KSEA PROTEST MARCH AGAINST DIESEL, GAS PRICE HIKE ON 25/06/2011

The Central government on Friday decided to raise the price of diesel by Rs 3 a litre, kerosene by Rs 2 a litre while cooking gas will cost Rs 50 more per cylinder.

Since the revision excludes local levies, the actual increase would be 50 paisa or so more in Delhi where diesel attracts 13.36% VAT. In states that have higher local taxes, the incremental increase could be Re 1 or even more.

The revision in the price of diesel, the main transportation fuel, would immediately push up cost of food items, bus and taxi fares, freight as well as any consumer good that is moved by road.

The revision comes about a month after state-run oil marketing companies jacked up petrol prices by Rs 5 a litre. It immediately drew a howl of protest from across the Opposition spectrum, including BJP, Left, JD(U) and AIADMK, who promised to take to the streets against the government's move, demanding a rollback. Even UPA ally Trinamool Congress joined in.

SFI March against the UDF government's education policy - Police lobbed teargas shells, used water cannon and lathicharged the protestors

POSTED BY VAKKOMSEN

Several students and policemen were injured after a protest march taken out by CPM's students’ wing, SFI, against the UDF government's education policy turned violent today.

Police lobbed teargas shells, used water cannon and lathicharged the protestors after they attacked them when they tried to prevent them from moving towards the state assembly complex, police said.

The protesters also vented their anger at a few government vehicles. The melee, which lasted for over an hour, halted traffic in the heart of the city.

Police accused the marchers of having triggered the violence while SFI leaders alleged that the violence was unleashed on protesters as part of a pre-planned strategy to suppress the agitation.

The injured were rushed to hospitals. Pro-Left student outfits in the state have been on protest mode for the last several days accusing the UDF government of having failed to rein in the managements of self-financing colleges which had declined to follow the policy of filling half the seats in their institutions from the state quota.

Adding credence to the allegation that the new Kerala government is playing to the tune of the Christian churches, it has surrendered 50 per cent seats which belong to the government quota in the four medical colleges run by various Christian churches.
The government has literally signed on the dotted lines on the conditions dictated by Inter Church Council for admitting students for the MBBS course at these medical colleges. Under the agreement reached between the government and the council, these medical colleges can now admit students of their choice in all seats and need not leave 50 per cent seats for the students who top in the entrance test conducted by the government which is the existing practice.
Surprisingly, the government did not clarify whether this is applicable to other 12 private medical colleges under non-Christian managements.
The crisis in the self-financing medical education sector has caused conflict of communities in the Congress-led ruling UDF of Kerala. Non-Christian and non-Muslim sections in the UDF have started complaining that front leader Congress is succumbing to pressures from the minorities leading to aggravation of the crisis in the sector.

The communities’ conflict in the coalition has worsened with the Inter-Church Education Council and the Muslim Educational Society (MES) toughening their respective stands over the issue of allotting seats in their colleges to students from the merit quota of the Government at lower fees.

Non-minority sections in the UDF say that the Government’s decision to allow the Cabinet sub-committee, in which the pro-Christian Kerala Congress (M) has prominence, to talk with the Inter-Church Council over the proposal for allotting 50 percent of MBBS seats on merit basis. The council, however, had refused to admit even a single student from the Government list.

It is now said that the Government had given prominence to the Kerala Congress (M) in the Cabinet sub-committee because of its reluctance to antagonize the Church. UDF partners other than the Kerala Congress (M) and the Muslim League say that this was the prime reason for the worsening of the issue to the present level.

Despite the efforts of the Government, the Inter-Church Council has so far stuck to its stand of not allotting even a single MBBS or BDS seat to students from the merit list. It has already issued prospectus for admitting students in all seats in the colleges under it from the management side at high fees. The council had filled all its seats from the management side last yearalso.

However, this has irritated the colleges under the Medical College Managements Association, which had allotted 50 percent of the seats on merit basis in its colleges last year as per a pact with the Government. The association, which includes the MES, now says that fulfilling social justice obligation is not their exclusive duty and that they would withdraw from the pact.

