Pardon for Sanjay Dutt

Film actors are a class and they often demand immunity from punishment for the crimes they commit.  This is evident as more and more film personalities put across moral support for Sanjay Dutt, a convict for possession of illegal arms. Malayalam cine actor Mohanlal demanding leniency to Sanjay Dutt is a gesture in this direction. Lal himself is an accused in the illegal possession of tusker-horn at his residence and if convicted he could also expect similar gesture from his cinema friends.  

Of late, minister- actor K B Ganesh Kumar was under attack for immoral traffic, nevertheless, the film fraternity exonerated Ganesh by expressing solidarity with him. The Press Council Chairman Justice Katju is also seen much interested in Munnabhai’a act and expressed the same opinion as Mohanalal.

Should one think that those honorable Judges in the Apex Court who upheld Dutt's conviction under the Arms Act are little learned than Katju? Or they are persons with less compassion than the honorable Lieutenant Colonel of Territorial Army? Should we need in a country where law takes its own course, divided laws for ordinary citizens and film stars?

K A Solaman 

Pope Francis

The faithful from across the world welcome Pope Francis. It does not matter to which country he belongs. It is hoped that he will help the world establish peace, justice and universal brotherhood.

K.A. Solaman,

Alappuzha The Hindu March 17, 2013

Train Journey to Orissa - ( 1970 poem by V.K. Shenoy)

  

Notes from a diary  :  "Orissa Calls"
At Langiya Sora CPI emblem on walls
Temple on hill at Venkatachalam
A hoarding Ad. for Sapat Malam.
Baffaloes bathing in the Andhra river
Cows crossing on the Orissa brook
Red, green and blue this note is fake
Black birds on the Chilka lake.
Two dozen vultures on coconut trees
Cattle skeletons in the fields.
Hundreds of herons on yonder grove, 
On the housetop there is a crow.
View of Chilka, train from Rambha,
Pure gold sheet for tall Dhwaja Stumbha.
Great Krishna, Grand river,
Neighbour's son has some fever.
Last year heavy floods, 
This year bumper crops.
Paddy fields, at 180 degrees
Mean temperature is 31 degrees.
Bitter cold at R.Udayagiri,
Dirty hotel at Chandra Giri.
Rocks and fields, an hour-up hill walk.
Down we come like a rolling stock.
Blue and green birds, white and brown waves,
Here we see the Khandagiri caves.
                --------    0    --------
- V.K.Shenoy

66 years in photography

K A Solaman Blog: India is her country.

K A Solaman Blog: India is her country.: Congress President Sonia Gandhi may be congratulated for her firm stand against Italy.   She slammed Italy for its refusal to send b...

Sonia stand

Congress President Sonia Gandhi may be congratulated for her firm stand against Italy.   She slammed Italy for its refusal to send back the two marines charged in the fishermen killing case. She said “betrayal of a commitment to our Supreme Court is outright unacceptable,” This statement alone is sufficient to shut the mouth of her detractors saying that she keeps sympathy to her original mother land.

Her remarks are significant as Congress was under attack from the Opposition, The local leaders hereafter could come forward and tick off Italy as madam has given the green signal. The Congress leaders elsewhere in the country were doubtful about Sonia’s stand against Italy. And with the latest speak of Sonia against Italy everything is crystal clear for them.

Sonia has, thus, affirmed that it is not Italy, but India is her mother land. And she is seemingly more patriotic than  any posturing Indian.

K A Solaman
The New Indian Express Published 21-3-13

Welcome to new Pontiff.

The faithful all over the world welcomed the new Pope with folded hands.  World leaders sent in their congratulations after the Vatican announced the election of Argentine Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio to the papacy - making him the first pontiff from South America. President Barack Obama offered warm wishes to Pope Francis  and said the selection speaks to the strength and vitality of the New World. The atmosphere across Latin America brimmed with excitement and surprise, with people bursting into tears

The foot-ball legend Diego Maradonna said in new Pontiff’s election too there is a ‘hand work of God’ to hold up Argentina. It seems the cardinals made a good choice however they do not fully agree with foot-ball maestro. Doesn't matter where he comes from he needs to guide the church in the right way. It is interesting to see how many Islamist countries went out of their way to welcome the new pope. Orthodox and Anglican Catholics do not welcome the Pope.

