AMMA not a big issue

All burning issues of the State has been put aside by the cleverly drafted story of AMMA admitting actor Dileep to it. Though the foul players behind the ugly epsode are Mukesh and Ganesh, the wrath of the public is  on Mohanlal, the newly elected president of AMMA. It is to be doubted that there is petty politics behind the issue to tarnish the image of Mohanlal, who recently expressed his willingness to associate with BJP. Mohanlal is now a speck in the eyes of comrades.

The Youth Congress,  KSU, AIYF activists are all birds of same feather as they have nothing meaningful to do now other than protest against Lal. That is why some  of them marched to  Mohanlal’s house and others burned him in effigy. The police are seemingly mute spectactors to the issue. The protest march  against Mohanlal and AMMA  by various political parties are intended to get media attention.

AMMA is a privately run  agency where no political party has any contribution.
AMMA has its own set of rules and hence the question of asking Mohanlal to vacate from president’s post is unwarranted. It is better for all youth organisations, the KSU ard others to protest against police attrocity, girls missing, ration problems, price rise, placement ban , liquor menace, dengue fever, nurses strike and else what. AMMA is not a big issue for Kerala public.

K A Solaman

New friends

The meeting between Donald Trump and Kim Jong-un has been welcomed by many. The summit has raised hopes in certain quarters that a permanent resolution to the Korean crisis is not far away.

Nevertheless, it is important to note that Trump is the first American president to meet a North Korean leader. One may, therefore, ask, why did Trump's predecessors not try to engage with their North Korean counterparts? It is not hard to guess that the former did not want to provide legitimacy to the dictatorial administration in Pyongyang by hobnobbing with North Korean leaders. Sadly, Trump did not gain anything more from the interaction than a vague commitment on the part of North Korea to work towards denuclearization.

K.A. Solaman,
Alappuzha, Kerala
(The Telegraph, Kolkata
18 June 2018)

How to compromise insult on womanhood?

Having created much hue and cry a  compromise has been reached in the case registered against MLA KB Ganesh Kumar for allegedly manhandling a youth and abusing his mother. Of late, the main function of Nair Pontiff at Perunna is to bring peace between assualting nairs as
compromise was reached in the talks held at the NSS headquarters. As a result both the parties decided to withdraw the cases.

Then the question is: what is the fate of  secret submission before magistrate by the mother of the youth whose womanhood was insulted by the imprudent MLA,  notorious with series of criminal cases? Are the magistrate and court system are toys to play for the criminal gangs?

K A Solaman

E-bus to Kerala

It is good to hear that the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) has  rolled out its first electric bus making Kerala the sixth Indian state to run the service. KSRTC will carry out a trial run for 15 days  out of which 8 days will be in Thiruvananthapuram and 7 days in Ernakulam, following which it will conduct services in Kochi and Kozhikode. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan  said that if the services are successful, they will roll out around 300 electric buses for service throughout the state.

However, people have genuine doubts about purchase of electric buses as each bus costs around 2.25 crore ruppees and total costs for 300 buses will be 675 crores. How is it  possible for the cash crunchy KSRTC to spend immediately this much amount? If it is a term loan, would it be possible for KSRTC to repay back loan timely? KSRTC is already in a debt trap and there is no proper repayment. The oil companies are always in war path with for non- payment of cost of fuel that they had supplied to KSRTC.

The insiders of KSRTC keep a view that the very reason for KSRTC loss-making is the uncontrolled purchase of spares such as window panes, tyres to small small buses (now none runs)  etc. which are still kept unused in various garages. The commission to higher-ups is the attraction for those thoughtless purchases.

Here in this case also the commission for  300 electric buses is not small and to whose packets it would go, is a significant question. The tailor-made gentleman MD of KSRTC, of course, knows about  the commission for bus purchase.

The labour unions including persioners are silent as they now get salary and pension regularly. Once this payment breaks they will start enquiring about the purchase of electric buses. So, it is better for union leaders to have look into  the new launch as it may sometimes affect the job security of them.

Is electric bus a mean to  the sustainable development concept of Kerala? Only time could say about it.

K A Solaman

Trump-Kim Summit

The summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un Is historic. It can be considered as a welcome development. It is hoped that resolution on denuclearisation of the Korean peninsula will bring peace across the globe.

With  Trump and Kim signing the comprehensive document seven decades of hostility between the two countries has become a past story. Nevertheless, why any other president of the last 30 odd years could not have met the dictator of North Korea, is a pertinent question. It is because they did not want to legitimise N Korea without concrete commitments to something beneficial. Trump has legitimised Kim, getting nothing in return, apart from a promise to work toward denuclearisation.

Further one has to look at the agreements Trump makes and breaks often. And in this respect there is no marked difference between Trump and Kim. However, next Nobel Prize for peace will go to Trump - Kim duo.

K A Solaman

Economic super power

It is stunning to hear that Indian coasts, including that in Kochi, are rich in natural gas reserves. The new discovery by American Geological Survey, would help India to meet its energy needs for another 300 years.

Kochi Coast, Krishna-Godavari basin and Cauvery basin were found with almost 130 million cubic feet hydrate gas accumulations. The survey also reports that one-third of this reserve was found on the Kochi Coast. It is believed to be the biggest Natural Gas Reserve till date.

In order to reap the reserve in full potential  India would work on with its own advanced technology and not on with the assistance of private companies as did in the past. India along with ONGC. GAIL, Oil India, Indian Oil Corporation could make wonders in this regard. The presently found hydrate gas reserve would make India an economic super power.

K A Solaman

End Postal strike.

The  India Post Payments Bank which started with much fanfare has ended in disaster. Those people who opened  accounts with IPPB have abandoned their accounts. As and when the postal strike ends the clients of IPPB will close their.accounts.

The Union government shows scant regards towards the ongoing strike by postal employees. The government takes no steps to resolve the crisis,
The pensioners are deeply concerned about a possible delay in getting their monthly pension through post offices on time owing to the ongoing strike. Those who had Post Office savings accounts are a worried lot as they were unable to withdraw cash. Many unemployed youth, who have been awaiting appointment orders from the State Public Service Commission by registered post, are disappointed. The readers of various publications are denied their legitimate rights by the postal strike. The attitude of the Postal Department and the concerned ministry that they are least bothered about the strike, is condemnable, The government should take initiative to settle the issue immediately.

K A Solaman

To combat honour killings

Time has come  for Kerala police to open a special wing to combat crimes relating love affairs and thereby to prevent honour killings.

When killing over a love marriage is sparking controversy now in Kerala, another couple in love approached the police seeking protection from death threat raised by the girl’s family. A Pathanamthitta man and a Kannur  woman reached the Thrikkakkara police station with a complaint against the girl’s family.

The lovers alleged that the girl’s relatives forcefully possessed her documents of identity proof to stop her from getting married with her lover. Her family also threatened the duo with political influence. They also filed a complaint in the women’s cell. In this case too the man in love story is at the receiving end.

Kerala is a densely populated state. The present estimated population is 3.73 crores of which about one crore people are in between age 15 -30. As the present media culture encourages everyone for free love, chances of love related crimes are high. So it is high time for Kerala  police to avert shame of the sort met in Gandhinagar police station in Kottayam.

K A Solaman

Huge loss.

The demise of Indian theoretical physicist E. C. George Sudarshan is a huge loss to the entire scientific community. His contributions to the field of theoretical physics have no parallelism. He has even augmented certain ideas like  maximum possible speedof Albert Einstein. His concept of tachyons contradicts the maximum possible velocity of light in free space.

He was nominated for Nobel Prize nine times. His contributions include optical coherence, Quantum zero effect, Sudarshan-Glauber representation, V-A theory and others.He was honoured with numerous awards like ICTP Dirac Medal, Padma Vibhushan, Padma Bhushan, Majorana Prize, TWAS Prize, C. V. Raman Award among other awards

For people of Kerala Dr. Sudarshan is particularly a person of pride as he hails from Kottayam.  He was recently in Thiruvananthapuram for a talk on physics. He is inspiring for all students and teachers pursuing in the field quartm field theory.

