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Kerala News Archive: March 2005
Vijayan passes away
Wednesday, March 30, 2005 | APA
Hyderabad: Eminent Malayalam writer and cartoonist, O.V. Vijayan, passed away on Wednesday morning at a hospital in Hyderabad.
His condition was stated critical for the last few days as he was on life support after multiple organ failure.
Vijayan, who was admitted to the local Care Hospital with multiple syndrome, including cardiac arrest was diagnosed to be suffering from pneumonia. A chronic patient of Parkinsons disease, Vijayan was also suffering from sepsis, a condition where the blood is infected. Blood platlets were being transfused as their count was found to be low.
Born in Palakkad on 2, July 1930, Oottupulackal Velukkutty Vijayan, known as O. V. Vijayan, was not brought up in Vilayanchathannoor, the village he was born. His father, O. Velukutty being an officer in Malabar Special Police, Vijayan along with his mother Kamalakshi Amma and sisters O.V. Santha and O.V. Usha moved from one police camp to another.
His lonely childhood and confinement to indoors due to ill health ignited the creative spark in him. He joined the Raja’s High School, Kottackal at the age of 12. The following year, he had to change school to Koduvayur in Palakkad where the family decided to temporarily anchor.
The School and college days of Vijayan was uneventful. He graduated in Arts from the Government Victoria College, Palakkad and afterwards took Master degree in English Literature from Presidency College, Chennai.
His career begins with a short stint at teaching, at Malabar Christian College, Calicut and later at Government Victoria College, Palakkad. He left the campus to join Shanker’s Weekly, Delhi in 1958 as a cartoonist and writer of political satire. After five years he moved to Patriot as staff cartoonist. He also worked for The Hindu and The Statesman.
During the Delhi days Vijayan got married to Dr. Theresa Gabriel, a faculty in philosophy.
History of modern fiction in Kerala can be halved in to two, pre-Khasak and post-Khasak period. Such was the influence of Vijayan’s maiden effort ('Khasakinte Ithihasam'- Saga of Khasak, 1969), the imaginary land of Khasak and its characters Maimuna, Naizamali, Alla-picha-mollakka etc. penetrated the subconscious mind of Malyalee readers and formed the ethos of literary world.
His other works include 'Dharmapuranam', 'Madhuram Gayathi', 'Gurusagaram' and 'Pravachakante Vazhi'.Vijayan passes away
O V Vijayan's body taken to Palakkad
Wednesday, March 30, 2005 | APA
The body of famous writer and cartoonist O V Vijayan who passed away this morning has been taken to Palakkad. A few hours before the aircraft carrying the writer's body reached Kochi from Hyderabad.
His body would be cremated at Palakkad tomorrow with full state honours. The body will be kept at the Sahithya Academy Hall in Thrissur for the people to pay tributes to the departed leader.
Urgent meeting
Tuesday, March 29, 2005 | APA
The Kerala Government has asked all fishermen who have ventured into the sea to immediately return to the coasts in the wake of the quake that hit the Sumatra coast and warnings of another tsunami.
Sources at the office of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that instructions have been issued to the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police to take necessary precautionary measures.
Urgent meeting
Chandy had also called an urgent meeting of the officials of the Centre for Earth Science Studies (CESS).
A crisis management meeting is now on at the Chief Minister's office in which Finance Minister Vakkom Purushothaman, Director General of Police, Chief Secretary and officials are participating.
Police patrolling had been intensified in the coasts and people had been put on alert. (PTI)
In Kollam, fisherfolk rush inland after tsunami alert
Tuesday, March 29, 2005 | APA
KOCHI: Hundreds of fisherfolk living along the coast in Karunagapalli and Alappad of Kollam district, Kerala's worst-hit when the tsunamis lashed the eastern coast last December, trudged to schools and other buildings deeper inland, soon after police and volunteers flashed tonight's fresh alert.
These two villages had lost a major part of the 167 killed by the monster waves on December 26, and hundreds of homes were destroyed. With life yet to get back on keel and the horror still too fresh, it did not take much persuasion to get them to move as soon as the alert was sounded.
Fishing boats from these villages have only recently begun going back to sea. District officials are worried that they may not have the time to alert all of them in case a fresh tsunami strikes. Only a few carry mobile phones on board, and hardly any have wireless communication gadgets on board.
There is still no clear picture about the number of boats that are out in the sea. In Thiruvanantapuram, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy is chairing a meeting of the State Crisis Management Committee taking stock of the situation. The DGP and the Chief Secretary have been asked to get the Government machinery prepared for any eventuality.
New IIT for Kerala soon: Chandy
Tuesday, March 29, 2005 | APA
The Centre has agreed to consider the Kerala government's request for establishing an Indian Institute of Technology centre in the state, Chief Minister, Oommen Chandy told the assembly on Monday.
Explaining the steps taken for the establishment of an IIT and a technical university in Thiruvananthapuram, he said the project report for IIT and a technical university would be ready soon.
The centre may either upgrade an existing education institution to the status of IIT or establish a new campus, he said.
The government had already informed the Centre that it would make available the required land and also bear half of the establishment cost, he said.
Kottamkulangara Chamayavillanku heldKottamkulangara Chamayavillanku held
Saturday, March 26, 2005 | APA
Kottankulangara Chamayavillanku held at the Kottankulangara temple in Chavara, near Kollam, where hundreds of sturdy men dress up as comely females.
This is an offering to the goddess Bhagavathy, the deity of the temple.
This is an offering to the goddess Bhagavathy, the deity of the temple. In this unique ritual called 'Chamaya Vilakku' (make-up lamp), the 'damsels' come to the temple at night in a long procession with lighted lamps in their hands.
People from all over the world come here to offer their prayers and seek the blessings of Devi. They carry the traditional lamp called chamayavilakku and wait for the procession of the Devi to come and see them. The lamp is a peculiarity of this temple and is seen here only.
The lamp is mounted on a long wooden rod and has a height up to the waist. There are five lights, which are lighted on the same lamp, and the lamp is lighted from a main lamp in the temple. Men dress up as women here to fulfill their vows and to thank the Devi for the favours they have received due to Devi's blessings.
Some people ask for promotions, some ask for a good job, some ask for a long awaited child, and some to get married to their lover. There are also many groups who come from minor temples around the place. Men of all ages, from the smallest infant to very old people come here dressed as females to fulfill their desires for Devi's blessings.
Men who come here dress in all sorts of costumes but the favorite is the saree and also the traditional kerala settu mundu. Younger people also don modern dresses such as skirts and jeans. Some men can even be seen dressed in dance costume.
Public school for toddlers in Kerala
Saturday, March 26, 2005 | APA
Indo-Asian News Service
A Oman-based businessman who set up Kerala's first public school here three years ago now plans to establish a world-class play school in this state capital.
"This play school will be open to children aged 18 months to four years and it will be run by experts with experience of running similar schools in Britain and Australia," businessman George M. Thomas told reporters on Saturday.
The play school, which will begin functioning from July, will be run under the guidance of Paula Hillebrand and Pauline Jarvis, who operated similar schools in Australia and Britain.
"We are not going to push the Western culture. Instead the school will have an emphasis on Indian culture and values and the fees will include the cost of food, teaching aids and uniforms," said Hillebrand.
The school will have a typical Kerala ambience and be open from 7 am for 12 hours. The monthly fee will be Rs.6,000.
"The impetus for the play school came from the success of the Trivandrum International School that opened three years back," said G Vijayaraghavan, the brain behind both the projects.
"We had several request from the parents of children studying at the international school. We are expecting just 25 students to start with."
The international school opened on the outskirts of the capital with an investment of Rs.290 million. It now has a total of 192 students.
Travel agents threaten to boycott Air-India
Saturday, March 26, 2005 | APA
Travel agents across the country are against the decision of Air-India to slash their commission by two per cent.
They have threatened to boycott the national carrier from April 1 if it does not withdraw the decision.
Major bodies of travel agents, including the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI), the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) and the IATA Agents Association of India (IAAI), have been unanimous about their decision to boycott Air-India.
The agents have also decided not to promote the upcoming low-cost airline, Air-India Express.
Kerala nanotech centre under a cloud
Saturday, March 26, 2005 | APA
Kerala News, Thiruvananthapuram,Authorities here have decided to go slow on a proposed nanotechnology center here after two Keralite scientists in the US raised doubts about its feasibility.
Although brothers V.S. Ajithkumar and V.S. Arunkumar insist they are qualified in the field of nanotechnology, a top official said the Kerala government would first seek clearance from the department of science and technology.
"We have decided that under no circumstances will this proposed centre go ahead till we get the clearance from the department of science and technology," former minister for non-resident Keralites' (NRK) affairs M.M. Hassan told IANS.
Hassan now heads Roots-Norka, an autonomous body of the state government that looks after the welfare of NRKs.
"At this moment, we welcome all proposals so that they can be vetted. Our role is a mere facilitator," said Hassan, who had earlier backed the project.
The proposed nanotechnology centre was to be set up with funds from non-resident Keralites.
For about a month, Ajithkumar and Arunkumar, in their late 20s, were at the centre of attention.
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's fast track approach ensured the duo was presented on more than one occasion to the media here.
Murali’s expulsion imminent:
Saturday, March 26, 2005 | APA
The expulsion of ‘I’ group leader K.Muraleedharan from the Congress party is imminent with the party high command taking a decision in this regard.
A meeting party president Sonia Gandhi had with political secretary Ahmed Patel late Friday night has decided to make an announcement in this regard in a day or two.
The removal of Peethambara Kurup from the Thiruvananthapuram DCC president post can also be expected along the expulsion of Muraleedharan.
When contacted, Patel told this website’s newspaper that the party leadership was ‘‘not at all happy with Muraleedharan’s conduct even after being suspended from the party.
‘‘As Muraleedharan has already been placed under suspension, the next course of action would be his expulsion,’’ he said. Ahmed Patel is learnt to have conveyed the decision to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
KPCC president had already held discussions with party president Sonia Gandhi and Ahmed Patel. K.Mohankumar MLA will replace Peethambarakurup as the new DCC president, it is learnt. As reported by The New Indian Express
Congress to stage 'official' rallies in Kerala
Saturday, March 26, 2005 | APA
Thiruvananthapuram, March 26 : After three rallies staged by dissident Congress leader K. Karunakaran, the party's Kerala unit is to organise an equal number of rallies - ostensibly to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's Dandi March.
"The first rally will be held here April 12 or 13," former minister M.M. Hassan said. "An organizing committee has been formed to oversee it."
Hassan dismissed reports that a few leaders like former chief minister
A.K. Antony and his close associates would not take part in the rallies as they had stayed away from Saturday's meeting called to decide the dates.
"Antony will take part in the rally and will be the main speaker. (Antony associate G.) Karthikeyan has taken leave because he is on a pilgrimage," Hassan pointed out.
"Letters had been sent out to all Congress leaders to be present today. Several leaders belonging to the Karunakaran faction also took part," Hassan added.
Among those who attended Saturday's meeting were former Karunakaran aides Kadavoor Sivadasan, K. Mohankumar and Soornad Rajasekheran.
The anti-Karunakaran faction in the state Congress is determined to make the rallies a huge success. They contend that maximum participation by the rank and file will prove that the official faction of the party is still in control.
