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December 2001

Monday, December 31, 2001

Efforts on to bring peace to Puthenthope, Thumba

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Tourism and Fisheries Minister K V Thomas today continued his efforts to bring peace to conflict-ridden Puthenthope and Thumba, where one person was killed in police firing on Friday.

The Minister met Bishop Soosa Pakiam earlier in the day but differences continued between the neighbouring villages of Puthenthope and Thumba regarding the measures to be taken by the government.

While Puthenthope people insisted on more police force for their protection, those from Thumba were not amenable to the idea. But both agreed that some people were still holding country bombs, threatening peace in the area.

Sources said the government was waiting for a consensus between the two groups.

Monday, December 31, 2001

Ernakulam district champs in Keralotsavam

KOCHI: Ernakulam district won the overall championship in the State Keralotsavam, which concluded here today, collecting 202 points. Thrissur came second with 115 points while Kozhikode bagged the third position with 113 points. The event was organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs, Kerala.

Ernakulam came top in the arts competition with 72 points. Kozhikode and Kannur bagged the second and third spots with 76 and 68 points each. In the sports and athletics competitions, Ernakulam kept its supremacy with 120 points followed by Thrissur with 71 points and Kollam with 50 points.

The announcement of the Kalapratibha was marred by protests. C R Ranjit of Ernakulam was first declared the Kalapratibha. It was disputed by the supporters of M K Bijeesh of Thrissur.

The argument was that in the kathakali competition Ranjit was the only participant and so the winner. Hence, the points from kathakali should not be counted for deciding the Kalapratibha. Finally, the organisers declared Ranjit and Bijeesh as joint Kalaprathibhas.

Therma Antony of Ernakulam was the Kalathilakam. In the sports and athletics, Stylemon Pillai of Kollam, Rajan P K of Wayanad and Gireesh K of Kollam were the toppers, while among women R Suma of Kollam collected the maximum points.

The awards were presented by Youth Affairs Minister M A Kuttappan.

Monday, December 31, 2001

Dpep website launch on Jan. 2

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Dpep, in association with Indira Gandhi National Open University, will launch a website on January 2 to disseminate awareness about new teaching methods and the role of parents, teachers, community, school and books in them.

The address of the website is `www.kerala primary education.org.'

Education Minister Nalakath Soopy will inaugurate the website at a function at Government Guest House, an official release said.

Monday, December 31, 2001

Two killed in road accidents

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Two people were killed in two separate road accidents here on Sunday.

Santhosh Babu, 37, an employee of Vaidhyuthi Bhavan, was fatally knocked down by a Milma milk-distributing van in front of the Fort police station about 6.30 in the morning.

Santhosh Babu was out for his morning walk when the accident took place, police said. He is survived by wife Jyothi and a three-year old child.

In another incident late in the night, Munnaswamy, a jawan of Pallipuram CRPF camp, hailing from Andhra Pradesh, was killed after he was knocked down by a KSRTC super fast bus in front of the camp on the national highway.

Sunday, December 30, 2001

Groupism again rears its ugly head in Congress

KOCHI: Groupism in the Congress has once again reared its ugly head with leaders of the three anti-Karunakaran groups, KPCC vice-president and Antony loyalist M I Shanavaz, KPCC general secretary and third group leader N Venugopal and fourth group leader Vayalar Ravi, coming out against Karunakaran for allegedly trying to wreck the Antony Government and for promoting dynasty.

Convening of an ‘I’ group conclave by Karunakaran loyalists in connection with the party’s formation day here yesterday, the participation in it by KPCC president K Muraleedharan and two Ministers (K V Thomas and P Shankaran) and the recent floating of two outfits by the ‘I’ group--Priyadarshini Study Centre and Rajiv Gandhi Study Centre- are the immediate provocation for the angry outbursts of anti-Karunakaran group leaders.

Dubbing the ‘Priyadarshini Study Centre’ and ‘Raji Gandhi Study Centre’ headed by Padmaja Venugopal and T Sarathchandra Prasad respectively, as parallel organisations of Congress, KPCC vice-president M I Shanawas and general secretary N Venugopal, at a news conference here today, demanded the immediate disbanding of these organisations.

They also flayed the KPCC president’s presence at the public meeting jointly organised by the study centres.Shanawaz hit out at Karunakaran for his ‘anti-Government utterances’ at yesterday’s meeting.

‘‘Karunakaran seems to be bent upon toppling the Antony Government.

Considering the larger interests of the party, we have been tolerating his outbursts so far.

But it has come to a stage when we are left with no choice but to react.

The anti-Government manouevrings of Karunakaran would be discussed at the next KPCC executive meeting. The issue would also be brought to the attention of party high command,’’ Shanawaz said.

The ‘A’ faction has strong resentment over the fact that Karunakaran mounted attack on the Government in the very presence of two Ministers. These Ministers are likely to come under the attack in the PCC meeting slated for next week for having failed to ‘defend’ the Government.

While addressing a youth congress meet here today, Vayalar Ravi also came down heavily on the newly floated outfits by the Karunakaran loyalists.

‘‘Imposing leaders upon the party workers seems to be the latest fad in the party. Some others, in their bid to become leaders, form new organisations and occupy key posts,’’ Ravi said.

However, ‘I‘‘ group sources have affirmed that the demand for the dissolution of the study centres would be strongly opposed by the group if the issue was raised at the PCC meeting.

Sunday, December 30, 2001

Kerala's engineering colleges to open doors to foreigners

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: From the coming academic year seats would be earmarked for foreign nationals in several of the state engineering colleges in Kerala.

The state, which recently opened up professional education to the private sector, has decided that one way to sustain the already increasing number of engineering colleges is to open it for foreign nationals.

During the last academic year Kerala had just 32 engineering colleges with around 8,500 seats. This year the number of colleges has increased and as a result 2,500 additional seats were created.

Already close to two dozen engineering colleges have been given the sanction to admit foreigners and hectic construction work is going on to see that they are ready to admit students for the academic year beginning 2002-03.

Education minister Nalakath Soopy, who is working hard to see that this plan to admit foreign nationals be taken up soon, appointed a committee under the higher education secretary as chairman to oversee the modalities.

Already there are a few seats in state engineering colleges reserved for foreigners, but not a single seat was taken up in the present academic year.

Sunday, December 30, 2001

Kerala’s first TESA-ICSI babies born

KOCHI: Kerala had its first TESA-ICSI babies on December 26, when 32-year-old Prasanna gave birth to twins at K J Hospital, Kodungallur, making this new technique in infertility treatment a success for the first time in the State.

This method is effective in the case of Azoospermia, where no sperms are found in the semen, a cause for three to 5 per cent of male infertility.

Using donor sperms for pregnancy or adopting a child are considered the only solutions to this problem so far.

But by successfully completing the experiment of TESA-ICSI, (Testicular Sperm Aspiration - Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) the Centre for Research in Assisted reproduction and Foetal Therapy (Craft), Kodungallur, has brought new hope for men seeking treatment for infertility.

At a press conference here yesterday, Dr C Mohamed Ashraf, director of Craft, said that though this technique was used earlier, it did not succeed. It was used on the couple Prasanna and Jayachandran in April 2001, and after obtaining four embryos, two of them were implanted in the uterus. The babies are healthy, he said. ‘‘Multiple pregnancy is a possibility in such cases, as we are not sure how many embryos will catch on. If it is a triplex, there is a chance for early pregnancy. Other than that there is no risk involved’’, said Dr Ashraf.

Two more couples have undergone this procedure at the hospital. The cost for this treatment alone will come to Rs 45,000. If hormone therapy is needed for the woman, the total expenditure will be over Rs 75,000. ‘‘Not many realise that with the passing of years women tend to lose their chances of getting pregnant as they will develop Endometriosis or cists in the uterus. The abortion possibility will be high, and they will need hormone treatment, which is expensive. So, it is better to go for treatment at the earliest, instead of waiting for years’’, he said.

Earlier, women had more infertility related problems than men, but the situation has changed now, feels Dr Ashraf.

Craft has also performed assisted hatching of the embryos in an elderly woman for the first time in the State, and the delivery is expected in the third week of January.

Dr Nabas Baban, visiting embryologist from Germany, was also present at the Press conference.

Sunday, December 30, 2001

New technique for infertility

KOCHI: Kerala had its first TESA-ICSI babies on December 26, when 32-year-old Prasanna gave birth to twins at K J Hospital, Kodungallur, making this new technique in infertility treatment a success for the first time in the state.

This method is effective in the case of Azoospermia, where no sperms are found in the semen, a cause for three to five per cent cases of male infertility.

Using donor sperms for pregnancy or adopting a child are considered the only solutions to this problem so far.

But by successfully completing the experiment of TESA-ICSI, (Testicular Sperm Aspiration - Intra Cytoplasmic Sperm Injection) the Centre for Research in Assisted reproduction and Foetal Therapy (Craft), Kodungallur, has brought new hope for men seeking treatment for infertility.

At a press conference here on Friday, Dr C Mohamed Ashraf, director of Craft, said that though this technique was used earlier, it did not succeed. It was used on the couple Prasanna and Jayachandran in April 2001, and after obtaining four embryos, two of them were implanted in the uterus. The babies are healthy, he said.

"Multiple pregnancy is a possibility in such cases, as we are not sure how many embryos will catch on. If it is a triplex, there is a chance for early pregnancy. Other than that there is no risk involved", said Dr Ashraf.

Two more couples have undergone this procedure at the hospital. The cost for this treatment alone will come to Rs 45,000. If hormone therapy is needed for the woman, the total expenditure will be over Rs 75,000.

"Not many realise that with the passing of years women tend to lose their chances of getting pregnant as they will develop Endometriosis or cists in the uterus.

The abortion possibility will be high, and they will need hormone treatment, which is expensive. So, it is better to go for treatment at the earliest, instead of waiting for years", he said.

Earlier, women had more infertility related problems than men, but the situation has changed now, feels Dr Ashraf. Craft has also performed assisted hatching of the embryos in an elderly woman for the first time in the state, and the delivery is expected in the third week of January.

Sunday, December 30, 2001

Five killed in car-lorry collision

THRISSUR: Five persons, including one girl and two women, were killed and three others injured when the Maruti car in which they were travelling collided with a tanker-lorry on the NH 47 at Pattikkad, near here, on Saturday morning.

Police said that the deceased and injured were hailing from Ponnani in Malappuram district.

The deceased were identified as Khalid (32), his wife Balkkisa (30), their daughter Alisa (7), Dhayana (55) and her son Liyakhad (32).

The injured were children below 10 years - Khaleel, Naifal and Noufeena. Police said that the injured have been hospitalised here and their condition is stated to be serious. The tanker-lorry was coming to Thrissur from Palakkad and the Maruti car was proceeding from Ponnani to Palakkad.

Police said that the deceased and injured were relatives who were going to Palakkad to attend the inauguration of a shop there.

Saturday, December 29, 2001

Missile boats moved to western theatre

KOCHI: The Indian Navy has deployed an armada of missile boats in the western theatre as a first step to combat any spill-over of the mounting tension on the ground along the Indo-Pak international border into the waters.

A fleet of submarines has also been moved into the area.

This apart, all Naval Commands have been put on very high alert. Leave to personnel has been cancelled.

The Navy, especially the Western Command, has recalled personnel on leave, sources said. The Southern Naval Command here also has cancelled leave.

Many top-ranking officers have been moved to other Commands to carry out strategic operations.

All ships have been fully armed and have been asked to stand by for movement at short notice.

Eastern Command may also be moved to the West depending on the situation.

The country’s only aircraft carrier, INS Viraat, is also in the East completing the work on her aircraft.

The Eastern armada, including INS Viraat, will be moved in to the west anytime.

‘‘The deployment of submarines is quite significant. This shows that the Navy is prepared to take on any situation,’’ defence analysts pointed out.

The submarines were deployed immediately after the post-Pokharan blast.

