Jagan's fate *

Y.S.Jaganmohan Reddy’s decision to quit the Congress suggest his political immaturity. He should remember that his father Y.S.Rajasekhar Reddy was the natural choice when Dr. M. Chenna Reddy quit the post of CM. But instead Y.S.R.Reddy suggested the name of N.Janardhan Reddy to the post and chose to work along party lines. This charisma earned him the high command’s support as a staunch Congress loyalist. Out of the Congress camp, Jagan’s fate is uncertain. He should have stayed loyal Kiran kumar Reddy and emerged as a leader of the people.

* Published in Letters to the Editor, The New Indian Express, dt Dec 1,2010.

A career in theatre is a must for all actors *

Indian Cinema had excelled in the 70’s and 80’s mainly because the exponents honed their skills in theatre and performing arts. Nowadays, a lack of exposure to theatre has resulted in many lacklustre performances not just in commercial films but also in the so called art movies. Theatre should be the stepping stone before they make an entry into the film industry.

* Published in edex of The New Indian Express, dt Nov 8, 2010.

Poetic values *

The Jnanpith award to ONV is a recognition for upholding poetic values. His poetry of over six decades has traversed from the tenets of romanticism to progressivism and later to mankind and human values. Hope Malayalam will also be given classical status.

* Published in Letters to the Editor, The New Indian Express, dt Sep 27, 2010.

Take the right approach *

History is an attractive subject but the approach taken to teach it is rather unattractive. Edex has debated a topic of due relevance. History studies doesn’t confine to academic knowledge and cannot be mugged up. Study of history begins right from the home, one’s legacy, the neighbourhood, places , people, community etc. The problem lies in the curriculum as Kerala student should be introduced to Marthanda Varma first and not Hitler and Mussolini. Also the student should go through the vernacular medium of instruction for unbiased views.The study at school level should be made interesting by use of illustration, videos, and even visit to ancient monuments etc., thereby instilling curiosity and inquisitiveness in students. Geography study and History should be comparatively studied.

* Published in edex of The New Indian Express, dt Sep 06, 2010.

Venu Nagavally

With the demise of Venu Nagavally, the Malayalam film fraternity has lost a humanist. He was a complete artiste traversing from the pathetic romantic lover as an actor to the heights of progressive idealist as a director.As an actor he represented the sceptical, cynical youth of the post-emergency period, and his persona suited well. The films of 1980's had the insecurity prevalent during the period as the theme. As a director, he used the values of human relationships and family bonding well. He will be remembered for drawing a consensus between art and commercial films without parallels, by visualizing social, cultural political conditions in his directoral ventures, secluded from biased affiliations.

Muslim Welfare *

The fundamental outfits generalizing the conditions of Muslims in northern states to that of Muslims in Kerala are doing an injustice to the traditional ethics of Muslims in the state. This minority community is at par with the Hindus and Christians and has come to the forefront in terms of political, intellectual and cultural strength. So the attempts of communal polarisation should be dealt with seriously by the Government to ensure peace rather than succumbing to minority backlash ahead of the local body polls.

* Published in Letters to the Editor, The New Indian Express, dt August 18, 2010

What's in a name *

The people of Kerala should change, not its name

The change of name from 'Kerala' to 'Keralam' will not make much difference unless the people of the state change their attitude. Once famous for the humble and simple living of tis people, it now ranks high in terms of hypocrisy, corruption and terrorist activities.

* Published in Letters to the Editor, The New Indian Express, dt July 16, 2010.

V for Victory, Two for Injustice

After the sorrowful contemplation for 26 years the verdict of the Bhopal Gas tragedy pronouncing eight as guilty and awarding two years imprisonment to those convicted puts the words of Landor quite appropriate. Here the sufferings endured by the victims better fulfillment of justice. The sign of victory is ironically two fingers raised vertically and here the two years symbolize the paradox on the magnitude of punishment. With the Law Minister's assertion that Judiciary is not to be blamed, then whom are the victims to blame for this delayed injustice.From culpable homicide to criminal negligence, from Quattrochies to Andersons, India has explicated the real definition of extradition, the result of unethical, undemocratic political manipulation through judicial intervention. Now the hands of Union Carbide are clean for cutting cost at the hands of safety. The hands of the victims seeking mercy at the hands of even handed justice ?

Tackle Maoists *

The Central Government should act immediately to check the intermittent Maoist attacks, either by finding an amicable solution through dialogues or military action. The Home Minister speaks softly but he should carry a big stick.He should learn the Naxal movement in Kerala in the 70's when the astute Karunakaran tackled it and crushed it to free the state from its clutches.

* Published in Letters to the Editor, The New Indian Express, dt May 31,2010.

