What 2010 for Keralites.

What 2010 for Keralites.

My mind by its naughty ways has sensed just what 2010 has in store for the Keralaites. My findings are: All roads including the National Highways will be of potholes twenty percent higher than 2009 and there will be no periodic maintenance.
More areas of SEZ will be identified and people now staying there will be thrown away to street and their land will be confiscated at a throwaway price by the Government or its agencies. JCBs have a major role for the demolition of the household in SEZs

The Government sponsored Education up to plus 12 will be free for all but the takers will be 20 percent less as the quality of education will be too poor. The students will take their study as blearily pastime as the examinations will have no significance in the next year. More and more students will engage in extracurricular activities such as cow farming and brinjal cultivation and that too will be supervised by their teachers. Intake of letters and numerals by students will be less and teachers with doctoral and post doctoral degrees will engage in profit making businesses like wayside ‘thattukada’ where all sorts of ‘ada’(pudding) and ‘nadan oonu’( country meals) will be sold at a subsidized rate. The class room of these teachers can be advantageously used for cattle feeding.

All hospitals owned by the Government will be 20 percent privatized. Labor room work and pediatrics will cost more. More cases will be referred to Private Hospitals and doctors in Government Hospitals will get an opening to collect some commission for their periodic references. The aged ones will find comfort in old age homes.

Water and electricity supply will be in short supply and what the people will get profusely is the press releases of ministers in charge of these departments.
Lottery vending will be a major source of income for the Government and for majority of unemployed educated youths as the government has no plan to recruit people to the existing vacancies. The employees presently in service by hook or crook try to stick to their posts until the inevitable comes about.

More police men will be recruited and their main job is to escort the ministers and intimidate the common people. No criminal cases will be enquired by them as they are not interested in warranting the displeasure of their higher-ups.
State sponsored consumerism will be big event. More and more Grand Kerala Festival will be organized and the people will be cheated by offering 40, 60, 80etc kgs of gold. As there is no way to check the chunk of prize distributed there is no harm in declaring 10000kgs of gold as prize. The suicide rate will be alarming because of state sponsored consumerism.
The Beverages corporation outlets will witness long queues and the political leaders will so decide to hold their meeting in front of these outlets. The income from liquor trade will be 30-40 percent higher in 2010.

And more likely a more corrupt government will be in action in 2010.
A Happy 2010 for all Keralites!
K A Solaman

Solving Mullapperiyar issue

The Mullapperiyar dam has become a matter of life and death for TN and Kerala. The dam water is major source income from agriculture for TN and hence it is a matter of life for them. On the other hand the dilapidated dam is a matter of death for Kerala. If the dam collapses many families will be washed away from a few districts of Kerala. However, the two State leaders have not yet reached a consensus in making an amicable solution. Instead some of the leaders like Vaiko make unwarranted statements.

In this context I invite the attention of Union Home Minister Chidambaram in to this issue. He may invite leaders of TN and Kerala for discussions to solve the ongoing entanglement in the right direction. The TN Chief Minister Karunanidhi and his counterpart V S Achuthanandan of Kerala cannot shy away from their responsibility to restore peace in the two states. And in this context it is imperative that the two leaders or their agents should behave responsibly to defuse the situation. Indulging in hate speech by outfit leaders like Vaiko should be checked. As the life and sustainability of the people of TN and Kerala are interlinked careful approach is needed in dealing with problems related to the two sates.

The two states have indeed suffered some damage by this time on Mullapperiyar issue and sincerely speaking it is the sensible approach by the two leaders that blocked further unseemly incidents. This attitude they can extend a little further to resolve the Mullapperiyar imbroglio. The parleying skill of P Chidambaram could do a lot to bring harmonious settlement on the long pending issue between TN and Kerala.

K A Solaman

Nation in fragments-The Telegraph

The government at the Centre seem to be succumbing to political pressure to divide a state into two. This certainly does not augur well. The division of Andhra Pradesh would entail unnecessary expenditure from the state exchequer. The development of all parts of a state can be achieved if the rulers are committed to their duty. Underdevelopment cannot be considered a valid reason for creating a new state. If the Centre responds to the call for Telangana, then it may unleash demands for new states from all over the country. There is already a lot of dispute among different states on various matters. For instance, control of the Mullaperiyar dam is a bone of contention between Tamil Nadu and Kerala for many years. Such a tussle would not had arisen if the two were parts of a single state.

Local leaders usually come up with clever ploys to further their political interests. Leaders at the Centre, on the contrary, should act wisely.

K.A. Solaman, The Telegraph, Calcutta Dated 29 Dec 2009

More offices for NIA in Kerala

Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri’s antagonism against the National Investigation Agency for snooping terror cases is seen clicked. NIA has decided to open own offices in Kochi and Kozhikode and more offices will likely to be opened in the immediate future. The possible question then is: what is the need of Kerala police?

Yes, they have loads of job. At first they have to escort the very sociable ministers to all parts of the State. And they have a tough job in offending two wheel owners to collect revenue for the payout of monthly salary to the employed class as the money colleted from everyday public begging (lottery) is too inadequate to meet the requirement. In addition they have to do homework for cooking up murder cases and to capture sex rackets which are in abundance in the state.

On the other hand NIA will enquire sensational cases like bomb blast and other terrorist attacks where Kerala police is supposed to have little partaking.

K A Solaman

Do not fume at NIA.

In is incomprehensible for one regarding the fuming of Kodyeri, the Kerala Home Minister, against the Centre for the takeover of the probe into Kalamassery bus-burning by the National Investigation Agency. When the Kerala Police have dejectedly failed in similar investigations, the Centre’s decision should be taken as a boon so that further humiliation caused by the local investigation can be passed up. Kodiyeri’s allegation that NIA investigation is a violation by the Centre upon the powers of the State Government is unfounded. The Centre is rather helping the State Government for its investigation process. And if NIA decide to take over other terror cases in the State it should be also measured as a helping hand by the Centre.


In many cases the State has the dubious history of handing over serious cases to CBI when local police had failed and that too happened with the request of the State Government or order by the High Court. With NIA’s direct intervention such paraphernalia have been avoided and the State could take a sigh of relief if probe goes in the right direction. The State Government, therefore, should welcome the NIA rather than resisting the decision.

K A Solaman

Nero fiddles while Rome burns.

Nero fiddled while Rome burned. Nero's reputation is such that the people believe the worst of him, even when the evidence is inconclusive. And that story runs parallel with that of Andhra Governor N D Tiwari. When Andhra fumed on Telengana issue Tiwari fiddled on not one but three women in the nude. Is this old goose so sex parched? Yes, the veterans in the Congress party did not rule out it. If any doubt ask Mr K Karunakaran. Possibly Karunakaran, as he claims, preferred Narasimha Rao as Prime Minister because he was aware of the act sex monger Tiwari, who was also a contestant then. The self-esteem of the high constitutional office of Governor was disgraced by the act of Tiwari.
It is not the first time there were allegations against Tiwari in sex cases. He once remained missing for two days while was on his way from New Delhi to Uttarakand and he gave some strange stories for his disappearance. Even then people suspected that he had disappeared with a woman.
Now in India sex scandal is a part and parcel of most politicians of diverse parties. There should be some law making with in the frame work of our constitution to put an end of this disgraceful tradition. The eighty plus politicians should be administered with some medicine so that they should never look on the face of young women.

K A Solaman

No need to divide Home department

Home Minister Chidambaram strongly supporting a vertical division of the Home Ministry is unwarranted as it gives the intuition that his department is not able combat the present day challenges. Of late, it is the custom of delegating works to others and put the blame on them in failures. An able Home Department could easily look into the subject of internal security without causing unnecessary financial expenditure to state exchequer. If Chidambaram feels he is not able to co-ordinate the system by himself, then he mustresign from the post. There are able men in his party too to mange single handily and efficiently Home Department.

Even Marxist leaders in Kerala and elsewhere think the governace is good for them if state coffers are full and there are sufficient number of police men. Recruitment to police force has no ban when there were no recruitment in other departments. The profusion of police force is the mark of good rule according to them.

Mumabi terror attacks and related incidents are the outcome of the foolishness of the rulers and intelligence agencies. In Kerala too agents of ISC of Pakistan wander freely and they occasionally scold the government on a variety of counts. In courts too the Government prosecutors take a frosty stance and there by cold blooded killers get bail and come out from jails.

The NIA, NTRO, JIC, NCRB, NSG, NCTC and CBI are birds of same feather and outwardly meaningless if the employees of these agencies are uncommitted and the minister in charge of these wings incapable. If the Head master is strict teachers too. Otherwise there is no use of various departments and related bifurcations.

K A Solaman

White lies-Read the Telegraph

Magic cannot stand up to the scrutiny of reason. Thus, the ‘magical’ performance of Lalu Prasad as the railways minister and his claims of being a “management guru” have now been proven to be nothing but a sham by Mamata Banerjee. Her white paper has clearly proved that under Prasad, the railways had made an improbable claim. At the time Prasad was taking credit for a turnaround in the railways’ fortunes, he was criticized for his inaction in Bihar. Prasad actually did very little to uplift the state during the time he was in power. These criticisms would probably grow stronger, now that the “white paper” about his performance in the railways has been made public.

K.A. Solaman,
The Telegraph dated 24-12-09

Let him be the first to throw a stone…..

There are only saints and no sinners at Manjeri, Malappuram district to stone Rajmohan Unnithan, the general secretary of Congress in Kerala and senior AICC member. If the Judicial First Class Magistrate of Manjeri court was not active in discharging duties Unnithan might have been stoned down to death as there was none to utter the famous saying:"If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at…. (NT John 8:7). One now fears to travel with his grown-up daughter if this is the condition elsewhere in this horror state.

