Siamese twin separated!

Remesh Chennithala and Ommen Chandy of the State Congress were seemingly the Siamese twin of Kerala for quite long. They have the similitude of late K M Chandy, then KPCC President and late K Karunakaran, the Siamese twin of the seventies. And with the sworn in of Oommen Chandy as twenty first Chief Minister of Kerala bondage between Chenithala and Chandy has broken. Chennithala has taken a strong decision not to associate with Chandy Ministry even if the High Command commands. Does it sound that Chennithala has grown enough to disobey the madam at Delhi?

Look before you leap , that is the message one can give to Chennithala.
K A Solaman

Mani's bent mustache

K M Mani with 9 members for his party in the Kerala Assembly need 4 ministers. It is then reasonable for Muslim League with 20 members to ask for 10 ministerial posts. Where from the Congress find their ministerial berths then?

Even if Mani's demand is met his broad mustache would remain curved down.

K A Solaman

Women get less representation in Kerala Assembly

The state of Kerala where 1000 men have 1085 women has shown scant regard to women regarding representation to newly elected state assembly. It is unfortunate to see that women have only a small representation with only seven out of 140 members in Kerala Assembly. And this is their lowest representation in the past two decades as there were nine women in the 11th and 13 in tenth Legislative Assemblies. Interestingly the Congress party, with a woman president in the apex has only one woman member.

While the Congress MP from State capital finds three occasions to choose three women as his life partners such consideration is not shown in associating women in the Assembly. Is friendship with women is permissible only in family circle and not in State Assembly?. We need an immediate law to attract more women to the Assembly. More women mean less corruption.

K A Solaman

Wafer-thin majority of UDF cheers none.

The wafer-thin majority of two seats in the 140-member Assembly for Congress-led UDF cheer none in the front and the people who wished to see the end of misrule of LDF for last five years. UDF won only 72 seats, crossing the magic figure of 71 required for a simple majority. It is all with Achuthanandan’s propaganda the LDF succeeded in staving off the anti-incumbency trend against the government, which was reflected in the 2009 Lok Sabha polls and civic elections last year. Pinarayi and coterie have no contribution to the 68 seats of the LDF.
Oommen Chandy and company are on the way to Raj Bhavan, however, sleepless nights await Chandy. It is very tough to sail over with Virendra Kumar, Shibu Baby John, T M Jacob and all other ministerial berth mongers of the UDF.

-K A Solaman

Let them speak sensibly.

Re ‘Army Chief’s view’(NIE dated May 11)

Here in a CBSE school at Cherthala, one ex-commander of the Indian Army, who was the principal of the school, was suspended by the Management for slapping on the face of tenth standard boy for lack of discipline. The boy was admitted to hospital. Such is the attitude of most of the ex-soldiers of the Indian Army to all occurrence of indiscipline and their fake patriotism prevents them tolerating against any untoward remarks about Army Chief. What the Army Chief V K Singh said about American model attack by Indian Army in Pakistan is out of the ordinary and his comment, no doubt, is unfortunate.


We have Hindu bomb for teaching Pakistan the lessons of peace and Pakistan has Islam bomb to teach us about war. Likewise Indian Army is intended for peaceful life sustaining purpose and Pakistan Army is anticipated to kill people. Nevertheless, both countries have not enough men to be killed by both armies. Let the Army Chiefs and their political bosses speak sagaciously.

K A Solaman

A welcome move among women

The dress code of women has been drastically changed of late. The sari-cladded women are soon to become a rare species. The dhavani and blouse have become obsolete. The churidar is the most attractive and attracted dress of ladies now. The schools and colleges that demand a dress code for their teachers should shift to churidar as its moreo convenient to wear.
Much to the surprise, in an attempt to equalise with men, more women are cutting their long hair to look like men. Most young women these days cut their hair after a break-up to announce their escape image. Some Hollywood and even Mollywood celebrities too have changed their hairstyle.

Though there is no rule book to understand the psyche behind this move women have understood that smart men like smart women and not the long haired slow moving sari-cladded women. A long haired woman has to spend a lot of time for caring her hair and now she understands it is a total waste. It may also be noted that a woman wants to get a makeover and look more confident, sexy and wants to get over the break-up, hence she goes for a hair-cut. A woman likes haircut that changes her look more refreshing. The hair-cut could also help uplift the confidence of woman and also revive the hope of finding someone new in the social circuit who may fall for the new look. The hair-cut suits to face of modern woman.


K A Solaman

Politicians should swallow their hollow words

The Kerala political leaders are ostensibly excited over the high voter turnout that crossed 75 percent in the final analysis. The turnout witnessed during polling on Wednesday was the highest in the Assembly elections since 1991.Top leaders of the ruling LDF expressed confidence of retaining power while leaders of the Congress-led Opposition UDF said the people had voted for a change in rule. Both the main fronts claimed that the heavy voter turnout would prove supportive to them.

Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan claims his party would score a three-digit victory in the Assembly and according to KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala the UDF is set to win more than 100 seats. As there are only 140 seats in the Assembly some politicians may have to swallow their hollow words soon.

K A Solaman
The Day After Magazine, May 1-15, 2011 » Open House

BSNL aims to hoodwink 20 lakh new GSM customers.

The BSNL think that there are about 20 lakh fools still remain in Kerala to be hoodwinked by them. This I say because the Principal General Manager of BSNL said they were targeting 20 lakh new GSM mobile customers in the state during the current financial year.

When BSNL is betraying lakhs of land phone subscribers their attempt to maintain good relationship with the customer reach nowhere. It is better for BSNL to sell their gadgets and properties to other telecom providers and watch their performance. The common people have lost in confidence BSNL. Not even a single customer now says a good word about BSNL for their approach was so damaging for last few years. I feel wise when I surrendered my land phone which incurred me huge loss and brought much embarrassment when that gadget was with me.

It is a welcome to see the General Manager has understood the broad feeling among public that the response from the BSNL was inadequate compared to private cellular providers in the country. However, his attempt to seek cooperation of his employees to attract more customers will never work out in the present circumstance. Most of the BSNL employees are customer-rude.

K A Solaman
The New Indian Express dated 9 May 11

Grand affair

Indians in general do not seem to take any special interest in the affairs of the British royal family. But several Indian newspapers and television channels treated the royal wedding with utmost importance (“I will (kiss twice)”, April 30). A huge amount of money was squandered on the wedding of Prince William and Catherine Middleton, even as many other countries of the world, like Japan, struggle with grave misfortunes. A common man like me fails to understand the need for such wastage. There are millions of poor people in the world, a great many of whom could have been fed with the money that was spent on the wedding.

K.A. Solaman,
The Telegraph, Calcutta, 5 May 11

Frailty thy name is Kanimozhi!

Yet another hot subject for DMK MP and poet Kanimozhi to write down a new poem about her experience with the CBI. Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court in connection with 2G spectrum allotment scandal has summoned her and she appeared along with co-accused, the MD of Kalaignar Sharad Kumar. Kanimozhi submitted in court that it was all folly done by A Raja, the Telecom Minister then.

Justly Karunanidhi's daughter has surprised A Raja, who is now in Tihar jail counting zeros behind 176 of the bribe he and his company received in 2G scam. And after that it is his turn to write a poem in tune with Shakespearean style: "Frailty thy name is Kanimozhi!"

