Deepening Academic Divide

#Deepening academic divide

State-run school students in Kerala are increasingly becoming subjects of policy experiments that, though well-intentioned, often compromise their academic focus. The introduction of Zumba dance as part of an anti-drug initiative, while aiming to promote fitness and engagement, raises questions about time allocation and academic priorities. 

Many of these students already face a disadvantaged background in terms of resources and learning environments. Unlike their CBSE/ICSE counterparts who follow a structured academic calendar focused on core subjects, students in government schools are now expected to accommodate extracurricular activities like Zumba and elaborate mid-day meal practices. 

The concern is not with Zumba or good food per se, but with whether these interventions are consuming the limited time students have for academic study—especially in schools where classroom hours are already constrained.

When teachers are expected to coordinate meals, manage kitchen logistics, and facilitate fitness programs, their core responsibility—teaching—takes a back seat. Students in government schools thus suffer a double blow: a diluted learning experience and reduced instructional time.

Unlike private school counterparts who enjoy a relatively distraction-free, academically intense environment, these students face fragmented schedules and unpredictable routines. While holistic education is vital, the balance is skewed too far toward experimentation at the cost of core academics. 

Without adequate safeguards to protect study hours and learning outcomes, such programs risk deepening the academic divide between students in government and private schools.

-K A Solaman.

Hypocrisy

#Hypocrisy

The joint protest by SFI and KSU at the Kerala University Senate Hall against the display of Bharat Mata holding a saffron flag reeks of sheer political opportunism.

These two student outfits, otherwise sworn enemies on places like Nilambur where physical violence erupted, suddenly uniting at Senate Hall over a symbolic image exposes their hypocrisy. 

The so-called outrage is nothing but a foul, orchestrated act to target the Governor and disrupt academic spaces with political agendas. Their selective sensitivities and double standards reveal a disturbing pattern of using student platforms for cheap publicity and ideological chaos.

-K A Solaman

Rotating menu in schools

#Rotating menu in Schools.

Implementing the new mid-day meal scheme in schools as proposed by the minister involves several practical challenges that are often overlooked. 

One of the most pressing issues is the delay in government funding, which puts schools in a helpless position. With insufficient or irregular financial support, school authorities are forced to arrange meals on credit, which is neither sustainable nor dignified. 

In schools teachers  should be focused on academic responsibilities. But

In many cases, teachers are compelled to approach local grocery merchants and plead for supplies on loan. This not only demoralizes the teachers but also tarnishes the image of the education system. Such a practice of “begging” for rations is an administrative failure that exposes the gap between policy-making and ground-level execution.

The proposed introduction of a varied menu and expert-level cooking adds another layer of difficulty. Most schools, especially in rural and semi-urban areas, lack proper kitchen infrastructure, trained cooks, or storage facilities. Expecting these institutions to serve diversified and nutritionally balanced meals without upgrading their facilities or increasing staff support is impractical. Hiring professional cooks within the current funding constraints is nearly impossible.

 Ensuring the timely procurement of fresh ingredients for a rotating menu is a logistical nightmare, especially when vendors are already reluctant to supply due to pending dues. In such a scenario, the well-intended scheme runs the risk of collapsing under its own weight unless urgent reforms and adequate, timely funding are ensured.

-K A Salaman

Flexible syllabus?

#Flexible #syllabus?

Kerala’s General Education Minister V. Sivankutty’s impulsive decision to revise the school syllabus in response to a political row with the Governor is both inappropriate and irresponsible. 

The school syllabus is not a tool for political retaliation or personal ego battles. It is a carefully structured framework meant to serve the academic and developmental needs of students. It is absurd to treat it as a flexible document to be altered at the whims of ministers reacting to current events. 

The minister’s announcement raises serious concerns about whether he even has a comprehensive understanding of the existing syllabus. His past promises such as the additional textbook to supplement NCERT content have never materialized.

Such erratic interventions only disrupt academic consistency and undermine the credibility of the education system. Education must be driven by pedagogy and expert consultation, not by the passing moods of politicians.