Sources said that the submarines were then stationed just 40 miles off Karachi. ‘‘The Western theatre will play a significant role if a full-scale war breaks out. Pakistan heavily depends on the Karachi port. Our first aim will be to deny the port to any imports,’’ sources said.

The Navy had taken a strong posture during the Kargil conflict also. Indian ships had occupied strategic positions along the sea route, literally forcing Pakistan to agree to a withdrawal of forces from the Indian territory.

The deployment of missile boats and submarines comes along with the positioning of 333 Medium Regiment of the Army, in charge of Prithvi missiles, off Jalandhar. India is also moving its Ambala-based 2 Corps Strike Regiment to the border.

The corps will carry out its ‘‘intense exercise’’ at a location nearer to the border, sources said.

The Mathura-based 1 Corps Strike Regiment has already been moved to a ‘‘strategic location.’’ The Bhopal-based 21 Corps will also be moved soon.

Saturday, December 29, 2001

‘India far ahead of Pak in N-tech, delivery systems’

THRISSUR: The Atomic Energy Commission (AEC)’s Chairman and Secretary to the Government of India Dr Anil Kakodkar said that India is far ahead of Pakistan in nuclear technology, weapons capacity and delivery systems.

Answering queries from mediapersons at the Kerala Agricultural University at Vellanikkara, near here on THursday, the Padma Bhushan-winning nuclear scientist said that in terms of technology, the country has the best capability in the nuclear field and it is completely secured. He said that the country’s defence forces as a whole are quite capable of meeting any challenge.

Answering another query, Kakodkar said that the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) has made a beginning in collaborative research activities with agricultural universities in agriculture and food preservation through application of radiation.

He said that the shelf life and hygienic condition of perishable commodities are improved considerably through the application of radiation. The better shelf life automatically reduce the spoilage of these perishable commodities and contribute to the stability of price of these items. He said that the technology is well accepted the world over and the application of radiation does not pose any health hazard.

He pointed out that the greatest advantage of preservation through radiation is, apart from increasing the shelf life, that the technique can be applied on items after they are packed for the domestic or export markets.

Kakodkar said that BARC has already set up a high-dose plant for the application of radiation for enhancing the shelf life and hygienic condition of spices in Vashi, near Mumbai and another low-dose plant for application of radiation for the preservation of vegetables is being established at Lasalgoan, near Nasik in Maharashtra.

Saturday, December 29, 2001

Yuva Yatra flagged off

KALADY: The Rashtreeya Yuva Yatra from the birth place of Adi Sankara will be instrumental in building a strong society without religious, caste, regional and politcal discriminations, said Union Minister of State for Youth Affairs Pon Radhakrishnan here on Friday evening.

He was inaugurating the first Yuva Yatra in Kalady. The problems facing the nation including threat from terrorists can be solved by committed youth, Pon Radhakrishnan said.

Presiding over the function, Union Minister of State for Railways O Rajagopal hoped that the Rashtreeya Yuva Yatra will enable the youth to unite the country. In the post-independence period, the leaders of country have failed to put up a clear target for the youth, he lamented.

The Yuva Yathra was organised by Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan under the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Three more yathras from Puri of Orissa on January 3, Dwaraka of Gujarat on January 5 and Joshi Mut of Uttranchal on January 15 will meet together in Delhi on February 11.

A permanent contingent of 36 volunteers representing Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala was flagged off from Kalady.

K V Sabu of Kalady, K Hariprasad of Parakode, Edison Varghese of Alappuzha, P V Anil Kumar Kannur Sibi Joseph Kottayam, K M Anil Kumar Kozhikode, Mallu P Sekhar Thodupuzha, Asharaf Chengoodan Malappuram, T K Ranga Krishnan Palakkad, P V Shyju, Kannur, V L Baiju Thiruvananthapuram and P B Ashraf Moovattupuzha are the yatra participants from Kerala.

Minister M A Kuttappan, P J Joy, MLA, panchayat president T P George, District Collector Gyaneshkumar, Nehru Yuva Kendra vice-chairman V Muraleedharan and NYK executive director R S Banger spoke.

Saturday, December 29, 2001

Case against 4 youths for murder attempt

ARALAM: The police filed cases against four youths in connection with the incident in which a tribal woman, Meenakshy, was doused with kerosene and set afire at the Chadirur-110 Colony here on Wednesday night.

According to the police, the inmates of the colony, Sabu, Kannan, Babu and Ravi were the youths against whom cases were filed by the police for attempted murder.

Meanwhile, the condition of Meenakshy, who was admitted to the district hospital with burn injuries, continued to be serious.

The incident was said to be a sequel to a series of clashes among the inmates of the tribal colony.

But the inmates of the colony stated that neither Meenakshy nor her husband Balan were involved in the clashes.

Saturday, December 29, 2001

Clash in Thumba; one killed

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: One person was killed and at least four persons, including a policeman, were injured when police opened fire to disperse two violent groups belonging to the same community at Thumba near here on Friday.

The dead was identified as Varghese (45) of Thumba. His body has been shifted to the Medical College mortuary for post-mortem.

The rival groups belonging to Thumba and Puthenthope attacked each other with sharp weapons and stones over a previous incident involving the two sides on December 25. The situation turned violent when police, which intervened to disperse the mob was attacked with countrymade bombs. A constable of KAP battalion, Babu, who suffered serious injuries, was admitted to the Medical College Hospital. His condition is stated to be stable.

A strong police posse led by City Police Commissioner Rajan Singh arrived at the spot and were also attacked with bombs. About 50 bombs were used by the mob against the policemen, in which the commissioner escaped unhurt.

Earlier, the police fired several rounds of rubber bullets to disperse the mob but to no avail, and the condition turned even more violent.

Tension had been prevailing in the area for the past three days following an eve-teasing incident. The residents of Puthenthope alleged that a group of youths belonging to Thumba had teased a woman belonging to their locality on Christmas.

The youths, about 50, who were chased by the police, got into the engine-driven boats and went to sea. While the policemen waited for them on the shores, a Coast Guard boat on a routine vigil was mistaken by the youths for policemen. On seeing the Coast Guards, the youths sped their boats towards Kollam area and after reaching ashore they ran towards different directions.

The TV crews of two private channels were also attacked by the mob on Friday. They relieved the crew of the cassettes, which contained the footage of violence.

Meanwhile, the police launched a massive manhunt to nab the trouble-makers by conducting extensive raids in Thumba and Puthenhope areas. Southern range DIG A Hemachandran and Commissioner Rajan Singh were camping at the site to prevent fresh outbreak of violence. A large number of policemen, including those from the armed police battalions, have been deployed in the area. Patrolling has been intensified in the sensitive spots.

The local people alleged that the police behaved high-handedly during the raids and did not spare even women and children. They demanded a probe into the firing incident.

Thursday, December 27, 2001

Tribal woman set afire as inmates clash at Laksham Veedu colony

ARALAM (KANNUR): A tribal woman, Meenakshi, sustained serious burn injuries in a clash at the Chadirur-Keezhpally Laksham Veedu colony here on Tuesday night. She was admitted to the District Hospital here.

Meenakshi, who was alone in her house at the time of the clash, was doused with kerosene before being set afire by two of the inmates in the colony, according to the local people.

The clash that took place in the colony between the inmates of the colony was said to be a sequel to a series of violent disputes over illicit brewing of liquor and the game of card-playing often indulged in by some of them.

Meenakshi's husband, Balan, who was physically challenged, also was not at the house when the former was being set afire by two others who sneaked into their house. Three other inmates of the colony, Sujatha, 30, Sudheesh, 30, and Madhu, 21, who sustained injuries in stone-throwing and the clashes also have been admitted to the District Hospital here.

According to the local people, Meenakshi and her husband were in no way linked to the clashes at the colony.

Thursday, December 27, 2001

BSF jawan killed in Pak firing cremated

ALAPPUZHA: The body of Border Security Force (BSF) jawan C K Jayaprakash, Chathanadu House, Thonamel, Chengannur, was cremated with official honours at his ancestral house yesterday.

Jayaprakash was killed in Pakistani firing at Samba, near the Indo-Pak border in Kashmir on December 23.

District collector M N Gunavardhan represented the State government at the cremation.

Among those who paid the last respects included Rural Development Minister C F Thomas, Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee secretary Mannar Abdul Latheef, district panchayat president C S Sujatha, Shobhana George, MLA, K K Shaju, MLA, Superintendent of Police Nithin Agarwal, P J Kurain and A R Varadharajan Nair.

Thursday, December 27, 2001

Girish’s death leaves his family shattered

PALAKKAD: The body of Girish Kumar, 21, son of Ramachandran of Kunnankattu Veetil of Kolapully near Shoranur who died in an accidental mine blast in the Poonch sector of Jammu and Kashmir, which was brought to his native village here was cremated with full military honours here on Wednesday evening.

The mine was reportedly being handled when it accidentally went off. Hundreds of people filed past the body, which was kept at the bus stand stadium for the public to pay their last respects.

District Collector Usha Titus, District Superintendent of Police Abdul Khader, MP S Ajay Kumar and Shoranur Municipal Chairman M R Murali visited Kolapully and placed wreaths on the body.

The body which was brought to the Coimbatore airport from Delhi was transported in a military vehicle to Kolapully by road where it reached at 3.30 pm. It was kept for one hour at the bus stand stadium in Kolapully and cremated at 6 pm.

The death of Girish Kumar, who was the youngest and only son after five sisters, has left his parents mentally shattered.

Girish Kumar had joined the Army only last February and had completed his training in Bangalore. After successful completion of training he was posted in Jammu.

He had visited Kolapully on July 17 for the engagement of the fourth sister. She was due to be married on January 20. His last call to the household was four days ago stating that he would not be able to make it to the marriage in view of the tense situation prevailing along the border.

It turned out to be the last call and the bereavement has left the family shattered beyond words.

Thursday, December 27, 2001

Trivandrum-Chennai Egmore special train

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A special train will run between Trivandrum and Chennai Egmore (via) Nagercoil, Tirunelveli, Tiruchirappalli and Villupuram on December 30, 2001 (Sunday).

Special train No: 692 of December 30 will leave Trivandrum Central at 16.45 hrs and will arrive Chennai Egmore at 09.45 hrs.

The above trains will have one air-conditioned two-tier, one first class, ten sleeper class, two general second class and two luggage cum second class coaches.

Meanwhile, a special train will run between Chennai Central and Trivandrum (via) Katpadi, Jolarpettai, Palghat, Ernakulam Town and Kottayam on January 1, 2002 (Tuesday).

Special train No: 613 of January 1, 2002 (Tuesday) will leave Chennai Central at 12.30 hrs and will arrive Trivandrum Central at 06.30 hrs. It will have stoppages at Arakkonam, Katpadi, Jolarpettai, Salem, Erode, Palghat, Trichur, Alwaye, Ernakulam Town, Kottayam, Kayamkulam and Quilon.

The above trains will have one air-conditioned two-tier, one first class, ten sleeper class, two general second class and two luggage cum second class coaches.

TVM-GUWAHATHI TRAIN: A special train will run between Trivandrum and Guwahati on January 2, 2002 to clear extra rush of passengers.

Train No: 209 Trivandrum-Guwahati Special will leave Trivandrum Central at 14.15 hrs on January 2, 2002 (Wednesday) and will arrive Guwahati at 15.00 hrs on January 5, 2002 (Saturday).

The train will have 1 AC-2 tier, 1 first class, 10 sleeper class, 2 general second class, 1 pantry car and 2 second class cum luggage van coaches.