Coca-Cola may close down Kerala plant
Saturday, March 26, 2005 | APA
Palakkad: The multinational softdrink manufacturer Coca-Cola has expressed willingness to close down their bottling unit at Plachimada near here, according to information received by the Anti-Coca Cola Action Committee.
The committee received a communication in this regard from well-known environmentalist Tony Clarke, who held a meeting with company officials at Boston on March 3, Committee Chairman V Venugopal and Plachimada Solidarity Committee General Secretary R Ajayan told reporters.
Ajayan demanded that Coca Cola pay compensation to local people, who were affected due to excess drawing of groundwater by the company.
The action committee leaders also wanted the state government to take steps to hold discussions with them and the company officials to decide on the quantum of compensation.
The local people have been on agitation path for the last three years against the alleged groundwater exploitation by the company's beverages plant at Plachimada.
'CM's resignation will strengthen Cong in Kerala': Karunakaran
Saturday, March 26, 2005 | APA
Thrissur, Mar 25 : Continuing to criticise Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, veteran Congress leader K Karunakaran today asked him to resign from the post "if he is really interested in saving the party in the state."
"Best thing he can do is to step down," Karunakaran, leader of the 'I' faction of the Congress in Kerala, told reporters here while referring to Chandy's reported statement that he was ready for any compromise to solve the ongoing crisis in the party.
Reiterating his demand for appointing observers from outside the state for party organisational polls, Karunakaran said the present KPCC Office bearers should stay away to ensure healthy election. "An AICC observer can observe the election," he said.
The former Chief Minister said his 'I' faction was keen to strengthen the party and the recent rallies held by the faction in Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi were only in that direction.
"Let Chandy say if I had ever approached him for any favour either for me or any of members of my family," he said.
Appreciating former Chief Minister A K Antony's stand on maintaining unity among all factions to strengthen the party, Karunakaran said he welcomed the move. PTI
Sania joins Mohanlal
Friday, March 25, 2005 | APA
Entertainment News, KOCHI: Malayalam Superstar Mohanlal, who has been vouchesafing purity of Malabar Gold, will henceforth get a helping hand from Tennis sensation, Sania Mirza. The company officials said Sania has been appointed lady brand ambassador of the Malabar gold.
A leading branded-gold jeweller, Malabar Gold, will begin its foray into the national scene with the opening of its Bangalore showroom on April 12, said its Managing Director M P Ahmed. It will also make its presence in seven more places in Kerala, he said.
Steps to develop Government colleges
Friday, March 25, 2005 | APA
The Education Minister Sri. E.T. Mohammed Basheer said on 10.3.2005 in the Assembly that a Rs. 107 crore project would be realized for the development of Government colleges in the State. For quality improvement in engineering colleges, another scheme costing Rs 7 crores would be implemented.
Placement cells would be started in all professional colleges. The existing placement cells in engineering colleges would be strengthened and made more efficient.
A soft skill development scheme would be implemented next academic year. Chances for the students to do apprenticeship in various industries would be discussed at a meeting of industrialists. Career guidance cells, in addition to the already existing 300, would be started in 300 higher secondary schools this year.
An academy for IAS examination coaching would be started soon. A pilot project on ‘Earning while learning’ is being prepared. School language labs in revenue districts and regional offices in Kozhikode, Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi would be set up. To attain the goal of making Kerala an international educational destination, a global educational meet would be held this year. The textbooks for standard 6 and 7 would be revised for the coming academic year.
Kochi fast emerging as international convention centre
Friday, March 25, 2005 | APA
Hold a board meeting on a houseboat, brainstorm in a tree house or craft a corporate strategy on an island in the backwaters.
Corporate warriors looking for out of the ordinary experiences while on a 'working vacation' now have a lot to choose from the platter of God's own country. Or that is what the Kerala Tourism is seeking to convey to the corporate mughuls all over the world.
The state,which has been described as `one of 10 paradises of the world' by National Geographic Traveller is now being touted as an ideal place for business to bloom.
Kochi, which is the commercial capital of Kerala, has hosted a number of international conferences and other conventions within the last five years. The recently held World Rubber Congress, World Ayurveda Congress, the International Tea Conference, World Spice Congress are just a few to name.
One of the international conventions of religious nature was the Golden Jubilee Birthday Celebrations of Mata Amritananda Mayi that drew devotees in thousands from all over the world.
Kochi City was the chosen avenue for the Global Investor Meet, and also the B2B meet that were held in the past one-year.
Targeted at the MICE (meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions) market, the new campaign of Kerala Tourism declares the state as the perfect place for a working vacation.
The objective is to move beyond the inherent advantages of the State such as ayurveda, beaches and backwaters while continuing to attract visitors who can spend more and perhaps even stay longer. To woo the business travellers who wants to combine a spot of work with a holiday.
The MICE market is an important segment of the international travel market and accounts for between 30 and 35 per cent of all international travel Asian destinations with exotic experiences at affordable package rates are becoming preferred options for MICE tourism.
Travel industry sources point out that the international MICE tourism market has an estimated growth rate of 9-10 per cent and accounts for approximately 90 billion dollars of the global tourism market. With destinations that can match much of what the best Asian resorts offer, it makes sense for Kerala to aggressively target this market, they added.
And it's here that the latest advertising campaign by Kerala tourism fits in. The major events being held inthe city this year is the World Mayors Conference from April 2 to 5, 2005.
As one of the ten must-see tourists destinations in the world, Kerala's Unique Selling Proposition (USP) is her alluring gift in the form of beautiful beaches, fantastic lakes, and eye-catching islands surrounded by vast stretches of backwaters ideal for hydel-tourism.
Kerala cuisine is unique and Kerala's hospitality is superb. It is here that the first grand style of public and private sector joint venture in hospitality industry took shape, with the Taj Group of Hotels joining hands with the Kerala Tourism Development Corporation in the name of Taj Kerala Hotels and Resorts Limited.
Kerala Travel Mart, the biennial travel and tourism business event actually throws open the appropriate windows of tourism opportunities that are available in Kerala.
Kochi has the State's best facilities for holding conventions, seminars and exhibitions. Over the years the city had hosted some of the most prestigious conferences in this part of the world.
Accessible for national and international delegates, Kochi is one of the world's most fascinating cities for any meeting, incentive programme, conference or exhibition.
Nowhere else in the world has such a fantastic combination of the old and the new, where traditional concepts and microchips survive amicably.
Holding an event in Kochi offers a competent range of conference technology, sophisticated accommodation and dining services, and a varied range of exotic locations for pre and post tours. Kochi offers picturesque mountains, exotic beaches, meandering rivers, extensively carved temples and much more. (ANI)
Anilkumar withdraws resignation
Friday, March 25, 2005 | APA
A P Anilkumar, who had put in his papers as Kerala's Minister for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, today withdrew his resignation.
He announced his decision after meeting Chief Minister Oommen Chandy here.
Anilkumar had tendered his resignation on March 22, saying he felt that Chandy had lost trust in him. PTI
No IIT status to seven engineering colleges: Govt
Friday, March 25, 2005 | APA
Government today ruled out according the IIT status to seven engineering colleges in Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Kerala and West Bengal.
Instead, the government has decided to give a "differential treatment" to these seven colleges to enable them to improve further and called a meeting of these institutions to discuss the issue.
The seven institutions are the Institute of Technology BHU, Varanasi, University College of Engineering combined with University College of Technology, both belonging to Osmania University, Bengal Engineering College, Howrah, Jadavpur University's engineering and technology departments, Zakir Hussain College of Engineering and Technology, AMU Aligarh, Andhra University College of Engineering in Visakhapatnam and Cochin University of Science and Technology.
A report of S K Joshi committee in February this year had said that all these seven colleges "fall far below the level of existing IITs in all criteria." "The committee felt it would not be correct to position these institutions straightway alongside the IITs," it said.
The committee however suggested that these seven colleges be described as institutions possessing the best potential for upgradation to the level of IITs and recommended an experts' group to visit these institutions to assess their suitability.
The government however, referred the issue to the Standing committee of the Council of IIT which suggested that instead of converting them into IITs a "differential treatment"could be extended so that they develop further, an official release said. PTI
Alice in Wonderland
Friday, March 25, 2005 | APA
Sibi Malayil's new film 'Alice in Wonderland' has two heroines- Sandhya and Laya. Sandhya is the hero's sister in the film and Laya is his girlfriend.
Laya is from Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh. She was the winner of a contest named 'Star 2000'.
"My father is a doctor. Mom works with All India Radio. I'm doing my MBA right now. When I was in Class X, I had participated in the contest. I won the second place but still began getting offers. I returned to studying. That was when the director of 'Swayamvaram' approached me. I thought I'll try," she said.
Laya says that she is not interested in doing glamorous roles at all.
Sandhya was Revathy before she made her entry in films. Her father works in the Chennai branch of Indian Overseas Bank. She is fifteen and is now out of school due to attendance shortage. "After 'Kaadhal' I was getting plenty of offers but I want to get selective," Sandhya says. She is comfortable with both Tamil and Malayalam and is having no troubles coping with both the languages.
Nadia in a Malayalam film!!!
Friday, March 25, 2005 | APA
Finally, it is happening! Nadia has accepted an offer to act in a Malayalam film. ‘Ullurukkam’ is the name of the film.
Nadia Moidu made a very successful comeback and was soon flooded with offers. But, surprisingly she had refused most of them. ‘Ullurukkam’ will mark her return to Malayalam films. A production company named 48 Frames is making the film. Biju C Kannan is directing it.
Mukesh, Biju Menon, Bhavana and others form the rest of the cast.
Her decision to choose a Malayalam film with no big names has surprised many. Her only other assignment as of now is the Telugu film in which she plays Nagarjuna’s mother.
Welcome back, Nadia.
Question paper leak: SFI march turns violent
Thursday, March 24, 2005 | APA
The march led by SFI and DYFI the activists over the question paper leak issue turned violent in some parts of the state.
The activists' demanded the resignation of Education Minister and a judicial enquiry into the incident.
The march turned violent when the activists tried to enter the State Assembly. The police had to lathicharge the activists.
SSLC exams rescheduled again
Thursday, March 24, 2005 | APA
All the SSLC Examinations from today have been post poned. State Education minister E T Mohammed Basheer announced this in the State Assembly.
The new dates have been announced. The new Schedule is as follows.
Social Science paper 2 - April 15, Physics- April 16, Chemistry- April 18, Biology and Information Technology- April 19.
"The valuation will be held from April 27 to May 15. Results will be announced on May 25," he said.
"New Question Papers will be used for the exams. No re-exams will be held for the already completed exams," he added.
Showcause notice issued to 13 Kerala MLAS for attending rally
Wednesday, March 23, 2005 | APA
Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today issued show cause notices to 13 Congress MLAs for attending a rally organized by veteran party leader K Karunakaran's faction in Kochi defying the high command.
Chandy in his capacity as CLP leader asked the MLAs to explain why they attended the rally yesterday defying the AICC and KPCC ban.
They have been asked to furnish their reply within two days or it would be taken as that they did not have anything to say and proceed with further action, CLP sources said.
The MLAs' participation in the rally, organised by suspended Karunakaran's son and former KPCC President K Muraleedharan against the directive of AICC and KPCC, was violative of the Congress constitution,the source said.
In the notice issued to P P George, Congress chief whip, the Chief Minister also asked him to explain why he should not be removed from the post for attending the rally.
Congress whip V D Sateeshan handed over the show cause to P P George while the notice to the others were delivered by messengers.