Fazal Gafoor, president of the MES, has openly stated that there cannot be one set of norms for Christians and another for other communities including Muslims, generating a feeling that the Government is allowing the Church to behave as it likes. He has warned that the MES also would fill all seats in its medical colleges with students from the management side.

The non-minority sections in the UDF have begun questioning the Congress’s rationale behind the policy of appeasing the minorities. “If the Congress has been sincere, it would not have included members from the pro-Christian Kerala Congress in the Cabinet sub-committee,” said a top leader of the Socialist Janata (Democratic), a UDFconstituent.

“How can the committee with known pro-Church members in it take a firm position against the Inter-Church Council at the talks with it? If the leadership of the committee had been given to non-minority members, it could at least have some credibility. This has now become a war within the Government,”he said.

A day after Kerala Congress (M) leader and Finance Minister KM Mani, who led the sub-committee in the talks, announced that the Inter-Church Council would continue to fill all seats in its medical colleges with students chosen by the managements Health Minister Adoor Prakash came out against this, giving out a feeling that the panel was divided over the matter.

There are six Christians in the 20-member UDF Cabinet while the number of Muslim Ministers is five. Also, crucial portfolios like Education, Finance, Industries, IT, Water Resources and Food are being handled by Ministers from minorities.

Shocked by this, the representatives of non-Christian managements wonder how a democratic government can proposes a set of norms for Christian colleges and another set of norms for non-Christian colleges. “By doing so, the government has betrayed the people in the state. We have so far given 50 per cent seats to the people. But now we have to think about it. We cannot accept separate norms,” said the MES (Muslim Education Society) chairman.

Mr Shaffi Parambil, MLA and president of Kerala Students’ Union (KSU) ~ the students’ wing of the Congress in the state ~ alleged that Inter Church Council is functioning like a parallel government. “I hope the chief minister will intervene and correct it,” he said.
“If the Inter Church Council is deciding things here, then it is better to hand over the ruling of the state to the organisation,’’ said Mr P Biju, SFI state president, lashing out at the state government for its biased stand.

Annoyed by the decision, former minister and Congress leader Mr Pandalam Sudhakaran said that though the health ministry, headed by the Congress, had to decide on the issue, it seemed that the Kerala Congress had undermined it. “Students have been denied social justice by the decision. It is very unfortunate and highly objectionable.’’
Minister Mr Mani is the leader of Kerala Congress, which is patronised by various churches, especially the Catholic ones. Chief minister Mr Chandy belongs to the Orthodox sect and is also very close to his church

The crisis in the self-financing medical education sector has caused conflict of communities in the Congress-led ruling UDF of Kerala

POSTED BY VAKKOMSEN

Adding credence to the allegation that the new Kerala government is playing to the tune of the Christian churches, it has surrendered 50 per cent seats which belong to the government quota in the four medical colleges run by various Christian churches.
The government has literally signed on the dotted lines on the conditions dictated by Inter Church Council for admitting students for the MBBS course at these medical colleges. Under the agreement reached between the government and the council, these medical colleges can now admit students of their choice in all seats and need not leave 50 per cent seats for the students who top in the entrance test conducted by the government which is the existing practice.
Surprisingly, the government did not clarify whether this is applicable to other 12 private medical colleges under non-Christian managements.
The crisis in the self-financing medical education sector has caused conflict of communities in the Congress-led ruling UDF of Kerala. Non-Christian and non-Muslim sections in the UDF have started complaining that front leader Congress is succumbing to pressures from the minorities leading to aggravation of the crisis in the sector.

The communities’ conflict in the coalition has worsened with the Inter-Church Education Council and the Muslim Educational Society (MES) toughening their respective stands over the issue of allotting seats in their colleges to students from the merit quota of the Government at lower fees.

