Kerala - Kochi Maradu wholesale market records good business
Staff Reporter
Vegetable auction to start in the market next month
KOCHI: The Agricultural Urban Wholesale Market at Maradu has recorded a business worth Rs.5.02 crores during the nine months since the market started functioning in June, 2005.
The Rs.14.09-crore worth market complex is showing good response in trade, according to District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish, who is also the chairman of the Maradu Market Authority. The trading volume is increasing considerably, he said.
The highest trade was conducted for cereals and pulses, with business worth Rs.1.32 crores being recorded for about 1,040 tonnes. Second came bananas, including different varieties, with around 975 tonnes of bananas worth Rs.1.27 crores being transacted. Around 1,510 tonnes of vegetables, worth Rs.1.12 crores had also been traded at the market.
Among other fruits including oranges, apples, sathukudy oranges and even kummattikka, the trade was around 195 tonnes worth Rs.47 lakhs. Transaction of about 187 tonnes of spices worth Rs.42 lakhs and 25 tonnes of oil seeds, including coconuts and sesame seeds, worth Rs.21 lakhs had taken place at the market. Tea and coffee recorded a business of Rs.14 lakhs. Around 55 tonnes of other food products, including rice powder and other packed food, worth Rs.7 lakhs were also sold at the market.
The market has the facility to handle 2,500 tonnes of agricultural produce. The vegetables usually arrive on Mondays and Fridays.
The auctioning of agricultural produce will start in the market from April. The agricultural produce from farmers in Ernakulam district as well as neighbouring districts of Kottayam and Alappuzha can be brought to the market for auction. Both the traders in the market as well as traders from outside can take part in the auction.
The auctioning had already started at the Agricultural Urban Wholesale Market at Vengeri in Kozhikode district and the Rural Wholesale Market at Bathery in Wayanad.
Though the Bangalore-based Safal Fruit and Vegetable Auction Market under the National Dairy Development Board had opened a centre at Maradu, it has not functioning for more than two weeks. The auction centre was remaining non-functional even though there was a good turn out of farmers in the two weeks it had functioned.
Cold storage facility
The market is yet to have a cold storage facility. A Rs.10-crore project has been submitted for setting up the cold storage, warehouse and packing house for exports. The market has the possibility of getting a subsidy of Rs.2.5 crores under the State Horticulture Mission, but discussions are still going on regarding that, according to officials.
A training programme on marketing for the traders and local farmers, under the macro management scheme of the market, will be held on Wednesday. (The Hindu - 15/03/06, Wednesday)
Kerala Demonstration with a difference
The Collectorate gate has seen any number of agitations. But a recent one attracted the attention of people because of the novelty of the means adopted by the agitators.
The potters, who were trying to air their woes, chose a unique method to press for their demands.
It was by no other means but by making pots.
The agitation, organised by the Velala Service Society, saw 12 potter's wheels spinning in front of the Collectorate.
The workers turned the wheels and churned out pots in minutes. Passers-by crowded around the agitators to witness the event.
The potters were raising various demands, including protection of their traditional vocation.
Renu Ramanath (The Hindu - 15/03/06, Wednesday)
Kerala - Kochi DIC(K) leaders join Congress
Staff Reporter
KOCHI: A group of Youth Congress (Indira) activists, including their State general secretary P.D. Martin, have decided to resign from the Democratic Indira Congress (Karunakaran) and join the Congress. Announcing the decision at a press conference here on Monday, Mr. Martin, who is also vice-chairman of Angamaly municipality, told presspersons that they were joining the Congress as it was a better proposition that supporting the United Democratic Front (UDF) from the outside. He alleged that the move to keep the DIC(K) as a constituent of the UDF was a ploy employed by K. Muraleedharan for making political advantage on a personal level. He said the deceptive tricks being played by the DIC(K) leadership could not be tolerated by party workers with any self-respect. A majority of the party workers and leaders are interested in joining the Congress.
Mr. Muraleedharn's declaration that the DIC(K) would field candidates in all 140 constituencies in the State was made with the aim of misleading the ordinary worker, Mr. Martin said. Mr. Muraleedharan who left the Congress complaining about lack of inner-party democracy is himself acting in an autocratic manner.
Mr. Martin said that the district secretaries including Maijo K. Augustine, P.R. Ragesh, P.P. Sebastian, Mohammed Anwar, Johnson Vallanat, Bijoy Kudiyirippil and about 60 block committee and constituency committee leaders had resigned from the DIC(K). (The Hindu - 14/03/06, Tuesday)
Kerala - Kochi UDF will return to power: Thomas
Staff Reporter
He confirms candidature in the elections to the Assembly
KOCHI: The United Democratic Front (UDF) will face the Assembly polls with the aim of setting a record by coming back to power for a second consecutive term, with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy at the helm, K.V. Thomas, MLA, said here on Monday.
Mr. Thomas, who was participating in a meet-the-press programme organised by the Ernakulam Press Club on Monday, said the UDF was ready to face the polls. The anti-incumbency factor would not affect its poll prospects. The plenary session of the Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee held here recently after a long break of 18 years had given the party workers added confidence.
