Corruption is a threat to Indian democracy: SC

Tuesday, January 31, 2012: Expressing concern over corruption plaguing public life, the Supreme Court today said the malady poses a “grave” danger to the country’s democracy.
“Today, corruption in our country not only poses a grave danger to the concept of constitutional governance, it also threatens the very foundation of Indian democracy and the Rule of Law,” Justice AK Ganguly said while delivering the verdict on the issue of granting sanction to prosecute former Telecom Minister A Raja in the 2G spectrum allocation scam.
“The magnitude of corruption in our public life is incompatible with the concept of a socialist, secular and democratic republic. It cannot be disputed that where corruption begins all rights end,” he said. He further elaborated that anti-corruption law has to be interpreted in such a fashion as to strengthen the fight against corruption.
“Corruption devalues human rights, chokes development and undermines justice, liberty, equality, fraternity which are the core values in our preambular vision. Therefore, the duty of the Court is that any anti-corruption law has to be interpreted and worked out in such a fashion as to strengthen the fight against corruption,” he said.
He said the right of private citizen to file a complaint against a corrupt public servant is a constitutional right and competent authority must be taking action on those complaints.
“The right of private citizen to file a complaint against a corrupt public servant must be equated with his right to access the Court in order to set the criminal law in motion against a corrupt public official. This right of access, a constitutional right should not be burdened with unreasonable fetters,” he said while pointing out that the government has not given sanction to prosecute 126 alleged corrupt officials.

Standard of education going down in Kerala: HC

The Kerala High Court on Tuesday observed that the standard of education was going down in the state mainly due to the increase in number of self-financing institutions.
It said the educational institutions under the self-financing sector were multiplying haphazardly. In order to get things in order, government and other authorities and courts should take adequate steps, Justice S Sirijagan said. He made the observations while considering a batch of petitions seeking revaluation of answer papers of different universities in the state.
The court laid down guidelines for the revaluations and directed the universities to strictly comply with it. Reducing the time limit for submitting re-valuation applications to 15 days from publication of results and uploading of marks scored by each student subject wise in the university website are among the guidelines. The court also urged universities to increase the number of sections and staff for re-valuation.

Private bus strike begins in Palakkad

 Wednesday, February 1, 2012: Private bus employees in Palakkad are striking work today from 6 am to 6 pm. The strike was called demanding payment of variable DA due to them.
The meeting which was held on Tuesday between the deputy labour commissioner A Radhakumari and the owners and employees of private buses proved inconclusive. However, the autorickshaw strike, proposed for Wednesday, has been cancelled based on Tuesday’s meeting, revealed the autorickshaw Coordination commitee leaders. CITU, ANTUC, BMS are taling part in the strike.

Kozhikode National Hopital nurses on strike

Wednesday, February 1, 2012: Nurses of Kozhikode National Hospital have launched a strike demanding better wages.
More than 600 nurses of Kolenchery Medical College had launched an indefinite strike on Sunday demanding better wages. The discussions held earlier to solve the crisis had failed, forcing the nurses to go on strike.

Pillai flays UDF, LDF for sabotaging Marad riot case

KOZHIKODE: Accusing the Kerala government of sabotaging the Marad riot case, BJP National Executive member P S Sreedharan Pillai today reiterated his demand for a probe by Central agencies in the worst ever violence that claimed nine lives nine years ago in the predominantly fishermen inhabited Marad beach in Kohzikode.


Talking to news persons here, he said the governments headed by the Congress-led UDF and its arch rival CPI (M)-led LDF in alternate terms scuttled the case to protect their activists involved the second Marad violence on May 2, 2003, Out of the total 65 accused figured in the First Information Report (FIR) 35 were UDF men, majority of them Indian Union Muslim League (IUML) workers and 23 CPI (M) cadres, he said.


He said the Special Investigation Team, which had recently taken off from the probe, had not interrogated any of these activists despite handling the case for more than one and a half years clearly indicating official interference. CPI (M) state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan's deposition before the Marad Commission that the CPI (M) does not hold the view that the CBI investigation is required into the incident. That is because maintenance of law and order is a state subject and not the responsibility of a Central Organisation like the CBI, vindicated his stand, he said. Only a probe by the CBI or the National Investigation Agency, which had already expressed willingness to investigate the case, could do justice to the next of kins of the victims hailing from Araya community, he added.

Four labourers killed, 10 hurt as jeep falls into gorge

IDUKKI: Four women labourers, including a 19-year-old girl, were killed and 10 injured, three of them seriously, when the jeep in which they were travelling fell into a 10-foot-deep gorge at B L Ram Vilakku, near Santhanpara in the district today.


The dead were identified as Iruthayya Mary (46), her daughter Stella (28), Rajathi (50) and Sheela (19), all hailing from Bhodi Vinobabava Colony in Tamil Nadu and worked as estate labourers. The three seriously injured women have been admitted to the Theni Medical College Hospital and others in nearby hospitals, the sources said.


The tragedy occured when the jeep carrying 13 labourers, including one male to the estate, lost control after hitting the parapet wall and fell into the gorge, killing three on the spot and the other in the hospital.

Same legislation for all medical managements, says Adoor Prakash

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Legislation will be brought so that all medical managements of the state will have to admit students in government fees, said Health Minister Adoor Prakash. He said this while responding to the stand of Christian Management Federation that they cannot admit students in government fees.


The minister said he cannot accept their stand of accepting same fees in all the seats. Christian management and other managements will not be separated. The Christian Management Federation had stated that same fees will be received from all seats as capitation fee is not received.

Congress seeks action against those behind removal of posters

KANNUR: The Congress leaders led by Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) Secretary Satheeshan Pacheni and former state ministers from the district K P Noorudheen, N Ramakrishnan and A D Musthafa today said that removal of the flex boards with photograph of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy was a shock to the Congress workers in the state and action should be taken against the people behind the incident.


Addressing a press conference here today, K P Noorudheen and other top leaders said yesterday’s incident of removal of flex boards praising Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, which were put up by pro-congress organization and Public Relation Department (PRD) at the time of his mass contact programme had hurt the Congress workers and sympathizers. They demanded that KPCC seek explanation from K Sudhakaran, Member of Parliament from Kannur, on the incident and take action against the people behind the incident. They alleged that some conspiracy was suspected to tarnish the image of Chandy and create crisis for the UDF government, which was going on with a narrow lead in the assembly.

Kerala Budget before March 16, says Mani

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Kerala Budget for 2012-13 fiscal will be presented before the Union Budget which is likely to be presented on March 16, Finance Minister KM Mani said today.


Addressing a press conference here, Mani said the Union Budget is likely to be presented on March 16. But, the state budget will be presented before that as it needs sufficient time to fulfill the constitutional obligation.


However, the exact date for the presentation of the budget will be decided by the cabinet, he added. After a three-day discussion, other formalities including Vote on Account would be completed before March 31, he said.

Antony blames Army for chief's age row

NEW DELHI: Laying the blame on the Army's doors for the controversy over Gen V K Singh's age issue, Defence Minister A K Antony on Tuesday said it occured because the force kept two sets of his date of birth for 36 years and maintained there was no civil-military confrontation.


"For 36 years, two branches of the same institution maintained two dates of birth and that is why this controversy," he told reporters here in his first detailed comments on the raging controversy that is before the Supreme Court now.


"It is unfortunate that it took years together but I don't agree with some of you that it is a civil-military controversy," Antony added.


