Adminstration of contaminated oral polio vaccine to children in Maharashtra, Telengana and Uttar Pradesh, is a serious lapse. The makers and distributors of this vaccine should be punished. Along with there must be surveillance to trace any aftereffect due to the use of this vaccine among children.
It is a pity that in many countries disease kills people and its medicine kills more.
K A Solaman
Sabarimala, the hill abode of Lord Ayyappa, is one of the most important pilgrim centres in the country. It is the most famous and prominent Ayyappa shrine. At Sabarimala Lord Ayyappa is worshipped as a Brahmachari.
Devotees are expected to observe a mandatory fast of 41 days, beginning on the first day of Malayalam month Vrishchikam, from mid-November. The fasting highlights the significance of abstinence and austerity. Every devotee visiting Sabarimala temple shall wear a garland made of Tulsi or Rudraksha. Rituals start with the wearing of garland. A devotee who has visited Sabarimala more than 18 times, called as Guruswamy, will give the mala after performing a pooja. The devotee is then called as Swami or Ayyappa.
A swami should take bath twice a day.
As the Lord is considered as a brahmchari, it is a must that devotees visiting him should observe celibacy.
The devotee should subside hunger and control food intake during the period.
An Ayyapa is expected to speak the truth and commit no sin during the 41 day period. He must be fully devoted to Lord. Swamis usually wear black, saffron or dark blue dress and will walk barefoot.
Then, the significant questions are :
Who will be the guruswami among women to perform pooja before giving mala to devotee?
Since male devotee is known as Ayyappa, what will be name of woman devotee?
Is the name brahmachari applicable to woman devotee?
Presumably, these and other practical difficulties may not have considered by SC before pronouncing the present verdict.
Seemingly the Left government of Kerala has not placed these issues before the court and that resulted an adverse judgement which strongly affect believers' sentiments. It is, therefore, imperative for the Devaswom Board or State government to file a review petition with the SC for reconsideration of the verdict on Sabarimala.
It is to be remembered that strength of
most people lies in their faith
K A Solaman
"Thou shalt not commit adultery" is one of the Ten Commandments in Christian belief. Adultery is sexual relations in which at least one participant is married to someone else. Sexual relations are designed to unify husband and wife and it is a source of enjoyment and to result in children. This commandment puts a firm basis for all happy familiy relationship in all civilised groups across the globe.
Now, in India five-judge Constitution bench of the Supreme Court unanimously ruled to scrap Section 497, which deals with adultery, of the Indian Penal Code. Calling the law archaic and saying that it violates Articles 14 and 21 of the Indian Constitution the justices said adultery couldnot be a criminal offence.
In fact the verdict gives license to married couples for adulterous relationships and hence sanctity of marriage ends up in peril. As men are the most offenders in such cases the making of Section 497 gender neutral is, out and out, an anti women decision.
K A Solaman
The nun, who now lives Kottayam, called Jalandhar bishop a rapist and in return the bishop accused her of unholy relation with a man. The nun alleges
she was assaulted after summoning her on the pretext of discussing an important issue in 2014 and raped her 13 times since then. Bishop, on the other hard rejected the allegations, calling them a conspiracy against the church. Nun called Bishop Mulakal a predator and alleged at least 20 nuns were forced to leave the congregation due to his sexual advances. The sisters who are in support of nun went on public strike.
On seeing this all become judges and went to support sisters leaving scant regards to the words of Bishop. Is it right, is a big question before us?
The alleged incident took place 4 years back and it is quite natural that the probe will take its own time. Then who are these people like actor Reema, her husband, Joy Mathew and other activists to denounce the bishop and ask the police to arrest Bishop. These people need publicity and hence hijack all sensational events for their gain. Their act as self proclaimed judge, is condemnable
The police submission that there are contradictions in the statements of the victim, witnesses and the bishop should be taken into account by the activists before they leap.
All should be for truth, no matter who, nun or bishop tells it. All should be for justice, no matter who it is for or against.
K A Solaman
The Monday six-six hartal, called by the ruling LDF and opposition UDF to protest against the rising fuel price, was a big hit. With this the new Kerala mission has been completed successfully as the state is fit to give up one day Income by abandoning all work. Shops and commercial establishments remained closed and vehicles kept off roads. Attendance in offices and educational institutions was not a matter for all would get salary of hartal day without doing any work.
