Storytelling

#Storytelling

Storytelling, a rich cultural heritage of Kerala, has long been a vital part of temple festivals and local celebrations, with pioneers like V. Sambasivan and Kedamangalam Sadanandan bringing the art to prominence. However, with changing times, this art form has seen a decline in audience interest, primarily due to the emergence of modern entertainment forms. 

To revive storytelling, artists need to innovate by preserving the essence of traditional tales while incorporating contemporary elements. By blending age-old narratives with visual aids, interactive performances, or modern music styles, such as rap, they can create a hybrid art form that appeals to the youth. This fusion could attract a larger audience, ensuring the survival of storytelling for future generations.

Moreover, integrating storytelling with digital platforms can expand its reach beyond physical performances. Artists could explore collaborations with musicians, dancers, or theater groups to bring dynamism to their shows, while utilizing social media to promote their work to a global audience. Workshops and storytelling festivals could also be organized, focusing on the appeal of both traditional and modern aspects of the art.

 By staying rooted in tradition yet open to innovation, storytellers can make their art more relevant in the fast-evolving entertainment landscape, ensuring it remains an integral part of Kerala's cultural identity.

-K A Solaman

Exploiting Teachers

#Exploiting teachers

The current state of the Kerala school education sector, where teachers are being blamed for leaking Christmas examination question papers, highlights a deep flaw in the system. It is disheartening that teachers, who are supposed to be role models and torchbearers of knowledge, are being accused of such malpractices.

However, the real problem lies in the lack of accountability within the education department. The system's inability to conduct foolproof examinations has led to the tarnishing of the teaching profession, while those responsible for organizing and securing the exams conveniently escape scrutiny. This gross mismanagement on the part of the education department cannot be overlooked.

It is highly unjust to target teachers alone when the root cause is the failure of top officials, including the Education Minister, to ensure proper safeguards against such incidents. By shifting the blame to teachers, the authorities are deflecting attention from their own failures in enforcing secure examination protocols. 

If the system had adequate preventive measures in place, teachers would not be placed in a position where such accusations arise. The education department must take responsibility for this breakdown, rather than exploiting teachers as scapegoats.

Furthermore, banning teachers from conducting tuition classes, while allowing them to take up other side jobs, reflects a contradictory and unfair policy. Teachers are expected to provide extra academic support, but they are criminalized for offering their expertise outside school hours.

Instead of punishing teachers for the department's inefficiencies, the government should focus on improving the quality of education and examination systems. Only through addressing these core issues can we restore the credibility of the educational framework in Kerala and ensure that both students and teachers are protected from such failures in the future.

-K A Solaman

Congratulations

#Congratulations

Congratulations to Hon'ble Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for the commendable step of restoring properties worth Rs 22,280 crore to the victims or rightful owners from economic offenders like Mallya, Choksi, and Nirav Modi. 

This remarkable achievement. demonstrates the government's firm commitment to addressing economic offences and ensuring justice for those affected. 

While this is a significant milestone, it also sets a hopeful precedent for recovering the lost funds of victims in other cases, such as the Karuvannur Bank fraud. We appreciate the tireless efforts of the Minister  in strengthening the financial integrity of the nation and safeguarding the interests of its citizens.

-K A Solaman

Glaring failure

#Glaring failure

The recent incident involving the  leak of SSLC English and Maths and Plus One Mathematics exam papers highlights a glaring failure in the Kerala Education Department's ability to conduct examinations with integrity. While the Minister’s office has swiftly responded by directing the Director of General Education (DGE) to file complaints and pursue action against those responsible, this response alone cannot mask the underlying inefficiencies within the department.

If examination papers are leaking on platforms like YouTube, it reflects a deep breach of trust in the system, suggesting that not only are students at risk of an unfair assessment, but also that the sanctity of Kerala's educational standards is in jeopardy. Immediate and strict action is necessary, but it must be coupled with an introspective overhaul of how examinations are conducted and secured to prevent future lapses.

