Temple treasure evaluation

It is actually a tough job for the Supreme Court-recommended five-member expert committee to assess the treasures that found recently in secret cellars of the famous Sri Padmanabha Swamy temple in Thiruvananthapuram .

First of all they have to identify all gold and diamond ornaments and weigh them accurately to find its present value because activists like Sukumar Azhikode admit only its material value. The Committee have to approach international appraisers to evaluate its antique value which is often a hundred or thousand times greater than the material value. This I say because one sword of Tippu Sultan which was in possession by else who, was purchased for India by liquor baron Vijay Mallya by giving up a good fortune he amassed by making thousands of boozers inside the country.
The second matter is manual work and time needed for lifting and weighing the ornaments. If Kerala workers are asked to do this job it will end up nowhere. And if other state-workers are employed a huge sum should be paid as nokkukooli for Kerala trade union members.

Once the panel has declared the antique value for the articles chances for bidding them at higher price cannot be ruled out. The videographing and photographing of the articles would also cost much. The documentation agency should also claim a bit. And where this assessment ends up is no man’s guess.

K A Solaman
Published. The Deccan Chronicle on 2-8-2011

Bilateral talk between India and Pakistan

Pakistan ministerial charm and the mother of three, 37 year old Hina Rabbani Khar with her visit to this country, has conquered the hearts of all Indians. Seemingly her visit would reduce the trust dearth between the two countries and build a “relationship of mutually beneficial cooperation in conformity with the determination of the people of both countries to see an end to terrorism and violence” . However, the Prime Minister of India should be on vigil to see that her Indian counter parts should not prolong the bilateral talk indefinitely because of varied reasons.

K A Solaman
Published by the New Indian Express on 30-7-2011

President’s asset

The President Smt Pratibha Patil possesses only an asset in tune with rupees two crore and forty Nine lakh. This includes her house and land worth rupees 63 lakh and gold ornament of 1750gram. One could say only that this asset is too little. Malayalam cinema super stars Mammootty or Mohanlal, now in public eye due to Income Tax Department raid on their houses, could make more than President’s total asset by acting in a single film cornering a 13 year old girl!

K A Solaman

Murickan is not harmful as Mathamillatha Jeevan.

For quite long textbook row is ritual for political parties in Kerala. The former LDF government in Kerala had seen frequent protests by religious organizations and the UDF demanding withdrawal lessons like “ Matha millatha jeevanj( Jeevan without religion)” in school textbooks. Now it is the turn of comrades to demand deletion of portions causing distress to them. The whole episode resembles: history repeats first as a tragedy then as a comedy.

The Kerala comrades have started studying text books when UDF came into power and by this time they have finished reading up to standard six of the ICSE syllabus. When they started reading standard seven they have come across a serious mistake and found that a particular portion about land lord and farmer “ Murickan” is a distortion of history ridiculing the revolutionary land reforms movement initiated by the first communist government.

Interestingly the chapter titled Murickan was prepared by journalist TJS George, nevertheless, the comrades show no grudge to George because he is often the orator in many functions of party outfits like DYFI and SFI. Actually George’s claim about Murickan’s role in the reclamation of the Kuttanad farmlands was based on historical facts but comrades are not ready to admit it.

Any way the lesson is an opportunity for Amul bread ICSE students to hear about Rani, Chithira, Marthandam and EMS and it is not harmful as Mathmillatha jeevan.

K A Solaman, The Deccan Chronicle published on 28-7-11

Azhikode puts chilly on burns!

For quite long writer-orator Sukumar Azhikode was in war of words with super star Mohanlal for selling the recognition and popularity that the latter enjoyed. Azhikode was against Mohanlal appearing in ads for jewellery shop and liquor brand. However Azikode was conspicuously not against Mammootty though latter performs the same job as Moahanlal.
With the raid by the IT department in Mohanlal’s houses and business establishment Azhikode said he is happy in seeing cine actors along with tax evaders and corrupts. He asked the Govt of India to withdraw the Lieutenant colonel ship awarded to Lal by the Indian Army. Azhikode, thus proved that he knows not only to write and speak but how to put chilli on burns.

K A Solaman, Published Deccan Chronicle n 29-7-2011

Dead rats in State coffers!