Confirming his candidature in the Assembly elections, Mr. Thomas said that he would be facing the polls for the sixth time. He was more confident in approaching voters this time. The UDF would put forward an agenda for development for the elections. Everybody should get a share of the benefits of the comprehensive development projects, he added.
Referring to the agitation being launched by residents of Vaduthala regarding the alignment for the proposed railway line to Vallarpadam, he said that no project would be implemented without finding a solution to people's problems.
Mr. Thomas said drinking water schemes should be given the topmost priority in Kochi. A detailed road map should be prepared before solving the drinking water crisis.
While a meeting to discuss implementing a zonal system of water distribution was convened two weeks ago, it transpired that the city had no map showing the underground network of pipelines, sewerage canals and cables.
He said the city would get a water supply project, estimated at Rs. 20 crores, under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission. Mr. Thomas said he could always work in accord with the corporation on many issues. (The Hindu- 14/03/06, Tuesday)
Kerala P.J. Antony's 'Socrates' today
P.J. Antony was a legend who strode over the theatre and cinema of Kerala for decades. His extraordinary prowess as an actor had fetched the first ever Bharat award for the best actor for Malayalam cinema. Prathibha Theatres, the theatre group he started in Kochi, was the epicentre of dramatic activity in this area for a long time.
He had also penned a few brilliant plays, which were not staged much after his lifetime. These include 'Socrates,' based on the life and death of the great philosopher. The quest for truth and the endless queries that robbed those in power of their sleep, characteristic of the thinker, were close to P.J. Antony's heart too.
Now, P.J. Antony Foundation, based in Kochi, is bringing to stage the play once again. Directed by A.R. Ratheesan, the play will be staged on Tuesday, on the 27th death anniversary of the great actor. The venue will be Kerala Fine Arts Hall. The cast include P.R.D. Babu, John Mundakkel, A.H. Shanavas, Thammanam Babu, Vishwam Panambukadu, P.K. Jayanthan, P. Santhan, Toby Pooppadan, Nahab Thammanam, T. Padmakumar, Jose Maliekkal, Gokulan and Jyothi Babuji.
Mayor Mercy Williams will inaugurate the memorial meeting at 5 p.m. Foundation president E.N. Purushothaman will preside over the meeting. Asokan Engandiyoor will make the P.J. Antony Memorial Lecture. Salim Kumar, who won the best supporting actor award in films, and Xavier Pulpatt, who won the best actor award in theatre, will be given a reception at the meeting. The play will begin at 6.30 p.m.
Renu Ramanath (The Hindu - 14/03/06, Tuesday)
Kerala - Kochi Church closed following dispute
Staff Reporter
KOCHI: The Elamkulam St. Gregoriose Orthodox Church, under the Ernakulam St. Mary's Orthodox Church, was closed by Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish on Sunday following a dispute between the feuding factions of the Orthodox Church. The dispute was over the announcement made by Metropolitan Zacharia Mar Anthoniose, declaring a parish and appointing a vicar under the Gregoriose Orthodox Church, Elamkulam.
However, as the announcement was made, a group of people protested saying that it could not be made without the knowledge of the parish assembly. As the dispute continued, the police arrived and the Collector also intervened. As no truce could be arrived, the Collector decided to close down the church.(The Hindu - 13/03/06, Monday)
Kerala - Kochi Trains to be picketed at Kalamassery
Staff Reporter
KOCHI: The Kalamassery Pourasamithi has decided to picket trains on March 21 demanding development of the Kalamassery Railway Station.
The pourasamithi is also putting up the long-pending demand of allowing stops for long-distance trains at Kalamassery.
Pourasamithi coordinator Alupuram Zakeer said that even though Kalamassery had developed into a centre of industry and education, with reputed educational institutions, only passenger trains stop here. The office of the Pourasamithi will be opened at Manath Building in front of the Police Station on March 18.
A meeting of the pourasamithi held on Friday demanded that steps be taken to reopen the Cochin University of Science and Technology immediately.
The samithi extended all support to the efforts of the parents- teachers association to reopen the university.(The Hindu-13/03/06, Monday)
Kerala - Kochi Call to study healing powers of music
Staff Reporter
Music research foundation inaugurated KOCHI: Using music as a means of therapy for treating and preventing disease needs to be studied extensively, according to renowned musician M. Balamuralikrishna.
Delivering the inaugural address of the Indian Music Therapy Research and Development Foundation, which was launched here on Sunday, Mr. Balamuralikrishna said that music is life.
Music is sound and rhythm, which make up life. There is sound and rhythm in your pulse, your heartbeat and your breath. If the sound and rhythm stops, a person dies. He pointed out that a sound you do not like could create disease.
Health Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan, who presided over the function, said that the role of music in bringing tranquillity to the mind was important. He pointed out that treatment of diseases should lead to creating a tranquil state of mind. Well-known singer Mavelikkara Prabhakara Varma, lyricist Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri, District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish, City Police Commissioner P.Vijayan, Pramila Gurumoorthy, Head of Department of Music at Madras University, Omanakutty, Suvarna Nalappat, musician Hariharan Nair, Hareharan, Saraswathy, Verghese Mathew, foundation chairman Kaithapram Viswanathan and chief promoter Georgekutty Kurien also spoke at the function.