All know that Unnithan is a firebrand leader and his outright remarks often irk his opponents. CPM State Secretary and the PDP Chairman are the latest targets of Unnithan for reasons known to all and hence Unnithan is the target of the duo . The Congress leaders too enjoy Unnithan’s channel discussions and rather envious to him for his lexis. And instead of enquiring the episode the State Congress is seen in a hurry for stringent action against Unnithan. The women leaders of the Congress and other parties started preaching sermons from the mountain against degradation of moral values. Outfits like DYFI which sees no lapse on the part of the government in denying jobs to educated youths were seen fast to depict Unnithan episode as a symbol of the moral erosion of the entire Congress party. Everything about ethical values is intact in ruling parties!

One hopes that with Unnithan’s manhandling by local people and subsequent tarnishing by his own men and the opponents, it would be all right in the state on matters relating flesh trade. The State of Kerala will hereafter witness only good governance by leaders of moral ideals!

K A Solaman

State sponsored consumerism

Good governace by a State mainly depends on its abilty to persuade people to limit their spending habit. Most of the debt traps and consequential suicides are the end result of spendingspree mind-set of the common man. Payments afar one’s income make the life misrerable and all sensible people know this but not the state government of Kerala. Moreover mounting consumerism has taken a heavy tax on the upbringingof the State.

All the ministers of Kerala, cine artists and writers are in queue to campaign for the Grand Kerala Shopping Festival. Forty kilograms of gold and fabulous gifts are reserved for the buyers! The newspapers and channels are thrilled by the profit they get from the advetisements of the festival. The feeling of consumerism created by festival sponsors persuades people to replace the available TV in good working condtion by a flat LCD one. Women are seen in a hurry to replace their old fasioned ornaments by new ones. Poor people are seen more discontented by watching the spending of elite class. The price of consumer products has increased at an incredible rate. The excessive consumerism has thus become detrimental and waste has been accumulted with loss of money. Use of more TV and other electronic goods leads waste of electrical power in addition.

The State Government is seemingly promoting consumer festivals instead of making people responsive about the demerits of excessive spendimg.

K A Solaman

Madhani to fast unto death

PDP chairman Abdul Nasser Madhani is a person doing five namaskar a day and I think he won’t get adequate time for an effective fast in front of Secretariat. Fasting is a brand Indian form of strike for which Madhani has all the right. However he has no right to call his adolescent children for the same. Killing children or forcefully making them fast until death is a crime for which the parents have no special defence.

K A Solaman

Lalu’s magic

Magic is something that stands against scientific reality. And this is applicable to former Railway Minister Lalu Prasad. The former Management Guru’s magical revelation about the financial status of Indian Railway and his classes in IIMs thus became a damp squib.

The present Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee put facts before the people. The white paper published on railways revealed that Lalu was wrong and his account of huge profit of the Railways during his tenure was only a cooked up mathematics. When Lalu was in the lime-light with his exaggerated profit of railways there were criticism about his inaction in Bihar. Lalu had done nothing for the uplift of Bihar during 15 years of his and his wife’s regime-it was criticized. And this criticism can be taken for granted with the latest white paper published by Indian Railways.

K A Solaman

History repeats.

After much ordeal Soofiya Madhani has been arrested by the Kerala Police. The three women in burqua escorted by the police in black Scorpio with tinted wind shields sent channel viewers to wild guess to identify whether the arrested one is Soofiya or not. Burqua is a good apparel for all women offenders to escape from the eyes of lens men!

And now it is the turn for Abdul Nasser Madhani to fight the case politically and legally. His predecessor is this respect is Pinarayi Vijayan. History repeats first as a tragedy and then as a comedy.

K A Solaman

Madani should not fume

"Every day we should hear at least one little song, read one good poem, see one exquisite picture, and, if possible, speak a few sensible words” Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe said.

PDP chairman Abdul Nasser Madani put out of his mind all these good things. He discarded with insensible words the compassion received for the inhuman torture he met with at Coimbatore jail. His fuming words against the law of the land pressed his takers to think in the reverse. He should control his words and deeds until the tumult subsides. Why should Madani and his wife fear if they are innocent?

K A Solaman

No need to divide Andhra

The Centre has succumbed to political pressure. There is no need to divide Andhra Pradesh as it would entail unnecessary expenditure. Already there is a great divide among different states on various matters. Local leaders “enact” clever dramas for narrow political gains. Mr Rao’s demand for Telangana and Ms Mayawati’s demand to trifurcate UP are only ploys for personal benefit.

K A SOLAMAN, Alappuzha
The Tribune, Chandigarh Dated 17 Dec 2009

Do not be misled

In the 70's the Catholic Church used to encourage Sunday weddings because Sunday is a holiday. No working hours are lost and more guests could participate in the ceremony. However, the church now stopped allowing that practice, may be because there are less priests around and it is unfair to ask one priest say four regular Sunday Masses and a wedding too. Moreover, children would miss their Sunday religious classes if they attend marriages.

Whatever it may be my suggestion is: marriages are like funerals and they point to beginnings of unique kinds of lives-one is in this mortal world and other is in the eternal world. Man has little control over them at least in the latter. So it would be rather better for clergies not to impose rules on man’s fate according to the convenience of them. Better service would attract more faithful. Remember there is Satan, I mean disbeliever, everywhere around the church to corrupt the innocent.
The Bible says, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’ (1 Corinthians 15:33).

K A solaman

No bifurcation please

The Central Government succumbing to political pressure to divide a state to two or three is not in the right direction. The need to divide Andhra into two is not at all essential as it would bring unnecessary expenditure from the State exchequer. The development of all parts of a state could be done by rulers if they are committed to do their duty. The lack of development could not be considered as a valid reason for dividing a state. If the Central Government favors creation of new states there would be obviously call from very small states like Kerala too where the erstwhile Travancore and Malabar claim different culture and class.

Already there is a great divide among different states on various matters. For instance I would wish draw one’s attention to the Mullapperiyar dam issue. Mullapperiyar is a bone of contention between the two states for many years. If TN and Kerala are parts of a single state no such quarrel would surface. Even Thackeray would not denounce Sachin if Maharashtra is non-existent.

Local leaders with patent yearning would work out clever dramas for their political accomplishment. Leaders of the Centre having vision should understand the slyness of these chaps and act wisely. Rao’s demand for Telangana or Mayawati’s demand to trifurcate UP is only ploys for personal benefit. The local leaders in Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and elsewhere may disturb the public with bandh or hartal when their ploy is failed. The Central Government should then show the courage to send these local leaders to corners.

K A Solaman

Hyundai car-look before you leap

Do you want to buy a Hyundai car?

Dear friend,

Do you want to buy a Hyundai car? If yes, patiently spend one minute to read what I wrote here under;

With much belief I purchased a Santro LP car from M/s Hyundai dealer at Alappuzha, Kerala, M/s MGF Motors. And this belief I build up not through the channel ads of actor Sharukh Khan. I collected information from my friend who owned a Santro car and later he admitted that he was mistaken.

The date of purchase is 13-2-2002 with registration number KL 04K 3955. The car has run only about 36000km. Nevertheless, by this time I had to pay a good amount as service charge and cost of repair. The first noticeable payment was just after 4 years and that was for replacing the corroded silencer. The next one is the leakage of A/C and for which I have to pay Rs 7000 plus. Yet another major fault now noticed is the rusting of the base or support of the engine for which I have to pay Rs 9000 plus.

My question is: Why did M/s Hyundai make cars of such a low quality with substandard materials?
My colleagues who purchased cars on my recommendation by paying Rs 4 lakh or above have the same complaints. M/s Hyundai have no say in this regard. When I contacted them they send me a dozen mobile numbers and none attended my complaint till this time. A few of the phone numbers are below. The Santro owners along with prospective buyers can contact over these numbers and get your queries answered. And I am not sure that they would reply you properly.

HMIL North Regional Office Service Support Ms. Neetu 0172-6605000
Sales Support Ms. Harpreet 0172-6605029
HMIL South Regional Office Service Support Ms. Latha 044-42204623
Sales Support Mr. Sivakumar 044-42204674
HMIL Central Regional Office Service Support Ms. Jayshree 011-66241100
Sales Support Ms.Aparna 011-66241100
HMIL West Regional Office Service Support Mr. Swapna 022-40969028
Sales SupportMs. Juanita 022-40969035
HMIL East Regional Office Service Support Mr. Chaitanya 033-40060047
Sales Support Ms. Subhadra 033-40060047
They have a Toll Free Number too : 1800-11-4645 (From MTNL/BSNL) or 9873564645 from others.
So before you purchase a Hyndai car remember the famous saying "Look before you leap". The spare parts of Hyundai cars cost more and service charges are exorbitant.
So my recommendation is: give up the idea of purchasing Hyndai car. Switch over to Maruthi or others. They have good service conditions, reasonably durable materials,and moderate prices.
K A Solaman

For me this Christmas

For me this Christmas like the previous ones is very significant. Though it is an occasion for many to spend cheerfully the time with family and friends, most imperative of all is celebrating the birth of Christ and for me predominantly it is an occasion of noble memoirs. It is in this occasion my mother brought me new clothes when I was a kid. It is the occasion when my mother prepared the tastiest food in a year. It is the occasion for me to not recall those ghastly feelings I might have about someone. I love Christmas not just for getting presents butfor other things too.

I teach my children about the factual gist of Christmas. It is very cheerful for me to see my kids decorating the inside of the house and putting up a Christmas tree. Christmas is not a celebration of free enterprise as many think. It is not an occasion to spend all the money for Grand Kerala Shopping Festival. It is a fiesta of elation for all counting those who live in cattle sheds. It is not the time to play that my good behaviour for the day will carry over to the rest of the year. Christmas is the juncture for tranquility and love. It is the day of tribute to the great teacher who enlightened me with greatest motto: “Forgive and be kind”
Christmas is a time to thank the lord for everything he has done, to keep me on my feet.

Christmas is the occurrence that brings out the very best in me. I am kinder, believe so, more obliging, more caring, and more uncomplaining. I believe Christmas is the way to keep my mind sparking with love, delight, calm, and hope.

K A Solaman

Government should give up the move to raise the retirement age of college teachers.