No major untoward incidents was reported except one at Pattanamthitta where State Women Commission member Shahida Kamal was assualted by a few hartal thugs. This congress turned comrade was excepting this for quite long and hartal day was the best opportunity for it. More interesting is: leaders of both fronts making it clear that flood relief works in the state had not been affected due to hartal. The implication is, they were happy with bottles and snacks at home. Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee President and known hartal hater M M Hassan, urging the party workers to hold the strike without disrupting normal life and relief works, is very interesting.
How long the ordinary people Kerala do suffer from hartals, is a peritinent question. Any man can make mistakes, but only idiots persist in their errors.
K A Solaman
The fuel price rise is alarming. It is increasing day by day. In Kerala, petrol price is Rs 83.30 per litre in Thiruvananthapuram and diesel price is
Rs77.18. If this trend continues price of all essential commodities shoot up. Once the price of commodities has gone high it will never come back.
However, the Congress party called Bharat bandh on September 10 will do nothing against fuel price hikie. Instead it will paralyse the normal life of poor people, especially daily wage owners. All nationwide shutdowns affect not the rich but the poor.
K A Solaman
CPI leader Binoy Viswam approaching the Supreme Court against the Centre’s stand of refusing to accept foreign aid for rebuilding flood-hit Kerala, is ridiculous. Accepting or refusing foreign aid is a policy matter and any amendament regarding this should be discussed in the Parliament. Instead of placing it before the Parliament for discussion, Viswom personally approaching SC is a futile exercise to show that he has done something for the flood victims of Kerala.
The Kerala Government has not yet estimated the property loss in the flood. The govt. doesn't know the exact number of victims staying in rescue shelters. However, the Centre has drafted an aid in tune with Rs 22000 cr and Viswom's interest should be in getting implemented the package. The state government should be asked to present inmediately the exact loss suffered by the state. Whether the country needs or not theforeign aid, is question to be resolved by the Indian Parliament.
All the MPs individually approaching the Court questioning policy matters is a poor practice.
K A Solaman
People have started to return to their homes from relief camps. Water at many of the flood hit places are highly contaminated. There are chances for spread of diseases like cholera, jaundice etc.
Kerala Health Department has issued warning against the spread of jaundice in the wake of cases being reported from several parts. The diseases spread mainly through contaminated water and food. The debris and waste materials after the flood pose a big threat.
So medical teams including doctors, health inspectors and nurses should be deputed by Health Department to help people. Private hospitals also owe responsibility to address the needs of those flood-hit people.
The Military, Navy and the fearless warriors of fishermen community have saved thousands from downing and it is now the turn of medical fraternity to avert further causualities.
K A Solaman
In a fine gesture Prime Minister Narendra Modi has appreciated Kerala for fighting against the flood havoc. He complimented the state authorities for their efforts in the adverse condition. NDRF, BSF and RAF are deployed to fight the devastation in the state, stated PM.
Along with, the timely help of people of other areas of Kerala should also be admired. The fishermen of Kerala coastal belt rescued more than 4000 people with their fishing boats.
The financial loss incurred by harvest loss, cattle loss and loss of property is huge. The financial assistance in tune with Rs 760 crore issued by Centre is inadequate. More central fund is immediately needed for bringing flood affected people to normal life. The PM may take quick decision in this regard, it is hoped.
K A Solaman
Heavy rains and floods hit normal lives in Kerala. Death toll has crossed 160. The military, police force and many voluntary organizations are rendering possible help.
Even fishermen from coastal belt have gone to Chengannur, Pathanamthitta etc. with their boats to help the flood-hit people. The telecom companies including BSNL, Jio, Airtel, Vodafone and Idea have assured to provide free call and data services to the people.
Interestingly, the service of Vodafone and Idea are not available in many parts of Kerala. This is, of course, a sort of cheating by these phone providers. Free service is no service for them. The government must look into the matter.
Arother important point is, the police should be vigilant about thieves in flood affected areas. As most of the houses are abanded by people, thieves will target these places. If not surveilled by police valuable materials would disappear when people return to their homes. It is unwise to think all are good people.