He suggested that the government had no role to play in the whole issue as this discrepancy was first noticed in 2006 by the Army headquarters and reconciled at that level then and later in 2008 by two respective chiefs.

NIA submits FIR in two fake currency cases

Tuesday, January 31, 2012: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) has filed the first information report (FIR) in two fake Indian currency notes (FICN) cases before the Ernakulam NIA Special Court.
The NIA has undertaken the investigation of the fake currencies seized from Kozhikode and Kochi international airports worth Rs 72.5 lakh and Rs 24.16 lakh, respectively. The FIR was filed against nine accused in the former and one in the latter case.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence on August 16, 2008, seized counterfeit notes in the denominations of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 amounting to Rs 72.5 lakh from Mohammed Alshab, who arrived at the Kozhikode airport from Ras Al Khaima.
C P Sajin Alias Chinnan of Puthur in Kottakkal, C S Abdul Malik of Kaipamangalam, Naushad of Mathilakom, R K Usman of Tharonoor, Malappuram, Abdul Kareem of Perumbavoor, Moosakkutty alias Babu of Eravakkod, Muhammad Rafi of Orumanayoor and Abdul Majeed of Thamarassery are the other accused in the case.
The second case is related to the seizure of counterfeit currencies in the denominations of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 to the tune of Rs 24.18 lakh from a passenger K Gopinath of Mavelikkara who had arrived from Dubai by an Emirates flight at the Kochi airport on March 11, 2010.
The Central Government had directed the NIA to investigate the cases as the accused have international connections and the main supplier of FICN was abroad, the FIR pointed out.

Poster controversy: K Achuthan MLA backs Sudhakaran

Tuesday, 31 January 2012: K Achuthan MLA today strongly backed K Sudhakaran MP in the poster controversy. Achuthan has asked to take action against Kannur SP.
Yesterday, Youth Congress activists removed Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s poster from Kannur collectorate road.

50 nurses expelled from Lakeshore hospital

Tuesday, January 31, 2012: The management of Kochi Lakeshore Hospital has expelled 50 of the 700 striking nurses and proceeded to go against them with court cases.
Nurses of Lakeshore Hospital and Kothamangalam medical mission hospital have been on strike demanding better wages.
The nurses who have been paid a measly sum as monthly salary have been on an agitation in several hospitals in Kerala and outside. The managements have all along been taking advantage of the nurses by denying minimum wages.

Kottarakkara: 20 women hospitalised after inhaling toxic gas

 Tuesday, 31 January 2012: Twenty women workers in a cashew nut factory were today hospitalized with breathing problems after inhaling toxic gas near Kottarakara in Kollam district. Six of them admitted in Kottarakara taluk hospital and other admitted in a private hospital.

Poster controversy: Rages in Kannur Congress

Monday, 30 January 2012: Youth congress activists today removed Chief Minister Oommen Chandy’s poster from Kannur collectorate road. Activists removed Chief Minister’s mass contact programme posters.
The youth congress activists were removed posters after the press meets by K Sudhakaran MP.

Two killed as jeep overturns near Idukki

 Tuesday, 31 January 2012: Two women were killed and twelve injured when a jeep overturned near Bodimettu in Idukki district on Tuesday, sources said.

NIA takes over two fake currency cases in State

Monday, January 30, 2012: After the Taliparamba counterfeit currency case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has undertaken another two major Fake Indian Currency Note (FICN) cases in the state, after some Pakistan links were established in both cases.
The NIA has undertaken the investigation of the fake currencies seized from Karipur and Nedumbassery International Airports worth `72.5 lakh and `24.16 lakh, respectively.
“The NIA has got a good lead in the FICN case investigation. The agency could unearth the link connecting these two cases during the investigation of previous counterfeit cases registered in Hyderabad,” the NIA officials said. The First Information Report (FIR) on these two cases will be submitted before the Ernakulam NIA Court within four days, they said. At present, these two cases were being investigated by the Organised Crime Wing (OCW) of the state police.
“During the investigation, the police team found that the currency notes seized were brought from Dubai and it was printed in Pakistan. After this, a request was made to the central government for handing over the case to the NIA,” an official from OCW said. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), on August 16, 2008 seized counterfeit notes in the denominations of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 amounting to Rs 72.5 lakh, from Mohammed Alshab, who arrived at the Karipur airport from Ras al Khaima.
Three others - C P Sajil, C S Abdul Maliq and Naushad - who came to receive him were also arrested.
The fake notes were kept concealed in a carton of toys and board games. Muhammad Rafi, Abdul Karim, Moosakkutty and Abdul Majeed were the other accused in this case. After this, Malappuram OCW wing registered a case and started the investigation.
The second case registered was with the seizure of counterfeit currencies in the denominations of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 to the tune of Rs 24.18 lakh from a passenger at the Cochin International Airport.
The currency was found in the possession of K Gopinathan of Mavelikkara, who had arrived from Dubai by an Emirates flight
“Moosakutty alias Babu, working in Dubai, a friend of his co-worker Rafi of Kozhikode, handed over the consignment to him just before his departure from Dubai. The OCW had plans to add them in the accused list. Now, the NIA will take the decision,” the OCW official said.

Lakeshore hospital nurses go on strike

Monday, January 30, 2012: Nurses of Kochi Lakeshore hospital have launched a strike demanding better wages.
More than 600 nurses of Kolenchery Medical College had launched an indefinite strike on Sunday demanding better wages. The discussions held earlier to solve the crisis had failed, forcing the nurses to go on strike.

TN not to compromise on Mullaperiyar dam rights

Monday, January 30, 2012: Making it clear that it would not compromise on its rights on the Mullaperiyar Dam issue, AIADMK government in Tamil Nadu on Monday alleged it was a victim of the Centre’s “persistent indifference” and accused Kerala of whipping up “mass fear and insecurity” over the row.
“The attempts on the part of Kerala to whip up mass fear and insecurity through false propaganda have been the primary cause of these (recent violent) incidents,” Governor K. Rosaiah said in his customary address to the first session of the Tamil Nadu assembly this year.
“Tamil Nadu is all for ensuring the safety of the dam and I earnestly appeal to the people of Kerala not to succumb to such malicious campaign,” he said, outlining the government’s policies and priorities in his first address since becoming the governor.
He said the state government was committed to maintaining cordial relationship with all neighbouring states but Tamil Nadu was a victim of the “persistent indifference” of the Union Government besides “false and parochial” campaigns launched with “short-sighted political interests.” “We also urge the Government of India to direct the Kerala government to abide by the decision of the Supreme Court,” the governor said.
Tamil Nadu would not compromise on its rights and livelihood of its farmers and would defend them in all appropriate fora and courts of law, Rosaiah said. He said Tamil Nadu had shown the utmost restraint and ably handled the recent incidents relating to the Mullaperiyar Dam.
The row had intensified since November with both Tamil Nadu and Kerala sparring over the latter’s insistence on building a new dam in place of the 116-year old Mullaperiyar reservoir, causing tension in border areas of both states.
Kerala has been citing safety concerns for its demand to decommission the dam, which feeds five southern districts in Tamil Nadu, under whose control it comes on a 999 year lease. The Opposition DMK boycotted the Governor’s address after attacking the AIADMK on different fronts.
As Rosaiah got up to deliver his customary address, DMK Legislature Party Leader M.K. Stalin rose and started reading out a prepared speech.
The Governor told Stalin that the Assembly had been convened to discuss all issues but Stalin continued to read and later led a walkout of the DMK MLAs.