The message of music composer Dakshinamoorthy, who could not attend the function, was read out.
The foundation will conduct clinical research and coordinate with medical professionals in specialised areas in neurosciences, general medicines and psychology. The research activities of the foundation will be headed by Mr. Balamuralikrishna, a host of acclaimed musicians. (The Hindu - 13/03/06, Monday)
Kerala 'Paattabakki' on stage again
The play centres around the custom of 'Paattabakki,' the weapon wielded by landowners to exploit farmers who took land and paddy fields on lease.
The 1930s were a time of social turbulence in Kerala. Major changes in the social, political and economic spheres of life were in the offing. The Communist movement was making inroads into the social structure. Theatre, among other forms of cultural expressions, played a major role in the socio-political changes of those days. The Malayalam play, 'Paattabakki,' was written by the late K. Damodaran, well-known Communist theoretician. Considered the first political drama of Kerala, it was said to be written in one single night, to be performed at a conference of the Karshaka Sangham, the farmers' guild of the Communist Party of India in Malabar.
The play was staged many times all over the State.
The story revolves around the obnoxious custom of 'Paattabakki,' the weapon wielded by land-owners to extort farmers who took land and paddy fields on lease. It had destroyed many a family and played havoc with the lives of ordinary people.
Almost six decades after its first performance in 1937, 'Paattabakki' is going to be staged again in Kochi under the banner of Lokadharmi. "Even six decades later, the play has not lost its relevance," says director Chandradasan. 'Paattabakki' has become obsolete now. But, the play continues to be relevant as long as an oppressive social system continues to exist, he points out.
Though didactic in nature, `Paattabakki' never raises any slogans, points out Chandradasan. The message is subtle and the play ends only with a hint towards the solution, without stating it explicitly.
The play will be performed for three consecutive days, for a limited audience of about 200, at the Changampuzha Park in the evenings, starting from Monday.
The audience was limited to give an experience of intimate theatre, says Mr. Chandradasan. The play has 16 characters and the story unfolds through four scenes, set in different locations.
The performance space at Changampuzha Park is demarcated into three spaces, which will in turn become the different venues in the play like the veranda of a hut, the house of the land-owner, the hop, police station and the brothel, said Chandradasan.
The performances on each day will be preceded by talks by M.K. Sanu (on Monday), on 'Paattabakki and Malayalam theatre'; P. Appukuttan on 'Paattabakki and Politics' (on Tuesday) and K.G. Paulose on 'The contemporary relevance of Paattabakki' (on Wednesday).
The audience will be admitted to the auditorium on first-come-first-serve basis.
The cast include Sukanya Shaji, Vijayakumar, Kalamandalam Kesavan, Govind Nambiar, T.S. Ashadevi, Ajikumar Thiruvankulam, N. Somasundaran, Sudheer Babu, Sherly Somasundaram, Rajesh Sharma, M.S. Raghunath, V.R. Selvaraj, Santhosh Piravam, Damodaran Nambootiri, Prasanth, Sanosh Palluruthy and Amar Mohan.
Music is by Bijibal, set by Sudheer Babu and property by Kannatte Kalesh.
The play is being produced in association with the Changampuzha Cultural Centre.
Renu Ramanath (The Hindu-13/03/06, Monday)
Kerala - Kochi Water leak fake: KWA employees
Staff Reporter
KOCHI: The Kerala Water Authority Employees Association (INTUC) has demanded action against the authority officials who are responsible for the leak of the main water tank at Perumanoor from Thursday to Friday. The association called for action against the assistant engineer of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) who was in charge of the pump house. An inquiry should be conducted keeping the official concerned out of office, the association said.
Association general secretary K.S. Ramachandran Nair said the incident could be part of a planned move to increase the water shortage in the city, especially in the light of the coming Assembly elections.
Thousands of litres of water from the Perumanoor pump house had allegedly leaked out into the backwaters from Thursday midnight to Friday evening.
If pumping of water from the pump house was impossible due to any damage in the distribution lines, the assistant engineer concerned should contact the Aluva headworks and rectify the situation, according to Mr. Nair. He alleged that instead of solving the crisis, the engineer remained a mere spectator.
The association said the move was a bid to create artificial water scarcity with the aim of invoking the public ire against the Government in the backdrop of the coming Assembly polls.(The Hindu-12/03/06, Sunday)
Kerala Chowara scheme trial run may be held next week
Staff Reporter
Poll code of conduct to delay commissioning of water projects Poll code to delay commissioning of KWA projects
KOCHI: The coming Assembly elections have put a dampener on completion of water supply schemes in the city. However, Kerala Water Authority officials say that the completed projects can be operated even if not commissioned officially.
Completion of the 63-mld (million litres a day) Chowara Water Supply Scheme, slated for commissioning by mid-March, is likely to get delayed.
The authority is hoping to start the trial run of the project, which will benefit people in eight panchayat areas and North Paravur municipal limits, by next week. Laying of 1 km of the main pumping line from Chowara to North Paravur is yet to be completed.
Installing a transformer at North Paravur is another major work remaining. Setting up of raw- and clear-water pumps at Chowara is under way.