It has been reported that State committee of the Left Democratic Front is likely to raise the retirement age of teachers in arts and science, medical and engineering colleges in Kerala. The decision, if taken, would bring serious repercussion in the society. The losing around Rs.500 crore in assistance from the University Grants Commission seems more serious for the LDF than killing the hope of unemployed educated youths in the state waiting for job.

The State government’s plan is to raise the retirement age to 60 years as against the 65 years stipulated by the UGC. However, the LDF government does not wish to hook the retirement age beyond 60 years in view of the political implications. What are those political implications? The same political proposition exists when age is raised to 60 from 55. Those people who once fixed retirement age at 55 were not fools. They did know the unemployment situation in the state and seemingly it augmented now. It is unwise for the government to take consolation from the fact that Maharashtra and a few other State governments, which have already implemented the UGC scheme, have chosen to peg the retirement age of their college teachers at 60 years. The situation in Maharashtra is entirely different from Kerala. It is from Kerala people go to Maharashrtra for a job and not from there to Kerala.

It is mainly Finance Minister Isaac’s move to please his friends now in colleges.
The teachers at present in Government and aided colleges in Kerala are, I say, of low profile and they were recruited in 1980-83 period when shift system was introduced in colleges. Most of them with left political orientation for knowing themselves as ‘intellectuals’ corner the minister Thomas Isaac and in that respect Education Minister M A Baby comes only next to him. The move to enhance retirement age hike thus gathered momentum.


The Economic survey conducted in last March revealed that the unemployment rate in the state is high and a few millions of people of the State have been working outside it for many years. Had they remained in Kerala, the unemployment rate would have been much higher than what was quoted in the survey. It is not the education system that make people frustrated but the inefficiency of the rulers of the state. The educated youths with Ph D and other degrees are disturbed and that dissatisfaction will be augmented by the thoughtless decision of Kerala ministers.

It is a fact in Kerala no industrialist wants to set up any industry due to labour problems. The State is bankrupt, besides being corrupt and largely politicized. The main source of income for the state is the infamous public begging –the Kerala lottery and by coluorful ads in dailies and channels the Government invites educated youths to join the lottery market. They have no job to offer for teaching in colleges or elsewhere. It is reserved for the handful of luckiest paltry chaps with PG second class. The Left trade unionism among college teachers brought them luck but misery to educated youths.

The ministers of Kerala have a thought that though they are 60 plus or eighty, still are able to walk, jump and exercise. So why can’t the existing college teachers do the same? Dear ministers, ask the college teachers to retire and try a hand in politics to serve the society further. There are many with service in aided colleges doing work at college and also doing societal both yielding no result.

The monthly salary that may be given to a college teacher for the extended period of time can be used for giving monthly pension of the pensioner and also the salary of two new recruits. The new one, being better educated and skilled, could make better results in colleges than those old folks who never want to retire. Time has reached for youths to demand their chunk of job. The Youth Congress, The AISF, Youth Front etc are seen coming against the proposed draconian decision of the LDF and it is good for them. Instead of migrating to other States for jobs, the youth should use their might tom make the government understanding their need. Retirement age hike does not save any one but saves two families if a person is given an employment. Why the “poor man’s government” is not thinking in that direction?

It is a pity for the government to allow research degree holders to take the job of lottery ticker seller or Electronics and Communication engineering post graduate to accept the job of a last grade to earn a living. While thousands of students in colleges and universities suffer because of the shortage and inefficiency of the existing teaching staff it is very callous on the part of the government to not appoint any fresh candidate from existing nine PSC lists and other four that are short listed.
So the government should give up the move to raise the retirement age of college teachers including those in medical colleges.

K A Solaman

‘Pollice’-Second L stands for lying

What is the full form of police? A job aspirant will soon say: P means Polite, O-Obedient, L-Loyal, I-Intelligent, C-Courageous, and E-Eager to help. A more meaningful and present day full form is: P-Power Mad, O-Official Criminal, L-Lustful, I-Illegal, C-Corrupt, and E-Encounter Specialist.

Seemingly Kerala Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnana knows all these. I, therefore, think that he intentionally wrote the spelling as ‘pollice’ instead of ‘police’ when inaugurated the Cyber Forensics and Digital Analysis Centre at the Police Headquarters campus, Thiruvananthapuram on Saturday. His second ‘l’ presumably stands for ‘lying’. And this addition is very obvious in the context Paul Muthoot Murder case and related police anecdotes.

K A Solaman

When e-court start functioning

Welcome for the first e-court of Kerala to start functioning at Kochi. The fully computerized lower courts coming under the District Court will enhance speedy disposal of the cases, it is presumed.

Nevertheless, one the major handicaps of our judicial system is its huge delay in settling the cases. The famous adage ‘justice delayed is justice denied’ is amplified by our judicial forums. When judicial officers complain that they are troubled with heavy load, the counsels make it an opportunity to tax more from clients. When cases go indefinitely it is the counsels that earn money. Still, a junior practicing advocates did not even get a sum of Rs 1000 per month for their work if their seniors are not caring that much.

Let our government and judicial forums evolve more new systems for speedy disposal of cases in courts and thereby to regain people’s faith in them.

K A Solaman

Onion price shocks Keralites

The price of onion is as high as Rs 45 in Kerala and in all probability it shocked the entire populace of Kerala. The panic is in such a high level that entire people are supposed to eat onion all the time and they could not keep going without onion. (Onion is pronounced as ‘aniyan’ and I keep in mind an instance of one of my collegues having quarrel with his son’s UKG teacher for she having taught the kid with a wrong intonation ‘onian’).

The interesting fact is that though there is no shortage of onion in the wholesale depots still prices keep on rising by day. So as an alternative solution, what I have to suggest is: abandon onion for the time being. And this suggestion may be ridiculous for someone but not as ridiculous as one given by Kerala Food minister C Divakaran asking people to go to hotels for better food.

I know onion is a taste maker for food and possess some medicinal value. But what are other food items without values. Drunkards eat onion profusely under the presumption that it would save them from all drug hazards. If drunkards along with ordinary citizens so decide to abandon or reduce the use of onion then price of this commodity come down soon. Tons of onions now stocked in storages soon decay and the greed of hoarders will come to a tragic end.

K A Solaman

Not enough smart

The Government should, hereinafter, not run after M/s Teecom, for establishing the Smart City at Kochi. M/s Tecom may be not financially smart enough to undertake the project as there is sufficient reason to believe that the present 28000 crore Dubai crisis has affected them too. Even if Tecom chooses to stick to Government stipulations, it is the better for the state to hand over the project to some other agency who is capable to undertake the project, other than Tecom. There are several other companies, in and around the state, interested in the Smart City project.
The endorsement of Kerala Chief Minister about the financial condition of Tecom seems relevant and there is no need for the CM to visit Dubai to see the financial might of Tecom in the wake of Dubai crisis. The Tecom demand for the portion of the land outside the area which is to be defined as special economic zone (SEZ) is unfair.

K A Solaman
The New Indian Express Dated 1 Dec 2009

Unity in Kerala ministry!

The harmonisation of Kerala LDF ministers is highly perceptible of late. The Finance Minister Isaac’s commercial tax men are about to step in all co-operative banks in Kerala and the minister in charge of these banks G Sudhakaran has hinted breaking of the knees of these tax men at the front gate of the banks if they do so. At the same time Sudhakaran’s own men are making hubbub at the Medical College hospital, Alappuzha as a circuitous attack on Health Minister P K Sreemathi for her inept exertion in improving the hospital performance. And for the CM, his colleagues’ scuffle is not at all a problem as he is otherwise interested in putting Central Force in barrack and busy with organizational matters of his party.

K A Solaman

Leave Mullappally and focus to Mullapperiyar

Thrilled with victory over the Left Front in the three Assembly seats in Kerala, the khadi- cladded Congress men are in busy schedule with internal insurgence. The war this time is over the issue of re-entry of K Muraleedharan , the former KPCC President into the party. The youth congress men came out in the open in Malappuram against Union Minister of State for Home Mullappally Ramachandran, for his stance in favour of K Muraleedharan. In fact Mullappally, unlike Ramesh Chennithala, is a man who keeps an extensive regard to the past.

I wonder why these Youth Congress workers protest against Mullappally. If Madam at New Delhi endorses Muraleedharan’s entry to the party, the protesting youths and its leaders in camouflage have to swallow without water all the abusive words hurled against Mullappally. Moreover K Muraleedharan is an able leader, approved even by veteran communist leader K R Gouri, competent enough to give fitting reply to his opponents. So dear youths, stop protesting against Mullapally and start a campaign against Mullaperiyar. This suggestion I place because one hundred and thirteen year old Mullaperiyar dam has undoubtedly become a matter of great havoc to people living on the banks of River Periyar. As water level of the reservoir has reached 136 feet people realized the imminent dangers associated with the dam. Vast amount of water in the doubly expired dam made the people panic in Kerala, but Kalainger Karuna shows no ‘karuna’(kindness) to the 3.5 million innocent people who might have severely affected if the leaking dam collapses. So if youths are in search of insurgence let them focus their attention to Mullapperiyar dam safety and it would then receive more acceptances. Leave Mullappally and focus to Mullapperiyar.

K A Solaman

PublishAlettercom Dated Nov 23 2009

Fright of people rises with Mullaperiyar water.

One hundred and thirteen year old Mullaperiyar dam has undoubtedly become a matter of great havoc to people living on the banks of River Periyar. Not only the heavy rain water flow to the dam, heated exchange by the political heads of Kerala and TN has made the situation highly tense. People on the bank of river Periyar are panic. The permitted maximum water level of the reservoir is 136 feet and when it reached near that level, water started to flow to the Idukki reservoir through the spillway. As this was a rare phenomenon for past many years, people realized about the vast amount of water in the dam and that also made them more panic.
More interesting is the difference of opinion among TN Engineers and their Kerala counter parts. The Chief Engineer of the Tamil Nadu Public Works Department had inspected the dam and reached the conclusion that there was no leak in the dam and what he found out only is rain water flowing down through the gap in the joint. However, Kerala engineers keep a diverse opinion and pointed out that there were signs of water pushing out from beneath, and it is a serious matter according to them. As engineers are not politicians one wonders how these engineers reached at contradictory inference when they had studied the same syllabus for their engineering degree. Actually, the new leaks and the escalation of the old leaks could be very risky allowing for the age of the masonry dam built of surki, a technology available at the time of construction of the dam. The flaw of the dam is a matter of unending concern to people of Kerala as any danger to it could affect about 35 lakh people living in five districts of Kerala.

