Kerala - Kochi
Vyttila bus terminal: Transport Minister extends support

Staff Reporter

Corporation proposed the project to reduce traffic congestion

KOCHI: Transport Minister Mathew T. Thomas has said that his department is willing to extend all possible help for the construction of a bus terminal for the State transport buses at Vyttila Junction.

The Minister was speaking to reporters while visiting the computerised Regional Transport Authority Office at Kakkanad on Thursday.

The proposal for the bus terminal at Vyttila has been pending before the authorities for many years. The Kochi Corporation mooted the idea as a solution to reduce the traffic congestion in the city roads.

It is expected that once the long-distance buses which now have to ply along the city roads to reach the KSRTC Station stop entering the city, a heavy load on the city traffic could be lifted.

Though the district panchayat has not yet taken any step regarding the bus terminal, it is planning to draw up a comprehensive plan for the development of the entire district, in which the bus terminal will occupy an important place. A meeting of the district panchayat in the last week of May had decided to go ahead with the project and meet the Agriculture Minister for getting the land owned by the Agriculture Department at Vyttila Junction.

The development plan will be placed before a meeting of the MLAs and Fisheries Minister S. Sarma, to be held soon.

The previous district panchayat committee had drafted a Rs.20-crore plan for the bus terminal project, which it suggested to be built on a build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis. The report was drafted by ICICI Kinfra and submitted in July, 2005. A request presented by the Kochi Corporation was turned down by the Agricultural Department in 2004.

The Agricultural Department owns about 25 acres near Vyttila Junction where several offices, including the Assistant Executive Engineer's Office, Parasite Breeding Station, Krishi Bhavan, Soil Testing Laboratory, Regional Agricultural Technology Training Centre and Coconut Nursery, function. The land also includes 18 acres, which was handed over to the Kerafed (Kerakarshaka Sahakarana Federation).

Kerafed project
The Kerafed's project for setting up a factory for producing coconut milk powder and desiccated coconut powder at this spot is still remaining on paper. The foundation stone for the factory was laid by the then Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in December, 2004. The factory was supposed to have been functional by December, 2005, but the vast area in the midst of the busy Vyttila Junction is still lying fallow.

The employees of the Agriculture Department had protested against the move to shift their offices for building the bus terminal.

The Association of Agriculture Officers (Kerala) had come out against the move. An Action Council for the Protection of Vyttila Farm was also formed.

Meanwhile, it was also pointed out that the bus terminal would only add to the already heavy traffic experienced by Vyttila Junction at all hours of the day and that it should ideally be located farther away from the city, either at Kundannur or Maradu along the NH Bypass.
(The Hindu, June 9, 2006)

Kerala
Perumbalam residents seek bridges to mainland

Renu Ramanath

Memorandum submitted to Chief Minister in this regard

KOCHI: Residents of the Perumbalam island, located in the Vembanad Lake between Ernakulam and Alappuzha districts, are continuing their wait for a series of bridges that will put an end to their isolated lives.

The people are now pinning hopes on the State Government after submitting a memorandum to Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan regarding the bridges that will connect the island with the mainland.

In fact, that was the first memorandum received by Mr. Achuthanandan after he assumed office as the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister had promised to take necessary steps to obtain administrative sanction for the project report prepared by the Public Works Department for the construction of the bridges, according to K.B. Rajesh, convener of the Perumbalam Boat Passengers Association.

For the residents of the island, daily activities like going to offices and schools or colleges in Ernakulam, Kottayam and Alappuzha districts have become an ordeal, especially during the monsoon.

The Boat Passengers Association points out that irregular service of boats, long gap between services and the delay caused by the boats having to go to the Panavally station for refuelling and for change of duty of employees are some of the problems faced by the passengers.

New boat service sought
They have requested the Chief Minister that the authorities sanction a boat service on the South Paravur-Erappuzha sector, boat station and workshop at Perumbalam.

They also sought steps to increase the depth and width of the canal for making the boat service smoother.

The long-standing demand of the local people is for bridges that will connect the island with Poothotta in Ernakulam district as well as with Panavally in Alappuzha district.

A report prepared by the Assistant Executive Engineer (Roads Subdivision) of the Public Works Department at an estimated budget of Rs.152 crores is now awaiting administrative sanction.

The series of bridges will include one from Pathrakkadavu at Poothotta Jetty to Vattavayal Thuruthu which will be 225 metres long, a second one of 750 metres connecting Vattavayal to Vattukadu in Perumablam island and a third one of 1,600 metres connecting Perumbalam Jetty with Panavally Jetty in Alappuzha.

The report was drafted following a memorandum given at the Public Grievance Redressal Cell of the Chief Minister during the UDF Government's tenure, according to Mr. Rajesh.

However, since the completion of the bridges will be time-consuming, people are demanding a jankar service between Poothotta and Perumbalam.

The island is facing many other problems including lack of medical facilities, shortage of drinking water, interruption in power supply and lack of good, motorable roads.
(The Hindu - June 7, 2006)

Kerala
Screening works of young talents

The National Students' Video Festival, to be held this Friday at Sacred Heart College, Thevara, will offer a unique opportunity to take a look into what the young Indians think.

The festival, to be held as a joint venture of Jehangirabad Media Institute, Lucknow; Chetana Media Institute, Thrissur; Chavara Cultural Centre, Ernakulam; and Sacred Hearts College, Thevara, will showcase 15 short videos that won awards at a festival held in April at Lucknow. The festival was an attempt by the Jehangirabad Media Institute to offer the young film enthusiasts of the country a chance to present their works before a discerning audience.

Following the successful conduct of the festival at Lucknow, where 118 films participated in the competition, the institute decided to make it a touring festival, taking the award-winning films to different parts of the country. And so it was decided to screen these films at least one time in all metropolitan cities, before sending them to major film festivals the world over.

The 15 films are being taken to New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Pune, Chennai and Thiruvananthapuram, besides many other smaller ones.

The films include 'Xeno,' a seven-minute-film by Albert Kurien, which won the award for the Best Film on Communalism, 'Raat Ke Dusre Kinare Par... ,' a 13-minute film directed by Fahad Hussain and Faraz Ahmed for the Department of Journalism and Mass Communications, Aligharh Muslim University, which won the Best Award on Marginalised Sector, 'And the Next Is... .,' a Malayalam film with a duration of 12.20 minutes directed by Harish Babu V.H., produced by Chetana Media Institute, Thrissur; 'Muthhi Bhar Aasman,' a 15-minute Hindi film directed by Vinod Tiwari, which won the award for Best Film on Women Empowerment. 'Bhet,' a Marathi film, directed by Anand Pande, for the Department of Communication Studies at the University of Pune, which won the Best Short Fiction Award, 'Beyond Crusades,' a 14-minute-long Hindi film directed by Fawad Hussain and Zoheb Alam for MJMC, Aligarh Muslim University, which won the Best Long Fiction Award; 'Deesha,' the Marathi film which won the Best Long Fiction Film, directed by Nishukunt Pardesi; 'Early Men,' directed by Karan Thapliyal and Souveek, which won the Best Short Non-fiction Award, produced by Sri Aurobindo Institute of Mass Communication in Film Studies, New Delhi, and 'One Show Less,' a 19-minute English film directed by Nayantara Koitan for the National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad which won the award for Best Non-Fiction Long film.