The decision of the Kerala UDF Ministry to withdraw the Thuglakkian model retirement unification scheme by the erstwhile LDF Ministry, is in the right direction. Pension unification was one of the worst decisions of the previous ministry by which the Finance Minister had performed some dubious deals to hold back the State’s development. It is unwise and undesirable to permit 55 plus men to serve in the government departments when many young well educated people are wandering pillar to post to get a job. There are many occupations, for those old men now working in government services because of unification, to perform including work guarantee schemes if they desire. They can also seek a fortune in politics where eighty plus men are earning adequately. The money spent as salary to those after fifty five should be taken back with retrospective effect.

“Flood after me” was the thought of former Finance Minister Thomas Isaac and that was why he made empty the State coffers. When K M Mani, the present Finance Minister examined the Government cellar there is only empty beer bottles, fish skeleton and dead rats!

K A Solaman

Red tape biting in M G University, Kottayamമഹാത്മാഗാന്ധി സര്‍വകലാശാല

The Mahatma Gandhi University has erected bureaucratic hurdles against certain affiliated colleges by denying the approval for the post of teachers appointed in colleges under it. For instance, the approval all teachers appointed in St Teresa’s College, Ernakulam in last September is still under red tape in MGU. Is there any time limit for disposing a file in MG University?

The reason for denying approval of the post one candidate is obviously curious that according to University she is under aged. At the time of appointment, her age was below 23 (of course above 22) and as per University statutes the minimum age required is 18. The University denied the approval stating that the College which made appointment in 2009, has not complied with University statute amendment in 2010. How could an affiliated college or any other appointing authority make appointment anticipating the contents of future orders of the university? The University order issued in 2010 stipulates minimum age limit for appointment in affiliated colleges as 23 and the order has retrospective effect from 2006 according to University. This inquisitive order was issued by the University when the Government stipulates minimum age as 22 for appointment in Government colleges.

The action of the University has been a most frustrating experience for the candidate as she joined the college after giving up her CSIR fellowship and one year research work. The University modifying the requirements for approval of the post of teachers with an order that originated quite later is questionable and it would not stand before judicial review.

If our Universities are centres of discontent and red-tapism MGU is another one. This leads to academic excellence falling prey to fake administrative norms. And this sort of negative attitude will only discourage young intelligent individuals not to choose the post of teachers in affiliated colleges. I wonder why the MG University has made an unfounded order about minimum age of appointment with retrospective effect. The ludicrous amendment instituted by the MGU has created unnecessary pressure on a gifted girl, with first ranks in degree and PG and also with JRF and Gate score.

K A Solaman

Opposition wooing rubber farmers

I wonder about the sudden love of the Opposition party in Kerala towards rubber farmers of the state. They need tyre prices to remain high. It is all politics because except Suresh Kurup of Kottayam none from Opposition represent the rubber growers
Rubber growers in the eastern belt of Kerala lead a comfy life because of the income from their produce. Even a small farmer with ten rubber trees can earn a good buck and they elevate the prices of essential commodities. On the other hand the coconut growers of the state and the coir worke rs of the coastal belt are leading a miserable life. The day to day affairs of the fisher men are miserable.
It is really the head-ache of Chandy, Mani et al, to keep the rubber prize high and any threat to rubber growers hurts them more than the Left comrades. The decision of the Central Government to import 40,000 tonnes would bring down the rubber price and also the tyre prize. Eventually it is beneficial to more people as tyre even it is that of a bicycle, is used by more people. The so-called big blow to rubber farmers is a helping hand to vast section of the people. The Government should contemplate to restrict the exploitation of tyre companies.

K A Solaman

The death of T.P. Sunderarajan

The death of T.P. Sunderarajan, who approached the apex court requesting a stock taking of the gold and jewels stored in the Sree Padmanabhaswamy temple, really pains everyone who is anxious about the recent affairs of the temple. I believe the retired I P S officer is a man of valour and believes in no false notion. He sought a judgment of the assets that remained unscathed for several years and that likely to be mismanaged by someone associated with the temple.

Though he was died of fever, chance for origin of new stories relating his death cannot be ruled out. I say this because some people still believe there would come heavy downpour, storm and flood of snakes if B cellar of the temple is opened.

