Bogus votes in Kannur

It is a surprise to see the huge number of additions of names in the Kannur Assembly constituency in the updating process in just five months since the last Lok Sabha elections. The total number of new name additions in the list is 9,357 voters. Where were these voters at the time of last Lok Sabha election? The list seems to be rather controversial and would invoke several litigations after the election. So, it would be better for Election Commission to conduct voting based on the last Lok Sabha poll voters’ list about which the leading political parties have no conflict.

No doubt the rigging in the voters’ list is a new invention especially in the by-election. The Election should also take decision to put an end to namesakes of the prominent candidates contesting in the election.

K A Solaman

A fitting reply

The high turnout of voters in the recently-concluded Assembly election in Arunachal Pradesh is a befitting reply to China’s bogus claim on the State. The Government of India should use this opportunity to strengthen its case against China’s illegitimate claim and its audacity to object to the Prime Minister’s visit to the State.

K A Solaman

The Pioneer, New Delhi Dated 21 Oct 2009

Apt respond by Arunachal voters.

The just concluded Assembly elections in Arunachal went without much notice in the rest of India. The large-scale partaking of the electorate in the Assembly polls there is an apt respond to China's bogus claim on the state. The Government of India needs to be more diplomatic in dealing with the annoyance created by China. China has no right speak against Indian Prime Minister and other leaders visiting the state.

Arunachal Pradesh, the largest state in the North-East, is five times bigger than the Kashmir Valley. It is a very rich state with profuse natural resources and China’s eagle eye is on this reserve. Patriotism is embedded in the blood of every people of Arunachal Pradesh and there is no need to rekindle it. It is our effort to take action to make every person of Arunachal Pradesh to feel as Indian Citizen with valid identity proof. Lobbying within the country for China by some political outfits should be seriously viewed and checked.
K A Solaman

For ephemeral pecuniary benefits.

More and more people coming to sell lottery tickets and unemployed youths resorting to self immolation are indications of the present scenario of persistent unemployment in Kerala. The present LDF Government does little for creating fresh employment. The ludicrous pension unification scheme and the subsequent ban on employment made the fate of educated youths miserable. The youth organizations crying wide mouth for silly matters have no concern about the future of youths. On the other hand those employees in service make all gimmicks to lure the ministers and legislators for taking decision for enhancing their retirement age.

Many youths with high qualifications are working as commission agents of banks and financial institutions with little financial benefits. There is absolute insecurity in the minds these youngsters because of the callousness shown by the government in giving them jobs. Asking highly educated youngsters to plough field , and to do manual jobs like catching stray dogs for getting unemployment wage is a cruel joke. The Kerala Government should do something to provide jobs and thereby to remove frustration of youngsters. I really hope that the government should not introduce retirement age hike just for ephemeral pecuniary benefits of the State. Though the honorable H C endorsed the retirement age unification act of the Government it was a foul play for getting a short-lived fiscal advantage for the government

K A Solaman
PublishaLetter.com Oct 16,2009

Madani-not a party this time.

Just after six months the Parliament Election the CPM of Kerala found that Madani’s PDP is untouchable. It endorses V S Achuthanadan’s stance towards Madani’s party and at the same time disapproves Pinarayi Vijayan’s appearance with Madani on the stage of a Lok Sabha election convention at Malappuram. PDP is now destined to plays a hide and seek game. They oppose openly the CPI candidate at Alappuzha whereas there stance at Kannur and Ernakulam is doubtful. The CPM approach towards PDP indicates that there is no enduring policy in politics. It can change from time to time and that too with no reason.

K A Solaman

Who is responsible for Thekkadey boat tragedy?

The Thekkadey boat tragedy was worst in the history of Kerala. Along with lives of 44 people the state has lost crores of rupees as future revenue from tourism.
Evidently the reasons for the Thekkadey tragedy are the following.
1)The boat was faultily made with inferior plastic fibre and other items.
2) The boat was made with an inbuilt slant.
3)The boat was over-crowded.
4There were plastic chairs added on the boat in order to accommodate extra passengers.
5)The boat tilted on one side while turning and all those sitting on the chairs slid on one side, leading the boat to capsize.
6)The passengers were not given any life jackets.

The Department and the KTDC are equally responsible for the tragedy. Punishing boat driver and his assistant alone is a way to hoodwink the people. The Minister and KTDC Chairman should take responsibility and resign in order to avoid future recurrence such incidents.