The other films include, 'Slice of Life,' directed by Sagir Krishnan; 'Belaus,' directed by Showkat Nanda, a student of Media Education and Research Centre, University of Kashmir; 'Sapera - The Snake Charmer,' directed by Ravish Kumar, a student of Masters in Communication at Lucknow University; 'Platform No.8,' directed by students of Kamala Nehru College, New Delhi; and 'Barsaat,' directed by S.R. Mukesh, for Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata, which won the Special Appreciation Awards. Also included is, 'Close Shave,' directed by Samera Khan Rehmani and Shams Shahnawaz, for MJMC, Aligarh Muslim University.

The screenings will be held from 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. on Friday at the seminar hall of the college.
RENU RAMANATH
(The Hindu - June 7, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi
Direct bus services to city still a dream for Vypeen residents

Staff Reporter

Even two years after the inauguration of Goshree bridges

KOCHI: Even two years after the formal inauguration of the Goshree bridges, the demand of the residents of the Vypeen islands to have direct bus service to the city remains unfulfilled.

The Goshree bridges were inaugurated in 2004 by the then Chief Minister A.K. Antony. On October 16, Oommen Chandy inaugurated the bus service along the bridges. But the buses were not allowed to enter the city.

The reason cited was that the Railway Canal Bridge in front of Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute was not strong enough to carry heavy vehicles.

The Goshree Islands Action Council then pointed out that heavy trailer lorries carrying containers were already using the bridge. After the action council registered its protest with the Chief Minister, he announced that the bridge would be strengthened. Within two weeks, the strengthening work was completed.

Entry restricted
But, even then, buses were allowed to run only till the High Court Junction, the reason being that the city traffic would suffer with the entry of more buses.

Action Council chairman Majnu Komath pointed out that the people of Vypeen were forced to pay additional bus charge for every trip to the city. "For example, the passengers from Vypeen will have to pay only an additional charge of 50 paise to reach Kaloor if the buses they come from Vypeen are allowed into the city. But, at present, they have to pay Rs. 3.50 instead."

The action council had suggested at a meeting on November 5 last year, convened under the direction of the Chief Minister, that buses should be allowed to run in four directions from the High Court Junction. It was agreed that action would be taken in one month, but nothing happened, alleged Mr. Komath.

A follow-up meeting on January 4, 2006, organised by the Regional Transport Officer at Kakkanad had directed to find the schedule of the 105 buses arriving from Vypeen to the High Court Junction everyday.

The aim was to determine the number of buses which would remain at the junction for a longer period before the next trip.

After determining that 35 buses had more than one to one-and-a-half hours of waiting time, an understanding was arrived at to permit route for 35 buses to the eastern and southern side of the city.

Those buses having half-an-hour of waiting time were allowed to run till Boat Jetty or Kaloor. The understanding was that the buses could start plying from January 26, subject to the RTA approval.

However, approval was not granted at the next RTA meeting, citing the objection of the traffic police. An all-party meeting at Vypeen on January 29 protested against the stand adopted by the district administration and the RTA.

The Goshree Bus Service Samara Samithi formed at the meeting with Mr. Kuttappan as chairman and Mr. Komath as convener had been reiterating the demand. S. Sarma, who inaugurated the meeting on January 29, had promised the support of the CPI(M). Mr. Komath called upon the Government to take immediate action on the issue.
(The Hindu - June 5, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi
Money being paid to kin of those who died in rain havoc

Staff Reporter

Most relief camps closed as situation improves

KOCHI: Distribution of compensation to the kin of those who died in the rain havoc in the district this week started on Saturday.

Compensation was distributed to the kin of two of the dead, according to District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish.

A sum of Rs. 50,000 is being given to the next of kin of the dead if they were major, while Rs. 15,000 will be paid to those of minors. The compensation will be distributed through the respective MLAs, the Collector said.

Relief camps opened since the onset of the monsoon are being closed down, with the rain-affected people returning to their houses as the situation improved. Only two camps, at Edavanakkad and Elamkunnappuzha, are open at present.

Damage assessment
Assessment of loss in the natural calamity is going on. Distribution of free rations to the affected families will begin as soon as the Government Order arrives.

A request for sanctioning funds for constructing and repairing seawalls has been submitted to the Government, Mr. Hanish said.

The district administration is estimating the amount required for the work.

Steps are being taken to prevent damage in calamities during the monsoon, and 50,000 sandbags bought from Kozhikode in this regard have arrived. These are being distributed through village officers.

Medical teams have intensified inspection to prevent epidemics.

Hotels and other public eateries are being continuously monitored, Mr. Hanish added.
(The Hindu - June 4, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi
Synergy of the arts

He says there is much raw energy in Kerala theatre that can be harnessed.

"My concern is the spoken word," says Salim Arif, Mumbai-based film personality and noted theatre director. "We are losing the importance of the spoken word in theatre. Here, we are trying to bring back word into theatre."

Arif belongs to a group of artistes who try to balance twin careers — both in film and theatre. Starting as a student of theatre, Mr. Arif entered the world of miniscreen after graduating from the National School of Drama (NSD). And, his name appeared in the team of some of India's legendary serials — Mirza Ghalib, Chanakya and Chandrakantha, for which he designed the costumes.

Arif's break into the world of television was through Shyam Benegal's teleserial, Bharat Ek Khoj. Soon, he made a foray into the film world. He designed costumes for Maachis, Gulzar's feature film, of which he was also the associate director.

Hailing from Fatehpur in Uttar Pradesh and brought up in Lucknow in a traditional U.P. Muslim family, Arif chose theatre as a career against the wishes of his family of engineers and doctors. "The onus was on me to be an IAS officer," he laughs. "But, NSD beckoned stronger." After completing the course from NSD in 1984, he travelled all over India in 1984-85, working with leading theatre personalities of the time, including B.V. Karanth, Habib Tanvir, Rathan Thiyam and Kavalam Narayana Panicker. His subject was `Interaction Between Contemporary and Modern Indian Theatre in their Regions."

From 1986, Mumbai, the capital of Hindi filmdom, became his base, from where he launched a successful career in films and television. The legendary mega serials from the initial hey-days of Doordarsan followed one after the other.

He also directed a number of television shows, including Daaman, for Sahara Television, Saath-Saath, for DD National Network, Nakhat Rani, for DD and Rishte, for Zee TV.

During the early days of his career in filmdom, Arif could not devote much time for his first love, theatre. By 2002, he started to balance both careers. In that year, he presented Ghalibnama, a stage performance based on the life and works of Mirza Ghalib.

In the same year, he produced his first play after coming to Mumbai. Taj Mahal ka Tender was a satire on corruption in the country's political and administrative system. "It is like an R.K. Laxman cartoon," he says. The play was produced by Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA). He had been associated with IPTA over decades.
In 2004, he directed Aap Ki Sonia, written by Javed Siddiqui, casting the Bollywood actors Sonali Bendre and Farooque Sheikh. It was a sequel to a much-acclaimed earlier play, Tumhari Amrita, which starred Farooque Sheikh and Shabana Azmi.

