HC observation is in the right direction

The HC observation that the workers and trade union in Kerala are interested only in their rights and they have no feelings about their duties is absolutely correct. It is not the workers but the duplicitous trade union leaders make the work culture in the state turbulent. The unprincipled trade unions in Kerala were creating labour problems for long which are unseen in other states. ‘No work, only cash’ is the approach of a section of workers and from this attitude the horrendous ‘nokkukooli’ was fashioned in the state. This approach of the trade unions would jeopardize the industrial atmosphere of the State unless checked. The HC observation is in the right direction. And I hope it will open the eyes of a few political leaders.

K A Solaman

Cash war in Kerala film industry

The confrontation between the opposing camps of the Kerala film technicians is not a class war but a cash-war. Fefka (Film Employees’ Federation of Kerala) has cash and has support from the CPI(M) where as Macta (Malayalam Film Technicians’ Association) has little cash and AITUC union supporting them are destined bear the hit of DYFI men or rather Mammootty fans.

Mammootty votes in election and upholds Marxist legacy and Mohanlal did not vote but he upholds Congress egalitarianism. But when they come to deal with Vinayan’s Macta they are hand in hand.The curse of Macta Federation is, Vinayan is being in the top of it. His language and also body language are worse as his films. Mammootty and Mohanlal could untie the strife but they do not. They hate Vinayan and never agree Vinayan to decide the future of Malayalam films or at least their films. They fear that if Vinaayan is given an upper hand one day he would even ask super stars not to act love scenes with teen-aged girls.

One thing that is to be categorically put is that move of the Fefka and Macta are against Malayalam film industry. Except a few crafty politicians cine viewers are not bothered of the Fefka-Macta rift. These associations have no commitment towards cine viewers. The fans associations functioning in the State point to the unemployment of the youths. The Finance Minister with his utopian idea of extending retirement age has ignored the aspirations of educated youth. Youths are therefore left with options to protect Mammootty, Mohanlal or Dileep at lake resorts and drink at a near by toddy shops for rest of the time.

My suggestion to Governemnt in this direction is never interfere in the feud between the two warring factions in the cinema filed as the rift is not a burning problem for the State.
Independent producers and directors may be allowed to produce film without the interference of Fefka or Macta.and if any one act against he may be put in jail.
Political parties should also abstain from the present feud.

K A Solaman

Electronic voting needed

At present electronic voting is restricted only in the use of EVMs. For smooth and effective voting web based voting can be set up. This not only reduces problems related to booth voting but increases voter turnout. Number of voters abandoning polling stations due to fear of poll related violence can be thus avoided. Moreover old and sick persons can cast their votes from their homes or other places of convenience. .

The Election Commission of India should, therefore, develop a web based electronic voting software and be installed on the web site of Election Commission of India. It shall contain all polling booths of the country with names and other details of e-voters. Any voter can register himself as e-voter if he knows the use of web site. A minimum educational qualification can be also stipulated for this and Election Commission should provide an ID and password to legitimate applicants just like bank ATM cards. The possession of a bank ATM card can be even considered as the eligibly to earn a voter e-card. The electronic voters may be permitted to vote on the voting day from a place of their choice and others may be asked to call on the polling booths.
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Web-based voting further avoids loss of working days, time and money. However full-pledged e-voting in the country is possible when all are educated. In all probability it will take another one or two decades if one consider the progress brought about by a choice of rulers of the country since Independence.

K A Solaman

Parent-teacher counseling could avoid the worst.

Teachers are human, and sometimes will not be in the vein of certain students without a valid reason. This is same as love at first sight. Some teachers see the face of their students as their own children’s and some others see faces of their enemies in students. There may be psychological enlightenment in this phenomenon and in most cases students are the worst losers. However, occasionally the loss of the teacher is also heavy as that is what happened in the Delhi school where not only the teacher but the Headmaster also was suspended. The mental agony brought to them if they are true teachers who always delight in the progress of their student, is beyond any reckon. But ironically all are seen happy in criticizing the teacher. The sad demise of the student would have been averted if the teacher was given sufficient prior information about the health condition of the student. And in that case the responsibility of the parents cannot be ruled out.

Here in Kerala too punishment such as standing on sunlight or continuous running a kilometer was imposed, of course, not for class room lessons but for NCC. While I was a student in Pre-degree classes I noticed that if cadet did not turn out in time for parade he was asked to run a km with a heavy rifle in his hand. No one was spared from this punishment but none was seen annoyed as it was a part of that education.