This train will stop at Trivandrum, Pettah, Quilon, Chengannur, Tiruvalla, Kottayam, Ernakulam Town, Alwaye, Trichur, Palghat, Coimbatore, Tiruppur, Erode, Salem, Jolarpettai, Katpadi, Chennai Central, Gudur, Vijayawada, Rajamundry, Visakappatnam, Vizianagaram, Srikakulam Road, Palasa, Brahimapur, Balugaon, Khurda Road, Bhubhaneswar, Cuttack, Jaipur, Keonjhar Road, Badrak, Balasore, Kharagpur, Howrah, Bolpur, Rampurhat, Malda Town, Kishanganj Jn, New Jalpaiguri, Dhupguri, New Cooch Behar, New Alikpurduar, New Bongaigaon, Barpeta Road, Rangiya and Kamakya.

Wednesday, December 26, 2001

Prayers and feasting mark Christmas in Kerala

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Pre-dawn prayers and a lavish breakfast marked early Christmas celebrations across Kerala.

Christmas mass began in some churches as early as 11.30 p.m. on Monday while at others it started at 2.30 a.m. on Tuesday.

Breakfast, perhaps the most important meal of the day in Christian households on Christmas Day, saw tables laden with traditional goodies.

The meal is especially significant for those who observe the 25-day fast during lent, when they generally go without meat and in some cases even milk and eggs. Lent begins on December 1 and is over after Christmas mass, when the priest gives those breaking their fast a piece of cake and, in some churches, a small glass of wine. The most popular Christmas dish in Kerala households is appam, which is made out of rice dough with a dash of fresh toddy. But with toddy becoming a scarce commodity, most people now use yeast to ferment the dough. Along with appam comes chicken curry prepared with coconut milk.

Among other favoured treats are cakes, egg roast and steamed bananas.

The tradition of observing lent is, however, now mostly confined to the older generation. Priests of all churches rue that the younger people seems to have abandoned the practice and appear interested merely in the revelry associated with Christmas.

Even the custom of staying home together for Christmas seems to be on the decline. Hotels nowadays offer a Christmas lunch and several families land up there after visiting friends and relatives.

"Yes, these things do happen and it is more common among the affluent families. But this is so only in the cities," said a young Christian housewife who booked her family's lunch at a leading hotel well in advance.

"In the cities everyone prefers to take a little rest and gone are the days when housewives used to work overnight to prepare the Christmas lunch," she added. Des pite the state reeling under its worst financial crisis, bakers and confectioners have been making a killing with people queuing up to buy.

"People had to wait for at least an hour last evening to collect their cakes," said a leading baker here.

The only difference in the state capital this time is that firecrackers, a common feature in every household on Christmas Eve, were missing.

"Last year there were twice as many shops selling firecrackers. We somehow do not know why (the demand has fallen). Maybe those selling firecrackers concluded it would be a losing business at a time when people are finding it difficult to make ends meet," said Praveen Jacob, a school student.

Chief Minister A.K. Antony, a Christian, celebrated a quiet Christmas. He did not attend mass with his wife and sons, preferring to sy home.

Wednesday, December 26, 2001

Record revenue collection at Sabarimala

PATHANAMTHITTA: The total revenue at Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa Temple as of Sunday was Rs 26.33 crore, a record collection which showed an increase of Rs 9 lakh compared to the same day last year.

Of the total amount, the revenue from aravana touched Rs 9 crore, appam Rs 3.17 crore and the hundi collection Rs 9.61 crore.

Meanwhile, long queues of pilgrims could be seen for darshan on Sunday and Monday following heavy flow of pilgrims from Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The long queues of vehicles towards Pampa could be seen from Nilackal.

Monday, December 24, 2001

Thanka Anki procession begins

Thanka Anki procession begins

PATHANAMTHITTA: The Thanka Anki to be adorned on the idol of Lord Ayyappa at the Sabarimala Temple was taken out in a procession from the Aranmula Sree Parthasarathy Temple on Sunday morning in the presence of hundreds of devotees.

The specially-built vehicle carrying the Thanki Anki and other sacred ornaments, donated by the late Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, will take three days to reach Sabarimala.

After visiting major temples like Elanthoor Ganapathi Temple, Omallur Rakthkanda Temple, Kodunthara Subramania Temple, Pathanamthitta Sastha Temple and Vettur Mahavishnu Temple, the procession halted at Malayalappuzha Devi Temple for the day.

It will leave for Perunad on Monday morning.

At Malayalappuzha, the devaswom authorities and the temple advisory committee had made arrangements for the darshan.

Half a dozen escort vehicles, including two police vehicles, are also accompanying the procession. Aranmula Devaswom assistant commissioner Balachandran Nair is leading the procession on behalf of the Travancore Devaswom Board.

Sabarimala Puja Schedule:

In Sannidhanam: 4.00 am: Nirmalyam; 4.10 am: Ganapathihomam; 4.30 am: Neyyabhishekam; 7.30 am: Ushapooja; 8.00 am: Neyabhishekam continues; 1.00 pm: Uchapooja; 2.00 pm: Nada closes; 4.00 pm: Nada reopens; 6.30 pm: Deeparadhana; 7.00 pm: Pushpabhishekam; 10.30 pm: Athazha pooja; 11.00 pm: Harivarasanam.

Monday, December 24, 2001

SI’s house attacked, son injured

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A five-member gang, allegedly involved in illicit liquor sale, on Sunday attacked the house of Parassala sub-inspector Thulasidharan and injured his son, besides snatching away a gold chain of his wife and destroying household articles.

The attack on the sub-inspector was allegedly to avenge an attempted raid by the police party on the illicit liquor den.

Four of the gang were later arrested by the police after a hot pursuit. The arrested have been identified as Binu, 23, Sanal, 24, Rajan, 25 and Sasi, 26.

Govind, 10, the son of the sub-inspector, was admitted to the Medical College Hospital here. The boy is suspected to have suffered a fracture on his hand during the attack.

The incident occurred after the sub-inspector, with some of the police constables, ventured into the illicit liquor den of the gang at Mulluvila Colony.

The police party had to return following heavy stone-throwing by the gang and its supporters.

The sub-inspector’s house was attacked when he returned to the police station to mobilise additional force.

Monday, December 24, 2001

Youth electrocuted while fixing Christmas star

KOCHI: A youth was electrocuted on Sunday while trying to fix a Christmas star at his residence.

Jossy, 29, son of Kothakathau Augustine residing near Kumbalam Ferry in Edakochi village, was taken to hospital with serious injuries where he was pronounced dead.

Monday, December 24, 2001

Murder of girl: Action council to intensify agitation

KANNUR: The Action committee of local people formed at Mathamangalam where a teen-aged girl, Sandhya, was murdered more than three months ago, has decided to intensify their agitation demanding the arrest of the culprits involved in the murder.

The committee had already organised a mass-fast led by the girl’s father in front of the Collectorate raising the demand. The representatives of the committee alleged that the police had failed to arrest the culprits even three months after the murder of the girl.

Sandhya, a student of a parallel college at Mathamangalam, was brutally murdered more than three months ago as she was returning home from her college.

The murder of the girl had evoked widespread condemnation and subsequently the Chief Minister had promised to take urgent measures to arrest the culprits.

The police had questioned some people in the area but remained clueless about the murder even weeks after it happened.

The mass-fast held at the Collectorate premises here on Saturday was inaugurated by T K Balan, MLA.

E Karunakaran, president of Eramam-Kuttoor panchayat, presided over the meeting held in this connection. Members of the panchayat, representatives of various political parties, cultural organisations and teachers participated in the fast.

Monday, December 24, 2001

Army recruitment in Kozhikode

KOZHIKODE: An open recruitment rally for enrollment into Army will be held at the Vikram Maidan, West Hill, here, from January 14, said a release.

The recruitment will be to the Sol Tech category and male candidates between the age of 16 and 23 (born not before March 31, 1979 and after December 1, 1985) from all the districts, who have secured a minimum of 60 per cent marks in the SSLC examination will be preferred.

The candidates seeking enrollment into the Army should report at 6 am at the venue as per the following schedule:

January 14 - Candidates from Thrissur, Palakkad, Kasargod and Kozhikode.

January 15 - Kannur, Wayanad, Malappuram and Union Territories of Mahe and Lakshadweep.

January 16 - Thiruvananthapuram, Alappuzha and Pathanamthitta.

January 17 - Kollam, Idukki, Kottayam and Ernakulam.

The common entrance examination will be held at the BRO, Kozhikode on January 27.

Following are the documents required from the candidates:

1. SSLC original book along with higher education certificates if any and two photostat copies of each certificate.

2. Ten copies of latest passport size photographs (name of the candidate, father’s name and the district should be written on the reverse side of two photographs).

3. Permanent residential/nativity certificate duly signed by District Collector only.

4. NCC ‘A’, ‘B’ and ‘C’ certificate in original and two photostat copies.

5. In case of sons of serving Army personnel, ‘Serving Certificate’ from OC Unit (two copies of photostat).

6. In case of sons of retired Army personnel, Discharge Book in original and relationship certificate issued by Record Office in case the name of the son is not mentioned in the Discharge Book (two photostat copies each).

7. Candidate below 18 years of age should bring affidavit from their parents on stamp paper. 8. Caste and character certificates.

NCC ‘C’ certificate holders, who will have to undergo physical tests and medical examination, will be exempted from writing the common entrance exam.

Monday, December 24, 2001

Ammonia tanker removed

KOZHIKODE: The police and fire personnel removed the crashed tanker, which had leaked ammonia following an accident, creating panic in the city.

Cranes were used to shift the tanker to the Exhibition Ground at Kalipoika on Sunday afternoon with the help of the local people.

Traffic was fully restored by 6 pm. The lorry, owned by a Kochi-based transport company, will be handed back only after a meeting convened by the RDO on Monday.

According to officials, the transport company had to meet today’s expenses of shifting the tanker. The expense came over Rs 1 lakh, which included the rent for the crane and the amount for diesel.

A violent mob had blocked the traffic on Saturday in protest against the delay in shifting the tanker from Eranhippalam.

Sunday, December 23, 2001

Shahrukh steals Kochiites’ hearts

KOCHI: Till the other day, Kochiites had only heard or watched on screen the famed energy, but on Saturday they have real deep look at that human dynamo: Shahrukh Khan.

Be it singing, dancing, throwing balls and teddy bears into the crowd, spitting water on the face of a girl or asking for bad words in Malayalam, Shahrukh took the not-so-big crowd (the galleries were not full) along with him at the Bollywood Nite held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here.

Shahrukh’s sheer presence infused life into the show, which basically comprised song and dance items. The young and old could be seen clapping, waving arms, shouting and dancing along with him.

The other stars of the show, Juhi Chawla, Raveena Tandon and Pooja Batra lend him support by performing song and dances.

But as expected, it was Shahrukh’s show all the away. Every time he appeared on the stage, the crowd came alive.

The show, scheduled to start at 6 pm, was delayed by one-and-a-half hours. And when Shahrukh rose to the stage slowly, blowing fire, the crowd broke into roar.

He began by lip-synching some lines of the song dil se re and then changed dress, put on the headband and started sailaru..sailere, the foot-tapping number from the film Josh. And the audience went wild.

Adding zest to the show was two Punjabi singers Jaspinder Narula and Sukhwinder Singh. Jaspinder’s emotional pyaar to hona hi ta drew good applause from the audience. Sukhwinder entered the stage singing kambakt ishq and sang two more numbers at a stretch.

Juhi Chawla with her charming smile endeared herself to the crowd. She even sang ponnambal puzhayirambil nammal from Malayalam movie Harikrishnans in which she had acted.

The choreography for her song ‘Bole chan chan payal’ was pleasing to watch.

The other actress with Malayalam film connection, Pooja Batra also sang a few words of ‘ammoommakili vayadi from her film Chandralekha. Raveena Tandon in her leather jacket and pants enthralled the audience with ‘Rabba...rabba.’

‘‘I had some written Malayalam sentences with me for parroting at the programme. But the trade unions at the airport took them away. You have strong trade unions,’’ Shahrukh shouted.

He regaled the crowd with a piece of dialogue from Baazigar.