K A Solaman

Osama is dead, fear not

Osama is dead, fear is not. People are, no doubt, indebted to all those who risked their lives to get rid of the terrorist. But his followers are unlikely to sit back with crossed arms. They are more enraged than ever before. A lurking fear, therefore, haunts people across the world.


K A Solaman, The Hindu, May 4, 2011

All India Engineering Entrance Examination question papers out !

All India Engineering Entrance Examination (AIEEE) question papers were sold out in Uttar Pradesh. The cost is only Rs6 lakh for a set. The fate of 12 lakh minus a few privileged students is unsafely in the hands of the CBSE. Immediately after the question papers were leaked, CBSE postponed the two exams to 5 to 8pm with set of question papers kept in the lockers Syndicate Bank.

It is in fact a fierce drill for the students and parents. If the second question paper also out, the schedule of examination with third question paper kept in 'Albarack Bank' is from 9 to 12 and then from 1 to 4am in the night! Who said India is not a wonderful country?

-K A Solaman

Royal Wedding a waste.

I'm an Indian and I, like many other Indians, keep no special interest in the affairs the British Royal Family. However, many of the Indian channels and News papers gave special importance to the royal wedding. I place my strong discontentment for the huge sum spent for the royal wedding waste when countries like Japan are striving hardly for a comeback from Nature’s fury.

Further I don't understand the need for this royal profligacy. The huge money spent for the royal wedding can be benignly used for feeding millions of the poor. Certain newspapers even published the marriage photo of the parents Prince Charles and Diana along with that of the newly wedded. Does it mean that another Kamilla Parker would stand on their way?
K A Solaman

Royal wedding live

Comment: This is the style of the Roayal family. The 'west looking' Indians will soon enact this.
K A Solaman

Kerala shutdown

The pesticide endosulfan is banned in Kerala. For what, then, Left Front conducted the state-wide shutdown is known only for them. One thing is very obvious. The one day hartal is surely an exit poll result indication to make aware the people the outcome of the election. The LDF need to teach a lesson those stupid Keralaites who voted against them in the election on April 13.

Even though the government had announced that state-owned buses would operate passengers arriving on long distance trains and at airports were left stranded with no public transport vehicles operating. Most of the offices, including government departments and even banks, remained closed. The state shutdown is a menace recurring so frequently in Kerala and that too with the blessing of the government. This sort of rare phenomenon would never happen elsewhere in the world.

The most interesting matter is, the hartal was called to protest against the delay by the central government in banning the pesticide, the use of which the CPM had defended in the past. A group of Leftist trade union activists had attacked protesters in Kasargode who were marching against the aerial spraying of endosulfan in the cashew plantations of the state-owned Plantation Corporation of Kerala in 1999. For CPM, as it is widely accepted, wisdom occurs a little late.

A meaningful agitation by the Chief Minister of Kerala has been torpedoed by his own party bigwigs, surely a matter of group politics in CPM.
K A Solaman

A big mishap averted!

The sudden nuptial of the young superstar of Malayalam cinema Prithviraj is second one of the sort in Kerala after Kodiyeri’s son. The actor got married to Mumbai-based journalist, Supriya Menon. Only around 30 very close relatives were present to witness the function. Many young girls of Kerala and around were waiting with platform tickets to jump in front of trains on May 1, the date initially scheduled for his marriage. The abrupt wedding, however, averted a big mishap!

K A Solaman

Momentous life of Baba.

Spiritual leader Sri Sathya Sai Baba is no more. He entered into the last phase of man’s life. Many broke down in tears as his exodus gave deep sorrow to millions of followers worldwide. Celebrities expressed sadness at the Baba’s departure. Baba was a great pious personality who worked selflessly to help others. As the honourable Prime Minister pointed out “Baba’s death is an irreparable loss to all’’ especially the ailing and the poor.

He is truly the re-embodiment of god not in the sense of making rings, watches and "vibhuti" from nowhere but for making an asset of worth Rs 40000 crore from emptiness for helping the poor. His life was incredibly momentous.

K A Solaman

Caesarean on the Easter eve

Parents’ wish to have better horoscope for their children have been spoiled by greedy gynaecology doctors of Taluk Head Quarters Hospital, Cherthala. Reports had claimed that as many as 22 caesarean sections, resembling peeling of shrimp, were performed at Cherthala Taluk Hospital on pregnant women within two days so that the gynaecologists could go on leave for Easter holidays. The place, which is famous for being the birth place of many astute politicians like A K Antony, Vayalar Ravi, K R Gouri Amma and C K Chadrappan, is once again in the news for the unclean act of some doctors.

It is a pity that after collecting a sum of Rs 3000 as bribe for performing the caesarean many new-borns and their mothers are forced to lie on the floor in the post-surgical ward due to unavailability of empty beds. Seemingly, there is something seriously foul in Govt Hospital, Cherthala. All gynaecologists there need immediate caesarean operation.

K A Solaman

Exit poll in camouflage

I would like to express my strong displeasure with certain New Papers and Channels publishing poll prospects of certain candidates waiting for election result on May 13. Even though the Election Commission has banned exit poll results the candidates openly claiming a winning margin is somewhat against the code of conduct. Candidates claim that they have collected feedbacks from their constituencies and so when it is given for publication it amounts to violation of code of conduct. The exit poll operators are also doing the same job of collecting feedback from a selected group the respective constituencies.
The candidates have no right to hoodwink the people as most of the findings of the candidates would become absurd after poll result.
K A Solaman

RTI Act is not a cure-all

RTI Act 2005 gives citizens a right to get information from public authorities. However petitions filed against defaulters are not well attended by many commissioners functioning with the Commission. Many of them are appointed on the basis of their association with political parties and this connection reflects in most of their verdict. The illiterate and the labourers get little remedy from RTI Commission.
Persons with moral strength having no political or trade union affiliation should be considered for appointment in the post information commissioners.

K A Solaman

India’s spectacular victory

India’s spectacular victory in the world cup finals was witnessed by millions all over the world. Some made it to the Wankhede stadium; many others watched the game on their television sets. It was also heartening to see that the final was not won by Sachin Tendulkar but was won for him by his younger colleagues.

Both Indians and Sri Lankans prayed for victory. But some prayers were ignored, notably, those of the Sri Lankan president, Mahinda Rajapaksa. However, some of the hype around cricket could be reduced. India needs another sport, such as football, to balance the hysteria around cricket.

K.A. Solaman, Alappuzha, Kerala
The Telegraph, dated 12 April 2011

Enhanced readability for NIE

The New Indian Express surprises its readers with its improved look. I agree with the Editorial Director that the new typography has enhanced readability especially for the seniors.

K A Solaman

Nandana’s death

All deaths are sorrowful. But Nandana’s death is more sorrowful. K S Chithra's daughter Nandana’s drowning in a pool was heard with shock and sorrow by the people all over the globe.

Let the God Almighty give Chithra and her husband all the mental strength to endure their great loss.

K A Solaman

" They are both Amul babies"

Hitting back at AICC general secretary Rahul Gandhi for commenting on his advancing age, Kerala CM VS Achuthanandan called Rahul "Amul baby".
"Everyone knows Rahul Gandhi is an Amul baby and he has fielded Amul babies in some constituencies” was the comment of VS.

Interestingly, after minister G Sudhakaran, who made captions for Consumerfed, it is Chief Minister's turn to make good captions for Amul. Should Amul pay adequately to Achuthanandan for his commendable job?

K A Solaman

High voter turnout creates more hollow words.