'Kacche Lamhe,' (vulnerable moments) was another play he did, also written by Javed Siddiqui, based on Gulzar's short story titled Seem. The popular actors Harsh Chhaya and Kiran Karmakar acted in it and Lubna Salim, actor and Mr. Arif's wife, did the major role.

His latest work in theatre was a 40-minute musical titled, Agar Aur Magar, inspired by the German playwright Bertolt Brecht's He Who Says Yes and He Who Says No. It was produced by the IPTA's children's theatre wing. The play had been adapted by Gulzar himself.

Arif is no stranger to the theatre scene of Kerala. Having been familiar with theatre activities led by Kavalam Narayana Panicker from years ago, he has made frequent trips to Kerala watching theatre activities here. Though he holds a high opinion of theatre artistes here, Arif feels they are in need of some good channelising.

"The variety seen in the theatre scene here is quite interesting. There is so much raw energy, waiting to be harnessed and channelised. A lot of aspects need to be improved, if you want to put them on the national scene," he says. He says theatre in Kerala needs a more professional attitude. "It is the attitude that makes you professional. With the School of Drama in Thrissur, Kerala has already developed a tradition of theatre training. What is needed is a professional approach to the work," says Arif.

He has struck the right balance between his twin passions of theatre and film. Salim Arif talks to Renu Ramanath about his career and future plans.
(The Hindu- June 3, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi
AMMA to produce film

Staff Reporter

Bid to raise funds for welfare activities

Cast yet to be decided
Film to be directed by Joshi

KOCHI: The Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) is entering the arena of film production as part of their efforts to raise funds for the association' activities.

The decision to produce a cinema was made in the background of the film industry's protest against the association's fund-raising attempts through organising mega star shows in India and abroad.

Actor Dileep has agreed to buy the rights of the film for an amount of Rs.1 crore. In other words, he will fund the film, to be produced by AMMA. The handing over of an advance amount of Rs.10 lakhs to the association, marking the beginning of the production work, was held here on Thursday.

Innocent, president of AMMA, received the advance amount from Mr. Dileep at the function. The film will be directed by Joshi. The script will be by the Sibi - Udayan duo, who have been penning scripts for Mr. Dileep, including 'CID Moosa,' 'Runway,' 'Kochi Rajavu,' and 'Lion.'

The cast is yet to be decided. All the actors in the film will act without accepting any remuneration, according to Mr. Innocent. The shooting is expected to begin by September. The film is expected to be released on April 14, 2007 as the Vishu release.

The association was planning the move for the past one year, said Mr. Innocent. AMMA was in need of raising funds for its welfare activities for the members. At present, the association is giving 'kaineettam' for about 40 veteran members. Besides Mr. Innocent and Mr. Dileep, director Joshi, AMMA executive committee member Siddique, Edavela Babu, Sadique and the scriptwriters Sibi K.Thomas and Udaya Krishna-Udayan were also present at the function.

The general body meeting of AMMA will be held here on June 25. The election of the new office-bearers will also come up in the general body, even though the general consensus at present is for the continuation of the present office-bearers.
(The Hindu - June 2, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi
Water ideas

It seems that as people are growing tired of drinking water shortage, they are coming up with more and more ideas on how to combat the issue.

The latest among these ideas is the one put up by the Visala Kochi Kudivella Samrakshana Samithi. The samithi has called upon the Cochin Port Trust to come up with its own water supply scheme for catering to the needs at the port.

T.E. Thomas, secretary of the samithi, has even written to the trust, outlining the possibilities of finding a separate water source for them.

The idea is to collect water from the Periyar at Edamula, which can be taken to the port. The surplus water can be sold to the Navy or other large-scale users, Mr. Thomas says.

Kochi Refineries Ltd. is already running its own supply scheme drawing water from the Periyar.
Renu Ramanath
(The Hindu - May 31, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi

Inter-connection work complete
Staff Reporter
Pumping through main line begins
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Pumping will be done from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. every day and from 4.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. on alternate days
Boosting of the supply through the 700-mm pipeline yet to start.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KOCHI: The inter-connection work of the Kerala Water Authority, linking the 700-mm pipeline going to Edappally and Elamakkara-Cheranelloor through Palarivattom and the main line going to the city at Thammanam Junction, was completed by Sunday evening.

Pumping through the main line towards the city started by Sunday evening itself, according to KWA officials. Pumping will be done from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. every day and from 4.30 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. on alternate days. The main line takes water to the city zone, which includes Kaloor, M.G. Road, Ernakulam North and Kadavanthra regions. The supply in this line, which was disrupted due to the work for the past couple of days, is expected to be normal by Tuesday. The work had started on May 19, and was expected to be complete over the weekend. But it had continued for almost one week due to unforeseen developments in the pipe-laying work.

Boosting of the supply through the 700-mm pipeline going from Samskara Junction through Palarivattom towards Edappally, Elamakkara and Cheranelloor is yet to start. The KWA is waiting for the pumping towards the city zone to stabilise before attempting to boost this line. The boosting of supply along this line is expected to provide relief to the perennial water shortage affecting the Cheranelloor-Elamakkara-Perandur regions. The timing of pumping through this line has to be scheduled. At present, some consumers in Palarivattom are enjoying uninterrupted supply for 24 hours every day. A meeting of the officials concerned will soon be convened to discuss about the schedule, according to the KWA officials. The public has to be intimated about the change in the schedule. The KWA is also making an estimate of the intake quantity of water in this region.

Since the Palarivattom-Elamakkara line is made up of primo pipes, which is a mixture of concrete and iron not as strong as the cast iron pipeline, it cannot take too much pressure immediately after the work.

Kerala - Kochi
An online magazine on the world of art

An electronic magazine exclusively on art? That too, without an attempt at trading? The idea will never have risen even a couple of years ago.

But when Anoop Kamath and Johny M.L. teamed up last December to think about India's first e-zine (electronic magazine) on art, the scene seems to have been just ripe for such an attempt.

Johny, who hails from Kerala, has been in New Delhi after completing a course in creative curating and art management from Goldsmiths college, University of London.

"For many years, there had been no right slot where my training in curatorial practice could be put to any use," Johny says.

So, the initial idea when he and Mr. Kamath, a designer and artist with roots in Kerala, had teamed up was to start a magazine in print on Indian contemporary art. But the cost factor forced them to change the medium to virtual reality.

With experience in working on portals, Johny decided to go ahead with the idea of the electronic magazine. Thus was born www.mattersofart.com.

The website became fully operational in February 2006. And, on May 25, it announced its presence with Real-2006, a group exhibition involving 41 artists at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

"In fact, this is not our personal venture, but a common platform of a group of artists working all over India," says Johny, who edits the magazine. Mr. Kamath is the chief executive officer.

"We have received a tremendous response and great support from artists living and working in different parts of India," Johny says.

Many other websites deal with art, but most of them belong to galleries, promoting their shows and works.

Some others focus on trading. mattersofart.com, with its semi-academic nature, targets not only buyers but also critics, students and the artists themselves.

The site offers regular columns, such as artist of the month, and interviews. These focus on providing information about the artists.

Help for students
Artists and students of art and art history in places other than metros find the site more useful.