Present day parents are very much concerned about their children. If a teacher in LP school asks a student to clean his teeth using mango tree leaf, as did in schools 30-40 years back, the parents will not tolerate the teacher. Time has changed and teachers’ job has become a dicey one. I could not blame that hapless teacher who imposed a past and crude punishment on her student taking her to death. The teacher might have been trying to pick up the child to progress but it ended in despair. The Delhi school incident is not an isolated case. To avoid replication parent-teacher counseling could be thought of in such situations. As practiced in NAAC accredited colleges health club can be formed in schools under the supervision of a teacher with skill in first aid treatment to avoid casualties.

K A Solaman

Threat next door

I endorse the statement of the Indian prime minister that the spreading influence of the Taliban is a serious threat to India. The Taliban are a danger to mankind and they have no trust in democracy. Women are the most insecure group under the Taliban. These terrorists destroyed the Buddha statues in Bamiyan. The space provided by the Pakistan government to the Taliban in the Swat Valley is the greatest, most serious threat.

The suspicion that there has been recent infiltration in Kupwara is very worrying, raising the possibility that rebels within India may collude with the infiltrators to disturb the poll process. New strategies have to be developed to check insurgent action in general and Taliban infiltration in particular.

The Telegraph, Kolkata, 23 April 09

Terrorism within the country

Naxal attacks are rampant at various parts of the country as Lok Sabha election is in progress. The rate of naxal attacks is rising in Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Bihar with naxal capturing even trains carrying hundreds of passengers. . Naxalites nom de plume Maoists are putting unforeseen hardships to people for what is called a never realizable dream and our police force see a hard time to tackle the situation. When police is equipped only with lathis, naxalites carry AK 47 guns and eve rocket launchers. They have taken resolute to topple the entire election mechanism in many parts of the country. They have huge amount of explosives and are able to kill hundreds of innocent citizens.

Obviously “Maoist terror” has become a serious threat to the internal security of India. Nevertheless for Congress or BJP, Maoist menace is not their head ache and Left comrades even see Maoists as their friends. The strategy so far taken by the country’s Home Department is inadequate to control Maoist menace. And what is actually needed is a joint action against Maoists by all the governments of the affected states. It is estimated that about a dozen states in the country are under naxalite terror.

K A Solaman.

Call to youngsters by outgoing CEC

In the midst of the General Election of India the CEC retired and another one took charge as new CEC. The retiring CEC, N Gopalaswami, relinquished his office and Navin Chawla , has assumed charge. The next four phases of Election has to be completed under the command of the new CEC. Gopalaswami’s occupancy at the commission was with some controversy with alleged proximity to BJP. Chawla too must not free from controversy as he has already established his kinship with the Congress and Madam Sonia. People have yet to watch the debate on the act of new CEC that would arise in the course of the remaining phases. .

The outgoing CEC N Gopalaswami has made valuable proposal during the time of relinquishing his post. The proposal can be taken up by all political parties for a debate in giving due importance to youngsters. In the meantime, the new CEC could show his outlook in bringing up more and more hones youths to Indian political system as youngsters have a major role to play in the changing process. According to statistics nearly 30 percent are young voters under the age of 35.and these young voters could certainly bring a positive change in the Indian political system.

One of the major handicaps of Indian democracy is the poor education of people. Certain political parties are adverse in opening more schools for the education of children particularly the girl children. Youngsters, apart from working in sensible political parties, can form voluntary groups to educate, and inspire the people to compulsorily go to the polling stations on the day of elections. They can also bring to light the hypocrisy of pretentious cultural leaders who stood against election procedure.

Gopalaswami’s proposal is in tune with the dreams of former President APJ Abdul Kalam that some productive change should take place if youngsters have a leading role.

K A Solaman

MK-the assassin’s friend

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi is known for his creative work such as writing fictions and screen plays. As this art is purely based on fancies, at old age this ability may be deteriorated by memory loss. By saying Velupillai Prabhakaran is not a terrorist MK has shown symptoms of memory loss. How can a branded enemy of India become friend of Mr Karunanidhi? The sheer vote bank politics are taking one to dogs.

Prabhakaran is a cold- blooded assassin and is responsible for killing tens of thousands of innocent civilians within his country and outside. Even if Priyanka Gandhi absolves her father’s killer Prabhakaran for a few votes for Congress party and its allies the people of India could not sell their esteem by agreeing with Muthuvel Karunanidhi. Prabhakaran is an adversary of India and if Karunanidhi feels Prabhakaran as his friend, then it is impending to treat Karunanidhi for memory loss.