Though it was not particularly hot, Shahrukh did not quite relish the weather. He was seen panting often saying‘ Oh Kerala is too hot.’

Rhythm Nation provided the band support. The programme picked up with Arazha of Aryan band singing re-mixed versions of old Hindi movie songs. The show was organised by Kerala Tourism and Zest Connect as part of the Grand Kerala Festival.

Sunday, December 23, 2001

SSLC exams to begin on March 11

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The SSLC examinations which were earlier scheduled to begin from March 6, 2002 and end on March 22, will now start from March 11 and end on March 27, 2002. The following is the revised schedule of SSLC examinations;

Monday (March 11, 10 am to 12 noon) - First language paper - 1: Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, Sanskrit, Arabic, Gujarati, Urdu, additional English, additional Hindi, Sanskrit first paper (for Sanskrit schools) Arabic first paper (for Arabic schools).

Wednesday (March 13. 10 am to 12 noon) First language paper - 2: Malayalam, Tamil, Kannada, special English (English medium students), Arabic second paper (Arabic schools), Fisheries Science (fisheries technical schools), Sanskrit second paper (Sanskrit schools)

Thursday (March 14, 10 am to 12 noon) - English first paper.

Friday (March 15, 10 am to 12 noon) English second paper.

Monday (March 18, 10 am to 12 noon) Hindi, General Knowledge (English).

Tuesday (March 19, 10 am to 12 noon) - Mathematics first paper.

Wednesday (March 20, 10 am to 12 noon) - Mathematics second paper.

Thursday (March 21, 10 am to 12 noon) - Social Science first paper (History and Civics).

Friday (March 22, 10 am to 12 noon) - Social Science second paper (Geography and Economics).

Monday (March 25, 10 am to 12 noon) - Physics.

Tuesday (March 26, 10 am to 12 noon) - Chemistry.

Wednesday (March 27, 10 am to 12 noon - Biology and Health Science.

Sunday, December 23, 2001

When the stars came down for breakfast

KOCHI: Breakfast at Taj Malabar with Shah Rukh Khan and Raveena Tandon? Set me up! The opportunity to meet and converse with celebrities and India’s biggest movie star at that is not something in a commoner’s daily grind.

You walk into the room with a smile, for having successfully evaded the ‘security’ despite not brandishing an ID card and find that SRK is not exactly having a field day. For him it’s business as usual. He might be performing his first show in Kochi, but as always he has to account for lost sleep; rehearse, perform, placate fans who have begun to throng outside and answer questions from the media!

Unlike in the movies, he sports a grey stubble and is very sparing with his laugh. But he does laugh when he talks about DDLJ. ‘‘It is the biggest hit in my career as well as in Indian cinema, so I’m very happy with that movie.’’ But it is not the half-crazed laugh that audiences are familiar with. His speech too is more toned down and cultured and lacks the impulsive, manic and racy qualities that characterise all of his films. He does have a sense of humor; when Raveena said that SRK was their heartthrob and that she was there in the airport tearing her hair to welcome him, he replies disarmingly, ‘‘Oh, so that was you!’’

On talk that he has gone very selective about his roles, he agrees,‘‘Yes, I’m not doing many films. My next movie is Devdas with Sanjay Leela Bhansali, which I have already been shooting for two days.’’ Ask him how long he plans to act he will turn that back at you, ‘‘How long do you think you will remain in your profession? I plan to act as long as I can. I’m not currently planning on doing anything else. I have already produced two movies – Asoka and Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani.’’ On talk that he is referred to as India’s Brad Pitt he laughs (for the final time), ‘‘Yeah, they call me India’s Tom Cruise and all that. I guess that’s the only way they have to explain who I am.’’

On making choices – ‘‘Given a choice between stardom and getting my parents back, you are not giving me an option. I would want to have my parents back, but such things are not options. I can pick and choose ‘A director’ or ‘B director.’ But there are other things that I cannot. God has been very kind to me. He has given me a great career and above all a wonderful family. But he has also taken away my parents and that’s part of the whole thing.’’

About south Indian cinema – ‘‘South Indian cinema is technically far superior to north Indian cinema. That is because the audience and the directors are more educated than in the rest of the country. Once you have more education you will have more access to the rest of the world. As you go more to the north, you will find that the cinema is created for a smaller audience. The educated man wants cinema to be appreciated by a wider audience. That’s why south Indian cinema is appreciated more than north Indian cinema in Europe. Creative quality-wise, Hindi cinema lags far behind.’’ ‘‘Kerala is truly a beautiful place. I spent two days shooting in Alleppey once. That was lovely.’’ Looking out of the window at the lake, he says,‘‘I would say, this place is a lot like Venice. I’ve been to Venice it looks exactly like this. Only that Venice is dirtier!’’

Sunday, December 23, 2001

Winter chill adds to Kerala's Christmas cheer

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An uncharacteristic chill in the air has added to the cheer ahead of Christmas in Kerala.

"The major change from all the recent Christmas celebrations is the weather: it reminds me of the celebrations in my childhood," said Jacob Kurian of Pampady in Kottayam.

"For one week the mercury has dropped and my kids are all up in the morning and stand near a bonfire to get warm. This was a regular feature in December when I was young," he told IANS.

Despite the tightening of belts given the state's economic problems, Christians are immersed in celebrations. Special church services and prayers have already started.

In Kerala's major cities, especially Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and Kozhikode, hotels and clubs are organising evening parties. The young, it is said, are rearing to go for these X-mass gatherings.

Such events seem to be a deviation from the Christmas celebrations of yesteryear that were more church-centred, with the festival observed with a lot of reverence. Today it's more of revelry, grandeur and glamour. Another significant change, which began a few years ago, is that Christmas celebrations, earlier confined mainly to Christian households, are now becoming a part of other communities as well.

This is evident from the number of bakeries that have opened special counters for Christmas cakes, even in areas where Christians have a minor presence.

Technology has also chipped in: now customers can get their cakes delivered to their homes by clicking on the mouse.

And the Christmas holidays have come to mean more income for Internet kiosks.

"The crowd we are getting is a mixed one, and there are more girls," said Salim Jacob, who runs an Internet café in a residential neighbourhood here.

In all churches in the state there are special carol services in the week leading up to Christmas. Some churches have also invited people from outside the Christian community to join in the festivity.

But as the celebrations continue, there is a certain amount of apprehension in the backs of people's minds as Kerala is reeling under one of its worst financial crises.

The worry is evident in the central Travancore region, where the majority of Kerala's Christians come from. The Christmas spirit in the area, rich in cash crops such as rubber and coconut whose prices are at their lowest ever, is somewhat dampened there.

Sunday, December 23, 2001

Interest-free loan concept arrives in Kerala

KOCHI: Alternative Investments and Credits, an intrest-free financial enterprise, said to be the first of its kind in the Kerala was inaugurated by Chief Minister A K Antony here on Saturday.

Antony said the new concept of interest-free loans would be a welcome relief to many. He pointed out that of late, the state was witnessing suicide by farmers as they were not getting better remunerative prices for their produce and by debtors who were finding it difficult to come out of the debt trap.

Most of the revenue of the state government was going towards payments of salaries and towards interest of laons taken by the government, he pointed out.

Prof K A Siddique Hassan, Chairman, AICL, was among those who spoke.

Saturday, December 22, 2001

Network companies in Kerala sold drugs illegally, branded them as dietary supplements

KOCHI: In an unprecedented crackdown on network companies operating in the State, the Drugs Control Department has seized drugs worth over Rs 50 lakh sold illegally by branding them as dietary supplements.

The drugs seized in the course of the past two weeks included those stocked and sold by the multinational giant, Amway, J S Herbal Marketing Pvt. Ltd., Daehsan Trading (India) Pvt. Ltd., Herbalife and Online.CC.

Criminal cases have been registered against them for stocking and selling drugs through their sale networks without licence. The seized materials have been produced before various magistrate courts and are now in court’s safe custody. The department has already initiated prosecution proceedings against these companies for offences under the Act.

These companies are charged with selling drugs as dietary supplements which save them from the requirements and licence for manufacture, distribution or sale and also strict adherence to quality parametres.

‘‘It is something like selling paracetamol in another name, claiming that it is a dietary supplement that would keep you free of body pains if taken at regular intervals’’, an official explained.

Section 3 of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, includes all medicines for internal and external use of human beings or animals within the definition of drug. All substances intended to be used for or in the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation or prevention of any disease or disorder in human beings or animals, substances (other than food) intended to affect the structure or any function of the human body, substances intended to be used for the destruction of vermin or insects which cause diseases in human beings or animals and all substances intended for use as components of a drug, including empty gelatine capsules, fall within the definition of drug under the Act.

According to the department, the materials seized fall squarely within the definition of drugs whereas the companies claim that they are food.

Glucosamine, sold by Amway, is a drug used for the treatment of Osteo Arthritis. Amway sells it as dietary supplement. Glucosamine manufactured by several other companies is available in the drug market.

Formosa Lingzhi and Formosa Mycelium, said to be mushroom-based dietary supplements, were seized from J S Herbal Marketing. Though they are branded as dietary supplements, the brochures distributed by the company claim that Canoderma - the main ingredient in Formaosa Lingzhi, is the best medicine without side effects, that it increases the body’s healing abilities and help to maintain a healthy body and have a long life. Brochures also contain dosage directions, cautions and reactions of the drug.

Formosa Mycelium is said to have cardiotonic action. It normalizes cholesterol. Regular consumption is said to boost the immuno-system and give general feeling of well- being.

Daehsan Trading has been accused of stocking and selling of DXN Gamocelium (GL) and DXN Reish Gano (RG), again two mushroom based products. Booklets distributed by the company claim that they are wonder-drugs, an answer to a number of disorders.

Herbalife Products - activated fibre, cell activator, multi-vitamine herbal mineral etc - are also claimed to have therapeutic properties. So are the products of Online.CC - Herbal tea, Chlorophyll mint flavour etc.

All these products have the properties of drugs in whatever name they are called and under whatever description they are sold.

Moreover, drugs can be sold only through licensed druggists. Net-work sale companies sell them though their network which is not qualified to handle drugs, the department maintains.

Saturday, December 22, 2001

Ammonia neutralised, after a few hitches

KOZHIKODE: The protracted process of neutralising ammonia from the crashed tanker, which got delayed for hours, was finally completed in the evening, not before creating anxious moments at times.

The driver of the recovery van and two fire force personnel were given medical treatment when the process went out of control today.

The attempts of the expert team to shift the ammonia from the crashed tanker to another one brought from Ernakulam was suspended midway through as the pressure in the tanker was below the required level.

The plan to drain away the remaining liquid into the nearby Canoly canal was also dropped as it would cause environmental hazards.

The only way out was to allow the ammonia left in the tanker to get evaporated.

According to police, the driver and the fire force men fainted when the last vestiges of ammonia gushed out unexpectedly.

Medical attention was provided for them at the site itself from the mobile medical unit. They are now out of danger, police said.

After the tank is cleared of ammonia, it will be filled with water to ensure complete neutralisation. This will be over by this night, according to police.

Fire tenders from Kozhikode and Malappuram districts were pressed into service to spray water on the tank and neutralise the lethal gas.

Expert teams from FACT including it deputy general manager (Safety) E J Joseph, Grasim Industries and Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilisers Limited (MCFL) led the operations. Ahammed Moideen, the chief environmental engineer from the Pollution Control Board was also present, besides the top officials of the district administration.

The team from MCFL included Safety manager Narasimha Moorthy, production manager Sachidananda and maintenance engineer Harold Cuthina. C P Joy, deputy general manager (process) and maintenance engineer Abdul Kareem from Grasim Industries also stayed at the spot during the operation.

Saturday, December 22, 2001

Career on wheels, no thrill for women

KOCHI: Career on wheels don’t thrill the fair sex. Irked by the menace of eve-teasing and reluctant to work on night shifts, many women who were selected as conductors on KSRTC buses are yet to take up their assignments.