"We have a big back-up from Malayalis. As everybody knows, the art scene is ruled by Malayalis," Johny says.

The site is not part of any particular group, he says, but it puts forward a progressive aesthetics with the wholehearted support of the artists.

"We aim at intervening qualitatively in the art scene, to add quality to the scene.

Even the show is being organised with that aim. We do not plan to organise too many shows — only one or two a year. That too, very carefully done," he adds.
Renu Ramanath
(The Hindu - May 30, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi
An online magazine on the world of art

An electronic magazine exclusively on art? That too, without an attempt at trading? The idea will never have risen even a couple of years ago.

But when Anoop Kamath and Johny M.L. teamed up last December to think about India's first e-zine (electronic magazine) on art, the scene seems to have been just ripe for such an attempt.

Johny, who hails from Kerala, has been in New Delhi after completing a course in creative curating and art management from Goldsmiths college, University of London.

"For many years, there had been no right slot where my training in curatorial practice could be put to any use," Johny says.

So, the initial idea when he and Mr. Kamath, a designer and artist with roots in Kerala, had teamed up was to start a magazine in print on Indian contemporary art. But the cost factor forced them to change the medium to virtual reality.

With experience in working on portals, Johny decided to go ahead with the idea of the electronic magazine. Thus was born www.mattersofart.com.

The website became fully operational in February 2006. And, on May 25, it announced its presence with Real-2006, a group exhibition involving 41 artists at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.

"In fact, this is not our personal venture, but a common platform of a group of artists working all over India," says Johny, who edits the magazine. Mr. Kamath is the chief executive officer.

"We have received a tremendous response and great support from artists living and working in different parts of India," Johny says.

Many other websites deal with art, but most of them belong to galleries, promoting their shows and works.

Some others focus on trading. mattersofart.com, with its semi-academic nature, targets not only buyers but also critics, students and the artists themselves.

The site offers regular columns, such as artist of the month, and interviews. These focus on providing information about the artists.

Help for students
Artists and students of art and art history in places other than metros find the site more useful.

"We have a big back-up from Malayalis. As everybody knows, the art scene is ruled by Malayalis," Johny says.

The site is not part of any particular group, he says, but it puts forward a progressive aesthetics with the wholehearted support of the artists.

"We aim at intervening qualitatively in the art scene, to add quality to the scene.

Even the show is being organised with that aim. We do not plan to organise too many shows — only one or two a year. That too, very carefully done," he adds.
Renu Ramanath
(The Hindu - May 30, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi
Monsoon wreaks havoc in Ernakulam district

Staff Reporter

One killed after tree falls on bus; heavy agricultural loss

KOCHI: One person was killed and 20 injured after a tree fell on a KSRTC bus in Muvattupuzha following torrential rain that wreaked havoc in Ernakulam district on Monday.

The Muvattupuzha police said that the tree fell on the bus that was coming from Nilambur in the afternoon. The injured have been admitted to Government Hospital, Nirmala Hospital and St. George Hospital in Muvattupuzha and Medical Mission Hospital, Kolencherry.

With the death reported from Muvattupuzha on Monday, the number of people killed in torrential rain in Ernakulam district has gone up to two.

A boy was electrocuted after he came in contact with a broken electrical line at Aluva on Saturday during heavy rain.

The monsoon that arrived in the State earlier than scheduled has caused an estimated agricultural loss worth Rs.17.74 lakhs in the district so far.

According to the preliminary reports by the district administration, 562 farmers have suffered losses till May 28. An amount of Rs.5.5 lakhs will be needed for paying compensation to these farmers. Most of the damage has occurred in Perumbavoor, Paravur, Angamaly, Keezhmadu, Tripunithura, Kalamassery, Mulanthuruthy and Piravom.

The district administration has opened control rooms at all taluk offices and the District Medical Office (DMO) for providing immediate assistance in case emergency, according to District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish.

A special squad has been formed under the District Medical Officer to combat the spread of communicable diseases in the wake of monsoon, said the Collector, who was addressing a meeting held in connection with preventing the infectious diseases on Monday.

Awareness campaigns about preventing the spread of diseases will be conducted in many levels, including the grama panchayats, in association with organisations such as Kudumbasree.

The Collector has directed Educational Officers to spruce up the drinking water distribution and hygiene levels in all schools in the district.

The two relief camps opened at Nayarambalam and Njarakkal following the monsoon ravage are accommodating 120 families. The respective village officers have been put in charge of ensuring enough supply of food and other necessary materials to the relief camps. Mobile squads led by the DMO will conduct inspections in places where there is the possibility of an outbreak of any disease.

About 250 houses in the district were damaged in the heavy rain and winds. The authorities concerned have been vested with the responsibility of filing more reports regarding the actual loss suffered by the farmers.

All steps have been taken to ensure that the essential drugs will be available at all hospitals including the primary health centres.

The inspections to be held at hotels and snack bars will be strengthened, according to the Collector. DMO Ramani and other officials concerned attended the meeting.

The Control Rooms opened in the district for assisting in case of monsoon damage will function for 24 hours.

Any information regarding the communicable diseases in the district should be informed at Control Room functioning at the District Medical Office (Phone number: 2373616).

The numbers of other control rooms are: Fisheries Control Room - 2502768; Collectorate - 2422282, 2423001; Aluva taluk office - 2624052, 2630382; Kanayannur taluk office - 2360704; Kochi taluk office - 2215559; Kothamangalam - 0485-2822298; Muvattupuzha - 0485-2832313, 2833601; Kunnathunadu - 2522224; Paravur - 2442326.
(The Hindu - May 30, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi
Ban on digging of roads during monsoon

Staff Reporter

Health Department directed to maintain adequate stock of medicines

KOCHI: District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish said digging and cutting of roads for laying cables would not be allowed during the monsoon.

He said the district administration was taking steps to deal with emergencies that might arise during the monsoon season. Control rooms have already been set up. The Health Department has been directed to stock adequate medicines to tackle monsoon-related diseases. Other steps, including the activities of mobile units and survey units, were being speeded up, the Collector told a meeting of the District Development Committee held at Kakkanad on Saturday.

The Collector said stringent action would be taken in cases relating to reclamation of paddy fields. Any lapse on the part of officers, including Agriculture Department officials, will lead to action. The police have also been directed to take strong action in cases relating to reclamation.

The DDC was informed that bills worth Rs.6.48 crores have to be settled in connection with the 352 works for drought-relief work, which were completed.

The Regional Transport Officer said the licences of 35 vehicles and permits of four buses had been cancelled in connection with the steps being taken against unauthorised bus services via the Varappuzha Bridge. Complaints had risen regarding the unauthorised service of private buses along the Varappuzha Bridge, which was part of a nationalised route on National Highway-17. Kothamangalam MLA T.U. Kuruvila demanded that a police outpost should be set up at Bhoothathankettu.

The meeting was informed of a communication from the BSF about its decision to cancel the move to set up a unit at Kunnukara. The decision to set up a BSF unit in Kunnukara had drawn widespread protest from the local public.
(The Hindu - May 29, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi
Diploma in Movement Arts

Attakkalari, a cultural organisation that works towards developing a contemporary idiom in movement arts, has been involved in research and documentation in the subject for the past couple of years. The organisation, which worked from Kochi during the initial period, later shifted its activities to Bangalore. But, Attakkalari regularly conducts audition for dancers from Kerala.