Non-minority sections in the UDF say that the Government’s decision to allow the Cabinet sub-committee, in which the pro-Christian Kerala Congress (M) has prominence, to talk with the Inter-Church Council over the proposal for allotting 50 percent of MBBS seats on merit basis. The council, however, had refused to admit even a single student from the Government list.

It is now said that the Government had given prominence to the Kerala Congress (M) in the Cabinet sub-committee because of its reluctance to antagonize the Church. UDF partners other than the Kerala Congress (M) and the Muslim League say that this was the prime reason for the worsening of the issue to the present level.

Despite the efforts of the Government, the Inter-Church Council has so far stuck to its stand of not allotting even a single MBBS or BDS seat to students from the merit list. It has already issued prospectus for admitting students in all seats in the colleges under it from the management side at high fees. The council had filled all its seats from the management side last yearalso.

However, this has irritated the colleges under the Medical College Managements Association, which had allotted 50 percent of the seats on merit basis in its colleges last year as per a pact with the Government. The association, which includes the MES, now says that fulfilling social justice obligation is not their exclusive duty and that they would withdraw from the pact.

Fazal Gafoor, president of the MES, has openly stated that there cannot be one set of norms for Christians and another for other communities including Muslims, generating a feeling that the Government is allowing the Church to behave as it likes. He has warned that the MES also would fill all seats in its medical colleges with students from the management side.

The non-minority sections in the UDF have begun questioning the Congress’s rationale behind the policy of appeasing the minorities. “If the Congress has been sincere, it would not have included members from the pro-Christian Kerala Congress in the Cabinet sub-committee,” said a top leader of the Socialist Janata (Democratic), a UDFconstituent.

“How can the committee with known pro-Church members in it take a firm position against the Inter-Church Council at the talks with it? If the leadership of the committee had been given to non-minority members, it could at least have some credibility. This has now become a war within the Government,”hesaid.

A day after Kerala Congress (M) leader and Finance Minister KM Mani, who led the sub-committee in the talks, announced that the Inter-Church Council would continue to fill all seats in its medical colleges with students chosen by the managements Health Minister Adoor Prakash came out against this, giving out a feeling that the panel was divided over the matter.

There are six Christians in the 20-member UDF Cabinet while the number of Muslim Ministers is five. Also, crucial portfolios like Education, Finance, Industries, IT, Water Resources and Food are being handled by Ministers from minorities.

Shocked by this, the representatives of non-Christian managements wonder how a democratic government can proposes a set of norms for Christian colleges and another set of norms for non-Christian colleges. “By doing so, the government has betrayed the people in the state. We have so far given 50 per cent seats to the people. But now we have to think about it. We cannot accept separate norms,” said the MES (Muslim Education Society) chairman.

Mr Shaffi Parambil, MLA and president of Kerala Students’ Union (KSU) ~ the students’ wing of the Congress in the state ~ alleged that Inter Church Council is functioning like a parallel government. “I hope the chief minister will intervene and correct it,” he said.
“If the Inter Church Council is deciding things here, then it is better to hand over the ruling of the state to the organisation,’’ said Mr P Biju, SFI state president, lashing out at the state government for its biased stand.

Annoyed by the decision, former minister and Congress leader Mr Pandalam Sudhakaran said that though the health ministry, headed by the Congress, had to decide on the issue, it seemed that the Kerala Congress had undermined it. “Students have been denied social justice by the decision. It is very unfortunate and highly objectionable.’’
Minister Mr Mani is the leader of Kerala Congress, which is patronised by various churches, especially the Catholic ones. Chief minister Mr Chandy belongs to the Orthodox sect and is also very close to his church

Actress Swetha Menon Wedding Video & Photos

Today popular Malyalam actress Swetha Menon tied the knot with Sreevalsan Menon at Neythalappurath Sastha Ayappa temple. In a simple affair Swetha married Sreevalsan in front of family and friends.

Swetha who turned actress after trying her hand in modeling has also won the Kerala State Award for best actress for her role in Malayalam super hit film 'Paleri Manickam.’ Only few people from the film fraternity got the invitation, actress Geethu Mohandas was one of them.