K A Solaman

Last action hero again

The Iast action hero of KSRTC Tomin J Thachankary is again in headlines with his latest tirade to save the corporation. He asks the government to  declare the corporation as essential service and for an all-party meeting to ensure that it is exempted from hartals.

The history tells that the success of all hartals depends on the attack of corporation buses and the subsequent blockade of all vehicles. In that case no political party is going to listen Thachankary. Moreover, what is the fun in operating KSRTC services on hartal day when all are in holiday mood at home in front of TV with drink and snack.

K A Solaman

Compulsory Malayalam in schools

The Kerala  government drafting rules of the law that makes Malayalam a compulsory subject in all schools in the state from classes 1 to 10, is praiseworthy.. The law directs all schools including CBSE, ICSE, other central syllabus schools,  to make Malayalam a mandatory subject in curriculum.

As and when the law is put in practice, there should be measures to post Malayalam qualified teachers. All and sundry taking Malayalam classes would  turn class rooms into channel shows where manglish is the accepted language.

Formation of Malayalam language law and its implementation are good but it should not become a tool to punish CBSE/ISC schools. It is now the policy of LDF government to put hurdles before CBSE/ISC schools by givirg higher grades for SSLC and Plus 2. Awarding more marks and thereby enabling students to get admission to professional courses should  not be the policy of the government. The people do not know whether the present impetus towardട govt/aided schools last long as after every 5 years the rulers will change and policies differ.

K A Solaman

State expenditure curb

Job seekers of Kerala have a tough time ahead as expenditure curbs have been announced as part of the fiscal consolidation efforts of the State government.

According to a government order, new posts will be created only after conducting a work study and all departments exploring redeployment options. This will take time and it means those who are in PSC rank list can go ahead with protest meets or can visit temple- church-mosque to offer prayer for changing the mindset of atheist ministers. It all goes with the whims and fancies of Finance Minister Thomas Isaac. When Isaac says there is cash, there is it and when says no, there is no cash. And there is no other source to know the actual financial state of the government.

However, the government will go with extravaganza such as spending crores for cyber warriors for promoting govt programmes, hiking salary of ministers and MLAs, buying Crysta cars for ministers, keeping intact the otherwise useless Youth Commission, organising public meets for celebrating anniversary of the govt. etc.

K A Solaman

Needed uniform approach

The protection of identity of rape victims is considered to be a requirement under criminal law. Section 228 A of the IPC prohibits the publication of the identity of rape victims. The prohibition under the section has been worded to prohibit the publication of not only victims’ names but also any matter which could make victims’ identities known. Those who violate the publication prohibition under section 228A, IPC, are liable to be punished with imprisonment for up to two years and are be liable to be fined.

This law has been seemingly protected in the case of Nirbhaya of Delhi and the fifteen year old victim of Jing  district of Haryana. However in the cases of Jisha and 8 year old Katuva girl, this has been outrightly violated. When print media stood with the law by not publishing  photo of victim the social media took a different stand bringing huge damage to victim's family and the country.

Perhaps the publication of the photo may be due to the reason that  victim is dead or a minor. But the way of approach to different cases are different. In some cases identity was disclosed and in some others not. Don't we need a uniform approach in rape and murder cases to prevent social victimisation or ostracism of the victim of a sexual offence and her family?

Be tough towards brute doctors

The government doctors in Kerala are an independable lot. They have no concern about poor patients in the state. They work for their benefit and also for the benefit of private hospitals.

The indefinite strike called by doctors in government hospitals is unwarranted. Their protest against increase in OP timings at family health centres in connection with Ardram Mission, is objectionable. Will the sky fall if they sit   one hour more at OP time during duty hours?

The strike which, most of the public was unaware of, is cruel. It led great difficulty to many. The government should take stern action against this brute force who are in frequent play with poor man's life.

K A Solaman

Dalit hartal damage

Dalit sponsored hartal has become a success by the overreaction of the government, KSRTC,  private bus owners and the traders. All these initially coming against the hartal urged dalits to make it a success.

Traffic was disrupted widely across the state as part of the hartal. KSRTC, private bus owners and the traders stepped back from their earlier promise to boycot the hartal.  Dalit organization activists laid siege to road at many places. Violence was reported from some places in the southern districts of Kerala. The hartal supporters  blocked  the KSRTC, private buses ard bikers making immense hardships to even applicants  writing PSC examination.

"Do nothing against hartal" is the ever accepted policy of the government. A marked deviaton during dalit hartal, therefore,  brought huge damage to the state.
K A Solaman

Profesor needs treatment

The Kerala  state government  decision  to initiate legal action against  Botany professor Rajith Kumar who often makes derogatory remarks against womanhood, is in the right direction. Who permitted him to speak all these rubbish in public?

Earlier, at Women's College, Thiruvanankapuram he had made disparaging remarks against girls wearing jeans that they were likely to damage their womb in doing so. The girls pooh-poohed him and walked out in protest. Now he says women wearing jeans and shirts will give birth to transgenders. As transgenders are treated with equal status with men and women Rajith Kumar's remarks is a direct insult to not only women but also transgenders. His say that children of parents who are not of good character turn out to be autistic and suffer from cerebral palsy, is also deprecating.

In fact Rajith  has been propagating superstition and making anti-women remarks continuously. This misinformed  botany professor urgently needs medical treatment for his mental imbalance.

K A Solaman

Fuel price hike!

The price of one litre diesel touching an all-time high of Rs. 70.08 is stunning. The price of diesel and petrol rises day by day. This would sky rocket the price of essential commodities.

In the last four years oil rates have come down in the international market. But the Indian consumer is untouched by the relief. Who is to be blamed for it? The answer involves our complicated taxation system, the governments– both Centre and states – heavy dependence  on fuel as a source of revenue.

The governments should take measures to reduce tax on fuels. The oil marketing companies should be brought under scanner and pricing of fuel should be monitored. It is the prime duty of the goverments  to check the sudden spurt in the price of essential commodities that may happen from fuel price rise.

K A Solaman

Anna exercise

Every time he meets, his doctor suggests a slimming exercise. This time also doctor suggested the  same. That is why noted.social activist Anna Hazare is set to go on an indefinite hunger strike against the central government. It is  nearly seven years after his futile anti-corruption movement he goes for a hunger strike.

His first hunger strike was in 2011 against Manmohan Singh demanding the setting up a Lokpal to investigate corruption in public life.This time the target is Narendra Modi. Presumaely nothing of the serious sort will happen, instead Arna will lose a few kilos and beome physically fit. The prime minister Narendra Modi will go on his own path as Manmohan did seven years back.

K A Solaman

Hand over it to PSC

It is interestirg to hear about the allegation of fraud against the corporate educational agency of the Ernakulam-Aangamaly Archdiocese over the appointment of teachers for Plus Two classes. The allegation is that people who gave bribe were appointed without considering candidates with academic excellence. The complainant was one Ambili Joy, who is a member of the Diocese

Presumably the complainant lives in Utopia where there is no such fraud. In fact, in Kerala, all appointments under Christian, SN, NSS and Muslim managements are done for a price. The one who gives more money gets appointed. Educational qualifications often matters little, Of course, there are certain managements making appointment without demanding any donation

The interview board constituted for school- college.appointment is often a laughing stock.  The government nominee in the interview board is a scarecrow iñterested in the hospitality of the management. Most often  almost all  appointments are done by making the government guidelines a farce. What is needed immediately is recruitment by PSC in those institutions where salary is drawn from state exchequer.

K A Solaman

Playing wrong note by Kerala BJP

It is a wrong note played by Kerala BJP  by  inviting the most corrupt politician K M Mani to the NDA fold. All the tirade enacted  by BJP against Mani in bar bribery issue has turned into a laughing stock by  Kummanam Rajasekharan's statement welcoming KM Mani to the NDA.

More stunning is BJP national executive committee member V Muraleedharan's revelation that there is nothing wrong in seeking the votes of even robbers, murderers and corrupt people during elections. Does he mean that after winning election he may stand for the demands of robbers and murderers? With such a low level utterance BJP leader has stooped to the level of other party politicians.