Pandalam: Robbery case accused gives police the slip

Monday, January 30, 2012: A 21-year-old youth, an accused in a theft case has escaped from the custody of the Pandalam police on Monday. The accused identified as Shibu, a native of Marthandam, was arrested for stealing some rubber sheets, police told.
The accused gave police the slip while he was being brought to the police station. Even though the police searched the area they couldn’t trace out the accused. Police informed that the accused had escaped with the handcuffs.

Ice-cream parlour case: SIT submits probe report

Monday, January 30, 2012: Kochi: The Special Investigation Team, set up by Kerala government to probe fresh allegations against Industries Minister PK Kunhalikutty in the Ice cream parlour scandal case, on Monday filed its final report in the High Court.
The report was submitted in a sealed cover before a division bench, comprising Chief Justice Manjulla Chellur and Justice PR Ramachandran Menon.
SIT chief Vinson M Paul, Additional DGP (Crime) was also present in the court.
The probe was ordered by the previous LDF government headed by VS Achuthanandan following fresh allegations made by KA Rauf, an estranged relative of Kunahlikutty, who alleged that the minister had allegedly destroyed evidence and used money to influence witnesses and fabricate evidence in the case in 2006.
Two former judges — Justices K Narayana Kurup and K Thankappan, former advocate general MK Damodaran, former state Attorney PC Iype were among those questioned by the SIT.
The case, which surfaced during the late 1990s, relates to allegations that an ice cream parlour in Kozhikode was used to lure young women into prostitution.
Kunhalikutty, who was a minister in the previous UDF government, had to quit in 2004 following the allegations. He, however, did not figure as accused in the case.
Opposition leader VS Achuthanandan had also filed a petition in the High Court seeking a CBI probe into the case, which was earlier dismissed by the court.

Vakkom panel suggestions to be implemented: Chennithala

Monday, January 30, 2012: Amidst the controversies regarding the Vakkom Committee recommendations, KPCC Chief Ramesh Chennithala on Monday said that they will be implemented by the party.
Many recommendations can only be implemented on a long-term basis Chennithala said.
What the report recommends is not action against two or three persons, he said. The recommendations made in view of the future of the Congress party in the state will be implemented democratically, he said here. Party will reign in those leaders who air their opinions indiscriminately, Chennithala said.

Kiliroor case verdict on Feb 6

 Monday, January 30, 2012: The verdict in the Kiliroor sex scandal case will be issued on February 6th. The court proceedings in the case have been completed.
The case relates to sexual exploitation of a girl named Shaari from Kiliroor, near Kottayam, by the accused after offering her roles in television serials. Shaari died at the Kottayam Medical College Hospital on 13th November 2004.
Earlier reports:-
Praveen (30), the second accused in the sensational Kiliroor sex scandal case had earlier admitted before the CBI special Court that he had fathered Shaari’s (victim) child.
The Court while recording the statements of the accused informed that the DNA test conducted on Praveen to determine the paternity of the child was positive.
The accused in the case are Praveen, 24, and Manoj, 19, both conductors attached to the Guruvayur depot of the Kerala State Transport Corporation (KSRTC); Latha Nair of Mallappalli; Binu alias Kochumon, 30, of Kottayam; Prasanth, 23, conductor at the KSRTC Guruvayur depot; Somanathan alias Soman, 46, of Kumali; Abdul Lathif alias Collector Lathif, 52, and V.K. Devadas, 47.

S Ajaya Prasad,SFI leader’s murder: 10 years’ RI for six accused

Monday, January 30, 2012: The Kollam Additional sessions Court has on Monday sentenced six RSS activists to 10 years rigorous imprisonment for the murder of S Ajaya Prasad, an SFI leader on July 19, 2007.
The accused were also slapped a fine of Rs 5000 each. Judge, R Sudhakaran had earlier found six RSS workers guilty of murder of the Students Federation of India leader.
Those found guilty are Sreenath, 25, Sabin, 28, Sanil, 30, Rajeevan, 24, Sunil, 26, and Sivaram, 27. All of them were found guilty under Section 304 of the Indian Penal Code. Ajayaprasad was the Karungapally area secretary of the SFI. The incident took place on July 19, 2007, when Ajayaprasad was standing near a shop at the Thottathil junction at Clapana.
The prosecution, led by advocate Paripally Raveendran, convinced the court that the RSS activists who arrived on motorcycles stabbed and attacked Ajayaprasad with iron rods. He was rushed to the Karunagapally Taluk Hospital and then referred to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College Hospital, where he succumbed to injuries on July 20. Twenty-four witnesses gave testimonies in favour of the prosecution.

Ice-cream case: KA Rauf ready to undergo polygraph test

Monday, January 30, 2012: KA Rauf, co-brother of Industries Minister PK Kunhalikutty on Monday has expressed his willingness to undergo a polygraph test in connection with the sensational ice-cream parlour sex scandal case in Kozhikode, in which a minor girl was sexually exploited by many persons after promising her role in films.
Speaking to the presspersons here on Monday, Rauf added that he had wrote a letter to ADGP Winson M Paul, who is heading the Special Investigation team (SIT) probing the case. The probe team had submitted the final probe report and case diary before the Kerala High Court on Monday.
The probe team had conducted an investigation into the alleged involvement of Idustries Minister PK Kunhalikutty in the sex scandal case. The probe team headed by ADGP Winson M Paul submitted the report after 10 months investigation that was ordered during the previous LDF government’s tenure.
Kunhalikutty is among those facing the heat in the infamous sex scandal of the 1990s in which young girls were allegedly drugged, using ice creams laced with sedative, and sexually exploited.
Kunhalikutty faced the heat over the scandal early this year after his brother-in-law (KA Rauf) revealed that he (Kunhalikutty) allegedly influenced the judiciary and got away by evading being named an accused in the sex scandal.
KA Rauf had alleged that former advocate general MK Damodaran had accepted a bribe of Rs 32 lakh to sabotage CBI probe into the case. KA Rauf during an in-camera trail had informed the Kozhikode first class judicial magistrate court that Kunhalikutty had influenced the judges and the AG to sabotage the case.

No Central nod for Kochi-Bangalore gas pipeline

Sunday, January 29, 2012: The Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has denied permission for the proposed Kochi-Bangalore Gas Pipeline.
The Ministry took the decision as the Koottanadu forest division in Palakkad district, through which the pipeline passes, is under litigation. The project aimed to supply gas from the LNG terminal in Puthu Vypeen to Bangalore and Mangalore. The case is on the ownership of the forest division.
The pipeline takes deviation from Kottanadu to Bangalore and Mangalore. The total length of Kochi-Bangalore-Mangalore gas pipeline is 1168 kms. The coast of the pipeline, which passes through three states and 15 districts, is Rs 3263 crore. The plan was to commission the project in December 2012.