Minister for Water Resources Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan had promised that zone 3 of the DFID-assisted water supply scheme for West Kochi would be completed within 45 days of the partial commissioning of zone 1 of the project.
The officials say zone 3 can be made operational before the stipulated period by March 31. Only a little more work remains, according to them, which includes laying of pipes for 1 km from Beach Road to Karuvelippady.
The Chowara scheme, work on which started in April 2003, was expected to be completed by December 2005. The date was later extended to January 31, 2006, and then to March 2006. The first trial run was expected to begin on December 15, 2005.
The Chowara scheme appears to be the fastest project being completed by the authority, with only three years taken so far, while many other projects have crossed even 10 years. The work is being carried out by the Kerala State Construction Corporation.
However, even if all these projects are completed within the next two months, residents of Kochi will not get any additional supply of water unless the much-awaited Ad hoc Water Supply Augmentation Scheme (formerly known as Hudco Scheme) is completed.
Though one of its phases, for taking water to Vypeen from Vaduthala, was commissioned last year, to gain the full benefit, the additional quantity of water pumped from Aluva Headworks have to reach the main line in the city. But the tender for laying pipes on the Pukkattupadi-Palarivattom bypass sector has only been sent for Government approval.
Besides that, the tender awarded to FACT Engineering Works (FEW) for laying pipes from Elamkulam to west Kochi has been cancelled, citing delay in carrying out the work. FEW had also asked for raising the work cost, according to authority officials. But it is said that the organisation is forced to ask for a higher cost owing to the delay caused by problems in land acquisition.
(The Hindu - 10/03/06, Friday)
Kerala Teenage girls brought back to Kochi from Goa
Renu Ramanath
They are surviving members a family, which entered into a suicide pact at Goa
KOCHI: Ashwini (15) and Amritha (13), the two surviving members of the Thripunithura-based family which entered into a suicide pact in Goa, were brought back to Kochi on Thursday.
They were brought back through the efforts of District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish and the voluntary organisation Seva Bharathi based in Aluva.
They were sent to the Juvenile Home and will be produced before the Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate's Court on Friday. The girls, who survived the suicide bid in which their mother Beena, brother Akash (22) and another young man, Pradeep Kumar (24) had died, were under the care of Apna Ghar, a voluntary organisation for girl children based in Goa. But, the stay at the voluntary organisation was harsh, according to them.
Mathrushakthi, the local wing of Seva Bharathi, had taken the initiative to bring them back with the support of District Collector. Armed with the Collector's letter to the Goan District Collector Nikhil Kumar, K.N. Menon and Sajith Pai of Mathrushakthi went to Goa.
The five-member team including the family of four and Pradeep Kumar had left Thripunithura on January 29 to Goa after travelling to Tirupati, Mumbai and Delhi.
All the five including the two girls, had consumed poison.
The District Collector has instructed the Education Deputy Director to conduct special examinations in mathematics for Ashwini, who had expressed the wish to continue her education.
(The Hindu - 10/03/06, Friday)
Kerala - Kochi Ombudsman visits brick kilns
Staff Reporter
KOCHI: Ombudsman for Local Bodies T.K. Chandrasekhara Das on Wednesday visited Sreemoolanagaram panchayat to inspect the illegal brick kilns functioning in the panchayat.
The visit was disrupted due to non-cooperation of the panchayat officials, environmental activist S. Seetharamanthe, who had filed a complaint before the Ombudsman regarding the functioning of the brick kilns, said. He said the Ombudsman was shown some kilns where no activity was taking place. (The Hindu, 09/03/06, Thursday)
Kerala - Kochi Toddy workers to launch agitation
Staff Reporter
KOCHI: Workers in the toddy-tapping sector have decided to launch a State-wide agitation under the banner of a joint action council demanding steps to resolve the crisis in the sector.
Addressing a press conference here on Monday, leaders of the council said that toddy-tapping workers would block the issuance of licence to toddy shops under the present licensing system.
The date of issuing licence has not yet been announced. They will organise blockades in front of Indian Made Foreign Liquor (IMFL) godowns also as a token protest.
They pointed out that the Government had closed down 1,972 toddy shops as the first step towards total prohibition in the State. But the Government continues to allot more IMFL shops. As many as 106 IMFL outlets have been opened since then. Licence has been given to many bar-attached hotels as well, they said.
The council has submitted a memorandum to the State Government in this regard.
The demands include reopening of all closed toddy shops, running of toddy shops on taluk/range basis and withdrawal of the decision to employ arrack workers in toddy shops.
They demanded that exemption be given to toddy shops from the minimum-distance rule, the licence fee structure for toddy shops be reviewed and that legislation be enacted to protect their welfare fund. (The Hindu, 07/03/06, Tuesday)
Kerala - Kochi Mass organisations meet Sonia
Staff Reporter
Submit memoranda to Congress president raising various demands
KOCHI: Representatives of the mass organisations of the Congress met the All India Committee (AICC) president and United Progressive Alliance (UPA) chairperson Sonia Gandhi at the venue of the State conference of the Congress being held here at the Ambedkar Stadium on Sunday.
Representatives of the Mahila Congress, Kerala Students Union (KSU), State Employees and Teachers Organisation (SETO), Kerala NGO Association and Kerala Pradesh Karshaka Congress submitted memoranda to the Congress president raising various demands.
