Anna exercise

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

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

K A Solaman

Hand over it to PSC

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

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

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

K A Solaman

Playing wrong note by Kerala BJP

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

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

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

K A Solaman

Dastardly act

Dastardly act getting Good Mother award

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

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

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

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

Dastardly act getting Good Mother award is surprising

K A Solaman

Safe play by Principal

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

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

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

K A Solaman

On negative publicity .

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

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

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

K A Solaman

PNB fraud.

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

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

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

K A Solaman

Impression matters

Impression matters

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

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

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

Diverting attention.

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

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

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

K A Solaman

Contorted argument

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

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

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

K A Solaman

Balram's tirade.

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

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

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

K A Solaman

Closure of Peace School

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

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

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

K A Solaman

NMC bill & IMA brute force

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

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

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

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

K A Solaman

Hassan's revelation

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

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

K A Solaman

Parting shot

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

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

Corrupt country, corrupt people

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

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

K A Solaman

Snake eating its tail

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

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

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

K A Solaman

Right decision

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

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

K A Salaman

Needed social audit

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

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

K A Solaman

Last minute drill

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

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

K A Solaman