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April 2003

Bus-van collission kills four

Wednesday, April 30, 2003

MALAPPURAM: Four passengers of a pick up van were killed when it collided with a tourist bus in the National Highway-17 at Chankuvetti near Kottakkal around 5.15 this morning.

The deceased have been identified as van driver Musthafa, 25, son of Hussain of Velladath Karukayil House, Abdul Jaleel, 25, son of Vakkalaparambil Abdu, Abdul Latheef, 25, son of Alungal Veerankutty and Avarankutty , 22, son of Abdul Rahiman of Chittakath Karthya House. All the four deceased belonged to Kadanangadi near Edakkulam at Thirunavaya.

The accident occurred when the tourist bus, which was on a marriage trip from Kannur to Chavakkad, collided with the pickup van which was proceeding to Kottakkal from Thirunavaya to bring vegetables, in front of the PWD Rest House at Chankuvetti.

Under the impact of collision the van overturned and rammed a wall five metres away. It was drizzling when the accident happened.

K C Sathyan (37), a passenger in the bus who sustained injuries, has been admitted to a private hospital.

‘I’ group to end tirade against Antony

Wednesday, April 30, 2003

NEW DELHI: Congress president Sonia Gandhi will announce her decision on Wednesday on granting pardon to the Karunakaran camp for having fielded the rebel candidate for the Rajya Sabha elections.

At a meeting between KPCC chief K Muraleedharan and the two AICC observers, Ghulam Nabi Azad and R K Dhawan and general secretary incharge of Kerala affairs, Ambika Soni, a face-saving formula was evolved.

According to sources, Muraleedharan has given an assurance to the Congress High Command after talking to his father K Karunakaran on phone that henceforth nothing will be stated against the A K Antony Government in the State.

In the midst of the meeting, Muraleedharan was asked to extract similar commitment from Karunakaran. After talking to Karunakaran, Muraleedharan promised to the Congress High Command that they would not raise any discordant voice against the Antony group.

Muraleedharan is expected to issue a formal statement after the announcement of the Congress president. In the statement, he will appeal to all the Congressmen to work unitedly for the party and the Government.

After the meeting, a visibly relieved Muraleedharan stated that he was optimistic about the decision to be taken by the Congress president on Wednesday. He said that after the announcement of Sonia Gandhi, the crisis in Kerala will be a ‘‘closed chapter.’’

Murali said that as the KPCC chief, he did his best to have a better coordination between the party and the Govt. However, due to the RS polls, differences emerged between the two groups. In future, he will ensure that there is no groupism in the State.

Talking about the expected decision, he hoped that it would be acceptable to all. He was also optimistic that after the decision, both Karunakaran and Antony will join hands for the unity of the party.

He will meet the Congress president on Wednesday after the announcement. He said that all the Congress MLAs were solidly behind the Congress president.

The High Command has been in a dilemma on the action to be taken against the Karunakaran camp. For the last few days, Sonia Gandhi held separate meetings with both Karunakaran and Antony to reach an amicable solution to the crisis.

Jeevan TV official launch on May 1

Wednesday, April 30, 2003

KOCHI: The Malayalam TV channel Jeevan will be officially launched on May 1 at 6.30 p.m. at a function to be held at Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium, Kaloor.

Prominent names from the entertainment field including Manisha Koirala and Bharat Mammooty will attend the function. Union Minister of State for Defense O Rajagopal will officially launch the channel.

It will be followed by presentation of channel theme song and release of new logo.

A mega musical night with an array of gifted singers including Vasundhara Das, Biju Narayanan, Vidhu Prathap will also be held.

Kerala's HIV-positive siblings to fight again for school

Wednesday, April 30, 2003

IANS

THIRUVANANTHASPURAM: After attending lessons at a church without facing ostracism, two HIV-positive siblings in Kerala have resolved to revive their campaign for a place in school alongside other children.

Ostracism from ignorance about HIV/AIDS had forced seven-year-old Bency and five-year-old Benson -- who were born with the virus that claimed the lives of both their parents -- to change schools five times in the just concluded academic year.

The last of these was a state-run school in Kaithakuzhi, Kollam district. They were admitted after they sat on a protest outside the state secretariat here along with their grandfather to demand a regular schooling. Chief Minister A.K. Antony intervened in the matter and got them into school in February.

But problems soon followed. The parents of the other 119 children in the school refused to send their wards as long as the HIV-positive siblings attended classes there. After the government failed to convince the parents, it arranged for a teacher to instruct Bency and Benson at their home, robbing them of the school environment they longed for.

"Yesterday (Monday) we were informed that both the kids have been promoted. Benson is going to Class 2 and Bency to Class 3," the children's 50-year-old grandmother Sallykutty told IANS on the telephone.

"With one more month for the vacations to end, we are going to fight for the rights of these children. We want them to get admission to school, failing which a teacher should come here. The authorities have not told us anything on what sort of education would be given to these children.

"If nothing happens, we have decided that my husband would launch an indefinite hunger strike in front of the secretariat. The children also would be sitting, but not on a hunger strike," said Sallykutty.

The response the children received from others attending Bible lessons at Kaithakuzhy Mar Thoma church during the vacations has emboldened the family to again dream of a normal education for Bency and Benson. About 300 students took the lessons.

"There was no problem at all and there was no ostracism of the kids like what happened at the school," said Sallykutty.

"We were really happy that on the concluding day, like all the other children, we were taken in an open jeep announcing that there was nothing wrong with us," said Bency.

The siblings also take tuitions from an undergraduate neighbour. "Both of them have the urge to study and making them sit idle at home would be wrong. They encounter no problem at their tuition teacher's house," said the grandmother.

The family is also finding is difficult to meet the mounting expenses of the children's medical treatment.

"We survive on the pension of my husband, who is an ex-serviceman," Sallykutty said. "Every week the medical bills of these children who are being given costly medicines to soothe the effects of HIV medicines costs Rs.3,000."

Cong crisis: Sonia's verdict today

Wednesday, April 30, 2003

The Congress high command is expected to announce its decision on Wednesday on the crisis that gripped the state unit of the party following Rajya Sabha nominations.

As reported earlier, the high command is expected to drop discpilnary actions against the rebels to avoid further damage to the image of the party in the state and at the national level. Instead it would issue a series of directions aimed at strengthening the party unit and to avoid the occurrences of such incidents in future.

Reports suggest that before pardoning the rebel faction, the high command would elicit an assurance from senior leader K Karunakaran that he would not upset the Antony government during the rest of its term. He has also assured that he would not press for a cabinet reshuffle.

As part of the new reconciliatory approach, the Congress leadership has almost dropped the idea of removing KPCC president K Muralidharan from his post .

As a prelude to making the announcement the AICC had summoned KPCC president K Muralidharan to Delhi on Tuesday. He met AICC General secretary Ambika Soni, Ghulam Nabi Azad and R K Dhavan. Ambika Soni also talked to Karunakaran over phone.

Hormis Tharakan likely to be next DGP

Wednesday, April 30, 2003

Vigilance Director P.K.Hormis Tharakan is set to succeed K.J.Joseph as the next DGP of the State provided R.S.Mooshahary, Director-General of the elite National Security Guards (NSG), does not evince interest in returning to Kerala.

Among the front-runners for the post are Mooshahary, Tharakan and ADGP (headquarters) Upendra Varma who will be elevated to the DGP's rank following Joseph's retirement on May 31.

Going by seniority, Mooshahary, a 1967 batch IPS officer, should replace Joseph. The possibility of his homecoming is remote as he is holding the plum post of the NSG director. This leaves the field open for Tharakan who belongs to the 1968 batch and Upendra Varma, a 1970 batch officer who returned from a Central deputation very recently. In fact, the Government had created ADGP (headquarters) post to accommodate Varma. The post was abolished after the elevation of A.V.Subbarao as DGP a few years ago.

Ajith Kumar Doval, another officer belonging to the 1968 batch and currently Intelligence Bureau special director, is five months senior to Tharakan. But being a hot contender for the post of Director of Intelligence Bureau (DIB), his return to the parent State is most unlikely. In this scenario, Tharakan who had a long stint with the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) appears to be Antony's favourite. If everything goes right, he will continue as DGP till June 2005.

Mooshahary, on the other hand, has the option of continuing in NSG for a couple of years as he is due to retire only in March 2006. The instances of officers heading a prime central agency returning to their home States to take up the DGP's post are uncommon in police services. One such case is that of N.C.Padhi who left the post of DIB to become the DGP of Orissa.

That Mooshahary is looking beyond NSG director's post was evident last year when he tried hard for the post of director-general of Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) following the retirement of Trinath Mishra. Apart from Mooshahary, senior IPS officers R.C.Aggarwal and Sathish Chaubey were also in the fray for the post. Finally the latter made it.

The CRPF DG's post is considered coveted as the organisation, with about 200 battalions, is the largest among the 19 Central police organisations in the country. The NSG, though an elite outfit, has just 5000-odd men in its ranks. It is almost certain that Mooshahary would give another try for the CRPF post.

For Tharakan, what is reassuring is the farewell speech made by Mooshahary prior to leaving for Delhi. Mooshahary had then remarked in a lighter vein: "Tharakan need not worry about getting to the top post since I would be away in Delhi for the next few years."

The posting of the next DGP practically hinges on Mooshahary's word.

(Courtesy NIE)

Keralites form major chunk of amnesty seekers in UAE

Wednesday, April 30, 2003

About 50 to 60 per cent of the 14,000 people who have applied for general amnesty in the United Arab Emirates are Malayalees, Non-Resident Keralites Affairs Minister M M Hassan said on Tuesday.

Hassan, who returned to Kerala on Monday after a ten-day tour of UAE, Oman and Qatar, told newsmen that he had a detailed discussion with officials and the Indian Consulate in Dubai over the issue of processing of applications of amnesty seekers and supporting work required to be done in Kerala.

He said UAE Higher Education and Scientific Research Minister Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan had expressed keen interest to associate with Kerala in the field of education. He had offered to send more UAE students to Kerala for pursuing higher education.

In Oman, he called on Labour and Manpower Minister Juma bin Ali al Juma and took up various issues confronting the labour class Malayalees in the country, including the delay in payment of wages and in certain cases of non-payment. The Omani Minister had promised to look into the matter sympathetically and also expedite those cases under litigation.

In Qatar, the Minister took up the visa restrictions issue presently imposed against Indians and was able to receive assurances to look into various problems being faced by the Malayalees. Hassan had also visited the Fujaira Free Zone in UAE and held discussion with its Director General Sharief Habib al-Awadi on the shipping service between Kerala and Gulf and the possibility of using Furaira port as one of the ports for embarkation and disembarkation in UAE.

The Muscat-based Towel Barwil Company had agreed to study the technical feasibility and economic viability of the shipping service and offered to submit a report within three months. Non-Residents Keralites Affairs Department Secretary Jiji Thomson, NORKA Joint Secretary M Aravindakshan and ROOTS-NRK Development Initiative Chief Executive K Satish Nampoothiripad accompanied the Minister during the trip.

High-level committee to tackle SARS threat

Wednesday, April 30, 2003

The state government on Tuesday formed a high level committee of experts and bureaucrats to coordinate the activities aimed at preventing the threat caused by Severe Acute respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in the state.

The decision was taken at a high level meeting held in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, State Health Minister P Sankaran told newsmen. The committee would comprise representatives of local bodies, health officials and airport authorities, the Minister said.

Sankaran informed that Chief Secretary Chandrasekharan Nair would head the committee. The committee would begin its activities on Tuesday itself, the minister said.

The Minister also informed that the functioning of isolation wards in all the three government medical College Hospitals in the state would be made more efficient.

UGC vice-chairman for strengthening courses

Tuesday, April 29, 2003

V N Rajasekharan Pillai, who has been appointed as the vice-chairman of the University Grants Commission (UGC), has stressed the need for consolidation and strengthening of the conventional stream of courses in humanities, basic sciences and liberal arts in affiliated colleges in Kerala.

In spite of the efforts by the UGC to support and augment the facilities in affiliated colleges, there had been a consistent decline in the number of good students who opt for such courses, Rajasekharan Pillai told an English daily when contacted in Bangalore.

A radical restructuring of the undergraduate curriculum was required to solve the problem, he pointed out.

Professionalism would be brought into the pattern of undergraduate training as part of this, he said.

In addition to diversifying the courses, communication skill development programmes, information technology modules, managerial concepts and entrepreneurial training would be made part of the undergraduate programme.

A joint effort, co-coordinated by the UGC involving private and public institutions in Kerala, is mooted for this project.

P S Sreedharan Pillai to head Kerala BJP

Tuesday, April 29, 2003

Putting all speculations to rest, the state unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party on Monday selected Advt PS Sreedharan Pillai from Kozhikkode as the consensus candidate for the post of party president.

Sreedharan Pillai would take over the party in Kerala from C K Padmanabhan who held the post for two consecutive terms.

A meeting of the party state leaders and district presidents held in Kovalam on Monday, presided over by party national president Venkaiah Naidu decided that Pillai would be the sole candidate for the post, when elections are held later this year.

Pillai, one of the youthful orators of the party in Kerala is presently BJP's national executive member and state vice president. A native of Chengannur, Pillai is today a leading advocate in the Kozhikkode bar.

Naidu later claimed to newsmen that the process was smooth and there were no differences in reaching the consensus. He informed the election process would be completed by the end of September.

According to reports, the consensus was arrived after heated debate as the two groups owing allegiance to O Rajagopal and P P Mukundan had their own candidates for the post.

Reports also suggest that P P Mukundan would continue as general secretary of the state party in the new set up also.

Kerala cases test negative for SARS

Tuesday, April 29, 2003

The two suspected Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) cases in the State have been tested negative at the National Institute of Virology, Pune.

Chief Secretary Chandrasekharan Nair has convened a high-level meeting of health officials tomorrow to review the steps taken by the Health Department to tackle the SARS threat.

The serological samples of the two patients had been collected at the Public Health Laboratory in Thiruvananthapuram and dispatched to the NIV for conducting confirmatory Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests.

Though the results were intimated over telephone on Monday evening, the result values were subsequently sent by fax at the behest of the health authorities in Kerala.

The two patients are being kept under observation at isolation wards at the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College and the General Hospital, Kochi, since they reported for treatment with fever and respiratory symptoms. Following the report, the patients are likely to be discharged on Tuesday after getting the official clearance.

Meanwhile, Chief Secretary Chandrasekharan Nair has convened a high-level meeting of health officials in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday to review the steps taken by the Health Department to tackle the SARS threat.

Cong crisis: Sonia summons Murali

Tuesday, April 29, 2003

At the end of a long wait, the Congress high command is expected to announce its decision on the crisis in the state unit of the party in a day or two. Signaling this, the party general secretary Ambika Soni called up KPCC president K Muralidharan on Monday evening and asked to him to rush to New Delhi.

Murali left Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday morning and would catch a flight to New Delhi later in the day from Kochi.

On Monday Congress president Sonia Gandhi had held another round of discussions with Ambika Soni the AICC secretary in charge of Kerala and R K Dhawan and Ghulam Nabi Azad, the two observers who were in Kerala during the Rajya Sabha polls.

Meanwhile, some reports suggested that Muralidharan may be removed from the post of KPCC president and will be offered a party post at the national level. However, Murali had dismissed the report saying that 'nothing of that sort will happen.'

Reaffirming this Ambika Soni said in New Delhi on Monday that there is every reason to expect that the Congress president will be generous towards those who may have voted against the official candidates of the party for the Rajya Sabha elections.

However, K Karunakaran, albeit subtly, has been threatening to take on the high command, if strict actions are taken against his loyalists.

Seek fresh mandate, Naidu tells Antony

Tuesday, April 29, 2003

The BJP national president Venkaiah Naidu has asked Kerala chief minister A K Antony to go fresh polls, to overcome the present crisis faced by the Congress party and the government.

"Antony is talking about healing touch. But the wounds are so deep that a surgery is required. My advice to Antony is that he should seek a fresh mandate as no patch work would do," Naidu told a press conference in Kovalam on Monday.

Naidu pointed out that the both the United Democratic Front and the Left Democratic Front have ruined the state. He also ridiculed their tie up at the national level. "They are not only too fronts but two friends too," he said. The BJP president also announced that Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee would lead the party in the next elections too. He also made it clear that the general elections would not be preponed and will be held as per schedule.

Naidu said that the party was aiming at 300 plus seats on its own and two-third majority for the NDA in the next elections.

Answering questions on Kerala politics, the BJP president said that the infighting in the Congress has affected the state's progress. Smaller groups like the Muslim League and the Kerala Congress parties cash on the situation, he said.

Naidu denied that there was group rivalry in the BJP's state unit. "There may be differences of opinion, but such problems are sorted out," he added. He expressed confidence that the BJP would open its account from the state in the next general elections.

'Food on Kerala Express is miserably low'

Monday, April 28, 2003

'Food on Kerala Express is miserably low'

UNI

NEW Delhi: The Janata Dal(united) has complained to railway Minister Nitish Kumar that the quality of food served on the Kerala Express is "miserably low".

In a memorandum submitted to the Minister here, the Kerala unit of the party said the catering in the train which runs between Thiruvananthapuram and New Delhi is a ''total failure''.

''there is no cleanliness. The quality and the quantity of the food supplied is miserably low,'' said state JD(U) general secretary R Mohandas.

The party asked the Minister to launch an inquiry so that corrective steps could be taken.

DYFI call to promote swadeshi goods

Monday, April 28, 2003

KOLLAM: The DYFI State conference has called upon the people to cultivate a new culture of consuming swadeshi goods as part of the fight against globalisation and imperialist occupation.

A resolution adopted at the conference emphasised the need for making production and consumption also weapons in the struggle against imperialist forces.

In another resolution, the DYFI said that criminalisation of Kerala society was taking place with the connivance of the Government. The activities of mafia gangs were on the increase in the State and they were exploiting the growing unemployment among the youth.

The process of communalisation has spread to all spheres of life in the State, according to another resolution passed by the conference. The democratic institutions had been weakened because of communalisation of politics, it added.

The conference will conclude on Monday with a parade of white volunteers and a youth rally. CPM politburo member Sitaram Yechuri will inaugurate the public meeting and it will also be addressed by Pinarayi Vijayan, N.N.Krishnadas MP, Tapas Sinha and P.K.Gurudasan.

The State office-bearers of the DYFI will be elected on Monday.

Waiting for right kind of music for the State: Rahman

Monday, April 28, 2003

KOCHI: Music maestro A R Rahman has described Kerala as the ‘melodic paradise’ of India and said that he is waiting for the right kind of music to do for the State.

Rahman, at the meet-the-press programme, organised by the Ernakulam Press Club on Saturday, said that he had some plans for the Malayalam films. However, he refused to divulge the details of it. Malayalam film songs and ‘mappila pattu’ have influenced most of his creations, he said.

Sharing his experiences of ‘Bombay Dreams’ in which he worked with Andrew Lyod Webber, Rahman said it was a ‘nice opportunity’ as he gained good experience. The musical might go to New York, he said.

On other projects with Webber, Rahman said Webber is doing his own musical now. The other projects may come up in the future.

Rahman is also composing a piece for Bermingham Symphonic Orchestra. The work will be based on ‘Conference of Birds’– a 12th century Persian poem.

The album is expected to be released by next summer, he said. Replying to a question on the crisis in music industry, Rahman said world wide crisis is due to piracy and internet down-loading.

There are no stringent laws in India to curb it, he said adding that the Hindi music is going through a ‘troubled’ phase with the market down, piracy and bad music taking its toll.

SARS: Health Dept seeks aid

Monday, April 28, 2003

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Health Department has sought an immediate assistance of Rs 60 lakh for tackling the threat posed by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in the State.

According to department sources, the request for funds has been approved by the Government and it would be released soon.

The department on Sunday received 50 N95 masks from the Centre for distribution among the healthcare employees attached to the SARS cells at the airports and hospitals. As the supply is inadequate, the department would buy more masks and gloves once the fund was released, the official said.

Errors in answer keys distributed at KU valuation camps

Monday, April 28, 2003

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The answer key of the Social Formation examination of the final year BA History of the Kerala University distributed at the valuation camps are full of factual errors.

According to a section of teachers, normally the chairman of the examination board or its members are entrusted with the duty of preparing answer keys. But in this case, the key was set by a teacher with just four years of service. He was also not a member of the examination board. The valuation process at camps at Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram and Alappuzha is nearing completion and there is apprehension that the wrong answer key would affect the performance of a large section of students in the examination.

The answer key was full of spelling mistakes and factual errors. The third question in the Part C of the question paper was ‘How the superior technology of the British affected the fate of Bengal?’ The answer given in the key revolves round the early faiths of the British and conflicts with the French East India Company.

Is Karunakaran anticipating censure from party?

Monday, April 28, 2003

IANS

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala's veteran Congress party leader K. Karunakaran, who has put up a brave face since a rebel he backed for Rajya Sabha elections was defeated, now seems to be apprehending censure from the party.

A statement by Karunakaran's son K. Muraleedharan, who heads the party in Kerala, was indicative of this.

Hitherto, Muraleedharan had been playing neutral in the ongoing feud between Karunakaran and Kerala Chief Minister A.K. Antony, which culminated in a rebel Congress candidate being fielded for the Rajya Sabha elections earlier this month.

Muraleedharan's statement questioning the Congress party's decision to make Antony and not Karunakaran the chief minister after assembly elections in 1995 is being viewed by political analysts as an indication that the gloves may be off.

"What happened in 1995 when Karunakaran was replaced by Antony is a more serious act of indiscipline as compared to the fielding of a rebel candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections," Muraleedharan said.

Karunakaran also took a swipe at Antony, saying: "All of you should understand that the 26 MLA's (legislators) stood united even though we had no liquor and money power".

Immediately after the Rajya Sabha elections April 14, Karunakaran alleged that the liquor mafia and money power helped his opponents win.

The Karunakaran faction of the Congress counts 26 of the party's 63 legislators in its ranks. The party leads Kerala's ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) coalition that has 100 legislators in the 140-member assembly.

On his part, Antony has steadfastly refused to comment on whether action would be taken against Karunakaran.

"I have no idea about what action is being contemplated by the high command (national leadership). Whatever decision is taken will be accepted by every Congressman in the state," said Antony.

And when specifically asked about Muraleedharan's remark about what happened in 1995, Antony said he would not speak about events that were now history.

"Several things have happened after that, so I am not going to say anything," Antony maintained.

One of the things that happened was that Muraleedharan was elevated to head the Kerala unit of the Congress in 2001 as a sop for Karunakaran not becoming the chief minister after assembly polls that year.

Political analysts feel that should Karunakaran and Muraleedharan be censured by the party leadership, it could well mark the beginning of yet another stormy phase of Congress politics in the state.

This could also affect Antony's development agenda and his plans to bring in investments of Rs.500 billion before his term ends in May 2006.

'BJP committed to rule of law'

Monday, April 28, 2003

KOLLAM: Reacting to the moves by the Viswa Hindu Parishad to construct a Ram temple at Ayodhya, BJP national president Venkaiah Naidu said that the law will take its own course against those who violate the constitutional authorities of the country.

The NDA Government was committed to the rule of law, he added.

Participating in a meet-the-press programme here on Sunday, Naidu said that the BJP was committed to the construction of Ram Mandir but it would try to reach a consensus on the issue.

Commenting on the VHP's opposition to Prime Minister A B Vajpayee's initiative for a dialogue with Pakistan, Naidu said that the VHP was a religious organisation and it was not mandatory for the BJP to accept its views. There was a need for a dialogue as the country wanted peace with its neighbour.

The people of Pakistan also wanted peace and friendship with India. However, the military rulers of Pakistan were instigating anti-India campaign as they always relied on such campaigns for their survival.

Unleashing terrorism against India had become a state policy of Pakistan and the happenings in Jammu and Kashmir were planned by the ISI.

When his attention was drawn to the statement of VHP leader Ashok Singhal on uprooting secularists in the country, Naidu said they were his personal views. Secularism was part and parcel of the Indian culture and for the BJP secularism meant ``Sarva Dharma Sama Bhavana''.

However, in the present context, secularism in India had become anti-Hinduism. He condemned the arrest of VHP leader Praveen Togadia by the Rajasthan Government for distributing tridents.

Talking about the prospects the BJP in the coming Assembly and Parliament elections, he said that the party would highlight the ``good governance of the NDA Government for five years as against the 47 years' misrule by the Congress''.

When asked about the allegations levelled by former Naval Chief Admiral Vishnu Bhagavath on the operations of US and Israeli spy organisations in the country, Naidu said that he did not want to comment on the utterances made by a person who was removed from the post of the head of the naval force for the first time in the history of the country.

THIRD FRONT: Naidu said that the State had become a fertile land for launching a third front against both the UDF and LDF. The UDF, according to the BJP leader, was corrupt and divided while the LDF was anti-development. The BJP would try to mobilise those forces which had become tired of experiments with the UDF and LDF. Discussions were going on in that direction, he said but refused to disclose the groups the BJP had contacted.

After Ayurveda, Kerala takes lead to popularise Siddha

Monday, April 28, 2003

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala, the homeland of Ayurveda, has taken the lead in popularising the oldest but lesser known Indian system of medicine, Siddha, which is said to be effective in treating several modern day ailments including cancer.

The first Siddha college in the country, outside of Tamil Nadu where the system originated, was opened in Kerala in November last year after approval from the State Government and the Central Council of Indian Medicine (CCIM).

The Santhigiri Siddha College, run by the renowned Thiruvananthapuram-based Santhigiri Ashram, has drawn a good response from local students with all the 25 management quota seats for the first year finding ready takers, its principal V Arunachalam said.

Dr Arunachalam, also CCIM's vice-president, said Siddha, which is believed to date back to 4,000 B C, was the oldest of the Indian systems of medicine.
Besides a huge 'Materia Medica', which included more than 500 medicines made of herbs, metals, minerals and animal by-products, Siddha had also made unique contributions such as pulse diagnosis and alchemy to the treatment of diseases, he said.

The system also incorporated advanced techniques of physiotherapy, traumatology or 'Varma Chikitsa' to treat injuries, surgery and medicated massages. However, compared to Ayurveda, little was known about Siddha as all its texts were in Tamil and little effort had been made to translate these into other languages.

Stating that Siddha medicines had been found highly effective in treating cancer without having the debilitating side effects caused by conventional methods such as chemeotherapy, Dr Arunachalam said the Chennai-based AIDS and Cancer Centre had recently initiated research to combine Allopathic and Siddha medicines for the treatment of cancer and AIDS.
''Their work is showing progressive results,'' he added.

'Political climate fertile for third alternative in Kerala'

Monday, April 28, 2003

Kollam: BJP president, M. Venkaiah Naidu on Sunday said that the political climate in Kerala was 'fertile' for forging a third front as an alternative to the Congress led UDF and the CPM headed Left Democratic Fronts. Speaking at a meet-the-press programme here, he said the BJP was ready to co-operate with anybody who came forward to support the party.

"But we are not interested in poaching". Stating that the people of Kerala were eagerly awaiting the emergence of an alternative to UDF and LDF, he said both fronts were 'disunited' and 'corrupt'. He claimed that the BJP-led NDA Government at the Centre, which came to power with a thin majority, had implemented more schemes than past Congress governments, which had a massive mandate.

"Our campaign plank for the next polls will be elect BJP to power with a massive majority to make India developed." On the violence in Jammu and Kashmir, he said it was the handiwork of the ISI, to prevent talks between both countries. Naidu said monitoring and implementation committees would be constituted in all states to oversee programmes under local bodies and to prevent the lapse of funds received under this head. Necessary constitutional amendemnts would be made. Defending the VHP's distribution of tridents, he said it was only a religious symbol.

"Some distribute crosses, others talwars (swords).... The RJD leader distributes lathis. There is no need to get emotional on the issue". However, it was for the administration of the states concerned to take action against VHP leader, Pravin Togadia if he made any inflammatory remarks during his speeches, Naidu added.

Rajagopal urges party workers to do self-introspection

Monday, April 28, 2003

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Union Minister of State for Defence O Rajagopal has called upon the BJP workers to do self-introspection on the `prevailing situation' within the State unit of the party.

He was speaking at the K G Marar commemorative meeting organised by the BJP district committee at Hotel Chaitram Auditorium here on Sunday.

There were complaints from some parts of the State that an influential lobby within the party was denying memberships to those who had differences of opinion with them, he said.

``Recently I had seen reports on the so-called `Rajagopal faction' within the State unit of the BJP. I do not belong to the Rajagopal faction, I belong to the BJP faction,'' he said.

``I would not hesitate to react against the wrong tendencies in the party. Recently, a well-wisher of the party had opined that the BJP in the State had become a party nobody wanted. The BJP workers should understand the spirit behind the statement,'' he said.

Rajagopal also elaborated on the contribution of K G Marar to strengthen the BJP in the State and also remembered him as a principled political leader.

BJP city district president M Gopal, Rural district president Padmakumar, City district general secretary C Sivankutty, National council member Ayyappan Pillai and rural general secretary Vellachira Somasekharan were present.

Governor to commission Coast Guard patrol vessel on Apr 29

Monday, April 28, 2003

Kochi, Apr 26 - Governor Sikander Bakht will commission the Coast Guard Ship ''Durgabai Deshmukh'', the second of the new-generation fast-patrol vessel at a function to be held here on April 29.
The 260-tonne 48-metre-long vessel, built by the public-sector Goa Shipyard and capable of attaining a maximum speed of 35 knots (64 km) an hour, is fitted with 30-mm gun, besides machine guns on the sides. It also has state-of-the-art navigation and communication equipment, an official release here said.

The ship, capable of withstanding rough sea conditions, could undertake a continuous voyage extending to 1,500 nautical miles, the release added.

VHP will press Centre for conversion ban: Singhal

Monday, April 28, 2003

Kochi, Apr 27 - The Vishwa Hindu Parishad will pressurize the Centre to bring in legislations for construction of the Ram temple in Ayodhya and to ban mass conversion, VHP International Working President Ashok Singal said.
He said the Hindus could no longer wait for construction of the Ram temple. The VHP will mobilize the Hindus to achieve the objective as court settlement of the Ayodhya dispute would take further time, he said.

Singhal said the VHP could extend hands of friendship to the Muslims only if the Sunni Wakf Board withdrew all cases relating to the Ayodhya dispute. It should also set aside their claims over the Krishna Janambhoomi and the Kashi Vishwanath temple.

He alleged that Christian organizations were utilizing huge foreign funds they receive for conversion purpose. They were getting foreign funds to the tune of Rs 2013 crore every year while offerings received by temples are taken by the Governments, especially in Communist-ruled states.

Singhal defended the Trishul distribution programme of the Bhajrang Dal and said that it was in vogue for the past 25 years. If Christians could distribute Cross, Hindus had the right to distribute Trishul, he said.

Decrying the Prime Minister's renewed call for friendship with Pakistan, he alleged that Pakistan had always been promoting terrorism.

Rajagopal's secy gets bail in dowry case

Sunday, April 27, 2003

Puneet Kumar, an IAS officer of Kerala cadre, who was absconding in connection with dowry harassment case, has obtained an anticipatory bail. Puneet, personal secretary to O. Rajagopal, minister of state for defence, has rejoined office after leave.

The Rajouri Garden police registered a dowry harassment case on a complaint lodged by Vandana, wife of Puneet Kumar's brother-in-law, Sumeet Arora. In her complaint filed on April 10, Vandana had alleged that Puneet, along with her in-laws, was physically harassing her demanding more dowry.

She alleged that she was being harassed from February 2002, the month she got married to Sumeet.

DYFI State conference begins in Kollam

Sunday, April 27, 2003

Admiral Vishnu Bhagawat (retd) has accused the BJP-led government of trying to derail the democratic institutions in the country. "it is now an era of corporate fascism," Bhagawat said while inaugurating the ninth state conference of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) in Kollam on Saturday.

The ways and means to intensify struggles undertaken by the organisation in the state on social issues and against multinationals will be discussed the at the three day meet.

The issue of inviting Cooperation Minister M.V. Raghavan to the foundation stone-laying function of the NS Memorial Hospital and the internal strife between the groups owing allegiance to VS Achutanandan and Pinarayi Vijayan respectively are expected to be reflected in the conference. Both Vasanthan and Sasidharan are VS loyalists in the party.

The faction led by Pinarayi Vijayan is likely to establish its complete domination over the DYFI as both State president P.R.Vasanthan and general secretary T.Sasidharan would be replaced by strong Pinarayi loyalists at the conference.

The DYFI had declared Raghavan as its archenemy after the Koothuparambu police firing in which five activists of the organisation became martyrs.

Aspirants run helter-skelter for safe shelter

Sunday, April 27, 2003

KOCHI: The All India Medical Entrance Examination slated for Sunday is likely to hold the parents and students hailing from far flung areas to ransom as the city was not able to accommodate them.

Anxiety and fear were the predominant emotion among the parents who are in search for a safe shelter to their wards and made frantic calls to various hotels and lodges hoping for a room.

Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi are the only two centres in the State for the examination in which lakhs of students all over the country aspiring for a good career in medical science.

With the crack of the dawn today the main arteries of the city were seemed to be teeming with baggage-wielding students accompanied by parents or relatives who disembarked from trains and buses after a prolonged journey.

“If the students could not find a safe place for sleep, it will affect their preparedness in facing the exam,” said Rajkumar hailing from Thrissur.

He was able to secure a lodging at Ganam Hotels after a frenzied three-hour search that began from Ernakulam North and ended in South.

Neither the government nor any department perceived the difficulties being faced by the parents, said P Venugopal from Neeleshwaram, who was lucky in procuring a room by advance booking at Grant Tourist Home as he anticipated the crisis.

But what worries him is the time grabbing traffic snarl from which even the city dwellers were not immune. In the previous year there was only one centre at Thiruvananthapuram, he added.

All the medium range hotels and lodges were packed to its capacity by noon itself and the late comers would be forced to resort even three-star or above categories hotels which may not be affordable for ordinary people.

The KSRTC has announced that additional buses will be pressed into service to Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram from Kochi on Sunday in view of the examination.

Farmer from Kottayam district enters Limca Book

Sunday, April 27, 2003

KOCHI: George Mathew of Koruthodu in Kottayam district has entered the Limca Book of Records for developing a unique method of vanilla cultivation.

George Mathew said here on Saturday that the new method would yield 1,000 plants per acre and a yield of around three kilogram per plant. One kilogram of dry vanilla bean fetches around Rs 10,000 in the global market.

Documentary by Thakazhi's grandson has Kaatha in the lead

Sunday, April 27, 2003

ALAPPUZHA: It's a casting coup a budding film-maker can rave about. Raj Nair, a debutante documentary-maker, is trying to unfold the actualities of ageing and the past and current social issues old women face.

And Kamalakshiamma, alias Kaatha, the devoted wife for 65-odd years, of Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai, is donning greasepaint for her grandson's documentary.

The 90-minute documentary titled 'Kazhchavastukkal' will be shot in Malayalam at various locations in Kuttanad.

``The harsh realities of life faced by an aged women and luck measured in unimaginable units bestow upon her a status that often reflects respect, love, care, penance and ultimately patience, and also a social stance, which stands a step above the mother. The effort is to portray the indomitable spirit through my grandmother,'' says Raj Nair, an assistant oral medicine professor at Hong Kong University.

``The documentary will also attempt to rediscover those milestones in a woman's life, which will make any sweet little baby girl of the distant past just another grandmother,'' adds Raj, who is also working on a Malayalam novel 'Bhoomiyile Paravakal'. He already has an English novel to his credit.

Providing the requisite spit and polish to the documentary is a team of experts. Film critics award winning cinematographer T G Sureshkumar and Girish Nedumudi form the camera team.

Hong Kong-based Keralite entrepreneurs Ashraf A Bava and Kesu V Nair are the producer and executive producer respectively, of the documentary. The project is designed by Satheesh Babu Payyannur.

Be like Bengal comrades, Antony tells Kerala Communists

Sunday, April 27, 2003

IANS

NEW DELHI: Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony is all praise for Marxists ruling West Bengal but rues that communists opposed to him in his own state are not ready to emulate the Bengal comrades.

Here to meet Congress party president Sonia Gandhi, Antony lashed out at leaders of the Communist Party of India-Marxist of Kerala for what he alleged was their illogical opposition to economic reforms.

"While Keralites are keen on better quality of life and are willing to shed their dogmas, there are still some negative factors," Antony told IANS in an interview here. "A section of politicians and trade unions are still not willing to shed their dogmas.

"Unlike in West Bengal, where the CPM is proceeding with reforms, in Kerala the Marxist party is trying to boycott goods of multinational firms. They have been holding strikes and violent agitations," complained Antony.

"The political climate in the state is not the problem, but the frequent strikes and violent agitations are creating problems."

Antony has been desperate for an economic revival in Kerala ever since he came to power in the state in 2001 at the head of the United Democratic Front, drubbing the CPM-led Left Democratic Front.

After lying low for a while, the CPM has stepped up its opposition to the Antony government, criticising, among other things, aspects of his economic policies.

Antony insisted that it was not factionalism within the Congress but "the sectarian attitude" of the Marxists that hindered the reforms process unleashed by his government.

"Factionalism is something we have to live with. It is part of the democratic process," Antony said.

The only thing holding back Kerala's development, he insisted, was the Marxists' sectarian mindset.

Antony, however, expressed the hope that a dialogue with the CPI-M would help create a favourable atmosphere to attract investment in the state.

At stake are Rs.260 billion worth of projects for which the state government had received expressions of interest during a global investors meet held in January.

"Many of the projects are in the final stages of negotiations. In two or three months we hope to finalise them. We are hopeful that many of these projects related to IT, tourism and infrastructure development will materialise," said Antony.

"We have also opened up opportunity for investment in the educational sector and are getting a good response.

"The only problem is that the managements of these institutions are angry with the state government as we are trying to fix some sort of scale for fees," said the chief minister.

The matter is with the cabinet, said Antony. He hoped that once the fees scale is fixed, children seeking admission on merit would be able to study in the private colleges in which the government has demanded 50 percent quota for merit holders and candidates from the scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.

Antony said he had met central government officials here to convey Kerala's interest in contributing to the reconstruction of Iraq.

"We have expectation that companies from Kerala will be allowed to work in Iraq. We have conveyed to the central government our eagerness to participate in Iraq's reconstruction."

The Chief Minister was, however, shy of discussing the factional politics plaguing the Congress in Kerala, particularly his strained relations with former chief minister and party veteran K Karunakaran.

In the latest incident of groupism in the Congress, 22 legislators loyal to Karunakaran backed a rebel candidate in the Rajya Sabha poll on April 14 although the official nominees won.

Antony, who held discussions with Sonia Gandhi, said: "In a democratic setup, we have to live with dissent and contradictions. Finally, it all depends on how one manages things without getting panicky."

He politely declined to go into details of his feud with Karunakaran.

"I have given (Gandhi) my assessment of the situation and I am confident the party high command will find a just solution as she has considerable experience of handling such situations."

But he asserted that Congress factionalism would not destabilise the Kerala government.

He said, "In all these years the Congress has developed a mechanism to manage contradictions better than any other political party."

Antony was also confident of the Congress winning elections in upcoming elections in four states, including Delhi, but declined to talk about the party prospects in next year's Lok Sabha polls.