Ernakuklam DCC president K.P. Dhanapalan sought Ms. Gandhi's help in getting Union Government aid for Kochi's development projects.
In a memorandum presented to Ms. Gandhi this morning, Mr. Dhanapalan sought immediate Central assistance for the proposed metro rail. He also sought time-bound implementation of the Vallarpadom terminal, the LNG terminal, special economic zone at the Kochi port.
The DCC chief also sought Ms. Gandhi's help in sanctioning a separate railway zone for Kerala.
Kerala Mahila Congress State president Shanimol Usman told reporters that the Mahila Congress had demanded 20 per cent of seats be given to women in the coming Assembly polls in the State. They also requested the AICC president to give preference to the list of candidates prepared by the Mahila Congress.
Youth Congress State president K.P. Anilkumar said that the Youth Congress delegation, which met Ms. Gandhi, requested for setting apart one-third of the total seats for new faces. He said that the AICC president had promised to consider the request. Mr. Anilkumar said that the Youth Congress expressed the opinion that the chances of winning should be the major parameter while picking up the candidates for the coming Assembly polls. A 26-member delegation of the KSU, including 20 State-level leaders and six district presidents, met Ms. Gandhi, according to KSU State president P.C. Vishnunath.
He told reporters that the KSU had requested Ms. Gandhi to pressurise for the formation of a law controlling the self-financing educational institutions in the Parliament.
SETO State president Kambara Narayanan told reporters that the SETO and NGO Association had briefed the AICC president regarding the difficulties caused to the Government employees in the State due to the intervention of the Election Commission on the implementation of the pay revisions.
(The Hindu - 06/03/06, Monday)
Kerala - Kochi Cultural leaders honoured at Congress meet
Staff Reporter
KOCHI: Eight leading cultural personalities from various fields were honoured by Samskara Sahithi, the cultural wing of the Congress, at a function held as part of the State conference of the Congress at Ambedkar Stadium here on Sunday.
The cultural leaders, including filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan, Kathakali artiste Kalamandalam Gopi, poet Sugathakumari, theatre activist Kavalam Narayana Panicker, artist M.V. Devan, actor Sukumari, cartoonist Yesudasan and historian M.G.S. Narayanan were honoured with ponnadas and mementoes.
Chief Minister Oommen Chandy lauded the role played by the cultural leaders in the country's struggle for Independence. He pointed out that cultural personalities had taken a significant stand in the fight against social evils.
Adoor Gopalakrishnan lit the traditional lamp. Mr. Chandy honoured the filmmaker and Kalamandalam Gopi.
The former Chief Minister A.K. Antony, MP, who presided over the function, honoured Kavalam Narayana Panicker, Sukumari and M.G.S. Narayanan. M.V. Devan and Yesudasan were honoured by Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi. In his address, Adoor Gopalakrishnan said that the "recognition given by your own countrymen and brothers is much more valuable than any national or international recognition." Sugathakumari called upon the Congress activists to reinstall the idol of Gandhiji in their hearts. She also rendered one of her poems, hailing the National Flag — 'Dhavala himagiri shikharikal... . '
K.S. Radhakrishnan, Vice-Chancellor of Sree Sankara University of Sanskrit, Kalady, made a cultural theme presentation. Former Minister and actor K.B. Ganesh Kumar and journalist O. Abdulla spoke responding to the presentation.
Minister for Cultural Affairs A.P. Anil Kumar, Kerala Lalithakala Akademi secretary R. Gopalakrishnan and KPCC leader Benny Behanan were also present.
Sonia Gandhi visits
AICC president Sonia Gandhi visited the function. The visit was unannounced. Ms. Gandhi wished the dignitaries present on stage, including Adoor Gopalakrishnan.
(The Hindu - 06/03/06, Monday)
Kerala - Kochi Railway Budget ignored State: Thampan Thomas
Staff Reporter
KOCHI: Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) president Thampan Thomas has said that Kerala has been totally ignored in the Railway Budget for 2006-07.
Addressing a press conference here on Monday, Mr. Thomas said that instead of demanding zones and surveys, the State should demand new lines, doubling of lines and improvement of basic facilities. Kerala needs to raise its voice for more passenger trains, the development of Kalamassery railway station, Konkan Railway and the goods station at Kalamassery, introduction of Metro Railway and Nilambur-Mysore railway line which will give a shorter route to Bangalore and similar projects.
Mr. Thomas said the Railway Budget was nothing but a "Lalu-Velu nexus." He said the proposed cargo corridor of Rs.2,200 crores should not be a corridor to export iron ore, cotton and other raw materials to foreign countries. He alleged that the Budget lacked practical vision and was aimed at large-scale privatisation. (The Hindu - 28/02/06, Tuesday)
Kerala - Kochi Film fete to protest against Bush visit
Staff Reporter
KOCHI: The Anti-Bush Campaign Committee is organising a series of campaigns marking protest against the visit of President of the United States George Bush to India.
As part of the campaign, a three-day festival of documentary films on the atrocities and human rights violations unleashed by the United States on the different countries all over the world will be held in Ernakulam district. Twelve documentaries will be screened.