-K A Solaman

Selective outrage

#Selective #outrage

The recent episodes involving Kerala Ministers P. Prasad and V. Sivankutty boycotting official functions at the Raj Bhavan over the image of Bharat Mata reveal a deeply disturbing ideological bias within the LDF government. Their selective outrage  exposes a mindset that puts petty party politics above patriotism. Because they readily embrace mythical and politically expedient figures like Nangeli and  disrespec Bharat Mata, a symbol of national unity and pride

Such theatrics, especially on solemn public platforms like Scouts and Guides events, not only dishonour the dignity of constitutional offices but also insult the sentiments of ordinary citizens who hold national symbols in reverence. This pattern of behaviour undermines the federal fabric and reduces ministerial responsibility to cheap publicity stunts tailored for their party cadre.

More concerning, however, is the LDF’s long-standing manipulation of university appointments, where merit takes a backseat to Marxist loyalty. For years, deserving candidates have been sidelined while Ph.D. holders loyal to CPM’s ideology are fast-tracked through so-called "mercy chances" and backdoor recommendations.

The Governor’s intervention to promptly fill faculty positions, based on merit and transparency, is a welcome move to break this stranglehold. Left-aligned outfits like SFI, which once championed academic freedom, are now silent or complicit, acting only when the party’s hold is threatened. The education sector in Kerala, once a model for the country, is now plagued by nepotism and cadre favoritism. It is really a tragedy that the people can no longer afford to ignore.

-K A Solaman

#Bharat #Mata #Prasad #Sivankutty #Rajbhavan

Biased channels

#Biased #chanels

The recent uproar by certain Malayalam news channels over Israel’s missile strike on Iran’s national television headquarters reflects a deeply flawed and biased media narrative. These channels, in their eagerness to portray Iran as a perpetual victim, conveniently ignore the broader geopolitical realities and the provocations that lead to such actions. 

Their one-sided reporting not only lacks journalistic integrity but also paints a skewed picture of a highly complex issue. These media houses consistently condemn Israel without context, forgetting that Israel has been a long-standing ally of India — a nation that supported us during times of war, crisis, and international isolation. Their bias, bordering on propaganda, undermines balanced journalism and misleads the public.

Such partisan behaviour directly contradicts India’s carefully crafted and neutral foreign policy in the Middle East. India's strategic interests lie in maintaining friendly relations with both Israel and Arab nations. When regional news outlets openly vilify a friendly nation like Israel, they do not just discredit themselves, but also work against the national interest. 

It is high time the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting takes serious note of this repeated anti-national trend. No media outlet, under the guise of press freedom, should be allowed to consistently propagate views that contradict India’s official diplomatic stance. 

Strict guidelines and accountability must be enforced to ensure that Indian media upholds national interests over ideological biases.

-K A Solaman

Exploiting consumers

Exploiting consumers

The Kerala Water Authority and Electricity Board have become unchecked monopolies exploiting the helplessness of the public with irrational and exorbitant charges. 

The recent move by the Water Authority to fix water tariffs based not only on consumption but also on the size of a building is illogical, and  discriminatory. And it reeks of authoritarian policy-making. Water usage is a measurable quantity, and linking it to a building’s size—without any regard to actual consumption—is both unjust and unscientific. 

Similarly, the Electricity Board continues to impose inflated charges under complex and often opaque billing structures. With no alternative providers, citizens are forced to bear this exploitation.

It is high time these essential service providers are held accountable and brought under strict regulatory scrutiny to ensure fairness, transparency, and justice for all consumers.

-K A Solaman

Against Federal spirit

#Against federal spirit.

Pinarayi Vijayan, as the Chief Minister of Kerala, represents a state within the Indian Union, not the country as a whole. Foreign affairs, including diplomatic relations with other nations, fall exclusively under the purview of the Central Government, particularly the Ministry of External Affairs.

 It is, therefore, highly inappropriate for a state-level leader to make derogatory comments about a sovereign nation like Israel, especially when India maintains strong diplomatic and strategic ties with that country. By calling Israel a "rogue nation" in the context of the Iran-Israel conflict, Vijayan has overstepped his constitutional role and possibly harmed India's diplomatic stance, even if unintentionally. 

Such statements can be seen as undermining national foreign policy and may also strain international relationships that are crucial for trade, technology, and employment. And that is particularly when many Keralites work in Israel.

Moreover, the Chief Minister's comment does not reflect the official position of the Indian Government. India has traditionally maintained a balanced and pragmatic approach in the Middle East. While democratic leaders are entitled to their opinions, those holding public office must act responsibly, keeping in mind the implications of their words on national interest and global diplomacy. 