The Kerala political leaders are ostensibly excited over the high voter turnout that crossed 75 percent in the final analysis. The turnout witnessed during polling on Wednesday was the highest in the Assembly elections since 1991.Top leaders of the ruling LDF expressed confidence of retaining power while leaders of the Congress-led Opposition UDF said the people had voted for a change in rule. Both the main fronts claimed that the heavy voter turnout would prove supportive to them.


Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan claims his party would score a three-digit victory in the Assembly and according to KPCC president Ramesh Chennithala the UDF is set to win more than 100 seats. As there are only 140 seats in the Assembly some politicians have to swallow their hollow words soon.

K A Solaman

The New Indian Express published on 15 April 11

‘Tharikida’ by Kavya Madhavan

The act of Kavya Madhavan returning home annoyed without casting her vote because of opposition from other voters as she attempted to vote without standing in queue was a hot item in channels. It has been reported that Kavya tried to cast her vote immediately on her arrival, when a long queue was waiting for turn. Seemingly the actress, after divorce, started making all sort of ‘tharikida’.

K A Solaman

The bright and the dark sides of the election

The bright side of this election is the able management of the conduct of election by Chief Electoral officer Nalini Netto. Strict adherence to Voter ID card or Election Commission issued slip is a bold step. The dark side is the mutual fight by party followers.

K A Solaman

Tne New Indian Express published dated 14-4-11

Kerala’s poor financial management.

Sir,

Who is better in dealing financial matters- Kerala Finance Minister Dr T M Thomass Isaac or his counterpart in the Centre Pranab Kumar Mukherjee? When Kerala Finance Minister claims that his management of finance is fool proof the Union Finance Minister says that Kerala has failed to manage the financial system through proper fiscal management. The Debt-GDP ratio of the state is at a shocking height and has reached 29 percent. There was lack of financial management in the state and it failed to utilize the funds granted by the Central government.

Kerala is in debt trap according to Mukherjee but for Isaac there is 3000 crore still in the State coffers because of his able management. Isaac has not responded to Mukherjee’s findings, may be of election fever. Now Isaac can open his mouth.
K A Solaman

College teachers can join NREGP after 55!

The dismissal of a batch of petitions seeking hike of retirement age of college teachers from 55 to 65 is a welcome verdict from Kerala High Court. The petitioners seeking issuance of directions to the state government on the basis of the UGC recommendations is an indication of their greed and scant consideration to innumerable youngsters looking for job. The hiking of age from 55 plus Thomas Isaac gifted one year to 65 would turn the hope of all candidates waiting for teacher post in colleges drab for another ten years. Their quality and capability may drain. The argument that a lot of qualified people were waiting for their turn to get appointment as teachers in colleges is an absolute fact.


The petitioners submission that they were forced to retire from service at the peak of their careers is not withstanding because they entered in service under the condition that they relinquish from the post when they reach 55. What they claim such as their professional experience and other things are sheer non-sense as students benefit more from youngsters with new knowledge and energy and not from worn-out horses. Let these teachers join NREG programme after their retirement and make their job more meaningful. Reasonable people would blame them for not having any concern over the plight of innumerable educated ones wandering for a job.


-K A Solaman

ICC cup is unbreakable!

It is embarrassing to see that the ICC World Cup trophy which was kissed by Dhoni and company was not original one. ICC made April 2 all fools day instead of April 1. Are there more replicas for World Cup Trophy?
The real World Cup trophy which was estimated to be $130,000 item, however priceless for any cricket fan, for Indian Cricket team was not present at Wankhede Stadium of Mumbai. It was placed at the Custom Department’s strong room as it was seized by the Mumbai Customs for non-payment of duty.
Whatever may be the truth, the ICC trophy is not as fragile as one issued by the Kerala Education Department to State School Games Festival winners,

K A Solaman

India-the World Champions!

Pakistan lost, Sri Lanka lost and finally India won. Indian Cricket Team will now be known as ‘The World Champions’ every time they play a One Day International. People all over the world viewed the classic event. While the affluent thousands applauded the team sitting at Mumbai Wankhade Stadium, the less privileged ones cheered before home TV and street TVs. The final game was not won because of Sachin Tendulkar but was won for Sachin Tendulkar by his young colleagues. Notably, the win spells out that Indian cricket is in safe hands under the leadership of Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

Some prayed for India’s victory and some others for Sri Lanka in the final. Some prayers were heard and others including that of Sri Lankan President were rejected. Perhaps the Indian God discarded the prayer of Sri Lankan President against India. Nevertheless, the media hype given to this game is avoidable. The people drank thousands of gallons of liquor and spoiled their money,health and valuable time. We need an alternative game like football in the place of cricket to save the people from spoiling themselves with what is called the ‘rich man’s game’.

K A Solaman

Chandy and company will rule Kerala!

After Asianet survey, it is India Today now. The surveys conducted by them tell that the LDF will face a setback. The survey sample was selected randomly from selected destinations in 140 constituencies in Kerala. The organizers claim that their result of previous surveys were correct.

Are there more in the offing to predict the victory of Chandy and company?

K A Solaman

Political mudslinging at its peak

Political mudslinging is at its peak in Kerala. The UDF and the leaders of the LDF were busy trading barbs in the eve of the election to the Assembly. The Government led by Achuthanandan registered case against the leader of the UDF P K Kunhalikutty, who is accused in a sexual scandal. Chief Ministerial candidate Oommen Chandy of the Congress was dragged in the case of Palmolein and the former Minister R Balakrishna Pillai was sent to prison for a year for Idamalayar case.

The UDF also struck back and claimed that Achuthananadan has influenced the judiciary to punish Pillai. They have also started to target the son of the ChiefMinitser and alleged that he had taken a bribe to change the stand of Achuthanandan against sandalwood mafia in 2003. The UDF argued that the Government was also linked to the online lottery mafia. The Chief Minister and other ministers have misused their power and still misusing for their political advantage in the election - according to UDF.

Thus, the two major political fronts in Kerala are involved in the process of mudslinging. They have nothing to say about the immediate development of the State. Even if it is an act against the code of model conduct, the leaders of both the fronts are apparently involved in the process of accusing each other and supposedly it will end on April13. The present war of words between political leaders is seemingly nasty and ordinary people are caught in confusion on what to be believed and what not to be.

K A Solaman
The New Indian Express, 3-4-2011

Rice issue ended in disgrace.

Rice politics in Kerala has ended in disgrace for the ruling LDF. In a setback to the Government, the Supreme Court upheld the Election Commission's order directing the state government to defer its decision to extend the scheme for providing rice at Rs.2 per kg to all ration card holders that was announced on the eve of the assembly elections. The Apex court wondered why the scheme was extended just before the April 13 election to the state assembly. Truly the court was sharing the feelings of unbiased people in the state. And the LDF Government escaped from future litigation on breach of the Model Code of Conduct.

Rice is not the sole requirement of common people in Kerala. They need good shelter, clothing, and proper education for their children. When all except rice cost much what is the fun in supplying rice alone at low price and that too in the eve of election.

K A Solaman

Rice politics in Kerala

Rs 1-2 rice politics in Kerala is unwise and an unfriendly decision
by both leading political fronts in Kerala. It is only a political
gimmick. This I say not because of institutions like Centre for
Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) rank the state as the first among
Indian states in terms of per capita household income but because of
the sky rocketed price of all commodities. Will the government supply
people cloth, medicine, liquor and other essential commodities at
subsidised rate? Rice is not the sole requirement of common people in
Kerala. They need good shelter, better clothing, hospital treatment,
proper education for their children and many others. When all, other
than the rice, cost much what is the excitement in supplying rice alone
at low cost.