Committee convener C.R. Neelakantan told a press conference here on Monday that the festival will be inaugurated by the actor Murali on Friday evening at Durbar Hall Ground. The opening film will be 'Breaking the Silence,' directed by John Pilger on the invasion of Afghanistan by the U.S. M.K.Sanu will preside over the function. Former Supreme Court Judge V.R.Krishna Iyer will make the introductory address.
The title film will be 'America, America,' a four-and-a-half minute long musical film, made by K.P. Sasi.
The festival will continue till Sunday at Durbar Hall Ground. The screenings will be held in the evening. On Sunday evening, a campaign rally will be taken out from Gandhi Bhavan at Kacheripady till Durbar Hall Grounds.
The other films are 'The Last Stand of Salvadore Allende,' 'El-Salvadore - Another Vietnam,' 'Bombies,' 'We Interrupt this Empire,' 'Colour and Anthem,' 'Peace and Liberty Rally,''`Maziar Bahari,' 'Stop Killing My Kids,' `'Still Life,' and 'Battle's Poison cloud - Vietnam War.'
The campaigns are being organised in association with Tharangam Cultural Forum. The campaign committee will screen these films at various parts of the district, including Karimukal, Thripunithura, Edappally, Pezhakkappilly, Aluva, Cheruvattoor, Varappuzha, Kakanad and Eloor. Details about the screening will be available from C.R. Neelakantan (ph: 94464 96332), Jacob Lazar (98472 97466) and Purushan Eloor (98479 19665).
Suresh C.R., secretary, Tharangam Cultural Forum, Purushan Eloor and Jacob Lazar were also present at the press conference. (The Hindu, 28/02/06, Tuesday)
Kerala - Kochi Rush at Manappuram for Sivarathri festival
Staff Reporter
KOCHI: People in thousands thronged the Sivarathri Manappuram at Aluva on the banks of the Periyar on Sunday to take part in the Sivarathri celebrations.
A flash strike by country-boat workers plying between the main land and the Sivarathri Manappuram caused a deadlock till noon. The boat workers were demanding a hike in the fee fixed by the Aluva Municipality for transporting people. The Municipality had fixed Re.1 per person, but the boat workers demanded that it be changed to Rs.2 per person.
They pointed out that as the number of people to be carried per boat per trip was limited to about 30 to 40, the charge had to be hiked, as three to four workers manned a boat. The charge was finally increased to Rs.2 per person.
No untoward incident was reported till evening from the Manappuram. Barricades were erected at the ghats for the first time. A police force of 1,500 personnel was deployed on the Manappuram. Seven police aid posts were also set up. Twenty police bikes were patrolling the area.
An outpost of the Excise Department was also set up at the Manappuram for the first time this year. Steps were taken to curb any anti-social activity on the sand banks during the festival. People assembled on the banks of the Periyar to pay obeisance to the departed at the 'balitharas'. The Travancore Devaswam Board had made elaborate arrangements for the smooth conduct of 'balitharpanam'.
The rituals were led by Chennassu Parameswaran Namboothiripad.
The 83rd all-religion meeting at Adwaithasramam, Aluva, was inaugurated by Swaroopananda Swamikal, president, Sree Narayana Dharma Sangham Trust in the evening.
Kerala High Court Judge Thottathil B. Radhakrishnan presided over the function. K. Yousef Umari, Dr. Jacob Prasad, K. Sugathan and Swami Thanmaya spoke on different religions.
Balitharas were arranged on the riverbank near Advaithasramam also. The rituals were led by Swami Jayananda Saraswathi.
Various organisations and institutions offered facilities for the devotees taking part in the Sivarathri celebrations. Volunteers of Sevabharathi offered drinking water to the people.
Institutions including the State Bank of Travancore distributed black coffee to the devotees. Traffic regulations were imposed in Aluva town from Sunday noon. The regulations will continue till 1 p.m. on Monday.
Special buses were plying from different parts of the district to Aluva. (The Hindu - 27/02/06, Monday)
Kerala - Kochi No talks yet with DIC(K): Thankachan
Staff Reporter
'UDF not in the know of IUML endeavour'
KOCHI: United Democratic Front (UDF) convener P.P. Thankachan asserts that the Front has not entrusted anyone to hold talks with the Democratic Indira Congress (Karunakaran).
Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Mr. Thankachan said the issue K. Karunakaran's party returning to the UDF had not come up before the Front liaison committee so far. Any decision on inducting new members into the Front will be taken only after the UDF leadership discusses the issue.
Regarding reports of talks between the DIC(K) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) in this direction, Mr. Thankachan said the IUML might be holding talks on its own. The UDF leadership is not aware of any such talks, he said.
Mr. Thankachan said there was no relevance for a third front in the State. A third front is not practical here, he added.
He said that DIC(K) leaders had not sent any feelers to the Congress leadership. The DIC(K) leadership is faced with the problem of its cadre flocking to the Congress. The picture will be clear after the Kochi meet of the Congress scheduled in March.
Mr. Thankachan said none of the former DIC(K) MLAs had contacted the Congress so far. But many of them are interested in returning to the Congress.