"Our first priority are the assembly elections, then only we will look ahead at the Lok Sabha elections," he said.

Ministry directive to LPG distributors

Sunday, April 27, 2003

KOCHI: The Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has asked LPG distributors to transfer with immediate effect their clients to the new nearby distributors either with the same oil company or with the other oil companies.

``The transfer is meant to extend better customer service as customers will be transferred to distributors who operate closely to their area of stay,'' said S Rajendran, senior area manager, Indian Oil Corporation.

The order, which has been issued more than an year back, was not implemented by distributors as it would result in loss of customers.

However, the Union Ministry now has asked distributors to transfer the clients or face action.

In Kerala, out of a total of 17 lakh LPG customers, the transfer of distributors will affect about 36,000 customers. While the IOC has added 20 new distributors, the BPCL and HPCL, the other two LPG producers, together have added another 20.

To begin with, the new distributor will inform the customer of the change in the agency and provide the clients with the phone numbers and address and the customers are requested to contact their new distributor for their refill services. The empty cylinders of these newly transferred customers will be arranged to be collected and refills delivered by the new distributors in future. ``The three oil companies will exchange the cylinders between themselves later so that the customers are put to minimum confusion,'' said Rajendran.

RS poll issue not a bigger act of indiscipline than ouster of Karunakaran, says Murali

Sunday, April 27, 2003

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KPCC president K. Muraleedharan said here on Saturday that the fielding of Kodoth Govindan Nair as a candidate in the recently-held Rajya Sabha polls was not a bigger act of indiscipline than the 1995 incident when the then chief minister Karunakaran, despite enjoying a clear majority, was ousted with the help of outside forces.

Muraleedharan told newspersons that had Karunakaran’s adversaries waited for 13 months, the UDF would have returned to power.

‘‘The policy of labelling whatever happened then as right and whatever was taking place now as factionalism was wrong. If what is taking place now is indiscipline then what had occurred in the past too was an act of indiscipline,’’ he said.

The KPCC president said that the fielding of Kodoth was not in defiance of the high command. It was just an emotional and sentimental outburst of a section of Congressmen. It would be good to examine the history of those who were terming the Kodoth’s candidature as a challenge to the high command.

‘‘As KPCC president, I have not supported Kodoth. I would have done that only after resigning my post,’’ he said.

Muraleedharan said that during the last two years he had tried his best to bring unity in the Congress. However, the recent incident of indiscipline had defeated his efforts, he said.

‘‘I don’t have any anxiety of being made the AICC general secretary. I would not like to comment further on newspaper reports,’’ he said.

Asked about Antony’s comment that the possibility of a tie-up between the Congress and the CPM in the State was a ‘divine dream’, Muraleedharan said, ‘‘all dreams may not become a reality, but some do.’’

He said that there was no policy of untouchability towards the CPM. ‘‘If we can work together in various States, why not in Kerala,’’ he asked.

Chief Minister A.K.Antony refused to comment on Muraleedharan’s statement that the ouster of Karunakaran in 1995 was the biggest act of indiscipline.

‘‘It is all part of history. I would not like to say anything,’’ he told reporters at the airport on his arrival from New Delhi after meeting Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

Murali Nair's 'Arimpara' for Cannes Film Festival

Sunday, April 27, 2003

Murali Nair's 'The Story that Begins at the End' for Cannes Film Festival

Renowned filmmaker Murali Nair's latest Malayalam film 'Arimpara' (The story that Begins at the End) is to be the Indian entry for the prestigious "UnCertain Regard Section" at 56th Cannes International Film Festival this year-- the only official entry from India.

Co-produced by the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) with Murali Nair Productions, the film is based on well known writer O V Vijayan's celebrated short story 'The Wart'. It stars Nedumudi Venu, Sona Nair, Bhagyanath, Rajan Sithara, Bharathan Narakkal and others.

Murali Nair's Marana Simhasanam (Throne of Death) had won the Camera d'or award at Cannes in 1999. His Pattiyude Divasam (Dog's Day) and 'Yudhavum Vyaparavum' (War and Trade) were also highly acclaimed.

'Marana Simhasanam' lampooned the World Bank and American aid to Third World countries by portraying the tragic plight of a farm labourer who is caught stealing coconuts and soon finds himself framed for murder and is sentenced to death, in an electric chair, imported from America with the aid from the World Bank. It won six international awards and was screened in more than 50 international film festivals.

A geologist by profession, he gave up a secure job in an oil rig to do a filmmaking course at the Xavier's Institute of Communication in Mumbai. Later, he served as the assistant director to Pavan Kaul, Nandan Kudhiyadi and Mani Kaul.

In 1993, he made a short film 'The Tragedy of an Indian Farmer', based on Malayalam poet Changampuzha's poem Oru Vazhakula. His second short film 'Coronations' explored the impact of advanced military technology in a third world town. Murali's third short film 'A Long Journey', premiered at Cannes in 1996 in the short film competition section.

His second feature film 'Oru Pattiyude Divasam' (A Dog's Day) is described as a political fairy tale. It is an indictment of globalisation and privatisation. To quote him, "The increasing tendency of the United States to interfere in the affairs of the second and third world for its own interests of war and trade made me think of a second film."

Following the Camera d'Or, Murali, who is now London-based, directed a 13-part series called 'First Taste' exploring the life of teenagers in various countries and cultures and a 10-part series 'Miracles of Faith' examining the effects of miracles in people's lives in different countries all over the world, both for Channel 5 in the UK.

He also made a 26-part series titled 'My Story' for Channel 5 on the life of teenagers in Britain. He's now been asked to do another 13-part serial on relationships among teenagers to be called 'My Kiss'. This will be followed up with another 13-part serial on relationships between different religious beliefs.

Union Home Ministry says Kerala govt is responsible for delay in CBI probe of Muthanga incidents

Sunday, April 27, 2003

The Union Home Ministry is yet to receive Kerala government's notification seeking a CBI investigation of the Muthanga incidents.

Union minister of state home I D Swamy told Parliament that the Home Ministry could take any action only after receiving the notification.

He said the state government is responsbile for the delay in this regard.

BJP betrayed Hindus, says Singhal

Saturday, April 26, 2003

PTI

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: VHP working president Ashok Singhal on Thursday said BJP had "betrayed" the Hindus on the issue of Ram temple construction after they assumed power.

"We have been betrayed. We never expected this from them. But history teaches us that those who have betrayed Hindus have paid their price," he said, addressing a meet-the-press programme.

Defending distribution of tridents in Rajasthan, he said it was purely a religious work."We are not against anyone. If RJD leader Laloo Prasad Yadav can distribute lathis and others talwars, why can't Hindus distribute tridents symbolically," he asked.

Stating that `jehadis' were now ruling the roost in the country, he said secularists, who were "trying to eradicate India's great civilisation posed the biggest threat to the country."

"Secularism has come to mean anti-Hinduism. They are in fact destroying Hinduism," he said.

He said the Ram Janmabhoomi issue was entangled in court cases for the last 15 years. However, temple construction at Ayodhya would go on as planned by the VHP.

The `dharma samsad' of VHP would be held on April 29 and 30 to decide their future course of action.

He said conversion activity was "rampant" in Kerala. "You can profess or propagate a religion but have no right to convert. It is anti-constitutional," he said.

Pilots strike: Angry passengers detain official inside aircraft

Saturday, April 26, 2003

PTI

KOCHI: Angry passengers aboard an Air India flight, which arrived here early on Friday from UAE, allegedly detained an AI official inside the aircraft when its onward journey was delayed by over three hours as a pilot failed to turn up for duty.

The flight from Al Ain in UAE had arrived at Nedumbassery airport at 5.30 am. It was to have left for Muscat via Thiruvananthapuram at 6.30 AM.

However, the new pilot, who was to have boarded the flight at Kochi, refused to join duty in support of the strike call by pilots guild, which is demanding a certificate from the airlines stating that the accompanying crew have not flown to SARS affected regions during the past 10 days.

About 97 passengers, who were to disembark at Thiruvananthapuram, got agitated and did not permit six passengers from Kochi to board the flight. When the AI manager tried to pacify the passengers, he was allegedly detained, airport sources said.

The AI executive head at the airport, Captain P G Sudhakaran, calmed the passengers and informed them that a substitute pilot would board the aircraft and flight would resume its onward journey by 9.30 am. The Kochi passengers were then allowed to board the flight.

Meanwhile, a monitoring cell of AI and airport officials has been set up at the airport to function round the clock and minimise the inconvenience caused to passengers due to the stir by pilots' guild.

Two suspected anthrax cases in Kerala

Saturday, April 26, 2003

PTI

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Close on the heels of reports of two suspected SARS cases from Kerala, an equal number of unconfirmed anthrax cases have been reported from the state, an official release said here on Friday.

The release said two persons hailing from Panachikad in Kottayam district were admitted to Kottayam Medical College hospital with suspected symptoms of anthrax infection.

An expert medical team would examine and study the disease and strengthen preventive measures, the release said.

Meanwhile, the state government has stepped up its preventive measures against SARS in the wake of two persons with suspected SARS symptoms being admitted for observation at a hospital here and at Kochi.

Entrance exam: Maths exam cancelled

Saturday, April 26, 2003

The entrance maths paper was cancelled due to many mistakes and repetition of questions. The exam will be reconducted on May 7th the entrance commissioner said.

The question papers that were distributed in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Kochi and Thrissur had many mistakes, the authorities said. The mathematics paper had a total of 120 questions under versions B1, B2, B3 and B4. The problem was due to the mixing of questions from B4 in between B2 and B3. The problem occurred while tagging different versions of the question paper together.

The exam was from 10 to 12 on morning. The students and teachers found the mistakes in the question paper after the exam started. This caused panic among the students. The invigilators reported to the entrance controller immediately and got permission to distribute the correct question paper and give the students extra time. But due to scarcity in the number of correct question papers all the students could not get it and so the mathematics paper was cancelled as a whole.

The entrance commissioner said that there would be no new hall ticket for the re-exam that will be conducted on May 7th. He also added that there would be no change in the canters also. All the other papers will be conducted as per planed and there would not be any change in it.

Since the mathematics exam is reconducted the exam results will be delayed from the earlier said time. The entrance controller said that the result would be most probably published on May 10th

Homoeopathy can cure SARS: Doctors

Saturday, April 26, 2003

A Kerala-based homoeopathy institution has offered to effectively treat the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in India and abroad, claiming general medicines in homoeopathy are capable of killing the virus which causes the disease.

"SARS, with symptoms of fever and cough, is curable through homoeopathy within two to three days in its first stage and the viral disease itself is not as dreaded as being publicised across the world," Dr K C Prasobh Kumar and Dr S Vidya Prakash, general secretary and vice-president of the Institution of Homoeopaths, Kerala, told a press meet at Kozhikode on Wednesday.

Stating that unauthorised use of chemical drugs usually caused certain diseases that were difficult to diagnose, they said homoeopathy's way of treatment, quite popular in West Bengal and Kerala, had been effectively curing such diseases by killing the virus.

"Homoeopathy treats patients to boost their immunity after identifying the disease," they said, adding while antibiotics could not kill a virus, homoeopathy successfully eliminated any virus that caused imbalance in the human body.

'Pulsagnilla' and 'Trionia' were some of the general medicines that were used in homoeopathy to treat fever and cough and application of specific therapy had cured even dreaded diseases like leptospirosis which recently turned into an epidemic in the state, they said.

Offering to treat SARS anywhere in the world, the doctors said for the cost of purchasing a mask, several patients inflicted by the viral disease could be cured through use of homoeopathy medicines which were comparatively cheaper.

"Homoeopathy medicines costing Rs 10 could cure any viral disease in less than a week, but, unfortunately, this system of medicine is not as popular as others," they said.

"Although use of masks has been prescribed to resist the virus, masks can't serve the purpose," they claimed. Masks only served as a preliminary protection, but the virus was capable of inflicting a person in several other forms, they said.

The Homoeopaths Institution, with over 3,800 qualified doctors as its members, had been treating several viral diseases that could not be cured through other systems of medicine, they claimed.

"If desired, we are prepared to send our teams to any part of the world to treat SARS," they said, adding homoeopathy never gave importance to diseases based on their nature (airborne or waterborne), but always offered to treat the patients after initially identifying the virus that caused the disease.

"SARS is yet another viral disease which has caused so much sensation due to its rapid outbreak in certain countries where homoeopathy is not practised," they added.

LDF planning no-trust motion against UDF govt

Saturday, April 26, 2003

The CPM-led LDF is seriously considering moving a no-confidence motion against the Congress-led UDF Government to make the most out of senior Congress leader K Karunakaran's single-point agenda of ousting Chief Minister A K Antony.

Karunakaran, who reportedly raised the leadership change issue at his meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi in Delhi the other day, made it clear to the high command that he would not oppose any other leader from any group heading the Government.

The Karunakaran loyalists have been in touch with the CPM leaders. The CPM is not averse to moving a no-confidence motion if Karunakaran sticks to his demand for Antony's ouster. CPM politburo member S Ramachandran Pillai's meeting with Karunakaran, minutes before the latter met Sonia, was a pointer to the importance the CPM attached to the internal squabbles of the Congress.

"It was a courtesy call. We discussed various issues including the developments in the Congress. Karunakaran was indignant over the manner in which money power and abkari influence were used by the rival group in the Rajya Sabha elections. The CPM is certainly interested in the internal developments in the Congress in Kerala," Pillai said.

His meeting with Karunakaran is also in line with the party's plan to send positive signals to the defiant Congress veteran. It is also quite significant from the point of view of a possible realignment of forces in the State.

While Pillai was meeting Karunakaran in Delhi, the CPM State secretariat was taking stock of the political situation in Thiruvananthapuram. "We are watching the developments closely. The Opposition will take a decision at an appropriate time," CPM State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan said.

The CPM leadership knows fully well that Karunakaran, even if he agreed for a temporary truce, would not settle for anything less than Antony's scalp. The CPM is contemplating two options in the present circumstances. It could either serve a notice for a no-confidence motion during the next Assembly session or wait for Karunakaran to do something drastic that would force Antony to prove his majority on the floor of the House.

Several CPM leaders feel that the party should refrain from giving an advance notice for no-confidence motion. As per the Rules of Procedures and Conduct of Business in the Kerala Legislative Assembly, the written notice is to be given to the Legislature Secretary three days before the date on which the mover proposes to move the motion.

The CPM leaders fear that by giving an advance notice the opponents might get sufficient time to rally behind Antony.

With no formal calendar sent by the Legislature Secretariat to the Parliamentary Affairs Department yet, there is no concrete idea as to when the next Assembly session will commence. But going by Antony's recent statement, it could be sometime in June.

The other option before the CPM is to wait for Karunakaran's next move. The party believes that an ideal situation would be one in which Karunakaran, after facing strict disciplinary action, decides to withdraw his faction's support to the Government. The party feels that in such a situation some minor constituents of the UDF who are cut up with Antony might cross over to the Karunakaran camp.

But such a move from Karunakaran's side would depend largely on the action, if any, initiated against him by the high command. As `I' group supporters say: "The stricter the action, the harsher would be the reaction."

With the hour-long tete-a-tete between Sonia and Karunakaran in Delhi on Tuesday failing to cut much ice, the ground is open for any development. All eyes are now set on the Congress high command, which is expected to announce its decision after hearing the views of Antony who is now in Delhi

Sanjayan Puraskaram for Akkitham

Saturday, April 26, 2003

Noted poet Akkitham Achuthan Nampoothiry has been nominated for the first Sanjayan memorial award (Sanjayan Puraskaram) constituted by Tapasya, a prominent cultural organisation in the state.

The selection committee members, Prof M A Achuthan, Prof Gopalakrishnan and P Parameswaran said on Friday that Akkitham was selected for the honour considering his overall contribution to the world of Malayalam literature.

The Tapasya award carries a cash prize of Rs 50,000/-, a citation and a memento. The award would be presented to Akkitham during the centenary celebrations of Sanjayan to be held in Thiruvananthapuram in later part of this year.

Antony meets Sonia, Karunakaran returns

Saturday, April 26, 2003

Even as senior leader K Karunakaran returned to Kerala on Friday without reaching any understanding with the Congress leadership to settle the issues in the state unit of the party, the congress high command seems to be wavering on announcing its decision on the whole episode.

The high command's reluctance to take action against Karunakaran loyalists itself is being interpreted as a political victory for the "I" group.

Meanwhile, the Karunakaran faction is also meeting in Thiruvananthapuram on Friday evening to access the situation. Karunakaran, who returns from New Delhi, would brief his loyalists on the discussions he had with Sonia Gandhi and other leaders of the central leadership.

On the other hand, Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony who held a half-an-hour meeting with Sonia said that he has given his own assessment about the Kerala crisis and she will evolve a "fair solution". Asked whether any major surgery was required for the unity of the party, Antony said that no such surgery is required. On the possibility of a minor surgery, Antony stated in a lighter vein "medicines can take care."

Hinting that no major action is in the offing, Chief Minister A K Antony said that politics of antagonism is not the policy of the Congress. All along, the Congress has been finding solutions and coming-out of the crisis.

Karunakaran to wait and watch

Saturday, April 26, 2003

A crucial meeting of the Karunakaran loyalists in Thiruvananthapuram held on Friday evening has decided to wait for the Congress high command's next move, before finalising their strategy.

The group expects the high command's decision to come out by Wednesday. The group will meet on Wednesday again, once the decision from New Delhi comes in.

The meeting, which underlined the support of 23 MLAs to the group, has however decided to intensify group activities in the state and conduct group meetings at lower levels also.

Karunakaran reportedly told the MLAs that the high command would take a lenient view and no MLAs or Ministers from the group would be victimized.

He also pointed out that despite, various pressures, Sonia Gandhi decided to invite Karunakaran for talks, as the leadership was convinced that the group cannot be neglected.

Karunakaran has also said that he had conveyed to Sonia Gandhi his displeasure over the attempts of Antony faction to 'sideline and insult' him since the UDF government came to power in the state.

The Friday meeting, in which 22 MLAs participated, also saw the 'formal expulsion' of Prof K V Thomas and CP Muhammed from the group. Adoor Prakash MLA, who was away in Hyderabad had conveyed his inability to attend the meeting.

Kerala gears up to face SARS threat

Saturday, April 26, 2003

With suspected cases of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome being reported from Thiruvananthapuram and Ernakulam, the authorities and social organisations in the state are readying themselves to prevent the spreading of the virus in the state.

Strict measures have been implemented in all the three airports of the state to monitor the passengers coming in. the passengers are given a questionnaire prepared by the Union Health ministry regarding details of their itinerary. A special team consisting of three doctors sent by the Union Health Ministry, two doctors from the state service and four doctors of the Airport Authority would monitor the passengers.

A separate cell has been set up in the Thiruvananthapuram Medical College for admitting suspected patients.

Dr V K Rajan, the health director on Friday requested the public not to panic and not to suspect everybody with cough and cold as SARS patients. He also asked the doctors and paramedical staff to be alert and examine those who have recently visited the SARS affected countries. He also requested those coming from these countries to get medically examined within 24 hours of their arrival.

A few social organisations in the state working in the health field are also preparing to launch awareness programmes, if the situation gets worse.

Meanwhile, the medical examination results of the two suspected SARS patients sent to Pune, is expected to reach the authorities during the weekend.

Meanwhile, reports from Kochi said that typhoid is spreading in Fort Kochi area of the city on an alarming scale. At present around 25 people, including six children down with typhoid are admitted in various hospitals in the city. Hospital authorities said that though more people reported in hospitals with typhoid symptoms on Friday, most of them tested negative for typhoid virus.

The Kochi Corporation is taking emergency measures to prevent further spreading of the disease.

Kanninum Kannadikkum

Friday, April 25, 2003

The next movie for Kalabhavan Mani to star after 'Vaalkkannadi' is 'Kanninum Kannadikkum'. This movie will be directed by director Sundar Das and produced by film group Karthik Kalakshethra. It seems the name Kannadi(Mirror) and Kalabhavan Mani's recent movies got some coincidence and it has became a matter of discussion in the Malayalam film industry. Now Mani's fans are calling him as Kannadi Nayagan since the title of his recent movies are ending with Kannadi. The lyrics of this movie will be done by Haridas Karivalloor. Other cast members of this movie are Jagathy Srikumar, Janardhanan, Sudeesh, Siddique, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, Indhrans, Kaveri, Indhraja, Bindhu Panikkar and so on.
(Source: Galatta.com)

Star Wars In Kerala!

Friday, April 25, 2003

(Source: Sify.com)
Like the famous Karunakaran Vs A.K.Antony faction fights, the Malayalam film stars are also now split into various factions. There is a Mammootty group, and a Mohanlal group which functions in the industry. This year’s “AMMA 2003” function at Kozhikode brought out the group loyalties and affiliations.

The show held in the first week of April was a bit of a disaster due to the absence of superstar Mohanlal and his key associates like director Priyadarshan and playback singer M.G.Sreekumar. Till the last minute there was suspense as many stars had threatened to boycott the live song ‘n’ dance and drama event.

However Mammooty was the guiding force behind the show and he was able to conduct the event with the help of “Innovations”, an event management company run by actress Vani Viswanath and her husband Baburaj. They had roped in Suresh Gopi who had his own axe to grind against AMMA organisers. However it was a sell out crowd in spite of the tacky sets erected for the event and some stale dance numbers and run-of-the-mill skits.

According to the buzz the bone of contention between Mammootty and Mohanlal was over the telecast rights of the show. Last year Mohanlal’s company ‘Visual Magic’ had bagged the television rights that was later beamed on Asianet. This year Mammootty wanted to give it to Kairali TV, which he heads but in the last minute Surya TV snapped the rights at an astronomical Rs 25 lakhs! As Surya TV was the highest bidders, the rights were given away to them, which irked Mohanlal and his company. The star “diplomatically” went to America for a holiday before the show!

Chronic Bachelor

Friday, April 25, 2003

Chronic Bachelor: Siddique, the director with the midas touch has done it once again. The film is a feel good entertainer made for a festival audience with all the ingrediants like great comedy, designer costumes and lavish song ‘n’ dance items. Excellent performance by the lead actors like Mammootty, Mukesh, Innocent and Harisri Asokan, and Rambha and Indraja is another highlight of the film. The irony of the Chronic Bachelor is that no distributor was willing to touch the film and it required a lot of guts on the part of director Fazil to back the project. The audience reaction has been overwhelming and the film is the clear winner. It has given superstar Mammootty a new lease of life. However the drawback of the film is that the story is a rehash of Siddique’s earlier films like Godfather and Hitler.

Produced by noted filmmaker Fazil under the banner of Ammu International, Chronic Bachelor tells the story of Satyapratapan, more popular as SP, a rich businessman. The bitter experiences that he had had in his early young days made him stand alone in life. He had fought alone and had emerged successful as a businessman. But SP’s bitter experiences had made him decide to remain a bachelor. SP had become bitter at heart after his love affair with Bhavani in his early youth had ended on a very unhappy note.

SP lives life his own way, with patience, goodness and gentleness as his assets. He cares very much about those who are around him. And around SP are some very interesting characters like Kuruvila, Sreekumar and Ugran. Kuruvila had teamed up with SP since his earlier days and follows him like a shadow. Like SP, he too has decided to remain a bachelor. Young Sreekumar, who is the son of SP’s mentor Parameswaran Pillai, is a lively fellow who loves the company of young girls, quite unlike SP, with whom he remains. Ugran, who is Sreekumar’s friend, is SP’s driver-cum-cook. Quite engaged among these characters and with his business activities, SP lives life his own way when suddenly a group of young girls come to stay as paying guests opposite his house. This lively, little group is led by Bhama, who is doing her MBA in a college in town. The arrival of this group is bound to bring about certain changes in SP’s life.

While Mammootty plays Satyapratapan alias SP, Rambha comes to Malayalam cinema after a long gap as Bhama. Indraja as Bhavani, Innocent as Kuruvila, Mukesh as Sreekumar, Harisri Ashokan as Ugran, Janardhanan as Parameswaran Pillai along with Laloo Aalex, Bhavana, Biju Menon, Mohan, KPAC Lalitha, Sabita Anand, Zeenath, Seema G Nair, Nimya, Byon and Mohan Ayiroor form the cast for Chronic Bachelor.

Story and script is by Siddique himself while Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri and RK Damodaran pen the lyrics which are set to tune by Deepak Dev. While Anandakuttan wields the camera, Mani Suchitra is in charge of art-direction and TR Shekhar does the editing. The film will be brought to the theatres by Ammu Movies.

(Source: Sify.com & screenindia.com)

Kilichundan Mambazham

Friday, April 25, 2003

Kilichundan Mambazham: Like all other Priyadarshan comedies the film took a fantastic initial. The Mohanlal-Sreenivasan one-man-upmanship comedy is great and the technical aspects of the film are being appreciated. According to trade sources the film has got a distributors share of Rs 65 lakhs in its first week from 39 screens. There are mixed reports about the film as the audience in South Kerala find the Moplah dialect throughout the film, too confusing. They seem to like the first half but find the second half to be too lengthy and tedious. The audience are worried about Mohanlal’s bloated body and unless the actor does something about it, he will find the going tough! Still the film is going great guns in Malabar area and is a hit.

Mohanlal and director Priyadarshan are soul buddies and have come together again in their 29th film with Kilichundan Mambazham. Priyan had a mission to save his friend from overexposure and audience apathy to his larger-than-life roles he had done in recent films. So Kilichundan Mambazham is a sort of comeback vehicle for the superstar and undoubtedly the film makes ideal holiday viewing for the entire family.

Priyan, the scriptwriter and director has been able to meet the stratospheric expectations of the audience with a story set in a Muslim milieu of the 60’s. Koonthalikadavu is a remote village on the banks of the river Kallai, somewhere in the Moplah heartland where time stands still. A rich landlord and trader Moidukutty Haji (Sreenivasan) gets married for the third time to Amina (Soundarya), as his two wives (Vindhya and Geetha Vijayan) could not conceive. Haji is crazy and possessive about the beautiful Amina, but she avoids him by saying some reason or the other.

Into this sylvian surrounding Abdul Khader (Mohanlal) comes for business with his close friend Usman (Salim Kumar). He reaches Haji’s house and gets a glimpse of Amina with whom he falls in love. Abdu then becomes a bangle seller; dates seller and wood merchant to meet Amina but Haji and his men beats him up and tries to drive him away from the village. Abdu is saved by the local people led by Kalandan Haji (Cochin Haneefa) and he confesses to them that Amina was his childhood sweetheart and while he was away in gulf to make enough money to marry her, her father Madapully Chekkutty Haji (Thilakan) got her married off to the rich Moidukutty Haji. Abdu promises to save her from Haji and the rest of the story how he does that with the help of the villagers.

The first half of the film is racy and entertaining, but the second half is long-winded and tedious. The performance of the handpicked cast is uniformly excellent. The Mohanlal-Sreenivasan team’s one-man-upmanship tussle is the highlight of the film and both have come out with brilliant performance. Soundarya suits the character of Amina to the T. Technically Kilichundan… is one of the best films in recent times. The camera of Ravi Varman has etched the Moplah background, greenery and landscapes beautifully. Art director Sabu Cyril had done his homework well on the period Muslim household as even the utensils seen in the film look authentic. The lyrics of B.R.Prasad and music of Vidyasagar is another highlight of the film especially the theme song ”Kilichundan Mambazhame…Kilikotha..Mambazhame…” that is melodious and it lingers on your lips even after seeing the film.

On the down side the plot is confusing and the climax is cliché ridden. Mohanlal looks bloated and Jagathy Sreekumar’s comedy track looks stale ( a laNandanam).

Though this “Mambazham” is not so sweet, it is sure to give a feel-good time to the viewers.

(source: Sify.com & moviebuzz)

40-plus super stars facing new problems these days

Thursday, April 24, 2003

Our superstars like Mammootty, Mohanlal, Suresh Gopi and others who are 40-plus are facing a new problem these days as the current crop of heroines who are 17-something refuse to be paired opposite them.

The hot and happening heroines of today like Kavya, Navya, Meera, Renuka, Bhavana and others are refusing to act opposite these stars. Their argument is that they have grown up on these heroes and the audience will not accept them being paired with them. Now they are willing only to do roles opposite young heroes like superstar Dileep, Pritviraj, Indrajeet, Kunchakko Boban and Jayasurya.

This has put our superstars in a big fix as the directors and producers are desperately trying to get dates from mature heroines from Tamil to be paired opposite them. Recently for Chronic Bachelor all leading ladies in Malayalam were approached but they had “no dates”, so director Siddique had to settle for Rambha. Similarly Meena became the heroine of Mohanlal in Mr Brahmachari and Soundarya in Kochu Kilichundan Mambazham.

In fact Soundarya who is virtually out from other languages became hot property after her Yathrakkarude Sraddhakku with Jayaram became a hit.

Now Devayani is the heroine of Mohanlal in Balettan.

More out of work heroines from Tamil like Gowthami and a few others will be joining the bandwagon shortly.

Cancellation of licence to Coca-Cola plant

Thursday, April 24, 2003

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Tuesday directed that status quo should be maintained with respect to the cancellation of licence issued by Perumatty panchayat to Hindustan Coca-Cola Beverages Ltd. to run its bottling plant at Plaachimada.

The panchayat had sent a notice to the company informing that renewal of licence could not be granted for the reason that the company was over-exploiting water sources causing water shortage in the nearby areas. The company had submitted an application on February 26, 2003, itself for renewal of licence which was due to expire on March 31, 2003.

Later, the panchayat sent a show-cause notice to the company directing them to offer its explanation within 15 days as to why licence should not be cancelled. The company has challenged both these notices.

The time granted for offering explanation is due to expire as on April 24, 2003. The company has so far not offered any explanation as it had challenged the notices before the High Court. In this circumstance, Justice K K Denesan granted the company time till May 1, 2003, to offer explanation. The Court also directed the panchayat to consider the explanation, if any, and take appropriate decision within two weeks of the receipt of the explanation.

Thoppumpady sex scandal,NHRC asks for report

Thursday, April 24, 2003

Thoppumpady: The National Human Rights Commission (HRC) has asked the Kozhikode senior police Superintendent to submit a report on the Thoppumpady sex scandal within four weeks.

This was in connection with the complaint filed by 'swasraya' secretary K Prabhakaran.

The incident for the case began in Thoppumpady, Kochi when police arrested the girl who was harassed and a youth named Shibili. Further investigation revealed porn film production and five were arrested. The case was then transferred to the special investigation team.

The enquiry team made some arrests in Kochi and Kozhikode. All were released in bail.

A petition was filed by 'Swasraya' secretary claiming that the investigation by special investigation team DySP S D Gopalakrishnan was not satisfying.

I am still with Karunakaran, K V Thomas

Thursday, April 24, 2003

Aluva: 'It was Karunakaran who helped me to become a MP and Minister and I will always stay with him', tourism minister K V Thomas said. He was talking to newspersons here.

The issues that arose in the Congress party are temporary. It isn't true that existence in Congress is impossible without groups.

There are many in the Congress without involvement in any group, he said citing the example of Mullapally Ramachandran.

KPCC president K Muraleedharan stood neutral during the Rajya Sabha polls.

The party asked me to vote for the official candidate and I just did it, Thomas added.

Labour Minister Babu Divakaran says govt will not allow lay off of FACT

Wednesday, April 23, 2003

The Kerala Government has taken the stand that it will not allow FACT management to layoff employees under any circumstance, State Labour Minister Babu Divakaran has said.

He said no situation existed now for the continued shut-down of the company's plants.

He said the management could raise their views on the issue at the tripartite conference called in Aluva on April 29.

Divakaran said the State Government would take steps to ensure raw material supply to the company on credit basis from the Kochi Refineries for running the plants.

The question of slashing sales tax, entry tax and power charges would also be considered by the government, he added.

Earth Day observed in the State

Wednesday, April 23, 2003

Various organisations, including government departments and NGOs in Kerala observed the World Earth Day on Tuesday with various programmes.

"Greens" an environmental organisation floated by State Secretariat employees, planted saplings in their office premises. The organisation also conducted a poster and photograph exhibition in the VJT hall in Thiruvananthapuram. The dangers faced by Karamanyar, the river that flows through the state capital, was the highlight of the photo exhibition. Around 400 photographs taken by 92 photographers were exhibited.

The State Forest department conducted painting and quiz competition for schoolchildren at their headquarters in Thiruvananthapuram.

NGOs, including Sashtra Sahitya Parishad, are organizing various programmes such as street shows, exhibitions and rallies in all parts of the state as part of the Earth Day.

Singhal wants politicians out of Sabarimala

Wednesday, April 23, 2003

Vishwa Hindu Parishad international working president Ashok Singhal has asked politicians to keep off the administration of Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa Temple.

Singhal told newsmen in Thiruvalla on Tuesday that the temple administration should be vested with Hindu religious leaders.

''By governing the Hindu religious institutions, politicians are violating the very fundamental provisions of the Constitution. They should hand over the temple administration to religious persons,'' he said. Singhal alleged that the politicians were taking away the funds donated by devotees in the name of administering the temples.

He said that the State Government's policy on self-financing educational institutions in professional and higher education sectors was detrimental to the interests of Hindus.

He noted that a majority of the medical and engineering colleges sanctioned by the Government went to minority communities. ''The higher education sector will become inaccessible for average Hindu students in future on account of the hefty fees demanded by the managements,'' Singhal said.

Karunakaran- Sonia talks remain inconclusive

Wednesday, April 23, 2003

The talks held between Congress president Sonia Gandhi and senior party leader K Karunakaran on Tuesday night failed to break the deadlock in the state unit of the party which is in the grip of a crisis.

The mood was evident when Karunakaran met the Press outside Sonia's residence after the talks. Karunakaran said that though he was largely satisfied with the discussions with Sonia , he would not accept 'any' decision that the high command takes on the issue.

Replying to a volley of questions, Karunakaran agreed that all the problems have not been solved and it is not possible to overcome such a crisis with a single meeting.

Political observers feel that while Karunakaran has asked Sonia to let off the leaders of his faction without any disciplinary action, he promised Sonia to give constructive support to Antony for the rest of the term, if the interests of Karunakaran group are accommodated.

Meanwhile, a shrewd politician that he is, Karunakaran has also left everybody guessing about his next move. Sources close to him believe that Karunakaran would announce his future course of action after the high command takes a final decision on the issue.

With Chief Minister A K Antony reaching New Delhi on Wednesday, for the first time after the Rajya Sabha polls, Sonia is expected to take a definite stand on the crisis after hearing the Chief Minister, who has been the real target of the onslaught of the rebel faction.

KPCC president K Muralidharan is already in New Delhi and is expected to meet the Congress president again on Wednesday.

Anju George to train under Powell

Wednesday, April 23, 2003

One of India's brightest prospects for a medal at the Athens Olympics next year, long-jumper Anju B George will leave for California on Wednesday to train under the watchful eyes of world record holder Mike Powell.

Talking to reporters from Bangalore, the 25-year-old Kerala-born girl, employed with Chennai Customs, said she has set her sights on a medal at the 2004 Olympics.

"Being the best in Asia, I think it is time that I competed in more world championships. Once before, I had trained under Mike Powell. I am confident that my performance will improve well in time to clinch a medal for India in the Olympics [in Athens]," the Asian Games champion said.

Listing out her plans for the future, Anju's husband and coach, Bobby George, said: "We had planned our tour to the US in January but sponsorship confirmation and other relevant matters delayed our trip. I understand Mike was already training people for various world level events.

"It will be a training-cum-competition tour. We will be finalising the schedule on April 24 with Mike (Powell). Anju will be competing in the outdoor World championship in Paris in August," Bobby said.

Anju, who bid goodbye to the triple jump after leaping to new distance of 13.67 metres in the National Games in Hyderabad in December last year, had said she was retiring from the triple jump to concentrate on sprints in order improve her long jump performance.

The 1.76 metre tall athlete is ranked 13th in the world presently and was ranked seventh in the World Indoor championship in Birmingham, where she covered 6.40 metres.

Bobby George is was confident Anju will improve her performance to the extent of being among the top three ranked jumpers in the world before the Athens Olympics.

"She has the world class credentials and feels she could win an Olympic medal for India," he said.

"I am aware of the hard work that is needed for securing a medal at Athens. I was to start my preparation towards achieving this goal from February but it is better late than never. I still have another 17 months to make steady progress in making my dream come true," Anju said.

Anju, who would be training with Powell at the California University for six months initially, said: "I derive encouragement from fans in India, the Union Government, besides my employers, the Customs. We are still looking forward for financial help from corporates without which I cannot dream of competing in European circuits, which will only help improve my performance."

Govt machinery not functioning: Kodiyeri

Wednesday, April 23, 2003

KOLLAM: CPM deputy leader at the House, Kodiyeri Balakrishnan alleged that the government machinery is not at all functioning due to the present crisis at the United Democratic Front.

Kodiyeri was inaugurating a media exhibition here in connection with the state conference of DYFI.

He added that the government is trying to sideline the incapability of the ruling front using media gimmicks. Kodiyeri said the communal forces and human gods are influencing the media. With the help of such media, the Bharatiya Janatha Party had came into power at union government.

D Radhakrishnan presided over the function. DYFI state president P R Vasanthan, district secretary K Sethumadhavan and Balakrishnan attended the function.

Peace in sight for Kerala Cong

Wednesday, April 23, 2003

New Delhi, April 21: The Congress high command and the Karunakaran faction in Kerala appeared close to a peace deal as state Congress chief K. Muraleedharan — K. Karunakaran’s son — met party president Sonia Gandhi today.

Following his meeting with the Congress chief, Muraleedharan expressed the hope that the crisis within the state unit arising over the recent Rajya Sabha elections would be defused soon, probably within a week.

AICC general-secretary in charge of Kerala Ambika Soni, too, virtually ruled out disciplinary action now, though she said it was for the party president to take a decision on this.

Muraleedharan also met Soni before meeting Sonia. Soni, had met Sonia in the forenoon along with the two AICC observers for the Kerala polls — Ghulam Nabi Azad and R.K. Dhawan — and apprised her of the latest situation on the Kerala front. They also gave their recommendations on dealing with the situation and maintaining party unity and discipline.

Muraleedharan’s meeting with Sonia follows rebel leader Karunakaran’s telephonic conversation with her on Saturday morning. This conversation was perceived as an indication of Karunakaran’s intention to patch up with the party high command.

The arrival of Karunakaran, a Lok Sabha member, in the capital late tonight has fuelled speculation of a possible meeting between him and the party chief, though he had apparently not sought an appointment with her.

The high command had threatened to initiate strong disciplinary action against Karunakaran and his supporters on Thursday. However, the move was stalled, presumably by Azad and Dhawan, who counselled restraint and an amicable settlement to keep the party united.

With the high command in a mood to forgive the Karunakaran faction’s rebellion for the sake of party unity, Muraleedharan today said he does not belong to any faction. He was the leader of the state unit, Muraleedharan asserted. Apparently, Karunakaran is now preparing to press for the revocation of his rebel Rajya Sabha poll nominee K. Govindan Nair’s expulsion from the party.