Only three of the 21 women selected under the die-in-harness scheme in April last as conductors have reported for duty while others are still dilly-dallying with their decision. The conductors who have joined are working only in places like Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam and Kottarakara.

With this the State Government’s second attempt to motivate women to take up the conductor’s post seems to be in jeopardy. Women conductors were first recruited in 1992. Of the 10 women selected through the employment exchange, only three are working at present. Others have either switched posts or left the job. But many of them are yet to be confirmed in their posts despite repeated requests.

‘‘We were selected not as conductors alone. It’s our choice to select the category. So we usually wait till a vacancy arises in clerical or other cadres. We don’t want to be victims of eve-teasers. Besides, we can’t travel long distances as there are no extra safety measures for us while travelling and staying outside,’’ a conductor-turned-lower division clerk told this website's newspaper from Thiruvananthapuram.

‘‘Men treat us as if we are aliens. They don’t show any respect and we are ashamed at the way some of them behave,’’ said Kala from Thiruvananthapuram. ‘‘But I’m forced to continue because of family compulsions,’’ adds Kala.

Countering the charges raised by the women, Appukuttan Nair KSRTC MD maintained that he was yet to receive any complaints. ‘‘Only if we receive complaint, we can act. We have asked the women to work only in day shifts and that too in the city,’’ he told this website's newspaper.

Transport Minister K B Ganesh Kumar, however, said he was surprised at the attitude of Kerala women. ‘‘Women conductors from Karnataka travel up to Kerala and stay in hotels here. Is there any point in Kerala’s women crying hoarse about equality,’’ he asked.

‘‘They don’t want to work on night shifts, they don’t want to travel long distances or stay away from home. So the moment they are selected, they start exerting pressure on the KSRTC top brass for a posting in the clerical cadre,’’ he said.

Friday, December 21, 2001

How hazardous is ammonia?

KOCHI: The experts at the Fertilisers and Chemicals Travancore Limited (FACT), Kochi, which is one of Kerala’s largest consumers of ammonia, say that some exposure to ammonia will not cause any long-term health hazards.

According to them, it may only cause irritation in eyes and suffocation which are only temporary. Ammonia can be fatal only if the intensity is 5,000 particles per million (PPM), they said.

However, internet websites of several international expert agencies are categoric that while exposure to below 1 PPM may not cause health problems, headache, nausea, intense burning of eyes, nose, throat and skin will result at even 25 ppm. Intense exposure to higher levels can even be fatal, they stress.

Besides, death may not occur immediately. The victim may die even from secondary complications like pulmonary oedema weeks later, or may be rendered permanently blind or with serious lung disease.

Elderly people, children, and those suffering from conditions like asthma and emphysema are especially vulnerable to ammonia.

The international agencies also warn against taking refuge in high buildings in case of an ammonia leak, which was the case in some apartments of the city yesterday. The lighter-than-air ammonia gas tend to collect in the open spaces in the upper levels of buildings.

According to FACT sources, breathing through wet towel and pouring water if ammonia falls on skin are the immediate steps to be taken.

FACT claims to have a contingency plan which requires personnel manning the ammonia tankers to don masks, PVC shoes, gloves, goggles and be equipped with a mobile phone. They should also carry a transport emergency card which has data, including the wind direction on the route, and the contact phone numbers.

The drivers of the tanks are supposed to undergo a training session on the safety mechanisms.

It is not immediately known whether the ammonia tanker involved in the accident in Kozhikode on Wednesday actually had these safety measures.

The FACT team now at the accident site is led by its deputy general manager (fire and safety) E J Joseph.

Friday, December 21, 2001

Capital bids tearful farewell to Suseela

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The capital city bid a tearful farewell on Thursday morning to Suseela Gopalan, who died at Regional Cancer Centre on Wednesday. Tens of thousands of people from all walks of life paid homage to the departed senior CPM leader at AKG Centre on Wednesday night and on Thursday morning. Her body was taken to Muhamma in Alappuzha at 9.15 am in a flower-decked vehicle.

Mourners waited on the city roads hours ahead to have a last glimpse of the departed leader.

At many places, they showered petals on the vehicle which carried the body.

CPM politburo member and Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan and Central Committee member M A Baby reached AKG centre early this morning from Palakkad where they had been attending the local party conferences.

Chief Minister A K Antony, who arrived at the AKG Centre in the morning, was there till the body was taken to Muhamma.

Tamil Nadu State CITU president K Hemachandran, Kanyakumari district CITU president Noormuhammed, Kuzhuithura MLA Mani and a 10-member team of Tamil Nadu unit of All India Democratic Women’s Association, were among others who paid tributes to Suseela.

K R NARAYANAN’S CONDOLENCE: President K R Narayanan has mourned the death of Suseela Gopalan.

In a message, he said that he was deeply grieved to learn about the passing away of Suseela Gopalan, veteran CPM leader and former member of Parliament.

As the wife of legendary A K Gopalan and in her own capacity, Suseela had contributed to the communist movement in the country and it would long be remembered.

CPM: CPM State Committee, which met here this morning, deeply mourned the death of Suseela Gopalan.

The committee decided to postpone all public programme being organised by the party till December 23 as mark of respect to the departed leader.

However, party conferences will be held as per scheduled, it added.

Friday, December 21, 2001

Mayor wants a disaster system in place

KOZHIKODE: ‘‘While watching television, I often wonder how the FBI acts so suddenly and seals up everything to prevent major disasters developing. How systematic were they while handling the recent anthrax scare that broke out in America.’’

Kozhikode Mayor Thottathil Raveendran was trying to express his extreme dissatisfaction over the crisis management system in his city, after spending the sleepless wee hours lending a hand at the accident spot in his hitched dhoti and a sweat-stained kerchief around his neck.

‘‘All the officials were at the site. But no one knew what exactly needed to be done. There were no masks and other emergency equipment,’’ the Mayor recalled. He was woken up by one of his councillors at 2.15 am, only to find how bad things could be when an emergency comes calling.

But the Mayor hastened to add that the district administration and his own Corporation authorities had done their best to take control of the situation, within such limitations.

These, he said, was the drill they managed:

~ Help was secured from experts at the Grasim Industries Ltd.

~ The State Health secretary was contacted.

~ Masks were brought from Uniroyal Marine Exports Ltd, which has an ammonia plant.

~ Personally arranged to provide fuel to fire force vehicles which had run out of it.

~ Four Corporation lorries were deputed to help fire personnel to carry water from the Mananchira and Garudankulam.

~ And most important of all, the Mayor himself broke the lock and got into the Mananchira Pump House to get water for the fire trucks, as he could find neither the key nor the night guards paid for by his Corporation.

Friday, December 21, 2001

An unusual awakening for Kozhikode residents

KOZHIKODE: It may take some time for Kozhikodans to live down Wednesday night. Even if many of the now-relieved city folks are sheepishly rubbing their sleepy eyes and trying to laugh at themselves _ and at each other.

Never before were they startled out of their bed past midnight to be part of a collective panic set off by incessantly ringing telephones, neighbours urgently banging on doors, police vehicles blaring warnings, and hysterical women and kids running to wherever their legs took them.

Almost a quarter of Kozhikode city was yanked awake in the wee hours, to watch scores of vehicles of all kinds honking their horns and jostling for space on the highways, in a sudden, mindless, desperation to escape the city.

Usually dignified men shouted and dragged their half asleep families through the narrow roads to some imagined safety; frightened night watchmen ran away from their posts; businessmen and bureaucrats, bggars and boozers joined the hundreds rushing into the dark refuge of Kozhikode beach for their lives _ and all the while the nervous cops scampered around, urging people to flee.

What set it all off was an Ammonia tanker that crashed into a lorry in Eranhipalam, killing two and spewing tonnes of the lethal gas. And what followed in its wake was, among other things, an education on how unprepared and hopelessly incapable this old city is to keep its nerves and get down to work, when a potential disaster strikes.

But Kozhikode is unique. Not in many places elsewhere would you find firemen actually begging local petrol pumps for some fuel, so that they can drive down to a serious potential disaster before it got out of hand. Or a police that has no clue about who is transporting what hazardous stuff through which narrow, choked city roads populated by thousands_ or a city that has yet to get even a makeshift disaster management plan together, three years and much rhetoric after it was supposed to have got the idea into motion.

Thursday, December 20, 2001

Rising trend in road mishaps worrying Govt: Muneer

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Public Works Minister M K Muneer on Wednesday expressed great concern at the rising trend of road accidents in the state. He said that 42 per cent of the mishaps took place on the highways and the Government was doing its best to avert accidents on all types of roads.

Inaugurating a seminar here on 'Road Safety Management and Action Plan for Kerala' organised by National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (NATPAC) as part of its silver jubilee celebrations, the Minister said that his department intended to opt for 'performance-linked contract' system for long roads stretching more than 60 km as was done by the Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka Governments.

He also said that the State Government had submitted to the Centre a proposal on united highway authority. If approved, the authority would have officials from PWD, Transport, Police and experts in the fields of transport and road traffic.

Principal Secretary in the Transport Department N Chandrasekharan Nair who presided over the function suggested that the creation of the post of road safety commissioner would go a long way in containing road accidents.

Thursday, December 20, 2001

Four killed as bus rams into auto near Kalamassery

KOCHI: Four more lives fell prey to the rash and negligent driving of city buses this morning when a Thevara-bound private bus rammed into an autorickshaw killing its passengers instantly at Pathadipalam, near Kalamassery.

The deceased include auto driver Suresh of NAD, Aluva, Babu Ismail of Aluva, a disabled person, and two unidentified women. Six bus passengers also sustained minor injuries in the mishap, the second in a month in the same area.

Police said the women, aged about 45 and 17, could be the wife and daughter of Babu Ismail. The police, however, are yet to confirm the identity of the passengers as Babu had given a false Tirupur address while checking in a lodge at Pallimukku.

Eyewitnesses said the speeding bus first rammed into a Maruti and then skidded off the road, jumped the median and crushed the Kalamassery-bound auto into a pile of mangled iron.

The bus, 'Farwaz,' belongs to Khalid Mudapilly, president, district Private Bus Owners Association.

The bus first hit the right side of the Maruti and fell on the auto crushing to death all the four passengers. The bus passengers had a providential escape as the bus rested on a wayside tree which absorbed the impact of its fall.

The mangled auto and its inmates remained trapped under the bus for more than 45 minutes as the police recovery van did not arrive at the scene. Though personnel from Kalamassery police station were among the first to reach the spot, they could do little to remove the trapped persons.

However, alert members of the local powrasamithy acted swiftly to remove the victims to the Ernakulam Medical Centre where they were pronounced dead on arrival.

The bus passengers were discharged after administering first aid. Those who sustained minor injuries include Sini, 19, of Mannopilly, Kalamassery, Udayavarma, 40, of Kottayam, Shamla, 19, of Changampuzha Nagar, Shefin, 26, of Chowara, John of HMT and Assainar.

Police have registered a case against the crew of the bus under sections 304 and 308 relating to culpable homicide. "We are proceeding quite seriously. We have a strong case," said City Police Commissioner Y Anilkumar.

"A case was charged under the same sections against the crew of the bus involved in last month's accident," he said.

FAC ADDS FROM ALUVA: Several Aluva-based mediapersons had a narrow escape when the ill-fated bus nearly hit an auto in which they were travelling. "The bus came very close to the auto and we thought it would ram into us. It was a close shave," one of the mediapersons said.

Thursday, December 20, 2001

No Christmas gala for A K Antony

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While Kerala's Christians are busy preparing for the festival, the state's first and only chief minister from the community says he plans to spend Christmas just as any other day.

"I don't celebrate Christmas nor any other festival," Chief Minister A K Antony told IANS. "December 25 will be like any other day and on New Year Day I will be in Idukki district distributing land for the Adivasis (tribals)."