In Kerala, some BJP leaders have now landed in dreamland. Unless they identify people's sentiments their boat would be always in Tirunakkara.

K A Solaman

Dastardly act

Dastardly act getting Good Mother award

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is the largest animal rights organization in the world, with more than 6.5 million members and supporters.

PETA focuses its attention on the four areas in which the largest numbers of animals suffer most intensely for the longest periods of time: in the food industry, in the clothing trade, in laboratories, and in the entertainment industry. PETA  also work on a variety of other issues, including the cruel killing of rodents, birds, and other animals . And in no case human is treated as animal under the jurisdiction of PETA

In that case Good Mother Award 2018 constituted by PETA India to Grihalakshrimi Magazine, is interesting. 
PETA India honoured Grihalakshmi with the award for highlighting the importance of breast milk to infant’s health. An edition of Grihalakshmi featured breastfeeding campaign with the tagline ‘Mothers tell Kerala, don’t stare, we need to breastfeed’.

But, in fact the magazine drew flak for tarnishing the mother- child relation by 
showing an unmarried  woman without any motherly affection  breastfeeding a child by fully exposing her breast, There was a sarcasm that the child in the event drew only air instead of breast milk. The act was more of an animal and   that may be the reason for PETA award. Actually this animal award should be given not to the magazine but to the woman by name Gilu Joseph for her in human.act.

Dastardly act getting Good Mother award is surprising

K A Solaman

Safe play by Principal

Principal's job, especially in government colleges in Kerala, is a risky one. This is mainly because of students union might in these institutions. The incidents of principal's burial ground at Govt. Victoria College, Palakkad and burning of  Principal's chair at Maharaja's college, Ernakulam, are indications. In this backdrop the principal of University College, Thiruvananthapuram had played wisely during Attukal pongala

The initial denial of permission by principal to conduct ‘pongala’ on the college campus due to the pressure from SFI activists and later letting the devotees to perform the ritual there on the campus, was a safe play by the principal. Had not she obeyed the dictat of students union, university college would have witnessed another burial ground for principal.

Countless women seen sitting comfortably in the college campus and offering  pongala despite ban, is an eye-opener to students union leaders and their god fathers.

K A Solaman

On negative publicity .

The Supreme Court staying all criminal actions against Malayalam actress Priya Prakash Varrier, who shot to fame following her 'wink song' from the film "Oru Addar Love", is welcome. The controversy surfaced in this direction should subside soon. However. it is everyone's wish to know the veracity of the complants originated from Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra.

Present day is the day of negative publicity and a publicity of the sort would be profitable to both the song and the film. In all possibility it is  director Omar Lulu's aquaintances may be behind the issue as complaints have been originated from states where people do not know Malayalam.

It is, therefore, good if the Apex court so decides to enquire about the whereabouts of the complainants and their relation with Omar Lulu before  disposing the case finally. No third rate film producer should be permitted to create unnecessary  turbulance in society with nasty products

K A Solaman

PNB fraud.

No one noticing the fraud until the loss targets to 1.8 billion dollar equivalent to Rs 11500 crore from a branch of Punjab National Bank in Mumbai, is surprising. The incident shows our banking system is so fragile that anyone could siphon away bank's money very easily and cunningly.

Because of huge non-performig assets  Indian banking system is already in trouble. Those ordinary investors who put their money in Indian bank stocks are now sitting with crossed fingers for the folly they committed. With this latest fraud bank stocks have nose-dived  and investors lost several thousand crores. Though the matter is now under the enquiry of  law enforcement agencies the investors are doubtful of getting back  the money.

If this is the fraud in a single bank branch the quantum of forgery in all the bank branches in India is beyond one's imagination. Investors, hereafter, instead investing in banks and bank stocks, keep their money under their pillow. Unscrupulous are the banking authorities in India.

K A Solaman

Impression matters

Impression matters

The Union budget for the financial year 2018-19 is uninspiring as it does not address the problem of unemployment. Also, planning a budget becomes meaningful only when the previous year's proposals have been met. However, the latest budget speech hardly made any reference to the projects that were announced in the earlier years. Arun Jaitley's budget promises are nothing but mere rhetoric.

The government had pledged to create one crore jobs every year but has repeatedly failed to reach the target. Further, setting the limit for cash donations to political parties from one source at Rs 2,000 is a meaningless gesture. Jaitley has not reduced the tax rates for individuals, he also made no provisions to arrest the rise in fuel and commodity prices.

K.A. Solaman,
Alappuzha, Kerala
The Telegraph, Calcutta, Feb 8, 2018

Diverting attention.

Lauding China has become a habit of Kerala Marxist leaders. Days after CPM state Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan’s pro-China remarks, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has also come out with statement praising China  This is undoubtedly antinational and these politicians are trying to divert attention of people from Kodiyeri son's financial fraud.

Pinarayi notes China has made long strides in economic sector and has contributed 30 percent to the global economic growth. Does it mean that this achievement is the result of China practising 'hate exercise' of Kerala Marxist leaders ? In China, Communism is only a term to market their practical capitalism. Their economic growth is mainly from Indian markets. If Govt of India so decides to stop the sale of Chineese products here in India  their economy will suddenly collapse.

Being Indian citizens, Pinarayi and company speaking in favour of China and against India, is ridiculous. It is simply an act intended to divert the attention of common people from burning issues.

K A Solaman

Contorted argument

.
Kerala Government  finding that toddy is
is a very mild alcoholic beverage, full of vitamins and used in traditional dishes, is interesting. This may be true if toddy sold is pure, but in fact, toddy sold by Abkaris in Kerala is diazepam disolved in water, which is injurious to health. Diazepam produces a calming effect and causes memory loss. And what are the traditional dishes used with toddy is unknown to most people in Kerala.

No doubt even pure toddy is a liquor
and shops selling toddy sould be included in the nationwide ban on sale of alcohol within 500 metres of national and state highways. The apex court bench judges deciding on this issue could seek the opinion of Kerala counterparts about toddy damages. Even though a few shops have been closed on highway side a good number has been opened a little away from there and they do good business. Hence toddy shops on  highway sides is not necessary.

Moreover,  there is no difference in the street dancing pattern of toddy boozers and foreign liquor boozers

K A Solaman

Balram's tirade.

Thrithala MLA VT Balram's comment on late communist leader AK Gopalan has triggered controversy. CPM cadres ransacked MLA office and demanded condemnation of the statement by the MLA. Neveretheless,  two aspects remain significant on Balram's comment.

Firstly, for quite long it was CPM cadres' habit to make derogatory remarks in tune with that of Balram, against Gandhiji, Nehru and others. With Balram's statement against AKG this sort of mudslinging will come to an end. Secondly, it has become an advantage for Pinarayi Government as the attention of the general public has been  diverted from Ochki disaster and even Bonakkad lathi-charge.

And more interesting  is: while finding
derogation in Balaram's comment, how Congress leaders like K Muraleedharan and Shanimal Usman of the Congress could not find fault with minister M M Mani who often makes more vulgur comments.

K A Solaman

Closure of Peace School

Chief Minister ordering the closure of the Peace International School in Ernakulam which has been under scanner for objectionable syllabus, is in the right direction. Not only Ernakulam one, all the ten schools operated by Peace Foundation else where in the state should also be shut down.

The complaint against the school was their syllabus encourages Islamic extremist ideology. How can a school run promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, and language? It is a wonder that the school did not follow textbooks of NCERT, CBSE or SCERT.

And in this backdrop,  the syllabus and day activity of all schools run by religious establishments should be monitored and action should be taken against those compelling all students to participate in religious functions organised by them.

K A Solaman

NMC bill & IMA brute force

Make care of patients is the first concern of a doctor. But for Kerala IMA doctors it is the last concern. The medical bandh announced by Indian Medical Association in protest against the National Medical Commission Bill, had affected the functioning of many government and private hospitals in the state. Patients, especially poor ones, were seen running pillar to post to get  attended by a doctor. Some doctors even prevented others from attending patients showing scant regard to
Hippocratic Oath.

Medical education and profession  is a million ruppee business where doctors could not imagine a small erosion in their high income. Their fear about National Medical Commission Bill arises in this light.