The commercialization of examinations has become alarmingly prevalent, with some coaching centers and affluent individuals exploiting their influence to manipulate results. This growing trend undermines the very principle of meritocracy in education, turning examinations into a game of wealth and connections rather than skill and knowledge. If the Education Department does not address this rot within the system, the final examinations will suffer the same fate, leading to widespread despair among students who strive hard to compete fairly. 

The integrity of the education system is at stake, and failure to act decisively now will only deepen the public's mistrust in an already fragile system.

-K A Solaman

Miisplacedaggression

#Misplaced aggression

The clash between SFI and KSU students at Kannur Government ITI over something as trivial as a flagpole is a glaring example of misplaced aggression. 

When student bodies, aligned with political parties that are supposed to be partners in the INDI alliance, resort to violence, it reveals a fundamental failure in leadership and purpose. These students are fighting over symbolic issues while their leaders maintain a cooperative front in Parliament, working together to counter the NDA. 

It is absurd that on the national stage, these factions collaborate for a common cause, but at the grassroots level, students are manipulated into senseless confrontations. This hypocrisy undermines the very principles of democracy and unity that their leaders profess to champion.

 Instead of engaging in such futile power plays, students should focus on meaningful dialogue and progress, particularly when the larger battle requires cohesion and understanding.

-K A  Solaman

Unbreaking egg

#Unbreaking egg.

Taking back words once said is like trying to unbreak an egg. We might apologize, mop up the mess, and pretend nothing happened, but the damage is done, and that sticky residue remains. 

Yet, some people, like Kerala Minister V. Sivankutty, seem to believe words can simply be reeled back in, as if they were fishing lines cast out in a moment of rage. It's as if he imagines there's a magical "Ctrl+Z" for insults. But in reality, once we have hurled  verbal grenades, offering to "take them back" is as effective as trying to unburn toast. 

Words, like toothpaste, don’t squeeze neatly back into the tube, no matter how hard you press. Yet, Sivankutty seems convinced that the absurd table-top dance of retracting his outbursts makes everything fresh again. 

-K A Solaman

Repulsive discourse

#Repusive #discourse

The careless hurling of accusations, followed by their sudden withdrawal, reflects a dangerous trend among public figures, particularly politicians like Kerala's General Education Minister, V. Sivankutty.

 His remarks about an actress allegedly demanding an exorbitant fee for training in connection with the Kerala School Arts Fest cast unwarranted suspicion on many in the industry. Such reckless statements are not only damaging to reputations but also fuel unnecessary public controversy.

Once words are spoken, they take on a life of their own, spreading rapidly and often leaving an indelible mark on the accused, even when those statements are later retracted. This act of withdrawing statements does not erase the harm done, as the allegations, once made, linger in the public's memory.

Words are powerful, and politicians should be held accountable for what they say. A mere retraction does not undo the damage caused by public defamation, as people tend to remember the initial accusation more than the apology. Ministers and other public officials must show greater responsibility and restraint before speaking out, especially when their words can have far-reaching consequences on individuals’ personal and professional lives. 

To make baseless claims and then withdraw them when faced with backlash shows a lack of maturity and understanding of the power of communication. Public discourse, especially when directed by those in power, must be governed by integrity, not impulsiveness.

-K A Solaman

Reckless youths

#Reckless youths

The recent incident in Kochi, where seven youths assaulted police officers after performing dangerous stunts on a car top under the influence of alcohol, is a glaring example of the deteriorating law and order situation in Kerala. 

This brazen display of indiscipline and lawlessness highlights a growing trend of reckless behavior fueled by the easy availability of alcohol and a weakening respect for authority. Such acts of defiance against the law, particularly against those entrusted with upholding public safety, are completely unacceptable.

The government must take immediate, strict measures to curb this alarming rise in criminal behavior, restore public order, and ensure that offenders are held accountable without exception.

-K A Solaman