Responding to a question whether DIC(K) leaders would be given significant posts in the party after their return, Mr. Thankachan said Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramesh Chennithala had declared that deserving posts would be given to the deserving. (The Hindu-26/02/06, Sunday)
Kerala - Kochi No talks yet with DIC(K): Thankachan
Staff Reporter
'UDF not in the know of IUML endeavour'
KOCHI: United Democratic Front (UDF) convener P.P. Thankachan asserts that the Front has not entrusted anyone to hold talks with the Democratic Indira Congress (Karunakaran).
Addressing a press conference here on Saturday, Mr. Thankachan said the issue K. Karunakaran's party returning to the UDF had not come up before the Front liaison committee so far. Any decision on inducting new members into the Front will be taken only after the UDF leadership discusses the issue.
Regarding reports of talks between the DIC(K) and the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) in this direction, Mr. Thankachan said the IUML might be holding talks on its own. The UDF leadership is not aware of any such talks, he said.
Mr. Thankachan said there was no relevance for a third front in the State. A third front is not practical here, he added.
He said that DIC(K) leaders had not sent any feelers to the Congress leadership. The DIC(K) leadership is faced with the problem of its cadre flocking to the Congress. The picture will be clear after the Kochi meet of the Congress scheduled in March.
Mr. Thankachan said none of the former DIC(K) MLAs had contacted the Congress so far. But many of them are interested in returning to the Congress.
Responding to a question whether DIC(K) leaders would be given significant posts in the party after their return, Mr. Thankachan said Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee president Ramesh Chennithala had declared that deserving posts would be given to the deserving. (The Hindu-26/02/06, Sunday)
Kerala - Kochi Four artists, four works
'Four by Four' is an odd title for an exhibition. Usually in art parlance, terms such as this refer to the size of works. Here, it just means four works by as many artists.
Again, Dorrie Younger and Anoop Skaria of Kashi Art Gallery have come up with four reasons for picking this title. All of them are interesting, the last one more so: 'because the fifth artist dropped out.'
Extending the play on 'four,' the catalogue gives a list of 'four words to describe yourself,' 'four of your favourite spaces/places,' 'four words to describe your work' and 'four of your favourite personalities.'
Putting aside all that, 'Four by Four' presents a neat cross-section from the contemporary art scene. It brings together four artists, Aji V.N., Reji K.P., Rajan M. Krishnan and Remy Jungerman, all pioneering artists in the Indian contemporary art scene as well as in Europe.
There is a diversity of media, like Aji's charcoal on paper, Reji's dry pastel on paper, Rajan's acrylic on canvas or Jungerman's installation and collages. All the works are basically figurative, keeping abreast of the present leanings of contemporary art. And also, there is diversity in attitudes. The concerns are different and strong.
While the first three are Malayali artists, Jungerman is Dutch artist, born in Surinam, now living and working in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Aji, born in Thiruvanthanpuram, lives in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Reji, hailing from Ernakulam district is based in Baroda, while Rajan, born in Thrissur district, lives and works in Kochi.
These four artists have crossed each other's paths at some point in life.
Migration had always been a basic concern for Jungerman, who shifted to Amsterdam from his native place of Surinam, a former Dutch colony. His installation 'Disturbed' has the word emblazoned in brilliant blue on a tabletop. It is literally blue, wrote with the pigment used for whitening clothes.
A heap of the blue pigment on another table, the legs of tables placed in containers of water, white cotton swabs and curious-looking, little black figurines scattered under the table complete his installation. The collages reveal city maps, with images of flattened toads, another two of Jungerman's favourite motifs.
Rajan's large painting 'Zone of Spectres' reveals an external shift from his earlier solo show, 'Little Black Drawings,' held in 2004 at the same venue.
While he has moved away from the black and white starkness created by charcoal, towards the realm of colours and canvas, he still continues to be an observer, a witness.
Light plays an important part in Aji's work. Though the present works in charcoal appears darker than his luminous watercolours, it is the presence of light that characterises these drawings. His works are basically figments of imagination, executed in stark, realistic manner.
Reji's work deals with enigmatic spaces. His work is 'proximal' and 'problematic,' as the artist himself describes.
The show will be on at Kashi Art Gallery, Mattancherry, till March 5.
Renu Ramanath (The Hindu-25/02/06, Saturday)
Kerala - Kochi Mega music nite in honour of Jesudas
Staff Reporter
KOCHI: A mega musical evening will be organised at the Jawaharlal Nehru International Stadium at Kaloor on March 1, to honour playback singer K.J. Jesudas and marking the Golden Jubilee of Malayalam film songs.
The event will have 21 singers including Jesudas, K.P. Udayabhanu, P. Jayachandran, P. Susheela, S. Janaki and a host of up-and-coming singers, among others, said District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish, who is also the organising committee chairman of the event.
Mr. Hanish told a press conference here on Thursday that the event, organised by the District Administration, Department of Tourism and the cultural organisation Swaralaya, would trace the evolution of Malayalam film songs from 1955 to 2005.
The event will be directed by film music composer M. Jayachandran and the songs selected by composer M.K. Arjunan.
A 40-member orchestra team will be the major attraction of the music nite, titled 'Dasettanu Snehapoorvam.'