The doctors  should not be allowed to continue exploiting patients. The allopathy medical students hunger strike or IMA doctors one day bandh is not a big issue when thousands of nurses  strike elsewhere in the state for the last few months. Let doctors,who have scant regards to UNA struggle, to go with their strike.

The Health Minister J P Nadda should proceed with the NMC Bill to put an end to the arrogance of IMA brute force.

K A Solaman

Hassan's revelation

Let bygones be bygones- forget and forgive the past, is a much acclaimed motto. But for KPCC President M M Hassan, it is not that much acceptable. In an abrupt revelation he said Congress leader A K Antony had strongly opposed the party’s move to remove then Chief Minister K Karunakaran from the post over the ISRO spy case. He said Karunakaran should have been given an opportunity to complete his term and he regrets having stood against Karunakaran.

May be, the very reason for Hassan to come against Oommen Chandy, who stood strongly against Karunakaran then, is the present tie-up of Karunakaran's son Muraleedharan with Chandy. A foul play of the sort would save his presidentship in the State Congress, Hassan thinks.

K A Solaman

Parting shot

The Supreme Court's directive to establish courts in all states and Union territories to assess and collect compensation for damage caused to public property during hartals is welcome. Court verdicts on hartals are often overlooked. If rules for the prevention of damage to public property were strictly enforced, victims could directly claim compensation from the culprits.

K.A. Solaman,
Alappuzha, Kerala
The Telegraph, Calcutta
Dec 20, 2017

Corrupt country, corrupt people

Former telecom minister A Raja and DMK MP Kanimozhi are now happy. They  were  acquitted by a special court in the 2G spectrum scam case. Not only they, fifteen other accused in the case and three companies were also acquitted.

2G scam came to light almost seven years ago when India's auditing agency Comptroller and Auditor General  in a report held then Telecom Minister A Raja responsible for causing the state exchequer a loss of  Rs. 176000 crore  by allocating 2G spectrum licenses at throwaway prices. But,  the court found that the prosecution failed to prove the charges. Then, who is responsible for this huge loss?  If none is found guilty it  is the fate of India to remain as one of the most corrupt countries in the world where criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery, abusing official position, and criminal misconduct have enough space to flourish.

K A Solaman

Snake eating its tail

DGP Jacob Thomas was once.a hero for many with his public appearance as a crusader against all sorts of corruption. His first and foremost target was to end corruption among IAS babus. But all his attempts have backfired. It is now the turn for Jacob Thomas to face enquiry against corruption. Chief Minister has issued direction to register a criminal case against him.

Thomas has erred by writing his autobiography without obtaining prior approval from the government. The enquiry, therefore, comes as a two sided. weapon, first as a police enquiry and second as a departmental action. Thomas' book 'Sravukalku Oppam Neenthumpol'  (Swimming with the Sharks) containing. serious violation of discipline and service rules, has become costly to himself.

It is interesting  to see that rule violation by Thomas would result in two years imprisonment or fine or both. A snake eating its own tail is what happening among Kerala bureaucrats.

K A Solaman

Right decision

The senior CPI leader K E Ismail was playing an Achuthanandan  of CPM with his discordant comment in connection with the CPI Ministers’ cabinet meet boycott over Thomas Chandy issue. Seemingly  Ismail’s’ public statement was a gross violation of party discipline.

Everyone knows KE Ismail was a candidate for a kill against Kanam Rajendran in the secretary election but he was outrightly rejected by the party. In the Thomas Chandy episode CPI got an added advantage and hence Ismail's  statement went on the wrong foot. So, in this connection CPI decision to take action against Ismail is in the right direction.

K A Salaman

Needed social audit

The Kerala government decision to introduce ten percent reservation for the economically backward among forward communities in appointments to Devaswom boards, is an impringement in the constitutional rights of the minority communities. This is seemingly a conspicuous attempt to take over reservation in other departments too. In this context SNDP. KPMS, KLCA and other organisations of backward  communities should come forward to fight against the wrong policy of the  government.

What doesthe Constitution of India  guarantee is caste-based and not economic reservation. As social justice is still in peril it is unjust on the part of LDF government not to consider
backwardness of dalit communities.
Economic reservation is against the constitutional provisions of reservation and hence  before making any decision in this direction government should conduct a social audit.

K A Solaman

Last minute drill

The connecting links against Dileep in the actor abduction case available with the police is apparently fragile. That is why the police failed to submit the charge sheet before the court till date.The Special Investigation Team is in a desperate bid to collect more evidence. The police team making last minute  interrogation of  actor Dileep reads in this direction. The police may be of notion that Dileep himself will hand over to them a sealed cover containing all the evidences against him.

Seemingly, summoning Dileep to the Police Club and watching his old numbers is a pastime for the police. The interrogation drill will continue.

K A Solaman

Unfortunate act by IMA

The Indian Medical Association (IMA) had the history  of supporting nurses and they had earlier demanded private hospital managements and the State government to revise the pay and service conditions of nurses. Nevertheless, when it comes to striking nurses of Cherthala KVM hospital they are deadly against nurses. The reason is obvious. The manager of the hospital is a doctor who is a member of IMA. As the member doctor is the prime accused in nurses strike IMA has no option other than to support the doctor. Instead of asking the
management to ensure  the pay of the nursing staff and their working hours  as per government stipulation they took an obnoxious stand.

The IMA that stood always for the provisions of the Minimum Wages Act in hospitals coming against Cherthala KVM nurses, is unfortunate. 
K A Solaman

Highly judicious

The Kerala High Court, once again reiterating its ban on political strikes in educational institutions, has given direct warning to all and sundry who openly criticise its initial order. The court has categorically said it is not about banning students politics but about strikes inside  the campus. However, misinterpreting this,even national leaders  find it as a golden opportunity to openly criticise the court.

It is true that educational institutions are for studies. Several students through participation in politics start indiscipline in colleges. Most of the students for these activities are rusticated from educational interests. Many politicians are dragging the students in hartals and  strikes for their interests, which in turn spoil students lives. In that point the present court observation is highly judicious.

K A Solaman

Denouncing Taj Mahal!

Rewriting history is not all good for BJP or any other political party. BJP leader Sangeet Som saying that Taj Mahal is a "blot" on Indian culture is a misquote. In fact, the Taj Mahal was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983 for being the jewel of Muslim art in India and one of the universally admired masterpieces of the world's heritage.  Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore has described it as "the tear-drop on the cheek of time".  It is regarded by many as the best example of Mughal Architecture and a symbol of India's rich history.  It now presently values 5280 crore rupees ard  attracts 7–8 million visitors a year. In 2007, it was declared a winner of the New 7 Wonders.

In that case  Uttar Pradesh government removing the Taj Mahal from the list of attractions in its tourism booklet, is idiotic. Many people are disappointed because of Taj Mahal is being removed from the UP tourism booklet. BJP MLA Som  has no right to distort history. Those that fail to learn from history, are doomed to utter non-sense

K A Solaman

Sea cleaning mission

The sea cleaning mission ‘Suchithwa Sagaram’  launched by Minister Mercykutty Amma is a novel gesture. The waste plastic collection started  at Neendakara and Sakthikulangara regions extending to Kochi, Alappuzha, Kozhikode coasts, is also welcome.

The waste plastic  could be crushed and used  for road construction and for that an immediate co-ordination between various departments is needed. The mission gives awareness to fishermen to do away with the practice of throwing plastic kits to the sea. The boat owners getting 2000 sacks to collect the waste from sea is an added attraction.

And if this mission is extended to land also more and more people will come forward to collect plastic wastes. Carry bags, milk packets and sacks are available in plenty at school-college compounds, markets, worship places, festival sites, and road sides. If they get a reasonable price also for plastic waste more people will collect and sell it.

K A Solaman

War of words crossing limit

BJP led 'Jana Raksha Yatra’ is a desperate bid by the party to fish out in troubled waters In the state. BJP Chief Amit Shah, who was once barred by the Supreme Court from entering his own state, is now seemingly tries to make trouble in the communal- political frame work of the state. With BJP yatra the peaceful political atmosphere has been disrupted. There are reports of  clash between warring groups from all parts of the state.