May Sunderarajan’ s soul rest in peace.

K A Solaman

UPA’s tall talk -The Pioneer Daily

On November 26, 2008, terrorist attacks in Mumbai killed 164 people and left many injured. Again, serial explosions that ripped through the city on July 13 have left at least 18 people dead and many injured. In 2008 the attacks were carried out by Pakistani terrorists sent into Mumbau by the Lashkar-e-Tayyeba with the active support and help of the ISI. The perpetrators of the latest terror attack are yet to be identified. Of course, it reflects poorly on our intelligence network, notwithstanding the Home Minister’s blatant refusal to accept it.

It is high time the Government faced the reality and banned all communal outfits in the country. It must also revamp security and intelligence agencies in order to make sure that such attacks never happen again. The Government’s tall talk of having improved the internal security apparatus and put in place a stronger intelligence system in the post-26/11 scenario stands exposed.

KA Solaman
Kerala

Is deity a living organism?

The Kerala government, Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple management and heirs of the Martanda Varma Travancore royal family have agreed before the Supreme Court that the unmatched wealth unearthed at the temple belonged to the deity and no one else can lay claim on it. This statement of the trio seems quite incomprehensible. Who is a deity? Is it a living organism like a man, or an animal? Is it capable for talking, demanding, writing and protesting? Can it sign a transfer document at any of the law houses? Can it appear before the Supreme Court to explain its position? The State Government, the temple management and the Royal family are trying to hoodwink even the Supreme Court. They need to keep all wealth under custody for ever and to remain unaccountable for any subsequent loss of this wealth.
The whole wealth belongs to the Government of India and Kerala and its prudent use demands suggestions from the Apex court. Strict guidelines are needed for the safe-keeping of the treasure. The items that demand antique values should be kept in the temple’s museum in strong vault and others should be converted into liquid cash. And this must be utilised for the progress of the country, for instance starting more medical colleges in Kerala.
The demand of some communal outfits having no direct link with the temple and temple asset until the middle of 20th century should be ignored. It is also unwise to spend huge sum for protecting the asset in temple coffers as we have sufficient number of bank lockers to keep the gold. The coffers of the temple are no longer safe at a time of explosions and shoot outs.
K A Solaman

Mumbai serial blasts.

Mumbai is again under terrorist threat. Explosions at four places killing at least 17 persons and injuring about 81 persons are shocking It was in November 26, 2008 Wednesday terrorist attack in Mumbai killed 100 people and injured many. It is indicative of the inefficacy of the country’s intelligence network. It was then Deccan Mujahideen behind the attacks and those terrorist behind present serial blasts are yet to be identified.

It is high time we ban all communal outfits in the country. We need tougher laws and an iron hand to deal with terrorism. Our security and intelligence agencies need dramatic improvement in order to make sure such attacks never happen again. These explosions also indicate that the efficacy of our intelligence system has not improved much from that in 2008.
K A Solaman.

Utilise temple treasure for State's development.

It is unwise to argue that the Sri Padmanabha Swamy temple treasure should be kept idle for years. The huge treasure belongs to all people of the country and not to any Raja, Temple or Hindus. The present day Christians and Muslims have an ancestral history related to Indian Hindus and hence the argument that the whole treasure belongs to Hindus is a non-sense.

By seeing the huge treasure in the temple cellars some have started praising the kings of erstwhile State of Travancore saying that they were magnanimous and great. A reasonable man could not swallow these hollow words because those kings were also human beings with virtues and wickedness like present day ministers. Perhaps this wickedness might have urged them to hide the wealth in the temple cellars of Sri Padmanabhan instead of utilising it for people’s development. And if the Governments of Kerala or India decide to keep the temple’s wealth idle it would finally fall into the hands of thieves. So, it is better to set up a trust to handle this wealth and it should be utilised partly for making a profit and partly for the growth of all people of the state.


K A Solaman

Begging for all the seven days!

Kerala Finanace Minister K M Mani , with his corrective Budget, in the history Kerala, announced to introduce daily draw for Kerala lottery. This act rather sounds that he has determined to make people capable for begging all the seven days. For those people with no health problem begging with lottery for all the days of the week, K M Mani will be the new saviour of the home.

