On line classes too?

It is ridiculous on the part of Ernakulam Maharaja’s college authority to shift admission process to the online for the reason that SFI activists laid siege to the Principal’s office and administrative wing of the Maharaja’s College. Autonomous status to Maharaja’s college is an unwanted one as it denies admission to many students from poor families. The SFI agitation in this case is in the right path.

Would the college authority also conduct classes on line with the assistance of LBS centre once the admission process is completed?

K A Solaman

Scripted drama

It is interesting to watch Rahul Gandhi enjoying tasty fish lunch served by a fisherman's family at Chavakkad, Kerala. The simplicity of the lunch lies in that it was served on the floor. The less flexible CM, KPCC President and Home Minister might have found it very difficult sit on the floor and eat.

The Congress vice-president was served curry and a variety of fish fry items including 'neymeen’, a very costly dish, along with 'kappa puzhukku'. Possibly the fish curry was indeed prepared in a 5 star hotel.

This kind of drama will not be of any good to the party. They should think why they lost miserably in the last election. Sitting on the floor, dining with poor, wearing ‘adivasi’ clothes are simply scripted dramas which won’t save the Congress.

K A Solaman

The sun set

Made-up achievements

This has reference to the letter put out as a newspaper ad by Prime Minister Narendra Modi . He said in it his government had rejuvenated a languishing economy, brought a corruption-free rule and restored trust. This is rather incongruous as our economy is facing a lot of disgrace because of various factors. The petrol price has been hiked several times and the stock market has nosedived.  The PM has only rhetoric and his government lacks potential to deliver good plans. The sort of corporate approach of the government is dangerous to the poor man

So the government must do something tangible to improve the ground reality faced by the nation. Rs 800 Crore spent on advertisements just to trumpet imaginary achievements of the government, is imprudent.  

K A Solaman

Ensure identity of migrant workers.

Kerala witnesses now a record inflow of workers from other states like West Bengal, Bihar, Orissa and Tamil Nadu. Estimates say there are more than two lakh migrant workers in state and crimes related with them are on the rise. Nearly about 50 cold blooded killings by them were reported in the recent past.

As the crime rate of migrant workers is on the rise a methodical vigilance is needed in this direction. Valid identity card should be ensured to all migrant workers to check Bengladesh migrants. These workers should also be provided with free work skills training, improved social welfare system and psychosomatic services.

K A Solaman

Delhi impasse.

The Delhi State governance at present is an unspeakable example demonstrating our immature political system even after 68 years of independence. What there happens is the murder of democracy. The Lieutenant Governor issuing orders defying the advice of Chief Minister is out of the ordinary as it makes fun of well-informed voters of Delhi.

It is to be noted that under democracy no one is above the Electoral College and free to comment on choice of voters.  In India only legislatures are responsible for administration of various states and not the Centre appointed Governors. So it is binding on LG to act on advice of CM and Council of ministers and any action against it would bring unprecedented impasse in administration.

K A Solaman

State is not ruled by church.

VHP leader Pravin Togadia’s effort to open five medical colleges and 10 engineering colleges in the State with the cooperation of various Hindu organisations is a welcome move. The organisation’s aim to launch educational institutions in Alappuzha and Idukki would remove the backwardness of the two districts. Nevertheless, Togadia’s move is doubtful because of his dubious history of hate speak. Togadia was once denied permission to enter into the state.

The SNDP Yogam Secretary Vellapplly Natesan endorsing Togadia saying “ the state is ruled by church” is dubious. It is apparently intended to create communal hatred and hence Togadia’s visit in the next month should be viewed cautiously.

K A Solaman

Ps: I dont know why NIE has not published the second part of this letter today(25May)

What a rip-off!

It has been reported that heart patients in India have to pay 700 per cent more than the import cost for stents — stents imported for ₹25,000 are sold at ₹1.55 lakh. This was revealed by the Food and Drug Administration. The survey has also shown that the MRP itself is exaggerated and depends on the whims and fancies of distributors. This shows how the doctors, hospitals and medical distributors are hand in hand, and cheat the citizens of India.

KA Solaman

Alappuzha, Kerala

Allopathic cheat

It has been reported that heart patients in India have to pay 700 percent more than the import cost for stents. Stents imported for Rs 25000 are sold at a price of Rs 1.55 lakh. This was revealed in the first-ever cost survey by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The survey has also shown that the maximum retail price (MRP) itself is exaggerated and depends on the whims and fancies of distributors. This shows how the doctors, hospitals and medical distributors are hand in hand , and cheat the poor citizens of India. They have no morality. God only can punish these unscrupulous rogues when the government remains as a mute spectator.

There are alternative medical systems, more effective for certain diseases than Allopathy but not given due importance in the lime light of big corporate allopathic hospitals. Most of these hospitals, with their widespread publicity, are doing daylight robbery. A noble profession has turned into a racket through unholy nexus between doctors and medical distributors.