Former Minister P Sankaran, T V Chandramohan, Savithri Lakshman, Shobana George, Malaeth Sarladevi, M V Gangadharan, A D Musthafa, A A Chandrasekharan, E M Augustin, V Sugathan Radha Raghavan and N D Appachan were the MLAs who attended the Kochi rally. PTI
MLAs likely to reply to notice
Wednesday, March 23, 2005 | APA
In Kerala, the 13 Congress MLAs belonging to the Karunakaran faction, are likely to give their reply today to the show cause notice issued to them.
The notice was issued on Tuesday for taking part in veteran leader K Karunakaran's rally in Ernakulam, in defiance of the party orders.
"As they have violated the mandatory directions of the AICC and the KPCC, there is no other alternative but to issue notices," said Kadavur Sivadasan, Dy Leader, CLP.
In their defence, the MLAs are planning to point out that it was a rally convened by Karunakaran and not former KPCC President K Muraleedharan, who had been suspended from the party.
Disciplinary action
But Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, who enjoys the Central leadership's backing, is determined to curtail indiscipline in the party.
The show cause notices were issued soon after Karunakaran loyalist and SC/ST welfare and Culture Minister AP Anil Kumar resigned, accepting moral responsibility for staying away from a CLP meet.
The Chief Minister, however, refused to accept his resignation and now Karunakaran is warning of a possible split in the party.
Major showdown
Clearly both the factions are heading for yet another major showdown on the issue.
"We will try our best to avoid a split. Congressmen like me are not in favour of a split but if the CM and his colleagues force things on us, what else can we do," said Karunakaran.
But his son Muraleedharan, who hinted at a UPA-type alliance in Kerala yesterday, was more vehement in his attack against Chandy.
"There is no compromise with the Chief Minister's attitude. We cannot tolerate what he's doing. There is no question of a compromise," he said.
But with elections in Kerala next year, a separate party headed by the veteran leader is the last thing the Congress needs.
Cong says disciplinary action in Kerala in a day or two
Wednesday, March 23, 2005 | APA
Congress today said action against indiscipline in its unit in Kerala, where veteran leader K Karunakaran organized a series of rallies defying the party high command, would be taken in a day or two.
Ahmed Patel, political secretary to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, told reporters here that what had happened at yesterday's 'I' faction rally in Kochi was "indiscipline" and some action will come in a day or two.
Patel seemed unimpressed by the praise heaped by Karunakaran and his son and suspended former PCC chief K Muraleedharan on the Gandhi family and pointed to the fact that two leaders had attacked the Congress government in Kerala.
"They have praised the high command but attacked the party's government in the state," he said adding developments in Kerala were not encouraging.
AICC general secretary Ambika Soni said "discipline is important to strengthen the party" Meanwhile, senior leader K V Thomas, who had been negotiating a peace deal on behalf of Congress Working Committee member A K Antony, today met Sonia Gandhi and favoured initiation of disciplinary action against dissident leaders in Kerala.
"Muraleedharan is talking about tactical adjustment with Marxists. He is sowing the seeds of discord in the organisation. They mounted a scathing attack on the Chief Minister and KPCC", he told reporters after the meeting with the AICC chief. PTI
Taj Malabar readies for Indian, Pakistani cricketers
Wednesday, March 23, 2005 | APA
Kochi, The Taj Malabar hotel here is leaving no stone unturned as it prepares to host the Indian and Pakistani cricket teams who will play a one-day match in this Kerala city April 2.
The two teams arrive here March 31.
"Of the 96 rooms we have, 60 have been booked for the teams and officials. Specific room allotments would be done on the directive of the (Indian) cricket board," Taj Malabar head Santhosh Kutty told IANS. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has also laid down the menu.
"The diet chart has come. Apart from following that, we can make slight additions and it is here that we will offer our specialties," Kutty said. "One area we will concentrate on is the different varieties of fish, especially Kerala preparations. But we don't think we can just concentrate on Kerala dishes alone. So we might have a mix of our specials," Kutty added.
Reports indicate that both the teams are expected to go boating in the backwaters. An additional treat for first timers will be the beautiful Chinese fishing nets that are in plenty around the hotel, which is located on Wellington Island. A visit to Fort Kochi and its antique shops is also on the cards.
Indo-Asian News Service
Global Kerala Foundation to adopt 100 schools
Wednesday, March 23, 2005 | APA
The Global Kerala Foundation, an umbrella organization of NRKs would adopt 100 Government schools in the State, which will be provided with necessary infrastructure facilities. said Mr. Mr. G. Rajamohan, Working Chairman, Global Kerala Foundation. Three schools at Nattika in Thrissur, and one each from Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram would benefit from the programme in the next academic year, Mr. Rajamohan said. Other eligible schools would be identified through 'better school- better citizens' project implemented in coordination with the State Higher Education Department.
Government yet to commit on the proposed Nano-Technology centre
Wednesday, March 23, 2005 | APA
The Kerala Government is yet to take any decision to sponsor a Nano-Technology project. Making the position of the Government on the issue very clear, the Principal Secretary, NORKA, Mr. Jiji Thomson said that the government has only considered a project proposal for a Nano-Technology centre due to the tremendous potential the technology holds in the field of medicine and diagnostics. The government has also made it very clear to the promoters of the project to submit a detailed proposal through the Science & Technology Department of the State Government, and that if the project has to be taken up by the government, the techno-economic feasibility of the project needs to be established in a convincing manner, Mr. Thomson said.
Since the proposed project involves a technology, which is a new area of scientific interest, the promoters of the project were asked by the government to have their proposal presented in public, so that the scientific community could evaluate the same. Further, the government also apprised the promoters that their project will be subjected to critical evaluation and rigorous tests before giving it the go ahead. Based on the above a seminar was conducted in Thiruvananthapuram on 4th March 2005.
According to Mr. Jiji Thomson, all the other news that originated in the immediate past regarding the project; like the government's decision to spend Rs. 75 crores for the project, and also providing the required land for the project etc. are absolutely baseless. The only intention of the government was to explore the possibilities of a new area of science, which has got great potential in the field of medicine and diagnostics, as it would be highly beneficial to the society.
Rs. 10 crore central aid for Food Research Institute
Wednesday, March 23, 2005 | APA
The Union Government has sanctioned Rs. 10 crore for setting up an Indigenous Food Research Institute at Konni in Pathanamthitta district, said Mr. Adoor Prakash, Minister for Food and Civil Supplies. Of this, Rs. 3 crores has been allotted for research and development in food processing, Rs. 50 lakhs for the training institute and Rs. 2 crores for Quality Control Laboratory and Rs. 4 crores for setting up Food Parks. The minister said this after a meeting with the Union Minister of State for Food Processing, Mr. Subodh Kant Sahai. The central aid would be allotted in the present financial year itself, the Mr. Adoor Prakash said.
The project aims at processing and also export of Kerala's ethnic food items. The processing and packaging units would be equipped with most modern facilities. Private entrepreneurs would be encouraged to open food-processing units in the Food Parks. The Union Government has also given the assurance to declare the 110 acres of land on which the Rs. 95.33 crore project is coming up as an Export Zone. The Quality control center, which would be set up as part of the project would be declared the official center of the State government. The Government would set up basic infrastructure facilities needed for the project.
Dubai gives landing rights to Air India Express
Wednesday, March 23, 2005 | APA
In a highly welcome move that is bound to cheer up thousands of non-resident Indians, especially those from Kerala, the Department of Civil Aviation, Dubai has decided to allow low cost flights to operate to and from the country. Through this decision, the soon to be launched budget airline Air India Express became the first to get such landing rights.
According to Air India's Regional Director, Mr. Sanjeev Talwar, the new budget airline by Air India to begin operations on April 29 would initially have 37 flights a week to Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Of this 31 flights will be from Kerala, and others from Mumbai and New Delhi. The flight to Dubai would connect only Kerala in the initial phase.
SBT hikes interest rate for FCNR and NRE term deposits
Wednesday, March 23, 2005 | APA
An interest rate hike has been announced by the State Bank of Travancore (SBT) for Foreign Currency Non- Resident (FCNR) and Non- Resident External (NRE) term deposits. The new rates are 4.10 percent for NRE term deposits of one year to less than two years, 4.40 percent for two years to less than three years and 4.60 percent for three years and above up to five years.
The interest rates for FCNR term deposits have also been revised. As per this, interest rates for dollar deposits for one year to less than two years is 3.30 percent, two years to less than three years is 3.66 percent and of three years is 3.84 percent. The interest rate for Pound Sterling deposits for one year to less than two years is 4.89 percent, two years to less than three years is 4.89 percent and for three years is 4.86 percent.
The rate for Euro deposits for one year to less than two years is 2.27 percent, two years to less than three years 2.40 percent, and for three years 2.63 percent. The revised rate for RFC deposits for one year to less than two years is 3.30 percent, two years to less than three years is 3.66 percent and for three years is 3.84 percent. The interest rate for a period of six months to less than one year is one percent.
SBT join hands with UAE Exchange Center
Wednesday, March 23, 2005 | APA
The State Bank of Travancore (SBT) has introduced a rupee drawing arrangement for the benefit of NRIs in Kuwait. The new facility would allow NRIs in Kuwait to send their remittances to more than 300 designated branches of the SBT through the UAE Exchange Center. The UAE Exchange Center is a leading exchange facility provider in Kuwait. The bank also has drawing arrangements with five other exchange houses in Kuwait including the Bahrain Exchange Company, Kuwait-India International Exchange, Kuwait-Bahrain International Exchange, Al Muzaini Exchange Company and Al Mulla International Exchange.
No tax for NRI investment interest
Wednesday, March 23, 2005 | APA
The new Union budget presented by the Union Finance Minister, Mr. P. Chidambaram has some good news for the NRIS. There won't be any collection of tax on the interest of NRI investments, and the 40 percent customs duty on baggage has been reduced to 35 percent.
Interest rate hike from UTI Bank
Wednesday, March 23, 2005 | APA
The UTI bank has announced an interest rate hike on Non- Resident External (NRE) term deposits both in rupees and in foreign currency. The revised rate for deposits in rupees are 4.10 percent for one year to less than two years, 4.40 percent for two years to less than three years and 4.60 percent for three years to ten years.
Interest payable quarterly on NRE savings bank a/c has been increased to 2.80 percent. For Foreign Currency Non- Resident (FCNR) deposits in US dollar, the new rates are 3.32 percent for one year to eighteen months, 3.47 percent for 18 months to two years, 3.62 percent for two years to less than three years and 3.83 percent for three years.
Air Arabia willing to operate services at 50 percent reduced fares
Wednesday, March 23, 2005 | APA
The Chief Minister, Mr. Oommen Chandy said that Air Arabia has conveyed to the Government about its willingness to operate services at 50 percent reduced rates than the prevailing ones. The Air India Express, which offers 25-30 percent reduced airfare, would begin services in April from the three airports in the State. The Chief Minister was addressing a gathering after inaugurating the Pravasi welfare fund initiated by the Kerala Pravasi Sangham. A permanent committee would be formed by the Government to deal with various issues of Non- Resident Keralites, the Chief Minister said.
Mr. M. M. Hassan, Chairman, ROOTS, inaugurated a seminar on expatriates and rehabilitation. Mr. P. T. Kunju Muhammed, President, Kerala Pravasi Sangham presided over the function. Mr. Pirappankodu Murali, MLA also spoke on the occasion.