Though Swetha’s acting career is not as big as some other names of the industry still she always managed to create that special place in the hearts of her fans, her popularity can be measured through a simple parameter - since the news about her marriage broke out, fans across world have searched about her so much that Swetha Menon wedding, Swetha Menon marriage, Swetha Menon wedding photos, etc became the most searched topics on Google today.

Her husband Sreevalsan Menon is a famous singer and works in Mumbai.

Her 'Rathi Nirvedham', a remake of a Malayalam movie in the 1970s, was released in Kerala a couple of days ago.
Swetha, a model earlier, had bagged the Kerala State Award for best actress for her role in Malayalam superhit film 'Paleri Manickam', directed by Renjith, in which Mammotty was the hero

KSEA DHARNA - PROTEST AGAINST ILLEGAL TRANSFER IN THE SECRETARIAT

KSEA DHARNA - PROTEST AGAINST ILLEGAL TRANSFER IN THE SECRETARIAT ON 16/06/2011. DHARNA INAUGURATED BY Sri.KODIYERI BALAKRISHNAN.MLA, DEPUTY LEADER OF OPPOSITION. Sri.VARADARAJAN ( DESABHIMANI ), Sri.SHANAVAS ( KSTA ) ,Sri.RADHAKRISHNAN CHERUVALLI ( PRESIDENT. KSEA ),
Sri.S.U.RAJEEVE ( GENERAL SECRETARY. KSEA ) PARTICIPATED. ABOUT 2000 MEMBERS PARTICIPATED IN
THE PROTEST MARCH & DHRNA

E M S Nampoodiripad - 102nd Birth day of the Legend

The 14th national seminar on EMS Namboodirippad titled EMS-inte Lokam, has begun in Kottackal on his 102nd birth anniversary.Born in June 13, 1909 at Perinthalmanna, Malappurm District. Father:Parmeswaran Namboothiri. Mother: Vishnudatha Antharjanam. E.M.Sankaran Namboothirippad (EMS) was an internationally renowned Marxian philosopher, author, orator, administrator and great leader of communist and socialist movement. He was the first Chief Minister of Kerala State and the first Chief Minister of the Communist Government elected through democratic process. He is a great personality who created history and who walked along with the history. There are no other leaders in Kerala who influenced the modern Kerala than EMS. During his younger age, he associated with Yoga Kshema Sabha, an organisation found by radical Brahmin youths to eradicate malevolent rituals and practices of the community. Deeply influenced by the national movement, he joined Congress party and plunged into the independence struggle. In 1932 he was imprisoned along with other congress leaders. In 1934 he was elected as the All India Joint Secretary of Congress Socialist Party. In 1937 he along with P.Krishna Pillai, K.Damodaran and N.C.Sekhar found the Kerala Chapter of Communisty party secretly. In 1938, leftists and socialists captured the leadership of Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC).

In 1940 the national leadership dismissed KPCC owing to it
allegiance to communist movement. Then EMS and his friends declared the formation of Communist Party of India (CPI) and he gave leadership to
severa agitations and reformative movements for the uplift of poor and oppressed class of people despite the resistance from every corner. When the party was banned during 1939 to 1942 and 1948 to 1952 he went underground and gave leadership to the party. While EMS was acting as the General Secretary of CPI, the State of Kerala was formed in 1956. When the first election to the state legislature was declared in 1957 February, CPI decided to contest in the elections. CPI won 65 out of 126 seats and formed the first Government of Kerala under the leadership of EMS. His Government took several radical measures especially in the field of land reforms and education sector.

This provoked the religious and communal forces, who were holding monopoly in land and educational institutions. They joined together and started struggle against the policies of the new Government known as Vimochana Samaram (liberation struggle). Succumbed the pressure of the communal forces, the Government of India dismissed EMS Government on July 31, 1959 by invoking Article 356 of the Constitution of India.