NIA to takeover fake currency case in Karipur

Sunday, January 29, 2012: After the Taliparamba counterfeit currency case, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) has undertaken another major Fake Indian Currency Note (FICN) case in the state, after some Pakistan links were established in the case.
The NIA has undertaken the investigation of the fake currencies seized from Karipur International Airport worth `72.5 lakh.
“The NIA has got a good lead in the FICN case investigation. The agency could unearth the link connecting these two cases during the investigation of previous counterfeit cases registered in Hyderabad,” the NIA officials said. The First Information Report (FIR) on these two cases will be submitted before the Ernakulam NIA Court within four days, they said. At present, these two cases were being investigated by the Organised Crime Wing (OCW) of the state police.
“During the investigation, the police team found that the currency notes seized were brought from Dubai and it was printed in Pakistan.
After this, a request was made to the central government for handing over the case to the NIA,” an official from OCW said. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), on August 16, 2008 seized counterfeit notes in the denominations of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 amounting to Rs 72.5 lakh, from Mohammed Alshab, who arrived at the Karipur airport from Ras al Khaima.
Three others - C P Sajil, C S Abdul Maliq and Naushad - who came to receive him were also arrested.
The fake notes were kept concealed in a carton of toys and board games. Muhammad Rafi, Abdul Karim, Moosakkutty and Abdul Majeed were the other accused in this case. After this, Malappuram OCW wing registered a case and started the investigation.

Land allotment row: IAS association appeals to CM

Saturday, 28 January 2012: Indian Administrative Service (IAS) Association members today submitted memorandum to the Chief Minister Oommen Chandy in connection with action taken against high level officials in land allotment row.
The association members visited Chandy to shown their protest against this issue. The memorandum also referred that action against officials would diminish confidence level.

Youth stabbed to death near Ranni

Ranni, Sunday, January 29, 2012: A 29-year-old youth was stabbed to death near Ranni in Pathanamthitta on Sunday morning. The deceased has been identified as Sunny hailing from Poozhikunnu, police told.
Sunnay was fatally stabbed using a sharp weapon following an argument with his friends. Even though he was rushed to a nearby hospital he succumbed to injuries.

Bank employees in Kerala to strike work on Feb 28

Sunday, January 29, 2012: Five lakh bank employees under the banner of AIBEA will extend support to the strike by central trade unions on February 28 protesting the “anti-labour and anti-worker” policies of the government, a top functionary of the All India Bank Employees Association said on Saturday.
All the central trade unions (BMS, INTUC, HMS, CITU,AIUTUC, TUCC, and UTUC) would strike work on that day, CH Venkatachalam, General Secretary of the All India Bank Employees Association, told reporters in Thiruvananthapuram.
He asked the government to take concrete measures to contain price rise, link employment protection with concession offered to entrepreneurs and strict enforcement of all basic labour laws.
The proposed strike was also against banking law (amendment) and other reform measures, outsourcing of regular bank jobs and undue delay in settlement of pending demands, he said.
The Union rejected the recommendations of the Khandelwal committee appointed by the Centre on staff-related matters, saying the committee had given various “anti-employee” suggestions like abolition of industry-wise common wage revision settlement existing since 1966.
The AIBEA opposed the proposed merger of all associate banks with State Bank of India, he said, adding, these associate banks had played a very significant role for the economic development of the states concerned.

Ice-cream case: SIT to submit probe report tomorrow

Sunday, January 29, 2012: The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the sensational ice cream parlour sex scandal case in Kozhikode, in which a minor girl was sexually exploited by many persons after promising her role in films, would submit the final probe report and case diary before the Kerala High Court on Monday.
Kunhalikutty is among those facing the heat in the infamous sex scandal of the 1990s in which young girls were allegedly drugged, using ice creams laced with sedative, and sexually exploited.
Kunhalikutty faced the heat over the scandal early this year after his brother-in-law (KA Rauf) revealed that he (Kunhalikutty) allegedly influenced the judiciary and got away by evading being named an accused in the sex scandal.
KA Rauf had alleged that former advocate general MK Damodaran had accepted a bribe of Rs 32 lakh to sabotage CBI probe into the case. KA Rauf during an in-camera trail had informed the Kozhikode first class judicial magistrate court that Kunhalikutty had influenced the judges and the AG to sabotage the case.

Cop suspended for misbehaving with woman

KOZHIKODE: A police officer was suspended for allegedly misbehaving with the wife of a superior officer in Kozhikode. Sources said Vigilance Circle Inspector T P Sreejith was placed under suspension pending inquiry, for allegedly misbebaving with the wife of a Deputy Superintendent of Police, who was away on duty, at the hill shrine of Sabarimala last month.


According to a complaint, the accused, staying in the adjoining house of the officer in the police quarters in the city used to send frequent SMS to the woman. He visited her on the pretext of presenting a diary to her and misbehaved with her, the sources said.

Attack on Keralite students: One dismissed, three suspended

CHENNAI: The first accused identified as Akhil Babu of Ochira has been dismissed from the college in connection with the attack on Keralite students during a train journey. Three other students of Namakkal Paave College of Engineering have been suspended in connection with the incident.


The action was taken following the letter submitted by the Kerala police. All the accused are absconding and their mobile phones are switched off. The Tamil Nadu police had earlier registered a case against Akhil Babu.

Muhammed Shameer was source of money for terrorists

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Saturday informed that Muhammed Shameer of Kannur who was arrested at New Delhi was a vital link for the inflow of money for terrorist purposes. His name was in the Most Wanted List of Central Home Ministry. He was caught by Abu Dhabi Police following NIA’s plea and was later brought to New Delhi.


Muhammed Shameer is a pivotal member of Jam-I-Yyathul Ansarul Muslimeen (JIAM), a subsidiary organization of Indian Mujahideen (IM). He has connections with terrorists in India and abroad. He was a close aide of Thadiyantavide Nazir (IM leader) and Sarfraz Nawaz.


It is understood that NIA has collected more information about Shameer’s terrorist connections. He has been active right from the Bangalore Bomb Blast. He had stayed at a lodge in Malappuram in 2007 for plotting the Bangalore Blast. Thadiyantavide Nazir and Riyas Bhadkal were also present there.


Those terrorists yet to be caught are K.P. Sabir, P.A. Raysal, Muhammed Asar, P.P. Yusuf and Sheffiq.

Two youths killed in road mishap near Attingal

Attingal, Saturday, January 28, 2012: The bodies of two youths were found on the national highway near Poovanppara Bridge on Saturday.
The dead have been identified as Sreekanth (31), son of Raveendran Nair and Vasumathy and Shiju (30), son of Gopalakrishnan and Vijayamma.
The incident is suspected to have caused last night when the two were coming back after a film. The bodies of the two were found by the joggers this morning.

Kolenchery Medical College nurses on strike

Saturday, January 28, 2012: More than 600 nurses of Kolenchery Medical College have launched an indefinite strike demanding better wages.
The discussions held earlier to solve the crisis had failed, forcing the nurses to go on strike.

Book online ticket here CCL 2012: Kerala Strikers Vs Telugu Warriors Live Score , Jan 28 2012

Telugu Warriors WIN THE MATCH


15 overs, TW 94-1, TIE


13 Overs TW 88-1


‎‎11 Overs, TW 75-1


T‎10 Overs, TW 71-1


W 45-1


7 Overs, TW 41-1


6 overs, TW 37-1


Tarak is out. Vinu mohan gets is wicket.


‎4 over, TW 25-0


dropped easy catch by unni.


3 over, TW 21-0

Kerala strikers 95-9-20

SNDP lashes out at Oommen Chandy Govt

Thursday, January 26, 2012: SNDP General Secretary Vellappally Natesan on Thursday came out heavily against the ruling UDF Government for alleged partiality in appointments in various departments.
In the editorial written in SNDP mouthpiece ‘Yoganadam’ it is said that vacancies in education department and public works are filled with candidates affiliated with the ruling party and its allies.