The stage for the event will be designed by M. Rajeev Kumar and Sreekath Murali.
The singers will present super hit songs from the history of Malayalam cinema. Visuals from the scenes of each song will be projected at the beginning of the songs.
The event will begin with a 30-minute fusion music medley by Attukal Bala Subramanyam. It will be followed by Jesudas rendering a song, paying homage to the masters, including veteran music composer V. Dakshinamoorthy.
The music nite will begin with Jesudas's first song Jaathibhedam... in the film `Kaalppadukal,' set to music by M.B. Sreenivasan.
The event will be inaugurated by actor Mammootty. Jesudas will be presented with a citation and mementoes from various cultural organisations. Admission to the event will be open to the public.
While the gallery seats will be free, entry to the ground pavilion will be restricted through passes.
The programme will last four hours, starting from 6.30 p.m. (The Hindu-24/02/06, Friday)
Kerala - Kochi People in West Kochi not too sure about receiving adequate water
Staff Reporter
Long decades of wait making them cautious
KOCHI: Though the Kerala High Court directed the State Government on Monday to supply adequate drinking water in west Kochi within six months, residents of this area are cautious in being optimistic about the situation changing for the better.
The Kerala Water Authority (KWA) hopes to meet the directive, but long decades of wait for continuous supply of water are making people cautious.
The authority's central zone Chief Engineer, Susan Jacob, expects that the remaining part of the ad hoc Water Supply Augmentation Project (formerly known as HUDCO project) will be completed within three months, bringing an additional supply of 25 mld (million litres a day) of water to west Kochi.
Laying of the main pumping line from Nirmala School junction to Pukkattupadi junction will be completed within three months, she says. Work from the school junction to Vidappuzha and from there to HMT Junction at Kalamassery will be completed in three months. Approval has been given for the work from HMT Junction to Pukkattupadi junction, and the work order will be issued in a week. This work is expected to be completed by May-end.
Ms. Jacob says a high-power committee of the authority has decided to complete the project before March 31. The court has been informed about the decision, she adds.
The authority has to rearrange a tender given to FACT Engineering Works (FEW) for laying pipes to West Kochi. The tender was cancelled as it demanded an increased price, citing delay in work caused by factors not under its control.
The deadline set for FEW to complete the pipeline laying work from Kathrikkadavu to Konthuruthy expired in 2003. But the delay was caused by impediments in land acquisition proceedings and related litigation, it is said. There was a dispute between the Greater Cochin Development Authority and the KWA in this regard.
High hopes, but ...
Thomas Michael, of Thoppumpadi Karmasamithi, who is a former councillor, believes that this time, uninterrupted water supply will be a reality, but he is sceptical about the attitude of the authorities concerned towards West Kochi.
"All the officers are living in Ernakulam, not in Kochi. Nobody is interested in the issues of western Kochi," he alleges.
Even the councillor V.J. Hycinth is a bit doubtful about the outcome of the promises. He fears that the authority may plan to achieve the target by cutting down supply to other parts of the city. Setting up a booster pump house at Kalamassery under the DFID-assisted water supply augmentation scheme will help increase the force of water flow to West Kochi. (The Hindu - 24/02/06, Friday)
Kerala Good response to family health insurance scheme
Renu Ramanath
Rs.67.22 lakhs premium collected in Ernakulam district
KOCHI: Ernakulam district has topped the chart in the `Kudumba Suraksha,' the family insurance scheme conceived by the State Government, with the highest number of participants, collecting Rs.67.22 lakhs as premium.
A total of 1.81 lakh people have joined the scheme so far from 97 local self-governing bodies in the district, according to District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish.
The scheme, implemented in association with ICICI Lombard, offers free medical treatment facilities for below poverty line (BPL) and above poverty line (APL) families. In the BPL category, 1,79,779 people have joined the scheme. Among them, 1,37,379 people are from the 88 grama panchayats in the district and 42,400 from the eight municipalities and Kochi Corporation.
There are a total number of 1,744 people in the APL category, with 1,690 persons from grama panchayats and 54 from municipalities and the Corporation.
The total premium from the BPL category comes to Rs.59,37,261, with Rs.45,38,061 collected from the grama panchayats and Rs.13,99,200 from the municipalities. In the APL category, Rs.7,60,500 was collected from panchayats and Rs.24,300 from the municipalities.
Koovappady grama panchayat, which has 4,757 applicants, has topped among the panchayats, with Kochi Corporation toping among the municipalities and corporations. There are 2,823 applicants from the BPL category. Interestingly, there are no applicants in the Kochi Corporation from the APL category.
Three other grama panchayats also have more than 4,000 applicants. These are Chellanam, with 4,216 applicants, Kottuvally, with 4,044 and Elankunnappuzha, with 4,027 applicants. Among the municipalities, Aluva fell the farthest behind, with only 431 applicants.
The scheme is being coordinated by Kudumbasree units through Ayalkkoottams. Applicants are selected through ten data entry centres in the district. The Government had given the permission to pay for the premium of BPL applicants from the funds of the local self-governing bodies.
The applicants can avail of free medical treatment from the next day after obtaining the insurance card.(The Hindu - 17/02/06, Friday)