It is to be stressed that normal life time of any dam oratomic power plant is about 50 years. And in that case Mullaperiyar dam is a doubly expired one. So, the concern about safety of this dam is not mislaid. It should be abandoned on war-footing basis and new dam should be constructed. But Tamil Nadu is seen neglecting this aspect and not thinking about the dam safety. They are interested only with water they get from the dam and keeps scant regard to lives of 3.5 million people of Kerala.

So it is time for Karunanidhi and his colleagues to stand favorably for the construction of new dam as there are all chances for the breaking of existing one causing huge human causality. If dam breaks and that too due to the negligence of the leaders of both states no human endeavor could be able to repair the damage. So MK and VS, the two chief ministers of the states come together for an immediate discussion to reach a settlement over the Mullaperiyar imbroglio. TN should abandon its stance of strengthening of the dam. Instead the dam should be decommissioned first. Any disaster in the worst would certainly make political bosses of the states redundant and more worse is the loss of innocent human lives

K A Solaman

Delhi chalo

Left with no option K Muraleedharan runs with begging bowl behind the low profile leaders of the Congress in Kerala for his re-entry into the party. And it seems a replication of his earlier attempt for a coalition of his group with Left parties in Kerala. This is quite unfortunate a leader like Muraleedharan who once occupied the chair of KPCC president. As there are no many saints in the Congress party in Kerala, refusal of his entry into the party looks conspicuous.
So it is time for Muraleedaharan to throw away his begging bowl and to shift his course action to New Delhi. If so the present Kerala leaders will queue before him later for a better fortune.

K A Solaman
The New Indian Express, Saturday 21 Nov 09

India is one with Sachin, not Thackerays

What Sachin Tendulkar said about Mumbai is absolutely correct. Mr Bal Thackeray’s comment is unwarranted. Every Indian is proud of Sachin and of Mumbai. By denouncing Sachin's statement, Mr Thackeray is playing petty politics and needs to be condemned by one and all.

K A SOLAMAN
The Tribune, Chandigarh, 20 Nov 2009

Sachin vs Thackeray

What Sachin said about Mumbai — that it belongs to all Indians — is absolutely right. Mr. Thackeray’s remarks are unwarranted. Every Indian is proud of Sachin and Mumbai. Mr. Thackeray is a spent force, desperately playing the regional card.

K.A. Solaman,

The Hindu, Dated 19 Nov 2009

Mumbai belongs to all

Mr Bal Thackeray’s objection to Sachin Tendulkar’s comment is unwarranted. Every Indian feels proud of Tendulkar and of Mumbai for its industrial growth. Mumbaikars and the local politicians of Maharashtra alone cannot have monopoly over Mumbai. The financial capital’s recognition in the global market is a result of everyone’s hardwork, irrespective of his or her regional identity. Like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, etc, are parts of India, Maharashtra too is a part of the country. By denouncing the most celebrated cricketer’s statement, Mr Thackeray is just playing petty politics. He is only a regional leader who cannot speak on behalf of all Indians.

K A Solaman

The Pioneer Daily, New Delhi, Dated 19-11-09

All for money

It is exciting to see that in the film 'Paa', Amitabh plays Abhishek’s son. And in the next film 'Maa' Jaya Bachchan will play as Aishwarya’s daughter!

K A Solaman

Shashi Tharoor cracks jokes again

After his ‘cattle class’ joke Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Shashi Tharoor started cracking jokes again. This time after meeting ailing Karunakaran who was in a critical condition on just the other day, Tharoor said that Karunakaran spoke to him about Jawaharlal Nehru and on National and international issues. He asked Tharoor to install a TV in his ICU for watching live cricket! Is ICU a place for watching live cricket?

K A Solaman

Comic gestures

Kerala Congress (M) leader K M Mani and secular leader P C George are seen with flower crowns on their heads. Are there more comic scenes in the offing? K M Mani should not have forgotten the help rendered by R Balakrishna Pillai and T M Jacob in sending his son Jose K Manii to the Parliament from Kottayam seat.

K A Solamam

Stunning kiss!

The ‘wonder kid’ A P Abdullakutty kissing K Sudhakaran MP to share his joy of victory at Kannur Assembly seat seems marvelous. Possibly Dr VN Rosinaya would not have had such a highly treasured moment in life with her husband Kutty.

K A Solaman

Mulakkacha sells well in 'Pazhassi Raja'

Recently I viewed the film 'Pazhassi Raja' in a theatre and later at home in a local channel the old film 'Oru Vadakkan Veera Gaadha', by the same team-MT, Hariharan and Mammootty. To my surprise I realized that whether they were women of Aromal Chekavar or Adivasi, all have the same dress code, the Mundu and Mulakkacha. And no ‘paalathaar’ was used by anyone. The producer of ‘Pazhassi Raja’ Gokulam Gopalan might have procured all the colorful mundu and mulakkacha from Hariharan and profusely used in Pazhassi with less colour The huge success of the film tells that Mulakkacha still sells well in Kerala. So don’t waste all the dresses used in Pazhassi as it can be advantageously used in another adivasi or vadakkan paattu cinema.

K A Solaman

The mighty fallen

The former KPCC President is in a desperate bid to join the Congress. And for that he has to submit an application to Congress high command and get endorsed by his erstwhile subordinates Oommen Chandy and Remesh Chennithala. The situation rather resembles former ‘peon’ approving the application for admission of the former principal. “ Malikappuratheriya mannente tholil marappu kayatunnathum Bhavan”

K A Solaman
The New Indian Express, Dated 11 October 2009

China in inimical race.

Seemingly China is going beyond Pakistan in the inimical race with India. The report that China is issuing weapons to Maoists in India is an indication in that direction. China’ claim to the border town of Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh is a stupid one and the Tibetan spiritual Leader Dalai Lama has pointed out it.

It is known to all that Nobel Laureate Lama is person of universal brotherhood and Beijing’s charge that he is supporting separatist movement is unwarranted. It is Beijing that encourages separatism by giving arms and ammunitions to outfits in India and elsewhere.

K A Solaman

Peaceful poll in Kannur.

Kannur poll was smooth and calm. The credit goes to the Election Commission of India, the Army and the District Collector. The police force was a mute spectator throughout the election and it is time for the top brasses of the police to dig up on such a fate in the state. Blind adherence to the dictate of ruling front is likely to bring further disgrace in future. Election Commission’s act to deploy 3000 security personnel, including three companies of the Central Industrial Security Force (CUSF) was an apt security measure. Whatin no doubt is that the presence of the Central forces had ensured smooth and calm polling in Kannur


K A Solaman

The New Indian Express, November 9, 2009

A timely move

This refers to the report, “Tighter security arrangements for Kannur bypoll: Collector” (October 26). The newly-appointed District Collector for Kannur, Mr P B Salim, has rightly understood the need for tight security measures in the Kannur Assembly constituency bypoll. Doubling the number of security personnel on duty this time and making arrangements for keeping a close watch on voters trying to reach the polling stations indicate Mr Salim’s sincerity to ensure a fair election. When voters will be photographed and have their thumb impressions recorded at the polling booth, no one will be able to rig the election.

KA Solaman

27 Oct 2009, The Pioneer New Delhi

High prices of essential commodities

The sky-rocketing price of essential supplies and vegetables has crippled the common people of Kerala at present. Even a single cup of costs Rs 5 at a way-side tea vendor which was Rs 3 two months back. The tea shop owner could not be blamed as he is not able to sell below this price as the cost of milk, sugar and tea has soared up. The rice and even tapioca cost high. The disorder in the current market created by traders and hoarders are a sufficient reason for this high price. The failure of the government to arrest the price rise of essential commodities is very much visible. Certainly prices have an uptrend all over India, but the local government finds it time to abuse the Central Government instead of taking action to control the high level price. There is not even a single instance of police raid at hoarders’ premises to locate the illegal storage of food items aimed at increasing price of commodities. Locally produced vegetables in Kerala too costs high because of flood or draught elsewhere in the country.

To arrest the price hike of essential commodities and vegetables steps such as vigilance raid may be conducted at selected destinations. . A refusal of highly priced commodities can be also practiced by common people for the time being. When sardine fish costs only Rs 30 per kg why people run for code fish that costs Rs 300 per kg? The unauthorized tax collection on commodities by some corrupt persons should be regularly cracked down by the government with iron hand. The Food and Civil Supplies department should keep a watch on the price of essential commodities and verify the traders’ justification of price hike. The so called ‘corruption free’ paraphernalia introduced by the Finance Minister of Kerala at border sales tax check posts should be overviewed by the Chief Minister and an amicable way out for the present imbroglio at check posts should be sorted out. As corruption and inefficiency of the bureaucracy are the main reasons for all mishaps in the State, with strict implementation of rules corruption can be checked and price rise could be effectively controlled.

Chief Minister VS, though not an economist, is able to understand the misery of the common people. Nevertheless, his econometrical and realty- business friendly colleagues do not allow him to perform. One hopes his next step is to cut short the failure of his government and to contain the price rise and the bureaucracy as well.

K A Solaman

Bogus votes in Kannur

It is a surprise to see the huge number of additions of names in the Kannur Assembly constituency in the updating process in just five months since the last Lok Sabha elections. The total number of new name additions in the list is 9,357 voters. Where were these voters at the time of last Lok Sabha election? The list seems to be rather controversial and would invoke several litigations after the election. So, it would be better for Election Commission to conduct voting based on the last Lok Sabha poll voters’ list about which the leading political parties have no conflict.

No doubt the rigging in the voters’ list is a new invention especially in the by-election. The Election should also take decision to put an end to namesakes of the prominent candidates contesting in the election.

