the Congress Working Committee to which he was a permanent invitee. His son and former PCC President K Muraleedharan also did not attend the AICC meet.
BJP to oppose Express Highway project in Kerala
Saturday, August 21, 2004
Kerala BJP president P S Sreedharan Pillai today said the proposed Express Highway project in the state ''shrouded in mystery'' and the party would stauunchly oppose it. Talking to reporters here, Mr Pillai said the Golden Quadrilateral National Highway project, launched by the previous NDA government, was ''quite beneficial'' to the common man, as it envisaged interlinking all villages in India by 2007. In contrast, the Express Highway, in its conception and execution, had the potential to put an unbearable burden on the people at large, he said. The highway was meant to benefit the rich alone, he alleged. He urged the state government to exempt petroleum products from various taxes in order to arrest the spiralling prices of essential commodities during Onam. Kerala was the most affected by the hike in the prices of petroleum products as the sales tax here accounted for 28 per cent of the sale price, he said. In view of the Central Government's action to reduce the excise duty on all kinds of petroleum products, Mr Pillai said the state government should also follow suit by reducing taxes. Replying to a question, he said any one of the national parties should take over the education department from the Muslim League to resolve the current imbroglio in that sector. The BJP would hold a leadership camp at Perumbavoor for two days from September 9, in which national leaders of the party, including Mr L K Advani, Ms Sushama Swaraj and party president Venkaiah Naidu were expected to participate, he added. (Agencies)
Central team to visit Kerala
Saturday, August 21, 2004
A multi-disciplinary team, comprising top officials from different Central departments, will visit Kerala on August 23 to study the impact of the recent drought and flood. Agriculture Minister K R Gauri Amma told newspersons here that the team would first visit the worst-affected Wayanad district. Three memoranda had already been submitted to the Centre demanding an assistance of Rs 3,847 crore to tide over the situation. As the drought situation in Kerala was different from other states, the Centre should adopt a different set of norms for Kerala, she said. The impact of drought in a season would be felt in crops like pepper, coffee and tea only after five years. Denying the Opposition allegation that the state was trying to sweep under the carpet the issue of farmers' suicides, Ms Gauri Amma said 122 ryots had ended life during the one-year period ending in June, 2004. [Agency]
Kerala to seek private investment in tourism
Saturday, August 21, 2004
Kerala Tourism Minister P Sankaran today said the state government was prepared to invite private participation to promote tourism. ''The government is no more in a position to invest in tourism and is ready to support private participation,'' he told reporters here. However, he said the government would have the final say and control in joint ventures. The government was also prepared to lease land and take shares in such investments, he added.
Antony calls meeting of Kerala MPs
Saturday, August 21, 2004
Political differences notwithstanding, MPS from Kerala and Chief Minister A K Antony today decided to work unitedly and put more pressure on the Centre to get drought assistance and start projects already sanctioned to the State. At a meeting of MPs, convened by the Chief Minister at Kerala House here today, a consensus was evolved to unitedly work to get every benefit to the State. Talking to newspersons, Antony said so far the Centre's attitude towards the State was not encouraging and that was one reason he held a meeting with the MPs of the State to put more pressure on the Centre. The MPs also said the Centre was neglecting the state. The meeting listed five priority areas which included immediate drought assistance, early approval of Vallarpadam container terminal, setting up of LNG terminal at Kochi, reduction of air fare from the gulf sector to Kerala and withdrawal of the import policy of rubber. Antony, who also held a meeting with Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar said, a Central team would visit the state within the next three to four days to make assessment of the crop damages and submit a report at the earliest. Pawar had assured him, Antony said, that before September 10, a decision would be taken at the Prime Minister's level to decide the quantum of assistance to Kerala that would be able to meet the demands of farmers in the state.
Kerala rolls out wireless broadband
Friday, August 20, 2004
By Dinesh C. Sharma CNET News.com August 16, 2004, 11:02 AM PT MALLAPURAM, India--An Indian state has launched wireless broadband to provide connectivity in rural areas unreachable by traditional telephone lines or cellular phone services. The community Internet kiosks, named Akshaya, have been set up by the Kerala State IT Mission Department. More than 550 of the kiosks have been opened in the Mallapuram district, spread over 3,500 square kilometers. The local government plans to introduce kiosks in other districts later this year. The centers will offer services such as Internet access, Net-based phoning and videoconferencing to state offices as well as private businesses. Five Wi-Fi hotspots have also been established around government offices and a tourist resort. "This is the world's biggest rural wireless network," H.S. Bedi, managing director of Tulip IT Services, said at the launch. "The decision to provide a completely wireless solution was dictated by the Mallapuram's rugged terrain. Other options could have been leased lines or cable or fiber--all of which would have involved digging and would have been more difficult as well as more expensive to roll out." The broadband backbone for the network has been set up by Tulip, an Indian IT services provider, using gear supplied by a clutch of North American wireless-gear makers. Wi-Lan, a Canadian maker of broadband wireless products, has supplied base stations, while AirSpan has provided Wireless IP Local Loop Systems. Some subscriber premises receivers have been sourced from Marconi, while routers are from Cisco Systems. India is among the fastest-growing wireless markets in the world, with nearly 39.5 million cell phone users. Companies are now beginning to address rural areas, where there are no legacy systems, with wireless systems that can support both telephony and Internet. Generally, multipurpose community Internet kiosks are preferred, in place of household connections. The kiosks can be used to, among other things, send bill payment to various government departments, file complaints and follow up on passport applications. n-logue, a wireless company incubated by the telecommunications group at the Indian Institute of Technology Madras, has set up kiosks that provide Internet, telephony, e-governance and telemedicine facilities in seven Indian states. Those kiosks rely on wireless technology for only the last mile, using CorDect wireless technology developed and marketed by the IIT Group and Analog Devices. Wi-Lan said its Versatile Intelligent Network Environment technology deployed in India is designed to "line of sight" limitations, using network nodes as repeaters and routers for other nodes that either do not have line-of-sight or are too distant to have direct connectivity to the Internet node. VINE networks can cost less than conventional cell-based networks, particularly when covering large, sparsely populated areas, the company said. WiLan is also setting up a statewide WLAN in another state, Gujarat.
Crucial week ahead for Antony Government
Tuesday, August 17, 2004
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The week ahead will be crucial for the Antony Government with the stage being shifted to Delhi for discussions on the Cabinet reshuffle. Senior Congress leaders including Chief Minister A.K. Antony, KPCC president Thennala Balakrishna Pillai, Oommen Chandy, K. Muraleedharan and P.P. Thankachan, will be leaving for Delhi in connection with the AICC session to be held on August 21. There are at least three different options before the Congress high command regarding the reshuffle. One option is a thorough change including that of Antony as favoured by AICC General secretary Ahmed Patel and the two-member fact-finding delegation of Margaret Alva and R.L. Bhatia. The second option is retaining Antony while replacing all the other Congress Ministers and the third option is just limiting the entire exercise to portfolio change of Congress Ministers. Though anti-Antony factions, both within the Congress and the UDF, are in full swing with an eye on the ``imminent but always delayed'' Cabinet reshuffle, the TINA factor seems to be working again in favour of Chief Minister A.K. Antony. The names doing the rounds as alternative to Antony are those of Oommen Chandy, Vakkom Purushothaman and Vayalar Ravi. However, they have not found enough support from all quarters. Though Oommen Chandy is the current favourite among Congressmen, the IUML is learnt to have opposed his candidature. Moreover, Oommen Chandy also seems to be hesitant ``as he does not want to own up the responsibility of the UDF Government at its worst ever period.''
Meera Jasmine bags best actress national award
Saturday, August 14, 2004
The national award for the year 2003 was announced by the jury chairman. "Saphalam" was adjudged best feature film in Malayalam. Vikram bagged the best actor award for the film 'Pithamagan'. Meera walked away with the best actress award for her outstanding role in the film "Padom Onnu Oru Vilapam." The best child actor's award was shared by Master Kalidas, the son of actor Jayaram for his admirable role in "Ente Veedu Appovinteyum along with another child artiste. Rajiv Vijay Raghavan's Maargam won the prize for the best first film of a director. Nedumudi Venu bagged a special mention award for being a versatile actor.
Kerala boat race attracts thousands
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Alappuzha (Kerala) Aug 14 : As the boats snaked their way through Kerala's backwaters egged on by enthusiastic supporters, tens of thousands of spectators gathered on the banks to witness the annual event here Saturday. At least 50,000 people, including a large number of foreign tourists, watched the famous boat race named after India's first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. The Nehru trophy boat race, held every year on the second Saturday of August, took place at the Punnamada backwaters in Alappuzha. This event is considered the most popular among all snake boat races in the state. It is held to commemorate Nehru's visit here in 1952 along with his grandsons Rajiv and Sanjay. Boat races were earlier considered an example of the communal harmony prevailing in the area. People participated in the boat race irrespective of their caste, creed or class. Today, participation is not voluntary and oarsmen have to be paid daily wages. The snake boats are between 100 and 110 feet long, accommodating oarsmen numbering from 85 to 110, depending on its size. Along its 1,350-metre-long route, oarsmen paddle the boat, while four people standing at the rear carry long oars to control its direction. The speed is determined by three people standing at the centre of the boat. The signal for speeding is indicated through whistles.