'Cattle class' travel *

Air travel is considered to be the fastest, costliest and safest means of transport. The rising toll of air disasters and the and the recent Mangalore air crash put the notion to nought. The queston that is whether low budget airlines compromise on International safety standards. The Air India Express slogan - Simply Priceless is quite ambiguous and presents itself as a suggestive paradox on the equation of life. High cost or low budget, safety of passengers should be the utmost priority and the Govt should ensure this, as these low-cost carriers are used by cattle class, whose lives are simply priceless.

* Published in Letters to the Editor, The New Indian Express, dt May 26,2010.

Caste Census

India being a conglomerate of various socio cultural ethnic diversities, the debate of a caste based census will result in the rejuvenation of regionalistic and sectarian forces on caste based entities. India has been prone to the ill effects of Chathurvarnya till the Macualay reforms, and traces of it still below our stature as a sovereign state. The caste census has far reaching consequences and can further result to disharmony of the communal fabric of the country. The Government has to ensure schemes that will not affect the unity in diversity of the country, as the caste census progress will negate the socio economic development it promulgates.

Slow legal process *

It is clear that our judicial process helps the terrorists to strike at us. If the hanging of Kasab is delayed for one year, the expense will have to be borne by the country. It confounds us why it should bear the cost. Human rights activists may also seek mercy for him. Enough of Afzal Gurus and Kasabs. Expedite capital punishment so that there is no delayed justice.

* Published in Letters to the Editor, The New Indian Express, dt May 15, 2010.

Kinalur Issue

The Kinalur issue which is the outcome of unbridled police barbarism raises an issue on the parity of fundamental rights enjoyed by a citizen. It is strange that a person wounded by police blows is coerced to make a Mark Antony speech. These are all evident of the dictatorial system of administration which is clinching democratic ways of protest by fists. People are witnessing the dark side of things when confronted in any form of protests, either if they are activists or the benefactors. To get rid of this, surely one has to partake in a State sponsored hartal or strike against Central Govt. norms and cherish the red carpet welcome accorded to them which can be exemplified from the treatment meeted to the activists at the Tripunithura Rly Station incident.

Congress Groupism *

The attempts to revive the Karunakaran factor in Kerala politics and strengthen I - group are in vain. The group meetings are leader centric. But this time is the time for Murali to stage a comeback. He should present himself as a victim of groupism and play the role of an interlocutor for a political consensus. Or he should stage his allegiance to Oommen Chandy. It is strange that the leaders who opposed Muraleedharan's entry are now trying for the same.

* Published in Letters to the Editor, The New Indian Express, dt 28 April, 2010

The Drama of Kerala Congresses

The talks of a merger of the Joseph and Mani factions of the Kerala Congress on the basis of pseudo ideological grounds raises the question whether the merger is a political fusion or fission in the near future. The very relevance of Kerala Congress in state politics has been gradually waning. The tendency of small parties flocking before the UDF reminds the war episode of The Mahabharata, where rulers who were refused by the Kauravas knocking at the doors of the Pandavas. Such is the situation in the UDF camp whether its the RSP-SP, IUML-INL,KC(M)-KC(J) merger, the wreck would be at the cost of the INC.So its time for the Congress to stop appeasing the allies and clear their own group issues. Inactive response by Congress will make the issue bounce to their court.

Kerala- Haven of Explosives

The unearthing of various IED's and country bombs across the state, this time in Palakkad raises concerns on the credibility of the deteriorating Intelligence wing of the State Police, and brings forth the fact that Kerala has become the haven of explosives. Despite reports and evidence of persons from the state having nexus with terrorist outfits, it's rather surprising as to why the State Government is not taking Central assistance to counter this serious issue. If this kind of approach is prolonged by the State Government, it is certain that we would taste 26/11 in the near future in Kerala. It's ironical that despite having the Defence Minister and an MoS for Home from the state, the issue is not taken seriously.

Senseless Stir *

The call for an indefinite strike, this time bu P.G. Medical students is senseless. Doctors or students, boycotting duty has become the only way to protest. Their unruly behaviour and lackadaisical approach often provoke the traumatic patients and hapless onlookers. Doctors should be benevolent to patients and give up strikes. Doctors don't need trade unions if they do their job.

* Published in Letters to the Editor, The New Indian Express, dt. 26 April, 2010

POLITICAL POWER PLAY FOR MURALEEDHARAN

The attempts to revive the Karunakaran factor in Kerala politics and strengthening of I group are vain and should prove futile to the Congress State Unit. A fact to be noted is that the group meetings are not ideology centric rather leader centric. But this is the time of a political power play, or rather staging a comeback for Muraleedharan. He should come forward and portray himself as a victim of groupism and play the role of an interlocutor in drawing a political consensus. Or he should either state his allegiance to Oommen Chandy. It is strange that the leaders who boycotted Muraleedharan's entry citing his group activities are now loitering for the same. G.Rajiv 's report (NIE, April 15,) is a suggestive proof of the activities and intention against Oommen Chandy.