The Government should act immediately and stop this kind of rip off.

K A Solaman
Published by the Hindu Business Lines on 21-5-15

Corruption in Pakistan?

After triggering a political storm in the State with his corruption remark, Congress leader A K Antony retracted from his earlier stand. Now he says his was only a general statement and not intended to target anyone.  

People of the state know well the corrupt practices in the state. A few ministers are involved in corruption and they will have to answer after the next election. Minister K Babu, who is alleged corrupt, says as if he read the mind of Antony that what the senior leader said is about bureaucratic corruption and not of ministers.. If bureaucrats object, no doubt, Antony will soon retract and say what he said about corruption is not related to India but to Pakistan.

By his comment Antony has proved that tumult in the party and its subsequent soothing are so fast in the Congress party unlike the CPM where the available PB often warns the founder leader.

K A Solaman 

Antony’s gimmicks

For the last four years, while in Kerala, it was A K Antony’s way to keep mouth shut to avoid any question relating corruption in the state. And in inescapable occasion, he would say the Kerala leaders are competent of handling any untoward circumstance. Now, at the fag-end of the rule he laments about widespread corruption aiming at  another chance in the next election. However, as usual Antony made a face-off exercise saying that he had made only a general statement.

It is a wonder that this veteran leader still lives in the 80s when people blindly believed such utterances. Now in an age of media exposure Antony’s gimmicks would not work. If he really wants to save the Congress party in the state  he should do something tangible by  supporting firmly good leaders like V M Sudheeran.

K A Solaman 

Thing of beauty?

The state of Kerala is a Kangaroo court where the rules and regulations of Indian Union are no longer binding. The Kerala State Minister for Information and Rural Development K C Joseph’s comment criticising the recent Supreme Court verdict banning photos of political dignitaries in government advertisements, is a pointer in this direction. It is not in tune with federal system, according to him.

Nevertheless, Joseph did not disclose the advantage of adding photos of not so cheerful faces of ministers in government ads. Instead it is a burden to the state exchequer. If the photos on government ads are intended to cheer the people it would be better to publish the photos of Katrina Kaif or Kareena Kapoor as Justice Markkandeya Katju once suggested  for a  beautiful face in PM’s chair.

 The famous English poet John Keats wrote: “A Thing of Beauty is a Joy Forever “. Does anyone think that the photo of  Kerala Minister is a beautiful thing?

K A Solaman

Demeaning national icons.

Recently in a local seminar on “Mahatma Gandhi s Philosophy”, I witnessed that there were less takers for Gandhiji. Most of the talkers supported Justice Markandeya Katju, A Roy, and Tamil poet Meenakandha Swami, all are supposedly   Gandhi abusers. Of course the name of Marathi poet V D Gurjar, who abused Gandhi, did not figure out as the talkers were unaware of him. In India it is a crime to dishonor National Flag and National Song but not Father of the Nation. This should end and in this regard the Supreme Court order on artistic freedom of expression is a welcome one.

No one should use abusive language against historical icons like Mahatma Gandhi.

K A Solaman

2006 Letter revisited!-The Hindu

Appalling apathy 

Ms. Patkar's fast has entered the seventh day. Yet the Government is unwilling to concede her demand on rehabilitation of the families affected by the Sardar Sarovar dam project. Such indifference is appalling. The Government should realise that her hunger-strike is receiving increasing support from across the country.

K.A. Solaman,
Alappuzha, Kerala April 5, 2006, The Hindu

History repeats for Amma

History repeats first as a tragedy and then as a comedy. Ms Jayalalithaa’s earlier conviction and present acquittal tell the same story. Crime seen by one judge is not a crime for the other. Obviously our judiciary is blind and mute. The laws applicable to common man is longer hold good for celebrities and high profile politicians. 

In India majority politicians are rotten mangoes. The chance to choose better among them is not easy. Jayalalithaa in one aspect is better than other dirty politicians as she has no family and her asset is State asset. She will not spoil it for her kith and kin like Karunanidhi &Co.

K A Solaman   

Zonal rallies redundant

No rally could save the sinking UDF ship in Kerala as worst is their image. However, they are thinking of zonal rallies to highlight the achievements. . Interestingly, a final decision on rally on May 19 could not be taken by them as the infighting among the front partners goes unabated. Kerala Congress (M) supremo K M Mani, who is supposed to give green signal for the rally, is busy in US with his personal business.

Nevertheless, the UDF leaders can take a sigh of relief because all the splinter groups who are notorious for corruption are leaving UDF. R B Pillai and son had left the UDF. The Veeran faction of the JDU is in a desperate bid to have ministerial berth and hence started discussion with CPM. The RSP leader Chandrachoodan had mouthful against Oommen Chandy government.