Is she Manisha Koirala Bollywood Actress, Manisha Koirala was found in an unpleasant drunk situation

Who’s she? We’ve seen her somewhere! Is she….were all the guesses when the media came across former Bollywood actor Manisha Koirala, who was totally unrecognizable. Manisha was noticed at ex-beau Prashant Chaudhari’s newly opened restaurant lounge at Versova over the weekend.
Manisha Koirala was found in an unpleasant drunk situation, and thus was helped to reach home by her friends. She was dressed in black-grey casuals and looked very gloomy.
According to the sources, Manisha’s ex-boyfriend Prashant Chaudhari had invited his friend at the launch party.
It was also at a recent party hosted by Rohit Roy to toast the launch of his new film, Shauken, Manish Koirala looked pale and scruffy.
Manisha in 2010 had married the Nepalese businessman Samrat Dahal. As per the sources, she tried her best to save her marriage, but soon understood it was a mistake.
She even went ahead in calling her worst enemy, Samrat and the postings she did on social networking sites swung between her being ‘happy’ and ‘not happy’.
Her mom in order to clear the air came out and told that it was a minor tiff between husband and wife.
Now it is serious that the marriage is in serious trouble.
Finally Manisha Koirala has made an announcement of filing a divorce. At a party held at her residence, she has made the announcement of her divorce filing.
After her marriage, Manisha was living in Kathmandu, but now she has cleared her mind of divorcing Samrat Dahal, and now returned back to Mumbai.Manisha has now chosen the path of spirituality to lead a peaceful life ahead.

Two eminent doctors arrested for AMRI fire

Friday, 27 January 2012: Two eminent doctors attached with the AMRI Hospital in different capacities were arrested on Friday in connection with the country’s worst-ever hospital fire that claimed 93 lives on December 9 last.
Both the doctors — Mani Chhetri and Pranab Dasgupta — who were earlier questioned by police, were arrested from their residences here on Friday morning, Joint Commissioner of Police Damayanti Sen said.
Chhetri and Dasgupta were also board members of the hospital. With them, 13 persons have so far been arrested in connection with the hospital fire in which 90 patients and three nurses died. Three board members are absconding.

Kerala, MG University Examination postponed

Friday, 27 January 2012: Kerala University, Mahatma Gandhi University has postponed all examinations scheduled for Friday. The new date for the examinations will be announced later, an official spokesman said.
The examinations have been postponed as the Kerala Governor MOH Farook’s death. The Kerala Government has announced public holiday in Kerala on Friday.

ISRO employee dies in accident

NAGERCOIL: An ISRO employee was killed after his bike collided with a lorry near Chungankada in Nagercoil. The dead has been identified as Murukesan (44). The accident happened Thursday morning while he was going to see the Republic Day parade along with his son Ajay (12). Ajay has been admitted to the hospital with serious injuries. Murukesan was the driver of the organization.

Students less than 50% needn’t be ousted, says court

NEW DELHI: Admitting students below 50% in Pushpagiri, Kolencherry, Jubilee, Amala and MES self-financing colleges is against rules, said the Supreme Court. But students who have obtained admission violating rules needn’t be ousted this time, the court said.


The students approached the Kerala High Court and earned a favourable verdict after the Medical Council had asked to oust students obtaining marks below 50%. The court directed not to oust students considering their future when the plea of MCI questioning the high court verdict was taken up.


Meantime, the court directed to hand over those seats to the government next year. So, the MES will have to hand 27 seats and 36 seats of other colleges to the government.

11 Malayalis win President’s Police Medal

NEW DELHI: Eleven policemen from Kerala were among the winners of the President’s Police Medal on Wednesday for distinguished and meritorious services announced on eve of the Republic Day.


Additional DGPs M.N. Krishna Moorthy, Vijayanand and IG Jose Varghese have been conferred with the Police Medals for distinguished service.


Eight Malayalis who won the Police Medals for meritorious service are Superintendent of police TJ Jose, G. Somashekar, C.P. Gopakumar, Deputy Superintendent of Police S Rajendran, Assistant sub-inspector K Appukuttan, TT Varki inashu, J Stephanson, Senior civil Police officer K parameshwaran pillai.

Tvm: Youth dies after eating jellyfish

Friday, 27 January 2012: A group of inter Inter-State Migrant Workers consumed jellyfish found on Akkulam lakeshore, fell unconscious in their house at Akkulam in Thiruvananthapuram district here on Friday.
While Amanur (21) native of West Bengal died on way to hospital, Jahangeer(20), Musthar(19), Nazir(20), Sadan(22), Tharakul Aslam(23), Jabbar(21) were admitted to the Thiruvananthapuram medical college hospital.

Kerala Governor MOH Farook passes away

Thursday, January 26, 2012: Kerala Governor MOH Farook died during treatment at a Chennai hospital on Thursday, family sources said.
Farook had been undergoing treatment at a private hospital in Chennai for the past few days. Farook, a former Puducherry Chief Minister and Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, had been put on dialysis.
Farook served as Puducherry Chief Minister from April 9, 1967, to March 6, 1968, and March 17, 1969, to January 3, 1974, and from 1985 to 1990. He was thrice elected to the Lok Sabha from Pondicherry in 1991, 1996 and 1999 and served as a Union Minister of State for Civil Aviation and Tourism during June 1991- December 1992.
He was appointed as the Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia in September 2004. In 2010, Farook was appointed as Governor of Jharkhand. He was appointed as Governor of Kerala on August 25, 2011. On January 17, Karnataka Governor HR Bhardwaj had assumed additional charge of Kerala as Farook was unwell.

Panel to re-examine semester system in Universities

Thursday, 26 January 2012: A high-level academic council to constitute expert panel will re-examine the various issues arising out semester system in Universities.
Prof B Hridaya Kumari was panel chief. The high-level academic council also decided to constitute a panel which modernizes Universities rules.

Youth hacked to death near Kottayam

 Thursday, 26 January 2012: A youth hacked to death near Nagambadam in Kottayam district on Thursday. The dead have been identified as Sadan, hailing from Nagambadam. Last week a house maid also hacked to death at Nagambadam.

Republic day celebrated in Kerala

Thursday, 26 January 2012: The 63rd Republic Day was celebrated in Kerala with Chief Minister Oommen Chandy unfurling the national tricolour and took salute at the ceremonial march past by Police, NCC, Navel NCC, Student police cadets and others.
The Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said that the recent events against secular beliefs are unfortunate.
In Kozhikode Social welfare Minister MK Muneer unfurling the national tricolour and took salute at the ceremonial march past.

Three killed in road mishap near Alappuzha

Alappuzha, Thursday, 26 January 2012: Three persons were killed and four injured in a road accident that occurred near Purakkad in Alappuzha district on Thursday. According to sources, car collided with a lorry.
The deceased have been identified as Jaya, Jai singh, Mubi was died and the other succumbed to injuries were rushed to the Vandanam medical college hospital.

Ananya engagement photos,Ananya Engagement Photos ,Marriage photos, Reception Photos

Wedding bells are ringing loud for Ananya. The 'Nadodigal' and 'Engaeyum Eppothum' actress will marry Anjaneyan, a Trichur-based entrepreneur soon. Their engagement is scheduled to take place on February 3.Says Ananya, "It was my constant decision to leave my marriage to my parents' choice. When Anjaneyan and his family members approached elders in my family with the wedding proposal, my parents found him as the right man."