K A Solaman

Personally public comment

Obviously RSP general secretary TJ Chandrachoodan is playing an Achuthanandan in his party whereas state secretary V P Ramakrishna Pillai, the Pinarayi.
Chandrachoodan said: “The Government here doesn’t know what is happening in the State, where people are afraid even to go out for morning walks”. His comment is observably true; however, Ramakrihana Pillai said in retort, “It is only a personal opinion of Chandrachoodan”. Is then Pillai’s statement a public opinion?

K A Solaman

Land of tragedies-The Pioneer

The Bhoothathankettu reservoir boat accident in February 2007, which claimed the lives of 18 school children and three teachers in Kerala, is still fresh in the minds of the people. According to media reports, makeshift boats carried the schoolchildren for sightseeing well past the permitted hours. A similar negligence was the cause of the tragedy at Thekkady Lake in Idukki district of Kerala. A complete disregard for rules was behind the death of 42 tourists at Thekkady Lake. If modern fibre boats are unfit for use on water bodies like this lake, they should have not been allowed for use in the first place. It proves that there is no proper regulatory body for ensuring the safety of tourists. To avoid recurrence of such tragedies in future, boating in all reservoirs in the State should be banned.

K A Solaman
The Pioneer, New Delhi, 3 Oct 2009

Cost of the experiment

Modern fibre boats are light. They are unfit for service on water bodies like Thekkadi Lake. The Government of Kerala experimented and arrived at this result. The cost of the experiment is the life of 42 innocent people!

K A Solaman

Shocking boat tragedy

It is not too late to forget the shocking boat accident in Feb 2007 which took place near Thattekadu at Bhootathankettu reservoir, killing about 22 persons, most of them school children. The people of the state then had left with no words to console the heartbroken parents. Reports of that accident specifed that the boat was overcrowded and was well past sight-seeing hours.

Though the government of Kerala brought in strict time schedule for sight seeing it was ignored at Thekkadi. The time of accident was the same as that of Thattekadu tragedy and it marred effective rescue operations. The divers of the Indian Navy had to suspend the search operations because of darkness. In Thekkadi rules were not respected and rulers did not ensure that they were properly enforced and that was the reason for the death of 42 people. The KTDC chairman Cheriyan Philip owning up the moral responsibility for the tragedy is a gimmick of imitation. If modern fibre boats, which were light, were not fit for service on water bodies like Thekkady Lake, then who permitted fibre-boat service in Thekkadi lake?

To avoid recurrence of such tragedies in future boating in all reservoirs in the state should be banned. The Government should enquire the reason for not implementing commission recommendations relating accidents at Thattekkadu and Kumarkom?

K A Solaman

Punish corrupt cops

This refers to the report, “HC awards Rs 1 cr to five implicated in false murder case” (September 24). The Punjab and Haryana High Court has rightly ordered the release of five persons who were sentenced to life imprisonment after the Punjab Police falsely implicated them. Mr Nachhatar Singh and four others were jailed for over five years in a murder case of a man who is still alive.

The court’s verdict against the misdeeds of men in khaki should serve as a warning to all law enforcing agencies in the country. It is because of the corrupt practices of certain police personnel that real criminals escape. It is the need of the hour that those violating the law and subverting the criminal justice system through meticulous falsehood are severely punished.

KA Solaman

Alappuzha, Kerala, The Pioneer, New Delhi 29 Sept 2009

Wrong men in khaki.

To what extend the Indian police force go wrong is evident from The Punjab and Haryana High Court ordering the release of five persons who were sentenced to life imprisonment by the trial court after the Punjab Police falsely implicated them in the murder of a man who was actually alive. The court has directed the state government to pay them a compensation of Rs 1 crore (Rs 20 lakh each) within a month. The quantum of compensation announced by the court is unparalleled and an indication of the seriousness of the crime committed by the men in khaki.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court verdict is direct warning to all police in the country especially for those in Kerala. The duty of the police is to protect people and not to harm them. However the Kerala police have shown no improvement in their old style of hideous functioning.