K A Solaman

A fitting reply

The high turnout of voters in the recently-concluded Assembly election in Arunachal Pradesh is a befitting reply to China’s bogus claim on the State. The Government of India should use this opportunity to strengthen its case against China’s illegitimate claim and its audacity to object to the Prime Minister’s visit to the State.

K A Solaman

The Pioneer, New Delhi Dated 21 Oct 2009

Apt respond by Arunachal voters.

The just concluded Assembly elections in Arunachal went without much notice in the rest of India. The large-scale partaking of the electorate in the Assembly polls there is an apt respond to China's bogus claim on the state. The Government of India needs to be more diplomatic in dealing with the annoyance created by China. China has no right speak against Indian Prime Minister and other leaders visiting the state.

Arunachal Pradesh, the largest state in the North-East, is five times bigger than the Kashmir Valley. It is a very rich state with profuse natural resources and China’s eagle eye is on this reserve. Patriotism is embedded in the blood of every people of Arunachal Pradesh and there is no need to rekindle it. It is our effort to take action to make every person of Arunachal Pradesh to feel as Indian Citizen with valid identity proof. Lobbying within the country for China by some political outfits should be seriously viewed and checked.
K A Solaman

For ephemeral pecuniary benefits.

More and more people coming to sell lottery tickets and unemployed youths resorting to self immolation are indications of the present scenario of persistent unemployment in Kerala. The present LDF Government does little for creating fresh employment. The ludicrous pension unification scheme and the subsequent ban on employment made the fate of educated youths miserable. The youth organizations crying wide mouth for silly matters have no concern about the future of youths. On the other hand those employees in service make all gimmicks to lure the ministers and legislators for taking decision for enhancing their retirement age.

Many youths with high qualifications are working as commission agents of banks and financial institutions with little financial benefits. There is absolute insecurity in the minds these youngsters because of the callousness shown by the government in giving them jobs. Asking highly educated youngsters to plough field , and to do manual jobs like catching stray dogs for getting unemployment wage is a cruel joke. The Kerala Government should do something to provide jobs and thereby to remove frustration of youngsters. I really hope that the government should not introduce retirement age hike just for ephemeral pecuniary benefits of the State. Though the honorable H C endorsed the retirement age unification act of the Government it was a foul play for getting a short-lived fiscal advantage for the government

K A Solaman
PublishaLetter.com Oct 16,2009

Madani-not a party this time.

Just after six months the Parliament Election the CPM of Kerala found that Madani’s PDP is untouchable. It endorses V S Achuthanadan’s stance towards Madani’s party and at the same time disapproves Pinarayi Vijayan’s appearance with Madani on the stage of a Lok Sabha election convention at Malappuram. PDP is now destined to plays a hide and seek game. They oppose openly the CPI candidate at Alappuzha whereas there stance at Kannur and Ernakulam is doubtful. The CPM approach towards PDP indicates that there is no enduring policy in politics. It can change from time to time and that too with no reason.

K A Solaman

Who is responsible for Thekkadey boat tragedy?

The Thekkadey boat tragedy was worst in the history of Kerala. Along with lives of 44 people the state has lost crores of rupees as future revenue from tourism.
Evidently the reasons for the Thekkadey tragedy are the following.
1)The boat was faultily made with inferior plastic fibre and other items.
2) The boat was made with an inbuilt slant.
3)The boat was over-crowded.
4There were plastic chairs added on the boat in order to accommodate extra passengers.
5)The boat tilted on one side while turning and all those sitting on the chairs slid on one side, leading the boat to capsize.
6)The passengers were not given any life jackets.

The Department and the KTDC are equally responsible for the tragedy. Punishing boat driver and his assistant alone is a way to hoodwink the people. The Minister and KTDC Chairman should take responsibility and resign in order to avoid future recurrence such incidents.

K A Solaman

Personally public comment

Obviously RSP general secretary TJ Chandrachoodan is playing an Achuthanandan in his party whereas state secretary V P Ramakrishna Pillai, the Pinarayi.
Chandrachoodan said: “The Government here doesn’t know what is happening in the State, where people are afraid even to go out for morning walks”. His comment is observably true; however, Ramakrihana Pillai said in retort, “It is only a personal opinion of Chandrachoodan”. Is then Pillai’s statement a public opinion?

K A Solaman

Land of tragedies-The Pioneer

The Bhoothathankettu reservoir boat accident in February 2007, which claimed the lives of 18 school children and three teachers in Kerala, is still fresh in the minds of the people. According to media reports, makeshift boats carried the schoolchildren for sightseeing well past the permitted hours. A similar negligence was the cause of the tragedy at Thekkady Lake in Idukki district of Kerala. A complete disregard for rules was behind the death of 42 tourists at Thekkady Lake. If modern fibre boats are unfit for use on water bodies like this lake, they should have not been allowed for use in the first place. It proves that there is no proper regulatory body for ensuring the safety of tourists. To avoid recurrence of such tragedies in future, boating in all reservoirs in the State should be banned.

K A Solaman
The Pioneer, New Delhi, 3 Oct 2009

Cost of the experiment

Modern fibre boats are light. They are unfit for service on water bodies like Thekkadi Lake. The Government of Kerala experimented and arrived at this result. The cost of the experiment is the life of 42 innocent people!

K A Solaman

Shocking boat tragedy

It is not too late to forget the shocking boat accident in Feb 2007 which took place near Thattekadu at Bhootathankettu reservoir, killing about 22 persons, most of them school children. The people of the state then had left with no words to console the heartbroken parents. Reports of that accident specifed that the boat was overcrowded and was well past sight-seeing hours.

Though the government of Kerala brought in strict time schedule for sight seeing it was ignored at Thekkadi. The time of accident was the same as that of Thattekadu tragedy and it marred effective rescue operations. The divers of the Indian Navy had to suspend the search operations because of darkness. In Thekkadi rules were not respected and rulers did not ensure that they were properly enforced and that was the reason for the death of 42 people. The KTDC chairman Cheriyan Philip owning up the moral responsibility for the tragedy is a gimmick of imitation. If modern fibre boats, which were light, were not fit for service on water bodies like Thekkady Lake, then who permitted fibre-boat service in Thekkadi lake?

To avoid recurrence of such tragedies in future boating in all reservoirs in the state should be banned. The Government should enquire the reason for not implementing commission recommendations relating accidents at Thattekkadu and Kumarkom?

K A Solaman

Punish corrupt cops

This refers to the report, “HC awards Rs 1 cr to five implicated in false murder case” (September 24). The Punjab and Haryana High Court has rightly ordered the release of five persons who were sentenced to life imprisonment after the Punjab Police falsely implicated them. Mr Nachhatar Singh and four others were jailed for over five years in a murder case of a man who is still alive.

The court’s verdict against the misdeeds of men in khaki should serve as a warning to all law enforcing agencies in the country. It is because of the corrupt practices of certain police personnel that real criminals escape. It is the need of the hour that those violating the law and subverting the criminal justice system through meticulous falsehood are severely punished.

KA Solaman

Alappuzha, Kerala, The Pioneer, New Delhi 29 Sept 2009

Wrong men in khaki.

To what extend the Indian police force go wrong is evident from The Punjab and Haryana High Court ordering the release of five persons who were sentenced to life imprisonment by the trial court after the Punjab Police falsely implicated them in the murder of a man who was actually alive. The court has directed the state government to pay them a compensation of Rs 1 crore (Rs 20 lakh each) within a month. The quantum of compensation announced by the court is unparalleled and an indication of the seriousness of the crime committed by the men in khaki.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court verdict is direct warning to all police in the country especially for those in Kerala. The duty of the police is to protect people and not to harm them. However the Kerala police have shown no improvement in their old style of hideous functioning.

This I say not because of the media bickering on Paul M George murder by notorious goons. The Kerala CM V S Achuthanandan himself has admitted that that the crimes in the state are on the rise despite all efforts. “Blade and real estate mafias are carrying out criminal activities in the state. Crime against women is also taking place. Robberies remain uncontrolled. Several incidents of cyber crimes are also being reported in the state,’’ said the Chief Minister. The police could not achieve cooperation of the people. He also admitted that a small section in the police force is doing damage to the entire force by indulging in malpractices.

It is true that the thoughtless action of certain police functionaries help criminal to escape safely. So it is a need of the hour not to spare the police violating the law and subverting the criminal justice system through “meticulous falsehood”. Criminal police men deserve no leniency. It is only through stern punishment that the image of the police will improve. The Punjab and Haryana High Court ordering against the wrong doing of men in khaki is an eye opener to all law enforcing agencies in the country.

K A Solaman

Deemed fake universities.

The UGC direction to 130 deemed-to-be-universities not to call themselves as universities is in the right track. Many deemed universities in the country without required infrastructure conduct sub-standard courses and award university degrees. This is a direct assault on those meritorious students who earn degrees after an intense work. The syllabus of deemed universities often seems rather good, nevertheless, they are taught by unqualified persons and examinations conducted very liberally. Not only that, the NAAC accreditation to these universities also should be controlled as the NAAC inspection often concentrates in peripheral matters such as vitrified tiles in class rooms and toilets. The academic matters are often discarded and no opinion is sought from retired persons who have a lot to say about the actual standards of these universities and colleges. It is to be stated that students gain academically little from posh educational institutions.

There should be a noticeable distinction in a university set up under an Act of Parliament or State legislature and deemed university set up under the University Grants Commission Act, 1956.

K A Solaman

A profitable move-The pioneer

JD(S) leader MP Veerendrakumar’s statement that his splinter party is allying with the UDF due to lack of democracy in the LDF is logical. For the CPI in Kerala, which had once stoutly opposed Mr Pinarayi Vijayan’s methods of controlling the Left Front, flaying Mr Veerendrakumar for his decision is nothing out of the ordinary. It was the CPI that had earlier openly accused the CPI(Marxists) of making the LDF undemocratic. It had flayed the Marxists then as well.