K A Solaman

Power shortage in Kerala

The power shortage is acute in Kerala . Though load shedding has been lifted, the time when power comes and goes is beyond anybody’s guess. Lifting of load shedding or its induction has become a political game and it has noting to do with the actual power shortage. The State Electricity Board is siphoning out money from its fund by giving channel ads performed by tinsel heroes. Cine artists playing in the ads without any sincerity in saving power has not influenced the customers. Still the board is spending money lavishly. The never ending rent of Rs 20 per month for faulty wattmeter installed in customers’ houses is a barbaric act.

Power saving is every citizen’s responsibility but even ministers do not care. The report collected under RTI act from ministers’ residences about power expense indicate their non-commitment in power saving. Power loss in distribution is huge but no concrete step has been taken by the Board in that direction. Every time, in government offices, all the lights are glowing in day time without any check. A well ventilated government office could put off light during day time but they glow lights after covering all windows with thick curtains. In all self financing professional colleges each class room is fitted with five fans and 5 electric tubes and are operated all the time as a show of their financial might. “I spent money and it is not my botheration to save power” is the attitude of college managers. .

As and when the government and the people think power as a personal property and not as a tool for political gain or vengeance, the situation may change.

K A Solaman

Political mud-slinging

The political culture in the country has changed very much during the past half a century. Our political leaders do not miss an opportunity to indulge in mud-slinging against their counterparts in other parties. All parties claim they are secular, but they openly stand behind the communal outfits. Caste and community factors play a major role in Indian politics and the leaders of these communal outfits often fail to think that people from other castes are also citizens of India with equal rights.

Some political parties led by aged politicians are not able to understand the aspirations of youngsters and never deliberate on the job openings available to them. There are many candidates with a criminal background contesting the polls.

K A SOLAMAN, Alappuzha, Kerala
Tuesday, April 21, 2009, The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

Maoist threat

The CPM Politburo member Sitaram Yetchuri is seen not so lively, of late, in dealing with Maoists of doubtful character. Yetchuri has obviously given up his efforts to woo Maoists after his notorious visit to Nepal to form a ministry with Prachanda. Yetchuri now only understood Maoist brutality. They killed 18 people in Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Orissa during the first phase of polling today and looted several electronic voting machines.
Maoist brutality in India is comparable to Al-Quaeda threat elsewhere in the world. The Union Government has not taken this threat seriously yet. And some regional parties too have role in spreading Maoist terrorism.

Nevertheless, no ruling political party is ready to accept the reality. They need only a few votes marked in the voting machine to continue their rule. Only corruption-free, transparent and responsible government at the centre could end Maoist threat.

K A Solaman

Mudslinging by politicians.

Personal attack or rather insult is against the election code of conduct. However, even reputable politicians like Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and BJP Prime Ministerial candidate L K Advani are attacking each other more harshly. It all happened with the Advani continually describing Manmohan Singh as a weak Prime Minister. Manmohan Singh who kept mum against Advanis insult all the time but finally reciprocated in the same coin

And when the war of words between the two top leaders continued unabated, the mid-level leaders too contributed their might in mutual mudslinging and the Election Commission which is bound to control all this rubbish remained a mute spectator. The voters of India still feel the absence of a person like T N Seshan on the top of Election Commission of India. Why leaders blame each other, the candidates too caught up in mutual mudslinging and personal attacks but no candidature was seen cancelled by the Election Commission for their condemnable act.

One thing the politicians obviously discarded is when surprise occurs on May 16, that is when votes are counted they have to swallow all the abuses for a possible coalition. The most shamed will be those from Kerala when the Congress and the CPI(M) would unite at New Delhi for a possible coalition.

K A Solaman

Politics of nonsense

The political set-up in the country has changed very much during the past half century and the leaders of political parties leave no chance to mudsling their counter parts in other parties. All parties claim they are secular but they openly stand behind the communal outfits. Caste and community play a major role in Indian politics and the leaders of these communal outfits often fail to think people from other castes are citizens of India with equal rights. The manifestoes of development of political parties are very conciliatory to read but what documented in them remain as such for all elections. Some political parties led by aged politicians are not able to comprehend the apprehensions of youth in the country and they never deliberate on the job openings of the youths. Our democracy has become a rare species to be preserved in reserves where ordinary people have little access. The number of criminals in the country has escalated and most of the candidates contesting in polls and hoodlums. The Judicial system in the country runs in snail pace and ordinary people are forced to think these courts and justice forums are only for the rich to play the hide and seek with their money. The criticism against judicial officers in the country is uncontrolled and no reckonable action has been taken to put an end for it. The celebrities, who are ignorant of burning problem of common man, are being fielded for elections are aimed only to exploit the poor and illiterate.