This I say not because of the media bickering on Paul M George murder by notorious goons. The Kerala CM V S Achuthanandan himself has admitted that that the crimes in the state are on the rise despite all efforts. “Blade and real estate mafias are carrying out criminal activities in the state. Crime against women is also taking place. Robberies remain uncontrolled. Several incidents of cyber crimes are also being reported in the state,’’ said the Chief Minister. The police could not achieve cooperation of the people. He also admitted that a small section in the police force is doing damage to the entire force by indulging in malpractices.

It is true that the thoughtless action of certain police functionaries help criminal to escape safely. So it is a need of the hour not to spare the police violating the law and subverting the criminal justice system through “meticulous falsehood”. Criminal police men deserve no leniency. It is only through stern punishment that the image of the police will improve. The Punjab and Haryana High Court ordering against the wrong doing of men in khaki is an eye opener to all law enforcing agencies in the country.

K A Solaman

Deemed fake universities.

The UGC direction to 130 deemed-to-be-universities not to call themselves as universities is in the right track. Many deemed universities in the country without required infrastructure conduct sub-standard courses and award university degrees. This is a direct assault on those meritorious students who earn degrees after an intense work. The syllabus of deemed universities often seems rather good, nevertheless, they are taught by unqualified persons and examinations conducted very liberally. Not only that, the NAAC accreditation to these universities also should be controlled as the NAAC inspection often concentrates in peripheral matters such as vitrified tiles in class rooms and toilets. The academic matters are often discarded and no opinion is sought from retired persons who have a lot to say about the actual standards of these universities and colleges. It is to be stated that students gain academically little from posh educational institutions.

There should be a noticeable distinction in a university set up under an Act of Parliament or State legislature and deemed university set up under the University Grants Commission Act, 1956.

K A Solaman

A profitable move-The pioneer

JD(S) leader MP Veerendrakumar’s statement that his splinter party is allying with the UDF due to lack of democracy in the LDF is logical. For the CPI in Kerala, which had once stoutly opposed Mr Pinarayi Vijayan’s methods of controlling the Left Front, flaying Mr Veerendrakumar for his decision is nothing out of the ordinary. It was the CPI that had earlier openly accused the CPI(Marxists) of making the LDF undemocratic. It had flayed the Marxists then as well.

Nevertheless, one thing Mr Veerendrakumar need not worry about is seat-sharing as his splinter party is likely to win a sure number of seats in the next Assembly election when the LDF tumbles.

KA Solaman
The Pioneer, New Delhi, 25 Sept 2009

Satellite launch-The Hindu

India’s space scientists had many reasons to celebrate after their ocean satellite was successfully placed in orbit. The fishermen too can celebrate for better catch and profit as the Oceansat-2 starts to streak across the sky. It is a blessing indeed that the satellite is equipped with an eight-band Ocean Colour Monitor that can accurately forecast the movement of fish and help increase the catch. There is, however, one apprehension: won’t it destroy the breeding of fish if greedy fishermen rush in and take away big catch from places where fish are in abundance?

K.A. Solaman,
The Hindu, 25 Sept 2009

Death of despair

Unemployment drove a Kerala youth to commit suicide in the city of Hyderabad on Seventeenth September. The ill fated youth was Jeetu Krishnan, 24 from Kochi in Kerala. He was working for an insurance firm in Kochi. After losing his job two months ago, Jeetu went to Hyderabad in search of employment about 40 days ago. Despite several attempts, Jeetu could not secure a job in the city. He hanged himself to death

This is not an isolated case. The wrong policies of the State Government of Kerala swayed this youth to end his life. The minister who extended retirement period disguisedly for unification of retirement age and all other cabinet members supported him are equally responsible for such deaths. No vacancy has been filled after the unification of the retirement age. This is out rightly against the initial promise by the minister about recruitment at the entry level.

Interestingly an open deliberation has been started in Kerala for enhancing retirement age to 60. The Finance Minister has put his word in favor of age hike before media for discussion. He is in the look out for opinions from opposition members too. Initially when he negates the hike in age there would be demand from various corners and a decision could be taken later as he wish.

I wonder about the fate of all unemployed youths now associated with leading youth organization like DYFI, Youth Congress and the Yuva Morcha. Do they have any concern about the future of the youths with them? If yes, they should respond harshly against the wrong policies of the Kerala Ministry. The youths should be provided opportunity to get job with in the state. They should not be pushed away to other states to hang themselves out of sheer despair.