Receptions for Kerala minister AT mUSCAT

Wednesday, April 23, 2003

MUSCAT — M. M. Hassan, Kerala minister for welfare of NRKs and parliamentary af-fairs, and his team, comprising Jiji Thomson, managing director of Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation, Ltd; and Satish Nampoothiripad, managing director of ROOTS — NRK Development Initiative (of Norka) and Norka secretary; and A. Sujanapal, Kozhikode MLA, were given rousing receptions by individuals as well as active Malayali groups here:

l One of the first receptions for Hassan and his team was given by the Muscat Priyadarsini Cultural Centre, which is registered with the Norka. The MPCC gave a memorandum to the minister raising various problems faced by NRKs. Responding to this, Hassan said that the government was doing a lot, but on more occasions than one, the media focused on either non-issues or ignored the things done by Norka. “Although the Left Democratic Front (LDF) enjoyed five years in power, they did not do anything for the NRKs,” he said. Sujanapal, in his turn, noted that they would bring about better machinery to sort out the existing problems.

Jiji Thomson, in his speech, noted that the media should do a lot better than merely criticising the government initiatives, especially those that were being promoted for the welfare of the Keralites. The function was presided over by MPCC president P.K. Ummer and began with stirring oration from the centre’s chief patron, Srinivas. The vote of thanks was given by the centre’s general secretary, Lajudhin.

l Ameer Ahmed, one of the directors of the KSIDC (Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation), Kerala’s prime industrial promotion agency and also the executive director of Teejan Group of Companies, gave a luncheon reception for the minister and his delegation yesterday. Many prominent NRKs attended the function.

l The Indian Social Club (ISC) also hosted a reception in honour of the visiting minister and his delegation yesterday. M. M. Hassan gave a speech at this well-attended reception.

Sonia Gandhi meets Karunakaran; calls Antony to Delhi for talks

Wednesday, April 23, 2003

NEW DELHI: Congress president Sonia Gandhi has called Chief Minister A K Antony to Delhi for talks on the trouble in the party's Kerala unit. Antony is expected to reach Delhi on Wednesday .The call came after her meeting with senior party leader K Karunakaran. Their meeting lasted 20 minutes and Karunakaran refused to divulge anything about the talks to the media.

First accused in hooch case arrested.

Wednesday, April 23, 2003

Kochi,Wednesday, April 23, 2003: Excise official on Tuesday night arrested the first accused in the Kollam, Anchalummoodu hooch tragedy in which seven persons were killed recently.

The accused, Mani along with his wife was on his way to Ernakulam from Mysore in a KSRTC bus, when they were recognised by some excise officials in the bus and arrested.
The accused has been handed over to Crime Branch which is investigating the case, police sources said.
(PTI)
09:39 IST

Indiavision channel from July 14

Tuesday, April 22, 2003

Indiavision would launch a 24-hour news channel from July 14, DR M K Muneer, chairman of the new channel told a press conference in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday.

Muneer said that Indiavision would be the first Malayalam channel to uplink from its own earth station. He said that infotainment would be the core element of the new channel.

Replying to questions, Muneer said that there is scope for a fully news-based channel in Kerala, as revealed by research undertaken by them prior to the launch. He said that a second channel with entertainment programmes would also be launched subsequently. He reveled that the total cost of the present project would be around Rs 40 crores.

The channel, beamed through Thaicom 3 would be initially available from Europe to Australia, and would later cover the United States also, he added.

Truckers' strike: prices drops marginally

Tuesday, April 22, 2003

As a result of the alternate measures taken by the state government to ensure the movement and supply, the prices of essential goods and vegetables in the state dropped marginally on Monday, the eight h day of the indefinite nationwide strike by truck owners.

The prices of vegetables dropped a little as vegetables started arriving in buses, small vehicles and even by train from the neighbouring states in markets and wholesale depots across the state. The outlets of civil supplies corporation have helped in bringing down the prices of other essential goods also.

The announcement made by the state government on Monday that vehicles, having no licence to transport goods can also be used during the strike period, has come as a boon for traders.

However, traders have also expressed concern over sustaining these measures, if the strike continues for the next one or two weeks.

Meanwhile, the construction work many parts of the state has also come to a standstill as the transportation of bricks, sand and stones from Tamil Nadu has been affected by the truck strike.

Reports from different parts of the state indicate that the truckers strike has affected many in the state who depend on the truckers for their livelihood, directly or indirectly, are being driven to starvation in the city.

The worse hit are the owners of wayside stalls and eateries near the lorry parking areas. They are being forced to close their shops as no new national permit vehicle is entering the State nor moving out.

The business at foreign liquor retail outlets and bar hotels, which were depending mainly on the lorry drivers and cleaners, has also recorded a sharp decline.

Strike may end soon

Meanwhile, reports from New Delhi indicate that with the Central government's willingness to consider the main demand of truckers for stabilising price of diesel, the strike, entering ninth day on Tuesday, may end soon.

The Unionl government is expected to make a statement in the Rajya Sabha on lorry strike on Tuesday. On the other hand, truck owners in West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Orissa and various cities have withdrawn their strike.

Antony hints at reconciliation

Tuesday, April 22, 2003

Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony on Monday hinted that the crisis in the Congress party would end without any harsh disciplinary action against the rebel faction.

"Such crisis and differences of opinion are nothing new in our party and we have a high command experienced in handling such issues. Anyhow, there would not be a chopping off process, in Hitler style, as it always happens in the CPI (M)," Antony said. The Chief Minister, however, did not dismiss reports that a cabinet reshuffle was in the offing.

Antony also refuted allegations of misuse of government machinery and abkari lobby to ensure the victory of the Rajya Sabha candidates. "It is the MLAs who voted and elected the official candidates. Abkaris have no vote in the process," Antony added.

He pointed out that as he had predicted, the LDF has also lost one vote in the Rajya Sabha polls.

CPM condemned for double standards

The Chief minister also lashed out at the CPI(M) for what he called the double standards of the party. He referred to the recent Polit bureau meet of the party, which refused to call for a nationwide boycott of American goods, in the backdrop of invasion on Iraq.

" In West Bengal, where the CPM rules, there is no boycott. Three plants of the Coca Cola are working there round the clock without any problem. And here they call for the boycott and closing down of the MNCs. They should remember that the people are witnessing this double standard," the Chief Minister observed.

Truckers' strike: Antony warns of tough action against miscreants

Tuesday, April 22, 2003

Kerala chief minister A K Antony has said the police have been given directives to take stringent action against persons who attack vechiles transporting essential commodities and vegetables in the state.

Antony said the cabinet discussed the situation of price rise and scarcity of essential commodities due to truck-operators strike.

Antony said there were a few reports of attack on vechiles carrying essential commodites and vegetable. The police have been instructed to take stringent action against the attackers, he said.

Steps were under way to distribute essential items and vegetable through 700 Civil Supplies Corporation and 200 Horticorp outlets, he said. The Crisis Management Committees (CMC) at State and district levels were monitoring the situation, he said.

The government was in the process of creating an atmosphere favourable to transporting essential items to the state, he said.

All restrictions for transporting essential items in KSRTC buses and private vechiles have been lifted till the transporters' strike is over.

Meanwhile, prices of essential commodites, fruits and vegetables continued to go up in the state.

Kerala will conduct judicial inquiry into hooch tragedy at Kooppana

Tuesday, April 22, 2003

The Kerala government has decided to institute a judicial inquiry into the recent hooch tragedy at Kooppana in Kollam district.

Seven people had died after consuming methylated spirit sold through an unauthorised outlet near Anchalummood.

Chief Minister A K Antony said the next cabinet meeting will decide on who would head the commission on inquiry.

The government has also decided to disburse as relief to the victims the same amount that was given in the case of Kalluvathukkal tragedy.

Asked about Congress leader K Karunakaran's allegation that liquor mafia and money were behind the defeate of the rebel Congress candidate in the Rajya Sabha elections, Antony said the government would initiate proper inquiry if those who raised the allegations were prepared to provide proof.

CPM, CPI reject Muraleedharan offer of alliance

Monday, April 21, 2003

The Opposition leader V.S.Achudanandan rejected outrightly the offer of KPCC President K.Muraleedharan's offer of an alliance with CPM. Talking to mediapersons, Achudanandan scoffed the offer as one from an immature mind. "How can we have an alliance with someone who even now eulogises the emergency and the police action on the tribals in Muthanga? Till the other day Murali was the loudspeaker of Chief Minister Antony and it was only the heartburning caused by the Rajya Sabha election failure od Kodoth Govindan Nair which prompted him to make an offer like this", said Achudanandan.

But CPI State Secretary V.Bhargavan was quite mild in words while refusing to bite the Muraleedharan offer. "If there is a vertical split in the Congress on issues affecting the common man,and the Karunakaran faction come out in support of the agitation by the LDF for the welfare of the people, we can give a serious thought to Murali's offer",said Veliyam Bhargavan to reporters.

Kerala minister offers Onam gift to Gulf Keralites

Monday, April 21, 2003

MUSCAT — A two-way trip at less than half the fares charged by the airlines currently on the Kerala-Gulf sector will finally become a reality before the end of the year, a top Kerala minister told the Times of Oman yesterday. The only thing is that the mode of transport would be ship, not plane. And it may take a little more than the usual three-and-a-half hours to reach the destination.

But who cares as long as it is better than paying fares that would either be around RO250 or more (if you are a bachelor) and more than RO1,000 (if you are married with two children). Besides, it would save one the ignominy of having to beg for discounts.

All this would turn to reality when the long-planned, perennially shelved Kochi-Gulf ferry service is brought back to life before the end of this year.

And this time, the promise to revive this much-needed service is being made by M. M. Hassan, Kerala’s minister for the welfare of non-resident Keralites and parliamentary affairs.

Hassan told the Times yesterday from Dubai that Keralites in Oman who were looking forward to such a service would soon be able to avail of it.

The Kerala government was hoping to kickstart the service by August/September. That would mean, an Onam gift for Keralites to the Gulf, he indicated.

“One of the biggest grievances among the Keralites that I have met in Dubai is about the air fares. Everyone I met was talking about the exorbitant fares from Gulf to India, which is indeed very sad. We have tried to convince our airlines (Air-India/Indian Airlines) to reduce the fares but to no avail. And this is the reason that we are pushing ahead with this ferry project,” Hassan said, noting that at the Global Investment Meet (GIM) in Kochi early this year, memorandum of understandings had been signed with two shipping agencies in the Gulf (in Oman and Qatar). The shipping agency from Oman is Towell Barwil. “So, we want to finalise this once and for all and start the service as soon as possible, after settling other formalities,” Hassan said.

He noted that many Keralites were suffering because of the high air fares from Gulf to Kerala. Very few could afford the exorbitant rates, which often forces many to change their travel plans.

“So, this would definitely be a cheaper alternative compared to the ones they have at hand,” the minister, who is arriving in Oman today after a four-day visit to the UAE, said.

Reduction of the fares is one of the main and long-standing grievances of some 1.8 million Gulf-based non-resident Keralites (NRKs), others note.

This is not, however, the first effort to bring this near-dead Gulf-India ferry service back to life.

Many have tried it and it has also been the habit of visiting politicians to make promises, stirring hope among Keralites, many of who have not visited their hometowns for years, thanks to the unaffordable air fares.

The ferry service would be quite a boon to Indian labourers and workers in the Gulf. A sizeable portion of the 320,000-odd Indians in Oman belongs to the labour class who would benefit from the introduction of such a service.

Many of them had a reason to smile when the service was announced two years ago. However, the ferry could not take any passengers from Oman. Although it transited through Port Sultan Qaboos, on its way from Doha to Dubai to Kochi on one occasion, passengers could not board from here.

Confusion reigned from the time such an announcement was made following which the project was torpedoed soon after. The passenger ship was initially expected to carry a maximum of 260 passengers on the Muscat- Kochi route. According to the baggage rules set then, each adult passenger was allowed to carry 200kg. The rates advertised then ranged from RO60 (deck), RO90 (Pullman seats), and RO137 (standard deck) to RO235 (super class). In short, it was quite economical for many.

Murali on his way to Delhi to sort out party issues

Monday, April 21, 2003

KPCC President K.Muraleedharan is on his way to Delhi on summons from the Congress High Command to discuss issues arising out of the recently held Rajya Sabha election. It is reported that the AICC has asked for an explanation from Muraleedharan about his comment that the Congress can have an electoral alliance with even the CPI(M) provided the latter gave up it's agitational policies against development works of the UDF Government.

Mualeedharan told Asianet News at Kozhikode before leaving for Delhi that there is a concerted attempt by some groups to distort the statements he made about the possibility of an alliance with the CPI(M).

"It is hoped that all issues arising out of the Rajya Sabha elections will be sorted out during the meeting between K.Karunakaran and Sonia Gandhi",said Muraleedharan. He also said that he hoped to meet the AICC president either on Monday or Tuesday.

KSU volunteers burn Thomas' effigy at Thiruvananthapuram

Monday, April 21, 2003

Irated volunteers belonging to the Karunkaran faction of the Kerala Students Union (KSU) gave vent to their feelings by burning the effigy of Tourism Minister KV Thomas at Thiruvananthapuram. Thomas crossed over to the Antony faction 'officially' in the recently held Rajya Sabha election violating the I group directive to vote for the rebel candidate Kodoth Govindan Nair fielded by K.Karunakaran.

The burning of the effigy was preceded by a march in which nearly fifty volunteers shouted slogans against Thomas and M.P. Gangadharan whom they described as 'traitors'. Participants in the rally hailed Karunakaran as 'Chakravarthy' and the undisputed leader of Kerala. Slogans were also raised praising K.Muraleedharan and Padmaja Venugopal.

Earlier in the week a group of Congress workers had burnt the effigy of M.P.Gangadharan and the ash was immersed in the Bharatapuzha.

Karunakaran to meet Sonia to sort out party issues

Monday, April 21, 2003

Senior Congress leader K.Karunakaran will meet party president Sonia Gandhi in the next couple of days to sort out the issues arising out of the recently held Rajya Sabha election from Kerala. Sources in Thiruvananthapuram told that Karunakaran had a telephonic conversation with Sonia Gandhi last night and it was at the instance of the latter that he is leaving for Delhi for talks.

Meanwhile reports from Delhi indicate that the High Command may go soft on the rebellious leaders from Kerala who flouted the party directive and fielded a rebel candidate against the party nominees.

The next couple of days will see a lot of hectic activities in Delhi to tame Karunakaran and his group.

Kerala govt to launch new welfare scheme for NRKs

Monday, April 21, 2003

MUSCAT — The NRK (non-resident Keralite) will finally have an answer as to how he/she will make both ends meet when he/she gets back home. According to M. M. Hassan, Kerala minister for Norka and Parliamentary Affairs, has designed a welfare scheme for NRKs, with Life Insurance Corporation of India, which will provide the answer to the long-standing demand of the NRKs for a regular income back home — the Pravasi Swasraya Welfare Scheme for NRKs.

Hassan, who will visit Oman along with Jiji Thomson, managing director of the Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation, Ltd, and Satish Nampoothiripad, managing director of Roots — NRK Development Initiative (of Norka) and Norka secretary will be unveiling this scheme to Keralites here.

Ayathan Sujanapal, Kozhikode MLA, who is part of the team, is already in town.

During their two-day visit (Monday night to Wednesday night), they would be meeting Keralites to furnish details of the scheme. The minister noted that he would also be listening to the grievances of the Keralites here and also visit labour camps.

Hassan noted that his visit to the Gulf was two-pronged, to unveil the Pravasi Swasraya Welfare Scheme and to announce that the ferry service would start soon.

From Oman, he would head to Doha, Qatar, Saudi Arabia. After a month, he would be visiting Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait.

Referring to the delay in visiting the Gulf, especially with the Gulf-war crisis and the problems posed to many Keralites in Kuwait, he said that he did not want to come to the Gulf “without having anything concrete in hand.”

“Although I took over the Norka, I still needed something concrete to offer for the Keralites. Under A.K Antony, Kerala chief minister, we have come out with several innovative schemes and programmes for the welfare of NRKs,” he said.

The social security scheme would ensure NRKs a regular monthly income when they return to their home state. The pension-cum-insurance scheme — Pravasi Swasraya — launched under the auspices of ‘Roots-NRK Development Initiative’, has provisions for monetary security to the family of NRKs in the event of their death.

It also ensures them a regular stream of income after the age of 40. The scheme is being launched in association with Life Insurance Corporation of India.

According to Hassan, the scheme is an endeavour to meet the uncertainty borne out of the sudden stoppage of regular income when Keralites return home after long years of working outside Kerala, especially those working in an unorganised sector or are self employed and do not enjoy pensioner benefits.

The scheme will enable them to draw a monthly-assured income throughout their lives through savings made during their working life. The scheme also makes provision for financial security to the family of NRKs in the event of early death and also assures income flow at any desired age after 40.

The scheme is a collection of certain endowment and pension schemes, already in operation with LIC, brought under a common banner for marketing as a basket of options, to suit the needs of different kinds of people with different annuity requirements and varying paying capacity.

The suggested terms vary from 5 to 16 years. It is stipulated that the minimum age at which annuity starts will be 40 years. Premiums are payable for a definite period or until death if it occurs within the period.

The Roots-NRK Development Initiative, a company promoted by Government of Kerala in Norka Department shall act as Corporate Agent for the scheme.

Hassan also highlighted the features of the schemes:

Under scheme I (endowment with Jeevan Akshay) the life assured has the option to receive lump sum amount or opt for pension on maturity of the term. On the event of death of the policyholder during the endowment period, the sum assured with vested bonus will be paid to the family/nominee. In the event of death due to accident double the sum assured with bonus will be paid to the family/nominee.

For a person aged 35, for a 5-year term and with a sum assured of Rs1lakh.

Yearly premium: Rs21,027

Half Yearly : Rs10,705

Quarterly : Rs5,434

Monthly Pension : Rs717.12

On the event of death of the annuitant after the pension starts Rs124,500/- will be given to the nominee/family. Nominee can opt for pension with that amount.

In the second scheme (Jeevan Anand with Jeevan Akshay), the life assured has the option to receive lump sum amount or convert the policy proceeds to pension on the maturity of the term. On the death of the policy holder during the endowment period, the sum assured with vested bonus will be paid to the family or nominee. In the event of death due to accident during the endowment period, double the Sum Assured with bonus will be paid to the nominee. No premium need to be remitted after the term but risk will be covered on the policy holder.

For a person aged 35 years for a 5 year term with sum assured of Rs1 lakh.

Yearly Premium : Rs25,076.00

Half Yearly Premium : Rs12,683.00

Quarterly Premium : Rs6,464.00

At the end of the premium paying period i.e. after 5 years, the life assured has the option to collect Rs120,000/- or convert the policy proceeds to Jeevan Akshay pension plan with return of purchase price for which the pension are as follows :

Monthly Pension : Rs691.00

Once the pension starts, and on the event of death of the policy holder, an amount Rs120,000 (corpus) under the above plan plus Rs100,000 will be given to the family/nominee.

The scheme three (Jeevan Akshay Immediate Pension) is a good form of investment for people with comparatively higher paying capacity. Minimum and maximum age at entry is 40 and 79 respectively.

No medical examination is required to join the scheme.

The fourth scheme (Jeevan Suraksha without life cover) is intended to help individuals to provide for retirement income through savings during their working life. This plan especially appeals to self-employed professionals, businessmen, employees, etc. who do not enjoy pension benefits. Minimum and maximum age limit for joining the scheme is 18 and 65 respectively.

Premiums can be paid by way of yearly, half yearly, quarterly or by single premium.

Under the fifth (Jeevan Suraksha with term rider option) scheme, the policyholder has the option, to take insurance cover by paying additional premium.

1. Maximum age at entry for term rider — 50 years

2. Minimum insurance under term rider — Rs1 lakh

Under the sixth — Jeevan Suraksha (Single Premium) — scheme, the policy holder has the option to make the payment in a single premium.

Mode of payment of premium — single

Minimum deferment period — 2 years

Minimum single premium — Rs10,000

2 killed; Anchuthengu remains tense

Monday, April 21, 2003

Anchuthengu beach were two persons were killed and five others injured in group clashes late on Saturday night remains tense. Police conducted night patrolling on Sunday night in the area.

Though fresh clashes were not reported in the area, locals fear retaliatory strikes, when the police vigil eases.

The two persons, both fishermen, were killed when an armed gang drove a jeep into a group people who were celebrating Easter in front of the Matsya Thozhilali Kshema Sangham office on the Anchuthengu- Kadackavoor road at Manarkulam on Saturday night.

Police identified the deceased as Clement (33) and Paniyadamma Francis (31), both local residents. The injured persons are Satheesh (20), Cletus (35), John (55), Imelda (43) and Solomon (28).

According to police, Clement died on the spot while Paniyadamma succumbed to his injuries at the Medical College Hospital.

According to the police, the gang, armed with swords and machetes, hit fatally injured Clement with a stone on the head to make sure he was dead.

The police said that the brutal attack was sequel to a stand-off between fishermen belonging to the same community at Anchuthengu on Saturday morning.

The head of a family died while five other members, including four children, were hospitalised after they allegedly swallowed poisonous injections and an overdose of sleeping pills at Ramnagar area of the city here on Saturday night.

The deceased M.S. Suresh Nair, hailing from Kerala, who had migrated to the city about two months back from Delhi took the extreme step because of financial problems, police said. The family did not respond to their neighbour's knocking and police found them lying unconscious in their bed when they broke open the door.

All the six members were shifted to a government hospital where doctors declared Nair as brought dead while others, including Nair's wife, were undergoing treatment, police added.

Murali fooling others, says Chennithala

Monday, April 21, 2003

Ramesh Chennithala, All-India Congress Committee (AICC) secretary and leader of the 'third group' has called K Muraleedharan as the most immature Pradesh Congress Committee (PCC) president the State has ever seen.

Accusing Murali of fooling others with his resignation threats, Ramesh said in Aluva on Saturday that the activities of the third group were intensified to put an end to "the efforts of K Karunakaran to implement dynastic rule in the Congress."

Ramesh was speaking after inaugurating a meeting of 'third group' activists at the Government Guest House in Aluva.

"We give top priority to the party. The group activities will be secondary," Chennithala said.

He said he did not have any discussion with Minister K V Thomas regarding the latter's joining the third group.

Easter celebrated

Monday, April 21, 2003

"I am the Resurrection and the life and he who believes in me will live even when he dies" [John 11:25]

Christians in Kerala and all over the world celebrate Easter on Sunday, the day that commemorates the resurrection, or the return to life, of Jesus Christ after his horrific death by crucifixion.. This holy day celebrates the triumph of life over death.

In Kerala, which has a large Christian population, lakhs of devotees participated in the special masses held in the morning at the churches across the state for offering prayers, and then breaking the lent.

Easter is the central element in the Christian belief. Like their brethren elsewhere in the world, people observe lent for over one month, attends service on Good Friday, an joyously receive the resurrection of the Lord on Easter.

In Kerala, though the traditional Easter eggs are absent in the celebrations, the usual delicacy on Easter day is the ever-favourite appam and kozhicurry (chicken curry). Cakes, biriyani and wine follows are also served in the households.

State gears up to face trucker's strike

Monday, April 21, 2003

The state government has decided to implement strict measures to control the prices of essential commodities, Chief Minister A.K. Antony said on Saturday.

Antony pointed out that the prices of essential commodities and vegetables have shot up in the last one week due to the trucker's strike. The government on Saturday sanctioned Rs. 2 crores to the Civil Supplies Dept. and Rs. 25 lakhs to the Horticulture Dept. to stock essential goods.

Antony said that the traders would be allowed to transport goods in private vehicles which have no license to carry the same, during the strike period.

Lenin Rajendran completes 'Anyar'

Monday, April 21, 2003

Noted director Lenin Rajendran has completed the shooting of his latest film 'Anyar.'

The film shot in Thrissur, Thiruvananthapuram and Wayanad narrates the challenges faced by a female journalist who comes from a Muslim background.

The film is set on present times and analyses the current social issues from the perspective of the filmmaker.

Biju Menon and Jyotirmayi have been cast in the lead roles of the film. 'Anyar' is expected to be ready for release by early next month.

Rationalist meet begins in Kollam

Monday, April 21, 2003

The politicisation of religion and religionisation of politics have created a congenial atmosphere for the growth of fundamentalism in the country, according to renowned rationalist Dr.G.Vijayam of Gora Atheist Centre, Vijayawada.

Inaugurating the South Indian Rationalist Conference organised by the Rationalists Association of India in Kollam on Friday, Vijayam said that the compromises made by political leaders with an eye on the vote banks proved detrimental to the interests of the secular polity of the country.

Though it was hoped that the advancement in science and technology would result in the spread of rationalism and scientific outlook, the so-called holy men were distracting the attention from life's real problems, he said.

He emphasised on the need to build alternatives to religion.

The atheists, rationalists, free thinkers and humanists had a special responsibility in this regard.

Though people were moving away from religion and its practices with the spread of science, liberalism in education and thought and social reforms, they have not yet come into the fold of non-religious movements, he said.

M V Raghavan blames greed for Cong infight

Monday, April 21, 2003

M V Raghavan speaking at a reception given by the Kerala Muslim Cultural Society at its office premises on Saturday. Sitting from left are S A M Basheer, Abdulla Parakkal and M P Mohammed Shafi.
DOHA: The current infighting in the Congress party in Kerala was prompted by political greed rather than any ideological differences among senior leaders of the party, according to M V Raghavan, the state’s cooperative and ports minister.

His comments came at a reception held in his honour by the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC) at its office premises on Saturday. Raghavan was in Doha on a two-day visit. He left for Kerala yesterday morning.

The minister was referring to an internal crisis in the Congress party, created by a decision of the “Karunakaran Group” to field a rebel candidate in the recent Rajya Sabha elections. Raghavan’s party, CMP, is a partner of the ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) government in the state.

Citing the history of the Congress party in India, Raghavan said, differences of opinion among senior leaders existed in the party since the days of Mahatma Gandhi.

“In those days, such differences were based on ideological grounds. Today they have nothing to do with ideology,” he said.

He, however, added that the infighting in the Congress had not posed any serious threat to the UDF government.

Raghavan sought the support of non-resident Keralites for the proposed NRI co operative bank project of the Kerala government. KMCC President S A M Basheer presided over the function. Abdulla Parakkal welcomed the gathering and Saidalavi proposed a vote of thanks.

Prices of essential commodites go up

Monday, April 21, 2003

PTI

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The prices of essential commodities, fruits, vegetables and flowers have steeply increased in Kerala with the truck operators' strike entering the seventh day on Sunday.

Kerala being a consumer state, most of the essential commodities and vegetable come from neigbouring states and with the truckers stir continuing many of these items have become scarce.

Even though government as part of its effort to control the situation, has lifted restrictions in transporting essential commodities from the neighbouring states in private and public sector vehicles, there was no marked improvement in the supply position.

Civil Supplies corporation and Horticulture department have initiated steps to procure materials by hiring vehicles from available sources to distribute through its outlets.

However, supply of diesel and petrol have not been affected so far.

1,000-year-old ship unearthed in Kerala

Monday, April 21, 2003

PTI

ALAPUZHA, Kerala: A stone anchor and few bones have been unearthed at Thyckal in Kerala's Alapuzha district where excavations have resumed to confirm the existence of a ship, believed to be over 1000 years old.

The bones recovered are most likely to be that of some animal and to confirm this some of them would be sent to the Deccan College of Pune and Lucknow-based Birbal Sahani Institute of Paliobotany (BSIP) to identify which animal they belonged to, according to sources of the Archaeology department and the Institute of Archaeology, Museology and Art History (IAMAH) at Kochi, who are undertaking the excavations, told PTI.

Thyckal is said to be the country's only maritime archaeological site, which is situated in a dry land.

Following stray reports about the possibility of a ship submerged under the sand at Thyckal in Kadakkarappilly, small excavations had been carried out by the Archaeology Department, the sources said.

During 1999, Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) had granted license for conducting excavation at the site, which began in April 2002. It confirmed the existence of a ship under the sand. Excavations were pursued for three months by which time the ship was located and its shape and size could be ascertained

Sonia talks to Karunakaran, end to crisis in sight

Sunday, April 20, 2003

PTI

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The crisis in the Kerala unit of Congress over the just-concluded Rajya Sabha polls appeared to be veering round to an end on Saturday with AICC chief Sonia Gandhi having a telephone talk with senior party leader K Karunakaran, who had put up a rebel candidate against the official nominees.

"Yes, we had a seven-minute talk today. I will be going to Delhi on Apr 21 and will be meeting the AICC chief," Karunakaran told mediapersons who met him at his residence.

He said Gandhi had called him as there had been conflicting reports on the crisis in the state Congress.

"Some people in the party want action against KPCC chief K Muraleedharan. Some others want action against me. However, senior leaders have apprised the high command that any such action would not be in the interests of the party," he said.

Asked whether he had any suggestions to end the present crisis, Karunakaran said he had not thought about it. The `I' group's decision to put up a rebel candidate against official nominees was not to defy the high command, but to register protest against the neglect of the faction, he said.

Karunakaran said the high command appeared to have understood the political reality in the state and would take a appropriate decision. "If problems can be solved, we will not stand in the way," he said.

Karunakaran said unity can not be achieved in the party in Kerala by ignoring the `I' faction. "We hope this attitude will be changed," he said.

If explanations were sought from the 20 MLAs who had signed the nomination papers of rebel candidate Kodoth Govindan Nair, he said all of them would give similar views.

Referring to the role played by his son K Muraleedharan during the RS elections, he said as the KPCC chief he had written to all MLAs to vote for official candidates. AICC General Secretary in charge of Kerala, Ambika Soni, had stated that the letter amounted to a whip. "What more he can do on this?" he asked.

Karunakaran said Muraleedharan had been helping the Government "out of the way" by implementing all the directives of the high command.

Asked whether there was any change in the high command's attitude towards the faction, he said it was not as `tough' as in the past.

Meanwhile in Delhi, AICC general secretary-incharge of Kerala affairs Ambika Soni told PTI, "I also heard that Karunakaranji rang up the party chief, but I am not aware what transpired between the two".

Confirming the telephonic talk between Gandhi and Karunakaran, sources said CWC member R K Dhawan, one of the two observers for the Kerala Rajya Sabha polls, had also held telephonic conversation with the sulking Kerala strongman following the defeat of his candidate in the RS poll.

French Naval vessel arrives at Kochi

Sunday, April 20, 2003

PTI

KOCHI: French Naval ship "Primauguet", a "George Leygues" class Anti-Submarine Warfare Destroyer, arrived on a six-day routine visit to Kochi on Saturday.

The ship, 139 metres long and with a tonnage of 3600, is commandeered by captain Jean Pierre Labonne.

Its armament package includes four surface-to-surface Exocet missiles, Thomson-CSF Crotale Surface-to-Air missiles with octuple launcher, 3.9 inch DCN/Creusot-Loire guns and 10 ECAN L5 Torpedoes, a naval release said here.

The ship's underwater sensors include a bow mounted Thomson Sintra DUBV sonar, Variable Depth Sonar and Passive Towed Array. It carries two Lynx helicopters.

The Brest based ship is scheduled to depart to its next port of call-- Djibouti on April 24.

During the stay in Kochi, there would be professional and social interactions between Indian and French navies, besides friendly sports fixtures, the release added.

Suhasini successful in Malayalam

Sunday, April 20, 2003

The relationship between Suhasini and Malayalam films is that of mutual respect and affection. Whenever there is a good female role, Malayalam filmmakers even today think of Suhasini.

She recently acted asthe not-so-young heroine in Mohanlal's Vaanaprasatham directed by Shaji N Karun, which was followed by an award-winning performance (Kerala State Award) in Theerthadanam opposite Jayaram as a poor, middle-aged woman.

One of the big hits of 2003 is a campus story from director Kamal, Nammal. Suhasini has a meaty role in the film as the principal of the college. Since Nammal is a success, it is said Malayalam directors are writing roles specially for Suhasini.

Geetu, Abhirami in Kamalhassan projects

Saturday, April 19, 2003

Kamal Haasan has always had a soft corner for Malayalam filmdom. He always maintains that this was the filmdom that made him an actor. And, he has always been pretty quick in spotting good talent from Malayalam and casting them in his movies.

So it should come as no surprise to see him feature two top heroines from Malluwood in his forthcoming ventures. The talented Geetu Mohandas is playing the lead in the Kamal-produced Nala Damayanthi opposite the bubbly Madhavan. Then the svelte Abhirami is pencilled to play the heroine in the Kamal-directed venture Sandiyar opposite him.

The two ladies are naturally thrilled to bits. But perhaps the most happy between the two is Geetu for this is her first major break outside Malayalam. But Kamal signing in her for his movie is not a major surprise as he has a high opinion of Geetu after her performance in the sensitively crafted Sesham. In fact, Kamal had spoken in glowing terms about her acting prowess. To praise somebody is one thing, but to back that with ample reward is another.

So, Geetu who has shot for Nala Damayanthi in places like Canada, a place where she originally came from, cannot stop talking about Kamal. “He is a great artiste. To be working in his film is an honour,’ she says with admiration.

Geetu, for whom the last few months have not been great (her last release Vaal Kannadi bombed at the box office), considers her foray into Tamil as being nothing more than ‘explorative’.

“I have not given up on Malayalam filmdom. It is where my heart and mind are. But in these days, you cannot afford to miss out on opportunities that come your way. I will act in any language as long as I am comfortable with the story and the team”.

But Abhirami may not be in a position to make such claims. The comely actress, who has not been having the best of runs in both Malayalam and Tamil where she had made a much-hyped entry, is happy that the dice is finally rolling in her favour. Though she wouldn’t put that in as many words, it is obvious that this is Abhirami’s one big chance to sound her arrival. “Yes, it is a good opportunity, and I am grateful to Kamal for giving this chance,” she says.

Both the actresses are however hoping that this break in Tamil would augur well for them in their home turf. Geetu has said that plainly. Abirami without articulating that is also looking for some offers in Malluwood. Two girls are hoping for a good turn. But the spin has been provided by Kamal.

Youth theme is the in thing

Saturday, April 19, 2003

It’s themes revolving round the youth that are fast catching up with the audiences.

The Malayalam film scene has been pretty slow in tuning itself to that wavelength. As they say, it’s better late than never. Now, there is a slew of movies in the making hoping to ride on the exuberance and enthusiasm of young blood.

Chief among them is Kamal's Koode. The master filmmaker is happy about the success of Nammal, a movie that had youth as its central theme. "It was a campus movie," he says about Nammal. "But Koode will try to explore youth in a different background".

Koode understandably features the young guns of Malluwood. Boban Kunchacko, Prithviraj, Jayasurya, Vijesh, Meera Jasmine and Bhavana. "It is a good experience to work with young minds. There is a freshness to their approach," says Kamal.

The youth brigade too reciprocates the sentiments of Kamal. "Age is only a state of mind, and by our reckoning Kamal is not aged," says Boban Kunchacko. Koode is a typical fun-filled, angst-ridden story on youth and relationships. The shooting is already on in Pondicherry. The cast is said to be having a ball, with fun-filled capers and mirthful leg-pulling being the order of the day.

But that doesn't mean it has been all fun and no work. Says Meera "the thing about Kamal is he lets you enjoy but at the same time makes you work".

For novices like Vijesh and Bhavana, who were part of the Nammal team also, Koode is another important turn in their learning curve. "It has been a dream to work with Kamal. We were lucky to get a break with Nammal. Now to repeat that with Koode is just great,” says Vijesh.

Apart from Koode, several other subjects on the youth are also in the making in Malayalam filmworld with several newcomers getting breaks. "To make films with new faces makes sense. There are no call-sheet problems. There is no need for big budgets," says Prem Shankar, a distributor. Winds of change are certainly blowing in Malayalam filmdom.

Youth theme is the in thing

Saturday, April 19, 2003

“I am obviously happy with the recent turn of events,” Boban

Saturday, April 19, 2003

They say form is temporary, class is permanent. This is true with not just cricket alone; filmdom is no exception to this maxim.

Take the case of Boban Kunchacko. Introduced as a bubbly youth in Malayalam films, Boban’s career hit a few bumps after the high of Niram. Though there was no doubting his skills, there were also no dearth of doomsday Cassandras as each vied with the other to write his obituary. But Boban just bade his time, knowing a good turn was just round the corner. And it has finally arrived

After a lean patch, Boban looks to have turned the corner. Kalyanaraman, though was Dileep’s movie, Boban managed to hold his own in the movie.

And now with Kasthuriman, he has just announced that he is well and truly back. According to industry trade figures, Kasthuriman is off to a good start. It has not only made good initial collections, but also has managed to hold its own against Mohanlal’s Mr.Brahmachari, which it should be said, has opened to a lukewarm response.

In a sense, Kasthuriman is just about the right film for Boban to make a strong come back. It has all the right ingredients that allow for his kind of talent to flourish -- youthful humour and mushy sentimentalism.

And with the sprightly Meera Jasmine providing ideal foil to him, Kasthuriman looks a winner all the way. But Boban is not ready to break into a song and dance over the potential success of Kasthuriman. At least not yet.

Instead, he is concentrating on the other projects in hand. Particularly, Koode and Swapnam Kondoru Thulabaram (along with Suresh Gopi). But Boban also knows that his time in the industry is coming. “I am obviously happy with the recent turn of events,” he says with typical terseness.

He negates any talk of a comeback by saying, “I never felt out of it to have made a come-back”. Boban points out that even when things were not going his way, he was not unduly worried. “I believe in giving my best always. That is the only thing I can do. I cannot be worrying about things over which I have no control of”.

It might sound philosophical but there is an earthy simplicity to it. On his projects in hands, he says: “They are different and interesting. I have taken care to not repeat myself. The rest is with the audience”. Simple ideas. But with a profound meaning.
That’s Boban Kunchacko for you.

(source: India Syndicate)

I'm being implicated in false cases: K G George

Saturday, April 19, 2003

PTI

KOCHI: Well-known Malayalam director K G George who was arrested and later let off on bail Thursday night, said on Friday that he was being implicated in false cases, allegedly by some financiers to extract nearly Rs 8 lakh from him after a film he directed four years ago flopped.

George told a press conference here that he was being allegedly harassed by Francis Cleetus, an Abu Dhabi-based businessman, who had invested in Elavangodu Desam, a Mammooty-Kushboo starrer, which bombed at the box office four years ago.

The allegation that the arrest was made in a cheque case was fabricated, he claimed.

Since the last four years, Cleetus and some others were threatening him and his family, George, who is also the chairman of the Malayalam Artistes and Cine Technicians Association (Macta), said.

A harassment case, filed by George, is pending against Cleetus in a Thiruvananthapuram court.

George claimed the Thiruvananthapuram chief judicial magistrate court's summons, issued on April 4, had not been received by him. After he failed to respond to the summons, the court had issued arrest warrant and taken him into custody Thursday night. He was later granted bail.

George said the fabricated case was only to tarnish his image and that he was planning to launch legal proceedings.

Stating that Malayalam film industry was going through a very bad phase, he asked "how will a film's director be responsible, if the film fails".

Special prayers held in Kerala on Good Friday

Saturday, April 19, 2003

PTI

KOCHI: Special prayers were held in churches all over Kerala on the occasion of Good Friday, to mark the occasion of crucifixion of Jesus Christ, 2,000 years ago.