From this September onwards, the organisation is planning to commence a three-year diploma programme in Movement Arts, according to Jayachandran Palazhi, artistic director of Attakkalari. The course will be conducted in Bangalore. An innovative idea, the diploma programme is aimed at creating professional dancers who will be technically adept, innovative, aware and thinking practitioners.

The diploma programme is supported by the Dutch organisation, Hivos. The International Humanist Institute for Cooperation with Developing Countries Middlesex University (U.K.), Springdance (Netherlands), Working Dance Festival (U.K.) and Greenwich Dance Agency (U.K.) are partners of the programme. Agencies, including India Foundation for the Arts, Daniel Langlois Foundation, the British Council, Max Mueller Bhavan, Alliance Francaise, French Embassy in India, and Indian Council for Cultural Research too are supporting the project.

Students who have completed their Class XII or equivalent are eligible to apply. Basic English language skills are necessary. Reputed dancers and choreographers form part of the faculty, working with students.
RENU RAMANATH
(The Hindu - May 23, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi

Rally for proper water supply

Staff Reporter

Residents of Vypeen, Edakochi take out rally to Collector's Camp Office

KOCHI: The residents of Vypeen and Edakochi took out a march to the District Collector's Camp Office on Monday, demanding improvement in water supply to Vypeen and west Kochi.

The march, organised by the Vypeen Kudivella Samara Samithi, began from the High Court Junction around 11 a.m. and was inaugurated by CPI(ML) State secretary K. Sivaraman.

Edakochi Kudivella Samara Samithi convener Benny Joseph, CPI(ML) district secretary M.K. Krishnankutty, Yuvajanavedi district president M.B. Jayaghosh, Vypeen Kudivella Samara Samithi convener C.G. Biju and Samithi leader K.S. Sindhu addressed the march.

The march was stopped by the police near Maharaja's College on the way to the Camp Office. The Collector and other officials were taking part in a conference convened by Fisheries Minister S. Sarma to review the drought-relief measures being taken in the district, at Kakkanad at the same time.

The protestors met Additional Tahsildar Jolly Philip and handed over a memorandum containing demands to be brought to the attention of the conference being held at Kakkanad.

Hundreds of women with children took part in the march.

Their demands include the completion of the Ad hoc Water Supply Augmentation Scheme (Hudco Scheme) on a war footing, providing 3 MLD (million litres per day) of water promised to Vypeen on the commissioning of the Vypeen component of the Hudco Scheme, supplying water in barges to the Edakochi region till the Hudco Scheme is completed and completing the maintenance work of the distribution system and pumping lines on time.

Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish said that the people's demands would be raised at the constituency-level meeting to be held on Tuesday to assess the drought situation.
(THe Hindu - May 23, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi
In honour of a maestro ... on his 70th birthday

Kalamandalam Kesavan, maestro of Kathakali chenda, who has made his presence felt in many fields, including writing and acting, will turn 70 this week.

Friends and fans of the artiste have come together to celebrate the 'Sapthathi' on Wednesday at Changampuzha Park, Edappally.

Programmes such as poetry rendering, vocal concert, Aksharaslokam recitation, dance recitals and Kathakali performance will mark the 'Sapthathi.'

The celebrations will begin with a 'kavi sammelan' at 9 a.m. The poets' meet will feature Vishnunarayanan Namboodiri, Chemmanam Chacko, N.K. Desom, Vijayalakshmi, V.M. Girija, S. Ramesan Nair, Appan Thachethu and P.I. Sankaranarayanan. Malayalam critic M. Leelavathy will also take part in the event.

The 'kavi sammelan' will be followed by a vocal recital by Rajagopala Menon and Sachin Raj. Jayamohan will accompany the duo on the violin, with Sunil Edappally on the mridangam and Elamakkara Balachandran on the ghatom. An 'akshara sloka sadassu' will be held in the afternoon. Dance recitals by Udyogamandal Sasi and team will be held in the evening.

K.S. Radhakrishnan, Vice-Chancellor of the Sree Sankara University of Sanskrit, Kalady, will inaugurate the public meeting and 'gurupuja' to be held at 5.30 p.m.

Kalamandalam chairman V.R. Prabodhachandran Nair, Thripunithura municipality chairperson Renjini Suresh, among others, will offer felicitations. The meeting will be followed by a Kathakali performance, 'Rusthavum Suhrabum.' It is a story written by Kesavan and is based on the popular Iranian legend of the father-son combat.

Kalamandalam Gopi will don the role of Rustam, while Kalamandalam Balasubramanian will portray the son, Soharab. The other actors include FACT Padamanabhan (Tahmina), Biju Bhaskaran, Kalamandalam Sreekumar and Kalamandalam Kesavadev. Kalamandalam Rajendran and Kalanilayam Rajeevan will provide vocal accompaniment.

Kalamandalam Unnikrishnan and Mankulam Krishnan Namboothiri will accompany on the chenda and Kalamandalam Narayanan Nambisan and party on the maddalam.
Renu Ramanath
(The Hindu - May 22, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi
Maharaja's College gets 'A' grade

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: The Government Maharaja's College has received the 'A' grade accreditation given by the National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC), according to District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish, who is also the chairman of the College Development Council.

The college received the 'A' grade in the re-accreditation announced by the NAAC on Sunday.

Earlier, Maharaja's College had been given `Three Star' status. The St. Teresa's College also gets the 'A' grade.
(The Hindu - May 22, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi
Water Authority work expected to be over by Monday

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: The inter-connection work being done by the Kerala Water Authority at Thammanam Junction will be completed only by Monday evening, according to KWA officials.

The work has reached 80 per cent completion, officials said. However, water supply to Corporation areas as well as to some neighbouring panchayats, which had to be shut down by Friday midnight, will resume by Monday morning. The pumping will begin from 6 a.m.

The work is expected to be over by Monday evening but it may go on till Tuesday in case of unforeseen happenings.
Traffic along the Thammanam Junction will be blocked on Monday also.
(The Hindu - May 22, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi
Two nuns, six priests enrol as lawyers

Staff Reporter

Culmination of a legal fight against the Kerala Bar Council

KOCHI: Two Catholic nuns and six priests were enrolled as lawyers at the Kerala High Court on Sunday, the culmination of their legal fight against the Kerala Bar Council's decision refusing them permission to do so.

Tina Jose, from Little Flower Convent, Manappuram, Cherthala; M. Tessy, Medical Sisters of St. Francis of Assissi, Valiya Veli, Thiruvananthapuram; and Thomas Pudussery, St. Sebastian's Church, Edakkulam, Irinjalakuda, who had challenged the council's decision in the High Court, were among those who enrolled.

Joy Kolencherry, Cherthala S.H. Church, Valamangalam, Cherthala; Tharyan Mundadan, St. Thomas Church, Malayatoor; Joshy Puthua, from Ernakulam; Roy Joseph Kaduppil, Pala; and Sunny Kalappurayil, St. Joseph Church, Aravanchal, Thalassery; are the others enrolled.