K A Solaman

Minister with silver spoon

The minister of state for external affairs Shashi Tharoor of the Congress is unfit to the post as he ridiculed the top leaders of the Congress by his comment "Absolutely, in cattle class out of solidarity with all our holy cows." His was replying to the question "Tell us minister, next time you travel to Kerala, will it be cattle class?"

Such a comment is highly unacceptable as majority poor section of the people in his constituency would not tolerate this. What this minister is going to do for the poor people in his constituency? Were his walk and talk with the people during election campaign bogus? Disciplinary action should be taken with this minister with a silver spoon in mouth.

When the government has launched an austerity drive against the backdrop of drought in different parts of the country and rising prices of essential commodities it is the responsibility of a minister to join hand. He disclosure that he stayed at the Hotel Taj Mahal on Man Singh Road with his own expense should be probed. India needs no such free service from born VIPs.

K A Solaman

Killer’s S-knife

My name starts with the letter ‘S’ and I keep a special interest in this letter. I remember my school days when I wrote the letter S in name artistically in my school note books and examination papers and it was a subject of curiosity for many of my friends. One of my teachers once told me seeing the letter S in my name: “it requires King Solomon’s wisdom to judge the beauty of the letter S in your name”. I was much thrilled.

Nevertheless, of late, I have developed revulsion towards the letter S after reading the exciting case of the murder of Paul M George Muthoot with a specially made S-knife. The Kerala police and some thick- skinned politicians have turned God’s own country into a devil’s paradise with story of S-knife. The blacksmith who made the S-shaped knife for CI one Mr Thomas or his aide is the present target of investigation. The blacksmith is an acute state of despair and fear. The interesting aspect is the order for knife was given to blacksmith after Inspector General of Police Vincen M Paul had told the media that an S-shaped weapon had been used to kill Paul. The blacksmith also told the media that the police had taken away the knife the next morning. The police had also recovered the knife from the house of one accused Kaari Sathish. Precisely, the S-knife has embarrassed not only the Home Minister Kodiyeri Balakrishnan and the entire police force it also annoyed me. Moreover, CPM State secretary Pinarayi Vijayan had given political colour to the case saying that it is RSS who uses S-knife for murder. He even gave an expert description of the use of S-knife. The reason for my recent repugnance to letter S is thus obvious.

As part of the investigation a high level team led by DGP Jacob Punnoos is seeking details about the revelation made by the blacksmith that the ‘S’ shaped knife recovered from accused Kari Sathish’s house, was made as per the instruction of circle inspector Thomas. Thus, the S-knife is the real villain in the Paul murder case. The police investigation may likely to be extended to Ratan Tata who owns the prestigious Tata Steel Company that makes quality steel for quality products like S-knife.

K A Solaman

Second sex

According to a recent survey, Delhi had a positive sex ratio (1,004 girls born for every 1,000 boys) in 2008 for the first time ever. This is a welcome change from the usual reports of female foeticide in India. However, gender-biased abortion is still a big problem in this country. Social evils such as the dowry system have led to the popular perception of a girl child being a burden. Despite sex-determination tests being banned in India, corrupt doctors and clinics allowing such tests under cover have made the situation worse.

To rid society of such awful practices, people’s awareness should be raised, especially among the underdeveloped sections. In this context, the Kerala government’s intention to reserve 50 per cent seats in the local administration sets a good precedent for fighting prejudice towards women. Now that India has several women in key administrative positions, including the president and the Lok Sabha Speaker, perhaps public attitude towards girl children will change in the coming years.


K.A. Solaman, Alappuzha, Kerala
The Telegraph, Calcutta, Aug 30, 2009

Mercy- the woman of noble thoughts.

That was an unfulfilled desire for Vayalar Ravi and his beloved wife Mercy to walk once again in the corridors of Maharaja’s college, Ernakulam, where their love affair was first budded. Mercy is no more. She has departed from her much-loved husband. Seemingly the tale of their aspirations reminds us once again that it is still the God disposes every thing.

No matter what be the untold stories Ravi and Mercy are manifestly good example of inter-caste married couples. Each respected the religion of the other. Ravi was never an impediment to Mercy to follow her faith and Mercy too like wise. Mecry was a good writer too and her columns in a leading Malayalam daily were much alluring for all people especially for the fairer lot. Kerala has lost a good politician and a woman of noble thoughts.

K A Solaman