The faithful thronged the chruches and cathedrals since morning to mark the solemn occasion.

On Thursday, 'Maundy Thursday' was observed with religious fervour in the state.

Govt announces steps to improve vegetable supply

Saturday, April 19, 2003

PTI

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Government on Friday announced steps to improve supplies of vegetables with prices of the commodity continuing to rise due to shortage on the fifth day of the transporters' stir.

"Vegetables would be procured from neighbouring states and it would be brought by all available means of transport to be distributed at a fair price in the state," an official release said here on Friday.

This system would be put into practice within two days and Chief Minister AK Antony has called a meeting of all the concerned officials on Saturday to discuss the matter.

Steps would also be taken to make available vegetables at the civil supplies stores in Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam districts, it said.

Food and Civil Supplies Minister G Karthikeeyan said the Kerala State Transport corporation's help would be sought to bring vegetables and other commodities from nearby states.

"Prices of essential commodities have not shown any variation due to the strike," he claimed, adding Civil Supply Corporation had sufficient stock of commodities.

Trade sources, meanwhile, said if the strike continued for long, export of fruits from the state to the Middle East would be hit.

Kerala NCP demands Antony's resignation

Saturday, April 19, 2003

PTI
KANNUR: Kerala unit of NCP on Saturday demanded resignation of Chief Minister AK Antony on "moral grounds" following results of recent Rajya Sabha polls, which showed the support being enjoyed by the Karunakaran faction.

The stability of the Antony Government in the state had suffered "a serious setback" with rebel candidate Kodath Govindan Nair securing votes of 26 party MLAs, newly-elected NCP state President Cyriac John said at a meet-the-press programme at Kannur Press Club here.

"The gentleman Chief Minister should quit if he had any iota of morality left in him," John said.

He criticised the Congress leadership for its "inability" to take disciplinary action against Karunakaran for fielding the rebel candidate.

"By just ordering the suspension of Nair, Congress has deceived the people by not taking disciplinary action against Karunakaran, whose faction had fielded Nair by throwing to winds the party high commands' directives," he said.

Kerala slips on the literacy charts

Saturday, April 19, 2003

Twelve years ago, Kerala was declared a fully literate state. But today, many have forgotten what they had learnt, slipping back into illiteracy.

The first signs of Kerala dropping off the literacy chart became evident two years back when a survey conducted by the National Sample Survey Organisation hinted at a possible reversal of Kerala's literacy rate when the state slipped from first place to fourth.

Over 12 lakh people who were trained in the first phase of the literacy drive are no longer able to read and write.

Apr 15, 2003: International education on offer, but at a price
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More
It was a revolutionary campaign in the 90s.
Almost two lakh classes were held, taught by three lakh voluntary teachers over a 14-month period.
Close to 18 lakh people learned to read and write and the state was declared 95 per cent literate.
The state government, however, says part of the reason for the collapse is because the Centre has neglected to provide funds for further programmes.

"It is a Central project. We will conduct a survey," said Nalakathu Sooppy, Education Minister.

However, it is now clear that without follow through on the programme, the literacy miracle is only a shortlived one.

Peace efforts between Sonia, Karunakaran

Saturday, April 19, 2003

The Congress is trying to resolve its crisis in Kerala with a series of telephonic talks between party president Sonia Gandhi and senior Kerala leader K Karunakaran.

Mrs Gandhi has been considering action against Karunakaran after he put up a rebel candidate against the official party nominees in the recent Rajya Sabha elections.

These talks are being seen as an effort to make peace between the high command and the rebel faction.

Illicit liquor consumption rises in Kerala

Saturday, April 19, 2003

There is an old saying in Kottayam in Kerala that after sun set except for the statue of former Kerala Minister P C Chako everybody else starts drinking.

It is sayings like these that A K Antony's government had promised to change when it said it would bring about prohibition in a phased manner.

But in a state which has the highest per capita consumption of liquor - an estimated eight liters, prohibition is a difficult task.

And a recent Hooch tragedy near Trivandrum, which left six people dead, is a reminder to the UDF government that little has changed.

Illicit liquor is estimated to occupy 15 to 20 per cent of the market, most of it backed with political clout.

The state owned Breweries Corporation which controls the sale of Indian Made foreign liquour has only 250 outlets. It blames the spread of illicit liquour on the limitations in the availability of legal liquor and now wants to open more shops.

"Earlier Kerala was served by 6,000 arrack shops so almost every five square km had an arrack shops or a foreign liqour shop. But now there is a shop only in 160 square km. So there is a wide area which is not attended to which is exploited by the illicit liquour mafia," says T P Senkumar, MD, Kerala State Beverages Corporation.

But this move has met with stiff resistance from the Bishop's Council. It says this would mean a betrayal of Antony's election promise of prohibition in a phased manner and instead would only increase alcoholism in the state.

"Immediately after coming to power the government instead of reducing the number of liquour shops began their role by starting 55 foreign liquor shops," said Rev Susai Paickiyam, Bishop of Trivandrum.

For Antony his task is cut out. The Bvereges corporation is a huge money spinner for the government. It earns nearly Rs 1,500 crore a year. On the other hand he cannot ignore the sentiments of the Bishop's Council either. The question is how is he going to solve Kerala's drinking problem.

Kerala braces for return of amnesty seekers

Saturday, April 19, 2003

A minister from the southern Indian state of Kerala urged Indians residing illegally in the UAE to use the amnesty before the deadline at the end of this month, as the state government braced for the return of some 10,000 Keralites.

Promising support and assistance from his state government, including a free bus service from airports to help amnesty seekers reach their homes, M.M. Hassan, Minister for Parliamentary and of Non-Resident Keralites' Affairs said here yesterday: "We assure amnesty seekers that we will provide a train service from Mumbai, if there are enough numbers."

Hassan warned amnesty seekers not to take up illegal employment after they had been issued exit passes by the Indian consulate.

"I have been briefed by the Indian Consul General George Joseph that many amnesty seekers are being caught working again by Dubai police, this must stop," he said.

Hassan also announced that the Kerala Government is taking an initiative to launch a passenger ferry service between major Gulf ports and Kochi to ensure a cheaper alternative to the "exorbitant" air transport currently available.

The minister, who is on a four-day visit to the UAE, said several Gulf-based shipping companies, including those from Muscat and Doha, have come forward to launch the ferry service before Onam that offers a two-way trip at less than half the air fare being charged by airlines on the Gulf-Kerala sector. "Higher air fares have been one of the long standing grievances of some 1.8 million Gulf-based non-resident Keralites," he said.

Meanwhile, the Kerala government would ensure amnesty returnees are retrained and equipped with fresh skills as a first step towards gainful employment. The Kerala state government has embarked upon a number of initiatives aimed at helping its 2.5 million Gulf-based community members, he said.

Among those already launched is an insurance scheme, and an initiative to offer NRK returnees – particularly from the Gulf – self-employment opportunities through a corporation that has just been established.

"Ours is the only state government in India to have set up a special ministerial department to take care of the welfare activities of Non-Resident Indians, and of NRKs," the minister pointed out during his visit on Wednesday.

He emphasised this was a bold decision on the part of the last Kerala government, which created the department, since state governments in general have no jurisdiction over expatriate affairs.

"We have already launched the 'Pravasi Suraksha Scheme', a contributory pension insurance plan undertaken jointly with Life Insurance Corp," he said.

"We have also just launched a corporation, entitled Roots, as an NRK developmental initiative aimed at generating self-employment and other opportunities for Gulf returnees."

He indicated while Keralites are among the most hard-working communities outside their home state – and particularly so in the Gulf – most tended to return to a life of indolence after returning to Kerala.

The government is now seeking to address this grave problem, while improving the investment climate in the state, particularly in the tourism sector.

The new corporation has started its activities with a Rs10 million budget that has been allocated in this year's budget. "We are now also approaching NRIs for additional participatory equity in Roots," Hassan added.

Hassan met community members in Dubai and Sharjah, and is scheduled to visit Umm Al Quwain, Ajman, Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah during his six-day visit.

He is being accompanied by Satish Namboodiripad, chief executive of Roots, and Norka (Non-Resident Keralite Association) members during his ongoing Gulf tour, which later takes him to Muscat and Doha.

Kerala BJP poll on May 10; Sridharan Pillai may replace CKP

Saturday, April 19, 2003

Kerala BJP poll on May 10; Sridharan Pillai may replace CKP
- V.V. Binu
New Delhi: The BJP will hold organisational elections in Kerala on June 19. C. Rajendran (Kollam) has been appointed as the State Returning Officer for the party elections. Election proceedings will start on May 10. District returning officers will be appointed soon.

Block and district presidents of the party, under whom there is a fall in number of members, will be relieved from their positions for three years. The conditions on number of members were instituted following complaints of attempts to cancel membership in the rival group.

The central leadership is worried about the increasing incidents of internal conflicts in the party even if the numbers of party workers are lower in Kerala. Groups formed under state general secretary P.P. Mukundan and union minister O. Rajagopal are involved in the power play.

C.K. Padmanabhan who has completed two terms should leave his position in

CPM deliberates on Congress crisis in Kerala

Thursday, April 17, 2003

New Delhi: Keenly watching the crisis within the ruling Congress in Kerala, the CPM on Wednesday deliberated on the issue at its Polit Bureau meeting here.

The CPM feels the situation in Kerala is "fluid" and is likely to make its moves against the UDF Government if the Congress takes disciplinary action against rebels in the party, party sources said. The Party Polit Bureau, which held its two-day meeting here ending this afternoon, decided to hold its Central Committee meeting in Thiruvananthapuram from June 7 to 9.

The Polit Bureau also discussed the assembly elections in four states - Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Chattisgarh - to be held later this year. Though the Left does not have a presence in any of these states, the CPI-M sees the BJP as its biggest enemy. The Iraq situation, Jammu and Kashmir and Ayodhya also came up at the meeting.

Kerala should concentrate on Iraq's reconstruction: A.C. Jose

Thursday, April 17, 2003

Kochi: A.C. Jose, MP, on Wednesday urged the Kerala government to concentrate on securing its role in the reconstruction of the war-ravaged Iraq as one of the major beneficiaries of the Gulf sector.

If the state government, especially its department of Non-resident Keralities Affairs(NORKA) failed to take advantage of the situation in time, neighbouring countries like Sri Lanka, Philippines, Pakistan and Bangala Desh would exploit it Jose told newsmen here.

This was more so because of the good presence of Malayalees in neighbour Kuwait, he said and suggested to the state urgently to depute a state delegation to discuss the issue which was likely to create huge employment opportunities.

Sonia set to crack Kerala whip

Thursday, April 17, 2003

New Delhi, April 16: Unable to reconcile to the fact that its authority had been questioned by veteran leader K. Karunakaran, the Congress high command is taking a second look at the Kerala party affairs, throwing hints that some hard options might be exercised to restore its supremacy.

After two days of soft-talking, the high command today fired the first salvo, asking Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president K. Muraleedharan to immediately submit a report on the Rajya Sabha polls. At least 20 of the 62 Congress MLAs defied the high command and voted in Monday’s polls for expelled rebel candidate K. Govindan Nair, propped up by Karunakaran and his “I Congress faction”.

Muraleedharan, son of Karunakaran, has come under attack for his “covert” support for Nair even while overtly claiming to have worked for the success of AICC general secretary Vayalar Ravi and former state president T. Balakrishna Pillai, the two official nominees.

The state chief would have to do “some explaining” over the MLAs’ defiant voting for the expelled candidate, party spokesman Jaipal Reddy said today.

Congress president Sonia Gandhi took the decision to seek an immediate explanation from Muraleedharan after holding a detailed second round of consultations this morning with Ghulam Nabi Azad and R.K. Dhawan, the two AICC observes for the Rajya Sabha polls. Also present at the meeting were AICC general secretary in charge of Kerala affairs Ambika Soni and Ravi.

The apparent strategy behind the move is to force Muraleedharan to make his position clear — whether he stood with the high command or sympathised with his father. He had avoided taking a firm position when he had met Sonia before the polls and agreed not to press for acceptance of his resignation as Kerala unit chief. But Muraleedharan had also assured her to work for the success of the official nominees.

A day before the polling, however, the high command is understood to have been very cutup with Muraleedharan’s continued sympathies for his father’s cause and even considered his removal.

Muraleedharan might lose the post if he failed to convince the party about his loyalty to the high command.

Apart from virtually putting Muraleedharan on notice, the high command is also believed to be contemplating showcause notices to defiant MLAs and refer Karunakaran’s case before the AICC’s Disciplinary Action Committee of which state chief minister A.K. Antony, Dhawan and L.P. Sahi are members. Apparently, Antony is pushing for strong action.

It was, however, not clear whether all these are posturing or an indication of wielding the stick. Ravi, for one, did not favour a clampdown on the Karunakaran-led dissidence in the state.

Kerala new year promises more turmoil in Congress

Thursday, April 17, 2003

Millions of Keralites yesterday celebrated Vishu, the festival that rings in the new year, by waking up at dawn to symbols of good fortune — yellow flowers and farm produce — kept ready overnight by their bedsides.

Politically, however, the new year seems set to witness more mudslinging between the 'A' and 'I' groups in the Congress party led by Chief Minister A.K. Antony and veteran leader K. Karunakaran, following Monday's high-stakes contest in the Rajya Sabha polls.

Following the rather tame defeat of the Karunakaran nominee, Kodoth Govindan Nair, in the Rajya Sabha elections held yesterday, the party high command may have saved face for the time being, especially since it had feared the prospect of a failure of party General Secretary Vayalar Ravi.

But the faction feuds in the Congress party maybe headed for worse times.

The Karunakaran group has already served notice by being the first to be on the offensive. The veteran leader fired the first salvo yesterday, accusing the United Democratic Front (UDF) government of buying over MLAs owing allegiance to him with possible assistance by the liquor mafia in the state.

Karunakaran alleged that the UDF had twisted liquor licence rules to favour a particular liquor baron here, in whose residence an MLA is alleged to have stayed during parleys.

Karunakaran's supporters have also openly expressed their dissatisfaction with the government and Antony.

A rally was held in Kozhikode on Monday, immediately following the poll results, led by district Congress committee president M. Veeranakutty which witnessed Karunakaran supporters shouting anti-Antony and anti-government slogans.

In Kochi, 'I' group supporters threw an effigy of Tourism Minister K.V. Thomas into the sea, accusing him of being a turncoat who garnered benefits through his allegiance to the 'I' group and later left to join the 'A' group.

Despite the Karunakaran group's bravado following the poll loss, the group may be in for tough times in the short term.

Vayalar Ravi, who along with Thennala Balakrishna Pillai emerged as the successful Congress party candidates yesterday, has already called for the resignation of ministers P. Sankaran and Kadavoor Sivadasan who belong to the Karunakaran camp.

Ravi said no chief minister would tolerate a minister who tries to destabilise the government while being in the cabinet.

There has also been an outcry by 'A' group workers against Karunakaran's son and Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president K. Muraleedharan.

KPCC seneral secretaries, Joseph Vazhackan, Ajay Tharayil and K.C. Babu have petitioned Congress party president Sonia Gandhi to take action against Muraleedharan for his covert and overt moves against the official candidates of the party in the Rajya Sabha election.

Kerala minister on tour

Thursday, April 17, 2003

MUSCAT — M. V. Raghavan, Kerala minister of cooperation and ports, will be visiting Oman today with a view to wooing NRIs/NRKs to set up an NRI cooperative bank in Kerala.

He will be arriving here this evening from Dubai and leaving for Doha by next evening.

Two receptions will be given in his honour, one by P. Mohamed Ali, managing director of Galfar group, which will be held tomorrow afternoon, the other by the Malayalam Wing of the Indian Social Club, tomorrow morning.

Mohamed Ali will be holding a reception at his house, while the Malayalam Wing will be holding their morning (from 10am) reception at the ISC multipurpose hall.

The Malayalam Wing reception is open to all.

A press note from the Malayalam Wing said that Raghavan’s visit was to meet NRIs in Oman to help on the setting up of an NRI cooperative bank in Kerala.

Kerala to assess its biotechnology potential

Thursday, April 17, 2003

Kerala to assess its biotechnology potential
IANS

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Biodiversity-rich Kerala is starting an assessment of its potential in biotechnology, seen as one of the biggest growth areas in global business in the near future.

The government has appointed a special officer to study Kerala's potential and prepare a long-term approach paper on biotechnology suggesting ways to exploit the state's resources, including its vast herbal wealth.

The special officer, Rajiv Vasudevan, said he would prepare a roadmap for developing the sector and find a way to coordinate the work of the half-a-dozen biotechnology institutes in the state, among them the Tropical Botanical Garden Research Institute and the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute.

Vasudevan, who used to head the IT Technopark here, said areas he would look into include reserves of herbs for herbal extracts, pharma-related work, marine biotechnology and education.

"Investment is not a problem. Like what has happened in Andhra Pradesh where the centre, state and private sector joined hands to develop the ICICI Biotechnology Park, we too could look into this area," Vasudevan told IANS.

Finance Minister K. Sankaranarayanan said: "We are working out a biotechnology policy that would be announced shortly. I have already set apart Rs.15 million in the current budget to meet the initial expenses."

Vasudevan said a biotechnology park is being planned. He said though the location has still not been finalised, the state capital has an advantage because it houses the major research institutes.

Karunakaran to wait for high command's response

Thursday, April 17, 2003

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A day after his nominee was defeated in the Rajya Sabha elections from Kerala, senior Congress leader K Karunakaran said the next move of the 'I' faction would depend on party high command's response towards legislators who voted against the official candidates.

The 'I' faction put up Kodoth Govindan Nair as a mark of protest against the "neglect of the group" by the party, he told reporters on his return from Guruvayur.

"They were repeatedly sidelined, ignored and humiliated. After patiently waiting for two years, the group decided to protest by putting up the candidate," he said.

"It was not meant for winning the election, but to register the strong feeling of the group," Karunakaran said.

On the outcome of the election, he said "money power of liquor lobby and intimidation" had influenced the poll result.

To a question, Karunakaran said he was ready to discuss the issues confronting the party in the state with the high command, if party leadership so desired.

The crisis in the KPCC was triggered after Karunakaran fielded rebel candidate against AICC-approved nominees, Thennala Balakrishna Pillai and Vayalar Ravi for yesterday's polls for three Rajya Sabha seats. Both the official candidates won, while Karunakaran's nominee was defeated. The CPI(M) candidate K Chandran Pillai also emerged victorious.

Crime Branch petition adjourned to April 24

Thursday, April 17, 2003

Crime Branch petition adjourned to April 24

PTI[ WEDNESDAY, APRIL 16, 2003 10:40:20 PM ]

KOCHI: Kerala High Court on Wednesday adjourned the petition by Crime Branch seeking police custody of tribal activist, M Geethanandan, an accused in the Muthunga cases, for further hearing on April 24.

Earlier, Magistrate court, Sultan Bathery, had turned down the crime branch request for police custody of the accused. Following this, the state filed a revision petition before the sessions court. The state later withdrew the petition and filed the same in the High Court.

Truckers' strike affects vegetable supply in Kerala

Thursday, April 17, 2003

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Supply of vegetables to Kerala has been seriously affected due to the nationwide truckers' strike, state food and civil supplies minister G Karthikeeyan said on Wednesday.

Though prices of vegetables had shot up, the government had been able to check rise in prices of other essential commodities due to effective market intervention through the civil supplies corporation, he told reporters here.

The corporation had three months stock of essential commodities, he said.

Stating that the government planned to procure vegetables from neighbouring states for distribution in Kerala, he said he had discussed the issue with Chief Minister, AK Antony.

The government was also considering a proposal on whether traders could be allowed to bring vegetables to Kerala in state transport corporation buses, he said.

Karthikeeyan said Kerala would ask the centre to increase the quota of kerosene to the state, from the present 24,013 kiloliters per month and also allot special kerosene permits to the fishing sector.

The fishing sector in the state was facing a crisis due to kerosene shortage, he said, adding that the government was helpless in the matter since it was only distributing the kerosene allotted by the centre.

No immediate action will be taken,Azad

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

New Delhi: No immediate action will be taken against the Congress MLAs and leaders who supported the rebel candidate in Monday' Rajya Sabha polls in Kerala, said leader of the AICC observers, Gulam Nabi Azad.

He said that he had not recommended action against the Karunakaran group.

Azad said that he is of the opinion that no action which would destabilise the party should be taken. Talks were held with all the party MALs and leaders of the coalition partners in the state.

The coalition partners were united in their support to the Chief Minster A.K. Antony, he said.

Azad, who submitted his first report to the party president Sonia Gandhi on Monday, said that he is happy that the official candidates were able to get through.

Capital zoo to get chimps from U.S.

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

Thiruvananthapuram: The City Zoo is finalising work on importing four chimpanzees from a research institute in the United States. Paperwork for the transfer of two male and two female chimps from the National Institute of Health, Maryland, is in its final stages.

Now the Zoo will have to get the import license and a clearance as per the Convention on International Trades in Endangered Species (CITES). Both these are to be given by the Government of India.

The Zoo is planning to initiate a breeding programme as soon as the chimps arrive.

Meanwhile work on the construction of an enclosure for the chimps will commence on April 24. The contract for the construction of the half- acre enclosure has been handed over to the Construction Corporation of India. The Chimp enclosure will come up between the bear enclosure and the one for the Langurs which is currently under construction.

The enclosure is expected to be ready in about three months. The Zoo authorities say they are being `very careful' in the construction of the pseudo-habitat enclosure for the chimps who are listed as highly endangered.

The site has been selected for the abundance of big trees there. This, according to the Zoo authorities, is very vital for the mental and physical health of the chimps who are by nature tree dwellers and very much adapted to an arboreal life. In addition to providing a lot of tree and big dead tree branches inside the enclosure, the Zoo is also planning teakwood floors for the animal house by the side of the enclosure which will act as the feeding place and as the night shelter for the chimps.

As was done for the Macaqu-es, there will also be artificial ro-ck faces, small mounds and a w- ater body inside the enclosure w hich will be surrounded by a dry moat. Another major concern for the Zoo authorities is trying to maintain the health of the chimps once they are here.

The Zoo has not had chimps for nearly two decades now. So animal keepers have to be specially trained to handle, feed and nurse the chimps who are closest in the evolutionary chain to man. Moreover, chimps are also known to contract diseases such as Tuberculosis from humans. This is already causing some concern among the Zoo authorities as there is no way they will be able to screen visitors for any such diseases. The zoo director, C. S. Yelakki, points out that some chimps in captivity in Indian Zoos are suffering from TB which they most likely contracted from visitors to the Zoos.

Even though the National Institute of Health has not indica ted a price for the Chimps as ye t, there are indications that the price, if any, would be nominal as the NIH is a research institute and not a commercial entity.

Crisis at UDF will strengthen,Kodiyeri

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

Crisis at UDF will strengthen,Kodiyeri

15-April-2003

Thiruvananthapuram: CPI(M) legislative deputy leader Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said the crisis at the UDF would strengthen in the coming days.

He added that the protest of 26 MLAs against the congress high command is a serious matter.

Kodiyeri alleged that the two official MLAs of congress had won the Rajya Sabha election with misusing power and the help of liquor barons.

Antony who became the chief minister with the support of 100 MLAs have now lost the support of 26 MLAs.

Kerala to spend Rs 250 cr on state capital's development

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Government has unveiled an ambitious Rs 250 crore programme to modernise the infrastructure in the Thiruvananthapuram Capital Region (TCR) in the next three years.

''The blueprint for the modernisation of the TCR is ready. Work on some of the projects has started. Within the next three years, we would like to build roads and flyovers on par with international standards,'' State Public Works Minister M K Muneer said.

While Rs 75 crore had been allocated for the projects in this year's budget, the remaining Rs 175 crore would be spent in the next two years. An exhaustive Vision Document entitled ''Vision 2003'' is also being formulated to envisage the developmental requirements of the TCR, consisting of Thiruvananthapuram and its suburbs, for the next 30 years.

Some of the major components of the TCR development project were construction of flyovers at the busy Vellayambalam, Bakery Junction and Pattom junctions and building of inner, middle and outer ring roads around the city, Mr Muneer said.

Also on the anvil were the refurbishing of Tagore Theatre into a most modern performing arts complex; remodelling of the solid waste management system; a water supply augmentation project; construction of inter-state and local bus terminals; a surface drainage management system and development of Vizhinjam Port.

The State Government had also signed a Project Development and Promotion Partnership (PDPP) Agreement with the IL and FS Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. to develop the projects and secure multi-lateral, bilateral and other financial aid.

A Consultant had been appointed to prepare the 'Vision 2003' document, which would cover the development needs of not only the 269 sq.km area under the Thiruvananthapuram Development Authority but also the suburban municipal towns of Attingal, Nedumangad, Neyyattinkara and Varkala, the tourist resort of Ponmudi and the beach stretch from Vizhinjam to Varkala.

A Cabinet Sub-Committee and another panel, comprising top officials, would vet the development proposals and monitor the progress on the ground.

Summer Rain lashes Tvm district

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

Summer rains that lashed eastern parts of Thiruvananthapuram district on Tuesday afternoon, resulted in wide spread damage of agricultural products and communication lines, especially in rural areas.

The rubber and banana plantations in Nedumagad taluk where the worst hit in the rain that lasted for one hour. One woman died of lightening in the taluk during the rain. Electricity and telephone lines damaged in the rain have not been restored till Wednesday morning in many parts.

The traffic in the stretch between Mannamthala and Venjaramoodu in the MC road was also disrupted. In Thiruvananthapuram city low lying areas were flooded, causing traffic jams in many roads.

According to the weatherman, the summer rains are expected to continue for the next two days.

Congress leadership meets today in Delhi

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

The Congress high command is meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday to discuss the factional feuds in the state unit of the party, that culminated in the showdown during Rajya Sabha polls.

The meeting held at the at the party headquarters in New Delhi, will be chaired by Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

The party leadership has realised that though Vayalar Ravi and Thennala Balakrishna Pillai , have won the Rajya Sabha elections from the state, the problems are far from over.

The fact that Chief Minister A K Antony has lost support of 25 MLAs worries the party command. They fear that Karunakaran has still the potential in him to make the life miserable for the Congress-led government in the state during the rest of its tenure.

According to sources, the report submitted by AICC observers, Ghulam Nabi Azad and RK Dhawan, have also warned against an immediate action and favoured a compromise with the rebel faction.

But there is intense pressure on Sonia Gandhi to take disciplinary action against senior leader K Karunakaran for putting up a rebel nominee. They argue that if Karunakaran and his supporters are let off, Kerala could become a bad precedent for the party in an election year.

Disciplinary action against dissidents, says Ambika Soni

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

The Congress High Command has taken serious note of the developments in the Kerala faction of the party. If the words of Ambika Soni, General secretary of AICC are any indication, initiation of disciplinary actions against those who worked against the official candidates of the party are not far away."It is not possible for those who violate the High Command instructions to remain in the party", Ambika Soni told media persons at New Delhi. But she declined to make any comment to queries on when and where the disciplinary actions would begin.

Sources in the AICC told that the obervers deputed by the party High Command to oversee the Rajya Sabha elections in Kerala, Ghulam Nabi Azad and R.K.Dhavan, reported back to party president Sonia Gandhi about the scenario in the state Congress. There was a discussion on the Kerala situation in which Ambika Soni, Dhavan and Azad were present.

Karunakaran alleges Rajya Sabha election was manipulated

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

"It was money power which ensured the victory of the official candidates Vayalar Ravi and Thennala Balakrishna Pillai in the Rajya Sabha election held on Monday. Had it been a fair election, the results would have been quite different", said the senior Congress leader K.Karunakaran in a brief interaction with the press at Thiruvananthapuram.

"The renewal of liquor contracts to an abkari contractor based in Thiruvananthapuram was the factor which turned the tables against Kodoth Govindan Nair",alleged Karunakaran.

"Horse trading and offer of coveted posts were the means employed by the powers that be to ensure the victory of Ravi and Thennala",said a gloomy Karunakaran.

TCS acquires 12 acres of land in Thiruvananthapuram

Wednesday, April 16, 2003

Mumbai: Tata Consultancy Services is to expand its existing training college located at Technopark, Thiruvananthapuram, in Kerala, and make it the company's global hub for training.

In line with its expansion plans, TCS has acquired 12 acres of land at the information technology park, in addition to its existing 2.15 acres of land at Technopark. "We have decided to expand our training college at Technopark with the acquisition of the additional land. We'll make the training centre a global one where all our global recruits would be trained," a TCS release said here on Tuesday, quoting R Mahalingam, the company's chief financial officer.

"The additional land also gives TCS an option to start software development facilities in future, though a firm decision on date is yet to be taken." Kerala IT and Industries Minister Kunhalikutty said this was a strong vote of confidence in the state's ongoing reform process.

At present, the Tata group company has a training centre spread over 57,500 sq ft at Technopark, with a capacity of providing training to 600 new entrants at a time, with each programme being of four months duration. TCS had made similiar investments at Siriseri in Tamil Nadu, Noida, Delhi, Bangalore and Hyderabad.

Land-to-mobile calls to be costlier from next month

Tuesday, April 15, 2003

Calls from land phones to cellphones would become costlier by six times from May 1 due to inclusion of interconnection usage charges (IUC) and drastic reduction in charging pulse by Bharat Sanchar Nigam (BSNL) which has also made certain other services costlier.

Calls from land phones to WLL phones would be costlier by two times with the introduction of 90 secs pulse against 180 seconds at present, a detailed tariff order of BSNL said on Saturday. Each pulse is of Rs 1.20.

Land to mobile call would cost Rs 1.20 per 30 secs against same charges for three minutes at present, while in four metros the call would cost Rs 1.20 per minute as compared with present charges of Rs 1.20 for three minutes.

The other areas where land phone subscribers would be hit are reduction in off peak STD charges by two hours, reducing the pulse of inter-circle (adjoining state) calls within 50 kms distance from 180 secs to 90 secs and introduction of a new charge of Rs 30 per month for detailed call bills.

The cell phone service providers are likely to welcome the new BSNL tariff order since the IUC would bring them revenue to cover up the loss on account of free incoming facility extended in anticipation of IUC charge.

A mobile phone company official pointed out that with present charge of Rs 1.20 per pulse a one minute call from land to mobile would cost Rs 2.40 making it costlier as compared with a vice verse call (Mobile to Land).

In some mobile tariff plans outgoing charges are 50 paise per minute and even after addition of Rs 1.20, as BSNL connect charges, the total charge of call from mobile to land would be Rs 2.20 per minute, the official said adding that a three minute call from cell to land would cost Rs 4.20 against Rs 7.20 to be charged by BSNL for a three minute call from land to cell phone.

BSNL has also reduced the off-peak (concessional hours) during the night by two hours from May one. The new concessional hours would be from 10 pm to 9 am against 8 pm to 9 am as at present.

The Land phone subscribers would also have to pay more for long distance (over 500 km) STD calls as compared with cell phone users. A call from land to land would cost Rs 4.80 per minute at the 15 secs pulse as against the cost of Rs 3.60 per minute at 20 secs pulse for a call from land to cell phone.

BSNL has also introduced off peak concessional rate for land to mobile phone calls from 10 pm to 9 am when the charges would get reduced further to Rs 2.40 per minute (30 secs pulse) against Rs 4.80 per minute (15 secs pulse) to be paid by BSNL land phone subscriber for a call to a BSNL land phone in a distance city.

The corporation has also decided to introduce monthly billing for land phone subscribers against bi-monthly at present thus following the mobile phone companies, who issue monthly bills.

IT@School programme in midst of software confusion

Tuesday, April 15, 2003

The Kerala Government's latest move to tie up with Sun Microsystems has threatened to derail the IT@School programme, which was introduced just a year ago for the benefit of students of the Government and aided schools in the State.

In what could be termed as a continuation of virtual experiments with Microsoft and Linux-based free software, the Education Department is toying with the idea of introducing a third brand of software for the school-level IT education programme without providing adequate training facilities.

During the 2002 academic year, the IT @ School introduced Microsoft platform-based IT education in the 8th standard and gave training to around 14,000 teachers. For this, it entered into an agreement with Intel and the company gave its training material to the programme free of cost.

The 'Intel Teach to the Future' training programme was approved by the National Centre for Software Technology (NCST) and was recommended by the NCERT for schools.

The popularity of Microsoft's Windows-based software in IT industry, which is directly related to the job market, was cited as the main advantage for accepting the programme. Most of the unaided schools in the State have been using the Windows-based software for IT education as part of the Intel programme.

When the programme was about to complete its first year, the State witnessed heated debates over the merits and demerits of Microsoft's proprietary software and Linux-based free software. Neither the decision makers nor the IT department paid much attention to such an important debate. But the debate had a direct impact on the IT @ School programme.

Though the supporters of free software in the IT@School programme executive committee insisted on a total switch over from Microsoft to free software, it was finally decided to share both platforms for the programme in the initial phase.

While Intel had already been providing training for teachers in Windows software, no such decision was taken by the executive committee on training for teachers in the Linux-based free software.

Most of the 14,000 teachers who underwent the 'Intel teach to the Future' training were yet to become proficient in the popular Microsoft system. It was in this context the executive committee decided to introduce Linux also.

Amid this confusion, the executive committee has now come up with the latest idea of considering an offer from Sun Microsystems for IT@School programme.

Officials concerned are reportedly planning to accept the offer without meeting the demand of the company for an exclusive right to impart training in its software.

This may add to the confusion as teachers and students would be left with different operating software but without any facility for training on them.

ISRO satellite placed in geo-stationary orbit

Tuesday, April 15, 2003

ISRO satellite placed in geo-stationary orbit
15/04/2003

The latest Indian National Satellite launched from the French Guyanese spaceport Kourou on April 10 will reach its earmarked orbital slot by the end of the week.

In the third and final stages of orbit-raising operation conducted on Monday from Master Control Facility (MCF), Hassan, INSAT-3A has been placed in its Geo Stationary Orbit (GSO).

The manoeuvre was completed by firing the 440 Newton Liquid Apogee Motor onboard the satellite for 3 minutes 41 seconds. The satellite has achieved an orbital period of 23 hours and 48 minutes and is continuously visible to the MCF.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said that INSAT-3A is now moving towards its geostationary orbital slot with the planned drift rate of 2 degree a day. It is expected to reach its orbital slot of 93.5 degree east Longitude in the next five days.

INSAT-3A had 1,603 kg propellant at the time of its injection into GTO by Ariane-5 launch vehicle on April 10. After orbit raising operations, it has 505 kg of propellant remaining that is sufficient to arrest the drift and park it at its orbital slot as well as maintain the satellite in its orbit and controlling its orientation during its designed life of 12 years.

The deployment of the solar array and the antenna is planned for tomorrow. All subsystems on the satellite are working normally.

The ISRO chairman, K. Kasturirangan, and the Arianespace CEO, Jean-Yves Le Gall, have, meanwhile, announced the signing of launch contracts for two more payloads, the INSAT-4A and INSAT-4B.

With this, in the past 22 years beginning with the launch of the APPLE experimental satellite, the European Space Consortium, Arianespace, would have launched 13 ISRO satellites.

Both INSAT 4A and 4B will weigh around 3200 kg and are dedicated telecom satellites with 12 ku band and 12 C band transponders.

The signature also signals the admission by ISRO that its Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle would not be in a position to launch the 3000 kg class satellites, despite the fact that the GSLV would have completed its developmental flights and would - by the time the 4 series is launched - be carrying commercial payloads.

Coin counters set up for Vishu

Tuesday, April 15, 2003

The coin counters in Thiruvananthapuram up by the Postal Department in view of Vishu, have become a huge success.

Coins of Re 1, Rs 2 and Rs 5 which are in great demand during Vishu are being distributed through the special coin counters set up at the General Post Office (GPO), Chalai post office and the Medical College post office. Pouches of coins for Rs 100 to Rs 500 are kept ready at these counters, the first of its kind in the State for the karanavars in the city who wish to give the vishukkaineetam.

"But it is mostly traders and small-scale businessmen who buy these coins. It is very difficult for them to get coins otherwise as the Reserve Bank issues coins for Rs 5,000 only. In the other banks, they have to wait in long queues or get them from the people who beg for a living" said M.Mohandas, assistant director, Business Development and Philately, Department of Post.

"This is actually a joint venture with the Reserve Bank. They are utilising our retail strength, to distribute coins among the public," he said.

Of the three counters that opened on April 10, the GPO counter registered a record sale of coins for Rs 75,000, while the festival counter of Chalai post office had a sale of Rs 43,000. The Medical College post office in the last two days had a sale of only Rs 15,000. "The higher sale at the GPO counter is because of its prime location. Chalai has its share of traders and we have put up a very nice counter there," said Mohandas.

Following the good response from the public, the Postal Department is also thinking of extending the facility to more post offices in the district and other districts as well.

The GPO festival coin counter will be functional on Sunday and Monday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. The Chalai counter will function from morning till noon on April 14.

(NIE)

Vishu celebrated with traditional gaiety

Tuesday, April 15, 2003

The state of Kerala and Malayalees all over the world celebrated Vishu, New Year according to the lunar calendar on Tuesday.

There was heavy rush in all major temple across the state on Tuesday morning. Heavy rush of devotees were experienced in Guruvayur, Sabarimala and Padmanabha Swamy temples to have Vishu darshan.

After 25 years, Vishu falls on the second day of the Malayalam month Medam, this year. Vishu is celebrated on the day the Sun crosses the equator. Though Medam is the ninth month in the new Malayalam calendar, astrologers continue to follow the older one and thus consider the first day of Medam to be the New Year Day.

Similar festivals such as Ugadhi in Andhra Pradesh, Bihu in Assam, and Baisakhi in Punjab, are all celebrated in roundabout the same time, sharing the same spirit.

The colour that represents the spirit of Vishu is yellow. Lovely yellow Laburnum flowers adorn the scenic landscape of Kerala, just in time for the celebrations.

The women of Hindu households prepare 'Vishukani,' in the early morning, which is a ritual arrangement of auspicious articles like raw rice, fresh linen, golden cucumber, betel leaves, arecanut, metal mirror, the yellow flowers 'konna' (cassia fistula), and a holy text and coins, in a bell metal vessel called 'uruli'. The kani also consists of an idol of Lord Krishna. A lighted bell metal lamp called nilavilakku is also placed alongside.

The Vishukani is the first thing that family members, including children, see on the morning of Vishu. It is believed that the Vishukani darshan ushers in a New Year of prosperity and well-being.

New clothes, or kodi vastram, are part of the festive occasion. Children eagerly await to receive the vishukaineetam- small tokens, normally in form of one rupee coins that the elders of the family distribute among the children, servants and tenants. The families then celebrate the day with joyous abandon by bursting fire crackers after the vishukani. While the men and the children engage in bursting crackers, the women start cooking a variety of delicacies for the day's lunch.

Vayalar demands ouster of Ministers

Tuesday, April 15, 2003

Vayalar demands ouster of Ministers
15/04/2003

Vayalar Ravi, AICC general secretary and the newly elected member of Rajya Sabha, has asked the chief Minister AK Antony to consider expelling two ministers who supported Kodoth Govindan Nair in the Rajya Sabha elections.