Could India expect ever a free and fair election with no fake voting, booth capture and intrusion of political thugs?

K A Solaman

Appeal to shoe makers

As shoe hurling has appreciated all over the world in enormous proportion it is high time to impose some stipulations in the manufacture of shoes. Shoe throwers are offered with gifts such as money and even brides I anticipate more and more people to come to the fray.
The first target of a hurled shoe was the former American president, George W. Bush and he being good acrobatic escaped the insult without a hit. The attacker, a reporter, has been punished with three years in prison. Another chappal attack was targeted at Pinarayi Vijayan, the Kerala secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). Though the attack was missed the target the attacker was severely treated by the other comrades. A similar attack on the Chinese Prime Minister Wen Jiabao ended with the attacker being now under trial. Then a journalist lobbed a shoe at the Union home minister P Chidambaram and he being in the make of a Gandhi pardoned the hurler. The latest in this direction is the attack on the strong Prime Minister in the offing Advaniji but the target was missed. As shoe attacks attract media coverage, and attackers are well received in the public with cash and status these incidents tend to increase. Though the act is against the primary culture of India it is fast escalating in the country.

So, in the wake of more and more attacks, especially in India, my suggestion is: ask the shoe manufacturers to make light–weighed shoes so that the targets are not severely hurt. At a time of fast-food and no exercise, the embattled celebrities would not be able escape from shoe missiles as Bush and Chinese Premier did.

K A Solaman

Happy-go-lucky officers.

The polling booth and the constituency where I cast my vote on Thursday for Fifteenth General Election to the Parliament, is not a significant matter, nevertheless, the manner in which the polling officer asked me to do in the polling booth matters a lot. When I approached the second polling officer, he asked me to write my name on the register placed before him. As I was seen reluctant to write my name on the register instead of putting signature, the officer raised his voice and asked me to do as he said and seen worried about the delay of my ears. I, with my previous experience as Presiding officer, told the officer that it would be more convenient for me to put the signature as per the election rules than to write my name on the register. The officer was then seen annoyed and advised me to follow the footprints of my predecessors in the booth that all of them had written their name and it is quite pointless and obviously disturbing if I refuse to write my name. Still then I insisted on putting signature and refused to write my name on the register. I had not taken a mobile phone to polling station as per Election Commission stipulation, but many were seen with that gadget. As I do not keep the habit of hiring a mobile phone I was not able to contact Election Observers to tell them about my difficulty in the booth. However, may be noting my weight and height the officer finally heeded to my stance.

The stuff is all voters in that booth have only names and none possess a signature. The register of my polling station contains only names except my signature and a few thumb impressions of the blind and the illiterates. This I say because election has to be completed in a few more States in subsequent phases and there are happy-go-lucky officers.

K A Solaman

Slippery ordeal

The first target of a hurled shoe was the former American president, George W. Bush. The attacker, a reporter, has been punished with three years in prison. Another chappal attack was targeted at Pinarayi Vijayan, the Kerala secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist). The attacker was severely treated by the other comrades. A similar attack on the Chinese prime minister ended with the attacker being now under trial. Then a journalist lobbed a shoe at the Union home minister. As shoe attacks attract media coverage, these incidents tend to increase. But such an act is against the basic culture of India. No one has a right to pardon the offender. If he is not punished, his act will send out wrong signals to others.

K.A. Solaman, Alappuzha, Kerala
The Telegraph, Calcutta, Thursday , April 16 , 2009

Not an aggressive outburst

Lalu Prasad has now been issued a notice by the Election Commission for his public remarks on Varun Gandhi’s speech against Muslims. It is perhaps wiser to take Prasad’s comment as a joke, and not as a literal promise for action. It is only a veteran politician’s humorous response to an improper statement by an immature politician who could one day become India’s prime minister. Lalu’s remark is perhaps in tune with what ordinary, right-thinking people feel about unnecessarily aggressive outbursts. Further, “barking dogs seldom bite”. If you want to kill somebody, would you announce it in advance?