K A Solaman
Political leadership in 2011 had hard-pressed common people of Kerala for a protest on the issue of Mullapperiyar dam. But then CM of TN Purachi Thalavi Jayalalithaa ignored all agitations about the death-defying state of Mullapperiyar dam. The scientists of Roorki IIT along with Kerala Congress leader P J Joseph were dead against maintaining the dam. Joseph was sleepless over the imminent extinction of 30 lakhs of people in nearby districts. Nevertheless, as known to all, even after seven years of agitation the dam is wonderfully intact. The solution then accepted was to keep the water level in the dam as low as possible, that is less than 140 feet.
Now, water level in the Mullaperiyar dam has reached 142 feet. The water level continues to rise due to heavy rain in the catchment areas. The 13 spillway shutters have been opened to let out the excess water.
But, thanks to media, none is seen panic about the possible breakdown of the dam. The implication is: consternation is often created by certain unscrupulous politicians assisted by media.
K A Solaman
The Madras High Court has taken a wise decision by allowing the burial of DMK chief M Karunanidhi on the Marina Beach. Karunanidhi could rest in peace on the noted Marina beach alongside his mentor and former chief minister C N Annadurai.
However, the big handicap in choosing Marina beach is, it is near the memorial of former chief minister Jayalalithaa, his bete noire all the time. And when commemoration days come there is all the possibility of one's followers to deface the memorial of other unless there is police protection. Graveyards gaining reputation is the order of the day.
K A Solaman
The leakage of security documents of President Ram Nath Kovind’s visit to Kerala, is a serious lapse. The 208-page document titled ‘Secret’ prepared by the police is spread through WhatsApp. The police saying that the document has been provided to all officers on duty and it poses no threat to security, is laughable.
The security document should be intact in the hands of those officers in charge. When it is available to WhatsApp groups its privacy is lost. The incident invokes an investigation because leaking of security documents of the President is a serious offence. Posting it in WhatsApp groups is a wrong action.
K A Solaman
The new-gen district collectors of Kerala are a little ahead in serving , guiding, motivating and advising youngsters. For instance , Thiruvananthapuram collector K Vasuki has asked the young people of Kerala to utilize their skills and efficiency for the preservation of nature instead of wasting precious time by simply making trolls on social media. Vasuki, of course, enjoys trolls.
Vasuki wrote: interest shown in trolling should be diverted to preservation of nature and requested the support of all trollers for protection of nature. However, the sad plight of trollers In Kerala is that most of them are grilled by police for trolling fish vendor college girl Hanan, the newly adopted daughter of the government, while thousands of other girls are desperately doing similar works to meet their both ends. As grilling of trollers has turned into an image building exercise for the government most of the trollers are in jail. Hence, they are not able to do anything in special to save the nature Ms Vasuki.
K A Solaman
The peoole of Kuttanad are under severe threat of heavy flood and relief operations are going on at its peak. The civil administration has done yeoman service to reduce the miseries caused by flood. Though CM, due to his busy schedule, could not visit the affected area his cabinet colleague and PWD minister G Sudhakaran is at Kuttanadu all the time giving necessary instructions to coordinate the relief work.
However, opposition parties took a different stand not to cooporate with the relief programmes. Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala even boycotted the meeting convened to review the flood-relief operations in Kuttanad. More interestingly, Congress leaders K.C. Venugopal and Kodikunnil Suresh, MPs, too abstained from the meeting. This is quite unfortunate.
Like the ruling political parties, the Opposition has also the responsibility' to lend a helpirg hand to people of flood-ravaged places. Instead of doing this the Opposition parties making political milage out of it, is rather ridiculous.
K A Solaman
National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data shows that missing cases of girls belonging to age around 18 is high. According to data, a large number of girls have gone missing from Kerala this year. The latest is one Shabeena (18) from Anchalummoodu, Kollam.
Like the word rape took a metamorphism as harassment the phrase 'girls running away' with boys has assumed the form 'girls missing'. While government takes all the measures to trace out the girls, none is bothered to find the reason why these girls are absconding.
Though teenage love affair is a reason for girl missing, married women are also found missing abandoning husband and children. If one closely examines the issue it could be evident that Malayalam channel serials play a vital role in misguiding people. The present day cinema is yet another reason but the damage made by social media network is the highest.