Tech recovery on, more IT jobs soon
Monday, March 21, 2005 | APA
The IT recovery is well on its way and tech firms are bullish on job creation and revenue generation, says a survey undertaken by Eurocom Worldwide.
The annual IT confidence survey undertaken by the company covered senior executives in 232 global IT companies in 30 countries.
A word of caution for India. While the survey predicted a continuing shift of IT manufacturing jobs from Western economies to China, India and Central and Eastern European Region, 43% of the respondents saw China as the country which will see the highest growth in IT manufacturing jobs over the next three years followed by India (24%) and CEER (17%).
The confidence in the IT boom was so high that an astounding 84% of the respondents expected the revenues to increase. About 44% expected the number of jobs to go up while 52% said that head count levels will remain same.
[Agency]
'I' group zonal rally begins
Monday, March 21, 2005 | APA
Supporters of senior Congress leader K Karunakaran today held a rally here this evening.
The rally, organised by Karunakaran faction to air its views against the "unilateral" rule of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, started around 5 pm.
Party workers from all districts came in large numbers to attend the rally.
VAT to be implemented from April 1
Monday, March 21, 2005 | APA
State Finance Minister Vakkom Purushothaman today informed the State Assembly that Value Added Tax would be implemented in the state from April 1.
"All steps have been completed to introduce it in the state," he said.
"Thirty-four check posts would be installed to prevent smuggling and collection of tax would be strengthened," he added.
Three killed in road mishaps
Monday, March 21, 2005 | APA
Three people, including a woman, were killed and two injured in three different road mishaps in the district.
Jisha (24), hailing from Kadakam, near Chirayinkeezhu, was killed and her father seriously injured when the motorbike on which they were riding was hit by a private bus at Attingal. The injured was admitted to a private hospital.
In the other accident, a youth was killed and the pillion rider injured seriously when their motorbike collided with a Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus at Vattapara, near here.
The deceased was identified as Jayesh (24), a native of Vattapara. The injured Lalu was admitted to the Medical College Hospital here.
In the third mishap, Manian (60) of Pallichalthodu, riding on a bicycle, was fatally knocked down by a KSRTC bus at Kowdiar in the city, police said.
[Agency]
Oommen Chandy hits out at Karunakaran
Monday, March 21, 2005 | APA
While Kerala's Congress veteran Karunakaran has decided to go ahead with his Ernakulam rally, the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) has also geared up to take on Karunakaran's might on the streets.
As part of its effort to keep the Congress flock together, the official leadership of the KPCC organised its first public meeting in Kottayam.
Though the rally was to commemorate the Dandi March, the public meeting turned out to be a platform for the anti-Karunakaran group to parade its strength.
Without naming Karunakaran, Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy hit out at the veteran leader warning him against anti-party activities.
"No one should think that he can do anything and get away with it and there would be no one to question him in the Congress. This situation cannot be allowed to continue and this is the overwhelming sentiment of the Congressmen in Kerala," said Chandy.
[Agency]
SSLC exams for March 22, 23 postponed
Monday, March 21, 2005 | APA
The exams scheduled to be held on March 22 and 23 have also been postponed.
Today's geography exam had been postponed after it was found that the question paper for this examination had leaked.
The exams for tomorrow and day after tomorrow have been postponed following leak of more question papers.
Crime branch to probe question paper leak : CM
Monday, March 21, 2005 | APA
Thiruvananthapuram, March 21, 2005
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today informed the State Assembly that the crime branch would probe SSLC question paper leakage.
" A special investigation team has been appointed for this purpose," he said and added that whoever has acted behind this would be brought before law.
"The exams had been postponed in order to preserve the credibility of the SSLC exam," Chief Minister said.
Meanwhile, the opposition today demanded the resignation of Education Minister E T Mohammed Basheer in connection with the postponement of SSLC exams.
The opposition demanded discussions on the leakage of the question paper. The opposition later walked out of the assembly demanding judicial probe into the incident.
'I' faction all set for Kochi rally, Patel says it has no clearance from high command
Monday, March 21, 2005 | APA
Kochi/New Delhi, Mar 20 : Defying the high command's directive not to conduct its rally, supporters of Congress leader in Kerala K Karunakaran are all set to stage its final show of strength here tomorrow even as the veteran leader blew hot and cold.
Karunakaran told reporters here soon after arriving from Delhi wher he had met Congress President Sonia Gandhi that there was no change in the plan to conduct the rally.
Gandhi's political secretary and Congress general secretary in charge of party affairs in Kerala Ahmed Patel said in Delhi that tomorrow's rally in Kochi has not been cleared by the high command.
"The rally does not have the approval of the party high command," he said.
Replying to a volley of questions about his meeting with Gandhi, Karunakaran, sticking to his known tough stand, said "we were able to convince the high command that the ('I') faction is a force to reckon with and cannot be ignored any longer".
However, Karunakaran in a statement issued today said "I will stand by her (Sonia Gandhi) and shall carry all sections of Congress workers with me." His supporters had earlier staged the rallies in Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram, ignoring the high command directive leading to the suspension of Karunakaran's son and former PCC chief K Muraleedharan. PTI
Govt committed to launch series of rubber industries : Kerala CM
Monday, March 21, 2005 | APA
Kochi, Mar 20 : Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy today said the government was committed to launch a series of Rubber based industries in the state. He was inagurating the factory of Rubek Balloons Private Limited at the nearby Rubber Park, at Irapuram here.
The launching of Rubber-based industries in Kerala would provide job opportunities to a large section of unemployed youths in the state, he said. The State Co-operative Rubber Marketing Federation (RubberMark) was prepared to procure rubber on commercial basis, Chandy said.
Presiding over the function, Co-operation Minister M V Raghavan said the state government would encourage the entrepreneurs to start rubber based industries in the state. A major quantity of rubber produced in the state was at present exported to other countries.
Rubek Balloons Pvt. Ltd., is promoted by Rubber Mark in a joint venture with Malaysian based Strategic Products Sdn Bhd, manufacturing superior quality of balloons, 'Partyman' the first branded balloons in the country, Rubek Balloons Chairman T H Musthaffa, MLA said.
The Rubek could at present produce 12 lakhs unit of different varieties of balloons in its factory everyday. Rubek which has a capital investment of Rs.8.80 crores would increase its production to 25 lakhs unit of balloons per day within six months, Rubek Managing Director, K R Viswambaran said.
Meghalaya Governor M M Jacob inaugurated the public meeting held in this connection. PTI
Chandy says he will never split Congress, ready for sacrifices
Monday, March 21, 2005 | APA
KOTTAYAM: Amid smouldering factionalism in the state Congress, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Saturday declared that he will never be party to a split in the organisation and that he is ready for any sort of compromises and sacrifices towards that end. But he also made it clear that the attitude of a few that anything is possible in the Congress couldn’t be approved.
Addressing a public meet organised here marking the finale of the Dandi Sandesh Yatra held under the auspices of the District Congress Committee, Oommen Chandy said that what Congress workers and supporters desire is a disciplined party and what he had been conveying so far was their sentiments.
"It was not intended to hurt anyone. But the view that the interests of a few alone should be protected by all means is not acceptable," he said.
"Since the beginning of my days of public life through the student movement, I have always stood for unity in the Congress." Oommen Chandy also said that he is duty-bound to strengthen the Congress according to the wishes of the people.
Earlier, the Chief Minister said that the Dandi Sandesh Yatra of the DCC is not an event of a faction of the party as described by his critics, but a surge of the true Congressmen in the district.
He pointed out that all the 20 Congress block committee presidents in the district and 15 out of the 18 DCC office-bearers have aligned themselves with the rally and the public meet.
Commenting upon the rally, the Chief Minister said that the values set by Gandhiji will lead the Congress for ever. Forgetting the Mahatma and his values is the basic reason for the wrong tendencies emerging in public life.
Inaugurating the meet, KPCC president Thennala Balakrishna Pillai underscored the need to end the divisive tendencies in the Congress. Reply should be given to those trying to mislead the people by indulging in false propaganda.
That discipline is essential for strengthening the Congress should be understood by all concerned, he added.
DCC president Anto Antony, who led the Dandi Sandesh Yatra, presided over the meet.
Minister Tiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, Prof K.V.Thomas MLA, KPCC general secretary Kodikkunnil Suresh, Ernakulam DCC president K.P. Dhanapalan, former Minister M.P.Govindan Nair, Prof G.Balachandran, M.I. Shanavaz, Benny Bahanan, Joseph Vazhakkan, Kottayam Municipal Chairman B. Gopakumar, Vaikom Municipal Chairman Mary George and others attended the meet.
The rally held earlier failed to meet the expectations of the organisers. The Yatra had commenced from Kanjirapally on Friday.
Meanwhile, the Karunakaran faction has demanded action against DCC president Anto Antony for what they described as ‘using the noble Dandi march as a show of the ‘A’ group and anti-Karunakaran forces’. Former KPCC secretary Josy Sebastian said that the faction will lodge a complaint in this regard with the Congress high command.
Dream Star cine awards announced
Monday, March 21, 2005 | APA
KOCHI: Dreamworld Water Park has announced the Dream Star Cine Awards for the year 2004. Dileep was selected the favourite actor while Meera Jasmine was adjudged the favourite actress.
The others are Baby Sanusha (favourite child artiste), Priya Raman (favourite television actress), Geethu Mohandas (special award for excellence in cinema), and Tom Jacob (special award for excellence in television).
T.G. Chandrakumar, chairman of Dream World, announced the awards at a press conference held here on Friday. The awards will be given away at an Awards Night to be organised at the Water Park at Athirappally Road near Chalakkudy on April 9.
The organisers said the Musical Night will also have musical performances, filmi dance, snake dance, comedy shows, and various other cultural programmes.
They also said that it is for the first time in Kerala that the awardees were being chosen by children through an extensive Gallup poll for which around one lakh entries were received from across the state.
Out of these, 2000 selected children will be specially invited for the event. Actor Edavela Babu, who is the director of the event, was also present at the press conference.
N.A. Sunny, managing director of Dreamworld, and director Abhi Elias and Simon, also attended the press conference.
SSLC question paper leak: Monday's exam postponed
Monday, March 21, 2005 | APA
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The SSLC social science second-paper (old and new scheme) examination, scheduled to be held on Monday, has been postponed following leak of the question paper.
The new date of the examination would be announced later, Director of Public Instructions and Commissioner for Government Examinations A.Ajith Kumar said in a statement here on Sunday.
A preliminary inquiry by the DPI found that the leak had taken place in Thiruvananthapuram. It was also suspected that there was a deliberate attempt to sabotage the examination as a copy of the leaked question paper was delivered to a newspaper office here.
The DPI has directed the chief superintendents of all examination centres to return the question paper packets to the respective district education officers before 12 noon on Monday after ensuring that the packets are not tampered with.
The DPI said that the question paper packets of the examination centres in Thiruvananthapuram revenue district should be returned to the Pareeksha Bhavan. Official sources said that this would help in finding out whether the question paper was leaked out from any of the centres.
The statement said that the police would also be directed to inquire into the issue. A complaint has already been given to the DGP following reports that the questions of the examination held on Friday were leaked and circulated through mobile phone SMS.
Education Minister E.T.Mohammed Basheer said that stern action would be taken against those responsible for the question paper leak. Directives had been given to the authorities concerned to ensure that the question papers of the other examinations were not leaked.