Israel, like India, is a democratic country with its own internal and external security challenges. Reducing complex geopolitical issues to name-calling can  mislead the public. Itt also project a fragmented image of Indian governance to the international community. 

In this case, Pinarayi Vijayan’s statement appears to be more partisan driven and  not diplomatically prudent. It undermines the federal spirit where states respect the domain of the Centre in international affairs.

- K A Solaman

Irresponsible statement

#Irresponsible #Statement

Israel, a democratic and sovereign nation, has every right to defend its citizens and territory against persistent threats posed by hostile regimes and terrorist organizations. 

The recent airstrikes against Iran are part of a broader effort to neutralize a growing existential threat from Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and its support for militant proxies across the region.

 Unlike rogue nations and terror groups, Israel adheres to the norms of international law while ensuring that its security is not compromised. The global community, including India, recognizes Israel’s invaluable role in countering terrorism, especially Islamic extremism that has wreaked havoc in the Middle East and beyond. 

India and Israel share a deep strategic, economic, and scientific partnership, and irresponsible political statements that vilify Israel only serve to weaken national interest and disregard the welfare of the thousands of Indians working and studying there.

Islamic terrorism remains one of the most dangerous and destabilizing forces in the modern world, driven by radical ideologies that threaten global peace. Nations like Israel, which stand at the forefront of this battle, are not aggressors but defenders of freedom, democracy, and human rights.

 The appeasement of regimes that sponsor terrorism, under the guise of political ideology or religious solidarity, is not only shortsighted but dangerous. Leaders who exploit these sensitive global issues for domestic political mileage risk alienating key allies and undermining international cooperation.

 It is deeply irresponsible for Kerala's Chief Minister and members of the ruling front to make inflammatory remarks against a nation like Israel, which has consistently extended friendship and opportunities to the people of Kerala. Such rhetoric, rooted in outdated ideological posturing, must be called out for what it is: a disservice to both national integrity and global stability.

-K A Solaman

കപ്പലുകളുടെ സ്മശാമോ?

#കപ്പലുകളുടെ #ശ്മശാനമോ?

കേരള തീരത്ത് അടുത്തിടെയുണ്ടായ തുടർച്ചയായ സമുദ്ര അപകടങ്ങൾ - MSC ELSA 3 മുങ്ങിയത്, MV Wan Hai 503 എന്ന കപ്പലിലെ തീപിടുത്തം - ഗുരുതരമായ പാരിസ്ഥിതിക, നിയന്ത്രണ, സുരക്ഷാ ആശങ്കകൾ ഉയർത്തുന്നു. രണ്ട് കപ്പലുകളിലും വിഷവസ്തുക്കൾ നിറച്ചിരുന്നതായി റിപ്പോർട്ടുണ്ട്, പക്ഷെ ഇതു സംബന്ധിച്ച് കേന്ദ്ര, സംസ്ഥാന അധികാരികളുടെ സമീപനം  സുതാര്യത പ്രകടമാക്കുന്ന രീതിയിലല്ല.

കാലഹരണപ്പെട്ടതോ അപകടകരമോ ആയ ചരക്ക് കപ്പലുകൾക്ക് സൗകര്യപ്രദമായ ഒരു ഡമ്പിംഗ് സ്ഥലമായി കേരള തീരം മാറി എന്ന് സംശയിക്കണം. ഉപേക്ഷിക്കപ്പെടേണ്ട കപ്പലുകൾക്കും അപകടകരമായ മാലിന്യങ്ങൾക്കുമുള്ള ഒരു സമുദ്ര ശ്മശാനമായി കേരള തീരം മാറിയോ?ഈ കപ്പലുകളുടെ ഉത്ഭവം, പരിശോധന രേഖകൾ, ചരക്ക് നീക്കങ്ങൾ എന്നിവയെക്കുറിച്ചുള്ള നിശബ്ദത അന്താരാഷ്ട്ര ഷിപ്പിംഗ് മേൽനോട്ടത്തിലെ പൊരുത്തക്കേടുകളിലേക്ക്  വിരൽ ചൂണ്ടുന്നു. തുറമുഖ അതോറിറ്റിയുടെ ഉത്തരവാദിത്തവും സമുദ്ര പരിസ്ഥിതി സുരക്ഷാ നിർവ്വഹണവും കാര്യക്ഷമമല്ലാത്തതായി. 