Nevertheless, one thing Mr Veerendrakumar need not worry about is seat-sharing as his splinter party is likely to win a sure number of seats in the next Assembly election when the LDF tumbles.

KA Solaman
The Pioneer, New Delhi, 25 Sept 2009

Satellite launch-The Hindu

India’s space scientists had many reasons to celebrate after their ocean satellite was successfully placed in orbit. The fishermen too can celebrate for better catch and profit as the Oceansat-2 starts to streak across the sky. It is a blessing indeed that the satellite is equipped with an eight-band Ocean Colour Monitor that can accurately forecast the movement of fish and help increase the catch. There is, however, one apprehension: won’t it destroy the breeding of fish if greedy fishermen rush in and take away big catch from places where fish are in abundance?

K.A. Solaman,
The Hindu, 25 Sept 2009

Death of despair

Unemployment drove a Kerala youth to commit suicide in the city of Hyderabad on Seventeenth September. The ill fated youth was Jeetu Krishnan, 24 from Kochi in Kerala. He was working for an insurance firm in Kochi. After losing his job two months ago, Jeetu went to Hyderabad in search of employment about 40 days ago. Despite several attempts, Jeetu could not secure a job in the city. He hanged himself to death

This is not an isolated case. The wrong policies of the State Government of Kerala swayed this youth to end his life. The minister who extended retirement period disguisedly for unification of retirement age and all other cabinet members supported him are equally responsible for such deaths. No vacancy has been filled after the unification of the retirement age. This is out rightly against the initial promise by the minister about recruitment at the entry level.

Interestingly an open deliberation has been started in Kerala for enhancing retirement age to 60. The Finance Minister has put his word in favor of age hike before media for discussion. He is in the look out for opinions from opposition members too. Initially when he negates the hike in age there would be demand from various corners and a decision could be taken later as he wish.

I wonder about the fate of all unemployed youths now associated with leading youth organization like DYFI, Youth Congress and the Yuva Morcha. Do they have any concern about the future of the youths with them? If yes, they should respond harshly against the wrong policies of the Kerala Ministry. The youths should be provided opportunity to get job with in the state. They should not be pushed away to other states to hang themselves out of sheer despair.

K A Solaman

Minister with silver spoon

The minister of state for external affairs Shashi Tharoor of the Congress is unfit to the post as he ridiculed the top leaders of the Congress by his comment "Absolutely, in cattle class out of solidarity with all our holy cows." His was replying to the question "Tell us minister, next time you travel to Kerala, will it be cattle class?"

Such a comment is highly unacceptable as majority poor section of the people in his constituency would not tolerate this. What this minister is going to do for the poor people in his constituency? Were his walk and talk with the people during election campaign bogus? Disciplinary action should be taken with this minister with a silver spoon in mouth.

When the government has launched an austerity drive against the backdrop of drought in different parts of the country and rising prices of essential commodities it is the responsibility of a minister to join hand. He disclosure that he stayed at the Hotel Taj Mahal on Man Singh Road with his own expense should be probed. India needs no such free service from born VIPs.

K A Solaman

Killer’s S-knife

My name starts with the letter ‘S’ and I keep a special interest in this letter. I remember my school days when I wrote the letter S in name artistically in my school note books and examination papers and it was a subject of curiosity for many of my friends. One of my teachers once told me seeing the letter S in my name: “it requires King Solomon’s wisdom to judge the beauty of the letter S in your name”. I was much thrilled.

Nevertheless, of late, I have developed revulsion towards the letter S after reading the exciting case of the murder of Paul M George Muthoot with a specially made S-knife. The Kerala police and some thick- skinned politicians have turned God’s own country into a devil’s paradise with story of S-knife. The blacksmith who made the S-shaped knife for CI one Mr Thomas or his aide is the present target of investigation. The blacksmith is an acute state of despair and fear. The interesting aspect is the order for knife was given to blacksmith after Inspector General of Police Vincen M Paul had told the media that an S-shaped weapon had been used to kill Paul. The blacksmith also told the media that the police had taken away the knife the next morning. The police had also recovered the knife from the house of one accused Kaari Sathish. Precisely, the S-knife has embarrassed not only the Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and the entire police force it also annoyed me. Moreover, CPM State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan had given political colour to the case saying that it is RSS who uses S-knife for murder. He even gave an expert description of the use of S-knife. The reason for my recent repugnance to letter S is thus obvious.

As part of the investigation a high level team led by DGP Jacob Punnoos is seeking details about the revelation made by the blacksmith that the ‘S’ shaped knife recovered from accused Kari Sathish’s house, was made as per the instruction of circle inspector Thomas. Thus, the S-knife is the real villain in the Paul murder case. The police investigation may likely to be extended to Ratan Tata who owns the prestigious Tata Steel Company that makes quality steel for quality products like S-knife.

K A Solaman

Second sex

According to a recent survey, Delhi had a positive sex ratio (1,004 girls born for every 1,000 boys) in 2008 for the first time ever. This is a welcome change from the usual reports of female foeticide in India. However, gender-biased abortion is still a big problem in this country. Social evils such as the dowry system have led to the popular perception of a girl child being a burden. Despite sex-determination tests being banned in India, corrupt doctors and clinics allowing such tests under cover have made the situation worse.

To rid society of such awful practices, people’s awareness should be raised, especially among the underdeveloped sections. In this context, the Kerala government’s intention to reserve 50 per cent seats in the local administration sets a good precedent for fighting prejudice towards women. Now that India has several women in key administrative positions, including the president and the Lok Sabha Speaker, perhaps public attitude towards girl children will change in the coming years.


K.A. Solaman, Alappuzha, Kerala
The Telegraph, Calcutta, Aug 30, 2009

Mercy- the woman of noble thoughts.

That was an unfulfilled desire for Vayalar Ravi and his beloved wife Mercy to walk once again in the corridors of Maharaja’s college, Ernakulam, where their love affair was first budded. Mercy is no more. She has departed from her much-loved husband. Seemingly the tale of their aspirations reminds us once again that it is still the God disposes every thing.

No matter what be the untold stories Ravi and Mercy are manifestly good example of inter-caste married couples. Each respected the religion of the other. Ravi was never an impediment to Mercy to follow her faith and Mercy too like wise. Mecry was a good writer too and her columns in a leading Malayalam daily were much alluring for all people especially for the fairer lot. Kerala has lost a good politician and a woman of noble thoughts.

K A Solaman

MLAs not only to write poems……

It is quite shocking to hear that the Government of Kerala have collected a fine of Rs 10 crore 63 lakhs from two wheeler owners alone for not wearing helmets. I think this is much in advance of the fine collected for the same offense in other states. Kerala police seems more vigilant in checking seat bells and helmets rather than inspecting crimes of robbery, illicit liquor trade and women trafficking. The police could not take up serious crimes as easily as criminals involved in such crimes are linked to higher ups.

The huge fine collected by Police personnel and RT men are in addition to extensive insult, manhandling and even killing the two wheeler owners. Even if a person carries required documents the police find reasons to insult the driver. The police officers behave like highway rowdies and fine a person who may be in desperate bid to buy medicine to his ailing child. This should end. The government should so decide to stop collecting fine at spot. The offender can be charge-sheeted and asked to pay money in special bank counters or court offices. And at the same time presently collected exorbitant fine should be slashed. The police men collecting money directly is a bad practice and hence should be stopped. If so, demand from various corners asking police personnel to disclose their assets could be voided.

Should the MLAs now visiting Thekkadi forests, resting in Nature’s lap and writing poems consider the present plight of two wheeler owners in the state.

K A Solaman

Khan’s show business.

It is Shah Rukh Khan’s show business to make an issue as there is nothing serious of the sort in holding him back due to security check at Newark Airport in the US. Shah Rukh is not as famous as Bruce Willis or Tom Cruise; nonetheless they are also checked at air ports in the US for security reasons. Indian Minister Ambika Soni has raised voice against US for their customary procedure and that is too intended to sell her in public along with Shah Rukh. I don’t find anything unlikable in the whole episode and the hue and cry over the issue is insincere. Shah Rukh should learn from India’s former President Dr APJ Abdul Kalam who showed absolute patience in facing a similar situation with Continental Airliners and his restrain to make it not an issue. It is only after five months the people of India who loved Kalam so much made the Continental episode an issue and such an admiration is not germane to Shah Rukh Khan.

If one feels the security check by the US is distasteful, then it would be better for him not to visit that country. Abusing the US by saying that people from India are suffering racial bias in the US is a non-sense because people staying their never say like wise. Many educated and technically skilled people earn their living from the US and any abuse against that country would adversely affect these people seeking a further fortune there. It is routine among Left party leaders of the country to abuse the US and still make available the advantages of their medical and technological advancements. Is there any aged communist leader in this country who had ever denied the Amercian medical hospitality? Those who never want to take a chance with their life visit the US for medical requisite.

Shah Rukh need not visit the US in future.

K A Solaman

Reduce number of pending cases.

It is high time to take drastic steps to clear pending cases in all courts in the country. Then only the root cause of corruption could be identified and the law, as an instrument of social change, should help people achieve all that they longed for in society.

Whenever there is a dispute people often approach a lower court. The lower court then issues a verdict in favour of one party depending on the merits and that is too after 5-6 years. The aggrieved then approaches the high court and there the case lies indefinitely unattended and takes a natural death unless the aggrieved takes interest in bringing the case before the court. This must end. There must be an effort to put an end to this practice and every case should be attended in its due course. The cases should be heard by the judges in accordance with the date of filling and no case should be prolonged indefinitely to take a natural death.

It is a practice among some parties including government agencies to file an appeal before high court when there is a lower court verdict against them. This is often intended to harass the opposite party and to exploit the benefit of long delay in the high court. The parties know the delay or natural death of such cases in the high court and thus they are least interested in the settling the dispute. So it is necessary to have legislations to reduce the number of pending cases in all courts in the country.