Distribution of low priced rice may make more people diabetic and
remaining paddy fields in Kerala to disappear.

K A Solaman

Are English medium schools a threat to Malayalam medium ones?

This is a pertinent question that is still lingering in the minds of all malayalees. The politicians who are not well versed in English are deadly against English in schools and for them English is definitely posing threat to Malayalam language.

Nevertheless, learning of English is definitely very important for higher education, to communicate with multi-lingual Indians and for venturing abroad for education or business purposes. Almost all computer and internet literature are available in English and the regional language like Malayalam should take decades to attain that might. The only positive aspect of Malayalam is it is our mother tongue and anything said and written in that language is tastier for us. This doesn’t mean than we have to translate all the English scientific terms to Malayalam in school classes as it is practised now and later students are asked to study them in English too. This is a time waste and in schools itself, if medium of instruction is Malayalam, science terms should be taught in English so that a future effort can be avoided to learn the translation.

Among English learned people there exists absolutely no rivalry between English and Malayalam. They love both languages with equal respect avoid situations for a combat between the two. To remain devout to the Malayalam language, one need not have to reject English. It is the desire of the parents to make their children’s life better and that is why they send their children to English medium schools. It is also the responsibility of the parents toimplant in their children a sense of pride in their mother tongue.

The State Government should shun all actions to give supremacy to Malayalam medium schools instead it should definitely establish a brilliant infrastructure of English education in all the schools, but with due emphasis on Malayalam language as well. And all public notices, circulars, advertisements, application forms etc should be in both the languages so that all people could easily understand them. Policy making bodies should be filled not only with Malayalam poets and novelists but with people having English education and scientific knowledge.
Malayalam lovers should remember that Malayalam is only a regional language with local identities and do not have a global appeal. Everyone is free to speak or write any language of his choice in India and by using a specific language; other languages do not lose their appeal. So it would be wrong to presume that English is a threat to any other language.

In fact, English language has its impact throughout the world because many people understand this language. In India there are various languages but each has its own identity and background. So, none of the languages are in any way inferior to the other languages. There is no doubt that English language has created its impact in India but it does not see other languages inferior. According to Gandhiji learning of many languages is a pleasure so we should not be prejudiced with any language.

K A Solaman

Sindhu Joy to become the Saviour of UDF

“Parissutha Kannya Mariayme Ennile Muruvunangeedukayillayo”. This much acclaimed cine song was Sindhu Joy’s master piece while combating with ‘ body massage hero’ Prof K V Thomas in the Ernakulam Parliament seat contest. Thomas was successful but until now Sindhu’s wound was not cured. Nevertheless, her injury was now totally cured by giving an embarrassment to CPM by resigning from the party and joining the Congress.

Sindhu Joy, who was in the forefront of the agitation against UDF Government’s educational policies in 2005, was a scapegoat for unsuccessful contests against congress leader Oommen Chandy in Puthupalli in 2006 assembly polls and against Union Minister K V Thomas in 2009 Lok Sabha elections in Ernakulam. The strong musclemen of the CPM were watching and laughing at the plight of this desperate girl then.

It is ironical to see the sufferer of “brute” handling of student stir in 2005 by UDF is now becoming the saviour of the UDF.


K A Solaman
The New Indian Express dated 26-3-11

Demolition man surprises all!

The ‘demolition man’ surprised everyone, especially the CPM cadres in Kerala. Alphons Kannanthanam, former IAS bureaucrat and Marxist MLA, who has refused the CPM offer to contest again to Kerala Assembly, has joined the BJP. And in the joining ceremony Kannanthanam is seen more saffron coloured than BJP National President Nitin Gadkari. He has been included in the national executive committee.

However, Gadkari and company should be more watchful as quitting is the style of this demolition man. He quit IAS, quit MLA post, and quit the Marxist candidature. And his views on rural development is not rewarded he will quit BJP too!

K A Solaman

Gouri Amma to Guinness Book!

With her candidature to Kerala Assembly Electtion 2011, it is certain that 92-year-old K.R. Gouri Amma has made history and she is a sure entry to the Guinness Book of World Records. Gouri Amma is the only candidate to contest all the assembly elections since the state first went to polls in 1957.The leader of the Janathipathiya Samrakshana Samithy will contest the April 13 elections from Cherthala constituency in Alappuzha district.
Gouri Amma’s candidature has raised many an eyebrow for she contesting at such an old age when most other individuals retire from all activities at 60 or 70 at the most. The energy she gives to all others is very much as it persuades unoccupied people to do something rewarding in life. Though she was expelled from the Marxist party in 1994, the Marxist leaders now cornering her is just because of her unbridled courage and positive attitude to human life.
She coming to Cherthala, where she won in the first election, has much significance as the chance for one more election is presumably unviable. Long live Gouri Amma and her optimistic outlook.

K A Solaman

Kerala’s unchecked sound pollution

In Kerala, temples, churches and mosques are perennial sources of sound pollution. Worshippers indulge in religious songs at full blast loudspeakers which go on till night. Bar hotels, vehicles without silencers make their contribution too. In addition there are full volume TVs and Home theatres in almost all homes with scant regard to aged and the ailing ones They are always the suffering lot. Legislation aimed at reducing noise pollution has not yielded any result.
In most cases people will not complain because of assault from parties violating the rule. Complaints to the police stations have been of no use at all. An activist by name Sumanan from Alappuzha has been attacked by owners of mike system and other accessories. Even complaints lodged on the Chief Minister’s website have been of no use.
The sound pollution has augmented with the beginning of poll process in Kerala. Though rule prohibits roaring loud speakers on moving vehicles it is a frequent scene in the streets of Kerala. It disturbs the attention of all commuters causing greater accidents. The sound pollution affects health of the residents of all localities including of those making the sound. Apart from the sound pollution, all kinds of drugs are freely used by law breakers. With this write up, I would like to bring the matter in attention of the State Administration so that action may be taken to reduce sound pollution particularly in the eve of poll process to Kerala Assembly.
K A Solaman
The New Indian Express dated 21 March 11

Quitting is his style!

K.J. Alphonse Kannanthanam, who quit the Indian Administrative Services in 2006 to join politics, now says he quits from election this time to the Kerala Assembly. He was happy at the time of quitting IAS but this time not so because of denying seat to the veteran comrade and the mass leader VS Achuthanandan. Though not required that much wisdom Kannanthanam identifies the ground reality.

K A Solaman

Veterans fighting in the election

Central Chronicle Editorial Posted On Tuesday, March 15, 2011

It is undesirable to come heavily on Kerala veterans fighting in the election. Old age is not a curse but a boon. The seventy plus 'youngsters' should understand that they will also become old once. K.R. Gowri Amma going to contest the election is a bone contention for many. Gouri Amma speaks more clearly and plainly than those criticizing her. Her stand in every aspect is understandable whereas her detractors lack that intelligibility.
Elder people are blessings of God's own country and they stimulate others to chase their life. Elder people contesting election gives positive energy to all. They should be respected not only in households but in political circles also.