IPL's hidden hands *

With the resignation of Tharoor, it is evident that he has become the scapegoat of the core Committee's nepotism and Congress's appeasement of BJP for withdrawing the cut motion against the Finance Bill. The govt should prove its credibility by tracing out the big hands in the IPL and ordering a probe into the sources, rather than silencing the opposition with the resignation of Tharoor. If the Kochi IPL is taken away to Ahmedabad or elsewhere, Tharoor can cite it as a case of north -south divide.

* Published in Letters to the Editor, The New Indian Express, dt April 20, 2010

SWEATING EQUITES OR CEREBRAL WEEDING

Given his vast experience in International relations, Shashi Taroor should have used his sweat to better bilateral relations of the country in his capacity of MOS for External Affairs and set fath examples. As an MP he should initiate developmental projects for his constituency, Thiruvananthapuram, which has only the lustre of the capital city, instead of giving patronage to the big money involving IPL hungama. His exposure in these business endeavours land him in the same pool of politicians sweating for their own equities. With these controversies, one doubts whether an intellectual like Tharoor has got cerebral weeding due to his contact with cattle class.

Congress Groupism *

The meeting of three groups in the Congress once again proves that groupism and sidelining have been part and parcel of the Congress. With the local body polls due in mid- September,the Congress should have acted as a creative opposition. Vayalar Ravi should prove his mettle in an election and not by acquiring Rajya Sabha seat - the easy corridor to power. Oommen Chandy has proved his charismatic leadership and administrative abilities during his tenure as CM , which makes him a sure contender for the post. The High Command should check these group activities. Now its clear that the concern of the Congress is not the price hike but the seat hike alone.

* Published in Letters to the Editor, The New Indian Express, dt April 15, 2010

RTE - ENSURE PARITY OF QUALITY EDUCATION

The Right to Education Act debate has gained a great deal of currency, thanks to contributions from various quarters. The neighbourhood school concept needs a review and the Government should clearly state whether the Act ensures Parity of Quality Education. Just shedding out capitation and screening of admissions wont help in providing quality based education. NREG Act is a quantity based one and Education is not to be weighed in that proportion.

ABIDING MODI

Narendra Modi's summoning before the Special Investigation Team on 2002 riots in Godhra has put an end to all apprehensions and speculations. The perseverance he showed before the extensive and elaborative questioning of the Investigating authorities is an ample proof of his abidance to the Constitution and is no act of defiance.The respect he showed towards the Judiciary proved his detractors wrong. His act as a responsible citizen gives emphasis to the fact that no one is above the Law and its supremacy.

Unapologetic Maya

The political convention of the Bahujan Samaj Party after a mammoth culminated in a garland of currency notes. This extravaganza is despite the fact that 37 per cent of the dalits still live below poverty line. This act of Mayawati is unapologetic and there should be a probe probe into the source of her funds.

* Published in Letters to the editor, The New Indian Express, dt. March 18, 2010.

ANNADANAM- ALTAR OFFERING

To offer food in the name of God, professes Hindu mythology as one of the paths to salvation. This objective has rather prompted many to host food offering programmes. But when these holy way to salvation ends in human sacrifice, This cause is ignoble. The Stampede that led to the death of 37 children and 26 women in the Kripalu Maharaj Ashram at Pratapgarh in Uttar Pradesh is a suggestive proof of the above. What purpose have these benefactors and beneficiaries served upon these, rather ending up as Altar offerings. Authorities should ensure that these food offering events should obtain permission from Health Dept & Local Bodies for sanitation etc to avoid food poisoning and Police personnel be deployed to avoid stampedes. Just lodging an FIR under Sec 304 (death due to negligence) dosen't serve the purpose. An amendment to Rules for Distribution of food especially in Events is necessary to avoid further such incidents.

MERE GLADIATORS

The portrayal of cine actors as superhuman has been disgusting thanks to their comment on everything below the sky and above the earth. These actors adopt an overbearing attitude towards writers. From the Aristotalean period the actor just enacts a play by a dramatist who is the real warrior, The actor is a gladiator only to profess his skill before the audience.The writer who is the creator wages the war for purification of humanity. So when these actors criticise writers, they should know that they are mere entertainers.

* Published in Letters to the Editor, The New Indian Express dt March 3, 2010