More disgustig is the provocative outbursts of certain party leaders opposing BJP. CPM state secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said Amit Shah was scared to walk through Pinarayi. Is Pinarayi town a hell unsuitable to walk for a national leader with Z-plus security? For BJP leaders Shah is a lion and for opponents he is a lion without teeth.

The war of words between BJP leaders and their detractors crossed all limits.

K A Solaman

Prakash Raj agenda

Of late TN cine actors are playing petty politics. Latest entry in this direction is popular actor Prakash Raj. To win accolades he takes on Prime Minister Modi. Prakash Raj had criticised Modi’s silence on those  celebrating the killing of journalist Gauri Lankesh.

Now it is time for all and sundry actors to target PM Modi. There are no lesser leaders for them to hurl abuses. Actor Raj has shown his political immaturity with his statement. The actors with poor personal life are incapable to attract the faith of ordinary people.

Raj can continue acting in films but he is not able to do anything good in politics.

K A Solaman

Stenchy gesture

Tourism Minister Alphons Kannanthanam taking Prime Minister Narendra Modi's call for 'Swachhta hi Seva' is a good gesture but he wiping  paan and gutkha stained walls with bare hands is a very poor show.   Handling filth with bare hands  invites  the risk of certain contageous diseseas. In addition, it gives wrong notion to students taking part in Swachchata hi-Seva. To remove stain, filth and waste one has to invariably use brush, gloves and shovel.

Keep India clean slogan is a laudable one and should be welcomed. However, the gimmicks like cleaning filth with bare hands and minister's staff putting filth in advance enabling him to clear it with bare hands, are intolerable. If minister Kannanthanam  wants to see real filth, keep open his eyes while occassionally passing through NH 66 in Kerala. The entire road-side is piled up.with waste by vendors. In Kerala fish vendors have abandoned fish market for quite long and assembled on highways making the entire reach filthy and stenchy

K A Solaman

Solar Scam Report

The Solar Comission report regarding the solar scam was handed over to the Chief Minister. This detailed report was welcomed by former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and prime accused Saritha S  Nair. Hopefully, this report will 
meet the same fate of oblivion like the previous ones in the history of Kerala.

The Commission told, the Chief Minister would reveal the details of the report. This will unlikely to happen. As the Vengara poll is in the offing, the CM may reveal some silly stuff from the report and not anything serious. Oommen Chandy is a clever man and if Pinarayi dares to reveal anything serious against, Chandy will open his suitcase to verify photos, CDs, pen drives and what else, to keep mouth of his adversaries shut.

Certain media publishing the photo footage of Oommen chandy and Saritha S Nair with equal importance is highly interesting.

K A Solaman

Kannanthanam funny

A London returned preist while addressing local people in Alappuzha coastal area once said: The children of London are beautiful like red apple and not like these wormy children sitting here. The trouble then started was amicably settled by an immediate apology by the priest.

Likewise Union Minister Alphons Kannanthanam speaks non-sense in Odisha and corrects  in Kerala saying it was a joke cracked by him there. Kannanthanam said that his comments made in Odisha on beef was meant to be funny and not meant to be on record. According to him when good beef is available in foreign countries, there is no need for them to come here and eat the meat of lean animals.

This is an outright insult to Indian cattle especially cow because a major chunk of beef to foregn countries are exported from India. It is a major attraction for foreigners to eat good beef while India than cold storaged poor quality beef available in their country.

The main complaint of Kannanthanam is that there is none in Kerala to enjoy good humour. This is true as there is no takers for his joke in the tune; even when there is hike in petrol prices, the cost of commodities are not going up here!

K A Solaman

Craze for MBBS course

Most of our parents still believe that  only medical courses have status.Even learned people are mis-guided and fall into the trap of MBBS/BDS courses. They feel that their children will ensure a prosperous future if they enter a medical college. They are ready to spend several lakhs to make their children doctors. This belief has led to a prolific increase in the number of self-financed, self-styled  professional colleges. Most of the self financing medical colleges provide sub-standard education and produce under-qualified doctors. What the parents fail to realize is that unless their wards have a real aptitude for the MBBS course they can never become successful doctors. Even bright students find it difficult complete the course succesfully.

The society also needs other professionals like teachers, journalists, artists, dancers, actors, singers and chef others. A job of a chef in a five ster hotel earning Rs 3 lakh per month is not of low profile. Some of the doctors  have given up their profession to become artists, film actors, playback singers etc. This proves that not only they did not have the aptitude to become doctors but they have also prevented the ones with the real aptitude for the profession. It time for our parents to think more logically and sensibily their wards are not tortured.

K A Solaman

Antony speak

The Kerala Govt.plan to implement  hydro-power project at ecologically sensitive Athirappilly in Thrissur district is aimed at ecological disaster. This decision is an insult to the Mother Nature and a U-turn from the previous stance of the LDF. In this context, after many years of hibernation on Kerala matters, Congress leader A.K. Antony coming against the Athirappilly hydel project is praiseworthy. The CPM-led State government is now keen to implement it.

The implementation of the project on the downstreams of Chalakudy river would convert that area into a dumpyard of construction materials which would severly affect fauna and flora. It is well researched and reported that a new dam spending  several crores of rupees is no longer feasible to Kerala. Hence, the present plan  to book some quick bucks by politicians and bureaucrats will not be permitted by the peope of Kerala at any cost.

The reason for both LDF and UDF standing for the dam when in power and speak against it when out of power is curious.

K A Solaman

Card drill will continue

Issue of Aadhaar card or PAN card has become a child's play now. As one knows, Aadhaar is a 12-digit biometrics based identity number issued by the UIDAI. It has been now reported that
around 81 lakh Aadhaar numbers have been deactivated by the UIDAI or Unique Identification Authority of India, according to Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology. This means out of the 115 crore Aadhaars issued, 81 lakh of people possess  invalid Aadhaar numbers.  All they have to reappear before Aadhaar issuing offices to get new one. This creates loss of 81lakh working days as one day is needed to finish Aadhaar application formalities. Money loss for travel and food is extra. Like wise is the case of PAN cards. Several lakhs of PAN cards also have been deactivated,

Then, who is responsible for this sort descrepancy? Is our government mechanism is so poor fo execute a work meticulously?

In Kerala, people are in queue for quite long to get Ration cards without mistake. After Ration card,  it is another turn for them to get foolproof Aadhaar card.  Seemingly the drill will continue.

K A Solaman

Control them

Immigrant worker Murugan’s death following denial of treatment by various hospitals in Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram  indicates how greedy and unscrupulous are these hospital managements. The incident is a shame to the state. Action should be taken against these hospital managements for dereliction of service.

And in this regard Kerala Clinical Establishments (Registration and Regulation) bill stipulating hospitals  to put up boards displaying the service fee and medical package expenses, is a welcome move. At present most of the hospitals charge exorbitantly for their service. Hospitals refusing to admit accident cases and unwilling to reduce their treatment expenses should not be permitted to function.

K A Solaman

Respect one's mother tongue

Kerala C M Pinarayi Vijayan in an NDTV interview said the BJP and RSS were isolated in the state with no support from the people. May be it right or wrong my point is the poor performance of Pinarayi in English before the interviewer.

Knowing English is not a big issue as even beggers of US and Britain speak it fluently. Since our mother tongue is Malayalam, majority of us are not good at English. This is evident from the  performance  of Kerala MPs like P K Sreemathi, K C Venugopal or M B Rajesh in the Parliament.

Many of the world leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese Premier Xi Jinping and others prefer their mother tongue to English when they communicate with world leaders. Why can't our state leaders prefer Malayalam for interview instead of sitting as a laughing stock before Oxford trained channel interviewers? If one gives due respect to his mother tongue then there arises no question of humiliation for not knowing English.

K A Solaman

Politically motived case?

The arrest of an MLA for sexual assualt case, is first of its  kind in Kerala. However, the case smacks of conspiracy as woman's sister came in favour of Vincent MLA. Of late, sexual abuse complaints are rampant in the state and very often the woman who enjoyed the company of the man for long time, turns hostile for a reason and then registers a police complaint. As our law favours woman the end loser is man. Presumably in Vincent's case also this might had happened.