Still majority in the world hope the newly elected Pontiff could help the world in matters of peace, justice, and universal brotherhood.  The new pope will surely be a blessing to lead the world and stay strong to the moral and ethical code that has kept the church going for all the years.

K A Solaman
The Hindu published on 16-3-13

Blame game

Italy’s refusal to send back two marines to face a murder trial in India has kicked off a blame game in the State, with the chief minister Oommen Chandy passing the buck to the courts and the Opposition tearing into the ruling party. Chandy’s voice on the issue is grim as he is aware of its possible political fallout in the state. And at the same time the Oppositions are in no mood to give up the opportunity to fish in troubled waters. The whole of Ruling Front and the Opposition are apparently alike in their approach. They resorted to a similar approach to Coimbatore blast accused Madani. All sponsor vote bank politics and none is able to give up a single vote they likely get by a stroppy stance.

The learned Ex-Justice V R Krishna Iyer took a deplorable stand by dragging in the name of Pope by saying Italy is the land of Pope. Iyer’s comment can be put as one like  Surynelli is a place in Krishna Iyer’s State.

The tone in which Krishna Iyer dragged in the name of Pope is unwarranted. Pope is the legal head of Vatican and not of Italy.

K A Solaman 
The New Indian Express published on 15-3-13

K A Solaman Blog: Kurien’s sermon.

K A Solaman Blog: Kurien’s sermon.: Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien asking the government to consider including moral education in school curriculum is rather...

Kurien’s sermon.

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman P.J. Kurien asking the government to consider including moral education in school curriculum is rather ‘devil preaching sermon’. If one asks Kurien to ‘better practice before preach’ in the backdrop of Surynelli rape case in which he is an accused, then it is quite reasonable.

Mr Kurien, if you are a sinner, repent and turn to law and of course to God in full surrender to be saved from sin and hell. And for that do not cry saying moral values were degraded in the society. You are either a sinner or a saint, but not both. All sinners hate society and ask others to improve the society. And there is nothing more than that in Kurien's sermon.  

K A Solaman

Has he more daughters?

There is a saying about late leader K Karunakaran that he opens mouth for two things- one for drinking ‘Paalkkanji’ and other for saying lies. Likewise the PDP leader Abdul Nasser Madani, an accused in the 2008 Bangalore serial blast case, opens his mouth for eating biriyani  and for defying rule of the land. It is alleged that that he had flouted the temporary bail conditions imposed by a Karnataka court while permitting him to attend his daughter's wedding at Kollam.

Is marriage of his daughter in his first wife a ridiculous function to abuse the authorities and the rule of the country?  Had Madani more wives and more daughters the chance for replication of the scene of the sort cannot be ruled out. In future courts granting bail to Madani may think about the utter commotion that would be created by such acts. It was really a tough time for the state police to control Madani’s men..

K A Solaman
The New Indian Express published on 12-3-13

Orissa Diary -Poem by V.K. Shenoy

ആട്-ഷേണായിമാര്‍ ആട് വളര്‍ത്താറില്ല 

V K Shenoi- my elder friend 

Sun sets early 4.30 P.M.

Give me ink for my Kalam.

Pure white clothes not to be seen

Last year draught unforeseen.

Dirty houses, liter all around.

Paanwalla dukan, people surround.

Water to be pulled up from deep wells

Fileria foot, no doubt swells.

All round scene is rocky hills,

Night wind is full of shrills.

Dunlop pillow is no good for this cold,

The old man's face is full of folds.

Jackal calls in the night,

I came here for the filigri sight.

Terrific cold under asbestaus roofing,

In sunlight only, open-air bathing.

School before Britishers, 1760,

Early morning air is misty.

Head Master is also Post Master,

Triangle emblem on Family poster.

Vistas through Mangoe trees,

Coconut oil also freeze.

Termite hills everywhere,

Cows milk in earthenware.

Haystacks of all shapes,

Shadows take new shapes.

Chariot base means Temple of Jaganath,

From here we go to Badrinath..