Thus the prospects of the UDF go high and high as more splinters leave the front.. So rally of any sort envisaged by the UDF is unwarranted.

K A Solaman

Ridiculous move

This has reference to the government order to cancel the appointment of lecturers in Kerala University. The order is to cancel the appointments that were made after the government amended university rules in September 2013 to give the benefit of reservation to all categories. Accordingly, 11 lecturers will have to be dismissed. The higher education secretary has written to KU vice-chancellor, asking him to inform the government after cancelling the appointments.

This action shows how Thuglakian the proceedings are. The appointments were done according to the rules that existed prior to the September 2013 amendment. Applications for the posts were invited much before September 2013. The appointed teachers have almost completed nearly one-and-a-half years of service. Asking to dismiss them based on an order originated after the start of their recruitment process seems ridiculous.

As the university is a statutory body, the secretary can only suggest reconsideration of appointments. Being the appointing authority, it is up to the university to take action. Any unauthorised external intervention, even from the government, is out of the ordinary.

Besides, the majority of the appointed teachers joined the university departments after relinquishing their posts in government and affiliated colleges. In addition, the action will invite a series of judicial predicaments.

KA Solaman

The Hindu Business  Line published on 6-5-15

Cry my country

In India all celebrity criminals have many fans and these fans often attempt suicide when their hero is convicted. A Salman Khan fan attempting suicide outside high court, Mumbai is the latest example. For thousands of Salman fans now Justice A. M. Thipsay of the High Court is a hero and the Additional Sessions Judge D. W. Deshpande who awarded jail term to the actor is no-good. Cry my country for keeping the vast population uneducated and unrefined.

K A Solaman
The New Indian Express published on 8-5-15

Hit-and-run Khan

As the Mumbai session court convicted the Bollywood actor Salman Khan in the 2002 hit-and-run case, many in the film industry expressed sympathy for the actor. The Bollywood affluent have little concern about homeless poor sleeping in footpaths. They argue for the loss of money in film industry with actor’s jail term and think they are above law. They hope for trouble-free trial in higher court leaving scant regard to poor man’s modesty.

So everyone who demands actor’s acquittal should understand that he is not being prosecuted for participating in any freedom struggle but for drunken driving. He killed an innocent man and injured others. The five year jail term is inadequate for the crime he committed.

Perhaps the real reason for his trial and conviction is woman’s curse, seemingly from a former Ms World..

K A Solaman

Cancellation of K U appointments.

This has reference to the government order to cancel the appointment of lecturers in Kerala University. The order is to cancel the appointments that were made after the government amended university rules in September 2013 to give the benefits of reservation to all categories. As per this order, 11 lecturers will have to be dismissed. It is the higher education secretary, who has written to KU vice-chancellor, asking him to inform the government after cancelling the appointments.

This action shows how Thuglakian the proceedings of the Higher education Secretary is. The appointments were done as per the rules existed prior to September 2013 amendment of rules. The applications for the posts were invited much before September 2013. The appointed teachers have almost completed nearly one and half year of service. And asking to dismiss them based on an order originated after start of their recruitment process seems ridiculous.

Moreover the Government Secretary could not ask VC to dismiss the teachers. As University is a statutory body, the Secretary can only suggest to reconsider the appointment if it will not stand before a legal analysis. Being the appointing authority, it is the University to take action. Any unauthorized external intervention, even from the government, is out of the ordinary.

Besides, the majority of the appointed teachers joined the University departments after relinquishing their posts of assistant professor in government and affiliated colleges. They could not return to their former institutions once they lose the job in the University. In addition the stupid action of the Higher Education Secretary will invite a series of judicial predicaments.

The whole episode shows some sort of political foul play from some corners, may it be Congress-A and Chamakkala led Congress-I rift. It is intended to tarnish the image of the University. And any action affecting the fate of 18 appointed lecturers would certainly harm the credibility of both the Government and the University. The teachers now working will definitely take up the matter to a court of justice if they are hurt. It is the responsibly of the government to reduce troubles than to create more.

K A Solaman

Quest for fake degree

After Bihar to appear in media for mass copying in public examination, it is Kerala’s turn to figure out with such tags. In Bihar the copiers are ordinary people but in Kerala it is an Inspector General of Police. This IG was found allegedly trying to copy during an LLM examination of MG University. He was  trying to copy answers from the papers in his possession during MG University LLM examination.
The reason for such high handedness by top officials is very clear if we examine the plum posts waiting for them after retirement. The posts of Information Commissioners, Human Rights Commissioners, PSC members, Consumer Redrassal Forum members are waiting for retired personnel with law degree. If the aspirant has the habit of making liaison with top politicians, it is very easy to get into the posts.    
IG’s copying indicates the putrid state of flawed examination system by the University. The quest for fake degree would end if the government so decides not to post retired service personnel to coveted posts.

K A Solaman