The engagement ceremony of Ananya and Anjaneyan is being organized at the actress's house at Perumbavur near Ernakulam. Wedding date is expected to be fixed during the betrothal function, which will be attended by close relatives and friends.


"I don't know whether I will continue acting or not after wedding. Anjaneyan has to decide on that," says Ananya, who is currently acting in a film titled 'Iravum Pagalum'. "I am happy about my parents' choice," she concludes.

India celebrates 63rd Republic Day

Thursday, 26 January 2012: Nation is celebrating 63rd Republic day today even country’s rich cultural diversity and military might will be on display at gala parade from Raisina Hills to Red Fort in the national capital.
Elaborate security arrangement are in place to ensure peaceful celebrations.
Over 25,000 police personnel, including those from paramilitary forces and sharpshooter from NSG have been deployed in the run-up to the celebrations, which will be attended by the Chief Guest Yingluck Shinwatra, the first woman Prime Minister of Thailand.
At Rajpath, President Pratibha Devisingh Patil will unfurl the tricolour and take the salute of marching contingents. The President will confer Gallantry awards.
Besides the air defence measures, helicopters of the Indian Air Force will hover around Rajpath and all along the route of the parade.
Nine Metro stations in central Delhi will remain closed for six hours and services partially curtailed on three lines on the occasion of Republic Day.
Rajiv Chowk, Patel Chowk, Central Secretariat, Udyog Bhawan, Race Course, Khan Market, Barakhambha Road, Mandi House and Pragati Maidan will be closed from 6 AM to12:30 PM.

Middle-aged man found dead near Pathanamthitta

Wednesday, January 25, 2012: The body of a middle-aged man was found near Elavumthitta here on Monday morning. The deceased has been identified as Baby (51) hailing from Elavumthitta, police told.
According to the police version Baby was allegedly murdered by his own two sons identified as Renjith and Sreejith owing to some family disputes. Police informed that the two had eloped soon after the murder when they met with an accident.
Renjith, who was injured in the mishap, has been admitted at the Medical college hospital, meanwhile the other escaped.

Casanovva on Republic Day

Casanovva is arguably the most anticipated movie of Mollywood. This big budget Malayalam movie starring Mohanlal is set to hit the screens on Republic day, 26th January. Casanovva is expected to release in over 150 theatres across Kerala.
Casanovva, is written by Sanjay-Bobby. Roshan Andrews is the director of this movie, which is produced by C J Roy under the banner of Confident Group. The cast of the movie includes the likes of Shriya Saran, Lakshmi Rai, Roma, Sanjan and Jagathy Sreekumar. The film was shot in various exotic locations, including Dubai, Bangkok and Bengaluru.

One more accused in Bangalore blast case held

Wednesday, January 25, 2012: The 23rd accused in the sensational Bangalore blast case, who was declared fugitive and was evading police arrest has been apprehended by the probe team at New Delhi airport on Wednesday.
The accused identified as Muhammad Shameer is a native of Kannur, and was acting as a middleman supplying money for the terror groups, police told. Though the police here had already reported the six militants, all from Kannur district, as absconding, steps are being taken to track them or collect information about their whereabouts in view of the dossiers released by the Home Ministry about 31 Indian Mujahideen (IM) and Jam-I-yyatul Ansarul Muslimeer (JIAM) operatives.
The five other absconding youths are K.P. Sabir; P.V. Muhammad Azhar; P.P. Yusuf ; Shafeeque and P.A. Raysal. Police sources said most of them were involved in the Bangalore blast case and other terror-related cases and are absconding. Sabir is believed to be a key figure of the IM, next to Thadiyantavide Nazir.
Sabir is also a co-accused in the case relating to the plot to assassinate the former Chief Minister E.K. Nayanar and was also involved in planting a bomb at the Coimbatore Press Club. Both Nazir and Sabir are among those who established the terror network in the State. Sabir is believed to have fled to Dubai.
The district appeared on the map of the activities of the terror modules in the country following the unravelling of what is named as the terror recruitment case registered in the Edakkad police station here.

Priyadarshnan awarded Padmashri

Wednesday, 25 January 2012: Kerala State Chalachithra Academy Chairman and film director Priyadarshnan, Pankajakasthuri Managing Director Dr. Hareendran Nair, Kalamandalam Sivan Namboothiri, Dr. V Adhimurty is awarded with Padmashri.
The late cartoonist Mario Miranda and the late musician Bhupen Hazarika were amongst the five people awarded the Padma Vibhushan. The others are sculptor K.G. Subramanyan, orthopaedist Kantilal Hastimal Sancheti and civil servant T.V. Rajeswar.
Veteran actors Dharmendra and Shabana Azmi and filmmaker of international repute Mira Nair were named for the Padma Bhushan, the country’s third highest civilian honour on the eve of Republic Day Wednesday.The three have been chosen in the art-cinema category.

Gautami Nair set to debut with Mammootty's son Dulquar Salman in Second Show

Gautami Nair, who will make her debut in the Malayalam film industry along with Mammootty's son Dulquar Salman in Second Show says she was not much interested in acting. 


After passing out 12th standard, Gautami Nair joined Pharm D course in Amrita. However, she soon realised that the course was not her cup of team and instead decided to prepare for medical entrance. That was when Second Show came up. 


Remembering the days, Gautami says, “My cousin was an assistant director in the film and my stills were sent to the team without my knowledge. I was called for an audition out of the blue and in no time I was in.”


Gautami says that shooting for Second Show was fun since most of the cast and crew members were freshers. Gautami said, “There were many funny moments. We used to wander the Calicut streets looking for good food joints just like college-goers.”

One held in Raj Bhavan case

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The police on Sunday arrested a person, who allegedly sexually harassed a twelve-year-girl living in the Raj Bhavan quarters. Police identified the accused as Benser, native of Kannanthura.


The girl, who was residing with her mother at the Raj Bhavan quarters, was subjected to sexual harassment by her stepfather for the past few years. But it came to light only early this month when the teachers developed doubts about the behaviour of the girl, following which they informed the police with the help of Childline.

Kallis more effective than Sachin, Ponting: Ganguly

NEW DELHI: Sachin Tendulkar might be the highest run-getter in cricket but he certainly is not the first choice of Sourav Ganguly when it comes to picking the most effective player. Instead, South Africa's Jacques Kallis walks away with the honour.


Ganguly said so during the commentary of the fourth Test between India and Australia, when he was discussing the highest run-getters in Test cricket with his fellow commentator Ian Chappell.


This after Ricky Ponting became the third cricketer to complete 13,000 Test runs. The other two players are India's Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid. Kallis is the fourth highest scorer in Test cricket with 12260 runs.


"Kallis is a great player. He has 12000 Test runs, 250 Test wickets, 10000 one-day runs, 200 one-day wickets to be the best of the lot," Ganguly said.


"I would put it this way, he is the most effective of the lot. His batting, his bowling and he's still going on," he added.


When Chappell asked who would he pick first from the top four, Ganguly said: "Jacques Kallis straightaway then Tendulkar, then Dravid and then Ponting."