Black
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Rehman who was once the heartthrob of youngsters in Kerala is back after hibernation. He makes his second innings through Black with superstar Mammootty in the lead under the banner of Lal Creations. Rehman's debut film was Padmarajan's Koodevide and that too was with Mammootty. In this film Rehman portrays the role of a police officer. When asked he said, "I was out of the industry for some months, but that was not because I didn't get any offers. Somehow I didn't like the offers I got." He is at present busy in Telugu as well as Tamil. His latest Tamil film was Ethiri and is now doing Ram, Kattumakkan etc. In Telugu, he is doing Dairayam. Rehman became famous through Padmarajan and Bharathan's films. He said if they were alive, I wouldn't have been out of the industry. Anyway the actor is busy now. Shreya Reddy is Mammootty's heroine in this film. The film has script by Ranjith and camera by Amal. Songs are composed by Alex Paul. Director Vinayan and S N Swamy were present among others for a pooja in Ernakulam. The shooting of the film begins in Kochi from August 10.
Vadakkumnathan
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Mohanlal as Pisharody in Vadakkumnathan Mohanlal is all set to enact the role of Bharatha Pisharody, a Sanskrit professor in Shajun Karol's Vadakkumnathan. The actor has set off to Himalayas for the shooting of the film which is expected to start soon. Mohanlal is excited about the film and said only rarely you get roles like this. The professor is on a mystic journey to find answers to certain issues in the film. The heroine of the film is Meera Jasmine. This is the first time Meera is acting opposite Mohanlal. Girish Puthencherry pens script for the film. Six songs composed by Raveendran have a classical touch and are sung by Yesudas, Biju Naryanan, M G Sreekumar and Radhika. The film is produced by Govindan Kutty. Mohanlal will be in Haridwar for a four day shoot schedule. The film will be shot on the banks of the Ganges and on the Himalayas. The film also has Jayaram, Biju Menon, Jagathy and many others.
Junior Senior
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Junior Senior is about two ambitious youngsters, Kichu (Kunchacko Boban) and Akhila (Meenakshi), who have big dreams and Manu (Mukesh) a wily ad company owner. Director G Sreekantan, assistant to Thulasidas, makes his debut in this love story with loads of humour. Akhila plays a model in the film. Junior Senior is not a full fledged comedy. The character Mukesh plays in the film resorts to several gimmicks to get his advertising firm to the top. He pampers his models with gifts, love or even threats at times. Ranjini who acted in Sasneham Sumitra plays Mukesh's wife in the film. The Junior, Kunchacko Boban plays the conscience keeper of the Senior. He does everything, other than the official chores for his boss. With the entry of the model, however the equations tend to change. The three of them have their own dreams and try to make use of the others to fulfill them. Dr Santhosh Thomas, a dental surgeon who has written the story, watches the proceedings keenly. The director says some portions of the film will be shot in Pondicherry. Junior Senior produced under the banner of Sunrise Cinema, has screenplay, dialogues by Rajan Kiriyath. The lyrics are by Kaithapram and music M Jayachandran. Art direction is by Vatsan, make up by Salim Kadakkal, costumes by Indrans Jayan and stills by Soorya Peter. More at: http://www.sundaykaumudi.com/movies/
Kuwaiti team to visit Kerala medical colleges
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, : A high-level medical delegation from Kuwait will soon visit Kerala's medical colleges to ascertain the standard of medical education here. This was announced Thursday by Kuwaiti Health Minister Mohammed A. Al-Jarallah, who is on a two-day visit here, at a function at the Regional Cancer Centre to felicitate him. He was responding to a request from state Health Minister Kadavoor Sivadasan to look into the issue of poor career prospects of doctors from here working in Kuwait despite their having advanced qualifications. "I would certainly look into this and send a delegation from my country to have an on-the-spot study of this problem by visiting medical colleges in Kerala," Jarallah said. "We have always understood that Keralites working in Kuwait are very faithful to the employers and are dependable. This visit of mine, is certainly going to strengthen the relationship of Kuwait and Kerala," the minister said. There are close to 100,000 Keralites working in Kuwait.
Rain Rain Come Again
Saturday, August 14, 2004
The magic combination of Jayaraj and Jassi Gift that spelled magic at the box office with Lajjavathiye...Lajjavathite song in 4 The People is back with another film Rain, Rain, Come Again which will be releasing this week. The film has new star casts of Reji V Nair, Ajay Jose, Asif Khan and Divya Lakshmi among others. The film has script by Sarat Sivadas and the seven songs by Kaithapram are tuned by Jassi himself. He is also appearing as a music director in the film. Just like 4 The People, the story of Rain Rain Come Again is set against campus background. The story revolves around Dinesh and Shreeya, two leaders of nearby colleges. Some kind of enmity is seen between the students of the college. They are always seen in the midst of problems. Meantime, the famous singer Jerry who reached the college for a programme was able to bring the students under his fold. When the students were engrossed in his songs, the singer was in search of someone. His aim was to find the guy who spoiled his reputation in the society. The incidents which happen later form the rest of the story. Ajay Jose plays the role of Dinesh and Divya Lakshmi as Shreeya. Jassie Gift does the role of Jerry. The film is produced by Jayaraj's brother Maheshraj under the banner of Neelambari Films. Though the title may sound like a nursery rhyme, the film promises to be racy and entertaining with high technical wizardry. Antony is the editor and screenplay is by Sarath.
Aparichithan
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Cast: Mammootty, Kavya Madhavan, Manya Director: Sanjeev Sivan The film Aparichithan has story, screenplay and direction by Sanjeev Sivan, youngest brother of Santhosh Sivan and Sangeeth Sivan. Noted cinematographer Santhosh Sivan is back in Malayalam after a break. It was for Shaji N Karun's Vanaprastham that he wielded the camera last time in Malayalam. In Aparichithan, Mammootty enacts the role of Reghuram, a wild life photographer for the National Geographic Channel. During his adventurous journey, he meets five students--Meenakshi, Simi Samuel, Asha Shanker, Thomas Chacko and Siraj of the Law College. Three students--Meenakshi, Simi Samuel and Asha Shanker were under suspension as they tried to leak the question papers on the previous day of the exam. They had to leave the place as they had no other way. Simi's lover Thomas Chacko helps them and they reach Nelliampathy. Meantime, these students meet a wild life photographer who intrudes into their privacy and was a disturbance for the group initially. But later when they come to know of his good nature, he disappears. The rest of the film is about their quest for Reghuram and his past will be revealed as the story develops. Kavya, the conservative and straight forward Meenakshi in the film, Karthika who is Simi Samuel in the story applause Devi played by Manya who is almost tomboyish in nature. Reghuram from the US reaches this hill station in search of a rare bird. He meets Kalyani, an adivasi girl, daughter of the village headman. A model from Delhi, Mahi Vij enacts the role of Kalyani. Raghuram has a past, and he tells them about Kalyani (Mahi Vij) a village chief's daughter whom he had met as she had striking similarity with his sister. But one day she disappears mysteriously. The film moves towards a riveting climax as startling truths starts revealing one by one. The mystery is solved in the end, which forms the highlight of the film. The film also has Jagathy, Rajan P Dev, Salim Kumar and many others. The film is produced by Siraj Valiyaveettil under the banner of Valiyaveetil Movie International. Mammootty holds the film together after interval. He is superb as Raghuram especially in comic scenes. Kavya looks good and has done a great job. Jagathy and Machan Varghese do a separate comedy track. More at: http://www.sundaykaumudi.com/movies/
Manjupole Oru Penkutty
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Cast: Jayakrishnan, Amrita, Lalu Alex Suresh Krishnan, Bhanupriya Director: Kamal Kamal is well-known for making Bollywood style romantic musicals with new stars and has always moved away from the beaten track. This time he does not depend on college campus but the story is about the friendship between a boy and a girl studying in a same school. His latest Manjupole Oru Penkutty is a stunner as it delves into the mind of a young teenage girl who is constantly harassed by her step father who is otherwise a perfect gentleman to others in the family and society. It is a bold theme about the mental trauma that goes through a 16 year-old-girl's mind and her struggle to come out of it. Amritha, the newcomer as the girl who goes through this nightmarish experience is charismatic and she has come out with a brilliant performance. Kamal deserves full credit for making this racy and well packaged film. The film is a stunner as it delves into the mind of a young teenage girl who is constantly harassed by her step father who is otherwise a perfect gentleman to others in the family and society. The story is narrated by Nidhi (Amritha) to the audience about her biggest problem in life- her Pappa. Nidhi lives with her mom Arundhathi Menon (Bhanupriya) who is a successful businesswoman and her little sister Kani. Mohan (Suresh Krishna) is her step-father who came into their life after the sudden death of her father. Mohan is a perfect gentleman who takes care of Arundhathi and her two children but things go awry after Nidhi becomes a teenager. He eyes Nidhi which she realises but keeps it to herself and shares it with her close friend Sandeep (Jayakrishnan) who thinks that she is in love with him. Nidhi keeps this secret from her mother who is all in awe of Mohan and along with her neighbour Manuel Uncle (Lalu Alex), Sandeep and another friend; she decides to get rid of her Pappa. However their carefully laid out plan goes awry and the bumbling Manuel gets killed by Mohan. It is the twist, before a chilling climax as the story takes another turn which will keep the audience glued to their seat. At a time when comedy capers are ruling the roost in Kerala, this film is refreshing. The great performance from Amrita has helped the film to a great extent and she is the promising star of tomorrow. Jayakrishnan, Suresh Krishna, Lalu Alex and Bhanupriya are all aptly cast. Aided by P Sukumar's excellent camera and Kalavoor Ravi Kumar's script, the film is watchable. The new boy introduced with this film is Jayakrishnan who was the Kalaprathibha in school youth festival and the new girl is Amritha, a Mumbaite who has featured in the Poppy umbrella advertisements. More at: http://www.sundaykaumudi.com/movies/mov/mo_review.stm
Muraleedharan speaks out against Antony:
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 12 : Voices of dissidence in the Kerala Congress were again heard Thursday as former party president K. Muraleedharan accused Chief Minister A.K. Antony to introspect and change his style of functioning. Breaking three months of silence, the son of veteran leader K. Karunakaran hit out at Antony saying: "Nothing has changed after the debacle the party received in the May Lok Sabha election (when the Congress did not win a single seat in the state)." "The much talked about cabinet reshuffle has not taken place. It is the prerogative of the chief minister, but if he is to undertake a reshuffle then it should be done fast. If he does not want one, he should immediately swing into action with the existing ministers," said Muraleedharan, referring to the long promised cabinet reshuffle that is yet to take place. The Kerala leader, who suffered a humiliating defeat in a by-election this year, said everyone would suffer if something was not done to inject new life into the government. "There should be clarity in the style of functioning," he said. "It was said that things would change if both Karunakaran and Muraleedharan keep quiet. Despite our silence nothing has happened and that is one reason I decided to speak out," added the man who stepped down as party president to become a minister in the Antony cabinet in February but had to resign after losing the Wadakancherry assembly by-election. Muraleedharan also asked the party's present office bearers to ensure that organisational elections are held.
