KV Thomas's luxury ride ends.

KV Thomas's luxury ride ends.

For months, Delhi witnessed the awe-inspiring spectacle of a single man bravely carrying the entire weight of the Pinarayi government on his shoulders.

Known affectionately as "Mash," K.V. Thomas transformed the grueling labor of doing absolutely nothing. His five-member team with a private secretary, an assistant, an office attendant, and a driver have dedicated their time for the monumental task of managing daily schedule of enjoying VIP perks at Kerala House, 

Mash proved that public service is truly about the journey, preferably one paid for by the exchequer. The sheer mystery of what benefits he secured from the Centre will surely puzzle historians for decades. Surely his personal bank account and staff certainly experienced a historic period of growth.

​Of course, this entire masterclass in administrative efficiency was made possible by a masterstroke of political loyalty. He traded his long-standing ties with the Congress party and associated with LOF government  for a much more lucrative state-sponsored retirement plan. It takes a unique kind of dedication to wave goodbye for personal gain, and then head to Delhi to champion the cause of working class while siphoning lakhs of rupees every month.

Now that the luxury package has been abruptly canceled by the new government. Mash now  returns to the peaceful backwaters of Kumlangi with a satisfied smile. And after leaving successfully  the absolute lightest footprint on actual governance he will start his  home profession of grey mullet havest and wait calmly for new takers.

-K A Solaman

Echoes of 1979

#Echoes_of_1979: 

#The #Timeless #Bond #of #Teacher #and #Student.

It was a moment of profound joy and nostalgic warmth at the NSS Union Auditorium in Cherthala during the BEST Annual Day Celebrations. Meeting Mr. Vinod after forty-seven long years was a poignant reminder of the timeless bond between a teacher and a student. 

Way back in 1979, he was part of my very first batch at St. Michael’s College, Cherthala; a remarkably bright, standout student whose intellect and dedication left an indelible mark on my memory. To see him walk up to me today, recognizing his old teacher instantly despite nearly five decades of passing time, was deeply moving. 

We were immediately swept back into a flood of shared memories, proving that the genuine affection between a teacher and a student remains entirely untouched by the years. ​Witnessing the heights Vinod has scaled since his college days brings immense pride to a teacher's heart. 

He went on to serve the nation with distinction as a DRDO scientist until his retirement in 2023, yet today he revealed an equally magnificent side to his personality. Stepping onto the stage, he captivated the entire audience with his melodious singing, leaving the spectators absolutely overwhelmed by his talent. Seeing my former student excel not just in the rigors of science but also in the soulful artistry of music was a magnificent experience. 

It was a beautiful reunion that beautifully illustrated how a teacher’s pride and a student’s enduring gratitude can bridge any span of time, turning a casual Sunday gathering into a treasured memory.

Thank you Mr. Vinod

- K.A. Solaman

Chief Minister debate & Kerala reality show

#Chief Minister debate or Kerala reality show.

Seeing that the Chief Minister debate in Kerala has not ended even after a week, it is natural to doubt whether this is a political debate or a reality show that is being dragged out till the final episode.

Despite the high command meeting, Delhi discussion, group pressure, unofficial meetings, and all this whirlwind, there is no answer to the simple question of "Who is the Chief Minister?" If Rahul Gandhi's only choice is KC Venugopal, why is he so afraid to say it openly?

The people did not vote for the ego competition of the leaders, but for clear leadership and administrative efficiency. If it takes so long to decide on the Chief Minister, the people's concern is how long they will have to wait to sign the file to build a bridge, start a hospital, or make a new Minhal Magic brandy tomorrow.

This suspense management that is going on now is doing more harm than good to the Congress. The people of Kerala are very quick to judge the dramas of leadership,

especially when the high command politics surrounding KC Venugopal is going strong,

Everyone is asking the question whether the verdict of the people of Kerala or the verdict of Delhi is more important. People's patience is losing faster than deciding who will be the Chief Minister. Therefore, at least now the Congress leadership should openly say who will be the Chief Minister and see an end to this political serial.  Otherwise it will be a great shame in history.

- K A Solaman

Air travel and Incubation Circus

#AirTraveland #IncubationCircus 

​The UDF is proving once again that WhatsApp and email are just decorations and that the speed of pigeon messages is still needed to take crucial decisions. 

The great truth that the observers came and found after 24 hours of brainstorming is that old one-liner "Let the high command decide". The leaders are adamant that a CM baby will hatch only after flying to Delhi with this precious piece of paper and staying there in complete secrecy for three days.

If the people voted because they were tired of seeing corruption in the administration, where else would they find such a modern way to poke fun at those people?

 Fortunately, this time the observers have a vest left over. The voters are afraid that by the time they decide on the person by looking at the size and weight of the groups and doing the distribution, it will be time for the next election.

