Lesser people of Haiti!

Thousands of people were killed in Haiti by the ‘catastrophe of major proportions'. The earthquake was of 7.3magnitude in Rictor scale. Now there is no electricity, no water and nothing. Only a very few have survived the calamity. Nevertheless, the Indian visual media did not give much importance to Haiti tragedy. They continued cheering people by screening their usual soap opera when Haiti was in utter dismay. If the calamity of such a monstrous proportion was in any of the developed countries this would not be the attitude of the media. For them the people of any impoverished country are lesser men.

Haiti is the poorest country with eighty per cent of its population living below the poverty line. Media documented it by their shunning approach.

K A Solaman

Awful practice in Indian Stock Market

Awful practice in Indian Stock Market

Sir,

United States President Obama’ words about the fiscal condition of his country have triggered a huge slide down in entire stick market of the world. In India too, it is the consecutive sixth day fall in Sensex on Wednesday with about 500 points down. Unlike the previous Finance Minister Chidambaram, the present Minister Pranab Mukherji did not come with a clarification in this direction. All investors wooed by the previous gestures of the India Ministers burned their fingers in the last six days.

Other than the hollow words from the Ministers the investors get nothing from stock market as the instability is beyond any prediction. The tax benefits or interest hike and concessions to education and health sectors are inadequate to encourage the stock market. And that is why the PM or FM are not coming with any promise during bloodbath in stock market.

Setbacks in the market will be high if the authorities keep don’t care approach to the awful practice of the Indian stock market.

K A Solaman

Togadia spits venom

Hate speech is the born habit of VHP international secretary general Pravin Kumar Togadia. And that is why the Kerala State Government has once forbidden him from entering into the State. This time, however, he experienced no resistance from the State Government and so he entered into the State and said in Kozhikode that that Kerala has become Jihadis’ land. He also said that the State had transformed into a breeding ground for terror modules in the region. For him Kerala is the Kashmir of South India. This is rather a non-sense comment of a non-sense leader
It is true that CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) had some alliance with communal outfits in the near past but it does not amount to the extent of any alliance with jihadi’s group. His remark, that main backwardness of the country was due to population growth as people of a particular community were able to have multiple wives and many children, is out of the ordinary and intended to abuse the Muslims
It is better for the State Government to keep a further surveillance when Togadia visits the State for the next time.

K A Solaman

Recurring custodial deaths in Kerala

The recurring reports of custodial deaths in Kerala police stations are highly disturbing. Latest in this respect is the death of K. Nasar of Muzhappilangad. The police version that he was found hanging from the grille of the station bathroom is not easily digestable. Nasar was taken into custody on Sunday in connection with a cheque case.

A person examining the history custodial deaths in Kerala would see that reports of such deaths gather no significance of late. Workers of Human Rights have experienced a tough time in Kerala to frame complaints against the police criminals. The Home Department is seen least interested in putting an end to this ever increasing danger. Political bosses are least interested in custodial killing. I don’t know how long could the people in Kerala tolerate this indifference of the State Home Department?. The police unkindness and political insensitivity together have worsened the situation of custodial deaths.

It is time for those honest human rights activists to start a direct fight against frequent human rights violation in the state

K A Solaman

Mani’s desperate move

It is quite unbecoming of a district secretary of the party to ridicule its Chief Minister for his speech against Munnar encroachment. Mani, the district secretary of the CPM has stooped himself by ridiculing the Chief Minister, without referring his name, saying the New Munnar concept was nothing but eye-wash. In fact Mani’s move is a factual attempt to save big land-grabbers including his brother. Mani’s say that he and his group would break the knees of anyone attempting to retrieve land in Munnar, even if it is the Chief Minister, is a direct insult to the High Court. What Achthanandan said in Punnapra is his determination to put into practice the court orders.

Further, Mani has no right to criticise Niveditha P Haran for doing her duty and to drag in the name of Suresh Kumar IPS, now not in picture, who had done yeoman’s service service for the State of Kerala.

K A Solaman

Parting shot- The telegraph

The government’s decision to withdraw the deemed university status of 44 institutions across the country should be welcomed. These institutions are meant for the rich, where students from poor families have no place. Syllabi are prepared and examinations conducted independently by these colleges. There are several other such institutes whose performance should also be evaluated and if found wanting, their autonomy should be withdrawn.