Attestation centre for UAE to open in Kerala
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 13 : The long promised attestation centre in the Kerala town of Kozhikode for those going to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to work is likely to begin functioning from next month. "All arrangements are now being made for setting up an attestation centre in Kozhikode and it would begin functioning from next month," said Minister for Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs) M.M. Hassan Friday. At the moment, the government has only one attestation centre in this state capital. Due to the huge rush of applicants who need to get their certificates attested to go to UAE, the waiting period at the centre here is more than a month. Though thousands are waiting to get their documents attested, tokens are given to just 150 people a day. "To clear the heavy rush of people after the Kozhikode centre opens next month, we will open another at Kochi so that there are attestation centres in three important towns and people are spared the inconvenience of travelling long distances," Hassan told reporters. While the Kozhikode centre would be run by state education department officials, the centre here is managed by officials from the union Human Resource Development ministry. According to a study by the Centre for Development Studies here, the number of people from Kerala going to UAE has gone up from 11,962 in 1990 to 150,000 at the end of the 1990s. About 450,000 people from Kerala are working in the UAE.
Rain Rain Come Again
Saturday, August 14, 2004
The magic combination of Jayaraj and Jassi Gift that spelled magic at the box office with Lajjavathiye...Lajjavathite song in 4 The People is back with another film Rain, Rain, Come Again which will be releasing this week. The film has new star casts of Reji V Nair, Ajay Jose, Asif Khan and Divya Lakshmi among others. The film has script by Sarat Sivadas and the seven songs by Kaithapram are tuned by Jassi himself. He is also appearing as a music director in the film. Just like 4 The People, the story of Rain Rain Come Again is set against campus background. The story revolves around Dinesh and Shreeya, two leaders of nearby colleges. Some kind of enmity is seen between the students of the college. They are always seen in the midst of problems. Meantime, the famous singer Jerry who reached the college for a programme was able to bring the students under his fold. When the students were engrossed in his songs, the singer was in search of someone. His aim was to find the guy who spoiled his reputation in the society. The incidents which happen later form the rest of the story. Ajay Jose plays the role of Dinesh and Divya Lakshmi as Shreeya. Jassie Gift does the role of Jerry. The film is produced by Jayaraj's brother Maheshraj under the banner of Neelambari Films. Though the title may sound like a nursery rhyme, the film promises to be racy and entertaining with high technical wizardry. Antony is the editor and screenplay is by Sarath.
CPI(M) meets to begin in September
Saturday, August 14, 2004
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The conferences of the State CPI(M), being held in preparation for the 18th Party Congress, would begin in the last week of September and culminate in the party State conference in Malappuram from February 19 to 22. A CPI(M) State committee release said that the branch conferences would begin in the last week of September. The local conferences would be held from October 20 to November 15, area conferences from November 16 to December 15 and district conferences from December 15 to January 20. The conference schedule was finalised by the CPI(M) State committee on the second day of its three-day meeting here on Thursday. The party Polit Bureau is preparing a set of guidelines to ensure that the party conferences do not become forums for a replay of the faction feud that rocked the party in the mid-Nineties.
Couple electrocuted in Palakkad
Saturday, August 14, 2004
PALAKKAD: A couple was electrocuted after coming in contact with a livewire in their house at Kuttippal near Kollangode here yesterday morning. The dead were identified as Guruvayurappan (35) and his wife, Sathyabhama (30).The wife was cleaning the courtyard when she came in touch with the fallen power line. Her husband who rushed to save her also died of electrocution, police said. Irate neighbours held a demonstration at the local Electricity Board office at Muthalamada following the incident, alleging neglect and callousness on the part of the officials in repairing the lines.
Man sentenced to death in Kerala for killing wife
Saturday, August 14, 2004
Press Trust of India Malappuram A fast track court in Kerala has sentenced to death a 32-year-old man for brutally killing his wife for not submitting to his sexual desires. Manjeri additional district sessions Judge (fast track court-I), KP Sujatha awarded capital punishment to the convict, Basheer alias Kuttippa on Wednesday after finding him guilty of murdering his wife, Naseera (23) in the presence of their two children aged seven and three on April 11, 2003. According to prosecution, Basheer, who was in the habit of harassing his wife for not fulfilling his sexual needs, turned wild on one such occasion and began attacking her. Though neighbours rushed to the house on hearing her loud cries, Basheer turned them back stating that it was their family affair and that there was no need for their intervention. Naseera had received as many as 120 stab injuries in the attack. Of the 49 witnesses recorded in the case, 19 of them were examined. The court said that the death sentence to Basheer was for the severe cruelty meted out by him to his wife for the sole reason that she did not agree to his sexual urge. That Naseera failed to lodge a complaint about the frequent harassment was no excuse to lower the punishment, the court observed. Basheer can now appeal against the judgement in the high court within a month.
IAF to showcase ALH on Onam
Saturday, August 14, 2004
IAF to showcase ALH on Onam THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Indian Air Force (IAF) will showcase the capabilities of the indigenously manufactured Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) as part of its aerial feast from August 28 to 31. The team, comprising three ALHs, will carry out manoeuvres in formation over the Shangumugham beach here. The display is named 'Sarang,' which in Sanskrit means Peacock. The team has been acclaimed for its performance in Singapore and Chile recently. The Sarang team will be headed by Wing Commannder Hari Nair, who will lead a group of highly experienced and professional pilots. During the air show, people will witness a dazzling array of events, including an aerobatic display by Surya Kiran team and sky-diving demonstration by 'Air Devils' of the IAF, an official release said.
Governor greets people
Saturday, August 14, 2004
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Governor R L Bhatia extended his hearty greetings and good wishes to the people of Kerala on the occasion of the 57th anniversary of Independence. ''Preservation of the Independence we attained through decades of struggle and suffering should be our chief concern, especially when it is being threatened by sectarian elements from within the country. We are committed to strive for the all-round progress of the people and social justice, always upholding the secular ethos of our nation. ''On this solemn occasion, let us recall the great sacrifice of the freedom fighters, and rededicate ourselves to the task of making the country more prosperous and democratically quite vibrant as a nation, confronting every challenge with courage, confidence and determination,'' he said in a message.
Attestation centre for UAE to open at Kozhikode
Saturday, August 14, 2004
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The long promised attestation centre in the Kerala town of Kozhikode for those going to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to work is likely to begin functioning from next month. "All arrangements are now being made for setting up an attestation centre in Kozhikode and it would begin functioning from next month," said Minister for Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs) MM Hassan. At the moment, the government has only one attestation centre in this state capital. Due to the huge rush of applicants who need to get their certificates attested to go to UAE, the waiting period at the centre here is more than a month. Though thousands are waiting to get their documents attested, tokens are given to just 150 people a day. "To clear the heavy rush of people after the Kozhikode centre opens next month, we will open another at Kochi so that there are attestation centres in three important towns and people are spared the inconvenience of travelling long distances," Hassan told reporters. While the Kozhikode centre would be run by state education department officials, the centre here is managed by officials from the union Human Resource Development ministry. According to a study by the Centre for Development Studies here, the number of people from Kerala going to UAE has gone up from 11,962 in 1990 to 150,000 at the end of the 1990s. About 450,000 people from Kerala are working in the UAE.