Speaking to a news channel in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday, Vayalar Ravi said that both Kadavur Sivadasan and P Sankaran, being in the cabinet, tried to topple the government. "If they do not go out of the cabinet on their own, the Chief Minister should consider expelling them," he added.

Meanwhile, reports from New Delhi indicated that the Congress president Sonia Gandhi may try to work out a face saving formula for both the factions to work out a compromise. The fact that Kodoth got 26 votes has shocked the Congress leadership. However, indications are that KPCC president K Muralidharan may be asked by Sonia to step down from his office.

‘‘It is refreshingly different and rich in cinematic content’’, director K G George on "Freaky Chakra".

Tuesday, April 15, 2003

KOCHI: The film is being received well in almost all the cities it was released. But director V K Prakash cannot say when it would get a release here.

Freaky Chakra released in metros except Chennai has had favourable reviews and good audience response, but that does not necessarily ensure theatrical releases. ‘‘I want the film to be released at least in three centres including Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode. I think it would do well here’’, says Prakash. But he is not sure whether the Media Channel Nine which has distribution rights for the crossover film will release it here.

Freaky Chakra screened by the Cochin Film Society here was well-received by the audience. ‘‘It is refreshingly different and rich in cinematic content’’, said director K G George.

The film is about a writer struggling to pen a script. The writer (Ranvir Shorey - you know him as a whacky VJ in Channel V) works on the plots as the film proceeds. His plot lacks rising action, and it isn’t heading towards any kind of climax. So he takes a risk, and throws in some twists so that his characters loosen up a bit. But the characters start running out of control. Deepti Naval plays Ms Thomas a middle-aged former doctor shattered by the sudden death of her husband. She now decorates the dead and doesn’t bang the phone when Sachin Khedekar, unmarried hypochondriac facing mid-life crisis, calls for phone-sex. Sunil, the peppy paying guest, first thrown out by Ms Thomas, finds his way first into her heart and then her bed.

There is a familiar streak running in ‘Ek Chotisi Love Story’, ‘Leela’ and ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, of teenage boys landing in a crush over older females, but Prakash doesn’t find anything unusual in it. ‘‘We had lot of regional experiments on the theme, including Bharathan’s Rathi Nirvedam, says Prakash.

The hurt he feels is because of the treatment of the film at the hands of censor board. They cut off half the love-making scenes in the film.

Spring returns to Malayalam film scene

Tuesday, April 15, 2003

KOCHI: Is cinema bucking the reverse swing? The film industry believes it is happening if the people’s response to the Vishu releases is anything to go by.

Almost all the movies including the Mohanlal-starrer Kilichundan Mambazham, 3 dimensional flick Magic Magic and Thilakkam are bringing in the crowds. Some attribute this to the vacation mood, but the industry feels this is because people are fed up with the television and are returning to films with good stories.

The Priyadarshan film Kilichundan Mampazham based on Sreenivasan script is at the crest followed by Kasthooriman and Thilakkam. The 3D film Magic Magic from the house of Navodaya though not running houseful is doing fairly well in all the release centres in the city.

‘‘I think this is a good symptom. Kilichundan Mampazham has been running houseful since its release,’’ says Sethu, manager, Saritha, Savitha and Sangeetha. The film is being shown in Savitha and Sangeetha. Sethu feels though the film Magic Magic is good, lack of publicity seems to have affected it.

People at Navodaya admit that Magic Magic does suffer from lack of quality posters. ‘‘The posters were designed in Tamil Nadu and I think this is causing a problem. But we are planning to advertise the film with the help of children’s publications here,’’ says Unnikrishnan Sreekandapuram, Public Relation Officer of Navodaya.

Navodaya feels it is the children who are going to be enthralled by the tale of a magician kid in New York.

‘‘The film does not have star value. So it will have to prove itself before there is a crowd,’’ he says. There is no additional burden on the viewer as the charges for 3D glasses would get levelled through the tax cut.

Kerala Film Chamber president Siyad Kokker says it was the films Nandanam and Nammal which set the trend.

‘‘There is a feel good factor in the industry. The audiences want to see good pictures that are also different. The Sibi Malayil film Ente veedu, Appoonteyum as well as Thilakkam and Kasthooriman are great films to watch,’’ says Siyad who produced the film Nandanam.

The film Nandanam recorded collections that would put to shame any star-studded film. The Mohanlal-starrer Brahmachari is still doing well.

‘‘Kochi which is an indicator of sort as far as an industry is concerned has made an extraordinary comeback,’’ says Siyad.

The industry which suffered huge losses of late could be on a revival path, despite the internal bickering in film bodies. The decisions to streamline production, cut wasteful expenditure and focus on sound scripts and stories have a definite role in this, says Siyad.

The Mammooty-starrer Chronic Bachelor is slated for release a day after Vishu. Observers feel the film is very important one for the director Siddique, producer Fazil and Mammooty himself.

Sidique has till now never directed a flop, Fazil’s last two production ventures fell flat and Mammooty, literally out of the field, is trying hard to make a comeback.

Video walls add ambience at CIAL

Tuesday, April 15, 2003

Video walls add ambience at CIAL

KOCHI: Advertising has taken on a new avatar at the Cochin International Airport Ltd, (CIAL) Nedumbassery, where large video images flashing through the `walls' give the airport interiors a hi-tech ambience. These video walls, as they are technically known, are India's first and are only set in an airport.

The large displays, located opposite the main entrances inside the arrival and departure lounges of the airport, are a spectacular sight as 16 picture tubes form a matrix to host large video images. They have contributed immensely towards the hi-tech ambience that the airport exudes today with its slick interiors, unlike most other Indian airports.

"The airport deserves a medium far better than just static images, a medium that would match the airport's status. Since CRT based video walls alone could provide the picture quality needed in terms of brightness, colour, resolution and size, we opted for that," says N R Joseph, of Multi Media Workshop, who has designed and set up the video walls. He is in charge of the video walls at present.

The initial response was slow when they started in 2000. But, after corporate heads from Mumbai, Chennai and Bangalore saw the displays, business started pouring in.

All the video advertisements are strung together and these 7-8 minute sequences are played throughout the day. They appear simultaneously on the video walls in all the main lounges.

"It's a great new medium where the use of new technology breaks through the normal clutter. It arrests, holds and persuades," says Pratap Bose, country Manager of Ogilvy Landscapes.

The promoters have a small list of clients and they do not want to clutter it up with too many advertisers as the airport has an exclusivity that is unbeatable.

"We are impressed and have signed up for the next three years," says Suresh Sukumaran, country head of Philips (TVS).

The clients are impressed with the fact that their advertisements are seen at the three main lounges inside the airport at the same time. They feel there is a big difference between seeing the message on state-of-the-art video wall systems in the air-conditioned comfort of the airport and watching it on a roadside hoarding at 60 kmph.

And this medium enables the clients to divide the time into many different products and services to be shown separately every three to four minutes. NeST, IOC, Centurion Bank and Union Bank of India are some of the companies that have placed their advertisements at these video walls.

'I' group a decisive force in party: Padmaja

Tuesday, April 15, 2003

'I' group a decisive force in party: Padmaja

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KTDC chairperson and a key player in Congress `I' group Padmaja Venugopal said that the group had turned out to be a decisive force in the party by ensuring the support of 26 MLAs in the Rajya Sabha elections.

She told that the `I' group had actually got 27 votes. It lost one vote as one of them was invalid.

``Since the group has consolidated its position in the party, there is no need for reviewing my continuation as the KTDC chairperson. It is up to the Chief Minister to take any such decision if such an issue comes up,'' she said.

Padmaja said her father K Karunakaran would take a final decision on all such questions.``We have proved that 26 MLAs, who took an open stand in support of the `I' group, are with us. It is a victory taking into consideration the threats from the high command and other quarters,'' Padmaja claimed.

She said that her father was expected to be back here from Guruvayur on Tuesday. ``We will then finalise the future course of action after discussing with all our supporters,'' Padmaja said.

Antony faction jubilant as rebel candidate loses

Tuesday, April 15, 2003

IANS

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony passed a severe political test on Monday with the victory of two Congress nominees in the Rajya Sabha election despite the presence of a rebel candidate.

The party's official candidates Vayalar Ravi and Thenala Balakrishna Pillai polled 38 and 36 votes respectively.

Kodoth Govindan Nair, the rebel candidate fielded by veteran Congress leader K. Karunakaran managed 26 votes. The Karunakaran camp had been counting on Nair getting 44 votes.

And, as predicted by Antony there was cross-voting within the opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF), with its candidate S. Chandran Pillai getting only 39 of the group's 40 votes.

Nair said in an election, victory and defeat was part of the game.

"I did not get the expected and the promised votes. There have been leaks (cross-voting)", he told IANS.

One significant aspect of Ravi and Pillai's victory is the cross-voting by allies of the Congress-led ruling United Democratic Front (UDF).

This suspicion increased as several top allies from the Kerala Congress(B), Kerala Congress(J) and RSP(B) stayed away from the victory celebrations soon after the results were announced.

"We know precisely who all have ditched us because we had clearly given out a voting pattern to be adhered to. We will let you all know who are these black sheep are," said a Congress minister.

Two other notable absentees from the victory celebrations were Karunakaran and his son K. Muraleedharan, the state Congress president. The duo had left for the Guruvayoor temple in Thrissur district.

Modest in victory, Antony said it had been pleasing because of the various undercurrents involved.

"I thank all the MLAs for rising up to the occasion and helping in the victory of the (official) candidates," said Antony.

Ravi said the victory was expected and took a dig at two ministers in Antony's cabinet, P. Sankaran and Kadavoor Sivadasan, who were Karunakaran supporters, and demanded they step down on moral grounds.

Antony did not reply when asked whether he would demand the resignation of the two ministers.

Supporters crestfallen at Kodoth's defeat

Tuesday, April 15, 2003

KASARGOD: The defeat of Kodoth Govindan Nair, the rebel Congress candidate in the Rajya Sabha election, came as dampener for hundreds of his supporters here.

Anxious party workers, who were crestfallen following the announcement of the election result, made a beeline to the DCC office here to know the details.

A DCC office-bearer said most of the party workers here were sure of the triumph of Kodoth Govindan Nair and they were just going to celebrate when the news of his defeat came as flash on television.

Several party workers, who visited the house of Kodoth Govindan Nair, said that they are pinning their hopes on senior Congress leader K Karunakaran. According to them, ``the leader might be having something up his sleeves to shore up his image and there was no reason to feel dejected.''

They declined to react on the defeat of Kodoth Govindan Nair except saying that ``it was the leader who decided everything.'' The DCC, here, is meeting on April 16 to elect a new office-bearer to the president post following the expulsion of Kodoth Govindan Nair from the party.

"It is all right,'' said Kodoth Narayanan Nair, elder brother of Govindan Nair and a senior advocate here. Narayanan Nair, who was once a leader of the PSP and who had quit the Congress before Indira Gandhi declared Emergency, said he was no longer in any political party. But he said Karunakaran has more influence among party workers in the State.

"In our times politics was different and it was a service to the people and for the country. But things are now different,'' he said.

Narayanan Nair, who is ``not at all interested in politics'', however, remarked that the recent development in Congress would affect the party in Kasargod district.

Suresh kumar, son-in-law of Kodoth Govindan Nair and a practising lawyer in the High Court said the might of 26 MLAs who had rallied behind Karunakaran could not be ignored. He said the defeat of Kodoth Govindan Nair would result in further consolidation in the party.

Kerala ministers M M Hassan, M V Raghavan to visit Qatar

Tuesday, April 15, 2003

Source ::: The Peninsula
DOHA: Two senior ministers at the Kerala government M M Hassan and M V Raghavan are expected to visit Qatar shortly.

Raghavan, the co-operative minister is scheduled to arrive in Doha this Friday on an official tour, community sources said yesterday.

Hassan, a Congress minister in charge of NRI affairs, was scheduled to visit Qatar in the second week of this month. It was postponed following some political developments in Kerala, triggered by a rift in the Congress party on the selection of its candidates for Rajya Sabha election from the state.

“The visit has now been re-scheduled for April 23,” a senior official of the Indian Cultural and Arts Society (Incas) told The Peninsula yesterday. Both the ministers would be in Doha on the first leg of their official tour to the Gulf.

Raghavan is coming to study a proposal to set up co-operative banks and societies in Kerala with the participation of non-resident Keralites (NRK), the official said. The proposal was made at Samavayam, an NRK conference held in Kochi, Kerala last year by the department of non-resident Keralite affairs (Norka) at the Kerala government.

Raghavan would attend a public reception being held in Doha on Saturday, the official said. He represents the Communist Marxist Party (CMP), a splinter group of CPI (M), that heads of the opposition alliance in the state.

Hassan, on his first visit to the Gulf after he took over as minister in charge of Norka, would explain details of an insurance scheme for NRIs recently launched by the Kerala government and address other issues concerning NRKs.

War, SARS play spoilsport with tourist itinerary

Tuesday, April 15, 2003

KOCHI: The ongoing war in Iraq and the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) scare have not had much effect on inbound tourism as the season is in a transition mode from international to domestic. But outbound travel from the State to the Far East that has been growing at a faster rate of late has been hit.

According to E M Najeeb, convenor, Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO), Kerala chapter, there has been a significant drop in outbound travel from the State in the wake of the Iraq war and SARS scare.

‘‘There are two segments that show interest in travelling to the Far East and Middle East in recent times – families and small incentive groups. But because of the war and SARS, people want to wait and see,’’ says Najeeb.

He also said it was difficult to know if the Iraq war and SARS scare are having a direct impact on the tourism scenario in Kerala because the international tourist season ended by March and the domestic season picks up by mid-April. The industry does not expect influx of foreign tourists till September, a time when international travel to the State starts picking up. The Spanish market would pick up as early as June and July.

But Ashtamudi Lake Resort owner Venunath says they have lost significant amount of business on account of the war. ‘‘The chartered operations end by March but guests who seek ayurvedic packages pour in till mid of May. We had our entire bookings for the period cancelled soon after the war broke out,’’ he says.

They are now trying to make good by offering packages intended to pep up traffic within Kerala. ‘‘A family of four can enjoy 24 hours in Ashtamudi with free meals for just Rs 1,500,’’ says Venunath.

Hotels across the State, including the Casino Group, have been experiencing some cancellations recently. With the beginning of the off-season, the occupancy ratio of hotels in the State went as low as 25-30 percent. They are now trying to tide over the slump by offering rooms at rock-bottom prices.

The fall in Average Room Revenue (ARR) can be compensated by the sops offered to domestic travellers who may arrive in large numbers. The feel in the industry is that if the war gets over quickly, the travel economy in the State will escape largely unscathed.

Vishukkani at Sabarimala temple

Tuesday, April 15, 2003

Vishukkani at Sabarimala temple

PATHANAMTHITTA: Thousands of pilgrims on Monday thronged the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa at Sabarimala to witness the 'Vishukkani' in the early hours of Tuesday.

The sanctum sanctorum be opened for the 'Vishu' darshan at 4 a.m. The sreekovil will remain open till 7.30 am. Thantri Kandararu Mohanaru and Melsanthi Perikamana Sankaranarayan Namboodhiri will offer 'Vishukkaineettam' to those present at the sannidhanam.

Udayasthamana pooja, Pushpabhishekam and Padi pooja will be performed as part of the Vishu celebrations. The shrine will be closed on April 19 after Harivarasanam in the evening marking the conclusion of the nine-day Vishu festival.

Summer showers make ‘Vishukkani’ costly

Tuesday, April 15, 2003

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Rain has played spoilsport for the hundreds of ‘konnappoo’ traders in the city.

‘‘The rain deceived us this year,’’ many traders said here today on the eve of Vishu.

The summer showers of the past few days caused the fall of flowers and petals from the ‘konnappoo’ clusters, leaving lifeless spikes on the Cassia trees. Many of the tender cashewnut and mango clusters also could not withstand the heavy showers.

The ‘konnappoo’ was hence dearer this time with just two or three spikes costing Rs 10.

The usual crowd of roadside vendors who sell the flowers, jackfruit, mangoes, cucumbers and pineapples for the ‘vishukkani’ were a rarity this year, except at Palayam market, Chalai and Peroorkada.

‘‘We have to pay Rs 30 to Rs 100 to the local boys for climbing the tree and getting the flower clusters. Then there is the transportation charge. So we really cannot reduce the price,’’ said Thanka, a trader from Kunnukuzhi.

Prices have also skyrocketed for the different items of the ‘Vishukkani’. The elaborate ‘Vishukkani’ kits with mirrors, silk, coins and grain seen at major markets in the previous years have totally disappeared from the market.

A warning to those who tried to topple my Govt: Antony

Tuesday, April 15, 2003

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister A K Antony said here on Monday that the victory of the official candidates of the Congress in the Rajya Sabha elections was a warning to those who tried to topple his Government.

Talking to newsmen at the Legislative Secretariat after the results were announced, he said that he was happy that he could overcome a `temporary crisis'.

He called upon all sections of the Congress to come together to strengthen the party. Claiming that the Congress official candidates got a vote from the LDF, he said that it could be seen as a support for carrying out the development agenda of the UDF Government.

He said that no action would be taken immediately against MLAs who had voted for the Congress rebel candidate. Those who took a negative stand were defeated though they were supported by the Opposition LDF.

On whether he would drop the Ministers belonging to the `I' faction who reportedly offered to quit, he said: ``How can I say now whether they have voted for the rebel candidate''. The outcome of the Rajya Sabha polls had proved that the UDF and the Congress had stood by the decision of AICC president Sonia Gandhi.

The present crisis had derailed the efforts of the Government to carry on with its development agenda. From now on, the Government would focus on the implementation of development programmes with all its might. Antony said that he was not overwhelmed by the results of the elections.

The Chief Minister said that the Rajya Sabha election results had strengthened the unity of the UDF. The front would continue to function in a coherent manner, he said.

Cross voting within Kerala Congress

Tuesday, April 15, 2003

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The voting pattern in the Rajya Sabha polls to the three seats held here on Monday clearly points to the cross voting that took place in the Congress.

According to Congress calculations, its official candidates AICC general secretary Vayalar Ravi and Thennala Balakrishna Pillai should have secured 38 and 37 votes respectively. However, while Ravi got 38, Thennala could secure only 36 votes.

Even LDF candidate Chandran Pillai who should have got 40 votes, got one less. One vote was declared invalid as the voter had marked a cross sign against the names of Vayalar Ravi and Thennala. This has given rise to the suspicion that one of the LDF legislators voted against its official candidate. Chief Minister A K Antony had on Sunday claimed that the Congress candidates would get some LDF votes.

According to LDF sources, the vote could have gone to the rival camp from either the Congress (S) or the Kerala Congress (Joseph). V.C.Kabeer had recently expressed his desire to join the Congress.

From the `I' group, V.J.Paulose, Adoor Prakash, P.J.Joy, M.P.Gangadharan, C.P.Mohammad and Deputy Speaker Sundaran Nadar are learnt to have voted for the official Congress candidates.

Tourism Minister K.V.Thomas had already stated that he would be voting for the official candidates. Gangadharan backed the official candidates with an eye on a ministerial berth should there be an immediate Cabinet reshuffle.

The `I' group managed to secure 26 votes just one short of what they had claimed before the elections. Though the possibility of `A' group members having voted for Kodoth is remote, the `I' group is believed to have secured the additional votes from the constituent parties like the Kerala Congress (Jacob) and the Kerala Congress (B).

Kerala woos information technology industry

Tuesday, April 15, 2003

Kerala, which has always been a big draw for tourists, is fast turning into a software development destination.

Global consulting majors like McKinsey and Ernst & Young have decided to set up business process and software development centres in the state.

Not only that, Indian infotech companies like Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Infosys are also looking to invest in Kerala.

Tata Consultancy Services, which had its global training centre in the state, was in the process of expanding the facility and Infosys wanted to start a software development centre, senior state government officials said.

Another global major, Allianz Cornhill, is setting up its first software development centre in India at Technopark Trivandrum.

Allianz Cornhill has set up its Indian subsidiary, Allianz Cornhill Information Services, for this.

The McKinsey subsidiary, Visual Graphics Computing Services India, which develops customised graphics software, animation and multi-media products for the parent company, is also setting up operations at the technopark.

Visual Graphics Computing Services had leased about 11,000 square feet in the technopark and would start operations soon, Rajiv Vasudevan, chief executive officer, Technopark Trivandrum, said.

As a part of the state’s initiative to attract more infotech companies, the government is expanding the technopark campus at a cost of Rs 11 crore.

“We expect the present workforce of around 6,000 people to go up to 20,000 in the next three years,” Vasudevan said.

“We have outgrown the existing campus and are developing another one,” he added.

The technopark, which currently covers 143 acres and houses about 50 companies, has seen investments of Rs 200-Rs 225 crore since its inception in 1994.

The state government is looking for private sector participation in expanding the technopark campus.

“We are looking at strategic alliances with private sector firms to develop the second campus,” Vasudevan said.

The state is also planing roadshows abroad to attract investments from global infotech companies.

Padmaja may quit as KTDC chairperson

Tuesday, April 15, 2003

Thiruvananthapuram: Senior Congress leader K.Karunakaran, whose decision to field a rebel candidate for the Rajya Sabha elections has taken the Congress in the State to the verge of a split, is trying to blackmail the high command by creating an impression that he along with majority of MLAs would be joining the Nationalist Congress Party.

According to sources, Karunakaran had called up NCP president Sharad Pawar and coerced him into making an announcement that a senior leader from Kerala would be joining the NCP. It was a pressure tactics by Karunakaran at the expense of Pawar.

Some senior sensible leaders in the ‘I’ group also feel that KPCC president K.Muraleedharan was responsible for leading the party to a crisis on the Rajya Sabha seat issue. Muraleedharan was well aware of the fact that his sister and KTDC chairperson Padmaja Venugopal was opposed to the nomination of P.C.Chacko to the Rajya Sabha. However, Chacko was nominated by Muraleedharan as part of a ‘deal’ struck by Muraleedharan and Chacko, they point out.

If Chacko was not acceptable to Karunakaran and his daughter Padmaja Venugopal, then Muraleedharan could have insisted on Kodoth Govindnan Nair in place of Chacko. Instead, he stuck to his deal with Chacko which led to the present crisis, ‘I’ group sources said.

The sources are also worried that Karunakaran is being misled by some of his cronies that over 37-38 MLAs would be extending support to Kodoth Govindan Nair.

But some senior leaders in the ‘I’ group told reporters that the maximum number of support that Karunakaran can hope for would be less than 18 MLAs.

Another immediate fallout of the crisis is likely to be the resignation of Padmaja Venugopal from the post of Kerala Tourism Development Corporation chairperson.

Cong unlikely to take action against Karunakaran

Tuesday, April 15, 2003

New Delhi, Apr 14 (UNI) After the success of both the official Congress candidates in the Rajya Sabha elections in Kerala, the central party leadership seems not inclined to initiate disciplinary action against senior state leader K Karunakaran who had promoted a rebel candidate in the polls.

''We are waiting for the arrival of AICC observers Ghulam Nabi Azad and R K Dhawan before initiating any action against anybody,'' AICC general secretary Ambika Soni told reporters here.

Ms Soni had a long meeting with Congress president Sonia Gandhi after the news of the results of the Rajya Sabha elections poured in.

Rebel candidate Kodoth Govindan Nair, who has been defeated in the polls, has already been expelled from the party.

Ms Soni, however, parried questions about the fate of 24 Congress MLAs who voted in favour of Mr Nair.

Kodoth defeated in RS election

Monday, April 14, 2003

Kodoth defeated in RS election

14-April-2003

In a major political set back to the senior Congress leader K.Karunakaran, his nominee Kodoth Govindan Nair was defeated in the elections to Rajya Sabha held today.

While the official Congress candidates Vayalar Ravi and Thennala Balakrishna Pillai sailed through with 38 and 36 first preference votes, the opposition LDF candidate K.Chandran Pillai won with 39 first preference votes.

Kodoth, who was fielded by Karunakaran and was expected to win with the votes of the (I) faction MLAs of the Congress and the support of the LDF could muster only 26 votes.

More political fireworks are expected in the coming days with the senior Congress leader Karunakaran finding himself in a tight corner..

"Tribal agitation will intensify", says Janu

Monday, April 14, 2003

Kozhikode: The ongoing tribal agitation in Kerala, spearheaded by the Adivasi Gothra Maha Sabha (AGMS), demanding allotment of free land to landless tribals, would be intensified, AGMS president, C.K. Janu, said on Sunday.

"Our struggle will continue till the last tribal in the state is allotted land (by the Government)", Janu, who was released on bail earlier in the day, following High Court orders, told reporters here. Stating that the tribals would not succumb to 'police force', she said charges that some extremists were behind the recent agitation at Muthanga, which turned violent, claiming two lives, were baseless and aimed at defeating the protest.

Encroachment of forest land of the Muthanga type would continue, notwithstanding the recent police action against the tribals, she said, adding that the AGMS would also challenge certain actions legally. "Any probe into the issue should be free and fair", Janu said, referring to the National Human Rights Commission's directive to the State government to hold a CBI inquiry into the police firing and related incidents at Muthanga.

Cong heading for a split?

Monday, April 14, 2003

As the last ditch efforts by AICC observers to restrain Karunakaran from the warpath failed on Sunday night, one thing has become very clear. The political equations in the state politics would not remain the same after the Rajya Sabha poll results are announced today evening, whatever it may be.

If Kodoth Govindan Nair the rebel candidate wins, the future of Antony government may itself be at stake. If Antony does not resign, he may soon have to face a vote of confidence in the House, with the LDF and the Karunakaran loyalists joining hands together.

If the official candidates are elected, the High Command will not wait a minute to pounce upon the Karunakaran faction. The possibility of Karunakaran being expelled from the party is also considered. The axe would also fall on KPCC president K Muralidharan and KTDC chairperson Padmaja. Both are rumored to have kept their resignations ready for submitting before the High command acts.

However, Karunakaran looked jubilant and confident on Sunday night while seeing off the AICC observers who called him at his residence. the Opposition Marxist-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) 's decision to utilise their surplus votes in the Rajya Sabha elections in such a manner to ''ensure the defeat of one of the two official nominees of the Congress,'' has also boosted the morale of the 'I' faction.

The 'I' group claims the support of claims of support 25 MLAs of the 62-strong Congress Legislature Party (CLP). If their candidate fails in the RS polls to day, the group will sit as a separate block in the House as the first step towards forming an individual identity.

While the non-Karunakaran groups of the party have also exuded confidence that a majority of Congress MLAs and all those from the UDF constituent parties would vote for official candidates Vayalar Ravi and Thennala Balakrishna Pillai.

The following is the party position in the assembly: UDF-- Congress 62 (including the Speaker), IUML 17, Kerala Cong (M) 9, JSS 4, KC (J) 2, KC (B) 2, RSP-B 2 CMP 1, Cong-rebel 1. LDF: CPI-M 23, CPI 7, JD-S 3, KC 2, RSP 2, LDF Ind 1, Cong-S 1 and NCP 1.

Kerala all set to celebrate Vishu

Monday, April 14, 2003

The state of Kerala and Malayalees all over the world are all set to welcome Vishu, New Year according to the lunar calendar, celebrated as the festival of prosperity.

After 25 years, Vishu falls on the second day of the Malayalam month Medam, this year. Vishu is celebrated on the day the Sun crosses the equator. Though Medam is the ninth month in the new Malayalam calendar, astrologers continue to follow the older one and thus consider the first day of Medam to be the New Year Day.

Similar festivals such as Ugadhi in Andhra Pradesh, Bihu in Assam, and Baisakhi in Punjab, are all celebrated in roundabout the same time, sharing the same spirit.

The colour that represents the spirit of Vishu is yellow. Lovely yellow Laburnum flowers adorn the scenic landscape of Kerala, just in time for the celebrations.

The women of Hindu households prepare 'Vishukani,' in the early morning, which is a ritual arrangement of auspicious articles like raw rice, fresh linen, golden cucumber, betel leaves, arecanut, metal mirror, the yellow flowers 'konna' (cassia fistula), and a holy text and coins, in a bell metal vessel called 'uruli'. The kani also consists of an idol of Lord Krishna. A lighted bell metal lamp called nilavilakku is also placed alongside.

The Vishukani is the first thing that family members, including children, see on the morning of Vishu. It is believed that the Vishukani darshan ushers in a New Year of prosperity and well-being.

New clothes, or kodi vastram, are part of the festive occasion. Children eagerly await to receive the vishukaineetam- small tokens, normally in form of one rupee coins that the elders of the family distribute among the children, servants and tenants. The families then celebrate the day with joyous abandon by bursting fire crackers after the vishukani. While the men and the children engage in bursting crackers, the women start cooking a variety of delicacies for the day's lunch.

Special poojas are held in Hindu temples all over the state-especially the Sri Krisha temples. The famous Guruvayur temple and Padmanabha Swamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram holds great importance during Vishu, wherein the Vishukani festival dedicated to the presiding deity, is considered to be extremely propitious.

LDF ensures defeat of official Congress nominee

Monday, April 14, 2003

PTI

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The opposition Left Democratic Front today made it clear that it would make all attempts to ensure the defeat of one of the two official Congress candidates for tomorrow's Rajya Sabha polls in Kerala and instructions would be given to their MLAs in this regard.

Briefing reporters after a LDF liaison committee meeting, its convenor Paloli Mohammed Kutty said the Front would not spare any opportunity to intensify the problems in the Congress in connection with the RS polls.

He, however, did not specify the strategy being considered by the opposition, who has four surplus first votes and all the 40 second preferential votes with them after ensuring their candidate's victory.

Though the LDF did not favour running a government without proper mandate, it would not spoil the chance of pulling down the A K Antony government which had scant regard for the struggles of the opposition, Paloli said.

Asked whether the front would support an alternative government from outside in the event of the fall of Antony government, he said the LDF would then adopt a strategy to defeat their political enemies.

Paloli criticised the new liquor policy of the state government, which he alleged resulted in the hooch tragedy in Kollam district that claimed seven lives. He demanded that a judicial enquiry be held into the incident.

Rajya Sabha poll sets the stage in Kerala

Monday, April 14, 2003

PTI

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The stage has been set for a show of strength between senior Congress leader K Karunakaran and the party high command over tomorrow's crucial election to Rajya Sabha seats in Kerala as the party's central leadership today stepped up efforts to checkmate the rebel nominee put up by him.

AICC observers Ghulam Nabi Azad and R K Dhawan, rushed by the high command, met leaders of different factions in the party and UDF constituents to ensure the victory for the party's official candidates Vayalar Ravi and Thennala Balakrishna Pillai.

On the other hand, Congress MLAs loyal to Karunakaran met at their leader's residence here to work out their game plan amidst conflicting claims of support among the 62 strong Congress Legislature Party (CLP).

Karunakaran group sources claimed 25 of the 26 MLAs from the group including ministers Kadavur Sivadasan and P Sankaran attended today's meeting.

The group was also reported to be in touch with minor UDF allies in a bid to secure their support for Govindan Nair.

Political consensus sought for Judicial panel

Monday, April 14, 2003

PTI

KOCHI: In an effort to maintain the dignity and quality of judicial institutions, the centre was trying for a political consensus to set up a national Judicial commission, which would ensure appointment of quality judges, according to Union Law minister, Arun Jaitley.

A judicial commission was the need of the hour. "There seems to be a consensus building up in Parliament that from judicial appointments, grievances to protection of judges from unfounded allegations, there is need for a judicial commission, Jaitley said here last night, delivering the seventh commemorative lecture on 'Reform in Legal Systems--Challenges ahead', organised by Federal Bank Hormis Memorial Foundation.

"We have tried other systems and it has proved to be imperfect", he said.

"Implementation of this new system would require an ammendment to the constitution, for which political consensus is needed, which we are endeavouring", he said.

The minister said a 'continuous training' process was necessary to enhance the quality of judicial process. 'Post independent India has a judicial system which still commands a lot of political confidence,' he said.

A letter from Adoor Gopalakrishanan and the state film awards.

Monday, April 14, 2003

As usual controversies accompanied the annual Kerala state film awards 2002. It was almost certain that the letter sent by Sri Adoor Goplalkrishanan to the state film academy asking his 'NIZHALKUTHU' should only be considered for awards other than the awards for the best director and best film, or would create trouble for the minister of culture. Many had pointed out that it could create problem for the jury if they happen to consider the same letter. That's what exactly happened.

Mr. K G George as the chairman had declared that the jury had on the basis of the letter sent by Adoor did not consider his latest film 'NIZHALKUTHU' for the best film and best director categories. The awards for these categories were not given and the decision sent wrong message. If one thinks the jury in the absence of 'NIZHALKUTHU' decided not to give those two awards to anybody, the person could not be blamed. Because another statement of his regarding 'NANDANAM' is an indirect commendation for 'NIZHALKKUTHU'. George said that 'NANDANAM' is a reactionary film and it is an attempt to sell the dreams of a silly girl and the film does not deserve anything. It is okay with a chairman of the jury to comment on a film negatively. But he did not cite a similar reason for not giving award to 'NIZHALKKUTHU'. Instead he cited a letter from Adoor, which did not come under the purview of the jury. It was the letter written to the governing body of the Chalchitra academy. The function of the jury is to decide whether the films came before them deserved an award or not. A letter by an individual never counts a valid one among the regulations for considering the awards by the jury. Director Satyan Anthikad, Ranjith, Kamlal, Balachandra Menon, Vinayan and many other filmmakers had aired their view strongly.

The film fraternity is up against K G George who had chaired the functions of the jury. Sri George a well-accepted filmmaker of the 80's is at the receiving end this year. He, as the chairman of MACTA the association of Malayalam film technicians is once again facing severe criticism. Last year the annual general body meeting MACTA was filled with rebellious voices when a section of the filmmakers with Vinayan at the lead came up against George's panel of elections.

(Source: indiainfo.com)

Mammootty has an edge over Mohanlal

Monday, April 14, 2003

It seems Mohanlal is slipping further every time a new film of his gets released while Mammooty is scoring off from the projects in hand. The latest film of Mohanlal to hit the screen was Mr. Brahmachari. But Mr. Brahmachari was not up to the mark. This new film by Thulasi Das who entered the field 15 years ago featuring late Silk Smitha in a vampire role reminds us one thing that Mohanlal in the past could make people laugh without the help of sleazy dialogue. He was equally good at comedy roles and that he did it with his natural humor and body language. Then one wonders what happened to Mohanlal! Actually it is not Mohanlal to be blamed. He is trying to be a bit different but the path is not yet clear for him. And that is why he is landing up in such films. The next film that has Mohanlal in the lead is ORU KILICHUNDAN MAMPAZHAM by Priyadarsan. One hopes the Priyadarsan- Sreenivasan- Mohanlal magic does a lot of wonders in the film.

But Mammootty is maintaining his name as a choosy artist. He plays a safe game. When it seemed Malayalam film did not earn him anything but failure he switched over to Tamil and came back occasionally to do a fairly good role. Currently he is waiting for the release of his 'CHRONIC BACHELOR' and is acting in 'PATTALAM'. Now the fact that Mammootty has bagged a role in a film by Ranjith makes the position of Mahanlal doubly unsafe. Earlier Ranjith wanted to direct a film with Mohanlal in the lead role in different tone. Some misunderstanding took place and the project, which was to be produced by actor Augustine got aborted. Some myopic producer who could not see well into the future was told to be responsible for the non-take off Ranjith- Mohanlal film. However Mammootty could consolidate his position in Malayalam once Ranjith project that is named as 'RAVU MAYUNNU' (night dissolves) takes off. Ambalakkara films who produced VALYETTAN are producing it.

Another picture that awaits Mammootty is the one being directed by Rafi Makkartin (remember the super hit THENKASI PATTANAM?). It will have Suresh Gopi as well.
(source: indiainfo.com)

Hussain paints series on Kerala

Monday, April 14, 2003

Thiruvananthapuram, April 11: Celebrated painter M F Hussain once said, “If Kashmir is all about men and mountains” then Kerala “is all about women and nature”.

Living up to the artiste’s observation in letter and spirit his series on ‘God’s own country’, was brought out today by Kerala Tourism, with its texts by communication expert Shashi Tharoor.

In the series, named ‘Kalyanikuttiyute Keralam’, the dazzling fluent brush of Hussain tries to recapture the splendid beauty of Kerala and unique features of its social life through the eyes of an emblematic Malayali woman who blends tradition and modernity in her persona.

While the volume of his series was released by Kerala Assembly Speaker Vakkom Purushothaman today, Tourism Minister K V Thomas said the state would shortly organise an exhibition of the original in New Delhi.

The work was the result of Kerala’s invitation to Hussain in 2000, accepting which he had toured the length and breadth of the state and produced the fascinating work.

A glance through the series makes it clear that Hussain was not just lured by the nature at its best. His discerning eyes have sought to probe the inner-realties of Malayali life too.

For, one piece of a village market shows women in a position of economic power. Yet another shows young and old sharing home life, shedding insight into strong family bonds Malayalis zealously preserve despite the onslaught of modernity. (Agencies)

AIDS cases going up in Kerala: Chief Minister

Monday, April 14, 2003

Kochi: Though Kerala had made big strides in providing healthcare facilities, the incidences of dreaded diseases like AIDS, heart attack and yellow fever were going up in the state, but these were not being much publicity, Chief Minister A K Antony said on Saturday.

Laying the foundation stone for a Rs 50 crore super speciality wing of the existing private P V S hospital here, he said the increasing incidences of various dangerous diseases were due to the state's growing international links.

Antony said his government's favourable policies had encouraged attracting private investments in the state's healthcare and health education sectors in the recent past. This had also resulted in people from many neighbouring foreign countries like Sri Lanka, Maldives, Seychelles and the Gulf countries to avail super speciality medical services from the state, he added.

Stage set for Congress showdown in Kerala

Monday, April 14, 2003

The stage has been set for a show of strength between senior Congress leader K Karunakaran and the party high command over tomorrow's crucial election to Rajya Sabha seats in Kerala as the party's central leadership today stepped up efforts to checkmate the rebel nominee put up by him.

AICC observers Ghulam Nabi Azad and R K Dhawan, rushed by the high command, met leaders of different factions in the party and UDF constituents to ensure the victory for the party's official candidates Vayalar Ravi and Thennala Balakrishna Pillai.

On the other hand, Congress MLAs loyal to Karunakaran met at their leader's residence here to work out their game plan amidst conflicting claims of support among the 62-strong Congress Legislature Party (CLP).

Karunakaran group sources claimed 25 of the 26 MLAs from the group including ministers Kadavur Sivadasan and P Sankaran attended today's meeting.

The group was also reported to be in touch with minor UDF allies in a bid to secure their support for Govindan Nair. A candidate needs 36 votes to win a Rajya Sabha seat.

While the non-Karunakaran camp exuded confidence that a majority of Congress MLAs and those from the coalition partners would stand by the official nominees, the Karunakaran faction is banking on the support of its full strength and was expecting support of certain MLAs belonging to minor UDF allies.

The Karunakaran camp appears to have taken hearts from the signals emnating from the opposition LDF which today declared that it would do everything to defeat one of the official nominees of the Congress.

The LDF has four surplus first votes and all the 40 second preferential votes with them after ensuring their candidate's victory.