If you see this way of waiting for the blessings of the high command and talking about it for kilometers, it seems that Kerala should be governed by those sitting in air-conditioned rooms in Delhi. These discussion planes are flying on the chests of the poor people who voted with their palms only because they had no other choice.

In any case, they may have held their breath until Sunday; maybe that good news will land on that day!

- K. A. Solaman

Let Satheesan be the CM

#Let_Satheesan_be_the_CM

​V.D. Satheesan, who led the United Democratic Front like a 'one-man army' to an unforgettable victory in the recent assembly elections, is the most deserving  for the post of Chief Minister of Kerala. More than just a political leader, we have seen his ability to study issues in depth and present them on the basis of facts, both inside and outside the assembly.

​The criticisms raised by Satheesan as the Leader of the Opposition during the last government were not simply politically motivated. On the contrary, each argument was based on accurate documents and figures. Although there was a situation where his struggle was ridiculed as 'Pinarayi's B team', he showed the Malayalis what a constructive opposition is.

His political vision on development issues and the relentless fight he waged against the corruption of the Pinarayi government were the qualifications required of a ruler.

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​Satheesan is distinguished by his unyielding stance against threats from communal leaders. The tough stances taken against him by caste leaders including Vellappally Natesan and Sukumaran Nair should actually be seen as his extra qualification to become the Chief Minister. His zeal to confront the people on the strength of secularism, without succumbing to the pressure of caste and religious forces, is a model for modern Kerala. 

Taking the Muslim League, the main constituent of the front, into confidence is part of political strategy; it can only strengthen secular unity. There is no doubt that the League, with 23 MLAs, is a decisive force in the assembly.

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​People expect uncompromising action against corruption and nepotism from Satheesan. It is the general sentiment of Kerala that the embezzlement and corruption of the previous government should be prosecuted.

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It is essential to put an end to the 'settlement' politics of people being given various posts through the back door even after retirement

He should be able to ensure that employees from the Chief Secretary to the lowest level work in accordance with the Constitution without political pressure.

As a leader with educational qualifications and a modern outlook, it is hoped that Satheesan's leadership will be able to solve unemployment, prevent students from leaving the country and give a new direction to the development of Kerala.

His constitutional stance and clarity in policy decisions will make V.D. Satheesan a strong administrator. May he be able to determine the future of Kerala with foresight and actively intervene in the problems of the people. 

Let us hope that the hands of the Chief Minister, Satheesan, will be able to put an end to the stagnation facing Kerala.

-K. A. Solaman

Useless Exit Polls

#Useless_Exit_ Polls

Exit polls have become a kind of Kudumbashree entertainment that can be enjoyed in channel discussions until the election results are out. The egg, the hair, the tree, the cotton, the forest,  all are mixed together and left on the channel. 

In a country where even the voters are not sure what is in the voting machine, this astrology is being served in the name of scientific prediction by a few people sitting in the corner of some room. Whether it is P-mark or PV-mark, if the prediction is wrong when the results come, we can prepare for the next survey by singing the constant refrain that the sampling size has decreased. 

In short, the only benefit that a person who stands in the sun and votes is getting a chance to laugh for a while at the results of these surveys and fight on social media. These surveys, which the media celebrates as the biggest joke in democracy, are actually a challenge to the voters.

While voters are sitting at home drinking coffee, it is not clear who these magic numbers are being concocted by some interested parties to appease. There are every reason for the losers to say, "This is all just a joke" and the winners to say, "This is the verdict of the people." 

Since it is certain that old survey papers will not even be used to wrap vegetables when the results are out, it is wise to see all this as a 'time pass' and enjoy it. If a law is passed that allows forecasters to be jailed for two weeks for dividing the people if the prediction results are wrong, there may be some relief for the useless exit polls. 

-K A Solaman

Care of the caretaker government

#Care_of_the_caretaker_government.

​When you see the excessive enthusiasm of a caretaker government that has clung to the seat of power even after leaving power, it reminds you of the time when the family heirloom hid the key to the palace before stepping down.

The caretaker government, which is only allowed to pay daily expenses, suddenly decided to suspend senior IAS officer Dr. B. Ashok for the survival of the country! The strange thing is that neither the prior permission of the Election Commission nor the cadre controlling authority of the Central Government hindered this 'necessary' enthusiasm. This government has also found a new meaning for the word administrative necessity, namely settling political disputes.

​What else is this action, which considered the strict supervision and legal threads of the election period as straw, but a repetition of old atrocities?  While waiting for the verdict after the voting, the caretaker government did not waste the golden opportunity to prove that party interest is bigger than the Constitution. Where else can there be a better time to smoke a bureaucrat and jump out for mere political reasons? 

The people are not turning a blind eye to this conspiracy of the caretaker government, who flout the laws and bypass the Election Commission, but are enjoying a bonus that was received before the election results as a joke. It seems that whoever played a role in B Ashokan's suspension will soon have to face the court.

- KA Solaman