Malayalee engineer dies in Iraq
Saturday, August 14, 2004
ANGAMALLY: A 28-year old electrical engineer from Angamally, employed by a British construction company in Baghdad, has died in Iraq on Thursday, according to information received by his family on Friday. The family had not yet got information about how he died. The deceased, Eldho Abraham, was working for the Frame Project International in Iraq. Abraham's colleague, Ayyappan, working in the same firm at Kuwait, informed the family about his death on in the afternoon, family members said. A pall of gloom descended on Kariyad, Abraham's native, as relatives and friends started calling on the family on hearing about the news. Police sources said they had no information regarding the death of the Keralite.
Law and order situation in Kerala good: Hassan
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 9 Hitting back at the Left parties for alleging that law and order, education and health sectors in Kerala were ''a total failure'', State Information Minister M M Hassan today said Kerala occupied the ''top'' position in these three areas. Talking to newspersons here, he said the state was selected as the second best state in the country based on a survey conducted by the ''India Today'' weekly. The survey, which covered all the 30 states and five Union Terriories, had found that Kerala topped in law and order, education and health. However, the position of the CPI(M)-ruled West Bengal in these three sectors was far below, he said taking a dig at the Left. Noting that in the investment field, the position of Kerala was 14th, he claimed that the Left parties were responsbile for it as investors were hesitant to invest in the state because of the unwanted strikes spearheaded by them. The survey on the 'Best and Worst Governed States' had selected Punjab for the first place among the large states.
Rajasthan and Kerala to blend desert and backwaters
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Agra, Aug 09 - Rajasthan and Kerala will soon jointly promote tourism, blending together their USP's of enchanting desert and tranquil backwaters respectively. A move in this direction was made by both the states at the 20th convention of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) which concluded here yesterday. Rajasthan Tourism secretary Rajiv Swarup and his Kerala counterpart T O Sooraj along with Kerala Tourism Development Corporation Managing Director Gunavardhanan discussed the modalities of promoting tourism in both the states jointly. "Rajasthan is not our competitor in tourism promotion as the products of both the states are totally different. Our strength is backwaters and lush greenery whereas Rajasthan is promoting its rich heritage sites and vast desert," Sooraj told. He said the Rajasthan-Kerala partnership would go a long way in further increasing the tourist arrivals in both the states which together account for the major chunk of foreign tourists to India. While Rajasthan accounted for 62% of the foreign tourist arrivals, Kerala accounted for 11%.
Kerala to launch ferry service to Colombo
Thursday, August 12, 2004
Chennai, Aug 09 - Union Minister for Shipping and Surface Transport T.R. Baalu on Sunday revealed that his ministry was positively considering the proposal to run ferry service to Colombo to Cochin. Baalu told the media that Kerala Chief Minister A.K. Antony had met him two times and sought permission for launching ferry services. Officials and MPs from Kerala are also in touch with Ministry to get the permission. It was during NDA regime it was decided to operate ferries between Tuticorn and Colombo. Former minister of state for shipping S. Thirunavukarasar held discussions with the Sri Lankan officials for the purpose. All the basic facilities like ticket counters, resting rooms for passengers, money exchange counters and tollgates were constructed in Tuticorin port. But the entire plan met with a set back when Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressing her opposition to the ferry service. According to her the service would pave way for infiltration of the LTTE into Tamil Nadu. We don’t like to have any confrontation with the Tamil Nadu Government. What can we do when a state government is not co-operating. Since Kerala Chief Minister, MPs and officials keen on the service the, we will consider their request positively, Baalu said. Pointing out that India had opened flight services to Sri Lanka, bus and train services to Pakistan, he said the transport services connecting any other country were only for strengthening aimed at bettering the relationship. Traders in southern districts were looking for the service since it was expected to give boost to trade, tourism and employment. Kerala to launch ferry service to Colombo Chennai, Aug 09 - Union Minister for Shipping and Surface Transport T.R. Baalu on Sunday revealed that his ministry was positively considering the proposal to run ferry service to Colombo to Cochin. Baalu told the media that Kerala Chief Minister A.K. Antony had met him two times and sought permission for launching ferry services. Officials and MPs from Kerala are also in touch with Ministry to get the permission. It was during NDA regime it was decided to operate ferries between Tuticorn and Colombo. Former minister of state for shipping S. Thirunavukarasar held discussions with the Sri Lankan officials for the purpose. All the basic facilities like ticket counters, resting rooms for passengers, money exchange counters and tollgates were constructed in Tuticorin port. But the entire plan met with a set back when Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa wrote a letter to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressing her opposition to the ferry service. According to her the service would pave way for infiltration of the LTTE into Tamil Nadu. We don’t like to have any confrontation with the Tamil Nadu Government. What can we do when a state government is not co-operating. Since Kerala Chief Minister, MPs and officials keen on the service the, we will consider their request positively, Baalu said. Pointing out that India had opened flight services to Sri Lanka, bus and train services to Pakistan, he said the transport services connecting any other country were only for strengthening aimed at bettering the relationship. Traders in southern districts were looking for the service since it was expected to give boost to trade, tourism and employment.
CM resents Centre's neglect of Kerala's woes
Thursday, August 12, 2004
PTI THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony on Wednesday strongly resented the Centre's "continued neglect" of Kerala's plea for liberal assistance to tide over the difficulties caused by natural calamities despite the state submitting three memoranda since April last. "The state is yet to receive a positive response from the Centre on its memoranda seeking Rs 3841 crore to offset the huge loss inflicted by severe drought followed by devastating flood. Kerala has not received the consideration that the Centre had shown to some other states," Antony told reporters after a cabinet meeting. The state government, however, would continue to press its case, he said and wanted all political parties and Parliament members from Kerala to support efforts in this direction. Despite the government's financial crunch, relief works were taken up on a war-footing, meeting the expenses from the state exchequer, he said. Since the onset of Monsoon in June, 132 persons had died and 16 reported missing in rain-related calamities. A total of 294 persons were seriously injured, 1576 houses destroyed fully and 22553 partly. The crop loss was assesed at Rs 71 crore. The government had spent Rs 120 crore for relief work last year and Rs 113 crore this year, he said.
ISRO, Kerala ink MoU for tele-medicine project
Thursday, August 12, 2004
ISRO, Kerala ink MoU for tele-medicine project: Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 11 : India's space agency Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Kerala government Wednesday signed an agreement for a Rs.122 million ($2.6 million) tele-health and medical education project. Present on the occasion were Kerala Chief minister A.K. Antony, ISRO Chairman K. Madhavan Nair and top officials. The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed by ISRO's Sundara Ramaiah and Kerala Health Secretary E.K. Bharat Bhusan. According to the MoU, ISRO would link several important hospitals in the state with 10 super specialty hospitals in the country, including the All India Institute for Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New Delhi. Apart from providing the satellite bandwidth free of cost for five years, ISRO would chip in with Rs. 70 million. The other Rs. 52 million would come from the Kerala government. The main objective of the project would be to provide tele-consultation and education for doctors in the various hospitals linked through the satellite.
Kerala fails to get disaster relief again
Wednesday, August 11, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram: Despite 19 out of the 20 MPs from Kerala supporting the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, it failed again to change its woeful record in getting adequate central aid. "The fact is whichever party rules at the centre, Kerala is not granted a fair deal when it comes to sanctioning of aid and projects," Chief Minister A.K. Antony of the Congress party that heads the government in New Delhi said here Wednesday. "In the past one year Kerala has been undergoing its worst ever crisis on account of natural calamities, but the Centre is yet to consider any of the three memorandums that we have given," Antony told reporters. Antony had himself submitted a memorandum seeking Rs.38.41 billion in aid to the previous NDA government and, later, to the UPA government headed by Manmohan Singh. "For bouquets, there are so many claimants; but when it comes to brickbats all fingers point to me and the ineffectiveness of my government," Antony lamented. "All that we have got are mere assurances." He said despite the state government being short of funds, his government in the last two years had pumped in Rs.2.33 billion for providing relief when floods and drought hit the state. "We also gave Rs.710 million to farmers who lost their crops in the last two years. No government in Kerala has given away so much of assistance," the chief minister said. Antony said that he would again submit a new memorandum to the centre seeking assistance for the people hit by the floods, which left 132 people dead and 294 injured. The floods also destroyed more than 1,500 houses and damaged about 22,000 houses. Indo-Asian News Service
Kerala NSS &SNDP could become potent political force
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
Kerala, India > Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 9 : The newfound camaraderie between two major Hindu social outfits in Kerala - the Nair Service Society (NSS) and the Sree Narayana Dharma Paripalana (SNDP) Yogam - could become a strong political force if it jells into a permanent arrangement, analysts say. NSS represents the Nairs and the SNDP the Ezhavas, who, between them, represent almost 80 percent of Kerala's Hindu population. The Hindus account for 50 percent of the state's population. The first major event for which the two organisations will share the stage is the "Guruvarsham" or the 150th birth centenary of social reformer and Ezhava leader Sree Narayana Guru that will be inaugurated by Congress president Sonia Gandhi Aug 29. The celebrations will be conducted at Varkala, 40 km from here, considered the holy city of the Ezhavas. Significantly, NSS general secretary P.K. Narayana Panicker will deliver the keynote address at the event. The coming together of the two organisations has raised hopes that the Hindu Mandalam or umbrella organisation of Hindus created in the 1950s by Mannath Padmanabhan of the NSS and R. Sankar of the SNDP will be revived. There are reports that informal talks have begun for possible unity between the two. One reason cited for their coming together is that none of them have a political party of their own. This is thanks to veteran Congress leader K. Karunakaran, who in his prime in the 1980s, finished off the political arms of the two groups. Today, the only time the Nairs and the Ezhavas are sought after is during the election, when politicians from all parties make a beeline for them. The Kerala unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) tried hard to bring the SNDP into its fold. When the BJP-led government was in power at the centre, its leaders were always available for SNDP's functions but even this failed to produce results. "Hindu unity would be a good thing, but for the two to come together there are more hurdles to be overcome. A trial is worth it and we are all looking forward to it," said a Nair leader.