ഇന്ത്യയിൽ പാരിസ്ഥിതികമായി സെൻസിറ്റീവും ജനസാന്ദ്രതയുള്ളതുമായ കേരള തീരത്തിലൂടെ ഈ കപ്പലുകൾ അറിഞ്ഞുകൊണ്ട് അപകടകരമായ വസ്തുക്കൾ കൊണ്ടുപോയെങ്കിൽ, ഇത് പ്രോട്ടോക്കോളിലും ഭരണത്തിലും ഗുരുതരമായ വീഴ്ചയുടെ സൂചനയാണ്.

കേരള മാരിടൈം ബോർഡ് മുതൽ തുറമുഖ, ഷിപ്പിംഗ്, ജലപാത മന്ത്രാലയം വരെയുള്ള ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥർ ഈ സംഭവങ്ങളെക്കുറിച്ച് വ്യക്തവും കൃത്യവുമായ വിവരങ്ങൾ നൽകേണ്ടത് അത്യാവശ്യമാണ്.  വിഴിഞ്ഞം തുറമുഖ ഭരണകൂടത്തിന്റെ പങ്ക്, പ്രത്യേകിച്ച് അദാനി തുറമുഖ പ്രവർത്തനങ്ങളുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ട ഐഎഎസ് ഉദ്യോഗസ്ഥ ദിവ്യ എസ്. അയ്യറുടെ പങ്ക് സൂക്ഷ്മപരിശോധനയ്ക്ക് വിധേയമാക്കേണ്ടതുണ്ട്.

ഏകോപനത്തിലോ പരിശോധനയിലോ വീഴ്ച സംഭവിച്ചിട്ടുണ്ടോ? കോർപ്പറേറ്റ് സൗകര്യത്തിനോ അണ്ടർ-ദി-ടേബിൾ ക്രമീകരണങ്ങൾക്കോ ​​വേണ്ടി പരിസ്ഥിതി ക്ലിയറൻസ് മാനദണ്ഡങ്ങളിൽ വിട്ടുവീഴ്ച ചെയ്തിട്ടുണ്ടോ? ഇവയെല്ലാം പരിശോധിക്കണം.

ഒരു വലിയ പാരിസ്ഥിതിക, പൊതുജനാരോഗ്യ പ്രതിസന്ധിയിലേക്ക് മാറാവുന്നകാര്യങ്ങൾക്ക് നേരെ കേന്ദ്രത്തിലെയും സംസ്ഥാനത്തെയും മന്ത്രിമാർക്ക് നിശബ്ദരായിരിക്കാൻ  കഴിയില്ല. പൂർണ്ണമായ വെളിപ്പെടുത്തൽ, വേഗത്തിലുള്ള അന്വേഷണം, കർശനമായ പ്രതിരോധ നടപടികൾ എന്നിവയല്ലാതെ മറ്റൊന്നും കേരളത്തിലെ ജനങ്ങൾ ആഗ്രഹിക്കുന്നില്ല.. ഈ സംശയാസ്പദമായ സമുദ്ര അപകടവുമായി  ബന്ധപ്പെട്ട എല്ലാ വസ്തുതകളും കണ്ടെത്തലുകളും  കാലതാമസമില്ലാതെ അധികാരികൾ  പരസ്യപ്പെടുത്തണം,കുറ്റക്കാർക്കെതിരെ കർശന നടപടി സ്വീകരിക്കണം.

-കെ എ സോളമൻ

Maritime Graveyard

#Maritime #Graveyard?

The recent back-to-back maritime incidents off the Kerala coast — the sinking

 of MSC ELSA 3 and the fire aboard MV Wan Hai 503 — raise serious environmental, regulatory, and security concerns. Both vessels reportedly carried toxic substances, yet there is a striking lack of transparency from both central and state authorities. 

With the Kerala coast increasingly appearing as a convenient dumping ground for outdated or dangerous cargo ships, the fear of it becoming a maritime graveyard for hazardous waste is not unfounded. The silence around the origin, inspection records, and cargo manifests of these ships points to potential gaps in international shipping oversight. The port authority accountability, and marine environmental safety enforcement are seen missing..