Briefing reporters after a its liaison committee meeting, LDF convenor Paloli Mohammed Kutty said the Front would not spare any opportunity to intensify the problems in the Congress in connection with the RS polls but did not spell out the strategy for this.(PTI)

Palace on Wheels to roll down Kerala tracks

Monday, April 14, 2003

Thiruvananthapuram: The famous Palace on Wheels train, highly popular among foreign tourists to Rajasthan, will roll down the tracks in Kerala, as per an agreement between the tourism departments of the two States.

The luxury train would be re-fitted to suit the Kerala ambience and used during the summer months, when it lies idle in Rajasthan, Kerala Tourism Secretary T Balakrishanan said here on sunday. Efforts were underway to involve Tamil Nadu also in the project and if the latter agreesd the package, spanning four to five days, would cover certain areas in Tamil Nadu as well, he said.

''We are planning a circuit covering Coimbatore, Palakkad, Cochin, Thrissur, Kottayam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kanyakumari, Tirunelvelli and back to Coimbatore. The spadework is on and we'll be able to offer this highly popular product to tourists in Kerala next year,'' he added.

The impact of Iraq war on foreign tourist arrivals in Kerala was negligible, as the war broke out towards the end of the tourist season in the State. But, the State was expecting a drop in the number of tourists from the UK and the US in the next season as nationals from these countries were not likely to travel much due to fears of terror attacks in the wake of the Iraq war, he said.

The outbreak of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) had hit Kerala's plan to launch an intensive promotional drive in China and the South-East Asian countries, the official said.

Stating that several inquiries were being received from operators in China, Mr Balakrishanan said the department had been firming up plans to launch a promotional drive in China, Japan, Taiwan, Singapore and Hong Kong when the SARS epidemic broke out. However, there could still be a silver lining as people from North India, unable to travel abroad due to these factors, would look at Kerala as an alternative destination, he opined.

The re-instatement of LTC for Central Government employees would also help boost long-distance travel and Kerala would benefit, he added.

The recognition of tourism as a service sector, eligible for benefits in the recently announced EXIM Policy, would help Kerala import certain high-end, luxury consummable items like foreign liquor, not readily available in the State. Expressing satisfaction over the moderate increase of seven to ten per cent in the tourist arrivals in the State every year, Mr Balakrishanan said Kerala did not want to go in for huge tourist numbers which might become unsustainable.

Kerala, which has banked upon its natural beauty and Ayurveda to attract tourists, would now also focus on its cultural heritage, hitherto neglected.

The focus of 'Tourism Vision 2005', an in-house strategy of the tourism department, is on conservation, preservation and cultural destinations.

''In the long run, cultural destinations would have to be the mainstay of our tourism strategy,'' he added. The famous Elephant Festival of Thrissur and the several temple festivals, which continue from March to May, would be promoted as tourist attractions.

The tie-up with Rajasthan, which has successfully marketed its festivals as tourist attractions, would help Kerala to develop its own product, he said. Admitting that States like Andhra Pradesh were beginning to promote Ayurveda as part of their tourism package, Mr Balakrishanan said those interested in the ''real treatment'' would have to come to Kerala.

''Ayurveda is a very time and space specific system. The benefits of undergoing the treatment during the Monsoon in Kerala will not be available elsewhere,'' he added. To pre-empt any exploitation of tourists from mushrooming Ayurveda centres in the State, the tourism department was working on a law to regulate the working of these centres, Mr Balakrishanan said.

Last-ditch attempts on to solve Congress crisis in Kerala

Monday, April 14, 2003

Last-ditch attempts on to solve Congress crisis in Kerala
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Thiruvananthapuram: In a last-ditch attempt to resolve the crisis in Kerala unit of the Congress, All India Congress Commitee (AICC) trouble-shooters Ghulam Nabi Azad and R K Dhawan on Sunday began hectic parleys with senior leaders, including Chief Minister A K Antony. The AICC observers said they would be meeting veteran party leader and former Chief Minister K Karunakaran again on Sunday in an effort to persuade him to withdraw the rebel nominee Kodoth Gonvindan Nair from the April 14 Rajya Sabha elections.

With the first round of talks last evening failing to make any headway, Azad and Dhawan will be going again to Karunakaran's residence later in the day in their last-ditch attempt to avert a disaster in the state unit, that might even pose a severe threat to the stability of the 23-month-old Antony government.

Dhawan expressed the confidence that the official candidates -- AICC General Secretary Vayalar Ravi and former PCC chief Thennala Balakrishna Pillai -- would win the elections, but refused to say whether the rebel candidate would stay away from the contest. ''It's for Mr Karunakaran to answer,'' he added.

However the latest reports indicate the Talks have failed.

Arundhati Roy

Saturday, April 12, 2003

Anthony Arnove: The Corporate media ask the question over and over again: What can be done about Saddam Hussein? What’s your response?

Arundhati Roy: The question is disingenuous. Let’s turn it around and ask instead: What do we do with George Bush and Tony Blair? Should we just stand by and watch while they bomb and kill and annihilate people? Saddam Hussein is a killer, and in the past, the U.S. and the UK governments have supported many of his worst excesses.

The U.S. and UK have bombed Iraq’s infrastructure, fired depleted uranium into Iraq’s farmlands, blocked vaccines and hospital equipment, contributing to hundreds of thousands of deaths of children under five. Denis Halliday, the former UN humanitarian coordinator in Iraq, has called the sanctions a form of genocide.

If you lifted the sanctions, Iraqi society might have gained the strength to overthrow their dictator (just like the people of Indonesia, Serbia, Romania overthrew theirs).

And if it’s repression, sectarianism and human rights abuses we’re concerned about, let’s also turn our attention to Colombia, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the Central Asian Republics, Israel, Russia, China, India, Pakistan, Burma and, of course, America...Shall we pre-empt Saddam and bomb them all? Then he won’t have anyone left to kill.

The greatest threat to the world today is not Saddam Hussein, it’s George Bush (joined at the hip to his new foreign secretary, Tony Blair).

Bush says that he’s leading an "international coalition" against Iraq. What’s your reaction to that?

The international Coalition of the Bullied and the Bought is what that coalition is more commonly called.

The important thing to keep in mind is that it is governments that have been coerced, one way or another. Even the major "shareholders" in the coalition--governments of countries like Spain and Australia--don’t have the support of the majority of their people.

There have been some interesting studies showing the nature of the regimes of some of the countries in this "coalition." Many of them are high up on the list of human rights violators--and have no business to criticize Saddam Hussein given their own reputations.

Bush also says that this war is "defensive," and that it would be "suicidal" not to attack Iraq.

That's like an elephant taking a long run-up to smash an ant to death--and then saying that it was "defensive," and that to let the ant remain alive would have been suicidal. It would be fair to call the elephant paranoid and unstable.

Oh, and that doesn’t include the business of using the UN to disarm the ant before the elephant attacks. Apart from calling it paranoid and unstable, you could also call it a coward and a cheat.

In an interview on the Pacifica Radio program "Democracy Now!" you spoke about the "murder of language." Can you elaborate on that?

Freedom means mass murder now. In the U.S., it means fried potatoes (freedom fries). Liberation means invasion and occupation. When you hear the words "humanitarian aid," it’s advisable to look around for induced starvation. We all know what collateral damage means.

Of course, none of this is new. When the U.S. invaded South Vietnam and bombed the countryside, killing thousands of people and forcing thousands to flee to cities where they were held in refugee camps, Samuel Huntington called this a process of "urbanization."

The New York Times Magazine recently ran a cover that read "The New American Empire: Get Used to It." How is that message playing in India and elsewhere outside the United States?

In India, there is a dissonance between what people think of the war and the American Empire, and the deliberately ambiguous position of the Indian government. This war against Iraq has fuelled a lot of anger among a majority of people, but there are the opportunists, among the elite in particular, who are rather stupidly hoping to be thrown some crumbs in the "reconstruction" era. They’re like hyenas. Vultures.

No one’s going to "get used" to the American Empire--no one can. This is because that empire can only survive and hold its position if it continues with its agenda of mass murder and mass dispossession.

These are not things people get used to, however hard they try. You can expect to be killed, but you can’t get used to the idea.

It will be a bloody battle, this battle for the establishment and perpetuation of hegemony. The world is not a static place. It’s wild and unpredictable. The American Empire isn’t going to have all that easy a ride. The people of the world will not be lining the streets raining roses on the emperor.

More than 10 million people demonstrated around the world on February 15, including millions in the countries leading the war on Iraq. Why do you think we are seeing such large protests?

I think that there’s only one reason. America has been stripped of its mask. Its secret history of brutal interventions and unforgivable manipulations is street talk. The dots have been joined, and the outline of the beast has emerged.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Originally appeared in the Socialist Worker. Text courtesy: Znet

33 Excise officials in Kollam suspended

Saturday, April 12, 2003

Thiruvananthapuram: As many as 33 officials in the Kollam Excise circle have been suspended in connection with the hooch tragedy in Kuppana.

The high-level meeting convened here tonight is also learnt to have effected a major reshuffle in the Excise Department.

Sreekumaran Chettiyar has been appointed the Assistant Excise Commissioner of Kollam Excise range.

Meanwhile, the death toll in the hooch tragedy rose to seven with two more people breathing their last in the Medical College Hospital here on Friday.

According to Medical College Hospital sources, the deceased are Babu Pillai, 52 and Shaji, 38. As many as 48 persons were at the Medical College Hospital undergoing treatment now. The condition of two was stated to be serious.

Top guns arrive to solve RS seat dispute

Saturday, April 12, 2003

Thiruvananthapuram: Congress High Command's observers Ghulam Nabi Azad and R K Dhawan are expected to arrive here on Saturday on a troubleshooting mission in a bid to find a solution to a dispute that has arisen over the distribution of Rajya Sabha seats, party sources said.

The `I' group, loyal to senior leader K Karunakaran, which had put up Kodoth Govindan Nair as a rebel candidate against official nominees Thennala Balakrishna Pillai and Vayalar Ravi, is working out strategies for the victory of their candidate.

The group, claiming the support of 27 party MLAs, need nine more 'first' votes to ensure the victory of Nair. They are now pinning their hopes on the votes of MLAs belonging to some of the UDF constituents and the second preferential votes of LDF members.

Meanwhile, a prominent `I' group loyalist and state Tourism minister K V Thomas said he would put the interests of the party first before that of the group.

Sources in Chief Minister A K Antony's group said there was no doubt about the victory of official Congress candidates.

The report attributed to Nationalist Congress Party leader Sharad Pawar that a senior leader in Kerala would join NCP had also jolted the prospects of the `I' group, they said.

The statement of opposition leader V S Achuthanandan indirectly offering support to the Karunakaran faction also had exposed the `I' group's real intentions, the sources said.

All the constituents of the UDF were fully behind the official nominees, they said.

K. V. Thomas to obey high command decision

Saturday, April 12, 2003

Thiruvananthapuram: The Tourism Minister, K. V. Thomas, has said he will abide by the decision taken by the Congress high command in the forthcoming elections to the Rajya Sabha from the State.

Speaking to reporters after attending a function organised by the Kerala Tourism at the Government Guest House here today, Prof. Thomas said that all disputes would be settled with the arrival of the AICC observers, R. K. Dhawan and Ghulam Nabi Azad.

Stating that the Congress candidates for the Rajya Sabha polls were Thennala Balakrishna Pillai and the AICC general secretary, Vayalar Ravi, the Minister said, "the dispute will be settled without causing any embarrassment to the Congress. I approve the decision of the high command. The Congress candidates will win the two seats to the Rajya Sabha from the State, he added.

Asked whether he was still with the `I' group, Prof. Thomas said groups would be there only if there was Congress.

The senior congress leader, K. Karunakaran, is the leader of the `I' group and it was for him to tell who all were in the group.

The Speaker, Vakkom Purushothaman, who also attended the function, told reporters that he too would vote in the Rajya Sabha elections. "My vote will not go waste."

Congress candidates to get LDF votes, says CM

Saturday, April 12, 2003

Chief Minister AK Antony on Saturday expressed confidence that the official candidates of the party would win the Rajya Sabha polls and the Congress party would move ahead in a united manner, after the polls.

Speaking to reporters in Kochi, where he had come to inaugurate the new blocks of a private hospital, Antony said that according to information received by him, a few LDF MLAs would also vote for the UDF candidates.

He added that all the issues within the Congress would be settled amicably.

Tourism Minister Prof KV Thomas, who is also in Kochi, said that he would go by the dictates of the High Command over the RS polls, as it was necessary for the unity of the party.

No question of quitting Cong, asserts Karunakaran

Saturday, April 12, 2003

Senior Congress leader K Karunakaran on Saturday dismissed rumours that he was planning to join the Nationalist Congress Party, after quitting the Congress.

Speaking to reporters at his residence in Thiruvananthapuram, Karunakaran vehemently denied the rumours and said that such a question 'simply doesn't arise.' The withdrawal of Kodoth Govindan Nair from the fray was also not been considered, he added.

'I will make it clear when it come to that,' Karunakaran retorted, when asked what happens if the Congress decides to expel him from the party.

Karunakaran also severely criticised Speaker Vakkom Purushotthaman for allegedly intimidating MLAs belonging to the 'I' camp. 'This has never happened in the history of Kerala,' he added.

Replying to another question, Karunakaran made it clear that Tourism Minister Prof K V Thomas is no more part of the 'I' group.

Meanwhile, the 'I' group on Saturday alleged that the Antony camp was misusing the police for threatening the group MLAs. They said that the police is tapping the telephone lines of MLAs and plainclothes policemen have been deployed near Karunakaran's residence.

Thampanur Sathish, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation Councillor and Karunakaran supporter, demanded the immediate withdrawal of policemen and stop the pressure tactics.

Ente Veedu Apoonteyum

Friday, April 11, 2003

Sibi Malayil is a gutsy director who does not mind swimming against the tide. When comedy rules in Malayalam commercial cinema, Sibi has taken a bold decision to do Ente Veedu Apoonteyum, which is original and totally different from the run of the mill movies. It is a steamy tearjerker that leaves a lump in your throat. Quite clearly Jayaram’s son Kalidas is the prime star of the show and he steals the thunder with an author-backed role.

Viswanathan’s (Jayaram) family is picture perfect with wife Meera (Jyothirmayi) and son Vasudev (Kalidas). Meera dots on her son, though we come to know later that she is his stepmother. But Vasu and Meera share an unusual bond and they are the best of friends. When Meera gives birth to a son, Vasu is the happiest and he names him Appu. But slowly Vasu feels that Appu is getting all the attention and he becomes restless and craves for attention.

One day when he feels neglected, he sprays the pesticide meant for gardening on little Appu so that he gets sick. But the baby dies immediately leaving the whole family in a state of shock and despair. Vasu cannot get out of the shock, and confesses to his mother about the incident. The parents realize that it was an accident and pardons him. But when the post mortem reports confirm the death as un-natural, a shrewd and sadist police officer Chandran (Shammi Thilakan) investigates and takes Vasu into custody. He is taken for trial and sentenced to imprisonment in the Juvenile home. The parents are helpless, while Vasu goes through hell inside the jail. The climax of the film is the highlight, which has to be seen in the theatre to be enjoyed.

The story telling is trademark Sibi Malayil – in depth, in control and unfaultable in terms of technique and he is ably assisted by the camera of Venu and the background score of Ouseppachen. Kalidas in the role of Vasu, the nine-year old, is extra ordinary and he dominates the film with effortless ease. Jyothirmayi is a revelation as Vasu’s mother and she is very natural without any make-up and is sincerity personified. Jayaram has underplayed his character giving more room for his son to show his acting calibre. Shammi Thilakan as the police officer is convincing. The film comes as a whiff of fresh air, but don’t forget to take two handkerchiefs with you to the theatre!
(Source: sify.com)

Sahodaran Sahadevan

Friday, April 11, 2003

Mukesh’s solo comedy film Sahodaran Sahadevan is offensively lowbrow and is about as intolerable as they come. It has a slightly different story than the routine films but director Sunil has messed it up.

Mukundan and Aravindan (both Mukesh) are twins. Mukundan is a doctor while Aravindan runs a workshop and both get married on the same day. The doctor gets married to an NRI girl from US and the workshop guy marries Arthi, a poor girl. All the four goes for a honeymoon together. On the way back their car meets with an accident and one of the twins die and the other looses his memory.

Nobody including their mother is able to identify the twin who had died in the mishap. So the survivor is named as Sahodaran and treated in the hospital. Soon Sahodaran gets his memory back and realizes that he is Mukundan, but for the happiness of his family members, he continues to pretend. But finally he admits his true identity and this shocks Arthi!!

The film is based on such an idiotic assumption and is sure to displease the audience who will be conned by this stupid film. Geetu Mohandas and Srija Chandran are the heroines and they have nothing much to do. It is a Mukesh show all the way and all other technical departments of the film are pathetic.
(Source: sify.com)

Thilakkam

Friday, April 11, 2003

What happens when a parallel cinema director like Jayaraj gets the dates of Dileep, the number one hero? There are bound to be a lot of ego clashes over the script and presentation, which leads to compromises. So Jayaraj and Dileep who symbolises two different kinds of cinema have come together in Thilakkam and the film is neither a comedy nor a serious film. The first half has some Jayaraj touches with good humour and the second half peters out to suit the superstar image of Dileep with some unbelievable twists, stale melodrama and finally a predictable ending.

The story is set in a small village called Mundur, where Padmanabhan Master (Nedumudi Venu) and his wife (K.P.A.C Lalitha) waits for Unni, their only son who is missing for many years. Unni had gone to see ‘pooram’ (a temple festival) with their neighbour Panikkar (Oduvil Unnikrishnan) when he was about ten year old but both never came back. Later they got a letter from Panikkar that Unni got lost in the crowd and he will return only after finding him. Ammu (Kavya Madhavan) is Panikkar’s daughter who also believes like master and his wife that her father will return one day with Unni.

Much to the surprise of the villagers Unni (Dileep) is found and he is brought to the village. But soon they realize that he is abnormal and is mentally challenged. He behaves like a small boy and creates all sorts of trouble for the villagers and his parents. The villagers decide to give him Ayurveda treatment under the guidance of the church priest (Jagathy Sreekumar). Ammu looks after Unni, which her uncle’s son (Nishant Sagar) objects as he loves her. But finally Unni gets back his memory only to let out the truth that he is not Unni but Vishnu the son of a Bangalore don (!!). Now the story takes a different track and what happens in the end is very much stale and predictable.

Jayaraj uses typical crass comedy techniques like how Unni runs away with people’s ‘mundu’ to evoke laughter! Dileep in the role of the ‘vattan’ Unni has over acted a bit, but has been able to make the audience laugh with his body language and gestures. Kavya Madhavan as Ammu looks bloated and she has to watch her weight. The befuddled comedians like Jagathy, Salim Kumar, Cochin Haneefa and Harisri Asokan are all good. The repetitive music of Kaithapuram Viswam is evident in “Enikkoru Pennunde…”though Sare… Sare…Sambare…” is fun. However the major problem with the film is that Jayaraj nor Rafi-Mecartin, the script writers were too sure about the proceedings that leaves the audience confused.
(source: sify.com)

'Swapnam' on Asianet

Friday, April 11, 2003

Swapnam: Asianet : 8.00pm (Mon – Fri)

Viswanathan resigns his job in Hyderabad and returns to live in his ancestral home in Kerala with his family. Apart from his wife Vasumathi and daughter Mythili, he has with him the one-month old child of Mythili who is an unwed mother. The child is the souvenir of a love affair that Mythili had with Edward D'Zousa, a handsome youngster who was living next door to the family. Viswanthan also had tacitly approved of the affair because of his tenderness to his daughter. However, Edward did not return from a visit to seek his mother's permission to marry Mythili.
Once in the ancestral village, the family had a hard time convincing the relatives and neighbours that the child was found 'abandoned' in a train. Only Viswanthan's mother developed a tender feeling towards the infant.
Mythili sets out to find Edward in his native Mattancherry. Edward's mother, Margaret D'Zousa is also having her share of worries as she had lost his husband and other children at sea. Edward has also not come back from Hyderabad for a long time. She willingly accepts Mythili and her grandchild. Margaret's relatives are not willing to take Mythili into the family and Mythili leaves them because of their intolerance.
Back home, Mythili agrees to a marriage, as her family was eager to see her pick up the threads of her life. But worse are the times ahead.

Ragolsavavam

Friday, April 11, 2003

Ragolsavavam” is a rare festival of Ragas. Ragam is the soul of music; just as Thalam is the heartbeat of music; and the singer or the Instrumentalist is the medium of Music. All music irrespective of its style or origin is based on the melodious variations of tune, rhythm, scales and lyrics. In this unique musical program, KAIRALI presents the Great Ragas and familiarizes you with by linking it to the well-known and famous songs. It is a never-ending search to find out the classical raga- base of the popular songs.
Melody close to your heart or your favorite film song may be composed based on a famous classical raga, which you may not know!
KAIRALI TV presents a musical program with a difference. Music Directors M. Jayachandran and Kavalam Sreekumar expertly guide this musical chariot, which is telecasted on Sundays and Mondays at 9.00pm.

Magic Magic

Friday, April 11, 2003

Directed by: Jose Punnose Cast: Suraj Balajee, S P Balasubramaniam, Trilok Malik, Puja Kumar, Justin Melvin, Julia Carey, Julia Rusatski, Al Dioro, Owen Burke, Andrea Alton

The kids can have a blast this summer, for there’s a film released just for them. Magic, Magic has an appealing storyline, lot’s of humour, fun and action – most of it on the New York streets. And in 3D format at that.

New York-based Krishna visits India with the intention of taking back his nine-year-old son Indrajith (Suraj). But the boy is attached to his grandpa Acharya (SPB), a magician of repute. It’s a painful parting for the duo, as Indrajith reluctantly goes to the US. But the stifling atmosphere in his new home, not helped by the presence of a step-mother, makes him run away from the house. The lonely and hungry boy finds company in three street kids and half a dozen dogs. On their trail are the cops, distressed parents and two small-time conmen, who dream of making big money by kidnapping Indrajith.

Lively Suraj (who played Kareena Kapoor’s brother in Asoka) is a natural on screen and his exuberance is infectious. SPB makes a stately Acharya. The film comes from producer Appachan of Navodaya (the Kishkinta people) and is directed by his son Jose.

A decade ago, the banner had given that wonderful, unforgettable experience in the form of their 3D film My Dear Kuttichatan. Magic Magic is their attempt to recreate that magic.

Technology has since advanced – graphics and special effects have made Magic Magic a spectacular film to watch. Children are definitely going to like this film, specially the scenes of the dog-show where the street dog walks away with the prize; dog stealing a woman’s wallet, unzipping it and stealing the money; flowers, lollipops and marbles rolling near touching distance and the bungling antics of two conmen.

With children’s films becoming a rarity, one should commend the Navodaya for thinking of the little ones.

Facelift for Padmanabha Swamy temple

Friday, April 11, 2003

Thiruvananthapuram: The famed Sri Padmanabha Swamy temple is gearing up for a major facelift following the recent remodelling of the two gopurams at the South and West entrances of the sprawling complex.

The restoration work, which began last year, is to be extended to the inner courtyard soon.

The two gates were reconstructed without disturbing the architectural harmony of the structure.

A lower tier was added to the roof of each of the gopurams spanning the entire length of the edifice. The tiled tier also incorporates a carved wooden gable to retain the symmetry.

The architect, B. Arjunan, who undertook the restoration said the addition of the lower tier was an engineering challenge since the overhanging structure had to be built without supporting pillars.

"Using pillars would have restricted the entry of elephants into the complex during the festival besides blocking the narrow roads around the temple.''

The feat was accomplished by fusing a concrete cantilever beam to the granite frame of the gate at a height of 15 feet.

The remodelling exercise strictly adhered to Vaastu principles of temple architecture. The design was developed by the acclaimed Vaastu expert, Kanippayoor Krishnan Namboodiripad, while the structural aspects were evolved by a team of specialists in traditional architecture.

The new tiled roof replaces the tin sheet, which was used to ward off the rain.

The work also involved restoration of the intricately carved granite pillars supporting the roof and the wooden lattices on the right side of the South gopuram.

According to the director of the Vyloppilly Samskriti Bhavan, M.G. Sasibhooshan, the remodelling work was an attempt to emphasise the Kerala style of architecture over the Dravidian influence, which was evident in some of the structures inside the complex.

"It was not only the aesthetics which mattered. The design had to conform to the scientific Vaastu principles of measurement and alignment which constitute the basis of architectural harmony.''

The head of the royal family of the erstwhile Travancore, Uthradam Thirunal Marthanda Varma, who authorised the remodelling work, told reporters that the design and structural work were carefully evolved to ensure that the distinct Kerala style of architecture runs throughout.

He said the restoration would be extended to the inner courtyard of the complex. "The concrete pillars inside the corridor will soon be replaced by granite.''

The restoration of the North gopuram is expected to commence soon after the Painkuni festival. This will be followed by replacing the tiles on the upper tier of the three gates.

Nayanar dares Sonia to act against Karunakaran

Friday, April 11, 2003

Kozhikode: CPM politburo member E K Nayanar on Wednesday challenged AICC president Sonia Gandhi to initiate disciplinary action against Congress leader K Karunakaran.

Speaking at a reception accorded to the north zone jatha of the CPM held in protest against the ‘anti-people policies of the Antony Government’ at Muthalakkulam here, Nayanar termed the expulsion of rebel Rajya Sabha candidate Kodoth Govindan Nair from Congress as a face-saving exercise of Congress president.‘‘She has no courage to suspend Karunakaran as he has considerable clout among the workers of Congress in the State. The manner in which Kodoth was expelled from Congress proves beyond doubt the degeneration of that party,’’ Nayanar said.

Elamarom Kareem presided over the meet. S Sharma, C P Balan Vaidyar, Mathai Chacko, MLA, P K Gurudasan, M C Josephine, V V Dakshinamoorthy and M Chandran also spoke. Earlier, the jatha was accorded reception at Vatakara, Kuttiyadi, Perambra and Thamarassery.

5 people died after consuming illicit liquor

Friday, April 11, 2003

Kollam: Five persons died after consuming spurious liquor at Kuppana near Anchalummoodu here on Thursday. As many as 28 persons have been admitted to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital of whom the condition of three are reportedly serious.

The deceased were identified as Viswanathan alias Kottathala, 45, Aravindakshan, 46, BSNL employee Viswanatha Pillai, 42, Sreedharan, 70, and Prashanthan, 42.

Aravindakshan died at the District Hospital here on Thursday morning while Viswanatha Pillai died on the way to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital. Sreedharan and Prashanthan died at the Medical College Hospital whereas Viswanathan died at his residence here. All of them belonged to Kuppana.

Sukumaran and Shaji, who sold the hooch, were also among those who had been admitted to the hospital.

The victims had consumed illicit liquor either last night or on Thursday morning. They were suffering from chest pain, suffocation and nausea. Most of the victims were labourers.

Following the reports of two deaths, the authorities by noon urged through public address system that those who felt uneasiness after consuming illicit liquor should go to hospital.

Many were taken to the District Hospital till late in the evening. The doctors at the District Hospital referred them to the Medical College Hospital.

District Collector Rajan Khobragade announced Rs 1,000 each to the bereaved families as immediate relief.

The Collector, Sub-Collector Anand Singh and other top revenue officials visited the area.

A team led by Kollam Tahsildar K.Chandramohan was camping at Kuppana to lead the relief operations.

Another team led by Deputy Tahsildar Chandran has been deputed at the hospital.

The police team led by SP M.R.Ajithkumar is also camping in the area.

Earlier in the day, the agitated people had blocked the vehicles of police and the excise.

Doha passenger to Kerala suspected of SARS

Friday, April 11, 2003

Kochi: A 36-year-old air passenger from Doha, who arrived here this morning, was admitted to the General Hospital following suspected symptoms of the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS).

The man, Shaji, had arrived at the nearby Nedumbassery International Airport here by a scheduled Doha-Bahrain flight this morning, airport sources said.

The medical team which examined him at the airport found him suffering from severe cough and wheezing, following which he was shifted to the isolation ward of the hospital, hospital sources said.

They said the patient’s blood and serum have been sent for biological examination. The results are expected tomorrow.

Seventy passengers had arrived by the flight, airport sources said.

Rs. 1 lakh robbed from car near Secretariat

Friday, April 11, 2003

Thiruvananthapuram: In a daring daylight heist in the State capital, Rs. 1 lakh was robbed from a person soon after he withdrew the amount from the State Bank of Travancore's Treasury Branch near the Secretariat under the Cantonment Police Station limits today.

According to the police, the robbery took place at 11-45 a.m. soon after the victim of the robbery, Abdul Hakim, a resident of Nilamel in Kollam district, withdrew the amount from the bank.

The car was parked in front of the bank branch and after getting into the vehicle, Mr. Hakim kept the cash, which was in notes of Rs. 500 denomination and in two bundles, in the dashboard.

Mr. Hakim was about to start the car and leave when a person knocked at the window on the driver's side, asking him whether a Rs. 10 note that had fallen on the ground belonged to him.

This distracted Mr. Hakim and before he knew what was happening, another person suddenly appeared on the other side of the car, opened the door, took the cash bundles from the dash and made good his escape.

The Cantonment Police have registered a case on the basis of the complaint filed by Mr. Hakim and investigations are on.

A robbery in which a similar modus operandi was employed, had place in the same locality early this year.

There was another daring daylight heist of Rs. 10 lakhs from Union Bank of India officials in May 1999, at Sreekariyam in the city. Both these cases are yet to be solved.

In the case of the Rs.10 lakh heist, the taxi in which the money was being transported by two UBI bank staff had got stuck in the traffic on the congested Elamkulam-Sreekariyam stretch when the robbers struck. A man of medium build had walked up to the car, opened the door and snatched the money bag from the bank manager who was sitting in the rear. The money was being transported from the head office of the bank at Statue to its sub-branch at Attipra.

The City Police Commissioner, Rajan Singh, when contacted, said in the two robbery cases reported from the same locality, the modus operandi was the same. Besides, the currency notes used to distract the intended victims were of small denomination.

According to him, it was difficult for the police to prevent such crimes from taking place even in broad daylight unless those who carried such large amounts of cash or other valuable items maintained vigilance.

Rs 15 crore earmarked for Sabarimala development

Friday, April 11, 2003

Pathanamthitta: The Travancore Devaswom Board has earmarked Rs 15 crore for pilgrim facilities and development programmes in Sabarimala during the current financial year.

TDB president N Babu told reporters that the additional pilgrim facilities and development programmes to be implemented included a sewage treatment plant at Sannidhanam, setting up parking facility at Pampa, augmentation of drinking water scheme and construction of queue complexes on the trekking path between Marakoottam and Nadapandal.

The TDB chief said that the Board had set apart Rs 4.5 crore for setting up a state-of-the-art sewage treatment plant at Sannidhanam with the objective to provide a better environment there. The treatment plant would be established by taking into account the needs of the next 10 years.

Babu said that the storage capacity of the existing dams at Kunnar, the main source of water for Sannidhanam, would be expanded by raising the height of the dams after strengthening the basement. A sum of Rs 70 lakh was earmarked for the capacity expansion of the dams, he said.

The Board's maramath wing would be asked to explore the possibility of constructing a new dam below the existing dam if the capacity expansion of the existing facility would prove insufficient, Babu said.

He said that the Board had earmarked Rs 2.5 crore for constructing queue complexes on the trekking path between Marakoottam and Nadapandal for the convenience of pilgrims who used to remain in the queue for long hours during the festival days.

The scheme could be implemented only after obtaining the requisite sanction for the forest land. The Board had sought clearance from the Union Environment Ministry for the required forest land for setting up the queue complexes. The queue complexes would include facilities like benches, medicated water and toilets.

In the budget, Rs 3 crore has been earmarked for setting up a parking facility at Pampa for which the TDB team that visited Delhi recently had sought 25 acres of land, Babu said. Once the clearance has been obtained, the first phase of the parking facility would be implemented.

For providing accommodation facilities to the devaswom staff at Sannidhanam, the Board had chalked out a programme worth Rs 1.37 crore during the period. For the convenience of pilgrims at Sannidhanam, the Board would spend Rs 27 lakh for laying of tiles and erecting fencing at the Nadapandal.

A high-level TDB team, the second delegation in two months, will visit New Delhi by the middle of May to meet the Union Ministers with an objective of getting early clearance for the forest land to provide basic facilities for Sabarimala pilgrims during the next festival season.

The team will meet Environment and Forest Minister T R Baalu for the speedy clearance of forest land. They will also seek 25 hectares of land at Pampa for parking facility. The team will also meet Tourism and Cultural Minister Jagmohan.

I’m not a person to be cowed down by threats: K. Karunakaran

Friday, April 11, 2003

Even at 84, he has a massive appetite for power. To get what he wants, Kannoth Karunakaran has no qualms about driving the Congress up the wall.

In the latest controversy over Rajya Sabha seats, the Congress high command, too, is in no mood to appease him. But Karunakaran tells Ramesh Babu that he is confident of a victory for his candidate, who has been expelled by the party. Excerpts from the interview:

What will be the fate of the Congress if senior leaders like you defy the leadership?

My fight is not against any individual or the high command. It is against injustice. It is an opportunity to express the wounded feelings of the majority. I am a disciplined party worker. I wish to remain so.

If the Congress president requests, will you retire your candidate K. Govindan Nair and end the impasse?

It is too late. Things have slipped out of my hands. The Congress chief never talked to me on this. Now I don’t expect [her to do it]. There were enough opportunities. Let there be an election now.

Will you condemn the party’s decision to expel Govindan Nair? Isn’t it a warning for you?

I can’t blame the party leadership for the action. It is the usual procedure. You can interpret the disciplinary action in many ways. But everyone knows that Karunakaran is not a person to be cowed down by threats or warnings.

What are the chances of your candidate?

He will win, that too with a handsome margin. It is not proper for me to tell who all will support him or from where he manages the numbers. But victory is ours. Many of the UDF allies have pledged their support. Wait till April 14.

In case your candidate wins, will the Antony government’s stability be affected?

Antony has already lost stability. Many of his recent actions have misfired. How long can he go by ignoring the party’s and workers’ feelings? I don’t know what will happen after the election of my candidate. But one thing I can tell you is that it is just the beginning, not the end.

If your candidate loses, will it be the end of the Karunakaran era?

I am quite confident of a victory. There is no question of defeat. It is not that easy to erase Karunakaran’s legacies spanning eight decades.

If pushed to the wall, will you go the Sharad Pawar-V.C. Shukla way?

A sensible leadership won’t push things that far. I don’t foresee any action now. If it resorts to any action, the repercussions will be serious. I am a born Congressman. And I wish to die as one.

Koodu

Thursday, April 10, 2003

Kamal's latest film Koodu, now being being shot in Pondicherry, has stars such as Prithviraj, Jayasurya, Kunchacko Boban, Meera Jasmine and Bhavana. The story is centring on friendship, love and sacrifice.

Koodu is about three college students in search of their identities and how they bond together. The story goes like this--Kunjuju, Deepak Narayanan and Ashta Murthy reach Pondicherry to do their Hotel Management course. These three friends due to their mischievous behavior had to shift their accommodation many times.

Finally, their friend Abbas (Vijesh) finds them a suitable accommodation. They had to share a house where a mother (Kalaranjini) and her two daughters are staying.

One can expect what happens there where two teengage girls and three guys live together? Like all Kamal's previous films, this movie by him too has catchy song and dance sequences. Mohan Sitara's music is the highlight of the film.
(Source: sundaykaumudi.com)

Pattalam

Thursday, April 10, 2003

The shooting of Pattalam starring Mammootty began on March 27 at Pollachi. Lal Jose had made his debut as an independent director directing none but the superstar in Oru Maravaththoor Kanavu.

The film is being shot at Palakkad and Marayoor in Idukki.

Mammootty will be playing the role of Pattabhiraman, a captain in the army. Lal Jose has decided to go in for a new scenarist, Reji Nair. Subair and Sudheesh, who had made their debut as producers with Meesha Madhavan, had bestowed all their trust on director Lal Jose, with whom they already have a very good rapport.

S Kumar would wield the camera while art direction is by Joseph Nellickal. Besides Mammootty, will star Biju Menon, Jagathy Sreekumar, Kalabhavan Mani, Innocent, Oduvil Unnikrishnan, Indrans, Mala Aravindan, Mamookoya, Jyothirmayi, Zeenath, Sukumari and Ambika Mohan. Tessa, a debutante, is the heroine of the film. Songs penned by Gireesh Puthencherry would be tuned by Vidyasagar. The film will be an Onam release.

Source: sundaykaumudi.com

Cong not to issue whip in RS poll

Thursday, April 10, 2003

PTI
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Congress chief whip in Kerala Assembly P P George has ruled out issuance of whip to the party MLAs in view of rebel candidate Kodoth Govindan Nair remaining in fray against official nominees.

George, a Karunakaran supporter, told reporters after a meeting with Chief Minister A K Antony that there was no precedent in the Kerala assembly of issuing whip in election to the Rajya Sabha.

The election to the upper house was not part of the proceedings of the Assembly. Whip would be normally issued in relations to proceedings in the house, he said.

Antony determined to drive Karunakaran out : Veerendra

Thursday, April 10, 2003

PTI

KOZHIKODE: Kerala Chief Minister A K Antony appears determined to drive senior Congress Leader K Karunakaran out of the party, Janata Dal(S) State President M P Veerendra Kumar said today.

"To me, it now appears that Antony, who earlier always wished to compromise on issues with Karunakaran, is now very much determined to drive him out of the Congress", he told reporters here.

If the present crisis in the KPCC could lead to the UDF Government's downfall it would be welcome, he said, adding the Government had of late sidelined all primary issues.

Referring to the recent Kerala Raksha Yatra taken out by UDF Convenor, Oomen Chandy, Kumar said in fact the UDF should take out a return yatra from Kasaragod to save the Congress from crisis.

On Iraq, he said UDF had not joined the "non-cooperative" movement launched in this regard in the state and instead was only spending time on discussing the KPCC crisis.

I will win RS Polls: Nair

Thursday, April 10, 2003

PTI

KOZHIKODE: Rebel Congress Rajya Sabha candidate from Kerala, Kodoth Govindan Nair said he was confident of winning the polls notwithstanding the party high command overruling his candidature.

'I have the support of a sufficient number of MLAs to win the election', Nair told reporters here before leaving for Thiruvananthapuram, where he is expected to meet senior Congress leader K Karunakaran tomorrow.

Asked about the AICC decision to recognise only the nominations of Vayalar Ravi and Thennala Balakrishna Pillai as party candidates for the poll, he said the High Command should have had a detailed discussion with Karunakaran before arriving at the decision.

Stating that he was seeking votes with the 'blessings’ of Karunakaran, the Kasargod DCC President said the KPCC president K Muralidharan could not be held responsible for the crisis in the party.

Nair calls expulsion an immature decision

Thursday, April 10, 2003

PTI

KANNUR: Kodoth Govindan Nair, who has been expelled from Congress for remaining in the fray for Rajya Sabha elections from Kerala as a rebel candidate, described the high command decision as "unilateral and immature."

"This is a decision based on information collected unilaterally without taking the political realities in the state into account. This is not a mature decision," Nair, who has filed his nomination as a Karunakaran nominee, told PTI here.