Law and order situation in Kerala good: Hassan
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 10 - Hitting back at the Left parties for alleging that law and order, education and health sectors in the State were 'a total failure', Information Minister M M Hassan said Kerala occupied the 'top' position in these three areas. He said the state was selected as the second best state in the country based on a survey conducted by the a weekly. The survey, which covered all the 30 states and five Union Territories, had found that Kerala topped in law and order, education and health. However, the position of the CPI(M) ruled West Bengal in these sectors was far below, he said talking a dig at the Left. Nothing that in the investment filed, the position of Kerala was 14th, he claimed that the Left parties were responsible for its as investors were hesitant to invest in the state because of the unwanted strikes spearheaded by them. The survey on the 'Best and Worst Governed States' had selected Punjab for the first place among the large states.
Guess why this boy made bomb hoax calls?
Tuesday, August 10, 2004
Kannur: Overpowered by a desire to skip his classes, a 12-year-old boy on Monday made anonymous calls to the school about the alleged presence of bombs in the building giving tough and agonising moments to police and school authorities who had to suspend classes to clear the hours long suspense. A strong posse of police immediately swung into action carrying out intense search operation with the help a dog squad after M Padmaja, principal of the Government Higher Secondary School, Pallikkunnu, here, alerted them and local telephone exchange to help trace the anonymous caller. Even as intense search operations inside the school was on, the young ‘unidentified’ caller kept on repeating his warning forcing the police to focus their energies partly to the boy’s Irinavu residence from where the call was found to have originated. Before leaving for the residence, the police made a call to the boy’s mother who had reportedly said she had found her son chatting something over the phone a few hours before. Meanwhile, as the boy turned up reluctantly to join his classes in the afternoon, he was picked up by the police from a bus stop close to the school. On sustained interrogation, the boy admitted to have made the damaging calls as he was not inclined to attend his studies and wanted the school to be closed for the day, a senior police official said.
Non-resident Indians crowd Kerala hospitals
Monday, August 9, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 7 : Kerala's economic health has long been in the hands of its 1.8 million non-resident Keralites (NRKs) and it's payback time of sorts now with hospitals focussing on their needs and varied lifestyle diseases. About a dozen speciality hospitals have come up in the state in the last five years, essentially catering to NRKs and run by doctors who have come back home after having studied and practised abroad. And it is greatly worrying health experts who see an unhealthy trend of sedentary lifestyles and bad eating habits leading to diabetes, hypertension, heart problems and cholesterol. Public health expert C.R. Soman said something had gone horribly wrong in the people's food culture, particularly amongst NRKs. Cereals, legumes, fruits and vegetables had given way to junk like pizzas, sodas and fatty burgers. "Asians living in the West and the Gulf region are now in the grip of modern lifestyle diseases. Recent studies show that affluent Asians, with an indolent lifestyle, are much more prone to heart attacks, strokes, hypertension, diabetes and many cancers," Soman told. His concern finds direct validity in the number of NRKs who use their annual vacation home to undergo medical check-ups and tests. "Yes, there has been an increase in NRKs undergoing medical check-ups when they are here on vacation. We normally have around four to five new cases a day, but this goes up to 20 during the holiday season thanks to Keralites from abroad who come for their annual leave," said M.I. Sahadulla, chairman of the Kerala Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS) here. "This is all attributed to eating habits and lack of exercise. The most common problem detected is heart complaints and diabetes," said Sahadulla, himself a former NRK, who set up the hospital in 2002 investing Rs. 650 million. Sahadulla added that another recent finding among his NRK patients was that women were more susceptible to heart attacks, quite contrary to the impression that they were less prone before menopause. Echoing him, Alexander Koshy, chairman of Century Hospital in Chengannur in central Kerala, said there was a 20 percent jump in fresh cases from June till August when NRKs come calling. "The age group of these people are between 40 and 50. The most common complaints are hypertension, cholesterol and diabetes," said Koshy, who invested Rs. 300 million after he returned to the country and set up the hospital in 2000. Adding an even grimmer note, Soman said the good old days can never come back, except in dreams. "Our eating habits are decided not by tradition or sound nutritional sense, but by inventive minds in the boardrooms of the MacDonald's and Kellogs of the world. They dictate the taste and create food fashions of the world," he said. The menu had to change. "According to WHO, an average adult should eat at least 500 grams of fruits and vegetables a day to protect him from lifestyle diseases. Sadly, our intake fails to touch even 200 grams. The new mantra has to be down with the burgers and up with fruits and vegetables," he said. Add to that three hours of moderate exercise a week, and we could all be on the path to good health, the health expert added.
Bank signs deal to sponsor world Malayalees conference
Monday, August 9, 2004
STATE Bank of India (SBI), India's premier bank, has come forward as a major sponsor of the World Malayalee Council (WMC) Global Conference, scheduled to be held in Bahrain later this month. SBI Bahrain chief executive officer U N Challu signed the sponsorship agreement with conference organising committee general convenor Francis Joseph at the bank premises at Bahrain Tower. Under the patronage of Information Minister Nabeel Al Hamer, the global event will be held at the Bahrain Conference Centre, Crowne Plaza, from August 18 to 20. SBI has been associated with Keralites ever since its establishment 200 years ago, said Mr Challu. "SBI Group has a total of 13,635 branches in India. SBI and its associate State Bank of Travancore (SBT) have branches in every nook and corner of Kerala," he explained. "We consider it a privilege to be a major sponsor of the global conference of Keralites, which is being held for the first time in the Middle East." SBI, which opened its offshore banking unit in Bahrain 25 years ago, is currently in the process of being upgraded into a full fledged commercial branch. Nearly 800 delegates from more than 30 countries are expected to attend the conference, for which registration will be closed later this week. The high-profile event will be attended by a number of Indian ministers and leaders, including Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed, Kerala ministers K M Mani, M M Hassan and Dr M K Munir, United Democratic Front convenor Oommen Chandy, Kerala Legislative Assembly opposition leader V S Achuthanandan, Pondicherry Health and Labour Minister E Selvaraj, former Maharashtra Governor and Parliament member Dr P C Alexander, Parliament member Abdus Samad Samadani, former Karnataka Tourism Minister J Alexander, Kerala Legislative Assembly member Dr K C Joseph, Cochin airport managing director V J Kurien and a number of mediamen and writers.
Good times for Kerala actresses in Tamil films
Monday, August 9, 2004
Chennai, Aug 8 : It's boom time for Malayalee actresses in Tamil films. After the stupendous success of Meera Jasmine, it is now the turn of Navya Nair to sign her second Tamil film. Navya's first Tamil film was Prakash Raj's "Azhakiya Theeyae", opposite Prasanna, the hero of "Five Star". And "Azhakiya Theeyae" received good reviews. No wonder, Navya has now been signed for a film by one of Tamil film industries' prestigious banners, K. Balachnader's Kavithalaya. She is starring opposite Sarat Kumar, who has a double role in the film.
Tourism strives for modern, jazzier image:
Monday, August 9, 2004
Agra, Aug 8 : Kerala, the land of abundant natural beauty, ayurvedic wonders and rich culture, is jazzing up its image and facilities to attract business travellers and other upmarket tourists. This is going to be one of the themes at the Kerala Travel Mart Sep 29-Oct 3. "The state has earmarked Rs.740 million in the budget for improving civic facilities and better marketing," Kerala Tourism Minister P. Shankaran told. "We have set up a working group for quick approval of projects which in some cases would require only the chief minister's approval." Here to promote Kerala's abounding tourism charms to delegates at the annual convention of the Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Shankaran said the travel mart would be yet another effort to attract more investment. "Along with private investment, we are seeking the central government's help in setting up two state-of-the-art convention centres in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode. We have urged the centre for funds to set up at least one convention centre in Thiruvananthapuram," said the minister. The state has already earmarked 56 acres of land near Thiruvananthapuram for the tourism economic zone where it hopes to have the convention centre, he disclosed. The state has estimated a requirement of Rs.1.5 billion for setting up the two convention centres that are part of its plans to project Kerala as a business convention destination for corporate travellers. Spelling out clearly that Kerala is targeting mainly high spending tourists, state tourism secretary T. Balakrishnan said, "As against the average $35 per day stay of foreign tourists in Goa, we are selling packages for around $110 per day." "We are targeting only upmarket tourists and are not apologetic about it. Our conscious effort has been to give Kerala a different image, away from the perception of India, and this has helped to isolate us somewhat from negative impacts of incidents that impacted tourism in the country," said Balakrishanan. By wide-basing its different attractions, ranging from health and ayurvedic tradition to beach holidays, adventure tourism and an upcoming hi-tech destination, Kerala is keen to sustain its present rate of tourism growth. In 2003-04, Kerala witnessed a 26 percent growth in domestic tourists, with a total of around six million, and a higher 26.8 percent growth in foreign tourist travellers at 300,000. In 2004-05, the state is looking forward to a 15 percent growth in foreign tourist traffic based on bookings already made. "Last year 11 percent of the total foreign tourists who travelled to India reached Kerala," Shankaran said. Apart from the Kerala Travel Mart, the state is preparing for the annual international boat show Oct 7-10. "For a country which does not have any boat show, our annual fair focusing on only one destination Kerala has been receiving very good response. Already 100 firms from 15 countries, including many operating within India, have registered for the show," the minister said.