KA Solaman

Chiranjeevi daughter’s story

Chiranjeevi’s daughter Srija’s story is a clear warning to all sons and daughters who disobey their parents for what is called an immature choice at teen age. The dowry torture complaint against Srija’s husband is one among the innumerable complaints in this direction. The father who received humiliation for his daughter’s act was seemingly right at his earlier decision to save his daughter from a college drop out. The agony the daughter feels now is the after effect of her parents mental anguish years back.
Srija can now visit their parents for an immediate solace.

K A Solaman

Japan will rebuild in no time.

The Japan Tsunami was terrible. The most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Japan shook apart homes and buildings, cracked open highways and frightened even those who have learned to live in hazard. The shattering tsunami slammed into north-eastern Japan and killed hundreds of people. The violent wall of water swept away houses, cars, trains and ships. Fires burned out of control. Power to a cooling system at a nuclear power plant was knocked out, forcing thousands to flee. The destruction was far beyond any reckon.
The Tsunami threat in Japan will be repaired with fortitude, courage and staying power. And the country will rebuild in no time and they will be admired and rewarded for their efforts. Our solidarity is with Japanese people.

K A Solaman

Isaac’s unjustified pact with Gouri Amma.

After one and a half decade of exile JSS leader K R Gouri Amma has become dearer to Kerala CPM and that too in the eve of the Assembly election. It is none other than Dr T M Thomas Isaac, the possible incarnation of the next CM, while praising Gouri Amma’s greatness, asks her to reveal her bearing in the election. And at last Gouri Amma revealed her stance. She and her party will remain in the UDF!

Would anybody in CPM ask Isaac an explanation for his inflated praise and unjustified pact with Gouri Amma?


K A solaman

Discovery- a great leap to mankind.

The historic journey ends. Discovery finished its 27 years of service and landed at the Kennedy Space Centre. The mission delivered an extra room along with supplies and equipment, including a human-like robot, known as Robonaut 2, the first such robot ever sent into orbit. The oldest shuttle in the fleet, Discovery has cumulatively spent a year in orbit and logged many spaceflight firsts. It was the first shuttle to return to flight after the Challenger disaster in 1986 and after Columbia's disintegration while re-entering orbit.
Discovery launched the trailblazing Hubble Space Telescope, made the first US rendezvous with the Russian Mir space station, and was the first and last shuttle to rotate crews on the space station.
Discovery's next destination will be a museum where hundreds of children could watch and learn about the scientific pursuit of their forerunners.

K A Solaman

Old age is not a curse but a boon

It is undesirable to come heavily on Kerala veterans fighting in the election. Old age is not a curse but a boon. The seventy plus ‘youngsters’ should understand that they will also become old once. K.R. Gowri Amma going to contest the election is a bone contention for many. Gouri Amma speaks more clearly and plainly than those criticizing her. Her stand in every aspect is understandable whereas her detractors lack that intelligibility.
Elder people are blessings of God's own country and they stimulate others to chase their life. Elder people contesting election gives positive energy to all. They should be respected not only in households but in political circles also.

K A Solaman

The New Indian Express, dated 14 Mar 11

Free budget jokes.

Kerala Finance Minister Dr T M Thomas Isaac in his sixth budget in the five year term has declared Rs 40000 crore road development by using the money to be collected through non-existent Al Mubarak Bank based on Shari yet principle. Like wise Central Finance Minister has exempted tax for Rs five lakh for persons above 80 years of age. As it is impossible to get money as Thomas Isaac planned and ordinary people, except a few privileged politicians, never survive above eighty, the two schemes are apparently the best budget jokes of the year.

K A Solaman

Blood recognize blood!

Blood identify blood when the date for Kerala Assembly has been declared. Pinarayi has all the praise for Achuthanandan. Nevertheless, the latter has not opened his mouth till date. And if the party sails over smoothly in the election Pinarayi and his friends can safely put Achuthanandan to the corner. Demotion to the Branch Committee is a customary practice in the party where a comrade gets better opportunity to serve the people!

K A Solaman

‘The Kerala shining’ waste

A dozen photos of CM, half a dozen photos each of minister T M Thomas Isaac, minister G Sudhakaran and other ministers on every day news papers at the fag - end of their rule is thoroughly 'Kerala shining' waste. One could not understand the miracles they have done at the valedictory. Kerala's present waste resembles the misuse of money by NDA government during their regime. The NDA had ended in shame in the election. A similar fate awaits LDF government in Kerala.

K A Solaman

the New Indian Express Dated 3 Mar 11

Bird in the nest still fouls!

Writer and social critic Sukumar Azhikode accuses Kerala Chief Minister Achuthanandan for what is alleged about latter's son. And he feels happy for having not married and having no son like Arun Kumar. When there are other ministers with infamous sons in Achuthanandan's party Azhikode targeting Achuthanandan alone is conspicuous. Azhikode could have commented about them also. The ‘bird in the nest’ still fouls its nest.

K A Solaman

Saving Coir Industry!

It is highly interesting to see that a pepper spray device is being distributed in the IT campus at Technopark , Thiruvananthapuram as a self-defence mechanism for women employees who have to travel even during night. The distributors think night travel is safe for women with pepper spray made from chilly and pepper.

As an alternative why can’t the techies consult this matter with Coir Minister G Sudhkaran so that he could easily arrange a coir device for self protection. Though Alappuzha MLA Shukkoor pooh-pooh Sudhakaran for wasting State fund for his coir mela at Alappuzha Sudhakaran claims the Coir Board has received a huge order from abroad for the well-known ‘Coir Bhoovastram”. And if a coir hook like device can be expediently used by women to catch hold of aggressors, it would be a boon to women as well as coir industry.

K A Solaman

Corruption everywhere

The ministers are clean but bureaucrats are the corrupt, is not an acceptable perception because the corrupt ministers tempt bureaucrats to indulge in corruption. Corruption is a threat for our society and all steps taken to contain corruption went nowhere. The deep rooted corruption spreads its tentacles to unanticipated areas of the society. For instance take the case of lecturer post approving bureaucrats in various universities in Kerala and elsewhere. For long these offices were corruption free, nevertheless they started asking money from colleges and candidates for the posts to be got approved. While the candidates spend several lakh for being get appointed the contention of these bureaucrats is that why candidates could not pay an additional one lakh for getting the post approved.

The ordinary people, therefore, should determine to disallow corruption. We must vow not to bribe the ministers and administrators to get the job done. The governments of Centre and State should take immediate action to end corruption at least in its offices. Let the young generation breathe in fresh air free from the pollution of corruption.


K A Solaman

"Tatvamasi", writer should not be so cruel

Writer, speaker, social critic, Dr. Sukumar Azhikode is apparently concerned about media coverage given to politicians of late. While covering Rauf's enunciation, Kunhalikutty channel show, R B Pillai’s Anwarsseri model showdown at Kottarakkara, Azhikode has received little attention from lens men. This is why he filed a defamation case against cine star Mohanlal. Azhikode alleges that the actor called him a mentally unstable person. Azhikode then served a legal notice to Mohanlal, asking him to apologize or face legal action. Nevertheless the actor has not issued a legal notice to Azhikode for he being called "kankalam" by the latter.

Azhikode’s aversion to Mohanlal is notorious as Lal out rightly refused demand of Azhikode asking Lal to do something and not do something else. When many celebrities endorse the sale of gold and liquor Azhikode targeting Lal is doubtful. Why Azhikode cannot ask Mammootty to do something suited to his wish? Azhikode would never direct Mammootty as Mammootty is the CPM official faction favourite. He therefore, maintains a special ilk to Mammootty . Mohanlal-Azhikode case is unlikely to yield good result other than a little inappropriate media coverage. Counsels for both parties might make a good buck by extending the case of ten or twenty years.