And he added: "If you want to know more about our Christmas celebrations, please contact my wife."

While her husband chaired a meeting of the ruling eight-party United Democratic Front (UDF), Elizabeth Antony admitted that "Thankachen", as the family refers to the chief minister, does not celebrate any festival.

"Moreover, since he has been very busy with his work, we have not got down to discussing Christmas," she said.

The only signs of any celebrations at Cliff House, the official residence of the chief minister, are the three stars that hang in front of the palatial building. And in the sitting room there is a three-foot-high artificial Christmas tree, all thanks to Antony's two school-going sons Anil and Ajith.

The boys had reportedly put up many more stars, but took down all but three when their father objected.

Elizabeth Antony said her husband would not attend Christmas mass along with her and their sons.

Asked if Antony was an atheist, she said: "No, it is not like that.

"At the time of our marriage, he made me promise two things -- one that I would not interfere in his political fiefdom, nor put pressure on him on his concept of religion and religious matters. Till date I have kept my word and I intend doing so in future also," she explained.

The Antony home will have no Christmas party, nor does it expect any visitors on festival day.

"I wanted to make a cake, but since I am busy in office I will be buying a cake," Elizabeth said. "Only the four of us would be there and the only difference during Christmas is that Thankachen, who rarely eats meat, would have a little meat. The presence of Thankachen itself is enough for me and my kids."

She added: "For the New Year, again I and the children would be attending the early morning mass."

Thursday, December 20, 2001

Suseela Gopalan is dead

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Suseela Gopalan, 72, senior CPM leader and wife of the late legendary Communist leader A K Gopalan, died at the Regional Cancer Centre here on Wednesday afternoon.

Cremation will be held on the premises of Cheerappanchira, her ancestral house, at Muhamma near Alappuzha town tomorrow at 5 pm.

Suseela, a former Industry Minister, is survived by daughter Laila who is married to former CPM MLA and Deshabhimani general manager P Karunakaran.

Suseela, who had been undergoing treatment at the Regional Cancer Centre, slipped into a coma two weeks ago and the end came at 3.45 pm on Wednesday.

Karunakarakan, Laila, other close relatives and some of the party leaders were at her bed-side when she breathed her last.

The CPM leader had developed breast cancer three years ago following which she underwent a surgery at a private hospital here. Though she had also undergone treatment of alternative system of medicine, the secondaries spread to other parts of the body gradually.

She was admitted to the RCC three months ago with secondaries spread to vital organs - brain, lungs and liver. After several courses of chemotherapy, she was given radiation therapy. Her condition deteriorated about 20 days ago.

Regional Cancer Centre director Dr M Krishnan Nair told this website's newspaper that Suseela Gopalan died of malignant cachexia (multiple organ failure). She was under treatment of Dr Krishnan Nair and Dr B Rajan.

As soon as news of her death reached AKG Centre here _ the CPM State headquarters _ former Chief Minister E K Nayanar, former Finance Minister P Sivadasa Menon and CPM State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan rushed to the hospital and paid homage to the departed comrade.

Chief Minister A K Antony visited AKG Centre and paid his last respects to the departed leader.

Mayor J Chandra, P K Srimati, MLA, former Speaker M Vijayakumar, Ministers Kadavoor Sivadasan and T M Jacob, MLAs Raju Abraham, V K Chandran and Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishan also paid homage to Suseela at the RCC.

The body was later brought to AKG Centre around 6 pm where it would be kept till 9 am tomorrow for the public to pay homage.

People from various walks of life are filing past the body kept at the front hall of the AKG Centre in an airconditioned casket. The body will be taken to Muhamma at 9 am on Thursday, where the cremation will be held by evening.

Suseela narrowly missed the Chief Minister's post to E K Nayanar in an inner-party vote in 1996 when the LDF was elected to power.

A former national president of the All-India Democratic Women's Association, Suseela had been in the forefront of women's struggles and played a major role in Parliament when it enacted the anti-dowry law.

She had also served as member of the central committee of the party, the apex body of the CPM.

She was elected to the Lok Sabha first from Alapuzha in 1981 and from Chirayinkeezh in 1991.

In 1996, Suseela, elected from Ambalapuzha Assembly Constituency, was the nominee of a powerful section in the State CPM for the Chief Minister's post.

But she lost to Nayanar by a single vote in the CPM State secretariat. She, however, joined the ministry in charge of industry and social welfare. Hailing from a middle class family in Muhamma in Alapuzha district, Suseela plunged into politics as a student activist.

She married A K Gopalan in 1952 with whom she got closer during his underground days following the ban on Communist Party. As a constant companion of A K Gopalan, Suseela was widely known in political circles at the national-level.

Wednesday, December 19, 2001

Annual festival at Sabarimala concludes

PAMPA: The 10-day annual festival at the Lord Ayyappa Temple concluded here on Tuesday with the arattu. The ritual, performed with traditional fervour at the specially arranged ghat in Pampa, was witnessed by thousands of devotees.

The arattu procession started from Sannidhanam at 9.10 am after the arattubali. The procession carrying the deity on a caparisoned elephant reached Pampa at 11.50 am.

After a traditional reception at Pampa, the arattu procession reached the ghat where the holy ritual was performed. Poojas and rituals in connection with the Arattu were conducted under the leadership of Thantri Kandararu Maheswararu and Melsanti A R Raman Nampoothiri.

After the arattu, the deity was brought to the Pampa Ganapathi temple for darshan. The procession's return journey started from Pampa at 3 pm. Hundreds of devotees offered paras, the offering to the Lord, from Pampa to Sannidhanam. After the reception at Saramkuthy, the procession reached Sannidhanam at 9.00 pm.

The lowering of the flag marking the conclusion of the festival started soon after the procession reached Sannidhanam. The thantri and the melsanti together lowered the festival flag at 10 pm. The day's rituals concluded after the Athazha pooja and Harivarasanam.

Pooja schedule for 19-12-01 (Wednesday)

In the Sannidhanam:

04.00: Nirmalyam 4.10: Ganapathihomam 4.30: Neyyabhishekam 7.30: Ushapooja 8.00: Neyabhishekam continues 1.00 pm: Uchapooja 2.00 pm: Nada closes 4.00 pm: Nada reopens 6.20 pm: Deeparadhana 7.00 pm: Pushpabhishekam 10.30 pm: Athazha pooja 11.00 pm: Harivarasanam

Wednesday, December 19, 2001

HC condemns religious fundamentalism; 6 get lifer in murder case

KOCHI: Deterrent punishment should be imposed on persons indulging in offences relating to religious fundamentalism since such offences are on the increase, the Kerala High Court has opined.

Intolerance arising out of religious fundamentalism and blind, fanatical belief in various dogmas is on the increase, which is a menace to the peaceful future of the world, the court observed while convicting six out of 13 accused in the Kasargod Faizal murder case and sentencing them to life imprisonment.

Article 25(1) of the Constitution guarantees freedom of conscience and freedom to profess, practice and propagate religion.

While one is exercising this right, one must remember that others also have got similar rights and one cannot prevent others from exercising the fundamental right, the Bench, consisting of Justice J B Koshy and Justice Padmanabhan Nair, said.

In the name of religion, which is intended for the benefit of mankind, and in the name of God Almighty, who is most gracious, merciful and benevolent, nobody has got the power to take the life of a fellow being, ridiculing the great creator, the court said.

The deceased Faizal was associated with Moosa Haji, leader of Thareequat Movement, which is perceived as opposed to Islam. Moosa Haji and others had been ousted from Jama-ath and subjected to social boycott and not allowed to buy or sell goods. They even had to get servants from faroff places.

A 13-member fundamentalist gang attacked Faizal when he was proceeding along Trikkandoor paddy field with Moosa Haji's son Hussein and servant Chandrasekhara to the house of Mossa Haji's brother Mammunji Haji to meet an ailing child.

The Sessions Court had at first convicted six accused and acquitted the rest. But, on appeal, the High court remanded the case to the Sessions Court for fresh trial.

In the second proceeding, however, the Sessions Court acquitted all the 13, against which the State filed appeal and secured conviction of K M Iddinkunhi, M C Ali, Andunhi (Abdullah), Andan (Abdul Rahman), B K Bayankunhi and K B Abbas - all hailing from Ugar-Ulwar village.

Wednesday, December 19, 2001

Rehabilitation to returning expats

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala government has assured expatriates returning from the Middle East proper rehabilitation, even though the state is grappling with an economic crisis.

Chief Minister A K Antony conceded that the flood of expatriates returning from the Middle East was expected to increase in the coming months and assured that his government would chart out welfare measures for them.

"The state is already facing a number of problems and the solution to your problems would depend on how fast the state can come out of the present crisis," Antony said while declaring a conclave of returned non-resident Keralites (NRKs) here.

Careful not to make any firm promises or present a timeframe for rehabilitation given the state's financial troubles, Antony said all he could assure the nearly 800,000 returnees is that his government was serious about rehabilitating them.

It would launch self-employment schemes and seek help from banks, he added.

"We would see that you are able to stand on your feet and for that all the deliberations which take place in Tuesday's meeting would be considered by us," he said.

NRK Minister M M Hassan said the existing welfare agency for the expatriates would be converted into a corporation with full financial autonomy.

"This should happen in three months' time and it would be seen that representatives of returned NRKs would have a say in that."

The government also said it would extend the sops available to the jobless to returned migrants.

Returnees who attended the conclave said they were convinced Antony was committed to their welfare, especially since his was the first government to appoint a minister exclusively to hear their grievances.

"We all know the difficult times that the state is passing through but it is probably for the first time that any government is taking us seriously," a returned NRK told IANS, requesting anonymity.

"What we liked is that there were no promises that the government could later break."

The meeting, however, did not get the expected response, with several seats at the venue remaining unoccupied.

"Yes, the response has not been encouraging because everyone feels let down. Many probably thought it would be a waste of time and money," said another returned migrant at the meeting.

A study report tabled at the meeting said close to 800,000 NRKs had so far returned to Kerala. Malapurram district had the largest number of return migrants with 123,000, followed by Thiruvananthapuram with 118,000 and Thrissur with 116,000.

The hill district of Wayanad accounted for a mere 3,327 returnees. It said 41.2 percent of those who returned came from Saudi Arabia, 11.4 percent from Dubai (United Arab Emirates, UAE) 9.9 percent from Muscat, 8.5 percent from Abu Dhabi (UAE) and 6 percent each from Sharjah (UAE) and Bahrain.

Muslims accounted for 43.4 percent of those who had returned, followed by 33.6 percent Hindus and 21 percent Christians.

The study found the migrants had spent an average of six-and-a-quarter years abroad and earned about Rs.750,000 each.

Wednesday, December 19, 2001

Thousands witness Pallivetta at Sabarimala

PAMPA: Thousands of pilgrims witnessed Pallivetta, the major ritual of the ten-day annual festival at Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa Temple, on Monday.

The Pallivetta procession, which started after the traditional poojas, left Sannidhanam around 10.30 pm after Athazhapooja and Sreebhoothabali.

The procession carrying the deity on a caparisoned elephant reached Saramkuthi at 10.45 pm, accompanied by Pallikkuruppu and a large number of devotees.

After Pallivetta, the procession, with Lord Ayyappa on the caparisoned elephant, returned to the temple.

ARATTU ON TUESDAY: The arattu, marking the conclusion of the festival, will take place on Tueday

The arattubali, the preperations before the start of the procession, will begin at 8 am.

The procession will leave for Pampa at 9 am. After reaching Pampa, the arattu will take place at 12.30 pm.

The deity will be kept at Pampa Ganapathi Temple for darsan at 1 pm.

The return procession will leave Pampa at 3 pm. The festival flag will be lowered after rituals at 10.45 pm.

REVENUE: The total revenue at Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa Temple touched Rs 19 crore during the first one month of the pilgrim season till yesterday.