He said that the examinations were postponed to safeguard the credibility of the SSLC examination. He expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to students and parents.
Pareeksha Bhavan sources said that this was for the first time that an examination of the SSLC was being postponed following question paper leak by deliberate attempts. There were earlier instances of examinations being postponed following the opening of question paper packets in advance by mistake.
AGDP (Operations) Rajan Madhekar, who is holding the charge of the DGP, said that the special branch of the police would probe the matter.
The SFI has called for the suspension of the DPI in view of the question paper leak. It also demanded a detailed probe into the incident.
NO CHANGE: òf141óOfficial sources said that there would be no change in the THSLC, AHSLC and SSLC-special school examinations scheduled for Monday.
AICTE’s high rating to 5 self-financing institutions
Monday, March 21, 2005 | APA
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The All-India Council for Technical Education has given high rating to five self-financing technical institutions, including four engineering colleges, in the State.
These institutions have been included in the list of innovative practices in technical education institutions identified by the AICTE.
The colleges selected are Institute of Technology, Mayil, Kannur, St.Joseph’s College of Engineering and Technology, Pala, College of Engineering, Munnar, Lourdes Matha College of Science and Technology, Kuttichal, Thiruvananthapuram, and Nehru College of Engineering and Research Centre, Thiruvilwamala, Thrissur.
The St.Joseph’s College of Engineering and Technology has been selected under two categories. Of the selected colleges, the Institute of Technology is a college offering MBA course while all the others are engineering colleges.
The self-financing College of Engineering, Munnar, is sponsored by the State Government-funded Centre for Continuing Education. All the other colleges are managed by private institutions.
In order to sensitise organisations about quality, the AICTE conducted a survey of innovative practices being used by the technical education institutions after distributing a questionnaire soliciting information.
The responses were analysed by a committee of senior academicians. The practices have been grouped into three categories, best practices, progressive practices and other practices.
The colleges have been selected for acting as role models for other organisations to treat quality as an important component of their strategy to remain competitive.
The Institute of Technology has been selected in the best practices category for setting up definite goals in line with vision and mission statements of the institution, ensuring that these are understood by all stake holders.
St.Joseph’s College has been selected in the best practices category for commitment to total quality management and continuous improvement in all activities.
The college was also selected for securing ISO certification for quality in the working of the institution.
The College of Engineering at Munnar has been selected in the best practices category for use of water harvesting and renewable resources in order to sensitise students about the benefits.
The Lourdes Matha College has been selected in the progressive practices category for access to vast information available in digital library through the internet.
The Nehru College has been selected in the other practices category for introduction of uniforms for students.
Karunakaran's bid to cosy up to Sonia fails
Monday, March 21, 2005 | APA
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the last-ditch effort of senior Congress leader K.Karunakaran on Saturday to cosy up to Congress Party president Sonia Gandhi having failed, the `I' group finds itself in an unenviable position.
Encouraged by the attitude of the high command, the Congress state leadership has decided to be ``more strict'' with the ``erring'' `I' group leaders in view of the group zonal rally on Monday. The move has the all-out support of Ahmed Patel, the political secretary to Sonia Gandhi and AICC general-secretary in charge of the state. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and the KPCC leadership seem to be so stubborn that even the expulsion of K Muraleedharan cannot be ruled out.
``We have got clear directives from the AICC that there is no need to treat anyone as a special case,'' said a senior Congress leader.
The only option available before the K-family to save its skin is to show as much restraint as possible at Monday's rally. Given the circumstances, the chances of using the rally to tom-tom Sonia Gandhi's leadership also cannot be ruled out.
What had made things tougher for Karunakaran, according to sources, is his strong criticism of Ahmed Patel during his meeting with Sonia Gandhi. According to sources, Karunakaran held Ahmed Patel responsible for the ''gap'' between him and the party president.
Ahmed Patel, who held telephonic conversation with the Chief Minister and the KPCC leadership, is said to have given full freedom to the state leadership to take any action against the ``erring'' Congress leaders.
The fact that even Pranab Mukherjee, the long-time associate of Karunakaran, refused to canvass support for Karunakaran in Delhi clearly shows that Karunakaran is not in an enviable position. The `I' group MLAs' decision not to attend Monday's rally has also made the wicket weaker for the K-family.
The Congress Legislature Party is meeting here on Monday to elect the replacement to M.P.Gangadharan who has been removed from the post of deputy leader for attending the `I' group zonal rally in Thiruvananthapuram.
Karunakaran to hold rally in Kochi
Monday, March 21, 2005 | APA
Kerala Congress leader K Karunakaran will hold a rally in the city of Kochi as planned despite the unhappiness expressed by the Party High Command.
Karunakaran claimed that the "I" faction rally would be a big success.
He also said that despite some media reports, he was able to convince the Congress High Command that his group is a power that cannot be ignored.
Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee tough towards Congress rebels
Saturday, March 19, 2005 | APA
Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 18 : Adopting a tough line towards dissidence in the party, the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee today felt that no leniency should be shown towards the Karunakaran faction so long as it refused to give up parallel activities challenging the leadership.
Though CWC member A K Antony wanted the leadership not to take any "precipitate action" that could cause a split in the party, a majority of those who spoke at the KPCC executive meeting held here favoured a crackdown on dissidents, KPCC sources said.
The body, packed with supporters of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, was of the view that Karunakaran faction should stop parallel activities if any conciliatory efforts were to be fruitful.
Justifying his hard line, Chandy defended the decision of removing Karunakaran loyalist M P Gangadharan as CLP deputy leader for attending the "I" group rally held here last week. Chandy held that Gangadharan was removed from the post following a demand from the party MLAs.
Chandy supporters also argued that things would become clear with the KPCC organising rallies in three zones in the state next month, the sources said.
Antony, however, expressed reservations over the hasty removal of Gangadharan from CLP post when some efforts were on in Delhi to resolve the crisis in the state unit. PTI
IUML lukewarm to "I" faction of Kerala moves
Saturday, March 19, 2005 | APA
Asserting that the Indian Union Muslim League wanted the UDF to continue, the party's Kerala unit secretary P K Kunhalikutty today said the League was against striking local adjustments in the coming civic elections in the state.
Throwing hints that the League would not be joining hands with the Karunakaran faction in the event of a split in the Congress, Kunhalikutty said his party had no plan to strike an alliance with those trying to change the political equations in the state.
"We are not for local adjustments in the civic polls. The party will also not support the idea of strategic and tactical alliances in the local body polls," he said. PTI
Karunakaran meets Pranab, speaks to Ahmed Patel
Saturday, March 19, 2005 | APA
New Delhi, Mar 18 : Under pressure from the party high command to fall in line, veteran Congress leader K Karunakaran today met Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and spoke to senior party leader Ahmed Patel.
Karunakaran met Mukherjee and is understood to have discussed the present crisis in the Kerala unit of the party which was triggered by his decision to hold rallies across the state despite the party high command's directive to the contrary.
The two leaders were closetted for nearly half and hour, sources said. Karunakaran, who was earlier scheduled to return tomorrow, decided to extend his stay in the capital for one more day.
He was also understood to have held discussions with AICC General Secretary and in charge of party affairs in the state Ahmed Patel over phone.
As part of efforts to strike a peace deal, he had held discussions with Union Minister Oscar Fernandes, Chairman of the Party's Central Election Committee, late last night on holding of organisational polls in the state, one of his main demands to end the impasse.
Karunakaran had also had talks with HRD Minister Arjun Singh yesterday. PTI
Talks on VAT at Kerala fail:
Saturday, March 19, 2005 | APA
Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 18 : The talks on VAT held by Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy with representatives of traders failed today with the latter holding that their stir against the implementation of the system would go on as the government's approach to the issue was "vague."
'Kerala Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samiti' secretary T Nasiruddin told reporters after the meeting that the government made it clear that it would go by its commitment to implement VAT from April 1.
The state would form a panel to look into the issue if 17 other states, which had switched to the new system, changed their position, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told the meeting.
Small traders would stop taking stocks from March 25 as part of the traders' nation-wide stir, Nasiruddin said.
Traders would close shops on March 30 and 31 as a mark of protest against VAT and a demonstration would be held before the secretariat here on April 1, Nasiruddin said. PTI
KPCC rally a parallel one, claims Murali
Saturday, March 19, 2005 | APA
Former KPCC president K Muraleedharan today said the proposed rally organized by the KPCC is the real parallel rally.
The rallies organized by the suspension committee are really the parallel rallies. Any rally held opposite to the first one must be called parallel rally.
"A clear example of the autocratic attitude of the Chandy Government is the recent abkari policy," he said.
"This policy was announced in the assembly without consulting the UDF and the KPCC and Chandy is acting as an agent of the liquor lobby," he added.
[Agency]
"Kazcha" bags five "Ujjala-Asianet" Film Award-2005
Saturday, March 19, 2005 | APA
Malayalam film, ''Kazhcha,'' directed by Blezy has won five ''Ujjala-Asianet'' Film Award-2005, including best film.
''Perumazhakalam,'' directed by Kamal has bagged six awards, including best Director, best Actress and best Screen-Play.
While Kamal was adjudged the best Director for his film Perumazhakalam, Mammooty (Kazhcha, Vesham) and Meera Jasmine (Perumazhakalam) were chosen best Actor and Actress respectively.
Chandy played key role in ousting Antony: Gangadharan
Saturday, March 19, 2005 | APA
M P Gangadharan, who was removed as Congress Legislature Party (CLP) deputy leader in Kerala for taking part in the Congress 'I' group rally on March 12 last, today alleged that Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and his group had played a key role in ousting A K Antony as Chief Minister.
He told reporters here that though Chandy had maintained good relations with Antony, he ( Chandy) did not try to prevent Mr Antony from resigning as Chief Minister.
Gangadharan said, ''I was the only person who requested Antony not to resign.'' About his removal from the post of CLP deputy leader, he said till date he had not received any communication in this regard. ''I still occupy the seat allotted to me in the Assembly.'' Stating that the decision to remove him from the post was against CLP rules, he said, according to Section VI-A, the leader, deputy leader and members were selected for a period of five years. If an office-bearer had to be removed from the post, a no-confidence motion was required by a request signed by not less than 15 members.
This procedure had not been followed in his case.
However, CLP secretary, K C Joseph, said the action taken against Gangadharan was in accordance with relevant rules. If Gangadharan had any explanation he could have given it in the CLP meeting, but he had kept away from the meeting, Joseph said.
The CLP could have taken more stringent action against Gangadhran such as ousting him from the CLP. ''This is only shock treatment'', he said, adding that the Speaker would serve him a letter informing him of the removal from the post.
[Agency]
Kerala witnesses an upsurge in tourist arrivals
Friday, March 18, 2005 | APA
Tourist arrivals in Kerala registered a growth of 17 per cent during 2004 as compared to the previous year, a policy statement on tourism tabled in the state Assembly said.
Sixty lakh domestic tourists and 3.44 lakh foreign tourists visited the state last year, while the state tourism department has received Rs 21.78 crore from the Centre for various tourism promotion schemes in the state, a statement presented by Kerala Tourism Minister K C Venugopal said.
The department has proposed setting up of a 'handicraft village' at Vizhinjam at an estimated cost of Rs five lakh, he said. Kovalam, Munnar, Kumarakam and Fort Kochi would be designated as separate tourism zones, he added.