"Tatvamasi", writer should not be so cruel to one of the most famous actors of the country and recipient of several national awards.

K A Solaman

Congress should checkout irresponsible remarks of its leaders

Congress MP K Sudhakaran achieved what he intended to gain-the media coverage. People thought he was landed in trouble and is going to face action from Kerala Police and Delhi Police for alleging corrupt practices of the country’s judiciary. Now he made a somersault by denying his earlier statement and his assertion against an unnamed Supreme Court judge. Now it is the turn of country’s police to close the file opened for hasty action. The witness to a bribe of Rs 21 lakh becomes no witness after one week. The skin thickness of the present day politicians is high.

The visual media should be more vigil to air announcement of unscrupulous politicians hereinafter to avoid further embarrassment among public. The Congress party should warn its leaders like Sudhakaran to make such irresponsible remarks against the judiciary.

K A Solaman

Pillai's arrest

R Balakrishna Pillai's new petition to trial court to avert arrest is a laughing stock. Seemingly in the country of Kottarakkara, Indian Supreme Court has no jurisdiction! Mr Pillai, Kerala Congress men and the Congress men will decide when to surrender and where.

The Supreme Court has, indeed, denied the opportunity for Pillai to faint in court and get admitted in Medical Trust hospital, Kochi.

K A Solaman

BOT camels in Congress

Admittance of A P Abdullakutty to the Congress resembles the age old act of giving space to camel. Kutty started questioning veteran Congress leaders like V M Sudheeran. Sharp criticism by Abdullakutty against Sudheeran is not in the true sense. Building NH under BOT scheme is not suitable for Keralites and they do not support Kutty. BOT is a source for politicians and bureaucrats to book a huge sum. Abdullakutty would better rejoin Elamaram Kareem's party. There is no sufficient reason for Congress in Kerala to withdraw their stand against BOT highway.

As Sudheeran pointed out, "the BOT operators should not be allowed to rob the people of Kerala."

K A Solaman

Really a different Balan!

Quite curious to hear the Kerala state electricity Minister A K Balan announcing that Kerala has become a self sufficient state in electricity distribution. Probably scheme of Balan to replace all incandescent lamps by CFLs and all CFLs issued by KSEB damaged by this time may be the reason of Balan’s auto sufficiency. CFL revolution is a scam and is to be probed.

Balan adds load shedding, voltage problems and increase tariff do not apply now, and recently KSEB had decided to avoid 10 rupees per month for electricity meter charge. This was also first in the history by avoiding current income. Kerala was the only State giving low price electricity to consumers, according to him. Apparently his conclusion is at the end of the LDF regime and that the election is in sight. And if the people fooled by Balan and his coterie elect them for the next time a cumulative increase may be carried out in the next year. Poor people with little memory!

K A Solaman

God is surprised at mankind!

God is surprised at mankind because of the following reasons
Reason 1: Man gets bored in childhood, he wishes to grow up and then longs to be a child.
Reason 2: He loses his health to make money and then loses his money to restore his health.
Reason 3: He thinks anxiously about future, forgetting the present. So he lives neither in future nor in present.
Reason 4: He lives as if he will never die, but die as if he has never lived.


K A Solaman

Overhauling of Indian Judicial system

Many people oppose the Arundhati Roy’s opinion when it comes to "Maoist Gandhians with guns" or "Kashmir is the part of Pakistan". However, her observation about Indian judicial contains a little water. No doubt the country's judicial system should be overhauled to obtain justice to ordinary people. Judicial process see delayed justice, not only justice denied but the litigant is punished.

Current system of the judicial forum, if transaction colonial or not, is another question, but people refrain from asking for help from the Court because of unforeseen difficulties. If there is adequate money one can hire a senior lawyer and win the case. And if one has not sufficient money, he hires an average counsel then money as well as the case is lost. The rich and the influential alone win cases, is a tragic situation.

Further, comment by Arundhati that she would never support the Supreme Court order prohibiting street meetings is only to appease politicians who need interference with the peaceful life of ordinary people. Why can’t agitators prefer Minister Residences or compound of Secretariat or auditoriums for agitation that hinders the movement of ordinary people who are in search of livelihoods?
K A Solaman

Cancerous corruption in India

Former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam's observation that corruption is a cancer engulfing the Indian policy-bureaucratic-judicial system and requires urgent treatment is a correct analysis. Corruption is really one of the biggest challenges facing the country. However his proposal of youth brigade as solution would materialise not immediate as older leaders not allow young people in politics. Furthermore, politicians, doing no work but earn a lot by political corruption, have increased much. Full-time politics without doing any should be discouraged.

Corruption in Judiciary is now everybody’s concern. Not only bribe the undue delay is disposing cases by the courts is a part of the corrupt practice. Court cases should be distributed to counsels in an equi-partition basis so that younger counsels should get an opportunity to earn their livelihood. It is a pity that when renowned counsels earn lakhs for a single appearance, young advocates hardly get Rs 1000 per month. A monthly stipend should be given by the government to all enrolled advocates and some job should be assigned to them.

Judicial corruption is one that ordinary people could never compromise. India would never become a developed country until corruption is checked in all walks of life. As Dr. Kalam stressed, cancerous situation of corruption engulfing judicial system is harmful for growth. For this severe disease the country needs sermon. But will that it launch?

K A Solaman

Actor Machhan Varghese

Actor Machhan Varghese is a commoner. Ordinary people like him much. His departure at 50 is too early and a loss for cinema of the ordinary people. By his exceptional skills, he obtained his rightful place in the hearts of people. His work in films like ‘MannarMathai speaking, Meesa Madhavan, Thenkasipattanam and others is dotingly remembered for years to come
K A Solaman

Enka veetu pillai under arrest

It is very interesting to see that Kalaignar TV belonging to Karunanidhi family carried out practically a black out of the arrest of A Raja. Raja is really just a scapegoat among black sheep, most of them from TN. Apparently for Kalaignar TV and Karunanidhi family, hiking crude oil prices, the formation of the DMK Committee to share seat and chances India to win the World Cup are more important than CBI grilling "enka veetu pillai".

Nevertheless JayaTV belonging to the friend of Purachi Thalaivi compensated the loss with a full time slot. Other channels in the country, especially Kerala channels making all time blast with tittle-tattle of Kunhappa-Rauf ‘pennu case, can seek more lessons from TN how to highlight a particular news and delete the other.

K A Solaman

A year cross for Indian Railway

What Lalu Prasad Yadav has not achieved with Indian Railway Mamatha Banerji, present railway Minister, reached and only too miserably. The shocking incident of a 23 year old woman was allegedly raped in a train running and suspected of having been thrown; leaving her with several serious injuries is more a year cross of Indian Railways to cherish. To collect the ticket charges and dump into the compartment of insecurity is apparently Indian Railway passenger custom. And the passenger in the compartment can be brutally attacked and killed. Indian Railway could not escape the crime for not providing a railway guard or a police man in the compartment.
The matter must be considered carefully and women under attack should be adequately compensated by the Indian Railway and the Government.
K A Solaman

How many cases we have seen?