He also said Kallis has been so successful with the bat because he bats top of the order. "You cannot get to those many runs if you are batting at No. 5 or No. 6. May be at 5 but definitely not at 6. You have to bat at the top of the order. Because once you get set, you have wickets in hand to get a big score. When you bat at No. 6, you are batting with the tail."


Ganguly however said all these were class players. He also mentioned Tendulkar's records will be hard to break.

Smart City, Govt plan skill academy

The Kerala Government and Smart City Kochi, an IT joint venture between it and Smart City Dubai, have agreed in principle to start a skill development academy to help professionals in various fields improve their skills even as the company informed that the Rs 5,000-crore Smart City IT park in Kochi would be implemented as per schedule.
Labour Minister Shibu Baby John told newsmen after a meeting with Baju George, managing director of Smart City Kochi on Monday, that the skill academy was being planned to fill the gap between corporate needs and standard of job-seekers. The Government had already sanctioned Rs 10 crore for this, Minister said.
He said search was on for an international partner to help in the development of the academy and that an apex body – Kerala Academy for Skills Excellence – had already been formed for setting it up. “The Cabinet and the Smart City Dubai board have to give the nod now,” the Minister said.
Baju George said that the proposed mega IT project, Smart City Kochi, would be ready in about five-and-a-half years. The first phase of the building would be ready in 20 months and the construction would start soon, he said
The Smart City Kochi Pavilion, being set up presently, would project future Smart City concepts, George said. The Pavilion, with 6,000 square feet area, would house the management office of Smart City Kochi, he said, adding that the Pavilion was to be completed in 16 weeks as per the original schedule but a minor delay had occurred.

Azhikode’s death a great loss to Malayalam literary field

Many prominent personalities from all circles bereaved the death of renowned orator and social activist Sukumar Azhikode on Tuesday.
Chief Minister Oomen Chandy said it is a great loss to the Malayalam literary field. Opposition leader V S Achuthanandhan said that Azhikode was a close relative of the left front and personally he had lost his best friend.
CPM state secretary Pinarayi Vijayan condoled the death of Azhikode and said it is a great loss. Azhikode had always raised his voice against injustice, he said.
Justice V R Krishna Iyer, writers ONV, K Sachithanand, C Radhakrishnan, D Vinayachandran, V Madhusudhanan and other prominent leaders condoled the death of Sukumar Azhikode.

Three killed in road mishap in Kayamkulam

 Wednesday, January 25, 2012: Three persons were killed after they were fatally knocked down by an unknown vehicle near Kayamkulam here on Wednesday morning.
The deceased have been identified as Achu, Anoop and Pramod, hailing from Kariyilakkulangara, police told. The tragic incident occurred at Maliyekkal junction at around 5.45 am when they were on their way for a morning walk.
Two persons died on the accident spot itself and the other succumbed to injuries while he was being rushed to the Alappuzha medical college hospital.

Leaders, cultural personalities condole Azhikode’s death

 Wednesday, January 25, 2012: Kerala Governor H R Bhardwaj, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy, leaders of various political parties and writers and artists paid glowing tributes to eminent writer and scholar Dr Sukumar Azhikode, who passed away yesterday.
In a message, the Governor said Azhikode’s departure will be an irreparable loss to Malayalam literature.
“His magnum opus Tatvamasi, a philosophical work of the highest order and other titles, I am told, have earned him wide acclaim”, Bhardwaj said.
Chandy said Kerala lost a multi-faceted personality and powerful voice at the death of Azhikode.
Azhikode had left a deep impression in cultural and social domians as writer, literary critic, teacher, academic and journalist and his contributions would be remembered for ever, Chandy said.
Expressing deep sorrow at the death of Azhikode, CPI(M) general secretary Prakash Karat said that apart from being an iullustrious writer, he had also left an indelible mark as a social critic and intellectual belonging to the Left and his progressive vision would always inspire the people.
Former Chief Minister and Opposition Leader V S Achuthanandan said Azhikode was an institution rather than an individual. “His life was a ceaseless battle against injustices and social evils,” he said.

Sukumar Azhikode’s cremation to be held today

Wednesday, January 25, 2012: The cremation of renowned writer and social activist Sukumar Azhikode, who died today, will be held today with full state honours at 11 am in Payyambalam.
The cremation will be held with full state honours at Payyambalam in Kannur on Wednesday. Azhikode died around 6:40 am on Tuesday morning.
Azhikode was admitted to the Amala hospital near here with symptoms of fast spreading cancer on December 10 last and he was on palliative treatment since then. His condition had turned critical on Saturday night.

Bahrain: 4 Keralites died after inhaling toxic gas

Monday, January 23, 2012: Four welding labourers died after inhaling toxic gas near Manama on Monday morning.
The incident happened at a labour camp near Hamad town. The dead have been identified as Babu (45), Prajeesh (27), both natives of Vadakara, Lalu (37) hailing from Kollam and Sunil, a native of Thrissur. The condition of one person was stated to be serious

Kerala Entrance Examination

The Commissioner for Entrance Examinations, Kerala, has invited applications for the entrance examinations to be held from April 23 to 26 for admission to professional degree courses in medicine, agriculture, veterinary science, fisheries, engineering, and architecture for the academic year 2012-13.


Paper I physics and chemistry of the engineering entrance examination will be held from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. on April 23 and Paper II mathematics from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. of April 24.


Paper I physics and chemistry of the medical entrance examination will be held from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. on April 25 and Paper II biology from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. on April 26.


Online registration


Online registration can be done on getting the prospectus and security key cards from selected post offices on payment of Rs.700 (Rs.350 for those belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes; Scheduled Tribe candidates whose annual family income is below Rs.40,000 are exempted from the fee).


Submit a common application for all courses by clicking the link “KEAM 2012 online application” on www.cee.kerala.gov.in. Applications can be so submitted till February 14 and the printout of the same, along with documents, should be sent to the Commissioner for Entrance Examinations, Housing Board Buildings, Santhinagar, Thiruvananthapuram – 695 001 so as to reach the addressee on or before February 15. The prospectus gives complete guidelines for online submission of application.

Never intended to hurt Lal -Sreeni

As his latest movie has started debates over its intense criticism of Mollywood star systems, its lead actor and writer Sreenivasan maintains that he has never intended to hurt any of the superstars, including Lal. Sreeni adds that he just reflected the ideas and happenings around  the filmdom but the majority who had seen the sequences of 'IT raids' and 'Colonel title hunt' judged it as one that is framed against Mohanlal. Sreeni was talking to a popular media, describing the events that led him to the scripting of the highly critical 'Padmashree Bharath Dr. Saroj Kumar' which is currently in theatres.


In an interesting turn of events, Sreenivasan has also revealed that he has written about IT raids in the house of superstars, even before the same thing happened in actuality. Shocked with the developments following the IT raid, Sreeni immediately tried to contact the superstars of Mollywood to clear off the things. He was able to contact Mammootty, who after hearing about the plot asked whether there will be any criticism citing the name. As Sreenivasan assured that he will not be using any real names, Mammootty is said to have appreciated the effort and asked him to continue with the scripting. Sreenivasan also revealed that he has also tried to speak to Mohanlal, but couldn't get in touch as Lal has changed his mobile numbers. Sreeni believes that if Lal had seen the movie, he would have taken all in the lighter vein and will not feel any discomfort about its content.

Rajnikanth website really runs without internet

It may sound like another Rajinikanth joke, but a new website dedicated to the superstar runs 'without an internet connection'!