Of this, the hundi collections aggregated at Rs 6.6 crore, revenue from aravana Rs 6.4 crore and the revenue from appam Rs 2.5 crore.

INFORMATION CENTRE: The information centre, set up jointly by the District Tourism Promotion Council and Sabarimala Sanitation Society, at Pampa Triveni parking ground has not yet started functioning.

At present, the centre is being used by the nearby shops as a godown.

Tuesday, December 18, 2001

Tension in Kadirur following murder of youth

THALASSERY: A tense situation prevailed in Kadirur and nearby areas here on Sunday morning following the murder of a youth, Rathish, 19, on Friday night.

Bus service along the Thalassery- Koothuparamba route was affected as agitated groups of people belonging to various political parties blocked traffic demanding the arrest of those involved in the murder of Rathish. Two-wheelers were later allowed to go along the route.

Rathish, who was not actively linked with any political party, was brutally stabbed by an unidentified group of people when he was standing near a shop at Vettummal in Kadirur.

The assailants had caused panic among the onlookers bursting country bombs before stabbing the youth. Country bombs were also hurled at the vehicle in which he was being taken to the hospital. Rathish, who sustained serious injuries, died on his way to the Specialist Hospital, Ernakulam.

According to the local people, Rathish, who was working as a cleaner of a lorry, had no known enemies. Police sources also disclosed that there were no clues about the motive behind the murder

Tuesday, December 18, 2001

Vijay Diwas celebrated

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Defence forces celebrated ‘‘Vijay Diwas’’ here on Sunday to commemorate the victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war.

It was on this day in 1971 that Lt Gen A K Niazi of the Pakistan Army along with his 90,000 soldiers surrendered to the Indian Army.

The officers, jawans and ex-servicemen laid wreaths at the War Memorial at Military Centre, Pangode.

They were led by officiating Commander of Pangode Military Centre, Colonel B P Ramesh, Brigadier (retired) P Sadasivan and Brigadier (retired) K G Nair.

Col Prabhath Ranjan, Commander Anil Eapen and Squadron Leader L John represented the Army, Navy and Air Force respectively at the ceremony.

The commemorative parade was presented by 2/8 Gorkha Regiment. It presented ‘‘Shahidon ko salami shastra and shok shastra’’. It also played the Last Post.

After a two minutes silence the buglers played rouse and ‘‘Bhaju Sasthra’’.

Tuesday, December 18, 2001

Woman ends life after killing kids

IDUKKI: A 27-year-old woman allegedly committed suicide after killing two of her small children at her residence at Sulthankada near Kumily.

Police said the bodies of the woman, Sathi, and her children, three-and-a-half-year-old Appu and Monisha (6 months), were found hanging on a tree near their residence on Sunday morning.

Tuesday, December 18, 2001

Two sisters drown in well

MUVATTUPUZHA: Two girls drowned in a well in Valakom, near here, when they went to fetch water from the well on Sunday. Joshly, 10, a student of Nirmala HS, and her sister Ashly, 12, a student of Vittoor Ebnezer HS, are the only daughters of Varghese Illikkaparambil Kunnathal here.

According to police, the children had gone to fetch water from the well near their house. Joshly fell into the well first and Ashly, in her attempt to save her sister, also fell into it.

Neighbours took them out of the well and rushed them to Kolencherry Medical Mission Hospital, but they died in the hospital. The bodies have been shifted to the Muvattupuzha Government Hospital mortuary. Postmortem will be held tomorrow.

The parents of the two girls had gone to church when the mishap occurred.

Tuesday, December 18, 2001

Kochi girl wins smile contest

MUMBAI: The Indian Dental Association (IDA) and Colgate-Palmolive have declared Namita Dinesh, Kochi, and Zeba Khan, Mangalore, joint winners of the national Beautiful Smile contest.

The contest brought to an end their year-long national oral health programme, which covered and educated over 40 lakh children in the country in oral hygiene.

The programme had four key elements: school dental health, teachers’ training, parents’ orientation programmes and national Oral Health Week.

While Namita and Zeba won Rs 10,000 each in the 6-10 and 11-15 years’ categories, V Pranita, Davangere, Karnataka, and Chandani Dewani, Junagadh, were declared first runners-up with a cash prize of Rs 5,000 each, the IDA said.

Tuesday, December 18, 2001

Katmandu-Delhi flight to mark second anniversary of plane hijacking

KOCHI: India is seriously considering the possibility of flying IC-814 Kathmandu-New Delhi flight to Kandahar on December 24, to mark the second anniversary of its hijacking.

The anniversary flight is being planned to `celebrate' the victory over terrorism that the country has achieved by way of foiling the Jaish-e-Mohammed-sponsored Fidayeen bid to storm the Parliament, last week.

Highly-placed sources told this website's newspaper that the anniversary flight plan was discussed at Delhi yesterday at a meeting of top officials of the Home Ministry and various Central police organisations. Realising the potential of the possibility, the meeting is learnt to have apprised the higher echelons of the plan.

The presence of one of the Kandahar hijackers, Sunny Ahmed Qazi alias Burger, who had stabbed Rupin Katyal to death on board the ill-fated plane, on the suicide squad is said to be the immediate reason for framing the flight plan.

That Jaish-e-Mohammed is headed by Moulana Masood Azar, who was let off to free Kandahar hostages, is yet another reason for drawing up the proposal.

This apart, the fall of Kandahar to American forces has also brightened the chances for landing in the Afghan province. The fact that India had played a significant role in providing valuable intelligence to America about Taliban has brightened the chances of getting a green signal from the Pentagon for the proposal.

"The idea is to fly the same aircraft with the same crew and possibly with the same passengers or at least a few of them to Kandahar. But again, this needs elaborate planning and co-ordination involving more than one country. We hope all pieces of the jigsaw will fall in place and the plan will take off," a top official said.

But we are serious about the plan. The Centre is also of the opinion that the anniversary flight will prove a point and come as a morale-booster to Indians, extremely worried over the Parliament incident.

"There are several hidden points to celebrate. The very fact the Burger was selected to head a suicide operation indicates that recruitment drive to these extremist organisations is on the low. We have reports suggesting that all groups are thoroughly confused after the fall of Taliban," sources in the Home Ministry said.

Even while expressing confidence that the IC-814 would once again land in Kandahar, sources said a lot depends on the ground situation in Kandahar.

"The US is working overtime to open the airport to fly in humanitarian aids and equipment. If they are able to do this in the next couple of days, then nothing will stop the anniversary flight," sources said.

Saturday, December 15, 2001

Terrorist attack on Parliament due to intelligence failure: ex-CBI chief

KOCHI: Former director of Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Joginder Singh said Thursday's terrorist attack on the Parliament was the result of ``an intelligence failure'', and opined that the officials concerned should be made accountable for it.

``There was an intelligence failure (to pre-empt the attack),'' Singh told reporters after inaugurating a residential programme on `New challenges before the country - terrorism, security & corruption,' organised by Delhi Productivity Council, here.

Another major lapse is related to the multiplicity of security agencies posted at the Parliament, he said, pointing out that at least four different security agencies guard the complex, creating utter confusion among the security personnel.

``The best method would be to have one force in one area. This will also create more accountability,'' the former CBI chief said.

Currently, CISF, CRPF, Border Police Commandos, NSG and Delhi Police are guarding the Parliament, besides the SPG giving protection for various MPs. ``This creates more confusion. We hould thank ourself that the security people didn't shoot at each other on Thursday,'' Joginder quipped.

He also wanted more sophisticated and latest weapons be provided for the security forces. ``More often than not, we have a situation where the terrorists possess the latest gadgetry than our security men have,'' he said.

Also, on various security alert warnings given by the Intelligence, Singh said that warnings should be more specific. ``You don't want agencies giving warnings that the Parliament or say the PM are terrorist targets. They should give specific information on when will the attack take place and by whom etc,'' he explained.

On the issue of some BJP members' demand that India should strike at various terrorist training camps in Pakistan, Singh said that this would be ``totally wrong.'' The CBI chief said ``we should first keep our house closed. If we keep our house open, terrorists will strike at will.''

Earlier, inaugurating the programme, Singh said the discussion is taking at the right time and corruption is directly linked to security and terrorism.

He pointed out that the controversial Jain dairy, which had the recordings of hawala payments to top politicians, was recovered from a terrorist.

G Ramachandran, former D G of Police, Gujarat, briefed on the five-day programme, attended by security officials from various organisations, including the Reserve Bank of India and the Road Transport Corporation.

Saturday, December 15, 2001

Discovery of gold on deity floods temple with devotees

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The majestic 18-feet-long idol of the principal deity at the sprawling Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple is found to have been covered in gold and invaluable precious stones, spurring an unprecedented swell in the flow of devotees to the centuries-old shrine here.

The chance discovery on the idol of Anantha Padmanabha -- Lord Vishnu in reclining posture on the Serpent Anantha -- was made during a restoration work of a part of the idol made of 'Kudusarkara' mixture processed with several costly ingredients, including ayurvedic herbs, and inlaid with 'salagramam'. The idol is said to be a rare one as 'Salagramam' is not normally used in Kudusarkara idols.

''It was by chance that we came to know about the use of gold on many vital parts of the idol. It was during the cleaning up and restoration of a part of the idol that the sound of metal was first heard,'' said a temple official.

It all began with the the chief priest of the temple informing the erstwhile Travancore royal family, which administers the leading place of worship in the State Capital, that parts of the idol of the principal deity needed repair and restoration along with some other idols.

The palace then invited noted 'Vaastu' expert Kanippayyur Krishnan Namboodiripad, who, after necessary examination. He deputed two of his disciples, both graduates in sculpture from the fine arts college here, to do the work. It was during such repair work that the two youngsters, Pradeep Namboodiri and Ratheesan Namboodiri, first heard the sound of metal covering the idol. Realising that the black colour of the idol was caused by the thick smoke from camphor, lamps and agarbathis over the centuries, they sought permission to clean up the idol.

There was initial hesitation as being made of Kudusarkara, the idol was not even subjected to Abhishekam. But after detailed consideration, the temple 'tantri' Peria Nambi and the royal family gave the go-ahead.

After the cleaning up with a specially-prepared mixture, it was found that the idol's clothes were covered in gold from hip to ankle, its crown, hands from wrist to fingers, the toes and five hoods of the serpent Anantha.

''Even the royal family members were not aware of the presence of gold in the idol,'' said a temple official.

Temple executive officer Col Gopinathan Nair said no part of the idol was made of gold, but several parts were being wrapped by gold sheets. The idol also had some gold ornaments.

Since the spread of the news about the golden discovery, there has been a steep increase in the number of devotees visiting the temple.

''This was especially so on Thursdays, considered auspicious with the temple,'' said Chandrasekharan, who runs a shop near the temple tank.

''I am a regular visitor to the temple almost on all Thursdays. But I had an ecstatic experience of the highest order last Thursday after seeing the Lord in his original attire and look,'' said Renu Balachandran after visiting the temple on December 13. ''you have to see to believe the aura surrounding the Lord now.''

A book ''Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple,'' authored by a royal family member Aswathi Tirunal Gouri Lakshmi Bayi Thampuratty, does not contain any detailed reference about the presence of gold in the idol of the principal deity. She told an interviewer that she was aware of the fact that the idol had golden jewels, but was surprised to learn that many parts of the body were wrapped in gold.

''It is unfortunate that her late uncle Sri Chithira Tirunal Balarama Varma (the last Maharaja of Travancore) did not know about this during his life time,'' she regretted.

The discovery of gold jewels on the idol has generated new interest in the temple and its history.

''You can unravel many such unknown facts if you go through the Mathilakam (temple) records and palace records,'' said Dr B Sobhanan, reader, Department of Modern History, University of Kerala.

The temple in its present form was renovated and the principal deity installed by Marthanda Varma Maharaja in the middle of the 17th century following his annexation of several small kingdoms into the Venad to enlarge it as the kingdom of Travancore.