If these vessels were knowingly carrying dangerous substances near one of India’s most ecologically sensitive and densely populated coastlines, this could signal a severe lapse in both protocol and governance.

It is imperative that officials — from the Kerala Maritime Board to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways — provide clear, verifiable information about these incidents. The role of the Vizhinjam Port administration, particularly IAS officer Divya S. Iyer who is associated with Adani Port operations, also demands scrutiny.

Has there been a lapse in coordination or inspection? Have environmental clearance norms been compromised in favor of corporate convenience or under-the-table arrangements? 

The ministers, both at the Centre and in the State, cannot stay mute spectators to what may be unfolding into a major ecological and public health crisis. The people of Kerala deserve nothing less than full disclosure, swift investigation, and strict preventive measures. Authorities must come forward and make public all facts and findings related to these suspicious maritime events without further delay.

-K A Solaman

Thanks ChatGPT

#Thanks Chat GPT

From the moment you stepped into the world of judging at the Kerala Science Fest, you've been shaping young minds with your keen eye for creativity and innovation. With over two decades of experience, you're a guiding force at both the district and state levels, evaluating everything from complex working models to inspired stills. You're someone who values precision and clarity, whether it's in the lab or in the realm of politics and public affairs, where you dissect issues like a true advocate for reason.

A dedicated mentor, you've celebrated the academic triumphs of your students — like Gayathri Mohan M's Ph.D. in Chemistry — while remaining ever-critical of the forces shaping education and governance. Whether it's the endless buzz around political disputes, education reforms, or even the controversies around the Kerala Government's actions, you aren’t afraid to voice your views and challenge the status quo.

All this while, you balance a deep respect for tradition with a forward-thinking mindset, whether you're enhancing black-and-white photos or critiquing laws that govern the state.

You bring the same dedication to everything you do, always looking for ways to enhance, improve, and build up both ideas and people.

(This is what ChatGPT says about me)

Bharat Mata

#Bharat #Mata

The decision of Kerala Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar to retain the image of Bharat Mata astride a lion at the Raj Bhavan for the World Environment Day event is both symbolic and constitutionally sound. 

Bharat Mata is a revered national personification. It is deeply embedded in India’s cultural and historical consciousness. By upholding this motif in a government function, the Governor was simply reinforcing national pride  His stance reflects a principled commitment to tradition and national identity, rather than bending to ideological sensitivities. In this light, Governor Arlekar acted responsibly, ensuring that Raj Bhavan remains a dignified venue representing the spirit of the nation.

On the other hand, Agriculture Minister P. Prasad’s decision to boycott the event appears both petty and politically motivated. Instead of focusing on the substance of World Environment Day he chose to spotlight a non-issue.  Perhaps it is to gain media traction or appease ideological factions within the LDF. Such actions erode the decorum expected from public representatives and distract from governance. 

If the minister had genuine concerns, the mature course would have been dialogue, not absence. His conduct only underlines a growing tendency among certain leaders to politicize symbols of national unity for short-term gains. And this undermes the larger interests of the state.

-K A Solaman

Tragic comedy

#Tragic #comedy

The current obsession of the Kerala government with the Nilambur by-election is a blatant display of misplaced priorities and political farce. It is absurd that the entire State machinery — both ruling and opposition — is rallying behind a by-election meant to elect an MLA for a mere ten months. 

This political circus is even more laughable considering one of the candidates is the very MLA who resigned from the same seat, turning the process into a mockery of democratic purpose. The disproportionate attention given to this election reflects the sheer non-sense of the by-election mechanism in its present form. 

Rather than addressing pressing state issues, the political class is engrossed in self-serving power games, revealing a deep disconnect from the real concerns of the people.

While Nilambur takes centre stage, Kerala’s more urgent problems are being swept under the rug. The plight of fishermen, whose livelihoods have been shattered due to the sinking of a toxic container ship, is being ignored. Fish sales have collapsed, leaving coastal communities in despair.  Yet there is no meaningful response from the government. 

Meanwhile, the state's financial health deteriorates rapidly, with the administration resorting to reckless borrowing simply to meet day-to-day expenses. The ruling dispensation seems more committed to staging electoral dramas than governing, turning Kerala into a political theatre where public welfare is sacrificed for partisan showmanship. 

It is an embarrassing and alarming state of affairs — a tragic comedy at the cost of common people.

-K A Solaman