Venezuela Protest Exercises

#Venezuela #Protest #Exercises

The pro-Venezuelan protests seen in Kerala are scenes that even cross the boundaries of political drama. While in many parts of the world, the Venezuelan people themselves are taking to the streets against the dictatorial regime of Nicolas Maduro, here some are trying to whitewash the communist regime by raising the outdated slogan of “American occupation”. 

It is not America that has pushed a country that used to be overflowing with oil wealth into famine and currency depreciation, but it is the failure of Maduro’s communist regime. These comrades, who are not ready to accept the fact that a box full of currency is needed to buy a chicken egg, are more enslaved to ideology than to reality. The cry of “democracy is in danger” when the police stopped the CPI(M) protest in Bengaluru, and the silence when they are allowed to do whatever they want in Kerala is evidence of double standards.

 In fact, these Venezuela protests are a smokescreen to hide the corruption and failures of governance that are currently being discussed in Kerala. It is not only the need of America to end the drug trade that is competing with countries like Colombia and Mexico and the regime that is starving the people; it is the moral obligation of the world community. It is completely irresponsible to condemn such an act and to take to the streets here in support of a defeated communist regime. 

Like the question of where the comrade' "karanbhoot" will go for treatment, what is the ethical basis for these protests remains an unanswered question. Such unnecessary protests to divert people's attention from the real problems in Kerala deserve strong condemnation. 

- K A Solaman

Development magic

#DevelopmentMagic

When we hear the news that 22,469 enterprises and half a million jobs have been created in the last nine months, we might think that Kerala has suddenly become a mini Silicon Valley. But if one looks into the details of the figures, he will see that most of the start-ups there are thattukadas, papada stalls, dosamav shops, fish stalls, and pancharotikkal centers. When all the shops that open in the morning and close in the evening, and may not be seen tomorrow if the rent increases, are “new enterprises”, it is easy to count the job opportunities. 

If two people work in the shop on the day the shop opens, two jobs; if the shop closes the next day? That does not appear in the figures at all. This is how entrepreneurship sometimes soars in the figures and ends up by the wayside in reality. 

It is no coincidence that such news is repeated more when elections are approaching.  This is the usual practice in the script of development, with project figures on one side and salary hike announcements on the other. The announcement is grand, but the question of where and how the money will be provided is unanswered. Sometimes it seems that the intention is to let the next government, once it assumes power, be burdened by these announcements. It is a kind of political strategy to make promises without the money to implement them and say, “We announced them, they did not implement them.” 

Thus, when the ruling party plays a comedy during the election season by combining figures and announcements, the public is confused whether to applaud or cry

But it is more likely that the people will directly question the truth of the script behind the scenes during the election.

-K. A. Solaman

Belated Realisation

#Belated #realization

The ‘Nava Kerala Study Program’ conducted by the government by sending 85,000 volunteers door to door is just another political exercise to hide the failure of the administration. The fact that those who claim to have created ‘Nava Kerala’ during their nine and a half years in power are once again coming to learn about Nava Kerala exposes the hollowness of that claim. 

The fact that they travelled in a Nava Kerala bus with food and drink, demolished school walls, held meetings, and discussed only with the civic leaders, ignoring the common people, but could not reach any decision is proof of this. It was only after realizing the setback in the local body elections that the realization that ‘the matter will be resolved only if the common people are involved’ came. But that was a very late realization.

The people, who have been suffering from the embezzlement of the Chief Minister and others, mockingly remember the full form  “Mulak Vellam” when they hear the name ‘MV’. Isn’t he the owner of the chili water?  The common people are not mentally retarded because of such hatred.

It is a common swindle that leaves people in two squads in a single panchayat ward. This is a common swindle that has no productivity. The reason why people take this kind of work is because of the belief of a few people that if they do such work, they will get a government job through the back door in a state where PSC is being looked down upon.

While development activities are lying like a broken floating bridge, crores of rupees have been lost in most projects due to the government's incompetence. Before going to the houses to assess the development and declare a New Kerala, the government should first examine how the patience and trust of the people have been broken.

The New Kerala Volunteers should also be warned not to get their heads wet with Chili water

-KA Solaman

Freedom of Art Should not be an insult

#FreedomofArt #should not be an insult.