K.A. Solaman,
The Telgraph, Calcutta dated 23 Jan 2010

Doctors’ protest against BRMS is unwarranted

A sudden love by doctors towards rural folks emerged as the Union Government made an attempt to start Bachelor of Rural Medicine and Surgery (BRMS) course to resolve the problem of health care in rural areas. Doctors belonging to IMA and KGMCTA say that the move for short-duration medical course would lead to a situation where the rural folks would be getting only low quality medical treatment. On hearing this one may feel to think that now the rural folks are getting better treatment from them. In fact not even a single doctor in Kerala finds pleasure in treating the rural and the poor people. They often try to get transfer to Trivandrum or Kozhikkode medical colleges where income is much higher than Alappuzha and other places.

The doctors’ argument that the move would create two kinds of healthcare systems is unfounded. It is good for people to get even a second rate treatment than denying them any treatment.

Actual reason for the fright of agitating doctors is that they would lose a little of their income if rural people get treatment at their own place. Moreover doctors’ brute force to paralyze the entire medical system will slightly be lessened. Government decision to come out with BRMS course is, therefore, a welcome move and all sensible persons, especially the villagers, should welcome it whole-heartedly.

K A Solaman

Kerala to debt trap?

By unification of the retirement time and the subsequent raising of retirement age the State of Kerala is going to a debt trap. The money temporarily acquired by withholding the payout of retiring staff, was spent for other use. Now there is no money with the government to meet the pay out of retiring college teachers and the Government employees this year. And hence the Finance Minister contemplates to enhance the retirement age for further five to ten years. What will he do then after? Obviously it is not his head-ache to meet the requirement after five years.
The inability to understand this imbroglio by the staff about to retire this year is questioning. Why can’t they identify the fact that they will get no money from this debt trapped State when they retire after five years? Are they prepared to commit suicide when their benefits are out rightly denied at retirement? This dismal scenario prevails in the whole State. Sincere efforts needed to avert this dismal future situation.
More curious is the stance by youth and student organizations. Except the AIYF no youth outfit is seen acquainted with miserable future of unemployed educated youths. Do the party outfits need youths only for street fighting on stupid matters? Educated youths are unorganized and appear gloomy. Their words not attended by the rulers. Who is responsible for this depressing situation? Yes, the present government is to be blamed. The need of the hour is to take appropriate remedial measures to secure jobs for the youths. Don’t allow the State to run to debt trap and to total despair by the thoughtless action of some of the ministers and a few sneaky bureaucrats.

K A Solaman

Thomas and Thomas inc.

One Thomas is an ardent believer while the other Thomas is an agnostic, nevertheless both are Christians. The first one kisses the hands of any Bishop on his way but the other scratches his designer beard at the sight of a holy man. The believer Thomas is a Minster in the Central Cabinet dealing with people’s food and has particular interest in the eating habit of Keralites, the people of his own State. The other Thomas, though dealing the State Finance, is very much interested in all affairs and wields an upper hand in the Cabinet. The two Thomas’, of late, entered in a war of words on the food grain supply to Kerala.

The people of Kerala were seen overjoyed by seeing the histrionic talents of both accusing each other on TV screens. People doubted a direct onslaught if they meet in person. Nevertheless, it was a surprise for people to see them at a programme at Thanneermukkom when the doubting Thomas presented a bottle of Mararikulam pickles to believer Thomas. And then it was the turn of believer Thomas to invite his partner for a body massage to his own village Kumbalangi, but this news was not seen sensed by the media men. It was the body massage scene of Thomas aired on TV during election times brought him a huge margin over beautiful Sindu Joy.

When one Thomas kicks up a controversy other Thomas will refute it and that is politics. They are out and out friends all the time and if any follower annoyed over the war between leaders, kills his opponent in a barber shop that is his folly, an act of sheer ignorance!

K A Solaman

Firm Faith (in Telegraph, Calcutta)

The Communist Party of India (Marxist) seems to have no space for those who believe in god. Innocent believers who happen to have strayed into the party have been surprised by this ideology. K.S. Manoj belongs to this category. Manoj has now given up his party membership, and thereby escaped this dogma. In recent times, Marxist leaders have been silent on whether the cadre should essentially consist of non-believers. This is perhaps because they know that if the party were to strictly adhere to its agnostic stance, it would have no sympathizers left.

The church does not ask its followers not to work with a particular political party. So, why should a political outfit specify whether its members are to believe in the church or not?