Rising fuel and onion prices, soaring inflation, disorder in government hospitals and medical colleges, deteriorating law and order, inept education system and many others are not at all problems for Keralites. The Kunhappa-Rauf row is the only problem for them to forget all others including wealth amassment case of Sreenijan, son-in law in law of former CJ K G Balakrishnan.
The government of Kerala has officially endorsed a fresh police inquiry about the infamous ice-cream parlour case in which Kunhappa and Rauf are involved. Nevertheless one could not expect much from state police that has received a drubbing on the credibility count for bad investigation skills, corruption and overt linkages to the mafia here in the state.
Kunhappa-Rauf in hand in hand would say: how many cases we have seen?

K A Solaman

Parlour ice cream, Kozhikode

Case of parlour ice cream Kozhikode returned with a bang. The leader of the UDF Ommen Chandy, potential candidate for post of the CM, leading comfortably "Kerala Mochana Yathra' on the hearing the news fell ill. Despite announcements repeated full-page in press documents for a long time, the LDF is so desperate to fight against the UDF in confidence-building measures. Nevertheless, they were given new breath with Kunhalikutty-Rauf case of rotten sex scandal.

Really the new revelations are death blow of nature to the UDF. The plea of his kin that Kunhalikutty spent huge sums of money to buy his way out of the ice cream parlour case put the UDF prospects down. The businessman Rauf has vigorously proved that he is not only a crafty person a political pimp too. Rauf's charge that Kunhalikutty could have influenced the Judiciary puts it also under inkling especially in the backdrop of the continuing allegation against top judicial man like K G Balakrishnan. It is to be noted that the Supreme Court also had cleared the name of Kunhalikutty in the ice-cream case.

A best friend often turns out to a worst foe and that is what happened in Kunhalikutty's ice cream parlour case.

K A Solaman

Needed a Judgment machine!

Whether it is the wealth amass by the son-in-law of former CJ of India Justice K G Balakrishan or the alleged involvement of Justice K Thankappan and Justice K Naraynakurup in the ice-cream parlour sex scandal case it is an unwelcome status for the Indian Judicial system. Ordinary people who had lost faith in political parties were keeping some faith in Judiciary until recently but lost faith with news pouring in from Indian Judiciary. It is time for a scrupulous introspection of the country's Judicial frame work. The judges allegedly received scraps to sabotage the case and amassed wealth, should be questioned and if found guilty, grilled.

Moreover, control over News Channels is imminent as they sensationalize silly matters by drawing the names of honorable judges. The damage they cause to respectable persons is beyond any reckon even if the person under allegation proves his innocence later. The channels should not be given an upper hand to say about a person whether guilty or not. Instances are many where channel findings have later proved to be wrong. It is also impending to inquire whether channels get a payback from persons under their scanner.

And the question is: can we trust channels as we did in the case of the Indian judicial. The "land of God" became a perverse sex country where fraud politicians, corrupt judges and shady channels dictate matters. We need computer aided judgment machinery as judges are human beings and they are prone to corruption.

K A Solaman

Enchanting and charming Shreya Goshal!

Kerala Ministers have decided for Malayalam compulsory education in all schools, including CBSE and CISP. No doubt the decision was taken after viewing online in English from John Brittas of the Kairali Channel with play back singer Shreya Goshal, interview the day of the Republic. All interviews in English should be banned in Kerala including Kairali Channel hereafter!

And there a similar nastiness need Brittas said in public with a woman who "you are enchanting and charming."


K A Solaman

Deadly faith

Sir — The people killed in the Sabarimala incident were devotees of Lord Ayyappa. They were on their way back after celebrating the Makaravilakku festival. The stampede was the biggest mishap in Kerala after 107 passengers of the Bangalore-Thiruvananthapuram Island Express died when the train fell off the Perumon bridge across the Ashatamudi lake in Kollam district in 1988.

The huge rush at the Sabarimala temple and the narrow roads are the main reasons behind the accident. The precautions taken by the government to avoid such disasters have come to nought. More scientific planning is required to administer the crowds and the traffic to make the Sabarimala shrine safe for visitors.


K.A. Solaman
The Telegraph, Kolkata 19 Jan 2011

Justice vs Justice!

Former Justice V R Krishna Iyer is seen much worried over the silence of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on the issue of former Chief Justice of India and National Human Rights Commission Chairman K G Balakrishnan. Perhaps PM might have contemplated that when Iyer is making ample sound on the issue why he interfere and make more noise.

Had Iyer always an indisputable approach former Justice V Giri would not have come with a rejection of Iyer’s allegation that he had approached Iyer with a request to not to write to the Prime Minister on the issue. Justice vs Justice: a hard-hitting situation for common people to comprehend.
K A Solaman

Sky will not fall on saying 'Makaravilakku.'

At least for rationalists many burning problems of State are apparently silly. They are not worried about Martin’s Bhutan lottery, rising price of essential commodities, petrol price hike, VS- Isaac tussle, Oommen Chandy’s Kerala Mochana yathra or even the nonstop assault by Musli Vita powered thugs on hapless women. The silly stuff union viz. rationalist organisation in Kerala, Yukthivadi Sanghom, has approached the state high court, to intervene in the "celestial light" phenomenon near the Sabarimala temple, claiming it is man-made. They argue Makara Jyoti is an act of group of people. If so what? In the next season probably the number of people gathering at Sabimala multiple if the court declares ‘Makaravilakku’ is man-made.

Thanks for rationalists not saying that the reigning deity at Sabarimala has not saved the lives of 102 pilgrims at Pullumedu. Politicians like Chennithala asking people to keep their mouth shut on this issue is for getting a few votes in the next election. Should the sky fall if people talk about Makarvialakku or Thanthri Kanadaru Mohanaru

K A Solaman

Makaravilakku heals millions

Truth or myth-Makaravilakku and Sabarimala heal millions. Let it carry on. Sabarimala pilgrimage is a saunter into the Nature.

K A Solaman

Delhi Nair is replaced by Kerala Nair.

The huge void created by the unceremonious exit of ‘Delhi Nair’ Shashi Tharoor from the Central Cabinet was filled up by Kerala Nair K.C. Venugopal. Ostensibly Venugopal is far better a minister than Tharoor because he has not married thrice or not done any liaison work with any cricket consortium for sweat equity for his fiancé.

And undoubtedly Venugopal could improve relations between the Congress and the Nair Service Society as assistant secretary Sukumaran Nair is very happy with Venugopal's induction. So Venugopal’s immediate attention is in visiting Perunnai, then Kanichukulangara and later Bishops’s house, Alappuzha. Communal conciliation is the motto of all secular parties including the Left.

Though sworn in as the minister of state for power, his prime initiative will be the completion of Alappuzha bypass, the people Alappuzha so desire. Wishing him the best.
K A Solaman

Open Sabarimala shrine on all days.

The stampede at the Sabarimala shrine in which 104 pilgrims have died indicates that human life is a commodity for Rs 5-6lakh. The money that received by the family of ill-fated pilgrims says we do not value human life that much. Lack of proper schedule for the travel of people to Sabarimala is the root cause of the grave mishap.

To avoid the heavy rush at Makaravilaku season why can’t Devaswom Board make arrangement for keeping the Sabarimala temple opened all the days in a year instead limiting it to 41 days or less. Why the heap of camphor burned at Ponnambalamedu on Makaravilaku day alone? Can’t it be performed a dozen days in a year on other holy days so that pilgrims get more opportunity for a healing thought by viewing it? Again worshippers hating large crowd could also advantageously visit Sabarimala at their pace if the temple is kept opened on all days.