K A Solaman

H1N1 flu scare in Kerala

The dreadful flu has hit Kerala too. The first critical flu case was reported from Thiruvananthapuram. The official version is that in all 53 persons had so far been hit by H1N1 flu in Kerala. However the true picture may be far from the published. This I say when Chikungunea hit and a few dead, the Minister in charge of Health Services argued that there was not even a single case of Chickungunea death. The minister had later corrected her stand after the interference of the Chief Minister V S Achuthanadnan.
Though the death rate in Kerala due to other fevers and diseases are very high than swine flu the media has spread panic about the flu situation. The precautionary measures taken by the Kerala Health Department to contain the spread of flu and the panic created by it is not satisfactory. Hence it is time for opening more flu monitoring centres to reduce the panic among public. Street sanitation and mosquito eradication should also be done at a war footing.


K A Solaman

Bound to honour

As a former president, Abdul Kalam has certain privileges that we are bound to honour. The way in which he was made to stand in queue with other passengers and subjected to security check is seriously embarrassing. Can the Continental Airlines officials imagine frisking Bill Clinton or Condoleezza Rice? Calling this a standard procedure or saying that the staff failed to recognize Kalam is not enough.

K.A. Solaman
The Telegraph, Calcutta 25 July 09

King of dramatics is no more

Rajan P Dev, the king who evoked memories of an enamored era in Malayalam tinsel world and whose acting was celebrated across the south of India is no more. I, being the President of ‘Alochana’ S L Puram, a state level cultural forum, invited him to our gathering many times and he was present on several occasions. He was a person with malice to none. In one of our meetings he admired his mentor S L Puram Sadanandan and told us he has no personal enmity to Sadanandan for not giving the lead role in the film ‘Kattukuthira’ as some one thinks. Sadanandan was his master and guide, he told us.

Rajan P Dev was extremely well read. I remember the evenings when we at ‘Alochana’ would discuss everything under the sun, from cinema to politics but he never ill spoke. The ceiling fans donated by Rajan P Dev are still soothing people at Sarvodaya Grandha saala, S L Puram. Being the member, of Alumni Association, St Michael’s College. Cherthala, he found time to attend all functions in the college amidst his busy schedule.
He loved Cherthala so much and he is one among the celebrities like A K Antony, Vayalar Ravi, K R Gouri Amma of our place. He used go to the Arthunkal Church every year and on next January 20 we miss him at Arthunkal.

Rajan P Dev had an implausible sense of humour that cannot be matched. His relation with teachers of St Michael’s college, where he completed the Pre-degree course, is full of funny occasions. . And when he recollects those stories none could restrain from hilarity. His untimely departure is really a huge loss to we people at Cherthala and around.

K A Solaman

Restrict Channels with no social responsibility.

I welcome the demands by the MPs for setting up of an independent regulatory body with civil society representation to look into charges of TV channels dealing with obscene and vulgar programmes. The channel operators often resort to offensive and crude advertisements for make a huge profit and thereby to belittle others doing similar business.
It is to be reiterated that most of the TV programmes are bad going and not suitable to view with all members together in the family. A time schedule should made applicable to programmes that are not to be viewed by children. The style of channels exalting mafia dons and irresponsible running after celebrities to market wicked TV programmes should be immediately controlled. The channels giving up social responsibility should be immediately looked into.

K A Solaman

Kerala CPM-CPI quarrel on self finance!

The fight between the CPM and CPI, the two lead constituents of the ruling LDF in Kerala, over the issue of the agreement the Government signed with the managements of the self-financing medical colleges is aimed at distracting the attention of the general public from burning problems of the State. The CPM Ministers namely M A Baby, PK Sreemathi, and G Sudhakaran on one side and CPI ministers C Divakaran and Benoy Viswam on the other side fighting fitfully is a finicky scene where the Chief Minister Achuthanandan stands voiceless.

It is presumable that that Education Minister M A Baby had done a foul play by ignoring the sentiments of vast section of the poor and meritorious students and that even the students wing of the CPM has come against Baby openly. And in that case the disagreement placed by Benoy Viswom is in the right direction; however Health Minster P K Sreemathi has come for rescue of Baby. The Self-Financing Medical and Engineering College Managements are the craftiest people in the state and they all know the desire of all parents that they all want to make their sons and daughters either doctor or engineer ignoring all other options in one’s life. And that is why till now unheard three-tier fee structure and consequent teamwork between Education Minister and the Managements brought such an imbroglio in the State. M A Baby’s immediate reaction that the question of reviewing the agreement between he and managements did not arise at all is indication that he is not clean as Sreemathi thinks.

Further, the more interesting comment came from the vociferous minister G Sudhakaran that one Minister should not intervene in the matters of another Minister’s department. The audacity of this comment will be revealed when one recollects ministers’ visit to Alappuzha Medical College on several occasions and criticizing the Health Department and its minister. His lambasting of Revenue officials and PWD employees can also considered as his non-interference in other ministers’ departments.

No doubt, the Kerala self financing college managements association is a business group. They spent money and collect money for their business. As the sole aim for all business is making money the term “social justice” is some ting to be locked in cold storages. If they fail to get money they planned they will soon convert all the colleges into bar hotels or tourist destinations.


K A Solaman

Anti-pregnancy pills advertisement

An advertisement in channels shows a woman asking in distress over phone to another woman probably her relative something in the manner “what happened and when, without any precaution?” I am worried over answering to my little child the reason for the worry of the woman. The pregnancy and the effectiveness of anti-pregnancy pill are beyond the comprehension of the little one. I think many of the families in India face such undeniable situations at channel shows. Can any one suggest an easy way out from such situations? The channel promoters and the advertisers are seen lost their common sense in airing such filthy ads.

Further the advertisements of the sort would send out a wrong message to the young generation. The possibility of young people taking with them “pills” hereafter to avoid abortion cannot be ruled put. All work places may turn into mating locations where the pills would protect them. No doubt the country is going to the dogs. If the Government of India wants to stop people from spoiling themselves by believing these ads it should impose some restrictions on channel shows and ads.

Yours faithfully,

K A Solaman, S L Puram

Frisking of Former President

Frisking of Dr APJ Abdul Kalam is an affront to our country. He is the most revered former President of India and not a person to be treated as every other Indian citizen. He has some privileges and we are bound to honour them. The embarrassing manner in which Continental Airlines treated Dr APJ Abdul Kalam should be seriously viewed

It has been reported that Dr Kalam was subjected to security check and even asked to take his shoes off by the airline staff just as he was about to board the aircraft. He was made to stand in line with other passengers. This is quite unbecoming of any airliners operating in India. Could they imagine frisking Bill Clinton or Condoleezza Rice by a security staff? The Continental airline extrapolating the whole episode as ‘standard procedure’ is a non-sense. The lack of general knowledge on the part of the security officials of Continental Airlines not to identify Kalam is a sufficient reason for disqualifying them from the present job.

India need not raise this issue before the US, instead impose an outright ban on the operation of Continental Airlines’ inside the country. No security personals should be permitted to breach Indian protocols within the country.

K A Solaman

Pinarayi approaching the SC

It is rousing to hear that CPM Kerala state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan approaches the Supreme Court against the decision of Kerala governor RS Gavai who gave permission to prosecute him in the SNC Lavalin case. Governor had defied the resolution of the state government, is the official version. Of course, leading counsels Fali S Nariman and Nageswar Rao would find a tough to rescue Pinarayi in the SC

The party official faction decided to move legally against the decision, however they failed to get a positive nod from veteran Marxist and CM of the state V S Achuthanandan in this case. The legal approach would have been taken a little earlier before the Marxist cadres moved against the Governor by resorting all sort of illegal acts such as blocking the roads and burning in effigy the Governor. I think the Governor’s office is not permitted to approach the SC in silly matters.

K A Solaman.

CM should act

The common people of Kerala are outraged at the dismissal of V.S. Achuthanandan from the politburo. But they do not know where to complain and how. A petition registered with the police would remain unattended if it is against a panchayat president drawn from Marxist cadre.

It seems that people really have lost the right to complain as many places in Kerala have seen a rise in violence, with bomb-blasts along transport routes. In this context, Achuthanandan should act firmly as chief minister to put an end to the turmoil.


K.A. Solaman

The Telegraph, Calcutta July 20, 2009

Kerala PSC's Recruitment farce

This letter relates to recruitment to fill up the vacancies of Lecturers in Physics in Government Arts and Science College of Kerala by the Kerala Public Service Commission. The Commission conducted a test in June 09 and for which all the M Sc, M Phil and Ph D qualified candidates attended. The interesting side of the test is though the qualification needed for candidates is M Sc with NET/JRF all the post graduates in Physics who are not qualified in NET are permitted to write the Examination.

In the recruitment notification, PSC had declared the syllabus and that was indicated in the Hall Ticket too. However, the candidates who appeared for test were thunder stricken by seeing the pattern of the OMR question paper. Nearly half the paper contained questions from General Knowledge section. The questions from Physics portion contained some with many answers and some other with no answers. A clear ploy could not be ruled out in incorporating GK questions in the paper.

None could ever argue that Physics Lecturers need not require General Knowledge. Nevertheless it should be informed in advance when the candidates are preparing for the test. Leaking off questions papers and canceling certain questions at valuation are the usual practice of the P S C, it is alleged. All corruption in Kerala University test for recruitment of Assistant grade post three years back, is still under investigation by the HC of Kerala. Is the distortion in question paper by the P S C for Physics Lecturer post intended to protect a few privileged ones related to higher ups in the society?

I understood that many candidates have grievance in the act of PSC. The PSC, therefore, should notify the exact number of questions that are going to be valued and the exact requirement in educational qualification for the post. Are the candidates without NET eligible for the post? The PSC recruitment should be a competitive examination and not a mere circus for candidates for getting experience in similar exercises.