K.A. Solaman, The Telegraph, Calcutta Dated 16 Jan 2010

Allow Kerala doctors to retire at 55

In a nasty craft the LDF Cabinet in Kerala resolved to make the retirement age of doctors at the government medical colleges in the state 60 instead of the present 55. The cash crusty Finance Department has thus saved a good sum for next five years by withholding the retirement pay out to doctors. The next shot will be in the case of teachers in Government and Affiliated colleges and there too the Government can withhold a good sum for next five years. And after that hike of age will be extended to Government employees and aided school teachers. The sum so saved could be profitably used for ‘so called’ development work for deceiving the public. And after five years it is not the business of present minister to look into affair of State Finance. Let the State go to the dogs then.

I wonder why Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan is allowing this professor doctor Finance Minister to spoil the State Finance in this way. Why he is not thinking about the sad plight unemployed educated youths searching for job? Is there no passed out doctors in the State suited for fresh recruitment?

The report that a large section of the doctors were favoring early retirement is cooked up one as it is intended to pressurise the Government. If they have better opening in private hospitals they may be allowed to choose it. Voluntary retirement should be allowed to practicing doctors. Most of the doctors now in government hospitals enjoy private practice as a part time job. What is the harm then in allowing them to do that job as full time after 55?

K A Solaman

Miserable landline phone service of BSNL

I would like to draw your attention towards the non-serving BSNL authorities of Alappuzha. They are least bothered about rectifying fault of their gadget-the phone(04782863483) at my residence despite my repeated reminders. My complaint to the Consumer Forum, Alappuzha has been rejected as BSNL has special orders from Supreme Court that case against them is not maintainable in CDRFs.

If BSNL can’t work satisfactorily, why they cheat people by collecting advance money? They should show the guts to say that their Land line service is loss making and hence on the way abandoning it.

K A Solaman

Tharoor’s comments

Minister of state for foreign affairs, Shashi Tharoor's remarks on diverse topics often attract criticism. Latest in this direction is one on Jawaharlal Nehru's foreign policy and for someone it is highly intolerable. Poor perception of the persons who hear him or high intellect of the minister who often tweets may be the reason for this undesirable situation. The Congress party has seemingly opened a media room for decrypting Tharoor. This is obviously an embarrassing stipulation for Manmohan Singh and the Congress party.

An amicable solution to put an end to this thwarting situation is: Manmohan Singh should remove Tharoor from the Cabinet and he may be allowed to tweet profusely. Or Tharoor himself so decide to comment on Sonia Gandhi about her connection with Ottavio Quattrocchi. And therein after, necessarily no need for Tharoor to check his lexis.

K A Solaman

Let there be more democracy and more light in the CPM.

The CPM in Kerala and elsewhere in India have drawn a greater circle where the faithful have no entry. And innocentbeleivers by mistake or chance entered into this circle have gasped a lot. Dr K S Manoj is one in that category; nevertheless he escaped out of the circle. He will paste his surname ‘kurisinkal’ along with his name soon. The name ‘kurisinkal’ was for some time in cold storage because higher ups in Marxist party are explicitly against such symbols even though some of them visit Kadampuzha for flower offering tributes. Still hypocritically there are a few in the party with belief in both God and Marx.

The silence of CPM leaders on whether its cadres essentially have to be non-believers is conspicuous. If they are strict in implementing disbelief in God they would have no followers from Muslims and Christians. Many Hindus now working in Marxist party conduct Sapthaham and Navaham and if the party is adamant in the agnostic stance it will lose some them too. There will be only little buyers for the document inscribing “members and elected representatives of the party shall neither organise religious functions nor observe religious rituals”.

It is quite awful in Kerala that the Church and the CPM come face to face on many occasions. When the CPM is inside the circle drawn the Church is outside it and occupies a wider area. The Church never asks its faithful to work or not work with a particular political party. Then why the party puts stipulations on believers of Church? Since this question is very relevant in the present context the party should stop playing hide and seek on the issue of religion and clarify whether members can go to Church or organize Sapthaham or Punyaham.
Let there be democracy and more light in the CPM.

K A Solaman

Blue-eyed boy is out from CPM

The blue-eyed boy of Latin Catholic Community is out from the party. The former Lok Sabha member from Alappuzha Dr K.S. Manoj has quit the CPM following a clash of political ideology and religious belief. Dr Manoj could take a sigh of relief and regain his original name Manoj Kurisinkal. The clergies too in and around Alappuzha can hereinafter talk with Manoj without doubtfulness.

Nevertheless, the assertion of Dr Manoj that he was forced to take the decision to leave the party because his religious belief stood above party ideology is unwarranted as it has lesser buyers. The present decision would not have been taken if K C Venugopal was the loser in the election.