One suicide every hour in Kerala
Monday, August 9, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 8: One person is committing suicide every hour in Kerala as the state tops the country in the rate of suicide which has touched an appalling high of 29.7 deaths per lakh of population against the national mark of 11.2 per lakh and the global average of 14.5 per lakh. With mental illness being the prime reason for high suicide rate, the 'God's Own Country' is also the largest market for psychotropic drugs. Incurable physical illnesses, alcoholism, adjustment disorders arising from family tensions, unemployment and large-scale migration of male population also contribute to the alarming rise in suicides, according to State Mental Health Authority (SMHA). Taking a serious view of the situation, the government has recently launched a project called Kerala Integrated Scheme for Intervention of Suicide (KRISIS) for effective implementation of suicide prevention schemes, Dr D Raju, secretary, SMHA, said. The farm districts of Idukki and Wayanad topped in suicides in 2003, recording suicide rates of 52 and 47 per lakh respectively. In the case of drought-hit Wayanad, from where quite a few cases of farmers' suicide were reported recently, the rate had leaped from 40.6 per lakh in 2002 to 47 per lakh in 2003. The Muslim-dominated Malappuram marked the lowest suicide rate of 13 per lakh, where the influence of religion and availability of good social support systems are believed to be the reasons for better social health. (Agencies)
Kerala Cabinet reshuffle soon: KPCC President
Monday, August 9, 2004
Pathanamthitta, Aug 8 Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) President Thennala Balakrishna Pillai today said the state Cabinet reshuffle would be effected soon transcending the vested interests of factional groups, which was plaguing the state unit of the party. Talking to newspersons on the sidelines of the District Congress leaders' meet here, Mr Pillai said the Congress High Command had the ultimate power and authority to take the final decision on the vexed issue. The rout suffered by the Congress in the Lok Sabha elections was due to the weakness of the organisation caused by factional feuds, Mr Pillai said. The stand to be taken by the alliance partners with regard to the Cabinet reshuffle had been left to them, he added. Though the UDF government had implemented various welfare programmes, the division of the party acted as a hindrance in reaching the results to the people at large, he said, adding the KPCC was earnest in changing the scenario positively. The ongoing DCC leadership meets were directed at strengthening the party, he added. Steps had been initiated for holding organisational elections and it would be over well before the Assembly polls, he said. He said that with the advent of ''democratically-elected'' committees, the functioning of the party would get rejuvenated. It was also proposed to replace block committees with constituency committees, he added.
Jayaraj blames censor board for delaying "Rain Rain Come Again"
Monday, August 9, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 7 : Award winning Malayalam film director Jayaraj Saturday blamed the censor board for delaying his latest film "Rain Rain Come Again". "My film was supposed to be released three days back, but three out of the five-member censor board held it up objecting to a scene where youngsters are being asked to come to a disco," Jayaraj told reporters here. "They felt it would lead to problems among youth. This is absurd," he said. "But I am now glad that it has been finally cleared today with no problems and would be released tomorrow. But on account of the delay, I have lost close to Rs.3 million." Following Jayaraj's request for a review, a 10-member censor board committee cleared "Rain Rain Come Again", giving a 'U' (universal or suitable for being viewed by people of any age) certificate. Censor board officials however refused to comment on the issue. "Several theatres where this film was supposed to have been screened have already been booked in this Onam festival, which begins in the last week of this month," complained Jayaraj. Like his earlier "For the People", the latest film also banks on the music sensation Jassie Gift, who has not only lent his voice to songs but has also acted in "Rain Rain Come Again". "The audio cassettes of this film, with eight songs each, are selling well. We have lost a lot for a few people in the censor board. We would take up this issue at an appropriate forum," said the director. Made for Rs.7 million, "Rain Rain Come Again" features new faces like his earlier film. Jayaraj accused rivals in the film industry for having a hand in delaying his film.
Oman-based group reiterates Kerala hotel ownership
Monday, August 9, 2004
Kerala, India > Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 7 : In its ongoing battle with Kerala politicians, the Oman-based Galfar Group has in a newspaper advertisement claimed the ownership of a 73-year-old majestic two-storied castle built in limestone. M-Far Hotels chairman P. Mohammed Ali emphasised in the advertisement that the Halcyon Castle, built in 1931, and overlooking the splendid Kovalam beach is theirs. "It is most unfortunate that the present controversy over the ownership of this castle has been raked up unnecessarily without knowing the facts," he alleged. The castle stands in an area of 11 acres within the former Ashok Beach Resort that has earlier owned by the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC). Galfar Group, owned by Keralite business magnate Ali, bought the Ashok Beach Resort in July 2002 for a mere Rs.480 million through a bid. The name of the ITDC hotel was subsequently changed to M-Far Hotels, Kovalam. The former ITDC property is spread over 65 acres that also includes the Halcyon Castle, which was once the summer resort of the erstwhile ruling family of Travancore. The present controversy began when some opposition Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) leaders alleged that Ali has no right over the land and the castle because the original owner is the state department of tourism. According to the CPI-M leaders, it is one of the state's rare buildings and has to be protected as a heritage building. But Ali countered the claim, saying that prior to the sale, an understanding was reached between the Kerala government and the centre that the buyer of the resort would have no claim to the other two properties that are situated inside the main premises of the "five-star hotel", though both are also mentioned in the title deed of the hotel. "One is the state government's guest house and the other is the property of the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation, but the Halcyon Castle was fully under the five-star hotel because the state government in 1970, while transferring the land to ITDC for construction of the hotel, gave Halcyon Castle's possession to ITDC. "So when we bought the ITDC hotel, the castle also was included in the purchase deal, for which we have all the title deeds," said Ali. Said Kerala Chief Minister A.K. Antony: "We have appointed a six-member high level committee of top bureaucrats and they are studying the matter. "A 'sale' is final only after the state government gives its concurrence. So we would be transparent in the whole deal." Meanwhile, the Kovalam beach today has become a mute witness to street brawls between police and political parties, with most of them -- including the Bharatiya Janata Party -- intent on preventing the transfer to a private business group. "In order to bring out the truth, we are prepared for any probe, either by the judiciary or a committee of the Kerala assembly. But the violence should stop immediately, because Kovalam is one of the favourite tourist destination," pleaded Ali.
Cong high command summons Antony
Friday, August 6, 2004
NEW DELHI: Congress President Sonia Gandhi summoned Chief Minister AK Antony to New Delhi to discuss about the cabinet reshuffle. The message was passed to Antony from Sonia Gandhi's office yesterday and he was asked to meet Sonia on Saturday evening. AICC general secretary Ahammed Patel would hold discussion with Margaret Alva and RL Bhatai the observers of Kerala, before Antony meets Sonia Gandhi. Ministers K Sudhakaran, KV Thomas and P Sankaran also reached the Capital for further discussions. Minister MV Raghavan also reached Delhi for discussions regarding the cabinet reshuffle. The ministers are camping as there were rumours that except Chief Minister all congress ministers would be replaced with new faces. The allies in the ruling United Democratic Front and the community leaders had given reports about the functioning of the government and the Congress High Command would also consider these suggestions before a total revamp of the cabinet.
Check dam collapse: Allegations politically motivated
Friday, August 6, 2004
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Irrigation Minister T M Jacob addressing a press meet today said the allegation of the opposition regarding the collapse of the check dam which claimed five lives in Kulamavu are politically motivated. The minister said the Local Self Governing Bodies should look into the safety of the check dams. Jacob stated that the collector will enquire whether any title deed is issued to the place where the dam stood.