In a ceremony of great significance for the subsequent history of Travancore, Marthanda Varma had laid the sceptre and crown at the feet of the idol of Lord Padmanabha and vowed to rule the kingdom as Padmanabha dasa (servant of Lord Padmanabha). All monarchs of Travancore since then were known as ''Padmanabha dasa.''

The temple, situated in the heart of the city at East Fort, is still under the direct control of the erstwhile Travancore royal family whose head visits the temple every morning for a special darshan when others are not permitted inside.

A 56-day-long `Murajapam', which is performed once in six years, is now underway. Since this is the first Murajapam of this century, a lot of significance is attached to the ritual this time

Saturday, December 15, 2001

Mystery over seized car

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The suspense about an Ambassador car that had been found unclaimed on the MLA Hostel premises has deepened with the police now saying that the vehicle has a legal claimant.

It was following a direction of the Speaker that the car along with a scooter, found unclaimed on the MLA Hostel premises, was taken away by the police to the Museum police station.

The Speaker, while addressing a press conference at the end of the recent Assembly session, had said that weapons were found in the unclaimed car.

But the police, when contacted, today said that no weapons were found from the car which bears the number KL-03B5596.

The Speaker had also said that the hostel premises were being misused as an unauthorised parking place.

When contacted, the sub-inspector of Museum police said that the scooter was claimed by a person named Vincent the other day. The car is now in the judicial custody of the RDO before whom the missing case is pending.

According to police, a person had recently reported at the station claiming that the car, which he used for the election campaign of JSS MLA K K Shaju, had developed trouble and hence left at the hostel premises.

Police had asked him to present his claim with relevant papers before the RDO. But why the car was left on the hostel premises without the permission of authorities is still clueless. So is the claim about the presence of weapons in the car and the counter-claim by the police of the absence of them.

Saturday, December 15, 2001

Attack on CRPF jawans: One gets 4-yr RI

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Sudhan alias Sudarman of Kazhakkoottam was today sentenced to four years rigorous imprisonment by a city court in connection with the attack on three CRPF jawans of Pallipuram camp near Kazhakkoottam in 1994.

Six of the eight accused in the case had been acquitted by a court in 1998.

Sudarman was sentenced to three years under IPC 307 and one year under IPC 324 by Principal Assistant Sessions Judge S M Fatima Beevi.

The sentence would run concurrently.

The case was that the three jawans–– A Basheer, K R Shakeer and P J John –– were attacked by an eight-member gang with weapons in the night of February 26, 1994.

The jawans went out for having food after the late night weapon training session since the canteen at the camp was closed.

The jawans who went to a bakery at Kazhakkoottam had a tiff with the eight-member gang who were consuming liquor there.

The jawans left without food, but they were followed by the gang and waylaid with weapons.

Sudarman, 35, who was the fifth accused and Rajan, 32, the third accused had been absconding.

However, Sudarman was arrested dramatically at the airport when he returned from the Gulf in 2000.

The third accused is still at large.

In the earlier trial of the six accused, which ended in their acquittal, the then prosecution could not produce the relevant hospital records.

Only one eye-witness was examined then.

In Sudarman’s trial, the present prosecution, headed by public prosecutor K B Imtiaz Mohammed, presented the medial records regarding the treatment of the jawans at the medical college.

Dr K N Vijayan who conducted the treatment of the jawans was also examined.

Moreover, the only eyewitness, who is a former watchman of NES Block, Kazhakkoottam, gave evidence as prosecution witness.

In the light of the conviction of the fifth accused, the prosecution is planning to appeal against the acquittal of the six accused.

The jawans, who have been suspended from service after an internal inquiry citing their quarrel with the gang, are also planning to appeal for the withdrawal of the punishment.

Saturday, December 15, 2001

Kerala opens cell to help non-residents

New Delhi, Dec 15 (IANS) The Kerala government Friday opened a cell here for channelising investments of non-resident Keralites and providing speedy welfare measures to NRKs when needed.

The move is part of the 49-point action plan chalked out at the global meet of non-resident Keralites, Samavayam 2001 at Kochi in August, which was attended by around 800 delegates. Over 1.5 million Keralites reside overseas.

The state has witnessed large-scale migration in the last quarter of the 20th century. Despite the large flow of money from overseas, the state has not witnessed much progress industrially due to the various problems including labour trouble.

Several members of a committee set up to take follow-up action had come from Singapore, Bahrain, Kuwait, the UAE and Russia for the opening of the new cell at Kerala House here.

"The need for a single agency under the Kerala government with which the non-resident Keralites could interact for quick address of their welfare measures and for redressal of their grievances had led to the formation of Non-resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) cell," Kerala Chief Minister A. K. Antony said at the inauguration.

The problem of bringing back dead bodies from Saudi Arabia due to local laws and the need for giving legal aid to non-resident Indians overseas was raised by Antony with External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh, who inaugurated the cell.

While assuring all possible help through the local missions, Singh said it might not be feasible for the government to provide the expensive legal aid.

Presenting a report on the various measures initiated by the state government to attend to the needs on non-resident Keralites including those who have come back after stay overseas, NORKA department secretary Jiji Thomas said a meeting is being held for them at Thiruvananthapuram on December 18.

In January, another meeting is planned at Bangalore with Keralites who have migrated to other states to encourage them to invest in their home state.

The NORKA department, as the nodal agency for all investments by non-resident Keralites, has already initiated steps for setting up a non-banking financial institution to channelise funds, said Thomas.

It has also set the ball rolling for a shipping service between Kochi and the Middle East with the required facilities at Kochi Port, a pension scheme, and setting up of an international school and training institutions.

There are also proposals for setting up heritage homes and personalised service to the families of non-resident Keralites, added Thomas.

Friday, December 14, 2001

Get after them, BJP tells PM

NEW DELHI: The Bharatiya Janata Party has asked the Prime Minister to follow a "hot pursuit" strategy in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, but the Opposition has warned of nuclear repercussions.

BJP spokesman Vijay Kumar Malhotra said BJP MPs had met the the Prime Minister on Friday morning and conveyed to him their opinion and "that of the public" that after Thursday's terrorist attack on Parliament, the Prevention of Terrorism Ordinance must be passed and the government should consider action similar to the US war on Afghanistan.

"The government should think of pro-active hot pursuit and target the terrorist training camps in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir," Malhotra said. Pakistan, he said, was supporting terrorists and if the US was sincere in its global war against terrorism, it should help India in every possible way to fight them. "The US should not adopt double standards", he added.

The BJP leader said it was ultimately up to the government to decide, and the party would support its decsion. Vajpayee, he said, was going to the Lok Sabha so did not answer right away.

When reporters asked for his reaction, the Prime Minister said: "I cannot answer this question right now. I have come to congratulate the security personnel for their heroic effort. They saved the lives of Parliamentarians by laying down their own lives. Give the government some time."

The government also finds ready support in its ally, the Telugu Desam Party. TDP leader in Lok Sabha Yerran Naidu said his party would support "any action taken by the government".

The government, said Naidu, had full information on such matters and was the best judge on what to do.

The Opposition, however, is not as united on the issue, though Congress, the main Opposition party, has said it is opposed to "hot pursuit". "Let us not cross the Line of Control', said spokesman Jaipal Reddy.

The Congress is against action akin to what the US did after the September 11 terror attacks because Pakistan is a nuclear state, unlike Afghanistan. "If there are nuclear repercussions it would be a massacre', Reddy said.

The party has sought a discussion on the security issue in Parliament. "We will want answers on how the attacks have happened despite the warnings", said Congress chief whip in the Lok Sabha Priya Ranjan Dasmunshi.

The Left is also not in favour of crossing the LoC. "We don't subscribe to this. How do they even know that these people were Pakistanis. In any case, will their good friend, USA, allow them to do so?" asked CPM leader Somnath Chatterjee.

But there appear to be cracks in the much-flaunted Opposition unity over this issue. Samjawadi Party chief Mulayam Singh Yadav has advocated an aggressive answer to Thursday's terrorist attack on Parliament. "Laws will serve no purpose. We have to answer this with arms and ammunition."

Meanwhile, two Pakistani nationals have been picked up from a south Delhi hotel by security agencies in connection with the probe into Thursday's terror attack on Parliament.

The two are being questioned, sources told Times News Network, without giving further details.

Friday, December 14, 2001

Shooting of Adoor’s new movie begins

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The shooting of Nizhalkuthu, acclaimed director Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s new film, has begun.

The location is Pottalkulam at Myladi near Suchindram, on way to Kanyakumari. Shooting will continue at the location for a month. A few scenes are to be shot at the central jail here.

The film, which has Oduvil Unnikrishnan playing the central character of Kaliappan, is set in the pre-Independence period and is based on the theme of responsibility.

Nedumudi Venu, Murali, Indrans and Sukumari also play crucial roles. Reeja, 16, from Thrissur, makes her debut and plays an important role. A French co-production, the film has a budget of around Rs 50 lakh. ‘Nizhalkuthu’ is expected to be ready by April next year.

Friday, December 14, 2001

Antony holds talks with Vajpayee

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Prime Minister A B Vajpayee, who cancelled all his engagements including an Iftar party in the wake of the terrorist attack on Parliament, however met Chief Minister A K Antony as per schedule.

According to Chief Minister’s office here, the meeting began at 7 pm and lasted for 40 minutes.

Various issues including the crisis in the farm sector, modalities for ADB loan and problems of the NRKs were taken up.

The Prime Minister has reportedly said that he would adopt sympathetic stand towards the problems of the State.

Friday, December 14, 2001

Security around vital installations beefed up

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The police on Thursday sounded a high alert throughout THE State in view of the attack on Parliament even as the Centre directed the State Governments to beef up security around vital installations.

DGP W J Dawson, when contacted, said that he had already sent alert messages to district SPs and commissioners. ``We are on maximum alert. Security around all vital installations like the Secretariat and Assembly complex other State and Central Government establishments has been beefed up,'' he added.

The intelligence wing of the police has also asked the supervisory officers including zonal IGs, range DIGs and SPs to make elaborate security arrangements to meet any exigency.

They have been asked to mobilise maximum force to deal with the dharnas, rallies and processions that are likely in the State in response to the attack on Parliament. ``With the situation in the State already surcharged, there is a possibility of troublemakers exploiting the situation,'' said a top intelligence official. He appealed to the people to remain vigilant against rumour mongers and help the security agencies in maintaining peace.

Special unit forces including crime branch, SCRB, DCRB and PTCB have also been kept on alert to assist the law and order machinery. Security personnel drawn from Kerala Armed Police, Special Armed Police and Malabar Special Police have been kept in reserve for deployment in the event of any trouble in the State.

Instructions have gone down from the police headquarters to the district police chiefs to take maximum possible measures to prevent any untoward incident following the attack on Parliament.

City Police Commissioner Rajan Singh said that security around the Secretariat complex had been tightened. The Chief Security Officer of the Secretariat has been asked to frisk people before allowing them into the building. He has also been asked to ensure that people meeting the ministers are also frisked.

As a precautionary measure, more flying squads have been put on patrolling duty in and around vital destinations to keep a watch over troublemakers. Patrolling has also been intensified in communally sensitive places.

Meanwhile, the security in the Legislature complex here, strengthened after Vakkom Purushottaman became Speaker, is likely to be further beefed up in view of the attack on Parliament. Anwin J Antony, chief marshal of the Assembly, told NIE that the security arrangements in the Legislature complex was likely to be strengthened in the light of the attack on Parliament. ``So far, we have not decided anything concrete but I will be speaking to the Speaker. I must add that we have already been taking adequate precautionary measures. But obviously, we need to take another look,'' he added.

Security in the Assembly complex, which was admittedly lax in the past, was beefed up at the personal initiative of Vakkom Purushottaman. This action did infuriate many, including the MLAs and the media, but looks justified if one looks at it in the backdrop of th