One feels that Dr Manoj is a good man and his service as a practicing medical doctor is more valuable than an MP. In India many criminals perform the duties of MP but no criminal as a good doctor. Presumably the Marxist party will come soon with a further correction that party members could pursue their religious beliefs.

K A Solaman

Political mistakes

Though the people of Jharkhand have endorsed Shibu Soren for one more term, his adversaries are in no mood to accept him. The BJP's support for Soren is terrible to many. Value-based politics is a distant reverie. Only when there is strict implementation of rules will corruption by politicians be avoided. Political leaders misusing the system is common in all states. Soren's case is not an isolated one. In that regard, the BJP has not made a mistake as big as the Congress might think. Nevertheless, one hopes that the BJP coalition will restrain Soren from corrupt practices.

K.A. Solaman

Via email
The Asian Age Daily, Delhi, London dated Dated 7 Jan 2010

LDF Govt’s Islamic bank

The Kerala High Court daunting a stay on the measures for the establishment of country’s first Islamic bank for attracting investments needed for the development works from Gulf-based NRIs is a remarkable action to be much valued. The former Union law minister Subramanian Swamy desertves a clap for his action. No doubt the interest-free system of the planned Islamic bank is at odds to the banking laws of the country and out rightly against the secularist fabric of the nation.

The trick in the proposed plan could be understood on checking the share of State-owned Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC), which is only 11 percent. The remaining 89 percent is owned by private investors presumably the binamis of the politicians and communal outfits. If allowed to function, the Islamic bank will run as a parallel economic system damaging the financial prospects of the state. The Islamic bank would make the present banking system of the country precarious.

At present in Kerala a parallel economy runs by way of havala money and backings to terrorists. The recent boom in realty is the result of this huge unaccounted money. As the dubious hands in these fake money deals are at present under scanner, the idea of Thomas Isaac and Elamaram Kareem to start Islamic bank is a premeditated way to legitimize the black money. CPM led Government favoring the idea of starting an Islamic bank is resulted from the greed for money by the neo-liberalistic politicians of the party. The installation of the Islamic bank is a blatant corruption in the State to torpedo the economic sustainability of the State.

The People of Kerala must implore our government, and if necessary protest in the streets, until those do not respect our constitution are removed from public office. The people of Kerala are to be on the hook to do whatever is needed to ensure that our elected ministers to perform their jobs with honesty, and accountability. It is very imperative to support the endeavor of Subramanian Swamy.

K A Solaman

Deal the bus operators strike with an iron hand.

The so-called promise to bus owners association by the government to hike ticket charge is a ploy and is intended to dupe the people. Seemingly the present strike by the bus operators is a calculated one, which has been resulted from the mutual understanding between the minister and the union. Upset the people first and then make advantage out of it- is the attitude of the bus owners union and the Government.

The bus owners union has recognized that Mr Thettayil is a new recruit in the Cabinet and he could be brought under their dictate by a strike. And it is wrong notion of the bus owners. The strike of unions of the KSRTC along with private bus owners is an act of coarseness and they are in fact cutting the branch they sit. The people of the state should decide to boycott these mucky bus owners when return after strike.

The student concession is an age old decision and that cannot be averted by the threat of bus operators. However, use of speed governor and intimidation by police can be checked. Never allow tariff hike as it would further rise the price of essential commodities. Deal the bus operators strike with an iron hand.

K A Solaman

Sheer vote bank politics.

As the Kerala State Assembly election is about to get nearer the communal outfits have started their foul play. The latest in this direction is all Kerala Nairs wagering their claim for reservation for the economically backward sections in the community. The band of Congress leaders cornering all Panickers, Nairs, Pillais and Kurups and the CPM leader Paloli who keeps scant regard to his Chief Minster VS instantly supporting Nairs saying that the LDF Government would seriously discuss the matter, are indications of sheer vote-bank politics.

The NSS’s opinion that the Nair community had been facing neglect in the fields of employment and education for the past sixty years is an outright attempt to hide the facts. Have they got the details of the employees working in AIR, FACT, VSSC and similar establishments? The Christians, Muslims and the Ezhava are scant in these institutions. Would they appoint anyone out side Nair community in their Arts and Science colleges after collecting a huge sum as application money from all?

It is a pity that the political parties whether LDF or UDF which speak volumes about secularism, run after communal outfits for sheer vote bank politics.

K A Solaman