A legislation to regulate the functioning of Ayurveda centres would also be brought in soon, and it would be und
Congress tries to bury the Kerala hatchet
Friday, March 18, 2005 | APA
In an effort to bury the brewing rebellion and to resolve the crisis in ruling Congress in Kerala, the Union Minister for Human Resources, Arjun Singh met the veteran Congress leader from Kerala K.Karunakaran. Several other senior leaders are going to meet the leader to pacify him.
The two met at Karunakaran's residence and held a closed-door meeting for about half an hour. It is being speculated that the two discussed the present crisis triggered by the regional strongman's decision to hold zonal rallies across the state despite the party high command's directive to the contrary.
The former Chief Minister of Kerala is also scheduled to meet the Congress chief, Sonia Gandhi, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee and party general secretary and in-charge of Kerala, Ahmed Patel today.
The old warhorse of Congress in Kerala, Karuna, is up in arms against the Chief Minister, Ooman Chandy. He has demaded for the removal of Chandy from the post time and again.
Karunakaran's son and party leader Muraleedharan was recently suspended from the party for organizing a rally on March 9 in Kozikhode in which the participating activists shouted slogans against Chief Minister Oomen Chandy for his dictatorial style of functioning.
"It is not a rally against the party leadership or meant for effecting a split in the rally, but to press for our demand for organisational elections," said Muraleedharan, son of Karunakaran.
Veteran Congress leader K. Karunakaran and his son K. Muraleedharan have reportedly hinted at breaking ties with the Congress and forming a new party in Kerala. (ANI)
Rare Kerala fire dance losing its popularity among the masses
Friday, March 18, 2005 | APA
Malabar (Kerala), Mar.17 : Tradition, it seems, is making way for modernism. There was a time when Malabar's Theyyaattam folk and ritual dance form was very popular across Kerala. But sadly, this is not the case anymore, as this dance dedicated to the Gods, is losing its charm and popularity.
Theyyam or Theyyaattam is a pattern of hero worship largely identified with the Malabar region in north Kerala. It is a dance form supported by a vast literature of folk songs. Theyyam is a corruption for Deyvam or 'God'. 'Aattam' means dance. Thus 'Theyyaattam' means the "God's Dance."
This dance form is believed to be about 200-years-old and one of its rare rituals is the Thee Chanmundi Theyyam - where the performers walk on a huge heap of burning charcoal in an apparent dedication to the Almighty. Held inside local temples, preparations for the fire dance involve making a bonfire of dried wood trunks and charcoal. Lamentably though, compared to other dance forms like the famous Kathakalli, Mohiniattam, Theyyaattam has no takers these days.
"No one wants to come forward to study, and there is not much going on for its studies or training in the institution level," believes senior performing artist Krishnan Kutty.
Artists like Kutty are unhappy at their inability to transmit their expertise to the future generation for want of talented young artists. With their sons and nephews engaged in other jobs or careers that are more well paying, the continuity of tradition has been broken.
This situation prevails in most families practicing the dance form. That is why it is being felt that the Theyyam dance is a vanishing art form.
The 'Mudi' face is decorated with red coloured cloth as well as coloured papers. Also red coloured flowers are used to make it more attractive. Over and above to these items, and in fact, the most important item for the Theyyam costume is the leaves of coconut tree. The leaves of coconut trees are cut into different and attractive shape which plays an important role in the Theyyam costumes.
"It is the duty of the government to implement special projects to save this vanishing art. It is worthy of preservation and documentation as original sources for anthropological, sociological, historical and histrionic studies with an emphasis to the evolution of religion from primitivism to modernity. The cult of Theyyam is a real cultural heritage of Kerala to the world of art. It is the worship of spirits by invoking them to the mortal body of the dancer who impersonates them and gives blessing to the believers. It is a rare combination of dance and music and reflects important features of a tribal culture. The dance or invocation is generally performed in front of the village shrines. It is also performed in the houses as ancestor worship with elaborate rites and rituals," claims Krishan Kutty.
"Yes, it (an academy) will be a good thing, but at present there is no such school or any institution for this art for like the Kathakalli or any other folk dance.No, the government till date has not done anything for us.If we approach also we have to face hell lot of difficulties," concludes Anil Kumar, a Theyyam artist. (ANI)
Kerala government to move apex court in Suryanelli case
Friday, March 18, 2005 | APA
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala government will move the Supreme Court against the Kerala High Court order in the Suryanelli rape case, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy informed the assembly on Thursday.
The decision in this regard was taken on Wednesday after legal advice on the case from the special public prosecutor, Chandy said while replying to a submission of P.K. Sreemathi.
The government would not protect anybody in the case, Chandy said.
Referring to the criticism that the government was deliberately trying to delay moving the Supreme Court, Chandy said legal advice on the matter was received only on March 15. The High Court, while convicting one person to five years' imprisonment, had acquitted 35 others in the case.
Sreemathi while asking the government to move the supreme court in the case stated that activists of Mahila Morcha has organised a march to secretariat in protest against government delay in taking a decision on the matter. The case relates to the rape of a minor girl between January 16 and February 25, 1996.
`Parallel' Youth Congress in Kerala likely by next week
Friday, March 18, 2005 | APA
Kozhikode, Mar 15 : A day after a dual DCC was floated in the Congress in Kerala here, the `I' group in the Youth Congress today said it would form similar committees in all the districts of the state by next week.
"The `I' group in the Youth Congress will announce its new committees in all 14 districts soon after holding of the Kochi rally by the Karunakaran faction on March 21," a group of suspended Youth Congress leaders, led by K Praveen Kumar, told reporters here.
Refusing to call it a "parallel" committee, they said "the `I' group is the 'real representative' of the Congress in Kerala and so we have decided to form its committees, as the so-called Youth Congress, headed by K P Anil Kumar, is now inactive".
The suspended Youth Congress leaders and workers, supported would go on an indefinite agitation in front of the Police Commissioner's office here if the cases foisted against them in connection with the March 11 attack on the DCC office here were not withdrawn, they said.
"It is clear that the cases were filed on instructions from the Chief Minister's office," they said, adding that the cases were not levelled by DCC President M Veerankutty, but one K C Abu, "who is not even a DCC office-bearer".
Alleging that the Chief Minister's office was trying to frame criminal charges on "innocent" Youth Congress leaders and activists, they said that if the issue takes such a turn, " we will start boycotting Chief Minister Oommen Chandy throughout the state". PTI
LG and Liberty eye Kerala for investments
Friday, March 18, 2005 | APA
Thiruvananthapuram, March 16 : South Korean major LG Electronics and Italian textile firm Liberty have expressed their interest in investing in Kerala, state Industries Minister V.K. Ebrahim Kunju said here Wednesday.
This was subject to certain conditions, Kunju told the assembly. "While LG has asked for the reduction of central sales tax to one percent, Liberty, a leading textile unit, has asked for land."
The Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation has been scouting around for suitable locations for LG. For Liberty, 100 acres of land at Kakkanad near Kochi has been identified. The government has agreed to give the land at 50 percent of the prevailing market rate.
"Discussions with these two companies are going on and we expect to hear from them shortly. We are also waiting to hear from auto giant BMW and Dubai Smart City officials on their proposed Smart City project at Kochi," Kunju said.
--Indo-Asian News Service
Kerala wants helicopter for Chandy
Friday, March 18, 2005 | APA
Thiruvananthapuram, March 17 : If the Kerala government has its way, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy will soon be taking off in a helicopter instead of trundling around the state in cars and trains.
Kerala is the only state where the government does not have an aircraft or a helicopter of its own, said Labour Minister Babu Divakaran who has proposed that the government buy a helicopter or an eight-seater aircraft to make the chief minister's task of governing the state easier.
"Yes, this issue was raised by me in a discussion with the chief minister and other ministers. The proposal that was put forward by us was for the (state-owned) Flying Club to buy a helicopter or an eight-seater aircraft," Divakaran told IANS.
The logic being that the club could use the aircraft or helicopter to train students when the chief minister was not using it.
"What you should understand is that Kerala is perhaps the only state government that does not have a helicopter or an aircraft of its own," the minister said.
And going by the chief minister's hectic itinerary, it is certainly needed.
Take this week for instance. Chandy reached the capital Monday morning after travelling overnight by road to attend the assembly.
On Monday night, he boarded the Kannur Express at 8.40 p.m. for his home town Kottayam and reached at midnight. He made a few house visits in his constituency and boarded a train back to Thiruvananthapuram to be in time for the assembly session Tuesday.
He was off again Tuesday night for Kannur in north Kerala.
To make things that much worse, the chief minister requested the Indian Navy for use of a helicopter to take him from Kannur to Kochi from where he could take an Indian Airlines flight to the state capital for the assembly session and the routine weekly cabinet meeting Wednesday.
The navy turned down the request, but the air force relented and Chandy hotfooted it back to Thiruvananthapuram.
Interestingly, this is one issue on which even the opposition agrees.
"He is one chief minister who means business and takes quick decisions, so certainly I would extend all support for the requirement of a helicopter for the state government," senior opposition leader P.C. George told IANS.
"Whatever hard work he is doing now is certainly not going to return his United Democratic Front government next time, so he should at least take care of his health," he said.
--Indo-Asian News Service
Kerala govt to consider reducing demurrage: Chandy
Friday, March 18, 2005 | APA
Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 17 (PTI) The Kerala government would consider the possibility of reducing demurrage on baggages at Cochin International Airport, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said today.
The Cochin International Airport Ltd (CIAL) would be asked to examine the matter, Chandy said while replying to a calling attention in the assembly to the problems experienced by the passengers in the cargo terminal.
Once computerisation of cargo terminal was completed, the cargo operation at the airport would be fast, he added.
Umesh Challiyil (JSS) said that after five days of keeping baggages at free of cost, the airport was charging huge amount as demurrage on the cargo.
While replying to another calling attention to the increasing road accidents in the state, Chandy said Road Safety Council had already been set up and a Road Safety legislation would be brought soon.
Expressing concern over the increased number of road accidents, Chandy said 41,220 road accidents took place in which 3,059 people lost their lives.
Chandy said government would implement the road safety measures and traffic rules strictly as part of its effort to check accidents in the state. PTI
Scheme to promote pilgrim tourism in Kerala on anvil
Friday, March 18, 2005 | APA
A comprehensive scheme to promote pilgrim tourism, which will include linking places of worship of different faiths in Kerala, is on the anvil, State Tourism Minister K V Venugopal told the Assembly today.
A comprehensive scheme to promote pilgrim tourism, which will include linking places of worship of different faiths in Kerala, is on the anvil, State Tourism Minister K V Venugopal told the Assembly today.
The project envisaged working out circuits connecting important temples, mosques, churches and synagogues, he said in reply to questions.
While attracting tourists, due care would be taken to ensure that the influx of visitors did not damage the architectural design and time-honoured traditions of the places of worship. In view of this, the Archaeology department would be also be involved in the project, he said.
It would also be ensured that the surroundings of the heritage sites were not harmed by polythene and other polluting articles, he said.
The government had also instructed all temples to appoint guards in view of the increase in idol theft, he said. PTI
Gangadharan's reply not satisfactory: Chandy
Thursday, March 17, 2005 | APA
Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Wednesday hinted that action would be taken against his deputy in the state Assembly M P Gangadharan for attending the rally organised by the Karunakaran faction of the Congress here on March 12.