Taken advantage of the situation all ruling front MLAs came against Vincent and Opposition MLAs opted to keep mum. If Vincent's case is not amicably solved more cases would surface and more MLAs would be indicted. Politically
motivated sexual abuse cases could be targeted not only to opposition MLAs but also to ruling legislators.

K A Solaman

Fever pitch

According to reports, the fever death toll in Kerala has now crossed 200. Most of these deaths are H1N1- and dengue-related. The lack of cleanliness and sanitation is often a fundamental cause of such illnesses. The Kerala health department has not yet come up with a unique way to tackle the situation. Every day, press releases are issued cautioning doctors and health officers, but there seems to be no improvement. The streets in various parts of the state are lined with the waste discarded by fish vendors and hoteliers. All this filth, mixed with stagnant water, leads to the breeding of mosquitoes, which spread deadly diseases.

The panchayat and municipal authorities do not seem to be bothered about mobilizing field staff to keep the streets clean. Instead, they wish to instal CCTVs to identify and fine polluters. Clearly the installation of CCTVs is a more profitable business for the authorities than cleaning up the streets. No proper mosquito eradication method has been adopted so far. The State should ensure that the people are equipped to deal with fever. They should be given basic medicines and made aware of ways to keep mosquitoes at bay.
K A Solaman
The Telegraph, Calculta
July 4, 2017

Who is the suppressed?

The opposition nominee for the President's post, Meira Kumar saying that she and her party must fight for the most suppressed, is interesting. What does she mean by 'suppressed' ? If she fingers at the plight of the community she belongs, does it mean that her rival candidate Kovind of the ruling front, belong to upper class? She and her father Jagjivan Ram were in the helm of affairs of the country for many years, still fate of the oppressed remains the same.

Meira Kumar saying that here is no tolerance and there is so much fear,  is not pooh- poohed by sensible people because they are tolerant to a person destined for defeat. More interesting
is, arch-rivals of Congress party in Kerala, the CPM and its Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan supporting Meira Kumar.

K A Solaman

Fever deaths

Fever deaths  in Kerala continue unabated. Often it is lack of cleaniness and sanitation that leads patients to Iose their lives. The Kerala Health Department has not come up with a unique way to tackle the dreaded situation. Every day, minister issues press releases cautioning doctors and health officers but none is seen cared of. The streets are continuously polluted with fish vendors and hoteliers augumenting mosquito growth.

The panchayat and municipal authorities  are least bothered of mobilising field staff to keep street clean. Instead they are interested in installing CCTVs to identify and fine polluters. CCTV installation  is a more profitable business for authorities than mobilising sweepers and scavengers. No proper mosquito eradiction method is adopted.
People should be better equipped to deal with fever spread by giving them basic medicine and awareness on mosquito eradication.

K A Solaman

Kerala new liquor policy

Kerala Govt's new liquor policy is aimed to convert the state into a place of drunkards. Last year, when Pinarayi governement sworn in power they had announced " We are opening schools closed by UDF and not bars." The implication then was they would never open closed bars.

Just after one year they started to act in the inverse. Now they say bar opening is a pragmatic step that may help boost its revenue and retrieve lost ground in the tourism sector. Is tourism in such a depolarable state to get money by  selling liquors? Do we need money by  selling toddy to foreign visitors ?

When the entire woman folk is against  selling liquor in the state why the government sticks to open new bars? The govt. raising the legal drinking age from 21 to 23 is ridiculous. Who cares about age at beverage corporation  outlets where even a school boy gets litres of liquor without age proof? The more ridiculous is the claim of govt that it does not favour prohibition and would rather emphasise on voluntary abstinence. Govt apprehension that if liquor availability is inadequate it would lead to a spike in drug abuse, is a cooked up story.
If proposed one  is the well- thought  liquor policy then in future the place of Pinarayi govt will be in the dust-bin of Kerala history.

K A Solaman

Lavish marriage

The marriage of daughter of CPI MLA Geeta Gopi invites one's attention to   the resolution taken two years back, by the Keraia Women Commission(KWC). The Commission then enlightened every one  to shun lavish marriages. According to the Commission fulsome marriages which had become a status symbol in Kerala had left many families to utter debt.

Bountiful marriages are common in many communities across the state emphasising the phrase,  ‘Fat  Kerala weddings’ – an affair costing several lakhs of rupees even among the middle class. On economic point money spent for ornaments, dresses etc would exceed rupees one crore. So the KWC directions to cut down unnecessary or showy expenditure is a welcome move and it is highly beneficial for middle and lower classes. But who cares? The persons who are bound to be role models are not ready to show that much wisdom.

K A Solaman

In Bad Taste

It is in bad taste that veteran CPM leader and former Chief Minister VS Achuthanandan had not been invited to the first anniversary celebrations of the Pinarayi Vijayan government. As the origin and existence of Pinarayi government solely depend on the hard effort of VS, it is ungrateful on the part of Pinarayi and company not to invite VS . VS's absence in the function tarred the significance of the function.

It is probably not the Opposition stance but the stand-off between Pinarayi company and VS sympathisers would   mark the doom of Pinarayi government.

K A Solaman

The New Indian Express

The New Indian Express

Uncaring act

Administrator  of a business establishment should be an apolitical person. However, in Indian Coffee House establishment the post is seemingly political. The act of present Administrator issuing orders banning the subscription of newspapers except CPM mouthpiece Deshabhimani, is a pointer in this direction. The order, which came into effect from May 1, says that Deshabhimani should be compulsorily subscribed in Indian Coffee House.

People visit Indian Coffee House not because of extra quality of food or of low cost but of the service rendered by the employees.Their smiling face and self content make that eating place healthier. Moreover, the display of news papers and periodicals at the entry was an added attraction and it persuades people to read. With Desabhimani alone, Indian Coffee House is unlikely to make any profit by selling periodicals. The administrator has ruined the pleasant atmosphere of Indian Coffee Houses by his uncaring act.

K A Solaman

Brahmins' friend

Minister Kadakampally Surendran has turned into a Brahmin friend by saying economic conditions is the need of the hour for reservation. Minister said: “Rich and poor can be found among people belonging to upper and lower castes. We want reservation for economically backward persons irrespective of their caste and religion. This is CPM’s stance.”
Reservation being a policy matter how can a minister say about reservation without any debate. Perhaps he is intended to woo the gathering at the  Sree Pushpaka Brahmana Seva Sangam meet.

It is wrong on the part of the  minister to say Brahmins are the victims of land reforms. In fact, Brahmins and upper class people are working in  the high level posts in public and private establishments. In banks, schools, colleges, universities, govt. departments, boards etc Ezhava, Muslims, Dalit Christians, SC/ST are a neglected lot and it was categorically established by Justice Narendran Commission Report. Before declaring unilaterally, Kadakampally and his party should make a social audit and try to understand the reality.

K A Solaman

Water-Elixir of Life

Water is the elixir of life. Without water life in all forms is impossible. Water scarcity affects every continent and around 2.8 billion people around the world are affected at least one month out of every year. More than 1.2 billion people lack access to clean drinking water.
Water, which is presumably a human birthright, is becoming dearer and its price is rising. The situation Is indeed grave. And it just mean it is up to us to make the change.

By educating those who are not dealing with water scarcity, they can be in a position to help. Those who are dealing with it can get educated on how they can prevent the problem from becoming even worse in the future.There are plenty of technologies out there that allow us to recycle water that we may be using in home.There are a lot of water conservation methods and we have to adhere to a few of them.

Farming and irrigation are often a huge culprit when it comes to water scarcity. Because of that, we need to improve practices so that we don’t use as much water. Clean drinking water starts with a good sewage system. Without proper sanitation, the water in an area becomes ridden with disease. By improving the sewage systems in these areas, we can prevent water scarcity from becoming any worse.There are organizations located all over the world that are looking to bring clean water to areas that don’t have it. By donating to these organizations we can help people suffering from water scarcity

K A Solaman

Drug abuse among teens

Drug pedlling is one of the major handicaps of Kerala cities especially of Kochi. The city police  arresting nine youths and three minors at Kochi is stunning. The  police has seized ganja and nitrozepam from teen -agerട. The reasons for rampant drug abuse are many.