    ( Poem written around 1975, by V.K. Shenoy)

K A Solaman Blog: Right to time-bound services bill

K A Solaman Blog: Right to time-bound services bill: Touching the heart Welcome to “Right to time-bound services bill’ as it may make life a bit easier for the public and also put pressu...

Right to time-bound services bill

Touching the heart

Welcome to “Right to time-bound services bill’ as it may make life a bit easier for the public and also put pressure on civil servants to be more efficient.

Though UPA Government is merged with several scams let us give credit to it for bringing this law like they brought RTI. Nevertheless RTI was introduced with much fanfare, it has become a white elephant in states like Kerala where more than two years is needed to take up a petition before the Chief Information Commissioner. Still one hope “Right to service” will turn out to be a success and the people's miseries for running from pillar to post end. Today common people watch govt officials with suspicion because they are victimised for not paying bribe.  It is a fact that many government officials are corrupt and they  do job only  for a price- price in the form of cash and liquor. A huge amount of corrupt money gets transferred to politicians also to rescue corrupt Govt officials.

Further the Govt. has to formulate daily duty chart to all Govt officials and their performance reviewed periodically. Those who are not performed well as per the duty chart have to be shunted out immediately after warnings to improve their performance. This has to be strictly adhered to in all departments without fail. Any complaint against an official should be seriously looked into and immediate action should be taken against..

If this bill could create a feeling among government officials that they are public servants in the true sense, it would be a welcome step.

K  A Solaman

We need only Gandhi!

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s suggestion that he may not marry, puts one to think about what is after all a marriage. Is it only an act of procreating children? For many it is a mutual contract of care and respect especially when one is in desperate need for it. Doesn’t Mr Gandhi need this care at his dotage? His comment that 'if I get married and have children, I will be status-quoist and will like my children to take my place,' seems curious because in  all possibility, chance for having children after 42 is rare especially in the backdrop of unchecked and high intense cell phone radiation in the country.


Speaking the fact, we poor Indians are doting of family dynasty of Gandhis and if Rahul Gandhi is unable to provide an opportunity with his ‘ little Gandhi’,   we would ask Priyanka Vadra Gandhi to do the job. It makes us no difference if Nation is ruled by this Gandhi or that Gandhi. We need Gandhi only.

K A Solaman

K A Solaman Blog: New low for Pillai and George.

K A Solaman Blog: New low for Pillai and George.: One wonders about the fate of Kerala ministers if Chief Whip P C George were not there in for action. George says it is his duty to ...

New low for Pillai and George.

One wonders about the fate of Kerala ministers if Chief Whip P C George were not there in for action. George says it is his duty to save other ministers from disgrace. The minister, who got beaten up by his fiancé’s husband, as reported in Mangalam daily, is none other than K B Ganesh Kumar. George is the new saint of God’s own country to save all from shame.

Crisis solving is the slogan of UDF Government. In this case also Oommen Chandy will bring to the fore as the problem solver. However it is a disgrace for the all sons and fathers when Ganesh says entire controversy and the resignation call were part of a conspiracy between his father R Balakrishna Paillai and P C George. If this finding is true, George has fallen to the low and  Pillai  to the lowest.

Minister K B Ganesh Kumar is, in fact, a better minister compared to his colleagues. George is at odds with the minister over his stance on forest lands of Nelliampathi and hence George’s hustle as saviour of morality is aimed at something fishy.  It is George and not Ganesh Kumar to be removed from the UDF.

 K M Mani, the chairman of Kerala Congress, keeping silence over George’s outburst, is disreputable.

K A Solaman 

K A Solaman Blog: Testing time.

K A Solaman Blog: Testing time.: State-owned   oil companies have increased the petrol prices by Rs 1.40 per litre with effect from midnight of March 1, making it the ...

Testing time.

State-owned oil companies have increased the petrol prices by Rs 1.40 per litre with effect from midnight of March 1, making it the second successive hike in a fortnight. Seemingly, the oil companies are the real rulers of the country as this hike is outside Chidambaram’s budget. The “ Nirbhaya “ and “ Women bank” sops are meaningless gestures when this sort of shameless act is sponsored by the government.