The Enrolment Committee of the council rejected the applications of the nuns and priests in 2004, citing the reason that their priesthood was equal to a profession. The High Court Judge K. Balakrishnan Nair delivered a judgment in their favour in 2005.

Alphons enrols
K.J. Alphons, MLA, who had resigned as Land Use Board Commissioner and won the recent Assembly elections from Kanjirappally, enrolled on Sunday. The MLA said that he would practise law only during the time he could put aside after spending in his constituency. As many as 327 people had registered for enrolment, but only 321 of them enrolled, with the rest being absent.
(The Hindu - May 22, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi
Honouring an actor

The puja of the film, 'Monsoon,' directed by K.G. Vijayakumar held on Sunday turned out to be an occasion for honouring a veteran actor.

M.K. Kamalam, the heroine of 'Balan,' the first Malayalam talkie, was invited to light the traditional lamp marking the puja of the 'Monsoon,' at Anjali Studio, Kochi. Mayor Mercy Williams honoured the actor by presenting her with a ponnada. Ms. Williams said that honouring Kamalam was a noble act, especially on the occasion of the 75th anniversary of Malayalam cinema. The shooting of 'Monsoon,' a horror film, will begin in June at Palakkad.

The film, to be shot during the monsoon, is being produced by C.K. Shyamkumar for Pasupathi Cinema.
Renu Ramanath
(The Hindu - May 21, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi
Munambam fishing harbour: first phase to be over in June

Staff Reporter

Official from Delhi visits the site

KOCHI: The first phase of the Munambam Fishing Harbour project, slated to be the country's first model fishing harbour, is expected to be completed by June 30.

Christy Fernandez, Additional Secretary, Union Ministry of Commerce, and Mohankumar, Chairman of the Marine Products Export Development Authority (MPEDA), on Saturday, visited the site to inspect the progress of the work.

They also held meetings with various stakeholders of the project and with the fishermen, according to District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish.

The work on the harbour is being executed by the Munambam Harbour Management Committee, with the Collector as chairman.

The first phase includes the construction of an ice plant, auction hall, water system, toilet complex and a net mending yard. As the first phase will be completed by next month-end, the tender process for the second phase will be completed by July 31.

The project is expected to be completed by March 31. The officials were directed to increase the pace of the construction work as well as to concrete the pavement in the fish landing area.

The work on the harbour was started in 2005.
(The Hindu - May 21, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi
People's agitation for drinking water intensifies

Renu Ramanath

Vypeen and West Kochi residents to march to Collector's Camp Office tomorrow

KOCHI: The agitation for drinking water in the city is intensifying, with the Vypeen Kudivella Samara Samithi and West Kochi Kudivella Samara Samithi planning to hold a joint march to the Collector's Camp Office here on Monday.

The march is to start at 10.30 a.m. from the High Court Jetty.

The Vypeen and West Kochi residents are demanding the completion of the Ad-hoc Water Supply Augmentation Project (HUDCO Project) on a war footing. As a temporary relief measure, they are demanding that the 3 mld (million litres per day) of water promised to Vypeen on completion of the Vypeen component of the HUDCO Project be made available completely. They complain that at present only 2.4 mld water reaches Vypeen everyday, which is grossly inadequate for the basic requirements of the region.

Pipeline maintenance
C.G. Biju, convener of the Vypeen Kudivella Samara Samithi, pointed out that the District Collector had not taken any steps to make use of Rs.2 crores from the funds generated through sale of the Goshree Islands reclaimed land, earmarked for the maintenance of pipelines in the region. Though Rs.2 crores had been allocated for maintenance, no steps had been taken so far to implement the repairing and maintenance work, he said.

The people pointed out that while Rs.10 crores had been allocated for constructing a bridge to Thanthonnithuruthu where only 80 families reside, the basic needs of the thickly populated Vypeen region were being neglected.

Unkept promises
The people had blocked the Goshree Bridge on May 9, protesting against the disruption in water distribution through barges.

A picketing had been organised at the Kerala Water Authority office at Njarakkal on May 17. The Samara Samithi leaders alleged that the District Administration and Kerala Water Authority were not honouring all the promises given to the people during these agitations.

Even though the Vypeen component of the HUDCO Project was commissioned, Kalamukku, Panikkarupadi, Fort Vypeen, Chappa Beach and Elankunnappuzha regions are not getting any water supply.

The pipelines in Puthuvyppu, Karthedam, Njarakkal and Appangad are badly in need of maintenance also.

Once the HUDCO Project was completed, the West Kochi region is expected to receive 25 mld water and 10 mld water is expected to reach Vypeen.
(The Hindu - May 21, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi

Plea to avoid shutdown of water supply

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: The Visala Kochi Kudivella Samrakshana Samithi has requested the Kerala Water Authority to avoid shutting down the water supply for two days in some parts of the city due to the inter-connection works at Thammanam Junction.

Samithi general secretary T.E Thomas requested the KWA Chief Engineer that the inter-connection works should be held only during night, spread over a few days, stopping the water supply only during night.

He was of the opinion that the inter-connection works could be done between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. every night. He also requested that the work should be postponed till the monsoon begins.
(The Hindu - May 19, 2006)

Kerala
Unused borewells in Ernakulam district to be closed down

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: The Department of Groundwater has issued direction to close down the unused borewells in the district, which have failed to bring water.

The Department had informed Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish that all the borewells in the district, both usable and unusable, were safe. The Collector had asked the department to file the information on the safety aspect of the borewells.

In 2005-06, 22 bore wells were dug in the district, while the tally was 20 in 2004- 05. Only two borewells have been dug so far in the current financial year.

The department stated that during drought seasons in the past, 45 borewells had been dug, out of which four wells failed to bring water.

The wells with water will have end caps fixed to the case pipes. Direction has also been issued to cover the area surrounding borewells with barbed wire.
(The Hindu - May 19, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi
Treat for cineastes

Japanese revolutionary filmmaker Nagisa Oshima's 1972 film, 'Dear Summer Sister,' (`Natsu No Imoto'), will be screened in Kochi on Sunday. The screening has been organised by Cochin Film Society, as part of the monthly

Archive Screening Programme held in association with the National Film Archives of India, Pune.

The film, 'an experimental exploration of moral corruption,' is partly based on a true story.

It is set against the backdrop of the return of the Okinawa Prefecture (a group of islands on the southern tip of Japan) to full Japanese rule from the decades long American occupation. This happened in 1972.

The plot is basically a simple story involving a Tokyo teenager and her soon-to-be stepmother for the search of a long-lost brother she has never met.

However, the plot evolves and is interlinked with the complex post-war relations between Japan and Okinawa.

Oshima's films, made in a naturalistic tradition that can be easily assimilated by the viewers, are highly critical of Japanese society.

The screening will be held at 9.30 a.m., at Savitha Theatre.
Renu Ramanath
(The Hindu - May 17, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi

Corporation's help sought for evicting tenants

Staff Reporter

For widening work of Sahodaran Ayyappan Road

KOCHI: The district administration has decided to approach the Kochi Corporation regarding the eviction of the remaining tenants for the widening work of Sahodaran Ayyappan Road.

District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish said that he would send a formal communication to the Mayor and the Corporation Secretary on Wednesday requesting that the Corporation should intervene in the issue related to the eviction of the remaining tenants.