''His reply to the show-cause notice is not satisfactory,'' he told newspersons here after a meeting of the state Cabinet.
He said Gangadharan was likely to be removed from the post at the Congress Legislature Party meeting later in the evening.
However, Chandy did not specify whether action would be taken against him or not.
At the Karunakaran faction rally here, Gangadharan, the only MLA who had attend it, had severely criticised the functioning of the Oommen Chandy Government.
In reply to the show cause notice, he claimed that there was nothing wrong in his participation in the meeting which was organised by the DCC in connection with the 75th anniversary of the Dandi March.
However, the Chief Minister maintained that the High Command and the PCC had issued clear direction against attending the rally.
Stating that he was ready for any compromise, Chandy said that unity should not be at the cost of party discipline. All the problems would be settled in the party once the KPCC completed its scheduled programmes, he added.
Meanwhile, former Chief Minister and Congress Working Committee (CWC)member A K Antony, who returned here from New Delhi after holding talks with High Command representatives on the crisis in the party's state unit, said all the Congressmen should obey the decisions of the High Command.
If the issue was not handled sensitively, it would lead to a split in the party, he added.
Karunakaran faction floats 'parallel DCC' in Kozhikode
Tuesday, March 15, 2005 | APA
Continuing to tread a collision course with the party's official leadership, Karunakaran faction in the Congress in Kerala today formed a "parallel DCC" in Kozhikode, while KPCC president Thennala Balakrishna Pillai left here for Delhi to brief party high command of the developments.
Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 14 : Continuing to tread a collision course with the party's official leadership, Karunakaran faction in the Congress in Kerala today formed a "parallel DCC" in Kozhikode, while KPCC president Thennala Balakrishna Pillai left here for Delhi to brief party high command of the developments.
In a counter show of strength, the KPCC also decided to organise party rallies at three centres in the state next month to commemorate the platinum jubilee of Mahatma Gandhi's Dandi march.
In his reply to the show cause notice issued by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy for attending the faction rally in the capital, CLP deputy leader M P Gangadharan said he had not attended a group rally, but the meeting organised to mark the anniversary of Dandi march.
A defiant K Muraleedharan, who was suspended from the party last week, today kept up his tirade against his rivals and his supporters floated a steering committee parallel to DCC in Kozhikode, with old guard INTUC leader K Sadirikoya as president.
`I' group leaders said similar parallel committees would soon be formed in the remaining 13 districts.
Meanwhile, senior leader Vayalar Ravi said at Kannur that the crisis in the party's state unit was "nothing new" and such problems had been solved before with the effective intervention of party leadership. PTI
Nayan ditches Mohanlal?
Tuesday, March 15, 2005 | APA
Has Nayantara ditched Mohanlal, her one time friend philosopher and guide? Remember that it was Mohanlal who gave her the initial big breaks in films like Vismayathumbathu and Natturajavu.
Now Nayantara whom Mohanlal used to call “Princess Diana” (Diana is her real name) has refused to do Bhadran directed Udayon with Mohanlal as “she is busy in Tamil and Telugu”.
But two weeks after she said “No” to Mohanlal, Nayan went ahead and signed Raapakal, her second film with Mammootty to be directed by Kamal. Nayan has also signed a Telugu film with NTR.
So will we see Nayan with Mohanlal again? However the rumour mills say that both have parted ways after being closely identified with each other.
Can Thomman take on Udayan?
Tuesday, March 15, 2005 | APA
Lal, the actor, producer and distributor is an angry man as his Thommante Makkal with Mammootty, Rajan.P.Dev and himself is ready for release, on March 18.
Lal has a score to settle with writer-actor Sreenivasan and ‘Carlton’ Karunakaran the producer-distributor of Udayananu Tharam. Lal is livid with rage as he is not getting any big theatres in Kerala including Ernakulam Shenoys and Thiruvananthapuram Sreekumar as “Udayan” is going great guns in these theatres and cannot be shifted to accommodate Thommante Makkal.
‘Shenoys’ and ‘Sreekumar’ are considered the “Collection Kings” among Kerala theatres and all blockbusters of Lal Creations were screened in these theatres in the past. Recently when “Udayan” overtook the collection record created by Lal’s Tenkasipattanam, it made the actor green with envy!
So now to give some competition to “Udayan” which is having a field day in spite of Exams and Cricket fever, Lal has preponed the release of Thommante Makkal from March 27 to 18. The film carries good reports and is expected to take a fantastic initial as it is an action comedy.
`Udayan` is a blockbuster!
Tuesday, March 15, 2005 | APA
Mohanlal’s Udayananu Tharam is turning out to be a blockbuster of gargantuan proposition. The film has grossed an amazing Rs 6.69 Crore from 41 screens in 35 days and a distributor’s share of Rs 2.76 Crore!
The producer-distributor C.Karunakaran, of Carlton Films whose total cost of the film including prints and publicity was Rs 2.35 Crore, has turned profitable in release stations itself, a unique feat these days.
In Chennai, Bangalore and Mumbai also the film is doing extremely well. The film has no opposition and even during examination season it is going at 70 percent of the capacity. It looks like the film will complete 100 days easily in Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Trichur.
However the real test for Udayan will be the Easter weekend when three biggies are slated for release.
Raapakal
Tuesday, March 15, 2005 | APA
Noted director Kamal who made a handful of female oriented films like Manjupole Oru Penkutty and Perumazhakalam has decided to change tracks and make film with Mammootty, the current top star in Malayalam. The film titled Raapakal has started rolling in Ottapalam and Mammootty plays a servant in a big household.
Raapakal is scripted by T.A.Razak, the tearjerker specialist of Balettan and Vesham fame. Nayantara is once again his heroine after Taskaraveeran. Mammootty plays Krishnan Kutty a loyal servant whose life revolves around a mana which has a large number of family members and he is the pet of the head of the family and his wife. Most likely these roles will be played by Balachandra Menon and Sarada.
Raapakal will have music by Mohan Sitara and is produced by Howly Potter under the banner of “Dream Team Productions”.
Thommante Makkal
Monday, March 14, 2005 | APA
Synopsis
Protagonist Thomman (Rajan P. Dev) is a much-feared man in his village. He is an alcoholic. He can’t remain off booze. If he does, it drives him crazy! So, his sons ply him with liquor constantly to keep him from trouble-making.
Thomman has two sons. The elder son, Shivan (Mammootty) is a hot-tempered youth. He roughs up anyone who annoys him.
The younger son, Sathyan (Lal) is good at heart, albeit with a crusty exterior. He is playful and full of pranks. The father and sons get on like a house on fire. And given their mercurial temper, their doings inevitably end up in brawls and spats!
Circumstances force them to leave their native place and settle in another village.
It is an entirely new setting for the quarrel-prone father and son team. The problems they encounter in the new village form the theme of the movie.
Reigning queen of Kannada silverscreen Laya plays the female lead in the movie, which has Sindhu Menon in a meaty cameo.
Veteran Shafi is the director of the movie lyrics of which have been penned by Kaithapram. Benny P. Nayarambalam has written the story and screenplay.
If the Kollywood buzz is any guide, Thommante Makkal will have a Vishu (April 14) release.
Nobody should leave the party: Antony
Monday, March 14, 2005 | APA
Even as the Karunakaran faction defied the High Command directive again and held its second zonal rally on Saturday, former Chief Minister and senior leader A K Antony said nobody should leave the party and hoped the present crisis would not lead to a split.
In the backdrop of "I" faction holding the second of its three zonal rallies in Thiruvananthapuram, Antony favoured talks to resolve the present impasse which intensified last week with the suspension of former KPCC president K Muraleedharan from the party. "Nobody should leave the party and such a situation should not arise," Antony, who has so far kept away from the present factional fighting in the state unit, said here.
Amid indications by Muraleedharan that he may contemplate leaving the party, which could lead to a vertical split in the state unit, he said the party would not split.
Antony, who is in charge of the party's affairs in Karnataka, held parleys with Chief Minister Dharam Singh and PCC president Janardhan Poojary before meeting AICC president Sonia Gandhi at her residence. Meanwhile, the "I" faction today staged a rally of party workers from southern districts of Kerala in Thiruvananthapuram in defiance of the central leadership directive.
[Agency]
Suspensions should be revoked: Karunakaran
Monday, March 14, 2005 | APA
Senior Congress leader K. Karunakaran on Saturday said that all suspensions made in connection with the recent rallies organised by Congress 'I' group should be revoked for for reconciliation in the party.
Notwithstanding the threat of disciplinary action, thousands of Congress activists loyal to the veteran leader Karunakaran took part in the second zonal rally here in defiance of the party High Command.
Former PCC chief K. Muraleedharan, suspended from the party for organising the first zonal rally at Kozhikode on March nine, led the rally, which began from the Museum Junction, four km from the venue of the public meeting.
Thiruvananthapuram District Congress Committee president Peethambara Kurup was involved in the organisation of the zonal rally, which covered three southern districts.
However, Kollam DCC president Sooranad Rajasekharan, also an 'I' faction leader, kept away.
The activists shouted slogans against Chief Minister Oommen Chandy for his ''dictatorial'' style of functioning.
''I'' faction leaders claimed that though Chandy had tried to sabotage the rally, it was turning out a big success like the first rally. ''It is not a rally against the party leadership or meant for effecting a split in the rally, but to press for our demand for organisational elections,'' said Muraleedharan, son of Karunakaran.
He alleged that Chandy was trying to sabotage organisational polls by suspending party leaders one by one.
Calling the KPCC a ''State Suspension Committee,'' he said they should not think suspended leaders would go into political wilderness. 'A real KPCC will come into being soon,'' he said.
The KPCC, which suspended three former KPCC office bearers - N Venugopal, K P Kunhikannan and K C Kadambooran - yesterday on charges of violating party discipline by participating in the Kozhikode rally, has already indicated that action would be taken against MLAs if they took part in today's rally.
Chandy has reportedly succeeded to an extent in creating a wedge in the ''I'' faction by treating dissidence with an iron fist.
''We want to show our strength through our workers ahead of the organisational polls,'' Peethambara Kurup said.
Besides the three Congress leaders, a number of leaders of feeder organisations have also been suspended in connection with the rally.
While former Chief Minister A K Antony, who is camping in Delhi, strongly advocates steps to avert a split in the party, some KPCC office bearers were against any compromise.
''We suffered a lot in the past. Now, there is no question of any compromise. Whoever violates party discipline, action will be taken against them,'' KPCC general secretary Kodikunnil Suresh said.
Train from Kochuveli on March 30
Monday, March 14, 2005 | APA
The first train from the second coaching terminal will be flagged off on March 30.
The Railway sources said the 2653 Kochuveli-Nizamuddin Kerala Sampark Kranti Express, announced in last year's railway budget, will be the first train to commence service from Kochuveli.
The train will have I AC, AC 2-Tier, AC 3-Tier and Sleeper Class. The regular services of the new train to Nizamuddin will commence from April 4 and to Kochuveli from April 8 onwards.
'I' group MLAs not to take part in rally
Monday, March 14, 2005 | APA
Sixteen MLAs of the Karunakaran faction will not take part in the rally to be held here this evening.
They took this decision after meeting senior leader K Karunakaran.
The MLAs were not able to attend the rally on March 9 held at Kozhikode since whips were issued to them asking them to be present in the assembly.