AICC should have discussed the matter with the party leaders and MLAs before taking a decision, he said.

Asked whether he would pull out in view of the expulsion, he said "No one has told me not to contest, nor did I have any communication."

Nair said he would decide his next step after consultations with Karunakaran in Thiruvananthapuram. "The leader (Karunakaran) has called me. I will consult him and decide on what to do," Nair, who was aboard a train on his way to the state capital, said.

Nair said that he had the support of 27 out of 62 Congress MLAs in the assembly.

He said he was still a Congressman believing in the party ideology and values.

Bhavam adjudged best Malayalam film of 2002

Thursday, April 10, 2003

PTI

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Bhavam, directed by debutant Satish Menon, was adjudged the best Malayalam film for the year 2002. However, the Kerala film award jury sprang a surprise by not choosing anyone for the awards for best director and screenplaywright, saying there were no "deserving" candidates.

Veteran actor Oduvil Unnikrishnan, who donned the role of the hangman in the Adoor Gopalakrishnan film Nizhalkuthu was chosen the best actor, while young sensation Navya Nair was adjudged the best actress for her role in Nandanam.'

Sthithi', directed by R Sarath, was selected as the second best film. Jagathi Sreekumar was chosen the second best actor for his roles in Meesa Madhavan and Nizhalkuthu, while Jyothirmayi was chosen the second best actress for her role in Bhavam.'

Adoor Gopalakrishnan's 'Nizhalkuthu' bagged seven awards, including the best actor and the one for best cinematography, which was shared by Mankada Ravi Varma and Sunny Joseph.

Adoor's request to the jury while sending the film that his film need not be considered for the awards in best film, best director and screenplay categories, was accepted.

"His request was accepted and he was not considered for those awards," jury chairman K G George said. The awards were announced by culture minister G Karthikeyan in the presence of the jury members.

Karunakaran granted bail in Palmolein case

Thursday, April 10, 2003

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior Congress leader K Karunakaran and four others including a former minister were granted bail in the sensational Palmolein Import case by a special court here.

The Enquiry Commissioner and Special judge before whom all the accused appeared posted the case for trial to May 6. Former State Food and Civil Supplies Minister T H Mushafa is also among the accused.

The case related to the 1991 import of 15,000 tonnes of palmolein from a Singapore based company allegedly violating the norms of the State Trading Corporation by paying a price higher than the prevailing international market price,thus resulting in a loss of Rs2.80 crore to the State Exchequer.

Giji Thomson, then Managing Director of Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation, and two business men were the other persons granted bail.

Former Chief Secretary S Padmakumar, then Additional Chief Secretary Zacharia Mathew and former Food and Civil Supplies secretary P J Thomas were the other accused in the case. They were granted bail by the Court when they appeared before the Court on April 2.

Cong expels Karunakaran's candidate

Thursday, April 10, 2003

PTI

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Setting the stage for a confrontation with the high command, senior Congress leader K. Karunakaran on Wednesday ruled out withdrawal of rebel nominee Kodoth Govindan Nair, pitted against the official candidates, Vayalar Ravi and Thennala Balakrishna Pillai, for the April 14 Rajya Sabha poll.

While the high command hit back by expelling Nair from the party, a defiant Karunakaran told reporters that a stage has come when a compromise was a remote possibility. Even if the AICC intervened, it was difficult for him to contain the sentiments of his supporters.

“Now things have slipped from my hands,” he said. Karunakaran said, “No one needs harbour any doubt that Govindan Nair will win convincingly.”

Karunakaran conveyed his view to his son and KPCC president Muraleedharan who relayed it to AICC general secretary Ambika Soni. Soni conveyed the veteran Kerala leader’s view to party chief Sonia Gandhi.

Muraleedharan’s telephonic talk with his father came a day after his meeting with Sonia in New Delhi on Tuesday night.

The PCC chief also spoke to chief minister A.K. Antony over phone after the meeting with the AICC president on Tuesday.

Muraleedharan, who was asked by Sonia to prod Govindan Nair to withdraw from fray, said Karunakaran made it clear that Nair would remain in fray.

About the possibility of the party issuing whip to MLAs asking to vote for official candidates, Karunakaran said, “The (I) group (the party faction owing allegiance to him) leaders are strong enough to face that.”

Adoor's film Nizhalkuthu bags three Kerala film awards

Thursday, April 10, 2003

Thiruvananthapuram: Celebrated Malayalam filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan's film "Nizhalkuthu" bagged three Kerala State Film Awards including the best actor award Wednesday.

Oduvil Unnikrishnan was named the best actor for his performance in "Nizhalkuthu". Jagathi Sreekumar won the best supporting actor award while Mankada Ravi Varma and Sunny Joseph received the best cinematographer award for the same film.

"Bhavam", produced and directed by Satish Menon, was declared the best film.

Announcing the decisions of the jury, Cultural Affairs Minister G. Karthikeyan said that following a request by Adoor, his film was not considered for the best producer, director, story or scriptwriter awards. Adoor himself had been involved with these subjects in the film.

Adoor had resigned as Kerala State Chalachitra Academy's chairman in February following a tiff with Karthikeyan over the minister's alleged interference in the academy's daily administration.

In this year's awards no winners were announced in the best director and best scriptwriter categories.

"This is probably the first time that such a thing has happened. One reason for this is the jury was not in a position to select the best director and script writer as none of the entries were exemplary," said jury chairman K.G. George.

Menon was awarded the best debutant director's award while upcoming heroine Navya Nair bagged the best actress award for her performance in "Nandanam".

Jyothirmayi was named the best supporting actress for her performance in "Bhavam".

Following in the footsteps of his superstar father, Mohanlal, Pranav Mohanlal bagged the award for the best child artiste for his performance in "Punarjanmam".

"Nandanam" also received awards in the music section with Girish Puthenchery being named the best lyricist. Ravindran won the best music director award while K.S. Chithra was selected for the best female playback singer's award.

Madhu Balakrishnan was selected as the best male playback singer for the song in the film "Valkannadi".

'Nammal", a love story directed by ace director Kamal, was adjudged as the best film with a mass appeal. Emerging star Dileep bagged the special jury award for his stellar performance as a physically challenged actor in "Kunjikoonan".

Actress Bhavana also got a special mention for her superb performance in the "Nammal".

Like in the previous year's awards this year too there was a controversy. A leading TV channel Wednesday announced the winners an hour before the awards were declared.

Last year immediately after the announcement of the awards, some unidentified people stoned jury chairman Priyadarshan's house.

Congress high command suspends RS rebel candidate

Thursday, April 10, 2003

Thiruvananthapuram: The row over the two Rajya Sabha seats in the Congress in the State came to a head following the high command's rather determined decision to order the suspension and expulsion of the rebel candidate, Kodoth Govindan Nair, the veteran leader, K. Karunakaran's nominee, from the party for six years.

The Congress high command's mood was reflected in its decision as it did not bother to wait till April 13, the possible deadline to work out a compromise while ordering the KPCC president, K. Muraleedharan, to suspend Mr. Nair from the party. Besides, it also directed Mr. Muraleedharan to write to all MLAs in his capacity as KPCC president to vote for the official candidates, Vayalar Ravi and Thennala Balakrishna Pillai.

Mr. Karunakaran promptly reacted to the high command's hard decision by refusing to pull out his candidate from the fray. "The decision is not surprising. But the suspension will not break the morale of my supporters and Mr. Nair would win admirably,'' he told reporters.

The only saving grace was the fact that the KPCC president was allowed to withdraw his so-called resignation letter, submitted a week ago when the controversy erupted. But this was done only after it was made clear to him that he had to perform his responsibilities, namely suspending Mr. Nair from the party and writing the official letter to party MLAs directing them to back the official candidates.

The action against Mr. Nair appears to have led to a consolidation in the Karunakaran camp, but it remains to be seen whether it would hold on the voting day, which is on April 14.

Now that a contest has become imminent, the anti-Karunakaran forces are working overtime to ensure that Karunakaran supporters are weaned away.

CPI-ML men storm Kozhikode Coke shop, dump bottles in sea

Thursday, April 10, 2003

PTI

KOZHIKODE: Protesting the US-led war on Iraq, a group of CPI-ML Red Flag activists on Tuesday barged into a wholesale depot of the multitnational soft drink major Coco Cola here, took away cartons of stocks and dumped them in the sea.

One person was arrested in connection with the incident involving some 50 Red Flag activists, police said.

The incident, however, took an interesting turn when some of the local people took away the dumped bottles from the sea, resulting in an altercation between them and the anti-war demonstrators..

The protestors said they would step up their agitation not merely by boycotting multinational products but also targeting godowns and shops storing such goods.

Karunakaran granted bail in Palmolein case

Thursday, April 10, 2003

PTI

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Senior Congress leader K Karunakaran and four others including a former minister were granted bail in the sensational Palmolein Import case by a special court here.

The Enquiry Commissioner and Special judge before whom all the accused appeared posted the case for trial to May 6. Former State Food and Civil Supplies Minister T H Mushafa is also among the accused.

The case related to the 1991 import of 15,000 tonnes of palmolein from a Singapore based company allegedly violating the norms of the State Trading Corporation by paying a price higher than the prevailing international market price,thus resulting in a loss of Rs2.80 crore to the State Exchequer.

Giji Thomson, then Managing Director of Kerala State Civil Supplies Corporation, and two business men were the other persons granted bail.

Former Chief Secretary S Padmakumar, then Additional Chief Secretary Zacharia Mathew and former Food and Civil Supplies secretary P J Thomas were the other accused in the case. They were granted bail by the Court when they appeared before the Court on April 2.

State plans to conduct road user satisfaction survey

Wednesday, April 9, 2003

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As part of the formulation of a comprehensive road development policy, the Government will conduct a road user satisfaction survey to get feedback from the public.

Public Works Minister M K Muneer said the survey, which would be conducted by the Wilbur Smith Associates Pvt. Ltd. And the Centre for Management Development, would be completed within two months.

He said the study was being conducted as part of the World Bank-funded road development projects and a sum of Rs 2.3 million would be set apart for the survey. The views of road users like drivers, vehicle owners and pedestrians would be taken into account before finalising the road development policy.

Stating that all the encroachements on the PWD road would be removed soon, he said the Highway Protection Act would be strictly enforced.

He also stated that the government got a positive response from the Centre to develop the National Highway 47 from Parassala to Cherthala into four-lane traffic.

The financial structure of the proposed Superway from Parassala in the south to Kasaragod in the north would be worked out within two months.

C K Janu gets bail, Geethanandan's plea objected

Wednesday, April 9, 2003

KOCHI: Kerala High Court on Tuesday granted bail to tribal leader C K Janu and 77 others arrested following the Muthunga incident, but turned down the bail plea of M Geethanandan, another leader.

Case under IPC sect 307 (attempt to murder) had been registered against them following the incident.

Justice G Shashidharan, rejected Geethanandan's bail application following serious objections raised by the prosecution.

Prosecution submitted that they had sought for police custody of Geethanandan, which had been earlier dismissed by a lower court. It was also stated that the government proposed to file a petition before the High Court within a couple of days.

All the tribals were arrested between February 20 and February 24 following the police firing to evict them from the Muthunga sanctuary, where they had allegedly forcibly trespassed. When the police and forest officials tried to evict them, the accused had allegedly assaulted them causing injuries, it was stated.

Foreign channels telecast to be stopped for 12 hrs in Kerala

Wednesday, April 9, 2003

Kochi, Apr 8 (UNI) The Cable Operators Association in Kerala has decided to suspend telecast of Anglo-American pay channels in the state for 12 hours from 1000 hrs on April ten to express solidarity with anti-war protestors world-wide.

Disclosing this to newspersons here today, Association State Working President E Jayadevan said 95 per cent of the pay channels available in the country were American-owned and these were being used by the coalition forces to extend their global hegemony.

For achieving this objective, the coalition forces were bombing enemy TV stations and killing the mediapersons, he said.

''So boycott of the American channels is the only way by which we will be able to express our solidarity with the anti war protestors'', he added.

High Command warns cong MLAs against defiance of whip

Wednesday, April 9, 2003

NEW DELHI: Even as a showdown between the Karunakaran camp and party high command appeared imminent in the Rajya Sabha elections in Kerala, Congress on Tuesday warned party MLAs from the state that defiance of whip would attract disciplinary action.

"Nothing will weaken the Congress in Kerala. You wait until we act. Nothing is ruled out. Any defiance of whip will amount to violation of discipline", party spokesman S Jaipal Reddy told reporters.

He emphasised that the two party nominees -- Vayalar Ravi and Thennala Balakrishna Pillai -- do not belong to any group. K Govindan Nair put up by the Karunakaran faction refused to withdraw from the fray on the last day of withdrawal on Monday.

Asked why the party was not taking action against those MLAs who had backed Nair, he said "mere signature does not mean an act of indiscipline".

To a query whether Chief Minister A K Antony would have to resign if any of the official candidate loses, he said the question was "too loaded and there are too many assumptions".

42 tribal families to get land

Wednesday, April 9, 2003

Kozhikode, Apr 08 (UNI) As many as 42 tribal families, from the Vattachira settlement, in the district will get five acres of land each.

State SC/ST Minister M A Kuttappan will distribute the title-deeds to the 42 families at a function at the colony on April 10, an official release said here today.

Nearly 240 acres of land had been identified for the purpose and 210 acres of cultivable land would be distributed now. The rest of the land would be given to other landless tribals.

The Vattachira Tribal Cooperative Society would take up the rehabilitation activities at the site, the release added.

Jagathi selected for Bahadur Award

Wednesday, April 9, 2003

Thrissur, Apr 8 (UNI) Comedian Jagathi Sreekumar has been selected for this year's Bahadur Award for his outstanding contribution to the Malayalam cinema.

Instituted by the Kodungallur-based Bahadur Memorial Trust to perpetuate the memory of comedian the late Bahadur, the Award carried a cash prize of Rs 50,000 and a citation.

The Award would be presented to Jagathi at a function to be held at Kodungallur on May 22, the third death anniversary of Bahadur.

The Award was announced by Trust President Dr. A.K. Siddique here today.

Cong hints at action against Karunakaran faction

Wednesday, April 9, 2003

New Delhi April 8 (UNI) The Congress leadership today hinted that disciplinary action against dissident MLAs belonging to Karunakaran faction in Kerala will be be taken only after voting in the biennial elections to the Rajya Sabha is over.

''We are not ruling out disciplinary action,'' party spokesperson Jaipal Reddy said adding that the timing would be decided by the leadership while replying to volley of questions why the central leadership is fighting shy of taking action against the followers of former Chief Minister K Karunakaran.

The MLAs belonging to his faction have fielded a rebel candidate Mr Govindan Nair opposing the official party candidates Mr Vyalar Ravi and Tennala Balakrishnan.

Dharani

Wednesday, April 9, 2003

Filmmaker Dharani is a relaxed man. His last release, the Tamil film Dhool, starring Vikram, Jyothika and Reema Sen, was a stupendous success and the only Pongal hit this year. It is on its way to completing 100 days next week.

Dharani was already toying with ideas for his next film at his home.

"Expectations will be very high after Dhil and Dhool," said the director. "I am scared. At the same time, I am excited."

Did you expect Dhool to be such a huge hit? It is suggested the storyline of Dhool and your earlier film Dhil is similar.

The team that made Dhil was behind Dhool as well -- including the cameraman, music director, art director, hero and me. So I thought people might expect the same kind of fare, or at least a part of it, in the next film as well.

Did you not fear being branded repetitive?

I don't think so. Let me explain. In Kerala, people prefer puttu-kadala [steamed rice cakes and chickpeas] and tea. They are not particular about variety and prefer simple food. Their films have the same simple look.

In Andhra Pradesh, food has to be served elaborately, grandly. That richness is reflected in Telugu films.

North Indians, who like roti [Indian bread] and dal [a pulse-based gravy], see films like Hum Aapke Hai Koun...! But, for those who love pizzas and burgers, there is Dil Chahta Hai.

In Tamil Nadu, you have to serve many varieties of rice in a thali [platter]. But if you don't give them paan [a betel leaf digestive] at the end of the meal, they will be irritated even if the food was very good. It's like taking a friend to a restaurant after telling him their dosa [rice pancake] is very good, only to find they exclusively serve Chinese cuisine.

Similarly, when you go to the theatre to watch a film made by the same team, you expect the same kind of entertainment and the same kind of spirit. That's the Rajni [Rajnikanth], MGR [M G Ramachandran], Amitabh Bachchan and Sivaji Ganesan formula. Is there any difference in the films these actors made?

Why is Dhool a bigger hit than Dhil? It has done well in the cities as well as the B and C centres. It is doing extraordinarily well in Canada.

Dhil didn't have such a big reach because it dealt with the problems of the middle class. Dhool deals with a universal problem.

Did you ever think it would be such a big hit?

It had all the ingredients necessary for it to become a hit. But I was guarded while making the film. We wanted it to be a hit. Being confident and being arrogant are two different things. I am not arrogant, I am only confident.

Many filmmakers say they have no idea what will work at the box-office.

I know what will work at the box-office. I have been watching films for so many years. My instinct tells me what will work and what will not work. I watch people's reactions. I don't do things I don't like.

Dhool is a violent film like Dhil. We don't see so much violence in real life.

I feel happy and proud you found Dhool a violent film. When every other film has 10 to 15 fights, Dhool has only two. I have conveyed the message. I wanted it to be a violent film without showing violence.

The making of the film is violent, but there is not much violence shown in the film.

Was it because you were Vikram's classmate that you had him playing hero in both your films?

We both completed our BA in English Literature at Loyola College [Chennai]. But that is not the reason why I cast him. We went our ways and our struggles happened in a parallel manner. We were in touch, constantly cheering each other.

My producer booked Vikram for Dhil. Later, I wrote the script with Vikram in mind, which they liked.

What was it like to direct your classmate?

It was good as we shared the same vibes. We were like friends on the sets. If you have a 'Sir, will you please' tone on the sets, the film will not shape the way you want it to. There should be open-mindedness between the artiste and the director.

He is a wonderful and dedicated artiste. If you ask him to lie on the road next to a dustbin, he will do it without any qualms.

I wanted him to have a good physique for Dhool because villagers have better bodies than city dwellers. After 20 days, he comes back exactly the way I wanted him to look, with muscles. We feel happy to work with such artistes. There was no difference in the way he worked for Dhil and Dhool.

Unlike Tamil films, where the heroine is an ornamental piece, your heroine is a woman of substance. Was it a conscious decision to have such a strong woman character?

Yes, it was a conscious decision. I wrote the script with Vikram and Jyothika in mind. The woman character was written specifically for Jyothika because she is a very good performer. The character was inspired by one of my schoolmates. She was the kind who would pinch somebody and keep a straight face. She would watch two other girls fight over something she did.

Jyothika has the ability to look comical; it is very difficult to get this in any artiste, more so in females. The look should be comical yet lovable. Only Jyothika has such a mobile face. I couldn't have her for just a song-and-dance sequence. Those who want to look like dolls in films choose those kinds of roles, but Jyothika is different.

In the first half, she spoke all the time while Vikram had only a few lines. But, in the second half, he takes over. I wanted to create good scenes for both of them, as they are good performers.

Why did you choose Hindi titles for both your films?

Dhil and Dhool are not Hindi words. They are slang words in Tamil. Dhil in Tamil means courage or guts. In college, guys say, 'If you have dhil, come and do this.'

There was a lot of confusion among people when we had this title. I made a trailer, explaining the meaning of dhil. It won a bronze medal from an advertising club.

Dhool is slang for superb in Tamil. Like if you ask me, 'How was it?' I would say, 'Dhool, macha [man].'

"Magic" will release in at least a hundred theatres all over India during April and May

Wednesday, April 9, 2003

Navodaya producer Appachan made history by making India's first 3-D film, My Dear Kuttichattan (the Hindi version was called Chhota Chetan) 20 years ago. The film was directed by Appachan's elder son, Jijo.

His second son, Jose Punnoose, now directs another 3-D film Magic, Magic (in Hindi).

The film stars Suraj Balajee (whose performance in Shah Rukh Khan's Asoka was much appreciated) and singer-actor S P Balasubramaniam in the main roles. Seventy per cent of the film was shot in the United States.

Jose claims Magic, Magic will be a summer treat for kids and families. The Tamil version of the film will release April 4, the Malayalam version April 9, the Hindi and Telugu version on April 11.

In all, Magic, Magic will release in at least a hundred theatres all over India during April and May, Punnoose tells:

How did the director's mantle fall on you?

Frankly, this film came to me on the rebound. I was a production guy till now. My brother, who is the technical person, took care of direction. I had no choice but to manage production. But I was good at concepts. Except for this creative output, I was never involved in the execution of a film.

This is my 23rd year in the industry. This venture started 18 years ago. I sent my scriptwriter to the US for a month, but the film never began. Our priorities were different then. I tried to revive it in 1996 but failed. I tried again in 2000 and this is the result.

Were you to direct the film when you revived the project?

No. I was the person behind the concept; I was the person pushing people. The reason I directed the film was personal. I had offered the project to a director but he said it was not his forte.

I must admit I wouldn't have done this if not for the help I received from the people whom I had supported earlier. All of them backed me and promised to help me.

Did you look at My Dear Kuttichattan for reference or is everything about Magic, Magic fresh?

No. What motivates me is the story or the concept.

The 3-D angle came in much later. That was not what I had in mind 20 years ago. Once the magician's character was thrown in, we thought it had to be a 3-D film.

How difficult is it shooting a 3-D film?

Quite difficult. But, since we had made a 3-D movie earlier, it was slightly easier. It takes longer to execute a 3-D film than a normal one. It is more expensive too.

If you are working with 100 kilowatts of light for an ordinary film, a 3-D film needs at least 350 kilowatts of light. Then comes the question of time. Lighting takes at least four times more time and that costs money, too.

It took us about 140 days to shoot, when we would have normally finished in it 40 or 50 days.

Who took care of the technical aspects of the film?

Nambyadiri handles the 3-D part of the film. He works as a cameraman in Malayalam and Tamil films. We trained him 20 years ago on 3-D filmmaking. For the US shoot, the main crew was from India, but the support crew was from the US.

Why do you have a US angle in the story?

My original idea was about an Indian kid who is taken to the US against his wishes by his father.

In a family of magicians, an offspring refuses to learn magic. He believes in the magic of the West and decides to move there. Just before leaving, he loses his wife and has to leave his small son (Suraj Balajee) with his father (S P Balasubramaniam). The father takes this opportunity to revive the tradition the family had been following for generations.

The film starts with the father coming back to India from the US to visit his son. He finds the kid has been brought up as a magician without any basic education. Upset, he takes the child to the US, away from his grandfather. The boy is totally out of place there. He runs away from home to come back to his grandfather and, in the process, meets a street dog. That is when their adventures start.

I thought of the US because I wanted the child to be in a place where he would be totally lost. It is like throwing a kid into water. You have an Indian kid who does not know English alone in the streets of America. Seventy per cent of the shooting took place in New York City. The element of magic was thrown in to give it a touch of fantasy.

How did you feel once you finished shooting the film?

As this is a 3-D film, my work did not end with the shooting. The toughest part is projecting the film in the theatres. We have to install a new, special, silver-coated screen in every theatre. We made these screens ourselves. After importing the material from the US, we made the glasses needed to view the film. We have made over a million glasses to be supplied all over the country.

We also imported special 3-D projection lenses from Germany, which we have to install in all the theatres screening the film. Installing this lens takes at least 10 hours. We have a team that will go to the various theatres to do this.

The most difficult part is changing the screens and lenses in the theatres overnight.

We have to employ at least 20 people in all the theatres to distribute the glasses, collect them after the show, sterilise them, etc. After two weeks, we have to change the glasses.

Altogether, the film will cost us Rs 14 crores (Rs 140 million). I expect the film to be a huge hit.

Superstars fight for survival

Wednesday, April 9, 2003

Malayalam cinema superstars Mammootty and Mohanlal confront desperate times. They have enjoyed box-office supremacy for over 20 years but those glorious days seem to be past.

All their films in the last two years have flopped forcing Malayalam filmmakers to look for newer, younger heroes.

Not that Mammootty and Mohanlal are ready to write their respective career epitaphs. They have now teamed up with top directors like Priyadarshan, Siddique and Lal Jose to boost their careers.

After a year's 'forced vacation,' Mammootty is now shooting for Siddique's Chronic Bachelor.

Casting Mammootty caused Siddique much concern -- no young Malayalam heroine wanted to act with the 'ageing' superstar.

Kavya Madhavan, Malayalam cinema's most sought after heroine, recently said she would feel awkward to costar as a romantic heroine with Mammootty.

The junior college student may be right. Mammootty is over 50 and it may be difficult for the star to continue getting romantic roles (Kannada superstar Rajakumar incidentally returned to the screen as a romantic hero with Shabdavedi in 2000. He was 71).

Siddique has now cast Tamil actress Rambha opposite Mammootty in Chronic Bachelor.

Lal Jose, whose Meesa Madhavan last year had record collections, has offered Mammootty a 'befitting' role in his latest venture Pattalam. Mammootty begins shooting for the film later this month.

Pattalam tells the story of a village where a Rapid Action Force unit led by Mammootty arrives to restore peace and communal harmony.

Mammootty's friends and well-wishers hope Chronic Bachelor and Pattalam will herald his comeback.

Mohanlal has confronted similar career distress as his old rival. In the last two years, most of his films like Life Is Beautiful, Thandavam and Onnaman have flopped.

Critics say unless he has a hit soon he will be in deep, deep trouble. This could explain why the gifted actor has teamed up with college buddy, director Priyadarshan, for Kochu Kilichundan Mambazham.

Priyadarshan's latest Malayalam film is in the last leg of shooting on the sprawling banks of the Bharatapuzha river and across the Muslim-dominated Malappuram district.

Kochu Kilichundan Mambazham is the story of timber trader Abdul Khader (Mohanlal) who falls in love with the third wife of local Muslim strongman Moosakutty Haji (Sreenivasan).

The film, which has been scripted by Sreenivasan, also stars popular Kannada actress Soundarya.

Many believe Kochu Kilichundan Mambazham could revive Mohanlal's fortunes; after all, the Priyadarshan-Mohanlal-Sreenivasan combine are known for their exciting collaborations (take Kilukkam, to name just one).

HC allows Engineering Colleges to fill 50 pc seats

Tuesday, April 8, 2003

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Monday allowed the self-financing engineering colleges in the State to fill 50 per cent of their seats from management quota.

Justice C N Ramachandran passed the interim order on a writ petition by Amal Jyothi College of Engineering, Kanjirappally and others challenging the regulations issued by the All India Council for Techncial Education(AICTE) limiting the management quota to 15 per cent of the seats.

The petitioners submitted that the prospectus issued by the State Government had indicated the management quota of 50 per cent and sought permission to fill up the quota in accordance with the prospectus.

The court also issued notices to the State Government and the AICTE on the petition.

Antony government loosing its popularity: Bardhan

Tuesday, April 8, 2003

Thiruvananthapuram: CPI National General Secretary, A.B. Bardhan said that the Antony government is loosing its popularity. It is no more important to oust it from power, he said.

It is not the time to think about ousting the UDF government. The outcome of the power tussle in Congress party can not be predicted. It is not the responsibility of the opposition parties to find solution for conflicts in the Congress party, Bardhan said.

Be it Antony or Karunakaran, they all are Congress-men. The left wing will protest against the UDF governments led by them no matter what, Bardhan said.

By letting the police force rule Kerala, Antony himself digs grave for the Congress government. Antony uses police force to suppress struggles of working class as well as tribals, Bardhan said.

Sonia summons Muraleedharan to Delhi for talks on Congress stalemate

Tuesday, April 8, 2003

Kerala PCC chief K Muraleedharan will meet Congress president Sonia Gandhi in New Delhi on Tuesday, amid the persisting stalemate within the State unit over the selection of candidates for the April 14 Rajya Sabha elections.

Muraleedharan, who is also in the eye of a storm after offering to step down from the post in a letter to the party president, told newspersons that he had no formula at hand to solve the issue.

However, he hoped that all outstanding matters would be resolved.

Taking a dig at Chief Minister A K Antony, who appealed to Congressmen not to fall prey to the designs of the opposition, he said "Let those who have not fallen in the trap of the Marxists caution about it."

Denying reports that he spurned the panel of three candidates proposed by the Chief Minister, the PCC president said he did not want to reveal the details of his discussion with Antony.

Responding to the demand by Congress leader K K Ramachandran Master for disciplinary action against him and K Karunakaran, he said "everybody knew who has violated the discipline."

Karunakaran's candidate for Rajya Sabha remains in fray; state Congress in for tumultuous days

Tuesday, April 8, 2003

Challenging the authority of the AICC and plunging the state Congress in a deep crisis, the rebel candidate Kodoth Govindan Nair, fielded by veteran leader and former Chief Minister K Karunakaran against the high command's nominees, remains in the fray for the April 14 Rajya Sabha elections from Kerala at the expiry of the withdrawal of nominations.

As of now, the Karunakaran faction seems to be determined to go ahead with the candidature of Nair against the official nominees AICC General Secretary Vayalar Ravi and former PCC Chief Thennala Balakrishna Pillai for the two seats that the party could win in the elections.

It is for the first time in the long political career of 84-year-old Karunakaran that he had openly defied the decision of the high command. As such, his sticking to the decision of fielding his nominee would have far reaching consequences in the state Congress, including a threat to the 23-month-old government headed by Chief Minister A K Antony, who is leading a powerful group in the party's state unit.

If the Karunakaran faction could impress upon the party high command that its nominee Govindan Nair has a good chance to win, then it would be difficult for the leadership to neglect the political realities.

Since the Congress-led United Democratic Front could win only two seats as per its strength in the State Assembly, discussions in political circles are now centred around whether the rebel candidate would be able to secure the support of 36 MLAs to win the poll.

Obviously, it would be a great embarrassment for Antony if one of the two official candidates was defeated.

Nair, whose two sets of papers were signed by 20 MLAs, had claimed that he had filed the nomination as per the wishes of 27 Congress MLAs.

In the 140-member Assembly, the UDF has 100 MLAs and the Marxist-led Left Democratic Front 40 legislators. As per the calculations, the LDF would require the votes of only 36 MLAs to ensure the victory of its candidate K Chandran Pillai, leaving a surpluss of four votes. It is understood that the LDF had given an assurance to the Karunakaran camp that they would give the surplus vote in favour of the rebel candidate.

In the UDF, the Congress has 63 members, followed by the Indian Union Muslim League-16, Kerala Congress(M)- nine, Janathipathya Samrakshana Samithy (JSS)- four, Kerala Congress(B)- two, Kerala Congress(Jacob)- two, Revolutionary Socialist Party (Bolshevik)- two, Communist Marxist Party-one and independent-one.

Of them, the IUML had already indicated that it would stand with the decision of the Congress High Command. The KC (M) is also unlikely to support the rebel. However, the Karunakaran camp is trying to secure the support of eleven MLAs from the other coalition partners. Some of the top leaders of these parties are known to be very close to Karunakaran.

Now the question in everyone's mind is whether the Congress MLAs would be ready to violate the party whip and vote for the rebel candidate. Ironically, Congress chief whip P P George is one of the signatories to the nomination of the rebel candidate. If all the 27 MLAs loyal to Karunakaran cast their votes for the rebel candidate, the high command would find it difficult to take disciplinary action against all of them -- a move that might affect the stability of the Antony government.

In such an event, the rebel candidate would need nine more votes to ensure his victory. With four votes coming from the LDF side, it would be short of only five votes.

Considering the indications given by the smaller parties, which together have a strength of eleven MLAs, the prospect of the rebel candidate is not all that bleak.

Victory of the rebel candidate would be a bitter pill to swallow for both Ravi or Pillai. It is believed that the Congress high command in all possibility would attempt to avoid such a situation.

If the rebel candidate wins or one of the official nominees withdraws, Karunakaran would once again emerge stronger in the party. Of late, he had been nursing a hurt feeling after allegedly being sidelined in the party.

However, if the opposite happens, it is likely to push the veteran leader to further isolation in the party.

Crisis will continue till I step down, says Antony

Monday, April 7, 2003

In an apparent dig at his detractor K Karunakaran, Kerala Chief Minister A.K, Antony on Saturday said crisis in some form or the other would continue to plague the Congress in the state as long as he (Antony) was at the helm of the government.

"There will be crises so long as I am in power. Only the reasons for the same vary," the Chief Minister told reporters in Palakkad in the backdrop of the crisis in the party following the fielding of a rebel candidate by the Karunakaran faction for the Rajya Sabha polls.

Refusing to be drawn into the controversy over the RS poll, he said he would comment on it only if a third candidate against the two official nominees remained in the fray after April 7, the last date for withdrawal of nominations.

"I will speak out if anyone other than official nominees contests the RS elections," he said.

(With PTI inputs)

Nishagandhi festival gets off to colourful start

Monday, April 7, 2003

The eight-day-long Nishagandhi Festival showcasing classical dance, music, food and arts from various parts of the country, with the focus on the princely state of Rajasthan, got off to a colourful start in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday evening.

Chief Minister A K Antony inaugurated the fiesta, organised by the Kerala Tourism Department, at a function at the Kanakakkunnu Palace.

Rajasthan, which is the Partner State for this year's Nishagandhi Festival, will put on show its colourful and pulsating culture including its folk dances, colourful handlooms, sturdy footwear and tinkling glass bangles.

A food court, where visitors can enjoy performances by Rajasthani dancers while sampling ethnic gourmet dishes, ranging from the exotic Arab and the sweet Gujarati to the spicy Chettinad, will be another attraction at the festival.

In the evenings, renowned artistes would give an insight into the country's classical dance forms such as Kathak, Odissi, Manipuri, Bharatnatyam and Mohiniyattam and also its rich instrumental and vocal music heritage.

Artisans from 15 States will also exhibit their wares and demonstrate the skills, which go into the making of the products.

Kerala family commits suicide in Ooty

Monday, April 7, 2003

In a tragic incident, a couple from Kerala along with their minor children ended their life in a hotel room in Ooty, police said on Sunday.

Thiruvananthapuram city police, acting on an intimation received from their counterparts in Ooty identified the deceased as Krishna Kumar (48) of Aksharavedi Lane near Pettah, his wife, Jolly (36) and daughters, Riya (14) and Tina (6).

The husband and wife were found dead hanging in the hotel room. The children were found dead on the bed and seemed to have been injected with some lethal substance, police said. The children are students of Holy Angels Convent in Thiruvananthapuram.

Finding the hotel room closed, the hotel authorities informed it to police on Saturday. When police opened the door, they found the family dead. Quoting a suicide note found in the room, the police said Krishna Kumar and his wife, Jolly, had entered into a pact to commit suicide after killing their children. Police said that Krishna Kumar, owner of a lodge in West Fort, was deep in debt.

Police said that Krishna Kumar had taken Rs. 35 lakhs in 1995 from a State Government-owned money-lending firm to construct a three-storied lodge at West Fort. Recently, he received a notice from the institution that his properties would be attached if the loan was not repaid. An official said that Krishna Kumar owed the firm about Rs. 58 lakhs.

The police said that the family had left the city on March 14. On March 31, the father of Jolly, Krishnan Nair, filed a man missing complaint at the Vanchiyoor station after his daughter's family failed to return home.

Police said the family had checked into a hotel in Ooty on April 1. The hotel staff found the family dead on April 4. A medical examination chit found on Krishna Kumar helped the Ooty police trace his address.

The bodies will be brought to the house of Jolly at Sreekariyam on Monday. A city police team has left for Ooty to take care of the legalities, police said.

Rajasthan-Kerala tie-up for tourism promotion

Monday, April 7, 2003

The 'Desert State' of Rajasthan on Sunday entered a tie-up with 'God's Own Country,' Kerala, to promote each other's tourism potential.

A MoU to this effect was signed between Rajasthan Tourism Secretary Aravind Mayaram and Kerala Tourism Secretary T Balakrishnan at a function organised in Thiruvananthapuram . Kerala Tourism Minister K V Thomas was also present on the occasion. Officials from both the states expressed confidence that the tie-up would further boost their respective tourism industries.

While deserts and palaces are the major tourist attractions of Rajasthan, Kerala could cash in on its beautiful beaches and backwaters. Both the states would work together to promote their tourist destinations at future international tourism festivals and road shows.

'I' group firm; Antony calls for restraint

Monday, April 7, 2003

With the deadline to withdraw nomination to the Rajya Sabha ending at 3 pm on Monday, the crisis in the Congress over the selection of candidates continues to be unresolved. While Chief Minister A K Antony made a fervent appeal to the rebel faction not to play into the Opposition hands and to withdraw Kodoth Govindan Nair from the fray, the Karunakaran loyalists signalled that they would not budge an inch, till High Command comes up with a solid compromise formula.

Karunakaran met several of his close lieutenants at his residence on Sunday. Karunakaran is leaving for New Delhi on Tuesday to attend the Lok Sabha session. KPCC president K Muraleedharan is also expected to be in New Delhi by Tuesday.

Antony on Sunday said that the attempts of the Opposition LDF to destabilise his Government by seizing the opportunity would not succeed. "The LDF call to bring down the Ministry will not have any ripples in the UDF. My friends in the party too will not fall into such a trap," he said.

He said that the AICC general secretary in charge of the State, Ambika Soni, had contacted him earlier in the day. But he refused to divulge the details of their discussions. Antony later left for Kasaragod to attend the concluding function of the Kerala Raksha Yatra.

Sources in the Antony group are of the view that as a solution is unlikely by Monday and all the three Congress candidates may remain in the fray. But they point out that party high command can still try for a solution before the election date of April 14.

According to sources, Congress president Sonia Gandhi, though firm on the decision not to make any changes in the Rajya Sabha candidates, may agree to a compromise formula that does not erode the authority of the party high command.

Kasthurimaan

Friday, April 4, 2003

Lohitadas is one of the best scriptwriters in Malayalam tinsel town today. His stories are usually simple and straightforward. There is a down to earth allure about them. But Lohitadas has yet to go a long way before he becomes a good director, or at least to be called a director. All his directorial ventures had very good storylines but poor directorial approach. (His last film Soothradharan had none to that matter). His new movie Kasthurimaan too has a hyper intense yet simple story line. But when it comes to direction, the movie is at total lack of originality. Before dissecting the downsides, first a look at the ups of the film.

One of the main protagonists in Kasthurimaan is Priyamvada (Meera Jasmine), an outgoing, headstrong girl, who is sure about what she wants in life. She is confident and always attempts to take life as it comes. The bolting realities of life and her reactions to the situations are the twist and turns in the story. Meera Jasmine as Priyamvada delivers a fresh and convincing performance though at places she tends to dwell in over expressive faces. But if that rough edges of her skills are polished, then she will go places.

On the other side of the story is Sajan Joseph Aaluka (Kunchako Boban). He hails from a once rich but now bankrupt family. Sajan has only one ambition in life and that is to excel in studies and to join the Civil Service. His entire outlook on life changes when he crosses paths with Priyamvada. She makes him realize the value of life in a way he never had felt before. Soon, both of them want to share their lives more than anything. Sajan gets selection for IAS and when they are about to build their dreams together, life delivers a jolt that would change their lives forever. Kunchako Boban as Sajan Joseph Aaluka delivers a sincere performance. Breaking from his image as a chocolate lover boy, he enacts a role that requires maturity with confidence.