Special package may bail out cash-strapped film industry
Friday, August 6, 2004
KOCHI: The special package for Malayalam film industry announced by the State Government on Wednesday is expected to bail out the cash-strapped industry to a great extent. Once translated into practice, these measures, including the proposed industry status for cinema in the State, will come in handy for this trade virtually at every stage, right from shooting to exhibition at theatres. The biggest relief among these measures, perhaps, is the slashing of entertainment tax realised on films. The 48 per cent entertainment tax being now realised on Malayalam films within the limits of corporation has been reduced to 25 per cent. The cinemas in municipality and panchayat areas will now have to remit reduced rates of 20 per cent and 15 per cent, respectively, as entertainment tax for exhibiting a Malayalam movie. For movies from other languages, the reduced rates of entertainment tax stand at 35 per cent, 30 per cent and 20 per cent in the corporation, municipal and panchayat areas, respectively. The show tax, realised hitherto on each show, has also been abolished. The Government also plans to enact a legislation to check video piracy. As a result of these measures, the industry can save about 20 per cent (on an approximate) of its total revenue. At a time when the cinemas in Kerala, especially those categorised as B-class and C-class centres, are struggling for survival, the remarkable slashing of entertainment tax would come as a big relief. Once cinema assumes the status of an industry in the State, it can avail of the loan schemes being provided by the banks and other financial institutions for funding the production. Also, the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) will be obliged to provide power to the cinema halls in the State at subsidised rates as available for the industries of various categories. As of now, the electricity bills eat away the lion's share of the revenue made by the cinemas. For instance, Koker's Complex (Mymoon-Lulu) on Chittoor Road, Kochi, will have to shell out anywhere between Rs 1.8 lakh and 1.9 lakh every month to meet power expenditure. For an air-conditioned movie house in corporation limits with a single auditorium, the power bill is Rs 1.2 lakh, approximately.On the other side of the spectrum, these measures would prove to be a big drain on the coffers of the State as well as the KSEB. Cinemas constitute one of the major source of revenue of the local bodies. These bodies realise an amount of nearly Rs 1 crore from the 1000-odd cinemas in the State on a daily basis. At this rate, the Government will have to suffer a loss of revenue to the tune of Rs 6 crore every month once the new measures take effect. The losses to be incurred by the KSEB on account of the revised power tariff can be calculated only at a later stage when the revised rates for cinema halls are notified. That the State Government has been forced to lend a patient ear to the demands put forward by the film fraternity and act accordingly, is definitely a victory of the Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce which has been waging a relentless battle for the last several years for reviving the ailing film industry in the State. Source: newindpress.com
Manjupoloru Penkutty: Kamal's film on child abuse
Friday, August 6, 2004
After making quite a few successful films on love stories based in college campuses, director Kamal has ventured into an area hitherto not touched by many filmmakers. His new Malayalam film, "Manjupoloru Penkutty" is about a child who is sexually abused by her stepfather. The film does not indulge in any explicit sex or vulgarity and it is to the director's credit that an issue of this magnitude is sensitively and subtly handled. Sadly, this beautifully made film has not been accepted well by the audience.
Meera Jasmine in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada
Friday, August 6, 2004
Chennai, India : Keralites were quite unkind to Meera Jasmine when she started her career as a young girl in "Suthradharan". Horrible stories on her private life were splashed in the gossip columns of film magazines. Needless to say the girl was very hurt. But lady luck was on her side. In no time she got some tempting Tamil offers and her very first Tamil film, "Run", with Madhavan as the hero was a huge hit. Then, none other than Mani Ratnam offered her a role in "Aayutha Ezhuthu" in which she dubbed in her own voice. Soon she was flooded with offers from Telugu, and she became a huge hit there. She will also be seen in Kannada soon, and her co-star is no ordinary hero: it is Puneet Rajkumar. After being treated badly by the Malayalam industry, Keralites can hardly complain if Meera Jasmine gives preference to Telugu, Tamil and Kannada over her mother tongue.
Telugu girl Padmapriya in Malayalam films
Friday, August 6, 2004
While malayalam heroines are storming into telugu films (kalyani, Renuka menon etc) Padma priya a Fair and Lovely model, from Andhra is acting in Kazcha opposite Mammooty. Padmapriya an MBA graduate making her debut to the silver screen with a Malayalam film. The shooting is taking place in Kanchippadom at Alappuzha. She plays as Mammootty's wife Lakshmi and also as the mother of a six-year-old girl in the film. Hope our Telugu people realize this beauty.
'Margam' bags award in Moroccan festival
Friday, August 6, 2004
Malayalam film `Margam' (The Path), directed by Rajiv Vijay Raghavan, bagged an award in the Assilah First South-South Film Encounter in Morocco. `Margam' was selected for the award for the best screenplay in the film festival, organised by the Assilah Forum Foundation under the Ministry of Communication and the Centre of Cinematography, Morocco, from July 23 to July 29, Vijay Raghavan, who returned here, said today. The award, comprising the `Golden Waves' statute designed by sculptor Mohamed Melehi, a citation and cash price, was received by Vijay Raghavan and Anwar Ali, who had co-scripted the film with S.P. Ramesh.
SFI call off stir
Friday, August 6, 2004
PTI THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Pro-Left student unions in Kerala on Thursday called off their agitation, which turned violent on many occasions, after the government assured them that special care would be taken in providing educational facilities to backward class students. SFI State President and Joint Action Council Convenor P K Biju announced the decision after holding talks with State Education Minister Nalakath Sooppy and SC-ST and Backward Communities' Welfare Minister M A Kuttappan. The unions had embarked on a series of agitations in the wake of the suicide of engineering student Rajani S Anand. Biju and other leaders said the agitation was being suspended on the assurance from the government that special care would be taken in providing educational facilities and benefits due for the Scheduled Castes and Schedule Tribes students. Biju, however, said they would carry on with their struggle against the educational policy of the UDF government, especially its approach in the Self-Financing sector. Student leaders said the government was yet to come out with a firm assurance on their demands like cancellation of permits of those self-financing colleges that defied government orders on fee structure and admission. Soopy said the government had accepted the demand that the fee rates in state-run self-financing colleges should be the same as those prevailing in the government colleges. Kuttapan said all SC/ST and OBC students in all self-financing professional colleges would get educational benefits earmarked for them.
Heavy rain continues to lash parts of Kerala
Friday, August 6, 2004
PTI THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Heavy rain continued to lash most parts of Kerala as two more casualties were reported from the northern districts on Thursday, taking the toll in rain-related incidents since August one to 28. Even as the fury of the monsoon abated in north Kerala, the region which experienced landslips and flash floods was yet to recover from the devastation caused by torrential rain in the last a few days, an official release said here. A 70-year-old woman died when a house collapsed at Noolpuzha near Sulthan Bathery in Wayanad district while two persons were reported missing from Palakkad where rivers are in spate and vast stretches paddy fields submerged. Police here said a man was killed when an arecanut tree fell on him at Malappuram. The victim is yet to be identified. A man who slipped and fell into a canal at Thenkara and a six year-old girl who fell into the overflowing Mangalam dam were the two persons missing from Palakkad district, official sources said. Fifteen houses were fully destroyed and 84 others partially damaged in the rains in the district. Revenue Minister K M Mani, who visited Kulamavu in Idukki district where five members of a family were washed away in a check dam burst yesterday, had to face the wrath of the local people who alleged that the authorities did not take steps despite the people bringing to their notice the weak condition of the dam.
Martial arts village in Kerala turns into a boxing ring
Wednesday, August 4, 2004
Martial arts village in Kerala turns into a boxing ring Pooladikunnu, Kerala | August 03, 2004 6:19:19 PM IST Here is a village where almost everyone, be it the old or the women, has a passion for boxing. From 10-year-old boys to 30-year-old housewives, every third person at Pooladikunnu village is aspiring to be a boxer. The craze began a few years back when a few boxing enthusiasts opened a ramshackle training institute, a first of its kind for the tiny hamlet.The boxing school gained fame after many of the its trainees went on to become local champions. "We began by training children between 10-12 years of age mostly from our friends and relatives' families. After 4-5 years of training they gave very good performances at the state sub-junior level matches. In their first outing itself their performance was upto national standards. That inspired us to strive more. And seeing this the parents also started to send more children for training," Vasudevan, a trainer, said. While for parents, who often spend lifetime savings on educating their children, boxing has suddenly become the one-stop ticket to ensuring a career for their wards who are facing cut-throat competition in the ever-shrinking job market. Geetha (20), a boxing fan, said the training programme has been a boon to the sports aspirants in the area. "A lot of girls come for training including very small children and upto college level. They come and practise here daily and all of them have won something or the other," she added.
Dawn-to-dusk hartal in Kerala capital passes peacefully
Wednesday, August 4, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram: The dawn-to-dusk hartal called by the BJP in this district in protest against the 'brutal police lathicharge' on Yuva Morcha activists at Kovalam, near here, affected normal life on Tuesday. The hartal was total as all the shops and business establishments in the city down their shutters. Both the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation buses and private buses kept off the roads, affecting office-goers. However, private cars and two-wheelers plied as usual. The district authorities had declared a holiday for all educational institutions as a precautionary measure. Except sporadic incidents in some parts of the city, the hartal passed off peacefully. The BJP activists pelted stones at some KSRTC buses at Petta and at a petrol bunk near Kesavadasapuram. Later at a news conference, BJP State President P.S. Sreedharan Pillai warned that the government would invite ''danger,'' if it tried to suppress democratic agitations.
Karunakaran hospitalised with breathlessness:
Wednesday, August 4, 2004
Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 4 : Senior Congress leader K. Karunakaran was Wednesday admitted to hospital following complaints of breathlessness and uneasiness. Sources close to Karunakaran said there was no reason to worry. The 87-year-old leader has been admitted to the intensive care unit of the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College. Karunakaran took ill just as he was preparing to move out of the rented house he was staying in here as astrologers suggested that his misfortunes started after he moved into it. The veteran leader has been in the political doghouse after the shock defeat of his minister son K. Muraleedharan in an assembly by-election and his daughter Padmaja Venugopal in the Lok Sabha election. The debacle followed his intense rivalry with Chief Minister A.K. Antony that had threatened to split the Kerala Congress.