The crude prices have declined in the world market taking into consideration of the rupee value, then instead of reducing petrol prices why government allowed the oil companies to impose an increase in the price? Ostensibly, Government does not want an average citizen to live with his daily earnings. It is a testing time for common people of the country whose patience has already been exhausted. It is high time for them think an alternative to Manmohan-Chidambaram Inc.

K A Solaman 

Nirbhaya-copter scam

The accolade to the 23-year-old Delhi gang-rape victim, the 'Nirbhaya Fund' of Rs 1,000 crore in the budget  for safety and empowerment of women seems curious. This will, in all possibility, end up in another scam. With the proposal of this fund Chidambaram expresses solidarity with girl children and women. Do these women include Sonia, Priyanka, Sheila Dixit and Bindu Krishna at the least?

I think there is no point in declaring funds unless properly the laws are implemented. Extra fund is good but how will it improve women safety? Will these funds be used for purchasing chilly spray, knife and gun for women? Congress leaders still protecting P J Kurien in the upper house have scant regard to the root cause of the problem and they believe Nirbhaya fund like gimmicks will make the people happy.

Congress leader Shanavas said in a channel that the present budget is an election oriented one. Surely, all women, enthralled of “nirbhaya fund” will vote for Congress and they again come in power in 2014. And soon we can hear another’Nirbhaya-Helicopter scam

K A Solaman

NIE published on 1-3-2013

Railway Budget disappointed.

May be all other ministers in Kerala Cabinet optimistic but Aryadan Mohammed is not so. He often sees the empty space in the half filled glass.

Being the administrator of two ruined ventures of the State viz, KSRTC and KSEB, Aryadan has lost all of his faith in man and matter. He forecasted just before the Rail budget that Kerala would get nothing and that happened.  All including Kerala Representatives of industry, the political leaders, the common public and the minister have expressed disappointment over the Railway Budget, describing it an unjust one.

Being a consumer oriented state the increase in freight charges for moving diesel and cooking fuels would definitely affect Kerala. This will also lead to increase in the prices of various other goods as well. The district of Alappuzha, in Kerala got nothing though four ministers including the number two in Central Cabinet hail from the district.

K A Solaman  

Stupid appliance of cyber laws

The cyber laws are intended to check cyber crimes, but in Kerala it is a big business for the police to harass honest persons who make  genuine criticisms in social networks. The State Mahila Congress chief Bindu Krishna is not a star campaigner in the political scenario in Kerala, nevertheless, she tries her best to become one. Her complaint to the police about derogatory comments against her stance on reinvestigating the Suryanelli sex scandal case  reveals that this is a way to become a leader.

The police on receiving Krishna’s  complaint started inquiry with utmost haste but this sort of urgency is not seen in questioning Vayalar Ravi, or K Sudhakaran  who also made bad remarks about women. Why do the police not feel any need to register a case against the Congress leaders?

The public have the right to question erring politicians and that will continue. The social networks are the only accessible way for them to express views. The flawed cyber rules could not prevent a honest man to express views.  The immediate action of the police on the complaint of Ms Krishna is intended to flatter Ms Krishna’s friends in the Congress. If LDF were on the treasury bench Krishna’s compliant would have met a natural death. The UDF Government’s hurried appliance of cyber laws to shut up the mouth of opinion builders is superfluous.

K A Solaman

Celluloid controversy unwarranted.

Controversies over Celluloid, a film based on the life of JC Daniel and directed by Kamal are unwarranted. A conspiracy between Karunakaran’s son, daughter and the producer of the film cannot be ruled out. It is the present practice to make controversy and thus attract people to the theatre. The minister in charge of cultural affairs K C Joseph denouncing the film and that too, without seeing it, is awful. Seemingly he is a minister unfit to the post.

In fact there are no direct remarks against Karunakaran in the film. The original Ramakrishna Iyer in his office may be worse than the one depicted by Siddique in the film. Bureaucracy was that much shoddier on those days. If Kamal has cast Karunakaran as a ferocious speeding minister whose police men in the pilot vehicle abusing the road-side dwellers, then it would have been a spot on attempt to put Karunakaran in bad light. Kamal has not done anything like that.