Let us be sincere to the cases of girl missing. It is not actually missing but the girls are abandoning their present phase of life dreaming a happy future, but it usually ends up in despair. While a thorough check is done on the contents of cinema and serials, better awareness campaigns in schools and colleges can reduce girl missing cases. Nevertheless, the problem with social media sites is still in anybody's guess.
K A Solaman
The Kerala police is on an arrest-spree. More and more persons are getting arrested in connection with the online defaming of one college girl called Hanan. Hanan was on alleged online abuse and social media trolls after it came to light that she was selling fish in college uniform at Thammanam, Kochi. Perhaps the arrest will continue until all the 3.5 crore of Keralites are arrested and put in jail. The number 3.5 crore comes here because Kerala has an estimated population of 3.5 crore on date.
The first arrested was one Shaik from Wynadu and it was widely publicized by media because Shaik is a High Court advocate. Advocates have still some rift with media channels. And for the same reason he was let free by the police. Still arrest continues as if the police has no good job to do.
It is true that there were fake messages against girl on social media because she and the news reporter of a daily created wrong notion in the minds of public. It is rather rare a woman fish vendor, even if a college student, appearing in class uniform. The distance of the Thodupuzha college, the cinema producer's tall claim etc prompted people to think in the negative. This resulted trolls and when the fact is revealed a good many have withdrawn their posts. But pretending as poormans' saviour the CM asked the police to arrest trollers. This is an indirect way to threaten those who put comments against the government too.
If the government has real intention to help the poor there are thousands of poor students but all they not go for fish vending. Identify them first and lend a helping hand instead of runnig after channel publicity.
If government needs the police to do some meaningful work, stop them to take the screen shots and ask them to arrest robbers, rapists, drug pedallers, smugglers, tax evaders, hoarders, killers and who else.
K A Solaman
The toll in rain-related incidents in Kerala has climbed to 39, with 11 more deaths being reported from various parts of the state yesterday. More than 90,000 persons have been shifted to relief camps. Total loss has been estimated to be a little above 10crore. Among the districts from where deaths have been reported are the worst-affected Alappuzha and Kottayam. It has become a nightmare for people living in low-lying areas, especially in Kottayam and Alappuzha districts, as the water level has not receded. Thanks to the Mullapperiyar dam for its regained strength due to mere rheotoric of politicians of Kerala and TN
Interestingly, the ministers of Kerala are not seen in the affected regions in co-ordinating the relief works. Having handed over all the responsibilities to new-gen collectors of districts the ministers are engaged in tour and sight seeing. Not to blame them, collectors are doing what they can including Facebook and Twitter writing. Nevertheless, the worst affected people like those in the coastal belt are not in the network of Facebook or Twitter. Their hardships are beyond any reckon.
K A Solaman
India inviting US President Donald Trump to be the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations next year, is a noble gesture . Trump accepts it or not, the invitation would give a major boost to ties between the two countries in areas of defence, security and trade.
It is better for our country to have association with US as a good number of Indians are working there. No other world country accommodates so much Indians as US does. And our politicians including those from Left politics prefer US for medical treatment to Russia or China.
Also, for India to seek waiver from US sanctions on import of oil from Iran, a bond is needed with US. Any border rift with Pakistan or China could be easily resolved with a stronger friendship between India and US.
K A Solaman
The brutal killing of SFI leader Abhimanyu of Maharajas college by activists of PFI and its student outfit Campus Front, is shocking. It is not the result of students' quarrel on fixing posters or writing on the campus walls. It is seemingly an organised killing to disturb peace in the state. The PFI was carrying out a Taliban model attack. The formidable presence of SFI in Maharajas campus is also a reason for ever escalating tension between rival groups.
Maharajas incident is an eye-opener to
CPM which has been fighting against right wing Hindu outfits for the last several years in association with Islamic fundamentalists like PFI. Soft approach by CPM towards the activities of PFI and its outfits in the state, has become costlier to them The LDF government should be more vigilant about the growing activities of jihadi outfits in college campuses and in the state.
K A Solaman
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
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)
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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?
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 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
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
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
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
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
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
.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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 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 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
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
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
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
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 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 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
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
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
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
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
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