The supporting cast of the film is well selected. Shammy Thilakan, Kochin Haneefa and even characters that flash through the screen leave their marks. The script gives them all their moments. No character in the film looks squeezed in (even the short appearance of Joy Aalukka).

But the problem with Kasthurimaan is that it has a considerably good script but poor directorial skills applied. Lohithadas seems to get inspiration from many previous films, when it comes to direction. The background of scenes, the visuals and sometimes even the music appear adopted. The most glaring example is the song ‘one + one’, which is a back-to-back copy of the Tamil song ‘Kadhal Pishasu’ from the movie Run. Is Ouseppachan, the music director, the one to be blamed? No. It is the director’s responsibility to pay attention to such details.

Also Lohithadas should try to stick with story writing. Lyrics for songs are just not his forte, just like direction.
On technical side, the camera work and editing of the film offers nothing new and are just about ok. Background score blends considerably well with the story.

Overall, Kasthurimaan is a film, which dares to present protagonists with difference, but fails when it comes to direction. Still some good performances and intense moments keep the film lively.

Vishu attractions

Friday, April 4, 2003

Five films are getting ready to release during Vishu. The films due for release are Chronic Bachelor, Appuvinte Veede Enteyum, Kilichundan Mambazham, Navodaya's 3-D film Magic Magic and Jayaraj's film Thilakkam.

The editing work of Chronic Bachelor starring Mammooty, Rambha, Mukesh, Indraja, Bhavana and many others are fast progressing in Chitranjali in Thiruvananathapuram. The dubbing work will start next week.

The dubbing of Sibi Malayil's Appuvinte Veede Enteyum starring Jayaram, his son Kalidas and Jyothiramayi are going on in Navodaya.

The lab work of Priyadarshan-Mohanlal team's Kilichundan Mambazham is in the last phase. Soundarya is the heroine of this film.

Swargachitra's Navodaya 3-D film Magic Magic and Jayaraj's Dilip film Thilakkom are also getting ready.

Thennali Raman

Friday, April 4, 2003

Director : Rajan Kiriyath

Cast : Mukesh, Aishwarya, Jagathy Sreekumar, Baiju

Producer : P.M.Basheer

Gokula Krishnan (Mukesh) is an officer in an advertisement agency in Palakkad. His wife Kamalakshi (Aishwarya) is an obedient and devoted lady who adores her husband.

Gokulakrishnan is not a romantic type, as he got married when he was in his late thirties. He gets transferred to Thiruvananthapuram and his aim is to get the post of Assistant Manager. But when he reaches the office he realizes that there are six other officers waiting to get that post.

There is one Madalagopalan (Baiju) who is desperately trying to get the promotion. Soon Gokula Krishnan realizes that only by pleasing Vikram Simha Varma (Jagathy Sreekumar) who is hen-pecked, he can get the post and that too by making his wife happy. How he goes about this forms the rest of this comedy film.

The others in the cast are Vijayaraghavan, Janardhanan, Ranjitha and Indrans. Story, Screenplay and dialogues are by Rajan Kiriyath. P.C.Mohanan is the editor and K.P.Nambiathiri is the cameraman. P.M.Basheer produces the film.

FACT employees begin indefinite dharna

Friday, April 4, 2003

The employees of the Fertilizers and Chemicals Travancore (FACT) began an indefinite dharna before the corporate office in Kochi on Friday.

The dharna, organised by the 'Save FACT action committee', is launched in protest against the closure of FACT plants for the last 47 days and against the move to privatize the FACT. They are also demanding restoration of the perks and allowances of the employees.

The trade unions have also called for the removal of FACT chairman and Technical director.

Seetha Kalyanam

Friday, April 4, 2003

Director : Rajeev Kumar

Cast : Jayaram,Jyothika ,Indrajeet, Jagadhish, Siddique, Sukumari, Bindu Panikkar and Kalpana.

Producer : Menaka Suresh

Jyothika makes her debut in Malayalam with Revathy Kalamandir productions` Seetha Kalyanam, directed by Rajeev Kumar. Like all previous films of Rajeev Kumar, this one also promises to be different.

Srinivasa Iyer (Jayaram) is a software engineer in Bangalore who comes home to get married to Abhirami (Geethu Mohandas) according to the traditional Brahmin custom.

His mother (Manorama) who runs a famous vegetarian restaurant finds Abhirami for Iyer. His colleagues including an intimate friend Nimisha (Jyothika) come to attend the wedding. Brahmin weddings have a lot of customs and it takes seven days for the function to get over.

The story happens during these seven days. It is for the first time that the story of a film takes place in the backdrop of an elaborate wedding.

The cast also has Indrajeet, Jagadhish, Siddique, Sukumari, Bindu Panikkar and Kalpana. Singer Sreenivas tunes the songs written by C.R.Prasad.

Camera is by Rajiv Ravi and editing is by Prakash Moorthy. Menaka Suresh produces the film.

Kastoorimaan is turning out to be a hit

Friday, April 4, 2003

Lohithadas directed Kunchakko Boban- Meera Jasmine starrer Kastoorimaan released on March 29 is turning out to be a super hit.

The film which had opened in 19 centres had a better response in the first week than Mohanlal’s Mr Brahmachari in key centres.

The word of mouth for Kastoorimaan is good and ladies are flocking to the theatres to see the film. The film is an attempt by the director to showcase Meera Jasmine’s acting calibre and she has not been photographed so well before. It is after a very long time that a female oriented subject is hitting the screen and people say that there is newness in the story and presentation.

The film has also given Kunchakko Boban a new lease of life, as he has been able to shrug off his lover boy image. The climax of the film is widely appreciated by the audience and so are the song picturisation.

At Trichur, Kairali theatre the film has been houseful till now and a leading exhibitor says that Kastoorimaan has brought the audience back to the cinema halls.

Lohitadas is one of the best scriptwriters in Malayalam tinsel town today. His stories are usually simple and straightforward. There is a down to earth allure about them. But Lohitadas has yet to go a long way before he becomes a good director, or at least to be called a director. All his directorial ventures had very good storylines but poor directorial approach. (His last film Soothradharan had none to that matter). His new movie Kasthurimaan too has a hyper intense yet simple story line. But when it comes to direction, the movie is at total lack of originality. Before dissecting the downsides, first a look at the ups of the film.
One of the main protagonists in Kasthurimaan is Priyamvada (Meera Jasmine), an outgoing, headstrong girl, who is sure about what she wants in life. She is confident and always attempts to take life as it comes. The bolting realities of life and her reactions to the situations are the twist and turns in the story. Meera Jasmine as Priyamvada delivers a fresh and convincing performance though at places she tends to dwell in over expressive faces. But if that rough edges of her skills are polished, then she will go places.
On the other side of the story is Sajan Joseph Aaluka (Kunchako Boban). He hails from a once rich but now bankrupt family. Sajan has only one ambition in life and that is to excel in studies and to join the Civil Service. His entire outlook on life changes when he crosses paths with Priyamvada. She makes him realize the value of life in a way he never had felt before. Soon, both of them want to share their lives more than anything. Sajan gets selection for IAS and when they are about to build their dreams together, life delivers a jolt that would change their lives forever. Kunchako Boban as Sajan Joseph Aaluka delivers a sincere performance. Breaking from his image as a chocolate lover boy, he enacts a role that requires maturity with confidence.
The supporting cast of the film is well selected. Shammy Thilakan, Kochin Haneefa and even characters that flash through the screen leave their marks. The script gives them all their moments. No character in the film looks squeezed in (even the short appearance of Joy Aalukka).
But the problem with Kasthurimaan is that it has a considerably good script but poor directorial skills applied. Lohithadas seems to get inspiration from many previous films, when it comes to direction. The background of scenes, the visuals and sometimes even the music appear adopted. The most glaring example is the song ‘one + one’, which is a back-to-back copy of the Tamil song ‘Kadhal Pishasu’ from the movie Run. Is Ouseppachan, the music director, the one to be blamed? No. It is the director’s responsibility to pay attention to such details. Also Lohithadas should try to stick with story writing. Lyrics for songs are just not his forte, just like direction.
On technical side, the camera work and editing of the film offers nothing new and are just about ok. Background score blends considerably well with the story.
Overall, Kasthurimaan is a film, which dares to present protagonists with difference, but fails when it comes to direction. Still some good performances and intense moments keep the film lively

Ambitious hi-tech project to revive khadi sector: Official

Friday, April 4, 2003

Kozhikode: An ambitious project, involving 13 premiere technical institutions, is being launched to revive the ailing khadi and village industries sector in the country.

As part of the initiative, the National Institute of Technology here has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Mumbai, for promotion of khadi in Kerala.

''This is a pioneering attempt to rejuvenate the ailing khadi and village industries sector by utilising the technical prowess of top institutes all over the Country, to provide technical and managerial back-up to the existing and potential village industries,'' National Institute of Technology, Calicut (NITC) Director M P Chandrasekharan told reporters here today.

The main objective of the centres would be to provide impetus to the manufacture of quality products, using area specific resources, and achieve sustained marketability alongwith enhanced employment opportunities through training in basic skills and entrepreneurship development. This would make the village industries sector, a lucrative venture, leading to all-round development of rural areas, he said.

Each Centre would comprise a computing centre with Internet and physical and chemical quality testing laboratory for general village industry products, said Dr B Rajamma, Assistant Professor in civil engineering, who is the Principal Coordinator here.

The centre in its initial phase proposes to conduct a detailed survey to identify the potential strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the village industries sector and to map the untapped potential resource and market bases of the State, besides pointing out critical industries that require immediate attention for rejuvenation.

Development of new product lines suitable for production under village industries sector, product and process improvements through innovative changes in processing equipment, enhanced and stringent adoption of quality norms, prescription of acceptable quality standards for products, training of unemployed youth in basic trade skills to cater to service industries and enterpreneurship development programme and computerised network would be among the goals of the project.

The KVIC had sanctioned an amount of Rs 60 lakh for setting up the Interface Centre at NITC and implementing the various target activities over a period of five years.

Jaitley coming to study problems in plantation sector

Friday, April 4, 2003

New Delhi: To study about the problems faced by the farmers of plantation and cash crops and spices, the Union commerce and industry minister, Arun Jaitley, and the Minister of State for Trade, Vidyasagar Rao, arrive in Kerala on April 11.

Jaitley on Thursday said that talks will be held with the state government, representatives of farmers and the respective business organisations on various issues.

He said he had received several memoranda on the problems faced by the rubber and spices sectors. The MPs from the state had submitted the memoranda and also registered their complaints on the issue. It is a policy of the government to protect the plantation sector. The number of farmers in the sector is big.

Jaitley also said that he had given the word to the MPs that he would come to the state to conduct a study into the issues. He also said that he would be participating in the seminar to be held in Kochi on the problems faced by the Agro sector. The Minister of State has been entrusted the duty of conducting a primary study into the issue after holding talks with the people in the plantation sector, he said.

Cong. Ministers offer to quit

Friday, April 4, 2003

Thiruvananthapuram: The Congress in Kerala headed for a major crisis over nominations for the Rajya Sabha elections, with the veteran Congress leader, K. Karunakaran, today asking the Kasargod District Congress Committee president, Kodoth Govindan Nair, to file his nomination papers.

A meeting of his faction also decided to consider withdrawing its nominees in the Antony Cabinet— the Electricity Minister, Kadavoor Sivadasan, the Health Minister, P. Sankaran, and the Tourism-Fisheries Minister, K. V. Thomas.

The decision on the three Ministers quitting the Antony Cabinet would be finalised on Friday. The KPCC office-bearers belonging to the Karunakaran faction have also expressed their willingness to submit their resignation if the veteran leader were to ask them to.

Mr. Nair would file his nomination papers on Friday.

The decision to field a candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat came within hours of the two party nominees, Vayalar Ravi and Thennala Balakrishna Pillai, filing their nomination papers as the official candidates for the two seats the Congress could win under the current configuration in the State Assembly.

Interestingly, the Tourism Minister, who was believed to have fallen out of favour with Mr. Karunakaran, attended today's faction meeting and unambiguously stated that he was ever ready to resign his post as he had become an MP, MLA and a Minister on account of being a Karunakaran supporter.

Fourteen MLAs and the three Ministers attended the faction meeting.

Karunakaran's supporters made it very clear at the meeting that they would be ready to do anything that their revered leader might ask them to.

Another interesting development at the faction meeting was the total support the participants gave to the KPCC president, K. Muraleedharan's resignation in protest against the party high command's decision to overlook the claims of his nominee, P. C. Chacko.

Mr. Karunakaran, whose penchant for brinkmanship is quite well known, is once again at it, virtually putting pressure on the party high command to concede his demand.

The party had announced the name of Mr. Thennala Balakrishna Pillai as a nominee for the second seat, but Mr. Karunakaran, who had proposed Mr. Kodoth Govindan Nair, stoutly opposed this. In fact, Mr. Karunakaran has virtually grabbed a political room space from a crisis which is evidently the making of the party high command.

The decision had provoked the KPCC president, K. Muraleedharan, to submit his resignation.

The Chief Minister, A. K. Antony, has taken the position that the decision on the party candidates was taken by the high command and it was up to it to consider or reject Mr. Karunakaran's demands.

However, Mr. Antony is understood to have taken the view that the decision need not be reviewed. He reportedly views the Karunakaran faction's latest decision as a pressure tactic.

But the Chief Minister obviously did not expect Mr. Muraleedharan to complicate matters by announcing his resignation.

In proposing Mr. Kodoth Govindan Nair's name, Mr. Karunakaran appears to project a rare equation which would account for representation for the Malabar region, apart from addressing the communal equation which has been inducted into the current nominations.
The developments of the day has brought Mr. Karunakaran into a direct confrontation with the party high command, which has not been well disposed towards him as some of its recent decisions show.

One thing is clear, it's thinking would be conditioned by the positions of the Chief Minister.

Valayar Ravi and Thennala Balakrishna Pillai file nomination for RS elections

Friday, April 4, 2003

AICC General Secretary, Vayalar Ravi and former KPCC president Thennala Balakrishna Pillai have filed nomination papers for the Rajya Sabha elections to be held on April 14.

Chief Minister A K Antony, his cabinet colleagues, KPCC President K Muraleedharan and Congress leaders were present when they filed nominations before the returning officer and Kerala State Legislature Secretary K R Udayabhanu.

Going by the strength in the assembly, UDF will win two seats and LDF one. CITU-leader K Chandran Pillai is the LDF candidate.

Rajya Sabha seats are falling vacant with the retirement of S Ramachandran Pillai, C O Poulose, both CPI(M) and J Chitharanjan (CPI).

UNIDO centre opened in Kerala

Friday, April 4, 2003

United Nations Industrial Development Organisation's (UNIDO) regional centre for Small Hydro Power was inaugurated in Thiruvananthapuram by chief minister, A K Antony.

Speaking on the occasion, Antony said opening up of the centre was very relevent as it would provide an impetus for setting up small hydro power projects in the state.

About 400 places have been identified as ideal for establishing small hydro projects with a total power generation capacity of 800-1000 mw,he said.

Antony said stage have come where in people were not ready to accept frequent power tariff hike and the only option before the government was to go for cheap power from hydro projects.

The Centre would undertake survey and feasability study on small hydel projects in the state and it would also provide financial and technical assistance to set up small hydro power projects.

UNIDO Director General Carlos Magarifios said main objective of UNIDO was to encourage small hydro projects to generate low cost power.

Stressing for reforms in power sector, Magarifios said reforms in power sector would accelearate the flow of FDI into the country.

Compared to other countries,flow of FDI to India was low, he added. State Power Minister Kadavoor Sivadasan presided.

Trouble in Congress worsens with Karunakaran loyalist filing the papers for RS election

Friday, April 4, 2003

The trouble brewing in the Congress state unit over the selection of its Rajya Sabha candidates, has come to head with Karunakaran loyalist Kodoth Govindan Nair filing his papers.

He was accompanied by several party MLAs when he presented the papers to the legislature secretary who is the returning officer.

He said he would answer whether he is the official candidate of the party on April 7 when the time for withdrawals would end.

Vayalar Ravi and Thennala Balakrishna Pillai whose names were announced by party high command in Delhi have already filed the papers.

The UDF can hope to get elected only two candidates based on its strength in the Assembly. LDF has allotted the seat to CPI(M) which has fielded K Chandran Pillai.

The Congress high command has said there is no question of changing the candidates' list in spite of the resignation threat of KPCC president and Karunakaran's son K Muralidharan.

Chief minister A K Antony who has stolen a march over his arch rival Karunakaran by getting the high command to announce the names that he had approved, told media persons that he did not have any information about dissidence in the party over Rajya Sabha candidates' list.

He said there was also no reason why such hypothetical situations should affect the government.

Meanwhile, UDF convener Oommen Chandy will take time off his Kerala Raksha Yatra which is in its last leg, to try to mollify Muralidharan. He will meet Muralidharan and try to talk him out of his resignation.

Global peace mega show "'Ammayodoppam"

Friday, April 4, 2003

Kozhikode, Apr 3 (UNI) Contributing their mite for the cause of world peace, Malayalam movie artistes are propping up a mega show here on Saturday with the central theme of global peace in the backdrop of the Iraq war.

Though proposed to raise funds for the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA), the four-hour star-studded 'Ammayodoppam' (With the Mother) will have skits and other programmes focused on the anti-war theme, AMMA secretary and mega star Mammootty said while interacting with mediapersons here last evening.

In the run-up to the mega show, almost all the big and small names of the tinsel world have descended on the city for rehearsals from Tuesday, bringing the activities of the film industry to a virtual standstill.

''We are living in a time gripped with war fear. We are against any brutal killings in the name of war. The killing of a human being by another cannot be justified,'' Mammootty noted, echoing the sentiments of the people in the industry.

AMMA president and renowned comedian Innocent said collections from the show would go to the welfare fund of the association which has been giving a monthly pension to 19 ailing artistes. After the show, eleven more would be given pension besides other welfare activities like financial assistance to the kin of the dead.

Cine actor Jagadeesh assured that all the ''expected'' variety of programmes would be staged to entertain the public at the show being organised by a Kochi-based event management group 'Innovations'.

The absence of superstar Mohanlal, who is currently in the United States, has already taken some sheen out of the show which was earlier advertised to have more Hindi and Tamil matinee idols besides the Malayalam stars.

The film technicians' associations, the Kerala State Film Development Corporation, the distributors' organisations are also extending assistance to the show, being scripted and directed by a group of leading directors led by Joshi.

Murali quits as Kerala Congress chief

Friday, April 4, 2003

Sore over the high command's rejection of his proposal for the Rajya Sabha polls, KPCC President K Muraleedharan has submitted his resignation as the state unit chief to AICC President Sonia Gandhi.

In his letter, Muraleedharan has urged Gandhi to relieve him of the responsibilities on April 8, a day after the Kerala Raksha Yatra campaign led by UDF convener Oommen Chandy concludes at Kasargode, sources close to Muraleedharan said.

When contacted, Muraleedharan confirmed he had sent 'a letter' to the AICC chief, but refused to divulge the content. "I cannot reveal the contents of the letter now," he said.

The high command's choice of former KPCC president Thennala Balakrishna Pillai along with AICC general secretary Vayalar Ravi as a 'compromise candidate' for the election to the upper house to be held later this month appeared to have prompted the resignation.

The high command chose Pillai overruling Muraleedharan's suggestion of P C Chacko as the nominee for one of the two seats the party can win. Chacko's candidature was stiffly opposed by K Karunakaran, who wanted one of the seats for a nominee of his choice.

Muraleedharan pressed for Chacko's candidature after the KPCC election committee authorised him and Chief Minister A K Antony to make recommendations to the high command.

Muraleedharan said he would continue to discharge his duties as the KPCC President till April 7 as he did not want to create problems before the Kerala Raksha Yatra campaign led by Chandy concluded.

The Congress leader said he would be present when Vayalar Ravi and Thennala Balakrishna Pillai file their nominations here this afternoon.

He said he would be in Delhi after April 7 when the Parliament session begins.

Meanwhile, sources said AICC General Secretary in charge of the state, Ambika Soni, was in touch with the leaders here to resolve the issue. (PTI)

Murali quits as Kerala Congress chief

Friday, April 4, 2003

Murali quits as Kerala Congress chief
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Thursday, April 3, 2003 (Thiruvananthapuram):

Sore over the high command's rejection of his proposal for the Rajya Sabha polls, KPCC President K Muraleedharan has submitted his resignation as the state unit chief to AICC President Sonia Gandhi.

In his letter, Muraleedharan has urged Gandhi to relieve him of the responsibilities on April 8, a day after the Kerala Raksha Yatra campaign led by UDF convener Oommen Chandy concludes at Kasargode, sources close to Muraleedharan said.

When contacted, Muraleedharan confirmed he had sent 'a letter' to the AICC chief, but refused to divulge the content. "I cannot reveal the contents of the letter now," he said.

The high command's choice of former KPCC president Thennala Balakrishna Pillai along with AICC general secretary Vayalar Ravi as a 'compromise candidate' for the election to the upper house to be held later this month appeared to have prompted the resignation.

The high command chose Pillai overruling Muraleedharan's suggestion of P C Chacko as the nominee for one of the two seats the party can win. Chacko's candidature was stiffly opposed by K Ka

Kerala minister to visit Gulf to promote investment

Friday, April 4, 2003

IANS
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Unfazed by the war in Iraq, a Kerala minister will visit the Gulf later this month to persuade expatriates to pick up stake in a company formed to promote development of the state.

Minister for Non-Resident Keralites M.M. Hassan will travel to the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman to market ROOTS-Norka, a company floated by the Kerala government last year.

During the visit, Hassan will also promote the Pravasi Insurance Scheme, a joint venture between the Kerala government and the Life Insurance Corporation of India.

He also hopes to visit Kuwait and has sought permission from the external affairs ministry to do so.

"We envisage selling shares of ROOTS-Norka to non-resident Keralites. Several NRKs have expressed their desire to invest in this company," Hassan told IANS after a meeting of the state assembly's committee on NRKs.

"We plan to sell only 49 percent stake in the company. The exact amount of the share capital to be raised and other details would be worked out shortly," said Hassan.

One of the key objectives of enlarging the scope of ROOTS-Norka is to set up a training institute for the welfare of NRKs and those who return.

"The job scenario in the Middle East is changing fast and what is required is value addition to the educational and technical qualifications of those already working there and those who have returned," said the minister.

The company could also invest in entrepreneurial ventures in the state to provide jobs to returning NRKs.

Speaking about the insurance scheme, he said: "We have had a good response to it but we feel there is a bigger market to be tapped".

Kerala Congress chief K Muraleedharan resigns

Friday, April 4, 2003

Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president K Muraleedharan has resigned.

In a letter to party president Sonia Gandhi, Muraleedharan has urged her to relieve him of the responsibilities on April 8, a day after the Kerala raksha yatra campaign led by United Democratic Front convener Oommen Chandy concludes at Kasargode, sources said.

The high command's choice of former KPCC president Thennala Balakrishna Pillai and AICC general secretary Vayalar Ravi as a 'compromise candidate' for the election to the Rajya Sabha appeared to have prompted the resignation.

The high command chose Pillai overruling Muraleedharan's suggestion of P C Chacko. K Karunakaran, who wanted one of the seats for his nominee, had opposed Chacko's candidature.

Muraleedharan had pressed for Chacko's candidature after the KPCC election committee authorised him and Chief Minister A K Antony to make recommendations to the high command.

Ravi, Thennala Cong nominees of RS polls in Kerala

Wednesday, April 2, 2003

New Delhi: AICC General Secretary Vayalar Ravi and former Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee President Thennala Balakrishna Pillai have been selected as party nominess for the two of the three Rajya Sabha seats which fell vacant from the state this year.

This was announced by AICC General Secretary in-charge of Kerala Ambika Soni here on Tuesday.

KPCC President K Muraleedharan had a meeting with party president Sonia Gandhi during the day to finalise the names of party candidates for the Upper House.

Earlier, state election committee of the party had authorised Chief Minister A K Antony and Muraleedharan to decide on the candidate issue.

Air India thrashed F C Kochin

Wednesday, April 2, 2003

Air India down F C Kochin, TFA beat SBT

April 01, 2003 22:32 IST

Air India thrashed F C Kochin 3-1 and earned three points from the Group A Second Division National Football League final phase round one match at the Chandrasekharan Nair stadium in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday.

F C Kochin, Kerala's first professional club and relegated from the first division last year, thus saw their hopes of returning to the premier league dashed with this defeat. They have lost all the three league matches they played so far.

In another match, Tata Football Academy, Jamshedpur, stunned State Bank of Travancore 2-0.

This was Air India's second victory from three matches.

Vijith Shetty put the airmen ahead in the 44th minute and Narendra Metei made it 2-0 capitalising on a fine pass from Anthony Fernandes in the 54th minute.

The Kerala side played with determination to reduce the margin and Bijumon made no mistake in converting a penalty kick in the 88th minute.

Just before the final whistle substitute Syed Altrfudin Ahmed made it 3-1 for Air India.

In the TFA-SBT match, Debrata Roy put the Jamshedpur side ahead in the 47th minute, making no mistake from a penalty award after SBT defender Abdul Basheer fouled an advancing Jery Zirsanga.

TFA then put the match beyond the reach of the bankmen, scoring the second goal in the 74th minute through Bimal Pariyar, who shot home a pass from Malsawma.

In the six-team league, Air India and BSF are on top with seven points each from three matches, while SBT and TFA have six points each. The other two, FC Kochin and Assam State Electricity Board, have lost all the three matches played so far.

Tomorrow is a rest day.

Ravi, Thennala Cong nominees of RS polls in Kerala

Wednesday, April 2, 2003

Air India thrashed F C Kochin

Wednesday, April 2, 2003

Traders hartal evokes mixed response

Tuesday, April 1, 2003

The two day strike called by the Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi against the implementation of Value Added Tax (VAT) System evoked partial response in the state, reports from various parts said on Monday.

In Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikkode, major shopping complexes, wholesale depots and main markets remained closed, while small time vendors opened their shops and establishments.

The response to the strike call to down the shutters was also minimal in rural areas.

The leaders of the Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi have gone on two day sathyagraha in Thiruvananthapuram, Ernakulam and Kozhikkode. Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi state president T Naseeruddin is sitting on a 48-hours dharna, before the civil station in Kozhikkode.

The owners of medical stores and hotels have not joined the strike. In Thiruvananthapuram, the police prevented activists of Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi from forcing others to down their shutters.

The strike would continue on Tuesday also. Private bus operators are also joining the strike on Tuesday.

Vigilance raid at Asst. Excise Commissioner offices

Tuesday, April 1, 2003

The Vigilance police yesterday raided six Assistant Excise Commissioner offices and seized unaccountable money from these offices.

It is suspected the raid information was passed to the excise offices in Thiruvananthapuram and Kozhikode before the raid.

'Operation Soma' as the raid named, was conducted in Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kottayam, Ernakulam, Thrissur and Kozhikode Assistant Excise Commissioner offices. The Vigilance team could found Rs20,000 from Kollam, Rs. 67,000 from Kottayam, Rs 10,000 from Ernakulam and Rs 93,500 from Thrissur.

The vigilance conducted the raids were conducted by the directions of Vigilance and Anti Corruption Bureau Director Hormis Tharakan, and IG Ramesh Chandra Bhanu, as Monday was the last day to give licenses to bar and toddy shops.

The money was found from the Asst. Excise Commissioner at Kollam and money was found from different employees at Thrissur and Kottayam. The money at Ernakulam was found at the storeroom. In Thrissur the vigilance team also get a note detailing nearly Rs1.5 Lakh. They also procured Rs 27,000 from a bar owner which was kept in three covers of the denomination of Rs 15,000, Rs 7,000 and Rs 5,000.

At Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram the bar licenses were distributed on Sunday and in Thiruvananthapuram some licenses were sanctioned before the raid.

IUML leader hails SC verdict on Ayodhya

Tuesday, April 1, 2003

Indian Union Muslim League general secretary E Ahmed, MP, on Monday welcomed the Supreme Court's rejection of the Centre's plea to vacate the stay on religious activities on the undisputed land in Ayodhya.

"The judgment has taken a legalistic and realistic stand. It will strengthen people's confidence in the judiciary, its impartiality and unimpeachable integrity,'' Ahmed said here.

"The judiciary has taken the sentiments of the people and has been very much consistent and emphatic in acting in accordance with natural and legal justice,'' the league leader said.

"The order will certainly enhance the prestige of the judiciary in India,'' he added.

Remand of CPM workers extended

Tuesday, April 1, 2003

The First Class Judicial Magistrate Court in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday further extended the remand of 183 CPM workers who were arrested following the violent incidents in connection with the DGP office march of March 17.

The CPM workers have spent 14 days in remand after being charged with unlawful activities including rioting, arson, attempt to murder policeman and attacking the police station. Three more criminal cases were charged on them on Monday, following private complaints registered by policemen on them.

The lawyers of the accused said that it was ploy to deny bail to the CPM workers. The CPM men were presented before the Court under tight security. A large number of CPM workers and sympathizers had gathered in the Court premises to watch the proceedings.

Vinu Jose lone Keralite in team for pre-Olympic soccer

Tuesday, April 1, 2003

Mohan Bagan defender Satish Bharthi will lead the Indian under-23 team against Turkmenistan in the pre-Olympic soccer qualifying match to be played in Turkmenistan on April 5 and the home match on April 19.

According to the All India Football Federation secretary Alberto Colaco, the team will leave for Turkmenistan on Tuesday.

The full squad:

VP Satish Kumar and Sangram Mukherjee, Arun Malhotra, Dipankar Roy, Raju Singh (all from East Bengal), Mani Tombi Singh, Jatin Bhist, Alex Ambrose (all Salgaocar), Nitin Pradhan (Vasco), Harpreet Singh, Sukhwinder Singh (both JCT), Satish Bharthi, SK Sanjeeb (both Mohun Bagan), Mehtab Hussein (Tollygunge), Vinu Jose (SBT), Ishfaq Ahamad (HAL).

Coach: Stephen Constantine. Asst coach: Aloke Mukherjee.

E-governance in Kerala appears to be miles away

Tuesday, April 1, 2003

A status paper of the State Planning Board reveals that major e-governance and IT initiatives in Government have not taken off as expected owing to gaps in field level implementation and delays in taking decisions. Promises have remain unfulfilled.

One of the major State Government initiatives in ushering in e-governance revolves around the computerisation of treasury, civil supplies and land records. Three years into the process, e-governance is still miles away from being realised.

The treasury computerisation project began in 1997 and the development phase has been under way for the past two years.

The Government has spent Rs. 10.57 crores on treasury computerisation between 1998-99 and 2001-02. During the current financial year (2002-03), the amount spent is Rs. 9.35 crores till January 15, 2002 and an additional Rs. 3 crores would be required additionally.

The department has asked for Rs. 10 crores for meeting its commitments on balance payments, additional equipment, and equipment maintenance and for consumables. The treasury project had originally envisaged networking of offices, but it is now confined to individual office automation.

Computerisation of Land records has also progressed little, the status paper reveals, although 84 per cent of the data entry has been completed and computers have been purchased for Collectorates and taluk offices. Data entry of 89,87,430 records has been completed.

The department has so far received Rs. 8.68 crores for the project. Of this, Rs. 5 crores has been distributed to District Collectors and Rs. 77 lakhs to the Director of Survey and Land records. The Government has decided to provide computerised records of rights to the public with the balance amount of Rs. 3 crores. This year, the Government released just Rs. 61 lakhs for this.

The Registration Department was to have followed the same route as the CARD project in Andhra Pradesh. Accordingly, four sub-registry offices were selected for implementation of the Package of Effective Administration of Registration Laws, developed by the NIC during 1999-2000. So far 114 out of the 308 SROs in the State have been computerised.

The Registration Department received funds from the IT Department and under Plan allocation totalling Rs. 4.8 crores, of which it has spent 4.4 lakhs. Another Rs. 16 crores would be required to computerise the remaining SROs. The key issue is whether higher user fee can be levied for services like issuing of encumbrance certificates.

The Planning Board feels that a nominal hike in rates would make this project self-reliant to cover further stages of computerisation and maintenance.

3,000 Keralites return from Kuwait

Tuesday, April 1, 2003

Press Trust of India

Nearly 3,000 Keralites had returned so far from Kuwait following the outbreak of US war against Iraq, Kerala's Minister for Information and Non-Resident Indians MM Hassan said here on Monday.
He told reporters that the Kerala Government had made elaborate arrangements with the Centre for the safe return of Gulf-based Keralites.

Tourism Minister KV Thomas and PWD mnister Dr Munir had been closely coordinating with Minister for External Affairs Yashwant Sinha the issue, he said.

The state Government had requested Civil Aviation Ministry for more Air-ndia services in the Gulf region to evacuate Keralites there, he said.

He said among the four lakh people of Indian origin in Kuwait, fifty per cent were Keralites.

Hassan expressed apprehension that a prolonged war would adversely affect the state's progress.

Answering another question, Hassan said the Muthanga tribal episode had been "politicised" by the opposition Left Front.

Already 740 tribals had been given 1074 acres of land and another 8000 acres of government land had been identified, he said.

Asked whether the Kerala Government would give up its proposed plans to construct a weir across the Bhawani River, the minister said the interests of Kerala people would be taken on top priority and added the matter could be resolved with the Government of Tamil Nadu amicably across the table.

`Pooram' exhibition to begin on April 3

Tuesday, April 1, 2003

THRISSUR: The 45-day-long Thrissur pooram exhibition would be declared open by Kerala Finance Minister K Sankaranarayanan here on April 3.

Exhibition committee president K manoharan told reporters here on Monday that over 160 stalls and pavillions would be installed at the exhibition grounds. The Railways, ISRO, Coir Board, BSNL and Kerala Agricultural University would be among the participants.

About 14 lakh people had visited last year's pooram exhibition and it had generated Rs 40 lakh profit. The Paramekkavu and Thiruvambady Devaswoms, organisers of the pooram festivals, would spend Rs 40 lakh each for the pooram event, which would be held on may 10 this year, he said.

Anti-war group to launch campaign against American products among consumers, traders

Tuesday, April 1, 2003

An anti-war group in Kochi has called for a complete boycott of products of US soft drinks majors-- Coco Cola and Pepsi and the multinational giant Hindustan Lever Ltd (HLL) from next month.

This decision was taken at the state Yudha Virudha Samithi's general council, which chalked out an eight-point programme to ensure that products of Coco Cola, Pepsi and HLL are boycotted from April.

All the shopkeepers have been asked not to stock the products of the three companies from April 1. Anti-war squads have been formed which would visit shops in the next two weeks to ensure that the products are not being stocked, a statement released by the Samithi said after the meeting. The squad would also visit households to seek their cooperation in this regard and to explain the need to boycott the products.

All cities in the state would have 'anti-war corners', where various art forms would be used to highlight the ravages of war and its impact on human life.

On April 13, in all districts a children's anti-war painting competition would be held. Anti-war rallies would be taken out in all panchayats and municipalities from Apr 20.

The meeting was inaugurated by CPI(M) state secretary, Pinarayi Vijayan. Former Supreme Court judge, V R Krishna Iyer, who is the chairman of the Samithy and Sanskrit University Vice Chancellor, Dr K N Panicker, were among those who participated.

Kerala delves into tradition to woo high-paying tourists

Tuesday, April 1, 2003

IANS
NEW DELHI: The Western fascination for Kerala's tradition -- be it culture, martial arts, cuisine or ayurveda -- has made tourism authorities delve into the state's rich lifestyle of yore to woo high-paying visitors.

Authenticity is going to be the buzzword, especially in food, with chefs in five-star hotels and resorts preparing the spicy Kottayam Syrian fish curry made in earthen pots, the steamed 'puttu' made of powered parboiled rice, and an array of meat and vegetable dishes cooked in different styles across the state.

"Grandmothers known for their cooking skills are being approached by top hotel groups to part with their special recipes for curries prepared in the traditional way," Kerala Tourism Minister K.V. Thomas told IANS here.

Thomas has just returned after a fortnight-long visit to Europe to hold tourism roadshows along with industry representatives in Madrid, Milan and Rome.

Kerala was also a participant at the International Tourism Bourse (ITB) Berlin travel show from March 6 to 12.

"We realise that Kerala cannot compete with destinations like Goa as a beach resort, so we are focusing only on high-end foreign tourists with the promise of a rejuvenating ayurveda treatment and not just massages," Thomas said.

"We have started categorising ayurveda centres as green leaf and olive leaf on the basis of an expert committee's recommendation based on facilities."

While ayurveda treatment is available in several countries, Kerala is focusing on a complete lifestyle package that takes advantage of its verdant landscape, climate and environment. The package involves a change in lifestyle and diet.

Adding to the charm will be traditional dances, which are being learnt by foreign students. Many of the students have opened their dance schools overseas.

"It was indeed a delight to witness Indians performing Mohiniyattam (the dance of the enchantress) in Italy. They had learnt the dance from some of the foreign students. We also found a great interest in Europe to learn Kalaripayattu (martial arts) and Kathakali (dance enactment of legends)," said Thomas.

Kerala's tourism plans include more investment in infrastructure, special tourism zones, conservation of heritage sites like Fort Kochi, interlinking of canals with backwaters, and an eco-tourism resort that is being developed in Pathanamthitta district with restrictive entry for only high-paying tourists.

"For other tourists, including domestic, the surrounding areas outside the resort will be developed with all facilities," said Thomas.

The Kerala government estimates that last year about Rs.5 billion were invested in tourism, which saw good growth in variance with the trend in other parts of India. The state recorded 11.37 percent growth in foreign tourist arrivals.

Last year 223,000 foreign tourists and 566,800 domestic visitors went to Kerala.

Tourism revenue accounts for 6.29 percent of the state's gross domestic product. It generates employment for approximately 700,000 people in Kerala.

Kerala is also looking to draw domestic tourists, primarily pilgrims.

The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation has joined hands with Indian Railways to have a special bogie attached to Netravati Express from Mumbai every week on Friday. This will bring tourists for a seven-day pilgrimage, sightseeing and ayurveda package that includes boarding.

"Considering the good response this package is drawing, we are planning to extend this service from Allahabad, Pune and New Delhi and are currently holding discussions with the railways," said Thomas.

The state now has a special tourism police wing and its taxi drivers are being trained to be courteous to visitors. Some of them are being sent to places like Singapore for lessons.

Vishnu making waves in Kerala

Tuesday, April 1, 2003

Kochi: Vishnu Kuttikkad, only seven years of age, is making waves in Kerala with his deft artistic skills that have fetched him wide acclaim and numerous awards.

The second standard student, who has over 400 paintings to his credit and several exhibitions of his paintings held in the state, is all set to stage another exposition on April 2, to be inaugurated by Union Minister O. Rajagopal.

"He was only two-and-a-half year old when he began painting and is the winner of India's first Online Arts Clubs 'excellency award'", Vishnu's father Amarendran Kuttikkad told a joint press conference with the organisers of the exhibition today. The child prodigy has had no formal training in the art, they added.

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