And it is a farce to blame the budget saying that it is a pro Kottayam-Malappuram budget because former Finance mInister T M Thomas Isaac, with his trickeries like Vazhuthanlsavam, Malsyolsavam, Ayurfest, Meals with 101 curries, Vanitha Chenda melam etc, in Alappuzha made a substantial loss to the state coffers and that is what Mani is also doing. And all these for vote bank politics.

Further it is in poor light to say Mani has ignored the people of the coastal area. They are now equipped with H1N1, Dengu, Chikkun Guinea and what else. In addition there is abundant supply of brawny beverages.

K A Solaman

Maran is out, who next? Deccan chronicle

Now Minister Dayanidhi Maran is out from the central cabinet. The special suit in Thihar prison is ready for him too. He can stay there with kin Raja, Kanimozhi and others.
The CBI alleges that Maran forced telecom promoter C Sivasankaran to sell Aircel stake to the Maxis group considered close to his family. This means the tentacles of corruption reaches up to Karunanidhi who is the sole custodian of vast wealth siphoned out by his sons and daughters. The people of TN have taught Karunanidhi and company a lesson in the last election. However, the real punishment has not been started. The corruption should take Karunanidhi too Thihar. It is a total luck for Karunanidhi to get a balanced and timely food in Thihar at his old-age forgetting all hullaballoo of TN politics.

More and more ministers and leaders of UPA are likely to move into Thihar when Swiss Bank accounts of unaccounted money are out.

K A Solaman
Deccan Chronicle published on 8-7-2011

Foolish arguments- The Pioneer Daily

Following the discovery of a treasure trove containing gold, diamonds and precious stones, etc, at the Sri Padmanabha Swami temple in Thiruvananthapuram, security at the shrine has become a vital concern for the State Government. However, since the treasure was assessed by an order of the Supreme Court, in my opinion, it is the apex court who should also decide how the vast amounts of valuable assets will be protected. It is unfair to expect that the State Government alone will bear the enormous burden of providing adequate security at the temple, especially since there is already controversy over the actual owner of the treasure trove.

KA Solaman
Kerala
The Pioneer, Dated 6 July 2011

Commando security for Sree Padmanabhan

A three-tier commando security has been arranged for Sri Padmanabhaswamy temple as treasure in tune with more than Rs one lakh crore was found from the temple cellars. And in one facet Sree Padmanabhan has also become one like our crorepathi ministers in the cabinet, I mean NSG protection for both. When the treasure with Sree Padmanabhan is in His shrine, the treasure of ministers is with Swiss Bank!

K A Solaman

Appointment in aided schools and colleges

I support Muslim Students Federation (MSF), favouring the appointment by the Public Service Commission (PSC) in aided schools and colleges of the State. As Federation pointed out, the criteria for appointments in the aided schools and colleges is money. Appointment in colleges by the committee established for the purpose often work in harmony with managements and that too after acceptance of management hospitality lavishly. The members of the Committee give even a dozen copies of the signed document to management for later manipulation. Lakhs of rupees are collected from candidates by managements who even speak the volumes of social equity.
However, I differ with the other point of view of the Federation that the members of the staff of the school and colleges should be given leave if elected to the Assembly of the State or local bodies. In my view, no teacher should be allowed to work with any political party and they should never be allowed to contest in the election. There are many unemployed people with dedication to serve the society. The first duty of the teacher is to teach students and not to lose time denying the right of students to learn. Most often, a teacher on leave is not substituted at the right time.
K A Solaman

Security in Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple

The much secured asset in Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple has become insecure. It is a tough job for Govt. of Kerala to give security to this asset. Two platoons of armed police personnel were deployed for the security of the Temple . The temple has emerged as the richest Hindu Temple in India after the discovery of a treasure of gold, diamonds and precious stones.

These entire assets are owned by the Govt of India and it is foolish to argue the treasure is owned by one particular party. It is also unwise to take all security measures to protect this treasure by the State Government by spending heavily from state exchequer.

The treasure was assessed by an order of the Supreme Court and it is the concern of the court to arrange protection for the asset. The State Government with its limited source of income need not spend enormously for protection measures by maintaining two platoons of armed force. The treasure obtained from the temple should be used for the overall development of the country.

K A Solaman