In March 1967 he again became the Chief Minister of Kerala. But he resigned on October 24 due to difference of opinion with coalition parties. He was a member of the Legislative Assembly from 1957 to 1977 and from 1970 to 1977 he was the Leader of Opposition. EMS dedicated his life to the Communist Party. He contributed all his properties to the party. He became a member of the party’s Central Committee in 1841 and elected to the Polit Bureau of the party in 1950.

When Communist Party faced a split in 1964, he stood with Communist Party of India (Marxist). He was the General Secretary of the CPI (M) for the 13 years from 1978.

Politics was only the one side of his personality. The other side of his individuality was that of a philosopher and littérateur. He wrote 77 books in Malayalam and 20 in English in addition to numerous essays. His works can be classified under politics, history and literature. EMS passed away on March 18,
1998.

KSU march to Pariyaram Medical College turns violent

The march by KSU members under the leadership of KSU President Shafi Parambil towards Pariyaram Medical College has turned violent. Several policemen including DYSP Abdul Razak have been injured in the stone pelting

Re-entry in politburo of V.S. Achuthanandan in 20th party Congress

The politburo meet in Hyderabad today discussed the re-entry of V S Achuthanandan into the CPM politburo. Party general secretary Prakash Karat brought the issue into the notice of the members.

Karat stated that as all arrangements for the 20th party congress has started; his re-entry can be discussed at the congress. All the politburo members agreed to Karat’s directive.

VS’ issue was voiced at the CPM central committee yesterday by the members of Rajasthan, Delhi and Andhra Pradesh.

Most probably, the state would be the venue of the 20th party congress. Kozhikode, Kannur, Kollam and Thiruvananthapuram are considered to be the venues for the congress in April.

DYFI leader surrenders daughter's PG medical seat amid controversy

Amidst controversy, pro-CPI (M) Democratic Youth Federation of India (DFYI) Kerala Treasurer V V Ramesan Friday surrendered the post-graduate medical seat which his daughter had got under the non-resident Indian (NRI) quota in Pariyaram Medical College (PMC) in Kannur.

Announcing his decision to surrender the seat, he told newspersons here that his family had decided against accepting the seat in the wake of the ongoing controversy on the issue.

He said there was a mistake on his part, adding he had accepted the seat allotted to his daughter as a parent, ignoring its consequences.

Tendering apology to party activists, the youth leader said he took the decision to surrender the seat on the advice of the party in the wake of media reports which said his daughter was not eligible for the seat under the quota reserved for children of NRIs.

Denying remittance of Rs 50 lakh to the college as fee, he said his brother had paid only Rs 5 lakh on his behalf.

Meanwhile, the Muslim Youth League (MYL), affiliated to the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), the second largest partner in the Congress-led ruling United Democratic Front (UDF) in the state, demanded a thorough probe into the controversial allocation of the seat.

Talking to newspersons in Kozhikode, MUL President K M Shaji, MLA, said the government should order a comprehensive probe to unravel malafide actions of its directors relating to the admissions.

Former minister and PMC founder-leader M V Raghavan also demanded an inquiry into the issue.

Welcoming the demand, PMC Chairman and CPI (M) leader M V Jayarajan called upon the government to institute an investigation into the affairs of PMC Society since its inception so that any wrongdoing by erstwhile office-bearers could also be unearthed.

Christian Managements against govt move to acquire 50% PG Medical seats

The self-financing managements have come out against the government move to acquire over 50 percent PG seats of self-financing medical colleges. Christian Management Federation president George Paul said that the decision of government has put them in crisis.

He said that government order cannot be practically implemented and the right to make changes in the conditions rest with the Supreme Court only. He said that they would approach the court if needed

It was on Friday that the Kerala government, through an order, decided to acquire over 50 percent PG seats of self-financing medical colleges. The government also cancelled the admissions conducted by the managements to these seats.