K.A. Solaman, Alappuzha, Kerala
The Telegraph, Kolkota April 11,2009

Must set an example

Home Minister P Chidambaram must not pardon Mr Jarnail Singh for his shocking behaviour. If the offender goes scot-free, it will encourage many others to partake in similar shenanigans in future. One may laud Mr Chidambaram for forgiving the scribe, but a strong precedent needs to be set here to prevent repeats of such untoward incidents.

KA Solaman

The Pioneer, New Delhi Dated 9 April 09

Chidambaram making Gandhi

Home Minister P Chidambaram too has been elevated to position of shoe attack recipients. The first one was former US President George W Bush. He has been attacked with a shoe by an Al-Baghdadia television reporter. The reporter was punished for three years in prison. The second conspicuous chappal attack was Pinarayi Vijayan, the Kerala State Secretary of CPM. The attacker was his own comrade and was severely hustled by other comrades. Third one was against Chinese leader Wen jiao the attacker is under trial. And at the last a Sikh journalist lobbed a shoe towards Home Minister P Chidambaram at a press conference in New Delhi.

As shoe attacks catch good media coverage the type of incidents increases day by day. Nevertheless it is categorically to be put that shoe attack against Home Minister Chidambaram is an oafish act and against the basic culture of India. As the action of the reporter is heinous Mr Chidambaram or Congress party has no right to pardon him. If the offender is not punished under law it would sent wrong signals to others. It is undesirable Chidambaram making himself a Gandhi by saying:” Please take him away, gently, gently, gently, doesn't matter, please settle down, please settle down" to save the attacker free from criminal act.

K A Solaman

Lalu’ comment on Varun

This refers to the report, “I would have crushed Varun under a roller: Lalu. It is wiser to think Mr Lalu Prasad Yadav’s comment as a joke. It doesn’t mean that he is going to undertake that cruel act. It is only a veteran politician’s humorous gesticulation to qualify an improper statement by an immature politician who would once become the Prime Minister or President of the country. Lalu’s remark is only an expression in tune with that of ordinary right thinking people towards superfluous outbursts. Furthermore ‘barking dogs seldom bite.’. If anyone wants to kill anyone, would he say it in advance?

Isaac wants Antony clear!

Kerala Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac wants Defence Minister A.K. Antony to come clear in the Israel arms deal. Dr. Isaac says Antony is the prime accused in the deal and there would be no credibility if the accused himself was to be the judge. This statement is same as one made by the UDF leaders that Pinarayi is the prime accused in the Lavalin deal and he often figures as its judge.

And one has point out is that when Isaac emerges as new saint in the LDF, he absconded from all previous allegations leveled against him. For instance, when the ‘Padom’ publishers accused Isaac for his alleged involvement in selling Kerala’ s resource map to foreigners for a price he deliberately kept mum. The UPA coalition may be the sole reason for not investigating Isaac’s dubious connection with the foreign hands. Isaac friendship with Richard Franky was a serious allegation against him with in his party but it did not gather momentum due to group equations. Isaac’s collusion with gold merchants in the state has reduced state’s revenue.

So, Dr. Isaac should answer those questions posed to him before asking Antony to answer such questions..

Loud speakers not allowed on moving vehicles

Election candidates and political parties are seen to be ignorant of the use loud speakers when vehicle is on the move while campaigning. They are not permitted to do so. This I write in the context of dispute between election officials on the use of loud speakers on moving vehicles. If any such incident is reported, such vehicle will be seized immediately and this is the latest regulation imposed by the Election Commission in the pretext of the present polls. All Regional Transport Officers have given strict instructions in this direction.

I request the Kerala Election Commissioner to issue fresh orders in this direction as political leaders pretend to be ignorant of it.

K A Solaman

India’s wealth in foreign banks

BJP's Prime Ministerial candidate Advani's call to take back from foreign banks, especially the Swiss banks, the money deposited by Sonia Gandhi and other leaders is interesting. Does it mean that no BJP leaders have any benami account in Swiss bank? Quite unbelievable! Here in Kerala leaders and their sons of splinter parties have questioning accounts in Swiss banks and are known for many. By making it a poll issue Advani has brought his on party leaders in trouble.

Let the people see the names of account holders in Swiss banks when the Bank discloses the names. I hope the pressure on Swiss Bank by the United States to disclose their account holders with unlawful wealth would help to bring out the names of country’s politicians in camouflage.