The controversial image included in the Suvarna Keralam lottery ticket is evidence of the irresponsible approach of the government agencies. It is not possible to escape by saying that releasing an image that resembles religious symbols through the public system when it is clear that the sentiments of believers will be hurt.

If even images prepared by institutions including the Lalitha Kala Akademi are used without any verification, it is a systemic failure. The government's failure to detect hidden agendas that insult beliefs under the guise of "freedom of art" is a serious failure. It is unlikely that the public will accept the argument that this is not deliberate.

There is a strong suspicion that such incidents are repeated because some people are acting secretly and are receiving the tacit consent of the government. An approach that takes blasphemy lightly will only create unrest and polarization in the society.

If today there is an image that is accused of being a Hindu symbol, tomorrow there will be controversies targeting other religions as well.  Therefore, it is imperative to identify the people behind the picture and the officials who approved it and take strict action. Otherwise, the government that claims to be secular will become a mechanism that hurts the minds of believers and will lead to serious political and social consequences.

-K. A. Solaman

(The picture given here is not from the lottery ticket)

#VB-G RAM G #MustSupport

VBG RAM G Scheme is a scheme conceived with the aim of providing practical skills required in the modern job market to job seekers in Kerala, especially the youth.

Its core is to address some of the shortcomings of the Employment Guarantee Scheme and prepare candidates as per the needs of industrial establishments. The main advantages of the scheme are skill development, industry-friendly training, financial security, and increased confidence among the people through employment. This scheme sets a good example of central-state cooperation by increasing the responsibility of the states by 40% financial support.

It should be acknowledged that there are challenges such as limitation of job sectors, need to ensure quality of training, and lack of stability of some jobs. However, they are problems that can be solved and the scheme can be perfected. This scheme, which provides practical training and job opportunities to thousands of unemployed youth, is very beneficial to the public. 

 It is clear that the agitation that the opposition, including the Congress, is going to launch against such a project is politically motivated and against the public interest. The VB G RAM G project needs to be strongly supported in the interest of development and job creation.

-K.A. Solaman

Needless K-card

#Needless #K_Card

The Kerala government’s proposal to introduce a permanent nativity card appears to be a classic case of administrative overreach with little practical value. At a time when Aadhaar already functions as a universally accepted, legally valid identity and residence document across India, creating a parallel State-level card is redundant.

 If the existing nativity certificate is “not legally binding,” the logical solution would be to strengthen its legal framework, not to replace it with an entirely new card. Introducing another identity document neither addresses citizenship concerns effectively nor adds any substantive protection to citizens. Instead, it risks confusing people and multiplying documentation without solving the core problem.

More troubling is the financial imprudence of the move. Even at a modest estimated cost of ₹20 per card, the total expenditure would cross ₹50 crore, an unjustifiable burden on the public exchequer when Kerala is facing serious fiscal stress. This money could be far better spent on healthcare, education, or social security for the  people.

The Kerala-specific nativity card has no utility outside the State, while a large section of Keralites today are migrants, professionals, and global citizens who rely on nationally and internationally recognised documents like Aadhaar and passports. In this context, the nativity card looks less like a welfare measure and more like a needless exercise driven by political optics, especially when the government is nearing the end of its term. 

Kerala would do well to look before it leaps into yet another costly and futile identity project.

-K A Solaman

Brittas' Potas

#Brittas' #Potas

The allegation made by Rajya Sabha MP John Brittas is just a political speculation that is completely devoid of facts. There is no official confirmation yet for the claim that the central government has decided to remove Mahatma Gandhi's image from Indian currency. 

Meanwhile, the sudden appearance of leaders of a party that has long opposed Gandhiji ideologically and politically as Gandhi's friends is naturally suspicious. 

The current Gandhi love of a party that has a history of inviting those who have criticized and insulted Gandhi to platforms, honoring them and giving speeches is nothing but a drama fabricated for political convenience.

This controversy surrounding the Gandhi image on currency notes is also artificial. 

India had currency even before Gandhi's image was included in the notes; Gandhiji was held in immense respect in the minds of the people even then. Whether or not his image is on the note is not a factor that determines his greatness. 

 Whatever form of currency the Indian government issues, people will use it for buying and selling. 

The attempt by John Brittas and his team to divide the people and exploit them politically by citing this issue is futile. The move to destroy social harmony through such baseless statements should be strongly condemned.

Brittas' wet potas is likely to not spark.

- K. A. Solaman