Kamal has created history in Malayalam film industry and this one film alone is sufficient to remember him in future.  The portrayal of the’ Pulaya girl’ as heroine in the original film is marvellous. A special praise is warranted to the actress who has meticulously done the job.

K A Solaman
Deccan Chronicle published on 26-2-12

48 precious hours

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s plea to the Election Commission to ban political parties calling for bandhs was interesting (Feb. 21). Would she have done this when she was in the Opposition? If there is a law to punish a political leader who invites people to go on strike, their frequency would decrease. In Kerala, people have learnt how to convert a hartal into a festive holiday.

While protest is needed against the uncaring attitude of the government, this sort of unproductive, loss-making two-day bandh is unwarranted.

K.A. Solaman,

Alappuzha, The Hindu Published 0n 22-2-13

K A Solaman Blog: Two day protest.

K A Solaman Blog: Two day protest.: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee  urging  the Election Commission to ban political parties calling bandhs is interesting. I thi...

Two day protest.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee  urging  the Election Commission to ban political parties calling bandhs is interesting. I think this will not be her request if her party were in Opposition. Mamta and Manmohan claim that strike call has been rejected by the people, despite the industrial sources place a  national loss of Rs 26000 crore for day one strike.

In Kerala the strike was more or less peaceful. Unlike in UP or Orissa public properties were not destroyed at large by strikers, thanks to the High Court for their previous order for penalizing the strikers for the damage they cause.  But this is not seen applicable for those leaders who ask people to resort to strike. If there is law to punish a political leader who invites people to go on for strike, the frequency of the strike would decrease.

In Kerala, people have learned how to convert a hartal into a festive holiday. That is why there was a huge rush before provision stores and beverages outlets on the day before the strike.

Protest is needed against the uncaring attitude of the Central Government but this sort of unproductive, loss making two-day bandh is unwarranted.   Except the crippled KSRTC, there is a huge financial loss for the debt-ridden, borrow and spending Kerala state.

K A Solaman 

Reveal Swiss bank accounts

Early in November, last year Kerala  MP Shashi Tharoor has filed a Rs.10 crore defamation suit against a magazine for publishing an article insinuating that he has black money stashed away in Swiss banks. He has appointed Kochi-based legal firm to send the defamation notice to the editor in charge of the magazine. Nevertheless, no further information is available about the case.

It is a notorious fact that many Indian politicians have unaccounted money in Swiss Banks. Due to varied reasons the Govt of India is not disclosing the names of account holders.  Once the Government decides to disclose the names the embarrassment caused to Tharoor or other MPs can be avoided.  Would the present Finance Minister do something to reveal the names of MPS and MLAs having fictitious account in Swiss banks?
It is a fact that many MPs in the Parliament are under trail in many criminal cases. Let the people know more about them and their savings in Swiss banks.

K A Solaman

K A Solaman Blog: Ravi’s apology commendable.

K A Solaman Blog: Ravi’s apology commendable.: Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi’s apology after his comment with sexist suggestion against a woman journalist invites the ...

Ravi’s apology commendable.

Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi’s apology after his comment with sexist suggestion against a woman journalist invites the truth that all humour and joke in this country would soon disappear. The minsters hereafter avoid journalists especially of the fair sex when they approach with silly questions.

Ravi feeling sorry for his remark is commendable. It would be better for woman journalists not to approach men with questions relating P J Kurien and related sex scandals because it may invite replies in that tone. The intention of the reporter was obvious to get something hot from Ravi for their new channel.

 The National Commission for Woman chairperson Mamta Sharma, who is unheard of Suryanelli episode,  to probe  the matter  relating Ravi and the channel reporter is interesting. Of late all the women commissions have only one issue and that is  to check out  sexual abuses. The backwardness among women, lack of their proper education, their poverty, the gender bias etc are never a problem for any women commission in India to look into.

K A Solaman

Thoughtless move.