K A Solaman

Search PublishaLette.com dated 15 July 2009

Tough time for CPM in Kerala

Common people of Kerala are on a running spree from the fracas caused by the CPM axing of veteran leader V S Achuthanandan. They do not know where to complain and how. A petition registered with the police would remain unattended if the opposite party is a Panchayat President from Marxist cadres and that is what one see in Ambalapuzha South Panchayat. The good old ‘Ambalpuzha Velakali’ has been patented to Panchayat President and his henchmen of that area and the ‘Velakali’ is performed at NH 47 where his own party men are beaten by sticks used for tying party flag. The flex boards and posters of their once favorite hero lied in muddied water when the fierce drill of beating was in progress. The police force remained mute spectators just because of the reason that the fighters are party men or men oust from party as said by the only PB member and Home Minister in the Assembly.

It seems that people really have lost the right to complain as many places of Kerala turned into scoundrel’s area. If party-men are busy with other engagements the quotation gang will do the job. Even recruiting agents of quotation work earn a good bug by scaring people-it is reported. The only relief in Ambalapuaha is that bombs are not frequently exploded along routes as one see in Kannur and the small scale industry of making bombs has not yet flourished in Amablapuzha. However, rising violence in Amabalapuzha and other parts Kerala have frightened away commuters. I think the last action hero Achuthanandan should finally open his mouth to end the turmoil as the dictates of Pinarayi-Karat yielded no positive result.

K A Solaman

Mammootty to perform TV

K R Gouri Amma, the veteran leader of Kerala is known for her straight forwardness and outright comments. According to her there is no question of returning to the CPM which had expelled her in 1994. Her comments about Mammootty and Mohanlal also stand of note. She said histrionic talents of Mohanlal is better than that of Mammootty, nevertheless the latter is more handsome. This she said perhaps if again enacted Mammootty is more apt than Mohanlal or even Murali(Lal Salam fame) to perform a T V Thomas on the silver screen. Gouri Amma's role, of course, will be played by Meera Jasmine
Long live Gouri Amma and her unambiguous comments!

K A Solaman

Mixed bag

The operation was successful but the patient died. That is what happened on the day the budget was presented. Only now do the investors realize the advantage of having P. Chidambaram as the finance minister.

The Bombay Stock Exchange Sensex dropped by 900 points while the finance minister was presenting his budget. The stock market rejected Pranab Mukherjee’s proposals, causing huge loss to investors. The biggest one-day drop in the Sensex in six months after the annual budget is not at all good news for the Union ministry. The fall of the Sensex on Monday after the budget sent shudders through the Indian economy. Investors can now be sure that they do not have much to expect from Mukherjee.

K A Solaman
The Telegraph, Calcutta 10 July 09

Not a positive sign

This refers to the report, “Spender’s Budget” (July 7). It seems that Budget 2009-10 has left corporate India completely disappointed. The BSE Sensex dropped about 900 points soon after Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee presented it in Parliament, causing huge loss to investors. The biggest one-day drop in the Sensex in six months is not at all a positive sign for our ailing economy.

KA Solaman

The Pioneer, New Delhi Dated 8 July 2009

Taxing perks

The post budget plan of the Government to tax the perks extended by business houses to their employees is unsolicited. It is unwelcome to ask people to spend more funds to meet their tax payments.

The Government has already taxed common man by hiking petrol and diesel prices.
The argument of rising petrol charge will not affect common man is a ludicrous one. Even the hike of aviation spirit will affect common man not because they travel in planes but because of the use of consumer goods produced by those company heads traveling in the planes. The company heads that pay more their travel will collect more money from ordinary people by selling their products like soap and paste ata higher price. Does any one think that common people will not use soap and paste?

It is learnt that perks that are expected to be taxed include car provided by employer, domestic help paid by employer, free or concessional education, gift vouchers etc. Taxing educational concession is very crude joke. By taxing perks the individual's tax pay out is more than what he or she would have to pay actually.

K A Solaman

Budeget shock

The operation was successful but the patient died. That is what happened on the day of posting the Union Budget. Now only the investors understood the advantage of P Chidambaram being the of FM of India.

The BSE Sensex dropped about 900 points while the Finance Minister Pranab Kumar Mukerji presented the budget. Though apparently nothing less cheerful in the budget the Indian Stock market rejected Mukerji’s proposals causing a huge loss to investors. The biggest one-day drop in Sensex in six months after the annual budget is not at all cheery to the Union Ministry.
The falling of the benchmark to 5.8 percent on Monday after the budget is a crude shock to Indian Economy. Investors do not expect much from Mukherji.

K A Solaman
The New Indian Express Dated 8 July 09

Legalising homosexuality

Union Health Minister Anbumani Ramadoss is known for his vision in denouncing smocking on screen as many youngsters because of their worship to heroes of tinsel world are prone to tobacco. However his reiteration to legalise homosexuality to tackle the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country is ludicrous. Minister says that 86 per cent of HIV/AIDS cases were due to sexual contact and that could be avoided by homosexuality. Is n’t there any physical contact between homosexuals? Section 377 of the IPC criminalises men who have sex with men (MSM) and other unnatural sex acts and according to the minister this section should be abandoned. Doesn’t it mean those people who put this section in the IPC are visionless?

The Delhi High Court ruling on homosexuals, however, corroborated minister’s views and it brought cheers to the gay community. The lesbian community elsewhere in the country distributed sweets and described it as a progressive move.

I have the firm opinion that though the judgment will make a change in approach towards homosexuals it is something against Nature and its fundamental rules. All human build aspirations against the Nature would finally collapse. Homosexual act among species of animals other than human is a rare phenomenon. Moreover it is against all religions. Whatever the opinion of people about different religions all of them teach the same good thing and human love. And especially for India, as it is a land of innumerable religions, the Delhi Court verdict is against the culture of Indian society. I believe there is no urgent need to legalise homosexuality when there are other burning problems especially in medical field for immediate attention. MSM and WSW are unnatural practices and should be denounced even if it is not considered as a as a criminal act.

It is true that there are people in every religion who are lesbians and what they immediately needed is a psychiatric or rather psychological healing. It is unwise to quote from Vatsayan’s Kamasutra', to authenticate the act of homosexuals. If we legalise gay acts it will be more evident in public places and then even prostitution should also be endorsed. Of course, homosexuality is a crime against Nature, however prostitution is not. Such obscene acts should not be allowed in our country as the community will be harmfully affected.

Stress is good

This refers to the Second Opinion, “Scrapping board exams is silly” by Mr KA Solaman (July 1). Mr Solaman has rightly said, “a little competition and stress is needed to prepare students for the big bad world.” Also, “stress for a school student is the same as that for a college student”.

Moreover, Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal’s proposal to replace marks with grades will neither help reduce students’ stress nor be able to assess their exact performance. The proposal, if implemented, will also cause confusion at the time of college admissions.

Finally, I fail to see any mention of compulsory physical training for school students in the reforms suggested by the Minister. It is common knowledge that academic performance takes precedence over physical fitness of students in India. An average Indian parent tends to groom his or her child to focus more on studies than playing sports. Schools also tend to fall in line with the parents by providing very little time for sports and physical education in a student’s daily routine. It’s time the Minister focussed on this aspect of education too.

JS Acharya

Hyderabad. Source: The Pioneer, New Delhi 2 July 2009

Board exams

The proposal to make the Class X board examination optional so as to relieve students of the stress they face is ludicrous.

It appears that the HRD Minister Mr Kapil Sibal has sought lessons from Kerala Education Minister Mr M. A. Baby who has diluted the evaluation system in the State by giving no significance to marks or grades.

A little competition and stress is needed to prepare students for the big bad world. Abandoning examinations is no solution. It is not examinations but parental pressure that has a negative effect on the psyche of students. The authorities need to play a constructive role in helping students manage examination-related stress and make them feel that an examination is just another test in life.

The Government must no doubt reform the education system, but the big changes can wait.
K A Solaman
The Business line, 2 July 2009

Scrapping board exams is silly

Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal’s proposal to make the class X board examination optional so as to relieve students of the stress they face is ludicrous. It seems Mr Sibal has sought lessons from Kerala Education Minister MA Baby who has slackened the evaluation system in the State by giving no significance to marks or grades.

It is paradoxical that almost 100 per cent of the class X and XII students in Kerala pass the board examinations but only a fraction appearing for medical and engineering entrance examinations clear them. This clearly suggests that having no stress to deal with at the school level when followed by a sudden squall of competition leaves students incapable of coping with the pressure of getting into a good college. Suicide among students who fail to secure the desired rank in entrance examinations is a bleak reminder of Kerala’s faulty education system. The fact that Mr Sibal is proposing to emulate this system and apply it across the country is worrisome.

A little competition and stress is needed to prepare students for the big bad world. Abandoning examinations is no solution. It is not examinations but parental pressure that has a negative effect on the psyche of students.

If the authorities want to put an end to examination-induced stress, then all examinations need to be scrapped. Stress for a school student is the same as that for a college student. Thus, we should distinguish between good stress and bad stress. While the good stress that examinations cause keeps individuals alert, bad stress destroys their peace of mind.

It is time that parents and teachers realise that fixing unrealistic targets, making undue comparisons with other children, etc, are actually the main factors responsible for the undue stress faced by students. Moreover, they need to play a constructive role in helping students manage examination-related stress and make them feel that an examination is just another test in life.

At the same time it is the Government’s job to ensure the free and fair conduct of examinations. For instance, it is praiseworthy that the Central Board of Secondary Education gives extra time to students appearing for its examinations to study the question paper. The Government, too, must work on similar lines to reform the education system. Big changes can wait.

KA Solaman

South Asean Media Net, A news and views website
Wednesday July 1, 2009
Source : The Pioneer

Stress is optional

Kapil Sibal’s proposal to make the Class X board exams optional to relieve stress needs reconsidering (“Against odds, plan to make exam optional”, June 27). Perhaps he could learn a lesson from the Kerala education minister, M.A. Baby. Baby has introduced the grade-system in Kerala at the secondary level, reducing the value of these certificates. Almost all the Class X and XII candidates pass the examinations. However, when they appear for their medical or engineering examinations, they are put under sudden stress. No competition upto the age of 17, followed by stiff competition immediately afterwards, ends up not making much of a difference to the stress on the students.


K.A. Solaman, Alappuzha
The Telegraph, Calcutta 1July 2009