Visitors to www.allaboutrajni.com are greeted with a warning that "He is no ordinary man, this is no ordinary website. It runs on Rajini Power" and are advised to switch off their internet connection to enter the website.


Only when the web is disconnected, one is allowed to explore the site.


Netizens can trace the story of the legend from the beginning, read inside scoops from his films and get a glimpse of behind-the-scenes action, while browsing through famous Rajini jokes about impossible feats only he can achieve.


"The unbelievable spectacle of running a website without the internet is a tribute to Rajinikant's larger than life image," claimed Webchutney's creative director Gurbaksh Singh, who developed the site for Desimartini.com.


With a heady mix of foot-tapping music, vibrant splash of colours, quirky quotes and illustrations, and icons in true Rajni style and lingo, the unique website reflects Rajini's signature style.

Vigilance probe sought against board president

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A member of the Travancore Devaswom Board sent a letter to the state government seeking a probe on the illegal appointment of teachers in colleges coming under the board. A congress member of the board K V Padmanabhan sought a vigilance probe against board president Rajagopalan Nair and RSP member Sicily.


The appointment of teachers in Sasthamcotta, Thalayolapparambu and Parumala colleges created a controversy. There were 12 vacancies in Malayalam, English, Chemistry and bio-chemistry subjects.


Applications were invited for six posts which would be vacant after six months. Teachers were selected without a written test and mainly on interview basis. In the interviews conducted so far, board president was the interview board chairman. But, this time a board convened by former excise minister P K Gurudasan’s private secretary and devaswom commissioner N Vasu conducted the interviews.

Shoe thrown at Rahu Gandhi

UTTARAKHAND: A shoe was thrown at Rahul Gandhi while he was campaigning in Uttarakhand. Police later arrested the youth, who tried to hurl shoe at Rahul Gandhi. The incident happened at the rally staged by Rahul. The youth was shouting anti-corruption slogans. 

Sukumar Azhikode dies

THRISSUR: Noted writer, critic and orator Dr Sukumar Azhikode died here Tuesday morning. He was 85. He was undergoing treatment for cancer since December 9 at the Amala Hospital. He will be consigned to flames Wednesday afternoon at Payyambalam in Kannur. The writer, a bachelor was staying at Eravimangalam in Thrissur.


His body will be kept at his residence in Thrissur from 8.30 am to 9.30 am and from there it will be taken to Sahitya Akademy Hall for the people to pay homage.  By 4 pm, the body will be taken to his native place Azhikode in Kannur.

Thrissur: Sons held for father’s murder

 January 23, 2012: Sons, who were absconding after killing their father and dumping the body in a septic tank, have been arrested. The two have been identified as Subhash and Suresh, natives of Ollur in Thrissur.
The incident happened at Rippenpet in Karnataka in 2004. The dead identified as Surendran was an accused in many temple theft cases. The accused were arrested by a team led by crime branch SP Unnirajan.

Youth falls off train, dies in Thiruvalla

Monday, January 23, 2012: In a gruesome incident, a 21-year-old youth was killed after falling from a platform at Thiruvalla railway station, where he was trying to catch a train, on Monday morning.
The deceased has been identified as Atul R Thomas, hailing from Valakom, police told. Atul reportedly fell between a train and the platform and was killed as the train left the station. He was confirmed dead at the scene.

Two Keralites killed in Chennai

CHENNAI: Two Keralites were killed when a car and a lorry collided near Vellore. The dead have been identified as V C Abu (55) and Iyesha (48), natives of Kottal in Thrissur. 

Kerala bags 25th gold in National school athletic meet

Monday, January 23, 2012: Kerala, in its quest for a 15th straight overall title, climbed to the top of the medals tally with a haul of 25 gold medals on the fifth day of the National school athletic meet at the Guru Nanak stadium in Ludhiana on Monday.
Maria James bagged gold for Kerala in the junior girl’s pole vault event on Monday. It could have been a far better outing for Kerala but for the extreme cold conditions which prevailed all through the day and came in the way of its athletes from performing at their best.

Will not oppose reinvestigation of Marad case, says Minister

Sunday, 22 January 2012: Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty today said that, the IUML will not oppose if there is a general view that the Marad case should be re investigated.
Kunhalikutty added that controversies like Marad and e-mail are the result of an attempt to create communal tension. The IUML will launch a strong campaign against it, the minister said.

Kozhikode retains title in 52nd State school Kalolsavam

 Sunday, January 22, 2012: Kozhikode district has emerged winners in the 52nd State School Kalosavam being held at Thrissur corporation ground and took home the coveted golden trophy scoring maximum points.
Kozhikode district has emerged as champions for the sixth time in a row with 810 points. Thrissur district came second in the point table with 779 points followed by Malappuram district claiming the third spot with 776 points.
Kerala School Kalolsavam is a festival unique in its structure and organisation. The organisational set up from school level to state level for the conduct of the Kalolsavam is monitored by Education Department as per the manual drafted by experts in the field.
Looking back into the history of School Kalolsavam in the last 51 years it is seen that the Kalolsavam has refined much in letter and spirit Students get opportunity to express their talent in school level, sub district level, district level and at last at state level. When performers reach state level, perfection reaches its zenith.

Live CCL 2012: Bengal Tigers vs. Chennai Rhinos,Kerala Strikers Vs Mumbai Heroes Live Scores

Kerala Strikers 
wins


rajee pilla 75 not out
16.5 overs

Liquor policy: Minister takes a dig at VM Sudheeran

Saturday, January 21, 2012: Excise Minister K Babu today lashed out at senior Congress leader VM Sudheeran for his remarks against state government’s new liquor policy.
Sudheeran had alleged that the UDF was deviating from its liquor policy, and that it will impact the front’s prospects in the Piravom by-poll. Sudheeran had earlier stated that a CBI probe must be conducted into the government move to grant 3 star status for 21 hotels.
There are several deficiencies in the new liquor policy which will be pointed out the government, he added. According to the new liquor policy, the age limit for buying liquor has been raised from 18 to 21.
By 2014, bar licences will be restricted only to five-star hotels. In panchayats bar outlets will be allowed to function from 8 am to 11 pm and in corporations, from 9 am to 12 midnight.

Mullaperiyar: Dam break analysis report submitted

 Saturday, January 21, 2012: Indian Institute of Technology-Roorkee has on Saturday submitted a ‘dam break analysis’ report on the ageing Mullapperiyar dam to the state government.
Water Resources Minister PJ Joseph informed that the report clearly indicates the 116-year-old structure is not at all safe. The dam break analysis was monitored by Prof S. K. Mishra, Associate Professor at the Indian Institute of Technology-Roorkee.
The report also points out that if a tremor which exceeds six in the Richter scale is recorded there is huge possibility of a dam breach.
The objective of dam-break modelling or flood routing is to simulate the movement of a dam-break flood wave along a valley or indeed any area ‘downstream’ that would flood as a result of dam failure.
Kerala has some of the oldest dams of the world, according to experts. The level of risk associated with a dam is a function of probability as well as consequences of dam failure.
Mullaperiyar shot into limelight after a series of light tremors and ground movements felt in the neighbourhood over a short span of time this year raised fears about its continued safety.
The dam is considered a ‘high hazard dam’ as per the hazard potential classification considering the human and economic loss criteria fixed by the Central Water Commission (CWC).