Computer game on Congress crisis in Kerala! :
Wednesday, August 4, 2004
Computer game on Congress crisis in Kerala! : Kerala, India > Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 2 : The bickering in the Congress in Kerala has inspired a native living in the Middle East to devise a computer game - "Save Congress"! The game, developed by a man called Limnesh, has three rounds named "Chandy", "Chacko" and "Unnithan" - all surnames of Congress leaders in Kerala who have been key elements in the party crisis. Not surprisingly, the key personalities featured in the game are veteran Congress leader K. Karunakaran and his two children K. Muraleedharan and Padmaja Venugopal. For a person to proceed to the second round, he has to successfully hit the three pictures of Karunakaran and his two children using a jeep controlled by the arrow keys of the computer keyboard. If one is successful in the first round, a message appears, saying: "You are better than present Kerala Chief Minister A.K. Antony". If one is successful in the second round, then comes the message that since the Congress national leadership is searching for a new chief minister, "your name also will be considered". India Vision TV channel said the game first appeared at the discussion board of the site www.indiavisiontv.com. "It has been featured on our discussion board since June 4 and by now several people have given the game a try," said an official of the channel. Limnesh can be contacted through the discussion board for assistance with the game.
Kerala gives sops to film industry
Wednesday, August 4, 2004
Kerala gives sops to film industry 4-August-2004 Thiruvananthapuram, The Kerala government Wednesday decided to make a significant reduction in entertainment tax and to take serious action against video piracy. The decisions were in keeping with demands raised by the Malayalam film industry since the A.K. Antony government took office three years ago. The cabinet decided to lower entertainment tax from 48 percent to 20 percent. We also decided to ask the central government to declare the film sector as an industry," Antony told reporters. "The 'show tax' collected from every theatre has been taken off and we have agreed to increase theatre service charge on every movie ticket from Re.1 to Rs.2." The rate of entertainment tax levied in Kerala was one of the highest in the country and the film industry had for long been demanding lowering of taxes. John Muthoot, a film exhibitor, welcomed the government's decisions. "Though some of our demands have been met, we are hopeful the government will look into our other grievances too," Muthoot told. "The increase of service charge will do a world of good for the upkeep and maintenance of theatres." One demand that is yet to be looked into is reducing electricity charges that are among the highest for theatres in the country. Due to a severe crisis, close to 300 theatres have closed down in the last four years. The number of new films released too has fallen from 150 a year in the 1990s to a mere 50 a year now. Indo-Asian News Service
Kerala HC declares entrance test by managements as void
Wednesday, August 4, 2004
Kochi, Aug 4 The Kerala High Court today declared as void the entrance examination held by the managements of self-financing medical colleges in the State for admission under the management quota. The Court directed to fill up the management quota seats for the year from the rank list prepared by the Commissioner of Entrance Examinations based on the Common Entrance Test. The Court further ordered that the process of admissions be completed before August 31. If the management or students had suggestions regarding admissions, they should place them before the government within five days. The government shall then issue orders providing for the procedure to be followed in making admissions to management seats, the Court observed. The Court was disposing a writ petition filed by the All Kerala Self-financing Medical, Ayurveda, Dental, Nursing Colleges Association challenging the directive of the Justice K T Thomas Committee to postpone the test from June 13, 2004. The Court was of the view that since the Kerala Self-financing Colleges (Prohibition of Capitation Fees and Regulations of Admissions) Act 2004 had come into force, the directive of the Committee was no longer valid. But as far as the managements had not conducted the entrance test in terms of the Act, the admissions shall be made from the common rank list, it said.
16 killed as rains batter Kerala
Wednesday, August 4, 2004
At least 16 people were killed and several injured as rains battered Kerala for the second day on Wednesday. Ten people belonging to two families staying next to each other were killed when their houses were demolished in a landslip at Nellikunnu on Kuttiyadi-Thottilapalam route in Kozhikode district. The victims included three women and five children. A couple and their three children were killed when waters from a collapsed check-dam submerged their home at Kulamavu in Idukki district. A 14-year-old schoolboy died when a concrete slab fell on his head while he was waiting under a bus shelter at Neamom near Thiruvananthapuram. Two others were admitted to a hospital in Thiruvananthapuram with injuries. State Revenue Minister K M Mani said Rs 80 crore had been sanctioned for district collectors to take up relief and rescue measures. Five members of a family were killed in a landslide at Pothumattam in Kullamavu in Kerala's high range Idukki district early this morning. Police said the bodies of a 35-year-old man, his wife and two children had been recovered. A search was on for the body of one more child, police said. The children were aged between six and four years. Heavy rains have been lashing Idukki since last night.
BJP to launch agitation against price hike
Tuesday, August 3, 2004
PTI KOZHIKODE: BJP's Kerala unit on Monday decided to launch a week-long agitation across the state against the Centre's decision to hike the prices of petrol and diesel and urging the state government to bring down the sales tax on petroleum products. "As a consumer state, Kerala is the most-affected in the country on account of the steep hike in petrol and diesel prices, coming for the second time after the UPA Government has assumed office," BJP State President P S Sreedharan Pillai said. Holding the CPI(M) 'squarely responsible' for the hike, he said the protestors would burn effigies of AICC President, Sonia Gandhi and CPI(M) All-India General Secretary Harkishen Singh Surjeet during the agitation. On its part, Pillai said the Antony Government should come forward to reduce the sales tax on petroleum products from the present 27 per cent by at least five per cent so that the hike would not be felt so severely in the state. Expressing the hope that the Centre would favourably consider rolling back the prices, he alleged the CPI(M) was engaged in 'double speak' by supporting the hike on one hand and calling for protest against the same on the other.
CPM disrupt rail traffic
Tuesday, August 3, 2004
PTI VIJAYAWADA: CPM activists on Monday disrupted rail traffic to protest hike in prices of petroleum products. They detained Trivandrum bound Kerala Express for about fifteen minutes at Vijayawada railway station. Led by Ch Babu Rao, CPM City Unit Secretary, the agitators demanded that the government should immediately roll back the hike in prices of petroleum products.
BJP demands probe on Kovalam incident
Tuesday, August 3, 2004
PTI KOZHIKODE: BJP's Kerala unit on Monday demanded a judicial probe into the reported Police attack on its youth wing activists at Kovalam near the State Capital this morning alleging police 'highhandedness' in the incident. About 40 of Yuva Morcha activists, including its State President and Secretary, have been injured in the attack which was totally unwarranted as the volunteers were only taking out a peaceful march against the proposed privatisation of Halcyon Castle at Kovalam', he told reporters here. There was no provocation whatsoever from the agitators and therefore the Police lathicharge was without reasons, he alleged. While Yuva Morcha state President K Surendran had suffered a fracture, many other activists were seriously injured in the Police attack, he claimed. "It is strange that the Police which was maintaining a mute silence to the ongoing violent agitation by pro-Left activists against the State's education policy and the circumstances leading to the death of an engineering student, has now targeted a democratic and peaceful protest", he said. BJP had directed its youth wing to organise protest marches throughout the state during the week against the 'police atrocity' and demanding a judicial probe into the incident, Pillai added. Accusing the Government of going 'hand in glove' with the bus owners on the ongoing bus strike that entered the second week on Monday, he said his party was opposed to hiking the bus fare and instead wanted to bring down the sales tax.
'International Film Festival of Thrissur' from Aug 19
Tuesday, August 3, 2004
PTI KOZHIKODE: Eminent film personalities will be participating in the week-long 'International Film Festival of Thrissur' to be held there from August 19. Addressing a press conference, Programme Organiser P N Gopinathan said about 90 films representing 20 countries would be screened during the festival, being jointly organised by the Kerala State Film Development Corporation and the Federation of Film Societies of India. Films directed by prominent directors including Satyajit Ray, Mrinal Sen and Adoor Gopalakrishnan would be among those to be screened, he said. Seminars would also be organised on a variety of subjects during the festival, he added.
Efforts to end bus strike gain momentum
Tuesday, August 3, 2004
PTI THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Efforts to end the eight-day-old private bus strike in Kerala gained momentum this afternoon with major transport sector unions stepping in mediate to settle the stir that caused severe hardship to people in the state. A team of union leaders held discussions with the ministerial sub-committee here and the latter, in turn, informed Chief Minister A K Antony and UDF leaders of the outcome of the talks. The UDF leaders and the sub-committee were meeting at the Chief Minister's residence to work out a compromise formula to be placed before the representatives of the bus owners' associations. In the earlier rounds of talks with bus operators last week, the government had sought time till this month-end to consider the bus owners' demand. According to sources, the bus operators were awaiting a firm assurance on their demand for a fare hike in view of increase in diesel price.
Kerala bus strike enters seventh day
Sunday, August 1, 2004
Sunday, August 1, 2004 (Thiruvananthapuram): The private bus strike in Kerala entered the seventh day today, as the stand-off between the government and bus owners over the issue of fare hike continued. Bus operators reiterated that they would not "budge an inch" on their demand, as Saturday's increase in petroleum prices had made their burden worse. Two rounds of talks held by the three-member ministerial committee, led by Transport minister R Balakrishna Pillai with the bus operators' representatives last week failed. The government held that it could not agree to a fare hike at this juncture and sought time till the month-end to look into the owners' demand. The situation is likely to worsen with schools and colleges re-opening tomorrow after remaining closed for over a week, in the wake of violent protests sparked by the suicide of engineering student, Rajani S Anand.