Sabarimala is small area and that is not meant for for huge crowd. It is located at a remote hilly place where easy accessibility is difficult. The government has not provided scientific traffic management despite the huge sum received from the pilgrims as donation and travel fare.

It is better to have an introspection for the people of Kerala than accusing one and the other.

K A Solaman
The New Indian Express dated 20 Jan 2011

Politburo in glass house.

Something quite unpleasant in the CPM is likely to shell out. The Polit bureau meeting decision to censure Kerala Chief Minister and veteran party leader V.S. Achuthanandan for the stand he took in the lottery controversy in the state is a pointer in this direction. VS has expressed his displeasure about the decision of the PB and the way by which the news were leaked out.

The PB decision to censure Achuthanandan is for sending a letter to the Centre demanding CBI enquiry in the lottery issue. Interestingly the PB act is a move against the larger interest of the common man in Kerala. Do PB need the majority illiterate and poor people of Kerala be looted more by lottery mafia and their goons?
It may be true that VS sent the letter without consulting the party. Would bigwigs of the party tainted in lottery mud permit VS to write a letter of the sort? VS’ letter was in good spirit and that has full support from large section of the people in the State. The PB sitting in glass house should come to earth.

K A Solaman

Black Friday.

It is a shocking black Friday of mishap for Kerala with death toll of 104 persons near Sabarimala Friday night. The people killed were devotees of Lord Ayyappa. They were returning after the Makaravilakku festival in Sabarimala . This is a major tragedy in Kerala after a total of 107 passengers of Bangalore-Thiruvananthapuram Island Express met with a watery grave as the train fell off Perumon bridge across the Ashatamudi lake in Kollam district on July 8, 1988.
The huge rush to Sabarimala and the bungling roads are the main reason for the accident. All precautions and care taken by the government till date have gone futile with this major accident.

More scientific planning is needed for crowd management and road traffic to make Sabarimala pilgrimage season incident-free.

K A Solaman
The New Indian Express dated 17 Jan 2011

Woman assaulted at school fete

It is really an unsightly event by the Deputy Director –Education, Alappuzha to manhandle the mother of a student participant for photographing in her mobile the ugly scene enacted by the DDE at the school fete venue at Thuravoor. The teacher turned DDE should learn how to behave in public. Seemingly he is incompetent to guide the teacher community and to maintain a peaceful atmosphere for school education in the district. He should be given compulsory retirement from service.

The whole fete at Thuravoor was carried out erratically and DDE sending parents to programme committee and the programme committee sending back them to DDE for rectification of grievance is evidently an indication of the lack organisational ability of the department. Local goons taking charge of school fete have made all events nasty. Shashikala, a poet from Punnapra and the mother of the Ottumthullal participant is a known figure in the cultural world of Alappuzha and people know her well that she would never indulge in nasty acts as did by the DDE.

If the teachers in charge of the fete are not able conduct it neatly transfer their duty to police or abandon all such meets in the future. Women whether a presiding officer or a budding poet- all are assaulted by goons in and around Alappuzha. This must stop.
K A Solaman

Fee for a view-that is it!

When CPM leaders in Kerala has sneakily withdrawn from ‘nokkukooli’(fee for a view) and said they were against it, the CPI has taken it as a prestige issue and its leader Kaanam Rajendran said they were not against ‘nookukooli’ According to him nookukooli is the right of the working class who were denied opportunity by mechanization. Kaanam was carrying on shoulders worn out cine actor Thilakan for quite long and when he realized there were no takers for Thilakan issue, Kanam shifted his target and become the new incarnation for nookukooli.

Kaanam should understand that they are not workers who demand nookukooli. Can he find a worker for climbing coconut tree or ploughing field? He can find only workers for party demonstrations and agitations. By asking nookukooli, common man is denied freedom to do their work themselves or to assign work to people of their own choice.
Nookukooli is in fact a virus and people like Kaanam should take decades to understand it.

K A Solaman

Black money in foreign banks

The allegation against former Chief Justice of Supreme Court of India Justice K G Balakrishnan and his son-in-law is the hot subject of discussion in political circles. Several politicians who started from zero and now possessing assets worth several crores have demanded probe against KGB. And in that case BJP’s demand that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should make efforts to bring back the black money deposited by politicians and businessmen in the foreign banks is in the right direction.

If the PM wishes to ensure corruption free system the demand of BJP should be viewed with utmost importance. Let the common man see ‘who owns, how much?’

K A Solaman

This time judges will not be “nincompoops”!

The Supreme Court of India has upheld the decision of Kerala High court banning public meeting on road sides. And one hopes this time the Marxist leader M V Jayarajan will not call judges as ‘idiots’ as he did earlier. It is a tough job to find synonym for the word ‘idot’.

In fact the State Government of Kerala is wasting its time by filing appeal at apex court for unjustifiable demands of political parties. Blocking roads and curtailing the freedom of movement of people is against constitutional provisions.

K A Solaman

Monsanto is the saviour of this house|

The CPM has put their hoary opposition against Monsanto into cold storage. They are no longer against genetically modified seeds. The move in the party’s stand on genetic crop farming is not because of any scientific know-how about BT seeds but to keep shut the mouths of Opposition parties on various issues.

Interestingly the CPM stance has drawn support from Union Minister of State for Agriculture KV Thomas, a person who forgot all the burning needs of the State when he has become central minister. The president of Kissan Sabha comrade S Ramachandran Pillai speaking in tune with Monsanto chief is also interesting to hear. Though Pillai is a politburo member of the party his opponents say he is incapable of winning a ward election if contested. He is making himself the author of ‘gods of small thing’ by uttering words indigestible to vast population of the country. Arunthathi speaks for Pakistan, likewise Pillai speaks for Monsanto.

The somersaulty by State Finance Minister Thomas Isaac, who opposed BT brinjal and disbursed Rs 20 lakhs to his party men for what is called Mararikulam Brinjal festival, now favouring Pillai is also intriguing.

K A Solaman

The sky is the limit

The success or failure of a space mission depends on many factors. The probability of successfully launching a satellite can't be predicted. That's the reason not too many people are criticising the recent failure of the GSLV satellite. The scientists must focus on rectifying technical snags. More than Chandrayaan, India needs more space projects that improve our communication network facility. Chandrayaan can only fetch data already available with Nasa or
similar agencies.
KA Solaman, via email
The Hindustan Times, Jan 2, 2011

Maternity leave for a decade

Yet another new year gift by the Kerala State Pay Commission to the State employees, teachers and of course not for pensioners is the proposal for revision of maternity leave of one year for women and paternity leave of ten days for men. The Commission is wise enough to identify that men have no effective role in bringing up the child. Wonderfully the commission has not restricted the number of such leaves to women. And if a woman so desires to give birth to ten children she could earn a good buck without doing any work for ten years. This I say because I have a friend who signs in his date of birth as 10/5/50 which also means that he is one among ten children of his parents and he is the fifth one. If anyone needs to meet my friend fix an appointment through woofer space blog.

K A Solaman

Live more get more

A few items of the New Year gift by the Kerala State Pay Commission to the State employees, teachers and pensioners are very charming. One such item is the proposal for upward revision of pension in the case of persons aged above 80 years. It is quite certain for the Commission that because of the present life style in association with Beverages Corporation there would be no one above 80 years among pensioners.

Had the Commission fixed this upper age limit as 90, the payout from the state exchequerin this direction could have been brought to zero. What the pension minister (?) proposes, the Commission disposes.

K A Solaman