CPI(M) polit bureau, central committee meetings begin

Against the backdrop of its poll debacle in Kerala and West Bengal, the CPI(M) today began its three-day polit bureau and Central Committee meetings here with a preliminary review of the party's electoral performance in five states.

The deliberations over the next two days will also see the party decide on its future course of action and its Congress which is overdue.

The polit bureau meeting today heard the reports from the West Bengal and Kerala committees of their preliminary review and also conducted a rudimentary analysis of elections in other states.

"The opinions of polit bureau will be taken to the Central Committee tomorrow and on that basis, whatever decisions have to be taken, the Central Committee will take,"CPI(M) polit bureau member Sitaram Yechury told reporters tonight.

He was speaking after the end of polit bureau meeting on the first day of the meetings.

Medical PG seats: Amritha Institute exempted from 50:50 equation

The government has exempted Amritha Institute from the 50:50 equation set for admissions to PG seats of self financing medical colleges citing deemed university reason

MF Hussain passes away in London hospital

MF Hussain, the legendary painter who was in exile after threats to his life, died in London a few hours ago, according to media reports from the city.

Hussain died in exile from his homeland in India, having become a Qatari citizen in 2006.

In the 1990s some of Husain's works became controversial because of their portrayal of Hindu deities in the nude or in an allegedly sexual manner.
'You guys are terribly mistaken if you think nude sculptures are not being done now. Go to Mahabalipuram or some other place, there are plenty of artists who do nude or semi nude sculptures of Gods and Goddesses to be installed in temples. In fact nude sculptures are more common in India than any other country because it has been officially sanctioned for centuries to be used in temples. Please travel and know more about your own country'.


Yes, it’s true that there are many temples being built as we speak where there are nude gods and goddesses. Here I include a picture that I took recently when I visited my hometown in Telangana. Here’s a god standing in glory in one of the temples. This god is a recent addition.

The paintings in question were created in 1970, but did not become an issue until 1996, when they were printed in Vichar Mimansa, a Hindi monthly magazine, which published them in an article headlined "M.F. Husain: A Painter or Butcher". In response, eight criminal complaints were filed against Husain. In 2004, Delhi High Court dismissed these complaints of "promoting enmity between different groups ... by painting Hindu goddesses — Durga and Sarswati, that was later compromised by Hindu's. ".

In 1998 Husain's house was attacked by Hindu groups like Bajrang Dal and art works were vandalised. The leadership of Shiv Sena endorsed the attack. Twenty-six Bajrang Dal activists were arrested by the police. Protests against Husain also led to the closure of an exhibition in London, England.

In February 2006, Husain was charged with hurting sentiments of people because of his nude portraits of Hindu gods and goddesses.[20]
A series of cases were brought against him and a court case related to the alleged obscene depiction of Hindu goddesses in his paintings resulted in issuing a non-bailable warrant against Husain after he failed to respond to summons.

Hussain is also famous for his painting of Madhuri Dixit, for his series Gaja Gamini.
The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) deeply
mourns the demise of one of modern India's most iconic artists Maqbool
Fida Hussain. Born in Maharashtra's temple town, Pandharpur, Hussain
grew up in Indore with his father, having lost his mother in childhood.

Apart from his signal contributions, through his paintings and other
creative activity, in strengthening the aesthetic traditions of India,
Hussain richly contributed in advancing India's syncretic
civilizational ethos. Though he passed away at this ripe old age of
95, his absence would be dearly felt in this respect.

It is most unfortunate that Hussain had to stay away from India in a
self-imposed exile since 2006. The CPI(M) had steadfastly protested
against the harrasment of Hussain by the Hindutva communal forces. It
is a pity that the government of the day did not heed the voice of
powerful solidarity in the country to facilitate the return of Hussain
to India. Hussain's death must galvanise the movement to safeguard and
strengthen the syncretic civilizational ethos of India, firmly
adhering to secular democratic traditions.

The Polit Bureau of the CPI(M) conveys its deep felt condolences to
Hussain's family members, activist-painter son Shamshad and other
members of the artist fraternity.