Tenants are to be evicted at 58 points along Sahodaran Ayyappan Road between Pallimukku and Kadavanthra. Many of them are small shop owners. Three have surrendered their land voluntarily.

The decision of providing compensation to 14 owners had already been arrived at. But, the disagreement regarding the surrendering of land at the remaining 41 points is still continuing.

Many of the holders are small shop owners and, among them, many are tenants who refuse to vacate the land.

The district administration is of the opinion that the Corporation can intervene in the issue by holding talks with the tenants and try to find out whether paying compensation or other means of rehabilitation be arranged.

The Collector said that though the funds for the project was already in place, the physical possession of the land could not be transferred so far. Even the acquisition procedures had been completed.

However, the administration wanted the situation to be handled in an amicable manner, without resorting to use of force. (The Hindu - May 17, 2006)

Kerala
Kamala Suraiyya's work to be base for short film

Staff Reporter

Her story 'Kalyanathinte Thalennal,' to be made into short film

KOCHI: Kamala Suraiyya was jubilant as usual. The occasion was the puja of a short film based on her short story Kalyanathinte Thalennal.

Actor-director Sreenivasan lighted the traditional lamp marking the puja.

As usual, Dr. Suraiyya made some comments about the current political situation.

When asked about the possibility of V.S. Achuthanandan becoming the Chief Minister sans the Home portfolio, she quipped all might not be well with Mr. Achuthanandan's party.

She expressed hope that even if the Smart City project was not implemented, Mr. Achuthanandan might be able to give 'smart' drinking water to the public.

The 20-minute film, produced by the Thrissur-based White Creations, will be directed by Jagesh, a director hailing from Ponnani.

The script will be written by Riyas, also from Ponnani. The shooting will begin by the end of June, most probably around Cherppulassery.

Though the actor for the main role is yet to be decided, Lakshmi Krishnamoorthy and the dubbing artiste Bhagyalakshmi will be among the cast.

The story deals with the incidents unfurling on the eve of the wedding day of a girl named Aparna. The incidents include her father who had disappeared a long time ago returning home.
(The Hindu - May 17, 2006)

Kerala
Interconnection of pipelines by this weekend

Staff Reporter

Water supply to Elamakkara region to improve

Palarivattom-Edappally pipeline to be linked with the 42-inch line from Thammanam
Residents of Elamakkara and Perandur regions have been demanding better supply
Lack of pressure was said to be the main reason for poor water supply

KOCHI: The interconnection work linking the two pipelines of the Kerala Water Authority (KWA) at Thammanam for improving the water supply to Elamakkara region is expected to be done by this week-end.

The interconnection work, linking the Palarivattom-Edappally pipeline with the 42-inch line from Thammanam towards the city, via Kathrikkadavu, is expected to boost the pumping pressure on the former line. The Palarivattom-Edappally line, branching off from the main line, is now supplying water towards Elamakkara, Perandur and other neighbouring areas.

All these areas have been continuously suffering an acute shortage of drinking water in the recent past. Much hue and cry had been raised by the public and the Corporation council members from these areas over the water shortage.

The main reason for the shortage is said to be the lack of pressure in the distribution line towards Elamakkara.

As the line supplying Elamakkara branches off from the main line coming from Aluva, the pressure in this line comes down considerably. With the line not connected to the Thammanam pump house, increasing the power using the motors at the pump house was also impossible so far.

The residents of water-starved Elamakkara and Perandur regions have been raising demands for increasing the pumping pressure in their supply lines.

Once the two Palarivattom-Edappally lines are linked with the Thammanam pump house, the pressure towards Elamakkara can be increased from the pump house.

The interconnection work is expected to take up at least a day and a half and the water supply will have to be shut down during the work. Though the KWA was planning to club the interconnection at Thammanam with another interconnection work at Kalamassery, this may not be possible due to the delays at Kalamassery. In that case, a complete shutdown will not be necessary, according to the KWA officials. However, the supply towards the city will be affected during the work. Distribution towards other areas, including Tripunithura, will not be affected.

The KWA is planning to conduct the work during the weekend so as to cause minimum inconvenience to the shops at Thammanam Junction.
(The Hindu - May 17, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi
On helplessness of life

Walking in a minefield is a precarious affair. You never know whether the next moment, the next step, will bring life or death. Danger lurks everywhere. Nobody can help you. You are helpless.

It is this helplessness that T.R. Upendranath makes the viewers experience while moving around his gallery installation, Those Who Remain, put up at the Kashi Art Gallery in Mattancherry. The gallery floor is strewn with mine-like objects, flaunting sharp, sinister-looking spikes.

The entire wall space is transformed into a huge paper collage, spreading across the four walls and rising up towards the high ceiling. The two wooden pillars in the hall are also transformed into installations covered with paper out of which strange beings emerge or peep out.

Upendranath, a Kochi-based artist, for whom paper collage has become the chosen medium, worked for almost 45 days in the gallery space of Kashi.

"I have tried to bring out what is within," he says. "The helplessness of people when faced with either war or terrorism. In fact, both war and terrorism have the same impact on the lives of people. They are helpless."

"But," he is quick to add, "more than a subject, I have tried to bring out a mood; a reflection of thoughts and feelings in my own mind."

He points out that this may not be a "beautiful" work in the conventional sense. The images are stark. The terracotta and metal "mines" scattered all around the 1,000 sq ft gallery floor are downright menacing. A wrong step, and you are likely to end up pierced by the sharp metal spike! His colours too are subdued. `Military camouflage colours, reminding of death.'

He said the insensitivity prevailing in society had intrigued him while conceiving the work. "Suppose you are watching TV news, often the view jumps from the scenes of violence, death or misery from many countries across the world to a sensuous ad of ice-cream or some cosmetic product."

The images of the city that appears in the work are from some of his recent sketches, says Upendranath. "The images developed in a continuous flow once I started working."

He said that he never took any measurements for designing the work.

He used 75 kg of recycled paper, 15 kg of gum, 15 metres of chicken mesh, 15 metres of jute, cotton, wood, terracotta, tin sheet, flour and plastic emulsion for the entire work.

Though he works in general with paper collage, Upendranath had earlier created large murals with paper, like the 50-metre work he did at a wall on the Fort Kochi beach as part of the Everybody's Space' project of Kashi. Another such installation was done at the Kashi Art Café's main hall in 2001.

The display opened on Monday and will be on view till June 15.
Renu Ramanath
(The Hindu - May 16, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi
Private buses to run through market premises

Staff Reporter

Re-routing to be done within 15 days, says collector

KOCHI: Private buses will soon run through the Agricultural Urban Wholesale Market compound at Maradu, providing the public easy access to the market.

Re-routing of the buses through the market premises will be done within 15 days, according to District Collector A.P.M. Mohammed Hanish, chairman of the Maradu Market Society executive council.

The council, which met on Monday, decided to cancel the tenancy of seven traders, as they had not paid dues and delayed starting operations in the stalls allotted to them. They had taken the stalls in April-May 2005, but left them unused. As many as 130 shops were functioning in full swing in the market.