Youngsters see their parents and friends use drugs, drink Iiquor and enjoy a lot. They need money for enjoyment. Drug traficking is an easy source of money for them. Movies and TV shows make drugs seem like a good habit for youngsters. The wrong  message to teens given by films like 'Angamali diary' or 'Premam' is no body's concern. Enthused by these films teens find drugs as the outlet for stress, frustration and extra energy. Teenagers turn to drug abuse because they see it as a short term short cut to happiness.

Since teenagers are ignorant of the dangers associated with drugs, a well equipped awareness campaign is needed  to save them from the clutches of drug abusers. A strict combing action is also needed to identity the hide-outs of drug pedllers.

K A Solaman

Path that sathram shows

Sathram is a newly found business in Kerala. Many people are involved in organising sathrams. The recently heard ones are Vachanamithra Sathram, Akhila Bharatha Bhagavatha Sathram, Ayyappaseva sathram and others. A huge amount of money is collected and spent for orgainsing sathrams. What are its outcome and utility? Does it improve our secular view?

Kerala state is known as God's own country because of the reason that it was supposedly created Lord Parasuram or that  there are innumerable  temples and gods in Kerala. Temple festivals are main rituals in each and every timple and people from all walks of life, irrespective of caste and creed, attend  it. On the other hand sathrams are restricted to members of certain community and hence the meaning of  secularism is not all  applicable,

The Sathram organisers' main focus is to collect as much amount as they  can. and hence ordinary people lose money and precious time. So it is important to have a control over sathrams, otherwise it would turn out as a crafty way to loot the  unwise by the wise.

Bhagavad Gita, as we know, is a source of light which is eternal. It teaches mankind to live in consonance with nature, society, nation and the world. It enlightens those who face any kind of dilemma and it always shows us correct path. Would the sathrams in the name of Bhagavadam, now enacted in Kerala, show the correct path? Unlikely.

K A Solaman

Between devil and sea

Seemingly some one in the Kerala cabinet has taken pledge not to reinstate   T P Senkumer back to the post of DGP as per  SC order. The state government move to the Supreme Court to seek clarity in the reinstatement order  is a pointer in this direction.

It also seems that advisors of Kerala CM, in this regard, have firm faith in routine delay of court proceedingട so that reinstatement could be prolonged until date of retirement. The open cry of minister G Sudhakaran tells the extend to which his party dislikes Senkumar.

Reasonably. the favourable order received by Senkumar will not go ashtray. The SC Judges who proclaimed the order are not that much misinformed  about the foul play of Pinarayi and company. If  all is not said and done immediately, the fate of Pinarayi  ministry will be in between devil and sea.

K A Solaman

Munnar land encroachment

The large-scale constructions by the encroachers  in ecologically fragile Munnar would create big disasters. While huge land encroachments at Munnar and nearby areas pave way for heated exchanges between officials and party encroachers, the state government has failed to support the officials.. One just officer, sub-collector Sriram Venkitaraman, who is determined to effect HC order to get back goverrment land, is abused by land grabbers. The police disobeying the orders of the sub- collector  is a grave deriliction of duty. They should face the music.

Government land has been grabbed in the villages of Munnar using fabricated documents by  party members and other bigwigs. A detailed report to the state government prepared by a former revenue commissioner points out that huge amounts of land are held by big encroachers from outside Idukki. When revenue officials try to check the validity of the land, the planters resist the move with the help of local party goons

The land encroachments should be evicted immediately and for this adequate police protection should be given to the officials.

K A Solaman

Syllabus hues

The spat between NCERT and SCERT over the latter revising textbooks in Kerala is unwarranted. Though the NCERT claims its syllabus is best and in tune with international standards, the syllabus is incomprehensible to most secondary and higher secondary students of Kerala.

The NCERT expert-compiled syllabus often reflects the level of experts and not students. NCERT textbooks need a revision based on the opinion of behavioural therapists before they are presented before students.

The readability of NCERT books is poor and hence teachers resort to other means to teach students. In Kerala, there has been a dilution in the standard of examinations and evaluation of answer scripts, but not in the State syllabus. Those who prepare degree or plus two syllabuses are unaware of the high school syllabus. In high schools higher science and maths topics are included, neglecting totally the need of teaching basic science and maths. The net result is that students are destined to study advanced level topics  without  knowing its basics.

KA Solaman  Alappuzha
The Hindu Business Line
April 1 2017

Needed scientific check

Kerala police still live in the stone age. If stones not available they will throw lathi. The  incident of police high-handedness on a biker who sustained serious injuries after being hit by a lathi thrown by a policeman during  vehicle inspection, proves this.

The police higher-ups should, therefore, give lessons to police men about the weapons they use. They need not be taught yoga, instead be given awareness in a manner that lathi is not for throw. The hapless boy Nisam is now under treatment at Medical College, Alappuzha.

The police should understand that bikers are not alone the offenders. If found guilty they can be punished for traffic offence and too in a more scientific way using radar and camera. There is no need on the part of police for spot collection of fine. There are many grave offenders like drug peddelers, ganja sellers, woman traffickers, blade operators and more. Focus on them and leave bikers for a scientific traffic check.
K A Solaman

Rose and the thorn

Kudos to Vaikom Vijayalakshmi for marking her name in the  book of world records by playing Gayathri Veena for five hours at a stretch. This is a great achievement for the singer and the people of Kerala. Her record emphasises the saying: "The rose and the thorn, and sorrow and gladness are linked together". She has every reason to forget the recent worries.

K A Solaman

Restrict glorification of criminals

Notriety is the present day impetus of youth. Since channels are springing behind all hard core criminals more youngsters resort to crime. Pulsar Suni abducted the actress, Pulsar molested actress, Pulsar  abandoned the phone, Pulsar questioned police, Pulsar taken to Coimbatore etc shouting in news channels prompt other youths to steal a JCB and  known as JCB man like Pulsar . When channels continue glorifying criminals it sends wrong message to innocent children. So it would be good on the part of news channels not to glorify criminals. Instead restrict such news as minimum. No sensible people need elaborate discussion about the wrongs of a criminal.

Political interference should also be avoided. Who convinced CM about no conspiracy behind the abduction, the actress or prominent actress's ex-husband? Fantastic enough!

K. A Solaman

Attack on actress

Unlike our youngsters think, everything is not fine with the tinsel world. There is vengence, deception, kidnapping, molestation and what else. But these stories were confined within in the four walls of cinema till date. Now it has come out in open. The abduction and molestation of noted Malayalam actress Bhavana is a case in this direction.

Attacks on women are rampant in the state and should be condemned. A very strong action against the culprits is required. The government will seriously consider the matter and take action against the criminals, it is hoped.

K A Solaman

Gladiator game in Kannur

Kannur is a battle field for brutal killing of political opponents. The CPM and the RSS are always fascinated at increasing their score. Occasionally the other parties too participate in the killing sport

The main reason for this rivalry is the provocative talks of  leaders of rival groups. So in order to end the violence the leaders should stop their hate speak and goverment should take criminal cases against those indulging in violence. The police force should be given a free hand to arrest the criminals.

The gladiatorial game of 'man killing man' in Kannur is a blot on Kerala psyche. It will take more time to end sadism in the minds of a few party men in Kannur. However, the all party peace meet headed by Kerala Chief Miniser will certainly reduce the tension. The peace talk should be continued at intervals in order to avoid replication of threats.

K A Solaman

Amma for all

Jaya memorial in Marina Beach is a place of solace and enlightenment for both corrupt and uncorrupt. As the Supreme Court refused to entertain Sasikala's plea seeking more time to surrender for undergoing jail term she straightaway went to Jaya memorial and took fuel for Bengaluru journey. The acting CM Paneer Selvam frequently meditates at the memorial and gets revelation for smooth rule ofTN. This and the other rather indicate god is worshipped by both the sinner and the innocent.