Former KPCC chief K Muralidharan talking to reporters today said, a real KPCC would soon be formed.
"We are only bothered about the people who will gather at the venue of the public," he added.
Congress to stage three rallies in Kerala
Monday, March 14, 2005 | APA
Thiruvananthapuram, March 14 : After dissident leader K. Karunakaran, Kerala's ruling Congress has gone into rally mode and is to stage three of them.
The Congress says its rallies are meant to commemorate the 75th anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi's Dandi March.
The first rally will be held April 16 at Kozhikode, state Congress president Thennala Balakrishna Pillai announced Monday after a meeting of the party's office bearers here. The dates for the other rallies are yet to be decided.
The Karunakaran faction has already staged two rallies and is to organise a third at Kochi March 21 in spite of a clear directive from the Congress national leadership to desist from doing so.
Karunanidhi's son K. Muraleedharan was suspended before the first rally earlier this month.
"These (Congress) rallies are being held to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Dandi March. Apart from rallies and a public meeting at the three venues, seminars and other meetings are also planned," said Pillai.
He said that under no circumstances would any sort of dissident activity be allowed and that action would be taken against those who defied party directives.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said no leniency would be shown to people who breach party discipline.
"We have had enough dissident activities and under no circumstances would one section of the party leaders have their say any more and action would be strict when it comes to discipline the party," said Chandy.
Pillai is understood to have prepared a detailed report on the two rallies staged by the Karunakaran faction and will submit it to Congress president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi later this week.
Muraleedharan, meanwhile, continued to take a defiant stand and accused "certain people" of attempting to disrupt the Kochi rally.
"A lot of people are doing a lot of things to see that this rally does not take place but we will go ahead," Muraleedharan asserted.
Show-cause notice to Kerala leader M P Gangadharan
Monday, March 14, 2005 | APA
Thiruvananthapuram, Mar 13 : Pursuing a hard line against the dissidents in the party, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy tonight issued a show-cause notice to Deputy Leader of Congress Legislature Party M P Gangadharan for attending the Karunakaran faction's rally here yesterday defying the high command ban.
Chandy, in his capacity as CLP leader, sought to know an explanation from Gangadharan as to why he attended the "I" faction's zonal rally defying the AICC and KPCC ban, party sources said.
Gangadharan had been asked to furnish his reply within two days.
Earlier in the day, Chandy made it clear at Kollam that a show-cause notice would be given to Gangadharan as his action amounted to "serious breach" of party discipline.
The notice was delivered to Gangadharan's residence here after the Chief Minister returned to the state capital at the end of his engagements in the neighbouring districts, sources added.
While the Congress high command had suspended former KPCC chief K Muraleedharan on the eve of the first zonal rally last week for defying its directive, the KPCC on Friday suspended three other leaders of the group for taking part in the rally. PTI
AICC waits for Kerala unit's report, A K calls for peace
Monday, March 14, 2005 | APA
New Delhi, Mar 13 : As the factional feud in the ruling Congress in Kerala deepened, the party high command today said it would decide on cracking the whip against defiant leaders on the basis of PCC's report even as senior leader A K Antony warned the party would split if the situation continued to drift.
In the backdrop of Karunakaran faction defying the party directive by holding its second zonal rally and the demand by Chief Minister Oommen Chandy for stern action against deputy leader of the Congress Legislature Party M P Gangadharan who attended the show of strength, AICC said it would act on the basis of the report.
"It is upto the PCC. We are waiting for the report. We will decide after getting the report," AICC General Secretary in charge of party's affairs in Kerala, Ahmed Patel, told reporters here when asked if the high command was mulling action against the defiant leaders.
Congress had already suspended former KPCC President K Muraleedharan on Tuesday, a day ahead of his 'I' faction's first of the three rallies in Kozhikode. The state unit later suspended several middle-rung leaders for participating in the rally.
Meanwhile, Congress Working Committee member and former Chief Minister A K Antony, who is understood to have been conducting back-channel negotiations to resolve the crisis in the PCC, called for peace and said if the present situation continued the party would split in the state. PTI
National Geographic to air feature on Guruvayur elephants in Kerala:
Monday, March 14, 2005 | APA
Guruvayur (Kerala), March 14 : The National Geographic channel is to air a special feature later this year on the elephants of the famed Sree Krishna temple at Guruvayur.
At 63 the temple boasts of the highest number of captive elephants - all of which have been gifted by devotees.
A six-member team of Britain's Granada Productions is producing the documentary, titled "Anakotta".
"The theme of the documentary is the elephant's relationship with man. Nowhere else can one find such a large number of trained elephants", said Steve Gooder, the producer and director of the documentary.
Gooder has made several documentaries on wildlife and has won several awards.
"We arrived here on Thursday and shot for three days. The shoot was over last (Sunday) evening. It was a wonderful experience for all of us. The documentary would be aired on National Geographic channel towards the end of the year", Aditya Patnakar, the Indian consultant for the project, told IANS.
Temple administrator K. Anilkumar said permission for filming was granted as the team agreed to work within the rules of the temple.
"They wrote to us for permission and after the board cleared this, we asked them to remit a fee of Rs.2,500 per day. Strict guidelines were issued not to disturb the animals in any manner and they complied with this," Anilkumar added.
--Indo-Asian News Service
Malabari parathas now go global
Monday, March 14, 2005 | APA
Kochi, Mar. 14 : The famed Malabari 'paratha' of Kerala, a many-layered fried bread made from unleavened dough, is going global. The stategovernments efforts to sell the "Gods Own Country" brand name has helped the Kerala paratha going across the seven seas, alongwith spices and Ayurveda.
The parathas of Kerala has got it name from the region of its origin. It is basically an ethnic food of the Muslims of the northern Malabar region of the state, which is now popular across the state and outside amongst people of Kerala origin.
Historically, it was the spices that brought earliest foreign visitors to Kerala, who mainly came as traders. For the increasing number of visitors to the state today, the local cuisine plays an important part in the cultural and economical experience of the state.
Over the last decade, the South Asian population in America has exploded and there are countless ethnic grocery stores, restaurants and fast food places in New York and in other European countries.
Earlier there were only one or two companies engaged in making this parantha and curry for exports but now there are around 15 small and big companies engaged in manufacturing this item for export purpose.
The major buyers are the US, European Countries, Gulf and now its fast getting into Australia says the CFO Mr. Joseph Mathew of Amalgam Food and Beverages Ltd., a Cochin based company engaged in food processing for the last several years.
"We have tied up with an Australian company for marketing our products in the Australian cities," said Jospeh Mathew of Amalgam Food.
He says that the response is so good that they are now getting orders in bulk and are working day and night to procure the orders, and are shipping 5 containers a month to western and Gulf regions.
His company makes 50 thousand parathas daily in a 24-hour shift at his kitchen to meet the growing demand.
Besides the typical Malabari Paratha, the export basket from the food processing industries in the state include parathas laced with cumin seed and north Indian parathas.
The ready-to-serve curries with Parathas include vegetarian and non- vegetarian. These companies have also specialized in making typical snacks of Kerala for the overseas market, like Masala Dosa, Vadas, Puttu-Kadala,Idiyappam and Kerala's own tapioca with fish-curry.
These have a shelf life of around 2 years in deep freezers as these are well packed and are made frozen in high frozen chambers.
The recent support from the government to the food processing industry has proved to be a shot in the arms of enterprising Malayali businessmen, who made the best of the times to reach to the Keralaite population in different parts of the world and to those foreigners, who had first hand experience of the Kerala cuisine during their visits to the state as tourists. In fact the flow of tourists from abroad to the state has shown a steady increase in the recent times.
With the world shrinking into a global village, fresh curry leaves and drumsticks fresh from the fields of Kerala now reach the vegetable stores in the Gulf the same day, with the increase in the Malayali community there. And the latest in the departmental stories are readymade parathas made in coconut oil and curries made in the typical Malabari style laced with spices from the Western Ghats. (ANI)
RSS leader's murder: 12 NDF activists held in Kerala
Monday, March 14, 2005 | APA
Kannur, Mar 12 : Twelve activists of National Development Front (NDF), a Muslim outfit, were arrested today in connection with the murder of RSS leader Ashwini Kumar near Irrity in this district on Thursday last, police said.
The NDF activists, including an advocate, were arrested at Hossan Motta near Thalassery while they were moving in a jeep from Azhiyoor near Mahe town to Thalassery, they said.
Some arms, including swords and iron rods, were seized from the vehicle.
Police said those arrested admitted to have indulged in misinformation campaign that an NDF activist was killed in a counter attack with a view to triggering communal violence in the wake of the murder of the RSS leader.
The murder had led to large scale violence and arson in Mattannur, Iritty and other parts of Kannur district. PTI
Kerala will welcome Musharraf: Chandy
Monday, March 14, 2005 | APA
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala would like Pakistani President Pervez Musharraf to visit Kochi for the first India-Pakistan one-day international on April 2, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said on Monday.
"It would be a great honour for Kerala to host him. I personally would do my best to ensure the general visits Kochi," Chandy said.
Musharraf had expressed a desire to visit India to witness either a Test or a one-day and India responded by formally inviting him. Details of the visit are being worked out.
"We have, on several occasions, hosted Indian prime ministers and presidents at Kochi, so infrastructure-wise, we are comparable to the best anywhere in the country," Chandy contended.
"For us, what matters is to get him. We expect that in the coming days the decision would be announced and then we would go ahead with the necessary preparations," Chandy added.
Sports Minister Dominic Presentation also chipped in.
"We have a world-class airport and also internationally acclaimed hotels. We would do everything to get the Pakistani President," Presentation said.
Indian cricket board secretary SK Nair was non-committal on the issue.
"Of course, if he makes it to Kochi, it would be great. At the moment, there is a lot of speculation (about which city Musharraf would visit).
"I will not speculate and am waiting to hear from the Prime Minister's Office and this is expected any time now," Nair maintained.
Cong crisis: 'Parallel DCC' formed in Kozhikode
Monday, March 14, 2005 | APA
Kozhikode: The faction-ridden Congress in Kerala appears to be heading for a split with the 'I' faction, led by senior leader K. Karunakaran, on Monday forming a ''parallel District Congress Committee'' to streamline their future course of action.
According to 'I' group sources, INTUC district unit president K. Sadirikoya had been nominated president and DCC vice-president Ramachandran and senior leader E.K. Gopalakrishan, convenors of the parallel body. A 21-member district committee had also been named, the sources said, adding that the party was looking for a suitable premises to accommodate its new office.
Confirming the formation of the parallel body, Sadirikkoya told reporters at a function here that the move was aimed at streamlining the party's functioning, ahead of Kochi zonal rally on March 21.
Describing the move as aimed at weakening the party and engineering a split, DCC(I) president K. Veerankutty, till recently a close confidante of Karunakaran, said he was aware of their game plan and had therefore decided to stay away from the zonal rally held here on March 9.
''They cannot wean away real Congressmen'' by forming a separate office,'' he said, adding, the rally called by the KPCC here on April 16 would be testimony to this. He said he had information that 'I' faction leader K. Muraleedharan held several rounds of parleys with the CPI(M), the NCP and RSP(B) to forge an alliance with them after a possible split in the party.
12% interest fixed for private money lenders
Monday, March 14, 2005 | APA
Thiruvananthapuram: Private money lenders in Kerala should not col |