Infrastructure project
The council decided to redraft a project report for the improvement of infrastructure in the market. The project was drafted based on the promise of a subsidy of Rs. 2.5 crores made by the Horticulture Mission. However, since the mission could offer only a quarter of the project cost, a proposal for a Rs. 10-crore project had to be drawn up, with the market left to raise the remaining amount. Though the report was drafted, it was decided to revise the project after the new Government assumed office.

Order for giving 28 stalls to Geo Group, a Gulf-based exporter, had already been issued. The group was also planning to set up an agro-processing plant in the market. For this, it would have to be allotted vacant land and a lease amount fixed for the property.

Contract renewal
The council decided to serve notice to the traders who had not renewed their contract with the market even after the lapse of the contract period of one year.

The market would approach the District Cooperative Bank for opening an extension counter on the market premises for the convenience of the traders.

The meeting decided to expand greenery on vacant land within the market complex by planting trees, such as teak and ornamental shrubs and plants. The canteen in the market complex would be made functional soon. For this, obtaining water connection needed to be speeded up. A tank of 50,000-litre capacity had been built for rainwater harvesting. Another ground-level tank would also be constructed to collect rainwater.

Pass system
The council decided to implement a pass system for the traders and their staff to ensure that unauthorised persons did not enter the premises. It was also decided to release daily market data to the media, on the lines of the data released by the Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council, Keralam.

Cooperation of Kudumbasree units would be sought to dispose of organic waste generated within the market by making organic manure.

The wasteland in the compound would be leased out for cultivation on a seasonal basis, to generate revenue.
(The Hindu - May 16, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi

Victory celebrations

Staff Reporter

KOCHI: The mood outside the District Collectorate, from where real-time information on the progress of counting of votes in 14 constituencies was announced, bore a sombre look from the time counting began.

People gathered in large numbers inside the Collectorate compound but did not enter the civil station premises owing to the strict warnings issued against people thronging the corridors and areas around the media centre.

The collectorate was connected to the 14 counting centres in the district and the counting progressed without any hitch. There were large gatherings just in the Collectorate compound who confined their celebrations mostly to clapping of hands - the usual slogan-shouting and impromptu dances left to their party colleagues outside the compound.

LDF activists had put together a victory procession one hour into the counting outside the compound. The celebrations were not as noisy as they tended to be in the past.

Police presence was obvious all over the Collectorate compound as policemen kept a vigil over the District Administration headquarters.

(The Hindu - May 12, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi
Gains galore for LDF in Ernakulam district

Renu Ramnath

KOCHI: The Left Democratic Front has made impressive gains in Ernakulam district, improving the tally ten times compared to 2001 results, annexing 10 out of the 14 seats.

The trend had started in the 2003 Lok Sabha byelection, when the LDF Independent Sebastian Paul romped home with a comfortable margin. In the 2004 elections to Parliament and in the local body polls the next year too, the LDF had improved its position in the district, considered a UDF stronghold. This year's Assembly election is an extension of this winning trend.

One contributing factor to the victory is the shifting of votes of the politically non-committed middle class, which preferred clean, efficient candidates who stood for good governance.

One look at the winners of the UDF camp will underline the fact that personal rapport established by the candidates - K.V. Thomas, K. Babu, V.K. Ebrahim Kunju and V.D. Satheesan - had stood them in good stead at the hustings.

The LDF wave could not bail out M.M. Lawrence and K.N. Ravindranath, both associated with the trade union wing of the CPI(M). M.C. Josephine of the CPI(M)'s women's wing was unable to capitalise on the LDF wave and the support from the PDP and the Jamaat-e-Islami.

In Aluva, the defeat of K. Mohammedali of the UDF at the hands of a newcomer Yousuf is noteworthy.

The voters opted for a change and the Congress candidate was unable to arrest the erosion of traditional votes witnessed in the constituency since 2003.

That the rank and file of the UDF had not taken kindly to the alliance with the DIC(K) was evident from the defeat of T.M. Jacob in Piravom.

Mr. Jacob, who had not tasted defeat so far, was defeated at Piravom, which he had been representing for the last three terms, after a similar record in Kothamangalam. The LDF was also able to blow the myth that the Muslim population is staunchly behind IUML.
(The Hindu - May 12, 2006)

Kerala - Kochi
Putting banana stem to better use

The stem of the banana plant is usually thrown away once the plantain is harvested. The stem, though highly edible and nutritious, forms a major waste material in large-scale banana plantations. And for the large-scale farmers, the disposal of these stems is a real problem.

Extracting good quality fibre from these stems is gaining popularity in Kerala.

The fibre from the banana stems (pseudo stems, actually), are as strong as any other plant yarn. Many units, engaged in extracting banana fibre for making a wide range of products, already exist in different parts of the State.

The Vegetable and Fruit Promotion Council Kerala has already established a couple of women's self help units for making banana fibre products.

Now, Eco Green, a Pollachi-based group, has started setting up training centres in banana stem fibre making in Kerala.

The group has developed a machine for easy extraction of fibre with a higher production rate, according to its project director S.K. Babu.

The group has already set up training centres in Maharashtra and Goa. They have now started a training centre at Palakkad and plan to begin another one in Edappally, Kochi.

Each machine can handle 25 kg of stem per day. The machine would consume eight units of electricity per day. A wide range of products including bags, baskets, wall hangings and artificial flowers can be made with banana fibre.

The group is also involved in developing technology for making eco-friendly plates from areca nut sheaths. They are mainly targeting women self-help groups, farmers and small entrepreneurs in the rural areas.
Renu Ramanath
(The Hindu - May 10, 2006)

Kerala
Thripunithura water supply work begins

Staff Reporter

Project also covers neighbouring panchayats of the municipality

KOCHI : Laying of pipelines for the water supply project for Thripunithura municipality and neighbouring panchayats has started, K. Babu, MLA, has said.

The work of laying pipes for a stretch of 4,400 metres from Karimukal Colony to Puthenkurissu had started. The project requires 14 km of pipes. For 10 km from the plant at Choondy till Hindustan Organic Chemicals, 800 mm pipes would be installed. From HOC till Karingachira sump, 700 mm pipes would be laid for 4.1 km. In this stretch, the pipes would be laid along the road under the Public Works Department (PWD).

An amount of Rs.43 lakhs had been paid to the PWD as compensation for digging the roads, Mr. Babu said.

The National Highway authorities had demanded an amount of Rs.2.2 crores for cutting the NH-49 for 2000 m from Irumpanam till Karingachira sump and for 700 m from Puthenkurissu till Choondy. Attempts were being made to get the compensation amount reduced from the National Highway authorities.

The KWA officials were in touch with the NH authorities, he said.

Permission was yet to be obtained for digging 6,550 m of road from Chitrappuzha till Karimukal Junction, which was under the Kerala State Transport Project (KSTP).

The Bhoomipuja for starting the construction of the sump at Karingachira was over and the preliminary works had started. Orders had been placed for procuring rustless iron for the work. The work would begin as soon as the iron rods arrived.

The sump, which would have a capacity of 15 lakh litre, would cost around Rs.50 lakhs.

The tendering for the construction of the treatment plant at Choondy was also over. There was a slight change in the design.

The construction work of the treatment plant would begin soon, he said.
(The Hindu - May 10, 2006)