Whether the SC can be congratulated or not for issuing its bulky judgement which removed all the rumbles in the TN rule is a point to ponder. The trial court  imposition of  fine of Rs 100 crore now reduced to ten crore is a positive gesture for Sasikala and company.

K A Solaman

Ban Kerala Lottery

It is interesting to see that Kerala lottery tickets are set to get a number of security features akin to bank notes. This means  the government has no plan to ban all forms of lotteries including channel quiz based on SMS. Let the people contnue to beg and play spolidport,  that is the approach of the government towards fraud. Except a few differently abled people live by selling, lottery has no other good features to say. Instead it makes people lazy and tempts them to earn easy money .
For instance, on my way to Sunday church there is a small bridge and passerbys are only a few. On and near the bridge I could count five lottery vendors, two men, two women and  another person on a wheel chair. Except the one on the wheel chair all others are healthy and capable of doing manual work. But they will not. They need more money in an easy way. Selling lottery tickets is the easy way for them

The poor and uneducated people are the victims of lottery and that is why sale of  state lottery in Kerala is a big hit. Mobile users too lose money by sending SMS to on-line channel quiz.

Buying lottery tickets and liquor consumption are death traps for poor and ignorant people in Kerala and the Government that is bound to restrict it acts as s sponsor. Common man is falling prey to this social evil and is spending all hard earned money without caring children and the ailing old ones in the family. It is not campaigns and awareness programmes that are needed to check the danger but strict law enforcement. By no means  lotteries be allowed in the state. If a few people are not able to sustain without lottery, take measures to protect them in old age homes and shelters.

K A Solaman

Meditation in Marina Beach

Tamil Nadu politics entered into an unpredictable phase with caretaker Chief Minister O Panneerselvam demanding a judicial inquiry headed by a Supreme Court judge to probe into the death of his predecessor and AIADMK General Secretary J. Jayalalithaa. Obviously the target is V K Sasikala, the new incarnated general secretary of AIADMK and servant of Jayalalithaa.

It is true that not only the opposition party DMK but the people from all cross-sections of Tamil society smell foul in the hospitalisation and subsequent death of Jayalalithaa. Govt has responsibility to clear the doubts.

O.Panneerselvam's revolt against Sasikala has blocked her entry into Chief Minister's chair in St. George Fort. All of Sasikala's calculations spanning over for last few months have gone ashtray by half hour meditation by OPS in the Marina beach .

K A Solaman

Re-focus all party agitation

It was in 2015 the Centre had announced   that AIIMS would be established in Kerala. But  that hope has been shattered by the Union  Budget 2017. Finance Minister Jaitley's concern is about Jharkhand and Gujrat. As Centre did not make any announcement in this regard it is the time for an all party protest against Centre for AIIMS in Kerala. Instead, a nasty all party protest is going on in State's capital cornering a celebrity woman principal. All her crime was she tried to bring a little discipline in her college.
Running a college is a high risk job now  a days as twenty percent of students  are miscreants resorting to activities like streaking. Principal and teachers have little option to control these indisciplined and aggressive students. They could not  beat students and the only option is to use harsh words. The present  principal might have opted to this. And for this, hurling all the abuses on her by all party leaders and her students is unwarranted.

The slimmering exercise by K Muralidharan and others are intented to get media coverage. They should better  immediately focus their agitation for AIIMS instead of targeting a hapless woman.
K A Solaman

Dark days

Donald Trump has promised to make America great again. This lofty goal is difficult to achieve because it would require years of work and skillful diplomacy. Moreover, Trump is, perhaps, the most unpopular US president till date. The support he has from the Republican establishment is not enough to help him achieve his goals. One hopes that he manages to work through all the difficulties.

Trump has already signed an executive order to roll back the Affordable Care Act, better known as Obamacare. Most consider him ignorant and expect him to fail. But he has been known to defy expectations.
K.A. Solaman,
Alappuzha, Kerala
The Telegraph, Calcutta, Feb 1, 2017

Smart class rooms for learning ?

It is highly appreciable to see that the Government of Kerala is going to raise the quality of school class rooms on a par with international standards in learning. The international school students read and write English well and are able to do mathematics with ease.  But one of the recent surveys on school education in Kerala had revealed that many ot our school students are not able to write their names correctly and very weak in arithmetics.

The class rooms in developed countries are almost saturated with electronic gadgets and teacherട there now are dead against with further dumbing of e - waste into  class rooms. Learning this, gadget makers all over the world have, therefore, decided  to sell their products among  third world countries. The term 'smart class room' has thus become a synonym  for  transforming third world  schools into electronic waste dumbing yards. India is not an exception.

The electronic  white board (EWB) or power point presentation is not a substitute for age old teaching practice with  black board and chalk. Any hate speak against black board and chalk is a crafty way to destroy able teaching-learning process and thereby  to find markets for electronic gadgets produced by multinational companies. Abandoning black board is a technological   invasion, the net result of which is; inefficacy in teaching-learning process in our humble class rooms.

Many of our government hospitals are now dumbing yards of disinfuct CT scan machines , ultra sound scanners, computers, x-ray units and even ceiling fans just because poor maintenance. This sort of fate awaits our schools with smart class rooms.

K A Solaman

Lacklustre budget

This year's Union Budget lacks lusture as it has not addressed unemployment problem and farmers' woes. The PM Narendra Modi had promised of creating two crore jobs, but last year only about 1.5 lakh jobs were created. The farmers are desperate as their crop loss has not been compensated. Cash donation limit of Rs. 2000 to political parties is a meaningless gesture as most of the donations go out as unaccounted money.
However, reduction in tax rates for individuals is a welcome move.
K A Solaman

Trump' s priority

For techies from India, Silicon Valley is a safe haven and most of them in their short visit to home land speaks mouthfully about US. Nevertheless, President Donald Trump’s clash with Silicon Valley over immigration would make every thing worse.Trump administration has drafted an order aimed at overhauling the work-visa for companies that hire  employees from abroad.

If implemented, the reforms could shift the way American companies recruit work force. Indian companies in America such as Infosys, TCS, Wipro etc would have to  hire Americans first resulting  job loss for Indians in the US.  If Trump's plan is to protect the interest of American work force, Indian techies would have to either leave the country or do job with lesser wage. And in both count Trump's priority is detrimental to present workers and job seekers from India.

K A Solaman

The Super Principal

The Law Academy Law College, Trivandrum is in the news for the last few weeks where all party students and their leaders are in war path against the management. The main demand of agitators is the removal of the Principal Lakshmi Nair, who is described as the embodiment of all vices. The management is unwilling to remove her as she is also a part of the management. The agitation is unlikely to subside until Lakshmi Nair is removed from the post of principal.
So, as a wayout from the present tumult the management can think of replacing her temporarily but with all powers of a super principal. There are numerous private institutions in the state run with paper tigers as principals and management agents as super principals.    Lakshmi Nair could continue to take lead role even if she is renamed as Academy Administrator!

K A Solaman

Wrong Defence

Defending demonetisation Finance Minister Arun Jaitley puttingup that it would ensure better tax compliance,  may be right but it still remains as a nightmare for the poor secton  of the society. For instance look at the  plight of workers in the construction scenario. Since all works in the construction section had stopped because of darth of money almost all workers lost job. As the work has not been  resumed workers find it extreme difficulty to meet their both ends.
Demonetisation revenues are for the government and not for the common man. Tax evaders are still remaining as tax evaders as demonenetisation is only a skin treatment for a major disease.

To rescue people from present crisis the government should release more currencies and lift the upper limit of  withdrawal from bank account.

K A Solaman

SIC, a damp squib

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan saying that his government would not water down the Right to Information act, is highly welcome. However, for quite long it is the experience in Kerala that RTI is toothless.

In Kerala RTI petitions are not settled in the stipulated time frame. No fine is imposed on offenders of RTI Act. The commissioners are appointed on political basis and in most cases they take a partisan approach. Some cases are attended irrationally and some others set aside for silly reasons. Time frame, the most significant aspect of RTI, is often ignored. Since this and last governments are in a don' t care attitude many dissatisfied activists  abandoned RTI.

Unless some stern steps are taken by the government  to strengthen the State Information Commission it would turn out into a damp squib.

K A Solaman