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