The move by the Kerala government to hike the pension age of government employees and college professors is detrimental. The unemployed youths of Kerala would be in utter despair and sorrow by the thoughtless budge of the government. The present proposal is a backtrack from the earlier stand of the government that any decision about pension age hike would be based only on consensus with the youths. I want to know what consensus the government has reached with unemployed youths by this time. Raising the retirement age would affect a large number of educated unemployed youths in the state.

In a state like Kerala, increasing the retirement age would lead to a dangerous situation. And if retirement age is hiked it would lead to unforeseen protests and that will mark the end of the UDF government.

K A Solaman

Celebrity farce.

The Cycling Flowers at Brockwall Park, London.

AMMA members of Kerala are not cricketers and they playing cricket is a non-sense. They are 
selling their stardom to collect money by hoodwinking the thoughtless youngsters who keep a 
craze for seeing their favourite stars. The stars and cinema fraternity are collecting money from 
the people by their present day non-sense cinema and not contented with it they cheat teenagers 
by the cricket joke. Why can’t these otherwise versatile film stars to organise a football match 
or a hockey to stir up the public. Celebrity cricket is foul play by film producers, actors and 
the channels. 
Serious cricket players and admirers should come forward to denounce celebrity cricket a non-sense.

K A Solaman 

Trouble makers of the state.

The ex-judge R Basant telling everyone to read his judgement is a non-sense when the Apex court has set aside it.  All had  kept apprehension about the judgment proclaimed Justice Abdul Gafoor and Basant about Surynelli case as there was  little justice in their judgement. Justice Basant doubting SC’s verdict is more shocking than his “shock” on hearing the judgement.

The act of the channel that used a spy camera against Basant is highly condemnable and in this respect I would like to say the channels are the most dreaded trouble makers in this country.

K A Solaman 

Kurien is the star

According to former CM late Mr  E K  Nayanar, in America, the rape is an act like taking a cup of tea and when it comes to Kumali in Kerala, it becomes a serious offence. And the offender is allegedly Prof P J Kurien, a role model of all professors of the State, who is the deputy chairman of the upper house where law relating the case of rape victims are enacted. There are about 39 offenders along with Kurien in the infamous Suryanelli case and a police quiz among them certainly reveal Kurien’s role. Instead of doing it a huge hue and cry about nothing is happening in the State.

 A narco analysis can also be done with Kurien and if the law enforcing agencies permits no chance  for it Prof Kurien  himself could come forward and say he is ready for narco test. When whole state believe Prof Kurien is a rapist, it is better for him to say that he is ready for any inquiry or any test to prove his innocence. The present endeavour of Kurien that is running from channel to channel to prove his innocence is something like a dog’s life.

More interesting is the protest of some women's outfits demanding resignation of  Kurien. If the sun decides to shine in mid-night these protestors, name to none, should have to cover their face with sari they wear. Moral sides are too frail for many, including women leaders, the ordinary people think so.

K A Solaman

Vishwaroopam flop

There is much hue and cry about a cinema flop and its name is Vishwaroopam. The Tamil Nadu government has now lifted the ban on this film and it  is expected to hit theatres this week. A further ban on this film is out of any possibility as the people should abandon the film within two-three days. The experience in Kerala theatres is in this direction. Just after three days of the release,  in Kerala,  the school children who cut classes and went for the film started playing cricket inside the cinema hall when Kamal  dressed as a Muslim extremist was  making Afghan dialogues on the silver screen. I don’t know why this junk was produced by the ace actor. It is horrifying to ask viewers to wait for the next flop to come to see the climax of the present film.

Kamal could continue acting and dancing on the screen, but never attempt to direct a film once again. Direction is something else and the actor is unaware of the basics of it.

K A Solaman

Mani and Mona Lisa

It is interesting to see that a Mona Lisa wall hanging made out of coir is the cynosure of all eyes at the ongoing Coir Kerala 2013 event being held at Alappuzha. Likewise another wall hanging depicting Finance Minister Mani’s appeal and magnificence is also available in Coir Kerala Fest. On careful scrutiny it could  be seen that Mani’s picture on the wall hanging seems like the one who returned from the bar hotel at Adoor owned by the Coir Minister.

Hoped that the Coir Kerala managers never think of making coir floor mats with the pictures of the ministers.

K A Solaman